Articles by R.L. Fielding on ArticleSnatch.com

Literal Perks of Coffee

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:27:15 -0500

Winter solstice has already past, and you know what that means. The days are going to get longer. To stay on your game throughout the daylight hours, you’re going to need coffee to be your perky best friend. You can make coffee more than just a jumpstart—you can make every cup a small, special occasion. According to a study done in 2011 by the National Coffee Association, 54% of adults ages 25-39 drink coffee on a daily basis, and 37% of total coffee consumed is gourmet. Coffee is important, and people want to experience the best. Yet, the idea of getting gourmet coffee every day in this economy is almost a catch-22. Not everyone has the time or the money to spend going to a coffee shop and getting a cup before the day starts. Fortunately, this is a pretty easy fix. Lots of coffee-lovers use coffee pods for the days when they feel like enjoying their favorite hot beverage in their own home. A coffee pod is kind of what it sounds like—coffee beans prepackaged in their own little filter pod. **End Summary** Topics: coffee pods]]> flavored coffee]]> coffee makers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow.com CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on a variety of coffee makers, regular, decaf, and flavored coffee and tea, and a full line of coffee pods . CoffeeCow offers all the coffee conveniences for your home or office. Visit http://www.coffeecow.com for more information.

Finding the Perfect Coffee for Every Season

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:25:44 -0500

There are many great coffee pod blends available to lighten up your day at every time of year regardless of the season. Coffee pods from a variety of brands offer gourmet blends from around the world giving a different feel and expression to every taste bud. Starting the year off in the cold winter months doesn’t have to bring you down. Enjoy an exceptional dark roast to take your mind off the frost that is forming on your car window. Melitta offers Classique Supreme pods that combine Central and South American coffee beans with that classic European aroma, perfect to hold over the bitter cold months. As the months move from bitterly cold to festively warm, spring may not seem like the most obvious time to indulge in various strong gourmet coffees but companies like Marley Coffee offer an impressive range that allows the month of March to really come in like a lion. The One Love Fair Trade Organic pods offer an aroma that really brings out the beauty of springtime while still acting as a strong support on those early crisp mornings. **End Summary** Topics: flavored coffee]]> Melitta Classique Supreme]]> Marley Coffee]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow.com CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on a variety of coffee makers, regular, decaf, and flavored coffee and tea, and a full line of coffee pods . CoffeeCow offers all the coffee conveniences for your home or office. Visit http://www.coffeecow.com for more information.

Where has all the Kona coffee gone?

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:07:08 -0400

A little beetle is causing big damage to Kona coffee crops. If you’re a coffee lover, you may have noticed that many roasters and retailers no longer stock Kona products. When you do find this popular coffee variety for sale, the price is higher than ever before. This widespread shortage of Kona coffee is the direct result of a beetle infestation that is attacking Hawaii’s coffee crops. Hawaii is the only coffee-growing region in the United States and, over the past two years, coffee exports have continued to decline as the Coffee Berry Borer has ravaged local crops. Once this small beetle bores into the coffee cherry, the bean is no longer viable for use in coffee products. North Kona and South Kona, on the west side of Hawaii’s Big Island, lost a significant portion of its crop in 2011 to the infestation and drought-like weather conditions. It is important to note that only coffee beans grown in this area can be sold under the Kona name. While supply has decreased significantly, consumer demand for this world-famous coffee variety remains high. These crop losses contribute to the scarcity of Kona products. **End Summary** Topics: kona coffee]]> k cups]]> keurig]]> k-cups]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow.com CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on Keurig K-Cups , coffee pods, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies for your home or office. Visit http://www.coffeecow.com for more information.

A Cup of Coffee Per Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:31:57 -0400

Coffee is now gaining a reputation for doing more good for your health, than bad. Studies show that old myths that coffee drinking can lead to cancer, diseases, hyperactive behavior, and a higher risk of miscarriage during pregnancy have been debunked, making coffee enjoyable to drink without feeling guilty. According to the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, an experiment showed that nineteen-month-old rats (equivalent to 70 year-old humans) who consumed coffee performed faster and more precisely in mazes than rats that did not have any coffee. Although most people believe that caffeine causes one to be jittery and unfocused, Barbara Shukitt-Hale states, “That [the rats] were not hyper at all.” The rats with even an equivalent to 15 cups in their system performed tasks at a much more efficient rate than those without any coffee consumed. Not only can coffee improve concentration and stamina, but it can improve physical ability, as well. Researchers of the Cancer Epidemiology have discovered that those who drink at least one cup of coffee daily have a 39 percent decreased risk in head and neck cancer than those who do not drink. **End Summary** Topics: Keurig K Cups]]> Keurig Coffee]]> Keurig]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on Keurig K-Cups , coffee pods, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies for your home or office. Visit www.coffeecow.com for more information.

How to Make Fancy Coffee Drinks without the Fuss

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:05:09 -0400

Whether it’s a refreshing iced latte or hot Irish coffee, who doesn’t love a fancy coffee drink from time to time? You don’t have to be a professional barista to prepare gourmet coffee beverages at home. Here are some simple yet satisfying coffee drink recipes which can be made by adding a few extra ingredients. Brew them with regular or decaffeinated coffee and, if you’re really in a hurry, save time by brewing your coffee in a single cup coffee maker in less than a minute. Vanilla Iced Latte For starters, let’s go with a simple vanilla iced coffee. Brew as many cups of hot coffee you would like and for every 4 cups, add ¼ cup of vanilla extract and ¼ cup of liquid sugar. You can buy liquid sugar in almost any supermarket. If you are trying to watch your sugar intake feel free to use the substitute of your choice. Finally, add a half of a cup of cream, non-fat milk, or any soy or dairy option of your choice, pour over ice and enjoy! Irish Cream Coffee Irish Cream liquor is the not-so-secret ingredient in this next after-dinner drink. **End Summary** Topics: single cup coffee maker]]> Keurig K Cup]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About R.L. Fielding R.L. Fielding has been a freelance writer for 10 years, offering her expertise and skills to a variety of major organizations in the education, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing industries.

STRESS: Everybody Has It â And Hereâs What You Can Do About It

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:36:44 -0400

Stress can be defined as the thoughts, feelings, behavioral and physiological changes that occur when the demands placed upon us exceed our perceived ability to cope. In other words, everyone experiences stress at some time, but how you deal with it can impact your quality of life. The following coping skills and lifestyle methods can help to prevent stress from taking a negative toll on your daily and long-term physical and mental health. Regular Exercise Exercise is one of the most effective stress management strategies. Aerobic activities such as jogging, swimming, kickboxing, or biking can help to relieve pressure and clear your mind. This type of exercise allows the body to release healthy chemicals in the brain called endorphins. Endorphins are similar to opiates in that they give our body and mind a “feel good” sensation. Regular exercise also eliminates the release of powerful stress hormones like cortisol. Remember, fifteen minutes of activity per day is all it takes to get your heart rate up. If you don’t have a lot of free time, try to incorporate physical activity into your everyday routine. **End Summary** Topics: stress management]]> stress relief]]> stress reduction]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> White Plains Hospital Center (WPHC) is a 292-bed voluntary, not-for-profit health care organization serving all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and its surrounding areas. Major Programs include the Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center , The William & Sylvia Silberstein Neonatal & Maternity Center, The Ruth and Jerome A. Siegel Stroke Center and The Westchester Orthopedic Institute.

Beginnerâs Guide to Home Espresso Machines

Fri, 07 May 2010 13:29:11 -0400

Replicating that special taste and aroma of a fine restaurant-style espresso can indeed be done right in the comfort of your own home. If you’re in the market to purchase an espresso coffee machine, it’s a good idea to learn the basics when it comes to the types of machines out there on the market. After all, you’ll want the espresso machine to be durable enough to last a long time and be able to accommodate all the different tastes in your household. Finding the right model for you will depend on the level of interest in the actual art of brewing espresso, the number of people who will be using it, and how often these people will be indulging in a fresh-brewed cup. Manual Espresso Machines There are four types of espresso machines. The first is the manual machine, otherwise known as the piston-driven machine, which gives the owner control of when he or she can pull their shot for optimal taste. The most primitive of the machines, this model requires strong arms to make the espresso. **End Summary** Topics: espresso coffee machine]]> Keurig K-Cups]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow.com CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on espresso coffee machines , Tassimo T-Discs, and Pod beverages along with a wide selection of related pantry supplies for your home or office. Visit http://www.coffeecow.com for more information.

Treat your taste buds with the Keurig K-Cup Flavors of the Season

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:13:07 -0500

As winter draws near and the days grow colder, nothing compares to the warm comfort coffee, tea, or hot cocoa can bring when you’re trying to perk up in the morning, need a midday pick-me-up, or crave a hot after-dinner drink to pair with your favorite dessert. If you’re one of the millions of people who have a Keurig® Single-Cup coffee brewer in their home or office, you can treat yourself to a freshly brewed hot drink in less than a minute, with no set-up or clean-up. Keurig's popular coffee, tea and hot cocoa brands offer hundreds of K-Cup® single-serve portion packs to choose from, so everyone can have their favorite variety. Drive away the winter doldrums and tantalize your senses with these delicious flavors of the season: Pumpkin Spice K-Cups from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Seasonal, Fair Trade) – A delicious coffee enhanced by the creamy pumpkin spice flavors of autumn. Full-bodied and smooth, Pumpkin Spice offers the flavorful experience of fresh baked pumpkin pie! Gingerbread K-Cups from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Seasonal, Fair Trade) – A coffee reminiscent of the flavors and aroma of fresh-baked, warm gingerbread. **End Summary** Topics: Keurig K-Cups]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow.com CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on Keurig K-Cups , Tassimo T-Discs, and Pod beverages along with a wide selection of related pantry supplies for your home or office. Visit www.coffeecow.com for more information.

Find your Ancestors through Census Records

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:02:32 -0500

There are other countries that conducted census records prior to 1790, but the United States was the first nation to mandate a census in the Constitution. Article One, Section Two states that at least every ten years an “actual Enumeration” needs to be taken of the population. Now the single most sought after document by genealogists, the census has provided valuable information about ancestors to help countless researchers complete their family genealogy. In 1790, Federal Marshals had the job of visiting every house and recording their findings. The first census only contained six questions: name of the head of house, number of persons in the household, number of free white males over the age of sixteen, number of free white males under the age of sixteen, and the sexes and colors of everyone in the household. Since then every decade has produced another census. Each census has improved with more information making it easier to trace your ancestors. Over the years, the census has changed according to what issues were important to our ancestors at the time. By 1820, the census began to take into account women and “free colored persons” to show how our economy was expanding. **End Summary** Topics: family genealogy]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About ourFamilyology This article was provided by ourFamilyâ¢ologyÂ®, a security conscious, Web-based provider of genealogy software to help you build and organize a precise family history and a reliable family tree that can be shared with family and friends. For more information, please visit www.Family-Genealogy.com/.

Convenience by the Cup: The Benefits of Using a Keurig Coffee Maker

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:34:15 -0400

Many households and offices have to find new ways to cut everyday costs in the face of tough economic times. Often, these cutbacks find their way into the kitchen as people eat out less and opt to purchase more economical products. For daily coffee drinkers, itâ€™s no longer acceptable to brew an entire pot of coffee only to have one person drink it. Getting rid of the leftover coffee is like pouring your hard-earned money down the drain. How can you avoid this type of needless waste? The Keurig coffee maker offers an ideal alternative. Reduce Waste In most households and workplaces, coffee is still made one pot at a time. With the Keurig coffee maker, however, coffee is made one cup at a time. Instead of having to put hot water into a pot and filter ground coffee beans, a Keurig brewer holds just the right amount of coffee needed for a single cup. The water is preheated in the Keurig coffee maker and, as soon as the brewing button is pushed, a hot, delicious cup of coffee is ready and in your hands in less than 60 seconds. **End Summary** Topics: Keurig K-Cups]]> Keurig coffee maker]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow.com CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on The Keurig K-Cups , coffee pods, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies for your home or office. Visit www.coffeecow.com for more information.

The Gourmet Coffee Lover's Guide to the Recession

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

You may have heard of the Latte Factorâ€, a term made famous by best selling author David Bach. The thought behind the Latte Factor is that each day a person spends a small amount of money on a cup of coffee or latte. While the money spent on this small indulgence does not seem like much at the time, over several weeks or months this miniscule expenditure can turn into a large expense. Some gourmet coffee stores charge nearly two dollars per 20 ounce cup of coffee. Making that purchase just five days a week can add up to $40 per month and $480 per year. And if your spouse or partner has the same coffee habit, you could be spending nearly $1000 a year on coffee outside of the home. In tough economic times it becomes important to cut corners and save every penny possible. Treats like a daily stop at the neighborhood cafÃ© are among the first expenses to land on the chopping block. Yet if you switch to making gourmet coffee for yourself at home, you can enjoy your daily treatâ€ and still save money. **End Summary** Topics: Keurig coffee maker]]> Keurig K-Cups]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow.com CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on Keurig K-Cups , coffee pods, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies for your home or office. Visit www.coffeecow.com for more information.

How to Talk to Educators about Your Child's Primary Immunodeficiency

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

If your school-age child has Primary Immunodeficiency Disorder(PIDD), also known as Primary Immunodeficiency (PI), itâ€™s important for teachers, school nurses, and administrators to understand the condition and its treatment. Here are tips for helping educators understand PIDD: Explain that PIDD stands for Primary Immunodeficiency Disorderâ€â€”a genetic condition that people are born with Be sure to explain that PIDD is not contagious and cannot be spread to other children or adults. Sometimes, when some people hear the word immunodeficiency,â€ they think of the AIDS virus, which is a secondary immunodeficiency. You can reassure others that your child poses no risk to other children Clarify that other children can affect the health of your child Describe how common germs can be especially detrimentalâ€”even life-threateningto your childâ€™s health Let the educators know that your child can participate in normal classroom and playground activities Ask educators to help minimize your childâ€™s exposure to germs. **End Summary** Topics: Primary Immunodeficiency Disorder]]> home infusion therapy]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About VivaglobinÃÂ® This article was provided by VivaglobinÃÂ®, the first and only FDA-approved subcutaneous immunoglobulin (Sub-Q Ig) therapy available for patients with Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (PIDD). For more information on PIDD and home infusion therapy , please visit www.vivaglobin.com.

Your Hassle-Free Coffee Routine

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Tired of making a whole pot of coffee when you just want a single cup, just one cup? Fed up with the whole tedious process of removing the filter, rinsing the filter container and pot, and measuring the next pot when the first one went unfinished? Wondering how to get the oils from the last pot of flavored coffee out of the coffee maker? Well, the days of boiling whole pots of water just to have a single cup of coffee are over. Now you can turn coffee making from a chore into a hassle-free process that gets you a great tasting, piping hot cup of single serve coffee in less than a minute, perfectly measured every single time. One cup coffee makers, including the popular Keurig coffee makers and Tassimo brewer, can brew your favorite gourmet tea or coffee in less than a minute, eliminating the need to prepare a whole pot. For people on-the-go, these fast brewing machines are a welcome addition to the home or workplace. The single cup coffee maker is also a great energy saver. **End Summary** Topics: Keurig K-Cups]]> Keurig coffee makers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on Keurig K-Cups , coffee pods, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies for your home or office. Visit www.coffeecow.com for more information.

Traditional Approach to Information Architecture

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Building architects must consider the paths that occupants will follow between a building's functional areas. Information architects must do the same. When doing so, information architects must optimize a variety of different systems and data sources to satisfy their audience's data retrieval and analysis needs: The Information Architecture Institute defines Information Architecture as: 1. The structural design of shared information environments. 2. The art and science of organizing and labeling web sites, intranets, online communities and software to support usability and findability. 3. An emerging community of practice focused on bringing principles of design and architecture to the digital landscape. Traditionally, information architects have been trained to focus on the information systems that they can impact directly. This natural consequence of available technologies led architects to focus their attention on distribution pathways within their organization. This made sense, as a distribution pathway centralizes the control and design of information entry/acquisition and information distribution. In a utopian world, such an approach allows the architect to design workflows, business processes and user interfaces to optimize for insight productivity. This has led to the creation of a variety of systems in use by different user groups within a typical organization. **End Summary** Topics: data retrieval and analysis]]> data search engine]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About ChartSearch This article was provided by ChartSearch. ChartSearch is a newly launched enterprise technology company which helps businesses maximize insight productivity through the use of a first-of-its-kind numerical data search engine and real-time business intelligence platform. With ChartSearch, businesses can find and extract research data on-demand, then automatically visualize it in a readily accessible form. For more information, please visit www.chartsearch.net.

Comparison of Keurig Single Cup Home Brewers

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Everyone loves the great tasting gourmet coffee from the local coffee shop, but so often we donâ€™t have the time to run out to get it. Whatâ€™s more, home brewed coffee used to mean making a full pot, most of which sat around until it went stale or got washed down the drain. Thatâ€™s why more and more people are switching to the great taste and convenience of Keurig coffee makers. Keurig brewing systems make the perfect cup of coffee every time. Simply insert the no mess K-CupÂ® Portion Pack into the brewer and hit the brew button. The K-Cups quickly brew one cup at a time, in under a minute. If youâ€™re a coffee enthusiast whoâ€™s ready to switch to a single cup coffee maker, hereâ€™s a run-down of the key features of the Keurig at-home brewers: Brewer Name: Keurig B30 Mini Personal Brewer Description: Personal brewer thatâ€™s perfect for vacation homes, cabins, college dorms, boats, RVs, or home office desktops. Its compact size lets you enjoy your gourmet coffee anywhere! Features: Heats and brews in less than 3 minutes. Add fresh water for each cup. Cup Size: Brews an 8 oz. **End Summary** Topics: Keurig K-Cups]]> Keurig coffee makers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on Keurig K-Cups , coffee pods, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies for your home or office. Visit www.coffeecow.com for more information.

The Process of Building Competitive Insight

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Every leader wants his business to generate competitive insights better than his competition. But how do you find the process insight that will enable you to build insight-generation capability into your organization? Like many processes within your business, insights are GIGO-oriented: garbage-in, garbage-out. The insights generated by your organization (the outputâ€) are highly dependent on the information being analyzed (the inputsâ€). Insights are gleaned from a variety of sources. Often, they seem intuitive leaping fully formed into an individualâ€'s mind. Whether intuited or consciously sought, insights are produced on the basis of a wide variety of inputs, varying from data retrieval and analysis, educational experiences or interactions and experience in the workplace and beyond. The insights an individual generates are the sum product of their knowledge and experiences. Often, the subconscious will amalgamate this total knowledgeâ€ to produce highly precise insights and the individual may not even be conscious that it has happened. An executive seeking to boost his or her teamâ€'s insight productivity should understand which inputs are involved in the process and come to terms with the fact that some factors he or she cannot influence. **End Summary** Topics: data retrieval and analysis]]> data search engine]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About ChartSearch This article was provided by ChartSearch. ChartSearch is a newly launched enterprise technology company which helps businesses maximize insight productivity through the use of a first-of-its-kind numerical data search engine and real-time business intelligence platform. With ChartSearch, businesses can find and extract research data on-demand, then automatically visualize it in a readily accessible form. For more information, please visit www.chartsearch.net.

The Future of Information Architecture

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Making your organization smarter will help build competitive advantage. However, it takes more than just the latest and greatest tools to do that. Building an organization is much like building a house: a solid foundation has to support the processes, workflows and tools that enable you to succeed. The decisions that yield competitive insights are driven by data retrieval and analysis. When seeking to maximize insight productivity, your IT infrastructure is this foundation. Over the course of the past several years, one can observe two key trends in information architecture: 1. Unstructured content is gaining structure. While the traditional method of controlling uncontrolled content is not economically viable, recent years have seen significant investment in automating or semi-automating the process through the use of taxonomy management systems, tagging, wikis and metadata management. 2. Structured content is becoming uncontrollable. Building, maintaining and managing relevant distribution pathways for one relational database is a (relatively) simple task. But today’s enterprises utilize hundreds (if not thousands) of different databases. Their ensuing volume and complexity put inherent limitations on how organizations can scale the scope and depth of their distribution pathways. **End Summary** Topics: data retrieval and analysis]]> data search engine]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About ChartSearch: This article was provided by ChartSearch Inc. ChartSearch is a newly launched enterprise technology company which helps businesses maximize insight productivity through the use of a first-of-its-kind numerical data search engine and real-time business intelligence platform. For more information, please visit www.chartsearch.net.

Overcoming Formulation Difficulties

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

How does the pharmaceutical world meet the challenge of the ever-increasing pace in pharmaceutical product development? One shortcut solution for formulators is to use high-performing excipients. The changing landscape of the pharmaceutical industry is increasing the commercial pressure on R&D groups to shorten time to market for new products. As a result, formulators are demanding more functionality and performance from their pharmaceutical excipients. These ingredients now play a critical role in achieving stability, reducing costs and improving manufacturing efficiencies. They must also produce a robust dosage form that is unaffected by variations in process parameters or other ingredients. Faced with shorter development cycles and more complex active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), formulators cannot afford the luxury of investigating new excipients. They need to use proven ingredients in the development of new tablets or capsules, and rely heavily on the producers of these ingredients to identify new applications. Enhancing drug formulation Multi-functional excipient products have been shown to offer unique synergies with many common ingredients. For example, combining Starch 1500 – a partially pregelatinized maize starch from Colorcon® – with microcrystalline cellulose results in very compactable formulations with excellent dissolution. This minimizes the need for super-disintegrants that can affect stability. **End Summary** Topics: pharmaceutical product development]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About ColorconÂ® ColorconÂ® is a world leader in the development, supply and technical support of formulated coatings and excipients for the pharmaceutical industry. With Colorcon as their pharmaceutical product development partner, companies produce cost effective, high quality products with superior performance and appearance. To learn more, please visit http://www.colorcon.com/.

Choosing Between Steam or Hot Water Heat: Advice for New Homebuyers

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The home buying process can be complicated, with many details to consider. Should you buy a house with two stories or just one? Hardwood floors or carpeting? Laminate countertops or marble? When real estate markets are hot, and energy costs are stable, buyers have had a history of only looking at the superficial elements of the home, with few taking the time to really analyze the type of heating system that is in place. In times where home heating costs are on the rise, knowing what kind of heating system you are investing in can be a big deal. The home inspection report can let you know what type of heating system is installed in the house, along with the age and condition of the system. Knowing these details about the heating system can help save you thousands in repair expenses, high heating bills or expensive system upgrades. Water-based heating systems have proven to be a reliable source of quiet, even heating for many years. There are two basic types of water-based systems to consider: steam and hot water. **End Summary** Topics: home inspection]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About HouseMaster HouseMaster is the oldest and most respected home inspection company, with a network of independently owned and operated franchises in more than 365 markets across North America. In operation since 1979, HouseMaster has collectively performed nearly 2 million inspections, consistently delivering high quality service, innovative industry practices, and solid business leadership. For more information, visit www.housemaster.com

The Many Forms of Insight within an Enterprise

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Irrespective of your industry, your competitive position tomorrow is determined by your ability to generate insights today. How does your organization spot the trends that are just beyond the horizon? How do you enlist your employees in the data analysis of tomorrow's competitive landscape? No matter what role an employee plays within your organization, they are all able to generate insights into the changing nature of your marketplace. At first glance, the term "insight" appears laden with ambiguous meanings; consultant's jargon with little concrete application in management practice. To translate the term into actionable terms, it is worthwhile to look at several of the definitions provided by Dictionary.com: 1. An understanding of relationships that sheds light on or helps solve a problem. 2. An instance of apprehending the true nature of a thing, especially through intuitive understanding. 3. Penetrating mental vision or discernment; faculty of seeing into inner character or underlying truth. 4. An understanding of the motivational forces behind one's actions, thoughts, or behavior; self-knowledge To understand insight's role within your organization, let us first take a look at the first definition quoted above. **End Summary** Topics: data analysis]]> ChartSearch]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article was provided by ChartSearch. ChartSearch is a newly launched enterprise technology company which helps businesses maximize insight productivity through the use of a first-of-its-kind numerical data search engine and real-time business intelligence platform. With ChartSearch, businesses can find and extract research data on-demand, then automatically visualize it in a readily accessible form. Please visit www.chartsearch.net.

Choosing a Coffee Maker that Fits Your Lifestyle

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Techniques for brewing coffee range from the practical to the artful. When purchasing a coffee maker for your home, you'll want to select a machine that matches your own coffee brewing style. Is drinking coffee a languid morning ritual or something you do on-the-go? Do you prefer an uncomplicated cup of black coffee or an espresso with a light crema layer? To help you decide on the ideal brewer for your lifestyle, here is a rundown of popular coffee machines, from single cup Keurig coffee makers to the more elaborate espresso makers: Drip Coffee Maker You can't get more traditional in your approach to coffee brewing than by using a drip coffee maker. Introduced for home use in the 1970s, these machines work by letting water pass through coffee grounds held in a paper filter or plastic filter. The clear, light-bodied coffee then collects in a brew pot. Drip coffee machines range in size, but typically brew eight to twelve cups at a time. Many models have a heating element which keeps the pot warm. Coffee left sitting in the heated pot for too long may develop a burnt or bitter taste. Benefits: Ease of use. **End Summary** Topics: Keurig coffee makers]]> Keurig K-Cups]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on Keurig K-Cups , coffee pods, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies. Developed by coffee professionals with over 35 years of experience in fulfilling any coffee service need, CoffeeCow offers all the coffee conveniences for your home or office. Visit http://www.coffeecow.com.

Change the World by Changing Your Morning Routine

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Did you know that you can be an agent for positive change by making a few small changes to your morning coffee routine? Research from the National Coffee Association (NCA) indicates that more than 100-million cups of coffee are brewed each day in homes and offices across America. In fact, coffee is second only to oil as one of the most actively traded commodities in the world. When you consider the resources it takes to get coffee from the plant to your mug, it makes sense that – just as automobiles are "going green" – there’s room for eco-friendly improvements when it comes to coffee. Keurig, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., is one of the companies working to provide socially- and environmentally-conscious coffee options. This is great news since about 6% of all coffee brewed in offices in the U.S. is brewed using Keurig coffee makers! If you're one of these millions of people, here are some quick and easy ways you can help our planet: Help Farmers Make a difference in the lives of farmers around the world by purchasing Fair Trade Certified(TM) organic Keurig K-Cup coffees. **End Summary** Topics: Keurig K-Cups]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About CoffeeCow CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on Keurig K-Cups , coffee pods, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies. Developed by coffee professionals with over 35 years of experience in fulfilling any coffee service need, CoffeeCow offers all the coffee conveniences for your home or office. Visit http://www.coffeecow.com

Meet and Eat: Conference Centers Offer 5-Star Dining

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Face it, when you go to a meeting at a conference center, your focus is on who you'll meet and what you'll accomplish. The last thing on your mind is the food – and that’s no wonder! Sure, sometimes a menu pleasantly surprises you by offering more than tough steak, stuffed chicken breast, and pale, overcooked green beans, but conference food is rarely a starring attraction. How many times have you left an event of that type thinking, "Wow, that was a great dining experience?" Probably not too often, but the tide is turning. Not Your Typical Hotel-Style Fare Conference centers are raising the bar when it comes to their culinary offerings. Whereas event attendees used to settle for typical "hotel food", conference centers now provide businesspeople with a high quality, varied dining experience. Many conference centers employ experienced and professionally-trained culinary teams who are passionate about their work. These chefs and event planners value the part they play in setting the stage for a successful meeting and understand that food can make-or-break the attendee's experience. We're not just talking about offering the typical three-square meals per day. **End Summary** Topics: conference center]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About Q Center This article was provided by Q Center. More than an ordinary business conference center , Q Center is a conference complex built by training professionals for training professionals. Q Center provides lodging for more than 1,000 guests as well as dining, abundant recreation, top-flight technology and a host of customized conference services. For further information, please e-mail Communications@QCenter.com or visit www.qcenter.com.

Four Real Estate Deal Killers

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Many news reports point to the sub prime lending mess as the cause for the housing slump. But home sellers should know that plenty of people with good credit are simply cautious buyers, which can keep sales down. In most areas it’s a buyer’s market, so people can be picky. “Most buyers in this market will try to re-negotiate based on the findings of their home inspection. If the seller is unwilling to make repairs or lower the price, they may walk away because they know other properties are available,” says Kathleen Kuhn, president and CEO of HouseMaster, a leading national home inspection franchise company. But sellers do not have to stand by with their fingers crossed to secure a fair sale. Sellers must anticipate the concerns of potential home buyers in order to ensure their homes sell at acceptable prices. To overcome the tough real estate market, many sellers are turning to pre-listing inspections as a tool for enhancing the salability of their homes in a slow market. “More and more home sellers are getting a pre-listing home inspection that helps identify potential deal-breaking issues before the house is listed on the market,” Kuhn says. **End Summary** Topics: home inspection]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> About HouseMaster HouseMaster is the oldest and most respected home inspection company, with a network of independently owned and operated franchises in more than 375 markets across North America. In operation since 1979, HouseMaster has collectively performed nearly 2 million inspections, consistently delivering high quality service, innovative industry practices, and solid business leadership. Visit http://www.housemaster.com/.

A Beginnerâs Guide to Choosing KeurigÂ® K-Cups

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Keurig coffee maker is quickly rising in popularity across North America. Gone are the days of purchasing the old fashion coffee brewer, with separate filters to purchase and a glass pot to wash. The Keurig coffee maker brews in a few easy steps. Just put in a new K-Cup portion pack and press the start button. Within 30 seconds, you have a freshly brewed cup of your favorite gourmet coffee or tea. But what if you don’t know what your favorite coffee is? Keurig provides nearly 200 different coffee, tea and hot cocoa K-Cups from which to choose! With so many options, the coffee selection process can seem like an impenetrable jungle of hard-to-understand descriptions and unfamiliar varieties. If you aren’t an expert at “coffee jargon” and aren’t up for endless flavor experimentation, then it is best to do a bit of research before you buy. After all, you want as few hurdles between you and that steaming cup of coffee as possible. One of the biggest factors in the flavor of coffee is the roast. Before you choose between popular brands and specialty flavors, it helps if you understand the flavor differences created by the roasting process. **End Summary** Topics: Keurig coffee maker]]> Keurig coffee makers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> R.L. Fielding Bio R.L. Fielding has been a freelance writer for 10 years, offering her expertise and skills to a variety of major organizations in the education, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing industries. She lives in New Jersey with her dog and two cats and enjoys rock climbing and ornamental gardening.

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