The Amazing Power of Berries

Searching for a powerful way to reduce the risk of cancer, fight disease, improve memory and prevent age-related eye disorders? Pick up a pint of berries on your next trip to the grocery store.

A growing body of evidences supports eating blackberries, blueberries, elderberries, raspberries and even strawberries as a way to reduce the risk of disease and fight many common symptoms associated with certain diseases.

Fresh berries are most effective for therapeutic use; frozen are next best. For those unable to obtain berries on a daily basis, try adding a berry extract to your diet.

Not only do berries contain necessary antioxidants like vitamins A,C,E and folic acid; they also contain anthocyanins, compounds capable of fighting tumor growth and aiding the body’s natural defenses.

Adding berries to your diet is a simple way to fight disease and satisfy a sweet tooth at the same time.

Don’t Make These 4 Home Seller’s Blunders

Learn how to obtain the best price and avoid the headaches and heartaches associated with selling a home by avoiding these top four mistakes most people make:

1. Pricing

Without a doubt the single biggest mistake most people make when selling a home is not pricing right. Price too low and people are likely to ignore the home because they think it has major flaws; price too high and it is likely to sit on the market so long people lose interest. Work with an agent to price right as soon as the house goes on the market.

2. Maintenance

Failure to make small repairs, paint and properly maintain the property can result in a lower selling price, longer duration on the market and just plain lack of interest.

Remember, first impressions matter. Most people will begin their search online then take a drive by the home before scheduling an appointment to see more.

Make sure your home looks its best at all times.

3. Cutting Commission

While it might seem smart to reduce commission or even try to sell a home yourself, it’s usually penny wise and pound foolish. Remember, a lot of the commission goes to the agent/broker who brings a buyer to the tableless commission equates to fewer people working on your behalf to get the home sold.

Don’t scrimp on the MLS or cut commissions; the additional time, advertising costs and other expenses are likely to erode any so-called savings you might hope to gain.

4. Future Planning

Make sure you have a plan in place before sitting down to the closing table; be sure to take taxes into consideration and have a new home lined up in advance.

Otherwise, you are likely to find at least a portion of your profits going toward unexpected expenses.

Worth Quoting

William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564. He died on the same date 52 years later. Here are some life lessons from his works.

• Action is eloquence.
• Assume a virtue, if you have it not.
• Be great in act, as you have been in thought.
• How use doth breed a habit in a man.
• I am not bound to please thee with my answers.
• I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.
• In time we hate that which we often fear.
• Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.
• Praising what is lost makes the remembrance dear.
• Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind.
• The soul of this man is in his clothes.
• We are advertis'd by our loving friends.
• We know what we are, but not what we may be.
• Brevity is the soul of wit.
• There are occasions and causes why and wherefore in all things.
• An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told.
• Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.
• Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
• All that glisters is not gold.
• Nothing can come of nothing.
• Method in the madness.
• The world's mine oyster.

How the Seasons and Weather Affect the Real Estate Market

Buyers searching for a new home will do well to remember how seasons are likely to impact real estate. Learn how to obtain the best price while making seasonal variations and weather trends work for you with these quick tips:

Always view homes in person. Although a picture may be worth a thousand words, there are times when a photo can actually lead you astray; overgrown bushes could be hiding a diamond in the rough, while a snow-laden landscape may not show the true beauty and charm of a potential property. Assuming all things are equal, take time to visit a property in person before making a final decision.

Shop during the off-times. Motivated sellers may need a fast sale due to job transfers or other family situations; unfortunately, they aren't always able to take advantage of perfect timing. Harsh weather, holidays and other off times often result in fewer people looking for properties. Offer fast closing times and other negotiation strategies for a win-win situation.

Purchase extra protection. Seasonal variations can give misleading inspection results if you aren't careful. Always take the time to obtain a professional inspection and pay close attention to off season items. For example, in the middle of winter it's easy to discover heating-related problems but don't forget to have the HVAC system checked too. Other common seasonal culprits include pools, irrigation systems, fireplaces and windows. An appraisal is an inexpensive way to guard against seasonal real estate related problems.

How to Protect Yourself against Identity Theft

Research indicates identity that theft is on the rise despite continued efforts to keep data secure and crack down on offenders. Big business and government can't stop the problem alone it requires the diligence and effort of every citizen to remain vigilant.

Learn how to protect yourself against identity theft with these simple steps:
Double-Check. If you receive an unsolicited phone call, email or other correspondence, do not provide personal information; instead, ask for a phone number and name so you can call back, then verify that the information is the same as that provided on your billing statement or other contact information. Sophisticated scammers are able to mimic email, websites and even toll-free call-back numbers so that they can entice unsuspecting consumers to provide information.

Manage Passwords. Always use encryption when doing online banking or shopping or otherwise providing delicate information, and take the time to change account passwords frequently. Remember, never share your user names or passwords with others and create unique ones for each individual online presence.

Alerts! Use email alerts to notify you of unexpected withdrawals or large account transactions on banking or credit cards. It allows you to stay alert to potential fraudulent activity on your account.

Wireless Warnings. Although wireless hot spots in cafes and the like are convenient, they are a security nightmare. Avoid banking or conducting sensitive business via a wireless network. Instead, wait until you are in a more secure location or use additional encryption if necessary.

College Football Comes to University of Texas at San Antonio

San Antonio is the largest city in America not to have an NFL or Division I football team, but if Larry Coker has his way, that may not be the case forever.  Coker, the ex-Miami Hurricane's coach, has been hired to build and run the new football program at UTSA.

The Roadrunners will start playing in 2011, and plan on joining the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division 1-AA) in 2012.  There is no stadium at the campus, so UTSA will play in the Alamodome.

Coker seems like an excellent hire for the program, as he is a national championship winning coach, who helmed one of the most successful programs in the country over the last 30 years.  His tenure at Miami was mired in his final year by a nasty on-field brawl between his players and those of Florida International, but his record over the six years he was the Miami head coach was 60-15.

As far as making a splash hire, UTSA certainly could have done worse.  Coker brought some good talent into the Miami program, and of course, Texas is always teeming with great high school prospects.  UTSA is also about three times bigger than Miami, in regards to the student body, so interest and support in the program should be passionate and high.

Having a big-name coach coming in to start the program is a great call.  All college football fans know Coker's name and reputation, and he is not so far removed from the game that his national championship ring has lost much of its luster.

The Spurs are in the middle of a run to the playoffs, and added another big, experienced player to their already formidable roster.  Drew Gooden is the latest addition to a team looking to make a deep run in the post-season.  Gooden started out the season as a Bull, but was sent to Sacramento earlier this season, where he was recently bought out.  The jury will be out for some time as to what Gooden will bring to San Antonio.  He is nursing a strained groin, and is expected to miss a few games, but the hope is that he will be ready for the playoff run.  Gooden is 6'10" and has averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds over his career.

The injury bug has also bitten Manu Ginobili again.  Ginobili has been out of the lineup since Feb. 11.  San Antonio went 7-4 in the month of Feb., which saw Tim Duncan also sidelined for three games with a leg injury.

San Antonio has gotten off to a middling start in the month of March, dropping two of the first four games.  The two losses were to Portland and Dallas, and the wins were blowouts against the Clippers and Wizards.

As far as the division is concerned, the Spurs remain in first place.  The division has been the most competitive throughout the year, and will remain that way until the end.  San Antonio holds a 2 game lead over Houston, with New Orleans just half a game back in third.  Dallas holds fourth place, but even they are only 4.5 games back.  At this point, it's anyone's division, but the Spurs still are in the driver's seat.

As far as the conference standings are concerned, the Los Angeles Lakers have wrapped it up, barring a total collapse, with a 8.5 game lead over the second-place Spurs.  There is a logjam of teams behind the Spurs, with 5 teams within 3 games of San Antonio.

There is still a month and a half left in until the playoffs get started, so anything is possible.  San Antonio certainly has its work cut out for the rest of the month.  March sees them match up against the top teams in the league, with games against the Suns, Lakers, Celtics, Rockets, Hornets, and Hawks.

The addition to Gooden should help enormously in the stretch run, assuming that he manages to get healthy and into playing shape soon.  A big body that can spell Duncan and give more quality minutes than Kurt Thomas can, would be a wonderful addition for what San Antonio hopes to be another successful title run.  Getting healthy is much more important than positioning in the playoffs, but Spurs fans are hoping that the team can pull off both.

¿Despierta Sentimiento Irritable?
Como comenzar bien el día

Admítalo. A veces se despierta un poco malhumorado o desanimado. Tal vez usted no durmió bien o está preocupado por el día que tiene por delante. Independientemente de la razón usted puede aprender a sentirse mejor con estos consejos:

Afróntelo: El primer paso para resolver cualquier problema es afrontarlo inmediatamente. La dilatación, la negación y la racionalización sólo crean más ansiedad, no menos. En cambio, simplemente reconozca cual es la fuente del problema y luego planee como manejarlo.

Vístase para impresionar: Obtenga la respuesta que necesita para tener éxito luciendo lo mejor que pueda. Tómese unos minutos para ponerse algo especial. Esto es un modo seguro de llamar la atención y tener una actitud positiva a lo largo del día.

Coma bien y haga ejercicio: Evite los azúcares refinados, la cafeína en exceso u otros "alimentos reconfortantes" que realmente pueden hacer que su humor empeore a la larga. Una elevación o disminución en los niveles de azúcar en sangre a menudo está relacionado con el malhumor; por el contrario, coma un poco de fruta fresca y otros alimentos sanos. También es una buena idea hacerse tiempo para dar una caminata o ir al gimnasio; esto es un modo excelente de limpiar la mente y curar el peor malhumor.

Haga algo para los demás: Hay mucha sabiduría en el viejo adagio "es mejor dar que recibir". Esto es sobre todo verdad cuando se trata de mejorar el propio humor.

Citas valiosas

Algunas citas escritas por Douglas Adams, el autor de la Guía del Autoestopista de la Galaxia, que nació en el marzo de 1952:

Como evitar problemas al comprar en un remate judicial

Aprenda cómo ahorrar dinero y encontrar los mejores remates judiciales evitando estos problemas comunes.

Defectos ocultos

Violaciones a los códigos de contrucción

Impuestos y seguro

Adquiera un seguro de escritura