Hoodia said to benefit appetite suppression but experts not certain

Hoodia is characterized as a genus originating from a plant that, even though it is not in the same family, very much resembles that of a cactus. Hoodia plants produce flowers with vibrant colors and a pronounced scent. But that’s not all. In recent years, much debate has surrounded Hoodia and it’s ability, or lack thereof, for suppressing the appetite and thereby contributing to weight loss. So, what’s the real deal?

In Southern Africa, Hoodia is used to treat indigestion and minor infections. Over the years, there has been much research conducted to investigate it’s possible use as an appetite suppressant. In 2004, Hoodia became the major ingredient in certain diet bars and shakes. However, some experts still debate it’s validity.

Hoodia is still considered a mystery to much of the modern world. A large reason for this is the lack of scientific study, which could either confirm or deny the benefits or risks of using Hoodia as an appetite suppressant. As with any dietary supplement or ingredient, individuals should become fully aware of Hoodia prior to using it for any reason and this includes weight loss. Many products claim to suppress an appetite but, with little evidence to back up that claim, individuals cannot possibly know whether or not a product is even effective or safe.

While little remains known about the complete effects of Hoodia, including potential treatments for indigestion or infection or even it’s ability to suppress the appetite, individuals who are searching for a way to lose weight will continue to await further testing. With obesity on the rise, many individuals find themselves more susceptible to the medical problems associated with being overweight. With so many diet products on the market, it is often difficult to distinguish from those that really work from those that do not. But one thing is for certain. As long as there are problems with weight gain and obesity, products will be sought that promise to curb appetites and help to knock off those unwanted pounds. However, what we have to be careful of is which of those products we use and why we believe them to be safe.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a doctor’s recommendation regarding the use of Hoodia. Prior to beginning any treatment program, including that which involves Hoodia, individuals must consult a physician or a nutritionist for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

The revolutionary cell phone

With the advent of the cell phone came a revolutionary way for us to communicate. No longer were we confined to homes to make or receive a phone call. Now, with a phone in our pocket, we were able to communicate on the go; the cell phone took our lifestyle into account and gave us the mobility we so desperately needed.

As with many modern inventions, no one really took notice of the cell phone until it was streamlined and affordable for the masses. But the cell phone really had its beginnings in the early 1970s, as researchers searched for a way to make the mobile car phone a more effective and efficient unit. At that time, they felt that by limiting the service area of the mobile phone to a small group of “cells” they could improve the effectiveness and clarity of the phone.

In effect, the cell phone sends out and receives broadcast airwaves and subsequently falls under the auspices of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). So it was not until AT&T and Bell Labs proposed the cell phone concept to the FCC in the late 1970s that things really began to progress; these two companies outlined the use of a system of small broadcast towers – each tower would be responsible for its own geographic location or “cell.” And as users traveled with their cell phone they would move from one cell to the next – their service never interrupted and their conversation always clear.

By the 1980s, the cell phone was being used by a small population of the public – although in its fundamental form. The technology was new, the phones heavy and inconvenient to carry, and the service and phone extremely expensive. It was not surprising, therefore, that not many people were impressed enough with the cell phone to pay the high prices.

But as technology advanced, and the cell phone came down in weight and price, more and more people took the streets with cell phone in hand. Today’s compact and streamlined cell phone offers a bevy of services – from phone and camera to calendar and music – and is a vital accessory for most everyone. Whether conducting business or communicating at a moment’s notice with friends and family – the cell phone has elevated communication to the next level.

Of course, this constant communication and advanced technology comes at a price; mainly of our time and privacy. When we’re available and on-call at all times, there allows no room for relaxation and downtime. The people who use the cell phone as a convenience without being tied to it are those who are able to maintain balance in their lives. Having a cell phone does not mean that you can’t turn it off now and then.

Ultimately, the cell phone was meant to offer convenience to the masses. What we do with that convenience is up to us. As the cell phone continues to evolve, it will surely bring with it a whole new world of communication – the likes of which we can only imagine.

Article marketing to boost site traffic

You've been writing great articles for your website or blog, keyword rich, insightful pieces that should be studied in marketing classes. You've probably seen an increase in site traffic since you started writing using SEO. But there's another way to use the articles that you're already writing to boost traffic even more.

Publish them on other sites.

It's simple math. Your site receives 200 hits a day. Site B receives 500. If you get an article published on Site B, your site and marketing links are exposed to 700 people.

Unfortunately, this can be easier said than done. You have to convince the editor or webmaster of Site B that your article is more worthy of publication than Joe Schmoe's about the same subject. If you think you can, then you are all set to start your very own article marketing campaign and boost traffic to your site. Here're some hints to sell articles for your article marketing campaign.

ARTICLE MARKETING STARTS WITH THE E-MAIL TO A PUBLISHER SITE

E-mail has become one of those quick forms of communication. We type them out real quick, using the first words and phrases that come to mind, and then send them off without a second thought, like leaving a voicemail. But in the case of article marketing (and everything else you use e-mail for), the e-mail is the first writing sample a buyer will read. If your e-mail is not professional and well written, there is no reason for a buyer to move onto the actual article. You will have failed the ever important first impression.

This is a failure that can be avoided by taking the time to edit the e-mail. Make sure that there are no grammatical mistakes, that your sentences make sense, and that you don't have more words necessary. Other things like making sure the subject line is eye catching or addressing the e-mail to a specific person instead of a company or a "To Whom It May Concern" can make your article stand out in the crowd.

MARKET ARTICLES TO THE APPROPRIATE SITES

This one sounds like a no brainer, but at least now you can't say nobody told you. Make sure that you send your articles to places that will actually publish them. This obviously applies to content (don't send an article about high New York Society to a Mountain Climber's website), but this also applies to style and voice and things like that. If you're an edgy, sarcastic writer, you probably don't want to be submitting to a serious, boring site. They simply won't publish your article, and your article marketing campaign will be a waste.

Also, don't just write an article and then try to get it published. This method might produce some results, but they will be few and far between and will require a lot of time and selling. Instead, write your articles with a specific site in mind. Go and read other articles on the site. Know the voice and structure of the already published articles. Review the submissions guidelines. Be familiar with policies. In the e-mail, include reasons that your article is a perfect match for their site. An article written with purpose for a specific site or group of sites will be more successful than one written without a destination in mind.

GRAMMAR, GRAMMAR, GRAMMAR

The whole point of article marketing is to convince people to click on the link to your site that you've included in your byline. You will lose a lot of credibility if your article is full of grammatical mistakes and poorly thought out sentences. Write several drafts of your articles. Make sure you're saying what you mean. Once your article is perfect, have someone else read it to make sure you're not blind. You'd be amazed what you miss in your own writing, even if you're a professional editor. Doing this will A. Make editors more likely to accept your work and B. Give the reader the impression that you are professional, which will in turn make them try to find out what else you have to say.

REFER BACK TO YOUR OTHER ARTICLE WITH LINKS

If you can, include links in the body of your e-mail that will lead back to your site. After all, that is the entire point of article marketing. A good way to do this is to refer to an article that you've written in the past that is 'coincidentally' posted only on your website. People like more information, and if you tell them there is more on another site, chances are that they'll go there, and you just got another hit.

Be careful not to overuse this technique. Too many links will make them commonplace and readers won't notice them. Including one or two makes them special and probably worthwhile. Also, don't link to irrelevant articles. Readers will just get annoyed and not browse around your site. The object of article marketing is to get people exploring your site. If they wind up at a random article, they'll just close the window and go back to what they were reading, instead of stumbling across your affiliate marketing links.

SIGN YOUR WORK

Don't ever forget about the signature or byline at the end of your article. This should include your name, of course, but also a link directly to your site's homepage. You might also consider linking to a few related articles that are posted on your site. Anyone who enjoyed the article will take the time to see who wrote it and what their background or own personal ventures are, and chances are, they'll click on the link to read more by you. The signature section is the climax of your article marketing campaign. It is where you are trying to guide readers with your article so they will see your links and visit your site and make you money. It's that simple.

Selecting your carpet

We've all done it. Every time we invest in new carpet, we take an internal oath and solemnly swear we will take care of this brand new carpet, and rightfully so. It doesn't take a mathematical genius to know that for most folks, the third largest investment after the purchase of our home and cars is the home's interior.

So we read the manufacturer's warranty and notice that it says to vacuum often. Daily might be the frequency in the high traffic areas. But who has time any more to spend maintaining carpets on a daily basis? The only time you see people vacuum that frequently is in the hotel and motel industry.

Rarely does one actually see the carpets being replaced at the hotel and motel industry unless there is a major remodeling project happening with new color schemes to match. So it would serve one well to learn from the hospitality business.

How do we usually buy carpet? In most cases it comes with the home already installed. It will either be a newly built or a previously owned re-sale home. If a new home was built, if you are in the beginning stages of construction, you have a choice to upgrade to the better carpet and padding offered. Or you can choose the cheapest carpet known to mankind commonly referred to as 'builder's grade' materials which also includes the cheapest, thinnest carpet pad also known as 'FHA grade' 2 lb. rebond.

Sure the carpet is fuzzy and comes in a light color and the padding might as well be called foam because it easily crushes to the sub-floor when any weight is applied on the carpet's surface. After all, carpet is just carpet and pad is just pad, right? WRONG. Once again the old adage "You get what you pay for" still rings true.

DuPont, one of the top four major fiber producers, conducted a study years ago about the behaviors of the consumer as related to the way they make a purchase decision when it comes to picking carpet. I suppose human behavior still has not evolved that much since. Please note that the following results are not a misprint.

They rank from number one to number five in order:

1. Color

2. Color

3. Color

4. Texture

5. Price

While not disclosed, the first three might have been trying to color match the hard surface flooring like tile, hardwood flooring or stone. The second might be for the paint in a given room and the last color match to compliment the home's other furnishings such as window treatments, and furniture.

Texture refers to the 'feel' also known as the hand of the carpet referring to how it feels when you touch the carpet by hand. It would also take into account the weight of carpet measured in ounces. For example, a carpet weighing 32 oz. per square inch has more carpet fibers then say a 16 ounce carpet. A good way to test this principle is to go to carpet a retailer and ask to see two different swatches.

For example with all things being equal, such as the same Carpet Fiber Producer manufactured by DuPont, same carpet fibers milled at Shaw Industries, same color dye lot, etcetera, you can perform this simple comparison test side by side.

Simply form your fingers like a claw and push directly straight down from top to the bottom of the fibers using your fingertips only. You should notice an immediate difference in carpet density. It will also reflect in the price per square yard. The difference is the number of stitches per square inch. On a much more dense carpet, it will be difficult to see down to the primary backing where the carpet is stitched in.

Here's the benefit:

If there are more carpet pile fibers, then each carpet fiber actually supports one another side by side on all four corners of the fiber forming a nap. The less pile there is opens up the potential damage for gritty soil to 'cut' the fibers at the base of the pile where the primary backing is. This cutting effect comes with every step, pivot and turn on the carpet nap's surface. This also causes thinning, pitting and marring of fibers making carpets dull in appearance even after restorative cleaning.

It is also worth mentioning that 60 percent of the soil that falls into the carpet can be removed safely and effectively with routine dry vacuuming of high traffic areas such as halls, stairs, entry ways and traffic paths in front of furniture. This single process alone can greatly extend the performance and life use of the carpet. Remember the hospitality industry housekeepers?

The second most fatal mistake a carpet purchaser can make is ignoring the quality of the carpet pad. Padding for the subfloor is like the spine of the carpet. It provides support to aid in preventing indentations left by heavy furniture legs after re-arranging a room.

It also has the job of holding water like a sponge whenever a copious amount water floods the room such as a broken water pipe. It provides the comfort under our footing so our feet and backs don't ache. This is the one place you don't have to worry about the color matching as the carpet will cover all the pad.

Pad is also measured in ounces and pounds. Once again, the higher the number, the more dense the pad. The density can range in feeling. By using a pinch test between the top and bottom of the pad you can compare densities. There is foam all the way up to feeling like a large pencil eraser. The higher the better.

Try to stay away from rubber based products like a waffle print as they have been known to dry rot where hot water pipes run through the concrete subflooring. They also don't provide any absorption for collecting water spills. In fact in a typical flood scenario, the water just continues to migrate further by saturating a greater area of carpet space.

It would also be wise to choose the right carpet for the right application. If you were born during Baby Boomer era, you would have ran into carpets that were made from polyester. Those fibers were dyed first before they were extruded as fiber. They never faded from the sun or bleach spills and lasted forever but were harder to clean.

Nylon came around and was softer to the hand and cleaned up better but spills could permanently stain the fibers and due to costs, generally come in lighter colors. Almost all darker colors will be more expensive to produce due to more dye in the process. More dyes prevented stains due to the lack of dye sites available.

Fourth Generation carpets removed the nuisance of static electricity when walking across a room and touching anything conductive to release a jolting shock.

Fifth Generation carpets involved the incorporation of stain resist carpets. The key to this technology was to create a transparent dye. Normally after dyeing half of the carpet's dye sites in a light color the remaining dye sites would be open for stains once installed. The solution was solved by re-dyeing the remaining dye sites with a transparent dye. Dye sites are like skin pores on your arm.

Benefit:

If all dye sites on a fiber are filled, then no stains could penetrate immediately. This would give the end user time to remove the stain later even if it dried on in many cases.

The last point to consider is the primary backing of carpets. For a number of years, India exported to the United States jute which is what ropes are made of. An unfortunate deadly industrial accident involving chemicals at Union Carbide's battery plant, cause strained relations between both countries and jute stopped being exported.

Jute backed carpets also occurred when they became wet from flooding. The natural fiber made of plant (organically)based material released a tannin dye similar to coffee and bled into the carpet's surface; thereby causing it to permanently discolor the carpet and ruin it.

It was also a food source for mold and mildew and if not treated quickly, it would dry rot causing the primary and secondary backing to delaminate and destroy the carpet.

Since the mid 1980's polypropylene backing has become the norm. It's a tough as fishing line and can hold up to most abuse end users give it. It's also cheaper to produce. In fact, 70 percent of all carpets involved in a clear water food damage loss can be dried, cleaned and re-engaged with no evidence of a pre-loss condition.

Good luck on your next carpet purchase as you now possess more knowledge than most of the carpet cleaners and retailers in the industry. And don't forget to vacuum!

A great poker chip set a must have for your next game

A great poker chip set is a must have for your next game. There are so many different types, how do you know which one to choose? Follow these easy tips for choosing the right poker chip set, and you will add another dimension to your next poker.

One thing to keep in mind is how many players are invited to your next game. You need a poker chip set that will be able to bankroll all of the players. If you only have three or four players, your poker chip set will probably only need to have three or four different color denominations, but if you have seven or eight players coming to your next game, you will probably need four or five colors to represent different size bets.

Second , your poker chip set has to be big enough so that you don’t need to keep cashing in, trading chips and wasting the time that could be used dealing cards. Buying a poker chip set can be a real investment, so why not do it right the first time? If your weekly game is only yourself and two or three of your best friends, you probably only need about three hundred chips. But if you ever want to host a bigger game, you will probably need closer to five hundred pieces. So why not buy a standard poker chip set with 500 pieces. If you only buy 300 pieces, you may have to deal with the hassle of finding matching pieces in the future. So don’t gamble on this decision and buy a set that is too small.

Third, what type of materials do you want your poker chip set to be made of? From clay to metal to plastic, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

A clay poker chip set is what the majority of the casinos use worldwide, but the chips can be very expensive. If you don’t want to set down a serious amount of cash, consider going with a composite chip (often made of clay and plastic or clay and metal).

A composite poker chip set will last a long time, be affordable for the regular player and the chips are almost unbreakable. The only problem with a composite poker chip set is that the color will sometimes wear off of the chip with time. Because the color is applied onto the clay, and does not go all the way through the chip, after a couple of years of use, you may start to notice discolorations in your poker chip set.

The third most popular type is a poker chip set made of plastic. The advantage of plastic is that it is cheap and durable. The disadvantages is that everything about it is cheap. Imagine showing up to your next game and throwing around flimsy little discs. The sound they make when you stack them and throw them onto the felt table won’t exactly sound real, and won’t impress your friends.

If you are going to impress your friends on your next game night, make sure you follow these tips to make this purchase a great gamble. Invest in a poker chip set that will last a lifetime, look good and play just like in a real casino.

Leasing a car the smart way

Buying a car can be rather complicated, as the whole process tends to be somewhat mysterious. It's often hard to know if you're getting a good deal or not, even as the salesman claims that he's selling you the car "at invoice." Leasing a car is much the same way, except that the terminology is different and you don't get to keep the car. You're still going to spend a lot of money, though, so it makes sense to be as well informed about leasing as possible.

For most consumers, leasing makes less sense than buying. When you buy, you have a tangible product that you can resell later or trade in for a new one. With a lease, the only thing you are buying is the right to use the vehicle for a while. If you don't drive a lot or if you just like having a new vehicle every couple of years, leasing may be a good choice for you. Before you get involved, here are some things you may wish to consider:

The money factor - This is the equivalent of an interest rate on a car sale. The money factor, in order to remain mysterious, will be presented as an odd number with a lot of decimal places. To convert it to an approximate interest rate, multiply it by 24. The money factor, like just about everything else in a lease, should be negotiable.

The amount due at signing - The size of the check that you have to submit when you sign the lease can be sizable. You'll hear a lot about low payments in the commercials, but little (except in the fine print) about the amount you have to pay upfront. That will include title fees, license fees, deposits and a reduction in the capital cost that will reduce the size of your monthly payments. Ask about this ahead of time; you don't want "sticker shock" when you see the total.

Duration of the lease - Make sure you understand how long the lease will last. If you want a car for three years, make sure the lease isn't for 24 months.

What happens at lease end? You may have to pay, or you may get to walk away, or you may have the opportunity to buy the vehicle. The end of lease situation is spelled out in the document; make sure you understand it before you sign.

Total mileage allowance - The lease will stipulate how many miles you may drive over the course of the lease; you will have to pay a per mile charge if you exceed that. The per mile fee can be excessive, so make sure that the number of miles that you are given matches your driving expectations. Keep in mind that the mileage amount and the per mile fee is negotiable.

Each of these things can be an expensive nightmare if you aren't prepared for them. Leasing a car is different from buying one and you need to understand that long before you sign your name on the contract. Otherwise, you could be in for an expensive ride.

Your introduction to palm springs california

Palm Springs, California is a two-hour drive approximately 100 miles east of the city of Los Angeles in beautiful Riverside County. First inhabited by the Cahill Indians, the name Palm Springs comes from the Indian phrase meaning “The Palm Of God’s Hand”. By 1950, Palm Springs became a getaway resort for the rich and famous. As of the year 2,000, almost 43,000 people resided in this lush area. In the wintertime, this number jumps to almost 75,000 people, with around 27,000 people living in second vacation homes.

Palm Springs lies in the California Desert on the western edge of the Coachella Valley. At 487 feet above sea level and covering 96 square miles, it offers a beautiful view of the impressive Mt. San Jacinto. In addition to natural landmarks, the city offers it’s residents an almost endless number of activities including tennis courts, golf courses, an Olympic sized pool, a dog park, a water park, and trails of all kinds (including bike routes and horseback trails). Palm Springs even has a baseball stadium. Palm Springs is also noted for it’s vast city library and museums.

In addition to these activities, Palm Springs also offers visitors the chance to visit boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, and night clubs.

Palm Springs has an unusually warm, dry climate. This is because it is surrounded by the San Jacinto Mountains on the west, the Santa Rosa mountains on the south, and the Little San Bernadino mountains to the north. Although temperatures rise above 100 in the summer, you will still remain comfortable due to the low humidity.

One of the outstanding activities offered by Palm Springs is golf. Palm Springs offers over 30 different golf courses spread throughout it’s vast acreage. It attracts the most prestigious golfers in the world, including Jack Nicklaus. In fact, Palm Springs is the home of the PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. This course is the home of the PGA 's Tour Qualifying School. The course is names as one of Golf Magazine’s top 100 golf courses you can play. Other fabulous courses you can try out are the PGA West TCP Stadium Course, Silver Rock Resort (designed by Arnold Palmer), the Palm Desert Resort Country Club, and the Desert Princess Country Club. As you can see, Palm Springs hosts the best of the best when it comes to golf.

When you have had your fill of golf (or if golf is not your thing), Palm Springs offers a multitude of fun, unique activities for you to enjoy. If you feel like taking to the sky, you can enjoy a ride in a colorful hot air balloon, allowing you to view the beautiful vistas of California. For a little more excitement, you can ride in a classic biplane or warbird of the 20’s or 40’s. Imagine the thrill of aerobatic flying with a naval pilot at the controls.

If the sky isn’t your cup of tea, then you can take advantage of the Coachella Valley and the surrounding area. You may wish to take nature hikes in the valley, or take a ride on the breathtaking Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The tramway is a suspended cable car with a 15-minute ride across the valley each way. If you decide to stay on the ground, horse riding and jeep tours are available.

Palm Springs is a showplace retreat for people of all walks of life. It offers something for everyone, from visitors from other countries, to those just wanting to get away for a while. It offers breathtaking views, as well as the beauty of the city itself.