The Ghost Army that Fooled the Nazis

The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops Did you know that some of the most important battles in World War II were fought with inflatable tanks, cardboard planes, and loudspeakers? In 1944, at the height of WWII, the Americans introduced a new unit to the battlefield – the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, AKA the “Ghost Army”. The 23rd was comprised of 1,100 men, whose sole purpose was to deceive Axis commanders.

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The idea for this unit came from the 1942 Allied campaign in El-Alamein called Operation Bertram, in which British troops used fake plywood constructs to make jeeps look like tanks and tanks look like supply trucks.

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In May of 1944, the 23rd arrived in Britain and took part in deceiving the Germans on D-Day into thinking that the invasion had begun in Pas-de-Calais, rather than Normandy. After that, they continued setting up inflatable “tanks”, dummy planes and vehicles, fictitious radio transmissions, and vehicle-mounted speakers that played pre-recorded sounds of battle and troops moving.

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Many of the soldiers of the 23rd were recruited from places such as art schools and advertising agencies, as well as engineers, designers, and architects.

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Not only would the 23rd‘s soldiers build mock battlefields, they would also disguise themselves as high ranking officers and visit nearby towns, where they would discuss fabricated plans.

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The Ghost Army was so successful that, at one point, Axis propaganda reported a large Allied force in a place that had no soldiers at all.

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The Ghost Army was kept secret for many years, and its existence was only revealed over 40 years after the war had ended. To this very day, some of the unit’s works and methods are still kept classified.

What Do Your Teeth Have to Do With Your Heart Attack?

Study: Brushing Your Teeth Is Good For Your Heart

How could your dental and heart health ever be connected? Well, according to new research conducted in England, there is a rather strong connection between the ways you care for your pearly whites and your chance of suffering a heart attack. Image: maen_cg / freedigitalphotos.net The study, conducted by the Scottish Health Survey, examined over 11,000 individuals of all ages to identify a possible correlation between dental and heart health. Along with information on their dental bill of health, the subjects were asked to provide information about their other lifestyle habits, such as smoking, physical activity, and health routines. Of the group, about 62 percent said they visited the dentist every six months, and another 71 percent said that they brushed their teeth twice a day. This information lead the researchers to conclude that those that admitted to brushing their teeth less frequently had an extra 70 percent risk of heart disease or heart attack. "Our results confirmed and further strengthened the suggested association between oral hygiene and the risk of cardiovascular disease," says Richard Watt DDS from the University College London. According to the researchers, the results of the study were not entirely surprising, but rather confirmation of a decade-long hypothesis on the connection between dental diseases and cardiovascular health. In yet another study conducted in the United States, it was found that as people's gum health improved, so did the rate at which plaque built up in their arteries. This study showed that the chances of contracting a dangerous condition called atherosclerosis, or the narrowing of the arteries around the heart, decreased when subjects brushed their teeth and had a clean bill of gum and oral health. Image: khunaspix/ freedigitalphotos.net But scientifically, how are gum disease and heart disease connected? The bacteria that develops in your mouth when you have gum disease contributes to atherosclerosis in that it adds to the level of inflammation of the arteries and triggering a biological reaction that narrows space these important passage ways. Once you have atherosclerosis, your chances mild to certain that you will experience a heart attack and possibly even stroke. So the next time you worry about your visit to the dentist, or need a reason to floss your teeth, remember that caring for your oral and gum health properly could dramatically decrease your chances of heart disease and other serious conditions. Make brushing and flossing a regular habit, and you are sure to be on the way to a heart-healthy and happy self!

Penny Art Worth Every Penny!

Creative Penny Projects

Pennies are the most circulated coin in the United States and are made of copper. Many people seem to have them lying around or collect them in jars. Why not take those beauties and make them into art? Here are 16 different ideas for decorating with these ubiquitous coins.

Decorate your tweed jacket with penny buttons

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Charm your arm with a penny trimmed bracelet

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Embellish a vase with pennies

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DIY cocktail ring

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Give the birds a decorative house with a penny covered roof

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A sparkling penny covered counter top

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Add pennies to a bowling ball and you have a lawn ornament

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Adorn your interiors with pennies

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Deck letter art with pennies for fun kitchen wall decor

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Create a shimmering backsplash for your kitchen

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Go for a ride in a spruced up penny-covered car

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Wall art: pixelated Abraham Lincoln

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Equine wall sculptures

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Bedazzle a wall with an intriguing bronze texture

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Wear a statement necklace

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Trim a photo with pennies for an embellished photo-frame

Clear the Air and Beautify Your Home

Decorate & Purify Your Home with Plants

There are quite a few plants you can grow at home that aren't just decorative, but serve to purify the air in your home. If you want to get a few plants but are worried that your lack of a green thumb will result in their demise, I’ve collected 10 of the most helpful plants that are both resilient or require very little attention to thrive. Add any one of these to your home and enjoy the added decoration, as well as cleaner air.

1. Spider Plant

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Spider plants can last for decades, and some people even call them “immortal”. The Spider Plant has a rich foliage and small white flowers. It fights against pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, which drifts from nearby industries. This is also a 100% pet safe. How to care for Spider Plants: Spider plants need darker conditions (though they can grow in direct sunlight), and enough water to keep their top soil moist. At some point, a mature plant will start sending offshoots with small spider plants on them. These can be snipped and grown as new plants.

2. Dracaena

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These plants can get as tall as 15 feet, or stay smaller if kept in a smaller pot. They will clean any xylene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air, keeping your air quality superb. How to care for Dracaena: These plants love a lot of sunlight and enough water to keep the soil moist. Also, if you cut the plant, it’s not uncommon for it to split into two stalks at the cutting point.

3. Rubber Tree

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An effective air purifier, rubber trees are also very fast growers. Plant it in a large, deep pot, and place it in a cool and dim area in your home, and then watch it thrive. How to care for Rubber Tree: Water it only with room-temperature water, and if the leaves get dusty, wipe them clean, or spritz them with water. Yellow leaves are a warning sign that you are over-watering the plant. Prune yellow leaves and let the soil dry out a little.

4. Philodendron

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There are many sub-species of philodendron, and all of them are great at air-purifying. Whichever variation of philodendron you choose, if you take good care of it – it will last for many, many years. How to care for Philodendron: Philodendrons need a lot of indirect sunlight, so place them near the window. If more than one or two leaves turn yellow – the plant’s getting too much sunlight. As for watering – let the top inch of the soil dry before you water the plant again. Droopy leaves are a sign of under-watering, but the plant recovers quickly once it’s watered.

5. English Ivy

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The English ivy is a terrific houseplant for people who are not horticulturally-inclined, since they are very easy to grow. Not only that, but NASA has found that English ivy is one of the most efficient air purifying plants there is. Please make sure not to plant it in your garden, as this robust plant will take over as much area as it can. How to care for English Ivy: A potted ivy needs an environment with moderate temperatures and not too much sunlight. Watering should be done only if the soil is dry to the touch.

6. Bamboo Palm

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This wonderful plant needs to stay in a shady area and requires more water than the others on this list. However, it's a powerful purifyer, fights pollutants and is considered to be one of the best in its class by NASA. How to care for Bamboo Palm: Leave the palm plant away from direct sunlight and give it a little water every day. You can add a little bit of liquid fertilizer twice a month. If left in a little pot, this plant will remain small, but in a bigger pot it will become very lush.

7. Aloe Vera

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If you’ve ever been stung by a mosquito or got a burn, there’s a good chance you applied some aloe vera on your skin. What you used was probably a processed, chemical-filled variation. The natural version, when fresh, works just as well, if not better. Not only that, but if you peel the skin, you can eat the fleshy insides (or add it to juice), which also help in detoxing the body. And lest we forget, aloe vera works as an air purifier. A good test of your air quality at home is if the plant start showing brown spots. How to care for Aloe Vera: Aloes are succulents, meaning they don’t need too much attention, and you only need to water them when their soil gets dry. They need sunny conditions, so placing them by the window or in a well-lit room is recommended.

8. Snake Plant

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Easy to grow and hard to kill, this plant is also terrific at providing fresh oxygen. Like any other plant, the plant will absorb CO2 during the day and at night it will release oxygen. The Snake Plant does this in greater volume, making them an excellent plant for the bedroom, as the added oxygen will improve the quality of your sleep. How to care for Snake Plant: these plants need very little light and water to survive, so only water it when the soil feels dry, and place them away from direct sunlight.

May also interest you: 17 Amazing Flowers that Look Nothing Like What You'd Think If You Don't Think Cacti Are Beautiful, Watch This! The Orchid Festival in Taiwan Is a Treat for the Eyes!

9. Peace Lily

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The peace lily is virtually impossible to kill, as it is very resilient. It will give out its lovely white flowers ever so often, and its size depends on the size of the pot your place it in. They are beneficial in keeping the room they’re in clean of airborne toxins. How to care for a Peace Lily: The plant’s soil needs to remain lightly moist, and if you want to enjoy the plant’s flowers – place it in a darker area.

10. Golden Pothos

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One of the most difficult-to-kill plants on this list, thanks to its ability to absorb humidity from the air. So if you forget to water it for a while, it’ll still survive. It’s highly efficient when it comes to cleaning toxins from the air, and since they’re a vine – they make excellent hanging plants. How to care for Golden Pothos: These guys love a lot of water, but can handle some neglect without a problem. Keep them away from too much light, and your pothos will thrive.

Advanced Sleep Techniques

How to Fall Asleep in Under a Minute For years I used to have trouble falling asleep at night. I would lie awake in bed, tired, yet incapable of drifting off into slumber. This would wreak havoc on my mornings, I'd have a hard time getting out of bed and was consistently late for work. I confided this to my friend, and she asked me if I ever tried the “4-7-8” method, which she claimed was helping her fall asleep in no time. I tried this method, and it has been consistently working ever since. I now get a full night’s sleep, I’m never late for my job, and best of all – I feel refreshed.

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The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique Harvard-educated Dr. Andrew Weil developed the 4-7-8 method, an easy way to calm both the mind and the body, thus helping you fall asleep in under 60 seconds. Other benefits of this technique include stress-reduction, slower heart rate, improved concentration, and more. The technique is very straightforward and easy: You take a deep breath through your nose for four seconds. You hold your breath in for 7 seconds. You then forcefully exhale through your mouth for eight seconds. Repeat the process 4-6 times. I usually pass out by the third or fourth repetition. What happens is that the way you breathe forces your heart rate to slow, which immediately puts you in a calmer and more sleep-oriented mental state.

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Watch Dr. Weil explaining the technique:

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Power User - Advanced Mouse Techniques

How to Become an Advanced Mouse User We all see the younger generation operate their computers effortlessly, and we can’t figure out how they do it so quickly and efficiently. The truth of the matter is, that a lot of their speed is thanks to better use of thier mouse. Your mouse can do more than just point-and-click, and this guide will teach you how to maximize your use of it. Better mouse control will improve your efficiency and self-confidence in your computer skills.

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The Left Mouse Button The left mouse button is the one we mainly use, be if for selecting, marking or just clicking away. Here are a few other things you can do with it.

The left mouse button

You can quickly highlight a segment of text by pressing and holding the Shift key on the keyboard. Then, click once where you would like the selection to start, and once more where you’d like it to end.

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Section highlight by using Shift

To quickly highlight a specific word, simply double-click on it. To do it for an entire paragraph, triple-click it. A different way of highlighting text is by pressing and holding the Altkey on your keyboard, then click and hold the left mouse button, and drag the mouse cursor in the direction you’d like to highlight. This will form a (usually) gray rectangle that will only highlight the text inside it.

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Highlighting a section by using Alt

If you’re browsing a web page you like, and then see a link to a page you would like to check-out later you can do it by opening the link in a new browser tab. Press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard and then left-click on the link. It will now open in a separate tab in the browser, and you can continue with your browsing.

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Opening a new tab by using Ctrl

By double-clicking on the top bar of (almost) any window, you will cause it to maximize and fit the entire screen. Doing it in a maximized window will revert it to its smaller size.

The top bar - highlighted in red

If you’re using Windows 7 or above, you can easily split the screen between two windows to increase your efficiency. To do that, click and hold the top bar of one window, and then drag it to one edge of the screen and let go of the left mouse button. Then do the same with the other window, but drag it to the opposite side of the screen.

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Split screen between Baba-Mail and a text documet

You can transfer a file from one folder to another, or highlighted text from one spot in a document to another. Left-click and hold the file or highlighted text, and then drag it to the desired location and release. The Right Mouse Button The right mouse button is mainly used to open up action-menus. By holding the cursor over a file or highlighted text and pressing the right mouse button, you’ll see a new menu pops out with various options relevant to the highlighted selection.

The right mouse button

To easily copy a file or a highlighted bit of text, right-click on it and select “Copy” (to duplicate the selection) or alternatively, choose “Cut” to remove the highlighted selection before placing it in another spot. Once you’re done, move the mouse to the place you wish to enter the selection you copied or cut, and right click again, then select “Paste”.

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Copy/Paste options

Another way of moving a file or highlighted text similarly to the “Cut” option is to click and hold the right button over the text/file and dragging it to that location. Once you let go of the right mouse button, you’ll have the option to copy it to that spot or move it there completely.

Copy/Move options

The Mouse Wheel – The Middle Mouse Button On most modern mice, you’ll find a small “wheel” which also serves as a third button, as well as letting you scroll through pages. This button has several functions that will make your life easier as well.

The mouse wheel

The wheel lets you scroll up and down on a page, but if you press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard while scrolling, you’ll increase or decrease the size of the text and images on the web page.

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Mouse-wheel click to open a new tab

If you click on a link with the mouse wheel, it’ll open it in a new browser tab. To close an open tab, click on it with the mouse wheel. If you click the wheel in the middle of the page, the cursor will change to something similar to this -. Wherever you move your mouse while that icon appears, your screen will scroll accordingly. The further away you move the cursor from the original spot, the faster the scrolling will be, so it’s recommended that you move it slowly. This final trick only works in the Internet Explorer and Firefoxbrowsers – By pressing and holding the Shift key on your keyboard and moving the mouse wheel down, you will move back or forward on web pages you’ve visited (similar to the “Back” button in the browser).