Keeping Children On Task May Be Easier Than You Think

No one says that keeping 30 nine year olds engaged in learning is simple, but as a school teacher, that's what you're expected to do… among a whole host of other tasks that, at the end of the day, seem more like accomplishments that rival achieving peace in the Middle East. Unfortunately, some teachers add to their own obstacles by not paying attention to simple design rules that can help children stay focused on what's being taught instead of on every possible distraction.First, choose classroom furniture designed to help kids switch focus easily. We found a terrific example in the Downview Desk manufactured by Versa Products, Inc. Designed so students can see the front of the room and their computer monitors at the same time, this clever construction actually mounts the monitor below the work surface under glare-free glass. No more hiding behind a 17-inch screen and gazing off into an abyss. Give yourself the ability to see your students at all time and know when they're "getting it" and when they're not.Second, arrange desks in a U-shape as opposed to traditional rows or "pods." The problem with pods is that you are creating a situation where a few students will always have their backs to you even if you actively move about the room. Rows tend to put several students between you and the kids in the back—each layer becomes another degree of disengagement. A U-shape formation allows you to stay in close proximity to all of the students making it easy to hear and see.Third, manage with highlighters! Huh? Make sure each desk has Velcro (or a clip) to hold a regular highlighting marker. During times that you are in front of the class giving instruction, have the students remove their highlighters and highlight certain phrases or objects on their own papers as you talk about it. These moments of intense concentration will keep the students focused on what you are saying and what they must look for on their papers, instead of zoning out or chatting. The best part about highlighters instead of markers, is they wash out of clothes easily and don't stain furniture that's been coated with durable finishes like Nevamar Armor Plated Laminate.
If you've hit an age where meeting attractive younger (than you) girls or women seems to be a wicked challenge, maybe it's time to consider opening your mind to new horizons. Yes I'm talking about Thai girls and Thai women here. And doing it from a guy who has lived in Thailand for the best part of four years.But before we meet the perfect Thai girl, why Thailand? Maybe it's the attention. It's hard not to be taken by people who seem to be always smiling, welcoming and friendly. And with a great 'not too serious about anything much' attitude and the Thai Buddhist qualities, well, it's all quite compelling.Anyway, Thailand is a world in itself, so be prepared to be amazed and have all your normal 'logical' thinking replaced with ongoing illogical and strange behavior. In other words, Thailand is a completely weird place. Just remember that when you travel to a foreign country, after you get there, you become the foreigner...Amongst all its differences, the pleasures are true and fascinating. There's no doubt Thailand is a crazy world. But strangely enough, it seems to hang together well. And the proof is in the pudding... having thrown myself into this lifestyle, I now feel somewhat 'apprehensive' about having to travel to a Western country and meet Western people. Why would I feel that way?Maybe because I've been immersed in smiling, polite Thai people who always welcomed me and wanted to know about me. Maybe because I've been surrounded by Thai food that is always so important everywhere you go. Food that... "shows how we delicately care about feelings of people." And then there's the Thai girls...Let's talk about Thai girls and the Thai world through these 5 simple steps:Step one: Go to http://yourthaigirl.com and read the downloadable ebook, (and while you're there sign up to the Thai Girl, Thai Life newsletter). In this ebook you'll learn all about Thai culture, lifestyle, and of course, Thai girls.You get savvy on what to do, what not to do, when to do it, and where to go and do it. You'll know what it all means, and the ebook will give you the 'inside picture' to the world of Thailand.Step two: Book your ticket to Thailand as soon as you can. When you arrive, prepare for the slam... the heat... an invisible hammer that hits you with its mighty force... rushes to greet you with the power of a thousand simmering angels...And yet, before you know it, you'll be slipping down the long passageways inside the cool air conditioned airport. Get your bags, your bearings, your Thai girl book and prepare for your biggest journey. (Hey, Thailand is not as hot as you think :-)Step three: Get out and meet and greet people. Prepare your name card, your few words of Thai, a nice hotel or resort with a funny name, and your best clothes. In this country, it pays to look good. Thai's like to be clean, fresh, and attractive. No kidding.Step four: Just be you. Expect lots of questions. The Thai's want to learn English... speak English with you. You'll have a great, precious, remarkable time. Be adventurous. Be a tourist. Learn new things. Travel on the sky train.Step five: That's it, all done. Remember though to keep light-hearted. The Thai's like to have fun, not be 'too serious' and will appreciate it if you show respect to the things that are important to them. The key word is enjoyment. Have fun.Actually, there's really nothing to it. It's so easy (once you're here!) The main thing is to keep your calm, appreciate the beauty of Thai girls, seek out quality relationships, and let me know how it all goes, okay.

Web Based Project Management Software Tool from Inventa Technologies

Project Management SoftwareProject Management Software is a web based tool that help to manage projects such as Integrated Calendars, Report Generators, Scheduling, Multiple Projects and Tasks, Files Upload, Tracking, Prioritizing, etc. Project Management System is a simple tool that help managers and the team members successfully plan, manage and execute the different tasks involved in each project.Why Project Management Software and How Does it Work Online Project Management Software Tool which increases the effectiveness of your work and the happiness of your clients by making the workflow fully transparent to them. Web Based Project Management centralizes complete project information on to a single server that tracks all the work being done. As a result every member of the team can access to the requisite info anytime. Task Management Software is designed to make Project Management easier and even more cost-efficient; Task Management Software is interactive and responsive Tool that runs on the computer as either a single user or may be shared by a group of Project Managers.Project Management Tools available that help you to organize your business better collaborate more effectively, plan and track projects comprehensively and IT Project Management capabilities will enable organizations to support their business processes in a Simple, but Effective manner. It is also a great litmus test to gauge what kind of Project Management Software you are looking for and whether the tool you are looking at is a good fit or not. Features/Benefits of Project Management SoftwareWeb Based project management software has several benefits over the conventional style of managing a project. Here are a few benefits of the software that may boost your appreciation for it.1) Cheap to Try: The dollar cost of a pilot or test-drive can run anywhere from cheap to free for this kind of Project Management Software. You don’t have to waste a lot of time with sales pitches or slide shows. You can try it and see if it fits.2) Easy to Use:Project Management Software is User-Friendly Tool and generally can be learned quickly. With Project Management Solution you can create Multiple Projects and Multiple Tasks quickly and intuitively.3) Low Risk to Failure:You don’t have to put your career on the line to try it out. Since it doesn’t take a ton of money or time you don’t have to spend a lot political capital to try out this kind of Project Management Software. If it doesn’t work so be it, at least you tried to solve a problem. If it does work, you’re a hero who solved a problem without betting the farm. 4) Work and Collaborate:Team members both collaborate and coordinate by regularly posting the status of their own work, participating in discussions with other project members, and providing feedback on tasks done by other team members.5) Multiple User Management:Since Project Management System can be accessed from any web browser, you may be interested in it to manage collaborators working from remote locations. Whether your collaborators are telecommuters, sub-contractors or working in other branches, you need one unique place where the ongoing activity will be centralized.6) Calendar:The Calendar function allows you to view your schedule month by month or get the detailed daily view. You can also create events and assign them to yourself and/or to your team mates, all tasks can be opened straight from the calendar.7) Security and Access Rights:Since all employees within an organization may have different roles, they may not be allowed to consult certain pieces of information. The CEO might want to be "boss" and get an overview of all projects' and users' activity while technicians could only be allowed to view their assigned tasks without being able to view any statistics or reports.8) Online Project Management Software can be implemented as a Web application, accessed through an intranet or extranet using a web browser.9) The foremost and most outstanding feature is saving of time.Conclusion: Project Management System is useful for small-to-medium size businesses who want an uncomplicated and effective IT Project Management Tool.What to Do Next...If you have any queries regarding the above information or looking for a Project Management Software please contact us at Enquiry@InventaTech.co.uk or visit us on www.inventatech.co.ukInventa Technologies provides valuable information on Project Management Software, Web Based IT Project Management & Task Tracking Software System Tool, and designed to help organizations collaborate and Manage Client Information, Multiple Projects and Multiple Tasks, Files, Contacts and Calendars.http://www.inventatech.co.uk/project-management-software.php

Ashwagandha- the Indian ginseng

Ashwagandha - also known as Indian Winter Cherry has the Botanical name Withania Somnifera -It is a shrub belonging to Solanace family. It is grown in the western India, Gujarat, MP, Punjab and in Himalayas.Ashwagandha gets its name because its roots have the odor of horse. (Ashwa = horse , gandha = odor). It is called by another name Varaha karni because its leaves resemble pig’s ear. Ashwagandha has light (laghu) and sticky (snigdha) properties, bitter and sweet taste. On digestion the sweet taste dominates. The main part used is root of this herb.Medicinal properties of AshwagandhaThe various medicinal properties of ashwagandha is attributed to compounds known as withanolides which are present in it.Ashwagandha is used as an adaptogen (as it enhances endurance), rejuvenating tonic and sedative. Hence many herbalists refer this herb as Indian ginseng.Effects on mind: As it balances vata and kapha, it improves memory, counteracts the effects of stress and calms mind. It has an ability to relieve stress. It acts as sedative. Stressed patients with insomnia are benefited by this herb. This herb can be used in Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss and insomnia. Effects on general health : It acts as balya and strengthens the body. Generally, ashwagandha stimulates the immune system and strengthens it. It increases body energy level.Convalescent patients’ gain more energy and can spring back to normal routine quicker when this herb’s preparations are used after illness.The immediate relapse of disease is prevented on use of Ashwagandha. This supports HIV patients by strengthening their immune system. Anti-inflammatory properties: It has anti-inflammatory properties and has been successfully used in adjuvant therapy for arthritis. It reduces inflammation of joints and eases movements.Effects on digestive system: Ashwagandha increases appetite . It normalizes digestion and bowel movements.Effects on reproductive system: This magic herb increases shukra dhatu, sperm count and sperm motility. It increases libido and known as best Vajikara dravya (aphrodisiac) It is also used as uterine tonic and to enhance female libido.Ashwagandha retards ageing process when used as rasayana (rejuvenating preparation).It reduces hypertension and also acts as diuretic.Effects on pregnant woman: Ashwagandha is very effective in conditions like habitual abortion, threatened abortion. It stabilizes pregnancy and balances harmones which stabilize pregnancy.Usefull preparations of Ashwagandha:1. A paste of ashwagandha leaves when applied on a local inflammation acts as anti inflammatory. 2. The herbal massage oil which includes this herb is useful in many conditions like paralysis, epilepsy, sleeplessness etc.3. The preparation of Ashwagandha which is processed with ghee, sugar and honey is a very good aphrodisiac and increases semen quantity, sperm count and motility. It is effectively used in Erectile dysfunction, low libido and premature ejaculation.4 Ashwagandha roots when used regularly helps to improve the conditions like emaciation of children, senile debility, rheumatism, in all cases of general debility, nervous exhaustion, brain-fag, low of memory, loss of muscular energy and spermatorrhoea. It increases body energy and vigor . It helps to rebuild the body system which is worn out due to chronic diseases like syphilis, rheumatism etc. It also replenishes the lowered energy of body due to over-work, mental exertion thus preventing early ageing.5 Ashwagandha when used regularly , is very useful in emaciated children. It increases body weight and body energy.6 Regular use of ashwagandha helps to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels.7 Fine powder of ashwagandha well mixed with oil is very use full in many skin conditions.8 Ashwagandha also acts as galactogogue and thickens the milk when given to nursing mothers.This article is copy righted. The author Dr.Krishna.R.S is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of foods.

There's nothing that comes close to its power in online marketing.In fact, many of the most critical elements of eBusiness are tied to it: joint ventures, newsletter publishing, automated follow-up, article distribution, free reports, autoresponder messages and eCourses, networking... the list could go on and on.Of course, I am referring to EMAIL MARKETING. It is impossible to be successful online without some form of marketing via email. Nothing else can boost your business like a good list and an understanding of how to use it.You can *literally* send a mailing in the morning and earn several thousand dollars by the end of the day with email marketing.What I want to share with you in today’s lesson is how to increase your email marketing leads, sales and profits. So, let's get at it...--> Develop an attention-grabbing subject line.Russell Crowe would have never won an Academy Award for Gladiator if no one had watched the movie. Britney Spears wouldn't have gone quadruple platinum with her latest CD if no one listened to her music.And you ain't gonna earn a single penny in profits from your email marketing if folks don't read the message you send.It’s one thing to send an email out to 50,000 prospects, it’s another thing to get any of them to read it.And whether or not you need to start writing your Oscar acceptance speech depends upon how well you craft the "subject" line of your email promotion message.There are three keys to writing subject lines that are so compelling that the recipient is practically forced to click and open your email.1. Personal. There is something both attention-grabbing and exciting about seeing your name in the subject line of an email.For one thing, we just love to see our own names. Nothing grabs our attention quicker than something that is specifically about us or for us. And, for another, personalization *typically* means it isn't SPAM. While some spammers do have access to databases with our names, for the most part their lists are built by harvesting emails.So, when we see our name in the subject line, we immediately are drawn to it..."Jimmy, here is the information you requested""Jimmy, I'd like to give you a free copy""Jimmy, did you forget about this?"Almost every good autoresponder or email distribution system will have a “personalization” feature that will allow you to automatically insert your prospect’s name into your email messages when sending your mailings. It works like this…A. Person joins your list through a subscription form, which captures their name and email address.B. You insert a predetermined code (like ) that your autoresponder or mailing system provides you, into the email message.C. The system automatically converts that tag into the actual recipient's name before delivering the email.Voila – you’ve got personalized emails. You can generally use these personalization features in both your SUBJECT line of the email and the BODY of the actual email message itself.An additional attention-grabbing feature to the 'ol subject line is to TARGET your audience. Of course, you will *always* want to send your emails to a targeted audience. I.E. Don't send your Wrestling email to a homemakers' list. :o)For example: I recently sent a mailing out to a smaller list I have of folks who are interested in reprint rights to products. I had made reprint rights available to my new product, and I wanted to let them know about the licenses. Here are some sample subject lines that I might have used…“New reprint rights released today…”“Reprint rights are available…”“Sell this new product and keep every penny” You may receive 500 emails a day, but if you are interested in reprint rights (and you would be, or you wouldn't be on that list) then this particular subject line is going to stand out when you download your emails.When you combine personalization AND targeted audience, then you have a very compelling subject line..."Jimmy, new reprint rights released today...""Jimmy, reprint rights are available...""Jimmy, sell this new product and keep every penny"That's an email I'll read every time. :o)2. Powerful. Another key to writing an email subject line that entices the reader to take a look at your message is to use "power words."A "power word" is a word that appeals to the senses. It's been shown over and over that we do not buy based on logic, but rather on emotion. Email marketing works on that same premise. A few "power words" include: Free, New, Exclusive, Amazing, Fast, Results, Guaranteed, Unlimited, Step-by-Step, Overnight, etc.Etc. means "and so on." Don't put "etc." in your subject line. That's not a power word. :o)"Power words" are strong motivators for reading further. Why? Because they trigger our emotions. They create curiosity. They are compelling. So, use them.--- Sidebar --- Since I've mentioned something you SHOULD include in your subject line, let me also mention something that you SHOULD NOT use. Avoid two things like you avoid an angry rattlesnake... hype and in-your-face symbols. Don't make outlandish claims like "Earn $50,000 overnight." If it isn't believable, then folks will simply delete your email without ever reading it.And for goodness sake, don't use "in-your-face" symbols!!!!!!! No one reads *****URGENT******* or (((((Read Now))))) or @@@Newsflash@@@Kind of gets the same response as that obnoxious alarm clock at five in the morning.In other words, it's a turn off! :o)--- End of Sidebar --- Another “type” of power words is a DEADLINE: 24 hours only, next 3 days, only 5 will be accepted, the first 10, etc.Power words, especially the word “FREE” are particularly effective in getting people to read your email. Combine a power word with a deadline and you’ve got a winner.3. Promising. The third key is to present a desirable result. Your subject line must make a promise. It must inform the reader, in that split-second that they view it, that there is something that awaits them if they read your email. And that something must be desirable. It must be something that the reader does not want to miss out on. It must appeal to the emotions and pull the reader to the edge of their seat like they were waiting for the climax of a really good movie.Your subject line should create expectation. Understand this: folks don't buy products because they want your product... they buy products because they want the result of your product. We buy exercise equipment because we want to look good. We buy candy bars because we like the taste. And we visit the dentist because we ate too many candy bars. :o)We revolve around results. We work because we want the paycheck. We drive our vehicles because we want to get somewhere. We play golf because we enjoy it. We are a results-driven society.By creating an email subject line that promises results you create expectation. Look at the difference between these two subject lines..."Free 7-day eCourse released today...""Free 7-day eCourse you can obtain in 5 minutes..."Both have a power word. Both are fairly interesting. But……which one creates expectation? The second one makes a promise... I can have it in 5 minutes!This is one of the biggest keys in email marketing, and yet is often overlooked. It amazes me how many ezine publishers, for example, have this subject line..."Bob's Newsletter, Issue 212"Whew, hold me back. I can't wait to read that. :o)Sure, some folks will read it anyway -- especially if you have a loyal readership who knows your stuff is first rate.But, I don't care WHO you are, you will ALWAYS have better results with a subject line that creates expectation.You can apply these three keys, "Personal, Powerful and Promising" to any form of email marketing you use... autoresponders, newsletters, free reports, solo mailings, joint venture offers, virtually anything to do with email marketing.Get this right and it will be time to start working on the 'ol Academy Awards acceptance speech for your Best Email Oscar. :o)

Choose a healthier life with organic foods

It is often confusing when you go to buy dog food to try to identify what is important on the label and why some foods are priced so much higher or so much lower than the rest. It is important to buy a good quality food that meets your dog’s needs, but the quality of the food is not always guaranteed by the price. Many of the very high priced dog foods or “gourmet” foods are no more nutritionally balanced than the premium foods offered by large or small dog food companies. Typically the very low priced dog foods should be avoided as they are largely made up of filler type ingredients and little protein and very little nutritional value. What’s On The Label?The ingredient portion of the label must list all the food items and additives that are contained in the food. In most developed countries the items in dog food are controlled by a federal agency to ensure they are appropriate for consumption and are not a danger to the animals. The substances in dog food must by generally recognized as safe, or GRAS. No diseased meat, improperly processed meat or vegetable material or other items may be used in the food. The items listed on the ingredient portion are listed by natural weight at time of processing, starting with the heaviest item and working down. That means that the meat is weighed in its moist, natural state just like the soy meal or ground wheat will be listed in their natural dry state on the ingredient list. Since processing removes most of the water, especially in dry food, the first ingredient on the list may not be the predominant ingredient in the final dry kibble. In reality most dry foods will list beef, chicken or meat as the first ingredient but on full analysis of the final dry ingredient there will be far more of the wheat fillers in each kibble. Avoid dog foods that list animal or meat by-products as the main ingredients as these have almost no nutritional value for the dog. Since there is almost no way to know how much of the original ingredient is in the final result the information on the ingredient label is not as useful as it may seem. The better information that is provided on the label is the actual analysis of the feed, which is based on the final product and its actual breakdown. The analysis will list the crude protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals. Generally a dog should have between 21 and 26% protein in the diet depending on their age and level of activity. The more active a dog is the more protein they will need to sustain energy levels. Puppies and senior dogs should not be fed high protein diets as it can cause problems in puppies with bone growth and may cause excessive weight gain in older, more sedate dogs. How much to feed? If you are feeding a good quality premium dry dog food it is important to follow the feeding recommendations. Poor quality foods will have you feed more and will lead to increased mess to clean up. Premium dry foods usually are fed by current body weight of the dog as well as the growth stage of the dog. Be sure to feed the correct food for the correct growth stage to optimize the benefits to the dog. If you are in doubt about the correct feeding amounts or are concerned that your dog may be gaining or losing weight due to the food immediately seek the advice of your vet. Often rapid weight loss or gain has nothing to do with the food but may be a serious health concern or even a genetic condition.

You have probably heard a lot of people talking about the health benefits that come with eating raw organic foods. You may have wondered what implications come with a diet of organic foods. A table full of raw beef and oysters does not appeal to most people, but there is more to it than that. An organic foods diet means that you are required to eat the food in its natural unprocessed state. Organic foods may already be included in your diet, if you eat fresh fruits and vegetables.The processing and cooking of the foods strip them of a lot of vital nutrients. A lot of people say that cooking vegetables leaches out the vitamins and it can also destroy the important enzymes that they contain. Packaged foods available in every grocery store, that have been processed in some way to help you benefit from an easy package meal, have a very low nutritional value and they are not very good for your body because they are hard to metabolize.Earth gives us natural foods. If you consume them as such, in their raw state, it becomes a lot easier for the body to process them. Raw foods are packed with vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Everything you do costs energy. The energy levels of your body are given by enzymes. These things are not the most popular topics of discussion, but they are very important for your body. Think about how tired you feel after serving a big meal of cooked foods. This happens because you use your body enzymes to process these foods instead of using them for other activities of your daily life. By consuming raw organic foods that contain their own enzymes helpful for digestion, you preserve your energy for doing the things you like, instead of wasting that energy for digesting food you just ate. People that follow a raw food diet consume up to 75% of raw foods. This includes fruits, vegetables, nuts and other foods in their natural form. Preparing raw foods involves several processes. One of these is juicing. Many people turn the fruits and vegetables into juices. Just by drinking fresh juice in the morning you can benefit from a health boost. Another way of preparing raw foods is by using a dehydrator. The moisture is taken out of the fruits and vegetables so they are good for long time storage. The dehydrator uses hot air to remove the moisture from the foods, but the temperatures it operates under has to be below 1160 F, so that all the enzymes in the food are stored and not destroyed.Organic cheese can also be a part of a raw food diet. The process used for obtaining organic cheese does not involve temperatures higher than 1160 F, so it fits in the category of raw foods. The government keeps the organic farms under strict supervision, so you don’t have to worry about quality or scams if you purchase products from them. The cows from which the milk is harvested for the organic cheese cannot be treated with any antibiotics or other medicine in case of illnesses. In case they must be treated, they are removed from that farm. This guarantees that the organic cheese or other foods you purchase from that farm are 100% organic.The amount of raw foods included in your diet should be around 75% (ar at least 50%), but you should not start eating immediately this amount of raw foods. Instead you should increase the quantities gradually. As a precautionary note, if you plan to have any major changes in your diet, you should consult your doctor. Even though raw foods are the base for a healthier life, some of them may conflict with certain medication, so this is the best thing you should do in order to avoid unpleasant situations. Due to the detoxifying effect raw foods have, some people may experience mild headaches and nausea, but only temporary.

Home Made Food For Dogs

Home made diets can be an important part of dog feeding. Many times,commercial diets consist of food items that have artificial colouringagents and flavouring agents that are harmful to the dog's body. Home madefood items have the guarantee of freshness in the preparation unlikeready-made commercial items.The preservatives added into commercial food items may not be the suitablefor dogs from a health point of view. Even in case of renal diseases indogs, the home made diets may be made with ground beef, slices of bread,calcium carbonate, boiled eggs etc.The purpose is to have a restricted protein supply in the feed items thatare prepared. This should be carried out with home made diets preparedexclusively for dogs suffering from renal diseases. Water is added insufficient quantities to help the proper metabolism in digestion -imperitive for impaired renal cases.The dog may have allergic symptoms like severe itching, which may not getcorrected by different kinds of medications employed over a period oftime. Such cases may get easily treated once the dog food is changed fromthe commercial type of food to the home made food items.Often, home made food items are prepared using freezing procedures to killany germs or by adding grape seed extracts to provide sufficientantioxidants to the home made food items. Food grade vinegar is also addedin many cases to the meat pieces prepared in a fresh manner. All these canbe enriched with vitamin supplements that are available in fruit essences,fish oil etc.Cranberry juice, bananas, fish and meat are prepared in a quality mannerand no preservatives are added during the preparation of these kinds offood items and the dog becomes more active after the consumption of suchfood items.

Selecting London hotels based on location as well as price can make a London vacation both comfortable and affordable even on a shoestring budget. There are many hotels located within an easy walking distance to “The Tube.” The Tube is London’s most commonly used form of transportation for residents and it can make getting around the city fast, easy, and affordable. With 275 Tube stations throughout London, it’s not difficult to find a hotel within easy walking distance to one of these stations, giving travelers easy access to the many sights and experiences London has to offer.While guided tours of London can be costly and most museums charge admission, there are many things to do in this wonderful city that don’t cost a dime. For instance, visitors may want to check out Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park. Other suggestions include the many parks located in London, viewing art at Kenwood House and the National Gallery, watching London light up at dusk while walking the Embankment, or trying the free food samples that Harrods always has to offer. Many affordable London hotels are located in close proximity to these attractions or are just a short Tube ride away.Dining in London does not have to break the bank either. There are certainly many wonderful restaurants in London for those who seek a luxurious (and expensive) dinner, but the true adventure of London comes in part from the pub experience. Not only can travelers get a pint of their favorite local ale, but they can also indulge in traditional English fare: Fish and chips, bangers and mash, Ploughman’s lunch, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Additionally, the pub is a great place to meet some of the locals and hear about some of the area’s history and folklore. Visitors may also learn of the favorite haunts of London residents and have the chance to see a side of city that other, less adventurous travelers might miss.Saving money while on vacation may be a necessity for some travelers. For others, the savings may provide the opportunity to splurge on something very special, something to be remembered for years after the vacation. This splurge might be a dinner prepared by a world-renowned chef, enjoying a theatre production, or a memorable stay at one of many luxurious London hotels.Unlike many other holiday or vacation destinations, London can accommodate all budgets, even very small ones. There are several London hotels available for £28 (about US $55) or less, many of which are located close to the Tube. The Tube provides fast, affordable, and easy transportation around the entire city, making it simple for visitors to get from one sight to the next without the expense of car rental or parking fees. London features many admission-free attractions and sometimes the best way to find them is by visiting a pub, enjoying a pint and some grub, and taking up conversation with one of the local residents.

The Vegetarian Diet: Important Nutrients And Supplementation For The "vegan" To Consider

Folks unfamiliar with vegetarianism think of vegetarians as people who are missing out on tasty and nutritious foods. Some of the more enlightened people know that many vegetarians rely on discount vitamins to help supplement essential nutrients for their bodies. To the vast majority, however, vegetarians are all as pacifists who are unable to choose or enjoy tasty and nutritious foods. The truth is that vegetarians come in as many different shapes and forms as there are diets. This means there are so many varied forms of vegetarian diet that it would make any one contemplating vegetarianism go nuts. Nuts do form an important portion of a vegetarian diet, but the point is there is much more dichotomy to a vegetarian diet than meets the eye. There are those vegetarians who consider milk and milk products as acceptable and then there are those that do not. There are those that consider eggs as an acceptable part of a vegetarian diet and others that do not. The diversity is mind-boggling. However, all vegetarians should consider discount vitamin supplements as an essential part of vegetarianism. In some ancient cultures vegetarianism arose due to economic, religious or social issues. In South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, vegetarianism is based on religious traditions and economic reasons. The centuries of vegetarianism in that part of the world has produced a wide variety of herbs, spices and vegetable extracts that are now commonly used in western cultures. Recent studies have shown that the old-world ingredients such as garlic, turmeric, ginseng, capsaicin, psyllium, cayenne, fenugreek, various oils, nuts, etc. have great positive dietary benefits. In western cultures, vegetarianism is embraced more as a healthy alternative to weight-loss or weight-control diets. Whatever the reason behind one being a vegetarian, it is absolutely essential that proper nutrients be included in one's diet. Many animal products are main sources of key nutrients like vitamin-B12 and other essential vitamins. Any diet that avoids animal sources of such nutrients must find alternative sources to incorporate these into the diet. A common source for such nutrients is fortified cereal. However, the high sugar levels in cereals make fortified cereal an unattractive alternative. The sugar content in a typical American diet is extra-ordinarily high and is a leading cause of many diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, etc. These diseases in turn lead to other life threatening conditions, especially as we grow older.The average life-span in the United States and other developed nations has been steadily increasing. As we age, more and more of us are facing many diseases that come with age. Everyone knows that prevention is better than the cure. As a result, following a well-balanced diet cannot be stressed enough. A good diet is like stopping smoking. Just as it is never too late to stop smoking, it is never too late to start following a balanced diet. Obviously, the earlier one starts in one’s life in maintaining a healthy diet, the better the long lasting results. Children's vitamins have now become the norm rather than the exception. Pre-teens and teens find vitamins as an accepted form of daily nutrition. Who has not heard the phrase, "Have you taken your vitamins today?" Young adults, middle-aged people and even those in their sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties are now beginning to understand the importance of adding discount vitamins and dietary supplements to their diets.Vegetarians are especially at risk at being deficient in vitamins and important nutrients. The vegetarian is likely to avoid all animal products including eggs, milk, yogurt, fish, fish oils, meat, poultry, etc., which are the main sources of important nutrients. The only alternative source for such nutrients for the vegetarian is discount vitamins and dietary supplements. To help vegetarians develop a healthy diet and include key nutrients in their diets, some online discount vitamin dealers are providing in depth information and a wide range of vitamins and diet supplements. Even as diets come and go, the importance of incorporating discount vitamins and supplements to a vegetarian diet must be a constant. In a fad filled society, where a brand new diet is introduced almost every week to the public as the latest fix-it-all to health and weight issues, a good diet is one regimen that is here to stay.Most people do not have the time to keep up with the latest health news and developments. To assist, online discount vitamin dealers offer detailed articles and latest health news to keep the public abreast of key trends and happenings. Articles range from the latest bills in Congress that may affect the sales and distribution of vitamins to the latest research on organic vitamins and foods. For those interested in further information on the vitamins and supplements they are taking, additional articles are available as well. The recent developments of combining bottled water with infused vitamins are a hot topic. The FDA's classification of various forms of water based on its origin; such as spring water, purified water and mineral water are also addressed on these sites.In matters of diet, health and wellness, one must bear in mind that it takes time to see noticeable changes. It is no different when one is trying to see noticeable changes due to intake of vitamins and supplements. There are no overnight cures or instant healing. Diet is a lifestyle. It is a habit, something one does without thinking. Good diet is a habit. It is a matter of life-style and something that has become a part of one's daily life. Long lasting lifestyle changes take time to develop. Ours is an instant gratification society where getting people to stick to a diet with discipline is a challenge. Results of a diet take time to become clearly noticeable. The advantage of incorporating discount vitamins and supplements into one's diet is that it does not require any drastic changes. It is just a matter of taking the vitamins as a matter of daily routine.As the ranks of vegetarians grow, so does the need for information about a proper well-balanced diet. Many celebrities who practice a vegetarian diet like Olympian Edwin Moses, tennis great Martina Navratilova, actors Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt, actress Naomi Watts, music stars Shania Twain, Prince, Paul McCartney, etc., all take vitamin supplements. To maintain one’s vegetarian life-style and yet at the same time follow a good diet, discount vitamins and supplements are an absolutely critical part of the diet. In most instances, a vegetarian is a vegetarian for one reason, which is to achieve the goal of a healthy and long life. With such a goal in mind, it would only make perfect sense to ensure that no essential nutrients are missing in one's diet.

For over ten years now, I have been a drug-free competitive bodybuilder, and I can tell you first hand what it takes to develop a muscular physique. In this article, I want to discuss with you my top 5 tips for increasing strength and building lean muscle.Tip #1 Stick with the basic exercises! You heard me correctly. Do exercises that place a higher demand on your body and involve more muscle groups then just one. Examples include squats, presses, dips, chins, rows, and deadlifts. If you don't know how to do them properly, hire a personal trainer or if you have pain seek an orthopedic, chiropractor, or physical therapist. These exercises will give you more "bang for your buck."Tip #2 Vary your repetitions and weight loads! The human body possesses different types of muscle fibers, and in order to recruit these different types, you need to work with higher repetitions and lower repetitions. Rest intervals between sets, tempo, within the set, and how hard you workout will all greatly affect your end results. What I mean by that is if you want just strength, generally workout with loads between 3-5 repetitions, and rest up to 3 minutes or more between sets. If it's strength and size train with loads between 8-15 repetitions and rest 90-120 seconds between sets, and pay close attention on how fast you move the weight (a bit slower here). And lastly if it's endurance, seek extremely high reps, 30, 50, or more. This may be good for say boxers and swimmers who need tons of endurance.Tip #3 Increase your Carbohydrates to at least 2x's your Body weight! If for example you weigh 200lbs now, aim for at least 400grams in carbohydrates per day. This may sound like a lot, and you may not be able to do it right away, but trust me this is one of the KEYS to increasing lean muscle mass. I'm not talking about carbs from ice cream and pizza, but "clean carbs" from oats, sweet potatoes, brown rice, and whole-wheat pastas. By doing this you store a lot of sugar in your muscles, known as glycogen and that gives you killer workouts. Also gives your body a constant flow of the hormone insulin, which is critical in obtaining more muscle.Tip #4 Eat about one to one and a half grams of quality Protein per lb. of bodyweight! Eating this amount of protein will ensure that you are getting in enough. Remember, your not a sedentary person and your body demands more of this macronutrient in your diet to help keep the building process growing. I find that a lot of individuals are lacking when it comes to protein. You can get some through quality foods like lean steak (filet, flank, london broil), chicken breast, turkey breast and fish. You can also supplement with a high quality whey and casein protein, which is ideal for before bedtime. Keep in mind protein has a high thermic effect on the body, meaning it helps raise the metabolism because it requires a high amount of calories just to break it down.Tip# 5 Get Enough Sleep! I understand this may be a hard one, but is very critical for you if you want to get more muscular. You see your body releases it's repair hormones at a higher level at night, usually between 10p.m. and 2a.m. It's the peak time when your body is regenerating and repairing. This is a big factor in you gaining the quality muscle your want to obtain. I suggest 7-8 hours each night. If you can't get that in, try taking a 30 minute nap at sometime during the day before sleep to allow the body to recover from the day's stress and workout.Copyright (c) 2007 Brian Gurneak

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in the cell membranes of all body tissues and transported through the blood plasma. In the human body there are two types of cholesterol carriers - ‘bad cholesterol’, low-density lipoprotein or LDL and ‘good cholesterol’, high-density lipoprotein or HDL. To put it simply, good cholesterol carriers help to keep the arteries healthy by clearing the cholesterol out of the system. The bad cholesterol carriers deposit cholesterol in the artery walls thus thickening them - a key cause of heart disease. The treatment of high cholesterol should be a priority!

The American Heart Association and the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommend aiming for an HDL count of around 60 mg/ dL. An HDL count lower than 40 mg indicates an increased risk of coronary artery disease. The LDL reading should be around 130 mg/ dL. High LDL levels can be precipitated by a diet rich in saturated and trans fats and low in beneficial fats (monounsaturates and polyunsaturates). Smoking, a high alcohol intake, other poor dietary habits and lack of exercise can all contribute and should be targeted in the treatment of high cholesterol.

Total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL usually means that the risk of a heart attack is relatively low. To keep it low, it is best to follow a diet with plenty of fruits and fiber, low fat proteins and whole grain cereals. Less saturated fat, more monounsaturated fats and foods rich in Omega 3 would help in raising the level of good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol.

A large part of the American adult population has cholesterol levels of 200 to 239 mg/dL, classified as a borderline high risk. The risks are higher if the HDL level is below 40 mg/dL. Sometimes a cholesterol level of 200 to 239 mg/dL may not indicate a borderline high risk, because of a high HDL cholesterol count and a low LDL count. If other risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes are present then regular check ups to ensure appropriate treatment of high cholesterol are essential.

Total cholesterol level of 240 or more puts a person at high risk of heart attack and strokes. At these levels, it becomes essential to change one’s diet completely and include heart friendly exercises like walking and swimming. The regime for the treatment of high cholesterol(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html?source=article) may include cholesterol-lowering drugs.

The American Dietetic Association advises that to maintain a cholesterol-friendly diet, it is best to eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and wholegrain foods. Other dietary advice useful in the treatment of high cholesterol is to limit saturated fats by choosing lean cuts of meat, chicken without the skin and low-fat dairy products. Keep fatty fast food and processed cakes, sweets and chips to a minimum. Ensure you choose heart healthy cooking oils such as canola and olive oil. Other beneficial oils can be found in oily fish such as mackerel and salmon, nuts and avocadoes. Limit dietary cholesterol from meat, egg yolks and offal.

Most of the time those fat free snacks you nosh on taste so sweet because they're actually made with a lot of extra sugar. Fat free cakes, cookies, breakfast bars, power bars and cereals that claim to be healthy often contain incredible levels of sugar or high fructose corn syrup. When you shop for food, it is important to read the ingredients listed on the label carefully. Avoid buying those snacks that have extra sugar because it ultimately leads to fat – which is exactly what you don't want!

Excess sugar in your body that can't be burned off builds up in your blood and insulin is released to store it. Only a bit of the sugar that is not burned off is stored as glycogen in your liver and muscles. The rest of the accumulated sugar is stored in your body as saturated fat.

Increased insulin levels can cause serious health problems besides storing fat you don't need, such as insulin resistance, diabetes and osteoporosis. Also, too much sugar in your system causes sodium retention. Excess levels of sodium in your body can cause water retention. Retaining water will make you look and feel bloated. Further, water retention can lead to high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.

Sometimes people choose sugary snacks to give them a “boost”. A “sugar rush” is an unnatural, temporary burst of energy that ultimately leaves you feeling sleepy, foggy, stressed, anxious and even depressed. Add to that the potential health problems that result from too much insulin in your body, and clearly sugar is not the answer to energizing yourself. Rather, you can realistically attain increased levels of energy through nutritious food, exercise and self-awareness.

Sugar is alluring because it tastes sweet, but eating too much is detrimental to your health and body. Choose what you eat carefully, read the labels on everything you buy and stick to wholesome foods with few additives.

By replacing those sugary snacks with nutritious alternatives, you will look better, feel healthier and have plenty of energy everyday.