May 28, 2007
HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of leucine, one of the body’s essential amino acids, with small amounts found naturally in catfish, grapefruit and alfalfa.
It has become very popular amongst athletes in recent years mainly due to the role it plays in the synthesis of muscle tissue. HMB has been subjected to many studies that have reached some interesting conclusions. One study showed that supplementation with 3 grams of HMB per day increased participants’ strength by a factor of three compared with placebo takers. Supplementing with the same amount also saw a reduction in bad cholesterol compared with the placebo group.
Clearly there is significant scientific backing for claims that HMB can speed up muscle growth, strength, endurance and fat loss. There are no known side effects when taken properly in amounts ranging from 3-5 grams each day. It should be taken before training or at bed time for best results.
About the Author
Rick Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.
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Holidays and the start of a new year inevitably make us think
about how we can improve ourselves, and have the life we want in
the future. We make resolutions - I must lose weight, I will
save more money - and then lose our way. That’s because we
aren’t matching our resolutions with who we are inside. We’re
more likely to succeed if we work on discovering our inner, Real
selves, appreciate who we already are, and then take a chance on
custom-made changes, not one-size-fit all resolutions. Here are
ten tips for making the new year better in a Real way.
1. Let your values be your guide — There are plenty of people
who will tell you what should be important to you, if you let
them. Friends, co-workers, family, even the mass media, bombard
us with opinions and ideas. Don’t just accept what others say.
Decide for yourself what matters most and let those values set
your course.
2. Take a long-term view — Bad habits, difficult relationships,
and other disappointments don’t develop overnight. Similarly,
life doesn’t get better in a moment. Change happens slowly,
step-by-step. Have the patience to see it through.
3. Let Go of the “Shoulds” — When you were a kid, you needed
grown-ups to tell you what was right and wrong and what you
should do in a given situation. As an adult you can make these
choices for yourself. “Shoulds” produce resentment and anger.
Instead, do what you know in your heart is right, and set your
own standards.
4. Define Yourself as Beautiful — Fewer than five percent of us
believe we are beautiful, but whenever I meet someone, I can see
something beautiful in her right away. You may not fit the mass
media image of conventional, external beauty, but there are
things that make you attractive. Remember, beauty is an inside
job.
5. Let Go of Being Perfect — As much as we hear that “nobody’s
perfect” it’s awfully hard to believe. This is because what we
constantly see in the media are air-brushed images of people who
appear perfect and we come to believe it is a reasonable goal.
When we fall short of perfect, then we feel like failures, just
for being ourselves. This year, why not just forget that whole
concept and replace it with “I don’t have to be perfect.” The
truth is, the people who love you know that you have flaws and
just don’t care. You don’t have to either…
6. Stop Competing — Life is not a game to be won or lost. It is
more like a dance that never ends. People who make life a
competition live in fear of losing. But if you understand that
there’s no first prize and no finish line, only opportunities to
grow and experience things, then that fear is replaced by
appreciation and wonder. Try to think about growing rather than
winning.
7. Try a Little Self-Empathy — We all hope to be kind and
considerate when it comes to others. But have you ever made an
effort to think about yourself in the same way? Most of us spend
too much time judging ourselves harshly. It’s hard to be happy
when you let that little voice inside you endlessly say mean and
critical things.
8. Make Friends with Your Flaws — When you stop believing in
perfection, it’s a lot easier to adopt a new view of those
things people call flaws. In many cases, we can redefine these
differences and understand them as gifts. What makes a mole a
beauty mark? The answer is in your perspective. Why not adopt a
perspective that honors all those things that make you different?
9. Listen to Your Body — Many of us lead lives that are so
fast-paced and stressful that we push ourselves to the point of
getting sick. In most cases, our bodies send us signals -
fatigue, aches, hungers - when it’s time to slow down, rest and
examine our emotions. We can avoid a lot of sick days if we
pause to listen to our bodies and respond with gentle self-care.
10. Try New Things — In the end, the important things in life
are found in relationships and experiences. We feel good when we
connect with others and take on challenges that allow us to
grow. If you have always wanted to feel closer to someone you
know, take the risk. And if you have longed to try something new
- in the arts, your work, sports, or anything else — give
yourself permission to try. A little courage will bring you
great rewards in the coming year.
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Once you’ve created your ebook, you’ll want to take the necessary steps to protect your work. Although many ebook compilers will enable you to password protect your ebook, none can offer complete security.
Copyrighting Your Ebook
The moment you create your ebook, the US copyright laws protect you. However, if you should need to file an infringement lawsuit, you must register. Although registration is generally voluntary, it is recommended, as you certainly don’t want your work to be copied and claimed by someone else. If you don’t take the time to register a copyright, you may have little or no recourse should your work be illegally copied.
Visit the following sites to register online:
MediaRegister
http://www.mediaregister.com
Click and Copyright
http://www.clickandcopyright.com/
For further information, visit the US Copyright Office:
http://www.loc.gov/copyright/
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
Once you get your copyright, your next step will be to obtain an ISBN.
An ISBN is a 10-digit number that uniquely identifies books and similar products that are published internationally. It is used to uniquely identify one specific title, whether it is a book, ebook or similar product from one specific publisher. This number is completely unique to that one title or edition.
If you would like to sell your ebooks in bookstores or online, you’ll need to obtain an ISBN. Once you obtain your ISBN, you can submit your title to be listed in the Books in Print database. Bookstores and Libraries refer to Books in Print when they need to order a particular book from a publisher.
When you’re ready to order your ISBN, keep in mind, it can never be reused. Once it is assigned to a specific title, it cannot be used again — even if the title is no longer available. What this means is that if you update your book in any way, you will have to get a new number. In addition, if you’re offering your ebook in different formats, you must use a separate ISBN for each format.
The current price is $225 for 10 numbers, which is the minimum you can purchase. You can order right online and should receive your numbers within 10 business days.
For further information, visit:
http://www.isbn.org/
http://www.bowker.com/
Bookland EAN Bar Codes
If you’re planning on placing your ebook on CD-ROM, you’ll need to use a bar code specifically designed for books. The Bookland European Article Number (EAN) is the standard bar code used in the book industry. It enables the ISBN to be encoded directly into the bar code.
An EAN begins with 978, which is the Bookland prefix. This code is used on books and similar products internationally. This code will enable a retailer to scan the code and easily identify a book by its ISBN. When the book is sold, the cashier can scan the Bookland EAN bar code and retrieve the book price and other important information from the bookseller’s database.
For further information, visit isbn.org to review their list of Bookland EAN Bar Code suppliers:
http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/barcode.html
If you’re serious about publishing an ebook, make sure you research all of your options before you start. You must look at the entire picture before deciding upon the right format, whether or not you should copyright your ebook and if you’ll need a bar code. You never know, once you write your ebook, you may want to expand your market and offer your ebook in different formats. Not only can you publish your ebook in PDF or EXE format, but you can also place it on CD-ROM, format it for ebook reading devices or even Print on Demand. The possibilities are endless.
In part 7 of our series, we will focus on accepting payment on the Internet.
Copyright © Shelley Lowery
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, “Web Design Mastery” (www.webdesignmastery.com) and “eBook Starter - Give Your eBooks the look and feel of a REAL book” (www.ebookstarter.com)
Visit www.Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to eTips and receive a copy of Shelley’s acclaimed ebook, “Killer Internet Marketing Strategies.”
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook, or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included.
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Indoor waterfalls are found in many living rooms as conversation pieces. These are actually systems of water flowing continuously from top to bottom between two transparent sheets with a decorative backdrop. Lights and sounds are used in order to enhance the entire effect.
Waterfalls placed indoors may be wall-mounted, tabletop or even placed on the floor. Wall-mounted waterfalls are flat, while tabletop ones may be of any desired shape or theme. Stone, copper, glass, slate or stainless steel are the usual materials used in these waterfalls.
The basic parts of an indoor waterfall are the container, tiers and a submersible pump. Of course, water is of prime importance. The container is a basin which collects water as it falls. A pump is kept submerged inside the container. It resends the water to the top through the tiers and the water falls from a concealed space at the top. Water is made to fall between two translucent sheets which may be of glass. However, there can be infinite number of aesthetically appealing ways in which water can be made to fall. There may be paintings or panels on which the water falls. There can also be several colors and themes, making each waterfall quite personal and unique.
The play of sound and light is important in creating a realistic waterfall. Many waterfalls have a halogen lamp at the point where the water is just about to enter the container. This makes the entire water flow shimmer as it falls, giving the effect of tiny pearls. Sound devices are placed strategically. These make water sounds, making it seem quite natural.
While buying an indoor waterfall, its play of dramatics must be seen. A waterfall making loud noises won’t be ideal for a small room or a bathroom. Similarly, space is also to be considered. The light should not be too bright if the room is small.
Waterfalls are also available in combination with aquaria. Water is made to fall in a tank placed at the bottom instead of the container. Live fish and aquatic plants are placed in the aquarium lines with marine features. Such combination waterfalls are in much demand.
There are also cascading waterfalls in which the water is made to fall through a surface that curves several times. The curves can be arranged to give the desired effect.
The prices of indoor waterfalls vary, depending on their art and features. Being pieces of art, they are definitely very expensive and looked upon as status symbols. Cheaper versions are also available, often in copper and of smaller sizes. Waterfalls also have Feng Shui relevance. Feng Shui experts believe having flowing water within a room creates dynamism in it and leads to progress.
Waterfalls provides detailed information about waterfalls, indoor waterfalls, waterfall gardens, waterfall ponds and more. Waterfalls is the sister site of Preformed Pond Liners.
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Bob Smith, a small landscape contractor, takes a good deal of care with his job estimates and quotations. This particular estimate, for a residential landscaping job, wasn’t too complicated, was competitively priced, and was accepted by the client. Work began on schedule, the weather held, and the project was completed on time. The only glitch was the need for a couple of extra skids of pavers from the supplier. Bob discussed it with the client, received the authorization and one of the trucks was sent to pick them up late in the day.
Bob’s daughter-in-law spent one day a week doing the company’s bookkeeping and processed the invoice to the client. Unfortunately for Bob’s company, the authorized change order for the pavers was still sitting on the dashboard of his truck, lost amongst other paperwork, and was never charged out to the project. Bob’s reasonable margin on the job was considerably decreased, if not eroded completely.
If this fictional scenario sounds familiar, you certainly wouldn’t be alone in recognizing Bob’s dilemma. This particular problem, or something similar, happens throughout the industry every day, much too often for comfort. If it has happened to your company, or if it has potential to happen, you’ll be interested to know that there are solutions available. There are many simple-to-use computer based estimating programs. Some of these programs include project management and job costing. Most are inexpensive, and don’t require additional staff or a change in business operations.
Some of the more advanced programs will track every scrap of information as the project progresses through to final completion. From the initial estimate proposal form, to letters to the client, to purchase order forms, to daily reports for field crews, and more, every critical information and communication step is covered. Actual job costs can be tracked at any point, in several categories, helping to keep costs at hand. Contractors of any size can enhance and lend credibility to their logo and business information.
Few contractors fail because they lack technical or trade knowledge. They fail, all too often, simply because they lack the business knowledge and tools to be successful. Keeping control of information, employees, supplies and other costs is a critical step toward growth in the business. Using an effective computer based estimating program will help the contractor achieve that control.
Successful contractors keep their costs in line and their margins healthy. They keep their business information under control and readily at hand for review. For our friend Bob, the odd delivery slip or invoice may still occasionally disappear behind the truck seat, despite every precaution. Now, however, the savvy contractor can have a powerful tool that helps eliminate a lot of potential problems and disappearing margins.
Dermot Fitzpatrick is the owner of Fitz Solutions Inc. a software development company that creates powerful, affordable easy to use software tools for the construction industry. These include estimating, project management and job costing. Custom software design services are also offered.
http://www.quickestimator.com
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Here are some of the most common terms used in FOREX trading.
Ask Price – Sometimes called the Offer Price, this is the market price for traders to buy currencies. Ask Prices are shown on the right side of a quote – e.g. EUR/USD 1.1965 / 68 – means that one euro can be bought for 1.1968 UD dollars.
Bar Chart – A type of chart used in Technical Analysis. Each time division on the chart is displayed as a vertical bar which show the following information – the top of the bar is the high price, the bottom of the bar is the low price, the horizontal line on the left of the bar shows the opening price and the horizontal line on the right of bar shows the closing price.
Base Currency – is the first currency in a currency pair. A quote shows how much the base currency is worth in the quote (second) currency. For example, in the quote - USD/JPY 112.13 – US dollars are the base currency, with 1 US dollar being worth 112.13 Japanese yen.
Bid Price – is the price a trader can sell currencies. The Bid Price is shown on the left side of a quote - e.g. EUR/USD 1.1965 / 68 – means that one euro can be sold for 1.1965 UD dollars.
Bid/Ask Spread – is the difference between the bid price and the ask price in any currency quotation. The spread represents the broker’s fee, and varies from broker to broker.
Broker – the intermediary between buyer and seller. Most FOREX brokers are associated with large financial institutions and earn money by setting a spread between bid and ask prices.
Candlestick Chart - A type of chart used in Technical Analysis. Each time division on the chart is displayed as a candlestick – a red or green vertical bar with extensions above and below the candlestick body. The top of the extension shows the highest price for the chart division and the bottom of the extension shows the lowest price. Red candlesticks indicate a lower closing price than opening price, and green candlesticks indicate the price is rising.
Cross Currency – A currency pair that does not include US dollars – e.g. EUR/GBP.
Currency Pair – Two currencies involved in a FOREX transaction – e.g. EUR/USD.
Economic Indicator – A statistical report issued by governments or academic institutions indicating economic conditions within a country.
First In First Out (FIFO) – refers to the order open orders are liquidated. The first orders to be liquidated are the first that were opened.
Foreign Exchange (FOREX, FX) – Simultaneously buying one currency and selling another.
Fundamental Analysis – Analysis of political and economic conditions that can affect currency prices.
Leverage or Margin – The ratio of the value of a transaction to the required deposit. A common margin for FOREX trading is 100:1 – you can trade currency worth 100 times the amount of your deposit.
Limit Order – An order to buy or sell when the price reaches a specified level.
Lot – The size of a FOREX transaction. Standard lots are worth about 100,000 US dollars.
Major Currency – The euro, German mark, Swiss franc, British pound, and the Japanese yen are the major currencies.
Minor Currency – The Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar, and the New Zealand dollar are the minor currencies.
One Cancels the Other (OCO) – Two orders placed simultaneously with instructions to cancel the second order on execution of the first.
Open Position – An active trade that has not been closed.
Pips or Points – The smallest unit a currency can be traded in.
Quote Currency – The second currency in a currency pair. In the currency pair USD/EUR the euro is the quote currency.
Rollover – Extending the settlement time of spot deals to the current delivery date. The cost of rollover is calculated using swap points based on interest rate differentials.
Technical Analysis – Analysis of historical market data to predict future movements in the market.
Tick – The minimum change in price.
Transaction Cost – The cost of a FOREX transaction – typically the spread between bid and ask prices.
Volatility – A statistical measure indicating the tendency of sharp price movements within a period of time.
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Making the Decision to Learn from Home.
Although it has been a predominant form of education throughout history, many people consider homeschooling to be a new concept. They might be surprised to learn that our Founding Fathers were educated at home. A homeschool once only included the idea of parents assuming the responsibility of educating their own children. Today, the modern homeschool has evolved to include the use of computers and other technically-advanced equipment that simulate the real classroom in a household setting. Online homeschools cater to the needs of elementary, junior high and high school students.
Benefits of Homeschooling
1. Low Teacher-to-Student Ratio - With anywhere from 15 to 35 students in a class, teachers in a traditional classroom have limited time to give students one-on-one attention. When students are homeschooled, they have a greater chance of getting the individualized attention they need. Teachers can focus on one student at a time.
2. Instant Feedback - When students participate in a homeschooling program, they can get immediate feedback regarding their assignments, quizzes and exams. Likewise, they can let their teachers know if they do not understand a concept or need extra help. There is two-way communication.
3. Customized Curriculum - Homeschooling allows students to get an education that is tailored to their needs. For those students requiring extra help or needing additional challenges, they can participate in a homeschool curriculum that focuses on specific areas. A customized curriculum also enables them to set their own pace. They can navigate a lesson as slow or quick as they choose.
4. Less Distractions - Homeschooling programs enable students to solely focus on the task at hand. They can pay 100% attention to their studies, without any worries, social distractions or pressures of a regular school setting. When students learn at home, they can also schedule their classes to suit their schedule.
5. Time Management - At home, students can sit down and get right to work. There is no wait time before they can read a lesson or start an exercise. They are no longer bound by a school schedule as a teacher performs role call, attends to another student or handles a discipline problem.
6. More Flexibility - Learning in a home environment enables students to have greater flexibility than in a traditional classroom. They can set their own schedule. If they want to study or take their tests at night, they have the freedom to do so. Families can take a vacation in the middle of the week, or use their kitchen for a chemistry lesson. The possibilities are endless!
Homeschooling provides people with an option to traditional educational methods. Whether students are homeschooled by their parents or take homeschooling online, they can be in charge of their education and make decisions about what is best for them. They have the freedom to create an education that is customized to their needs. It provides them with choices.
For information on high school homeschooling or additional homeschool resources, please visit www.alliedhighschool.com
Heather Brunson is copywriter and editor for Allied Business Schools.
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He’s probably short fat and bald and i suspect he only lost his
virginity after he wrote his book. Meet the rich jerk, hes got
it all and a lot more. He’s abrasive, terribly outspoken and
opinionated but everyone seems to like being insulted by this
guy…for more laughs visit this link The Rich
Jerk
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A traditional Finnish sauna that utilizes sauna rocks in its operation is often referred to as a rock sauna, and the name aptly implies just how important a feature of the conventional sauna the rocks are. The sauna heater holds and heats the sauna rocks, and the sauna bather tosses water onto the hot rocks to create the loyly or vapor that increases the humidity in the sauna room. Even in the modern era of far infrared sauna therapy, many sauna enthusiasts refuse to be swayed in their belief that sauna rocks are essential to achieving the definitive sauna experience.
While sauna fans are free to forever debate what defines an authentic sauna bath, it is an absolute must that rock sauna owners always use proper sauna rocks in their saunas. Many sauna manufacturers and sauna dealers often provide sauna rocks with the Finnish-style saunas and sauna kits they sell, but sauna owners who enjoy frequent dips in their rock saunas will likely someday have to replace old sauna rocks with new ones.
Under the intense pressure of the sauna’s fluctuating temperature and humidity levels, even the best sauna rocks eventually crack and crumble. Once a sauna rock starts to disintegrate like this, it can’t hold heat as well as it used to. It will also produce less steam, and it may even clog your sauna heater. Before the day comes when you have to replace the rocks in your sauna, it’s imperative that you learn to differentiate good sauna rocks from bad sauna rocks.
For obvious reasons, sauna owners should avoid using rocks that could explode in the sauna as well as those that give off poisonous or offensive odors. Neither should rocks that contain sulphur minerals (minerals with a yellowish color and/or metallic luster) or asbestos minerals be used. Rocks with sulphur minerals do not pose a health risk; they just wear down very quickly. However, rocks with asbestos minerals do present a legitimate risk, as asbestos has been proven to cause cancer.
To avoid placing potentially explosive rocks in your sauna heater, follow the advice of sauna expert Mikkel Aaland, who recommends a simple test: “Thoroughly heat a sample for two hours or more. Drop it into a pail of cold water then look for cracks. When the rock is cool, test it further by hitting it with a hammer or against another rock. If the rocks cracks or makes a soft grinding sound when rubbed against another rock, discard it. If it survives, you have a safe sauna rock.”
Because the best sauna rocks are those least exposed to weather, certain quarried rocks are held in high esteem by traditional Finnish sauna lovers. One of the most popular is peridotite, a quarried Finnish rock and one of the most common rocks in the earth’s upper mantle. Peridotite is a type of igneous rock, as are olivine and vulcanite which likewise perform well in saunas. Many purists prefer using dark-colored igneous rocks in saunas because these rocks contain magnesium and iron and therefore have a relatively high heat capacity.
Be sure to refer to the manuals and other literature that came with your sauna and sauna heater before you replace your sauna rocks. You might inadvertently void your sauna stove’s warranty if you use a type of rock that is not specifically approved or recommended by the heater’s manufacturer.
The information packaged with your sauna heater should also indicate the amount or weight of rocks recommended for use with the heater. As a general rule, though, you should use enough rocks to cover the heating elements of an electric sauna heater. If you heat your sauna with a wood burning stove, the rocks should form a small mound that rises above the stove’s rim. In both cases, remember to pack the rocks loosely to allow for sufficient air circulation.
For more information on sauna rocks, consult with a qualified and trustworthy rock sauna or sauna heater retailer. Substantial information on sauna rocks can be found online, but not all of it is accurate or reliable. For example, one website recommends using smooth stones from rivers and seashores as sauna rocks, while another advises sauna owners to steer clear of them. Disagreement also exists on how suitable rocks with high iron content are for use in saunas. Questions about the ideal size, shape, texture and mineral content of your sauna rocks are perhaps best answered by the manufacturer or dealer from whom you purchased your sauna heater.
Pertti Olavi Jalasjaa is the Finnish-born author of “The Art of Sauna Building,” an acclaimed reference book on sauna construction. He is also the general manager of Great Saunas, which has been manufacturing and selling high-quality saunas and sauna kits to sauna enthusiasts around the world since 1974. Visit Great Saunas online at http://www.greatsaunas.com.
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