Yak Max

We’re a meat and potatoes family. While I have lightened my daily menu for health reasons, there are those times when I want to treat my family, meal guests or have a pot-luck meal to attend for which I need a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish. Any of these easy mashed potato bake recipes will do the…

Often in the MLB, players take a step backwards after excelling in their rookie seasons. Teams have video of their swings or their tendencies on the mound, and are able to better exploit their weaknesses. These players need to make adjustments in order to maintain their rookie success. Here are some of the second year…

Abuse in relationships is a form of mind control. That mind control is how the abuser makes you feel bad, so they can be obeyed without being questioned. As I have previously posted, I am a survivor of abuse. As the process of recovery began, I learned some helpful techniques to eliminate the effects of…

Black Widow is one of the most powerful heroes you get during the early levels of Marvel: Avengers Alliance. In fact, she continues to be an effective hero throughout the game. If you want to increase her utility even more, she has two different alternate costumes which can offer her a new class or new…

I always find it interesting when a heterosexual thinks they have the ability to understand what makes someone gay. Texas governor Rick Perry compared being gay to being an alcoholic. Speaking in San Francisco Wednesday night, Gov. Perry said, “Whether or not you feel compelled to follow a particular lifestyle or not, you have the…

All one has to do right now is watch TV to self-diagnose your watery eyes and sneezing as allergies, if you hadn’t already figured that out. Pharmaceutical companies’ marketing has kicked into high gear hawking their anti-allergy, or antihistamine, medications. Ironically, this is exactly what your own immune system is doing if you are among…

I have decided that I am going to use my social security benefits as a short-term life insurance policy. We all know that you can begin collecting social security at ages that range from 62 to 70; bracketing your full retirement age which is basically between 66 and 67. If your retirement age was 65,…

If you are one of the many people who are starting to think about what to get your dad for Father’s Day, why not surprise him this year with something he will love and not see coming. Sure, you could get him another watch, tie, wallet, or some other typical father’s day item, but there…

Gardening is a fun and therapeutic activity, but it doesn’t only have to be for adults. Children can benefit from gardening just as well. In fact, including your children in the family garden can be a fun way for them to become involved and learn responsibility. It is also a great family activity in which…

Texas barbecue is legendary. Every small town and big city claims to have the best. McKinney is no exception. But whereas most other Texas towns crown brisket as king, McKinney is a pork barbecue loving town. Of course, all the barbecue joints offer amazing food. Here’s how to find them all. Hutchins BBQ A McKinney…

Macau is a special administrative district of China, similar to Hong Kong. It is often called the Sin City of China, a reference to Las Vegas, which it surpassed in gaming revenues in 2007. Gambling has a long history in Macau, dating back to Portuguese colonization in the 1850s. The original casinos were called fantan…

Two mass abductions of Nigerian school girls in recent weeks have rallied the international community to offer Nigeria assistance in finding its missing children. As reported by Fox News, the American, British and French governments have joined the search effort to recover the approximately 275 missing girls. Boko Haram says some of the girls have…

It’s early on a Saturday and I sit sipping a Starbucks dark roast at Longo Toyota in El Monte, California. The very kind Service Rep slips into the chair across from me to deliver the news that the dealership will discount the replacement of a broken knob on my dashboard. The repair of the offending…

Easter Sunday is the day when Christians all over the world join to remember and celebrate the return to life of the one we call Jesus, the Christ. In more traditional and/or conservative congregations, Easter is referred to as Resurrection Sunday because, like Christmas, Easter is becoming more and more a secular celebration. When Is…

Sure, we all enjoyed watching “The Sting” and felt more than a little respect and admiration for the con artists played by Newman and Redford. And, after all, they were only targeting mean old Robert Shaw, so it was perfectly legitimate for us to root for them. In the real world, however, the type of…

Singing “America Pie” along with Don McLean and a thousand other baby boomers at the Crest Theater in Sacramento last night could be as close as I ever come to feeling that religious high people get singing hymns at church on Sunday. I had watched “Don McLean: American Troubador” on PBS last fall so I…

Social media is possibly one of the best things to happen in recent years, especially where businesses are concerned. Social media allows business owners connect with a wider audience, and this is especially true for small to medium-sized organizations where there could be a lot to accomplish with limited resources. Starting a business can be…

No matter the type of music that appeals to you, there is probably going to be a concert this summer which will suit your style and locating inexpensive concert tickets is easier then you may think. Some music blogs are reporting that concert tickets are selling well, even in light of the hard economic times….

San Franciscans love their weekend brunches. Whether getting up late after a wild night out on the town or gathering to catch up with friends and family, denizens of the City by the Bay flock to any number of outstanding brunch spots on Saturdays and, especially, Sundays. In a city known for its outstanding food…

Marvel has created a host of incredible characters and these characters drive amazing stories. There are two teams of heroes that are worthy of comparison. The Starjammers is a team of misfits who are forced together by circumstances not unlike the Avengers. There are some similarities between the two super powered teams. Not all of…

Channing Tatum is one of the most entertaining actors in Hollywood. He has been in a number of great movies, including 21 Jump Street, Magic Mike, and White House Down. Here are 10 interesting facts about him: 10 Interesting Facts About Channing Tatum #1: The first interesting fact is that he has a model for…

Recently, I’ve been trying to scale back on some of the possessions I’ve accumulated over the years. Although I pale in comparison to people you may see on an episode of Hoarders, I do have a hard time parting with some things I’ve owned since I was a child. While opening a box of books…

In T.S. Eliot’s The Wasteland, he makes an allusion to the thwarted lovers in Wagner’s operatic version of Tristan and Isolde to highlight the absence of love in the barren setting of the modern world. The allusion is made in “The Burial of the Dead,” the narrator states, Frisch weht der Wind Der Heimat zu…

So it’s a weekend night, and you are relaxing at home, not thinking about your mundane 9 to 5 job. A commercial comes across the television of a swanky guy with a swanky girl clinging on to his arm as they step foot into a casino. Lights blaring, people laughing, everyone is having a good…

The video game website Good Old Games (GOG.com) is primarily devoted to sale and distribution of popular retro video games. But, as a source of sales for cheap, DRM free games, it is also a popular distribution site for newer indie games. Many of the best indie games are released on GOG.com even as they…

The Department of Education has stated that public schools must educate all students within their districts despite if they are undocumented or not. This issue of education for illegal immigrants and their children is one that is starting to get some people a little hot under the collar in Georgia. My opinion on this subject…

No advice or directions in an article could move you out of depression on those bad days. I find myself in a deepening pit of despair, too, as a bipolar person trying to live a stable life. The best I can offer you is my empathy and understanding. On those bad days, I go back…

Along the Baraboo River the Ringling Brothers of circus fame organized their Greatest Show on Earth in the late 19th Century. Winters found the Ringlings organizing, scheduling their performances and rail transportation, hiring the best new circus talent, repairing circus tents and costumes, housing and feeding great circus animals, and creating new displays and acts…

No matter how old you are when you become a parent, people will come out of the woodwork with advice. What is it about the experience of being a parent that makes them believe they are an authority? This advice is doled out as if they have done it right. I can see if it…

Eerie eateries are one of those rare locations that give reason for your inner spook to come out. Luckily for paranormal enthusiasts who happen to live in Midwestern Ohio in Clinton County, the Snow Hill Country Club in New Vienna, Ohio is not only packed with an array of eerie occurrences, it has a host…

A desert vacation offers a multitude of delights, from gazing at a mesmerizing dark night’s sky filled with millions upon millions of bright glowing stars to taking part in outdoor pursuits under bright blue skies or just relaxing at the pool, soaking in the sunshine. Here is a look at five of the best destinations…

Sports are unpredictable and baseball is no different. The 2014 season approaching, these are a few of my predictions. Standings There will be few surprises this season when it comes to capturing the division. The Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers will win in the American League with the Washington Nationals, St. Louis…

Masters of Rome consists of seven books spanning history from 110 BC to 27 BC… a time when the Republic of Rome was suffering a downward spiral. It was a continual fight of unending battles to conquer land and maintain control over Italy and adjoining territories of which the majority of population were not eligible…

The word “normal” can have positive, neutral, and negative connotations. For example, if you say your day was “normal,” maybe you were pain-free for the first time all month, maybe you nothing strange happened, or maybe you were bored. Well, to call humans or God “normal” may sound insulting. Young Americans learn in school that…

Some birds prefer to eat their food on the ground, while others prefer hanging feeders. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, creepers and other tree-climbing birds often dine vertically. Besides eating insects they find in trees, they hide seeds and other tidbits in cracks and crevices of bark, wood posts and other handy locations. If you want to attract…

With deep roots in the feminist movement and a shared passion for international music and dance, Libana continues to give voice to women’s history and social change. Comprised of four original members plus one who joined two years later and a “newbie” on the block who has been a member of the group for 22…

When it to comes to early childhood education, you can’t deny that children learn from, not only traditional means, such as school, but also by what they see and hear around them. It is essential for children to learn according to their age group, and with Pre-K, there is so much that they can see…

Mileage taxes may be the federal government’s answer to the lack of cash to repair the decaying highway infrastructure. The black boxes would fit onto the dashboard of our vehicles, following our every move and then handing us a supposedly monthly or yearly bill. A pay-per-mile driven tax has once again proposed to help cover…

My travel disaster story is one that dates back to 2009. My grandparents decided to take what they called a fun filled trip with my children and me. Now, my kids were aged four, two and nine months so I was hesitant at first to go on what they called an adventure to their favorite…

My husband and I pulled into the rental car return at San Francisco International Airport. We were flying back home to Tampa with my 10-year-old cat that got carsick during the 6-hour car ride from northern California. After a few stops and hitting morning rush hour traffic in an unfamiliar city, things got stressful. We…

With deluxe rooms in Southern California’s five-star resort hotels approaching $1,000 per night, ocean front rooms executive suites can typically reach $1,500 per night. I’ve been looking into luxury vacation home rentals, where you get a complete home for that same nightly budget. In beautiful La Jolla, I had a chance to stay at a…

The day dawned with six inches of fresh snow on the ground and no school because of it. Coordination was made for the hunting party to assemble at 1400 hours. The magic time arrived and the five cousins gathered in a circle around the father / uncle to listen to their final instructions. “Okay, this…

Statistics say that one in every seven seniors live in poverty. Most elderly people are on a fixed income that is barely above the poverty line. It is barely enough for their basic living expenses which consist of housing, food, health care and transportation. The majority of these elderly people are over the age of…

Comparatively, the Final Fantasy series is reasonably gender neutral. Most of the games have a roughly even mix of male and female playable characters and Final Fantasy V actually had more playable female characters than male characters. It isn’t perfect. Male characters still tend to get the lead roles and females are often depicted as…

Indianapolis offers several options for women who are searching for specialty gyms that do not allow men. These gyms are designed to cater to women’s specific exercise needs and have professionals trained to provide help for a variety of services. Push Fitness For Women Located on the northeast side of Indianapolis, Push Fitness For Women…

While no one in their right mind would generally turn down a raise, I recently found out that by getting a raise I would actually be losing money. Due to the way tax brackets work, I was just below the threshold for a bracket and upon getting a raise jumped into the next bracket. What…

The Washington Redskins continue to get a lot of attention for all of the wrong reasons. The main story for them has been the team name and whether or not they should change it because many Native Americans are offended. The Redskins get all of the attention for offending people with their nickname even though…

The world often applauds teachers who teach students with academic, physical, mental, and behavioral disabilities. Those accolades are definitely needed as teaching regular education students can make you pull your hair out alone, but teaching special education students is different. Students with academic, physical, and mental disabilities can be hard work and challenging, but teaching…

Spring is a time of new beginnings, and this is especially true when it comes to Americans and their self-care routines. Self-care is a practice that uses techniques meant to benefit our mental, physical, and emotional selves to improve our overall health. Things like yoga and exercise, meditation, and even that weekly night out with…

The Biblical references in this essay come from the Jerusalem Bible and may read very differently from other sources. When my spiritual and moral bearings began to change, back in the early 70’s, as the Western Christian perspective began to open up to the Eastern philosophies, I began to notice an appreciation for nature and…

You can use some simple scavenger hunt ideas to create an exciting team-based pasttime in or out of the office. Forget about high costs or complicated settings, just take advantage of the things you have available, and go with it. As long as at least one member of each team has a phone with the…

Negotiating price on a new or used car is something that some people seem to have a natural ability for, and yet others have a very difficult time with. However, the old adage that one should never just pay the ticket price on a car is still very true, and being willing to haggle can…

Are you looking for some easy money making ideas? The easier the better, right? Easy money isn’t always the best money. If you put more time and effort into anything, you can earn more. However, all of the following money making ideas can be easy or hard. Use them the easy way, and you’ll make…

The Red Sox are a veteran filled ball club. Players like David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, and even Jon Lester have been faces of the franchise for years. Other players like Shane Victorino and Mike Napoli bring plenty of experience to the field each day. But, the future of the Red Sox hinges on some of…

There are just some things you never lose a taste for regardless if they are discontinued or not. I catch myself at times daydreaming about some of the foods that are no longer with us that I had growing up. I am sure you have the same mouth-watering times that pop into your head from…

Centuries ago, cosmetics were made from natural ingredients, such as berries, beeswax and honey. Today, ingredients such as coal tar, mercury and diazolidinyl urea (a known formaldehyde releaser) are found throughout the cosmetic industry and in nearly every product. The earliest known cosmetic is still in use today, although it may contain preservatives. It is…

There are hundreds of pop songs with a number as part of the titles. Quite a few of them reached number one on the “Billboard” Hot 100 singles chart. Here is a list of them, but with some ground rules. 1. The number cannot be used more than once. Example: If “One Bad Apple” by…

Lemonade stands have been the staple of entrepreneurship in the United States for generations. Children seeking to raise cash for a school fundraiser, charitable organization or additional spending money would usually launch a lemonade stand and charge customers about a nickel or a dime for a cup. Although the government has begun to crack down…

So you’ve decided to build your own computer and create a system that’s just right for your needs. That’s great because this means you won’t be overpaying for the parts that you’ll never use. That is, if you know what you are doing. Newbie users often don’t know where to start, not to mention being…

I was not certain that I was going to have a garden this year. I did some reading on the internet and discovered Square Foot Gardening. I became very inspired by it and decided that it was what I wanted to do. I had my husband make me a few boxes. We did two 4…

Apple Says They’ll Respond, iOS Platform App SoulbeTM Already Has Las Vegas – [April 6, 2014] SoulbeTM, the Las Vegas based, minority-owned start-up, has already stepped up to the plate as the solution to the ongoing requests for more culturally ‘inclusive emojis’. If you’re a hardcore techie, you’re most likely aware of the latest buzz…

Character restricted empowered ISOs are some of the most powerful ISOs in Marvel: Avengers Alliance. Many of them drastically improve heroes as well as, or even better than, an alternate uniform. The majority of these ISOs are acquired in heroic battles in season 2. The empowered ISOs belonging to the Warriors Three are also acquired…

A proper diet is more important to our bodies than most people realize. Most people achieve success while under a certain diet plan, but that does not mean results will show forever. Your body always needs change and something new. Whether that means a slight change in your diet or a complete makeover. Here is…

How positive are you that the food you prepare for meals at home is safe? Don’t even worry about how safe the food is that is prepared for your meals at restaurants; even if you come down with food poisoning, the government is not going to let you know what specific restaurants is serving the…

According to the Huffington Post, libraries are working to bridge the cultural divide in readers because a “child’s lack of exposure to other cultures, [can fuel] intolerance and cultural invisibility.” Diversity in Young Adult and Middle Grade books got a huge boost this week from a group of authors, publishers, and bloggers who declared that…

The concept of global village is emerging with improved and easy communication across all regions of the world. World is shrinking into a closely-knit unit, thanks to the advent of modern technology. For example, Internet makes the boundaries between nations vanish. Anybody from any part of the world can still keep in touch with the…

Newlywed couples are usually elated when they open up their wedding gifts and are delighted with the variety of things to start their new lives together. And when they are the recipients of monetary gifts those dollar bills put a certain smile on their faces. But before you spend that money frivolously, give thought to…

Epsom Salt is an excellent source of magnesium, and can be used in many different ways. Since it is all natural, it can be used for many great alternatives to traditional household items or medicines that contain harsh chemicals and additives. Keep reading to find out 5 natural ways to use epsom salt. 1.) Bath…

Armchair admirals and amateur historians love to ask “what if” questions. One of my favorites is “who would have dominated the seas if there were no aircraft carriers during World War 2 and if land-based aviation were limited to an observation role?” Why do I ask? I ask because the conventional battleship reached technological maturity…

I wish I could say I grew up always wanting to be a nurse or that I had the “calling.” But nothing could have been further from the truth. My mother was a nurse and my grandmother was a nurse, so I knew a lot about the job or so I thought. I was very…

If you’ve been looking at diets and ways to lose weight, you’ve probably been looking for ways to give your metabolism a boost for better workouts and increased fat burning. A metabolism boost will allow you to work out longer and let your body use and store foods appropriately. We all know that the older…

If you are a senior planning a Route 66 road trip vacation, you’re in luck. All along Route 66 are great opportunities for securing discounts on food, lodging and attractions. While the discounts aren’t huge, they can add up to $100-$200 worth of savings by the end of the trip. Here are a few places…

There are certain things that, as a female movie fan, you just get used to. For example, the tendency to replace characterization with buzzwords like “strong” and “feisty”. But some female-centered issues have gotten to a ridiculous level. This article will cover three mistakes that 21st century movie-makers have got to stop making when it…

At the Eight restaurant in Macau, premium service is a trademark. Guests are served in descending order according to honor: oldest female first. And if a server spots that a diner is left handed, the chopstick holders are discretely switched for accommodation. That kind of high-end service is becoming more desired in Los Angeles clubs….

Des Moines has plenty of free and cheap activities to keep families busy, and Earth Day is no different. But most of the activities don’t actually happen on Earth Day, which is April 22. Check the dates on these events before you head out to celebrate the environment. Earth Day in the Junction The Valley…

If you weren’t aware of the toxic products lurking in your shower before you were expecting, chances are your research during pregnancy may have provided some shocking insights into ingredients you should be avoiding. For example, up until the end of 2013, Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo contained formaldehyde – a carcinogen that people of…

My job as a personal trainer is to have my clients, who want to burn a lot of fat, engage in compound lower body movements, and one of my favorite is the squat to lunge exercise. The squat to lunge workout is exactly what the name says: squat, then go into a lunge. This can…

God is someone different to each and every one of us. He’s a protector to some, a healer to others and a father to me. Whether I truly recognized it or not, God as always been a part of my life. I’ve always keep Him close from the time I was a child to now….

For the first time in nearly three years, visitors will be able to climb the Washington Monument. The re-opening is slated for May 12. The shutdown was the result of a 5.8 magnitude earthquake which struck the DC region in September 2011, the Consumerist noted. Engineers rappelled themselves down the sides of the Monument to…

Drive-in movie theaters were a childhood highlight of mine growing up in Detroit. The big screen, outdoor playground, and popcorn made for the perfect night. I still remember watching in awe “The Planet of the Apes.” Although fewer in number, the great outdoor movie tradition is not obsolete. The following are three locations where Metro…

The Grimm’s fairy tale princesses who star in their own Disney movies are impossibly angelic. Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty are so kind and sweet that wild animals don’t fear them. The power of their virtue can melt the heart of the grumpiest of dwarfs, and it can even make mice sew beautiful ball…

When examining the roles and expectations for women during the early Modern period, there is a lot of conflicting opinion and ideology. This is evidenced in Webster’s choice in the tragic figure of the Duchess, a contradiction of what was expected and acceptable in society, by virtue of her power. Webster illustrates in these dualities…

There are many well-known medical sites that praise themselves for providing the readers the most reliable and updated information about how to prevent and reduce the risks of a stroke. The problem is that even when these sites do provide excellent information, in most cases, the reading material they provide lacks validity and reliability. When…

My daughter lived in Paris, France, for a couple of years. She said it took a while for the French to “open up,” but when they did, they formed strong long-lasting bonds with each other and also foreigners. I guess you could say it’s the opposite with Americans, at least on the East Coast. Foreigners…

Having children propels our society, economy, and way of life. Without children, society does not advance and the hope we have for the future fades. Yet for this gay man, children are not in his future because of obvious biological roadblocks, societal challenges in raising children, and financial concerns. Two men do not make a…

Motion sickness is a very uncomfortable condition. Unfortunately, it will prevent you from enjoying a spectacular trip. Motion sickness usually causes nausea, vomiting and even dizziness. Motion sickness can’t be completely avoided. However, it can easily be treated or prevented, by simple home remedies. Here are a few great remedies below: Sit In The Right…

I have been using Pepcid AC for my cat for over a year. I give him 1/4 tablet twice a day and combined with some other meds and supplements he has been nearly symptom free for about a year. He is also on a low dose of prednisone to keep the inflammation down but we…

Now that we’ve come through the cold and are beginning to see the summer sun on the other side, it’s time to start thinking about some fun activities for friends and family to enjoy. Earth Day 2014 is quickly approaching and living in the Tri-State area gives you and your family more than one way…

My daughter is very intelligent for her age. Anna is 10 and currently in fifth grade. She is an independent thinker that doesn’t follow the crowd. She wears her hair short and unadorned in comparison to her peers. She doesn’t take much interest in clothing or clothing labels. She is a constant reader and reads…

As a father of three, one of the kids is always coming home from school with a new game to play with their friends. Here are some of their favorites at the moment. Cat Around The World – Explore the world with your cat friends and enjoy tasty and healthy snacks in each country. Part…