Archive for December, 2007

How to Grow Flowering Dogwood Trees from Seed

Monday, December 31st, 2007

By Michael McGroarty Flowering Dogwood trees can be easily grown from seed, however 99.9999% of the seedlings that sprout will be Cornus Florida, which is White Flowering Dogwood. It doesnt matter if you collect the seeds from a White Dogwood or a Pink Dogwood, the seedlings are likely to be white. The only predictable way to grow a Pink Dogwood, Red Dogwood, or one of the beautiful Dogwoods with variegated leaves, is to bud or graft the desired variety onto a White Dogwood seedling. See this page on my website for details on “budding”: http://www.freeplants.com/budding_fruit_trees_and_ornamental_plants.htm Dogwood trees begin producing seeds right after the petals drop from the flowers. Its a slow process that takes all summer. By late summer the seeds begin to turn red, which means they are just about mature. Dont pick them too early or the embryo will not be fully developed and they will not be viable. When the seeds are fully developed they will begin to fall from the tree, and at that time you can begin to pick them. Ripe seeds can be removed easily. If they dont pop right off when you grab them, they are not quite ready, give them another week or two. Dont let them fall to the ground, the chipmunks, birds and other critters love them, and usually eat them as fast as they fall. Once picked, let them sit for a week or so, until the pulp begins to soften. At that time soak them in a pail of water to further soften the pulp. While still in the pail of water squeeze the seeds between your fingers to separate the seeds from the pulp. Once they are separated slowly add water to the pail until it overflows, allowing the water to flow over the edge of the pail slowly. The viable seeds should sink to the bottom of the pail, while the pulp should float to the top. Allow the pulp to float out of the pail until you have nothing but clean seeds lying on the bottom of the pail. Drain the water and spread the seeds out on a table to dry. Once dry the seeds can be stored in a cool dry place. They will keep this way for some time. Because Dogwood seeds have a very hard outer coating on the seed, they need to be pretreated or stratified before they will germinate. This process softens the outer coating so that water and oxygen can enter, initiating the germination process. There are several ways to stratify Dogwood seeds, from treating them with acid to storing them in the refrigerator. I will share a couple of techniques that I think will work the best for someone with little experience. One technique requires that you decide what day next spring you would like to plant the seeds and then counting backwards on your calendar for 210 days to start the stratification process. Here in the north May 15 is a good target date for planting because by then we should be safe from frost. You dont want Mother Nature to do them in before they even have a chance. 210 days from May 15 would put you around Oct. 15 to start the stratification process. To stratify the seeds using this technique simply place them in a plastic bag with some moist (not wet!) peat moss, or a mixture of moist peat and sand. Poke some holes in the bag, you dont want it air tight. Store them in this mixture at room temperature for a period of 105 days. After 105 days move them to your refrigerator for another 105 days. Dont put them way in the back where they might freeze. You want them cool, but not frozen. After 105 days of storage in the refrigerator they should be ready to plant outside. Just time it so that you get them outside just after the danger of frost has past. While the seeds are being stored check them weekly, if you have fungus growing in the bag sprinkle a little fungicide in. Near the end of the storage period you should be checking for germination, as soon as 10% of the seeds have germinated they should be planted out. If its too early, plant them in a flat indoors, just make sure they get plenty of sunlight. To plant them simply sprinkle the entire contents of the bag on top of the soil and spread it out. Sprinkle some light soil over top. Do not plant the seeds too deep. of soil over top is all you want. Water them thoroughly after planting, then allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Make sure you plant them in an area that drains well, you dont want them in soggy soil or they will rot. Thats one technique. Another technique is to nick each seed in a couple of different places with a knife right after the seeds are cleaned, and plant them out immediately in the fall. Cover the seed bed with a piece of screen so the critters dont dig them up and eat them. Which technique works better? I dont know. There are so many variables that can change the outcome that I have not seen where one works better than the other. I suggest you do some each way and see what works best for you. I like getting them planted right away in the fall and putting Mother Nature in charge, but its disappointing if something happens and you have a poor stand, thats why its always nice to try some both ways. You can also grow Chinese Dogwood (Cornus Kousa) from seed. Chinese Dogwood is very popular because it flowers much later than most other ornamentals. Late June is usually when they are in bloom, and the flowers are cream colored against dark green foliage. It makes the flowers look mint green in color. Just use the same techniques as above. You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, http://www.freeplants.com/resellers.htm Michael J. McGroarty is the author of this article. Visit his most interesting website, http://www.freeplants.com and sign up for his excellent gardening newsletter. Article provided by http://gardening-articles.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_McGroarty http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Grow-Flowering-Dogwood-Trees-from-Seed&id=76579 phentermine no prior prescription needed pharmacy that sells phentermine phentermine diet pills on line buy phentermine usa

Speeches For Brothers and Sisters of the Bride or Groom

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

By James Nardel Attending the wedding of sister can be a lot of fun because you just get to sit back and let her soak up all the attention and love on her big day. Even if you have always been competitive, her wedding is one day where you want her to shine. Many sisters are so busy sitting back watching all of the planning for the big day that they forget that they also have something important to plan for: a sister of the bride speech. If you happen to be the maid or matron of honor you have probably thought about this, but it is also customary for the sister of the bride to give a speech and wish her sister and her new brother in law well in their new life together. The sister of the bride speech process isnt all that difficult really; you just need to break it down. If you arent the maid of honor you may just need to make a quick sister speech at the wedding and then you can pass on the microphone to the next family member to let them sweat a bit! Still, you should have something planned so that your nerves dont get the best of you. Your speech neednt be overly polished or cheesy if that is not your style, then again if you want to get sentimental you can! Its a good idea to start out with formal congratulations. You can tell the bride and the groom that you were just as nervous as they were, and that you are glad that all of their hard work and planning has turned out so beautifully. Your sister may like hearing from you that things look great, and are exactly as she planned. Then, youll want to make the speech more personal, since this is your sister that you are speaking to. If you have a story about weddings from when you were young, like how you used to share your fantasy wedding ideas with one another or something like that it will spark fond memories for your sister and share a little something with the rest of the family and friends and the reception. Personalizing the speech is important, because you arent just that fifth cousin who was invited; you are the sister of the bride! To close the speech you can tell your sister that you can only hope to look as beautiful as she does when you get married, if you arent already. Also, welcome your new brother in law to the family. If you share a common sense of humor dont hesitate to make a few clean jokes and then congratulate the couple and pass the torch to the next family member so that they can express their congratulations as well. Many sisters feel as though they need to write some prose or something to that effect for a sister of the bride speech, but that is not necessary. Of course, if you want to write a poem for the new couple, that would be great and very sincere. But, you can go casual and simply tell your sister and brother in law that you are happy for them! Since you are the sister, toast wedding congratulations and a bit more and you are off the hook. Just make it sincere and let both your sister and your brother in law know that you are happy for them, in whatever style most suits both you and them. Instantly download over 100 complete wedding speeches plus 200 toasts, openers, quotes and jokes athttp://www.EasyWeddingToasts.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Nardel http://EzineArticles.com/?Speeches-For-Brothers-and-Sisters-of-the-Bride-or-Groom&id=249486 buy discount phentermine buy phentermine on line diet pills and phentermine phentermine with online prescription

Make Your Own Sweets With a Candy Mold!

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

By Mike Yeager Candy molds make candy making easy! With only a few basic tools, you can make candy that looks professional and exquisite, as if they came from any of the finest specialty shops. For chocolate lovers, you can find a chocolate candy mold of practically any design. You can make chocolate hearts, chocolate eggs even chocolate Christmas trees! Holidays and special occasions are only the beginning. Think of the gift baskets you could give to friends! Who wouldnt be pleased to receive a basket of beautiful fine chocolates! Nothing is more delightful than a clever sucker. All you need is a hard candy mold and a little time in the kitchen, and its easy to make a batch of creative sweets. These are especially popular with the children. With candy molds, you can make treats for any occasion, at a fraction of the cost of buying them from the store, and have a lot of fun doing it! It’s amazing how satisfying it is to see the work of your own hands turn out so beautifully. Candy molds are great to use when you need to make specially designed treats for a wedding or other special occasion. Chocolate party favors are always a hit, especially if theyre made with a favorite candy mold designed to accentuate your parties theme. About The Author Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-candy-4u.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Yeager http://EzineArticles.com/?Make-Your-Own-Sweets-With-a-Candy-Mold!&id=18141 where to buy phentermine online cheap phentermine online consultation brothers pharmacy phentermine phentermine 37.5 no prescription

Student Financial Guide is Your Guide to College Success

Saturday, December 29th, 2007

By Katie Spencer The Student Financial Guide website is divided into categories pertaining to pre college resources, during college experiences, post college challenges, investing, news, and even a forum where you can chat with other members looking for advice or just wanting to chat. Preparing for college is very important and thats why the Student Financial Guide covers topics on budgeting and planning for your college years. Not only do you have to decide where you want to go but also you have to establish a budget that includes tuition and books, living expenses, food, and of course having fun. Although tuition rates are rising most dont notice how expensive college is because you usually pay the amount in one lump sum each semester and then forget about it. However imagine paying your tuition in installments before every class period in cash. You then would realize exactly how much that hour of instruction was worth. So you have to ask yourself, are you getting your money’s worth? College is an investment. But remember, it’s not just the diploma that’s valuable but the experience and the knowledge as well. Keep these four tips in mind when attending classes, and you’ll succeed in the long run. Go to class prepared, go into the classroom with questions, and dont be afraid to ask them, spend extra time with professors, and seek out resources and opportunities. For many, college is years of experience not limited to educational experience but experiences that shape you as a person. Youll meet new faces, try new things, and experience life on our own which can turn into something more expensive than planned. The average credit card debt owed by college students is approximately $2,700, with close to a quarter of students owing more than $3,000. Even more, about 10 percent owed more than $7,000! Its important not to let spending get out of hand because thats where college students find themselves applying for credit cards and dive into debt. Once college students graduate they are usually left still paying that debt as well as any loans taken out to cover the costs of tuition. Most dont think about whats ahead for them in the future or realize they might be faced with an emergency situation where savings would be helpful. On the Student Financial Guide website youll find answers to your debt concerns and credit issues. This site is useful in providing relevant data to college students on their experiences throughout college. Learn about money saving tips, credit and debt management, and stock market as well as so much useful college information all on http://www.studentfinancialguide.com. Katie Spencer is a contributing writer for a number of international financial journals both online and in print. Katie has been delivering financial education to the public in a variety of areas to include budgeting, credit and debt management, and money saving tips. Recently, Katie has been in partnership with a national educational foundation to deliver financial advice to American consumers via the web. For more information and to read the latest articles published by Katie, please visit http://www.studentfinancialguide.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katie_Spencer http://EzineArticles.com/?Student-Financial-Guide-is-Your-Guide-to-College-Success&id=61718 yellow phentermine diet pills cheap phentermine online prescription buy phentermine from canada buy phentermine pills

Cleopatra Subject Of First Fish Story - History of Fishing

Friday, December 28th, 2007

By Lindsey Williams Cleopatra Subject Of First Fish Story This is going to be a short piece this week because I’m going fishing. I’ve been too long away from the wily trout, and my equipment needs looking after. I always wonder, at times like these, why I don’t spend more time with the hook and line. A minister once told me that fishing time is free time. Though the Good Book tells us our days are numbered as are the hairs on our head, my pastor gave it as his considered opinion that the Lord did not count those happy hours either praying or fishing. The Bible contains many references to fishing. Habakkuk, lamenting the ascendancy of the Chaldeans over his people, says: “They take up all of them with the angle. They catch them in their net. And gather them in the drag.” Job asks: “Cans’t thou fill his skin with barbed iron? or his head with fish spears?” And, again: “Cans’t thou draw out Leviathan with a hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?” The Prophet Isaiah said: “The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle in the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.” Jesus must have been a fisherman because He used angling terms in discourses with His disciples. “Come,” He said to Peter, “and I will make you a fisher of men.” Fishing is the oldest sport of mankind. Archaeologists at the site of Ur, capital city of the ancient Chaldees, have unearthed fishhooks well made and not unlike those in use today - nearly five thousand years old. Nets, drags and trot lines are used to catch fish in quantity and represents work rather than sport. The rod and artificial fly is the unmistakable mark of fishing for fun. The earliest known picture of a rod fisherman is an Egyptian wall painting dating from 2000 B.C. The pole was heavy at the hand end, more like a billiard cue, but the fat fish at the end of the line made the function clear. The Roman rhetorician Claudius Aelian gave us the first written description of fly fishing about 200 A.D. The anglers were Macedonians. Their stream was the river Astraeus. Judging from other hints Aelian I gives us, the quarry must have been a species of trout. Says Aelian: “They fasten red wool around hook and fix to the wool two feathers that grow under a cock’s wattles, and which in color’ are like wax. The rod they use is six feet long and the line of the same length. Then the angler lets fall his lure. The fish, attracted by its color and excited, draws close and … forthwith opens its mouth, but is caught by the hook, and bitter indeed is the feat it enjoys, inasmuch as it is captured.” Wow! The description makes my right hand twitch. It is curious why more women don’t enjoy the sport of fishing. Angling with artificial flies was invented by women of the Persian court who detested handling worms and minnows. They fashioned hooks from pins and silk thread from their sewing baskets. Then, with their guards and ladies in waiting they cast daintily into the mountain streams. The Egyptian Queen Cleopatra was an ardent fisherwoman, and is the subject of one of the earliest “fish stories.” The tale is tucked away in Plutarch’s account of the noble Roman Mark Antony. It seems that Antony and Cleopatra were out in a boat fishing one day but the fish just weren’t biting. Embarrassed that he was doing so poorly in front of his lady love Antony instructed the servants attending the royal party to slip over side and attach some fish that already had been caught to his hook. Cleopatra was suspicious of Antony’s uncanny luck, but she praised his skill and announced that all would return the next day to see the great angler at work. Next day, however, it was Cleopatra’s divers who were paddling about underwater. To Antony’s hook they attached “a salted fish from Pontus,” very dead. Feeling the tug on his line, Antony hauled it in to the guffaws of the crowd. Antony, a true fisherman, rallied with the remark that although the fish was not the largest caught that day, it certainly was the oldest. The first book written in the English language is one on the art of angling - by a woman. The “Boke of St. Albans” printed in 1496 in England contained a chapter by Dame Juliana Berners, the prioress of the Benedictine nunnery of Sopwell. She gives detailed instructions for the construction of rods, hooks, lines and artificial flies. It was she who discovered that there was a relationship between the hatching cycle of insects and the feeding habits of fish. “He who can best match the hatch will take the most fish,” she wisely declared. She designed twelve patterns of flies, one for each month of the year. Some are still popular today. Which reminds me, where are my Royal Coachmans? Click here to see this article on Lindsey Williams’s website Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be contacted at: LinWms@earthlink.net LinWms@lindseywilliams.org Website: http://www.lindseywilliams.org with several hundred of Lin’s Editorial & At Large articles written over 40 years. Also featured in its entirety is Lin’s groundbreaking book “Boldly Onward,” that critically analyzes and develops theories about the original Spanish explorers of America. 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Auto Accident Attorneys

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

By Tara Pingle As we all know, there are many hazards to driving, especially in winter conditions. Snow and Ice hazard One of the less-discussed winter hazards is the cascade of ice and snow which sometimes flies off vehicles which werent brushed off before being used. Pennsylvania Senator Lisa Boscola (D) has worked on this issue for several years, trying to get a piece of legislation passed to minimize the danger. The proposed legislation, SB902, (introduced in October, 2005), would fine drivers who fail to clear snow and ice off their vehicles. If that snow or ice interferes with another driver and causes an accident, the fine would be higher, and higher still when the offending vehicle is a commercial one. Fatal flying ice In December 2005, on Route 209 in Pennsylvania, an 8-inch thick chunk of ice flew off a big rig truck and into the windshield of a Mazda behind. It smashed the windshield, killed the driver instantly, and injured her son and husband. But the truck driver was unaware of this event, continued driving, and has not been identified. This event has stirred up support for Boscolas bill. There does not have to be a death for such an incident to be dangerous. Chunks of ice and snow could block a drivers view of the road, causing the vehicle to collide with oncoming traffic or run off the road. Or they could just shock the driver when they crash into the windshield and cause him to lose control of his vehicle. Whatever the particular chain of events, there could be much vehicle damage and personal injury.Should we have recourse? New Jersey has a law which holds a driver liable if any ice or snow flies off the top of his vehicle and kills or injures anyone, or causes property damage. However, it doesnt require anyone to clear ice and snow off their vehicles in the first place. Such a provision would be useful in view of the fact that when ice flies from your vehicle to hit someone else, you are by then far down the road and unaware of the event. If you or someone you know is in an auto or truck accident in Bucks county, Chester county, or anywhere in Pennsylvania and need to contact a road accident lawyer, call the Pearce Law Firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Edith Pearce is an experienced Pennsylvania auto accident lawyer, whose years in the insurance industry have taught her how to get the compensation her clients deserve, including recovering expenses, replacing income, vehicle replacement, and making sure that your medical bills, losses and suffering are fairly compensated. The firm will thoroughly investigate your accident and work diligently to arrive at a timely settlement or proceed to trial to obtain the compensation you deserve. Please call us for a free consultation or send us an e-mail (http://www.thepearcelawfirm.com). Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tara_Pingle http://EzineArticles.com/?Auto-Accident-Attorneys&id=165966 buy phentermine tablets buy phentermine cheap 37.5 mg no doctor contact no rx phentermine online us buy phentermine online consultation

How To Stay On Your Diet And Stay In Shape Over The Holidays

Monday, December 24th, 2007

By Tom Venuto My mom makes the most amazing Christmas cake in the world; its been a tradition in our family for as long as I can remember. First, she mixes up a light, fluffy, vanilla cake mix, pours it into the pans and then pops it in the oven. After its been baked, she stacks the cake in three layers with whipped cream spread generously between each layer. She then pours on red and green Jell-O, which gets soaked up inside the cake. Next, whipped cream is smothered all the way around for frosting. And finally, she garnishes it with red and green sprinkles. A few red and green-striped candy canes are stuck in the top as the finishing touch, and off it goes to the refrigerator so it can be served chilled later. Now let me tell you, as a bodybuilder, I have a lot of discipline. But when that moist, delicious, red and green, Jell-O- filled, whipped-cream covered cake is sitting on the table in front of me on December 25th, it takes every ounce of my willpower to keep from calling it a VERY high carb day and devouring numerous very large slices. Despite the temptation, I dont pig out nor do I deprive myself. Instead, Im content with eating my single piece, savoring every mouthwatering bite, all the while repeating my mantra, Nothing tastes as good as being lean feels. The next day, on December 26th, Im on the bike or Stairmaster at the crack of dawn, followed by six perfect meals of lean protein and complex carbohydrate - just like every other day of the year. A week later, on December 31st, I usually go out for a nice dinner (very naughty food, I must admit), and then we toast champagne to the New Year at midnight. Im in bed at a reasonable hour shortly thereafter. Unless its a scheduled day of rest on New Years day, Im not groggy and hung over like many of my friends are. Im in the gym squatting, bench pressing, curling, or stairmastering just like I usually am. And heres the point: You can and should enjoy the holidays. You can enjoy being with family and going out with friends. You can go to holiday parties and have fun. You can enjoy a few naughty meals. You can have a piece of cake and a glass or two of champagne. Theres no reason why you cant enjoy yourself AND stay healthy, lean and fit through the holidays. All it takes is some planning, some goal-setting and little dose of old-fashioned discipline. I’d like to share with you 10 ways that you can follow your diet and stay in great shape over the holidays without turning into a miserable Scrooge. If you follow this advice, then you’ll be one of the proud few with a New Year’s resolution to be the best you’ve ever been in the new year to come - instead of one of the guilt-ridden many who must resolve to reclaim what they lost over the year that’s just passed them by. 1. Expect to stay on your program over the holidays Fail to plan and you plan to fail is a time worn and cliched statement, but its still some of the best success advice you will ever hear. Not only do most people fail to plan, they consciously plan to fail over the holidays. Most people expect to blow their diet and skip workouts over the holidays. They expect to eat more, to exercise less and to gain weight. As a result, they dont even make the effort. Instead of taking control, they resign themselves to maintenance at best, or back-sliding at worst. This negative expectancy leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy. By the first week of January, theyre in the worst shape theyve been in for a year and they frantically make New Years resolutions to shed the excess fat theyve gained. You can avoid this trap by planning to succeed. Set up a positive expectation. Resolve now that you will not tolerate slipping backwards. Keep your standards up and dont settle! Not only can you plan to stay in shape over the holidays, you can plan to improve! All you have to do is make the decision and expect success. 2. Plan all your workouts in advance You know your schedule is going to get hectic over the holidays. Youll be cooking, shopping, wrapping gifts, sending cards, going to parties, traveling, visiting family, and so on. To stay on your training and nutrition regimen is definitely going to take some sound time management skills. Plan your schedule in advance. Anticipate whats coming up. Write it down. Put it on your calendar. By doing so, you wont be caught unprepared. Use a schedule book or monthly calendar and make appointments for ALL your workouts for the entire holiday season. Then, post a copy where you will be forced to look at it every day. This is a powerful exercise that will keep you focused and force you to think about and prepare for each upcoming workout. If you try to wing it and squeeze in your workouts and meals whenever you have time left over, youll find that there never is any time left over! Somehow your daily activities always seem to expand to fill the hours in every day. So schedule your workouts and meal times in your calendar just like you would any other appointment or event. Once youve done that, stick to your schedule religiously. 3. Set some compelling training and fitness goals over the holiday period Dont wait until January 1st to set your goals just because you think it will be harder to achieve them over the holidays. On the contrary, studies on personal achievement have shown that youll usually reach 80% of the goals you put onto paper. The problem is that few people set any goals at all, and fewer still set them during the holidays. Why wait? Why not do it now? Set some big goals that you can start working on during the holidays: Set a goal to lose the 25 lbs youve always wanted to lose NOW Set the goal to gain 10 lbs of solid muscle NOW Been contemplating a competition in bodybuilding, fitness or the new ladies figure division? Pick an early spring show and GO FOR IT - START TRAINING NOW! Goal setting should not be a once a year affair, it should be a continuous process. You should always have your goals in writing and your list should be regularly updated and rewritten. If you only set goals once a year, youre not going to accomplish much in your life. 4. Give yourself permission to have cheat days - and schedule them in A planned cheat day helps you to stay on your program better in the long run. If youre too strict all the time, youre setting yourself up for cravings and bingeing. One or two cheat meals per week will have very little effect on your physique. If youve been on a strict, low carb and/or low calorie regimen, a cheat meal might actually be good for you! It will boost your metabolic rate and give your body the signal that youre not starving and that its ok to keep burning a lot of calories. Over the holidays, schedule your dinners and parties so they fall on your cheat day. Then, on the other days of the week, be steadfast! Just the fact that you know you have a cheat day coming up will relieve the pressure of staying on a strict diet for a long time. Also, when you do have your cheat meal ENJOY IT! If youre going to eat it and feel guilty, then dont have it at all. If youve stayed with the program all week long, then when cheat day rolls around, you deserve it! 5. If you fall off the wagon, get right back on it So you had about a dozen too many of those Christmas cookies did you? Dont worry; because you have cheat days built into your plan, you shouldnt let guilt immobilize you. Even if you fall completely off the wagon, dont beat yourself up. All you have to do is get right back on your program without missing another beat. Too many people mess up once and then think their entire diet is ruined. They feel as if everything theyve done prior to that day was wasted and theres no sense going on. Or even worse, they rationalize to themselves, Well, I already cheated, so it doesnt matter now, I might as well keep pigging out. Thats nonsense. If you threw in the towel every time you didnt score 100% on your diet, most people would never get through more than a few days on any structured program. Just because you mess up once doesnt mean you should quit! Youre only human. Dont let one small slip keep you derailed. Firmly plant your wheels back on the tracks and start rolling again. 6. Maintain your consistent eating schedule If theres one thing that all people who successfully get lean and stay lean have in common, its consistency. Without it, you never get any momentum going. Its like taking two steps forward, only to take three steps back. Many people allow the busy Holidays to throw them off their regular eating schedule. They completely veer off their usual five or six small meals per day, or they start eating foods they would normally never eat (because its there). You have to keep your metabolic engine revving all year round. Once you have it going, its fairly easy to keep it going. But once you lose it, its very difficult to get it going again because you must overcome inertia all over again. (An object at rest tends to stay at rest!) On the major holidays, when theres a big dinner scheduled, many people think that skipping their morning and afternoon meals to save room for the big one later is a good idea. Its not. This is a sure-fire way to invite a binge that could set your back for days. Dont lose your consistency or your momentum. Continue with your pattern of eating small, frequent meals all year round. All you have to do is count your holiday dinners as one of your regular meals and keep them small. 7. Control your portion sizes. You can have your cake and eat it too you just cant eat the whole thing! One of the most important rules to remember this holiday season is the law of energy balance, which states: To lose body fat, you must consume fewer calories than you burn up each day. There are two corollaries to the law of energy balance: 1. Too much of anything gets stored as fat even healthy food. 2. Small amounts of anything even junk food will probably NOT get stored as fat. Theres no reason to deprive yourself of things you enjoy. Just make sure you dont overindulge. As long as you enjoy your favorite foods in moderation, and you keep working out, it probably wont end up around your waistline. 8. Dont buy into the low standards and expectations of others Keep your standards high, but dont expect other peoples standards to be as high as yours. Remember that most people have already planned in advance to fail at fitness over the holidays. Youve decided to stay strong (havent you?) Dont let their negative influence drag you down. When youve reached your pre-ordained drink limit, say When and switch to water or a non alcoholic, non caloric beverage. When they offer you seconds on dessert, politely say, No thank you, it was absolutely delicious, but Im full, I cant eat another bite. And when the wee hours of the morning start to roll around, and your friends are egging you on to keep partying, politely tell them you need your sleep. Tomorrow is a work out day. If theyre really your friends, theyll understand. 9. Make the best choices possible in every situation. You know those tables you see at holiday parties that are covered with yards of chips, dips, pretzels, cookies, salami, candies, punch, liquor, and a seemingly endless assortment of other goodies? Well, did you also notice that there is usually a tray full of carrot sticks, cauliflower, celery and other healthy snacks too? No matter where you are, you always have choices. Sometimes you have to choose between bad and worse. Other times you can choose between good and better. But always make the best choice possible based on whatever your options are. If nothing else, you can choose to eat a small portion of something bad rather than a huge portion, thereby obeying the law of calorie balance. Chances are good that theres probably something healthy on the menu at every holiday gathering. As you know, lean proteins and fibrous carbs are a great for getting lean, so fill up on the turkey breast, try to get a vegetable in there, and go easy on the desserts. 10. If you drink, enjoy alcohol in moderation If you enjoy having a few drinks on special occasions, then go ahead and have a drink or two. But if youre serious about your fitness goals, you must drink infrequently and in moderation. Alcohol almost totally inhibits your bodys ability to metabolize body fat. When theres alcohol in your bloodstream, youre not in fat burning mode. Ive never met anyone in my life that was truly serious about fitness or bodybuilding who was a heavy drinker. Alcohol and muscles just dont mix. The impact goes beyond added body fat; your energy levels and workouts can be ruined for days after a night of heavy drinking. A glass of wine actually has some health benefits. But theres NEVER any never reason or excuse for binge drinking or getting drunk. So go ahead and toast to the New Year, but know when to say when. Copyright 2005 Tom Venuto Tom Venuto is a certified personal trainer, fat loss expert and author of the #1 best selling diet e-book, “Burn the Fat, Feed The Muscle”. You can get info on Tom’s e-book at: http://www.burnthefat.com . To get Tom’s free monthly e-zine, visit http://www.fitren.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Venuto http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Stay-On-Your-Diet-And-Stay-In-Shape-Over-The-Holidays&id=106201 tramadol best buy drug prescription tramadol 1 order ultram buy cheap ultram

Out Recruit The Competition

Monday, December 24th, 2007

By Brett Stevens We hear from our clients that they hope the candidate takes the job. Hiring a candidate shouldnt be a guessing game. After you interview a candidate thoroughly, and spend a great deal of time and money getting them through the process, you should not have to worry about landing them. Donald Trump was quoted as supporting paying full price for something important to you. Many deals, both in business and in personal situations, are lost over $5,000-10,000. $5,000 to $10,000 broken down over time is a small amount. Imagine losing your dream house over $5,000. Thats roughly $14 per month. Thats a tough loss. Again, if there is something you must have, pay full price and dont let it slip away. We recruited for a Tier One software company where many of the candidates were also being entertained by a Big 5 consulting firm. My client was the software company and almost always we would get the candidate (even though the compensation was less and the company name wasnt as prestigious; it was because the software company did a better job of recruiting). Here was their typical interview process Attracting the Right Talent: *An Executive Recruiter was always used *There is something about being recruited that makes a candidate feel special *They moved quickly from resume to first telephone interview Transportation: *They arranged for excellent travel accommodations; flying better airlines at better times *They arranged to have the candidate picked up at the airport by a limo service Entering the Building: *They had a welcome sign at the door with the candidates name on it *The receptionist was expecting the candidate and made him feel important Interviewing Process: *Candidates were chaperoned around from interview to interview; every candidate was treated as a guest in their house, not just another body interviewing *After meeting everyone, the candidate had a nice debrief with a representative from the Human Resources department and was then escorted to the car waiting departure back to the airport The Offer: *Selected candidates could expect a verbal offer within 48 hours of the final interview and a letter of offer sent overnight mail *The offer could be contingent upon a good background check How Candidates are lost: Waiting for days, if not weeks, for references and background checks Candidate can be recruited away while waiting for the background check to be completed Delays create hesitation in the candidates mind about the hiring company Delays reflect poorly on the companys ability to move quickly Lowball offer after waiting I have almost a 100% acceptance rate from candidates. Often times it isnt the best money or the best opportunity they had been offered. It was the high quality interviewing process. Considering the time and effort by the people in the company and the additional expenses of travel, companies cant afford to lose the right candidate. Hiring is like any relationship: The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. About the Author: Brett Stevens is founder and President of The SearchLogix Group (http://www.searchlogixgroup.com). Brett has enjoyed remarkable success in the executive search business. He has achieved the industry’s highest level of professional certification: Certified Senior Account Manager (CSAM). He has received numerous regional, national, and international awards through meeting the needs of his clients. He continues to achieve record breaking performance and has been nationally recognized for those results with The SearchLogix Group. Brett is a member of the Council of Logistics Management, APICS and WERC. He has been recognized in many trade and online magazines and is a notable guest speaker and most recently, Brett was recognized internationally by the American Stroke Association for his fundraising efforts. You can email Brett at brettmstevenspr@searchlogixgroup.com or telephone him at 770-517-2660. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brett_Stevens http://EzineArticles.com/?Out-Recruit-The-Competition&id=23230 buy dreampharmaceuticals from online tramadol ultram purchase online tramadol no prescription buy dreampharmaceuticals from online tramadol

How to Make a Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

By Len Cecchetto Imaging Thanksgiving without the turkey? What would it be like? Well, it could be a meat-free Thanksgiving. Which can be a delicious alternative to the stuffed bird and giblet gravy? What to do next. 1. Look through food magazines Browse the October and November issues and of magazines like Vegetarian Times, Country Living, Martha Stewart, Gourmet and Bon Appetit. Still you will be surprised at even non-vegetarian up-scale magazines usually feature a few vegetarian options for the holidays. 2. Choose a featured dish Unlike in a meat meal, the main dish can be anything you choose. Select something dramatic for the wow factor — a filo encased curry, an Indonesian stew, or a squash strata are just a few, examples of main dishes that make the dinner special. 3. Plan the rest of your menu to compliment your main dish Don’t try to use traditional mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce with a Moroccan or Mexican main dish. It will just sense like a Thanksgiving dinner that’s missing the turkey. Instead, select side dishes that go with the style and theme of the main course. 4. Use table decor to go with your food theme Think of your table as a set…decorate it to go with the “play” you’re staging…an Indian meal, a Chinese meal, or perhaps a Native American meal. Be creative with color and decorations. 5. Try out your recipes Unless the main dish is something you’ve made before, try making a smaller version of it before the big day. If you’ve never made a souffle’, the day you’re expecting 20 for dinner isn’t the right time to learn! 6. Choose music to go with your theme Background music can make your meal complete. Most public libraries have a good selection of international music. When in doubt, soft jazz or classical can fill in for themed music of any kind. 7. Keep the spirit of Thanksgiving Even with a different menu, the holiday is still about thanks and gratitude. Consider having everyone talk about things for which they are grateful. After all, Thanksgiving sans turkey is still Thanksgiving! Tips Advise your guests know you are serving a special kind of Thanksgiving meal. Invitations with menus can get the word out before the holiday Experiment with all new recipes in advance Go and buy unusual ingredients well in advance of the holiday. You don’t want to spend Wednesday afternoon searching the grocery stores for rose water or fresh ground cumin (hint — try an Arabic market!) Don’t make an apology for your turkey-free meal. venerate the new experience and enjoy your family and friends! Your library will probably have issues of food magazines from preceding years. Check them out for even more main dish and side dish ideas. Christmas issues are also a great place to look for festive recipes And you can check out TOFURKY ROASTS which are herb and rice stuffed “turkey” flavoured roasts. Len Cecchetto loves cooking for health and if youre worried about your health, you need to check this site out now. http://www.lencecchetto.com/vegetariandiets Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Len_Cecchetto http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Make-a-Vegetarian-Thanksgiving-Dinner&id=499640 ultram online order cod order tramadol prescription junction online pharmacies hydrocodone ultram cheap order prescription ultram

Winter Time Savings!

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

By Dave Brummet For those of us living in climates that require extra household heating in the winter months, there are tricks we can do to increase the comfort of our homes while lowering the cost. Windows, especially older ones, can have a negative aspect in wintertime. With out the benefit of modern double or tripled glazed windows there is a lot of air leakage with older style window systems. The first thing one can do on the exterior is to caulk any gaps between the window, window frame and siding of the house. If you dont have storm windows construct your own using clear UV plastic and a wooden frame. Use wing nuts to secure the frame in place. In the spring remove the frames and store in a safe place for next years use. On the interior apply the clear window film which is now readily available in kits of various sizes. Attached to the frame of windows with double-sided tape and shrunk with the heat of a blow dryer this plastic must be removed after the winter season resulting in a yearly investment. We have found that it is well worth the investment in an older home and notice the resulting drop in heating costs because of it. Any window facing south may be an asset during the winter. By keeping the drapes open during the hours that windows receive direct sunlight, you make the most of the suns free energy to warm the home. Washing windows just before winter sets in ensures film and dust do not impede the suns rays. Keep furniture and drapes off of heating vents. It makes no sense heating up the bottom of a couch or blowing warm air up a curtain and fogging up the window. Vent deflectors are available that divert warm air to where it is needed to make better use of valuable heat. Have your furnace inspected and cleaned every year. The ducting should be cleaned every few years to keep the air you breathe clean and to allow the air to flow efficiently. Be sure the furnace filters are changed regularly monthly in our home. Keep the temperature turned down when you are out of the house or asleep in bed. The use of a programmable thermostat makes this feat much easier to accomplish and will save enough on your heating bill in a year to pay for the cost of the thermostat. Exterior walls with electrical outlets or switches have potential cold spots. Where these electrical boxes are is where insulation isnt! Purchase a package of inexpensive foam inserts and install in each box to help block any drafts. Often the largest heat loss in homes comes from the exterior doors themselves. Door weather-strips and sill plates need to be inspected for air leaks and replaced if necessary. Some other cold spots in a home are the fireplace and range hood. Check the fireplace damper to ensure it fits snug, so that when you close it during the periods it is not in use it will not let in cold air. Sometimes the suction from a forced air heating system can pull cold air down through the range hood above the stove. Try blocking this off with a piece of corrugated plastic attached with magnetic strips. As a reminder place a post-it-note over the fan button on the range hood so that it is not accidentally turned on without removing this cover first. Keep the hot water tank thermostat at 55? C for the best efficiency. Install a tank insulation kit, and insulate any hot water pipes you can readily access. These are just a few, reasonably inexpensive ways for you to save some money this winter and every winter to come for many years. You can feel pride in that you are a conscious and responsible consumer of resources. You will also feel a lot cozier in your warm draft-free home. ~ Written by Dave and Lillian Brummet based on the concept of their book, Trash Talk. A guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment, Trash Talk offers useful solutions for the individual to reduce waste and better manage resources. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit) Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Brummet http://EzineArticles.com/?Winter-Time-Savings!&id=308780 tramadol order ranitidine buy tramadol now pharmacy order tramadol ultram low cost cheap ultram buy ultram online