The 5 Most Expensive Hotels in Barcelona, Spain

Filed under:Internet Travel Resources — posted on September 17, 2007 @ 11:05 pm

The Arts Barcelona

The Arts Barcelona, or to give it its full name the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Arts Barcelona, overlooks the magnificent Port Olimpic and is an incredible sight in itself. With 5 different dining areas ranging from the ‘Chic informal’ Bites to the ‘Jacket and Tie’ Enoteca there is something for everyone’s tastes. Full housekeeping twice a day, babysitting on request and a complimentary overnight shoeshine and morning paper give the Arts an air of extravagance and the terraced gardens, outdoor swimming pool and numerous bars combine to make this a reassuringly expensive hotel to stay in during your trip to the beautiful Barcelona.

The Barcelona Hilton

The Barcelona Hilton seems mainly geared towards business and business meetings and is a modern looking 11 floor building situated right in the middle of Barcelona giving superb access to the businesses and tourist areas associated with Barcelona. The advantages that the Hilton boast are very business orientated with computer and Internet points in every room, a work desk and chair and voice mail messaging are standard in every room. The vast array of meeting floors, executive rooms and executive lounges make it ideal for the travelling businessman.

The Claris

The Claris is a very luxurious hotel and is aimed at guests who like the finer things in life, in particular fine art. Various superb examples of exquisite art are littered around the hallways of this converted palace and also in the rooms. Booking is almost impossible without years of notice but the sculptures aged from the 2nd through to the 7th century as well as 300 year old furniture make this a truly lavish hotel for lavish wallets.

The Ritz

What city in the world would be complete without a Ritz adorning one of its more exclusive streets. By staying at the Ritz you know that you are in for a real treat and the Ritz in Barcelona is no exception. Now called the Palace Hotel, it features Scotch bars, beauty halls and boutiques so the only reason to leave your hotel is because you are in Barcelona and there’s just as much to see outside the four luxurious walls of the Ritz hotel. It also features a business centre that is more than lavish enough to hold executive business meetings in.

Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel

A grand name for a grand building. An incredible combination of modern interior design and architecture you will be enthralled before you’ve even set foot in your room. The 8 floor building housed on Barcelona sea front features incredible works of art and you will be met by a massive piece just behind reception as you walk in. With a large and impressive collection of art the Grand Marina is another hotel designed for people with a love for fine arts. The 278 rooms offer probably the cheapest of these hotels in no small part due to the fact that the Grand Marina was only founded in 2002. While a relative newcomer to the market though, the Grand Marina has a more than slightly impressive list of top class services to offer its discerning guests. Make the most of the more affordable price tag because it is sure to increase in time as the rooms are already nearly always full.

Matt Goldman is a freelance writer who has been living in Barcelona with his wife and three daughters for the past 8 years. To read more about Barcelona accommodation possibilities, visit the Holiday Apartments Barcelona site to which Matt contributes from time to time.

Tips on How to Plant Roses

Filed under:The Gardening Way — posted on @ 10:24 pm

When spring comes and the ground is thawed, it is time to start
planting your rose garden. Roses have been a cherished
aphrodisiac since biblical times. They have been around for over
3000 years, yet they still hold a particular mystery and
fascination, not to mention the fact that they just look and
smell good!

One of the most important rules of growing roses is to plant the
rose bush in an area that receives around 4 to 6 hours of
sunlight every day.

It is preferable not to plant too many trees or other plants
around the rose bush because most of these are likely to either
mix with the rose or stifle it’s growth. If you are replacing an
old rose bush, approximately 1 1/2 cubic feet of old soil should
be removed, and fresh soil added to replace it. When positioning
your rose in the garden or landscape, consider the growth habit
of the rose.

For example, place climbers and ramblers along fences,
trellises, or next to arches or pergolas. This location offers
them free range of growth, and optimal potential for the
showiest blooms.

Roses also look beautiful in island beds interplanted with
perennials. Miniature roses make great edging plants in front of
their taller cousins. Planted singly, shrub roses make excellent
specimen plants or they can be clustered to make a flowering
hedge. You can also use them to camouflage unsightly garden
objects.

Dig a hole large enough for the root mass and loosen the bottom
of the hole. You should add bone meal, which is a slow acting
source of phosphorus that leads to healthy root growth in the
rose plant.

Then the plant should be placed in the hole carefully and the
hole refilled with soil, covering the roots properly. Before
making the final covering, water the rose plant and let it
absorb the water. After this, water the plant more and mound the
soil about 6 inches high. The dome will keep the stems from
drying out until the plant is rooted. Gradually remove the
excess soil as the leaves open.

Special care should be taken with the planting depth. It varies
according to the climate you live in.

If you live in a colder area, plant a bit deeper and consult
with the people growing roses in your area. If you are buying
potted roses, you should plant them about 1 inch deeper than
their potted level.

The best time to plant roses varies depending on the winter
temperature. Where temperatures don’t drop below -10 degrees F;
either fall or spring planting is satisfactory. If you live in
an area where winter temperatures go below -10 degrees F, spring
planting is preferred. Plants should be planted in a dormant
condition if purchased bare root, but container grown plants may
be planted throughout the growing season.

Spacing of the rose plant is highly influenced by the
temperature. In regions where winters are severe, the rose plant
does not grow as large as in mild climates. Taking this into
consideration, hybrid tea roses should be spaced 1 1/2 to 3 feet
apart. Large vigorous growers, such as hybrid perpetuals need 3
to 5 feet of space, and the climbers need from 8 to 10 feet of
space.

If the winter temperature is below 10 degrees F, roses can grow
healthy if proper care is taken. The gardener must prepare for
that cold, wet reality as he revels in the summer air
conditioning.

In zones 7 and colder, the roses enjoy their last fertilization
of the season by August 15th to limit the emergence of new rose
canes, which will almost certainly not survive the winter.

History of Strength and Conditioning Science

Filed under:Shopping Infos — posted on @ 7:31 pm

Early records of strength training date back to 3600 BC when Chinese emperors made their subjects exercise daily (Webster 1976). During the Chou Dynasty subjects were required to pass weight- lifting tests before entering the military. There is large amount of evidence that indicates weight training was part of life in ancient Greece and India. In fact, the Greeks built numerous sculptures of people lifting stone weights.

Numerous systems of training have been proposed over the years. The accumulation of experience and different philosophies has led us to the current training methods utilized today. Keep in mind; many authorities have varied greatly from the original purpose of strength and conditioning. Hard work and dedication formed the foundation of earlier training methods. Today the opposite has occurred in numerous settings as easy work and quick fixes form the foundation of most people’s regimens.

During the 16th century in Europe books on weight training began to surface. Sir Thomas Elyot’s book on the topic was published in England in 1531. Joachim Camerius, a lecturer at Leipzig University, wrote several books in 1544 recommending that weight training should be a key activity offered in the model school. John Paugh published a book in 1728 titled A Physiological, Theoretic and Practical Treatise on the Utility of Muscular Exercise for Restoring the Power to the limbs, which pointed out the benefits offered by weight training for rehab purposes. In the 1860’s, Archibald Maclaren, devised the first formal system of physical training with dumbbells and barbells for the British Army.

The showmen and strongman entertainers of the 19th Century heavily contributed to methods used today in the fitness and Sports Conditioning industry. From extensive research iron game historian David Webster credits Italian circus and fairground performer, Felice Napoli as the one who popularized strongman performances on an international scale. Disciples of Napoli include Professor Attila (Louis Durlacher) and Eugen Sandow (Frederick Muller). Attila became well known and he attracted some of the world’s most well known physical culturists and many rulers of Europe. His list of students included King George of Greece, King Edward of England, Crown Prince Frederick who became King Haakon of Norway, the six children of King Christian of Denmark, the Queen Mother Alexandra of England, Princess Dagmar (Empress of Russia and mother of Tsar Nicholas), and the Duchess of Cumberland.

At the time training the wealthy was a much respected occupation. We have what we call personal trainers today. The current protocols used by the majority of today’s trainers are a far cry from the original teachings and benefits provided by trainers. The fame and notoriety of trainers of those days was a result of the public displays of extraordinary physical feats. These events were often attended by royalty and were highly acclaimed for their promotion of physical well-being.

Eugen Sandow, born in Koningsberg in East Russia in 1867, was recruited for his teachings by presidents and rulers from around the world. Nine kings and queens and many princes of Europe, as well as US presidents William Taft and Woodrow Wilson endorsed Sandow’s book Life is Movement. Sandow was a successful strongman as well as a promoter of formal fitness and health management. He emphasized that physical education and sport should be an integral part of the school system. He also toured the world lecturing and promoting physical culture as a means of improving the quality of life.

Most authorities recognize Sandow, as one of the most important figures in the history of fitness, with the history of his work revealing that the modern phenomenon of science based fitness training is not a novel invention. Sandow promoted the importance of strength and skill as being the cornerstone of fitness. A half a century later Dr Kenneth Cooper proposed that being fit was primarily dependent on aerobic conditioning. Approximately 25 years later the important role of strength training has once again been recognized by the academia.

In Russia during the same period Vladislav Krayevsky founded the St Petersburg Amateur Weightlifting Society (1885). Many respected scientists, athletes; artists became his students, including famous strongman George Hackenschmidt, who credited Krayevsky for teaching him all he knew. Hackenschmidt mentioned in his book The Way To Live that some of the world’s strongest men of the era, including Sandow were trained using Krayevsky’s system.

Krayevsky’s work and the popularity of his students had a major effect on weightlifting in Russia. Not only was he a renowned teacher, but he also achieved significant numbers in barbell lifts himself. He was the president of the jury at the first world championships in Vienna in 1898.

Krayevsky wrote two of his fundamental works during the period of 1896-1899. The writings were titled The Catechism of Health-Rules for Athletes and The Development of Physical Strength with Kettlebells and without Kettlebells. The Catechism of Health-Rules for Athletes was sent to press December 9th 1899, but was never published and is now preserved in manuscript form. His other book was published in 1900 and reprinted three times (1902, 1909, 1916) after his death (1901).

Krayevsky was well studied on the history of physical culture and all forms of gymnastics. He was knowledgeable about Swedish gymnastics and noted its therapeutic benefits, but his concern with the lack of scientific data of the Swedish system led him to recruit experimentalists to research it.

Many of Krayevsky’s recommendations are still used today. His recommendations include medical control of an athlete’s health, consistent training and varying load patterns, full spectrum physical development, psychological development and avoidance of smoking and alcohol.

The early strength pioneers developed numerous devices in regards to strength training including cable machines, kettlebells, barbells, dumbbells, odd-shaped bars, thick grip bars, weighted boots, isolation machines and various throwing devices. Yet 50 years later there are numerous people who claim to have invented this machinery. In today’s industry there are many systems and people promoting their new systems, which are not really new at all.

The development of different scientific and educational cultures split the West and East as their promotion of physical activity was vaguely different. During the years following the World Wars Russia and Europe still continued to promote various elements of physical strength, power and skill while the West primarily promoted aerobics. Kenneth Cooper’s book Aerobics was popular at the time as well as Swedish endurance exercise research. According to Cooper and the Swedish researchers cardiac and general health depended primarily on prolonged endurance work. Supporters of the endurance doctrine heavily protested strength training. Cooper told the world strength training promoted a beautiful body but did nothing for health.

During the same period that the aerobics craze was running wild in the West Russians and Eastern Europeans accumulated extensive international information on strength and sports training while developing comprehensive educational programs to promote their findings. Most schools offered weightlifting and within a few decades there were approximately 1 million weightlifters in the USSR. Strength training became a key element in all sports training programs in the USSR while the attitude in the West was that weight training would slow athletes down and limit their range of motion. Consequently Russia dominated the Olympic Games, especially in Olympic Weightlifting, at the same time the aerobic doctrine became gospel in the West.

The Russian dominance has often been attributed to the use of anabolic-androgenic drugs, but the sporting use of these drugs was actually introduced in by the West first. It is probably more accurate to say that the Eastern nations dominated due to their special strength science and understanding of comprehensive sports conditioning. On the topic of drug usage no one uses more drugs than Pro bodybuilders, which are predominantly Americans.

In the West today the majority of gyms, trainers, academia and coaches are still ill informed when it comes to fitness and Sports Conditioning. The aerobic endurance crazes still dominates in most cases, yet this makes up a minor portion of fitness. All one needs to do is study the science and abundant evidence that supports the numerous health and fitness benefits of a proper strength-training program to realize its importance.

References

Siff, M.C (2000) Supertraining. Mel Siff.

Copyright 2005 Jamie Hale

jamie Hale is the owner of maxcondition.com, gym owner, fitnes and nutrition consulant and writer. He is also a member of the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Sports Supplement

Filed under:World Of Nutrition — posted on @ 7:06 pm

Sports Supplement – what is it?

We are all aware of what is a nutrition or diet supplement, but what is a sports supplement? A sport supplement is a subcategory of nutrition supplements. The sports supplement is associated with rising sport results, intensifying training, lowering the consequences like muscle pane, etc. Many athletes use some type of sports supplement or supplements, but if you are an athlete you need to be careful as some of the chemicals used in production of supplements or some of the supplements themselves can be on the banned substance list.

Sports Supplement – caffeine.

Caffeine is an example of a sports supplement. Athletes have used caffeine for a long time as it helps them to stay alert and improve endurance. A good thing about caffeine is that there was a lot of research done about it. According to many sport researchers, caffeine supplements claim that caffeine improves athletic performance, increases energy, delays fatigue, improves fat burning, and enhances body fat loss.

Sports Supplement – protein.

Protein is another example of a sports supplement. According to many athletes, high protein diets help to increase muscle mass and gain strength. Unfortunately there is no scientific proof of that nowadays. Protein supplements claim that protein supports muscle growth, increases muscle strength and mass, improves recovery, etc. Again, no research is available to prove these claims.

Sports Supplement – creatine.

Creatine is yet another example of a sports supplement. According to many sport researchers, creatine supplements seem to enable muscles to work harder before becoming fatigued. Creatine supplements claim that creatine improves high power performance of short duration, increases muscle mass, delays fatigue. If you are an athlete, you need to be careful about using creatine sports supplements as there is very little research regarding safety of creatine.

*******************************************************************

More information at http://www.liquid-vitamins-4u.com

Sights and Sounds of Inspiration

Filed under:New Age Infos — posted on @ 4:48 pm

Sights and Sounds of Inspiration Parable

Wind howling against the thin panes of glass. Electric spikes of guitar emanate from the
stereo mingled with muted, distant trumpet – plaintive sound against the winter sky.

Fingers begin moving on the computer keyboard as the drums enter the room quietly,
insistently. The colors of sound build as each idea is drawn out of its shell. Working in
simpatico with the sounds, ideas begin to generate and ooze from my mind onto the desk.

Splat, splatter, splash of colorful ideas arise, arise, arise. The howling wind, searching
music, and a me, willing partner, allow the ideas to be captured like ants in honey – one
tantalizing, sweet, textured taste at a time.

Principle

Inspiration is everywhere. We don’t have to wait for inspiration. We set the
circumstances to make inspiration arise by being open to the possibility that we might be
inspired by anything at any moment. We choose the entry point, yet the entry points are
infinite and omnipresent.

Practice

i. What simple steps are you taking to allow inspiration to arise in your life? Do you
have access to beautiful music and art or are you choosing television and other
distractions?

ii. Do you walk out of the door first thing in the morning and breathe the fresh air,
notice the outline of the trees against the sky, and revel in it?

iii. Practice being inspired. Smile sincerely even if you don’t feel like it. Give an idea
to someone even if you don’t feel like it. Write something, anything, even if you
don’t feel like it. If you are like me, pretty soon you will end up “feeling like it!”

Paradigm

We can live each moment inspired and filled-with perpetual, self-generated, and
renewing ideas by not waiting for permission to be inspired. We can participate in
circumstances in which to be inspired by creating powerful internal and external triggers
for inspiration. To be inspired means living a life of simple, powerful ideas that generate
joy.

© Rob Levit

http://www.roblevit.com
410-263-8779
roblevit@roblevit.com

Kafka Re-Trial

Filed under:Arts + Artisans — posted on @ 4:19 pm

Kafka lands resurrected in Crewe
deposited by a silvery alien craft,
And whilst he is wondering what to do
He is asked to show his pass
Or pay an instant one off fine
At a cash dispenser of his choice
And they are checking all the time
On his irises face and voice.

And of course they find that he is not,
They discover he just cannot be there,
Although he seems as if he is visible,
And has hands and toes and hair,
If he is not on the Great Data Bank,
He plainly and simply cannot be,
He is not listed and he is not ranked
He is surely not like you and me.

So they cant detain him in custody
But they do not have to let him go
He never ever happened, period
So who can ever tell, or know.
So on a lonely bench in quiet shade
He sits alone and unremarked,
Wondering what games they play,
Against the backdrop of the park.

And so, are we just the opposite,
Are we all consigned to hidden files,
Are machines deciding who we are,
Where we live, and when we smile,
Is nothing a certain and real fact,
Unless computer correlated true,
And should your dossier go into error,
How can you prove, you are really you.

How do you verify yourself for a loan,
If your ranking gets compromised,
How do you overturn all their data,
Making you a pariah in others eyes,
You may hold letters of validity,
They may grudgingly know its you,
Unless their system grants absolution,
There is nothing they can say or do.

So unless we are verifiable as sound,
And our image assuages Superhal,
No one will ever trust us again,
No one will ever want to be our pal,
But this is not like yesteryear,
When a quick query cleared your name,
Your questions are merely registered,
And you just get told how to complain.

Complaints are collated and quantified,
They are cross filed and referenced,
You must never lose this number,
And you must never take offence,
You are continually adjourned,
Or moved to yet another floor,
In the hope that you will falter,
From all that has gone before.

Meanwhile youre mugged, not statistically,
Contract MRSA, but its not on file,
Your children cannot read or write,
But their qualifications raise a smile,
You always hit potholes that dont exist,
To save waiting on trains that dont arrive,
But whose flexitimes prove you missed,
The only one late out of fifty five.

You cry out to be heard aloud,
But the echoes mock your voice,
You cannot afford the telephone,
Cant bypass enforced menus of choice,
Cannot contact a single human being,
By department, name or reason,
All this evolved like a dripping tap,
Season upon big brother season.

Then one day walking in solitude,
Your will to try nearly quenched,
There is the quiet of the shady park,
There is the man upon the bench,
Who looks at you knowingly,
And asks you if you ever read,
And says Then I am Kafka,
You Must Tell Me What You Need.

So He went up to their doors,
The Nameless Man with Faceless Face,
And bearded them in their hallowed den,
Their plush revered and holy place,
And caused unmitigated consternation,
As he either was not really there,
Or indeed actually physically existed,
Solidly sitting silent in his chair.

So they asked him what he would want,
If he were real and not mere illusion,
For his appearance was so inopportune,
His face and features causing confusion,
His DNA was an embarrassment,
Never born, nor listed, nor created,
Never taxed, treated, nor arrested,
Never receiving a non education.

So he stood up to his full height,
And drew up his deepest breath,
That made him seem immortal,
And made them all fear death,
And his mighty voice resounded,
So much the walls retained his words,
We want to be individuals again
We want to speak and to be heard,
We want our voice to really matter,
And we want to hear no more lies,
We want illusion swept away,
Replaced by council of the wise,
We want common sense to prevail,
And not statistical subterfuge,
Which tries to tell us its all ok,
When we know it must improve,
We want you to abdicate and take,
Your machines and Mandarins away,
And we want it done immediately,
Oh Yes, we want it done today.

Or else I will shine in prime time,
And then all will see its me,
The man who is not Kafka,
The man who simply cannot be,
Then where will your credibility go,
Will they ever listen to your pleas.
No, far better for you to go now,
And leave reality to me.

And they went away in disarray,
Whilst he heralded a new era,
No one knew who the hell he was,
But yet everything seemed clearer,
Everything was as it appeared,
Nothing hidden, no more of the lies,
And no one filed his disappearance,
When he finally left our skies.

They can media us its always fine,
Statistic prove what cannot be true,
They can try to justify their lies,
Attempt to airbrush history in two,
They may perceive us all as fools,
Force fed on false soap opera goals,
But cannot forever control our minds,
Nor assume they own our souls,
For Long term lies have multiplied,
And now are ringing empty and hollow,
What seemed so reasonable yesterday
Will be disproved upon the morrow,
And with these endless lies surfacing,
Just Like The Man Who Could Not Be,
The truth will slowly become visible,
And the truth will set us free.

Ex systems programmer living in England

No Horse is Too Dead to Beat!

Filed under:Better Sales — posted on @ 4:11 pm

Remember the sandwich with the image of the Virgin Mary on it that sold on ebay for thousands of dollars? That’s a perfect example that “no horse is too dead to beat!” Many probably wondered what did this person do to sell something of, apparently, no value whatsoever.

Three important factors, in fact, very important factors were into play here.

1- The Confidence Factor.
Ebay is a well-known, reputable and extremely popular shopping hub and it has the people’s confidence. When you inspire confidence to your customers, your customers will buy from you with closed eyes and when the confidence level is high, the adrenaline level is also high.

2- The Psychological Factor.
When the adrenaline level is high, people feel motivated to do things and sometimes people do things that seems strange to others, but in reality a specific item may have real meaning to the buyer for many different reasons only the buyer knows. Maybe it felt good to purchase something unique. Maybe the person wanted to feel “in control” by owning something everybody talks about. Henceforth, by buying this “thing”, the person feels in control.

3- The Real Value Factor.
On the other hand, maybe the product or item is a problem solving instrument or perhaps a marketing tool! Or, maybe the buyer is a religious fanatic; therefore, the item is of real value to the buyer.

For these and many other reasons any horse is worth persistence, persistence and more persistence and no giving up. This horse was not delivered unto this world in defeat. It has the spirit of a Lion and it will not walk, talk, or sleep with the sheep, and it will always take another beating, and another and yet another until they see its real value!

The prizes of life are indeed at the end of each journey not at the beginning.

–Gary Zalben– Transcendental Selling and How to Sell a Dead Horse-Copyright, Library of Congress. All Rights Reserved. For more information about Gary and this article please go to: http://howtoselladeadhorse.com. You can reprint or use this article provided you keep all content intact.

The New State Of The Art Method For Making Money With Joint Ventures

Filed under:Great Marketing Tips — posted on @ 4:00 pm

If you are anything like me, you spend a lot of time researching joint ventures and going through the chore of analysing all the joint venture proposals you get on a daily basis in your inbox. I’ve often wondered if there was an easier way to find successful joint ventures, as serious marketers online all know the power of joint venture marketing.

In fact, some marketers have told me that if they could only utilize one marketing strategy it would be joint ventures fullstop.

If you have got a product or service to promote you know joint ventures are essential to your business. Joint ventures are when two or more people work on the same project. The most lucrative way to benefit from joint ventures is to let other people sell your product or service and share the profits with you. Some examples of cross promotions would be exchanging popups and testimonials.

In my online experience recently I have noticed that some forms of ezine advertising did not pull the results that would have been expected. If you are also spending hard earned money on ezine advertising there is a better and easier way.

An example of a joint venture unrelated to internet marketing would be a gym coming together with a company that produces body building supplements.

Joe Vitale made $25,000 from joint ventures from just one email.

So if you want to explore more fully the lucrative world of joint venture marketing how do you go about finding joint venture partners?

Old-fashioned ways of finding joint venture partners:

  • Making a post on a forum if permitted by the moderator;

  • Visiting individual websites and emailing the owner one by one;

  • Spending time making contacts with other internet marketers online.

The new state-of-the-art way of finding joint venture partners:

By subscribing to Joint Ventures Weekly. Once in a while an ezine comes along that makes me sit up and take notice. My good friend Mike Woo-Ming has created such an ezine.

Each week you will receive a list of the TOP joint ventures for the hottest internet products and services.

Each joint venture is carefully screened and analysed before it reaches your inbox. If it doesn’t meet the relevant criteria you won’t hear about it.

Your time is valuable. Each joint venture will include:

  • A detailed synopsis,

  • Current conversion rates (unless new),

  • Requirements,

  • Length of joint venture offer.

YOU choose exactly who YOU want to work with!

Finally, a place to find non-internet marketing joint ventures as well. By subscribing to Joint Ventures Weekly you have the power to select the latest products before anyone else in your field.

It is often said that only 10% of small business owners take advantage of joint ventures. You now have the means to be part of that 10% by subscribing to Joint Ventures Weekly today.

To your joint venture success,

Karin Manning

Copyright 2003. All Rights Reserved.

About The Author

Karin Manning is an ezine publisher, writer and ebusiness owner. To subscribe to her ezine Net Wealth and receive up to the minute marketing tips, customer service advice and money making hints simply visit http://www.reprintrights4u.com and fill out the ePackage Newsletter & Bonuses popunder on entry. To be one of the first to hear about the latest joint ventures available subscribe to Joint Ventures Weekly by visiting http://www.reprintrights4u.com/jointventuresweekly.

karin@reprintrights4u.com

Sun Rays: Harmful or Beneficial?

Filed under:Universe Of Gender Issues — posted on @ 2:23 pm

The argument never stops.

Human skin has special cells, melanocytes. These cells provide
natural, built-in sun protection. You can see it in action each
time you tan. Melanocytes produce dark brown substance, called
melanin, which does not allow sun rays to penetrate deep into
the skin layers as it would be damaging. At the same time sun
light stimulates cell generation, skin becomes thicker, and
therefore more resistant to UV rays. Turns out the sun is
actually good for the skin.

Well… People with fair skin don’t have enough melanin
producing cells, their sun protection mechanism is not strong,
and these people get sun burns pretty quickly. UV rays have a
very strong biological effect, they can damage protein molecules
and even alter genetic material causing healthy cells become
malignant. So tanning is bad.

Could say so, but… Sun energy is good for health. Increased
blood flow to the skin stimulates cell regeneration, helps to
fight acne, smooth scars and minor skin imperfections. Sun light
is a necessary factor for Vitamin D production. Sun stimulates
immune system and makes us feel happier and healthier.

So where is the truth? As always, in the middle.

Human body needs sun, but at the same time it must be protected.
To make contacts with sun enjoyable (as they should be),
remember: - The most dangerous sun is between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Sun rays penetrate glass windows, so being in the sunny spot
inside your house or while driving is just as dangerous as being
outside. - Don’t be deceived by cold weather or clouds: clouds
let UV rays through, and UV radiation is not felt as heat. -
Water won’t prevent sunburns as the harmful rays can penetrate
water three feet deep.

Wearing sunblock at all times is the best thing you can do for
your skin. Apply it 20-30 minutes before going outside so that
the lotion absorbs and starts working. People with lighter skin
should take extra precautions: wear hats, avoid direct sun
exposure, use sunblock with a higher SPF and reapply it more
often (remember, your skin does not have a strong sun protection
mechanism, so it needs your help).

UV exposure is a major factor of premature skin aging. Sun rays
are able to penetrate deep into the skin, dehydrate it and
damage collagen tissues. Free radical damage may not stop there.
Free radicals, the unstable molecules that appear during sun
exposure, can damage healthy cells and lead to cancer.

Skin has a wonderful ability to repair itself and fight off the
damage, but it needs proper nutrition to be able to do it
effectively.

To help your skin repair itself more successfully, use products
that contain antioxidans able to halt the destructive activity
of free radicals.

Vitamin C, when applied topically, not only neutralizes free
radicals, it boosts skin’s ability to repair itself after the
sun damage (American Academy of Dermatology, 2002 meeting). It
is also shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help to
maintain an even skin tone.

Coenzyme Q10 is another powerful antioxidant. It is found in
beef, fish, grains, eggs, beans, and spinach. Human body makes
its own CoQ10, but the production declines with age. Coenzyme
Q10 has exceptional antioxidant properties. Studies show that it
can effectively counteract free radical damage and provide
significant protection against UVA-induced depletion of cell
membrane. In other words, it will prevent damage to collagen and
elastin production and help you avoid wrinkles.

Omega-3 fatty acid (alpha-linolenic acid) is essential for
healthy looking skin. Some studies suggest that it may inhibit
cancer. Fish oil and many plant oils (canola, flaxseed, hemp,
soybean) are rich in this acid. In cosmetics it is present
either as a constituent of another ingredient (for example: Emu
oil) or by itself.

Vitamins E helps to prevent skin dryness and protects against
environmental factors and free radical damage. It is used in
creams and lotions that relieve skin redness after sun exposure.

So stock up with skin armoring lotions, enjoy your summer and
keep your skin safe and beautiful. And if you would like to have
a bronze tan all over, get one in a bottle.

Debt Consolidation Solutions – Ways to consolidate your debts yourself

Filed under:Managing Credit — posted on @ 2:08 pm

There are many options for a debtor to consolidate his debts in this day and age. The most common ones you have heard or seen so far are probably those commercials on late night television – from debt consolidation companies that promise to help you fight and win over your debts.

There are also many government aid programs that seek to help debtors get out of debts. But these services usually require that you fulfill certain requirements and a minimum amount of debts before you are applicable to join their programs.

You can choose to consolidate your debts yourself if you know the options available for you.

Home Owners
The best option for home owners would be to take up a home equity loan to borrow against the value of your home. This can usually be done without any other mortgages. A home equity loan is usually a fixed amount of money repayable within a fixed period of time. These loans often offer the lowest interest rates and payment method.

Note that home equity loan interest can be variable and you also run the risk of losing your home if you fail to pay your loan.

People with Good Credit Rating
If you still enjoy a good credit rating, you can choose to consolidate your debt with credit cards. With a good credit rating, credit card companies are willing to grant you a lower interest rate if you transfer all other card balances to them. You can call all your card issuers to get a quote from them and compare them before you sign up the best offer available.

Remember to request for a fixed rate and to waive any transfer fees to transfer your card balances.

Life Insurance Policy Holder
You can have the option to borrow from your life insurance policy at a premium interest rate to solve your debt problems. The advantages is that you are not stressed up to repay this loan and that your life insurance benefits will be reduce by any amount that you borrow.

Different life insurance policies have different guidelines for borrowing. It is best to consult your insurance agent before you proceed to borrow against your insurance policy.

Do check out the above options if they are available to you. With good planning and actions, you will be able to clear your debts in 3 to 5 years.

Moses Wright is the webmaster of Bulletpedia.com. He provides more helpful information on debt and bill consolidation tips, personal finance credit help and personal finance loan help that you can research in the comfort of your home on his website.


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