Curiously Awesome

Charter has a new sweepstakes that is worth taking a look at.

Charter is known for doing things in a fun way. Have you seen some of their contests and give-aways? They have given away cars and Xboxs to name only a few. This is only one of the many ways that Charter wants to connect with customers and show new customers how happy they will be with Charter services.

Charter Communications wants to meet the demand for HD programming. If you become a new Charter customer or you upgrade your current service during the month of April you will be automatically entered into their drawing for a 22-inch flat screen HDTV!

Visit Charter’s website and easily navigate around to build the service bundle that fits your desires and needs. When you bundle your services this way you not only save money but you can be sure that you are receiving the services you want.

In addition, Charter is offering a chance to win a grand prize package that includes a 52-inch LCD flat screen HDTV, a home theater system, and a year of free Charter Digital Cable service!

A new study is researching what factors lead laser printers to emit toxic particles into the air. Laser printers are the biggest polluting piece of equipment in the typical office.

Individual components were heated separately in furnaces so that researchers could observe how they emitted particulates in response to heat. They found that each component had a threshhold under which emissions were almost nonexistent. Then there was a higher threshhold determined at which only volatile organic compounds were emitted and another threshold at which both volatile organic compounds and particulates were produced.

The researchers also operated the printers in different settings to measure either the nature of particles emitted or to measure how long the particles persisted. The laser printer emitted about 100,000 percent more particulates than the other printer mostly because of a different pattern of particulate release.

Toner or paper type had only limited effect on volatile organic compounds or particulate emissions. These findings have led the researchers to conclude that printer design is the biggest indicator of emissions levels.

I was browsing today looking for something that you would not ordinarily consider that exciting or extraordinary…however…the mailing labels that I found at VistaPrint were definitely enough to make me stop right where I was and take a closer look.

Are you like me? Do you appreciate those free mailing labels you get in the mail all of the time…but at the same time you are embarrassed to actually use them. Does the idea of actually putting one of them on a letter make you cringe a little bit? I’m embarrassed to admit that I feel that way. And my frugal nature is even ashamed of myself! So…to make up for the fact that I cannot bring myself to use these nifty free mailing labels…I give them to my kids! That works great for me because my kids love them. So everyone’s happy!

Anyway, if you are in need of new mailing labels I would encourage you to check out VistaPrint. These mailing labels are pretty, they are different, they are high quality, and they are affordable. I believe that must be everything that you would want in a mailing label…am I right?

When I was at VistaPrint today, I decided to just go ahead and order myself some so I was very busy custom reating my mailing labels. I decided to upload my own design and make them exactly the way I want them to look! How cool is that? VistaPrint makes it so easy that even someone who is somewhat technically challenged as I am can handle this. I promise!

They also have a “build-a-design” option if this interests you as well. All-in-all I think VistaPrint is the perfect place to order your quality mailing labels…and any other products of this nature that you find yourself needing, for that matter. Check out VistaPrint!

Drinking hibiscus tea can significantly reduce blood pressure among people with elevated risks of cardiovascular disease.

High blood pressure is a dangerous health condition that triples the risk of heart attack and is responsible for 60 percent of all strokes.

Scientists don’t understand what compounds in hibiscus contribute to this effect. The flowers are known to contain chemicals that have been shown to improve the functioning of blood vessels and strengthen the protein collagen. This helps give structure to cells and tissues, including blood vessels.

Beverages made or flavored from the flowers of the plan Hibiscus sabdariffa are popular in many African, Asian and Caribbean countries.

Have you made it into Sears yet? What on earth are you waiting for? Sears is offering 75 to 80 percent off the original prices on fall and winter clothing right now! But this will only last until April 18 so it’s time to get moving to save some money.

I love this outfit. I am needing a few new pairs of cropped pants and these pants look so comfy and stylish. I think I might spend my entire spring in cropped pants like this. What do you think?

I’m telling you, if you take a look at Sears’ site you will not believe the prices they are offering right now. I think there’s something for everyone so I am going to take full advantage of these prices and purchase as much of what I think my family will need for next winter right now. Buying ahead and being prepared makes a mom feel so good!

Go and see if you can find something…and then come tell me what you found!

Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have published a report about cats developing severe neurological symptoms because of a degradation of myelin (the fatty insulator of nerve fibers). Myelin facilitates the conduction of nerve signals so when it is damaged there can be impairments depending on what particular nerves are affected.

Wondering what caused the cats to develop neurological problems? The cats were fine until they were fed irradiated food. Also, when they were taken off the irradiated diet, their nervous systems improved.

The study was conducted because the researchers were faced with reports of a mysterious illness in pregnant cats. A commercial company had been testing various diets on the animals to see how the food impacted growth and development in the felines. The food used had been irradiated. Irradiation involves exposing foods to a radiant energy source to kill bacteria.

The finding is important because it shows the central nervous system retains the ability to reestablish myelin.

Interestingly enough though…the scientists were quick to dismiss a possible connection between people, irradiated food and health risk.

Not everyone agrees irradiated food is fine for humans or animals. According to the Center for Food Safety, studies have shown irradiation produces volatile toxic chemicals such as benzene and toluene, which are known or suspected to cause cancer and birth defects.