The Machine

Toyota announces new global recall

If you are driving a Lexus, Listen Up…….  From the LA Times
Problems with the fuel systems of several models prompt Toyota to issue another large recall. In the U.S., about 245,000 cars from the Lexus line are affected. Overseas, about 1.3 million vehicles will be recalled.
Toyota Motor Corp. announced another large global recall Wednesday, this time for a variety of problems in the fuel systems of many different models produced by the Japanese automaker.
“When it comes to recalls, all the manufacturers are on high alert. They are quick to announce recalls because they all want to make sure they are not caught hiding something,” said James Bell, an analyst with auto information company Kelley Blue Book. “But unfortunately for Toyota and Lexus, it has become a story on its own.”
In the United States, Toyota said it will recall about 245,000 cars from its upscale Lexus line to inspect a fuel pressure sensor. The vehicles include the 2006 through 2007 Lexus GS300/350, the 2006 through early 2009 Lexus IS250, and the 2006 through early 2008 Lexus IS350.
Toyota said that the pressure sensor could loosen over time and cause a fuel leak. Owners will be told of the recall by mail. They can also call (800) 255-3987 or look up details at http://www.lexus.com/recall.
The automaker also said it will recall about 1.3 million vehicles not sold in the U.S. to fix different fuel system problems. Almost 400,000 of those autos have two different defects to be inspected or fixed.
Many of those recalls will take place in Europe, where Toyota is considered another Asian brand rather than a market leader as in the U.S., and could hurt the automaker’s image, Bell said.    “They probably can’t do any more damage to the brand in the U.S.,” he said.    This new wave of recalls come almost a year after Toyota briefly stopped building some of its most popular models in the U.S. and suspended sales of the cars to fix a problem with sticky gas pedals. The company has recalled well over 10 million autos over the last 18 months.      Hampered by the recalls and the record payment of nearly $50 million in federal fines for failing to promptly inform regulators of defects in its vehicles and delaying recalls, Toyota saw its share of the U.S. auto market fall to 15.2% last year, from 17% in 2009.      Toyota was the only major auto company to see U.S. sales decrease last year from 2009.     Chevrolet outsold the Toyota brand for the first time since 2007 last year. The American brand sold almost 1.6 million vehicles in 2009, compared with 1.5 million for Toyota. Ford had sales of just under 1.8 million vehicles in 2010 and outsold Toyota for the first time since 2006.     Analysts say that GM, which owns Chevrolet, could catch Toyota to once again become the world’s largest auto company. GM’s global sales rose 12.2% to 8.4 million vehicles last year. Global sales for Toyota rose 8% to 8.42 million.
The Body

Empty Calories, Stay Away

There are 2 main ingredients to losing weight and achieving fitness goals.  Exercise and Nutrition.  For some, one can be much easier over the other.  For instance someone may have no problem staying away from bad foods and eating all the right things but can’t for the life of them can’t drag themselves to the gym or get outside and walk, run or do anything active.  Then you might have someone who is so committed to working out and exercising, but if you put any junk food in front of them they will gobble it down.  For most it’s going to come down to finding that perfect balance.    Today we wanted to talk about empty calories and helping those who have trouble with the nutrition side of this recipe for success.
You may have read the term “empty calories,” or heard it used by nutritionists. But what does it mean?
Empty Calories = High Calories but Low Nutrition
“Empty Calories” describes foods high in calories but low in nutritional values (also known as junk food!), lacking the health-promoting micro-nutrients
Examples of foods containing mostly Empty Calories
•French fries, fried chicken, chips and all other deep-fried foods
A large order of fries from a fast food chain can contain up to 570 calories with a whopping 30 g of total fat and 8 g of trans fat! Tons of calories from fat and very few micro-nutrients.
•Candy, Soda and other sweetened packaged foods
A can of soda contains about 130 calories as well as additives and colorings. Again, lots of calories from sugar but no micro-nutrients.
•Beer, wine and all other alcoholic beverages
A can of beer contains about 150 calories from sugar and not much of anything else. In addition, calories from alcohol tend to be stored as fat in the abdomen (leading to a “beer belly”).
•Refined grains such as crackers, cookies, white rice and white bread
Refined grains do provide some B vitamins, but that’s it.
How to Avoid Empty Calories?
•Avoid deep-fried foods. Instead of deep-frying, use other methods of cooking. For instance, have a baked potato with skin instead of fries, or a piece of baked skinless chicken breast instead of fried chicken.
•Avoid sweetened drinks and canned drinks.
•Try whole grains instead of refined grains. Whole grains are packed with beneficial fiber and antioxidants. For instance, have a slice of whole-wheat bread instead of white bread. Have a bowl of whole-grain breakfast cereals or unsweetened oatmeal instead of corn flakes.
•Snack on fruits! Instead of prowling for a box of crackers in the mid afternoon, snack on fruits. Better yet, dip them in low-fat yogurt to get additional calcium and protein.
A very good rule to use to help you stay on track is to ask yourself one question every-time before you put something in your mouth. ….  “Will this help me reach my fitness goals? Does that have any nutritional value, or is this just full of empty calories.”  You’ll be surprised at how this will help you choose what you eat!  Make what you eat count!
The Machine

Wizards wants to celebrate 25 years with you!

Check this out,
Wizards is celebrating their 25th Anniversary! 2011 marks Wizards Products 25th year of producing high quality finishing products.
To celebrate, they would like to say thanks to their loyal customers by offering a great promotion in their Online Store — all year long! From now until the end of the year, spend $25 or more in Wizards Online Store on the 25th day of the month and receive free shipping on your order.* Just use coupon code “25YEARS” in your shopping cart to receive the free shipping discount!
The first time this promotion will be offered is tomorrow — Tuesday, January 25th, so get your orders ready!
Cruisin' Companions

TINA

12 year old Akita mix
The first thing you’ll notice about Tina is that her legs are a little bowlegged. We’re not sure why, but it doesn’t bother her too much at all! Sure, she doesn’t like to go for runs, but she loves getting outside as much as she enjoys some quiet time indoors with you! This twelve year old Akita mix is very social and eager for attention. Stop by and meet her today at Animal friends!
Cruisin' Companions

ARENA

6 year old female pit bull
Arena is one of the lucky dogs who came to Animal Friends as part of our New Year’s Eve Rescue. The first thing you’ll notice about this girl is her huge smile and wagging tail! Arena is a wonderfully mature dog who is confident and easygoing, a really laid-back kind of gal. She likes treats but prefers attention and affection. 

You can’t be around this girl without smiling! Arena would do well in an adult household or a household with older children; she is not recommended with small children simply due to her size and strength. She’ll make a wonderful sidekick and companion for some very lucky human!  Stop by Animal Friends and meet her today!

6 year old female pit bullArena is one of the lucky dogs who came to Animal Friends as part of our New Year’s Eve Rescue. The first thing you’ll notice about this girl is her huge smile and wagging tail! Arena is a wonderfully mature dog who is confident and easygoing, a really laid-back kind of gal. She likes treats but prefers attention and affection. 

You can’t be around this girl without smiling! Arena would do well in an adult household or a household with older children; she is not recommended with small children simply due to her size and strength. She’ll make a wonderful sidekick and companion for some very lucky human!  Stop by Animal Friends and meet her today!

The Body

If you have the Flu, do your job, STAY HOME

Along with lousy weather winter also brings in another unwelcome friend, the FLU.  For some reason more and more people are talking about dealing with sick people at work, the gym, the grocery store etc.  This is so annoying to those who focus real hard on trying to maintain their health.  What it comes down to is, if your sick and have the flu, your only job is to STAY HOME.
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs). The flu is different from a cold. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:
•Fever
•Headache
•Tiredness (can be extreme)
•Dry cough
•Sore throat
•Nasal congestion
•Body aches
•These symptoms are usually referred to as “flu-like symptoms.”
•This virus is passed from person to person or if some comes in contact with the flu virus on a surface and then touches their nose, mouth eyes, etc.
Follow these easy to handle Flu Prevention:
•Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and following food preparation, before eating and after using restrooms or changing diapers.
•Be careful what you touch. Hands transmit germs.
•Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
•Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
•Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing by washing with soap and water or cleaning with an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
•Get plenty of rest, eat properly, and dress appropriately for the weather.
•When ill, prevent the spread of germs by staying home from school or the workplace, if possible. Return to work only after being fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducers.
•During flu season, minimize time in crowded areas, such as shopping centers, and avoid contact with those at high risk for the flu, such as the elderly and those with chronic illness.
•If over the age of 65, pregnant, or if you have a chronic illness or disease, talk with your doctor about a flu and pneumonia vaccination.
As you can see, flu prevention is up to you, don’t spread your germs if your sick, STAY HOME!
Cruisin' Companions

LEMMIE

10 month old domestic longhair
Hello there!  My name is Lemmie and my purr can fill a stadium, like a true Motorhead. Keep on reading for more information on my rockin’ lifestyle. 

In addition to my gorgeous long fur, there are two distinct features you will notice about me: one white facial whisker and an eartip. The whisker is genetic. The eartip is from my recent days in a feral colony. This past summer, my littermates and I were clever enough to take up residence in the back yard of an Animal Friends employee. After feeding the four of us for several days, she determined that we were feral and immediately proceeded to trap, neuter and return all of us. I was neutered, tested, got all of my shots and was returned with the rest of the colony to live outside. For a while, that was our daily life and we were happy. Imagine my caretaker’s surprise when my sister and I decided that humans are pretty cool and we started to let her get close to us while eating. That turned into petting, petting turned into picking up, picking up turned into eventual socialization. It took a few months of daily sessions outside with us, learning how to like humans and how to use our chirpy meows to communicate. My sister jumped on the “I would rather live inside where it is warm” bandwagon first and our caretaker took her inside to live the life of leisure with her other spoiled cats. A month or so later, it was my turn to be placed in a carrier and brought to Animal Friends for placement. I am looking for a forever home that will brush me everyday, indulge my love of catnip and let me be all that an indoor cat can be. I have put my past behind me and am ready to lounge on the couch, play with cat toys and eat like a king. I respect my two siblings that remain feral and are well cared for outside. Me, I like being on this side: having the opportunity to be a cherished indoor feline. I will make a great addition to your family and get along with other cats. Come see me at Animal Friends today!
Cruisin' Companions

FORREST

14 year old cocker spaniel

Forrest is an older cocker spaniel, almost fourteen years old, but he’s still got lots of love left in him. When he first came in, Forrest had medical issues and was very nervous, but he’s doing well in foster care and would love to make the transition to his forever home. He’s done enough playing and running around – a quiet home where he can relax would be great for our little gentleman. Please call Animal Friends today to learn more about him!