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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Design It Yourself Sneakers, Handbags, Jewlry & More

If you don't like off the shelf  fashion acessories, then design them yourself.

Sneakers:                       http://www.nikeid.com/

Baggage:                        http://www.reloadbags.com/

Fragrances:                    http://www.gardenbotanika.com/

Lingerie:                         http://www.evloveintimates.com/

Jeans:                             http://www.makeyourownjeans.com/  

Dress Shirts/Suits          http://www.moi-meme.com/ 
 
Shoes:                             http://www.shoesofprey.com/

Handbags:                      http://www.elementalthreads.com/ 

Pillows & Bedding:        http://www.inmod.com/

MakeUp:                        http://www.discontinuedlipstick.com/     

Jewelry:                          http://www.egjewelry.com/  

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Is It a Mirror Or 2-Way Glass?

 How can we tell the difference between a real mirror or a 2-way glass in public bathrooms, hotel rooms or  changing rooms?  It quite easy. Here is a simple test provided by a policewoman who travels all over the U.S.
She gives  seminars to businesswomen about security issues. Just place the  tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface. If its is a genuine  mirror,  there will be about a 1/8" gap between your actual fingernail and the actual reflection of your finger nail.  However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail with NO SPACE or NO GAP, then BEWARE! IT'S A 2-WAY MIRROR! Now you motto should be,
"No Space, Leave The Place". So remember to do the fingernail test every time you see a  mirror. All ladies should share this information with their girlfriends, sisters, daughters and moms. Men should share this info with their wives, daughters, daughters-in-laws, moms, girlfriends and friends.

Why Have Italian Men Given Up Sex?

"Italian men don't want to have sex anymore," said Manuela Grassi  and Antonella Piperno in the weekly Panorama. "Our mothers used to warn us to be careful with that boy, he'll try to  get you in bed. Now they warn us to watch out for that one, he'll never get in your bed." In Italy, it seems that young men, who are supposed to be in their sexual prime, don't know how to have sex. Nearly 20 percent of men between 18 and 30 have no sex life at all, and don't seem to miss it. Plus it's the women who are suffering. All across Italy, in beauty salons, Internet chat rooms, and agony columns, women are wailing with frustration. One woman left a man she might have really loved because he refused to get intimate more than once a month. Some experts say that Italian men are overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed in business. Others blame rapacious Italian women for intimidating men. Italy's sexy TV personality Anna Falchi is typical. "I had a likewarm lover only once, " she said. "I threw him out immediately." Experts say its no wonder why men are too scared to perform.

How To Negotiate A Severance Package

When you get a job termination notice, don't shake hands with the people who have fired you. Instead, deliver a written counterproposal to the company's cookie cutter severance package. Ask for one month of severance pay for every year you worked there, an extra month of pay for each of your dependents, full health coverage until you find a job, a promise of strong references, and a lump-sum payment. If they refuse to negotiate, say they will hear from your attorney soon. In the unlikely event they call your bluff by letting you leave, have your lawyer place a call. Just stand ready to compromise, get the final check, and say goodbye.      

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Six Ways To Appear Like A Local When You Travel


1. Eat Fast Food -Strangely enough, fast food places are a great way to understand a culture. For instance in Vienna, where coffee is an obsession, the city is defined by the numerous  coffeehouses that dot the city.  Even at Starbucks, the locals order a melange which is much like a cappuccino. That unfamiliar option is a tip off to what the locals order. At McDonald's in Rome, look for a self-serve salad bar since Italians won't out up with pr-packaged greens.

2. Read Local - To keep sticking out as a tourist, buy a local newspaper in the local language and carry it under   your arm.  It makes fro great camouflage.

3. Dress Like A Local - Spend the first morning in any new city people watching to see how they dress. Then budget to buy a piece of clothing that will be a souvenir and serve as camouflage.

4. Watch Your Timing  -  To pass as a local, don't stick to rigid time table. For instance, in Spain or Greece, eating super before 10 pm means your a tourist. In Valencia, locals don't start to party until 3am even on weekdays!  To keep up with the locals, just live like they do. Instead of plowing through 8 hours of sightseeing, linger over lunch, nap during the hottest times of the day, and dine late at night.

5. Learn The Local Lingo - In Philly the subway is called the"L", in London it's called the "tube". So make sure you familiarize yourself with the local slang words. You can purchase small slang books for various languages or you do a Google slang search for our destination. 

6. Bonus Tip - Only Americans wear sunglasses when it's shady out-so only bring them out on the sunniest days.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

11 Ways To Avoid Online Dating Scams

1. Avoid long distance relationships  Although long distance relationships sometimes work out, if you stay local, you drastically reduce the the odds of being scammed.

2. Never reveal personal data to someone until you meet them face to face  While its tempting to reveal personal info about yourself, that's what scammers are counting on.

3.Pay attention to language  Many people who commit dating scams are from West Africa or the former
Soveit republics. If their command of English is fuzzy, that's a BIG red flag!

4. Use search engines to check out potential suitors If someone online seems too good to be true, just cut and paste their e-mails in Google and their exact words might pop up on several websites devoted to romance scams.

5. Upload a potential suitors photo  to http://www.tinyeye.com/ This website will allow you to see where else the photo appeared. Many con artists just swipe a photo from Facebook and use it.

6. Stick to paid online dating services  If members pay to join a site, that means a credit card is on file
and these people are easier to trace. However, it does not mean that these sites are free of scammers.

7. Be suspicious if some wants to use instant messaging or e-mail immediately  They may rogues trying to hack into your computer.

8. Watch out for someone claiming to be a soldier  Lately, scammers have stolen photos of soldiers on social networking sites and pretend to be trustworthy members of the military.

9. Don't fall for a sob story Many scammers claim to have lost a spouse, child or parent in an accident or claim they have a relative that is very ill. Also, they might say say that they are at the airport and they are on their way to visit you, but their credit card has been declined. Don't give them your credit card number and never, ever wire money to a stranger!

10. Call your potential suitor by phone ASAP  Someone who sounds great online may not sound might be an obvious fraud on the phone.

11. Run a check on your suitor    on http://www.beenverified.com/, http://www.pigbusters.net/
 and ww.RomanceScams.Org . If your lover has conned others, he or she may show up on these sites.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

How To Prepare A Flawless Risotto

This risotto combines pears, goat cheese and crushed black peppercorns with a veggie stock:

To make it you'll need:

4 cups vegetable stock -buy a quality store bought brand or make your own ( recipe follows)
8 tbsp unsalted butter ( 1 stick) at room temperature
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots n
2 cups of Carnaroli or Arborio rice
2 cups white wine
2 cups ( 8oz ) finely crumbled goat cheese that's not aged
2 cups of peeled and diced pears ( 2 pears) preferably Bosc pears
Salt and freshly cracked peppercorns

In a medium saucepan , bring the vegetable stock to a simmer.  In a large sauce pan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp of butter. When it begins to sizzle, add the shallots and cook, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Add the wine to the pan to deglaze, and cook stirring occasionally, until the wine has evaporated, ab   out 5 to 7 minutes. Then add enough simmering stock to reach about 1/4 inch above the rice and cook, stirring, until the liquid begins to simmer. When the rice has absorbed almost all of the liquid,  add another ladle full of stock. Continue to cook in this fashion until all the liquid has been added ( about 14 to 16 minutes total ) Reduce heat to low. Add the goat cheese, pears and remaining 5 tbsp of butter and give the mixture a couple of stirs. The cheese and butter should melt, and the risotto should take on a smooth consistency in about a minute or so. serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.

To make the vegetable stock, you'll need:

2 onions, peeled and halved
2 carrots, peeled and quartered lengthwise
2 stalks celery
2 leeks, halved lengthwise ( white and green parts)
5 qts ( 20 cups) of water
1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
1 bunch fresh rosemary
1 bunch fresh thyme
2 bay leaves

In a large stock pot, simmer veggies, water, and salt for 15 minutes, skimming surface of foam and particles.
Add herbs and simmer for another 20 minutes. Strain the stock, discarding solids. Makes about 15 cups.






















The Secret Of the South's Best Fried Chicken Recipe

To make it you'll need:

1  3-lb chicken , cut into 8 pieces
1/4 cup kosher salt
4 cups buttermilk
1 lb lard
8  tbsp ( 1 stick ) unsalted butter
1/2 cup country ham pieces
1 cup flour
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

The night before, place chicken in a large bowl and set aside. In a large pitcher, combine kosher salt with 6 cups of water and stir until the salt has dissolved. Pour salt water over chicken pieces until they are submerged. Cover and refrigerate over night. In the morning, drain chicken pieces and rinse chicken and the bowl. Return chicken to the bowl and cover with buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours. 

About 1 1/4 before serving, combine the lard, butter, and ham in a large heavy skillet. Cook over low heat, skimming as needed, until ham is lightly browned, about 30 to 45 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove ham and brown bits from fat. Increase heat to medium high and bring fat to 335 degrees.

In a shallow bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper and mix well..Dredge chicken pieces thoroughly in flour mixture, then pat well to remove excess flour. Working in batches, do not crowd pan, and place chicken pieces skin down on fat side. Cook 8 to 10 minutes on each side, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Drain on  crumpled paper towel. Serve hot, warm , room temperature  or cold. Serves 4 to 6.     










Saturday, August 6, 2011

Restuarants Offering Free Food On Your Birthday

ALFY'S PIZZA - free mini pizza


ALL-AMERICAN CAFE - free dessert

APPLEBEES - free dessert

AUSTIN GRILL - Register First - free meal

BAKERS SQUARE - free pie

BANDIDO'S - free entree

BANJARA INDIAN CUISINE - free meal

BASKIN ROBBINS - free ice cream treat

BEACHES RESTAURANT - free meal

BENIHANA'S JAPANESE RESTAURANT - free dinner WITH 3 other paying guests ( Verify first with your local )

BENNIGANS - free dessert + song

BERN'S - free meal

BILL KNAPP'S - gives adults a % discount equal to age; plus a free bday cake (w/purchase of a meal) during the week of your B-day

BLACK BRISKEE - free meal

BOB'S BIG BOY - free hot fudge ice cream

BRUSTER'S - free waffle cone on your birthday

BURGER KING - free kids meal to all kids club members

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - Register First - free kids meal during the month of their birthday

CAPTAIN D'S BIRTHDAY CLUB - free two-piece meal at sign-up and once a year on your birthday

CAPTAIN DIZZY'S CAR WASH - free car wash

CARROWS - free cake

CATTLEMEN'S - free dessert and cowboy hat

CHARLIE BROWNS RESTAURANTS - free meal for "Handshake Club" members

CHARLIE'S SEAFOOD - free meal

CHEVY'S - free dessert and sombrero

CHILI'S - free desert on your birthday

CHIPS N GIGGLES - free meal

CLAIM JUMPER - Free Dessert

CROWN THEATRES - Buy One Movie Ticket, Get One Free

CRAZY BUFFET - free meal

DAVE AND BUSTERS - $5 game card credit

DENNY'S - free meal (said to be only kids under 10 now)

DESPARADOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT - free meal

DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT - free meal

DUKE'S CHOWDER HOUSE - b1g1 coupons (register first). FREE dinner for your birthday!

EL CHICOS - free dessert

ERNIE'S STEAKHOUSE - free meal

FAMOUS DAVE'S BARBEQUE - free meal (w/advance signup)

FIREHOUSE SUBS - free sub (must sign up for birthday club)

FUDDRUCKERS - free burger

FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB - free cake (party of 5 min.; 2 drink min.)

GRILLFISH - free meal

HANA JAPAN - free meal

HARD ROCK CAFE - free dessert

HOMETOWN BUFFET - free birthday cake

HOULIHAN'S RESTAURANT - free entree

HOLLYWOOD VIDEO - one free video rental

HOOTERS - free song + tshirt

HOSS'S STEAK HOUSE AND RESTAURANT - free cake + song

IHOP- free meal

JOE'S CRAB SHACK - free cake

JT WHEATFIELDS - free coupon in phone book

KING BUFFET - free meal

LADONNA - free meal

LOMBARDI'S IN BALLARD - Register First - free meal w/another during month of birthday

LOTUS - free meal

LUTHERS BBQ - free stuff (varies) for "Great Rewards" members

MACARONI GRILL - free dessert + OPERA-style "Happy birthday" song

MAGGIANOS - $10 Off purchase of $20 (sign up in advance)

MARIE CALENDERS - free dessert

MAX AND ERMA - free $5 dessert

MEXICAN VILLAGE - free meal

MOONIES DINER - free meal

MUCKLESHOOT CASINO - free sushi dinner + player's club points

NEWICK'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS - free entree

NITTY GRITTY - free drink + souvenir glass

OKAYAMA RESTAURANT - free meal

OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE - free meal

ONAMI - free dinner WITH 3 other people paying

OUTBACK Steakhouse - free dessert + song

PANCAKE HOUSE - free entree

PAPPA'S RESTAURANTS - free dessert

PARADISO'S - free meal

PERKIN'S - free stack of pancakes

PF CHANGS - free cake or cheesecake

PIZZA EXPRESS - free meal

PONCHO'S - free meal, dessert & picture

PROVINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - free $10.99 meal and ice cream dessert

Radisson - free entree in their 12th floor restaurant

REAL SEAFOOD COMPANY - free meal and dessert

RED ROBINS - Register First - free burger coupon / discount coupon

RICE & COMPANY - free meal for Robinson Rewards Club members

ROCK BOTTOM - free appetizer for Mug Club members

ROUND TABLE - free personal pizza

RUBY TUESDAY - free burger and fries (must sign up for their newsletter to receive this offer)

SCALINI'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - up to 10.95 off pasta specialties

SHEPARD'S BUFFET - free dinner buffet w/3 other paid customers

STEAK AND ALE - free mini choco cake

STEAK-N-SHAKE - free dinner for "birthday club" kids

TGI FRIDAYS - Free birthday Dessert

THE 99 - free meal

THE BARNSIDER'S/DEPOT RESTAURANTS - 1/2 off meal + cake & song

THE LOFT - free meal

THE PALM - 3lb lobster (must be a member/register first)

THE PARADISO - free entree + sombrero & song

THE VINE TAVERN - free meal

TODAI SEAFOOD BUFFET - Free Meal or voucher for Meal Next Visit

TONY ROMA'S - free dessert, free meal

UP THE CREEK - free meal and dessert

VACCARO'S ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP - free dessert and drink

WENDY'S - free kids meal to all kids club members

Z' TEJAS - Register First - $15 coupon for the month of your birthday

ZIO'S - free dessert mini pizza



Sunday, July 24, 2011

Ten Ways To Get Anyone To Like You In Less Than 2 Minutes

1. Let Your Smile Build Slowly Its always a good idea to smile when you meet someone, but instantly switching on a 100 watt smile seems phony. Instead, make sure smile build slowly when you make eye contact.

2.Make Strong Eye Contact People tend to trust people who make strong eye contact. If you have trouble making eye contact, make a habit of noting specifics about your prospect's  eyes. Note the color, the shape, how far apart they are , the length of the lashes and how often they blink. Answering these questions will help you make strong eye contact with another person. Just make sure you break eye contact occasionally since starring too intently can make people uncomfortable.

3.Select A Good Body Position During the first minute of conversation, slowly rotate your body to completely face the person. The exception would be a man meeting a woman. A man should stop a few degrees short of angling his upper body directly towards her so as not to appear overly aggressive. If you're holding a drink or a plate of food, set it down or hold it down by your side. If you hold it in front of your chest, your arm will block off your body making you seem less open.  If you're not sure what to do with your hands, then use gestures when you talk or put them in your pockets. Just don't cross your arms across your chest which makes you seem closed off.

4.Find The Right Space Zone Standing too close to a person can make them feel uneasy. Stand too far and they won't feel connected. So the average distance you should stand in front of a new person is about 26 to 28 inches away. Keeping moving closer until you detect discomfort in their eyes. Then ease back slightly until you see the discomfort disappear.

5. How To Shake Hands When you shake hands, very gently touch your forefinger to the other person's wrist. Gently touching it fosters a feeling of warmth and closeness even though the other person may not be conscious of it.

6.Treat Business Cards With Respect A business card represents a person's professional accomplishments. Showing respect for the card shows respect for the person. When you are handed a card,
imagine it as a delicate precious gift. Hold it gently in your hands. Pause to read it, then carefully place it in your briefcase, wallet or purse. Never just jam a card into your pocket.

7. How To Begin A Conversation Questions that make great icebreakers are "What do you do?" Followed by "How did you decide you wanted to do that?" To couples say, 'How did you two meet?"

8.Slowly Nod When People Speak This sends a message of acceptance and encouragement which makes people feel more at ease. Just do not nod if a man or woman  is saying something with which you disagree.
Keep in mind that women tend to interpret nodding as "I understand" not "I agree."   

9.Pay Attention To Small Talk  If someone says, "At least the rain is good for my plants," seize on the word plants  and say "Do you have a garden?" Or if someone says, "It's been too hot to walk my dogs," say "what kind of dog do you have?" Small talk is a good conversation starter.

 10. Use The Same Speaking Terms   If a parent refers to her offspring as her "child" do not refer to the child as her "little one" or "baby". If someone refers to his lively hood as a "profession" do not refer to it as a "job" or a "career".

Monday, July 4, 2011

Blue Cheese Potato Salad Is A Backyard Favorite

If you want areal attention getter for your next cookout, then serve your guests Blue Cheese Potato Salad.
In a blender, puree 1 cup of blue cheese crumbles, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 teaspoon white pepper, 1/8 cup white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Then fold in an  additional cup of  blue cheese crumbles to the blender mix, season to taste, and set aside. In a separate large bowl, mix 3 cooked and cooled Idaho potatoes cut into large dice size pieces. Then add 3 whole finely chopped scallions and 2tablespoons of parsley. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice,  2 teaspoons of Sriracha hot sauce, 1 1/2 cups of the reserved blue cheese dressing and 2 more ounces of crumbled blue cheese. Mix well, season to taste with Kosher salt, and serve. Serves 4 to 6 people. 

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Get Free Access To the World's Top Health Experts 24 Hours A Day

http://www.pdrhealth.com/   
Gives you access to the experts behind Physicians Desk Reference

http://www.intellihealth.com/
Harvard Medical School

http://www.mayoclinic.com/  
 Mayo Clinic

http://www.healthfinder.com/  
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

http://www.medhelp.com/
 Doctor and Medical Institutions

http://www.webmd.com/
Health info site

http://www.medlineplus.gov/
 From  the experts at the National Library of Medicine and National Institute Of  Health 
            
http://www.medicinenet.com/
Articles written and  reviewed by doctors

http://www.safemedication.com/
Prescription and over the counter drug info from the American Society Of Health System Pharmacists

http://www.mypillbox.org/ 
Drug info and help identifying pills

http://www.ismp.org/
Institute for Safe Medication Practices

http://www.rxlist.com/ 
Detailed drug info for questions other sites may not answer

http://www.drugdigest.org/  
Info about drugs, vitamins and herbs  




Sunday, June 26, 2011

Six Easy NO Ice Cream Maker Ice Cream Recipes

Impress your cookout or dinner guests with these easy to make, no-brainer gourmet ice creams that require no ice cream maker! First, start off with 1 pint of premium store bought  ice cream or low fat yogurt ice cream  you buy on sale. Second, smash in your favorite flavors, then enjoy. Mixing Tips: Don't soften the ice cream too much. You want if firm but pliable. Quickly cut the carton away from the ice cream into chunks on a work surface to facilitate folding. Return the ice cream to the freezer in a plastic container  for 30 minutes  to two hours so the  flavors can firm up and  blend.  After that,  the crunchy ingredients start to soften. Here are the recipes:

1. Black Forest Fold in 2 Tbs. of brandy into 1/2 cup of cherry preserves. Fold in chocolate ice cream along with 1 cup of crumbled chocolate wafers.Six

2. Turtle Stir in 1/4 cup Carmel sauce, 1/2 cup chopped pecan pralines or candied pecans, and 1/2 cup chopped semi-sweet or bitter sweet chocolate into chocolate ice cream.

3. Chocolate Hazelnut Stir in 1/4 cup of Nutella, 1 cup of crumbled chocolate wafers, and 1/2 cup of roasted chopped hazelnut into chocolate ice cream.

4. Banana Pudding Fold 1 coarsely mashed large banana, 1 cup crumbled vanilla wafers and 1 cup of crumbled meringue cookies into vanilla ice cream.

5. Salted Caramel  Fold 1/4 cup of caramel sauce and 1 cup of coarsely crumbled regular or peanut butter filled  pretzel nuggets into vanilla ice cream.  

6. Strawberry Shortcake Mix 1 cup of sliced strawberries with 2 Tbs of strawberry jam. Fold into vanilla ice cream with 2 slices of  crumbled pound cake which is about 1/ 1/2 cups. Then add 1 cup of crumbled meringue cookies.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

How To Get Your Low Bids Accepted On Priceline

You have seen it advertised, and maybe tried it. Now make it work for you. www.Priceline.com  offers 2 basic services for 3 travel products: airfare, hotels and rental cars.

The services are:

1. Fixed price travel service just like any other travel agent.

2. “NAME YOUR OWN PRICE”

The fixed price travel service is nothing unique and offers nothing special in terms of pricing, (unless they post a mistake rate)

The “Name Your Own Price” service offers Great Travel Prices with savings of up to 60% if you know how and: THE BIG WINNER is HOTELS

The savings are really significant and with the help of these sites:

www.Biddingfortravel.com

www.Betterbidding.com

www.Travelbuddy.com

www.Tripadvisor.com

Here’s how it works: biddingfortravel.com, travelbuddy.com and betterbidding.com are sites that lists successful previous priceline bids for airfares, hotels and car rentals around the world. In addition, they list reviews for the hotels in a given city and by region and by star level. (5* is the best, 1* is really bad). Try to bid 4*, 3*  if the reviews are ok  and 2 ½* in a region you  want to stay in.

Example: If  you  need to go to  Boston, first go to www. priceline.com and “name your own price” hotels and find the various regions listed for the Boston market and the top hotel rating in that zone. Then open another window and head to www.biddingfortravel.com. In that site , go to “hotels”, then “Mass”, then “Boston”. You can check previously accepted prices in the various regions of Boston, get reviews of the hotels and decide what star level you are comfortable with. If  Downtown, you might find  Copley and Back Bay regions are too expensive,. try  the Airport region .You could  typically win the Hyatt Harborside for $42 per night.It's  a beautiful hotel with shuttle to the airport and to the subway (T) stop to downtown. Typical weekend night at the Hyatt would be $129. Ask for a waterside room.

NOTE: To be most successful using Priceline you MUST read the section on bidding and rebidding.

Suppose you want Zone Airport and a 4* hotel. From previous bidders you see that $42 has won in the past, so your first bid is Zone Airport, 4 stars at $35. If you don’t win, then add another zone that has lower star levels ONLY available, and this time bid $37. If there are 5 zones without a hotel over 3 stars, you have 5 free rebids until you get the best price.

Rebidding allows you to start low and move your price higher without changing your parameters. READ these sections of www.biddingfortravel.com  before going to priceline.com to actually place your bids. Once booked there are NO REFUNDS.

  Travelers using  Priceline rooms in over 30 US cities, London, Dublin, Paris and Rome have rarely been disappointed. Do your research on www.biddingfortravel.com or www. betterbidding.com first, and double check the reviews at www.tripadvisor.com. Remember to bid one star level higher in Europe for US comparison hotels. Remember that one bad hotel in a given zone and at a given star rating should force you to bid a higher level or different zone for that city. By using these 5 sites in conjunction, you will save the cost of hotels by 50% or more for the rest of your travel life.PS: Practice this technique with several imaginary cities WITHOUT hitting the “Buy my Hotel” button. Do your research. There are NO REFUNDS. 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Discover New Jersey's Best Secret Secluded Beach

You'd never know that High Bar Harbor, a lollipop-shaped stretch of sand  tucked behind the Barnegat Lighthouse, even exists. But watch out for the water, because if the tide comes, you might get stranded. To get there, take Long Beach Island Blvd , north into the town of Barnegat Light and turn left on 20th St, a.k.a. as Auburn Rd. Go a third of a mile , then bear right at the Y-shaped intersection onto Sunset Blvd. Take it to the end. You'll see a footpath to the beach.   

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Do You Really Need Heart Surgery?

Up to 30% for surgical procedures in the US are unnecessary. Each year, more than 1 million heart patients are treated with angioplasty and stents which restore normal circulation to the heart and reduce angina pain.

The problem is that angioplasty and stents are overused. A study of more that 2,300 patients by the American College of  Cardiology found that patients with stable angina that were treated with  medications like nitroglycerine had the same outcome  of those treated with invasive procedure of stents.

Who is helped by stents: People with unstable agina, people with a significant blockage in the left main coronary artery, or with three coronary arteries blocked and weakened heart muscle. People with stable angina should be treated with medications to control pain , reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.

The Best Houseplants For Healthier Indoor Air

The source of most indoor pollutants are volitile organic compounds (VOCs) that "gas out" from indoor paints, varnishes, adhesives, furniture, dry cleaned clothing, cleansers, detergents, disinfectants, spot removers and air freshners. Now, not all VOCs are bad. The frangrance of flowers and a fresh baked apple pie are VOCs. But many are bad for your health.

They can cause  asthma, headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, skin rashes and more. Some like benzene, are known carcinigens. But the good news is that houseplants can remove  VOCs from the air. The pollutants are absorbed through mircroscopic openings in the leaves. The best house plants for removing VOCs from the air are:

Purple Waffle ( Hemigraphis aternata ) English Ivy ( Hedera helix )  Wax plant ( Hoya carnosa) Asparagus fern ( Asparagus densiflorus ) Purple heart plant ( Tradescantia pallida ) Boston fern (Nphrolepus exaltata Bostoniensis ) Bamboo plant ( Chamaedorea seifrizzzii ) Rubber plant ( Ficus robusta ) Gerbera daisy ( Gerbera jamesonii ) and Golden pothos ( Epipremnum aureum ).

For maximum indoor air quality improvment, you should experimemnt with multiple species as needed. The exact number is difficult to determine depending on your indoor air quality. Also, keep in mind that plants grown without dirt, usually in pebbles or another open aggregate , are  30 to 50% more effective in removing VOCs than those grown in potting soil. This is due to the greater air flow through pebbles to the plant zone where microbes break down the VOCs.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

12 Best Food Festivals In The Northeast

1. Great Chowder Cook Off Newport, RI June 4 http://www.newportwaterfrontevents.com/ 2. Vermont Cheesemakers Festival -Shelburne, Vt July 24 http://www.vtcheesefest.com/ 3. Atlantic City Food And Wine Festival - Atlantic City, NJ July 28-31 http://www.acfoodandwine.com/ 4. Ice Cream Festival, Toms River, NJ July 16  http://www.downtowntomsriver.com/icecream/festival.htm 5. Maine Lobster Festival -Rockland, ME August 3-7 http://www.mainelobsterfestival.com/ 6. Taste Of The Caribbean And Jerk Festival Hartford, CT Aug 6 http://www.tasteofthecaribbeanct.org/ 7. Pittson Tomato Festival Pittston, PA Aug 18-21 http://www.pittstontomatofestival.com/ 8. Hard Crab Derby Cristfield, MD Sept 2-4 www.crisfieldchamber.com/etints 9 . National BuffaloWing Festival Buffalo, NY Sept 3-4 http://www.buffalowing.com/ 10. Milford Pumkin Festival Milford, NH Oct 7-9 http://www.milfordpumpkinfestival.org/
11. Bridgeville Apple Scrapple Festival Bridgeville, DE Oct 14-15 http://www.applescrapple.com/ 12. Wellfleet Oyster Fest Wellfleet, MA Oct 15-16 http://www.wellfleetoysterfest.org/

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Hang It Up For Less

If  you want to fill your blank walls with inexpensive and good paintings, prints and photos you don't have to be an art mogul to buy a masterpiece. The following sites offer art at great prices: www.20x200.com,
 www.Aceditions.com , www.ArtOfThePrint.Com , www.ArtStar.Com , www.CircuitGallery.Com , www.Exhibitiona.Com , www.EyeStorm.Com , www.Society6.Comwww.TinyShowCase.Com ,
www.theworkingproof.com , and www.Zatista.Com

Monday, May 16, 2011

Four Gourmet Popsicle Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind

1.Strawberry Basil-2 lbs fresh strawberries, 3/4 cup sugar, 10 large fresh basil leaves, 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar,juice of 1/2 lime. Hull and wash strawberries and put in blender. Add the remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour into molds, add sticks , and freeze until solid , 4-6 hours.

2. Plain Yogurt, Dried Fruit And Nuts 20 ounces plain non-fat  yogurt, 6 ounces of sugar,  1/2 cup of dried fruits and nuts. Blend yogurt until it liquefies, then add sugar until it disintegrates. Chop dried fruits and nuts into small pieces and add to yogurt in small quantities.  Stir in slowly to prevent the fruits and nuts from sticking together. Scoop the mix into molds making sure to get an even amount of nuts and fruit into each mold. Insert sticks and freeze solid 4-6 hours.

3. Blueberry Lemonade  11/2 cups blueberries, 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest, 2/3 cups of sugar, 2 1/2 cups of water. Rinse the berries them combine all ingredients in a blender on high until thoroughly and evenly pulverized. Hold a fine mesh strainer over a pitcher and strain the mixture by slowly pouring. Let the mixture rest until any froth has dissolved or remove it by spooning it off. Pour the liquid into molds and add sticks. Freeze until solid 4-6 hours.

4. Pineapple Chile 1 very ripe medium pineapple, 1 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 cup water, 1/3 cup sugar. Peel and core pineapple. Separate fruit into thirds, set 1/3 aside. Cut the other 2/3 into cubes. Using a saucepan  cover with water and simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool, Meanwhile finely chop the reserved pineapple and set aside. Once cooked pineapple is cool, transfer to a blender. Add sugar and cayenne to taste. Blend together and pour into mold leaving a little space to add the reserved chopped pineapple to each cavity. Add sticks and freeze solid, 4-6 hours.        



Saturday, May 14, 2011

Where The Jobs Are Now

 One of the biggest jobs fields right now is health care. The top paying jobs are: Radiologic Technologist 
They help doctors perform diagnostic exams like X-rays, CT scans and MRIs. They work in hospitals, clinics doctor's offices.  The median wage is $53,000. The job requires a two year associate degree from a community college or a 21-24 month certificate from a technical college. For more info visit www.arrt.org

Next is Physical Therapist Assistant They help patients implement programs developed by physical therapists. The median wage is $48,000. The job requires a two year associates degree from a accredited program and a licensing exam must be passed. For more info visit www.apta.org Also see www.CapteOnline.Org

Another career choice is Medical Assistant One and two year programs are offered by many vocational schools. The median wage is $29,000.  For more info visit www.aama-ntl.org

Dental Hygienists earn about $67,000 a year. They provide dental cleanings and exams in dental offices. A two year associates degree in dental hygiene is required and a licensing  exam must be passed. For more info see www.adha.org .

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Little Known Credit Card Perks

Extend Your Warranty -Besides points and cash back, Gold and platinum MasterCards, Visa and American Express cards all extend the manufacturer's warranty by one year. Plus if you loose or break that new laptop or digital camera within 90 days of purchase, Citi's new Thank You Premier card will pay to repair or replace it or reimburse you up to $1,000.

The same is true for purchases made with your American Express card. Also, most gold and platinum cards plus American Express  will pick up the collision insurance when you rent a car. You just need to refuse it when you pick up the car and and inform the rental company that your credit card will pick up the insurance. 

Get The Lowest Price -If you see an item you purchased with a Citi premium card advertised for less within 60 days, Citi will make up the difference up to $250. Many gold and platinum MasterCards offer the same protection. 

Get Covered On The Road -  If your laptop is stolen from your hotel room, MasterCard will reimburse you if you used a gold or platinum card to pay for the room. Likewise, if your luggage doesn't arrive when you do, MasterCard will reimburse you for the cost of replacing essential items. Plus, MasterCard will cover the cost to replace or repair damaged luggage.     







Thursday, May 5, 2011

How To Avoid Online Dating Scams

Scammers use a phony picture of a good looking man or woman. Then they flatter and fawn. Once you're hooked, they hit you with some variation of several war torn stories. Sometimes  they say they live abroad and desperately want to visit you but their banking system is broken. Or they're at the airport and their credit card has been declined. But all their stories all end up the same: "please wire cash and I'll  pay you back." These scammers usually reside in West Africa or one of the former Soviet republics. So to protect yourself, use search engines like Facebook  or Google.  There you can search for any sob story to see if it is common. Next, stick to PAID online dating services. Paid sites have a paper trail of their members from credit card information. Then ask for info before you share your e-mail address or phone number. Make sure his or her info on Facebook matches up with what they are telling you. Then for added insurance,  run a background check on sites like http://www.beenverified.com/

Sunday, April 24, 2011

London Insider Travel Tips

If you're hopping over for the royal wedding or plan to visit London this summer, then these tips will put you light years ahead of most tourists.

London Subway  Never pay cash on the tube since cash fares are more than double what locals pay. Buy yourself an Oyster Card ( www.tfl.gov.uk ) . Any tube station sells these stored-valued swipe cards.  Load them up with a deposit of 3 pounds  ($4.95 US), and fares are automatically deducted every time you ride.

Best London Guides  Time Out London is the unbeatable bible of what to do in London. You can view it online at www.timeout.com/london  . On Saturdays, grab a copy of the Guardian newspaper and you'll find a terrific pocket-sized guide for free. Or check it out online at www.Guardian.Co.Uk . Hands down the savviest price minded guide to London is: Pauline Frommer's London: Spend Less, See More at $16.99.

Best Department Store  Forget Harrods since it's for tourists only. Hip Londoners go to real department stores like www.SelfRidges.Com with its delicious Food Hall and great designer brands. Another best bet is www.JohnLewis.Com whose slogan is, "Never Knowingly Undersold". Another unmissable is
www.MarksAndSpencer.Com .

Museums Almost ALL museums in London are 100% free. So make sure you see all the sights.  

Taxi Cabs - Taxi cabs are double NYC fares and drivers won't let you in the cab unless you reveal your destination. But since they have to pass a test on memorizing ever street in London, their less apt to turn down fares like NYC cabbys. Also, tipping in England is a gesture, NOT an obligation.

  Best Cheap Eats There's a www.PizzaExpress.Com on almost every corner and www.Carluccios.Com is a great place for killer pasta, cheap wine and great coffee.  In London, Indian food has displaced fish and chips  as the national dish and the best place to sample it is on Brick Lane in the East End which is lined with cheap eats. Or try the central www.IndianYMCA.Org just north of Oxford Street. They serve fabulous dirt cheap dinners for less than 5 pounds or $8.25 US..

Sunday, April 17, 2011

9 Top Wilderness Survival Tips

1. Charging Lion, Tiger Or Bear   These animals like to mock charge so its best to stand your ground or even fight back. The minute you run, it tells the animal you're prey.  2. When You're Lost don't stay put. People who walk 600 yards may see a cabin or a road. Those who stay put don't see that. 3. When Your Lost In The Woods  look for a stream. All streams lead to rivers, and rivers lead to lakes and people.
4. The Best Way To Determine of its  Direction is to put a three foot stick in the ground and mark the tip of its shadow. That's west, no matter where you are. Wait for the shadow to move , 10 to 15 minutes,  and mark the tip of the shadow again. The line between those tips is east-west. 5. To Escape From Quicksand flop forward and splay your body out onto drier ground. If you stay perpendicular, you're going down. 6. The Best Defense Against A Shark is to punch it on the nose as hard as you can. All predators fear being injured because they need their faces to survive. 7. The Best Sustenance For Being Stranded In A Blizzard is to eat bark from a pine tree.  8. What To Drink When Adrift At Sea Urine will work for the short term, and sea water is too salty. So make a solar still but covering a cup of ocean water with a piece of plastic and it will  collect salt free condensation a few droplets at a time. 9. How To Tell If A Plant Is Safe To Eat When Stranded In The Wild   First rub the plant on your body the wait 45 minutes  for a reaction. If none, touch the plant to your lips and wait 5 minutes. If all is OK then hold it on your tongue for 15 minutes. If there is no reaction, swallow and wait 8 hours. t.If you get no reaction, the plant is safe to eat.

Top Ten Barber Shops In America

Chicago: http://www.belmontbarbershop.com/   Dallas: http://www.razorsedgebarbers.biz/  Los Angeles http://www.baxterfinley.com/  Miami: http://www.churchillsbarbershop.com/  Portland: http://www.hairmgrooming.com/ New York: http://www.blindbarber.com/ New Orleans: http://www.aidangillformen.com/, Philadelphia: http://www.2bgroomedstudios.com/, San Francisco: http://www.barberlounge.com/ Seattle: http://www.rudysbarbershop.com/

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The Thrifty Gourmet's Guide To Rome

Top Billinghttp://www.ristoranteilpagliaccio.com/ Where Locals Go: Flavio Al Velavevodetto, 97-99 Via di Monte Testaccio, 011-39-06-574-4194 For Classic Glamour: http://www.anticocaffegreco.eu/
The Best Pastas: http://www.feliceastestaccio.com/ , L'Arcangelo, 59-61 Via G.G. Belli, 001-39-06-321-0992, http://www.anticofornoroscioli.com/ , For The Ultimate Sandwich: http://www.tricoloremonti.it/
For Fabulous Pizzas: Pizzarium, 43 Via della Meloria, 011-39-06-3974-5416, Gatta Mangiona, 30-32
Via Frederico Ozanam, 011-39-06-534-6702, Da Remo, 44 Piazza Santa Maria Liberatrice, 011-39-06-6270, For Home Cooking: http://www.homefood.it/ , For People Watching: Settembrini, 27 Via Luigi Settembrini, 011-39-06-323-2617, For The Best Expresso: Sant'Eustachio, 81 Piazza Sant'Eustachio, 011-39-06-6880-2048, For Gourmet Groceries: http://www.volpetti.com/ and http://www.dioriginelaziale.it/
For Incredible Ice Cream: Gelateria Fatamorgana, 9 Via Lago di Lesina and 7 Via Giovanni Bettolo,
011-39-06-6456-1314, Fiora Di Luna, 96 Via della Lungaretta, 011-39-06-321-6668, Galateria Dei racchi, 272 Via dei Gracchi, 011-39-06-321-6668, Il Glato, 105 Via dell' Aeronautica, 011-39-06-512-8948, Cremeria Monteforte, 22 Via della Rotonda, 011-39-06-686-7720

Sunday, April 10, 2011

5 Keys To A Succesful Garage Sale

1. Avoid The Big Mistakes Never plan your sales for a holiday weekend. Most shoppers will have other plans. Next, make sure your sale is in line with all local regulations about signs and sales. When making signs, use a thick black marker, white cardboard  and clear, large print and arrows to steer drivers to your sale. You want to make sure that your address and sale hours are written large enough to be read from a moving car.Most shoppers will walk away rather than ask for a price on an item. So take the time to mark all your items with masking tape and price them. If you know something about an item like "works fine" or "only worn once" or "circa 1950" then put that info on your masking tape price tag.Never sell broken  junk and unusable garbage and price stuff  low enough so bargain hunters cannot pass it up. Finally, always have enough change and go to the bank  the day before the sale and get 50 singles and $20 in quarters.

2.  Items That Sell  include decorative items for the home in good condition, framed prints, cookbooks, kitchen appliances that work, needlework and embroidered crocheted items, tools, fishing gear, and house plants and rooted cuttings. Also, decorative , fashion and household items that are in good condition if they date back to 1960 or earlier. But never try to sell antiques or collectibles at a garage sale. Most people won't spend more than $10 to $20 on a single item. Also, clothing does not sell well at garage sales because most shoppers will not share your size or taste in clothing. The only exception is children's clothing if it is priced well. One good marketing ploy is to try to combine a bake sale from your church or charity with your garage sale. That's because most shoppers are hungry from a morning spent driving around.  Plus it wouldn't  be a bad idea  if  you  sold  hot  coffee  with cream and sugar  for 50 cents a cup to go along with the bake sale.  If its a warm or a hot summer day, sell cold bottled water or  generic cold soda from a cooler for 50 cents each. Just try to buy water and  regular and diet soda on sale for 25 cents each.

3. How To Advertise Place classified ad in local newspapers starting at least a few days prior to the sale. Your ad should include the hours and location of the sale with a few categories of merchandise that your sale will feature. Example: Garage  & Bake  Sale. Sat 8am-1pm  123 Main St, Anytown. Glassware, quilts, houseplants, kitchen appliances, knickknacks, tools. Then hang fliers advertising your sale on community bulletin boards like those found at entrance of supermarkets. On the morning of the sale, hang signs along busy roads near your home to attract drive by customers. If you live in or near a big city, you ca also advertise your sale for free on www.CraigsList.Org   Also, make sure you post info about your sale  on  your Facebook and Twitter page. Plus to get a jump on your competition,  have a sign in list so people can  leave their e-mail  address and  area of interest so they can get advance notice of your next sale.

3. The Best Time to have a sale is on a weekend when there are several other sales advertised in your neighborhood. A concentration of sales encourages shoppers to come to your part of town and visit them all.
So invite your neighbors to join in and participate. The majority of sales are made with in  the first 3 hours of the sale on a Saturday morning.  That's because most shoppers think anything worth buying has been bought up.  So make sure you schedule your sale on Saturday between 8am and Noon. Another good tactic is to consider starting your sale on Friday between 5pm and dusk and then continue on Saturday morning. You will have far less competition and you may snag shoppers on their way home from work. And finally, watch the weather reports at  www.Weather.Com or call 1-800-555-TELL and interrupt the recording by saying
"weather" loudly for a 5 day report for your area. Cancel the sale and wait for a better weekend if it looks like rain.

4. Presentation Merchandise sells better if  is placed on tables. Clothes sell better if they are hung on hangers and not folded or piled. Place large items like furniture and  lawn mowers out front so they can be seem from the street by passing motorists. Have a 25 or 50 ft extension cord running into your house so you can plug in electrical appliances to prove that they work.

5. Common Sense Security  Never let a shopper use your bathroom or telephone. You don't want things going missing from your home or you don't want someone to case your house for a future burglary. Politely direct them to the nearest gas station or convenience store.






   

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

DC'S Best Keep Secrets

Book Peak Season Rooms At Off Season Rates-One of the best places to stay in DC is the Tabard Inn.
www.TabardInn.Com 1739 N  Street NW. Located just 5 blocks from the White House,  this quaint, historic boutique 40 room hotel consists of  three 19th century row houses. And the rooms go for just $120 to $165 even during Cherry Blossom season. Even if you don't stay here, make sure you stop by for brunch. The food here is absolutely outstanding.

Explore The Local Art Scene - On the first Friday of every month, DC residents flock to Dupont Circle. There, the local galleries turn into a bustling un-snooty fete. Here you can expect live music and free wine until 9pm. Check it out at  starting at 9 Hillyer Ct NW and visit www.ArtsAndArtists.org

The Two Best Crab Cakes In Town  Check out the Old Ebitt Grill at www.Ebbitt.Com where crab cakes are $17. Or make it over to the amazing alternative at CF Folks http://www.cffolksrestaurant.com/ where the scrab cake sandwich is just $14.

Go Behind Closed Doors when DC'S top 30  embassies open their doors on just two days: May 7 and and May 14.  During prime time afternoon hours, hit the embassies on International Drive which tend to be larger and less hectic than the rest.   For more info see "passport DC" at  www.CulturalTourismDc.Org   

Where The Locals Chow Down Without Dinner Reservations On Barracks Row, you'll find eateries that serve everything from soul food to authentic Indian cuisine. You'll find the majority of these low key dining spots on 8th Street between Pennsylvania Ave and M Street. Just stroll along until you find a menu that peaks your interest or see http://www.barracksrow.org/

Reserve Advance  Half-Price Tickets To DC's Best Concerts , plays, operas and more at the
the downtown ticket outlet located at 407 7th St NW or see www.TicketPlace.Org

The Best Spot For Lunch In DC  is the cafeteria at the National Museum of the American Indian. The museum's sunny Mitsitam Cafe is considered one of the best spots in town. It pays homage to Native American culinary traditions like buffalo burgers, glazed salmon and more. Its located  at 4th Street and Independence Ave SW. Or see  www.Nmai.Si.Edu    

Sunday, March 27, 2011

7 Tips On How To Get A Locksmith To Pick Your Lock Instead Of Your Pockets

  1. Some locksmiths in the phone book and online are scam artists. They’ ll quote you a great price on the phone. But when they get to your or business, they’ll say that you have a special lock and they can’t pick it. So they’ll have to drill it open. Then they’ll replace it with a lock you can buy at a big box store for $25.

Also, make sure you look for company advertising and identification. Also, call a local qualified locksmiths that bring a reliable familiarity within your area matched with strong community reputation. When contacting a locksmith, if the legal business name isn’t stated, ask for it. If there’s hesitation, there’s cause for concern.

Hang up and move on. Written estimates should be supplied before work begins, along with an itemized invoice upon completion. All service vehicles, vans and trucks should be clearly marked with the company name and identifying details. The locksmith should have a valid state locksmith license/registration where applicable.

The qualified locksmith should always ask for your proof of ID and authorization to begin work upon arrival, as well as supply his or her own professional identification and credentials. If, for any reason, you’re uncomfortable, it is your right to refuse service.

2. To find a reputable locksmith, check to see if any are Better Business Bureau members in your area at http://www.bbb.org/

3. Keys stamped “Do Not Duplicate” are duplicated all the time. Ask you locksmith about high security locks with keys that can’t be replicated at a hardware store.

4. Don’t believe car dealer who says only he can duplicate your key. In most cases a locksmith who specializes in automotive work can duplicate a key much cheaper than the dealer.

5. If you have a housekeeper who needs a key, then ask your locksmith to key your door so that your master key works on both the dead bolt and the door knob, but hers just works on the knob.

6. Before you call a locksmith, try the door. If the locksmith comes out and finds your door unlocked, he still will charge you for the service call.

7. If your key won’t turn, try WD-40 or silicone spray. Sometimes the lock pins get jammed. And 25 to 40% of the time, that solves the problem.

Friday, March 25, 2011

25 Dirty Secrets Human Resource People Don’t Want You To Know

1. If you’ve been unemployed for six months or more,
they assume that other people passed over you and
they may not want to hire you.

2. When it comes to getting a job, who you know
really matters. No matter how great your
qualifications may be, connections count. So make
you network as much as possible.

3. If want a job at specific company, its best to
bypass the HR department completely. Try to
go through someone you know or go directly
to the hiring manager.

4. You will not be taken serious if your e-mail
address does sound professional like BobJones
@ gmail.Com. BobbyLikes2Booze@ Yahoo.com
just won’t cut it.

5. Most companies practice discrimination.
If you’re in your 50's or 60's, don’t put the year
you graduated on your resume.

6. HR people get irritated about a job hunter
cramming an entire resume on one page in 2 point
type. Use two pages if necessary, but three pages
is pushing it.

7. Most HR people use applicant tracking systems
that scan resumes for key words. To get your resume
through the system make sure you put key words directly
 from the job description on your resume.

8. Try to avoid using colored ink and paper when
you submit your resume. Also, dropping off your
resume in person is a no-no.

9.If you want to be considered for a job, make
sure you learn as much as you can about the
company before your interview.

10. A lot of HR people don’t want to hire applicants
with young children. Although its illegal to ask you,
they will pull all kinds of tricks to find out. Some
will put photos of kids on their desks even if they
don’t have children. Then they hope you’ll ask
about the kids and mention your own children.
Or, they may walk you out to your car to see if
you have car seats.

11. HR managers routinely discriminate against
people who are over weight or obese and if you
have a weak hand shake, it will count against you.

12. If you don’t want to blow the job interview,
make sure you turn your cell phone completely
off.

13. Make sure you’re pleasant and cordial to everyone
you encounter at the company. If not, the HR  manager
will hear about it and it will count against you.

14. If you have a real personal emergency and you
can’t make your interview, and you have a  legitimate
excuse, most HR people probably won’t  believe you.

15. Never reveal or on a resume that you were fired.
If you do, it will be trashed. Nine times out of ten,
most state laws on reference immunity and your former
company’s policy will prevent most HR people from
ever finding out.

16. Make sure you know how to pronounce the name
of the person who will interview you. If you must,
call the company receptionist and find out. Also,
make sure your personal  hygiene is impeccable.
You should  well groomed, and  make sure
you wear your best suit or dress for the interview.  

17. When asked to talk about yourself, make it
short and to the point. Avoid being a blow hard.


18. Wait at least a week before you send a thank
you note for the interview. In that time, the HR
manager will have interviewed a lot of other
people and your thank you note will stand out.

19. HR managers find persistent people annoying.
Sometimes they’ll tell applicants that they hired
someone internally just to get rid of them. If you want
to check back on your status, limit it to one or two contacts.

20. If you did not get along with your former
supervisor, do not list his direct line as a reference.
Instead, just provide the HR phone number at
your former company. Most will only give out your dates
of employment and your title.

21. If you’re credit score is below 650, it will count
against you when you apply for a job. But since back
ground checks are expensive, HR managers sometimes
bluff and will not even run one.

22. Don’t quote Salary.Com when negotiating pay.
Reason? It’s usually 10 to 20 grand higher than actual
salaries. Plus it annoys HR people like crazy. And
when discussing salary, most HR people try to lock
you in early by saying, “the position pays 35K to 40K.
If they ask you if that’s acceptable, say “no”, “it depends”,
or “it may not be out of the question”. That way, they
can’t lock you into that salary area.

23. If you already have a job, and they start giving you
the worsts assignments possible, with impossible
deadlines, they are setting up to fail so they can terminate it.
So start looking for a new job immediately. Also, watch out
if you’re put on a performance improvement plan and they
say that they want it to work out. They may be looking to
sack you. And the third signal that want to give you
the boot is when you’re a high level employee, and they
start taking away your responsibilities to work on special
assignments. Start sending out resumes fast.

24. If you get laid off, you’ll probably get a separation
agreement where you agree not to sue. Before you sign
it , try to ask for more severance money, a glowing
recommendation in writing or more Cobra. The worst that
could happen is that they'll say no.

25. If you’re asked to travel to attend a conference, try
not to say no. It could end your career.





Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Why The Internet Is Making Us Stupid

An experiment at UCLA showed that spending one hour per day on the web alters our neural pathways. Another Canadian study asked 70 people to read a short story on a computer screen. Some read traditional text, while others read  a version containing  hyperlinks. Only 10%  of those who read  the traditional text  reported any difficulty  following the story versus 75% who read the hyperlinked version. Those who read the traditional text did so faster.

Simply ignoring online distractions does not work. That's because our brains must make a split second decision not to be distracted  which breaks our concentration.  For  instance, reading books  is often considered  a  passive activity when compared to web surfing.  But we think more deeply  when  we read a printed page compared to an Internet page. The quiet space afforded by the printed page lets us mull over what we read. That quiet space does not exist online, so we're less likely to formed reasoned conclusions  about the  validity of what we  read.

If we want to increase our concentration and comprehension when we read e-books or text online, we should close our e-mail programs, our facebook page, and other competing info feeds on our screen.

How To Avoid The Hidden Dangers In Your Clothes And Bedding

Wrinkle free fabrics contain perfluorochemicals ( pfcs) for stain and wrinkle resistance. Clothing labeled no iron, permanent press and wrinkle free often contain pfcs. They last long because they are hard to break down.They accumulate in the body and been linked to reproductive toxicity and liver problems.The chemicals in clothing may be absorbed through the skin or inhaled when they out gas.
Numerous cyclesin the wash may release some but not all. Also, synthetic fibers, contain polyvinyl chlorides a known carcinogen.So to play it safe, try to wear clothes made from 100% natural fibers like cotton and wool. 
  
Dry Cleaning Dangers  In dry cleaning, a chemical called perchloroethylene (perc)is used to saturate clothing to remove dirt and stains. But a lot of the solution remains in the clothing fibers after cleaning is done. Exposure to perc had been linked to kidney and liver damage. Plus it causes cancer in lab rats. Even short term exposure results in dizziness, headaches and rapid heart rate. One study found that elevated levels of perc remained in clothing after dry cleaning for 48 hours. California and other states have mandated that dry cleaners stop using perc by 2023. In the meantime, you can air out your perc dry cleaned clothes by removing the plastic and hanging them outdoors or in a garage for one or two days. Also, make sure you wear a barrier like a T-shirt when you wear clothes dry cleaned in perc. You can also find a green dry cleaner that uses liquid carbon dioxide instead of perc. 


Problems With Mattresses Most innerspring and foam mattresses and made from polyurethane It is so flammable its considered solid gasoline. To neutralize that, makers are required to add flame retardants to the mattresses. Before 2005,  these  included  highly toxic polybrominated ethers and heavy metal antimonies that disrupt hormone activity and may interfere with normal brain functions. If you're sleeping on a mattress made prior to 2005, consider replacing it with an organic mattress made from natural latex and or wool. If you buy a synthetic mattress, take off the outer wrapping and let air out for a few days outdoors or in a garage. You can also  purchase a natural latex mattress topper or one  made from cotton or wool  to act as a barrier between you and the flame retardant materials.

If It Smells Clean It Could It Could Be Bad For Your Health The National Academy of Science reports that up to 95%  of  substances used to make fragrances for  detergents, plug-in  air fresheners,  fabric softener,  are made from petroleum  that can trigger asthma,  and may cause  problems  with the nervous system.  So when you can, try to use  non-toxic  natural fabric softeners and detergents around the house. Also, you can find  reusable clothes dryer sheets online  that are not coated with chemicals.   

 

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Land A Job For Someone Else And Make Up To $250 An Hour Or More

With the local unemployment rate at 9% and up to 40% in some areas, job seekers are in full supply. So that means resume writers are in high demand. So to get training and network opportunities, its critical that you hook up with the Professional Association of Resume Writers.  You'll  also need to join the  National  Resume Writers Association for more credentials and leads. After your training, make sure you sign up for the PARW'S $225 certification exam. For more info go to  www.PARW.Com  and  www.TheNRWA.Com.  Another good resource  to find  new clients  is  www.MovinOnUpResumes.Com

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

GPS Owner Security Alert

FROM ONE OF OUR READERS:

"Wednesday, I approached my truck from the passenger side to place my computer case in the front passenger seat. As I reached to open the door I noticed there was a hole right under my door handle. My first thought was, "someone has shot my truck !" I began to think about it and inspect it a little closer and the "light" slowly began to come on.

I phoned my friend who owns a body shop and asked if he had any vehicles with damage to the doors that looked like a bullet hole.  "Yes, I see it all the time. Thieves have a punch and place it right under the door handle, knock a hole through, reach in and unlock it, just as if they have a key.

No alarms, broken glass or anything.  I then placed a call to my insurance agent and explained it to him I was puzzled that they left my GPS and all other belongings. Here is where it gets scary! "Oh no, he said, they want the break-in to be so subtle that you don't even realize it."

They look at your GPS to see where "home" is. "Now they know what you drive, go to your home, and if your vehicle isn't there they assume you aren't and break in your home."

He says they will even leave a purse or wallet and only take one or two credit cards. By the time you realize there has been a theft, they may have already had a couple days or more to use them. I didn't realize my situation for two full days! They even give you the courtesy of re-locking your doors for you. Periodically walk around your car, daily if you are in a shopping center or other parking area.

Report thefts immediately....your bank w/missing check numbers,  your credit card agencies, police, and insurance companies, etc."



Saturday, February 26, 2011

11 Hot Tips To Sell Your House Fast In A Weak Market

1.Choose A Broker That Can Sell To find the best broker,determine which realtor dominates your market by "For Sale"signs and recommendations by neighbors. Then call the sales manager at the realty office and find out who are the top 10% agents as measured by sales. These agents generate 90% of revenues for an office. So they are most likely to sell your house at the best price. Before you commit to an agent make sure he or she has sold several homes in your neighborhood at attractive prices. Also, make sure that no more than 6 months had passed between the time the homes were listed and sold. Then make sure the agent has a marketing plan tailored to your home. 2. Offer A 2 Point Commission Bonus bringing the total commission to 8%. That way, the listing agent, your broker, and the selling agent, the buyer's broker, get an extra one-point incentive to focus on your property above anyone else's. Tell your agent to make sure the extra commission is clearly stated in the MLS listing - both under "commissions" and under "broker remarks". 3.Get Your Marketing Right Most home buyers start their search on the Internet. So make sure your agent lists your property on the seven biggest real estate sites which are Yahoo, Craigslist ,Trulia, Zillow, Homes.Com ,Realtor.Com and MLS. Only real estate agents can list homes on Homes.Com, Trulia, Realtor.Com and MLS. Ads range from free to $300+ for first page positions, slide shows and videos.
4. Brainstorm With Your Agent to come up with the single most important outstanding feature that makes your property different. It's called a USP or "unique marketing proposition".  Then market the daylights out of it.  Brainstorm further to come up with a list of special features like a fabulous view or a quiet street .It can be long or short. Then rank the items from most to least important.  Then make sure all your advertising  includes  your USP and your home's special  features. 5. Use Professional Photos Market research proves that photos influence buyers more than any other tool. Develop a virtual tour online like something you might see in a home magazine. Whether they're clearly visible or not, each photo or video should include a strongly worded caption that points out interesting details or features. Some agents will send out a professional photographer to take photos. If yours doesn't, you can hire your own for $100 to $500 depending where you live. 4. Clean Out Your Closets Neatness implies that you take care of things. Buyers may think that a messy closet means faulty wiring or plumbing. 5. Get Rid Of Clutter Every piece of junk reduces your homes value because buyers can't see past it. If necessary, rent storage space for a few months. Never underestimate how much a poor appearance will turn away potential buyers and diminish a sale. You want buyers to take a look and say, "Wow! I could move in here today!"  6.Let There Be Light Buyers want a bright house above all except location. So ditch the heavy drapes, have the house cleaned, wash the windows,  and move furniture away from the windows. Then trim any outdoor plants blocking the sun. Paint the walls creamy white. And if possible, paint the outside of the house yellow. If you need to re-paint or change the siding of the house, make sure it's yellow. Yellow houses have the most curb appeal and sell faster than any other color. 7.Swipe And Deploy Attend an open house at a few new developments and take note on how the model homes are decorated. Then try to apply some of these latest decorating trends to your house on the cheap. 8. Price It Right The smartest strategy is to under price your house below market value. That's because buyers are looking for value when they buy. This also might force buyers into a bidding war over your house with one another. If you price high and then go low, buyers will sense your desperation and start making low ball offers. Calculate the average on the "comps" for your area and mark it down 10%. If market conditions are deteriorating rapidly, or if you're in a particular hurry, mark it down another 10%. 9. How To Handle Low Ball Bids In A Weak Market When you get low ball bids on your property, never say " NO" regardless of how ridiculous you may think they are. That's because your agent may be able to nurse the buyer along and warm him or her up to a price you may be able to live with.  Also, it will be a learning experience. You and your agent will get a chance to get a sense of what a buyer's typical objections may be. Then you'll have a chance to try out some arguments to overcome the next buyer's objections.  Based on what you and your agent learn, you can update your marketing materials on the web while your listing is relatively new. 10. Offer Incentives In a buyers market, new home builders will be handing out incentives like Halloween candy. So to sell a used home like yours, giving buyers a cash incentive will give you an unfair advantage over other sellers. Offer to pick up part or all of the closing costs. Then advertise this in advance and more people will want to see your property.  You could also offer a decorating allowance of say 1% of the sale price. But do not make this known except to buyers who see the house. Otherwise, prospects may consider it as a sign that the home is not clean or needs work.  11. Hold The Paper First of all, one-fifth of all homes sold involve partial or seller financing. Second, buyers may not be able to qualify for a conventional mortgage because they may be self-employed or can't come up with 20% down. If you don't have a mortgage to pay off, and you aren't buying another house, or if you don't need the cash, this is a win-win for you and the buyer. You can charge 5% interest or more, and the collateral is a property you know and trust. The buyer gets to skip the hassle of applying for a mortgage, and saves on closing costs. The down payment also becomes negotiable. Plus you might be able to spread any capital gains you might owe over several years. Just make sure your agent or lawyer runs a credit check on the buyer and let your lawyer draw up a formal contract. Also, make sure your contract states the if the buyer falls behind on payments just one or two months,the buyer forfeits the down payment and you can take back the property.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Ten Keys To Happiness

Here are  steps you must take if you want to be happy:

 1. Find Something To Look Forward To  - One study found that just thinking  about watching your favorite movie will raise your endorphin levels by 27%.

  2. Infuse Positivity Into Your Surroundings  - Another study showed spending   20 minutes outside in good weather will improve your mood and memory.

  3. Exercise More - More powerful than antidepressants, even walking is  a good way  way to improve  your mood and your brain. 

  4. Use Your Strengths  - If you don't know what they are, find out for free at http://www.viasurvey.com/

  5. Encourage Others  -  Studies show that teams and improved 31%  with  encouraging managers  Employees don't quit companies, they quit supervisors.

  6. Change Your Performance To Change Your Mind  - Henry Ford said, "If you think   you can or if   you think you can't, you're right." When facing a difficult challenge,  focus on why you will succeed rather  than why you may fail. People with a "fixed mindset" will always be less successful than  those with  a "growth mindset."

  7. Commit Conscious Acts Of Kindness - Be gracious in traffic or in line and let   people in. Then see how you feel. 

  8. View failure As Opportunity  - Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times before he got the light bulb right.

  9. Overcome Inertia -  Use the 20 second rule to break bad habits. For instance,  if you think you watch too much TV, take the batteries out of your remote. The next time you click on the TV, you can  read a book or start an important project.

10. Make A Social Investment -  A lack of meaningful social contact can add 30 points to your  blood pressure. Studies show that a bond between a manager and employees is the prime  predictor of both daily productivity and  the length of time people stay at their jobs.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

25 Fun Facts China Doesn't Want You To Know

#1 The U.S. trade deficit with China increased by 26 percent during 2010.

#2 Since China entered the WTO in 2001, the U.S. trade deficit with
     China has grown by an average of 18% per year.

#3 The United States has now had a negative trade balance every single
     year since 1976.

#4 The U.S. trade deficit with China during August was more than
     4,600 times larger than the U.S. trade deficit with China was for the
     entire year of 1985.

#5 According to a new report from the Economic Policy Institute,
     between 2001 and 2008 lost 2.4 million jobs due to the growing trade
     deficit with China. Every single state in America experienced a net
     job loss due to our trade deficit with China during this time period.

#6 China is now the number one producer in the world of wind and solar
     power.

#7 Back in 1970, 25 percent of all jobs in the United States were
     manufacturing jobs. Today, only 9 percent of the jobs in the United
     States are manufacturing jobs.

#8 China now possesses the fastest supercomputer on the entire globe.

#9 Back in 1998, the United States had 25 percent of the world's
     high-tech export market and China had just 10 percent. Ten years
     later, the United States had less than 15 percent and China's share
     had soared to 20 percent.

#10 China now has the world's fastest train and the world's biggest
       high-speed rail network.

#11 The United States has lost a staggering 32 percent of its
       manufacturing jobs since the year 2000.

#12 The United States had been the leading consumer of energy on the
       globe for about 100 years, but this past summer China took over the
       number one spot.

#13 China has accumulated the largest stockpile of foreign currency
       reserves on the entire globe - $2.85 trillion.

#14 American companies keep handing Chinese companies our most
       advanced technology. Just consider the following example that was
       just reportedin the New York Times. G.E., in the partnership with a
       state-owned Chinese company, will be sharing its most sophisticated
       airplane electronics, including some of the same technology used in
       Boeing's new state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner.

#15 All of this new wealth has enabled China to dramatically upgrade
       and modernize their military forces.  For example, China has actually
       developed a missile system that can  destroy a U.S. aircraft carrier
       nearly 2,000 miles out to sea.

#16 China is now the number one supplier of components that are
       critical to the operation of U.S. defense systems.


#17 Since 2001, over 42,000 U.S.factories have closed down for good.

#18 Wealthy Chinese companies are now gobbling up U.S. businesses and
       U.S. infrastructure at a staggering pace.

#19 As of the end of 2009, less than 12 million Americans worked in
       manufacturing. The last time that less than 12 million Americans were
       employed in manufacturing was in 1941.

#20 The United States has 10 percent fewer "middle class jobs" than it
       did just ten years ago.

#21 According to Stanford University economics professor Ed Lazear, if
       the U.S. economy and the Chinese economy continue to grow at current
       rates, the average Chinese citizen will be wealthier than the average
       American citizen in just 30 years.

#22 Nobel economist Robert W. Fogel of the University of Chicago is
       projecting that the Chinese economy will be three times larger than
       the U.S. economy by the year 2040 if current trends continue.

#23 According to one recent study, China could become the global
       leader in patent filings by next year.

#24 Today, China controls over 90 percent of the total global supply
       of rare earth elements.

#25 According to one shocking new poll, 47 percent of Americans
       believe that China is the number one economic power in the world.
       Only 31 percent of those responding to the survey indicated that they
       believe that the United States is still the number one economic power.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

35 Best Beers From Around The Globe

1. Hoegaarden, Belgium   2. Lindmans  Framboise, Belgium 3. Ufo White, Harpoon Brewery, Boston, MA 4. Coopers Sparkling Ale , Australia 5. Avery Elle's Brown Ale, Boulder. CO    6. Doggie Style Pale Ale, Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, MD  7. Saranac Adirondack Lager, Matt Brewery, Uitica, NY 8. Mama's Little Yellow Pills, Oskar Blues Brewery, Longmont, CO  9. Tailgate Beer Jay's Blacktop Blonde, San Diego. CA  10. Back In Black IPA, 21st Amendment Brewery, San Francisco, CA 11.Old Rasputin  Russian Imperial Stout, North Coast Brewing, Fort Bragg, CA 12. Hitachino Nest White Ale, Kiuchi Brewery, Japan 13. Pliny The Elder, Russian River Brewing, Santa Rosa, CA 14. Good Harbor Golden Wheat, Leelanau Brewing, Leeland, MI 15. Sessions Lager, Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, OR  16. Old Abominable Barley Wine, Stoudts Brewery, Adamstown, PA 17. Steel Reserve High Gravity, Steel Brewing, Irwindale, CA 18. V-12 , Victory Brewing, Downingtown, PA 19. St. Ides High Gravity, Irwindale, CA 20. Kiwanda Cream Ale, Pelican Pub Brewery, Pacific City, OR 21. Estrella Damm Inedit,  S.A. Damm Brewery, Barcelona , Spain 22. The Sixth Glass, Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, MO 23. Ommegang Hennepin, Coppertown, NY 24. Chipolte Ale, Rogues Ales Brewery, Newport, OR 25. Wild Raspberry Wheat Ale, Great Divide Brewing , Denver, CO 26. Sea Dog Blue Paw Wheat Ale, Bangor, ME 27. Abita Pecan Harvest, New  Orleans, LA  28. Horizon Red Ale, Summit Brewing, St. Paul, MN 29. Harppon Belgium Pale Ale, Boston , MA 30. Silver Moon Bridge Creek Pilsner, Bend, OR 31. Sweet Water SCH' Wheat, Atlanta, GA,  Hard To Get & High Alcohol Content Beers:  32. Sink The Bismark, Brewdog Brewery, Scottland 41% proof,  33.Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA , Milton, DE 36% proof, 33. Westvleteren 12, Belgium (considered the best in the world and limited to one case each  to customer by the Trappist monks who make it )  35. Rodenbach Vintage 2008, Palm Breweries, Belgium ( only 30M bottles of were made from   a single barrel).

Monday, January 3, 2011

19 Awesome No Brainer Quick Meals For 2011

1. Asian Pork Chops Combine 2 tbs hoisin sauce, 2 tsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp of lime juice. Cut 2 thick pork chops into 1/4 inch slices. Dip in mixture. Saute 5 to 10 minutes or until done. Serve with rice noodles.
Serves 2.

2. Linguine With Anchovies  Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet. Add 3 sliced garlic cloves, 4 anchovy fillets, and 1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes. Cook until anchovies melt into oil. Stir in cooked linguine. ( 8 oz dry) Sprinkle with 3 tbsp of chopped walnuts. Serves 2.

3. Smoky Spice Rub  Combine 1 tbsp each of smoked paprika, cinnamon, garlic powder, cumin and brown sugar. Rub on steak or chicken thighs. Grill outside or in broiler.

4. Pork With Fig Preserves  Combine 1/2 cup fig preserves , 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 crushed garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp of lemon juice. Roast 2 ( 1 lb) whole pork tenderloins 15 minutes at 375F. Brush with fig mixture during last 5 minutes of roasting. Serves 8.

5. Smoky Honey Pork  Combine 1/4 cup honey, 1 tbsp smoked paprika and 2 tbsp chopped green onions. Brush over 2 lb boneless pork loin. Roast 30 minutes or until done at 375F.

6. Salmon With Miso  Combine 2 tbsp each of brown sugar, miso paste, soy sauce, and hot water.
Spoon over 4 ( 5oz) salmon fillets and broil 10 minutes. Serves 4.

7. Chinese Mustard Vinaigrette  Combine 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar, 2 tsp Chinese mustard, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1/4 cup walnut or peanut oil, 1 tsp minced shallot, 1/4 tsp salt and pepper. Drizzle over fish or veggies.

8. Roasted Peppers With Polenta & Cheese  Cut a package of polenta into 8 slices. Heat 1 tbsp of Olive oil in a skillet. Add polenta slices and saute 3 minutes on each side. Cover with roasted bell peppers and sliced provolone cheese. Cover skillet and cook until cheese melts. Serves 4.

9. Grilled Chicken With Tahini Sauce Combine 1/2 cup tahini and 1/2 cup plain yogurt. Use as a dipping sauce for 1 lb of grilled chicken tenders. Serves 4.

10.  Chicken With Salsa Verde & Feta  Place 2 lbs of boneless, skinless, chicken thighs in a roasting pan. Pour 1 1/2 cups salsa Verde over the top. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese. Bake 40 minutes at 375F. Serves 6.

11. Curried Chicken Strips Combine 1/2 cup orange juice concentrate with 3 tbsp of green or red curry paste and 1 tbsp oil. Toss with 1 lb chicken tenders or strips. Roast 15 minutes at 375F. Serves 4.

12. Orange Scallops Combine 3 tbsp orange marmalade , 3 tbsp chopped green onions, and 1 tbsp soy sauce.  Toss with 1/2 lb scallops. Saute scallops until done. Serves 2.

13. Mayan Hot Chocolate   Stir 1 oz chocolate and 1/4 tsp ancho chili powder into 12 oz of hot milk. Serves 1.

14. Barbecued Salmon  Combine 3 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp of ancho chili powder, 1 crushed garlic clove, and 1 tsp of finely grated orange rind. Spread on top of 4 ( 5oz) salmon fillets. Broil 10 minutes. Serves 4.

15. Chipolte Salmon Combine 1 chipotle chilie, 1 tbsp adobo sauce and 1/3 cup mayonnaise. Spread on top of 4 ( 5oz) salmon fillets. Broil 10 minutes. Serves 4.

16. Curried Honey Chicken Thighs Combine 3 tbsp honey, 2 tsp of curry powder, 1 tsp finely grated orange rind, and 1 tsp of ground ginger. Slice 1 orange and place in shallow baking dish. Place 6 chicken thighs on top of orange slices, spread honey mixture on chicken and bake 20 minutes at 375F. Sevres 3.

17. Rice Salad With Peppers & Feta Combine 3 cups cold leftover rice, 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1 can white beans (rinsed and drained) 1/4 cup chopped parsley,
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 2 tbsp sherry vinegar. Serves 4.

18. Beef With Horseradish Sauce  Combine 1/4 cup each horseradish and sour cream with 1 tbsp brown sugar. Serve with beef or hamburger.

19. Couscous Chicken Salad  Combine 3 cups cooked garlic flavored couscous, 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, 1 cup shredded lettuce, 1/2 chopped green onions, and 2 tbsp of sherry vinegar and olive oil. Serves 4.