Not only is May Sustainability Month, it is also Bike Safety Month! Follow BAL-4 & B-T as they learn about reusable bike tires.
.jpg)
Romantic Classic Films from the 1930s and 1940s
May 10, 2012 By
With the recent success of the film The Artist, movie lovers are beginning to take a look back at the golden era of movies. Many classic movies are available to the public, and they are all worth a screening. Below are a few classic romances from Hollywood's hay-day. Try watching one next time you'd like to have a nostalgiac movie night at home at NSA Saratoga Springs Homes.
Gone With The Wind
Set during the Civil War era of the South, this movie-version of Margaret Mitchell’s great novel encompasses one of the most legendary movie romances of all time between Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler.
The Philadelphia Story
This adorable 1940 romantic comedy stars Jimmy Stewart and Katharine Hepburn, and packs in the laughs and love equally. It centers around a socialite’s wedding that is disrupted by the arrival of her ex-husband, and, as you might expect, old flames re-ignite and cause quite a raucous!
The Red Shoes
This classic 1948 drama portrays the world of ballet. This film is widely considered one of the best British films of all time. A young dancer needs to decide between dance and love — the emotions in this film truly light up the screen.
City Lights
This Charlie Chaplin silent film proves that love does not need words to grow. When the Little Tramp comes across a poor flower girl, the pair’s lives intersect in a number of situations before they find each other at the end.
Grand Hotel
This blockbuster is one of the most magnificent MGM films of the 30s. This epic drama stars some of the biggest names of the time for a compelling tale that incorporates romance, action, intrigue, and more.
BAL-4 & B-T Learn to Pack a Waste-Free Lunch
May 7, 2012 By
Flower Facts For Spring
May 3, 2012 By
With warmer weather just around the corner, it’s impossible not to look forward to the brilliant blossoms that come with Spring. Most of us appreciate flowers for their vivid colors and lovely scents, but there are many fascinating aspects to floral life that go beyond mere beauty. Below are five interesting facts about flowers that will help you appreciate them on a whole new level:
Dandy Dandelions
One doesn’t often think of snacking on dandelions, but it’s a little-known fact that they are packed with nutrients that can help keep people healthy and strong. These springtime blooms abound with vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and potassium. Believe it or not, one cup of dandelion greens contains 7,000 – 13,000 I.U of vitamin A. So, enjoy your flowers and eat them too!
Warring Roses
Did you know that in fifteenth century England roses were viewed as the figurative representations of the country’s two warring groups? Though today, they're associated with love and romance, in the 1400s, red roses symbolized the Lancaster faction and white roses represented the York faction. Because of these associations, the battle between Lancaster and York became known as “The War of The Roses.”
Lotus Lore
The lotus flower, which blooms in wetlands and rivers, was lauded by ancient Egyptians as a sacred flower. They viewed it as a symbol of eternal life and resurrection because of its ability to lie dormant through dry seasons and then bloom once more with the return of water.
Thistle History
When the ancient Vikings invaded Scotland, the thorns of the wild thistle slowed them down and hampered their invasion. While the Vikings were delayed amidst the thorny thistle, the Scots were able to escape the onslaught. Hence, wild thistle became the national flower of Scotland.
World’s Smallest Flower
The Wolffia flower is so small that a bouquet of a dozen of them would fit on the head of a pin. Wolffia, which is native to Australia and Malaysia, blooms on the surface of streams and ponds. To give you a more concrete idea of the size of an individual Wolffia blossom, consider this: the plant’s body is 0.6-0.9 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm wide.
May is Sustainability Month: Follow BAL-4 & B-T as They Learn to Make a Difference
May 1, 2012 By
Balfour Beatty has declared May as Sustainability Month. Throughout the month, employees across all our offices will be learning about ways they can implement sustainable behaviors and practices in the office, at home and throughout the greater community. Sustainability is a collective responsibility. We encourage you to follow BAL-4 and B-T each month to learn about ways you too can make a difference.
.jpg)
Scientific Discoveries That Changed The World
April 26, 2012 By
Every day, we enjoy the benefits brought about by countless scientific innovations. If you’re looking to enliven your day with some fascinating knowledge, read on to learn more about four scientific breakthroughs that have made the world a better place:
Isaac Newton and Gravity
Isaac Newton, an English mathematician and physicist, discovered gravity in 1664. His light-bulb ‘ah-ha!’ moment came when he made the realization that a force exists which draws objects toward each other. He recognized that this force explains why objects fall down and why planets orbit around the sun. His discoveries led him to name and define the properties of gravity, one of the most important scientific achievements of all time.
Louis Pasteur and Health
French chemist Louis Pasteur was a major figure in the study and treatment of human disease. His experiments with bacteria during the 1860’s led to the discovery that disease comes from microorganisms and that bacteria can be eradicated through heat and disinfectant. His work spurred doctors to start using life-saving sanitary practices in their profession, such as hand-washing and instrument sterilization.
Watson & Crick and DNA
In 1953, American James Watson and Englishman Francis Crick discovered the double-helix structure of DNA. Their work led them to realize that DNA is made up of two interlacing strands possessing a limitless variety of chemical patterns that create instructions for the human body to follow. Their Nobel Prize winning discovery has been a major breakthrough in the study of genetics and it has helped doctors gained a more detailed understanding of how disease works in the human body.
Wilhelm Roentgen and X-Rays
Roentgen was a German physicist who discovered X-rays in 1895. His work showed that X-rays have the ability to go through certain substances, such as flesh and wood, but not through other substances like bones and lead. Because of his breakthroughs, doctors attained the ability to use X-ray technology to spot broken bones and many other conditions within the human body.
Healthy Pack-It-Yourself Lunches For The Office
April 12, 2012 By
For many Americans, lunch is the least healthy meal of the day because of shrinking lunch breaks and fast food options on every corner. Packing your own lunch to bring with you to work is much healthier, but it can be time-consuming and at times inconvenient. Below are a few ideas for high-quality, convenient lunches to pack at home.
Salads are an excellent way to keep lunch extra healthy. Top them with leans grilled or baked chicken and make sure to add some extras like nuts, dried fruit, or veggies for added texture and flavor. Opt for a light oil & vinegar style dressing rather than creamy options to keep the fat and calories to a minimum.
Pasta is a filling yet inexpensive meal to pack for lunch, but there are a few tricks to make it even healthier. Mix in a can of beans for protein and fiber, add in lots of vegetables, and top it with a lean protein like salmon or chicken to keep you satisfied until dinner time.
Wraps made with low-calorie tortillas and roasted veggies are a great alternative to bulky sandwiches filled with cheese and mayonnaise. Use a healthy spread, like hummus, to give it a little flavor and texture.
Egg salad is a great way to get protein and good fats into your diet. Instead of serving it on a bready sandwich, accompany it with crisp arugula or watercress, and add in a variety of fresh, sliced vegetables.
Tuna is packed with healthy protein and essential fatty acids that truly satisfy! Instead of mixing it with mayo, try using a low-calorie dressing, hummus, or pesto to keep it extra healthy. Then enjoy it as wrap or on a salad.
Not Alone Program for Military Families Affected by War
April 9, 2012 By
We would like to take the time to familiarize our residents with a helpful program that supports military families whose lives are affected by war. Not Alone, a non-profit organization, aims to “empower warriors and their families in their life after war.”
Not Alone provides many different avenues for receiving anonymous and confidential support at no cost, including:
- eGroups
- Training
- Workshops
- Personal Clinical Care for anything including post-traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression, and medical management
- Forums/Discussion Boards
- Social Networks
- Retreats for warriors and for spouses
- eClinic
Not Alone hosts weekly online groups for spouses on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Caregiver/Spouse Support Groups are held on Wednesday nights. The first Wednesday of every month is an open topic, with the rest of the Wednesdays dedicated to our series, 7 Lives of Military wives. Thursdays are Trench Talk, an open forum discussion revolving around deployment cycle issues.
To enter the group, go to http://notalone.webex.com
Under the "Today" tab, join the session up to 30 minutes before start time.
Wednesday password: "spouses"
Thursday password: "trenchtalk"
Are you unsure whether or not you should seek support? To determine your stress and anxiety levels, take Not Alone’s free Stress Assessment Test.
If you’re looking for immediate assistance, please contact the Not Alone eClinic, a 24/7 hotline at 1-866-781-8010.
For further information about Not Alone, visit their website at: http://notalone.com. You can also follow Not Alone on Facebook and Twitter.
Top Foods For Healthy Teeth
April 5, 2012 By
We all know that brushing and flossing every day is essential for good dental care. But did you know that your diet can also make a big difference in the health of your teeth? Below is a list of foods that are essential for your enamel and gums.
One of the best foods in terms of dental care is celery. The stringy vegetable requires you to chew it thoroughly and produce extra saliva, which washes away bacteria. It also helps massage your gums and clean between your teeth.
If you’re hankering for a beverage that has positive oral effects, green tea is an obvious choice. This tea contains chemicals called catechins that naturally kill plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth before they can attach to your teeth and cause build-up.
Did you know that our long-past ancestors had remarkably healthy, powerful teeth? Doctors attribute this to a diet heavy in seeds. Seeds are great for naturally abrading teeth to clean away other food residue. Try sesame seeds — they are particularly great for this.
And, of course, the absolute best thing you can put in your mouth to prevent tooth decay is lots and lots of H2O. Water keeps your gums moist, washes away food residue and nasty bacteria, and keeps you hydrated as an added bonus!
