If you are a gamer, if you have a close relationship to a gamer, if you have a child who is a gamer or could be gamer, or if you ever watch television you have at least heard of the xbox 360. By some, it is considered the greatest gaming console on the market today. Yet, others are still in love with their Play stations and will remain faithful to them always. If you are thinking about buying the 360, even if it is just a casual thought, or if you would just like to sound more inform that next time you are with your gaming friends than maybe you would like to learn more about some of the pros and cons of this system.

Pros:

---Many people will agree that the graphics on the xbox 360 is great. Are they better than the graphics on the newer Playstation (the PS3)? That question is debatable. Most people will say that the PS3 is better. Yet, most will still agree that it has better graphics that the popular Nintendo Wii.

---The xbox 360 was released before the ps3. This means you have a better selection of new games and accessories than you do for the ps3.

---The xbox 360 is cheaper than the ps3. The machine generally sells for $299 while the ps3 sells for $499.

---If you buy the extra HD-dvd drive for the X-Box 360 you can watch dvd movies on it. It usually runs at around $199.

---It also comes with X-box live. Once you sign up for it, you can download games and music. You can also play online multiplayer games.

---Soon it will also allow you to buy movies and TV shows online and then download them onto your machine (if all goes as planned).

---You can buy wireless controllers for this machine as well. This makes game play so much easier. The receivers run at around $20 and will work up to four headsets and four wireless controllers at the same time. The headsets run about $60 and have a battery power that will run up to eight hours. The wireless controllers run about $50 and have a battery life of about 40 hours.

Sounds pretty good so far? Now you are probably wondering about the cons.

----First there is the price. Yes, the Xbox 360 is selling cheaper than the ps3. Yet, the price is still considered a bit much for the casual gamer or someone on a budget.

---If you aren't into hardcore games, than you won't have as many choices of new games to choose from for the xbox. Most of their newer games are considered hardcore.

---The xbox console itself is loud when playing. This can be especially annoying if you are playing a dvd movie. What is the solution for this problem? By turning up the volume of the machine you do not have to hear the swirling noise as much. Yet, this can be as annoying, too.

---The xbox 360's power source is ugly and heavy. It doesn't really go with the sleek look of the machine. You also have to be careful where you place it. You don't want to sit it close to other objects because it can overheat and become a fire hazard.

Of course the ultimate decision is up to you. Do you think you will actually enjoy playing the game console or if you are buying it as a gift, do you think the person receiving it will enjoy it? After all enjoyment should be on the top of every pro list, even a pro and con list for the reasons why one should buy an xbox 360.

Includes Yoga Mat

It is gaining popularity in leaps and bounds and although I heard about this program way back in 2000, I never would have foreseen that it would one day be something that almost anyone in holistic and alternative living would know off AND actually use.

Its known as the Master Cleanser (aka Lemonade diet) and even R&B singer; Beyonce, is in on the program as she reportedly used the Lemonade fasting recipe to shed weight while filming the upcoming movie: Dreamgirls.

Nonetheless, I am of the firm belief that the author or maker of this recipe-the late Dr. Stanley Burroughs-never had any intentions of having this program being seen as a shortcut to a rapid weight loss. quite the contrary, even though you will inevitably lose the pounds, the goal here is more for cleansing and detoxification, rather than just losing weight quickly or rapidly.

So without further ado, I share the recipe with you so you too can try it out for yourself:

* 2 Tbsp lemon or lime juice (approx. 1/2 lemon)

* 2 Tbsp genuine maple syrup (not maple flavored sugar syrup)

* 1/10 Tsp cayenne pepper (red pepper) or to taste

* water, medium hot (spring or purified water)

Combine the juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in a 10 oz. glass and fill with medium hot water. (Cold water may be used if preferred.) Use fresh lemons or limes only, never canned lemon or lime juice nor frozen lemonade or frozen juice. Use organic lemons when possible.

The author suggests that you drink a laxative tea both morning and night or use the salt water wash that he recommends in his program in the morning with the tea at night.

From my experience, the best tea to use will be the Smooth Move Tea and for the salt water wash, here are the guidelines:

Prepare a full quart of lukewarm water and add two level (rounded for the Canadian quart) teaspoons of uniodized sea salt. Do not use ordinary iodized salt as it will not work property.

Drink the entire quart of salt and water first thing in the morning. This must be taken on an empty stomach.

The salt and water will not separate but will stay intact and quickly and thoroughly wash the entire tract in about one hour.

now, coming of the fast is also an important phase that should be approached with caution, I laughed out when I read that though Beyonce may have used this program, she reportedly went on a binge feast of junk food to gain her weight back.

Well, I dont know if that is true, but if it was, that is a No, No!

That can be very dangerous and I am quite sure that even if she did, she would have been wise enough to have at least observe the steps provided in the program on how to prepare the body for solid food to avoid any hassles.

The steps are to drink fresh squeezed orange juice for a day or two after the master cleansing period and on the third morning, have some orange juice in the morning, a mono-meal of fruit in the afternoon and a salad (or preferably more fruit) in the evening.

Then on the fourth day, it is advised that a Mucus-less or Mucus poor diet (which consists of raw and/or properly cooked fruits, roots, leaves and occasional-less harmful whole grains, nuts and seedsif desired) be adhered to for maintenance.

Also ensure that you:

1. Get as much Fresh Air as possible.

2. Get as much Rest as Possible

3. DON'T use microwaves...at all.

4. Avoid negative mass media and suggestions.

5. Don't overexert yourself, at least not till you feel up to physical activities

6. Don't break a fast with just any food...fruits are your best bet.

Well, Beyonce swore by it, Robin Quivers, Howard Sterns long-suffering sidekick says it made her drop from 218 lbs to a svelte 145 pound-figure and I have tried it to success, so it does work.

At least it cant hurt and could help immensely my friend.

Either way, here's to health

Aje

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and co-founder of BodyHealthSoul LLC. Stop by His fasting for weight Loss Blog today for more information on The Master cleanser lemonade detox diet

Arizonayogacl

Regardless of what particular school or type of yoga we practice, it is unlikely that many of us are really practicing yoga. Rather we are more likely to focus on only 1 of the 8 limbs of yoga - yoga asana.

Yoga asana are the physical positions and postures of yoga that started were really only starting to develop in importance with the development of Hatha Yoga. While exact dates are not well established, yoga has existed for a lot longer than the practice of modern asana.

These asana have been developed over more than 1500 years to promote physical health as part of a greater Hatha yoga practice. Each asana is carefully designed to focus on particular areas of the body. The specific effects of an asana include:

• Building strength in specific muscle groups
• stretching specific soft tissues including muscles, ligament and tendons
• Opening specific joints
• Developing balance and concentration
• Massaging and stimulating internal organs

Individually these effects can have significant benefits, but by combining individual asana into a carefully developed and balanced routine the Hatha yoga practitioner can develop their entire physical body, internal organ function and mental clarity.

How do yoga asana work

Although yoga and asana are not considered to be scientific by western definitions, the practice of asana is considered by yoga masters to be very carefully developed and refined based on several well-developed underlying principles and health objectives.

Gravity One of the key principles of asana is that of gravity. Asana use gravity in a variety of ways, the most important being in developing strength. By resisting body weight on arms or legs the asana can develop upper body or leg strength and muscle tone in the same way a weightlifter would in a gym. With yoga asana the weight being resisted varies only with our own body weight, and each pose can only apply the same amount of body weight meaning that all muscles are developed proportionately so long as each pose is held for an equivalent amount of time. After we can easily hold our body weight in a particular pose, holding the pose for longer builds additional strength and stamina.

Blood flow and nutrients

Blood flow to specific areas of the body brings many health benefits. By working specific muscles, soft tissue and joints, the body brings additional blood flow providing the needed oxygen. This additional blood also brings needed nutrition to those areas, which is essential for general health as well as the speedy recovery from injury and damage. The key way to bring blood to these areas is through stretching. In addition to the increased blood flow, stretching loosens and relaxes soft tissue such as muscles, ligaments and tendons and opens joints, all of which helps to relieve tension and pressure on nerves in these areas.

Deep breathing

During the practice of asana, we are encouraged to control our breath with long deep inhalations and exhalations. In some poses it is even encouraged to still the breath with the lungs full or the lungs empty for periods of 20 seconds to 1 minute. The first benefit of this controlled breathing is to bring our focus and consciousness to the present, to our current actions. By being able to control this focus, we can improve our concentration. Secondly by breathing in this controlled way, we improve the efficiency of our respiratory system, bringing more oxygen to the body and to the organs, muscles and soft tissue being worked on.

central nervous system and internal organs

Although yoga texts don't tend to describe yoga in the terms used by modern medicine, many of the concepts are analogous to medical structures. With nerves represented as Nadis or energy channels and the Chakras representing key glands. The purpose of asana is to rejuvenate the whole body by conditioning these individual systems to make sure they are working optimally.

One of the key focuses of asana is in on the central nervous system, which comprises the spine and brain. In yoga this could be referred to as the Nadis and crown chakra. The central Nervous system is one of the most critical structures in the human body, controlling all movement and thought and passing the control signals to all the nerves throughout the body. Clearly if the function of this core control channel is impeded, it can have an effect on the function of the whole body. One of the plainest examples of this is through back pain and sciatica. Through the misalignment of, or damage to, the spinal disks or vertebrae that protect the spinal cord and root nerves, those same nerves can be pinched or irritated which can lead to intense pain and numbness in the back, as well as referred pain and numbness in the legs or feet. While the causes of damage to the spine can be many and varied, poor posture is a key cause of back pain. Asana for the spine help to bring the fluids that contain the nutrient required to repair the damaged soft tissues and can b effective in healing back problems. However these asana are not always sufficient since poor posture and back pain can also be cause by other elements such as tight hamstring muscles in the back of the legs or gluteus and piriformis muscle groups in the buttocks. Therefore a holistic approach is required to correct the back injury.

Other key systems that asana are designed to address is the glandular and lymphatic systems, particularly the endocrine system. The endocrine glands, which include the thymus, thyroid, pituitary pineal, hypothalamus, adrenal and sex glands release their secretions directly into the blood stream. The secretions made by these glands have an enormously profound effect on the body's health function controlling everything from height and weight to metabolism and emotions. Asana are designed to stimulate these glands in a variety of ways from increasing blood flow to those in the brain (hypothalamus, pituitary and pineal) or thyroid in the neck to gently massage and stimulate through bends and twists of the abdomen.

The next key systems that asana stimulate are the internal organs and digestive systems. Both of these systems are critical to taking in nutrition and expelling waste and toxins from the body, and are particularly important for good health. Asana improve the functioning of these systems through stimulation and gentle massage provided by abdominal bends and twist as well as movement of the hips and legs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jez Heath is helping real people learn yoga online so they can make the commitment necessary to improve their yoga and their health - mind, body and soul. learn how yoga streaming video can help you transform your life

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Have you ever thought to yourself, If only Id bought land in Orlando pre-Disney? Or how about, I wish I owned a piece of The Strip in Las Vegas? Just imagine where youd be today if only you could have foreseen the future of these exciting cities.

Well dont give up now. Its not too late for all real estate investment opportunities. The trick is just to find the next Orlando or Las Vegas and invest now.

DUBAI, SHINING STAR OF THE MIDDLE EAST

So wheres todays best opportunity? Its a little-known city that is rapidly becoming the shining star of the Middle East - Dubai.

Dubai is one of the seven United Arab Emirates, and its been noted as the fastest-growing city on the planet. In fact, it has all the makings of a blockbuster success of epic proportions. Here are a few of the accomplishments and projects underway that are helping to put this city on the map:

Burj Al-Arab - The only seven-star hotel in the world

Burj Dubai - Tallest tower in the world

Mall of Arabia - Largest shopping mall in the world

palms Jebel Ali - two largest manmade islands, with resorts and entertainment venues, just off the Dubai coast

Dubailand A collection of six ultra-modern theme parks including 45 mega-projects and 200 entertainment projects in development designed to create a tourism venue nearly three times the size of all of walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

Jebel Ali Port - Largest manmade port in the world

Sky-walk - Longest foot bridge in the world

World-class Sporting events - Dubai World Cup (the world's richest horse race), Dubai Desert classic (Golf) and Dubai Rugby Sevens

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - Proposed financial hub for the entire Middle East

Dubai's Airport - Expansion underway to be able to handle 45 million passengers a year by 2018.

Tax Incentives - 100% tax-free business environment

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU?

You can participate in Dubais growth. Consider investing in one of its to-be-built, five-star condo hotels. Available now are pre-construction opportunities to purchase condos hotel units in Dubai. And Americans, Europeans and Asians are all jumping at the opportunity.

You are essentially purchasing a luxurious hotel suite (studio, one-, two- or three-bedrooms), and as an owner youll share in any revenue that hotel unit generates.

How much revenue? Well some developers in Dubai are actually offering a guaranteed 8% minimum annual return or 60% of the revenue your unit generates, whichever is greater, for the first three years. After the third year, youre still entitled to 60% of the revenue, but there is no guarantee.

Will 60% of the revenue be significant? Of course no one can predict the future. But consider these facts. Dubai has the highest hotel occupancy rate in the world! In 2005, it was 86% and has been steadily climbing. It also has the highest revenue per hotel room in the world, beating out world-class cities like New York and Paris.

CONDO hotel OWNERSHIP

As the owner of a condo hotel unit, you can keep your condo hotel as long as youd like. Use it as a get-away-from-it-all vacation home if desired. When you no longer want it in your real estate portfolio, you can resell it, presumably at a much-appreciated price, and you keep 100% of the profit.

Is this a good time to buy in Dubai? After all, this country is not an established vacation destination like Las Vegas or Florida. But in fact, that's exactly the reason to buy right now.

The Dubai real estate sector is just a few years old. Getting in on the ground floor of a new property market has its advantages. Remember, these are premium properties in a new land with unimaginable potential. The prices on these five-star condo hotels are extremely reasonable, leaving plenty of room for potential appreciation.

Compare, for example, the Trump International in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where a studio condo hotel unit of 612 sq. ft would cost you over $800,000 today or the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, where a 600 sq. ft. studio will run you $750,000+.

Comparable studios in Dubai condo hotels start at under $150,000. In fact, at those prices, you can handily buy a three-bedroom unit in Dubai with enough left over to purchase new his and hers Mercedes and a pair of matching camels to boot!

WHY IS DUBAI SO POPULAR?

Dubai lies on the southeastern shore of the Persian Gulf, strategically located at the cross roads of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. This makes it a gateway to over 1.5 billion consumers.

With its central location, Dubai is rapidly becoming the premier tourist destination of the region. Over the past decade, the number of visitors to Dubai has grown from 1.08 million to 5.4 million, representing an annual growth of 16%. This growth rate is more than triple the world tourism growth rate over the same period. In fact, the last five years alone witnessed a 54% growth in the numbers of tourists visiting Dubai.

Forecasting 200,000 visitors a day, Dubai is being designed to attract and accommodate 15 million visitors a year from 2010 onwards. All of this bodes well for owners of condo hotel units.

BE A PART OF DUBAIS SKYROCKETING GROWTH

What sparked Dubais sudden growth? In May 2002, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, in an effort to reduce Dubais economic dependence on oil, issued a decree that for the first time allowed foreigners to buy and sell property.

The race was on. Investors from all over the world jumped in with both feet, recognizing the potential of Dubai with its stable economy, secure political scene, zero property and income tax, and an unmatched standard of living.

The result? Today Dubai is the number one emerging market. An estimated $80 billion of real-estate projects, including the five-star condo hotels mentioned here, are now underway in Dubai.

So if youre still kicking yourself for not having bought up some of those Florida orange groves and cow pastures that eventually became disney or invested in that business in the desert that became Las Vegas, heres another chance to make your mark in the sand Dubai!

To learn more about ownership opportunities in Dubai condo hotels, visit http://www.CondoHotelsDubai.com

Joel Greene is president of Condo Hotel Center, a real estate brokerage that specializes in condo hotels. He also is a world-renowned expert on Dubai. visit his websites at http://www.CondoHotelCenter.com and http://www.CondoHotelsDubai.com

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