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<title>Latest Articles by boggle</title>
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<title>Visual Identification Of Houseplants</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/Gardening/visual-identification-of-houseplants.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/Gardening/visual-identification-of-houseplants.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Visual identification of houseplants can be tricky at times.  You really have to know your stuff in order to identify them successfully as there are so many types of plants and variations on types of plants.  Your best bet  is to purchase a plant book that you can then thumb through and find matches to the plant you are attempting to identify.

Some things to note when trying to identify a houseplant are texture and color.  Some plants have smooth and shiny leaves, some have fuzzy, furry ones.  Others have small dark leaves and still others have large brightly colored leaves.  Some plants have bright vivid colors and many others have soft pastel colors, or very little color at all.  

Visual identification of houseplants also be fairly time consuming if the plant is uncommon.  There are many books with 1000's of different types of plants and trying to find a particular one is a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack.  If you can find a book designed to help you search by characteristics rather than just the name, that might help speed the process.  

You can also go online and look for photo catalog's of types of houseplants.  Many times the site will allow you to search for certain characteristics.  Another way to make visual identification of houseplants a bit easier, is to learn to recognize the more common plants characteristics.

Some of the indoor growing plants that are popular Dracaenas.  They often have colorfully striped leaves, which grow in whorls from the stems.  Occasionally they will bloom with white or ivory, intensely fragrant flowers.  

Ficas, schefflers and arboricolas are all also very common houseplants that you can become familiar with.  Philodendrons, normally a uniform green in color, and pothos are also very common plants that you can learn to identify.  

Generally plants grown in home are just small, juvenile forms of  larger tropical plants who likely will never reach full growth.  

Some factors to consider when trying visual identification of houseplants also are how big the pot is or how big the plant is, the size of the leaves and stalks or stems, even where you live and the shape of the leaves.  If you live in a generally cold or cooler year round climate, that can rule out some of the more tropical, hot weather plants as possibilities. 

 Likewise if your location in fair weather all year round, that can influence the type of plant it may be.  Also, where exactly the plant is growing, whether it is in your yard in the shade, or in the basement, or by your front porch in a sunny patch of grass.  Depending on the locale, this can influence the possible types of plant it may be. 

Visual identification of houseplants can be pretty tough by just sight alone, so it is important to look at any other factors that may help the plant be identified properly. ]]></description>
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<title>Trying To Identify A Houseplant</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Home/Gardening/trying-to-identify-a-houseplant.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Home/Gardening/trying-to-identify-a-houseplant.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Trying to identify a houseplant is a bit like trying to find the penny with a chip on it, in a bucket full of pennies.  There are so many different varieties and families of plants, and sometimes different types can look remarkably similar to each other.  

A few things to look for when trying to identify a houseplant, are the shape and size of it's leaves, and the size of it's stem, or stalks.  Are the leaves star shaped, or rounded, long or short?  Is the stems of the plant fat and short, or long and skinny?  Is the texture rubbery and shiny, or hairy and prickly?  Does the plant have flowers or blooms?

Some other things to note when trying to identify a houseplant, is where is the plant located?  Both geographically and the exact location it is growing in.  Is it growing in the shade, or growing in direct sunlight?  Is the surrounding terrain rocky and barren, or lush and green?  What is the geographical weather like?  Humid and hot, cool and dry, or a mix of the two?  

All of the above mentioned factors can help you rule out particular types of plants when trying to identify a houseplant.  Also look at the size of the plant overall, and the size of the pot.  Trying to identify a houseplant can be time consuming if you don't educate yourself on what to look for.  They can all start to blend together and look the same if you don't know what to look for.  

Once you learn the fine nuances of plant identification however, no two plants will ever look the same for you again!  One thing can you can do is try a little online research for photos of various species.  Many sites may offer a type of picture catalog that you can do a search in for the characteristics of the plant you are trying to identify.

Another option is to purchase a few books on various types of plants to thumb through.  You can possibly find a match in that manner as well.  Trying to identify a houseplant is important, because if you don't know what kind of plant it is, you can't give it the proper care that is needed for optimal growth.  That means your plant may not quite live up to it's full potential.  

Trying to identify a houseplant is also important for safety purposes.  If you have small children or pets, some houseplants may not be safe to keep around due to the toxic effects if a leaf is eaten.  Many dogs like to munch on stray leaves, and if you accidentally get a houseplant that is toxic, you could end up making your pet extremely sick.    While trying to identify a houseplant is by no means an easy or fun job it is unfortunately very necessary. ]]></description>
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<title>Fat Loss - How Can You Achieve It?</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Weight_Loss/fat-loss-how-can-you-achieve-it.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Weight_Loss/fat-loss-how-can-you-achieve-it.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ When you begin any weight loss program, it should also be one of your goals to include fat loss methods in your regimen.  Many times it is not actually POUNDS you need to lose. Your, possibly, displeasing appearance is most likely more due to excess body fat than anything else.  For this reason, you need to focus your efforts on doing a complete body overhaul. 

The first thing you may want to do before beginning your weight loss program is find out just how much excess body fat you have to lose. This can be done relatively easy by visiting bmi-calculator. Once you have calculated your body fat, you will know what your fat loss needs to be. 

Not so surprisingly, the foods you will eat to lose weight are also the same ones you will eat to lose fat. This makes meal planning a bit easier for you. Daily meals and snacks need to include plenty of the fat burning fruit and vegetables, along with certain fish and seafood. The list of these foods is lengthy, which will give you lots of options when preparing your meals.
 
Another thing you are going to need to do is increase your exercise and physical activity. Believe it or not, simply walking is not going to be the greatest fat burner. While it is better than doing nothing, you will still need to increase the intensity of it to notice any fat loss. If you have been leading a more sedentary lifestyle, you will need to increase your activity slowly. Walking is great place to begin, but you will need to gradually start walking faster and going uphill more. This will work into a more intense cardio workout for you, which will start to burn the unnecessary fat.
 
Even if you have never been crazy about exercising, you can find ways to work out that you will enjoy. Bicycle riding is a great one. This can be done on a real bicycle or a stationary one, although riding around your neighborhood can be more interesting than simply staring at your television as you ride. Maybe you like to play tennis or some other sport that requires a lot of motion. Doing what you enjoy can help you stick to a work out program, thus increasing your fat loss.
 
As you can see, it is not just one thing you need to do when burning fat and losing excess weight. The perfect program is diet and exercise. There is really no way to get around that. However, you can work into something that suits you best. You don't have to jump right in with both feet. It's ok to start out slow and work into it gradually. ]]></description>
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<title>How To Lose Body Fat</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Weight_Loss/how-to-lose-body-fat.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Weight_Loss/how-to-lose-body-fat.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ One of the hardest things you may face in your personal battle of the bulge may be trying to lose body fat. This usually happens because the best way to do this can become misunderstood. Many people believe that losing weight is the most important thing, while losing excess body fat is just as important. 

There is both good body fat and bad body fat. The good body fat is known as essential fat and performs such needed functions as protecting organs and tissues, as well as providing a storage place for energy. The bad body fat is what you, and others, notice around your stomach, thighs and upper arms. This is what you want to focus on when trying to lose body fat.

Once you have calculated your body fat and have found just how much you need to lose, you can begin to plan a program to follow. Happily, a weight loss program will also produce fat loss, so you are accomplishing two things at once. Integrating fat burning foods into your eating habits is going to make a huge difference. These foods not only rid you of excess body fat, but they provide you with more energy for the work out program you need to also adopt.
 
Working together, a diet high in fat burning foods and a good cardio work out can help you lose body fat more quickly than you would imagine. Eat lots of the fat burning foods. There are many to choose from, and can easily be created into tasty and satisfying meals. Add a great cardio work out, such as fast walking, uphill walking, or taking part in some favorite physical sport. These things will combine to get rid of all that unsightly excess body fat. 

It is necessary to know that losing body fat is not something that happens quickly. Depending on how much you need get rid of, it can take several weeks to notice a difference. However, if your excess body fat is not that high, it should not take you quite as long to lose body fat you don't want or need. Just know that complete success will take dedication and patience. Don't expect results overnight. Many products on the market today will promise you instant results in losing body fat. You should understand that there is no such thing, so save your money and do this the right way. ]]></description>
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<title>Great Golf Tips For Beginners</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Sports/Golf/great-golf-tips-for-beginners.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Sports/Golf/great-golf-tips-for-beginners.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you have decided to learn how to play golf, you will most likely be interested in some golf tips for beginners. These can be found in many places on the internet as well as in how to books and instructional DVDs. There will be many of these handy tips you can use once you have actually begun learning the game.
 
The first thing you will need to learn to play a decent game of golf is motion. There are 5 basic actions to this. They are the Foot Action, Leg and Knee Action, Hip and Shoulder Action, Arm Action and Hand and Wrist Action. Except for your head, these incorporate your whole body. You will need to learn about how these actions work together to make for a successful golf game.  A great place to pick up some extensive golf tips for beginners is at www.golflink.com. There are many great free "lessons" presented by Tom Ward, who is a PGA Tour Instructor. 

Another great site to visit for free golf tips is www.learnaboutgolf.com. There are not only instructional texts here, but pictures and video clips, as well. This is very helpful because most of the time it is just easier to understand something when you can see it in action. You will also be given the chance to sign up for a free newsletter from this site. It is a highly informative site with many golf tips for beginners.

If you are a true beginner when it comes to learning how to play golf, one of the best sites on the internet for you to visit is http://beginnersgolftips.com/. There are actual instructions here for the person who has never picked up a golf club before. Things covered here are Balance, Golf Power, Addressing the Ball, Golf Swing Basics, Golf Posture, Golf Shots, and Putting Tips. These are all things that everyone who wants to play a good game of golf needs to know. You can put these golf tips for beginners to use immediately.

By visiting http://www.absolutebeginnersguidetobettergolf.com/, you can sign up to get a free ebook of 25 golf lessons for the beginning golfer. This one shows you everything a beginner needs to know before hitting the golf course for the first time. It also states on the site that it is written so that even a 5th grade student can comprehend it. At no charge, there is no way you can lose by getting it.  

Any of these sites are great to visit if you are looking for golf tips for beginners. By doing your own searching, you will most likely find even more of them. But this is a good start, especially if you are impatient to learn more and get out on the golf course. ]]></description>
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<title>Golf Swing Sequence - What Is It?</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Sports/Golf/golf-swing-sequence-what-is-it.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Sports/Golf/golf-swing-sequence-what-is-it.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Most experts say there are 3 parts to the golf swing sequence, but there are actually 4 parts. It is the first part that seems to get left out of most golf instructions, yet is a very important part of the sequence. This part is called the set up. 

When you are performing the set up, your feet need to be shoulder width apart as well as parallel to your target. Your ball should be opposite of your left heel with the face of your club aiming at the green. You might try using the shaft of your club to mark a straight line from your ball to the hole. Choosing something like a mark on the turf or a piece of grass that stands out can serve as a marker. Once you have this worked out, you can line up your club face to the marker you chose.

The next part of the golf swing sequence is the back swing. This is a very important part of the full golf swing.  It is so vital to get this part right because if it isn't correct at this stage, then the rest of the swing sequence will be off, making for an appalling drive. This part of the swing sequence needs to be on body rotation along with club and arm extension.

The next stage, called the downswing, begins with the hips and legs instead of the arms. Your knees, thighs, and hips should begin to move forward, shifting your body weight from the back to the front. Following this form is the correct way of performing this part of the golf swing sequence.

The final step is impacting the ball. Your body weight should fall on the outside of your forward heel and the inside of your rear foot. There is no other correct way to follow through on this stage.

The only way to get your golf swing sequence down the right way is to perform some exercises that are golf specific. These will strengthen the right muscles.  You need to be aware that the golf swing, in general, is not a natural body movement. This is why it is so hard to do it the right way.  If you have a favorite professional golfer that you like, try watching him or her and mimic the moves you see. That can be a rather effective way to find your own way of doing things. ]]></description>
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<title>5 Tips For Improving Your Golf Swing</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Sports/Golf/5-tips-for-improving-your-golf-swing.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Sports/Golf/5-tips-for-improving-your-golf-swing.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you are trying to learn how to play golf, or just trying to improve your game, you most likely understand how important a good golf swing is to your game. There are some basic tips that all golfers either need to know, or already follow with regard to the swing. Following you will see what they are:

1. An accurate golf swing is really not about your arms. This can be described as putting your golf club behind your back, at the same time turning your back to the green. If you are thinking less about where your arms are, or where they will be, you won't be so likely to bend your elbow as you swing. It's important to cock your wrists. Be sure to cock your wrists at a 90 degree angle as your left arm is parallel to the ground. This will help you take your golf club back straight without having to actually THINK about doing it. 

2. Remember to allow your left arm to roll just a little clockwise at the beginning of your back swing. You don't usually have to remember to do this. This can happen automatically if you let it. All you have to do is not resist the natural movement. 

3. Keeping your feet on the ground is important. You see many golfers letting their front heels come off the ground while executing their golf swing. This is really not needed. This action really just makes creating the proper tension in your body that much harder. It is fine to let your foot roll to the inside, but also keep it on the ground to anchor your swing.

4. Remember that the golf down swing starts from the bottom. Even if you do everything right with your golf grip, stance and back swing, you can still ruin it all by starting your golf down swing with your shoulders.

5. To get the golf down swing right, turn your hips towards the target. This little tip can improve your golf swing so that your drives start going straighter and longer. If you turn your hips toward the target as fast and hard as you can, you will see a great improvement overall.

By following the above suggestions, you should be noticing quite an improvement in your golf swing pretty quickly. It may be hard to adjust to doing something differently, but if you have been doing it wrong all along, it is time to learn the right way. It's worth it to make your game better. ]]></description>
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<title>10 Top Golf Tips - To Become A Better Player</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Sports/Golf/10-top-golf-tips-to-become-a-better-player.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Sports/Golf/10-top-golf-tips-to-become-a-better-player.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ When you are first starting to learn how to play golf, or even if you are a seasoned golfer, you will probably always be on the look out for golf tips. This is especially true if you have a problem area that you would like to improve upon, or if there is just something you can't quite seem to get right. Following are a few short tips that might help you the next time you are out on the golf course.

1. Balance is quite important when it comes to playing a good round of golf, especially when you are executing your golf swing. By keeping your knees bent, your weight will rest in the middle of your feet, thus keeping you balanced during your golf swing.

2. Another of the useful golf tips to remember is that you should not swing your golf club at 100 percent power. If you swing at 70 percent, you will keep your balance, which gives you enough distance for a good golf swing.

3. If you own one of the new drivers with 420 or 460 printed on the bottom, you will need to tee your ball higher to make sure you get it on the up swing.

4. When you have a short putt to make, it works best to keep the putter in line with the hole. To get really proficient at this, try practicing 1 foot putts.

5. In order to make a good pitch and run shot, think of hammering a tack into the ball. It will give you a solid hit.

6. One of the useful golf tips for winter play involves putting. If you are playing when the greens are dewy, you need to putt firm in order to make it to the hole.

7. Always remember to keep your golf grips clean so that you will have a good feel of the club.

8. When your ball lands on an un-even spot, don't swing too hard, as you are off balance already. Swinging too hard will make the situation worse.

9. For long putts, it works better to stand taller. You will have a better view of the hole.

10. A good thing to remember when putting, is to focus your thoughts more on the putt than your stroke.

The best of all the golf tips you will hear is to relax when you are out playing golf. Being nervous will only put you off your game. If you start to feel nervous or tighten up, try pushing your shoulders up to your ears and hold them there a few seconds. Then let them drop. This is a method of instant relaxation and will help your golf swing be a good one. ]]></description>
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<title>Calculate Your Body Fat</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Weight_Loss/calculate-your-body-fat.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Weight_Loss/calculate-your-body-fat.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you are trying to lose weight, you must understand that it is very important to calculate your body fat as well as knowing how much you weigh. The reason for this is that most people need to reduce fat rather than actual pounds. While some fat is important to your body, having too much of the unnecessary amount is not healthy.

Needed fat takes care of such things as regulating your body temperature, protecting organs and tissues, and is the primary source for storing your body's energy. This is known as essential fat. The percentage of essential fat is higher in women than in men. Women need more fat than men because of childbirth demands on the body, as well as other hormonal functions. The percentage of essential fat in men is 2 percent - 5 percent. In women, the percentage is 10 percent - 13 percent.  However, the recommended minimum of total body fat percentage is bit higher than the aforementioned numbers. 

In order to know where you fall on the body fat charts, you will need to calculate your body fat. There are several ways to do this, from a do it yourself skin fold test, to online calculators. The skin fold test is not quite as accurate as other methods. Basically, you are pinching some skin at different body locations, which is measured. This can show the changes in body composition over time, even if it's not a totally accurate method of calculating body fat. 

The Height and Circumference method is used by the U.S. Marine Corps as well as the U.S. Army. This is conducted by measuring males around the neck and waist. Hips, waist and neck are measured on females. The figures from these measurements are compared to a specific chart showing height and weight. It is used primarily due to its convenience and low cost. Another form of this method to calculate your body fat is the YMCA formula. This one employs just body weight in pounds, and waist measurement in inches.
 
While the above are tried and true methods of finding your body fat, there are many online calculators that do the work for you. The only information you need to know is your height, weight, and, depending on which calculator site you use, your waist and hip measurements. The site that uses the Navy method is found at http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/. This may turn out to be the easiest, and most accurate, way for you to calculate your body fat. ]]></description>
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<title>Six Pack Abs - What Does It Mean?</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/six-pack-abs-what-does-it-mean.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Fitness/Muscle_Building/six-pack-abs-what-does-it-mean.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ You have probably heard the expression "six pack abs" on many occasions. It may have been shortened to simply "six pack." However, the meaning is still the same. This expression refers to having a lean, flat, muscular stomach, and both men and women seem to want it. The real question to answer is whether this is even possible for everyone. 

Some books and DVDs with exercise regimens that will promise you anything will say that there is no reason that anyone who is willing to work can't have this muscular midsection. This is not necessarily true. The truth is that six pack abs are a bit harder to attain than these money makers would have you believe. These are really a pre-cellulite phenomenon. People in their teens and 20's can achieve this, but it gets harder as you get older, as there is more subcutaneous body. However, if you have the right genetics and follow a strict program, you may have a shot at it, even if you are in your 30's or 40's. 

It is a bit more difficult for women to be able to sport six pack abs. A female's body stores more fat than men because they are made for bearing and nourishing babies. It is also true that men usually lose weight faster when they are exercising regularly. Experts have found that it can even be a bit unhealthy for women to lower their body fat enough to have abs this lean, as it can even stop their menstrual cycles. 

It may be better to not aim for such extreme results, but there are some very important reasons to work on your midsection.  The abdominal core muscles make the torso stronger, create better posture, help reduce lower back pain, and lessen the risk of injury. Abdominal workouts can also make other areas of the body more fit, and help you if you play different sports, or engage in running exercise.

So, even though you may not be meant to have six pack abs, there is no reason that you cannot indulge in a bit of abdominal training. You can still make your stomach flatter and tighter with proper nutrition and a good exercise program. It is a wise idea to look into several of these programs before choosing one to try. If you are able, speak to a professional trainer who should be able to help you choose and implement just the right abdominal work out for you. ]]></description>
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