Monday, June 16, 2008

Green Cleaning Safety

By Bruce Gors Time and again you hear on the radio of a tragic death that occurred due to caustic materials that are found in cleaning agents. Children get into cleaning cabinets regardless of child locks and supervision. Just one look the wrong way and a child could feasibly ingest an item that could harm if not fatally wound him/her. A product that is organically created for cleaning does not come with that drawback. When I was little, Mr. Yuck stickers were all the rage. I believe the schools gave the stickers to our parents in a campaign to stop accidental ingestion of toxic chemicals. In fact, I vaguely remember learning to associate toxic, which meant life threatening, to the Mr. Yuck sticker. As far as I know, they no longer do that. However, that does not mean that accidental ingestion doesnt happen. It still does and can be avoided if those chemicals are no longer in the house. If a household replaces all the caustic cleaners with organic or green cleaning agents, a huge part of this problem gets taken out of the equation. This does not mean giving up the benefits of a truly clean home. It was once believed that everything should be cleaned with bleach since it will kill everything harmful. The problem is, it will kill everything thats not harmful, also. An organically created product has just as much cleaning power, if not more, than its chemically treated counterparts. Pets are also a concern when it comes to cleaning products. They spend the majority of their time close to the floor. They often lick things from the floor. In fact, I remember hearing a rumor (this is not confirmed so dont quote me) that the agents in the convenient upright mops that come with several pads and cleaning agent attached are harmful to animals that walk over them when the floor is still wet. If this does end up being the truth, what effect might it have on an infant that crawls on that same floor? Some people view their pets as their children. Is it really worth it to risk children to an unknown? It is best, as much as you have control over, to be sure that the products that you will use to clean your home will be safe. A surface appearance of clean is not enough. If you want your home to appear clean, it should be equally important to you that your home is actually clean. In doing so, you want to be sure that the products youre using to achieve this clean are healthy for you and everyone around you. Since there are products on the market that are healthy, safe, and effective, it is a wise decision to invest in these products. Bruce Gors Owner/Operator BG’s Carpet Care Green Cleaning Products http://www.cleaning-green.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Gors http://EzineArticles.com/?Green-Cleaning-Safety&id=460237 biopay paycheck secure your personal loan hard money home loans arizona accredited bad credit personal loans
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Thursday, June 12, 2008

Obesity Surgery

By John Furnem Who Needs Obesity Surgery It is an undeniable fact that obesity has become a global epidemic and is wreaking havoc on our society as mortality rates soar. Approximately 30% of the general population is considered obese, but it doesn’t stop there. An unprecedented 15% of young people are afflicted as well, leaving their budding lives scarred emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Contrary to the unbelievable number of claims for products that miraculously take off the pounds, there is no magic cure for obesity. However, there is an option. Obesity surgery is becoming increasingly popular despite the many side effects. Obesity surgery is only for those people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more or are suffering from a disabling condition due to excess weight. Morbidly obese people who are unable to lose weight by any other method often turn to this major surgery as a last resort. However, the younger generation soon may not have this option. Physicians are becoming very reluctant to perform obesity surgery on patients younger than 18 because of the lack of knowledge about the long-term side effects. The serious short-term consequences are a deterrent as well. The absolute minimum age recommended is 13 in girls and 15 in boys. The youngest patient on record who underwent obesity surgery was a 12 year-old girl. The rate of obesity surgeries has multiplied unbelievably with over 170,000 done yearly. There are no reliable statistics on how many of these were performed on teenagers, but a definite increase was noted. Costs for the surgery range anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 (depending on the type), with the average being $30,000. If complications develop, obesity surgery may cost $65,000 or more. The effects, however, may be priceless for some. Adult patients lose an average of 70% of their excess body weight, while teenagers show even more promise at 82%. For a few patients, the results are devastating and the little weight they lose is quickly regained. There are 2 main types of obesity surgery: those that reduce the size of the stomach and those that reduce absorption of calories in the small intestine. Gastric bypass is a combination of the two and is the most common type done. All require a lifelong commitment to making drastic changes in eating habits and lifestyle. Obesity surgery is beset with many risks and for young people, this may mean permanent stunting of growth. 2% of patients die from the surgery and 40% develop complications within six months. Complications range from infection, respiratory problems and bleeding, to vomiting, hernias and stomach obstruction. Many patients develop anemia or osteoporosis in the long term and have to constantly take supplements. Obesity-related illnesses, such as diabetes, are often resolved, though. Considering only the short-term effects, young people actually have fewer risk factors in developing complications from obesity surgery if they follow all the recommendations. Overall, obesity surgery remains highly controversial. Many argue that the psychological benefits of feeling human again far outweigh the disadvantages, especially for teenagers. There is always the possibility of regaining the weight lost or developing serious complications. Much of the success of obesity surgery depends on choosing an experienced physician and complying with orders. Obesity surgery has greatly improved over the years and for many, those unwanted pounds have become a thing of the past. John Furnem specializes in work psychology and Stress disorders, he has written articles and held workshops/seminars on the effect of stress on children and adults . John writes articles on Obesity Surgery for http://childhoodobesity.zupatips.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Furnem http://EzineArticles.com/?Obesity-Surgery&id=284393 what percentage is child support from your paycheck payday lender 2nd advance out no tele check cash advance personal student loans for bad credit
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Sunday, June 8, 2008

Influenza- Symptoms and Treatment

By Nilutpal Gogoi Influenza is a common contagious disease with flu-like symptoms. Influenza is caused by a sphere or filament-shaped virus. The most problematic part of these viruses is that they keep on changing. Such mutated virus strains can adversely affect a person even though that person had immunity to another strain of the influenza virus. And the situations worsens if separate strains combine. Such a combination can be really fatal as the newly emerged virus gains in its immunity against the extant vaccines. A person becomes rather weak during the bouts of influenza. The patients immune system also fails to operate naturally. As a result, influenza can turn into another life threatening ailment known as pneumonia. In fact, annually approximately 25,000 American citizens die because of influenza or pneumonia. Medical reports have shown that people above the sexagenarian age group have been fatally affected by this twin disease. The virus responsible for causing influenza has been classified into three types, viz., A, B and C. While A affects mankind and animals, B and C targets only human beings. Mentionably, the third type of influenza leads to only to mild infection. The latest panacea for influenza known as the 2004 Influenza Vaccine fights is composed of one strain of B and two strains of A. Influenza can attack anyone at anytime. However, people are particularly susceptible to influenza during the changes of seasons. During influenza, the main affected area is the respiratory channel. When the weather turns cold from hot or vice versa, many people irrespective of colds do fall prey to influenza. The disease can easily flow from one person to another. The primary routes for its transmission are sneezing and coughing. Influenza can also spread if one uses the clothes particularly the hanky or the towel used by an influenza affected person. Influenza is accompanied by clogged nose, headache, or at times running nose, temporary pain of joints and running body temperature. Mentionably, influenza and its symptoms disappear within three to four days whether one takes medicines or not. However, influenza can also be a silent stalker. Under such circumstances, it is always advisable to try and cure influenza naturally. If the symptoms continue for a longer period and show little signs of disappearing, do consult a doctor. The best way to cure influenza is to go for hot foot baths, and gargle if one suffers from sore throat. Many people take a tea spoonful of raw and unadulterated mustard oil to get back the normal voice. If one experiences mild fever, one can simply take the precaution of not bathing in cold water. Keep the body and the feet warm. Using cold ointments on the back side of the body, armpits, feet and on the chest besides around the nostrils also provide relief by means of the strong evaporation of those ointments. It has also been found that homeopathic treatment is the most ideal strategy to cure influenza. This is especially true with children. Homoeopathic medicines can also be taken by the adults. The homoeopathic treatments give the best results in cases of adults who are teetotalers. Nonetheless, these medicines are cheaper than the allopathic ones. Besides, the homoeopathic medications do have any side effects although they take some time to deliver the goods. Bird influenza: Nowadays, influenza has taken another deadly form. It is commonly known as the avian influenza as the virus gets transmitted to human beings from birds including poultry( hen, duck, turkey). The cause of this type of influenza has medically proved to be the H5N1 virus. Intensive researches are on to find a viable vaccine for avian influenza. The H5N1 virus has been found to be affecting people mainly in Europe and Asia. In most of such cases, avian influenza spreads from the avian species to one person. To obviate any possibility of the H5N1 virus spreading to man, one must stay from making any contact with the birds during any avian influenza epidemic. Symptoms of bird flu in humans can be similar to those resulting from typical flu-like symptoms, like fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Other severe symptoms are eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases, and other severe and life-threatening complications. Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published one popular adventure book for children and has published more than 1000 articles for various sites, as such http://www.publichealthclub.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nilutpal_Gogoi http://EzineArticles.com/?Influenza–Symptoms-and-Treatment&id=253154 private money lenders payday loans for tennessee people loaning money no credit check apartment in anne arundel county
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Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Is Depression Real?

By Paul Richards If youre currently someone who is treating depression, you should be asking the question is depression real or is it just a label? I often ask myself this question or at least I have in the past. After years of soul searching, going through stages of my life where I have delved into the darkest portions of my being through to running a million miles an hour from the sometimes painful truth, Ive discovered that labeling myself as ‘depressed’ doesn’t really help. In fact I’ve come to the conclusion that buying into the label of ‘depression’ often gives us an excuse to avoid looking at the truth, which is there within all of us. So what is depression? Its different for everyone, but for me I could probably sum it up as a combination of loneliness, intense sadness, suppressed anger, self hatred, and a severe lack of acceptance for my self and the present situation. From what I have observed in myself and those close to me, it is a result of a deep seated desire to change who I am, and find a recipe for avoiding pain, forever. However, an important thing to realize when treating depression is that there is no recipe for happiness, there is no recipe to avoid pain. The best avenue to treating depression is to accept ourselves as we are. How do we do this? That involves a fundamental shift in the way we think. Why not start by instead of seeking happiness (as a distraction from what is really going on) and avoiding pain, why not seek out our pain and give our happiness away (instead of suffocating it). Even better learn to just be with ourselves no matter what the discomfort. If you are truly seeking a natural alternative to treating depression, meditation is essential. The best way to overcome depression is not to try to overcome depression. If we use the usual mindset, trying to change ourselves it means that we end up subconsciously reaffirming to ourselves that there is something wrong with us. In treating depression it is essential that we overcome this cycle, but its not easy. Meditation gives us the opportunity to do this, or at least practice this each day. Meditation isn’t about visualizing, it isn’t about imagining a better life, and its not even about thinking positive thoughts. Its about becoming present with your own version of reality. Its about learning about who you are, and in the process, accept yourself. Basically meditation is a way of life, its something that affects us subtly and gradually over time. Meditation is a long-term solution to treating depression; therefore you may have to accept that it is not something that will magically change overnight. I remember when I first began meditation as a form of treating depression. It was at a time when I was really struggling with depression and life. I had sought out just about every alternative to treating depression that I could think of, and I didn’t want to go on medication. A lot of different things came up when I was trying to meditate. Things like, I thought I wasn’t doing it good enough, there was something wrong with me, Ill never get there, its a waste of time. To be honest it is pretty amazing that I stuck with it. All of these thoughts are natural. I remember having a good friend whom would remind me every time I would feel to just observe myself. That is the essence of meditation For more information on treating depression and meditation techniques, click on the link to my website, The Depression Trap. As well as being a student of life, I am also studying psychology. My passions are health, fitness and spiritual philosophy. I love playing my guitar and having a latte with friends. My philosophical views on life are parallel to many of those associated with Buddhism, however I consider myself a spiritual being rather than a religious one. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Richards http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-Depression-Real?&id=368966 loaning family money riverside hard money lender christmas quick cash advance impact cash payday loans
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Friday, May 30, 2008

Tips On Fast Weight Loss For Special Occasions

By Gary Matthews If you are like me, you have probably been through all this before, the family wedding is coming up next month and you can’t seem to fit into that suit or dress because you have put on too much weight. So you must lose at least ten or more pounds quickly. Losing weight quickly is not advisable as most of the loss will be muscle tissue and water; you put on the weight slowly (usually over years) so normally you should take it off slowly and then you will know that the majority of the loss will be body fat. But you have a problem here and the clock is ticking so you will have to diet pretty hard to meet your target weight loss. Let’s look at that first, you all know that diets don’t work; they send the body into starvation mode, a survival mechanism from long age when humans faced periods of famine. Going too low in calories causes the body to lower its metabolic rate, which reduces its ability to burn fat. At the same time, hunger signals increase and you quickly start to crave high-energy foods loaded with fats and sugar, the same foods you are trying to do without. Research shows repeated dieting actually makes it harder to lose weight and easier to put it on because when you dump the diet and return to normal eating habits the drop in metabolic rate caused by the diet means that your old habits actually represent an excess in calories. Not only do you regain the fat stores just lost, but also you may even gain an extra bit. Knowing this, you really don’t want to put yourselves through this rigorous process, but for this special occasion you will. First though, you will have to boost the metabolism that has been lowered by the dieting. To do this you will have to perform a “Strength Training” workout to generate that initial spike in your metabolism. By increasing the lean muscle on your body by using Strength Training, your metabolism will increase, burning fat along the way. The strength training technique I use requires just twenty to thirty mins per week. Gone are the days of the five-day a week program with 6 to 12 sets per body part that, method has never worked. One short intense strength-training workout a week will elevate your metabolism more than you ever thought possible. While the calories expended doing exercise are important, the increase in metabolism especially after strength training continues long after the exercise is finished, burning calories at the same time. The two main components of this technique are the intensity of the exercise and the recovery after the exercise. Infrequent, short, high intensity weight training sessions, followed by the required amount of time to recover and become stronger is what is needed to increase functional lean muscle and lose body fat. Small frequent meals should be consumed during the day each containing a little protein to maintain muscle mass and energy levels. A high quality broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement should also be taken on a daily basis. As before get the calories from high quality food but if you can’t, utilize a blender to make concoctions from skim milk with whatever additives you want to use, just as long as you keep count of the calories for your daily total. Now use these blender mixtures and solid food for your daily feedings. Spread it out over many small meals a day instead of the traditional three meals a day. The way to keep track of weight loss is to buy a calorie counter and record your daily calorie intake for a week. Now average out how many calories you consume a day with the use of a seven-day eating plan and calorie counter, once you have this figure subtract 1000 calories and this will be the target number of calories you will be aiming for. Remembering that one-pound of fat contains 3500cals, losing 1000 calories a day will total 7000 for the week, which equals two pounds lost by dietary means alone. Another technique for low calorie eating is to watch your fat intake as this has the most calories. Incidental activity is also very important if you want to lose this amount of weight in this short period of time, by increasing incidental activity you can burn at least another pound a week The best exercise for the purpose of fat-loss is fast walking either indoors on the treadmill or outdoors. Walk until you are mildly puffing and hold that rate until the allotted time. If your aerobic activities leave you panting or breathless, your going too hard, your energy is coming from your carbohydrate reserves and not from your fat stores. Try fast walking for one hour a day every day of the week. Well there you have it, as an experienced trainer I wouldn’t recommend this type of program to my clients. The weight loss is just too quick and the program would be very hard to maintain owing to the very low caloric intake. I advise my clients to decrease their calories by just 500 per day (and no more) below their maintenance levels and they will be losing 1 – 2 pounds of body fat every week, safely, without craving and without too much disruption to their lifestyle. In conclusion remember, think long term here and that’s between 30 and 50 pounds of fat lost in six months. Any faster and all you will be losing is water and precious muscle tissue. Gary Matthews is the author of the popular fitness eBooks Maximum Weight Loss and Maximum Weight Gain. Please visit http://www.maximumfitness.com right now for your ‘free’ weight loss e-course. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Matthews http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-On-Fast-Weight-Loss-For-Special-Occasions&id=101954 payday predatory lending and the elderly long beach payday loans georgia no fax no teletrak no employment no dp bureau cash advance texas cash out equity loan
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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Dating After 40: Releasing Him Back Into the Dating Pool

By R.L. Morgan Doesnt this phrase sound benign? Refreshing even? Can you imagine a perfect-temperatured, clear, tranquil pool, inviting you to dip your toes or immerse yourself totally in the rejuvenating water? Do see yourself floating on the pristine pond as the gentle current rocks you into complete relaxation? If only releasing someone or being released back into the dating pool was so calm. In fact, it is usually the opposite, full of stress, teeth gnashing, crying, yelling or drama. Often there are hurt feelings on one or both sides. Whether you are the releaser or the released, the relationship-liberating conversation typically entails tension, even if it is agreed upon by both. It neednt be this angst ridden. It can be mature, sane and calm, depending on how and when the discussion is broached. If the conversation is begun sensitively and kindheartedly, and in an appropriate place, there will be less difficulty. Of course, if the person youre breaking up with has a bent for drama, anger and/or defensiveness, there will be yelling, name calling, perhaps even dish throwing. So make sure you do it in a public place where his behavior will be modified, or security can be fetched quickly. Also, make sure to meet him there so you have your own getaway car, I mean transportation. And changing the locks may be in order if he has a key to your place. What are signs you should break up? * Youve become increasingly disenchanted with him. You no longer think his jokes are hilarious, nor his idiosyncrasies charming. You used to think his eating salad with his fingers was cute. Now you think its gross. * His behaviors are more irritating than ingratiating. His machine-gun-like laugh used to be amusing. Now its immature. When he dismisses his forgetfulness with I have a sieve for a brain it used to sound sweetly self-deprecating. Now you notice you hear it every time he conveniently forgets to do something youve asked. * You let voice mail answer when he calls. You used to love his frequent calls. But now, the fifth call of the day to give a moment-by-moment report on what hes done since you last talked an hour ago has gotten old. * You find you are disappointed or angry more than pleased with him. He doesnt keep his word, forgets important events, doesnt do anything to please you or show he cares. * He is argumentative, belittling, condescending, controlling, paranoid, angry, verbally abusive, self-obsessed and/or downright mean. Cut loose now and dont accept him back, no matter how much he begs. Dont. * You dont want to introduce him to your friends or take him to the office party. You cant imagine kissing him or making love to him one more time. Or still being with him in a month. * You hear yourself thinking, We would really be better just as friends, This isnt working, or We arent a match. These are all signs you should let him go. Youre not doing him any favors by sticking around when youre really not into the relationship. And youre preventing yourself from finding someone more compatible. You justify staying because I love him. It takes more than love to keep coupledom working. You can love your dysfunctional uncle, your abrasive aunt, your alcoholic cousin. But would you choose someone with their behaviors as your mate, despite your love for them? I hope you answer no. You deserve someone who is functional, kind and sober. Love is not enough to stay in a relationship that isnt working. In management, there is sage advice on when the best time to fire someone: The first time you think of it. Now I dont believe you should fire someone on the spot when the thought crosses your mind. I believe you should talk to him/her about the problem and see if the behavior shifts into an acceptable range. The same with a beau. You need to talk about it if something isnt working for you and the sooner the better. Dont let it fester. If he cant or wont shift it and its very important to you, then unless you can decide its not important, he will never measure up. So dont ignore it when you hear yourself thinking I cant imagine being with this guy long term, Im just not attracted to him romantically anymore, or Id never marry this man. Many years ago, I dated a man for over a year who I knew Id never marry. We even lived together. I knew from his comments he expected wed get married, although he never actually proposed. Finally, I had to tell him we werent going to get married. Much yelling, crying and door slamming ensued. While it wasnt right for him to assume, it wasnt right for me not to correct him when hed make marriage comments. I led him on and it was not right. I swore I wouldnt do that to anyone in the future, nor would I want it done to me. So if releasing needs to happen, think how you can do it considerately and sensitively and soon. Very soon. Then you can relax in the peace-of-mind pool. R.L. Morgan – The Dating Goddess – brings you her experience from the front line — having dated 73 men in 2 years after her 20-year marriage broke up. Read her insights and lessons to help you date more effectively. She’s a bestselling author, Oprah guest, and speaker. Read all of the Dating Goddess’s wisdom at Adventures in Dating After 40, http://www.DatingGoddess.com . Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R.L._Morgan http://EzineArticles.com/?Dating-After-40:-Releasing-Him-Back-Into-the-Dating-Pool&id=396940 attorney to settle payday loan debt san antonio bad credit car loan direct loan service online bad credit unsecured personal loans
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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Nokia N95: Relish the Power of Multimedia

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alice_Erin]Alice Erin Nokia N-series earned accolades around the world, as a collection of remarkable handsets with loads to offer. Well, Nokia N95 is one of these powerful mobile handsets, which empowers you to explore unlimited possibilities with multimedia. Duly equipped with innovative technology and various interesting features to perform various things with much ease. Moreover, it would not be an exaggeration to call it a portable multimedia computer because of its various multimedia capabilities. There are other interesting features in the Nokia N95, which makes it a happening gizmo with excellent video and photo capabilities, intuitive display, and high-speed connectivity. Capture all the larger than life moments with your Nokia N95. This unique handset is equipped with various camera features, which give you print quality photos and amazing DVD-like video clips. Take all your shots from different angles and make the desired changes with photo and video editor. You can watch all your video clips and photos by attaching your handset to any compatible TV by using its TV out feature. Equipped with superb features, the Nokia N95 can be your perfect navigator. Actually it is loaded with a 2-way slide concept, which makes the navigation as easier as possible and you would never forget to find the right path. You can also use this feature to perform various other things simultaneously as it also reads maps. To make the usability easier and comfortable, the Nokia N95 comes with a sturdy yet soft numeric keypad and on the flip side, you would find dedicated media keys for various other functions. There are certain other cool features, which can provide you an wholesome entertainment experience. When it comes to display, it is endowed with a large 2.6-inch QVGA display, which is further made more vivid with 3D graphics. To provide you reverberating sound, the Nokia N95 comes with in-built stereo speakers and also with a standard 3.5 mm audio jack, which ensures that you get the excellent sound every time you play your favourite music. So, grab a Nokia N95 and brings some amazing changes in your mobile life. [http://www.directphoneshop.co.uk/dealset.asp?act=mobset&id=401] Nokia N95 Alice Erin is an Expert Author. He has written good quality articles on [http://www.directphoneshop.co.uk/] Mobile Phones Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Erin http://EzineArticles.com/?Nokia-N95:-Relish-the-Power-of-Multimedia&id=404779 wachovia sba loans legal case summaries on payday loan companies find local cash advance places fast online title loan
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Baby’s Got Bling – You Can Package Anything

By JoAnn Hines Recently I’ve seen a host of new product introductions and I wondered who is going to buy that? But there are products out there for everyone. After reviewing the items I got thinking these are great examples of the “Power Of The Package” you know packaging as the silent salesperson. After all its the packaging that going to sway you or not to consider purchasing these products. When I read about Bling H20, I initially thought what a great marketing ploy but then I realized that primary target demographics: boomers and women would be the ideal audience. These groups have money to spend and are willing to spend it for the right products. The luxury consumable market is also on the rise and product are being created to meet the demand. (Ask me about DIVA vodka) People are willing to invest in themselves with a little luxury spending so why not luxury bottle water. For those of you that are unfamiliar with this product Bling H20 ($35 a bottle) is no ordinary water. It comes in a thin, tall, frosted glass bottle and each 750ml bottle is handcrafted, corked, and decorated with exquisite Swarovski Crystals. Wow what a concept! I love Swarovski Crystals anyway. If you want to see a picture I’ll have it archived on my website shortly. Along with other products in the super luxury category comes this example. “ICE ROCKS are a secured ice cube product made from spring water for the luxury market.” But its more that just high priced ice cubes. It touches us in other ways that are important such as product purity and security. They even touch the environmental button too with eco-friendly containers. “The ice cubes are made for savvy consumers who seek the same level of purity for the ice cubes they place in their favorite beverages. These cubes, to be consumed within two (2) years, are hermetically packaged in disposable, eco-friendly containers, providing the user with a complete guarantee with regard to hygiene and safety, while respecting the environment.” Ready to buy some prepackaged ice? I had to finish with this one. Packaging Crap. Yes, you heard it you can package anything and sell it if you have the right marketing message in your product packaging. This is a direct quote “If the package looks pretty, people will buy just about anything. So says an advertising executive in New York, and he has proved his point by selling boxes of rubbish for the price of an expensive bottle of wine. Justin Gignac, 26, has offloaded almost 900 carefully presented plastic cubes of trash from the street of the Big Apple at between $50 (26) and $100 each. Buyers from 19 countries have paid for the souvenirs. The idea has been so successful that he is thinking of franchising it around the world.” Yikes buying crap, my husband would love that one. He thinks all my packaging “examples” are crap too so maybe I should put them on Ebay. But to recap why and how packaging works as a sales tool. It sends a message to the consumer. Its up to you the product manufacturer to determine what that message will be and who the audience is. But whomever the demographic the package has an important role to play and its integral to building your brand. So what constitutes compelling packaging brand? How “connected” are you to your consumer? Here are a few emotion descriptors that your package must convey. Does your packaging Engage, Evoke, and Engross the consumer? Lets look first at ENGAGE: to attract and hold by influence or power. Can you say that about your product packaging? Or is your product packaging just the opposite? Boring! Got any BLING in it? Think about what you can do to improve the odds that your package will engage a consumer: Colors, features, shapes, value and benefits are all ways to reach out with your package. Swarovski Crystals? EVOKE: To call forth or call up as in evoking memories. What about your package will make the consumer recall a successful or enjoyable product experience? How can you make them remember that they were satisfied in buying your product? In case they haven’t purchased before, what is going to “connect” them to your product on your package? What is so special about your package that they have to take a closer look? ENGROSS: To engage the whole attention of (and that’s the key point). You have to get their attention to pick up our product before they can even consider buying it. Use features that will capture their interest in seconds because that’s all the time you are going to get before they move on. Another “feeling” word that conveys a strong and compelling brand is TRUST. You must create a place where people look for information and feel more secure doing so. It’s important to understand the strength behind the brand and why people turn to it for a sense of security and information. So what about your product packaging conveys the experience that consumers can trust your brand? ICE ROCKS anyone? Regardless of the reason a consumer may be in the store or looking at your product, introduce them to a “lifestyle” experience . . . trust, security, necessity or even peace of mind. Your package presence needs to call out “Buy Me” because I provide the experience of all of the above emotions. Product branding is a powerful influence on everyone. Its important to understand the strength behind the brand and why people turn to it for a sense of happiness, satisfaction, security and information. The best of all brands cross gender, ethnicity and age demographics. That is to say that everyone will recognize and identify with the brand. When you capture the power of the package people will integrate your product into their everyday life. They will not just turn to it as a convenience but as a necessity for comfortable living. So create your own story through powerful product packaging. Whatever your category, you should strive to engage, evoke, and engross the consumer to revitalize your brand through product packaging. Just remember when you have BLING, You Can Package Anything. Don’t wait until its too late. Make packaging your first thought–not your last. I get hundreds of inquiries a month asking how to package products. Most of the time, they are in crisis mode because they did not think about the package until crunch time. I just got a call from an entrepreneur whose packaging was a disaster. She never thought about the role packaging plays in her products success until her retailer said “NO WAY” to her product packaging. She had to start over. As a result, she lost a great deal of money in the process. To help others learn that lesson before it is too late, I have come up with a basic workshop offering education on packaging products to sell. Whether you are an entrepreneur, inventor, work from home mom, or a small business person with an idea or product it is imperative to understand the role packaging plays in a successful product launch. Packaging 101it is simple and offers the basics of what you need to know. The “Nuts and Bolts” of how product packaging works and “How To” of packaging. Visit www.packagingbootcamp.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Hines http://EzineArticles.com/?Babys-Got-Bling—You-Can-Package-Anything&id=346590 one hour payday loans get fast cash no credit check houses for rent north king county payday loan debit cards ok
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Monday, May 19, 2008

How To Lose Weight After Baby

By Janice Wee Now that you’ve got your baby in your arms, everything is blissful… barring post natal depression. One problem. How do you get rid of the weight you gained from your pregnancy. You would have put on about twenty pounds if you were lucky. Many women put on more. The baby weighs eight to nine pounds at most. The placenta and water bag, maybe another one or two pounds. So how do you get rid of the other ten pounds? The quick fix method of taking weight loss pills are out of the question if you are breastfeeding your baby. Whatever you eat or drink would pass into your milk, including whatever’s in that weight loss pill. As for weight loss surgery, do you really want to go through that so soon after giving birth to your baby. Even then, a good doctor wouldn’t agree to that surgery unless you’ve tried diet and exercise first. You’ve got to move. Burn up those calories. You know the drill. Burn more calories than you consume and you lose weight. Take in more calories than you burn and you gain weight. You can start with simple exercises first to get your body in shape. I learned this one from the physiotherapist at the hospital the day after I gave birth to my son. Lie flat on your back and bend your knees. Keep your feet flat on the ground (or bed) and your knees closed. Slowly move your bent knees to your right until your right outer thigh rests against the ground. Your upper body is still facing the ceiling. Then roll your knees upwards and down to the left, resting your left outer thigh against the ground. Repeat. The slow relaxing movements ease stiff joints and really soothe the post-labor backache. Start off by watching your diet. Cut out the ice cream and other calorie laden junk food. Switch to plain water instead of sweetened drinks. Water has zero calories while a can of coke can have as much as 155 calories. That knee rolling exercise wouldn’t help you lose weight but walking would. Once you are well enough, take daily walks for thirty minutes each time. As you get fitter, speed up to a jog, and then a run. Running burns calories effectively. Personally, I prefer using a treadmill as I can see how many calories I burn. Besides, with a baby in the house, unless you have someone to watch over the baby while you are jogging, you’ll have to keep an eye on the baby while you workout. Don’t even think about leaving the baby alone at home while you are out. The worst accidents happen at home. With a treadmill, you can park the baby in a cot within sight and run away the calories. Another way is to get a jogging stroller. That way, you can jog outdoors and wheel baby along. You can find jogging strollers at http://www.babymusthaves.com/jogging-strollers.htm A great fitness video you can use to burn the calories is the Firm. Watch a sample of that video at http://www.home-weight-loss-programs.com/transfirmer.htm Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janice_Wee http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Lose-Weight-After-Baby&id=546201 bad credit car loan the dalles cash advance florida no credit check furniture store austin tx what is a hard money loan
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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Checklist for Setting Up a Home

By Mark Nash No matter how many times I’ve set up a new home, there have always been too many trips to a variety of stores for a couple more things to make my new house a home. This check list is the result of my involvement the last couple of years investing in Florida properties that I renovate and then stock with everything including the silverware. Seasonal real estate buyers in the market will pay a premium for turn-key homes, where all they have to do is wheel their luggage in. My latest and fourth book 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home started me on this enjoyable voyage of helping others through their home purchase and selling maze. Kitchen Cutting board Microwave Coffee maker Electric mixer Toaster Blender 1-Quart covered saucepan 2-Quart covered saucepan 4-Quart pot 10 Inch skillet with cover 2-Quart rectangular baking dish 15″ X 10″ X 2″ baking pan 2-Cookie sheets Wire cooling racks Mixing bowl set Timer Bottle opener Wine opener/ corkscrew Can opener Glass measuring cup Measuring spoons Measuring cups Colander Steamer Chef’s knife Paring knife Serrated knife Knife sharpener Rubber spatulas Tongs Slotted spoon Vegetable peeler Wooden spoons Ladle Dish towels Pot holders Silverware, serving spoons Everyday dinnerware, serving bowls,soup bowls Glassware Salt and pepper shakers Glass pitcher Coffee mugs Paper towel holder Storage containers Furniture Sofa Lounge chair Coffee and end tables Entertainment center Dining table and side chairs Head board and foot board Box spring and mattress Nightstands Dresser Desk/Computer station Accessories Votive candle holders Votive candles Floor and table lamps Casual throw pillows Artwork Decorative mirrors Window treatments Area rugs Flower vase Green plants Plant stands Linens Bed sheets, pillowcases Bed skirt Blanket Casual throw Mattress pad Bath towels Bath mat Shower curtain Shower curtain liner Shower curtain hooks Shower curtain rods Guest towels Dish towels Place mats and napkins Tablecloth Cleaning and household supplies Vacuum cleaner Ironing board and cover Iron Broom and dust pan Floor mop Cleaning bucket Dish soap Dishwasher detergent Scrub pads Sponges Rags Aluminum foil Plastic wrap Wax paper Plastic storage bags Plastic garbage bags Paper towels Paper Napkins Kleenex Toilet paper Glass cleaner Soap and scum cleaner Floor cleaner Dust cleaner Laundry detergent, dryer sheets,liquid softener Spray starch Kitchen waste basket Bathroom waste basket Miscellaneous Laundry basket Clothes hangers, shirts, pants, ties Wine rack First aid kit Sewing kit Smoke detector Carbon Monoxide detector Fire extinguisher Full length mirror Tool kit, hammer,screw drivers Hardware, nails,drywall screws,picture hanging hooks Extension cords Mark Nash’s fourth real estate book, “1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home” (2005), and working as a real estate broker in Chicago are the foundation for his consumer-centric real estate perspective which has been featured on ABC-TV, CBS The Early Show, Bloomberg TV, CNN-TV, Chicago Sun Times & Tribune, Fidelity Investors Weekly, Dow Jones Market Watch, HGTVpro.com, MSNBC.com, The New York Times, Realty Times, Universal Press Syndicate and USA Today. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Nash http://EzineArticles.com/?Checklist-for-Setting-Up-a-Home&id=175926 where can i find a loan online that is secure and safe online loan applications unsecured loans baton rouge online car loan
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