Mindconnection Brainpower Informational eNewsletter 2004-09-21

Translator Update

I always like to talk about these translators. We sell quite a few every day, and there are many reasons why. I don't write about them here in hopes everybody will buy one (I sell plenty without needing to do that). I write about them because they are truly great products.

Any time I mention a product in this newsletter, I do so with the idea of helping you get more from life. And if you interact with non-English speakers, these translators will help you do just that.

https://www.mindconnection.com/category/0002LANGUAGE.html

The unit pictured here is a Thai translator. Now, most of our readers don't have a need to speak Thai. But if you want to take some time to see what kind of amazing stuff is out there, click on the picture to get to the product information page and there you'll find the download link for the manual. It's a big manual, so if you don't have a high-speed connection then just navigate to the Spanish category and download the manual for the ES-400 (much smaller).

I'm kind of a gadget guy, and this stuff fascinates me. Adding icing to that cake is these devices are very useful.

2. Brainpower tip

Combine entertainment with mental exercise. This can be very rewarding. Here's an example. You have a choice between a cookie-cutter adventure movie and something like Das Boot. Which one should you choose?

Well, Das Boot (German for "The Boat") is quite entertaining--it will have you on the edge of your seat. But, it also stimulates your mind because of the many threads running through the story and the way characters are handled. It's a deep movie (no pun intended).

Similarly, Wrestling Ernest Hemingway is a masterpiece of characterization. Not much plot, but you get very involved in the characters. If you are going to watch a movie anyhow, look for something with heavy character development. This changes the experience from being vegetative to being a good mental exercise.

3. Time Tip

4. Finance tip

This tip is for folks in the northern hemisphere. We're entering fall, right now. This is the time to plan a garden for next spring. You can have a garden, even if you live in an apartment (I have done this myself, with window boxes).

If you have a yard, you will want to select a garden plot area now and begin building the soil. I have a raised bed that give me outstanding produce. When I moved here 8 years ago, I selected my plot and built a brick wall around it to start a raised bed garden. I raked a bunch of leaves into it, and threw in half a dozen 40-lb bags of dirt. Then over the winter, I put food scraps (eggshells, fruit rinds, etc.) and shredded paper in there. This composted really well. In the spring, I turned everything and then added more dirt. Since then, I have continued to build the soil

The tomatoes that first year created a jungle so dense I seriously considered using a rope and harness so I wouldn't get lost!

When you have earthworms as thick as your thumb, you know you have some serious soil. Today, my garden has all kinds of creatures, including toads. Each day, birds arrive like clockwork (robins at 0700, pigeons at 0800--it's amazing) and remove cabbage worms, aphids, and other insects--they do such good work that I don't need pesticides.

Consequently, I get an abundance of high-quality produce.

Now, you may think this tip is for cutting your grocery bill. Well, it's not. It's for cutting your medical bill and for eliminating the bills you pay to have other folks do stuff you are too tired to do. You are what you eat. If you eat unprocessed food that is grown properly (rather than the trash that most people put in their shopping carts), you will save huge sums of money.

5. Security tip

Here's a tip from the FBI.

"Carry a cell phone, and preprogram it to dial the police emergency number, usually 911. A cell phone shows that you are prepared--and criminals avoid prepared targets. When you suspect a situation might be dangerous, immediately call for help. If you hit the preprogrammed 911 button and can't talk, the police still might be able to find you. Many police departments have electronic locators. If you don't have a cell phone, fake it. Reach into your purse or pocket, and pull out your compact or wallet. Cup it in your hand, put it to your ear and pretend you're talking. If the criminal thinks that you are calling for help, he/she may leave you alone."

That advice is fine, as far as it goes. The cell phone has been documented as being a deterrent. But, it is not a shield or a weapon. It will not protect you from someone who is high on drugs. It will not protect you from someone who is drunk. It will not protect you from someone who is in a blind rage (or any other kind of rage). Consider a cell phone to be part of an overall plan.

I've noticed that FBI types carry more than cell phones. Hmm.

The best defense is a good offense. That's a classic we have heard many times. And, it's true. Which is why you need to prepare yourself to launch a good offense. To my way of thinking, a .44 Magnum does the job nicely. I have a particular affection for that size of weapon, but not everybody does. For example, a criminal intent on committing a violent crime would rather you had a cell phone pointed at him or her.

6. Health tip/Fitness tips

Exploding myths is one of my specialties. Here's a myth for you: Eating carrots helps you lose weight.

A carrot is a root vegetable. Typically, you want to avoid these because they are very starchy. When you cook a carrot, you end up with a highly-glycemic piece of food--it ranks even above table sugar. You will get an insulin rush that will tell your body to store fat. Not exactly the best approach for losing weight.

There is no diet or certain food that will give you a slim and healthy body. The key to getting this is based mostly on pure physics: Calories in - calories out. Eat a little less and exercise a little more. Most of your effort will have to be on the eating less part.

Special note: If you are on the Atkins Diet, come back to sanity immediately. You will ultimately gain back all the fat you lost, plus more--and you will have lost healthy tissue in the process.

7. Thought for the Day

Authorship

Except where noted, this e-newsletter is entirely the work of Mark Lamendola. Anything presented as fact can be independently verified. Often, sources are given; but where not given, they are readily available to anyone who makes the effort.

Mark provides information from either research or his own areas of established expertise. Sometimes, what appears to be a personal opinion is the only possibility when applying sound logic--reason it out before judging! (That said, some personal opinions do appear on occasion).

The purpose of this publication is to inform and empower its readers (and save you money!).

Personal note from Mark: I value each and every one of you, and I hope that shows in the diligent effort I put into writing this e-newsletter. Thank you for being a faithful reader.

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Mindconnection eNL, 2004-09-21