So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Elevate Your Golf Game with a Shiatsu Chair Recliner

By James Knolan

If you are really serious about playing at your best, then warming up is a critical first step. You may be mentally ready to play, but your body needs to be poised to perform. A regular warm up routine consisting of stretching and increasing blood flow is important. The body knows it is being prepared for physical exertion. Massage chairs have the ability to assist in the warm up and warm down for sports activities.

Golf is an interesting sport. It is viewed by many a low impact, since golfers ride carts or only walk. As opposed to sports like soccer where you need to run. However, golf requires repetitive motions. The repetitive motion of the golf swing can impact the entire body. The swing requires a large degree of motion to accomplish properly. The repetitive swinging motion can cause back, shoulder and neck pain. This is especially possible with little to no warm up.

The cause of your back or shoulder pain may be from injury or from improper warm up and warm down prior to strenuous activities. Simple movements done on a repetitive basis can cause a breakdown of the muscle tissue causing it to be less flexible. Warming up and down helps to increase the flexibility and elasticity of the muscles. Using a massage chair recliner helps to loosen your muscles, enhance your blood circulation and increase mental alertness.

Believe it or not, tight shoulder and back muscles are the leading cause of golf related back problems. The twisting motion of a full swing puts stress on your whole body with particular emphasis on your spine. This side to side motion is always done on the same side of the body, since few of us our switch hitters. All the stress is put more on one side of the body over the other. Since this swing motion is repeated throughout the course of the tournament, the back and shoulder tighten up reducing flexibility.

Prior to your next golf outing, try a simple warm up routine. Your warm up should include basic stretching. Stretch out the legs, arms and your torso. You want to get your muscles flexible in the movements you will make when golfing. You can go for a short walk to get your blood flowing and pick up your heart rate. This helps to get nutrients flowing to your muscles. Make sure you warm up starting 30 minutes before you play. You do not want to start too early to warm up.

Another effective warm up strategy is massage therapy. The best massage chairs from companies like Sanyo, Omega or Panasonic provide very effective massage therapy. Shiatsu massage therapy is an effective warm up massage. The EP30004 massage chair made by Panasonic has both shiatsu and Junetsu massage. These therapies help to warm up your muscles and increase the blood and nutrient flow in the body.

An effective massage chair for your shoulders, back and neck is made by Sanyo. The HEC DR7700 model massage chair has a massage system that can massage the tops of the shoulders and around the neck. This system helps to thoroughly loosen tight muscles preparing you for your round of golf.

Omega has their Montage Premier Massage chair with a lower body traction system and full body heat. The lower body traction system of the Montage Premier will stretch out your lower body. It will hold your feet in the foot rest and it extends out to stretch your lower back, hips, knees and ankles. This improves your range of motion and joint mobility. Use the full body heat to help warm up your muscles or to warm down. Heat helps increase blood flow and helps the healing process.

If you do not take warm up seriously, you can end up with an injury. Golf requires a repetitive swinging motion. To swing effectively, your muscles need to be flexible. If your muscles are tight, then your swing will be off. When the muscles are not pliable, then injury can result. Massage therapy is great method for warming up the body. Many professional athletes use sports massage therapy prior to strenuous activity. A good shiatsu style massage can get you primed for your next golf game. A massage chair is an effective way to get warmed up, which may just be your ace in the hole.

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Coffee - Coffee and Health

By Marc Warren

The last 25 years has seen the growth of a cottage industry in the study of the health effects of drinking coffee. And no wonder - over 400 million cups a day are consumed throughout the world. But for decades health workers warned that the habit might be unsafe. Recent studies show the opposite is more likely to be the case.

Caffeine, one of the main ingredients in coffee, has long been known to be a mild stimulant. That can raise blood pressure, increase heart rate and produce the occasional irregular beat. But most researchers now believe the effect is mild and short-lived.

Continued research has discovered that not only is moderate coffee consumption not a health risk, there are some benefits.

Large amounts of coffee are believed to have a healthy affect on your colon, possibly lowering your risk of cancer. But this benefit requires that you drink over 4 cups daily which could be a bit excessive.

There are positives affects that coffee can have even when consumed in moderation.

Recent medical studies have produced much information on the benefits of antioxidants, and these are found in great quantity in coffee. In fact there are more antioxidants found in coffee than in tomatoes and cranberries. Antioxidants are beneficial because they cleanse the blood of harmful cells that can deplete the bloods oxygen and make a person more susceptible to certain types of cancer and heart disease.

Parkinson's disease is one of the most debilitating and heartrending diseases around. Certain studies indicate the possibility that in addition to contributing to awareness of mind coffee also helps lessen the symptoms of Parkinson's sufferers.

Another distressing disease is diabetes. Studies show that it is possible that coffee, both regular and decaffeinated, lower your risk of developing two kinds of diabetes. A great benefit indeed!

The caffeine in coffee also assists the digestive process by producing more acid in the stomach. This results in a decreased possibility of gall and kidney stones and makes for better digestion overall.

Caffeine has been shown to reduce constriction of airways in asthma sufferers, with moderate consumption. In addition to the caffeine, coffee contains theophylline, a bronchodilator which helps the effect.

However, as with anything with the positive affects come the negatives.

If your goal is to start increase the size of your family you might want to be careful how much coffee you consume. Large consumption of coffee can cause you to be less fertile.

Increased coffee consumption has been associated with higher blood levels of homocysteine, recently shown to be a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Other studies show an increase in LDL-cholesterol (the 'harmful' kind). To what degree these factors actually contribute to heart attacks is a matter of debate.

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Syn-ake Anti Aging Moisturizer from Prolou, Free shipping

By Nigel James

The early 20?s is a time in our lives, where we live life to the fullest. With not a care in the world, we indulge in many a late night and not have a care of what tomorrow has in store for us. While, this is all just fine and dandy, after 25 years... all these late nights, smoking and alcohol begin to take a toll in our bodies, and the first place where this is evident is our skin. Moreover at this age, our cell production also decreases, which leads to additional loss of firmness of the skin.

Now is the time to act though, although this does not seem to be the obvious course of action.Better to take precautions and protect your skin now.Otherwise, your face will begin to develop wrinkles and fine lines.You never thought that this early in life, wrinkles and fine lines would start to appear.This is the result of negligence by yourself, in not taking care of your skin.

So stay calm, adopt a sensible approach, and avoid all the Botox, Serum and Collagen treatments, that most people panic into buying.A far better choice, is Prolou Anti Ageing Moisturizer, a skin cream, effectively used twice daily.

But why Prolou Moisturizer, is it really any better than other anti wrinkle creams on the market? Yes, it's proven results speak for themselves, long term benefits, up to 52% wrinkle reduction and an 82% smoothing effect.But how do Prolou achieve this? Their special ingredient Syn-ake, together with other ingredients, come together to achieve a powerful formula.Syn-ake is a synthetic substance, manufactured to act in the same way as snake venom.Whereas snake venom paralyses it's victims, Syn-ake works by causing relaxation of facial muscle contractions, resulting in a smooth skin and a renewed enjoyment of life.

To clarify, Prolou Moisturizer has ingredients that prevent the release of neurotransmitters.Muscle tension in the face, is caused by these neurotransmitters, so without these being present, wrinkles appear visibly reduced. Prolou's formula is also successful at producing many more new cells, which assist in reducing the course appearance on the surface of the skin.

Prolou Moisturizer can be used both by men and women, and can be applied safely to any skin type. You don't need to worry about what side effects will be there, as there will be none. You can also apply it, over your make up.

Night and day application of Prolou Moisturizer, results in deep skin tissue penetration. Prolou Moisturizer is considered by many, to be one of the leading creams in the treatment of Wrinkle reduction.

So don't be fooled into trying all those fake anti wrinkle creams that are found in the market. They do nothing more than burn a deep hole in your pocket and a whole lot of added stress, as they just don't do whatever they are supposed to. But with Prolou Moisturizer, you have found a new skin care product that does act and does help to reverse the signs of aging.

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Top Common Types Of A Basement Bar Design

By Casey Torren

When given much attention, your basement can become one of the favorite rooms in your house. Basements make great recreational and entertainment spaces. If this is what you have been planning for your basement, this article is for you.

Start with a basement bar design idea to turn the room into something more enjoyable to stay in. There are so many you could find. Below is a list of bar descriptions that are commonly used in households:

1. Design for a Straight Bar. As its name implies, this basement bar design is the simplest of all. It looks similar to a front desk in hotel lobbies. The difference is its features and functionality. Like a typical bar, it has a little space for the sink on top, a foot rest on the stool side, a gutter area where you mix the drinks, an arm rail, and a space for the cooler or ref. The width for this type of bar can vary from 6 feet (or less) and up to 10 or maybe more. Make sure that when designing, you have investigated the measurements properly.

2. An L-shaped Bar Design. This is a basement bar design that is shaped like the letter L. There is no difference in the materials used and its features are the same as the standard straight bar. Simply put, the big notable difference is its design. Your friends can also enjoy a better conversation while sitting in this bar because the distance from other seats is closer. Again the measurements vary depending on the size of your basement but usually the lengths are symmetrical.

3. A Keggar Bar Design. This bar is very popularly used. Its design is shaped like two L-shaped bars joint with the straight type in the middle. Viewing from the top, it usually looks like a one-third of a square is cut and used. This basement bar design accommodates a perfect space for the refrigerator and a beer keg. Hence its name.

4. Design for a Monster Bar. This is a very huge bar that can accommodate plenty of seats, a big space for the drinking area, equipped with a keg and beer gutter and all other basic bar features. Think of this basement bar design as a combination of the L-shaped and the Kegger but a lot bigger. A monster bar can also be designed in the shape of a letter U.

5. Portable Bar Idea. If you plan to bring your basement bar elsewhere in you home, this type could be what you want. Basement bars are usually huge and sturdy so weight can be a major concern. And considering that basements have low head room clearance, you may have some difficulty in moving a bar. The portable bar can be disassembled. This is what makes it unique. Probably the latest innovation in the basement bar design industry.

You could find more. There are no limits to a basement bar design. You could even design a unique one yourself. You just have to know the common features in a bar, its functionality and usability, compartments, etc. What makes a basement bar enjoyable aside from the drinks is the good conversation with your friends. Align your designing in the light. Whether you are buying or building one, having this as a guide will surely give your home basement a pleasing and friendly atmosphere.

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Vineyards of Washington State

By Penelope SanMateo

Joining the growing number of wineries in the nation Washington has seen a 400 percent increase in the number of wineries in the past decade. With this increase has come the ability to buy great wines from this beautiful region that will satisfy the most discriminating taste.

Modern technology has made the process of making wine more sophisticated but the talent to produce great wine is all in the hands of the vintner who uses skills developed over generations of great wine makers sharing their knowledge to have some of the best wines now available at the wineries in Washington.

No, you aren't in France in the region of the great Bordeaux and Burgundy wines, you are in Washington where the same latitude applies to give the same great growing ability for the grapes to produce fabulous wine. Many of the areas of Washington have been designated as American Viticulture Areas with more under consideration.

No crowds, no hurry, no pressure. Isn't that what a vacation should be? You will experience the peace and pleasure of great countryside and great wine on a wine tour in Washington. Find the wine you like by going to the wine tastings offered by the different wineries. Find a great place to stay while in the area and make it the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation you have ever taken.

Full bodied reds and dry whites are both available at the wineries in Washington. Try them all, pick your favorite and enjoy the beauty of the state while you travel from winery to winery.

It's swirling, sniffing and slurping time when you get a good glass of wine. Swirl the beautiful wine in your glass to get the full color beauty and incorporate some air into the wine. Now it's time to sniff, what a pleasure to smell the wonderful fragrance the wine gives off. With slurping you get the air mixed with the wine to bring out the full flavor of the choice you have made. Just remember to slurp gently and quietly, it still works and doesn't drive your guests or family mad with the noise.

With 1% of the wine being produced in the state of Washington being grown on the eastern side you would think that it was a poor area for such a production. Not so, the soil is right, the growing season long enough for full flavored wine grapes to be produced and the climate is nearly perfect. It will soon see a large increase in the wineries in that area of the state.

The French, Italians and Germans began planting wine grapes in the state as early at 1825 for their own use when they were settling the area. Commercial planting of wine grapes didn't being in Washington until the 1960's with rapid expansion of the industry occurring in the mid-70's. Now there are new wineries opening every couple of weeks for your enjoyment.

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How To Find The Ideal UK Hamper

By James Fisher

Hampers are gifts that are often presented in a wicker basket. The act of giving a hamper has a long history in the Western world and, in the past, was done as a noble act, using the hamper to present food and other home necessities to the needy. The basket the hamper was displayed in was also purposefully chosen as it was a helpful household item that could be utilized.

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

There has also been a rising trend to sell specialist UK hampers - wine hampers that are filled with a broad range and types of wine, chocolate hampers and bread and cheese hampers. Hobby hampers are an even more recent development and are packed not with food but with helpful and wanted items to please gardeners or DIY enthusiasts, for example. The contents of a hamper are only limited by your imagination!

The flexibility of hampers is why it makes such a thoughtful present. They can be adapted to any special someone and can be packed with whatever would satisfy your special someone. When picking the hamper you want to give, give careful consideration to what things your special someone enjoys - are they a white wine connoisseur? Then wine hampers are a great idea! Are they a gourmet? Then fill the hamper with gourmet food items. Are they expecting a baby? Why not give them a hamper filled with useful baby goods.

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

The Xmas hamper has become popular and, in an intriguing twist, people are buying Christmas hampers to use for themselves instead of as a present for that special someone. Often packed with special Xmas luxuries such as shortbread, chocolate, wine, Xmas pudding and even turkey, they are bought by families to be used over the holiday season. Many hampers are bought on a payment scheme over the year and then enjoyed for the holiday season, helping people pay for the expense of the loved Xmas luxuries wanted during the Christmas period.

There are plenty of businesses that concentrate in offering hamper gifts and most of them can be found quickly and easily on the net. Many of them will have pre-packed hampers - such as wine hampers or food hampers - and some may allow you to personalize a hamper and pack it with products of your choice. Most businesses will deliver your hamper, making it a convenient and thoughtful present.

Of course, you don't have to use a professional to give a perfect hamper and it can be even more personal to make your own. When making a hamper, give careful thought to what they might like. Focus on helpful items and special goods that your special someone might not consider to buy for themselves, to make it even more considerate. UK hampers also work best when packed with items that won't spoil easily, such as red wine for wine hampers. If you do intend on filling in items that need to be kept cool or will spoil, then make sure the hamper is delivered as soon as possible and make sure your special someone understands that the goods must be used as soon as possible.

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Looking for A Massage Chair Online, Home Shows or Fairs

By Steve Esquire

There is a substantial increase in massage chair importers that are bringing in low quality chairs and selling them through various channels. In response to some of our customers that have experienced bad situations, I personally surveyed a number of venues such as the internet, home shows and county fairs for such importers. The result of input from my customer's experience and first hand insight from my surveys has yielded the following list of 5 key tips on how to avoid being taken.

1. Massage Chair Components are Critical: Ask what country the main components are from. The critical components are the motors and the pc board. The motors should be made in Japan and the pc board should be from either Japan or Singapore. If the components are from other locations, then these components are of inferior quality and subject to short life spans or in other words - junk!

2. Beware of Over Generous Warranties: Many of these vendors promise very compelling warranties. The question is: Will they be here tomorrow to honor that warranty? One way to find out is to ask the salesperson if they have independent internet dealers, (That doesn?t mean their own website or E-bay!). Or even better, do they have retailers that have physical brick and mortar locations (preferable a known chain store). If not, then chances are they may never answer your call down the road for help. (The number you have reached has been disconnected and there is no new number--beep!).

3. Our Massage Chair is made in Panasonic's Factory: I saw a few salesmen claim that their massage chair comes from the same factory as Panasonic or some other name brand. Of course, there is no way for you to verify this independently. I am sure Panasonic wants their resources to be used to make knock off chairs that are then imported to compete in their main markets at rock bottom prices. Yeah, right, sure! If a salesperson tells you their chairs are made at the same factory as a name brand chair then I think you know the answer. Steer well clear!

4. Jack of All Trades, Master of None: Beware of vendors at fairs and home shows that sell everything but the kitchen sink. This is a sure sign of a one man importing machine. Now, I have a healthy respect for the entrepreneur, but one must specialize. I have seen booths with a couple of massage chairs along with a million other gadgets. It is like a one man flea market. These guys import everything and anything, especially what they just got a good deal on. Seriously, who knows what massage chair will be on the next shipment? They are armed and dangerous. Use Extreme Caution!

5. This is The Deal of The Century: We all know the saying: If it's too good to be true, then it probably is! This is certainly true when looking for a massage chair. The major manufacturers offer show specials, so you truly can get a good deal. Where you must be careful, are the small time vendors. They bring in a cheap chair loaded with features and sell it at ridiculously low prices. Avoid the temptation of short term gain for long term pain. You may be buying a long string of breakdowns, long waits for parts (if ever) and expensive technician service calls. Be careful of the deal of the century!

You can really get good deals and find some of the major massage chair brands and top models at home shows and county fairs. We just want you to go with your eyes open, so you find the right massage chair for your requirements. It should last you years and provide you countless hours of soothing relaxation. Head our tips and you will be rewarded with the perfect massage chair. Happy shopping!

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Do You Want To Learn How To Value of Old Lionel Trains

By Nathan Kelly

Are you searching to sell your old Lionel trains? Maybe you have discovered a gold mine at your neighborhood garage sale! Or maybe you've discovered a box in the attic filled with these used Lionel trains. How do you check their worth?

When it comes down to it, their valued, or their dealing price, will bet on whatsoever things, not the least of which is how much the purchaser is willing to give you to get it. The most driven purchasers will of course pay more than someone who is not fiery about it.

The last someone you want to deal your used Lionel train to is one of those individuals who post ads saying "I buy trains!". These individuals are in the business of getting the bottom manageable price, and then selling as high as possible. You most likely will not get a good price presently.

Who you DO want to talk to is proper collectors of antique Lionel trains. They are most likely to make you a fair cost, and in this group of individuals is where you are also most likely to learn a motivated purchaser. You may have a local group of collectors in your own country. Hobby stores that deal in antique Lionel trains, or supply regions and add-on for them, can guide you in hearing the right collectors.

Now that you recognise where to find a purchaser, here are some tips to aid you put a cost on your used Lionel train.

The Train Collectors Association has tight grading criteria that are followed by the true train collectors in determining valuations. They divide the entire range of conditions into seven categories, ranging from brand new and unused (mint condition) to junk, with whatever reusable divisions (poor condition). The seven categories are: Mint, Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor. Your train will settle somewhere into one of these families.

In addition, there are two quality leads released every yr that can aid you to check a rate for your old Lionel train. These publishing companies are well honorable in this arena, and have been releasing these guides for numerous yr. The two guides are:

TM's Lionel Price and Rarity Guide - Volume one or Volume two, depending on the date your Lionel train was constructed

Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide to Lionel Trains

There are certain matters you can do which can make a large difference in your trading cost. If your train is in mint condition, plus you have the basic box, you will get the highest price possible. So do not ever so throw away the box if you have 1. Likewise, clean your train so that there is no dust, grease, dirt, or old built up oil on it. A clean and shining train that doesn't move can ofttimes command a high trading price than a dirty one that processes. In addition, at times just cleaning it up and making minor amends can reconstruct that old train to a more valuable condition.

You can get an outstanding guide for mending your used Lionel train at LionelManuals.com. The guide is actually 2 CDs full of instructions, blueprints, parts lists, and detailed diagrams for every Lionel train manufactured from 1906 through 1986. It makes reconstructing your train simple, and can easy double or triple the cost you can get for your train. With numerous of these receivable trains, doing the uncomplicated repairs can in reality bring you thousands of dollars more when you trade it.

So you see, there is a lot that goes into positioning a value on your old Lionel train. Your well calculate to get a big selling price is to do your research on your train, check the verified guides, make contact with a collectors club, and show a fixed, clean and shining train to a fiery collector.

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