The Dot Com Miner

One of the finest attributes of the Arkansas River is its
accessibility. Roughly 60% has public access and most of it is
well marked along major highways. Traveling south from
Leadville, you will pick up the river at the Highway 24 Bridge.
This marks the beginning of over five miles of the Hayden Lease.
The river here is a small, winding stream with willow lined
banks. From this point, it begins to pick up speed and water
from tributaries as it cuts through Brown’s Canyon between Buena
Vista and Salida. Brown’s Canyon is without a doubt one of the
most scenic wilderness canyons in the state of Colorado. The
best access is by boat, launching at Fisherman’s Bridge and
taking out at Hecla Junction. You can hike upstream from the
lower end of the canyon at Hecla, however you must cross to the
east side to access public land and that can be tricky except
during low water. Once across, you can use the abandoned rail
bed as a trail system and walk the entire canyon, stopping to
fish pool after pool of productive water.

By the time the river reaches Salida, it has leveled in
elevation and becomes a meandering, classic Rocky Mountain
freestone river with wide gravel bars, boulder fields and deep
runs accented with shallow pools and backwater eddies. For the
next 50 miles, U.S. Highway 50 shadows the Arkansas, providing
the most popular recreational access. From Salida to Texas
Creek, fly fishers find easy access, wonderful habitat and great
fish populations. From Texas Creek to Canon City, the river
begins a gradual drop to the foothills. This stretch includes
the Royal Gorge, which holds some nice fish, but is extremely
difficult to navigate. The twenty miles from Texas Creek to the
Gorge takes you through a beautiful granite canyon, complete
with one of the largest Big Horn Sheep herds in the Rockies.
This water offers excellent fly fishing during the spring and
fall. During the summer, it is literally a water park because of
the numerous Class IV and V rapids. I particularly like this
section due to its close proximity to Front Range cities, and
because it looks more difficult to fish, many newcomers pass it
by. Actually, the fish here tend to congregate along the edges
and outside seams, making shoreline hikes a nice way to spend a
morning. The Arkansas in Canon City offers excellent fishing
along 3.5 miles of improved river trail systems, called the
Riverwalk. This water is public along the trail side (south
side) and provides great walking, biking, and bird watching as
well. The Riverwalk runs from the ninth street trail head to
McKenzie Ave. on the east end of town.

The next fly fishing opportunity comes at Pueblo Reservoir and
the tailwater below the dam. The reservoir itself can be
excellent for Wipers, Crappie, and Bass. Small Mouth and Large
Mouth Bass regularly fall to float tubers, but a powerboat is
necessary to effectively chase Wipers. The tailwater has just
undergone a habitat improvement project. The selective placement
of small and large boulders has created an efficient trout
habitat where nonproductive water once existed. The DOW is
considering a special regulation stretch of water, so in the
future this tailwater could become even a more productive
fishery, especially during the winter when so many other waters
are locked in the grip of winter.

Even though the Arkansas is the number one whitewater rafted
river in the lower 48, the use of McKenzie style drift boats is
not encouraged after the river drops below 1000 cfs. During
runoff and high water these boats generally work fine, but
inflatables in the 13 to 14 foot range such as self bailers from
Aire, Maravia, and Down River are the best. Personal pontoon
craft in the 8 to 10 foot range navigate this river extremely
well. To drift this river, understand your skill level and get a
good river map. Launch areas are well placed from Granite to
Canon City, giving you the option of short or long floats. Even
if you use a boat, probably the best way to fish this river is
to get out and walk/wade the boulder fields, rock gardens and
long shorelines. Fish hold along shorelines primarily and a
competent fly fisher can break the river down into smaller
systems and work fish up close and personal. Wading can be
dangerous in many places, so use studded boots and a wading
staff. It makes sense to be prepared, since the Arkansas is one
of those rivers that tempt us to wade “just a little further.”

Ninety-five percent of the time, I fish this river with a 9 ft.
5 wt. rod. Afternoons can be breezy, so wind penetration is a
must. If you have an 8 ft. 4 wt., it should be perfect for
fishing dry flies. One of this river’s assets is that it
provides something for everyone; dry fly fishing, nymphing and
streamer fishing can be effective most of the time. The Arkansas
is not an early morning river. I find it fishes better from 9:00
AM till 2 PM, and 5:00 PM till just after dark. Large Browns
didn’t get big by exposing themselves to the numerous predators
along the drainage. A lantern and a short sink tip line can be a
good combination for those who enjoy night fishing. I find it
invigorating and extremely productive, but it does require
knowledge of the streambed for wading safety purposes. Besides,
all you need is a #8 Black Woolly Bugger - well, maybe two.

When most people think of a retirement gift, they think of a watch. It’s the tried and true gift that companies give employees to say thanks for all the years of hard work. It’s a great gift on behalf of the company but if you’re the lucky individual enlisted with planning the retirement party, you’re probably in need of a personalized gift on behalf of everyone at the office.

The perfect gift would probably be an affordable, personalized, lifetime keepsake from everyone attending the farewell party and yet something that would make a beautiful presentation to wish the retiree well on the next stage of their life. Is there such a gift with all these qualities and still be original?

Well, there is and it’s called a signature frame and it is able to encompass all of these great qualities by displaying pictures of the retiree surrounded with signatures and/or messages from friends and fellow co-workers. The signed frame, complimented with pictures and an engraved plaque will make a memorable gift at a retirement party.

Many signature frames are sold as kits and include everything from the pen for signing the mat board to the mounting system to quickly and easily add special photographs.

To make a fun presentation at the party, fill the frame with older photos of the person during their time at work and also personal photos of them throughout their life such as their hobbies, old graduation pictures etc. That way, when friends and colleagues sign the frame they will have a chance to reminisce about their friend while having fun looking at how much they have changed over the years. Be sure to take some new photographs at the party so they can later be added to the frame as a way to remember this final farewell memory.

This simple, fun retirement gift will provide years of happy memories for the retiree by displaying a lifetime of work memories while at the same time providing a personal memento from fellow employees and friends.

Shar Calder is the owner of First Class Framing a picture framing company providing ready-made framing solutions to display important life celebrations. Special collage frames allow consumers to display their memories quickly and easily.
http://www.firstclassframing.com

“Cats are possessed of a shy, retiring nature, cajoling,
haughty, and capricious, difficult to fathom. They reveal
themselves only to certain favored individuals, and are repelled
by the faintest suggestion of insult or even by the most
trifling deception.” - Pierre Loti

Ah, where to start? Cats are among the most celebrated creatures
of literature. They’re domesticated and at the same time wild,
loved and at the same time hated. They stand for stealth and
mystery, the power of silence and secrets. And cat jewelry is a
testament to that power.

Even before Halle Berry popularized the Catwoman, and before the
sleek, sassy villainess ever graced the pages of DC comics, cats
were being worshipped all over the world. The way the cat moves,
the easy grace and mysterious stillness fuels the imagination
and fires up the senses. Bast, the ancient Egyptian cat-goddess,
was a wild goddess who was generous in good humor, and ferocious
in ill. To kill a cat in ancient Egypt was to call down the
wrath of Bast, and was not only considered an act of evil, but a
crime against the gods.

To compare a person to a cat is to give credit to his/her
capricious, languid, underhanded nature. Cats will only do as
they desire, not as they are told. Loyalty is something they
only bestow, not give out of a sense of obligation. At the same
time they are affectionate to those whom they have chosen, work
with reasons they may not disclose to anyone, and perform
incredible tasks with absolute secrecy. Sending a person –
especially a woman — cat jewelry as a gift would serve as a
tribute to these special traits. Wearing cat jewelry would aid
in fostering an image of mystery and an instinct for the refined.

The endearing nature of cats has been immortalized not only in
classical literature (”The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe, and
“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams, to name two of
many) but also in modern literature, like TV shows and comic
strips. We have Garfield and Heathcliff on our Sunday papers,
and Top Cat and the Thundercats in our (all right, kind of
outdated) Saturday morning cartoon lineups. Cats have been
preserved in so many artistic forms — why can’t jewelry be
among them?

Cat jewelry might be popular among children, especially little
girls who love kittens and probably raise cats of their own.
Young women may also appreciate the extraordinary sleekness of
the feline motif, and feel especially sexy wearing something so
in tune with their sensual nature.

OK, I admit it. I’ve developed a great fascination with and
respect for Internet marketers. The good ones, at least.

If you subscribe to any marketing ezines, you become familiar
with their names soon enough. Terry Dean, Yanik Silver, John
Colanzi, Jim Edwards, Lee Benson, Dave Balch, Marlon Sanders,
Jan Tallent- Dandridge and Jim Turner, to name a few. And a
there’s a whole slew of up-and-comers on the horizon, men and
women who have studied the masters and are trying to follow in
their footsteps–or create paths of their own.

I can see some of you out there, wrinkling your noses as you
read this. Internet marketers? Aren’t they a bunch of
hype-driven shysters whose sole reason for existence is tricking
unsuspecting Web surfers into giving them their credit card
information?

Well, no. Not the good ones, at least.

What are they, then?

1. First and foremost, they’re writers. Every one of them. They
write books, articles and reports by the dozens. They develop e-
courses and publish ezines. Internet marketers don’t talk about
writing, or dream about it, or hope to do it someday. They
*write* prolifically, and the best of them are darned good at
it. And they’re not starving writers either, living in unheated
garrets and subsisting on stale bread. These writers make money.
Some of them make plenty of it.

2. They’re entrepreneurs. You might even call them pioneers.
They took one look at the text-based Internet, saw its
potential, seized its opportunities and built mini-empires on
it. They boldly published ebooks long before the rest of us
thought of electronic publishing as a viable outlet for our
work. Success didn’t happen to them overnight, but they believed
in the medium and, more importantly, in themselves and what they
had to say.

3. They’re motivators and motivational. You’ll never meet a more
upbeat group of people online than successful Internet
marketers. Powerful words and positive phrases make up the bulk
of whatever they write. They constantly urge their readers to
set lofty goals, be willing to make sacrifices, persevere in the
face of adversity and eschew any doubts expressed by people who
supposedly have our best interests at heart. Just like any
“regular” writer, they know that their loved ones might not
understand it when they prefer to be at their keyboards instead
of Uncle Harry’s birthday party. But hey, they need to finish
that chapter first, or work on that Web copy before they take
time to socialize.

4. They’ve mastered the art of self-promotion. Moreover, they
enjoy it. Internet marketers happily write articles and freely
give them away for publication in ezines and on Web sites,
knowing that the exposure to their own newsletters, sites and
products is worth its weight in gold. They find ways to get
interviewed, both online and in print. They collaborate on joint
ventures (known in the biz as JVs), pooling their talents and
strengths on projects for their mutual benefit. These people not
only “think outside the box” when it comes to promoting their
wares–they never believed there was a box to begin with.

5. They are Web-savvy, and more than willing to share their
knowledge. They’ll lead you to all the free tools and resources
online, show you how to attract more visitors to your Web site,
divulge their own publicity tactics and respond to both
technical and nontechnical questions if they can. Although I
have uncovered a number of useful resources online through my
own research or in other writers’ ezines, many more have come
from articles written by the top marketing people. They know
their way around the Web, and pass many of the nuggets they find
along to their readers.

Certainly I am not saying we should all become e-persuaders;
readers also want poetry, mystery, romance, information, news,
inspiration and all the other types of things we writers
produce. They want writers to entertain and/or inform them, help
them with their resumes, create stories for their children or
document historical events.

But can we all learn from the enthusiasm, expertise and
resourcefulness of the top Internet marketers. From them, we can
discover how to find our own markets, how to get our work
noticed, how to promote our services–and have fun doing so. We
might also pick up an idea or two we can apply to our own
writing efforts.

And hey, if we happen to whip out a credit card and purchase one
of their products after reading one of their articles, then that
proves how well they really write, doesn’t it?

Do you remember the feeling of seeing someone you were
attracted? It makes the heart bump, doesn’t it?

Have you ever stood on stage in front of a sea of faces that you
know well and pulled out your notes to make a speech? Boy does
the vibration of shaking liven you up!

Have you ever felt the breeze on your face, either during a
hot-air balloon ride or by sticking your head through the car
sunroof? It wakes your senses up, doesn’t it?

And on a scale of 1-10 how much does your heart bump, body shake
and senses wake when you do your day job? I bet you can
practically do the tasks with your eyes shut. In fact I bet
there are days when you feel like you did have your eyes shut?

Most people don’t feel awakened by their day jobs. Their role
lacks excitement and the chores get done with a distinct lack of
passion. In many places of work you often hear people making a,
“If I have to work for a living I’d sooner do something I
enjoy,” kind of statement.

However finding or creating work that engages you to the extent
that you lose track of time isn’t easy, is it?

Many people find themselves in the place of having money and all
the trappings, yet still feel unhappy and not knowing why.

Part of the issue here is that they/you probably don’t attach
any other meaning to work except the money taken home at the end
of the month. And if you won the lottery this weekend, would we
see you at work on Monday?

Probably not.

But I want to give you an example of a guy I know living his
life purposefully and totally engaged in his work. He used to be
obese. He used to pack in a minimum nine hours sleep each night,
he often got ill and he was forever counting the clock down at
work.

Now he has lost 84 pounds, works in timeless awareness - where
time slips by unnoticed - sleeps on average 5-6 hrs per night
and wakes up raring to go in the morning. In fact on a summer
morning he’s worked for an hour, jogged six miles, done an hours
yoga and is sitting at the breakfast table by 8am. Also he’s not
seen a doctor in three years and had only one cold or virus!

The weight loss will give him years extra to live and the lack
of pharmaceutical drugs in his body means his major organs are
no longer breaking down and continuing the illness cycle. And
the extra hours he now has because he is not sleeping… well
these give him just over two moths extra living each year!

And the good news is he began as an ‘ordinary’ person and
learned to make extra-ordinary changes when he discovered and
began to understand his Life Purpose.

If you don’t feel engaged in your work it is probably because
you are not working close to your life purpose or because your
natural talent and ability is being choked.

If you feel apathy in your work, lethargic or are suffer from
weight issues it is well worth taking a look at your life
purpose.

Best Wishes

Jo

Melbourne restaurants are known as some of the finest in the
world. If you are planning a trip to Melbourne and looking for a
“uniquely Melbourne” experience, visit one of the following
Melbourne restaurants for more than a dining delight.

1. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant
Cruise the scenic
streets of Melbourne aboard a converted 1927 tram that is the
first traveling tramcar restaurant in the world. Enjoy first
class cuisine and the very best of Australian wines as you take
a journey into a little piece of Victoria’s history. The
Colonial Tramcar Restaurant has become one of Melbourne’s star
attractions since its inception in 1983. Expect all the comforts
of a top Melbourne restaurant - air-conditioning, piped music,
plush burgundy carpets, velvet covered seats, stately brass
fittings and fresh flowers - all creating a cosy atmosphere
reflective of the colonial period. Enjoy a three, four or five
course meal while gliding through the streets of Melbourne with
all food prepared on the tram. The set price is inclusive of all
food and beverages from the fully stocked bar. Tempt your taste
buds with one of the delicious menus including grilled kangaroo
fillet, Prime eye fillet of beef, a selection of Australian
cheeses, and mouth watering desserts. Luncheon is a four course
meal and the tour is from 1pm-3pm. You can decide between an
early dinner - 3 courses from 5:45pm-7:15pm or a full 5 course
dinner from 8:35pm-11:30pm. The maximum party size is 108 people
(36 people per tram) and the restaurant operates 7 days per
week. It is advisable to book well in advance. 2. The Spirit
of Melbourne Cruising Restaurant If you are looking for the
perfect romantic experience, what better place than aboard the
Spirit of Melbourne, right in the heart of our vibrant river
city? Savour the ever-changing city background reflecting the
cosmopolitan culture that is Melbourne. Enjoy a luxurious dining
experience while cruising the magnificent Yarra River. The
Spirit of Melbourne caters for only 40 guests and the setting is
intimate, yet relaxed with personalized service and attention to
detail. Delight in the fusion of international dishes and fine
Australian wines. The extensive six course meal is freshly
prepared on board by the gourmet chefs. All beverages, including
Australian wines, beers, spirits, cognac and liqueurs are
included. The Spirit of Melbourne is fully enclosed with
air-conditioning and heating or enjoy a breath of fresh air on
the alfresco deck. no. 6, Southbank Lower Promenade at 7:30pm every Friday and
Saturday evening and returns at 10:30pm. Bookings are essential.
3. Café 55, Melbourne Observation Deck Café 55 is on the
observation deck of Rialto Towers - the Southern Hemisphere’s
tallest office structure and Melbourne’s most recognized
building. The Rialto is 253m tall and was opened in July 1994.
Climb the 1254 stairs to level 55 (or take the speedy lift) and
spend time appreciating this amazing city. The birdseye view
over Melbourne from the observation deck is breathtaking with a
360 degree outlook over the city and beyond. Enjoy a meal and
drink from the fully licensed bar at café 55 and make the most
of this unique experience. Café 55 is open daily for lunch and
dinner. 4. Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel The
famous Yarra Valley was originally settled at the current
location of Yering by the Ryrie brothers in 1837. Grapevines
were planted resulting in Victoria’s first vintage being
produced in 1845. The original chateau at Yering was built in
1854 with hand made bricks made on site and extravagant fittings
transported from Melbourne by bullock. Paul de Castella and
Baron van Mueller (a world-renowned botanist) were responsible
for the extensive gardens including the magnificent Chilean Wine
Palm and two Bunya Pines. Both the house and the garden are
listed for protection by Heritage Victoria. Today, Chateau
Yering is a country house hotel. Conveniently located only 1
hours drive north east of Melbourne, it is on 250 acres of land
with 2.7km of river frontage onto the Yarra River. There are
spectacular views across the Yarra Valley to the Great Dividing
Range. The interior design or the Chateau Yering reflects its
heritage and the new building blending seamlessly with the
existing structures. All the bedrooms have been individually
decorated with antique furniture, works of art and fine fabrics.
The original dining room has been extended and now houses
Eleonore’s Restaurant. The elegant high back chairs, ornate
cornices and ceilings and luxury fittings reflect the history
and the vista from the restaurant is one of the finest in
Victoria. Enjoy a comprehensive selection of Yarra Valley wines
complementing the contemporary cuisine. For a less formal
setting, enjoy a more leisurely lunch or a coffee and cake at
the Sweetwater Café. The Sweetwater Café is a lovely atrium
connecting the old mansion with the new wing with outdoor views
to the gardens. For further information on Melbourne
accommodation and restaurants, visit www.happystays.com.au

Purchasing a home is a huge investment, and one not to be taken
lightly as there is so much to consider. Did you know that it is
also one of the most personal. That’s right most people don’t
look at it that way but it’s true. There is alot of emotion that
goes into the search for your home. Not to mention one of the
largest you will make in your lifetime?

There are few things you will want to consider prior to
contacting a real estate agent:

1. Who are the major decision makers in this matter? If there is
more than just yourself, you will want to determine. Do they
need to be present during the looking process, or do they want
to be, or do they just need to approve the end result.

2.What is the schedule of all the decision makers involved.
Coordination plus timing can greatly reduce the looking process
and the time required to find you your perfect home. This is
also important to your real estate agent. They will ask you when
you are available to look at properties. And set a date(s).
Should your schedule change for any reason even a short period
of time you will want to keep your realtor informed.

3.Price Range? Do you know how much you can afford to spend. If
you haven’t already spoke to a Mortgage Broker and are
pre-approved you will want to do this now. They can take your
information over the phone and have an answer for you in 3-5
days as to the amount of a mortgage loan you will qualify for.

4.Area- where do you want to live. Cities to towns right down to
communities. But remember whatever information you give to your
realtor they will take you literally. Once again if you change
your mind let your realtor know immediately.

5. Style-consider the style of house most favourable to you. For
example if you have an elder living in your home that cannot
climb stairs very well or at all. You probably would not
entertain a Two-Storey home.

6. Size and number of bedrooms. People usually base their
decision on how many people will be living in the home,
additions they may have in the future, or people leaving the
home.

7. Parking- this usually is a decision strongly influenced by
the man of the house. Attached or detached, single, double.etc.
For most females it’s a no brainer (attached of course)! For men
it would depend if they are a mechanic or woodworker. As females
we would normally say who cares, but the fact of the matter is
they make these decisions based on noise level or possible
stains in the driveway. See they do love us.

These are all things to consider prior to speaking with a real
estate agent. However if you are still unsure as to any of the
listed options above. If you have an agent in mind that you
would prefer to use, I’m sure they would be happy to show you a
few different types of properties so you can make the best
possible decision to suit your lifestyle.

Happy house hunting

Contemporary healers, therapists, and marketing gurus are grabbing hold of a phenomenon that insects and animals instinctively understand: the power of aroma.

Scientists pursue aromachology (the study of scent and its ability to change human behavior) for its role in everything from medicine to marketing, migraines to memory loss, and relaxation to revitalization.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to treat ailments. These conditions range from physical conditions to emotional problems. From headaches to herpes. Dry skin to acne. Arthritis to asthma. The essential oils of aromatherapy are extracted from aromatic plants and herbs–from the flower, bark, root, twig, seed, berry, rhizome, or leaves–generally through a process of steam distillation. These oils may be inhaled or massaged into the skin, after combining with a vegetable, nut or seed oil.

Massage with essential oils is most commonly used to alleviate skin ailments and muscle pain or tension. Lavender, orange, marjoram, and chamomile are particularly effective aromas in the use of massage.

Essential oils can be inhaled with the help of a vaporizer, an electric diffuser or an aroma lamp.

–>How does it work?

Our sense of smell is more complex than you might think. Your nose contain thousands of olfactory nerves. While your tongue has the ability to taste sweet, sour, salt, and bitter, it is your sense of smell that creates all the delightful flavors you experience. The olfactory bulb is part of your brain’s limbic system, which is not under conscious control. The limbic system controls digestion, libido, and emotions.

So, it’s not your imagination that scents evoke emotion. Aromas actually trigger the release of chemicals in the brain that create a feeling of well-being. Scientists say your body’s response to an aroma takes just four seconds.

–>Which Essential Oils are Right for You?
Essential oils are available in natural and synthetic forms. Natural essential oils are not oils but non-oily, non-water-soluble substances, which dissolve in alcohol and combine with true oils. Pure, natural essential oils may be as much as 70 times more potent than the plant source itself.

Some synthetics are derived from natural products. The exact formulation of an essential oil is virtually impossible to reproduce in the laboratory. Even the smallest variation can produce significant changes in the oil’s effect. Some synthetic oils fall into the category of artificial fragrances, entirely made of petroleum products. These products generally do not produce the same therapeutic effects as essential oils.

Each essential oil is comprised of different hormones and vitamins, which combine to create different effects. Furthermore, the effects of each essential oil can vary depending on the botanical species and where it is grown. The effects of particular aromas also vary among cultures and individuals, so the results of aromatherapy are not universal. Still, aromatherapists have developed a roster of scents with relatively predictable effects:

Aphrodisiacs
Jasmine, ylang ylang, patchouli

Energizers
lemon, basil, bergamot, sweet orange, peppermint, eucalyptus,
tangerine

Hair Care
(dry hair) cedarwood
(normal hair) lavender, ylang ylang
(oily hair) rosemary, lemongrass

PMS
cedarwood, clary sage, fennel, geranium, nerali, Roman chamomile

Relaxation
lavender, myrrh, cardamom, cedarwood, German chamomile, clary sage,
frankincense

Skin Care
(all skin types) Lavender, geranium, ylang ylang
(dry skin) rosemary, rosewood, carrot seed, sandalwood, peppermint,
rosemary
(oily skin) basil, eucalyptus, cedarwood, cypress, lemongrass,
ylang ylang, sage

Susie Cortright is the founder of Momscape.com and Momscape’s Online Scrapbooking Magazine She is also the creator of Free-Article-Bank.com, featuring free, quality articles for your website, ezine, newsletter, or blog.

The kitchen is the perfect place for making memories. When you spend time baking, cooking and enjoying meals with your family, you create happy memories you and your children will cherish forever.

The benefits of preparing and enjoying food as a family are clear. You save money and eat healthier meals. You create opportunities to connect and communicate with your children and spouse. And most importantly, you show love for your family when you spend time cooking and eating with them. Children of all ages need your attention and your time. By working together to create a meal or bake a batch of cookies, you spend valuable time together.

So, here are 10 steps to get your family cooking up memories.

Step 1:
Teach small children the fun of cooking by helping them bake cookies and cakes. If you are short on time, you can use a boxed cookie mix and spend more time decorating.

Step 2:
Encourage the littlest ones to play pretend cooking. Kids love to play with real mixing bowls, strainers and wooden spoons. These make harmless toys and can be easily thrown in the dishwasher for quick cleanup.

Step 3:
If you live by your day-timer, schedule in baking cookies with your kids. Our schedules can be so hectic that something as simple as baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies can get skipped over. Write it down and do it.

Step 4:
If you have teenagers, let them play their favorite music while they wash the lettuce and set the table.

Step 5:
Work together with your spouse to prepare the dinner and use the time to catch up on each other’s day.

Step 6:
Even if you are in a rush preparing dinner, remember to reduce your stress and focus on creating a fun atmosphere that naturally encourages the whole family to participate.

Step 7:
When spending time preparing food with your children, include lessons about healthy eating choices. Keep the conversation positive and avoid listing foods they can’t have.

Step 8:
On days where you anticipate time will be tight, consider taking a short cut by using a frozen stir-fry mix or pasta with a jar of pre-made sauce. Your family will appreciate your relaxed mood much more than a made-from-scratch dinner.

Step 9:
Share the job of grocery shopping. One week have mom take one of the children as a helper, the next week dad can go with another child. Always work from a grocery list and let your children help you retrieve items and cross them off the list.

Step 10:
Have big family meals where you share about your day. Keep the conversation fun and avoid negative lectures over dinner. Remember to laugh.

Take these steps today and make your kitchen a fun and memorable place for your whole family.

You too, can manoeuvre in the unfamiliar waters of gourmet cuisine, with just a few well-learned techniques that are easy to master, and build a repertoire of literally hundreds of dishes and deserts. Let Geoffrey set you on the path today, to gastronomical delights! www.free-recipe-books.com

How to get more customers just by knowing their voice

“Do you know your customers voice?”

In this article you will learn the importance of knowing your customers voice and the positive impact that it has when conducting business.

Whether you greet your customers personally or on the phone it’s always a good idea to know them by their voice.

If you don’t know their voice, simply ask them politely who they are and get used to their voice. Try and notice some key aspects to help you remember. Such as; the way they may pronounce certain words, their accent, their voice tone, their voice pitch etc.

Don’t you just love it when people recognise your voice? And say “hey Ken, or hi Susan, how you doing today?”

Learn to recognise your customer’s voice and greet them by name, especially when they are on the phone.

This is a very powerful communicational marketing tool that you can use with your customers time and time again.

However, this technique does come with a warning. Only use this form of interaction if you are 100% sure of your customer’s voice. Do not guess as this will have an adverse affect, It could leave your customer feeling a little bit distant from you and your business.

So if you have customers, who are regulars and you do know their voice, refer to them by name and make them feel special.

Try this it really is effective and works well.

Ken Ajoku is the author of “45 Powerful Marketing Strategies”. To receive for FREE “The Secrets of Powerful Marketing”, a seven part course by email worth £199.99 visit http://www.kajoku.biz now!