Improving Your Health

How to Lose Weight with Liquid Protein Diet

2012-03-15T13:04:00.002-07:00

Being overweight is a problem none of us are fond of, and would do almost anything to get rid of it and prevent it. Being overweight is not just about feeling unpleasant of your body; it’s a serious risk to your health as well. That is why,specifically with their chaotic lifestyles, people have started to search for easy ways to lose weight.
Before you try anything on losing weight ask yourself whether you really require it; with all the stress from the media and other social groups, it is easy to get fooled into believing that you are overweight. The ideal way to do this is the body mass index, also known as BMI; this would let you know whether you are obese or not, and if so how many pounds you need to lose. Then you could go on trying uncomplicated ways to lose weight that would work for you. One of the best diets to lose weight is the liquid diet, also known as the liquid protein diet.

Best Weight Loss Diet Review

2010-12-31T15:01:00.000-08:00

I have tried a lot of different weight loss programs, but I believe now that I have found the best weight loss diet after review the rating site.

Developing a healthy weight is vital, but few individuals know the secret to finding and maintaining it. MonaVie has an exciting new weight loss program called RVL, for Reveal, that not only guides an individual in what to enjoy but also uses natural ingredients to maximize its benefits. Vitamins, minerals, proteins, antioxidants along with other nutrients are specially combined to assist reduce weight safely and quickly.

The MonaVie RVL weight loss program gives simple to follow directions to guarantee the individual comprehends what, when and exactly how much to consume, drink and exercise. Rewards incorporate a higher rate of success, antioxidant power of more than 10 fruit and vegetable portions, fewer calorie consumption, excess fat reduction while lean muscle mass is preserved and unhealthy snacking is wiped out..

The healthy shake blend includes the strength of the acai berry which is recognized for its weight decline results. The health supplements include green tea extract which the medical community has demonstrated to possess multiple health benefits. The MonaVie RVL nutrition snack bar not only has 24 vitamins and minerals, but it also offers a delightful snack between meals. Evaluations show those applying this program are seeing remarkable outcomes, are happy with the simplicity of this system and are recommending their loved ones and friends join them so everyone can enjoy success while dropping pounds with probably the best weight loss diet on the market.

Why Good Nutrition is Important

2010-04-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

Maintaining a healthy diet is important at any age but the older we get the more important it is to follow good nutrition habits. For the Baby Boomer generation who are now or soon will be approaching the age of 60, thinking about how to prevent aging and to keep an active lifestyle become everyday concerns. There are several proven methods that will help slow the aging process and aid in the prevention of disease.

Good Nutrition

Reducing calorie count can be an important goal particularly if your physician suggests a weight loss program. Everyone in the Baby Boomer age bracket should be conscious of limiting saturated fats in their diet. Good nutrition should include wholegrain foods, oily fish and an ample supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. Your mother’s advice of following a balanced diet still applies and is a great way to remember that good nutrition affects your entire life span.

Exercise Routines

Everyone needs some form of exercise regardless of intensity on a regular basis to help prevent aging. It’s not necessary to run marathons or lift excessive weight, just a brisk walk for twenty minutes three times a week can make a difference. However, joining a gym or fitness center and following a more rigorous exercise program will help reduce calories and improve cardio vascular health. For many women, osteoporosis can be reduced or prevented by doing weight bearing exercises. Recent studies have shown that including some type of yoga or stretching improves muscle strength and also helps regulate metabolism and digestive functions. Following an exercise routine has been shown to reduce the effects of aging by improving physical strength and circulation which can also improve mental capabilities.

Avoiding Toxins

A small consumption of alcoholic drinks such as red wine is redeemed as a healthy option but excessive drinking should be avoided. Choosing organic foods is a good option and avoiding over processed and unnatural products can help reduce ingesting toxic materials. Check the labels on processed food products and question the chemical makeup and non organic additives.

By following the recommended lifestyle and eating habits for older adults, the Baby Boomer generation can expect to enjoy many years of quality activities. Good nutrition and exercise not only helps maintain a healthy appearance but will reduce doctor and hospital visits. It’s well worth the effort to eat correctly, exercise, avoid toxins and get plenty of rest.

The Best Weight Loss Diet Systems are normally liquid diet meal replacements.

Evolv Water Gives me More Energy

2010-03-16T12:27:00.001-07:00

I got a free sample of the water from this site and really liked how much energy it gave me. It was not a jittery energy but an even energy that also helped my concentration.

in reference to: Miracle Water (view on Google Sidewiki)

The Bayhouse is my Favorite Oregon Restaurant

2010-03-06T22:13:00.001-08:00

We love every trip to the Oregon Coast and especially either happy hour or a dinner at the Bay House. They have wonderful food on the bar menu and we love to sip wine, eat off the small plates, and enjoy the wonderful view. For special occasions we have dinner in their dining room. The new cook that Steve the owner hired is wonderful, never thought I could experience goumet food off a bar menu but Bay House has it, and plus we love the great jazz on Saturday nights. Tomorrow is Sunday, Oscar Night, and they are having a party and contest in the bar to watch the Oscar's, can hardly wait. Steve has become a marketing genius and seems to sense what customers want. Next we would like to see a deck just outside the bar, right on the bay, wow would that be nice!

in reference to: The Bay House Restaurant (view on Google Sidewiki)

Portland Food Cart Guide

2010-03-06T11:55:00.001-08:00

If you enjoy the tremendous Food Cart fare in Portland, then this is an excellent site for finding a great Food Cart near you. Portland now ranks ahead of New York in number and quality of food carts. In the sandwich category, Portland food carts rank ahead of Portland restaurants. If you have not tried one of these food carts, give them a try.

in reference to: http://www.foodcartsportland.com/ (view on Google Sidewiki)

Cafe Yumm - My Favorite Healthy Fast Food Restaurant

2010-03-06T11:46:00.001-08:00

Cafe Yumm in Beaverton Oregon at the corner of SW Murray and SW Millikan is my favorite place for healthy fast food. They have organic bowls that contain brown rice, beans, and tons of organic vegetables. They have a really nice seating are inside and also outside plus easy to get food to go there too. If you want a great salad try the Secret Asian Man's Salad with baked Tofu, we often get it to go to use with our regular meal at home, perfect for 2 people.

in reference to: Welcome to Cafe Yumm! | Soul satisfying... Deeply nourishing (view on Google Sidewiki)

Your Body Needs the Best Drinking Water

2009-01-29T17:17:00.000-08:00

I have found an authority site on Best Drinking Water. This site shows all the types of water that are healthiest for the body including ionized water, distilled water, and water filters. I have noticed when I drink really good spring water that is pure and full of minerals that my body feels better. I have more energy at it releases more toxins out of my body thus causing me to lose weight. One of the benefits of drinking lots of good water every day is that it detoxes the body.

Fast Weight Loss with a Liquid Diet

2008-09-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

All the studies of how to lose weight fast have come up with the best way for fast weight loss is the use of a liquid diet consisting of a liquid protein diet. Doctors discovered this diet when trying to come up with a diet that would allow patients to lose up to 20 to 30 pounds per month prior to surgery. They found that this rapid weight loss method also was healthy and caused blood pressure to decrease as well as reduction in cholesterol. Many patients who were Type 2 Diabetics found that they could reduce their medicine.

The liquid diet now comes in various varieties including shakes, soups, puddings, bars, snacks, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs. All are made from Whey protein which has proven to be a healthier protein than soy protein. As a person starts to take these products in 5 small meals, and one lean and green meal, they are placed into mild ketosis which burns fat rather than carbs.

Studies have shown that sugar is not good for the health, in fact some authorities say that sugar causes cancer and that cancer feeds on sugar. With a liquid diet, you are eating only good carbs, so that is healthy. In addition autorities state that beef causes cancer and that cancer feeds on beef. For that reason, the fast weight loss diet that includes liquid protein shakes gives you better protein than beef with none of the bad fats.

Vacation is Best Health Tip for Baby Boomers

2008-06-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

One of the best ways to improve your health, especially if you are a Baby Boomer, is to plan and go on a vacation. To really improve health take a lot of mini-vacations of 3 and 4 days such as going to the Oregon Coast.

The best way to be able to take these mini-vacations is to own an Oregon Coast Beach View Home. Now is the best time to buy since interest rates are down and we know that the demand from Baby Boomers will continue to increase as they start to reach retirement age.

Baby Boomer statistics show that the average Baby Boomer buys their first vacation home at age 45 and their second vacation home at 63.

I bought our first vacation home on the Oregon Coast in 1986, we sold it in 1993, and the original investment of $42,000 has grown to $850,000. Oregon Beach View Property Growth rates will continue to increase since the average beach home in Oregon is 50% of the value of the same home in California.

Many economists have said that Oregon Beach Property will eventually rize to the California values so now is the time to by an Oregon Coast Beach View Home.

OliViva from RBC Life Sciences is Shipping!

2008-04-08T12:18:00.000-07:00

OliViva is now available immediately for 25% off at the RBC Life Sciences Store.

The main ingredient in OliViva is fresh olive leaf complex. Olive leaf was recommended by physicians hundreds of years ago in areas where it was available.The olive leaf is described in the Bible as “the leaf thereof for medicine”, and as the “tree of life” whose leaves “were for the healing of the nations.” However, if olive leaf extracts are ground as a dry powder, they retain only a low level of active ingredients. The challenge, therefore, was to find a way to extract the active ingredients in olive leaves as a liquid that still retains all their health benefits, even when grown outside the U.S., shipped to Texas, processed, stored, and later shipped to consumers.

OliViva is a powerful immune-booster. Your immune system is your natural defense against infectious bacteria, virus, or tumor cells. It is critical that you maintain a healthy immune system.OliViva is also a powerful antioxidant. Free radicals, resulting from energy production, flow through your body and attack each of your cells about 10,000 times per day. They damage your skin, nerves, brain, organs, and blood cells. They also cause cellular changes, mutations and early aging. Antioxidants protect you by reducing the number of free radicals.

Just one ounce of OliViva provides the same amount of antioxidant power as 6 servings of fruits and vegetables.OliViva contains food-type antioxidants called polyphenols. They vary in size, and solubility in oil or water. They complement the nano-size molecules in the mineral-type antioxidant, Microhydrin®, and the seven other antioxidants in Microhydrin Plus. People who take the antioxidants in both OliViva and Microhydrin Plus have the advantage of a greater range of protection against all types of free radicals.Food-type antioxidants are found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables. They reduce free radical damage to the brain, nervous system and other organs. The power of food-type antioxidants is measured by a test called Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, or simply the ORAC test. OliViva was tested. It proved to be far superior to other juices on the market.

While most juices test below 25,000 ORAC, OliViva was shown to have an antioxidant activity of over 85,000 ORAC!But the benefits people experience taking OliViva extend well beyond its antioxidant activity. To produce even more health support, natural ingredients have been added to help you reduce free radical damage, support immunity, achieve mental clarity, enhance your energy, experience radiant health, and to delay some of the the signs of aging. One of these ingredients is aloe vera.

OliViva is an effective and exciting new RBC product that can generate a favorable reaction in the first few weeks. It can help Associates achieve not only better health and quality of life, but it can also provide them the opportunity for long-term residual income. Order your OliViva today!

Remember, OliViva is now shipping at a 25% Discount, Wholesale Direct, from the RBC Life Sciences Store.

Microhydrin - Miracle Antioxidant

2008-02-08T15:59:00.000-08:00

Microhydrin Plus is a broad-spectrum antioxidant designed to provide you with the ultimate protection against free radicals. By combining the most electron-rich antioxidant with eight other powerful, research-backed antioxidants, you have the most effective antioxidant supplement on the market. Microhydrin Plus can help you maintain lower free radical levels for good health.

Royal BodyCare Store

MicroBrite Tooth Powder

2007-01-25T23:31:00.002-08:00

Cleanse Your Teeth and Brighten Your Smile

Food particles and the film that often remains on and between teeth are usually oxidized compounds with a positive electronic charge and an acidic pH. Acids tend to damage tooth enamel. Most toothpaste and other dentifrices do not counteract these conditions because they are also positively charged and acidic. To better cleanse the teeth and reduce acidity, MicroBrite has been formulated with the antioxidant Microhydrin® and an alkaline pH.

Introducing a whole new way to clean your teeth… Whiten your teeth without harsh abrasion, enjoy a brilliant smile and fresh mouth every day with MicroBrite™! Clean and brighten your teeth like never before with the first Microhydrin®-charged tooth powder. Thousands of people have brushed their teeth with Microhydrin. However they had to break open a capsule, pour out a portion and then attempt to reclose the capsule. They did this because of the fantastic results they received. Now, with MicroBrite, you’ll never have to do that again. This antioxidant powder contains a unique blend of ingredients that clean and refresh your mouth, giving you whiter teeth and healthier gums. Three of the most beneficial ingredients are Microhydrin, Xylitol and Aloe Vera. Microhydrin is a known antioxidant that reduces surface tension for a better clean. Microhydrin increases alkalinity and neutralizes mouth acids to help fight tartar. Xylitol is a saccharide found naturally in plants, fruits and vegetables. It lowers surface tension, inhibits plaque and neutralizes mouth acids. Aloe has been proven beneficial for skin and gum tissue.

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MicroBrite Tooth Powder
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Oregon Coast View Property - Less Stress

2007-01-25T23:31:00.001-08:00

Oregon Coast View Property

Here is an example of Oregon Coast View Condo that is for sale.

Ok, let's say you have located a seller who is highly motivated to sell a particular property.

Using your "Check List for Leads" form, you ask the seller focused, specific questions about the most essential criteria of the deal. After questions are answered, you see the following scenario.

3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath
After Repair Value $260,000
Purchase Price: $195,000
(6.5% int, 30 yr fixed - price is sellers payoff on existing loan)
Repairs Zero – Seller had it fixed up already.
Existing Mortgage Payment: $1232.53 (existing payment P&I)
Taxes $2500
Insurance $900
PITI $1515.86 (your actual cost per month with Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance)

Keep property location in mind, when thinking of your exit strategy. If property is on astreet that is predominantly rental, it may not be wise to plan to retail the property to anowner occupant. When you have a deadline such as a balloon or a note that will haveto be paid off at some future point, like in 24 months, your exit strategy must be realistic.The seller is motivated and said that he would consider any offer that would get thesepayments off his back. He has a dead beat tenant in another property and can't make two payments.In this case, as with many "subject-to" offers, we are only offering the payoff, which is $195K.

The potential advantage of making an offer "subject-to" the existing mortgage is financial. You will not have to qualify for a new loan. You will save thousands in loan origination fees, points, etc. that you could have to pay in conjunction with a new loan. This improves your potential profit margin.

We decide we are willing to offer the seller his payoff, if he is willing to agree to sell,subject-to his existing loan. If the seller is truly motivated, the fact that you can close a "subject-to" very quickly can be a big selling point.

In our example, the seller agrees to the "subject-to" arrangement, but saysthat he wants this loan off his credit within 24 months. At that point, the buyer must cash the seller out by getting new financing or selling the property.

Some sellers will be smart enough to ask for "perks", like a cash down payment. Other sellers will be too motivated or won't think to ask for anything down. You have to go with the flow of each deal.

When we write a "subject-to" offer, we want to be as specific about our agreement and terms as possible.

The contract form that I use for writing offers has plenty of space on page one, near the blank where you enter the purchase price.

The form used is not important. To be binding, any offer to purchase real estate must be in writing. But there is no standard form. Contracts range from the generic variety that you can buy at the office supply store, to the official forms approved for use by sales agents in your state.

The form that licensed sales agents use, has a "stipulations" section. You can put the terms of your offer in the stipulations section of your contract, or on page one if space permits. It does not matter, as long as the correct terms are spelled out somewhere. The seller could decide to counter-offer, mark out your stipulations, change them, or add new ones.

Below are some clauses that I would write into this offer:

Purchase Price: $195,000 "Subject-to existing mortgage of $195,000, with payments of $1232.53 per month, principal and interest. Buyer agrees to pay off existing mortgage anytime in a period not to exceed 24 months from date of closing of this agreement."(these are the basic terms of our agreement)

"Buyer to purchase adequate insurance protection valued at or above the purchase price of property."

(you want to have insurance anyway, but I like to put this in to make the seller feel more comfortable)

You want to be clear about any and all terms of your agreement with seller. It may be very simple, as in the example above, or there could be other terms that you and the seller will negotiate and agree to.

When negotiating, you will not always be able to discuss terms with a seller prior to making an offer that is "subject-to" their existing mortgage. But, if the seller is not willing to discuss the situation and is not forthcoming with information, then chances are you are talking to the wrong seller. Those who are truly motivated, or have a problem they need to solve, will usually be willing to get into a meaningful discussion of the details. If a seller is difficult to deal with, chances are they are not that motivated.

I don't waste a lot of time in such cases. I explain to sellers that I need certain information in order to determine if there is a way that I can help them. Otherwise, I move on.

Your most likely source for creative deals are those who really need to achieve a specific, sometimes urgent objective, like getting out of debt, or avoiding foreclosure. But there are many reasons for doing a creative deal.

There is nothing really complicated about writing "subject-to" offers. You just need to be clear. It is essential that the language is not confusing. Your objective in writing the offer is to dictate the terms of the existing mortgage. In so doing, you are stating how much you are willing to pay, and how you intend to pay it, and when. Think of the "who", "what", "when", "where", guide to writing, when documenting the offer.

I have also done "subject-to" deals with sellers who were not in financial trouble, but just the opposite. There are sellers who will consider "subject-to" offers because of the tax benefits for them. I have had sellers who did not want to collect a large chunk of cash all at once. Or, a seller who does not want to collect the funds in a particular tax year. "Subject-to" offers can be used to address many different kinds of issues.

We tend to associate creative financing with desperation. And in many cases, sellers are desperate. But in some cases, a "subject-to" deal is merely the most beneficial means to an end for both parties.

Every situation and offer are different.Writing creative offers is a skill that you will develop with time and experience.***

NOTE: This article is intended only for general information purposes, and should not be construed as legal advice.If you need help filling out a real contract, please see your favorite real estate attorney first!

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Microhydrin
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Microhydrin

Reinventing Real Estate, Part 1: Online and Empowered Consumers Are Taking Charge and Paying Less

2007-01-25T23:31:00.000-08:00

For decades, the real estate world turned in a predictable manner. The roles of buyers, sellers and real estate professionals were fairly well defined and transactions followed a predictable path of yard signs, newspaper ads, open houses and miles of paperwork.

One example is the Oregon Coast House with View For Sale.

Recently, online and empowered consumers have changed the game. Real estate professionals now face issues similar to the ones that have transformed the retail, personal finance and travel planning industries. As technology advances and new business models evolve, the real estate industry has begun to transform itself from providing traditional, carefully controlled “agent-centric” transactions to new “consumer-centric” practices. The following is a look at some of the recent industry trends and how buyers, sellers and investors can expect to benefit. The “Five Ds” that are driving change in real estate are:

1. Disruption – Over the past 10 years, the Internet has matured into a powerful platform for delivering real estate information, forever changing the interaction between buyers, sellers and real estate professionals.

2. Displacement – The popularity and acceptance of self-service and consumer-direct business models is being felt by real estate professionals, who are striving to develop attractive new offerings for Web-savvy consumers.

3. Demanding consumers – You now have more real estate knowledge, tools and resources at your fingertips than ever before. More savvy consumers tend to be more independent and demanding.

4. Downward pressure - Traditional real estate commissions of 5-6 percent of a property’s sales price are facing downward pressure.

5. Developing alternatives – The real estate industry is transforming itself to provide targeted services and exciting new options that add value for consumers. Disruption

“We are going to see our industry go through dramatic transformation via the Internet and consolidation of agents and companies.” – eRealty Times Columnist Dirk Zeller

Some industry observers have adopted Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen’s term “disruptive technology” to explain recent developments in real estate. Though it’s easy to point to the World Wide Web and advancing technology as the main changes in real estate, that’s only part of what’s shaking things up. Essentially, the real cause of disruption is not just technology, but technology-enabled real estate consumers.

Web-enabled consumers

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more than 72 percent of homebuyers now begin their home search online. The popularity of online real estate ads surpassed newspaper property listings back in 2001, and the gap is widening. Less than one percent of buyers first learned about the home they purchased on the Internet in 1995, while in 2004, that number passed 20 percent.

According to a California Association of Realtors (CAR) survey, 97 percent of respondents said the Web helped them understand the buying process better and 100 percent said using the Web helped them understand home values better. Web-enabled homebuyers like you are taking a more active role in researching homes and neighborhoods. You also now spend less time with real estate professionals once you have completed your research. Internet homebuyers also used the Web effectively to filter out properties that did not interest them, visiting 6.1 homes on average versus 15.4 for traditional buyers.

Today, you can view photos and detailed information for hundreds of properties in the time it used to take to visit a single one. And the Web provides much more opportunity than simply moving print listings online. The growing availability of residential high-speed Internet connections has boosted the popularity of virtual tours and interactive maps, providing consumers with powerful and flexible visual search tools.

In addition to making home searches easier, automated valuation model (AVM) software is making a big impact in how properties are evaluated. AVMs, which generate valuation estimates by analyzing and comparing property information data, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and accurate. While not considered a substitute for human appraisals, AVMs are gaining popularity because they are inexpensive, easy to use and produce valuation estimates in minutes. Now AVMs, used extensively in electronic mortgage approval processing during the recent refinancing boom, are becoming available on real-estate Websites aimed at consumers. This is a significant development for independent sellers, who often find it challenging to price their properties correctly when selling on their own.

The MLS goes public

“In real estate, MLS data sits at the apex of the change, specifically the MLS information that is pushed to the Internet every minute of the day.” – Bradley Inman, Publisher of Inman News

Once an exclusive tool for real estate professionals, the multiple listing service (MLS) has in recent years become a very public platform for real estate listings. The MLS is the nation’s most comprehensive database of properties for sale – four out of five homes sold in the United States are listed on the MLS. MLS properties are available to agents and brokers worldwide, and are now accessible via consumer Web sites such as Realtor.com, WSJ.com, Excite, Netscape, AOL and MSN. MLS listings also appear on local, regional and national brokerage Websites through Internet Data Exchange (IDX) agreements that allow participating Realtors to share listings and display them to consumers. Even though only licensed realtors can list property on the MLS, the system has begun to figure prominently for the $110 billion independent seller (for-sale-by-owner or FSBO) market. About 13 percent of real estate sales are now FSBO, conducted without a broker’s assistance.

Type “flat fee MLS” into any major search engine, and you’ll see dozens of real estate professionals willing to list your property in the MLS for a fee. If you are willing to pay a commission of 2-3 percent, you can attract the attention of thousands of agents who will show your property to prospective buyers. You can then reduce the cost of the sale to about half a traditional 5-6 percent sales commission, plus the cost of the MLS listing. If you find an independent buyer working without an agent, you could make a sale with no commission at all and pay only an MLS listing flat fee. Displacement

Currently, about 2.4 million real estate licensees operate nationally, according to the Association of Real Estate License Law officials. The NAR has more than one million members, up from about 760,000 members five years ago. Many real estate professionals and industry observers expect a significant decline in this number because some tasks traditionally performed by agents and brokers can now be done more quickly and easily by Web-enabled consumers.

“Historically the fundamental driver of the real estate industry was the control of information. The real estate agent and the real estate office were the only sources of comprehensive information on which properties were for sale and those who might be interested in buying them. With this control revenues were practically guaranteed.

Moreover, because this exclusive control was akin to a monopoly by virtue of the multiple listing service (MLS) any firm of any size could serve the customer equally well. As a result, the number of real estate companies grew without regard to market efficiencies.

Simply put, the traditional model is too inflexible. Consumers are seriously questioning the value of a real estate agent. They frequently feel that many of the traditional tasks undertaken by the agents are now either no longer required or can be done by the consumer themselves.”

– Swanepoel & Tuccillo, Real Estate Confronts Profitability

The quotes above, from a popular report on emerging real estate business models and dwindling profit margins, highlight a number of issues traditional real estate professionals are now facing. And if the real estate industry has grown historically without regard to market efficiencies, the issue has only been compounded since 2001, as new agents signed on in droves, lured by low interest rates and skyrocketing home prices in many areas. It’s likely that the number of traditional real estate agents will decline, while new types of real estate jobs will be created to deliver value to Web-savvy customers.

NEXT in Part 2 of 2: - Demanding Consumers, Downward Pressure and Developing Alternatives

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10 Days of Chocolate
24selies
24 seven Life Essentials
Microhydrin
Nutritional Products
Rbcstore
MicroBrite Tooth Powder
Microhydrin

2007-01-25T23:30:00.001-08:00

How To Select a Table Lamp or Floor Lamp

A "how to" on lamp selection or home decorating should first address the fact that individuals may have strong personal tastes or preferences. After 25 years of close personal relationships with designers, decorators, store buyers and most importantly the retail customer, we have evolved a unique perspective on how to select a lamp.

I remember an interesting event that occurred in 1979 while attending the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina. A designer came into our showroom where we were exhibiting our lamps, pictures, other accessories and furniture. She carried with her a catalog page from one of the country's largest retailers at that time. On this page was a listing in tabular form, showing the "exact" shade size to order if your lamp was a particular height. Imagine that in today's market ! Obviously it would not work at all.

We will not be quite that specific but instead offer you some guidelines that will give you confidence in selecting a lamp for any area of your home or office. We also consult with hotels, motels, casinos, nursing homes, prisons and other institutions. These situations have unique considerations that must be addressed individually but many of the same principles apply.

Before you go looking for a lamp, ponder some questions. You may be surprised how much this pondering will help. A journalistic approach will help you to formulate in your own mind just how to select a lamp.

Who - What - Where - When - Why and How

Who are you? Are your tastes and your current home decor formal, casual, country, contemporary, etc. Your living area is a reflection of who you are and what you like. So, who are you? Do you just want to do something on a whim (in the way of home decor), then perhaps you are not so concerned with what your current theme is about. Otherwise you will want your new lamp to "fit in" with what you already have and like in your home.

What is the main purpose, the primary use for the lamp you are considering: reading, writing, work project, area lighting, accent lighting, an object of art, a beautiful specimen lamp, just something pretty that will light up an area? What colors are you using in the room where you are putting your new lamp? Remember, you are just pondering for the moment. For now simply hold these considerations in your own mind and give them some thought.

What room is the lamp going to be placed: living room, den, bedroom, dining room, foyer, kitchen, bathroom, game room, entertainment room, etc?

Where exactly is the lamp to be used: a table, a desk, night stand, counter top, mantel, book case, chest, dresser, sideboard, armoire, etc?

When will you typically be using the lamp: morning, noon, afternoon, bedtime, after supper, late night? Will others be in the room with you when you are using the lamp? Will the light from the lamp affect others in the room?

Now that you have pondered the above ideas, let us look at some specifics especially sizes. Home decor items are very important as they relate to each other in the same room. How big is the table, counter, shelf, etc. where the lamp will sit ? A large lamp on a small table or small area will appear overpowering. A small lamp by itself on a large table or in a large area will appear lost.

How large is the room where the lamp is to be used? A tiny lamp left exposed in a huge room will appear lost and vice versa. How high are the ceilings? Many medium to large homes today have 17' or taller ceilings in the great room. Generally a 30" tall (or above) end table lamp is right at home in a room this size. Of course a lamp sitting on the bookcase in this same room may only be 12-15" tall. The mantel lamp in this same room may be 25-35" tall. Think of relativity (remember Einstein).

The construction material of your new lamp can be extremely important. The most durable materials are cast metals, stone, porcelains, crystals, glass and wood. All of the antique heirloom lamps that we see and work with today are made from these materials and they very handsomely stand the test of time. Resin or poly resin and hydrocal are not recommended for any lamp that you wish to keep as these materials nearly self destruct.

Still pondering ? You should already be well on your way to fine tuning what you need. If you find that you still need help, free consultation is available from some home décor manufacturers via the internet.

Immune360
Microhydrin

2007-01-25T23:30:00.000-08:00

How Can the Kids Help Around the House?

We learned this trick while working at our Oregon Beach View House For Sale. When my husband was in college, a number of his fellow students were bringing their dirty laundry home, and Mom was coming once a month to clean their room. This wasn't because they were lazy, but they simply didn't know how to do the laundry or house cleaning!

Don't let your children become like those students... Apart from the fact that teaching your children house and other chores prepare them for life on their own, they're also chores that you don't need to do! I know, I know, it takes time to teach them how to do it, and there will be quite a few times when you will need to finish the job behind them, but once they know, you will never need to do it again until they leave... And, at least until they reach eight or so, they will be proud to be entrusted with "big people" tasks.

So, what tasks can be safely delegated to your children? It depends on their age, but there are things they can do as early as 2 years old. Below is a list of tasks by age group:

Toddlers: Can dust with an electromagnetic cloth or baby wipe; Spray and scrub the sink and bathtub with water and a sponge; pick up toys or other floor clutter and put them in baskets or bins - if the baskets are labeled with pictures, they can even put the right toys in the right container! At this point, anything you give them to do except putting the toys away will be more to give them something to do while you are cleaning, but they will try to do their best if you take the time to teach them, and it will seem natural to them when they graduate to more complex tasks.

Preschoolers: Sweep with kid-size broom; spray and squeegee windows using lemon- or vinegar-water (inside windows only, please!); use a handheld vacuum; wipe sinks using baby wipes; empty a small trash basket into a bigger bag; scrub corners of kitchen chairs or other small spaces using a clean toothbrush or nail brush and a cup of water; make beds (preferably with a comforter, it's easier for them); fold towels; put clothes in drawers; hang clothes on hooks; put dirty clothes in hamper; help feed animals; wipe off baseboards, windowsills with small cloth or wearing old socks on their hands; help wipe up spills; dry unbreakable dishes; pick up litter in the yard.

Kindergartners: sweep small areas with a dustpan and broom; clean bathroom sinks; hang up the towel after a bath; store bath toys; help in the kitchen (stirring, tearing lettuce, etc. - no knife yet!); set the napkins and silverware on the table; clear dishes from the table (depends on your child, you know if they risk breaking them or not); help load the dishwasher; straighten plastic dishes in a cabinet; help straighten pots and pans; sort family members' clean laundry; dust furniture; strip linens from beds; straighten books on a bookshelf; put game and puzzle pieces in correct storage containers; use a lint remover to pick up pet hair on furniture; tidy up their room.

Younger Elementary School Kids: Make beds (any of them); take out garbage; sweep stairs and walks; clean the car and help wash it; vacuum their own room; sort and straighten toys; fold and put away laundry; empty the dishwasher; feed and care for pets; set and clean the table (but only with unbreakable dishes and cups at this point); sort clothes for washing.

Older Elementary School Kids: Clean bathroom mirrors; vacuum; clean toilets; clean countertops and the kitchen sink; mop small-area floors; use the washer and dryer; wash, dry and put away dishes; clean pet areas; clean cobwebs and dust in high places with a pole; sweep the garage; set and clean the table (by the end of elementary school, they usually are able to do it with regular dishes and glasses).

Teenagers: Can do everything you do, except for the most intensive jobs, or the ones using noxious products, such as deep-cleaning of the oven, or removing mold from the bathroom tiles.

So, when will you sit down and create a chore chart for your children? What chores will you assign to each, depending on their ages? What will you do with the time you are saving this way?

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2007-01-25T23:29:00.002-08:00

A Real Estate Formula

It was a simple real estate formula. The ads ran in our small-town newspaper for years before I realized exactly what was going on. They were always the same: A house for sale with 5% down and payments of 1% of the purchase price. Maybe a three bedroom home for $90,000, for example, with $4,500 down and $900 per month payments.

When a friend started doing the same thing he explained the process to me. It was a way to get a great return on capital, and it was the opposite of buying with no money down. There is no down payment at all when you buy, because you buy for cash.

The Simple Real Estate Formula

You probably know that when you buy for cash, you can often get a much better price. With no financing contingencies in the offer, and the promise of a faster closing, sellers are willing to sell for less. You can offer $95,000, for example, on a house that might be worth $108,000. If you can't get it for less than, say, $99,000, you walk away - there are always other opportunities.

Once you buy the house, you put few thousand into high-return repairs and improvements. These might include paint, carpet, and maybe asphalt for a dirt driveway. For our example, we'll say you spend $5,000. Let's suppose the house is worth $116,000 now. You're ready for the next important step in this real estate formula.

You put it up for sale, targeting buyers who can't get financing easily. You provide the financing. Because you are making it easy for the buyer, you can get more than the $116,000 value for the home - and do it without paying a realtor's commission. Let's say you sell it for 123,000. The buyer needs a down payment of just 5%, or $6,150, and makes monthly payments of $1230 per month. You charge higher interest than the going rates at the banks, of course.

This is a win-win situation. Your buyer is able to buy a home instead of renting, and you get a capital gain of perhaps $16,000 after expenses, plus good interest. Your total rate of return will often be over 20%!

In our town, the first to do this consistently were a father and son team of lawyers. They saved money by doing their own foreclosures when necessary. Once they foreclosed, they raised the price and sold the home all over again.

They made millions. Did you know that if you can get an average return of 18% on your money, you'll turn $75,000 into more than one million dollars in about fifteen years? That's the power of a good real estate formula.

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2007-01-25T23:29:00.000-08:00

Surprise - It's Party Time!

There are a lot of fun ways that you can incorporate a surprise party into your celebration. If you think the guest of honor would enjoy it some ideas are birthdays, anniversaries, retirement or any other congratulatory type party.

When making the guest list you will of course go according to the guest of honor’s address book. Friends, family, business associates or people from the past making a great starting point when sending out your invitations. If, for example, it=s a 50th birthday celebration, you could urge guests to bring an old photo to share. Whatever you decide, make sure to let everybody know it’s a surprise and not to spill the beans!

The photos people bring along will serve as a great party favor. They could be given to the guest of honor or tacked up on a bulletin board to be displayed. For a more in depth collage, try gathering photos ahead of time to create more elaborate displays.

Having a personalized banner made would give you a center piece for your decorations. A guest book could be used, or for a more original idea have a couple of markers on hand for party-goers to sign the banner and write a short message. This is a great party favor for the guest of honor to take home to be either put on display or tucked away as a keepsake.

When choosing the setting of your party, consider all of this person’s favorite places. It could be anything from a restaurant to a golf dome. You should arrange a date of two to four people to go out to this place. By doing this, they will not suspect there is anything more to come. All the party-goers can be ready and waiting when the small group arrives.

If the surprise party is held at home, all of the decorations can be found at a party supply store. Plates, cups, crepe paper and balloons come in many colors to coordinate with any theme. A party planning specialist will help you coordinate all of your needs for the big surprise!

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2007-01-25T23:28:00.001-08:00

Tucson Land for Sale - Investing in the Future

Nearly everywhere you look on the outskirts of the metropolitan area, you will find Tucson land for sale. Whether you are considering building a home or a business, you will probably find a piece that is to your liking. There are commercially zoned lots, residential lots, manufactured home lots, and even horse properties. When looking for Tucson land for sale there are some things that you need to be aware of before you buy, so that you won’t end up making a costly mistake.

For those who prefer a cooler climate, there are discounts and bargains on Oregon Coast Properities For Sale.

Driving around the metro area you will find all different types of neighborhoods and developments with Tucson land for sale . There are luxury home communities in the mountains and foothills of the Catalinas, and Tucson Mountain Park, and family oriented communities like those in South Tucson and Oro Valley, and even some adult communities in the outer areas of the city. Manufactured homes are also becoming extremely popular as a way to use Tucson land for sale. Not only do these areas have land for sale for home builders, but for the shopping, entertainment, and recreation needs as well.

Newcomers to the area looking for Tucson land for sale for a home or a business need to be aware of certain features of the land in the Tucson area. As Tucson is a desert, the soil is sandy and may have to be treated if you want to landscape with grass. Many homes and businesses use desert landscaping to conserve water. However, when it rains, because of the sandy soil and poor drainage, washes that were dry for years can become flooded. Your Tucson land for sale should be carefully inspected for flooding danger.

You will also need to be aware of any easements, liens or deed restrictions on the Tucson land for sale you are considering purchasing. An easement is something on your property that is used by another individual or business. An example would be a neighbor’s driveway that goes through your property. A lien is the same as on a home or car. If there are outstanding judgments or debts on the home, they will need to be cleared up before you buy. A deed restriction is something that a seller stipulates. They say how the Tucson land for sale can and cannot be used.

When you are looking to purchase land for your home or business in Tucson, a realtor can help to guide you through the process to help you avoid any mistakes. Find a realtor that specializes in land buying and you can be more confident that the purchase you are making is a wise one and a good investment.

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2007-01-25T23:28:00.000-08:00

USC Trojans

"Trojans garner top rated recruiting class"-

With the recruiting season finally coming to an end the USC Trojans, seemingly depleted from all the early entries throughout its star studded roster as well as losing valuable players who ran out of eligibility, had to find replacements for all the departed talent and came away with the No.1 rated recruiting class in the nation narrowly edging out the University of Florida for that honor.

The USC Trojans signed 14 of the top 100 prep players in the nation The USC Trojans 2006 class may be one of the best in school history, due to the fact that several of the players can play numerous positions such as S/WR Taylor Mays (6-3 218) from Seattle, Washington who is a 10.5 sprinter with a '37 inch vertical leap and is considered the top Safety prospect in all the land, WR/DB Vidal Hazelton from Chatham,Virginia who received the highest player grade in the country with an 8.3 due to his freakish combination of size (6-3 200) and speed (4.47)

It almost seems unfair that the USC Trojans were able to lure so many talented prep stars from all around the country, many positions (RB,DB) which were a concern of the coaching staff due to depth are now now team strenghts.

Running Back was a need and the USC Trojans got 4 of the best in the nation with the two headliners being Stafon Johnson(5-11, 200,4.4) from Los Angeles Dorsey H.S. and Emmanuel Moody (6-1, 195, 4.4) from Coppell(Texas)) H.S, both should be able to contributed immediately,this group will ensure the 4-time defending Pacific Ten Conference Champion USC Trojans of being a national power for the foreseable future.

Here's the complete list of USC Trojans signees: Kenny Ashley RB Venice H.S., Walker Lee Ashley DT Eden Prairie,MN, David Ausberry WR Leemore,Ca, Allen Bradford LB Colton,Ca, C.J. Gable RB/S Sylmar,Ca, Garrett Green QB Sherman Oaks,Ca, Stanley Havili FB/RB Salt Lake City,UT, Zack Heberer OL San Pedro,Ca, Jamere Holland WR/DB Woodland Hills,Ca, Vincent Joseph DB Long Beach,Ca ,Butch Lewis DT Aurora,Co, Anthony McCoy TE Fresno,Ca, Michael Morgan LB Dallas,Tx, Alex Parsons DT Irvine,Ca ,Travon Patterson WR Long Beach,Ca , Antwine Perez DB Camden,Nj, Alfred Rowe DB Long Beach,Ca ,Derek Simmons DE Fairfield,Ca ,Joshua Tatum LB Oakland,Ca ,Gerald Washington TE Rancho Cucamonga,Ca ,Shareece Wright DB Colton,Ca in additon to the stars mentioned above.

With the addition of these standouts the USC Trojans have 40 players on their roster who will play in the NFL, according to one NFL general manager, a truly scary thought to all the opponents who have the USC Trojans on the schedule.

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2007-01-25T23:27:00.000-08:00

Some More Random Musings and Observations on Life

Constant affirmation without accountability is a sure-fire way to cripple a child. In other words, belief in yourself without responsibility leads to a sense of entitlement.

Raise your hand if you've ever been rejected for anything, anytime, anywhere. We all have. How would you like to have a nice little four-letter word for the next time you're rejected? It's: NEXT. Next sale, next job, next date, next whatever.

Beware of people who use their own emotional pain as a tool to manipulate others instead of as a motivation to change themselves.

Parents of teens need to watch out for NMK Syndrome: Not My Kid, as in "my kid couldn't have done ___" (fill in the blank). Well, yes, they could have. Even if you have faithfully raised them not to do certain things, kids still have the power of choice, which means they can make bad choices. NMK Syndrome can blind you to something that needs immediate attention. Trust in your kids and in your parenting, and always check out what you hear.

When you receive a notice in your credit card statement that says, "Congratulations, because of your excellent payment history, there is no minimum fee due this month," it's not a time for celebration. You're still being charged interest. These people are not your friends.

It's a humbling and sobering experience to have a child who wants to be like you.

I've noticed more and more people doing what I call "caboose living."

Picture a three-car train. The engine in front we'll call facts/reality; the car in the middle is our thoughts, beliefs, decisions, choices and behaviors based on the facts; the caboose is our feelings. The facts/reality come first, then thoughts and behaviors followed by feelings.

Many folks try to run their life train with the caboose (feelings) in the lead. Feelings are interesting and important, but they cannot drive the train. Pay attention to your feelings, but let the facts/reality drive the train.

A successful marriage requires selective and strategic ignoring. The right things to ignore are little habits and irritating peculiarities that we all have. The problem comes when you select the wrong things to ignore.

I wonder if it's a bad thing to believe that football on TV is one of the first sounds of fall approaching.

Most folks live with the illusion that worrying about something can actually make a difference. The only possible way that worrying can make a difference is if the worrying motivates you to take action to do something about the subject of your worry.

People often say, "Well, I'm just going with the flow." The problem with going with the flow is that many times the flow is lost and does not know where it is going.

Best quote I've seen since last time, by Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts: "At some point, though, a problem ought to be defined less by our ability to explain why it happens than by our willingness to demand that it happen no more."

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2006-07-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

League Two Betting Review - 13 February 2006

Grimsby Town are the new leaders of League Two after beating Boston United 1-0 at Blundell Park. Michael Reddy’s goal after 72 minutes was enough to secure the Mariners’ second win in a row at odds of 9/10.

Last week’s leaders Carlisle United were held to a tense goalless draw at promotion rivals Leyton Orient. Draw backers could have got on at 23/10 with Carlisle now two points behind Grimsby.

Third placed Wycombe Wanderers fought back from two goals down at home to draw 2-2 with relegation strugglers Mansfield Town. Jon Olav-Hjelde and Richie Barker put the Stags 2-0 ahead after 33 minutes, but goals from Tommy Mooney and Stefan Oakes denied an unlikely 9/2 away victory.

Northampton Town squandered the chance to move in to the top three by losing 3-1 at Cheltenham Town. Steve Guinan, Kayode Odejayi and JJ Melligan ensured a home win at 6/4.

Rushden & Diamonds refuse to go down without a fight and Petr Miklonda’s 30 yard strike gave them all three points against Notts County. Barry Hunter’s side, 8/5 on the day, have lost just one of their last five games.

Bottom club Stockport County also earned a vital win at faltering Chester City. Liam Dickinson broke the deadlock for County after 76 minutes but Ryan Lowe equalised for City five minutes later. With the match heading for a draw Dickinson grabbed the vital 5/2 winner a minute from time to keep the Hatters just one point from safety.

Meanwhile, Torquay United remain in deep trouble after losing 2-0 at Lincoln City. Scott Kerr after 12 minutes and a last minute goal from Jeff Hughes secured a 5/6 win for the Imps.

Macclesfield Town vs Wrexham, Rochdale vs Barnet and Bury vs Oxford were all called off due to frozen pitches.

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2006-07-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

You Too Can Be A Public Speaker

Have you ever watched a speaker and said, "Wow, I wish I could speak like that"? or "That person was just so wonderful. I could never do that." Well, I've got some good news for you. You too can be a public speaker. Public speaking is a learned skill, so anyone can do it. You just need to follow some simple steps and practice, practice, practice. If you know how to talk, you can become a public speaker.

Becoming really good at public speaking requires some risk, but you have been taking risks all your life. When you were a toddler, you risked falling down when you took your first steps. You risk scraping your knees or falling when you start roller blading. You risk falling off when you start bike riding. You risk being rejected when you ask someone out on a date, and you risk getting into an accident every time you drive your car.

If you gave up after your first fall, you'd still be crawling. If you were afraid to fall off your bike, you'd still be riding with training wheels. If you were afraid of getting into an accident, you'd never get behind the wheel of a car. And guess what, you're still here - you've survived all of that. You're risk takers!! You've proved that by coming to Toastmasters. The greatest fear is that of public speaking and here you are - wanting to learn how to do it.

How many of you enjoy watching figure skating? Now, you wouldn't expect to be a world class figure skater the minute you put on a pair of skates, would you? No, you'd expect to have to practice for years before becoming that good. Nor would you expect to make the NHL without years and years of winter and summer hockey.

How many of you enjoy watching racing? Would you expect to be another Mario Andretti the minute you get behind the wheel? Now, I will admit that there seem to be a few drivers out there who think they are Mario, but most people would expect to have to practice for years before reaching his status.

Now, I think everyone here knows how to walk. When you think of walking 25 miles, it seems like a long distance, but it is actually only putting one foot in front of the other a number of times and you know how to do that. It just takes practice to go the distance. It's the same thing with public speaking. It just takes putting one word after another.

The key to getting up in front of an audience is believing that you have something to share with them that may make a difference in their lives - by entertaining them, warning them, encouraging them, or giving them direction or information.

The great thing is - you all do have something to say that people would be interested in hearing. Each of you has come through life in a different way. You may have encountered difficult circumstances and survived. Your experience could help someone else in the same situation.

If you remember jokes or enjoy telling stories to your friends, practice a little more and soon you can be telling your jokes and stories to large audiences. If you are really good at something, consider sharing the steps of how you got there.

By following the steps outlined in the Toastmasters' manuals, and with the encouragement of fellow Toastmasters, you can learn how to craft a speech and how to deliver it. You can learn how to use props, how to modulate your voice, and how to use words that your audience will understand.

You will often hear the words "stage time" used by Toastmasters. That is the only way to get better. In order to be good at anything, you have to practice. Winston Churchill overcame a speech impediment to become a master orator. He had to practice for hours to deliver a speech.

You can get very discouraged if you expect to be as good as Zig Ziglar right away. But if you listen to his story, you will find that it took a very long time before he was able to do what he does so well.

The thing to remember is that the only person you need to compare yourself to is you. You are working for your personal best, so when you are preparing your speech and practicing, all you need to ask yourself is - is your second speech better in some way than your first? Did you learn something new as you prepared for your speech? Did you learn something from the evaluative comments of others after you gave your speech? Then, that's all you need to do. You can use what you've learned to make the next speech your best to date and then use the same process for each speech you give. Just take one step at a time.

Remember, public speaking is a skill, so anyone can learn to do it. You just need to be taught how and then practice, practice, practice. Then one day someone may watch you and say, "Wow, I wish I could speak like that."

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