Making-Money-Month Is Now!

Can you imagine that in a day and age where you can turn your television onto ESPN and find the national spelling bee or the world series of poker on that this would still be a debatable topic? The fact of the matter is that both sides have a valid argument on this issue. From the outside looking in it would seem that bodybuilding competitions are nothing more then male pageants. Let’s face it! The men in these competitions wear bathing suits while parading on stage to music and flexing their muscles. Is there more to it then that? Yes there is a whole lot more that the uneducated eye may miss and certainly after reading the rest of this article you can pick which side of the topic you fall on!

What constitutes a sport? This a question that has no definite answer. When golf, Nascar racing and darts are constituted as sports without any resistance, why is it that bodybuilding still garners such a high level of negativity? To first understand where bodybuilding is now, we must understand where it has been. The bodybuilding competitions of the early 1900s were a much different affair then what we have become accustomed to today. The competitions of old were broken into three different categories that each contestant would have to compete and be judged on. The first being a test of strength, followed by an agility competition and lastly by an overall muscularity showcase. It was not possible to win the event on any one category alone. The winner would have to excel in all 3 aspects of bodybuilding. It is safe to say that there was no debating whether bodybuilding was a sport in these past times. The fact that the two most athletic aspects of bodybuilding were pulled from formal competitions, leaves many people scratching their heads! It is safe to make the assumption that for the most part the people winning these competitions of old were never the best in each category. This would make the most sense for the reason that we now have individual competitions in each of these categories.

We’re certainly aware of the arguments many people have for bodybuilding not being a sport but what are some of the reasons in its defense? I’ve always said if you don’t have to train for your competition then there’s no way you can be categorized as a sport. Bodybuilder’s workout from 5-6 times a week for up to 2 hours per day! I don’t know what the statistics are but all of us are at least acquaintances with someone who has taken up bodybuilding to get in shape but had to quit either due to lack of dedication or too many injuries. You are not going to find anyone claiming these routines are easy nor are you going to find many people that enjoy giving up the foods they enjoy for 3 month spans. All this dedication and sacrifice they put in is for the day of the competition. I bet you most people also don’t understand that bodybuilders actually hire choreographers to assist them with their routines.

All the detractors are saying to themselves that yes bodybuilders may put work in at the gym but that still doesn’t change the fact that their competition is nothing more then a glorified pageant for males! If you are up for the test I challenge anyone reading this article to stand up right now and continuously flex your muscles at full strength for a 3 minute duration. If you took the challenge I hope you have regained consciousness by now and are able to continue reading. That challenge wasn’t too fun now was it?

My point was never to convince you that bodybuilding is or isn’t a sport but to open your mind up to the possibility that their can be and is, a lot more to a bodybuilding competition then meets the proverbial eye. So next time you are asking yourself if bodybuilding is a sport keep in mind how much effort, dedication and sacrifice these people make to even get to the point of being on stage!

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Body Building

The abdomen contains the muscles that most beginners struggle with because they take a long time to develop and need a low level of body fat to be seen. The abdominal muscle group consists of three main muscles:

1. Rectus abdominis - commonly known as the abs, this is a large flat muscle wall that runs from the lower chest to the pubic bone.

2. Obliquus abdominis - commonly known as the obliques, this muscle runs diagonally along the side of the mid-section from the lower ribcage to the pubic area. The internal obliques lie underneath the external obliques.

3. Transversus abdominis - this is a thin strip of muscle that runs horizontally across the abdomen.

You can target these muscles effectively by performing the following exercises:

1. Crunches - 3 sets of 15-20 reps. This exercise will work the upper abs.

2. Pelvic tilts - 3 sets of 15-20 reps.This exercise will target the lower portion of the abdomen below the navel.

3. Side bends - 3 sets of 15-20 reps. This exercise will work the obliques.

As with all exercises you need to take care in scheduling specific body parts. To begin with you should incorporate your abdominal exercises into a program similar to the one suggested below:

Day 1: Biceps, Back, Abs

Day 2: Hamstrings, Shoulders, Abs

Day 3: Quads, Forearms, Calves

Day 4: Triceps, Chest, Abs

For the first couple of weeks complete one set but then add one set each week to a maximum of three. At the end of three months you will be ready to move on to more intensive intermediate level exercises.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

Dr. Howard Gardner and Theory of Multiple Intelligences

In 1983, Dr. Howard Gardner published his groundbreaking work on educational theory, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. According to Dr. Gardner, the concept of “intelligence” cannot be quantified into a one definition or standard. For example, a student who learns to divide long numbers more quickly than a second child in not necessarily more intelligent. The second child may have talents in other areas, such as painting, music, writing, leadership, or another branch of mathematics.

Dr. Gardner argued that a uniform curriculum does not address the wide variety of talents each individual student has. He believed that students were better served by an educational system that addressed their academic, social, or intuitive strengths.

Dr. Gardner created eight core “intelligences” that individual students could excel in. Each intelligence is independent of each other, and a student could exhibit skill in two or more of each category:

1. Bodily-Kinesthetic: Skill in physical activity
2. Interpersonal: Skill in creating relationships, persuasion, leadership, etc.
3. Verbal-linguistic: Skill in using words, spoken and written
4. Logical-Mathematical: Skill in logic, abstractions, reasoning, and numbers
5. Naturalistic: Skill in relating to and understanding the natural environment
6. Intrapersonal: Skill in introspection and self-analysis
7. Visual-Spatial: Skill in visualizing, manipulating objects, and creating artworks
8. Musical: Skill in listening, rhythm, playing and composing music

Though controversial, Gardner’s theories have been embraced by many progressive schools who strive to reach students that are often ignored by the traditional system of education. One such school is the Ross School, located in East Hampton and Bridgehampton, New York. The Ross School employs Dr. Gardner’s theories to engage students who exhibit a broad range of talents. The result is a “living curriculum” that constantly changes to bolster a student’s aspirations and developing skills. At the Ross School, students are well-prepared to face the rapidly-changing environment of the 21st century.

Sleeping in bed with the sound of raindrops hitting the tin roof is one of those things in life that has to be experienced. It amplifies the sound of the raindrops and I think that it reminds me of being protected and safe and in a warm home when I hear each and every drop, and this makes me happy. Our house has a tin roof just because I want my kids to hear this and never forget that sound and the feeling associated with it.

The roof requires a bit of up keep, but not as much as a roof with shingles. Shingles don’t last as long and need replacing more often. The real difference between a roof made from shingles versus one made of tin is the initial upfront price. The tin costs more upfront, but over a lifetime averages out to be less than the shingles, since they need to be replaced every few years. Replacing shingles is quite a job, you might want to supplement with Acceletrim for energy and to feel good while doing it, and if the sun is shinning, you better put some sun block on or clothes to keep the sun from hitting your skin. The tin requires maintenance of the nails and making sure that it is secure, at least that has been my experience, and this can be done just a few times per year and only take a few minutes. I recommend a tin roof for all homes because they truly are great.

A newcomer to the world of investments in the notion of “Virtual Real Estate Investing“. There are many variations on what this term means, encompassing everything from using the internet to aid in real estate investing efforts to participating in online games such as SecondLife.

To get the facts, I sought out the man generally considered to be the father of virtual real estate investing: Bryan Ellis of BryanEllis.com.

“I began using the term ‘virtual real estate investing’ in the late 1990’s when I realized the clear similiarities in profit strategies, regardless of whether the “real estate” is “virtual” or “physical” said Ellis.

Bryan Ellis cites the similar strategies one can employe to make money from “virtual property” and “physical property” as a primary parallel of the two markets. “These types of assets - websites and physical real estate - can be monetized in very similar ways like buy lo/sell high, leasing/rental and advertising opportunities” he says.

I must admit: Its easy to see the parallels. Consider this: If you own a piece of real estate in a desirable neighborhood, your real estate has value because other people are interested in that location. Similarly, ownership of a desirable domain name is valuable for the same reasons. So it doesn’t matter if you own physical real estate or virtual real estate - you’ll likely use similar strategies to turn them into money in your pocket.

In our next installment of this series on virtual real estate investing, Bryan Ellis will share the internet analogies to the physical concept of real estate development.

1. “Autumn’s the mellow time.” –William Allingham

2. “Autumn.. the year’s last, loveliest smile.” –William C. Bryant

3. “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf’s a flower.” –Albert Camus

4. “No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace As I have seen in one Autumnal face.” –John Donne

5. “I’ve never known anyone yet who doesn’t suffer a certain restlessness when autumn rolls around… We’re all eight years old again and anything is possible.” –Sue Grafton

6. “Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.” –Stanley Horowitz

7. “Every season hath its pleasures; Spring may boast her flowery prime, Yet the vineyard’s ruby treasures Brighten Autumn’s sob’rer time.” –Thomas Moore

8. “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” –John Muir

9. “There is a harmony In autumn, and a lustre in its sky, Which through the summer is not heard or seen, As if it could not be, as if it had not been!” –Percy Bysshe Shelley

10. “Change is a measure of time and, in the autumn, time seems speeded up. What was is not and never again will be; what is is change.” –Edwin Way Teale

Resource Box - © Danielle Hollister (2005) is the Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine - A free newsletter for quote lovers featuring more than 10,000 quotations in dozens of categories like - love, friendship, children, inspiration, success, wisdom, family, life, and many more; plus freebies and links to related resources. All new subscribers get one free ad. Read it - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp

With work, family obligations and an odd night-out everyday, it’s probably hard for you to find time to get to the gym on regular basis. That’s why it’s always a great idea to have a back-up workout option that you can do with minimal equipment. In the following workout, the only piece of equipment you need is a chair and half an hour of free time. For each exercise, perform 2 sets of 12 to 15 repetitions (reps).

Home Workouts!

1) The Plank: Place both feet on the seat of the chair and form a ‘table’ with your body by placing your elbows on the floor in front of the chair (you may wish to put down a towel if you are on a hard floor). Make sure your back isn’t arched and that your whole body forms a straight line. Keep your core muscles tight and hold this position for up to one minute.

Benefits: This total body exercise will work your core muscles as well as your upper body.

2) Pushups: Get into same position as for the plank, but instead as of balancing on your elbows, place your hands on the floor shoulder-width apart. Then, begin to perform a pushup, keeping your feet on the chair. Be sure not to let your back arch while performing this exercise.

Benefits: Your chest muscles will be targeted.

3) One-Legged Squats: Stand a few feet in front of the chair, facing away from it. Place one leg behind you on the seat of the chair and find your balance. Slowly lower your hips as far as you can go, using the muscles in your standing leg. Once at the bottom, carefully rise up again to complete one rep.

Benefits: This is another great action for targeting your gluteus maximus muscle, as well as your hamstrings and quadriceps. Due to nature of this exercise, you will also work on your balance.

Random Tip:Maintain the starting stance and bring both forearms half way up, keeping them parallel to the floor. The fists should be pointed upwards. Just curl the fist up and down several times in a controlled move of the small wrist joint. Make sure to keep the wrist in line with the forearm.

Must Read: Arms Muscle Building Workouts at http://www.weightloss-health.com/arm_muscle_building.htm

4) Triceps Dips: Sit on the chair with your arms at your sides and your palms resting on the edge of the seat. Next, walk your body out from the chair so you are only holding on by your palms. Slowly move your body down, using your triceps to lower yourself and rise up again.

Benefits: You will feel a good burn in the back of your arms (triceps). For an added challenge, you can also put your feet on the seat of another chair or on an exercise ball.

5) Front Raises: Stand up and hold onto the two front legs of the chair with a sturdy grasp. Slowly raise the chair straight out in front of you, from below the waist to your shoulder level and back down again. When you hold the chair right up, hold the position for 15 seconds.

Benefits: This exercise will help you target your frontal deltoids as well as your biceps. It is a form of strength training.

No Excuses: So, when you are pressed for time next, don’t just give up on your workout. With some imagination, you can create your own workout at home using common household objects that will stimulate your body in new ways, thus preventing you from reaching a plateau.

Even if time isn’t a factor and you could have made it to the gym, it’s never a bad idea to take a few sessions away, both to give you a psychological break, as well as to give your body some time away from the customary movements.

Ensure you are using proper form to avoid injuries. Take a day off in between each workout so you don’t risk overtraining.

Random Tip: Take a high protein diet during your workout days. Give adequate rest to your body also. For more on protein rich food, click here

Must Read: Kick start your Home Gym with right equipment and exercise at http://www.weightloss-health.com/home%20gym%20exercise%20equipment.htm

About the Author:

Jasdeep: for http://www.weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

Check out highly discounted Muscle Building Equipments and a chance to go through free muscle building articles directory at Free Muscle Building Articles (Tips/Workouts) Directory

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Basic folds

Most of the designs that you will learn will use a square piece of paper - and most will be done with origami paper, so the directions will show a colored (or gray side to indicate color) and a white side.

Also, most patterns will have an arrow that points you in the direction of where the fold should go. We have talked about the different types of arrows earlier in the book.

The following folds are reasonably simple. It may take a while to get the terminology down, and the way they show up on the directions, but with a little bit of practice you will most certainly get the hang of it.

There are 10 folds you should know as an apprentice origami artist, but two (or three) that you should become very familiar with. All of the folds are:

* Valley fold
* Mountain fold
* Petal fold
* Rabbit ear fold
* Squash fold
* Inside reverse fold
* Outside reverse fold
* Crimp fold
* Sink fold

We’ll go through all of these in some detail, and they will get you well on your way to making some of the fantastic creations you see in origami.

After mastering these basic folds you should learn the basic bases. It is from these bases that most creations are made and knowing them can give you an infinite base on which to build your skills.

The main bases you should learn are:
Preliminary Base
Fish Base
Bird Base
Waterbomb base

Bases are important

Bases are like the foundation for a house - if they aren’t built very well, then the chances of you building a long lasting piece of origami decrease.

Practice your bases so you can make the best origami designs. You will need good knowledge of these bases as we move into the next chapter on making some of your favorite pieces.

Jeremy Hansen is a recognized expert on everything Origami and author of the book “Origami Secrets Revealed: Everything You Need To Know And More”. For more great information like this you can check out his website at http://www.m5info.com/origamisecrets.html

This is a fun craft to do with a group of moms and their kids, one child per adult works the best. Each mom will need:

—One soft brush, any size but 1/2″ works the best

—One jar of “One-Stroke Ceramic underglaze”, either Duncan E-Z Stroke or Gare One-Stroke. (Of course they can share these, but it’s best if they have at least 3 colors to choose from. The best are a dark green, a dark blue or a dark brown. One jar of each color will do 50 hands altogether)

—One pint jar of “clear gloss glaze”, which all can use.

—A sponge

—Paper towels and a washcloth

—One blank UNglazed ceramic tile, 4-1/4″ (for kids 2 or 3 yrs. old or so) or 6″ (for kids over 3) Unless you know someone who does hand-painted tile as a career, these would have to be ordered in cases of 100 or so. The best thing is to call the hobby ceramic stores, where you will get the underglaze and clear glaze, and ask if they have a “molded greenware or bisque tile they sell”, and order the quantity you need. Tell them you would like them “fired to bisque.”

The most important thing is that the childrens’ hands are scrubbed with soap and water, then dried well. Salt, sugar or oils on the hands will prevent the glaze from bonding with the tile. Make sure to wipe the tile well with a clean sponge in plain water. Allow to dry a few minutes.

Tell the kids that it is like hand-painting only without wiggling their fingers. Make it fun, some get scared. Hold their clean hand gently over a tile to make sure their hand will fit, fingers spread out a little. Pick the right size tile and paint one wet coat of glaze across the flat of their open palm, not too runny but not too dry, follwing the instructions for mixing on the bottle. Try to keep their fingers from touching, the more still they keep their hand, the better the clarity. A good print will show fingerprints! But if it smears, it usually does, it’s all for fun anyway. If it starts to become a battle with the child, let him go, when he sees the other kids having a good time he will offer his hand to be painted. (I say “he” because it is usually the boys that wimp out, the girls are more adventurous. lol)

Make sure the paint goes all the way to the ends of the fingers and thumb and press the hand straight down onto the surface of the tile, quickly but gently and firmly, rolling the fingers slightly so the print doesnt look like skeleton fingers lol. Lift the hand straight up and see how cool! Wash their hands with soap, the paint is water soluable and non-staining, but dont let them lick it. With a fine brush, write the child’s name and date or birthday or age right on the tile. Set it in a safe place to dry well.

If you are nervous about smearing the dry glaze, have them fired at “cone 04″ before painting the clear gloss on top. This is the proper way, but if the underglaze is good and dry and you are very careful, it is ok to put the clear glaze on unfired underglaze and fire the tile once at “cone 06″ and the results will be the same. Either way, get the large floppy brush again and paint 3 thin coats of clear gloss on the tile and fire to “cone 06″.

You can buy frames from most ceramic stores that sell the tiles. They will last forever. Have fun!

Dy Witt used to display and sell at street fairs, and painting kids handprints was always a fun thing. Her 21 years experience painting with ceramic glaze is obvious when you view her murals and tiles here on her website. http://www.dyztilz.com

Don’t know about you but mobile broadband Internet passed me by until recently. Like everyone else in the known universe, or at least the ones that reside in the UK anyway, I have wifi broadband for my home so that I can work and surf online pretty much anywhere in the house. To be honest I am not sure how I ever lived without it, but then I think that about the Internet and computers in general as well.

But I had not really paid any attention to mobile broadband Internet as I had thought it nothing better than a cheap gimmick that may, at best, get you connection speeds that make a dial-up connection look like a Porsche.

But it seems I was wrong. A friend of mine was tempted by a few cheap deals with T mobile broadband, she found on broadbandgenie.co.uk, and she swears by it, saying the connection quality is brilliant. A few things surprise me about this

1) She is not the most technical person in the world so getting this earlier than most is a shock

2) She never raves about anything technology related so it MUST be that good

3) T-mobile doing mobile broadband, I thought it was just smaller companies

In fact it turns out I am very wrong about number 3. All the big name companies, from BT to O2, are in on the act and offering some great deals. Time to get looking I think.