Top 5 Reasons to Go Vegetarian

Currently, there are over 12 million vegetarians living in the United States, a number that is growing by leaps and bounds each year. While people committed to a vegetarian diet used to be relatively few and far between, these days vegetarianism is everywhere you look. College students and Hollywood celebrities alike are jumping on the vegetarian bandwagon. Why? Well, here are 5 good reasons that someone like yourself might want to consider a vegetarian diet.

1. For the animals. This one seems obvious, but sadly for a lot of people, it's not. Animals raised for food today are not raised on picture-perfect family farms like you might think, but are instead reared in an agricultural system that includes drugs, antibiotics, cages, intensive confinement, and dirty slaughterhouses. Dairy cows and egg-laying hens don't have it any better than animals raised for meat, either. A quick look at the websites of PETA or the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) will show you everything you need to know. It is estimated that by going vegetarian, a single person will save the lives of 95 animals annually. If you love animals, adopting a vegetarian diet is one of the best things you can do to help them.

2.For the environment. This one might not be as obvious to people as the first one was. But a diet filled with meat, eggs, and dairy is a huge burden on the planet as well as a tremendously inefficient use of our natural resources. It takes over 5,000 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat, compared to 25 gallons for a pound of wheat. Over 80% of the agricultural land in America is used to grow food that we feed to farmed animals. These same farm animals produce over 130 times the amount of excrement as the entire human population in America each year, which ends up polluting our lands and waterways.

Clearly, our environment would be better off if everyone were to adopt a vegetarian diet. Forget about the hybrid car. If you're serious about reducing your environmental foot print, going vegetarian is the place to start.

3. For your health. Many people don't know just how much healthier vegetarians are compared to their meat-eating counterparts. In studies of vegetarian diets, it has been found that vegetarians tend to weigh less, have lower cholesterol , live longer, and have fewer serious diseases than those who eat meat. Nearly every major health organization in the world has gone on record as saying that one of the keys to good health is a diet that is rich with fruits and vegetables. Now with the recent "Mad Cow Disease" and e-coli scares, it seems like the smart thing for anyone who is really concerned about their health to do is to stop eating meat and other animal products.

4. For human rights. This is where I start to lose some people, but the fact of the matter is that a diet based on animal products is likely to be contributing to human suffering in other parts of the world. The meat industry is notorious for abusing its workers. From hiring illegal immigrants (who are afraid to complain) to denying valid workers' compensation claims, a quick search on Google will reveal the many atrocities of the American meat industry.

Beyond American workers, however, a meat-based diet actually contributes to hunger and starvation problems in third world countries. In a world where over 26,000 children die each day from starvation, most people are content to eat meat, which means feeding 16 pounds of grain to an animal to produce a single pound of meat. If we took all the perfectly good food we were feeding to farmed animals and started feeding it to the people who need it, world hunger could be a thing of the past.

5. It's the trendy & cool thing to do. This might not be the most important reason, but the fact of the matter is, more and more people are choosing a vegetarian diet each day. From Hollywood celebrities like Richard Gere, Alicia Silverstone, and Pamela Anderson, to countless high school and college students, it seems like you can't go anywhere these days without hearing more and more about vegetarianism. Some of the hottest restaurants in the world right now exclusively serve vegetarian and vegan cuisine. And why not...it tastes great, is good for you, and is amazingly easy to prepare!

If you've been thinking about going vegetarian, there's never been a better time. There are more vegetarian dining options than ever before, and if you need any information, the web is chock full of vegetarian-focused websites. Even if you can't give up eating meat completely, adding a vegetarian meal to your diet every now and then could have more benefits than you might think.

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane to Your Local 'Recollections' Scrapbooking Store

I've been scrapbooking for a while now and as my fellow scrappers know, there is no shortage of places to buy supplies. There's craft stores, Wal-Mart, specialty scrapbook stores, and even direct sales companies that have consultants that will allow you to shop from home. Everyone sells the same basic stuff, like scissors, papers, albums, stickers, etc., and you have to do something really special to set yourself apart in the world of scrapbooking.

A few weeks ago, I came across a store that did just that. I was recently talking about scrapbooking with my aunt, when her eyes lit up and she told me about "her new favorite store," which was apparently a recently-opened scrapbooking store in Columbia, Maryland. She got so excited that she insisted on getting in the car right then and taking me there.

I wasn't expecting much....I have been in scrapbooking stores before and as I stated earlier, they all seem pretty much the same to me. After a short drive, we arrived at a store called "Recollections," and as soon as I stepped inside, I knew just why my aunt had gotten so excited. The place was huge, with aisle after aisle of the cutest stickers, papers, and other scrapbooking accoutrements that you've ever seen.

Besides for offering one of the biggest assortments of scrapbooking supplies you'll find under one roof, what really sets Recollections apart is the work studio. Each Recollections location has a work studio where you are free to go and work on your albums during store hours, free of charge. You can use all of the paper cutters and die-cut machines for free, and you can "start a tab," use all the supplies you need, and pay for them at the end.

The studio also features computers so you can scan & print photographs, as well as print words & titles for your albums. There is a small kitchenette off the work studio where they have some vending machines and a refrigerator, so you can bring lunch or grab a snack without interrupting your work on your albums too much. Plus, each location offers a variety of classes and "crop" sessions that are open to the public, which is a great way to meet other people interested in scrapbooking.

I've always found the staff at Recollections to be very friendly, and always willing to help out when you need them to. They've taken the chance to get to know me, and always ask me about my albums and how they're coming along. The prices are very competitive to other scrapbook retailers, but the service & amenities are second to none.

So far, Recollections only has locations in four states (Arizona, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia), but they just started in 2003 and are looking to expand into other areas soon. If there is a Recollections store in your area, you should definitely stop by and check it out. If you're anything like me, you won't want to shop for your scrapbook supplies anywhere else.

Good Things Come to Those Who Complain

Have you ever had a bad experience when dealing with a company? Chances are you have. Maybe the fast-food joint forgot to put one of your items in your bag at the drive through. Maybe you went to a store and couldn't find any help or experienced an unacceptably long wait. Maybe a staff member was just down right rude to you.

Whatever the case may be, most people just "grin and bear it," accepting these inconveniences as one of life's little hassles. But, if you're willing to speak up and share your experience with the company, you may be compensated for your trouble. That's right...many people already know this, but if you take the time to write a letter of complaint to the corporate headquarters, you will almost always receive a letter of apology in response, usually in addition to some sort of refund, gift certificate, coupon, etc.

Some people would say that it's not worth the time or effort to sit down and actually send a letter to a company, but I disagree. The letter does not have to be very long, just a paragraph or two. Briefly explained exactly what happened, and why you were upset. Include the date and time of your experience, if available, and if you remember the names of any staff involved, be sure to include those two. You don't need to ask for any sort of compensation--just let the company know that you are unhappy and that you will remember this experience in the future when deciding where to do business.

You can send an actual "snail mail" letter if you prefer, but in today's online world, it is usually cheaper and easier to send an e-mail. Just go to the company's website and look for the "Contact Us" button or a corporate e-mail address. Usually, once you send your letter or e-mail, the company will respond within a couple of weeks. If you include your phone number, you will likely get a call from a company representative to offer an apology. In any case, as long as you provide your mailing address, you will almost always receive some sort of small "token of apology," usually a gift card or a coupon.

You might be surprised at the value of these. I had an unpleasant experience at a casual dining restaurant, wrote a letter, and was promptly mailed a $75 gift card, even though the value of our original meal was only $37. I've received coupons for free meals, free products, and even free oil changes. These things can really start to add up. Plus, these gift cards and coupons are for companies you already do business with, so you're sure to use them.

One last thing...don't take advantage of the willingness of these companies to try to make things right. Only write a letter if you've truly had a bad experience, and don't "nit-pick" just to get free stuff. But if you've had a bad experience, it can certainly be worth it to take the time to let the company know. Not only might you score some free stuff, but you're also letting the company know where they can improve so hopefully you won't have a repeat of your bad experience.

Are You Depressed or Do You Have Bipolar Disorder?

Millions of Americans suffer from depression. Perhaps you or a loved one have been diagnosed with, or sought medical treatment for depression. Although medicine can help, the right diagnosis needs to be made in order for treatment to be effective. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to tell the difference between depression and bipolar disorder.

In fact, it is not uncommon for people with bipolar disorder to initially receive a misdiagnosis of depression. Even medical professionals have a hard time telling these two conditions apart. Luckily, if you take a little bit of time to educate yourself about the features that distinguish these diseases from one another, you can make sure that you receive the proper diagnosis and you will soon be on your way to recovery.

Bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic depression, is a mental illness characterized by unusual highs and lows in a person's mood. People with bipolar disorder experience periods when they feel tired, down, and just generally depressed. These periods can last for many months or even years, which is why they are often initially diagnosed with depression.

The flip side to this, however, is that bipolar people also have periods known as ''mania'' where they feel unusually good or energetic. During these manic periods, people find that they don't need as much sleep as normal. They will usually be more talkative and outgoing than usual, and may also be more interested in spending money or engaging in sexual activity. The longer that bipolar disorder goes untreated, the worse the mania can get. People experiencing severe mania may suffer from feelings that they are invincible or even hallucinations, either of which could lead to dangerous or suicidal behavior.

It is these manic periods that really make the difference between a diagnosis of depression and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Often, bipolar individuals have periods of feeling "normal" between mania and depression. And since people are much more likely to ask for help when they're feeling bad than when they're feeling good, these manic periods often go unreported when they finally seek treatment.

So, what does all of this mean to you? Well, if you've been feeling ''down" or depressed, I would certainly encourage you to talk to your doctor. But before you do, ask yourself some basic questions. Has there ever been a period of time in your life where you've felt unusually "good," "up," or "happy?" A period where you needed less sleep than normal? Perhaps you were more interested in sex or shopping than normal? Was there a time when you were reckless, or ran up a lot of debt and/or got in trouble with the law?

If the answer to any of these questions is "Yes," be sure to tell your doctor, even if he/she doesn't specifically ask. If you're not sure, ask your doctor point-blank if they think you could be bipolar. Many of the medicines used to treat depression can actually make bipolar disorder worse, so make sure you get the right diagnosis the first time.

If You Have Stinky Feet, Try the Odor Neutralizing Foot Spray or Deodorizing Foot Powder by Avon

I have something a little embarrassing to tell you. At first I was almost too self-conscious to write this article but then I thought, "Hey, we're all friends here at Associated Content, right?" So here it goes...my feet smell bad. Sometimes they smell really bad. For a while I just thought it was a matter of replacing my shoes a lot and washing my feet a lot, neither of which are horribly convenient.

Then, I was flipping through an Avon catalog that my representative gave me, and I noticed that they offered two products that we're supposed to help with foot odor: a "Deodorizing Foot Powder" and an "Odor Neutralizing Foot Spray." They were running some sort of a 2-for-1 special, so I went ahead and ordered both products.

I was excited when the products arrived and I was anxious to put them to the test. The labels on both products say that they can be used either directly on the feet or on the shoes. I decided that I would try the Foot Spray first.

When I sprayed the Foot Spray directly on my foot, I immediately noticed a pleasant, cooling sensation from the spray. Even if it didn't help with the odor, this would be a nice treat after a long day. However, the foot spray did not fail to eliminate my foot odor, leaving my feet with a clean, albeit slightly mint smell (probably from the Menthol that is an active ingredient). When I sprayed the Foot Spray on the insides of my shoes, however, I wasn't so impressed.

I had allowed my shoes to dry completely from any moisture that they had accumulated during the day, as the label instructed, then sprayed just a small amount on the insides of my shoes. I found that the spray didn't do that much to reduce the foot odor on the insides of my shoes, but even worse, my shoes were damp for the next 3 hours! I followed the instructions to the letter, but I guess the spray just isn't designed to dry very quickly on fabric.

I decided to then give the foot powder a try. The next day, I came home and sprinkled the powder on my feet. Unlike the spray, there was no tingly, cooling sensation and I found that the powder made my feet feel dry and didn't help that much with the odor. However, I sprinkled a fairly liberal amount of the powder in my shoes, and instantly, you could tell that the odor had almost completely diminished. As an added bonus, the next day, my feet were noticeably drier and smelled better after a long day. I guess the excess powder helped to absorb some of the moisture and odor that normally would have accumulated all day.

So, my recommendation would be to try them both. Avon is usually running some sort of a sale on their Foot Works line, and you should be able to pick up both products for less than $10. The foot spray is great for your feet, and the powder will work wonders for your shoes. Though neither product is great for both as claimed, together they seem to be a winning combination.

Review of Vonage V-Phone Device

Recently, I took a job working from home answering telephone calls for various companies. My new job required me to have a second phone line installed, so naturally I called Verizon (my current local phone company) and asked them to come out and add a line to my home. Of course they were more than happy to do this...for a $96 installation fee and $24.99 a month for the phone line. The prices seemed a little unreasonable to me, so I decided to shop around.

It quickly became apparent that one of the many "internet phone companies," that utilize VoIPtechnology, would be much cheaper than going with Verizon. I did some reading online and finally settled on Vonage as my provider...now the only thing left to do was to pick the device that I would use to access the Vonage service.

Traditionally, Vonage customers get a "phone adapter" that plugs into their high-speed modem and has a jack which you plug a traditional phone into. I also saw on their website that they offered a newer, more portable device that allows you to talk using Vonage, called the "V-Phone." The current retail price for the Vonage V-Phone is $39.99.

Basically, the V-Phone is a simple USB dongle, much like the USB hard drives that everyone seems to have on their key chains these days. The V-Phone comes pre-loaded with the Vonage Talk software, has a 2.5 mm headphone jack, and also has 250MB worth of storage space that you can use however you wish.

After activating your Vonage service (which I did at the store when I bought the V-Phone, but can also be done over the phone or online), your V-Phone is assigned a phone number. To use the Vonage service, just pop the V-Phone device into any available USB port on your high-speed internet connected computer. After a few moments, your computer will recognize the device and the Vonage software will load, after which a familiar telephone keypad will appear on your computer screen.

Now, just plug any standard microphone headset (the V-Phone comes with a microphone headset, but I use the same headset that I use for hands-free operation on my cell phone) into the V-Phone device and you are ready to start talking. To make a phone call, just dial a number using the keypad on the computer screen and click the "call" button. The Vonage V-Phone also has a "Contacts" feature that allows you to store and dial your frequently called phone numbers.

Receiving a call is just as easy. Anyone in the world can dial your Vonage number, and assuming your V-Phone device is plugged in, your computer will alert you to the incoming call with both sounds and an on-screen message. If you're computer is off or your V-Phone is unplugged, you can set the calls to go straight to voicemail, or ring any other number you wish.

The sound quality with the V-Phone is amazing. As I mentioned earlier, I take customer service calls for some big companies, and I have never had a problem with audio quality with this device. Most of my friends and family are shocked when I tell them we're talking on an internet connection, because it is just as clear, if not clearer, than traditional phone lines.

The V-Phone device also offers a few other advantages. First off, the V-Phone doesn't actually install any software on the "host" computer, so you don't have to worry about littering computers that other people own with software they don't want or need. With the V-Phone, I can use my Vonage phone line from pretty much any computer with high-speed internet access. If I take my laptop to a hotel or Starbucks, I can just plug in my USB device and talk on the phone. With the traditional Vonage phone adapter, I can't use my service unless I have an actual modem to plug my phone adapter into and a phone to plug into the adapter. It seems much easier to travel with this device. I also find that I use the generous 250MB of storage space quite often to transfer my audio and picture files from computer to computer, something other Vonage devices just can't do.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with my Vonage V-Phone, or the Vonage service. My activation fee with Vonage was waived because of a promotion, and I pay just $14.99 a month for my phone line, which is at least ten dollars cheaper than Verizon. If concerns about VoIP being difficult to use or having poor-quality audio have prevented you from jumping on the "internet phone bandwagon," the Vonage V-Phone might be the perfect starter device for you.

ChapStick Versus Blistex - a Closer Look at Two Popular Lip Treatments

We all get chapped lips. It's one of life's little inconveniences that happens to all of us sometimes. When your lips are chapped, there are lots of different products available to help you feel better, and sometimes it can be hard to make the right choice. In this article, I'll provide a detailed comparison of ChapStick and Blistex, two of the most popular lip treatments on the market.

In terms of price, a quick check of drugstore.com revealed a tube of Blistex selling for $1.81 and a tube of ChapStick for $1.99, making ChapStick just a little bit more expensive. The whole reason I had to check a website, though, is because like most people, I don't necessarily do a whole lot of comparison shopping for lip treatments. Chances are good that the negligible price difference between these two items won't be a big factor in choosing one over the other.

In terms of taste, ChapStick comes in a wide variety of flavors (my favorite happens to be cherry), whereas Blistex just comes in ''Original", which has a slightly medicinal, menthol taste. This is where ChapStick wins the competition, hands down. While the taste of Blistex isn't all that bad, it certainly isn't very good, either. ChapStick, on the other hand, tastes so good that you almost want to eat it.

If your lips are dry and just tend to need a little moisture, both products work well. I find that Blistex tends to provide relief a little quicker, but ChapStick is thicker and stays on your lips longer. It is important to note that most ChapStick contains a bit of color, whereas Blistex goes on clear. This is important for guys especially, because too much red Chap Stick can make it look like you're wearing lipstick. Many women enjoy this hint of color, however, and is one of the reasons that they choose to apply a lip product in the first place.

It is when your lips are feeling really chapped and sore that Blistex really starts to shine. Sometimes, especially during the colder winter months, my lips get so chapped that they're almost raw. During these times, I want a lip treatment that really packs a punch and will work for an extended period of time. ChapStick might provide partial relief for horribly chapped lips, but that relief is bound to be short lived, forcing you to reapply the product quite often.

When you apply Blistex, however, you immediately feel a cool, tingling sensation that lets you know the product is working. This sensation helps to provide immediate and complete relief for even the worse case of chapped lips. The relief lasts for a nice long while, too, and you wont feel the need to constantly be reapplying Blistex. When I use this product, my chapped lips actually start to get better and heal over time. ChapStick, on the other hand, may relieve some of the discomfort of painfully chapped lips but never really seems to get to the ''root" of the problem.

As a guy, I might like to use ChapStick sometimes, but I can see it being a ''must carry" item for lots of women (at least the ones that I know). But when I have a really bad case of sore, chapped lips, I'll definitely choose Blistex over ChapStick any day of the week. At less than two dollars each, it probably wouldn't hurt to keep a tube of each product on hand. Give those lips of yours a little tender loving care every now and then. Your lips (and maybe even your Friday night date) will end up thanking you.

Seroquel Versus Zyprexa - a Comparison of Two Antipsychotic Medications

Tens of millions of Americans take psychiatric medicines, and some people need to take a medication known as an antipsychotic (or the older term, "neuroleptic"). Although this may sound scary at first, antipsychotic drugs are prescribed to treat a variety of conditions, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe depression, and sometimes even insomnia.

There are several antipsychotic medicines currently on the market, but the two most popular (in terms of market share) are Zyprexa and Seroquel. If your doctor decides that an antipsychotic is right for you, chances are that she'll start you out on one of these. I am bipolar and I have had the chance to take both of these drugs at various times, and I am happy to be able to share my experience with you here.

The first drug that I was put on to help with my manic episodes was Zyprexa, an antipsychotic made by the Eli-Lilly company. At the time I was feeling very anxious & wound up, and I was also having a hard time sleeping. My shrink wrote me a prescription for Zyprexa and it began to help from the very first dose.

I was instructed to take the Zyprexa at bedtime, which is good because it knocked me out within 15 minutes. Although I hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in months, my first night on Zyprexa I slept a full 9 hours. Within a few days of starting the drug, I began to feel much calmer and less anxious. Things were definitely getting better.

After being on Zyprexa for about a month and a half and doing pretty well, some other things started to happen that weren't so good. The minor problem was that the "knock out'' effect the drug originally had for me was stating fade, and I was beginning to have problems sleeping again. But the much bigger problem (no pun intended) was that I was starting to gain weight. A lot of it--to the tune of almost 30 pounds in just two short months.

The Zyprexa made me ravenously hungry and a little bit tired a combination which almost assured my weight gain. Concerned, my doctor decided that I should stop taking the Zyprexa and try something else. So, she put me on Zyprexa's main competitor: a drug called Seroquel.

The first night that I took the Seroquel, the first thing I noticed once again was how quickly the medicine put me to sleep. I also noticed that, while I still felt calm and relaxed during the day, I wasn't nearly as hungry as I was with Zyprexa. In fact, during my first 2 months on Seroquel, I only gained 4 pounds, which is much more acceptable than thirty.

The only downside I found with Seroquel as opposed to Zyprexa was how much of the drug you have to take. My dose of Zyprexa was just 5 milligrams per day, or one small pill. The equivalent dose of Seroquel for me was a whopping 600 mg, which was 3 much larger pills. My doctor tells me this is normal. She also tells me that although I haven't gained a whole lot of weight on Seroquel, weight gain is an issue for most people taking any antipsychotic and is something that I'll need to keep close tabs on.

In closing, it is very important to note that only your doctor can decide which antipsychotic drug, if any, is right for you. Each individual will react to these drugs differently, and what works for me might not necessarily work for you. However, you should keep in mind that if one antipsychotic medication isn't working for you or is causing unwanted side effects, there are other drugs on the market which may work better for you.

During my treatment with antipsychotic medication, I found that Zyprexa and Seroquel are both extremely effective medications for bipolar disorder. Both initially, helped me sleep better, but this effect wore off after time with the Zyprexa. Also, although both drugs made me gain weight, Zyprexa caused me to gain significantly more. Overall, my life has been much better since I started taking bipolar medicine, but I am certainly happy my doctor switched me from Zyprexa to Seroquel.

Restaurant Review: Frisco Grille & Cantina in Columbia, Maryland

Living in the Baltimore suburbs, my roommates and I have hundreds, if not thousands of places to choose from when it comes to dining out. But one of our favorite suburban hangouts is Frisco Grille & Cantina (commonly referred to as "Frisco Burrito") located in Columbia, Maryland. Just minutes from both I-95 and the popular Mall in Columbia, Frisco Grille has great food and a convenient location.

Frisco Grille offers freshly prepared, southwestern-style cuisine at great prices. When you dine at Frisco, they'll start you off with a basket of fresh tortilla chips and their 'homemade salsa.' The salsa is zesty and flavorful, and they also have two kinds of queso dip available if you prefer. That's just the beginning.

Many people dine at Frisco Grille because of the outstanding liquor and beer selection. Frisco offers 19 beers on tap, and my beer-connoisseur brother says that Frisco offers one of the best micro-brewed beer selections in the Baltimore area. If you prefer a mixed drink, Frisco makes a world-class margarita and offers you a choice of 19 premium tequilas. In addition to table service, Frisco also has a full-service bar, making it a great place to stop to get a drink after work or during a sports game.

As for your main course, Frisco offers all the traditional Mexican favorites, like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, etc. The burritos are massive and I've never been able to finish a whole one in a single sitting. In addition to chicken and steak, Frisco will happily substitute beans or tofu in any of their selections, pleasing meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. If you're not in the mood for Mexican, Frisco also offers burgers and full-sized entrees, with something for even the pickiest eaters.

The only downside to Frisco Grille is the service, or lack thereof, sometimes. Frisco Grille is a small restaurant, and I imagine their business varies widely from one day to the next. Sometimes when we go to Frisco, there is only one waitress responsible for 8-10 tables. The staff tries their hardest, but sometimes there are just not enough people and you end up having to wait a while for things like your next beer or the check.

The prices at Frisco Grille are extremely reasonable. Most of the selections on the food menu are priced anywhere from $6-$12 and drinks are comparably priced to other restaurants in the area. Usually, my two roommates and I can dine at Frisco for under $50, including 2 or 3 alcoholic beverages between us.

Overall, Frisco Grille & Cantina is a great little restaurant that offers amazing food at competitive prices. Sometimes, the service can leave a little to be desired, but usually Frisco offers a great dining experience. If you live in the Baltimore area, this is a restaurant that you should definitely check out.

The Five Biggest Mistakes EBay Sellers Make

These days, it seems like everybody is trying to get a piece of the eBay pie, and for good reason. Last year, over $400 billion traded hands on eBay. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can list your product on a website with a global audience of hundreds of millions of people.

Yes, it's easy to see why everybody has the eBay bug. Whether you are just trying to get rid of some old household junk, or you are trying to start your own full time eBay business, there are a few simple things you should consider. Here's my list of the five biggest mistakes that eBay sellers make.

1. Not including a picture of the item you are selling. Far and away, this is the most common mistake that people make on eBay. Including a picture of your item is the best way to guarantee quality bids on your product. People want to see what they are buying, and if they can't, they are likely to move on to the next listing.

If you have a digital camera, sanp a quick photo of your item and upload it...it really only takes a few seconds. And if you don't have a digital camera, use a search engine like Google Images to find a picture of the product you are selling. This step only takes a few extra minutes and could substantially increase your products final value.

2. Spending too much on "extra features" on items that don't need it. Another big mistake I see on eBay are items that have a lot of extra features that really aren't justified. Of course, eBay is willing to sell all sorts of add-ons, like bold listings, subtitles, and "featured listings" for an additional fee. But in general, these things aren't worth paying for.

Most products will do just fine with a basic listing with the one included free picture. The only other feature that might be worth paying for is to have a "gallery picture" included with the search results, but only if there are lots of items that are exactly the same or extremely similar. Those extra features might only cost $0.20 here or $1.00 there, but when taken together, these unnecessary expenses can seriously cut into your profit margin.

3. Spelling mistakes and extra words & punctuation in the product title. This one should be obvious. If you want to make the most money from a product on eBay, people have got to be able to find it. The best way to insure that people can't find your product would be to mess up the title in some way.

As far as the title of your listing goes, you want to keep it simple. Above all, make sure you spell the product name correctly. Also, don't include extra words (like "Great Deal") or unnecessary punctuation (like exclamation points), as these things only make your listing harder to find. Keep the titel short, and include any necessary details in the body of the listing itself.

4. Sellers often price their items too low when using the "Buy it Now" feature. I see it all the time...a seller will offer an item at a "Buy It Now" price that is far below the "market price" on eBay. Don't sell yourself short. If you're going to sell using Buy It Now, make sure you do a quick search of the recently completed auctions for similar items. See what the item sold for last week on eBay before you set your price. More often than not, the items you have to sell are worth more than you'd think.

5. Allowing your auction to run for too long. This may seem counterintuitive...you would think that the longer the auction, the more people that have a chance to bid. However, we live in an "instant gratification" society and people, particularly seasoned eBayers, quickly grow impatient with long auctions. As a rule of thumb, an auction should never last longer than 7 days, and most of your auctions should be 5 days or less. If you are selling something that is in particularly high demand, sometimes a 3 day auction is your best bet.

By offering a shorter auction, you are able to attract bidders who need the item quickly. You also assure a certain momentum & excitement to your auction by offering an ending date in the near future.

By taking note of the simple steps above, you can avoid some of the more costly mistakes that sellers make on eBay. By putting yourself in your buyer's shoes, creating an attractive listing, and avoiding unnecessary fees, you too can make a fun and profitable venture into the world of eBay selling.

Mirapex: A New Treatment Option for Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome, or RLS, is a chronic medical condition that is often poorly understood. People with RLS suffer from an uncontrollable urge to move their legs in order to relieve painful or "odd" sensations from within their body. RLS often interferes with someone's ability to get a good night's sleep, and it is estimated that as many as 9 million Americans are currently suffering from restless legs syndrome.

Until recently, there was only one prescription drug, called Requip, that was FDA-approved for treating the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Although Requip has been a wonder drug for some people, others have found that it had intolerable side effects or just didn't work for them. Now, another prescription drug, which is called Mirapex and is manufactured by Boehringer-Ingelheim, has been approved by the Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary RLS.

Interestingly enough, Mirapex was first used in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, as was Requip. These drugs are known as dopamine agonists, and work by activating dopamine receptors in the brain. Although they have a similar method of action, the two drugs are two distinct molecules, and they may work differently for different people.

Mirapex was proven superior to treatment with placebo in relieving the symptoms of RLS in multiple studies, which lead to its approval by the FDA. Also, studies have shown that Mirapex can provide sustained relief from RLS for a full 9 months, and perhaps even longer for some people. This gives Mirapex a treatment profile that is directly comparable to the earlier Requip.

As with all prescription drugs, there may be some side effects caused by Mirapex. The main side effect that most people experience is drowsiness, which is usually not a problem since Mirapex is generally taken in the evening before bed time. Some people may also experience feelings of faintness or dizziness upon standing when first starting treatment with Mirapex. These side effects are usually mild and generally get better over time.

Although Mirapex was approved by the FDA for RLS in 2006, the drug maker just began marketing the drug in early 2007, so your doctor may just now be learning of this new treatment option. If you suffer from restless legs syndrome and have never sought medical treatment, or if you find that your current treatment is not providing adequate relief, it may be time to talk to your doctor to find out if Mirapex is right for you. When you're able to get a good night's sleep without tossing and turning, you'll be glad that you did.

SOURCES:

Wikipedia - "Restless Legs Syndrome" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restless_legs_syndrome

Requip Website - http://www.requip.com

Mirapex Website - http://www.mirapex.com

Car Sharing: Coming Soon to a City Near You

Growing up, I couldn't wait to get a car. Like most teenagers, I couldn't wait for the freedom and fun that having my own car would provide. Day trips to the beach with friends. Late night trips to the 24-hour diner. It wasn't until I got to college and bought my first car that I really learned what a headache having your own vehicle can mean.

First, you have to buy the car, which is usually a rather sizable investment. Then the car needs tags and a title. There's a monthly insurance bill, and let's not forget about gas, which is hovering around $3.00 a gallon right now. Top it off with unexpected repair bills and owing a car can be quite an expensive proposition. As a matter of fact, the American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that the average person pays about $650 per month to own and maintain a vehicle, a price which includes everything except parking.

A lot of people find that they either can not afford their own vehicle, or that they don't drive enough to justify the expense of owning a car. Until recently, the only alternatives for these people were to rely on public transportation, walking/biking, or expensive taxi cabs. Luckily, a new option called "car sharing" is starting to gain popularity and if you live in a major metropolitan area, chances are it is coming to city near you.

Many people have never heard of car sharing or don't know much about it. Car sharing is basically an arrangement where individuals or groups of people share access to vehicles, which are usually found in convenient, common locations. People generally pay a small fee to use the car by the hour or by the day, and this fee generally includes all of the expenses associated with driving, including gas, insurance, maintenance, etc.

Here's how car sharing works: first, you sign up for your local car sharing service. (Click here for a link to a complete listing of all of the various car sharing services in the U.S.) Signing up usually involves paying a small fee (generally $60 or less) and agreeing to a background & driving record check. After you are approved for membership, the car sharing service will usually provide you with some sort of "access card" that will allow you to access the shared vehicles, as well as complete details on all the particulars of their service.

When you want to use a car, you just go online or make a phone call and reserve one of the available vehicles for however long you wish. When your reservation time arrives, you simply go to vehicle (the car sharing service will be able to tell you specifically where your reserved car should be parked), unlock the doors with your access card, obtain the key from inside the vehicle, and then drive pretty much anywhere you want.

A computer inside the car keeps track of all of your trip data. At the end of your reservation, you just park the car where you got it, return the keys to where you found them, and then lock the card using your access card. The car sharing service then collects the information about your trip and bills you accordingly, usually to a credit or debit card that you have provided.

At first glance, this may seem a lot like renting a car, but car sharing is actually quite different from traditional car rental. First, using a car sharing service is much more convenient than renting a car. After completing an initial application process, you are pre-approved to drive any car that your car sharing service offers. When you rent a car, you have to fill out paperwork and sign a contract each time. Car sharing vehicles are usually conveniently parked throughout urban areas, so you can pick up a car where it's convenient for you as opposed to a centrally-located rental office. Plus, once you have a membership, the reservation process is very quick...it take less than 2 minutes to reserve a car, and with most services you can reserve an available vehicle as little as 10 minutes before you need it.

Car sharing also makes good financial sense. As previously stated, the car sharing company pays for the gas and insurance that you need to provide. These are things that you have to pay for on your own with traditional car rentals. Also, most car sharing services let you rent their cars by the hour, instead of by the day. When you realize that most people drive their cars for less than an hour and a half per day, it's easy to see why car sharing could be the most cost effective option for people who drive infrequently.

If you've read this far and it sounds like car sharing is for you, let me encourage you to "take the plunge" and contact your local car sharing service. Most major cities, including Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Baltimore, and many more currently have car sharing services. If there's not a car sharing service in your city, don't fret. Car sharing is catching on like wildfire, and chances are that if you live near a mid- to large-sized city, you'll have car sharing in your area before you know it. With the growing financial and environmental costs of vehicle ownership, you can be sure that car sharing isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Tips on Making the Decision to Stop Taking Anti-Depressant Medication

Depression is a serious problem in this country. According to some reports, nearly 11% of women and 5% of men in the United States are currently taking one or more anti-depressant medications. These medications can truly be life savers, helping people get through some of the most difficult times in their lives, and there is certainly no shame in seeking a little help to get through a challenging period.

However, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of taking a mood-altering, prescription medication for their entire lives. Some people are concerned about the potentially unknown, long-term side effects of anti-depressants. Others just want to experience life naturally, without any drugs. There are several factors you need to consider before you make the decision to discontinue anti-depressant therapy.

First off, ask yourself if your depression really has gotten better. How has your mood been, generally speaking? Has your appetite returned to normal, or are you eating considerably more or less than you normally would? Are you sleeping better? How is your social life? Make sure that your depression really has lifted and that you haven't just learned to live with the symptoms of depression.

If you've been "stable" for at least six months, are feeling confident, have a good support system in place, and have the desire to stop treatment, it may be time to ask your doctor about stopping your anti-depressant therapy. It is very important that you do not just stop taking your medicine. Your body has gotten used to your medication and abruptly stopping it could cause serious withdrawal symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, fainting, and even a return of your depression.

Your doctor will likely "wean" you off of your medicine by gradually lowering your dose over a period of time, usually a few weeks to a few months. This can be frustrating for some people who see depression as a chapter in their life that they are eager to close. However, by following your dose reduction schedule carefully, you will minimize your chances of having any unpleasant side effects.

During this time, be sure to keep your doctor informed about how you are feeling. If you experience any of the side effects mentioned above, be sure to let your doctor know as soon as possible. It is likely that you are reducing your dose too fast and you may be able to stop any undesired side effects just by slowing down a little bit. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if your feelings of depression return, or if you start to show any symptoms of depression, such as a sudden change in your eating or sleeping patterns.

Finally, don't be discouraged if you can't successfully "get off" anti-depressants the first time you try. Many people don't realize just how much their medication has helped them until they try to stop taking it. You may need some more time to work on the root causes of your depression. Just because you couldn't stop the first time you tried doesn't mean that you won't be able to stop taking anti-depressants in the future.

Other people may find that they have very real chemical imbalances that require a lifetime of treatment. This is perfectly OK, too. As with all medical conditions, the key to good treatment lies in doing your research and staying in close communication with a doctor you trust. Together, you and your medical team can make the best decisions for your personal situation.

How I Made Over $1200 (so Far) by Cashing Junk Mail Checks

If you're like most people, you probably get a lot of unsolicited advertisements in the mail, otherwise known as "junk mail." And if you're like most people, you probably throw most, if not all, of this mail directly into the trash without even glancing at it. But you could be throwing away some big money without even knowing it. Here's how I turned my junk mail into over $1200 in cold, hard cash.

Many times, junk mail comes in the form of a real, physical check made payable to you. As the advertisement probably points out, this is an actual check that you can go to the bank and cash. Usually junk mail checks range anywhere from $4.00 to $75.00. As you probably know, the checks come with "strings attached." By cashing the check, you are usually agreeing to some sort of special offer, anything from a trial in a "discount service" to switching your long distance company.

Most of the time, after you cash the check, you are enrolled into some sort of trial offer that you have to cancel after a certain period of time or else you are charged. This is why most people throw the checks away. The $10 check "isn't worth" the time and hassle it takes to cancel the trial offer or switch back your long distance service. However, I would like to point out that this might be misguided.

For example, the most recent junk mail check I received was from my credit card company. By cashing this $8.00 check, I was enrolled in a 30-day free trial of "Wallet Security," a service that they claim will protect me from identity theft. Now, I certainly was not interested in this service, and the check clearly stated on the back that if I didn't cancel within 30 days, they would charge me a whopping $120 for a year of this service. But the check also stated that I was free to cancel within the first 30 days, not be charged, and that the $8.00 was mine to keep. It sounded good to me, so I dropped it off at the bank with my next deposit.

When I got home from the bank, I just made a note on my calendar for a couple of weeks in the future. I wrote the name of the service and the 800 number (also on the check) I needed to call to cancel. When that date rolled around, I called and cancelled. Of course, the representative tried about 10 different times to get me not to cancel. But I was persistent, and finally he confirmed that my service was cancelled. The whole process, including cashing the check and making the phone call, took about 15 minutes of my time, for an $8 payout. If you do the math, that comes out to $32 an hour. Not bad for not really doing anything at all.

Here's where it gets really good...once you cash one junk mail check, the company shares the good news with other marketing firms and checks start pouring in. As the title of my article states, I've made over $1200 in 2 years by cashing junk mail checks. Not enough to live off of, certainly, but not exactly pocket change, either.

With a little organization, you too can play the junk mail game. I've been careful and I've never accidentally gotten charged for something I didn't want...but the companies are definitely banking on you forgetting to cancel whatever service it is they are offering, so make sure to take good notes. I like to make a copy of the front and back of each check and keep it in a file. That way, I know the exact terms and conditions I agreed to by cashing the check. Also, make sure to keep track of all those checks...$4.00 here and $10.00 there might not seem like a lot, but those little bits do add up quickly.

A Case of the Mondays

Today got off to a bit of a rough start. I had a horrible time falling asleep last night, and didn't actually get to sleep until like 4:00AM. I completely slept through my alarm clock which was set for just a few hours later, and I didn't wake up until WAYYY after I was supposed to be at work. And this was the week I was really trying to buckle down and make sure my schedule was "perfect." I'm a temp at my current job but I would like to become a permanent employee and I'm hoping they make me an offer soon. Showing up 2 hours late on a Monday morning is never a good thing.

At least when I got here there wasn't a whole lot of new work to do, which gives me some down time to work on my writing today. I hate the daily work grind. I can't wait until I don't have to do it anymore. Here's hoping that happens sooner than later. In the meantime, the office I work at is pretty nice and laid back, so I'm hoping that I can stick around here until perhaps I don't need a "real" job anymore. I like my co-workers and I like the office environment. I just really hate knowing that I'm working for someone else....on their terms...and working to built their fortune instead of mine.

A lot of people probably think its a pipe dream for me to want to make a living as an online writer, but I really believe that I can do whatever I put my mind to. And what I want right now is not to be stuck in a soul-crushing job for the rest of my life, so I'm gonna find a way to make it happen.

Top 3 Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Baltimore, Maryland

About two years ago, I decided to adopt a vegan diet and, never being one to cook much for myself, I set out to find restaurants that served decent vegan food in Baltimore, Maryland. Although I have found that a lot of the restaurants in the city don't have much to offer in terms of vegetable-based dishes, here is my list of my favorite three vegetarian/vegan restaurants in Baltimore:

The Yabba Pot, 771 Washington Blvd., Baltimore - The Yabba Pot is Baltimore's only completely vegan restaurant and is home to some of the best vegan "soul food" that you'll ever have. From traditional offerings like vegan mac-and-cheese and mock meat citrus ribs to more contemporary offerings like seaweed salad, The Yabba Pot has something for everyone's tastes. Quaint tables with artwork and an eclectic mix of music add to the decidedly "hippie" atmosphere of the restaurant, but if you're vegetarian or vegan and you end up in Baltimore, you need to check this place out.

One World Café, 100 West University Parkway, Baltimore - Voted best vegetarian restaurant by Baltimore's City Paper, this café is frequented by college students and professors alike. One World offers a complete espresso bar, liquor bar, and full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. They offer both vegetarian and vegan options, and all of this information is conveniently located on the menu to help diners make informed decision. Some of my favorite items at this restaurant are the PB&J sandwich, the vegan chili, and the 'Not-Dog' vegan hot dog. The staff is always friendly and they are open late, especially on the weekends.

City Café, 1001 Cathedral Street, Baltimore - Conveniently located in the heart of Baltimore's trendy Mount Vernon neighborhood, City Café offers world-class coffee- and alcohol-based beverages, in addition to some of the best food you'll find in the city. While not focused solely on the vegetarian crowd like the first two restaurants on the list, City Café has many vegetarian and vegan options, like their delectable vegetarian nachos or their rich mushroom ravioli. Have a great dinner at City Café, then take in an off-Broadway show at one of the many nearby theaters and you'll have a night you and your date won't soon forget

While you won't find as many vegetarian restaurants in Baltimore as you will in other cities, you'll find that this list will provide a good starting point for your search for delicious vegetable cuisine. As always, any restaurant you go to should be able to make at least one or two things that are vegan, so if you find yourself stuck someplace where there's not much to eat, remember there's always salad or a baked potato.

Restaurant Review: Cibo Bar & Grille (near Baltimore, Maryland)

Located just north of Baltimore, in the bustling suburban community of Owings Mills, Maryland is a surprisingly trendy and upscale dining destination called Cibo (pronounced CHEE-bow) Bar & Grille. Last week, a friend and I decided to celebrate the receipt of our tax refund checks by going out for a night on the town, and we chose to dine at Cibo. From the moment we got there, we knew that we had found someplace out of the ordinary.

The inside of the restaurant could be described as moderately upscale. The design of the restaurant is definitely sleek and contemporary, with lots of black walls, tables, countertops and funky shaped furniture. The staff seem to blend into the overall modern theme of the restaurant in hip, all-black uniforms. Of course everything was pristinely clean, as I'm sure their clientele would expect nothing less. Cibo has tables, booths, and a full-service bar. We decided to sit at the bar for our evening out.

Immediately upon sitting down, the hunky, dark-haired bartender came over and introduced himself. We intended to drink for a while, and the friendly bartender had no problem suggesting just the perfect drink, time and time again. They had one of the most well-stocked bars I've ever seen, and with every mixed drink I had my choice of a variety of liquors available at various price points. The drinks were moderately priced, with most cocktails between $7 and $10 and beers around $5. The other patrons all seemed friendly and everyone was having a good time.

After a few drinks, we decided to order some food. The bartender was able to offer some excellent suggestions, and pointed me in the direction of some of the various vegan options on the menu. Not being very adventurous, we decided to stick to the basics...I ordered a Mediterranean Vegetable Pizza (minus the cheese) and my companion had the Chicken Parmesan.

We were impressed when our entrees arrived piping hot just 10 or 15 minutes after we had ordered. The waitress who brought our food out was very polite and made sure we had all the silverware and condiments we needed. The food was pretty good. I enjoyed my pizza...you could tell that the vegetables were very fresh and sauce was a fantastic blend of sweet and savory flavors. Being vegan, I can't speak much about the chicken, however my friend said that she liked it very much and it was some of the best Italian food she had enjoyed for a while.

The bill was a little expensive, but not outrageous. Our dinners were in the $15-$22 range, and our total bill, which included a total of two entrees and six drinks was $102. The service was great so we left a good tip, and we would definitely consider going back in the near future.

If you're looking for someplace trendy and hip to hang out in the Baltimore suburbs, Cibo Bar and Grille might be your place. I hear they get quite the "happy hour" crowd, and if you're looking for a place to kick back and have a few drinks with some friends or colleagues, this might be just the place you've been looking for.

Scary Spice Points to Eddie Murphy as Her 'Baby Daddy'

According to a recent April 13, 2007 report from E! Online, former Spice Girl Melanie Brown (a.k.a. "Scary Spice") has confirmed reports that she has named actor & comedian Eddie Murphy as the father on the birth certificate of her recently born child. According to reports, Brown gave birth to a baby girl at a Santa Monica hospital on April 3, although she has not yet named the child.

This story first hit Associated Content on October 18, 2006 (see "Eddie Murphy and Scary Spice Expecting a Child...or two?"), with speculations of a marriage between Scary Spice and Murphy abounding. In November of that year, however, Murphy publicly stated on Dutch television, "I don't know whose child that is, until it comes out and has a blood test." Brown responded by saying she was "distressed" and "upset" by Murphy's comments-now, the former Spice Girl has a legal document naming Eddie Murphy as the father of her baby.

However, Murphy's people have refused to comment on the current situation, with publicist Arnold Robinson stating, "We do not comment on Mr. Murphy's personal life." E! News is speculating that an unavoidable DNA battle is coming soon. They're definitely right about that...move over Anna Nicole,Brown vs. Murphy is sure to be the next Hollywood paternity case that no one can stop talking about.

The news of the alleged "love child" between Eddie Murphy and Scary Spice comes as a shock to a lot of people. Murphy and Brown dated for just around 5 months before they decided to call it quits last fall. Both Murphy and Brown are divorcees and have children from previous marriages. Murphy says he has five children with his ex-wife Nicole Mitchell, and Brown has an 8-year-old daughter with her ex-husband, dancer Jimmy Gulzar.

Initial media reports had also speculated that Brown had named her infant daughter "Fortuna Daphne Bay," but the former Spice Girl has denied these reports and stated that she has not settled on a name yet. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. No doubt there is a lot of money at stake here, as well as the reputations of a very popular Hollywood actor and a not-so-popular former pop singer. This seems like the perfect story for a media blitz, though, so stay tuned...I'm sure it won't be long before we find out the real identity of Scary Spice's baby daddy.

The Best Summer Jobs for Students in Baltimore

With a population of almost 2.7 million and numerous colleges and universities, many high school and college students will be looking for a job this summer in the Baltimore area. Luckily, there are lots of summer job opportunities for students in Baltimore and the surrounding areas, and some are actually quite fun. Here's a look at some of the best summer jobs for high school and college students in the Baltimore area.

Lions, tigers, bears, and sharks, all in the heart of Baltimore. Maryland is home to the world renowned Baltimore Zoo as well as the The National Aquarium in Baltimore. These tourist attractions get extremely busy during the summer and are often looking for part time help. I know someone who gets to feed the dolphins at the aquarium, and the zoo is often looking for students interested in animal care.

Beat the heat at the mall. Baltimore is home to many trendy, conveniently located shopping malls, like the Harborplace/Gallery complex at the Inner Harbor, Towson Town Center, and the more suburban Mall in Columbia. There are also many smaller shopping malls in between. The mall is a great place for teenagers with little to no work experience to find a good "starter" job.

Hit the beach or ride the rides. Not far away from Baltimore are Ocean City, MD and the Eastern Shore, and these beach areas are always in need of summer workers. Also in Maryland is the Six Flags Amusement park, who hires upwards of 2,000 part- and full-time workers during the summer months. If it's too far to drive, think about staying with a friend or family member who might live a little closer. You can hang out at the beach or ride a roller coaster in your downtime, and might have a summer you'll never forget.

Think snowballs...in the summer! Many locals will tell you that their favorite part of summer is getting a "snowball", a shaved ice concoction that is uniquely Maryland. Most snowball stands are only open during the summer, and are in need of help most hours of the day. Many people leave tips when they buy a snowball and I know some people who have made great money selling these summer time treats.

The fact that many of the above mentioned locations are easily accessible by Baltimore public transit is also a bonus for many young people. One of the keys to landing a great summer job is to start looking early, so start making contacts and submitting applications as soon as you know you'll need summer employment in order to have the best chances. Don't wait until you hear from one place to apply for another job....submit applications at many different places and wait until you get an offer you like. There's no harm in telling an employer you're no longer interested if more than one place contacts you. With a little time and effort, you can find a fun way to put a little cash in your pocket this summer in Baltimore.

Have We Seen the Last of the Pet Food Recall?

As most people have heard by now, on March 16, 2007, Menu Foods, a large-scale producer of brand name and private label pet foods, issued a massive recall of almost 60 million cat and dog food products after 15 companion animals throughout the US died as a direct result of consuming contaminated food. One human has also been confirmed to have gotten sick from eating this pet food. The recall, which has involved serious missteps on the part of the FDA and the pet food industry, initially included only wet and canned foods-however it has recently been expanded to include certain brands of dry food as well as some dog & cat "treats."

Now, as recently as Friday, April 13, the recall has been further expanded to include food manufactured by Canadian distributors. There is also evidence that the CFO of Menu Foods sold up to half of his stock in the company just weeks before the recall. The whole situation is bound to turn out to be another ugly scandal that will further dimish the public's trust in large corporations.

Pet owners are obviously worried-and for good reason. According to information obtained by PETA(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Menu Foods knew that its food was making dogs & cats sick as early as February 20, 2007, yet it did nothing to alert the public until March 16 (notably, they made the announcement on a Friday, and concerned pet owners were unable to reach the company over the weekend). More recently, animal protection organizations across the country have been fielding numerous frantic calls from people all over the country whose pets have gotten sick and/or died after eating dry foods (which were not included in the March 16 recall). It wasn't until PETA held a press conference on March 30 that the pet food industry announced the first recall of dry food the next day, on March 31. All along, the pet food industry has been trying to protect their bottom line and do some serious "damage control," rather than trying to whatever possible to save the lives of countless beloved animal companions throughout the country.

But the worst is over, right? The contaminated food has been identified, pulled from the shelves, and anyone who has been alive for the past two weeks should know which products are safe and which aren't....right? Well, not so fast.

Initially, it was believed that the cause of the reported animals' deaths was ingestion of a chemical called aminopterin. This chemical, though not legal in the USA, is commonly used as a rat poison in many parts of the world. Furthermore, lab analysis indicated wheat gluten, a common ingredient used to "thicken" gravies in pet foods, as the likely source of the contamination. However, on March 30, the FDA reported that it failed to find aminopterin in its lab samples, but did find melamine, a chemical commonly used to make plastics. Since then, the FDA and pet food industry have only been focusing on melamine as the cause of the poisonings, with wheat gluten identified as the sole culprit.

Unfortunately, pet owners have now been reporting that their animals are getting sick and dying after eating only dry foods, which do not contain any wheat gluten. According to PETA, evidence from independent laboratories now points to an excessive amount of Vitamin D in the pet foods. Vitamin D overdose can cause symptoms nearly identical to those seen in animals who fell ill after eating contaminated food.

Why isn't more being done to protect our puppies & kitties? Two words: corporate profits. The pet food industry has every reason to keep this recall as limited as possible. The more "wrong guesses" they come up with, the worse it looks for them. Every day this story stays in the press is a day of losing money. The more pets that get sick and die (that can be legally blamed on them, of course), the more money they have to pay out to grieving pet owners. Unfortunately, sites like PetConnection.com are receiving reports of more and more animals getting sick and dying every day. The pet food manufacturers have declared the recall "generally successful"....so why are animals still dying?

I believe this recall really highlights the importance of what we feed our pets. Have you ever looked at a list of ingredients on a bag of pet food? Do you know what half of them are? Look them up on Wikipedia or Google and find out. You might be surprised to find out that a lot of those innocent sounding ingredients are really sweet sounding names for things like chicken crap, the cancerous parts of animals that are deemed "unfit" for humans, and maybe even some euthanized dogs or cats (yes...that's right...dog and cat "meat"...in food for dogs & cats).

If you want to protect your pet now, and prevent exposing him/her to something like this in the future, take an hour or two and do your research. Know what you're feeding your animal. If you see an ingredient and don't know what it is, do some research or call the company. Opt for foods that are more natural and minimally processed...they may cost more, but isn't your beloved dog or cat worth it?

Stealing from Our Children: Why You Should Be Outraged Over the Student Loan Scandal

Over the past few weeks, the media has begun to report a major scandal involving the United States student loan industry. Apparently, some pretty big players in this industry, including Sallie Mae, America's largest student loan lender, and Citigroup, which manages over 34 billion dollars in student loans, are involved in the scandal. These lenders are accused of providing "financial kickbacks" to schools based on loan volume, paying for university officials to take exotic vacations, and even allowing lenders to staff university "phone banks."

These are some pretty hefty charges, and are no surprise in light of recent scandals like the Enron and MCI Worldcom debacles. As of Friday, April 13, the New York state attorney general was continuing to expand his probe to include more and more lending institutions. The American public should be considerably outraged by this current scandal, because it involves our children and it involves our future. The ongoing probe into student loan lenders has clearly revealed that in many cases, students were talked into loans with expensive interest rates that they could have gotten cheaper elsewhere. Even a half of percentage point could mean an extra tens of thousands of dollar over the life of some student loans.

As a recent college graduate, I know how quickly student loan debt can start to affect your life. You just graduated, you're lucky if you have an entry level job in you're field, you're trying to get set up on your own for the first time in your life, and to top it all off, you owe $100,000 for the four years you just spent in college. Those payments can add up quickly, and having that much debt can cripple your ability to get any additional credit (think car loans, mortgages) for years to come.

Now some of the biggest financial institutions in the United States are accused of predatory lending practices in their student loan businesses. This seems particularly heinous because of the real victims involved: students. Our young people. The future of America. Engaging in business practices that have the potential to financially cripple a generation of students should not be something that is looked upon lightly. A rich executive should not get to decide whether or not a student can afford her first home, just so that he can buy another yacht.

It is time for us to stand up and say that enough is enough. Corporate profits should not be put ahead of the well-being of our children. If you have a student loan through one of the institutions involved, call them and ask them what is going on. Write to your alma mater and make sure they are not involved in these predatory lending practices. If we don't speak up for our nation's youth now, what will be the next scheme corporate America concocts to steal our nation's future?

Is Lamictal an Effective Mood Stabilizer?

For many years of my life, I suffered through periods of extreme depression, alternated with periods of extreme productivity. I just accepted these mood swings as a normal part of life, but then I saw a psychiatrist that told me that these mood episodes were likely the result of a psychological disorder that could be regulated with medication. I had only ever tried taking traditional anti-depressants, like Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro in the past, and my doctor informed me that this could acutally be making the symptoms of my mood disorder worse.

The doctor and I came to a mutual decision that it would be a good idea for me to try a mood-stabilizing medication instead of just an anti-depressant. I was hesitant, since it seemed like there were more potential side effects with mood stabilizers than with SSRI medication, however my doctor seemed to think it would help so I decided I would try it.

The mood stabilizer that she put me on was Lamictal, which is an anti-seizure medication which is also approved by the Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of bipolar disorder. While it is unknown exactly how Lamictal works, it is thought to regulate chemicals in the brain responsible for mood and impulsivity. I started taking Lamictal at a very low dose, which is required due to the risk of an extremely rare skin rash, and as the lowest doses, I didn't notice very much of a difference in my mood at all.

Slowly, my psychiatrist began to increase the amount of Lamictal I was prescribed, until I reached the recommended therapeutic dose of 200mg per day. After a few weeks of being on this dose, I began to notice a big difference. My mood swings started to become much less frequent, and I was feeling more "grounded" and emotionally stable in general. When I did get depressed, it became much less severe--and when I was feeling better, I was still much less impulsive and got much less agitated than I normally would.

A year later, Lamictal has me feeling like my old self again. In medical studies, Lamictal actually has outperformed lithium as a mood stabilizer, which was considered the "gold standard" by medical doctors for years. I found that Lamictal definitely brought my moods to a much more normal and stable level, and I have heard others recount similar experiences. Only your doctor can tell you if prescription Lamictal is right for you, but if you have been experiencing severe mood swings, it could be an important conversation worth having!

The Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous (Bloggers)

I feel like this blog has gotten off to a pretty good start.  I have dozens of posts up already, have an entire library of content from Yahoo! Voices that is just waiting to be published here, and have lots of new content I want to write.  Indeed, this is the most excited I've been about a "writing" gig in quite some time.

But what's the end game?  What am I looking for out of my online writing?  Summed up in two words: financial independence.  I want my online writing to generate enough income for me to live comfortably....to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, without being tied down by a "traditional job."

I envision a life where I can stop in my favorite local restaurant, pull out my laptop or my phone, and write exactly what  I feel like writing for as long as I feel like writing....and knowing that is enough to pay the bills.  Now I know that sounds pretty optimistic.

I'm not crazy.  I've done the math and heard other's experiences....I know it is fully possible to make a living just maintaining a blog and writing online.  However, it's not easy by any stretch and only a handful out of the people who try are actually able to make it happen.  But, I'm putting it out there right now--I would like my monthly advertising and royalty payments from my writing to fully cover the cost of everything that I want to do in life.

I know that this website represents a very, very humble beginning towards that goal....perhaps laughably humble to some.  But I have to say....I'm driven.  I hate working for someone else.  It makes me feel like my soul is dying.  I love writing, and I love knowing that people are reading my content.  So I definitely have my "why," now I just have to figure out *how* to get there.  This is my start...and after all, you have to start somewhere.

Spotify Free: What is (and is Not) Included with Your Membership

Recently, Spotify pleased music fans everywhere by launching a new, free tier of their subscription music service called Spotify Free. According to the Spotify website , this new service takes many features of Spotify that used to be available to only premium subscribers, and makes these features free for everyone to use. But just what can you do with Spotify Free? And perhaps more importantly: what are the limitations of the free music service?

With Spotify Free, you can listen to any song you want in the Spotify database, anytime you want to, as long as you are using a desktop PC or a tablet. So, you can search for the one particular song you want to hear (or a particular album), click on the search results, and play the music in whatever order you want. You can also listen to music with unlimited skips and a very limited number of ads. Desktops and tablets are where Spotify Free really shines.

On mobile devices like cell phones, however, the Spotify Free offering is much more limited. On Spotify Free for Mobile, you won't be able to fire up any track at any time like you can on desktop. Instead, you are limited to shuffling playlists. So, you can make a killer playlist of music that you like, but you won't be able to play it in order and instead will need to allow Spotify to pick the order that your music is played. Spotify Free also limits the audio quality of streaming music to mobile devices, meaning that if you want the highest quality audio stream, you'll need to pony up for Spotify's paid Premium membership. Also of note, the only way to download music for later listening without a data connection is with a Spotify Premium membership.

I also found that the ads on Spotify Free are much more obtrusive on the mobile device, with multiple ads playing every couple of songs. This is almost annoying enough to drive people to the paid membership, which I suppose is the point. Although there are definitely limitations to Spotify Free, the service used to be completely unaccessible on mobile devices without paying for a Spotify membership, so Spotify Free is definitely better than nothing. For true music fans, however, the ability to play whatever song you want whenever you want to hear it might leave them wanting more than the Spotify Free membership has to offer.

The Worst Part of My Day

If you asked me which moment I hate most out of every day, it would probably be the first moment when I wake up.  At first glance, that may seem like a morbid and hopeless statement.  Don't get me wrong...I'm happy to be alive and hope that I'll keep waking up for many, many more days to come.

But that first moment is just filled with anxiety and dread for me.  I'm a worrier by nature, so there's always lots and lots of stuff racing through my mind.  Somehow, I manage to suck it up, organize my mind enough, and relax enough to get through the day.  Usually by dinner time I am feeling alright about things and have taken some action steps throughout the day to relieve my anxiety.

I've taken medication for years and years to help me sleep at night, so when I fall asleep, it's usually feeling like all is right with the world.  Well, not really, but my worrying has subsided enough that I'm usually able to just calm down, get my thoughts in order, and then drift off to sleep.

Then I wake up and it's like...BAM!  All of the things I was worried about the day before come rushing back, and it's like a jolt of adrenaline to my system.  Sometimes when I wake up, I'm in all out panic mode, and I just spend like a half hour pacing, smoking or vaping, and feeling like I'm just going to die.  It's absolutely awful.  It's like the problems from yesterday had slowly drifted off as I went through my day yesterday, but now I just got bitch slapped with a whole new set of problems.

For now, I am just going to deal with it as I can.  That's all I can do, right??  I am going to try to think of things to be optimistic about for tomorrow when I go to bed each night.  That way, when I wake up the next day, I can try to focus on all of those things instead of my anxiety.  Maybe I'll even start posting some of that stuff here so I can sort of put good things out into the universe to set my intention for the next day.

Now, to calm down a bit and have a productive Saturday...

Weight Watchers Simple Start: How the New Plan Works

I have been a Weight Watchers member for several years, and I have successfully lost more than 20 pounds using the program. As a long-time member, one thing that I have come to expect from Weight Watchers is the fact that every January, they launch a "new" aspect of their program to entice new members to join the program. This year was certainly no exception, as Weight Watchers launched a new "Simple Start" program.

Weight Watchers has been promoting its Simple Start plan with a barrage of magazine ads, television commercials, and print advertising. But what is the Simple Start plan and how does it work? Basically, with Simple Start, Weight Watchers gives members two weeks worth of sample menus that become the foundation of the new member's diet.

Whereas before plan participants were forced to immediately start tracking portion sizes and PointsPlus values, now Weight Watchers is offering new members the chance to work from a pre-planned menu with Simple Start. The Simple Start plan is extremely flexible, with lots of low-fat options sure to please everyone, including vegetarians and vegans. Weight Watchers promises that if you follow the Simple Start plan for two weeks, you will lose weight, even without tracking PointsPlus values.

After two weeks, Weight Watchers can decide whether to continue with Simple Start, or switch to the food tracking program. Simple Start is based on the Weight Watchers Simply Filling technique, and for some members, the emphasis on Power Foods is just what is needed to lose weight and maintain the weight loss. What is so great about the Weight Watchers Simply Filling technique is the fact that you don't need to measure portion sizes--as long as you are eating from the approved list of foods, you can have as much as you want until you are comfortably full. Members who find that they need help with portion control will likely do better with the tracking technique, where you can have a wider variety of foods, but will need to measure all of the food that you eat.

Whether you are a seasoned Weight Watchers member like me, or are brand new to the program, it is definitely worth giving Simple Start a try. For me, Simple Start helped me shed some of the pounds I picked up during the holidays, and helped me get back on track with the Weight Watchers program. The Simple Start menus, along with all the information you need to follow the new Simple Start plan, can be found in your Weight Watchers member materials or online at http://www.weightwatchers.com .

Velata Founders Circle: How to Become a Member

Many people are probably familiar with Scentsy, a leading brand of home fragrance products sold by independent consultants across the United States. What many people might not know, however, is that Scentsy recently launched two new brands, Velata and Grace Adele. While Grace Adele offers handbags and accessories geared towards fashion-forward women, Velata offers an exciting line of chocolate, kitchen accessories, and entertaining products.

When you sign up to be a Velata consultant, you will have the opportunity to achieve a once-in-a-lifetime award and be made a member of the Velata Founders Circle. The Velata Founders Circle is meant to recognize the very first Velata consultants who work to successfully build a large consultant base of their own. If you are a member of the Velata Founders Circle, you will win a dream vacation (the location is yet to be determined), and you will also receive a special Founders Circle logo that only members can use in the marketing of their personal Velata businesses.

So how do you qualify for the Velata Founders Circle? The requirements are straightforward: first and foremost, you must obviously be a Velata consultant currently. (If you're not, you can visithttp://www.velata.com , the Velata Corporate Website, for more information). Once you are in business, you must recruit 10 other people as Velata consultants, and each of those 10 people must achieve $1,000 in total Velata lifetime sales.

It is important to note that while your new recruits are welcome to sell Scentsy and Grace Adele in addition to Velata, the recruit must sign up with Velata as their first Scentsy Family Brand. In addition, although sales from all brands count towards the new recruits commissions, only Velata sales will help you earn your Founders Circle award.

There only 50 spots in the Velata Founders Circle, although at the time of this article being published, none of those spots have been claimed. Velata consultants can check to see how many Founders Circle spots remain at any time from their Scentsy Family Workstation website. The Founders Circle represents a great opportunity for "ground-floor" Velata Consultants, and with a little hard work, is something well within reach for dedicated individuals.

It's Real

I can't believe I have my own blog.  LoL.  I mean, I can believe it.  But the thought of having people "out there" actually reading my stuff, and caring about what I have to say....well, that's just really exciting to me!  I'm going to try my best to keep this page updated with lots of fresh content.

If you're reading this, THANKS!  Thanks for being one of my very first readers, and for taking the time to browse around this page I've created.   It means a lot to me. I'd love to hear from you!  Leave comments...and +1's and "Likes" are also always appreciated.

xoxo

Top 3 Nightlife Spots in Owings Mills, MD

Baltimore is one of America's big cities, and there are bars, clubs, and after-hours spots galore for those who like to party in the city at night. Things slow down a little bit at night in the Baltimore suburbs, like in Owings Mills, a suburb situated about 20 minutes outside of downtown Baltimore. Owings Mills is a hot bed of business and retail activity during the day, but for those night owls like me, there is still lots to do in Owings Mills, MD at night. Here is my list of the top 3 nightlife spots in Owings Mills, MD:

3. TGI Fridays, 9634 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD. Normally a chain restaurant wouldn't make my list, but TGI Fridays in Owings Mills was recently remodeled and has a wonderful bar. After 9pm, the bar area is adults only, so you don't have to worry about any little kids around to detract from the party atmosphere. With late-night drink and food specials, TGI Fridays is one of the few places in the Owings Mills area open until 2am, and there is always a crowd at the bar.

2. Jilly's Bar & Grill, 1012 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD. Located just a few miles from TGI Fridays, Jilly's Bar & Grill is a great spot in Pikesville, the town immediately adjacent to Owings Mills. Jilly's in a locally owned establishment, and as such offers great, authentic Maryland crabs and seafood. The drinks are reasonably priced, and this venue often features entertainment like live music and trivia nights. The staff is friendly and the place is clean. Jilly's closes at midnight except on the weekends, when the bar is open until 2am.

1. The Greene Turtle, 2 Restaurant Park Drive, Owings Mills, MD. The Greene Turtle is far and away Owings Mills top nightlife spot. Attracting students from local colleges and sports fans alive, The Greene Turtle is always a hotbed of nighttime activity. The Greene Turtle is open until 2am seven days per week, making it the perfect spot to grab a cocktail during the week or on weekends. The Greene Turtle has lots of TVs and outdoor seating during the summer months, and smoking is allowed on the patio of the Greene Turtle.

Owings Mills, MD may seem like any other suburb which shuts down late at night, but if you know where to look, there's a great nightlife scene just waiting to be discovered!

How to Make NJOY Electronic Cigarettes Last Longer

Electronic cigarettes are everywhere you look these days, with more and more people using these electronic devices to kick the tobacco habit. I have been able to quit smoking using electronic cigarettes, which has been great for my health. I personally use NJOY eCigs, and while I really like how realistic they are, I'm not crazy about the price tag. I can easily "smoke" one NJOY King eCig per day, and at $6-8/each, I'm spending just as much money on NJOY as I ever was on traditional cigarettes.

With my budget in mind, I set out to find ways to make my NJOY electronic cigarettes last longer. The first thing I found in my experimentation was that the temperature at which the NJOY is stored dramatically impacts how long the electronic cigarette will product vapor. When stored in a hot place, like a sealed-up car on a summer's day, the NJOY seemed to produce a lot of vapor at the beginning but then die quickly. As the temperatures outside got colder, I noticed that my NJOYs would produce more controlled amounts of vapor over a longer period of time. Since my discovery, I try to store my NJOY electronic cigarettes in cold places whenever possible, and I noticed it has definitely extended the life of my NJOYs.

Just as important is to make sure you store your NJOY in the original case whenever you are not using it. I know the case can be a bit bulky and sometimes it may seem simpler to just carry around a loose NJOY electronic cigarette in your pocket. However, the case has protective elements to make sure that your NJOY does not become accidentally activated. If you are carrying around the NJOY loose in your pocket, it is likely activating throughout the day, wasting vapor and causing your NJOY to run out quicker than it would otherwise.

Finally, keep track of the amount you are puffing on your NJOY and resolve to limit the number of puffs you take per sitting. For me personally, I found that I would often puff on my NJOY just to have something to do, and not even really be inhaling the vapor. This is a waste and will ultimately make your NJOY run out a lot quicker. So keep track of your puffs and stop when you decide that you will. By following these simple steps, I have been able to cut my NJOY electronic cigarette consumption in half and have saved a ton of money in the process!

Merry Christmas (in July!)

Today is July 25.  You know what that means?!  Christmas in July!  I love Christmas, and the whole "Christmas in July" thing is really fun I think.  Several years ago, my friend and I hosted a "Christmas in July" party and it was a whole lot of fun.  We got Christmas decorations from Oriental Trading Company, downloaded a bunch of Christmas music from iTunes, and even got a birthday cake for sweet baby Jesus.  Sacrilegious?  Perhaps.  But we had a blast.

I don't have any big Christmas in July plans for today, but I think I'll put a holiday music station on Pandora while I work today as my own little way of celebrating.

Remember, just 152 shopping days left until Christmas! :)

Maryland MTA CharmCard: How to Reload Your Transit Card Online

For a long time, the only way to pay your fare on many Maryland public transit systems was cash. A few years ago, Maryland MTA introduced a new payment method called CharmCard. CharmCard is a reloadable, stored value payment card which allows you to prepay your fares, and then use an electronic pass on buses, subway, light rail, and more. At first, the only way to add value to these cards was to use a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at a major transit station or on a bus using cash.

Recently, however, Maryland MTA introduced a system to accept credit card payments online to reload CharmCards. This means now you can pay your fare with a debit or credit card before you ever leave your house, then just tap and go on your preferred transit method. The first thing you will need to do is obtain your CharmCard, which is sold at select retailers throughout Maryland and online at www.mtamaryland.com . Once you have your CharmCard, you will need to register it online at the same website. Now, you are ready to reload your card online.

Login to your account and click "Add Value or Passes." From here, you will be able to select any monthly or weekly MTA passes that you would like to buy. You can also choose to add a set dollar amount to your CharmCard instead of buying a pass. This is a good option if you are a casual user of the Maryland public transit system. From this page, you can also select whether or not you would like to automatically reload your CharmCard when it drops below a certain balance.

Once you have selected the appropriate transit fare options, you are ready to check out. The Maryland MTA accepts all major credit cards as payment on their website. Once you have made your payment, your stored value or pass product is ready to be loaded to your card. It is important to note that this loading process does not happen automatically--in order for your value to be loaded, you must tap your CharmCard on a bus or a metro faregate within 30 days. Once you tap your card, your online purchase will be automatically added and ready to use.

By following these simple steps, you can load your CharmCard with money or passes online, bypassing the lines at the ticket vending machines and allowing you to get on transit quicker and easier than ever before!

Can I Use a Straight Talk SIM Card in my T-Mobile Google Nexus 5 Phone?

A couple of months ago, I simultaneously dropped my Verizon cell phone in the toilet and shattered the screen at the same time. It sucked. This incident, however, put me in the market for a new smartphone. If you know anything about me, you know that I'm REALLY into my electronic gadgets and I'm always up-to-date on the latest phones, so I pretty much immediately knew that I wanted to get the Google Nexus 5 Android smartphone.

The Nexus 5 is the latest in Google's smartphone lineup, and you can buy it unlocked directly from the Google Play Store for $349. A good deal, but more money than I could afford to shell out at one time. I decided to search to see if I could get the Google Nexus 5 directly from one of the major cell phone carriers in order to get a subsidized price, and I settled on T-Mobile.

T-Mobile sent me the Google Nexus 5 with no money down, and a small monthly payment would be added to my regular cell phone bill until I paid off the phone and owned it outright. I will wait to get into the whole story in another blog post, but let's just say T-Mobile ROYALLY screwed up my account from the get-go, and after hours upon hours upon hours of trying to fix the issue on the phone with customer service, I finally ended up getting a credit for the purchase price of my phone and cancelled my T-Mobile service.

So now, I was left with a perfectly good Google Nexus 5 phone from T-Mobile without any service. I needed to find a SIM card in order to get my data and voice services working again. At first, I thought I would be locked into getting a SIM card compatible with the T-Mobile network, but after doing some internet research, I found out that ALL Google Nexus 5 phones are unlocked regardless of who you purchase them from, so now I could get a T-Mobile SIM card or an AT&T SIM card...either one would work in my Nexus 5.

Ultimately, I went to Walmart and bought an AT&T-compatible SIM card from Straight Talk wireless. I've found that, in my area, the AT&T network is MUCH better than the T-Mobile network, and I was happy that my Nexus 5 could accept a SIM card for either carrier. My Straight Talk wireless SIM card works absolutely perfectly in my Google Nexus 5, and I am able to get data, voice, texting, and even picture messaging on my Nexus phone with no issues. At $45 for an unlimited Straight Talk plan, I am literally paying half of what I was with Verizon, and I have an awesome phone that I love. Even though my experience with T-Mobile was abysmal, in the end, all is well that ends well I suppose.