Jennifer Drake
Jennifer is an experienced web content writer, returning college student, and mother to a beautiful one-year-old girl.
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- 1/23/2007
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Current studentInterests
writing, books, parenting, homeschooling, alternative education, pregnancy, nursing, anthropology, sociology, mental illness, health, knitting, consumerism, running, crafts, cooking, sewingMotto
"You don't have to grow up. Just grow." -Rose Hill
Displaying Results 1 - 85 (of 85) for All Content
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Sewing Project Ideas for Upholstery Fabric RemnantsLooking for ways to use up upholstery fabric remnants and scraps? Here are some fun and useful ideas for sewing projects and patterns. -
Choosing a Yosemite Park Destination WeddingAre you thinking about eloping or planning a travel wedding, but Las Vegas and touristy beach resorts aren't quite your cup of tea? Yosemite National Park is a gorgeous and often overlooked location for destination weddings in the United States.
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Things to Do in the Lou when It's Cold OutsideJust because it's winter in St. Louis doesn't mean that you have to sit at home or get stuck in the old dating rut of dinner and a movie. There are a lot of fun and creative indoor date possibilities in the Lou if you know where to look. -
Best Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops in St. LouisThe St. Louis area has dozens of thrift stores where you're sure to find great deals. From the Salvation Army and Goodwill to Rag-O-Rama and the Scholarshop, check out this list of the best thrift stores so you don't waste your time.
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Stay-at-Home Mom GroupsLocal playgroups are a great way for stay-at-home moms and their kids to get out of the house and socialize. If you're thinking of starting a group or need more ideas for fun club activities, check out these suggestions. -
Product Review of the V-Tech 3-in-1 Smart WheelsMy daughter received the V-Tech 3-in-1 Smart Wheels as a gift for her first birthday. This toy transforms from a plaything for babies to a first bike for toddlers. Read the article to find out how we like it! -
Writing a Birth Plan for Your C-SectionThere are things you can do personalize your c-section experience and get the type of care you want during this life-changing event. Creating a birth plan will let your doctor and hospital know what your preferences are.
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More of the Best Free Halloween Knitting Patterns OnlineSince writing "The Best Free Halloween Knitting Patterns Online", I've found more spooky creations to add to the list. These patterns include cute costume ideas for babies, children, and adults, as well as decorations for your home or Halloween party.
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Suggestions on Preventing Pica During PregnancyPica is a serious medical disorder that sometimes occurs in pregnancy. It is characterized by craving items that are not nutritional, such as laundry detergent, clay, charcoal, ice, or coffee grounds.
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Review of Gateway Regional Hospital in Granite City, IllinoisMy boyfriend was taken to Gateway Regional Hospital in Granite City, Illinois, when he was injured at work. However, I was shocked at the treatment my boyfriend and the other patients received there.
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Tips and Ideas on How to Keep Busy During Pregnancy Bed RestBeing on pregnancy bed rest can be boring and difficult, especially when it seems there are so many things you need to do in preparation for the new baby. This article offers tips based on how I kept busy while on bed rest and learned to enjoy the time. -
How to Create a Christmas Time CapsuleCreating a Christmas time capsule is a great family activity, and it can be as creative or simple as you wish. Parents can easily include their kids in this project or make a time capsule for little ones who are too young to get involved. -
Teach Yourself to Use a Sewing MachineA lot of people don't have access to someone who can provide hands-on instruction in the basics of sewing, but that shouldn't stop you from teaching yourself this fun and rewarding skill.
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What to Do When Your Toddler Won't Eat VegetablesRefusing to eat vegetables is typical toddler behavior, but it can cause a lot of concern and stress for parents. Learn some of the best ways to deal with a picky eater in this article. -
Nurse Anesthetist Career InformationA nurse anesthetist is an advanced practice registered nurse who administers anesthesia. They provide many of the services that an anesthesiologist would, including providing pain management for surgical procedures and emergency situations. -
Celebrating Thanksgiving Dinner Without FamilyThanksgiving dinner can be difficult for people who are without family or whose relatives live far away, but there are many other ways to create your own traditions and celebrate Thanksgiving without being alone.
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My Experience with the Antidepressant Effexor XRTaking Effexor XR has changed my life. Read about my experience with this antidpressant and how it's affected my depression and anxiety. -
Review of Fletcher's Kitchen & Tap in Belleville, IllinoisFletcher's Kitchen & Tap is located in the Belleville, Illinois area of the St. Louis Metro East. This unique restaurant features menu items cut in house and cooked over a wood-fire hickory grill. -
Guide to Packing Dad's Paternity Bag for the HospitalPacking a bag to take to the hospital isn't just for pregnant women anymore. If you're about to be a new dad, you can help with the preparations by putting together your own paternity bag.
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Mega Bloks Toddler Toy ReviewMega Bloks are essentially extra-large Legos made for toddlers and preschoolers. They are a great educational toy that will likely become one of your child's favorites.
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Tips for Discussing VBAC Options with Your Spouse and PhysicianIs your spouse or physician reluctant to agree with your wishes for a VBAC? These tips will help you discuss your options, understand the safety issues, and present your point of view. -
Non-Medicinal Ways to Decrease Pain During LaborThere are many good reasons to plan for a natural childbirth, and there are a variety of non-medicinal pain management techniques that can help you achieve this. -
How to Take Proper Care of Your Leather JacketCracking, unwanted smells, moisture damage, and ripping are all possible if you don't condition a leather coat or store it correctly. However, these things are usually preventable with proper care. -
How to Make Your Own Toddler Ball Pit: My Cheap DIY Version of the Popular ToyBall pits are becoming an increasingly popular toy for toddlers, but they aren't always easy on the budget. Find out how I got one for just a few dollars! -
10 Unique Christmas Tradition Celebration IdeasNot feeling the traditional holiday spirit? Want to create a unique celebration for yourself and your family? Here are some ideas for getting creative this year.
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Tips for Saving on Shipping Costs when Shopping OnlineAn easy way to keep a few extra dollars in your pocket is by saving on shipping costs when you're shopping online. These tips have been known by diehard bargain hunters for a long time. Now it's your turn to get in on the deals and start saving money.
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Review of the Casio Exilim EX-277 Digital CameraI love this Casio digital camera because it's convenient, takes nice photos, and has some unique features. However, there are also some aspects of it that I'm not crazy about.
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Natural Cold and Allergy Remedies for BabiesThese simple, natural remedies have worked well in our family to relieve cold and allergy symptoms in babies.
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Toddler Classes and Group Activities Near Edwardsville, IllinoisThe Edwardsville area offers a wide variety of activities geared toward toddlers, including music, gymnastics and movement, soccer, dance, swimming, and more! These classes provide a fun social experience for both parents and children.
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Unique Christmas Stocking Ideas for Computer GeeksComputer geeks can be difficult to buy gifts for, especially for those among us who aren't so technologically-inclined. If you're short on ideas, check out these unique stocking stuffers that are sure to make a geek happy this Christmas season.
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NICU and Neonatal Nursing Career InformationA NICU nurse cares for newborn babies who are premature or sick enough that they need to stay in a hospital. NICU is the abbreviation for "neonatal intensive care unit." This nursing specialty also provides support to the families of these babies.
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How to Find Sewing Classes in Your AreaSewing is a hobby that's growing in popularity, but it can be hard to find a teacher if you don't know where to look. If you're intimidated by sewing machines or need a little how-to help, this article will give you ideas for finding lessons or classes in your local area.
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The Best Free Halloween Knitting Patterns OnlineThere are some great Halloween knitting patterns available on the internet for free, from costumes and wigs to dishcloths and spiderwebs. Check out my favorites here!
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The Best First Birthday GiftsA child's first birthday is a unique and special event to celebrate. Check out these ideas for presents that are sure to be well-loved by one-year-olds.
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How to Create a Decorative Wall Hanging with Name LettersA popular idea for creatively decorating your new baby's nursery or child's bedroom is to spell their name in decorative letters as a wall hanging. Personalize this hip look with a simple, cheap DIY project.
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Hypno-birthing: Pros and Cons of Using Hypnosis for Childbirth Pain ManagementHypno-birthing is the name given to the practice of using hypnosis as a method of pain management during childbirth. The purpose of hypnosis is to keep the pregnant woman relaxed to make childbirth as easy, peaceful, pain-free, and intervention-free as possible.
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Buying and Selling Gently Used Cloth Diapers OnlineThis article offers a list of the best websites and auctions for buying, selling, and trading new and gently used cloth diapers and accessories--as well as where to learn more about them.
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Cheap Alternatives to Buying Expensive Nursing Tops and ClothesThe prices on nursing clothes are sure to induce sticker shock in most pregnant and new moms who are looking for something convenient to wear while breastfeeding in public.
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Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, IllinoisLewis & Clark Community College is located in Godfrey, Illinois. It serves a large area including parts of the St. Louis Metro East and many rural farming communities. LCCC boasts beautiful campus and historical buildings, having begun as a private college for women in 1838.
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Really Bad Reasons to Get MarriedAre you ready for marriage? Make sure you and your partner aren't getting married for any of these bad reasons.
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Preparing for a Nursing School Entrance Exam: NET, TEAS, and HESI Admission TestsMost schools that train Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses require prospective students to take an entrance exam when applying to the program. Find out which tests are most popular and how to study for them.
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How to Plan a Successful Online Baby ShowerWith families and friends living further apart than ever, online baby showers are becoming increasingly popular. They're also great for expectant moms on bedrest.
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Why Hospital Maternity Ward Tours Are Important During PregnancyThis article explains maternity ward tours are an important way for pregnant women and expectant fathers or birth partners to prepare themselves for the big day. It also suggests how to prepare and suggests questions to ask.
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Review of Tony's Restaurant in Alton, IllinoisTony's Restaurant is well-known as one of the nicest places to eat in the Alton, Illinois area. Their menu primarily consists of Italian food, steak, seafood, and chicken dishes, and comes highly regarded.
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Red Robin in Edwardsville, IllinoisRed Robin seems to be quickly becoming one of the most popular places to eat in the Edwardsville, Illinois area. This review critiques the restaurant's food, atmosphere, service, and price tag.
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Great Apartments in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri, is a wonderful city that offers more varied living options than many people realize. These three very different apartment buildings each have their own unique amenities and personalities.
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A Mixed Review of Applebee's in Glen Carbon/Edwardsville, IllinoisI've eaten at Applebee's in the Glen Carbon/Edwardsville, IL area a number of times, but unfortunately cannot bring myself to return. This is disappointing as most experiences have been positive, but the last two times I've eaten there I've become sick immediately afterward.
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Seeing a Chiropractor for Back Pain During PregnancyWomen are often able to find relief from back pain by seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy, but there are a number of common misconceptions about doing so. This article will address the most prevalent of those myths and offer tips for choosing a chiropractor.
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Are You Over Feeding Your Fat Cat?Forty percent of cats in the United States are obese and five to ten percent are overweight. Is your cat among them? Find out what is causing this problem, how much a cat should really eat, and health risks associated with feline obesity.
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Top 10 YouTube Videos About the Law of AttractionDue to the success of the movie The Secret, the concept of the Law of Attraction has been sweeping the nation. Check out these YouTube videos for information about the concept and vision statement examples
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Top 8 Funny YouTube Videos: Mitch Hedberg's Stand-Up ComedyCheck out these hilarious comedy videos featuring the late, great Mitch Hedberg, "the guy who saw the world through rose-colored glasses... literally." Featuring stand-up comedy, talk show and sitcom appearances, television cartoons, and interviews.
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Online Sources for Hip Baby ClothesIf you're tired of the pink, blue, and yellow onesies, you need to read this article!
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Free Energy Efficient Lightbulbs at Home Depot SundayIn honor of Earth Day, Home Depot plans to give away one million free compact fluorescent lightbulbs in its stores this Sunday, April 22. Customers who visit any Home Depot store in the 48 contiguous states will be able to receive an n:vision bulb free of charge.
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How to Diagnose a ConcussionLearn the signs and symptoms of a concussion, how to determine its severity, and typical methods of diagnosis.
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Product Review of the BebeSounds Prenatal Heart ListenerThe BebeSounds Prenatal Heart Listener is supposed to amplify sounds so that you can hear an unborn baby's heartbeat through a set of headphones. Instead, it leaves many expecting parents unnecessarily worried about their babies.
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Product Review: Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne CleanserThis article is about my experiences with acne and the best product I've found to treat it after years of searching: Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser.
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Contamination Prompts Listerine RecallA voluntary recall of all Listerine Agent Cool Blue Plaque-Detecting Rinse Products has been issued. The manufacturer claims that the preservation system used is not as effective as it should be, making contamination by certain microorganisms possible.
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100 Millionth Apple IPod SoldApple announced today that 100 million iPods have been sold since their introduction 2001. As if there were any question about the success of these digital media players, this is being cited as evidence that iPods have been the fastest-selling music player in history.
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Los Angeles Will Recycle Waste into ElectricityOn April 5, Los Angeles officials held a ground-breaking ceremony and announced a five-year plan for a renewable energy project that will recycle treated wastewater into electricity.
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Great Oprah Winfrey QuotesOprah likes to refer to "lightbulb moments" or "a-ha moments" on her show. These quotes are words of wisdom from Oprah herself that just might begin to spark a lightbulb moment or two in your own mind.
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Comparing Apple IPods and Samsung Mp3 PlayersI bought an expensive 40 gig Samsung for my first Mp3 player. It had a couple of features that the Apple iPod's of the same price range didn't have at the time, such as a color screen. Well, guess what--it was a piece of junk. Here's why iPods are number one.
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Blockbuster's Comeback Over NetflixWhat are the real differences? A review of the pros and cons of Blockbuster Total Access versus Netflix.
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Tips for Advertising Your Garage SaleAdvertising your garage sale is one of the key elements to making sure it's successful. There are a number of ways you can accomplish this, from traditional advertising methods like putting up signs and placing a newspaper ad, to more modern ideas like community websites.
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Great Quotes About FathersThese quotes about fathers range from humorous to contemplative to nostalgic to touching. They will inspire you to think about all of the various ways your father has influenced your life.
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Spring Decorating Ideas Bring New Life to Your KitchenWhat better place to start adding springtime decorating touches than the room where you and your family appreciate nature's bounty in food--the kitchen! Freshening up this essential room will cheer you up as you eat breakfast and head out the door or plan a spring picnic.
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What is Direct Selling?What exactly is direct selling, and how can you know if you're suited for it? This article will answer some of the most popular questions about direct selling as a work at home opportunity.
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How to Attend Nursing School for FreeThe demand for nurses is very high and expected to skyrocket over the next couple of decades. Learn how to use this to your advantage by getting nursing school paid for by grants, current or future employers, and other sources of financial aid.
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Great Quotes About Homeschooling, Self-Education, and SchoolMany of history's greatest thinkers did poorly in school or shunned public education entirely for their own forms of homeschooling, and today's homeschooling parents also have some insightful things to say about the subject.
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How to Find Inexpensive Maternity ClothesLooking nice will make you feel as beautiful as possible when your body is busy doing crazy things that don't exactly boost your self-image. However, it only makes sense to buy inexpensive maternity clothes so you can save your money for the other baby items you'll need.
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The Pro's and Con's of Eloping Versus Planning a Wedding CeremonyAt some point, most engaged couples have the thought that eloping would be the easy way out of their wedding planning mess, but it's not right for everyone. Should you elope?
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Your Ideal Wedding SizeOne of the most important decisions to be made about your wedding is its size, or how many guests you will invite. The size of your wedding affects so many other factors that this must be figured out in the early stages of planning.
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Understanding and Applying for WICWIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children. It is a government assistance program that provides a few necessary foods such as milk, eggs, and fruit juice to pregnant women and families with children under the age of five who are on limited incomes.
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5 Most Important Safety Tips for Your New BabyFollowing these tips will make getting to know the newest member of your family a more safe and secure time.
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Pet Freebies You Can Sign Up for OnlineSigning up for free offers and coupons online is a great way to have fun trying out new products and saving money at the same time. Check out these samples, coupons, and deals for your favorite cat or dog.
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Little Known Facts About Beyonce KnowlesA short bio and trivia facts about Beyonce Knowles.
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Guide to Pregnancy: Week 5Congratulations! If you're five weeks pregnant, you've probably just recently learned that your little bundle of joy is on the way. Here are a few guidelines and tips about what to expect during this early stage of pregnancy.
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Foods that Ease Morning SicknessWhich foods are most likely to calm your stomach during your first trimester?
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Foods that Worsen Morning SicknessFor many women, morning sickness--or, as I like to call it, "all day sickness"--is the worst part of pregnancy. Here are some suggestions to alter your diet away from those foods that are more likely to cause morning sickness.
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Best Sites for Finding Out About Leelee SobieskiI scoured the web for the best info on Leelee Sobieski. Here is what I came up with.
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How to Relax Your Body and Ease Your Mind in Under Ten MinutesProgressive muscle relaxation is a scientifically proven psychological technique. These simple steps can give you a sense of calm and relaxation throughout your body whether you deal with panic attacks or just want to relax at the end of the day.
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How to Apply Eyeliner Without Poking Your Eye OutI'll admit it. I was scared of eyeliner for over a decade. After a few failed application attempts in my tween years that left me looking a lopsided raccoon and took forever to scrub off, I gave up. If you've had similar issues, this guide is for you!
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How to Make Map EnvelopesMaking handmade envelopes from old maps is a wonderful quick project that allows you to be creative, recycle, and save a couple of pennies.
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The Benefits of Reading to Your Unborn ChildReading stories to your child is a great way to bond and create a loving, educational atmosphere. However, many parents don't realize that their baby will benefit from being read to a the earliest age possible--while still in the womb.
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Interpreting Dreams About Your Lover Cheating on YouDreaming that your significant other is cheating on you can be an unsettling experience. Here are some tips for interpreting what caused the dream to manifest.
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The Social Organization of Hunter-Gatherers and Food ProducersThis is a brief description of how the social structures of hunter-gathers differs from food producers (agriculturalists), and how this is relevant to today's advanced societies.