Pluto Blog

1) Web Site
This is for sure the most important part of your online business, this is how you create your presence on the Internet. Being in business online and not having a web site means you have no place where your customers can find you. After getting your web site up, you also need to make sure that it's as easy to navigate as possible and that the information provided is well written so the visitor won't lose time trying to figure it out. If your web site is hard to understand it's a fact that you will lose customers. In order to establish a web site you need to get your own domain name, http://www.godaddy.com is a very good registrar and at an affordable price. The second step is getting the hosting for your web site, http://www.hostexcellence.com/ is a good choice.

2) Business Plan
The second most important need is a business plan. The business plan will help give a direction to your business and will help you plan your strategies. If the business plan is missing, losing sight of where your business is going or you want it to go. Once the business plan has been established do your best to stick to it. There is software that helps you create a plan for your business, you just need to search for it.
3) Advertising/Marketing
In order to have customers, people first need to know that you exist. So, even if it's the third need, the marketing is one of the most important. No marketing usually means nobody knows about your product/service. Even if you have an online business it doesn't mean that you should advertise only online, you can do offline advertising as well. A good low cost offline advertising method is using flyers. You can create them on your computer, and print at you local print shop. There are many online advertising methods too, some are very cheap and some are more expensive, a lot of research should be made in order to chose the best.
Keep these three needs in mind and you will have the base to start you online business and make it a very profitable one

I don't normally follow sports events except when something
special is taking place like Lance Armstrong winning the
Tour de France for the 7th consecutive year. What's even
more amazing about it is his bout with testicular cancer in
1996. He was given less than a 50% chance of survival as
the cancer had metastasized and spread to his lungs and
brain. Three years later after going through an aggressive
form of chemotherapy, he went on to win his first Tour de
France!
I did a little research on this athlete and discovered that
even as a child, Lance was obsessed with details. After a
ride, he would go back to the house and write down all the
details. Now, it's a way of life for him.
For some of us, attention to details can become
overwhelming. Yet, it was this obsession that paid off big
time for Lance. His motivation, focus and detail
orientation made him a champion and someone who many look
to for inspiration in their own lives.
If we examine the attributes of his success, we can learn
several things to assist us:
First, he clearly identified his goal: winning the
race. He didn't want to come in 2nd or 3rd, he wanted
First Place and he wanted it this year.
Second, he was motivated with a strong desire to
win, no matter what. He was willing to do whatever it
took to increase his odds of winning. He really wanted to
win.
Third, his attention to detail He checked and rechecked
everything. He also tested and made adjustments
accordingly. Nothing was left to chance. He also planned
for all contingencies. This attention to detail flowed
into all aspects of his life. He got the proper nutrition,
kept his weight at the ideal, and made sure he got the
rest he needed.
Fourth, he always focused on the outcome. In his
mind, he won the race. No other outcome existed. During the
race, some of the photographers commented on his "stare".
It was like there was nothing in the world but that race
for him.
Fifth, he was persistent in his pursuit of the
goal. Everyday, he kept at it. Regardless of how much time
it took him he persevered. Even tired, cold, hot or
fatigued, he kept at it.
For some this may seem a daunting task. I guess the bottom
line would be how much do you want something. We all say we
want things to be different and yet how many would be
willing to go after it the way Lance Armstrong went after
First Place?
So the next time you think you want something, ask yourself
if you want it enough to be like Lance. If the answer is
yes, then *you* can Be The Champion in your life!
© 2005 Debra Fentress ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debra Fentress, owner and founder of Spiral Visions, Inc.,
and Master Trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming is
dedicated to assisting others in creating success in their
lives.

If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, you know how painful and debilitating it can be. If you haven't walked a mile in those shoes, you can't imagine how frustrating it can be. Your doctor may say try this medication, try that. Don't do this, do that. But sometimes, to no avail. The disease is caused by a misguided immune system attack on the body's own joint tissue, which leads to swelling, pain, stiffness and in some cases deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common among women than men.
Perhaps what you're eating, or more specifically what you're not eating can be causing some of your soreness. Recent findings suggest that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, legumes and certain oils aids in relieving symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis. After following a diet rich in fruits and veggies for three months, people with rheumatoid arthritis experienced a number of improvements not seen in people following a typical American diet high in processed foods. Some of the improvements shown include a decrease in pain, inflammation, disease activity and in the number of swollen joints. Further, previous research suggested that more olive oil and cooked vegetables help protect people from the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
The current results suggest that "patients with (rheumatoid arthritis) can obtain better physical function and increase their vitality" from eating a fruit, vegetables, legumes and some oils diet for three months, write Dr. Lars Skoldstam of Visby Hospital in Sweden and colleagues.
This plan is similar to that of people who live in the Mediterranean. They also tend to eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, and legumes, more fish and less red meat. Moreover, they drink a moderate amount of wine, and rely on olive oil as their main source of dietary fat. Earlier research has suggested that followers of this diet enjoy a wide range of benefits, such as a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and memory loss.
Additional studies have shown that citrus fruit and zinc may also cut rheumatoid arthritis risk. Citrus can be helpful because of the antioxidants they contain. Findings are not conclusive, yet promising.
In the study, the doctors found that women getting less than 40 micrograms of beta-cryptoxanthin, a component found in citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit were at a somewhat elevated danger of developing rheumatoid arthritis than women who consumed more than that amount.
Although thus far it has only been proven that genetics is the culprit behind rheumatoid arthritis, if there have been some findings as to the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, wouldn't it make sense for suffers to up their intake? It certainly can't hurt... and may actually help. Now please pass the broccoli with a side of grapefruit!

But what is Glucosamine, and how does it work to relieve arthritis? In this article, I’ll introduce you to this new treatment and provide you with the pros and cons of its use. By the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on whether or not Glucosamine is right for you.
What is Glucosamine?
Glucosamine, together with a related ingredient called Chondroitin, are substances which exist naturally in your body. It is believed that glucosamine helps to build and repair cartilage (the soft, spongy material between your joints), while chondroitin lends to the elasticity and flexibility of joints. A deficiency of either one can lead to increased wear and tear on the joint, and cause redness, swelling and stiffness as a result. When used together, glucosamine and chondroitin act as a tag-team of arthritis fighters, improving flexibility, soothing inflammation and reducing swelling caused by achy joints.
Where Can I Buy Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements?
You can find these products in virtually any pharmacy or health goods store. The downside to this is, like other herbal and alternative medicines, supplements are not regulated by any governing body. That’s why you’ll need to do a little bit of research to find the best, most potent brand for your needs. Here’s what you need to know when comparison shopping for a glucosamine supplement:
· You should expect to pay anywhere from $1-3 per pill when taking glucosamine daily. Since insurance companies rarely cover supplements of any kind, you’ll most likely be paying for them out of pocket.
· Read the ingredients label on the bottle to determine the dosage. Approximately 1500mg of glucosamine and 1200mg of chondroitin have been safely used in clinical trials. Depending on your individual medication tolerances and the severity of your arthritis, you should consult your physician or rheumatologist to find the right dose for your individual needs.
· Select supplements manufactured by a well-known, reputable company. Recommended brands include: Osteo Bi-Flex, WholeHealth, Flex-A-Min, MoveFree and individual pharmacy brands.
Are There Any Side Effects I Should Know About?
As with any medication or supplements, there are a few warnings you should know:
· If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, as no long-term studies have been done to gage what materials (if any) are passed on to the baby either internally or through breast milk.
· If you are diabetic, chondroitin (a form of sugar) may cause your blood sugar to rise.
· Chondroitin also acts as a mild blood thinner. Therefore, if you are taking any heart medication or are taking an aspirin regimen, have your blood clotting time checked more frequently by your doctor.
· Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements should not be taken by children since no studies have been done to determine their effect (if any) on the child’s development.
(Please note: The information contained within this article is not intended to replace or substitute for that of an experienced physician. Remember to check with your doctor or rheumatologist before starting daily glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, and don’t stop or reduce any of your current medications (whether they’re for arthritis or not) without first talking with your doctor).