Inflikt

The dangers of processed foods and diets

Why is that the business of food processing is not strictly regulated by law so as to prevent health problems generated by an inadequate diet? Unhealthy products encourage an unhealthy diet.They appeal to the consumer by their availability and invasive advertising. If food producers are controlled by health officials, then regulations must be too lax in as far as marketed foods are concerned.

It is well-known that hydrogenated oils and partially hydrogenated oils, for instance, are extremely unhealthy. Vast volumes of research papers, studies and informative material have been published. Yet a proportion of the population still falls into the trap of believing that margarine is a “healthier alternative to butter, full of vitamins”. In fact, the trans-fatty acids it contains surpass the “healthy benefits” it offers. In this particular case, all foods containing hydrogentated oils should have a health hazard warning. Indeed, the law should prevent production of these foods. The health warning should resemble those on the cigarette packs, stating “This product contains trans-fatty acids that increase the risk of heart disease”. In this way, people would be constantly reminded of the negative effects of such products on health.

Generally, when it comes to foods and dieting, people should be advised of the potential inconvenience that might occur due to some ingredients or the way food is prepared.

Take for instance the case of so many diets that are undocumented, not officially controlled or approved. They promise great things but are less explicit about the great problems they generate. The very popular Atkins, for instance, a real danger to health, is a case in point.

Why are these anti-health practices not forbidden? The answer is glaringly obvious. Commercial and industrial interests have overtaken interest in people’s health.

Recent notable lawsuits

Well-informed consumers play a decisive role in their own health. And if people are not fully convinced by so many scientific studies, by so much information available, then they surely will when they find out about the multitude of lawsuits against food producers or promoters of diets. These include Kraft Foods Inc., producers of Oreo cookies, the McDonald fast food chain and the Atkins diet.

Attorney Stephen Joseph sued Kraft Foods Inc in 2003. Joseph based his accusations on a provision of the civil code of California which states that manufacturers are liable for products if the consumer is not advised of the products’ lack of safety. He rightfully claimed that the public was not aware of the high content of trans-fats in Oreos. He declared that he sued out of concern for public health. No money was requested in the lawsuit, which he finally withdrew, explaining that the publicity on this case had made people aware of the health risks of the product. If the lawsuit was intended as bad publicity for Oreos, the goal was not attained. Kraft Foods Inc will continue to produce Oreos in a trans-fat free version.

Another famous case of litigation is the 2002 suit against McDonald’s. The lawsuit was filed by the lawyer Samuel Hirsch on behalf of some obese children. The lawyer sustained that the fast food producer misled consumers into believing that the products were healthy and safe. He claimed that eating McDonald’s products made children develop health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. The court dismissed the suit on the grounds that no one is forced to eat at McDonald’s and that the law cannot moderate individuals’ excesses.

In a recent “diet trial” in Florida, 53-year-old Jody Gorran filed a suit against Atkins Nutritionals on May 26, 2004. The plaintiff claimed that after going on Atkins diet his cholesterol level increased so much that he needed angioplasty in order to unblock an artery. In addition to financial damages, he also requests that the company warns the public of the potential dangers of a diet favoring meat, cheese and other high-fat proteins by labeling their products. The outcome is not known at the time of writing.

Even if some of these lawsuits were begun for financial gain rather than humanitarian causes, they have a positive result. The publicity around such cases makes people ask questions, gives them the idea of doubt, the “assumption of guilt”.

Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.dietsindex.com/ where you can find more information about all diets indexed

Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared.
Contact:lauracio@gmail.com

Wedding reception favors are those small tokens that say so
much. After the excitement of months of planning, you are
finally married - now the fun can really begin! Wedding
reception favors sit waiting for your guests at their table
setting, inviting them to join in the fun with you. So choose
your wedding reception favors carefully - they don’t have to be
expensive, but they should be welcoming.

To nearly every couple, the wedding reception is as important as
the ceremony itself, as this is when the bride and groom get to
share their joy with their families and friends. Wedding
reception favors are the couple’s first gesture towards their
invited guests, and so convey an important message. Whether
large or small, expensive or more thrifty, the ideal wedding
reception favor should say welcome - come and join the fun.

There is no more welcoming wedding reception favor than
something personal, something that reflects the bride and groom,
and the relationship they share. Symbols of love are often
chosen as wedding reception favors for this reason, and cheap
wedding favors can include simple items, including heart shaped
boxes and candies, ribbons and even confetti.

The secret of effective wedding reception favors is often
simplicity - and this means that wedding favors don’t have to
cost the earth. The embracing sense of welcome is conveyed as
much in the arrangement of the table setting as the gift itself,
and cheap wedding favors can be highly effective when arranged
thoughtfully. Pretty stationery and wild flowers are as
beautiful a wedding reception favor as a more expensive gift.

Every bride has spent hours reading bridal magazines, and has
seen a multitude of beautiful table setting examples. The magic
behind each and every one of these is not the expense with which
wedding reception favors were purchased, but the care and
creativity with which the settings were arranged.

So welcome your guests to your wedding party by choosing wedding
reception favors that embody the happiness of your special day.
Arrange your favors with thought and care to send your guests
the welcoming message that wedding reception favors were created
to convey.

Choose your wedding reception favors to make a special day.

With the growing awareness amidst the people regarding water borne diseases has led to the increase in various types water filters which are floating in the market. Nowadays you can find water filters of all types, all categories and with array of features. It’s just that there are various types of water filters which match your needs and requirements. But its countertop water filters which are heading the race and have become very popular in no time. They are said to be the most powerful and advanced water filters as they not only cleans the water to the fullest but also removes the bad smell and odor. But you can find these features in many other water filters, and then you will ask what makes this water filter so popular. This countertop water filters are popular because of their extreme mobility and easy to handle feature.

Countertop water filters are said to be very handy and mobile when it comes to handling this equipment. This water filter is so mobile that it can be shifted from one room to another within no time. They are so flexible that they don’t require any technical installation. Even a layman can also install and operate it and that too within no time. Despite being so portable they are inexpensive and also easily available in the market. You just have to fix this water filter on the tap and instant clean drinking water is at your service. Majority of the countertop water filters are equipped with carbon block cartridges which makes sure that there is no passing of dirt, dust, impurities and bad smell in to the water. This means you will also get pure and clean drinking water.

This countertop water filter is so powerful that it removes the impurities of almost 20 microns which is sometime very difficult to even see. Now the countertop water filters are designed in such a way that whenever you need to change the cartridge the sensor will either buzz you or ring an alarm. This feature makes you tell when the actual time to change the cartridge is. So if you are looking for the best portable and handy water filter in the town then this countertop water filter is the best option available. As despite having so many features and benefits it is still inexpensive and very easy to install. In short, perfect option for your clean water requirements.

Many government run abatement districts for various things and they operate their enforcement on visual annual inspections and from complaints. Who complains? Well neighboring properties complain if they believe it posses a risk or if it is an eyesore, which affects property values in the area, which the neighboring owners would not consider a good thing.

Some may find such methodologies rather unacceptable and dismal considering that if your neighbor had a conflict with you for some reason they would call you in for everything from your dog barking to the weeds you did not remove come fire season. Nevertheless this is how it works and most code enforcement officers, except the BTK Killer in Wichita, understand these issues and complaints and use their best judgment in dealing with these things; the human side if you will.

Such a system could be considered self policing thru neighborhood tattle tales, yet in the end if your neighbor turned you in for failure to cut dried brush or weeds prior to fire season, he inevitably would be doing you a favor as your property and his, which he has a vested interest would be safer from destruction.

Abatement complaints from Neighboring Properties works only when people are willing to call in issues and if too many people mind their own business, then property values will drop and all maybe in jeopardy if or when a more serious event takes place you see? Consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Ram? Mouse? One is an animal and one is a rodent right? Ram…that is the zodiac sign for Aries… If this is what these words mean to you than you can surely use this quick glossary of computer terminology. It would be a good idea to read through them before purchasing a computer because these are things you should know about first. If you already have a computer then these computer terms can help you know what to do if your new computer equipment is unfamiliar. Also, this computer terminology can help you if you have to call in for technical help.

Okay lets go!

Cache: Cache is another type of memory kindred to RAM. The computer uses cache to quickly move data between the RAM and the CPU.

CD-ROM Drive: Most new computers now come with a CD-ROM drive as standard equipment. A CD-ROM drive reads data from a disc. These CDs look like a music CD, but hold data instead of music. CD-ROMs also contain games, dictionaries, recipe files, and lots of other things that you can load onto your computer.

CPU: The CPU, or central processing unit, is the brains of the computer. Most new Windows based programs use a Pentium processor or a AMD Athlon XP. New Macs use a different type of CPU called Power PC.

Disk Drive:Virtually all computers come with a disk drive that can read and save information on portable diskettes, also called floppy disks. You can use floppy disks to save information or to load new software onto your computer.

Hard Drive: The hard drive is also called the hard disk. You’ll probably never see it because it is nestled inside your computer. It’s the computer’s electronic filling cabinet, and it stores the computer’s operating system, files, programs and documents.

Keyboard: Just like a typewriter keyboard, this device is the primary way of inputting data into the computer programs.

Megahertz (MHz): This is the clock speed of the microprocessor. The higher the number, the quicker the information is processed. MHz relates to how many millions of instructions can be processed per second.

Memory:This is the circuitry or device that holds information in an electrical or magnetic form. There is read-only memory (ROM), which is information primarily stored on a disk, and random-access memory (RAM), which is chip-based storage inside the computer. Memory is typically measured in megabytes (MBs).

Modem:This mechanism connects a computer to a phone line so information can be sent from one computer to another or the user can access an on-line service or the Internet. In view of the popularity of the Internet, a modem is now considered basic equipment and comes on practically all-new computers. Most modems come with fax capabilities.

Monitor: An output device that allows you to see what you are doing (it is what you are looking into right now to see this). Most computers come with 14 or 15-inch monitors. This size is good for most people’s needs. Larger 17 or 21-inch monitors also are available, but may cost more. Myself, I prefer the 17-inch.

Motherboard:The motherboard is the circuit board that everything in the computer plugs into. The CPU, RAM and cache all plug into the motherboard.

Mouse: The mouse is another input device that makes getting around in your computer easier. It is a handheld object that is good for doing tasks such as moving and pointing to objects on the screen, and can replace the function and control keys of the keyboard. (If you need a lesson on how the mouse works and how to use it click here for a tutorial.)

Printer: A printer is an essential part of the computer if you want a hard copy of your work. There are four types of printers on the market: dot matrix, inkjet, bubble jet and laser. The dot matrix is the most basic. Most inkjets and bubble jets can print color and graphics, and a laser printer offers the best resolution at the highest speed.

RAM:Computers save data in two ways: on the hard drive and in random access memory or internal memory. New computer buyers should look for models with at least 16 MBs of RAM (or more, depending on what types of programs you’ll be running). Make sure that the computer can be upgraded.

Scanner:A scanner is a useful accessory to have if you are working with lots of artwork or photos. This device can copy written documents, pictures or photographs directly into your computer. There are three types of scanners: handheld, hopper-feed and flatbed.

Sound Card: This device allows your computer to reproduce music, sounds and voices. Make sure you have a sound card if you’re planning to play multimedia games.

Video Card: The video card is the part of the computer that sends the images to the monitor.

Well there you have it, a quick course on computer terms. I hope it has helped to guide you in your purchase of a new computer; or to help you with the one you have.

About the author:

About The Author
B. Archer is a successful author and publisher of
http://www.A1-computers.net- A great source of
information about computers and computer accessories.

Check Out Our Blog!
http://a1-computers.blogspot.com

Cashing In on the Customer Success Story
By Christine Taylor

Next to white papers, customer success stories  or case studies  are the most popular tool in the technical marketer’s toolkit. That’s because it’s one of the most powerful tools available to your sales force.

Why are they so popular? Because they are compelling to prospective customers. References and testimonials are great things to have but customer success stories flesh out those testimonials and give them teeth. And if you match the case study customer’s industry to the prospects, it’s clear to prospects that your company knows how to successfully operate in a given market.

The ubiquitous case study can range from a 3-paragraph online snippet to a full-blown magazine article. The most popular case study in the marketing/PR arsenal is the 600-1200 word customer success story following this pattern: company overview and challenge, project details, and positive results. Elements include:

Customer Overview and Challenge: Start with a 2-3 paragraph overview of the customer’s company. This should be very positive - since you’re going to detail a problem the customer was having, the last thing you want to do is make them sound like a jerk. So compliment them. Feel free to adapt the overview from their own Website text, where they’re already placing themselves in the best possible light.

Then move on to the business challenge. Don’t make the customer sound stupid or incompetent. The challenge should always be centered on something good that is happening to them -fast growth, industry prominence, strategic IT changes - whatever. Their challenge should be applicable to your readers’ own business issues.

Project Details: Everyone knows that no project goes perfectly, but save the debriefing for the longer-form trade journal article. These short customer success stories should report on the successful project by briefly discussing specific products and benefits.

Don’t go all over the map. If the project is fairly narrow or specific, you won’t have any trouble sticking with the main point or product. In the case of very large and complex installation, concentrate on the main product or application. For example, Microsoft Great Plains has more modules than you can shake a stick at. Concentrate on the ones that had the most positive impact on your customer.

Business Benefits: Always quantify improvement if you can. Numbers can be dollar savings, percentages, or other measures of saved staff time, more efficient workflows, better customer service, etc. Be sure that the benefits you list are the benefits the customer perceives - hard costs are most easily quantified, but soft costs may have the higher perceived benefit to a customer. Ideally you will have both.

Putting the Customer Success Story to Work — How can you use your completed stories? Some ideas:

1. Post them on your website. The more you have up, and the more frequently you post new ones, the more often spiders will find you and you’ll move up in the search engine rankings.

2. Include them in sales kits. If you have a lot of case studies put them in a separate notebook, which can be very impressive physical proof for a prospect.

3. Make them searchable. Encourage prospects to go online and search your case studies. Use parameters like vertical market, products, or customer challenges.

4. Use them as marketing support for resellers and integrators. The easier your product is to sell, the more resellers and integrators will push your product when they talk to their own customers.

The More the Merrier
How many customer success stories should you have on hand? The answer is the more the better. A large companies may have hundreds of them available on their website and in sales and marketing kits, and even many smaller companies commonly have 25 or more. Why? Because they work. Start capturing those customer success stories today, and watch those sales rise.

About the Author

Christine Taylor is the principal of the Christine Taylor Company. Christine concentrates on writing Core Collateral like white papers, bylined articles and case studies, which is the foundation of the successful B2B marketing outreach. You can reach Christine at 760-249-6071 or at christine@ctaylor-co.com, and visit her website at www.ctaylor-co.com and her blog at http://christinetaylor.typepad.com/core_collateral.

STEP 2: Achieve Financial Freedom - Choosing Your Escape Vehicle

Do you want to achieve financial freedom? For most people, this is constantly on their mind. If you are reading CashFlow Avenue’s 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom and Wealth Building, chances you are looking for ways to get out of the rat race and to achieve financial freedom. Unfortunately, it isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

With your Financial Goals firmly defined in Step 1, you would now have to choose your “escape” investment vehicle.There are plenty of investment vehicles in the world.Let’s name a few most common form of investment - fixed deposits, gold, bonds, real estate, stocks, stock options, mutual funds, starting a business on your own, etc.

From experience, you might probably be able to tell that every one of the above contains risk, except for fixed deposits.Profit, simply defined, is your reward for placing taking risk on your assets.

On surface, fixed deposits, look the safest form of investment but are probably the most risky because inflation rates are consistently higher that what the bank would pay you - slowly eating away your purchasing power in years to come. So, in truth, while your bank account is growing in numbers, you are actually becoming poorer. If there is no inflation (which will never happen in the long run), fixed deposits are still not the best escape vehicle because it takes just too long to appreciate.Who would want to wait 30 years before they can be rich?

Without getting involved into too much detail, let’s jump straight into action. When choosing an escape vehicle, you probably would want to set a few criterions to screen out what will and will not work for you.The ideal escape vehicle or business should provide:

Liquidity - allows you to cash out within a few days.

Leverage on Your Capital - using only your capital can be slow. Select a vehicle that provides leverage that magnifies only returns but not losses.

Fast Results - should see return on investment within the 1 st month.

Easy to Set Up - should take no longer than 1 month to start.

Predictable Monthly Return on Investment (ROI) - be able to forecast accurately your monthly

Low Risk - consistent and provides a high percentage for success

Profit with Time - with each tick of the clock, you should be making money.

Utilizes The Power of Compound Interest - snowball your returns to accelerate your wealth building process.

After running these criterions over the choices of investment available, most vehicles don’t make the cut.Of all, only 2 investment vehicles would make the cut.

Stay tuned for Step 3 for the Best Escape Vehicle.

CASHFLOW AVENUE is established to provide Low-Risk Options Trading Recommendations to the common traders in their pursuit of financial freedom and a better lifestyle. http://www.cashflowavenue.com