There are three core common breeds of guinea pigs, they are:

* Abyssinian: The Abyssinian breed of guinea pigs has fluffy tuft of hair that blankets its entire body.

* Smooth-Coated: The smooth-coated breed of guinea pigs has glossy, short fur.

* Peruvian: The Peruvian guinea pigs have silky, long hair that flows like a waterfall towards the ground.

Whether you realize it or not, guinea pigs truly make excellent companions. Being a bit bigger they are a bit more robust and with lots of appropriate handling they will be happy to be picked up and cuddled. Guinea pigs are a docile member of the rodent family, and they rarely ever bite. These creatures are well-known for delightfully squeaking whenever their favorite humans enter into the room. For older children that have mastered the proper techniques for handling guinea pigs, guinea pigs are wonderful starter pets.

Costs Associated With Guinea Pigs

At the time that you receive your pet guinea pig, you will need to purchase a cage which normally runs around $35 dollars. Each year, you may estimate that you will spend $75 dollars purchasing food, and an additional $25 annually for treats and toys. Each year, you will also have to pay $50 dollars for the guinea pig’s annual veterinary check-up and $300 dollars each year for bedding material and litter. When purchasing your guinea pig, it is highly recommended that you receive your guinea pig from a well-respected, responsible breeder, or even better, you may adopt one from a small-animal rescue group or a shelter.

Supply Checklist for Your New Guinea Pig

* Grass hay

* Guinea pig pellets

* Hardwood or Aspen shavings

* Comb and Brush for grooming

* Untreated, unpainted piece of wood or either a safe chew toy

* Solid-bottom cage with a plastic-bottom or wire cover * Cardboard boxes, rocks, bricks, plastic pipes, and any other appropriate toys

* Covered sleeping box or medium flower pot

* Attachable water bottle and drinking tube

At anytime that you are considering purchasing a guinea pig; you need to make sure that you take the time to learn the responsibilities that are associated with taking care of a guinea pig. In the end, a guinea pig will provide you or your child with a long-term friend.

See other articles at Guinea Pig Pet.

To make Italian food and be your own chef, you need the right ingredients. You should start with stocking the pantry with the following ingredients:

* Olive oil
* Pasta
* Legumes
* Tomato paste, puree, tomatoes
* Garlic (fresh cloves)
* Onions
* Basil
* Oregano
* Marjoram
* Risotto
* Parmesian or Romano Cheese (or both)
* Chianti

Once you have these spices and other ingredients, you can be prepared to cook just about any type of Italian food. Italian food relies heavily on spices, just as most Mediterranean foods do. The spices that are used in Italian food came from all over the world as the Roman empire expanded. Italian food has influences in other Mediterranean cooking as well as African and Arabic cooking. French cooking, which is said to be the crème de le crème of gourmet cooking, is actually influenced by Italian food.

Most of the foods on the list above are good for you in some manner. Olive oil is preferable than vegetable oil when it comes to fats. Pasta is a complex carbohydrate as is Risotto which is a type of rice – you need them to get energy, despite what the Atkins diet tells you. Legumes are an excellent source of protein. Tomatoes, garlic and onions are loaded with antioxidants and boost the immune system. Oregano, Basil and Marjoram are natural herbs that have medicinal purposes. Chianti is supposed to lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk for colon cancer. The cheeses are dairy – part of the essential food groups.

You can make spaghetti sauce, or gravy as it is known by those familiar with Italian food, by combining all of the above ingredients save the legumes and risotto. Save the pasta for the sauce when it is done and sprinkle it with the cheese. Add a bit of Chianti to the sauce and also a dash of sugar as it cuts the tartness of the tomatoes.

Once you understand about cooking Italian food, you will be able to make all sorts of recipes. If you have a meat course, you can cook the meat right in with the sauce or gravy. You should brown it first and then allow it to cook slowly in with the gravy. This way, your meat course will be ready at the same time as the sauce.

Italian food is delicious and easy to make, even on a shoestring budget. Buon Appetito!

The first thing that you should consider when you are creating an effective business plan is the type of home based business that you will have. It is important that you know and understand the type of business that you will have in order to make it run smoothly. It is also important to understand the type of business that you have so that you will be successful. Success usually does not occur over night, but you have a quicker chance at success if you know what you are going to do and what it will take to get there.

The next thing you should consider when making an effective business plan is where you will have your office space. If your home based business includes meeting with potential customers, you must consider the area in your home that you will allow the customers to frequent. If you will not require customers in your home, you will still need to create a space that is designated for your home based business.

Once you have carefully considered all of the above-mentioned points, you must carefully put your business in perspective and consider all the various aspects of it. One of the things that you will want to look at is the competition for your market. You will also want to carefully evaluate the need for your goods and/or services in your community. Is there a high demand in your community for what you have to offer? If there is a high demand, what types of rates should you consider? These very important things should be carefully evaluated.

You must consider the costs of starting your business. It takes money to get your business up and running, but you want to try to make a small investment initially. This will ensure against large losses if your business were to fail. You may also want to consider a backup to your business. For example, if you wish to sell at local flea markets on the weekend, you may want to use EBay as a backup plan for the items that do not sell. If that is unsuccessful, you may auction your merchandise off at a low price to area vendors in order to at least make back what you put into the business.

Once you have approached all of the areas mentioned above, you are ready to create an effective business plan. This is the first step to a successful home based business apart from the desire to make your business a success.

If you are in a position that allows you to work from home in your own home office, or if you run your own business, the most common problem you are likely to encounter is productivity. How can you stay focused on your work, when there are so many distractions at home? There are probably many things that you would rather be doing, than sitting behind your desk all day, and since you work for yourself, it is okay to take the time to do them, right? Wrong! That kind of thinking is one reason that so many at home businesses fail. Here are some tips to help you stay productive when you are working at home from your own home office, hopefully, some of them will be helpful for you.

One of the best things that you can do to increase your productivity is to make certain that your home office is a place that you are comfortable spending time in. If it is dark, cluttered, and in general disarray, odds are you won’t want to stay there for long, so it is important to not let it get that way. If you have natural light sources in the room, take advantage of them, and if not, make certain that you install proper lighting, which can go a long way towards enhancing the mood of the room. Once a week clean your office thoroughly, tossing out anything that you don’t need, filing papers that are lying around, etc. Make certain that you organize everything so that it is within easy reach, but out of sight.

Once you get your home office cleaned up, take a day and spend it decorating your office more to your taste. Choose a more pleasing paint color, and slap it on the walls, pick out blinds and curtains that are pleasing to you, hang some pictures on the walls, etc. Create your office space around your own personality, and surround yourself with what you like and find inspiring. Make the most of the space that you have, either by tossing out unnecessary items, or getting creative with storage. Just make certain that you have an office that you are happy spending time in when you are done, that is the goal!

While part of the allure of working at home is being able to work in your pajamas if you want, after a while, it could start to impact your mood, making you want to lie in bed more than you want to work. Every once in a while, to keep yourself from getting stuck in a rut, get up early, take a shower, and dress up. This will likely make you feel better, which may lead to you getting more and more work done! In some instances, the way you dress really can influence productivity.

If you don’t seem to be able to get anything done, try making a to do list each day. If you have a large desk calendar, write down your goals in order of importance, and mark them off as they are completed. This will help boost your productivity, as well as help you manage your time better.

If you find that you still aren’t being as productive as you think you should be, then you should reevaluate the way you spend your time each day. If you decide to work at home, and then end up spending more time running errands and cleaning the house than you do working, you aren’t going to be very successful. Another thing that can help is to make certain that you only have items that are work related in your home office. Don’t have a radio, television, telephone (unless needed for business purposes), electronic games, etc., in your office. Likewise, if you are a fan of computer games, you shouldn’t have them installed on your office PC, as this will only tempt you that much more to spend time playing rather than working.

While it is easy to give in to your urges when you work from home, you really can’t give in and remain productive as well. If your productivity declines, odds are you won’t be successful, and your days of working at home will be numbered!

The 4 C’s of Diamonds

The first thing that you ought to be aware of when you decide to buy diamond jewelry is what the diamond business refers to as the four Cs. These are carat, cut, color, and clarity. Here the carat is the weight or size of the diamond; the cut explains the shape in which the stone is cut, the most common shapes are round, princess and the pear shapes.

While diamonds are available in a range of colors the colorless, or the near-colorless diamonds are by far more expensive than colored diamonds. Thanks to all the celebrities who have bought colored diamonds before you, these days the most popular colors of diamonds are pink, blue and yellow. Clarity, as the name suggests, refers to the flawless nature of the stones. There are some diamonds which have visible spots within.

Cut, carat, color and clarity are the most important factors which decide the price of the diamond. In case you find some one trying to sell you a diamond which scores less on clarity as there are some visible spots in it, you could bargain about the price of such jewelry. The same principle can be applied to colors. It does not make sense to spend a lot of money on yellow diamonds as it is evident that they are with flaw.

The setting of the diamonds is another important aspect when buying diamond jewelry. The brilliant sparkle of diamonds is what you should be looking for. Real flawless diamonds have some incredible sparkle. Mostly used as gifts, if you wish to gift someone with diamond jewelry, shop around till you find a piece which befits the occasion.

It is surprising that with so much increase in diamonds these days, the price does not seem to come down. With platinum becoming a popular metal for diamond settings, buying gold seems to be a cheaper option. With so many shapes and varieties of designs that diamonds are available, you could always find some jewelry which suits you and your budget. And do not forget, diamonds are indestructible. So you can enjoy these precious stones for ever!

1. Start off by skipping the sugar in your coffee or tea. Stop drinking any sodas, fruit juices or anything that contains calories. If you drink green tea, drink it hot or cold but without sugar. And skip the artificial sugar, too. It contains chemicals that are always being recalled because of a link to cancer. If you really cannot stand to drink something without sugar, drink water.

2. Speaking of water, drink from 6 to 8 glasses each day. This will keep you hydrated and also keep your metabolism going. The secret to losing weight is to have a healthy metabolism. The more you boost yours, the better off you will be and the easier it will be to lose 10 pounds.

3. Eat protein in the morning. A good source of protein is a hard boiled egg. It is cooked so that it retains all of the protein. Skip the mayonnaise as it is full of fat. Two hard boiled eggs have less calories than one protein bar and are all natural. Something to think about. Eating something in the morning, especially protein which is energy boosting, gives you energy to burn off calories throughout the day. The biggest mistake anyone can make in a diet is to skip breakfast.

4. Exercise. Get up 10 minutes earlier and do some jumping jacks, deep knee bends or whatever it takes to get your heart going. You do not have to join an expensive gym – it will only give you an excuse as to why you cannot go on a cold or dreary morning. Instead, just do some cardiovascular exercises at home. Go up and down the stairs a few times to get that ole ticker pumping. Want to lose 10 pounds, you have to exercise.

5. Eat a sensible lunch and dinner. This includes no fried foods, no fast foods, no processed foods such as lunchmeats and sausages. Try to minimize your fat intake. Eat vegetables and fruits but be mindful of the calories Eat meat or legumes for each meal as they are good for protein.

6. Skip the simple carbohydrates. This includes candy, sweets, cakes, pastries, cookies and anything else that is high in sugar. Empty calories. They have no nutritional value whatsoever. Want to lose 10 pounds? Get rid of your sugars. This includes that candy bar you have in the middle of the day that you think gives you an energy boost. Eat protein instead.

By following these 6 steps and watching your calories (take a look at charts online as far as calorie intake) you can easily lose 10 pounds in two weeks. This is the perfect diet as it forces you to eat the right foods, does not starve you and is something that you can use to both jump start a quick weight loss as well to maintain weight loss.

See other articles at Lose Your Pounds

Romantic Getaway: Locations with a Budget

Romantic getaways on a budget can be tricky but with a little push in creativity, it can take you places. Start with checking out nearby hotels and ask about the honeymoon suite, which you can book for a day or two. It may seem that you’re only going on a vacation nearby but the difference in location makes the setting more romantic. This kind of getaway is guaranteed to bring a lot of saving especially from the cost flying, the meals you spend on vacation and other related costs.

Another great idea for a romantic getaway on a budget is to stay at a bed and breakfast. These establishments are not only located in frequented tourist areas they are also located in local areas. Unlike hotels, staying at a bed and breakfast feels a little more like home where the both of you can relax and enjoy the comfy atmosphere. Romantic getaways in a bed and breakfast nearby let’s you save on cost. It also allows you to save on meal costs since reservations here already include the meals.

Romantic Getaway: Staying Romantic

Creating a romantic setting or a romantic vibe takes a little bit of creativity on your part. For instance, try to spruce up an otherwise bland hotel room with candles and order in some room service. Serving up a tasteful dinner with a great ambience is all you need to fire up the romance in a room.

You can also plan a night out in town with your loved one. Sometimes the local scene is enough to create some romance. Find a restaurant where you can dine and relax in. Watch a movie together or an opera where you can both enjoy the experience. Or if you both want some fun, you can go on a theme park. These are affordable ways you can keep the romance burning that won’t stretch your wallet.

Romance doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit if resourcefulness and creativity in planning a romantic getaway to keep the romance alive.

Compare different offers you receive for credit cards in the mail, and look for the credit card offer which is giving you the most perks for the least amount of money. Be sure to pay special attention to any membership or annual fees that the card may charge. Often credit cards with fantastic rewards will come at fantastic prices.

If you are looking for a credit card, the best thing you can do is take your time and look at cards being offered by many different lenders, so you can get the best possible deal. Don’t just fill out that application you get in the mail and send it back in assuming it is a good deal, do your homework first, to make sure it really is as good as it seems to be. It is also important that you very carefully read and understand all of the fine print, and the terms and conditions of the card, so that you can find out exactly how much that card will cost you. This is the area where you will usually find out about the interest, and the fees that will be applied to the card. Many of the offers you receive in the mail may be for cards with a very low credit limit, and half or more of that eaten away right at the start in fees, and if you don’t read the fine print and use the card, it will be too late, you will be stuck paying for those fees or having your credit ruined with a charge-off.

In credit card lingo, the APR, or annual percentage rate, will tell you what your interest rate on your card is, and how much it will be if you miss a payment or do anything that puts the card into default. Make sure you pay attention to this, and look for a card that can offer you a low APR. Don’t take a card that comes with a high APR, as it will only lead to no good. These cards typically are the fee happy cards, where you use the card once, and because of the APR and other fees that are charged, if you only make your minimum payment you will never see the balance come down. Everything you pay will go towards the finance charges and monthly fees, and in some instances, your balance may go up, even after your payment posts.

You will need to decide whether you want an American Express, MasterCard, or Visa, so you should take some time to read up on the differences between the three. Typically, if you can get a decent American Express, that is the way you should go, as you will be dealing directly with them, rather than a third party lender.

If you do take American Express, you should know that not every merchant accepts it, especially if you will be traveling out of the country. In that case, you would do better with one of the other card types.

There is another card type, but it isn’t nearly as well-known as the other three, Discover. Discover cards typically come with tremendous benefits, but like American Express, it isn’t widely accepted as the other types of credit cards. If you think you will only need your card for local use, then you might really want to look closer at the many benefits Discover offers its customers.

Tea originated in China and was originally used to flavor their water which tasted flat. The cultivation of the plant began over 5000 years ago. Americans actually invented the tea bag. All tea plants derive from the same species however, the variety of climates and soils alter the flavor.

China is the largest tea grower in the world. It needs a tropical habitat with rainfall.

Tea has become a popular beverage in the United States and across the world. In some regions, it is more popular than coffee. There are tea cafes and rooms across the country that specializes in a variety of teas.

Jasmine tea is made from Chinese green leaves that are flavored with jasmine flowers. The flowers are cut and stored in a cool place. The flowers bloom at night and are placed over the tea leaves. It takes about four hours for the tea to absorb the flavor.

There are about 200 species of jasmine shrubs. The flowers are white or yellow. They have a sweet scent. The scent has been said, to enhance all of your senses so that you have only pleasant thoughts.

The jasmine tea leaves are found in a multitude of locations where there are tropical temperatures and high altitude. Jasmine leaves can be found all over the world.

There are seventeen types of jasmine tea and it is a unique class of teas because it is scented. The tea gains its flavor from the scent of the flower rather than oils or plants. It is known as the “queen of flowers” and offers its aromatic scent to enhance the flavor and smell of this tea.

Jasmine is thought to have healing qualities for depression and it is thought to have relaxing qualities and to help with dry skin.

The many types of tea are decided by color and grade. In the Middle East, tea is brewed with leaves and water; tea bags are not used there at all. Middle Easteners prefer their tea with sugar, honey, lemon, apple flavors and mint.

Jasmine starts as green tea and is grown in the Fujian province. The tea leaves are picked in the Spring and hand rolled into a ball. The tea is then stored until the fall. The tea leaves are then infused with Jasmine and rolled into a pearl sized ball. Then the tea is wrapped in silk mesh and dried.

Tea is a natural source of caffeine and antioxidants with no fat or cholesterol or carbohydrates. So enjoy!!