Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
I love herbal gardens, I had one in the back of my patio door. When I cooked, my herbal garden was very close to retrieve the herbs. What I enjoyed was the beauty it created when looking outside and the aroma it provided! I've been gone for 7 years so my herbal garden is no longer there.
I hope You enjoyed yesterday's article "The 15 Most Powerful Healing Herbs in Your Kitchen". Here's another great article by John an AdlandPro Community friend, it's that time of year to plant any garden You wish.
If You desire a herbal garden then today's article is for You. John is sharing tons of information to help You how to grow, dry and freeze your own herbs. “HAPPY GARDENING”... enjoy!
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Over The Garden Wall With Oaky:
Growing, Drying and Freezing Your Own Herbs
By John Elliott Aka Oaky Wood©2006
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These annual, perennial and sometimes shrubby plants are often grown by amateur gardeners, and cultivated for their culinary and sometimes medicinal uses, although they can make attractive specimen plants in mixed borders. In most gardens, a small plot can easily be set aside for growing a few choice herbs. Large or medium Patio style planters and hanging baskets, near the kitchen, using cultivated herbs is fast becoming a popular hobby, as healthier lifestyles are sought throughout the world. The aromatic fragrances are also so refreshing on those balmy summer days as you lay basking and relaxing in the sunshine, enjoying your iced lemon teas.
Generally, herbs need a light, fertile, well-drained soil or compost, in full sun. They can easily be grown in odd corners in the garden, but if space allows, a designated herb garden is the most convenient and can be a most attractive way of grouping them. The ancient Romans, Greeks and indeed even the great traditional English gardeners, all enjoyed and treasured their herb gardens in there many shapes, sizes and complexities throughout history.
Ideally the site should be a south facing position, and on a slight slope to aid drainage. Herb beds should be arranged and planned to make access easier to each group of plants, placing the taller varieties to the back or centralized, where they won’t overshadow the smaller ones, and keep moisture loving varieties to the bottom of any slope. Raised bed culture is also ideal for an herb garden feature, add a waterfall or running water and enjoy the relaxing aromatic tranquillity it creates.
Many herbs can be grown from seed in window boxes, on patios, in pots on outside windowsills, hanging baskets or that old discarded wheelbarrow. Use John Innes potting compost No 1 or 2, or a similar good quality brand from your local garden supply center, and put a good layer of broken crocks or small polystyrene pieces in the bottom to ensure good drainage. Keep the compost just moist during the growing season, and give a liquid feed occasionally, to encourage good growth. The actual windowsill or patio should preferably face south or west, so that the plants receive direct sunshine for the greater part of the day.
The culinary and medicinal uses of individual herbs is beyond this article, but generally the best and fullest flavors always come from the freshest of your picked herbs which will keep for only a limited period in well sealed, and dry air tight plastic containers in your refrigerator. For winter use, herbs must be dried or frozen. Certain evergreen herbs, such as chives and dill, are not suitable for drying and ideally should be frozen or the plants re-potted up for growing indoors, within a conservatory, glasshouse, or on a sunny windowsill.
HARVESTING AND DRYING YOUR HERBS
The time off harvesting individual herbs varies according to whether the herbs are being grown for their leaves, flowers, seeds or stems.
Plants grown for their leaves and stems should be gathered in the young leafy stage before flowering begins for best flavor. Harvest flower heads whilst in full bloom, and the seeds when the pods begin to open and split naturally as they turn yellow or golden brown.
Always choose a dry day for harvesting your herbs, and gather then early in the day before the sun becomes hot, but just after the morning dew has evaporated, to lock in the flavors. Handle the leafy shoots and sprigs carefully to avoid bruising. Large leaves can be stripped from the stems before drying but small leafed types are best left intact. Discard all damaged and discolored leaves, and if possible wash the remainder gently in cold water. Spread the leaves thinly in flat shallow containers, ideally on cheesecloth-covered frames, which will allow air to circulate. Place the containers in a dry, airy and warm place out of the direct sunlight. An airing cupboard or the warming drawer of a cooker is suitable provided there is reasonable ventilation. Leave for at least 4 to 5 days turning the herbs once a day. They are ready for storing when they become brittle and rustle slightly when touched.
An alternative method is to tie into small bunches and hang upside down in a shaded, dry, warm and airy place. These will take a little longer to dry out completely. You can dry out your herbs quicker in front of a fire, or within an oven on low heat but some of the aroma and flavor will be lost.
The leaves should be completely dry before storing. When completely dry large leaves varieties should be stripped from their stems, small leaves, and fine-stemmed herbs such as rosemary, thyme and bay, retain their flavor better when stored whole and crumbled before use. Discard as much chaff (waste) as possible and pack the leaves or sprigs into small, preferably opaque containers. Clear jars should be stored in a dark place. Remember to seal and label each jar immediately.
Herbs both dried or frozen, may be stored separately according to variety, or as your favorite mixtures and combinations. It is often labor saving to make up your herb bouquet, tied in muslin bags at the drying stage.
The procedure for drying flower heads and seed pods are the same. Loosen seeds by rubbing pods between your palms until the seeds drop out. This is best done outside with a slight breeze present as this will blow away some of the chaff. Once separated dry your seed for a further week and once completely dry store in the same way as for the leaves.
FREEZING YOUR HERBS
Freezing is an excellent way of preserving and storing your herbs, especially chervil and parsley, which have tender leaves unsuitable for home drying. Gather and wash your herbs and place them in a metal colander. Blanche the herbs by immersing your colander in boiling water for 1 minute, then into cold water. Leave to thoroughly cool, drain and freeze immediately, storing in small plastic bags, ice cube making or plastic containers, kitchen foil or even waxed cartons. Frozen herbs need not be thawed before use in soups, stews or gravy’s and can actually be chopped more easily whilst frozen. Frozen herbs are best used for flavoring as they become limp when thawed, and so useless as garnishes. Never refreeze.
OTHER USES FOR YOUR DRIED HERBS
Apart from their culinary and medicinal uses which is beyond this article to explain in any depth, your dried herbs may also be used to make sachets, potpourri's and pomanders, which give off a long lasting aromatic fragrance to rooms, airing cupboards, drawers and linen closets. Lavender sachets are so well known, but many other herbs and flowers make pleasant mixtures.
Particularly pleasant fragrant and aromatic mixtures include:-
1/. Lemon thyme with verbena.
2/. Fragrant leaves geraniums with rosemary.
3/. Lavender, rosemary and a few cloves with a piece of orange, lemon or lime zest.
4/. Equal parts of peppermint, lemon verbena, lemon balm, rose geranium and rose petals.
Well my friends I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s “Over The Garden Wall with Oaky”… it’s off to the potting shed for me, as an amateur gardeners work is never done no matter what time of year it is… “HAPPY GARDENING” until we meet again
By John Elliott
Aka Oaky Wood©2006
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John Elliott aka Oaky Wood has been an avid amateur gardener for over 25 years and is currently co-founder of The Corner 4 Women http://thecorner4women.com is a writer, artist, poet and webmaster, also the owner of the Oakwood Grafix group of websites http://www.oakwoodgrafix.co.uk/
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Have yourself a Super Friday & enjoy the upcoming weekend!
Jun 16, 2006
Jun 15, 2006
15 Powerful Healing Herbs
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
The following is an article by John an AdlandPro Community friend. Here are 15 powerful herbs that hold a plethora of natural healing ingredients. By including these herbs and spices into your daily cooking, You will greatly enhance your quality of life...
The 15 Most Powerful Healing Herbs in Your Kitchen
By John Elliott Aka Oaky Wood©2006
Since ancient times our ancestor’s harvested the many herbs and spices that grew wild around them, mixed potions, and treated ailments. Man was after all a hunter-gatherer, and an omnivore, (an organism which gets its food energy from both plant and animal material).
The humble herb and spice rack in your kitchen today need not be just a decorative feature, although they look quite pleasing to the eye hanging on the wall, in both modern and old fashioned styled homes. They can in fact hold a plethora of natural healing ingredients that can also add great taste to the foods you eat every day.
Of all the herbs and spices you can choose from for flavor, there are 15 that are more powerful than the rest. Below is the list and you may well be surprised to learn of the many diverse conditions for which they’ve proven so very useful.
1/. BASILBasil is an herbal carminative, that is, it can relieve gas and soothe stomach upsets. One possible explanation for its calming effect is a compound called eugenol, which has been shown to help ease muscle spasms.
Research is still preliminary, but laboratory studies also suggest that compounds found in basil may help disrupt the dangerous chain of events that can lead to the development of cancer
2/. CAYENNE
Cayenne pepper is a hot red powder made from tropical chilly peppers. It contains alkaloid capsaicin, which relieves pain by blocking the chemicals that send pain messages to the brain. If you eat cayenne at the first sign of any type of headache, with plenty of water as a chaser, this spicy herb may be an effective alternative treatment.
Added to food, cayenne perks up appetite, improves digestion and relieves gas, nausea, and indigestion. The herb also thins phlegm and eases its passage from the lungs, thus helping to prevent and treat coughs, colds and bronchitis.
3/. CINNAMON
Cinnamon bark contains an oily chemical called cinnamaldehyde that kills a variety of illness causing bacteria, including the dreaded E.coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureas.
Research shows that cinnamon is also able to stop the growth of the Asian flu virus. Herbalists report that cinnamon bark also helps regulate the menstrual cycle and checks flooding during menopause. Also cinnamaldehyde has a tranquilizing effect that helps reduce anxiety and stress.
4/. CLOVE
Oil of clove is 60 to 90 percent eugenol. A potent pain deadening antimicrobal. Clove has earned the official endorsement of the FDA as an effective stopgap measure for tooth pain. Clove is also among the spices that can help the body use insulin more effectively, thus lowering blood sugar somewhat. In one lab study, clove was also found to speed healing of the dreaded cold sores.
5/. DILL
Dill has been used to soothe the digestive tract and treat heartburn, colic and gas for thousands of years. In fact, the word dill comes from the Old Norse word dilla, meaning to lull or soothe. The herb has an antifoaming action that suggests why it might help break up gas bubbles. Like parsley, dill is rich in chlorophyll, which also makes it useful in treating bad breath.
6/. FENNEL
Rich in volatile oils, fennel is what’s known as a carminative herb, meaning that it can ease bloating, gas pains, and digestive spasms in the small and large intestines. Fennel can also reduce bad breath and body odor that originates in the intestines.
Women who are breast feeding may find that fennel, which works in a way similar to the body’s hormones, increases milk flow.
7/. GARLIC
Intact garlic cloves contain an odorless, sulphur-containing amino acid called alliin. When the garlic is crushed, alliin becomes allicin. Research shows that allicin helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure and also helps prevents blood clots. Garlic can also reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Compounds in this familiar bulb kill many organisms, including bacteria and viruses that cause earaches, flu and colds. Research indicates that garlic is also effective against digestive ailments and diarrhea. What’s more, further studies suggest that this common and familiar herb may help prevent the onset of cancers.
8/. GINGERWhen it comes to quelling the queasiness of motion sickness, ginger has no equal say herbalists. In fact, researchers have demonstrated that ginger beats dimenhydrate, the main ingredient in motion sickness drugs such as Dramamine, for controlling symptoms of seasickness and motion sickness.
Ginger stimulates saliva flow and digestive activity, settles the stomach, relieves vomiting, eases pain from gas and diarrhea, and is effective as an anti-nausea remedy. This aromatic herb also helps lower cholesterol. Herbalists have also found it to be useful as a pain reliever.
9/. MINTHerbalists the world over use mint, as a premier stomach tonic, to counteract nausea and vomiting, promote digestion, calm stomach muscle spasms, relieve flatulence, and ease hiccups. Menthol, the aromatic oil in peppermint, also relaxes the airways and fights bacteria and viruses.
Menthol interferes with the sensation from pain receptors, thus it may be useful in reducing headache pain. Scientific evidence suggests that peppermint can kill many kinds of micro-organisms, and may boost mental alertness. In one study, people who inhaled menthol said they felt as if it relieved their nasal congestion, although it didn’t increase their measurable airflow.
10/. OREGANO
Oregano contains at least four compounds that soothe coughs and 19 chemicals with antibacterial action that may help reduce body odor. The ingredients in oregano that soothe coughs may also help un-knot muscles in the digestive tract, making oregano a digestive aid. This familiar spice also contains compounds that can lower blood pressure too.
11/. PARSLEY
Diuretic herbs such as parsley prevent problems such as kidney stones and bladder infections and keep our body’s plumbing running smoothly by causing it to produce more urine. They also relieve bloating during menstruation.
Also there’s a reason for that parsley on the edge of the diner plate, its not just there for fancy decoration; it’s an effective breath freshener because it contains high levels of chlorophyll.
12/. ROSEMARYRosemary is one of the richer herbal sources of antioxidants, which have been shown to prevent cataracts, and contains 19 chemicals with antibacterial action that help fight infection.
Traditionally used to ease asthma, this common culinary ingredient has volatile oils that can reduce the airway constriction induced by histamine, that chemical culprit of asthma and other allergy symptoms. Herbalists think that rosemary may also help ease breast pain by acting as a natural drying agent to fluid filled cysts.
13/. SAGE
The oils found in sage are both antiseptic and antibiotic, so it can help fight infections. Sage is effective for symptoms of menopause, night sweats and hot flashes, because of its estrogenic action and because its tannins can dry up perspiration.
There’s also compelling evidence that sage may b of value to people with diabetes for whom the hormone insulin does not work as efficiently as it should. Lab studies indicate that sage may boost insulin’s action.
14/. THYME
Thyme contains thymol, which increases blood-flow to the skin. The warmth is comforting, and some herbalists believe that the increased blood-flow speeds healing. An anti-spasmodic. Thyme relaxes respiratory muscles and is endorsed for treating bronchitis by Commission E, the expert panel that judges the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines for the German government. Aromatherapists say that thyme’s scent is a mood lifter.
15/. TURMERIC
Many clinical studies agree that curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects, including a significant beneficial effect in relieving rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Curcumin, which gives this spice its familiar yellow pigment, may also lower cholesterol. Turmeric is also packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, which have been shown to prevent cataracts.
Passed down to us by our forefathers and countless generations throughout the world, these 15 food additives and enhancers are just a selected few that are currently known to have medicinal and beneficial properties, yet represent the more commonly used. By including these herbs and spices into your daily cooking or diet on a regular basis, you will greatly enhance your quality of life, and reduce the need for those expensive, and often damaging pharmaceutical drugs.
To your continued good health
By John Elliott .. Aka Oaky Wood©2006
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John Elliott Aka Oaky Wood is currently the Co-Founder of "The Corner 4 Women©2006" http://thecorner4women.com is a Poet, writer, artist, webmaster and designer. He is also the owner of the Oakwood Grafix©2005 Group of websites http://www.oakwoodgrafix.co.uk/
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Have yourself a Super Thursday!
The following is an article by John an AdlandPro Community friend. Here are 15 powerful herbs that hold a plethora of natural healing ingredients. By including these herbs and spices into your daily cooking, You will greatly enhance your quality of life...
The 15 Most Powerful Healing Herbs in Your Kitchen
By John Elliott Aka Oaky Wood©2006
Since ancient times our ancestor’s harvested the many herbs and spices that grew wild around them, mixed potions, and treated ailments. Man was after all a hunter-gatherer, and an omnivore, (an organism which gets its food energy from both plant and animal material).
The humble herb and spice rack in your kitchen today need not be just a decorative feature, although they look quite pleasing to the eye hanging on the wall, in both modern and old fashioned styled homes. They can in fact hold a plethora of natural healing ingredients that can also add great taste to the foods you eat every day.
Of all the herbs and spices you can choose from for flavor, there are 15 that are more powerful than the rest. Below is the list and you may well be surprised to learn of the many diverse conditions for which they’ve proven so very useful.
1/. BASILBasil is an herbal carminative, that is, it can relieve gas and soothe stomach upsets. One possible explanation for its calming effect is a compound called eugenol, which has been shown to help ease muscle spasms.
Research is still preliminary, but laboratory studies also suggest that compounds found in basil may help disrupt the dangerous chain of events that can lead to the development of cancer
2/. CAYENNE
Cayenne pepper is a hot red powder made from tropical chilly peppers. It contains alkaloid capsaicin, which relieves pain by blocking the chemicals that send pain messages to the brain. If you eat cayenne at the first sign of any type of headache, with plenty of water as a chaser, this spicy herb may be an effective alternative treatment.
Added to food, cayenne perks up appetite, improves digestion and relieves gas, nausea, and indigestion. The herb also thins phlegm and eases its passage from the lungs, thus helping to prevent and treat coughs, colds and bronchitis.
3/. CINNAMON
Cinnamon bark contains an oily chemical called cinnamaldehyde that kills a variety of illness causing bacteria, including the dreaded E.coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureas.
Research shows that cinnamon is also able to stop the growth of the Asian flu virus. Herbalists report that cinnamon bark also helps regulate the menstrual cycle and checks flooding during menopause. Also cinnamaldehyde has a tranquilizing effect that helps reduce anxiety and stress.
4/. CLOVE
Oil of clove is 60 to 90 percent eugenol. A potent pain deadening antimicrobal. Clove has earned the official endorsement of the FDA as an effective stopgap measure for tooth pain. Clove is also among the spices that can help the body use insulin more effectively, thus lowering blood sugar somewhat. In one lab study, clove was also found to speed healing of the dreaded cold sores.
5/. DILL
Dill has been used to soothe the digestive tract and treat heartburn, colic and gas for thousands of years. In fact, the word dill comes from the Old Norse word dilla, meaning to lull or soothe. The herb has an antifoaming action that suggests why it might help break up gas bubbles. Like parsley, dill is rich in chlorophyll, which also makes it useful in treating bad breath.
6/. FENNEL
Rich in volatile oils, fennel is what’s known as a carminative herb, meaning that it can ease bloating, gas pains, and digestive spasms in the small and large intestines. Fennel can also reduce bad breath and body odor that originates in the intestines.
Women who are breast feeding may find that fennel, which works in a way similar to the body’s hormones, increases milk flow.
7/. GARLIC
Intact garlic cloves contain an odorless, sulphur-containing amino acid called alliin. When the garlic is crushed, alliin becomes allicin. Research shows that allicin helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure and also helps prevents blood clots. Garlic can also reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Compounds in this familiar bulb kill many organisms, including bacteria and viruses that cause earaches, flu and colds. Research indicates that garlic is also effective against digestive ailments and diarrhea. What’s more, further studies suggest that this common and familiar herb may help prevent the onset of cancers.
8/. GINGERWhen it comes to quelling the queasiness of motion sickness, ginger has no equal say herbalists. In fact, researchers have demonstrated that ginger beats dimenhydrate, the main ingredient in motion sickness drugs such as Dramamine, for controlling symptoms of seasickness and motion sickness.
Ginger stimulates saliva flow and digestive activity, settles the stomach, relieves vomiting, eases pain from gas and diarrhea, and is effective as an anti-nausea remedy. This aromatic herb also helps lower cholesterol. Herbalists have also found it to be useful as a pain reliever.
9/. MINTHerbalists the world over use mint, as a premier stomach tonic, to counteract nausea and vomiting, promote digestion, calm stomach muscle spasms, relieve flatulence, and ease hiccups. Menthol, the aromatic oil in peppermint, also relaxes the airways and fights bacteria and viruses.
Menthol interferes with the sensation from pain receptors, thus it may be useful in reducing headache pain. Scientific evidence suggests that peppermint can kill many kinds of micro-organisms, and may boost mental alertness. In one study, people who inhaled menthol said they felt as if it relieved their nasal congestion, although it didn’t increase their measurable airflow.
10/. OREGANO
Oregano contains at least four compounds that soothe coughs and 19 chemicals with antibacterial action that may help reduce body odor. The ingredients in oregano that soothe coughs may also help un-knot muscles in the digestive tract, making oregano a digestive aid. This familiar spice also contains compounds that can lower blood pressure too.
11/. PARSLEY
Diuretic herbs such as parsley prevent problems such as kidney stones and bladder infections and keep our body’s plumbing running smoothly by causing it to produce more urine. They also relieve bloating during menstruation.
Also there’s a reason for that parsley on the edge of the diner plate, its not just there for fancy decoration; it’s an effective breath freshener because it contains high levels of chlorophyll.
12/. ROSEMARYRosemary is one of the richer herbal sources of antioxidants, which have been shown to prevent cataracts, and contains 19 chemicals with antibacterial action that help fight infection.
Traditionally used to ease asthma, this common culinary ingredient has volatile oils that can reduce the airway constriction induced by histamine, that chemical culprit of asthma and other allergy symptoms. Herbalists think that rosemary may also help ease breast pain by acting as a natural drying agent to fluid filled cysts.
13/. SAGE
The oils found in sage are both antiseptic and antibiotic, so it can help fight infections. Sage is effective for symptoms of menopause, night sweats and hot flashes, because of its estrogenic action and because its tannins can dry up perspiration.
There’s also compelling evidence that sage may b of value to people with diabetes for whom the hormone insulin does not work as efficiently as it should. Lab studies indicate that sage may boost insulin’s action.
14/. THYME
Thyme contains thymol, which increases blood-flow to the skin. The warmth is comforting, and some herbalists believe that the increased blood-flow speeds healing. An anti-spasmodic. Thyme relaxes respiratory muscles and is endorsed for treating bronchitis by Commission E, the expert panel that judges the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines for the German government. Aromatherapists say that thyme’s scent is a mood lifter.
15/. TURMERIC
Many clinical studies agree that curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects, including a significant beneficial effect in relieving rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Curcumin, which gives this spice its familiar yellow pigment, may also lower cholesterol. Turmeric is also packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, which have been shown to prevent cataracts.
Passed down to us by our forefathers and countless generations throughout the world, these 15 food additives and enhancers are just a selected few that are currently known to have medicinal and beneficial properties, yet represent the more commonly used. By including these herbs and spices into your daily cooking or diet on a regular basis, you will greatly enhance your quality of life, and reduce the need for those expensive, and often damaging pharmaceutical drugs.
To your continued good health
By John Elliott .. Aka Oaky Wood©2006
-=-
John Elliott Aka Oaky Wood is currently the Co-Founder of "The Corner 4 Women©2006" http://thecorner4women.com is a Poet, writer, artist, webmaster and designer. He is also the owner of the Oakwood Grafix©2005 Group of websites http://www.oakwoodgrafix.co.uk/
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Have yourself a Super Thursday!
Jun 13, 2006
For Your Amusement
Among other things...
Author Unknown...
Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash with Wily Post in 1935, was probably the greatest political sage this country has ever known.
Enjoy the following:
1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.
2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
3. There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman... neither works.
4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
5. Always drink upstream from the herd.
6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.
8. There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.
9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
10. If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
11. Letting the cat out the bag is a whole lot easier then putting it back.
12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
ABOUT GROWING OLDER...
First - Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
Second - The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
Third - Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
Fourth - When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
Fifth - You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
Sixth - I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
Seventh - One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.
Eighth - One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.
Ninth - Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
Tenth - Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf.
And finally - If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.
Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
Author Unknown...
Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash with Wily Post in 1935, was probably the greatest political sage this country has ever known.
Enjoy the following:
1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.
2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
3. There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman... neither works.
4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
5. Always drink upstream from the herd.
6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.
8. There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.
9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
10. If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
11. Letting the cat out the bag is a whole lot easier then putting it back.
12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
ABOUT GROWING OLDER...
First - Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
Second - The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
Third - Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
Fourth - When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
Fifth - You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
Sixth - I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
Seventh - One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.
Eighth - One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.
Ninth - Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
Tenth - Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf.
And finally - If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.
Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
Jun 11, 2006
You've Got... Complaints!
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article is about having complaints from your customers and how to turn upset clients into raving fans. Alexandria gives You a system to handle these situations graciously by sharing 5-step process to follow and turn them around for the best...
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"You've Got... Complaints!
How to Turn Disgruntled Customers
Into Raving Fans"
by Alexandria K. Brown
"The E-zine Queen"
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Did you know that marketing isn't only about getting your clients or customers? It's also about KEEPING them, and keeping them happy. That's a big key to growing your business, because not only will those customers themselves keep coming back to you for more, but they'll send their friends and colleagues as well.
Studies done by the American Management Association show that your average HAPPY customer will tell three people about her experience with you. But your average unhappy customer will spread the negative word about you to 11 other people!
I'm sure you've done this yourself. I sure have! In fact, I can name three companies right now that I will *never* do business with again, simply because of the way they handled my complaints. (Sometimes all I wanted was for someone to say, "I'm sorry this happened, Ms. Brown!")
A System Is Your Solution
If there are any complaints you receive on a regular basis, you should be addressing them by putting systems into place to avoid those problems from happening in the first place. There's no way your business can grow with those landmines in your path.
But even after you do, remember that you are human, and so are your customers, so things will go wrong from time to time. And customers will write or call you to complain. So let's give you a system to handle these situations graciously, with integrity, and turn them around for the best!
After doing some research, I've found that most all the recommended protocols for taking care of complaining customers basically follow this 5-step process.
1. Validate the customer's feelings. Simply acknowledge that she's irritated. Example: "I can understand you are upset."
2. Assure her you'll take care of her. Let her know something will be done. Example: "I'm here to help you with this."
3. Make a "sad-glad" statement. This helps the customer realize you care. Example: "I'm sorry you experienced a problem. And I'm glad you told me about it!"
4. Ask the customer what will make HER happy. Don't let this scare you! Customer service experts say that most often the upset customer will ask for *less* than what you would have offered yourself. Example: "How can we make this better?" or "How can we make this up to you?"
5. Acknowledge that you'll do what she wants, or make a counter offer. (But always try to just give her what she wants! In the end, it will save you time and headaches, and avoid any bad word spreading about you.) Example: "I want to keep you as a customer, and we're going to honor your request." Or, "We can't do that per our agreement, but we can... [counter offer here]."
I'd also throw in a little something else for her trouble. For example, perhaps free shipping or a bonus gift.
Adjust to Fit, and Review With Your Team
Of course you should adjust this process to fit your particular business. I suggest you take a few minutes to write up a script based on these steps, and then review it with your assistant or anyone else in your business who is in contact with your clients and customers. Make any necessary changes, and then distribute it to your team and agree that everyone will follow it.
Have your team keep a log of each complaint that comes in, what it's about, and how it's handled. Then have a monthly meeting to review and suggest improvements.
© 2005-2006 Alexandria K. Brown
WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Alexandria's Small Business Marketing Blog.
-=-
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," publishes the award-winning 'Straight Shooter Marketing' weekly ezine with 19,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.EzineQueen.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Sunday!
Today's article is about having complaints from your customers and how to turn upset clients into raving fans. Alexandria gives You a system to handle these situations graciously by sharing 5-step process to follow and turn them around for the best...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"You've Got... Complaints!
How to Turn Disgruntled Customers
Into Raving Fans"
by Alexandria K. Brown
"The E-zine Queen"
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Did you know that marketing isn't only about getting your clients or customers? It's also about KEEPING them, and keeping them happy. That's a big key to growing your business, because not only will those customers themselves keep coming back to you for more, but they'll send their friends and colleagues as well.
Studies done by the American Management Association show that your average HAPPY customer will tell three people about her experience with you. But your average unhappy customer will spread the negative word about you to 11 other people!
I'm sure you've done this yourself. I sure have! In fact, I can name three companies right now that I will *never* do business with again, simply because of the way they handled my complaints. (Sometimes all I wanted was for someone to say, "I'm sorry this happened, Ms. Brown!")
A System Is Your Solution
If there are any complaints you receive on a regular basis, you should be addressing them by putting systems into place to avoid those problems from happening in the first place. There's no way your business can grow with those landmines in your path.
But even after you do, remember that you are human, and so are your customers, so things will go wrong from time to time. And customers will write or call you to complain. So let's give you a system to handle these situations graciously, with integrity, and turn them around for the best!
After doing some research, I've found that most all the recommended protocols for taking care of complaining customers basically follow this 5-step process.
1. Validate the customer's feelings. Simply acknowledge that she's irritated. Example: "I can understand you are upset."
2. Assure her you'll take care of her. Let her know something will be done. Example: "I'm here to help you with this."
3. Make a "sad-glad" statement. This helps the customer realize you care. Example: "I'm sorry you experienced a problem. And I'm glad you told me about it!"
4. Ask the customer what will make HER happy. Don't let this scare you! Customer service experts say that most often the upset customer will ask for *less* than what you would have offered yourself. Example: "How can we make this better?" or "How can we make this up to you?"
5. Acknowledge that you'll do what she wants, or make a counter offer. (But always try to just give her what she wants! In the end, it will save you time and headaches, and avoid any bad word spreading about you.) Example: "I want to keep you as a customer, and we're going to honor your request." Or, "We can't do that per our agreement, but we can... [counter offer here]."
I'd also throw in a little something else for her trouble. For example, perhaps free shipping or a bonus gift.
Adjust to Fit, and Review With Your Team
Of course you should adjust this process to fit your particular business. I suggest you take a few minutes to write up a script based on these steps, and then review it with your assistant or anyone else in your business who is in contact with your clients and customers. Make any necessary changes, and then distribute it to your team and agree that everyone will follow it.
Have your team keep a log of each complaint that comes in, what it's about, and how it's handled. Then have a monthly meeting to review and suggest improvements.
© 2005-2006 Alexandria K. Brown
WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Alexandria's Small Business Marketing Blog.
-=-
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," publishes the award-winning 'Straight Shooter Marketing' weekly ezine with 19,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.EzineQueen.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Sunday!
Jun 9, 2006
10 Uses With Vinegar
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article is written by John an AdlandPro Community friend. John is sharing 10 great uses with vinegar for around your home. I use vinegar in my home but John has shared other ways that was unknown to me. Read his article and find out what ways You can benefit by using vinegar...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10 Great Uses For Ordinary
Vinegar Around The Home
By John Elliott
Aka Oaky Wood©2006
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Almost every home has this little gem in their larder as a food flavoring, but have you ever considered its many other properties too.
Vinegar is slightly acid, not the corrosive type, its php is too low, but its acidity can be used quite effectively around the home and garden too.
Our forefather's knew the benefits of vinegar from its first introduction many hundreds of years ago and can safely replace many toxic commercial products, and actually be more efficient and cost effective.
1/. Adding just a small amount to a bowl of water, with a little lemon or limejuice will make your crockery and glassware sparkle. Its acidity is wonderful for removing grease. Not just your glassware use the same mixture combination for cleaning windows both in and out of the home, even the green algae on your greenhouse or conservatory will disappear, and make the panes shine. As a cleaning agent vinegar can be used all over the house, on kitchen work surfaces, utensils, cooker, fridge and freezer its natural antiseptic qualities makes it ideal for where children or animals are. The bathroom sink, walls, bath, toilet and bidet can all benefit from its wonderful properties.
2/. Wax build up on furniture can safely be removed using vinegar. As an ex-restorer of antiques I often used it in removing age-old grimy wax build-ups on French Polished surfaces without the hint of damage to this type of wood finish. All melamine, Formica or polyurethane finishes can also be effectively cleaned safely.
3/. Cars sparkle from a regular clean with vinegar, add a few drops of washing up liquid to the mixture and you have an excellent way of buffing your car or truck both in and out.
4/. Leather upholstery is easily degreased and brought back to its pristine former condition; also those leather biker’s jackets and trousers can safely be cleaned too.
5/. As spring approaches use the vinegar, water, lemon/lime and a little washing up liquid combination to clean your glasshouse or conservatory staging and seating areas. Pots; both plastic and terracotta can be cleaned and sanitized, together with seed trays and hanging baskets.
6/. Shoes; yes even those patent leather ones can all be cleaned with vinegar then use your regular polish to finish and buff.
There's an old nursery rhyme;
Jack & Jill
went up the hill
to fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down
and broke his crown
and Jill came tumbling after.
Up Jack got
and home did trot
as fast as he could caper
to go to bed
and mend his head
with vinegar and brown paper.
7/. Now this really was a way of helping cuts and bruises mend and not just an old rhyme. Oh it certainly smarts as it goes onto cuts, but it has very good anti-bacterial properties preventing them from going septic. The brown paper and vinegar draws out the bruising and helps it to heal quicker. This is quite a medieval treatment but still very effective when no alternative is available, especially for minor cuts and abrasions on both human’s and pets alike. Of cause in medieval times paper was at a premium and was quite a luxury item, but large leaves from woodland plants were often used, together with lichens and mosses. Mostly old fabrics made for excellent bandages.
8/. Vinegar has been used effectively for cold treatments for many years, as its vapors loosen the mucus from a chesty cough. To make it more palatable and pleasant my grandmother used boiled raspberries, which also contain lots of vitamin C, with a little sugar and lemon juice, and added the vinegar. Simmering down to a fairly thick consistency. The mixture can be strained to take out the seeds if preferred but is not really necessary. Once cooled this homemade Raspberry Vinegar was a natural cough and cold prevention treatment. It would keep well in good sealed and sterilized glass bottles. Because many berries contain lots of vitamin C other combinations were also made. Raspberry Vinegar is available from commercial manufactures.
9/. As for pets, add vinegar to their bathing water, it will make their fur shine, but also helps the infestation of tics and fleas, if done regularly Take care around your pets eyes as vinegar can sting for a while.
10/. Aching feet, no problem, soothe away those aches in a foot-spar of vinegar and warm water. Add witch hazel and chamomile and you have a very therapeutic soak.
I’ve only just scratched the surface with the uses of ordinary household vinegar, and no doubt as you start to realize its full potential then you’ll find so many more uses for this overlooked common household product. Many books have been written and are readily available from various sources
By John Elliott
Aka Oaky Wood©2006
-=-
John Elliott Aka Oaky Wood is currently the Co-Founder of "The Corner 4 Women©2006" thecorner4women.com is a Poet, writer, artist, webmaster and designer. He is also the owner of the Oakwood Grafix©2005 Group of websites www.oakwoodgrafix.co.uk/.
-=-
Have yourself a Super Thursday!
Today's article is written by John an AdlandPro Community friend. John is sharing 10 great uses with vinegar for around your home. I use vinegar in my home but John has shared other ways that was unknown to me. Read his article and find out what ways You can benefit by using vinegar...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10 Great Uses For Ordinary
Vinegar Around The Home
By John Elliott
Aka Oaky Wood©2006
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Almost every home has this little gem in their larder as a food flavoring, but have you ever considered its many other properties too.
Vinegar is slightly acid, not the corrosive type, its php is too low, but its acidity can be used quite effectively around the home and garden too.
Our forefather's knew the benefits of vinegar from its first introduction many hundreds of years ago and can safely replace many toxic commercial products, and actually be more efficient and cost effective.
1/. Adding just a small amount to a bowl of water, with a little lemon or limejuice will make your crockery and glassware sparkle. Its acidity is wonderful for removing grease. Not just your glassware use the same mixture combination for cleaning windows both in and out of the home, even the green algae on your greenhouse or conservatory will disappear, and make the panes shine. As a cleaning agent vinegar can be used all over the house, on kitchen work surfaces, utensils, cooker, fridge and freezer its natural antiseptic qualities makes it ideal for where children or animals are. The bathroom sink, walls, bath, toilet and bidet can all benefit from its wonderful properties.
2/. Wax build up on furniture can safely be removed using vinegar. As an ex-restorer of antiques I often used it in removing age-old grimy wax build-ups on French Polished surfaces without the hint of damage to this type of wood finish. All melamine, Formica or polyurethane finishes can also be effectively cleaned safely.
3/. Cars sparkle from a regular clean with vinegar, add a few drops of washing up liquid to the mixture and you have an excellent way of buffing your car or truck both in and out.
4/. Leather upholstery is easily degreased and brought back to its pristine former condition; also those leather biker’s jackets and trousers can safely be cleaned too.
5/. As spring approaches use the vinegar, water, lemon/lime and a little washing up liquid combination to clean your glasshouse or conservatory staging and seating areas. Pots; both plastic and terracotta can be cleaned and sanitized, together with seed trays and hanging baskets.
6/. Shoes; yes even those patent leather ones can all be cleaned with vinegar then use your regular polish to finish and buff.
There's an old nursery rhyme;
Jack & Jill
went up the hill
to fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down
and broke his crown
and Jill came tumbling after.
Up Jack got
and home did trot
as fast as he could caper
to go to bed
and mend his head
with vinegar and brown paper.
7/. Now this really was a way of helping cuts and bruises mend and not just an old rhyme. Oh it certainly smarts as it goes onto cuts, but it has very good anti-bacterial properties preventing them from going septic. The brown paper and vinegar draws out the bruising and helps it to heal quicker. This is quite a medieval treatment but still very effective when no alternative is available, especially for minor cuts and abrasions on both human’s and pets alike. Of cause in medieval times paper was at a premium and was quite a luxury item, but large leaves from woodland plants were often used, together with lichens and mosses. Mostly old fabrics made for excellent bandages.
8/. Vinegar has been used effectively for cold treatments for many years, as its vapors loosen the mucus from a chesty cough. To make it more palatable and pleasant my grandmother used boiled raspberries, which also contain lots of vitamin C, with a little sugar and lemon juice, and added the vinegar. Simmering down to a fairly thick consistency. The mixture can be strained to take out the seeds if preferred but is not really necessary. Once cooled this homemade Raspberry Vinegar was a natural cough and cold prevention treatment. It would keep well in good sealed and sterilized glass bottles. Because many berries contain lots of vitamin C other combinations were also made. Raspberry Vinegar is available from commercial manufactures.
9/. As for pets, add vinegar to their bathing water, it will make their fur shine, but also helps the infestation of tics and fleas, if done regularly Take care around your pets eyes as vinegar can sting for a while.
10/. Aching feet, no problem, soothe away those aches in a foot-spar of vinegar and warm water. Add witch hazel and chamomile and you have a very therapeutic soak.
I’ve only just scratched the surface with the uses of ordinary household vinegar, and no doubt as you start to realize its full potential then you’ll find so many more uses for this overlooked common household product. Many books have been written and are readily available from various sources
By John Elliott
Aka Oaky Wood©2006
-=-
John Elliott Aka Oaky Wood is currently the Co-Founder of "The Corner 4 Women©2006" thecorner4women.com is a Poet, writer, artist, webmaster and designer. He is also the owner of the Oakwood Grafix©2005 Group of websites www.oakwoodgrafix.co.uk/.
-=-
Have yourself a Super Thursday!
Jun 6, 2006
Achieve Personal Success
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
What Does Personal Success Mean to You?? This question was asked to an AdlandPro Community Member in an interview she gave and it was amazing her response. Kathy passed the test!
It's a fantastic topic because SUCCESS is defined differently to all individuals. Kathy shares helpful hints to GOOD and simple steps to follow for those who need guidance in setting some type of goal...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Achieve Personal Success
by: Kathy Martin
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The concept "to achieve personal success" cannot be specifically defined for the masses because such success is, well, personal. Therefore, in order to achieve personal success, it is first necessary to come to terms with your own personal definition of personal success. Each individual's own definition of will be influenced by several key factors:
* Personal success is subject to individual interpretation based on upbringing, past experiences, role models, personal motivations and goals. For some it might be to own a home in an upscale neighborhood, while for others it might be a career in the Peace Corps. Carefully contemplate your definition of success based on your values—not what your brother-in-law or Madison Avenue tells you it is.
* Your view of personal success will change at various times throughout your life. For example, what might be deemed successful in college or on your first job is very different from successfully raising a family or comfortably retiring in the Caribbean. Your definition of personal success will continue to change, so don't make the error of pursuing an outdated version of it.
* When you achieve personal success, it is sometimes measurable and sometimes not. Accumulating a certain amount of wealth is one measure, but a successful marriage may be far more meaningful to many people and can only be measured by how the two partners feel about each other as the years go by.
* Very few people achieve personal success accidentally. Most people who achieve personal success first defined it then planned for it; they set a goal to achieve it.
Once you have defined what it means to achieve personal success for yourself, your next step is to set goals that will lead you to your definition of success. You must create realistic, viable plans to achieve those goals. Follow your plans, be flexible, and enjoy the process. It's not about keeping up with the Jonese's.
Here are five simple steps to help you define and achieve your own personal success:
Step #1: Identify Your Goal
Clearly determine what the goal is. Be specific.
* Bad: “To lose weight”
* Good: “To lose 10 pounds in a healthy way”
Step #2: Identify Your Obstacles
List all the obstacles standing between you (or your team) and the goal. Identify resources, assistance, information or anything else that might be needed to reach the goal. As your writing, don’t get discouraged by the obstacles– they’re absolutely necessary to help you with the next step in completing your plan.
Step #3: List Tasks to Overcome Each Obstacle
Taking each obstacle one at a time, write one or more ways the obstacle could be overcome. These are tasks (or action items) that will comprise your to-do list. Expect to have several tasks per obstacle.
Step #4: Assign Task Deadlines and Set Up Task Reminders or Other Alerts
Assign a start and completion date to each task in the plan. It’s ok to be working on several different tasks at the same time, but don’t overdo it. Be realistic. Assign a reminder or alert to each task in the plan to keep you on track. If you're using myGoals.com, you can specify how often you want to be reminded via email of every task you've listed in your plan. You can choose to be reminded daily, weekly, monthly, at random, etc.
Step #5: Follow Your Plan
If you use myGoals.com, by the time to you've reached this step, you will have defined a GoalPlanTM. Complete each task in succession. Revisit your GoalPlan often and make sure to use your reminder system to keep you on track.
Additional Suggestions to Achieve Personal Success:
* If your success plan is too long or complicated, try breaking it into several smaller, more manageable plans.
* Don’t rely on luck or things outside your control as part of your success plan.
* Be flexible– expect your success plan to change before you complete it. Circumstances change, unexpected events occur, and your plan should be updated to adapt to changes. Use planning software such as myGoals.com to help construct your plan and modify it regularly.
* Seek the input of others who have expertise in the area or who have completed a similar goal.
* Reward yourself for partial success as significant milestones are accomplished.
Tools & Resources to Achieve Personal Success
myGoals.com (this Web site) was designed to help you achieve personal success, regardless of how you chose to define it. By helping you select and pursue personally fulfilling goals, you create a clear, defined path to your own personal success. myGoals.com's pre-made GoalPlans®, goal-setting wizard, and email reminders are extremely effective tools for creating viable plans and keeping you on track.
As priorities change (and circumstances change), goals will change as well. myGoals.com provides a convenient, flexible, and easy way to manage your path to personal success. We encourage everyone to pursue their goals with passion. Personal success is yours alone to define, pursue, and achieve. We are here to help!
-=-
Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
What Does Personal Success Mean to You?? This question was asked to an AdlandPro Community Member in an interview she gave and it was amazing her response. Kathy passed the test!
It's a fantastic topic because SUCCESS is defined differently to all individuals. Kathy shares helpful hints to GOOD and simple steps to follow for those who need guidance in setting some type of goal...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Achieve Personal Success
by: Kathy Martin
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The concept "to achieve personal success" cannot be specifically defined for the masses because such success is, well, personal. Therefore, in order to achieve personal success, it is first necessary to come to terms with your own personal definition of personal success. Each individual's own definition of will be influenced by several key factors:
* Personal success is subject to individual interpretation based on upbringing, past experiences, role models, personal motivations and goals. For some it might be to own a home in an upscale neighborhood, while for others it might be a career in the Peace Corps. Carefully contemplate your definition of success based on your values—not what your brother-in-law or Madison Avenue tells you it is.
* Your view of personal success will change at various times throughout your life. For example, what might be deemed successful in college or on your first job is very different from successfully raising a family or comfortably retiring in the Caribbean. Your definition of personal success will continue to change, so don't make the error of pursuing an outdated version of it.
* When you achieve personal success, it is sometimes measurable and sometimes not. Accumulating a certain amount of wealth is one measure, but a successful marriage may be far more meaningful to many people and can only be measured by how the two partners feel about each other as the years go by.
* Very few people achieve personal success accidentally. Most people who achieve personal success first defined it then planned for it; they set a goal to achieve it.
Once you have defined what it means to achieve personal success for yourself, your next step is to set goals that will lead you to your definition of success. You must create realistic, viable plans to achieve those goals. Follow your plans, be flexible, and enjoy the process. It's not about keeping up with the Jonese's.
Here are five simple steps to help you define and achieve your own personal success:
Step #1: Identify Your Goal
Clearly determine what the goal is. Be specific.
* Bad: “To lose weight”
* Good: “To lose 10 pounds in a healthy way”
Step #2: Identify Your Obstacles
List all the obstacles standing between you (or your team) and the goal. Identify resources, assistance, information or anything else that might be needed to reach the goal. As your writing, don’t get discouraged by the obstacles– they’re absolutely necessary to help you with the next step in completing your plan.
Step #3: List Tasks to Overcome Each Obstacle
Taking each obstacle one at a time, write one or more ways the obstacle could be overcome. These are tasks (or action items) that will comprise your to-do list. Expect to have several tasks per obstacle.
Step #4: Assign Task Deadlines and Set Up Task Reminders or Other Alerts
Assign a start and completion date to each task in the plan. It’s ok to be working on several different tasks at the same time, but don’t overdo it. Be realistic. Assign a reminder or alert to each task in the plan to keep you on track. If you're using myGoals.com, you can specify how often you want to be reminded via email of every task you've listed in your plan. You can choose to be reminded daily, weekly, monthly, at random, etc.
Step #5: Follow Your Plan
If you use myGoals.com, by the time to you've reached this step, you will have defined a GoalPlanTM. Complete each task in succession. Revisit your GoalPlan often and make sure to use your reminder system to keep you on track.
Additional Suggestions to Achieve Personal Success:
* If your success plan is too long or complicated, try breaking it into several smaller, more manageable plans.
* Don’t rely on luck or things outside your control as part of your success plan.
* Be flexible– expect your success plan to change before you complete it. Circumstances change, unexpected events occur, and your plan should be updated to adapt to changes. Use planning software such as myGoals.com to help construct your plan and modify it regularly.
* Seek the input of others who have expertise in the area or who have completed a similar goal.
* Reward yourself for partial success as significant milestones are accomplished.
Tools & Resources to Achieve Personal Success
myGoals.com (this Web site) was designed to help you achieve personal success, regardless of how you chose to define it. By helping you select and pursue personally fulfilling goals, you create a clear, defined path to your own personal success. myGoals.com's pre-made GoalPlans®, goal-setting wizard, and email reminders are extremely effective tools for creating viable plans and keeping you on track.
As priorities change (and circumstances change), goals will change as well. myGoals.com provides a convenient, flexible, and easy way to manage your path to personal success. We encourage everyone to pursue their goals with passion. Personal success is yours alone to define, pursue, and achieve. We are here to help!
-=-
Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
Jun 5, 2006
Mud Puddles & Dandelions
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today I'm sharing this very nice poem, enjoy it!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mud Puddles And Dandelions
(Author Unknown)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that
Are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and
Blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly,
Dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't
Have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words.
If they don't know them, they make up their own.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it
Messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close
Their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to
The ground laughing.
When I pray, I say thee and thou and
Grant me this, give me that.
My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends.
Please keep the bad dreams away tonight.
Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet.
I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and
Dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams
To build, rivers to cross and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from?
No wonder God loves the little children !!!
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may
Look back and realize they were the big things."
-=-
*The children are a gift from God and are very precious!
United Voice Against CHILD ABUSE Need Your Help To Take A Stand Protecting Children!
Please take a moment today to help us save our precious children! United Voice Against Child Abuse Petition gives YOU the opportunity to help giving children the right to a safe up-bringing. YOU can make a difference to make the world a safer place for our children. It is very important for all of us to assist in the work against child abuse... it is up to YOU to take that opportunity !!!
God Bless YOU for taking that time today !!!
-=-
Quote
"The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern."
- Max Lucado Bailey -
Have yourself a Super Monday!
Today I'm sharing this very nice poem, enjoy it!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mud Puddles And Dandelions
(Author Unknown)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that
Are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and
Blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly,
Dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't
Have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words.
If they don't know them, they make up their own.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it
Messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close
Their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to
The ground laughing.
When I pray, I say thee and thou and
Grant me this, give me that.
My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends.
Please keep the bad dreams away tonight.
Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet.
I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and
Dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams
To build, rivers to cross and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from?
No wonder God loves the little children !!!
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may
Look back and realize they were the big things."
-=-
*The children are a gift from God and are very precious!
United Voice Against CHILD ABUSE Need Your Help To Take A Stand Protecting Children!
Please take a moment today to help us save our precious children! United Voice Against Child Abuse Petition gives YOU the opportunity to help giving children the right to a safe up-bringing. YOU can make a difference to make the world a safer place for our children. It is very important for all of us to assist in the work against child abuse... it is up to YOU to take that opportunity !!!
God Bless YOU for taking that time today !!!
-=-
Quote
"The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern."
- Max Lucado Bailey -
Have yourself a Super Monday!
Jun 3, 2006
Baby Boomers, Scammers...
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
The following is an article by Dave Cottrell an AdlandPro Business Community friend. The article was written in 2005 but I feel it could be very helpful in wading through all the hype when you're looking for a good, home-based business.
Note that You can help to protect yourself against scammers by going to http://scambusters.org
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Baby Boomers, Scammers
And Snake Oil Salesmen
by Dave Cottrell
© - All Rights Reserved
www.TipsNTools.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Baby Boomers (BBr) make up the single largest group on planet Earth at this time. If you are a BBr, you have a LOT of company!
Generally speaking, a BBr is someone who was born between 1946 and 1964. This means that ALL BBrs are now over 40!
The BBr group has always been known for being very active and on average, more financially stable than any large group in history. After WWII, the economy boomed in many areas of the world, creating undreamed of wealth especially for westerners. Many of the things we take for granted today would have been considered lavish luxuries for previous generations (cars, washing machines and driers, tvs, electric lights, vacations, etc., etc.) Prior to the BBr generation, people were content to have enough to eat and wear, and a roof over their heads!
(Next time you hear someone born before 1946 reminiscing wistfully about the "good old days," remind them that most people at that time walked everywhere, had one pair of shoes, one set of work clothes, and one set of "Sunday-go-to-meeting" clothes!)
The Baby Boomer generation has always been known for being very active, travelling extensively, playing hard, and doing everything possible to deny the aging process. But the fact is, BBrs ARE getting older. Add this to the fact that BBrs have more disposable income than any previous generation, and you open up a HUGE market for products that claim to improve health and/or slow the aging process!
Do an online search for "health supplements" and you will find 7,481,585 pages on MSN and 6,760,000 on Google!
High quality health supplements ARE good for most people. However, not all health supplements are high quality. Many of the products offered are simply a concoction of high-priced chemicals thrown together under a fancy name and some very questionable claims.
Back in the "good old days" of the "wild, wild west," scammers known as "snake oil salesmen" used to travel from town to town selling bottles of elixir (read - health supplements), guaranteed to cure virtually all known ailments and conditions. They preyed on people who were suffering, selling them nothing more usually than a concoction of alcohol and some bad-tasting goop dumped in to make it taste legitimate (in those days, the worse medicine tasted, the better it was for you!!) Some of these "medicines" had highly toxic ingredients added like mercury and arsenic. See ChemHeritage.org/EducationalServices/pharm/asp/asp21a.htm
So what IS a true health supplement? It is something that is taken in addition to the regular food you eat every day. Under FDA guidelines, it cannot claim to cure or treat any condition, ailment or disease. Such claims are illegal unless the product has been subjected to rigorous testing and then labeled as a drug. Today's snakeoil salesmen generally get around this by using "unsolicited testimonials" from people using their products. (The FDA is creating increasingly strict guidelines in this area, too.) It is also worth noting that the Placebo Effect is being seriously studied by accredited researchers at this time. See http://www.apa.org/monitor/mar02/placebo.html and http://journals.apa.org/prevention/volume1/pre0010002a.html
Many of the popular supplements available in local stores and pharmacies are chemically derived vitamins and minerals. Such minerals are virtually impossible for the body to absorb, and without them, the vitamins will not be used either. Most pass through the body doing little, if any, good. Taken in large doses, some vitamins and minerals are toxic and actually increase the risk of serious medical conditions. See this document from the Australian government and this one from American Longevity Information Center
The best source of useable vitamins and minerals is from the natural food you eat. This means that it is very important to eat a regular, balanced and varied diet of unrefined foods. It is especially important to include an abundance of green, leafy vegetables, and brightly colored fruits and vegetables.
Due to the fast-paced lifestyle of BBrs, pollution, and other environmental factors, it is often wise to use supplements. However, the best supplement is one that is totally natural, like a whole juice or berries from a very nutrient-rich plant. Before choosing such a supplement, do some online research. While the company producing the supplement may make many incredible claims supported by so-called "unsolicited" testimonials and "doctors", a quick search online will reveal much about the nutritional value of the source plant used for the supplement, as well as information on the health claims about the plant, research, and validity.
-=-
Dave Cottrell markets online and off, writes like crazy, and publishes several newsletters and websites including www.tipsntools.com.
© 2005 Tipsntools.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Saturday!
The following is an article by Dave Cottrell an AdlandPro Business Community friend. The article was written in 2005 but I feel it could be very helpful in wading through all the hype when you're looking for a good, home-based business.
Note that You can help to protect yourself against scammers by going to http://scambusters.org
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Baby Boomers, Scammers
And Snake Oil Salesmen
by Dave Cottrell
© - All Rights Reserved
www.TipsNTools.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Baby Boomers (BBr) make up the single largest group on planet Earth at this time. If you are a BBr, you have a LOT of company!
Generally speaking, a BBr is someone who was born between 1946 and 1964. This means that ALL BBrs are now over 40!
The BBr group has always been known for being very active and on average, more financially stable than any large group in history. After WWII, the economy boomed in many areas of the world, creating undreamed of wealth especially for westerners. Many of the things we take for granted today would have been considered lavish luxuries for previous generations (cars, washing machines and driers, tvs, electric lights, vacations, etc., etc.) Prior to the BBr generation, people were content to have enough to eat and wear, and a roof over their heads!
(Next time you hear someone born before 1946 reminiscing wistfully about the "good old days," remind them that most people at that time walked everywhere, had one pair of shoes, one set of work clothes, and one set of "Sunday-go-to-meeting" clothes!)
The Baby Boomer generation has always been known for being very active, travelling extensively, playing hard, and doing everything possible to deny the aging process. But the fact is, BBrs ARE getting older. Add this to the fact that BBrs have more disposable income than any previous generation, and you open up a HUGE market for products that claim to improve health and/or slow the aging process!
Do an online search for "health supplements" and you will find 7,481,585 pages on MSN and 6,760,000 on Google!
High quality health supplements ARE good for most people. However, not all health supplements are high quality. Many of the products offered are simply a concoction of high-priced chemicals thrown together under a fancy name and some very questionable claims.
Back in the "good old days" of the "wild, wild west," scammers known as "snake oil salesmen" used to travel from town to town selling bottles of elixir (read - health supplements), guaranteed to cure virtually all known ailments and conditions. They preyed on people who were suffering, selling them nothing more usually than a concoction of alcohol and some bad-tasting goop dumped in to make it taste legitimate (in those days, the worse medicine tasted, the better it was for you!!) Some of these "medicines" had highly toxic ingredients added like mercury and arsenic. See ChemHeritage.org/EducationalServices/pharm/asp/asp21a.htm
So what IS a true health supplement? It is something that is taken in addition to the regular food you eat every day. Under FDA guidelines, it cannot claim to cure or treat any condition, ailment or disease. Such claims are illegal unless the product has been subjected to rigorous testing and then labeled as a drug. Today's snakeoil salesmen generally get around this by using "unsolicited testimonials" from people using their products. (The FDA is creating increasingly strict guidelines in this area, too.) It is also worth noting that the Placebo Effect is being seriously studied by accredited researchers at this time. See http://www.apa.org/monitor/mar02/placebo.html and http://journals.apa.org/prevention/volume1/pre0010002a.html
Many of the popular supplements available in local stores and pharmacies are chemically derived vitamins and minerals. Such minerals are virtually impossible for the body to absorb, and without them, the vitamins will not be used either. Most pass through the body doing little, if any, good. Taken in large doses, some vitamins and minerals are toxic and actually increase the risk of serious medical conditions. See this document from the Australian government and this one from American Longevity Information Center
The best source of useable vitamins and minerals is from the natural food you eat. This means that it is very important to eat a regular, balanced and varied diet of unrefined foods. It is especially important to include an abundance of green, leafy vegetables, and brightly colored fruits and vegetables.
Due to the fast-paced lifestyle of BBrs, pollution, and other environmental factors, it is often wise to use supplements. However, the best supplement is one that is totally natural, like a whole juice or berries from a very nutrient-rich plant. Before choosing such a supplement, do some online research. While the company producing the supplement may make many incredible claims supported by so-called "unsolicited" testimonials and "doctors", a quick search online will reveal much about the nutritional value of the source plant used for the supplement, as well as information on the health claims about the plant, research, and validity.
-=-
Dave Cottrell markets online and off, writes like crazy, and publishes several newsletters and websites including www.tipsntools.com.
© 2005 Tipsntools.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Saturday!
Jun 2, 2006
Beware About Video Ads
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blo...
As You probably know, Google will start selling video ads this week (though actual details on when and where are still sketchy). But based on what IS known, it looks like a lot of people are actually going to LOSE money (but the few who do know what to do will actually MAKE money)!
If You care about online video, this article be a real eye opener as the hype on this topic starts building in the coming weeks....
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Beware: Google Selling Video Ads
by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights Reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
In a bold move, online advertising and search giant Google.com announced it will start selling online video ads this week to distribute across its partner network.
Curiously, Google will reportedly not display the ads on their main site, Google.com.
The company states that it's their effort to deliver richer content demanded by advertisers and consumers that drives this latest advertising venture.
On the surface, it makes sense.
Video represents the hottest trend online right now and advertising revenue made Google the darling of Wall Street and restored investor confidence in viability of the Internet.
But once you get beyond the euphoria of another Google success in the making, some serious questions need addressing before we all mortgage the house and pour the cash into Google stock.
As I just stated, when Google starts displaying video ads, they will not play on their main portal site.
The video ads will only display on partner sites most likely displaying AdSense.
AdSense is the commission driven advertising distribution system the propelled Google to financial stardom.
When a partner site displays the AdSense code, Google pays a percentage of ad revenue to the site owner displaying the ads.
Now it appears, those sites will also, at Google's option, display video ads.
Actual details of how the program will work and how advertisers include their videos in the system or display them remains sparse.
A search of the Google.com site, the AdSense.Google.com advertising section, and even the http://www.google.com/press/ site yielded very few clues to the actual inner-workings of the new video ads.
But, over the next few weeks, I'm sure the details of the program will become apparent to all.
Despite the excitement over the video ad buzz, I have two very real concerns about how video advertisement will play out with this new system.
First, the fact that Google.com will reportedly not display the video ads on their own site really bothers me.
Why would they do this?
If the advertising method means such a boon to advertisers, why wouldn't they exploit it on their own site?
The answer: despite all their testing on Video.Google.com, they don't know how video ads will play out.
Rather than experiment on their main "cash cow" site at Google.com, they want to work out the kinks on other people's sites.
If you ask me, that's not a very nice way to treat the people who made you multi-billionaires.
Second, considering the fact that most advertisers who choose to use video will simply play regurgitated TV commercials, video ads on Google will debut with mixed results.
Why?
Because standard TV commercials don't wok for producing measurable results that online advertisers can track.
A whole new world of direct-response video advertising must emerge for advertisers to successfully exploit this new opportunity.
The real winners at the start of this expansion in video advertising will be the businesses with products that sell best when people can see a demonstration or before and after pictures.
These require the least skill in direct-response copywriting and create the most impact when viewed by potential customers.
-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-step and click-by-click how to get your own money-making videos posted online...
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU To Painlessly Create, Post and PROFIT From Your Own Money-Making Online Videos... Without Being a Computer Geek or Paying Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!" => www.WebsiteVideoSecrets.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Friday & enjoy your coming weekend!
As You probably know, Google will start selling video ads this week (though actual details on when and where are still sketchy). But based on what IS known, it looks like a lot of people are actually going to LOSE money (but the few who do know what to do will actually MAKE money)!
If You care about online video, this article be a real eye opener as the hype on this topic starts building in the coming weeks....
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Beware: Google Selling Video Ads
by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights Reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
In a bold move, online advertising and search giant Google.com announced it will start selling online video ads this week to distribute across its partner network.
Curiously, Google will reportedly not display the ads on their main site, Google.com.
The company states that it's their effort to deliver richer content demanded by advertisers and consumers that drives this latest advertising venture.
On the surface, it makes sense.
Video represents the hottest trend online right now and advertising revenue made Google the darling of Wall Street and restored investor confidence in viability of the Internet.
But once you get beyond the euphoria of another Google success in the making, some serious questions need addressing before we all mortgage the house and pour the cash into Google stock.
As I just stated, when Google starts displaying video ads, they will not play on their main portal site.
The video ads will only display on partner sites most likely displaying AdSense.
AdSense is the commission driven advertising distribution system the propelled Google to financial stardom.
When a partner site displays the AdSense code, Google pays a percentage of ad revenue to the site owner displaying the ads.
Now it appears, those sites will also, at Google's option, display video ads.
Actual details of how the program will work and how advertisers include their videos in the system or display them remains sparse.
A search of the Google.com site, the AdSense.Google.com advertising section, and even the http://www.google.com/press/ site yielded very few clues to the actual inner-workings of the new video ads.
But, over the next few weeks, I'm sure the details of the program will become apparent to all.
Despite the excitement over the video ad buzz, I have two very real concerns about how video advertisement will play out with this new system.
First, the fact that Google.com will reportedly not display the video ads on their own site really bothers me.
Why would they do this?
If the advertising method means such a boon to advertisers, why wouldn't they exploit it on their own site?
The answer: despite all their testing on Video.Google.com, they don't know how video ads will play out.
Rather than experiment on their main "cash cow" site at Google.com, they want to work out the kinks on other people's sites.
If you ask me, that's not a very nice way to treat the people who made you multi-billionaires.
Second, considering the fact that most advertisers who choose to use video will simply play regurgitated TV commercials, video ads on Google will debut with mixed results.
Why?
Because standard TV commercials don't wok for producing measurable results that online advertisers can track.
A whole new world of direct-response video advertising must emerge for advertisers to successfully exploit this new opportunity.
The real winners at the start of this expansion in video advertising will be the businesses with products that sell best when people can see a demonstration or before and after pictures.
These require the least skill in direct-response copywriting and create the most impact when viewed by potential customers.
-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-step and click-by-click how to get your own money-making videos posted online...
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU To Painlessly Create, Post and PROFIT From Your Own Money-Making Online Videos... Without Being a Computer Geek or Paying Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!" => www.WebsiteVideoSecrets.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Friday & enjoy your coming weekend!
Jun 1, 2006
A New Born Filly!
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today, I didn't post an article because I'm sharing the good news to the new addition to my family pets. Yesterday, at 7:30 am I went to Savanna (horse) shelter, opened the door and I was happy to see the new born filly (girl)!
I knew she would have it any day as the lasts few days she was acting different. Her milk sac has gotten real hard and had wax at the end of her nipples. It's so good to finally have this waiting period done, it can become a little stressful!
I took my time yesterday to imprint the filly, touching her all over every 2 hrs so she may get used at humans touch. Today, she was coming to me and seem to enjoy my company, she runs a lot too and looks very happy! I'm putting on the harness every 2 hrs for 10 minutes at a time then taking it off so she don't get her legs caught into them.
I get my foal training at HorseKeeping and Horse Training Care Info. They have all sort of help for your horses.
Below is a picture of Savanna when she was 10 yrs old and with her very first filly. I've taken a lot of pictures yesterday when the filly was just a few hours old. As soon as I develop them I'll be very happy to share her newborn with you, she is gorgeous !!!
Have yourself a Super Thursday!
Today, I didn't post an article because I'm sharing the good news to the new addition to my family pets. Yesterday, at 7:30 am I went to Savanna (horse) shelter, opened the door and I was happy to see the new born filly (girl)!
I knew she would have it any day as the lasts few days she was acting different. Her milk sac has gotten real hard and had wax at the end of her nipples. It's so good to finally have this waiting period done, it can become a little stressful!
I took my time yesterday to imprint the filly, touching her all over every 2 hrs so she may get used at humans touch. Today, she was coming to me and seem to enjoy my company, she runs a lot too and looks very happy! I'm putting on the harness every 2 hrs for 10 minutes at a time then taking it off so she don't get her legs caught into them.
I get my foal training at HorseKeeping and Horse Training Care Info. They have all sort of help for your horses.
Below is a picture of Savanna when she was 10 yrs old and with her very first filly. I've taken a lot of pictures yesterday when the filly was just a few hours old. As soon as I develop them I'll be very happy to share her newborn with you, she is gorgeous !!!
Have yourself a Super Thursday!
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