Posted by Thinker on Jan 4, 2009 in
Thinkable
The Greece climate is easily categorised in three main types. An alpine mediterranean climate can be found in the high mountains of the north of the country. Heavy snowfalls occur in bitter winters and summers are cool with regular thunderstorms. A continental, temperate mediterranean climate effects much of the mainland with greater daily and annual extremes of temperature than on the islands. Winters are cold with abundant frost and heavy snowfall especially on the high ground in the west. Summers are very hot with occasional thunderstorms. Finally a dry meditteranean climate effects the Islands and low lying coastal areas of the mainland. This is typifed by dry, hot summers with abundant sunshine with warm nights and cool winters with lengthy spells of rainfall. Mean Greece temperatures range between +14 and +30 degrees celcius with -28 to +47.8 degrees being the minimum and maximum record temperatures.
The winter Santorini temperature in December and January ranges between 9 and 16 degrees celcius on average. In the spring time temperatures in Santorini, Greece show average values of between 10 and 17 degrees of celcius in the month of March. In June the summer mean values for the Santorini climate increase to between 19 and 28 degrees celcius. By the autumn average temperatures fall to between 17 and 27 degrees in the months of September and October.
On the other hand Skiathos temperatures in the February winter month fall in the region of a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 14 degrees on average. After winter comes spring and the Skiathos climate warms with mean temperatures in April and May in the range of 12 to 23 degrees celcius. In July and August the summertime Skiathos temperature range is from an average low of 22 degrees to an average high of 30 degrees celcius. Average temperatures beging to fall in the autumn so that in November the Skiathos climate has records of mean temperatures of between 13 and 17 degrees low and high respectably.
Posted by Thinker on Jan 4, 2009 in
Thinkable
When someone is suffering from diabetes, it means they are unable to create insulin or if they can, they cannot utilize it in the proper way. This insulin uses a process to turn starch, sugar and food into energy which our bodies can use as its “fuel”. A person could be diagnosed with the disease if they have their a blood glucose level tested after fasting and they are discovered to be over 126 mg/dl.
If you are found to have diabetes you will no doubt have been told about altering your diet so that you can help to reduce the symptoms of diabetes. A diabetic diet sample used to tell diabetics to keep an eye o the amount of carbohydrates that they consumed as this will turn to sugar which will cause an imbalance within the body. Today this diabetic diet sample has changed a little as doctors now believe that it is more important to have a healthy and balanced diet as this will provide more health benefits.
There a few things however that should be taken into account if you are diabetic and these things should include eating regularly – this should include eating foods that are starchy such as rice, potatoes and pasta all of which will release their sugars slowly which avoids and spikes in a diabetics blood sugar.
High sugar foods should be avoided as these can present the most serious problems for a diabetic and will cause their blood sugar to rise rapidly. Foods that are high in fat are also best avoided as they will not help to control a healthy weight. Fruit and veg should be abundant in your diet as these will give the body extra nutrients. It is also wise for diabetics to moderate the amount of alcohol that they drink as this can contain high sugar levels which is dangerous for a diabetic. Salt should also be restricted due to the associated health problems with a high salt diet.
Posted by Thinker on Jan 4, 2009 in
Thinkable
Since the 1500s, the mining of silver has been ongoing in many countries throughout the world, with references back to Biblical times. Early on it was recognized as a valuable metal, possibly because of its shiny appearance. Because of its versatile nature, silver can be found in many items, including silverware, dental fillings, electronics, home decorations, medicines, coins and also in the form of jewelry.
Several hundred years ago, people that worked with and made items from silver were called silversmiths. They learned techniques of melting down silver and forming it in to objects that were often traded for value. Silver was easily found throughout the world, and although different groups of people had no knowledge of silver-smithing techniques in other parts of the world, their techniques were almost identical. European settlers were surprised to see that natives in Mexico were using similar techniques that they used back in Europe.
As time progressed, silver was often associated with wealth, and it became popular for people to wear jewelry made of silver as a sign of status. Often, silver, as well as gold decorations, statues, cutlery and crowns were made from silver and given to royalty, which helped to increase its status as a precious metal.
Eventually the processes used to make silver jewelry were streamlined and silver jewelry became more and more accessible for regular citizens. The problem, of course, with fine silver, which is 100% pure, is that it’s soft and susceptible to damage. There is actually two solutions to this problem with can be used in the production of silver jewelry. The first way to make silver less susceptible to scratches and damage is to mix it with a harder metal.
Silver that is 92.5% pure, and then mixed with copper, is called sterling silver. Sterling silver is most often used in silverware, but is also used, for example, to make a sterling silver bracelet that is durable, yet still retains the beauty of fine silver.
Another process that improves the durability of silver is a process called electroplating. This is a process where an object made out of copper, or other hard metal, is coated with silver. This of course makes a durable piece of jewelry, often seen in Mexican sterling silver jewelry and the cost is quite low. Electroplating has been used in the production of silver jewelry since the 1800s.
This process has been tweaked over the years with new technology and new, very inexpensive electroplate silver jewelry has been created. Unfortunately, this very low cost electroplating technique includes a very thin layer of silver and the quality is not as high as it once was. This does not mean that good quality electroplate jewelry does not exist; it just means that sometimes, a very low cost piece of silver jewelry may be cheap for good reason.
In the 19th and 20th century various styles were used in the creation of everything from buildings, to clothes, and, of course, jewelry. You may be familiar with the terms Edwardian, Victorian and Art Deco, which were periods of fashion that were represented by certain styles. During this time, silver was used in different ways to express the various stylistic differences. The Victorian period was known for ornate silver jewelry, such as silver necklaces for men, that looked very regal and formal.
For whatever reason, it was more about value and wealth than actual style. Jewelry was worn solely to show off one’s wealth. As you move onto the later periods, specifically the Art Deco period, silver was used in what many would call “costume jewelry”. This was jewelry that did not have significant value, but was made to be very visually appealing. Prior to this time, jewelry was worn as way to portray wealth and significance, where style was not as important.
As we enter the 20th century, a major shift happened and people of average means started to wear jewelry. They were not concerned about portraying wealth, but rather wore jewelry as an accessory to enhance an outfit. This was the time period that saw jewelry brought into the mainstream.
Over the years, different gifts have been associated with various milestones. Silver has long been associated with gifts for a 25th wedding anniversary. In many cases, husbands give their wives a piece of silver jewelry, such as a ring, bracelet, earrings or necklace, as a means of signifying this momentous occasion.
Whether you’re buying jewelry for yourself or for a loved one, silver jewelry deserves another look. Although not as popular as gold, there are many examples of stunning silver jewelry available at almost every price level.