Make Me a Cartoon! How to Quickly Cartoon Yourself For Free

3D ANIMATION :

Turning your photo into a cartoon web face is one of the hottest online trends throughout the social networking world today. Cartoon avatars serve as a unique way of branding your personal identity in a variety of online communities like Facebook, MySpace and many others. There are many different ways of creating a cartoon picture by digitally manipulating a photograph of your face. Methods range from professional graphic image editing techniques using Photoshop or Illustrator to fully automated online website systems.

Make Me a Cartoon! How to Quickly Cartoon Yourself For Free

Since most people do not have access to professional image editing software like Photoshop nor the skills to use such a complex program, we will just look at some of the automated cartoon yourself for free methods available. So if you're still wondering how to make me a cartoon then keep reading.

Perhaps the quickest way to make a cartoonize photo of yourself is to use an online image editor like Lunapic. It's really simple...first I just go to the Lunapic website, then I choose an image file for my web face and click "upload now". After the image has uploaded to their server, I can create the cartoon picture of myself by going to the "effects" drop down menu at the top and then click on "cartoon". Right after the effect is applied, I always save my web face cartoon by clicking on one of the "save to" links below the image.

Similar cartoonize photo results can be obtained by using Google's online image editing tool at Picasaweb. This service is a little more complicated than the Lunapic method above but it can produce similar results. One of the difficulties with Picasa is that Google will insist that you have an account with them before you can use the service but they do have more options available in their interface.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

Meditating on the Sun

3D ANIMATION :

There are several methods of sun meditation (sungazing), several chat rooms devoted to sungazing, and several websites with related information. Not all of the information is factual and it behooves anyone who decides to practice this ancient and life transforming technique to become informed by reading as much as they can and by talking with other experienced sungazers.

Meditating on the Sun

My interest in sungazing actually originated while practicing t'ai chi. Many times, while enveloped in a peaceful, yet very enlivening flow of t'ai chi movements at sunrise or sunset, I would feel this energetic connection with the sun. At sunrise, I felt invigorated by this connection. At sunset, I felt a deep peace. Then, during a sunset practice in June of 2005, I intuitively sensed that there must be a way to pull this amazing energy of the suns rays directly into my body. Several weeks later I found a flier in a raw food restaurant advertising a talk by a gentleman from India, Hira Ratan Manek (HRM), who had lived off of nothing but the sun's energy for over 10 years. My curiosity was peaked.

I attended two evening presentations by HRM. While some of the claims he made about the timing of the healing benefits one could expect from sungazing seemed pretty incredible (and in actuality are not truthful) and some of the statements he made, I knew from my own personal experience, were not true, the overall concept seemed to be what I intuitively knew was possible and the results he had achieved could not be denied. He had been supervised and studied by NASA and scientists from around the world on several fasts (one exceeding 200 days and another exceeding 400 days). During these fasts he consumed nothing but water and sunlight. He also said he partakes of coffee and diluted buttermilk at times. Subsequent to attending these two lectures, HRM was "caught" eating lots of food. His eating after all these years and the more than realistic claims he makes, in my opinion, do not diminish the benefits one can experience with conscientious sungazing.

I began sungazing in July of 2005. At the time, I had been meditating daily for over 24 years, teaching and practicing yoga or t'ai chi almost every day for 17 years, and gradually changing my diet to one that is light and natural. From the very first day of sungazing for just 10 seconds, my meditations became much deeper and the experience of energy flowing through my body increased dramatically. It was like a new energy was awakened within. And the experience has continued to become more and more profound with each and every day.

My main sungazing practice is standing barefoot on dirt but one of the most powerful experiences I've had came while sitting in a meditation pose in the living room. The energy pulsated so strongly in my body for such a long period of time that my body felt like exploding. Then, suddenly, all vibrations ceased. My body and mind were completely still. My eyes were softly open to the sun's rays-they didn't blink at all. The stillness and peace were beyond description. Only consciousness, oneness, existed.

As one sungazes longer and longer, it's very helpful to be flexible as to when and where one sungazes. If standing, the flow of energy will be facilitated by keeping some bend in the knees. I've also found it extremely important to gaze at the sun with soft eyes. In other words, don't stare at the sun. One's eyes are open to the sun in kind of a blank stare like one sometimes experiences while watching television. You can get this state by focusing your mind inwards at your heart, power center (the dan tien several inches below the navel), or the soles of your feet while your eyes are relaxed and open. In this state, you'll actually be seeing two suns and the sun's intensity lessens. Blink as often as you need to.

It's also very important to not repeatedly sungaze where the wind can dry your eyes out. I started sungazing during sunsets at the beach where the wind was blowing directly into my eyes. Somewhere around 12 minutes of sungazing I had to stop. Whenever I tried to read, my eyes would see a bright white light where the print was supposed to be. White on white is not good for reading. After several weeks of not sungazing, this condition disappeared. Be attentive. Consider having your eyes checked regularly. All the information I've read and my experience says that sungazing is a very ancient, time-tested, and safe practice if done following certain guidelines.

The safe times for sungazing according to the literature are the first hour within sunrise time or the hour before sunset. I suggest the ½ hour within sunrise or sunset when first starting to get the eyes accustomed to looking at the light. If following HRM's method, one adds 10 seconds every day one can see the sun (free of thick clouds). The Suryayoga method has a different suggestion. Other people gaze based on their own inner awareness. Regardless of the method, if your eyes start burning, stop. This is not a race! Don't be the hare! There are incredible benefits to be experienced but they do not come overnight!

Nothing is going to magically happen at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 45 minutes! The magic will take place each and every moment you are gazing. There's nothing to be gained by skipping ahead. Sungazing is a cumulative practice. Just standing still for this practice is an amazing meditation in and of itself. In fact, even if clouds are obstructing your view of the sun on a particular day, stand and gaze anyway. You won't be able to increase your viewing time to the next 10 second increment, but you will be continuing the practice and getting the amazing benefits of a daily meditation.

HRM also suggests walking on the earth (again, not grass) for 45 minutes a day. Some of the links below as well as his website give the reasoning. This is important for everyone regardless of whether they sungaze. Your mental and physical well being is dependent on connecting with the earth. Walk 30 to 45 minutes every day and at least two of those days each week should be barefoot on the earth. I can't begin to describe the benefits you'll experience.

When you've finished sungazing each day, close your eyes. Imagine the sun's energy you've taken in is revitalizing every cell of your body. Do this while sungazing too. Feel like the sun is healing your entire body. Direct the energy to different parts of your body using your mind. Use affirmations. Chant inwardly or audibly (the vibration of Om is very compatible). Use this as a time to keep your mind focused. You'll find at some point that whatever you are focusing on sort of just melts away into this incredible peace and/or these incredible vibrations pulsating through your body.

I've experienced the illusion of time while sungazing. I've experienced my brain heating up as if it were an atomic reactor and this heat radiating down the inner core of my being while sungazing. This experience happened on three consecutive days (the intensity lessened a little each day) at a time when I was consciously trying to overcome anger. And to my amazement, anger suddenly and miraculously disappeared from my being as a result of the sun's grace, God's grace, and my intention to free myself of this debilitating emotion.

Not all the experiences one has sungazing are pleasant. You really get to know yourself when you stand still. When there is nothing to do. The sunlight exposes parts of you that have been tucked away, hiding in the shadows from the incredible light you are. Parts you just need to look at and honor. Parts that will be melted away so you can experience who you really are at all times.

I find that meditating quietly for 5 to 15 minutes after sungazing by either sitting silently or walking quietly on the earth (not a time for power walking) is very beneficial. Relish the energy, the peace, or whatever you are experiencing. Let it soak deep within your being.

Drinking plenty of water is important. It's also important that as the minutes of imbibing your nourishment directly from the sun increase (that's what you're getting indirectly by eating fruits, plants, etc. - the sun's energy) that you pay attention to your diet. You might find yourself eating juicier foods (fruits and green leafy vegetables), more natural uncooked foods, and less cooked or dead food.

Consistently sungazing will change your whole relationship with food. You'll learn what your particular being thrives on and how cultural, corporate, and familial information and habits you've taken on with respect to food do not necessarily serve you. Hey, what's the use of devoting all this time to sungazing and pulling in this amazing cosmic source of energy if you're going to try to hold on to old habits and patterns that are not yours to begin with and that keep you from experiencing your full human potential in terms of health, wealth, and mental capacity?

And, please know, that being able to live on sunlight and not eating food are not prerequisites for living in our natural state of enlightenment. Giving up the attachment to food is not the same thing as not eating. There are many enlightened beings walking this earth today that eat food. May we all partake of God's bounty consciously-eating only that which we can digest, eating with love and gratitude, and eating without harming another animal in the process. Our living bodies need living food to thrive (fruits, leafy greens, some vegetables, nuts, seeds, bee pollen, etc.).

Sunbathing during safe hours is also very beneficial to our beautiful bodies. Paramahansa Yogananda said: "Today I will seek God's vitality in the sun, bathing my body in its light to appreciate the life-giving, disease-destroying gift of the ultraviolet rays from the Lord."

Most of all, enjoy the process. You are in for an amazing adventure. In 1979 I weighed nearly 200 pounds. A daily practice of t'ai chi, yoga, meditation, walking, weights (Total Gym), natural eating (fruits, leafy greens, bee pollen, young coconut mostly) and sungazing keeps me slim (130 pounds), flexible, strong, peaceful, and full of energy. My blood pressure is 100/60, my bones are strong, and my active heartbeat is around 55 per minute.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

Coconut Oil - The Metabolic Marvel

3D ANIMATION :

If you have been on the diet roller coaster, you are likely one of millions of people who are seeking answers to the weight loss mystery that so many are trying to solve. When people are asked the reasons why they're "on a diet", a common answer is "to lose weight." Often times when I hear this, I will ask, "specifically what do you want to lose?" We could be talking about water weight or body fat. Keeping a running tab of grams of fat is one strategy that many dieters use as part of an effort to trim down. I would imagine that most of these people would be horrified at the thought of eating foods that contain high amounts of fat (particularly saturated fat!), however there is a source of fat that has less calories than other fats and does not contribute any more to gaining body mass than protein or carbs, and actually has been linked to improved health. The "fat" we are speaking of here is in the form of coconut oil, which has unfairly developed a bad reputation. As a society of dieters, we have been trained to believe that the less fat we take into our bodies, the better off we'll be, however our bodies do need fats in order to survive and work properly. So, instead of stressing out over eating foods that contain fat and thinking we need to totally run the other direction from fat, we should instead consider a fat that is better for us, such as coconut oil, which does not contribute to gaining weight any more than other foods. As we think about making changes to a healthier lifestyle, we should think about substituting the fat sources se currently use with coconut oil, which could be one of the healthiest things we can change as part of a plan to shed excess body fat. All fats are not the same!

Coconut Oil - The Metabolic Marvel

".....but coconut oil is supposed to be bad for you!"

Ever since a 1960's study was released, coconut oil has had an undeserved reputation as a saturated fat source that is an artery clogging villain that sends cholesterol through the roof and should be avoided like the plague. One important thing to keep in mind about this study, however, is that the oil was in hydrogenated form when it was studied, rather than the organic virgin form, which is actually very healthy and beneficial for us. It is true that hydrogenated oils do have long term negative affects on the human body but, thankfully, through further research, we now realize that extra virgin coconut oil has versatile benefits that should be included in cooking with a variety of recipes. All fats, whether they are in the form of saturated or unsaturated, animal or plant, have pretty much the same number of calories. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil, however, differ from other sources of fat as they actually contain fewer calories due to the smaller size of the fatty acids in the oil. This results in an energy value of only 6.8 calories per gram compared to the 9 calories per gram offered by other fats, which shows that by using coconut oil in place of other oils (and also butter) your calorie intake will be lower. The number of calories coconut oil offers is actually closer to that of carbohydrate because it is processed and digested differently than other types of fat.

As we've pointed out already, it's common for people who are dieting to avoid those foods which contain the highest fat content. It seems as if we constantly hear about dieters obsessively counting their "fat grams" which they believe to be the most important element of weight loss. But, should we blame the actual fat itself and view it with such concern? Well, the answer is yes and no. Yes, fat is typically higher in calories than carbs or protein, and because of the way our bodies digest it and use it, it can be a primary contributor to increasing body fat. But the good news is that not all fats produce that result in our body.

When we consume fat, it's broken up into individual fatty acids and reformed into small portions of fat and protein known as lipoproteins, which are sent into the bloodstream where the fatty acids are deposited straight into our fat cells. Additional nutrients such as carbs and proteins are broken down and quickly used for energy or building up tissue. Provided that we eat enough to meet our energy needs and don't over indulge in excess, the fat content in our foods always ends up as fat in our cells. The periods between our main meals is when physical activity outpaces energy reserves and when fat is removed from storage and used as fuel.

The Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA), on the other hand, are digested and used in a different way by the body. They are not formed into lipoproteins and don't move through the bloodstream like other fats do, but instead are delivered straight to the liver where they are rapidly converted into energy much the same way that carbohydrates are. When we consume coconut oil as part of our diets, the body uses it immediately to make energy instead of storing on the body, padding us with body fat. As a result of this, we can take in much more coconut oil than other types of oil before the excess is changed into fat. There have been studies that have provided scientific confirmation, in animals and humans, that substituting traditional sources of dietary fat, which are made up mostly of LCFA, with MCFA such as coconut oil, results in foods having a lower caloric content. MCFA can be a helpful agent in the controlling the amount of fat that is deposited in the body. Adding extra virgin coconut oil is one of the best ways to start including these MCFA into our overall diet.

Metabolic Miracle?

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone complain about having a "slow metabolism." I'm sure these people are right in some cases as not all people have the same metabolic rates. Is there anything we can do about this? When we consume food, many of our body cells ramp up their activities to help the digestion process. The stimulation of this cell activity is known as diet-induced thermogenesis and uses almost 10 percent of the energy of food that is taken into our bodies. Have you ever noticed that you sometimes feel warmer after eating a meal, particularly on a cool day? This happens because the body's "engine" is running at a faster rate, which causes the body to produce more heat. Different types of foods can cause different metabolic effects. For example, foods that are high in protein (meats, etc.) increase thermogenesis ( or heat production) and have an energizing effect on the body. Protein has a higher metabolic effect than carbs and fats and is a reason why many people say they have significantly less energy when they greatly reduce their consumption of meats. I've known people on the Adkins Diet who have mentioned this phenomenon. Increasing the metabolism burns off more calories and is a main reason why high protein diets can promote losing weight.

So, what does this have to do with Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil can offer us a greater metabolic boost than protein as it's MCFA properties rev up the metabolism into a high gear helping us burn more calories. Since MCFA raise the metabolic rate, they are sources of fat that can actually contribute to weight loss as long as other areas of your diet are monitored and kept in check. Who was it that said moderation is the key? A fat that can help us lose unwanted rather than helping to pack it on is bound to raise the skeptical eye of many people, but that is truly what will happen provided that calories exceeding the body's needs are not consumed. MCFA are easily absorbed and rapidly burned and used as energy for metabolism, leading to an increase of metabolic activity and even burning off those bad LCFA. Coconut oil offers the most dense natural source of MCFA available. The use of refined hydrogenated oils actually encourage weight gain because of their negative effects on the thyroid, the gland that controls metabolism in the body, and because of their higher calorie values. Polyunsaturated vegetable oils can slow down thyroid activity, which leads to a slower metabolic rate - the opposite effect of coconut oil. Consuming polyunsaturated oils, such as soybean oil, can contribute more to weight gain than any other fat, even surpassing the dreaded lard. Dr. Ray Peat, an endocrinologist specializing in the study of hormones, reports that unsaturated oils hinder the secretion of thyroid hormone, its movement in the circulation, and the responding of tissues to the hormone. When thyroid hormones are not operating efficiently, the metabolism becomes more "lazy."

In summary, we have learned that, for the most part, saturated fat in coconut oil does not lead to fatty tissues developing on our bodies. Instead, it creates energy, which is one of the reasons why food producers add coconut oil or MCFA in baby foods, energy bars, and even sports drinks. For a number of years now, western culture has been conditioned to believe that vegetable oil, corn oil, soybean, and canola oils are "good" for us and should be part of our regular diet. As a society, we use more soybean and hydrogenated oils than ever before in fast foods but also in foods that we cook at home. Over the years soybean oil has replaced tropical oils in our foods and the problem of obesity has grown in both adults and children. This is not to say that the oils are the only cause of this, however, what we take into our bodies matters and does cause consequences. So, with this in mind, if dropping unwanted weight is your goal, or if simply bettering your health is what you're after, one of the best things you can do is to eliminate those oils that make you fat and start including extra virgin coconut oil in your diet.

Some contents of this article are based on the writings of Bruce Fife, N.D., from his book, "The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil", Dr. Fife is a certified nutritionist and naturopathic physician who has contributed many informative writings on the nutritional benefits of coconut oil.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

Grooming Guinea Pigs

3D ANIMATION :

While most small animals don't require much grooming, guinea pigs are different. Their teeth, hair, and nails all require some specific attention on a regular basis. A guinea pig's front teeth continue to grow throughout their entire life. If they are allowed to grow without any control, the guinea pig will find it painful to eat and will, therefore, stop eating altogether.

Grooming Guinea Pigs

The best thing you can do is to provide your guinea pig with hard things to chew on: carrots and other hard vegetables, chew sticks or blocks, or even tree branches. Even though you provide these materials, however, you will need to regularly check the guinea pig's teeth to make sure they aren't becoming unmanageable. Check to see if the teeth are turning inward because this is a sign of excessive growth.

If you do notice that your guinea pig's teeth are getting too long, then you need to take him to a vet and get them trimmed down. Never try to trim a guinea pig's teeth yourself! Your vet will have the proper tools and experience to safely trim the teeth to a normal length.

Another problem that sometimes arises with guinea pig's teeth, particularly if they aren't getting all of the vitamins they need in their diet, is that the tips of teeth may break off. This can also make it difficult for the guinea pig to eat. Take the cavy to your vet and feed him a softer diet until the tooth grows back properly.

Guinea pigs' hair also needs to be taken care of regularly. Keep in mind that guinea pigs with longer hair are going to require more grooming than short-haired cavies.

For short-haired guinea pigs, you need to purchase a small brush and then use it on their hair at least once a week. The brushing serves several purposes. For one, it prevents their hair from matting up and tangling. It also removes any chunks of dirt that may become mixed up in the hair. Because their hair is short, you probably will never need to trim or cut it.

Long-haired guinea pigs are a different story. They need to be thoroughly brushed at least once per day every day. If you need to go out of town for even a couple of days, You will need to leave your long-haired guinea pig with someone who can brush it for you since it doesn't take long for the hair to get terribly matted. In fact, even brushing it once per day won't be enough to stop all the tangles from forming.

You will also need to do something with the hair when it gets too long since it grows another inch in length every month. If you plan on showing the guinea pig, You will need to wrap up the extra hair so that it doesn't get caught up around the animal's feet or mixed up in the urine and feces. Special wraps are available, but You will need to contact a breeder or guinea pig club to find out where to purchase them. If you don't plan on showing your guinea pigs, You will need to trim your guinea pig's hair every couple of months. Don't cut the hair too short. You want it just short enough so that it won't interfere with your guinea pig's movement.

Regardless of the type of guinea pig you have, You will also want to do periodic inspections of its coat to check for lice. Lice are small white parasites that look like tiny worms. Guinea pigs often contract lice from hay and from other guinea pigs. If you do see lice on your guinea pig, you don't have to be alarmed. Generally, the parasites will stay on the guinea pigs and will not jump onto your children or into your home. However, the lice do need to be treated promptly. Your vet should provide you with a shampoo that will kill the lice. Shampoo your guinea pigs and thoroughly clean their cages, then repeat seven days later. You must repeat the process because it takes a week for lice eggs to hatch and you want to make sure to kill any of those remaining babies.

Finally, your guinea pig's nails need to be trimmed regularly also. While wild guinea pigs' nails are naturally worn down to an appropriate length, this does not occur in caged guinea pigs. Lengthy nails can be painful to the guinea pig and to the people who handle him, plus they can break off or get snagged which can cause further injury to your cavy.

You should allow your vet or professional guinea pig groomer to show you how to clip their nails the first time because it is more complicated than trimming your fingernails. Like most animals, guinea pigs don't like to be restrained. It makes them feel vulnerable, and they'll resist as much as they can which makes trimming their nails difficult. Your vet will be able to show you ways to restrain the animal so you safely complete the trimming.

More importantly, the guinea pig's nails contain blood vessels much like a dog's. If you trim too short, You will cut into one of those vessels and your guinea pig will bleed profusely. When this happens you must stop the bleeding immediately! It won't take long for your small pet to bleed to death if you do nothing. Many pet stores sell a powder that stops the bleeding quickly. You may want to ask your vet what he recommends.

If you're worried about cutting your pet's toenails too short, you may be better off trimming them just a little bit but more frequently.

Except for brushing the guinea pig's hair, all other parts of the grooming process should be done by an adult, not a child. Clipping nails, trimming hair, and inspecting teeth should never be done by a child. The guinea pig could become nervous and could bite out of fear for their own safety. Or the child could make a mistake that could cause pain or injury to the guinea pig.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

Hey Kitty-Cat - What's For Dinner?

3D ANIMATION :

Eating is an integral part of life.

Hey Kitty-Cat - What's For Dinner?

As a matter of fact... how and what you eat is directly related to the quality of your life. Diet will determine how you look and how you feel physically, which reflects how you look and feel about yourself psychologically. Those who ignore the links between food, physical well-being and psychological/emotional confidence are doomed to a life of denial and ill health. With this in mind, one should select the foods they put into their bodies with careful consideration, including spending quality time researching where food comes from and how it is produced.

What about your cat? Shouldn't the food you select for her get the same kind of consideration and scrutiny?

All life depends upon a good diet to perpetuate itself. Fuel in = energy out. It's that simple. Food goes into the body which then converts that food to energy and we recognize that conversion as the animation of life itself. Cats over the eons have developed very specific dietary needs based on their lifestyles as hunting carnivores and the environment they evolved in, which were desert lands. Cutting right to the chase, cats:

• Prefer to eat freshly caught prey. All cats, from their sharp, pointy teeth to their short, efficient digestive tracts, are designed to consume and process flesh in its whole, raw state.  
• Derive a great deal of their water intake, and all of the nutrients necessary for survival from the body parts and fluids of their prey  
• Are not scavengers except in dire circumstances  
• Have a very refined and successful hunting instinct  
• Have a "nose" for the vitamin, mineral and protein nutrients needed for survival. Their sense of smell is developed to identify nutritional sources  
• Since becoming associated with people, cats have been spoiled by our inclination of processing our environment for ease of use. Consequently, their natural instincts are confused by the seduction of domestication and its accruements  

The first five statements above deal directly with the evolutionary development of cats and the resulting (naturally evolved) dietary profile. The last statement implies the responsibilities that people acquire when they open their homes to share with cats. Nowhere is this more important than when choosing food to feed your cat. Simply speaking, the food you provide to your cat should meet the criteria set out in those first five statements for her to have the best dining encounter she is used to experiencing naturally.

 

Now, this doesn't mean that you should look for a can or bag of cat food with stubby little legs that can be stalked, caught and opened by your cat. That isn't going to happen but you have probably already noticed your cat will continue to stalk and even capture prey though she may be well fed and satisfied with the feeding routine you have developed for her. Therein lies the potential for delusion.

In case there is any question... like all businesses, cat food producers have to make a profit in order to stay in business. Not that making a profit is bad. It's the basis for economical survival in civilized communities and replaces anarchy as a way for people to get along. But, there's a difference between making a profit for the sake of greed and abrogating any moral responsibility, and making a profit with concern for the well being of everyone involved, including your cat. This is where a person has to step up and use their reasoning abilities, and make proper choices; to determine what foods are good for cats, as well as what foods should be avoided. This is best accomplished by learning to interpret ingredient labels. Discovering ingredient labels and what is really in a can or bag of cat food is easy once you learn the basic math behind the recipe formulations.

With a little more effort, though, it's possible to provide cat food that more closely resembles food cats have long supplied for themselves in the wilderness. But, in the market place, it can become really confusing. They'll usually come under classifications such as the following:

• Natural Cat Food  
• Raw Cat Food  
• Holistic Cat Food  
• Organic Cat Food  

Some of the classifications are pretty straight forward. Others can be a little misleading. All product labels should be read carefully to completely understand the difference between the advertising hype behind the sales pitches, and what all the ingredients in cat food actually are.

 

Having made an unscientific study of these classifications, I came up with some simple definitions for understanding what is meant by each one:

• Natural Cat Food - Here is the official AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) definition for "natural" as the term relates to pet food: "NATURAL... A feed or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subjected to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis or fermentation, but not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts as might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices." This seems to be nothing more than a statement that the 'Natural' label on a food means that it wasn't chemically derived in a laboratory, can be anything from a prime cut of meat to the stuff swept off the floor of that same meat processing plant, and in any case it can contain chemicals to shelf stabilize the product until consumption.  
• Raw Cat Food - There's not much to equivocate here. Raw food is not cooked or processed in any way... except with the use of a good, sharp knife. Raw food can be organic and raised on a 'free-range', or full of hormones and other chemicals used to increase the weight of the animal in a fast time period.  
• Holistic Cat Food - Holistic is an approach to life-style rather than a specific product. It's a "whole" approach to health, focusing on prevention rather than an after-the-fact cure of disease or illness. The approach incorporates an understanding of the roles that diet, nutrition, water intake, exercise, environment, sleep and emotional well-being play in maintaining good health.  
• Organic Cat Food - Here is a great and concise definition from the Organic Trade Association: "Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organically produced foods also must be produced without the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering and other excluded practices, sewage sludge, or irradiation. Cloning animals or using their products would be considered inconsistent with organic practices. Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food"  

Of all the above, the term 'Natural' when used in advertising can be the most abused or misleading because of its broad definition. 'Natural' can even be used in the name of a product and not be considered false advertising as long as its not describing the composition of the product. Conversely, when used in conjunction with organic, i.e. 'Natural Organic Cat Food', it might be describing a very good product.

As for 'Raw' cat food, care has to be taken that the product is fortified with all the special nutrients that a cat needs for good health. Being raw alone does not guarantee complete nutrition. If you decide to make raw cat food yourself, special care has to be taken to produce a product that meets all the nutrient needs a cat has to maintain a life free of disease. And, if you purchase it through the mail, be certain that it is shipped frozen and is in the frozen state when it arrives in your mailbox. There's nothing worse than opening up a stinky ole package dripping with whatever. Of course, Fido would begin to show a lot of friendly interest in the mailman after the arrival of such a package.

The bottom line is to warily scrutinize the wording of the advertising on any can or bag of pet food. And, to learn how to interpret pet food ingredient labels. Now that we've brought our cats in from the cold... we don't want to kill them with our convenience oriented lifestyles.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

Small Business Idea - How to Start a Craft Business

3D ANIMATION :

Are you the type of person that spends all of your free time working on a craft? Maybe it is something like knitting or quilting, or something more simplistic, like putting together Popsicle sticks to make the figure of an animal. No matter what your secret passion is with crafts, there are ways to turn your part time hobby into your full time business!

Small Business Idea - How to Start a Craft Business

The first thing that you will want to decide is what crafts you really like to make, that are simple enough for you to do a lot of. This will help you to determine what the best job will be for you. It may take some time for you to decide what will sell and what will work best, but over time you will find that there are certain crafts that you like making more and that people like buying more.

From this point, you can take several routes to making sure that your craft sells. The first option available to you is to get involved in the local events that are taking place. There are several summer and winter festivals that are designed just for people like you to sell their crafts. You can make your crafts to specifically cater to these festivals, and also offer your other types of crafts to make the most. Once you begin going to several of these festivals, you will begin to notice a steady increase in your income, allowing you to slowly turn your craft into a full time job.

Another option available to you for your craft is to open a store. This can either be in your locality or it can be online. All you will need to do is to begin reproducing the crafts that you like the best, turning them into a line of products. After you begin to get several items, you can turn them into an inventory list. Make sure that you are prepared with the right amount of inventory and are able to reproduce what you need when the demand is high. Once you have done this, you can make sure that you advertise effectively to specific target markets in order to sell everything that you make.

Most believe that their craft is only a part time hobby. However, it should be kept in mind that everyone is always looking for gifts for holidays and throughout the year, as well as a special keepsake for a friend, just because. The simple trick to make your craft into your job is to just begin doing it! You will realize that you can truly do what you love.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

It All Starts With Just One Command - Basic Dog Training

3D ANIMATION :

"SIT" is the foundation for all obedience. All other commands, learning and control branch from this one simple exercise. Even for those who don't care to teach "formal" obedience, "SIT" will still be a valuable tool.

It All Starts With Just One Command - Basic Dog Training

Consider what happens when you take your dog for a walk. Going for a walk is usually very exciting for a dog. Often, he will jump and prance and perhaps bark while you are getting the leash and collar. By this time, the dog has gone so crazy that applying the leash and collar becomes all but impossible. He is in a vicious cycle of "doggie brainlessness"! Now, try to put a firm "SIT" command to this wildness before it gets out of control: "Spot SIT!". Use firm, short words (DON'T "ASK"). Follow through by showing the dog what you want if s/he doesn't comply immediately. Don't forget to praise for a nice sit - even after you have made him do it. The sit will help to - as I like to put it - stuff his brains back into his ears. In other words, make him a THINKING rather than a REACTING animal. Insist that the leash and collar will not go on a crazy dog. Your dog must get the message: "You must "SIT" before you go anywhere!". After you accomplish THAT, you want to attempt to GO for that walk!

Now consider a dog who drags you toward the door, gasping and choking the entire way, jumps at the door, and rushes through the door as soon as you open it. This dog has no respect for his owner. Instead of allowing all the pulling and choking, insist again on a "SIT" by the door, along with a "STAY". YOU will always be the one to go through the doorway FIRST (leaders ALWAYS go first - more on that in a later article). After you have gone first, a cheerful release word "OK" signals that Spot may follow. If you must lock the door, then another SIT should be required while the dog calmly waits to start the walk.

Jumping up on you or other people can also be controlled using "SIT". We can teach "OFF" (or another word, if you wish), but we must also give your dog an alternative for jumping - one that will bring praise. And that magic "something" is SIT. When your dog becomes excited or appears worried during a trip to the veterinarian or groomer (or wherever, for that matter), "SIT" can be the key to calm your dog and, again, get him to THINK rather than REACT.

Many trainers believe (and I believe this to be true also) that there is no free lunch for dogs. In other words, "You, Spot, don't get attention for free. You don't get your meal or treats for free, etc.". The simplest thing to have a dog do as "payment" is for these things is "SIT" and, perhaps sometimes, "STAY". Ultimately, this isn't a big payment, just a calm show of respect for you, as the owner and leader.

So, practice "SIT" - quick, small, fun sits to start. Then practice longer sits, or sits not so close to you (ON the leash helps you to reinforce the command if the SIT doesn't happen). Above all, "SIT" should always be praised and your dog must know that, in any unfamiliar situation, "SIT" will always make you happy. That is how you start to get respect and obedience from one simple command - "SIT"!

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

How to Get Better Wildlife Photos

3D ANIMATION :

When you're just starting up with wildlife photography, composition can be a daily challenge. It gets even more difficult if you're dealing with a moving, uncooperative subject. There's not much to learn on how to deal with such a subject. However, experience will teach you how to be quicker and improve your chances to catch the right moment.

How to Get Better Wildlife Photos

There are a few tips to help you improve your composition in wildlife photography. First of all, photograph the animals in places where they are used to having people around. They don't necessarily have be closed spaces such as a zoo. You can try a picnic ground or camping in a national park, where animals may even come close to look for food. Then you can approach them slow enough not to scare them away. Secondly, prepare your exposure in advance so you won't lose precious time when you're near the animal. If you have constant light, you can position the camera in the right direction and set the shutter speed and aperture. Then all you have to do is focus on the composition.

However, the composition itself is a challenge and many don't know where to start. Let's start by breaking it into two types of photos: close-ups and non close-ups. If you have a close up, the subject fills most of the photo. Many people wonder whether to position it in the center or towards one side. You can place it in the center, just make sure you do leave some space around it or the composition will look cramped. This option is particularly good if the animal is looking to the camera or just a little to one side. If the subject is facing left or right, consider positioning it to one side of the photo. You can use the direction of its look to decide on which side to place it. If it faces right, place it towards the left side and viceversa. However, don't position it too close to one side or another: you don't want half of your picture to be empty.

Things can get more complicated with non close-up photos. In these cases, it is better to think of the composition as a landscape. You can use the Rule-of-Third, which is a tried-and-true technique, to decide where you position the subject (Google it in case you haven't heard about it). For landscape photos, the composition can look quite unbalanced if you position the subject right in the middle. It is best to place it towards one side or the other. Now the direction of the subject's eyes is even more important. When we look at a photo, we tend to look in the same direction as the subject. So if your subject is facing right and you place it on the left side, people will look towards the center of the photo. Otherwise they will look outside the photo. It would be nice to have something interesting in the center of the picture or towards the opposite side from where you place the subject. It can be just about anything - a beach, a tree, a beautiful sky - as long as it has a strong visual impact. If you can't find anything, you can zoom in so that you don't leave to much empty space.

These small guidelines are aimed to give you some ideas in case you get stuck. However, you should use your own judgement and sense of balance to take the best out of any situation. As long as you can position the subject right, everything else will just fall into place.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

Create an Avatar Free - Make a Cartoon Character of Yourself

3D ANIMATION :

Nowadays, being anonymous behind the computer is becoming the lesser preference as many people are more daring in letting their individuality show, whether through the use of real pictures or avatars. An avatar is an animated picture that is used to identify an individual in internet forums and chat boards. Creating an avatar is becoming a trend for many internet users especially with the elaborateness some websites that allows you to create an animated picture that looks exactly like you, for free.

Create an Avatar Free - Make a Cartoon Character of Yourself

There are lots of popular online websites that let you go wild in creating your avatars. To create an animated character of yourself for free, you will have to just go and visit those sites and follow the instructions given. A blank character should be visible in a box before you start creating one. To set the character at default, you can just click on a button and start experimenting with as many as 16 tabs which allow you to have your unique pick of hairstyles, eyebrows, and clothing. A single tab will offer you dozens of different choices so that you are able to create an avatar that looks exactly like you.

There are also some websites that allow you to create dynamic avatars for free for your personal use almost anywhere on the web. Some offer an easy method that does not use any Flash, ActiveX controls, downloads or toolbars. To create an avatar, you will only have to click on the 'create' tab at the homepage. You will be given the choice to select your gender, skin color and eye color of your own preference. As you click on the 'next' button, several options for expressions, hair and eyewear can be customized according to your taste. Every time a selection is made, you will notice changes in your picture. Once you are satisfied with your creation, you can save the animated picture onto your computer.

Creating an avatar is so much more fun and interesting today as you are able to have it look exactly like a cartoon version of yourself.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

Rays, Cats and Dogs - Protect Your Pets From the Sun

3D ANIMATION :

The dangers of too much sun exposure are well known. The harmful effects of UV rays have long been associated with skin cancer and a number of other ailments, leading to the widespread belief that the best way to stay healthy is to avoid too much direct exposure to the sun, particularly when the sun is at its fiercest around midday.

Rays, Cats and Dogs - Protect Your Pets From the Sun

The next best thing, however, is to make sure high-factor sun cream is applied to any bare patch of skin and UV protective sunglasses are worn.

Of course, little persuasion should be needed as to the prudence of taking care in the sun. It may surprise some to learn that animals too can be just as susceptible to the sun's rays, and family pets that spend a lot of time outdoors can be at a far greater risk of developing skin cancer than those confined to an indoor environment.

For example, dogs with short white coats and light coloured skin such as Dalmatians, Bull Terriers, Whippets and Greyhounds are most at risk from developing sun-induced disorders later in life.

Among the preventative measures that can be taken include preventing a pet's sun exposure altogether, using solar-protective t-shirts and, perhaps surprisingly, applying sun cream.

The type of sun-block that is recommended for children may also be suitable for animals, given that they are often waterproof, scentless and will be less likely to cause irritation to the skin. But there is now even sunscreen specifically designed for pets, offering an easy spray application process and a non-greasy layer of protection.

No cat or dog likes to be stuck indoors - especially in the warm summer months - so it probably is wise to adopt preventative measures to minimise the chances of it suffering from sun-related ailments. However, as with anything in life, nothing can offer a 100% protection guarantee.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in dogs, and the second most common type of cancer in cats. But if it's detected early enough then treatment is a genuine option, though it's likely to incur considerable fees from the vet - which is why it's important to have adequate pet insurance in place.

And as is the case when shopping for anything in the internet age, it's best requesting several pet insurance quotes, as prices can vary significantly between providers - plus there are often significant discounts available when purchasing a pet insurance policy online.

So, even our furry little friends are at risk from the elements. By taking the appropriate preventative measures it's possible to ensure that our beloved pets live long and healthy lives.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

Australian Immigration: Pet Travel

3D ANIMATION :

Migrating to Australia can seem like a daunting prospect, especially if you do not want to leave your furry family members behind. Luckily, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) exists to assist international visitors with pets.

Australian Immigration: Pet Travel

Of course it is also important to protect Australia's own wildlife from foreign diseases. For this reason, most family dogs and cats are required to be quarantined.

Just like humans, some pets are afraid of flying. It is important that you prepare them for the trip to Australia.

Different airlines and airports have different rules for people travelling with pets so be sure to review the regulations of your airline before you depart. There are also travel agents with specialised knowledge of pet travel who can make recommendations with regard to taking your pet from one country to another.

On her website, Australian vet Dr Katrina Warren recommends pet owners assess their animals travel needs well before the date of departure. If your pet does not like travelling in a car, Dr Warren suggests introducing him or her to a travelling crate about a month before the flight.

Just as when easing a new pet into your home, it is helpful to place familiar toys or items of clothing in the crate so your pet is accustomed to this new environment.

Dr Warren also advises pet owners to exercise their dog or cat before travelling to help them sleep on the plane. To avoid any nasty accidents during the flight, do not allow your pet to eat on the day you leave.

Once you arrive in Australia, most animals will have to go through a period of quarantine. The only dogs and cats allowed to enter Australia without undergoing this process are those from New Zealand, the Cocos Islands and Norfolk Island.

AQIS has divided quarantine levels into six categories. The category your pet falls into depends upon the country you are departing from on your way to Australia. To see which category your pet belongs to, visit: www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs.

There are three quarantine stations located around Australia: two on the East coast in Spotswood, Melbourne and in Eastern Creek, Sydney and one on the West coast in Byford, Perth.

AQIS warns all pet owners immigrating or working in Australia to be wary of heat stress in their dog or cat. Australian temperatures regularly reach 35 degrees Celsius during summer months and pets may be affected more easily than people.

Quarantine costs are expensive and should be taken into consideration before you travel, especially if you are only staying in Australia on a temporary visa. Some dogs and cats face a minimum of 60 days in quarantine, so if you are only staying for six months, it may not be worth the hassle.

Here is a quick overview of Australian quarantine costs for one dog quarantined for one month:

• Entry fee - .00
• Vet fee - .00 (per 30 minutes)
• Document fee - .00
• Rate - 70.00 (30 x .00 daily rate)
• Total = 05.00

And for one cat quarantined for one month:

• Entry fee - .00
• Vet fee - .00 (per 30 minutes)
• Document fee - .00
• Rate - 0.00 (30 x .00 daily rate)
• Total = 05.00

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

The Importance of Dog Socialization

3D ANIMATION :

Dog socialization is the most ignored factors in the training of every canine to be successful. Lack of this will tie into your dog disobedience and may lead to dog aggression problems that all canine owners know. It is best if your canine will be trained in its early years as your canine is still young must be trained properly. This will keep your canine to always have great relationship with you as the owner and will also keep the canine to know how to behave well with other people and other dogs as well.

The Importance of Dog Socialization

Many canine owners underestimate the benefits and advantages of having dog socialization especially while the canine is still a puppy. The training that your canine on how to react in the presence of strangers and other animals as well will be always remembered all the time when your canine is trained right. You must not take your canine for granted. You must let your canine know and feel that it is always loved and cared for. Bad behavior in dogs is the results of being neglected and not cared for. This will lead your canine to be mean, to bark all the time and to growl at people passing by your house.

By taking your canine and let him walk, run and play at the local dog park or just around your neighborhood means a lot to it. It will help your canine to develop his mental attitude in it's form. Without this and some other pampering your canine will become imbalance and will always seek attention. You must let your canine feel secure and special to help him improve on his attitude to you as the owner and to other people and other dogs too.

Dog socialization will help your canine in its canine/human or canine to canine relationship. Try to give some time for your dog to play around with you and get the needed exercise daily or three times a week. Aside from their grooming like bathing or washing, they also need some exercise to let out some of their energy.

There are many things that you can show that your dog is special- like taking your canine at the play area or dog park once a week. Try to give your canine some extra time to improve his social attitude and behavior towards other people and some other dogs. Try and allow them to play around without restrictions and not control it's every movement. Just let them play and have time together with other dogs that it does not know. Your canine needs to establish good relationship with other dogs like your neighbor's dogs and other strange dogs as well.

Your canine can have good relationships with dogs that are stranger to it when it has undergone dog socialization. This will help him not to fight with some other dogs and other animals too. You must not hinder your dog's capability to have a good relationship with other dogs and not be overprotected over it.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

Top Ways to Beat Stress

3D ANIMATION :

In a busy world, it's hard to eliminate stress from our every day lives. The economy, work, kids, and daily chores keep us on the go. Stress levels rise throughout the day and rarely do we take the time to mellow out our stress. What most people don't realize is that stress is a major contributor in health problems. High stress levels can contribute to cardiovascular disease, weight problems, and possibly different forms of cancer.

Top Ways to Beat Stress

Busy lives are common for everyone, but taking the time to sit in silence is a practical way to get quiet meditation during your day. We are bombarded with phones, pagers, television, and other loud noises that keep our stress levels too high. Taking a break just for an hour will help relieve the tension from everyday noise levels.

Meditation and stillness are forms of relaxation. They are primary ways to sit without intrusion and soak in the scents and quiet sounds of nature. Find a spot in a park or on the beach where you can find time to think of yourself. Try not to think of work or what chore you need to do for the day. Enjoy nature and its beauty and try to overcome the stress from the day.

Reading a newspaper or watching the nightly news is a common habit for the working class. If you find the news disturbing your mind, eliminate it from your daily schedule for a time. World news can be stressful for people who absorb the bad without properly filtering. Some forms of news are generally bad, and it's that bad that can create more stress in our lives.

Everyone has a passion that they enjoy. Pursuing your hobby can help you relieve stress and possibly gain some exercise. Take a day to enjoy golfing, kayaking, tennis, or any other activity where your mind is dragged away from work and stress. Spending time with animals such as dogs and cats is tremendously therapeutic.

Spend a day at a spa getting a massage and swimming in the pool. Spas offer top quality relaxation methods to eliminate stress. Just an hour massage can remove tension, ease achy muscles, and allow the mind to relax. Afterwards, do a few laps in the pool and let the water relieve stress through its low impact exercise.

If stress has you almost to tears, let them flow! Crying is very therapeutic for relieving stress. Sometimes, a good cry will surprisingly increase moods. The tears seem to drag the stress away. Crying also releases certain chemicals in our body that stimulates relaxation.

Finally, the best prescription for all bad days is a good laugh. When the day has been overwhelming, consider renting a good comedy or find a good television program that will help you laugh. Laughing is one of those gifts we overlook as a simple stress reliever. Instead of focusing on the bad of the day, a good laugh can brighten our outlook on terrible situations and create a sense of cheeriness.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more

3D Animation

3D ANIMATION :

3D animation is a more advanced graphical presentation with the help of computer and digital displayers. Animations such as movies, presentations, walk through, cartoon films, television advertisements and web stuff (life on the Web or Internet) became popular after people tasted 3D graphics. In general Multimedia stuff such as 3D Illustration, AV Presentations, Digital Video, 3D Medical & Scientific Animations are very useful in real life application in respective environments.

3D Animation

Computer Graphics and Animations

3D computer graphics / animations are different from 2D computer graphics / animations in that a 3D representation of geometric data is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images. The rendered images are used for later display or for real-time viewing. 3D graphics animations show the angle of camera or viewers, virtual shoot of aerial footage and put the virtual reality 3D model into it perfectly so the 3D animation looks absolutely real. This is called motion tracking, which is when we track the exact motion of the real life camera that shoots the footage and that is replicated perfectly in 3D. The same effect is also used often on the big screen where 3D animations are used to create movie scenes.

Making of 3D Animations

The 3D animations are created based on a theme or concept. The theme is expanded with more detail of the design; flow of the animations is called storyboards. The character and object design and development are the preliminary jobs for animators based on the specification. Based on the storyboard direction further key frames are to be developed. All the characters or objects are called 3D models that are data file that contain the information needed to view or "render" 3-D objects. Key-framing is the process of assigning values to parameters at specific moments in time that specifies frames in an animated sequence. A Texture Map is required for manipulating the scheme or pattern on the models. Texture Mapping is a way of controlling the diffuse color of a surface on a pixel-by-pixel basis, rather than by assigning a single overall value. The graphic designer / character developer can achieve by applying a color bitmap image to the surface. The color patterns / scheme can also be generated by the application itself to create a procedural texture. Finally, the sequences are to be rendered for getting an output with compression. Rendering is the process of producing bitmapped images from a view of 3-D models in a 3-D scene. An animation is a series of such renderings (taking a picture of the scene) each with the scene slightly changed.

3D animation software features:

3D Modeler, TrueType font support, Import and modify file formats, Export .3DS files, Built in 3D Object browser, Jointed character editor, Morph targets, Renderer for high quality, production quality images, Create 3D scenes and animations and output .AVI movie files, .JPG and .BMP images, Supports textures, bump maps, soft shadows, spotlights, fog, and much more, Texture support for .BMP, .GIF, and .JPG format files, Scripting language etc.

Standard Computer System Requirements from 3D Animation software:

Windows NT4, Win95, Win98, WinSE, Win2K, or WinXP, OpenGL accelerated graphics card with full ICD support, (ala GeForce), 64 MB memory, 128MB recommended, or 256MB if you use WinXP, 300 MHz Pentium, 5MB disk space.

AniBoom is involved in 3D Animation Workshop, Competitions, Seminars and online info centers, where you can learn about this beautiful medium, with a special eye for its use on the Web. You can learn how to create 3D graphics and animation step by step, gain knowledge and experiences. AniBoom makes aware of aspirants on computer, software, technologies, process for making of 3D animations.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

Read more