Saturday, January 31, 2009

St. Patrick School Car Show

By LJ James

One of my Favorite parts of being a freelance writer is the Diversity of events I get to cover. On Sunday April 20Th 2008, One such Event was the St. Patrick School Car Show in Smithtown NY. When I arrived the host of the Event John Forlenza welcomed me in and thanked me for Covering the event.

One of the First things that caught my eye was the "Dukes of Hazzard" General Lee Replica Charger, I even got to sit in it Yee Haw!!! Then I was off walking around Checking everything out like the Kyle Petty and Dale Earnhardt Replica NASCAR's, The 007 Lotus Esprit Submarine from the Movie "The Spy who Loved Me" ,The Billy Joel Motorcycle Collection presented by Light House H-D, Monster Trucks, Classic and Modern Cars and Hot-Rods, KITT from the TV show Knight Rider (KITT is a little Conceded in person as he wouldn't even talk to me!!!) Herbie the Love Bug, The Batmobile and so much more!

I also Got to See "Elvis" perform a Couple of Songs Live! This event was planned out well for the Men who's wives' and Kids aren't into Cars! To keep them busy while Dad walked around checking everything out the Wives and Kids in attendance got to enjoy the air Bouncer, air Slides, shows,Food and the many vendors On hand!

I got to meet and say Hi to the Men and Women of the Exceeding Limits Truck Club and I also got to meet New friends of mine Chris and Mike from Motormouth Radio, Check them out at motormouthradio.com .

For only $5 Admission per Adult and Children Free this was an Affordable day of fun the whole Family Could really enjoy!!! Keep an eye out for this event again next year and I'll see you there!!!

Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

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Online Shopping from shopping malls

By reklicom

Finally, remember to read the company's return policy and privacy policy so that you would know exactly what to expect. If you could, try to print the page for future reference.

Know the delivery cost and time frame before you even place your order. A lot of shopping websites make use of couriers in the delivery of goods. Also, overseas delivery could be expensive.

However, you would need to consider a couple of pointers if you are planning to land the greatest deals and find the best online stores. You would also have to be extremely cautious when doing business online due to the issues concerning security. Here are some fairly simple tips in order to make your overall shopping experience online fun, practical and safe.

If the company or individual you are buying from asks for cash as payment, say no. Using your credit card for payments would be able to protect you from fraudulent transactions. This is because credit card companies are able to issue refunds if there would be any proven fraudulent activity on your account.

View the contact page of the buyer. Verify if their postal address is on there. If it is not, do not do business with them.If you have questions, ask. Genuine sellers are helpful and there are even shopping websites that have customer feedback forms.

Read twice the company's terms and conditions, as well as their privacy policy.Try searching the company in Google or any search engine to know more about the company from comments and reviews from other consumers.

Online consumers spend billions of dollars each year, and as online shopping becomes more and more favored, the major reason why there are still some people who would rather not shop online is shopping security. Here are some guidelines, which you could use to make sure that your security, privacy and rights will be protected when shopping on the internet.

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Friday, January 30, 2009

Imitation is the sincerest form of...luxury

By Alice Alina Allison Amanda Amy Amber Andrea Angela Ann Anita Barbara Betty

You might have thought about this question: Is there any distinction between a replica Louis Vuitton handbag and an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag? Well, the only difference is: the price. A replica Louis Vuitton handbag is less expensive, but you will get the same fashionable style and unique brand name as an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag.

Some people might argue that the quality of an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is much higher than a replica Louis Vuitton handbag. Little do they know that many luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, choose to manufacture their products in other countries such as China or India, where labor and production costs are much cheaper.

Some people argue that replica Louis Vuitton handbags are not produced in Italy. But perhaps if you take a closer look at an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag, you may discover a "Made in China" label printed as tiny as possible and located in an obscure part of the bag!

Even if you don't find the telltale label, that doesn't mean that the authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is truly made in Italy, as many fashion boutiques like to boast. Perhaps you may find that up to 90 percent of the Louis Vuitton bag was made in China and the final 10 percent was added in Italy, thus allowing it to earn a "Made in Italy" label. Or perhaps the manufacturers produced the authentic Louis Vuitton handbag in Italy using illegal foreign laborers. Under these circumstances, can anyone fairly say that an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is superior to a replica Louis Vuitton handbag?

Just think about this: an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is made in a factory in a foreign land. Lowly-paid laborers work on these authentic Louis Vuitton handbags. In the same neighborhood, another factory just down the road is making replica Louis Vuitton handbags, using the materials of the same quality as the other factory.

In both factories, it costs about $100 to make the handbag. However, the authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is then shipped to an elite fashion boutique and offered to you at $2000. On the other hand, you can buy the replica Louis Vuitton handbag on the Internet at a much more competitive price.

You are getting the same product -- but an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag costs you exorbitantly more than the replica Louis Vuitton handbag. But the bottom line is that an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is not necessarily of higher quality than a Louis Vuitton replica. Both are exactly the same.

So, you may ask, why the price difference? Well, Louis Vuitton will tell you that you are paying a significantly higher price for an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag because of the renowned, world-famous brand name. But as Shakespeare once said: "What's in a name?" And get this: you'll get the same brand name emblazoned across your replica Louis Vuitton handbag!

In conclusion, do you know the real difference between an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag and a replica Louis Vuitton handbag? Of course you do. Buying an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag may be beyond your budget; but getting a replica Louis Vuitton handbag definitely isn't! So make the smart choice -- get a replica Louis Vuitton handbag!

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Do You Know About Coffee Beans?

By Chester Ebenhart

These days, with high-end and exclusive coffee shops on every corner, espresso beverages are more popular than ever before. What is espresso? It appears to be a necessity for everyone on earth, particularly in the morning. Do you know about coffee beans? Espresso is an Italian word that roughly describes a coffee beverage prepared specially, or expressly, for you. Espresso drinks are brewed with a pump or lever that pushes down on the coffee beans.

The fact that the entire world loves the drink and uses what they term espresso coffee beans to make the drink, does not negate the straight fact that any coffee bean may be roasted to make espresso. This means that light and dark roasted beans are used to prepare espresso. Some regional preferences worth noting about espresso is that espresso beverages on the west coast are created with dark roasted coffee beans. These coffee lovers have traditionally termed these beans as French roast. East coast espresso drinkers prefer theirs' made with a light roasted bean. Italians always use a medium roast bean for their espresso.

Espresso Machines Genuine espresso machines produce a minimum pressure of one hundred and thirty five pounds per square inch. This is enough hot water pressure to force through a dense mass of compacted ground coffee. The entire process ought to be finished in less than 30 seconds. In addition, steam pressure units yield only 50 pounds of pressure per square inch and that is why Italians do not think of these machines as real espresso coffee makers.

Espresso coffee is brewed with a genuine espresso maker using roughly a tablespoon of super finely ground coffee beans and gives you a one to two ounce shot. A top quality espresso beverage will have a rich layer of dark foam across the surface. Every Italian with this coffee drink looks for the foam as a measure of its quality

How to Drink Italians especially seem to have formed a strong attachment to espresso. This is especially true of those actually living in Italy. They view it as a social drink, a custom, as you chat with a neighbor at the local coffee bar. It appears that the whole world is beginning to agree about this terrific beverage and that marvelous coffee comes from Italy.

I must tell you however that there is a specific method to drinking your espresso. The Italian method of drinking the beverage is as follows. Take the cup up to your nose and inhale the aroma of the freshly brewed espresso. Sniff it - as you would a fine wine before drinking it. Now you drink the entire four or five successive swallows quickly while it is still hot. 'Tap' the empty cup back into the saucer, and you're good to go.

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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Ordering Vegetarian at Restaurants

By Ros Harlot

Even in today's health conscious world, mentioning you are a vegetarian quickly stops the conversation. If you are thinking of following vegetarian diet for certain causes - religious belief, health reason, economic reason, animal rights - you will often face a barrage of uninformed arguments from skeptical relatives and friends. You may want to consider a vegetarian diet for improving and maintaining your physical, mental and spiritual health. Your vegetarian diet may be very healthy for you but an lack certain elements that are only obtained from animals.

The health of most children can benefit from a hormone and preservative free diet that vegetarian food can provide. You would be wise to carry out some research before placing your child on a vegetarian diet to ensure they receive a suitably nutritious intake.

A vegetarians diet with involves regular servings of fruit, vegetables and whole grains is known to be healthy. By adopting the vegetarian diet, many obese people could deal with the problem of too much protein and animal fat in their diet and increase the amount of fiber. Low amounts of Cholesterol and fat are two other advantages of a vegetarian diet.

The higher than usual amounts of fiber found in a vegetarian diet means that it doesn't stay in your system for as long nor does it take as long for the food to be produced initially. History and archaeology has shown us that our ancestors hardly ever ate meat so being a vegetarian would be normal for us. Although a vegetarian option is usually on the menu in almost any Italian restaurant nowadays, it's always a good idea to remind the server that you require a vegetarian option and whether or not you eat dairy products and eggs.

Medical research into the vegetarian diet highlights some interesting statistics. Of late, increasing numbers of people have switched to vegetarian meals - as scientific research has shown the adverse effects of animal meat. There is also, for instance, a 50% less chance that a vegetarian will develop heart disease. A large number of the population has decided to start a vegetarian diet during their life.

Although more and more people are adopting a vegetarian diet, it is the West where the biggest health benefits would be seen. Like all things in life, something worth doing that will benefit your health in the long term, is not necessarily the easiest thing to do. For a successful change to occur though, you must not consider a vegetarian diet as just a replacement for a meat based diet.

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Choosing Great Gift Ideas For This Coming Mother's Day

By Stan Field

The gift of jewelry has become quite popular among mothers everywhere. It is such a great a gift for your mother because it is very personal and can be warn for any occasion. Its uses are endless.

Choosing the right gift for your mom can be a difficult task no matter how many times youve done it. Consider the six great gift ideas below for a head start on this next Mothers Day. Narrowing it down ahead of time will give you the opportunity to choose just the right special gift.

Birthstone jewelry has always been a favorite among moms everywhere. Birthstones are very personal and show the thought you put into selecting the special gift. By adding her birthstone to a beautiful bracelet or necklace you can personalize the piece in such a way that will increase the value of your special Mothers Day gift.

Birthstone jewelry has always been a favorite among moms everywhere. Birthstones are very personal and show the thought you put into selecting the special gift. By adding her birthstone to a beautiful bracelet or necklace you can personalize the piece in such a way that will increase the value of your special gift for your mother.

Watches are also great gift ideas to consider for a gift for mom. They are often overlooked, but serve two purposes. They are both practical and beautiful..

Precious stones are also used to make a great gift for mom. Whether a part of a bracelet or necklace or set in a pendant, mom is sure to recognize the thought that went into choosing them. They are also great conversation pieces.

Many mothers also love gifts with a mother and child theme. A necklace containing a pendant of a mother holding a child will make her feel special and proud. This type of jewelry is especially popular among mothers of babies or very small children.

Rings also make fantastic Mothers Day gift. Customize the ring with her birthstone or a collection of her favorites. This will show her you were thinking of her when it was chosen.

Selecting the right gift for your mother does not have to be a difficult task. Giving the gift of jewelry no matter what type will show her you care and appreciate all she has done for you. Think of it as the special gift that will give for a long time to come because it will be one she can enjoy everyday for the rest of her life.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Mesmerism of Jewelry Past

By James Gilbert Pynn

I ask you to imagine me as a hypnotist. Now, imagine if you will, that I command the spotlight to shine on that piece of fine jewelry on your wrist (or ear, or wherever). Now, allow yourself to be receptive to my every command, to the sound of my voice. Now, let us pay a special kind of homage to the men and women who were responsible for producing that fine piece of jewelry. Once youve embarked on this reverie, you will find your thoughts drifting back, in time to the tapping of a jewelers hammer, to the misty past of ancient history. Despite the radical technology that makes modern jewelry possible, most aficionados would agree, there is something breathtaking about the fact your piece of jewelry has passed through the ages, from one set of hands (or ears) to the next.

To be a jeweler now is tantamount to being an engineer, what with the proliferation of computerized tools. Modern techniques utilize laser precision and binary algorithms, but it still requires a human hand to steady the chisel and be inspired. Jewelry itself seems to have a primeval hold upon us. It seems to represent or indeed, fill, a deep longing, a kind of permanence. As a species we seem to enjoy collecting " from rocks to stamps " we are wired into gathering and keeping. Somehow, it buttresses our faith and pushes back against the impermanence of life. A piece of fine jewelry grants us a moment of immortality, a reprieve from the inevitability of death.

I know you catch yourself chuckling at the behavior of our ancestors, or even more so-called primitive peoples, when they steep their trinkets with life-like qualities. But this seems to be a very human trait, a deep-seated hunger to fill the world with entities that can boost our morale and protect us from harm. For example, coral was believed to easy the pains of childbirth. In China, jade is believed to ward off harm and is often fashioned into an array of jewelry for children. We have all infused fountains of luck and protection into our childhood rabbits feet, rings, and necklaces.

In addition to fending off evil and protecting our lives, fine jewelry has been, and may always be, a form of portable wealth. It is not merely the stone or even the alloy used to make the piece, it is the labor poured into crafting the piece. They obviously, then, make for highly desirable gifts. Though, it should be said, the exchange of such a gift is usually reserved for inter-family or courting purposes. You wouldnt give someone you just met a diamond ring, but it is expected you would give your fianc one.

Now, when I count to three, you awaken, drawn back through the veil of time, to this moment now. You will look at your fine jewelry and instantly conjure the host of people involved in crafting it. You will better appreciate who gave it to you that much more and you will think long and hard when you wish to let someone special know how much you care about them. You will appreciate the special coding involved in each piece, how each line and twist and shimmer was the result of a host of peoples time, energy and love.

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Guide To The Prom Tuxedo

By Victor Santerino

The number one priority when it comes to prom preparation is the acquisition of a prom tuxedo. However, this can be a challenging undertaking for anyone who has never actually worn a tux before.

I wrote this article to shed some light on the tuxedo acquiring process. You will learn about the important basics such as colors, measurements, and some other issues you need to know about.

Well intentioned friends and relatives will try to lend you an old tuxedo that they once wore. I recommend you politely tell these people that you would rather get one on your own. This will save you the embarrassment of wearing a tux that does not quite fit.

Make certain that you get correct measurements taken before you look at anything. Get the proper numbers for your waist, chest, neck, arm length, and inseam. Having these numbers in advance will save you from looking at tuxedos that will not fit you.

The color you choose should be black when trying to fit in with everyone else. When attempting to be different you can go with a more subtle change like midnight blue or gray or a flashy distinction like white.

The color of your vest should be a color that matches your dates. Make sure to bring a swatch of the dress to your sales representative to help him find you the best choice.

Accessories can be difficult to put on for a newbie. Make sure you pay careful attention to what the sales person is saying when he gives you instructions on putting items like studs and cuff links onto your shirt.

Lastly make sure you look for your prom tuxedo as soon as you know you are going to prom. Your area will have many other kids looking for tuxedos and you want to be first so you can get the best pick.

As always thank you for reading my article on the prom tuxedo. Bookmark this page and refer back to it before venturing out to purchase or rent your next prom tux.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Try This Awesome Smoked Pork Butt Barbecue Recipe

By Bubba Tubbs

If you are trying to think of something extraordinary but at the same time conventional a smoked pork butt with bbq dry rub is a marvelous way to deliver smoked meat with wonderful flavor affordably and easily.

All that is needed to make this recipe work is some elementary fixins for the barbeque dry rub, smokin chips and charcoal, a a simple smoker, and around an 8 to 9 pound pork butt. Despite what people reckon, a pork butt is not the butt of the pig. In reality it is the the shoulder area of the pig where it connects or "butts" to the shoulder blade. This meat is extremely delicious and comes out awesome when smoked.

Steps To Creating The Faultless Barbecue Dry Rub

First off what you have to do is set up the bar b que dry rub for the meat. While this barbeque rub recipe is not super complex, it needs to be followed precisely to get the most superb results. You will require :

2 tbsp of kosher or coarse salt, 2 tsp's of ground black peppercorn, 2 teaspoons of paprika, 1 teaspoon of red pepper, 1 teaspoonful dried oregano leaves 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin seed

Mix them in a decent sized mixture bowl. After these are thoroughly mixed thoroughly cover the pork butt with the rub by rubbing it in.. Then place it in a pan and let it sit in the refrigerator for the night. This will greatly heighten the taste of the pork and is an important step.

Once you are satisfied that the meat has soaked up as much season as possible, set up your smoker. If you have never done this before it is again not a difficult process, but one that will take some time. Be certain that you get a smoker that possesses a temperature guage on it. You have to bring your smoker up to around 225 degrees minimum. For me the best spot is right around 240 degrees. When your smoker comes up to the desired temperature, place the pork in the smoker fat side up and keep it in there until it is nice and tender. By laying it fat side up you let the fatty juices an opportunity to work over and all through the meat. You might want to spin it and baste it every couple hours or so. Average smoking time is an hour and 10 minutes per lb, or around 8-10 hours. You can tell when your meat is done when it is tender to the fork. Check for tenderness and temperature in the meat area under or above the bone.

When you have at long last taken it out, let it stand for around thirty minutes then with 2 forks pull the pork butt apart. Blend with barbeque sauce to you preference and you are finished.

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LJ James On "Sons Of Anarchy"

By LJ James

I have just finished watching the second episode of the new FX show "Son's of Anarchy". I have been a fan of the FX Show "The Shield" for years and I have to say, I have enjoyed "Sons of Anarchy" so far. The show has cool bikes and lots of action!

As a Member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Club, I can see many mistakes already in the show. One thing that really surprised me is how people have reacted to the show and me personally. People who know I'm a member of a Motorcycle Club are asking me, "You guys aren't really like that, are you?" Most of these people have known me for years! Now after a couple of episodes of "Sons of Anarchy" their wondering if I'm leading some kind of double life.

Can you imagine if a show about criminal killer Florists came out? How many people would ask the local florist if they where really like that? One fact of life about being a Biker I have come to except is, it's real easy for people to think of Bikers as the bad guys. It has always been and probably always will be that way. I wonder how many Cops had people ask them the same question when the Shield came out? I also wonder how many Police Officers who watch the Shield and know that show is fiction will watch "Sons of Anarchy" and think that's how Motorcycle Clubs really are! The FX show "Sons of Anarchy" is fiction and it is way over the top.

Son's of Anarchy is going to shine a bright light into the Motorcycle Club world. Where as the last ten years have been all about Custom Motorcycle Builders and has led to a lot of people getting into Motorcycle Riding, I believe the next ten years will be all about Motorcycle Clubs. Now this show could be a great thing for Motorcycle Clubs if, in-between all the fictional action, it also focuses on the bond of Brotherhood Motorcycle Clubs are really based on.

Although there is opportunity for "Sons of Anarchy" to make a positive statement about Motorcycle Clubs, I have a feeling the show will have a negative impact on Clubs, Independent Bikers, and the Motorcycle Community in general. By highlighting the good Motorcycle Clubs do and the positive impact that they have on their communities, I don't think that is the way the program is going.

All Motorcycle Clubs are going to need to keep their eyes wide open and watch any new prospects. MCs need to make sure that new prospects are there for the Brotherhood and betterment of the Club and the community, not to live out some misguided fantasy they may have seen on TV or in some Movie. Another big concern of mine is people who will just go out and throw on a set of patches and think they are the "Sons of Anarchy". The Motorcycle Club world is all about Respect and there is a serious protocol that is followed by all Clubs. I would not recommend violating that protocol in any way.

Motorcycle Clubs have spent the better part of the past 20 years working hard to shake the old biker gang stereotype of the 60's and 70's. Now that we have come so close to accomplishing our goals, a show like "Sons of Anarchy" or the upcoming HBO show 1% are here to try and drag our image back into the gang image. How far will these shows set us back? 20-30 Years? I am asking the producers of these shows, there sponsors, and everyone else out there to please remember that Brotherhood is what the Motorcycle Club world is truly about.

Your Bro, L.J. James AmericanBikerX. com

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Monday, January 26, 2009

Where to Catch King George Whiting?

By Dr Corey Fisher

[I:0:G]The King George whiting was first named in 1829 as Sillago punctata, based on an indervidual caught from King George Sound in Western Australia. A number of synonyms have since been added to the initial naming due to the fish not being designated a holotype. The fish has a variety of commonly used names but the most common, "King George Whiting", taken from the name of the body of water where the first officially named fish was caught.

With an elongated, slightly compressed body, tapering head and a bottom feeding style mouth. The King George Whiting is recognised by a first dorsal fin with 12 or 13 sipnes and a second dorsal fin with one single spine. Within its species, it is best distinguished by the shape of its swim bladder.

Native to Southern Australia, ranging from lower Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and sometimes even as far north as southern New South Wales. King George whiting are most commonly found in tidal bays, estaries and creeks along the southern coast of the mainland and numerous islands in this area.

In southern estuaries they tend to be around the size of the legal limit, but farther north, around Perth, the range is likely to be from 700g up to 1.5 kilos.

King george spawn in offshore waters from late summer to winter. The eggs are buoyant and the larvae move inshore, with the aid of prevailing breezes and currents, where they remain for two to three years. At this age they are around 28cm, but they do not mature until they are three to four years old.

There are a number of locations around the coastline where whiting may be caught from beaches. The beaches facing the ocean frequently produce fish weighing in at better than two to the kilogram. When fishing for whiting from the beach, baits do need to be secure. While firm baits like squid may survive a powerful cast, softer baits like craytail, pipi, and the flesh of other bivalve molluscs may fly off the hook. For this reason it is wise to use hosiery elastic, sold in leading fishing tackle outlets as Bait Mate, to bind the bait to the hook so it does not fly off.

Complementary flavourings for whiting are the herbs dill, basil, chives, parsley and tarragon. When whiting is grilled or barbecued, a salad of grapefruit, orange, lime and lemon, with a citrus and olive oil dressing, will complement the flavour wonderfully. Other suitable sauces and condiments are lemon and herbed butters or buerre blanc. Crusts of cumin, coriander and ground turmeric are also tasty.

EATING: A superb table fish, the King George whiting is easily filleted to avoid small bones. Possibly Australias best tasting fish.

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Mortal Skulls Motorcycle Club Winter Bar-B-Q

By LJ James

When the Mortal Skulls MC first came up with the idea to do a Winter Bar-B-Q, The only real Question was where to have it? After thinking what area on Long Island NY says Summer time fun more then any other everyone agreed it had to be on the east end of the Island.

With many of the Bars out east closed down for the Winter finding a place was not easy. After speaking with Bob the owner of CB's Bar and Grill (cbsbarandgrill.net)214 West Montauk Hwy in Hampton Bays the Mortal Skulls MC knew they had found a good spot for the 2008 Winter Bar-B-Q!

The Bar-B-Q was held on Sunday January 13Th from Noon till 6pm and over 130 Bikers came out for a Winter day of Summer time fun! The event had everything a Summer time Biker Bar-B-Q should have Plenty of Sun Shine, Burgers and Hot Dogs, great Music,Raffles,Hot Bikini Girls provided by Marie at LIExotics.com and of course lots of Bikers!

With the great weather many chose to Ride out and the parking lot was full of Motorcycles. The Mortal Skulls MC thanked the owners and Staff at CB's Bar and Grill for all their help and Hospitality, The Bikini Girls from LI Exotics, The Numerous Motorcycle Clubs, Friends and Supporters who came out to help make this one of their best events ever! The Winter Bar-B-Q has been added to the list of great Annual Mortal Skulls MC event!!!

Even though the Winter Bar-B-Q went perfect with No problems at all and many local Hampton Bays Residents and Businesses wanted the event back again in 2009, The Hamptons Town Board does not want Biker events in their area. At the end of October Bob the owner of CB's caved into the pressure by the Hamptons Town Board and Police force ( even after stating he never would many times) and decided he could not allow CB's to be the Location of the Bar-B-Q this year. After much last Minute running around a new place was found and the Winter Bar-B-Q 2009 will be held at "The Loose Caboose" in Riverhead. For more info check out MortalSkulls.com and Myspace.com/MortalSkullsMC

I'll See you There!!! Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com Radio Show at BikerLowdown.com

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Sunday, January 25, 2009

Learn About the Joy Surrounding Chocolate Truffles

By Fredrick Simmons

Chocolate has always been a grand gift to give somebody. The chocolate industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. There are so many unusual types of chocolate and so many reasons to offer someone a chocolate gift that it is a industry that just keeps getting bigger every year.

There are quite a few different types of chocolate. There is dark chocolates, milk chocolate, white chocolate, and semi-sweet chocolate are just a few. Many people have a favorite chocolate. Each maker of chocolate gifts has their own unique formula for the way they make chocolates and this makes each kind of chocolate taste a little different.

Chocolate Truffles are a great gift to give for just in relation to any occurrence or no occasion at all. People love to get chocolate gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, holidays or just because. Special occasions or events are also great times to give the gift of chocolates. Baby showers, a move up at work, or just to tell a pal that you are thinking about them are big reasons to give chocolate gifts.

You can obtain chocolate gifts just about anywhere including grocery stores, gas stations, malls or convenient stores. Stores that sell only chocolates have the largest variety to choose from and you may even find a particular store that carries the particular type of chocolate truffle that you like or you know your friend likes. This makes choosing chocolates present a little easier because there is such a large variety and you may end up finding amazing new that you like.

Chocolate Truffles make great gifts for anyone at anytime. There are a assortment of packages that chocolate gifts come in so you ought to be able to find one ideal for the event or friend you are trying to buy something for. The gift of chocolates is a gift that individuals love to receive. Have fun searching for the ideal chocolate for your buddy and don't forget to get some for yourself!

For individuals of you who like chocolate truffles, there are quite a few different kinds to decide from. You can buy chocolate truffles in milk chocolate, dark chocolate or if you aren't certain which kind of truffle your cherished one or friend might like, you can always get a box of assorted chocolate truffles.

Buying a chocolate gift for someone is fun and you can get really creative with the things that you choose. You can get somebody a box of milk chocolate truffles. You can get someone a heart filled with assorted filled chocolates and you can even get someone a good old basic chocolate bar.

People adore to get chocolate gifts for just in relation to any occasion or even if there isn't an occasion. Chocolates are a grand treat to show somebody that you are thinking in relation to them. Go pick out your chocolate gifts now and show somebody how special you fell they are.

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Your Coffee Made With The Press Will Be More Intense

By Cedric Ebengen

At one time, the coffee French Press brewer was very popular. Today, it's also called the coffee press. This press is simple to use and its characteristic is it brews a stronger cup of coffee compared to other types of brewers. The coffee press is a narrow container usually made from glass or hard plastic. There is a plunging device and a lid. The plungers are made to fit snugly in the press so that using its really thin wire or nylon mesh it will filter the coffee.

When you are ready to brew a cup, mix the coffee with the hot boiling water and allow it to brew for several minutes. After that time begin to press down on the plunger, which will separate the coffee grounds from the water pushing them to bottom of the press.

Rich Coffee Flavor Because the press is designed to mix the coffee grounds with the boiling hot water, your coffee made with the press will be more intense when compared to other coffee makers. Coffee brewed with a coffee press is thicker with more sediment than other coffee brewing methods.

Course Particles It's recommended that you don't let the coffee you've brewed in a press sit for a very long time. It is suggested that you drink it fairly soon so that the coffee will not acquire a bitter after taste. When using a coffee press always use a coarsely ground coffee. If you're grinding it yourself use a burr mill type of coffee grinder. This grinder will provide a more consistent coarseness than that of a whirling blade grinder. It is for that reason that you may want to invest in a high quality grinder such as burr grinder. These grinders always produce a far more consistent grind.

When I comes to grinders, the lower priced grinders will not provide you with uniform grinds. They typically grind the bean into different sized particles. To prevent sludge from occurring in your press use only coffee ground in a high quality grinder. When you're looking at filters for your coffee press, you will want to be able to know the difference between a nylon and a wire mesh. It could mean the difference between coffee flavor The difference is simple. The courser the grind the better a wire mesh can handle it.

If you are one of those coffee drinkers who insists on a fine grind then by all means get a nylon mesh filter. Be aware that you'll also have sludge at the bottom of the press each time however because a press is not designed for fine grinds. Also, if the coffee is too fine the press has a harder time brewing the coffee. Be certain that you're using filtered water. For a stronger coffee consider purchasing a coffee press.

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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Large Selection of Designer Jewelry Available

By Elvin Retinz

Dozens of companies now offer excellent designer jewelry, a hot fashion trend if there ever was one. The selection from these suppliers has grown large enough to satisfy the choosiest of shoppers. The key of course is knowing where to look for the latest and most sophisticated of styles in jewelry. Start with the question: Which companies have the best selection of designer jewelry?

With this goal in mind, start asking questions of friends, family and business owners to find a company or two that feature designer jewelry selections. Fortunately, these are propitious times for those interested in jewelry. For example, Jewelry Central is a company offering a wide range of fine jewelry, all of it high quality. The choices include diamond engagement rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more, in gold, silver and platinum.

In addition to offering a vast selection of fine jewelry, Jewelry Central's professionals make sure that the items in their catalogue are exquisitely designed and made. But best of all, this fine jewelry is available at reasonable prices. Jewelry Central is considered by many to be the portal for jewels on the Web, with an extensive information/education section. Customers find this assistance invaluable when it comes to finding and purchasing jewelry for the occasion and situation.

The company has been in operation for nearly a decade, developing solid relationships with customers from around the world. With a vision of satisfying jewelry shopping needs for each customer, Jewelry Central consistently receives top ratings from customers. According to many customers, this company is second to none in merchandise quality and in customer satisfaction.

But there are other designer jewelry sources that also provide jewelry aficionados with excellent products. DiGem is actually a buying group working on a national scale, with connections among many independent jewelers. But DiGem also sells from its inventory and for suppliers, building a solid reputation over the past 35 years. The company's contacts among those in the jewelry industry are unparalleled. This solid foundation allows the company to give customers jewelry of excellent quality at a reasonable price.

Helzberg is one of the more recognizable names in the diamond and jewelry field. This is no accident. The company has built a tradition of great customer service and quality merchandise over several decades. In fact, three generations of the Helzberg family have carried the family's heritage forward, taking pride in offering only the finest jewelry. Attention to detail has allowed Helzberg to continue expanding its customer base without sacrificing quality.

All of this means that, for shoppers, there is a huge selection of quality jewelry waiting to be given a home. After choosing a supplier or personal jeweller that is comfortable for the individual shopper, the next step is deciding which jewelry to purchase. Wise customers will do some research even before meeting with a jeweller or salesperson to make a purchase. It is best to learn about the many different jewelry pieces, the various designs and styles in each category, as well as the metals and stones used to manufacture fine jewelry. Some initial planning and education could save the buyer money when the time comes to make the purchase.

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Kentucky Delicacies and More

By Qandishah Brown

The state of Kentucky has become synonymous with two things: blue grass and fried chicken. Thanks to one of the most popular fast food franchises that originated from here. Just the name Kentucky alone will surely bring thoughts of that crispy and juicy fried chicken that we all love so much. Whether you like it spicy or original your mouth will be watering. Aside from this great tasting chicken, Kentucky has other food delicacies to offer.

Who would have thought that a state known for its fried chicken could produce a line of seafood delicacies? Hard to imagine but yes among the things that you will find in Kentucky are caviar, lobster and shrimp. With its weather that is humid subtropical it has become easy for this state to produce sea foods. These are often sold in supermarkets already packed and ready for cooking.

Burgoo is another Kentucky dish that is very interesting. This is a stew that is made from mixed meats and vegetables. It will normally have at least three different types of meat and a variety of vegetables. All these are simmered down until they become liquid and nothing is recognizable. This dish is normally cooked in large quantities; so you can find Kentucky folks standing on chairs and stooped over large pots at cook outs stirring their burgoo with a rake.

You will find many other interesting dishes that Kentucky has to offer. One of the best places to go to discover these things are the craft fairs and festivals. Here you will be sure to find something home made. Whether it a different sort of pie or preserves. There are also numerous other handmade offerings at these events.

A craft fair in Kentucky can always bring so many interesting things. It can also be a good way to make money. If you enjoy crafting or making things then you too can take advantage of this opportunity by joining in on a Kentucky craft fair. There will surely be room for you in the next Kentucky craft fair or festival.

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Friday, January 23, 2009

Which Celebrity can You Most Identify With?

By Charlie Reese

Who is your favorite celebrity? I know that people often read about celebrities and psychics at the same time. I think that its incredible that people find it appealing to connect with celebrities as if they know them personally. I often hear people saying, Did you know that Oprah broke up with Steadman? Or I think Paris Hilton lost too much weight. These are just some topics out of thousands that I have heard about celebrities. Its amazing to me because 99% of all people will never meet the celebrity that they know so much about.

All that they really know about them is what they read about them in the magazine or newspaper. I think that it is funny because most people have no idea that they have the power to control their celebrity fantasy. I think that some people enjoy reading about celebrities because they believe that they may one day meet that person.

Its almost like most men that watch football and baseball only watch it because they dream of being just like that sports star. Its like a grow man will still think in his mind that this is his dream. People often read about and talk about what they really would like to become or be. Its just human nature I guess.

I find that most celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears and always talked about in the media. They are more like the modern day Elvis Presley of the past. He couldnt go anywhere without people following him around. Its amazing how much the world has changed over the years with the Paparazzi following celebrities around wherever they go.

I think that its amazing when people dont fully understand their surroundings and they have to really learn how to focus in on their own lives again. You need to look at your own life and feel a sense of belonging to yourself before you can let go of a celebrity obsession.

There is nothing wrong with being a common person. You dont have to be rich and famous to be important. Sometimes you may think that, but really when you are by yourself, you are just like anyone else. Celebrities are not exempt to any rule. They are just as sad and happy as anyone else. The next time that you pick up a celebrity magazine, you may want to ask yourself if you can fully understand what the person is talking about. You may also want to ask yourself if you are trying to be just like that celebrity and how you can change that about yourself. Being you is most important.

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Coffee - Have it Your Way

By Marc Warren

Some people believe that a true coffee lover drinks it black - nothing added nothing taken away. This is simply not true. Coffee can be enjoyed an appreciated in a variety of ways. Expand your mind a bit and explore some of the many varieties of ways to enjoy your coffee.

The creativity of blenders is inexhaustible. One Indonesian blend is a combination of Sumatran and Papua New Guinea beans that makes for a delicious, full-bodied brew. Who even knew that Papua New Guineans grew coffee?

For example you can mix Indonesian beans with those from Columbia and the result will be a dark brew with in incomparable body and flavor. And these are not the only two countries that together create a great blend of coffee. Again, the possibilities are endless.

Mixing beans is not the only way to add variety. Many flavors can be added to coffee to make the ordinary extraordinary. The choices are endless chocolate, french vanilla, almond, and much more. Experiment a little to see what flavor you prefer.

When adding chocolate flavoring you enter another area of vast variety. Light chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate there are almost as many varieties of chocolate as there are of coffees. When combined you have a mocha treat to die for.

Another way to add variety to the already endless variety of coffees available is to add liqueurs to your coffee. You will be delighted how this flavor will change your morning java into your evening friend.

When you a bit of fruit to your coffee and liquor you no longer have a beverage but a dessert that you can indulge in. Think of the flavors you can mix pears and apricots, Amaretto and chocolate. Imagine the relaxing pick me up you will get from this cup of coffee.

In Mexico they have perfected the blending of coffee with cocoa. As a hot cup or coffee or poured over ice, it is hard to deny the great flavor these to create together.

And the innovators of coffee confection don't stop there. The more audacious have gone so far as to offer a frozen cappuccino that wakes up the sleepy on a warm day. For added zing, try mixing with a chocolate mint flavoring.

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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Make Your Own Styles

By Donna Trumble

Open up your favorite fashion magazine like Vogue or others, and take a good look. The fashion gurus are constantly reinventing, repackaging, and redefining the newest fashions. While it can be a challenge to keep up with all the changes, it can also be exciting and glamorous.

What is even more fun than watching fashion, is creating your own. As one who sews, you are in a very enviable position. You can imitate the most current trends and styles, or create something distinctly your own. You are in control. Only your imagination holds you back. Watch the fashion trends, and then create.

Fashion and change appear to go hand in hand. Just about the time you get comfortable with the most current styles, they change. Trends come and go so fast it is really hard to keep up to date. Just as the new pops up, the current styles fade away.

So what fashions can we expect for the new year? Scan through the pages of your favorite fashion magazine and see what is there. What do you like or dislike? It seems to me there are many interesting revivals of past styles applied is slightly new ways. Fashion often revives styles from the past with just a slight twist. You can too.

The hottest fashion trends can be yours. Pick and choose the styles you really like, because you can make them your own. Examine how the items are made, and imitate or create.

Be bold. Be confident. The possibilities are within your grasp. You can always buy a new pattern, use an older pattern, or take a class in doing your own pattern design. There is software available to help you design your personalized patterns including Dressmaker or My Design.

Just imagine all the fashion ingredients you could generate from your own sewing room. If you see something intriguing in a magazine, sew it up yourself. You are limited only by your minds eye. You can take standard items and make minor changes to create brand new effects. Change a collar, a sleeve, a cuff, or embellish with embroidery or appliqu. You could make your own glamour dress, jacket, suit, blouse, or accessory.

Consider all the possibilities. They are endless. You can start from scratch or take a ready to wear item and convert it to something amazing. Remember, the projects you sew can produce you own distinctive fashion statement.

Do you like doing things from scratch? Or do you prefer quick and easy enhancements to standard items? The choice is yours. You could create your own patterns or buy a pattern. You could select the fabrics and layout the project from scratch, or you could take a ready to wear item and transform it. Today you have so many options. You have all kinds of tools and materials available. Decorative threads, sparkles, appliqu, embroidery, and much more are available for you to use.

Recycling is a popular theme today. By recycling what we find in our closet, we can create some amazing new styles. Take a visit to your closet. Look with a designers eye. What if you changed this on that? What if you added this to that? Just think a few minor alterations, enhancements, or embellishments could transform an old drab closet item into your latest style. Become the envy of your fashion world. Create. Remake.

In my opinion, a touch of color can completely change a style. It may be adding a color or replacing it with white. Adding a while lacy cuff or neckline, changes everything. Accessorizing with color can make a big impact. By selecting the colors I like, I can create my own fashion styles.

If you sew, you understand the thrill that comes from creating your own beautiful item. You can appreciate the joys, relaxation, and peace that sewing provides. Knowing that you can create your own fashions gives you control over your life non sewers can only dream about. Sewing offers so many benefits it is hard to think of them all.

My daughter and I were at Dillards, and we found this simple little skirt, nothing special. I lifted the price tag and was stunned - $220. After recovering for a moment, I looked a little closer, and thought to myself. I could do that. I could do that for a fourth of the price. And I did. But mine was better.

Today, the modern sewing machines and other tools available make sewing so easy and convenient it is a real blessing. Using a quality sewing machine is fun, easy, and gives real satisfaction. Making your own styles has never been easier. So, lets sew. Lets create our own personal fashion statement.

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Grout and Food Matters

By Rick Amorey

One must remember that keeping the kitchen clean is an important task. As the center for food preparation, its cleanliness or lack thereof will have an effect to the quality of the food prepared inside it. See, everything that makes contact with the food, even if it were brief, will end up inside a person's biology.

Everyone in the food business must keep in mind that kitchen cleanliness is important. Likewise, each household must be aware of the need to keep kitchens clean. But while everyone acknowledges that this cleanliness must be maintained, oftentimes the execution of it is poor. Read on if you have a tiled kitchen counter, for this article focuses on that.

In particular, I would like to direct your attention to the grout in between your kitchen tiles. That small space is the breeding ground of bacteria, and consequently must be kept especially clean to avoid these microorganisms. Unfortunately, it is difficult to reach that space with a brush, and cleaning it becomes likewise problematic. A lot of people resort to scrubbing tirelessly at the grout using an old toothbrush, while some would want to speed up the process by resorting to potentially hazardous chemicals.

But if I were to choose amongst these options, I would have to go with the former. As I've said, everything that touches the kitchen could potentially go to your food, and hazardous chemicals are, well, hazardous. Perhaps even as dangerous as what could grow on your grout.

Go for the environmentally friendly choice. Asides from helping keep Mother Earth alive and well, you will ensure that nothing that permeates your food will destroy it.

One more choice that I would be willing to present is the move to call professional grout cleaners. They can clean your kitchen grout better than anyone can, and they are well worth the cost. But before you do contact them, do some research and see if the group is any good first.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

What is Mp3 Music Player?

By Anne Ahira

Anytime a brand new technology comes on the scene, it is a reliable theory that around will be bugs in the format plus mp3 music players are no issue . Knowing what some of the general troubles are and what to do about them is helpful before there is an issue.

Common Mp3 Music Player Obstacles

Some issues will be particular to a certain brand or size mp3 music player, for the purposes here; we will only examine issues common to all players.

Cold is a common trouble for an mp3 music player plus digital display. The item will freeze up and like your computer, the only thing to do is shut it down and hope the matter resolves on start up.

Can't load songs to mp3 music player.

Cannot upload pictures or movies to your mp3 music player

Mp3 music player will not turn on or charge

Useless deletion of songs

PC do not identify the device

Shockingly you will go through only about ten ordinary problems with an mp3 music player. The good news is that most are linked to software issues and not hardware.

Common Solutions

Is the operational system of your computer compatible? Check the product packaging for system requirements

Have you installed all the software that arrive together with the mp3 music player? Companies regularly pack up the players with disc including software and drivers; you may need to run the disc again.

Is the format of the music file compatible with your player? Some players will only recognize specific music file formats; again refer to the operating manual or packaging for requirements.

Reset your player, somewhere on your mp3 music player there will be a tiny hole marked as reset. Use a small pin or toothpick to trip the reset button.

Firmware upgrade, every once in awhile a product will get to market with bugs that require a firmware upgrade. A quick search of the internet should give you all the information needed to achieve this upgrade.

Previous frequent problems similar to cracked screens and water damage are hardware problems and will likely need that you replace your mp3 music player. Currently there are no manufacturers that produce replacement parts for mp3 music players. Presently, it is more price effective to change the unit than fix it.

This is a sample of the most common issues and ways to fix them. If your mp3 music player has other issues or the above repairs do not work then you likely have a hardware failure and will have to replace the mp3 music player.

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Seeing Sea Food in Maine

By Qandishah Brown

If there is one thing that Maine is best known for, it would most definitely have to be the seafood that it produces. This state has been able to make a name for itself with the great quality of the seafood that they are able to bring about. Lobsters, shrimps, clams, mussels and many more are sought out not only by the residents of Maine but by others as well. Their seafood is so popular they export it to other states and countries.

Lobster is one of the most popular Maine products. Ninety percent of the lobster that is sold throughout the Unites States is caught in Maine. Sea fare has become so highly priced in Maine that they even have festivals for these. There is no doubt a lobster festival; but you will also find that there are other festivals such as the clam festival and the chowder cook off.

With all the different festivals around in Maine you surely won't miss the craft fairs and festivals that they have throughout the year. This can be a refreshing change from all the sea food celebrations around. Although it is not focused on the sea fare you may still see a good amount of products that have something to do with these things. You can breathe easy because there are sure to be home made goodies as well.

If you live in Maine or nearby, then you have a good chance of being able to participate in these events. Not just as an onlooker or shopper, but as one of the vendors as well. Joining a Maine craft show or festival can be a good opportunity to put your talents and hobbies to good use. You get to share what you make and you can make a profit through it as well.

You don't need to worry about the difficulties of joining a craft fair or show in Maine since it can be quite easy. All you need to do is talk to a local organizer and get the details. Then you will be able to sign up for the next event. A calendar of events can also be handy when getting such details.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

By Alice Sy

Cushion cut diamond engagement ring in the older days was named pillow cut. For this type as its name suggest, resembles that of a plump cushion or pillow. Cushion shape comes in varieties of proportions. They could either be oval, square or rectangular with rounded corners.

Cushion cuts gained popularity in the latter part of the 1800s until the early 1900s.Before the dawn of electric bulbs, cushion cut diamond ring was also referred to as candlelight diamond because it was said to be most brilliant in candlelight.

In the modern day setting, cushion cut diamond engagement rings are more symmetrical than its older contemporaries, mainly due to the advent of modern refinements and upgraded lapidary skills. Though this may be the case, couples prefer older versions of cushion cuts and still searches for this kind in the antique or vintage market.

Cushion cut diamond engagement rings work best as alternative for couples who prefer traditional, subtle designs. Cushion cut diamond engagement rings are still rare in modern rings.

Cushion cuts are best in solitaires, the kind that draw the attention to the gemstone located at the center of the ring. Many women however, prefer small accent stones incorporated in the ring.

A cushion cut diamond ring has about 60 facets; this is 20 or more facets less than the modern rings. Facet refers to the smooth, polished planes that make up a stones surface. With lesser number of facets as compared to fancy shapes and signature cuts, it exhibits lesser brilliance.

But this characteristic, precisely adds to its unique appeal that sets the cushion cut diamond ring apart from its modern contemporaries for it provides a certain depth to the diamonds, allowing a person to see through it " revealing its unpretentious beauty.

The next time you invite your partner for a romantic candlelight dinner; consider a cushion cut diamond engagement ring to go with it?

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Wine Selection: Catering to Good Taste

By Tony Hampton

If you have ever tried wine tasting you will have found its quite easy. You don't need to be an expert and can even begin without any recognized training. Etiquette come first so always serve the ladies before the gentlemen. Water at room temperature is normally served at any good wine tasting parties. The waster is used to clean your taste buds ready for the next and most probably completely different type of wine. The water is not to be very cold as this can shock your palate which can change the taste of the wine dramatically.

Holding the wine glass by the stem and not the bowl in the palm of your hand is very important when it comes to wine tasting. One thing that people don't realize is that the palm of your hand is warm and this can warm up the wine therefore changing the taste.

Most individuals think that wine tasting is just a matter of rolling the wine around your mouth before you either spit it out or swallow.

Looking at the colour is the first thing you should do when wine tasting. Make sure the glass you have been given is clean and easy to see through otherwise you can't see the true color of the wine. To be able to see the wine and its true color clearly you should use a white background, some people use a white table cloth. White wines are not always pure white, sometimes they are a shade of green, yellow and even brown. For red wines, you will observe that it also has different shades of red, the lighter the color of the red wine is, the older it is.

Try doing a rim test and look at the color of the wine, this can give you some indication as to the age or flavor. Just tilt the glass and look at the wine, if it is purplish in color, it indicates that the wine is young, if it is brownish, it means that it is an older wine.

Testing the scent is the next step and this is done by swirling the wine around the glass to mix in the air and then breath fully through the nose after placing the glass just above your top lip. The wine could have been in the bottle for a little as six months to many years so by swirling the wine you will be releasing the flavors. It's like cooking at home where you stir the food in order for you to blend the flavor.

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Monday, January 19, 2009

Shaking Hands and Artificial Caffeine

By Dr. Jones

Energy drinks and health in the same sentence? They are usually loaded with caffeine, artificial sweeteners (Aspartame Controversy, Taurine and to make everything seem OK, artificial vitamins. This cocktail is toxic and has already started to cause serious health problems.

More and more people that consume the traditional energy drink regularly or even daily have already or are destined to eventually suffer from stomach, kidney, liver or heart problems. Not to mention the effects these chemical cocktails can have on one's teeth (premature enamel degradation) or skin (dehydration related blotching).

This generation is graduating into adulthood without the previous generations' coffee addiction, but with a more potent daily stimulant: the energy drink. Many spend hours surfing the net or watching TV, instead of playing sports, which compounds the problem with soft drinks, increasing the incidence of diabetes and other diet-related diseases.

Why should we be concerned about this new variety of mental stimulant? A cup or two of coffee every day has never caused serious health effects. The big difference relates to where the buzz comes from: natural coffee beans vs. laboratory produced synthetic caffeine.

Just like with any other product found in nature, the caffeine in the coffee beans comes with many by-products which are not easily separated from the pure caffeine elements. natural caffeine comes with fibers and other organic substances which reduce the absorption of the caffeine into the bloodstream.

With these newly concocted energy drinks, the caffeine is produced in sleek factories, usually in Europe or Southeast Asia. This synthetic caffeine is definitely much better than natural caffeine in one regard: it is much more potent. All of the organic substances that come with the coffee or Guarana or tea do not exist with factory produced caffeine. Artificial caffeine is also less expensive to make than natural caffeine, another great thing for the large corporations that make it. Unfortunately for consumers, this highly potent and toxic caffeine is absorbed into our body as soon as it hits the digestive system.

Natural products like Guarana or tea, on the other hand, are absorbed more slowly by the body. They are also less concentrated and therefore less poisonous than the white powdered caffeine. There are a few advantages with the natural versions of caffeine (whether it be in coffee, tea or Guarana). Firstly, the duration of the increased mental clarity will be longer. Instead of the instant buzz you get from most energy drinks and then the inevitable crash, you get a prolonged feeling of alertness for a several hours and the effect eventually wears off gradually.

Advantage #2 has to do with the jitters. Concentrated exposure to potent artificial caffeine tends to over saturate one's nervous system. If overexposure is repeated, nervous system goes haywire. Nature's way of saying: Enough! Hands shake, nervous tics develop; our body shows the same signs as it would under sustained stress and anxiety. Not a good thing.

With natural caffeine or guaranine, the body can more easily flush out the excess quantities and not overtax the nervous system. But even with natural caffeine, one must use moderation. It is best to stick with one regular cup of coffee or tea (not the large Starbucks which is really like 6 coffees) or one 12 oz can of a natural energy drink or unsweetened cold tea.

Organic coffee doesn't have any of the artificial additives found in industrial agricultural operations. Whole Foods Markets has many of these types of coffees.

Some natural energy drinks that I like are GURU Energy Drinks and Syzmo. They are both made with natural caffeine from Guarana and/or coffee. What I like about GURU is that it is entirely natural, has not artificial sweeteners or vitamins. Sysmo is made from good ingredients but is more costly, and is not a usual taste. GURU has a low-calorie drink sweetened with Stevia called (GURU Lite), which is also a favorite of mine (see my post on Benefits of Stevia: (ref: For Dollars (will) Authorize (FDA)). Both of these are available on the respective companies' website and at Whole Foods Markets.

With cold teas; naturally brewed products provide anti-oxidants in addition to the natural caffeine. A brand I like is ITOEN. They have some unsweetened products with a unique taste that grows on you after a while. Teas Teas.

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Acai berries as an effective weight loss supplement?

By Alex Stern

Many things in this world are short in supply, but one thing is for sure " there will never be a shortage of dieting methods and weight loss techniques. A large percentage of the techniques known today were unheard of ten years ago and the same will be true ten years from now. One of the weight loss methods sure to be forgotten is the acai berry diet.

The acai berry is the fruit of the Brazilian palm tree. Its properties are really quite similar to other berries such as blueberries and blackberries. There reason many fall for the claims made by the marketers is that Oprah mentioned the health benefits of the berries on her show near the end of 2008. After that, people began searching wildly for acai berry products in the hope that consuming them would facilitate weight loss. All the while the fact remains there is not much truth to all of this.

The reality is that acai berries are very high in antioxidants which do have anti aging properties and may actually be beneficial in that regard. Most of the acai berry supplements sold come in the form of an extract. To get the maximum benefits from the acai berry, the whole fruit must be consumed fresh or frozen. It is just not possible to receive the full nutritional value of a fruit after it has been processed in such a way. Acai juice also retains more nutrients than a dried extract.

When consumed as a whole fruit acai berry makes a great snack. In Brazil it is commonly consumed in puree form, as part of a mix of berries and fruits or blended. Acai juice is also common. Both the fruit and the juice contain more beneficial properties than the extract form it is commonly sold as in North America.

The acai berry can be a great addition to anyones diet, but in regards to weight loss, mere consumption of them is wholly ineffective. As with anything its best to do independent research rather than follow the crowd lest you be misled. Researching the effectiveness of a diet or weight loss plan is especially important considering your time and health is at stake.

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Sunday, January 18, 2009

Why UK Hampers Are Perfect For Any Occasion

By Bob Morris

Wine hampers are gifts that are normally presented in a wicker basket. The act of giving a hamper has a long tradition in Western culture and, before, was done as a charitable act, using the hamper to give food and other home essentials to the poor. The basket the gift was presented in was also purposefully chosen as it was a handy household item that could be used and reused.

In later times, UK hampers have come to be less presents of necessities and more presents of little treats, such as wine hampers for example. An emphasis is placed on premium items such as gourmet jams, quality chocolates, exotic coffee beans, expensive wines and other premium items that can be enjoyed as a indulgence and will store long enough for the recipient to relax when using the item.

There has also been a growing tendency to make specialized UK hampers - wine hampers that are filled with a broad range and types of wine, chocolate hampers and bread and cheese hampers. Hobby hampers are an even more recent innovation and are packed not with food but with essential and desired items to please gardeners or DIY enthusiasts, for example. The contents of a hamper are only limited by your imagination!

The flexibility of wine hampers is why it makes such a pleasing present. They can be modified to any person and can be filled with anything that would please the recipient. When picking the hamper you want to give, give careful consideration to what items the recipient enjoys - are they a wine connoisseur? Then wine hampers are a great idea! Are they a food lover? Then fill the hamper with quality food items. Are they expecting a baby? Why not give them a hamper filled with useful baby products.

Wine hampers can be used for any occasion - for birthdays, for hens nights or bachelorette parties, for weddings, for anniversaries, for an expecting mom-to-be and, most popularly, for Xmas.

The Christmas hamper has become popular and, in an intriguing twist, the public are buying Christmas hampers to use for themselves instead of as a present for other people. Often filled with luxury Christmas treats such as shortbread, chocolate, wine, Christmas pudding and even turkey, they are purchased by families to be used over the Xmas period. Many UK hampers are purchased on a payment scheme over the year and then used for the Xmas period, helping people pay for the price of the wonderful Christmas treats desired over the Xmas period.

There are many of businesses that specialize in supplying hamper gifts and lots of them can be found quickly and easily on the web. Many of them will have pre-packed hampers - such as wine hampers or food hampers - and some may let you to modify a hamper and fill it with items of your choice. Most businesses will deliver your hamper, making it a convenient and personal present.

Of course, you don't have to use a business to make a perfect hamper and it can be even more considerate to create your own. When creating a hamper, give careful thought to what they might like. Use helpful items and special items that your special someone might not think to buy for themselves, to make it even more of a treat. UK hampers also work best when filled with items that won't spoil easily, such as red wine for wine hampers. If you do intend on filling in items that have to be refrigerated or will spoil, then make sure the hamper is sent as quickly as possible and make sure your special someone understands that the items must be used quickly.

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Weight Loss in 2 Weeks?

By Xylene Belita

Are you planning to lose weight in 2 weeks and achieve the ideal weight you always wanted? Then, you should put some active planning into your weight loss program before you start so you will definitely have a better chance of reaching your weight goal.

Here are four important tips:

1) Know how much weight you want to lose. This is very important because unless you have a solid goal in your mind then it makes it more difficult to achieve your 2 weeks weight loss plan.

2) Get professional help before starting on any weight loss program for your own safety. If you have any serious health problems, it is important to discuss things with your doctor before starting any weight loss program.

3) Request support of your friends and family to help you with your goal to lose weight. You should understand that it is very important to distance yourself from negative people and those who do not really offer you any support because there are always people around who do not want to see you improve in your life and reach your goal to lose weight.

Show them that you can do it. Let the world see that you can lose weight in just 2 weeks!

4) Take a photo of your body at the start of your weight loss program. Stand in front of a mirror and look at your body while visualizing how you want it to look. Usually, we often forget how much progress we make. But with a photo, you can look back and it offers you the encouragement you need when there are times you feel like the going might be a little more tough.

You can start your "Lose Weight 2 Weeks" fat loss program now by comparing fat loss products here: Natural Herbal Weight Loss Products

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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Tips for Matching Suit Patterns

By Victor Santerino

Men world wide recognize the fact that a suit should usually be worn in combination with a shirt and tie. The problem with most men is that they do not know how to match the patterns of these various garments.

Reading this article will make you one of the few men who successfully know how to match a wardrobe correctly. Follow the next few paragraphs below for more details on this practice.

The combination of different patterns, similar patterns, and the two used in harmony can all be used to pattern coordinate a suit. Examples of each of these situations are provided below.

The ability to match the same pattern between various pieces of clothing is important. Always make sure to wear different sizes of the same pattern. A great example of this is the man who wears a shirt with small circular patterns and a tie with large circular patterns.

Different patterns can be matched in two different ways. The first way is to use different patterns of the same size to coordinate with each other. For instance a tie with small round check patterns could be matched with a shirt with small circular patterns.

The second way to match two different patterns is to take two completely different sized patterns of the same color and match them to each other. For instance wearing a tie with large light blue checks would match light blue pinstripe suit jacket.

Combining all different styles is not a out of the question, but it can be a bit perplexing in nature. An example of this type of style would be to wear a gray pinstripe suit with a wide gray circular patterned tie, and a white shirt with gray pinstripes.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you received some valuable tips while doing so. Use these tips the next time you wear your suit and you will look fantastic.

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Canadians Adored Musical Talent - Celine Dion

By Matt Ryan

One of the most infamous French recording artists, in history, is Celine Dion. Celine Dion is an extremely talented artist who is able to sell millions of copies, of her albums, in a matter of days - even after so many years in the business. She not only catches the attention of French audiences, but English audiences as well.

Celine's popularity has not changed much over the past years, as she is still recognize and adored by millions. Her latest performances, in Las Vegas, are just as stunning and showy as they have always been. The choreography and costumes give audiences a show like never before. However, it's not just the show that lures fans in. Celine's range of octives, and the utter sexiness of her vocals, entices spectators from all over the continent.

Celine Dion was born in March of 1968 in Quebec, Canada; she had 13 siblings; and began writing her own songs by the time she was 12 years of age. Her mother and brother produced a home recording of Celine performing her very first song. Celine's brother was so moved by the performance that he mailed it to Rene Angelil, a name he got off one of the records they had at home.

After listening to the recording, Angelil was impressed, and requested a live performance from Celine. He was so moved, by her performance that he promised to help make a name for her. Angelil did as promised and produced Celine's first two French albums. At the age of 15 she was presented with the French Gold record, this was a first in Canadian history.

By the age of 18, Celine was insistent on becoming a pop star. Angelil helped Celine to change her look, giving her what she needed to be noticed. During this time, Celine went to school to learn English, giving her a chance, not only on the French market, but in America too. Not too long after this transformation, Celine's albums hit the American Market, with several songs hitting the charts.

At the age of 23 Celine was approached, by Disney, to perform the theme song for "Beauty and the Beast". The following year Celine was awarded with a Grammy and an Oscar for this performance. During this time, her second English album was also released.

In 1997, she had another opportunity of a lifetime, to perform the song "My Heart Will Go On" for the soundtrack to the movie "Titanic". With Celine's range of octaves, that she so eloquently hits, this was another opportunity for her to share her magical vocal talent with the world.

In 1999 Celine's husband, Angelil (married in 1994), was treated for cancer. Celine took a small sabbatical in order to nurse her husband and help him through this rough time. Just a few years later, in 2001, Celine became a mother of a handsome little boy.

Canada, her home country, continued to support Celine throughout her entire career. When she was due to tour through her home province of Quebec, the tickets sold out within two hours! Celine continues to produce albums in both English and French, while also balancing her family life. She is a beloved, talented, woman who has melted the hearts of many.

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Friday, January 16, 2009

An Investigation Of The Economics Of Australian Perfume

By Chris Channing

Perfume and cologne are great methods of making a great first impression or to "wow" the opposite gender with intriguing smell. But finding a good perfume that is also inexpensive is somewhat of a myth- but not impossible to achieve.Australians who are looking for a great way to smell excellent, but not spend too much money in the process, do have options in the hunt.

Inexpensive types of perfume are often viewed as being cheap for a reason. Often this means that the aroma or duration of the aroma is less than expected, but keep in mind in this context a cheap perfume is being obtained through different methods, not by settling for less.

One of the most popular methods of obtaining a cheaper perfume is to buy an imitation brand. Imitation brands are easy to come by, are often as much as half cheaper or more. Although it may not be exactly like the real brand, it can be passed off as the real thing and at a very large fraction of the price. And to top it off, most imitation brands even name on their product container which brand of perfume or cologne they are meant to replace.

The idea of buying in bulk often wards off some consumers, who would rather pay less now and more later. But buying in bulk can actually not only lower the price of a perfume drastically, but also get consumers into the mindset of thinking logically of their buying decisions. A good first step would to be visit wholesale supply centers to see if a membership can be obtained to buy from them.

A timed purchase is a great way to get a product in a less expensive manner, but only because it is purchased at a certain time of the year. Buying pants in Summer, for example, is a great way to find a good deal simply because pants would be out of season. In the same sense, it's better to buy perfumes at key points in the year when specials are present, such as Christmas or Valentine's Day.

Sometimes the best solution to the problem of finding a good perfume in Australia is to find a scent that smells good- but also doesn't cost the amount of money that most branded scents do. Most scents of this caliber can be found in malls, through the Internet, and even at major general stores that carry a wide array of products.

In Conclusion

Never under estimate the power that a friend can have on one's ability to find perfume- some of the best advice will come from others who have tried many scents and found different deals in their area. Even if a friend can't be found with the right expertise, most department store workers will be glad to give advice.

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Heart Diamond Engagement Ring

By Alice Sy

Why are diamonds unique?

Diamonds are very much influenced by the wealthy and well-known. They are expensive and really symbolical. Many celebrities, famous people are into diamonds thats why the public follow the trend.

The word "diamond itself says a lot, rare, beautiful, expensive, precious, genuine, desirable and brilliant. There are many types of diamond rings. They come in different shapes, styles and colors. What is so special about heart diamond engagement rings? If you are to choose a diamond engagement ring, would you like this type?

Heart diamond engagement rings are very popular type of diamond engagement rings. Not only that it is a sign of engagement, the heart-shape itself symbolizes love. It can be considered as the most sentimental and romantic. That is why it is very meaningful to those who are given this type of engagement ring.

So, it is not unbelievable that many couples choose this type as the symbol of their love. But couples should decide carefully in choosing this shape because it could be so common or too bold.

Heart diamond engagement rings are beautiful and are more unique than standard diamond shapes. It can be very timeless and elegant. They can be very expensive but there are also many less expensive ones which are available in the market.

Many couples consider and purchase this type and shape because it says a lot and is a direct and clear representation of their unity and commitment to each other.

There are jewelers who can cut diamonds into any shape that you like. There are even available diamonds which are already cut into a heart-shape. Heart diamond engagement rings can either be flat or elongated.

Thats why you can customize and personalize your own diamond engagement ring. This makes the engagement more personal and meaningful. So by the time you have the chance to choose an engagement ring, you might want to consider this style.

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