Monday, June 29, 2009

Pizza Pork Chops

Greenhouse Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese give this old favourite a new Italian twist that you and your family are sure to love.


Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz (250 g) mozzarella cheese
  • 6 Ontario Pork Chops, cut 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick with pocket
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
  • 3 medium Ontario Greenhouse Tomatoes, chopped
  • 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) sliced Ontario Mushrooms
  • 1 medium Ontario Onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
  • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper

Preparation:

Grate half the cheese; set aside. Slice remaining cheese into six 1/4-inch (5 mm) thick slices. Place 1 slice in each pork chop pocket; secure with one-half of a toothpick (this makes it easier to brown). Brown chops on each side in oil in large skillet. Remove to baking dish. In same skillet, cook tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, garlic, oil, basil, oregano, salt and pepper until thickened and vegetables are tender; pour over pork chops. Bake, covered, in 350°F (180°C) oven about 1 hour or until juices run clear when pork is pierced and just a hint of pink remains inside. Remove toothpicks. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.

Copper Statistics and Information


Copper is usually found in nature in association with sulfur. Pure copper metal is generally produced from a multistage process, beginning with the mining and concentrating of low-grade ores containing copper sulfide minerals, and followed by smelting and electrolytic refining to produce a pure copper cathode. An increasing share of copper is produced from acid leaching of oxidized ores. Copper is one of the oldest metals ever used and has been one of the important materials in the development of civilization.

Because of its properties, singularly or in combination, of high ductility, malleability, and thermal and electrical conductivity, and its resistance to corrosion, copper has become a major industrial metal, ranking third after iron and aluminum in terms of quantities consumed. Electrical uses of copper, including power transmission and generation, building wiring, telecommunication, and electrical and electronic products, account for about three quarters of total copper use.


Building construction is the single largest market, followed by electronics and electronic products, transportation, industrial machinery, and consumer and general products. Copper byproducts from manufacturing and obsolete copper products are readily recycled and contribute significantly to copper supply.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Monday, June 22, 2009

Pesticides Safely

Using Pesticides Safely
If you decide that the best solution to your pest problem is a pesticide, follow these tips when selecting and using a garden product:
1. Identify the pest problem
2. Find the product that solves the problem
3. Buy the right amount for your needs
4. Read the label carefully and use the product the right way
5. Pay attention to warnings
6. Prevent harm to the environment - never pour lawn and garden products down a drain
7. Store and dispose of pesticides safely.

WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING:
Pesticides can enter the body through the skin, the eyes, the mouth, and the lungs. Protective clothing (including coveralls, apron, broad-rimmed waterproof hat, boots, rubber gloves, goggles or face shields, and respirators) provides protection against pesticide exposures. The pesticide label should tell you what protective equipment is necessary. Wear it!
DON'T EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE AROUND PESTICIDES:
Be careful not to wipe your face with your shirt sleeves. This could put the pesticide directly onto your bare skin. Wash your hands before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco, or using the toilet.
IF YOU BECOME ILL:
while working with pesticides, stop work immediately and seek fresh air. Notify your supervisor or a fellow employee that you are ill and you may need to seek medical attention. Symptoms may include irritation of the skin, eyes, or respiratory tract; headache; nausea; dizziness; and blurred vision.
STORE PESTICIDES PROPERLY:
Pesticides should be stored in a properly labeled container with the label clearly visible and should be kept in a locked storage area. Never store pesticides in old bottles or food containers where they could be mistaken for food or drink for people or animals. Never store pesticides near food, feed, or seed. If possible, pesticides should also be stored in a cool and dry location.
DISPOSE OF PESTICIDES PROPERLY:
Leftover pesticide can be disposed of in an approved landfill designed to handle pesticide disposal. Triple-rinsed empty pesticide containers can usually be disposed of in landfills with household trash. Pesticides should not be disposed of where they may enter water used for drinking or washing, fish ponds, or rivers. Do not reuse the original containers for any purpose, especially NOT as drinking water containers.

Friday, June 19, 2009

The Montezuma Quail

In the spring of 2005, sightings of the Montezuma quail were documented in the Chisos Mountains for the first time since a reintroduction attempt over thirty years ago. This was the first confirmed sighting in the park since a release in Pine Canyon in the early 1970’s. A Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist who has studied them in different parts of the U.S. was the first to sight a specimen within the park. Research is ongoing to learn more about the extent of this population.

Native to the Chisos Mountains, the Montezuma quail were extirpated from their mountain habitat in the 1930s.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Mid-Sussex
Over half of the District lies within Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB's), with parts of the Sussex Downs AONB and High Weald AONB falling in Mid Sussex. Designation of the Sussex Downs AONB was confirmed in 1966 followed by the High Weald AONB in 1983. Designation as an AONB gives formal recognition to the national importance of the landscape character of these areas. The primary purpose of designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty.

High Weald

The High Weald is characterised by dispersed settlement; ancient routeways; an abundance of small ancient woods; gills and shaws; and small irregularly shaped and productive fields. They are all draped over a deeply incised and ridge landform of clays and sandstones, and are loosely related to socio-economic characteristics that have roots deep in history.

Sussex Downs

The Sussex Downs offers some of the most spectacular and evocative landscape in Southern England - sweeping chalklands where earth meets sky, precipitous scarp slopes, rigged sandstone uplands and intimate clay vales. It is a protected landscape of diversity and contrast.

Management of the AONB's

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 placed a statutory duty for Management Plans to be prepared for AONB's.The High Weald AONB Joint Advisory Committee of which Mid Sussex is a partner has prepared the High Weald AONB Management Plan 2004. The management plan sets out local authority policy for the AONB and will be used to assess how public bodies, statutory undertakers and holders of public office fulfil their duty to have regard for the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the High Weald. The Council adopted this plan in January 2004 and has regard to it when considering the suitability of proposals for development in the High Weald AONB.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Psychology Help - For Your Peace of Mind


You’re Not Alone

Perhaps you are seeking treatment for depression, stress or anxiety. You or your family may be considering counseling or therapy to improve the quality of important relationships. There are many reasons people turn to psychologists. If you are reaching out for help from a psychologist, you are not alone. Psychological problems affect millions of people worldwide. They are more prevalent than cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and traffic accidents and second only to heart conditions. Psychologists are specially trained to assist this large population, and their services help sufferers effectively deal with their problems so that they can live happier, healthier lives. Every year thousands of Californians visit professional psychologists for help in better understanding themselves and others and in dealing with personal problems. If you think you may need to see a psychologist, this brochure can help you. It will explain your rights as a patient, provide guidance for choosing a psychologist and explain what a psychologist should and should NOT do. It also will tell you what to do if you think your psychologist has acted unprofessionally.

How Can a Psychologist Help You?

Psychologists provide many important services. They develop,give and interpret psychological tests. For example, they perform intelligence and achievement evaluations, disability evaluations,workers’ compensation evaluations, fitness-for-duty evaluations,and child-custody evaluations. They also help patients understand and resolve various psychological problems like depression, anxiety and substance abuse. They may provide treatment to individuals (adults and children), couples, families,groups, organizations or businesses using behavior modification, psychotherapy, hypnosis or consultation.They provide these services in in-patient psychiatric hospitals, day treatment programs, and out-patient offices.When providing assessment or treatment, psychologists take into account personal characteristics that make each patient unique. These factors include age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture,national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability,language, and socioeconomic status. Psychologists’ understanding and sensitivity to the impact of these various qualities allows psychologists to provide service to many different people. Although psychologists in California do not prescribe medications, they may be helpful in providing appropriate physician or psychiatric referrals. Additionally, psychologists play key roles in management consultation for businesses and other organizations.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Market Access and Compliance

Market Access and Compliance (MAC) identifies and overcomes trade barriers, resolves trade policy issues, and ensures that our trading partners fully meet their obligations under our trade agreements. MAC ensures access to world markets for American companies and workers so they can compete on a "level playing field."


The staff of Market Access and Compliance is ready to help you.

MAC's country desk officers are experts on the commercial, economic, and political climates in their assigned countries. They focus on resolving trade complaints and market access issues, such as:

  • Intellectual Property and Piracy
  • Quotas
  • Standards
  • Customs
  • Transparency and Contract Sanctity
  • National Treatment
  • Good Governance
  • Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards
MAC coordinates efforts with ITA's Commercial Service staff and industry sector experts, as well as with other foreign policy and trade-related government agencies.

MAC's Trade Compliance Center (TCC) works with large and small businesses to ensure that they receive the benefits of the more than 270 trade agreements that open up foreign markets to U.S. goods and services. If you believe your company is being treated unfairly in a foreign market, contact the TCC by email or visit TCC On-Line, which contains a wealth of information about U.S. exporter rights under our trade agreements.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

How a toddler's diet is different


Although toddlers can eat the same food as adults, before they're two years old children can't eat large amounts of food at one sitting. So, until then, give your child meals and snacks packed with calories and nutrients such as:

  1. full-fat milk and dairy foods
  2. meat
  3. eggs


Don't forget to give them fruit and vegetables and starchy foods as well.

But if you tend to eat high fibre foods, remember that young children's stomachs can't cope with foods such as wholemeal pasta and brown rice. Also, too much fibre can sometimes reduce the amount of minerals they can absorb, such as calcium and iron.

By the time they're five years old, young children should be eating family food, which is more bulky as it contains lots of starchy foods and plenty of fruit and vegetables. But make sure it doesn't contain too much saturated fat, which is found in butter, hard-fat spreads, cheese, fatty meat and meat products, biscuits, pastry and cakes.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Healthy Eyes


Having a comprehensive dilated eye exam is one of the best things you can do to make sure that you're seeing the best you can and that you're keeping your eyes healthy.

Millions of people have problems with their vision every year. Some of these problems can cause permanent vision loss and even blindness, while others are common problems that can be easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

What is a comprehensive dilated eye exam?


A comprehensive dilated eye exam is a painless procedure in which an eye care professional examines your eyes to look for common vision problems and eye diseases, many of which have no early warning signs. Regular comprehensive eye exams can help you protect your sight and make sure that you are seeing your best.

What are common vision problems?


Some of the most common vision problems are uncorrected refractive errors. These include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia.

What can I do to keep my eyes healthy?

Read these tips for keeping your eyes healthy and your vision at its best.

Monday, June 1, 2009

The Titanic Disaster

The world was stunned in 1912 by the loss of the liner Titanic on her maiden voyage. Halifax, Nova Scotia, located on the eastern coast of Canada, has one of the most moving and intimate connections with the Titanic disaster, playing a key role during the tragedy's aftermath and becoming the final resting place of many of her unclaimed victims.


Three Halifax ships were involved in the grim task of recovering victims - many of whom were laid to rest in three of our city's cemeteries. Rows of black granite headstones, each inscribed with the same date, April 15, 1912, are a stark reminder of the disaster.


Titanic artifacts at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic are a touching reminder of the ship's lost luxury, her violent end and the special role our port played as the enormity of the disaster unfolded.


These artifacts were all pulled from the water within weeks of the sinking by ships from Halifax searching for Titanic victims. The exhibit features wooden artifacts collected at the scene of the disaster, including one of the only Titanic deck chairs known to exist. Elsewhere in the city and across Nova Scotia one can experience reminders of Titanic and other courageous stories about our people and their intimate connection with the sea.