Coral Bleaching and Oxybenzone - Choose Your Sunscreen Carefully

Coral Reefs and Oxybenzone

Coral reefs are extremely valuable ecosystems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that a million or more species may live in and around coral reefs, including about 4000 species of fish and 800 species of hard corals. Hard or stony corals are the organisms that make the coral reef. Sadly, researchers have found evidence that oxybenzone, a common ingredient in sunscreens, damages coral reefs even when it's present in a low concentration. The chemical enters the ocean when we swim with sunscreen on our skin and when wastewater drains from our homes after we have washed ourselves.

Biologically, humans are animals. In fact, about 98.4% of our DNA (our genetic material) is identical to that in chimpanzees. Researchers are finding more and more similarities between chimpanzee and human behaviour. Nevertheless, the small percentage of DNA that is unique to humans has given us the most advanced brain on the planet and some comparatively impressive abilities. In my opinion, it has also given us the responsibility to preserve the Earth not only for ourselves but also for other life forms. These life forms include corals and the creatures that depend on them. We are failing woefully in our task.

Military Diet: Lose Up To Ten Pounds In Three Day

Since I first published the Military Diet diet in 2007, countless people around the world have used it successfully to lose weight. Although there are copycats, this is the original, which is important because even a small change to this diet can set you up for poor results.

How did I come up with all of this?

A military gentleman who attended our church some years back introduced me to this diet. He said that military recruits use this diet when they need to get in shape quickly. Since then I’ve done extensive research and heard from countless people who have tried this plan. Combined with my own personal trial and error, the diet that follows is carefully tested and includes advice to help you succeed. Feel confident and see the results for yourself!

Here's what I'll be covering:

• Doctor's Approval for Dieting
• The Three Day Diet: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• How the Diet Works
• Beverages
• About the Food Choices
• Allowed Additions
• Important Information About Substitutions
• Exercise
• Tips to Keep the Weight Off
• How to Make the Diet Work for You
• Success Stories

Doctor Approval for Dieting

Before starting this or any diet, check with your doctor. Read on for facts and information, but whether this diet is right for you is up to you and your physician.

I agree with Ben Carson, no muslims as president.

IT WAS OBAMA who on ABC News referenced - "My Muslim faith."

IT WAS OBAMA who gave $100 million in U.S. taxpayer funds to re-build foreign mosques.

IT WAS OBAMA who wrote that in the event of a conflict -"I will stand with the Muslims."

IT WAS OBAMA who assured the Egyptian Foreign Minister that - "I am a Muslim."

IT WAS OBAMA who bowed in submission before the Saudi King.

IT WAS OBAMA who sat for 20 years in a Liberation Theology Church condemning Christianity and professing Marxism.

IT WAS OBAMA who exempted Muslims from penalties under Obamacare that the rest of us have to pay.

IT WAS OBAMA who purposefully omitted - "endowed by our Creator" - from your recitation of The Declaration Of Independence.

IT WAS OBAMA who mocked the Bible and Jesus Christ's Sermon On The Mount while repeatedly referring to the 'HOLY' Quran.

IT WAS OBAMA who traveled the Islamic world denigrating the United States Of America.

IT WAS OBAMA who instantly threw the support of your administration behind the building of the Ground Zero Victory mosque overlooking the hallowed crater of the World Trade Center.

IT WAS OBAMA who refused to attend the National Prayer Breakfast, but hastened to host an Islamic prayer breakfast at the WH.

IT WAS OBAMA who ordered Georgetown Univ. and Notre Dame to shroud all vestiges of Jesus Christ BEFORE you would agree to go there to speak, but in contrast, you have NEVER requested that the mosques you have visited adjust their decor.

IT WAS OBAMA who appointed anti-Christian fanatics to your Czar Corps.

IT WAS OBAMA who appointed rabid Islamists to Homeland Security.

IT WAS OBAMA who said that NASA's "foremost mission" was an outreach to Muslim communities.

IT WAS OBAMA who as an Illinois Senator was the ONLY individual who would speak in favor of infanticide.

IT WAS OBAMA who were the first President not to give a Christmas Greeting from the WH, and went so far as to hang photos of Chairman Mao on the WH tree.

IT WAS OBAMA who curtailed the military tribunals of all Islamic terrorists.

IT WAS OBAMA who refused to condemn the Ft. Hood killer as an Islamic terrorist.

IT WAS OBAMA who has refused to speak-out concerning the horrific executions of women throughout the Muslim culture, but yet, have submitted Arizona to the UN for investigation of hypothetical human-rights abuses.

IT WAS OBAMA who when queried in India refused to acknowledge the true extent of radical global Jihadists, and instead profusely praised Islam in a country that is 82% Hindu and the victim of numerous Islamic terrorists assaults.

IT WAS OBAMA who funneled $900 Million in U.S. taxpayer dollars to Hamas.

IT WAS OBAMA who ordered the USPS to honor the MUSLIM holiday with a new commemorative stamp.

IT WAS OBAMA who directed our UK Embassy to conduct outreach to help "empower" the British Muslim community.

IT WAS OBAMA who embraced the fanatical Muslim Brotherhood in your quest to overthrow the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak.

IT WAS OBAMA who funded mandatory Arabic language and culture studies in Grammar schools across our country.

IT WAS OBAMA who follows the Muslim custom of not wearing any form of jewelry during Ramadan.

IT WAS OBAMA who departs for Hawaii over the Christmas season so as to avoid past criticism for NOT participating in seasonal WH religious events.

IT WAS OBAMA who was uncharacteristically quick to join the chorus of the Muslim Brotherhood to depose Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, formerly America's strongest ally in North Africa; but, remain muted in your non-response to the Brotherhood led slaughter of Egyptian Christians.

IT WAS OBAMA who appointed your chief adviser, Valerie Jarrett, an Iranian, who is a member of the Muslim Sisterhood, an off-shoot of the Muslim Brotherhood

The list is much longer then this...it just goes on and on my friends

What Is the Best Crew and Approach for Your Heists? A Money Guide for Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA V)

Plan for the Final Mission Right From the Start

In Grand Theft Auto 5, each crew member starts with a certain level of skill as well as a certain percentage of the score that they're going to take. If you plan on improving the crew members early on in preparation for the final job you can save money while still being successful. Keep in mind that choosing the cheaper option is not always the best choice. If you choose someone who lacks the appropriate level of skill, they can be killed and force you to lose the time you've invested in them. While this guide will limit the risk involved, it is never a bad idea to save your game before each heist, even more so if you're experimenting.


Get the Optional Crew Members

While most of the crew members you can use are available from the start, there are a few who will only become available after certain events, either story missions or other random events. The two that you can get through random events are the optional driver Taliana Martinez and gunman Packie McReary. The Packie McReary random event is available at the beginning of the game. Taliana Martinez's random event will only begin after you have finished the first heist and can control all three characters once more.

The crew members you can get from story missions include the hacker Rickie Luckens and Chef. Rickie is available pretty much right from the start, but you will have to wait a while before you can include Chef in heists.


The Jewel Store Job

Crew Choice:

Driver Karim Denz
Hacker Rickie Luckens
Gunman of choice
Rickie might seem like the worst choice for this mission, but really he's the one you want. To get a gold score for this mission you need to collect all the loot in under 50 seconds. This is the exact amount of time that you will get with Rickie, making it quite achievable. If you have trouble breaking into all the jewelry cases, make sure you make a beeline for the center of the store. The jewels at the center of the store are the most expensive. Losing out on any of the center cases will have a greater impact than missing any other case.


Grand Theft Auto V Karim.
Karim isn't the greatest driver out there, but choosing him now will allow you to have a more skilled driver for later missions. Although he will get lost for a moment during this mission, Karim ultimately won't affect the mission outcome. While not a dirt bike, Karim’s choice of getaway motorcycle, the Pegassi Bati 801r, is just fine as long as you take your time.

Your choice of gunman isn't quite as important, but you should be aware that choosing a bad one will get him killed. If this is your goal, in order to get a different gunman for later missions, be sure to collect the money he drops by riding over him. If you try to leave your bike to collect the money the mission will fail. You can also choose Packie for this mission. His cut is a little lower than the other good gunman and the extra experience will allow him to survive any later missions you throw at him.

Heists can be done Loud or Smart; with guns blazing or with stealth and cunning. While the Loud way of doing things can be entertaining, it's less efficient. Whichever gunman you choose will be tied up in keeping the hostages locked down. If you choose the Smart way you can immediately start getting the jewels the minute you step through the door.

The Merryweather Heist

Crew Choice: None

Although this is a heist, you don't have any crew to deal with other then Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, so I won’t go into too much detail.

I would suggest that you go with the Offshore option for this mission. By completing the mission this way you are rewarded with both a Cargobob and a Submersible at the Sandy Shores Airfield. Simply get into the helicopter, hook up to the Submersible, and then fly it to any body of water that you'd like to explore such as the Alamo Sea, where a certain plane crashes.


Grand Thev Auti V Alamo Sea cargo plane.
Blitz Play

Crew Choice: None

This is the second heist that you go through without dealing with a crew. I have two points of general advice, though. The first is to make sure to stock up on armor and weapons before you undertake this mission, as you are going to face a significant firefight.

The second is that while you can park your getaway car anywhere along your escape route, there are spots that you do not want to leave it. There are gang hangouts in the area and if you rush up with your dump truck they will start pulling guns and shooting at you. You shouldn't make this mission more difficult then it needs to be. If there aren't any standing gang members around, you should be good to go.

The Paleto Score

Crew Choice:

Chef, Packie, or Gustavo Mota
With this heist you are only given the choice of taking along one additional gunman. Taking Chef along is the best option as you can build up his experience and the amount of cash he takes is tied with Packie. You could take Gustavo Mota along as the most expensive gunman, but don't take anyone else. All the others will die on the job and incur casualty expenses in the process. Due to the unique dialogue that you can get from Packie, he is a viable choice as well.

You are heavily armored during the walking firefight and won't lose health. Instead, you are going to take damage to your money. As long as you're not standing there absorbing bullets all day it shouldn't really be a significant issue.


The Bureau Raid

Crew Choice:

Driver Karim Denz
Hacker Rickie Luckens
Gunman with lowest cut
At this point, your gunman choice will depend on who has been killed off, so I can't say for certain which one you should select. If you have access to Daryl Johns use him. This mission is excellent for leveling up all your different crew members.

Although it is a bit more difficult to do than the covert approach, you will want to take the rooftop entry. It is the only mission you can select where a lower-cut gunman doesn't automatically die. It will also give you the opportunity to level up both your chosen hacker and driver.

Even if you have never leveled up either Karim or Rickie, their lack of experience won't be too much of a problem in this heist. A better driver will get the getaway ambulance there early and will allow you to not have to worry about a chase. A better hacker will give you slightly better instructions and be able to turn the sprinklers off for better visibility. In both cases, though, the improvement is not significant enough to stop you from completing the mission. All things considered, the benefits in leveling up the crew far outweigh the monetary gain from this heist.

During this heist you will only be controlling Michael, and so you must get him ready above all else. Also, if you're going for the gold you should use only a pistol. You can get the required 20 head shots a lot easier that way.


The Big Score

This is the big one that you've been working towards and where it all pays off. After this you will be able to buy pretty much anything you want in Grand Theft Auto 5. If you've followed my suggestions so far, you can choose a crew that will work for either the obvious or subtle method and save you millions of dollars in the process. That being said, if you go the obvious route you are only required to use four crew members instead of five, two drivers and two gunmen. That will save you millions in itself. The flip side is that the obvious route is also significantly harder. So much so that you might find yourself willing to take the financial hit just to be able to complete the mission. By following this guide so far, if you decide to go the subtle route your hacker will have been trained up well while only taking a 4% cut.

Whatever route you’re taking, you are going to want Taliana and Karim as your drivers. If you’re taking the obvious approach you'll want your best driver on the chopper and the second best on the train. For the subtle approach they're both adequate for either job when factoring in Karim's leveling.

As for gunmen, if you take the obvious approach you will want to take your leveled-up gunman and pair him up with Franklin, and the other lowest gunman to pair up with Michael. At this point your leveled-up gunman should be Daryl Johns, and the other one should be Norm Richards. If you're using the subtle approach, inappropriately-skilled gunmen will cost you money due to not loading the getaway vehicles fast enough.

So… what is your reward for following these steps and going the obvious route? Your payday can go up to 41 million dollars for each character. If you immediately start to hit up the Lester missions after you get the money you can turn this increased payday into much bigger gains.

How Did Your Heist Go down

Borderlands 2: Assassin/Zero Skill Builds

Whether you're a newcomer to Borderlands 2, playing the assassin character, Zero, for the first time, or just looking for some better builds to get the most out of combat, this article will help. I've listed my four favorite builds for Zero, each focused on a particular skill. They are:

Sniper: The best build for distance shooting and critical hit damage.
Slice and Dice: The best build for melee action. The more enemies, the better!
Close Range + Balanced: This build allows for both close and long-range combat.
Shotgun: Combines Zero's snazzy assassin skills with epic shotgun abilities.
Build 1: Sniper

This is the most effective sniper build in Borderlands 2. It has easy critical hits, especially with Bore (TIER 3) revealing enemy critical spots. It also delivers plenty of critical hit damage bonus, resulting in lots of damage given and not much taken. The Critical Ascensi0n (TIER 6) skill also provides for ridiculous damage when facing bosses with big Crit spots.


Build 1: Sniper
Note: Skills in bold are more important in each build.

Tier 1
Headsh0t 5/5: Crit Hit Damage +20%
Ir0n Hand 5/5: Melee Damage +15%, Max Health +15%
Tier 2
Killer 5/5: Killing an enemy gives Crit Hit Damage +50% and Reload Speed +75% for a few seconds
Precisi0n 3/5: Accuracy +15%
Grim 5/5: Killing an enemy regenerates +3.5% of your shield per second as well as Deception Cool Rate +7.5% for a few seconds
Tier 3
B0re 1/1: Shots pierce through enemies and deal +100% damage, Enemy crit spots are shown when Deception is active
Vel0city 5/5: Bullet Speed +100%, Critical Hit Damage +15%, Gun Damage +10%
F0ll0wthr0ugh 5/5: Killing an enemy increases Movement Speed +40%, Gun Damage +30%, and Melee Damage +40% for a few seconds
Tier 4
Kill C0nfirmed 5/5: Aiming down sights grants up to Crit Hit Damage +40% the longer you aim
Tier 5
At One with the Gun 5/5: Sniper Hip-Shot Accuracy +125%, Sniper Reload Speed +50%, Sniper Mag Size +5
Critical Ascensi0n 1/1: Scoring a Crit Hit with a Sniper Rifle increases Crit Hit Damage +6% and Damage +5%, stacks up to 999 times and slowly decays.
Build 2: Slice and Dice

Fast and deadly, this build includes skills such as Execute (TIER 3), making Zero a much more exciting melee character compared to Borderland 1’s Berserker. Endless melee bonuses and Many Must Fall (TIER 6) make staying cloaked and killing many, many enemies easy.


Build 2: Slice and Dice
Tier 1
C0unter Strike 5/5: Counter Strike Damage +250%
Ir0n Hand 5/5: Melee Damage +15%, Max Health +15%
Tier 2
Ambush 5/5: Backstab damage +20%
Grim 5/5: Killing an enemy regenerates +3.5% of your shield per second as well as Deception Cool Rate +7.5% for a few seconds
Tier 3
Death Mark 1/1: Melee Damage marks enemies for 8 seconds, which take Damage +20%
Unf0rseen 5/5: Rank 5 Shock Damage when coming out of Deception
F0ll0wthr0ugh 5/5: Killing an enemy increases Movement Speed +40%, Gun Damage +30%, and Melee Damage +40% for a few seconds
Execute 1/1: A lunge melee attack from within 3 meters that does massive damage
Tier 4
Innervate 2/5: When Deception is active, Gun Damage +4%, Regenerate Health +1.6% per second, Movement Speed +14%
Resurgence 5/5: Killing an enemy with a melee attack restores up to +20% of your health; lower health = more restoration
Tier 5
Like the Wind 5/5: When moving, Gun Damage +15%, Melee Damage +15%
Tier 6
Many Must Fall 1/1: Killing an enemy with a melee attack while in Deception causes you to re-stealth and add time to Deception’s duration
Build 3: Close Range + Balanced

This build is geared towards those who want to use Zero for close quarters combat, combining non-sniper gun damage with Deception and Execute (TIER 3). Velocity (TIER 3) and F0ll0wthr0ugh (TIER 3) both give very solid weapon DPS bonuses. If you want to use guns but don’t want to give up Zero’s snazzy skills, this build is for you.


Build 3: Close Ranged + Balanced
Tier 1
Headsh0t 5/5: Crit Hit Damage +20%
Fast Hands 5/5: Reload Speed +25%, Weapon Swap Speed +50%
Ir0n Hand 5/5: Melee Damage +15%, Max Health +15%
Tier 2
Killer 5/5: Killing an enemy gives Crit Hit Damage +50% and Reload Speed +75% for a few seconds
Fearless 5/5: When your shield is depleted, Fire Rate +25%, Gun Damage +15%
Grim 5/5: Killing an enemy regenerates +3.5% of your shield per second as well as Deception Cool Rate +7.5% for a few seconds
Tier 3
B0re 1/1: Shots pierce through enemies and deal +100% damage, Enemy crit spots are shown when Deception is active
Vel0city 5/5: Bullet Speed +100%, Critical Hit Damage +15%, Gun Damage +10%
Rising Sh0t 3/5: Each attack gives you a Damage stack up to 5 total; Gun Damage per stack +6%, Melee Damage per stack +5.4%
F0ll0wthr0ugh 5/5: Killing an enemy increases Movement Speed +40%, Gun Damage +30%, and Melee Damage +40% for a few seconds
Execute 1/1- A lunge melee attack from within 3 meters that does massive damage
Build 4: The Zero Shotgun Build

This build is for players who don’t want to give up the aforementioned snazzy Assassin skills but still want to use shotguns. You’re going to be up close after using Death Bl0ss0m (TIER 6) and Execute (TIER 3) anyway, so why not use shotguns? Tw0 Fang (TIER 5) is particularly effective with shotguns; every 10 clip magazine basically shoots 13 bullets.




Build 4: Zero Shotgun. Assassinating has never been so loud
Tier 1
Headsh0t 2/5: Crit Hit Damage + 8%
Fast Hands 5/5: Reload Speed +25%, Weapon Swap Speed +50%
Killing Bl0w 1/5: Melee Damage +100% when an enemy is at low health
Ir0n Hand 5/5: Melee Damage +15%, Max Health +15%
Tier 2
Fearless 5/5: When your shield is depleted, Fire Rate +25%, Gun Damage +15%
Grim 5/5: Killing an enemy regenerates +3.5% of your shield per second as well as Deception Cool Rate +7.5% for a few seconds
Tier 3
Rising Sh0t 5/5: Each attack gives you a Damage stack up to 5 total; Gun Damage per stack +10%, Melee Damage per stack +9%
Unf0rseen 5/5: Rank 5 Shock Damage when coming out of Deception
F0ll0wthr0ugh 5/5: Killing an enemy increases Movement Speed +40%, Gun Damage +30%, and Melee Damage +40% for a few seconds
Execute 1/1: A lunge melee attack from within 3 meters that does massive damage
Tier 5
Tw0 Fang 5/5: Every time you fire a gun, you have a a +30% chance of firing twice
Tier 6
Death Bl0ss0m 1/1: When in Deception, throw a handful of kunai that will explode for random elemental damage. You can throw 5 kunai and it doesn’t bring you out of Deception.

Also check out...

Mechromancer/Gaige Skill Builds
Commando/Axton Skill Builds
Gunzerker/Salvador Skill Builds
Siren/Maya Skill Builds

10 Drinking Games for Two People

Fun Drinking Games for Two

Everyone loves a good drinking game. Nothing breaks the ice with a new group of people or gets a party started like a round of beer pong - or if you take your drinking games seriously - True American. But drinking games don't just have to be for big groups. In fact, they can be just as fun to play with a good friend, or someone you'd like to get to know better. These games can turn a couple beers with a pal into an evening for the ages.

1) Higher/Lower


Materials: a deck of cards (or the card deck app on a phone)

This game is about as simple as it gets. The "dealer" turns over a card from the top of the deck. The second player then guesses whether the next card will be higher or lower than the turned-over card. If the second player is right, the dealer drinks. If the second player is wrong then he or she drinks.

2) Two Truths and a Lie

Another excellent icebreaker that gets an extra jolt from the addition of alcohol. Here's how it works. The first player makes three statements about themselves. Two of the statements have to be true, while one has to be a lie. The second player then has to guess which is the lie. If the second player guesses correctly, the first player must drink and if incorrectly, the second player has to drink. Then switch. This is a great game either for two people who know each other well or for two people who want to get to know each other better.

3) Power Hour


This one you might feel in the morning. In a power hour, the goal is to drink 60 shots of beer in 60 minutes. That's one shot of beer per minute. Whoever makes it through the entire hour wins — or loses, depending on how bad the morning hangover is. Be careful with this one: it can get you pretty wasted.

4) "Never Have I Ever . . . "

A fun icebreaker that is even better with the addition of alcohol. Here's how it works: the first player starts by saying something that they have never done, for instance, "Never have I ever gone skydiving." (It's traditional to begin your confession with "Never have I ever . . ." but not required.) If the other person HAS gone skydiving then that player has to drink. Then you switch roles. This is a good drinking game for a large party too.

5) Flip Cup


Though most often played in larger groups, this game works just as well with two. Starting at the same time, both players chug a beer from a plastic cup as fast as they can. When finished, place the cup upside down on the edge of the table with the rim hanging out a bit over the edge. Then, try to "flick" the overhanging rim to get the cup to flip right-side up before the other person.

6) Battle Shots


You can purchase an official version of this game, which is super fun to play. But if you don't want to shell out for it, or don't happen to own a copy of the Parker Bros. classic game Battleship, you can you can make up your own game board pretty easily. Trust me, the set-up time is totally worth it. Get ready for a trip down nostalgia lane:

Materials:

paper
pencil
6 shots
Directions:

Draw a 7x7 grid on a piece of paper, labeling the columns alphabetically and the rows numerically. That way each box has a letter-number designation, e.g. the top left is box A1.

Place your "boats" by marking Xs along the grid: three "X"s for the battleship, two "X"s for the destroyer, and one "X" for the submarine. Each "X" represents one shot.

Take turns guessing where your opponents "battle shots" are. Every time someone "hits" an X, take one shot. You win by sinking all of your opponent's "battle shots." Loser must then drink all the remaining shots.

7) Truth or Dare or Drink

There are a couple ways to play this classic getting-to-know-you game.

Option 1: Just do the “truth” part. Take turns asking personal questions. If the other person doesn't want to answer, they must drink. Awesome for people who know each other well and/or have no shame. Even better if you’re playing with someone you’re interested in.

Option 2: Just do the “dare” part. Do the dare or take the drink. This one gets a lot more fun as the game goes on, since people are more likely to do silly dares when they're drunk!

8) Quarters


Materials: Quarters, Cups.

One player tries to bounce a quarter off the table into a cup or shot glass. If the shooter makes it, the other player must drink and the shooter gets another turn. If the shooter misses, it’s the other players turn to shoot. This is probably the best drinking game for 2 people because it's a skill game, and you definitely want to practice one-on-one before playing it at a party.

9) "I'm Going on a Picnic . . ."

This is a memory game. Go through the alphabet naming things you'd bring on a picnic, adding 1 more item per turn.

Person A: I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing Apples.

Person B: I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing Apples and Bananas.

Person A: I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing Apples, Bananas, and Carrots.

I think you catch the drift. Drink every time someone makes a mistake. This game gets more hilarious both the drunker and the farther down the alphabet you get. Very likely you’ll get sidetracked by arguments about why anyone would need to bring a xylophone to a picnic.

10) Caps


This one can be played with either two or four people.

The basic rules go like this: each player sits facing the other at opposite ends of a room. Next to each player is a cup full of beer. Each player takes turns trying to throw a bottle cap into the other player’s cup. If one makes it, then the player that was scored on has to chug the cup of beer. What else are you going to do with those old bottle caps?

How to Beat Plague Inc. Fungus on Normal

A Walkthrough of Plague Inc. Fungus on Normal

Warning: Fungus is by far the longest game level you will play on Plague Inc. It's not the hardest, but it is a long, drawn-out process.

I have reworked my tutorial for this to make it as fast as possible. Follow my directions carefully and you will succeed. There are a few things you need to know before we get started, though:

At the end, when everyone is infected, it may not say, "Everyone is infected." You may have to check. All the countries will be red, but it may not pop up the message until after you start killing everyone. So, don't freak out.
Secondly, once everyone or all the countries and people are infected, devolve the points you put in during the tutorial one by one. Work backwards to devolve them. I cannot stress that enough. Folks who follow the tutorial still lose because they missed that point.
Thirdly, I need your feedback. Fungus kind of burned me out on tutorials. I have beat the game and I do have strategies, but I need your help. Tell me in the comments section which level you need a tutorial for and I will do my best to post one. Follow me for more.
Lastly, I recommend you buy the game. It's a couple of dollars, but it will speed the game up by at least 50%, and the ads disappear. It's the single best decision I have made.
Let's get started.


Start in India.
Devolve all symptoms/mutations until everyone is infected.
Build your DNA points to 66. This may take a while, but you will not regret doing so.
Put the 66 points into:
Air 1
Air 2
Water 1
Water 2
Extreme Bioaresol
Build your DNA points to 33
Put the 33 points into:
Drug Resistance 1
Cold Resistance 1
Cold Resistance 2
Build your DNA Points to 75
Put the 75 points into:
Heat Resistance 1
Heat Resistance 2
Environmental Hardening
Build your points—you will end up at 70-80 DNA points
Note: At this point, the last country may take a while to infect. You'll have the option of using a spore burst. This will infect the last country. Do so if you cannot wait.
Once all the countries are red, check to make sure everyone is infected.
One by one, work backward to devolve your abilities and transmissions.
Allow mutations; stop devolving them.
Work to Total Organ Failure. In this test, I went:
Coughing
Sneezing
Immune Suppression
Total Organ Failure
(Optional) You have waited long enough, spend the rest of your points as you see fit.


Video (Different from My Tutorial): Plague Inc. Evolved Fungus Normal Walkthrough


More Plague Inc. Tutorials

How to Beat Plague Inc. Necroa Virus on Normal
How to Beat Plague Inc. Bio-Weapon on Normal
How to Beat Plague Inc. Neurax Worm on Normal
How to Beat Plague Inc Evolved Virus on Normal
How to Beat Plague Inc Prion on Normal
How to Beat Plague Inc. Bacteria on Normal
How to Beat Plague Inc. Nano-Virus on Normal
How to Beat Plague Inc Parasite on Normal
About the Author

Hey guys. I'm ChillBilly aka Ashleign. I have been playing video games for more than 20 years. I enjoy a good bit of strategy style games mixed with online economies. MMOs are my specialty, but I do enjoy all kinds of games. My experience with Plague Inc. started when I picked up the game on my mobile phone. I was immediately hooked due to my interest in biology. I posted my first tutorial here on HubPages and it was so popular that I decided to make more.

I love helping people, and when I receive good comments and compliments, I feel that I have accomplished something. Please let me know how you think I'm doing!

Did this walkthrough work for you?

 Yes! I love you.
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Scottish Tattie Scone Recipe – How To Make Potato Scones

Tattie Scones, no Scottish breakfast is complete without them. Americans have the Hash Brown we Scots have the Tattie Scone. Taters or tatties both refer to potatoes - the usage depends on which side of the Atlantic you hail from.

The potato or tattie scone recipe requires very few ingredients and is suitable for vegetarians. That said, a full Scottish breakfast is a hearty meal and can include fried bacon, black pudding, sausages (links and lorne) and eggs. Not exactly what you might term vegetarian friendly, so be prepared to feel your arteries harden as you munch your way through one.

But I digress, I am here to give you a scrumptious recipe for Traditional Scottish Tattie Scones, not to provide commentary on the Scottish diet.

Tattie Scone Recipe

Ingredients:

Half pound (225g) boiled and mashed potatoes, King Edwards if you can get them.
2.5oz (65g) plain or all-purpose flour
1oz (25g) Butter
Half teaspoon salt
Pinch of pepper
Quarter Teaspoon of baking Powder
Method:

Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender.
Drain the potatoes and mash them with the butter, salt, pepper and baking powder.
Mix in the flower to make a stiff dough. The exact amount of flower will depend on the type of potatoes used.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to around 5 to 6 mm thickness.
Cut into rounds, use a saucer or small tea plate as a guide.
Prick all over with a fork and score the dough to mark 4 equal wedges.
Cook in a heavy pan or griddle which has been very lightly greased.
Cook each side for about three minutes on a medium heat until the scones are golden brown.
Ah, potato scones.

Enjoy.

How to Cook Sprats and Sprat Recipes

Sprats come in a number of genetic forms but the ones featured on this page are European sprats. They are found around the seas and oceans off Western Europe, the UK and Ireland. Sprats are small, oily sea fish which swim in huge shoals. They are extremely nutritious and tasty but one factor which may put many people off eating sprats is the fact that they are frequently eaten whole, without even being gutted. That is of course an option but although gutting this tiny fish is a little awkward and time consuming, the sprats featured on this page have all been cleaned in this way prior to being cooked.

How to Clean Sprats


Sprats are small and delicate and care is required when cleaning them for cooking
In order to clean/gut/eviscerate these tiny fish, you will need above all a small, extremely sharp knife, ideally with a thin blade. You should also have to hand an empty bowl in which you can deposit the removed innards, as well as a bowl of clean, cold water in which to very carefully rinse the sprats after they have been cleaned. A plate upon which to lay the cleaned sprats is of course also necessary.

Hold the sprat in your weaker hand, belly up. Starting at the small opening two-thirds of the way down from the head in the direction of the tail, make a slit all the way up to just behind the head. You should then use the point of the knife to gently scrape out the stomach contents of the sprat in to the empty bowl. Dip the cleaned fish in the cold water to clean it off and lay it on the plate.

Click thumbnail to view full-size


Cleaning sprats
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 100g
Calories 131
Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value *
Fat 5 g 8%
Saturated fat 1 g 5%
Unsaturated fat 4 g
Protein 20 g 40%
Cholesterol 60 mg 20%
Sodium 104 mg 4%
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.
General Tips for Cooking Sprats

Sprats are - due above all to their size - incredibly delicate. This means that they must not only be handled but cooked in an appropriate fashion if they are not to break up and essentially be wasted. Cooking them quickly and simply not only helps the sprats keep their physical form, it allows the delicious flavours to be enjoyed to the full.

There are three recipes below, one which sees the sprats deep fried, one which sees them shallow fried and one which sees them grilled/broiled. If you have never cooked sprats before and are nervous about handling such small fish, the deep fried option is the easiest one with which to start.

Deep Fried Sprats in Batter with Garlic and Chive Dip


Sprats are deep fried in batter and served with a garlic and chive dip, bread and butter
Cook Time

Prep time: 5 minCook time: 2 minReady in: 7 minYields: One serving
Ingredients

5 cleaned sprats, heads removed (optional)
2 tablespoons self-raising/rising flour
Salt
Vegetable oil for deep frying
1 thick slice wheat, spelt and rye bread, or similar
Butter
2 tablespoons soured cream
1 garlic clove, peeled and grated
1/2 teaspoon chopped chives
Instructions

Click thumbnail to view full-size


Heads are removed from gutted sprats
Spoon the flour in to a flat-bottomed bowl and season with salt. Slowly begin adding cold water as you whisk with a fork until you have a thick, creamy batter. Bring about an inch of vegetable oil up to a high heat in a deep frying pan.
The heads can be left on the sprats if you wish. Either way, hold the sprats one at a time by the tail and dip them in the batter before carefully lowering them in to the hot oil.
Fry the sprats for about two minutes, turning occasionally with a deep frying spider or metal slotted spoon. Lift to a plate of kitchen paper to drain.
Stir the garlic in to the soured cream and spoon in to a small serving ramekin. Scatter with the chopped chives. Plate along with the buttered bread.
Arrange the drained sprats alongside the bread and dip.
To eat, hold the sprats by the tail to dip them in the soured cream. The end tail portion can if you wish be discarded, though it is entirely edible.
Grilled Sprats on Toast with Spicy Tomato Sauce


Grilled or broiled sprats served on a bed of spicy tomato sauce on toast
Cook Time

Prep time: 5 min

Cook time: 15 min

Ready in: 20 min

Yields: Two servings

Ingredients

8 ounce can chopped tomatoes in tomato juice
1 small red birds' eye chilli, finely chopped
1 small green birds' eye chilli, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaf/cilantro, plus extra to garnish
6 cleaned sprats
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
2 slices of bread, toasted
Instructions

Click thumbnail to view full-size


Chilli peppers and coriander leaf/cilantro
Pour the canned tomatoes in to a saucepan and add the chopped chillies and coriander/cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
Put the saucepan on to a medium heat until the liquid just starts to simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer very gently, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, for about ten minutes.
Put your grill/broiler on to heat to maximum.
Lay a sheet of tinfoil on a grilling tray and brush lightly with oil. (The foil is non-essential - but it makes washing up much easier!)
Lay the sprats on their sides on the foil and gently brush with more oil. Season with salt and pepper and grill for about a minute each side until the skin is starting to bubble up and darken.
Spoon the tomato sauce on to the toast. Lift the sprats on top and garnish with the remaining green leaves.
The whole of the sprats - including the heads and tails - are entirely edible but it is again down to personal preference.
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Spicy Pan Fried Sprats with Onion Rings


Spicy shallow fried sprats with deep fried onion rings
Cook Time

Prep time: 5 min

Cook time: 5 min

Ready in: 10 min

Yields: One serving

Ingredients

2 moderately thick slices from a large white onion, separated in to rings (be sure to slice the onion the right way!)
2 tablespoons self-raising/rising flour
Salt
Vegetable oil
5 or 6 cleaned sprats
2 tablespoons plain/all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon hot chilli powder
Black pepper
Instructions

Click thumbnail to view full-size


Onion rings for fritters
Put the self-raising flour in to a deep flat-bottomed bowl and season with salt. Whisk in some cold water to make a batter the consistency of double (heavy) cream.
Bring an inch or so of vegetable oil up to a high heat in a deep frying pan.
You can if you wish toss the onion rings in plain flour before you dip them in the batter. It makes for a thicker batter coating but is not essential.
Dip the onion rings in the batter, let the excess drip off for a second or two and lay in the hot oil. They will take about five minutes to cook and you should turn them halfway through cooking.
Combine the plain flour, chilli powder and some salt and pepper in a clean bowl.
Bring a little more oil up to a medium to high heat in a frying pan.
Pat the sprats in the seasoned flour and fry on a high heat for a minute each side. Do be very careful turning them and the easiest way to do so is with a wide bladed blunt knife or a pallet knife.
Drain both the onion rings and the sprats on kitchen paper before serving

Top 5 Unusual Must-try Food in Vietnam

When talking about local Vietnamese cuisine, one will usually think of the the rice noodle Pho, the thick vermicelli Bun, the broken rice Com Tam or the spring roll Goi Cuon. In this article, However, there are still many other unusual food that is available mainly to the locals only. In this article, I will introduce to you the Top 5 unusual food that the Vietnamese love! Bon appetite!


Sweet snail otherwise known as Oc Huong
Oc Huong

When going for seafood with a local, the Oc Huong is a dish never to be missed. While uncommon to the rest of the world, Oc Huong (sweet snail) is a delicacy that all locals thoroughly enjoy.

Unlike some other shell food that leaves a fishy after taste, the Oc Huong is actually pretty tasty. They are also relatively cheap as compared to delicacies like oysters or scallops. There are many ways to cook Oc Huong, all of which turns out to be really very yummy - garlic sauce, chilli Oc Huong or in some thick sweet sauce. To eat Oc Huong, you will either be given a 2 pronged fork or a toothpick. Simply poke on the meat and pulled in a small twirling direction in accordance to the shell and the entire meat will be yours. Once chewed, the Oc Huong doesn't feels squishy or slimy like oysters, it actually feels like you're eating squid.


Rat meat
Roasted Paddy Mouse Meat

Roast paddy mouse meat (most people just refer to it as rat meat) is a dish that even the locals shun (especially those from cities like Saigon or Hanoi). Most of my friends who enjoy this dish ate them during trips back to the countryside. While it looks really repulsive, rat meat can be pretty tasty. The taste is unique unlike the normal chicken, pork or beef we eat everyday. Because the rats are small, you'll have to chew through lots of small little bones while eating. If you must know, the meat does not smell, and it's actually moist and tender.


Roasted dog meat
Roasted Dog Meat

Roasted dog meat can be found commonly in Northern Vietnam and is generally frowned upon in the South. However, there are still quite a number of restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City that serves this. They are just usually not along the main roads. Dog meat is usually consumed while drinking Vodka Hanoi (or any local made Vodka), which cost just 40,000 VND per bottle. The locals believe eating dog meat enhances the male libido. I know the dog lovers will probably hate it, but I think it is a try once-in-a-lifetime thing for adventurous tourist. Conclusion - it taste a little like pork but with a lot more tendon. I totally hated it.


Live coconut worms larvae
Coconut Worms

Ok this one is disgusting. I have to admit no matter how hard I tried to convince myself to try it, I usually backed down right at the final moment. These coconut worms larvae at dipped into fish sauce and eaten live! Yes, alive! The thought of them wriggling in my tummy is enough to make me lose my appetite for a week. Nevertheless, I have some local friends who swear that it actually taste yummy! So why is it a must-try? Simply because you can make a video of it like the one below and freak them out!



Vietnamese Sea Urchins
Vietnamese Sea Urchin

Vietnamese Sea Urchins is a popular street food found especially near the seaside towns. They can be eaten grilled or raw. Many believe eating urchins is good for the kidney, increase calcium and of course improve men's health. I had a chance to try these during my Phu Quoc trip with a group of local friends. Raw urchins - it's slimy, it's ugly, and I'm never good at eating anything raw. Grilled urchins - consumed with lemon or spring onions is delicious. Especially when it prepared fresh from the sea.

How To Bake Chicken Wings That Taste So Good They'll Make You Want To Slap Your Grandma

Chicken wings have become so popular that there are umpteen restaurant chains and, a zillion more, home grown joints, pushing their wings as the best eating fare of these flavorful feathered fingers. I am here to tell you that they are all wrong! The best recipe for chicken wings is my very own specialty. Now I am not bragging just stating facts. Crispy skin, melt in your mouth flavor, fall off the bone, finger licking fine feathered fowl is what you are guaranteed to experience when you follow the directions I offer here.

Not only is this the basics for all good chicken wings it is simple to make, ready in an hour and will not make a big ol' mess to clean up. When you have devoured the last one, wad up the tin foil, rinse off the cookie sheet and presto mundo. Dinner downed and it is couch potato city, there you go! As a matter of fact, by the time I finish writing this hub, those bird fingers will be ready to profile for the finishing photo. I plan to stuff my face and take my own advice and hit the hay, satisfied as a kid in the candy store , if you know what I mean. Now then, let's get to cooking.

But First

Wash your hands real good. Some say that this is more important than washing the chicken. I think it will not hurt to do both. Cleanliness in the kitchen is a very important safety measure, so take care as you cook.

Olive Oil

This is something I use on a regular basis when I am cooking. I love the health benefits as well as the taste of olive oil. I can not function up to par without olive oil in my kitchen. Bob Ewing has an article that is a must read if you too like to use olive oil to cook with. If you have not tried it give yourself the gift of information and check out Bob's article here. You will shop for your oil purchase more informed.


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You Will Need The Items Pictured



Cover the cookie sheet with a sheet of heavy duty tin foil
Chicken Wing Recipe List Of Things You Will Need

A package of fresh chicken wings (about 12 to 14)
olive oil
salt
pepper
(optional) garlic powder
a large mixing bowl
a large cookie sheet
heavy duty tin foil
Preheat Your Oven

Position the oven rack on the inside so that your cookie sheet full of wings will be in the center and at the mid range height. This will ensure heat to flow around the wings evenly as they are baking. Now you are ready to preheat the oven.

Turn the oven to 375 degrees while you are preparing the chicken to bake.

Remove the chicken wings from their packaging and wash it off under cold running water. Make sure to get all of the feathers left behind from the processing plant because there is something that is quit unappetizing about feathers sticking out from the bird you are about to take a bite of. Just wash it real good and then set it aside to drain while you are covering that cookie sheet with a large piece of heavy duty tin foil. The heavy duty foil works the best. It will insure a very quick clean up when you are stuffed and ready to be horizontal.

I happened to run out of foil for my article here but, I will make do with what I have. The idea is to cover the cookie sheet so that there will not be any juices running under the foil. If that happens the clean up will take a little longer.The end result is worth a little mess so don't be shy. You could skip the tin foil but then you will be scrubbing the cookie sheet for sure.

Wash and Drain The Chicken Wings


Dry Rubs Are Not Just For Grilling

Many cooks use the dry rub method for cooking chicken wings on the grill. This is a great way to add the flavor of herbs and spices to many different kinds of meat. I too am an avid "RUBBER" but I have always brought this method in to the kitchen and used it for baking my chicken wing recipe in the oven. I like to rub the seasoning in real good before I add my olive oil to the surface of the food. The olive oil seems to seal in those rubbed in flavorings.

For additional ideas on rub recipes take a look at what this hubber has put together. Here you will find all kinds of mixtures that will enhance your baked wings. This link will be useful for those of you who do not care for the taste of garlic.


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Seasoning Chicken Wings

The basic seasoning is salt and pepper. I like garlic and so I am adding that to this batch of bird. I also like to use fresh rosemary from my garden in the summer months. I will use fresh sage from time to time. I have tried cayenne pepper, lemon pepper, chili powder, Tabasco and many other herbs and spices. That is one of the best things about this chicken wing recipe. You can doctor them up to suit your taste buds.Today it is garlic. I am pushing to ward off all of the evil germs that seem to be lurking about. Garlic has a way of taking care of these unseen demons, so garlic it is.

The main thing about seasoning is DO NOT BE STINGY. Put a good dose of salt and pepper and, add your garlic or whatever spices you decide you are in the mood for, on all of the chicken wings. You want flavor and that means a good healthy dusting for all. Some of the seasoning will run off during the baking process so, make sure to cover all the chicken wings real good. Some folks like mild and some like it wild, season the wings to please yourself.

Next Step

Cup one hand and fill it with olive oil then drizzle the oil across the chicken wings so that it is distributed evenly. Pick up a wing and rub the oil and seasoning around the meat to coat the wing with a somewhat even amount of oil. Repeat this step so that all the chicken wings in the bowl are well coated. This will only take a few minutes. You will be able to feel the seasoning and oil mixture and the idea is to try to coat it all about the same.

Cup One Hand And Fill It With Olive Oil


Drizzle the olive oil out of your hand across the bowl of seasoned wings.

Rub the meat to distribute the oil and seasonings evenly.
Lay The Chicken Wings To Rest

When you have the chicken wings all coated good you can lay each one out on the cookie sheet. Try to position them so that there is as much space as possible between the pieces. It is okay if they are touching each other but, best not to pile them up. You want to ensure that the baking process is even for each chicken wing. A single layer of wings is necessary for that to take place. When you have finished laying all the wings out you can visually inspect them for even coating and seasoning. If there are pieces with less seasoning you can rub them across the bottom of the empty mixing bowl. There should be enough oil and seasoning to take care of any pieces that might need that little extra touch. Your oven should be hot and the bird fingers are ready to pop in to the middle of the oven rack. Bake the chicken wings for about 50 to 60 minutes or until they are golden brown.

The key to great chicken wings is a crispy skin but, you do not want to overcook them because the wings will dry out. The time will vary by individual oven temperature so this has to be taken into consideration. Another thing that will affect cooking time is the temperature of the meat. Cold wings will take longer than room temperature ones, so keep that in mind. I always set a timer for the first 45 minutes and then watch the chicken wings closely for the remainder of baking time.

Ready For Baking


A single layer is a must.

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Think Creativity Using This Chicken Wing Recipe

Chicken wings are a staple in our home because we just love them. The basics are in preparing the chicken as I have explained above. Now that I have explained the basics I would like to suggest a few other alternatives you can adapt to my method.

I have already suggested a variety of herbs. One of our favorite combos is to use rosemary and garlic, salt and pepper. I sometimes add a pan full of quartered potatoes below the sheet of wings. For this I just use 2 separate cookie sheets and season the potatoes exactly the same as the chicken wings. I coat them with olive oil as well. The potatoes can also be seasoned any way you like as long as you add that light coat of olive oil to the spuds. Lay them out on the second cookie sheet in a single layer and cook it all at the same time. Add a salad to the table and your meal is complete.

Grilled Chicken Wings

When the weather is too hot to crank up the oven I turn to the grill to bake up my bird. This requires using an indirect heat grilling method.John D. Lee has outlined a great How To article where he describes the pros of grilling indirect. Read his hub about grilling perfect sausage and you will discover why this is the best way to make chicken wings on the grill. The idea is flavor and you will be amazed at the results of adapting indirect grilling to firing up some of the best chicken wings on the planet.

On The Grill

The chicken wings can be prepared the same as for the above chicken wing recipe. Instead of using a cookie sheet place the wings directly on the grill. Do not place them over the fire. Use the indirect cooking method. Grill the chicken wings with the lid covering the grill at all times. This chicken wing recipe will take about 45 mins. to one hour. Look for a golden skin color and  crispy skin.

You can make them plain, meaning just salt and pepper or go for the gold and baste them with your favorite barbecue sauce during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Again, the key is to make sure the skin is golden brown before adding your sauce. I have somewhat of a reputation for my awesome chicken wings with family and friends. Please give this chicken wing recipe a try to leave me your thoughts and suggestions below. I look forward to hearing from everyone.

Happy Chicken Wings To All! C.S. Alexis

Bad Starter Symptoms: Why Won't My Car Start?

Bad starter system issues are more common than you may think.

Starting system troubles may be caused by poor maintenance, or just wear and tear. Even with decent maintenance, the different system components get a lot of wear during their service life and are bound to start having problems eventually. Problems may show up as a no-crank or slow-cranking condition, caused by a worn-out component, a bad electrical connection, or an undercharged or failed battery.

Unfortunately, a problem in the system can catch you unprepared, and leave you stranded with a huge repair bill.

If you have a little experience with car repair, you may feel tempted to rush out and start buying and swapping components, trying to fix your car. This may lead to frustration and a waste of time and money.

But troubleshooting the starting system is actually relatively easy, compared to other electrical systems in your vehicle. This system can give you some clues about the type of problem you are facing. And, armed with your car repair manual, you may be able to make the necessary fixes to get your car going again.

So here are some of the most common symptoms you may notice when having troubles with the starting system in your car.

Starter Motor Components


Automotive starter motor components.
Source: Photo courtesy of Willdre on Wikipedia.
1. Main housing (yoke)
2. Overrunning clutch
3. Armature
4. Field coils
5. Brushes
6. Solenoid

What Do You Hear When You Try To Start Your Car?

As discussed in the video below, there's a difference between a "crank--no start" situation, and a "no-crank--no start" situation. If your engine is cranking as usual and still refuses to start, you're likely dealing with an ignition or fuel system issue, not a starter issue. Below we discuss different situations where you turn the key and hear either nothing, or something other than the engine turning over. Depending on the situation, the problem may be the starter itself, or something else.

Sounds May Indicate Electrical Problems in the Starter or Elsewhere

Funny sounds, or no sound, upon the turn of the key may indicate electrical problems in the starter or elsewhere in the starting system. Some of the most common electrical problems are corroded electrical connections, an undercharged or bad battery, or a malfunctioning component:

bad neutral safety switch (automatic transmission)
bad clutch safety switch (manual transmission)
bad starter relay
bad starter solenoid
corroded electrical connections in the starting circuit
worn-out part in the starter motor or some other system component
Sounds and Their Possible Meanings

"I Just Hear A Whirring Sound."

Car starter motors use a small device called an overrunning clutch, or one-way clutch. When you turn the ignition key to the run position, the starter solenoid interlocks the starter's pinion gear with the flywheel on the engine to rotate the engine at "cranking speed". Once the engine starts and exceeds cranking speed, the overrunning clutch releases the pinion gear from the flywheel.

However, if the solenoid mechanism is too worn to engage the flywheel, all you'll hear is a swishing sound as the armature in the starter spins all by itself, unable to crank the engine to a start. So this sound may indicate that the solenoid in the starter is worn out.

"I Hear a Buzzing Sound."

Sometimes you just hear a buzzing sound. Electrical current is making it to the starter solenoid, but all it does is try unsuccessfully to activate the solenoid's plunger to engage the pinion gear and flywheel. This is failure is usually caused by poor current flow due to low battery charge or poor electrical connections along the starting circuit, including corroded battery terminals.

"I Hear a Loud Click."

On the other hand, if you can hear a single, solid click, the starter circuit may be getting enough current, but you may have a bad starting motor, bad solenoid, or even an engine mechanical problem.

"It's More Like a Grinding Noise."

If you hear a harsh or grinding noise as you try to crank up the engine, you may have a loose starter motor (mounting bolts), or a flywheel or pinion gear with broken or worn-out teeth. If the gears on the flywheel and pinion aren't able to mesh properly, all you hear is the sound of metal teeth clashing loudly.

"I Don't Hear Anything."

When you try to start your car, you may hear no sound at all.

This silence may be due to electrical issues:

a discharged or failed battery
a failed system component (for example, relay or safety switch)
corroded electrical connections (including battery terminals) that prevent electrical current from reaching the starter motor.
No Crank, No Start Diagnosis


Using Your Headlights as a Diagnostic Tool

OK, so now you have an idea about what may be the cause of your starting system problem. But, is there a way you can confirm your suspicions?

Actually there is. And you don't need special equipment either. Let's use your car's headlights to confirm your tentative diagnosis.

The test: Have a friend—or a willing assistant—turn on the headlights and try to start the engine, as you stand in front of but to one side of your car (just in case your car decides to start and lurch forward).

"My Headlights Don't Work."

If you hear no sound, and the headlights don't come on, you're on the right track. Either:

Your battery is dead,
There's an open circuit in the starter, or
Corroded terminals (most commonly battery terminals) are preventing electrical current from reaching the starter motor and other systems.
"Cranking The Car Makes My Headlights Go Out."

What if the headlights turn on OK, but go out as soon as your car starts cranking? There are several possibilities:

Your battery may be undercharged.
If your battery is properly charged, you could have a short in the starting motor that is causing it to draw too much current.
Another possibility is that you may not be dealing with a starting system problem at all, but an engine problem.
"My Headlights Are Fine, They Don't Change."

There's the possibility that your headlights remain bright while your engine cranks poorly. Then, it's likely you have an open circuit, or too much resistance in the circuit.

Check for a failing component, or corrosion at one or more of the system circuit connections, including the battery terminals.

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ACDelco 337-1078 Professional Starter
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How to Bench-Test a Starter Motor


Starting system problems are hard to diagnose sometimes, but paying attention to the symptoms will help you repair your car faster than you could otherwise. And not only that, it can help you save money in the process.

And if you are the DIY type or are mechanically inclined, having the repair manual for your particular car make and model can greatly help you zero in on the root cause of the problem and get it fixed, even if you don't have much car repair experience.

Take the Starter System Problems Poll

What is the most common starting system problem you've dealt with?

 Bad starter solenoid
 Bad starter relay
 Other bad system component
 Failed starter motor
 Corroded battery terminal or some other circuit connection

vHow to Treat an Itchy Ear Canal

Do You Have Itchy Ears?

There is nothing more irritating and distracting than an itch in your ear. Anyone who has ever suffered from this common ailment knows how frustrating it is to experience a constant, intense itch inside the ear. It seems as though the only feeling of relief comes from scratching or probing with fingers or q-tips. While this may bring temporary comfort, it is actually a very harmful way to tackle itching inside the ear. Thankfully there are plenty of safe ways to make your ear canals itch-free zones.

Don't let this get the better of you. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best treatments for your itch, and the preventative actions you can take to ensure that your ears stay itch-free in future.

What is an Itchy Ear Canal?

An itchy ear canal is often the result of an inflamed or flaky skin condition that happens when the sensitive skin inside the ear becomes damaged, waterlogged or infected with bacteria or fungus. Medical professionals refer to it as Otitis Externa. Along with the itching sensation, symptoms can include dry flaky skin, soreness, pain, and a watery discharge that emits an odor.

If you have an itchy ear canal, don't worry. They are pretty common and won't endanger your hearing. In fact, the biggest threat to your hearing comes from the use of objects that you might use to scratch inside your ear. If you're guilty of this, stop now. Scratching will only serve to inflame the delicate skin inside the ear which will actually increase the itching sensation even more—it's a vicious cycle. Furthermore you could seriously damage your eardrum, either by rupturing it or by inadvertently packing earwax tightly against it.

Before determining the best source of treatment for your itchy ear canal, it's important to familiarize yourself with some of the causes. This will help you to identify how the problem started in the first place. Read on to find out what these causes are.

Causes of Itchy Ears


Shampoo, hair products, cotton balls, and/or cotton swabs may be causing your ears to itch.
There are many reasons why you might have an itch in your ear. Here are some of the main culprits:

Fungal infections. Are you prone to fungal infections in other parts of your body, such as your feet or groin area? It is possible for fungus to infect the ear canal too.
Skin conditions. Do you suffer from any other skin complaints such as eczema or psoriasis? Unfortunately, skin conditions like these can easily spread to the ear canal.
Swimming. Swimmers tend to be in the high-risk category for developing an itchy ear. So, if you swim regularly this is something to watch out for. Water can carry germs and fungus into the ear which can then lead to infection, especially if the skin inside the ear is broken or damaged. Swimming can also create excess moisture which then causes eczema.
Q-tips or cotton buds. Using q-tips or cotton buds a big no-no. The ear is well equipped to clean itself, but if you find that wax or other debris is persistently present in your ears, there are safer and more productive ways to clean them. The problem with using q-tips is that you risk damaging the soft skin inside the ear. This is an open invitation for bacteria to invade.
Weather conditions. Weather conditions, namely warmer temperatures, may be causing your itchy ears. Do you live somewhere with a hot and humid climate? The increased water in the air raises your chances of developing an infection. Fungal infections in particular thrive in warm, humid conditions.
Hair or bath products. Do you regularly use products such as hairspray, shampoo, shower gel, bubble bath, styling gel, or hair dye? The residue from these products can easily wash inside the ear during a bath or shower and cause irritation which leads to itching.
Allergies. Do you suffer from allergies (namely dust, food products, pets, or pollen)? The histamine release that is triggered by the allergen and causes a runny nose and red puffy eyes might also be responsible for the itch in your ear canal.
How to Treat Itchy Ears


Mixing a solution of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol is a good home remedy for the itch in your ears.
Although an outer ear infection or itchy ear canal will sometimes clear up by itself, it is a problem that can often be stubborn and persistent. The best way to approach an itchy ear is to think about

How you are going to treat it and also
How you will prevent it from happening again.
Treatment for Itchy Ears: Cleaning Your Ears

Treatment falls into two stages:

Stopping the itch, and
Clearing up the infection or skin condition.
Firstly, it is recommended that you consult your doctor so that he can clean your ear if necessary and prescribe ear drops. Your doctor might also take a swab of your ear canal to determine whether fungus is present. Results from a swab usually take a few days to come back.

Ear drops will contain a minimum of two active ingredients: 1. An ingredient such as hydrocortisone that will quickly subdue the itching and any resultant swelling, and 2. An antibiotic to kill the bacteria which causes the infection.
If you are diagnosed with having a fungal infection, your doctor might also prescribe anti-fungal drops or ointment as well.
Whilst using ear drops prescribed by your doctor, you can start to take preventative measures to ensure that the itch and/or infection does not return (see below). Just because the ear drops have cleared up the itch, don't assume that it is incapable of coming back. Preventative action is an on-going process and the more vigilant you are, the greater chance you have of keeping your ear canal itch-free.
Note: It also recommended that you don't become overly reliant on pharmaceutical ear drops in the long-term. Although they can work wonders at fighting the infection and stopping your ear canal from itching, long-term use should be avoided because they can be a little harsh for the sensitive skin in the ear. Once the itch has gone and your treatment has finished, seek out natural alternatives to prescription ear drops, such as olive oil. More on this later.

Home Remedies for Treating Itchy Ears

For mild-to-moderate ear infections, especially those where pain is not a serious issue, you might want to try a home remedy before resorting to prescription drugs.

Rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. One common method involves mixing one part rubbing alcohol with one part white vinegar (a 50:50 split). Use a pipette, dipper, or teaspoon and let the solution run into your ear by tilting your head to the side. Keep it inside for a few seconds before letting it drain back out onto a paper towel. The alcohol and acetic acid in the vinegar will go to work on the infection and also help to clean your ear. Don't overuse this method because it can dry out the ear which will lead to more itching. Simply apply it once or twice a day until the infection has cleared.
Olive oil, coconut oil and garlic oil. Olive oil and coconut oil are also great natural alternatives to ear drops. Olive oil can even be infused with garlic for a natural antibiotic and anti-fungal solution. You can opt to make these home remedies yourself or you can take the hassle-free route and buy them readymade.
Don't Want to Make it Yourself?

Herb Pharm Mullein/Garlic Herbal Ear Drop Oil - 1 Ounce
Garlic infused oil is a popular choice in treating itchy and/or infected ears. Garlic is a natural antibiotic that also has antifungal properties. If you don't want the hassle of making it yourself, you can pick up a bottle of Herb Pharm's Mullein & Garlic Herbal Oil for around $10.

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How to Prevent Itchy Ears


Letting a couple drops of olive oil into your ears (and then back out onto a paper towel) may help prevent itchy ears in the future.
Take these precautions to lower the risk of developing an itchy canal again in future:

Prevent excess liquid from entering. When showering or taking a bath, gently place a small amount of clean cotton ball over the entrance to your ears to prevent excessive water and bathing products such as bubble bath from getting inside. Be careful not to push the cotton too deeply and avoid it completely if you find that it irritates your skin.
Purchase a swimming headband. If you go swimming, think about buying a swimming headband to keep your ears dry and free from the threat of fungus and bacteria. If you do get water inside your ear, try to drain it out by tilting your head to the side. As a last resort, you can use a hairdryer, providing you place it on the lowest setting and hold it about 50cm away from your ear. Do not use a hairdryer if the skin in your ear is broken or sore.
Use olive oil in your ears. Clean your ears and prevent wax build up by using a little olive oil. Simply tip a small amount of olive oil onto a spoon, tilt your head to one side and let the oil run into your ear (if you find this difficult, you can ask somebody to help you or you could buy a dropper/pipette from your local drug store or chemist for a couple of dollars). Let the oil settle in your ear for a few minutes then tilt your head back up and let the excess oil drain out onto a paper towel. Repeat the process with the other ear and do this on a regular basis - maybe two or three nights every week before going to bed.The oil will also help to moisturize your ear canals and sooth the skin.
Drain earwax. If you find that excess wax builds up inside your ears and the olive oil trick doesn't work, visit your doctor regularly so he can drain the wax. You can also buy wax-softening ear drops from your drugstore or chemist, but use these sparingly.
Protect your ears in the shower or bath. This especially applies to products you use while showering or bathing. Try to you avoid getting shampoo, hairspray, bubble bath, shower gel, or other chemical irritants into your ears.
Be gentle with your ears. Always remember that the skin inside your ears is delicate and easily irritated. Never put anything hard inside your ears that might damage or antagonize the skin.
Be careful with hearing aids and ear plugs. If you wear a hearing aid, try to wait until your ear canal is dry after showering before you put the aid back inside your ear. The same applies to ear plugs of any kind—including the ones you use to listen to music. If possible, avoid wearing hearing aids altogether until an itch or infection has completely cleared up.
Controlling your allergies. If you suffer from dust, pollen or other allergies, reduce your exposure to allergens and take antihistamine medication when necessary.
A Natural Treatment for a Fungal Ear Infection

Fight Fungus with Coconut Oil and Garlic (Livestrong.com)
Garlic has been used to fight fungal and yeast infections for a very long time. Take a look at this article to find out how to make your own coconut oil, olive oil and garlic remedy.
Did You Find this Article Helpful?

Did you find this article helpful? Or perhaps you have another method for treating an itch in your ear canal that I haven't discussed. Please leave your comments below!

Five Signs Your Car Battery Is Dead (or About To Die)

Your vehicle’s battery is like its heart; without that battery, your vehicle wouldn't have the power to start moving or do anything else. So it's important to understand at least a little bit about your battery, and to know the most common signs of a battery that needs to be replaced.

About Your Battery

The typical battery, in vehicles made in 1952 and later, is a “wet-cell” battery, a plastic cube containing sulfuric acid and lead, with two terminals coming out of the top or the side. This short guide should be reliable unless you have an aftermarket battery with special needs, such as a dry cell battery, or a hybrid like a Prius.

Here’s some general wisdom about your average battery.

Batteries normally have a maximum life expectancy of two or three years, even if manufacturers say they will last five years or more. If anyone sells you a “super long life” battery, keep your receipt and get a warranty. Especially if you use your battery for a lot of accessories (things other than starting your car) it’s unlikely to last as long as promised.
Optimally, you should replace your battery every two and a half years or so—before you have problems.
Your battery needs some particular help doing its job starting your car: it needs help from your alternator, your starter, the solenoid, the battery terminals (which need to be clean and free from corrosion), and its own cables (which need to be intact). Though as I argue below, the problem is very often just an old battery, I’ll admit it can be something else.
An old battery, even if it doesn't show any obvious signs of being old, can affect your vehicle in negative ways that will slowly add up to a big repair bill. That’s why I recommend replacing your battery before you have problems with it.
Your ordinary battery doesn't do so well in extremely cold weather, which may be why you have to pump the gas, or turn the key back to prime the fuel pump, or do a little dance to get the truck or car started on chilly mornings.
My Message: Check Out the Battery

In my years as a mechanic, one thing I have learned is that an old battery or loose battery cables can cause really big problems that make it appear that something complicated is wrong with your vehicle. Even experienced mechanics and DIY'ers are sometimes stumped by a simple problem with a battery past its prime, until they realize they've ruled out all other potential problems (and then some!). That's one of those "d’oh!" moments, when you realize you could have saved yourself an hour of diagnostic and repair time, just by checking the battery and its cables.

Sign 1: Engine Cranks But Doesn’t Start

If your engine cranks or turns over when you turn the key, but it won't start, I say the most likely culprit is your battery. It might be your starter, it might be something else, but 94% of the time, it's really your battery, even if the car is cranking fairly vigorously. Even if an ammeter (current-measuring device) says the battery is good, it can still be a few volts shy of what your vehicle needs to run efficiently.

When you find yourself with a car that won't crank hard enough to start, you'll want to use jumper cables or a jump-starter box to get your vehicle running again.


Once your car is running again, disconnect the cable, then let your car run for 30 minutes so that your alternator can charge up your battery again.

After that half-hour, when you are stopped at home or in a safe place, do a little test. After you turn the engine off, wait at least a minute, then start it again. Wait another minute and start it another time or two, to make sure that you won't be stranded with a dead battery at the gas station or wherever you go next.

Now, at this point, most batteries will have have charged themselves up from the running of the alternator and be fine for a day or two. Do NOT take that time for granted. Use it to hunt down a new battery and replace the old one BEFORE you end up stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Sign 2: No Crank, No Start, No Lights

This situation is pretty straightforward to diagnose; it’s an even stronger indication that your battery is at fault. Your battery powers all the accessories and lights in your car, especially when the alternator is not running. So if your car just seems to be completely void of all signs of life, then your battery is the first thing you should be looking at.

And be aware that in this situation, where your vehicle doesn't even have the juice to work the lights or turn over the engine, it could be a combination problem involving your alternator was well as your battery.

If the car won’t crank or start but the headlights do work, that may indicate some more interesting problem, maybe the starter or a mechanical problem in the engine.

Sign 3: One Day It Starts Fine, the Next Day It Won't

If starting is an intermittent problem for you, it's a sign that either 1) your battery terminals are loose, broken, corroded, or calcified or 2) you have a parasitic draw (your power is being drained by some gizmo that's on when it's supposed to be off, or by some wire that’s touching something it shouldn’t).

Check out the battery cables first, as they are usually the prime suspect and are easier to check yourself.

Make sure the cables fit firmly and securely on the battery posts. There should be zero play in them; you shouldn't be able to wiggle them even an inch when they are tight. Also make sure that the cables going to the terminals are not frayed or falling apart; if they are, replace them as soon as possible.

In this video, Eric the Car Guy shows you loose and corroded battery cables, and how they can cause a drop in power to the starter.


Parasitic draws from sources other than the battery cables are fairly common. Suspect a parasitic draw if the car starts right up if you drive it several days in a row, but then fails to start if you let it sit for a day. To investigate parasitic draw issues, see your favorite mechanic, or look at the last section of this article, and get ready to have fun with an ammeter or voltmeter, as these are the tools you'll need to check your alternator, accessory lights, fuses, radio, alarm, and all other components that might be draining your battery in secret.

Sign 4: Cold Cranking Is Hard Work

If you look at your battery, somewhere on it you should find a label stating a number for "Cold Cranking Amps.” Those amps are responsible for giving your engine enough energy to get started the first time of the day, generally referred to as "cold cranking.”

Thus it’s not surprising that an early sign that your battery is running out of life—a sign most people miss—is that you are regularly putting extra energy into starting the vehicle. You know what I'm talking about. You get in your car, you tap the gas pedal, you turn the key a few times, and all you get for the first few minutes is lots of weak rotations of the engine. After you’ve all but decided the car is going to make you late for work, it suddenly starts up and sustains an idle.

Now, what I mean by "regularly" is having to do this more than three times per week. That would be a sign that your battery is giving notice and getting ready to retire.

But keep in mind that if it’s really cold out, it’s fairly normal for your vehicle to hang back and start only with difficulty. Not only is gas hard to vaporize and oil gooey when it’s cold, but batteries put out only half their normal power when the temperature is 0o F (and only a third of their power when it's 32o F). So in the cold you may have to be patient. But if your car doesn’t go back to a reliable “cold” crank when the weather warms up, you’ll want to get a new battery within the next three months.

One more possibility worth noting is that your battery was never big enough for your vehicle in the first place. Even a well-seasoned mechanic has gotten the wrong battery for a specific vehicle, causing a wild-goose-chase investigation of a mysterious starting problem. Make sure you look up your car online, or ask in an auto parts store, to find out what level of Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) and voltage your car needs to start and run properly.

Sign 5: You've Jumped It a Lot

I have a simple hard-and-fast rule that I follow when it comes to having to jump your battery. No matter what reason you had to jump the battery—the battery was old, or mabye the starter, fuel pump, or alternator were bad, or maybe you left your headlights on or your door ajar all night, or you ran out of gas—the rule is this:

If you have to jump your vehicle more than three times in a single week, it's time to replace your battery.
You would be surprised, but even a fairly new battery can turn into a dud really quickly if it has been jumped more than three times in a week. Using a jump box or jumper cables is hard on your battery. They work by figuratively "shocking" your battery.

Now, you might think I'm crazy about replacing the battery after such a low jump count, but hear me out. One of the most common things I see happening in relation to vehicle battery problems, is that the driver or mechanic will assume that because the battery wasn't old, or wasn't the specific culprit for the battery draining itself, they don’t need to expend time or money getting a new battery. Then, when they try this and that to diagnose the problem, they keep jumping the battery until finally the alternator and starter go bad, leaving you with a need for an new alternator, starter, AND battery.

Save yourself the headache and just replace the battery if you've had to jump the battery more than three times in a week. You won't regret it.

When Will You Replace Your Battery?

I'm glad you've taken the time to read all the way through this article and have started to consider when you will next replace your battery. Down below, I have some bonus advice about diagnosing a parasitic draw.

I'll Replace My Old Battery...

 When it dies completely, and jumping it no longer works.
 When it dies on me in the mall parking lot, during the late afternoon commute, with the kids in the car.
 When my mechanic tells me to.
 Every two and a half years, or when it starts showing signs of wear.
 Every three to five years.
 When the tow truck driver hands me a bill for jump-starting the car.
 Never/I don't know

See results without voting
How to Diagnose a Parasitic Draw

Because so many battery issues are caused by a parasitic draw that is slowly draining away the life of the battery, I thought you might like to see some videos that can help you finally kill that parasite!

Method 1: Use a Multimeter

As in the videos below, the fastest and most efficient way of finding your parasitic draw is to use a multimeter. Even the most inexperienced diagnostician can do this test in minutes to find out if you have a draw. Just make sure the vehicle is off, the car's negative battery terminal is disconnected, and the car doors are shut and other accessories turned off. Set your multimeter to 10 amps DC, touch the positive lead to your disconnected negative battery cable, and touch the ground lead to your negative battery post. If your meter shows anything above 50 milliamps, you have a parasitic draw. Watch the first video below to find out how to identify the fuse or relay that is eating away your battery, plus some possible quick fixes.

Eric the Car Guy Hunts Down a Parasitic Draw


Using a Multimeter to Find a Parasitic Draw From the Radio Circuit


Method 2: Use a Fuse Checker

On a pre-1985 vehicle, you can use a small probe called a fuse checker to look for draws. It's not as accurate as a multimeter, but will work just as well at finding out what is still on when your car is supposed to be off. This method can also work on newer vehicles if you don't have access to a multimeter. To use this method, simply make sure that the car is off, the door pins are all held down in the "closed" position, and your negative battery cable is disconnected.

vMilitary Diet: Lose Up To Ten Pounds In Three Days

Since I first published the Military Diet diet in 2007, countless people around the world have used it successfully to lose weight. Although there are copycats, this is the original, which is important because even a small change to this diet can set you up for poor results.

How did I come up with all of this?

A military gentleman who attended our church some years back introduced me to this diet. He said that military recruits use this diet when they need to get in shape quickly. Since then I’ve done extensive research and heard from countless people who have tried this plan. Combined with my own personal trial and error, the diet that follows is carefully tested and includes advice to help you succeed. Feel confident and see the results for yourself!

Here's what I'll be covering:

Doctor's Approval for Dieting
The Three Day Diet: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
How the Diet Works
Beverages
About the Food Choices
Allowed Additions
Important Information About Substitutions
Exercise
Tips to Keep the Weight Off
How to Make the Diet Work for You
Success Stories
Doctor Approval for Dieting

Before starting this or any diet, check with your doctor. Read on for facts and information, but whether this diet is right for you is up to you and your physician.

Three Day Military Diet: Day One


Breakfast Day One


Breakfast
1/2 grapefruit
1 slice toast
2 tablespoons peanut butter
coffee or tea (any brew, as long as it's caffeinated)
Lunch Day One


Lunch
1/2 cup tuna
1 slice toast
coffee or tea
Dinner Day One


Dinner
3 ounces meat (any type)
1 cup green beans
1/2 banana
1 small apple
1 cup vanilla ice cream
Tips to Make Dinner Delicious


Cook the green beans with the meat or simmer in broth.

Warm the apple and/or banana and pour over the ice cream. Yum!
Three Day Military Diet: Day Two


Breakfast Day Two


Breakfast
1 egg
1 slice toast
1/2 banana
Lunch Day Two


Lunch
1 cup cottage cheese (or 1 slice cheddar cheese)
1 hardboiled egg
5 saltine crackers
Dinner Day Two


Dinner
2 hot dogs (no buns)
1 cup broccoli
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 banana
1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream
Three Day Military Diet: Day Three


Breakfast Day Three


Breakfast
5 saltine crackers
1 slice cheddar cheese
1 small apple
Lunch Day Three


Lunch
1 hardboiled egg
1 slice toast
Dinner Day Three


Dinner
1 cup tuna
1/2 banana
1 cup vanilla ice cream
How the Military Diet Works

The foods on the menu work together to boost metabolism, provide energy, help with sugar swings, and jump-start the fat-burning process. The diet must be followed for three consecutive days. In three days you should lose up to 10 pounds. After three days, eat as you normally do, but don’t over-do it! If you want to repeat the Military Diet, eat normally for at least four days before doing the three-day diet again. You could lose up to 40 pounds in a month if you follow these guidelines precisely.

No snacking between meals!

Approved Beverages

Caffeinated coffee or black tea for the first two meals of day one only. No added sugar or milk.
Water only from then on. Here is what to aim for: Take half of your weight in pounds and drink at least that many ounces of water. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, drink at least 80 ounces of water per day (more if you exercise vigorously).
About the Military Diet Food Choices


Toast: You may use any type of bread but whole wheat is preferred. Eat it either toasted or not.
Peanut butter: Crunchy or smooth. Choose a brand without added sugar.
Tuna: Fresh or canned.
Slice of cheddar: About two ounces.

Meat: May be any type, including (but not limited to) seafood, beef, pork, or poultry. If using canned or deli meat, look for low-sodium.
Vanilla ice cream: Plain, nothing added.
Egg: Where not specified, the egg can be cooked in any manner.
Saltine crackers: Plain soda crackers. If not available, use plain crackers.
Hot dogs: Beef or turkey franks. Avoid mixed-meat wieners with fillers.
Allowed Additions


Splenda
Small amounts of mustard
Small amounts of relish
Lemon pepper
Sugar-free gum and mints
Salt and pepper but no other seasoning
Important Information About Food Substitutions


Five ounces of a meal replacement shake or two ounces of low-fat yogurt with 1/2 teaspoon flax seed can be substituted for a slice of toast.
The foods recommended for this diet work together to boost metabolism, so it is not recommended that you substitute any foods. The results are not guaranteed and the diet may not work if not followed precisely.

If you must find an alternative to a food on the diet for a health or medical reason, here are the best choices with the same nutritional value.

Toast Substitution Choices
1 ounce (1/8 cup) sunflower kernels (sunflower seeds are gluten-free. If you are avoiding gluten, don’t choose the Planters brand which has traces of gluten.)
1/2 of a high protein nutrition bar
2 ounces (1/4 cup) low-fat yogurt with 1/2 teaspoon flax seed
1/2 cup of unsweetened whole grain cereal (such as Kashi Go Lean)
5 ounces of a meal replacement shake
Grapefruit Substitute


1/2 teaspoon baking soda in a glass of water can be substituted for grapefruit. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 30 minutes before drinking. Eat another piece of fruit in place of the grapefruit with your meal.

Banana Substitute Choices
2 kiwi (1/2 banana = 1 kiwi)
1 cup papaya
2 apricots
Peanut Butter Substitute Choices
soy butter
sunflower seed butter
same measurement of sunflower kernels

The same measurement of cottage cheese can be substituted for tuna.
Tuna Substitute Choices
cottage cheese
cooked chicken
tofu
almonds
flax seeds
pumpkin seeds
peanuts
Hot Dog Substitute Choices
veggie dogs
bratwurst
any type of beans or lentils (4 ounces per frank)
Apple Substitute Choices
Any other "fleshy" type fruit, including plums, peaches, or grapes.

Substitute two slices of bacon for cooked egg.
Egg Substitute Choices
1 cup milk
1 chicken wing
1/4 cup seeds or nuts
2 slices bacon
Vanilla Ice Cream Substitute Choices
strawberry or vanilla flavored milk (not chocolate)
low-fat yogurt with a small amount of fruit
apple juice

Substitute three cups of fresh (or one cup cooked and drained) spinach for green beans.
Green Beans Substitute Choices
lettuce and a few cherry tomatoes
tomatoes (same measurement as beans)
3 cups raw spinach or one cup cooked and drained
Carrot Substitute Choices
2 cups raw (or 1/2 cup cooked and drained) spinach
beets (same measurements as carrots)
1 whole bell pepper
small salad of 1 cup fresh spinach, 1/4 bell pepper, and a few cherry tomatoes (may include salt, pepper, mustard, lemon pepper, or lemon juice for dressing)
Cheddar Cheese Substitute Choices
cottage cheese (1 cup = 1 slice)
2 eggs
2 ounces ham
Broccoli Substitute Choices
cauliflower
beets
asparagus
brussel sprouts

Substitute two ounces cheddar cheese for one cup of cottage cheese.
Cottage Cheese Substitute Choices
2 ounces cheddar cheese (for 1 cup cottage cheese)
2 eggs
2 ounces ham
Coffee or Tea Substitute Choices
sugar free hot chocolate made with hot water, not milk
Exercise Too? Yes!


Many readers ask whether they should exercise on this diet. The answer is yes! Remember, this diet is used by the military and you don't find those people sitting on their rumps!

The type and duration of exercise you choose depends on your current activity level and how lean you are.

If you are severely overweight, you might choose a brisk walk around the block. That’s great—just keep moving! You may only be able to walk around the block this week, but next week you can try two!

If you are already active and have more muscle, go ahead and push yourself. You'll gain even more muscle and the more muscle you gain, the more you can exercise! You'll look leaner and more toned and will be much healthier in general.

Some great weight-loss exercises include:

jogging
walking briskly
using an elliptical machine
swimming
jumping rope
using a treadmill
Of course it's always wise, and recommended, to discuss your exercise program with a doctor, especially if you have medical/health conditions.

I'm Afraid I'll Gain It All Back!

Whether you repeat the Military Diet after four days off or not, gaining the weight back is a concern. If you eat cheesecake and candy bars instead of fruit, you may indeed gain it back!

However, it doesn't have to be that way. Keep up your good eating habits and stay active and you will keep the weight off.

For help staying focused, I suggest this free service: My Fitness Pal. This online tool can be used with a computer or mobile device to help you keep track of what you eat. It's easy and will help you stay on track. You can keep track of exercise, too.

Tips to Keep the Weight Off


Take half of your weight (in pounds) and drink at least that many ounces of water every day.
Continue to drink your water as before. Here’s what to aim for: Take half of your weight (in pounds) and drink at least that many ounces of water. For example if you weigh 160 pounds, drink at least 80 ounces of water per day (more if you exercise vigorously).
Take dietary supplements including a good multi-vitamin/mineral supplement. Some other good choices are Omega 3, herbal system cleansers, and food enzymes. (DO NOT take supplements during the three days of the diet unless recommended by a healthcare provider).
Keep up the exercise!
Continue eating nutrition-packed food, although in more variety.
If you plan to continue the Military Diet, use your four days off to refocus and prepare for the three days back on by shopping, cooking ahead of time, and ridding the house of tempting foods.
How to Make the Military Diet Work for You

Weigh yourself on the morning of the first day but not again until the morning of the fourth day, because weight can fluctuate unpredictably and make you discouraged. (This is important so that you stay focused and positive.)
If you repeat the Military Diet, take a four day break between cycles to refuel, refocus, and reset your metabolism.
Take your measurements. If you're gaining muscle, you may not weigh less but you may have lost inches. Toning is great! You will look leaner even with a higher number on the scale if you have toned muscle.
Follow the diet exactly for best results.
Exercise! Save your biggest workouts for your days off to save your energy. Exercise lightly on the three days, but be sure to really get moving when you are no longer on the diet.
Get support! Whether it's a family member, weight loss support group, the Three Day, Military Diet Facebook page, or the comments section below, reach out if you have questions or need motivation. Also, return the favor to others. You may be the one that gives someone the exact words they need to succeed!


Success Story Showcase

These are people just like you who found success using the Military Diet. I'm sure that the stories featured here will inspire and motivate you to achieve your own goals.

Becca: Salem, Oregon


Becca lost 87.2 pounds through diet and exercise.
"I'm sure that the Military Diet has saved my life! Let’s be honest: Weighing 332.2 lbs at age 32 isn't much of a life. I was an active person, but still it took a lot of oomph to get me moving and feeling good!

Since I have found and started this meal plan, it has been an amazing adventure! I have dropped weight, increased my activity level, and I feel more confident with myself in everything I do. In March, 2012, while I was still at my highest weight, I completed my first 5K. Then, by walking, doing cardio hip hop, and watching what I ate, I managed to lose 20 pounds. However, when the scale stopped going down I thought I was stuck.

That July, I started this amazing, three-day diet. I told myself that it's only three days, I’ll give it a shot. In the first week, I was down 10 lbs. The weight just kept melting away. I am now down almost 70 lbs. (67.2lbs). I've done this in two months with a few weeks off for vacation and getting back into our school routine. That’s a total of 87.2 lbs since March! I just finished my fifth 5K and have plans of working toward a half marathon! I would have never imagined doing this had I not found this amazing meal plan."

Way to go, Becca! We're proud of you. We'll keep watching for your updates of progress. You’re such an inspiration to us all!

Perla: Colorado Springs, Colorado


Perla lost 80 pounds through diet and regular workouts.
"I'm a military wife and a mother of three children. Being a military wife is hard, so I found myself turning to food every time I felt sad, worried, or depressed. Because of this, I ballooned to 278 pounds. I was shocked that I had let myself get that unhealthy!

Thankfully, the Military Diet gave me the boost that I needed. In February, 2012, I began following this plan religiously and also combined workouts four times a week. Now, I have managed to lose a total of 80 pounds!

So I say, 'Everything is possible, never give up!'"

Congratulations, Perla! Your experience is an inspiration!

Renee: Grain Valley, Missouri


"Before the birth of my second child, my max weight was 241 pounds. I had gained double the weight with my second pregnancy, but had just accepted the weight gain as being healthy for myself and my baby girl. I was thinking that I would be able to lose it with no problem. Then, at my six week postpartum checkup, I was only down to 216 pounds. I thought to myself, "OK, now that it's been six weeks since my baby was born, I can get back on my exercise routine and lose this weight. No more of those, 'You just had a baby' excuses." Well, I got lazy, and my eating habits didn't change as I thought they would. I would catch myself eating double portions and getting second helpings to the cake, cookies, and all the other "good" stuff.

I was going through some photos on our Ipad one day and I thought to myself, "Oh my . . . who is that lady sitting on our couch?" Looking closer, I realized it was ME! It was heartbreaking that I didn't even recognize myself. My three year old son had candidly taken a picture of me that evening. I'm so glad he did because that was the turning point for me. I had to do something. Only I can change this, right?

One day, as I was browsing on Pinterest, I noticed a link to this article. I was thinking, "WOW! Is this for real? It's probably just another diet that won't work for me." After reading into it further, I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad that I did and that I stayed committed. I never gave up no matter how hungry I was. It changed my life in every way! Now, I don't avoid mirrors anymore. I am getting rid of clothes that are too big, rather than too small. I feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally. I have confidence now that I've never carried with me before! I'm healthier, and just feel better all the way around; more than I have in my entire life! Another thing that makes this experience even better for me is that I just received my lab results from my physician yesterday, and they are better than they have ever been!

I just completed my 15th week and had my weigh-in this morning. I am proud to say that I've reached my weight loss goal of 45 pounds! I am so proud of myself for staying committed to this diet plan and to my exercise routine.

I once read a quote on this diet's Facebook page that has stuck with me ever since: "Life isn't a remote. So get up and change it yourself." That's exactly what I did and I will never regret it.

So now I say to you, 'Stay committed and NEVER give up! This diet does work and will work for you!'"

Hooray for Renee! We are all celebrating your success with you!