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Fascinating Flower Facts
December 27, 2012 By
Most of us appreciate flowers for their vivid colors and lovely scents, but there are many fascinating aspects to floral life that go beyond mere beauty. Below are five interesting facts about flowers that will help you appreciate them on a whole new level:
Dandy Dandelions
One doesn’t often think of snacking on dandelions, but it’s a little-known fact that they are packed with nutrients that can help keep people healthy and strong. These blooms abound with vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and potassium. Believe it or not, one cup of dandelion greens contains 7,000 – 13,000 I.U of vitamin A. So, enjoy your flowers and eat them too!
Warring Roses
Did you know that in fifteenth century England roses were viewed as the figurative representations of the country’s two warring groups? Though today, they're associated with love and romance, in the 1400s, red roses symbolized the Lancaster faction and white roses represented the York faction. Because of these associations, the battle between Lancaster and York became known as “The War of The Roses.”
Lotus Lore
The lotus flower, which blooms in wetlands and rivers, was lauded by ancient Egyptians as a sacred flower. They viewed it as a symbol of eternal life and resurrection because of its ability to lie dormant through dry seasons and then bloom once more with the return of water.
Thistle History
When the ancient Vikings invaded Scotland, the thorns of the wild thistle slowed them down and hampered their invasion. While the Vikings were delayed amidst the thorny thistle, the Scots were able to escape the onslaught. Hence, wild thistle became the national flower of Scotland.
World’s Smallest Flower
The Wolffia flower is so small that a bouquet of a dozen of them would fit on the head of a pin. Wolffia, which is native to Australia and Malaysia, blooms on the surface of streams and ponds. To give you a more concrete idea of the size of an individual Wolffia blossom, consider this: the plant’s body is 0.6-0.9 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm wide.
Pensacola Historical Museum: Explore the City’s History
December 20, 2012 By
This small museum explores the history of Pensacola through a variety of exhibits. The Army/Navy Gallery exhibits the region’s close association and long history with those branches of the military. The Maritime Gallery visits Pensacola’s rich seafaring culture, which includes the area’s primary industry, fishing. The Multicultural Gallery and Native American Gallery explore the rich and varied cultures of West Florida. Children will gravitate to the third floor exhibit, where they can explore the history of the area by playing in a make believe fort, ship, or Native American village. Admission is free.
115 E. Zaragoza Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
(850) 433-1559
Ready for a Movie Marathon? Great Movie Trilogies
December 13, 2012 By
If you’ve ever found yourself hooked on a film trilogy, then you know the excitement of watching multiple movies that all trace the progression of a memorable set of characters. After all, if you enjoy a film’s story and characters – what could be more enjoyable than following that film with two more flicks set in the same environment? Below are a few of the greatest movie trilogies to ever hit the big screen. Consider them next time you're planning a movie night at home at NAS Pensacola Homes.
The Original Star Wars Trilogy
This cult series is much-loved and hugely influential. The original Star Wars trilogy features three unforgettable films: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. The Star Wars series tell an engaging space story that spans the lives of several noteworthy characters as they navigate galactic wars, personal loyalties, family ties, love, and much more in this stunning trilogy. The Star Wars movies, created by George Lucas, are particularly celebrated for their cutting-edge special effects of their day, and the trilogy’s visual atmosphere has yielded a major impact on the genres of fantasy film and science fiction film.
The Matrix Trilogy
Created by Andy and Larry Wachowski, the Matrix trilogy combines innovative science fiction features with traditional elements of the action film genre. The movies are titled: The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions, and delve into the lives of characters living in a futuristic dystopia, a cyber-based reality in which earth is dominated by intelligent machines that have rebelled against humanity. The series is jam-packed with awesome effects and memorable characters. In addition, it offers a subtle exploration of important philosophical, religious, and social questions.
The Man With No Name Trilogy
This trilogy of classic Spaghetti Westerns directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood features three movies: A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. The three films follow the adventures of a wandering rogue, played by Clint Eastwood, who makes his way through deserts, dusty southeastern villages, and clapboard towns. The movies center on themes of survival, redemption, revenge, greed, and loyalty, all while offering an unforgettable portrayal of the myths and realities of the American West.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
This modern-day film trilogy consists of three fantasy adventure movies based on the writing of renowned English author J.R.R Tolkien: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. The movies were all directed by Peter Jackson, and have become immensely popular all over the world since the first one debuted back in 2001. The story focuses on several characters that live in a fictional fantasy world known as Middle-Earth, and follows the adventures of a protagonist, Frodo, who sets out on a journey to destroy the evil forces of a Dark Lord named Sauron. The three movies have earned major box office dollars, and also received wide acclaim, including multiple Academy Awards.
The Godfather Trilogy
Francis Ford Coppola’s much-loved Godfather trilogy, based on the fiction of Mario Puzo, features three outstanding films. The trilogy highlights a crime drama that centers on a fictional mafia family. The movies follow their struggles, triumphs, loyalties, and treacheries over the course of many years. The films are best known for their intricately developed characters, edge-of-your-seat dramatic tension, masterful cinematography, and emotionally impactful exploration of themes central to the human experience. The Godfather trilogy is widely thought to be one of the best ever made, and it has received an array of impressive accolades, including several Academy Awards.
Grape Garden: Delightful Chinese Cuisine in Pensacola
December 6, 2012 By
While Pensacola’s Grape Garden doesn’t look like much from the street, locals rave about the excellent Americanized Chinese cuisine on offer inside. If you’re looking for authenticity, this isn’t the restaurant for you, but they do offer very well-flavored takes on Chinese favorites. Regulars rave about the General Tso’s chicken, fried to perfection and coated with a sweet, spicy sauce that tantalizes the palate. Other dishes that prove popular include the house special fried rice, which is loaded with meat and vegetables, as well as the Mongolian beef, which can pack a peppery kick. Portion sizes are large and they use high-quality ingredients, with diners raving about the large shrimp especially. Prices are incredibly reasonable, especially for lunch specials, and they deliver.
Grape Garden
400 North Navy Boulevard
Pensacola, FL 32507
(850) 457-6598
http://www.yelp.com/biz/grape-garden-pensacola
Look Your Best: Great Green Beauty Products
November 29, 2012 By
It’s important to help the environment however you can, and small changes can help you do so right from your home at NAS Pensacola Homes. If you find the waste from traditional cosmetics to be a little excessive, check out these five great beauty products that are made with environmental safety in mind.
John Masters Organics is one of the most dependable producers of green beauty supplies, and many people rave about their sea salt sprays. These sprays give your hair a classic beachy look, and their combination of sea salt and lavender protects and hydrates your locks.
Burt’s Bees has made a great reputation for themselves as producers of high-quality lotions and other products. If you want an alternative to traditional alcohol-based hand sanitizers, try their excellent aloe and witch hazel-based product. It kills germs and leaves your hands feeling soft.
The German-made Dr. Hauschka products are very popular among skin care experts, and for good reason. Their rose day cream is made with natural rose petal extracts, and rose wax plus marsh mallow root strengthen and hydrate delicate skin.
To tone and clear up unsightly bags under your eyes, try 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. Caffeine is a natural tightener, and it constricts blood vessels and makes skin clearer and smoother.
Makeup tools are also made with care for the future of the Earth. The brushes and sponges made by the EcoTools company are crafted from cruelty-free hair on bamboo bodies and natural, recyclable materials and come in a reusable storage pouch.
Under-Eye Skin Care Tips
November 21, 2012 By
As we age, one of the areas that often shows premature signs of again is the under-eye area. Fine lines, bags, and puffiness can develop and give our faces a tired and worn-out appearance, even when we're feeling perky. Luckily, there are some effective measures that can be taken to reduce these under-eye issues. Below are a few tips that can ensure a more youthful appearance in no time flat.
Keep It Cool
Puffiness is one of the main issues of the under-eye area. Generally, an easy way to reduce the puffiness is to put cold items in contact that that region — a cold compress over the eyes in the morning, or press cold spoons (that have been refrigerated overnight) under your eyes to reduce the swelling. It is ideal to these treatments while standing up so the puffiness will drain downward out of your under-eye area.
The Old Tea Bag Trick
This under-eye trick isn’t just something seen in old movies — it really does work. The next time you’re experiencing dark circles under your eyes, put a used tea bag over each eye and keep the bags there for several minutes. You can also perform this routine with cold cucumber slices if you’re too hurried to wait for tea bags to steep.
Adjust Your Sleep
A key way to void under-eye bags is to alter your sleeping position. The best position is to rest on your back with your head elevated on one or more pillows to make sure fluids that lead to puffiness drain from your head as you sleep.
Cut Back and Drink Up
Under-eye bags and circles can often be the result of excessive sodium, which cases dehydration. So you can target that region by reducing your intact of salty foods (fast foods especially) and increasing your intake of H2O. The bonus of making these dietary changes will improve your health in other ways as well – so not only with your under-eye region look better but you’ll be in better form all over.
Be Aware of Allergies
A common cause of under-eye puffiness can be allergies. So if your eyes have been getting that baggy look lately, do an allergen check of your home and workplace to see what might be causing the issue. Do your best to ensure that you’re surrounding yourself with a flow of fresh and clean air — keep windows open as much as possible and consider getting a humidifier to run in your bedroom at night while you’re sleeping.
