Archive for September, 2007

Black Men and Women Coming to the Table

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

By Debbie Wright Many would agree there is a need for Black men and women to come together and work towards healing our relationships. Black people have the lowest marriage rates and the highest divorce rates. Where approximately 60% of white adults marry, only 40% of Black adults marry. And only one-third of Black children grow up in two parent homes. Passing blame and point fingers only hinders our progress. We need to come together and communicate openly and honestly to figure out ways to bridge the communication gap that destroys our relationships. For the past three years, I have been involved with forming roundtable discussion groups titled, ‘Withholding the Ring’ that addresses the low marriage rate among African Americans. I have met several Black women in their late thirties and even early forties that are worried about their prospects of ever getting married. Some of these women have completely given up on their marriage ideals and opted to have children outside of marriage. The prevailing message suggests that it is more likely for Black women to become mothers than wives. The roundtable discussions I facilitate provide safe environments for men and women to honesty discuss the issues that affect how we relate to one another. The men have reported to me that the events leave them truly affected by how their non-committal behavior affects women. And some of the women have come back to me and confessed that they did not realize how much they truly needed their men until we all came together and truthfully communicated. I would like to share some of the events that take place during these roundtable discussions in hopes of inspiring others to take up the cause. These are not dating events but rather bonding events that bring Black men and women together as friends first. The focus is never on ‘hooking up’ but rather on how we can build stronger, trusting, lasting relationships. Ice BreakerThe event begins with a series of icebreakers. One of my favorite icebreakers is when everyone has to exchange a friendly hug after introducing themselves. The participants are also asked to state what they hope to take away from the discussions. Ground RulesWe go over brief rules of conduct prior to the discussions. There are also handouts provided, that remind the participants to be respectful in their comments and responses. OpenersIn the beginning, some folks may be on edge, not really knowing what to expect, so I try to make the discussion fun and interactive. A fun opener is when the men are asked to place questions in a container addressed to the women and the women place their questions in a separate container addressed to the men. The questions are passed around the table, which affords everyone the opportunity to participate in the conversation and it serves as a good way to get everyone warmed up. ExercisesI plan several exercises during the roundtable discussions but a favorite is what I call “Love Affirmations”. I ask the men and women to pick names from separate containers. The women will choose men and the men will choose women. The men are asked to get down on bended knee and profess their love for Black women and the women in exchange profess their love for Black men. They must each begin their statement with “I love you Black Man because” and they are left to fill in the blank. This has nothing to do with romance. I designed this exercise to encourage an atmosphere of unity and to drive home the message that this is not a women vs. men forum. “Love Affirmations” is always a hit and never fails to draw a few tears. But, they are good tears. Healing tears that bring us closer to understanding how Black men and women can improve their relationships. So, that’s a quick run through of some of the techniques I use to encourage the dialogue. If you are interested in beginning your own roundtable discussions, these are great ways to get the talks underway. Complaining will get us nowhere but positive communication can lead to stronger friendships, relationships and marriages. It all has to start somewhere and we all have our part. Debbie Wright is Editor and Creator of http://www.UmojaMix-blackpeoplemeet.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Wright http://EzineArticles.com/?Black-Men-and-Women-Coming-to-the-Table&id=271647 tramadol generic ultram cheap tramadol no prescription order cheap tramadol where to buy tramadol

How Do You Really Lose Weight?

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

By Dr. Alan Jenks Being overweight is really no good for the body. If you dont know this, then you need to do some soul searching. Science has confirmed that there are too many risk factors for being overweight. You need to shed the extra weight at any cost. Is it possible to lose the weight? Yeah, losing weight is very possible and relatively easy to do. You just have to have the desire to do it. The question you should ask yourself on weight loss is how do you lose the extra weight safely? The need for losing the weight Overweight people are more prone to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems. Besides these problems most obese people will suffer from joint problems, personality disorders, inferiority complex, depression etc. There is no single benefit from the extra weight that one had gained. This being the case, one should never hesitate to work towards weight loss and getting to a weight that is more healthy and balanced. Get help from your doctor to set goals No job can be accomplished in one go. Any work approached step by step will become easy, be it weight loss or weight gain. It is imperative to set goals while attempting weight reduction. The goals set must be sensible and achievable. Setting a goal to lose 3-5 kg per month may be possible and becomes a sensible goal. Trying to lose 20 kg per month is unrealistic. It is always better to get the help of the health professional to set and achieve goals. If you are active in your lifestyle you will need about 2500 calories per day. Inactive men and women will need only 2000 calories. If you eat 200 to 300 calories less everyday, losing 1 pound per week is just possible. Before you do that, get the help of your health care professional to help with establishing your goals Exercise Exercise for at least 30 minutes in a day is a must for weight loss. The exercise can be anything like walking, jogging, swimming, yoga, aerobic dancing etc. but the exercise must be done regularly and continuously for a minimum of thirty minutes and I stress minimum. The idea is simply using up more energy than you eat. This way you will be sure to use the energy stored in the form of fat. Eating less sugar and less fat Fat and sugary food items will release more energy, which will be stored in the body as fat, which will increase the weight thus complicating the weight loss process. Eating too much sugar and fat will also give you trouble getting other important nutrients like protein, minerals and vitamins as the high sugar diet will give the feeling of full meal. Eating a wide variety of food Eating wide variety of foods is one of the best ways to lose weight. This way one will be consume all the essential nutrients you need. This is because when one consumes a variety of food, one food may be rich in protein, the other in minerals, and the other in vitamins etc. A wide variety of food challenges you to eat a large variety of fruits and vegetables and reduce the amount of animal product in your diet Fad diets Fad diets are really not effective for weight loss. They are either too much or too little of one type of food. This way the body is deprived of essential nutrients, which are not desirable. The best diet is a wide variety of fruits and vegetables with an effort on exercising everyday. Diet pills Diet pills are can be effective for weight loss but one should consume them as per the dosage prescribed by the physician. At the same time the user must be conscious of the possible side effects. Diet pills really should never be used long term. Use them in the beginning and then make effort on changing your diet to whole foods. By just following the points discussed above weight loss can be done safely. Dr. Alan Jenks is the author of “The Doctor Is Thin” Sign up for his free natural weight loss tips at http://www.thedoctoristhin.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Alan_Jenks http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Do-You-Really-Lose-Weight?&id=391239 buy levitra vardenafil discount drugstore purchase levitra online international pharmacy

Show Me the Money: Funding in Today’s Economy

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

By James Monahan Some individuals and companies have all the necessary ingredients for a successful business. But in most cases, they will lack one important ingredient: cash. Funding or Financing provides these entities the chance to come up with funds to forward their business enterprises. Funding or Finance addresses the ways in which individual, organizations, or business raise and use financial resources for their needs. Finance is the branch of economics that is concerned with providing funds to individuals, businesses, and governments. It also allows these entities to use credit instead of cash to purchase goods and invest in projects. For example, an individual can take out a loan from a bank to buy a home or a car. An industrial firm can raise money through investors to build a new factory or to expand their operations. Governments can issue bonds to raise money for state projects and budgets. In the economy, finance plays a vital role in the industrialization and expansion of trade and wealth. Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions provide credit help put money to work by directing funds from savers to borrowers. Since the savers do not yet need their money, and have no intention of investing in any profitable ventures, banks use lend these funds to entities that have an investment need. As the entity that borrows pays back what it has been loaned, it also pays interest, part of which goes to the savers that own the funds in the first place. This cycle of borrowing, earning, and repaying spurs economic growth and industrialization. Todays fastest growing economies all have these financial instruments in place to finance that growth. The stock market is another means of funding. When a corporation desires to expand its operations or to build new projects, it may raise funds through securities. Securities are instruments of finance that include stocks and bonds. Stocks are certificates of partial ownership of company, so stockholders partly own the company they hold stock in. A corporation may offer stocks to the public for sale to generate funds. In return, these investors will gain partial ownership of the corporation, or equity and dividends of the profit. The corporation may then use the funds for its projects. When the corporation earns enough, they may opt to buy back the stocks from the stockholders. The stockholders earn profits when a corporation grows enough that demand for its stock increases. This demand increases the selling price for stocks. Bonds are, in a way, loans that the corporation or entity promise to pay back after a set period of time. They, like stocks, are a viable source of capitalization or funding. And unlike stocks, bonds have a fixed rate of interest, or coupon. Its price does not fluctuate due to supply or demand. Only currency value and fluctuating interest rates have an effect of this type of debt instrument. Many aspects of finance are studied individually. Corporate finance centers on how businesses can best raise and spend their funds. Public finance focuses on the financial role of federal, state, and local governments. With such funding instruments available, it comes as no surprise that it has become easier for those who desire to put up businesses or expand existing ones to get hold of the financial means to do so. In todays business world, paying attention to the funding schemes available to an entity may dictate whether it succeeds or not. James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor ofFundingReview.com and writes expert articles about funding. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Monahan http://EzineArticles.com/?Show-Me-the-Money:-Funding-in-Todays-Economy&id=109186 buy cheap fioricet online buy generic fioricet westword fioricet phentermine fioricet online

Personalizing Memory Books

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

By Sophia Ton Personalizing items like memory books shows youve taken an extra step and care. But personalizing does not have to mean just adding your name, although it can. Here are ways to add a personal touch to your memory book. Name Plate Have a name plate engraved or you add your own printed name plate to the cover. Special Photo select a special photo and really go to town on it, making it shine: ask for a reprint, ordered to size for your memory book cover, ask about tinting, getting any red-eye out, trimming for better focal point, zooming in, etc. Matting Select a nice matting that coordinates well with your book binding, photos, name plate and any other images and features on the outside of your book. Book Title Think about including a special tag of saying, maybe a little history blurb, for the outside of your book. Plus get creative with font and ink colors. For example, you might choose a romantic script, write in red ink and coordinate this Memories of the Darling Family… paragraph with the red hearts on your matting and honeymoon cottage photo. Date stamp A date stamp can help make your book established and give it a more authentic look. Inside Cover You might want to add your home address, phone and other contact information inside the front cover in case you leave your book somewhere accidentally. Back Cover Treat this similar to the front. Think about the last paperback you read. The author photo and biography was probably there. So add youre here, too. How about a nice professional family photo with a paragraph mentioning everyone, the home area (state and country), season the shot was taken, family pet info, etc. Budget Concerns Check out whether or not its better for your budget if you hire the memory book personalization done or whether you should do it yourself. Places like Cord Camera shops have inside store tools and computers to use to help with reprinting your own photos. Plus if youre interested in professionally printing and binding your own memory book, local print shops like Kinkos could be handy and online companies that offer these services like http://instantpublisher.com and http://www.lulu.com. Sophia Ton is a freelance writer who writes about baby shower gifts, maternity, pregnancy and family related topics. She loves to shop for baby wraps and she loves baby shower games. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sophia_Ton http://EzineArticles.com/?Personalizing-Memory-Books&id=305969 over the counter xenical xenical on line xenical prescription online buy xenical online

Hoodia Safety

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

By David Rossy When it comes to hoodia safety, the first thing to note is that there is very little in the way of clinical evidence one way or the other. However, currently it appears hoodia is safe. There are no reports of side effects or any other health problems from the ingestion of hoodia plant extract whether in pill or liquid form. We know that the Sans Bushmen, a tribe that lives in the Kahalari Desert of South Africa discovered hoodia and have been using it literally for thousands of years to suppress their appetite with no known negative side effects. It is also known that the active ingredient in the hoodia plant thought to be responsible for its ability to reduce appetite - named P57 by scientists - was used in a study with morbidly obese participants by the pharmaceutical company Phytopharm and caused a reduction in appetite, ( subjects voluntarily reduced calorie intake by around 1000 calories per day) weight and fat loss in the participants using it with no discernible bad side effects. An important point to note is that hoodia is not a stimulant like ephedra or many other weight loss pills. Nor is it a synthetic drug, it is simply a naturally occurring plant. However lets not get too complacent here, it may be “just” a plant but so are Castor Beans, Foxglove and Mistletoe berries - all of which are fatal! As of today there have been no reported health problems relating to hoodia consumption, though it is important to note that the Sans bushmen of South Africa, widely reported as “proof” that hoodia is safe due to their ongoing consumption for thousands of years, do not eat hoodia regularly or over a long period of time. Nor do they take prescription medication, eat junk food diets or sit at a desk or in front of a TV all day! There may be health complications with long term use, particularly with the morbidly obese who may have to take hoodia for 1-2 years to promote the weight loss necessary. There simply is no studies to show whether this would be safe or not. Finally To establish the safety of the active ingredient more conclusively - P57 - will require longer term studies on a large scale. Another possible health complication with hoodia is it may be too effective in reducing appetite, this could pose a danger to people who may forget to drink enough fluids or eat enough food if they are feeling full. It is also possible that hoodia may be dangerous to people with diabetes, they may suffer a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels from simply having not eaten enough. The author has suffered from weight problems over the last few years and has also been conned by many of the fads and rip-offs so prevalent in the diet industry. He now researches latest developments in weight loss and impartially reports on their safety and effectiveness. To find out if hoodia really is safe and if it indeed works, please check out hoodia safety Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Rossy http://EzineArticles.com/?Hoodia-Safety&id=551724 brooke peninton naked brooke peninton naked topless naked fuck tits latu stocking lovers fetish incest images family affair porn film

Get The Cash You Need With Unsecured Loans And Stay Out Of Risk

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Carry]John Carry It really matters to a borrower to take out the amount of money he needs and stay out of risk too. What makes it possible is an unsecured loan. Unsecured loans are taken without offering any collateral. Therefore, there is no such risk that your property will be lost unless you pay off the loan. It is because of their risk free nature, unsecured loans are the most preferred option of borrowing money in UK. In case of unsecured loans, the credit record of a borrower plays an important role. Since there is no collateral involved in it, there is no guarantee of money recovery from the lenders side. That is why lenders take the credit history of the borrower very seriously. An impressive credit record encourages the lender to approve the loan application easily and offer the loan with flexible terms. Problem arises when you apply for an [http://www.online-unsecured-loans.co.uk/unsecured-loan.html target=_blank]unsecured loan and your credit history does not speak in favour of you. Credit score generally fluctuates between 850 and 300. A credit score below 600 is regarded as poor. If your credit score is lower than the satisfactory level, you may have a little problem to get approval for unsecured loans. However, there are options available to get out of this problem. In that case, you have to dedicate a little time and gather some knowledge about the loan market. Exploring the loan market, you can reach to the lenders who offer customised loans. These lenders have specialised loans for people with bad credit record. So, if you approach these lenders you will have all the chance to get approval for the loan you are looking for. Unsecured loans are popular not merely because they are risk free. They come handy when the borrower needs the cash urgently. Taking an unsecured loan, you can also get rid of the property assessment cost. The author is a business writer specializing in finance and credit products and has written authoritative articles on the finance industry. He has done his masters in Business Administration and is currently assisting Online-Unsecured-Loans as a finance specialist. For more information please visit: http://www.online-unsecured-loans.co.uk Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Carry http://EzineArticles.com/?Get-The-Cash-You-Need-With-Unsecured-Loans-And-Stay-Out-Of-Risk&id=279466 internet pharmacy phentermine buy phentermine 180 cheap phentermine cod buy phentermine with mastercard

What Are the Symptoms of Autism?

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_Keegan] Ron Keegan Diagnosing autism is a very subjective process, though the DSM IV lists specific criteria that must be met for a formal diagnosis of autism. Autism is diagnosed when a child meets A) at least six items on the following criteria, with at least two from the first set, and at least one each from the second and third. The criteria are: 1.) impairment of social functioning in one of the following ways a. impairment in using eye-to-eye contact, facial expression, body posture and gestures to regulate social interaction :: The child may fail to make eye contact when speaking, or openly resist making eye contact when you attempt to engage their gaze. Their facial expressions may be inappropriate to the conversation, or unchanging. They don’t display ‘normal’ body language and gestures. b. does not develop peer relationships appropriate to age:: Your child may not seem to ‘fit’ with the other kids in a playgroup. If the other children are playing together and sharing toys, he may be the one sitting in the middle of the group oblivious to them while he pursues his own interests. He doesn’t engage in the same type of mirroring, parallel play or interaction as other children his age. c. does not spontaneously seek to share enjoyment, interests or achievements with others :: The child doesn’t bring toys to other people to show them, or point out things that are interesting to them. By age 2, most children are trying to share their interests with parents and those around them. When a child never does, it’s cause for concern.:: d. ‘lack of social or emotional recipricocity’ (described as ‘not participating in social activities or games, preferring solitary activities or involving others in activities only as tools or mechanical aids) :: The child doesn’t engage in social give and take. This one can be confusing - especially the part about using others as ‘tools’ or ‘mechanical aids’. An example may be the child who sits in your lap and rocks without seeming to acknowledge that you exist other than as a seat.:: 2.) Impairments in communication characterized by:a) delay in or total absence of spoken speech without an attempt to compensate by using gestures or signals. b) in children with speech, the inability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others. c) stereotyped or repetitive use of language such as echoing words spoken by others or repeating words or phrases compulsively d) lack of imaginative play or social play that imitates others 3.) restricted stereotyped and repetitive behavior, interests and activities, characterized by: a. an abnormal preoccupation with one or more area of interest b. inflexible insistence on certain rituals or routines c. stereotyped or repetitive gestures or motions (e.g. hand-flapping, finger flapping, rocking, twisting) that may involve the entire body, or just one part of it. d. Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects B) Delays or abnormal functioning in one or more of the following: 1.) Social interaction 2.) Language for communication 3.) Symbolic or imaginary play C) The condition doesn’t fit Rett’s syndrome or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder There’s no doubt that the topic of autism symptoms can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about autism symptoms , you may find what you’re looking for at [http://www.articlebankonline.com ] autism directory Ron Keegan is a successful Webmaster and publisher of ArticleBankOnline.com a Health Directory with up to date information on health issues. [http://www.ArticleBankOnline.com] http://www.ArticleBankOnline.com Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_Keegan ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Keegan [http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-the-Symptoms-of-Autism?&id=247236 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Are-the-Symptoms-of-Autism?&id=247236 cheapest cialis online sildenafil citrate us overnight delivery ups cialis day next 100mg buy sildenafil

Job Search 101

Friday, September 21st, 2007

By Detra Davis The whole job search effort is completely exhausting and at times just plain pathetic. It is what it is and if you are unemployed know that the job search experience is one familiar to everyone at some point and time, so dont feel alone. One of the major mistakes many job seeks make is not being able to keep the whole job search experience organized. Remembering who you spoke to on what day, concerning what job can be a true mission impossible. There are a couple of things that can make the whole experience more palatable. Lighten up and write it all down. 1. Write down all names, numbers, address, driving directions, phone and fax numbers associated with your job search. You never know when you will be able to help someone else find a job. Remember good deeds never go unrewarded and what goes around comes back around. 2. Writing a resume for each position is essential and using the correct verbs to describe your talents and accomplishments is crucial. It is unlikely in three, five or ten years that you will remember how you described increasing those sales accounts 300%. Keep those old resumes, they will come in handy. 3. This is a very small world and keeping a record of good interviewers could land you a job in the future. Always keep in touch with people who make a dynamic impression, even if you dont get the job. 4. If you like the company and what they stand for see if they have a mentoring program or if they do community service and ask to become a volunteer. It only takes making one good impression to land your foot in the door. 5. Your job search experience will one day be an inspiration to someone or a made for television movie to someone else. Never sell yourself short and think the whole experience is worthless and boring. I have not yet seen a sitcom centered on Job Search 101. What happened to all the people who interviewed me for jobs? What happens to all the applications and resumes? Do they go to that great resume/application cloud in the sky or are they shredded into a million tiny pieces never to be seen again. I dont waste a lot of time thinking about it, I just know that a number of folks missed out on working with a really dynamic person and thats a shame. There are probably others out there who fill the same way. Fear not, there is a job or profession out there with your name on it. If you really cant find a good paying job you can always go into business for yourself. Remember, someone made millions selling pet rocks. Detra D. Davis is a writer with over 20 years of experience. Author of several e-books, including Job Search 101 you can email Detra at: detra_davis@supportingourchildren.com, or by mail: J. Davis & Associates, P. O. Box 4935, Cary, NC 27513-4935. To learn more visit: http://www.supportingourchildren.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Detra_Davis http://EzineArticles.com/?Job-Search-101&id=44361 male infertility herbs cures for male infertility male infertility specialists increase semen flow

Cheat Winter By Forcing Spring Flowers

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

By Yaacov Teplow-Phipps Forcing spring flowering trees and shrubs is an easy three step process. Just because cherry trees bloom in the spring doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from their beauty earlier. In fact, if you have forsythia, cornelian cherries, flowering quince, magnolia, azaleas, crabapple, pear, pussy willow or any other early blooming woody plants you can take advantage of these tricks to force them to bloom early indoors. The ideal time to prune them is when the buds are nice and swollen and there is color showing. If you don’t see any color yet, but the buds are very swollen, take a chance and cut a few branches while you wait for the perfect time. Cut branches of a variety of sizes in order to make a well balanced arrangement later. For a large arrangement using forsythia, you can cut lengths anywhere from one to four feet long. You can also take shorter cutting for use in small, tabletop vases. Once you have enough cuttings, bring them inside to a cool place such as your garage or basement. Fill your vase with water. Cut or smash the bottom of the branches to expose more open areas to the water to maximize the amount of water they can absorb. Depending on how close the buds were to naturally opening it may take a couple of days to a week or two for them to blossom. In the meantime, change the water every day or two and mist the branches if they look like they are drying out. When the buds are opening, it’s time to bring them inside and enjoy with the family. If you have an abundant source of branches to force use them instead of buying flowers during the winter. Most trees and shrubs should bloom for a few days to a couple of weeks. Make sure to change the water regularly and to sweep up fallen blossoms. Have fun! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yaacov_Teplow-Phipps http://EzineArticles.com/?Cheat-Winter-By-Forcing-Spring-Flowers&id=475662 online consultation prescriptions get prescriptions online diet medications online online pharmacy drugs

Simple Tips For Losing Weight

Sunday, September 16th, 2007

By Ron Swerdfiger Weight loss is a tough result to obtain regardless of weight or level of physical fitness. There are many different ways to lose weight, some more unhealthy than others, but the ones that work are most times the most complicated to pull off. Some people may recommend eating less to lose weight, and in some cases eating less is a key component of losing weight, but in most cases, eating is a necessity if one wishes to lower their own weight. Without food and the calories they supply, your body has no energy to burn and in turn will turn your existing muscle into fat. In order to lose weight you must make a commitment, a commitment that must not be broken if you desire results. Do not misconstrue this for the idea that you can never indulge during your diet, but just be sure that you have set reasonable limits for yourself that you are ready to commit to. If you are on a strict diet, a “cheat” meal here and there will go a long way to keeping you happy. To be successful in achieving your goal of weight loss: set multiple, smaller, more easily attainable goals for yourself. These will keep you self-motivated and more likely to obtaining your overall goal of a happier and healthier life. For an Online Personal Trainer visit http://www.worldfitness.ca Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Swerdfiger http://EzineArticles.com/?Simple-Tips-For-Losing-Weight&id=184743 order cheap buy soma buy discount generic soma online best soma online order cheap buy soma