Would you like a more natural alternative to using those plastic planter containers? Well, here is a project for you, where you can have an interesting planter during the growing season, then throw the container out in the garden for mulch, without having to add to the world’s landfill problems.

These planters can be used and grown anywhere you can provide good plant growing conditions, including on a patio, pathway or even a roof top. The main criteria being enough sunlight for the plants chosen, easy access to water and an ease of access to maintain the planter/s.

Just follow the steps below.

What you will need

· One or more rectangular bales of hay, (One per planter).

· 4 to 8 seedlings or small plants per planter.

· One to two good handfuls of soil/compost/potting mix per plant.

· Small garden handtools.

· Hose/watering can.

· Liquid fertilizer.

· Area chosen to provide enough light for growing conditions required by plants selected.

Steps

Take one rectangular bale of hay; flip it on its side so that the straps are around the sides not over the top and bottom.

Moisten the hay bale thoroughly with a hose or watering can.

Using the handle of a hand tool, dig four to eight holes in the new upper surface of the hay bale, these holes have to be big enough to hold a good handful of soil.

Into each hole, place a handful or two of compost, soil or potting mix.

Plant up your choice of annuals, herbs or short-lived perennials.

· Water the plants in well and fertilize them with a liquid fertilizer.

· Because of the air gaps in the hay, this type of planter can dry out more quickly than a normal planter, so regular watering is essential.

· Also remember that your planter is actually decomposing while you are using it so remember to regularly fertilize the plants growing in it. Because nutrients may become temporarily unavailable during the decomposition process.

After you have finished growing your plants, move it out to the garden, take the straps off the bale, and use it to mulch/fertilize a part of your garden. You will find that the centre of the bale has decomposed into compost nicely by this stage.

Many people are unaware about the way in which the outpatient treatment programs work. There is much variety in the outpatient treatment program in New Hampshire. The outpatient treatment program provides treatment options to those who are not into severe addiction conditions. These types depend mainly on the kind of the addiction the patient has and also on the treatment needed by the patient. In this article you will get to know about three main types of the outpatient treatment program in New Hampshire.

1. The outpatient treatment program in New Hampshire: The outpatient treatment programs are suggested to those addicts who are into mild to moderate level of addictions. These people will need to visit the treatment centers two to three times in a week. The basic advantage of outpatient treatment program is that the patients can stay in own homes and be near to their family while taking the treatment.

As the patient stays in a comfortable environment, the treatment also shows fast effects and the recovery of the patient also speeds up. The patients will need to visit the treatment center daily for two to three hours. But overall the treatment never exceeds more than nine to ten hours a week. There are no strict medical programs but the patients will be given maintenance medications. These maintenance medications will kill the urge to have addictive substance in the patients.

Many people who have taken detox treatment like to take an outpatient treatment program in New Hampshire, as an aftercare program. The counseling given by the outpatient treatment program in New Hampshire is also very helpful for the patients in order to suppress the urge to consume addictive substance. The counseling program helps the patients and their families to overcome all the emotional hurdles that affect the treatment.

The counseling program also guides the patient about various methods like Yoga, acupuncture, etc, to control their cravings for the addictive substance. The main aim of the counseling program is to help the patient rehabilitate in their social lives. The counseling programs play vital role in the treatment programs.

2. The intensive outpatient treatment program in New Hampshire: As the name suggests the intensive outpatient treatment program is the strict version of the outpatient treatment program. The basic treatment program in intensive outpatient treatment program is same like other outpatient treatment program but it is carried out in more intense manner. The duration of the program will be about ten hours a week.

These treatment programs are suggested to those who are into stronger conditions of addictions. The patient will also be given a detox program if needed. The patient will be monitored daily and will be kept on medications to prevent the urge to have the addictive substance. The nature of the detox program will also depend on the addiction level of the patient.

3. The day treatment program in New Hampshire: The day treatment program is not considered as outpatient treatment program. But in New Hampshire the day treatment program is considered to be a type of outpatient treatment program. In day treatment program the patient will need to visit the treatment center on a daily basis. Daily three to four hours’ treatment will be given to the patients. The patient can choose the timings according to their convenience. Those who cannot take month long vacation for taking treatment and need to attain their jobs can take treatment in day treatment program in New Hampshire.

Thus the patients can lead their normal lives along with taking the addiction treatment. The day treatment program in New Hampshire also has a detox treatment program. The detox program cleans the body of addict and removes all the residual addictive substance form the body of the addict. The patients who are into moderate form of addiction can consider the option of day treatment program in New Hampshire.

Out of these options for outpatient treatment program you can select the one, which is most suitable for your needs. The outpatient treatment programs are mainly for those who are into mild to moderate form of addiction. The patients can take the treatment without going away from their homes and working responsibilities. The outpatient treatment center in New Hampshire will also have counselors who will give proper guidance to the patients and their families. The counseling part of the treatment program is very important to keep the patients and their families motivated. This way the patient will stay away from taking addictive substances and will also be able to lead a normal life after the treatment gets over.

Mesothelioma life expectancy at the time of diagnosis will traditionally be announced at being somewhere between a few months to only a year or two. Statistically speaking, mesothelioma life expectancy is frighteningly short. However, the mesothelioma life expectancy rate is a mere average, mean or median of mesothelioma patients with wildly different independent variables. Many of these mesothelioma patients have lived years past their expected “date of death” estimate.

Mesothelioma treatment and mesothelioma treatment options for these patients differed. Physicians for some patients may have been more experienced than physicians for the less fortunate. Not all patients follow through with chemotherapy or cancer treatment plans upon hearing the low mesothelioma life expectancy statistics, and many are not in shape to handle surgery. Others fight to live for just one more day.

Survival stories that can affect mesothelioma life expectancy rates range from the rarer cases of a young woman being “cured” – or having no remittance for decades, to the extremes on the other side, an 80+ year old gentleman with lifetime asbestos exposure, smoking heavily and suffering from numerous pre-existing diseases who dies a month after diagnosis. Others die during surgery. Most mesothelioma patient circumstances are somewhere in between. Many mesothelioma sufferers and their life expectancy statistics go unrecorded. Mesothelioma life expectancy will depend on your individual variables, your medical treatment, and your perseverance and outlook.

Mesothelioma life expectancy diagnosis will always depend on how early or late the disease was discovered. Because mesothelioma has been largely unrecognized in the past, the bulk of mesothelioma life expectancy statistics are mesothelioma patients who were diagnosed late in the disease. A greater awareness of the disease exists in the medical community, and although the majority of physicians do not have experience treating mesothelioma, most are aware of the potential presence of mesothelioma if a patient has been exposed to asbestos, and can refer a potential mesothelioma patient to a specialist.

Early detection and early treatment leads to longer life expectancy. Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos can be pro-active in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases. Patients can monitor their health and mesothelioma symptoms and begin early detection X-ray and CT scan tests. Mesothelioma patients can research mesothelioma treatment options available in clinical trials and discuss these with their physician. A physician can not be aware of every clinical trial that exists, and a mesothelioma patient’s own research could add years on to mesothelioma life expectancy.

Statistics for mesothelioma life expectancy will logically improve rather than become worse. Clinical trials on mesothelioma treatment options are increasing with an urgency to halt the disease. Many clinical trial participants live years past the initial diagnosis due to innovative mesothelioma treatment. Others may have participated in a mesothelioma clinical trial that was not as successful, but their participation has cleared the way to successful mesothelioma treatment for others. Chemotherapy and drug combinations have been proven to lengthen mesothelioma life expectancy. Imaging and radiation technology has made significant advances.

Mesothelioma life expectancy can pass the low mesothelioma life expectancy rates of the past. Nobody in the statistics of mesothelioma has the identical combination of the physical, emotional, and environmental variables that you do. Medicine advances, it does not go backwards. Mesothelioma treatment and mesothelioma treatment options for your early stage or advanced malignant stage mesothelioma will be up to you. There is a strong chance that you can defy mesothelioma life expectancy statistics. Research. Stay alert to new mesothelioma treatment options. And look at yourself, not statistics.

Finding a highly qualified and competent California mesothelioma attorney involves a little investigation. Newly diagnosed victims of Mesothelioma in California often have ample questions involving their health, their future, and their lawful recourses in the event of a mesothelioma diagnosis. The facts of mesothelioma are not easy to hear, nor are they easy to deal with. While a Mesothelioma doctor is equipped to answer medical and health questions as they relate to Mesothelioma, only a qualified Mesothelioma attorney is capable of answering questions that are associated with the legal ramifications of a mesothelioma diagnosis.

California mesothelioma victims are encouraged to make a list of questions that they feel they need answers to, one list for their Mesothelioma physician and another list for their attorney. The top ten questions to ask a California mesothelioma attorney have been suggested here, but there will be many more questions regarding a Mesothelioma case.

1. It is vital to contact a Mesothelioma lawyer as quickly as possible as many states have complicated regulations concerning Mesothelioma lawsuits. The first question to ask a qualified Mesothelioma lawyer is whether or not you qualify to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit. This of course will involve divulging all the information possible to allow the Mesothelioma lawyer to determine if you qualify to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit.

2. Some California mesothelioma lawyers are already involved with other Mesothelioma lawsuits or Mesothelioma settlements which may preclude them from taking on any new cases. It is possible that you may qualify for a class action lawsuit or perhaps an individual Mesothelioma lawsuit, depending on the circumstances. Mesothelioma patients need to inquire whether their case would be handled as an individual case or as part of a class action Mesothelioma lawsuit, and which would benefit them the most.

3. Knowing that your potential Mesothelioma lawyer has ample actual courtroom experience is a highly important part of hiring a Mesothelioma lawyer. It is perfectly acceptable to inquire with your potential Mesothelioma lawyer about their prior Mesothelioma and courtroom experience. Mesothelioma lawsuits are not the type of lawsuits you want a newbie cutting their teeth on, there is simply too much at stake.

4. California mesothelioma lawsuits tend to be large cases with a lot of complicated laws and circumstances to navigate. A Mesothelioma attorney needs to have ample support and resources to assist in the research and argument process. You will want to ask the Mesothelioma attorney how many Mesothelioma cases are in the firm, how many Mesothelioma expert lawyers are in the firm, and how much extra support services they can receive from the other California mesothelioma attorneys in the law firm.

5. Mesothelioma victims tend to be victimized by the contraction of the disease and are often very sensitive to other people’s feelings, including their Mesothelioma lawyer’s feelings. Asking questions that validate their experience is a good thing, and is not offensive to a Mesothelioma lawyer. If your potential Mesothelioma attorney reacts to questions with offense, it is not in your best interest to hire them. Asking them about their track record with Mesothelioma cases, how many went to trial versus how many of them were settled, as well as the results of each case is a reasonable line of questioning.

6. It is rarely in the best interest of the Mesothelioma victim for their case to be split between multiple law firms. Asking whether your lawsuit will be handled in house or if there is the possibility of splitting the case between law firms is a question of relative importance.

7. The vast majority of California mesothelioma cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means the attorney gets paid a percentage of what he or she is able to win on the Mesothelioma victim’s behalf. If the case goes nowhere, the Mesothelioma lawyer typically doesn’t get paid. The percentage of the Mesothelioma award or the Mesothelioma settlement which typically goes to the representing Mesothelioma lawyer is between 30 and 40 percent.

8. Asking your California mesothelioma lawyer to describe the process of a lawsuit will enable you to understand the process which you are about to enter as well as inform you of how well your Mesothelioma lawyer communicates..

9. It is important to understand how long the Mesothelioma lawyer will need for research and how much information he or she will need from the Mesothelioma victim and the Mesothelioma doctor. Television has given us the impression that lawsuits and court proceedings happen quickly. They don’t it takes time, and for a Mesothelioma victim, time is very precious.

10. California mesothelioma laws may vary by county. Establishing the jurisdiction that the Mesothelioma case will be tried is vital. Often it is tried in the county which the exposure to asbestos took place. Your Mesothelioma lawyer will have to have access to that region.

MESOSELIOMA MESOMARK BLOOD TEST
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the MESOMARK assay to help monitor response to treatment in malignant mesothelioma patients. The MESOMARK test signifies the beginning of a new era in monitoring mesothelioma malignancies,” said Dr. W. Jeffrey Allard, vice president and chief scientific officer of Fujirebio Diagnostics. “As the first in-vitro test for patients with this aggressive disease, it will enable doctors to more accurately detect recurrence and monitor treatment of patients.”
The MESOMARK Assay test kit was developed to measure levels of a biomarker, mesothelin, in serum. Biomarkers are substances found in higher-than-normal concentrations in the blood, urine or body tissues of patients with certain types of cancers. The test may be used to monitor patients confirmed as having mesothelioma, for recurrence in patients following surgery, or for measuring response to therapies.
“Current diagnostic tests are less than ideal for quantification of changes in tumor volume, which is key to managing the disease,” continued Allard. “As the MESOMARK results correlate with tumor volume*, it provides a much needed tool for monitoring patient status. It is our plan to collect additional data in the future to support the use of the test to detect mesothelioma.”

MESOMARK test are now making it possible – with a simple blood test -to monitor response to treatment and to detect recurrence following treatment. This provides an important head start to patients racing against this aggressive cancer. “The Meso Foundation is the national research funding, patient support and advocacy organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma as a life-threatening disease.
Those wishing to take part in MESOMARK testing will be asked to provide one or more samples of blood. The blood samples will then be sent to a national reference laboratory for testing. In conjunction with other clinical and laboratory data obtained by your doctor, decisions regarding your treatment and care may be simplified. You may discontinue testing at any time.

LINKS:
Diagnisis Mesothelioma

Before You Take Action on any Laser Treatment

You’ve lived with your acne scars long enough, and want to do something about them. But before you take any major action, such as laser treatment, read on to demystify the world of laser technology. There are many options available, but which ones are good? Or most importantly, which laser acne scar treatment suits you?

Fortunately with today’s laser technology, you can be sure that the entire laser procedure isn’t all pain and destruction. In fact, the healing time is faster, even though some procedures might require you to go back for further treatment or topical touch-ups. You do want to keep in mind, nevertheless, that the laser beam may still damage some skin pigments, so it’s best to understand the entire acne laser treatment itself, and leave the procedure up to certified doctors or dermatologists. Yes, check their credentials. And yes, that also means stay away from non-physicians performing the laser procedure in shopping malls or day spas. You also want to find out from the doctor or dermatologist what kind of laser technology he/she is using, and if the technology is not, say 10 years old.

Laser-zappin’ Acne Scar Treatments Available Today

In general, the laser treatments used to eliminate acne scars are essentially the same treatment for other skin problems also, using laser resurfacing technology. Laser resurfacing works by removing the scarred, top layer of the skin. By doing this, new skin – smoother skin – and collagen (main protein of connective tissue found in bone, cartilage, skin, and tendons) will grow in its place, and eventually smooth out the acne scar. Additionally, laser resurfacing is considered a safer, less invasive procedure than deep chemical peels or dermabrasion (described in non-laser acne scar treatment). Laser resurfacing is often combined with one or several other treatments for acne scars. This approach consistently gives better results when compared to other acne treatments.

There are basically two types of acne laser treatments today, non-ablative and ablative skin resurfacing treatments.

Non-ablative skin resurfacing (non-invasive, aka no skin cutting)

Ablate literally means to remove by melting, vaporization, erosion, etc. (Don’t mean to scare you, that’s just a literal translation.)

From the definition itself, you can probably figure out that non-ablative skin resurfacing is a gentler alternative to ablative laser treatments. Non-ablative treatments can accommodate almost all skin types and all skin colors with no complications, and patients will only have the “weekend” recovery down time.

This type of acne laser treatment uses the laser heat to penetrate into the skin to stimulate collagen production which corrects the wrinkles underneath the skin. So your skin remains intact. Remodeling of the collagen under the skin’s surface takes about 6 months or so. Generally, this type of treatment consists of 3-5 procedures, spread out from two to four weeks apart. Results should become apparent after the second treatment and should continue to improve thereafter.

Most commonly used laser technology for this treatment is the Fraxel (re:store) laser and Smoothbeam laser.

Ablative skin resurfacing (more invasive, aka skin removed)

Remember that to ablate literally means to remove by some sort of melting or vaporizing method.

So compared to the non-ablative skin resurfacing treatment, the ablative treatment is of course more invasive. The laser used in this treatment generates high energy beams that directly vaporize the damaged skin tissue without harming the surrounding areas. Because the skin has been ablated, new skin and collagen will produce to grow new skin and eventually smooth out the scar. Be aware though that ablative skin resurfacing may pose some side effects for some skin types and skin color. You should consult with your doctor or dermatologist first.

Due to the high laser beam used in ablative skin resurfacing, this kind of acne laser treatment generally requires only one visit. The down side though is that that the recovery time will be longer, generally taking 4-7 days or longer.

Variations of this type of treatment include the two household lasers known as Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Er:YAG (Erbium). CO2 is the most aggressive, while Erbium is milder with shorter laser pulses and has less risky post recovery period. The newest technology that uses the CO2 method is called the Fraxle re:pair, not to be confused with the original non-ablative Fraxel re:store laser.

Alternatives to Laser Acne Scar Treatments

There are also various non-laser treatments to eliminate acne scars. Find out more details in non-laser acne scar treatment.

Best Acne Scar Treatment for You

You are now well-informed on the various types of laser acne scar treatments, and may have even taken a preference as to which one may suit you. Regardless, in the best interest of your health, you should discuss with a doctor or dermatologist the best possible acne treatment before proceeding. Remember, this is a serious consideration not to be taken lightly. And avoid non-certified laser centers in the mall. (At least remember this – Just stick to your shopping.) Good luck!

Remodeling a kitchen can be a very big job.  Depending on the extent of the remodeling project, remodeling a kitchen can take weeks or even months.  There are, however, some things you can do to remodel your kitchen faster.  The ten ideas listed below will get you started on ways to remodel your kitchen faster and still have a finished room that shows quality work and attention to details.

1.  Work with the existing space if at all possible. Moving walls takes a great deal of time. It is also costly. If you are trying to update or remodel, try to think creatively about how you can make better use of the existing space. If you are trying to enlarge the kitchen, try to do so by moving or removing only one wall. This will reduce the amount of electrical work, as well as the amount of framing and drywall work necessary.

2.  Don’t move the sink. Moving plumbing also takes a great deal of time, and adds significant cost to your project.  Even if you are replacing the sink, keeping it in the same location will save the time of rerouting pipes, which could also result in the need for work to replace flooring.

3.  Don’t move a gas line or gas appliances. Moving a gas line will take additional time in completing your kitchen remodel.  In many localities, this will require the assistance of a professional.  You will need to schedule this work and allow the time necessary to move the line and then make any necessary repairs to walls and flooring.

4.  Choose standard-sized pre-built stock cabinets. These cabinets will probably be available for immediate pick-up or delivery, eliminating the wait for custom work and delivery.  These stock cabinets will be ready to simply set in place and attach to walls or floor.  This saves the assembly time required for special-order cabinets and the on-site construction time for custom cabinets.

5.  If you choose custom or semi-custom cabinets, pitch in and assemble the cabinets yourself for your contractor. Assembling pre-cut cabinets is not terribly difficult if you have some do-it-yourself remodeling experience.  Assembling cabinets takes time, however.  If you can assemble the cabinets in advance and have them ready for your contractor or for installation, you will save time during the actual remodeling project.

6.  Use large stock cabinets to make a pantry instead of building a closet. This saves the time of knocking out wall, re-framing for the closet, hanging the drywall, etc.  You might even find that you prefer the appearance of the matched cabinetry throughout your remodeled kitchen.

7.  Reface instead of replacing your cabinets. If your existing cabinets are in reasonably good condition, have them refaced instead of replacing them. This will also save time.  In some cases, the actual work can be done in a day.

8.  Install a new countertop. A new countertop will make your remodeled kitchen look bright and clean.  Your choice of countertop material could completely change the appearance of your kitchen. 

9.  Don’t install a backsplash. If you are trying to remodel your kitchen faster, don’t take the time to install or replace a backsplash.  Tile installation takes some time to set and allow it to dry completely.  If you are in a hurry, leave this for a weekend project at some point in the future.

10.  If you are building a window seat, save construction time by installing stock cabinets as the base for the seat. You can easily find stock cabinets the right height for a seat.  Just choose cabinets that match or complement your kitchen cabinets.  Then you need only position the boards on top of the cabinets and add cushions.

These ten ideas can save time on your kitchen remodel.  You will probably think of others as you begin planning your project.  But you can make a good start with these ten things to do to remodel your kitchen faster.

Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing