Online Real Estate Schools

Buying a home or office is a major decision with several long-lasting implications. It cannot be denied that the most important one is the financial aspect. Real estate brokers help a buyer gauge and select the right property to suit his needs.

For this reason, almost all real estate buyers enlist the services of a real estate agent or broker to help them with this complex procedure. A real estate agent is a person licensed by the state to handle real estate sales. A real estate broker, licensed by the state, is a person who may own a real estate company, or has overall responsibility for the agent's actions. A real estate agent may also require the services of a real estate appraiser to determine the fair market value of a home for sale. In order to practice the profession of a real estate agent one must pass a licence course from a real estate school.

The courses offered by the school contains 12 review sessions of over a 100 questions each. Each state specific prep course includes over 200 US state specific questions in addition to national questions. Major areas of study include license law, principles and practices of real estate and real estate math. This also includes reviews, express study, live exams and final exam modes. Online real estate schools offers up-to-the-minute information regarding the most recent state law changes.

The real estate courses offered by online real estate schools provide high quality, time-saving, and effective real estate license exam preparation tutorials to assist future realtors in passing their exam. On application to an online school, the student gets a starter kit which includes a ?virtual tutor system? (VTS). It is an interactive CD-ROM that prepares the candidate to take and pass the real estate exam. This enables the student to study at his own pace. This software is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the home and office computer.

Online real estate licensing courses are the fastest, and most convenient way to get a real estate license. With up-to-date courseware and state-of-the-art teaching tools, these online schools are increasing in popularity with every passing day.

Real Estate Schools provides detailed information on Real Estate Schools, Online Real Estate Schools, Phoenix Real Estate Schools, Scottsdale Real Estate Schools and more. Real Estate Schools is affiliated with Real Estate Agent Courses.

Wolfberry: The World?s Most Nutritious Food?

For a berry with such an intimidating name, the wolfberry certainly has a lot going for it. Wolfberry comes from the Mandarin name Gou qi zi (?goo-chee-zee?), a red berry from the Solanaceae nightshade family that includes tomato, eggplant, chili pepper, and potato.

In popular English, gou qi zi (literally ?wolf?+ ?energy?+ ?berry?) has become ?goji.? For at least 2000 years, the wolfberry has grown wild in China and been used in common recipes and traditional Chinese medicine. Eighteenth century Chinese farmers nicknamed gou qi zi ?wolfberry? when they saw wolves feasting among the berry-laden vines during late summer at prime harvest time. Smart mammals!

The Chinese revere the wolfberry as a national treasure regarded as among the most nutrient-dense of the nation?s plants. This premise has stimulated scientific investigation about its potential health benefits and systematic cultivation, commercialization, and now increasing export to first-world countries mainly in Europe and the US.

A significant source of macronutrients

The wolfberry contains significant amounts of our body?s daily macronutrient needs, including carbohydrates, proteins, fat and dietary fiber. The content of a wolfberry consists of 68% carbohydrates, 12% proteins, and 10% each of fiber and fat, giving a total caloric value of 370 per 100-gram serving.

Soybean, another ancient Chinese plant often touted as one of the world?s most complete foods, is comparable across macronutrients. Although wolfberries and soybeans are similar in macronutrient content, wolfberries provide a significantly higher source of calories as energy from carbohydrates (soybeans = 173 calories). Blueberries, by contrast, do not have as much macronutrient or caloric value.

The wolfberry seeds are equally beneficial, and contain polyunsaturated fats like linoleic (omega-6) and linolenic (omega-3) acids.


The wolfberry?s big story on micronutrients

Wolfberry?s diverse and high concentration of micronutrients has earned it accolades as an exceptional health food. At least 11 essential minerals, 22 trace minerals, 7 vitamins and 18 amino acids define its extraordinary micronutrient richness, with examples below:

1.Calcium: The primary constituent of teeth and bones, calcium also has a diverse role in soft tissues where it is involved in cardiac, neuromuscular, enzymatic, hormonal, and transport mechanisms across cell membranes. Wolfberries and soybeans contain 112 mg and 102 mg of calcium per 100 grams serving, respectively, providing about 8-10% of our required daily intake.

2.Potassium: An essential electrolyte and enzyme cofactor, dietary potassium can lower high blood pressure. By giving us about 24% our daily needs, (1132 mg/100 grams), wolfberries are an excellent source of potassium, providing more than twice the amount than soybeans.

3.Iron: An oxygen carrier in hemoglobin, iron also is a cofactor for enzymes involved in numerous metabolic reactions. When intake is deficient, low iron levels cause iron deficiency anemia, a condition that affects millions of children worldwide. Wolfberry?s exceptional iron content is twice that provided by soybeans, often regarded as the best plant source of iron.

4.Zinc: Essential for making proteins, DNA and the functions of more than 100 enzymes, zinc is involved in critical cell activities such as membrane transport, repair and growth, especially in infants. The zinc found in wolfberries (2 mg/100 grams) has a high content (double the amount of soybeans), that meet 20% of our daily requirements.

5.Selenium: Sometimes called the ?antioxidant mineral?, selenium is often included in supplements. Selenium has unusually high concentration in wolfberries (50 micrograms/100 grams), almost enough for our daily dietary intake, and much more than blueberries and soybeans, which contain 8 micrograms or less per 100 grams.

6.Riboflavin (vitamin B2): An essential vitamin supporting energy metabolism, riboflavin is needed for synthesizing other vitamins and enzymes. A daily wolfberry serving (1.3 micrograms) provides the complete daily requirement for our bodies, whereas soybeans and blueberries contain only trace levels of this important mineral.

7.Vitamin C: A universal antioxidant vitamin protecting other antioxidant molecules from free radical damage, the vitamin C content in wolfberries (20 mg/100 grams) is comparable to an equal weighting of fresh oranges, blueberries or soybeans.
Phytochemicals
Wolfberries contain dozens of phytochemicals whose health-enhancing properties are under scientific study. Three phytochemicals of particular interest include:

Beta-carotene: A carotenoid pigment in orange-red foods like wolfberries, pumpkins, carrots and salmon, beta-carotene is important for synthesis of vitamin A, a fat-soluble nutrient and antioxidant essential for normal growth, vision, cell structure, bones and teeth and healthy skin. Wolfberry?s beta-carotene content per unit weight (7 mg/100 grams) is among the highest for edible plants.

Zeaxanthin: Wolfberries are an extraordinary source for this carotenoid that plays an important role as a retinal pigment filter and antioxidant. Wolfberries contain 162 mg/100 grams.

Polysaccharides: Long-chain sugar molecules characteristic of many herbal medicines like mushrooms and roots, polysaccharides are a signature constituent of wolfberries, making up 31% of pulp weight in premium quality wolfberries. Polysaccharides are a primary source of fermentable fiber in our body?s intestinal system. During colonic metabolism, fermentable or ?soluble fibers? yield short-chain fatty acids which are known to:
1.Improve the health of the colon epithelial lining
2.Enhance mineral uptake
3.Stabilize blood glucose levels
4.Lower pH and reduce colon cancer risk
5.Stimulate immune functions
Polysaccharides are also known to help in antioxidant activity and defending against threatening oxidants.

Functional Food and Beverage Applications

Wolfberries, which are prized for their color and nut-like taste, are cultivated for a variety of food and beverage applications within China. In addition, an increasingly amount is also used for export as dried berries, juice and powders of pulp. Not surprising, a major effort is underway in Ningxia, China to process wolfberries for ?functional? wine.

Despite no ?hard? evidence from clinical research, the myths of wolfberry?s traditional health benefits endure, including positive effects related to:
?Longevity
?Aphrodisia
?Analgesia
?Antiviral conditions
?Immune-stimulating properties
?Muscular strength
?Energy
?Vision health

In laboratory and preliminary human research to date, wolfberries have shown potential benefits against:
?Cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases
?Some forms of cancer
?Diabetes
?Premature aging
?Memory deficits
?Vision degeneration
?Lung disorders
?Other diseases of oxidative stress

Summary

Although not adequately demonstrated yet in published research, a synergy of antioxidant carotenoids (primarily beta-carotene and zeaxanthin) with polysaccharides suggest that wolfberries are an exceptionally rich antioxidant food source.

Micronutrient density, combined with key health phytochemicals like carotenoids and polysaccharides, give wolfberries their remarkable nutritional qualities. All things considered, it?s no wonder this berry is vying for honors as the most nutritious plant food on Earth.

Expand your health horizons, try wolfberries!

Reading
Wolfberry data from independent contract laboratories, courtesy of Rich Nature Nutraceutical Labs, Seattle; blueberries and soybeans, World?s Healthiest Foods, http://www.whfoods.com

Gross PM, Zhang X, Zhang R. Wolfberry: Nature?s Bounty of Nutrition and Health, Booksurge Publishing, North Charleston, 2006, ISBN 1-4196-2048-7

Copyright 2006 Berry Health Inc.

About the Author:

Dr. Paul Gross is a scientist and expert on cardiovascular and brain physiology. A published researcher, Gross recently completed a book on the Chinese wolfberry and has begun another on antioxidant berries. Gross is founder of Berry Health Inc, a developer of nutritional, berry-based supplements. For more information, visit http://www.berrywiseonline.com

Shops of New York Manhattan

For tourists, it is always a great fun to read in a booklet that the city they are going to is he best shopping venue, as any city will call itself the best one. However, you may be sure that Manhattan, New York is like a shopping paradise.
Most of the Manhattan grocery stores are quite typical with standard choice of goods. But, if you live at yappi district there are two places worth visiting: Zabar's and Fairway. The first one is famous all over the world for its rare products such as all sorts of caviar, nightingale tongues and so on. The second looks like a rebuilt hangar with its glass walls. Anything can be found here: hundreds nut sorts, dozens of sausages kinds, cheese, salads, pre-prepared food, Syrian pitas, fruits, vegetables, Italian ham and what not. If you plan to buy products for a week here, mind that they will be eaten in three days.
Manhattan boasts all kinds of food stores. For instance, lets have a look at the Macy's food boutique. The variety of products is overwhelming - home food from Italian villages packed in designer package, bottles of high-quality olive oil as small as perfume bottles, and expensive as well..
Deli or delicatessens are the mixture of restaurants and shops. The centre of the room is full of all kinds of sauces, shrimps, crabs and what not - all for one price. But it is better to buy food at highly visited delis, where food is not spoilt.
Vitamin Shops might be of special surprise to you. There is a wide choice of vitamins - note that Americans take them daily. There are vitamins for pregnant women in their middle thirties, for schoolchildren that do not study well, for those who win Olympic games... The choice is amazing.
If you have a sense of humour, jokes shops is something that you will be keen on. There are no banal things here - only the most curious ones.
But the best shops are, of course, Clothing and shoe stores. The most popular ones are huge DAFFY'S, TJ MAXX'S, SYM'S and Century 21 shops with their excellent choice of clothes for reasonable prices. For instance, you will find a lot of high-quality clothes made by unknown Italian brands here. Also, there are famous designer clothes that were produced in different years - the assortment is changing constantly so you will definitely be satisfied. If you do not like the thing you have already bought, you may return it back for a 8, 25 % tax.
Boutiques are also represented here with their latest collections, great variety, but sky-high prices as well. Those who are determined to come in will be welcomed by model boys dressed in expensive costumes.
Clothes that is most convenient and pleasant to wear is found at the casuals shops, like Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic и Eddie Bauer. Gaps can be found all over the place and offer high quality goods that does not look cheap. Old Navy - the giant's junior line with more than 200 huge shops all around the USA; Banana Republic offers more expensive and exquisite clothes with black colours dominating in polished shoes, shirts and costumes.
Eddie Bauer assortment is almost the same as in gap. Clothes can be ordered by catalogue and the choice is really good.
Gant is on top of this list. Things are rather expensive here, but its really worth it.
All in all, to choose your most favourite shopping place, you have to come to New York first and see it all for yourself!
About the Author

To book a room at New York hotel, visit New York City hotels

35 Promotional Tips for Writers

Whether you just published your first book or your tenth, whether you write poetry, fiction or non-fiction, the key to book sales is marketing and promotion. Poetry is not going to make a writer rich. However, being recognized as a published poet can lead to paid gigs. There are a number of things you can do as a poet to market yourself. Many of these tips also apply to writers of all genres.

I know of a number of authors who say that they never make an appearance, write an article, etc unless they are paid for it. I don?t know whether this is true, but if it is, these people are missing out on some extraordinary opportunities. As in any profession, it can be difficult to get your foot in the door as a writer. Once your foot is in, you can generally manage to sneak in your whole leg and eventually your entire body.

If you know where to look, there are many opportunities for poets to self-promote. Take advantage of them all, because one can often lead to another, more lucrative one.

For example, I started a local poetry writers group in 2003. No one pays any fees and I don't earn a single penny from it. In 2004, someone in the group referred me to a local library that participates in the Inside Writing & Publishing series for the North Suburban Library System. In March and April every year, they sponsor 10 or so local writers to present a variety of writing-related workshops. They pay the writer $50 per hour for each workshop. The library contact called me and asked if I would present a poetry-publishing workshop.

I developed a 2-hour workshop, presented it at four libraries in March/April 2006, and earned a total of $400. I put together a flyer stating what was covered in the workshop, listed a number of the comments from the workshops (which were all extremely positive), and added a new workshop I was asked to develop - an introduction to poetry writing. I started sending that out to park districts, writing groups and other places that teach writing classes in the Chicago area, and already have commitments to present my workshops to various places starting this fall.

Below are a few ideas to get you started. Some of them do not pay, and some of them do pay. Remember, doing something you are NOT paid for can easily lead to something you ARE paid for!

1. Start and run a poetry-writing group.
2. Host poetry reading open mics.
3. Join the local arts council.
4. Give away audio books to visually impaired people and organizations - word of mouth may lead to book sales.
5. Sell audio books of your poetry book that you create yourself.
6. Lead poetry-writing workshops.
7. Become a teacher for middle-school through college level classes.
8. Teach an online poetry course.
9. Become a book editor, offer to proofread/edit other author's books.
10. Write a column for a newspaper or a writer's magazine.
11. Write a column or articles for a writer's magazine (print or internet).
12. Network, network, network! Join writers groups, arts and other literary organizations, both online and in person.
13. Offer to host a poetry reading for your city's next Arts Fair, Festival or Taste of the City event.
14. Offer to set up a table and sell your books at local community, school or synagogue/church events. In lieu of paying a fee, tell them you will donate $1 to them from every book you sell.
15. Make good use of press releases. When you have a new book coming out, promote it with a press release. When you are going to host a poetry reading, send your local weekly newspaper a press release. Eventually they will see you as an upcoming presence in the local literary scene and will interview you!
16. Contact local radio stations that have talk shows about local literary/arts events and people. Offer to talk about your new poetry book and other literary activities.
17. Do poetry readings at libraries, schools, senior/retirement centers, nursing homes, etc. and do not charge a fee for these, with the understanding that you retain the right to sell your books after the event.
18. Go to as many poetry readings as you can to read your work and sell your books
19. Participate in local literary festivals, book fairs and other events where you can read your work and sell your books
20. Participate in multi-author events where you can all read your work and sell your books
21. Use your email signature as a marketing tool - list the names of your poetry books and your website, which should have purchasing information and links to any sites where people can purchase your books.
22. Make the most of your website - have links to all the websites where your books can be purchased.
23. Offer personally autographed copies at a 10% discount when bought directly from you. Set up a PayPal account to make it easy for people to buy from you.
24. Forty percent of all poetry book sales occur in the fall. In September, offer discounts on your books for the upcoming holidays.
25. If you have more than one book, offer a 20% discount if people buy all of your books instead of just one.
26. Offer free gift-wrapping year-round.
27. Leave a copy in your doctor or dentist's waiting room for patients to read while they wait. Put a library card checkout pocket in it with some business cards so they know where to order their own copy.
28. If people buy books from you to give as gifts, offer to gift-wrap them and also to ship the books directly to the person for whom they are buying it.
29. Leave printed out copies of your poems (either individually or stapled together) on tables at coffee shop for customers to read ? make sure to staple business cards to the front page so they can pull it off and be able to order a copy.
30. Have one page devoted to links to other writers' websites and do link exchanges. The more websites that link to your own, the more opportunities you have to make a sale. Do not limit it to just the genre(s) you work in.
31. Subscribe to writers newsletters and authors newsletters. They are often a wealth of marketing and promotional ideas.
32. Create a newsletter of your own - send out not only recaps of your recent writing achievements, upcoming appearances, etc., but include tips that other writers will be interested in.
33. The more you get involved in, and the more you network, the more opportunities you will have to tell people about your books and this will lead to more sales.
34. Always help other writers when you can and if you can. It will somehow come back to you.
35. Carry your business card everywhere, and pass it out to everyone you can! Leave it on restaurant tables, on bus seats when you get off. Hand it to cashiers when they give you your change and/or receipt. Hand it to the person at the post office, the car repair shop, the clerk when you pick up your dry cleaning, the delivery person the next time you order in pizza or Chinese. Leave some with your doctor, dentist or veterinarian. Put them in envelopes when paying your bills.

About the Author: Michelle True writes poetry, non-fiction and memoir. She is a published and self-published author, facilitates writing and publishing workshops, leads poetry-writing and memoir-writing groups, organizes and hosts an annual multi-author event, mentors high school students, publishes a newsletter for writers (groups.yahoo.com/group/writeonnewsletter) and is on the Steering Committee of the Chicago Writers Association (www.chicagowrites.org). She has also hosted an Internet radio talk show podcast and published an internet poetry magazine. Her website is www.michelletrue.com. She can be reached at michelleailenetrue@yahoo.com

Oregon Home Buying

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Oregon, or perhaps you?re relocating to Oregon from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Oregon home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Oregon:

The median price of a home in Oregon is $152,000, and homes in Oregon have appreciation rates higher than the national average. The rate of job growth in Oregon is among the top five states in the nation. Additionally, mortgage interest rates have recently been lower than the national average, and many Oregon residents have been refinancing their adjustable rate mortgages.

Home prices in Oregon can vary greatly between zip codes. For example, in Portland, Oregon, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $262,000; however, in Beaverton, Oregon, the median price of a home was $187,000.

The Homeowner Education Collaborative of Oregon offers a training course, The ABC?s of Homebuying, to Oregon residents planning to buy a home. This course covers the basic information a homebuyer needs to know about housing decisions, financial preparation, mortgages, shopping for a home, closing your loan, and protecting your investment.

If you?re buying a home in the state of Oregon, you qualify for both federal and state FHA and VA loans. First-time home buyers qualify for Oregon FHA loans with below-market interest rates, and, depending on their income, may also qualify for down payment assistance. The Residential Loan Program offers below-market interest rates to first-time homebuyers with low to moderate incomes, and the Downpayment Assistance Program offers down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers who meet certain income requirements. The income requirements vary from county to county.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Oregon Mortgage Rates and Loans.

Maryland Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in Maryland

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Maryland, or perhaps you?re relocating to Maryland from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Maryland home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Maryland:

The median price of a home in Maryland is $146,000. Recently, homes in Maryland have been appreciating at record highs for the state. As a result, income levels in many parts of Maryland are too low to purchase a median-priced home with a conventional loan. In fact, homeowners in many Maryland cities pay more than the recommended 30% of their incomes toward housing.

The price of homes in Maryland varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Annapolis, Maryland, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $315,000; however, in Fort Washington, Maryland, the median price of a home was $375,000, and in Silver Spring, Maryland, it was $450,000. Average interest rates in Maryland are above the national average, and job growth rates are ninth highest in the nation.

In Maryland, the borrower employs the settlement attorney or title agent. The lender is not permitted to do so. Maryland has strict anti-predatory lending laws. Among these include the prohibition of prepayment penalties and reduced-rate options on adjustable rate mortgages and fixed-period adjustable rate mortgages.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Maryland Mortgage Rates and Loans .

How To Choose The Proper Car Seat For Your Baby

Car Seats

When you have a baby you need to make sure that your baby is safe wherever you are, and the car is no exception. You need to make sure you have the proper car seat for your child, and that it is installed properly. This is very important to ensure your child's safety in case of an accident.

When you leave the hospital they will make sure you have a car seat for your child, and may even check to make sure it is properly installed in the car. Some hospitals are even giving car seats to parents to ensure the child's safety. If you decide to get your own car seat instead of the one provided you have a variety to choose from.

Infant Car Seat

The newest style of infant seat has a base that is buckled in the car and stays there. The carrier itself snaps in and out of the base in the car. This makes it easy to get the child in and out of the car without having to mess with a seatbelt every time. With this type of car seat you can leave the baby in the carrier and take the whole carrier into the store or house with you. This is especially helpful with newborns. As the child gets older you may choose to take the child out of the carrier and leave the carrier in the car.

Convertible Car Seat

Next you will need a convertible car seat. This car seat is used once the baby is one year old and meets the height and weight requirements. Convertible car seats may be placed in a forward or backward facing position. The seat will need to be facing backward if your child outgrows his infant seat, but is not yet old enough to sit facing forward.

When choosing a convertible car seat you have many options. First you can choose if it has the five point harness, or if it has and over the head latch. You can also choose the color and it may even come with a cup holder. No matter which type of convertible car seat you choose, it can be used until your child weighs 40 pounds.

Booster Seat
After a convertible car seat you will need a booster seat. The booster seat can be used until your child weighs 80 pounds. There are different types of booster seats. The first type is a small base that the child sits in, which allows them to use a regular seatbelt. The other kind may be a convertible seat that is also a booster seat. When the child outgrows the convertible seat, you take the straps off and use the regular seat belt instead. The child is still seated in the actual car seat, just with different straps.

Just remember that no matter what type of car seat you use it is for your child's safety. The child always needs to be seated in the back seat until they are 12 due to the air bags. Make sure you take the time to buckle the seat and your child in properly to insure they are safe.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as New Baby Gifts at http://www.newbabybasketsdirect.com

By Gregg Hall