GOLD

Batu landak Dari perut landak.

2012-02-12T06:13:00.000-08:00

Bezoar stones were first documented in a western publication of a four-volume catalogue entitled, Albertus Seba’s Cabinet of Natural Curiosities: Locupletissimi Rerum Naturalium Thesauri Accurata Descriptio.

Albertus Seba (1665-1736) was a Dutch pharmacist, zoologist and natural specimens collector. The thesaurus shows illustrations of his entire collections – from strange and exotic plants to snakes, frogs, crocodiles, shellfish, corals, insects, butterflies and more, as well as fantastic beasts, such as a hydra and a dragon.

In a modern reprint of the thesaurus, there is a mention in the notes section:
“Since ancient times, stones taken from particular animals were considered to possess magical and medical powers. In Seba’s day bezoars were extraordinary popular. These stones formed from hairs that had accumulated and gummed together in the stomachs of ruminants. In a broader sense other stones taken from animals are likewise termed bezoars.”

Manfaat batu landak

2012-02-11T02:49:00.001-08:00

EXPERT ADVICE

Types of porcupine bezoar

There are three types of porcupine bezoars,

namely:

• Blooded – has reddish colour and not so

common nowadays, thus much sought-after;

• Powdery – has a smooth surface and much

harder than other types. It is considered the best

quality, hence is the most expensive type; and

• Grassy – has a coarser surface and is of greenish-

brown colour. It is also among the cheapest.

Due to its rarity, 0.38g of the porcupine bezoar

reportedly might command a price from RM700

onwards, and one stone with the average size of

a marble could fetch RM25,000 to RM72,000 (for a

superior grade of ‘powdery’ type)!

Treatments

Use of porcupine bezoar in traditional Chinese

medicine (TCM), or other complementary/

alternative medicine (CAM), is quite similar to

that of ox bezoar (gallstone) – which is called

niu-huang (牛黃) or calculus bovis. They are claimed

to remove toxins from the body.

The recommended dosage is 0.1-0.2g (in children)

and 0.3-0.4g (in adult) – to be taken one to

three times a day, depending on individual’s

health conditions. The powder can be put into

the mouth directly or dissolved in a tablespoon

with water, and should be taken with an

empty stomach.

It is used in alternative medicine for its

anti-inl ammatory, anti-oxidant and immunebooster properties, as well as for body

detoxii cation. Sometimes, it is also recommended

for treatment of cancer, dengue fever, meningitis,

herpes, throat infection, pneumonia, and as

pre- and post-operation “anti-infective”.

However, none of the above treatments have

ever been proven in western medicine or

through clinical researches. It is also ethically

unsound to substitute properly prescribed

antibiotics with porcupine bezoar for anti-infection

regimen, or to mix allopathic medicine with

TCM or CAM without prior consultation with

your doctor

Batu Landak atau Batu Bezoar

2012-02-11T02:47:00.000-08:00

Disebut demikian karena ditemukan di dalam perut jenis kambing bernama

bezoar.awalnya dari kata Persia,

yaitu. badzcher, atau lazcher, atau phahazar, yang berarti penangkal.

Avenzoar adalah yang pertama yang menyebutkan hal itu sebagai obat, atau

yang memberikan sejarahnya.

Batu bezoar yang bagaikan supranatural dan terbentuk dalam

tubuh banyak hewan , mereka terdiri dari beberapa level atau

lapisan, seperti bawang. Dalam Hist. de lacad. tahun 1703, menegaskan,

bahwa semua batu bezoar yang terbentuk dari empedu masing-masing binatang

yang membentuknya.

Bezoar dapat dibagi menjadi:

1. Yang benar oriental dan barat.

2. Hewan konkrit yang menyerupai bezoar; seperti yang berasal dari kera ,

dan bahkan berbagai jenis mutiara dan mata kepiting '.

3. Para beberapa spesies fosil bezoar.

4. Mereka yang hanya memiliki bentuk, tanpa

rupa bezoar, misalnya dalam manusia kandung kemih , ginjal,

dan kandung empedu, atau di bagian yang sama dari sapi.

5. Para aegragropila, bola dari kusut rambut , dan bezoar Germanicum,

lihat Capra Al-pina.

Bezoar timur. disebut juga lapis bezoar, hircus bezoarticus ,

dan batu bezoar timur. dari Hindia Timur. Hal ini seharusnya

dihasilkan dalam rongga di bagian bawah perut keempat dari jenis

kambing di Persia disebut parau. Antelope gazella Lin. meskipun

tidak aneh bagi spesies ini, seperti yang terjadi juga di cervicapra Antilope

dan Capra aegagrus Lin. Hal ini hanya ditemukan di yang lama,

dan secara eksklusif pada mereka di pegunungan tertentu.

batu Ini, dihaluskan jadi bubuk dan dilapis dengan anggur, dan

dibuat menjadi bola, yang disebut bola Gascoigne, dari Gascoign penemu

mereka. Apakah saat itu dijual dengan nama yang oleh para ahli kimia perdagangan,

jika ada tetap, adalah obat canggih tanpa bezoar.

Bezoar occidentalis, yang disebut juga lapis bezoar, Pe-ruvianus,

Amerika atau bezoar barat, dari Hindia Barat.

Hal ini ditemukan di dalam perut binatang dari jenis slag, yang disebut

bernyawa bezoarticum occidentale, yang berasal dari Peru, dan bagian lain

di Spanyol Hindia Barat, dan di perut yzard pegunungan Alpen,

Antilope rupi-caftra dan Capra Ibex Lin.

Bezoar hystricis, (dari para hedge babi, karena bintik-bintik yang

menyerupai bulu dari babi lindung,) Pila hystricis, bezoar porci,

lapis porcinus, petro del porco, lapis Malacensis, para bezoar landak,

atau batu empedu. Hal ini ditemukan dalam kantung empedu dari landak India,

terutama di provinsi Malaka, bulat, dan warna pucat atau

keunguan, atau antara hijau dan putih, lembut, halus , dan

licin saat disentuh , untuk rasa sangat pahit , dan air di mana

dimasuki segera menjadi pahit juga. Tidak tampak berbeda dari

konkret empedu dari seekor lembu atau binatang lainnya. Hal ini

dibawa di saku sebagai jimat, dan disewa oleh Portugal sekitar 1shilling sehari.

Bezoar simiae, atau Lapis simiae, yang bezoar dari monyet.

Batu jenis ini ditemukan di dalam perut kera tertentu di Brasil

dan Hindia Timur, meskipun mereka jarang menghasilkan mereka ..

Mereka adalah tentang ukuran kacang hazel , lebih keras daripada

bezoar oriental, dari warna hijau gelap, hampir hitam. Kelangkaan-membuat

mereka mahal, dan mereka jarang ditemui. Bezoar juga diambil

dari perut buaya, anjing, keledai , dan camelus vicugna Lin.

Semua benar bezoar . ketika digosok, menyebarkan bau parfum, dan,

ketika dipotong ditemukan mengandung inti materi sayuran, berturut-turut

tertutup oleh lamina dari phosphat magnesian amoniak, dicampur dengan

sayuran yang berwarna ekstraktif, dan cairan hewan dari semacam empedu.

Ini memberikan warna hijau dan bau kesturi. Di molares hewan ruminansia

ada mantel berwarna coklat keemasan, seperti yang di permukaan bezoar mereka.

Fourcroy telah menganalisis bezoar oriental dengan beberapa perawatan,

(Annales du Museum dhistoire 'Naturelle, vol ip 111.). Ia menganggap mereka

sebagai resin binatang yang berbeda dari setiap konkresi. Mereka melunak

oleh panas, mudah ditembus oleh jarum panas, menghembuskan napas bau aromatik

dan musky, mereka membakar dan mengobarkan dengan asap tebal, memberikan

warna terhadap air mendidih, dan sepenuhnya larut dalam alkohol , yang mereka

mewarnai. Mereka dibubarkan oleh alkali kaustik, berbeda dalam hal ini dari

resin sayuran.

Para bezoar palsu siap dengan kulit tiram bubuk dibuat menjadi bola kecil

dengan air gusi, dan wangi dengan ambergris. Mereka riang gembira dengan asam,

dan, ketika dipotong, tidak memiliki lamina konsentris; atau, bila rusak, setiap

striae kristal, dan ketika digosok di atas kertas sebelumnya ditutupi dengan

kapur, apakah mereka meninggalkan tanda berwarna zaitun. Para Goa dan Malaka

adalah batu semacam ini.

Bezoar fossile. Fossile bezoar adalah tubuh berongga kecil dari Italia,

ditemukan di pasir dan lubang tanah liat, dari warna ungu, dengan permukaan

kasar, seukuran kenari, dan cahaya. Ketika pecah, ditemukan terdiri dari

kerak ironi, yang mengandung di bumi berongga nya putih halus kehijauan

menyerupai bezoar pucat. Bumi yang digunakan, dan tidak kerang. Tampaknya

menjadi sifat armoniac bole, atau lebih tepatnya berkapur, dan juga disebut

bezoar minerale, terra sicula et noceriana, lapis bezahan, sicu-lus albus,

belzuar kecil. Siciliana, mineral bezoar, dan bumi Sisilia.

Meskipun semua kebajikan membanggakan ini bezoar, yaitu. kekuatan menghancurkan

racun dan menghidupkan kembali kekuatan vital, dapat dipastikan bahwa mereka

benar-benar dicerna dalam perut binatang di mana mereka ditemukan, dan mereka

sama-sama sehingga dalam manusia, kecuali jika disertai dengan asam; sehingga

tidak ada lebih dapat diharapkan dari mereka daripada dari salah satu testacea

yang larut dalam asam, tetapi mereka lebih rendah kepada mereka, sejauh kurang

penyerap , dan lebih difficultly bertindak dengan asam apapun.

Bezoar microcosmicum, yang disebut juga kalkulus Huma-NUS, yang kalkulus kandung

kemih manusia.

Ini adalah berbagai derajat nya dari kekerasan, serta ukuran dan angka. Telah

digunakan di tempat macam lebih mahal.

Bezoar Animale. Hewan bezoar. Ambil tanduk rusa dikalsinasi terputih ditapis

ke subtility terbesar, tuangkan di atasnya, mampir drop, semangat vitriol,

untuk membentuk menjadi pasta untuk dijadikan bola.

Sebuah bubuk dari hati dan jantung ular beludak disebut ani-inal bezoar.

Bezoar bovinus, yang disebut juga alcheron lapis. Orang Portugis menyebutnya

mesang de vaca. Ini adalah batu yang ditemukan dalam kantung empedu dari seekor

banteng.

Bezoar mineral. Lihat fosil bezoar.

Bezoars stone

2012-02-11T02:42:00.001-08:00

Bezoar

So called because it is found in the stomach of the sort of goat

named bezoar. This is originally a Persian word,

viz. badzcher, or lazcher, or phahazar, which signifies an antidote.

Avenzoar is the first who mentions it as a medicine, or who gives

its history.

Bezoar stones are preternatural or morbid concretions formed in the

bodies of many animals; they arc-composed of several strata, or

layers, like an onion. In the Hist. de lacad. an. 1703, it is

asserted, that all bezoar stones are bilious concretions of the

respective animals which afford them.

Bezoars may be divided into: 1. The true oriental and occidental.

2. Animal concretions which resemble bezoar; as those from apes,

and even the various species of pearls and crabs' eyes.

3. The several species of fossil bezoars. 4. Those which have only

the shape, without the virtues of bezoar, as the calculi in the

human bladder, kidneys, and gall bladder; or in the same parts of

oxen. 5. The aegragropila, balls of matted hair, and bezoar Germanicum,

see Capra Al-pina.

Bezoar orientalis, called also lapis bezoar, hircus bezoarticus,

and the oriental bezoar stone, from the East Indies. It is supposed

to be produced in the cavity at the bottom of the fourth stomach of

a species of goat in Persia called parau. Antelope gazella Lin.

though not peculiar to this species, as it occurs also in the

antilope cervicapra and the capra aegagrus Lin. It is only found

in the old ones, and exclusively in those which feed on particular

mountains.

This stone, finely powdered and levigated with spirit of wine,

was formerly made into balls, which were called Gascoigne balls,

from Gascoign their inventor. What are at present sold under that

name by the trading chemists, if any remain, are a sophisticated

medicine without bezoar.

Bezoar occidentalis, called also lapis bezoar, Pe-ruvianus, the

American or occidental bezoar, from the West Indies.

It is found in the stomach of an animal of the slag kind, called

animate bezoarticum occidentale, a native of Peru, and other parts

in the Spanish West Indies; and in the stomach of the yzard of the

Alps, antilope rupi-caftra and capra ibex Lin.

Bezoar hystricis, (from the hedge hog, because its spots resemble

the bristles of an hedge hog,) pila hystricis, bezoar porci, lapis

porcinus, petro del porco, lapis Malacensis, the porcupine bezoar,

or gall stone. It is found in the gall bladder of an Indian porcupine,

particularly in the province of Malacca, of a roundish figure, and of

a pale or purplish colour, or between a green and white; it is soft,

smooth, and slippery to the touch; to the taste intensely bitter, and

the water in which it is steeped soon becomes bitter also. It does

not appear to differ from the biliary concretions of an ox or any

other animal. It is carried in the pocket as an amulet, and hired

in Portugal at about a shilling a day.

Bezoar simiae, or Lapis simiae, the bezoar of the monkey. Stones

of this kind are found in the stomach of certain monkeys in Brasil

and the East Indies, though they rarely produce them.. They are

about the size of hazel nuts, harder than the oriental bezoar,

of a dark green colour, almost black. The scarcity-renders them

costly, and they are seldom to be met with. Bezoars are also

taken from the stomachs of I i 2 crocodiles, dogs, mules, and the

camelus vicugna Lin. All the true bezoars, when rubbed, exhale

a perfume; and, when cut through, are found to contain a nucleus

of vegetable matter, successively covered by laminae of an ammoniacal

magnesian phosphat, mixed with a coloured extractive vegetable matter,

and animal fluids of a bilious kind. These give the green colour and

the smell of musk. On the molares of ruminant animals there is a brown

golden coloured coat, like that on the surface of their bezoars.

Fourcroy has analysed the oriental bezoars with some care,

(Annales du Museum dhistoire' Naturelle, vol. i. p. 111).

He considers them as an animal resin different from every concretion.

They are softened by heat, easily penetrated by a hot needle, exhaling

an aromatic and musky odour; they burn and inflame with a thick smoke,

impart a colour to boiling water, and wholly dissolve in alcohol, which

they colour. They are dissolved by caustic alkalis, differing in this

from vegetable resins.

The false bezoars are prepared with powdered oyster shells made into

small balls with gum water, and perfumed with ambergris. They effervesce

with acids, and, when cut, have no concentric laminae; nor, when broken,

any crystalline striae; nor, when rubbed on paper previously covered with

chalk, do they leave an olive coloured mark. The Goa and Malacca stones

are of this kind.

Bezoar fossile. Fossile bezoar is a small hollow body from Italy, found

in sand and clay pits, of a purple colour, with a rough surface, the size

of a walnut, and light. When broke, it is found to consist of an irony

crust, containing in its hollow a fine greenish white earth resembling

pale bezoar. The earth is used, and not the shells. It seems to be of

the nature of bole armoniac, or rather calcareous; and is also called

bezoar minerale, terra sicula et noceriana, lapis bezahan, sicu-lus albus,

belzuar minor. Siciliana, mineral bezoar, and Sicilian earth.

Notwithstanding all the boasted virtues of these bezoars, viz. the power of

destroying poisons and reanimating the vital powers, it is certain that

they are absolutely indigestible in the stomachs of the animals in which

they are found; and they are equally so in the human, except when

accompanied with an acid; so that no more can be expected from them

than from any of the testacea that are soluble in acids; but they are

inferior to them, as far less absorbent, and more difficultly acted on

by any acid.

Bezoar microcosmicum, called also calculus huma-nus, the calculus of

the human bladder.

It is various in its degrees of hardness, as well as in its size and figure.

It has been used in the place of the more costly sorts.

Bezoar animale. Animal bezoar. Take the whitest calcined hartshorn

levigated to the greatest subtility, pour on it, drop by drop, the spirit

of vitriol, to form it into a paste to be made into balls.

A powder of liver and heart of vipers is called ani-inal bezoar.

Bezoar bovinus, called also alcheron lapis. The Portuguese call it mesang

de vaca. It is a stone found in the gall bladder of a bull.

Bezoar mineral. See Bezoar fossils.

porcupine ball

2012-02-11T01:48:00.000-08:00

My father was diagnosed as having

cancer and a relative insisted we try a

very expensive Chinese medicine called

‘porcupine date’. For a toothpick-sized

heap of powder, it will cost over RM1,000!

What exactly is it and does it work?

The porcupine stone or ‘date’ is actually

a bezoar – solid mass formed by tightly

packed collection (or concretion) of partially

digested or undigested material stuck in

the stomach or other parts of the digestive

tract. Bezoars may consist of partially

digested hair (trichobezoars), i bre from

fruits or vegetables (phytobezoars), or even

hardened blocks of drugs e.g. antacids

(pharmacobezoars).

Your Questions Answered

Porcupine date for

cancer – How “bezoar”?

The word “bezoar” comes from the Persian pâdzahr,

which means, “expelling poison.”

In the region of South and South-east Asia, the

bezoars of animal are usually taken from

either monkeys or porcupines. Among the

Chinese population, the porcupine bezoar is

called hao zhu zao 豪猪枣 (or 箭猪枣) – literally

“porcupine date” – and the Malays term it

as “guliga landak” (sometimes, erroneously

“batu landak”).

Porcupine phytobezoar

The porcupine is an herbivore and it is believed

that when the animal is wounded or sick, it will look

for herbs in the forest to heal itself. As the healing

progresses, the phytobezoar stone may form in

its stomach (and when it does, only one bezoar is

formed in each porcupine). Thus, a ‘porcupine date’

is extremely expensive.

The porcupine phytobezoar (lapis histricinus or

lapis Malaccensis) is found in the gall bladder

of mainly the Malayan porcupine or Himalayan

porcupine (Hystrix brachyura). Porcupine bezoar

is usually roundish in shape with colour between

pale or purplish, and green and white. It is soft

or brittle, smooth and slippery to the touch.

When steeped in water, the taste is intensely bitter.

A porcupine is a rodent – similar to the capybara

and beaver – with many long, thin, and sharp

spikes (called quills) on its back that stick out

as protection when it is attacked. The quills are

released by contact with them, or shaken of by

the porcupine. (This animal is not to be confused

with the unrelated smaller species of hedgehog

– with similar outward appearance of protective

spines that do not come of , but it will roll into a ball

when in danger).

COFFEE LUWAK

2012-02-11T01:27:00.000-08:00

Asal mula Civet Coffee - Kopi Luwak Berkaitan erat dengan sejarah

pembudidayaan tanaman kopi di Indonesia, Pada awal abad ke-18,

Belanda membuka perkebunan Tanaman Komersial di koloninya di

Hindia Belanda terutama di Pulau Jawa dan Sumatera, Salah satunya

adalah bibit kopi Arabika dan Robusta yang didatangkan dari Yaman.

Pada era "Tanam Paksa" 1830 - 1870, Belanda melarang pekerja

perkebunan pribumi memetik buah kopi untuk konsumsi pribadi,

akan tetapi penduduk lokal ingin mencoba minuman kopi yang terkenal itu,

Kemudian pekerja perkebunan akhirnya menemukan bahwa ada sejenis hewan

musang yang gemar memakan buah kopi, tetapi hanya kelenjar manis daging

buahnya saja yang tercerna, kulit email dan biji kopinya masih utuh dan

tidak tercerna, Biji kopi dalam kotoran luwak ini kemudian Dipunguti,

Dicuci, Disangrai, Ditumbuk, Kemudian Diseduh dengan Air Panas, maka

terciptalah Kopi Luwak.

Kabar mengenai kenikmatan Kopi Aromatik ini akhirnya tercium oleh Warga

Belanda pemilik perkebunan, maka kemudian Kopi ini menjadi Kegemaran

Orang Kaya Belanda, sebab kelangkaannya serta proses pembuatannya yang

tidak lazim, Kopi Luwak pun menjadi kopi yang mahal sejak Zaman Kolonial.

Hewan Luwak, atau lengkapnya Musang Luwak, senang sekali mencari buah-buahan

yang cukup baik dan masak termasuk buah kopi sebagai makanannya, Luwak akan

memilih buah kopi yang betul-betul masak sebagai makanannya, dan setelahnya,

biji kopi yang dilindungi Kulit Keras Email dan tidak tercerna akan keluar

bersama kotoran luwak.

Biji kopi seperti ini, pada masa lalu sering diburu para petani kopi, karena

diyakini berasal dari biji kopi terbaik dan telah difermentasikan secara alami

dalam perut luwak, rasa Kopi Luwak ini memang benar-benar berbeda dan spesial

di kalangan para penggemar dan penikmat kopi.

Musang / Luwak (Vivericulla Malaccensis & Archictis Binturong) adalah jenis

binatang pemakan buah-buahan dan biji-bijian termasuk Buah Kopi Merah / Masak,

juga Musang / Luwak tergolong binatang buas (KARNIVORA) Pemakan Daging dan

bersifat pemakan sesama (KANIBALISME).

Musang / Luwak sering menjadi masalah bagi petani kopi karena sifatnya selain

pemakan buah-buahan dan biji-bijian juga termasuk buah kopi juga cendrung

merusak lahan perkebunan kopi para petani dan mencuri hasil panen kopi mereka

dikebun, bukan hanya petani kopi yang sangat dirugikan, para peternak unggas

maupun pemilik ternak unggas rumahan merasa Musang / Luwak menjadi hama yang

besar bagi mereka karena sifat-sifat alami binatang tersebut tergolong

binatang buas Pemakan Daging yang selalu mencuri dan memakan unggas-unggas

mereka sehingga tidak sedikit dari petani dan peternak unggas yang memburu

mati Musang / Luwak.

Tetapi ternyata ada rahasia dibalik Musang / Luwak karena proses Fermentasi

Lambung Musang / Luwak yang sangat kondang dan tersohor di seluruh dunia

menciptakan cita rasa Eksotik kopi yaitu Kopi Luwak (CIVET COFFEE).

Terlebih lagi kelebihan lain Musang / Luwak yaitu rahasia dibalik zat

enzim-enzim didalam lambungnya, zat fermentasi yang ada di

lambung Musang / Luwak dalam proses pencernaannya mampu menciptakan

kenikmatan pada kopi dan aroma kopi yang sangat harum atau kata lain

Kopi tersebut menjadi murni.

Cita rasa Eksotik kopi luwak inilah yang tidak diketahui para petani

kopi dan peternak unggas sebelumnya, sehingga Musang / Luwak sering

diburu mati karena dianggap sebagai hama, bagi seorang Coffee lover

jangan berani-berani mengakui dirinya seorang pecinta kopi sejati jika

belum pernah mencicipi citarasa kopi luwak.

Karena Cita rasa Eksotik kopi luwak yang sangat kondang di seluruh dunia

akhirnya banyak yang menawarkan kopi luwak dengan embel-embel keaslianya

kopi luwak namun tidak mampu meyakinkan keaslian tersebut kepada konsumen

tentang dimana asal Musang / Luwak tersebut dan siapa yang mengelolanya.

Keaslian kopi luwak bukan hanya ditentukan pada harganya yang melambung

tinggi diatas level harga kopi pada umumnya tetapi dari perjalanan kopi

itu sendiri yang diawali dari mulai tanam kopi oleh petani sampai proses

penyajian, keseluruhan proses ini memakan waktu yang sangat panjang dan

pengawasan yang ketat karena Musang / Luwak, dari Proses awal,

Kadar Air (%), Penggorengan dan Penyajian sangat menentukan Cita

Rasa kopi luwak dan aroma kopi luwak tersebut.

Budidaya Kelinci

2012-02-10T14:34:00.000-08:00

Sudah tidak asing bahwa diseluruh Indonesia pada umumnya rakyat

masih sangat kekurangan protein zat putih telur) dalam kadar makannya

sehari-sehari. Usaha untuk mempertinggi nilai protein ini diusahakan

dengan berbagai jalan misalnya dengan mempertinggi hasil ikan.,

ternak besar maupunkecil dan unggas.Meskipun demikian, akan memakan

waktu yang lama untuk dapatmencapai hasil protein ini hingga memuaskan

bagi segenap penduduk. Hinggakini oleh masyarakat ramai masih banyak

dilupakan tentang pemeliharaansuatu ternak kecil yang mudah dipelihara,

cepat berkembang biak, banyak menghasilkan daging, serta tidak memakan

ongkos yang besar, yaitu kelinci.Diluar negeri, terutama di Eropa dan

Amerika, soal pemeliharaan kelinci tidak asing lagi bahkan tidak kalah

pentingmya dengan pemeliharaan ternak besar.Dengan penyidikan agak

mendalam tentang seleksi didalam jenis yang dapatmencapai berat hidup.

Dari sejodoh kelinci yang sudah dewasa dalam 1 tahundapat dihasilkan

dengan mudah lebih dari 1 kuintal daging.

JENIS-JENIS KELINCI

Di Indonesia jenis kelinci belum banyak mendapat perhatian. Diluar

negeri dengan jalan seleksi beberapa daerah mengeluarkan jenis-jenis

tertentu, misalnya :

Nama Jenis Berat rata-rata(Kg)

AmericanAmerican Silver FoxVlaamsce Reus New Zealand Biru dan putih

Biru dan putih4-4,54-66 keatas4,5-6Kebanyakan jenis kelinci disini

merupakan campuran (blaster) dari beberapa jenis. Oleh karena itu

didalam pembibitanyan kurang diperhatikan,maka bentuk dan timbangan

badannya rata-rata ada dibawah kelinci luar negeri. Sebaliknya kelinci

disini sudah menyesuaikan diri dengan kadaan iklimdan alam yang ada.

PEMBIBITAN

Kelinci jantan maupun betina baru dapat dikawinkan dan mulai beranak

pada umur 5-6 bulan. Jenis-jenisnya sangat mempengaruhi umur tersebut.

jenis yang besar ada kalanya baru bisa dikawinkanpada umur 8-12 bulan.

Tentang umur ini kadang tidak terlalu penting karenaditetapkan oleh

saat mulai balignya kedua belah pihak. Kelinci betina, bila terlambat

dikawinkan ada harapan tidak dapat beranak karenakegemukan dan disebut

mandul.Untuk mendapat keturunan yang baik, pilihlah kelinci jantandan

betina yang memenuhi syarat sebagai berikut :a.Berasal dari keturunan

yang sehat dan banyak anaknya. b.Berasal dari turunan berat timbangannya.

c.Bentuknya besar, kupingnya normal menunjuk tegak ke atas ataukebawah

sesuai dengan jenisnya.d.Yang jantan kepalanya tidak menyerupai kapala

betina dansebaliknya.e.Apabila pemeliharaan ditujukan terhadap kulitnya

kelak pilihlahkelinci yang bulunya halus.Bilamana dikehendaki warna yang

rata janganlahmengawinkan dua kelinci yang berlainan warna.Hal-hal yang

perlu diperhatikan pada bibit kelinci :1.mata jernih 2.bulu rata dan halus

3.hidung kering4.kaki kuat dan tidak bengkok. Kaki belakang nampak rapat

pada badan5.dada lebar dan bentuk bulat (menandakan besar tenagannya dan

dapat menghasilkan banyak daging)6.induk kelinci mempunyai tulang pinggul lebar

(menandakan sifatdapat beranak banyak)7.bentuk badan bulat lonjong

8.testis pejantan yang terlalu besar sehinga bergesekan dengan lantai

harus dikeluarkan9.umur kelinci yang diperkembangbiakkan rata-rata dapat

dipertahankan hingga 2,5-3 tahun

MENGEMBANG BIAKKAN

Dalam pemeliharaan kelinci yang tidak teratur biasanya antara jantan,

betina dan anak-anak dicampur menjadi satu sehingga sering

terjadi anak-anak terinjak oleh induk dan bapaknya, juga anak-anak

tidak cukup baik dipelihara oleh induknya. Didalam peternakan kelinci yang

teratur seharusnya kelinci jantan dipisah dari betina.Dalam satu kandang

tiap seekor pejantan diberikan 8-10 ekor betina. Untuk mengawinkan,

bilamana jantan dipisahkan dari betinamasukkan kelinci betina kedalam

ruangan sijantan dan jangan sebaliknya.Kelinci yang belum bunting setelah

dikumpulkan dengan sendirinya akandikawinkan. Untuk menjamin bahwa perkawinan

berhasil diberikankesempatan perkawinan kedua. Setelah selesai betina

dimasukkan kekandangnya sendiri.Perkawinan yang berkali-kali dilakukan

dan tidak ada hasilnyadapat terjadi karena :



umur yang telah lanjut. Kelinci betina masih sangat subur sampai

umur 2,5-3 tahun.



Jantan dan betina kurang sehat akibat makanan yang jelek



Perubahan hawa panas mendadak yang dapat mengakibatkankemandulanLama

kebuntingan pada kelinci biasanya 32 hari. Cara untuk menentukan

kelinci bunting atau tidak dapat dilakukan denganmengumpilkan kelinci

untuk dikawinkan seperti biasanya. Bila tidak maudikawin menandakan

sudah bunting. Yang paling baik adalah meraba bagian peranakannya,

sudah berisi atau belum. Tanda kelinci yang maumelahirkan

(bila tidak disediakan tempat khusus), ia akan menggali lubang

didalam tanah kurang lebih 0,5 m panjangnya dan mengisi penjuru lubang

dengan bulunya atau rumput kering. Dapat juga disediakan peti untuk

tempat melahirkan. Peti ini hendaknya juga diisi rumput atau jerami

kering kapuk juga boleh. Peti dimasukkan dalam kandang 3-5 hari

sebelummelahirkan.Kelinci yang sedang bunting bila tidak menapat

makanan yang banyak mengandung air perlu ditambahkan air untuk

minumnya karena saat-saat akan melahirkan kelinci perlu minum

banyak air. Bila anak yang baru lahir dimakan oleh unduknya,

itu merupakan tanda bahwa ia kekurangan air minum.Seekor kelinci

betina dapat melahirkan sekaligus 6 hingga 15 ekor anak. Anak kelinci

waktu dilahirkan tidak memiliki bulu karena itu sangatmemerlukan

tempat yang kering, terlindung dari hawa yang dingin dan tidak

boleh kena angin. Matanya tertutup hingga berumur 10-11 hari.

Setelah berumur 19-20 hari anak kelinci baru mau meninggalkan

sarangnya dan maumemakan rumput dan lain-lain.Apabila setelah

10 hari ada anak kelinci yang matanya tidak membuka, adakalanya

memang cacat sejak dilahirkan , tetapi ada pula yangdisebabkan

oleh infeksi. Bilaman kena infeksi, matanya dapat dicuci dengan

larutan boorzoor 4 % atau diobati dengan obat mata yang ada di

apotik.Kadang-kadang induk kelinci membunuh anak-anaknya karena

kurang air minum, tetapi ada kalanya hanya karena makan saja. Ini

menunjukkan sifat yang jelek (kanibalisme) dari induk kelinci.

Induk yangdemikian hendaknya selekas mungkin dikeluarkan dari

pembibitan untuk kemudian dijual.Untuk dapat memisahkan betina

atau jantannya guna kepentingan pengembang biakan maupun penjualan,

perlu diadakan pemisahaan antarakedua kelamin. Waktu untuk dapat

menetapkannya dengan mudah ialah bila iasudah berumur 1-2 bulan.

Taruhlah anak kelinci ditangan kiri telentang dengankepalanya diatas

pergelangan tangan. Dengan ibu jari dan telunjuk tangankanan tekanlah

perlahan-lahan bagian kemaluanya. Bila ada lubang kencingyang bulat

itukah jantan dan bilamana betina lubang itu merupakan celah.

PAKAN KELINCI

Jenis-jenis makanan kelinci adalah sebagai berikut :1.daun-daunan,

sayuran, maupun rumput (tespong, jongek, jotang, sintrong, kiurat,

ketela rambat dan sebagainya)2.Umbi-umbian seperti (ubi jalar),

wortel, bit, kentang, biasanyadiberikan setelah direbus dan

dihancurkan.3.Biji-bijian seperti jagung, beras, jagung cantel,

kedelai danlain-lain, semuanya biasa diberikan setelah ditumbuk.

Biji bunga matahari dan dedak bekatul juga baik diberikan untuk

pakan kelinci.Pemberian pakan sebaiknya diberikan 3 kali sehari.

KANDANG KELINCI

Yang perlu diperhatikan dalam membangun kandang kelinciadalah :

1.Kondisi, yang dimaksud kondisi ialah meliputi : suhu,kelembaban,

terik matahari, angin, hujan dan lain sebagainya.2.Konstruksia.

Ventilasi ,(jalan keluarnya masuk udara) perludiperhatikan karena

dapat menghilangkan udara busuk akibat menguapnya air dan kotoran.

b.Dinding, untuk menghindarkan angin langsung danair hujan masuk.

Dinding dapat dibuat dari bambuatau papan yang harganya murah.

c.Cahaya, supaya di dalam kandang terang danhygienis.d.Lantai,

harus dibuat sedemikian mungkin agar memudahkan untuk pembersihan

kandang,menjamun kesehatan kelinci didalamnya.e.Ukuran, satu

indukan kelinci ukuran kecilmemerlukan luasan panjangxlebarxtinggi

90x60x60cm, untuk induk ukuran sedang 120x60x60 cm danuntuk induk

ukuran besar.3.Perlengkapan kandanga.alat makan dan minum b.Sarang/kotak

untuk beranak,Bentuk kandang kelinci bermacam-macam antara lain:

1.Sistem Postal yaitu bangunan kandang kelinci tanpa halaman pengumbran

sehingga kelinci tidak dilepas sama sekali.2.Sistem Ren yaitu bangunan

kandang buat sekelompok kelinciyang diberi halaman pengumbaran.

3.Sistem Battery yaitu kandang yang dibuat seperti bentuk sangkar

secara berderet-deret menyerupai battery dan masing-masing sangkar

diperuntukkan buat saatu ekor kelinci (individu).

SANITASI DAN PEMBERANTASAN PENYAKIT.

Sea Cucumber (teripang)

2012-02-09T15:34:00.000-08:00

The shape of the sea cucumber is an elongate cylinder with a mouth and anus on opposite sides. It has a worm like body that lays parallel to the ocean's floor. The external surface of the sea cucumber is very soft because it is an invertebrate (without a spine), it also has five rows of tube feet that are all along the length of their body. Around the mouth there can be more than ten ambulacral appendages, branched, oral tentacles, and ambulacral feet that can be on all sides.

The internal structure of sea cucumbers consists of an alimentary canal, which is a long tube that runs from the mouth of the sea cucumber at the forward end to the anus, which is at the posterior end of the sea cucumber. The posterior end of the sea cucumber is enlarged and becomes narrower towards the anterior end. There are two types of respiratory organs; they are the respiratory trees and the curvier's organ. These organs function as a pair to pump water through the system. The body wall of the cucumber consists of powerful longitudinal muscles running along the radii and transverse muscles in the inter-radii.

Sea Cucumber - Reproduction
Sea cucumbers tend to be having separate sexes. Spawning behavior tends to be seasonal. Many sea cucumbers on the Great Barrier Reef spawn during the mass spawning events seen in November. During spawning, sea cucumbers travel to the top of reef structures and release their gametes into the surrounding currents. A range of developmental modes is seen among sea cucumbers. Development via feeding larvae (Planktotrophy) or non-feeding larvae (lecithotrophy) occurs in a large number of species. In others, embryos and larvae may be brooded by the female. The feeding larva of sea cucumbers (when present) is very distinctive and is called an auricularia larva. It swims for about 10-40 days before settling on the bottom and metamorphosing into a baby sea cucumber.

Sea Cucumber - Distribution and Habitats
The sea cucumbers are found in most oceans and in all depths. Some move over the bottom of the sea, some swallow sand and or mud and others catch small organisms. Most of the sea cucumbers live near rocks, coral or seaweeds. Although most of the sea cucumbers live among the sea grasses some do live in the mud or in the sand.

Predators
Sea cucumbers have tough skins that probably lessen the risk of predation. However, they do face the problem of being eaten by large marine sea. Sea cucumbers, however, dont just lie around and let this happen. They have a number of neat tricks. The first is that some sea cucumbers have the ability to throw up their entire digestive systems! They do this to distract the predator that generally focuses on the yummy bits thrown up with the stomach. The sea cucmber then crawls away and regrows its entire digestive tract over the next couple of months. Amazing huh! The second trick is that some other sea cucumbers have fine sticky threads that they are able to eject out their bottoms when trouble brews. These threads are called Cuverian Tubules and are as sticky as any glue you can buy in a shop. These threads are thrown out over the potential predator who gets them stuck all over it. This usually makes the potential predator desist from attacking the sea cucumber.

Sea Cucumber as Food

To prepare the sea cucumber after it is collected, the internal organs are removed, and dirt and sand are washed out of the cavity. It is then boiled in salty water and dried in the air to preserve it. When readied for use in making food, it is softened in warm water and then boiled.

According to analysis by principles of traditional Chinese medicine, the sea cucumber nourishes the blood and vital essence (jing), tonifies kidney qi (treats disorders of the kidney system, including reproductive organs), and moistens dryness (especially of the intestines). It has a salty quality and warming nature. Common uses include treating weakness, impotence, debility of the aged, constipation due to intestinal dryness, and frequent urination. Sea cucumber is traditionally served in the form of a soup.

From the nutritional viewpoint, sea cucumber is an ideal tonic food. It is higher in protein (at 55%) than most any other food except egg whites (at 99%), and it is lower in fat than most foods (less than 2%). For nourishing essence and blood in persons who suffer from emaciation, it is combined in soup with pork. For impotence, frequent urination, and other signs of kidney deficiency, sea cucumber is cooked with mutton. For yin and blood deficiency, especially manifesting as intestinal dryness, sea cucumber is combined with tremella (yiner, the silvery tree mushroom).

For modern applications, the dried or extracted sea cucumber is useful as a nutritional supplement, prepared in capsules or tablets. The fully dried material has a protein concentration as high as 83%. From the Western medical viewpoint, the reason sea cucumber is valuable is because it serves as a rich source of the polysaccharide condroiton sulfate, which is well-known for its ability to reduce arthritis pain: as little as 3 grams per day of the dried sea cucumber has been helpful in significantly reducing arthralgia. Its action is similar to that of glucosamine sulfate, which is useful for treating osteoarthritis. Sulfated polysaccharides also inhibit viruses; there is a Japanese patent for sea cucumber chondroitin sulfate for HIV therapy.

Economical Uses and Biological Significance

Although about 200 species of sea cucumber have been recorded from Australian waters, only a few large tropical species were collected for processing as b�che-de-mer. The process itself involved boiling the body in salt water, gutting it, smoking it and finally sun-drying it. The finished product is hard, dry and a fraction of the weight of the live animal. Although there is still considerable demand for b�che-de-mer throughout much of Asia, there is very little commercial fishing for it in Australia today. The local industry wound down in the late 1940s largely because of lesser demand and poor prices.

There are a number of animals that live with sea cucumbers. Tiny polychaete worms that look almost identical to the skin of the sea cucumbers crawl across the skin and are probably responsible for cleaning the surface of the sea cucumber in return for getting a place to live. There are also some very strange relationships. There is a little fish that lives in the back end of sea cucumbers. Again, in return for being a cleaner, the fish gets a pace to live and something to eat.

The many varieties and species of Sea Cucumbers around the world are an essential part of the ecosystem of the ocean. They are both predators and prey to many different organisms. Their main food source is zooplankton (incredibly small drifting organisms in the sea,) they also provide food for certain Sea Stars. Because they are living animals, they are part of the ecosystem and will become a food source one way or another. As mentioned previously, the most fascinating characteristic of the sea cucumber is their ability to eviscerate their guts, thus providing food for their predators while still being able to survive themselves. The ability to provide food for other organisms labels the Sea Cucumber as a provider (of food) in their marine environment.

Chinese studies reveal that sea cucumbers also contain saponin glycosides. These compounds have a structure similar to the active constituents of ginseng, ganoderma, and other famous tonic herbs. Additional Chinese studies indicate anticancer properties of both the sea cucumber saponins and the polysaccharides.

Sea cucumbers are harmless. Unfortunately, they are good to eat and are considered a delicacy by many cultures. Did you know that a ton of dried sea cucumbers will fetch as much as a million dollars in some countries? This has lead to uncontrolled exploitation of sea cucumbers around the world. In some places they have almost completely disappeared. Several projects (e.g. Solomon Island) are currently underway to start growing sea cucumbers in aquaculture farms to try and reduce the fishing pressure on sea cucumbers. Sea cucumbers are seriously endangered in many parts of the world. As all other marine creatures, it is essential to protect both the Sea Cucumbers themselves, and their environment to ensure the continuing survival of diversity in the oceans.

Parastichopus Californicus
Common Name: California Sea Cucumber
The Parastichopus Californicus can be identified by their prominent, stiff, conical papillae (cone-shaped spines). They also have tube feet on their ventral side. They are dark red or brown in color and have an approximate length of 40 cm (16 inches). They are found on the Northwest coastal waters from Alaska to Isal Cedros in Baja, California. They live in a sub tidal habitat, as well as feeding on detritus and small organisms. They are currently the only Sea Cucumber harvested in British Columbia, however only every three years to control population decline. They are eaten for their five muscle strips and body wall. One California Sea cucumber is shown below, this one is currently being kept at the Bamfield Marine Station and we have nick named him "Mike."

Cucumaria Miniata
Common Name: Burrowing Sea Cucumber
This bright orange sea cucumber has ten branched tentacles and five rows of tube feet. They are 25 cm (10 inches) long and live along the western coast from Gulf of Alaska to Avila Beach in California. They live in rocky areas with lots of crevices to hide from their predators, particularly the Sea Star Solaster Stimpsonii. They live in the intertidal zone all the way out 24 m (80 ft) or so. Their branched tentacles are used to collect drifting food. The photograph below shows a Burrowing Sea Cucumber, along with sea grass, its favorite environment.

Eupentacta Quinquesemita
Common Name: White Sea Cucumber
These Sea Cucumbers cannot completely contract their tube feet. They have ten yellow or white-branched tentacles, eight long and two short. They are ten cm (four inches) in length and live both off the coast of Japan, as well as the Sacramento Reff, Baja, California. They like rocky places ranging from lower intertidal to 15m off shore. Their tentacles remain retracted during daylight hours. A White Sea cucumber is shown below, lying on a rocky surface

Teripang ( sea cucumber )

2012-02-09T15:31:00.000-08:00

ANYONE who has spent some time wading across shallow reef flats, particularly in warm, northern waters has probably seen a sea cucumber or two. However, before you rush out to collect a few for your next lunchtime salad, be warned that names can be deceiving.

For starters, the sea cucumber is an animal, not a vegetable, and although some varieties are dark green, they are more commonly dark red-brown or even black in colour. The general shape is reminiscent of its namesake, but most people would agree that it looks more like a slightly warty slug than a tasty vegetable.

Having read all that, it may come as a surprise that the sea cucumber is a prized food, particularly on Asian markets, where it fetches good prices - but not for use in salads! Instead it Is sold in a smoked, dried form and is sought after for use in soups and, according to some reports, as an aphrodisiac.
In its prepared form it is known as trepang or béche-de-mer and, earlier this century and through much of the nineteenth century, the animal was the basis of a major export industry across northern Australia.

The fishery itself goes back even further in time. Matthew Flinders sighted a fleet of 60 Indonesian vessels collecting béche-de-mer in the Gulf of Carpentaria while charting the Australian coast in 1803, and there is substantial evidence that the activity has been carried on since Macassans from South Celebes first visited Australia around 1700.

Although about 200 species of sea cucumber have been recorded from Australian waters, only a few large tropical species were collected for processing as béche-de-mer. The process itself involved boiling the body in salt water, gutting it, smoking it and finally sun-drying it. The finished product is hard, dry and a fraction of the weight of the live animal.

Interestingly the sea cucumber is closely related to sea urchins and starfish, although its hard to see the resemblance at a glance. Their hard calcareous skeleton, reduced to microscopic spicules, is buried under the skin.
Some sea cucumbers can expel sticky white threads to entangle or distract would-be predators, and some even expel their internal organs when disturbed. Amazingly the organs can be regenerated and life for the animal will go on normally. Worldwide, their body sizes vary from two centimetres to 200 cm, and thicknesses between one and 20 cm. They are found in all oceans, mostly in warm shallow waters, but sometimes at great depths. However they are most common in the Indian Ocean and the South West Pacific.

They tend to be most conspicuous in the tropics where they can be found lying scattered over the sandy parts of coral reef flats, among corals and under boulders.

Their mouth, which is at one end of their body, is surrounded by a crown of between 10 and 20 retractable tentacles. These tentacles can be used to trap passing plankton or, depending on the species, used to sweep up the sandy mud in which they live. The mud is swallowed, the food particles removed, and the sand is passed out through the body.

Sea cucumbers move in a slug-like manner, using a series of little tube feet. Some of them are soft and flaccid but others are quite tough and leathery.

Although there is still considerable demand for beche-de-mer throughout much of Asia, there is very little commercial fishing for it in Australia today. The local industry wound down in the late 1940's largely because of lesser demand and poor prices.

In Wester Australia, most of the catch comes from the North West shelf.

Porcupine Stone (Batu Landak)

2012-02-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

Specifications batu landak is healing stone collected from Landak. it has many colours and inside has many levels, has many colours of each level. the colour wont determine its quality, all has same function.

market has 90% imitated stone, so please buy with carefully.
Advantagesvery good for healing wounds after operation or accident.

it also good for hepatitis, cancer.

Top porcupine stone/ batu landak

2012-02-09T15:02:00.000-08:00

Top porcupine stone

Specifications batu landak is healing stone collected from Top porcupine(Landak).

it has many colours and inside has many levels, has many .

Ratusan tahun yang lalu batu landak (bezoar stone) atau “hao zhu zhao” (cantonis) atau "ho tu co" (dialek hokkien), sudah ditemukan oleh suku pedalaman yang berada di daerah riau daratan.

Batu singkek atau bezoar stone, demikian sebutan bahasa daerah batu landak atau bezoar treatment dipercaya dapat mengobati berbagai macam penyakit.

Binatang landak (stone treatment dan healing stone)banyak terdapat di daerah sumatra, jawa, kalimantan, irian jaya, dan sarawak. Di sarawak oleh penduduk setempat disebut angkit atau bezoar. Angkit dalam dialek fujian berarti merah pekat.

Batu landak atau bezoar treatment diluar negeri oleh tabib banyak diramu untuk mengobati berbagai macam penyakit seperti:

penyakit kanker, diabetes, dbd (dg), typus, epilepsi, hepatitis, dan berbagai penyakit.

Raw Food Diet

2009-08-29T05:34:00.000-07:00

Have you started hearing about the Raw Food Diet? It’s gaining popularity and buzz, not just as a diet to lose weight, but a diet for a long and healthy life. We eat so much in the way of processed food that we don’t even stop to think about what we’re putting into our bodies, and how far we’ve come nutritionally from our ancestral, agrarian roots.

A raw food diet means consuming food in its natural, unprocessed form. There are several common-sense rationales for why this is a good idea. Processing and cooking food can take so much of the basic nutritional value away. Think of some of the conventional wisdom you’ve heard about for years, such as: If you cook pasta just to the al dente (or medium) stage, it will have more calories, yes, but it will have more the nutritional value in it than if you cooked it to a well-done stage. Or you probably remember hearing not to peel carrots or potatoes too deeply, because most of the nutrients and values are just under the surface.

intan

2009-08-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

BANJAR - Temuan intan jenis jambun hampir 200 karat di Desa Antaruku, Pengaron, Banjar, tidak urung menarik perhatian pengusaha asal Martapura, Banjar, Abdurrahman Midi atau akrab dipanggil Aman Jagau. Ia menyatakan minatnya untuk membeli intan yang ditemukan di areal pendulangan Desa Antaraku, Pengaron Banjar.Â Dihubungi Metro Banjar via ponselnya, Selasa (8/1) siang, Aman Jagau mengaku dirinya telah mengadakan kontak dengan Pambakal Antaraku, Israniansyah alias Isra (50).Dia menyatakan pula minatnya untuk membeli intan yang beratnya hampir mendekati 200 karat itu.

“Benar, saya memang berminat membeli intan temuan itu. Kalau dari berita, besarnya 199 karat. Itu mungkin terbesar. Itulah yang menyebabkan saya tertarik untuk membelinya,” ujar Aman Jagau penuh semangat di ujung telepon.

Metro Banjar menyinggung, dengan dimiliki intan ini bisa memperlancar usaha, ia menyatakan tidak mempercayai keterkaitan itu. “Ya tidak seperti itu. Tidak ada kaitannya antara memiliki intan dengan kelancaran usaha,” ucapnya disusul derai tawa.

Menyinggung tentang harga penawaran yang diajukan, Aman Jagau masih belum tahu nanti hendak menawar berapa. “Saya belum lihat intannya. Nanti setelah saya melihat barangnya, baru saya menawarnya,” cetusnya.

Andaikan intan itu akhirnya bisa dibeli, ia mengungkapkan,
jika mendapatkan intan itu masih dalam kondisi mentah, akan dibawa ke Thailand untuk diolah. “Setahu saya, Thailand bagus untuk mengolah intan dan saya punya banyak teman di sana,” ujarnya.

Disinggung apa yang dilakukan terhadap intan itu setelah diolah, suami penyanyi dangdut Cucu Cahyati ini, menyatakan, jika nantinya intan itu laku dijual dengan harga lebih tinggi, ia akan menjualnya.

“Kalau memang harganya lebih tinggi, saya jual keluar negeri. Di Amerika maupun Afrika banyak yang berminat dengan intan. Kalau dijual tidak menguntungkan, ya buat koleksi pribadi saja,” ungkap Aman yang mengaku belum mengetahui banyak hal tentang perintanan, seraya menambahkan ada memiliki koleksi tapi tak menyebutkan jumlahnya.

Disinggung pula kemungkinan tertarik pada usaha yang terkait dengan intan, ia buru-buru menyatakan tidak. “Belum ada, belum ada,” singkatnya, yang sebelum menutup pembicaraan, memberitahu kalau dirinya akan ada acara.

7 Ways to Repurpose Your Blog Posts

2009-08-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

Do you've a WordPress Blog and are not repurposing your posts? If so, you are missing out on a lot of great stuff.

Here are 7 Ways to Repurpose Your Blog Posts

1. Tweet Your Posts - It's All Automatic - you are able to set up your WordPress Blog to automatically repurpose your brand new blog posts onto Twitter. Just install the WordPress plugin, TwitterTools. While your blog post is publishing, it will automatically show up on Twitter with nothing for you to remember or do.

2. Do a Teleseminar - Use the content from a blog post to act a free Teleseminar. What a great way to use the content you've already written. AND - if you've already done a teleseminar, write one or more blog posts about it.

3. Write an Article - While an article is generally longer than a blog post, your post is the skeleton for your article. Add to your post and you've an article!

4. Create an E-Course - Take several posts and create a free e-course from them. What a great idea for your 'give-away' for your optin!

5. Create an E-Book - Take those same posts and create an e-book. Are you just 'duplicating' your content? Don't mention it. People prefer to consume information in different ways. You are simply providing those ways.

6. Write a Book - If your blog back-number around for awhile and is very targeted, you have your book basically written!

7. Create a video and put it on YouTube. There are free programs that will allow you to record your screen. Explain your post with your voice and show how disruption whatever your 'how to' post talks about. Just another way for people to consume your content!

The Fastest Way to Become an eBay PowerSeller

2009-08-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

Thanks for purchasing this e-book! You're probably reading this because you want
learn how to quickly become successful selling products and making money on eBay
become an eBay PowerSeller. eBay members who are PowerSellers have a combination of high sales volume, at least 98% positive feedback, and at the least $1000 a month
income. What you will learn about in the following pages is the secret that almost every successful eBay entrepreneur has used to make consistent income selling products
eBay –the eBay Store. What is an eBay store? Simply put, when you sign up for
eBay store, eBay creates a personal internet site just for you to sell your items. eBay handles all the logistics, accounting, and sales. You simply need to list your items. And the
part is eBay supplies all the traffic! Millions of unique visitors use eBay’s built in search engine to look for what they want to buy. If you have something people want, you
assured that you'll have a constant stream of people visiting your eBay store looking for what you have to sell. In other words, eBay will deliver a school a hungry
directly to your doorstep. The added bonus is that once you have an eBay store,
listing fee is only 2 cents per item, AND you can list items for 30 days! I never realized the value or the genius in having an eBay store until I opened a store myself. Once
the eBay store open, I was able to get over 200 regenerations in two weeks!

30 Second Branding Instructions.

2009-08-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

30 Second Branding Instructions.
This eBook has been designed to be branded with minimum effort
and to generate maximum earnings. Over 90% of the links within
this eBook will generate you a very very generous affiliate income.
Simply follow the instructions below to brand your eBook in under
30 seconds
If you don’t want to go through this process simply leave
this blank. However, I would highly recommend you add
your affiliate ID here as this will generate 50% of any One
Time Offer sales sold to anyone who registers for updates.

THE CUSTOM -- HOUSE

2009-07-14T02:18:00.000-07:00

INTRODUCTORY TO "THE SCARLET LETTER"

It is a little remarkable, that -- though disinclined to talk
overmuch of myself and my affairs at the fireside, and to my
personal friends -- an autobiographical impulse should twice in
my life have taken possession of me, in addressing the public.
The first time was three or four years since, when I favoured the
reader -- inexcusably, and for no earthly reason that either the
indulgent reader or the intrusive author could imagine -- with a
description of my way of life in the deep quietude of an Old
Manse. And now -- because, beyond my deserts, I was happy enough
to find a listener or two on the former occasion -- I again seize
the public by the button, and talk of my three years' experience
in a Custom-House. The example of the famous "P. P. , Clerk of
this Parish," was never more faithfully followed. The truth
seems to be, however, that when he casts his leaves forth upon
the wind, the author addresses, not the many who will fling aside
his volume, or never take it up, but the few who will understand
him better than most of his schoolmates or lifemates. Some
authors, indeed, do far more than this, and indulge themselves in
such confidential depths of revelation as could fittingly be
addressed only and exclusively to the one heart and

Fairy Bread

2009-07-13T00:13:00.000-07:00

Come up here, O dusty feet!
Here is fairy bread to eat.
Here in my retiring room,
Children, you may dine
On the golden smell of broom
And the shade of pine;
And when you have eaten well,
Fairy stories hear and tell.

Bed in Summer

2009-07-11T00:20:00.000-07:00

In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?

HOW TO GET DOLLARS IN YOUR MAILBOX THRU MAIL ORDER

2009-07-10T04:33:00.000-07:00

There are a wide variety of ways that you can get dollars in your mailbox
through mail order. In fact, there are so many this report doesn't even begin
to have room to list them all. However, we will attempt to help you to get
started in the fascinating business of mail order. It isn't difficult at all
if you learn to take it slow. Save your money! It won't cost you a lot
initially and you'll be amazed at how easy it is to generate a second income
quickly.

A word of caution though: People everywhere are in constant need of
information. And they'll pay you money to get it. The only problem is that
some mail order reports you see advertised have been on the market for over
40 years. Everybody, including their mother and cousin has seen these 1,000's
of times and already know what they are.

As a beginner to the mail order world, you naturally have never seen these
old reports and think they are something brand new. The publisher will sell
you a package of them with reprint rights and never give you information
about promoting them to make money. Therefore, before you get involved in any
programs that claim to make you lots of money be sure and check them out.
Don't fall into the same trap everybody else does that begins a mail order
business. Instead, discover the vast array of products and services being
offered by millions of reputable and down-to-earth folks!

How do you do this? By writing to some of the honest mail order dealers who
have been in business for a long time. One of these people is Gloria Rivers,
5308 NE 49th Street, Vancouver WA 98661 and another is Gary Davis, PO Box 80,
Foyil OK 74031. Both of these reputable people will help steer you in the
right direction.

In the meantime _ back to the subject. How can you get dollars in your
mailbox through mail order? Just follow the steps below:

1. If you have never read a mail order publication of any kind, write to
Gloria or Gary (above) and ask them to send you a "Big Mail" filled with
tabloids, adsheets and other publications. Be sure to enclose $1 or
4 first-class postage stamps to pay for the postage to mail the package
back to you.

2. Go through the publications you receive and study the advertisements
that other people are running.

3. When you find something that interests you, order the product or request
more information. Don't spend a lot of your hard-earned money until you
know what is involved in selling the particular item you have selected.

4. Some programs will give you free camera-ready ads (just like the ones you
read in the mail order publications) that have your name and address
already on them if you decide to sell the product or service they offer.

5. All that's left to do is to run the camera-ready ads with your name and
address on them in other mail order publications. (You can receive a collection of these over a period of a few weeks simply by writing
letters to publishers who are advertising in the same publications
Gloria and Gary send you.) You'll be surprised how much valuable
information and contacts you can get just from studying the tabloids
and publications _ which are free.

6. When people respond to your ad they will send you money.
7. You either fill the order yourself or send it to the "prime source"
to complete. Then you simply pocket your commission.

The mail order business is a fascinating business that anyone can get
involved in. In fact, once you are exposed to the products and services
you can purchase through the mail, you will never go back to paying retail
prices again. You can buy everything from groceries to shampoo to printing
to publishing services through the mail. And the prices are always 50%
(most even 80%) less than you would pay locally.

The Labourer and the Nightingale

2009-07-09T00:11:00.000-07:00

A Labourer lay listening to a Nightingale's song throughout
the summer night. So pleased was he with it that the next night
he set a trap for it and captured it. "Now that I have caught
thee," he cried, "thou shalt always sing to me."

"We Nightingales never sing in a cage." said the bird.

"Then I'll eat thee." said the Labourer. "I have always heard
say that a nightingale on toast is dainty morsel."

"Nay, kill me not," said the Nightingale; "but let me free,
and I'll tell thee three things far better worth than my poor
body." The Labourer let him loose, and he flew up to a branch of
a tree and said: "Never believe a captive's promise; that's one
thing. Then again: Keep what you have. And third piece of advice
is: Sorrow not over what is lost forever." Then the song-bird
flew away.

The Dog and the Shadow

2009-07-08T07:05:00.000-07:00

It happened that a Dog had got a piece of meat and was
carrying it home in his mouth to eat it in peace. Now on his way
home he had to cross a plank lying across a running brook. As he
crossed, he looked down and saw his own shadow reflected in the
water beneath. Thinking it was another dog with another piece of
meat, he made up his mind to have that also. So he made a snap at
the shadow in the water, but as he opened his mouth the piece of
meat fell out, dropped into the water and was never seen more.

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

HOW SMALL BUSINESSES AFFECT OUR ECONOMY

2009-07-07T02:26:00.000-07:00

Very few of us are aware of the contribution small businesses make to the
American economy. According to the Small Business Administration, in 1988,
the United States had approximately 19 million businesses. Of those, 15.7
million were operated as sole proprietorships _ the businesses that
traditionally train the work force by employing young people in their first
jobs and women returning to the work force in local or part-time jobs.

Of the remaining 3.3 million corporations and partnerships, a full 99.8%
employ fewer than 500 people and are classified as small businesses for
Small Business Administration programs. And of the 10.5 million jobs created
in the private sector between 1980 and 1986, 6.6 million (or 63.5%) were
created by small business!

Since people who own and operate their own business take "pride" in their
work, it is common for their quality and efficiency to bemuch higher. In
many cases small businesses are known for providing their customers
personalized and customized, high-quality products and services.

Just compare a "temp help" in a big company with an independent home-business
owner. If a temporary is hired for 40 hours per week, he or she may not give
the customer-company 40 hours in production. Part of those 40 hours is spent
on orientation, gathering office supplies, getting the computer turned on and
paper loaded, etc.) This breaks down the actual time spent working and
producing for the company to about 25 hours, with 15 hours lost per week
through no fault of your (or their) own.

However, the home worker different. The home worker will charge for time
actually spent on the job. If you produce 10 pages of text at a price of
$4 per page, you would charge $40 for the completed job. The company does
not pay you per hour, but for the amount of work you complete. This saves
the company money _ and we mean BIG money. Now all you have to do is convince
the larger companies of this concept and your business at home will flourish!

There is only one drawback to being in a small business. People do not take
you seriously at first. Companies will try and take advantage of you when
you are not established. Why? Because they know you need the business and
they want to continue receiving "something for nothing."

Human nature continues to strike me with awe. If I could purchase a
higher-quality product from a small business for $15, why would I go to
the mall and purchase a lower-quality version for $60? There are many small
businesses that design crafts that could never be purchased in a store.
These crafts show human pride and quality that could never be mass produced.
But why do people continue paying for lower quality at a higher price? Is it
the money-back guarantee? I don't think so because the toys you purchase at
premium rates around Christmas time normally break and are destroyed by
December 26. Do you return them? Most people don't, so what good is a
money-back guarantee?

And wouldn't a hand-crafted product withstand more abuse than it's
store-bought counterpart? So what if you have to make your purchase at
someone's place of residence? Don't they offer a money-back guarantee also
and wouldn't they be easier to locate if you did want a refund? Wouldn't all
this be much more personable than a mall with 1,000's of screaming people
fighting you to the next Blue Light special?

With this same type of human nature involved, larger businesses will try and
take advantage of smaller companies. Why? To tell you the truth, I really
don't know. If I had to pay $80 per hour to have my computer serviced by IBM,
but I knew a small business owner could do the same job for $25 per hour,
I'd be more than happy to pay the small business their $25.

ADULT BOOK & VIDEO CLUB

2009-07-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

For Mature Audiences Only

It is not the intention of this publication to proliferate or encourage
sexually oriented merchandise. However, as an observer of entrepreneurial
activities, this medium would be naive and pretentious to ignore a
profitable, legal business that could possibly be of interesdt to others.

The concept is plain and simple. Renting video tapes is profitable business.
Renting adult videos is even more profitable.
Most adults will watch x-rated tapes only occasionally. This attitude does
not warrant them to purchase video tapes. They would rather pay a premium
to rent the tapes that they want.

BUY WHOLESALE Sources for adult videos include local distributors,
used tape distributors, and catalog houses.
The average adult video costs $40. In volume, you can buy them
wholesale for around $15 each.

RENTAL REVENUES Since adult videos are not sensitive to release
schedules, they do not get dated in the same manner as theatrical
films. As a result, adult videos generally enjoy a longer shelf
life.

Because of this, it can be rented more often and over a longer period of
time. Where the average video can be rented approximately 40 times over a
period of 12 months, adult videos can extend well in to 50 or 60 times.

If you rent your videos even at $2 each, you can expect rental revenues of
around $100 per tape per year.

If you purchased the video for $15, you have just multiplied your investment
4 times. Furthermore, you can offer your year-old tapes for sale for around
$12 each. (Note that selling adult videos across state lines is a Federal
offense. Ifd you want to sell tapes, sell them to your members in your
local area. Likewise, you should check your local zoning regulations
regarding this business.)

information every business plan

2009-07-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

This is a logical organization of the information every business plan should cover. I'll explain each of these chapter titles in greater detail, but first, let me elaborate upon the reasons for proper organization of your business plan.

Having a set of "questions to answer" about your business forces you to take an objective and critical look at your ideas. Putting it all down on paper allows you to change, erase and refine everything to function in the manner of a smoothly oiled machine. You'll be able to spot weaknesses and strengthen them before they develop into major problems. Overall, you'll be developing an operating manual for your business - a valuable tool which will keep your business on track, and guide you in the profitable management of your business.

Because it's your idea, and your business, it's very important that YOU do the planning. This is YOUR business plan, so YOU develop it, and put it all down on paper just the way YOU want it to read. Seek out the advice of other people; talk with, listen
to, and observe, other people running similar businesses; enlist the advice of your accountant and attorney - but at the bottom line, don't ever forget that it has to be YOUR BUSINESS PLAN!

Remember too, that statistics show the greatest causes of business failure to be poor management and lack of planning - without a plan by which to operate, no one can manage; and without a direction in which to aim its efforts, no business can attain any real success.

On the very first page, which is the title page, put down the name of your business - ABC ACTION - with your business address underneath. Now, skip a couple of lines, and write in all capital letters: PRINCIPAL OWNER - followed by your name if you're the principal owner. On your finished report, you would want to center this information on the page, with the words "principal owner" offset to the left about five spaces.

Example: ABC ACTION
1234 SW 5th Ave. Anywhere, USA 00000

PRINCIPAL OWNER: Your Name

That's all you'll have on that page, except the page number...
-1-

Following your title page is the page for your statement of purpose. This should be a simple statement of your primary business function, such as: We are a service business engaged in the business of selling business success manuals and other information by mail.

The title of the page should be in all capital letters across the top of the page, centered on your final draft - skip a few lines and write the statement of purpose. This should be direct, clear and short - never more than two (2) sentences in length.

Then you should skip a few lines, and from the left hand margin of the paper, write out a subheading in all capital letters, such as: EXPLANATION OF PURPOSE.
From, and within this subheading, you can briefly explain your statement of purpose, such as: Our surveys have found most entrepreneurs to be "sadly" lacking in basic information that will enable them to achieve success. This market is estimated at more than 100 million persons, with at least half of these people actively "searching" for sources that provide the kind of information they want, and need.

With our business, advertising and publishing experience, it is our goal to capture at least half of this market of information seekers, with our publication, MONEY MAKING MAGIC! Our market research indicates we can achieve this goal, and realize a profit of $1,000,000 per year within the next 5 years...

The above example is generally the way you should write your "explanation of purpose," and in subtle definition, why you need such an explanation. Point to remember: Keep it short. Very few business purpose explanations are justifiably more than a half page long.

Next comes your table of contents page. Don't really worry about this one until you've got the entire plan completed and ready for final typing. It's a good idea though, to list the subjects (chapter titles) as I have, and then check off each one as you complete that part of your plan. By having a list of the points you want to cover, you'll also be able to skip around and work on each phase of your business plan as the idea or the interest in organizing that particular phase, stimulates you. In other words, you won't have to make your thinking or your planning conform to the chronological order of the "chapters" of your business plan - another reason for the loose leaf notebook...

In describing your business, it's best to begin where your statement of purpose leaves off. Describe your product, the production process, who has responsibility for what, and most importantly, what makes you product or service unique - what gives it an edge in your market. You can briefly summarize your business beginnings, present position and potential for future success, as well.

Next, describe the buyers you're trying to reach - why they need and want or will buy your product - and the results of any tests or surveys you may have conducted. Once you've defined your market, go on to explain how you intend to reach that market - how
you'll alert these prospects to your product or service and induce them to buy. You might want to break this chapter down into sections such as... publicity and promotions, advertising plans, direct sales force, and dealer/distributor programs. Each sect ion would then be an outline of your plans and policies.

Moving into the chapter on competition, identify who your competitors are their weaknesses and strong points - explain how you intend to capitalize on those weaknesses and match or better the strong points. Talk to as many of your "indirect" competitors as possible - those operating in different cities and states.

One of the easiest ways of gathering a lot of useful information about your competitors is by developing a series of survey questions and sending these questionnaires out to each of them. Later on, you might want to compile the answers to these questionnaires into some form of directory or report on this type of business.

It's also advisable to contact the trade associations and publications serving your proposed type of, business. For information on trade associations and specific trade publications, visit your public library, and after explaining what you want, ask for the librarian's help.

The chapter on management should be an elaboration on the people operating the business. Those people that actually run the business - their job titles, duties, responsibilities and backfilled resume's. It's important that you "paint" a strong picture of your top management people because the people coming to work for you or investing in your business, will be "investing in these people" as much as your product ideas. Individual tenacity, mature judgement under fire, and innovative problem-solving have "won over" more people than all the AAA Credit Ratings and astronomical sales figures put together.

People becoming involved with any new venture want to know that the person in charge - the guy running the business knows what he's doing, will not lose his cool when problems arise, and has what it takes to make money for all of them. After showing the "muscle" of this person, go on to outline the other key positions within your business; who the persons are you've selected to handle those jobs and the sources as well as availability of any other help you might need.

If you've been in business on any kind of scale, the next chapter is a picture of your financial status - a review of your operating costs and income from the business to date. Generally, this is a listing of your profit & loss statements for the past six months, plus copies of your business income tax: records for each of the previous three years the business has been an entity.

The chapter on the explanation of your plans for the future growth of your business is just that - an explanation of how you plan to keep your business growing - a detailed guide of what you're going to do, and how you're going to increase your profits.
These plans should show your goals for the coming year, two years, and three years. By breaking your objectives down into annual milestones, your plans will be accepted as more realistic and, be more understandable as a part of your ultimate success.

Following this explanation, you'll need to itemize the projected cost and income figures of your three year plan. It'll take a lot of research, and undoubtedly a good deal of erasing, but it's very important that you list these figures based upon thorough investigation. You may have to adjust some of your plans downward, but once you've got these two chapters on paper, your whole business plan will fall into line and begin to make sense. You'll have a precise "map" of where you're headed, how much it's going to cost, when you can expect to start making money, and how much.

Now that you know where you're going, how much it's going to cost and how long it's going to be before you begin to recoup your investment, you're ready to talk about how and where you're going to get the money to finance your journey. Unless you're independently wealthy, you'll want to use this chapter to list the possibilities and alternatives.

Make a list of friends you can approach, and perhaps induce to put up some money as silent partners. Make a list of those people you might be able to sell as stockholders in your company - in many cases you can sell up to $300,000 worth of stock on a "private issue" basis without filing papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Check with a corporate or tax attorney in your area for more details. Make a list of relatives and
friends that might help you with an outright loan to furnish money for the development of your business.

Then search out and make a list of venture capital organizations. Visit the Small Business Administration office in your area - pick up the loan application papers they have - read them, study them, and even fill them out on a preliminary basis - and finally, check the costs, determine which business publications would be best to advertise in, if you were to advertise for a partner or investor, and write an ad you'd want to use if you did decide to advertise for monetary help.

With a listing of all the options available to your needs, all that's left is the arranging of these options in the order you would want to use them when the time comes to ask for money. When you're researching these money sources, you'll save time by noting the "contact" to deal with when you want money, and whenever possible, by developing a working relationship with these people.

In your documentation section, you should have a credit report on yourself. Use the yellow pages or check at the credit department in your bank for the nearest credit reporting office. When, you get your credit report, look it over ant take whatever steps are necessary to eliminate any negative comments. Once these have been taken care of, ask for a revised copy of your report and include a copy of that in your business plan.

If you own any patents or copyrights, include copies of these. Any licenses to use someone else's patent or copyright should also be included. If you own the distribution, wholesale or exclusive sales rights to a product, include copies of this documentation. You should also include copies of any leases, special agreements or other legal papers that might be pertinent to your business.

In conclusion, write out a brief, overall summary of your business - when the business was started, the purpose of the business, what makes your business different, how you're going to gain a profitable share of the market, and your expected success during the coming 5-years...

The last page of your business plan is a "courtesy page" listing the names, addresses and phone numbers of personal and business references - persons who have known you closely for the past five years or longer - and companies or firms you've had business or credit dealings with during the past five years.

And, that's it - your complete business plan. Before you send it out for formal typing, read it over once a day for a week or ten days. Take care of any changes or corrections, and then have it reviewed by an attorney and then, an accountant. It would also be a good idea to have it reviewed by a business consultant serving the business community to which your business will be related. After these reviews, and any last-minute changes you want to make, it'll be ready for formal typing.

Hire a professional typist to type the entire plan on ordinary white bond paper. Make sure you proofread it against the original. Check for and correct any typographical errors then one more time - read it through for clarity and the perfection you want of it.

Now you're ready to have it printed and published for whatever use you have planned for it - distribution amongst your partners or stockholders, as the business plan for putting together a winning financial proposal, or as a business operating manual.

Take it to a quality printed in your area, and have three copies printed. Don't settle for photocopying... Have it printed! Photocopying leaves a slight film on the paper, and will detract from the overall professionalism of your business plan, when presented to someone you're trying to impress. So, after going to all this work to put it together properly, go all the way and have it duplicated properly.

Next, stop by a stationery store, variety store or even a dimestore, and pick up an ordinary, inexpensive bind-in theme cover for each copy of your business plan. Have the holes punched in the pages of your business report to fit these binders and then slip each copy into a binder of its own.

Now you can relax, take a break ant feel good about yourself... You have a complete and detailed business plan with which to operate a successful business of your own... A plan you can use as a basis for any financing proposal you may want to submit... And a precise road-map for the attainment of real success...

Congratulations

Dating and Escort Service

2009-07-01T04:23:00.000-07:00

Starting and operating a successful Dating and Escort Service can bring in $60,000 or more per year for the sharp, aggressive, imaginative business person. The secret to success with a business of this kind is advertising that presents your services with a "show business" flair - while still maintaining good taste.

Most successful Escort Services are natural expansions of businesses begun originally as Introduction and Dating Services.

To get started, you need an impressive looking application form. Research into a number of successful operations seems to indicate that a four-page application works well.

This should be typeset with an attractive letterhead or company masthead on 11 by 17 inch paper, folded in half to give the impression of a "personnel file." Your best paper colors are either pale blue or ivory. The better paper stock you can afford, the more impressive your application will be - giving a greater aura of credibility to your business, and thus to prospective clients.

In addition to the usual questions such as name, address, telephone number, marital status, place of employment, hobbies, likes and dislikes, your application should contain:

**** A short personality test which can be obtained with a bit of research at your
public library. For ideas, samples, and even tests you can use intact, be sure
to check some of the modern women's magazines. And don't discount the
idea of registering at an already established business of this type; or possibly
you can see their application form without actually involving yourself any
further. Or inquire among friends and acquaintances who have registered
with a dating or escort service.

**** Near the end of the application, you should include a short paragraph
pointing up the fact that your organization, in addition to bringing people
together as a dating service, also provides an escort service for out-of-town
visitors and local non-members. You then pose the question: "Would you
be interested in these kinds of dates, which would include all expenses, and
a minimum fee of $25 for what usually amounts to a very delightful time
with an interesting person. Your only obligation ever is to be your usual
charming self, and enjoy."

**** Just before or above the blank for your applicant's signature, include a legal
disclaimer to any responsibilities or promises implied and/or not specifically
stated within the application.

The building in which you locate: For this one, you'll need a store-front office, and it should be in a better part of the business district in your city. Try to select a site that is
upbeat and attractive without being "jivey" - one that would appeal to the more conservative or mature as well as the younger generation. Many of your clients are going to be mature, and be reminded, the mature, intelligent sector of our society is "getting younger" and more vigorous, "still interested in life" more than in years past. In other words, the section where you locate should reflect a modern attitude, but with solid values.

The reception area of your office should be large and comfortable, with as expensive a look as you can manage. Your receptionist is very important - very. She should be attractive, with a vivacious and outgoing personality. She should be able to quickly put your prospective clients at ease, and generally make them feel that belonging to your group is going to be the beginning of happier times, fun, and lasting friendships.

You should have at least two expensive looking picture scrapbooks on the coffee table in your reception room. These you can fill with portrait or candid shots of your members and clients. These pictures can pose a problem for you while you are in the beginning stages - so don't hesitate to gather pictures of various relatives, friends who are not necessarily located in your area - or even visit a nearby campus and ask if you can take
pictures of some of their best looking men and women. You will need to get a release signed by each one, and you simply explain that you are putting together a picture display book of terrific looking people in the area for the promotion of your business, and their names and any other information will not be publicized or released.

After your prospective client has filled out the application, the next step is a personal interview. Your office should be cozy and comfortable, but business-like, and you should arrange for uninterrupted time in complete privacy with each person.

You should use the interview to go over the application, answer any questions, and close the membership sale. You also use this interview as the basis of your estimate of the kind of person most likely to match this client. Be empathetic with your clients; you are going to meet people who are tired of the "dating game" as it is usually played out in singles bars and unproductive groups they had joined before. You might get added help in the area of interviewing by writing for advertising material and brochures from similar services in other areas, adapting any techniques you like to your own interviewing process.

Most escort services we looked into publish a monthly newsletter with tidbits of information and gossip about members. Who's doing what; job changing; who's travelling where; plus a listing of upcoming events and activities. Listing the names of new members is also a good idea, and quotes from members who are active and enjoying the service. Some of these newsletters feature "girl and guy of the month," with lots of pictures - "on
the town," involved in hobbies at home, and candid shots in everyday life. Usually, the escort service itself will sponsor an "all membership" party about once every three months to introduce other members and project a sense of "family" and belonging.

As we said earlier, advertising is the key to your success with this project. A small classified ad, run for about a week in the "Personals" column of your area newspaper, should start the ball rolling for you. Some ideas for pulling inquiries from men might read like this: "Career woman, new to area, seeking dates with honest, fun-loving guys. Call Barbara 123-4567;" or, "Young recent divorcee ready to start dating again. Call Linda at 234-5678."

And for attracting inquiries from women: "Young business executive wants to meet eligible ladies. Call Ron at 345-6789;" or, "Active and ambitious young man wants to meet wholesome, All-American kind of girl. Call Brian at 456-7890."

At the time you have an ad of this type running, you'll want to have bulletin board ads and notices on all the college campuses, in as many company newspapers as you can get into, and wherever people are most likely to take notice. This ad should be a straight advertisement inviting people to "get out of the rat race" of the singles game by joining your organization. You'll of course emphasize confidentiality, respectability, and the fact you deal only with people who are really serious about meeting new friends and forming lasting relationships.

Your ads soliciting new members should tell readers you'll help them meet new friends and enjoy dates with people especially matched to their own likes and dislikes. A sense of fun and excitement should be conveyed, but at the same time, honesty, respectability and trust. You cannot use flashy headlines or pictures of models that give a connotation of an invitation into the bedroom. Write your ads from the point of view of the people you want to sell to - build from what you believe to be their special wants, and visualize their thinking. Put yourself in the place of a prospective new member, and understand that it takes a great deal of nerve, we might even call it COURAGE, to make that move to ask for help in dating. (It is generally easier to just let things slide along - stay in that same old "lonesome rut" than to ask for help - and risk disappointment.)

You'll have to have a "planned explanation" when people call in answer to your ads. Quickly get the name and phone number, ask a few questions, then set up an appointment for him or her to come into your office. When you are in the interview, be bright, inviting, but factual and brief - and don't lose control of the conversation. Best to have your questions and answers written out in the order that works best to pull the prospect into your office, and then follow it to the letter.

When you're ready to expand with Escort Services, get the word out to all the likely places where people wanting these services will see your ads or hear about you in friend-to-friend conversation. Have some interesting posters made up inviting people to call asking about your good-looking, friendly and charming escorts for every occasion - dinner dates, banquets, parties, theater dates, dancing, special occasions. Try to get one of these up on the wall at the airport, train and bus stations, and in the better hotel and motel lobbies in your area - anywhere else that travelers are likely to notice them.

Run a regular ad in your Thursday and Friday papers, and also in the yellow pages of your telephone directory. Pass out business cards to all the car rental agencies and the restaurants near the travel centers and to anyone and everyone having any thing to do with convention or tourist arrangements in your area.

You will have to experiment and test to determine the right fee to charge for providing an escort, but with most escort services, the minimum is $50, plus all expenses.

This is a business that will provide pleasure and profit to a person who is out-going, fun-loving, gregarious, but who is sensitive to the needs of others, and enjoys seeing people "get a new start," or seeing more reserved ones "come out of their shells." It takes more to get started in this business than it does for some other endeavors, but this is one that can start small and grow, improve, and even spread to franchising size.e signed by each one, and you simply explain that.

raising money for a business

2009-06-30T02:38:00.000-07:00

The task of raising money for a business is not as difficult as most people seem to think. This is especially true when you have an idea that can make you and your backers rich. Actually, there's more money available for new business ventures than there are good business ideas.

A very important rule of the game to learn: Anytime you want to raise money, your first move should be to put together a proper prospectus.

This prospectus should include a resume of your background, your education, training, experience and any other personal qualities that might be counted as an asset to your potential success. It's also a good idea to list the various loans you've had in the past, what they were for, and your history in paying them off.

You'll have to explain in detail how the money you want is going to be used. If it's for an existing business, you'll need a profit and loss record for at least the preceding six months, and a plan showing how this additional money will produce greater profits. If it's a new business, you'll have to show your proposed business plan, your marketing research and projected costs, as well as anticipated income figures, with a summary for each year, over at least a three year period.

It'll be advantageous to you to base your cost estimates high, and your income projections on minimal returns. This will enable you to "ride thru" those extreme "ups and downs" inherent in any beginning business. You should also describe what makes your
business unique - how it differs from your competition, and the opportunities for expansion or secondary products.

This prospectus will have to state precisely what you're offering the investor in return for the use of his money. He'll want to know the percentage of interest you're willing to pay, and whether monthly, quarterly or on an annual basis. Are you offering a certain percentage of the profits? A percentage of the business? A seat on your board of directors?

An investor uses his money to make more money. He wants to make as much as he can, regardless whether it's a short term or long term deal. In order to attract him, interest him, and persuade him to "put up" the money you need, you'll not only have to offer him an opportunity for big profits, but you'll have to spell it out in detail, and further, back up your claims with proof from your marketing research.

Venture investors are usually quite familiar with "high risk" proposals, yet they all want to minimize that risk as much as possible. Therefore, your prospectus should include a listing of your business and personal assets with documentation - usually copies of your tax returns for the past three years or more. Your prospective investor may not know anything about you or your business, but if he wants to know, he can pick up his telephone and know everything there is to know within 24 hours. The point here is, don't ever try to "con" a potential investor. Be honest with him. Lay all the facts on the table for him. In most cases, if you've got a good idea and you've done your homework properly, an "interested investor" will understand your position and offer more help than you dared to ask.

When you have your prospectus prepared, know how much money you want, exactly how it will be used, and how you intend to repay it, you're ready to start looking for investors.

As simple as it seems, one of the easiest ways of raising money is by advertising in a newspaper or a national publication featuring such ads. Your ad should state the amount of money you want - always ask for more money than you need so you have room
for negotiating. Your ad should also state the type of business involved (to separate the curious from the truly interested), and the kind of return you're promising on the investment.

Take a page from the party plan merchandisers. Set up a party and invite your friends over. Explain your business plan, the profit potentials, and how much you need. Give them each a copy of your prospectus and ask that they pledge a thousand dollars as
a non-participating partner in your business. Check with the current tax regulations. You may be allowed up to 25 partners in Sub Chapter 5 enterprises, opening the door for anyone to gather a group of friends around himself with something to offer them in return for their assistance in capitalizing his business.

You can also issue and sell up to $300,000 worth of stock in your company with out going through the Federal Trade Commission. You'll need the help of an attorney to do this, however, and of course a good tax accountant as well wouldn't hurt.

It's always a good idea to have an attorney and an accountant help you make up your business prospectus. As you explain your plan to them, and ask for their advice, casually ask them if they'd mind letting you know of, or steer your way any potential investors they might happen to meet. Do the same with your banker. Give him a copy of your prospectus and ask him if he'd look it over and offer any suggestions for improving it, and of course, let you know of any potential investors. In either case, it's always a good idea to let them know you're willing to pay a "finder's fee" if you can be directed to the right investor.

Olive Garden House Dressing

2009-06-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

Olive Garden House Dressing.

8 ounces Paul Newman's Vinegar

and Oil Dressing

1 clove garlic,

peeled and minced

1/2 teaspoon Dried basil

1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano

3 packages Sweet and Low ; ; or

1 tablespoon Sugar

Put ingredients into the bottle of dressing and shake well.

Refrigerate 24 hours before using.

Naruto

2009-06-27T23:19:00.000-07:00

Naruto

With the announcement that actors have been cast, news of the Naruto live action show has spread rapidly.The show, which will combine live stage with video to give a "seamless transition" from stage to screen, premiers on July 18th and will feature "dynamic action sequences". The show will run daily from the premier date through to August 31st with 40 shows playing altogether.There will be four collectible fans to get your hands on when you order your tickets from the USJ website, and there will also be popcorn packets with original Naruto illustrations.So how well will the cast of the show portray their characters. They would certainly have similarities as far as looks are concerned, but it's unlikely that they would have any striking similarities as anime tends to exaggerate features. One commenter remarked "Well, its not like it's easy to find a 50 year old with huge boobs."Though the thought of seeing this show is exiting, one can't help but wonder whether this is merely a stepping stone for Universal Studios to bring a live action Naruto movie to the big screen. It's possible that this is simply an attraction to bring visitors to their theme park, but when you're dealing with money hungry movie companies it's hard to believe they are not considering something more.Putting on this show would present them with a perfect opportunity to research the fans interest in seeing a live action film by observing how well tickets sell and also how the audience react to the show - do they like it despite the limitations of live action as opposed to animation?With the announcement that actors have been cast, news of the Naruto live action show has spread rapidly.The show, which will combine live stage with video to give a "seamless transition" from stage to screen, premiers on July 18th and will feature "dynamic action sequences". The show will run daily from the premier date through to August 31st with 40 shows playing altogether.There will be four collectible fans to get your hands on when you order your tickets from the USJ website, and there will also be popcorn packets with original Naruto illustrations.So how well will the cast of the show portray their characters. They would certainly have similarities as far as looks are concerned, but it's unlikely that they would have any striking similarities as anime tends to exaggerate features. One commenter remarked "Well, its not like it's easy to find a 50 year old with huge boobs."Though the thought of seeing this show is exiting, one can't help but wonder whether this is merely a stepping stone for Universal Studios to bring a live action Naruto movie to the big screen. It's possible that this is simply an attraction to bring visitors to their theme park, but when you're dealing with money hungry movie companies it's hard to believe they are not considering something more.Putting on this show would present them with a perfect opportunity to research the fans interest in seeing a live action film by observing how well tickets sell and also how the audience react to the show - do they like it despite the limitations of live action as opposed to animation?With the announcement that actors have been cast, news of the Naruto live action show has spread rapidly.

The show, which will combine live stage with video to give a "seamless transition" from stage to screen, premiers on July 18th and will feature "dynamic action sequences". The show will run daily from the premier date through to August 31st with 40 shows playing altogether.

There will be four collectible fans to get your hands on when you order your tickets from the USJ website, and there will also be popcorn packets with original Naruto illustrations.

So how well will the cast of the show portray their characters. They would certainly have similarities as far as looks are concerned, but it's unlikely that they would have any striking similarities as anime tends to exaggerate features. One commenter remarked "Well, its not like it's easy to find a 50 year old with huge boobs."

Though the thought of seeing this show is exiting, one can't help but wonder whether this is merely a stepping stone for Universal Studios to bring a live action Naruto movie to the big screen. It's possible that this is simply an attraction to bring visitors to their theme park, but when you're dealing with money hungry movie companies it's hard to believe they are not considering something more.

Putting on this show would present them with a perfect opportunity to research the fans interest in seeing a live action film by observing how well tickets sell and also how the audience react to the show - do they like it despite the limitations of live action as opposed to animation?

Right Medical Billing and Coding Training

2009-06-27T04:34:00.000-07:00

Medical billing and coding training courses costs a lot, that is why it is very important to find the most valuable course. This article will describe the vital aspects of an effective training course.

A good course will get you up to speed with everything required to become a successful medical billing professional. The majority of the training can be completed online. Online courses are more convenient, and are usually preferred by most people. A thorough training course usually takes about 6 to 12 months to complete. More extensive training, such as an associates' degree programs or bachelors' programs, may be up to 2 to 4years, respectively.

Before you spend your hard earned money, make sure that your training course is accredited by one of the following organizations and bodies: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, American Health Information Management Association or Regional Accrediting Bodies.

A solid training course will provide you with the necessary expertise for medical billing and coding. This includes being comfortable with registering patients' information, performing an insurance verification, preparing and posting transactions, charging patient accounts, coding and billing insurance claims and collecting patient payments.

By the end of the training, the students usually have a solid understanding and substantial knowledge of the medical terminology and abbreviations, communication techniques, various insurance plans (Commercial, State, Federal insurance plans, etc.), the Accounts Receivable cycle (i.e., registering patients, accounting transactions posting, insurance claim forms' completion, collections, etc.), as well as medical coding and billing itself.

The requirements for the majority of the training courses include: keyboarding proficiency, basic understanding of Microsoft Word, and a good command of written English. Students are usually not required to have any health care work experience.

It is a good idea to take a course provided by a local university or college. The overwhelming majority of these courses are accredited so you don't have to worry about whether your education will be acceptable. Registration takes place at the university or college where medical billing course is being offered. Registration can at times be done over the telephone or online. These courses are usually conducted online, and students may be completely saved from the trouble of traveling to school. Therefore, it's a good idea to search out a university or school which offers the best courses at the lowest fee, without worrying about how far it is located.

A big advantage of medical billing training courses is that they are usually self-paced. You can complete the course at your own pace. For most of the courses, you will get at least 6 months to complete the it (depending on the course). However, if you think you need more time, you can usually extend your course by at least another 6 months.

Options Trading

2009-06-27T04:29:00.000-07:00

There are many traders who still consider options and warrants to be long term trading markets, but options can even be traded short term. It is important to understand that trading options short terms is not dramatically different from trading any other market but there are a couple of options specifics that need to be taken into account. In short term trading, the aptitude to steer the short term market is a key component for continued success. As an equity trader one has to learn to trade with the short trend of the markets to reduce market risk.

An option trading is a strategy that does not depend on the market direction; in fact it does well in volatile markets. With options trading there are two methods through which you can enter a long trade and short terms trade. While a long fundamental trade can be entered either by buying a call or by selling a put, a short underlying trade can be entered either by buying a put or by selling a call.

In short term options trading calculating risk reward is yet another important point that trader need to well aware of. Calculating the risk reward can be defined as the amount trader would risk if he or she were wrong and the amount trader would make if he or she were right. If we don't figure out this number, the chances are more where we may find the stock that may go in favor but the option goes against.

If we compare long term and short term options trading, then both have their own advantages. However, buying short term options can be very beneficial as it gives more control. It very general that no one can exactly make prediction very clearly when it comes to stock trading. It's really hard to predict what will happen to a stock 3 months down the road. Though sometimes it is easier to predict which way the stock will be heading in just a few weeks as opposed to a few months. Thus, selling short term options allow capture more premiums over a longer time frame.

How Disability Coverage and Disability Insurance Work?

2009-06-25T23:36:00.000-07:00

Q: I was recently injured during a softball game and my doctor said I could not return to work for 9-12 months. Am I eligible for New Jersey disability coverage? Are there other additional forms of disability coverage?

The Problem - Not Understanding Your Disability Benefits
Three in 10 workers entering the work force today will become disabled before retiring. An illness or accident will keep 1 in 5 workers out of work for at least a year during their working careers. Unfortunately, over 70% of working Americans do not have enough savings to meet short-term emergencies. Most people do not understand their disability benefits until they are disabled.

The Solution - Understanding Your Disability Benefits
New Jersey is one of only five states that offers disability benefits to their work force. Just a quick background on disability benefits and disability insurance. Let's start with a basic definition of a disability. It is an accident, condition or illness that prevents you from performing your job responsibilities. Interestingly, a maternity leave may qualify you for disability benefits. Unlike workers compensation insurance, which provides coverage for injuries on the job, disability benefits covers workers for non-work related events.

Before we dig into disability benefits, let's dispel two common myths about publicly provided disability benefits.

Myth No. 1: The State of New Jersey Provides Adequate Coverage
Unfortunately, NJ provides the lesser of two-thirds of your weekly wage or $502 per week. Benefits are limited to 26 weeks or $13,052 and are not payable immediately. Most individuals cannot survive on this meager benefit.

Myth No. 2: The Federal Government Provides Adequate Coverage
Unfortunately, the federal government's Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is available to those out of work for at least one year. A startling 70% of claims are denied. The average monthly SSDI benefit is a mere $978. Clearly, this is an inadequate benefit for those individuals that do qualify for benefits.

Disability Insurance (DI) provides a source of replacement income during your disability. It provides an income stream to partially replace the wages lost when you are unable to work for an extended period of time. Most policies limit coverage to 60%-70% of your previous income.

State laws and insurance regulations are designed to discourage workers from realizing the same level of income while disabled. In essence, it provides an incentive to return to the work force.

Disability Insurance Policies Should be Examined Based on Three Key Criteria:

1. Elimination Period
This defines how long you will be precluded from receiving benefits. The longer the elimination period, the lower the cost of the policy.

2. Benefit Period
This defines how long a benefit will be paid. A typical benefit period is through the age of 65. Coincidently, this is the age at which many workers are eligible for full benefits under Social Security.

3. Inflation Protection
This is a critical part of any policy. In order to keep up with the rising costs of living, most policies provide for inflation protection ranging from the 3% to 5% compounded on an annual basis.

Many employers provide a combination of short and or long-term disability benefits. These benefits may or may not be employer paid or subsidized. Although benefits provided by an employer may come with a lower price tag, due to group pricing, they are not generally transferable if you leave the employer. An individual DI policy provides much greater flexibility, as it is not tied to a specific employer.

Rent Stabilized Apartments

2009-06-25T23:24:00.000-07:00

What is a rent stabilized apartment?

The laws concerning rent stabilization and rent controlled apartments can be quite complicated. To simplify the important information as much as possible, we believe you need to know the following:

There are three qualifications

1. Apartments in buildings of six or more units built between February 1, 1947 and January 1, 1974.

2. Tenants in buildings of six or more units built before February 1, 1947 and who moved in after June 30, 1971

3. Buildings with three or more apartments constructed or extensively renovated since 1974 with special tax benefits.

If an apartment is rent stabilized, the rent can only be increased between three and five percent per year (depending on the year), unless one of the following occurs:

For the owner to increase the rent of the apartment:

- The apartment is renovated. If the apartment is renovated, 1/40th of the total cost of renovation can be added to the apartment's monthly rent.

(If the rent for an apartment is $1,000 and an owner spends $8,000 renovating the apartment, the owner can add $8,000/40 = $200 to the rent for a new total rent of $1,200.)

- If there is an MCI (major capitol improvement) to the building, the cost of this improvement can be added to the rent of every apartment located in the building.

(The formula for calculating the exact increase is quite complicated, but a basic example is as follows: the owner replaces the roof of a building with 100 apartments at a cost of $20,000. The owner can then increase the rent of each apartment by $20,000/100(apartments) = $200 (per apartment)/12(months) = $16.66 per month rent increase to each apartment in the building. Again, this is a very simplified version of the actual formula.)

Have You Ever Wondered What Colon Cleanse Is?

2009-06-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

A natural colon cleanse process is essential for a human body. There have been numerous instances wherein people from across the globe have claimed to regain their lost health using the colon cleanse supplements on a regular basis. Let us now discuss what colonic cleansing actually stands for.

Colon Cleanse Is A Natural Healer

A colonic cleansing process is often confused with the application of laxatives. This is incorrect as laxatives are simply 'over the counter' medications which are mainly used to provide proper bowel movements for a short span of time. Over a period of time, laxatives can start causing problems for a human body. The main reason behind this is the presence of harsh chemicals in them. On the contrary, a colon cleansing supplement is completely natural and free from harmful side effects.

It Is Essential For A Longer Life

Colon cleansing is definitely linked with longevity. There have been numerous instances wherein people have managed to increase their general life span after having used a natural colon supplement. Besides flushing harmful toxins from within the digestive tract, a natural colon supplement has the ability to increase your existing life span by keeping your body free of diseases.

It Cleanses Plaques and Parasites

Colon cleanse supplements are used to cleanse the digestive tract. Whenever the colon is flushed clean of impacted fecal matter that has been accumulated for years, the chances are that you also get rid of the plaque and parasites as well. When plaques and parasites are removed, you can hope to get rid of chronic abdominal diseases such as gas, indigestion, chronic constipation and bloating of the stomach at warp speed.

When in a Hill Country Bed

2009-06-24T01:59:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons why places for bed and breakfast in Fredericksburg, Texas and its surrounding areas are so popular for weekend getaways is the quaint, authentic German influence that pervades this small city.

In fact, Fredericksburg was named after Prince Frederick of Prussia, a nephew of King Frederick William III. The county seat of Gillespie County, Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 by Baron Otfried Hans von Meusebach, then the Commissioner General of the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas. The area was settled largely by educated Germans escaping from the Revolutions of 1848, and has a strong German cultural influence even today.

Seemingly to prove this point, this jewel of the Texas Hill Country is also famous as the home of Texas German. This curious dialect is a variation of German spoken by the first generations of settlers who initially refused to learn English. It is best described as a sort of German slang, since anyone with a good understanding of continental German can understand it but may not be able to speak it.

For vacationers staying in a Hill Country bed and breakfast, Fredericksburg is an interesting and beautiful place to visit. The city's main street and its surrounding neighborhoods are rife with old German styling cues, and its bakeries, restaurants, stores and museums are definitely a sight to behold. The best part is, if bed and breakfast in Fredericksburg is a bit too pricey for visitors, there are equally, if not even more, beautiful and competitively priced places in its vicinity. After all, one need not be staying in Fredericksburg itself to know that this place is a must-see when in the Hill Country.

Whether You Have Diabetes

2009-06-22T01:58:00.000-07:00

The typical American lifestyle reads like the ADA's list of risk factors. We're obese and inactive. We eat foods that give us high blood glucose and high cholesterol. We stress ourselves out and raise our blood pressure. It's not surprising, then, that there are over one and a half million people with type 2 diabetes in California alone.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of diabetes. If you find yourself experiencing them, it may be a good idea to check with your doctor.

Frequent urination
Extreme hunger
Excessive thirst
Unexplained weight loss
Blurry vision
Increased fatigue
Irritability

Some people get "pre-diabetes," a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels, but nothing high enough to diagnose as diabetes. This can still be harmful to the body, but if you are aware of the possibility, you can prevent it from ever becoming full-blown diabetes.

The best way to avoid diabetes is to keep your blood glucose levels healthy now. This means eating right - plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains over Wonderbread, fish, dried beans, lean meats, diet drinks over sugar-laden ones, liquid oils over solid fats. This also means cutting back on the desserts and generally watching portion sizes. Really, it's the wonder diet you've been looking for.

The other key to avoiding diabetes is lots of exercise. If you can walk instead of driving, do it. Anything that gets you moving will help, whether its running or climbing or swimming or playing tennis. If you feel that you may be at risk, talk to your doctor about safe exercise for people who may have trouble maintaining healthy glucose levels during exercise.

Get the Facts on Choosing the Right Mutual Fund For You

2009-06-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

Mutual funds should seriously be considered as part of your investment portfolio if they aren't already as they allow for diversification and reduced risk. Gathering as much information is vital to becoming a successful investor. Here are the different types of mutual funds available.

Money Market Funds

These are generally categorized as having the lowest risk as these typically consist of Treasury bills and government bonds. While you shouldn't expect a huge return on your investment, money market funds are ideal for those who are conservative or want to avoid risk altogether. The good thing about these types of funds is that you can expect to get back twice what you would get from a savings account.

Balanced Funds

As you can probably guess by the name, these types of mutual funds invest into different types of assets such as stocks, bonds and other equities. These funds typically consist of 40% fixed income assets with the other 60% invested in equities. These funds are ideal for those investors who want to diversify their risk by investing into different assets while also getting a return on their investment.

Global Fund

Global funds consist of investments around the world and are generally difficult to classify them as being riskier or safer than other types of mutual funds. One thing to note is that depending on the economic climate of the country being invested in, they can be extremely volatile. However, these types of funds are excellent for countries with potential economic growth such as India or China.

FIGHTING PLANT ENEMIES.

2009-06-19T04:02:00.000-07:00

The devices and implements used for fighting plant enemies are of two sorts:

(1) those applied to afford mechanical protection to the plants;

(2) those utilised to apply insecticides and fungicides.

Of the first the almost valuable is the covered frame. It consists usually of a wooden box, some eighteen inches to two feet square and about eight high, covered with glass, protecting cloth, mosquito netting or mosquito wire. The first two coverings have, of naturally, the additional advantage of retaining heat and protecting from cold, building it possible by their use to plant earlier than is otherwise safe. They is used extensively in getting an extra early and safe start with cucumbers, melons and the other vine vegetables.

Simpler devices for protecting newly-set plants, such that as tomatoes or cabbage, from the cut-worm, are stiff, tin, cardboard or tar newspaper collars, which are made several inches high and large enough to be put around the stem and penetrate an inch about into the soil.

For applying poison powders, the home gardener should supply himself with a powder gun. If one must be restricted to a single implement, however, it will be best to get one by the hand-power, compressed-air sprayers. These are used for applying wet sprays, and should be furnished with one and only of the several forms of mist-making nozzles, the non-cloggable automatic type being the best. For a lot of extended work a barrel pump, mounted during wheels, will be desirable, but among the above will do a good deal of work in little time. Extension rods for use in spraying trees and vines could follow received for either. For operations on a very small scale a good hand-syringe may be used, but as a general thing it will be best to invest a few dollars more and get a small tank sprayer, as this throws a continuous stream or spray and holds a much larger amount of the spraying solution. Whatever type is procured, get a brass machine it will out-wear three or four of those made of cheaper metal, which succumbs very quickly to the, corroding action of the strong poisons and chemicals used in them.

Of implements for harvesting, beside the spade, prong-hoe and spading- fork, very few are used in the small garden, as most of them need not only long rows to be economically used, but horse- ability also. The onion harvester attachment for the double wheel hoe, may be used with advantage in loosening onions, beets, turnips, etc., from the soil or for cutting spinach. Running the hand- plow close on either side of carrots, parsnips and other deep-growing vegetables will aid materially in getting them out. For fruit picking, with tall trees, the wire-fingered fruit-picker, secured to the end of a long handle, will be of great assistance, but with the modern method of using low-headed trees it won't be needed.

Another class of garden implements are those used in pruning but where this is adverted to properly from the start, a good sharp jack-knife and a pair of pruning shears will easily handle all the work of the kind necessary.

Still another kind of garden device is that used for supporting the plants; such as stakes, trellises, wires, etc. Altogether too little attention usually is given these, as with proper care in storing over winter they leave not only last for years, but add greatly to the convenience of cultivation and to the neat appearance of the garden.

As a final word to the intending purchaser of garden instruments, I would say: first thoroughly investigate the different sorts available, and when buying, don't forget that a good tool or a well-made machine will be giving you satisfactory use long, long after the price is forgotten, while a poor one is a constant source of discomfort. Get good tools, and take good care of them. And let me repeat that a few dollars a year, judiciously spent, for tools afterward well cared for, will soon give you a very complete set, and add to your garden profit and pleasure.

Hermans Tortoise

2009-06-18T23:41:00.000-07:00

Testudo Hermanni is the Latin name for this little tortoise. It is often better to go by the Latin name rather than the common name to get the best research on the species. The spelling is more usually Hermann with two n's. So this can cause confusion!

If you are thinking of buying one of these little pets to care for at home there are a few things you will need to consider. At first glance, caring for a Herman tortoise may appear to be straight forward as they are well known to thrive in captivity and they are one of the smaller varieties for you to choose from.

If you have decided the this is the species you want then the next few points will help you to plan your enclosure and what you should place in it in order for your pet to live a happy and illness free life. After all many of these creatures do live for a long time!

Top Five Herman tortoise tips

1. How big should your enclosure be? This depends on the size of your pet. This particular species will grow up to 10 inches in length. The males will average about 5 inches. The basic rule is that you should provide at least 3 square foot of space per inch of tortoise. This can be a considerable area to find spare in your home. At first however, you will be fine with a reasonably sized tortoise table or enclosure. But you must keep in mind how large your pet may grow.

2. What sort of environment should you provide for your Herman tortoise? It's natural habitat is Europe from France through southern Italy and Greece. They naturally live in Mediterranean forests and grasslands so you have to try to mimic this as far as is possible in your enclosure.

3. Make plenty of hiding places inside your enclosure so that your pet has time to hide away at times. If they are constantly on show they become stressed and this often leads to physical illness. The substrate (covering on the bottom of the enclosure) is also very important as some types are dangerous for the tortoises digestive tract.

4. Artificial lighting and heating. All chelonians are exothermic (cold blooded) and have to bask in sunshine and heat in order to function normally. Therefore you will have to provide a special reptile lamp that is placed above the enclosure. This is a critical element in the care of your pet. You will also need to provide appropriate photoperiods for your pet as they need to have a certain amount of light in their day or they will again become unwell.

Bird Strikes on Windows

2009-06-18T01:53:00.000-07:00

The dangerous relationships between birds and windows is one that comes in varying degrees. Sometimes it's just a quick peck of bird meeting glass. Others it's a small series of crashes and a flutter of wings. The worst, however, are the jarring impacts that resonate throughout an entire house, leaving you and your family members startled and often crippling or killing the bird.

Sadly, these impacts are far more common than you might think. In an article for Audubon magazine, David Malakoff cited that in North America, window strikes kill between 100 million and 1 billion birds annually. According to an NPR story, Professor Daniel Klem of Mulhenberg College things that Malakoff's estimate is too conservative, and that the real number easily exceeds 1 billion birds in the United States alone.

Why do window strikes happen?

It's hard to know for certain exactly why window strikes happen, but observation has granted some measure of insight. The first, and seemingly most common, rationale is that birds simply cannot see glass. The transparency of the glass makes the window look open, and this is often complicated further by a window on the opposite side of the house. This causes what is commonly referred to as the "tunnel effect," meaning that the bird believes that the two windows lack glass and thus represent a clear tunnel to fly through.

The other primary reason for bird strikes seems to be reflections. Windows in houses and buildings can easily reflect the environments around them. So, while the house or building certainly appears to be a house or building, the windows look more like wooded areas which are perfectly safe for flying.

Ways to prevent window strikes

There are a range of possibilities for preventing window strikes. The most effective method is to remove a window, or to completely cover it with something opaque and non-reflective like wood or cardboard. Granted, this removing a window is a bit drastic and not practical for the vast majority of home owners. Thankfully, with a little understanding as to why birds strike windows, home owners can reduce bird strikes with more people-friendly methods.

Covering Windows

While boarding up windows is an extreme solution, it does prove a point. Putting something between the window's glass and the outside world can both alert a bird to a physical object and prevent reflection. The line for most home owners seems to be when such a covering moves from the area of protecting birds and into the realm of obstructing views. Home owners have several options like summer storm screens, to heavier plastic "shade cloth" and even the commercial CollidEscape film, all of which help to remove transparency and restrict reflection to various extents.

Silhouettes and Obstacles

Another tactic is to prevent the bird from coming near the window. Some homeowners put blockades, such as a tree or bird feeder, in front of a window, particularly windows that are struck with some frequency. If you notice that your bird feeder is causing birds to strike your window, then moving the feeder further from your house would be a prudent move. Another popular method, which works to varying degrees, is to intimidate birds away by way of statues and silhouettes. A statue of an owl, or a cut out made to resemble a flying hawk can cause an errant bird on a collision course with a window to change course.

Buying a Car

2009-06-16T00:34:00.000-07:00

Ah, the topic that never seems to get old when it comes to talking about anything auto-related is the topic of buying a car

for the very first time. Almost everyone who purchases a car for the first time will tell you that it's like trying to commit the perfect crime; no matter how hard you try, you always make mistakes that will catch up to you.

Before you even think about hitting the dealerships, think about who you are as a person as well as the types of things you enjoy doing. Figure out whether or not you even need a vehicle to begin with. Do you travel a lot or are you a home body? Do you live in a small town where everything is within walking and/or biking distance? Do you live out in the country where you would be smart to purchase an SUV or some similar automobile that would be able to traverse rough terrain? These and more are the sorts of questions that you will and should ponder.

Next, you will want to consider how much money you have set aside to purchase a vehicle. While buying an SUV may be the most practical for you based on where you live, it may not be the most affordable option, which will limit you in getting what you want. You need to learn to ignore the salespeople at car dealerships as well but not entirely. Listen to what they have to say, but take everything with a grain of salt knowing full well that at the end of the day, they are trying to make a sale. The tricky thing about salespeople is that many of them are cunning, immediately trying to buddy up to you to pretend like they are your friend. After all, your closest friend wouldn't steer you wrong in buying a car, right?

Know the majority of the fact about the type of vehicle that you want before you head out to the dealership. Especially if you are a woman, you should bring someone with you to the auto dealerships (preferably a male companion who knows something about vehicles and vehicle purchasing). Do not reveal to the salespeople what you do for a living or how much money you pull in each week, month or year because many will use this information against you later to try to guilt you into buying a vehicle, citing that "you can afford it".

Dark Chocolate

2009-06-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

If someone were to tell you to eat more chocolate as part of a healthy diet, you may look at them like they sprouted a second head. Actually, they are right and wrong. Dark chocolate provides many healthy benefits, whereas milk chocolate and white chocolate do not. So, the statement should really be to eat more dark chocolate. The benefits of the healthy chocolate are that it helps fight off bad things in the body.

Dark chocolate offers many good healthy benefits. It has been shown to lower high blood pressure. That's not to say you should eat as much as you can get your hands on, but it is a good treat to have daily to increase the antioxidant levels in your body. The antioxidants destroy the free radicals that get in the body through poor diets and the environment which can lead to heart disease. Studies have been done to compare and contrast dark chocolate, white chocolate and milk chocolate. Dark chocolate, the healthy chocolate, was better for the body hands down over the others.

Although you cannot live on this kind of chocolate alone, making it a part of your daily diet is not a bad idea. Be sure that you balance it out with other healthy foods as well. Vegetables, lean meats and fruits are also important to take in regularly. Replace your sweets intake with the dark chocolate and include with your regular diet to be healthy.

If you hear your friend stating that she needs chocolate to reduce her stress, or to make her feel better after a bad day, then she is expressing the need for seratonin and phenylethylamine, which are mood boosters found in chocolate. Eating chocolate releases those into the body and gives a feel good experience

Condition Yourself to Silky-Smooth

2009-06-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

Many people shy away from conditioner because they think it makes their hair limp or dull-looking. While using conditioner incorrectly can have this effect, using conditioner properly can result in healthy-looking, shiny, well-moisturized hair. Here are a few simple tips to make sure that your conditioner is working for your hair, not weighing it down.

First, you should make sure you're getting conditioner that's formulated for your hair. Conditioners for thick or textured hair are going to weigh down fine hair, and conditioner for dry, damaged hair will overwhelm healthy hair. Unless you have a dry scalp (i.e. during certain times of the year), you don't need to work conditioner into your scalp. The natural oils in your hair take care of the first three inches from your scalp, and putting too much conditioner on the scalp will actually can make the hair look greasy and less bouncy.

Don't use too much conditioner on your hair. With more expensive conditioners like bumble and bumble de coco conditioner, you don't need more than a teaspoon, especially if you don't have long, thick hair. With your drugstore-variety conditioners you might use a little more, but using a palmful of conditioner is almost always going to be too much and will make your hair look lank and heavy.

Although most conditioners work best if you leave them in for 3-5 minutes so that they can really repair and moisturize your hair, make sure you wash the conditioner out completely after you let it sit. Rinse your hair with warm water, as hot water can dry out your hair.

Lighter, spray conditioners are a good alternative for people with extremely fine or thin hair. They keep the hair moisturized without over-conditioning, which can happen more easily with lighter hair. Using a wide-toothed comb while conditioning is another good way to make sure your hair is getting even coverage and isn't getting over-conditioned in some places. Comb the conditioner through your hair completely. This will also get a little to the roots without over conditioning them.

ABC OF BREASTFEEDING

2009-06-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

ABC OF BREASTFEEDING.

From the first moment the infant is applied to the breast, it must be nursed upon a certain plan. This is necessary to the well-doing of the child, and will contribute essentially to preserve the health of the parent, who will thus be rendered a good nurse, and her duty at the same time will become a pleasure.

This implies, however, a careful attention on the part of the mother to her own health; for that of her child is essentially dependent upon it. Healthy, nourishing, and digestible milk can be procured only from a healthy parent; and it is against common sense to expect that, if a mother impairs her health and digestion by improper diet, neglect of exercise, and impure air, she can, nevertheless, provide as wholesome and uncontaminated a fluid for her child, as if she were diligently attentive to these important points. Every instance of indisposition in the nurse is liable to affect the infant.

And this leads me to observe, that it is a common mistake to suppose that, because a woman is nursing, she ought therefore to live very fully, and to add an allowance of wine, porter, or other fermented liquor, to her usual diet. The only result of this plan is, to cause an unnatural degree of fulness in the system, which places the nurse on the brink of disease, and which of itself frequently puts a stop to the secretion of the milk, instead of increasing it. The right plan of proceeding is plain enough; only let attention be paid to the ordinary laws of health, and the mother, if she have a sound constitution, will make a better nurse than by any foolish deviation founded on ignorance and caprice.

The following case proves the correctness of this statement:

A young lady, confined with her first child, left the lying-in room at the expiration of the third week, a good nurse, and in perfect health. She had had some slight trouble with her nipples, but this was soon overcome.

The porter system was now commenced, and from a pint to a pint and a half of this beverage was taken in the four and twenty hours. This was resorted to, not because there was any deficiency in the supply of milk, for it was ample, and the infant thriving upon it; but because, having become a nurse, she was told that it was usual and necessary, and that without it her milk and strength would ere long fail.

After this plan had been followed for a few days, the mother became drowsy and disposed to sleep in the daytime; and headach, thirst, a hot skin, in fact, fever supervened; the milk diminished in quantity, and, for the first time, the stomach and bowels of the infant became disordered. The porter was ordered to be left off; remedial measures were prescribed; and all symptoms, both in parent and child, were after a while removed, and health restored.

Having been accustomed, prior to becoming a mother, to take a glass or two of wine, and occasionally a tumbler of table beer, she was advised to follow precisely her former dietetic plan, but with the addition of half a pint of barley-milk morning and night. Both parent and child continued in excellent health during the remaining period of suckling, and the latter did not taste artificial food until the ninth month, the parent's milk being all-sufficient for its wants.

No one can doubt that the porter was in this case the source of the mischief. The patient had gone into the lying-in-room in full health, had had a good time, and came out from her chamber (comparatively) as strong as she entered it. Her constitution had not been previously worn down by repeated child-bearing and nursing, she had an ample supply of milk, and was fully capable, therefore, of performing the duties which now devolved upon her, without resorting to any unusual stimulant or support. Her previous habits were totally at variance with the plan which was adopted; her system became too full, disease was produced, and the result experienced was nothing more than what might be expected.

The plan to be followed for the first six months. Until the breast- milk is fully established, which may not be until the second or third day subsequent to delivery (almost invariably so in a first confinement), the infant must be fed upon a little thin gruel, or upon one third water and two thirds milk, sweetened with loaf sugar.

After this time it must obtain its nourishment from the breast alone, and for a week or ten days the appetite of the infant must be the mother's guide, as to the frequency in offering the breast. The stomach at birth is feeble, and as yet unaccustomed to food; its wants, therefore, are easily satisfied, but they are frequently renewed. An interval, however, sufficient for digesting the little swallowed, is obtained before the appetite again revives, and a fresh supply is demanded.

At the expiration of a week or so it is essentially necessary, and with some children this may be done with safety from the first day of suckling, to nurse the infant at regular intervals of three or four hours, day and night. This allows sufficient time for each meal to be digested, and tends to keep the bowels of the child in order. Such regularity, moreover, will do much to obviate fretfulness, and that constant cry, which seems as if it could be allayed only by constantly putting the child to the breast. A young mother very frequently runs into a serious error in this particular, considering every expression of uneasiness as an indication of appetite, and whenever the infant cries offering it the breast, although ten minutes may not have elapsed since its last meal. This is an injurious and even dangerous practice, for, by overloading the stomach, the food remains undigested, the child's bowels are always out of order, it soon becomes restless and feverish, and is, perhaps, eventually lost; when, by simply attending to the above rules of nursing, the infant might have become healthy and vigorous.

For the same reason, the infant that sleeps with its parent must not be allowed to have the nipple remaining in its mouth all night. If nursed as suggested, it will be found to awaken, as the hour for its meal approaches, with great regularity. In reference to night-nursing, I would suggest suckling the babe as late as ten o'clock p. m., and not putting it to the breast again until five o'clock the next morning. Many mothers have adopted this hint, with great advantage to their own health, and without the slightest detriment to that of the child. With the latter it soon becomes a habit; to induce it, however, it must be taught early.

The foregoing plan, and without variation, must be pursued to the sixth month.

After the sixth month to the time of weaning, if the parent has a large supply of good and nourishing milk, and her child is healthy and evidently flourishing upon it, no change in its diet ought to be made. If otherwise, however, (and this will but too frequently be the case, even before the sixth month) the child may be fed twice in the course of the day, and that kind of food chosen which, after a little trial, is found to agree best.