Best Farm-Raised Fish

Since childhood we have been hearing that fish is healthy food, especially for brain development. By the time we grew up, we learned about various types of fish and figured out which are the healthiest to eat. What most of us didn't realize until now, is that fish are either caught in the wild or are raised on fish farms. Well, fish farming is one of the major branches of mariculture and the most important branch of aquaculture. In the process of fish farming, fish are raised in man-made habitats like cages, ponds and tanks. Fish that are raised in fish farms look healthier and they also provide a source of earning to the fish marketers. Having said that, there are quite a lot of issues that are related with the health effects of eating farm-raised fish. According to the experts, eating this fish is unhealthy and can act as an open invitation to numerous health conditions. While another stream of thought says that certain types of farm-raised fish do not cause any harm. Such debates are likely to confuse common fish consumers like you and me.

Types of Farm-Raised Fish
Fish farming is a major industry in various countries, including the United States of America. Be it for recreational fishing or food fishing, fish farms do produces tons of different types of fish and seafood like shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, crabs and lobsters. However, as far as food fish are concerned, fish farmers mostly raise popular and large fish types like Atlantic salmon, tilapia, catfish, rainbow trout, European seabass, cobia, carp fish, codfish, etc. All types of fish including freshwater and saltwater fish are raised in various fish farms across the globe. When it comes to the best fish for fish farming at home, experts suggest fish species like blue tilapia, channel catfish and rainbow trout; since these fish are easy to grow fish for amateurs. All in all, amongst all the types of farm-raised fish, certain fish like tilapia, salmon, carps and codfish are the most popular food fish amongst fish lovers. Naturally, these fish are the best and the most profitable fish for their farmers too. Raising these fish definitely gives them an economical advantage and a chance to excel in this business.

Benefits of Farm-Raised Fish
Despite the debate about low-grade farm-raised fish and its negative health effects, many experts suggest that one should choose this fish over ocean-raised fish and species that are found in the wild. However, it is important to understand that by farm-raised fish, they mean fish that are raised on organic fish farms. According to the experts, ocean-raised fish are highly contaminated with the metal pollutants and other environmental dirt and debris which is present in the ocean water. Certain carnivorous fish like salmon which are raised in ocean farms; may have a high saturation of mercury and fats. Hence, organic is the best label that everyone should look for while purchasing fish in fish markets. They also claim that all the fish with fins and scales are the best farm-raised fish to eat. Fish like seabass, sardine, salmon, trouts, red snapper, mackerel, etc. can be eaten if they are organic. Such fish are also known as 'kosher fish', that should be consumed by fish eaters. One thing is clear that most fish like farm-raised salmon, cod and tilapia are unhealthy. Let's get to know the reasons for such claims made by the experts.

Contamination of Farm-Raised Fish
Most of you must be aware of various study reports and media claims about the side effects of farm-raised fish that have been raised in the recent past. Contaminated fish is one of the most controversial matters with a huge difference of opinions. Understand that omnivorous fish does not require animal or fish meat in their fish food. Carnivorous fish on the other hand need freshly caught fish like menhaden and anchovies, rather than plant protein sources. Neglecting these rules, leads to production of unhealthy breeding of farm-raised fish. Such fish are loaded with unhealthy fats, and calories that are harmful for people who are consuming them. Antibiotics and pesticides that are added to the fish farm habitats get directly into the system of these fish and as a result, they indirectly enter the systems of people who eat these fish. The biggest cause of concern for fish like farm-raised tilapia, salmon, cod, carp and other farm-raised fish is their altered nutritional values. Although fish are a rich source of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids; the effects of incorrect ratio of these nutrients are pretty devastating.

Side Effects of Farm-Raised Fish
As I mentioned in the above section, farm-raised fish that are fed on foods like fish meal, bone meal, soy meal and cornmeal develop short chemical chains of omega 3 fatty acids and long chemical chains of omega 6 fatty acids. As a result of this, these fish become unhealthy and a cause of concern for the people who are already at risk of various health conditions like cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol levels, and obesity. These fish also contain arachidonic acid (AA) and harmful chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Presence of these components is extremely harmful for overall health of a person. Presence of arachidonic acid and polychlorinated biphenyls increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and various types of cancer, respectively. Although the polychlorinated biphenyls are banned in USA, they might still be found in certain fish food sources like animal fats. As a result of all this, these fish do pose a lot of health related issues for all of us. As I mentioned earlier, when you consume healthy and organic farm-raised fish, you remain miles away from dangers of eating contaminated fish.

The Verdict
Well, as we reach towards the end of this article, I would like to advise you some of the healthy tips that various experts have suggested for those who consume farm-raised fish, on a regular basis. As we all know, fish like salmon, carp and tilapia are some of the best farm-raised types of fish that you may choose to eat. However, it is important that one should not choose any type of fish that has no certification or label from the manufacturer, guaranteeing that the fish is 'organic' or healthy for consumption. You may also like to try wild fish types like albacore tuna, mackerel, herring, lake trout and sardines as they are much more healthier. In the end, as the experts suggest, eating organic fish is the best option for all the fish lovers like you and me.

On a parting note, all that I would like to say that rather than looking for convenience or cost of the fish, one should always look for the short term as well as long term health effects of the fish that one is eating. Wild or organic farm-raised fish might be expensive, but they also assure you that you are eating healthy food.

How to Draw a Tree

Nature drawing was one of the subjects I learnt while studying for my diploma in animation film-making. My classmates and I used to enjoy searching for trees that would be good sketching subjects. We used to sit in the sun and sketch for hours and be rewarded with mosquito bites for our dedication! Jokes aside, nature drawing is one the most interesting arts and crafts and is easy for someone to learn, especially because one doesn't need to have perfect proportions of the branches, leaves or foliage. So, let us get started...

Steps to Draw Trees

Here is a basic sketch of a tree. You can also use these steps, which are either deciduous or evergreen.

Step 1: Drawing the Basic Form of Trees
The first thing one has to do is to find a good subject. For reference, you can either use pictures of trees, or go outdoors and select a tree suitable for drawing. If you are sketching outdoors make sure you are sitting at a distance from where you can observe the tree in its entirety. The basic equipment required for drawing is a sketchpad, few pencils (6B), eraser, sharpener. If you can get a kneadable eraser, it will make the job of drawing trees easier, as it helps erase the drawing easily and prevents blackening of the paper. Now observe the tree and visualize it as if it is made of cylinders which are stacked over each other. Here, in the drawing below I have sketched cylinders for the tree trunk and the branches. As form drawing is very useful for getting the right shape and proportions of the tree. When drawing the form of the trees, make sure you use a light tone pencil like a 2B or 3B, or you can sketch with lesser pressure on the pencil and draw light strokes. You can also draw light ovals for the foliage if required.


Step 2: Outlining the Shape of Trees
Here in the second drawing of the tree, I have drawn the basic outlines of the trunk, the branches and the foliage. This is an important step and one needs to pay attention to outlining the negative spaces which are the empty gaps in the drawing. For example, the negative spaces in the drawing below are the spaces between the branches and the space between the branches and the foliage. When drawing the outlines of the tree, pay special attention to the places where the trunk and the branches join. The foliage outlines can be random and doesn't have to be perfect, but maintain the right shape of the foliage when outlining.


Step 3: Detailing and Shading
For this step, one needs patience and an eye for detailing. The most important thing to remember when shading the tree is to understand the light source. In the drawing below, the source of light is on the top right side. So, the top right side of the tree should look the brightest and the bottom left should look the darkest. Add details to the trunk and the foliage. For this use a sharp tipped pencil and draw lines to give the tree depth. If you are observing a tree outdoors, while adding details take your time to observe and then add the details. However, it is important that you don't add too many details, otherwise the drawing will become a mess, and it might look too dark and unattractive. For shading, use uniform parallel lines (hatching) and try to angle the lines in one direction. However, you can change the direction of the lines where the tree parts are bending. For example, in the picture below, the strokes for shading are different for the trunk and the branches. In a similar manner, add shading to the foliage, however do not overdo it. One of the sketching tips is to add little depth and texture to the foliage, and leaving the rest of the area empty. Also ignore drawing tree leaves, and just sketch the shape of the foliage.


Well, this was all about how to sketch trees, which is fairly easy to learn. So keep practicing and keep enjoying drawing the trees!

Architectural Drawing and Drafting Software

Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and other physical structures. Since we moved from our primitive abode, we started exploring and setting new milestones. What initially used to be jungles and mountains have taken shape into beautiful skyscrapers and monuments, which definitely represents the creative genius in us. Taj Mahal in India, along with other wonders is the evidence of this art of erecting dreams and the fact that these wonders have withstood the test of time emphasizes the science involved in making these dreams come true. Another example is The Great Sphinx of Egypt, one of the wonders of ancient Egyptian architecture, which adjoins the pyramids of Giza. It is 240 feet long and is approximately 4,500 years old.

Architectural drawing is the pre planning (plan & different cross sections) or vision put on papers before the building gets the final shape. Most important aspect of architectural drawing is the beauty combined with the strength. In architectural applications, aesthetic demands require greater attention as strength of the building is the subject matter of civil engineers.

Gone are the days when it used to take years to plan structures with drawing board, sheets, t-square, scales, drafter, pencil, eraser and lots of hard work. With the latest software available in the market everything has become so simple. Today all we need is to put the dimensions and the virtual image comes up on the screen. Architectural designs have become so much simpler as every applicable standards, every factor of safety is taken care of.

These days many architectural design and architectural drafting programs in which one can acquire the fundamental skills in drafting and building designs are available such as AutoCAD which comes with many courses like Working Drawings and Building Systems. Yes! It is talent coupled with imagination, which allows one to excel in a specialized career, such as remodeling, and design of building. Many of the design and drafting students start their own businesses or work for giant design firms after graduation.

With the software available in the market, things have really become simple. These software are user-friendly and all you need is little imagination. All you will ever need comes inbuilt with these software; you can use the mouse, the keyboard, or a combination of both to build the plan. A full array of graphic drawing tools is provided and a host of pre-drawn figures are included to represent furniture, fixtures, windows, doors and so forth. Complete instructions are provided at every step, which is very helpful and simple.

Some of the software available are

• Bentley Architecture: In their words "Bentley Architecture is an advanced, yet intuitive and easy-to-use architectural building information modeling (BIM) application that empowers architects and designers to create with unlimited freedom."
• Chief Architect: "Chief Architect is specifically designed for the residential and light commercial design professional. Chief Architect makes it easy for you to visualize your design ideas for your client's home or remodeling project. Move a wall, add a room, redesign a kitchen, change materials, estimate costs - all before you build."- chiefarchitect.com.

There are many more software, the famous ones being Home Plan Pro, Softplan Architectural Software, ViaCAD.

In case you are stuck and require help, technical support will definitely help you out. These software can be updated with time to keep up with the pace of technological advancement on daily basis. Of course one can get complete information on the net. There are many associations and groups on the net that can be very helpful plus the online library is a resource you can bank on. You might like to visit the bredemeyer.com, which I found to be a very good one.
No discussion about architecture can be completed without mentioning Howard Roark, the hero architect of Ayn Rand in Fountainhead. If your architect is not Howard Roark then you must take the initiative yourself. Someone else can never understand and see your vision completely and hence if I have to design a house for myself, I would rather do it myself. Of course the technical expertise has to be taken care of by the professionals and it is advisable also to take their help for safety and security reasons.

It is really amazing to use these software, which translate the dream into two and three-dimensional images and it is a great feeling to see your house much before it is completed...like baby in mother's womb, try it and I bet you won't regret.

How to Cook Flounder

Flounder is a flat fish which is abundantly available all round the world. The color of live flounder is tan or pinkish white, but cooked flounder is pure white. Flounder has a lean and boneless meat which is flaky with a mild flavor, due to which it is often cooked with wine, sauces and other liquids to keep it from drying out. Flounder can also be broiled or steamed with vegetables to make a healthy dish. Given below are some recipes for preparing flounder by using different cooking methods.

How to Cook Flounder in a Pan

Cooking flounder in the pan gives it a very crispy texture and an incredibly juicy flavor. The main drawback of this cooking method is that the fish tends to stick at the bottom of the pan, causing the flesh to flake off. To prevent sticking of the fish in the pan, lightly oil the pan before frying. You can also coat the fish with a light dusting of flour or with dried herbs and spices. Here is a great recipe for pan cooked flounder.

Pan Fried Crispy Flounder

Ingredients

• 4 skinned flounder fillets
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• cup grated Parmesan cheese
• cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons skimmed milk
• 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 Lemon wedges

Method

In a medium-sized bowl, mix egg white, soy sauce, skimmed milk and garlic powder. Immerse the flounder fillets in the mixture and turn the fish to coat. Make sure that the flounder fillets are well coated in the mixture. Now cover the bowl with a cling film and place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. In a zip lock bag, combine the bread crumbs and the grated Parmesan cheese. Now remove the fish fillets from the marinade and place them inside the zip lock bag. Seal the bag, and then shake it gently so that the fillets are well coated. Do not shake the bag too vigorously or the fillets might crumble.

Heat the vegetable oil in a pan and cook each flounder fillets coated in cheese and bread crumbs one by one. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until both the sides are golden brown. Serve the pan-fried fish with lemon wedges.

How to Cook Flounder in Oven

One of the best way to cook flounder is by baking it. Knowing when to take the fish fillet out of the oven is crucial, as over cooking it can make the fish dry. It is also very important to let the fish thaw completely before you begin baking it. Marinating the flounder before baking, keeps the fish moist and also enhances the flavor. Make sure that you marinate the fish in the refrigerator and never at room temperature. If you are baking a stuffed whole fish, wrap it in aluminum paper before placing it in the oven.

Baked Flounder with Sour Cream

Ingredients

• 2 flounder fillets
• 4 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• teaspoon salt
• Cooking spray

Method

Wash and clean the founder fillets and pat dry with a paper napkin or clean kitchen towel. Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over the flounder fillets and place them on a baking tray coated with cooking spray. Bake the flounder fillets in the oven for 7 minutes at 320 C. Remove from the oven immediately and sprinkle with dill. Place it in the oven again for an additional minute.

In a small bowl, combine the sour cream with the capers and mix them thoroughly. Serve the baked flounder with the sour cream and caper mixture. This is one of the best baked fish recipes, that is also very easy to prepare.

How to Cook Flounder by Grilling

When you want to grill flounder, you should ideally start the fire in the charcoal grill about 30 minutes before cooking. When coals turn white-hot, spread it out in a single layer. Adjust the grill rack about 4 to 6 inches above the heat. Founder fish fillets are best grilled over a moderately hot fire and on grill racks that has been well coated with oil. If you do not oil the grill racks before placing the fish, the flounder fillets will stick to it.

Grilled Flounder

Ingredients

• 2 flounder fillets
• teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Method

Wash and clean the fish and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Apply oil on the grill and then place the flounder fillets on it. In a small bowl mix the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, Worcestershire sauce and Cajun seasoning. Apply this sauce on the flounder fillets and place them on the grill rack. Turn the fish fillets after 6 to 7 minutes. Grill until the fish is flaky and soft and completely cooked through.

When cooking a delicate and flaky fish like flounder, you should avoid turning the fish too many times while cooking it. If you keep on turning the fish too many times, there is a danger of the fish fillet flaking off. Because of its mild taste, you can pair flounder fillets with tangy and robust sauces. Some other ways of cooking flounder is by steaming and poaching.

How to Fillet a Walleye

If you are fond of freshwater fish, then you would have definitely eaten the walleye at some point of time or the other. A freshwater fish that is native to Canada and the northern part of the United States, it is often known as the yellow walleye or the yellow pike. Most people who are fond of fish often consider the walleye one of the most delicious amongst freshwater fish. These fish are generally caught at night. In order to prepare a walleye, you need to be able to clean and fillet it well and in this article, we tell you exactly that.

Filleting a Walleye

In order to fillet a walleye you need to know what involves a filleting a fish. Fillets of fish are obtained after you slice the fish in such a manner that it is parallel to the spine. Fillets do not have any part of the fish's backbone but has less flesh than a fish steak. When you fillet a fish, the technique differs slightly according to the size of the fish. For a large fish for example, there is absolutely no need for you to cut out the head but for tinier fish you will need to remove the head of the fish. If you need to fillet a walleye, there are several simple steps that you need to follow which are given below.

• The task of filleting a fish is such that it requires you to gain mastery over the art. You need to learn how to handle the knife well. It is also a good idea to use a knife that cuts the flesh of the fish smoothly and therefore, a sharp knife is important. To start filleting a walleye, you need to use a sharp knife that needs to be placed in such a manner that it is behind the fin of the fish with the blade pointing downwards.
• Once you have done this, you need to make a straight cut that reaches the backbone without making a cut through it.
• Next you need to turn your knife so that it points sideways and the blade is pointed towards the tail.
• Now make a cut straight down towards the tail, along the backbone. There may be thin bones along the way that you can take out later.
• This way you would have managed to make a fillet of the fish. You will now need to take out the rib cage of the fish.
• In order to take out the rib cage, you need to put the blade at its edge and then slice along it. Try to keep the knife as close to the rib cage as possible so that you do not end up slicing the fish meat. In order to ensure that the process is smooth, you will need to put pressure on the knife that is strong yet soft. Take your time with this process of removing the rib cage as it needs to be dealt with patiently. There is no point hurrying the process.
• Next point the blade of the knife downwards on the other side of the rib cage and slice it around the whole length of the rib cage. Once you have done this you can just pull out the rib cage.
• Next you need to separate the flesh of the fillet from the skin. In order to do this you need to hold the thin end of the flesh piece which is generally the tail and then make a cut along the skin.
• Next cut it straight along the skin keeping the knife close to the skin so that you are scrapping it completely. Move the knife along the length of the flesh so that you are removing the skin. If you need to transport the fillet, it may be a good idea to keep the skin on.
• There may still be a row of bones to cut out of the fillet. In some fish, these bones will dissolve when you cook them but in others you will need to cut through the fillet on either side and take out the bones. These bones are known as the Y-bones. You will need to make a cut on the side of these bones which you should be able to feel through the flesh. The cut that you will need to make on the fillet should be about 1/3rd the size of the fillet. You will need to make another cut along the center line. This way you should be able to remove the meat that has the Y-bones attached.

This is the simple process that you need to master. Once you have filleted the fish, you will need to clean them. If you want to ensure that the fish does not have one of those strong tastes, then it may be a good idea to cut out any kind of dark meat that is attached. Now that you know the process of filleting a walleye, you should have no problem with cooking this type of fish.

Why Are Eels Slippery?

There are many creatures that live in the water that are odd, fascinating, and frightening. But one water creature that many people find to be downright creepy is the eel. Most eels are slipper and slimy, and often inspire horror or disgust in people because they seem like a cross between a snake and a fish.

The eel is actually a fish, although it doesn't look very fish-like. Its head looks like a snake, and its body looks like a snake, and it has scales - but it is definitely a fish. The face of an eel can be scary, with its sharp teeth and snapping jaws. But when an eel flaps its mouth open and closed, as though priming itself for an attack, it's actually breathing, not being aggressive. Snorkelers are often scared when they encounter a snapping eel, but there is usually nothing to be afraid of.

Nearly every sea and ocean around the world is home to eels, and there are more than 600 species to be found. The most common and well-known among the eel family is the green moray eel. The reason the moray appears green is that the slime on its skin can contain algae. The moray is actually colored dark blue. But the slime on an eel's body isn't only home to algae, it has a definite purpose, protecting the fish by way of making it slippery, and therefore it can easily slip among coral reefs and out of the hands and mouths of potential captors. The slimy skin also helps suffocate parasites or pathogens that may try to enter between the scales on the surface. The slime also protects the fish from sustaining further damage if there any open wounds or injuries on the skin.

Eels are aguilliformes, a type of fish that propels itself underwater by anguilliform swimming, which means swimming in a series of undulating waves. Unlike most fish, the body of an eel is elongated, and it is flexible from one end to the other. The waves caused by the anguilliform patterns cause each segment to oscillate as in a figure-eight pattern, and this loop causes the eel to be propelled forward through the water. This type of swimming is yet another distinction the eel has from other fish - it swims using its entire body, whereas other species of fish just use their tails for propelling them through the water.

Electric eels aren't really eels; they are part of a family of fish known as knifefish. These types of fish can generate electric currents within their own bodies, enough current to stun a person or kill a small fish. Some countries eat a delicacy called a slime eel, but these are not true eels either even though they resemble them. When they are agitated they do produce a coat of thick, slimy mucous. But they are actually known as hagfish.

Actual eels are indeed slimy. In fact, the phrase "slippery as an eel" is often used to describe someone who is devious or elusive. This mucous is produced from glands just beneath an eel's scales. The slime affects how much water that the fish can bring in and out of its body from their gills. Water is constantly pumped in and out in order to optimize the biochemical balance of the fish's body, a process called "osmoregulation." The thinner the layer, the more water can move in and out. Some researchers believe that the amount of slime coating allows eels to move easily from seawater to freshwater without effect.

The layer of slime also fills up the minute spaces between the eel's scales to make it more streamlined, in the same way that competitive swimmers may shave their entire bodies to reduce drag as they slip through the water. An eel's scales are much smaller than those of other fish, so that may also be a reason why eels are much slipperier than other fish. Removing the layer of slime will kill an eel. For this reason, many commercial fishermen douse eels with salt to remove the slime quickly and kill the fish.

Eels are indeed fascinating and unique creatures. And although they may be slimy and slippery, they have good reasons for being that way!

Calories in Fish

There is a problem with giving the number of calories in fish. Why? Because there are many types of fish, a lot of which are edible, and hence it becomes very difficult to say which fish has lower calories and which fish has a higher calorie content.

Calorie Counting in Fish

Before we start, a little knowledge for those unaware about fish. Fish can be split in two basic groups: white fish and oily fish. Oily fish as the name suggests, is oily and has a higher fat (and subsequently calorie) content in them than white fish. Not that oily fish are bad for health, though. Oily fish contain something known as omega-3 essential fatty acids that perform a range of functions in the human body and hence have great nutritive value by themselves.

So here are the calories in different fish. Now the serving size of each may be different, so you might have to do a bit of math to arrive at the exact figure. The figures given here have the approximate calorific value of 100 gm of fish.

Type of Fish (100 gm)	Calories
Catfish	100
Caviar	268
Cod (baked)	85
Flounder	68
Lobster Meat	121
Shark	187
Anchovies	276
Herring	203
Kippers	150
Salmon	180
Sardines	170
Trout	79
Tuna	95

Calorie Count in Cooked Fish

Fish sticks: Your favorite mouth-watering fish sticks will give you about 80 calories per stick. So with a little math, you'll be able to work out just how many calories you'll get out of the fish sticks your eating. And of course, the calories may be more or less depending on the other ingredients in the fish sticks and the type of cooking oil used.

Fish and chips: A small 216 gm box of fish and chips will add about 570 calories to your daily intake, again, give or take a few. By reducing the number of chips and increasing the amount of fish, I guess you can reduce the calories.

Fish oil: Fish oil is one of the less used cooking oils and has a very high calorie content. A 4.5 gm teaspoon of fish oil contains 41 calories. But don't let that deter you, as fish oil boasts a lot of enriching nutrients, most importantly omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A.

So as you can see, fish is remarkably high in nutrition and the calories aren't too high either. Eating fish can add a lot of proteins to our body, in addition to the vitamin A and the omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are supposed to be very good for the heart and when consumed, protect the heart against several heart diseases. So if you choose a fish with lower calories, you will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds: lower calories as well as a high omega-3 fats content.

Lifespan of Betta Fish

Betta fish, also known as the Siamese fighting fish, is one of the most attractive and vibrant fish species of all freshwater aquarium fish. Its name ikan bettah, has been derived from a local dialect of Thailand. The Betta descends from its wild ancestors called pla-ka, native to Thailand and Cambodia. There are over 50 types of Betta fish, of which Betta splendens has found special favor among aquarium hobbyists in the United States, because of its unusual color schemes, and the low care and maintenance they require to thrive. Lifespan of a Betta fish is usually around three to five years, although if one takes into consideration all the care it needs, and provides the fish with it, the Betta fish life expectancy may go up to eight years!

Betta Fish Care

Betta fish grows to an overall length of about six to eight centimeters. So, keeping this in mind, decide upon the number of fish you would want and what kind of an aquarium you will provide for them; a small fish bowl or a large aquarium. Don't crowd them, as they like their open spaces.

Tank
Once you have decided how many of these fish you want, head straight to an aquarium supply store, for not only will you get all the materials you need from here to make your fish feel at home, but also relevant information about its food and basic care. Choose your Betta fish from a number of varieties; regular Betta, crown tail Betta, twin tail Betta, etc. The basic thing one requires for setting up an aquarium for the Betta fish includes a fish tank or bowl, made up of either glass or plastic, live or plastic plants, a pH balance test kit, aquarium thermometer, filters, heaters, clean sanitized gravel, lots of fresh water and food. You can get more decorative if you want to, but ensure that you don't crowd the aquarium, as not only will it curb the space for the fish, but also damage its delicate fins. The water in your aquarium should be at room temperature between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and between 6.5 and 7.5 pH level.

Food
There are two Betta fish feeding considerations one needs to look into; nutrition and the right quantity. By nature they are carnivorous, and have quite a taste for water insects, mosquito larvae and zooplankton. It may not always be easy to give your fish this kind of food, but the fish stores have a wide range of alternatives that will keep your fish well fed and will increase the lifespan of your Betta fish. They include water fleas, blood worms, shrimp, etc. One can get fresh or frozen forms of these fish foods. Another common food one can feed the fish with is Betta specific food pellets, which are basically vitamin added to a mix of shrimp and blood worms. Feed the fish two or three times a day, the quantity depending upon what you are feeding them with. During pre-spawning time, the fish can be fed more often. Nutritious food will boost the immune system and enhance the Betta's vibrant colors and longevity.

Few Interesting Facts

Here are a few Betta fish facts that will tell you why you should have them swimming in your aquarium.

• Their other common name is 'Siamese fighting fish', which mostly refers to the male Betta fish, as they are more aggressive of than the females
• Betta fish come in a variety of colors; white, orange, yellow, shades of blue, red, green, black, etc.
• These tropical fish were first found to be living in rice paddies of Thailand and Cambodia.
• To intimidate other fish in its vicinity, the male Betta fish will flare its fins and gills.
• Two male Betta fish in the same bowl will kill each other, so always ensure not to keep two male Betta together!
• Male Betta fish builds bubble nests only for two reasons; one when they are happy and two, to protect the fish eggs.

Although, lifespan of this species is short, as compared to other aquarium fish, their beautiful texture and vibrant colors make up for the little time they live with you.

Sashimi Calories

Sashimi is a popular Japanese dish, served usually before the main course. The dish is primarily made of fresh raw fish, sliced into fine pieces and served with different garnishes and sauces. Traditionally, sashimi is usually served with soy sauce having wasabi paste or other condiments such as grated fresh ginger, or ponzu. The term sashimi basically means 'pierced body' and it refers to the other uncooked fish preparation methods.

Sashimi is often confused with other Japanese delicacy called sushi. Both the dishes are completely different as sushi is a dish made of raw fish or other seafood with vinegared rice and serves as a main course meal. While sashimi is often served at the beginning of the meal as a palate cleanser and appetizer. However, the dish can also serve the purpose of main course when presented with rice and Miso soup in separate bowls.

Sashimi Calories and Nutritional Content

Types of Sashimi	Serving Size	Calories	Fats	Carbohydrates	Protein
Ahi Tuna Sashimi	4 ounces	120	1 gram	0 gram	28 grams
Yellowtail Sashimi	1 ounce	41	1.5 grams	0 gram	6.6 grams
Shiro Maguro Sashimi (White Tuna)	3 ounces	49	2.1 grams	0 gram	7.2 grams
Maguro Sashimi (Tuna)	3 ounces	40	1.4 grams	0 gram	6.6 grams
Red Snapper Sashimi	3 ounces	85	1 gram	0 gram	17 grams
Albacore Sashimi	2 ounces	100	4.2 grams	0 gram	14.4 grams
Mackerel Sashimi	1 ounce	58	3.9 grams	0 grams	5.3 grams

Sashimi Preparation

Fish used for sashimi should be fresh and of optimum quality for better flavor and healthiness. Hence, for preparing sashimi, only saltwater fish should be used as many freshwater fish species are contaminated with parasites that can cause intestinal problems. In place of fish, sashimi can also be prepared of seafood, including bluefin tuna, snapper, abalone, bass, fish roe, prawns, mackerel, bonito, shad, octopus, and squid. Amongst all these, tuna is quite commonly used, for its fatty part called toro which is creamy and directly melts in the mouth, giving an exquisite flavor.

In many restaurants, sashimi is usually prepared at the bar so that the customers can see the chef preparing it. The fish is fillet using a very sharp knife, the hard bones are removed with the skin and then it is sliced very finely in to small pieces and served with your favorite garnishes or sauces. Sashimi is generally garnished with pickled vegetables like ginger, shredded daikon radish, and toasted nori. At some places, it is also served with soy sauce and wasabi, with a ground ginger root to enhance the savor and aroma of the dish. Another exotic way to savor sashimi is to place the wasabi mound in the serving dish and then pour the soy sauce over it. Like this, the wasabi infuses the soy sauce more subtly and one will have an ultimate sashimi taste.

Each place has its own unique way of preparing sashimi. In some restaurants, the fish is kept alive in the salted water and prepared as it is ordered. However, if you are going out to have sashimi, ensure that you go to a renowned restaurant with the finest supply of fresh, high quality fish else you may end up having intestinal infection. And if you are preparing it at home, keep in mind that since you intend to eat the fish raw, purchase the most fresh and safe fish specimen. I hope after going through the article you will have a fair idea of what is sashimi and how many ahi tuna maguro or yellowtail sashimi calories you are consuming while eating this delicious Japanese delicacy.

What do Piranhas Eat

Piranhas belong to the Characins family of fish. They are mostly found in South American rivers. Piranhas are also called Piraya or Caribe. There are about 25 species of piranhas. The piranha is typically known for its strong jaws and its razor-sharp teeth. They feed on a wide variety of food. Although, piranhas are known for their aggressive appetite for meat, they are not strictly carnivores. Piranha is a member of the omnivore fish family. It eats vegetable matter at some stages in its life.

Piranhas are considered to be highly predatory fish. They feed on a wide variety of animals. They mainly eat alive or dead fish, as well as other meaty foods. They also eat various types of insects and worms. Piranhas mainly feed on crabs, small fish, lizards, mammals and insects. Some species of piranhas feed more on plants than animal matter. The type of food piranhas eat depends on their habitat.

Equipped with the dental weapons and digestive capabilities, piranhas eat anything with a fleshy scent. When a wounded creature steps into water, piranhas can smell its blood from hundreds of feet away. Piranhas generally, move in a huge shoal and attack the prey. They finish up the prey, as large as a sheep, within a few seconds. Their eating speed is simply amazing. They eat anything that falls into the water. However, they can endure long periods of time without food.

Fly Fishing Tips for Beginners

Fly fishing can be done anywhere, be it freshwater or saltwater bodies. Even freshwater can be divided into three categories; cold water, cool water and warm water. There are many types of fish that you can target while fly fishing. They are trout, salmon, pike, perch, steelhead, etc. But every type of fishing requires some kind of bait. So your effort should always begin with the bait. For this purpose, artificial flies are used. While choosing an artificial bait for fly fishing, many factors have to be considered. Therefore, here are some tips on fly fishing for beginners.

Equipment Needed

Is there any need to assert the importance of the right fly fishing tackle (Fishing gear is also known as tackle, by the way)? The right equipment, proper technique, right place and loads of patience is going to get you more fly fish than you can count.

• Fly rods
• Fly reels
• Specialized fly lines
• Terminal tackle
• Other equipment like gadgets, maintenance apparel, etc.

Tricks and Tips for Fly Fishing

The following tips will definitely help an angler to catch a fly fish.

• Artificial Flies: The nature of artificial flies have to be understood properly. It is very important to know whether your targeted fish will be lured by your bait. If you end up catching the wrong fish, your efforts will only be wasted. You also need to understand the underwater movement of the bait. Only the right kind of movement of the bait will lure the fish.
• Feeding Characteristics: Gather as much information as you can about the feeding habits of a fly fish. If the fish only feeds in deep water and never in shallow water, then what's the point of setting up a bait in the shallow waters? Knowledge about feeding tips are very important.
• Fish Selection: Well, you need to have knowledge about the fish that would suit you the best. Doesn't it make sense to catch those fish which you like the most and are very easy for you to catch too! Fish for salmon if you like salmon, fish for trout if you like trout, and likewise.
• Camouflage in the Surroundings: If you are easy to spot, how would you lure the fish? Try not to look very different from your surroundings. Even the color of the line should be similar to the surroundings. Nothing should have a feel of being out-of-the-ordinary. This way, you are most likely to lure the fly fish into the trap.
• No Noise: Be very quiet while you are fishing. Again, as dark colors can attract attention, so can the noise. Fly fish can be alarmed by the tiniest of sounds. Be prepared to sit quiet for long periods of time.
• Location for Fishing: Select the locations in such a way that the probability of catching fish is very high. If the local lake doesn't have any salmon, then go for the streams. Half of your work is done if you select the right location for fishing. This is the foremost tip given to a beginner while he / she learns how to fish.
• Holding the Rod: You have to learn how to hold the rod firmly, yet have a relaxed grip. Too much of a tight grip will eventually wear your hands out, you don't want tired hands when the fish has actually taken the bait.
• Practice: Learning how to fish will all become a waste if you don't practice hard. Chances that you may forget fly fishing are very high, if you do not practice regularly. If there's a big gap, then you might have to learn how to fish all over again.

The above were just a few of the important fly fishing basics that one should know. But the most important of all the fly fishing tips for beginners would be to carry a life-jacket at all times while fishing. A life-jacket can be the difference between life and death. You can also ask a friend to accompany you whenever you go fishing. So, have fun fly fishing with your friends.

Best Aquarium Fish

A beautiful aquarium can enhance the decor of your home. To make an aquarium look beautiful, you need attractive fish living in it. To make all the fish living in the aquarium stay healthy and live for long, you need to act intelligently. You need to breed those fish which can live well with the environmental conditions present inside your aquarium, i.e, freshwater fish for freshwater while hard water fish for hard water. You will have to keep some factors into consideration while buying fish for your aquarium.

How to Buy Aquarium Fish?

Buying fish is probably the most important part of aquarium maintenance. If you keep those fish that are suitable for your aquarium type, more than half of your job on setting up and caring for aquarium is done. You can buy fish by considering a few factors which are mentioned here.

• The fish should be able to survive in the temperature and type of water of your aquarium.
• All types of fish should be compatible with each other. A particular type should not be a danger to another type.
• The size of all the fish, particularly when they become adult, should be suited to your aquarium.
• Take care of dietary requirements of all fish, you are going to breed in your aquarium. Some need only flakes while some feed on live insects. Try to breed fish of similar dietary requirements.

What are the Best Aquarium Fish to Keep

Goldfish
One of the most popular fish for freshwater aquarium is goldfish. It is a colorful and attractive fish, which is native to China. It can grow to a large size. You can find different varieties of Goldfish. Some of those which are commonly bred in aquariums are fantail, veiltail, black moor and common goldfish. A disadvantage associated with goldfish breeding in aquariums is, that it discharges a lot of waste.

Leopard Danio
Leopard Danio are quite easy to care for. They live peacefully in the aquarium. They have a hard covering, so they are able to easily adjust to a wide range of water conditions. In fact, they grow very well in shallow water. Because of all these reasons, they are counted among the best freshwater aquarium fish for beginners.

Swordtails
Swordtails are freshwater fish that can grow to a size of 4 inches. They feed on both prepared and live foods. They are generally peaceful but mostly, male swordtails are found to show aggression towards each other. They grow and breed easily in a freshwater aquarium. However, you need to be very careful while breeding them in your aquarium. Female swordtails are well-known to eat their young ones. Therefore, you will need to remove the old female fish, after they reproduce, from the aquarium or fish tank.

Neon Tetra
Neon tetra are also known as community or schooling fish. They normally move in groups. They usually glow when the aquarium is lit well. They owe their luminescence to their opalescent sheen present on their scales. They do not grow to a big size and remain small. They must be kept with non-aggressive fish in the aquarium. Or else, you will end up with Neon tetra eaten up by other fish.

Platies
Platies are the close relatives of swordtail fish. They have a broad body and come in a variety of colors. They breed quite easily but they need plants for privacy. They are a form of schooling fish and grow well in aquariums. They usually form and move in a group of 5. They feed on both prepared and live foods.

By going through the present web page, you have come to know about the criteria a particular fish should meet, in order to be introduced in your aquarium. Some of the commonly known-to-be the best aquarium fish are described above in this article. Select a few out of them which suits your comfort, ease and budget. Set an aquarium up, and enjoy nature at the comfort of your home.

Boat Rentals

It is Friday, the beginning of the much awaited weekend. If everything goes according to plan, Kevin Peterson will hang up his suit and tie, don on his T-shirt and khaki shorts, and be out on the water by early afternoon with his rented boat.

Kevin has been opting to spend some of his weekends out boating. Spending a lazy day, relaxing and soaking up the sun while drifting languidly on calm waters, he has discovered, is one of the best getaways. Sometimes he cruises along sheltered intracoastal waterways where there are wild mangrove sanctuaries that are home to egrets, herons, ospreys, and pelicans.

Sometimes, when he is lucky, he sees dolphins gamboling in his boat's wake, and of course the glorious gulls squawking and keeping pace with his boat, etched against clear blue skies. Sometimes he dives into shallow, clear waters to marvel at the swarms of multi-hued fish swimming amongst the corals. Sometimes he just drops anchor and wades onto a pristine beach, where he may spot the paddle marks left by a sea turtle which struggled to climb up past the high tide mark to dig a hole in the warm sand and lay her eggs. On the beach, he finds beautiful shells which he collects, to remind him of his boating trip and the endlessly fascinating world of nature.

Many people, like Kevin, only go boating occasionally. Perhaps, like him, although they treasure the boat trips, they want to do it only once in a while, or it could just be because people lack the time. Whatever may be the reason, for such people, it makes more sense to use boat rentals than to go to the expense of purchasing a boat.

If you, like Kevin, are longing to captain a boat out into the watery wilderness, renting a boat will not only allow you to use the boat straightaway, but the boat rental agency will also take care of nitty-gritty matters like insurance, license fees, docking and storage, and maintenance. Besides, you will also have the facility of choosing between a wide range of boats, from houseboats to pontoon boats to personal watercrafts. And they all usually come outfitted with the required recreational and safety gear. Ski boat rentals, for example, come equipped with the ski, along with lifesaving equipment. And, if you want, you will also be given instructional lessons. Also, you can opt for renting the boats either on a short-term basis or for an entire vacation.

However, you need to remember that not all boat-renting agencies have the same standards, hence here are a few tips to keep in mind when you hire a boat for that lovely day out on the blue waters under the sun:

Safety has to be a priority when it comes to taking a boat on rent. See that the boat you rent is in tip-top condition. Also, to ensure your safety while out on the water, make sure that it has all the safety equipment along with the latest charts. Plus, see that the boat is equipped with adequate communication gear, so that if you do get into some kind of trouble, you have the ability to call for help. After all, you don't want to be stranded in the middle of an ocean or lake with no means of getting assistance. For additional safety, it is advisable to also take your cell phone along.

Before taking the boat out, check to see that it is equipped with a first aid kit. This will prove to be invaluable in the event of an injury occurring. Another useful piece of equipment is a tool kit, although this is something you will have to take along on your own, since it is not supplied by boat rental agencies. Stuff like hammers, screwdrivers, and tapes always come in handy.

One of the best locations for boat renting is lakes, which have grown in popularity as vacation spots. With the increasing trend of intergenerational families vacationing together, boating enthusiasts are discovering that even hiring a houseboat is great to meet their requirements. While boating can be great fun as a family holiday with the kids, it is also important to get acquainted with the basics of safety. Many states, along with parks and outfitters, offer safety instructions for boating either for a nominal fee or even for free.

How much experience you have is also an important consideration. This will help you to determine the type of boat you ought to take on hire and the distance you can travel safely away from land. In order to enjoy a great boating experience and to ensure that everything in the boat is in order, it is best to use a reliable boat-renting agency.

So, go ahead, leave the daily routine and laptops behind, and hire out a boat to explore the wondrous bounty of Mother Nature, either by yourself, or with the whole family.

How to Draw Something From your Imagination

Believe it or not, we all have a 'Picasso' hidden in our personalities. You might be a trained artist or a small child or a homemaker. But we all have our imagination mills running all the time, which seem to get expressed in imaginative art paintings, childish paintings or some doodles on top of a page. My article here will let you know the best ways to draw out whatever you imagine.

Giving Imagination a Creative Form

They say beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Similarly creativity lies in the mind of an artist. There are no two artists in this world who have interpreted a fact or fiction in the same way, because imagination changes from person to person. Here are some 'must read' ideas to help you convert your imagination into creativity.

Keep Sketchbooks Handy
Imagination is a strange game of life. As an artist, you can never tell when and where you might get struck with a bright idea. If you are looking out for drawing from your imagination, then it is essential to keep your pencils and sketching books handy. You might opt for placing them in two or three prominent location of your home. If you need to travel a lot, then don't forget to carry a sketching book with you as a constant companion. If you happen to get struck with new ideas and wish to put them in words before you draw them, then a simple notepad can perfectly suit the purpose.

Get Inspired
Your mind will not come with new imaginative drawing ideas unless you absorb some ideas first. Remember, imagination is like food for your minds. So why not see how other artists or some talented painters are doing their work? Try to visit art exhibitions of your favorite artists as well as some new budding artists. You never know when you might get to see some fresh ideas of other people.

Travel
If you happen to do repetitive jobs each day with the same routine schedule, then it is really not going to help you with your imagination. Travel as much as you can. I am not saying that you need to go on a world tour to get inspired. You can visit a new place or countryside close to your hometown once in a while and understand the natural beauty of that place. There is no better inspiration than nature for your drawings. If sketching while traveling in strange places is not possible, then click some photographs for your easy reference. These photographs can be a good reminder of what you saw during a trip when you start drawing.

Meet People
Meeting new people can set you imagination rolling. It not only sets you grasping new ideas but you also get a chance to look out for different facial expressions and looks. These new faces are often inspiring for your drawing. If possible, try to sketch some interesting faces that you see when you are out. At times, people are gracious enough to pose for a sketching session with you. Others might not approve of being sketched at all, so take permission before you start sketching.

Reading
Reading can be fun, especially if you can get connected to a story. There are certain authors who have such a unique style of writing fiction and non-fiction, that readers actually feel like they co-exist with the book characters. One such writer is J K Rowling who has been successful in creating an imaginary world of wizardry in readers' minds across the world. You might be in luck, if you happen to get hold of such a book. All you need to do is draw out your interpretations and perceptions of the characters and scenes from the book on paper. Alternately, you may opt for reading daily newspapers and draw out your perceptions of the story.

Watch Movies and Television
You might opt for watching movies and television to get some bright ideas. All you need to do is understand the gist of the whole story and start drawing a fantasy version of the whole tale. Other times, people turn on their imagination and sketch the first thought that strikes them whenever they watch some movies or news.

A Few More Ideas

• Whenever you are drawing from your imagination, try to keep your mind open for any kind of random thoughts. Your drawings need not always be logical, after all it is just your personal interpretation.
• Do not have any kind of benchmarks for perfection in a drawing. Never discard a sudden idea or inspiration. Instead, try to put it on paper immediately.
• If you like to draw abstract art, then ask your friends and family for their interpretation of your drawing. At times, they might come with a completely different version than what you had imagined in the first place. Such versions are excellent sources of fresh ideas for you future drawings and paintings.

Do not shy away from exposure. Instead, exhibit your drawings and paintings and publicize them. By underestimating your talent, you might keep away a huge fortune. You never know who might fall in love with your imaginative masterpieces, isn't it?

Freshwater Puffer Fish

Freshwater Puffer fish is so named, due to its ability to expand itself by sucking water or air. As and when they sense danger, they fill water or air in their elastic stomach thereby making it acquire spherical shape. Globefish, Blowfish, Swellfish and Balloonfish are the other common names by which Puffer fish are known. You may have also heard the term baby puffer fish; these are nothing but the young Puffer fish. Porcupine fish also can inflate itself, but the difference between them is that the Porcupine fish has spines on its body surface, whereas puffer fish does not.

There are a wide variety of Puffer fish and this species belong to the Tetraodontidae family. Some varieties of Puffer fish are found in the sea mostly, near coral reefs or the shore, while some are found in freshwater or brackish environment. Some of the most common varieties of freshwater Puffer fish are mentioned below. There is no specific criteria to consider whether a specific variety of Puffer fish can survive only in freshwater or brackish water, they can survive in both kinds of environment.

Green Spotted Puffer Fish

The green spotted Puffer fish is greenish-yellow in color with dark spots and a white belly. They have rounded, transparent fins with broad and large protruding eyes. The fish is adored by homeowners due its beautiful structure, besides its playful and active nature. They are mostly found in the shores of Chinese, Indonesian, Sri Lankan and Indian shores. They mostly inhabit the fresh or brackish waters of coastal estuaries, floodplains, rivers and streams.

The green spotted Puffer fish have round and stout bodies with a small spine and can grow to a length of 17 cm. They have a small mouth which is topped by slight bulging eyes and broad forehead.

While keeping them in an aquarium, you need to make sure that the water temperature is around 24 to 28 C with a pH value of 7.5 to 8.5. they usually swim around in middle and bottom regions in an aquarium tank. You also need to provide some rocks and plants and arrange them in such a manner that hiding places are available. If you intend to keep a single puffer, a 20 gallon aquarium tank will work fine, but if the number is higher, you would need a 50-60 gallon tank.

Dwarf Puffer Fish

These fish originated in the inland waters of India and were seen for the first time in America in the late 1990s. They have gained popularity in the recent past as they can be kept in small aquarium tanks and are priced lower when compared to other Puffer fish varieties.

The size of an adult dwarf Puffer fish is one inch, the smallest among all Puffer fish varieties. Their eyes are black but they turn blue under light. Moreover, the eyes can move and operate independent to each other, just like that of a chameleon. Depending on whether they are stationary or moving they can close or open their fins. At times, they may curl their tails to signify different things. Curled tails may mean that they are sick or are in some form of discomfort. Some time you may see them opening their mouths which seems as if they are yawning. They have different shades and colors of patches and spots, which may range from black to bluish-green.

Freshwater Puffer Fish Care

When you buy a freshwater Puffer fish make sure that you buy a large enough tank so that it has enough space to roam about. Even though, Puffer fish may like freshwater, you should add a bit of salt in the environment in which they stay. The ideal temperature for this fish is in the range of 24 to 26 C. If the surrounding environment is taken care of, Puffer fish can survive for several years. While you introduce this fish, make sure that you don't have any plant in your aquarium, as these fish love having them. Make a few cave-like structures in the aquarium, so that the fish have some place to hide. Each species of Puffer fish may need different environment and water pH value, so make sure you ask the seller the exact environmental parameters before you buy them.

Freshwater Puffer Fish Compatibility

Usually, Puffer fish are peaceful when small, but may become aggressive towards other species when they become large. You can opt to include them along with other fish, but you need to keep an eye on them, lest they don't harm the other species. So it's better to keep Puffer fish either alone or along with fish of similar species. Though, there may be exceptions, but in general puffers may be aggressive and other fish may become easy prey. The Fahaka Puffers are quite aggressive and has a tendency to kill any other species.

Freshwater Puffer Fish Food and Diet

Most of the Puffer fish do not eat fish food which are commercially prepared. Baby Puffer fish enjoy having smaller krill, blackworms, mysis shrimp, bloodworms besides other frozen foods. On the other hand large the large ones like to have mussels, crickets, large krill, prawns, crab legs and shrimp. Make sure you give enough food to your puffers, or else they would starve and you won't want that to happen, isn't it? Feed the small Puffer fish once or twice a day and the larger ones at least three times a week. Moreover, you can also give them live blackworms, but make sure that you give them occasionally. The teeth of Puffer fish is strong enough to crack snail shells so you can provide them with one of their favorite meal, aquatic snails. When you introduce a new Puffer fish to an aquarium, it may not accept a whole range of food, so make sure to ask the seller about the kind of food you should give your new pet.

Thus, freshwater Puffer fish is an excellent option to use in your aquarium. I hope, this article has given you some interesting facts of these creatures.

How to Buy a Boat Insurance

As a boat owner, you must be thrilled to own a brand new recreational vehicle which you can use for fishing and cruising to your favorite holiday destination. What a lot of people don't realize is that getting an insurance is vital, since, like any other means of transport, boats can also fall prey to damage or theft. Boat insurance is a must and will save you thousands of dollars in property damage. It's not just your boat that's prone to a mishap, but in an unfortunate event you may run into another boat or even the dock and damage them. In such a case, having insurance will help you pay off for the damages that have been caused.

Boat Insurance Buying Tips

Insurance Quotes
Before you begin hunting for an insurance company, check the length of your boat. If it's 26 feet long or smaller, then you can buy insurance. More than 27 feet, and you have to go in for yacht insurance. Most insurance companies offer various types of insurance coverage specifically suited for jet boats, fishing boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, etc. Look up the yellow pages for the insurance companies listed that provide boat insurance, and call up several of them, asking for a quote. Ask a lot of questions to the insurance agent. Many people, after being involved in a boat accident, claim insurance, and are horrified to know that what they are claiming for is not covered in the insurance policy. Do not let this happen to you. A lot of companies also provide online insurance quotes.

Coverage
Once you get several quotes, go through them carefully. You must study and analyze each one in detail, so you know what all is covered by the insurance policy. Look for additional features like coverage for roadside assistance, fuel spill, fishing gear, wreckage removal, and on-water towing. You need to understand what and how much coverage does physical damage involve. You must provide information like your boat's make and model, year of manufacture, any other related information to the insurance company. One of the most significant aspects of coverage is what type of Loss Settlement you decide upon. There are two types offered: Agreed Cash Value and Total or Actual Cash Value. If you total your boat, the insurance company will have to pay you the entire amount that's declared in the policy, in the case of Agreed Cash Value. If you have opted for Actual Cash Value, the insurance company will only pay you the current value of your boat. Though Agreed Cash Value is more expensive, you must take into account factors like market depreciation in case of Actual Cash Value, which could mean a considerable difference between the price you paid for the boat and its current market value.

Premium
Premium is something a lot of boat owners have doubts about. Again this depends from one insurance company to the other. But there are a few pointers you can keep in mind if you want a low monthly premium. Your engine size makes a noticeable difference to the premium. The bigger the engine size, more the monthly premium you need to shell out. Does your boat have an outboard propulsion motor or an inboard propulsion motor? An inboard motor is more likely to catch fire, and hence the premium rates are likely to shoot up, as compared to a boat fitted with an outboard motor. Just like a defensive driving course lowers your insurance rates, a boating safety course will help in the same way, by bringing your premiums down. An insurance company may also look at your driving record. A spotless driving record might help you to gain lower premium on your boat insurance as well, as the insurance company will think of you as a relatively safe driver.

Insurance Company Customer Service
When you are calling insurance companies, try to judge which one is better based on their customer service. A couple of calls will help you decide where better service is being offered. At the same time, check whether the company's services are available every day of the year. The chances of you being out on the waters is higher on holidays rather than on weekdays; and if the insurance company does not work on holidays, what is the use of buying insurance from them?

National Boat Owners Association
If you are not yet a member, think of joining the National Boat Owners Association. This organization has ties with some of the best insurance companies, and you can avail of better insurance rates and check out the useful services they offer, like boat financing, towing programs, and also provide up-to-date information on boating equipment and safety.

So to sum it all up, carry out an exhaustive study about the various insurance options available, and ask numerous questions to clear away all your doubts. If you are not satisfied with the answers provided, do not buy the insurance, even if the premium amount is substantially low. Ask friends and others you know who own a boat and also have insurance, for their guidance. After all a boat is a big investment, and you obviously want the best for it.

Fun Things to Draw for Kids

It's very important to understand the psychology of a child and then reciprocate to their needs accordingly. They are capable of perceiving everything what they observe and then they interpret strange things through their own childish instincts. Thus, when you draw something for your kids, make sure that they understand the image and enjoy the art. Spending time with your kids by teaching them how to draw funny things is indeed a joyful activity. They get absorbed in the drawing when someone draws cute things for them and in the process they also learn how to draw.

Cute and Fun Things to Draw for Kids

If you are running a drawing school, then you will be well accustomed with the demands of your children attending the school. Kids are usually fond of anime, cartoons and drawings of people doing funny activities. The fun part lies in the fact that they relate with such stupidities and try to mimic them. Drawing fun things also make them feel delighted and they will approach to you again and again for sketching them. If you fail to understand what they are actually looking for in the image, then you would definitely be nagged till you get the right thing done. So here are a few options that you can practice beforehand and then draw for your kids.

Cartoons and Anime
Kids love to keep themselves glued to the television to watch cartoons for hours and hours. They know each and every feature of a cartoon character and would definitely ask you to draw them at your leisure hour. Why not give a try? If you have an Internet connection at home, then check out the appearance of that character and try to sketch it on a paper. Know your kid's favorite cartoon, superhero or anime figure and do it for him. I'm sure he would enjoy a lot seeing his cartoon idol getting etched on a paper. Incorporate bright hues to make it attractive.

Queer Animals
Animals could be portrayed in weird forms by playing with their facial features and giving a more humanoid shape. A few examples of queer animals include a donkey laughing loudly, a monkey giggling with its jaws apart or a rat hunting a tiger. The animals could also be drawn doing strange activities, like an elephant bathing its baby or a hippo plucking its horn. You can also pick up animated animals from comics, movies and telly shows. Simba and Hakuna Matata from the movie The Lion King, Kung Fu Panda, Scooby Doo, Garfield, Hobbes (Calvin and Hobbes) and Tin Tin's dog Snowy are some of the most lovable animals of kids. Draw them on a paper and use the colors exactly like those in the original.

Emoticons & Smileys
Kids always get fascinated with emotive faces having a wide range of expressions. Probably because they are able to relate with them in some ways or they love to mimic the weird facial expressions in front of mirrors. It could a wonderful craft project wherein you can sketch the best possible emotive characters on a drawing sheet and then frame it with a cardboard. Teaching kids to draw smilieys are one of the coolest things to draw when bored with studies. The varied expressions and twisted features on their faces attract them a lot and they enjoy sketching them on paper with pencil and colors.

Emulating Characters
What could be funnier than sketching the person (doing some silly and funny things) whom your child loves the most? It would evoke a great deal of humor if you have painted him/her doing some really really amusing activities. Draw your kid's teacher chasing a cow or riding an elephant. You can also draw your child's best friend riding on a roller coaster and crying loudly. These are some of the funny things that you can imagine or capture from daily chores of life and represent them in a humorous way on the canvas. There are a plenty of ways to draw human beings in a comical manner with a little imagination and creativity.

Spending time with your kids is the pillar of a relationship blooming in a healthy way and drawing is just a medium to remain bonded. With the examples of so many fun things to draw for kids, I'm sure you have got the idea how to keep your kids tuned with happiness and joy. Engage yourself into such fun filled activities and create a mirthful vibe in your house.

Colored Pencil Techniques

Using pencil techniques, whether color pencils or simple black lead pencils, is easier than learning to draw itself. While drawing one needs to observe the subject and draw it with perfect proportions, and maintain good clean lines. However, shading with pencil gives you more freedom and ease, as one doesn't need to be confined to perfect proportions, but just needs to take care to catch the light and shadows falling on a subject well. So, first learn drawing your subject well, and then learn these colored pencil techniques to complete your artwork.

Color Pencil Shading Techniques

Before I start explaining about the different shading techniques used for texturing, let us discuss on the lights and shadows that gives all the objects their depth and form. Whenever shading any object, it is important to observe the art subject, to figure out the three main parts, the highlight, the tones and the cast shadow. The image below shows the light source on top right corner, then a highlight, the shading of mid tone and dark tone, with the sphere's cast shadow. Understanding this and practicing the shading and texturing techniques mentioned below, you can draw detailed colored pencil art. However, practice observing the highlights, the tones and cast shadow of different objects. Pick simple objects on your desk, and dissect the lights and shadows falling on the object.



Hatching: This technique is the most basic technique used for shading. All you have to do is make angled strokes with a pencil tip.



Hatching With Tilted Pencil: This technique gives a softer look, and you need a blunt tip of the pencil to try this technique. Hold the pencil under your forefinger and thumb, so that it is close to the paper. Then make angled strokes close to each other to get this effect.



Hatching for Blending: Similar to the above technique, in this technique you can merge two or more shades together. You can increase or decrease the pressure on the pencil to get a lighter or darker shade of the desired merged color.



Cross-Hatching: Again use a pencil which has a fine tip for this technique. Make a patch with angled strokes, then overlap a patch of another opposite angled strokes on the first patch. This technique greatly helps to add depth to areas which have shadows. The cast shadow in the top image is created using this technique.



Cross-Hatching for Blending: Similar to the above technique, all you have to do is use two or more colored pencils. For example, you can use shades of green and brown to create a shadow of a tree on the ground.



Patches for Quick Texturing: This technique is very helpful while texturing and shading to give a depth. For example the angle of the patches can be changed to give dept to facial features, like patches that are receding for the nose bridge, and flat patches for lips, etc.



Stippling & Shading: Stippling can be done with pencils, but is mostly done with felt tip pens as they have perfect pointed edges. Use a sharp tipped pencil and hold it perpendicular to paper, and increase and decrease the pressure to create this stippling effect. It can be used to create texture like showing leaves on a tree, or can be used for shading a drawing subject like a portrait. In the picture, I have illustrated the light tone, middle tone and the dark tone which can be created using stippling.



Angled Stippling Dots: For this technique just give a little angled stroke while stippling on the page. This technique when done with multiple colored pencils, can give great textures.



Scumbling: Scumbling technique is done by overlapping circles on each other; use a blunt pencil tip for creating this technique.



Scumbling with Colors: With 2 or more colored pencils, this technique can help you to create great textures. In the picture, I have used brown and dark green pencil to create a texture which can be used to create ground textures.



Random Strokes: Use random upward strokes with blunt pencil tips to create this pattern. You can merge colors with this technique and create textures for grass, clothes, leaves, etc.



Small Angled Strokes: Use a blunt pencil tip, and draw small upward angled strokes to create this type of texture. It can be used to show little hair on a bald head, or vegetation on a dry land.



Smudging: This technique is very helpful to create soft shading effects. It can be used to show smoke or a baby's skin. Make a small patch using the tilted pencil hatching technique, then use your fingertips and merge the lines to produce this soft shading effect.



Razor to Lighten Shade: These colored pencil tips are greatly helpful for corrections. If you think you have made a patch that is too dark, then just scribble with a razor and then smudge the patch to make it look smooth. This technique shouldn't be tried on a thin paper, as there is a possibility of the paper being torn. In the image I have used razor on the top part of the patch, and left the bottom dark for you to study.



Incised Marks: Using a razor to make incised marks helps to expose the color layer beneath the top color layer. In this picture the bottom layer is green and top layer is red. Then using a tip of a cutter, some incision marks are made in the middle of the patch to display the underneath green colored layer.



Watercolor Effect: Shading is easier while learning to paint with watercolors is a task that needs more skills. However, you can use water soluble pencils for shading and then run a wet brush to give the water color painting like effect. In the picture, I have used Staedtler Luna watercolor pencils, and then just used a brush lightly which gave the color patch the water color effect.



So, observe different objects and keep observing the areas of different tones of light and dark. Then draw simple subjects, and use the above techniques for texturing and shading your art work to create detailed looking pencil art works.

PS Move Games List

Sony's PlayStation Move has become a sort of phenomenon of late, and the ever-growing list of compatible games has had a crucial role to play in it. The list consists of games of different genres, right from fitness and party games to puzzles and action-adventure. There is no questioning the fact that motion-sensing games are amazing in themselves, and when you get them from a credible source, like Sony, there is definitely no need to give it a second thought.

'Move Compatible' games can be played either using the PlayStation Move motion controller, or the DualShock 3 Wireless Controller, while 'Move Required' games can only be played using the motion controller.

Move Compatible Games

4 ElementsGenre: Puzzle
Air Conflicts: Secret WarsGenre: Combat
Angry Birds TrilogyGenre: Puzzle
AuditoriumGenre: Puzzle
Blue Toad Murder FilesGenre: Puzzle
BraveGenre: Adventure
Brunswick Pro BowlingGenre: Sports
Buzz!: The Ultimate Music QuizGenre: Party game
Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2012Genre: Hunting
Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2011Genre: Hunting
Captain Morgane and the Golden TurtleGenre: Adventure
Champion Jockey: G1 Jockey & Gallop RacerGenre: Sports
Child of EdenGenre: Rail shooter
Counter Strike: Global OffensiveGenre: First-person shooter
CreateGenre: Sandbox
Dance Dance RevolutionGenre: Music
de Blob 2Genre: Puzzle
Dead Space 2Genre: Rail shooter
Dead Space Extraction HDGenre: Rail shooter
Disney/Pixar Brave: The Video GameGenre: Action
Dungeon DefendersGenre: Tower defense
Dungeon Hunter: AllianceGenre: Role playing
Dust 514Genre: First-person shooter
Epic Mickey 2: The Power of TwoGenre: Platform
EyePetGenre: Virtual pet
Flight Control HDGenre: Simulation
Funky Lab RatGenre: Puzzle platformer
Gal*GunGenre: Rail shooter
GoldenEye 007:ReloadedGenre: First-person shooter
Grand Slam Tennis 2Genre: Sports
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2Genre: Third-person shooter
Hasbro Family Game Night 4: The Game ShowGenre: Party game
Heavy Fire: AfghanistanGenre: Shooter
Heavy RainGenre: Action-adventure
High Velocity BowlingGenre: Sports
Hustle KingsGenre: Sports
Infamous 2Genre: Action-adventure
Infamous: Festival of BloodGenre: Action-adventure
John Daly's ProStroke GolfGenre: Sports
Killzone 3Genre: First-person shooter
LemmingsGenre: Puzzle
Little League World Series 2010Genre: Sports
LittleBigPlanet 2Genre: Puzzle-platformer
London 2012Genre: Sports
MAG1Genre: First-person shooter
Men In Black: Alien CrisisGenre: Shooter
MLB 11: The ShowGenre: Sports
MLB 12: The ShowGenre: Sports
Modern Combat: DominationGenre: First-person shooter
Motionsports AdrenalineGenre: Extreme sports
Move Compatible More Heroes: Heroes' ParadiseGenre: Action-adventure
NBA 2K11Genre: Sports
NBA 2K12Genre: Sports
Need for Speed: Most WantedGenre: Racing
Ninja Gaiden 3Genre: Action-adventure
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HDGenre: Action-adventure
Order Up!!Genre: Cooking simulation
PainGenre: Action
Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd DimensionGenre: Action-adventure
Planet MinigolfGenre: Sports
Portal 2Genre: Puzzle-platform
Puss in BootsGenre: Action-adventure
R.U.S.E.Genre: Real-time strategy
Rapala Pro Bass Fishing 2010Genre: Sports (Fishing)
Record of Agarest War 2Genre: Tactical RPG
Resident Evil 5: Gold EditionGenre: Survival horror
Resident Evil: The Darkside ChroniclesGenre: Rail shooter
Resident Evil: The Umbrella ChroniclesGenre: Rail shooter
Resistance 3Genre: First-person shooter
Rune Factory: Tides of DestinyGenre: Simulation, RPG
SingStar DanceGenre: Music, Fitness
SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALsGenre: Third-person shooter
Swords & SoldiersGenre: Real-time strategy
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the UnicornGenre: Action-adventure
The Amazing Spider-ManGenre: Action-adventure
The House of the Dead 4Genre: Rail shooter
The House of the Dead IIIGenre: Rail shooter
The House of the Dead: OverkillGenre: Rail shooter
The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's QuestGenre: Action-adventure
The Sly CollectionGenre: Platform, Stealth
The Unfinished SwanGenre: Adventure
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11Genre: Sports
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12Genre: Sports
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13Genre: Sports
Time Crisis: Razing StormGenre: Shooter
Top Spin 4Genre: Sports
Toy Story 3: The Video GameGenre: Action-adventure
Tron: EvolutionGenre: Action-adventure
UFC Personal TrainerGenre: Sports
Under SiegeGenre: Real-time tactics
Virtua Tennis 4Genre: Sports
Wanted CorpGenre: Action/Shooter
Yoostar 2: In The MoviesGenre: Casual
Move Required Games

Adidas micoachGenre: Fitness
Ape Escape Fury! Fury!Genre: Rail shooter
Babel RisingGenre: Action
Beat Sketcher!Genre: Music
Carnival IslandGenre: Party game
Dance on BroadwayGenre: Music
Deadliest Catch: Sea of ChaosGenre: Hunting
Disney Channel All Star House PartyGenre: Party game
Echochrome IIGenre: Puzzle
Everybody DanceGenre: Music, Fitness
EyePet and FriendsGenre: Virtual pet
Fast Draw ShowdownGenre: Shooter
Get Fit With Mel BGenre: Fitness
Grease DanceGenre: Dance
Just Dance 3Genre: Dance
Just Dance KidsGenre: Music
Kung Fu RiderGenre: Office Chair Racing
Medieval Moves: Deadmund's QuestGenre: Action-adventure
Michael Jackson: The ExperienceGenre: Music
Move Mind BendersGenre: Puzzle
NCISGenre: Adventure
PixelJunk 4amGenre: Music
PlayStation Move HeroesGenre: Action-adventure
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012Genre: Sports
Puma: After Hours AthletesGenre: Sports
Racket SportsGenre: Sports
Sackboy's Prehistoric MovesGenre: 2.5D
SorceryGenre: Action-adventure
Sports ChampionsGenre: Sports
Sports Champions 2Genre: Sports
Start the Party!Genre: Party game
Start the Party! Save The WorldGenre: Party game
The Fight: Lights OutGenre: Fighting
The ShootGenre: Rail shooter
TumbleGenre: Puzzle
TV SuperstarsGenre: Party game
Wonderbook: Book of SpellsGenre: Adventure
Wonderbook: Diggs NightcrawlerGenre: Adventure
Zumba FitnessGenre: Fitness
By now you must have realized what all you are missing if you haven't got your PlayStation Move as yet. You are going to repent further if you don't buy one soon because the list of upcoming Move games includes some of the most anticipated PS3 titles of 2013, like Beyond: Two Souls and BioShock Infinite. If you boast of being an ardent fan of the PlayStation 3 video game console, the Move is something that you can't afford to miss out on.

Crayons History

We associate everything that we see around us with a particular hue. But how do we go about expressing them? Suppose you want to paint a beautiful landscape, how would you go about it? What is the medium? Crayons! Yes, a couple of pigmented wax sticks can turn your thoughts into a reality by taking you to their world of myriad hues! Drawing and coloring with crayons is a fun experience for both children and adults.

History of Crayons

Crayons history is quite a big subject as many countries have their own indigenous versions of art using crayons. However, the history of crayons date back to the early days when they just started to evolve in very primitive forms. Blending natural beeswax with colored pigments was one of the crude methods of making crayons. The paste of beeswax and color pigments was first melted and applied to a surface which was mostly wood or a stone. While the heat was still there in the molten wax, metal tools or natural brushes made out of trees were used to engrave the image on the paste. This technique was known as hot wax painting also known as encaustic painting. This was a prominent form of art among the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. Even linseed oil and gum of damar resins were favorable substitutes for beeswax. In south east Asia kut-kut, an ancient but a salient way of using primitive crayons in art was practiced. This involved techniques like sgraffito in which various color layers were applied on a wet surface. Then using crayons, the sides of the figure were scratched to mark an outline of the drawing. Even punic wax technique was a popular method of coloring that had beeswax boiled in salt water and filtered to remove impurities. The content was left in the open for bleaching effect. Later sodium bicarbonate was added to the paste to bring a soap-like consistency. This paste was rinsed in warm water and let to dry. Color pigments and other conditioning agents like oil and egg yolk were added to the paste to produce something like a paint. This art form was very conspicuous in ancient Rome.

However, this was not the type of crayon that could be held by people to draw or color conveniently. In the late 18th century, Europe came up with crayons which were a mix of charcoal and oil. The hue produced was mostly black due to the effect of charcoal. In those days, crayons were cylindrical-shaped sticks so that they could be easily held in hands. Later various colored pigments replaced charcoal. Even a hybrid combination of pastel art and crayons were used for drawings and paintings. Later it was realized that wax was a better substitute for oil as it made the crayon stick properly, and at the same time it was manageable. That was when Crayola crayons came into picture.

In the late 19th century, Peekskill Chemical Company, NY (founder: Mr. Joseph W Binney) was run by Mr. Edwin Binney (the founder's son). Most of the firm's products were either carbon black for automobile tires or red iron oxide which was then used as a color pigment. Then in 1885, Edwin and his nephew C Harold Smith co-founded a firm - Binney & Smith which started dabbling in new areas such as making shoe polish and printing ink. In 1900, they started making slate pencils for schools. This was the beginning of their journey into the world of arts! In 1902, Alice Binney, a school teacher by profession, suggested her husband Edwin that making inexpensive crayons was better than importing costly color pencils which was not in their production then. Also the pencils which were produced by them contained carbon black that was toxic for children. That is when Binny's idea sent the heads reeling, and charcoal was replaced with paraffin wax. Various color pigments were introduced to create fancy hues on crayons. All these led to the birth of the famous crayon manufacturers - Crayola in the year 1903! Alice invented the name Crayola by merging the French word craie (which means chalk) and ola (which means oily). From then onwards, there was no looking back for Crayola!

Crayola came up with various sized boxes of crayon colors containing at least 30 different hues. And with time, they just flourished. In 1920 Crayola introduced Perma Pressed sharpened crayons exclusively for artists. Following that, in 1936 Binney and Smith were declared the founder members for Crayola. They also started a craft institute that merged the safety factor with arts by making less toxic crayons apart from making paints and water colors. This paved the way to the 64-color crayon set with an inbuilt sharpener, that became quite famous among children. In 1958, Crayolas also took over other firms dealing with art such as Cosmic Crayon Company of England and Canada Crayon Company and became one big conglomerate dealing with crayons and other art accessories. In 2003, they celebrated their 100th anniversary. Today they have 120 exquisite colors on their crayons.

Now that Crayolas are coming up with innovative ideas like washable crayons, twistable crayons, scented crayons, silver-hued crayons, gemstone-colored crayons, color changing crayons and glittery crayons, art is bound to become one absolute fun to indulge in. In fact, there are classes that teach techniques to make crayons, and it is not just for children but also for artists who are interested in making crayons themselves.

Crayons have now become the heart of any art department. They are non toxic and easy to handle. Drawing and painting is a joy for both children and artists with the galore of colors that Crayola provides. Parents who are interested in making exquisite thanksgiving crafts for toddlers can use crayons too. There are many crayon crafts for children to learn which will surely interest them!