so-mopy.info

December 31, 2011

The Dairy Dilemma

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:11 pm

There have been new and confusing reports about milk and dairy products in the news lately. The dairy council has come out with a report that three servings a day will help you lose fat and weight. At the same time, another study (not as well publicized) came out saying that children who drink more than three servings of milk a day have more weight problems. On top of that the numbers of lactose intolerant people seem to be rising.

What is the truth about dairy product consumption?

As Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD. wrote in their article, The Plot of Soy (http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/ploy.html) in 1999, Organic, cultured butter is available in many stores. It has restored enzymes and high vitamin A content. Contrary to widely held opinion, there is no evidence that butter contributes to heart disease or cancer. At the turn of the century, butter consumption in America was 18 pounds per person per year. Today it is a mere five pounds. As butter consumption has plummeted, cancer and heart disease have risen dramatically. The real blame for this increase points squarely at hydrogenated butter substitutesmargarine and shortening. Butter contains many nutrients that protect us against disease. Those with severe allergies to milk products can still eat clarified butter (ghee) and enjoy its good taste and numerous nutritional benefits.

Dairy products have been a major part of many cultures diets for thousands of years. But the dairy products we have in our grocery stores here in America are very different than the dairy products consumed by people in the past.

The problem today is how we get our dairy products and how they are processed. It starts with the way modern cows are fed. They are given a diet of high-protein soy and grain based feed instead of the traditional grass feeding methods.

We know that grass fed cows have six times higher CLA (conjugated lineolic acid) content in their milk than in grain fed cows, and more Omega 3 fatty acids. CLA helps the body convert fat to muscle, fights cancer, and does many other beneficial things for our bodies. Because of modern feeding methods for cattle, we get almost no CLA in our diets with normal grocery store dairy products. Also the vitamin A and D content of grain fed cows is much lower.

Modern breeding methods also produce cows with abnormally large pituitary glands, so that they produce three times more milk than ordinary cows. These cows need hormones and antibiotics to keep them well in their crowded and unsanitary living environments. The hormones and antibiotics go into the milk, causing trouble for those of us who consume it. Antibiotics are not working the way they should for us anymore because all the antibiotics we consume daily in our dairy and meat products make us resistant to them.

The milk from these grain-fed cows is then pasteurized, which destroys dozens of valuable enzymes. Without these enzymes, the milk becomes very difficult to digest. This explains why so many people are lactose intolerant. This also overstresses the pancreas as it tries to compensate for these missing enzymes.

Pasteurization also destroys much of the valuable vitamin content of the milk. We have been told that pasteurization is needed to keep milk cleaner and kill bacteria. What it really does is allow huge dairy farms to get away with dirty milking practices.

Finally, when they make 1% and 2% milk, they add non-fat dried milk to these products to lower the fat percentage. Non-fat dried milk is ultra-processed, which oxidizes the cholesterol. Rancid (oxidized) cholesterol and fats are what promote heart disease, as we mentioned earlier. Dried milk also has a very high nitrite content.

Raw (unpasturized) milk, on the other hand, is very good for you, and actually safer than pasteurized milk, even for babies and small children. Children fed raw milk have more resistance to TB, scurvy, flu, diphtheria, pneumonia, asthma, allergic skin problems and tooth decay. In addition, their growth and calcium absorption was superior.

Of course, as with all foods, raw milk must come from healthy cows and be carefully handled and stored. The same technology that we use to pasteurize our milk also allows us to keep raw milk fresh and clean. If you are buying directly from a farmer, find out if the cows are kept mostly on pasture and that the barn is kept clean. The milk should go directly from the milking machine into a stainless steel tank or clean containers and be kept chilled. It should be used within a period of one week, after which it will begin to go sour (although it is not dangerous when it does so). With these precautions, raw milk is not only healthy but a safe food for all members of the family, even babies.

Dairy products, meat and whole foods, properly prepared are healthy and life giving. As much as possible, avoid meats and dairy products that have been processed.

Calculus: The Science of Fluxions

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 4:08 pm

The science of fluxions was Sir Isaac Newton’s terminology for the new field of science known today as calculus. Newton and German mathematician Leibnitz appear to have discovered the principles of calculus in about the same time; but Leibnitz published his work first. For years, there was friction between the two countries, England and Germany regarding which country was to take credit for the discovery of calculus. In the final analysis, it appears that both men arrived at their findings at about the same time and independently of each other. Both men appear to have learned from Egyptian, Indian and ancient Greece sources.

Sports Cars – Distinction With Performance

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 10:21 am

When talking about sports cars, it is important to make the distinction between cars which have been produced solely for this purpose, and normal road-going vehicles which have been modified to achieve sports car performance. One notable example of such a vehicle is the popular Golf GTI series.

Generally speaking, the term ‘sports car’ refers to vehicles which have the following characteristics:

  • 2 seats
  • 2 doors
  • Rear-wheel drive
  • Light-weight
  • Low ground clearance
  • A powerful engine (although this is not essential)

Many classic British sports cars such as the MG series have lacked powerful engines. However, due to their light frame and chassis, they still managed to attain exceptional levels of ride, handling and performance.

True sports cars are vehicles which have been specially designed to be fun to drive, with great handling and ride together with high performance. In many cases, these qualities are attained at the expense of practicality, driver comfort and fuel economy. However, many modern sports cars allow the driver the full sports car experience, without compromising on practicality, reliability or comfort.

Sports cars come in a number of guises. In their simplest form, they are designed for an uncompromising ‘pure’ racing experience. One of the best examples of this type of sports car is the Lotus Elise. Although lacking in the kind of specification and equipment one would normally expect from a road-going car, the Elise is one of the most fun to drive cars around.

At the other end of the scale, luxurious models such as those offered by Aston Martin and Bentley have spectacular performance, whilst at the same time offering a truly luxurious and decadent driving experience.

Traditionally, owning a sports car was a costly affair. Early incarnations were less than reliable and were notoriously temperamental. They also lacked the refinements we have come to expect from modern vehicles.

Nowadays, due to advances in technology, sports cars are as trustworthy and comfortable as passenger cars. This means that their owners can quite happily use them everyday.

British sports cars

Although none of the British sports car manufacturers are now independently and privately owned, Britain can still be proud of its illustrious motorsport heritage. Luxury British marques include Aston Martin, Bentley and Jaguar, while those looking for that pure racing experience need look no further than the stables of Lotus and TVR

Italian sports cars

Nobody makes sports cars with more passion and flair than the Italians. Select have a full range from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.

German sports cars

German cars are famed for their build quality and reliability, not qualities one would normally associate with a sports car! However, Audi, BMW, Porsche and Mercedes have a range of luxury cars which are as fun to drive as they are dependable.

Japanese sports cars

Combining fine racing pedigree with the technology and innovation we’ve come to expect from Japanese manufacturers, Honda’s S200 and Subaru’s Impreza are perfect for those who want a fun driving experience, without compromising on everyday dependability

Many of us have dreamed of owning a sports car. Thanks to Select Vehicle Leasing’s range of affordable sports car leasing you can make this dream a reality.

http://www.selectvehicleleasing.com

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Pope

Are There Benefits To Ordering Magazines As Part Of A Package Deal?

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 10:17 am

Many people in the 21st century spend a great deal of time seated in front of their computers or their television sets. Indeed, these people spend a significant amount of their time each and every day at the computer — perhaps even playing games — or watching television and movies. One wonders if people do read any more.

Perhaps you are one of those people who still read, who enjoys reading books and magazines. If that is the case, you may find yourself interested in buying books and taking out subscriptions to different magazines.

With that said, you also may be like many people and find yourself living on a pretty tight budget. If that is also the case, you may not feel that you have much disposable income available to purchase magazine subscriptions.

There are ways in which you can order and read some of the best magazines on the market today without breaking the bank in the process. One tried and true method that you might want to consider when it comes to subscribing to magazines is ordering magazines as part of a package deal.

Years ago, young people — and some not so young people — would go door to door selling magazine subscriptions. Through these efforts, you would be able to order a selection of magazines for a reduced price. In other words, you were able get something of a package deal on magazine subscriptions.

For the most part there no longer are people going door to door selling magazines to consumers. Indeed, there are very few door to door sales people at this point in history. Nevertheless, it still remains possible for a person in your shoes to make the purchase of magazine subscriptions as part of a package deal. In other words, you can purchase multiple magazines, take out multiple subscriptions, and pay a reduced cost by buying more than one publication.

Therefore, if you are interested in reading a number of different magazines, you might want to determine if there is the availability of a package deal when ordering these magazines. There are subscription services that can be accessed in both the brick and mortar world and on the
Internet and World Wide Web through which you can order a variety of different magazines of interest to you and at a cost that you can well afford.

Common Mistakes When It Comes To Refinancing

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:05 am

There are many reasons for refinancing your mortgage. Refinancing can reduce your interest rates, your monthly payment, or both. Often, refinancing is an effective way to consolidate debt and to reach your long term financial goals.

However, there are many common mistakes when it comes to refinancing, some of them so serious they could cause you to lose your home. Identifying pitfalls is the best way to make a refinancing decision you will not later regret.

When refinancing, you do not want to eliminate all the equity you have worked so hard to build. Home ownership is all about building equity it is the equity in your home that makes it one of, if not the most valuable investment you will ever make.

This does not mean refinancing your home is always a bad financial decision in fact, often refinancing can be a big step toward reaching your long-term financial goals. And it is the equity in your home that allows you to refinance in the first place. What you want is a loan that allows you to borrow against some but not all of your equity.

The most common mistake homeowners make with regards to canceling equity is cash-out refinancing. On the surface, cash-out options can appear extremely attractive, because they allow you to take cash out of your loan amount and put it in your pocket. You can use the cash to pay off debt, but taking cash out reduces the equity in your home, and can even eliminate it altogether.

To avoid this refinancing pitfall, consider a second mortgage as an alternative to refinancing with a cash-out option, especially if the interest rate is higher on the new cash-out loan. Already have a second mortgage? Then refinancing with a cash-out loan is very likely to eliminate all your equity. Instead, you can refinance both mortgages into one new mortgage with a cash-out option.

Another form of refinancing homeowners might regret is refinancing from a fixed rate mortgage (FRM) to an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). Homeowners often do this to lower their monthly payments, but with an ARM, the interest rate is not locked in. Sure, the payments may be lower now, but if interest rates go up, future payments could be higher than the payments you were trying to reduce.

Refinancing options that homeowners are not likely to regret include refinancing from an ARM to an FRM in order to lock in a low interest rate. This is a decision that is usually made with long-term financial goals in mind.

Another refinancing decision that is generally sound is refinancing to the same type of mortgage with a lower interest rate than the current loan. So long as the borrower expects to remain in the home long enough for the interest savings to cover the cost of refinancing, the borrower usually will not regret this decision.

Low interest rates and a lucrative real estate market have prompted many homeowners to consider refinancing. But with predatory lending on the rise, it is up to you, the homeowner, to protect your investment. Fortunately, the Federal Truth in Lending Act is a safeguard for those who refinance a loan on their primary residence with a different lender. This Act guarantees borrowers the right of rescission, meaning they can cancel the debt within 3 days of closing. Not many borrowers take advantage of this option, but those who do are not stuck with a refinancing decision they will come to regret.

Haunted Houses, Dead Tenants and a Big Tummy Ache

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 2:25 am

World renown psychic and author Jane Doherty has found herself in a very prominent position on her new reality TV show called Dead Tenants, which is hosted by The Learning Channel. I say its a prominent position because of the phenomena that separates Janes psychic abilities from those of other psychics.

Whenever there are ghosts around Jane, she has an amazing physical reaction to them and handling it is no small feat either. The reaction Jane has is that her stomach area actually enlarges by as much as six inches around within seconds. And, Jane tells us that its extremely painful to her when this happens. If you watch Jane while this stomach expansion is happening, youre going to hear her moaning and see her wincing and trust me, its not dramatics the womans in definite pain.

With regards to her expanding tummy, Jane says, It feels like a contraction when a woman is in labor, but it doesn’t ever release me until the spirit leaves. Instead, the stomach expands as if I was nine months pregnant. Jane actually describes it as very intense muscle cramps, where her stomach is physically gripped by the ghost, and if you watch, the belly will actually lift up. Jane continues, Often I can tell by the grip whether it is a female, male or child spirit. It first happened to me in 1990, when I investigated my first haunted house with a researcher.

The belly area is associated with the third charka located at the solar plexus, which is the area that dominates the gifts of telepathy, clairvoyance, clairsentience and an awareness of astral entities. Its interesting that historically the belly area is associated with bodys core of energy sometimes called the Chi Point or the Hara, both of which translate literally to mean belly. Its also interesting that historically, psychics felt their gift came from their gut called reading with the pit of the stomach where today, most psychics describe their gift coming from their third eye charka, between the eyes and centered in the middle of the forehead. With Jane Doherty, it seems to make good sense that the physical phenomena of Jane Dohertys expanded stomach would be directly related to her psychic gift.

Janes devout belief in the power of God comes through in all that she does because she feels strongly that her psychic abilities are a God-given talent. Using her psychic abilities allows Jane to bring comfort to people whose hearts are hurting, and hope to those who need it most. And, thats her personal goal on Dead Tenants whose families are in desperate need of help and knowledge to deal with their homes ghosts.

The Dead Tenants TV show follows the journeys of the Preternatural Research Society (PRS) a team of paranormal investigators through the attics, basements, living rooms and back yards of some of the most haunted houses in the country. Coming to the aid of families experiencing very unwanted ghosts and unexplainable activity in their homes, Jane Doherty and the PRS team do their best to assist the families. The Dead Tenants show weaves the historical, scientific and psychic into a rich tapestry to help the viewer better understand the hauntings.

“There was never a question of how I would use my gift,” Jane says firmly. “I have taken every possible opportunity to help others.” Jane Doherty is the real deal, on TV and in print. Her words are like the words of her book – so compelling, you won’t be able to put it down.

Jane Dohertys book, Awakening the Mystic Gift: The Surprising Truth About What It Means to Be Psychic, chronicles Jane’s own psychic awakening and what it truly means to be psychic. For those seeking more information on what it means to be psychic, this book is a very compelling read.

Jane Doherty is a gifted psychic and medium of international acclaim. Many refer to her as the “real deal” because of her accuracy and sincere caring nature. In fact, Hans Holzer, known best for his many books on ghosts and paranormal activities, has named Jane Doherty as “one of the top twenty psychics in the world.” A born teacher, Jane feels part of her own purpose in life is to teach others to open to their own psychic abilities, and for this reason Jane has brought her psychic teachings to an online format through the Herbal-College.com website. Here Jane has established a book club for her readers to explore more about their own psychic abilities with her personally, and Jane will also teach her multi-leveled Psychic Development courses at the Herbal-College.com website.

December 30, 2011

How to Bust Through a Fat Loss Plateau

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:15 pm

Copyright 2006 strength-training-woman.com

You made a goal a few weeks back to lose that extra 45 pounds you have been dragging around. You found a top-notch fitness program and stuck with it religiously. Your motivation shot through the roof as your weight decreased week after week. Now you are 8 weeks into your program and something has gone terribly, terribly wrong.

The scale has stopped moving. You are not sure what is going on, but you are absolutely positive that if something does not change soon you will give up all hope of being lean and healthy. You are at a plateau.

Hitting a plateau is often a time of disappointment for most people. They feel lost and unsure of their next course of action. Motivation fades away and old habits come back with a vengeance. The good news is that there is a simple solution to busting through a plateau.

The secret is to continually change your program. Your body is extremely smart. It learns to adapt to your workout program very quickly. That means that your body learns to do your fitness program by spending less energy. In other words, your body burns less calories, and less calories burned means slowed fat loss.

Changing your fitness program every 4-6 weeks is recommended by most fitness professionals. You should change 1 or several of the following factors:

- Intensity Level

- Amount of Weight Lifted

- Amount of Time Spent Working Out

- Strength Training Method

- Muscle Specific Exercise

Simply changing 1 or more of these factors can shatter a plateau. Your body will not be prepared for the new change and this will cause it to exert more energy, or calories. As always your body will learn how to adapt to your new changes every 4-6 weeks. Continually changing your routine is a good idea.

I prefer to have 2-3 different routines that I rotate. I will do a Pyramid routine for 6 weeks and then shift to an Upper/Lower Body Split routine. I will also vary my cardio program accordingly. Shattering plateaus will be easy so long as something changes.

Should a change in your fitness routine not produce results then zero in on your nutrition. You should eat 5-6 small meals per day. Your first meal should be eaten within an hour after waking and each meal thereafter should be 2-3 hours apart. Each meal should include a lean protein and a good carb. Eating this way helps maintain blood sugar levels. It also reduces hunger pangs and cravings for sweets.

Water Trampoline

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — admin @ 10:01 am

A water trampoline is a fun and exciting inflatable water toy that will be enjoyed by every member of the family. A water trampoline is much like a traditional trampoline, except that it is built of materials that float on water. These are perfect for lakeside homes or any area with sufficient water for hopping fun. A water trampoline is a sturdy and safe trampoline that is made out of a float tube, trampoline frame, jump mat, springs, and comes with a ladder to access the trampoline from the water.

A water trampolines come in sizes that range from 36 inches high to 42 inches high and 12, 15, 20, or 25 inches round. There are many different sizes available to suit any family. When looking for a water trampoline for your family, there are a few things you should look for. You must ensure the safety and quality of the water trampoline so that you can make sure all users have a fun and are safe on the water.

First, make sure that the water trampoline is built of high quality materials. Perfect materials for your water trampoline is PVC material and seams that are reinforced with an effective glue bond. You will always be reassured in knowing that your water trampoline will stay afloat during use.

All materials should be protected against wear and tear from usage, the sun and water. You will want your water trampoline jump mat to be the same size as trampolines that are land mounted. This will make sure there is plenty of room for jumpers. Also, look for a guarantee on the workmanship of the water trampoline. Make sure the company provides you with a good warranty that will protect you if there are any defects in the product.

After you have purchased your water trampoline, you will need to inflate it prior to using and deflate it when you have finished. It is wise to use a powerful inflator or a shop vacuum to do this. Both of these will help in inflating and deflating your water trampoline.

When you have gotten your water trampoline inflated and moved onto the water (by boat if it is a large body of water) you will need to anchor the trampoline in the water. This will prevent the water trampoline from moving with the water and suddenly being in the middle of the lake. Your trampoline should come with attachments and an anchor for this purpose. If not, you will need to purchase these separately.

Your water trampoline should also come with an easy to use repair kit and instructions for repairing small holes in the trampoline. Overall, you want a safe and reliable water trampoline for all your summer water fun. Remember to keep all users safe on and around the trampoline to avoid accidents and injury. Have a safe and fun summer with your new water trampoline purchase.

The Internet, To Infinity And Beyond

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 4:10 am

The Internet.has come to embody the wide spectrum of interests, faiths, beliefs, ideas, and knowledge for human beings across the globe. First an experiment by techno wizards and computer geeks, the Internet has grown so enormously in the last two decades, with email addresses and web urls increasingly mentioned in daily conversation. The Internet in its incubation and formative years, was loudly touted as the first ‘free medium’ of communication, free of the censures, dictates, conformities, and restrictions of other mediums of expression, that have become entrenched in tradition.

One of the greatest assets of the web is its multimedia presentation capabilities where information once solely relegated to separate modes of expression, via print, artwork, movie, video, and face-to-face conversations, are all readily available and accessible through one medium: the Internet. With such versatility, it is no wonder that the Internet has grown in popularity in leaps and bounds, with even famous multimedia giants in the entertainment industry such as the famous Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg being quoted as saying: “I think that the Internet is going to effect the most profound change on the entertainment industries combined. And we’re all gonna be tuning into the most popular Internet show in the world, which will be coming from some place in Des Moines.

We’re all going to lose our jobs. We’re all gonna be on the Internet trying to find an audience.” A question frequently posed by both visitors and web hosts alike, is has the internet simplified our lives? The answer is more complex than it would appear.

Shopping or browsing for more information on virtually any topic, has becoming incredibly convenient via the Internet. Whole libraries and books of information, once only accessible via print copies, are now readily available on the Internet, and downloadable to the desktop of your computer.

Internet technology has spawned a whole new generation of technology, hardware, and software with PDAs,MP3 players, streaming audio and video files, gaming software, eBay auctions, and so much more, now accessible via the click of a mouse. With information available on any topic now via the Internet, the potential for human communication, connection, and development has far surpassed any other form of media.

A child growing up in this era of change, is more likely to know the name of the website of his or her favorite singer than the name of classic children’s story tales. This and other “free accessibility” features are of concern to many parents who fear that the high prevalence of pornography, scams, and advertising on the Internet, will unduly affect the moral character of their children. The Internet is thus being ‘reamed in’ or questioned for parental controls and creation of ‘restricted site access’ to prevent such accessibility and its after-effects upon children.

December 29, 2011

Numerous Chinese Toy Recalls, So Who Is Really To Blame.

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 10:06 pm

In its quest for lower and lower priced imports it was inevitable that the US would fall victim to Chinese companies who would attempt to cut corners to deliver these products to our shores at prices we would find pallatable. Our mantra “Cheaper is better” might be coming back to haunt us as our offshore manufacturing partners search for the means to shave tenths of pennies from already staggeringly low prices. In lands where finished goods often sell for less than we can purchase the underlying commodities (the paper and paint etc.) much of this magic may soon be exposed for what it is – cutting corners and outright cheating, often to enhance profits, while often just to stay in business.

Baseball History may be ever Changing but some things never Change

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — admin @ 2:16 pm

Baseball history, like all history, certainly is ever changing, but some aspects of the game have remained unchanged for well over a half-century. There are a few reasons for this – over time the basic rules of the game have for the most part remained unaltered; the development of essential skills continues to involve an investment of time and personnel by ball clubs; and fans have always flocked to see money players and exciting teams.

In 1976, Major League Baseball (MLB) was changed forever with the birth of free agency. Since its inception, the owners had held power over all players. They could trade anyone at anytime and control, with relative ease, what individuals would be paid. Great players, like Babe Ruth, usually commanded solid salaries but with free agency players were able to negotiate their contracts and to go to a team willing to pay their price.

Still, as it had always been, players had to have the skills a team needed to get their price. The one major difference was that players were now able to sign guaranteed contracts, which stated that they would be paid their salary no matter how they performed and even if they were injured.

Seventy-three years before free agency, professional baseball underwent a change that would influence the way in which the Majors conducted business and found players. In 1903 the National Association of Professional Base Ball Leagues, better known as the Minor Leagues, was formed in order to create some order in which Major League teams acquired players from small market clubs. In the 1930s the great Branch Rickey developed the structure for what we know today as the “Minor Leagues.” Rickeys formalization of the “Minors,” which became dedicated to developing players who could perform in the Majors, was jokingly called the “farm system” because small town clubs were raising young players “like corn” down on the farm.

Since the 1930s, MLB has relied upon affiliate farm teams to develop players for the big leagues to supply promising prospects for trades, or to simply provide adequate replacements when necessary. Today, the Minor League system is highly developed, bringing players up through A, AA, and AAA ball. When a team is looking to make a trade for a solid Major Leaguer, one way they can sweeten the deal is by including prospects from the minors. Additionally, one way for owners to keep costs down is to bring up players from the “farm team” when theyre ready. By doing this a MLB team can save millions of dollars.

Bringing up an adequate second baseman from the minors and paying him the minimum $327,000 for the season can prove to have more value than paying a veteran infielder 2.5 million dollars. Using a certain number of non-veterans allows a team to spend more money on other positions, especially pitching, which is always at a premium and comes at a high price.

The Minor Leagues have always been a cost-saving venture for clubs but with todays exorbitant salaries, the strength of the players union, and most clubs carrying payrolls of under one-hundred million dollars, the strategic use of Minor League players can make the difference in both turning a profit and winning the World Series.

Using players from the farm club actually gives owners more power, since those team members who have been brought up are not eligible for salary arbitration until they have three years in the Majors and cannot become free agents until theyve accumulated six or more years in the big leagues. Today, for a brief part of a players career, National and American League owners have the power they used to possess over every player prior to 1976.

Teams looking to win a championship and attract as much revenue as possible have often invested money in key players. Throughout baseballs history, there have been owners willing to pay more than others. In 1919, some of the Chicago White Sox, which was owned by Charles Comiskey, decided to throw the World Series to their National League counterparts, the Cincinnati Reds.

The White Sox players felt they were both underpaid and under-appreciated by their boss and figured if they bet on the underdog Reds and insured that the National Leaguers would win, theyd make a tidy profit. They did just that, but they also got caught. It became known as the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, and its a constant reminder to owners of how a man like Comiskey, who had a whole lot of money, could be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Of course, spending a lot of money does not insure a team will win the World Series or even the League Championship. Since the New York Yankees payroll exceeded one hundred millions dollars five years ago, theyve been unable to win it all. The last few years Steinbrenner and company have been handing over two hundred million in team pay. Last years champs, the Chicago White Sox, paid out a little over seventy-five million to their players. It was ironic, because they had not won the Series since 1917, prior to the big scandal.

Most analysts agree that a MLB club needs to wisely spend about seventy million to be competitive. Thats why some pundits believe that the Toronto Blue Jays, who reached that magic salary mark this season by adding quality players and about thirty million to their pay roll, are a club to watch.

The basic idea at work regarding salary prior to free agency is that a happy player – one who feels hes being treated and paid fairly – can equal a happy owner with a winning team. After free agency, the thought became that in order to compete a team had to pay a player what the market dictated and owners, to a degree, had the ability to control that market. These are, in essence, two sides of the same coin.

If we could resurrect Cy Young, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and Home Run Baker and bring them out to the ballpark, theyd certainly still understand the game, even though it has changed. Since their time, there has been the development of specialty pitchers, creation of artificial turf, and the addition of the designated hitter in the American League. The mound, strike zone, and scoreboards are all different too.

Player skills are still fundamentally the same, except more advanced. They would get the idea that a better player should command more money than a player with less skill. But the overall economics of the game would probably baffle those great players. That has added a new type of off-field strategy that owners who want to win must master. Since the turn of the 19th century, its been the greatest change MLB has seen.

Sports Equipment Basics

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 4:18 am

One important thing to think about when it comes to sports equipment is your comfort. No matter what type of equipment it is, you should feel comfortable in it. A game is no fun if you have to wear uncomfortable equipment. No matter what sport you participate in, you should have comfortable clothing. If you are a runner, for example, you would want clothing that would allow good air flow to keep you from becoming overheated, and still fit snugly to help with wind resistance.

An essential in your sports equipment line up should be proper shoes. You should focus on shoes that you are comfortable in, and that suit your particular sport. For football or soccer, you would need cleats that are the proper size, offer good support, but arent too heavy or bulky on your feet. If you are a basketball player, you would want comfortable court shoes that fit well and allow good airflow to avoid foot problems.

Virtually any sport that you play has its own requirements as far as protective gear is concerned. The basics are usually knee pads, elbow pads, maybe chin guards, or helmets depending upon what sport you play. Protective sports equipment should never be overlooked or taken for granted, as it is there to ensure your safety as you have a good time and enjoy your sport. It is important to keep your protective gear properly maintained, and to always use it as the manufacturer recommends.

Your local sporting goods store or gym may be able to offer some good suggestions as to what particular type of equipment you need, the best place to purchase it, and how it should be used. It is always a good idea to shop around for the best deal, and try to buy equipment that will last more than one season, as it can get expensive to replace it often. Oftentimes, it is better to purchase the more expensive item rather than the cheaper one, as you will often spend more in the long run buying replacements than you would have for that one item that would have lasted a lot longer.

Good sports equipment is an important part of any sport, regardless of where your particular interests lay. To ensure your safety, you should always have the proper sports equipment before you begin to play any sport, and if you are unsure, dont be afraid to ask for recommendations.

December 28, 2011

How To Give Yourself A $20,000/Year Raise Without Asking Your Boss

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — admin @ 10:10 pm

Why without asking your boss?

Two reasons, one, he or she will most likely say no; and second, he or she will probably have you committed for asking.

So what do you do. Give the raise to yourself.

Impossible you say. Chuck and Sue are crazy. Not at all. Here’s how.

You know we love the Creative Real Estate niche of Lease Purchasing and you know we believe it to be the perfect home-based business.

But, did you know you can use these same methods in your spare time to give yourself that big raise.

Ask yourself, “What would I be willing to do to earn an extra $20,000 in a year”.

The answer may surprise you. And no, you don’t have to become a hit man (or woman) to earn this.

You just have to be willing to take a look at Lease Purchasing.

Some background before you think we’ve completely lost it.

For every 100 calls Sue makes on For Sale By Owner property, she either speaks with or leaves messages for about 60%. That’s about 60 people she puts the concept of Lease Purchasing in front of.

Out of that 60, approximately 10 will develop into true prospects. From these 10, 2 or 3 will develop into property we are willing to take on. The others may become consultations or manual sales.

(Please keep in mind, these numbers will vary a bit depending upon your particular area and current market conditions).

Gee, you say, that sounds like a lot of work. Not really. Consider making those calls over a 3 month period. That’s the equivalent of a call per day. Why a 3 month period. Because you’re only looking to do one deal a quarter.

Next question. How does this translate into a $20,000/yr. raise? Simple.

On a typical single family house, we look for a $5000 assignment fee on average. Well, let’s do the math. 4 x $5,000 = $20,000.

Yup, a $20,000 raise on 4 deals per year.

Is this realistic? Absolutely.

In fact, we may be conservative on that raise for you. You may well decide to do five or six or more deals in a year.

All it takes is knowing how to structure your deals, having the proper contracts and a willingness to want to give yourself a raise. You can find all this information at our website at: www.homebusinesssolutions.com/products

You’re right. Chuck and Sue are crazy. Crazy like a fox.

Copyright 2004, DeFiore Enterprises

Automobile Finance Get the best deal

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:15 pm

An automobile finance is easy and even with less than perfect credit automobile financing or auto loan is beneficial for several reasons.

The procedure to buy a car from a car dealer would be simpler rather than walking directly into a company. Car dealers arrange for some useful services of automobiles loans and automobile insurance. Dealer financing is probably the best route for a low interest car loan as they deal in large volume. If you are not satisfied with the car finance provided by your dealer you can always opt for automobile refinancing.

Car Loan financing requirements

There are certain requirements that one should meet to finance an auto loan. Its very important that the value of your vehicle exceeds the amount owned. An upside down auto loan consist of owing more than a cars worth. In this case, you cannot refinance the car loan.

If possible, try and reduce the amount owed on the car, and then finance. This will involve increasing your monthly payments. Furthermore, financing options only apply to vehicles less than five years old or more. Secondly, the balance owed on the loan must be at least $7500.

How Does the Auto finance Process Work?

Auto financing or auto loan is simple both means same. To begin, contact your current lender and request a payoff balance. Next, complete an online application with an auto loan finance company. When applying for an Auto loan, you must include detail information about your vehicle and loan amount. In some cases, you may be asked to include the vehicle identification number on the application. If applying online, approvals are instant.

Selecting Auto Loan finance Lender

It would be advisable to refinance for an automobile loan through different lenders. Hence, you should devote some time and energy to comparing lender rates and offers. Do not accept the first offer received. A hasty decision may cost you more money. Instead, request online quotes from three to four lenders, and carefully review offers. Pick the lender that offers the most savings.

Boutique Hotels Are Here To Stay

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — admin @ 6:23 pm

Boutique hotels arent a passing fad or a here-today-gone-tomorrow trend. They are a growing sector of the hospitality market.

When the first boutique hotel opened in New York in 1984, it caused a stir. Shedding tradition, its whole purpose was to turn a paid-for bedroom into a whole new travel experience. Since then, small, chic hotels have sprung up all over the world; some more successfully than others. Those who have followed the fundamental theme of design-led individuality have experienced incredible success and that in turn has spawned a new generation of these stylish hotels.

What are the essential characteristics of this type of hotel that will ensure its place in the industry?

Individuality boutique hotels are all different. Housed in a wide range of buildings, many of which werent intended as hotels or even houses originally, they use design and architecture to create entirely individual structures and spaces that catch the attention and stimulate the senses. Whatever theme or style has been chosen, youll never stay in a boutique hotel thats exactly the same as the last one you stayed in.

Style personality and style matter to these hotels. Its what gives them their intimate atmosphere; their air of authenticity. Boutique hotels go for style thats deliberately introduced and followed through to the smallest of details, resulting in all-round quality thats really appreciated by the guests.

Service many other parts of the service industry could learn from these small hotels. Their low guest numbers gives them the opportunity to shine when it comes to looking after residents, and their service is always discreet but immediate; helpful without pestering and always pleasant, never patronising.

Quality discerning guests know quality when they see it; from the finest bed linen to the freshest ingredients. A boutique hotel takes the time to source materials, furnishings, fabrics and accessories of the finest quality, ensuring that guests are always experiencing comfort and style.

Boutique hotels are here to stay because we like them. For not much more cost than an average high street hotel, they allow us to enjoy the experience of travelling. They give us good design, a high standard of decoration and fittings and outstanding service, reminding us that we often set our standards too low when we travel. They allow us to relax and spend our time exploring and enjoying our destination rather than sorting out problems with the accommodation. They remind us that where we stay is as important as where we go.

Business Leadership Skills – Managing the Human Being Behind the Business

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 6:10 pm

Managing the Human Being Behind the Business

It’s a common problem and we’ve all seen it – business owners that are just ‘too busy’ all of the time, and as a result, do not enjoy the success in business they had hoped for. Let’s not kid ourselves, there is a lot to focus on: technology, employees, sales, marketing and so on. These functions are essential and need to be well organised and managed. But there is a second aspect to business success that is often overlooked – the effectiveness of the person running the show. Businesses are a reflection of the people who run them. If those people are ‘too busy’, stressed, or poorly organised, then these characteristics are reflected back in the business. The underlying behaviour and values of the business owner drive how much control they need, how they will delegate and how they use their time. Growth of the business and the business owner need to match up
If the business is to grow, then the owner has to take the necessary time to learn the new roles and skills that a growing business will demand. Imagine for one moment where you would like your business to be in 5 years time. Then ask yourself: “Is it possible that I can be exactly the same person in 5 years that I am today and fulfil that growth strategy for my business? The answer has to be no. Business owners need to be prepared for new learning and taking on new, different, and bigger responsibilities – without fear or hesitation. The reality is that the owner is usually the limiting factor in growth – the business can only grow to the extent to which the owner grows. When owners feel out of sorts, overworked, and like they are running on a treadmill, it is almost always because they have fallen victim to the reactive “let’s go faster” management approach. They are forced to live from problem to problem, and may fail to see their own (lack of) self-management as part of the problem. So why aren’t we better at managing ourselves? There’s really four reasons:

  • Being comfortable – we all do what we are comfortable with – it’s human nature. So we keep doing what we have always done
  • Not knowing what else is possible
  • Not knowing that there are other ways to do what they are doing
  • Actually getting energy (and maybe some identity) from being stressed and overworked

There are 5 steps to take on the road to better self-management: 1. Clarify personal goals for the future.
Many business owners lose sight of these as they get immersed in the day-to-day running of the business. Articulating your personal goals can reveal any issues about whether these support or conflict with their business goals. These goals need to cover both the immediate and future plans. What do you want to achieve personally in the next 1 to 2 years. And where do you want to be in ten years time?
2. Clarify the business goals.
Having spent some time expressing personal goals for the future, take a look at your business goals and rethink them. Are your personal and business goals working together, or are they working against each other? If they do seem to be mutually exclusive, what choices will you make next? Putting the business goals ahead of your personal ones will inevitably lead to stress and feelings of overwhelm. Determine instead whether the business goals can be re-oriented or modified to support what you would like to achieve personally.
3. Identify the owner’s ideal role 3 years from now.
Think about who you want to be – what role you want to have in the business – in 3 years time. Will you still be doing the majority of work? Will you have others doing the work and your capacity is more advisory? Or perhaps you would like to remove yourself completely from the operational parts of the business and focus on product or business development? Thinking about what you want as an owner in the future can give you great insights into what strategies you may need to put in place now. 4. Conduct a detailed personal time analysis for a one-week period.
This is where the rubber hits the road. If you really are true to yourself when you do this exercise you will learn a lot about where the potential lies for making changes. How are you really spending your time? Break your day down into at least half hour slots and write down exactly what you do in each 30 minutes. 5. Create a plan of action for the next 30 days.
Based on the data from steps 1-4, create an action plan to cover the next 30 days. Your plan should include:

  • steps to align personal and business goals
  • strategy for moving to the role the owner wants to play in the business in the future
  • analysis of the results of the one-week detailed monitoring exercise
  • deciding which activities add the most value and planning to spend time on those
  • identify how much time is spent on low value activity and planning to delegate or stop doing those things

There is never a better time than right now for planning to do things differently. Take charge of yourself and your business by choosing a direction that allows you to meet both your personal and business goals, and still retain your sanity!

Megan Tough, Director of Action Plus, is passionate about helping people enjoy their businesses. She works internationally with business owners to systematically remove the stress points from their business, giving them more time and space for – well -whatever they want! Visit her at http://www.megantough.com for more information on taking the stress out of your business.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Megan_Tough

Mastercraft Tires – Driving With Style

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — admin @ 4:20 pm

The contributions of the American company on the landscape of the United States in its history and contemporary makeup have an absolutely wide varied place its difficult to comprehend at times. Without question, though, a contribution that certainly went beyond the community development and needed product provider that is so commonly connected with various companies, was that if plant usage in the World War II effort made by so many companies. Such was the case with the future producers of the Mastercraft Tire when the hard goods point of their production facilities was transformed into a production plant for such items as: pontoons, landing boats and other military goods in 1941.

Its probably little more than an interesting anecdote to todays consumers of Mastercraft Tires, but it seems to set a reasonable precedence for a company that has seemingly continued to give to its country of origin. The makers of Mastercraft Tires, the Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, has led the industry in several safety innovations, grew into a fortune 500 company and lasted through tumultuous corporate restructuring times to remain as one of only two tire companies to last as U.S. owned.

The company has continued its historical track record of existing well beyond than simply a firm that produces goods and collects the revenues. The company has held safety in such high regard that it established a joint effort, along with the National Safety Council, to create and implement a safety program and campaign that was dedicated to youth education.

Today Mastercraft Tires remain a tire of quality and safety to consumers which place both in high regard, but nothing less should be expected from a company that has continued to surpass expectations

Serial killers and social anxiety

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 2:24 pm

The Countess Elizabeth Bathory is known in history for being the ruthless noblewoman who had hundreds of slave girls sadistically poked, cut, and bled. She did this out of the belief that their blood would sustain her youth indefinitely. While modern analysis can only begin to scratch the complex psyche of one of history’s most prolific and cruel serial killers, Elizabeth Bathory is suspected by some to have had a rather bad case of social anxiety. This, some theorize, combined with her malignant narcissism and her high social status, had combined to from the figure that many would know as the Blood Countess.

Trampoline Jumping

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 8:31 am

Though the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and various organizations do not recommend trampolines for recreational use at home, trampoline jumping can be a lot of fun and a good form of exercise if adequate levels of safety measures and precautions are taken, such as using enclosures to prevent falling, safety pads, and safety harnesses etc.

There are two main types of trampoline recreational and competitive. Both these types may be circular, octagonal or rectangular in shape. Since recreational trampolines are designed for home use, they are typically less strongly built than competitive types. That is why extra care should be taken when using recreational trampolines, such as regular maintenance and repair for tears, rust, and detachments.

Brief History of Trampoline Jumping:

In the early 20th century, bouncing beds were used by certain stage acts to entertain audiences, which is considered as the first known trampoline jumping in history, because the beds they used were strikingly similar to the trampoline we know today. Eskimos are also known to have used Walrus skin to toss each other up into the air before the modern trampoline was born.

George Nissen, a gymnast and competitive diver, and a friend, Larry Griswold designed and built the first modern trampoline in 1934. Inspired by circus trapeze artists, they manufactured the first prototype - a stretched piece of canvas, with grommets inserted along each side, to an angle iron frame by means of coiled springs. It was a great success and trampoline became a household word soon after.

The trampoline has now been used not only for recreational or competitive purposes but also for training in variable body positions in flight to pilots and astronauts.

Trampoline Jumping as a Sport:

Trampolining is a competitive gymnastic sport that was incorporated in the Olympic Games in 2000. The main objective of the sport is to perform acrobatics while bouncing or jumping on a trampoline. Points are awarded to the competitors for feats such as jumps in the pike, tuck or straddle position to more complex combinations of forward or backward somersaults and twists. Trampolining includes competitions such as Individual Trampoline, Synchronized Trampoline and Double Mini-trampoline.

Trampoline Jumping as an Exercise:

The trampoline, if safely used, can be a great fitness tool for activities such as Rebound Exercise, which is a therapeutic movement on a mini-trampoline. Since every part of the body is in motion while jumping on a trampoline, some doctors consider this to be a good activity for therapies such as stimulating the lymphatic system or white blood system. It is further said that rebounding exercise helps remove toxins, and in delivery and absorption of nutrients at the cellular level where it is converted into energy.

Trampoline Jumping and Extreme Sports:

One of the latest innovations to trampoline jumping is the introduction of Bungee trampolines by the world of extreme sports. In this gravity-defying sport, the jumper has an adjustable harness attached to the waist, connected to bungee ropes on both sides. This allows various types of somersaults and other airborne aerobics as the jumper is catapulted up to 12 to 20 meters in the air. Bungee trampoline jumping is considered safer than the traditional trampoline by many people because the harness attached to the waist firmly holds the participant, which prevents injuries sustained from falls.

3 Women Starting A Small Business

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — admin @ 6:18 am

Starting a small business ranks close to having a child in the major life event category. This can be one of the most stressful times, but if done right, it can also be one of the most rewarding things in your life. Some might think that to start your own business, you have to know everything. One thing that you can have something help you with is marketing and advertising. This is a very complicated part of any business and if the average business owner thinks they know everything they need to know about this, they are kidding themselves. When someone has a heart problem, they go to a specialist. This is how you should treat your small business marketing. Using an Ad Agency could be one of the smartest things you could do to help ensure your business doesnt fail. It is well known that 80% of all businesses fail within the first 5 years. How many of those millions of heartbroken owners could have been part of the 20% only if they would have not been a know it all and asked the experts for help in areas they didnt have an idea in. Throughout the years of running an Ad Agency, we have never had a client spend more money with us than if they would have done it alone. In a majority of cases, they actually have saved thousands of dollars with us. This is for a few reasons. One is the enormous buying power good Ad Agencies have. We can buy in bulk and pass the savings to all of our clients. Ad Agencies also have more negotiating power. Going into a buying process with 5-10 clients at one time can give us a huge advantage in negotiating power. One thing that new and existing business owners fail to do is create an actual advertising marketing plan for the year. This can be done at any time during the year and not just January first. Create a plan for the next 12 months based on your target audience and your budget. We never come to a client and tell them how much they should spend for the year. We take your budget and create a plan for you, at a price you can afford. We handle over $38 million in advertising dollars every year, but we service the $5000 startup or the $100k budgets. Any and all are welcome to participate in our programs.

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress