Monday, March 30, 2015

The Man Who Lives Alone In A Radioactive Town To Care For The Abandoned Animals


The Man Who Lives Alone In A Radioactive Town To Care For The Abandoned Animals

United Kingdom
In 2011, Fukushima, Japan was evacuated due to a radioactive meltdown of a nuclear plant caused by an earthquake and tsunami. Matsumura, who is a former construction worker, built and repaired areas for the animals to reside in safely. He spends his days exploring his deserted town, feeding and caring for the animals with money donated by supporters.
Around 30,000 people fled the zone, but most of the animals were left behind. A farmer named Naoto Matsumura returned to take care of them.
“I had no choice but to stay,” Naoto Matsumura said. “I couldn’t leave the animals behind.”
Matsumura says he initially evacuated with his family, but it was so difficult to find refuge he decided to return. It was then that he realized how many animals were left behind and needed help.
He found that thousands of animals had died from being left in their barns or chained up without food or water.
Matsumura, who is a former construction worker, built and repaired areas for the animals to reside in safely. He spends his days exploring his deserted town, feeding and caring for the animals with money donated by supporters.
Matsumura mostly remains in the exclusion zone, but he often gives speeches and press conferences in outside cities to spread awareness about how his town has suffered, and gather support for his animals.
“We were told that evacuating poses a bigger risk than the radiation,” Matsumura said. “Looking back I think the mayor committed a terrible mistake here.”
Naoto isn’t a normal person, of course. He initially fled south with his parents during the nuclear disaster, but he ended up leaving them in Iwaki and returning to Tomioka. His reason for doing so wasn’t a sentimental love for home or a middle-aged man’s refusal to change, however. It was simple: he couldn’t abandon the animals on his family farm.
The government issued him a warning to leave the exclusion zone, but Matsumura has remained there for over four years without wavering. He insists that the animals are healthy and happy, thanks to him, and have no reason to be killed. “Why slaughter them if not for human consumption?” He asked. “To me animals and people are equal.

Resurrection Biscuits

This Looks Like A Normal Recipe Until You Bake It. Then The TRUE Miracle Of Easter Is Revealed!


So, I'm not much of a cook. I mean, I'm OK, as long as the recipe stays under 5 ingredients. Beyond that and I cannot promise anything.

And with Easter right around the corner, I found this awesome recipe for "Resurrection Biscuits" that I had to share with you. The story behind the biscuit is adorable because you bake them with a marshmallow INSIDE the biscuit. And then during the cooking process, the marshmallow disappears!


So when you open the biscuit (representing the tomb) it's EMPTY! Just like it was when Mary Magdalene and Mary (mother of James) discovered the tomb on the Sabbath following Jesus' crucifixion. These Resurrection Rolls help the kids connect with the truth of the empty tomb. (And they're delicious, too!)


Here is the "Resurrection Biscuits" (aka Empty Tomb Biscuits) recipe...ENJOY!

Here are the 5 ingredients you'll need:


1 pkg. refrigerated crescent dough*
1 bag large marshmallows
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Directions:


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease muffin tin.

2. Prepare a small bowl of the melted butter (for dipping) and another small bowl with the cinnamon and sugar mixed (for dipping).

3. Separate crescent dough into triangles, and place a marshmallow on each one (see image 1). The marshmallow represents the pure body of Jesus. As a teaching tool, children can dip a marshmallow in the butter and the cinnamon-sugar mixture to represent the burial oil and spices that were used on Jesus’ body. However, the seams of the crescent rolls seem to stay sealed better with plain marshmallows, so maybe just dip a few.

4. Seal the edges of the dough around each marshmallow (see image 2), and explain that it represents that tomb of Jesus that was securely sealed after he was buried inside.


5. Roll the dough in your hands to form a smooth circle (see image 3).

6. Dip the dough in the melted butter (see image 4).

7. Roll the dough in the cinnamon sugar mixture (see image 5).

8. Place each roll in your greased muffin tin (see image 6).


9. Bake for about 15 minutes.

10. Allow the “tombs” to cool slightly before children open them to see that they are empty (the marshmallow melts away and leaves an “empty tomb”)!

Matthew 28:1-6 teaches us, "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.'"

I usually like to summarize the story while making the rolls and then read from the Bible while they cool down. I prefer to read Luke 23:50 – 24:8.Try this awesome recipe with the little ones in your life--what a wonderful way to share the story of the miracle of Christ's resurrection!

Again, we say Hallelujah - He is Risen!

Sunday, March 15, 2015

12 Ways To Achieve A Seamless Makeup:

Does your makeup look shallow? Is it hard for you to make a base that can stay for at least a few hours? Finding it too hard to keep your eyes and lips smudge-free? Tired of the lines that become even more visible with makeup? Makeup Lovers! You are just doing the basics wrong, if the answer to any of these questions is yes.

Unveil the 12 steps to perfect makeup with this amazing makeup guide that cruises you through the different shades of flawless makeup.

1. Cleansing:

For most of the makeup freaks who believe that makeup begins with foundation, it is a big news to know that it doesn’t. The first step towards a flawless makeup begins with proper cleansing. Cleansing prepares your skin for a perfect makeup. It removes trapped and hidden dirt and sebum. Cleansing makes the skin fresh and makeup ready. It is a good idea to use an exfoliating cleanser that can also remove dead skin cells. Enjoy the goodness of a high- quality cleanser, which is the first step towards flawless makeup.
Quick Tip – Massage your face with baby oil for two minutes, and then use a cleanser followed by a mild face wash. Rinse your face with warm water first, and then use cold water. It brings an instant glow to your face.

2. Hydrate Well:

Now select a moisturizer, suitable for your skin type. It is important because it creates a protective barrier for your skin.
Quick Tip – Moisturizer should lock in the moisture content of your skin. You can also add a little vitamin E serum for a glossier look.

3. Foundation Primer:

Primers are necessary if you want your makeup to be smudge-free for hours. A foundation primer ensures to hold the foundation for longer without cracking or smudging. Primer too acts as a protective barrier to the skin. Use the best brands to maintain skin health.
Quick Tip – Add SPF to your primer and apply it together. On days when you are in a rush, you can step out wearing just these two.

4. Foundation:

It is no rocket science to guess that the next step to a proper makeup is foundation. However, it is difficult to find out a skin-friendly foundation for sure. A perfect foundation is the one that suits your skin tone, texture and complexion. If your skin is oily and you use a cream foundation, you are digging your own makeup grave. Oily skinned beauties should use a gel- based foundation. Dry skin divas should stick to the use of a cream-based hydrating foundation. Sensitive skin beauties should use powder foundations. Foundation makes the complexion look even and smooth. So, blend it well by your finger tips.
Quick Tip – When testing a foundation, always try it on your jaw line and check under daylight.

5. Concealer:

Foundation covers up for most of the blemishes and age spots. However, a few acne-hit beauties might not be getting full coverage with a lone foundation. So, the next step to gain full coverage is to use a concealer. Use a concealer that is closest to your complexion. Dab a little concealer setting powder to make the concealed parts look more natural.
Quick Tip – Always apply the concealer in a triangular shape to your under eye area. Use your finger tips to blend it properly. It gives a good lift to your face, especially the under eye area.

6. Compact:

Use a good quality compact powder to coat your base to perfection. Dabbing a compact sets your concealer right. The base will no more crack, once you dab a compact for seamless finish.

7. Bronzer And Highlighter:

Are you a big fan of bronzer and highlighter? These are the next steps towards a flawless face makeup. The basic that spoils the complete look is the use of a same shade bronzer and highlighter. Ensure that there is a difference of at least one shade between the highlighter and the bronzer.
You should wear your bronzer in the shape of a cross on the forehead, nose and cheeks. Put bronzer right under the apple of your cheeks to give a slimmer look to your face.

8. Blush:

Do you usually look like a plastic doll after your makeup gets done? You must avoid the common blush blunder then. Stick to earthy shades if you have olive to dark skin. You can try the lighter shades of mauve, pink and peach too. Darker shades are for fairer women. Always apply blush on the apples of your cheek. So smile and then gently apply the blush. Also, ensure to keep the strokes unidirectional to make the makeup look natural.

9. Eyeshadow Primer:

Like a foundation primer ensures that the base doesn’t smudge, an eyeshadow primer ensures that the eye makeup remains smudge-free. It is an essential step to obtain smudge-free eyes.

10. Mascara:

Curl your lashes and wear mascara. Mascara can make or break your overall look. Therefore, stick to the use of waterproof mascara only.

11. Complete the Eyes:

Apply eye liner and finally wear kohl. You can put a liner in a number of ways depending on your choice. But keeping it simple looks more natural. Shape your eyebrow well.
Quick Tip – You must have well-shaped eyebrows. Use a tweezer/plucker to shape it after your shower, and then apply an eyebrow gel to keep it in its place for long.

12. Lipstick:

Apply some lip primer to fill in all the lines evenly. Now wear a light lip shade to match your lip color. You may top this with a gloss for a glossier finish. Alternately, you can opt for a tinted lip balm, which will give a natural tint to your lips.
Quick Tip – Always wear a lip liner to define your lips well. Use silver or gold eye shadow on your Cupid’s bow and center of the lower lip to make them appear pouty.
These tips may look simple on paper, but when done right, they can transform the way you look!