Should You Buy a Rice Cooker?

The readers that come to this article might be wondering whether they need or not a rice cooker. In my opinion, answering this question depends on others such as how often would you use it, if you would use it just for rice or also for other foods, and so on.

In my case, I am half Japanese and I was raised eating white rice every day. For the past 20 years, my family has owned a Zojirushi rice cooker. (Always the same unit, bear in mind.) It is a 5-cup model that we use almost every day. It has the normal features you would expect from a rice cooker, such as retractable cord, a very good non-stick layer on the bowl and inner lid, removable parts for speed cleaning, automatic warming mode once the rice is ready, and so on. It helps us a great deal at the kitchen, since it saves our time so we are free to do whatever else we want. It is a good size for a family of 4-6 people.

When I left home and came to Japan to study, three years ago, I decided to buy a Panasonic rice cooker instead. I had different things in my mind back then. For starters, Panasonic is also a reliable Japanese company that produces quality goods. The price was a bit cheaper as well. But the selling point for me was the electricity consumption: the 3-cup model that was offered by Panasonic at the time saved a little bit more energy than the others. Although I don't remember the exact figures, it was something around 4-5%. It came with a vegetable steamer accessory, which surprised me a little. So I figured it would be a nice deal and I bought one of these to myself. I live with my girlfriend and this size suits us fine.

Rice cookers nowadays make more than white rice. You can also prepare brown rice and sushi rice, both of which require different water-rice proportions and amounts of time when compared to plain rice. You can steam vegetables, fish and chicken. My mom has already used a rice cooker to make paste, fry eggs and boil water. And, last but not least, I have seen recipes for preparing banana cakes and breads on one of these machines!

In sum, they can be very versatile if you are a college student (no need to own a microwave oven or a normal oven for the activities I just described) or very distracted (due to the auto-warming function once the food is done, your rice will never be undercooked or burnt again) -- a very nice purchase, if I may say.

If you have a bigger family, you can use the warming function from your 5-cup rice cooker to keep soups and stews warm during the Winter. You can even choose the style of your rice cooker to match, in general lines, your decoration or your china: white for more traditional homes, or stainless steel for more modern ones.

Finally, you can also prepare oatmeal beforehand. This is how it works: you put all the oatmeal ingredients in your cooker and program the output to, say, 8:35am the next day. Press start and go to bed, your breakfast will be done on the next day. You can also do the same with rice in the morning, before you leave your house, and have it done by dinner time. That is how easy it is.

You can make cooking easier with a rice cooker. Give it a shot!

Max White lives in Japan and maintains BestRiceCooker.org, a site devoted to help foodies find the best rice cooker. If you are interested in brown rice and healthy eating, then come visit LowGlycemicIndexFoods.org, a guide to low glycemic index foods where he explain how simple actions can help diabetics and people on a diet improve their daily food intake.

Why You Should be a Non - Stop Learning Machine

Webster's defines learning as "To gain knowledge comprehension or mastery through experience or study."
I have a question that I would like you to consider. The answer has to be very honest. How many books have you read in the last month? The last three months? The last year? To show you that I practice what I preach - I can tell you that I read four books per month, twelve books a quarter and about 48 to 50 books a year. It may not seem like much but in a twenty-year period that is over 800 books! Here is the point- some of that knowledge has to sink into my brain.
Unfortunately, many people in our society once they have graduated from high school or college just quit learning. They say to themselves "no more homework" and "I never have to read another book again!" They are done. Interestingly, commencement doesn't mean "finished" it means "to start." At some point these people get stagnant and eventually may lose motivation. Why? They aren't staying fresh and giving the brain of theirs the old workout.

What is a Learner?

What is a learner? To me a learner is someone who has an incredible thirst for knowledge. I think that learners can be identified by the following activities and characteristics:
oThey read books As a continuous learner, you must read constantly. I have a rule that I have made for myself. During the year I only read books which are non-fiction, mainly "how to" books and books on motivation and success. When I am on vacation or during time off and holidays, I read fictional novels and enjoy the "mind candy" they provide. As a suggestion, you may want to set up a plan for your reading. Decide on how many books you are going to read every month and mark them in your planner. At the end of each month take out the planner (or P.D.A.) and check your progress. Part of your plan should also be to decide on a reading strategy. Decide what areas you need to improve in and then create a list of books that could possibly help in those areas. If you don't know of any books on that topic, go to Amazon.com and do a search, or search the computer at your local library by topic.

oThey ask others Ask other people that you know and respect about what books they are reading or have read that have had an impact on them. Write down their suggestion and head to your nearest local bookstore.

One of the barriers to reading a large amount of books, is the fact that they are just so darned expensive. There are some creative ways around that:
oBudget for it I am sure that you budget for other items- it would be reasonable to budget for your own self improvement.

oGet a library card Most towns have a local library where books can be checked out, for little or no cost. You will then have the ability to check out books by the dozen.
oWatch for sales My local "big chain" bookstore has a whole "bargain book area", where books can be bought for amazingly low prices.

oFind your local used book store Most communities have a local used book store, In my area there are two great used book stores and I can buy 5-6 books for the price of one new hardcover. One other bonus these stores have, character that the big book chain store can't create.

oFlea Markets and Thrift Shops I have found many great titles for my library at Flea Markets and thrift shops. I have bought many classic books for ridiculously low prices.

oBuying Online There are several great web sites where you can buy books. Sites like Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com are easy to use and the best feature are their search capabilities. You can search for books by subject, title and author. Lastly the prices are fairly competitive and shipping is fairly quick.

We have determined that learners read, but there are other activities that learners embrace on a regular basis:

o They Search the Net You can use the Internet as a source of information and research. By using many of the search engines and meta-search engines, you can locate tons of valuable information on the net. The Net is an amazing mix of websites, research, magazine articles, and commercial services that you can subscribe to for a fee. The only frustration that I have found with the Net, is knowing exactly where to find the information. Because of the overwhelming amount of information, it makes sense to learn how to search the web as efficiently as possible. There are many great books on the market, which teach you Internet search strategies. For example the way a topic is entered on a search engine can change the results. The topic with quotation marks around it can change the results from the search, with no quotation marks. The rules are different with each search engine. Crazy isn't it?
oAsk Questions I want you to think of A.S.K. Ask So you will Know. When a subject comes up and you don't understand something, ask! I have worked with many people in the world who will not ask a question and will pretend that they know. The only way that you can get smarter is by seeking out information, which you do not understand. Seek out S.M.E.'s (subject matter experts) and tap into their expertise. My uncle, Scott Camp is the consummate "asker." He is always asking questions. We don't see each other often, but when we do he wants to know what is going on in my life and work. When I tell him about my work and life, he then asks tons of questions. He is a human sponge who soaks up information at a rapid rate, and he is very smart. Why? Because he is a non-stop continuous learning machine. He understands that the more questions he asks, the more he will learn.

oRead Periodicals and Magazines Continuous learners subscribe to and read many different magazines every month, on many diverse topics. I highly recommend reading the magazines of your industry, magazines about business and magazines that are about success and motivation. I also would encourage you to read magazines that relate to topics that are hobbies, or you are passionate about. You should be reading about what cutting edge companies are doing and what leading thinkers are thinking about. Reading about other people's success stories is very uplifting and motivating because when you read about people like you who have accomplished amazing things, it confirms the belief that anything is possible. You will read it and then say to yourself, "If they can do that why can't I?"

oWatch Videos/CD ROM's I don't think there are many topics available that don't have CD/ROM's, that can help you learn about a topic or even gain new skills. For example if you want to learn how to type or even how to type faster, there are many computer programs and CD/ROM's that are on the market. These programs work well because they allow you to practice and even give you feedback. I hear people say at times "well I couldn't do that I don't know how to ..." well come on wake up world! If you don't know LEARN NOW. You cannot allow the limitations of the knowledge you have now to stand in your way.

oListen to tapes Every year in our country, people drive thousands of miles, literally hundreds of hours and they listen to the radio. I have a question. How much will you learn by listening to one hundred hours of your favorite radio "shock jock"? I would say not much. I also think radio won't help you get motivated, or stay motivated because radio can be the opposite; negative, mean spirited, and depressing. The old garbage in, garbage out, formula applies. As much as your local morning DJ is entertaining, in my opinion you are wasting precious learning time. Decide what topics you want to learn about and find audiotapes on that topic. Some people have referred to their cars as their "rolling classroom." There are many different types of audiotapes. There are "how to" audios, motivational titles featuring well known speakers and biographies, just to name a few categories. Maximize your time by taking advantage of your driving time.

oSeminars There are many great companies that travel around the country. They conduct one, two, and three day seminars. Keep an eye out for these seminars as they are offered publicly. The seminars are generally high quality and reasonable in price.

oTraining Programs Many corporations and organizations offer training programs as part of employee development. If your company offers training, sign up for as many courses as you can. In general these programs are well developed, tested and are conducted by training professionals. Take advantage of these great programs.

oEmployee Education Assistance Many corporations also offer educational benefits for employees. These programs often offer reimbursement for educational courses and often will pay for a percentage up to 100%. Find out if your employer offers this benefit.

oCommunity Schools There are many schools in various communities that offer many non degree classes. They have a great variety of classes in many subjects. Find out what is offered in your town and find out how to enroll. The other advantage of these kinds of programs, is that they are often very inexpensive.

Why You Should Keep Learning

The bottom line is that the world is going through rapid change and you should be willing to reinvent yourself every year. Because the world will not stay the same, you can't stay the same.
Let's take the example of Warren Sapp, a defensive lineman for the world champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the 2002 season, Warren Sapp was the sharpest that he had ever been and helped take his team to the playoffs. The year before Warren had had a bad season, he was trying to figure out why. He studied tapes in the off season and made a determination, that he had gotten "fat and lazy" (his words) and apathetic. He decided that he had to get better. In the off season he dieted, worked out, lost weight, and was in the best shape of his life. If a Pro Bowl quality level player is willing to reinvent himself each year, shouldn't you?
Every year you have to be a better, faster, smarter version of yourself. Just like new computer software, every year you have to upgrade to a better version of you. You have to be a You 1.0, and then a You 2.0 and then a You 3.0. be willing to upgrade!

Remember if you are not growing you are slowing!

Shawn Doyle is the President of New Light Learning and Development (www.newlightlearning.com) a company specializing in Leadership Development. He has also authored five books on leadership sales and motivation. His latest book The Manager’s Pocket Guide to Training has just been published by HRD Press. Sldoyle1@aol.com

Should Cats Drink Milk

In the movies, cats love a bowl of cold milk. In the real world, giving a cat milk can do more harm than good.

While milk might seem like a natural choice for your cat, the truth is that cow's milk offers no nutritional value for cats, and it can cause digestive problems in many. The reason is that most cats develop intolerance to lactose shortly after they are weaned. This means that they are unable to digest the sugars that occur naturally in milk. This causes problems that include diarrhea and other unpleasant digestive problems.

Some people think that cats need to have milk in order to get all the necessary nutrients. This is not true. In fact, cow's milk does nothing to meet a cat's nutritional needs. If a cat was fed only milk, it would not be able to survive. Feral cats provide proof that cats do not need milk to be healthy, as wild cats do not usually have the opportunity to drink cow's milk.

As long as your cat is eating a high quality food, and has access to clean fresh water, she is getting all that she needs. Milk alone is not a sufficient diet for any cat, and should never be given in place of food OR in place of water. Replacing a cat's food or water with milk can cause your cat to become malnourished.

Many cats do seem to enjoy milk, and this causes a dilemma for many cat owners who love to give their cat treats that they enjoy. While most cats are lactose intolerant, some are not. For these cats, milk as an occasional treat is fine. The only way to know how your cat will react to milk is to feed her some. If she does not develop diarrhea then it is safe to assume that she is not lactose intolerant, and you can continue to give her the treat she loves. Again, milk should never be given in place of food, but as a treat.

If your cat IS lactose intolerant, but still seems to crave a bowl of milk now and then, there is a way to satisfy her without upsetting her digestive system. Milk substitute that is specially formulated for cats is sold in most pet food stores. Like regular milk, it should only be given as a treat and not as a replacement for meals. Even if you feed this "cats milk" on a regular basis, a high quality cat food and fresh water should always be available. Another option for lactose intolerant cats is to give lactose-free milk. This milk is available in the same aisle as regular milk in most grocery stores.

In addition to cat's milk, there are a lot of other ways to treat your cats to special food.

If your cat normally eats dry food, give her some wet food once or twice a week as a special treat. Many makers of dry cat food also make wet food, so you can stick with your favorite brand if that is important to you.

Another way to treat your cats is to find ways to make their dry food special. Pet stores sell special gravy that can be poured over dry food. Several flavors are available, so you can offer your cat a variety to keep her from becoming bored with her food. Another version of this is to pour the water from a can of tuna over the dry food. You can also feed your cat some tuna, in place of wet food, as an occasional treat.

Take a trip down the treat aisle at the pet store, and you will see row after row of treats. While most of them are fine for your cat, keep in mind that treats should be given as such, and should not be fed to your cat in excess as this can cause an unhealthy weight gain.

Kittens, unlike full grown cats, DO need milk, but the milk they need is their mother's. The mother's milk is full of all the fat, protein and antibodies that a kitten needs to grow and survive. Until a kitten is weaned, approximately four weeks after birth, a kitten should have only milk. NEVER give a kitten cow's milk. Obviously, the ideal milk is that from the kitten's mother. If this is not possible due the kitten being abandoned or orphaned, you will need to feed a substitute that should be available at your local pet store. The kitten will need to be fed this milk substitute several times a day. While the pet store personnel can probably answer most of your questions about caring for abandoned kitten, you should consult a veterinarian to be sure that the kitten is getting exactly what it needs.

The bottom line is that milk is not necessary for a cat, but as long as she seems able to tolerate it, an occasional bowl isn't going to hurt.

David Beart is the owner of www.professorshouse.com [http://www.professorshouse.com]. Our site covers cat information [http://www.professorshouse.com/pets/cats/cats.aspx], household finances, family forums [http://www.professorshouse.com/forum], recipes and other household issues.

Steroids Should Be Allowed In Pro Sports

If you read most sports columnists and listen to the blathering of politicians, it’s just awful that athletes have taken steroids and, by using them, have found the added power to break records.

I suppose these critics would like to turn the page back before Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa were having that spectacular, summer long home run derby. To me, that was one of the greatest personal rivalries in the history of sport.

So, now we hear they were juiced, pumped to the gills with chemicals.

Who isn’t?

That gal at the office who has been chatting her way to sale after sale, secretly powered by diet pills, should she give back the company paid vacation she won in the recent sales contest?

Should her name be stricken from the corporate record books and that plaque on the wall be removed, the one proclaiming her to be the best of all time?

The shareholders don’t care.

She lit a fire under other reps, including every woman in the place who admired her run for the gold, and sought to outdo their “personal bests.”

Last year’s winner, Bill, was also juiced most of the time. Word has it he schmoozed and boozed his way to more than one big sale. That extra scotch habit may have given him all the confidence he needed.

What about those actors and actresses that binge and purge to fit the part? George Clooney put on an extra 40 pounds for his Academy Award winning turn in “Syriana,” possibly using more than chocolate shakes to put it on and then to take it off.

Heck, even the great Babe Ruth played drunk, arguably better drunk. Who will ever know?

Mickey Mantle, was also known to self-medicate, otherwise, the excruciating pain in his legs might not have carried him around the bases after his homers.

Let’s not dismantle the trophy case or disinherit some of the best athletes of all time.

I don’t care if they’re juiced. I want to see the best performances from the best athletes, and if they accomplish this through some chemical experimentation, no problem!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, "The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable," published by Nightingale-Conant. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He holds the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.