A network can be defined as a “group people with similar interests.” Many businessmen and women network without even realizing they are doing it. Any time you have the opportunity to meet women, either on or off the golf course, and have a conversation, you are beginning the first stage of networking. As you increase your contact with this person, regardless of the forum, you are climbing to the next stage of the network. It is a misconception to think any one stage of the network is any more important than another, and you cannot get beyond one stage without passing through the previous stage.

Playing a round, whether 9 or 18, can provide a person with a whole new scope to their relationship. It opens the association up to develop on a higher, more personal stage. There are things that are done and said on a golf course that may never have taken place in a board room or office. You are also afforded more time on a course, two or three hours, than you would ever have in an office.

Women are discovering golf’s potential for networking. While golf was considered to be a “man’s networking venue,” more and more women are using its relaxed atmosphere to conduct business meetings. According to the Dayton Daily News in July, 1994 women represent 40% of all new golfers during the past five years.

Corporations are also seeing the benefits of “golfworking.” Many companies are giving mini-clinics to their sales and executive staffs. Is networking more than just taking someone to play golf and talk business? The answer is yes, but you must be willing to network on each of the five stages to be successful.

Stage 1: Contact

Fund raising has often been referred to as “friend raising.” Golf networking is the same thing.. You must make a friend in the initial contact to be able to add this person to your network list. Some of the ways to do this are:

Introducing yourself to someone hitting balls on the range next to you.

Meeting at golf clinics or club golf events

Meeting through the men’s or ladies’ golf associations by asking the club golf professional to pair you with someone new and/or Meeting through group golf lessons.

Stage 2: Invitation for an event

Invite this new contact to join in your Saturday morning or Wednesday afternoon game Have lunch at the club together or have a drink in the 19th hole after the round, and/or Ask the new contact to be your partner in a golf association event.

Stage 3: Invitation for an Event

Invite the person to play on your team in a charity scramble, and/or Invite their spouse to dine with you and your spouse.

At this point, you and your network person are probably either doing business together or are in negotiation over a contract.

Stage 4: Invitation to Corporate Outings

Invite this person to play in a corporate outing and/or Invite this person to join other clients at company’s resort

Stage 5: Invitation to High Demand events

Invitation to play in a Member-Guest Tournament

As with stage 4, this stage is usually reserved for the client with whom you have done a large amount of business or who has signed a large contract with you.

As you look over this list of stages and forums, you should begin asking yourself the following:

Who are the people at the top of your network?

Do they play golf? What better way to get to know them than on a golf course with no phones.

How often do you make contact with these people?

What better way to say, “Let’s get some time together away rom the office.” What if you are just learning the game, can I still network in golf?

If you know the rules and practice common courtesy and don’t take yourself too seriously, everyone can have a good time on the golf course.

I am embarrassed of how I might play.

Take some lessons and practice. That is the best way to get over your fear.

You are a woman and not sure how the men will treat you.

Most men are so glad to get out of the office to be able to play that golf is no longer a man’s world regardless of what some might think.

Do men really want to play with a woman on the golf course?

If you can laugh at yourself while trying to improve, you can make some great transactions, friends and contacts.

It may be important and helpful to answer this question:

How important is playing (or learning) the game of golf and networking?

When you have the opportunity to make your leisure time more enjoyable by playing golf and bonding (networking) with others. When you have the opportunity to walk in a new client’s office and see golf memorabilia around and can discuss the game, it becomes an icebreaker and puts you on a different (and probably more profitable) plane.

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There’s a delicate balance of chemicals that needs to go into the water in order to maintain its delicate PH balance. An excessive amount of chlorine or acid can cause the water to turn green so the chemical known as pool shock will return it to blue, clear water.

Most swimming pool cleaning supply companies carry exactly what is needed to keep pool water safe, sanitary and perhaps most importantly, really clear and blue. A pool test kit is a good idea to have on hand. It enables the actual owner to test the pool and understand how a lot of what chemicals the pool needs.

They also sell replacement skimmer baskets, sand for the pumps and vacuum hoses. A swimming pool net is also a really good item to have readily available. This way, the person can skim the top of the water for insects along with other debris that inevitably end up in the water and that the skimmer doesn’t catch.

Usually, pool cleaning supplies go according to the type of floor the pool has. A scrub brush is good for vinyl lines as well as concrete bottoms even though these surfaces usually inhibit the development of algae, a great scrub two or three times each week will allow for vacuuming only once per week.

Fiberglass liners are probably the most affordable liners for pools. They have very low maintenance costs besides the pool chemicals that are needed for any kind of liner. Concrete liners sometimes need to be resurfaced which could cost upwards of 10,000 dollars and vinyl liners need extreme care and caution. A dog’s toenail can tear it which will cost hundreds, if not thousands to restore.

Most swimming pool cleansing materials are available at any mass merchant retailer and hardware store. Swimming pool builders usually have a summary of connections for chemicals and replacement parts as well as a good water source. It always takes thousands of gallons to fill a swimming pool and so it is a good idea to have a water supplier available for those occasions. There may also be times that the water must be drained and replaced.

It is great to continually have back-ups of all things including the test kits you need to test the pool for chemical use. Among the swimming pool world, a blue, clear swimming pool is a happy one and good care and maintenance will go far in reducing the costs of replacing liners and the like. Swimming pools are not only for the elite anymore; they can be for everybody and may give you a wonderful enjoyable weekend for everyone. In addition to cleaning a swimming pool regularly, the patrons with the pool can be assured that everybody using swimming lessons Houston is in water that is clean.

Heart disease and food
To reduce heart attacks, avoid foods high cholesterol and watch your diet. People who are overweight are more prone to heart disease. A high sodium diet can increase your blood pressure, causing inflammation and even heart disease.

Tips to reduce heart attacks and prevent heart attacks

Fish Consumption

fresh fish is better, Herring, sardines, and salmon is an excellent source
Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Other fish are great to, although Omega 3 can help to get your cholesterol to a healthier level.

Choosing healthy fats and oils

saturated fat increases the risk of heart disease. It is found in meat, butter, and even coconut oil. You should avoid them until your cholesterol levels and you are at a healthy weight. Even those that love red meats can enjoy seafood and nuts for their main source of protein.

Monounsaturated fats like olive oil will help You to protect your heart. Olive oil is the ideal choice for cooking, sauces, or even as a dipping sauce.

Eat plenty of vegetables

Fiber can help you control your cholesterol. You can find fiber in wheat products to help
control sugar absorption as well, which will help You keep your digestive system healthy.

Choosing carbohydrates
Eating for your heart involves staying away from sweet foods like candy, cookies, cakes and cakes. Eating lots of sugar is not good for Your heart disease altogether. Healthy carbs involving wheat bread, wheat pasta, brown rice, and many vegetables. You must make fruits and vegetables the main aspect of your diet.

How to cook
Stir frying and sauteing with olive or canola oil the two major methods of oil, because you do not have to dip in batter and fried food again. If you cook chicken, remove skin and bake in oven in foil.

Instead of frying fish, you should always bake it. Steaming your vegetables can help keep most nutrients. You should use cream sauces or lots butter anymore either. When you eat vegetables, try squeezing lemon juice on them or using favorite seasoning.

When you make the appropriate changes to your diet, it is necessary Remember that it took for them to become habits. Eating healthy is always good for your body and your lifestyle, especially when it comes to heart and heart disease prevention.

By Ruth Preston

Depending on your weight at the start of your pregnancy, your doctor may tell you that a healthy weight gain for you is anywhere between 15 and 40 pounds. If you’re underweight to start (a BMI of less than 18.5), 25 to 40 pounds is a reasonable weight gain during pregnancy. If you’re overweight, he or she may suggest you stick closer to 15 to 25 pounds. Of that weight, 6 to 8 pounds of it is the baby.

The rest is amniotic fluid, extra tissue and blood to nourish the baby (including the placenta), and the increased size of your breasts and placenta. You’ll lose as much as 15 pounds of it WITH the birth (amniotic fluid, placenta and baby).

Any doctor will tell you that pregnancy is NOT the time to go on a diet. Your body AND your baby need the nutrients of an adequate, balanced diet to keep you both healthy. This doesn’t mean that you should throw all your restraint to the winds and ‘eat for two’, though.

Your body needs approximately an extra 300 calories a day to build a healthy baby. Those 300 calories should come from the same healthy variety of foods that your normal diet gives you. (You were eating a healthy, balanced diet, weren’t you? If not, pregnancy is a great time to start.)

You can expect to gain weight along a fairly predictable pattern. In the first three months, you’ll gain 2-4 pounds altogether. During the second trimester, you can expect to gain between 3-4 pounds a month (about a pound per week). During the last three months, you’ll gain an additional 8-10 pounds. Your doctor or midwife will weigh you regularly, and may express concern over a deviation from this pattern. A sudden sharp weight gain, for instance, can indicate pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes.

If your doctor advises you to try to limit your weight gain during your pregnancy, be sure to choose a healthy diet that provides all the necessary daily requirements for vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Remember that a ‘diet’ during pregnancy isn’t meant to help you LOSE weight, but rather to limit the amount of weight gained.

Regular exercise is also good for both you and your baby. You can maintain most of your daily activities, and if regular workouts were a part of your daily routine, then by all means keep them up. You’ll feel better, and your body will be less likely to protest the extra weight with aches and pains.

Do keep in mind that exercise during pregnancy shouldn’t be overly strenuous, and that you should avoid activities with a risk of falling or injury. Also remember that your center of balance is different – it may feel awkward to do the things you usually do while you’re carrying your little bundle of joy.

For specifics with regard to your own situation, speak with your doctor or midwife. If you’re concerned about gaining weight, or feel that you’re gaining too much, you can ask for a consultation with a nutritionist to help you design a healthy eating plan that will make sure the baby is well-nourished, and your concerns about your weight.

Eating Healthy For Vegetarians

The vegetarian way of eating can be a very healthy style of eating.  The rules still apply with healthy eating, although you should add variety, balance, and moderation. A vegetarian is someone who avoids all types of meat,  whether it be hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, or even fish. Vegetarians are also sometimes classified by the type of food they are or aren’t willing to eat.  For example, Lacto-ovo vegetarians will avoid animal flesh yet they  will eat eggs and most dairy products.  A Vegan on the
other hand, will avoid all food that has any trace of  animal origin.

Because they don’t eat meet, vegetarians will often  wonder how they’ll get enough protein.  Although you may not realize it, the average American actually consumes more protein than he actually needs.  For the lacto-ovo vegetarian, dairy products are an excellent source of  protein.  Vegans on the other hand, get their protein
from nuts, seeds, and soy products.

Along the lines of beans, there are several to choose  from, including green or red lentils, peanuts, split  peas, pinto, soy, kidney, and many more.  Some of them you are already familiar, such as kidney beans in  chili, refried beans in Mexican dishes, red beans and
rice, and pinto beans.  Although some beans taste good as they are, others are available with different flavors to help enhance their taste.  Nuts are high in protein, although they deliver a lot more fat than beans, which means you should enjoy them in moderation.  By having  one cup of cooked beans, you’ll get the same amount of
protein as eating two ounces of meat!

The nutrients of concern for vegans, who avoid all types of animal food, are vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D. In the average North American diet, the primary source for B12 is animals.  To have an adequate intake of B12,  vegans should regularly consume vitamin B12 supplements or foods, which contain vitamin B12, such as soy products
or milk.

For calcium, vegans can rely on orange juice or soy  milk, as they are fortified with calcium.  Beans and  leafy green vegetables will also contain some calcium as
well.

Although all types of vegetarians rely on simple food  groups, controlling your vitamins and calcium intake is something you should always do.  This is very important
for eating healthy, as well as staying healthy.  If you control what you eat, you’ll have many years of healthy eating ahead of you.

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If your goal is to build a stronger, leaner, more muscular body, dietary fats are necessary to maintain and improve your health, and play an essential role in reaching your fitness goals.

There are two types of fats, saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are considered healthy fats, they are usually liquid at room temperature. Although there are many sources of unsaturated fat, two great sources of healthy unsaturated fat can be found in cold water fish like salmon, trout and halibut, and flax seed oil.

Saturated fats are the unhealthy fats that are associated with a myriad of health problems. They contain virtually nothing nutritious or good for your body, it’s only role is it can be burned as energy. The fact is, you don’t need saturated fats at all, but the typical diet is jam-packed with them. For health  reasons, you want to consume as little saturated fats as possible. Saturated fats are generally solid at room temperature and can be found in butter, margarine, dairy, cheese, and meats. I am not recommending you become a vegetarian and eliminate meat from your diet, but make sure when you are at the meat counter you select lean cuts. You do not have to eat meat every day. There are many other good non-animal sources of protein including beans, soy, and tofu.

The truth is, some fats are health promoting and essential to life itself. I recently read a great book by Dr. Udos Erasmus, one of the world’s foremost experts on dietary fats. I highly recommend you read his best selling book “Fats That Heal, Fat’s That Kill.” Dr. Erasmus believes that eating enough healthy fats is just as important to maintaining health as eliminating unhealthy fats.

About the Author
Dr. Osgoodby was a finalist in the “EAS Body for Life” Contest. Stop by his web page at bestbodyever.com to see his before and after pictures and subscribe to his monthly newsletter.