"Earth Today" By Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility

For the first time in seven years, environment ministers from G7 countries are meeting as part of the preparations for the G7 Summit itself.  This is a clear recognition that environmental issues are increasingly being mainstreamed into economic decision-making.

There are very good reasons for world leaders to take the global environment seriously.  

Scientists tell us that the biophysical processes that determine the stability and resilience of Earth, our “planetary boundaries” that allowed our societies to thrive during the past 10,000 years, are being pushed to their limit.  Evidence is mounting that the miraculously, favourable Earth conditions that scientist call the Holocene– the only ones we know can support a human population of 7.4 billion and more – risk coming to an end.

We are at a defining moment for the future of our planet and its peoples.

The greenhouse gases that cause climate change are at higher levels than at any time in at least 800,000 years.  2015 was the hottest year on record, and 2016 may be hotter still.  Globally, species are being lost at a rate only seen before during mass extinctions.  The health of our oceans is declining rapidly.

The alarm bells are ringing.  On the current trajectory, the worsening global environment will be an ever increasing threat to our global aspirations for economic growth, jobs, security and prosperity.  There is an enormous amount of work to be done, and success remains far from certain, but now is the time to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental and social problems

Our fate is in our own hands.  As the world moves out of the Holocene into what is being gradually recognised as a new Anthropocene epoch—an epoch where humans are the largest driving force of change on planet Earth —it is our common responsibility to change our ways of operating to ensure that this vital system continues as our essential global commons.

The world's Governments took the firsts steps in that direction last year.  In September, nearly 200 nations, gathered in New York, pledged their commitment to 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to guide growth over the next 15 years in ways designed to end poverty and ensure prosperity while respecting planetary boundaries. Three months later in Paris the same governments adopted an agreement to combat climate change, committing to achieving zero net emissions of greenhouse gases in the second half of the century. 

Shifting to a low-carbon and resilient trajectory will require coordinated, integrated solutions to catalyze the transformation of three key economic systems: energy—how we power our homes, offices and industry, and move goods and people; urban—how we live in cities and build new ones; and land use —how and where we produce food, and what we eat.  

As an institution dedicated to ensuring the health of the global environmental commons, we at the Global Environment Facility recognise that while we have won some battles the war to maintain the conditions for future prosperity and well-being is still being lost. There have been many good individual actions, but they have not added up to the systemic changes that are needed. 

Transformational change will require actions on multiple fronts and at all levels of society.   It will require political and social mobilization and bold leadership.

It is our hope that this new effort will lay the foundation for a new paradigm for the global commons.  We need a new way of thinking that enables transformational change, new alliances, social and economic opportunities, and provides the stable conditions necessary for sustainable growth, poverty reduction, peace and security.

It will be a journey not just to avoid disaster, but to build lasting prosperity. Operating within the planetary boundaries is not just the only way to ensure healthy economies, but has the potential to provide much greater and better shared growth than sticking to business as usual. Safeguarding and enhancing the global commons is therefore the wisest investment we can possibly make.  The G7’s renewed focus on the global environment could not be more timely.

By Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility


Under listed are Members of the G7.
1- Germany
2- France
3- United Kingdom
4- Italy
5- Japan
6- Canada
7- United States of America
8- European Union

Drink This Before You Go To Sleep And You Will Loose Belly Fat in No Distant Time

You have probably tried many things in order to reduce your belly fat by now and surely most of them left you disappointed. Well, no more disappointments for you from now on, because we have decided to reveal to you an amazing drink that will finally rid you of your body fat and especially of your belly fat in no time. By consuming nothing more than a glass of this drink, before you go to sleep, you will eliminate those stubborn fatty layers from your body and obtain great results within a very short period of time. This drink is really simple and easy to prepare.

Most of you have surely fought with belly fat for quite a long time now, so you know how stubborn it can be to deal with it. However, you needn’t despair anymore because this drink will finally solve your issue. It will help you accomplish your weight loss mission and at the same time eliminate excess belly fat.

When you’re asleep, your metabolism works more slowly than when you’re awake. The point of this drink is to actually boost your metabolism and help your body burn calories while you are sleeping. Isn’t that amazing!

How the ingredients included in this drink help you burn fat:

Cucumbers: Include cucumbers in your daily menu if you want to reduce stomach fat. They are extremely low in calories, just 45 calories in one full cucumber, have high water and fiber content, and above all are very refreshing.

Parsley and Cilantro: Parsley and cilantro are both very low in calories, high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help to ease water retention without causing any feeling of bloating or tummy discomfort.

Lemon: Lemons are responsible for flushing out all toxins accumulated in one’s body. This accelerates the process of fat melting as fat metabolism increases once the system is rid of impurities.

Ginger: Ginger has the ability to speed up metabolism, prevent constipation and melt excess belly fat. All compounds in ginger work in synergy to prevent overeating and blast belly fat fast.

Aloe Vera Juice: Aloe Vera juice contains natural antioxidants that help delay the growth of free radicals in the body and reduce inflammatory processes. In addition, it stimulates the metabolic rate which in turn helps for the consumption of more energy. This process stabilizes and reduces the body mass index (BMI).

Prepare this amazing and extremely energizing drink and consume it in the evening, before you go to sleep. By consuming it regularly, you will reduce belly fat in no time!

RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber
• A bunch of parsley or cilantro
• 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp. Aloe Vera juice
• ½ glass of water

Place all the ingredients in a juicer and mix. Consume the drink right before you go to bed. Enjoy in your flatter belly!

5 Cheap and Easy Tools For Keeping Your Company Accounts Without Hiring an Accountant

Running a business as an entrepreneur is mentally demanding, physically exhausting, and financially-taskingenough, especially in a business climate such as that of Nigeria where you are likely to face peculiar challenges in structure, regulation, and infrastructure.

Throw in common accounting tasks like sending invoices to paying bills, tracking expenses, paying staff, managing daily transactions, and creating financial reports into the mix and management starts to look like rocket science.

But here is a list of accounting tools evaluated on the following criteria: cost, mobile access and features, ease of use, service limitations(including the number of customers, invoices, users,transactions and packages allowed), additional services like tax preparation and payroll services, and integration with third-party apps that can help you manage your company accounts without hiring an accountant or breaking the bank.

1.   Wave

Wave is specifically designed for small scale businesses which by definition here is a business with less than 10 staff. What’s great about Wave is that it’s totally free with no limitation whatsoever, unlike most accounting tools that will prompt you to pay to gain full access. It’s also very easy to use as the tools on the dashboard are very easy to navigate.

Some features of the tool include automatic billing and invoicing and in addition to setting up recurring bills and invoices, you can also set up reminders to help you track paid and unpaid items. A fantastic feature of the software is its ability to easily and quickly create accurate financial reports, such as balance sheets, sales report, tax documents and more. That way you don’t have to waste time starting from the scratch especially if you don’t know jack about accounting.

2.   FreshBooks

In 2015, mobility is highly important for any small business. FreshBooks enables you to handle your financials on the go--on your mobile phone. Using FreshBook’s mobile app, you can create and send invoices and estimates, track and organize expenses, manage projects, and generate reports. Its clean and intuitive interface only shows you the most important information and function as you login helping you save time in terms of its offered capabilities and ease of navigation. The mobile app is free to download but you may have to purchase a FreshBooks subscription for your business.

3.   QuickBooks

A major advantage of using QuickBooks is that a lot of accountants use it and should you in future decide to scale your business and hire an accountant, the accountant can start right off the bat. QuickBooks prioritizes your time by automating tasks such as recurring invoices and bill payment and automatically reconciling and categorizing expenses saving you the time of manually doing so. Another leverage QuickBooks has over other tools is that it integrates with hundreds of third-party apps designed for email, marketing, e-commerce, customer relationship management (CRM), payment processors, and many more. LikeFreshBooks, QuickBooks too is available for a small fee.

4.   ZohoBooks

If you are running a very small business that doesn’t require complicated accounting tasks, your best bet is ZohoBooks. ZohoBooks covers pretty much all the basic accounting tasks through its clutter-free mobile interface. The software is very easy to use even for the most accounting and tech-challenged small business owners. You can sign up for a 14-day free trial to test the product.

5.   LessAcounting

LessAccounting comes last on this list because of its minimalist design: no payroll, no integrated time-tracking, and no mobile app. However, as the name implies, it does compensate for that by saving you a great deal of accounting time. It also has two features that most softwares don’t have: a depreciation chart and a vehicle mileage administration tool which may actually come pretty handy for you.

Depending on the features you prefer, you’d find any of the above accounting tools very useful for your business for their ease of use and cost-effectiveness.

- See more at: http://sme.firstbanknigeria.com/ssb/5-cheap-and-easy-tools-for-keeping-your-company-accounts-without-hiring-an-accountant/#sthash.xe32Sw10.dpuf

Best Way to Repel Flies

Flies are bothered by the smell of mint, bay leaves, rosemary and lavender. THEY HATE PEPPERMINT OIL!

Here are some natural and toxic-free tips to keep them away from your home:

• Directions:
• 1. Mix 1 cup of water and 25 drops of peppermint essential oil and put in spray bottle. Spray around the house to repel them.
• 2. Place bay leaves and rosemary by doorways, window seals, kitchen counter tops, garbage and where ever you have flies.
• 3. Grow lavender and rosemary around your home. Planting them around your house will create a protective field.
• 4. Soapy peppermint oil spray:
• Mix 1 cup unscented baby shampoo and 25 drops of peppermint essential oil.
• Fill a spray bottle with the mixture and spray on areas and surfaces where you have a lot of flies such as kitchen, pantries and garbage.
• I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs as a reputable source for essential oils and the bay leaves.

Best Ways to Eradicate Snakes

Snakes: are elongated, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpents that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears.

Research has shown that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol are effective snake repellents. Snakes will retreat when sprayed directly with these oils and will exit cargo or other confined spaces when these oils are introduced to the area.

• Snakes are beautifully frightening, yet they are gentle creatures. Trying natural repellents is the way to go.
• What to do:
• Snakes do not like cinnamon and garlic
• 1. Cinnamon sticks:
• Place cinnamon sticks strategically on window seals and near doors.
• 2. Garlic cloves:
• Place peeled garlic cloves strategically on window seals and near doors. Read more: Click Here

Some plants that can be planted around your backyard to repel snakes naturally 
1. Tulbaghia Violacea
Tulbaghia violacea is a popular garden plant that is useful for difficult hot corners of the garden as it will tolerate prolonged drought. This attractive plan is ideal for the herb garden, as both the leaves and flowers can be used in salads and other dishes. The crushed leaves may be used to help cure sinus, headaches and to discourage moles from the garden. The smell repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes when crushed on the skin.

The fresh bulbs can be boiled and the decoction can be taken orally to clear up coughs and colds. It has also been used as a remedy for pulmonary tuberculosis and to destroy intestinal worms.

It is also a very good snake repellent and for this reason the Zulus plant it around their homes.

2. West Indian Lemon Grass
Snakes don’t like the citrus smell from the leaves. The leaves or the tips can turn brown in extreme heat in summer. It requires very little care.
Common Snake Repellants

1)  Garlic Mixture

Garlic mixtures are effective as snake repellants. You can either get them commercially such as Snake Stopper or make your own.
Here are the ingredients to make your own garlic mixture:

I.  10garlic bulbs (purple ones are best as they are very potent)
II. Four table spoons of garlic oil or any other vegetable oil.
III.Some water

Preparation:

    Take a blender and add some water.
    Separate the garlic into cloves and add them to the blender.
    Start blending it until a smooth nice paste is formed, then add the oil.
    Leave the mixture in a plastic container for an hour with the lid on.
    Now it’s ready, and place a few drops in any area you don’t want snakes to be seen. Repeat the process after it rains.
    The effectiveness of the mixture usually lasts for three weeks, then you will need to make a new batch.

2) Cinnamon oil & clove oil mixture

Research has shown that cinnamon oil, clove oil and eugenol are effective to be used as snake repellants. Snakes will retreat when sprayed directly with these oils and even vacate the area in confined spaces when these oils are introduced in these areas. However, application to hard surfaces will not prevent prevent the snakes from entering the area.

Healthy Eating for Teenagers

Healthy eating involves taking control of how much and what types of food you eat. This section has information to help you . . .

• Control your food portions.
• Charge your battery with high-energy foods.
• Avoid pizza, candy, and fast food.
• Stay powered up all day.

Control your food portions

A portion is the amount of one food you eat at one time. Many people eat larger portions than they need, especially when eating away from home. Ready-to-eat meals (from a restaurant, grocery store, or school event) may have larger portions than you need. Follow the tips below to control portions.

When eating away from home,

• Order something small. Try a half-portion or healthy appetizer, like hummus (chickpea spread) with whole-wheat pitas or grilled chicken. If you order a large meal, take half of it home or split it with someone else at the table.
• Limit the amount of fast food you eat. When you do get fast food, say "no thanks" to super-sized or value-sized options, like those that come with fries and soda.
• Choose salad with low-fat dressing, a sandwich with mustard instead of mayo, or other meals that have fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
• Choose grilled options, like chicken, or remove breading from fried items. Avoid meals that use the words creamy, breaded, battered, or buttered.

When eating at home,

• Take one serving out of a package and eat it off a plate instead of eating straight out of a box or bag. "What do all these numbers mean?" explains where you can find serving sizes.
• Avoid eating in front of the TV or while you are busy with other activities. It is easy to lose track of how much you are eating if you eat while doing other things.
• Eat slowly so your brain can get the message that your stomach is full. Your brain needs about 20 minutes before it gets the message.

Charge your battery with high-energy foods

Eating healthy is not just about the amount of food you eat. You need to make sure you're eating the types of food that charge you up. Strive to eat meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat protein, and dairy. More information is below, and you can check out the meal planning tool at the end of this guide.

Fruits and Vegetables

Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables. Dark green, red, and orange vegetables, in particular, have high levels of the nutrients you need, such as vitamin C, calcium, and fiber. Adding spinach or romaine lettuce and tomato to your sandwich is an easy way to get more veggies in your meal.

Grains
Choose whole grains, like whole-wheat bread, brown rice, and oatmeal.
Protein
Power up with lean meats, like turkey on a sandwich, or chicken, seafood, eggs, beans, nuts, tofu, and other protein-rich foods.
Dairy
Build strong bones with fat-free or low-fat milk products. If you cannot digest lactose (the sugar in milk that causes some people stomach pain), choose soy or rice milk and low-fat yogurt.

Avoid pizza, candy, and fast food

You don't have to stop eating these items, but eating less of them may help you maintain a healthy weight. Pizza, candy, fast food, and sodas have lots of added sugar, solid fats, and sodium. A healthy eating plan is low in these items.

Added Sugars

Many foods, especially fruits, are naturally sweet. Other foods, like cookies, snack cakes, and brownies, have added sugars to make them taste better. These sugars add calories but not nutrients.

Solid Fats
Fat is important. It helps your body grow and develop; it is a source of energy; and it even keeps your skin and hair healthy. But some fats are better for you than others.
Solid fats are fats that are solid at room temperature, like butter, stick margarine, shortening, and lard. These fats often contain saturated andtrans fats, which are high in calories and not heart healthy. Take it easy on foods like cakes, cookies, pizza, and fries, which often have a lot of solid fat.
Sodium
Your body needs a small amount of sodium (mostly found in salt). But eating too much sodium can raise your blood pressure, which is unhealthy for your heart and your body in general.
Processed foods, like those that are canned, frozen, or packaged, often have a lot of sodium. Fresh foods do not, but often cost more. If you can afford to, eat fresh foods and prepare your own low-salt meals. If you use packaged foods, check the amount of sodium listed on the Nutrition Facts label. (Read "What do all these numbers mean?".) Rinse canned vegetables to remove excess salt.
Try to eat fewer than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. This equals about one teaspoon and includes salt that is already in prepared food, as well as salt you add when cooking or eating your food.
Your doctor knows more about your specific needs, so don't be afraid to ask her or him how much sodium you should be eating.

Get Moving

Being physically active may help you control your weight, increase flexibility and balance, and improve your mood. You don't have to do boring exercise routines. You can be active through daily activities, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.

This section can help you to . . .

• Be active every day.
• Get outside.
• Have fun with your friends.
• Stay active indoors, too.

Be active every day

Physical activity should be part of your daily life, whether you play sports, take P.E. or other exercise classes, or even get from place to place by walking or bicycling. You should be physically active for 60 minutes a day, but you don't have to do it all at once!

Have fun with your friends

Being active can be more fun with friends or family members. You may also find that you make friends when you join active clubs or community activities. Teach each other new games or activities, and keep things interesting by choosing a different activity each day:

• sports
• active games
• other actions that get you moving, like walking around the mall

Support your friends and challenge them to be healthy with you. You could even take the President's Challenge. Or sign up with your friends for fun, lively events, like charity walks, fun runs, or scavenger hunts.

NOTE: #"This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings through its clearinghouses and education programs to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by the NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.

The NIDDK would like to thank:
Joshua Kolko, M.D., La Clínica del Pueblo, Washington, D.C.

This information is not copyrighted. The NIDDK encourages people to share this content freely".

Get outside

Choose activities you like

Being physically active does not mean you have to join a gym or do a team sport. You can walk or bicycle around your neighborhood or even turn up the music and dance. Try some of these ideas:

• Shoot baskets.
• Ride your bike (use a helmet).
• Run
• Skateboard.
• Jump rope or use a hula hoop.
• Have a dance party with friends.
• Play volleyball or flag football.
• Move with a video game that tracks your motion.

Many teens spend a lot of time indoors on "screen time": watching TV, surfing the web, or playing video games. Too much screen time can lead you to have excess body fat or a higher weight. Instead, be active outdoors to burn calories and get extra vitamin D on a sunny day.
How to cut back your screen time

• Tape your favorite shows and watch them later to keep from zoning out and flipping through channels.
• Replace after-school TV and video-game time with physical activities in your home, school, or community.
• Gradually reduce the time you spend using your phone, computer, or TV. Challenge your friends or family members to join you, and see who can spend the least amount of time in front of a screen each week.
• Set up a text-free time with your friends—a length of time when you can be physically active together and agree not to send or respond to text messages.
• Turn off your cell phone before you go to bed.

Stay active indoors, too

On cold or wet days, screen time is not the only option. Find ways to be active inside:

• Play indoor sports or active games in your building or home, at a local recreation center, or in your school gym.
• Dance to your favorite music by yourself or with friends.
• If you have a gaming system, choose active dance and sports games that track your movement.​​​​​​​​​

Take Your Time

• Make changes slowly. Do not expect to change your eating or activity habits overnight. Changing too much too fast can hurt your chances of success.
• Look at ways you can make your eating and physical activity habits healthier. Use a food and activity journal for 4 or 5 days, and write down everything you eat, your activities, and your emotions. Review your journal to get a picture of your habits. Do you skip breakfast? Are you physically active most days of the week? Do you eat when you are stressed?
• Know what's holding you back. Are there unhealthy snack foods at home that are too tempting? Is the food at your cafeteria too high in fat and added sugars? Do you find it hard to resist drinking several sweetened sodas a day because your friends do it?
• Set a few realistic goals for yourself. First, try replacing a couple of the sodas you drink with unsweetened beverages. Once you are drinking less soda, try cutting out all soda. Then, set a few more goals, like drinking low-fat or fat-free milk, eating more fruits, or getting more physical activity each day.
• Use the information in this booklet and the following resources to help you. Stay positive and focused by remembering why you want to be healthier—to look, feel, move, and learn better. Accept setbacks—if you don't meet one of your eating or physical activity goals one day, do not give up. Just try again the next day.
• Get a buddy at school or someone at home to support your new habits. Ask a friend, sibling, parent, or guardian to help you make changes and stick with your new habits.

Make healthy habits part of your day

Eating healthy and being active can be difficult because you spend much of your day in school and eat meals that are prepared by others. Be a Health Champion by becoming more involved in your meals and school activities. Here's a checklist to help you work healthy habits into your day.

Be a health champion!

• Each night, pack a healthy lunch and snacks for the next day.
• Go to bed at a regular time every night to recharge your body and mind. Be sure to turn off your phone, TV, and other devices when you go to bed.
• Eat breakfast.
• Walk or bike to school if you live nearby and can safely do so.
• Drink water throughout the day. Avoid sodas and other high-calorie drinks.
• Between classes, stand up and walk around, even if your next subject is in the same room.
• If a recess is allowed at your school, be sure to take a walk, jump rope, or play an active game with friends.
• Be active in gym classes.
• At lunchtime, eat the lunch you packed. If you have lunch money, spend it on healthy options. Avoid sodas, chips, and candy from the vending machines.
• Stay active after school by joining a sports team or dance group. Walk the dog or jump into a neighborhood pick-up game of basketball, soccer, or softball.
• Be involved in the food choices made in your home. Help make dinner and eat with your family.
• Save screen time for after your activities and limit it to less than 2 hours.

Clinical Trials

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.

What are clinical trials, and are they right for you?
Clinical trials are part of clinical research and at the heart of all medical advances. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses. Find out if clinical trials are right for youExternal NIH Link.

What clinical trials are open?
Clinical trials that are currently open and are recruiting can be viewed at www.ClinicalTrials.gov

Make It Work for You

Being healthy sounds like a lot of work, right? It doesn't have to be. This chart will help you plan healthy meals and work healthy habits into your day. Put this on your fridge or in your school locker for quick reminders.

Pick an item from each food category to plan a healthy meal

Fruits and Veggies	Grains	Protein	Dairy
1 banana or apple	1 serving of oatmeal or whole-grain cereal (size of your fist)	1 scrambled or hard-boiled egg	1 cup fat-free or low-fat milk (or substitute soy or rice milk)
1 handful fresh berries or raisins	2 DVD-sized whole-grain waffles or buckwheat pancakes	1 serving of peanut butter (size of a ping-pong ball)	6- to 8-ounce yogurt pack (also high in protein!)
1 serving romaine lettuce or spinach (size of your fist)	2 slices whole-wheat bread	1 handful of walnuts or almonds	1 serving low-fat cottage cheese (size of your fist)
1 handful baby carrots, strips of peppers, or celery sticks	1 whole-grain pita	1 serving of hummus (size of a ping-pong ball)	1 slice of Swiss or provolone cheese
1 cup tomato or vegetable juice	1 whole-wheat tortilla	1 serving of sliced, lean turkey or ham (size of the palm of your hand)	1 stick of string cheese
1 snack pack of fruit salad (in natural juices, not syrup)	1 serving of brown rice (total amount should fit in your cupped hands)	½ can of tuna with mustard or light mayo	1 handful shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
1 serving of tomato-based pasta sauce with vegetables (fits in one cupped hand)	2 whole-grain taco shells	1 serving of black beans (size of your fist)	1 serving of low-fat sour cream (size of a ping-pong ball)
1 serving of steamed broccoli, green beans, or other veggie (fits in one cupped hand)	1 serving of whole-grain pasta (total amount should fit in your cupped hands)	1 serving lean beef, grilled chicken, tofu, or baked fish (size of the palm of your hand)	1 serving non-fat frozen yogurt (size of your fist)

Sample Meals

Breakfast: one banana, a slice of whole-grain bread with peanut butter, and milk

Lunch: a turkey sandwich with cheese, dark leafy lettuce, tomato, and red peppers on whole-wheat bread

Dinner: two whole-grain taco shells with chicken or black beans, low-fat cheese, and romaine lettuce

For more meal ideas and recipes, go to the "TeensHealth" section of http://kidshealth.org

Stay charged up all day

Skipping meals can lead to weight gain. Follow these tips to maintain a healthy weight:

• Eat breakfast every day. It gets your body going. You can even grab something on the go, like a piece of fruit and a slice of whole-grain bread.
• Pack your lunch on school days. If you pack your lunch, you can control the portions and make sure your meal is healthy.
• Eat healthy snacks, and try not to skip meals. See the "Snack smart" ideas above.
• Eat dinner with your family. When you eat with your family, you are more likely to eat a healthy meal, and you can take the time to catch up with each other.
• Be involved in grocery shopping and meal planning at home. If you're involved, you can make sure meals are healthy and taste good.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

What do all these numbers mean?

When you read a food label, pay special attention to:

Serving Size. Check the amount of food in a serving. Do you eat more or less? The "servings per container" line tells you the number of servings in the food package.

Calories and Other Nutrients. Remember, the number of calories and other listed nutrients is for one serving only. Food packages often contain more than one serving.

Percent Daily Value. Look at how much of the recommended daily amount of a nutrient (% DV) is in one serving of food. In most cases, 5% DV or less is low and 20% DV or more is high. For example, this label shows that the food has 20% of the calcium you need to eat in one day. We can consider this food high in calcium. Notice, though, that it is also high in sodium (20%).

Czech Republic poised to change name to 'Czechia'

The Czech Republic is poised to change its name to "Czechia" to make it easier for companies and sports teams to use it on products and clothing.

The country will retain its full name but Czechia will become the official short geographic name, as "France" is to "The French Republic".
If approved by parliament, the name will be lodged with the United Nations.

Along with Slovakia, the Czech Republic was established when Czechoslovakia broke in two in 1993.
Some of the country's best-known exports, including its Pilsner Urquell beer and ice hockey team, currently use the word "Czech".

But "Czech" is an adjective and cannot properly be used as a name for the country.
Some have criticised "Czechia" as ugly, or too similar to "Chechnya", the semi-autonomous Russian republic.

Medical Marijuana!! US bill could give women access to weed to ease menstrual cramps

American democrats in New Jersey are calling for women to be allowed to access marijuana-based products in order to ease menstrual cramps.

American democrats in New Jersey are calling for women to be allowed to access marijuana-based products in order to ease menstrual cramps.

Four New Jersey assembly politicians have introduced the bill which calls for doctors to be allowed to prescribe marijuana for menstrual cramps.

The bill sponsors noted that the move follows the release of a new line of marijuana products being marketed by actress and New Jersey resident Whoopi Goldberg, that are specifically aimed at women who experience discomfort during their periods.

In a media statement, the bill sponsors said by law, medical marijuana can be prescribed by doctors in New Jersey for specific conditions such as epilepsy, glaucoma; HIV, AIDS or cancer accompanied by severe pain, and terminal illness with a prognosis of less than one year.

The democrats want menstrual cramps to be added to the list, as long as the patient is not responsive to other, more conventional medical treatments.

One of the sponsors, Tim Eustace, said “by denying women in New Jersey access to a means of treating dysmenorrhea, our state fails to acknowledge the serious impact it can have on their wellness," said Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic). "Furthermore, from an economic standpoint, New Jersey is missing out on millions of dollars in tax revenue due to the restrictive nature of its medical marijuana law. While this will affect women directly, the financial benefit ultimately will be positive for everyone in the state."

Another sponsor, Angelica Jimenez said for many women, menstrual pain was so severe, it causes them to vomit or faint, to which they are told to either 'Just deal with it,' or given a prescription drug that may not even alleviate their symptoms.

"We're talking about expanding our activity in one of the nation's fastest-growing industries - and garnering the economic benefit that comes with that - while simultaneously expanding women's options when it comes to doing what's best for their health." 

American mum shoots "disobedient" children's phones!! An American mother has taken aim and fired at social media – literally.

An American mother, with a heavy, Southern accent has taken aim and fired at social media – literally.

A video posted on YouTube shows an unnamed America woman cock a rifle and state “I hereby denounce the effects that social media have on my children, their disobedience and their disrespect.”

She then fires at an iPhone that is sitting on a tree stump, blowing it to pieces, then yells for another phone to be “set up”.

A man behind the filming shows the destroyed phones, and the woman tells him to film the children.

The three children, appearing to be teens, presumably hers, stand by watching.

There is a lot of cussing, hidden by bleeps through the video.

“I refuse to be cursed, I refuse to be disobeyed, I take back my role as your parent,” she says while holding the gun looking at the children.

Done with shooting the phones, she then raises a sledgehammer above the phones, saying “my children's lives are more important to me than any electronic on this earth.

"I refuse to have them be influenced in negative ways, contacting people they don't know, being involved in drama they don't need to be in and getting in trouble at school for having their phones out.”

While the woman appears to be self-righteous over her deed, at least one of the children heckles her as she completely destroys the phones.

https://youtu.be/N74TMLPunYQ

Richest and Poorest African Countries

If African countries were to be ranked top to bottom according to their riches, the island country Mauritius will rank first place at the top while Zimbabwe rank at the very end of the tail.

A report by Research and Market titled, The Africa 2016 Wealth Report shows Mauritius as the richest country in Africa with the average wealth standing at $21,700 per person. Zimbabwe ranks at the bottom of the list with $200.

Mauritius casts a shadow even on Africa often talked about economies like South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya. South Africa has a per capita wealth of $10,300, Namibia $10,200, Botswana $8,400 and Algeria $6,200.

The report highlights some of the factors that made Mauritius the richest country in Africa. These factors include low taxes, low crime rates, a flourishing financial sector, big number of wealthy immigrants, less government regulation in the private sector, and secure property rights.

This report (in its third edition) also delved into studying the trends of the High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), wealth management trends and the luxury trends in all the countries. The report says there are about 165,000 HNWIs in Africa. When combined these individuals have a worth of about $860 billion. These HNWIs individuals have at least $1 million, without taking into account their living expenses. Of the $860 billion by HNWIs, $125 billion is tied to wealth management companies.

Johannesburg, South Africa also emerges as the hub for Africa’s private banking with a minimum of $72 billion stored there. The private banking sector is at the same time predicted to grow at a record 7% rate per year over the next decade. Kenya and Ghana emerged as the most promising emerging markets in Africa for the private banks.

Most of the HNWIs use venture capital companies as a vehicle to transfer money to the next generation. There is about $28 billion tied up to venture capital companies and foundations in Africa linked to the HNWIs.

How to Connect your Android phone or tablet to your TV

Connecting your Android phone or tablet to your TV is great for sharing photos or watching videos on a bigger screen with better sound. It's not straightforward though, with jargon such as MHL and Slimport, Miracast and more making it hard to know which cable or wireless adaptor to buy. Here we explain everything you need to know to connect Android to TV. 

How to connect Android to TV: Summary

To connect an Android phone or tablet to a TV you can use an MHL/SlimPort (via Micro-USB) or Micro-HDMI cable if supported, or wirelessly cast your screen using Miracast or Chromecast. In this article we'll look at your options for viewing your phone or tablet's screen on the TV.

How to connect Android to TV: Step-by-step guide

Tablets are perfect for individual users – lightweight with very long battery life, and with bright, sharp screens that make light work of everything from watching films to reviewing photos. Bigger crowds call for bigger screens, though: here’s how to connect your tablet to your TV without spending a fortune or drowning in a sea of cables.

Tablet owners live in a golden age of content: streaming video applications such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video and Blinkbox, catch-up services including iPlayer and Channel 4’s 4oD, and home-spun video and photographs are all begging to be shared. And, while sharing online is the ultimate convenience, sharing in person is more fun. The problem is your tablet’s screen: perfect for one or two people but it will never feel smaller with five people crowded around it. This is doubly true for smaller tablets such as the 7in Amazon Kindle Fire HD.

The good news is you probably already have a device in your living room which is perfect. Your TV is big, bright and no-one has to squint to see what’s happening on it. There’s an ever-increasing number of ways to get video and pictures onto it, from straightforwardly stringing cables around to ingenious – but often more expensive – wireless options that will propel your living room into the 21st century. Here we’ll explore both options, as well as looking at the services that will let you share your subscriptions, photos and videos on the big screen – and those that won’t.

Although we’re talking predominantly about Android tablets, the same advice applies toAndroid smartphones.

Connect Android to TV: HDMI

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is the interface standard du jour. If your TV was bought in the last decade it has an HDMI port, as does almost every set-top box, games console and a decent number of still and video cameras. The benefit to HDMI, apart from its ubiquity (which means it’s cheap), is that it accommodates HD video and audio simultaneously, allowing you to connect devices without worrying about watching a film in full HD but having to make do with your tablet’s tinny speakers. An HDMI output is an advantage that many Android tablets have over Apple’s iPad.

HDMI plugs come in three sizes. Regular HDMI (or Type A) are the full-size ports you’ll find on devices where space isn’t an issue: think TVs, laptops and games consoles. The sockets you’re likely to find on tablets and phones will be either Type C (also known as Mini HDMI) or Type D (Micro HDMI). Of these, Micro HDMI, or Type D, is the smallest. Whichever type of port your tablet has, connecting it to an HDMI socket isn’t going to cost you the Earth: expect to pay well under N2,000 (under N1500 in some cases) for an HDMI to Mini- or Micro-HDMI cable.

A decent range of tablets have either HDMI or its miniaturised variants. The Acer Iconia A1,Tesco Hudl, Archos 80 Titanium and Nokia 2520 – among many, many others – all offer it. It’s the most straightforward approach.

You’re not limited to buying a tablet with an HDMI output to connect it to your TV, though.

Connect Android to TV: MHL / SlimPort

HDMI is easy to understand: it’s a port that only does one thing, after all. The drawback is that not all tablets have an HDMI output. The good news is that a pair of widely-supported standards have emerged that allow Android owners to connect to external displays using their microUSB port.

The standards in question are MHL (Mobile High Definition Link) and the newer SlimPort. Both look the same, which is stating the obvious as they simply use the microUSB port on an Android device to deliver video.

Like HDMI, SlimPort and MHL support both video and audio, with up to eight channels of surround sound available. Both normally require breakout boxes: a small dongle between your device and TV that converts the signal from your phone to one compatible with HDMI. Expect to pay between N2000 and N3500 for either a SlimPort or MHL signal converter. That makes things a little more expensive than using a tablet with an HDMI port, but MHL in particular is supported by a wide range of phone and tablet makers.

MHL has undergone various versions: we’re currently on version three, which improves the maximum resolution to 4K. This is the same as SlimPort, and means both standards offer pretty similar technical specs. One advantage that MHL has is support from various TV manufacturers: look on the back of your TV, and if the HDMI port has an MHL logo above it, you can use an HDMI to micro-USB cable to connect the two - the HDMI cable will pass power to your tablet or phone, meaning no need for extra adapters or cables. Bonus.

If your TV doesn’t support MHL, or you have a SlimPort device, you’ll need an adapter. SlimPort users should expect to pay around N1500, while MHL users may spend slightly less. If you’re using MHL it’s likely you’ll need an external power source: MHL 3 can draw up to 10 watts from its host device.

With SlimPort no external power supply is needed (it draws a small amount of power from your device), making setup less cluttered. Both devices need a tablet’s screen to be on, though, so breakout boxes normally come with a microUSB port so a charger can be connected.

Support for MHL and SlimPort varies enormously. With three different versions of MHL available plus SlimPort, you’ll need to check the specifications of your device before buying an adaptor. The Microsoft Surface and Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 support MHL, while the Google Nexus 5 supports SlimPort.

Apple users have a simpler time: although the iPad is, technically speaking, compatible with DisplayPort, the only way to connect it to a display is with Apple’s proprietary cables. The downside is cost: you’ll pay £40 for an HDMI adapter that connects to an iPad’s Lightning connector (a 30-pin version is available for older iPads).

Connect Android to TV: Wireless

There’s little to beat the wow factor associated with beaming video straight from a tablet to your TV. The good thing about Android is that there’s more than one way to do it. Miracast is a wireless standard that creates an ad-hoc network between two devices, typically your tablet and a set-top box which supports Miracast.

An increasing number of TVs support Miracast without the need for extra hardware. Miracast uses H.264 for video transmission, which means efficient compression and decent, full HD picture quality. Better yet, Miracast supports Digital Rights Management (DRM), which means services such as iPlayer and YouTube can be streamed to a TV. Not all services work, though – see Playing Back Video below. Android devices running Android 4.2 support Miracast.

An alternative is Google’s Chromecast. This inexpensive N4000 ‘dongle’ plugs into a spare HDMI port on your TV and connects to your wireless network. Chromecast support is burgeoning, which means content from services such as iPlayer, Netflix, BT Sport and others can be played with the Chromecast dongle doing all the legwork instead of your tablet, and that’s good news for battery life.

As of July 2014, it’s possible to use Chromecast to mirror the display on your Android device, allowing you to hit play on a tablet and have (non DRM-protected) video start playing on your TV. The same goes for anything the screen can display, including apps, games and photos.

Again, Apple users have an easier but more expensive time. The iPad and iPhone don’t support any open streaming standards, so you’ll need to get hold of an Apple TV (N7500). This supports AirPlay mirroring from iOS devices only, and, like Chromecast, offers various streaming services including Netflix and Sky offerings Sky Sports and Now TV. BBC’s iPlayer also supports AirPlay. Note that you can’t use Sky Go to watch Sky programmes on your TV via AirPlay.

Which devices support Chromecast mirroring?

Mirroring on Chromecast is new, and the list of devices that support it is currently limited. Own one of the following? You’re in luck.

• Nexus 4
• Nexus 5
• Nexus 7 (2013)
• Nexus 10
• Samsung Galaxy S4
• Samsung Galaxy S5
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10 (2014)
• HTC One M7
• LG G Pro2
• LG G2
• LG G3

Connect Android to TV: Making it work

Streaming video to your TV from your smartphone or tablet will depend on the setup you’ve gone for. If you’re using a physical connection, such as HDMI, MHL or SlimPort, the content on your tablet’s display will simply appear on your TV once everything’s connected.

This is straightforward but has drawbacks. For one thing, your tablet will only send a signal when its screen is on. This means battery life will be sapped quickly, so it’s likely you’ll need to plug in its charger to stop it running out of power (or going to sleep) mid-show.

If your tablet has video you’ve supplied yourself, in the shape of non-DRM files, mirroring will work fine, and the same goes for various commercial services including Netflix, ITV Player and iPlayer. Life isn’t all rosy, though. Content providers know consumers will pay extra for the convenience of streaming TV shows through their homes. Sky, for example, charges subscribers an extra N3000 if they want to watch their Sky subscriptions in another room of their house. If you want to watch your Sky subscription on a tablet there’s no charge; in fact, you can add two mobile devices per account. Plug in an HDMI cable or attempt to use Miracast and you’ll find the limits of Sky’s generosity though: outputting Sky Go’s display to an external TV or projector is banned.

If you go wireless, Miracast is currently the best option for display mirroring, as it simply outputs the contents of your Android device’s screen wirelessly. So, as with a physical connection such as HDMI, if you load a photo onto your tablet’s display, it appears on your TV. The same goes for many apps: BBC’s iPlayer, YouTube and Vimeo are all known to work via Miracast. The drawback for Miracast is the same as with a cable connection: your tablet’s display needs to be running the whole time for it to work. That, coupled with higher demands for your device’s wireless radio (particularly if it’s streaming from the internet simultaneously) could result in precipitously lower battery life.