Disolwer

Archive for October, 2009

Most women hate NFL football; plain and simple. Of course there is the small percentage of women that enjoy it just as much as men, or perhaps even more. This small percentage of women who love watching professional football, sit right alongside the men, watching attentively, as they root for their favorite teams and players. But for the other women who hate football, all the whooping and hollering that their men do while watching football can be quite annoying. Merely the thought of watching the players running around in their tacky uniforms and cumbersome helmets annoys some of them. Why would the NFL pay these players to run around, hurting each other over a stupid ball, looking like complete idiots, some women argue?

Many women will sit down with their significant other and ?watch? NFL games. Actually they are just sitting there, conveniently tuning out the maddening sounds coming from the television, as well as their mate’s mouth when their favorite team makes a touchdown. They may even read a good book, sew, or do something else to stay entertained so they won’t fall asleep. They only tolerate the irritating football games because they want to spend time with their loved one.

Some women despise the sport so much that they refuse to be in the same room when their significant other is watching it. They may choose to instead watch a different program in another room, or even go out with friends.

The big question is: Why do women hate NFL football, or any other kind, so much? Well, it’s probably that most don’t take the time to understand much about of the sport. They probably don’t even know what the object of the game is. If someone were to take a survey of a hundred women, a large percentage would probably have no idea of how the game is played. Perhaps if women became more educated about the sport, they would become more interested in watching it, even if only to appease their men. If women took some time out of their busy lives to research the sport and watch a little bit of ESPN, it would really impress their husbands or boyfriends. They could possibly even discover that it’s actually a fun and exciting sport, just like most men think. On the other hand, even after countless hours of research, and forcing themselves to watch boring episodes of ESPN, some women may confirm that fact that they simply can’t stand NFL football.

About the Author:

Cathy Peterson writes about NFL coupons, Fat head Coupon and deals and footlocker Coupons

What are vitamins and minerals?

First, we define what these words mean: Vitamins and minerals are substances that are required for normal metabolism. They are essential in small amounts to maintain good health, promote growth and regulate body functions. The body only utilizes them without breaking them down, which is the reason why they are only required in ’small amounts?.

Normally they are not synthesized in the body and therefore most of them are supplied by the diet (from food), though sometimes they are formed in the body as well, as in the case of vitamin D which is synthesized in the body to a limited extent. A vitamin in particular is a group of organic substances which help regulate the rate at which chemical reactions take place in the body, whereas, minerals are natural, non-organic substances which are important components of bones and soft tissues of the body. Vitamins and minerals function as partners and technically termed as ?cofactors? in the metabolism of products in the body.

How much vitamins and minerals do we need?

It is true that we need vitamins for the normal functioning of our body. But still, vitamins are not themselves direct sources of energy. As defined earlier, vitamins are nutrients sourced from food we eat everyday. Thus, taking proper and healthy diet would alone supplement one’s vitamin requirements? What’s the use of thousands of available multivitamins in the market?

Most adults today greatly depend on the intake of vitamin supplements due to the fact that vitamins and minerals they take in the food they eat are no longer absorbed or utilized by their body despite a nutritious diet. Hence, massive doses of supplements in place of normal eating are useless and dangerous. The use of very large doses of vitamins without the knowledge of a physician is very dangerous and can cause serious health problems.

There is no need to take ?mega doses? of vitamins without any deficiency or illness taking place in the body, since the doctor will not advice such intake unless badly need. Balanced amounts of each and every vitamin in the body should be properly followed, as an excessive in take of one vitamin can adversely affect the body’s use of another vitamin even though the second vitamin is present in normal amounts. For instance, deficiency in vitamin K is attributed by large amounts of vitamin E. Excessive vitamin E changes the body’s need for vitamin K to the point of causing vitamin K deficiency. Furthermore, taking excessive amounts of mineral on the other hand is too risky especially for pregnant or nursing women, children and the elderly.

Vitamins as an Anti-aging Component

Aging is a time-sequential deterioration occurring in the body. Certain changes like bone brittleness, decrease in muscle mass and impaired resistance to disease and injury occur as a result of aging. These changes can be very frustrating. However it can be controlled and reduced by proper intake of nutritional supplements like vitamins A (beta carotene), C and E. Vitamins A, C and E are generally called ?anti-oxidant vitamins?.

They have potential properties which can promote health. They are also part of the body’s defense against free radicals and oxidative stress. Cereals, fruits and vegetables are good and natural sources of antioxidants. Furthermore, these three: A, C and E are common components of most dietary supplements which are very helpful nowadays, since they are a critical element in disease prevention. We live in a world of exploitation, and as time goes by, pollution degrades our health through the food we eat and through the air we breathe.

This is the main reason why scientists have advanced their technology and have invaded people’s notion of ?natural living?. Before, people depend on natural sources of vitamins and minerals, but now as technology advances, vitamins and minerals are now available in tablets, capsules or syrup which are reliable supplements for human health. Nevertheless, fruits and vegetables and other natural resource are still the best source of vitamins and minerals for the human body.

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Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR’S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
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Charlene J. Nuble

For All the things you need to know about vitamins, please go to: Vitamins and Minerals

Years ago I worked as a computer technician for a large shipping company. Basically, I drove to client sites and installed or upgraded computer hardware and software. I liked the job. During March of 2000, gas prices started to rise in the U.S. The federal mileage reimbursement was not really compensating for the cost of gas. The majority of the technicians in the office wanted our employer to help us make up the difference in the cost of gas. Our supervisors were sympathetic. However, the general manager was not sympathetic at all. He said, that the cost of fuel was affecting everyone especially the company. He said the company had to fuel hundreds of trucks and planes. And customers did not expect the cost of shipping to increase due to an up tick in gas prices. Of course, everyone grumbled about what he said.

Over the next three months, the price of gas rose .27. Now the grumbling had turned into complaining. Our supervisors attempted to shorten our routes as to save miles. It worked as long as a technician did not have to drive to multiple client sites.

Normally we had to return to the office to clock out. Sometimes a client site would be near a technician’s home or after work destination but he would have to drive back to the office to clock out. The trip could cost an additional fill up per week.

By July, the complaining had reached the general manager. He called a meeting described as resolving our gas issues. Every technician in the group attended the meeting. There were rumors that we would receive gas cards, coupons for oil changes, or just be heard. The day of the meeting came. The general manager walked in and said, we would not receive anything but the federal gas mileage allowance. He also said, “You vote with your feet”. You vote with your feet. What did he mean by that? He explained that the company was not going to change its position on gasoline reimbursement. So, if we did not like it then we should do something about it. Oh, I got it. Since the company would not change then I would have to change. I decided to find another job that didn’t require me to use my personal vehicle.

By September the price of regular unleaded had rose to $1.79. But that didn’t affect me for long because I got a new job by the end of the month.

During my last two weeks on that job in early October, our department held its monthly meeting. During this meeting, my supervisor announced that I would be leaving the company to pursue another opportunity. My colleagues were shocked and even gasped out loud. After the meeting, several of my coworkers approached me to get the scoop on my departure. And what follows is what I told them. Do you remember that meeting with the general manager last summer? Yes, they replied. Do you recall what he said? Well, he said a lot of things. Yes, he did. Well I distinctly recall him saying, “You vote with your feet”. And that is what I did. And it feels good. Needless to say, one of my colleagues said I am sure that’s not what he meant. No, that is what he meant.

Anyway, I spent the next three years taking public transportation to work. And I sold my car because I drove it only twice in 16 months, escaping the cost of gas for three years.

So how do you know when its time to leave your job? Or vote with your feet? You have to take an inventory of yourself and work conditions. You may have to inventory yourself and work conditions because things change constantly. Let’s examine these factors in depth.

Your employer hired you to do a job. What are the duties of that job? Are you fulfilling your job duties? Don’t just answer off the top of your head. Think about it. Are you fulfilling your job duties? Your last performance review should help you answer this question from your employer’s perspective.

Based on your last review, how has your employer characterized your performance? Did you receive any praise? Are there areas for improvement? Is it balanced, fair and objective?

Your annual review is a snap shot of your performance over the last year. Everyone enjoys approval and acceptance. However, your areas for improvement may hold the key to advancement, greater opportunities and professional growth. In rare instances, your performance review may indicate areas for personal growth.

In the past, two annual performance reviews noted my allowing things to fall through the cracks and not following through. And I admit that following through has been a challenge for me at times. And I have experienced the consequences of failing to follow through in my personal life. That is why I attempt to resolve issues the first time around.

You can learn from your accomplishment too. Does your review praise your skill, knowledge, motivation, and or abilities? If so then maybe you’re ready for new challenges that another employer can offer.

Is your review balanced, fair and objective? How can you tell? During the review, ask who contributed to your appraisal. You may be surprised by the answer. In the past, I have been surprised by who has contributed to my reviews. And I have been surprised by who was not a contributor to my review.

If your review is on the mark for better or worse then there are other ways to know when its time to vote with your feet.

Things are constantly changing in the workplace. Has the working conditions changed? In my case, the cost of gasoline and the employer’s decision not to intervene changed the working conditions. Anything and everything can change the working conditions.

Do you have a new boss? Has your work load increased due to attrition? Do you have to retool to do your job? Are you still personally comfortable in the workplace? Are you being under utilized? Do want new challenges? Do you want a higher salary? Anyone one of these reasons can cause you to vote with your feet.

In the past, I have left two jobs because they would not pay me what we agreed upon.

You have to take into account your industry when making a decision based on working conditions. For instance, if your career requires you to work outside then leaving your current employer may be of ill effect. You may have to change careers to escape working outside. The same applies to working shifts, weekends, and holidays. If you don’t want those work conditions then avoid them from the beginning. Working conditions vary from employer to employer, so find out about the work conditions before you accept the position. You will be happy that you did.

Deciding to leave your job is never to be taken lightly. Your job impacts your relationships, lifestyle and overall health. You have to be selective about the employer you hire. Yes, the employer you hire. The phrase denotes you’re selecting employers based on meeting your personal needs. There is nothing wrong with this type of thinking. People do this all the time. You want the employer of your choice to meet your salary, scheduling, benefits, and commuting needs.

Finally, you vote with your feet. When is it time to leave your job? Ultimately, you have to decide. Take an inventory. You may be surprised by what you discover.

Sean Caruthers builds computer networks and teaches others to do the same at a local community college. He also shares his passion for computers through writing and consulting. You can visit his websites at http://www.youwouldwanttoknowthat.biz or email him at sean@caruthers.biz .

Most of us at some point in our career have experienced the frustration of being unable to “close the deal”! We’ve walked away wondering what else could have been said, shown or done in order to GTC (Get The Check).

Well, I’m here to suggest to you that sometimes it’s simply not the right time for the prospect to “get in”, “do the deal” or “sign up”. For some unknown (or known) reason, the timing just doesn’t seem to fit their lifestyle right now. We’ve all heard the expression, No doesn’t mean NO … it just means, not right now!

I submit to you that people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care! It is up to you (the seller) to communicate to your prospect with every means of communication you have, to become their friend. That’s right … their friend!! No one wants to buy from a stranger; everyone prefers to buy from someone they know, someone they feel they can trust. It’s our job to get from stranger to friend as quickly as possible.

Three reasons why people won’t buy:

1 – No Money
2 – No Need
3 – No Trust

When responding to someone’s interest, we must first determine at what “level” his or her interest lies. Simply put, there’s a big difference in someone who is just “interested” as opposed to someone who is “committed” .If you are working over the phone or through email, the following three questions may help you in determining a person’s interest level and assist you with qualifying your prospect.

You may open up your memo or conversation with …”I’m responding to your request for more information about the ecommerce opportunity found on our website”.

1 – What kind of work are you in now?

You are wanting them to say (or write) something to the effect of “… they are tired of what they are doing or looking for some sort of change …” Most likely if they are not unhappy with what they are presenting involved in, there may not be enough motivation to commit to another opportunity. They at least need to want to supplement what they are currently doing with an additional plan.

2 – Are you looking for something full-time or part-time?

This will give you a good idea of their commitment level (if any). Everyone has his or her own definition of what part-time means as opposed to full-time. Most would agree that full-time is anything over forty hours in a single week. However, keep in mind that a great number of individuals wind up treating a part-time position as a hobby and therefore, getting paid as if it were a hobby! Someone who is truly hungry for a change in his or her lifestyle may need to under go a complete paradigm shift.

3 – What do you see yourself doing five years from now?

Listen to their answer, it may be a bit undefined but you will sense in their “story” whether or not there’s a fit for them in your business.

Begin to tell them a little bit about your business. Give them the “sizzle message” about what’s hot with your deal and why they need to be a part of the team. Include several “buzz words” to describe your opportunity and allow them to feel your excitement and level of energy!

Most important! Ask them a direct YES or NO question. Preferably a call to action of some sort, that will enable you to take them to the next step of your system and lock them into a commitment. A question such as “Does that sound like something you would like to hear (or receive) more information about?

A lot of times people want YOU to answer more questions at this time. They may ask you things like:

1 – How much is it?
2 – What do I have to do?

My suggestion is to plug them into a “system” and let the system answer their questions. Even if you know the answers, it’s still better to let the system do the work for you. Why? Simply put … it’s duplicatable! You may be a super savvy salesperson but your prospect may not have your talent or skill level. Therefore, they think they have to be like you in order to make things work for them. If you have a “system”, everyone can do it!! It’s the old KISS method, (Keep It Simple Sweetheart).

Become their friend and service them again!

See ya sometime …

About the Author

Aubrey Richardson is the founder of LogoFax and Clipart247 FREE members

At least every month, there are police used car auctions in your locality. Sometimes, you might not be aware of them, but if you would only inquire and seek such transactions, you would certainly and easily find one.

Police used car auctions are auctions for cars that are under the possession of the police. No, the police agency, nor any of the officers, does not own these cars.

Such cars are put is disposal because it would be the best and it is required by law to avoid anomalies in the police department. But where do such cars from?

Police used cars

Police used cars can be simply defined as cars which were used by the police in various functions. Most of such cars are not specifically acquired for the purpose of being used by the police department. You see, the police is not an agency that generates much funds and income.

You know the function of the police. They chase criminals and confiscate belongings. One of the top belongings often confiscated by the police from criminals and law offenders is cars.

You can be surprised at the volume of cars that are confiscated by the police within a short period of time, like about half a year, or six months. Such repossessed cars accumulate at the police agencies’ parking lots.

Cars are machines that should be well taken care of. Maintenance of each car is imperative even how much they could get. Mind you, car maintenance nowadays is not cheap.

Ownership of unclaimed cars and those that are owned by prosecuted criminals are lawfully turned over to the police, after a specified period of time. Thus, since the police can never possibly maintain each car, and their storage lot is not enough to keep these cars for good, police used cars are often sold through special auctions.

Auctions

Police used car auctions are still auctions, at every angle you would look at it. That means, you should be prepared to bid for cars you want to buy from the transaction. In auctions, of course there are winning and losing bids.

Expect that police used cars are priced cheaper than brand new cars or those second hand cars sold at usual private car auctions. However, sometimes, bidders try to outbid each other, resulting to higher transaction prices.

You might be surprised to find out that sometimes, police used cars are priced more than a car’s value. That is because of the bidders’ competing bids. You should watch against such transactions.

Check the goods

Also expect to find defects and little to major damages in police used cars. Imagine, these cars were left at storage facilities for almost a year without maintenance.

When shopping cars at police used car auctions, be sure to bring along an expert so the engine, spare parts and the overall condition of the police used car in auction would be appropriately assessed.

No, don’t get it wrong. The police is not trying to scam you by selling you damaged goods. They are just disposing assets that should never stay in their possession for some time.

Buying police used cars

There is certainly nothing wrong with buying police used cars. Just be sure to check the condition of such cars before writing the check for payment. Then, ask for the proper documentation so that no ownership problem can be encountered in the future.

For listings of police used cars, please visit http://www.auto-car-auctions.info/

Copyright 2005 Terry McDermott

America is in the midst of a nursing shortage that is expected to get worse as baby boomers age and the need for health care increases. Complicating the nursing shortage problem is the fact that nursing schools and universities across the country are having difficulty maintaining enrollment levels that remain insufficient to meet the projected demand for nursing care.

Based on a recent survey, it is common knowledge that there is a nursing shortage and this is viewed as a serious issue. The study revealed that 75% of Americans think that the nursing shortage is a very real and very important health care concern. The general view is that the nursing shortage will have a negative effect on health care services. The poll indicates that 81 percent of the population is acutely aware of the nursing shortage and fully 65 percent believe that the nursing shortage is nearing crisis levels.

The survey also found that, despite the nursing shortage most Americans are confidant that nurses’ opinions on medical issues are highly credible and that the nursing profession is generally respected and admired. Because of the nursing shortage there are many more nursing positions available than can be filled. This is despite the fact that average nurse salaries match up quite well with other professions.

Many potential solutions, such as travel nursing, are being developed to address the current nursing shortage. The position of travel nurse was created more than 20 years ago in order to address shortfalls in staffing in states that experienced dramatic swings in seasonal population. Now, being a travel nurse is regarded as operating in a specialized nursing category and has become a crucial factor in potential solutions to the worsening nursing shortage.

Becoming a travel nurse opens the door to a world of possibilities. Agencies that specialize in travel nurse placement will help locate a variety of travel nurse positions in areas of the U.S in which a nurse has an interest. A travel nurse assignment will normally last for about 90 days but may continue for up to six months. After selecting the region or state the nurse must decide which travel nurse position tol accept. It is entirely up to the nurse which type of program and which type of medical facility to join.

The compensation for a travel nurse is well above average and is attracting more nurses into the travel nurse profession. The salary or a travel nurse is well above the norm. What’s more, the travel nurse package usually includes complimentary housing. Plus, travel expenses are also covered. A travel nurse will also receive generous benefits such as health insurance or a retirement plan, if it is a good travel nurse agency.

Most travel nurse assignments provide a substantial bonus upon completion of a tour. The collective compensation for a travel nurse is far greater than permanent, local nursing positions. In many cases being a travel nurse can result in a six figure annual income.

About the author:
Terry McDermott is the administrator of http://www.TravelMedPro.com,a website that specializes in providing resources and opportunities for travel nurses and other medical professionals.

One of the key factors that promote a healthy lifestyle is your surroundings, where you stay, and the environment around you. And this is one of the main reasons why people go for home improvement. A clean, well furnished and beautifully done home can make any human being happy and energetic. It is also recommended to go for a change of set up once in a while, as a change makes us feel refreshed and can prove to be a great trigger to start our lives anew.

People in the UK prefer to finance their home improvement projects with the help of home improvement loans. Home improvement loans are loan plans that are designed in a particular way. This helps the borrower take care of the multiple needs of home improvement. Home improvement projects can be on a big scale as well as on a medium or low scale. You can also go for a home improvement loan if you wish to purchase something expensive for your home like furniture, tapestry, Jacuzzi… anything.

Obviously, large scale home improvement involves huge expenditure and small ones would mean little costs. And the good part is that you can take a loan for both the cases. However, the loan amount is subjected to your credit score, your financial history and also the DTI, which is your Debt to Income ratio.

Home improvement loans are available both as secured loans and unsecured loans. While secured loans would require you to place an asset as a security to avail the loan, there is no such requirement in unsecured loans. Hence, unsecured loans are comparatively risk-free. But on the other hand, there are many benefits available with the secured home improvement loans as compared to unsecured loans, like

lower rate of interest
longer repayment period
more flexible terms and conditions

You can take a secured loan to avail the benefits, provided you have a home or a property of the same worth as your loan amount. However, it makes more sense to go for an unsecured loan, if the loan amount is really less and not worth risking your assets.

About The Author: The author is a business writer specializing in finance and credit products and has written authoritative articles on the finance industry. He has done his masters in business administration and is currently assisting Shakespearefinance as a finance specialist.

For more information about Secured loans please visit: http://www.shakespearefinance.co.uk

There are many avid fans of the game that has made Monday night something to look forward to, and these people have made the Super Bowl something of a holiday in itself. A lot of people collect the celebrated items when their team wins at the Big Dance and these items are commonly left on the mantle or somewhere on a shelf, the problem is that doing that doesn’t do them any justice at all. The football collectibles should be in a case, like the football display cases found at SportsDisplayCases.net. These have been selling off the shelves for many years. They have also been setting a standard that will make the sports items seem that much more precious to the person displaying them in these display cases.

Many of the football display cases that are on the market are good, but the ones that are among the best have a sturdy and finished wooden base and a solid glass cover that will show the beauty of the items while still keeping them clean. Many of the glass cases are even sturdy enough to handle a good amount of abuse; this means that the items within the display cases will be safe through most events that happen around them. This is a great selling point if you have children. These cases can hold the football jerseys and even the footballs from the Super Bowl or your kid’s high school game. Some of the local leagues are also something that could warrant the attention that a good case can give. These games are always grand battles and it is nice to be able to keep the memories of those days safe and clean.

There have been numerous uses for these cases and many of the people that have gotten one of the football display cases have designed them to be more personal and unique with not just the items that they house, but also the layout that is used in displaying the items that are within each case. There have been many techniques that people have used to light the contents and most of the display cases are set up to make this easy to do. That means that you may show off the contents even when the lights are out. Many of the cases can also be set up so that the items are protected not only from outside elements like dirt and dust but also the heat from the lights themselves. This is a must if the items have been autographed and authenticated. The last thing that someone wants is to have the items washed and have the signed item not longer signed.

Among the many things that a sports fan can have there just are so few that can compare to football display cases to show the rare sports collectibles that the person has acquired over time. Sharing the collectibles is half of the fun in owning them, so appreciate what you have and get some great display cases to help you show them off right. Look at it this way, you get to share the glories of your collection, you get to keep them safe from moisture and dirt as well as safe from any sticky hands that may come near them. It is the perfect solution to an age old problem. You will find that your collection will last generations longer when taken care of in this way.
About the Author

Matt Jones is a leading authorized reseller of Caseworks display cases sold at his website, www.sportsdisplaycases.net. This site has an amazing selection of over 400 unique display cases, each with free engraved nameplates and a free etched NFL football team logo or MLB baseball team logo. Get your football display cases today!

In the normal course of business, cash comes in as income and goes out as expense. This flow of receiving and spending cash for commercial purposes is known as the cash flow. Since the core objective of any business is to generate profit, the flow of cash is important as it directly affects the bottomline of the company.

Uses Of Cash Flow
Cash flow is used:
? to evaluate the liquidity of a company
? to find out ratios like the net present value and the internal rate of return
? to act as a validating input for net income created by accrual accounting methods

Types Of Cash Flow
Cash flow can be:
? operational cash flow (the flow of cash for normal operation of the business)
? financing cash flow (the flow of cash for financial activities like loans, dividends, stocks, etc.)
? investment cash flow (the flow of cash for investments like plant & machinery, land, and other long term capital expenditures)

Cash flow Constrictions
Cashflow can become constricted due to the extension of the credit period of your invoices by your customers. The more your sales increase and/or the more the credit period increases, the more constricted your cashflow becomes. The effect of cashflow clogging is seen sharply in operational cash flow. Until the cash from the previous and present sales rolls in, inventory cannot be purchased, orders cannot be executed, and business almost comes to a standstill.

Cash flow Funding
To solve this most common commercial problem, finance companies offer solutions to provide your business with a steady source of funds that increases in direct proportion with your sales. The finance offered by the finance companies to improve the cash flow is known as cash flow funding, which is typically in the form of account receivables funding or export receivables finance or purchase order finance.

Account Receivables Funding
Account receivables funding is also known as invoices funding or factoring. Here, approximately 85% of the value of your invoices is paid immediately, with the remaining 15% less the fees of the finance company paid to you when your customer honors your invoice.

Export Receivables Finance
To expand your overseas business profitably, some finance companies offer to pay almost 80% of your export receivables. The remaining 20% minus the fees of the finance company is paid to you after your overseas buyer pays your receivables. This enhances your cashflow during the work-in-progress and shipping stages. Moreover, the chasing and collection of the receivables may be done by the finance company as they have a multilingual staff, which is extremely well-trained in the laws, customs, and procedures of different countries.

Purchase Order Finance
Here, funds are provided against your purchase orders. The finance company can directly pay to your suppliers in cash, thereby availing huge cash discounts for your business. It can also provide letters of credit and supplier guarantees. This facilitates the smooth execution of your purchase order.

Alistair Charles on behalf of Bibby Financial Services. Bibby Financial Services are specialists in improving cash flow through the provision of cash flow funding solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises.

It is reassuring to know that there are many plant-derived compounds, vitamins and minerals that can protect us against heavy metals and other environmental toxins.

Our bodies are continuously exposed to poisonous substances – both natural and man made. Although we have biochemical mechanisms to cope with most them, when our bodies are subject to overwhelming quantities of toxins, severe health problems occur.

The human body deals with poisonous substances in various ways. Enzymes and components of the immune system in the intestines are the first line of defense in this regard. They either convert the toxins into harmless substances or prevent their absorption into the blood stream by binding to them. In addition food-derived compounds help to neutralize harmful agents before they are absorbed through the bowel wall. Interestingly, and somewhat paradoxically, metals like iron, zinc and copper (that are potential toxins themselves) can also help prevent the absorption of poisonous heavy metals like lead.

If a toxin manages to evade the defense systems in the intestines and gains access to the blood stream it may then be rendered safe by enzymatic action or other processes in the liver – the most important detoxifying organ. If the liver fails to deal with a toxin it may then be excreted by the kidneys. However, some the most problematic toxins are those that the body cannot neutralize or get rid of.

The most important examples of these are the metals – especially arsenic, copper, iron, zinc and the heavy metals like lead and mercury. As the body has difficulty excreting these poisons it tries to sequestrate them in tissues like fat and bone where they will not cause as much harm as they would in other organs or tissues. Unfortunately when the stores of these toxic substances reach a certain threshold they inevitably begin to cause damage. Lead and mercury are particularly damaging to the brain and other nervous tissue and this is especially so in children.

The treatment of choice for metal poisoning is chelation therapy; a therapy whereby a chelating agent is used to ‘grab’ or bind to the toxin; either rendering it harmless or allowing the body to excrete it more easily. Examples of chelating agents that are used to treat metal poisoning are: DMSA, DMPS, ALA, EDTA.

There are also many naturally occurring compounds that have chelating properties. The spice, coriander (cilantro) has been shown to chelate lead while turmeric binds to both copper and iron. Other studies have shown how vitamins B1, E, C and zinc can help prevent the absorption of lead and enhance the capacity of chelating drugs.

As well as acting as chelating agents plant derived compounds play a vital role in countering the damaging effects of heavy metals and other toxic substances. Many toxins are free radicals and as such cause oxidative damage to cells and tissues. Spices, fruits, nuts and vegetables all provide large numbers of important antioxidant and other compounds that play a vital role in helping to contain free radical damage.

If we want to minimize the effect of heavy metals and other environmental pollutants on our bodies we need to ensure that we have an adequate daily intake of spices, fruit and vegetables. It is these foods that provide us with the best means to deal with this inexorable threat to our health.

Dr Keith Scott is a medical doctor with a special interest in nutrition. He has written several books including the ground breaking, “Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power of Spices” and “Natural Home Pharmacy”.
Download a free pdf copy of “Medicinal Seasonings” and find out more about the health value of compounds in spices and other foods at:

http://www.medspice.com

Can home improvements really increase the value of your home? Of course they can. The trick is in knowing how much to invest, and which areas of the home to improve to realize the greatest return.

When preparing to sell your home, your first step should be to appraise your home honestly. Determine where your home could use some improvements, and then decide whether the added expense and time will net an increase value. Chances are, the time and money will pay off with a faster closing and a higher selling price.

Home improvements are the smartest ways to increase your home’s value. First impressions really do last, and potential buyers will not overlook the time and money spent. But exactly how much can you expect your home’s value to increase? Here are a few general rates of return on popular home improvement projects:

* Minor kitchen remodeling (Connecticut)–125%
* Major kitchen remodeling (Kentucky)–92%
* Basement renovation (California)–98%
* Bathroom remodel (Oregon)–90%
* Exterior paint (Pennsylvania)–90%
* Master bedroom (Florida)–86%

The above statistics were compiled from various published surveys, mainly based in major US cities. Though results may vary due to factors like geographical location and market trends, these statistics generally support the claim that home improvements will increase the home value.

Taking the above examples into account, one can generalize that kitchen and bathroom renovations will offer the greatest return on expenses. If your basement or master bedroom can use attention, these areas will also pay off with a return of about 90 percent. Repainting the exterior of your home is very important as well, as this will give potential buyers a great impression before they even enter the front door. Interior painting and decorating should not be overlooked, as these can be very inexpensive ways of increasing the value of your home. These remodeling projects may be minor or extensive, but will in some way contribute to an increase in your home’s value.

The original design of your home is a very important consideration when planning improvements to increase the value of your home. Buyers love the ambience and nostalgia of older homes, so it is important to preserve unique details such as woodwork, hardware, fixtures and glass or French doors. Choose similar materials or find complimentary ones if a complete renovation is required. Buyers who see your period home from the street will likely be disappointed to find a full modern interior renovation. Know how to make your home attractive and inviting for the buyer. Grab the buyer’s attention and interest and give them a reason to want to inspect your home further.

To further support the claim that home improvements increase value, research suggests that you make the best practical use of the space you have available. Build a deck or patio to create a warm, inviting space for entertaining. Turn a corner of the basement into a bright and busy playroom for the kids. These are relatively easy projects that will make your home more inviting, and can bring a healthy increase to your home’s value.

If you’re wondering if your home improvement efforts will pay off with an increased home value, the answer is “yes”. Your home will sell faster and you will realize a greater profit, so go ahead and get started.

About the Author:

John Miller contributes articles to several popular web sites, on shopping and products tips and products and shopping issues.