From the vibrantly colored Green Mountains of Vermont, comes our October Wild WE of the month. Just like New England foliage and crisp fall air, Christine Moriarty of MoneyPeace.com is a refreshing breath of financial fresh air helping to empower individuals with peace and prosperity around their money.

I love to be outside. It is a beautiful fall day here in Vermont, so you can see where my mind is. I am active and athletic and drawn to positive energy folks. I love to travel and explore new places. I appreciate connecting with family and friends. And I am to be the best I can be spiritually as well as emotionally and physically. I grew up outside of Boston in a blue collar neighborhood where we knew our neighbors and connected as friends. My dad was the immigrant who had his own business; from him I learned business and the fine art of entrepreneurship. Most of it was by example, though I did grow up working within the business. I was always good with numbers and children. I thought that a business education would give me more options. Teaching is in the blood. Several of my cousins are teachers. So naturally, I took what I was good at and found a way to help others.

Educating individuals and seeing them change and grow. Information is power! And once people understand their relationship to money better, they make more positive choices. I love to see folks consider additional options and ways of being, often growing beyond previous limitations.

The benefit of speaking is that I have the ability of putting financial technical terms into simple understandable language. I often see "lightbulbs" go off for people in the audience. This is how I know they have learned a new piece of information and will take it home and develop new financial practices that will last a life time. This time of interaction brings joy to me and keeps me speaking.

My free monthly newsletter elicits responses from around the globe. Money and our relationship to it is a universal thing and when we take the time to be open to learning, long- term occurs.

Many of my clients have been with me since the beginning of my practice in Boston in 1994. I have watched as businesses have grown in to million dollar companies, children have grown and attended college, and retirement plans have been enacted. These are the true benefits to the work I do. I see other peoples lives improve.

The news was an incredible confirmation to the life and work I had chosen. I love what I do. I love Vermont. Emotionally, the award confirmed my work and location. Receiving the award made me feel a significant part of Vermont, like I belonged here after moving five years earlier from Boston.

I received the letter in the mail in March. After picking it up at the post office, I was walking on cloud nine. As I crossed the street of my small town, I saw a friend driving by, and flagged him down. He was the first to learn of the award.

I had not worked for the award or toward the award. The recognition came because I was doing my life’s work in the world. I feel it is an honor and a treasure as most people do not get public acknowledgment of their personal calling.

A business plan is an essential document for any business owner, actually for the potential business owner. This working document is a template for working through ideas and seeing how they impact the business financially, marketing wise and operationally.

Lots of business programs offer courses on creating a business plan. I find that when women take the time to do the plan first, rather than dive into a business, they are much more realistic. Doing the foot work is not as interesting but it can mean thousands of dollars saved on potential flaws in starting a business.

I was lucky enough to write my plan while getting my MBA in Entrepreneurship. I knew what I wanted and had a team of three other people to help me. Putting my goals on paper helped clarify my choices and generated new ideas. I still work with that original plan, including updating it and referring to it each year to see how far I have come.

Financial peace of mind is not just about understanding your cash flow or investments. Peace of mind comes from being comfortable with yourself and your choices personally, financially, spiritually and emotionally. They all overlap. To truly maintain financial peace it is an on-going process. It involves knowing who you are and where you are going and making choices that move you to a more balanced, happy life however you define that for yourself.

Yes, I have found that clients who are willing to open their eyes and hearts and explore themselves and where they are going to make radical changes in improving their lives. Everyone moves at their own pace, and there is no forcing the issue. When someone is ready to change, there is no limit to how quickly it can happen.

I have many examples of peace of mind. A woman I worked with for years finally took the leap and bought a home on her own. Her history and mindset was drenched in messages that she could not do it as a single woman. She just lights up now when she talks of her home and the joy she has out of it.

Another woman I have worked with for a couple of years is married with two children. She worked full-time in a business with her MBA and management position. After she received an inheritance, I asked if she ever considered staying home. Her answer was a pretty adamant "no". She even added that her company would not even consider letting her go part- time. We worked to arrange financially with her finances. Last week, I received a call saying she starts part-time next month. In her words, "what a different person I am then when I first came to you." I want people to be more themselves.

I only planted a seed and she explored more about herself. I often tell clients that I am only a guide. Using the coaching model, I suggest they do the sorting through of what they want. Then, we make the money work for them.

When I speak at events, I see both men and women in the audience. When I speak at a business, the audience is evenly balanced. I do quite a few women focused events, and at those there is always a handful of men.

Everyone wants to know more about money. Money represents different things to different people. Some individuals tend to be highly motivated because they want so much more out their lives. What no one wants to admit is how little they know about money. Overall, money is a taboo subject in our society. So if there is individual knowledge out there it tends to be in one area, not a complete money picture.

I love the Wild WE. The opportunity for women entrepreneurs to connect is essential to growing as a business and a person. The events, website and newsletters are informative and engaging.

As a financial coach and entrepreneurship teacher, I know that business owners can get singularly focused and forget what else is out there. Here is an organization that comes to them and offers a wide range of forums for connecting: in-purpose, online and over the phone. Keep up the good work~!

Labels: wild we member of the month

Could it be possible that our beloved chocolate may actually be good for us? This is the nutrition news we have all been waiting for. So here is the scoop on chocolate and its health benefits. Yes, you read right, health benefits!

Recent studies show that cocoa and dark chocolate with a high cocoa content contain many heart-healthy antioxidants. They contain a compound called flavonoids which may help prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels in the blood. There is also some evidence that these flavonoids may prevent certain cancers.

It is important that we are all on the same page here, not all chocolate have these health benefits. The healthy flavonoids found in chocolate are found in the cocoa butter and cocoa solids. Milk chocolate is diluted with milk and sugar and contains little amounts of these substances, therefore providing fewer health benefits. So, for those of you who love dark chocolate this is your lucky day! The darker the chocolate, the higher the cocoa content and the more antioxidants it contains. The quality of the chocolate you consume is also important. The cocoa butter is quite pricey so less expensive brands will replace the cocoa butter with milk fats and hydrogenated oils which are bad for our health. Look for high quality chocolates with their main ingredients being cocoa butter and cocoa solids. Unsweetened cocoa powder is one of the purest forms of chocolate you can eat and is lower in fat and calories than other chocolates.

Although this is great news for all chocolate lovers, don't forget that most chocolate (unless you use unsweetened cocoa powder) does still contain sugar and saturated fat.

And please remember calories. An ounce of chocolate contains around 135 calories. So enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or an ounce of chocolate once in awhile to contribute to your health and not to your waistline!

Owner of Real Living Nutrition Services, Meri Raffetto is a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She has received a bachelor's degree in both nutrition and psychology and has extensive experience in nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy. She offers individual nutrition counseling and has developed one of the only non-diet online weight management programs available on the internet. Meri specializes in weight management, cardiovascular health, and sports nutrition and consults with professional athletes at Titan Sports Performance Center. Her practice includes teaching people how to eat for endurance, improve vitality, and lose weight healthfully. For more information visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Meri_Raffetto

"There is a connection between self-nurturing and self-respect" ~ Julia Cameron

This quote is excellent and reminds me of several conversations I've had with women, both as a professional and as a friend. For example, Sally (not her real name) and I spoke recently about our ideas on beauty - specifically our own views of our individual beauty. We came to the conclusion that it's an inside job and outside influences (i.e., the media) can be detrimental.

In my mind, taking care of self (being self-ish ~ what a concept!) or self-nurturing is an essential ingredient to self respect and our own inner and outer beauty. I've heard the phrase "you inner world is reflected in your outer world" (or something similar) used, usually in connection to ones life and success...however, that same principal would apply to our inner and outer beauty, our peace of mind, and how successful we are in achieving the aging experience we choose to have.

It's so easy sometimes to talk about these things, and difficult to implement them on a regular basis, and not let them fall by the way side. As women, mothers, nurses, teachers, spouses, and a plethora of other professional care-giving titles...we've learned to be great caretakers...of others! Learning to care of self is an ongoing experience. It starts today and continues throughout our lives.

Get started with these great questions:

How do you take care of yourself?

Do you give yourself permission to be "self-ish"?

Did you find that you needed the permission of others to care for yourself?

Do you find it hard to nurture yourself?

What would make it easier?

Do you have a daily ritual that is self nurturing?

Consider this. While there is nothing wrong with being the care-givers we are, we are like the watering can. It and we eventually run out of water (nurturing) if not refilled on a regular basis. Isn't it time you filled up the can?

As an expert on healthy and successful aging for women, Barbara C. Phillips, NP is the founder of http://www.OlderWiserWomen.com and http://www.HealthyAgingForWomen.com . You are invited to visit OlderWiserWomen and receive your free copy of "Celebrating You: 50 Tips for Vibrant Living" when you sign up for our free membership.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_C._Phillips

by Charlotte Maddox

Stuck in a beauty quandary? Can't pull yourself out of your fashion rut? Feeling like a Glamour "don't"? E-mail your beauty and fashion questions to our expert beauty consultant, Charlotte Maddox, at ask@thewildwe.com. If we publish your question, we will offer you a free text ad in our newsletter. All questions will be published anonymously.

Do you know that the 'average' woman spends about $600 a year on skin care and color cosmetics, according to the beauty industry? Whether she uses only cleansers and lotions or has an array of beauty products, shopping can be time-consuming and expensive. So, here are some quick tips on how to make the most of your beauty budget.

Part of the 'secret' is to insist on quality for those items that matter... and the most important items are those that help you care for your skin. Look to see if the product line includes the following steps: cleansing, exfoliating, refining or toning and moisturizing. Then review the ingredients for compatability with your individual skin type and sensitivities. If you're not sure how your skin will react, ask for samples and test them on your forearm.

Quality isn't necessarily costly though you may spend a little more to find a product line that is the most effective for you. Conversely, expensive isn't necessarily the best choice. Very high-priced product lines typically contain rare substances that may or may not work for you. Unless you are already using optimum products for your skin, you should notice a difference within two weeks to a month of starting a new regime. Your skin should appear clearer, smoother and well-moisturized.

After skin care, the right foundation or powder and concealer are important beauty buys. Depending upon the amount of coverage you want, select a foundation, creme to powder foundation, dual coverage powder foundation, pressed or loose powder and concealer that blend as closely as possible with your face. (With foundation, test the shade along your jaw line to compare the color with both your face and neck; watch to see if it "disappears" into your skin.)

Another part of the 'secret' to making the most of your beauty budget is spending less on color products that change with the seasons such as eye shadows, blushes and lipsticks. Most product lines will offer the lastest "hot" colors, which tend to be similar, so comparison shop. Another idea is to accumulate a palette of primary eye colors which can be mixed to create your own "hot" colors.

There's no need to spend too much to look your best!

Labels: beauty inside and out

by Dina Giolitto

Is something wrong with your web copy? Aside from the obvious, like grammatical and spelling errors, how would you know? Start by searching your traffic stats for these telltale signs:

- Your website stats reveal very low numbers (0-50 visits per day) and you're by no means a "new" web business.

- You attract lots of visitors (average 100 or more per day) but clickthroughs are minimal and visits are extremely brief.

- Your traffic doesn't convert to sales.

- Your email inbox is overrun with fan mail, yet hardly anyone wants to pay cash for your services.

Let's assume you have all the basics in place, like SEO and monthly web marketing (press releases, web articles, blogging and ezine publishing). If after all this, your website still isn't doing its job (which is bringing you sales), then clearly you need a complete copywriting overhaul.

Now the question on everybody's mind: when a copywriter says she's going to rework your web copy, what exactly does she do? Allow me to offer you a play-by-play. Feel free to use this information as a guide when writing your own web site copy or hiring someone else to write it for you.

Stronger But Not Longer: 10 Steps to Web Copy that Converts

1. Analyze the audience. Who is your ideal customer? What's her age? What's she do for a living? Describe her attitude, values, buying habits and other important traits, in a short paragraph. This is who "you're talking to." Your key customer should feel an affinity, not only with the ideas expressed on your site, but the sights, sounds and colors, too.

2. Adjust your tone. Using the knowledge gathered in point 1, ask yourself: if my key customer were reading my web copy right now, what would she think? Would she feel like we made a mental connection? Can she relate? What else should I tell her that will help her trust me enough to sign up for my mailings and products? Am I speaking in a "tone" (crisp, lively, motherly, cool, etc.) that she identifies with?

3. Stay on track. In your copy, ideas should progress until your reader feels compelled to take action. Find your "purpose" in writing (what you'd like the reader to do) and then make every word count toward that purpose. Take the reader from a problem (her key issue) to a solution (your product). Avoid meandering down informational side roads that, although fun and interesting, will only distract her from your intention (which is, "become my customer").

4. Power up the headlines. For every headline, include a relevant keyword phrase, and a statement that compels your reader to take action. Once those two must haves are out of the way, you have some room for clever wordplay. Don't forget those energizing verbs and the "what's in it for you."

5. Branding check. Did you remember to mention your company name and/or tagline periodically in the copy... throughout the ENTIRE site? Does the copy "sound like you;" that is, the "you" that you portray in your ezine mailings? Does it convey the emotion behind your personal convictions? (If the brand emotion is "cool and detached," then please don't squeal in your web copy.)

6. Bulletize. Sometimes when we feel inspired, we whip ourselves into a wild writing frenzy. While this is indeed fun, it frequently results in long-winded web content which few can be bothered to read. If your copy takes off like a runaway train, cut it down. Bullet points and short paragraphs work best because the web is an attention deficit, sensory overload environment. So please do "break it up and add bullets" whenever possible.

7. Be consistent. Consistency applies to just about every element of your web copy. Be consistent with your rhythm. If you write in short, choppy sentences on one page, then don't switch to long compound sentences on another. Be consistent with your perspective. If you chose the second person (writing for the "you"), then don't switch to the "I" midway. Be consistent with your theme. If you choose "Wild West" references in the headlines and body copy, don't toss in a random analogy about the Princess and the Pea. Consistency is key!

8. Add calls to action. I can't say this enough: often, a call to action is all you need to capture that lead, get that call or close the sale. Be direct; say exactly what you mean. "Sign up now and get great offers and deals!" This is the web and people don't pick up on "subtle," because the focus is just not there.

9. Link strategically. Keyword links bring better page rank. Use keyword links correctly, and you can end up on Page 1 of Google for your niche and keyword phrase. If you plan to archive a library of articles (and you well should - content is King), make sure that you link them by title and include keywords in each title link. Also, keyword-link one page of your site to the next, so that all are linked together and can be found by the web bots. Yes, this really does make an amazing difference in the quality of your web traffic and your search engine prominence.

10. Trim, chop, buff, shine. After hours of rearranging, reworking and rewording, a copy coif is in order. Go back through the entire website, scanning for repeated words and ideas. Eliminate all instances of "word bloat". Break compound sentences in two. Cut "double adjectives" down to just one powerful descriptive. Finally, scan for weak spots where you can turn ordinary into extraordinary. Be expressive. Write with soul!

I sincerely hope this guide helps you transform your web copy into a powerful marketing tool that brings you an avalanche of new leads and tons more business!

Copyright 2006 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Sign up for the Copywriting and Marketing Ezine from Dina at Wordfeeder.com and learn to write search engine-friendly Web copy and market your Web based business for free.

Labels: communication corner