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Our Publishing Process
The complete details of our publishing process can be found in our User Manual. The full text is available here. You can browse the chapters and sections using the menu on your right (or below, for mobile devices).
Extra Services: Targeted Publicity Campaigns
The aim of publicity is to gain visibility, raise awareness, and create attention for your book in the minds of your target readership using broadcast, print, and online media.
In short people can't buy your books if they don't know about them!
Longer periods of publicity are often more effective.
The more time the publicist can spend on the book, the easier it becomes to see what is working and what is not.
Extra Services are your chance to purchase a longer, in-depth campaign for your book.
We offer five publicity services:
Our one base service where your publicist may not contact you directly:
Standard: 6-10 Hours, free for all titles
And our Extra Services, which include a personal one-to-one relationship with your publicist:
Bite-size: 10 Hours extra
Exclusive: 30 Hours extra
Deluxe: 60 Hours extra
Valet: 90 Hours extra
Whether you purchase an Extra Service or not, every single title receives our Standard publicity package in which:
Your Publisher sends a newsletter to trade and media subscribers worldwide, in the months preceding your book release. When this happens a note will be added to your Marketing page under Email history.
The Sales Co-ordinator produces an Advance Information (AI) sheet for our sales reps to take to the trade in North America, Europe and Australia 9-12 months before publication. our AI sheet will be visible on your Marketing page in the Publicity section.
Your assigned publicist is listed on the Publishing Team page of your book. A month or two before your book is published your publicist will, over 6-10 hours:
Research and create a hit-list of media to target with a press release.
Write and send an individually tailored press release to the hit-list.
Submit articles that you have added to the marketing page.
Follow up any lines of enquiry that you have suggested.
Promote your book on JHP blogs and social media.
With every 500 copies sold, of which you will be notified, the publicist will do an extra round of publicity, widening or deepening the contacts.
During the Standard Publicity your publicist may not contact you directly.
For more information see CHAPTER 9: YOUR PUBLICIST.
If you have any queries regarding your publicity at this stage, please use the Marketing & Publicity section of the Author's forum.
We encourage authors to be active themselves, using the resources and tools we provide. More in CHAPTER 9: BEING YOUR OWN PUBLICIST and CHAPTERS 11-15 of the Author Guide.
During the Standard Publicity your publicist may not contact you directly. If you buy an Extra Service this relationship changes.
Your publicist will maintain a regular dialogue with you throughout, usually by email.
They will take the lead on your publicity campaign, but always invite and accommodate your thoughts and opinions at every stage.
Sometimes your publicist will do most of the work themselves, and sometimes you will be needed to work with them, for example in writing blogs posts, or creating some social media material.
In conjunction with yourself, your publicist will seek to place articles and interviews about and by you, in print and online.
Often, publications are more receptive to pitches from professional publicists as opposed to writers, but there are exceptions.
Your publicist will discuss with you the most appropriate way to do this and remain in dialogue with you while they:
Perform in-depth research into relevant blogs, magazines and newspapers to pitch based on your genre and location.
Create a hit-list of media to target.
Create tailored article pitches for each media outlet.
Ask you to contribute to ideas for pitching, and write speculative articles for certain publications
Share all published articles in our social media feeds, and request other authors in your genre to do the same.
Research radio-show and podcast hosts specific to your genre or location.
Deliver tailored pitches designed to secure you a spot on the shows.
Your publicist will coordinate between radio show and author. If you have plans to visit other locations to publicise your book, then we will support this with contact to local radio hosts.
Reviews an extremely important part of publicity.
Consumer reviews on Amazon are vital, they drive sales on the site more than mainstream media reviews. Click to read this article detailing why having 25 Amazon reviews left on publication is one of the best things you can do for your book.
Your publicist will:
Pitch your book to relevant reviewers - mainstream media (if relevant), niche media, leaders in your field, librarians, and professional reviewers (who review on Amazon, sourcing titles via NetGalley).
Add your book (for at least six weeks) to NetGalley - a service that connects publishers with influential reviewers before and after launch. To read more about the service read our Author Guide section on NetGalley.
Have the budget for up to 3 NetGalley newsletters (reaching a greater number of influential readers than simply adding your book to the site).
Have up to 14 extra additional review copies of your book available to send with a personal note to targeted influential reviewers.
Your publicist will review your existing online presence (website, social media, blogging etc) and advise on ways to improve and augment it. They will:
Offer you advice on building a website if you don't already have one .
Evaluate your current website to make sure it shows relevant info presented in the best way.
Review your current use of social media and offer ways to augment and enhance it.
Evaluate your use of social media and suggest sites, services, and techniques to improve it.
Help you define and target the audience you want to reach online.
Help you decide which aspects of social media are right for you.
Your publicist will work with you to:
Create a social media marketing plan for your launch.
Create copy for use on social media.
Create a social media schedule and plan for your launch - including advertising strategy.
Create graphic memes for sharing on social media
Evaluate social media success as it goes out and tweak strategy accordingly.
There are many websites and marketing newsletters that advertise books and run giveaways designed to create buzz and excitement, and ultimately sales from your launch. We mentioned the most important ones in CHAPTER 13 ONLINE MARKETING SERVICES. Your publicist will work with you to:
Evaluate if a book promotion service, like GoodReads or AuthorBuzz, has the potential to publicise your book effectively and deliver sales and run any subsequent campaign .
All Extra Services packages include:
£125-£825 advertising budget, to be spent on the servives your publicist and yourself think most relevant to your book.
Each title is unique, works for different markets, and plays to different author strengths.
Some with special commercial potential call for more publicity, and some which are more niche not so much.
As a writer, you may feel confident in promoting your own work yourself, or you may know that you find publicity especially challenging and believe paying for extended help will be worthwhile.
With a longer campaign your publicist can approach and chase a wider range of people, over longer periods, work more closely with you for longer, explore further strategies, and develop and refine your marketing and publicity strategy as the results come in. They have more time to support your own development and learning in marketing your own work. If publicity takes off, we are also placed to maximise it and ride the wave.
Read carefully your reader reports and own comments and carefully consider the nature of your own book.
When all these factors are weighed, you can make the best decision.
In practice, we find the 30-hour campaign often the sweet spot – a significant amount of time to work with your publicist combined with a competitive, affordable rate.
Bite-size: 10 Hours extra, £400
Exclusive: 30 Hours extra, £1080
Deluxe: 60 Hours extra, £1944
Valet: 90 Hours extra, £2700
The more hours you choose the less you pay per hour.
The hourly rate comes down from £40 an hour on ten hours, to £30 an hour on ninety hours.
Because much of the early time is spent reading your title, evaluating it and its place in the market, and discussing it, the shorter campaigns are more expensive.
Payment terms: Payment will be invoiced and will need to be settled before extra publicity work begins. When your payment is received we will make a note of it on your Production page in Publisher Notes.
Go to Author Services – Extra Publicity in the Marketing And Publicity section of the author forum. Make a post there expressing your interest. Ben Craib will be in touch – to talk over your needs, your book, and what would be the best package and course of action.
Once you are happy with your choice and ready to purchase your Extra Publicity the office will send you an invoice. On receipt of payment your publicist will be in touch to arrange a Skype or phone meeting where you can develop an in-depth plan of action.
If you have purchased your publicity well in advance, there may be a long period between the initial meeting and when the bulk of the work begins. Your publicist will always be available to you via email at this time. We believe the earlier you start thinking and working on publicity the better and your publicist will recommend which areas of building your platform you can be working on during this time. In addition, make sure you have read from Chapter 9 onwards in the Author Guide. This lays out both how we work at JHP and offers lots of advice and information you will find useful. Highlights include Author Branding (Chapter 9) and Social Media (Chapter 13).
|✅Newsletter to trade, media and contacts
|✅Newsletter to trade, media and contacts
|✅Newsletter to trade, media and contacts
|✅Newsletter to trade, media and contacts
|✅Newsletter to trade, media and contacts
|✅Tailored email/press release
|✅Tailored email/press release
|✅Tailored email/press release
|✅Tailored email/press release
|✅Tailored email/press release
|✅Promotion on our blogs/social media
|✅Promotion on our blogs/social media
|✅Promotion on our blogs/social media
|✅Promotion on our blogs/social media
|✅Promotion on our blogs/social media
|✅All books receive this package, without exception, regardless of Extra Services purchased
|✅Close one-to-one work with your publicist
|✅Close one-to-one work with your publicist
|✅Close one-to-one work with your publicist
|✅Close one-to-one work with your publicist
|✅Guaranteed placement on NetGalley
|✅Guaranteed placement on NetGalley
|✅Guaranteed placement on NetGalley
|✅Guaranteed placement on NetGalley
|✅In-depth research on relevant publications, websites and blogs in your genre and location
|✅In-depth research on relevant publications, websites and blogs in your genre and location
|✅In-depth research on relevant publications, websites and blogs in your genre and location
|✅In-depth research on relevant publications, websites and blogs in your genre and location
|✅Online strategy development
|✅Online strategy development.
|✅Online strategy development
|✅Online strategy development
|✅Social media strategy development
|✅Social media strategy development
|✅Social media strategy development
|✅Social media strategy development
|✅Social media content generation
|✅Social media content generation
|✅Social media content generation
|✅Social media content generation
|✅Book promotion evaluation
|✅Book promotion evaluation
|✅Book promotion evaluation
|✅Book promotion evaluation
|✅Extra review copies
|✅Extra review copies
|✅Extra review copies
|✅Extra review copies
|✅ 10 additional hours of publicist time
|✅30 additional hours of publicist time
|✅60 additional hours of publicist time
|✅90 additional hours of publicist time
|✅£125 advertising budget
|✅£405 advertising budget
|✅£670 advertising budget
|✅£825 advertising budget
|✅£400 (£40/hour)
|✅ £1080 (£36/hour)
|✅£1944 (£32.4/hour)
|✅ £2700 (£30/hour)
|✅Competitive base price.
|✅Best seller 10% off, save £120
|✅20% off, save £456
|✅25% off save £900
The Publicists
Depending on the type and subject of the book, and availability, it will be allocated to one of these publicists, who will be your contact.
Maria Barry
Maria used to be our marketing manager before she moved to France. She has worked on hundreds of publicity campaigns, in all genres. Her particular speciality is in MBS and alternative health, but is also comfortable with world religions, philosophy, fiction and social/animal activism.
Ben Craib
Ben specialises in online, social media, and publicity, and has a background in creative writing. He loves communicating and helping others get their voice heard out there. As well as working for John Hunt he looks after the online presence of Raphael's Ephemeris and works with Kdot media.
Daniela Norris
Daniela is a former diplomat and political writer turned inspirational author and speaker. She is the author of four books of non-fiction and short stories, and lives with her family in Cornwall, UK. After having published three titles with John Hunt Publishing, she has now joined the JHP team, focusing on literary awards and publicity campaigns.
Emma Gray
Emma runs her own marketing and communication business from rural France.
She is publicist for Our Street Books (JHP Children's books) and for O Books (Mind, Body, Spirit genres). Her background began in the non-profit sector, running large sporting events for several charities and focusing on increasing their audience and fundraising targets. Her move to France led her to completing a French diploma in Management and for 2 years she managed the communication and marketing department for a local golf course, hotel and restaurant focusing heavily on Social Media as a marketing tool.These days, Emma is concentrating her efforts on increasing readership of JHP's books and engaging audiences via popular social media platforms.
Tracy Stewart
Tracy is a passionate communicator of both the written and spoken word and, increasingly, vision through art and photography shared both in person and utilising technology and social media. She is an experienced creative and commercial writer, market developer, engaging public speaker, supportive and professional mentor and a natural networker.
Douglas Lain
Doug is a publisher and writer, with books out from Night Shade Books and Tor Books. He also writes nonfiction and is an occasional blogger for Thought Catalog and The Partially Examined Life. He was the host of the philosophy podcast "Diet Soap" from 2009 through 2014 and is currently the host of Zero Squared for Zero Books. He is based in Portland, Oregon.
Sarah Beth-Watkins
Sarah has been a freelance writer for over 20 years writing for magazines and websites, on a wide range of topics. She has written over 300 articles for the web. She has four titles published with Compass Books and two with Chronos. She tutors creative writing and journalism courses for various colleges and community centres, and lives in County Wexford, Ireland.
Short Testimonials
Longer Testimonials
Having been a publicist at Hampton Roads Publishing in the mid-1990s, I can appreciate how my publicist was able to hone magazine and newspaper pitches for my articles that got a great response. I had tried to approach them myself before he came on board with no results. This is the difference between self-publishing and mainstream publishing: the publishers are keyed into the marketplace and know who to approach and how to customize the pitch to the varied recipients. It is also helps if the material is well-written and market-friendly. John Nelson
I was extremely pleased at the professionalism, efficiency, speed, creativity and hard work of Ben Craib when he was hired to do extra publicity for my book, Earth: Astrology's Missing Planet - Reconnecting with Her Sacred Power. I have had over 30 years' experience in PR and promotion for an investment company and for non-profits as well as volunteer PR work for an international metaphysical organization. Despite my own experience, Ben taught me a lot and gave me new, fresh and up-to-the-minute ideas that I shall be able to use later in my own book promotion. I really can't speak more highly of Ben save to say he is highly intelligent and has a friendly, helpful, enthusiastic personality; he is also dedicated to new thought and body, mind, spirit. Chrissie Blaze
I can honestly say that my book achieved exposure levels that I could only dream about and this was because of what JHP have to offer in the PR area. It was featured in many periodicals, newspapers, magazines and some publications that I had never heard of including the Union Jack Newspaper, America's only British newspaper. Furthermore my JHP Publicist contacted me directly and in a very professional manner, about doing many radio interviews. It's one thing to have a book published but getting the word out there is absolutely key. The JHP contacts list is exhaustive and covers every field, however diverse. Don't ever underestimate what they can do for you in this regard. That one interview, review or article could lead to so many further possibilities. In my case the possibilities became absolutely ridiculous. And then some. As a PR animal, with a passion for my work, I cannot recommend this service strongly enough. Authors love talking about their books. Let JHP help you with that. Tom Reilly
As a former journalist, editor and PR manager, I'm always a little bit unsure of what to expect from other publicity people - we all have our preferred ways of working and, sometimes, it can be a bit tricky to find the right energy balance and learn from/work with each other. With Moon Books, this was absolutely not an issue. The publicist was knowledgeable, respectful, wonderfully encouraging, and the connection between Moon Books' and my own PR support (my wife still runs a PR/social media consultancy business) was seamless. We kept the publicist up to date with work being carried out from home and she also provided me with lots of invaluable opportunities and ideas, as well as giving me gentle prods when I got caught up in pre-launch business and needed a reminder to get copy into various outlets in time for deadline. In short, Moon Books - and the publicist in particular - have been brilliant. They have far surpassed my expectations in terms of PR support and I cannot recommend them highly enough. A brilliant publishing outfit to work with, and I will not hesitate to take my next book proposal to them first. Taz Thornton
The JHP Publicity services are a necessity to any author. But, as a first-timer I have found their services without doubt - an invaluable source of help and support. They are the building bricks of a platform that without the commitment and attention to detail they provide, could easily give way under the lack of knowledge from a newbie like myself. I have nothing but admiration for their professionalism. Sheena Cundy
The efforts with the Thunderclap to launch my book made a huge difference. Pagan Portals Candle Magic got to number 1 in the witchcraft section on Amazon just after the Thunderclap happened. Also, Nimue's blogging and sharing of my posts has raised awareness of my book and workshops. Lucya Starza
"Every time I contacted my publicist, I received a reply very quickly. John Hunt has responded to my requests in a timely, courteous, and professional way, supporting my queries and supplementing them with their ideas, too!" Susan S. Morrison
I happily endorse the efforts made by Trevor Greenfield and the JHP Publicity team. They always reply promptly to any questions I email them, and secured some wonderful reviews of my books. Steve Andrews
I've had some great experiences with the publicity team at JHP, via the Moon Books imprint. They put me in touch with Watkins which allowed me to have an article in their Mind, Body SpiritMagazine. I've also had numerous positive reviews thanks to them sending my book to the right people. For a new author, it can be daunting stepping into the publishing world, but I've always found the team here supportive and eager to help out. Mabh Savage
Just wanted to pop in to say how honored I feel to be an author with JHP (Dodona). Finishing up my 1st book with them now (NAKED TAROT). Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I love the diversity of titles, and the book covers are some of the best in the biz. And the database model? Brill! Janet Boyer
More endorsements under the imprints, on the website, as in http://www.zero-books.net/author-endorsements.html.
The Truth About Publicity
We all know publicity can be expensive. And the downside of publicity is, even if you find yourself getting excellent coverage, this does not necessarily guarantee sales.
This does not make publicity any less important to your career. Every writer should have a strategy for it.
Further Resources
Publishing 101 by Jane Friedman is pithy, down-to-earth, and wisdom-dense guide to all aspects of publishing for contemporary writers and is an excellent primer to all facets of online marketing.
The Writer's Internet by Sarah-Beth Watkins is a fun, easy-to read book for writers who want to get the most out of the internet and don't know how. http://www.compass-books.net/books/writers-internet
The JHP imprint Compass Books (http://www.compass-books.net/) publishes practical books for writers.
The Master Communicator's Handbook by Tim Ward (one of our publishers) and Teresa Erikcson, published in the Changemakers imprint, has relevant chapters for authors.
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- Author Endorsements
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Too Fat to go to the Moon
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Human Rights - Illusory Freedom
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- Visit the John Hunt Publishing website


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Sportcaster Erin Andrews will be replacing longtime cohost Brooke Burke-Charvet on "Dancing With the Stars" when the new season of the ABC reality competition premieres in March.
Burke-Charvet, 42, a former model-actress, has co-anchored the ballrooom brigade with Emmy winner Tom Bergeron since 2010.
Conrad Green, the show's executive producer, told ABC News on Monday that Burke-Charvet would not be returning and added that she had "been a wonderful part of the 'Dancing With the Stars' family since her triumphant win in Season 7 and will unquestionably be missed by our entire team." He also thanked her for "her years of great service."
That after Burke-Charvet had spilled the beans Friday with a surprised tweet: "weird day….Shocking pre-season elimination #DWTS…ME. @TomBergeron didn't even read my name. I won't be returning to the show this season."
She took to social media again over the weekend to address the news with her own brand of humor.
"So much chatter bout DWTS. I'm really cool, everyone," Burke-Charvet tweeted on Sunday. "I did my 7 seasons, had a blast! I'm ready for change. I love your loyalty. Thank you!"
We know we'll definitely miss her ultra-toned arms and glittery formal wear.
The news that she'd be leaving and replaced by the Fox Sports correspondent came on the heels of ABC announcing that it would also be replacing the show's stalwart 28-member band and its leader Harold Wheeler -- a fact than Burke-Charvet did not overlook. (ABC later said that Ray Chew would step in as music director.)
"Here's the skinny -- the show found out Harold Wheeler, the band, Rob & me were putting together our own road show, so they fired us all!" she said.
But it seemed that she had no hard feelings, later tweeting, "Off to bed with my sense of humor. I was totally kidding, Tweeties. Night nite! Sweet dreams."
Burke-Charvet competed on "Dancing With the Stars" in 2008 and even won the Mirror Ball trophy with partner Derek Hough back in Season 7. She replaced then-anchor Samantha Harris following Harris' maternity leave. Now it seems like the show is keeping with tradition by inviting another former contestant to the hosting gig.
Andrews, 35, a well-respected sports reporter, competed on the show in 2010's Season 10, when she was paired with ballroom "bad boy" Maksim Chmerkovskiy. They made the finals, placing third.
On Monday, ABC confirmed reports that Andrews would be the show's official cohost when Season 18 debuts on March 17 and that the new cast would be revealed on "Good Morning America" on March 4.
The host and band changes are the latest of the once mighty show's numerous makeovers: Last year, "DWTS" cut back its two-night format to one night to battle sagging ratings.
Andrews, who conducted the controversial interview with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman after this year's Super Bowl, will continue to work for Fox Sports and seemed pretty jazzed about her new job.
"Very excited! I have HUGE shoes to fill," the sportscaster tweeted Monday upon ABC's announcement, adding that she'd be getting a few tips from ballroom alum and former NFL star Michael Strahan, who's juggling his sports analyst duties with hosting ABC's "Live! With Kelly and Michael."
"And yes, I'm still a part of the @FOXSports family..it will be a BUSY fall..getting tips from @michaelstrahan on how to balance it," she said. (Strahan was flattered, calling her words an "incredible compliment.")
Cohost and funnyman Bergeron also seemed pleased with his new ballroom partner, reaching out to her on Twitter to bestow his felicitations.
"Welcome back to #dwts @ErinAndrews. It'll be like when we co-hosted the Scripps Spelling Bee but with easier words!" he joked, posting a photo of the two of them.
Andrews replied with "love u ... I can't wait..and the best part is I won't be getting 7's from Len and yelled at for not pointing my toes! #winner"
#Winner, indeed.
Follow Ministry of Gossip @LATcelebs.

subset: commoncrawl


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Elliot's Monographs: A Magnificent Legacy main content.
by AMNH on
The following excerpt from Natural Histories: Extraordinary Rare Book Selections from the American Museum of Natural History Library (Sterling Signature, 2012), edited by Tom Baione, the Museum Library's director, highlights the role of rare 19th- and 20th-century monographs in advancing science. It was written by Joel L. Cracraft, chair of the Division of Vertebrate Zoology.
Daniel Giraud Elliot was one of the most important American ornithologists and naturalists of the nineteenth century. Despite his importance and stature, there is remarkably little recorded about his life's details other than what he wrote and spoke about his professional life in 1914, in an unpublished reminiscence and an address to the Linnean Society of New York.
Elliot's professional accomplishments were anything but obscure, however. He was a scientific founder of the American Museum of Natural History in 1869, and his personal collection of North American birds included the first specimens accessioned into the Museum. Elliot made numerous trips across the globe for study and collecting, generally being away for multiple years at a time, with his longest absence being a decade.
Based on these travels, he published hundreds of papers, including multiple folio-size monographs on groups of mammals and birds.
In his day, few, if any, of his peers had his knowledge and experience with the birds and mammals of the world. Elliot became famous as a monographer of families of birds and mammals. He synthesized previous taxonomic knowledge about the species in each group and added observations and new interpretations based on specimens housed in major museums.
Elliot's first love was birds, and he produced large synthetic works on pittas, pheasants, grouse, hummingbirds, and birds of paradise. Along the way he also published a folio-size monograph on cats. In 1894, he moved to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago as its curator in the Department of Zoology, shifting his attention to mammals. After he left that museum in 1906, he spent the next two years traveling in Europe and Asia studying primates, both in collections and in the field.
Next, back in New York at the American Museum of Natural History, his investigations eventually culminated in his 1913 three-volume taxonomic monograph A Review of the Primates. During Elliot's time, folio-size, lavishly illustrated scientific monographs were primarily for the well-to-do and not meant for general distribution. They were funded by the wealthy and published for them.
Elliot did not invent the monograph—indeed, in his youth, he was influenced by the works of John James Audubon—but he elevated its importance, combining the emerging field of wildlife art with contemporary science. Illustrative of that was A Monograph of the Paradiseidae [or Birds of Paradise], published in London in 1873. It was "printed for the subscribers, by the author," and among those 49 patrons were many dukes, counts, earls, bankers, such as Baron A. de Rothschild, and a handful of institutional libraries.
In 1887, Elliot's large ornithological library was purchased for the American Museum of Natural History by Cornelius Vanderbilt and Percy Pyne, and it was presumably at this time that this volume came to the Museum. Through a gift by Elliot's daughter Margaret in 1927, the American Museum of Natural History is also indeed fortunate to have the original watercolors by [Joseph] Wolf [1820–1899], along with many of his original wash drawings of these magnificent birds.
A version of this story appears in the Spring 2013 issue of Rotunda, the Member magazine.


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2012 is the Year of Opportunity for Your BusinessMonday, January 9th, 2012
Chart Your Business Course for 2012: Check the Economic Trends and
Select Your Next Internet Marketing Move
Good news on the economic horizon means opportunities for small businesses to ride a prosperous wave in 2012. Review these recent reports and then consider whether (and how) you should adjust your Internet marketing presence.
2012 Business Trends at a Glance: Curving Upward
Jobs – Up: Available jobs are increasing, especially in Arizona. Lee McPheters, director of the JPMorgan Chase Economic Outlook Center at Arizona State University, reported Arizona moved from No. 49 among the states for job creation in 2010 all the way up to a top 10 growth state in 2011. Nationwide, the hiring outlook overall for 2012 remains cautiously optimistic, with small business hiring notably expected to increase, according to CareerBuilder 2012 Hiring Forecast. The ABC News 2012 US Economy Forecast cited CEO Brian Hamilton of financial information firm Sageworks, who said, "The jobs numbers are getting better," and Kiplinger agrees that job creation is picking up.
Retail Sales – Up: Not only were holiday retails strong in 2011, according to USA Today, but overall retail sales rose 4.5% year-over-year in 2011, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs Retail Chain Store Sales Index (cited by CNN Money). For small businesses and especially those using refined Internet selling strategies, the news was very good. As Internet Retailer reported, the online holiday shopping season generated at least $35 billion in sales for web retailers according to comScore Inc. Many smaller niche web merchants also closed out the online Christmas shopping season with a nice boost to their fourth quarter sales by making constant updates to their marketing and merchandising plans. Internet businesses gained ground by concentrating on their best customers, using social media and offering highly targeted incentives.
Economists – Favorable: Arizona's economic indicators have been improving, according to the University of Arizona – Arizona Economic Outlook 2012-13. The state's personal income, wages, and employment are growing at increasingly faster rates. Spending is robust while unemployment, bankruptcies and residential foreclosures are happily declining. Nationally, the 2012 Goldman Sachs white paper, The Outlook for the US Economy, reports household debt burdens have continued to improve. Inflation is not expected to significantly increase. As USA Today reported, holiday retail sales strength, steady manufacturing performance steady and housing market resurgence all point to sustained corporate profitability in the coming year.
Business Metrics – Up: Kiplinger estimates the U.S. economy will grow about 2.3% in 2012, a bit faster than the 1.8% pace in 2011, and businesses appear willing to invest in new equipment to expand production after several years of slowed production. A Reuters report observed manufacturing grew at its fastest pace in six months in December, capping a late-year upswing, and a rise in new orders for manufactured goods suggested momentum going into 2012. Another report showed U.S. construction spending neared an 18-month high in November.
Consumers – Polling Optimistic: An Associated Press poll result suggests 62% of Americans are optimistic about the economy in coming year, while 78% are hopeful about the year their family will have in 2012. The public's expectations for this year's economy reached their highest point since last spring.
What Is Your Internet Marketing Agenda in 2012?
Being first to spot an oncoming tide is vital both to boaters and to business owners. Given these economic climate trends, now is the time for small business owners to re-evaluate and re-energize their online marketing campaign. Over the next four weeks, we'll give you insights and tips for creating websites, SEO/SEM strategies, social media campaigns, and other tools to build your Internet marketing presence and success.
1. If you don't have a website, now is the time to get one. Truly, if you don't have a viable website, then you are almost certainly missing tremendous business opportunities. If your website has not been redesigned in over three years, it might as well be an old phone book: outdated and not terribly practical. Rather than rush into new marketing channels, it makes sense to build a website that helps establish your brand and reputation while it produces leads and sales. With more online customers out there, you can't afford to ignore them.
2. If you do have a website but don't show up near the top of the search results page, now is the time to invest in strategic Internet marketing. More than just techie buzz words, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) help propel you to the all-important top spots in relevant searches for your products and services. What strategies will make the biggest impact on lead generation for your business? Pay per click advertising via search engine marketing (SEM) and search engine optimization (SEO) can be the most effective forms of marketing activities for your business in 2012.
Staying on top of the latest trends is not an easy task. While you focus on the day to day operations of your business, hiring the right SEO and internet marketing company can save you time, money, and increase the bottom line. Google is making more changes to their system in 2012. New website analytics are coming as well. Hiring experts to help update your website design and SEO will keep your business in front of potential customers under the current Google system and continuing as Google evolves.
At the same time, consumer Internet use patterns and preferences are favoring social media as well. Webmarketing's report also showed 55% of companies closed deals from social media leads, and social media is expected to see the biggest increase in investment moving into 2012 as it impacts all facets of marketing strategy.
3. If you don't have an ongoing relationship with your clients, now is the time to establish social media and email campaigns. Social media helps develop interlocking communities, building relationships with site owners, publishers, and bloggers, which in turn bring new link opportunities for SEO. The landscape is diverse, with many areas to focus on including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn. A competent internet marketing firm with the experience to help tie all of these social networks together with your overall SEO and SEM plan will position your business for future success.
Experts agree that tapping into social media empowers small businesses with limited budgets (or low cost items) to market to a receptive audience and even create brand recognition and trust. Michael Brito of Social Business News suggests focusing "on building trust with the community first, then figuring out how to monetize (or get a lead)." A company with the right social media strategy can reach and out to customers like never before.
4. If you have some Internet marketing pieces but not all, it may be time to compliment what you're doing with video marketing, PR campaigns, blogging and quality content. Which of these Internet features make sense for your business? Hiring the right internet marketing firm that has a solid understanding of what's out there and how it can best help your business is key. The companies with the best internet marketing strategies, using the most cost effective marketing techniques that are custom to their business model will outpace the field by generating and converting more leads than the competition.
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Last weekend, MIT was represented by two athletes at this year's Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) New England Regional Men's Championship. The freshman pair of Tylor Hamamsy and Matthew Skalak opened their college careers with a combined 3-4 record in singles and doubles competition.
In the singles bracket, Hamamsy incurred a first-round loss to Daniel Kim of Amherst [6-3, 7-5] while Skalak lost to Kim's teammate Wes Waterman [6-2, 6-1]. In the consolation bracket, Skalak was knocked out by Dan Freeman of Colby [7-6(5), 5-7, 10-8] while Hamamsy picked up wins over Uong of Wesleyan [6-3, 6-1] and Adam Davis of Bowdoin [6-4, 6-2].
On the doubles side, Hamamsy and Skalak faced off against #3 seeded Spencer Feldman and Anson McCook from Trinity and fell to the eventual finalists [8-4]. In their consolation match, Skalak found revenge against Waterman and his partner Mark Kahan as the Engineers downed the Lord Jeffs [8-5].
On Sunday, Middlebury captured both championships as Andy Peters won over teammate Andrew Thompson to win the singles crown while Thompson and Andrew Lee won the doubles title over Feldman and McCook. Both consolation brackets were eventually terminated due to inclement weather.
MIT's men's team starts their regular season on the road with a non-conference match against the Jumbos of Tufts on Saturday, October 3, at 4 p.m.


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Beautiful and unique gift idea.Buy Now
Wholesale prices of bulk tumbled stones sold by 1 lb bag.Learn More
Inukshuk Soapstone
Beautiful gifts and decoration accents perfect for any age.Learn More
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Rose Quartz Sphere
Handmade gemstone spheres make these one of a kind pieces of wearable, decorative or architectural art truly unique. The sphere as a shape is an ancient and universal symbol that represents unity, completeness, infinity - the whole universe.
Weight range: 0.95kg to 1kg
Category: Silicate Mineral
Chemical Formula: SiO2
Colour: pale to reddish pink, pink with orange tinge
Group: Hexagonal, rhombohedral terminations
Formations: rarely small prismatic crystals, massive and as rounded river worn stones
Lustre: vitreous, translucent to transparent
Cleavage: none
Varieties: Quartz, Amethyst, Chalcedony, Citrine, Milky Quartz, Rose Quartz, Smokey Quartz, Coesite, Cristobalite, Keatite, Lechatelierite, Moganite, Stishovite
Brief Description: The fair and lovely Rose Quartz, with its gentle pink essence, is a stone of the heart, a Crystal of Unconditional Love. It carries a soft feminine energy of compassion and peace, tenderness and healing, nourishment and comfort. It speaks directly to the Heart Chakra, dissolving emotional wounds, fears and resentments, and circulates a Divine loving energy throughout the entire aura. Reawakening the heart to its own innate love, it provides a deep sense of personal fulfillment and contentment, allowing one the capacity to truly give and receive love from others.
Mythology: It was a stone honored by the Tibetan and Oriental cultures, and is still one of the major carving stones used in China. Known as the Heart Stone, Rose Quartz may have been used as a love token as early as 600 B.C. In antiquity Rose Quartz was also called the Bohemian, or Silesian Ruby, and was believed to fade in the light and only be restored to its original color by being placed in the damp. Legend claims Rose Quartz was created when Adonis, lover of the Greek (and Roman) goddess Aphrodite, was attacked by Ares, god of war, in the form of a boar. When Aphrodite rushed to save him she caught herself on a briar bush, and their mingled blood stained the white Quartz pink. Once used for beautification, facial masks of Rose Quartz have been found in the tombs of ancient Egypt. The Romans and Egyptians believed Rose Quartz would clear and encourage a beautiful complexion, and prevent wrinkles.
Usage: Opals promote a sense of calm security, easing stress and depression, and encouraging one to stop brooding in order to better direct one's thoughts and energies. They are antidotes to restless thoughts and racing minds that rehash the past or anticipate the future. Opals center the mind and are stones of happy dreams, particularly soothing for children and those who have always slept badly or had recurring nightmares with no apparent reason. Precious Opal relieves any issues a child may have with an invisible or imaginary friend, and is especially helpful before sleep if the child wishes the friend to go away at bedtime.
Metaphysical Properties: Rose Quartz is the perfect talisman to pass on to others, spreading the energetic vibration of hope, faith and love as a gift from the Earth's heart. Star Rose Quartz is useful for re-igniting the spark in relationships. Rose Quartz is the stone of love. Its gentle feminine energy transforms and releases all forms of negative energy and emotions into pure, unconditional love. Within relationships, Rose Quartz calms, restores trust and clarity, dissolves isolation and promotes a sense of true union. Rose Quartz is a deep emotional healer, soothing deep wounds, releasing self loathing, promoting self acceptance, self worth and self love. Children respond particularly favourably to the warm, gentle and calming energy of Rose Quartz and can facilitate profound change in 'high energy' children.
Healing Properties: It dissolves the sorrows, worries, fears and resentments suppressing the heart's ability to give and receive love, and replaces it with healing, comfort and inner nourishment. Rose Quartz can be used to stimulate healing of any dis-ease, as its function is to harmonise the higher vibrational energies of the aura, light body or subtle body. It is believed that physical dis-ease is a consequence of dis-harmony in the energies of the subtle body. Rose Quartz can be used to help treat heart dis-orders, helping to release stress and tension. Rose Quartz is useful for balancing lung and bronchial functioning. Rose Quartz assists soothe heat damaged skin. The soft pink emanations of Rose Quartz comforts and heals any wounds the heart has suffered, penetrating the inner chambers of the Heart Chakra where emotional experiences are recorded and stored.


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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Robotic surgery is safe for use in children, but there's little evidence that outcomes for this type of surgery are any better than they are with standard operations, the authors of a new review of medical studies published in Pediatrics conclude.
Robotic surgery-in which a surgeon controls robotic instruments from outside the patient's body, in some cases even from far away-offers several advantages, including ways to eliminate hand tremors and improve the surgeon's vision and depth perception, Dr. Goedele van Haasteren of Hayes Inc. Independent Health Technology Assessment Company in Lansdale, Pennsylvania and her colleagues note. These advantages can be particularly important when performing complex procedures in children's smaller, more delicate bodies.
Surgeons first attempted robotic surgery in a child in 2001, van Haasteren and her team write in their report, and now robots are being used to perform several different procedures in children.
Such procedures, however, require hospitals to buy expensive equipment - which they often tout in advertising. One such system, the da Vinci Surgical System, costs $1 million, with a $100,000 annual maintenance fee. Just that can add an average of $2,800 to each case.
Currently, the researcher said, robotic surgery is most commonly used in pediatric patients for Nissen fundoplication, a procedure to treat severe heartburn, to repair a heart defect known as patent ductus arteriosus; and for fixing some birth defects.
The researchers looked at all existing medical literature on pediatric robotic surgery, including eight case series reports and five studies comparing robotic surgery to standard procedures.
Overall, the researchers found, when performed by experienced surgeons, robotic procedures were safe and feasible, although there was no evidence that patient outcomes were any better than they were with standard procedures.
"It's not an easy technology, but it can help people in very complicated procedures," noted van Haasteren. "It can be life-saving in such circumstances."
The future of the technology in pediatric patients, she added, is likely to be for performing such complex procedures. Robotic surgical technology also offers an excellent way to teach physicians to perform surgery by operating on "virtual" patients, according to van Haasteren.
She and her colleagues conclude that "in view of longer operating times, higher operating costs, and the lack of clinical advantage, robotic surgery does not currently represent a general alternative to conventional, minimally invasive surgery."
SOURCE: Pediatrics, December 2009.


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Main Content:
Inexpensive T-Shirts On Sale
Shop Discount T-Shirts on Sale at Old Navy Online
At Old Navy, we have an assortment of inexpensive t-shirts for men that is rivaled by no one. Check out our large selection of inexpensive t shirts in a variety of styles and colors. You will find plenty of stripes and solids with round or v-necks, in short sleeves or long. Do you like football? We have an amazing collection of graphic tees that will show your support for your favorite NFL or college team. Our tee shirts on sale will take your casual wardrobe to the next level and save you money in the process. Browse our collection of discount t-shirts at OldNavy.com.


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WASHINGTON (AP) — Four U.S. military personnel investigating potential evacuation routes in Libya were taken into custody at a checkpoint and then detained briefly by the Libyan government before being released, a U.S. official said Friday night.
No one was injured. The military personnel were taken to the U.S. Embassy after their release, a Defense Department official said. The official was not authorized to discuss the incident by name and requested anonymity.
The four were supporting U.S. Marine security forces protecting the American Embassy, the official said. They were likely U.S. special operations forces, which have been deployed to Libya.
An altercation apparently took place at a checkpoint near the town of Sabratha, the official said. Reports of gunfire could not be confirmed.
After they were detained at the checkpoint, the Americans were transferred to the Ministry of the Interior and held for a few hours, the official said.
The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli includes a security detail. The embassy's personnel are restricted in their movements in Libya.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Location Details:
Record Nations is the place to come in Mill Creek if you are ready to change the way you organize your records. We help individuals and organizations of all sizes and across industries find better ways to manage their documents.
By going digital you'll reap the benefits of easy file access and quick document sharing�saving precious time and resources.
This location offers scanning services for smaller volume projects (a few hundred pages), but we can help you find reliable solutions for your larger projects too.
See Immediate Benefits with Our Scanning Solutions
Document Scanning
A document scanning service is a great solution for converting large volumes of documents to digital images. Armed with expertise and high-volume scanners built for this type of job, professionals make big jobs look easy.
Whether you need to scan maps and blueprints, medical records, confidential documents, or general business records, we can match you with the right service. We'll even help you find the right�document management system�or ECM to streamline workflow and effectively manage your new digital files.
Offsite scanning projects are for projects with over 20,000 (10 boxes) of files that require digitization. If you only have a few hundred pages to scan we have developed a network of scanning locations that can digitize small volumes of records. Depending on the size of the job, they might even be able to do the scanning while you wait.
Cloud Storage
Take a step into the future of document management with cloud computing solutions. Once your files are digital, they can be housed on your own private server, or on an encrypted, remote server allowing you to access and collaborate on files on any device from anywhere with an internet connection.
Get your free, customized quotes in just minutes for all your records management needs in Mill Creek, WA.
Get Free Quotes On Document Scanning Services
Let Record Nations help you streamline your workflow and improve your records management processes with document scanning, document management systems, and cloud storage service options.
If you have questions or would like free quotes on nearby services, give our information specialists a call at (844) 320-6443�or fill out the form.


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Translation Disclaimer
MHSA Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI)
April 1, 2009: Click Here to view the proposed City of Berkeley PEI Plan
Community Planning Phase
The City of Berkeley has launched the community planning phase for the PEI funding component.
Focus Groups and Community Information Input Meetings
Eight targeted Focus Groups were conducted where data was gathered from multiple sources around community priority needs as they relate to the Prevention/Early Intervention funding component. Four Community Information and Input Meetings to gain public input into PEI needs were also held.


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Aldosterone & Sodium Regulation in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome - Screening
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01783288
Recruitment Status : Active, not recruiting
First Posted : February 4, 2013
Last Update Posted : January 10, 2019
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Condition or disease
|Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
|Other: Autonomic Function Testing Other: Posture Study Procedure: Measurement of Total Blood Volume Other: Exercise Capacity Test
|Not Applicable
Show Detailed Description
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Estimated Enrollment :
|110 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Single Group Assignment
|None (Open Label)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|Aldosterone and Sodium Regulation in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome - Screening Protocol
|Study Start Date :
|February 2013
|Estimated Primary Completion Date :
|December 2019
|Estimated Study Completion Date :
|December 2019
All participants
All participants will be administered all procedures as described previously.
Autonomic Function Testing, Posture Study ,Measurement of Total Blood Volume ,Exercise Capacity Test
Other: Autonomic Function Testing
heart rate and blood pressure will be continuously monitored while participants undergo a variety of breathing techniques (deep breathing, rapid breathing, blowing against resistance) and during sustained handgrip and cold pressor (hand in ice water). All tests are meant to stimulate the autonomic nervous system to produce changes in blood pressure and heart rate of short duration that reflect how well the autonomic nervous system is functioning.
Also during autonomic function testing, cardiac output will be measured to analyze the shift of fluids in the body (body impedance) and / or by analyzing the air that is breathed.
Other: Posture Study
Blood pressure, heart rate and blood samples (for catecholamines and hormones) will be measured & collected in the supine (lying) and upright position for each participant.
Other Name: Supine & standing blood pressure, heart rate & blood draws.
Procedure: Measurement of Total Blood Volume
Total blood volume is measured by using iodinated I-131 tagged human serum albumin.
Other Names:
Other: Exercise Capacity Test
Participants will ride on a stationary recumbent bicycle and the resistance will be gradually increased while expired air is measured.
Other Name: Masimal Oxygen Consumption Test
- blood volume deviation (%) from individual predicted volumes [ Time Frame: 2 days ]Compare blood volume deviations using the 131-I-Albumin method. Deviations will be reported as a percentage deviation from an individual's predicted value. These values will be compared between POTS patients and healthy control groups.
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years to 50 Years (Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age between 18-50 years old
- Patients with suspected POTS and healthy volunteers
- Sedentary healthy subjects of similar age and gender than patients will also be recruited.
- Only female participants are eligible.
- Able and willing to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Smokers
- Overt cause for postural tachycardia, i.e., acute dehydration
- Significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, or hematological disease by history or prior testing
- Highly trained athletes
- Subjects with somatization or severe anxiety symptoms will be excluded
- Pregnant (positive pregnancy test) or breastfeeding
- Hypertension defined as supine resting BP>145/95 mmHg off medications or needing antihypertensive medication
- Other factors which in the investigator's opinion would prevent the participant from completing the protocol, including poor compliance during previous studies or an unpredictable schedule
- Unable to give informed consent
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01783288
|United States, Tennessee
|Vanderbilt University Medical Center
|Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232
|Principal Investigator:
|Emily Garland, PhD, MSCI
|Vanderbilt University Medical Center
|Responsible Party:
|Emily M. Garland, Research Associate Professor, Vanderbilt University
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01783288 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
R01HL102387 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract )
|First Posted:
|February 4, 2013 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|January 10, 2019
|Last Verified:
|January 2019
Keywords provided by Emily M. Garland, Vanderbilt University:
Postural tachycardia syndrome
orthostatic intolerance
orthostatic tachycardia
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Pathologic Processes
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Heart Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiac Conduction System Disease
Orthostatic Intolerance
Primary Dysautonomias
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
Nervous System Diseases


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REV - September 2, 2018
- Podcast Home
- Download episode
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Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 - 32 minutes
REV with Whitewater Crossing Christian Church Pastor David Vaughan and Lori Enright
Dillsboro Public Library Photo Contest
The Dillsboro Public Library has been selected to host a traveling Smithsonian exhibit, "Crossroads: Change in Rural America," which highlights the changing landscape in rural America. Since 1900, the percentage of Americans living in rural areas dropped from 60 percent to 17 percent, yet the vast majority of America's physical landscape remains rural.at Dillsboro Public Library
Fabled Forest Week
Explore one of the largest habitats in the park with forest-themed games, activities and live forest animals. A craft is available for a small fee.at Miami Whitewater Forest
Pound Class
PoundFit with SamK ~ Cardio inspired by drumming! Burn calories, tone muscles and build strength all while moving to the beat of the music!! This 45 minute jam session will change your life!! All you need to bring is water, a yoga mat if you have one and $5! Every Wednesday 6pm at Heritage Hall and every Friday at 6:00 p.m. at Rising Sun Church of Christ (this location may sometimes change due to church functions).at Heritage Hall
Lane restrictions are still in place on U.S. 50 between Aurora and Dillsboro.
One person was killed after a large fight broke out at a Florence bar early Sunday morning.
It's anybody's competition with three races to go.
Its going to be a busy few weeks for East Central swimmers of all ages.
Playing pro ball is a dream come true for the former Batesville Bulldogs star.
On Air
Happy Jack playing
Travis Tritt - Country Club


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The recent post by Maki about Fugu got me thinking about the other really expensive Japanese restaurant meal. Kobe beef.
So who here has had this delicacy and what did you think of it? Was it home cooked or restaurant.
Is it really worth the cost?
I was thinking about it also because my husband and I went to a very fancy restaurant here for our anniversary, which is one of the few outside of San Fransisco to serve this beef. It's called Alexander's steak house and is a asia/western fusion place with a big emphasis on beef.
You can get three or four types of beef here, USDA prime aged 25 days, Australian beef and Waygu and Kobe beef. The cost goes up in this direction also.
(We had the USDA Prime and it was delicious!! 6oz filet mignon about $50.)
One dish they serve is (I think) four-5oz steaks,one of each kind. They are not labeled and it comes with a little chalk board that you are supposed to write down your guesses on and compare with you dinner companions. It's $150. a la carte.
Just a straight Kobe beef steak is about $250 for an 8oz piece, also a la carte.
I heard that people eating the whole 8 oz by themselves can get a stomach ache because it's so rich and it's suggested by some to share that much.
So any one here had this meat? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
The recent post by Maki about Fugu got me thinking about the other really expensive Japanese restaurant meal. Kobe beef.
I guess this seems like a minor quibble, but you wrote:
"... about THE other really expensive Japanese restaurant meal" rather than "... about ANother really expensive Japanese restaurant meal"
Vegetarian gourmets get to empty their wallets too - don't forget the not so humble matsutake mushroom!
Sorry I can't answer your meat question, the only time this kind of beef was on my menu I asked for it to be substituted by a fish dish.
I did find that matsutake, for those who get to eat enough of it, can have an intriguing side effect - one I have never seen mentioned (this disclosure may be an English language internet first). The fragrance of the fungus ends up coming out of your pores so that your skin smells of it and even tastes of it. I'm pretty sure I understand now why matsutake is considered an aphrodisiac...
Oops! Sorry! My prejudices are showing!
They do have an interesting veggie dish at this same restaurant called "Field of Dreams". Cute eh?
I'd like to try that Matsutake mushroom someday too. I do love mushrooms!!
BTW, I hope no one thinks I'm trying to brag about this restaurant. We've never gone to a place that expensive before, but it was our 25th wedding anniversary so we wanted to splurge. I may go again someday as it was really good, but yeah, it was way too expensive a casual dinner.
I just was curious if that beef was worth a price like that, taste wise.
Congratulations on your 25th anniversary, a marriage lasting that long is definitely deserving of a splurge.
I certainly have no personal experience with different grades of beef. I think it is much like any other food item, a less expensive cut and/or meat can taste just as well as or better than something more expensive and cooked poorly. And honestly I have not met anyone who has found there to be all that much difference, they thought that more expensive meat was good but they were not overwhelmed by its greatness.
BTW, I hope no one thinks I'm trying to brag about this restaurant. We've never gone to a place that expensive before, but it was our 25th wedding anniversary so we wanted to splurge. I may go again someday as it was really good, but yeah, it was way too expensive a casual dinner.
I just was curious if that beef was worth a price like that, taste wise.
That's wonderful, BarbJ!
Many congratulations! Sounds like the perfect excuse for some true indulgence.
I'm curious about these 'marbled' beefs also. I've imagined they are different to other prime cuts of meat in the way that tuna belly (toro in Japanese or ventresco in Spanish) are different to what have traditionally been considered the prime tuna cuts, or jamon iberico with its intricate layers of fat is different from leaner jamon serranos or parma ham.
It is curious how interest in this beef has taken off. In the 80s few British people had any interest in jamon iberico, the white fat it had was a real turn off (not that you could purchase it legally in the UK at the time, there were strict import regulations) but those Brits I did see in Spain who were lucky enough to be offered it more often than not would push it aside or pick off the white parts - parma ham was considered a far superior meat to most at that time.
And, funnily enough, the majority of Spaniards, as well as the rest of Europe, didn't appreciate toro either. Marbled tuna belly has always been part of fishermen's recipes - historically fishermen always chose the tastiest unpopular cuts for their dishes and stews. Of course, it was demand from Japan which changed this. Toro has become ANother expensive food. I've heard of some restaurants putting high price tags on hamburgers which combine toro and Kobe-style beef. In Spain, ventresco is now a speciality dish sought out by gourmets.
From my perspective, Japan has made the West re-evaluate the importance of fat in meat (and fish).
So how was your beef? Did it practically melt in your mouth (as toro can and good Kobe beef is supposed to) or was it more like a very high end regular steak?
If the California cow rearers are anywhere near as good as replicating the Japanese domestic product as some of the Californian japonica rice growers have been, Wagyu/Kobe beef is going to become available to a lot more people.
Well I don't know how it was, cause I was too chicken to pay the $250. price tag! ^_^
We did have the $50. USDA Prime beef and it was absolutely delicious!! They age their own beef and it was tender with really nice marbling throughout. Prime is a grade that usually only restaurants can get, so it is better than your average supermarket beef.
Someday I'll try the Kobe beef though. Probably share it.
And thanks for the congratulations everyone!!
I had wagyu beef at a lovely little Japanese restaurant behind QVB, Sydney. It was served sizzling on a hot volcano rock, with pretty condiments and sauces and a bowl of sushi rice. My fiancé and I had 6 thin slices to share between us! This was a 50AUD dish! so it was pretty exp. But it was our first time with the famed meat.
We had our flrst slice without any flavourings. And it was very tender, but the rich buttery flavour of the fat confused my tastebuds, for a second I thought I wasn't eating beef! But then the aroma of the sizzling meat comforts ones senses. ^^
I would say its definitely worth trying, but I don't think I could eat it on a daily basis, its just too rich.
rolling them over, one onigiri at a time.
I'll preface this comment. I am an American and I have to say that Japanese beef is the most delicious thing I have ever had in my life. There is one place in particular, it's called Dai and located in Fukuoka. If you are ever down in that area, you NEED to have dinner here. They serve up 100% Saga Gyu (basically the same, I think better than Kobe beef. Kobe beef just gets more PR and marketing dollars spent to advertise their crap). But this beef just melts in your mouth. It's a tenpan restaurant and so seats are limited. I think the restaurant has a total of 15 seats, so make reservations. The prices are around 7000 yen. Actually the website is completely in Japanese, but I did find one website that has a listing for this restaurant with Photos, reviews, and contact info. I had forgotten the name, but finally found it in my bookmarks: http://www.findinjp.com/restaurants/358/dai-chuo
I go here everytime I visit Fukuoka, it's heavenly!
I'm not much of a beef eater, but I do know that there are some distinctions between all the meats.
Wagyu laterally means "Japanese cow" and is a family of cattle. The interesting thing about wagyu is that, besides being more tender and marbled than American breeds (tenderness and concentration of flavor is one of the major reasons prime steaks are aged), it is actually lower in saturated fat than US breeds and contains more healthy fats (e.g. omega 3). However, in the US, any cow that is at least 1/4 (I thin k?) wagyu can be marketed as wagyu beef. As somebody mentioned before, Kobe beef is more of a regional marketing thing, kind of like champagne or Parma ham.
Not completely sure about Australian cattle breeds (although I've had Australian kangaroo - yum!), but I believe they have a history of crossing with wagyu. I know there are a lot in New Zealand, so it only stands to reason.....
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HIV and AIDS Support
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a condition in which the immune system becomes severely weakened and loses its ability to fight infections.
Although some scientists have questioned whether or not the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has actually been proven to cause AIDS,1 2 3 most researchers do believe that HIV causes AIDS.
AIDS is an extremely complex disorder, and no cure is currently available. Certain drugs appear to be capable of slowing the progression of the disease. In addition, various nutritional factors may be helpful. However, because of the complicated nature of this disorder, medical supervision is strongly recommended with regard to dietary changes and nutritional supplements. People who have been infected with HIV are hereafter referred to as "HIV-positive.
|What are the symptoms of HIV and AIDS?
HIV causes a broad spectrum of clinical problems, which often mimic other diseases. Within a few weeks of infection, some people may experience flu-like signs and symptoms, including fever, malaise, rash, joint pain, and generalized swelling of the lymph nodes. These acute manifestations usually disappear, and many people remain asymptomatic for long periods. AIDS, the clinical syndrome associated with HIV infection, produces symptoms throughout the body related to opportunistic infections, tumors, and other immune-deficiency complications.
|Dietary changes that may be helpful for hiv and aids support
People with AIDS often lose significant amounts of weight or suffer from recurrent diarrhea. A diet high in protein and total calories may help a person maintain his or her body weight. In addition, whole foods are preferable to refined and processed foods. Whole foods contain larger amounts of many vitamins and minerals, and people with HIV infection tend to suffer from multiple nutritional deficiencies.
Nonetheless, no evidence currently suggests that dietary changes are curative for people with AIDS, or even that they significantly influence the course of the disease. In fact, a controlled trial comparing the efficacy of three nutritional regimens in the prevention of weight loss in HIV-positive people found no benefit from increasing caloric intake.4 A 500-calorie per day caloric supplement with fatty acids plus a multivitamin and minerals did not promote increases in body weight beyond that offered by a multivitamin-mineral supplement alone.
AIDS-related weight loss and chronic diarrhea are sometimes the result of abnormal intestinal function in the absence of an infectious organism. This condition, called "HIV enteropathy" (pronounced "en-ter-OP-a-thee"), may respond to a gluten-free diet. In a preliminary trial,5 men with HIV enteropathy were given a gluten-free diet for one week. During that week, the number of episodes of diarrhea decreased by nearly 40%. When gluten-containing foods were re-introduced for a week, the diarrhea returned. When they were eliminated a second time, again for one week, the episodes of diarrhea were again reduced. Participants in the study also experienced significant weight gain during the gluten-free periods.
Lifestyle changes that may be helpful for hiv and aids support
Loss of strength and lean body mass are frequent complications in people with AIDS. Drug therapy with anabolic steroids is sometimes used to counteract these losses. Preliminary trials suggest that progressive resistance training (i.e., weight training) may be used as an alternative or adjunct to steroids in this disease. In a preliminary trial, people with HIV who did progressive resistance training three times per week for eight weeks had significant increases in their lean body mass.6 Exercise of any type three to four times per week or more has been associated with slower progression to AIDS at one year and with a slower progression to death from AIDS at one year in men.7
Nutritional supplements that may be helpful for hiv and aids support
Because people with HIV infection or AIDS often have multiple nutritional deficiencies, a broad-spectrum nutritional supplement may be beneficial. In one trial, HIV-positive men who took a multivitamin-mineral supplement had slower onset of AIDS, compared with men who did not take a supplement.8 Use of a multivitamin by pregnant and breast-feeding Tanzanian women with HIV did not affect the risk of transmission of HIV from mother to child, either in utero, during birth, or from breast-feeding.9
Selenium deficiency is an independent factor associated with high mortality among HIV-positive people.10 HIV-positive people who took selenium supplements experienced fewer infections, better intestinal function, improved appetite, and improved heart function (which had been impaired by the disease) than those who did not take the supplements.11 The usual amount of selenium taken was 400 mcg per day.
Selenium deficiency has been found more often in people with HIV-related cardiomyopathy (heart abnormalities) than in those with HIV and normal heart function.12 People with HIV-related cardiomyopathy may benefit from selenium supplementation. In a small preliminary trial, people with AIDS and cardiomyopathy, 80% of whom were found to be deficient in selenium, were given 800 mcg of selenium per day for 15 days, followed by 400 mcg per day for eight days. Improvements in heart function were noted after selenium supplementation.13 People wishing to supplement with more than 200 mcg of selenium per day should be monitored by a doctor.
The amino acid, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), has been shown to inhibit the replication of HIV in test tube studies.14 In a double-blind trial, supplementing with 800 mg per day of NAC slowed the rate of decline in immune function in people with HIV infection. NAC also promotes the synthesis of glutathione, a naturally-occurring antioxidant that is believed to be protective in people with HIV infection and AIDS.15
The combination of glutamine, arginine, and the amino acid derivative, hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB), may prevent loss of lean body mass in people with AIDS-associated wasting. In a double-blind trial, AIDS patients who had lost 5% of their body weight in the previous three months received either placebo or a nutrient mixture containing 1.5 grams of HMB, 7 grams of L-glutamine, and 7 grams of L-arginine twice daily for eight weeks.16 Those supplemented with placebo gained an average of 0.37 pounds, mostly fat, but lost lean body mass. Those taking the nutrient mixture gained an average of 3 pounds, 85% of which was lean body weight.
In a double-blind trial, the non-disease-causing yeast Saccharomyces boulardii (1 gram three times per day) helped stop diarrhea in HIV-positive people.17 However, people with severely compromised immune function have been reported to develop yeast infections in the bloodstream after consuming some yeast organisms that are benign for healthy people.18 19 For that reason, people with HIV infection who wish to take Saccharomyces boulardii, brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), or other live organisms should first consult a doctor.
A deficient level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in the blood is associated with poor outcomes in people with HIV.20 Large amounts of supplemental dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may alleviate fatigue and depression in HIV-positive men and women. In a preliminary trial, men and women with HIV infection took 200–500 mg of DHEA per day for eight weeks.21 All participants initially had both low mood and low energy. After eight weeks of DHEA supplementation, 72% of the participants reported their mood to be "much improved" or "very much improved," and 81% reported having significant improvements in energy level. DHEA supplementation had no effect on CD4 cell (helper T-cell) counts or testosterone levels.
Vitamin A deficiency appears to be very common in people with HIV infection. Low blood levels of vitamin A are associated with greater disease severity22 and increased transmission of the virus from a pregnant mother to her infant.23 However, in preliminary 24 and double-blind25 26 trials, supplementation with vitamin A failed to reduce the overall mother-to-child transmission of HIV. HIV-positive women who took 5,000 IU per day of vitamin A (as retinyl palmitate) and 50,000 IU per day of beta-carotene during the third trimester (13 weeks) of pregnancy, plus an additional single amount of 200,000 IU of vitamin A at delivery, had the same rate of transmission of HIV to their infants as those who did not take the supplement. However, lower rates of illness have been observed in the children of HIV-positive mothers when the children were supplemented with 50,000–200,000 IU of vitamin A every two to three months.27
Little research has explored whether vitamin A supplements are helpful at halting disease progression. HIV-positive children given two consecutive oral supplements of vitamin A (200,000 IU in a gelcap) in the two days following influenza vaccinations had a modest but significant decrease in viral load.28 In one trial, giving people an extremely high (300,000 IU) amount of vitamin A one time only did not improve short-term measures of immunity in women with HIV.29
Beta-carotene levels have been found to be low in HIV-positive people, even in those without symptoms.30 However, trials on the effect of beta-carotene supplements have produced conflicting results. In one double-blind trial, supplementing with 300,000 IU per day of beta-carotene significantly increased the number of CD4+ cells in people with HIV infection.31 In another trial, the same amount of beta-carotene had no effect on CD4+ cell counts or various other measures of immune function in HIV-infected people.32
In HIV-positive people with B-vitamin deficiency, the use of B-complex vitamin supplements appears to delay progression to and death from AIDS.33 Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency has been identified in nearly one-quarter of people with AIDS.34 It has been suggested that a thiamine deficiency may contribute to some of the neurological abnormalities that are associated with AIDS. Vitamin B6 deficiency was found in more than one-third of HIV-positive men; vitamin B6 deficiency was associated with decreased immune function in this group.35 In a population study of HIV-positive people, intake of vitamin B6 at more than twice the recommended dietary allowance (RDA is 2 mg per day for men and 1.6 mg per day for women) was associated with improved survival.36 Low blood levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 are also common in HIV-positive people.37
Preliminary observations suggest a possible role for vitamin B3 in HIV prevention and treatment.38 A form of vitamin B3 (niacinamide) has been shown to inhibit HIV in test tube studies.39 However, no published data have shown vitamin B3 to inhibit HIV in animals or in people. One study did show that HIV-positive people who consume more than 64 mg of vitamin B3 per day have a decreased risk of progression to AIDS or AIDS-related death.40 41 Clinical trials in humans are required to validate these preliminary observations.
Vitamin C has been shown to inhibit HIV replication in test tubes.42 Intake of vitamin C by HIV-positive persons may be associated with a reduced risk of progression to AIDS.43 Some doctors recommend large amounts of vitamin C for people with AIDS. Reported benefits in preliminary research include greater resistance against infection and an improvement in overall well-being.44 The amount of vitamin C used in that study ranged from 40 to 185 grams per day. Supplementation with such large amounts of vitamin C must be monitored by a doctor. This same researcher also reports some success in using a topical vitamin C paste to treat herpes simplex outbreaks and Kaposi's sarcoma in people with AIDS.
In test-tube studies, vitamin E improved the effectiveness of the anti-HIV drug zidovudine (AZT) while reducing its toxicity.45 Similarly, animal research suggests that zinc and NAC supplementation may protect against AZT toxicity.46 It is not known whether oral supplementation with these nutrients would have similar effects in people taking AZT.
Blood levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) were also found to be low in people with HIV infection or AIDS. In a small preliminary trial, people with HIV infection took 200 mg per day of CoQ10. Eighty-three percent of these people experienced no further infections for up to seven months, and the counts of infection-fighting white blood cells improved in three cases.47
Blood levels of both zinc48 and selenium49 are frequently low in people with HIV infection. Zinc supplements (45 mg per day) have been shown to reduce the number of infections in people with AIDS.50
Iron deficiency is often present in HIV-positive children.51 While iron is necessary for normal immune function, iron deficiency also appears to protect against certain bacterial infections.52 Iron supplementation could therefore increase the severity of bacterial infections in people with AIDS. For that reason, people with HIV infection or AIDS should consult a doctor before supplementing with iron.
The amino acid, glutamine, is needed for the synthesis of glutathione, an important antioxidant within cells that is frequently depleted in people with HIV and AIDS.53 In well-nourished people, the body usually manufactures enough glutamine to prevent a deficiency. However, people with HIV or AIDS are often malnourished and may be deficient in glutamine.54 In such people, glutamine supplementation may be needed, along with NAC, to maintain adequate levels of glutathione. It is not known how much glutamine is needed for that purpose; however, in other trials, 4–8 grams of glutamine per day was used.55 In a double-blind trial, massive amounts of glutamine (40 grams per day) in combination with several antioxidants (27,000 IU per day of beta-carotene; 800 mg per day of vitamin C; 280 mcg per day of selenium; 500 IU per day of vitamin E) were given for 12 weeks to AIDS patients experiencing problems maintaining normal weight.56 Those who took the glutamine-antioxidant combination experienced significant gains in body weight compared with those taking placebo. Larger trials are needed to determine the possible benefits of this nutrient combination on reducing opportunistic infections and long-term mortality.
People with AIDS have low levels of methionine. Some researchers suggest that these low methionine levels may explain some aspects of the disease process,57 58 59 especially the deterioration that occurs in the nervous system and is responsible for symptoms such as dementia.60 61 A preliminary trial found that methionine (6 grams per day) may improve memory recall in people with AIDS-related nervous system degeneration.62
In a preliminary trial, a thymus extract known as Thymomodulin® improved several immune parameters among people with early HIV infection, including an increase in the number of T-helper cells.63
Whey protein is rich in the amino acid cysteine, which the body uses to make glutathione, an important antioxidant. A double-blind trial showed that 45 grams per day of whey protein increased blood glutathione levels in a group of HIV-infected people.64 Test tube65 and animal66 studies suggest that whey protein may improve some aspects of immune function.
Are there any side effects or interactions with hiv and aids support?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.
Herbs that may be helpful for hiv and aids support
Many different herbs have been shown in test tube studies to inhibit the function or replication of HIV. Few of these studies have been followed up with any kind of investigation in HIV-positive humans. Some notable exceptions to this rule are discussed below.
There are three categories of herbs used in people with HIV infection. The first are herbs that are believed to directly kill HIV (antiretroviral herbs). The second are herbs that strengthen the immune system to better withstand HIV's onslaught (immuno-modulating herbs). The third are herbs that combat opportunistic infections (antimicrobial herbs). The following table summarizes each category and herbs that belong in each. Note that some herbs fall into more than one category.
One double-blind trial has found that 990 mg per day of an extract of the leaves and stems of boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) could delay the progression of HIV infection (as measured by a decline in CD4 cell counts).67 No adverse effects directly attributable to the extract were reported. Taking twice the amount of boxwood extract did not lead to further benefits and may have actually decreased its usefulness.
Licorice has shown the ability to inhibit reproduction of HIV in test tubes.68 Clinical trials have shown that injections of glycyrrhizin (isolated from licorice) may have a beneficial effect on AIDS.69 There is preliminary evidence that orally administered licorice also may be safe and effective for long-term treatment of HIV infection.70 Amounts of licorice or glycyrrhizin used for treating HIV-positive people warrant monitoring by a physician, because long-term use of these substances can cause high blood pressure, potassium depletion, or other problems. Approximately 2 grams of licorice root should be taken per day in capsules or as tea. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) will not inhibit HIV.
An extract from stem bark latex of Sangre de Drago (Croton lechleri), an herb from the Amazon basin of Peru, has demonstrated significant anti-diarrheal activity in preliminary71 and double-blind trials. Additional double-blind research has demonstrated the extract's effectiveness for diarrhea associated with HIV infection and AIDS.72 73 Very high amounts of this extract (350–700 mg four times daily for seven or more days) were used in the studies. Such levels of supplementation should always be supervised by a doctor. Most of this research on Sangre de Drago is unpublished, and much of it is derived from manufacturers of the formula. Further double-blind trials, published in peer-reviewed medical journals, are needed to confirm the efficacy reported in these studies.
A constituent from St. John's wort known as hypericin has been extensively studied as a potential way to kill HIV. A preliminary trial found that people infected with HIV who took 1 mg of hypericin per day by mouth had some improvements in CD4+ cell counts, particularly if they had not previously used AZT.74 A small number of people developed signs of mild liver damage in this study. Another much longer preliminary trial used injectable extracts of St. John's wort twice a week combined with three tablets of a standardized extract of St. John's wort taken three times per day by mouth. This study found not only improvements in CD4+ counts but only 2 of 16 participants developed opportunistic infections.75 No liver damage or any other side effects were noted in this trial. In a later study, much higher amounts of injectable or oral hypericin (0.25 mg/kg body weight or higher) led to serious side effects, primarily extreme sensitivity to sunlight.76 At this point, it is unlikely that isolated hypericin or supplements of St. John's wort extract supplying very high levels of hypericin can safely be used by people with HIV infection, particularly given St. John's wort's many drug interactions.
Garlic may assist in combating opportunistic infections. In one trial, administration of an aged garlic extract reduced the number of infections and relieved diarrhea in a group of patients with AIDS.77 Garlic's active constituents have also been shown to kill HIV in the test tube, though these results have not been confirmed in human trials.78
A preliminary trial of isolated andrographolides, found in andrographis, determined that while they decreased viral load and increased CD4 lymphocyte levels in people with HIV infection, they also caused potentially serious liver problems and changes in taste in many of the participants.79 It is unknown whether andrographis directly killed HIV or was having an immune-strengthening effect in this trial.
Other immune-modulating plants that could theoretically be beneficial for people with HIV infection include Asian ginseng, eleuthero, and the medicinal mushrooms shiitake and reishi. One preliminary study found that steamed then dried Asian ginseng (also known as red ginseng) had beneficial effects in people infected with HIV, and increased the effectiveness of the anti-HIV drug, AZT.80 This supports the idea that immuno-modulating herbs could benefit people with HIV infection, though more research is needed.
The Chinese herb bupleurum, as part of the herbal formula sho-saiko-to, has been shown to have beneficial immune effects on white blood cells taken from people infected with HIV.81 Sho-saiko-to has also been shown to improve the efficacy of the anti-HIV drug lamivudine in the test tube.82 One preliminary study found that 7 of 13 people with HIV given sho-saiko-to had improvements in immune function.83 Double-blind trials are needed to determine whether bupleurum or sho-saiko-to might benefit people with HIV infection or AIDS. Other herbs in sho-saiko-to have also been shown to have anti-HIV activity in the test tube, most notably Asian scullcap.84 Therefore studies on sho-saiko-to cannot be taken to mean that bupleurum is the only active herb involved. The other ingredients are peony root, pinellia root, cassia bark, ginger root, jujube fruit, Asian ginseng root, Asian scullcap root, and licorice root.
Maitake mushrooms, which are currently being studied, contain immuno-modulating polysaccharides (including beta-D-glucan) that may be supportive for HIV infection.85 86
A controversy has surrounded the use of echinacea in people infected with HIV. Test tube studies initially showed that echinacea's polysaccharides could increase levels of a substance that might stimulate HIV to spread.87 However, these results have not been shown to occur when echinacea is taken orally by humans.88 In fact, one double-blind trial found that Echinacea angustifolia root (1 gram three times per day by mouth) greatly increased immune activity against HIV, while placebo had no effect.89 Further studies are needed to determine the safety of using echinacea in HIV-positive people.
The story of European mistletoe is similar to that of echinacea. Though originally believed to be a problem based on test tube studies, preliminary human clinical trials of mistletoe injections into the skin have shown only beneficial effects.90 91 Oral mistletoe is very unlikely to have the same effects as injected mistletoe. Injectable mistletoe should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Turmeric may be another useful herb with immune effects in people infected with HIV. One preliminary trial found that curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric, helped improve CD4+ cell counts.92 The amount used in this study was 1 gram three times per day by mouth. These results differed from those found in a second preliminary trial using 4.8 or 2.7 grams of curcumin daily. In that study, there was no apparent effect of curcumin on HIV replication rates.93
Cat's claw is another immuno-modulating herb. Standardized extracts of cat's claw have been tested in small, preliminary trials in people infected with HIV, showing some benefits in preventing CD4 cell counts from dropping and in preventing opportunistic infections.94 95 Further study is needed to determine whether cat's claw is truly beneficial for people with HIV infection or AIDS.
A 5% solution of tea tree oil has been shown to eliminate oral thrush in people with AIDS, according to one preliminary trial.96 The volunteers in the study swished 15 ml of the solution in their mouths four times per day and then spit it out. This may cause mild burning for a short period of time after use.
A trial of a combination naturopathic protocol (consisting of multiple nutrients, licorice, lomatium, a combination Chinese herbal product, lecithin, calf thymus extract, lauric acid monoglycerol ester, and St. John's wort) showed a possible slowing of the progression of mild HIV infection and a reduction of some symptoms.97 Because there was no placebo group in this trial, the findings must be considered preliminary; controlled trials are needed to determine whether this protocol is effective.
Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.


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