Wine and Your Health

During the 1990s, a physician voiced on a national TV show that drinking red wine reduces heart disease. It made all the headlines. He cited the relatively lower levels of the disease in France despite their ever so famously high fat diets. Since that program, it seems that red wine health effects have been on the forefront of the wine consumer?s mind.

Good for the Heart

Coronary artery disease is caused by a build up of cholesterol in the arteries that supply the blood to the heart. If the arteries get partially blocked the heart cannot get enough oxygen and the result is pain. Does red wine protect against heart disease?

Many studies suggested that moderate amount of red wine (one to two glasses a day) lowers the risk of heart attack for middle aged people by 30 to 50 percent. It was also concluded that red wine may prevent additional heart attacks if you have already suffered from one.

The cholesterol that blocks these arteries is called low density lipo-protein or referred to as the bad cholesterol. This is cleared from the blood by high density lipo-proteins or the good cholesterol. Moderate wine consumption produces a better balance of these two. Additionally, wine has an anti-coagulation effect which makes the blood less likely to clot.

Red Wines

Chemical and food experts have known for years that wine contains rich deposits of vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars that are often beneficial to good health. Wine is also rich in potassium and low in sodium. Red wines have more of these elements due to the juices longer contact with the grape skins. Red wines are also rich in Vitamin B which comes from the grape skins as well.

Wine and Digestion

Wine aids in the production and flow of gastric juices. This facilitates digestion by breaking down the food in the stomach quickly and effectively. For many, after the age of 50 our bodies do not produce enough hydrochloric acid that are needed for digestion. So many doctors, including my own, have suggested a glass or two of wine with a meal. Who am I to complain?

Wine also has a tranquil effect on the body and helps people who have trouble sleeping. And it does not stop there as it may help lower the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer?s disease.

Wine and Calories

As of now, there is no such thing as a diet wine. Unfortunately, there is no getting away from the fact that wine contains calories and calories make you fat if you do not burn them up. A glass of white or red wine contains around 100 calories. Sweeter wines that contain residual sugar as well as alcohol have more calories.

Final Thoughts

When you put everything together you may decide that a little bit of wine does you some good. Wine certainly has its place in a healthy lifestyle. That is my conclusion, and I am sticking with it!

Contributor: Stuart Glasure [A wine enthusiast and publishing member of the wine source: http://www.WineDefinitions.com.]

Your IRS Tax Appeal Rights

Are you in the middle of a disagreement with the IRS? One of the guaranteed rights for all taxpayers is the right to appeal. If you disagree with the IRS about the amount of your tax liability or about proposed collection actions, you have the right to ask the IRS Appeals Office to review your case.

During their contact with taxpayers, IRS employees are required to explain and protect these taxpayer rights, including the right to appeal. The IRS appeals system is for people who do not agree with the results of an examination of their tax returns or other adjustments to their tax liability. In addition to examinations, you can appeal many other things, including:

1. Collection actions such as liens, levies, seizures, installment agreement terminations and rejected offers-in-compromise,

2. Penalties and interest, and

3. Employment tax adjustments and the trust fund recovery penalty.

Internal IRS Appeal conferences are informal meetings. The local Appeals Office, which is independent of the IRS office, can sometimes resolve an appeal by telephone or through correspondence.

The IRS also offers an option called Fast Track Mediation, during which an appeals or settlement officer attempts to help you and the IRS reach a mutually satisfactory solution. Most cases not docketed in court qualify for Fast Track Mediation. You may request Fast Track Mediation at the conclusion of an audit or collection determination, but prior to your request for a normal appeals hearing. Fast Track Mediation is meant to promote the early resolution of a dispute. It doesn't eliminate or replace existing dispute resolution options, including your opportunity to request a conference with a manager or a hearing before Appeals. You may withdraw from the mediation process at any time.

When attending an informal meeting or pursuing mediation, you may represent yourself or you can be represented by an attorney, certified public accountant or individual enrolled to practice before the IRS.

If you and the IRS appeals officer cannot reach agreement, or if you prefer not to appeal within the IRS, in most cases you may take your disagreement to federal court. Usually, it is worth having a go at mediation before committing to an expensive and time-consuming court process.

Richard Chapo is CEO of http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - Obtaining tax refunds for small businesses by finding overlooked tax deductions and credits through a free tax return review.

Personal Success - Take a Break from Business

Have Some Time to Yourself
One of the most important things you can have when running a successful business, is to have time for yourself. Every small business owner needs to make time to be quiet.

The following facts apply in every small business:

• You will always have deadlines to meet.
• No business is perfect.
• No business owner is perfect.
• You will always have disgruntled staff to deal with.
• You will always have customers who are unhappy, due to one thing or another.
• You will always order too much or too little stock.
• You will always find that the supplier sends you the wrong thing.

Many things will contribute to you being stressed out at the end of a business day. You will feel a lot of pressure and you will be left a mental and physical wreck at times. However, you still need to summon up the energy and patience to deal with the frustrations that come as part and parcel of owning and running a small business.

The Value of the Quiet Time
To try and combat this stress and pressure you need to budget a small amount of time every day, aside in a quiet place, to recharge your physical and mental batteries.

This is known as a 'quiet time'.

Teachers in day care centres and kindergartens often use quiet times to maintain some sort of order in their classrooms. When you have 20 or 30 hyperactive little children running around, quiet time allows them to calm down. As a business owner you need to treat yourself to the same sort of attention. After you have worked so hard, you owe it to yourself to have some time for yourself.

Quiet time is not an option it should be a basic requirement in your business. This time of being alone, where you have a few minutes or even half an hour to yourself, will pay dividends in the long run, in how successfully and stress free you will continue to run your business.

We are not suggesting that you go into meditation or wear a robe, or go into a trance, or anything like that - simply take time to go for a walk or feel the wind blow, or smell the flowers. Just sitting in the park will do you a world of good.

If you can't get out, make sure you close your door and put the 'not to be disturbed' sign up. Don't turn on the radio or TV. Don't read any books. Simply just take some time to relax and take it easy.

Highly strung, entrepreneur achievers need this quiet time relaxation the most.

You will probably find that when you begin this, it will be difficult to shut off all the business problems of the day. You need to persevere, because the business problems will always be there - no matter what. It's true how the big problems will appear smaller once you have them in the right perspective.

Personal Keys to Success

• Make people feel at ease.
• Have confidence in your own value.
• Participate in life.
• Be active in your community.
• Feel worthy of your own goals.
• Relax and be yourself.
• Be slow to criticise others' achievements.
• Never use subterfuge. (Speak your mind and earn respect.)
• Look into the nearest mirror, because the person starting back at you is the only person responsible for your success.
• Your positive self-esteem is your foundation for success.
• Always associate with successful people and avoid those who are negative.
• Desire to be successful and commit to being a success.
• Write down a vision of what you want out of your life.
• Do what you are best at because this will give you the most satisfaction.
• Write down your biggest goals, because they are the ones you most want to fulfil.
• Banish all negative thoughts and traits because they are bad habits.
• Don't bathe in success, but use it. Once you achieve your first goal move on to others.
• Listen to other people's comments and advise. Once you hear it, weigh up your own actions.
• Share the spotlight by giving credit to those who deserve it.

Copyright 2005 StartRunGrow
http://www.startrungrow.com

StartRunGrow (http://www.startrungrow.com) is a global online information organization that specializes in creating, developing and marketing business help information specifically with the aim of "making business easier" for entrepreneurs around the world. The StartRunGrow objective is to become a dominant player in the business help arena providing end to end solutions for the millions of small and medium businesses worldwide who continue to struggle daily with the difficulties of starting, running and growing a successful business.

The Story of Adam and Eve

To really understand how we all got here, what it really means to be "born again" and why there is so much death and destruction in the world we live in - you have to go back to the very beginning to the story of Adam and Eve as told to us in the Bible.

To truly understand our roots and beginnings as Christians, we have to fully understand what occurred in this story. In this article, we will cover the basic highlights of exactly what God was doing when He created the first man and the first woman and what happened when they could not stay off of the one tree that He told them not to eat from.

As a result of their one disobedient act, all of mankind had to be born into an imperfect fallen world subject to death, corruption, demonic spirits and bad and evil people who have chosen with their free wills to live this life on the dark side - thereby causing untold pain, death and misery to millions of people throughout the ages.

This incredible story also explains God's perfect setup in arranging for His Son Jesus Christ to come to our earth in the flesh, to go to the cross to die for all of the sins of mankind - thereby restoring our divine connection back to God the Father and gaining us entry into heaven when we all die and cross over. The story of Adam and Eve (sets the stage) for the greatest story that will ever be told - the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to our earth to save us from our sins.

This story also explains exactly what it means to born "again." Adam and Eve lost "something" that day when they committed their first sin against God by eating off the tree of the knowledge and good and evil. After Jesus comes to our earth to die for all of our sins - we then get back that "something" that Adam and Eve lost that day - hence the word born "again." This article will fully explain what that "something" was and how we got that "something" back "again" after Jesus died on the cross.

This story needs to be fully understood by every Christian so we know who we really are "in Christ Jesus" and exactly why there is so much death and destruction in our earthly lives. Knowledge that this story will give you on these topics will also help you when witnessing to nonbelievers - especially when you have to deal with one of the most frequently asked question by many nonbelievers - if there really is a God, how could He allow so many bad things to happen to so many people on our earth throughout the last 6000 years?

Once you fully understand the consequences that occurred after Adam and Eve ate off of that one forbidden tree - you will have the knowledge and insight to fully explain the answer to that question to anyone who may ask you - whether it be to a nonbeliever or even to another Christian who really doesn't understand the "Big Picture" and why things are the way they are in this life.

For a very good synopsis of this story, along with a good detailed explanation explaining some of the above topics, go to http://www.bible-knowledge.com/Adam-and-Eve.html

Article written by Michael Bradley, author of over 100 articles which can be found at http://www.bible-knowledge.com

Iran is Escalating the Conflict

Iran has threatened to raise America's fuel prices again. They have said they will most likely comply with the nuclear weapons productions, but are quite spiteful with regards to a different attack on American Soil. They are using what they believe to be levers available to them in OPEC. Iran has threatened to ask OPEC; Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to slash output when the group meets this next week. Iran's OPEC governor has made this comment in the news.

So are they all going to screw us in the United States and then allow Iran to be the one to blame? Yet, we will not be able to go to war now over the nuke thing. But we all know they have been exporting insurgents to Iraq to kill Iraqi police and US service men and of course the miscellaneous civilian for a head chopping video? We can still justify a war to take out the Iranian leadership. This time it could actually be a war about oil as well as insurgents, but we in America want our oil prices lowered not raised. So, we will need to economically cripple the country, attack them with weapons or help the silent majority in a civil war.

Another way we can crush these abuses of power and bull crap games they play is to enlist wall street to attack all Iranian interests and slam their investments and currency. Completely destroy their economy and economic output. This will lead to a civil war and we will make a lot of money screwing them over. It seems that is exactly what their governor said he wanted to do. A cartel, which manipulates the supply as an attack against the United States is in fact committing an act of war; it is a play to bring about political will. It is time we shut that down now and stop screwing with those who wish us ill will. These sorts of threats against our nations economy are an act of a war.

If we are going to pay more for oil anyway and the Iran continues to threaten the peace, send in insurgents to kill our soldiers, a war is a good option. Killing one's own species is a horrible thing to do, but this war has already started and instead of unraveling the problems Iran is trying to wind things up; we must lay down the letter of the law and stop screwing with people who will not honor the written or spoken word. How can you even maintain peace or make a treaty with a group, which lies, cheats and looks for ways to stick you in the back, every time you turn around? It appears we will be going to war with Iran. This OPEC game playing now is really going to be the last stray. We need to pull out all the stops and stop playing games with such underhanded games. Oh, don't get me wrong I also am not fond of the North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Il either. We can easily do both and continue our rebuilding efforts. Think on this America, do you want to pay $4.00 a gallon at the pump or would rather put a stop to some of this BS.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

Lifestyle Wellness

LIFESTYLE WELLNESS = An Adventure of Health + Vitality!

Not a strong wind, nor a surge of pressure, nor a fit of passion, nor anything, can throw you off when your body, mind and spirit are in perfect balance. -Unknown

'WELLNESS'....what does this word mean to you? What are the images, thoughts that come to mind? Perhaps you relate it to one or several of the following dimensions:

Physical Dimension: a state of being free from illness, being in good health, feeling "well", practicing good healthy habits; being able to do all you desire or need to, without physical restraints or limitations.

Emotional Dimension: feeling positive and enthusiastic about ones-self, ones' decisions, goals, sense of contentment, fulfillment, having peace, love, joy in our lives and our attitudes; cultivating and experiencing positive, loving relationships.

Mental Dimension: engaged in activities that bring personal gratification and fulfillment, You can feel good in mind by, learning more, making firm positive decisions, intellectual wellness, stress management, critical thinking, clearing your past to gain freedom from guilt, shame, insecurity, fear, etc.

Spiritual Dimension: seeking meaning and purpose in human existence. It could involve seeking answers to philosophical questions, such as: "Why am I here?" and "What is life about?" For some, faith in a personal God provides answers; for others, organized religion and then for others, introspection as well as being in touch with nature and their environment/universe helps to provide answers.

'Wellness' is a holistic concept and one of balance, encompassing the 'whole' person and all aspects of their life. It seemed to be unanimous with most, that keeping these aspects balanced can be like a juggling act and if just one dimension is out of balance, it will upset the others. In daily life it can be an ongoing conscientious struggle to achieve this balance.

Balance is a universal law and for things to function properly there must be equilibrium. Three examples are: 1) nature exists in balanced ecosystems; 2) the planetary system with its gravitation and rotation and specifically for we earthlings, that we neither freeze to death nor burn up because we are just the right distance from the sun; 3) the human body works best when our systems are balanced, if not, it is called illness.

We are all familiar to one degree or another with the results of imbalance in our lives: burnout, conflicts in relationships, a disorganized environment, fatigue, frustration, illness, insomnia, lack lustre, no fun, not creating or expressing oneself fully, overwork, not enough money, no spiritual life etc.

"Success isn't success unless your life is well balanced and you have peace of mind." -Nancy R. Fenn

Wellness is about TOTAL YOU; but it is not achieved by accident...just picking the dimension of wellness that you like and minimizing the others doesn't work in the long run. Optimal lifestyle wellness begins with a conscious, intentional decision/choice to assume responsibility for the quality of your life. It may mean raising your standards above what you have been comfortable with; it will require time, commitment, energy, motivation and attitude.

Adventure isn't just hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain. "Adventure is an attitude that we must apply to the day to day obstacles of life --facing new challenges, seizing new opportunities, testing our resources against the unknown and in the process, discovering our own unique God - given potentional" (--adapted from John Amatt; organizer and participant in Canada's first successful expedition to the summit of Mt Everest.)

"We are constantly advancing, like explorers, into the unknown, which makes life an adventure all the way" -Eleanor Roosevelt

We all have tried many times in different ways to tackle and manage the imbalances in our lives; sometime however, unsuccessfully or not completely. Encouragement, accountability and knowledge are often lacking. A Coach helps you discover/unearth who you are, where you are at and where you want to go and to create sustainable, healthy changes in your life with resources, tools and insights and a strong partnership with you. It is like running a race with a relay partner whereby your time and results are maximized while your efforts are halved.

BENEFITS FOR YOU THROUGH LIFESTYLE - WELLNESS COACHING:

A real action plan that supports your overall health:

* Increased knowledge of nutrition and supplementation; supplying the body with the proper nutrients

* Feeling more "at home" in your body, increased immunity and physical well-being ( improved muscle tone, strength, flexibility and endurance )

* Prevent or delay the premature onset of some forms of chronic disease

* Strengthening your personal foundation and implementation of regular self-care practices : "It takes courage to demand time for yourself. At first glance, it may seem to be the ultimate in selfishness, a real slap in the face to those who love and depend on you. It's not. It means you care enough to want to see the best in yourself and give only the best to others. It is silent recognition that your obligation to them is to give your best, and nothing less." -Shale Paul in The Warrior Within

* Increased self-respect, growth in confidence: "The act of discovery is not in finding new lands, but in seeing with new eyes" -Marcel Proust

* Moving from a place of stress and overwhelm, to simplicity, balance. "Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast-you also miss the sense of where you are going and why." - Eddie Cantor

"There is no power on earth that can neutralize the influence of a high, simple and useful life." -Booker T. Washington

* Learned ability to become "unstuck", identify blocks, tolerations and remove them. "Dwell as near as possible to the channel in which your life flows." -Thoreau, Henry David

* An enhanced sense of freedom; satisfaction; a forward shift

* A heightened sense of energy and vitality = increased productivity in tasks and work

* Live your life fully engaged in what excites you: " ...Ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - source unknown

* Risking adventures in new areas only before dreamed of: You see things; and you say "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?" - George Bernard Shaw

* Discovering the true spirit of who you really are and the gifts you have to contribute to the world around you: "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - source unknown

* A life style that honors you and your values (being true to yourself) "This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, Thou cans't not be false to any man" - Shakespeare

* Knowing how to have fun, to play and making time to do it : "And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." -Kahil Gibran

My favourite chuckle: Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing!

Lori Clinch
lori@health-adventure-coach.com
http://www.health-adventure-coach.com
PO Box 28131, Canwest RPO, Victoria BC Canada
Personal Lifestyle Wellness Coach
Fitness & Nutrition Consultant
Registered Strength Trainer
Registered Sports Nutrition Advisor
Registered Nutritional Product Advisor
Motivating & Supporting you toward your goals for optimal health, wellness, fitness and diet.
Coaching & Consulting in-person, by phone, cybercoaching
Workshops and Small Group Instruction

Net Savvy Indian Brides and Grooms

India is a diverse, multi-cultural country with people of various religions, communities and sects living together in harmony and peace. Each community has its own set of religious rituals, traditions and multitudes of customs inherited from ancestors. Arranged marriage is one such common custom handed down over generations. Arranged marriage has played an important role in Indian marriages. This concept is even today accepted by millions of Indians in India and abroad. Marriages, initiated by elders, were arranged with the help of an 'aunt' or the 'priest'. Over a period of time this has slowly transitioned from the marriage brokers to the newspapers and now onto the Internet.

Internet has revolutionized the way people communicate. Today, there are several matrimonial sites some aimed to a particular community/religion and some to the general public. These sites literally make the world seem a smaller place.

The concept of online matrimonial has become increasingly popular because it gives people up-front, at the click of a mouse, access to thousands of eligible singles, which neither newspapers nor marriage bureaus can ever offer. It has tremendously expanded the reach of every marriageable individual by exposing him/her to the millions of eligible Indians who visit these sites. Increasingly, many individuals and families spend their valuable time online searching for the perfect partner for themselves or their loved ones.

It is interesting to see that these sites are visited by conservative parents, relatives; who believe in the sanctity of arranged marriages and also by those for whom falling in love is the way to go. There are many wedding and wedding related sites on the net (like www.BridesandGroomsIndia.com, www.MyAstroHelpline.com, etc.) which understand the focus of the new age matrimonial net surfers and offer them several attractive services. These kind of sites have made it possible to find a partner, match the horoscopes, book a marriage hall and then do all the wedding shopping online.

Many Indians are hooked on to this concept as it is safe, saves a lot of time and presents a wider choice in every aspect.

It is interesting to see how the Indian marriage scene has changed over the years. Though Indians have become tech savvy and jumped on the Internet bandwagon to find the Mr./Mrs. Right, but still the Indian customs, the traditions, the core values remain the same.

The author is an computer professional and an Indian. She is associated with http://www.BridesandGroomsIndia.com. The author is attempting to study the imapct or the influence of Internet and technology on the lives of the Indian community.