It is amazing, once you let the world know your interest and your need – things just sort of come out of the woodwork!  This showed up in my email a few days ago… apparently our government sees the importance of being prepared at much the same level I do.   Although this was created in 2007  the information is still extremely valuable.

In appreciation to BeReady.SC.gov for this amazing pdf.  I have not modified it, nor do I take any credit, other than being the recipient who cares enough to provide it to my followers.

JANV DisasterScenarios

Jan Vitale, your investment protector

Vital Enterprises, LLC

Just how good for you is nutmeg… nutritionally?

I recently had a dear friend whose physician requested she begin sprinkling ground nutmeg on her meals and in her drinks; it made me curious so I wanted to share what I found in my research!

According to InDepthInfo, it comes to us from the nut of the Myristica fragrans tree that is native to the Molucca Islands. Nutmeg is sent off to have the oil extracted, which is used in foods, perfumes, and essential oils for medicinal purposes.  This site also makes note of the healthy properties and benefits of nutmeg, including, but not limited to:

• • lowering blood pressure
  • detoxification
  • anti-inflammatory properties to ease joint and muscle pain
  • liver toxin removal
  • cough suppressant

I also found another article on a site, CompleteWellBeing, that extolled even more possible health benefits, such as:

• Having antibacterial properties which can be effective in killing a number of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth.
• According to this article,  the Myristicin found in nutmeg inhibits an enzyme in the brain which is believed to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.  Certain physicians are using this benefit to improve memory.
• When mixed with almond oil and applied externally, it is used to relieve rheumatic pain.
• Homeopathics are known to use nutmeg to treat anxiety and depression.

Nutmeg as an essential oil…

Additional research showed that nutmeg is important as an essential oil and highly touted as an aromatherapy.  According to a blog I ran across, Nutmeg Essential Oil, its aromatherapy uses primarily impact muscular aches and pains.  Interestingly enough, the nutmeg essential oil is currently listed in the British Herbal Pharmacoepia for rheumatism, nausea, and diarrhea.

The idea of aromatherapy is interesting in itself.  With the circulatory system being the body’s main system of transport, essential oils are generally absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes. Once in the bloodstream the oil molecules then travel throughout the body, enhancing it according to their individual healing properties.

Is it ALL good?

Obviously, as with every ying, there is a yang!  And it holds true with nutmeg.  It does come with some cautions as to its use.    According to Kristie Yeong, MD, using low doses of nutmeg  to flavor food and reap certain medicinal benefits, the spice is unlikely to have ill effects.  However, medical evidence supports that when more than two tablespoons of nutmeg is ingested, it can cause marked personality changes and, in some cases, hallucinations and delusions. Other reading reveals that young people are using it as a “recreation drug!”  Who would have thought?

Are you into trivia?

One more little tidbit, just a touch of trivia… the outer red-colored wrapping of the nutmeg “nut” is used to manufacture mace!

I hope you have found this as interesting in the “read” as I did in the research!  As with anything to do with your health, be respectful of the privileges of the benefits, discuss their use with your practitioner, and don’t be excessive… more is probably not better!

Please do yourself a favor and take a minute to look for  the RSS feed on the upper right hand of the screen so that you can stay connected to all the “nutrition” tips, tools, techniques and resources I have available both through this blog and the nutrition section of  my website, Vital Enterprises, LLC.

Jan Vitale, your Nutrition Nanny!

Networking = Part of a Marketing Plan

Networking should be a significant part of your marketing plan and you should embrace

the fact that you can no longer rest on your laurels, so to speak, based on what you have done in the past and who you may know or may have known.  Today’s marketing and networking efforts are based on who knows you!  It is therefore critical that you approach your networking from the perspective that you have to be selective about who you spend time with, and that you never leave an event with nothing more than a handshake and a memory.

Networking = Building and Maintaining Relationships…

According to a recent study, statistics support that 87% of the success you will experience will be based on the quality of the relationships you develop and maintain with others.  With this in mind, it is imperative that you are willing to make a serious commitment to engage in the kind of networking activities that are focused on building and maintaining relationships.  This commitment also requires that you take the initiative.

Networking = Embracing the Process…

It is the rare individual who really loves the networking process!   Most of us do what we must, but with an attitude that really prevents us from taking the most from our efforts.  What exactly stands in our way?  Being pre-programmed, experiencing fear, holding misconceived beliefs?

Not only were we taught as children not to talk to strangers, we have been advised not to bother other people.  What does it take to help you realize that a) you are no longer four years old and you have the ability to discern the quality of the stranger with whom you have decided to engage, and b) people won’t consider you a bother if you do more than simply waste their time?  Stop and process this thinking and decide how it modifies your being hesitant at networking events.

Networking = Facing Our Fears…

I believe it was Eleanor Roosevelt who noted, “We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.”  If you find yourself being overwhelmed by fear at the mere thought of networking and opening yourself up to others, ask yourself what that fear really represents.  Is it a fear of rejection, actual fear of strangers, or something else?  Take a position for yourself that you, too, can gain strength, courage and confidence by pushing past whatever your fear may be, and empower yourself through the experience!

Take a few minutes and have that little “heart to heart” with yourself about what YOU think networking involves.

Do you think it is :

1. Only about getting other people to do something for you?
2. Just about “showing up” at various social events?
3. About trying to “sell” yourself, your product or service to someone?
4. Successful based on the number of people you meet or the number of business cards you collect?

Networking = Understanding the Rule of Six…

I hope you have moved beyond these misconceptions and can truly embrace that networking is first and foremost about building and maintaining relationships!  And the power of those relationships is multiplied exponentially by the number of people the people you know have developed acquaintances with.  There is a phenomenon known as The Rule of Six, which is founded on the belief that every person knows at least 250 people and that you have the potential to reach anyone in the world within six contacts.   I recently overheard a conversation on a plane, where someone was trying to explain this concept to his seat-mate who was a woman who apparently wanted to be on Oprah but thought she could never manage that goal.  In the discussion, it was apparent that her gentleman friend knew someone, who knew another person, who knew the CPA for Stedman Graham, who just happens to be Oprah’s significant other.   By the end of the flight, there was no doubt that sometime in the not too distant future, being on Oprah was indeed within her potential – - all because of the philosophy of the Six Degrees of Separation.

Networking = Taking Positive Action…

Where does this leave you?  With a note of encouragement to complete the following Action Steps!

1. Make a serious assessment of your attitudes, beliefs and opinions around networking and determine what, if any, modifications you may need to make to ensure they are in alignment with what is in your best interests.
2. Address any serious fears you may have around networking and develop some plan of action to remove them.
3. Make a list of no less than ten people you know but haven’t contacted in some time… then take the initiative to contact two of them a day for the next five days.   You may want to send a card, pick up the phone and have a chat, or simply send an email.   The objective is to rekindle relationships, and get you in the habit of embracing networking from a new perspective.

I trust these ideas have done a little to shake up your thinking!  If you want to know more, slip over to Vital Enterprises, LLC and see what we have cooking that will support you in all your networking “adventures!”

Jan Vitale, building my business – one relationship at a time!

Why Ben?

Because Ben Franklin was one of the early proponents of mutual insurance. You can read a little more about him in another article, The History of Insurance.

Why Ben? Because he was known for his concern for the common man, for protection against the unforeseeable, and was a flourishing writer (we may talk more about his Silence Dogwood letters). He also believed that knowledge was power, and it is knowledge about a somewhat complex product that I seek to bring you – - and in writing in a Franklin style of common man’s wisdom, convey information that will remove some of that complexity and help you make better choices about the products you select to protect your most valuable assets.

I trust that you will not only become informed, but that you will enjoy the format of each publication. You can check back about the third week of each month for a new “read.”

Jan Vitale

Vital Enterprises, LLC

I always want my followers to have the most glorious possible travel experiences.   Today, I realized just one more thing that can be outside the realm of our control, and it saddens me to think of how a beautiful vacation can be so quickly turned into a nightmare!

I received a really shocking email from my cousin this morning and I feel torn between posting what may provide information to those less than credible people of the world, or to encourage you to purchase a different type of luggage.   This is one of the most astounding videos I have seen in quite some time.   Take it as … a word to the wise!

THIS is the way a bag is opened at the airport without your knowledge. Many people have had things missing from  their baggage, even when they received them at the arrival port UNOPENED and UNTOUCHED!!! Now we know the how…  Who’s been in your luggage… and how?

This is why you should never put anything of value in your checked baggage! See how the thief (at the airport) accomplished what you might have thought an impossible task? Are you shocked at the ease with which he was able to violate a security! Although I am shocked that a “training” video of this nature should surface, I am grateful that we can be aware and make changes in our lives to add additional security.

Now think of this in your hotel room! How many of us lock things in our suitcases when we leave the room? Just watch this video once and you’ll never do it again… or you will simply select a luggage style that is more secure.

I guess, at the end of the day – we can rest assured that the only thing locks do is to keep honest people honest!

Jan Vitale, your investment protector

Vital Enterprises, LLC where you have access to services in support of the fundamental, important, essential, and necessary essences of life, including disaster preparedness, vital document storage, identity theft and legal representation, life time investments, nutrition and something that enriches everyone’s lives… travel.