Community : Greenfoods.com, The Experts in Green Nutrition

Community : Greenfoods.com, The Experts in Green Nutrition

Magma Plus® 5.3oz - $23.32 : Greenfoods.com, The Experts in Green Nutrition

Magma Plus® 5.3oz - $23.32 : Greenfoods.com, The Experts in Green Nutrition

Chromium Picolinate

Chromium Picolinate for Sugar Withdrawal

Dr Jampolis told Dr Oz that there are supplements she prescribes to help people with Fat & Sugar Withdrawal.  You can take 1000 mg of Chromium Picolinate every day to help ween yourself off of a Sugar Withdrawal, because Chromium Picolinate helps insulin to work better in your body.  You should stop taking Chromium Picolinate as soon as you are off of the Sugar Addiction, according to Dr Melina Jampolis.  You can also take a Vitamin B Complex to help you get over your cravings.  B Complex also boosts the Seratonin in your brain and helps with your mood.  Unlike, Chromium Picolinate, Dr Jampolis said that you can take a Vitamin B Complex every day (not just for a short period).

Thank you

Limited Edition Thanksgiving Tees

100% of the profits from these exclusive tees will be donated to the Life is good Kid's Foundation, established to help children facing unfair challenges such as extreme poverty, violence, illness and natural disasters.

Also, we are excited to introduce the Life is good Holiday Gift Guide. Enjoy holiday gift-giving made easy so you have more time to slow down and enjoy the season. Find the perfect gifts by shopping the Life is good products by hobby, price, top sellers, stocking stuffers and the Special Edition Holiday 2011 Collection.

The Gift Guide will help you find the right gift to bring a smile to that special someone and we always offer Free Shipping and Free & Easy Returns. Grab the links below to help promote our Holiday Gift Guide:

Mt. Rainier

Usually it's the clouds that cast a shadow on the ground, not the other way around.
Wednesday morning, Seattle area residents were treated to this spectacular sunrise as the first rays of light hit Mount Rainier before reaching the sky. The cloud cover provided the perfect canvas for Rainier's shadow, making it almost seem like a smoking volcano.

It only happens when the sun rises farther to the south as we head toward the winter solstice and has to be in the exact position to where Rainier blocks the first rays of morning light.

Conditions have to be just perfect for this sight to even occur.

NASA

Oct 2, 1011
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has been providing some stunning images of the sun since early 2010, but recently it began releasing daily images of the sun that will blow your mind.

The $865 million project equipped the semi-autonomous SDO craft to orbit the sun for five years, sending back advanced data about the life-giving star. Among the data retrieved are these photos images, which picture the light thrown off by the star at wavelengths not typically visible to the human eye.
These x-ray and ultraviolet images give a unique perspective and help scientists understand the internal motion of the giant ball of burning gas.
NASA has begun releasing daily images of the sun, which you can check out in the slideshow below, or here on NASA's website.
In addition, the NASA site also has a number of 48-hour timelapse videos of the star, that you can check out for yourself.

Chromium Picolinate and Weight Loss

introduction
Chromium picolinate is a nutritional supplement that works to increase the efficiency of insulin to optimal levels.  Gaining increased popularity in the United States, this supplement has been touted a miracle mineral, one advertised to have myriad effects including weight loss, mood enhancement, energy promotion, increase in life span, and even the prevention of acne (Krzanowski, 1996).  The most common usage for chromium picolinate is as a weight loss aid; claims that this supplement can melt fat, drastically reduce appetite, and increase metabolism are rampant and account for the popularity of chromium picolinate in our diet-obsessed culture.  Recently, the supplement has been marketed as a safe alternative to steroids, claiming to increase strength and lean muscle mass (Trent &Thieding-Cancel, 1995). Chromium picolinate is a common ingredient in many herbal weight-loss concoctions readily available for over-the-counter sale at the local drugstore or on the internet.  However, because chromium picolinate is a nutritional supplement rather than a prescription drug, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cannot vouch for the accuracy of advertisers often remarkable claims (Krzanowski, 1996).  Additionally, scientific research is generally unsupportive of the weight loss claims surrounding chromium picolinate; consumers must be aware of these discrepancies when making a decision to take this or any other nutritional supplement.
what is chromium picolinate?
This popular nutritional supplement is a combination of the element chromium and picolinic acid.  Chromium is a naturally-occurring mineral, trace amounts of which are found in everyday foods like meat, poultry, fish, and whole-grain breads.  When foods are processed, they are stripped of natural chromium, making American diets generally very low in chromium; studies estimate an average daily chromium consumption of 33 mcg.  In 1968, it was demonstrated that when animals do not receive adequate levels of chromium, insulin is not optimally effective, and damage to insulin-dependent systems can occur (Schroeder, 1968).  This led the FDA to recommend a daily chromium intake of approximately 130 mcg, as infinitesimal amounts of chromium are needed to aid the transport of blood glucose across cell membranes .  Combining chromium with picolinic acid simply aids in efficient chromium absorption, and it is this combined form that is popular on the diet market today.
how does chromium picolinate work?
After eating, the human body secretes the hormone insulin.  In general, the primary function of insulin is to transport glucose to the body�s cells in order to provide energy that facilitates cell functioning.  It is speculated that chromium picolinate works by stimulating the activity of insulin, thus significantly aiding the bodys glucose and fat metabolism, managing the breakdown of glucose and fat .The exact mechanisms by which chromium improves this insulin efficiency are currently unclear; it has been suggested that chromium somehow works to increase sensitivity of insulin receptors (Krzanowski, 1996).  However, because research has yet to produce any definite answers as to the exact function of chromium picolinate, competing theories about its precise effects exist.  Some claim that that the improved insulin efficiency causes an increase in the production of seratonin, which subsequently reduces appetite.  Still others assert that chromium can regulate the fat-production processes in the body, preventing excess fat from forming.  One hypothesis states that chromium picolinate increases protein synthesis, which in turn stimulates muscle growth.
Heavy marketing of chromium picolinate as a dietary aid focuses on chromium picolinates reputed ability to reduce the bodys fat stores while conserving lean muscle mass. claims about chromium picolinate
The internet is littered with sites that laud chromium picolinate as the ultimate weight loss tool.  Many of these sites market chromium picolinate as having a very specific effect on the body's energy supply, tagging the supplement an indispensable biochemical partner of insulin. As such, chromium picolinate will help the dieter burn calories and control their appetite while melting away undesirable body fat.  In addition to these appealing claims is the statement that chromium picolinate will increase and even tone lean muscle mass during the weight loss process.  The supplement is therefore a vital addition to recent exercise in a bottle and herbal fat burner pills.  These diet compounds, which are readily available over the internet, often combine chromium picolinate with L-carnitine, with guarana and ma huang or with dangerous diuretics .Such combination tablets are risky, as any interactions between chromium picolinate and other supplements remain unknown at this time .Nevertheless, chromium picolinate continues to appear as an ingredient in products with promising names like Ripped Action, Fat Burner Bars,and Ripped Fast, alluding to the spectacular results that a dieter might expect from chromium picolinate .  Weight loss is not the only effect that one can expect from chromium picolinate, however.  One bodybuilding site even refers to uncited evidence that chromium picolinate can expand the life span via age-slowing effects while as improving circulation.  The site's concluding statement on the potency of chromium picolinate is simply: whoa, that is powerful!! does chromium picolinate effectively aid weight loss?
Scientific research has been largely unsupportive of the appealing claims made about chromium picolinate's ability to significantly aid weight loss.  Because chromium picolinate professes an ability to reduce fat while maintaining and increasing lean muscle mass, the most relevant studies are those examining body composition.  These measurements typically include percent body fat, body weight, and lean body mass.  A study by Trent and Thieding-Cancel (1995) examines the effectiveness of chromium picolinate as a fat-reduction aid in an obese subject population.  In this particular study, obesity was defined as exceeding the Navy's percent body fat standards: 22% fat for men and 30% fat for women.  Over the course of the study, subjects met three times weekly for at least thirty minutes of aerobic activity; one half of the group received 400 mcg of chromium picolinate to supplement their training, while the other group received a placebo.  Height, body weight and percent body fat measurements were obtained at the onset of the study and sixteen weeks later.  Results did not indicate any differences in measures of body composition between the experimental (chromium) group and the control (placebo) group.  Although the group as a whole lost a small amount of weight, this change was attributed to the implementation of an exercise regimen rather than to chromium supplementation.  The authors conclude absolutely no link between body fat, insulin insensitivity, and chromium picolinate, and do not recommend the supplement as a useful aspect of weight-loss programs (Trent & Thieding-Cancel, 1995).
A paper by Grant et al (1997) examined the effects of chromium supplementation in a population of obese women.  Subjects took either 200 mcg of chromium picolinate or a placebo with or without exercise training. This particular program that consisted of both cardiovascular and resistance training.  In addition, the women were asked not to alter their diets in any way during the course of the study.  The dependent measures in the Grant et al (1997) study were body weight, body fat percentage, fat mass, as well as fat free mass.  After nine weeks on this program, some interesting findings were revealed.  First, the coupling of chromium picolinate and exercise did not produce any significant weight loss as compared to controls, supportive of Trent & Thieding-Cancel (1995) and the general conclusion that chromium picolinate does not enhance weight loss.  A second important finding was that chromium supplementation without exercise actually produced a significant increase in body weight. This suggests that chromium picolinate is not only an ineffective tool for weight loss, but may in fact be counterproductive in dieting endeavors (Grant et al, 1997).
A sample of normal males is examined in a third study testing the effects of chromium picolinate on weight loss and body composition (Lukaski et al, 1996).  This group was enrolled in a weight training class designed to maximize strength gain in all major muscle groups.  Again, the experimental group participated in the exercise program with chromium picolinate supplementation while the control group took a placebo.  At the end of an eight week period, both groups were tested for strength, fat-free mass, and muscle mass; while all measures increased as a result of resistance training, there were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups.  Additionally, there was no effect on fat loss in either group (Lukaski et al, 1996).
Because chromium picolinate is occasionally marketed to athletes as a natural alternative to steroids, it is pertinent to consider the effects of chromium supplementation within an athlete population.  Walker et al (1998) examine body composition and muscular performance of Division I collegiate wrestlers involved in preseason conditioning.  The authors point out that during this phase of training, wrestlers are primarily interested in trying to improve performance and are not engaged in severe, acute weight loss practices commonly employed before competition (Walker et al, 1998).  Athletes participated in a fourteen week resistance and conditioning schedule.  One group's training was supplemented with chromium picolinate while the other group took placebo tablets.  In general agreement with earlier studies, chromium picolinate was not found to decrease body fat or to increase lean muscle mass or strength.  This study specifically refutes claims that chromium picolinate produces results analogous to anabolic steroids, and discourages the use of the supplement among athlete populations (Walker et al, 1998).
 One study did reveal chromium picolinate as an effective aid for weight loss.  Harris et al (1998) examined dietary supplementation with Chroma Slim?, a combination pill that includes chromium picolinate and lipotropics such as L-carnitine.  The combination of supplementation and exercise significantly increased fat loss as compared to the control group.  At present, the results of this study were available only in abstract form and offered only these promising preliminary results (Harris et al, 1998).  Several studies using animal subjects also assert fat loss and muscle growth (i.e. Mooney et al, 1995; Lindemann et al, 1995). However, evidence that chromium picolinate can accomplish the same feat in humans is rare, and overwhelmingly indicates that chromium picolinate is simply not effective for human weight loss.
The majority of scientific evidence suggests that chromium picolinate is neither a helpful nor beneficial part of weight loss programs.  In the absence of exercise, it may even cause weight gain.  An important side note is the fact that all groups involved in chromium picolinate studies, particularly those groups of obese subjects, managed to lose body weight and fat when enrolled in exercise training programs.  While chromium picolinate did not enhance weight loss as expected, participants still lost weight and gained muscle by exercising.  Although not the easy solution desired by many American dieters, exercise is a proven and safe method to lose weight, to gain muscle, and to improve general health.
 does chromium picolinate have any adverse effects?
Chromium picolinate, though not a proven method of weight loss, remains among the most popular dietary supplements available over the counter.  Because it is taken daily by millions of Americans, it is important to evaluate any potential risks involved in chromium supplementation.  Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of research concerning these side effects.  Several case studies reporting subtle behavioral changes as a result of chromium picolinate are scattered throughout the literature.  For example, one patient took chromium picolinate on three separate occasions and had three distinct episodes of progressively worse cognitive, perceptual, and motor changes (Krzanowski, 1996).  These episodes included sensations of feeling funny to reports of mental short circuiting and even a complete disruption of motor abilities (Krzanowski, 1996).  Other sources report vague symptoms including irregular heartbeat, leading the FDA to cite safety concerns
 should you take chromium picolinate?

Despite rampant claims that chromium picolinate is a weight loss miracle that will melt fat, improve metabolism, and increase muscle mass, scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that the supplement does nothing of the kind.  When combined with exercise, chromium supplementation does nothing to enhance weight loss as compared to exercise alone, in study after study.  The case of chromium picolinate should caution consumers against believing miracle weight loss claims.  When advertised on the internet, chromium picolinate is presented as a reliable, safe, and fast way to reduce body fat: actual evidence presents a very different picture of this supplement.  Taking a daily dose of chromium picolinate will not likely produce any drastic results, and certainly will not produce effects that could not be achieved with exercise alone.  Consumers should always be wary of dietary supplements touted as miracles, and investigate the truth behind flashy claims before deciding to take any nutritional aid.
 
Reported by Amanda Allen

references

Grant, K.E., Chandler, R.M., Castle, A.M., & Ivy, J.L.  (1997).  Medicine
 and Science in Sports and Exercise, 29(8), 992-998.
Harris, C, Hoeger, W., Long, E.M., Welch, M., Hafner, T.L., Kjorstad, R.L.,
 & Hopkins, D.R.  (1998).  Twenty five days of dietary supplementation
 with chroma slim augments body fat reduction.  Medicine and Science
 in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), 62.
Krzanowski, J.J. (1996). Chromium picolinate.  Journal of the Florida Medical
Association, 83(1), 29-31.
Lindemann, M. D., Wood, C. M., Harper, A. F., Komegay, E. T. & Anderson, R. A.
(1995). Dietary chromium picolinate additions improve gain-feed and carcass characteristics in growing finishing pigs and increase litter in reproducing sows. Journalof Animal Science, 2, 457-465.
Lukaski, H.C., Bolonchuk, W.W., Siders, W.A., & Milne, D.B.  (1996).  Chromium
 supplementation and resistence training: effects on body composition, strength,
 and trace element status of men.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 63, 954-
965.
Mooney, K. W. & Cromwell, G. L. (1995). Effects of dietary chromium supplementation
on growth, carcass characteristics,and accretion rates of carcass tissues in growing-finishing swine. Journal of Animal Science,73, 51-57.
Schroeder, H.A.  (1968).  The role of chromium in mammilian nutrition.
 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 21, 230-244.
Trent, L.K, & Theiding-Cancel, D.  (1995).  Effects of chromium picolinate on body composition..  Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 35(4), 273-280.
Walker, L.S., Bemben, M.G., Bemben, D.A., Knehans, A.W.  (1998).  Chromium
 picolinate effects on body composition and muscular performance in
 wrestlers.  Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(12), 1730-1737.

Florida Holly

Florida's Hollies

Florida has 11 natives species of Holly (Ilex). Hollies are found in almost every plant community from coastal scrub, tropical hammocks, pine flatwoods to river floodplains. The hollies are unusual in that they are either male or female. Male hollies are often overlooked as they can be confused with other alternately leaved woody plants. The flowers of some species such as Ilex glabra are important honey plants. The fruit of hollies are distinctive and often showy. When most people think of hollies they may automatically envision the evergreen American holly (I. opaca) with its red fruit and spiny leaves. This species is the ubiquitous "holly" of the Christmas holiday season. Every county in Florida has a species of holly, but the most wide spread of all the native species is dahoon holly (I. cassine) which is found throughout the state, even south into the Florida Keys. If dahoon holly is the most widespread, gallberry (Ilex glabra) is the most common as it is native to Florida's extensive pine flatwoods. This species along with several other groundcover species is adapted to the rather frequent ground fires that historically swept across Florida's pinelands during the summer thunderstorm season. This landscape of scattered pines with a dense groundcover including gallberry is one of the most common landscapes in Florida.

Seeing PINK? Not in Florida

Dorothy Baldwin zoo educator Jacksonville Zoological Gardens shares this information about Flamingos:

"I work at a major zoo here in the state of Florida and I have always been fascinated with these birds. I would like to point out, however, that flamingos are not native to North America. The flamingo has not been known to ever breed here, or to live here for extended periods of time, which are just some of the requirements for a bird species to be considered a "native species" animal within a particular region. Flamingos make their homes in Europe, Africa, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. The Caribbean, or American, flamingo may visit our area for a short time while searching for food, but it has not been noted to permanently live in our region of the world. Sometimes small numbers of flamingos (they usually have flocks numbering in the hundreds of thousands) are driven into areas where they normally do not make their homes. This is generally due to a change in food sources or due to the effects of drought. The flamingos that we see here in Florida are generally ones which have been brought in for display purposes in zoos, etc. Their wings are generally pinned or trimmed to keep them within their areas. There have been a few "escapees" due to accidental release, or due to release because of natural disasters such as hurricanes. Generally these birds will stay only for a short while, but they migrate on to more suitable habitat areas and never seem to make us their permanent home"

Size does COUNT

Trying to figure out what size ? AFGHAN SIZES

30" x 40"..................Stroller Blanket:

Blanket Sizes (approximate) For preemies, blankets without ‘holes’ are best.

Small Preemie:.......... 18” - 20” square

Medium Preemie:...... 20” - 22” square

Large Preemie: ..........22” - 28” square

Full Term Baby: ........28” - 36” square

24" x 30"............Infant - 2 years
30" x 36"............2-4 yrs old

36" x 42"............7-11 yrs old
48" x 60"...........12 or older

50" x 70"...........Adult

Lapghan: 36"x 48" often used in nursing homes & wheelchairs

BED SIZES:

TWIN: mattress top is 39" x 75"
Twin flat sheet: 66" x 96"
Twin Blanket: 66" x 90"
Twin Comforter: 69" x 90"

EXTRA LONG TWIN: mattress top is 39" x 80"
** Most popular size in college dorms
Extra Long Twin Flat Sheet: 66" x 102"
Extra Long Twin Blanket: 66" x 95"

FULL/DOUBLE: mattress top is 54" x 75"
Full/Double Flat Sheet: 81" x 96"
Blanket: 80" x 90"
Full Comforter: 84" x 90"

QUEEN: mattress top is 60" x 80"
Queen Flat Sheet: 90" x 102"
Blanket: 90" x 100"
Queen Comforter: 90" x 95"

KING: mattress top is 76" x 80"
King Flat Sheet: 108" x 102"
Blanket: 108" x 100"
King Comforter: 106" x 98"

CALIFORNIA LING: mattress top is
72" x 84"California King Flat Sheet: 102" x 110"
Blanket: 104" x 108"

BABY BEDS:

Porta Crib (mattress top is 24" x 38") use receiving blanket
Small Cradle Blanket (mattress is 15" x 33") 15" x 30"
Large Cradle Blanket (mattress is 18" x 36") 18" x 33"
Crib Blanket(mattress top is 28" x 52"): 28" x 42" or 30" x 40" or 36" x 42" or 36" x 46

BED PILLOW SIZES
Standard 20" x 26"
Queen 20" x 30" King 20" x 36"

 

NOTE: by not any means are there rules to making the PERFECT Size. And Mistake's. Well warmth doesn't mind Mistakes. If you are not please with your Blanket. You can always donate to Animal Shelter in your Area..Because dogs or cats do not mind mistakes Make a Forever Blankie for new Pet owners. If you would like a List or link. Please email me I see what i can do.

Blessings

My Favorite Horse -Legend has it that the home of the unicorn is at the edge of the world, where for thousands of years such mystical one-horned horses have captured mankind's imagination, but eluded capture themselves. Noble, brave, gentle and strong, the untamable unicorn could be captured only by the one thing more beautiful than their self: the pure love of a girl. It was believed that, upon seeing a fair maiden, an otherwise shy unicorn would fall so deeply under her beguiling spell that it would lay down beside her to sleep with its horned head resting in her lap. Where a group of horses is called a herd, a group of unicorns is known as a blessing.

Crochet

 1797-1830 The Memoirs of a Highland Lady by Elizabeth Grant DEWY: 828.S68 A3 1950 $50

1824 Pénélopé .( Dutch magazine )1st published crochet patterns

1846 Sewing machine

1847 A Winter's Gift, $ 50

1846-47 Godey's Lady's Book

1916 Decorative Stitches and Trimmings by Women's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences 

Mary Brooks Picken was an influential American author of numerous books on needlework, sewing, and textile arts. Born in Aug. 6 1886, she founded the Women's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences in Scranton, PA. A fashion expert and author, Picken was an authority on dress, fabric, design, and sewing. She taught "Economics of Fashion" at Columbia University and was one of the five founding directors of the Costume Instit. She was the first woman to be named a trustee of the Fashion Institute of Technology.

ute

She was a member of the National Academy of Sciences National Research Council Advisory Committee on Women's Clothing that selected Hattie Carnegie as the designer of the United States Army's women's uniform and provided advice and assistance on all elements of the women's uniform beginning in 1949.

Picken was a founder of the Fashion Group and served as its Chairman of the Board.

She was married to G. Lynn Sumner, president of the advertising firm of G. Lynn Sumner Co. of New York.

Among her ninety-six books on sewing and fashion, Picken is notable for being the first female author of a dictionary in the English language (The Fashion Dictionary, 1957.)

Picken died March 8, 1981, in Williamsport, PA

Polyester

The British scientists John Whinfield and James Dickson first invented polyester cloth in 1941 in England. After World War II was over, in 1945, the United States company DuPont bought the right to make polyester and by 1950 a factory in Delaware was beginning to actually make it.

People make polyester out of oil. You take the oil, which is a kind of very big hydrocarbon molecule, and break it down into two smaller molecules, ethylene glycol and dimethyl naphthalate, both still made entirely of oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen atoms. Dimethyl terephthalate is an ester, and ethylene glycol is a kind of alcohol. When you mix the ester and the alcohol together, they form molecules with both positive and negative charges, and the charges make the molecules line up in chains of crystals that hold together as long fibers.

The polymerized material comes out of the machine in long ribbons, and you cut the ribbons into little chips and let them harden. Then you melt the chips again and push the goo out through little holes to make thinner ribbons, and wind the thinner ribbons around spools. Then you heat the thinner ribbons and stretch them out to about five times their original length, to make them thin enough to use as thread to weave cloth.
Since the 1960's, polyester has been the cheapest kind of cloth, and almost half of all the world's clothing is made of polyester. You are probably familiar with polyester mainly from team shirts like for soccer or basketball.
Because we make polyester out of oil, polyester clothing will get more expensive as we run out of oil and it gets more expensive.

Alexander Calder

Alexander Calder (1898-1976), whose illustrious career spanned much of the 20th century, is the most acclaimed and influential sculptor of our time. Born in a family of celebrated, though more classically trained artists, Calder utilized his innovative genius to profoundly change the course of modern art. He began by developing a new method of sculpting: by bending and twisting wire, he essentially "drew" three-dimensional figures in space. He is renowned for the invention of the mobile, whose suspended, abstract elements move and balance in changing harmony. Calder also devoted himself to making outdoor sculpture on a grand scale from bolted sheet steel. Today, these stately titans grace public plazas in cities throughout the world. MORE Info

Synthetic Fibersa/yarn

Synthetic fibers did not appear until much later. The first synthetic, rayon, made from cotton or wood fibers, was developed in 1891, but not commercially produced until 1911. Almost a half a century later, nylon was invented, followed by the various forms of polyester. Synthetic fibers reduced the world demand for natural fibers and expanded applications.

Coats and Clark

With a rich heritage dating back to the early 1800's, Coats history is interwoven with many key innovations and historic events dating back to the beginnings of the industrial revolution. With nearly 200 years of history to share, we have selected a few interesting facts and images from our archives that we thought you would enjoy.


1806 — Napoleon blockaded Great Britain, making silk no longer available to weavers who had begun reproducing the rare Kashmir shawls of India. At the time, the Clark family had a thriving loom equipment business, and sold silk threads for the warp on the looms.

It was at this time that Patrick Clark developed a method of twisting cotton yarns together to produce a thread which was so strong and smooth that it could replace silk in the looms, as well as replace linen and silk threads used for hand sewing as well.

1812 — The Clarks opened the first factory for making cotton sewing thread in Paisley, Scotland. A few years later, another cotton thread mill was opened by James Coats.

1830 — The sons, James and Peter Coats, purchased their fathers' mill, and within a decade, J&P Coats Limited had expanded, with much of its production exported to America. Another member of the family, Andrew Coats, was sent to the U.S. to manage the business.

1864 — George and William Clark, grandsons of James Clark, opened a cotton thread mill in Newark, New Jersey. Five years later, the Coats family began manufacturing thread in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, selling under the name "Spool Cotton Company".

Before Elias Howe's invention of the sewing machine in 1846, thread was usually made of three cords and was used for hand sewing. The thread had a glazed finish and was too wiry and uneven for machine use.

Twenty years later, George Clark developed a six-cord, soft finished thread. This thread, the first ever suitable for machine use, revolutionized the sewing industry, and therefore he called it "Our New Thread." This became known as O.N.T., originating the still famous trademark for the Clark Thread Company product.

1896 — The company continued to grow by adding new products and innovations, including crochet, darning, knitting and embroidery cottons. O.N.T. was the first genuinely fast black thread and the first American brand of sewing, crochet and embroidery cotton to be offered in a large range of colors, all color fast to boiling.

1935 — Prior to 1935, Coats & Clark companies in the United States sold a wide range of cotton threads and handicraft products but no wool yarns. An agreement was reached with Patons & Baldwins, a British manufacturer of knitting yarns, to make yarn in the United States which would be marketed through the Spool Cotton Company.

1952 — J. & P. Coats and the Clark Thread Co. merged to become Coats & Clark Inc.

1959 — Two important innovations were developed, starting with our first 100% acrylic yarn in 1959, followed by the release of Super Saver 'no-dye-lot' yarn in 1987.

1960's — Coats & Clark created cotton-covered polyester core thread which combined the best characteristics of both fibers making it compatible with new fibers and fabrics which had entered the market. Today, Coats Dual Duty Plus® is the number one selling all purpose thread in the home sewing market.


Today, Coats world-wide continues to innovate. Through ongoing research and product development, we explore new fibers, fabrics, finishes and their application for consumer and industrial applications.
History of Coats & Clark

Red Heart Yarn

Red Heart has been around for 75 years and we are pleased to say that 19 of our yarns are made right here in the USA!  Mill in Albany, GA

Red Heart is part of the Coats & Clark family of brands in the crafts and notions category. Included are such brands as Aunt Lydia’s crochet threads, Susan Bates hooks, needles and accessories, Coats zippers and all of the Coats & Clark sewing threads.

Coats & Clark has a rich heritage dating to the early 1800’s and generations of needlecrafters around the the world have looked to Coats for our signature quality and inspiration. Coats history is interwoven with many key innovations dating back to the beginning of the industrial revolution. Today Coats continues to innovate through ongoing research and product development.

Below is a list and a link to more information on the 19 yarns that are manufactured in the USA.

1. Baby Clouds
2. Baby Econo
3. Classic
4. Eco-Cotton Blend
5. Eco-Ways
6. Fiesta
7. Holiday
8. Kids
9. Light & Lofty
10. Moon & Stars
11. Soft Baby
12. Sport
13. Super Saver Chunky (*NEW)
14. Super Saver Economy
15. Super Saver Jumbo
16. Super Saver Regular
17. Super Soft (*NEW)
18. Super Tweed (*NEW)
19. With Love (*NEW)

Jean-Pierre Bethouart

Jean-Pierre Bethouart

A native son of the Picardy region of northern France, Jean-Pierre Bethouart started out in chemistry, although he was always interested in art and creation. Today, he has designed more than 20 different fragrances. We mentioned him in September’s News column. In fact, Jean-Pierre Bethouart is all over the place right now, as he has recently created “ange ou démon" (with Olivier Cresp), Givenchy's latest scent; Smiley, with Oraïto, "Belle en Rykiel" by Sonia Rykiel and more.

With his usual relaxed sense of humor, he agreed to play the game of answering Proust’s famous questionnaire.

What is your main character trait?

Patience. I do things slowly. I think that a perfume designer needs to be patient; we’re constantly undoing what we just did and starting over…

What do you look for in men?

Humility.

What do you look for in women?

Generosity, both moral… and physical

Aside from yourself, who would you like to be?

My twin sister!

Where would you like to live?

On the moon, or in the moon! I like everything related to a dream-like sensibility.

What was the first fragrance you wore?

A cologne, Le Cordon Rouge by Coty

What is your favorite color?

Green. It provides such a wide palette of nuances, it can be very luminous, or denser and more romantic. But I only ever wear black!

Your favorite flower?

Roses. Maybe it’s because of my roots in Picardy …

Your favorite smell?

The smell of toast. It puts me in a good mood in the morning!

Which is your favorite among the fragrances you’ve designed?

Parfum sacré by Caron

What’s your favorite fragrance designed by someone else?

Diorella by Dior, designed by Edmond Roudnitska.

The fragrance you wish you had designed?

Diorella again, and CHANEL 19, too.

Emotions in Motion - Floral Dream by Adidas is a Floral fragrance for women. Emotions in Motion - Floral Dream was launched in 2008. Top note is bergamot; middle notes are lily and rose; base notes are tonka bean and vanilla.

Mary Mac Lace up Boot

We absolutely adore Victorian lace-up boots. Every woman should have at least one pair.
They are often called Victorian boots, granny goots, goth or gothic boots, or even witch boots, but they all generally refer to some variation of the type of boots illustrated here. Typically, they are black, but tans, browns, creams and white are very popular as well.
They are form-fitting and accentuate a woman's calves and ankles. They are comfortable to wear and offer good ankle support.   Some have zippers on the side so that you don't have to lace and unlace them each time. 
Victorian boots create a look of sleek look of authority, style and grace that is hard to match with other footwear.

Sexy black Victorian lace up boots

The Victorian & Edwardian Eras

The Victorian era was from 1837 until 1901 and the Edwardian era, named after Queen Victoria's successor, King Edward VII, began in 1901 and lasted until 1910.
Women's ankles were to be covered to protect them from men's prying eyes. Ironically, the intricate tight lacings of the ankle boots had a titilating effect.
The higher, front-laced 19th Century shoes/boots became more popular when Queen Victoria started wearing them at her Scottish castle Balmoral. The two-toned lace up boots have become known as Balmorals.
The typical walking boot was lined with flannel, had a half inch heel and cost about $5.50.

am I a Fossil ?

Fossil brand was founded in 1984 at a time when watches and handbags were created more for function than fashion. While their desire was simply to fill that fashion void in the watch industry they have soared to new heights by adding Fossil handbags to their wide portfolio of products. Today Fossil watch and Fossil handbag designers are constantly studying emerging fashion trends. They are also continually striving to bring their customers the most innovative and unique handbags and watches on the market to date.
With their main focus on bringing fashion to functionality, in the mid '90s Fossil watch brand created a line of women's handbags, men's bags and small leather goods. Fossil's women's handbag line takes the finest materials and forms them into different styles and sizes appealing to a wide range of women. Whether you are looking for a tote, cross body bag, satchel or hobo, season after season Fossil Handbags will offer it all. In addition to women's bags, Fossil also has a men's bag line, which was created with the intention of providing men with durable bags to be either carried every day for work or for travel.

I say Doctor

Just recently I have a fascination for dr. marten . Not any particular reason for my Fasciations. Anyway meet The Doctor.

 Vicious in the 70s, and skinheads in the 60s. Believe or not, however, Doc Martens first big demographics were housewives. It is said that during their first decade of sales in Germany, 80% of their sales were to women over the age of 40. Grandma's always know the cool trends before anyone else.

Dr martens are as much a symbol of punk rock as the mo-hawk, but doc martens were around long before Sid Vicious wore them. Who knew that one of the largest influences of punk rock fashion would be.....skiing? So just how does anything skiing relate to punk rock fashion? Well, it was a skiing accident by Doctor Klaus Maerten that sparked the idea to develop the boots in the first place. At the time Klaus Maertens was a doctor in the German army during WWII. When he came back from his leave with a bum ankle, Klaus decided It was time to say, "Avedazane!" to his clunky, uncomfortable army boots. His new boots had a softer leather and an air-padded sole. But it wasn't until he met up with an old college friend, Dr Herbert Funck, that he decided to go into business making the shoes. By 1952 the two opened a factory in Munich.

A few years later in 1959, they decided to go international and began manufacturing in the United Kingdom. This is when Doc Martens as we know them today really took form. They trademarked the soles as AirWair, but more importantly they developed the trademark yellow stitching. On April 1, 1960 the first Dr. Martens boots came out in the United Kingdom. They were popular by factory workers and the working class that spent long days on their feet. One particular group of working class youths during that time kept their hair close-cropped and became known as skinheads. The boots have been a part of the punk rock uniform ever since. But it's not just punk as I mentioned earlier. The fashion has become popular amongst all types of genre music alike. But it was the resurgents of grunge and punk in the 90s they kept Doc Marten thriving. The punk rock band, Bouncing Souls, from New Jersey were named after the shoes, which often advertise the comfort of boots due to their bouncing souls.

Unfortunately as the two music scenes declined, so did the sales for the Dr. Martens company. On April 1, 2003, Forty-three years to the day that they began being manufactured in the UK, the company stopped all production in the United Kingdom. Production now moved to China and Thailand. Perhaps Doc Martens were unaware of the loyalty the customers held onto due to the boots being manufactured in the UK. Doc Martens would soon come to understand this loyalty, and in 2007 they began producing again in England. They began offering a "vintage line" at a higher price, but found that there still were customers willing to pay for quality manufacturing. The company is still a big part of music fashion today . Oh yes Mary Mac is still Sporting her Dr. Martens today..Not looking a day past 40.Who you calling Grandma!

Pretty Little Birch

The tender young birch leaves are extremely supply and contain valuable flavonoids which encourage secretion or elimination processes in the body, activating the kidneys to increase urine production, and stimulating the sweat glands to flush out toxins. These natural health benefits were recognised as early as 1826 by Nicholas Culpeper who says in his ‘Complete Herbal’: “The juice of the leaves, while they are young, or the distilled water of them, being drank for some days together, is available to break the stone in the kidneys and the bladder”.
The birch is traditionally linked to purification. Birch was the symbolic material for the rods used in corporal punishment in schools or for public flogging of young offenders, and the birch switch was used by flagellants for centuries to cleanse the soul.
Weleda’s Birch Juice is very appealing if you are embarking on a detox programme to cleanse the body of toxins accumulated over the winter which can lead to sluggishness, and to restore a radiant glow to your skin. This product is a favourite of supermodel Erin O’Connor, who is famous for her beautiful alabaster complexion.

Weleda’s certified organic Birch Juice (rrp 8.95 200ml) is a health supplement to help you detoxify and spring clean your body, healthily and naturally. It’s made with silver birch extract, without added sweeteners, and blended with refreshing lemon juice. As well as helping you rediscover your vitality, a detox programme also brings beauty benefits: cleansing your system purifies the complexion to leave skin clear and bright.
Weleda’s silver birch is grown in South Bohemia (Czech Republic) and gathered from certified collection. The fresh leaves are hand picked in late spring or early summer when the tree is in the strongest vegetative phase of the year. They are then gently air-dried in trays for a full five days, before being chopped and dispatched to Weleda where the juice is then extracted using a traditional pharmaceutical process known as decoction, to release the active substances.
Weleda’s Birch Juice is designed to provide specific health benefits in a sugar-free juice that is suitable for diabetics and vegans. The product is 100% organic and contains no artificial flavours, preservatives or other additives. It can be added to a glass of water as a healthy drink, or for maximum detox benefits add two table spoonfuls (30ml) to a bottle of mineral water to consume at regular intervals through the day. A three to six week course is recommended to help shed winter lethargy and improve vitality.