Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Food Gal my friend Carolyn Jung yes she loves hjer sweets

Mmm, Brownies

A stack of Cosmos Brownies (that's the Coconut Bliss on top).

Brownies may be one of the simplest baked goods to make, but it takes a sure hand to make really, really good ones.
Ones that are a little fudgy, a little cakey and full-on chocolatey.
Cosmos Brownie Company of Kentucky makes them just that way.
The brother-sister team of Karl and Karen Schrecke started making their brownies in their Cosmos Cafe in Bowling Green in 2004. This year, they added online sales, too.
These are hefty brownies the size of your palm. They come in six flavors: Mintalicious, Turtle, Coconut Bliss, Double Fudge, Peanut Butter, and Walnut.
Recently, I received a sample box to try.

The Coconut Bliss is like a German chocolate cake in brownie form — topped with lots of chewy, soft coconut. The Peanut Butter one is probably the densest brownie in texture, but still soft, moist and fudgy. If you like your brownies less sweet, this is the one for you, because the peanut butter balances the sugar level nicely. If you’re a sweet-a-holic, you’ll go gah-gah over the Turtle one, which is gooey with chocolate chips, caramel and pecans strewn thickly over the top.

They come individually wrapped for ease.

A box of six brownies is $18.
Sure, you can bake your own. But for times when you want to send an extra sweet gift to someone far away, these are a great option.

For Home-Baking: Brownie and Blondie Mixes From Baked in Brooklyn
http://www.foodgal.com/2011/09/mmm-brownies/#more-20961

Cool Keith Ferrazzi on mind control woo whoo!

Five Science-Backed Ways to Fire Up Your Superhero Mind-Control

Posted on August 30th, 2011 by Keith Ferrazzi

Good news folks: You’ve got an “empathy hormone,” and you can control it with the sheer power of your thoughts. Science has proven it.
The hormone oxytocin plays a key role in influencing our ability to establish trust, act with generosity, and perceive others’ feelings. Research has shown that oxytocin reduces anxiety during public speaking tests – not surprising, given that it lowers blood pressure and stress hormone levels. During childbirth and breastfeeding, mothers produce more of it – nature’s way of making sure that they bond with their babies.
But what’s really exciting about oxytocin is that you can train your body to release it. There are several ways to do this, which I outline below, but one of the easiest is to flood your head with images and thoughts of someone you love.
Take my client, Paul. Every week, he dreaded his team meeting – conflict, drama, and resistance to critical feedback from his colleagues pretty much guaranteed an anxious experience. Then he decided to try priming himself before a meeting with an “oxytocin booster.” He took a few deep breaths and got lost in thoughts about his girlfriend, and the mental snapshots of the time they spent together on a recent New Mexico trip.
He felt the results immediately – instead of dreading contact with his colleagues, he found himself starting an open conversation about their current work challenges, with genuine curiosity. He was shocked: one coworker let down his guard to reveal the real problems behind his project; another listened openly to Paul’s ideas. Paul could trace the shift in the meeting to the tone he had started it with—the warmth, care, and empathy combining to transform the atmosphere.
Here are five ways that scientists have shown that you, too, can get the empathy juice flowing to improve all your upcoming interactions:

Daydream about your significant other. Before you approach a stressful social situation, make like Paul and think about your most supportive relationships and connect to the feelings of positivity associated with them.
Hug someone you care about. Make contact with someone who makes you feel really good, and set your mind to transfer good feeling to someone with whom you are developing a relationship. That contact has been clinically shown to increase oxytocin levels, and the oxytocin will give you confidence and a brighter outlook.
Spend a few minutes with a beloved pet. Making contact with pets has also been shown to generate oxytocin. Use this to improve your ability to relate with generosity and to create more mutually fruitful relationships.
Listen to your favorite music. Stimuli for all the senses—even smells—can boost oxytocin levels to prepare you to interact with more elegance.
Get down, make love. If the researchers say to do it, and you have the flexibility (and the partner) to schedule it around important meetings, who’s to argue?

Try one of these out before your next meeting, or any interaction that tends to be stressful. This is great stuff to prep you for meeting new people, too. Do it before a networking event and maybe you’ll even be able to skip that cocktail that provides your usual social lubricant. Go try it!
Have you tried and had good results with any of these?

What is confidence ?? http://mykickasscoach.com/2011/07/what-is-confidence/

What is Confidence?

by Vicki Garcia on July 18, 2011

I think there is a misconception about what confidence is. People speak about confidence as though it is this mysterious, elusive thing for which you wait. If you wait long enough it will magically be bestowed upon you. Or maybe it’s something you build up to. ‘I’m not confident right now. I’ll wait until I can build up my confidence.’
The truth about confidence is this:
Confidence is not…
…the same as courage
…something that just happens one day
…necessary in order to do things that scare you
…tied to a specific outcome

Confidence is…
…a state of mind
…believing that you have the ability to do something even if you’re afraid
…a conscious choice of thoughts that empower you
…drawing on all of your past successes, no matter how small, as proof that you can do it
…a self-fulfilling prophecy
What are your thoughts?

Saturday, September 10, 2011

http://www.keithferrazzi.com/ please read below a great article from Keith about Heidi Rozen

The Currency that Worked for a Legendary Silicon Valley Business Leader

Posted on September 6th, 2011 by Keith Ferrazzi

Today's post is a Master's Mission from the team at myGreenlight! - KF

On the latest Social Capitalist webinar for myGreenlight (formerly Relationship Masters Academy), master networker Heidi Roizen explained when approaching a contact for help you should always lead with generosity (right in line with myGreenlight principles).
She was then asked:
What has been the best and most original way someone has ever approached you and what did they offer?
The top three creative currencies she was offered are:

When she was working to lose weight, a personal trainer offered to train her for free if he could ask her questions while they worked out.
An MBA student offered to baby-sit her kids.
A contact offered to cook her dinner!

If you approach currency in a fun and creative way, your target will have fun with it too.
Your Mission: Go get creative! Think of three unique currencies that you can offer to a critical contact.

I really liked this gift from August 30th from Coach Vicki http://mykickasscoach.com/

The difference between ‘hard’ and ‘struggle’

by Vicki Garcia on August 30, 2011

Struggle = When you are working against yourself. Ex: thinking you aren’t good enough at your job but attempting to do the job. You are getting in your own way by making it a struggle. Struggle is self-imposed.
Hard/Difficult = I’m showing up and this task is hard. It’s ok that the task is hard. Does it mean you can’t do it?
When you are proud of yourself is it because you accomplished something that was easy? Probably not. You are proud when you accomplish something that was hard.
Where can you give up the struggle and embrace that a task is hard/difficult?

Mortgage rates are low are yours?

Mortgage Rates Hit New Low

Mortgage rates have hit a new low, making this a great time to buy real estate. So why is the market still moving slowly? This video from the Wall Street Journal discusses the issue:

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Rates are low if you havent yet check on them to lower your rate

Mortgage Rates Hit New Low

Mortgage rates have hit a new low, making this a great time to buy real estate. So why is the market still moving slowly? This video from the Wall Street Journal discusses the issue:

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Saturday, September 3, 2011

Last one of the day I overcame blogger.com issues I am back!

Have you read KLet My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard? I was introduced to the book by Chris Trapani a local RE firm owner. What a gift for a fresh outlook for business owners.

http://www.patagonia.com/us/patagonia.go?assetid=5625

is today the right time to buy real estate

David Bach is someone I respect here is the link and the piece all in one about this question.
http://www.finishrich.com/blog/is-now-the-right-time-to-buy-real-estate/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+finishrich%2Fblog+%28David+Bach%29

July 26th, 2011

Is now the right time to buy real estate?

Posted: 9:00 am

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David Bach interviews real estate and marketing guru Dean Graziosi to answer your question!

Hi guys,
This week I’ve been asked maybe ten times, “David, is now the time to invest in real estate?” It’s literally the #1 question I get today.
What’s the answer? Personally I think the answer is “YES” – That now is the best time to invest in real estate I have ever seen. I’ve been investing in real estate for nearly two decades, and I have never seen opportunities in the country like we have right now!
But that is really only part of the story. If you invest “wrong” in today’s real estate market you could lose your shirt. What I have decided to do is get on this – and start answering your questions about real estate so you can take advantage of what I think is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime.
To start, I just shot this amazing video with my friend, Dean Graziosi, who I’ve known for a decade. Dean has spent twenty years teaching over 100,000 students how to invest in real estate- he’s had multiple NY Times bestsellers and been all over TV.
I’ve seen “experts” in real estate come and go, and get wiped out by this recession – all while Dean and his students are making more money now, than ever!
In the video we got to talking about why this is truly an unprecedented time to get into real estate. This is a MUST WATCH video guys!
Over the next few weeks I am going to be sending out newsletters with more valuable information about how to invest in real estate NOW. If you haven’t signed up for the FREE FinishRich newsletter and sign up today!

Here’s to happy learning! More info is coming soon that you won’t want to miss! Stay tuned and watch you emails!
WATCH DEAN’S VIDEO HERE!

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July 26th, 2011

Is now the right time to buy real estate?

Posted: 9:00 am

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Todd Duncan I like him http://toddmduncan.blogspot.com/2010/10/make-failure-your-friend.html

Make Failure Your Friend

Principle #6: Self-leadership means learning from your mistakes.

Make failure your friend.

Self-evaluation means nothing if you cannot learn from your mistakes. By confronting your mistakes you take one step closer to becoming the person you are supposed to be. None of us would be anywhere without self-evaluation.

I once heard a coach compare the athlete who can self-evaluate with the one who can’t think past the current play. An athlete who is self-evaluating is usually your captain. He or she is the athlete who understands how mistakes (especially his or hers) affect the momentum and outcome of the game. If an athlete cannot make adjustments during a game, then chances are they will lose. It is the same outside of the game.

In business or in personal life, it’s easy to spot someone who keeps running into the same brick wall. They make the same mistakes because they refuse to learn from their mistakes. In sports it’s the athlete who can make adjustments during play or at halftime or between holes who will typically rise above the competition. Too often when people face defeat, they respond either by never trying again or by continuing their faulty strategy or action.

Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, said, “When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal,” great advice! Learn from your mistake. Your plan is not sound, so make corrections and get back in the game.

Love that thought

Shop for a mortgage a how to!

Shopping Around for a Mortgage

It is important that while shopping for a mortgage to not solely focus on rates, but to shop for a great loan consultant. Anyone can quote a rate, but knowing you’re with a true professional that can deliver makes all the difference.

Also, many lenders will quote rates without taking into account where the property is, what your credit rating is, or other very important factors that may affect the actual rate you and your property qualify for.
Here’s the inside scoop on how to do it right.

Always make sure you are working with an experienced, professional lender. The largest financial transaction of your life is far too important to place into the hands of someone who is not capable of advising you properly and troubleshooting the issues that may arise along the way. But how can you tell?
Here are four simple questions your lender absolutely must be able to answer correctly. If they do not know the answers immediately leave and go to a lender that does.

1. What are mortgage interest rates based on?
The only correct answer is Mortgage Backed Securities or Mortgage Bonds, not the Fed or the 10-year Treasury Note. While the 10-year Treasury Note sometimes trends in the same direction as Mortgage Bonds, it is not unusual to see them move in completely opposite directions. Do not work with a lender who has their eyes on the wrong indicators.

2. What is the next Economic Report or event that could cause interest rate movement?
A professional lender will have this at their fingertips. To receive an up-to-date weekly calendar of weekly economic reports and events that may cause rates to fluctuate, contact us today.

3. When Bernanke and the Fed “change rates,” what does this mean… and what impact does this have on mortgage interest rates?
The answer may surprise you. When the Fed makes a move, they are changing a rate called the “Fed Funds Rate”. This is a very short-term rate that impacts credit cards, credit lines, auto loans and the like. Mortgage rates most often will actually move in the opposite direction as the Fed change, due to the dynamics within the financial markets.

4. What is happening in the market today and what do you see in the near future?
If a lender cannot explain how Mortgage Bonds and interest rates are moving at the present time, as well as what is coming up in the near future, you are talking with someone who is still reading last week’s newspaper, and probably not a professional with whom to entrust your home mortgage financing.

Be smart… Ask questions… Get answers!

More than likely, this is one of the largest and most important financial transactions you will ever make. You might do this only four or five times in your entire life but we do this every single day. It’s your home and your future. It’s our profession and our passion. We’re ready to work for your best interest.

Local values drop

South Bay Area Home Prices Fall

According to an article in the San Jose Mercury News, home prices in the South Bay are down compared to the previous month. Santa Clara county median home prices and San Mateo county prices are in a similar range, and both are down from last month.

This is a result of slow home sales – a mixture of reluctant buyers and sellers taking their homes off the market if they can’t get the price they want.
Home sales are stronger in Santa Clara county than in San Mateo, but both counties saw a drop. Real estate agents are not surprised, and say that while interest rates are low as well as home prices, it can be difficult for their clients to get a loan.

According to the Mercury, “sales of existing single-family houses in Santa Clara County dropped 16 percent from June to July and were 6 percent lower than a year ago. San Mateo County saw a 14 percent drop in sales from June, but sales were almost unchanged from a year earlier.”
These low home prices along with low interest rates make it a good time to consider buying.