Archive for November, 2007

Have You Stopped Beating Your Customer?

Friday, November 16th, 2007

By Michael Knowles Have you stopped beating your customer? It’s an old leading question from the days of vaudeville. The title of this article is a leading question, too. It’s prompted by a mistake many businesses make over and over again. A company creates a product it believes will sell, and spends hundreds…thousands…even millions producing and trying to sell it. Only no one buys it, and the company wonders why. The answer is simple: People buy only products and services they believe they need. You cannot sell a product or service that isn’t wanted. Yet companies persist in beating their potential customers to death with messages. Marketing people apply an arsenal of psychological weapons in an effort to arouse desire for their products. Often such weapons are used to prey upon people’s fears. In the world of moral capitalism that’s called manipulation. And strong companies don’t use manipulative marketing techniques because they don’t have to. When Businesses Believe They Must Manipulate to Drive SalesIt is a normal human reaction to want others to accept our products and services. We wouldn’t start businesses if we didn’t believe we could be successful in convincing people to become customers. Yet hundreds of business leaders continue to believe that people will buy a product or service simply because it exists. that by employing clever schemes and psychological ploys, they’ll sell products. And sometimes they’re right. Sometimes. Maybe there is a sucker born every minute. If that’s your take on humanity, best of luck. You won’t be doing yourself, your customers, and the rest of us business people any favors, but if you have that sort of attitude, then you don’t care what we think anyway. Yet…if what you want is a business to live for, you have to give people what they need and want. You must have a customer-validated product or service. You need a customer-validated vision for your business’ future. A Customer-Validated Vision for Your FutureA customer-validated vision is one that ensures a focus on delivering the absolute best product or service you can to people who want to do business with you. Getting to such a vision isn’t easy. It takes a willingness to devote yourself and your team to asking good questions and, more important, listening to the responses you get without filtering them through your needs or expectations. Consider the New Coke fiasco a number of years ago. The marketing group for Coca-Cola did, in fact, do focus groups on the company’s new drink formula. They asked questions, but questions for which they already had answers! You see, they “knew” the solution to their loss of market share to Pepsi was to create a “New” Coke, one that tasted more like Pepsi. To their chagrin, the New Coke was a disaster. Why? Because their customers didn’t want something that tasted like Pepsi. If that’s what they wanted, they would have bought Pepsi products! From Here ForwardAre you ready to attract and retain more customers? Then you need a customer-validated vision for your business. Get clear about where you are today, and devote yourself to identifying where you want to be for your customers. Ask your team the hard questions, questions such as: Are you willing to validate your corporate values in light of the needs of the customers you’re in business to serve? Are you willing to do the work required to understand how to focus what you do best on your customers’ success? And, if so, what do you need to do to get there? Are you willing to define your purpose and end goal in customer-validated language? What will you do to ensure that every stakeholder for your company speaks the same customer-validated language? It’s all about how you serve who you serve. Turn your business mind around and look to your customers if you want success. That’s where you’ll find the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow. Michael Knowles, co-author of The Entrepreneur’s Concept Assessment Toolbook (available at http://www.booklocker.com/books/1988.html or Amazon.com) works with businesses that are struggling to attract and retain customers. A Principal in One Straight Line LLC, Michael has over 25 years of experience helping companies create communication strategies help them engage customers, employees, investors, outsourcing partners, and the community. Michael can be reached at mknowles@onestraightline.com. Sign up for their newsletter by sending email to subscribe@onestraightline.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Knowles http://EzineArticles.com/?Have-You-Stopped-Beating-Your-Customer?&id=127840 buy phentermine from union pharmacy inc phentermine no prescription fast cheap phentermine online without prescription online prescriptions for phentermine

Henna Plant and Henna Tattooing at a Female Stag Party

Thursday, November 15th, 2007

By Joy Cagil Henna tattooing was recently introduced and made famous in the US by Madonna, Demi Moore and a few other celebrities. The reverence for the henna, however, has been in existence probably ever since the first henna tree, or rather the first henna hedge, set its roots into the soil of the planet earth. Henna is a shrub in its truest form and it can reach a height of six yards. The henna plant blossoms in very fragrant white or rose red flowers and the species is sometimes classified under the name of Lawsonia alba Lam. or Lawsonia ruba. This writer first learned of henna a few decades ago, when she was invited to a henna night in Southwestern Turkey. Henna night is sort of a female stag party, usually scheduled to take place the night before the wedding or a couple of days earlier when the women get together and paint each other’s hands and toes with henna. The henna night is famous for the camaraderie of women and the constant girlish giggling even among the matronly set. The party is akin to the girls night out, not just with henna painting but with the food, drinks, and a lot of fun. One good thing about henna tattooing: unlike the tattoos the western culture is used to, the henna tatto is not permanent, for it fades away in time or it comes out after a few washings. Some women who are well known local artists can create fancy designs with a pastry bag, a toothpick, or a rolled piece of paper dipped into a paste of crushed henna leaves. First, to make the henna paste, henna leaves are crushed and mixed well. For the tattooing or rather the henna painting, the henna paste has to be at room temperature. Chilling the paste reduces the color. Henna painting craves heat. As a matter of fact, the ladies put their feet on a heating pad even before the henna is on their skin. When one observes the leaves of the henna plant carefully, it is easy to see the red veins going through the leaves. Most of the red color comes from those veins. After the henna is on the skin, it is topped with a little sugar and lemon juice mixture to set the colors, and also some heat is applied from a heating pad or a heated Mediterranean tile. The longer the wait, the stronger is the color. There are several different species of the henna plant because it is so widespread in the temperate zones of Middle East, Asia, Australia and North Africa. Women have worn henna through the centuries as decoration, and in some tribal regions, different henna decorations helped distinguish different tribes. Henna is also considered a medicinal plant, for it has been used from the earliest times as an astringent and a sedative, finding its way into many folk remedies. Since henna shows some ultraviolet screening activity, it is sometimes used as a sun-blocker. Washing the hair with henna gives it a slight reddish tint and a wonderful shine. It is believed that henna feeds the hair follicles and helps stop split ends. Joy Cagil is an author on a site for Writers (http://www.Writing.Com/) Her training is in foreign languages and linguistics. She has a degree in Turkish philology and she has lived and traveled some in Turkey. In her background are varied subjects such as psychology, mental health, and visual arts. Her portfolio can be found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/joycag Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joy_Cagil http://EzineArticles.com/?Henna-Plant-and-Henna-Tattooing-at-a-Female-Stag-Party&id=113755 xanax available without a prescription buy cheap xanax order xanax off internet soma vailum xanax lortab no prescription required

Tomato Seeds

Wednesday, November 14th, 2007

By Peter Emerson In America, tomatoes are considered one of the most popular garden vegetables. It is a tender, warm-season vegetable that grows best in summer. It is an easy vegetable to grow and has a better harvest when grown in the garden than in the fields. Tomatoes are eaten throughout the world. Their consumption is very beneficial for the heart. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant present in tomatoes. It prevents prostate cancer in human beings. Tomatoes can be raised from seeds that are planted indoors for a period of eight weeks before they can be planted outside. The seeds should be planted early for best results. It gives them a good start in the garden when planted in a warm weather and saves several weeks in growing time. Tomato plants can also be planted as small seedlings that are sowed directly in the ground. Gardeners often transplant their tomatoes as soon as the soil is prepared for spring gardening, as there is a high risk of their damage from freezing. The best result with minimal risk is achieved by planting them when the soil is warm. There are a wide variety of tomatoes available in seed catalogs and as transplants. They grow into a range of sizes, colors and shapes. Planting a single tomato plant in a large flowerpot or bucket produces a healthy plant. Tomatoes are classified as slicing round tomatoes, plum and small cherry tomatoes. Customers need to know the type of tomato they require to grow before selecting the seeds. There are a variety of tomato seeds that provide outstanding harvests that yield quality tomatoes. They include green grape, stupice, green zebra tomato, Brandywine tomatoes, mortgage lifter tomato, and Cherokee purple. The Internet provides detailed information on tomato seeds, growing tips, gardening links, and seed saving information. These websites are highly informative for people looking forward to planting tomatoes in their garden for self-consumption or starting a small nursery for market sales. Seeds provides detailed information on Seed, Flower Seed, Wild Flower Seed, Poppy Seed and more. Seeds is affiliated with Tropical Plants. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson http://EzineArticles.com/?Tomato-Seeds&id=429073 diazepam fedex online fast shipping xanax valium cheap prescription diazepam online pharmacy valium online pharmacy usa

Drugs & Herbal Supplement Interaction Questions?

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007

By Tommy Thompson Drug herb interaction is a problem - even though herbs can cure many health issues. A product of mother Earth, using herbs can still cause a problem particularly when you are taking prescription medicines simultaneously. The two together can cause side effects and have implications on the body such as digestion problems and others as well. And that is precisely why herbal supplements and products come with the advice that ‘you should consult your doctor before use’. So be frank with your doctor. Tell him that you have been taking these herbs and pills so that he knows in advance before prescribing. The Doctor can also inform you about any complications that may arise. Even if you are not on any herbal supplements at the moment but are planning to take it in the future, you should still tell your doctor. On an herbal supplement? Do you notice any change to your body? Closely monitor for the slightest symptoms, as they may be early warnings of a drug herb interaction. There Are Health Issues In Drug Herb Interaction Those who specialize in alternative medicines and conventional medical practitioners, both worry about the drug herb interaction problem. This is because negative cases concerning interactions have come occurred. However, you need to understand that drug-herb interactions do not occur because of a chemical reaction between the drug and herb components, which produces a toxic material. Instead, these interactions can be a result of herb components causing a decrease or increase in the quantities of drug in one’s bloodstream. It has been observed that herbs tend to lower the amount of drug in the body by stopping it from mixing with the blood. In such a case, the drug you are taking end up having no effect at all. In other cases, herbs in the blood also enhance the drug levels thereby immediately breaking down and removing the drug from the body. When this happens, the dosage of drugs could reach high levels producing unwanted side affects. There are actually many drug herb interaction health concerns. Such as blood pressure increase resulting in heart problems, infections, sugar levels in the blood going down, blood clots and others like this. Yes herbs can cure but there are still many safety issues. They may not be as safe as you think. Herbal supplements and prescription drugs can change their ability to have a positive impact. So it is always better that you take the opinion of a doctor about the negative effects of drug herb interaction and also take precautions of possible side effects. Only then can you get the best results. Discover the rewards and effects of taking herbal supplements @ The Herbal Buyers Guide Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tommy_Thompson http://EzineArticles.com/?Drugs-and-Herbal-Supplement-Interaction-Questions?&id=455961 buy low cost carisoprodol delivery free shipping buy soma cheap soma carisoprodol buy diazepam online buy carisoprodol onlineimgpaydaygif

Dating Younger Men!

Sunday, November 11th, 2007

By Terri Giosia Indulging and relishing in moments of desire when you begin to date is very important. A common error for many women is that they go into dating with the sole purpose of finding another man to embark upon a long term relationship with. Why would anyone want to do that? If youre answer is to not feel lonely, then you havent done the work. However, if you have and are ready to experience some new things in your life, then you should be open to dating a variety of men. Dont you want to see whats out there? Discover who youre attracted to now as a sexier, mature woman? Something that all women should consider is this new statistic that emerged not too long ago, 1/3 of women over 40 are now dating younger men. Men have been dating and marrying women 10-15 and even 20 years younger, so we too, should test the waters and see what a younger man can offer. I can see a few raised eyebrows as well as some women thinking whats a younger man interested in an older woman for? Well, Rapunzel, let you hair down and come down from the ivory tower and take a look at what you may be missing out on. Simply stated, a younger man is great for ones ego. Being appreciated as a woman for all that you are and all that youve learned and all that youve become, thats what many younger men will be attracted to. Always keeping things in perspective, I am not suggesting moving in or getting into a serious relationship, but simply begin being open to encountering younger men and to relish in a truly indulgent experience. You can have a date or two, see if you have things in common, see his qualities, his maturity (remember, age does not bring maturity) and see if he fits into what youre looking for right now. Think of those words right now. Most of us miss out on experiencing Mr. Right Now, because theyre so wrapped up in seeking Mr. Right. Ladies, I am sure youve realized that Mr. Right is not around the corner, nor is he going to knock on youre door in a suit of shining amour (yes, I still get a lot of women that harbor that dream in my coaching sessions). In the real world, suits are a little tarnished and used, which is known as experience and isnt that what has made us into who we are today? Younger vs. Older: Younger men wont expect you to cook/clean and take care of them, older men do!Younger men wont gasp at the use of condoms; many older men get offended when you mention the word condom (they figure you should trust them) Ladies, when it comes to youre well being, never dont fall for the old line Ive only been with. Younger men are open to new experiences; many older men are too set in their ways. Convinced? Ok, all I ask is that you start smiling with younger men and see the response, if nothing else; the smile they give you back will elevate your morale. Terri Giosia, motivational speaker, lifestyles-singles coach and writer, whose vision, passion and spirit will captivate and motivate you to be the “best” you can be! An ongoing student of human behavior; previous to finding my niche I was paving the path to this career, which includes over 20 years in training, business development, consulting, and management. Enhance and enrich your life today! Visit: http://www.teralunaenterprises.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terri_Giosia http://EzineArticles.com/?Dating-Younger-Men!&id=140019 tramadol order by 3 cst online prescription ultram purchase 180 tramadol buy tramadol online from oregon

Seminars: Why Are They Popular, and What Advantages/Disadvantages Are There to Attending One?

Sunday, November 11th, 2007

By Vishal P. Rao Seminars dealing with “special topics” have actually been around for decades, and are an older form of marketing and information exchanges, that have seen quite a resurgence of interest in the past ten years. Seminars are simply a group of people coming together for the discussion and learning of specific techniques and topics. Usually there are several keynote speakers within each seminar, and these speakers are usually experts in their own fields, or topics. Several topic reviews are scheduled each day throughout the seminar, and attendees can usually make their choice of topics from among these scheduled events. Many individuals attend seminars each year, some attending several times a year. The topics of seminars can be as varied as the groups attending them, but in particular, there has been a rise of Internet Marketing Seminars over the past five years, due to the increased interest in this field. What then are the advantages and disadvantages of seminars if you choose to attend or if you’re thinking of attending? Advantages: 1. A wealth of knowledge usually, presented by many speakers at one time in one place. A lot of “learning” at one clip, with most material compressed into two or three days’ worth of time. 2. A sense of camaraderie, where individuals can meet others with the same interests/problems/concerns that they may have in their chosen field. 3. A sense of renewed hope and inspiration (this is especially true for Internet marketing seminars), as sometimes business concerns are lessened by sharing experiences with others. Being with others that “understand” individual’s problems or concerns, is usually a great morale booster! 4. A great way for those that don’t like to read, or attend classes, to improve their knowledge of a specific subject. 5. A nice vacation, in usually, a good hotel. Most seminars take place in quality hotels, as this is part of the incentive to attracting attendees. Disadvantages: 1. Cost, of course, as all attendees must absorb their own costs. The seminars themselves sometimes also have an entry fee that can be quite high. All travel costs, food costs, hotel costs, and other miscellaneous costs must be absorbed by the attendees. 2. The chance that the speakers may be sharing incorrect knowledge, or not at all knowledgeable themselves (it pays to make your own assessments of presented topics, not just blindly “follow the pack”). Tips, tricks, and strategies need to be weighed as to “worth” and “accuracy” before using these. Careful thought rules here. 3. The time spent away from your actual business, or life, to attend. Time is always a concern when scheduling activities and some individuals simply can’t spare the time away from their lives for activities such as this. 4. The chance that the topics may not actively help your business or your concerns, and that the seminar will be a waste of time, where nothing you learn is of any use to you. 5. The chance that attendees will expect too much from a seminar and thus be disappointed. Realism must rule here. These are not “instant answers” to anything. Overall, seminars, if chosen carefully, can be a good experience. They are not miracle cures to business problems or other problems, however, and this must be kept in mind when deciding to attend a seminar. These are, after all, optional events, and success or failure in business or life will probably not hinge on attendance at seminars! Many different methods of learning business strategies and life strategies exist for those that don’t have the time flexibility or money flexibility to attend. Just visit your local library or local community college, and you’ll find a wealth of knowledge on all subjects. Read a book concerning your issues, or take a class, and you’ll find these can be great alternatives to seminars. After all, education exists in many forms, not just at seminars! ———– Vishal P. Rao is the owner of Work at Home Forum, an online community of people who work from home. ———– Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vishal_P._Rao http://EzineArticles.com/?Seminars:-Why-Are-They-Popular,-and-What-Advantages/Disadvantages-Are-There-to-Attending-One?&id=8746 online pharmacy2c ambien ambien online next day buy ambien no rx purchase ambien on line

Best Mobile Phones: Seducing Surface, Soothing Music

Saturday, November 10th, 2007

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Lopaz]Jennifer Lopaz With the introduction of its first GSM/UMTS slider phone, Sony Ericsson has taken another step forward in the walkman series. Ready to rock the world, the handset has once again proved the mettle of its manufacturer. A delight to music lovers and made to stir senses, Sony Ericsson w850i, endeavours to offer the best in digital entertainment. Appealing colours, enviable curves and seducing surface makes it appealing to use. The phone attracts attention with its heartbeat illumination which reflects the rhythm of your music. Music forms the core of this handset with features provided to make music listening delightful and convenient. Sony W850i is compatible with many music file formats including e-AAC+ facilitating faster downloads of your favourite numbers. The internal memory has a storage space of 1GB which can save up to 1,000 songs in e-AAC+ format. To help you save more the handset comes with a memory stick so, that you can store a large music collection. The Walkman player 2.0 simplifies navigation via Playlists, music genres, music albums or individual songs. The handset also boasts of a TrackID feature which helps you record a portion of the song, either via the in built FM radio or the microphone. The clip then can be sent to the Gracenote worldwide music database which will identify the song and transmit the information back to your phone. Sony W850i has a good 2 Megapixel camera enabling you to capture every precious moment and share them with your near and dear ones. High speed Internet access and web browsing facilities makes it easy for you to use W850i in creating and maintaining blogs, so that you can keep your friends posted anytime, anywhere. There are other interesting features in Sony Ericsson W850i, like Stereo Bluetooth headsets to enjoy music wire-free in full stereo quality and an advanced car hands free so that you can enjoy music while driving. The handset has all in it to challenge the best of music systems. Grab a Sony W850i today to ensure that your favourite tracks are always with you, wherever you are. [http://www.bestcontractphonedeals.co.uk/ ]Mobile Phones Buy [http://www.bestcontractphonedeals.co.uk target=_blank] Sony Ericsson w850i mobile phone from uk leading phone shop with 3, Orange, Vodafone, T mobile and Virgin mobile phone networks. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Lopaz http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Mobile-Phones:-Seducing-Surface,-Soothing-Music&id=352069 cheap generic phentermine buy real phentermine phentermine online doctors order phentermine with no prescription

Are You Going From Marriage To Divorce To Marriage?

Thursday, November 8th, 2007

By Tonja Weimer Have you been struggling with getting a divorce so you can be in a new relationship? Are you in love and do you want to marry the person you have met? You are no different from the rest of us–you want to be happy in a relationship with a life partner. However, you are in danger of falling into one of the common relationship traps that happen when we dont know how to solve the problems of our own life. A trap is an unsolvable problem that can drive us into the arms of another, thinking we can get our needs met there…instead of looking within to find what it is we are missing in our life. A trap results in unhappiness and relationship failure. If you are not careful, you may repeat this pattern over and over. What can you do to alleviate the marriage to divorce to marriage challenge? Confront and handle emotional neediness with a professional. The roar of fear is louder than these words, but if you can listen, you are in danger of going from one relationship to another with no growing time in-between. Be careful about becoming committed to someone before knowing who he or she is. You may think you know, but unless you are making this choice from a place of emotional strength and financial independence, you have some other alternatives going on. Work with a counselor on the issues of who you are and what your ideal life would look like. It’s hard to discover that when you are married to one person and longing to be with someone else. Once you are committed or married to the new person, there is great pressure to make the relationship work. There is no time or space for you to discover you. What are the qualities and characteristics you want and need in a relationship? Are you sure this new person has them, or are you doing some projecting? If you are in the process of getting a divorce, you are not ready to make a careful relationship choice, and determine if someone is right for you. Develop a vision for your life. Get clear about your purpose. Get some help understanding your choices and what drives them. Are you expecting this new person to be your ideal partner, and to live happily ever after without any of the same issues from your past marriage resurfacing? Its a big leap from the immature belief of finding Prince Charming or Cinderella, to taking personal responsibility for yourself and your relationship choices. We all have to grow enough to know how to be a person of choices, not just grab onto a life raft that comes floating by. If you need to clutch onto something or someone for support or help or hope…get some counseling soon. You deserve a life of happiness, peace, and love. Unfortunately, you probably will not find it if you fall into the marriage to divorce to marriage syndrome. Visit http://www.tonjaweimer.com or http://www.singlesdatingtips.com for more tips, skills, and insight on dating, relationships, singles, and love. Subscribe to our F*ree Savvy Dating Newsletter from master single’s coach, life coach, and syndicated columnist, Tonja Weimer. Copyright 2006, Tonja Weimer. (Please note source if reprinting this article.) Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tonja_Weimer http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-Going-From-Marriage-To-Divorce-To-Marriage?&id=161286 buy xanax valium ambien zolpidem order xanax without prescription xanax online prescriptions xanax online pharmacy

Geoffrey’s Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu

Wednesday, November 7th, 2007

By Michael Philip We’ve seen Geoffrey’s a million times while driving up and down the Pacific Coast Highway. It is just South of Zuma beach on the West side of the road. For some reason we though it would be way beyond our reach financially. I guess it would have been too easy to call them up and ask for the prices. For this special occasion we finally decided to try this landmark (or so to speak). We made sure to get reservations in advance . Traffic from LA on this Friday evening was surprisingly light. We cruised through Malibu and arrived at the restaurant. There is free parking on the street, though a bit dangerous since cars whiz by at high speeds. We risked it and survived. Our table was very nice, right at the edge of the terrace, overlooking the Pacific. An amazing view and a certain serenity. It is a bit weird to see other people’s homes right below, but we were mesmerized by the ocean (as always) and never noticed that fact beyond that initial notice. Service was excellent at Geoffrey’s. Our server was informative, courteous, quick, polite and not overwhelming. Starter bread was really good and we had several servings. Our meal included a few glasses of Chardonnay, lobster bisque, lobster bruschetta, garden salad and the mussels. Even though the salad was not on the menu we were pleased with the offer to make us one. Lobster bisque and the mussels were very good. Salad was solid, as was the bruschetta. The meal was complimented wonderfully by the sunset and a quiet and pleasant atmosphere . Ice cream with their signature chocolate topping ended it wonderfully. Appetizers were in the teens and main dishes mostly in the mid-twenties (prices). This is not much higher than in most dinner destinations in Los Angeles. A perfect restaurant for a special occasion. We will definitely go back and enjoy the food and the surroundings. Recommended indeed Geoffrey’s Malibu 27400 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90265T. 310.457.1519 Michael Philip is a contributor for the SeeTheGlobe.com web site. SeeTheGlobe.com is a travel information web site and community. Reviews of restaurants, hotels, airlines and other travel resources are provided from first hand accounts. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Philip http://EzineArticles.com/?Geoffreys-Restaurant-on-Pacific-Coast-Highway-in-Malibu&id=84565 prescription drug ultram information on 50mg-buy-ultram ultram online without prescription 1 order ultram

Corn Everywhere: We All Live In Iowa

Tuesday, November 6th, 2007

By Sarah Sandori I just read something fascinating. It’s a fact cited in a book called Omnivore’s Dilemma, by a writer and journalism professor named Michael Pollan. The startling fact is this: Corn is everywhere in our diets, much more than you might have imagined. If Pollan is to be believed, corn accounts for 13 of the 38 ingredients in a McDonald’s Chicken McNugget. Of the 45,000 items carried by a typical supermarket, more than a quarter contain corn in some form. Pollan happens to think that corn’s dietary omnipresence is not a good thing. I am somewhat sympathetic to that view, especially if you count the fact that corn syrup that is used to flavor so much of our food and drink. Some experts put most of the blame for the growing obesity problem squarely on corn syrup. Pollan further notes that each bushel of corn that is grown requires the use of as much as one-third of a gallon of oil in energy. Some of the oil used in growing corn evaporates and contributes to acid rain, while some of it seeps into the water supply. Thus, the widespread use of corn has environmental and energy consequences. As far as our diets, though, I for one have to admit that I am an unrepentant fan of corn. There is nothing as delicious as an ear of sweet corn eat roasted on the grill and dripping with hot butter. And what would I do without my corn tortillas, used in so many Mexican food dishes? Nonetheless, I’ll be the first to admit that an overabundance of corn at the table is not a good idea, especially if it is crowding out other components of a balanced diet. As delicious and versatile as corn can be, it lacks a number of crucial nutrients that our bodies need for optimal health. In times and places where people ate almost nothing but corn, even if it was plentiful, they generally were malnourished. My advice: If you enjoy corn, don’t feel guilty about continuing to eat it or to serve it to your family. But do start noticing how much corn you are getting in your diet. Read labels! The, if it seems prudent, find ways to cut back on the total amount of corn products that you consume. Sarah Sandori is the food and entertaining columnist for the Solid Gold Info Writers Consortium. Have you ever wanted to be able to exactly duplicate a favorite dish from a favorite restaurant? Check out Sarah’s article where she reveals her source for the most mouth-watering secret restaurant recipes in America: http://www.solid-gold.info/most-wanted-recipes.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Sandori http://EzineArticles.com/?Corn-Everywhere:-We-All-Live-In-Iowa&id=388857 valium no prescription needed diazepam online buy valium onlinemastercard buy valium cod