Article by Monalisa Draper

In today’s world, being anything less than “perfect” means that you are less than perfect.

Does that sound harsh? Perhaps, but none the less true!! Even with such stars as Tara Banks telling people that it is what is inside, that is not what the average person on the block thinks.

Have you ever gone outside to swim and everyone stops to look at you??

I have. It is so painful, but I overlook the stares and try to have as much fun as possible.

In stores, I face the young children giggles and laughter as I walk down isles. Am I self conscious? Very much so.

Here is the crazy part! While I may look like I spend all day eating Big Macs and doughnuts, my life is very far removed from being a couch potato!!

I drink a coke a couple of times a month. I don’t drink or smoke. I have over five serving of fruits and veggies a day. I have not eaten chip of any kind for over two months. The last time I had chocolate was in March! I chew sugar free gum because I have a bridge. I drink about six glasses of water a day along with about two glasses of green tea.

Okay so it must be I am inactive. Wrong!!

I ride horses, bike, walk the two miles to the convince store, swim, run after two young girls and keep up with one teen. I clean my house three days out of seven. I do obedience with my dogs.

So is it any wonder that I have all but decided on Lap-band. What is stopping me?? Fear.

This is something huge and while I have vetted the doctor I have chosen, I am still scared.

Why?? Well I can’t call my nurse whenever just because I am afraid. Would you like a call from a silly person in the middle of your busy day?? Besides, I have not actually set the appointment. All I have done is prepare the finances for the surgery, and my family for the change. Who would I call?

Well, if I had the “Lap Band 101 success guide” I could have answers to my questions from others that have had the procedure. And if you are anything like what I have described above, and you have questions, this might be a great help!

This guide is created by a team of “Band Buddies” to help you determine if the Lap Band is the right thing for you!

They will support you through the approval process; walking you through each step of the way; from the time before surgery until long afterwards until YOU don’t need them!

You want someone to hold your hand while you decide, use the link below!

Article by Michael Canson

Just good business sense!

When you think about it, it makes no sense to let a satisfied renter get away without leveraging his satisfaction to your benefit. Why would you hesitate to go that extra little mile to make sure he returns to your home-away-from-home next year or in the near future and is willing to refer his friends, family, colleagues? Once you’ve put in the initial effort to attract that renter and then work hard to ensure his satisfaction, you’ve got a captive audience. Persuading him to return should take less effort than the first time around. And his personal recommendation to others is worth gold!

In the business world, success depends on repeat customers and their referrals – the vacation home rental business is no exception. Which is why it is startling to note that repeat renters in this business account for only 10% of all bookings. Which is why we need to get you thinking about how to improve your batting average! In addition to making your business more profitable and ultimately less labor-intensive, it has been shown that repeat renters take better care of your property than do one-time visitors.

An ounce of prevention or a pound of cure?

So where to start? With the basics. Make sure that nothing goes wrong during your guest’s visit – irritations are not an option! That means doing preventative maintenance, making sure everything functions properly, that no equipment is missing, that everything is spick and span and smelling clean – no overpowering odors please.. Think about your own vacations and the expectations you yourself have.

Hook your guests on your Tender Loving Care

We live in a fast-paced world where many of us feel like a number much of the time. So the quality of the human contact you’re able to establish with your guests can make all the difference. Most people love to return to a place where they were totally comfortable, where it felt like home, where their needs were fulfilled. If you can recreate that feeling, you’re half way there.

Begin building that relationship by talking on the phone before your guests arrive. This will allow you to get to know them a bit and provides an opportunity for you to be helpful by giving suggestions for activities. Call them back a day later with information you researched about children’s activities, for example – they’ll know you care.

Any little touch you can bring to make your guests feel welcome and special when they arrive will be appreciated and remembered. It doesn’t much matter what that touch is – a few days’ supply of coffee, fresh flowers, a bottle of local wine or other local specialty, chocolates, a folder of tourist pamphlets, a gift certificate to a local restaurant. And don’t forget the children – a coloring book, an inexpensive toy, a child-size table where they can eat and do craft projects.

Make sure your guests know they can count on you during their stay for help or advice. Without invading their privacy of course, try to get to know them better, discover what their tastes are. Consign these notes in a database for all your guests – this will prove useful. If you check in a couple of times during their stay, your guests will know you care about the quality of their experience and it will allow you to find out if they are enjoying themselves or not. If you learn that the kids are bored, for example, you can save the day by quickly stepping in with suggestions for activities.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder… as long as you stay connected!

When your guests leave, hand them a small gift to remember you and your home by. Send them a thank-you note right away.

Don’t let them forget you during the year – send a holiday card. Use email or a newsletter to regularly inform them of improvements to your home or your region. Add a photo of your home or yourself to keep the memory alive in their mind’s eye.

As vacation planning time draws near, call your former guests to enquire about their vacation plans. Prepare two or three messages before you call – your database now contains interesting notes about them and you can also mention regional improvements, festivals and other events. Consider offering a special promotion. Don’t put pressure, just say they were wonderful guests and that you would love to have them back some day soon.

And when they do return, do something special for them, such as a free night or a Spa session.

Word of mouth – still the No. 1 marketing tool

Did you know that even professionals forget to ask satisfied customers for referrals over 90% of the time? What a shame, since referrals are known to be the best marketing tool out there!

So before your guests leaves, ask them what they enjoyed the most about their experience and what suggestions they could make to help you improve your product. Then ask for three names of friends, family members or colleagues. Ask permission to phone a few days after your guests get home to obtain email addresses and phone numbers. Ask your guests to take a few of your pamphlets to distribute to others. You can make it worth his while by offering them a discount on their next rental with you for every referral who books with you.

References1. PhoCusWright, Vacation Rental Marketplace: Poised for Change (Sherman: PhoCusWright Inc., 2009)2. Lynne Christen, 101 Vacation Rentals Tips (Charlestown: LifeTips.com Inc., 2006)

Tags : Vacation rentals, vacation rentals by owner, vacation home rentals, vacation homes for rent

More Chocolate 101 Articles

Article by Randy Disert

Health is one of the greatest concerns of most individual these days. Nearly everyone is trying to find ways on how to make or become better their wellness and health. While there are lots of goods and supplements available in this market, only few offer a real decadent savoriness that should keep you taking it, and one of which is Xocai goods.

Antioxidants are known to help protect your cells from this effects of free radicals brought by pollution and daily food intake. Though most fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, busy lifestyles prevent you from purchasing these antioxidants. Xocai products get considerably helpful for people with fast-paced lifestyle. Xocai chocolate product taste good authentic and are loaded with high dose of antioxidants to aid you improve your well-being. In fact, according to Brunswick Labs certification, a 6g of Xocai chocolate power square contains at least 3,582 of antioxidant content, which is your recommended daily ORAC requirement.

Xocai products are available in several categories. You can indulge in their original chocolate products, the chocolate nuggets or you will likewise try chocolate protein shakes, protein bars, cookies and other chocolate beverages. Xocai product are produced from unfermented, non-roasted and cold-pressed cacao to preserve its extravagant antioxidant levels. These are then blended with blueberries and acai berries to further enrich its antioxidant content. They do not use artificial flavors, fillers, preservatives and even artificial sweeteners. They work raw cane juice crystals to sweeten their products, making them every natural and healthful.

One of the best well-being benefits you can get from Xocai goods is this prevention of heart disease. Antioxidants hinder your cells from oxidizing and keep your arteries from clogging. Other benefits include, cell rejuvenation, increased energy levels, lower cholesterol, and better libido and assist weight loss. It is the rich antioxidant content of Xocai products from acai berries and dark chocolate which do the wonders in these healthful chocolate products.

Xocai goods were launched in 2009 in Reno, Nevada but are any more accessible in New Zealand, Canada, US, Japan, Australia and Hong Kong. Xocai was created by MXI Corp. MXI Corp. is actually a network marketing company. It sells product to individuals to distribute them and they make money through a commission basis. Xocai members distribute the products to their network of friends to make bonuses. Though Xocai product are accessible in some countries, these are not obtainable in shops and could only be purchased by distributors.

More Chocolate Indulgence Articles

Article by Bob Brightside

Caramel chocolate trifle, though, is more of an adults’ dessert, thanks to that rich chocolate taste, which is given added richness by the addition of a small splash of Tia Maria liqueur to the chocolate mixture.

And whereas many of us would think of trifles as being soft and gooey, this indulgent dessert has an extra smooth yet firmer texture thanks to the addition of a generous helping of Fairtrade dark chocolate caramels.Giving a further contrast to the flavour of the chocolate are the raspberries, whose bittersweet flavour really cuts through the rich mixture.

Trifles might have gone out of vogue in some quarters, and in others they might even evoke not altogether pleasant memories of the artificial flavours which typified attempts to produce a ‘quick and easy’ version. But our caramel chocolate trifle is truly bursting with deep, sweet tastes – and is almost as simple to make as those trifles-in-a-flash of old.

It’s amazing to think that a dessert this luxurious can be put together in just 15 minutes. All you have to bear in mind, of course, is that it will need at least a couple of hours’ chilling time, which will ensure that all the flavours settle down, and each spoonful will reward you with the plethora of rich tastes which each of the ingredients contributes.

This is one of those desserts which, as you look at it, immediately makes you want to grab a spoon and just sink it into the mixture, emerging with a little taste of each ingredient which melt together on the tongue and just leave you anticipating the next mouthful.

Yes, it’s indulgent, and yes, it’s sweet and rich. But that is surely the hallmark of so many great desserts. And for anyone to whom a new twist on an old, old favourite sounds like a great idea, this caramel chocolate trifle will be music to your tastebuds!

We all like the indulgence every now and again so why not treat yourself to a chocolate trifle which are very tasty or maybe try a chocolate cheesecake for the ultimate guilty pleasure.

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