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BASE jumping is not a sport for the faint of heart. Athletes who practice this extreme sport climb to the top of tall buildings, canyons, or other structures; jump off; enjoy a period of free falling; then open a parachute and coast to the ground.

The acronym BASE stands for building, antennae, span, and earth; which make up a comprehensive list of what kinds of fixed objects BASE jumpers plummet from. Span is a term that includes all sorts of bridges, or any other structures that span over a valley or chasm. Earth means anything from cliffs to mountains to canyons.

BASE jumping is very dangerous for a variety of reasons, but the most common causes of injury and death have to do with failure to maintain a clear area around the athlete during the jump and/or the landing. If the wind is against them or if they make a mistake during the launch of their jump, athletes sometimes collide with the object that they have jumped from. Because BASE jumping areas are usually not designated for this guerilla-style sport, the makeshift landing targets that jumpers aim for are rarely large enough to allow for a safe jump. As a result many BASE enthusiasts meet with serious and sometimes fatal injuries because they haven’t been able to steer themselves to the landing area in time.

Many people compare BASE jumping to bungee jumping without a bungee cord, but it is actually much closer to skydiving without an airplane. Jumpers practice many of the same techniques that divers use to maintain stability and altitude awareness while they are in the air. Before becoming a BASE jumper, an athlete must complete a full course of skydiver training. Once they have their full skydiving certification, the next step for anyone interested in BASE is to find a mentor in the jumping community who can teach them how to take on these ambitious freefalls. Only experienced divers can even contemplate a BASE jump because this kind of unguided and somewhat unpredictable activity requires razor sharp awareness of altitude, along with stellar free fall technique.

BASE jumping is one of the most dangerous sports practiced today. Every year, BASE jumping leads to several fatalities, and most major BASE societies and clubs have seen at least one member perish in pursuit of the sport that he or she loved. Because no two jumps are alike, it is very difficult to predict what will happen once you start plummeting towards the ground. This means that to survive a BASE jump you need to have a very level head, an ability to react to surprises without panicking, and lightning speed reflexes that will allow you to make instantaneous adjustments in your position or your trajectory. However, no amount of experience can guarantee that you will complete your jump without mishap, so even very accomplished jumpers are taking serious risks every time they prepare to hurl themselves off of a building, antennae, span, or natural cliff.

At least twice a year, and probably more often than that, you go through the difficult task of coming up with gift ideas that will please and delight someone you care about. This chore is particularly challenging if the person you are thinking of gift ideas for one is of those special people who can’t sit still and is always on the lookout for thrills and excitement.

The first thing you need to do is stop looking for your gift ideas in conventional places–sporting goods stores, online catalogs, major department stores. Sure, you’ll find some gift ideas there but they are going to be the same old thing. You want gift ideas that will really pop. The best way to accomplish that is to stop thinking in terms of objects and start thinking of gift ideas for experiences. Luckily for you, your troubles are over because a gift voucher for an extreme gifts adventure is the perfect idea.

Think hard about the person you are buying for. Does he or she dream of getting behind the wheel of a world class sports car and feeling the roar of the engine beneath them? Does that special someone love to get wet and wild? If you answered yes to either of these questions then at the top of your list of gift ideas is a V8 Supercar experience or a spin in a rally car. Be sure to add a trip in a lightning fast speed boat or a ride down the whitewater in a kayak to your list of gift ideas as well. There are also gift ideas for those that look to the air for their thrills. Could there be anything better than a skydive adventure?

So, buying the perfect gift doesn’t have to be difficult. You just have to have the right frame of mind when you are making up your list of gift ideas. Stop thinking about the ordinary and move to the very extraordinary. Then you’ll have more gift ideas than you know what to do with.

OK, so you’ve now got the perfect gift ideas for that special occasion. Aren’t you forgetting something? How about you? Don’t you deserve something special too? Add a column to your list of gift ideas. That column is for gift ideas for you. Haven’t you always dreamed about pushing the envelope and blasting down the course or getting that adrenalin rush that is only possible when you experience a true Australian gift adventure? You can always make that special gift you are buying for two. Then you and your loved one can create an even more special experience together.

You don’t have to limit yourself to thinking of extreme gift ideas for conventional gift giving occasions. Don’t forget mom and dad on that special anniversary, your boss on his special day, or your employees when they do something extra special at the office. Extreme adventures are great gift ideas for any occasion. Extreme gifts keep on giving. Each time your receipt thinks back on the incredible experience you made happen they will think of you. You never know, they may be looking for gift ideas for you as well and decide to return the favor.

Super Foods are those foods from each group that stand head and shoulders above the rest, such as berries in the fruit group. Foods having healing and medicinal qualities in folk lore, such as garlic and ginger are also considered Super Foods. They are foods that give you ‘more bang for your buck’ in nutritional terms, so they give you more nutrients without a lot of kiloujoules .

If you include any two of the food groups mentioned in this article, you could live out your life in glowing good health, at least nutritionally. There are many other foods that could fit into this group, but according to the world’s great diets, such as the Mediterranean and Japanese diets, to name just two, these foods are a common denominator, consumed by the healthiest people worldwide and are readily available.

The first food in this super group is definitely cold-water seafood, specifically salmon, sardines and tuna. These fishes are extremely rich in the fatty acids DHA and EPA Omega 3, which for one thing is essential for optimal brain health. The brain is about 60% fat. The membranes of neurons, specialized brain cells that form the nucleus for all thought and communication are composed of two layers of fatty acid molecules. Fatty Omegas are used to build and protect neurons, keeping the brain well lubed and running at peak performance.

Also, fatty omegas have been shown to control the bad cholesterols in the blood stream, aiding in cardiovascular health. There are other numerous benefits, far too many to list in an article.

The next group is Nuts, such as walnuts, peanuts, macadamias and most other nuts. Nuts are loaded with Omega fatty acids as well as phytonutrients, needed for cellular health and metabolism. Just 5 small handfuls of nuts per week, especially walnuts, have been shown to improve cholesterol levels from 15% to over 40%. That beats most drugs and it’s safer too.

The Berry family, especially blueberries, are extremely high in vitamins and antioxidants, antioxidants being essential in controlling free radicals, nasty little compounds that eventually destroy cell walls, contributing to aging and a whole host of illnesses. Berries are also high in water and low in calories, making them a great choice for your waistline.

Whole Grains are definitely in the super food category. You’ve probably heard the old adage that “Bread is the staff of Life”? It’s not hard to see why as whole grains are excellent sources of B vitamins as well as E, folic acid, magnesium, iron, fiber and antioxidants, even more so than some fruits and vegetables. Whole wheat, brown rice, wild rice and popcorn, yes popcorn, are good examples of whole grains.

Legumes or Beans are nutritional powerhouses in every sense. If you think about it, beans are seeds, containing the genetic code and all of the chemicals and nutrients to produce a plant. To start, beans are loaded with high quality protein and amino acids with a low caloric count. Toss in B vitamins, folate, magnesium, potassium and most other trace minerals and large amounts of fiber as well as hundreds of phytonutrients and you may have the super food A list with beans alone.

A quick note to vegans. Traditionally, the best sources of Amino acids, full spectrum, along with Omega acids and protein have been animal products. But if you combine a grain, corn for instance along with a legume, peas for example, you will get high quality proteins without the cholesterol as well as the valuable Omegas and full range of Antioxidants. To your health!

Copyright (c) 2008 Wendy Tendys

Tradition, myths from ancient times and death defying leaps are all part of the ancient birthplace of extreme sport. The most spectacularly frightening religious ceremony is repeated every year. Crowds stood in silent awe as the 75′ fragile looking tower collapsed, taking everyone on it to the ground.

It is one of the world’s most spectacularly frightening religious ceremonies, on Vanuatu’s Pentecost island, the land dive. The home and ancient birthplace of extreme sport and the pre-runner of all modern bungee jumping.

Perhaps it is just secret women’s business, or just legend from the mysterious myths of ancient times, but it is whispered that the first land diver was a woman. In a desperate bid to escape her husband’s abuse she tied a vine to her ankle and dived off the top of a tree. She survived. Not to be outdone by a woman, her husband dived after her without the aid of a vine. He died.

This turned to an ancient ceremony, celebrating the yam crop showing its first green tips in early April. At least one huge wooden tower is built in each of the southern villages of the island. Towers often reach as high as 23m (75ft).

This year, each Saturday from April to June, is to be a jump day, where the men of all ages will line up to take the plunge. Unfortunately it could be their last act on earth.

The islanders believe the jump is necessary to guarantee the bounty of the yam harvest. The divers’ back or shoulders must brush the tilled earth, in order to make the ground fruitful. Hopefully all rocks have been removed from the area.

It has now also become a ceremony to show the men’s acceptance into manhood. What a potential death jump proves of manhood, however, is beyond our civilized minds’ comprehension. Bearing in mind, the jump is now taboo to women.

Each man psyches himself to dive from the precarious looking platform, held only by two vines his friends have tied to his ankles. If there is too much moisture in the vines, the vines will stretch with fatal results. However, a participant died during a filming, when the Queen of England was present in 1974, because of an extremely dry season. The vines did not have enough elasticity ‘ they tore instead of stretching.

When he is ready to jump the diver raises his hands to the people below to stop their singing, dancing and whistling. Just before he jumps he shouts out his most intimate thoughts, whatever they may be. They may be his last words on earth, so it is time to let it all hang out.

He claps his hands, crosses his arms over his chest and leans forward until he topples over the edge of the platform.

Barely conscious, the diver is hastily aided to his feet as male relatives rush up to remove the vines from his ankles. The crowd roars its approval.

This year the platform collapsed before the first dive took place. Reasons: Were the holes dug deep enough into the ground to carry the weight of the climbers. Maybe there weren’t enough supporting vines at the back to keep the tower upright.

“What was the camera man doing climbing the tower, anyway?the local islanders ask.

This is the 21st century, yet tradition still has its place, rightly or wrongly. Haven’t they heard of workplace safety? Short answer. NO! It does not exist in places like the outer islands of Vanuatu.

Neither does free education in accordance with the Rights of the Child, as ratified by the General Assembly of the United Nations, 1989.

Many of the students will never have the opportunity to go to high school without outside assistance, though the males of Pentecost will annually make a death defying jump. These children will be left behind in the 21st century, with nothing but their traditional way of life. You can make a difference in these children’s lives and the lives of their village. Ancient traditions will not be challenged, but the children of this Lesser Developed Country, have the right to be given the opportunity to fulfill their own dreams and ambitions.

Detox diet foods, as the name implies, are foods that are used to purge environmental and dietary toxins out of the body. Many people consume detox foods after over indulgence of food during the holidays. However, it’s much better if you could include detox foods as part of your daily diet for overall long term health.

Incorporating a healthy detox diet program as part of your lifestyle is the best approach for overall health. Some good detox foods you can include in your daily diet are: fiber rich fruits (fresh or frozen), fresh vegetables like brocolli, cauliflower, garlic, beets, onions, or any other red and green vegetables. Do this for long term and you’ll soon see improvements on your health.

Of course, there are more extreme detox programs that use juice fasts, even enemas and colonic irrigation. These are short term body cleansing programs. We suggest you start with a milder form of detox first by incorporating plenty of fruits, fresh vegetables and grains as part of your daily diet, exercise regularly and rest well. Taking small steps to improve your health naturally and consistently is always better than extreme measures.

If your intention is to detox excess of sugar from your body, then you will need to avoid some of the foods which are often recommended in a detox program. For instance, you need to avoid fruits or fruit juices even if they contain only natural sugar.

Besides fruits, fresh vegetables and grains, other good detox foods include kidney beans, pinto beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and adzuki beans. Nuts and seeds like sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews and walnuts are also great options. Carbohydrate based foods such as porridge, potatoes, brown rice and bread are also good options. Make sure that there is no added sugar in your diet.

For protein, fish is a good option especially in reducing sugar. If you’re a vegetarian, you can consider soya products such as tofu. Nuts and seeds are good sources of protein too. Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, which helps boost the immune system, and sunflower seeds contain many useful vitamins and minerals.

Avoid alcoholic and any other sugary drink, make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, take time to chew your foods well, exercise regularly, learn to manage your stress and make sure you have enough rest each day. Healthy living is key to detoxing any kind of toxins (environmental, dietary and psychological) and achieving long term and optimum health.

Get more tips on how to cleanse your body naturally, eliminate internal waste and experience optimum health.