Recipe
Kitchen Design And Storage
Jan 24th
Critical to any kitchen design is the attention given to storage. How much cupboard space is enough? And is enough ever enough?
The minimalist will design his or her kitchen considering only the intended function of a kitchen: to prepare and serve meals. Said kitchens are designed only to store the tools necessary to such function. The minimalist will rue the day he shelved consideration of extra storage space.
A kitchen is unlike any other room in the house. While other rooms change to reflect changes in lifestyle – new couch, new lamps, new curtains — the kitchen grows with its owner, changes little, and brings a history with it. While I started out thirty years ago with a set of borrowed pots and pans and a mismatched set of yard sale cutlery, I have accumulated so much more, both voluntarily and by accident.
Fortunately, the initial owners of my home had the foresight to implement a kitchen design that accommodates these accidents of time. Ceiling high shelves, while rarely poked into, are the perfect spot for Christmas dishes, Grandmother’s set of old china, the children’s first dishes, my collection of college day beer steins, and some rather unique and unusual impulse purchases.
I mean, doesn’t everyone own a set of salt and pepper shakers shaped like a pig’s snout? Then there are the ‘theme’ dishes: apples, sunflowers, roosters. You name it, I’ve got it. Fortunately, I’ve also got a kitchen designed to take it.
Any kitchen design worth its snout in salt has to recognize that the kitchen is the main recipient of birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Christmas. Fondue sets, martini sets, cheese sets, candy making kits, cake decorating kits, all of those “I knew you’d love it,” end up in the kitchen.
Where do you put thirty years of recipe books? How many junk drawers can you fill in a lifetime? Then there are all those nifty little appliances: waffle makers, crock pots, sandwich makers, electric griddles, food processors, bread machines, and so on. And these are the things I don’t use…
Go ahead dig the Internet and you’re bound to find some fresh new designs for your kitchen that will fit your needs. It doesn’t have to be frustrating experience it can also be a lot of fun if you do your homework.
But no matter what remember this… Kitchen design — it has to begin with storage. Lots.
John Layton is the author of Kitchen Design And Storage and can provide additional tips and advise at his website http://www.kitchen-designnow.info he also publishes a daily blog at http://www.internetsighting.info
Take a Food Tour of the Usa for a Vacation With a Difference
Jan 24th
In the modern age, travel is such a large part of people’s everyday lives. In fact, given today’s fast-paced lifestyle, it’s hard to imagine that not so long ago, the idea of going on vacation was a rare luxury rather than a growing necessity. And, as the travel industry across the world has boomed, so too have the number of different types of vacations people in America are taking.
These days, holidays often revolve around a theme: skiing holidays in Lake Tahoe or Colorado are common, as are shopping holidays to some of America’s most famous malls. But, if you really want a travel experience with a difference, why not take a food tour of the United States – you’ll find a range of culinary delights available to tickle your taste-buds!
Take a trip to the Deep South on a food travel excursion and you’ll find a wealth of fine foods to sample and enjoy on your vacation. The culinary landscape of America’s southern states has always formed a large part of the lifestyle of its inhabitants; and if you’re embarking on a food tour of America, make sure you don’t miss out on its special and unique offerings!
Taste legendary American desserts, like Pecan Pie and Mississippi-Mud Pie, as well as authentic Kentucky fried chicken. Whether you’re in New Orleans, Atlanta or Austin, you’ll be able to sample some of the finest Cajun and Creole cuisine in the US, as well as partake in the long Soul Food tradition! From chitterlings (pig’s tripe) to Gumbo soup and Jambalay, food tourists in the Deep South are sure to enjoy an enriching vacation!
Anyone interested in embarking on food tours through the USA should also explore the culinary realms of New England on their excursions. From Massachusetts to Vermont, New England’s speciality foods are known for being simple yet high quality cuisine. For instance, New Haven boasts its reputation as the creator of the hamburger – and with a history that dates back to 1895, New Haven burgers are a must-have for any American food fan.
If you’re visiting Maine, make sure to sample Maine lobster – the state’s most famous export worth over $70 million a year. Legend has it that the lobster industry in the region was once so prosperous that lobster was even fed to chickens! And people visiting New England today will be able to taste this special lobster in one of the many roadside lobster shacks that adorn Maine’s coastline.
If you’re looking for more exciting destinations to visit on your trip around America’s greatest food spots, visit San Francisco during the San Francisco Crab Season, which boasts some of the worlds best crab markets and crab festivals annually from mid-November to June. Inspired by a range of immigrant communities, be sure to taste the region’s famous Dungeness crab, which is available in a variety of forms and flavours: from Italian dishes to Chinese and Vietnamese crab recipes, food lovers will adore the range of speciality crab dishes available in San Francisco during crab season!
While you’re in California, why not also sample some of the state’s local produce? Local farmers markets in California are well known for a range of foods, including artichoke, avocados, goat’s cheese and a range of other green produce. And why not indulge in some of California’s well-known Napa Valley wine while you’re on your food tour? You’ll experience the best wine and food the golden state has to offer – a pleasurable experience that is sure to round off your food tour of the USA nicely.
When embarking on a food tour of the US, you’re sure to find a range of food and hotel packages to suit your palate – regardless of the destination you visit. So, why not prepare your taste-buds for an experience to savour?
Andrew Regan is an online, freelance journalist.
100 Headline Copywriting Tips
Jan 24th
100 Headline Copywriting Tips
By Joseph Tobiasz
http://EarnLargeIncome.com
1) How To…
A “How To..” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it tells their brain they are about to learn something new that could benefit their lifestyle. The headline should get their attention and explain how to get their benefit faster, cheaper, easier, etc.
Example:
“How To Get Out Of Debt In 1 Year Or Less!”
2) Unlock…
An “Unlock…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because when something is locked-up it’s perceived as being more valuable. Your product would of course be the key that will unlock the benefit for them.
Example:
“Unlock The Secrets Of Selling High Ticket Items!”
3) Discover…
A “Discover…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it gives your prospects a sense of adventure. It’s just like in a story when someone discovers a treasure chest or a lost artifact.
Example:
“Discover 3 Simple Ways To Reduce Your Unwanted Wrinkles!”
4) …Exposed
An “…Exposed” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it sounds as if somebody was trying to hide something. Your prospects will want to know what was being covered up and why.
Example:
“Used Car Dealer Sales Tricks Exposed!”
5) …Explained
An “…Explained” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it will give them a clear picture of a benefit they may not understand how to get. If there is something you don’t understand and it could benefit you, wouldn’t you want it explained?
Example:
“Top Search Engine Optimization Strategies Explained!”
6) Breaking News…
A “Breaking News…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because breaking news usually happens when it’s really important and can’t wait until the normal news show time. It’s usually something major like serve weather, a terrorist attack, war footage, etc. It makes people stop what they’re doing and take notice.
Example:
“Breaking News! Scientist Finds Breakthrough Weight Loss Formula!”
7) Inside Secrets…
An “Inside Secrets…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because your prospects will feel that if they learn more information they’ll belong to a select, privileged group of people. It also adds a rareness to your product. Rare is valuable.
Example:
“The Inside Secrets Of Millionaires Under The Age Of 29!”
Magic…
A “Magic…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because almost everyone’s fantasy is to have a magic formula or tool that will instantly give them their desired benefits. People want to get their desired benefits with little or no effort.
Example:
“New! A Stain Remover That Works Like Magic!”
9) Finally…
A “Finally…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because usually people will buy any number of similar products before they get the exact benefit they want. So, when we find that perfect product we are likely to say or think….FINALLY!!!
Example:
“Finally! An Acne Cream That Actually Does What It Says!”
10)…Guaranteed
A “…Guaranteed” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it tells your prospects there is no harm in reading the rest of my ad and there’s no risk. Your prospects will allow themselves to get interested because even if the buy they have nothing to lose. It makes the most unbelievable headline seem believable.
Example:
“10,000 Web Site Visitors In One Month…Guaranteed!”
11) Time Sensitive…
The “Time Sensitive!…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because if it’s placed in front of their desired benefit, they know they need to promptly read your ad. They’ll be worried that they may miss your time sensitive offer.
Example:
“Time Sensitive! 5 Ways To Reduce Your Taxes!”
12) Truth About…
The “Truth About…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because most people suspect they are being lied to by businesses. It’s usually because they have been burnt at least once by another business in their lifetime.
Example:
“The Real Truth About MLM Compensation Plans!”
13) Free Bonuses…
The “Free Bonuses…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people like to be rewarded for buying. Your prospects will read the rest of your ad to find out about the free bonuses and see how much they will have to spend in order to get the free bonuses.
Example:
“How To Get 7 Free Bonuses Worth $1657!”
14) Which Of…
The “Which Of…” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because it will give them a choice. People like to have choices, it gives them freedom and control. Once they choose, they will want to read your ad to see the results of their choice.
Example:
“Which Of These Web Hosting Companies Would You Choose?”
15) Last Chance…
The “Last Chance…” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because people usually pay more attention to their last chance than their first chance to buy something. Everyone hates to lose something. It will usually help sell to people that procrastinate about buying. Now or never is a strong motivator.
Example:
“Last Chance To Save 50% Off This Stunning Ring”
16) Take Advantage…
The “Take Advantage…” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because most people would rather have an advantage than be disadvantaged. People want to learn about any advantage that will help them get the desired benefits.
Example:
“Take Advantage Of The Falling Stock Market”
17) Treat Yourself…
The “Treat Yourself…” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because most people are focused on pleasing and helping their family, friends and employers. It will make them stop and think, “I need a treat once in awhile, too!”.
Example:
“Treat Yourself To A Delicious, Hot-Fudge Sundae!”
18) Reasons To…
The “Reasons To…” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because when you ask someone to do something, don’t they always ask why? It will give them a reason to read your advertisement.
Example:
“10 Reasons To Start Your Own, Profitable Ezine!”
19) Now You Can…
The “Now You Can..” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because people usually don’t have their desired benefit yet if they are even considering reading your ad. Now they can learn how to get that benefit from reading the rest of your ad
Example:
“Now You Can Afford That In-Ground Pool!”
20) Proven…
The “Proven…” headline will grab your prospects attention because people want products that they know are proven to get their desired benefit. Would you want a product that’s UN-proven?
Example:
“A Hair Tonic That’s Proven To Work!”
21) Are You Still…
The “Are You Still…” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because people will wonder if they are still getting the most benefit with an older product. It’s also a question that they will mentally have to answer then compare to the newer product you are offering.
Example:
“Are You Still Using That Slow, Old Typewriter?”
22) Never Seen Before…
The “Never Seen Before…” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because people usually ignore ads. They think they have seen everything. If your product has truly never been seen before they will want to stop and read about it. NEW is very enticing!
Example:
“Never Seen Before! Tires That Never Go Flat!”
23) Imagine…
The “Imagine…” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because people like to leave there own reality. Why do you think TV, movies, video games, music, drugs, alcohol, etc. are so popular? Give them one or more of their desired benefits to imagine.
Example:
“Imagine Losing 20 Pounds In 14 Days!”
24) They Laughed…
The “They Laughed…” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because everyone has suffered being laughed at or minimized at least once. So your prospects can relate to it. They won’t be afraid to get their desired benefit since you proved the people that laughed at you were wrong.
Example:
“They Laughed At Me When I Bought That Run-Down House Until I Sold It And Made $20,000 Profit”
25) How I…
The “How I…” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because it’s not only showing them to how to get their desired benefit but you, the “I”, are telling them, not some big corporation. It is more personal and will draw your prospect into your ad copy. The little guy wins!
Example:
“How I Made $36,890 In One Week!
26) Thousands Have…
The “Thousands Have..” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because if thousands of people have bought your product then it must be good. They can’t go wrong. Of course you don’t want to lie if thousand haven’t bought your product. You may also want to use a specific number of people so it sounds more believable.
Example:
“3,734 People Have Bought Our Tax Software”
27) Do You…
The “Do You…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it’s asking them (you) a question. People have been taught their whole life to answer questions. It’s almost like a teacher calling out your name in school. It also draws out a yes or no answer. Depending on your question, getting them to answer will help get them interested.
Example:
“Do You Want To Be In Debt For The Rest Of Your Life?”
28) …Mistake…
The “…Mistake…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people don’t want to make costly mistakes that could stop them from getting their desired benefit. People also don’t want to experience the feeling of being dumb or stupid. Your ‘new’ way is the ‘right’ way.
Example:
“Don’t Make The Same Tax Mistakes That Cost Me $34,568!”
29) I’m So Mad…
The “I’m So Mad…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people want to know what caused you to have that particular emotion, and then tell them about it. Of course you could use just about any emotion you want such as happy, excited, sad, depressed, etc. Just not normal.
Example:
“I’m So Mad About Being Scammed Again!”
30) I Dare You…
The “I Dare You…” headline grabs yours prospect’s attention because people consider a dare a challenge. People will like to prove you wrong but they will have to read the rest of your ad and buy your product in order to do it.
Example:
“I Dare You To Find A Tastier Cookie…If You Do Your Money Back!”
31) Secrets Of…
The “Secrets Of…: headline will grab your prospect’s attention because people want to learn secrets. It’s like someone telling you they know a secret, you just have to pry it out of them. Most people are just plain nosy. The will have to buy your product in order to find out the secrets.
Example:
“The Secrets Of Rich And Famous Writers”
32) …Doesn’t (Don’t) Want You to Know
The “…Doesn’t (Don’t) Want You To Know” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because people want to find out about those things people are trying to keep from them, especially if it stops them from getting their desired benefit.
Example:
Top Ranking Secrets Search Engine Experts Don’t Want You to Know
33) Warning…
The “Warning…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people have been cautioned their whole life to stop and take notice of any kind of warning. Such as storm warnings, poison warnings, side effects warnings, etc.
Example:
Warning! Don’t Let False Spam Accusers Take Advantage Of You!
34) Ways To…
The “Ways To…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because you are going to tell them something they might not know; that which will improve their life and give them the benefits they seek. They will have to learn them all. They will lose if they don’t. Even better is to give a numbered amount to your ways….such as “10 Ways To….”.
Example:
“20 Ways To Sell Your House Faster!”
35) Step-By-Step…
The “Step-by-Step…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people don’t want to be confused. When they buy a new product or are seeking a desired benefit they want simple take-you-by-the-hand steps or instructions.
Example:
“An Easy, Step-By-Step Web Site Design System That Takes Newbies By The Hand!”
36) Testimonial…
The “Testimonial” headline will grab your prospect’s attention because they will likely trust someone else’s recommend-
ations more than the actual business selling the product. It gives your business a trust and credibility that can keep them reading your ad and buying.
Example:
“I’m in SHOCK! This search engine software took my web site from number 60 to 3 in two weeks!”
Jan Young,
Business Owner
http://www.—–.com
37) Limited…
The “limited…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people consider anything that is limited, or in a limited amount, to be rare and scarce. It may be their last or only chance to get their hands on the product and then have their desired benefit.
Example:
Limited Quantity! Only 37 Diamond Pendants Left In Stock!
38) As seen…
The “As seen…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people trust famous, brand name media outlets. Would you buy something from someone you didn’t know or trust? If they don’t know your business, they may know a famous media source you can identify with.
Example:
“As seen in Travelthon magazine! The Luxurious Apple Hotel”
39) Stop…
The “Stop…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people have been trained their whole life to stop when they see a “Stop” sign or told to stop. It’s a natural reaction. Works better when the word ‘stop’ is in the red color too.
Example:
“STOP! How To Reduce You Monthly Gas Bill By 50%!”
40) I’m Looking For…
The “I’m Looking For…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it don’t sound like an ad. It’s sounds like you are asking for their help. Most people have been raised to consider helping people that are in need or ask for it.
Example:
“I’m Looking For 200 Lucky People That Want To Help Test My New Traffic Exchange!”
41) Once Upon A Time…
The “Once Upon A Time…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it’s usually the start of a story. People like stories because they are entertaining and allow an escape from the real, everyday things. That’s why books, T.V. and movies are popular. You can also use other story related headlines, such as…It Was A Cold, Stormy Night…something to draw them into your text.
Example:
“Once Upon A Time There Was A Beautiful Woman…”
42) Remember…
The “Remember…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it triggers their past memories. Your prospects will want to read the rest of your ad to see what other memories and emotions it brings back to them or reminds them of better times. Something to be recaptured.
Example:
“Remember When You Could Leave Your Doors Unlock?”
43) Uncensored…
The “Uncensored…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it tells your prospects that you’re leaving nothing out of your ad or product. They feel that they are getting something that others can’t normally get. They are a part of a select group you are trusting both with the information and your product.
Example:
“Internet Marketing Exposed – Totally Uncensored And Uncut!”
44) Everyone Knows…
The “Everyone knows…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it sounds like they should know even if they don’t….everyone else does! Even if they do, it will attract them to read the rest of your ad to confirm it.
Example:
“Everyone Knows That Gasoline Will Only Get Higher, Right?”
45) FACT…
The “FACT…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people typically buy products based upon emotion and back up their decision with logic and facts. If something is a presented as a fact after getting them emotionally involved, it will affect their getting their desired benefit and justifying it. They will also read the rest of your ad.
Example:
“FACT! 99.9 Of People Buy Based On Emotion!”
46) (Source) says…
The “(Source) says…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because you have a reputable, famous media source giving you a testimonial about your product. Such as in a magazine or newspaper article. Then used in an ad with that testimonial included.
Example:
“Rolling Red Magazine says it’s “Simply Amazing”
47) Make Money…
The “Make Money…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because most people want to make more money. They usually need some extra to just get by or they want to buy something expensive they can’t afford.
Example:
“How To Extra Make Money Working From Home!”
48) Save Money…
The “Save Money…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because most people want to save money. They usually want to cut their expenses, save some for a big purchase or for retirement.
Example:
“How To Save $50 At The Grocery Store Without Coupons!”
49) Save Time…
The “Save Time…” headline grabs your prospects attention because most people want to save time. Even with all the technological advances, people still can’t get everything done in one day.
Example:
“How To Free Up An Extra 2 Hours A Day No Matter How Busy You Are!”
50) New…
The “New…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because most people that see the word “new” think that it’s a new and improved way to get their desired benefit.
Example:
“New! How To Design A Professional Looking Web Site In Under 2 Hours!”
51) You Are About…
The “You Are About…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it tells of a benefit they will discover if they read the rest of your ad. All they have to do is keep reading.
Example:
“You Are About To Discover A New, Amazing Weight Loss Formula!”
52) Celebrity
The “Celebrity” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because a celebrity has that fame and name recognition that brings a lot of credibility. People will believe them. Your prospect figures the celebrity wouldn’t want to risk their reputation. That celebrity at least needs to be a considered one or a recognized expert to gain your target audience.
Example:
Joe Blow says, “This autoresponder service blows away the competition!”
53) Metaphor
The “Metaphor” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it suggests your product performs, is like or offers the same or better benefit as something they know. It helps the people relate to your product faster and gets them interested in the rest of your ad.
Example:
“Sitting In One Of Our Chairs Is Sitting In Luxury”
54) Help Wanted
The “Help Wanted” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because most people have been raised to help another when asked. At least they will stop to find out that need. That is enough to get them into your text. Never be afraid to ask for help. All the better when telling them of their benefit in helping.
Example:
I Need Help! I’m Looking For 200 People That Want To Make Up $5,000 A Month!
55) Free/Special Report…
The “Free/Special Report…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people know they are going to receive a reward or benefit for finding out more by reading the text. Even something of value since you are making an issue of it and they could not obtain it elsewhere. It doesn’t appear an advertisement but something benefiting them. They will let down their buying defenses.
Example:
“Free Report! How To Triple Your Sales In Three Easy Steps!”
56) “by”
The “by” sub headline grabs your prospect’s attention because your ad looks like an article instead of a sales letter. That’s because most articles have the author’s name under the title. It also develops an expertise and credibility since it is an article.
Example:
How To Instantly Improve Your School Grades With Little Or No Effort!
by Larry Dotson
57) Exclusive…
The “Exclusive…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people think they will be one of the first or few people to read about it. It gives them a privilege or secret that most won’t have. So they will have to read your text to have that privilege
Example:
Exclusive Offer! The First 50 People That Order Will Get $675 In Bonuses!
58) Revolutionary…
The “Revolutionary…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it sounds like a major, new and improved way to get their desired benefit! People will think they’ll get their benefits easier and faster than before with your help so they will read on to find out.
Example:
“Introducing: A Revolutionary Diet Plan That Lets You Pig-Out Anytime You Want!”
60) Healthy…
The “Healthy…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because everyone wants to live a long, happy life. To do it they need good health. The best part is it doesn’t have to actually relate to health to grab their attention.
Example:
“How To Earn A Healthy Income Pulling Weeds Part Time!”
61) Urgent…
The “Urgent…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people feel it calls for immediate attention. In the past people have received urgent messages and knew how important they were. It also establishes a need for immediate action.
Example:
“Urgent! What Credit Card Companies Don’t Want You To Know!”
62) You Too Can…
The “You Too Can…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it tells people there are others, perhaps no better than them, accomplishing wonders or earning the money they aren’t. So they think, “Why can’t I?” It makes them envious or at least curious.
Example:
“Millions Of People Are Working From Home And You Can Too!”
63) What If…
The “What If…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it takes them to a wonderland wherein they already have their desired benefits or goal accomplished. They need to read the rest of your ad to make it a reality.
Example:
“What If You Could Make $10,000 A Month?”
64) Instant
The “Instant…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people want their desired benefit NOW or as quickly as possible. The word ‘instant’ is also interpreted as being easy. Fast and easy sell like crazy.
Example:
“How To Instantly Triple Your Opt-In List!”
65) Pay Close Attention…
The “Pay Close Attention…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because most people will automatically do as told and know some important and possibly detailed information follows that statement.
Example:
“Pay Close Attention! Never Pay For Lawyer Fees Again!”
66) If You Qualify…
The “If You Qualify…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it’s a challenge to their worth. They can’t buy if they aren’t good enough or a part of the ‘right’ group. It might even appear you are not going to offer them the product unless they are right or fulfill some conditions. Those terms could be noted in the text below. You could actually turn their purchase down.
Example:
“$2000 Diamond Ring For Only $299…If You Qualify!”
67) Visual
The “Visual” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because one visual can triggers thousands of eye-catching stimuli. Visuals could be pictures, graphics, online videos, comics, etc.
Example:
This Could Be You:
(your visual)
68) Targeted
The “Targeted” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it sounds like you are talking directly to them. You have already created a rapport because you have recognized the type of person they are and established their interest and how you can help.
Example:
Attention! Calling All Gardeners To Try This New, Fast-Growing Plant Fertilizer!”
69) Introducing…
The “Introducing…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because most people see “Introducing” attached to something or someone they are not familiar with but still important to their benefit. You are doing a good turn for them by showing them something new.
Example:
Introducing: A New, Absolutely Delicious Sugar Cookie Recipe!
70) If You’re Worried…Don’t Be
The ” If You’re Worried…Don’t Be” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it gives people the comfort and confidence of knowing you have thought about it and offer a solution to their concerns, problems and situation. They want to read the rest of your ad to see why they shouldn’t worry!
Example:
“If You’re Worried About Paying Your Bills…Don’t Be!”
71) You’re Invited To…
The “You’re Invited To…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it sounds like a special event instead of an advertisement. It makes people feel special and important. It also takes away risk because of the friendliness of it. No commitment but just see what is offered and how it can benefit you.
Example:
“You’re Invited To Experience The Business Opportunity Of A Lifetime!”
72) The Perfect…
The “The Perfect…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people want their lives to be perfect. They are always looking for the perfect way to attain their desired benefit.
Example:
“The Perfect Bathing Suit To Hide Those Left Over Winter Pounds!”
73) Tested…
The “Tested…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people feel more confident about reading what you have to say when tests prove the point. It is a more scientific approach not left to chance. If your product is tested and works, then it will work for them.
Example:
“Tried And Tested Diet That Allows You To Lose Up To 10 Pounds Per Week!”
74) Breakthrough…
The “Breakthrough…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people are always looking for that one breakthrough that will solve their problems or give them their desired benefit. Success where other, similar products have failed in the past.
Example:
“New, Breakthrough Formula That Gets Rid Of Dry Skin Forever!”
75) Time-Tested…
The “Time Tested…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it tells people that they can trust your business. Your product has been tested over a long period of time and you always deliver what you promise. It and you are reliable.
Example:
“A Time-Tested Investing Formula That Generates A Positive Return 99.9% Of The Time!
76) Safe…
The “Safe…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people want to be safe and avoid physical pain, to avoid risk too. They also want to avoid harming other people in their life.
Example:
“A Bug Spray That’s Fully Safe To Use Around Children!”
77) Serious Inquires Only…
The “Serious Inquires Only…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because you are actually limiting those that can order based upon eligibility. A business-like approach that tells people it is direct and trust-worthy.
Example:
“Lose 5 Pounds Per Week – Serious Inquires Only!”
78) Used By…
The “Used By…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because you actually use some of your famous and/or well-known clients in your headline! It gives credibly to your entire headline and offer.
Example:
“Our Famous, Internet Marketing Course Has Been Used By (some of your famous/respectable clients)”
79) Free Trial/Sample
The “Free Trial/Sample…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it removes their buying defenses. You’re not asking them to spend any money and you feel confident enough to give them a sample of your product before they decide to buy or be charged.
Example:
“FREE 30 Day Trial Membership To Our Internet Marketing Private Site!”
80) Physical Effects
The “Physical Effects” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because the result is something they know and is common to that you offer. A pleasurable and emotional issue is developed. It makes your headline come to life. The sizzle effect before the substance.
Example:
“Our Delicious, Tantalizing Steaks Will Make Your Mouth Water With Anticipation!”
81) Easy/Simple…
The “Easy/Simple…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people don’t want to work hard at acquiring their desired benefit and goal. They want the experience to be as painless as possible.
Example:
“The Simple And Easy Leaf Vacuum System!”
82) Only Source
The “Only Source” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it’s noting the product or the benefit cannot be obtained anywhere else or from anyone else. It’s as though you have a monopoly on that particular product or benefit and will dispense it as you will.
Example:
“You Can’t Find Our Odorless Cleaning Liquid Anywhere Else…Guaranteed!”
83) Ordinary People
The “Ordinary People” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it states that ordinary or un-advantaged people are getting the same benefits the reader wants. Your prospect will think if others can get it, so can they.
Example:
“How A Man From Chicago Went From Homeless To Riches In Just 30 Days!”
84) Experience The
The “Experience The…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people want to experience having their desired benefit. They also seek experiences that bring them emotional rewards.
Example:
“Experience The Relaxation Of Our Tropical Resort!”
85) People Reactions
The “People Reactions” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because most people care what other people think and say. Those close to them can have an influence or even persuade them to buy your product easier than your business can.
Example:
“Imagine What Your Friends Will Say When You Drive Up In A New Sports Car!”
86) Giving
The “Giving” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people want others in their life to be happy. One way people show that they care about those others is to buy them gifts.
Example:
“Just Imagine The Smile On Your Kid’s Face When You bring Home This Cute Puppy!”
87) Tired Of
The “Tired Of…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people get tired of the old things in their life. The old just does not give the promise of the new. New has the potential to fulfill their desire for benefits or a goal achieved.
Example:
“Aren’t You Tried Of Working For Someone Else?”
88) Don’t Buy Another…
The “Don’t Buy Another…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it cautions them with some inside knowledge you have affecting their purchasing decision. It creates uneasiness and even indecision that you will thoughtfully remove. You want to help them make the right decision by buying your proven better product.
Example:
Warning! Don’t Buy Another Toy For Your Kids Until You Read This!
89) Myths
The “Myths…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it will cause them to view some imagined things, myths, fears holding them back from getting their desired benefits.
Example:
“8 Myths About Starting Your Own Home Business!”
90) Low Cost
The “Low Cost” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people are looking for a bargain and trying to save money. They can either be on a tight budget or thrifty shoppers.
Example:
How To Find Low Cost Advertising On The Internet!”
91) Top…
The “Top…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people want to know the top, best or most popular way to get their desired benefit. They want to get the best things in life.
Example:
“The Top 5 Ways To Reduce You Credit Card Debt!”
92) If You…I’ll…
The “If You…I’ll…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because you’re actually making a deal and rewarding them for getting their desired benefits. It’s a win/win situation for your prospects.
Example:
“If You Read My New Copywriting Book, I’ll Give You Another Copy For FREE!”
93) Specific
The “Specific” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it makes your headline more believable. If there is a specific figure, there must be a good reason for it. It must be true or even understated.
Example:
“How I Made $17,845.67 By Buying One Solo Ad!”
94) Simile
The “Simile” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it compares two unlike things in a combination that amplifies your point. The paradox would bring them into the text of your ad. Most similes use the words “like” or “as” in the connecting term.
Example:
“Taking Our Marketing Course Is Like Having No Competition!”
95) Analogy
The “Analogy” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it compares something known to something different. It provides a new combination or contrast one would not normally see.
Example:
“How Algebra Can Be Just Like Playing Connect The Dots!
96) Famous Quote
The “Famous Quote” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because, if it’s by a famous or respected person your target audience knows, it gives your business and product more credibility.
Example:
“A Headline That Grabs Your Prospects Attention Can Be Considered A Hypnotic One”
by Larry Dotson
97) Don’t Read This
The “Don’t Read This…” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it uses reverse psychology. It catches your prospect off-guard and they wonder why they shouldn’t read it. They also become more curious by the prohibition.
Example:
“Don’t Read This If You Want To Go Bankrupt!”
98) Miracle
The “Miracle” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because everyone fantasizes about some miracle that could improve his or her life. Some miracle related words could be…unbelievable, incredible, amazing, etc.
Example:
“A New, Amazing Traffic Generating System That Doesn’t Cost You A Cent!”
99) Confusing
The “Confusing” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because it’s a puzzle and unsettling. People are used to certain conformity. If you make your headline a little confusing, or unusual, it may tempt them to find out more to clarify the mystery.
Example:
Marketer Cows Money
100) Humor
The “Humor” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because there might be something humorous in your product or packaging. Be very careful in the use however for irony is the best humor to use. Joking, other than tongue-in-cheek can be very counterproductive. What makes people laugh? Some cannot see the humor. Your product could gain in credibility if you are slightly depreciating.
Example:
“You Might Be Addicted To Internet Marketing If You Start Calling ‘TV Dinners’ – ‘PC Dinners’…”
Extra Bonus:
101) Success Story
The “Success Story” headline grabs your prospect’s attention because people will place themselves in the same position. Succeeding at great odds. If another can do it, “Why not me?”
Example:
“How An Average Guy From Utah Turned His Hobby Into A Multi-Million
Dollar Business!”
Article submitted by:
Joseph Tobiasz, Owner
http://EarnLargeIncome.com
It took me years and I made a lot of mistakes
before I realized that I was marketing on the
Internet in all the wrong ways. I hope that
many Internet Marketers will read what I have
to say and skip many of the trial and errors
that I have made in the past.
The Pet Food Ingredient Game
Jan 24th
About 25 years ago I began formulating pet foods at a time when the entire pet food industry seemed quagmire and focused on such things as protein and fat percentages without any real regard for ingredients. Since boot leather and soap could make a pet food with the “ideal” percentages, it was clear that analytical percentages do not end the story about pet food value. I was convinced then, as I am now, that a food can be no better than the ingredients of which it is composed. Since this ingredient idea has caught on in the pet food industry, it has taken on a commercial life that distorts and perverts the meaning of the underlying philosophy of food quality and proper feeding practices. Is health reducible to which ingredients a commercial product does or does not have? As contradictory as it may seem to what I have just said, no it is not. Here’s why.
AAFCO Approval
The official Publication of the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) gives wide latitude for ingredients that can be used in animal foods. As I have pointed out in my book, The Truth About Pet Foods, approved ingredients can include*:
dehydrated garbage
undried processed animal waste products
polyethylene roughage replacement (plastic)
hydrolyzed poultry feathers
hydrolyzed hair
hydrolyzed leather meal
poultry hatchery by-product
meat meal tankage
peanut hulls
ground almond shells
(*Association of American Feed Control Officials, 1998 Official Publication)
Simultaneously, this same regulatory agency prohibits the use of many proven beneficial natural ingredients that one can find readily available for human consumption such as bee pollen, glucosamine, L-carnitine, spirulina and many other nutraceuticals. It would be easy to conclude that reason does not rule when it comes to what officially can or cannot be used in pet foods.
From the regulators’ standpoint, they operate from the simplistic nutritional idea that the value of food has to do with percentages and that there is no special merit to any particular ingredient. They deny the tens of thousands of scientific research articles proving that the kind of ingredient and its quality can make all the difference in terms of health. They also are silent about the damaging effect of food processing and the impact of time, light, heat, oxygen and packaging on nutritional and health value.
So regulators are certainly not the place to go to determine how to feed pets for health. For their way of thinking, as long as a packaged food achieves certain percentages, regardless of ingredients, the manufacturer can claim the food is 100% complete. Pet owners then proceed to confidently feed such guaranteed foods at every meal thinking all the while they are doing the right thing for their pet. This old school nutritional view is standard practice in human hospitals as well where official dieticians feed diseased and metabolically starved patients a fare of jello, instant potatoes, powdered eggs, white flour rolls and oleomargarine because their charts say such diets contain the correct percentages of certain nutrients. Hospitals are a good place to go if you want to get sick!
The 100% Complete Myth
Consumers are increasingly becoming alert to the value of more natural foods. Everyone intuitively knows that the closer the diet is to real, fresh, wholesome foods, the better the chance that good health will result. Unfortunately, people do not apply this same common sense to pet foods. Instead they purchase “100% complete” processed foods, perhaps even going the extra mile and selecting “super premium” or “natural” brands, thinking they are doing the best that can be done. They surrender their mind to a commercial ploy (100% completeness) and do to their pets what they would never do to themselves or their family – eat the same packaged product at every meal, day in and day out. No processed food can be “100% complete” because there is not a person on the planet who has 100% knowledge of nutrition. The claim on its face is absurd. Understanding this simple principle is more important than any pet food formulation regardless of the merits of its ingredients. Everything that follows will begin with that premise, i.e., no food should be fed exclusively on a continuous basis no matter what the claims of completeness or ingredient quality.
Genetics Is The Key
Pets need the food they are biologically adapted to. It’s a matter of context. Just as a fish needs to be in water to stay healthy, a pet needs its natural food milieu to be healthy. All creatures must stay true to their design. What could be more obvious or simple? For a carnivore the correct genetic match is prey, carrion and incidental fresh plant material, and even some fur and feathers, as well as the occasional surprise of unmentionables found in decaying matter. It’s not a pretty picture to think that “FiFi” with her pink bow and polished toenails would stoop to such fare, but that is precisely the food she is designed to eat. Since that is her design, matching food to that design (minus the more disgusting and unnecessary elements) is also the key to her health.
The Disease Price
We may prefer to feed a packaged, sterile, steam- cleaned, dried, farinaceous chunk cleverly shaped like a pork chop, but let’s not kid ourselves, that is not the food a pet is designed for….regardless of the claims about ingredients on the label making one think it is five-star restaurant fare. Pets may tolerate such food for a time, but in the end nature calls to account. The price to be paid is lost health in the form of susceptibility to infections, dental disease, premature aging, obesity, heart and organ disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and other cruel and painful chronic degenerative diseases. Because our pets are not out in the rigors of nature where they would quickly succumb to such conditions and end their misery, they languish in our protected homes and under veterinary care that does not usually cure but merely treats symptoms and extends the time of suffering. That suffering begins with the way in which we are feeding our pets, not the ingredients in a supposed 100% complete pet food.
The Perfect Food
What is the solution? It is simple and something I have been preaching for the past 25 years. Return pets to their environmental roots. They need – daily – interesting activity, fresh air, clean water, romps in nature, lots of love, and food as close to the form they would find in the wild as possible. Fresh, whole natural foods fit for a carnivore and fed in variety are as good as it can get. Anything less than that is a compromise. Compromise the least if health is the goal. (Same principle applies to you and your family.) To get a packaged food as close as possible to that goal requires the right starting philosophy of feeding (described above) and the expertise to design and manufacture such foods.
Enter The Profiteers
Elements of these principles (often distorted or misunderstood) have been taken up by an endless line of pet food entrepreneurs. The low fat craze led to low fat pet foods. The high fiber craze led to high fiber pet foods. The “no corn, wheat or soy” craze led to no corn, wheat or soy pet foods. The “omega- 3″ craze led to pet foods with fish oil. The “variety” craze led to pet foods supposedly offering variety. The “four food groups” craze led to all four bundled into a package. The “raw” craze has led to raw frozen pet foods. The list is endless and the race for pet owner dollars is at a fever pitch.
One can only feel sympathy for a concerned pet owner as they stroll along the huge array of pet food options in pet food aisles. Unfortunately, armed with only sound bites and lore they may have heard from a friend, breeder, veterinarian or on a commercial, they make choices that not only do not serve the health of their pet but may directly contribute to weakened immunity and disease.
The first thing consumers should keep in mind is the ideal diet for pets as described above. No packaged product regardless of its wild claims is ever going to equal that. The next best thing is to home prepare fresh meals. (Contact Wysong for recipes and instruction.) If that is not always possible, then products should be selected that are as close to the ideal as possible. (More suggestions below.)
Raw Frozen Pet Food Dangers
At first glance, considering the perfect feeding model I have described – raw, natural, whole – the best food may seem to be one of the raw frozen pet foods now clamoring to capture the “raw” craze. I’m sorry to say that some of these purveyors even use my books and literature to convince pet owners that their frozen products are on track. They take bits and pieces of good information and distort it into something that pretty much misses the point and misleads consumers. Also, these exotic frozen mixtures of ingredients of unknown origin, manufacturing and freezing conditions are most certainly not economical nor the best choice. They may, because of the water content and raw state, be outright dangerous.
[The Case Against Raw Frozen Pet Foods]
http://www.wysong.net/PDFs/caserawfrozen.pdf
Natural And Organic
At second glance then, it may appear that the next best thing would be one of the many “natural,” “organic” and “human-grade” dried or canned brands that are now flooding the market. Between these and the frozen food products, ingredient labels start to look outright ridiculous. For example, these are from some typical labels:
Every manner of “pureed” vegetable
Organic beef, rabbit, chicken, turkey, goat, lamb, duck, pork
Organic eggs
Organic honey
Organic papaya, persimmons, blueberries, oranges, apples, pears
Organic yogurt
Organic alfalfa, millet, quinoa and barley sprouts
Wheat grass
Nettles
Bok Choy
Cultured kefir
Cod liver oil
Capsicum
Watermelon….
Everything but the kitchen sink is put in so as not to risk losing any customer … and that would be in there too if a new myth appeared about the special health attributes of porcelain. I say the list is ridiculous not because such ingredients may not be wonderfully nutritious but because the consumer does not really know what part of the ingredient is being put in, in what form, how it is being protected from degradation and toxin formation and, as you will see below, the economic math does not add up. Additionally, feeding complex mixtures of foods (grains, meats, vegetables, fruit, dairy, etc.) at every meal is a digestive stress. Pets need a break once in a while and should have just a meat meal, a slice of watermelon or whatever fits their fancy, all alone so their digestive tract can focus and they can relish the flavor of an actual food.
Although the idea of organic agriculture is excellent, the use of the “organic” name just for marketing isn’t. Something may be labeled organic to entice customers but only contain a small percentage of organic (see below). Or, it may be that the particular organic ingredient may be of low nutritional merit – chicken heads, feet and feathers can be “organic.” Regardless, even if the food is 100% organic prime rib, that is not an argument for the exclusive feeding of the food to pets.
Human Grade
Then there are claims about “USDA approved” ingredients, “human grade” ingredients and ingredients purchased right out of the meat counter at the grocery store. Again, at first glance – and superficiality is what marketers like to deal with – it may seem that such foods would have merit over others. But such labels only create a perception of quality. People would not consider the food pets are designed for in the wild – whole, raw prey and carrion – “human grade” or “USDA approved.” Because something is not “human grade” does not mean it is not healthy or nutritious. For example, chicken viscera is not “human grade” but carries more nutritional value than a clean white chicken breast. Americans think that chicken feet would not be fit for human consumption but many far eastern countries relish them. On the other hand, “human grade” beef steaks fed to pets could cause serious nutritional imbalances and disease if fed exclusively. Pet foods that create the superficial perception of quality (USDA, human grade, etc.) with the intent of getting pet owners to feed a particular food exclusively is not what health is about.
There are also the larger concerns of the Earth’s dwindling food resources and swelling population. Should “human grade” food products be taken out of the mouths of people and fed to pets with all of the excellent nutritional non-”human grade” ingredients put in the garbage?
Think about the humane aspect of converting all pet food to “human grade.” Millions of tons of pet foods are produced each year. Should cows, pigs, sheep, fish, chickens and other sentient creatures be raised and slaughtered for these foods? Or should the perfectly good and nutritious by-products from human meat processing be used rather than wasted? Why would caring and sensitive pet owners and pet food producers want other creatures – that are themselves capable of being pets – needlessly raised in factory farm confinement and slaughtered when alternative sources of meat are available?
Pet Nutrition Is Serious Health Science
Pet nutrition is not about marketing and who can make the most money quickly. Unfortunately an aspiring pet food mogul off the street can go to any number of private label manufacturers and have a new brand made. These manufacturers have many stock formulas that can be slightly modified to match the current market trend. Voilà! A new pet food wonder brand is created.
Pet foods are about pet nutrition, and nutrition is a serious health matter. There is an implied ethic in going to market with products that can so seriously impact health. But the ethic is by and large absent in the pet food industry. Starting with the 100% claim and on to all the fad driven brands that glut the shelves, health is not being served. Nobody other than our organization is teaching people the principles I am discussing here. Instead, companies headed by people with no real technical, nutritional, food processing or health skills put themselves out to the public as serious about health … because that is what the public wants to hear and what sells. Never mind whether producers really understand or can implement healthy principles. The façade sells and selling is the game. Ingredients are important, true, but not less important than the expertise and principles of the producer who is choosing them, preparing, storing, processing and packaging them. Consumers place a lot of trust that nondescript processed nuggets are what consumers are being led to believe they are. Many a slip can occur between the cup and the lip. There are many slips that can occur between the cup of commercial claims and what ends up in the lips of the pet food bowl.
Consumer Blame
The consumer is not without guilt in this unfortunate – steady diet of processed pet food – approach to pet feeding. They want everything easy and inexpensive. They don’t want to learn or have to expend too much effort, and they want something simple to base decisions on like: “corn, wheat and soy are evil,” or “USDA approved,” or “human grade” or “organic is good.” They also want something for nothing and think they can get it in a pet food. People want prime choice meats, organic and fresh foods all wrapped up tidy in an easy open, easy pour package, hopefully for 50 cents a pound. They may even pay $1 or a little more if the producer can convince them about how spectacular their product is or how much cancer their pet will get if they choose another brand.
Doing The Math
Now when I go to the grocer or health food store and find these types of ingredients in raw, unprocessed, fresh packaged form, I don’t see hardly anything for $1 a pound, let alone 50 cents. Some of the organic meats are more than $15 a pound! Something’s afoul. But people are just not putting two and two together. How could a producer buy such expensive ingredients (as they are leading the public to believe they do) transport them to their “human grade” factory, grind, mix, extrude, retort, freeze, package, ship, advertise and pay salespeople and hefty margins to distributors, brokers and retailers and then sell them at retail for less than the cost of the bare starting materials? They can’t. So obviously manufactured pet foods making such claims are misleading (to put it gently). They may have organic filet mignon and caviar in the food but it would have to be an inconsequential sprinkle at best. Consumers must do the math and get realistic in their expectations.
Are By-Products Evil?
In the processing of human foods there are thousands of tons of by-products that cannot be readily sold to humans. Does that make them useless or even inferior? No. Such by-products could include trimmings, viscera, organs, bones, gristle and anything else that humans do not desire. Should these perfectly nutritious items be buried in a landfill? As I mentioned above, while Earth’s resources continue to decline and people starve around the globe, should we feed our pets only “human grade” foods and let perfectly edible – and sometimes even more nutritious – by-products go to waste? How is that conscionable or justifiable for either the consumer or the producer?
Road Kill and Euthanized Pets
This shift to “human grade” for pet foods is partly due to a variety of myths that have gotten much stronger legs than they deserve. Lore has spread in the marketplace that road kill and euthanized pets are used in pet foods. I have never seen the proof for this outrageous claim and after twenty years surveying ingredient suppliers I have never found a supplier of such. However, fantastic myths easily get life and the more fantastic they are the more life they have. It’s the intellectually lazy way and what lies at the root of so much misery. Sloppy superficial thinking is what leads to racism, sexism, religious persecution and wars. People would like to think the world is sharply divided into right-wrong, good-evil, black-white. Marketers capitalize on this by trying to create such sharp distinctions for consumers to easily grab on to: human grade = good/all others = evil; organic = right/all others = wrong; rice = white/corn and wheat = black. Such simplistic and naïve distinctions are quick and simple for advertisers and salespeople to use to sway public opinion. But nobody stepping back and using common sense would ever think that something as complex as health could ever come from what is or is not in a processed bag of food. Reality is not black or white; it is in shades of gray. Grayness requires some knowledge, judgment and discernment before making choices. It’s a little more work but is what we all must do if the world is ever to be a better place and people and pet health are to improve.
Digests, Meals And Other Boogeymen
Many producers attempt to sell their products by claiming they contain no “digests” or “meals.” The idea is that these are wicked ingredients and consumers should stay away from all products that contain them. A digest is a product created when enzymes break down foods. After you eat a meal and it is subjected to the acids and enzymes in the digestive tract it becomes a “digest.” Fermented (digested) foods made from soy, dairy and vegetables are among the most nutritious of all foods. Some “primitive” peoples bury food in the ground to rot and ferment and then uncover it later to consume it with great savor and nutritional benefit. Scavengers survive, and survive quite well, on fermenting, rotting and digesting foods. Meats, organs and trimmings can be likewise digested in vats creating both liquid and dried forms of commercial pet food digests. Being predigested they are highly concentrated and nutritionally efficient. If we are to listen to the taste buds of pets they would vote yes on digests since they find them highly palatable.
A “meal” is a food product that has been ground, mixed and dried. Meals are often used in pet foods because they are stable, easily transported, stored and handled. Dried pet foods themselves are ground, mixed and dried meals. So that makes an interesting dilemma for those who promote their products as having no meals. As far as processed pet food ingredients go, meals and digests can have their merits. There are degrees of quality as there are with any ingredient. There may be better options such as using fresh whole ingredients, but focusing on finding a product without digests or meals and feeding it exclusively is not the key to health. Given in sufficient dose, anything can be toxic and dangerous, even water and oxygen. Healthy food is a mixed bag of variety, form, preparation, quality, balance … and reason, not fear mongering or sensationalism.
4D
There is concern about dead, dying, downed (disabled) or diseased (4D) animals being used in pet foods. Other than the fact that this just does not “sound” like wholesome food, there is the concern that these animals may contain drugs or communicable pathogens (although this can be true of “human grade” ingredients as well). My point here will not be to defend unwholesome or dangerous meats but to give some perspective. As you are learning in this paper, just about every marketing angle used by pet food manufacturers is more sensationalism than it is substance. What does a carnivore eat in the wild? Is their diet only the strongest, most robust, fastest, healthiest and most elusive prey? Of course not. They seek and primarily feed upon the dead, dying, down and diseased – 4D prey. That’s exactly what humans who are alone in the wild, faced with survival, seek as well. Also, consider this, one of the largest markets for 4D meat is racing greyhounds. Not only are 4D meats fed, they are fed raw. Would kennels that make their living on the athletic performance of their animals feed foods that diseased their superstars or did not create results? These owners could buy commercial concoctions not containing 4D meat at the same price or less, but they don’t. There’s a reason.
If a cow breaks a leg in the field and is down, should it be killed and hauled to a landfill? How about a chicken breast that was bruised on the processing line? Should they all be taken to a landfill because they might be called “4D,” “by-products” or “non- human grade?” What is the ethic in discarding a creature that has in essence sacrificed its life for food? That’s not how nature does it. Nothing is wasted.
But the supposed evilness of “4D” makes great marketing fodder and soap boxes for some who need a cause or a conspiracy to promote. People don’t like the sound of “4D,” ” by-products,” or “non-human grade.” Producers know this and play to it. Thus begins the race to see who can get to market first with “USDA approved” and “human grade” pet food labels. Whether it really has anything to do with health is not important. Perception and propaganda create profits.
(To put such fear mongering in perspective, consider that over 500,000 people [proportionate numbers in animals], the equivalent of more than five per day of our largest jet liners packed full, die each year as a result of modern medical measures [doctors, drugs, hospitals]. Yet we hear more fear and commotion about boogeyman food ingredients that rarely, if ever, take a life. You figure it.
[Why Modern Medicine Is the Greatest Threat To Life]
http://www.wysong.net/health/hl_884.shtml
To repeat, none of this is intended to diminish the need for wholesome and nutritious ingredients for pets or humans. But the buzzwords currently bandied about – “human grade,” “4D,” “by-products,” “USDA approved” and the like – do not provide the proper criteria for decision making and only mislead consumers into thinking health and good nutrition are only a phrase on a package away.
What To Do
How do concerned pet owners wanting to cut through all the marketing clutter negotiate a path? It is very simple if the basic principles I have discussed above are kept in mind. Here are tips on how to implement an intelligent health and feeding philosophy:
1. Learn how to feed fresh food. Alternate these with honest processed foods fed in variety, and complement these foods with well- designed supplements.
[How To Apologize To Your Pet]
http://www.wysong.net/PDFs/apology_pamphlet.pdf
Don’t get all particular and paranoid about balancing nutrients and ingredient do’s and don’ts. Rotate, vary, mix it up and fast once in a while. Trust in nature, not some marketing hype. (Use the same principles for yourself and your family if you want optimal health as well.)
2. If you must have human grade or organic foods for your pet, go buy the real thing at the grocery meat counter. Take it home, cut it up and feed it raw. Freeze the remainder into small meal portions and use them for subsequent meals. Don’t turn your brain off and go buy “organic” or “human grade” pet foods that for their cost could only contain hints of the real thing. Pet food manufacturers may be clever at marketing, but they are not magicians. One thing is certain; they do not buy ingredients and then sell them to you for less than what they buy them for.
3. Use appropriately designed supplements such as Call Of The Wild™ and Wild Things™ to balance raw meals and help make them safe if you are not skilled at such meal preparation.
4. The best raw, processed food alternative to fresh foods from the grocer is non-thermally processed dry foods – not raw frozen ones. (See Wysong Archetype™.) Use this food for alternate meals and as top dressing to heat processed foods.
5. Check the credentials of the person making the decisions in the company whose products you buy. Don’t go to a plumber for brain surgery and don’t expect serious healthy products from business people.
6. Steer away from brands that are pushing any particular hot buttons such as “natural,” “no by- products,” exotic ingredients (quail eggs, watermelon, persimmons, etc.), organic, omega-3, rice and the like. Although these features may bring some merit to a food (if they are put in at other than “pinch” levels), they are not an end in themselves and if the packaged food is fed exclusively can cause more harm than good.
7. Steer away from brands that fear monger. For example, there is the no corn or wheat scam – “buy our brand; it has no corn or wheat.” (Just saying a product has “no” something is enough to scare the non-thinking public to the brand that doesn’t have the boogeyman ingredient. Profiteers know this and play it to the hilt in the pet food industry.) The truth is, grains are put in dried nugget foods because they contain the starch necessary for the extrusion process. Starch is pretty much starch regardless of whether it comes from corn, wheat, rice, potatoes, millet or whatever. Grains also help decrease the cost of pet foods. They contribute some nutrition but in a properly formulated meat-based pet food the majority of the nutritional value comes from the meat. It is true that animals may develop allergy to corn or wheat but that can happen with rice or any other grain or ingredient as well. Problems are prevented by varying the diet. That is why Wysong has developed the range of formulations it has and puts them in small portion packs so the foods can be rotated. Of all the Wysong formulations, the ones with corn are chosen on almost a 5:1 ratio over all others and are the diets we receive the thousands of raves about, even in those pets supposedly allergic to corn!
[Wysong Testimonials]
http://www.wysong.net/testimonials.shtml
This is not to tout the merit of corn, or any grain in pet food for that matter. They are sort of a necessary evil in dried extruded foods and any of them can bring some benefit if rotated in the diet.
8. Do not feed any product exclusively. Variety is the spice of nutrition and the road to good health.
9. Features to look for in a packaged product would be those that bring the product close to the raw-whole-fresh-natural standard described above: active enzymes, probiotics cultures, natural preservation and protection against food-borne pathogens, proper packaging, intelligent formulation and balance, micronutrient dense, freshly produced, fresh ingredients – and the expertise to do all of this, not just say so on a package or brochure. (Some brands trying to get on the raw food bandwagon make outright false claims about “cold” processing.)
10. The company should be able to intelligently explain what they are doing in terms of processing, packaging, product preservation and prevention of food-borne pathogens. It is one thing to simply put a certain ingredient into a food, quite another to protect it until it is consumed. For example, Wysong owns its own manufacturing facilities in order to go beyond industry standard techniques. Special portion pack, light- and oxygen- barrier bags, modified atmosphere flush and natural ingredients to prevent oxidation and food- borne pathogens are part of all Wysong products. (See technical monographs on Packaging, Antioxidants and Wyscin™.)
11. Most important, learn. Support a company that helps you learn the truth and teaches you how to be at least somewhat independent of commercial products. Demand that producers provide proof for their claims in the form of good logic, evidence and science. Try to discern the company’s true motives, your pocketbook or your pet’s health. Learn how to go beyond The Pet Food Ingredient Game.
Wysong R. L. (1993). Rationale for Animal Nutrition. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.
Wysong, R. L. (2002, June 19). Why Modern Medicine is The Greatest Threat to Health. The Wysong e-Health letter. Wysong Institute, Midland, MI.
[The Wysong e-Health letter]
http://www.wysong.net/health/hl_884.shtml
Wysong, R. L. (2002). The Truth About Pet Foods. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.
Wysong, R. L. (2004). Nutrition is a Serious Health Matter: The serious responsibility of manufacturing and selling. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.
Wysong, R. L. (2004). The Thinking Person’s Master Key to Health (60 Minute CD Discussion) Wysong Institute, Midland, MI.
Wysong, R. L. (2005). Comparing Pet Foods Based Upon What Matters: The First Study of its Kind in the Pet Food Industry. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.
Wysong, R. L. & Savant, V. (2005). The Case AGAINST Raw Frozen Pet Foods. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.
For further reading, or for more information about, Dr Wysong and the Wysong Corporation please visit www.wysong.net or write to wysong@wysong.net. For resources on healthier foods for people including snacks, and breakfast cereals please visit www.cerealwysong.com.
Dr. Wysong: A former veterinary clinician and surgeon, college instructor in human anatomy, physiology and the origin of life, inventor of numerous medical, surgical, nutritional, athletic and fitness products and devices, research director for the present company by his name and founder of the philanthropic Wysong Institute. http://www.wysong.net. Also check out http://www.cerealwysong.com.
How to Cook Maya Tepeizcuinte (Paca Jungle Rat)
Jan 24th
In aspiring to the quest of a free and inquiring mind I often get exposed to the unexpected and sometimes exotic. Such was my brush with Tepe. I have a few Tepes on my jungle ranch and, along with my jaguar and boa, felt it important to get to know my critters, responsible caretaker that I am and all that touchy feely soft side stuff. The agrarian reform law and my fellow ejido members have legally put me and mi senora in charge of what is allowed and not allowed on our jungle ranch. Including an ever expanding Tepe colony. But unlike the jaguar I had no inherent fear of the Tepe. That is until I saw how big it gets.
I won’t actually give you the “official” recipe for Tepe here; for that you will probably have to find a Maya like my friend Poot though as you will see it doesn’t require special sauces, seasonings or fancy cookware. After all it is a rat…and it’s all in how it’s cooked: underground, like a rat.
My authority is Poot, a jungle man who goes out everyday into the jungle. I really enjoy going into the jungle with Poot as there is a whole jungle world that is invisible to most of us climate controlled urbanites. Poot has taught me to respect, not fear, the jungle. The only animal the Maya men truly fear is the jaguar…and that is why they will often carry a shotgun when going deep into the jungle. They certainly don’t fear Tepe.
Odds are you won’t find a real jungle man in Cancun or Playa del Carmen because catching and cooking Tepe is a real skill and art that is quickly lost in the land of street tacos, supermercados and the Oxxo convenience stores of Chetumal or Tulum. And no simple mousetrap will do for this monster. He could eat a conventional trap. So the only ones that hunt Tepe are the Maya. And to find real jungle people one has to actually go to the jungle…just like going after the Tepe. Duh.
Poot doesn’t speak English nor I Maya but we both speak Spanish. When I first introduced myself to Poot he said, “Deal — that sure is a funny name”. I replied, ” Poot — that sure is a funny name”. We both laughed and became good friends. On my first trip to the ranch he asked me if I had ever eaten Tepe. I said no as I am from Veracruz and as far as I know we don’t have Tepe there. We have rats but not that big…At least I’ve never seen one and believe me if I had seen one I would have remembered it. Tepe is not the sort of thing one forgets…
Poot promised that before I caught my flight from Cancun back to San Jose I would eat Tepe. I didn’t pay it much attention but on the afternoon two days before our departure he shouted outside our palapa that he had trapped one and to come on over.
From the first day we moved to our Maya jungle village palapa our neighbors have brought us food. (Occasionally our neighbors in the Bay Area bring us food but none has ever brought rat.) And since the wife is an excellent cook and our native Veracruz cuisine is world famous, she returns the favor. I like that. There is something nice about being social and there is something very social about food. And neighbors sharing Tepe with neighbors.
An interesting thing about the Maya, or at least in our little village, is they only kill animals in self defense or to eat. My guess this has probably been passed down from generation to generation for eons and that’s why my neighbors think that way. Makes sense. I know Poot pretty well and know the highlight of his day is when he heads out into the jungle…it’s his life. In the jungle he and the jaguar are kings. In Cancun or Playa the jaguar is stuffed on the wall and Poot is a day laborer. Poot said he would never leave the jungle. I bet the jaguar says the same thing. I have to leave because I can’t raise or hunt enough food to support us. Yet. Poot wants to teach me but I don’t think I could bring myself to stick my hand down into Tepe’s hole…
The jungle is absolutely brutal and unrelenting hence the expression ‘it’s a jungle out there.’ That’s why the Maya thrive in the jungle and soft first worlders like me don’t. We can’t. Well, usually not. Since the Maya are the poorest indigenous people in Mexico, they hunt to eat. I see them sometimes out on our ranch but I would never say anything if someone is hunting to eat. And in watching them I can tell you that hunting animals in the jungle is no fiesta. And I never have heard them brag about killing animals — even when drinking with my Maya pals in the cantinas where they will brag on just about anything else.
Those who feel the Maya children should go hungry and spare the critters are fools. Sorry. I love critters too and I will not hunt them but I will not judge a man who is feeding his family. Consider the alternative which happens all too frequently, especially in the remote areas of Quintana Roo and Chiapas and points south.
Obviously I’m not a sport hunter and not really even a hunter. Somehow I never really got a thrill out of killing animals and I killed a fair number back when we lived on the ranch in Veracruz. We raised oranges and I shot hundreds of small woodpeckers that would eat the oranges. The wife would pluck the birds and fry them up…three or four making a very tasty meal. I once shot a seven foot snake. I have killed a number of large chicken hawks. Never did kill any human chicken thieves or orange bandidos though. And never saw a Tepe. Nothing even close.
So for my money, the Tepe is one giant rat. Technically it’s not a rat as we urban dwellers know it…but it looks like a rat and has feet and teeth like a rat. It’s like a rat except it can get up to 10 kilos or 25 pounds. They are honkers. They live near marshes or swamps giving totally new meaning to the words swamp rat.
Poot makes a stone and stick trap at their den entrance and traps them. Zero cost. He’ll even pull them out with his hands, something a non-jungle man like me would never consider. He says he is always very careful as they can easily bite off a thumb. I’m still not interested. He kills the Tepe with his machete. That is one big rat. I will never have to remind myself to not stick my hand down in a Tepe hole. My fingers are fine the way they are…
He skinned the critter, cut it up, laid it on banana leaf stalks over very hot coals, placed a metal card table top over the fire and covered it all in dirt. No seasonings whatsoever. In a little over an hour we were eating Tepe, a cross between tender chicken and pork. With tortillas and habanero salsa… yummy! Poot prefers Tepe to other jungle animals. He says the meat is tastier and more tender than weasel or wild pig.
Once or twice a month he gets the urge for Tepe and he sets his traps. It might take him a day or two but sooner or later gets his Tepe. When he has money he eats chicken; when he has no money he eats Tepe. He never goes hungry though there are times when he only eats beans, tortillas and habanero peppers: the longevity diet. And a bit of Tepe. Maybe that’s why Mayan’s hair doesn’t turn gray…or fall out like mine.
If you ever get the chance to see or eat Tepe, take a look at the teeth on that guy and tell me he’s not one big rat. I was so impressed I put a whole Tepe photo album on my blog…who knows, maybe we’ll start a Tepe farm. Then again probably not.
Jack D. Deal is the owner of Deal Business Consulting. aRelated articles may be found at http://www.jddeal.com and http://www.freeandinquiringmind.typepad.com
Projects Abroad Volunteers in Sri Lanka Assist in Orphanage Clear-up
Jan 24th
Jo Walton, Assistant Manager for Projects Abroad in Sri Lanka, tells us about a recent group volunteer ‘clean-up’ effort at one of the children’s homes.
‘19 volunteers, four staff and one visitor from the UK (thanks Robbie!) descended upon Don Bosco children’s home on the 26th November for the start of what will certainly be an epic task… that probably won’t even be finished during my time here! Don Bosco children’s home in Payagala on the south coast, houses 107 boys aged from five to eighteen. The premises contain all the usual facilities contained within most homes, large dormitory rooms, dining room, kitchen, bathrooms (which we really won’t discuss, as those of us who were unlucky enough to venture in there will be having nightmares for some time…..), and a large outdoor washing area. In addition, they have a school and a working farm on the premises, and are currently undergoing large scale building works so that the 60 odd boys who sleep on the floor can have their own dormitories.
When you consider that the whole place is run by one man with only two farm workers, one domestic helper, and one Projects Abroad volunteer, Maggi (who’s doing an awesome job and deserves some kind of medal for all her hard work there) it is easy to see why all this combines to create something not entirely dissimilar to your average male student’s bedroom – mud and rotting food and unnerving stenches that seep out of the woodwork – and a major fly problem, from having pigs so close to the main buildings.
The volunteers were split into small groups to tackle laundry and bedding (much of which was thrown out as it was rotten), cleaning dormitories, the kitchen, dining room, and a team outdoors to attempt to clear some of the rubbish and rotting foodstuffs that have accumulated all over the site (mmm….fish-head anyone?). The work done in the bedrooms and kitchen has made a real and instant difference, and while we can’t change the fact that boys will be boys, and despite how hard they try, 107 of them will inevitably turn the place into a hole again in no time, the worst of it has been overcome – stout work guys!
Unfortunately we seemed to make little headway on the root of the pungent aroma that emanates from the grounds of Don Bosco. We have begun work on a composting system so that the boys can make their own mulch for use on the farm, but this will need completing later – Charley and I will be going back before the end of the year to run some workshops with the boys on composting and the separation of their rubbish, which will hopefully tackle the root of the problem. We will be organising another clean up in January once the new buildings have been completed (I’m guessing Sri Lankan builders will be even worse at clearing up after themselves than English ones, so we’ll be needing some young men to help clear the remaining rubble from around the home), and also to finish the composting system – so those of you who are still here then can look forward to another long day of sweating it out in amongst the flies! Once all the work was as done as it would ever be, lots of hungry volunteers headed up to the Sun View Hotel near Wadduwa for a well earned dip in the pool (after the compulsory shower, naturally) and a good feed. I’m not entirely sure where the volleyball came from, but I think we can safely say that the pool was considerably less full of water after Nick and Rob’s flying leaps from the poolside to make some dramatic interceptions over the course of the afternoon!
The barbeque was lovely (though not a patch on Sisira’s potato salad – is it sad that I care this much..?), and as sun drenched day turned into heavy monsoon night, the arrack (and Rum!) did flow. Throw another slightly too arrack-fuelled speech from myself, a couple of Tom Jones and Backstreet boys number’s from DJ Tom (to be fair, he did have very little to work with) and an appearance from Charley at a Projects Abroad social occasion, and you’ve got yourself a pretty good party (though not a recipe for a fun bus ride home in the morning…..)!
As a final thought, on behalf of the staff, Shyamalee, Charley, Ligaya and myself, I’d like to reiterate my thanks to everyone for all their hard work on Saturday, welcome the newbies with open arms, and thank those of you who’ve been here since September for making my life so easy and enjoyable, and giving me some fantastic memories to take home with me (if I ever go…!) I’ll be truly sad to see you all go over the course of December, and wish you all the best for the future, whatever it may bring. And for those of you who aren’t going home…. Let me know where you want to go for the Xmas Projects Abroad party on Christmas eve – and keep your ear to the ground, there must be somewhere in this country you can get a roast dinner!
Find Out About Our Care Projects in Sri Lanka
Projects Abroad is a global organiser of overseas voluntary work placements. Our wide range of projects, including teaching, care, conservation, medical, sport, community projects and journalism, are designed specifically for the many communities where we work and also to give the best experience to everyone volunteering abroad.
Eat your Way Around Galicia
Jan 24th
If you happen to visit and travel round Galicia and you have a passion for food then you better like seafood. Now this is not meant as statement to say that that’s all you can get, far from it, it is merely a statement to let you know that you are about to be exposed to some of the best seafood cuisine if not the best seafood cuisine in all of Spain.
For a province that has such a large proportion of its borders made up of coastline and such a large section of its employment coming from either fisheries or industries associated with the sea, the fact that the Galicians are extremely good cooks when it comes to seafood should hardly be a surprise.
With regards to inshore seafood, the spectacular coastline of Galicia provides a quietly sheltered and secluded habitat for a variety of extremely nice and tasty crustaceans, fish and shellfish.
Compared possibly to the wide variety of foods that make up the cuisine of France and India possibly then Galician cuisine could be considered fairly simple. This however, would not be the entire story and would in fact be a gross oversimplification. Don’t ever equate simple food with poor quality because in this area, yet this seafood may be deemed as technically fairly simple but it is of a superb standard and extremely high quality.
The above having been said, please do not fall into the mindset of thinking that all you are going to get in Galicia is one endless list of lobster and crab recipes after another in fact nothing could be further from the truth. Various agricultural products such as potatoes, maize and wheat are also a staple in the Galician diet along with dairy and meat products from animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs.
The fact that in this region you have such a mild climate and the vegetation is green and lush and all year around means that animals can be left outside to graze virtually 12 months of the year and this means that there is a constant supply of extremely fresh, available and very tasty and succulent meat.
But back to the Seafood! Again because of the importance of the coastline in Galicia there are an increasing number of restaurants and hotels that are going to be able to supply you with extremely nice seafood dishes freshly cooked using ingredients that probably has taken a mere few hours to get from the sea to the table.
Scott James writes about a great many Internet Travel based issues and more on the above can be found at Hoteles Galicia and Turismo Rural Galicia For a more complete overlook at Tourism in Galicia try http://www.turgalicia.es
Adopt A Vegetarian Detox Diet For Cancer Prevention
Jan 24th
Cancer is a stealthy and dangerous disease that is not well understood. There have been links made between cancer and high risk behaviors, but there is no clear recipe for either the development of or the avoidance of cancer. Many naturopathic doctors, however, say that cancer prevention is possible when you adopt a detox diet.
A detox diet can help you to cleanse and remove toxins from your body. Naturopathic doctors suggests that cancer is likely to result when you have too much toxins in your body. A detox diet is primarily vegetarian. Vegetarian foods are biochemically more acceptable to your body as compared to junk food like potato chips and diet pepsi. They are fiber rich and are better able to help you cleanse waste products much better.
A vegetarian detox diet can help you with lowered risks when it comes to cancer. Whether you are looking out for your future and you have never had cancer or you are recovering from cancer, getting into a vegetarian diet may be a good consideration.
The Meat Association
Meat has been linked with the risk for developing cancer. Red meat is especially notorious for being listed among the offenders. While no one is certain why the meat is linked to cancer, there are a few theories.
When red meat is grilled or broiled , it is blackened on the outside. Charcoal is also suspected to be a carcinogen. When you eat the blackened surface of your hamburger or steak, you are actually eating charcoal.
Another theory is that the animals reared nowadays for human consumptoms are often fed with hormones to hasten growth. It could be that those hormones continue to work after the cow is dead. Instead of stimulating healthy muscle growth though, they start to affect healthy cells negatively. Chickens and pigs are also similary fed hormones nowadays. Hence, consider switching or eating more vegetarian foods for cancer prevention.
Health Benetifs Of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are chemical compounds found in many of the plant foods that you eat. They work together with your natural defenses to combat disease. They are especially useful when it comes to promoting healthy tissue growth rather than cancerous tissue growth.
Spinach as well as blueberries, apples and several other plant foods are rich in antioxidants. The great news is that these foods are highly nutritious and are also very flavorful.
Cleansing Foods
To improve your health and for cancer prevention, select a plan that emphasizes on foods that can help you to remove bowels easily and on an everyday basis. A vegetarain detox diet ought to fit the bill!
Sandra Kim Leong writes on detoxification and the benefits of adopting a detox diet. She firmly believes that gastrointestinal health is linked to several diseases and ailments. To gain access to her free newsletter, please visit http://www.detox-cleansing-diet.com.