Addressing the Canny Investor

Faced with a potential worldwide Avian flu pandemic, I surveyed
many health promoting aids available from which I could
effectively achieve a state of basic readiness, and in so doing,
pulled from obvious “traditional” approaches and looked towards
some of the most innovative products in supplement form for
popular distribution. By revealing the following diet related
options, I will show how even the so called “poor” can ready
themselves and their loved ones by practicing simple but
exceptional immune system care. Fresh, natural spring water (the
veritable source of life)

During my summer visits to the Appalachian region, I always
drank and bathed with fresh spring water. On occasion, I would
collect water from a free flowing source which originated from
deep within the earth. It was through these experiences that I
came to know the meaning behind the quote mentioned above.

In North America, it’s become rare for even rural populations to
have access to unpolluted ground water for domestic use which
would account for the almost total absence of knowledge of the
health benefits associated to the most fundamental dietary
component. By bathing in and drinking unprocessed freshly pumped
spring water, one absorbs minerals from the earth as well as
beneficial health promoting bacteria and it’s for this reason
that “spas” continue to enjoy popularity.

“In addition to bathing, guests at these spas also consumed
glasses of the spring water. It was believed that the water had
medicinal value and could cure many illnesses. Spas attracted
those afflicted with cholera, yellow fever, tuberculosis,
pneumonia, dysentery, gout, rheumatism, and other diseases…” -
2. A homeowner’s guide to the development, maintenance and
protection of springs as a drinking water source. Virginia
Water Resources Center, Blacksburg, Virginia link: “The waters
flow at a constant 74F from the base of Warm Springs Ridge. You
may still drink freely and fill your jugs at Lord Fairfax’s
public tap, and wade in the ancient stone pools in the Nation’s
smallest state park…” - 3. link *It is important to note that
uncompromised standards should be used in determining whether a
spring’s water is adequate for human consumption. If the
practice of bottling is used, the filled bottles must be
refrigerated and consumed within a maximum period of four days
or first frozen, then refrigerated etc. Bacteria which are
health threatening will eventually gain the upper hand in
unrefrigerated, fresh spring water. Serious attentiveness is
called for in this situation.

Through our minds and our personalities, we experience ourselves
as masters over the environment in which we live; we make
decisions over the fate of the earth’s environment, vegetation,
animal and our own communal life. But the reality is that our
very own bodies are made up of the substances which belong to
the earth and its atmosphere and because of this, we are
interconnected in most infinite ways with its ecosystem. In
order to restore and maintain health, our bodies require life
sustaining nutrients from within this very ecosystem, namely
vitamins, minerals and a strong presence of beneficial bacteria.
These substances are taken up readily by our bodies in their
most natural states as in the example of fresh spring water
because there exists an extremely complex affinity between our
natural environment and our bodies.

Obtaining beneficial bacteria through fermented foods

A secondary way of obtaining health promoting bacteria is
through eating traditional fermented foods found throughout the
world. By consuming these types of foods (basic yogurt, kefir,
sauerkraut, miso, etc.) on a daily basis, an individual not only
furnishes his/her body with important nutrients and specific
health promoting properties characteristic of these foods,
he/she takes an active therapeutic step towards good health.

“First, fermentation neutralizes unhealthy chemicals found in
grains and beans. Second, it adds a host of beneficial
micro-organisms to food, making them more digestible and
increasing the healthy flora in our intestinal tracts. link

These foods are generally inexpensive (go to a deli for cheap,
imported sauerkraut),can be easily created in the home and are
considered accessible to all.

Even today, we still detect feelings of reverence which various
cultures from around the world hold towards their traditional
recipes, preparations which were developed through and have
withstood the test of time. Who could possibly think of
discrediting the respect held towards these foods including
those fermented? Good health has evidently inspired humanity in
the past and today, those containing health promoting bacteria
are under the microscope.

“Some research also suggests that probiotics have a beneficial
effect on the intestinal micro flora, improving the functioning
of the intestinal lining while helping to regulate critical
components of the immune system such as lymphocytes, antibodies
and natural killer cells following probiotic-mediated signaling
in the gut…” - WOODCOCK et al., 2003; PARRA et al., 2004;
MARCOS et al., 2004; YASUI et al., 2003; CROSS, 2004.

“Researchers have launched the first scientific society and
established the first institute in North America dedicated to
studying probiotics–live microorganisms consumed or applied to
specific anatomic sites for their purported health benefits. The
International Scientific Association for Probiotics and
Prebiotics (ISAPP) held its inaugural conference 3-5 May in
London, Ontario, Canada, attended by 70 researchers from five
continents…”link

*It’s possible to obtain additional healthy bacteria through
dietary supplements and in this way, one can ensure that his/her
body contains a strong omnipresence of these beneficial types
exactly as they exist naturally within the earth’s soil and its
unpolluted, underground water systems. It’s in this manner that
those who don’t have access to fresh, vibrant spring water can
employ an old method for maintaining and restoring health while
using a new approach. In this way, we attune our bodies to the
wise design of an ecosystem in which we incidentally belong.

*There exists effective probiotics in supplement form, such as:
*Bio-K plus *CustomProbiotics *Complete Probiotic Blend with
soil based organisms

Antioxidants etc.

The following excerpts, written by Dr. Fuhrman, M.D. shed light
on some interesting facts:

“…Clearly, the concept that powerful and competent host
defenses are enabled by nutritional excellence is not merely my
opinion; rather it is the reality of human physiology supported
by hundreds of scientific studies…”

“…The most effective artillery we have to protect ourselves
against the potential damaging effects of influenza and other
infectious diseases is nutritional excellence.
Micronutrients–meaning vitamins, minerals, and
phytochemicals…”

“…The flu is a simple viral illness which a healthy body has
scores of adequate defenses against. No flu, including the bird
flu, is any match for a well-nourished immune system. A healthy
diet should include: At least four fresh fruits a day; four
servings of vegetables a day, of which at least two are green
vegetables; some raw nuts and seeds…”

“…In spite of the fear that the Avian Flu is an exceptionally
virulent strain, with about half of those humans infected having
died, it still stands little chance against a truly healthy
immune system…”

Read more from Dr. Fuhrman’s six steps to help protect your
family from Avian flu.

Dr Fuhrman may or may not be rightly estimating the Avian Flu’s
influence on truly healthy individuals but he undoubtedly
supplies excellent immune system care information. Check out
some of the research work he based his opinions on, and judge
for yourself.

An easy and excellent way to receive the health benefits of
fresh fruit, vegetables, greens and herbs is through drinking
their freshly made juice. I’ve found an inexpensive manual model
sold in the US, made in China, that costs approx. $20 and which
is also ideal for passing greens and herbs; the most robust
machines are not. This model is very good because it doesn’t
heat the juice and extracts most of the liquid. It takes more
time to make less but it’s accessible to many. (Use a large
carrot as a feeder and as with all juicers, include some lemon
to recipes to avoid rapid oxidization).

Among some of the most innovative nutritional supplement
products to appear in the last decade are the ‘natural whole
food concentrates’. Though not cheap, they are the answer to a
demand for ‘nutrient excellence’ and convenience. A wide variety
of quality foods are gathered together and maintained in food
form which allows their nutrients to be easily assimilated by
our bodies. These products can be used for daily health upkeep,
to boost immunity, to restore strength following illness or to
revitalize after a workout. If the threat of a pandemic
intensifies considerably, they could also be included on a list
of ‘items to stockpile’ since such a scenario could involve the
implementation of restrictions on the movement of peoples/goods
across borders, etc. *Sound digestion is considered fundamental
to a healthy body and the tips I’ve given, contribute directly
towards this function; probiotics restore health to the gut,
fresh fruits and vegetables contain fiber which assist
elimination and while some fresh juices have the property of
being diuretic, others assist in elimination. I feel compelled
to include that drinking clean water daily is a must and some
interest should be directed towards supporting the liver and the
lungs.

This article is inspired by knowledge gathered through
experience. It shows a laypersons first steps towards a state of
readiness in the event of a pandemic but they inevitably apply
to everyday living. Should the Avian flu manifest itself in my
vicinity, it’s my intention to increase intake of this basic
prescription and perhaps incorporate other products and
practices. I encourage you to investigate further and don’t
hesitate to consult a naturopath or medical doctor with your
health related questions.

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In this decade, in this country, people are becoming more and
more concerned with personal safety, and rightly so. I am a
serious advocate for personal & home security, and I think
anyone who lives indoors (which probably means you!) should be
as well. To clarify, this article isn’t about national security,
it isn’t about financial security….it isn’t about social
security (but I could rant about that for awhile, let me tell
you). This article is specifically dealing with your home, and
the people who live inside it. Also, the “bad guys” who we are
securing the house from are thieves, rapists, murders of the
ordinary sort. If the Taliban storms your house searching for
infidels or something…..you’re on your own.

Here a scenario:

A man wants to steal things from a house to sell for money. He
needs to find a fitting house to break into. Every house on the
street is a potential candidate. Why will the man choose someone
else’s house instead of yours? I will get to that.

Right off the bat let me say that I could write page upon page
of what I personally would do if I woke up to somebody inside my
house, or came home and a criminal was in my house. But then I
would ramble far into my 2nd Amendment rights speech, and tell
you how I would disable the trespasser, and so on. Well not
everyone can or will own a firearm, and not everyone can or will
take down an intruder manually (hand-to-hand). So I can’t be of
much help in that area unless you have the same feelings and
willingness to act about scumbag criminals as I do. So we will
focus on prevention in this article.

Back to the scenario. The biggest factors that a thief looks for
when choosing a house to loot are visibility, opportunity, and
payoff. A house with few or no outside lights, a house with no
cars in the driveway, or a house which is visibly full of
expensive merchandise….this house is going to get robbed. An
electronic security system is very helpful and I would suggest
everyone should get one, but you’re still going to deal with a
broken window or worse until the crook hears the alarm go off.

The idea here is to make your house unappealing to a thief from
the very beginning.

The number one way to do this? Lights, lights, and more lights.
Lights can be decorative and make your house more attractive,
but not to a crook. If they are seen, they are busted. Make sure
every door and window (that they can get in to….small bathroom
windows and second floor windows aren’t very easy to crawl in
to) has lots of light coverage all around it. The front of your
house should have light coverage from your house all the way to
your driveway and front sidewalk. People like those
motion-detect lights, but I do not. I want my house to be
completely illuminated at all times, so the crook doesn’t even
bother getting close to the house in the first place to see if
they’re motion lights.

Secondly, window coverings. If a thief can’t see what is in your
house, he can’t decide if you’re worth robbing as easily. If you
have a living room full of beautiful leather couches and big
screen TV’s, the thief probably won’t steal those, because
they’re large and heavy, but he’s going to think about the
probability that there’s a big box of jewelry and a big
nightstand drawer of cash and Rolex’s in your master bedroom! I
know you have that big beautiful picture window in the front of
your house that your wife just loves and is the reason she
wanted this house in the first place…. but for god’s sake
cover it up with some drapes. Make sure the windows are
completely covered at night, because when it’s dark outside and
light inside, your house is a fish tank and Mr. Criminal sees
right in there.

Now, I mentioned security systems before. Personally I don’t
want to spend the money on one. But I surely do have Brinks
stickers and signs on every window and door. If you can afford a
system, get one, and make sure there is a control panel with
panic button in the room you sleep in. If you can’t get a system
or don’t want to, you can still get your hands on the stickers
and signs. Even make up a fake security system company and have
your own stickers printed up. “Fatal Mistake Alarm Co.” or
something. Just something to make thieves beware (although I
would recommend getting signs and stickers of a widely known
alarm company if you can manage to do so. They are tricky to get
without buying an actual system, but it can be done).

The last thing I will mention on this scenario is opportunity.
If there are never any cars in the driveway, and your newspaper
sits on the porch, every single day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.,
your home-intruder knows exactly when to rob you. It’s not
rocket science…….if it was, he’d go be a rocket scientist
instead of robbing you. But he’s not, so he will. If my home
gets invaded, I sure hope it happens while I’m in it. Because,
asleep or not, I am prepared to defend myself and my house. But
chances are, if I ever get robbed, it will be when I’m not
there. Your average crook does not like confrontation. He does
not like trouble, he does not like attention, and he does not
want to be a murderer. Because of that, he wants to rob you when
nobody is anywhere near being home. This means that you need to
have someone watching your house when you are not there. Unless
you buy another car and just move it around your driveway, or
you rig up a mannequin on pulleys and strings and an electric
train set like on Home Alone, your thief will know when nobody
is home. They could just knock on the door while dressed like a
door-to-door salesman (which look like everybody else….just as
thiefs do!!). My advice is to get some security cameras. Even if
they aren’t hooked up to anything (although I would recommend
it), they are a deterrent. If I walked up to someone’s front
door, and there were two security cameras up high, looking down
at me from two angles, I’m not going to break in. First of all,
I assume I’m being recorded or watched by somebody. Secondly, I
assume that if they went to all that trouble to have TWO
security cameras, then of course they’re going to have a wicked
alarm system inside. Cameras are great, because even if they’re
not turned on, they cause such a level of paranoia and caution
in anyone who is visible to them.

So there you have it. Just a few simple things that could very
well make sure that those neighbors you hate get robbed instead
of you.

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1. Test different web site color themes to see which
combination will sell your product better. You can
also test the size and style of your web site text.

2. Promise your readers an end result or outcome
in your ad. You must give them a solid guarantee
that your product will solve their problem.

3. Never assume people believe the information in
your ad copy. You need to back-up all your claims
with indisputable evidence.

4. Give your customers free shipping. If you can’t
afford that, you can give free shipping to customers
that buy over a certain dollar amount to raise profits.

5. Test your web site regularly for ordering glitches,
bad links, broken graphics, etc. Those types of
errors will make your business look unprofessional.

6. Use free advertising as much as possible. Test a
wide variety of free advertising options like banner
and link exchanges, classifieds, newsgroups, etc.

7. Build credibility for your business by publishing
an e-zine and writing articles. Your customers and
prospects will see you as an expert and trust you.

8. Answer all your e-mail messages as quickly as
possible. Nothing will loose a sale quicker than not
responding to a prospect in time.

9. Build a professional looking web site even if you
have a small budget. You could use free graphics,
designs, list servers, and other tools offered online.

10. Enter to win awards for your web site. When
you display the award graphics on your web site
it will increase your credibility and professionalism.

About the author:

Rojo Sunsen is a specialized bounty hunter who prefers to work quietly/confidentially for the benefit of her clients.

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A favorite at many wedding receptions edible wedding favors will always please the vast majority of guests. If you cannot make up your mind about whether they should be sweet or savory, you can guarantee it will be the sweet variety that gets the ‘big thumbs up’. Of course if you want to make it simple, then stick to a regular chocolate bar, perhaps with a specially created outer wrapper. Chocolate candy bars come in so many varieties it can be difficult to choose something you can guarantee everyone one will appreciate. Many companies exist that can create special wrappers that should have details of the wedding printed on them even if everything else is from a standard template.

Just to complete the favor, why not have the picture of the bride and groom printed on the wrapper as well? Some couples decide that their edible wedding favor will consist of a special tin of candy. There is also typically the option of personalizing the tin by including the wedding date and the name of the bride and the groom. Tins are always useful so once the candy has been eaten, it can be used to store many small items that might be lost otherwise. Almost everyone likes candy and that is why such a large percentage of weddings feature it as their edible wedding favor.

One unique way to give out candy as wedding favors is to use large glass bowls as the centerpieces for the tables and fill the bowls with the bride and grooms’ favorite types of candy. Otherwise a small container, which can be themed if appropriate, can be used instead. You can guarantee it won’t take long before the guests start filling their boxes with the candy. If you really don’t like the idea of candy as an edible wedding favor, why not consider using cookies instead. You can select cookies which are rather plain in nature but place them in keepsake boxes with the bride and grooms’ names as well as the date of the wedding.

Plain cookies are also easier to use if you decide to have your images inserted onto them. It won’t be difficult locating a bakery that can do this type of work and you can speed up the process even more by supplying your own ideas on how you would like the cookies to look. There is no reason why the edible wedding favors cannot be drinks; there are plenty to choose from but coffee and tea are likely to be the most popular. There are a number of specialty teas and coffees available which can then be packaged in something appropriate for the wedding. Once again, the packaging can contain information about the bride and groom and if it is a metal or plastic container it can be used at a later stage an will not go to waste. Perhaps these suggestions will help you decide what favors you will give to your guests.

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