Eco-Friendly Bags: A Convenient Option When Shopping

In recent years, the world has become a much more environmentally conscious place. This is due to research showing the negative impact of such conditions as global warming, diminishing natural resources, and the widespread destruction of our natural environment. Now, individuals and companies are looking for ways to create a much more environmentally friendly world. One way retailers and individuals are helping the planet and its resources are replacing traditional plastic shopping bags with eco-friendly bags.
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<br>Reusable eco-friendly bags are a convenient and environmentally friendly option when shopping. According to the Food Marketing Institute, "the average American walks away from the grocery store with 5 to 10 bags each trip. This adds up to 600 – 1 200 bags per year." The Australian Government in 2002 identified "that if a consumer used reusable bags for 1 year they would consume only 9% of the energy and produce only 10% of the greenhouse emission of plastic bags." As well, according to the American Forest and Paper Association, "In 1999, the U.S. alone used 10 billion paper grocery bags." This is a huge amount of trees being destroyed.
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<br>The best alternative when shopping is using eco-friendly reusable bags. These bags are available in many forms and sizes to meet every shopper's needs. Sizes can range from a small tote bag to extra large bags, allowing shoppers to carry a wide range of items. They are also available in a variety of designs and colors. It is a cost effective method of shopping and convenient because all that one has to do is return the bags to their vehicle when they have finished using them.
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<br>Quality eco-friendly bags are made of materials that do not harm the environment during their production. They are biodegradable so there are no damaging chemicals in the bags. You will not have to worry about leaving a negative impact on the environment. Many of these bags are made of 100% durable cotton with strong reinforced straps. As well, the canvas shopping reusable bags provide an easy and cost-efficient way of reducing your impact on the environment. The best part is they do not have to be thrown away after use.
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<br>According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "more than 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States every year. Of those, approximately 100 billion are plastic shopping bags, which cost retailers about $4 billion annually." The production of plastic bags eats up millions of gallons of oil and manufacturing paper bags has a devastating effect on the forests. As well, it can take up to a thousand years to break down while toxins from the bags leak into the ground and contaminate the environment. Fortunately, there are many online and traditional stores that offer a broad range of eco-friendly reusable bags. Prices vary so you will find bags within your budget and meet your shopping needs. Using eco-friendly reusable bags is a convenient, cost-cutting, and environmentally friendly way of shopping. It is no longer a "paper or plastic" shopping experience. Now, we can say, "No thank you, I have my own eco-friendly reusable bag.
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<br>About the Author: Recycled boxes are strong candidates for moving boxes. If you're considering of <a href="http://www.ecobox.com/Shipping-Supplies" rel="nofollow">shipping supplies</a>, these boxes offer the protection that you desire. You can also utilize the <a href="http://www.ecobox.com" rel="nofollow">used moving boxes</a> in many different ways; for example, build small furniture for your child.
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Compressor Units

In this review I will be taking a close look at the Ivory 2 series 5052 stereo valve processor made by TL Audio. This is a 3U, two channel unit comprising a compressor, EQ and peak limiter on both. After reading the spec I was eager to see if the 5052 was all I hoped. I was not disappointed! Having quickly and easily made all of the possible connections I tested the unit on a wide veriety of applications.
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<br>The 5052 has three Sovtek ECC83 dual triode valves making up to six valve stages. One in each of the pre-amp, compressor and EQ sections, repeated on both channels.
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<br>With valves glowing I fed the audio into the 5052 and the "Drive" LED let me know the valves were working (illuminating from +6 to +16dBu). Line inputs are via balanced XLR, switchable +4/+18dBu (this also goes for balanced mic inputs with switchable +48v phantom power) and unbalanced via 1/4" jack, switchable -10/+4dBu. The unit also has two instrument inputs on the front with a gain range of 0dB to +40dB. All inputs have phase reverse, 90Hz high pass filter and a bypass for the compressor, EQ and limiter as a group. The mic inputs also have a -30dB pad.
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<br>VU's
<br>The backlit VU's I found to be extremely accurate and the 4 point centred switch made it very easy to distinguish what the unit is doing at every part of the chain. Switching is between input / output levels and compressor / limiter gain reduction. The 10dB meter pad switch is also effective when monitoring input and output levels.
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<br>Compressor
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<br>The compressor is equipped with a hard/soft knee switch, EQ side-chain switch as well as the usual threshold, ratio, gain make up, attack and release. I was very impressed overall with the sound. Lovely and smooth on vocals, crunchy on bass drums and warm across a whole mix. The compressor was very easy to use especially with the attack / release pots not being dented, thus making it easy to dial in exactly what I wanted. In fact the only dented pots on the 5052 are on the input / outputs in the "0" centres and on the EQ "0" gain parameters.
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<br>EQ
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<br>The EQ itself is four band with switchable peak / shelve on the LF and HF and parametric bandwidth on the LM /HM frequencies.
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<br>LF: +/- 15dB 30Hz to 1kHz, Q = 1.5
<br>LM: +/- 15dB 50Hz to 1k5Hz, Q = variable 0.7 - 7
<br>HM: +/- 15dB 1kHz to 12kHz, Q = variable 0.7 - 7
<br>HF: +/- 15bD 3kHz to 20kHz, Q = 1.5
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<br>Having a valve in the EQ stage, as well as the compressor and limiter, gives a rich sound to the EQ which I really like. The EQ can be positioned pre or post compressor and individually by-passed like the compressor and limiter.
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<br>Limiter
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<br>The limiter is on a pull to activate pot, post fader, and has a threshold of 0dBu to +20dBu. Once pulled, the adjacent green LED lights up to show the limiter is on and as I roll back, the red LED lights as the limiter starts to kick in. Switching over the VU's to monitor the limiter, the gain reduction showed accurately. This is a "brick wall" action limiter and after testing it with the compressor, EQ etc I tried using it just on its own, by-passing everything else in the chain, bar the pre-amp. The results were very smooth. Even pushing it far beyond the usual degrees of limiting, it created some interesting effects, but still maintained the warm sound of the pre-amp tubes.
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<br>Stereo linking
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<br>At this point it's worth mentioning that the 5052 can be stereo-linked on the compressor, EQ and limiter functions. Channel 1 then becomes the master for both channels and not having to fiddle to get the same compressor, EQ or limiter settings on both sides, is a real bonus. I was hoping that all of channel 1's functions would mirror to the slave but there are a few functions that aren't included. The phase reverse and pad are not linkable but this isn't so much of an issue. For me, the input and output gains should be an option. Although you may not want to use this function in all applications it would be nice to have it there. Maybe we'll see it on the next model?
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<br>Verdict
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<br>The overall sound is excellent! Warm, punchy, clean with no noise. Just running audio through the 5052 pre-amp seems puts a glow / edge to your music even without putting the EQ, compressor and limiter into the chain. I like the layout, the VU's (especially the switching between inputs, outputs and gain reduction on the compressor, imiters)............... In fact I'm finding it hard to pick out anything I do not like about the 5052. If I had to pick a downside, although small, it would be that you can move the EQ pre / post the compressor but there is not a facility to move the limiter within the chain. I know it would usually appear at the end but it would be nice to have the option to move it elsewhere for certain effects. Having said that, this is a dual channel unit so it is perfectly feasible to run the audio through it twice. So not really much of a downside.
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<br>As an added bonus, you can also purchase the optional DO-2 24 bit A to D converter output card. Providing outputs from channels 1 and 2 to the SPDIF phono output.
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<br>Weighing in at £1800.00 this is a high-end processor with high-end results. At this price a stereo channel strip / processor of this calibre would be hard to match elsewhere. I've found it a pleasure to use and really enjoyed testing it. The build quality is excellent and although at 3U it's a little larger than all the others in the Ivory 2 family I'm glad TLAudio didn't compromise ease of use for size. I believe this would be an invaluable addition to any recording facility.
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<br>For those of you that would like to hear the A B comparisons from this review, I have uploaded an assortment of mp3s to our website. www.graphicnature.co.uk. They are listed in the site's media section under "TLAudio". Alternatively, I have also uploaded the real WAV versions to our server for which please get in contact with us if you would like to hear them.
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<br>About the Author: For excellant professional advice talk to Chris Frost and his team at Graphic Nature Recording Studios Ltd:<a href="http://www.graphicnature.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Compressor Units</a>
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Snap the Perfect Moment With a Casio High Speed Pocket Camera

Ever since I read about the Casio high speed camera, I was fascinated by its features. The camera promised 1000 frames per second (fps) photography at incredible 1/40,000 sec. speed! I weighed the pros and cons of getting the normal 20x optical zoom model or the pocket version. The pocket version had a lower optical zoom of 5x but there could be more fun carrying it innocuously to parties and social functions. So I ordered the Casio Exilim Ex-FC100 camera from a shop in New York and received it by UPS within a few days.
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<br>I opened the box and looked at the small 156g camera which was about the size of a normal cell phone, just a little wider and thicker. But on closer look, there seem to be many buttons on it which looked unfamiliar to me.
<br>The first remarkable difference is that the movie mode has its own dedicated ON-OFF record button separate from the normal shutter button for taking pictures. This facilitates the taking of snapshots even when the movie clip is being shot!
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<br>Just below the movie record button is a rotary toggle to change from standard to high definition HD mode. The camera is capable of taking a HD movie at 1280x720 pixels at 30 fps. The STD mode supports high speed movies at 210 fps, 420 fps and 1000 fps. As you climb higher on the fps scale, the size of the image reduces proportionately. The size of the image at 480x360 pixels at 210 fps is acceptable format for YouTube.
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<br>I tried shooting the flight of pigeon at different speeds, and was surprised at the 1000 fps movie clip. The recorded slow movement of the wings was a pleasure to watch. It displayed how nature has perfected its flying machine; you can see it at YouTube: 7RC2W97_yz0. I recorded a man walking at 210 fps and it unfolded the walking movements which were not evident at normal speed. The movie of a bird flying in the sky at 420 fps was also fun to see.
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<br>But I soon discovered the limitation of the high speed function. The built-in flash did not support high speed and therefore shooting HS indoors or at night does not give the desired results. The clips are grainy due to high ISO and don't look that great. The high speed function is therefore useful in shooting sports and interesting movements at outdoor settings preferable in sunlight or really bright light. I shot a movie of the flight of a butterfly in my garden at 420 fps. The movie turned out to be an art film! My jerky hand movements were smoothened by the high speed into a smooth flowing composition! See it on YouTube at 7Q_wZVawYMA.
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<br>After exploring the movie mode, I went on to see what the camera does for the snapshots. I searched for the normal aperture and speed priority settings, but did not find any. The exposure therefore is completely automatic and the camera selects the best exposure by setting the aperture, speed and ISO (in auto mode) on its own. There is nothing manual setting about it.
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<br>What requires manual settings are a host of options related to speed. Looking at these features you know that it is a versatile high speed camera with potential ability to give you the perfect shot every time. When an event is happening at a fast pace, it is very difficult to capture the right moment. By the time you press the shutter button, you may have missed the exact moment. There are 3 ways by which the camera helps you overcome this hurdle: (1) by offering you a selection from a series of 6M images taken at upto 30 fps just before and after clicking the button; it does that in high speed continuous shooting CS mode or (2) by getting the camera to show you the action in slow motion for you to click at the right moment. When you point and shoot at an object by pressing the button "Slow" located at the top left, the camera begins to record images for the time period chosen by you which can be 1, 2 or 3 seconds. The camera then plays out the stored images slowly at speed chosen by you within the scale of 1 to 8. As the images are played on the screen you have plenty of time to click the right moment of the event by pressing the shutter button. Only the frame which you click is saved on the camera. And finally (3), by capturing and saving multiple pictures at 1 fps in the normal speed continuous mode. The camera takes and saves the 9M sized images as long as the shutter button remains pressed. You can then select the shots that you like. All these three modes give you ways to capture images over the duration of the event so that you do not miss out the precise moment. I found that this was the unique and most useful ability of the camera.
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<br>On the mundane duty of the camera to take 9M single frame shots, the quality of the pictures at normal settings was not satisfactory. I found that I needed to set Quality at Fine, Sharpness at +2, Saturation at -1 and Contrast at +1 to obtain good shots comparable with my Panasonic camera. The other picture parameters are easy set quickly. Press the button on the bottom right labeled BS which stands for Best Shot. Thumbnail images showing different scenes like outdoor, shade, portrait, high contrast etc. open up on the screen. Just match the scene you are going to shoot with corresponding one and viola; all the settings are automatically done.
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<br>Overall, I find that the camera can be used to capture a series of pictures covering the time-span of the event from which selection could be made. This is a unique solution to capture the right moments which makes our chosen photographs more eye-catching and free of mis-timed shots. I really do not know whether there is any practical value in everyday photography for its ability to make slow motion movies with high speed recording, though it's an interesting gimmick. It may have some specific applications in analyzing the movements of sportsmen and actors. The ability of the camera to do HD movies is positively a welcome feature. The EX-FC 100 is undoubtedly a significant step forward in camera innovation. Casio merits applause for launching such a creative camera in the market. As for me, it's the camera that I would be carrying in my pocket wherever I go.
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<br>About the Author: The author Dilip Dahanukar studied engineering in India and management in the USA. His interest in photography and technology has resulted in this article. He has written many books available on Amazon. He spends his weekends in his forest-garden abode in the hills in India. Visit the webpage of the author: <a href="http://www.authorsden.com/dilipsdahanukar" rel="nofollow"> 'Dilip Dahanukar'</a>
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How to Make Baby's Transition Home Smooth

As your baby's birth approaches, you may find yourself so caught up in the homecoming event that you may overlook items you need to help make your baby's arrival home as smooth as possible. To avoid this hiccup, it is a great idea to slowly purchase required products before your due date so you can make sure you have everything you need and you have time to procure any missed items. There are some essential items which will assure you and your baby have an easy hospital-to-home transition.
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<br>Above all else, you must have a rear-facing car seat. The hospital will not allow you to depart with the baby without such a seat. It is not necessary to immediately have a stroller to bring your baby home though you may want to consider looking into baby travel systems which provide the required infant car seat and also a stroller which you'll later need.
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<br>Not often realized by many parents are the benefits to the close-contact bonding of wearing your infant. Research has shown that the use of baby wrap and sling-style carriers that keep baby close to mom or dad offer many benefits to the baby's development. Although sling-style carriers are not crucial to baby's arrival day, many parents find it helpful to begin right away.
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<br>You'll need a place for your baby to sleep when he or she arrives home. A crib or bassinet and a couple of sets of sheets and blankets will be needed. Some parents opt to purchase both a bassinet and a crib, as the bassinet offers a more confined space which tends to make newborns feel the most comfortable when first outside of mom's womb. In several weeks to a few months, after your infant has become more acquainted with the outside world, he or she can more comfortably sleep in the crib.
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<br>Receiving blankets are excellent for swaddling your baby, as newborns have a difficult time regulating their body temperature. They also come in handy when there's spit-up after a burping. Receiving blankets will often be used for wrapping your infant during nap and nighttime sleeping.
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<br>Every newborn seems to have an endless appetite and pre-planning for proper feeding is very important. Many of the feeding accessories you need will depend on your choice of breast or formula feeding. There are some basic items that you'll need whether you choose formula or breastfeeding such as soft burp cloths, several bibs, and baby bottles - many breastfeeding moms often store a couple feedings of bottled breastmilk in case of milking difficulty or for dad to participate.If you'll be formula feeding, you will need to have a couple weeks of formula before your baby's arrival home. For breastfeeding, you should consider the convenience of a breast pump and nursing pads to comfort sensitive nipples.
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<br>For your baby's arrival, you'll also need to have plenty of diapers at home. You may find yourself going through as many as 10-12 diaper changes each day. You will have to decide whether to use disposable or cloth diapers. Disposables are the easiest to use but can cost you quite a bit of money over the years you will spend changing diapers. One-size cloth diapers are also easy to purchase and use, but you'll also need diaper inserts with them. With either option, you'll need to also have plenty of baby wipes on-hand, changing pad, diaper rash cream, and baby powder.
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<br>Having initial health care items specific to your baby will also be very important. One such item is a newborn first aid kit which should include a thermometer, aspirator for nasil passages, nail clippers, and other basic infant care items. For baby's first bath, make sure you have an infant tub, hooded bath towels, tearless shampoo, and baby lotion.
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<br>Though purchasing baby's first toys is a fun part of every soon-to-be parent's experience, there are only a few that are important during the first weeks, as your baby won't yet be ready for a lot of individual play. Invaluable to your baby's enjoyment are toys which can stimulate his or her senses. It's always good to start stimulating baby's development as early as possible. Baby's stresses of his or her new living environment can be comforted with the calming sounds of a plush toy or mobile that plays soft music.
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<br>If you've addressed all of the essential items, you and your baby will both enjoy the first days in his or her new home. Keeping a proper perspective as to what's really important within the first several week's will help you plan well and keep the stresses that come with being a new parent to a minimum. Most importantly, don't forget that this should be a special event for everyone in the family so don't let any little oversights from disrupting this memorable time.
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<br>About the Author: Maria Cummings is a mom that has devoted herself to helping kids and families in the community. As Manager of <a href="http://www.bustlingbaby.com/" rel="nofollow">Bustling Baby</a>, Maria enjoys sharing her experience of natural parenting with new parents and supports parents in finding the best natural baby products, such as <a href="http://www.bustlingbaby.com/fuzzi-bunz.html" title="Fuzzi Bunz Cloth Diapers" rel="nofollow">Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers</a>.
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From Children to Teens

<p>Parenting can be one of the most rewarding times of peoples life's. Watching the little ones grow up to be older and hopefully successful is one of the high points in life. As are parent, you must make sure you always have time for your children. Play with them when they ask you to play and let them go out with their friends as long as you know where they are.</p><p>As they get older and enter the teen years, you must understand that this is a defining point in their lives and they decide who they really want to be and what path to take. They may also run into bad company which can easily throw them off course and may hurt them in the long run. Always keep an eye on who they hang out with and what they are doing but at the same time give them their privacy.</p><p>Its important to make sure teenagers stay on track and do constructive things with their lives and to have proper communication with them. Make sure they are staying on track with there school work and work out a game plan for their future career. If you are helping them like this, they will succeed. Try to stare them away from doing drugs and being around bad company because they may be misled and by the time you try to help them if you leave to long with bad company, they may become rebellious and not listen to your orders.</p>

Some of the Most Appropriate Discs for Christmas Watching | ArticlesBase.com

<p>When the Xmas celebrations come near, people start thinking about amusing the children while the grown-ups must attend office get-togethers or give soirees to socialize with co-workers, neighbors and friends. Many moms and dads limit telly and video viewing for little ones during the evenings, but when it comes to Christmas fun, usually there are some exceptions. If moms and dads expect to let their youngsters watch some special dvds, they should great ones. Here is a top three list of family friendly <a href="http://www.dhgate.com/wholesale+dvds.html" rel="nofollow">wholesale dvds</a>. The criteria? Wholesale dvds got their position here by telling a tale with a message; they are not just extended advertisments for some product; and they have real artistic contributions either because of the artwork or story line. Here are our 3 winners.<br /><br />How the Grinch Stole Christmas  has attained the status of a classic. Lovable and not so likeable characters have to come to terms with the true import of the holiday. A tale told with colorful cartooning and entrancing plot line, this film is likely to be very popular with dvd wholesalers' customers and also sold in stores everywhere.<br /><br />Another favorite is another older animation, Its Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown. Of course, no character is more sweet and attractive as the bald-headed kid with his naive demeanor and his ability to be disappointed over and over again only to come out okay. Any list of great kids' wholesale dvds for Xmas would be incomplete without this. The picture contains a sound message about what the holy season actually means.<br /><br />Finally, we put Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker third. This might not be a ordinary pick for children's wholesale dvds, but that is a mistake. Even tiny kids can really revel in this amazing story. The extravagant scenes, extraordinary score, and entrancing plot with rat battles and sugar plums will ensure the attention of all but the very youngest child. DVD wholesalers stock many variations of the tale, but chose Macauly Culkin's version for your kids.<br /><br />Christmas discs can genuinely make the season extra fun so be sure to do some research into wholesale dvds and chose a children'spicture knowledgeably.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p><br />I have great interest in wholesale china goods.
<br />As a famous wholesaler, I have engaged in this line for more than 10 years.
<br />I am glad to share experiences of <a href="http://www.dhgate.com" rel="nofollow">china wholesale</a> with you.
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What is the best 35 minute workout? | ArticlesBase.com

<p>I say why not do both in one training session? Now I am not saying to do both in the same day. I am talking about doing a workout for about 30-40 minutes that gives you resistance and cardio for that time frame. Instead of making them separate, combine them into a more efficient workout. <br /><br />Most of the physical fitness trainers, and coaches agree that doing some sort of resistance training, and cardio training, sets up a good foundation for all around fitness. What most people like to do is alternate days. M-W-F do resistance training and on Tues-Thurs-Sat do aerobic training or some other variation. Now this is not a bad thing but it can be very time consuming and for people who have real busy lives it might be hard to make this kind of commitment. <br /><br />In other words you perform a resistance exercise, it could be your own bodyweight, weights, cables, tubing, it doesn't matter. Immediately after this is completed you perform a cardio movement. It could be running in place, jumping jacks, squat thrusts, anything that is aerobic for about (30) seconds, and then continue on to the next movement. Doing say 6-8 resistance exercises and in between (30 seconds of aerobics) for let's say 3 sets. Now these 3 sets are without resting you are continually moving for roughly 35 minutes. <br /><br />Let me give you an example: Let's use weights. 1} 10 reps of lunges, then run in place. 2} 10 reps of squats, then run in place. 3} 10 reps of bicep curls, now run in place. 4} 10 reps of dips or pushups, now run in place. You can choose any exercise you want just hit all major bodyparts. Like I said choose 6-8 resistance exercises and 30 seconds of aerobics and do at least 3 sets alternating. This is fat burning exercise. <br /><br />Believe me when I tell you this is not for the faint of heart. You will be breathing heavily quickly. The beauty is it saves time and cuts workout time in half. When I first tried this I did make it thru the 3 sets but it wasn't easy. If you have to stop do so. Catch a breath and then complete it. You will gradually improve as you keep doing this exercise protocol. <br /><br />Now for the people who don't have weights at home or do not want to do this at their local workout establishment, or are just looking for a change of pace, I have found the perfect alternative. A complete system for under $50. For men and women. You get a 3 cable color system for tension, a video to follow along, a manual, and travel bag. It's very portable. And the workout you get in 35 minutes is fabulous. The name of this product is {BODYLASTICS}. You should really check this out. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bodylastics.com/?img=3&amp;kbid=118" rel="nofollow">http://www.bodylastics.com/?img=3&amp;kbid=118</a> <br /><br />When I am pressed for time and want a killer workout this is what I use. So I get both resistance and cardio in (1) 35 minute workout. I highly recommend this product for people who want a gym in a bag. Excellent for people who travel. Give it a try and please let me know what you think.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p>For more useful tips & hints, please browse for more information at our website :- <a href="http://www.adsence-dollar-factory.com" rel="nofollow"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.adsence-dollar-factory.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.adsence-dollar-factory.com</a></a>
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Freckles Serve an Important Purpose

<b>Freckles</b> are very common and tend to appear more in people with blond or red hair, but what are freckles and what can we do about them?
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<br>Many people with <i>freckles</i> are given a hard time growing up because their friends are always teasing them about the little brown marks on their face... Even though their friends don't really mean to be hurtful things like this can be traumatizing for a child. After all, the child cannot help that he or she has marks on their skin that make them look different from the other children.
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<br>They don't even understand the reason why they have been so "cruelly" affected in this way. The young have no idea that the spots that set them apart are actually meant to protect them from the ravages of UV radiation from the sun, because their skin is overly sensitive to the sunlight that it receives. These spots are actually a blessing to them.
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<br>Even after people reach adulthood many of them can't stand the way that their <b>freckles</b> make them look, and despite the fact that they may be putting their underlying skin cells at risk they go to great lengths in order to remove the <i>freckles</i> from their skin. This works out better for some people than it does for others, as many people develop more resistance over the years.
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<br>If you are not one of the lucky ones that are now able to stand being in the sun without the protection of your melanin defense then you could be setting yourself up for trouble. If you have just a few light marks on your skin then you should be alright, but if your spots are dark and numerous then your new skin may not be able to handle the exposure.
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<br>What many people with <b>freckles</b> don't know is that the same thing that causes the spots that they have on their skin is the melanin hyper-pigmentation that also causes age, or liver spots. The names that these types of blemishes have been given are misleading, because all of them technically are sunspots.
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<br>If your skin is deeply covered by these spots then you could try one of these skin treatments: dermabrasion, laser, and chemical peeling you will have to stay out of the sun to avoid new <i>freckles</i> from forming. Another option is to use a topical treatment that is aimed to simply lighten these marks. Some dermatologists recommend tretinol, but could irritate the skin if is pale or sensitive.
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<br>Vitamin c and alpha hydroxys can also help with the removal of <b>freckles</b>. A natural way to lighten these dark spots is by applying lemon juice diluted with water over the skin. Leave it to dry and use it every day. You could also try applying a little bit of butter over the freckles. Home remedies can be effective but you will need to be patient if you want to see an improvement.
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<br>People develop <b>freckles</b> because they are necessary in order for them to keep their skin protected. Whether you like having them or not they are a part of you for a reason.
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<br>About the Author: Blanca Ciotoiu is a beauty therapist and the webmaster of <a href="http://www.anti-aging-skin-care-guide.com" rel="nofollow">www.anti-aging-skin-care-guide.com</a> She is able to generate income through her passion with her website. Transform your hobby or passion into your way of living by visiting <a href="http://www.anti-aging-skin-care-guide.com/make-money-online.html" rel="nofollow">www.anti-aging-skin-care-guide.com/make-money-online.html</a> You will be glad you did.
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The Shocking Trend For 'Do-It-Yourself' Injectables

<p>Raise your hand if you found yourself at your local B&Q on a bank holiday weekend, buying up half of the store for a DIY project on the spare bedroom...</p><p>As a nation, we think nothing of embarking on such do-it-yourself household projects in the vain hope that the money we will save on not employing a qualified builder, decorator, electrician, plumber etc. will more than make up for the less than professional finish to the job in hand!</p><p>Now, hands up those of you who would also be prepared to shun the expert advice of a cosmetic practitioner and instead opt to self-administer unknown cosmetic injectables...</p><p>Hopefully no-one raised their hands this time; but unfortunately with the global growth and reach of the Internet and recent economic hardships, the 'DIY cosmetic jab' is becoming easier and easier to obtain. Online retailers are springing up overnight to satisfy the growing demand in the USA and more recently the UK, for cheaper alternatives to in-clinic injectable treatments, which people seem more than happy to self-administer with instructions not dissimilar to those of a flat-packed wardrobe!</p><p>We investigate this worrying development.</p><p><b>Global Recession Hits Beauty Spend</b></p><p>The current economic collapse has come as a bit of a shock to the British and American public and led to some swift belt tightening and bargain hunting, with fewer of us making large purchases or spending as freely on luxuries, and foreign holidays.</p><p>In the boom years of the early 'noughties' we were all happy to 'splash the cash' and splurge on a bit of retail therapy and hard earned pampering, even if it was courtesy of Mr Visa® and Mrs Mastercard®.</p><p>With more and more aesthetic clinics opening the length and breadth of the country in the last decade, and minimally invasive, non-surgical treatments, not only becoming more widely available, but more socially acceptable and affordable, we all rushed out to be at the front of the queue to look ten years younger, wallets waving in the air.</p><p>Then with the overnight collapse of many high street banks, the rise in unemployment figures, the drop in interest rates and the drying up of credit facilities, money has suddenly become a much more precious commodity to many households than it was before, and every penny is now being accounted for.</p><p>Needless to say, the UK aesthetic and beauty industries seem to be weathering the economic storm pretty well so far, despite the lack of available credit for many people. This appears to be primarily due to the effect of the 'baby-boomers' who are now coming of age, (currently aged 45 - 63), and their continued availability of disposable income, plus a desire to retain their careers and thus their youth.</p><p>However, surgical procedures, which do require a larger cash investment (often previously financed by loans), have seen a slump in demand according to some experts; with the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) admitting earlier this year that the industry is in the middle of a "slowdown" and that this year could see the first decline in cosmetic surgery audit figures.</p><p>Conversely, The Harley Medical Group, the UK's largest cosmetic surgery group with an annual turnover of £35million, recently reported a year on year growth to the end of June 2009 of 4% and has opened 6 more clinic locations in that time. Chairman, Mel Braham was quoted as saying; "Despite the recession we're seeing increases in surgical and non-surgical procedures at our existing clinics and that's why we've committed to an expansion programme".</p><p>Although a report published in May 2009 by analysts Research and Markets did note that the UK cosmetic surgery market had experienced only a modest growth in 2008, which was a change from its previously remarkable year-on-year increases between 2004 and 2007.</p><p>Despite these differing reports, many other industry participants are reporting a dramatic fall in the number of operations such as breast augmentation and cosmetic rhinoplasty in women under 30, who are typically being refused credit and have no other financial means for payment. This also appears to be the case with finance options previously provided by clinics for courses of non-surgical treatments such as laser hair removal, laser lipolysis and on-going treatment programmes.</p><p>Yet where the financial means dries up, the desire to look good and youthful (often at any cost!) still remains and unfortunately there seems to be a growing trend in America in the sale and use of Do-It-Yourself kits for cosmetic injectables such as dermal fillers and botulinum toxins, as well as high strength chemical peels and fat dissolving (injection lipolysis) kits.</p><p>This worrying consequence of an economic downturn is now lapping at the shores of Britain, due in the main to the ease with which cheap, copy-cat or generic products, often hailing from China, can be bought via the Internet (without prescription) and shipped around the world, escaping the watchful eyes of customs authorities.</p><p>We covered the growing Chinese industry for hyaluronic acid filler based products in last month's feature article - China- Country of Cosmetic Filler Counterfeiters or Genuine Commerce? - and it is this availability of cheap, generic products, along with botulinum toxins produced by the same Chinese manufacturers that is fuelling the growth in online sales direct to a price conscious audience who are convinced that 'eggs is eggs' when it comes to the contents of a syringe.</p><p><b>DIY Kits Available Online</b></p><p>We think nothing of turning to Google™, or other popular search engines, every time we want to find the answer to a burning question or source a product or local service, and it would seem that the availability of cosmetic injectables, direct to your door, is just as easy to find.</p><p>A quick 'Buy Botox', 'Buy Cosmetic Fillers' and 'Buy Dermal Fillers' search revealed a ready source of websites happy to supply substitute, generic, clone, copy-cat or even counterfeit products claiming to be just the same as well known brands, at a fraction of the cost of visiting your local clinic and sourcing the genuine products.</p><p>Prices start from around $150 (currently approx. £90) for a complete DIY kit which includes needles, saline for toxin reconstitution, 'helpful' directions, including a facial map of injection sites, and a 100 unit vial of botulinum toxin type A, or around $130 (approx. £80) for a 1ml syringe of hyaluronic acid.</p><p>Both of these types of kits are happily offered for shipping to the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom with claims of 100% success rate at getting the packages through customs and to the end purchaser. Such statements in themselves highlight the shady nature of this e-commerce activity.</p><p>One website, run by a woman from Dallas, Texas, claims that having visited a clinic three times she wondered if she could indeed do the procedure herself as it seemed so quick and painless. Plus, she reasoned that if she could do it herself, she wouldn't have to pay the high price charged at the clinic. From there she sourced the products through the clinic where she worked and set about offering the products to her friends and family for their own home-use. She now claims to be proud to be offering a method to obtain the same products and results for home-use, as is available where she works.</p><p>In fact so confident is she in her ability to 'help' individuals to 'do-it-yourself' that she has various videos on You Tube™ demonstrating just how to use the botulinum toxin kits that she sells and how to give yourself a lip augmentation using hyaluronic acid. Such videos, widely distributed by this video hosting site, are considered by them to be within their Terms of Service and Community Guidelines so do not attract enforcement measures, despite being undesirable and downright irresponsible.</p><p>More worrying perhaps is the fact that some of these sites are also selling PMMA (polymethyl and methacrylate) based dermal fillers direct to the public. This is a permanent filler substance more commonly known to practitioners as an ingredient in the FDA approved Artefill® branded product.</p><p>As this substance is not metabolised by the body, as ultimately seen with neurotoxins and hyaluronic acids, the potential for serious adverse reactions and complications from self-administration is heightened yet further in non-medical hands and any results will of course be 'permanent'. Aside from the general risks of self-injection without medical knowledge, the DIY use of such substances could well result in problems such as product migration, infiltration into other tissues, such as vascular areas - causing blockage of arteries resulting in tissue necrosis, granulomas (small lump formation) and allergic reactions.</p><p>Even in the hands of professional clinicians, such permanent products are often felt to be less desirable treatment options as they can cause lasting complications, depending on injection techniques and individual tissue reactions. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reported in June of this year that 1 in 4 of its members had treated patients who needed surgery due to complications with permanent fillers in the past year.</p><p>Additionally, it was noted during our investigations that some of the online retailers offering hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers direct to the public are supplying them with Xylocaine®, which is a 1% mix of lidocaine, a local anaesthetic for pain relief and epinephrine, also know as adrenaline, which restricts blood flow to the area injected to reduce bruising.</p><p>According to the online retailer, this prescription-only-medicine (both in the USA and the UK), can be mixed together with the filler substance using a syringe exchanger that they supply, as a means of reducing the discomfort from self-injecting into the lips or deep folds, such as the naso-labial region.</p><p>A standard 20ml bottle of Xylocaine® is supplied, without the requirement to present a prescription, with instructions to mix 1ml of the Xylocaine® with the purchased 1.1ml or 2.1ml syringe of hyaluronic acid filler.</p><p>Many of the large, mainstream brands available in the UK, such as Juvederm® ULTRA and Restylane® now have products which come with a 0.3% lidocaine composition for increased patient comfort and recently it was approved by the U.S. FDA that practitioners may mix Radiesse™ (a non-HA filler) with 2% lidocaine using a syringe exchanger.</p><p>The manufacturers of Xylocaine® note that special care should be taken in the use of this product as it must not be injected intravenously, i.e. into a vein or blood vessel. When injecting a product, medical professionals will (where possible) perform aspiration when using lignocaine directly i.e. for lip blocks, by pulling back on the syringe after inserting the needle to check for blood flow which would indicate entrance into a vascular area, to make sure that they were not injecting into a blood vessel. Non-medics, self-injecting would not be aware of this practice, or the risks involved with this product and could cause increases in heart rate if incorrectly injecting Xylocaine®. The risk of overdose is minimal due to the quantities involved, but clearly harm could be done and should only be placed in the hands of medics.</p><p>Dr. David Eccleston, Medical Director of MediZen Ltd and medical advisor to The Consulting Room™ comments;</p><p><blockquote>''When I read that people were actually considering ordering and using such products off the Internet, I had to read it twice more before I believed it. Of all the drugs used in medicine, lidocaine and adrenaline are two of the drugs doctors must use only with accurate dosing, proper patient counselling and past medical history all being taken into account. In these circumstances, such medications are safe and useful in cosmetic treatments in the hands of an expert. No-one should be given such drugs outside a registered HCC approved clinic or hospital, GP or dental surgery unless in an emergency situation. Using such products outside of this could easily lead to a fatality.''</blockquote></p><p><b>Snake Oil?</b></p><p>The sale of ANY dermal filler or botulinum toxin to the general public is very worrying in itself, however it becomes even more concerning to think that often potential purchasers will be taking these websites on face value and trusting that what they supply is indeed what they say it is.</p><p>It is impossible to tell with the naked eye just what is contained within the supplied syringes or vials, which the online retailers market as simply generic 'alternative' products to the major brands. It may well be that genuine ingredients, (albeit unproven ones in terms of clinical safety data), are contained within the syringes and vials supplied, but they could also contain other, more unconventional substances or additives, simply labelled up as a pure neurotoxin or hyaluronic acid, to which a purchaser would be none the wiser.</p><p>Additionally, in the case of botulinum toxins, which are biological products, there exists a quality control route in the UK whereby the licensed brands, such as Botox®, Vistabel®, Azzalure®, Xeomin® & Dysport® are checked to verify that the products actually are what they say they are. The National Institute for Biological Standards & Control (www.nibsc.ac.uk), part of the Health Protection Agency, checks each batch of toxin produced by a manufacturer before it is allowed into the supply chain. Tests are done on random vials within a batch to check for the calibration, i.e. that the actual number of units in a vial matches what is quoted on its packaging, as well as the potency of the toxin within. Certain benchmarks or tolerances are established for these tests, and should anything have gone wrong during production which means that quality control levels are not met; an entire batch would have to be destroyed in the interest of patient safety, before it ever got into the hands of practitioners.</p><p>As you can imagine, such rigorous checking does not exist in other less developed countries and certainly not in the case of the unapproved or unlicensed botulinum toxins now flooding the global market from Chinese sources. It is therefore impossible to verify the unit levels of the vials supplied by online retailers, or their potency, against what they print on the labels, assuming indeed that the vials contain botulinum toxin type A in the first place.</p><p>The use of cheap, unapproved botulinum toxins is not something just seen with the non-medical DIY injector.</p><p>As recently as 2006, a U.S. doctor from Florida was sentenced to 3 years in prison and had his medical licence withdrawn for injecting himself, his girlfriend and two friends with an unapproved botulinum toxin that was manufactured for research purposes only, i.e. not for human use.</p><p>In an effort to procure cheap, generic toxin, the doctor in question, Bach McComb, ended up with a product with a potency much higher than is found in approved products for cosmetic use; thus when he prepared it he didn't dilute it sufficiently prior to injection and all patients, including himself, were hospitalised for poisoning by botulism which causes a paralyzing and life threatening effect. All recovered, but many maintained debilitating side effects for a number of years.</p><p>Mr. McComb was given a more lenient jail sentence than the 20 years he originally faced as he too was a victim of his own crime and pleaded guilty to all counts.</p><p>The husband and wife team who fronted the company, based in Arizona, which sold Bach McComb and more than 200 doctors around the USA, the research grade toxin, knowing full well that it was likely to be used to treat patients cosmetically, were eventually sentenced to 6 and 9 years in prison and made to pay damages of over $690,000. It was quoted by the FDA investigating authorities that in total they had managed to sell over 3,000 vials of their research toxin via sales conferences.</p><p>Several other U.S. doctors have since been fined and imprisoned when they have been found to be using this unapproved, research quality toxin on unsuspecting patients.</p><p>So, if a Doctor can make that kind of mistake or bad judgement call, it would be extremely easy for a lay person to think they're getting a good, value for money deal when buying toxin products over the Internet. The possibilities for overdose and serious harm are clearly evident, even in the hands of medically trained professionals who think they know what they're doing with the drugs.</p><p><b>Industry Fights Back</b></p><p>Despite this risk it would seem, from the number of companies advertising and supplying kits, that many consumers are happy to purchase these toxin and dermal filler products and are ready and willing to self-inject.</p><p>Nigel Mercer, the President of BAAPS, recently purchased a dermal filler kit over the Internet to see just how easily available these DIY solutions are to the general public. It arrived in a padded envelope with a pre-filled, unmarked syringe and a diagram with instructions on where to inject the product.</p><p>Amazed at how easy his purchase had been he said; "The public must understand that injecting fillers requires an expert knowledge of facial anatomy and a degree of dexterity that cannot be done by just anyone. A filler injected into the wrong part of the face can lead to lumps, facial disfigurement, or even cause a stroke."</p><p>Similarly, consumer champions, Which?, also investigated this growing trend earlier in the year and were able to buy a 'Botox Kit' via the auction website eBay from a woman based in Texas, (no doubt the same woman we came across in our investigations).</p><p>Sarah Kidner, Editor, Which? Computing said at the time; "We were appalled that we were able to buy a DIY Botox kit so easily and we are concerned that the internet is becoming a marketplace for cut-price cosmetic treatments."</p><p>Despite botulinum toxin being a prescription medicine in the UK, the medicines regulator, the MHRA are unable to stop anyone from shipping such products to the UK as online retail companies, operating in the USA, fall outside of its jurisdiction. The reliance is therefore on such packages being stopped and seized at UK borders by our Customs teams.</p><p>As you can imagine, many believe that this state of affairs is far from ideal and needs to be addressed by global governments, to crack down on the manufacture and shipment of unapproved, untested and potentially harmful pharmaceuticals. As always, it seems we will need a lot more people to get hurt, before action is taken.</p><p>Copyright © 2009 The Consulting Room™.</p><p>Lorna Jackson is Editor of The Consulting Room? <a target="_new" href="http://www.consultingroom.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.consultingroom.com</a>, the UK's largest aesthetic website providing clear and unbiased information to the public on a wide range of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments, combined with a directory of UK & Ireland based clinics and surgeons. The Consulting Room? Shop <a target="_new" href="http://www.consultingroomshop.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.consultingroomshop.com</a>, is the first aesthetic online store backed by FACT not FICTION and offers a simple and secure online shopping experience for all the latest in at-home, clinically proven skincare, suncare, post cosmetic surgery after care, laser hair removal and hair growth devices, slimming garments and a wide range of other aesthetic products.</p>

Merchants Profiteer by Charging More For Credit Card Transactions | ArticlesBase.com

<p>Retailers, cinemas, airlines and even Government departments are all featured in a list of firms, which have come under fresh attack for the exorbitant fees charged to clients who pay by plastic.<br />
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Many organisations are increasing their credit card charges, known as "handling fees" or "merchant fees" and campaigners are worried that these fees are becoming increasingly disproportionate to the costs of processing the transactions. Merchant fees for the main credit cards are between 0.7 per cent and 1 per cent, yet some businesses routinely charge far more to clients who wish to use their credit-cards. This represents a nasty case of profiteering, with firms looking to boost their profits.<br />
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These fees are particularly unfair when clients have no choice but to pay by card. Often the organisations try to hide these charges by calling them "merchant fees" when they are really an extra booking fee. Figures show that budget airline EasyJet charges 2.5 per cent of the total booking or a minimum of 3.50 pounds whilst Ryanair charges 4.75 pounds per passenger per single flight.<br />
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Similar fees are levied by travel agents, with some charging up to 2.5 per cent. Consumer organisation, which has centred its criticism on the airlines and is calling for them to be fairer. A spokeswoman for the consumer watchdog said, "We want airlines to be far more transparent. In some cases you don't realise you are being charged this merchant fee until your transaction is completed."<br />
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We think that if a customer is going to be charged a fee that should know what this charge is for and why it is being charged. If a charge is a genuine reflection of how much it costs to process a transaction, the organisation should be upfront and truthful about it.<br />
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Some merchants have reacted to these criticisms by saying that the cost of processing card payments is greater than because they have more processing costs they need to cover. And some firms that charge merchant fees are trying to justify them as "administration charges" for processing card payments.<br />
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A spokesman for one firm said: "The charge for using credit cards for online transactions is calculated to cover the costs of providing this payment option. This includes increased operating costs as well as the credit card company charges. Without levying the charge we would be unable to accept credit cards as a method of payment."<br />
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A spokesperson from the payment body APACS explained that where a company accepts card transactions, it pays a percentage of the transaction for a credit card payment and a flat fee for debit cards. This fee is part of the financial arrangements between the company and their bank and the level of the fee will depend on the type of business they are in.<br />
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For example, the fee paid for an online transaction will differ from that paid by a high-street retailer, while a large company will be able to negotiate a lower fee than a small shop. However, the actual cost is only likely to be "a matter of pence".<br />
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What the business decides to charge the client is not just the cost they have to pay the card but includes all their costs of administration including the cost of fraud prevention. The most important thing is that businesses are transparent and truthful about those fees.<br />
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We should also point out that there are certain benefits of paying by credit card, provided the transaction is over one hundred pounds. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, so long as the payment was one hundred pounds or more, credit card operators can be held liable for a supplier's failure to provide satisfactory goods and services paid by credit card.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br />You're in debt, because of your shopping sprees on your credit cards. Your worried as you know that you can't pay this off immediately. Can anyone help? Yes, The Debt Prevention Office can! Our website provides all our UK residents with information and articles on <a href="http://the-debt-prevention-office.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Debt Management Plans</a> and other solutions such as Debt Advice and Debt Help. So have peace of mind by knowing that you are debt free!

Buying Online Vs. Buying in Store. Which One is More Profitable? How About Both?

If you want the best prices on electronics, you probably need to look online. Usually, the greatest deals are available on the internet and you can hardly find cheaper goods at a store near you. And this is pretty reasonable. When you buy something in a store, you don't just pay for the product – you pay for the store's rent, bills, and employees. When you buy online, the only extra cost will be shipping, and most of the time shipping is free.
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<br>So why do people still buy electronics in stores? Mostly because of the need to see, feel and try the product they intend to purchase and sometimes, we all need a word of advice from a professional.
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<br>So where should you buy? Well, it depends.
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<br>Shopping online benefits:
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<br>•Accessible anywhere, anytime. All you need is an internet connection and you are done. No driving. No lines. No hassle.
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<br>•When buying online you can easily compare prices between a number of retailers without traveling all around town. It's all there with a click of a button.
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<br>•Selection and availability is never an issue when buying online.
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<br>•You can get product reviews from real customers and not only from store clerks eager to make a sale.
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<br>•Did we say price? And how about coupons? Notice that most sites have a coupon box and all you have to do is search google for a code and get 10% or free delivery. Easy as that.
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<br>In store benefits:
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<br>•Buying in store let's you test the product before you commit to make the purchase.
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<br>•Once you pay, you get your product and the transaction is over. When you buy online there's an estimated shipping date and then you're not home and have to go the post office and stand in line and maybe get the package next holiday season.
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<br>•Better costumer service. Even if you are an electronic buff, there's always a room for a word of advice from a knowledgeable salesman.
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<br>•Easy returns and exchanges. If you are not satisfied with the product, you can always go back to the store and return it. When you buy online you need to start dealing with the seller, pay delivery and restocking fees.
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<br>So what is the bottom line in the buying online vs. buying in store question? Well, the best advice we can give you is to do both. No, really, do both! How? Do your window shopping outside and make the purchase online. Or just find an electronic dealer who is both, like 1StopCamera, that has website with the best prices available and also a brick and mortar electronic store where you can get all your questions answered.
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<br>You can not find better prices on electronics anywhere else and you definitely can't find a friendlier staff than 1 Stop Camera's. So go ahead, visit us online or come down to our Brooklyn electronics store and get what you always wanted, at the prices you always wanted.
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<br>Source:
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<br>About the Author: <a href="http://www.1stopcamera.com/" rel="nofollow">www.1stopcamera.com</a> is your 1 stop retailer for all consumer electronics including televisions, home theater systems, appliances and <a href="http://www.1stopcamera.com" rel="nofollow">cameras</a>
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Celtic Engagement Ring

<p>The engagement ring is an important piece of jewelry that conveys deep love and commitment. It is layered with symbolisms meant to let your loved one know that you are ready to spend the rest of your life with her. If you haven't found a ring yet, why not consider a Celtic engagement ring? You don't have to be Irish to give (or to be given) this kind of ring.</p><p>The Celts crafted beautiful and symbolic designs that can be seen in movies, television, architecture, fashion, jewelry and even in simple everyday items. They were a brave and mystical race who occupied parts of Europe as far back as the Iron Age. Celts were actually composed of several warring tribes who were connected by their shared language and practice of the same religion and cultural customs. What they lack in written history, the Celtic people made up for with their oral traditions. Their way of life is full of symbolisms as can be seen in their mythology and art. These designs are now widely used in a number of Celtic jewelry like rings, pendants, charms and many more.</p><p>Celtic engagement rings carry designs that are definitely unique and some steeped in history and folklore. Different precious metals can be used for a Celtic Engagement ring. You can choose any of the precious metals below or opt for a unique two tone design:</p><p>· Gold in different carats and colors (white, yellow, rose , etc.)
<br>· Platinum
<br>· Titanium
<br>· Sterling silver</p><p>Both precious and semi-precious gems add beauty and sparkle to the engagement ring. You can use diamonds, rubies, emeralds (a toast to the Irish) and a host of other stones, including birthstones. Choose a gemstone to match the color of her eyes or one that expresses your burning love for her.</p><p>Only purchase from trusted jewelers to make sure you are getting a high quality ring. They can give you advice on how to choose the metals and the stones.</p><p>As for designs or patterns, there are many symbolic Celtic designs to choose from. Some designs were born thousands of years ago.</p><p>Claddagh design
<br>Two delicate hands clasping a heart topped by a crown is the mark of this design. It comes from a small fishing village near the Irish city of Galway called Claddagh. One expression connected to this Celtic design is: "With my two hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my love." What can be more romantic than that? The heart equals love, the hands represent friendship and the crown, loyalty. As an engagement ring, the wearer should put the ring on her left hand, with the heart facing outward. The way a Claddagh ring is worn indicates the romantic state the wearer is in.</p><p>Celtic Knot
<br>The knot is a classic pattern used in Celtic jewelry rings. This interlacing knot work is unbroken, symbolizing eternity. There are many variations of the knot. The trinity knot or triquetra design symbolizes the absence of a beginning and an end. The isolated knot design is made up of individual solitary unconnected knot patterns. The knots can either be embossed on the band or cut-out. The lover's knot is two infinity symbols intertwined together.</p><p>Celtic Cross Jewelry
<br>The Celtic cross is a standing cross with a ring encircling the intersection of the cross. This design can be used with other Celtic designs to make an ornate engagement ring.</p><p>Celtic Newgrange Spiral and Weave
<br>The Celtic Newgrange spiral design was first seen on the Megalithic Passage Tomb in Ireland. It signifies the circle of life. The weave pattern on the other hand features two cords woven together in an unending loop.</p><p>Celtic language design
<br>The Gaelic phrase Mo Anam Cara (My Soul Mate) is another design used on engagement rings. There are no symbolisms here as the message is very straight forward.</p><p>Before you purchase a Celtic engagement ring, make sure you clearly understand the symbolism behind the pattern you choose. With the many different choices for metals, stones and designs, there is surely a very special Celtic engagement ring out there that will elicit a definite 'Yes' from your beloved.</p><p>About the Author:</p><p>Tim Lazaro is a Celtic Symbols enthusiast. For more great tips and expert advice on a <a target="_new" href="http://www.allaboutcelticsymbols.com/CelticJewelry.xhtml" rel="nofollow">Celtic Engagement Ring</a> visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.allaboutcelticsymbols.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.allaboutcelticsymbols.com</a>.</p>

Tank Bags Get Rid Of Bulgy Pockets | ArticlesBase.com

<p>When you first start riding motorcycles you don’t take into account that the gear you wear for protection usually doesn’t offer much by way of storage space for the items you carry with you every day. You don’t think about the fact that you aren’t going to want your keys stabbing in the chest, or you cell phone in your back pocket, you aren’t concerned about your garage door opener having a safe place, and you didn’t think about where you were going to stuff your wallet. Not that having a wallet in your back pocket is uncomfortable when riding or anything, it’s just that the potential for losing it is much greater. That’s where the handiness of tank bags comes in. There are strap mounted and magnetized tank bags that make it convenient for you to put on and remove. If you don’t like tank bags, you can always opt for motorcycle saddlebags. Either way, having a place to store your belongings makes riding your bike a whole lot more comfortable in the long run, and gives you more freedom to ride greater distances.<br /> <br /> Motorcycle saddlebags are a great accessory to add to your bike. Additional storage space to hold a purse, a jacket, or even a camera is always a nice feature. But did you know that motorcycle saddlebags aren’t just made for cruisers? For people who like to take long rides, but prefer to do it on a sport bike and not a cruiser, you too can rock motorcycle saddlebags on the tail end of your bike. Can you imagine taking road trips without having a backpack strapped to you, interfering with the feeling of your ride? How many times have you tried to fit everything you need into your motorcycles “trunk” only to be frustrated when you realize that no matter how you utilize the space, it isn’t going to fit much more than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? If you are ready to explore the open road without having to lug around your life on your back, it is time for you to get some motorcycle saddlebags.<br /> <br /> Freedom. That’s what many people who ride will tell you they love the most about riding motorcycles. The freedom of not being constrained in a metal box, the freedom to move beyond the realm of comfort that a cage gives you, the freedom of feeling the wind on your entire body as your take your journey down the highway. When you ride free of bulky back packs and jackets, you ride with comfort. For <a href="http://www.leatherup.com/c/Motorcycle-Saddle-Bags/2/151.html" rel="nofollow">motorcycle saddlebags</a>, tank bags, and more, visit leatherup.com. If you need a helmet, or a motorcycle cover, leatherup.com has what you are looking for. Not only will you find amazing prices on the products they offer, but if for any reason you are unsatisfied with your order you can return it within 30 days for a refund. That’s the no hassle guarantee, leathup.com will leave you satisfied.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p>Hi, I am Tegan Dawn, and as a motorcycle enthusiast myself, I make sure my bike is always taken care of. <a href="http://www.leatherup.com/c/Motorcycle-Covers/2/115.html" rel="nofollow">motorcycle covers</a> add great protection from the outside elements if you don’t have the luxury of a garage. When I ride, I like to be free of anything that feels like it will slow me down, so I have different <a href="http://www.leatherup.com/c/Tank-Bags/2/107.html" rel="nofollow">tank bags</a>for my different trips; smaller ones for my in town excursions and a larger one for when I go on a ride and pack my lunch.</p>