Archive for January, 2008

Using Social Status To Your Advantage in Dating

Thursday, January 31st, 2008

By Rion Williams The man who can use ’social status’ things to HIS advantage instead of being in a conditioned, powerless model of ‘fitting in’ will have more power and effect in life and with women. It’s really all about the true relationships you have to the world around you. Many guys get caught up in thinking that one auto will make them successful with women but it’s not true. That’s just a social item. They’re too caught up in trying to ‘impress’ people and it backfires especially when it comes to women. You can be the guy with the bright red Lambo but is it really saying something about you or are you just trying to pretentiously ‘impress’ others? That is based on shallow and social grounding. It will fall beneath your feet because you can’t depend on others, plus it’s not naturally grounded or principally based. A real man of character doesn’t have to impress others and takes the main focus for himself. If he wants a fast (even ’shiny’) car for the value HE gets out of it and the exhilaration HE gets, that’s a different story but the real relationship WILL be told in how you live your lifestyle. With as much natural grounding as I have, I’m very aware of ‘material’ things. I know how it can throw people off with the desire of attainment. But I’m not going to limit myself either. Why? Because I’m the best of all worlds. I represent the best and I although I’m an ‘artist’, I personally choose to NOT be a starving artist. The car doesn’t own me…I own the car. I have the true relational authority. I’m the focus and it’s just a part of MY lifestyle that also represents the level of quality and value that I’m personally at. It’s up to you to ‘own’ it and have true relational authority over the things in your life. You attract what you think about. Do you want to attract pretension and socially based mercenaries and manipulators into your life? I want to represent value and respectful authority, so the ‘material’ decisions I make will represent that if I can yet afford it. Why is it that broke men with crappy cars (like I used to have) can be successful with women? Because it’s natural. Her attraction response is naturally based; it’s not rooted in social pretension. She should be valuing you for who you are instead of your social status. I’m not promoting to be the ugly, average guy with a crappy car and to be proud of it. Reaching her naturally is the most important thing but when you have the resources, get something that more fully represents who you are. A woman’s natural character is the path to sex, NOT I repeat NOT her social character and it’s desire for higher social status, gifts or money. If you base things socially or ‘financially’, a woman will almost have no choice but to use you. She’ll just ‘accept’ your gifts because you were playing the social game. In poverty and wealth I leave money as a focus out of the relationship. I know that nature is all that matters the most. Any social status or value I have put into it’s proper place. I haven’t ’sold out’, but by using certain things it just makes me more valuable. It’s kind of like men a man realizes, “ooh..she has a tailfeather” and a woman’s equivalent is, “ooh..he has some money”. Man made the money, money didn’t make the man. Who you are will be shown by the types of relationships you have. Rion Williams is one of the foremost experts in dating advice, personal power and social dynamics. Learn how to be an alpha male who is comfortable in his own skin and succeeds with women and dating. Join the newsletter and get instant access to actually see the ’secret of women’ for yourself @ http://www.secretofwomen.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rion_Williams http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-Social-Status-To-Your-Advantage-in-Dating&id=518643 phentermine 37.5 mg diet pills phentermine no prescription us pharmacy phentermine online without perscription buy phentermine without rx

Is Authentic Hoodia an Oxymoron?

Thursday, January 31st, 2008

By Dan Nessel We all have our favorite oxymorons act natural, original copy, jumbo shrimp and the list goes on. With all the spam and misinformation surrounding the weight loss supplement Hoodia, I have been asked if authentic Hoodia should be added to the list of Oxymorons. It often does feel like authentic Hoodia is an apt Oxymoron, however, the secret that most of the supplement industry does not want you to know is that there are lab tests that can be done to find authentic Hoodia. In case you have a terrific spam filter - here is the 411 on Hoodia. Hoodia Gordonii is a succulent plant that grows in South Africa. The SAN Bushmen have chewed on Hoodia for close to 1,000 years to reduce their appetite while on long hunting trips. Hoodia is now a highly sought after plant for it ability to suppress appetite. In fact, Hoodia Gordonii is in such high demand it is considered a protected plant and can only be exported with a special permit from the government of South Africa (a CITES permit). To start, you should always ask to see the CITES Permit for any Hoodia you are looking to buy. However, the fact that a company can produce a document is no guarantee that that document applies to what you are buying from the company. For example, a company may have a valid CITES permit for 50 Kilos of Hoodia Gordonii from South Africa from 2005. The question then becomes, was the supplement you are about to buy actually made from the Hoodia bought under CITES permit in 2005? You really have no way of knowing if you just rely on the CITES or any other import documentation. These documents, if authentic, simply tell you the company you are dealing with has imported real Hoodia Gordonii at some point. These documents do not help you determine if the supplement you are buying from the company is real Hoodia Gordonii. If you want to determine what is in a capsule of a supplement marketed as Hoodia Gordonii, you need to have the supplement lab tested. Okay, but what does lab tested really mean? When dealing with botanicals, such as Hoodia, there are three lab tests that can help determine the authenticity of a supplement. Microscopy In this test the sample of Hoodia is examined under a microscope (usually at 400x magnification). A well trained technician examines the cellular structure of the sample and looks for patterns that match the know cellular structure of Hoodia Gordonii. For example, it is known that pure Hoodia Gordonii has long fibers with whirled striations so this something a technician would try to find when examining a sample. It is important to note that even if the Hoodia Gordonii plant has been dried, crushed, powdered and processed - the cellular structure should still be intact. So, an authentic finished Hoodia Gordonii supplement should still show the cellular structure of Hoodia when examined in a Microscopy test. High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) The American Heritage Dictionary defines Chromatography as: “Any of various techniques for the separation of complex mixtures that rely on the differential affinities of substances for a gas or liquid mobile medium and for a stationary adsorbing medium through which they pass, such as paper, gelatin, or magnesia.” If you are like us - the above definition just leaves you scratching your head. In layman’s terms - chromatography is a process used to separate samples by the levels of absorbency of the sample. High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) is the specific type of Chromatography used to test for Hoodia Gordonii in a sample. With HPTLC first a know reference sample of Hoodia Gordonii is tested. This produces a plate with varying colors for separation over time. While the technical data gets beyond the scope of this article, the idea is that the HPTLC provides a fingerprint of what authentic Hoodia Gordonii looks like when separated under HPTLC. To confirm that a Hoodia supplement is really Hoodia, an HPTLC test is done to see if the Hoodia in question matches the fingerprint of the known Hoodia Gordonii. What is interesting with HPTLC is you do not need to know what components make up the Hoodia Gordonii plant. The above test says nothing about what the analytes are in Hoodia Gordonii - but it does provide a fingerprint of how Hoodia Gordonii reacts in chromatography. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) HPLC is another form of Chromatography that is often used in analytical chemistry to identify analytes in a sample. In HPLC the sample is injected through a liquid and the response time of certain components of the sample are measured. HPLC tests are used to detect the presence of P57 in a sample. P57 is an active ingredient in Hoodia, so if a test shows that a sample has P57 you can be confident that the sample is Hoodia Gordonii. It is important to note that the current state of Hoodia testing using HPLC is qualitative NOT quantitative. This means that the HPLC is useful in determining if P57 is present in a sample, but it is not accurate enough to determine the quantity of P57 in a sample. The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the Parts You might be wondering - why do you need to do 3 tests for Hoodia Gordonii? The reason is no one test is 100% accurate - there is always the chance for false positives and false negatives. However, when you apply 3 different tests to a sample and they all come back positive for Hoodia Gordonii, it greatly reduces the odds of a test error. Conclusions If you want to be sure the Hoodia Gordonii supplement you are buying is authentic, make sure you see the results of the three lab tests described above. You also want to make sure that the lab tests were done on the exact LOT Number of finished product that you are buying. What lab should do the testing? In our experience, Alkemists Labs has the experience and expertise to most accurately complete the above tests. Dan Nessel is a writer and researcher for Hoodia-Advice.Org. Mr. Nessel has spent the last 10 years writing and researching dietary supplements for various online publications. Hoodia-Advice.Org specializes in presenting unbiased research and information on Hoodia Gordonii. Read more articles at - http://www.hoodia-advice.org Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Nessel http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-Authentic-Hoodia-an-Oxymoron?&id=351726 phentermine 37.5 mg without prescription where to buy phentermine without phentermine 37.5 90 no prescription buy cheap phentermine 37.5 mg 90ct

Big “Buts” Sabotage Weight Loss, Health and Fitness (Part 11 of 12)

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008

By Dr. Leslie Van Romer Yeah, But Im a Vegetarian. When someone proclaims that she or he is a vegetarian, the meaning of which is vague at best, or a vegan, who supposedly eats no animal products whatsoever including dairy products and eggs, she often thinks that that label is an automatic ticket to good health, and there is no need to make any more changes. Once we think that we know everything there is to know about good health and we have incorporated what we know into our own lives, then it is easy to sit smugly back and stop trying to build on our knowledge and continue to upgrade our eating and lifestyle habits. We are all human beings, and we can always improve, especially since we have been raised in a food culture that constantly tempts us to eat very appealing, yet unhealthy foods. Vegetarians and vegans are no different. There is always room for improvement and sometimes more than they think. They may have made the conscious decision to not eat meat of any kindbeef, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, fishbut they often continue to eat foods that are not good for them. You can eat Twinkies and drink Coke every day and call yourself a vegetarian. You can eat refined, white pasta with heavily olive-oiled meatless sauce three times a week and fool yourself into thinking that you are eating better than most because the sauce is meatless. It doesnt matter what you call yourself. What matters to your health and your life is that you fill up on nutrient-dense, calorie-low, fiber-filled plant foodsprimarily whole, fresh fruits and vegetables, along with raw, unsalted nuts and seeds, and unrefined, whole grains and beans. Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a health motivational speaker, writer, and lifestyle coach. Visit http://www.DrLeslieVanRomer.com for more inspiration. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Leslie_Van_Romer http://EzineArticles.com/?Big-Buts-Sabotage-Weight-Loss,-Health-and-Fitness-(Part-11-of-12)&id=190312 buy cheap phentermine without prescription phentermine mexico pharmacy phentermine diet pills no prescription phentermine waterview pharmacy

Send Red Roses

Monday, January 28th, 2008

By Damian Sofsian Distances often make it difficult for people to be physically present for special occasions. Whether it’s an important birthday, wedding, anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas and even the birth of a child, people sometimes just can’t be present because they live in a different city, are traveling on business, or vacationing. Yet, they want to be there for people who are special to them and share their joyous moments with them. That’s when they send red roses and make the people they send them to feel loved. Sometimes, people are distant from each other even when they are in the same city, the same office or the same home. What distances them is the inability to express their feelings in words. They want to express love, empathy, reassurance or passion, but feel at a complete loss for words. Even if they decide on the words they are going to say, they constantly hesitate because they are afraid that the timing may not be right. The harder they try to be spontaneous, the harder it becomes for them to actually be spontaneous. What words can’t say, red roses can say beautifully. There can never be a wrong time for sending them, and when people send them, they overcome any anxiety they might have about handing them over personally. Most people are anxious about giving red roses personally to someone who is hurting because of them. They are afraid of creating a scene. They just can’t foresee the impact of their gesture, and fear an outburst. Yet, they want to apologize, express their love, while still respecting the receiver’s personal space. That’s when they can send red roses with a note, and then patiently wait to be forgiven. More often than not, red roses make people melt and give the sender a second chance. They make the receiver feel special, wanted, loved and valued. The fact that the roses have been sent rather than delivered personally also makes them feel that their personal space is respected. Sending red roses is very simple. Some people have the convenience of a florist in the vicinity, go over to the florist’s, handpick them and ask the florist to deliver them. When this is not possible, they call a florist, and make a request. People also use the Internet a lot to send red roses. The Internet allows people to send them almost at the very instant when they think about sending them. Such is the power and effect of red roses. There are many online florists that are reputed for the sheer range of good quality red roses they have on offer, and their ability to deliver to any destination at short notice. Red Roses provides detailed information about red roses, red rose bouquets, long stem red roses, red rose petals and more. Red Roses is the sister site of Send Easter Flowers. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damian_Sofsian http://EzineArticles.com/?Send-Red-Roses&id=144238 buy phentermine online phentermine 37.5 without prescription buy real phentermine buy phentermine without a prescription

Teak Tables are Durable, and Strong

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

By David Foreman Are Your Ready To Speak Teak? Everything old is new again and that goes for Teak as well. This beautiful, relatively care-free and amazingly versatile hardwood was all the rage in the 50s and 60s, especially among Danish furniture lovers, and its now enjoying a rebirth thanks to its many attributes. Teak (Tectona) is a tropical hardwood that grows predominantly in South America and Southeast Asia. The trees reach heights of 30-40 meters (100 130 feet). Although there are three species of teak, Tectona grandis, or Common Teak is the wood that is used for furniture. It grows in abundance and is not considered to be endangered. Knowing the value of Teak to their economy, Asians practice precise and frugal forestry management practices when growing and harvesting their teak for export. Most Teak grown for export is raised on carefully managed commercial forest plantations. The wood is so heavy that in Thailand, elephants are still used to transport Teak lumber from the plantations to the boats that take the Teak lumber to market. Teak is a very popular wood that is used for manufacturing outdoor furniture as well as boats, boat decks, boat hatches, home flooring, outdoor decks and a variety of indoor furniture including bookcases, dressers, tables, etc. Teak is valued by craftsmen and boat builders because it is very easy to work with, is extremely water and insect-proof, and will not easily split, warp or interact with corrosive materials such as metal screws, nails and fittings. The naturally occurring Teak oil is responsible, in part, for the durability of this versatile wood. Because Teak is not a food source for termites, it is especially prized in areas where termites are found in great quantities such as in the U.S. Southern states, Africa and India. Teak furniture, especially outdoor Teak furniture, was once so expensive that it could only be afforded by royalty. It became very popular in England during the Victorian Era of the 1800s where it was found in the gardens and on the patios of only the wealthiest families. Today Teak is affordable but still runs towards the high range of hardwood prices. But its durability, strength and beautiful honey tones, that mellow to a soft grey as the wood ages, makes it worth the price. Teak is easy to maintain. Outdoor Teak furniture should be washed down once per year and then treated with Teak oil. If the wood has mellowed and turned grey, the color can be restored with just a light sanding. But the choice is yours because the wood retains its natural beauty no matter what color it is. In particularly damp or humid areas, Teak will sometimes support the growth of mold. This is easily removed by using a 1:4 water/bleach mixture, rinsing the wood off and then applying several coats of Teak oil after the wood is thoroughly dry. Buying Teak Furniture Because Teak is all the rage now, there are Teak furniture dealers everywhere you look. Be careful when buying your Teak furniture so you dont end up with a Teak veneer piece instead of one made from solid Teak. Reputable Teak furniture dealers will distinguish between solid Teak and Teak veneers but if youre buying your Teak furniture from a used furniture store or from a garage sale, then examine the piece carefully before you plunk down your hard-earned money! If youre in the market for a new patio set, or any sort of outdoor furniture, consider buying Teak outdoor furniture instead of Redwood or that ugly PVC plastic stuff. You might have to pay a little bit more, but youre investment in Teak outdoor furniture will pay off for a lifetime. If you are looking for top quality teak tables you can shop online at http://www.befurnished.com You will find a complete selection of outdoor teak furniture at Befurnished.com including rare pieces like double loungers. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Foreman http://EzineArticles.com/?Teak-Tables-are-Durable,-and-Strong&id=516343 phentermine diet pills cod doctor’s pharmacy phentermine phentermine com online us phentermine on line pharmacy

Tanning and Sun Burn

Saturday, January 26th, 2008

By Jeanette Pollock If you like to go outside during the summer months to get a nice tan you are not alone. There are thousands of people all over the world that like to look good during the summer months. But unfortunately, when you lay out in the sun you are also risking the chance for getting sun burn. If you have ever suffered from sun burn you are aware of just how uncomfortable it can actually be. Listed below are a few ways to avoid sun burn, as well as what you can do if you get burnt. 1. The best way to avoid sun burn is by using sun tan lotion. By doing this you will be able to protect your skin against the sun regardless of how strong the sun is. Just make sure that you buy a lotion that is strong enough to keep the sun away. 2. If you do get a mild case of sun burn it is important that you care for it. The best thing that you can do is get a lot of fluids, and also keep your skin moist with lotion. This will help to prevent peeling and over drying. 3. For a severe case of sun burn you may want to consider heading to the doctor. Even though this may sound like taking things to an extreme, it is important to do. They will be able to give you the medicine and lotions that you need to restore your skin to its normal condition. Believe it or not, sun burn can be very dangerous. Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of tanning-hq.com. Visit Jeanette’s site to learn more about tanning and sun burn. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Pollock http://EzineArticles.com/?Tanning-and-Sun-Burn&id=331447 phentermine online consultation cheap phentermine mastercard pharmacy for phentermine phentermine diet pills com

Second Wedding Dress - Encore Brides Don’t Settle for Second Best!

Saturday, January 26th, 2008

By Gail Young GONE are the days when the second time bride known as the “encore bride” has to settle for scaled down ceremonies with fewer guests. With over 45% percent of all weddings today involving one or both partners who have been married before, it’s difficult to tell from the attire whether the modern bride is marrying for the first or umpteenth time. In fact, the modern bride who is lucky enough to find love again is trampling on the old traditions. Now their wedding is based on their taste and their budget. With the motto being: “This is the last time, and it’s got to be the best.” The encore bride is in a different place than when she had her first wedding. They are confident, they have more money to spend, and they know what they want. Their focus is on “simple elegance”. Whether it is your first, second or third wedding the focal point is still the wedding dress. These brides are seeking dresses that are tailored rather than poufy - a sexy, sophisticated look with the emphasis on quality fabrics. Today’s trends in bridal gowns are all about you. Your second wedding gown should reflect your personal style, your fashion sense and what kind of wedding you want to have. When shopping for that perfect dress it helps to know your body type so you can choose the gown that highlights your best features and downplays the areas you wish you could forget. Here are some of the latest fashion trends to help get you started: Trains are fine, but keep them simple, again matching the formality and style of the wedding. Show some skin: At this year’s runway shows, many designers decided to go bare. Creations featured mostly strapless gowns that place the emphasis on the bodice: gently weaved, beaded, or simple with demure jeweled straps. Body-Conscious: Designers are very body conscious these days, with shape taking precedence. This is good news for any bride: most of these dresses have a slimming effect. The ever-popular A-line (also known as princess) is a long cut that draws the eye downwards, and often has a built-in train. This does not mean that designers have abandoned the classic traditional gowns…the skirts still float but the cut is meant to flatter the body. Embroidery and Lace: These two mainstays of bridal fashion never go out of style and lets not forget beading. Today’s bride wants the opulence in beadwork with many designers choosing crystals over glass beads. Color: This component of a gown has never been so popular. Brides are actually thinking outside the box these days choosing jewel tone gowns in gold, silver, and a variety of pearl tones. However, second time brides still are confident enough to wear white, after all “white symbolizes commitment and faithfulness” so why not! Where to Look: Magazines are the traditional way a bride begins her gown search, but why not look for a gown online? Most designers now have WebPages, and a collection of name gowns can be found on a number of websites. And if you’re wondering, “Will the gown of my dreams fit me right?” there’s help to be found on a multitude of websites which determine your body type and then suggest the dress type that is best for your figure. Finally Hit the Runways! The latest fashions needn’t remain a trade secret. Bridal shows, which feature live runway presentations of the current trends and designers, are an excellent way to view a variety of gowns. A wedding is a celebration of love so indulge and take your time finding that perfect gown. The number one comment I receive from second time brides is…”this is definitely it, I’m not getting married again”. Gail Young is a co-founder of The Bridal Chalet, an online bridal boutique selling designer style couture and traditional wedding gowns and bridal accessories. A second time bride herself, Gail combines her extensive knowledge of the industry with her passion for designing couture bridal fashion. The Bridal Chalet has a collection of exclusive designer wedding gowns geared to the second time bride the Sara Houston Collection. Visit her website at: http://www.bridalchalet.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Young http://EzineArticles.com/?Second-Wedding-Dress—Encore-Brides-Dont-Settle-for-Second-Best!&id=154919 buy online viagra viagra viagra prescription orders dna paternity test prescription drug store viagra zenegra print sildenafil citrate order form

My Homemaking Notebook

Thursday, January 24th, 2008

By Jessica Gerald Binders and notebooks are so popular right now, and with good reason. They are a perfect way to keep everything organized in one place. I would like to share what I have in my notebook. Maybe some of the suggestions will be helpful. First of all, I want to stress that you must do what works for you. Listen to the advice of different people in the articles you read, then adapt those ideas to yourself. If not, you may just end up being disorganized and frustrated. Here is some of the content of my homemaking notebook. I say some, because as I go along, I might change some things. That is the secret - to make it your own, even if you have to go by trial and error for awhile. 1. A Weekly List Most of us are extremely busy with work, home, family, and activities. I have to make a master list for the week, or I’ll forget something important. This could be appointments, sport or music events, or something that has a deadline. You might also want to include a housework list, such as laundry, meal planning, grocery shopping, gardening, or special projects. Then divide that list into the days that you want to complete them. 2. A Daily List Even though this list is basically the same each day, I still like to write it out. I love the feeling of checking it off and knowing that chore is accomplished. At the end of the day, you realize you’ve done a lot more that you thought. This list always starts with my personal devotions, then making beds, tidying up the house, taking out garbage, dishes, and so on. After that, I put down anything else that has to be done that day, or that I want to complete that day. If I don’t get it finished, I cross it out and write it on the next day’s list. Sometimes, I’ll put a star by things that have to be done that day. 3. A Master Cleaning Project List To keep from being overwhelmed, I take baby steps here. When I am doing my spring cleaning, I write down each room and everything that needs done in that room. I may not finish one room a day. I might only get the walls washed down and leave the woodwork and windows for the next day. The third day could be cleaning furniture, and the fourth day scrubbing the carpet. 4. A Diet Journal I made a simple diet journal from tables on my computer program. I can tally the daily food groups and calories that I consume. I also have a space to put time spent exercising. This is a good way to see if you are balancing out your nutrients, or getting too much or too little of certain foods. 5. My Reading List I love to read and have so many books stacked on shelves calling to me. So I decided to make a list of about ten books I want to finish by the end of summer. I will check them off as I read them. Then, I’ll make a new list. 6. Family History Stories My passion is family history. I list several memories of my own or those of my mother. That way I don’t forget about them. Then, when I have time, I go down the list and write out that story. I keep these stories in a separate binder. 7. Articles There are so many good articles on the internet about organizing, homemaking, and scheduling. When I see helpful reading material like this, I print it out and put it in my binder. Sometimes all I need is a little inspiration from these articles. 8. Calendar Print out a calendar for the month, and 3-hole punch it. Then you have all appointments and activities at your fingertips. 9. Weekly Menus I make out a general meal plan for the week. Actually, I only write the dinner menus, because we mostly eat the same things for breakfast and lunch. On the back of the menu plan, you could list the ingredients you need for those meals. Keep these in your binder. After four weeks of these menus, you will have a month of different meals. Make sure these meals are practical. I try to stick to basics and not all the fancy foods. That gets so expensive buying all the unusual ingredients. One idea could be to pick one day a week or month to try something new and different. 10. Grocery List Years ago, I made up a master grocery list. It includes food and also cleaning and personal items. It saves so much time and money for me. When I need to shop, I just pull out the list, quickly scan it, and write down what I need to buy. It prevents a lot of impulse buying at the store. I would like to add that I have a separate notebook for my devotions and prayer. I also have a separate binder for the family history as I mentioned above. I hope you find some of these suggestions helpful. Have fun with your homemaking notebook. It is there to serve you, not the other way around! Jessica Geraldhttp://www.oldfashionedhomemaking.comhttp://www.ladiesprayerministry.comhttp://www.familyhistorywriting.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_Gerald http://EzineArticles.com/?My-Homemaking-Notebook&id=222122 zenegramail order sildenafil citrate cheap online viagra viagra sale buy where can i buy cheap viagra

California Destination Wedding

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

By Shari Hearn What do you get when you have your destination wedding in Southern California? Sun, sand and a mouse. Mickey Mouse, that is. From the numerous sun-drenched beaches to a magical wedding at Disneyland, Southern California has it all. Consider these familiar settings and not-so-familiar settings: Beaches: Southern California has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to beautiful, breathtaking beaches that serve as beautiful and tranquil backdrops to your wedding ceremony. From the smaller communities of La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Malibu, Newport Beach and Oxnard, to the larger communities and beaches of San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Ventura and Santa Barbara, you’re sure to find a beach that has what you’re looking for - beautiful scenery for your wedding and perfect hotels for your honeymoon. If you’re trying to keep your wedding within a smaller budget, consider having your ceremony at one of the many public beaches. One such public beach is La Jolla Cove, 1100 Coast Boulevard, a very small beach in La Jolla (15 minutes north of downtown San Diego). La Jolla Cove claims to be one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. (Having been there, I don’t doubt it for a moment). For permit information call Coastline Parks at 619-221-8901. If you have an expanded budget, you might consider the Surf and Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach, 1555 South Coast Highway, a fabulous resort hotel with their own private 500-ft. white sandy beach. Their Grand Pelican Ballroom can host receptions of up to 250 people, or provide an intimate sit down dinner wedding reception with dance floor for up to 160 people. Call 888-869-7569 for reservations. Disneyland That’s right - Disneyland. Why not hold your happy wedding at the “happiest place on earth?” Disneyland is a very popular wedding venue, so be sure to make your reservations about a year in advance. You can start now by calling the fine folks at Disneyland’s Fairy Tale Weddings at 714-956-6527. Wine Country No, not Napa or Sonoma. Southern California has its own wine producing region, and its called Temecula, located approximately 85 miles south of Los Angeles, 60 miles north of San Diego and 20 miles inland from the cities of San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside (other great beach wedding locations). Numerous wineries in the area host weddings, including Callaway Vineyard & Winery (800-472-2377) and Falkner Winery (951-676-8231), both with beautiful landscaped grounds. Look, Up In The Sky Say I do in an aerial wedding above Palm Springs. Call Balloon Above the Desert at 760-776-5785 to inquire about their special wedding package. And, dont worry, if you wish they can use smaller, more private balloons so you dont have to share the balloon with strangers. Whether you get married at the beach, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, or flying high above the desert, a Southern California wedding is truly a memorable one. Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of http://www.locationweddings.net, where you can learn all about Southern California Weddings Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shari_Hearn http://EzineArticles.com/?California-Destination-Wedding&id=228471 online sales viagra viagra for sale online cheap generic viagra online viagra online ordering

Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

By Don DeGrazia The experts used to tell us we should avoid simple carbohydrates, i.e. sugar, and instead eat complex carbohydrates, i.e. starches. Some of them are still saying that, which is unfortunate because scientists now know that this is not the right way to look at it. Scientists now know that some starches, such as baked potato for example, cause your blood sugar and insulin levels to increase dramatically in much the same way as sugars cause these levels to jump. So they constructed something called the Glycemic Index, which shows how fast and to what degree a given amount of each kind of carbohydrate causes your blood sugar and insulin levels to rise. In a typical glycemic index, pure glucose is assigned the number 100. All other carbohydrates are assigned lower numbers corresponding to how fast and to what degree they cause your blood sugar to rise in comparison to the way pure glucose causes your blood sugar to rise. A baked russet potato causes your blood sugar to rise about 85% as much as pure glucose, so a baked potato is said to have a glycemic index of 85 on this type of index. Now more and more diet-book gurus and nutrition journalists are telling people to forget about whether a carbohydrate is simple or complex, and simply judge it by its glycemic index. They tell us the rule we should follow is to simply avoid foods that have a high glycemic index. This is unfortunate too, though, because the glycemic index only tells you how much a given quantity of the carbohydrate in a given food causes your blood sugar to rise. The glycemic index does not tell you how much carbohydrate is contained in that food. And the quantity of carbohydrate in a given food is an even more important factor in determining how much that food will cause your blood sugar and insulin to rise. No problem. Another index has more recently been developed by scientists which takes into consideration both factors: to what degree a given quantity of a given carbohydrate causes your blood sugar to rise, and also the quantity of carbohydrate contained in a specific-size portion of that food. This new index is called the Glycemic Load, and it provides you with extremely important information for weight loss and for many other aspects of health, energy, appearance, and emotional well-being. Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller at the University of Sydney and some of her colleagues published an extensive list showing both the glycemic index and the glycemic load of 750 foods in the July 2002 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, pages 5-56. It’s a tedious list to consult, though, because it contains many foods and brands from other parts of the world, which most Americans are not concerned about. More and more diet books, including several by Dr. Jenny Brand-Miller, are including more usable glycemic indexes these days, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding one. The reason it is so important for you to have this information is because when food causes your blood sugar to rise too much, the increased blood sugar causes your insulin levels to rise, and that causes weight gain, especially around the waist, and all sorts of other health, appearance, and emotional problems as well. Insulin is an extremely important endocrine hormone that has a powerful effect on many aspects of health, appearance, and feelings of well-being. When insulin levels are elevated, the levels of many other hormones and other types of chemical messengers in your body change as well. And this can lead to all sorts of trouble. Recent scientific studies have revealed a dramatic relationship between high-glycemic foods, obesity, and several major illnesses. Don De Grazia attended the University of Chicago as a Hutchins Scholar and has participated in workshops co-sponsored by the Harvard University Medical School and Beth Israel Hospital. In 1982 he participated in a series of workshops which were co-sponsored by the University of Indiana Medical School, Dental School, and Graduate School of Psychology. He is the director of Outreach Counseling Center in Oak Park, Illinois, and has conducted highly successful smoking-cessation, weight-loss, diet, and nutrition programs for more than 32 years. He is also a writer who has been published in the United States, Canada, Italy, and Japan. He has won several international awards for his writing. In the year 2000, the Illinois Arts Council, an agency of the State of Illinois, selected his fiction for its annual literary award. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_DeGrazia http://EzineArticles.com/?Glycemic-Index-and-Glycemic-Load&id=207969 buy xanax usa pharmacy overnight xanax online fedex buy xanax no prescription buy xanax usa pharmacy overnight