Feng Shui Help: August 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009

Bison Meat Recipes For Every Meal

When making the decision to switch from beef to buffalo meat there are many bison meat recipes for any meal. Knowing the difference in cooking this meat contrary to beef is important in getting the best out of the meat in flavor and in quality. Many people may not know that almost every recipe can be substituted with this leaner choice of meat over beef. Though many may not taste the difference when cooked in recipes this meat has it own great tasting flavor.

Knowing what it takes to get the best taste out of this meat for every recipe will help in making sure the best quality of the meat is always provided. The color of the bison meat is a deeper shade of red than beef because it does not produce streaks of fatty tissue like beef does. Because of the less fat this meat may cook more rapidly than beef. Cooking the perfect bison meat that is tender and tasty is cooking the meat at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. Never cook this meat on high temperatures and make sure it has plenty of moisture so it does not dry out and it is as tender as it can be.

Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day finding great tasting recipes to help start it off right may even give people a better day. There are several recipes that people can choose from to make with bison including sausage patties. Once the sausage has been made it can be added to a great tasting Breakfast Casserole with bison as the main ingredient followed by eggs, cubed bread, mustard and grated cheddar cheese. This dish and others shoppers will find will get them going in the morning with a great start to their day.

Lunches and dinners sometimes clash together so having bison meat recipes on hand to prepare for both is a good idea. Many people may have heard of bison burgers which are easy to mix together and best cooked on medium and even medium to low this will allow the moisture of the meat to stay inside without drying the meat out. Using ground bison in family recipes can be done with a great flavor there is one difference that many people will notice. There will be no fat to drain and the meat does not shrink like beef does.

When preparing for a Sunday family dinner with a bison roast there is not worry as to how long the meat will cook. It is best when it can cook until it falls apart when it is touched. But normally keeping the meat from drying out is very important for the best in taste. From pizza to stroganoff there are many recipes to choose from that will provide families with a great quality taste that provides them with a healthier choice for every meal. Those who do choose to use these great tasting recipes will want to make sure they do read the directions carefully to make sure the bison meat recipes they choose are cooked properly for the best in quality.

James Brown is a bison meat lover and has his own blog where he shares bison meat recipes with like minded people.

Grandparents Don't Get to Choose

One of the greatest pleasures of life is having the opportunity to be grandparents. Since my son and his wife told us they were going to have a baby, we have been on cloud nine. When they came over to our house one evening to tell us, we really didn't expect any news like we were told. In fact, all we thought was that they just came for a visit.

Sitting down at the kitchen table, my wife was presented with what looked like a gift bag. She was surprised knowing that it wasn't her birthday, nor was it mother's day, nor was it an anniversary of any kind. But, what she found at the bottom of the gift bag made her sit back with her mouth open and only a few words came out. I wondered what had shocked her.

Those words she spoke were loosely translated to mean, "Oh my goodness", repeated over and over again. I didn't have a clue what she was referring to until I saw that she was holding a pregnancy test in her hand. It took me a few seconds to clue in but once I did I then knew why my wife sputtered those words. My daughter-in-law was pregnant.

The first thing I thought of was the delight of having a new grandson to play with, to have a grandchild that would allow me to buy all those great little toys, build a swing set, and finally have an excuse to purchase some model train gear that I wanted. But, that wasn't necessarily what my daughter-in-law had in mind.

Not only did I jump the gun in wishing for a grandson (a granddaughter is OK too), I apparently jumped the gun in even thinking that I could choose my own nickname as a grandparent. It seems that my nickname had already been chosen. And, while I objected, I never had a chance to even suggest a few grandfather nicknames. That was not the case with my wife though. She knew what she wanted as a nickname and she wouldn't hear anything different. I guess I know who has the power around here and who doesn't.

I was unceremoniously given the nickname "Grampy"; no opportunity to choose let alone object. Somehow, I must look like, or act like a "Grampy". My wife, on the other hand, had her nickname chosen in her own mind and announced to all that she would be referred to as "Nanna". Oh well, I guess I can't have everything.

The long and short of it is this; being a grandparent no matter what nickname you are given, or what nickname you prefer, the little guy or girl will certainly have their own special name for "Grampy" and "Nanna", and it really doesn't matter.

But, I did really want to choose my own nickname!!

Looking for special nicknames for grandparents, or articles, and poems visit Nicknames for Grandmothers.

Feng Shui For Troubled Times

Authentic Feng Shui balances both visible and invisible energies. This is a critical difference from hobbyist or "do it yourself" Feng Shui that concentrates on changing what is visible about your environment - the arrangement of furniture, for example. In contrast, a professional practitioner of authentic Feng Shui also manages the powerful unseen energies in an environment and this is how it is possible to bring about almost miraculous results.

Still, with the economy pumping so much uncertainty and anxiety into the environment, it's important to do all you can to create a supportive and protective environment. If you can't immediately tap the expertise of a professional Feng Shui consultant, here are some common-sense ways to address - and improve - the visible energies in your home or office.

1. Create a clean and orderly environment. With all that's going on in the outside world, it's smart to make your interior world as stress-free as possible, and that starts by removing all visible signs of clutter, unfinished tasks, disorder and disrepair. There's no need to put on white gloves and spend every spare moment cleaning. However, the cleaner and clearer your rooms, the better air currents - and energy - will flow. As a result, you will feel calmer, safer and more productive. The reason is that everything, from a piece of paper to a dirty pot in the sink, has an energetic vibration. When there are too many objects in a room, there is simply too much vibration. This makes it difficult for you to concentrate and can leave you feeling anxious, pressured and cranky.

2. Lighten your rooms - and your mood. With so much bad news coming at you from every direction, it's easy to feel down and depressed. Did you know that spending too much time in dark rooms can actually contribute to depression, aching bones and other ailments? Let the sunshine in! Sunlight actually stimulates the optic nerve and tells the brain whether to produce serotonin (the wake-up, feel-good hormone) or melatonin (the time-to-sleep hormone). Sunlight is also a natural disinfectant that warms, brightens, and kills mold, mildew and germs. Light is a yang (vibrant) energy and in these tough times you want to bring in all the light you can to tip the balance away from living in an overly yin environment. Add a skylight if you can! If not, pull back the blinds, clean your windows, and turn up the lights. Full-spectrum light bulbs are wonderful since they reproduce the quality of natural sunlight and its positive effective on your body and mood.

3. Make peace with your dcor! Conflicting colors and patterns not only conflict with each other - they can put you in conflict with your environment. Their warring vibrations constantly jar your eye, making you feel anxious and irritable. Plus, constantly looking at conflicting colors and patterns will strain your eyes (creating fatigue and headaches) and, over time, put pressure on your liver. Headaches, anxiety and health issues are the last things you need: make it a priority to surround yourself with colors and patterns that are in harmony with one another - and with you.

4. An eyesore is an eyesore. Anything that you see in your environment that bothers you will eventually depress your immune system. Get rid of those eye sores: chipped dishes, torn clothing, frayed or stained furniture, etc. And if you have an "eye sore view" from your window, immediately hang sheer curtains to block the view while still filling your room with beneficial light.

5. De-clutter your mind. A cluttered home or business creates a disorganized mind. And a disorganized mind usually does not handle stress well, nor can you think clearly. Clutter literally clogs your home with energy that may cause depression and an out-of-control feeling. Not being able to find your things can subconsciously send the message that you're failing. Sometimes you allow clutter simply because you are just too exhausted to do anything about it. The irony is that it is often the clutter itself that is inciting this feeling of fatigue. Free yourself from clutter so things can begin to open up in your home - and in your life.

Remember, what's visible in your environment is always a manifestation of what's going on inside. The good news is that you can also use this principle in reverse! When you feel inner turbulence, use that anxious energy to transform your external environment: clean, clear away clutter, brighten, and beautify! You'll be amazed at the immediate changes you begin to experience in how your environment looks and in how you feel.

Feng Shui and Vaastu Expert Rupal Mehta Turner publishes "The Prosperity Report," a biweekly ezine that reveals Feng Shui and Vaastu secrets for a thriving business and personal life. If you're ready to improve your finances, health and relationships by using the forces in your environment, get your FR*EE tips now at http://www.ClassicalFengshui.com

Grandparents Can Get Involved With Paternity Testing As Well

Traditionally, we think of paternity testing a something that involves a wronged spouse or a father looking to see if he has a paternal relationship with a particular child, but there are other instances where DNA testing is used for the betterment of people as well.

DNA Testing

We're all familiar with the fact that DNA testing is widely used to solve criminal activities as well but one of the places where people might be surprised to find it being implemented is with cases concerning the grandparentage of individuals. Generally, this kind of test is used to determine if two people can be the biological grandparents of a child. Like other kinds of DNA testing and including a paternity DNA test before birth, this process requires both the consent and samples be collected from all the parties involved.

This is a procedure used to determine the way a family's relationship works with each other when the father isn't available for testing. As with the other kinds of DNA testing, there's a need to find these relationships as they pertain to claims that are being made for social security and other inheritance claims.

Reputation

Of course the need for this kind of DNA testing generally means that the people involved want to make sure they get in touch with the best facilities that can carry these tests out in a reasonable and timely manner. That's where reputation means everything to these paternity testing companies. It's easy to find the best of these places online but there are a few other routes that you can take to ensure that the facility you choose will give you the best service possible. You can check their reputation several ways including:

- Asking friends and relatives what they know.

- Looking on the Internet to see what's been posted about any particular paternity testing company.

- Asking professionals like lawyers in your community who they use.

Patricia Donaldson is a nurse who works with paternity testing. She knows all areas of the business and is considered an expert in the dna paternity testing version of the procedure.

Fun Ideas On Kids Birthday Cakes

Birthday cakes play the most important role in a kids birthday party. The child just waits for the moment to cut the birthday cake with an immense pleasure in his mind. There can be so many gifts for the child, but the center of attraction is the birthday cake. So there should be a lot of concern on the type of cake and decorating ideas for the birthday cake. It is worth putting a lot of time and money in planning the birthday cake.

The flavor of the cake should be selected in choice with the kid's birthday. If the child is fond of chocolate it should be of chocolate flavor. The flavor may vary from Strawberry, peanuts, fruit depending on the childs likings. Care should also be taken on the size, shape and color of the birthday cake. The size should be selected, keeping in mind on the no. of invitees to the party. Depending on it the cake can be made large or small. Even one can go for one or two sets set above each other which may be decorated in a specific theme. An ideal way of decorating a birthday cake is to add cartoon characters to it, preferably the cartoon character that the child and his friends are frond of. The color again should be set according to the child's favorite color which will bring an extra smile on the child's face.

If the birthday cake has a theme or idea the attraction for it, is immense. Here are few suggestions. There are Pirates and Princesses, a classic birthday cake themes for boys and girls. They can be Cinderella Castle Cake, ice Cream Castle Cake, Pirate Cake, Pirate Ship Cake, Princess Cake, Splendid Castle Cake, and Treasure Chest Cake. If the child is a sports loving kid, the cake should be of sports theme. Various sports themed cakes like Bowling Ball Cake, Bowling Lane Cake, Football Cake, and Skateboard Cake can be selected depending on the choice of sports. Adventure loving kids can have a Spiderman, Batman or Superman themed cakes where 3D models of super heroes are put as toppings on the cake with a lot of other characters signifying a part of a story. Besides there are train and air-plane cakes for the wings-and-wheel loving kids.

Once the birthday cake is made or purchased it should be decorated well. The decoration is generally done on the top and the sides of the cake. Besides the cake, the table on which the cake is placed should also be decorated. And yes, don't forget the candles. There are a wide variety of candles that are available in splendid designs to suit the mood of every birthday.

Craig Spencer writes on birthday celebrations, relationships , love and friendship. He also writes on holidays and global events.

He is a writer with special interest in the ecard industry and writes for 123Greetings.com

Advocating to Preserve the Grandparent-Grandchild Bond

"I never thought this would happen to me and when it did, I thought that I was the only one!" cried yet another orphaned grandma. How could grandparenting, such a normal part of the life cycle, be so fragile?

Disenfranchised grandparents are part of a growing population of loving grandparents UNREASONABLY denied visitation with their grandchild by the parent(s). People ask: "WHAT DID YOU DO? YOU MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING?" Actually, no! These grandparents are the target of parental alienation either by association such as during a dissolution of marriage or a percolating family feud. The days of "spoiling them rotten", are over, sometimes that is all it takes to lose access.

Denied visitation causes not only the grandparents to suffer, but the children are equally harmed when they lose contact with grandparents. GRANDPARENT RIGHTS encompasses CHILDREN'S RIGHTS. Indeed, children should have the right to maintain a loving relationship with their grandparents, no matter what is going on with the parents.

Extended family relationships are crucial to a child's development in every way, so when faced with family discord, we need to work on removing the problem, not the person.

The grandparent stories depict the tragic reality that children are treated as "PROPERTY"; this has become an ongoing struggle to create solutions as well as my journey of self discovery as I waded into uncharted legislative and non profit territory. Most of all it is my GRAND WISH that the special and deeply significant bond between grandparent and grandchild be preserved and revered, starting with the judicial system.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO HAVE ACCESS BOTH TO GRANDPARENTS AND GRANDCHILDREN IN ORDER TO BE A FULL HUMAN BEING. Margaret Mead

Susan Hoffman is the author of the book, GRAND WISHES: Advocating To Preserve The Grandparent Grandchild Bond, isbn: 978-0-9799168-0-9. The purpose of the book is to raise awareness about the growing social problem of denied grandparent grandchild access as well as a resource for disenfranchised grandparents. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the non profit organization, Advocates For Grandparent Grandchild Connection, of which Susan Hoffman is the creator and director. http://www.grandparentchildconnect.org

Sunday, August 30, 2009

A Runnable Feast

For many people what we are may be what we eat, which is why so many phobias revolve around food. Caste taboos in India often determine what we eat and who we eat with. Now councillors in Italian cities are banning new outlets for foods considered foreign, kebab shops being a primary target of their ire. If authorities in Lucca or Milan are to be believed, a citizen biting into a succulent kebab has some part of his Italianness taken away.

It's not enlightened to look at citizenship this way. Food could be the area where parochialism is least applicable. Look at pizza and pasta, considered quintessentially Italian foods. The idea of spaghetti used in pasta came from China, while the humble tomato, a staple in the preparation of both pizza and pasta, came from Peru and Mexico. Hernando Cortez, the Spanish conquistador, brought the tomato from Mexico to Spain, from where it moved to Italy. The range of foods made available by the discovery of the New World is astonishing. It includes the tomato, the potato and the chilli. Indian food, which relies heavily on these staples, wouldn't have been what it is had the Spanish and Portuguese not journeyed to Latin America in the 15th and 16th centuries and conveyed what they found there to Europe and Asia. Or, conversely, taken Indian spices around the world.

Tea comes from China, coffee from Ethiopia. That doesn't mean one can accuse the young urban professional sipping mocha or latte at a cafe anywhere in the world of worshiping alien, Ethiopian gods. Tea and coffee are now universally consumed, as are pizza and pasta. Think how ridiculous it would be if, in reaction to Italian cities clamping down on 'ethnic' eateries, other countries were to abolish pizza and pasta from their menus because of the Italian connection these foods have.

Something equally ridiculous happens in India when politicians rise against 'pub culture' because of its supposedly foreign origins, despite a hallowed tradition of drinking places in India. Thus we have health minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who likes to appear in public wearing western-style suits, pontificating about how alien 'pub culture' is to the Indian ethos. The crudely sexist subtext of this kind of warped nationalism was exposed by the assault on women, in the name of defending Indian culture, by right-wing goons in Man galore. Globalization started several centuries ago, with the trading of spices across continents. It's too late to roll it back now.

20 Facts You May Not Know About Frangipanis (Plumeria)

According to Mexican myth the gods were born from Frangipani flowers.
Frangipani (Plumeria) is very rare in China, and even more precious than orchids. So, when a person gives frangipani flowers to a sweetheart, it is the closest thing to saying you're special, I love you in a culture where expression of personal feelings is frowned upon.
The colorful caterpillar of Pseudosphinx tetrio feeds predominantly on the leaves of Plumeria rubra (frangipani).
"Warming" oils -- such as those from frangipani are said to have a calming influence on those suffering from fear, anxiety, insomnia or tremors, according to the principles of Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old Indian holistic science that seeks to balance mind, body and spirit.
Frangipanis are good hosts for dendrobium orchids.
According to Vietnamese myth, ghosts live in trees with white and fragrant flowers including the frangipani. In Vietnam and China the colour white is associated with death and funerals.
In Hindu culture, the flower means loyalty. Hindu women put a flower in their hair on their wedding days to show their loyalty to their husbands.
There is a theory that Catholic missionary priests spread frangipanis around the world as they travelled. This may explain why the frangipani is so popular and common in the Philippines and Thailand but very rare in China and Vietnam. Thailand and the Philippines welcomed the Christian missionaries while, in China and Vietnam, they were persecuted until around the 1850s.
The frangipani is regarded as a sacred tree in Laos and every Buddhist temple in that country has them planted in their courtyards.
Frangipanis won't burn except in extreme temperatures (over 500 degrees).
In Caribbean cultures the leaves are used as poultices (a healing wrap) for bruises and ulcers and the latex (sap) is used as a liniment for rheumatism.
The frangipani is also associated with love in feng shui.
In India the frangipani is a symbol of immortality because of its ability to produce leaves and flowers even after it has been lifted out of the soil. It is often planted near temples and graveyards, where the fresh flowers fall daily upon the tombs.
In Vietnam the frangipani is used for its healing qualities: the bark, mashed in alcohol, prevents skin inflammation. It is also used to treat indigestion and high blood pressure, while the roots have purgative effects on animals and the milk-like sap serves as a balm for skin diseases. The white flowers are used in traditional medicine to cure high blood pressure, haemophilia, cough, dysentery and fever.
In Malay folklore the scent of the frangipani is associated with a vampire, the pontianak.
In modern Polynesian culture, the frangipani can be worn by women to indicate their relationship status - over the right ear if seeking a relationship, and over the left if taken.
Frangipani trees were once considered taboo in Thai homes because of superstitious associations with the plant's Thai name, lantom, which is similar to ratom, the Thai word for sorrow. As a result, frangipanis were thought to bring unhappiness. Today, however, the blossoms are presented as fragrant offerings to Buddha and Thai people wear them on special festival days like Songkran (Thai New Year).
The frangipani is the national flower of Nicaragua and it features on some of their bank notes.
The name, frangipani, comes from the Italian nobleman, Marquis Frangipani, who created a perfume used to scent gloves in the 16th century. When the frangipani flower was discovered its natural perfume reminded people of the scented gloves, and so the flower was called frangipani. Another version has it that the name, frangipani, is from the French frangipanier which is a type of coagulated milk that the Plumeria milk resembles.
The name, Plumeria, is attributed to Charles Plumier, a 17th Century French botanist who travelled to the New World documenting many plant and animal species, although according to author Peter Loewer (The Evening Garden: Flowers and Fragrance from Dusk Till Dawn; Timber Press, 2002) Plumier was not the first to describe Plumeria. That honour goes to Francisco de Mendoza, a Spanish priest who did so in 1522.

Diane Ellis is co-owner of the site http://www.AllThingsFrangipani.com where you'll find information about frangipanis (plumeria) including growing tips, propagation, and frangipani pests and diseases.

You can also buy beautiful frangipani gifts such as jewellery, UV resistant outdoor stickers, toiletries, gift packs, and hand crafted bags.

What Are the Benefits of Feng Shui Water Fountains in Your Office and Home?

Feng shui water fountains has a unique ability for bringing a sense of harmony and tranquility into a room. For this reason, many corporate offices have started using these water fountains. These fountains actually have the ability to lower the noise decibels in a room, making it sound quieter than it really is.

This allows for one to feel peaceful an calm. This is a great way to keep down the stress and tension that can build on many corporate offices. There are different types of these feng shui water fountains that you can choose from to place in your office.

Many offices become loud and raise your stress level through the roof. When this happens, it is often times hard to find a way to relieve this stress and keep our bodies healthy. With the use of the feng shui water fountains, it is now possible to keep the noise in your corporate office down and reduce the stress level for every one around.

Not only can these fountains be used to reduce stress among you and your employees, but it will also give your clients a sense of harmony and tranquility as they walk into your office area. Now there are two main types of these water fountains for you to choose from. Two of the most popular types of these fountains are the table tops and wall mounted water fountains.

If you have a large office, you may want to incorporate more than one fountain throughout the area. To allow for total and complete control over the noise decibels and stress control. In choosing the right water fountain to display in your office to gain these effects is something that can be done alone, however, many people often opt to get outside assistance in choosing the right fountain to provide you with the desired abilities.

There are many reasons why you should use a feng shui water fountain in your office. Noise and stress level are just a couple that can be benefited from using them. These fountains can also be a good way to allow us to concentrate on our work. Without stress or noise we can focus on what we are doing.

There are many different types of offices and businesses that use these water fountains to control the noise level and have great success with their business. If your office suffers from high stress levels and noise volume, then you should look into these fountains as a means of getting it under control.

Daryl Plaza is a regular contributor to NaturalBeautyWaterFountains.com a website with information and resources on all your indoor and outdoor water fountains

What To Look For In Silverware

One of the most important elements of a properly dressed table, be it formal or casual, is high quality silverware. In fact, silverware has a lot more to offer than mere functionality. Design, color, and usability are all key factors that are easily overlooked by today's busy shoppers.

In the past, "silverware" was rather different from what we are accustomed to today. The first eating implements were very rudimentary wooden utensils. At first, the spoon was the most important (and sometimes sole) utensil used at the table. Although knives have been used to prepare food for several centuries, they were not common at the average persons table. The fork, todays ubiquitous eating utensil, is the relatively recent invention of an ingenious woman.

Today, silverware is typically sold in sets. A European silverware set is composed by seven utensils: fork, knife, soup spoon, fruit or dessert fork, fruit knife, dessert spoon and coffee spoon. In contrast, five utensils compose the typical North American dining set: fork, knife, soupspoon, fruit/dessert fork and teaspoon.

Silverware sets do not have to be expensive. Extremely simple sets that are easily affordable can be found almost anywhere. At the other end of the spectrum, exquisite hand-forged silverware sets are popping up at more and more boutique stores. The choices are nearly endless. That said, how should one choose? There are two criteria I suggest that you keep in mind when choosing silverware: how the utensils feel in your hand, and the type of table setting you plan to use them with.

You can easily judge the feel and usability of silverware by holding a piece in your hand. There are no pre-set rules to follow. Just hold the utensils and see if they are well-balanced and comfortable to hold. The second important aspect to keep in mind when choosing silverware is the type of table or setting you plan to use the silverware with. If it is intended for everyday use, you should choose something that can easily withstand the constant use of your family and one that is dishwasher safe. Stainless steel is always a good choice. Stainless steel silverware is almost indestructible yet can be very beautiful at the same time. Here is a good example: If, on the other hand, you plan to have a more formal dinner or table setting, then you should probably choose a more precious and elaborate set of silverware. Sterling silver is the classic choice, of course, but high quality silver-plated sets will also work nicely. The price of silver-plated dinnerware is much more affordable than pure silver and the look and feel is essentially the same. Here is a good example of formal silver-plated utensils.

Always keep in mind that even though marketers and advertisers will tell you differently, you do not have to spend a fortune to properly dress a formal dinner table. Ultimately, the overall effect of your well-chosen details counts much more than the dollar amount you spent. Be creative and live beautiful!

Astro-Carto-Graphy - Global Feng Shui - Finding the Best Places For You to Live

Astro*Carto*Graphy is an astrological technique that is similar to feng shui (fng schway). Where feng shui concerns itself with creating harmony in the immediate home environment by removing obstacles, moving furniture and use of color and symbols, Astro*Carto*Graphy concerns itself to which locations on planet Earth are most harmonious for you to live. With this understanding I have been introducing Astro*Carto*Graphy to the feng shui community as Global Feng Shui.

Finding the Best Places to Live
Many of you are familiar with some of the usual ways astrology can be used in self-discovery, understanding relationships and understanding the changes that happen throughout life (transits and progressions). An Astro*Carto*Graphy Map is a map of the world showing exactly where each planet was passing over at the moment of birth. Through my study of Astro*Carto*Graphy, I have found that different locations have different influence making it easier or more difficult to manifest goals and even to resolve personality and health issues.

Whenever someone is considering moving to a new location, the Astro*Carto*Graphy Map helps to determine the best location to move to. More frequently, I use this chart when an individual seems unhappy where they are and there is no other astrological reasons to explain why life has been so tough for so long. In this situation it usually turns out the individual is living on an unfavorable planetary line.

Planetary Lines
The planetary lines that are most favorable are Sun, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and the Moon, The lines that are most difficult are Saturn, Pluto, Mars, Uranus and Neptune. Difficult lines can be used to advantage sometimes and sometimes they aren't as difficult when combined with a more favorable line.

For example: a Saturn-line may be beneficial for helping some bring structure into their life but once they have their 'act together' the best advice is, "leave." Living on a Saturn-line is much too depressive, burdensome, alienating, lonely and contractive in all areas. Pluto-lines can be even worse. Pluto-lines may begin with a wonderful high, even ecstatic highs, but in short time the crest of the wave gives out and there is a heavy fall. Again the advice is, "leave." Briefly, Mars is too contentious, competitive and masculinizing in a negative sense. Uranus is too erratic, nerve wracking and unpredictable. Neptune is to wishy-washy and rarely sees manifestation. Both Uranus and Neptune may be more creative, spiritual or romantic when combined with a more favorable planet.

The favorable planets bring creativity, popularity, positive relationships, good sense of well-being, great abundance, and an overall quality of life.

Karma is the Key
So why would anyone choose anything less than the best planetary lines to live on? Karma of course. Lessons in life that need to be worked through. Where we live fits our patterns. For an individual who has been struggling for years living on a difficult planetary line, looking at an Astro*Carto*Graphy Map usually means they are ready to make a conscious choice to live a more harmonious and fulfilling life.

You Take Yourself With You Wherever You Go
Of course it should be understood that changing the feng shui of your home or moving somewhere else on planet earth doesn't change your core issues - it's not going to make a short person, tall, or someone with no artistic talent , an artist. However, it should also be understood that by making changes on the physical, you set your intention to change on the spiritual. By moving furniture in your home or changing cities you could remove additional frustrations in resolving these core issues sooner, rather than later. For example: an alcoholic in recovery may find more of an inclination to back-slide in certain locations and more support to grow and change in another.

It would be folly to think that just because you move to or living on your Venus-line that relationships will be easy or that you will finally meet your soul-mate. Indeed, if you still haven't resolved your core issues of a need to be in control, or a victim-victimizer issues, or whatever issues you have that have made relationships difficult in the past, you will still have them even on your Venus-line. You may even have a relationship that ends in divorce. However, compared to a Mars-line even the divorce will proceed harmoniously and you will at least part as friends. Whereas on a Mars-line, the relationship is more likely to end in bitterness and perhaps with a bitter court room battle.

Cyclo*Carto*Graphy - It's All About Time
For people who travel from location to location, there is another technique called Cyclo*Carto*Graphy. This is similar to a transit reading of the birth chart as it shows the changing energy. Former President Carter had Mars in Iran but it wasn't until Pluto went over Iran that this potential aggression exploded in the hostage controversy. Likewise, Pluto was transiting over Dallas at the time Kennedy was assassinated. For the rest of us mere mortals, the implications are the same. If you travel to a place during a poor transit, you are likely to experience some form of difficulty reflective of your core issues and evolutionary needs. I made the mistake once of traveling to an otherwise joyous Venus location, when Saturn was transiting over head, and found myself in a serious accident which put me down for three days. Timing can be important.

Astro*Carto*Graphy - Global Feng Shui
After evaluating thousands of Astro*Carto*Graphy Maps over the last twenty years, it has become evident that those people, even feng shui masters and grand masters, regardless of their fame and fortune, who enjoy the best quality of life, consistent good health, and enduring relationship harmony are those people who are living in those locations indicate as most favorable for them as described by their Astro*Carto*Graphy Map. This further demonstrates that before you buy your home and decorate using feng shui guidelines, first choose your best geographical location using Astro*Carto*Graphy.

Acknowledgment: The Astro*Carto*Graphy Map and Manual was developed by astrologer Jim Lewis to whose innovative and inventive Spirit we are greatly indebted.

Elliot jay Tanzer has provided astrological services since 1973. He is the author of Evaluating Astro*Carto*Graphy Maps: Finding the Best Places to Live & Travel - Your Step-by-Step Guide, Choose the Best House for You: The Feng Shui Checklist, and Exercises for the Spiritual Body - Meditation and Metaphysics and Their Practical Applications. He has been a featured speaker at many astrology, feng shui conferences, whole life expos, and metaphysical societies.

Unfortunately, not all astrologers, no matter how talented, have the certification training or the experience in Astro*Carto*Graphy Map interpretation. Nor are the A*C*G Maps generated on home computers as precise as the professionally plotted 15" x 7 1/2" A*C*G Maps provided by http://www.AstroNumerics.com. I have taken the A*C*G Certification Course and have analyzed hundreds of A*C*G Maps, and can answer all your questions concerning where you live; or, if you are planning a move, I can help you find those locations that are best for you and your family.

Another option is to obtain my easy to use instruction book, Evaluating Astro*Carto*Graphy Maps: Finding the Best Places to Live & Travel - Your Step-by-Step Guide, which will show you how to prep your Astro*Carto*Graphy Map, explain the planetary lines, and then show you how to transfer the result onto a world atlas. By following my directions you can clearly see all the cities, towns, and rural areas that will be the best places for you to live or travel. My book is not yet available in book stores and can be obtained directly from me at the contact numbers below.

For information about Astrology and Astro*Carto*Graphy Map Readings, Feng Shui consultations, or upcoming classes, call Elliot at: (310) 281-6798, or at his Web site: http://www.Astrolog2009.com.

Shuistrology Could Bring You Good Luck This Year

What is shuistrology you ask? It's a term coined by author Ellen Whitehurst when she combined feng shui and astrology.

It's mostly for fun but it has its roots in traditional wisdom that could make this year lucky for you. She gives this advice in her new book:

Make a clean sweep. Dig in to your house or apartment with a deep cleaning to clear the way for an exciting new year. Don't clean on New Year's Day itself; you might sweep away the good luck.

If cleaning the whole house seems like too big a chore, try just concentrating on the kitchen. That's the room that brings you prosperity and health. Look around your house and find 27 things that you can rearrange to bring good look from all directions. To attract good fortune, put 27 one dollar bills in your wallet and 49 coins in your pocket or change purse. Sprinkle some ground ginger on them and on your checkbook.

Focus solely on the future. Conversations about events that took place in the past should be avoided. Talking about dreams, hopes and wishes for the future is encouraged. Take nine small oranges and place them in a bowl on your kitchen table. This will attract sweet things in the coming year. If you don't have oranges, bowls of candy, nuts or fruits are lucky as well.

Rid your life of all the negatives. Scare away any destructive influences in your life by lighting firecrackers at midnight (don't scare the neighbors though) or banging pots and pans together.

The first words of your day should be positive ones, even if they are not said by you. Tell someone to give you a positive message just after midnight. This can encourage good fortune for you. Make an effort to not lose your temper or swear during the day, this can have a negative effect on your luck.

Eat foods that are considered lucky. Some swear by corned beef and cabbage. Others will tell you salmon and oranges. Leafy greens symbolize money. Collard greens along with black eyed peas are eaten in the south for good luck. Folks in Texas prefer cabbage or turnip greens.

Cheri Brennan is an organization and planning specialist. To get more articles, tips and resources about Feng Shui, please visit http://fengshui.newinfohighway.com

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Italian Bread Making Cabinet

Italians obviously pay a lot of attention to their variety of breads! They even have a special cabinet called the Madia or Italian bread making cabinet. It seems they have more than 350 varieties, of which 250 are readily available. No wonder they have a special cabinet for it! They even have specialities from each region.

This Madia that I saw in a site is from the Tuscany region and these people specialize in flat breads including rosemary-flavoured schiacciata.Tuscan antiques, even though a subset of Italian antiques seems to enjoy its own prestigious place among European antiques. Madia is the Italian name for a chest used for the making and storage of bread. The top lifts off and the front folds down at the hingers, making wonderful storage. The two doors at the bottom open for additoinal storage as well. The cabinet is from the early 19th century and is made of poplar wood. Bread in the Italian society has always been at the center of any religious, family or social life.

And they take pride in the exquisite furniture they created in the 18th and early 19th century. This site where I was introduced to a Bread Making cabinet and which got me interested in different types of Italian breads also showcases many more Italian antiques, some even quaintly called the ice-box, which I shall talk about in another article! Whether it is their Sardinian carta da musica (thin as sheets of music!!) or Romagna's piadina or the rustic Ciabatta, the study of Italian bread varieties and their cabinets is a very interesting pass time.

Reference sites: http://roundtripimports.net

Spread the Love With a Valentine's Day Bash For All Your Loved Ones

Many people celebrate Valentine's Day with their significant others but why not spend the night with all your friends and family too?

Whether you're in a relationship or not, Valentine's Day is about love. So what better way to show your love for friends and family than to throw them a party? And this year, Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday so no excuses! A festive evening of red and pink delights can show those in your life how much you care about them, not to mention, the more the merrier!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Appetizers
Serve elegant dishes from the start with a cheese fondue or these seafood-inspired appetizers!

Easy Cheese Fondue
Valentine's Day Salmon Pate
Artichoke Seafood Dip
Special Occasion Clam Dip
Ultimate Shrimp and Dipping Sauce

Main Courses
Impress your friends and family with a main course that's sure to make their hearts beat for more!

Crisp-Sided Salmon with Fresh Coriander Pesto
Shrimp with Spinach Fettuccine, Artichokes and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Raspberry Balsamic Glazed Chicken
Clams of the Sea Pasta
Stuffed Red Snapper Fillets

Side Dishes
Oven Roasted Red Potatoes and Asparagus
Sicilian Strawberry Slaw
Rosemary-Tomato Foccaccia Bread
Tri-Color Vegetable Risotto
Honey Ginger Carrots

Desserts
Make the course everyone is waiting for worthwhile with a pink peppermint pie or some special Valentine's Day cupcakes!

Pink Peppermint Pie
Simply Delicious Strawberries in Rich Chocolate
Be My Valentine Cupcakes
Red Velvet Cake
Pink Perfection (Cherry Dessert)

Beverages
Keep up the spirit of Valentine's Day with some festive red and pink drinks!

"Cup of Love" Punch
Pink Slush
"Cupid's Delight" Cherry Float
Pinkies
Zingy Red Punch

Presentation Pointers:
1. For a great Valentine's Day party activity, have your guests make each other Valentines out of red and pink construction paper and markers!
2. Spread little Valentine candy hearts across your table for some easy and adorable table decor!
3. In return for the great food and party you've planned, ask your guests to bring flowers to add to the atmosphere.
More Like This:
100+ Valentine's Day Recipes
Edible Valentines
Top 10 Valentine's Day Recipes

If you're not already receiving these weekly party planners right to your inbox, click below to sign up for the RSVP newsletter!

Hillary Marshak is a writer and editor for Recipe4Living.com, a popular recipe sharing Website. For more articles like this, or for a large collection of recipes, visit the site at http://www.Recipe4Living.com

Can Feng Shui Help My Karma?

Feng Shui is about the balance, harmony and attracting specific energies to create positive results.This method of attracting specific energies has been around for what is believed to go as far back as 3500 years.The Chinese believe that first comes destiny, secondly luck, then Feng Shui.So, if first comes destiny then we would be wise to use Feng Shui to help change our luck.When we make changes in our lives, it also changes the Karma that follows.

Karma, can be linked through our family generations, our past lives and how we lived this life in our earlier years.How we change our karma is directly linked to how we live or change our lives now, how open we are to love and how we intentionally create goodness within our lives.The goodness we put out is the goodness we attract through intentional change within us, as well as within our environment.

Heart felt and meaningful intention to bring on positive results that is not selfish or harmful to others, brings on good Karma, thus changing the negativity that has been created in our past.It is not something that can be changed over night, but over a period of time. Changes need time to be lived, to be committed to, to be felt and to be believed by the person wishing to make the changes.Once we change our lives for the better, our fate or Karma also changes for the better.

The longer we strive for goodness, kindness and balance, the more that will come back to us through the cosmic pull of our intention and balance in our lives and environment.

For example, if it is romantic love we wish to attract, then we need to open our hearts to love.

In the southwest sector of our environment, Feng Shui teaches us to work on this sector of our home to attract this energy.Also, the southwest sector of ones bedroom would also be suggested.Along with that, we include items in those sectors that are suggestive or symbolic of true romantic love between two people, pairs of decorative and symbolic items along with hints of red for passion.

To receive love, one needs to give love.We also need to love and accept ourselves before we can expect someone else to love us.We need to consciously live our lives with love.Make the choice to look for opportunities where you can begin to change your karma with simple acts of kindness, stay committed to change and watch the karmic effect this will have on your life!

You will be amazed at the goodness that will begin to follow you.

"Karma is a wonderful teacher when we have the courage to look close enough to learn the lesson."

2007 Silvana Rosati-Capizzano

Silvana is a well respected Interior Decorator, International Feng Shui Expert and the Principal of the Award Winning Home & Life Design Firm: Blue Avalon. Along with her years of study in Home Decor and Feng Shui, she has the unique ability of being able create luxurious interiors with balance and optimum energy flow thus creating a beautiful environment of positive energy, balance and harmony.

She also dedicates her time to her Holistic Practise at the Dove Spa providing healing therapies as Reiki, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and Hopi Ear Coning. She is well respected in this field and certified in Reflexology and a Reiki Master.

Blue Avalon specializes in Interior Decorating, Feng Shui and Abundant Living. Blue Avalon is the publisher of The Blue Avalon Journal; a monthly e-zine packed with ideas, tips and insider secrets! To subscribe, log onto our website today at http://www.blueavalon.com and you will receive a bonus book, The Number One Feng Shui Secret That Will Transform Your Life!

Blue Avalon - "Harmony for your home...Balance for your life http://www.blueavalon.com

Grandparenting and Technology

Many children grow up and move away from their parents and have children of their own leaving the grand parents to become long-distance grandparents. Grand parenting long-distance can be a struggle at first but as you become more agreeable with the idea of bonding with your grandchildren through other means, it will become easier on both you and the grandchildren. Best of all, the experience can still be absolutely wonderful.

With today's technology grandparents can video conference with their grandchildren, asking them how their day was, who they play with and what is going on in their lives - where in the old days it was a letter once a week that took another week to return. There are also instant photographs through the Internet so that grandma or grandpa can see exactly how big their grandchildren are growing on a daily basis. Even small children can benefit from videoconferencing with grandma and grandpa, that way when they come to visit, the child will know who they are and remember them from the videoconferencing. Videoconferencing over the internet is practically free - with just minimal equipment costs.

It's important for grandparents to have a bond with their grandchildren early on especially when they live far away from one another. The exchanging of pictures through the Internet, e-mails and phone calls all help to strengthen the bonds of grandparents and grandchildren. As the children get older they will be able to e-mail or make phone calls on their own to their grandparents.

A parent doesn't have to get a child their own computer or cell phone in order to allow them to keep them in touch with their grandparents. The family computer or the regular phone will do for all the children. Yet, a few basic pieces of computer equipment like: an internet connected PC and a basic web camera on the part of the grandparents and the kids will keep everyone seamlessly in touch.

Brad Percival is a consultant, author and family trends expert. He recommends this great site for grandparenting information as it has helped countless grandparents understand their roles in our modern society. Percival blogs regularly at the Bigger Buzz.

Love by Leo Buscaglia

"To cheat oneself out of love is the most terrible deception; it is an eternal loss for which there is no reparation, either in time or in eternity." - Kierkegaard

This is a book simply about LOVE. "A learned phenomenon".

It is not deeply philosophical nor complicated. It is a simple, easy read that is intended to be shared not just in words, but in actions. It is about daring to expose oneself. To be vulnerable and to give without reservation or expectation.

I picked up this book in January 1984 and carried it and read it over and over through the years. It brought me great joy and great hope during a time where I was young and feeling rebellious, invincible and strong. At 22, I felt as though this was the greatest book I had ever read. It was the right time in my life for me to explore, to learn and understand what love meant to me. While, as far as I know, it never won any awards, I loved it then and I still love it now with it's yellowed and curled pages.

Now about Karma; although he does not use that word in the book, he does discuss the way love gives back when we kindly give to others. How what we do in this world will be mirrored back to us.

Leo was a University professor by profession. He had an idea for a new class to add to the curriculum. He wanted to introduce a university class on "LOVE". When he pitched his idea to the dean, and with much discussion it was accepted, (after much criticism), but only if he did it on his own time, without load credit and without a salary. The idea seemed ridiculous to the other professors. He ignored the ridiculing and forged ahead with this great idea. The idea was not embraced by many students but slowly and steadily, enrollment increased. It had to be eventually capped at 100 students.

These were students of all ages interested in "Love Class". They shared ideas, feeling and observations that was relevant to the human condition. Although they were never really able to define love, one student did come up with a wonderful explanation:

"I find love much like a mirror. When I love another, he becomes my mirror and I become his, and reflection in each other's love we see infinity!"

There are those that dismiss love as a nave romantic concept while others find love all encompassing and the greatest, deepest feeling that is meant to be given away.

Have a read and you decide.

I loved this book.

2007 Silvana Rosati-Capizzano

Silvana also devotes her time to Holistic Practise at the Dove Spa, Canada. She is a well respected Reiki Master and Certified in Reflexology. Her passion for Universal Life Force, Holistic Therapy and Feng Shui encompasses various forms of positive living through energy in the environment, mind, body and spirit.

Blue Avalon - "Harmony for your home...Balance for your life http://www.blueavalon.com

Grandparenting and Technology

Friday, August 28, 2009

Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental meditation is a movement founded by Maharishi (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi) in 1957. It started with an organization named Spiritual Regeneration Movement. Maharishi aimed to establish a teaching center of transcendental meditation for every million people of the world's population.

The whole process takes fifteen to twenty minutes everyday. During the meditation, the person focuses his or her mind on a simple statement that is called a mantra. The ultimate goal, as practitioners say, is to achieve pure consciousness. The exact procedures of transcendental meditation cannot be simply learned by reading available materials. They have to be taught by a transcendental meditation expert.

However, there have been studies that say transcendental meditation has negative effects. A scientist in an American institute said that the whole process of such meditation could be hazardous to the mental health of a certain person. The weight of the impact depends on how long the person has been practicing transcendental meditation.

Transcendental meditation has also been criticized because of the exorbitant fees that go with learning them. As of the year 2000, fees have been reported to reach as much as $2,500. Other critics even point that the fee does not make sense because the founder, Maharishi, even stated that such meditation is a birthright.

Aside from these, transcendental meditation also earned the ire of a number of people because of its strict policies, particularly those that relate to building structures. Maharishi declared that all buildings should be constructed based on an Indian philosophy that can be compared to Feng Shui. In this belief, the main entrance of the structure must face the east and the rooms should be arranged in a circular fashion. The rooms should revolve around a central area called the seat of divinity. Because of their strict adherence to this belief, there was even a time when a Catholic church situated in a Maharishian university was demolished because it did not abide by the rules of this Indian philosophy.

While there may be criticisms on the practice of transcendental meditation, there have also been studies that say the process is helpful in improving blood flow. In the end, the decision to practice transcendental meditation, or any kind of meditation for that matter, still lies on the convictions of an individual.

Meditation provides detailed information on Meditation, Meditation Techniques, Transcendental Meditation, Guided Meditation and more. Meditation is affiliated with Tai Chi Videos.

Feng Shui For Troubled Times

A Guide to Choosing Sports Drinks

We are all aware of the importance of hydration when it comes to sport and improving performance. Exercise scientists and dieticians have invested extensive research into this area. Sports drinks are designed to provide both fluid and carbohydrate that is readily absorbed from the small intestine.

Sports drinks typically contain carbohydrates, electrolytes, flavour and other ingredients.

Carbohydrates provide fuel for the muscles. When carbohydrate is present in the sports drink at a concentration below 8%, it is rapidly absorbed by the body. If the concentration is greater than 8%, water absorption is slowed. Carbohydrates may be added to sports drinks in glucose, glucose polymer, sucrose or fructose form.

Sodium, potassium and sometimes magnesium are added to sports drinks and are referred to as electrolytes. The addition of sodium is said to stimulate the absorption of carbohydrates and water from the small intestine. Most sports drinks contain 10-25mmol/L of sodium which makes you thirstier to encourage you to drink more.

Most athletes only replace half the fluid they lose during sport, so it's important that sports drinks are tasty to encourage the athlete to drink more.

Some manufacturers of sports drinks also add vitamins, minerals, protein, herbs and sometimes even caffeine. Be wary of big promises.

The best sports drink for you depends on your personal preference. Most manufacturers tend to follow the basic formula, so it really comes down to taste. The more you like the taste of your sports drink, the more you will drink and the more you will replace important fluids.

For more information about sports drinks and to compare sports drinks available in Australia visit http://www.healthycomparisons.com.au/Sports_Drinks.aspx

Kristy Lee 2008. You are welcome to reproduce this article as long as URLs are active and no changes are made to the text.

Stay Organized With Potting Benches

Gardeners sometimes have a difficult time trying to keep all of the material and tools they use organized. They find themselves spending time sorting through their things to find the hand rake or the right pot. Sometimes they even forget items in their garden and then can't find when they need it again. If this has happened to you on more than one occasion, then there's a good possibility that you need the services that potting benches provide.

Potting benches provide the serious gardener with shelves and hooks so that you can store all the pots, bags of soil, and small hand tools in one organized place. By hanging your small tools on the hooks that are located on the sides of your potting bench, they are easily in reach, but not in the road or in danger of getting left out in the elements accidentally. The shelves will allow you to store than many sized pots you use stacked neatly where they can be found without having to tear the shed apart. The same can be said for your potting soil and loam. Potting benches are extremely hand in keeping you organized at all times.

Individuals who garden can attest to the wear and tear on their lower back and knees. A Potting bench can alleviate the need of having to kneel for long periods of time, sometimes painfully if you have arthritis in your joints. You can stand or even sit as you work. You will find that gardening is much more enjoyable when you do not have to try to crawl to get a tool you left a few feet away or struggle to stand to get more soil when your joints have stiffened. Potting benches will help you keep fatigue at bay and you will be able to enjoy working with the soil once again.

Potting benches can even come with locking caster wheels so that you can move it into position where you need it. If you have a garden path that it will roll on, you will be to work in the area of the garden that needs replanting without having to run back and forth to get tools or go looking for another pot. Everything is there at your fingertips. Plus, if your potting bench should happen to be made of cedar, you can leave it under an overhang and not worry about it getting ruined if you are a suddenly caught in a rain storm. Cedar is very strong and weather resistant wood that can easily be stored anywhere no matter what time of year it is.

While you can purchase potting benches in just about any material, but wood benches match your outdoor wooden furniture and cedar one especially last for a long time. Using potting benches will save you hours of work and they will save your knees. If you enjoy wood craft, you can find a plethora of simple potting bench plans online for free. And that's definitely worth saving your knees.

Simon Douglass, an author, is a collector of outdoor furniture. Most of his writings are about potting benches for Adams All Natural Cedar. He has always loved writing, and now that he is older, he has grown an interest in collecting wood planters and spending time in his garden.

Astrology, Feng Shui, Magic Spells - And Selling Homes

As someone in the real estate industry, I'm always eager to find out more about buying and selling strategies. However, I'm not sure what to think about using astrology to sell a home. Or Feng Shui. Or magic spells. There are a lot of people more than happy to take your money in exchange for your magic number, star alignment, or real estate amulet, though.

Astrology has been used to divine the future since before the Common Era. Many people today view it as a harmless amusement. Move.com even has a section for "homestrology" profiles. Realty Times did an article entitled, "Look to the Stars for Decorating Advice", featuring astrologer John Marchesella, who claims that knowing your Sun Sign can help you choose colors for your home.

In some cases, astrology becomes serious business, spawning websites like realestateastrology.com that sells subscriptions for astrology questions, natal charts, and business outlooks. These cost between $25 to $50 a month. Some astrologers promise results if you buy a personal profile from them, ranging from 19.95 to hundreds of dollars. One website promised that my problems selling a home stemmed from not having my home in proper alignment with the stars. For only 39.95, I could get a astrological profile that would improve my real estate transactions. Some Realtors even claim that they use astrology to sell homes.

Magic spells aren't just for Mickey Mouse in "Fantasia" any more. Some people believe that they can help you sell your house. One spell requires allspice, myrrh and benzoin. If Eastern magic appeals to you more, there's a site that sells Chinese Prosperity Oil at the bargain price of 39.95. Apparently you can anoint the doorstep with it or burn it for a pleasing 'buy-me' scent.

Another route is to bury a statue of St. Joseph somewhere in the lawn. St. Joseph, one-time husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is also the patron saint of real estate sales. One site selling St. Joseph statues intimates that you can sell your house faster if you buy the bigger statue size. One wonders why it is necessary to deep-six an effigy of a saint in order for him to take notice of your house selling woes, but there is no explanation forthcoming from history aside from anecdotes.

Feng shui is a Chinese practice rooted in ancient times. Basically, the idea is arranging objects in one's life to attract positive energy. However, feng shui also attracts money from people who believe that this practice can help them sell homes. 19.95 buys one information about their element at one website. One feng shui consultant who works in real estate charges $150. An hour. On the plus side, feng shui does encourage people to pay attention to their color scheme and the placement of furniture in the home.

The principles of feng shui may actually work in real estate simply because they encourage people to arrange their house in an uncluttered fashion, with an eye for pleasing colors. Magic spells and astrology, though... are these people genuine, or are they simply taking peoples' money? The truth is that the efficacy of such things has never been proven. It's one thing to look at your horoscope for fun; another to hand someone hundreds or thousands of dollars, only to be told that your house didn't sell because the stars weren't aligned properly.

In the end, I would urge you to put your faith in a Realtor, whose 'magic' you can rely on.

PorchLight Real Estate Group combines local market knowledge with cutting edge marketing skills. For more information on Denver CO real estate or to do a search for West Highlands real estate, visit us online at PorchLightGroup.com.

Antique Mirrors Make Historically Elegant Home Decor

And beyond the authentic mirroring itself, the exquisite detail and hand carving of antique mirror frames are also quite attractive.

Antique Mirrors Offer Historical Elegance

From one form to another, mirrors have been used in the home for practical reasons and for decorating for many centuries. In the earliest days of their existence-thousands of years ago-mirrors were created by polishing metals and other naturally occurring substances to a nicely reflective sheen.

As mirrors evolved over the centuries, glass became a common component, while the mirror reflection itself was created from specially formulated coatings. Believe it or not, at one point in history, mercury was actually used to create the mirroring. Don't worry though-more recent antique mirrors switched to a much safer silvering process. Today, most mirrors are created from a combination of glass substrate and aluminum.

While the methods of actually creating the mirror surface have changed over history, they still serve the same timeless purpose as they did a hundred years ago. The thing is today, the historical look of antique mirrors is so desirable, but the chipping, fading, and unevenness of vintage mirror glass is not always quite as popular with modern homeowners. Thankfully there are solutions to this dilemma - highly detailed and accurate reproductions of antique mirrors and frames offer the look of an era bygone without looking overly grungy or decrepit.

Home Dcor And Antique Mirrors Go Hand In Hand

Antique mirrors that blend brand new mirror glass with actual antique frames or quality reproduction wooden frames are becoming increasingly popular in home dcor. Because mirrors so efficiently duplicate the light and reflections of their surroundings, they are just a perfect way to make almost any room of the house much bigger and brighter. In fact, many have effectively used mirrors as dcor to make a room seem twice the size it really is-it really works!

Of course, if you're decorating an older home, or a home furnished with quality antique furniture pieces throughout, it only makes sense that antique mirrors (instead of modern looking mirrors found at the discount stores) will fit in nicely with the dcor and theme of your home. And if you so choose, custom reproduction vintage mirrors can even be created to show a little of the "distressing" that's all the rage these days.

Whether choosing true antiques or finely crafted reproduction antique mirrors, using the mirrors as dcor is certain to be a superb choice for those seeking to restore the gilded glory of a beautiful old home, as well as for those just looking to bring a little of the cherished past to modern decorating. Antique mirrors really do make historically elegant home dcor!

For more information about antique mirrors visit: http://www.customglasssigns.com

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Creating Prosperity, Energy, Health and Fame As Well As Much, Much More Using Feng Shui - Part 2

If you do not have the time to conduct your own feng shui analysis and you would rather have a feng shui master do it for you that's fine. You need to find an expert and that in itself will be a very difficult task because you can't possibly be shown everything this person knows with just one consultation.

Let's talk about house shapes and how they may be regarded as lucky or unlucky. Irregular shaped homes can give rise to missing corners and that will definitely create problems of some sort. This all depends on what actual corner is missing. You will have to figure this out by dividing your home layout into nine grids and then identifying the compass direction that is missing. A great way to fix this problem is by wall mirrors or placing lights on the outside to use as an extension of the wall. The best fix would be to add an additional room.

Did you know that square shaped houses are certainly the best? This shape will give you the best when it comes to feng shui. The reason it works best is because this shape lends itself based on the compass. Square houses offer stable and firm foundation. Here is another thing you may have not known: Round shaped houses may mean money luck. There is a downside to this and that is that these houses or buildings may become too strong and it may actually overwhelm the residents. A bank would be a good example of a round structure.

Living at a dead end will only rot chi in that location and if there are ever problems, there will be no way out of them. The one way you can fix this problem, the one way you can fix living in a cul-de-sac would be to keep lights on behind the home during the night and have lights on at the gate because this will keep bad chi from coming into your home. Another thing to keep in mind is that you should make sure that your home isn't squished between two taller buildings because this will keep you from the good 'fortune' wind.

Now about the neighborhood you need to look for prosperity signs. If the gardens look good, the houses are well taken care of, and the streets are clean then you should be able to feel the air of prosperity!

Veronica Zambrano

http://ezvzmr168fengshui.blogspot.com/

http://www.ezvzmr168.blogspot.com/

Expanding Your Organization Through PR, Advertising, and Branding

There's a saying among marketers that a buyer needs a hundred eyes, the seller only one. But as brands multiply and customers become more selective, the seller needs to get smarter.

I've helped a number of organizations gain brand recognition in a crowded marketplace. From that experience I can give the following advice.

Tall oaks from acorns grow: Launching a successful PR campaign
Popularity doesn't come easily, but if you want customers to invest in your product or service, you have to build a credible reputation with the public.

A small startup technology company isn't likely to be an overnight success by shoveling thousands of dollars into an advertising campaign, nor is a mid-level organization going to overthrow its competition by doing the same. Just as David beat Goliath with a small stone, successful underdogs overcome their adversaries the smart way: by launching a cost-effective public relations (PR) campaign.

Public relations delivers major advantages to growing organizations by building a positive reputation with the public. Unlike advertisements, which cost thousands, a news feature about your organization gives it free and instant credibility with readers. For instance, a small barbecue shack in rural Ohio becomes an overnight sensation when a national magazine hails it as "The Best Ribs in the Midwest," while investors suddenly pour millions into a recent invention featured in the New York Times as "The Most Innovative Technology since the CPU." Such is the subtle yet cathartic means through which legends are bought, not with dollars, but with words.

In many ways, public relations isn't much different from advertising. But because the public knows that an advertisement is a direct attempt to manipulate it into buying your product or service, it's not likely to respond unless your organization is already well known.

To be effective, a public relations campaign must be continuous and long term. You must know skilled PR professionals with contacts in the media who can pitch stories about your organization to reporters on a weekly to monthly basis. Otherwise, you can have a great deal of difficulty receiving coverage.

A good pitch to the media might be an innovative product your business has just unveiled, an event your organization is sponsoring, or ways your company is contributing to the community and helping to solve a known crisis like global warming. But whatever topic you decide to pitch, it has to be new and different - the perfect ingredients for creating buzz about your organization.

A successful public relations campaign is a great way to pit your business against more popular brands that have a lot to lose from newer, more innovative competitors. But if you happen to be one of the popular goliaths, a public relations campaign won't be enough to maintain your popularity among customers.

When tall oaks are grown: Maintaining popularity through advertising
While advertising is viewed by customers as a deliberate attempt to persuade them to spend their money, an ad campaign allows you to stay ahead of competitors by creating mainstream awareness about your organization.

Take Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and Amazon, as examples. Despite growing circles of competitors, these companies have consistently remained some of the most popular brands in their industries by building sophisticated advertising campaigns that have convinced consumers their services and products are unrivaled. Often emulated but never equaled, they've become industry standards, seeping deeper and deeper into mainstream culture.

Keep in mind that advertising, while costly, has many advantages. Unlike a public relations campaign, which is generally aimed at a broader audience, an ad campaign gives you almost total control over the perceptions of your audience and allows you to direct your message specifically to that audience. Advertising is usually only successful once your popularity has been successfully built through a public relations campaign, as the goal of advertising isn't to become well known, but to stay well known.

There are several ways to create a cost-effective advertising campaign. Many magazines and newspapers will negotiate standard ad rates for first-time buyers since they're competing with other publications for your business and want to develop a long-term relationship with you. Also, you can save big on long-term contracts with particular publications because prices go down with frequency. In other words, a one-time ad that costs $3,000 may cost only $2,500 to publish each month in a certain publication of a period of several months. Frequency campaigns are recommended anyway because they are more effective at building public awareness than one-time ads. Also, since the goal of an ad campaign is simply to increase awareness about your organization, product, or service, don't be disappointed if the first ad campaign you run doesn't rake in sales. Ad campaigns take time to result in huge profit increases, but, as companies like McDonalds and Nike have seen, the investment is well worth the wait.

When tall oaks multiply: Expanding your organization through branding
By identifying and anticipating the needs and interests of your customers, you can create a brand experience that can be expressed in ways they'll understand and remember.

Express your brand throughout all aspects of your communications, be it public relations, advertising, or any other outlet. Doing so will provide customers with the feeling they are part of a singular, irreplaceable community.

Take Harley Davidson as an example: a business that has built its entire brand around the concept of non-conformity. The grit-and-leather persona conveyed through its logo on a helmet or jacket is priceless to many a biker. That's because Harley Davidson isn't just a motorcycle manufacturer - it's a unique culture embraced throughout all facets of the organization, which its customers internalize as a part of their own identities. If the company treated its clientele as anything less than fearless road warriors - be they Hell's Angels or Wall Street executives - it wouldn't be the most coveted motorcycle dealer on the world's highways.

An eye-catching logo, memorable tag line, interactive website, or fun store design are just some of the ways your brand can shape customer experience. The important thing to remember is that no matter how you choose to express your brand, it must be done in a way that is consistent throughout all channels of your communications campaign.

Julie Compton is a copywriter, technical writer, and former project manager. She is the author of http://www.freelancewriternyc.com.

Become Aware to Succeed

Success in life is not difficult or tricky. It's not luck either. Success can be summed up in ONE word: alignment.

For you to succeed, in any endeavor, you must learn to align 4 basic components of your life. The four components are:

1. Your thoughts

2. Your decisions

3. Your actions

4. Your awareness

Today, we'll discuss the fourth basic component: your awareness.

Your Awareness

Awareness isn't a big deal to people who don't want to succeed. But awareness IS the most important component to success once you've started thinking, deciding, and acting in a way that takes you toward your dreams and goals (your success).

Here's what most people, who are on track for success but never make it, do:

1. They think right

2. They make smarter decisions

3. They take massive action, consistently

4. And they end up in the wrong spot (i.e. - not where they wanted to be)

Now, why is that? The answer is simple. They were not AWARE of the results they were getting. They were getting results and didn't stop to think where THOSE results were taking them.

Listen, to make it to where you want to go, you have to know where you are at all times.

Think about it. When you go on vacation to a place you've never been before, do you stop every once in a while to make sure you heading in the right direction?

Of course you do. So, why would you NOT stop and make sure the results you're getting are taking you in the right direction when it comes to your success?

It just makes sense to do so.

So, why do a lot of people fail to monitor their results? Here are the two primary blunders most people make and how you can avoid them:

1. Results Trap

Again, the actions you take and the results you get can be addicting.

After all, if you're getting results, why should you stop and question that? Just keep going and you'll eventually make to where you want to go.

Right? Wrong!

Getting results is awesome. That's what drives most successful people. But, if the results you're getting aren't helping you make progress toward your ultimate outcome, what use are they?

Listen, life is not just about taking action and getting results. Life is about the journey you take and the person you become when you get to where you want to go.

Life isn't easy. But it's worth every mistake. It's worth every struggle. It's worth every disappointment, frustration, and heartache.

Just make sure these set backs aren't in vain. Know where you want to end up and be aware of where you are at all times. The right results will get you to where you want to be.

Remember, results don't equal success. The right results equal success.

2. Ignorance

You don't know what you don't know.

As I said before, the people who seem to do it all right and still fail are the ones who are not aware of the results they're getting.

So, the problem is not, "I can't get results".

The problem is they don't know they have to track their results and make mid-course corrections to achieve their results.

In other words, they are ignorant to awareness and its importance.

But not you!

You now understand that you have to know where you are at all times if you're going to get to where you want to be.

You know you have to become aware. You know you have to make corrections along the way. You know success is right around the bend.

So, become aware and succeed!

Weston Lyon is recognized as one of the nation's leading experts on finding time for what's important in life. To grab a FREE copy of Weston's e-book, 7 Strategies to Create Time in Your Crazy Busy Life, go to http://www.creatingspacebook.com

3 Tips to Get Through a Job Interview Using Personality Types

Did you know that discovering your personality type can actually help you during job interviews?

Great jobs are becoming harder to find and lots of organizations are now cutting back, instead of hiring. So when you see your ideal job advertised and you just know you'd be a suitable candidate, how can you ensure you'll get through the job interview and be offered the job?

It's a really competitive job market out there and employers are seeking candidates who are self aware, that is, they understand themselves, their capabilities and what they can offer the company.

Understanding what makes you tick in the form of personality preferences can really boost your self awareness and make it easier for you to communicate with others, particularly during a job interview.

Here are 3 tips to help your performance during the job interview, once you are aware of your personality type:

1. If you enjoy talking and meeting new people, then you're probably more of an extrovert. This means you'll have no problem chatting about yourself during a job interview. However, the danger with extroverts is they don't know when to stop talking. They have a natural tendency to talk more than they listen. They rarely pause for reflection and are constantly thinking of the next thing they want to say. Extroverts need to listen more carefully, particularly to the interviewer's questions, if not there's a good possibility they will mishear and go on to provide the answer to a totally different question.

2. If you prefer to spend time alone with your thoughts and ideas and don't particularly enjoy meeting new people or talking about yourself, then you could be more of an introvert. During job interviews introverts sometimes find it difficult to open up and talk about themselves. They are good listeners and they will take time to understand the interviewer's question, however, introverts can spend too much time reflecting on their answer. If the recruiter is looking for someone who can 'think on their feet' this delay in answering might not work in their favor.

3. No matter if you are an extrovert or introvert, there is no right or wrong way to be, all the personality types are equal. What is important is that you understand yourself and your behavior and this will boost your self-awareness and confidence... even in job interviews.

Irene Houston is a qualified careers coach and certified MBTI personality trainer and author of "3 Secrets to Finding a Fulfilling Career to Make You Happy." Head over to http://www.OnlineCareerCoachBlog.com to get your FREE copy now!

Discover more about yourself and learn how understanding your personality type can seriously help you make decisions that impact your career choices at http://www.RecipeForPersonalityTypes.com

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Take Control of the Real Estate in Your Brain

Do you ever let your mind control you, filling you with fears, doubts and depressing thoughts? Do you let these kinds of thought "run you" without any consideration that things could be different? Do you find yourself frequently overwhelmed by ideas, "voices in the head" and generalized negative self talk? Are you only vaguely conscious that these thoughts and ideas are raging in your being and inflaming your feelings?

It might be time to consider taking control of the "Real Estate" in your brain. What would that look like and how would you do it?

1.) One of the first things required would be to develop awareness and consciousness that you aren't in control--that all this is going on without your full awareness. Simply bringing this to consciousness can have a huge positive effect. Comprehending that unbridled negative and agitated thinking is running the show is a great way to start taking control.

2.) Next, decide that you CHOOSE to run the show rather than having unconscious thinking in control. This might sound easy--and the deciding part is easy--but the negative thinking is really slippery and pervasive. This means that you will need to be determined to "stay in charge" in an endless loop of decisions to do so.

3.) This part can feel quite challenging at first. It can feel like a gut-wrenching internal struggle for dominance. It can feel like a Gotterdammerung-type intensity--a collision of opposing wills. It can feel tiring. It is necessary to take control and keep control of your thoughts--or else you let your thoughts control you.

4.) Our thoughts are greatly impacted by outside input--radio, TV, and written media. Pay attention to the input you allow. If certain stories, items, or shows depress your mood, consider taking control of that also. Allowing negative input into our mind is allowing outside forces to control our thoughts and feelings. If you find your feelings being negatively impacted, take that as a signal to reconsider some input.

5.) A great way to take control of the "real estate" in your brain is to make conscious choices about selecting positive input for your brain. Make a daily habit of listening to, reading, and watching inspiring, motivational, and positive materials. Choose uplifting and inspiring music. If you're on a budget, go to the public library and check out these types of items. The great news is that there are a lot of choices there and the variety can be very stimulating. This is one of the most profound, simplest and easiest ways to take control of your mind. Listen to these kinds of materials constantly. It's a great way to consciously choose to fill your mind with positive input. If you run out of things from the library, see if you can borrow materials from friends and acquaintances.

6.) Once you've made a lot of progress in taking charge of your mind, it is important to realize that eternal vigilance is required. This is not something that gets "fixed" once and for all time. There are constant negative possibilities, influences, temptations, and circumstances that can suddenly grab control. This does not mean that you have to be anxious, fearful, agitated, or rigidly in control. It simply means that you need to maintain a vigilance of awareness. These outside influences can take control in subtle ways. Don't let that happen

7.) Pay attention to your feelings. They are your greatest guidance system of all. If you start having negative feelings, scan your thoughts to discover what thoughts produced the negative feelings. This can be your strongest and best tool. If you only made the single decision of using your feelings to discover your negative thoughts, you'd go a long way towards taking and keeping control of the real estate of your mind.

Our negative thoughts steal the beauty, love and satisfaction from our life. It is one of the most satisfying, fulfilling and strengthening decisions we can make to take control of our thinking--and keep control of our life.

Suzi Elton is a success coach working with highly creative types to create income that matches their talent. She has coached hundreds of clients to approach their goals strategically through tiny steps to bring about quantum leaps. Get free Life Purpose exercises, at http://mylifepurposecoaching.com

Social Media Marketing Trends

Today, many new areas of opportunity and pathways of consumer traffic are becoming the topic of interest of marketing people everywhere. It's called social marketing and it appears to be here to stay. These new social marketing areas put the advertising directly in the paths of people where they are in the normal course of daily events.

Neilsen/Net Ratings reports that 114.5 million Americans used search engines during January of 2004 alone. Popular search engines are the #1 way users find new web sites even above email, tv, radio and word of mouth.

Unlike traditional forms of marketing, social marketing focuses on what consumers want and makes it available through various methods outlined below. The popular forms of social marketing we're focused on include:

* SMM - Social Media Marketing

* SMO - Social Media Optimization

* WOMM - Word of Mouth Marketing

* BBM - Business Blog Marketing

* ORP - Online Reputation Management

* POD - Podcasting Video & Audio Content

Where Does Social Marketing Happen?

A huge number of sites exist that are centered around things like podcasting, RSS feeds, public and private blogs, user forums, wiki's, user review websites, and various social networking websites like MySpace, Friendster, FaceBook and Digg. The process connects active consumers on these sites with mutual interests with what they are seeking online. The benefits of this type of marketing include: increased website traffic, increased brand awareness, viral marketing.

Exploring The Various Forms of Social Marketing

Social Media Marketing (SMM)

SMM is primarily driven by off-site activities that are initiated on social media web sites, such as Digg, MySpace, Wikipedia, Flickr and others, to spread a message or content (video, text article, audio) by itself from-to-friend.

increasing inbound links to get more traffic to achieve top web site rankings in the organic search engines or improving brand-awareness and consumer associations, a social media marketing campaign is more effective when you have a compelling message or unique content and prominent profile in the social media.

compelling text-based content that gets bookmarked at Del.icio.us or Furl or by making the home page at Digg to the creation of a video that spreads virally by placing it on YouTube and other video sharing and social networking web sites.

Social Media Marketing happens online and requires a lot of experimentation and testing. the risk of failure is higher then for "traditional" online marketing and advertising, but the rewards can be high for relatively low cost.

Social Media Optimization (SMO)

Social media optimization is a more narrowly defined activity then social media marketing. Social media optimization is often limited to making a web site or blog more adaptable to social media.

The idea behind social media optimization is that by adding compelling, dynamic and fresh content on a regular basis, e.g. through Tip Sheets, How To listings, white papers, a podcast or blog, a web site gets more easily and frequently linked to and achieves top ranking and visibility in the general and specialty search engine such as Technorati, BlogPulse and podcast directories. Other examples of SMO are the implementation of links to social media web sites to make tagging, sharing bookmarks (Del.icio.us), and voting for content (Digg, Netscape, Stumbleupon) by visitors easier.

Word of Mouth Marketing (WOMM)

Word of Mouth Marketing relies on finding and empowering people to spread the word about a product or service. People such as opinion leaders who have extensive knowledge in a specific area. Today, people are utilizing this method of marketing in very creative ways. Ideally word of mouth marketing is something that occurs on it's own (viral marketing) and without effort. Word of mouth marketing is powerful, lasting, and something every company wants to have working for them.

Business Blog Marketing (BBM)

Business blogs are another way online marketers, business owners actively engage and communicate with potential and existing customers to build customer loyalty, generate online buzz and increase your company's brand awareness in the marketplace. Small Planet Marketing.com's business blog marketing services include comprehensive strategy consulting, planning and blog design, blog hosting, custom setup and training, and ongoing blog content management and development.

Online Reputation Management (ORM)

Do you ever wonder what others say about your company? It's a growing concern for modern businesses around the globe and with good reason. Becoming aware of what customers and industry analysts are saying about your business itself, your company brand and employees can make the critical difference needed to increase your competitiveness in the marketplace.

Small Planet Marketing.com helps your company become aware and respond to these concerns through blogs, forums, social networking websites, opinion sites, and other online sources. Because the information people post is indexed by the search engines - people will find it! We create a strategy based on your company industry and focus to actively monitor the online dialogue about your company.

Benefits of this service include a better understanding of product issues, awareness of consumer opinions and feedback from various sources, and other posted content found that talks about your company, products or services, employees, or other company information. Our online reputation management program enables you to help fight bad publicity, protect your company image, become aware of what the public is saying about you.

Our social marketing services include everything you need to tap into this powerful marketing tool: Word of Mouth Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Optimization, Business Blog Marketing, Online Reputation Management, Audio & Video Podcasting.

Getting Started is Easy!

If you have questions about our social marketing services, or you simply want to chat about your new project with one of our project managers, feel free give us a call or email anytime.

Call Us: 1.858.592.4190 or

E-mail: cc@smallplanetmarketing.com

Todd Murat

Small Planet Marketing.com

858-592-4190

Feng Shui Help

Monday, August 31, 2009

Bison Meat Recipes For Every Meal

Grandparents Don't Get to Choose

Feng Shui For Troubled Times

Grandparents Can Get Involved With Paternity Testing As Well

Fun Ideas On Kids Birthday Cakes

Advocating to Preserve the Grandparent-Grandchild Bond

Sunday, August 30, 2009

A Runnable Feast

20 Facts You May Not Know About Frangipanis (Plumeria)

What Are the Benefits of Feng Shui Water Fountains in Your Office and Home?

What To Look For In Silverware

Astro-Carto-Graphy - Global Feng Shui - Finding the Best Places For You to Live

Shuistrology Could Bring You Good Luck This Year

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Italian Bread Making Cabinet

Spread the Love With a Valentine's Day Bash For All Your Loved Ones

Can Feng Shui Help My Karma?

Grandparenting and Technology

Love by Leo Buscaglia

Grandparenting and Technology

Friday, August 28, 2009

Transcendental Meditation

Feng Shui For Troubled Times

A Guide to Choosing Sports Drinks

Stay Organized With Potting Benches

Astrology, Feng Shui, Magic Spells - And Selling Homes

Antique Mirrors Make Historically Elegant Home Decor

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Creating Prosperity, Energy, Health and Fame As Well As Much, Much More Using Feng Shui - Part 2

Expanding Your Organization Through PR, Advertising, and Branding

Become Aware to Succeed

3 Tips to Get Through a Job Interview Using Personality Types

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Take Control of the Real Estate in Your Brain

Social Media Marketing Trends

Blog Archive

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