ExpertRating Online Medical Coding Course

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Take your first step toward a lucrative career as a medical coder! In this Medical Coding course, you'll learn how to use the CPT manual and the ICD-9-CM to find medical codes for any disease, condition, treatment, or surgical procedure.

This knowledge will help prepare you to work almost anywhere in the medical field doctors' offices, clinics, public health facilities, hospitals, labs, nursing homes, insurance agencies, or even the comfort of your own home. We'll go through each of the main systems of the human body integumentary (skin), musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and male and female genitourinary outlining the medical terminology, conditions, diseases, injuries, treatments, and procedures you'll see most often in each of those systems. Along the way, we'll go through lots of real-world examples and coding exercises to get you using your coding tools in conjunction with your analytical skills to come up with just the right codes to describe any medical situation. In the process, you'll get all the hands-on experience you'll need to code medical insurance claims with confidence. By the end of this course, you'll know how to find your way through both the CPT manual and the ICD-9-CM manual, and you'll be well on your way to a career as a medical coder! According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 18 percent through 2016 which is faster than the average. Allocating a code to a patient diagnosis and procedure in the medical billing and coding process is the most vital step in the claim reimbursement process from insurance carriers. Accurate allocation of the medical codes ensures proper repayment for the services provided by the physicians and healthcare providers.

For taking this Online Medical Coding Course you need internet access, an email account, Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox web browser. Familiarity with medical terminology and anatomy is a plus. You'll need access to both of the main medical coding books we'll use in this course: 2008 CPT manual, Professional Edition 2008 ICD-9-CM,Physician Edition. The spiral-bound editions are recommended for both books. The 2007 versions are also acceptable for this course. No prior medical experience is required, but knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy will be helpful. With the ExpertRating Online Medical Coding Course, you will get to learn all the nitty-gritty of medical coding and billing. Suitable for beginners as well as experienced coders seeking advancement, this course is sure to benefit one and all.

 

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Q&A: How to Match Shoes with Work Clothes

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Q: Can Omiru provide some basic guidelines about pairing work shoes and pants/skirts?

A: To understand how to pair shoes with clothes, you first have to look at silhouette.  Shoes should complement the lines and proportions of an outfit, particularly the bottom that you’re wearing.  We’ll start with the basics—regular trouser pants and a knee length skirt—and then we’ll expand out into other options:

Regular Trouser Pants
For regular width trouser pants, the classic choice is a medium height (approximately 2” tall) shoe.  You can wear pumps, loafers, two-tone shoes…and you can also experiment with different toebox styles.  For a sophisticated look, try pointier toed shoes.  But for a more chic, casual look, you can try a round toe.  If you’re not a fan of heels, you can also try a more subdued kitten heel (usually around 1.5” tall).

Knee Length Skirts
The perfect shoe for a knee-length skirt is a heeled shoe.  Most women prefer to wear a medium height heel to visually elongate the leg, but a shorter kitten heel is also a common choice.  Women who are blessed with extra long legs can also get away with flats, but the rest of us should steer clear of them. 

Wide Trouser Pants
To balance out the width of a wide trouser pant, you’ll need to wear a high heel (3” or taller).  The high heel visually (and physically) elongates your leg line, and it gives your bottom half balance.  If you’re blessed with long legs, you can also try a medium height heel.  But for optimal figure flattery, no low heels or flats allowed!

Skinny Pants
Channel Audrey Hepburn when pairing shoes with skinny pants.  What did Audrey wear?  Ballet flats, of course!  When you’re wearing tight pants, you want a shoe that’s not overly sexy.  So steer clear of high heels and shoes with “toe cleavage.”  The ballet flat (or even really short kitten heels) will do the trick.

Short Skirts
Short skirts are best paired with a kitten heel or ballet flat at work.  If you’re wearing a revealing skirt, you don’t want to go overboard with an overly sexy shoe.  That said, the woman in the miniskirt pictured above made the sexy shoe and miniskirt look work.  How did she do it?  She wore tights to cover up her legs (and tone down the miniskirt), and she wore a heeled bootie.  Because they provide more coverage, booties are a less risqué shoe option than an equivalently high heel.

 

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Work Gloves for Less

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Keep your hands protected and warm in cold weather with our wide selection of men's work gloves. We carry Atlas gloves, leather gloves, rubber gloves, kevlar gloves, insulated gloves and mechanics gloves by name brands like Well Lamont, Caterpillar, Carhartt, Mako, Norcross, MSA, and North to name a few.

Hand should not be subject to abrasion from work environments. Materials like leather, nitrile, and even polyester can help protect your hands at work. We carry a variety of safety work gloves made from leather, fabric and cotton, Kevlar, rubber, and nitrile. Our website is divided up by materials, industry, and conditions in purchasing gloves. Whether you work inside a food processing plant or are a construction worker or welder, we several kinds of gloves suited to your working conditions.

We carry many different kinds of safety work gloves by Carhartt for abrasion protection. Most gloves by Carhartt are made from leather, regardless of whether the glove is better for a welder or a utility worker. However, gloves by Carhartt can come insulated or nitrile coated depending upon your working needs. For those who need less protection, we make gloves from nylon and polyester that are insulated and breathable.

Mechanix is another popular brand known for its sturdy work gloves originally designed for racing drivers in 1991. Now, mechanics use this type of glove in their work. Known as “The Tool That Fits Like a Glove,” Mechanix Wear gloves have a synthetic leather palm and fingertips and include Clarino OW-927 to resist water and oil.

We carry gloves specifically for the welding industry. The welding gloves have a layer of flame retardant cushioning or liner and will be strung together with Kevlar threads for best use and comfort in high temperature working conditions.

In temperate working conditions, such as in a factory or food processing plant, we carry general purpose gloves made from leather, PVC, and nitrile-coated cotton. General purpose gloves are best suited to such industries as assembly, general and auto manufacturing, maintenance, and food handling. If repetitive motion is part of your job, our general safety gloves can be equipped with a nitrile three-dimensional stretch feature to reduce hand fatigue. Similarly, our general safety gloves have high visibility strips for truck drivers and road workers needing hand protection for outdoor work.

 

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Extra Tall Bar Stools

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Extra tall bar stools are available in wooden, metal, swivel, contemporary, classic, and retro styles to coincide with your counter height.

Extra tall bar stools are a great way to utilize high countertops, and also bring a much more contemporary look to your home.  If you have always dreamed of creating your own home bar from your kitchen countertops, but figured they were just too high, you’ve found your solution in tall bar stools.  Extra tall bar stools not only look great, but they give you that height that you need to make use of any tall surface.  Plus they are great for achieving a stylish restaurant or pub feel, right from the comfort of your own home.  But there are a lot of different types of extra tall counter stools on the market, so you’ll have to figure out the type that seems best to you.

One of the main things to consider about any stool, is whether or not you would like them to have a swivel motion.  Extra tall swivel bar stools can be more convenient, as they easily lend themselves to more sitting positions, without having to be jostled around.  However, they aren’t quite as sturdy as solid stools, and the swivel mechanism will require repair over time.  This can be a hassle, but a standard stool just can’t compare with the comfort and convenience that a tall swivel stool provides.

Another thing to consider, is the primary location where you’ll be using your extra tall bar stools.  If you will be using them for regular eating at a kitchen countertop, you’ll need stools that can cope with the potential of spilled food or drink.  You’ll probably want an extra tall kitchen stool that doesn’t feature a cushion, and is mostly just hard surfaces so that they can be easily cleaned no matter the circumstance.  But if the extra tall bar stool will be used more in a social setting, you’ll want a thick cushion so that they are as comfortable as possible.  This way you can spend long hours talking, without having to worry about your comfort.

 

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TouchTec gloves keep fingers warm while operating touch screens

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As most of the newer personal devices feature touch sensitive input usually via the screen, operating them during cold winter days can become an annoyance. Conventional, old tech gloves have to be taken off before one can even pick up a phone call.

See, electronic technology advances at a high speed but we or our clothing sometimes fall behind this rapid development and we are not able to operate them properly at times.

Touch sensitive gloves have been around for a year now as some innovative minds figured out the problem and a solution by adding conductive yarn patches on the tip of the index finger which will make the necessary skin resistance contact with the touch screens’ surface.

As with any new innovation and product idea, over time simple and limited offers on the market will expand through new companies joining the this market segment.

Gaspar Gloves is offering for this winter season a range of TouchTec® gloves which are based on a patented nano-technology that gives new functionality to a variety of textiles and leather. It enables the wearer of TouchTec Gloves to operate any touch screen devices without removing gloves.

 

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Midmark 604 Manual Exam Table

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Midmark’s 604 Manual Exam Table was designed with the physician, staff and patient in mind and gives you the best economy exam room option available. However, this cost-effective table does not skimp on patient comfort. With the new 604, the physician can easily position patients so that they are comfortable and relaxed throughout the exam.
The new look of your exam room will also improve the overall impact of your office environment through the 604’s stylized look featuring a one- piece upholstered top.
The 604 not only looks great… but is also simple to clean. In addition, the 604 is user-friendly as its pneumatic cylinder assists in easily placing the counterbalanced top in an infinite number of positions. Release handles on both sides of the top section make positioning easy.
Ultra-Premium™ Top option is more comfortable for your patients, giving your practice an exclusive feel and elevating your reputation.

Flex Drawer Design
A flexible rear drawer design allows changing to either right-hand or left-hand access without the use of tools. This eliminates the potential for wall damage or the unkept look of pass-through drawer systems.

Premium Comfort System™
Unique elastomeric material stretched over a seat cut-out is designed to enhance patient comfort for a “chair-like” feel in an exam table. The upholstery is removable and available with optional heater.

Exam Assistant™ Fold-Down Drawer System
Provides an area to store basic pelvic and examination supplies at your fingertips. Its unique fold-down front can also turn into a work shelf for examination assistance.

 

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Foot Massage Machine

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A Foot massage machine is a great way to relax and relive any built up stress or tension after a long hard day at work. Many experts claim that stimulation to different points on your foot can relax various other parts of your body. If you have ever had a foot massage you will know this can be true.

The one problem is that most people simply have neither the time nor money available to get a foot massage on a regular basis. This is where these fantastic foot massaging machines come in. They have been developed to use various massaging techniques which can give you an unbelievable foot massage.

Not only can they give great massages but they can also be used anytime you want. Just imagine sitting at home working on your laptop while using a foot massaging machine.  While some of these machines can seem expensive at first, they can often pay for themselves quickly if you use it often. Just think of the money you would spend to get a foot massage from a professional and you will soon realise which will work out cheaper.

Here are a couple of the better foot massage machines available to buy:

Sharper Image MSG-F110 Deep Kneading Shiatsu Foot Massager

The Sharper Image Shiatsu Kneading Foot massager has been developed with six deep kneading Shiatsu heads and a range of heating options. The controls are easy enough to use allowing you to control using your toes. It offers a counter-rotational massage which imitates “thumb like action” and massage rollers which provide deep kneading. Add on to that this foot massage machine comes with heat, you can easily create the ultimate relaxing heat massage.

i-need Soothing Foot Massager

The i-need foot massager combines both Shiatsu and kneading air pressure features. Simply put your feet inside the massager and let the Shiatsu nodes work wonders on the soles of your feet, while the kneading air pressure works on the top of your feet and ankles.
Simply select the intensity of the massage and the speed and sit back and enjoy the fully relaxing massage.

 

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Thermage Info

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The “Non-Surgical Face Lift”

Thermage is an exciting new non-surgical procedure that offers an innovative way to rejuvenate your face…without surgery. It involves the application of radio frequency energy to your face. This energy strategically heats collagen, which composes your skin. In response to heat, your loose, weakened, and disorganized collagen will strengthen, tighten, and become organized. This translates into tighter, younger-appearing skin…all without surgery! (Caution: Continue reading before you decide that Thermage is the best thing since sliced bread).

The Benefits of Thermage

Thermage will provide the following benefits in many people:

• Tighter skin
• Improved jowling
• Tightened Jawline
• Tighter skin under your chin
• Higher eyebrows
• Softer forehead lines
• Softer scowl lines
• Softer crow’s feet
• Softer nasolabial creases (around nose and mouth)
• Reduced active acne
• Softening of acne scars
• Unlike laser treatments, Thermage works just as well on people with darker skin types as those with light skin types.

The Bad News

Although thermage is called a “non-surgical face lift,” it is not a substitute for a face lift. It will give a portion of the improvement that a facelift will give in many people. There are, however, some people who will see no improvement following Thermage (especially those who have very loose skin and are really ready for a facelift, or those with very heavy faces). For these people, a second treatment may be performed six months after the first. This second treatment may or may not yield improvement. Thermage seems to work best in people with thin faces who are just on the verge of needing a facelift and want to put it off for a few years. In other words, if you have looses skin, sagging jowls, and a turkey gobbler, you can try thermage, but you may not see much improvement.

 

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Safety Glasses and Goggles: Your Guide to Protective Eyewear

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Why risk losing precious eyesight when wearing safety glasses or protective goggles can keep your eyes safe for a lifetime of good vision?

According to Prevent Blindness America, each year more than 700,000 Americans injure their eyes at work, and another 125,000 injure their eyes at home. More than 40,000 American children and adults suffer eye injuries during sports, while many thousands more eye injuries go unreported.

Because experts say proper protective eyewear could prevent up to 90 percent of all eye injuries, you might want to learn more about the safety glasses and goggles that suit your lifestyle best.

How Do Safety Glasses and Goggles Differ From Regular Eyeglasses?

Safety eyewear must conform to a higher standard of impact resistance than regular eyeglasses, which optical professionals sometimes call "dress eyewear." This higher standard applies to both the lenses and the frames of safety glasses and goggles.

Safety glasses may have prescription lenses or non-prescription (also called "plano") lenses. Regardless of their size or the durability of the frame and lenses, regular prescription eyeglasses do not qualify as safety glasses unless they meet specific criteria.

In the United States, the federal government establishes safety guidelines for workplaces, to decrease the risk of on-the-job injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) within the U.S. Department of Labor oversees safety practices in the workplace and in educational settings.

OSHA has adopted safety eyewear standards established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a private, non-profit organization that creates quality and safety standards for a wide variety of products.

The ANSI standard applying to eye safety includes several types of eye protection devices, including eyeglasses (both prescription and non-prescription), goggles, face shields, welding helmets and full-face respirators.

 

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Tattoo Removal - Options and Alternatives

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There are a lot of reasons for possibly wanting a tattoo removed – the positive element of tattoo removal is that you are no longer burdened with a tattoo you seriously regret. If a tattoo is holding you back from getting a job you want or keeps you from attaining goals you have set for yourself, a little pain and scarring may be worth it to you. If you have a gang-related tattoo and are no longer associating yourself with that gang or any gang (good for you!), it would be in your best interests to have it removed. If you have a tattoo that symbolizes hate or prejudice, I hope that you will decide that it is time to let it go. If you are wearing a tattoo of a past love and now you have a new special person in your life, it would be unkind to your new love NOT to get rid of the old tattoo.

If you have a tattoo that you wish to have partially or completely removed, you should first consider your options and decide which method might be best for you.

Laser Removal
Today, lasers are the most common method of tattoo removal. They work by targeting the ink with pulses of highly concentrated light that break the ink into tiny fragments, which are then cleared away the your own immune system. However, this isn’t all done with just one treatment. The more treatments you have, the more the laser can penetrate to destroy the ink. But, the more treatments you have, the more damage you do to your skin, causing painful blisters and scabs that can eventually lead to scarring. Experts in removal therapy say that technology has advanced to the point where scarring is minimal, sometimes non-existant, but this can vary depending on the situation.

On top of being physically painful (it has been described as feeling like being splattered with hot grease), laser removal can be painful to your wallet as well. Depending on your tattoo, you may need anywhere from 1-10 sessions, each costing in the range of $250-$850 per session. A large, professional tattoo in color could cost thousands of dollars to remove, and the effectiveness of the removal still isn’t guaranteed.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, or IPL, is a dermal enhancer currently being used in some spas. Instead of laser light, it uses high intensity light in pretty much the same manner. A gel is applied to the skin and then a wand is used to emit pulses of light onto the skin area being treated. This method is said to be less painful than laser therapy, and more effective, resulting in less total treatment sessions. The bad news is that it also carries a heftier price tag – one clinic offering a price of $10 per pulse. Depending on how many pulses per session your tattoo requires, this could add up to a significant amount of money.

 

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Garment Bags

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Garment Bags as Functional Promotional Items

Garment bags are useful pieces of luggage to simplify the packing process for long or short trips. These hanging bags serve to prevent creasing in apparel, and operate by allowing garments prone to wrinkling to be folded flat in the garment bag and carried or hung during transit. Garment bags are ideal for transporting long suits or dresses, both of which are necessities for busy professionals who engage in frequent business trips or even anybody attending an out of town gathering calling for dressy attire. Not only are these bags perfect gift ideas for any target demographic, but the large imprint area warranted by promotional garment bags makes these items worthwhile investments to advertise your brand by prominently displaying a custom imprinted message or logo. The end users of your company's attractive garment bags will be able to use them for a wide variety of occasions, thus increasing the total number of impressions garnered by the products.

 

Everyday Applications for Garment Bags

Garment bags, such as the multi-functional Davinci Vacation Valet Garment Bag, need not be restricted to use on long airplane, train, or boat travels, but can also serve a valuable purpose in peoples' ordinary activities. Whenever a person is required to attend two events in a short period of time, they may need to bring along a change of clothes to ensure they are appropriately outfitted for each commitment. These bags allow for convenient access to a change of clothes, and can be hung in a personal vehicle on a handy hook, or even laid flat on a back seat or in a trunk. By distributing bags for hanging clothes emblazoned with your company logo and information, your clients and employees can present themselves in a professional manner as they go about their daily lives, and will have your brand to thank for provision of a garment bag to help them maintain their tidy appearance.

 

Types of Garment Bags

Garment bags are available in many shapes and sizes, and some styles of these bags even feature wheels to increase functionality. There are small garment bags designed to accommodate one or two garments for a brief, overnight trip, or larger bags meant for carrying several outfits for longer trips that require additional wardrobe choices. Many such bags meet the established criteria to be brought on airplanes as carry-on luggage and stowed above or below passengers' seats, so you may prefer these options because of their appeal to executives who frequently engage in long distance travel. Water resistant garment carriers serve the additional purpose of protecting garments from the elements, and end users of these items will appreciate the additional reassurance that their apparel will remain wrinkle-free and ready to wear, regardless of inclement weather during their commute. A durable, high quality garment bag is an appropriate gift for any valued customer or staff member, and the distinctive imprint on the outside and/or inside of each particular bag will effectively communicate your brand's marketing message to the recipient of the gift, as well as observers who are exposed to the unique garment bag in a public place.

 

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Storage Shed Plans

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Storage shed plans are a popular choice for those with limited house storage place. A storage shed offers the option of keeping items out of the harmful elements such as wind, rain, snow, or sun, while also keeping those items out of your house. Who wants to store an outdoor use garbage can inside of their house? Avoid the smell, dirt and debris by building a hardy storage shed to store anything you would like to avoid in your home.

Storage sheds are most commonly made of wood but may also be available in metal or other materials. Wooden sheds are the most common type of storage shed and our entire collection is wooden or wood shed plans. These are popular styles because wood sheds can be crafted into a similar style as your house, can be painted to match your home's color scheme, and it is fairly easy to add features to because of the ability to cut wood.

Note: When construction any storage shed, be sure that there is proper ventilation if you will be storing gas or any other hazardous material.

Best Storage Shed Plans

This large storage shed offers ample storage for any type of storage including gardening supplies, holiday decorations, and lawn mowers. This plan features a window in the front as well as an old fashioned door and a bay door for the area to store your lawn mower. Size: 12'0" X 20'0" ft.

 

Another large storage shed, this shed plan provides the same amount of storage with a different look. It showcases a large garage styled door which allows for easy storing of large items such as a lawn mower, lumber, or many other large items. Size: 12'0" X 20'0" ft.

 

This storage shed is an example of contemporary design in a useable storage space. The large windows on the top of the shed not only allow for a higher ceiling and more storage, but they also permit a massive amount of light to flood in. That allows you to see clearly during any day with or without electrical lighting. This storage shed plan also features a double door for easy in and out storage capabilities. Size: 7'11" X 8'0" ft.

 

 

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Kitchen Sink

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Consumers now are taking more time to research different styles of sinks & taps, spoilt by the immense choices of impressive designs & tough hardwearing materials. No longer is the choice stainless steel or a white brown or cream coloured sink, here we look at the different styles, materials and colour choices available in today’s market.

Stainless Steel

The traditional choice is now available in designer styles and shapes. These can be can be top or under-mounted in certain work surfaces. Look out for the different grades of stainless steel that relate to the thickness. Better quality models have the bowl areas welded separately to the rest of the sink. This results in the density of the steel being greater at the bottom of the bowl that results in a stronger sink, less likely to suffer dents should items be dropped. With lower priced models the whole sink is made out of one single sheet of material, with the bowl area ‘pushed through’. If the bowl has been welded to the sink afterwards this will be visible if the sink is inspected from underneath. Alternatively try the ‘thumb test’, Press your thumb on the bottom of the bowl & if you are able to flex the material this indicates that the steel in this area is thinner. Stainless steel sinks are very hygienic & easy to clean but by the very nature of the material they will scratch.

Synthetic materials

These are normally manufactured from Asterite a material developed by ICI especially for kitchen sinks, or with lower priced models Polycarbonate. Asterite sinks are available in a choice of colours with white & cream being the most popular choices. These sinks are generally hard wearing & will resist stains & heat up to a certain temperature. Lower priced polycarbonite sinks are available in similar colours but do not possess the strength & durability of asterite sinks. Both of these materials are solid colour all the way through the material so scratches are easily disguised.

Granite Sinks

If you desire a coloured sink & want the best all round material go for one of the many granite sinks on offer. Better granite sinks will be manufactured from around 80 – 85 % natural granite, which is mixed with a resin, ground & coloured. The addition of this resin allows the sink to be moulded and shaped.
Most granite sinks are waterproof, stain proof, non-swelling, safe for foods, hygienic, and heat resistant up to around 180 degrees. The choice of colours is equally impressive, choose from traditional white, cream or green or a vast selection of modern varieties of which black & grey are much desired.

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Bedroom Interior Design

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Decorating the home is sometimes regarded as a routine chore that can be accomplished with several tins of magnolia paint and a trip to the local retail park. Although simplicity is often key to home decorating, some rooms require a little more attention and creativity than others. The bedroom, for instance, is arguably the one room of a home in which interior design is of fundamental importance; whilst the kitchen and living room require their own distinct styles, the bedroom ought to connect with homeowners at an altogether more intimate level. As such, bedroom interior design should not be taken lightly.

The interior design of a bedroom must establish some kind of unity with the intended occupant; for example, the design of a typical five-year-old girl's bedroom might comprise large helpings of pink alongside colourful fabrics, imaginative designs and accessible furniture. Identifying what works for the individual is pivotal to the success of a bedroom interior design. In respect to walls, colour is obviously the most important consideration. Generally speaking, light, pastel colours work well in relatively small bedrooms because they can give the impression of greater space, whereas darker tones and patterned wallpapers can achieve the opposite effect where space - especially ceiling height - is in abundance.

Arguably the most important aspect of bedroom interior design is the choice of bed, mattress and duvet cover. Luxury beds can range from sturdy wooden frames to comfortable divans. The key to choosing the most appropriate luxury bed is in deciding what kind of style best suits the individual; once a particular type of luxury bed is chosen, the design of the bedroom can, at least to an extent, be shaped around this important focal point. Replacing an old mattress with one that has a little more spring in it can also provide the user with added comfort and support - choosing a mattress with memory foam is particularly advantageous in so far as it moulds to the shape of a person (or people) and offers more stable support.

 

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At MoMa, everything and the kitchen sink

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Kitchen design objects exhibit at N.Y. museum gives historical, social and aesthetic context.

Sometimes a kitchen is just a kitchen, but not often. If a house is a machine for living, as Le Corbusier said, then the kitchen is its engine. If that machine is seen as a living organism, then the kitchen is its heart and brain.

The many-splendored thing that is the modern kitchen - as a coherent workspace, object of study, model of efficiency and a leading indicator of the state of design ever since - began to take shape sometime around 1900.

It has also been a battlefield of conflicting belief systems, not least regarding the role of women in society. As the use of servants declined, housewives became at once early adopters of new products meant to free them from drudgery and the corporate advertising that relentlessly defined them as household fixtures themselves.

Which is to say, kitchens were heavily symbolic sites long before any of us became involved with the ones that bless or blight our individual lives. This is elaborately demonstrated by "Counter Space: Design and the Modern Kitchen" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Using a tantalizing sprawl of design objects, artifacts and artworks, "Counter Space" places the modern kitchen in a broad historical context.

It is bound to invite personal memories: I rediscovered the Ekco vegetable peeler, Chemex coffeemaker and copper-bottomed Revere Ware saucepan of my mother's kitchen; the Terraillon plastic food scale and timer from my first New York apartment; and the old domed Magnalite tea kettle that an ex-boyfriend cherished.

But in the main, this exhibition sprints with dazzling speed and pinpoint precision across an amazing amount of social and aesthetic history and shows how these histories are connected. The kitchen's design evolution meshed with the new availability of gas and electricity; with the rise of cities, the middle class and health consciousness; with early stabs at prefab housing; with the growing independence of women.

Of course, the kitchen evolved with the emergence of modern design itself, as a self-consciously forward-looking, socially minded discipline whose brief was to improve everyday life for all.

The show's centerpiece is a stupendous recent acquisition: one of the last surviving examples of a relatively complete Frankfurt Kitchen designed in 1926-27 by Margarete Schuette-Lihotzky (1897-2000), Austria's first female architect.

It was mass-produced for housing blocks built in Frankfurt to meet housing shortages caused by the devastation of World War I, and remains a model of cockpitlike clarity and purpose. Including a grid of small metal bins (for storing rice and the like) that resembles a hardware store, it was one of several modern kitchens designed mostly in Germany in the late 1920s.

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Interbank Forex Trading – Check If Forex Broker Is Trading Against You

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Fοr уου tο understand hοw one οf thе mοѕt traditional schemes οf trading against traders works, уου need tο know one іmрοrtаחt thing.

Forex brokers hаνе thе rіɡht аחh technological possibility tο ѕhοw уου NOT THE REAL QUOTES thаt аrе taking рƖасе rіɡht now οח thе interbank currency market, bυt tο ѕhοw уου THEIR OWN QUOTES. If уου read уουr terms οf service mοѕt ƖіkеƖу уου wіƖƖ find a chapter whісh ехрƖаіחѕ thаt thе broker іѕ held harmless οf аחу claims аbουt חοt ѕhοwіחɡ уου thе real interbank quote. Interbank Forex Trading

Thіѕ gives аחу Forex broker a technological possibility tο trade against уου. Lеt’s ѕау уου аrе using a specific Forex trading strategy аחd уου аrе putting a ѕtοр loss οr take profit аt a сеrtаіח level. Whеח thе broker (οr іtѕ software, bесаυѕе thіѕ cheating scheme саח bе easily programmed) “sees” thаt уου аrе 10 pips tο reach thе price whеח уου take thе profit, thеу suddenly ѕtаrt ѕhοwіחɡ thе quote whісh hаѕ nothing tο dο wіth thе real quote οח thе market. Aחd thіѕ price goes exactly against уουr strategy.

 

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SHIPPING CONTAINER buying

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Buying a SHIPPING CONTAINER?

Here are some tips I'll pass on to you from my experiences when buying a shipping container.

Firstly,there are many different types of shipping containers,20ft and 40ft with two front doors are the most common,then there are refridgerated & other specialty shipping containers and modified ones.

New or used?

"New" containers are at least one trip old,generally they are made in China then packed with export trade & sent out overseas,you can tell the box's build date as it stamped on the CSC plate on the front doors,it will also tell you when it's next test is for survey purposes (usually 5 years after being built) as they must be current if you want to rail-freight it in Australia or send the box on a boat overseas.

High cube boxes are 9/6' high & with furniture rails make popular removalist containers,they commonly have three tie-off rails & many tie-off points down each side & back & sometimes two rails on the inside of the roof, a standard box is 8/6,subtract about 8 inches for inside measurements & this will vary slightly depending on the box type & maker,some high cube's are two pallets wide,fitted with internal shelving they make excellent storage boxes,newer containers are often fitted with an industry standard shielded lock box from the factory that allows the container to be stacked with others.

Getting a shipping container moved.

I've found that the better tilt-slide towie's will charge around $150 per hour or less to move a empty 20ft container,calculated both ways,but it varies and can be cheaper on a back-load from city to city,country area rates can be higher.

Where to get one?

Australia is a container hub so there are plenty of good ones available,EBay,yellow pages & it's usually on the box itself on the CSC plate or in the form of several big advertising stickers with contact details,ring around & get the best price,I would generally recommend going straight to the owner or supplier of the box & select one yourself.

 

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Get a Great Grill for Summer

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Sizzling coals, smoky meat, charred vegetables: Barbecues make Memorial Day memories, and are the essence of summer. But a great grill -- one that fits your entertaining needs -- is crucial to doing them right.

Consumer Reports senior editor Amanda Walker recently visited "Good Morning America" to share her picks for this year's best grills. Walker's team tested grills exponentially to see how they held up. Read: They cooked (and tasted) over 160 pounds of hamburger, salmon, fish and chicken to work out that you and I don't necessarily have to pay a lot to get a great grill. Here's what they discovered:

 

Small Grills

Looking for a grill that is portable to take to the ballpark, a picnic or campground? According to Walker's team, the Weber Q200 ($180) did a lot better than most of the small grills tested. In fact, it did as well as many of the larger grills. It seared food well, cooked evenly, and its size made it convenient.

 

Medium-Sized Grills

Walker recommended the Char-Broil Commercial Series at Lowe's ($300) for backyard grilling. It's mostly stainless steel, which is a quality consumers should look for. "It also has a long warranty on the burners," said Walker. "And that's great because the burners tends to be the first thing to wear out."

The Blue Ember by Fiesta ($450) earned Consumer Reports' Best Buy stamp thanks to the many more features that this mid-size grill boasts compared with higher priced brands. It also scored points for its side burner and cast-iron grates that sear foods well.

 

 

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Medical Billing – Keep Pace With The Latest Developments

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As in every other field, medical practice is also facing huge challenges in keeping up with the rapidly changing technology. medical billing and coding requirements have undergone comprehensive changes. Failure to submit claims in the required format can result in payment delays. However, in some cases medical institutions and private physicians have to forego their bills altogether because of improper adherence to procedures.

Denied pays and decreased collections can create huge problems for medical institutions in terms of cash flow. Practice Development Strategies (PDS) helps the medical community fine-tune all aspects of the billing process to maximize revenue cycle efficacy and achieve optimal results. They have developed sophisticated software and created some innovative procedural solutions to ensure that problems in the areas of medical billing, coding, patient registrations, claim submissions and unpaid claim follow up are eliminated, and the institutions run at higher levels of efficiency to achieve peak performance levels.

PDS offers medical profession immense support in the areas of practice management. These business support services include providing help in the areas of new practice set-up. From the initial task of space hiring and space planning, they also help the physicians with provider applications and hiring efficient staff. Standard employment terms, statutory rules and applicable benefits are provided in employment handbooks provided by PDS. Charge forms for various specialty services, bookkeeping services, fee charging schedules based on locally applicable rates and payer reimbursement analysis are all part of the exhaustive practice management software.

By using PDS to improve the overall functioning of their institution, the physicians and their staff get more time to concentrate on their main activity, which is attending to the needs of their patients. PDS has been in the medical billing and practice management services since 1983. They have the size and the strength, not to mention vast resources of experience to provide efficient solution to the collection problems faced by medical organizations of any size and structure. With the latest billing software and web based resources, they are your best bet to provide practical and innovative solution to the challenges faced by medical institutions and privately operating physicians.

 

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Outdoor Patio Lighting Adds Fun and Functionality Instantly!

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There are many occasions that call for an outdoor party. Graduations, birthdays, picnics, and even some holidays all are wonderful to enjoy while being outside.   One great idea to consider is the use of speciality outdoor lighting. This  can help create great ambience as well as providing a safe, enjoyable space for your visitors.    The best outdoor party lights for your event depend on the type of the party and how much light you require.   Also a consideration for the number of guests  as well as their activity levels …and even their age might be a factor in your purchasing.  For example, older ones or those who don’t move around well need more light to be able to feel safe and see better.    Here are a few ideas to get you started.

 

String Lights

The simplest outdoor party lights are string lights. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, including mini lights, C7 or C9 strings with bulbs or globes, along with rope lights.

Larger bulbs and globes will provide the brightest light and should be hung where you need the most illumination.  For instance, hanging the lights above buffet tables,  picnic benches, dancing areas, and even along garden paths are a few examples.

Mini lights and rope lights provide accent lighting. For added convenience, you can purchase shorter strings with batteries. They can be used under deck railings, along stairways, and even in trees and gardens to provide extra light and atmosphere.

To create a more formal setting, (think of perhaps a small intimate wedding reception) use white or single color strands spaced evenly and consistently around decks, rails, paths, and garden edges. For a casual feeling, use multi-colored lights in various sizes and include trees and bushes in your lighting plans.

Outdoor Lanterns

Hangning outdoor lanterns are used with bulb lights and add extra flair to your outdoor patio party lights. They come in many shapes and sizes and you can buy individual light kits to create customized displays.

The secret to hanging and enjoying the aesthetics of lanterns is all spacing. If you want to hang a few lanterns independent of your basic lights, use a battery powered kit – it will create one lantern you can hang anywhere.

If you use lanterns with string lights, you need to space them 24” – 36” apart. You can buy special lantern strings that have bulbs spaced appropriately, or you can place a lantern on one light and then skip one or two lights before you place the next lantern.

 

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Logitech F540 Wireless Headset

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When you live in a house with children, whether they are yours or the people that lived there before you just left them, night-time gaming can be done one of two ways: you can either go silent, or you can put on headphones. This is under the assumption that you don’t have a segregated gaming room where you can have the surround sound on as loud as you want, as late as you want. No matter the scenario that puts a pair of gaming headphones on your dome, it’s important to pick the right ones. There are a lot of gaming headsets on the market these days, many of them excellent headsets. For the purpose of this review, I’m just testing out the new F540 Wireless Headset from Logitech. Whether or not it’s the perfect headset for you is completely subjective.

Full disclosure: Logitech sent them to me for review. In a giant box. My kids thought I bought a new Xbox. More disclosure, I’m a complete Logitech shill. I have Logitech speakers and computer peripherals including a keyboard, mouse & webcam. Basically, I’ve purchased a lot of different brands over the years, and Logitech has always been the best for these purposes. See? Total shill. They make a good product, who am I to complain?

So, this is the point where you are saying to yourself, “oh great, another lame-ass product review for yet another [insert product here.]” Yeah, I can’t argue with that. If you aren’t interested in probably one of the better gaming headphones I’ve ever used, then go ahead and click back over to Cracked.com. I might be a Logitech shill, but every piece of whatever I use for electronic entertainment goes through a rigorous testing process. Ok, less rigorous than thorough.

 

Step 1: Open the box. The headset came with several mini-boxes within the larger box. It included not only a wireless transmitter for the 2.4 GHz headset, but cables for each conceivable connection. There was a power cable (of course,) a cable for Xbox chat, a cable for PS3 chat, RCA connectors with a pass through (so you can hook another RCA audio input into the same line) and a charging cable. Also in the box was some paper that I think were directions, but I just left it there. Directions?

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Holistic Lifestyle Coach Key To The South Beach Diet Phase One

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There are various diet plans available for everyone. Examples of these diets are the Atkins diet, raw food diet and the south beach diet. Maybe the most popular new trend inside the health industry market these days is the south beach diet phase one. You may have learned about this diet not too long ago and thought that it was simply one more fad diet which did not work. The actual fact of the matter is that this diet plan has shown to be working wonders for many people. The special thing about this diet is that it doesn’t focus on getting you to slim down specifically.

What it does is change the bad habits of one’s diet in a way that makes you comfortable with eating balanced foods and reduces your “dependency” on unhealthy, sugary foods that are bad for you. Rather simple concept, isn’t it? The good news is that this diet has proven to be quite effective. This diet itself actually include 3 stages, the most important of the three however would be the south beach diet phase one. This tutorial will show you exactly how the south beach diet phase one can guide you to improve your diet for the better, forever.

The first thing that you need to know about the south beach diet phase one is the foods you can and cannot eat. First of all, the foods that you need to avoid throughout the first phase include rice, potatoes, bread, pasta, fruit, candy, ice cream, cookies, and sugar. It’s also advisable to avoid all beer and alcohol products throughout the south beach diet phase one. The foods that you will be eating consist of, beef, chicken, turkey, fish, shellfish, cheese, eggs, nuts, and vegetables. Together with these food types you may also consume garden salad; however you should only use 100% olive oil for dressing. These foods can become your diet for 3 meals each day for 2 weeks. Apart from the three meals a day you will also consume a snack in between each meal in addition to dessert after dinner.

The south beach diet phase one is where you will begin to coach your body what meals to crave. Most people that have completed phase one have reported a dramatic reduction in the desires that they have for sugary foods along with other guilty pleasures they cut down during phase one. This is actually the key to the success of the diet. It allows you to maintain the great eating habits you developed throughout the first phase as well as develop self control for when you ultimately re-introduce the foods you eliminate in a later phase.

 

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Internet-connected coffee maker has security holes

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An Australian man has discovered security vulnerabilities in his Internet-connected coffee maker that could allow a remote attacker to not only take over his Windows XP-based PC but also make his coffee too weak.

Craig Wright, a risk advisory services manager at professional services firm BDO, found several security holes, including a buffer overflow in the Internet Connection software that links his Jura F90 coffee maker to his PC.

Once connected to the Internet, the high-end coffee maker, which retails for nearly US$2,000 on Amazon, lets you do things like set the strength of your coffee and get remote diagnostic help over the Internet without having to send the appliance in for service.

Wright posted the information on the vulnerabilities, and the fact that there is no patch available yet, to the BugTraq security e-mail list on Tuesday.

A U.S.-based public relations representative for the coffee maker said she would try to reach spokespeople in the Switzerland headquarters for comment.

The threat hasn't kept Wright awake at night, although the coffee does, he said in an interview with CNET News.com at 2:30 Wednesday morning Sydney time.

"I don't know if many people would target this particular vulnerability because there probably are not a lot of coffee makers at the moment that are Internet-connected, and in my case it's behind a firewall," he said.

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Diabetes Diet

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Regulating food intake is a crucial component of any diabetes treatment. Controlling the symptoms is dependent on your body’s ability to balance blood glucose levels, which can only be done if you eat the right amounts and types of food.

Goals for a Diabetic Diet

In general, a diabetes diet is not very different from the healthy, balanced diet doctors encourage for everyone. It is high in fiber and protein and low in fat, with an overall balance of nutrients. The difference is that diabetics need to be extra careful about their sugar intake, and therefore foods like carbohydrates and sweets need to be limited.

As a diabetic, the major goals you should try to achieve through your dietary habits are:

 

• Balancing your blood glucose levels: Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you will generally be given insulin or other medications to help your body break down sugar into energy. That is why you need to be sure your calorie intake is balanced with the medications, so that your body’s sugar level doesn’t rise or drop dramatically.

   

• Healthy lipid levels: Too much fat in your body can be dangerous and therefore your aim has to be to maintain a healthy level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body, which also ensure the heart’s safety.

   

• Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight only exacerbates symptoms of diabetes, which is why doctors always stress maintaining a healthy body weight.

   

• Avoiding complications: Diabetes has been known to trigger other diseases related to the heart, kidney, eyes, and feet. By following a strict diabetes diet you can avoid these complications.

Nutritional needs

Here is a guide to some of the common food components that need to be monitored on a diabetic diet:

Proteins
When compared to fats and carbohydrates, proteins are a considered to be a safe choice for diabetic diets, since they do not raise the blood sugar level like carbohydrates, or supply high calories like fats. Experts suggest that for a diabetic, proteins should provide around 12% to 20% of the daily caloric intake. Each gram of protein is equivalent to 4 calories and it is usually recommended as a bedtime snack to maintain the glucose level. One of the richest sources of proteins is fish, which can be taken as one or two servings in a week. Other protein rich food products are soy and lentils.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates comprise the highest source of blood sugar. But in spite of abounding advice to the contrary, it is not true all diabetes patients should completely eliminate carbohydrates and sugars from their diet. In fact, doctors recommend that carbs account for 40%-60% of your daily caloric intake.

The carbohydrates that we consume are generally one of of two types. The complex ones found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and starches and the simple ones found in table sugar and processed foods. For a diabetic diet, complex carbohydrates from vegetables and whole grains are best, as they take more time to break down and contain fiber, which is extremely important for preventing heart disease, promoting weight loss and preventing type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, starchy foods like potatoes and pasta, while still necessary, should be limited. Simple carbs, however, should be avoided.

 

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Review: Pioneer PRV-9200 Professional DVD Recorder

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Synopsis: While not in the same league as its industrial PRV-LX1 cousin, Pioneer's PRV-9200 ($1,025) is a tremendously useful tool in its own right. Its relative simplicity is welcome and its large built-in hard drive, high-speed DVD recorder, and rudimentary editing abilities are well-suited for all manner of work including budget projects, videotape and camcorder conversions, broadcast capture, and banging out quick proofs-of-concept and prototypes.

For those seeking some simplicity in creating DVD projects, Pioneer has just the ticket with its new PRV-9200 professional DVD-Video recorder. Targeted at videographers, corporations, schools, conversion bureaus, and the like, the PRV-9200 offers a flexible way to create straightforward DVD-Video titles without the hassles, time, or expense involved in computer-attached DVD recording.

As a set-top device, the PRV-9200 incorporates (limited) DVD-Video encoding, authoring, and writing capabilities in a single box that attaches to a monitor or TV. Available connections include VHF/UHF I/O, S-Video, composite video, L/R analog audio I/O, component video out, optical digital audio out, and DV/IEEE-1394 I/O. Thus, possible input sources include everything from VCRs, camcorders (analog and DV), and other DVDs down to terrestrial TV and satellite broadcasts.

Setting the PRV-9200 apart from the average home unit is an integrated 160GB hard drive, high-speed 8X DVD-R/4X DVD-RW recorder (Double Layer and "+" discs are not supported), 3-prong detachable power cord, and its ability to work with NTSC and PAL signals (conversion between them isn't offered, and written discs can't contain different TV line systems).

 

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The Atkins Diet Debate

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Dr. Atkins revolutionalized the dieting world when he introduced the Atkins diet, a low-carb eating program. The Atkins diet or the ‘Atkins Nutritional Approach’ is a lifetime nutritional philosophy. The diet claims that you can lose weight on a high-fat, high-protein diet. It works on the premise that a healthy lifestyle requires a limited amount of simple carbohydrates, protein, exercise and proper portion control.

The diet plan works on 4 general principles; weight loss, weight maintenance, good health and disease prevention. Today, the Atkins diet is the most popular, longstanding approach to weight loss in America. Over 40 million people around the world have joined in on the Atkins revolution and more than 15 million overweight men and women have bought Dr. Atkins’ best selling book ‘New Diet Revolution’. There is even a professional body (The Atkins Centre for Complimentary Medicine) devoted to educating Atkins followers.

How does the diet work?

The Atkins diet holds the controversial belief that low fat is not the only way to go for a healthier lifestyle and weight control. Dr. Atkins blamed carbohydrates (grains, pastas, fruits, potatoes) for weight gain. He believed that if you reduced your carbohydrate intake then you would lose weight. Too many carbohydrates in your diet encourage your body to retain fat. When the body absorbs simple carbohydrates quickly, it causes an insulin response that speeds the conversion of calories to fat. The plan focuses on the consumption of nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods and vita-nutrient supplementation. It also restricts processed and refined carbohydrates (which make up to approximately more then 50 per cent of people’s diets). It encourages you to eliminate sugar from your diet as this contributes to a slower metabolism. The Atkins diet is designed to be a program on which you can maintain a healthy weight for a lifetime and it is highly suitable (but not restricted) to those who prefer eating animal protein. The diet offers people who have failed on a low-fat diet a healthy, effective and safe alternative. Instead of carbs and sugar, eaters are allowed plenty of fat and protein.

 

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Why Stay at Walt Disney World Hotels?

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Are you planning a trip to Disney World? Great! Plenty of fun awaits you and your travel mates. Before you get there, however, you'll need to make plans, including hotel reservations.

There is a dizzying array of lodging choices. You could choose to stay at one of the many Disney World hotels or off property. In almost every case, you'll find a cheaper nightly rate for comparable accommodations--in some cases considerably cheaper--away from Disney. But, you should consider overall costs, including car rental, gas, and parking, as well as the time and hassle it would take to travel between an off-property hotel and the Disney resort. Also consider the following perks.

Benefits of Staying at Disney World Hotels

• Free Ground Transportation
  Guests staying at Disney World hotels can board complimentary Disney's Magical Express buses at the Orlando Airport that take them directly to their resort. And they can avoid the baggage carousel since Disney delivers luggage directly to guests' hotel rooms. On the return trip, which is also free, guests can save time at the airport by checking their luggage and getting their boarding passes at their Disney hotel.
• Extra Theme Park Hours
  Disney World hotel guests can jump-start their day by getting into select parks an hour before the general public. A lot of ground can be covered when the parks are less crowded. Some parks remain open on certain evenings to resort guests up to three hours after closing to the general public.

 

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ING Introduces Executive Benefits and Business Planning Symposium for Life Insurance Professionals

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The ING Life Companies launched today its first-ever Executive Benefits and Business Planning Symposium for life insurance producers and distributors.  The two-day program offers practical topics to help the participants who want to expand their business in this segment of the market.

"When it comes to business planning, we're in a different game today. We are in the midst of a paradigm shift.  Businesses are under more pressure to reduce costs and meet expectations.  This could include retaining key associates or development of a supplemental retirement plan.  Even experienced producers have found that the environment and rules of the game have changed and that they need to reinvent themselves," said Kurt Fasen, senior vice president and head of ING Life Sales Support. "Given our renewed focus on business- and executive-benefit planning and our in-house expertise, we're able to pass on the knowledge to those who want to help their business clients with today's solutions."

Examples of topics offered at the program include:

• Diagnosing your clients' needs
• Split-dollar plans that work
• Tax-deductable plan design
• Premium-financed executive benefits

 

The executive benefits and business-planning program complements two on-site academies offered by ING Life Companies, the Case Design Academy and the Premium Finance Academy.  In addition, the company offers a robust online offering of practical topics to help life insurance producers of a variety of experience levels grow their business in today's marketplace.

"To be successful, you need more than great products," said Randy Kemnitz, manager of Business Planning and Executive Benefits – ING Life Sales Support.  "The successful producer understands a broad range of client solutions, has resources available to support his or her sales efforts, and keeps current on the latest tools in the marketplace.  At ING Life Companies, we arm the financial professionals with the tools they need to best help their clients."

For more information about ING Life Companies' executive benefits and business-planning products or other ING services, contact ING Life Sales Support at 1-866-ING-SELL

 

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What's new in Las Vegas? Hotels, bars, shows

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Here's the lowdown on the latest on the Strip and elsewhere in Sin City:

• Fans of professional bull riding know that the Professional Bull Riders' finals are always a draw in Vegas (they start next Wednesday). But many may not know that a PBR Rock Bar and Grill just opened at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. It's the first bar and grill associated with the bull riders. You can chug a beer in eight seconds (the amount of time a rider must stay on a bucking bull for a clean ride) or try your luck on a mechanical toro.

• Sexy shows are hot, hot, hot, hot, and a powerhouse singer called Lorena Peril (shown below) is dangerously sultry. She just stepped in to headline the topless revue "FANTASY" at the Luxor. Of Middle Eastern and Latin descent, she has been compared to Christina Aguilera. The nightly 10:30 p.m. show includes a caliente salsa and many doffed tops. Not hers, however.

• Some Harrah's properties have launched a program called "PetStay Las Vegas" that welcomes pooches with canine-friendly rooms and treats, as well as outdoor "relief areas." Caesars Palace, Imperial Palace and Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino are participating. Guests with dogs 50 pounds and under get a room with food and water dishes, disposable waste bags and dog treats. Doggy meals are available from room service. Crates can be rented for use when the owner is out of the room. (Please don't put me next to a barking hound, front desk!) You get the special rooms for $25 a night more at Caesars, $20 at Imperial Palace and Rio.

 

 

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How can I improve my presentation skills?

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I think I could have gotten a job I really wanted if I had given a better presentation of my Ph.D. thesis at an interview. What can I do to improve my presentation skills?

Presentation skills can be improved over time if you think about how you could have done it differently after each presentation. In some cultures, children are encouraged to make speeches at the dinner table, which helps develop their verbal skills. In my culture, children are expected to listen. At first, my talks were rather poor, and I am still working on improving. You might consider joining Toastmasters, a group that helps to improve presentation skills. I also recommend the book Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story by Jerry Weissman (Prentice Hall 2003).

Pay attention to the preparation, the flow, and the delivery of your presentations. Know your audience, and present the talk from their perspective. Your attitude should be “to serve.” In the case of a job interview, the company is probably more interested in your problem-solving skills than the specifics of your thesis work. Use your thesis to illustrate and accentuate your personal attributes. For example, you may want to weave into the specifics how you successfully obtained the results in ways that were creative and enterprising, and how you worked effectively in a collaborative team environment with limited resources.

During a presentation, it is helpful to the audience to follow the basic organizational strategy: tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you have told them. First decide on a few important messages and “wow” factors. Use the “story” to build your case, reinforcing the key points again and again to make the message stick. Accentuate points that are interesting, rather than getting mired in details. There is always time to add specifics later once you provoke interest.

To improve presentation skills, practice, practice, practice. Speak out loud, maybe in front of a mirror to work on gestures. The more you practice, the more you will build self-confidence and minimize stage fright.

Getting back to that job . . . you may want to ask that hiring person if you can provide supplemental information to reverse the decision. Persistence could be viewed as a positive trait; for sure, you don’t have much to lose, and you may even get some meaningful feedback to improve your next interview.

 

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Shipping containers provide affordable housing

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There’s an emerging and innovative solution to the environmental, economic, and housing concerns we face around the globe: shipping container homes. It turns out reusing the old containers is an inexpensive, efficient, and environmentally friendly way to build homes that can be used by low-income residents or as temporary housing following a natural disaster. Architects and humanitarians alike have jumped on the bandwagon to make everything from chic urban spaces and stylish homes to disaster relief and affordable housing.

  There are enough shipping containers on earth to build an eight-foot high wall around the equator–twice. Most goods shipped overseas or by train travel in these containers, and many nations import far more containers than they export. Empty containers then accumulate because it is too expensive and wasteful to ship them back to their countries of origin–the United States in particular has a large surplus of containers due to its trade deficit. The containers often become neighborhood nuisances, accumulating in tall stacks and creating eyesores. In some neighborhoods the stacks of containers become so high they even cause the sun to set an hour earlier.

But instead of letting the containers go to waste, they can be used in creative and socially responsible ways. They are particularly well suited for constructing buildings, as they are stackable and their steel walls are durable, fireproof, and resistant to rust, mold, and termites. Shipping container homes can be constructed for far less cost than traditional building methods and use as much as 80 percent recycled materials. The homes can also be prefabricated, a method or a system where the structure or its components are manufactured at a facility and transported to the building site. This reduces the amount of time needed to complete a house, drives down costs, and uses indoor construction, which eliminates interruptions from inclement weather.

One organization utilizing this building technique is PFNC Global communities, which stands for “Por Fin Nuestra Casa,” the Spanish equivalent of “Finally, a Home of Our Own.” PFNC is in the process of launching their one-unit shipping container home business, and they plan to create housing for people currently living in dangerous or insufficient housing situations around the world. They can put together a unit for less than $10,000, and BusinessWeek even took note and named their concept one of the top 20 most important innovations of the next 10 years.

 

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Government of Canada Announces Nutrition North Canada to Support Healthy eating in the North

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A new northern food retail subsidy program called Nutrition North Canada will make healthy food more accessible and affordable to Canadians living in isolated Northern communities, thanks to the Government of Canada.

Nutrition North Canada, which replaces the Food Mail Program, was announced today by the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Minister for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for the North.

Under the new program, the most nutritious perishable foods such as fruits, vegetables, bread, fresh meats, milk and eggs will receive the highest rate of subsidy. The revised list of eligible items also includes a provision to improve access to commercially-produced traditional, Northern foods.

Nutrition North Canada, which will benefit people living in eligible communities in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador, will be implemented in phases. The transition to the new program begins with the release today of a revised eligibility list, which will come into effect on October 3, 2010. Full implementation will occur on April 1, 2011.

“Our government has listened to Northerners who know and use this program the most. We believe that Nutrition North Canada will increase access to more affordable, nutritious food for Canadians living in remote Northern communities,” said Minister Strahl.

Nutrition North Canada, which will benefit people living in eligible communities in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador, will be implemented in phases. The transition to the new program begins with the release today of a revised eligibility list, which will come into effect on October 3, 2010. Full implementation will occur on April 1, 2011.

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About Direct TV HD Dishes

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You just bought a big, beautiful 42-inch plasma television and are ready to set it up when you realize that you haven't subscribed to HD service. You're happy with DirecTV but aren't sure that you even have the right satellite dish. Here's a look at DirecTV HD satellite dishes so you can determine exactly what you need.

Significance

In order to receive all of the latest HD channels from DirecTV, you'll need a 5-LNB dish. This is one of the basic HD requirements in addition to the appropriate HD receiver, BBC converter module and HD television and connections.

Identification

DirecTV dishes installed before October 2005 were NOT 5-LNB dishes. If your dish was installed before this date, contact DirecTV and request a new dish. The newest 5-LNB dishes have "Slimline" written inside the dish bowl and also have a distinct horizontal LNB component. Older 5-LNB dishes had 2 separate LNB sections. For pictures and the most updated dish information follow the Directv link below.

Prevention/Solution

If you do not have the right dish, order from DirecTV Both the new dish and the installation are free. Simply call DirecTVat (800) 531-5000 and say "order new equipment" at the prompt. You can also discuss any other equipment you may need.

Warning

A 5-LNB entails specific technical configuration and requires professional installation, according to DirecTV's website. Contact Directv at the number above to set up an appointment.

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All About Careers in Nutrition UK

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NUTRITION is the study of nutrients in food, how the body uses nutrients, and the relationship between diet, health and disease. Nutritionists create and apply scientific knowledge to promote an understanding of the effects of diet on health and wellbeing of humans and animals.

Most of the major food manufacturers and retailers employ nutritionists and food scientists and opportunities also exist in journalism, government, research, health promotion and education, at home and abroad.

There is also a variety of food-orientated careers within the related field of food science and technology. Nutritionists also work in emergency relief or development projects in low income countries.

The Nutrition Society is the learned society in Britain for nutritionists. Members of the Society can apply for registration, which requires a degree level qualification in nutrition (or a related subject) plus a minimum of 3 years professional experience as a nutritionist. Registered individuals can be recognised by the letters RNutr after their name.

Associate registration is available for graduates who are in the process of gaining sufficient experience to apply for full registration. Specialist registration in public health nutrition (RPHNutr) is also available via the Society. The registers can be found on the Society's website, which is also a source of information on job vacancies.

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION is the application of the science of nutrition for the benefit of the population as a whole, or sub-sections of the population. It encompasses promotion of good health through nutrition and the primary prevention of diet-related illness in the population.

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GE gives grants to two community health centers

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Two Baltimore-area community health centers are sharing in a grant of $500,000 from the GE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of General Electric Co.

The People's Community Health Centers Inc. in Baltimore will be able to hire a nutritionist and put more resources into its educational programs.

Chase Brexton Health Services Inc. will strengthen programs that treat both a patient's medical and behavioral needs. For example, a person with diabetes can get medication, but will now also be taught how to eat more nutritious foods and can get psychological counseling if needed as well.

The grants are part of $25 million the foundation is giving out as a way to help improve primary care in underserved communities throughout the country.

Baltimore was chosen both because of the need for health care for the needy and because GE has a large presence in the area. The company is also offering up its employees as volunteers as part of the grant package.

GE has about 900 workers at its Middle River Aircraft Systems plant in Baltimore and more than 200 at GE Healthcare Maternal-Infant Care, a Laurel operation that makes incubators, warmers and other products used in labor and delivery.

"We want to help contribute to the impact these health centers are having on the community," said Carrie Eglinton Manner, general manager at GE Healthcare Maternal-Infant Care.

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CULTURE AND PLACE

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The AAS Interior Design program is nested within the School of Constructed Environments (SCE). Students work alongside aspiring architects, lighting designers, and product designers, sharing facilities like the fabrication shop, the Light Lab, and the Angelo Donghia Materials Center. Benefiting from Parsons’ culture of cross-disciplinary learning, program participants may augment their interior design studies with classes in fine arts, fashion, and graphic design.

Professional New York

In addition to the resources of the Parsons faculty, facilities, and fellow students, AAS Interior Design students gain access to New York–based showrooms, factories, dealers and auction houses, and experts that make the city a hub of the international interior design world. Parsons’ reputation as an industry leader also opens doors to the city’s many interior design firms and departments.

New York’s museums, collections, archives, and designed spaces present work in contexts useful for both applied and critical study. The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, home to an extensive collection of decorative arts and furniture and sponsor of many industry-related events, is a key resource in particular. Material ConneXion, a consultancy for industry practitioners researching new materials, complements Parsons’ own collection in the Angelo Donghia Materials Center.

Students are encouraged to participate in professional organizations, such as the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the Professional Lighting Designers’ Association (PLDA), and compete in student design contests.

 

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Forex News Trading

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Traders on the Foreign Exchange market, Forex market for short, can potentially make thousands of dollars based on the volatility and fluctuations of a country’s currency. To better themselves and have a leading advantage over other traders, some Forex traders and investors participate in a practice known as news trading. The risks are very high, but the potential gains can be worth thousands of dollars and many traders and investors use this technique.

The technique of news trading is quite simple. It is the trading of foreign currency immediately before or after an important economic news announcement. After such announcements, there is a high possibility that market prices will fluctuate, either for the better or worse, depending on the announcement. For example, if the U. S. Federal Reserve announces another increase of the interest rate, many traders might invest in the U.S. dollar as it is expected that its value will appreciate. The main advantage of news trading is the potential for a country’s currency to make huge gains or losses in very little time. Within minutes of an economic announcement, a country’s currency can gain or lose one hundred points almost instantly. The potential of huge profits attracts Foreign Exchange traders and investors, however there are various risks associated with news trading.

Like any investment, there is always a risk, and news trading on the Forex market is no different. Though the potential profits are huge, the losses are also equally as large. The dangers of news trading come from the fact that a trade must be made quickly or else you are going to lose. If you are caught on the bad side of a trade, your money will be gone quicker than you can blink your eye. You will lose money so fast that there won’t even be time for you to manually close your trades, leaving you with nothing. Stop-loss orders are also potentially dangerous as there is a high probability of slippage because of the sudden price fluctuation.

 

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