Blaine Jelus is a chef who loves food and began cooking very early in life. He started his job when he was only eleven years old by chopping cheese steaks and flipping burgers in Pennsylvania during summer. Blaine honed his skills in those early days and became a master at cooking everything from the simplest of dishes such as eggs and toast to extravagant feasts including lobster.

Over the years, Blaine’s love of food began to show as his waistline expanded. He realized to take care of his health and lose the extra weight when he was over 300 pounds and wants to get back to an active lifestyle. Blaine found a renewed motivation and commitment to lose the extra weight for good and with his new passion for healthy eating and he came up with the idea for Blaine’s Low Carbohydrate Kitchen.

Blaine’s Low Carbohydrate Kitchen features a wide range of original, innovative recipes that everyone can enjoy i.e. from chicken nuggets to braised lamb shank with red wine sauce.

Blaine has cooked many delicious recipes which have low carbohydrate:

· Mushroom and Cheese Quiche with Crust and Broccoli Sprout Salad.

· Cheesecake with Peanut Butter Cookie Crust.

· Melon with Dipping Sauce.

· Soft Fish Taco.

· Baked Cream with Fruit Sauce.

Blaine Low Carbohydrate Recipes along with ingredients

Dipping sauce fruit along with Melon

· Two and half cup of diced honey dew.

Dipping Sauce

· Three tablespoon sour cream

· Four oz cream cheese.

· 3 tablespoon sweetened syrup rich in low carbohydrate.

· One tablespoon orange squash.

· One fourth cup crushed pecans.

How to Prepare Dipping Sauce

All the ingredients except nuts need to be blend in food processor until it get smoother like a cream. Serve people with half cup melon along with two tablespoon dipping sauce which need to be put on the melons twice with tablespoon. The item need to be served in a chilled ramekin after garnishing with crushed nuts. The single serving to person means he is taking 9.5 net carbohydrates per serve.

The Dukan diet is a high protein, low carbohydrate diet in four phases. The first phase of the Dukan diet, the attack phase, consists of protein only. Nuts and beans, typical sources of protein for vegetarians, are not allowed on the Dukan diet. How then can a vegetarian create a diet menu consisting solely of protein only meals?

A pescetarian, commonly understood as a vegetarian who eats fish, will not have too much trouble meeting the demands of the Dukan diet. They can find enough protein in fish and shellfish. Meals made out of various fillets of fish, smoked salmon, mussels, prawn, crab meat, etc. will provide a plentiful supply of protein and variety. Many fish eating vegetarians (pescetarians) also eat animal products such as eggs and dairy. Smoked salmon and cottage cheese, a meal enjoyed by many meat eaters too, makes a perfect and delicious meal suitable for any phase of the Dukan diet.

However, there are vegetarians (perhaps the majority) that do not permit themselves fish. Vegetarians, after all, do not eat animal flesh and fish are animals! Is is possible for these people to follow the diet as well as their consciences?

Tofu, familiar to most vegetarians, is permitted on the diet. Dr. Dukan, whose book is not aimed at vegetarians, includes tofu in his list of permitted foods. Perhaps, through this diet, many meat eaters who previously saw no reason to add tofu to their diet will consider this food, popular worldwide, as a novel addition to their menus.

Textured vegetable protein (TVP) is not mentioned in the book however, it is a high protein food with some but low carbohydrate. Quorn, a mycoprotein, like TVP is not mentioned in the book. However it is also a high protein food that is low in carbohydrate. This vegetarian food is now available in many different forms and varieties. Some have higher carbohydrate contents than others, so vegetarians will need to shop carefully.

Skimmed milk, low fat cottage cheese, fromage frais, and quark are all mentioned and permitted on the diet. Unlike vegans, vegetarians allow themselves these products as well as eggs (also permitted on the diet). These foods can be used liberally although with some restriction on egg yolks and milk.

The challenge for the vegetarian who wishes to follow the Dukan diet will be to put together a viable meat free menu. While it may not be possible to reduce carbohydrate to the, minimal, levels advised by Dr. Dukan, it should be possible to get close to that ideal.

Why do people blush, and is it something they can control? People blush because it’s caused by their natural mentality, one which tells them that a particular occurrence is embarrassing. So, why would a person be embarrassed? Because of many reasons, mostly those related to criticism, rejection, anticipation, social anxiety, low self-esteem and self-perceived inadequacy.

A person who tends to blush easily may show social withdrawal, because going in red in the face for the slightest thing is something they want to avoid. Other signs of how blushing can affect a person’s life are:

• Extreme sensitivity to rejection or criticism
• Voluntary social isolation
• Withdrawn under social circumstances, but longs for closer relationships
• Has emotional intimacy issues
• Inadequacy feelings
• Reduced self-esteem
• Suspicious and paranoid
• Timid and shy
• Very self-conscious
• Self-critical
• Has issues with workplace functions
• Self-perceived loneliness
• Inferiority complex
• Chronic substance abuse

Blushing is something that’s hard to control, especially if you have a lot of other self-related issues. Here are a few tried-and-tested methods on how to stop blushing.

1) Relax. Tension increases blushing The moment you feel yourself start to blush, instantly relax every muscle in your body. You can’t completely control your face from going all tomato-ish, but relaxing will help reduce it.

2) Accept it. While some conversation is going on, you blush, make little of it, if any at all. Simply say “I blush easily” and brush it off and the likelihood of anyone teasing you about it will be very less.

3) Don’t feel embarrassed about blushing, there’s no need to be. Admit it to yourself and let it pass. Develop confidence and tell yourself it’s no big deal, and the chances are, it won’t be.

4) If public speaking makes you blush, think how other people see you. The probability is they see you as a courageous and confident person, just because you stood up to speak. So, there’s nothing embarrassing about that, is there? There’s really nothing to blush about.

5) Apply a thin film of oil-free moisturizer on your face. This’ll keep the skin cool if your skin burns when you blush. Don’t try to cover the blushing with make-up, that just doesn’t work. To cover the reddening, you’ll probably need half a rouge container, which will be grossly overdoing it.

6) Try to stay near an air-conditioner when you are at social gatherings. The cooling air tends to lessen the reddening. Also, if you keep a damp cloth (even babywipes will work) you can wipe your face with it as soon as you feel a blush coming.

7) Interact with people more often. Since blushing is a sure sign of less confidence, improving your self-confidence will take you a long way towards developing an immunity to blushing.

8) Don’t be a quitter, keep practicing. Nothing comes easy and quitting because you can’t do it will never solve your problem. Stop being too hard on yourself, because quitting habits is not an easy thing to do.

All of us need personal loans to take care of our different needs. There are a few people who utilize these loans for extravaganza or wrong reasons and ultimately reach a stage where they cannot return the loans. It is no harm to take low rate interest personal loans, but you should be able to pay it back and should not misuse it.

Today, when the prices of everything are soaring, to find some thing cheap or inexpensive seems to be impossible. Getting low rate interest personal loans to meet your legitimate need seems to be a nightmare.

It is not so simple always to get low rate interest mortgage from a bank or any other lender. All of them run their business to make profit and at the same time like to keep their money safe. For this reason, they follow certain norms for lending. Low rate interest personal loans are available only to those people who the lender is confident that they can pay back the loan in a timely manner. The lenders will be glad to offer personal loans to such people who have a good credit history, a good economic condition and a repaying capacity. Moreover, they will prefer those who can pledge some assets as collateral.

When you need low rate interest personal loans, you have to consider many things in a similar way as a lender considers, before borrowing the money. Just work out how much you can afford to put aside for loan repayment every month. You should be able to pay back your personal loan conveniently without stress or a burden on your pocket. Based on this you can decide the right amount of loan as related to the interest rate and payback period. If you are unable to pay back the installments and default, you may land into a financial mess. Therefore, it is most important to be cautious beforehand.

The name ” low rate interest loans ” itself suggests that the cost associated with this type of loan is relatively much lower. The major factor that decides the cost of loan is the interest. Higher interest rate implies a higher monthly payment. The interest rates will vary with the type of loan and its tenure. For secured low rate interest private loans and long terms the interest rate will be lower. On the contrary, for unsecured or a short term loan, the rate charged will be higher. Lenders will also lower interest rates if your collateral is high. If you want a higher amount of loan, you can go for a longer period to accommodate the monthly repayment installments. But it will cost you more in the long run. A secured loan will reduce your overall costs.

It is better to get help of a financial ad visor to get the most suited low rate interest personal loans. Many banks also offer their services and guidance to the customers. You should make the things clear about all fees and hidden costs. Selecting your low rate interest personal loans from a lender with whom you already have a good rapport, may get you even lower rates and charges on better terms and conditions.

You should do a proper study before deciding on low rate interest personal loans, so that you can pay back without pain in the neck.

Should I get a high pressure or low pressure N2 or HPA tank for my paintball gun?

That’s a good question. Let’s get a few things straight first. The terms “nitrogen tank” and “high pressure air” (HPA) tank mean the same thing. Fields and stores use compressed air to fill the tanks because air is more easily accessible. In the past, nitrogen was more readily available to fields than more expensive compressors. Today if you walk into a store and ask for a nitro tank or a nitro fill they will know what you mean.

Second, “high pressure” or “low pressure” refers to the actual output pressure of the regulator on your tank. The regulator controls the pressure that your tank will use in your gun. High pressure tanks usually output 800 to 850 PSI. Low Pressure tanks usually output 450 PSI. Preset tanks have a fixed output pressure from the factory which cannot be adjusted. Both HP and LP tanks have preset outputs. Adjustable tanks like the Nitroduck X-stream or the Empire Adjustable don’t have a fixed output pressure and can be adjusted by the player to any output pressure they need. This article will focus on preset tanks because you can use adjustable tanks for any gun.

Now is HP or LP right for your gun? There are a few things to keep in mind when considering this. First, what pressure does your gun need to cycle and shoot a paintball? (This is called the operating pressure.) Tippmanns, Spyders and other entry level guns need 800 PSI or higher to operate, so you would need an HP tank with these guns to generate enough pressure to allow the gun to operate. So if you have a gun that needs 800 PSI to work and you hook up a 400 PSI LP tank to it, you are not putting in enough pressure to allow the gun to work. This is why you would need a high pressure tank.

Mid- to higher-end guns typically operate with less than 300 PSI input pressure and come with a high pressure regulator. High pressure regulators go inline (in between) the tank and the gun. These regulators can accept an input pressure of up too 850 PSI and regulate it down to a user-adjustable setting to meet the markers’ LP needs. LP guns can use LP tanks. Using an LP Tank with an LP gun will result in better shot consistency over the chrono because you are not putting as much stress on the inline high pressure regulator. Having an LP tank with an LP gun will also prevent or minimize hot shots if your inline regulator fails. It will minimize the high pressure air spike going into the gun which will typically cause your velocity to spike up as well.

So in short, if you have an HP gun or an LP gun with an HP regulator, you can use an HP tank. LP guns can also use an LP tank. Some guns, like the Angel Speed 05, come with a built-in, inline LP regulator so they can only use LP tanks. As technology advances we are seeing more and more entry level guns becoming LP, so it’s always best to check with the manufacturer of your marker for their tank recommendations. And never buy a new tank before you buy a new gun.

Residents in Great Britain and parts of the South Western United States have subsisted in complaining about a infuriating hum that at this moment continues to persist. Furthermore, research workers have been powerless to determine its origin. Not all individuals can hear the low pitched hum, in addition to those who say that it appears simulated in nature.

In 1977, a UK newspaper received almost 800 correspondences from persons complaining of loss of sleep, light headness, shortness of breath, sore heads, uneasiness, grouchiness, worsening health, incapability to read or study on account of the continuous hum. Most well known in the United States is the “Taos Hum”. Over there the nuisance was so serious for the “hearers” in Taos, United States, that they coordinated and called upon Congress to look into the issue and assist them in determining the origins of the sound. No definitive sources were uncovered however, one widespread supposition contains that the hum is produced by a military communications device used to liaise with submarines.

The majority of hearers speak about the sound which begins quickly, never decreases, hampers sleep and is additionally evident inside a household or motor vehicle rather than externally. Some characterize it as sounding similar to a diesel engine idling, in the distance. Given that it has not been substantiated by microphones or very low frequency antennae, its origin and nature are nevertheless an enigma.

1997 saw Congress guide researchers and commentators from some of the most esteemed investigation institutions in the country to look into a curious low frequency “Taos Hum” heard by inhabitants around and nearby the tiny town of Taos, New Mexico. For years those who had overheard the sound, frequently characterized by them as a “hum”, had been looking for solutions. No one was certain when it started, but its continuation guided initially a handful of participants and then subsequently many of those who heard it (‘hearers’) to come together.

The research Congress called upon included a line up of around 12 researchers from a quantity of scientific organizations. Joe Mullins of the Academy of New Mexico and Horace Poteet of Sandia National Labs composed the team’s concluding account. Additional New Mexico investigation associations participating comprised Phillips Air Force Research lab and the Los Alamos National Research lab. Apprehension by hearers that the hum might have been produced by the Department of Defense guaranteed that the inquiry was managed in the open and that a sizable quantity of individuals was contacted.

The initial objective of the investigatory team was to open dialogue with the hearers with a view to try and decide the disposition of the hum, the noise it caused, its frequency, scheduling and the effects on those who perceived it. Following this the team intended to survey inhabitants of Taos and the neighboring districts to decide how broadly placed the hum was present. Eventually, the team was to try to isolate and decide the source of the noise. Significant to their attempt was the group’s obvious benefit in deciding the source of the occurrence, rather than examining the noise’s existence. There was a widely evident comprehension by the researchers that something was occurring, but precisely what it appeared to be challenged interpretation.

The primary inquiry concentrated on 10 hearers and decided upon definite crucial details surrounding the noise. It was persevering, it was listened to by just a tiny quantity of individuals and the noise was very low on the frequency range ­ amongst 30 and 80Hz. There was variety in how various hearers detected the noise and some heard a noise the likes of the low reverberating engine of a lorry while other people perceived a steadier, pulsating, although still low noise. Interestingly, the researchers learned that the noise was not limited to the region around Taos, but was, in reality, listened to at various locations around the state in addition to around the world.

Hearers characterized the growing difficulties they were having with the noise. Consistent with the stories and grievances that had conveyed the problem to Congress in the first place, hearers specified the noise as a source not only of aggravation, but also of light headness, sleeplessness or sleep interference, constraint on the ears, pains in the head and nosebleeds. The hearers were additionally disturbed by the troubling nature of its subsistence, it did not appear like a normal occurrence to them.

According to the Taos Hum Inquiry Informal Report published on the 23rd August 1993 , the majority of hearers at the beginning experienced the noise with an sudden commencement, as if some appliance were simply turned on. Several of the hearers inferred there was an association among the noise, the military units in and close by New Mexico, plus that the hum was by some means produced by the United States Navy’s Extremely Low Frequency locations in the Northerly region of Michigan. These suggestions caused a non-military presence on the inquiry team.

Following studying 10 hearers the group which now included James Kelly, a hearing examination scientist with the Institute of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Centre, began an extensive inspection of the Taos locals. Their examination of 1,440 inhabitants guided the team to surmise that approximately 2% of the Taos inhabitants were hearers. In view of this large quantity of hearers, early examination of an origin for the noise focused upon extraneous opportunities for the generation of the low frequency noise. Whilst there were outlying occurrences of hearing inside the low frequency range acknowledged by the hearers, these assessments displayed no coherent background sound which may well have accounted for the noise. As Mullins and Kelly deduced, there were ‘no known acoustical signs that might explain the noise, neither are there any seismic occurrences that might describe it.’

Having dismissed extraneous origins the team concentrated on examining hearers’ inner ears and on analysing frequency responsiveness. Whilst these studies are not concluded, it looks most improbable that the noise is generated by low frequency tinnitus like some have contemplated. Mullins and Kelly are further likely to support that hearers have developed a particular responsiveness to noises in the 20 to 100Hz radius and therefore, are aiming their inquiry toward compiling an insight to how the ear senses low frequency activity.

Whilst this work may improve the answer to the persevering problem of the noise’s source, Dr. Nick Begich and Patrick Flanagan, have investigated a further prospect. Dr. Nick Begich holds some engaging ideas in Mullins’ own remarks that might infer another origin for the hearers’ unequaled sensitivity and, conceivably in the long term, an outcome to their near exhausting misfortune. To encourage the prospects of his inquiry Mullins has indicated that, like a society, ‘we are steadily building up the background of electronic noise and we are moving progressively to cordless and or wireless belongings ­ all electromagnetic transmitters. If that is the cause of the noise, we do not understand, but we cannot write it off.’

Begich speculates that the source of the noise may be discovered inside this electromagnetic background accumulation.

He upholds that there is an appliance for the transduction of tone which might explain the noise. The crucial information may be concealed in a technology discovered by Dr. Patrick Flanagan. Neurophonic sound technologies were advanced and established on an realization of noise conveyance using distinctive ‘hearing’ pathways to the mind. Average noise evaluating and symptomatic apparatus would be unproductive in detecting the ‘sounds’ origins.

Patrick Flanagan’s Neurophone, conceived when Flanagan was Fourteen, is a low voltage, intense frequency, amplitude modulated radio oscillator. In clearer terms, the Neurophone acts on the skin of the hearer by transforming ‘modified radio waves into a neural modulated signal that bypasses the eighth cranial hearing neuron and communicates information immediately into the investigation cores of the mind. ‘In other words, the Neurophone permits the hearer to ‘listen’ without having to exercise the ear channel or the bones and nerves we ordinarily contemplate with hearing.

Flanagan’s license was certified following a 6 year battle with the patent office concluding in a assessment of the appliance on a hearing impaired patent office worker. The display persuaded the patent tester that the Neurophone operated, in spite of it appearing to run in the face of conventional concepts, of how we perceive noise. The novel idea with the Neurophone is that we utilise the skin itself as the neural transmitter.

This idea is in fact rather easy. When in a woman’s womb, a fetus’s skin functions as the principal sensory receptive. Starting from this evolves the eyes, nose and ears. Whilst the ears specialize in listening, Flanagan identified that the skin is also an organ. As a result, if a path could be established to transfer data through the skin to the mind, then data could be instantly imparted to the mind, circumventing the ears.

The Neurophone inserted radio waves between two tiny electrodes positioned on the skin and primarily used existing neural tracts to instantly access the mind. Flanagan and Begich theorize that the Neurophone could be pulsated at the frequencies acknowledged by those hearers questioned by Mullins and the investigatory group. If the noise was caused by ambient electromagnetic areas then the Neurophone technology may possibly be used to appease it. Whilst Mullins is examining the ear canal and our human listening devices, Flanagan and Begich conceive that the solution is further likely to be established through the tracts demonstrated by the Neurophone, which avoid the ear completely.

Evidence of whether or not their hypothesis is accurate is reliant upon examination of hearers. If Begich and Flanagan are accurate, the Neurophonic technology and what has been widely read about hearing may successfully be used to diminish the distress of hearers as the pursuit for the origin of the noise continues unabated.

The thought of food is usually a great comfort to most of us while the idea of dieting to lose weight is somewhat of a drag. Yet we know that bodies that build up fat around the vital organs are a disaster. Fatty livers, for instance, can lead to cancer while other organs, such as the heart, may suddenly fail. Recently tests confirmed that my pancreas has fat induction and that frightens me as my sister died recently of pancreatic cancer.

Despite that the thought of dieting is still appalling. The thought that so many who are carrying excess weight must face the same dilemma does not help. It’s a matter of will power and health related self-discipline and yet something makes me want to rebel against it.

Low calorie food is always in my freezer to avoid having to prepare such meals myself. This helps as they are generally delicious and take very little preparation. The question is how good are they in the long run.

On the advice of others cutting out sugar from my diet has seen some kilograms drop off. Salt is another non-essential when preparing my own meals. Living, however, in a cold climate is part of my problem along with the fact that sitting for long hours at the computer writing is extremely weight inducing.

In the last few months a gym has provided a healthy alternative and disciplining myself to go every day when possible is producing some results. Only through dieting, however, can I ever hope to get the fat off and an understanding of low-calorie food intake is the only way to do it. My research shows that on the whole they are pretty good value and sticking to them is a good alternative.

Many children with Autism suffer from cholesterol levels that are too low, but there is an effective therapy to help. The focus for years in the medical community has been on high cholesterol. High cholesterol increases our risk factors for things like heart disease and stroke and yet low cholesterol also presents health risks too. Yet most doctors would encourage low cholesterol to help ward off the risk of heart disease. But having cholesterol levels that are too low can disrupt hormone development, as well as have negative effects on the immune and nervous systems.

Cholesterol levels are a balance, just like everything in our bodies. Levels that are too high are bad as are levels that are too low. A great example of this is with sodium and potassium levels. They both require a proper balance to be beneficial. Either too low or too high cause issues in the body. Cholesterol is a precursor to the sex hormones testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and DHEA which means adequate levels are necessary for development. Cholesterol is also important in the production of the stress hormone cortisol, it is a precursor to that hormone as well.

Cortisol helps manage inflammation, sodium and potassium levels. So you can see how important cholesterol is for appropriate hormone development. It is also critical for immune function and brain development. Cholesterol is very important in cell communication. The cell membrane made up of cholesterol to a large extent and the pliability of the cell membrane is what allows cell to cell communication. Cholesterol is also crucial to the myelin covering of nerve cells. Myelin helps with the speed of the electrical impulses. So you can see how important cholesterol is to proper functioning of the human body. Dr. William Shaw and the Great Plains Labs found that many children with Autism suffer from low cholesterol. There is a genetic disorder called SLOS which manifests as extremely low cholesterol. Some kids with SLOS have cholesterol levels in the 50’s and 60’s, some even lower.

People with SLOS often have certain physical characteristics as well as behavioral issues. You can often see aggression, irritability, self injury as well as cognitive and learning problems. Some people with SLOS also have Autism. Both Dr. Shaw and I have observed through our own work with children on the spectrum that many of them suffer from low cholesterol. Their levels are not optimal but not as low as the people who suffer from SLOS. The optimal cholesterol range is between 170 and 180, I have had a child in my practice with levels of 65. Research has shown that behavioral problems, aggressive behavior and learning problems can manifest in children with levels below 160. In my practice, the average cholesterol range seems to be between 110 and 120.

It was thought that the main ways to raise cholesterol were to eat eggs, brain or liver. Eggs have 250 mg each and children with SLOS had to eat large amounts of them daily. Brain and liver usually aren’t that appealing especially to children. But there is another option today. New Beginnings, one of the supplement companies that I recommend in my practice, carries a product called Sonic Cholesterol. Sonic is a hypo-allergenic, non egg derived cholesterol supplement with 250 mg of cholesterol per capsule.

If your child has low cholesterol and you are trying to raise it to the normal levels, Sonic cholesterol can be a good choice. And in my experience, I have not seen a child’s levels go from too low to too high using Sonic. It usually takes months to really change cholesterol levels. But, changes and benefits in behavior and cognition can happen rapidly.

It is always wise to work with a physician when addressing issues of cholesterol which is why you must have physician approval to order Sonic Cholesterol from New Beginnings. Testing every few months is warranted to monitor improvement. Once your child reaches the optimal range of 170 to 180 you can reduce the dosage to what would be considered a maintenance dose. If you are working with a physician or neurologist who wants to do blood testing on your child, it is wise to request a lipid panel to see the total cholesterol values in your child. Supplementation with Sonic Cholesterol is warranted in children with levels below 160. And as I have seen in my practice, it is a very effective therapy in children with low cholesterol.

In recent months my body is obese and needs weight reduction for good health. Joining a gym has helped and since becoming a member 8 kilograms of weight has disappeared. But there is more going on than exercise. To start with my diet has been adjusted and sugar and salt is excluded now as much as possible. The wake-up about grains has been a positive, however, as oats taken for breakfast every morning was partly responsible for the problem.

Once this was realised my switch to something better was immediate. Some two years ago my sister was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and to help her with food intake 2 Magic Mix machines were purchased and one was given to her. The other sat in my cupboard unused until the grains became a no-no.

Something inside told me to bring it out and use it. This was on top of reading an article by a dietician who informs that breakfast is an unnecessary meal and that we should be relaxing the stomach by avoiding it.

This advice does not fit well with me. My body craves food of some description in the morning or it screams out at me. A trip to the supermarket helped to resolve the issue.

Thinking of smoothies as an alternative to oats the basic ingredient should be yoghurt. There in the refrigerated section was one with extra protein. Using a coupe of heaped tablespoons as a start and adding fruit and a stick of celery is now my answer to it.

Included in the fruit selection are berries; bananas; passion fruit; apples; kiwi fruit; grapes; and pears. They are not all added to each smoothie as four or five are plenty. To this mix is added a little almond milk to help it whiz better.

The taste is divine and the energy it gives me lasts until lunch-time when I now eat my main meal. All up the change in diet has helped and along with the exercise at the gym my body is already feeling much better.

As a spiritual person with a link to the Universal Spirit my trust in God is such that when I hear a voice speak to me inside I act on it. That voice told me one day to join a gym because I need exercise. Now it is being asked to help me lose more weight because fat in organs is a pre-cursor for cancer and that is not welcome in anyone’s life.

Because of the loss of weight experienced in some eight months it is obvious to me that smoothies are low calories and a healthy alternative to grains.

Marketing your photography studio does not have to be expensive. I’ve used hundreds of low cost marketing strategies over the last twenty five years and managed to build my photography studio to the point where I am one the busiest and most successful studios in my city. Here’s a few tips for you:

1. Create a photo display. A photography display can be as simple as displaying a few small portraits at a store and offering some free information about your studio or more elaborate set ups with framed wall samples. You can even create large temporary displays in malls or at events such as trade shows. The important thing is how it looks. You will attract a lot of attention with some great images, especially from woman, who happen to be your target market. Displays will help you create a lot of business if you play your cards right. Have a great selection of images, be presentable yet never pushy, have a system for collecting names and address’s from those wanting more information by simply asking or offering a draw prize, and keep in touch with all those prospects. It’s the beginning of a potential long term and lucrative relationship.

2. Have a free giveaway. Offer a time limited in studio session and small reprint. Tell them there is no obligation for further purchase, and mean it. You will make some sales anyways and you will acquire many long term clients if you do a good job for them. Some will only grab the freebie, but the odds are very good that you will upsell without being sneaky or pushy. Especially if you are professional and create some great images. Do this at mall displays, banks, schools or offer it to a list of clients from a non-competitive business in your town or city. Freebies are the best way to get your studio busy, start making sales and most of all for getting tons of exposure.

3. Reward referrals. Make a policy to reward anyone who brings you referrals. When a client brings in a propective client, give them a gift of appreciation, such as a coupon worth reprints dollars at your studio, frames, or to a local spa or restaurant. As an added incentive, give a small gift to the new client as well.

4. Create a tie-in with another business. Contact a local business and offer to exchange coupons. For example, your client receives coupons from a local restaurant, hair salon, spa, or wherever your typical prospect would shop. A great place to start is with clients of yours who already own their own businesses.

5. Make your reception or waiting room “prospect and sales friendly”. Whenever you create a family portrait or are shooting a wedding there are often people waiting in your reception area. Offer them snacks or something to drink. Make sure your place looks great and smells nice. Make it comfortable. Use this time to increase your upcoming sales presentation by explaining some of the items such as wall portraits and other packages and services. Answer objections that you know will be coming up later during the sale presentation with a consultive approach and people will not only trust you more but will likely make the sale easier for you and even buy more. This is also a great time to collect names. These people are somehow associated with you and at this point make excellent prospects.

6. Make copies of news articles about yourself and your studio. Hang them on the walls or pass them out. Past publicity is better than any advertising or promotional literature you can create. Give copies of positive articles to everyone who comes in for information.

7. Raise money for charity. Not only do you help a good cause, you get plenty of free, positive publicity and exposure. Hold a contest, offer some photography classes, give out free booklets- that you can easily write yourself and print for pennies by having them photocopied- think up your own exciting charity event.

8. Submit press releases to the local newspapers about a noteworthy event at your studio or a human interest story. Did you win a photography contest? Is there and article on photography that relates to local sites in your area or has to do with the seasons? Make your release interesting to the readers, never self-serving and you will get press coverage.

9. Give a free photography seminar or presentation at your studio. Invite members of the public and clients family members to be a part. A seminar gives them the chance to see your studio and your work. Offer something timely to do with how to create great photographs with digital cameras or offer a slide show from some of your more exotic travels. You could create an exhibition highlighting your work. Don’t forget to invite the local newspaper.

10. Leave your business cards everywhere. Whenever you are at a restaurant, leave a nice tip and your card. Drop a stack off at the local jewellry store. Make sure card is loaded with your best samples and print on both sides to maximize the space for your sales message.