News for today's 2018: 03/19/13

CYPRUS'S FINANCIAL CRISIS AND ITS GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS

7:17 PM Tukiyooo 0

<br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-X31KEfcUBKR3xibfZddM2PnqtkkOLEIlM-jKZnHslJSwNyCn61x0aKmqux_cE1b670TyOu17X403GGzi9vIFUxBqK5EEAGMSAQ506ZNc0Sc9By3Do6zSGdZ9SMg8q0qCQI4HkJIVxKS/s1600/BFkFrgaCMAECgEb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-X31KEfcUBKR3xibfZddM2PnqtkkOLEIlM-jKZnHslJSwNyCn61x0aKmqux_cE1b670TyOu17X403GGzi9vIFUxBqK5EEAGMSAQ506ZNc0Sc9By3Do6zSGdZ9SMg8q0qCQI4HkJIVxKS/s400/BFkFrgaCMAECgEb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>COULD IT BE THAT THE TROIKA IN REALITY FOCUSES ON TAKING CONTROL OF CYPRUS’S PROCLAIMED HYDROCARBON FINDINGS? </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Could it be that the bigger picture of this imposed "crisis" on CYPRUS is the geopolitical game of the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"troika," made up of the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)</span> to secure recently found gas recourses around the southern shores of CYPRUS, in order to break the quasi gas monopoly of the RUSSIAN Federation. This implies the crash of the CYPRIOT Banks and a further increase of CYPRUS’S debts, so that the government, under the fear of financial collapse, basically gives away its natural recourses to the “troika”. This is a financial as well as energy war is against opposing entities such as RUSSIA, and not the pitiful half-dozen citizens of CYPRUS. One should not forget that CYPRUS is RUSSIA’S “LUXEMBURG”, when it comes to offshore financial dealings, something the EU has been opposing for some time now, despite the fact that the EU seems to turn a blind eye on LUXEMBURG, on the same topic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGe2QfUbbbgUdPwb_tP7IPLLybsiAQDnan0_F37m5LGBb2FtOw_xNNtorX1wRNE1ip_fIRvdwL_dwFofdVgJGwMVbrpJcmH0mzRkDeFDdlZBrmiblDsEORoOYORZ56NTHtEjVK7ZEoEpn/s1600/cyp_oil_and_gas_drilling_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGe2QfUbbbgUdPwb_tP7IPLLybsiAQDnan0_F37m5LGBb2FtOw_xNNtorX1wRNE1ip_fIRvdwL_dwFofdVgJGwMVbrpJcmH0mzRkDeFDdlZBrmiblDsEORoOYORZ56NTHtEjVK7ZEoEpn/s320/cyp_oil_and_gas_drilling_72.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">See also:</span></i></span></div><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="hps"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">CYPRUS</span></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> DRESS <span class="hps">REHEARSAL:</span> <span class="hps">FIRST</span> SUCCESSFUL COMPULSORY DEPOSITOR ACQUISITION <span class="hps">IN CYPRUS</span></span></i></b></span></div><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/03/eu-zypern-generalprobe-erfolgreiche.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/03/eu-zypern-generalprobe-erfolgreiche.html</a></span></i></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">CYPRUS RESCUE IN CHAOS AS BANK LEVY REJECTED </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>BRUSSELS' GRIP SLIPPED ON ITS EUROZONE RESCUE STRATEGY AS CYPRUS REJECTED THE CONDITIONS FOR ITS €10BN (£8.6BN) BAIL-OUT, AND APPEARED TO TURN TO RUSSIA FOR HELP INSTEAD. </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">Via Telegraph UK</div><br />In a vote in CYPRIOT parliament last night, not a single politician voted for the proposed bank levy, which was designed to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">raise the €5.8bn needed to secure a vital €10bn cash injection</b> from EUROPE and the IMF. President Nicos Anastasiades, led the rebellion by abstaining. There were 19 in abstentions and 36 votes against. <br />Mr Anastasiades telephoned Angela Merkel ahead of a crucial debate on the botched bail-out to tell her the results would be negative. He told reporters that politicians “feel and think it isn’t just and that it’s against the interest of CYPRUS.”<br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CYPRIOT FINANCE MINISTER IN RUSSIA FOR CONSULTATIONS </b></span><br />Meanwhile, the CYPRIOT finance ministry said its boss had gone to Moscow. Government sources also said the CYPRIOT government was considering asking Midde East investors for help. Cypriot banks will be closed for the fourth day today. The Royal Air Force flew €1m in cash to CYPRUS for army personnel. <br /><span style="color: blue;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">See: </span></i></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">RUSSIA AND THE CYPRUSGAMBIT</span></i></b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/05/russia-and-cyprus.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/05/russia-and-cyprus.html</a>and</span></i></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">CYPRUS AT ODDS WITH BRITAIN OVER SOVEREIGN BASE AREAS AND ITS GEOPOLITICAL IMPACT FOR THE REGION</span></i></b></span><br /><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/cyprus-emerging-geo-strategic-key.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/cyprus-emerging-geo-strategic-key.html</a></span></i></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">EUROPE WILL GIVE CYPRUS A BRIEF AND FINAL CHANCE TO RETHINK AND VOTE AGAIN</b></span><br />The European Central Bank said it would continue to provide liquidity to CYPRUS under existing rules. <br />But the confusion caused equities to fall across EUROPE while traders ditched the euro amid fears of a fresh banking crisis. In ITALY the MIB dropped 4.6pc, the FRENCH CAC fell 1.3pc, the GERMAN DAX slid 0.8pc. The worse hit was SPAIN’S IBEX fell 2.2pc as traders feared its banks would be first to suffer any contagion. The yield on 10-year gilts fell to their lowest level this year as traders sought a safe haven. Luis de Guindos, SPAIN’S finance minister, scrambled to reassure investors. “Deposits of under €100,000 are sacred from the point of view of the bloc’s rules and SPANISH rules,” he said. Luc Frieden, LUXEMBOURG’S finance minister, told Bloomberg: “We will make sure that deposits in EUROPE are safe.” He added that the fisasco could “not be seen as destroying the confidence that people have” in the EUROPEAN financial system.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7pfunxLg8-4397z72-kDRS-QGsFEnlTbfLPCtUQrfY_JVphhZcSs7nWfrs3d2LSO9xOAC8q-9aCFQOljKW8s9Wzm8fZ7DAg0rb0_HcURzXwmvFBUkmsUMkU1vVZ7fEcMbnrFG4hGGron/s1600/240264-cyprus-financial-crisis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7pfunxLg8-4397z72-kDRS-QGsFEnlTbfLPCtUQrfY_JVphhZcSs7nWfrs3d2LSO9xOAC8q-9aCFQOljKW8s9Wzm8fZ7DAg0rb0_HcURzXwmvFBUkmsUMkU1vVZ7fEcMbnrFG4hGGron/s320/240264-cyprus-financial-crisis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>But analysts were not convinced. “There is no precedent for what would happen if CYPRUS rejected the conditions,” Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank wrote in a note. “Our best guess is that EUROPE would give CYPRUS a brief and final chance to rethink and vote again.” <br />President Anastasiades has called an emergency meeting of political leaders this morning, the fifth day since the government and the euro group thrashed out the rescue plan. The original plan, backed by the EU, the EUROPEAN Central Bank and the IMF, was for CYPRUS to raise €5.8bn from a tax of 6.75pc on all desposits under €100,000 and 9.9pc above that level. The parliamentary vote was delayed twice while changes were inserted to protect deposits of under €20,000. However, the move has been widely condemned as tearing up the EU’s pledge to guarantee deposits up to €100,000.<br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SERIOUS BLUNDER BY EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY BLACKMAILING THE GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS</b></span><br />Sharon Bowles, chairman of the EUROPEAN Parliament’s economic committee, said the ECB’s authority had been damaged. “Central banks have to be tough sometimes, but what hope is there for accountability when they seemingly force decisions like this at gunpoint with no regard for financial legislation,” she said. “We must question ECB independence on supervision. If anything this strengthens the case for more democratic accountability.” <br />The former Governor of the Central Bank of CYPRUS, Anthanasios Orphanides, said there had been a “very serious blunder by EUROPEAN governments that are essentially blackmailing the government of CYPRUS to confiscate the money that belongs rightfully to depositors in the banking sector in CYPRUS...What we are witnessing is the slow death of the EUROPEAN Project.” Gervais Williams of Miton Capital Partners said: “My worry is that the CYPRUS announcement will change the behaviour of large depositors. And that is the thin end of a very worrying wedge.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><span style="color: blue;">On <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>7<sup>th</sup>Jan 2013</u></b> Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring published the following: </span> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DE FACTO LOSS OF SOVEREIGNTY: </b></span></div><span style="color: #990000;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CYPRUS MAKES BIG CONCESSIONS FOR BAILOUT</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">CYPRUS wants help from the EUROPEAN UNION'S bailout fund. But the price for the billions in emergency aid money is high. The country will effectively lose its sovereignty.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“TROIKA” WILL ESSENTIALLY TAKE CONTROL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND, AND SUBSEQUENTLY ITS NATURAL GAS RESOURCES!</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Dimitris Christofias ( at that time President of CYPRUS ) had a serious look on his face as he turned to the cameras and spoke of what a "gut-wrenching" decision it was, but added that it was also a "necessary evil." The CYPRIOT president was not giving his people good news.</div><div class="MsoNormal">His staff realized how bad it would be when Christofias, in his televised address, reminded viewers of his country's darkest hour, the TURKISH invasion of northern CYPRUS in 1974.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Although CYPRUS is not about to suffer the same fate, it is already clear that in return for billions of Euros for the debt-ridden country from the EUROPEAN bailout fund, the "troika," made up of the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will essentially take control of the Mediterranean island.<br /><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Background Information: </span></u></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/12/energy-adventures-in-eastern.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/12/energy-adventures-in-eastern.html</a></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/02/new-mediterranean-oil-and-gas-bonanza.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/02/new-mediterranean-oil-and-gas-bonanza.html</a></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/complexity-of-eastern-med-energy-games.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/complexity-of-eastern-med-energy-games.html</a></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/12/energy-games-in-eastern-mediterranean.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/12/energy-games-in-eastern-mediterranean.html</a><b>:</b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">EUROPEAN UNION ENERGY STRATEGY </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">See:</span> <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/broke-cyprus-could-be-energy-trump-card.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/broke-cyprus-could-be-energy-trump-card.html</a></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The EUROPEAN UNION is also supportive of the aforementioned, since it agonizes for its energy security and a potential discovery of new reserves by a Eurozone country such as CYPRUS further strengthens its energy planning. FRENCH and GERMAN companies, being the dominant players in the EUROPEAN energy corporate environment, estimates they will be able to acquire concessions and strengthen their businesses worldwide. EUROPE will face an issue with natural gas imports sometime after 2020 due to rising consumption, decreasing North Sea reserves and increase in demand by the rest of the world.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue;"><i><u><b>Background Information:</b></u></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue;"><i>See: <span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">RUSSIA AND CYPRUS </span></b></span><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/07/turkey-and-russia.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/07/turkey-and-russia.html</a></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The CYPRIOT government and representatives of the troika negotiated for almost five months over the terms of a bailout package, worth at least €17.5 billion ($22.8 billion). The negotiations produced the draft version of a 30-page Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in which the troika dictates to CYPRUS what steps it will have to take in the coming years, down to the smallest detail.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLAMING THE BANKS</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">The euro rescuers also addressed government revenues. The tax on fine-cut tobacco will go up drastically from €60 to €150 per kilogram, while the beer tax will increase to €6 per degree of alcohol and hectoliter. The troika also believes that a tax increase of 7 cents per liter is appropriate for diesel fuel and gasoline.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Citizens will be especially hard-hit by the planned 2-percent increase in the value-added tax, bringing it up to 19 percent. <span style="background: yellow;">The troika (IMF, ECB and World Bank) is also calling for cuts in the healthcare sector, as well as reduced pensions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: yellow;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Background Information: </span></u></i></b></span></div><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">IMF</span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/08/imf-destroyer-of-nations.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/08/imf-destroyer-of-nations.html</a></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/08/imf-on-trial.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/08/imf-on-trial.html</a></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Christofias left no doubt as to who he blames for the disaster, saying: "It's true that the decisions of bank executives and the miserable control by the CYPRIOT CENTRAL bank have cost CYPRUS billions of EUR." The amount of the aid package corresponds almost to the country's entire economic output in a year. According to the troika's plan, by 2016 CYPRUS'S national budget will be cleaned up enough that the country can hopefully make do without new debt.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CREDITORS TO TAKE LOSSES FIRST</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CYPRIOT banks are also expected to make a contribution. Crisis-ridden institutions will no longer be supported solely by injections of cash from the EUROPEAN bailout fund. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">This time, the banks' creditors are also expected to pay up</span>. "With the goal of minimizing the cost to taxpayers, bank shareholders and junior debt holders will take losses before state-aid measures are granted," the MoU draft reads</b>. This means that creditors of CYPRIOT banks won't just be able to withdraw their money. Instead, their claims will be converted into bank shares.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">In taking this step, the troika is avoiding a potential embarrassment. Substantial sums of RUSSIAN capital are deposited into CYPRIOT banks, and some of it is probably of dubious origin.</span></b><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"> It would be difficult to explain to the EUROPEAN public why its taxes are being used to rescue wealthy oligarchs. Now, people who had previously invested their wealth into yachts, cars and football clubs will be forcibly turned into bank owners.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Background Information</span></u></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">: See <b>11 Feb 2012</b> article published by <b>Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring,</b> <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/02/eastern-mediterranean-sea.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/02/eastern-mediterranean-sea.html</a>:</span></i></span></div><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MUCH NEEDED ECO- FINANCIAL BOOST FOR CYPRUS AFTER RUSSIA’S BAILOUT, BUT WITH GEO STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">During 2009 and 2010, CYPRUS and ISRAEL discovered enormous natural gas deposits off their shores in the Mediterranean Sea. And in late 2011 NOBLE ENERGY, the firm contracted by CYPRUS with exploring for gas in its waters, announced a discovery of gas estimated at 5-8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas there. <b><span style="background: yellow;">This discovery could not come at a better time for CYPRUS, which in 2011 endured a slippage in its fiscal ratings, was shut out of international capital markets, hit by a large munitions blast, and was finally forced to accept a RUSSIAN bailout.</span></b>All told, the discoveries by both countries amount to 33 trillion cubic feet of gas (ca. 1 trillion cubic meters). And the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the Levant Basin, where most of these discoveries have occurred, may hold 122 TCF (3.4 tcm).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjisC_BbI8h_ceg-5BZ_qglYUFGA76SdCUbXYTRfQwQzN5tPBrTruJRMHczqazl24phh7wK9syVA05wFLEOYFXApPXSLxJWW-zP_hKQlhyphenhyphenTPgMwCyU8T6xIG4hkTCzYap-B5q0lpAy8vF/s1600/Russia_Cyprus1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjisC_BbI8h_ceg-5BZ_qglYUFGA76SdCUbXYTRfQwQzN5tPBrTruJRMHczqazl24phh7wK9syVA05wFLEOYFXApPXSLxJWW-zP_hKQlhyphenhyphenTPgMwCyU8T6xIG4hkTCzYap-B5q0lpAy8vF/s320/Russia_Cyprus1.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TURKISH THREATS DEEPLY DISTURB CYPRUS AND RUSSIA</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">However, TURKEY’S threats against CYPRUS and ISRAEL due to their exploration and drilling for gas in the Eastern Mediterranean caused concern in RUSSIA. <b><span style="background: yellow; color: blue;">Moscow recently organized a large loan for CYPRUS to sustain it against a crisis should GREECE default because so many RUSSIAN accounts are held in CYPRUS’ banks and then reinvested in RUSSIA or used to launder the elite’s money by cycling it out of RUSSIA into the global banking system</span></b><span style="background: yellow; color: blue;">.</span><span style="background: yellow;"> <b><span style="color: blue;">Clearly, Moscow cannot allow CYPRUS to go under</span></b>.</span>TURKISH threats therefore deeply disturb both CYPRUS and RUSSIA. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CYPRUS FUNCTIONS AS AN OFFSHORE FINANCIAL CENTER FOR RUSSIA, </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">At the same time, CYPRUS will have to rebuild its financial sector in the coming years, along with drastically improving regulations and intensifying the fight against money laundering and tax evasion. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The president wasn't willing to end his address without giving his fellow CYPRIOTS at least some words of comfort and hope. After the TURKISH invasion, he said, the country was rebuilt. And added, today Cyprus can hope for a new "economic miracle."</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Parts of above article has been adapted from Christian Reiermann and Markus Dettmer via DS</div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

CYPRUS'S FINANCIAL CRISIS AND ITS GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS

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The Great Lululemon Panic: It's Not Just About the See-Through Pants

6:51 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.383333206176758px;">After riding the yoga boom to four years of amazing sales, it's not clear that the trendiest name in athletic wear can keep hold its growth steady.</span><br /><br /><h1 class="headline" style="background-color: white; color: #242b30; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 36px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 6px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></h1><h1 class="headline" style="font-size: 36px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 6px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><img alt="570_Lululemon_Reuters.jpg" src="http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/business/570_Lululemon_Reuters.jpg" /></h1><div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26.100000381469727px;"><span style="font-size: 1em;">The yoga world was rocked to its meticulously-toned core yesterday, when Lululemon announced it was pulling some of its signature black Luon pants from shelves, after a manufacturing foul-up left them overly see-through. This "sheerness problem," as the </span><i style="font-size: 1em;">Wall Street Journal</i><span style="font-size: 1em;"> </span>artfully <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323415304578368911367151242.html?mod=us_most_pop_newsreel" style="color: #00598c; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: none;">deemed it</a><span style="font-size: 1em;">, might affect one out of every six pairs currently in stock. As a result, the company says its customers should expect <a href="http://www.lululemon.com/media/index.php?id=224" style="color: #00598c; text-decoration: none;">a shortage</a>. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26.100000381469727px;">The reaction from investors has been decidedly un-yogi-like -- a swift and harsh sell-off that's knocked about <span style="font-size: 1em;">5 percent off the Canadian company's share price. Now, this </span><span style="font-size: 1em;">might just be a temporary blip, as investors adjust their expectations for this quarter's profits. But it's tempting to wonder whether the market's anxiety is a sign of deeper problems for the trendiest name in athletic wear.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26.100000381469727px;">As you might have noticed from the parade of multicolored mats at your local gym, the U.S. has been going through a bit of a yoga boom in the last few years. The Analysts at IBISWorld <a href="http://www.ibisworld.com/Common/MediaCenter/Fastest%20Growing%20Industries.pdf" style="color: #00598c; text-decoration: none;">estimate</a> it's one of the top ten fastest growing American industries. And perhaps nobody has benefited from that more than Lululemon, which has seen its sales nearly quadruple since 2008, and its stock price grow about 740 percent <a href="http://www.ibisworld.com/Common/MediaCenter/Fastest%20Growing%20Industries.pdf" style="color: #00598c; text-decoration: none;">in less than three years</a>. It's tough to earn a living teaching yoga full-time, but $98 Astro Pants are the modern version of the old adage about Levis: Nobody made any money off California's 1840s gold rush except the stores selling blue jeans and pick axes to the miners. </div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26.100000381469727px;">Investors have been plowing their money into Lululemon's stock under the assumption that there was still lots of room to grow. Its share price is trading at just under 40 times its earnings. Apple's, by comparison, trades at about 10X. That's a sign investors are betting on an extremely bright future, not what the company's quarterly earnings look like today, or even three months down the line.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26.100000381469727px;">Even before this week's sell off, though, the stock had already been declining over <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/breakingviews/2012/06/08/yoga_retailer_lululemon_expects_a_sales_drop_in_its_second_quarter_.html" style="color: #00598c; text-decoration: none;">the quarter</a>, as investors began <a href="http://ycharts.com/analysis/story/the_lululemon_growth_debate_explained_here" style="color: #00598c; text-decoration: none;">to wonder</a> whether the company could keep adding new customers at such a rapid pace. As Meg Miller of Reuters Breakingviews pointed out <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/breakingviews/2012/06/08/yoga_retailer_lululemon_expects_a_sales_drop_in_its_second_quarter_.html" style="color: #00598c; text-decoration: none;">back in June</a>, yoga's exploding popularity has attracted competition from companies like Gap and Victoria's Secret, who are selling their lines for less. </div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 26.100000381469727px;">Before Lululemon, nobody was really marketing high-end yoga wear. Now that the company has proven the concept, others want a cut. It's the curse faced by many lifestyle brands -- think of Apple's recent trouble fending off Samsung -- and Lululemon's ability to thrive in the coming years will depend on somehow convincing customers that its products really are worth the premium. And the first step is to make sure people can actually wear your pants with peace of mind them while they're doing handstands in public. </div></div></div>

Lululemon The Great Lululemon Panic: It's Not Just About the See-Through Pants

After riding the yoga boom to four years of amazing sales, it's not clear that the trendiest name in athletic wear can keep hold its growth steady.The yoga world was rocked to its meticulously-toned core yesterday, when Lululemon announced it was pul…

'The Biggest Loser' Season 14 winner: Danni Allen

6:49 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="400" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://embed.newsinc.com/Single/iframe.html?WID=1&VID=24619105&freewheel=69016&sitesection=selatimes&width=600&height=400" width="600"></iframe> <br /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/entertainment/television/the-biggest-loser-%28tv-program%29-ENTTV000000106.topic" id="ENTTV000000106" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;" title="The Biggest Loser (tv program)">"The Biggest Loser"</a> has a new winner: Danni Allen, who takes home the title and the $250,000 grand prize by one of the slimmest margins in the competition's history.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">And America just might have a new fitness model.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Allen, 26, of <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/us/illinois/cook-county/wheeling-PLGEO1001005011480000.topic" id="PLGEO1001005011480000" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;" title="Wheeling">Wheeling</a>, Ill., had been working multiple jobs to pay off college bills until she joined the cast of the weight-loss reality show weighing 258 pounds. She lost 121 pounds -- or 46.90% of her body weight -- over the course of the competition.</div><div class="articlerail" style="background-color: white; clear: both; float: left; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 234px; z-index: 4;"><div class="articleRelates module" style="border: 1px solid rgb(231, 231, 231); margin: 0px 0px 30px; padding: 10px 10px 0px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="newRelatedItem" style="clear: both; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-biggest-loser-winner-danni-allen-2013-001,0,2049335.photo" style="clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; display: block; text-decoration: none; width: 212px;" target=""><img alt="The Biggest Loser - Season 14" height="105" src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-514881c7/turbine/la-et-st-biggest-loser-winner-danni-allen-2013-001/186/186x105" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-right: 5px; padding-right: 8px;" title="The Biggest Loser - Season 14" width="186" /></a><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-biggest-loser-winner-danni-allen-2013-001,0,2049335.photo" style="clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; display: block; text-decoration: none; width: 212px;" target="">Photo: The Biggest Loser - Season 14</a></li><li class="newRelatedItem" style="clear: both; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-biggest-loser-season-14-finale-before-and-after-photos-20130319,0,1092305.photogallery" style="clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; display: block; text-decoration: none; width: 212px;" target=""><img alt="'The Biggest Loser' Season 14 finale: Before-and-after photos" height="105" src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-5148923d/turbine/la-et-st-biggest-loser-season-14-finale-before-and-after-photos-20130319/187/187x105" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-right: 5px; padding-right: 8px;" title="'The Biggest Loser' Season 14 finale: Before-and-after photos" width="187" /></a><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-biggest-loser-season-14-finale-before-and-after-photos-20130319,0,1092305.photogallery" style="clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; display: block; text-decoration: none; width: 212px;" target="">Photos: 'The Biggest Loser' Season 14 finale: Before-and-after photos</a></li><li class="newRelatedItem" style="clear: both; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-biggest-loser-season-13-2012-pictures,0,12718.photogallery" style="clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; display: block; text-decoration: none; width: 212px;" target=""><img alt="Meet the "Biggest Loser" Season 13 competitors" height="105" src="http://www.latimes.com/media/thumbnails/photogallery/2012-01/67025126-03084725.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-right: 5px; padding-right: 8px;" title="Meet the "Biggest Loser" Season 13 competitors" width="187" /></a><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-biggest-loser-season-13-2012-pictures,0,12718.photogallery" style="clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; display: block; text-decoration: none; width: 212px;" target="">Photos: Meet the "Biggest Loser" Season 13 competitors</a></li><li class="newRelatedItem" style="clear: both; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-biggest-loser-kids-childhood-obesity-20130105,0,2474527.story" style="clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; display: block; text-decoration: none; width: 212px;" target=""><img alt="'The Biggest Loser' tackles childhood obesity in a new season" height="105" src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-50e786c3/turbine/la-et-st-biggest-loser-kids-childhood-obesity-20130105-thumbnail/187/187x105" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-right: 5px; padding-right: 8px;" title="'The Biggest Loser' tackles childhood obesity in a new season" width="187" /></a><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-biggest-loser-kids-childhood-obesity-20130105,0,2474527.story" style="clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; display: block; text-decoration: none; width: 212px;" target="">'The Biggest Loser' tackles childhood obesity in a new season</a></li><li class="newRelatedItem" style="clear: both; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-the-biggest-loser-season-14-jillians-back-20121203,0,7674477.photogallery" style="clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; display: block; text-decoration: none; width: 212px;" target=""><img alt="The Biggest Loser: Season 14 tackles childhood obesity" height="105" src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-50be5394/turbine/la-et-st-the-biggest-loser-season-14-jillians-back-20121203/187/187x105" style="border: 0px; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-right: 5px; padding-right: 8px;" title="The Biggest Loser: Season 14 tackles childhood obesity" width="187" /></a><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-the-biggest-loser-season-14-jillians-back-20121203,0,7674477.photogallery" style="clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0) !important; display: block; text-decoration: none; width: 212px;" target="">Photos: The Biggest Loser: Season 14 tackles childhood obesity</a></li><li class="newRelatedItem" style="clear: both; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px;"><div style="margin: -10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"></div></li></ul></div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-biggest-loser-season-14-finale-before-and-after-photos-20130319,0,1092305.photogallery" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_self"><strong><br />PHOTOS: 'The Biggest Loser' Season 14 finale: Before-and-after photos</strong></a>But Allen drew gasps when she walked on stage Monday night for the big reveal at the finale. Though almost all of the competitors looked dramatically different after losing so much weight, Danni looked absolutely transformed: Poised, chiseled and she had her swagger on.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Come to think of it, she could have been channeling her trainer, <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/health/physical-fitness-exercise/jillian-michaels-PECLB0015224.topic" id="PECLB0015224" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;" title="Jillian Michaels">Jillian Michaels</a>. Danni's victory came after she lost each and every one of her teammates in the early weeks of the competition, until it was just Danni and Jillian. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Jillian was so certain of Danni's victory that she refused at one point in the middle of the show to hug her trainee, saying that the "first" hug would come after the confetti was raining down on Danni's head.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">"I can't believe this is real," Danni said after she'd been declared the winner. "I am in disbelief. But this is real, and you can believe."</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">There will be a media conference call later this morning with Danni. Any questions you'd like to ask her? If so, leave them in the comments section below and we'll do our best to put them to her. (We're also working on a before / after photo gallery of all the competitors, so check back for that!)</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-ca-2013-celebrity-pictures,0,7199039.photogallery" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong>PHOTOS: Celebrity portraits by The Times</strong></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Jillians said that having a one-woman team was a blessing and a curse for Danni. It allowed her to have Jillian's full attention, but that also made for extra punishment in the gym. Jillian said that one of the most powerful tools the pair used to propel Danni to victory was visualization. "We saw it, we had to see it, we envisioned it, and we made it happen," Jillian said. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Second-place victory went to Jeff Nichols, 25, of Monroe, Mich., who started the show at 388 pounds, a girth he gained in part by turning to food in the wake of his father's death. He lost 181 pounds, or 46.65% of his body weight, just short of ekeing out a win over Danni. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-biggest-loser-season-14-finale-before-and-after-photos-20130319,0,1092305.photogallery" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-51489345/turbine/la-et-the-biggest-loser-season-14-winner-danni-allen--20130319/600" style="border: 0px; display: block;" /></a>Pictured: Danni Allen. Credit: NBC</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">The at-home winner was Gina McDonald, 48, of Hoover, Ala., who took home that $100,000 title. She joined the cast at 245 pounds and lost 113 pounds, or 46.12% of her body weight. She fell <em>just short</em> of the 46.90% lost by Danni and the 46.65% lost by Jeff. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Her win was no surprise, given that she lasted on the ranch until last week and dominated the weigh-ins while there. Still, had she made the final three, it would not have been enough to edge out Danni or Jeff. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">All things being equal, that means Jeff would have been declared the at-home winner had he been eliminated last week instead of Gina. But there's no use playing that hindsight game, right?</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-biggest-loser-season-14-finale-before-and-after-photos-20130319,0,1092305.photogallery" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_self"><strong>PHOTOS: 'The Biggest Loser' Season 14 finale: Before-and-after photos</strong></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">As Dolvett Quince put it, all the competitors are "billionaires," because they've won valuable insight into what it means to live a happy, fulfilling and success-driven life that does not revolve around food. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Several of the competitors were downright unrecognizable, while others looked as if they'd rolled back the hands of time. David? He looked about 15 years younger, fit and trim and showing off those guns. (The biceps, not the sidearms issued as part of his law enforcement duties.) Lisa, the 37-year-old mom from Houlton, Wis. came on stage to wolf whistles from the live audience -- yes, she looked that good.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">The finale made "Biggest Loser" history for its youngest players, the so-called "kids" who were part of the show this year. Their reveals were remarkable: They've grown up before our eyes and combined shed more than 100 pounds. It was never about the weight for the kids, though, it was about teaching them to embrace life and healthful eating habits. They did that, each mirroring what the show and their coaches taught them. Biingo channeled a preppy Bob Harper and his happy-go-lucky style, Lindsay mirrored Dolvett's intensity and brilliant smile and Jillian's ward, Sunny, was the picture of poise and self-confidence. Was that the most picture-perfect prom dress in history? YES!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">What did you think about how this season turned out? Are you glad Danni won it? Thoughts about Gina's win? After watching the season, what did you think about the decison to bring kids on board? </div></div>

'The Biggest Loser' 'The Biggest Loser' Season 14 winner: Danni Allen

"The Biggest Loser" has a new winner: Danni Allen, who takes home the title and the $250,000 grand prize by one of the slimmest margins in the competition's history.And America just might have a new fitness model.Allen, 26, of Wheeling, Ill., had be…

Today's archidose #659

5:30 PM Tukiyooo 0

On the occasion of <a href="http://www.toyo-ito.co.jp/">Toyo Ito</a> being named the <a href="http://www.pritzkerprize.com/2013/">2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate</a>, here are some photos of the Tama Art University Library in Tokyo, photographed by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottnorsworthy/">Scott Norsworthy</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottnorsworthy/7324506424/" title="Tama Art University Library, Tokyo - Toyo Ito by Scott Norsworthy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tama Art University Library, Tokyo - Toyo Ito" height="475" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7324506424_b26aaed91c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottnorsworthy/8563130017/" title="Tama Art University Library - Toyo Ito by Scott Norsworthy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tama Art University Library - Toyo Ito" height="447" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8563130017_663499e08e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottnorsworthy/8563132365/" title="Tama Art University Library - Toyo Ito by Scott Norsworthy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tama Art University Library - Toyo Ito" height="417" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8563132365_64f764a7da_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottnorsworthy/8564229718/" title="Tama Art University Library - Toyo Ito by Scott Norsworthy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tama Art University Library - Toyo Ito" height="446" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8564229718_35855ff251_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottnorsworthy/8563127429/" title="Tama Art University Library - Toyo Ito by Scott Norsworthy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tama Art University Library - Toyo Ito" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8563127429_e61b7e4c76_c.jpg" width="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottnorsworthy/7165032197/" title="Tama Art University Library - Toyo Ito by Scott Norsworthy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tama Art University Library - Toyo Ito" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7165032197_113443865f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just:<br /><blockquote>:: Join and add photos to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/archi-dose/">archidose pool</a>, and/or<br />:: Tag your photos <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/archidose/">archidose</a></span></blockquote>

Today's archidose #659

On the occasion of Toyo Ito being named the 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, here are some photos of the Tama Art University Library in Tokyo, photographed by Scott Norsworthy.To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just::: Join…

Afternoon tea

12:57 PM Tukiyooo 0

<p>We had Ciaran's parents for tea this afternoon.  I decided to serve sandwiches and apple tart with cream.  I got the apple tart in the <a href="http://www.thebutlerspantry.ie/">Butler's Pantry</a> and also picked up a fudge cake in Superquinn. I made a round of crumbled ham & cheese sandwiches.  I would normally make much fancier canapes when having friends for afternoon tea but I think older people like more traditional simple food. Pots of tea helped wash down the food.</p><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpviJM71qjsfis98L6RUKiRsyMGos3kbvJjUO1f2DgHuNfwt3aC0V4P6D_SnkSvRe1D7KcvW7k4yP0NrrVjCwkahtLkyl0vd3IF8iukJPAHQ_XPyaD0bxWl9fmOiSq5AgMMw38Byj1LGf/s1600/20130319_143105.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpviJM71qjsfis98L6RUKiRsyMGos3kbvJjUO1f2DgHuNfwt3aC0V4P6D_SnkSvRe1D7KcvW7k4yP0NrrVjCwkahtLkyl0vd3IF8iukJPAHQ_XPyaD0bxWl9fmOiSq5AgMMw38Byj1LGf/s400/20130319_143105.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XQLbE5tQ9z8YCn33NG67BkyCDDrfKAh8lvFYxZt80l9Lt8HKqka6GVNIeB8-DdIZd5cMCaHySgPlVYSH7jmBF9l8Hr1rm-9qpkHZv2Tmj7Uf1xnHcd9M2bXsDc0B_pGuoJzXwePMBMe_/s1600/20130319_133127.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XQLbE5tQ9z8YCn33NG67BkyCDDrfKAh8lvFYxZt80l9Lt8HKqka6GVNIeB8-DdIZd5cMCaHySgPlVYSH7jmBF9l8Hr1rm-9qpkHZv2Tmj7Uf1xnHcd9M2bXsDc0B_pGuoJzXwePMBMe_/s400/20130319_133127.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HB53ihrwjY6f9cYg4UKL-a5IbOvFI2sKHUipUCrIUGXHBlfyES54pdJ7yDxIPUI3S8brqcouDUlDIqwei9yoxFRJFAkviqgMP40tJ37YRECIjjRVp3bWcHfLlyNK3MynBNOdlPHIFxjd/s1600/20130319_143000.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HB53ihrwjY6f9cYg4UKL-a5IbOvFI2sKHUipUCrIUGXHBlfyES54pdJ7yDxIPUI3S8brqcouDUlDIqwei9yoxFRJFAkviqgMP40tJ37YRECIjjRVp3bWcHfLlyNK3MynBNOdlPHIFxjd/s400/20130319_143000.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uQ8QbTnrthCVZjudRA_Gp75BJm4D-_uk8XrU9FM3-0hGtcAVTUvpcoBFg3tGMqx38Et8ew5hXi8eySPeORNSk0rrvPisT97Gai6IfPWl40N_7XBbx-ThlRrWu3NnTBWRL092Dvk5rs0q/s1600/20130319_133119.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uQ8QbTnrthCVZjudRA_Gp75BJm4D-_uk8XrU9FM3-0hGtcAVTUvpcoBFg3tGMqx38Et8ew5hXi8eySPeORNSk0rrvPisT97Gai6IfPWl40N_7XBbx-ThlRrWu3NnTBWRL092Dvk5rs0q/s400/20130319_133119.jpg" /> </a> </div>

Afternoon tea

We had Ciaran's parents for tea this afternoon. I decided to serve sandwiches and apple tart with cream. I got the apple tart in the Butler's Pantry and also picked up a fudge cake in Superquinn. I made a round of crumbled ham & cheese sandwiches. …

Breakfast

12:15 PM Tukiyooo 0

<p>After the Butler's Pantry we went to the Fumbally Cafe for breakfast.  You may be wondering why we aren't in work.  Yesterday was a bank holiday for St. Patrick's Day and today we both took annual leave so we could spend some time together.  Here's some pics of the Fumbally cafe......make of it what you will! <br>;-)</p><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdckOgDasJLL3fUNYBreDAvXwuxTFysuaRLKzxClcWRFue1s67Pbj0KT4DDeAIHPmcBbwcckLGmASOdf0HgHHYiZny0js8s554aUjU73GesOIewEv3FbL4UQxNrqJ3ShiX3sLcDrsZXDMP/s1600/20130319_111318.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdckOgDasJLL3fUNYBreDAvXwuxTFysuaRLKzxClcWRFue1s67Pbj0KT4DDeAIHPmcBbwcckLGmASOdf0HgHHYiZny0js8s554aUjU73GesOIewEv3FbL4UQxNrqJ3ShiX3sLcDrsZXDMP/s400/20130319_111318.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JhnSt7l4bejTIZvwPHYEob15Kns7lie4-APxwcWBU0fGS3Sv7zWz06OkYXPvbH1o2an49x-g-XPdj5HNqUKFUkunHlOd1egZ8wk84zJnvHJo2nEgHmeJUPiAjYwJtWE90Go4Wrq3oqAf/s1600/20130319_111313.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JhnSt7l4bejTIZvwPHYEob15Kns7lie4-APxwcWBU0fGS3Sv7zWz06OkYXPvbH1o2an49x-g-XPdj5HNqUKFUkunHlOd1egZ8wk84zJnvHJo2nEgHmeJUPiAjYwJtWE90Go4Wrq3oqAf/s400/20130319_111313.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxj7jpHXEKiX9kh7nXt9qSytq7ku4NdX97dzlydQ3SAO_GPkK8GXHSILI7Fua90GT5srI2lf9dEI11Z9HCtdCtc093TT-dfIwBv_rCeHKdnddBpzHU2-BCsLq6So-mmgAP6AwIo2IxPic-/s1600/20130319_111250.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxj7jpHXEKiX9kh7nXt9qSytq7ku4NdX97dzlydQ3SAO_GPkK8GXHSILI7Fua90GT5srI2lf9dEI11Z9HCtdCtc093TT-dfIwBv_rCeHKdnddBpzHU2-BCsLq6So-mmgAP6AwIo2IxPic-/s400/20130319_111250.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mTMRUuScJZtkAkJ5DBj2JpMQ6TFxMHvLps5QT3S2gZYiWkQWRqs1BDdcrobbtL7_eCq3sjR16lzCfAQ0S5v0GtnN0G8ajuU2uc0GybLEqse2vq8Re8wAfRvdaaIQdgzCfORVE5HuYEri/s1600/20130319_111242.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mTMRUuScJZtkAkJ5DBj2JpMQ6TFxMHvLps5QT3S2gZYiWkQWRqs1BDdcrobbtL7_eCq3sjR16lzCfAQ0S5v0GtnN0G8ajuU2uc0GybLEqse2vq8Re8wAfRvdaaIQdgzCfORVE5HuYEri/s400/20130319_111242.jpg" /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZgszMrVUX55nNXSGBLZv0Mq169OCY3zZV9KBlliqMS52sWGWIlUU1hwm2ti85ZveMYvuhF0s1m_gaNnDD4z4U9vTh576glAEd2KP3FTZyBnGPHas7Z8WPLo5cQ4TenFzTvKcpt2-oWUF/s1600/20130319_111233.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZgszMrVUX55nNXSGBLZv0Mq169OCY3zZV9KBlliqMS52sWGWIlUU1hwm2ti85ZveMYvuhF0s1m_gaNnDD4z4U9vTh576glAEd2KP3FTZyBnGPHas7Z8WPLo5cQ4TenFzTvKcpt2-oWUF/s400/20130319_111233.jpg" /> </a> </div>

Breakfast

After the Butler's Pantry we went to the Fumbally Cafe for breakfast. You may be wondering why we aren't in work. Yesterday was a bank holiday for St. Patrick's Day and today we both took annual leave so we could spend some time together. Here's s…

The Butler's Pantry

11:42 AM Tukiyooo 0

<p>We are having Ciaran's parents over for tea later today so we called to the Butler's Pantry to pick up an apple tart.  There are two Butler's Pantrys close to us.  One in Donnybrook and the other in Rathgar.  </p> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CTwGQIIfDlPYi5kOClYWemG4TIVMmNDQUN3mqnsTptz3X5rpXDsLB5_NjKrySyQ4NK_ZfWuf6idMd-CVROs5cGVrFtLEYS0mU0hTUbl2xIJJyIQWVDbIzIgEoYXkpH-97NsLcmP6jAtU/s640/blogger-image--1454150502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CTwGQIIfDlPYi5kOClYWemG4TIVMmNDQUN3mqnsTptz3X5rpXDsLB5_NjKrySyQ4NK_ZfWuf6idMd-CVROs5cGVrFtLEYS0mU0hTUbl2xIJJyIQWVDbIzIgEoYXkpH-97NsLcmP6jAtU/s640/blogger-image--1454150502.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-R0JQwWSWTwCHFMbeGpsNZXVFzd2rS5-yu_NwWaqc_nYoBkO1wnZOhmM5UmlKmlhVVisgOW7TI3OE2Ff6ckAO6CW0iuitmE1Ue8c-Z7iLcfQExGhmSuTcQ-i7NGcgrxWQ8xPEWS_68Plj/s640/blogger-image--250610549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-R0JQwWSWTwCHFMbeGpsNZXVFzd2rS5-yu_NwWaqc_nYoBkO1wnZOhmM5UmlKmlhVVisgOW7TI3OE2Ff6ckAO6CW0iuitmE1Ue8c-Z7iLcfQExGhmSuTcQ-i7NGcgrxWQ8xPEWS_68Plj/s640/blogger-image--250610549.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rAhyphenhypheneBUFxR9rlO50npncEXYYsEnXEUuwKejk9voYA3F7sznS2CxuDiupEalX3Y_Z1BUGNBbm5o6hsZpYZDVU7POoriFkF9I7Eg8HUXYXTy1LkkOzbEAlmeIq9lA9m_XbApiFR4AdbQIy/s640/blogger-image-1220638374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rAhyphenhypheneBUFxR9rlO50npncEXYYsEnXEUuwKejk9voYA3F7sznS2CxuDiupEalX3Y_Z1BUGNBbm5o6hsZpYZDVU7POoriFkF9I7Eg8HUXYXTy1LkkOzbEAlmeIq9lA9m_XbApiFR4AdbQIy/s640/blogger-image-1220638374.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEgvhb78eqF9ZoALqfLMrSrHEo9Zuaq9e-ppzPF1kGnQ8pxHobJoE-e6SL3KQU4qtMfQWvy2PaG3SSObMIhDJwRuwno8Z6NdxiPBFDUKRtH_LpUFAKWzhXcOgln1aupDB0GgR4sqBNKUL/s640/blogger-image-2093919174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEgvhb78eqF9ZoALqfLMrSrHEo9Zuaq9e-ppzPF1kGnQ8pxHobJoE-e6SL3KQU4qtMfQWvy2PaG3SSObMIhDJwRuwno8Z6NdxiPBFDUKRtH_LpUFAKWzhXcOgln1aupDB0GgR4sqBNKUL/s640/blogger-image-2093919174.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKDeYZi4-nLfa6b94x6VCO3fhfrviK1IibttcBDnFyS2W_KcaTkrKSlrviieFNrXnonGB5dKI0lvLj-pO5ac_3-EM9-sfrAx9sQkyJxeURf0FrCSkF-IEkySk9x3Bm7IDF2c0ZmIaUggs/s640/blogger-image-817397990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKDeYZi4-nLfa6b94x6VCO3fhfrviK1IibttcBDnFyS2W_KcaTkrKSlrviieFNrXnonGB5dKI0lvLj-pO5ac_3-EM9-sfrAx9sQkyJxeURf0FrCSkF-IEkySk9x3Bm7IDF2c0ZmIaUggs/s640/blogger-image-817397990.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEVxplukDRt3guSnBHjIvgD758m0oAq9t21XKsZqd8VcUFCdumSME0yBV0LTzahLLZiAVn-eTidtIz86IF8dLM9gWXc-Qd4vxjWiQaRHxktSKQmw0SntG4U31ye6TvkJ40z19QehQInt2/s640/blogger-image-1304230544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEVxplukDRt3guSnBHjIvgD758m0oAq9t21XKsZqd8VcUFCdumSME0yBV0LTzahLLZiAVn-eTidtIz86IF8dLM9gWXc-Qd4vxjWiQaRHxktSKQmw0SntG4U31ye6TvkJ40z19QehQInt2/s640/blogger-image-1304230544.jpg" /></a></div>

The Butler's Pantry

We are having Ciaran's parents over for tea later today so we called to the Butler's Pantry to pick up an apple tart. There are two Butler's Pantrys close to us. One in Donnybrook and the other in Rathgar. …

Beauty Foods Review and Giveaway

10:39 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6IMUYe1blGvyLMJfCqo1wtBMIIyHaucWj0PbX8nONL7ccHjQyJaxFp1E5vNzWVPoYfNAKvDsjvjL0uifkNWkOaXD2NGy38koQnrGyeNE91FosQazSytM6HNh0y3OE0dy0lZ8lnXrRkA/s1600/slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6IMUYe1blGvyLMJfCqo1wtBMIIyHaucWj0PbX8nONL7ccHjQyJaxFp1E5vNzWVPoYfNAKvDsjvjL0uifkNWkOaXD2NGy38koQnrGyeNE91FosQazSytM6HNh0y3OE0dy0lZ8lnXrRkA/s320/slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whoa, chocolate as a beauty supplement? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so in!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I absolutely love chocolate!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mean what's not to love?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's delicious, sweet, decadent and crazy good!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://beautyfoods.com/">Beauty Foods</a> was generous enough to send me this amazing package for review.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am in love with this care package, a lot of thought has gone into their packaging and it shows from the inside of the outside of the box to the inside  with the confetti.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_EWpDWZZE6k16eDIpsoE0Y3KpNMa4HY01T9pTmLlqWG8T5kSUwdJkmY8zt0k9kEQcXRX7gWqoJAUYlyXqoIlo2s0AX-vZjEbxFbN03A94TIz2IugJS_WA9eJ2rKVyZXLKOI_CovX4KY/s1600/relax+you're+beautiful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_EWpDWZZE6k16eDIpsoE0Y3KpNMa4HY01T9pTmLlqWG8T5kSUwdJkmY8zt0k9kEQcXRX7gWqoJAUYlyXqoIlo2s0AX-vZjEbxFbN03A94TIz2IugJS_WA9eJ2rKVyZXLKOI_CovX4KY/s320/relax+you're+beautiful.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love the little boxes!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can give them as a gift to a special someone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside of the box there is the cutest message with a little mirror as a reminder to yourself:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It says Relax,You're Beautiful.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwVGzQysYRJRtNxu1iccX8AWDJ2tMQ42EaJGL6r1-ad8hb14r9zpRH_eWZnoUklfqpO47EFR8EHWIla2S0fsLv8bxRHfcIO11eCp48vMcWJX84gHDC3h2xwuHEv4hw8HT0obFSm37jmI/s1600/beauty+foods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwVGzQysYRJRtNxu1iccX8AWDJ2tMQ42EaJGL6r1-ad8hb14r9zpRH_eWZnoUklfqpO47EFR8EHWIla2S0fsLv8bxRHfcIO11eCp48vMcWJX84gHDC3h2xwuHEv4hw8HT0obFSm37jmI/s320/beauty+foods.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was sent a sample of vanilla Dream, a box of Chocolate Bliss and also a box of their Chocolate Chai Renewal.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you haven't heard of their products it's an all natural hot chocolate that's good for you, helps you sleep soundly and feel well rested each morning and have the most amazing skin ever!</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the creation of this product they kept in mind these key items:</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*it had to taste amazing</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*it had to be natural</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*had to product results</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mix this delicious velvety smooth chocolate with a cup of hot milk and enjoy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OyOqrKQN8dmA032BrNgEV73PiLDdLFHgzDKuVsfeDzb0G6u6tQ9vMrjFa3f5wZqvLwQGJ5pYy3fOGcoMpYIgsoRyXX1PpS7hRbP-5H7D4lLoNEFDUBH05LkRVlUvOmx1uQ4cR_tV37E/s1600/ourproducts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OyOqrKQN8dmA032BrNgEV73PiLDdLFHgzDKuVsfeDzb0G6u6tQ9vMrjFa3f5wZqvLwQGJ5pYy3fOGcoMpYIgsoRyXX1PpS7hRbP-5H7D4lLoNEFDUBH05LkRVlUvOmx1uQ4cR_tV37E/s320/ourproducts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This product is simply amazing!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I only received it yesterday and last night I tried my first cup and was in love. Now I used almond milk though so it tasted a bit different but it was still delicious.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning I woke up feeling well rested and knowing that it is a great product!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Facts:</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sets the mood for slumber</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">helps you get the best nights sleep ever!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wake up feeling revitalized and well rested</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now you can feel well rested with the delicious velvety smooth beauty drink because it's....</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Giveaway time!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I will be selecting two winners!</b></span><br /><br /><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*GIVEAWAY RULES*</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. How do you like to unwind at night after a long day? </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />Want an extra entry?<br /><br />2.  Must Follow my blog.<br /><br />3.Then also follow me via Twitter, here. https://twitter.com/kelli_bliss<br /><br />4. then Re tweet my post about the giveaway and if you tweet on your own make sure you use #BeautyFoods</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. leave me a link here to your tweet.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6. Like their face book page as well please!</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeautyFoods">https://www.facebook.com/BeautyFoods</a></span></b><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be sure to like them on Face Book here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeautyFoods">https://www.facebook.com/BeautyFoods</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Follow on Twitter here: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/beauty_foods">https://twitter.com/beauty_foods</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Find them on Pinterest here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/beautyfoods/">http://pinterest.com/beautyfoods/</a></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Due to FCC guidelines:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beauty Foods sent me their chocolate beauty drinks in exchange for a product review. All the opinions expressed are my own.</span></div></div>

Beauty Foods Review and Giveaway

Whoa, chocolate as a beauty supplement? I am so in!I absolutely love chocolate!I mean what's not to love?It's delicious, sweet, decadent and crazy good!Beauty Foods was generous enough to send me this amazing package for review.I am in love with this…

Cynthia Wachenheim's suicide shows us that new mothers can be vulnerable to anxiety and depression - Slate

9:49 AM Tukiyooo 0

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">On Wednesday, a New York lawyer and new mother named Cynthia Wachenheim strapped her baby son, Keston, to her chest <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/nyregion/son-survives-cynthia-wachenheims-suicide-jump-in-harlem.html?ref=nyregion&_r=2&pagewanted=all&" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">and jumped from the eighth floor of her building</a>. Her 10-month-old son, snug in his Ergo carrier, survived, barely injured. Wachenheim died from her injuries. According to the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">New York Times</em>, the 44-year-old Wachenheim left behind a 13-page suicide note in which she wrote that she was convinced that her son might have autism or cerebral palsy because he had two minor tumbles—the kind most babies have at some point—and she felt responsible. Her pediatrician did not believe anything was wrong with the child, but she was convinced her son was damaged and that it was her fault.</p></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">It's pretty clear that Wachenheim was suffering from <a href="http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2002/feb/postpartum/020218.postpartum.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">postpartum psychosis</a> and was not, to use a cliché that doesn't feel like it expresses the gravity of the situation, in her right mind. No mother, especially a woman who by all accounts was an upstanding and decent person, would do this to herself or her child unless she was in the throes of an awful, debilitating mental illness. That didn't stop <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">Above the Law</em>'s Elie Mystal from <a href="http://abovethelaw.com/2013/03/attorney-jumps-to-her-death-cradling-her-baby-the-baby-is-fine/?show=comments#comments" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">writing a painfully ignorant post about Wachenheim</a> in which he calls her "a monster" and says that because his family just had a newborn, he's "acutely aware of all the time hospitals, pediatricians, and psychiatrists put in telling new parents how to handle the feelings of anxiety and sometimes depression that affect new parents." He also assumes that Wachenheim refused to seek out "readily available help with her mental health issues" based on no evidence. He says that because she had the money and education to deal with her mental health, she is a monster for not fixing it.</p></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">I don't purport to know where Mystal's partner gave birth or what her experience was. But just because she was well-informed about the risk of depression before and after pregnancy doesn't mean everyone is. I know from the survey I did of more than 1,000 women <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/features/2012/why_isn_t_anyone_talking_about_prenatal_depression_/pregnancy_and_prenatal_depression_why_didn_t_anyone_warn_me_i_would_feel_so_bad_.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">on pregnancy and depression</a> that many women don't get <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">any</em> information from hospitals, pediatricians, or psychiatrists on depression or anxiety and get no support from their families. Secondly, even psychiatrists treating patients in the hospital (and immediate inpatient hospitalization is the recommendation for women experiencing postpartum psychosis) have a notoriously bad track record at predicting <a href="http://www.primarypsychiatry.com/aspx/articledetail.aspx?articleid=1388" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">which ones will commit suicide</a>. We don't know what went on in Wachenheim's final days, but it's quite possible that her family members—despite having advanced degrees—did not realize how bad things were or were in denial about her mental health. </p></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">According to <a href="http://www.health.ny.gov/community/pregnancy/health_care/perinatal/maternal_factsheet.htm" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">New York state health department stats</a> cited by the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">Times</em>, postpartum psychosis affects one to two out of every 1,000 new moms; of those one to two moms, 5 percent commit suicide and 4 percent commit infanticide. "Symptoms may appear abruptly" according to the health department, so Mystal's assumption that she would have even had time to get help is really dim. (For another rebuttal to Mystal, Wachenheim's childhood friend <a href="http://abovethelaw.com/2013/03/in-defense-of-the-suicidal-columbia-law-mother/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">Elizabeth Nowicki wrote this important corrective on <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">Above the Law</em></a>.)</p></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">The specific anxieties that Wachenheim mentioned in her suicide note are extreme and obviously the thoughts of a disturbed mind. Still, it's alarming how much they reflect the current thinking about how much mothers are responsible for the ultimate sound health of their newborns. What they eat, what they don't eat, what mood they are in, how long they wait to get pregnant, even what music they listen to—mothers are constantly reminded that every move they make can leave lasting damage on a baby and make them more prone to get even serious diseases like autism and other developmental disorders. (For a great roundup of the crazy-making information about what pregnant women are supposed to do to keep their kids healthy, <a href="http://jezebel.com/5960255/how-to-have-the-best-pregnancy-ever" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">check out this hilarious and depressing <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">Jezebel</em> post</a>). Of course Wachenheim's psychotic mind could have grabbed onto some other anxiety if fears of autism weren't so outsized in the United States. But her case should give us a slap-in-the-face reminder to lay off a little—new mothers can be vulnerable enough without the extra anxiety.</p></div></div><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/03/19/cynthia_wachenheim_s_suicide_shows_us_that_new_mothers_can_be_vulnerable.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content">http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/03/19/cynthia_wachenheim_s_suicide_shows_us_that_new_mothers_can_be_vulnerable.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Cynthia Wachenheim's suicide shows us that new mothers can be vulnerable to anxiety and depression - Slate

On Wednesday, a New York lawyer and new mother named Cynthia Wachenheim strapped her baby son, Keston, to her chest and jumped from the eighth floor of her building. Her 10-month-old son, snug in his Ergo carrier, survived, barely injured. Wachenheim…