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I’ve spent a lifetime trying to “exercise”. You know buy a gym membership, buy new clothes, spend, spend, spend and then never actually see the inside of the gym, and never lose weight or get fit.

I have bought just about every home fitness video and dvd there is. Those infomercials are REALLY good! I get so motivated while I’m watching and I order only to have no motivation when the product actually gets to my house.

This summer I assumed would be much the same. However, one thing changed. I didn’t join the gym… again, but I did decide to dig my bike out of the garage and get back on it. As soon as I got on my bike I realized how much I loved to ride. That one ride has led me to set goals and even start a blog about long distance cycling. 

I’ve found since it became about seeing just how far I could go on my bike and not about how much weight I could lose the pounds have been coming off, and the muscle is building.

I’ve heard similar stories from others as well. A friend of mine bought an Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Inflatable Kayak, and now can’t stay off the water. She’s losing wieght too. 

It seems when you get out in the real world, and your focus changes, it becomes more fun. It’s more of a challenge, seeing what you can get your body to do. It all becomes so much more than a couple pounds on the scale ~ but those come off too.

So if you really want to lose weight and get healthy I suggest you get off your Schwinn 460 elliptical trainer and get yourself out in the real world! You might be surprised what happens.

Comments (0) Sep 30 2009

Paycheck Loans are a recently new form of loaning and getting cash in Britain. The loans have been possible for a good time in the US and the loans are often shown in lending outlets in the streets. So the loans have at this point become a piece of British life and the easiest place to look for payday loans is online. Normally they all are processed in a similar method – get some money in 24 hours in your account and then pay back before the finish of a period of a month for a fee. Generally this is roughly £25 for £100 which is inflated interest, but in an emergency may be the only possibility.

Onto a completely different kind of monetary product, and that is the area of financial trading, as in stocks or FX currency trading. Previously, it used to be thought that the primary persons savvy or with the computers to trade were professional brokers. However this is no longer the case – especially with the advent of the internet, trading has rarely been more easy. Online trading on the net is simple to prepare, though we reckon you should practice before risking real money!

A matter for consumers exchanging their cash into a different currency is to procur the best foreign exchange rates possible. Companies are seeking for the bestvalue! The simplest way to do this is to use a search engine and compare forex specialists online until you find a suitable exchange. Whether you need the foreign currency for travel cash or a more significant purchase online is the advisable method.

Comments (0) Sep 30 2009

What is the Pritikin Diet?

Amongst the million and one diets out there, you may find the Pritikin Diet to be one that you would take interest in. You know

that there are so many to choose from and that you have to try them individually to see that they work. Then there is the time

and the money that you invest into any particular diet. Finding one is challenging. Sticking to the one that works can be even more challenging.

The Pritikin Diet consists of low fat meals and small healthy snacks. If you think that you can handle just that for your everyday meals, then this diet may be the right one for you. You will find that only 10% of the diet is made up of fat. There have been over 70K people that have actually put this diet to the test in places of research. They have been researching the diet since 1976.

In the establishment they learned how to prepare the proper meals. not to mention stress management and proper exercising as well. The creater of the diet has also written several books for the convenience of the dieters. These include

recipes and helpful hints. Nathan Pritikin has also written about diet tips such lowering cholesterol and advising them on ways to reduce stress.

If you rely more on the type of calorie (or the calorie dense) then it is more of an advantage to you to enjoy all of the foods that fall into this category without worrying about how much is too much. Such foods are oatmeal and apples, etc. Basically in this diet you are watching out for high calorie foods.

Is the Pritikin Diet for You?

If you are the type that likes vegetables and healthier foods, then this is definitely the diet for you. Of course that is also to your doctor’s discretion. As with any diet, it takes you trying it (after looking it over) to see whether it will work for you. Some people watch their calorie intake anyway, so this may very well be the best diet for them to begin with.

There are things that you may not eat and it is a good idea to keep that in mind when you are deciding if this is the best diet for you. Such things include actually keeping up with your calorie intake. If you are willing to closely follow the diet and keep up with your food and calorie intake, not to mention eat low calorie foods, you may consider the diet.

To Go On the Pritikin Diet or Not to Go on It?

What are the reasons to go on this particular diet? As with any diet there art benefits and then there are downfalls that come

with it as well. The good side of the diet is that it brings balance to your body and calorie intake. Of course this means that you have to invest in healthier foods. Sometimes fruits and vegetables can be costly.

If you are not one to exercise, you may not like this diet because you are not allowed to consume any calories unless you plan on burning them off with exercising. Are

you willing to sacrifice sweets and replace them with fresh produce? If you answered yes, then this may just be the diet for you!

You must keep track of the foods that you are consuming and not only that but the amount of calories that are found in the foods. There are things that you need to consider before you begin the diet.

What Exactly Can I Eat Again?

First of all you need to recognize the foods that are high in calories and steer away from them. Just remember that you want to eat a calorie free diet as much as possible. in order to be full, you will want to buy foods that are high in fiber. Such foods are any kind of fresh vegetables, like broccoli. Then there are fruits like oranges and grapefruit. If you like beans, these are extremely high in fiber as well.

Another great food that is full of fiber is unprocessed grains. If you eat these types of food, they give you that feeling of fullness. You are also allowed to eat snacks that aren’t laden with calories as well. A list of the foods that are suggested are barley, brown rice, dark green lettuce, beans, apples, squash, onions, strawberries, pears, potatoes and bananas.

Okay I Want to Try it so How Does it Work?

First of all, you want to make sure that you exercise. With most diets, it is essential to exercise, too. It is all about the amount of calories our body should consume per pound. If you are balancing foods that are full of calories and then the fiber, then you are doing well to balance out your calorie intake. The main purpose is to get your caloric density down to a level where you will lose weight. It is suggested to eat whole foods that are unprocessed. Then there are carbohydrate rich foods that should be included.

The author of this article runs a web site devoted to sanyo cell phone charger and oem cell phone charger and cell phone holder.

Comments (0) Sep 30 2009

Finding the best gas grill for your family’s use boils down to several factors. When researching new bbq grills you should try to consider all of the companies, as this will heighten your chances of acquiring the correct one. The last thing you want to do is to waste money on a grill that you aren’t going to cook on, or one that will sit in your garage and collect dust. You want to be proud to use it and cook on it as much as possible during the nice summer months.

The first thing you need to determine is what is the budget you have to work with. There are so many choices today such as Weber grills or Char-Broil grills, and each of these brands has many different units that you should narrow the list down by cost. Once you accomplish this you can begin to compare the features of each one to help you select the best one.

Some of the main features you will want to compare are the amount of burners, BTU’s of the burners, quality of craftsmanship, and warranty. Some of today’s gas grills are built using rugged stainless steel that will withstand the weather much more than other units. Additionally,Plus many come with rotisseries and extra storage which can help you cook the best barbecue meal possible. And ultimately that is the main goal as you want to get years of enjoyment out of it with your friends and family.

A last step in your research is to read as many gas grill reviews as you can locate, which is very easy on the world wide web. This will give you a viewpoint about how other individuals view the grills that you are considering buying. The ultimate result will be a barbeque gas grill that you enjoy grilling on, and one that will hold up for several years of outdoor cooking.

Comments (0) Sep 30 2009

NVQ stands for ‘National Vocational Qualification’. The NVQ is a work-related qualification in the UK which has been designed to recognise peoiple’s abilities in their jobs. There are many types of NVQ in all sorts of subjects, including the Health and Social Care NVQ.

Each NVQ reflects the skills and knowledge you need to do a particular job effectively. A Health and Social Care NVQ is based on national standards that describe what you are expected to be able to do at work. NVQs can be taken by working people, or by school or college students with a work placement or part-time job. There are no particular entry requirements or age limits – and you don’t have to complete an NVQ in a set time period.

How do you get a Health & Social Care NVQ?

You can gain a Health and Social Care NVQ through a mixture of training and assessment. With the help of an assessor, you identify what you can already do, agree what level you’re aiming for, and work out what you need to learn to get there – and how best to learn it.

Each NVQ is made up of units or levels, which you take one at a time. You are usually assessed by someone observing you at work and asking you questions. You also collect evidence that shows you are competent to meet the relevant NVQ standards.

Comments (0) Sep 30 2009

Ultimately it is the program that is working behind the platform that actually provides the entire servicing mechanism. You can also incorporate payment processes processor services which facilitates credit card transactions over the internet. For a profound existence in the internet world, an interesting internet ecommerce website design quote is very important.

The color combinations that you use also need to be selected very carefully. He will be the one that will provide you the best tools that you require to have a fully customized website that will provide you with all the options to make your website completely attractive. There can be website templates that are available with your designer. This will allow you to have a complete visual forefront of your website before it is launched.

You need to be given the freedom of choice and what you have in your mind must be made clear beforehand you have a business website design.You also need to be provided with the right user interface that will guide you through the process of checking the data and govern all the activities that are carried about.

Comments (0) Sep 29 2009

Modern pergolas are usually permanent fabrications with vine covered, open framed and latticed roof backed by regularly separated columns. Pergolas might be put together in almost any segment of the garden or backyard. Pergolas may be stand alone creations  or latched onto to the house. Pergolas are delightful to relish during summers when the sun is at its brightest and hottest. Pergolas seem to provide just the appropriate blend of light and shade.

You may construct a pergola but only when you possess the right design. Or else the pergola may not be excellent. Patio pergola plans can be easily obtained from websites, home improvement books and magazines. They should provide you all the details you need to erect a patio pergola.

That said how ensure that you have the suitable plan.

There are quite a lot of details to keep in mind when deciding on a design.

    * Firstly, location. A lot could depend on whether the construction will be stand alone or be part of a patio or deck. In case it will be, you may want to check out some patio plans too.

    * Then to be considered might be the dimensions of the pergola. The planned pergola must fit in the location you have chosen.

    * Next you might have to decide the material for your pagoda. While wood is possibly the most widely used construction material the kind of wood might be determined by the climatic conditions . You’ll need to take expert assistance in this matter.

    * And lastly,  is your budget for the pergola. The pergola plan you choose must fit your budget. Make up your mind on your budget prior to choosing any pergola plan.

Now you can start your activity of building a pergola. Just ensure you have gone through several designs prior to choosing any one.

Comments (0) Sep 29 2009

Hemroids are an unpleasant, embarrassing problem that is estimated to affect some 40% of all adults at one time or another in their lives.

Two of the chief risk factors for hemroid problems are low fiber diets and sitting in the same position for long periods of time. The processed foods that make up most of the diet of industrialized societies are very low in fiber. Today’s sedentary lifestyles, low fiber diet and the need to spend endless hours sitting at desks, in front of computers or driving, work to make us all candidates for hemorrhoids problems.

When most people first experience hemroid symptoms, their initial reaction is either to ignore it or get some kind of non-prescription lotion or creme to relieve the pain, itching, etc. Ignoring those symptom would not be a good thing to do. The best way to nip hemorrhoids in the bud is to start with curing them when they first appear.

The best treatment for your hemorrhoids will be one that leads to a long-term, permanent cure for your hemorrhoids problem. Don’t let yourself be trapped into becoming a forever repeat customer of an ointment for only short term relief.

What you want to search for and find is a proven natural hemorrhoid cure that has already proven itself by curing hundreds of hemorrhoid cases. Look for lots of testimonials and a guarantee, just to make sure it really works.

At the first signs or symptoms of developing hemroids, start looking for a course of action that will take you to a permanent cure. This is infinitely preferable to starting a long-term cycle of buying a pain reliever then buying more when that runs out. So go for a long term permanent solution, not just short-term relief.

The absolutely best treatment for hemroids is that which aims to cure, by dealing with the causes, not just the symptoms. Save time, money, pain and embarrassment; go for the cure, the long-term solution.

Disclaimer: This posting is based on information freely available in the popular press and medical journals that deal with hemorrhoids. Nothing herein is intended to be or should be construed to be medical advice. For medical advice the reader should consult with his or her physician or other medical specialist.

Contributed by Steven Hinson

Comments (0) Sep 28 2009

There are various things that anyone can do when it comes to dealing with the current not so good economic situation that the planet finds itself in. Now we all have a choice when it comes to just what to do with our time and individuals have chosen to spend their time in an appropriate manner and focus on greenhouse growing tips. We will consider many subjects during this discourse including hardwood flooring tips, bird watching for dummies & fishing for beginners but there is something special about hardwood flooring tips as this is talking about the places that we live and we consider that there is so much mental energy that is involved when it comes to rose growing tips as it involves making the places that we live that bit more special and that is something that is desired by individuals found the world all over.

Moving on from dealing with those pastimes that deals with the places that we live, we can now continue and deal with some of the things that citizens do when it comes to spending time outside. If you are thinking of doing something that is more artistic in your spare time then paying attention to treasure hunting tips may well be something that will assist you in getting rid of some of the strains that life brings to all of us as individuals. There are many specialist teachers out there that are focusing on bird watching for dummies to assist citizens in being the best that they can be when it comes to bird watching for dummies and all that is has to offer. The more tranquil nature of sculpting lesson plans is something that is perhaps needed by so many individuals in life.

Taking part in things that require a bit more strength may be a thing that we prefer to while away our time on and this may mean that we end up being experts when it comes to pheasant hunting tips. There are many different skills that are needed by individuals if one wants to really get to grips with fishing for beginners but when mastered – for sure the joy that can be received from being involved in horse care for beginners is a thing that a person will refer to and be glad for the time that they put in to acquire all that they may be able to.

Comments (0) Sep 28 2009

Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly called rosemary is an aromatic herb indigenous to the Mediterranean area.   Rosemary is traditionally known as the herb of remembrance and friendship.  Also known as Mary’s mantle and compass weed, rosemary is a lovely, sweet scented, shrubby perennial in Mediterranean countries that can be grown as an annual in Northern climates or as an indoor potted plant.  Rosemary has needlelike leaves and delicate light blue flowers.  Mature plants can live for over 30 years.

Rosemary grows best in full sun but will tolerate semi-shade.  This plant grows best in light, well-drained soil.  Let rosemary become moderately dry between waterings, as root rot can be a problem in soggy soils.  Mist the leaves every second week.  Rosemary grows 3 – 6 feet (1 – 2 m) tall outdoors.  Indoors, rosemary benefits by harvesting tip cuttings that will keep the plant fuller and bushier.  Rosemary’s leaves are dark green on top with silvery undersides.

Rosemary is slow to germinate and grow from seed so it is best to buy plants or propagate rosemary from stem cuttings.  Grow rosemary herb indoors during the winter and when moved outdoors for the summer it will thrive.  Leave rosemary in pots in the garden as it seems to be able to adjust to moving back in-doors more successfully.  Move back indoors before the first frost, check for insects, and if there is an infestation, spray with a soap and water spray.
 
Rosemary requires at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day.  If you are growing rosemary on a windowsill, turn regularly to ensure every side receives light.  If you are growing rosemary under lights, hang fluorescent lights 6 inches (15 cm) above the plants and leave on for 12 hours.

In the garden, rosemary deters cabbage moth, bean beetles, and carrot fly when planted near cabbage, beans, carrots, and sage.  In Italy, rosemary is the preferred herb with lamb, veal, and poultry particularly when simmered with olive oil, garlic, and wine.  Rosemary should always be used with lamb as it enhances the meat with incomparable flavour.  Other uses in the kitchen include tomato dishes, stews, soups, vegetable dishes, pork, rabbit, sausages, fish, shellfish, finely chopped in custards, egg dishes, pickles, jellies, jams, cakes, cookies, salads, and is an essential ingredient in herb breads and biscuits, including focaccia, the classic Italian bread.  Rosemary can be added to the cooking water to enliven cauliflower, potatoes, green beans, and peas.  Marinades for fish and meats as well as minestrone, chicken, and pea soups benefit from the addition of rosemary.  Rosemary has a strong flavour so use sparingly.  Leaves, stems, and flowers are all edible.  To release the flavour of dried leaves, crush them just before using.  Rosemary stems can be used for herb skewers by stripping the leaves and threading vegetables or tender cuts of meat on the stems for broiling.

Rosemary can be kept in the fridge for a few days either in plastic bags or with the stems immersed in water.  The leaves can be dried by hanging fresh sprigs in a warm, dry place.  Strip off leaves before storing.

Comments (0) Sep 28 2009

Comments (0) Sep 28 2009

If you run your AdWords campaign well you’ll know that some keywords deliver very profitable traffic to your website. You will also know that most keywords are not profitable. Discovering which are good takes time and the method of uncovering the profitable niches keywords requires detailed analysis, thought, testing and measurement.

I run a campaign that uses just three keywords to generate a steady flow of cash into my bank. I advertise a specific service using these three keywords and earn a commission whenever I deliver a new customer to them. I don’t get involved in lead capture or anything like that for this campaign. I just drive targeted traffic to the service provider’s website via my affiliate link.

The same three keywords have been highly profitable for over 18 months and generally generate in commissions 3 to 4 times what I spend on clicks.

So would I be prepared to disclose these keywords to you? Only for a price.

These keywords are responsible for producing an automatic income stream for me and will probably continue to do so for years to come. They are obscure. They took a lot of research and ingenuity to find and I am now benefiting essentially from the intellectual property I have tied up in my AdWords account.

Many companies have a huge intellectual property investment in their Pay Per Click campaigns without realising it. So I thought it would be interesting to try and put some value on this just so that advertisers became more aware of the true value that a well-run campaign delivers.

I’ll keep the mathematics simple and so there is some inaccuracy in my calculations. The point is to demonstrate the principle rather than perform an accurate assessment, something which would require actuarial skills.

So here goes.

Suppose I spend $500 a month on a particular campaign and that it produces $1500 a month in income. My profit, which is automatically generated, is then $1000 a month or $12000 a year.

If this income stream was going to carry on for ever (which it won’t) then we could give it a capital value of the annual income divided by the current interest rates. If interest rates are 5%, then the capital value is $12000 divided by 0.05 = $240000. This is the amount of capital you would need to place on deposit with a safe institution to receive the equivalent annual income.

Realistically I know that my income from this campaign is much less secure than money in the bank but that doesn’t stop me making an estimate of its capital value.

Suppose I give my campaign a life-expectancy of just 2 more years. That is 24 months of $1000 a month profit or $24000. (I am not bothering to calculate the time value of money here which takes into account the fact that money now is worth more than money later. It is the magnitude I am after rather than precision.)

If these figures applied to my campaign, each keyword would be worth an average of $8000 to me. If the campaign had a life-expectancy of 3 years instead of 2, the value would be $12000 per keyword instead.

These are shockingly large figures.

So the questions you should take away from this article are:

1. Have you ever stopped to work out what some of your keywords are really worth to you?

2. Have you ever stopped to think carefully who you are disclosing your campaign details to when you ask someone else to manage your AdWords account for you?

As an AdWords Account Manager I look after my clients accounts as if they are assets of their businesses. My job in some respects is to grow the value of those assets as well as to deliver high ROI and profitability.

Blogging Online

Comments (0) Sep 28 2009

DISCLAIMER: This post is based on info widely available publicly online and medical journals that deal with losing weight and/or colons and/or skincare and/or teeth whitening. Nothing contained here is meant to be or should be interpreted to be any sort of doctor’s advice. For medical advice the reader should consult with his or her physician or other medical specialist.

It utterly puzzles me that colon cleansers are still so popular.  They are being commercialized as some sort of cure-all that for some reason can remedy everything yet is never in reality backed by any physicians.  Of course colon health is of much importance to human wellness, but the thought that we can flush out toxins from our colons is still up to much study.  Real or not, the money is real, and vendors are cashing in on every colon cleansing program they possibly can.

First we have power colon cleanse which remains one of the biggest hitters in the colon cleansing market.  This was always published as the most powerful combinations of the different ingredients, so this one should not be taken gently.  Only try this if you think you need the most hardcore edition of these colon cleaners.

Next is buy colon cleanse ultra.  This one will help guys lose weight and get them on the way to getting strong.  This is a popular and therefore in all likelihood a safe product which can be accessed on their web site.

Finally a more moderate alternative, we have buy ultra cleanse plus which has free trial alternatives at their website.  The site includes a refreshing design which I’m sure greatly improves sales.

Comments (0) Sep 27 2009

Introduction

Central to the mythology of mirrors is Narcissus a Boeotian hero, who disliked those who loved him for his own natural beauty. He famously gazed into a pool of water and was so fascinated with the reflection, that he was unable to bring himself to leave the image. Not realising that the image he could see was of his own natural beauty, he couldn’t bring himself to leave the image, and he perished.

The concept of how the mirror works is quite simple. It stems simply from the reflective surface of still water and therefore nature plays its part. When you look down into a puddle or a dark pool of water, the smooth water reflects the light straight back into your eyes.

Mirrors work in exactly the same way, in that a mirror is made up of a coated glass surface which when a polished metal surface or metal film is applied behind the glass, light cannot shine through and so reflects the image back. Young children especially, are always fascinated when they look into a mirror for the first time and see their own reflection staring back at them. Anyone who has young children will remember the vision of their young daughter kissing their image on a mirror.My eight year old daughter loves sitting in front of her mirror applying her make up nearly as much as my fifteen year old daughter!

Where would we be today without mirrors? Mirrors are generally used for personal grooming or interior decoration and have developed from a luxury item into a necessity. There is an enormous variety of mirror shapes and sizes and over the years, mirrors have gradually evolved to meet many different requirements. Today there is a large selection of mirrors to suit every requirement, ranging from small mirrors to large mirrors, framed, unframed and includes bathroom mirrors, decorative mirrors, illuminated mirrors, LED mirrors, shaving mirrors, compact mirrors and demister mirrors.

Away from personal use, mirrors are also used in industry as part of scientific apparatus such as cameras, lasers, telescopes and periscopes, to reflect light and used as tools in dentistry and medical care.Not to mention the beauty and hair salon industries.

History of Mirrors

The history of mirrors as far as we can see dates back over 8,000 years. The earliest known mirrors were made from pieces of polished stone such as obsidian, a naturally occurring glass from cooled volcanic lava flows. In Anatolia in Turkey, examples of obsidian mirrors dated at around 6000 BC have been found. In south and central America, polished stone mirrors from around 2000 BC on wards have also been found. From around 3000 BC mirrors of polished copper are known to have been crafted in ancient Egypt. In China bronze mirrors were manufactured from around 2000 BC.

The first metal coated glass mirrors are thought to have been made in the first century AD, in Sidon, known today as Lebanon. The Roman author Pliny makes reference to glass mirrors backed with gold leaf in his Naturalis Historia, one of the largest reference books to have survived from the Roman Empire, which focused on natural and man-made objects and was written in around 77 AD.

In the 10th Century Arabian Physicists, considered different types of mirrors, reflecting mirrors and parabolic mirrors and another discussed concave and convex mirrors in both cylindrical and spherical geometries. In undertaking various experiments with mirrors, finding the point on a convex mirror at which a ray of light coming from one point is reflected to another point was solved.

During the period of the 14th to 17th Centuries, across Europe a method of coating glass with a tin-mercury amalgam was perfected by manufacturers. Venice was recognised for its glass making expertise and soon became a centre of mirror production using this new technique. Glass mirrors from this period were extremely expensive luxuries. Manufacturers also evolved in London, France and Germany.

The particular process of silvering to produce the first silvered-glass mirror is credited to German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1835. He developed a process to apply a thin layer of metallic silver onto glass through the chemical reduction of silver nitrate. The process was adapted for mass production and led to the greater availability of affordable mirrors.

The evolution of the mirror over the years is quite interesting, if like me you love mirrors! It has developed from a luxury item to an item which is now taken for granted in daily use. Today, walk into any store to look at mirrors and the selection is vast, with many technology features now finding there way into mirrors, to give added simplicity, luxury and decoration. 

The range of illumination, LED lighting and bathroom mirror demisters is wide and varied.

How are Mirrors Made?

The manufacture of mirrors includes the application to a suitable material of a reflective coating. Glass is the most common material, due to its ability to take a smooth finish and its rigidity. Glass is also more scratch resistant than many other materials previously used for making mirrors. 

Early mirrors were made of solid metal, bronze or silver and they were far too expensive for most to be able to afford. Metal is also prone to corrosion and because of polished metal’s low emissivity, antique mirrors were less suitable for indoor use. With indoor lighting at the time supplied by candles or lanterns, the metal mirrors reflected a much darker picturecompared to modern glass mirrors. 

In modern times ‘float glass’ is used in the manufacture of mirrors, which is a flat ribbon of glass which is run out of a furnace and along the surface of a bath of molten tin. The temperature of both the glass and molten tin is controlled to enable both surfaces to be made perfectly flat. There are now three common types of mirrors: plain – which has a flat surface, and the two spherical types of mirrors: the convex and the concave. The concave and convex mirrors can be used in an entertaining way, when used at fairgrounds or amusement parks to distort peoples figures reflected in them through bloating, stretching and shrinking, the person or object in front of them.

In some applications, a mirror isn’t a mirror at all. For example, when used in public conveniences, particularly in public or factory toilets, where for reasons of cost and the need for greater durability, a single polished metal sheet is often installed as a form of mirror.

Different Types of Mirror

Throughout the ages, mirrors have been employed as symbols of truth, deception and vanity. Mention a mirror and you instantly know that if you look into one, you will see your own reflection staring back at you. The image you see will resemble your own appearance. In optical principles, the reflections in mirrors do not totally match the objects in front of them. When looking into the mirror, trace the contour of the reflection of your head in a mirror. The reflection may correspond in proportion, but will generally be half in actual size.
With such a variety and huge range of mirrors now available, much has been made of the amount of money spent in purchasing mirrors particularly by women, although in this day and age with an increase in men purchasing cosmetics, some men will also be vain enough to carry a mirror. I wonder if in another decade or two, me calling men vain for carrying a mirror will be thought of as ridiculous!

The vain Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs famously asked her special mirror, “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” Mirrors are synonymous with truth.
Mirrors are frequently used in interior decoration to create an illusion of space, and to decorate and amplify the apparent size of a room. They will be used around the home, the office, a pub, club or restaurant to good effect. They work particularly well in night clubs, reflecting the many images of light in the club or room to create a feeling of a much bigger space.

Infinity Mirrors provide an effect of never reaching an end, known as ‘infinity breaking’ and are particularly effective when used in a dark environment. I remember experiencing this phenomenon for the first time as a child in a large department store lift, where mirrors where on all sides of the elevator car. For those who are not good in lifts I should think this effect probably does nothing to calm them, perhaps that’s why you don’t see lifts like this anymore Or is it just because I’m getting old and that was a particular style popular in the 70’s!

My next favourite kind of mirror after the infinity mirror is the heated mirror, these mirrors have a heating element or what is called a demister pad mounted on the back. The reason a mirror steams up when you have a shower is because the surface temperature of the mirror is colder than the air temperature and causes the water vapour in the air to condense on the mirror. Some bright spark realised long ago that it if you heated the mirror this would avoid it steaming up, brilliant!

For many years heated mirrors have only featured in very expensive bathrooms usually costing thousands, and quality hotels have used heated mirrors as a neat differentiator from the increasingly popular budget hotels and motels. Of course it is not until you step out of the hotel shower and see yourself in the mirror that you realise it is there! Whilst at the back of your mind you realise this is one of the reasons why this room is more expensive than the other hotel across the street.

Last week I heard the BBC Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce state that the best shave you ever had will have been in a hotel, to which he attributed the benefit of the heated bathroom mirror as the main reason. I have to agree, and every time I stay in (nice) hotel I always have a really good look at the bathroom with a view to reproducing the best of its features in my own home.

Any bathroom can benefit from demister mirrors creating the feeling of that luxury bathroom. All you need is a power supply routing to the mirror which your local electrician can install for you relatively cheaply, once installed it can also be used for powering a shaver point, or better still buy a heated mirror with a shaver socket built in.

In 1980, ska group The Beat had a UK top ten hit with ‘Mirror in the Bathroom’ and the bathroom is probably the location where we tend to study ourselves the most in mirrors. Many will say that it is not wise to look at yourself in the mirror first thing in the morning, but the bathroom is often the first port of call in the morning. Many bathrooms feature a main bathroom mirror positioned on a wall and a bathroom cabinet with mirror doors. Other than the “oh my god” do I really look like that expression, the uses of a mirror or mirrors in a bathroom will generally be to aid the application of make up, hair styling or shaving.

One of the major problems with bathroom mirrors is that after showering or bathing, the mirror is steamed up. A recent addition in the manufacture of heated mirrors is the inclusion of a demister pad which clears the mirror for use in just seconds. Imagine never having to again wait for the steam of the bathroom to disappear from the mirror, or having to open the window, before using the mirror to shave or apply make up. The bathroom mirror demister or steam free bathroom mirror is a great invention. Some manufacturers refer to these products as fog free bathroom mirrors and there is now a huge range available, again some with back lights, LED lighting and built in shaver sockets.

Demister mirrors and steam free bathroom mirrors are not the only recent developments on mirrors. As suggested above another reasonably new product is the back lit bathroom mirror. Illuminated mirrors maintain the features of a simple mirror, but will enhance any environment in which they are used with the addition of lighting. As with all mirrors, the range of illuminated mirrors is extensive, with a variety of sizes and shapes available. An Illuminated mirror with shaving point can also be purchased.

Mirrors with back lit LED lights will enhance any bathroom or environment in which they are installed. Being of low energy consumption LED, or light emitting diode, are more environmentally friendly than traditional bulbs. They are designed to withstand the wetness of the bathroom environment. So steam mist will not cause a problem. As a real luxury mirror, illuminated bathroom mirrors and bathroom mirrors with LED lighting can also include a demister, to demist the mirror in just a few seconds and an on/off sensor to activate the lights as soon as motion is detected in front of the mirror.

As a bathroom accessory the mirror should come high on the list, in fact can you really have a finished bathroom without a mirror? The enormous selection of styles, types, shapes and sizes means that there must be a mirror to match anyone’s budget. Although some of the latest technological versions such as illuminated, back lit and LED mirrors could be considered to be luxury items, some are not as expensive as you may think.

There are some terrific new features which you can find on an LED mirror such as the hand sensor on/off switch to automatically activate and deactivate the mirror light without having to touch it.

Mirrors, Superstition and Auspicious Energy Flow

I have always loved mirrors, probably why I have ended up in the mirrors business! When I was at school I did a project on them, this was before the internet was invented mind so I trawled through piles and piles of reference books in both the school and local library for months. These days of course it would only take half an hour on Google, kids these days don’t know how easy they’ve got it!

Once you get immersed in mirrors as I did all those years ago, or ‘mirros’ as I frequently misspelled it, and start researching them, you find that they play a major part in all aspects of life. Mirrors also feature in superstitions. One of the most commonly known superstitions is that someone who breaks a mirror will receive seven years bad luck. A popular belief for this superstition is that mirrors are a reflection of the soul and if a mirror is broken, then part of the soul is broken. Added to this, some believe that the soul regenerates every seven years in an unbroken condition, hence the seven years of bad luck. I bet you’ve always wondered what that was about so I’m glad to share that with you! Mirrors were often used in traditional witchcraft too as tools for performing spells from the belief that mirrors are said to be a reflection of the soul.

It is also said that the mirror does not lie. A mirror can show only the truth. It is a very bad omen indeed to see something in a mirror which should not be there! Some cultures also have a custom that a newborn child should not look into a mirror until its first birthday because its soul is still forming.

In the southern United States, it used to be customary to cover the mirrors in a house where the wake of a deceased person was being held. If a mirror was left uncovered or exposed, people believed that the deceased person’s soul would become trapped in any uncovered mirror.

Another superstition claims it is bad luck to have two mirrors facing each other. In the ancient art of Feng Shui mirror placement is considered very important. There is a lot of information available about this, and it is a subject that can’t be covered in a mere paragraph or two here. But Chi energy flow can be influenced by mirrors so where the energy needs to be reflected, mirrors can be used for this to great effect. Personally I don’t really conform to these rules, although my mum has mirrors strategically placed all over her house to redirect in-auspicious energy! One of the principles I do follow though is to make sure I don’t have any mirrors pointing at my bed, or the kids beds, as this is said to reflect your dreams back onto you whilst you are sleeping, which is not a good thing if it’s a nightmare!

Conclusion

A mirror is defined as a coated glass surface for reflecting images. There is a huge range of mirrors for scientific use, and available in many shapes and sizes. The most commonly seen uses of mirrors are for personal grooming and interior decoration. As a race we are thoroughly addicted to mirrors. Who can honestly say that they can walk past a mirror without taking a look at themselves?

Over time, mirrors have evolved from a luxury item to an item of necessity and many especially women will always carry a mirror in their hand bags. However, today with technological advancements, some mirrors will be seen as a luxury, particularly those which include illumination, LED or demisting devices. As individuals we spend many hours of our life in a bathroom, so why not treat yourself to one of life’s little luxuries and indulge in a stylish bathroom mirror? After all, let’s be honest, who can really live without looking in a mirror at least once a day?

Comments (0) Sep 27 2009