Tyrone

Arthritis, body fat, lethargy, and body odor disappeared after I adhered strictly to the Organic Bodybuilding Diet in the months before my competitions. I felt incredibly healthy, energetic and could not sleep for more than six hours at night. I awoke each day feeling strong, rested and refreshed. A small cyst I had on my chest disappeared. My skin became incredibly clear, smooth and healthy.

The biggest change I made to my diet was to banish commercial beef to get ripped. After the competitions I ate a lot of commercial non organic beef and other processed foods and my arthritis and body odor returned. More than ever I am a believer that organic, wild, pastured, free-range, grass-fed, natural animals are the way to go.

Overeating after competitions is hard to avoid. I put on 12 lbs. in 2 days after my last competition. This is fine for me since my goal this summer is to try to gain back the mass and strength I lost from my contest dieting.

While away on a retreat last weekend I decided to indulge in breads, cakes, cookies, and cheese which I do not usually eat. I did not bring enough tuna cans, apples, etc. to last the weekend. The meals at the retreat were good and at least the breads and desserts were homemade. I wanted to keep up my calories so I thought one weekend of flour and sugar would not hurt me.

I felt terrible and lethargic after eating a lot of these desserts and baked goods. By Sunday morning I did not want to get out of bed and my skin started breaking out. I cut out the garbage and ate apples, tuna and drank a gallon of water. I immediately felt better. I discovered that sacrificing my health for gaining mass is no longer acceptable to me.

Whether you are gaining mass or leaning down- do it the healthy way. White sugar, white flour, processed foods and fast food are garbage. For building lean mass Lift Heavy weights and eat meat and potatoes! If you use healthy, pure whole foods to build your body the gains will be permanent.

What should I eat to lose weight?

People often ask me what they should eat to lose weight. I tell them First; get processed foods and fast foods out of your life, you will probably lose 10 lbs. or more just by doing this. Second; you must train yourself to eat 5-7 times a day to speed up your metabolism. You probably will lose 10 lbs. or more just from doing this. Third; you must train yourself to drink 1 quart of pure water per 50 lbs. of body weight daily.

Once you have mastered these 3 behaviors then you are ready to start looking at what is making you fat if you still want to. You may be all set.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ian Kelley is the author of The Organic Body fitness and cookbook. Ian is a lifelong chef, competitive natural bodybuilder, holistic health advocate and writer. His website, www.organicbodybuilding.com, provides informative articles and resources on natural/organic bodybuilding. Ian is now offering a FREE copy of his "Organically Ripped" Pre Contest Diet to all who subscribe to his FREE newsletter.

Non-prescription contact lenses are not meant for vision correction; they are called plano. Opaque color contacts are the most common non-prescription contacts. Though these lenses do not need a prescription, users must consult an eye care professional for the right fit.

There is a wide variety of non-prescription contacts available in the market. There are lenses that simply enhance ones natural eye color. There are also contacts to satisfy every whim and fancy. The lenses have names like flame, alien and cats eye. It would appear that there is a non-prescription contact lens to suit every flight of fancy. Occasions like Halloween boost the demand for such lenses.

The user can choose between disposable and daily-wear lenses. Disposable lenses may be a better choice if the user plans to change colors frequently. These are the right choice when you use non-prescription color contacts only occasionally. There is no need to clean these lenses, and you can just throw them away after using them for a few days.

Daily wear lenses are more appropriate if the contacts are to be used more often. These will last longer, but need regular cleaning and disinfection.

Many doctors advise against the use of non-prescription contacts without a doctors supervision. They warn that when a doctor does not monitor fitting, usage, and physiological effects, the contacts may cause serious damage or even blindness.

When people buy non-prescription contacts over the counter without bothering to consult an eye care professional, they tend to forget that contacts are not for everyone. The shape of the eye, the amount of tearing and the need for correction vary from person to person. Only a careful examination by a professional can ensure the right contacts for the right eyes.

All users must be mature enough to take proper care of the lenses. Diabetics need to take extra care, as infections may take a long time to heal.

Eye Contacts provides detailed information on Eye Contacts, Color Eye Contacts, Eye Contact Exams, Cheap Eye Contacts and more. Eye Contacts is affiliated with Contact Lens Discount Coupons.

Be smart, play smart, and learn how to play craps the right way!

The "gambler's fallacy" is the false belief that fixed odds increase or decrease depending on recent occurrences. Let's use the familiar coin-flip example to illustrate this concept. Assuming we use a fair coin and a fair flip, we expect a 50% chance that heads will appear and a 50% chance that tails will appear. Those odds are fixed and will never change. Suppose heads appears five times in a row. If you think tails has a better chance of appearing on the next flip because it hasn't shown for the last five flips (i.e., you think tails is "due"), then you've fallen for the gambler's fallacy. You must understand that results of previous flips have no influence on the outcome of future flips.

In craps, the dice have no memory. They don't remember how they landed on the last roll. They don't care if they haven't shown a 7 in the last 50 rolls or even a million rolls. The odds of any number showing remain constant and are never influenced by what occurred previously.

Have you seen the big tote board by a roulette wheel showing the results of the last 10 or 15 rolls? It not only shows the recent numbers that hit, but also the colors (i.e., red or black). Almost every roulette wheel in every casino on the planet has a tote board. What purpose does that thing serve for either the player or the casino?

It doesn't serve the player any purpose other to sucker him into making a bet that he wouldn't otherwise make. It serves the casino's ultimate purpose of taking advantage of the gambler's fallacy and getting more bets in play. The more bets in play, the more money the casino makes. The casino has one key goal: get you to make as many bets as possible. The casino knows its profits go up as your number of bets goes up. The sole purpose of the tote board is to get you to make a bet that you normally wouldn't make.

Suppose a husband and wife stroll through the casino on their way to dinner with no intention of stopping to gamble. They approach the table-games area and see on a particular roulette wheel's tote board that the color red appeared on the last six rolls. The guy points to the wheel and says, "Look, dear, black is due for that wheel. Let's try it!" The tote board just did its job. It suckered the guy into making a bet that he wouldn't have made had he not known that red appeared six times in a row. Yeah, sure, black is "due" all right. Wrong! The little ball doesn't know it landed on red the last six times. It only knows that both red and black have an equal chance of appearing on the next roll. It doesn't influence itself to land on any particular number or color because of past occurrences.

Suppose your craps system tells you to Lay the 4 for $50 only after the number 4 hits three times in a row. Your system is based on the belief, if the number 4 shows three times in a row, then chances are that a 7 will appear before another 4. Is this a good, smart bet? Is this simple system good or bad?

Yes, it's definitely a good bet, and this system is an acceptable way to play if you don't mind getting bored to death. You think, "Huh? You're either nuts or full of crap because you just finished saying the dice have no memory, and future outcomes aren't influenced by previous ones. Therefore, how can that be a good, smart bet?" Calm down, let me explain.

In this example, you make a bet only after the number 4 has appeared three times in a row. You're a knowledgeable player, a disciplined rock, one who sticks to your system and doesn't allow emotion to cause you to deviate. Making a Lay 4 bet under those specific conditions doesn't make your odds of winning or losing any different than another person making a Lay 4 bet at any other random time. Regardless of when or under what circumstances you make the bet, the odds don't change. The Lay 4 bet with a vig after a win always has a 1.64% house advantage. It doesn't matter whether you make the bet only after the number 4 has appeared three times in a row, or only when the shooter takes a swig of beer, or only when there's a full moon. The odds never change.

However, although the Lay 4 bet with a vig after a win is considered a good bet because of its low house advantage, it's possible to regard it as bad under certain circumstances. Let's look at another example.

Suppose your system doesn't include the Lay 4 bet. Under no circumstances does it tell you to make a Lay 4 bet. Suppose the number 4 appears eight times in a row. The hot babe next to you falling out of her halter top says, "There's no way a four will hit again. We should bet against it. What do you think?" You respond, "No thanks, I'll stick to my system. It's been good to me so far." She wiggles a bit and says, "Oh, come on, I don't want to be the only one hoping for a seven." Her jiggling causes you to lose focus, so you say, "Maybe you're right. Another four can't possibly hit again. Let's go for it!"

This is a situation where a good bet can be a bad thing. The key is that you allowed yourself to risk more money than you had originally planned because of the gambler's fallacy (and partly because you couldn't say no to the bimbo next to you). Remember, the more bets you make, the more the casino wins. So, adding more bets to your plan--even though they may be considered good because of their low house advantages--can be hazardous to your bankroll.

Let's revisit the example of the couple strolling through the casino. Suppose the couple were in their hotel room before going down to dinner. As the guy brushes his hair, he says to his wife, "Is it okay if we stop at the roulette wheel so I can make a quick five-dollar bet?" His wife responds, "Sure, but we have reservations and we can't be late." They stroll through the casino and approach the roulette wheel. The guy sees that red has appeared six times in a row and, as a result, decides to bet $5 on black (he thinks black is "due").

Under these circumstances, using the tote board to influence his bet is harmless. Regardless of what bet he makes (black, red, even, odd, etc.), the house still has about a 5% advantage. The guy came to the table intending to make a $5 bet, so the results displayed on the tote board weren't the trigger that influenced his decision to make the bet. In this example, although the guy's belief in the gambler's fallacy influenced him to bet on black, the gambler's fallacy didn't trigger him into making the bet (he had already intended to make the bet before leaving his hotel room). The gambler's fallacy does its job only when it influences you to make a bet that you normally wouldn't make.

The moral is, don't let the gambler's fallacy cause you to make bets that you normally wouldn't. If you still believe that previous results influence future results and--here's the important part--if this belief causes you to risk more money than you intended, then you're playing a dangerous game. Play smart. Be a rock. Don't fall for the gambler's fallacy. Don't let it cause you to put more money at risk than you had planned or that you can afford to lose. If you don't want to lose your shirt, you must learn the secret to craps. Don't fall for bogus winning systems or ridiculous dice-setting claims. Be smart. Play smart. Learn how to play craps the right way.

Now you know!

Bill Enslen is a reliability engineer who routinely works with statistics. Having played and analyzed craps for more than 25 years, he has compiled his winning secrets in a new Ebook, The Secret to Craps: The Right Way to Play. He doesn't offer false hope or prey on your blazing desire to beat the house. Instead, he explains the reality of the game and how to optimize your fun without losing your shirt. Without fully understanding the game and the truth behind the numbers, you're vulnerable to believing bizarre claims that you can consistently beat the casino. The plain truth is that you can't and won't. Don't be a sucker. Be smart, play smart, and learn how to play craps the right way. For more information, and to read a sample chapter about the silliness of dice control, visit his site at Learn How to Play Craps the Right Way.

As Watermelon Day (Aug 3) is drawing near, more and more people are going ga-ga over the benefits of watermelons. Researches have brought to light the immense health benefits that watermelons store up within themselves and scientists are on the look out for some more revealing facts about this amazing fruit. Lycopene, one of the most-talked about nutrients in watermelons, is the target of observation of most of the scientists. Watermelons store a high percentage of water besides containing decent proportion of essential vitamins. It acts as an antioxidant, relieving the body of stress during the summer months. Watermelons are excellent rejuvenators, relieving the body of fatigue after an exhaustive day's work. No wonder, watermelons are vastly becoming popular with the health conscious and diet freaks. Current trend reveals a huge number of people switching to watermelon diets so as to lead a fit and healthy life.

People recommend numerous ways of leading a healthy life. Hitting the gym, following a vegetarian or protein diet, fat-free food ... the list is endless! Some of these diet patterns are often boring and tasteless. Variety is very important to tickle ones taste buds. So whatever diet pattern a person follows, he or she should keep on altering so as to retain interest in food intake. Lack of attention to ones diet might even cause anorexia without the person realizing so! To avoid such mishaps, try out some excellent mouthwatering recipes that are low cal and loaded with a number of essential nutrients. You guessed it right! It's definitely gonna be some of the best-known watermelon recipes. These delectable recipes can act as snacks, appetizers, filling lunch or dinner, a refreshing drink, delectable desserts and what not! When so many healthy options are on offer, one can hardly control oneself from switching to a watermelon diet.

As appetizer, one can try out the Balsamic-dream appetizer i.e. watermelon cubes sprinkles with fresh limejuice and balsamic vinegar, to be served with cheese and crackers or bread slices on the side. Watermelon gazpacho makes an amazing summertime starter, using pureed watermelon as its base instead of tomatoes. A combination of cheese (feta cheese or goat cheese) and chilled watermelons can provide you with an energy-driven breakfast. Watermelons can also be used for dressing seafood like crab salad to make a healthy and wholesome lunch. Spicy watermelons, sprinkled with either pico de gallo seasoning (a chili-mixture available in Latin American markets) or an Asian chili salt (a mixture of salt and chilies available in Asian markets, such as the Vietnamese Bon Bon brand) are hot snacking items. Watermelons, in combination with dry sake (Japanese wine), make an excellent sorbet. Smoothies of watermelons are teamed up with various fruity flavors especially strawberries. Watermelon pies and other forms of its desserts are just too irresistible! Watermelon rinds can be pickled, barbecued or even made into salad with ginger and grenadine. These preparations can be made easily without any hassles and do not consume much time. These amazing varieties of watermelons can easily lure us to change our diet patterns.

Besides, most workingwomen find watermelon diet convenient both in terms of preparation time and health. So check out this new trend of food as well as lifestyle introduced by watermelons. For sure, the more people try this out, the more they are gonna stick to it, the primary reason being the desire amongst all of us to look and feel great. watermelon diet, therefore, is the key to mans latent dream of acquiring a great body and is making its way into the hearts of people worldwide.

Suzanne Macguire is an Internet marketing professional with expertise in content development and technical writing in a variety of industries. Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew

Long distance today is getting cheaper and cheaper. You should no longer be paying those expensive monthly fees or outrageous per minute billing rates. The secret to slashing your long distance bill is to use a discount long distance rate, pretty simple right?

Here are some tips to be sure you choose the right provider:

Figure out what fits your needs. Look at the details of each long distance calling plan you are considering. What are the in-state (intrastate) rates and what are the state-to-state (inter-state) rates for each plan. Often you will find in-state rates are more expensive then state-to-state so keep that in mind if you make a lot of in-state calls. It is possible to use a different provider for each type of call if you use a dial-around or calling card.

Be aware of any monthly recurring fees. Some carriers charge a monthly access fee in order to make long distance calls at a discount rate. This is ok if you make a lot of calls however if you are not careful, you could actually lose money if you dont make any calls at all. For example if you talk an average 20 minutes per month at 2.9 cents per minute and there is a $4.95 monthly fee then in reality this means you have paid an outrageous 27.65 cents per minute. This is highly overlooked so be aware when you are evaluating providers.

Check to see if there are connection fees. Some calling plans have a connection fee in order to connect your long distance call. This is especially true when making an international calls or when using a calling card. Be sure you read the fine print on this one.

Check if there a minimum per minute charge. Be sure there isnt a minimum charge when connecting your call. For instance, some companies will connect your call and it may only last 3 minutes however they charge a minimum of 5 or 10 minutes. This is especially true when making international calls or using a calling card.

International Calls. This can be tricky if you call more than one country. You may have the cheapest rate calling one country and pay a higher rate to call another. Take the time and be sure you are getting the best rate you can possibly get; this can really save you a ton of money. Calling cards are usually much cheaper than making calls from a standard telephone as long as you use all of the above criteria when selecting a provider.

Check USF Fee. The universal service fund fee is a fee paid to the government and cannot be avoided. The average is about 9% today however most phone companies charge much more than this. It cannot be applied to in-state calls however if you make a lot of state-to-state calls you will be subject to this tax.

If you follow this guide you should rest assured that you have chosen the best possible provider. Be sure to check back with your provider frequently and be sure your rates are still the best. As technology continues to change it will drive competition and make prices cheaper. I would check at least once every six months to ensure you are still getting the best rate you possibly can.

Eric Wilkes, Communications Expert and Consultant. With more than 10 years of experience in the communications and technology industries, Eric has provided services across the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information please visit http://www.secretphonesavings.com

The Vermont State Agency that oversees the collection and reporting of State income taxes deducted from payroll checks is:

Department of Taxes 109 State Street Montpelier, VT 05609-1401 (802) 828-2551 http://vermont.gov/

Vermont allows you to use the "W-4VT, Vermont Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate" form to calculate state income tax withholding or federal W4 form.

Not all states allow salary reductions made under Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to be treated in the same manner as the IRS code allows. In Vermont cafeteria plans are not taxable for income tax calculation; taxable for unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) plan deferrals are not taxable for income taxes; taxable for unemployment purposes.

In Vermont supplemental wages are taxed at a 7.2% flat rate.

Magnetic media reporting of W-2s is not allowed in Vermont.

The Vermont State Unemployment Insurance Agency is:

Department of Employment and Training 5 Green Mountain Dr. P.O. Box 488 Montpelier, VT 05601-0488 (802) 828-4344 (877) 214-3331 www.det.state.vt.us/

The State of Vermont taxable wage base for unemployment purposes is wages up to $8000.00.

Vermont has optional reporting of quarterly wages on magnetic media.

Unemployment records must be retained in Vermont for a minimum period of six years. This information generally includes: name; social security number; dates of hire, rehire and termination; wages by period; payroll pay periods and pay dates; date and circumstances of termination.

The Vermont State Agency charged with enforcing the state wage and hour laws is:

Department of Labor and Industry Wage and Hour Division National Life Bldg., Drawer 20 Montpelier, VT 05620-3401 (802) 828-2157 http://www.labor.vermont.gov/

The minimum wage in Vermont is $7.00 per hour.

The general provision in Vermont concerning paying overtime in a non-FLSA covered employer is one and one half times regular rate after 40-hour week.

Vermont State new hire reporting requirements are that every employer must report every new hire and rehire. The employer must report the federally required elements of:

• Employee's name
• Employee's address
• Employee's social security number
• Employer's name
• Employers address
• Employer's Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

This information must be reported within 20 days of the hiring or rehiring. The information can be sent as a W4 or equivalent by mail, fax or electronically. There is a $500 penalty for conspiracy in Vermont.

The Vermont new hire-reporting agency can be reached at 800-786-3214 or 802-241-2194 or on the web at http://jobs.utah.gov/newhire/

Vermont does not allow compulsory direct deposit

Vermont requires the following information on an employee's pay stub:

• Gross and Net Earnings
• straight time and overtime pay
• hours worked
• itemized deductions

Vermont requires that employee be paid no less often than weekly; biweekly or semimonthly if employer gives notice.

Vermont requires that the lag time between the end of the pay period and the payment of wages to the employee not exceed six days; 13 under union contract.

Vermont payroll law requires that involuntarily terminated employees must be paid their final pay with in 3 working days and that voluntarily terminated employees must be paid their final pay by the next regular payday; if there is none, next Friday.

There is no provision in Vermont law concerning paying deceased employees.

Escheat laws in Vermont require that unclaimed wages be paid over to the state after two years.

There is no provision in Vermont law concerning record retention of abandoned wage records.

Vermont payroll law mandates no more than $3.35 may be used as a tip credit.

In Vermont the payroll laws covering mandatory rest or meal breaks are only that all employees be given a reasonable opportunity to eat and use toilet facilities.

There is no provision in Vermont law concerning record retention of wage and hour records therefor it is probably wise to follow FLSA guidelines.

The Vermont agency charged with enforcing Child Support Orders and laws is:

Office of Child Support Agency of Human Services 103 S. Main St. Waterbury, VT 05671-1901 (800) 786-3214 www.ocs.state.vt.us/

Vermont has the following provisions for child support deductions:

• When to start Withholding? 10 days after receipt of order or next payday.
• When to send Payment? Within 7 days of Payday.
• When to send Termination Notice? Within 10 days of termination.
• Maximum Administrative Fee? $5 per month.
• Withholding Limits? Federal Rules under CCPA.

Please note that this article is not updated for changes that can and will happen from time to time.

Charles J. Read, CPA has been in the payroll, accounting and tax business for 30 years, the last fifteen in private practice. Mr. Read is the author of How to Start a New Business.

For Professional Payroll services at a Budget Price go to http://www.PayrollonaBudget.com a Paperless Payroll Company.

Go to http://www.CustomPayroll.com For a full service payroll service bureau with CPA's on staff.

See an excerpt of Mr. Reads interviews from William Shatners Heartbeat of America television show on the websites linked above.

Restless Legs Syndrome is a condition that affects about ten percent of the population. The disorder is characterized by an urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by or caused by uncomfortable leg sensations. People with RLS often have difficulty describing their symptoms. Common terms used to describe the sensations are aching, twitching, tingling, burning, creeping, crawling, itching, flowing, pulling, searing and painful. Many people experience these sensations in their legs, but the arms or other body regions also can be affected. The symptoms of RLS are generally worse at night, can be brought on by rest and are relieved by standing up or walking around.

MY STORY

I, too, suffer from RLS occasionally. I've had periods of my life where the condition seemed to worsen (probably stress-related). Some of the following suggestions may work for you, for others maybe not. For me, the lifestyle changes I made to help with my insomnia also helped with my RLS. I still have a sleepless night or a night with RLS, but they are far less frequent. Although www.natural-cures-for-insomnia.com does not endorse drug use, there are new drugs available for extreme cases of RLS when nothing else works.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

Treatment begins by dealing with any underlying medical condition that may be cause the symptoms. Many times the cause is unknown, but it can be associated with neurological disorders, diabetes, stress and pregnancy. The serious sleep loss can not only lead to drowsiness, but could lead to depression and accidental injuries as well. In recent years, researchers have discovered that iron, folate or vitamin E levels are often low in RLS sufferers and supplementation can frequently help. For example, when iron deficiency is the cause, taking iron supplements can significantly reduce the symptoms of RLS.

"We know that iron deficiency is involved because every condition that produces iron deficiency, such as anemia or pregnancy, increases the risk of RLS dramatically," says Richard Allen, PhD, a diplomat on the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a founder of the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center. In fact, based on studies of hospital patients, about 40 percent of people with anemia had RLS and about 20 percent to 40 percent of pregnant women have RLS.

Another way researchers know that iron plays a role is iron-deficient patients' response to iron supplementation. "Then when the iron deficiency is corrected, the RLS often remits," Dr. Allen says.

Some people with RLS, however, have normal iron levels. Researchers say that's not a reason to discount iron as an underlying cause of their RLS. Studies indicate that the problem is the brains of RLS patients may not absorb iron normally.

Some other treatment options which may relieve pain include leg massages, hot baths, heat or icepacks, aspirin or other over-the-counter pain relievers, and the elimination of caffeine. As well, regular sleep habits and exercise, especially earlier in the day, will help people enjoy more restful sleep.

MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM

Cramps in the lower limbs, restless leg syndrome and sleeplessness can be eased by the addition of calcium and magnesium to the diet. Magnesium is more easily absorbed by the body in the form of dolomite, or with the addition of calcium.

Magnesium helps to support a strong immune system and maintains normal muscle and nerve function. It is also known to be involved in every metabolism and protein synthesis and is needed for over three hundred biochemical reactions in the body, so it is very important.

One of the benefits of magnesium is its muscle relaxing properties. The heart is a muscle and high blood pressure is often caused by the heart not relaxing sufficiently on its outward (diastolic) beat. There is increasing interest in the role magnesium can play in managing hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

WHAT TO AVOID

You should avoid things that can make symptoms of RLS worse:

Tobacco
Alcohol
CaffeineChocolate, coffee, tea, and some soft drinks contain caffeine. Although it may seem to help overcome daytime sleepiness, caffeine usually only delays or masks RLS symptoms, and often makes them worse. Some types of over-the-counter and prescription medicines can also make RLS symptoms worse. These include:
Anti-depressants (most of them)
Anti-nausea medicines
Anti-psychotic medicines
Antihistamines
Good supplements to take are iron, folic acid, co-enzyme Q10, extracts of ginko biloba and garlic tablets.

Acupuncture and magnet therapy are also worth trying to help with restless legs syndrome.

If you are taking prescription medication, always consult your health care professional before taking supplements.

Natural Cures For Insomnia promotes healthy ways to get a good night's sleep. Get the latest information and tips on insomnia and other sleep disorders. Natural Cures For Insomnia.

A woman naturally gets excited when she finds out that she is pregnant. In many cases, this happiness is soon diminished when the financial burden of having a child is realized. Thirteen percent of American women who become pregnant have no maternity insurance coverage. They face the risk of inadequate pre-natal care and must find their own resources for funding the cost. If the pregnancy is complicated, this adds to the burden.

Even those with insurance may find to their dismay that maternity is not covered. A costly add-on premium may be required. Some insurers do not offer maternity coverage or consider it a pre-existing health condition. This is illegal by Federal law, and there are several loopholes.

There are many group insurance plans that do provide maternity coverage as a service to members. There may be a waiting period of three months to one year before the clause becomes effective. What happens if one becomes pregnant during the waiting period? If you are carrying COBRA (extended coverage from a previous employer), check to see if maternity is covered. This may be costly but well worth it.

Some states have plans for pregnant women like Medi-cal in California. Federally sponsored programs like Medicaid also exist, but they are mostly for low-income groups.

Another option is MaternityCard. It is designed to provide help to pregnant women and is well accepted. This covers a wide spectrum of maternity medical needs and less expensive than regular insurance.

Ideally, maternity coverage begins immediately. There are some women that naturally get excited when they finds out that they are pregnant. In many cases, this happiness is soon diminished when the financial burden of having a child is realized. Thirteen percent of American women who become pregnant have no maternity insurance coverage. They face the risk of inadequate pre-natal care and must find their own resources for funding the cost. If the pregnancy is complicated, this adds to the burden. There are some plans

that have a 30-day waiting period. Always study the package that is offered before accepting it.

Health Insurance Coverage provides detailed information about health insurance coverage, individual health insurance coverage and more. Health Insurance Coverage is affiliated with Individual Health Insurance Quotes.

Having a regular newsletter with interesting content is a powerful tool for building a strong relationship with your customers. The hardest thing about starting a newsletter is often writing the first couple of words.

If you are like a lot of people, you get writer's block. You don't know what to write or say or you have an idea but you sit at your computer and stare at the screen hoping the words will come to you. You are not alone. So much for your business newsletter, you think. It doesn't have to be that way.

Creating content is a lot easier than you think. First thing to remember is that people are starving for information. If you don't believe me, check out how many how-to books there are at the bookstore. Look at the magazines at the grocery check out. They are filled with how-to articles. People want to be told what to do!

First thing to do is to buy a digital voice recorder or get a microphone for your computer. If you have a microphone for your computer, you can also record directly to your hard drive. Personally, I like to walk around and talk but do whatever works for you.

Ready to record? Here are 5 tips for coming up with great content:

1. Turn on the recorder and talk about problems your products or services solve. Use conversational English like you're talking to a friend. Don't use "business-speak." Transcribe and edit your comments into several different newsletters.

2. Ask your customers, prospects and friends what they would like to know about what you do. From their comments, write out a list of ideas for topics. Once again, just start talking and record your comments. Now transcribe and edit.

3. Ask someone to interview you about your business and record the conversation. Give them a list of questions that people frequently ask you. I'm a small business marketing expert so questions in my interview might include: "What is your number one piece of marketing advice you would give to a small business owner?" or "What are the most common mistakes you see in small business advertising?"

Record the interview and use the content for articles. You can also burn CD's of the recordings and give them to your customers or prospects as gifts. If the interviews turn out to be really good, you could even package and sell them!

4. Almost every business is impacted by some division of Federal or state governments. One of the things we get for our tax dollars is a tremendous amount of research and information. You can use the information the government has paid to compile and use it for your newsletter.

Here's an example: I live in Ohio and the emerald ash borer is devastating the ash trees around the country. If you go to http://www.ohio.gov and search "emerald ash borer" you will get pages and pages of articles about the insect. If you are landscaper, don't you think your clients would be interested in this?

Visit http://pueblo.gsa.gov for the US Government database of articles. There large numbers articles on all types of subjects. Most are copyright-free and available for you to use. Some are available as free pdf downloads and you can get others for $1.

5. Go to ereleases.com or prweb.com and search for press releases related to your profession. You will likely find hundreds of releases about your topic. Press releases are are public domain and you can use the content. The companies that submit the press releases are happy to have their information distributed.

Another thing about newsletters is that they don't have to be about your profession but it does need to be interesting. You can write about topics indirectly related to your profession. A doctor could write about nutrition, a florist about gardening, an insurance agent about bike safety for children. You see how easy it can be?

Look at the newsletter from the point of view of the reader. What benefit will they receive from reading your newsletter. Will they say "That's interesting or good to know?" or will they say "Wow, that was boring!"

Remember, getting started is the hardest part. These are some ideas you can use to start cranking out your newsletter. There is an author somewhere inside you itching to get out so it's time to get started!

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