Eat Out and Save Money

Whether for business or personal, you can save up to 15% at about 10,000 bars, restaurants and clubs nationally. I found this information while reading the magazine…Business Week Small Business. This FREE opportunity is called Rewards Network
How the program works:

If you're not already a member, just enroll in the program and register your credit or debit card. Then, simply dine out at a participating location when Cashback Rewards are being offered and use your registered card to pay.

There are no additional cards to carry, coupons to print, or numbers to remember. And you can manage your cards and view rewards anytime in your online My Account Center. Neighborhood bistros. Fine-dining restaurants. The hottest bars and clubs. Rewards Network includes thousands of great places throughout the United States and Canada so you'll always find something to suit your tastes.

When you login and search for participating places on this site, you will see helpful information about the establishment as well as when you can earn Cashback Rewards. When you join Rewards Network online today, you'll save up to 15% every time you dine out at participating restaurants, bars and clubs. That's 15% of your entire bill–drinks, tips and tax included!

Your Cashback Rewards(SM) will be credited back to your registered credit or debit card shortly after you dine out. And remember: The level of savings depends on how often you dine out and with which bonuses you participate.

While I was on the Rewards Network Home page, I did a search for my area. I was surprised how many places you can receive discounts at. Do a search for any area to see participating establishments.

Well, I thought I’d just pass this information along. I know a lot people use coupons and a lot who are interested in saving a few bucks here and there. So, here’s another way to save some money, but not have to worry about coupons or looking tacky using a coupon to pay for a business dinner/lunch.

Check it out for yourself...go HERE

Farmers and Ranchers: Good For The People

The American Farmers and Ranchers of today produce an abundance of food, fiber, flowers, fish, forest products, forage and fuel. The American consumers are offered these products at prices that are among the lowest in the world. We do export some of these products, which helps feed people around the globe.

It is said that one American farmer produces enough food to feed more than 144 people. Most of the food we eat is produced right in the United States, so we are not paying other countries to send it to us.

Other countries are not as abundant in soil and water as the US, but we really need to protect out natural resources and not take them for granted. It is as simple as this: If natural resources are depleted at a faster rate than they can replenish themselves, they eventually disappear.

American farmers and ranchers understand that concept and use soil and water conservation practices. There are about 2 billion acres of land in the US. That breaks down to being about 70% privately owned land and most of that land, 1.4 billion acres, is managed by ranchers and/or farmers. More than 92 million acres of land, is privately developed and much of it is owned by homeowners.

We ALL benefit when private landowners care for natural resources because it will ensure that we will have cheap, plentiful food and clean water. So ALL people should help the farmers and ranchers care about these resources.

The farmers and ranchers have made a difference. With help from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, they have reduced the annual soil loss from 5.1 billion tons in 1982 to 1.8 billion tons in 2001. Controlling erosion keeps the land productive and reduces the amount of soil, pesticides, fertilizers and other substances that pollute our water.

Farmers and ranchers have also been helping with the Nation’s energy supply by producing and utilizing renewable resources. They have been using wind and solar energy for years! By producing crops ( corn, wheat, soybeans sugarcane), which contribute to 2 types of biofuel – ethanol and biodiesel, we can find an alternative fuel products instead of pure gasoline.

Things Made With Products Provided by American Farmers and Ranchers
1) Corn provides; food, plastic, cooking oil, cattle feed, diapers, sweeteners, de-icer, packing peanuts, ethanol and cleansing products.
2) Soybeans provide: food, cooking oil, cattle feed, ink, paint stripper, crayons, lubricants, candies, engine oil, hand cleaner, nail polish remover, hair care products, adhesives and biodiesel fuel.
3) Rice provides: food, cattle feed, dog food, Japanese wine
4) Cotton provides: bandages, cooking oil, paint, paper and clothing
5) Pigs provide: bacon, ham, sausage, pork chops, hot dogs and leather
6) Cows provide: milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, steaks, hamburgers, beef jerky, leather, film coatings. Medicine and piano keys
7) Trees provide: lumber, turpentine, paper, solvents, oils, medicine, syrup, nuts, mulch, film, chewing gum, nail polish, rocket fuel, make up, tooth brushes and food additives

Fun Cow Facts:
· In one day, 1 cow produces 5.4 gallons of milk or 2 lbs of butter or 4.6 lbs of cheese
· A typical dairy cow weighs 1400 lbs and produces more than 46 lbs of milk per day
· In one day, 1 cow consumes 35 gallons of water, 20 lbs of grain and 35 lbs of hay & Silage
· And for the environment: each dairy cow produces 100 lbs of manure each day.

Agricultural products are very important in our lives and we need to conserve, sustain and improve our natural resources for the future.

You can visit Federal conservation programs at http://offices.usda.gov/. or http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/.

Thank you to all the farmers and ranchers.

Source: For the Good of the People / NCRCS
United States Conservation Service

Need a Brain Boost?

When you're feeling the pressure to be 'smart'...helping the kids with their homework, doing your taxes or other countless tasks that require brain power, these foods may help boost your brain 'smarts'.

The below foods also help slow cognitive decline, improve your memory and protect your mental sharpness.

Eating blueberries, which are high in antioxidants, help protect the brain from free radical damage. Blueberries also improve cognitive processing. If you can find 'wild' blueberries, they have even more brain boosting antioxidants than our civilized variety.

A fresh brewed coffee is the ultimate brain fuel. The caffeine has been said to show that it retards the aging process and enhances short term memory performance. In a British study, researchers have found that people consuming the caffeine equaling one cup of coffee experience improved attention and problem solving skills.

Salmon or mackerel contains omega 3 fatty acids that are one of the primary building blocks of brain tissue. Salmon is also rich in niacin, which wards off Alzheimer's disease and slows the rate of cognitive decline.

Keep away from sugary foods, which causes surges in glucose. In the long term, the highs and lows can lead to lack of concentration. Also stay away from foods high in saturated fat. This fat can clog blood vessels and prevent the flow of nutrients and blood to the brain.

Obtain Better Health

Drinking the juice of fresh fruit and vegetables has the power to protect us from disease and illness by strengthening our immune system. It stimulates our metabolism and keeps us 'clean' on the inside.

I published a squidoo lens that will provide all you need to know about juicing...you will learn how to obtain better health, review a dosage chart so you can see the amount of vitamins needed to keep our bodies healthy, which fruit and vegetable juice will help with any symptoms you are experiencing and much more.

Read my complete informational lens by going HERE

Click here to Learn how Acai Berry Juice will Improve Your Health & Recieve 20% off

Dining Around The World

Dining around the world can be a very different experience than what we are used to here in the United States. Others customs and etiquette may seem very odd to us.

Take the International Dining Etiquette Quiz and see how you would do eating in another part of the world.

Interesting Facts About Coke

The next time you open a can or bottle of Coke to drink, you may want to read the below facts before actually drinking it. With the exception of #7, the following facts are alittle disturbing, don't you think? I am not a soda drinker at all, but for those who make soda their everyday choice of drink, what is it doing to your body? Very interesting...

#1 In many states the highway patrol carries
two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from
the highway after a car accident.

#2. You can put a T-bone steak in a b owl of Coke
and it will be gone in two days.

#3 To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the
toilet bowl and let the 'real thing' sit for one hour,
then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes
stains from vitreous china.

#4 To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers:
Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds
Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

#5 To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour
a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

#6 To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola
to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

#7 To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into
the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake.
Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil,
allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous
brown gravy.

#8 To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke
into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run
through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen
grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your
windshield.


FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

#1 The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid.
It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric
acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major
contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.

#2 To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the
commercial trucks must use a hazardous material place
card reserved for highly corrosive materials.

#3 The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean
engines of the trucks for about 20 years!

Beware If You Have Mold Allergies

If you know you have mold allergies, Throw away outdated pancake mix and other box mixes that you might have in your home.

Below is a letter to Dear Abby regarding this subject:

I recently made a batch of pancakes for my healthy 14-year-old son, using a mix that was in our pantry. He said that they tasted 'funny,' but ate them anyway. About 10 minutes later, he began having difficulty breathing and his lips began turning purple. I gave him his allergy pill, had him sit on the sofa and told him to relax. He was wheezing while inhaling and exhaling.

My husband, a volunteer Firefighter and EMT, heated up some water, and we had my son lean over the water so the steam could clear his chest and sinuses. Soon, his breathing became more regular and his lips returned to a more normal color. We checked the date on the box of pancake mix and, to my dismay, found it was very outdated As a reference librarian at an academic institution, I have the ability to search through many research databases. I did just that, and found an article the next day that mentioned a 19-year-old male DYING after eating pancakes made with outdated mix. Apparently, the mold that forms in old pancake mix can be toxic!

When we told our friends about my son's close call, we were surprised at the number of people who mentioned that they should check their own pancake mix since they don't use it often, or they had purchased it some time ago. With so many people shopping at warehouse-type stores and buying large sizes of pancake mix, I hope your readers will take the time to check the expiration date on their boxes.

***
According to Snopes the 19 yr old mentioned in the above letter, passed away from anaphylaxis due to an allergic reaction to mold. Anaphylaxis is a immunologic reaction that occurs when someone that has allergies comes in contact with a substance they are allergic to. It causes fatal respiratory or cardiac arrest.

Box mixes that are sold in cardboard boxes, paper sacks or unpouched are likely to be at risk to form mold. If you know you have mold allergies, check the expiration date on all box mixes. Throw them out if they have expired! Your life is worth more than a $1.50 box mix.

FDA Warns Consumers Nationwide Not to Eat Cetain Types of Raw Red Tomatoes

The Food and Drug Administration has expanded their warning to consumers nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked to consumption of certain raw red plum, red Roma and red round tomatoes and products containing these red tomatoes.

Read full FDA report by clicking HERE

This report contains vital information about this outbreak,the additional states now included plus the symptoms you should be aware of if you have eaten these tomatoes.

Get Healthy With Vend Natural

Vend Natural is an organic vending machine company concerned about a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating habits. They created a vending machine business that offers healthy choices as an alternative to junk food filled vending machines.

It seems more and more people I come in contact with have intestinal issues. What we are eating is surely contributing to these problems. I am more aware of what I am eating and snacking on and the ingredients that go into each product. Looking into the ingredients of the natural healthy snacks and beverages in these vending machines, I was quite impressed. On their site, they include their products and nutritional facts. Gluten and lactose free, all organic and natural with the necessary fiber and vitamins, less sugar and sodium ...all providing a healthy, nutritional snack.

I also read on their site that schools have now started to implement these machines for the children. I think that is an absolute great idea because the children today do not eat properly. They snack on junk and soda. Having these machines in the school offering a natural healthy snack will also teach them to eat better and make better choices. With obesity reaching an all time high in children, these healthy snacks will help with their calorie intake as well and provide essential vitamins.

If you are looking for a business opportunity and interested in nutrition, Vend Natural is a company to look into.They will provide you with top notch equipment, support and training. Vend Natural wants you to be successful.

If you would like to bring these organic vending machines to your place of employment, school or organization, just visit their site and they will provide you with all the necessary information you need.

Set The Mood With Oysters

A topic that came up during some girl chatter were foods that are considered an aphrodisiac.

Oysters was on the top of the list. It's said that oysters enhance your mood, therefore creating passion. Why? I know oysters are good for your heart, so I guess anything that's good for your heart should help the rest of your body, right?

Since the Aphrodite tale stating she was born and emerged from the sea, this sexy shellfish has been thought about as an aphrodisiac.

Oysters are loaded with vitamins, Omega3's and contain testosterone-boosting zinc.

My first experience with oysters was while down at the beach, my friend was drinking a cocktail containing raw oysters, then for lunch oysters again. Hmmm, setting the mood for romance later in the evening?

Most people chose to eat Gulf oysters raw, but might be leery thinking they were not shipped or refrigerated properly. There's even a myth that oysters shouldn't be eaten during the warmer months and only eaten during the months that contain 'r's in them.

But today, processing has advanced and with technology such as the Post Harvest process, even at risk consumers can enjoy raw oysters. There are three post harvest treatments: individual quick freezing, low heat pasteurization or heat cool pasteurization or high hydrostatic pressure. With these new processes, at risk consumers can now enjoy with reduced risk of Vibrio vulnificus illness

So...go ahead...set the mood....dim the lights, eat your oyster stir fry and let the effects take over. Enjoy!

Oyster Stir Fry
Yields 4 servings

1 tablespoon cornstarch
1-1/2 tablespoons oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
3/4 pound oysters, shucked and drained
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
Mix cornstarch with one tablespoon of water in a small bowl and set aside. Heat oil in wok or skillet. Add garlic, onion and ginger; stir-fry for approximately one minute. Add oysters, orange juice and soy sauce; stir fry for an additional 30 seconds. Add cornstarch mixture and cook until sauce just starts to thicken, about 1 minute more. Serve immediately with rice.

Do You Struggle With Weight Issues?

I never had a weight problem, so I do not know personally the health issues one faces when excessively overweight. I did however see through the eyes of my friend the struggles she faced while trying to loose weight.

She put her heart into loosing weight, she committed herself to exercise and diet, but nothing seemed to work for her long term. Along with the physical and health issues, she was experiencing mental issues as well. Withdrawn, depressed and had zero self-confidence.

As a last resort she decided upon weight loss surgery . As she researched her options, she decided on The Lap-Band System. This is the only adjustable and completely reversible weight loss surgery available in the United States.

She had to travel to the center, but had laparoscopic surgery in the morning and was calling me in the afternoon to tell me she was already in her hotel. She explained it as having a band securely put around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a small pouch and a narrow passage into the larger stomach. This will restrict her food intake. She will have support through groups, message boards, receive education on nutrition and get recipe ideas, along with extensive follow up and after care, all provided by this system.

I believe she finally found a system that will enable her to get her life back. I'm looking forward to watching her journey to better health and improved self-esteem.

10 Things To Eat, Take and Do to Improve Your Memory

Do you sometimes feel you forget things a little too often? Walk into a room and forget why you went there? Have a senior moment?
We already know there are foods and supplements that are good for the heart, but are you aware there are foods, supplements and activities that can protect your brain as well?

According to Dr. Jonny Bowde, there are 10 things you can eat, take and do to improve your memory while keeping your brain sharp and functioning for years to come.

1) Blueberries are the ultimate memory food. Research at the USDA showed that daily consumption of blueberries slows the impairment of memory that usually accompanies old age.


Compounds in blueberries called polyphenols actually help "turn on" the signals that let neurons (brain cells) communicate with each other more effectively.

2) Compounds in strawberries help protect your brain and preserve your memory. In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, animals that consumed an extract of strawberries, spinach and blueberries every day had improvements in their short-term memory. Not only did they learn faster than the other animals, but their motor skills improved as well.

3) Spinach is loaded with an array of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that research has shown to slow brain aging and preserve memory. It's one of the few food sources of the powerful, brain-protecting antioxidant alpha lipoic acid.

4) Tumeric is known as a "super-spice" due to its anti-cancer activity and powerful anti-inflammatory properties -- but it also helps to protect your brain.
This spice first attracted the interest of scientists investigating Alzheimer's disease because rates of the disease are so low in India, where curry is a staple. A compound in tumeric called curcumin helps to prevent mental decline in laboratory animals.

5) Fish is indeed brain food! Over 60 percent of your brain by weight is composed of fat, and most of it is the same fat found in fish. The healthy omega-3 fats in fish (and fish oil supplements) are incorporated into cell membranes, making it easier for information from neurotransmitters to get in and out of the cell.

Low levels of omega-3 fats have been linked to memory problems as well as depression, ADHD and various other neurological disorders.

Best sources: Wild salmon, sardines and cod -- or take fish oil supplements on a daily basis (500mg-3,000mg).

6) Egg yolks are one of nature's richest sources of choline, a B vitamin that is one of the most important nutrients for brain health. Choline is a building block of the valuable neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is vital for memory, learning and thinking.

This vitamin is particularly important during pregnancy because it's essential for the brain development in the fetus. The choline in egg yolks helps maintain the flexibility of brain cell membranes, which is critical for the quick transmission of thoughts and impulses.

7) Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a supplement that just may be a fountain of youth for your brain. It seems to delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline and improve overall cognitive function in the elderly. It also protects the brain from damage due to poor circulation and helps to repair injured nerve cells.

Research shows that after three months of using recommended doses of Acetyl-L-Carnitine (500mg-1,500mg daily), there's a marked improvement in general cognitive function.

8) Phosphatidyl Serine (PS), a natural nutrient found in cell membranes is highly concentrated in the brain. Several studies have shown that PS helps to restore brain function and improve learning and concentration.

Our brain health depends on PS for a number of important metabolic effects, as this makes it possible for nutrients to move freely in and out of the brain cells.

Note: To get the benefit of this supplement, take it with fish oil or with a serving of fatty fish such as salmon or sardines.

9) Several research studies on this famous herb have revealed that it has a positive effect on thinking. Not only has ginkgo extract been shown to reduce the progress of dementia or the severity of its symptoms, but it also modestly improves both memory and the speed of cognitive functioning.

The extract of the leaves from the ginkgo plant contain compounds called glycosides and terpenoids which are believed to have memory-enhancing properties. Most importantly, ginkgo improves circulation to the tissues, notably the brain, and its powerful antioxidant action protects against memory-robbing cell damage from free radicals.

10) Exercise is crucial for both mind and body health. It reduces levels of a stress hormone called cortisol, which when elevated, can shrink the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

Studies show that exercise may help prevent Alzheimer's or dementia, or at the very least, significantly delay its onset. Exercise also releases chemicals that increase the production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which has been called "Miracle Gro for the Brain".


Recent research at the University of Illinois shows that the brains of healthy but sedentary individuals ages 60 to 80 years old actually increased in size after exercising aerobically for 45 to 60 minutes, 3 days a week at a moderate clip -- both the white matter and the grey matter increased in volume!

Myth About Microwaving

I've recently read an article that says Microwaving does not kill nutrients in our food. In the past, I have read and heard negative things about cooking in the microwave. This article was at least something good to read.

With my busy schedule, I use the microwave alot....reheating foods, defrosting and yes, even cooking some foods.

Every cooking method destroys some vitamins and nutrients in food. According to Ashim Datta, Ph.D, a professor of biological engineering at Cornell University, a microwave has been found to eliminate fewer nutrients than conventional cooking. He says it is because the destruction of nutrients depends on both temperature and cooking time.

In a microwave, vitamins are exposed to the heat briefly,so more nutrients are retained. The most heat sensitive nutrients are water soluble vitamins, such as folic acid and vitamins B and C.

Suggestion: don't over cook your food to retain more nutrients