His eyes returned to me. "This says that Monsanto is suing Oakhurst Dairy for labels on their milk reading 'no artificial growth hormones'. What does that have to do with you?""Don't you see?" I asked incredulously. "Monsanto makes rBST, an artificial hormone for milk cows. It looks like they think the label on Oakhurst Dairy milk hurts their business because it implies that milk from their hormone-treated cows is inferior.""I don't see what it has to do with you," Clever Lawyer said.

"Yes, I don't see what it has to do with you," Ruby Red chimed in."It has everything to do with me," I replied. "Look here. See this book about happiness? Top Publisher printed 'New York Times Bestseller' right on the cover. Can you believe it?""Oh yeah, I've heard of this book," Clever Lawyer smiled. "It's supposed to be quite good.

In fact, I recall seeing it on the New York Times bestseller list.""Exactly," I exclaimed. "Let's sue Top Publisher for everything he's got.""Why?" Clever Lawyer wanted to know, much to my surprise."Yes, why?" Ruby Red also wanted to know."Because he is claiming his book is a New York Times bestseller," I explained in exasperation."But it is," Ruby Red pointed out."That's not the point," I complained. "Their claim implies that my Get Happy Workbook is somehow inferior because it is not on the New York Times bestseller list ... yet.""Um ... your Get Happy Workbook?" Clever Lawyer asked."That's right.""Isn't that an e-book?""Yes it is.""I don't think the New York Times lists e-books," Ruby Red noted."It doesn't matter," I insisted.

"Top Publisher should be forced to remove such an offensive claim and to pay me damages for thousands of copies of lost sales.""But you can't do that," Clever Lawyer exclaimed."That's right. You can't do that," Ruby Red repeated."Why not?" I asked."Because their claim is just a statement of fact.""So is Oakhurst Dairy's," I pointed out. "But that doesn't stop Monsanto from suing them.""But you're not Monsanto," Clever Lawyer explained. "Monsanto is a biotech giant, and biotech companies are always being accused of making 'Frankenstein fruit' or 'veggie eunuchs' or other such delicacies.""That's right," Ruby Red joined in. "Even Viagra couldn't make a man out of one of those cucumbers."We both stared at Ruby Red in surprise.

The color of her face instantly matched the color of her lips."Look, Monsanto still has to prove its case," Clever lawyer warned. "We have no idea if they will. You would have to prove your case, too. I have a pretty good idea that you can't, since the New York Times does not list e-books.""So, you are saying I should not sue Top Publisher for claiming his book is a New York Times Bestseller," I concluded. "Instead I should sue the New York Times for not naming my e-book a bestseller?".

The advantage with vegetables grown in containers is that you can move the containers around to follow the sun if no one spot in your patio or garden is suitable.Vegetables grown in containers will need some additional attention. Their root system is restricted to the pot so make sure you keep them well watered. Containers are far more likely to dry out in hot conditions which will kill your plants or have them 'fruit' poorly.It is also very important that a mulch is put on top of the container. This will slow evaporation and keep the surface temperature of the soil cooler. Plants like tomatoes have small, fiberous roots which will dry and die in hot soil.Container vegetables may need some additional fertilising due to the extra watering.

Nutrients will be washed away quicker in a container than in the ground. A diluted water soluble fertiliser is the best option to use regularly with vegetables. There have been many varieties of vegetables that have been bred to grow in containers. They are generally referred to a 'dwarf' varieties for obvious reasons. A list of suggested varieties and container sizes may help with your selection.

Check with your seed supplier on the varieties they recommend.Having said that, there are many vegetable varieties that will do very well in containers. Tomatoes, lettuce, beets, carrots, cabbage, peas, beans, capsicums and peppers are all good choices. Cucumbers, cauliflower and broccoli will also do well as will virtually all herbs.Crops like potatoes, corn, pumpkins and vine fruits generally need more room than a container can provide. But the size of your containers and the varieties available to you will dictate what you grow. As with most gardening, trial and error is your best education..

Courtesy LivesAsk anyone what trait they most appreciate in a sales person and they will tell you it's courtesy. Winning sales people understand that impeccable manners and unfaltering courtesy will lead to loyal clients who will not only speak well of their experiences but will recommend you to all their friends, relatives, acquaintances and even the check out clerk at the supermarket.The positive publicity that comes from word of mouth is priceless, long lasting and your best sales tool. It can't be purchased but once earned, it will repay you in promotional dividends for years.Humor is EverythingHave you ever met a person with no sense of humor? Did you find their company enjoyable or did you spend your time looking for the exit sign? Life is difficult on its best days and we all get tired, frustrated and angry but your clients should never sense these things in you. Never ? ever ? offer complaints to your clients. If a difficult situation arises, solve it as quickly as possible.

If you keep your patience and sense of humor you will keep your clients too. Dress for SuccessSuccessful people dress for success. It is easy to have confidence in a salesperson who looks confident and professional. Each property showing is a new job interview so dress for it, right down to your shoes. If you're inclined to wear a personal scent, be it perfume or men's cologne, remember the three-foot rule.

No one outside of three feet from your person should be able to tell you're wearing fragrance. I'm sure you want to be remembered for your client-centered professionalism and not your unbridled use of the cologne bottle.Perfectly Polished SpaceFrom your office space to your car's floor mats you want to project yourself as a sales person with an eye for detail and quality. Scent is one of those things that people hold in memory the longest. Your car shouldn't reek of cigarette smoke and your office trash shouldn't hold the remnants of the raw onion sandwich you had for lunch. Don't rely on an air freshener.

Empty your trash can and ashtray. Make sure everything has a sparkling clean look, smell and feel.By offering your clients a clean, relaxing atmosphere, they will feel encouraged to stay longer, look harder and ask the questions they need answered to feel most comfortable with buying or listing their property with you.Winning Copy ? Wins!Do you make up your business cards, sales flyers, brochures and announcements on your office computer? You shouldn't ? unless they are professional grade.Unless you are a superb desk top publisher, have a great eye for design and are an excellent writer, you should never attempt to produce your professional copy yourself. Handmade and homemade have no place in the advertisement arsenal of a realtor with curb appeal.Hiring a professional copy writer is one of the smartest investments you can make. Perfectly polished ads with crisp informative copy, well done business cards and sizzling brochures make for inexpensive advertising. Poorly done items give the impression of a low budget business and the feel of a business that's here today but may not be tomorrow.

Organizational Style"We love it ?we'll take it," the client says. "I'll write that up for you now," the realtor responds and a few minutes later emerges from the back seat of his car with a crumpled offer form stained with ketchup and a dirty shoe print.Lack of organizational skills shows the unpolished view of a realtor more than any other issue. Do what ever it takes to get organized and constantly be on the prowl for additional tricks to improve your "system."Last, Never LeastThe last tip here is an important one. Remember the client after the sale ? and they will remember you to their friends, relatives and neighbors for years to come. Have your copywriter prepare informational postcards, thank-you cards and 1st cards.

Small, after the sale, house-warming baskets with fruit or condiments is a memorable gift as are coupons to local restaurants and family attractions. Few businesses have the keen competition that is ever present in the real estate market. It really doesn't matter if sales are booming or depressed, a realtor must be on top of his or her game at all times. The first, and last, impression you leave will be lasting -make sure you are spit shined, polished and ready to sell. If growing your business is important to you - make sure you are a realtor with curb appeal..

Viktor Rozsnyay, Founder and CEO of GCT. "It is a great pleasure to have such talented people as Charles assisting us in our efforts. The images he created bring to life the technology we have envisioned. People can now really see what it is we have been talking about and pursuing for the last fifteen years. Charles is an outstanding computer artist.

I am grateful for his contribution." commented Mr. Rozsnyay. Under development for the last fifteen year, GCT technology is hoping to revolutionize flight. With the availability of gravity control a new era of terrestrial and space transportation could begin. But much work is still ahead before the technology can be flight tested.

"We are the first ones to admit that we may be wrong in our assumptions on how this technology can function. I have been working on this for over fifteen years. Have been fortunate enough to raise some initial investment to test the hypothesis. We saw some interesting lab data, compelling us to continue work. If there is even a microscopic chance that it can work someone needs to investigate it.

If not us, than who? If not now, when? If works, everyone will benefit and hopefully get a chance of seeing our planet from orbit, to gain a larger perspective on life. If it doesn't work, everything will go on as usual. But we must try it simple because of the sheer implications of the thing." commented Mr. Rozsnyay. For more information, and to view images of the company's aerospace vision based on craft capable of controlling gravity for flight visit the official GCT website at http://www.gctspace.com..

Intimate moments don't always have to be rushed. Pampering your partner with some pleasurable fore-play can really make those intimate moments exciting, kiss them for 5mininutes non-stop licking their lips and sucking their tongue.Pampering your partner with a nice massage always easing the tense moments that your partner might be feeling. Try using some oils or lotions. Try out different positions with your partner it might spice up the intimacy and coud be very pleasing. Involving fruit, chocolate, whip cream, syrups or whatever foods are fitting for you and your partner and it might just make those late night snacks a little more Indulging.

Ice is an added tingler.Switching/Trying on your partners clothes might give your partner a visual of Ultimate Intimacy. Pamper your partner by doing their nails or something out of the ordinary be spontaneus, risky and adventurous..Re-ignite the flames of love.."Variety is the spice of life"www.a-gift-of-love.com.

Dr. Klaus Stohr, the head of the influenza program at the World Health Organization who is also leading the agency's fight against SARS said in a Wall Street Journal interview, "We are not prepared for the devastation of a flu pandemic? SARS will be something to smile about," he said.Regarding the likelihood of a major flu pandemic striking in the near future, Albert Osterhaus, a Dutch scientist involved in pandemic preparedness in Europe said in the same Wall Street article, "It's not a matter of if, but when, this will happen. I am far more scared of a flu pandemic than I am of SARS." The flu, SARS and other communicable diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis are the twenty-first century's major heath challenges.Overcrowding and global travel have increased the risk of diseases spreading unchecked. However, the real threat lies in a virus's ability to undergo small changes or mutations that evade people's natural immunities or commercial vaccinations. Similarly, the widespread use of antibiotics in poultry and meat producing industries has enabled bacteria to become stronger and more resistant.

According to some critics, even our current medical practices of over-prescribing antibiotics may contribute to the rise of "super-bugs"!When these "new" microbes strike, they move quickly and wipe out victims, leaving a wide path of destruction. The West Nile and Ebola viruses, for example, both have at least a 90% mortality rate.Don't panic. You can prevent or minimize your chance of contracting infectious diseases both at home or while traveling. Some of my recommendations are common sense:

This involves avoiding activities that would weaken or deplete your immune system and engage in immune strengthening and supporting actions. Below I have outlined a checklist of things to avoid:

These recommendations consist of Chinese herbal medicine formulations as prophylactic agents against SARS. They are herbs that have been found to contain anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and have immune boosting qualities. Some are effective in increasing the white blood cell production in your body (they are your defense troops), while others increase lymphocyte activities such as killing foreign invaders, etc. Fundamental principles of Chinese medicine are, of course, "Treating disease before its occurrence", and "Strengthen the defenses to prevent sickness."The recommendations are listed below:Lu Gen (reed root), Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower), Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit), Chan Yi (cicada shell), Jiang Chan (silkworm), Bo He (peppermint), Gan Cao (licorice) Cang Zhu (Chinese atractylodes rhizome), Bai Zhu (white atractylodes rhizome), Huang Qi (astragalus root), Fang Feng (siler root), Huo Xiang (patchouli), Sha Sheng (silver beech root), Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower), Guan Zhong (dryopteris root) Guan Zhong (dryopteris root), Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower), Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit), Da Qing Ye (Isatis leaf), Zi Su (perilla leaf), Ge gen (Kudzu root), Huo Xiang (patchouli), Cang Zhu (Chinese atractylodes rhizome), Pei Lan (ornamental orchid), Tai Zi Sheng (pseudostellaria root)Persons whose jobs (health workers) or relations may bring them into contact with someone with potential SARS are advised to take the following formula:Da Huang (Chinese rhubarb root), Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower), Chai Hu (bupleuri root), Huang Qing (skullcap root), Ban Lan Gen (Isatis root), Guan Zhong (dryopteris root), Cang Shu, Yi Yi Ren (Job's tears), Huo Xiang (patchouli), Fang Feng (siler root), Gan Cao (licorice)We cannot rely on the government or a world health body to protect us from communicable diseases, nor should we. In a world grown ever more connected and fast-paced, the risks of disease transmission are greater with each passing day.

However, individuals have the ability to protect themselves and loved ones by being proactive in ensuring optimal health and immune function. As frightening as the prospects of SARS and the flu pandemic are, we are far from being helpless. With the steps that I outlined above you can take minimize weakening your immune system and increase your immune functions. You do not have to be a sitting duck waiting for the inevitable to happen..

The result of this is that there are so many versions of this grape. Many people think of Cabernet Sauvignon as being a wine that needs to age, but that is only because the best red Bordeaux need age. Most non-premium varieties are ready to go right away.Under ideal conditions, it produces an aromatic, tannic wine that ages and evolves to be both elegant and powerful. Perfectly balanced Bordeaux is one that has classic notes of black-currants, cedar, cigar boxes, pencils, mint and dark chocolate. Sounds delicious!GamayFor the most part, you will find Gamay produced as Beaujolais.

It mainly grows on the hills in south Burgundy. The aroma of a young Gamay is described as a wave of cherry and strawberry fruit. On the palate, Gamay wines are bright and crisp. They are moderate in alcohol and have very little tannin. Wines from Gamay grapes are ideal for all kinds of foods.MerlotMerlot started out as a Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux and has risen to international popularity.

The great wines of Pomerol and St. Emilion in Bordeaux are based on Merlot with Cabernet in the blend. These wines show Merlot at its toughest and most intense. Merlot?s popularity is because it is softer, fruiter, and earlier maturing than Cabernet Sauvignon and displays some of the same aromas along with mint, and tobacco. In general, drink Merlot young.

Pinot NoirAt its best Pinot Noir is beautiful with a seductive silky texture and at its worst, it is heavy or flat. A good mature Pinot Noir has complex flavors of strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, violets, all-spice, tobacco and hay. Pinot Noir is relatively low in tannin and acidity and needs a cool climate to grow. Too much warmth, Pinot Noir can develop baked together flavors, losing its elegance.SangioveseA taste of Sangiovese and you will immediately conjure images of Italy. The name of the grape may not seem familiar, but it is the principal variety behind Chianti, Italy?s most famous red wine.

It is taken very seriously in Tuscany, and you will find it in California, Australia, and Argentina. It is naturally tannic and is best used in a blend, usually with Cabernet Sauvignon. It requires a hot climate in order to produce its required richness and alcohol content. In cooler climates, it tends to have sharp and bitter tannins.SyrahCalled Shiraz in Australia and South Africa, Syrah is one of the greats of southeastern France's Rhone Valley grape. At home in France, it produces wines that are smoky, herby, and austere.

Australian Shiraz tends to be richer, softer with a leathery quality and personally one of my favorites. All Syrah/Shiraz need a year or two from the vintage to hit its stride. Top wines will last about ten years.ZinfandelIt is disputable where this grape originated, but it is indisputably California's grape today, with almost no winemakers in other places producing it. The best Zinfandel is spicy and heartwarming. Other styles range from off white to high intensity sweet wines.

Try a bottle not more than three or four years old, because that's when the Zinfandel character is strongest..

Basically, he stated that farm animals must be fed antibiotics because a corn-based diet is not what their bodies are designed for. And if you think about what cows eat when left out to graze, he's right. They eat greens, not corn. Other agricultural "cost-saving" practices also contribute to illness in animals. Although not mentioned on the show, overcrowding and confinement are major problems on large farms.

When humans consume meat from animals whose food was laced with antibiotics, the humans often develop immunity to those drugs. This means that when people get sick, the drugs prescribed by the doctor might not work. So the duration and severity of your illness could be much worse as your doctor searches for a medication that will kill the disease. Obviously, depending on the severity of your condition, this could even result in death.Peter Jennings went on to point out that feeding animals what they were meant to eat raises the cost of meat. He sees this as a positive thing, because maybe then people will eat less meat and more produce (and presumably lose weight).

However, we must be careful about how the produce is raised as well. A recent article in a national magazine discussed a study comparing the nutrient content of vegetables and fruits raised with pesticides using traditional "mass production" farming techniques to organically produced counterparts. The mass produced foods were found to contain significantly less vitamins and minerals than organically raised produce. But organic produce is more expensive. So if we raise our fruits and veggies organically, and the cost goes up, will people really eat more produce and less meat?Paying farmers to produce more fruits and vegetables is not going to change American eating habits, because our eating habits are not constrained by the food supply.

Our markets are not short on produce at all-it is quite abundant. The grocery stores are not going to allocate more space to the produce department just because the government subsidizes fruits and vegetables and makes them cheaper. Cheaper produce won't necessarily cause an increase in demand. Supply and demand rules: consumers must start buying more fruits and vegetables before the markets will expand the department. So what really needs to happen to stop the obesity epidemic in America? People need to change their eating habits!The best reason to stop obesity is to improve health.

And this has a bottom line as well. If people complain about the higher cost of eating healthy, they should really be looking at the long-term cost of being in ill health as they age. High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and cancer are all very costly and all (though only some forms of cancer) are related to obesity. Blaming the government and farmers for raising the wrong foods, or raising animals the wrong way, doesn't solve the problem. People must start eating differently, and buying organic meats and produce, to save their health.

The market will figure out how to respond!Advertising junk food to kids is immoral. However, adults who eat properly set the right example and tend to have kids who eat healthy. As the TV segment pointed out, much of this advertising is aimed at children around 6 years of age. They don't do their own food shopping! They might ask their parents for sugary cereals and fast food, but the parents still have the ultimate control over what comes into the house. They can also exert at least some control over what kids eat at school and at friend's homes.

Set a good example and teach children why healthy eating is important. They'll get the message. Overweight children are not getting that way on too much fruit! The wrong types of food are available to them, and that food is mostly provided by parents. It is NOT a coincidence! The "do as I say, not as I do" approach to parenting simply doesn't work. You must be a positive role model.If farmers refused to raise fruits and vegetables at all, or if grocery stores refused to stock them, maybe we could shift the blame for obesity to the government and the agricultural system.

But there is no shortage of healthy food in America! It is all a matter of PERSONAL CHOICE.When Americans wake up and get concerned about their health, and stop trying to fix everything with yet another pill to pop every day, the obesity epidemic will be but a memory. Until then, if you want to know why America is fat, look at how we spend our food dollars. We vote with our money. Look at the choices we make every day!.

Coffee begins on a tree in a warm climate where rainfall is about 50 inches a year, the soil is well drained and preferably volcanic (this is why Hawaiian Kona coffee is so highly prized). The fruit of the coffee plant is called a "cherry" and is appropriately red in color. The heart of the cherry, generally two beans, is separated from the husk by hand and then air and sun dried. Separating the bean from its outer husk, called "hulling" is done either mechanically or by hand. These green beans, as they are now known, have a shelf life of about two years.The mythical story on the discovery of coffee and its use by human beings, involves an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi.

Kaldi watched in awe and amusement as his flock behaved very strangely each time they ate the bright red fruit from a special plant. He tried the berries and found himself suddenly alert and full of energy. The following day Kaldi reported his experience to a Muslim holy man at a nearby monastery who later gathered some berries which he found to have a bitter taste. Hoping to improve their flavor he roasted them in a fire, crushed them with a stone and boiled them in water. Almost immediately after trying his new concoction, his brain became more active and he was able to stay awake all night without being tired in the morning.

News of this miracle berry drink spread rapidly throughout the Middle East and by the 16th century, European travelers were praising the drink in their journals. The secret was out!Most gourmet coffee is produced from Arabica beans which results in a coffee rich and full, providing an intense and fulfilling taste experience. Unlike Robusa coffee, which is considered inferior in taste, aroma and body, Arabica beans grow at higher elevations which means that they take longer to mature thus allowing the beans to produce more of the oils which give coffee its remarkable flavor. With tastes including caramel, chocolate, nutty, earthy, spicy or even floral, gourmet coffee has something for nearly every palate.It is the roasting process, however, correctly described as both an art and a science, that is essential to the outcome of any coffee. Roasting gives coffee beans their characteristic dark color and intense aroma.

The heat cracks the beans, releasing the rich oils hidden inside. Roast at a temperature that is too low, and the bean becomes sour. Roast at too high a temperature and the bean is burnt with a the taste of wood ash. The darker roasts produce the espressos, while the lighter roasts yield the more mellow morning coffees.Grinding the coffee, another critical phase in preparing the "perfect" cup, should be done at the last possible moment, just before brewing. Utensils should be clean and the water cold and untreated.

A good rule of thumb is a ratio of about one tablespoon of ground coffee to every six ounces of water. Of course individual tastes vary, so adjust accordingly.The Internet is a tremendous source for the refined drinker of gourmet coffee. In addition to buying the world's greatest beans online, there is easy access to the miscellaneous accessories necessary to prepare the ideal beverage. Coffee can be both a food and a pleasure and with a little online help the perfect ingredients can be easily gathered.P.S. In Italy, espresso is considered so essential to daily life that the price is regulated by the government.For an urnful of information, trivia, history, tips and advice about coffee, or if you are looking for a special gift, coffee accessories, or a unique coffee recipe visit http://www.coffeefolks.