The news of this amazing fruit spread throughout the region. Monks started drying the berries to transport to distant monasteries. They reconstituted the berries by soaking them in water. They would eat the fruit and drink the liquid to provide stimulation for a more awakened prayer time. The berries were transported from Ethiopia to the Arabian peninsula and were first cultivated in Yemen.

Then coffee travelled to Turkey where beans were roasted for the first time over fires. The beans were crushed and boiled in water, creating a crude version of the coffee of today. Coffee arrived on the European continent through Venetian trade merchants. The catholics were totally against drinking coffee. In fact they thought the Pope should ban coffee, calling it the "Drink of the Devil'.

However the pope had already become an avid coffee drinker. He liked it so much that he blessed it. Coffee houses spread quickly. Many great minds gathered in them for thought and creativity. In the 1700's coffee made its way to the America's by means of a French infantry captain.

He travelled with a small plant. It was then transplanted to the Carribean Island of Martinique. There grew 19 million trees within 50 years. Coffee was declared the national drink of the colonized U.S. by Congress.

Today coffee is a giant global industry employing more than 20 million people. This commodity ranks second only to Petroleum in its dollars traded worldwide. There are 4 billion cups consumed every year. Coffee is the worlds most popular beverage. In Brazil, over 5 million people are employed in cultivating and harvesting over 3 billion coffee plants.

Sales of premium speciality coffees have skyrocketed. Sales have reached the multi-billion dollar level and increase annually. Well that is the history of coffee. It all started with a farmer wanting more energy. Even today most of the world wakes up to a cup of coffee to start thier day.

I am one of those people who can't live without coffee, especially in the morning. Due to it's popularity, I am sure I am not the only one..

James Duke, a renowned enthobotanist who worked for 35 years for the USDA, established a data base with over 130 amazing Mangosteen properties and health benefits. A few of them are:Anti-Alzheimer's & Parkinsons and other forms of dementia; anti-depressant & anti-anxiety; lowers blood fat & high blood pressure; normalizes blood sugar (a god-send for diabetics & hypoglycemics); prevents gum disease; relieves bronchitis; prevents and arrests fungus; lowers fever; prevents glaucoma and cataracts; alleviates menstrual problems; anti-bacterial & anti-viral; effective against dermatitis and acne; anti-diarrheal; alleviates athritis; anti-tumor & anti-cancer; helps to normalize body weight; boosts energy; has unsurpassed anti-aging properties; etc.The Mangosteen Fruit has been found to have pansystemic (synergistic) effects on the entire body.Mangosteen is now on an unstoppable march to conquer the world. It recently has become available in the United States (and 9 other countries) as a delicious life-changing health beverage that is very affordable.If you would like to see the Complete Story of "Mangosteen - The Forbidden Fruit" just click this link: http://www.researchxango.com/pressrelease.htmTo Order, click here: http://DoXango.com.

And a leftover pungent smell trapped in an air-conditioned car can be the worst thing ever, let me tell you!!So last year, when I found out that there's a guy who would actually deliver ?durians' fresh from his orchard to my doorstep, I was delighted. Now the ?Durian Man' has figured out there are lots of others like me out there who'd rather go into ?durian withdrawal' than drive around in a stinky car, and he's found his niche doing home deliveries.So what is the ?Durian Man' doing for me, his customer? He's providing me the convenience of not having to go out there in the heat and the traffic to buy ?durians' and stink up my car for something that I'm not even 100% sure will taste good.Other ?durian' sellers have found their niche in selling the fruit without its spiky skin. If you've ever tried to pry open a ?durian' yourself, you'll know it's best to leave this thorny task to the professionals.Some sellers offer to open the fruits as a free service to their customers, others sell the fruit pre-packaged in plastic boxes. Although plastic boxes cannot technically hold in the smell and prevent it from stinking up your car, they're a much better option to punctured palms and bleeding fingers.Lesson #1: Listen to your customers' problems. If there's anything you can do to make their lives easier, to save them time and effort, you may well have found your niche.

Build your business around it, and you have a surefire winner.But the ?Durian Man' doesn't stop there. He handpicks the ?durians' for me (since I'm completely clueless at distinguishing a good fruit from an inferior one) and delivers only the best fruits.Not only that, he backs each fruit with his personal guarantee that it will be of the best quality - succulent and tasty. If any of his fruits turns out to be substandard, all I have to do is to call him, and he'll replace those fruits on my next order, plus throw in a couple more fruit as a goodwill gesture.Lesson #2: By backing his products with a personal guarantee, he is building the customer's trust in him, his products and indeed his business. Trust is the biggest factor in ensuring repeat business. It puts the customer completely at ease doing business with someone they know will deliver quality.

And frankly, I'd rather do business with someone I know and trust than with a total stranger, wouldn't you?Fast forward to this week. He calls me to say, "Hey, listen, I'm driving into the city from my orchard, and I've got a batch of the freshest ?durians' this season. Really, these are the best so far. Want me to stop by your house with some?"Would you pass up an offer like that? It's been over six months since I last ordered from him, and frankly with the kind of schedule I'm running, ?durians' have to absolutely be the last thing on my mind. But hearing that ?durians' are in season again and knowing I don't have to lift a finger to go buy them was tempting.

Without hesitation, I ordered a batch to be delivered the same afternoon!Lesson #3: Find a reason to contact your customers, keep them in the know, remind them that you're still around offering the same great customer service, and there's your repeat customer right there ;o).The ?Durian Man''s business tactics are not new but they work like a charm. Think about how you can adapt his tactics into your own business.Copyright 2004 Kit Lum. All rights in all media reserved..

Wm McPhilamy, in "Noni and Addictions: A Way Out" writes very descriptively about Noni fruit juice. "Noni's ability to sustain cell flow through is why this juice has such a beneficial effect and gives long ? lasting relief. Once in the cell, noni permits harmful substance such as lactic acid, uric acid, and other toxins to actually 'flow out' of the cell, while at the same time allowing its own nutraceuticals to 'flow in.' This, quite obviously, prevents pressure buildup in the cells that cause inflammation in the joints and in many other areas. It also can boost T-cell counts."However, there is also a skeptical view on Health and Noni Fruit. The New England Sceptical Society holds the view that "Tahitian Noni Juice is just the latest in a long history of snake oil remedies.

This movement, like those before it, has all of the features of a quack remedy with a contemporary flavor. I will review the characteristic features of the marketing of such quack remedies and indicate for each characteristic how the Noni-juice phenomenon fits the mold exactly."The author of this article does not endorse of these two particular views, but aims to show them equally and requires discernment. The Noni Fruit phenomenon is still pretty new and it will take time until more in-depth studies will be done by the mainstream medicine or the consumer protection agencies.However, we also know that Natural Health products, and Noni Fruit being one of them, have gained considerable weight and acceptance among the consumers, and despite the present skepticism, Noni Fruit Juice may well be the next Natural Health phonemenon that will be beneficial for the public.Copyright 2004, eMaxHealth.com.

Today, after caring for my dogwood tree year after year, it brightens the spring with glorious blossoms and flowers.There is the potential for beautiful blossoms within each unique human being. Like the myriad varieties of flowering plants, some will bloom early, some later.Both are on schedule. Yet people need inner confidence, faith, and the nourishment of encouragement to thrive.Ask yourself: "How can I give to a special person, my belief in their potential? When the blossoms open, what will they look like?"By sharing with others our faith in their abilities, we nourish their hopes and dreams. We begin to see our acknowledgments mirrored back with magnificent blossoms and abundant fruit. Those we care about will grow to realize their potential, and nourish others with their joy, faith and self-confidence.One of my favorite quotes was written by Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, "Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it."As Mr.

Emerson suggested, take the action, speak the words, and think with vision, faith and conviction. When the time is right, the blossoms you're envisioning now will open. They will be beautiful..

The most common and abundant ones are sugars, fibers, and starches. The basic building blocks of all carbohydrates are sugar molecules.The digestive system handles all carbohydrates in much the same way - it breaks them down (or tries to break them down) into single sugar molecules, since only these are small enough to absorb into the bloodstream. It also converts most digestible carbohydrates into glucose (also known as blood sugar), because cells are designed to use this as a universal energy source. This is why carbohydrates can make us feel energetic. Carbohydrates fuel our body.

Your body stores glucose reserves in the muscles in the form of glycogen ready to be used when we exert ourselves.Carbohydrates are the highest octane - the most desirable fuel source for your body's energy requirements. If you don't have an adequate source of carbohydrate your body may scavenge from dietary protein and fat to supply glucose. The problem is when you've depleted your stores of glycogen (stored glucose in muscle and lean tissue) your body turns to burning muscles or organs (lean muscle tissue) and dietary protein or fat to provide blood glucose to supply energy needs. When this happens, your basal metabolic rate drops because you have less lean muscle tissue burning calories and your body thinks its starving and cuts back on energy requirements. So you should continue to eat carbohydrates discriminately selecting those which have the greatest health benefits.The carbohydrates you consume should come from carbohydrate-rich foods that are close to the form that occurs in nature.

The closer the carbohydrate food is as Mother Nature intended, the greater the density of other vital nutrients. If you are looking for health-enhancing sources of carbohydrates you should choose from:Fruit: rich in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, potassium and often vitamin E.Vegetables: fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, often vitamin E, potassium and a wider variety of minerals than fruit.Whole grains and grain foods: rich in fiber, protein, and some B vitamins and are very rich in minerals.Legumes: an excellent source of protein, fiber folate, potassium, iron and several minerals.Dairy foods: protein, vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12.You can also source carbohydrates from processed foods such as soda pop or soft drinks, snacks such as cookies and chips, and alcohol. These generally are considered to be a poor food choice and should be consumed rarely. The carbohydrate source (sugar and flour) in these food choices has been highly refined processed. A diet rich in refined carbohydrates and processed foods has been associated with heart disease and onset of type 2 diabetes.

Why are these sources of carbohydrates to be avoided?

1. They are calorie dense and contribute a large number of calories in a small amount of food. For example a 7oz bag of potato chips or corn chips have approximately 1000 calories. Most women on a weight management program will be aiming for 1200 daily calorific intake. So, this is what we mean by calorie dense and nutritionally scarce.
2. They offer little appetite-holding power because they have no fiber or protein. As a result you end up searching for food again soon after your first serve.
3. They contribute nothing to your nutritional profile except calories.

   This means you have fewer calories left for foods that your body requires for good health.

You have made gift giving so much easier for me."According to Flowers, some of the most popular Easter gift baskets include:Easter Treasures ($80): This gift basket features a beautiful chest filled with a fuzzy teddy bear disguised as a bunny, a pillar candle with poem, a 14-ounce Peter Rabbit tin filled with gourmet chocolate chip cookies, creamy spring mint meltaways, chocolate caramel peanut clusters and more.Bunny Love ($68): This keepsake basket includes a little bunny rabbit peaking out of the front, as well as an "Easter Chick's on Parade" photo frame, a Butterfly Garden tin filled with chocolate caramel nutty pleasures and a variety of gourmet cookies, a five-inch foil-wrapped chocolate bunny and jumbo cashews, topped off with a "Happy Easter" balloon.Happy Easter ($63): This painted whicker basket arrives with a plush musical bunny, gourmet snack mix, a box of pastel mint meltaways, pastel candy corn, a beautiful Butterfly Garden tin filled with chocolate caramel nutty pleasures, and an assortment of chocolate Easter candy.Hippity Hoppity ($65): This festive gift basket is filled with gourmet chocolate covered sunflower seeds, Easter Jelly Belly's, golden walnut caramel filled cookies, a large Mama Bunny box filled with raspberry tea cookies, mini speckled malted eggs, gourmet caramel corn, caramel praline cocoa, crackers and cheese spread, a spring flower shaped keepsake candle set and more.These Easter gift baskets, and a selection of other seasonal gift baskets, can be ordered online at http://www.giftbasketvillage.com/easter-baskets/ or by phone at 800-563-8890.Located in the quaint Village of Ortonville, Mich., Gift Basket Village offers gourmet gift baskets for any occasion, including anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, weddings, housewarmings and more. Established in September 2000 by Susan Flowers, the company has delivered more than 15,000 gift baskets. It takes prides in its unique product selection, artful arrangements and exceptional customer service. Orders are also accepted by phone from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

EST, Monday through Saturday.For more information, visit http://www.giftbasketvillage.com or call 800-563-8890..

But Itrust that you have an open mind. You are studying theprinciples that lead to having more peace, happiness, andhealth in your life-enlightenment. And I'm trusting youare ready for more success in the easiest possible way. I've discovered that really living life and choosinghappiness is not a destination to reach, but a journey tobe relished. The journey certainly includes the achievement of yourgoals.

For me, the first step in achieving any goal is tovisualize and feel the goal already accomplished. I'll say that again. The first step in achieving any goal is to visualize andfeel the goal is already accomplished. You know about visualization. You might even practice itor try it from time to time.

But I find that merelyvisualizing your goals being accomplished is not enough. Let me explain. I took 4 years of post doctoral work in medical hypnosis. I read countless study after study of how the mere additionof just one concept to visualization made success morelikely to manifest. In the 1920's the University of Chicago performed anexperiment with three groups.

The first group had to showup for an hour every day and practice making baskets withthe basketball. Each group was measured for their skilllevel at the beginning of the study and at the end of 30days. The second group was told to show up at thelaboratory and to sit down for an hour and continuouslyrehearse making baskets in their mind. The third group was told not to practice, but to show up in 30 days. Predictably the group that actually practiced each day didmuch better.

However, what astonished the researchers wasthe fact that the second group, those who practiced seeingit and feeling it in their minds were not far behind thefirst group. Both groups improved. And in the field of hypnosis therapy, very little hypnosiscan happen unless your client is feeling the effects ofeach suggestion. Some of the early writers within the science and art ofcreating your own reality have shared that it is importantto FEEL the thing you want to manifest as if you ALREADYhad it. That is the secret.

This is what I'd like you to add toyour practice of visualization. How? Begin right now by answering the question, "What do I wantto have, or be or do that will enrich my life experience?" Now cultivate the feeling of having already accomplishedyour desire. In other words, if you desire a pay raise, what does thatfeel like when you imagine that you have already achievedit? I believe all success begins within you-within your mind. When you begin to create in your mind what you want andfeel it, then you begin to mobilize inner and outer forcesto come to your assistance. I believe that the magic ofvisualization is one of the oldest secrets to successfulcreation on our planet.

Want to make your success even more certain? Write yourgoal down. Brian Tracy a peak performance expert says that80% of your goals will manifest on their own just by yourwriting the goal down. So, capture your goal on paper. Writing it down helps youto focus. Focusing makes your success more certain.

Thengive your visualization fuel by feeding it with feeling. Once again, feel as if you have already attained your goal. You don't have to weaken the feeling or the focus bytelling anyone. Just celebrate your success within. Celebrate and dance to the music of your success.

Feel itand watch what happens as you watch your outer successmanifest. is the author of The Initiation. AsAmerica's Enlightenment Coach he has assisted thousands ofindividuals to awaken to their inner power. Free:Enlightenment 101 newsletter http://www.enlightenment101.com Donald@enlightenment101.com.

The sweet, tang of the fruit with the sharp taste of the cheese is a mixture that will please any palette. When serving, allow guests to slicetheir own fruit -- this will keep the fruit from turning brown.3. Ham and turkey are both low fat meats if you choose lean varieties. Here are a few special ways to serve them depending on the level of sophistication of your guests:- For kids: serve the meat in bite-sized chunks, also offer grapes and chunks of low fat cheese... let your guests pick up these healthy nuggets with toothpicks.- For the older crowd: Buy deli slices of ham, turkey, and cheese.

Roll them up, serve with a choice of small dinnerrolls (onion rolls, plain, egg, whole wheat...).Add a selection of fancy mustard or any unique fat-free condiments. (Have some fun experimenting with fat free mayonnaise and/or yogurt and spices like chili, dry mustard, onion and garlic.)4. Shrimp is a fabulous appetizer that has 100 calories perthree oz, very little fat, and tons of protein! A less expensive option is imitation crab or lobster (made out of whitefish and flavored to taste like crab or lobster.) Serve with cocktail sauce and it tastes nearly as good as shrimp. Again, toothpicks come in handy for this appetizer. 5.

Bruschetta... Slice a loaf of French baguette bread into1/2 inch slices, place on a cookie sheet.Dice 2-3 large ripe tomatoes.Chop 1/2 - 1 cup of fresh basil. Mix tomato and basil together, add a little salt and pepper if you like. Put tomato mixture on the sliced bread.Sprinkle with shredded low-fat mozzarella.Broil about five minutes until cheese is bubbly.Come and visit the NutriCounter web site for moreinformation on how nutrition influences weight loss, diabetes, pregnancy, heart disease and more!http://www.nutricounter.com.

"My clients love the gift towers and combos, and my family loves the smoked salmon and California Crunch Almonds." "The quality of the products Specialty Food Online carries is amazing," said Lupe Noguera, a customer from San Francisco. The main reason the quality is so high is that Specialty Food Online prides itself on sourcing products from artisan producers who use only the finest ingredients to make their products. This attention to quality makes this holiday season's selection of gift baskets the best ever."We've definitely benefited from the popularity of farmers markets and organic food. Our site continues to grow in popularity everyday. Customers want beautiful healthy specialty foods and gifts.

At this point we've got a nice selection to offer our clientele. We actually source many of our products from vendors we find at our local farmer's markets here in Northern California," says Jason Blum. Specialty Food Online's holiday free shipping program will only last until Jan 4th. Orders that need to arrive by Christmas must be placed no later than Dec. 21st.Try one of the products that was selected by Oprahs' O Magazine in 2003, to be on the cover of their Holiday Guide.

You will be amazed by the variety of fresh seafood and meats as well as fruit and jam combinations. The Festival of Fruit basket, comprised of the world renowned Royal Comice Pears, apples, oranges, grapefruit, kumquats, and pineapples, is the perfect way to send friends and family all the good cheer of the holiday season. If you would like something a little sweeter, express your best wishes with the Sweet and Savory Gift Tower, which has it all: fruit, cheese and crackers, dried fruit, and chocolate. Each gourmet basket is a unique gourmet baskets are the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday list. Order your gift basket now and the shipping is free.

Make your holiday shopping easier and more enjoyable with Specialty Food Online. You are one click away from the perfect holiday gift! Send friends and family a gift basket from Specialty Food Online www.specialtyfoodonline.com and enjoy free shipping nowContact Information:Specialty Food Onlinewww.specialtyfoodonline.com866.606.3663e-mail protected from spam bots.