• Promotes Longevity
• Reduces Heart-Attack Risk
• Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
• Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
• Lowers Risk of Stroke
• Cuts Risk of Cataracts
• Cuts Risk of Colon Cancer
• Slows Brain Decline

In massage, we work the muscles but rarely talk about the specifics. We should probably do more of this. Can you name any of the forearm’s muscles? For a few of them, see the answer below.

Lowry McFerrin, CMT

Answer:  Supinator Longus, Palmeris Longus, Flexor proturdis digitorum, Brachioradialis

One family of antioxidants that is among the most powerful and promising free-radical fighters is OPCs or Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins. They are more powerful than Vitamin C and E and are considered gold-standard anti-oxidants. By ingesting OPC-3 with Pycnogenol — a natural plant extract from the bark of the maritime pine tree that grows exclusively along the southwest coast of France in Les Landes de Gascogne — three health affirming functions occur.

1 – It is a powerful anti-oxidant.

2 – It selectively binds to collagen and elastin.

3 – It promotes the production of endothelial nitric oxide which supports vasodilation of blood vessels.

Pycnogenol is one of the most researched ingredients in the natural product marketplace with over 200 scientific articles and clinical trials over the last 35 years to confirm its safety, absence of toxicity and clinical efficacy.

When taken as an Isotonic (a solution that has the same fluid pressure as bodily fluids like the solutions of food entering the small intestine from the stomach for absorption) the benefits of the anti-oxidants and other health-strengthening processes are quickly delivered to the body.

For more information or to purchase OPC-3,  visit www.shop.com/healthyvibe

If you have additional questions, send me a note:  lowry.mcferrin@gmail.com

Key Ingredients Found In Isotonix OPC-3®:

Grape Seed Extract : 25 mg
Grape seed extract is typically extracted from the seeds of red grapes (instead of white), which have a high content of compounds known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). Grape seed extract is extremely rich in polyphenols, compounds with high antioxidant activity. Grape seed extract has been found to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.*

Red Wine Extract: 25 mg
Red wine extract is a powerful antioxidant. This extract is found in grape vines, roots, seeds and stalks, with the highest concentration in the skins. The antioxidant properties of red wine extract contribute to maintaining healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins, and promoting overall cardiovascular health.*

In the late 1990s, scientists took note of a phenomenon among the French. There were very low rates of cardiovascular problems in the provinces where residents consistently ate high fat foods and drank red wine. Scientists concluded that the protective properties of red wine have helped the French maintain cardiovascular health for years and subsequent scientific studies have further shown that the OPCs found in red wine are particularly beneficial for protecting the heart and blood vessels.*

Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol®): 25 mg
Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract from the bark of the maritime pine tree, which grows exclusively along the coast of southwest France in Les Landes de Gascogne. This unspoiled and natural forest environment is the unique source of pine bark. Pycnogenol is one of the most researched ingredients in the natural product marketplace. Published findings have demonstrated Pycnogenol’s wide array of beneficial effects on the body. Pine bark extract is an all natural combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids.

The extract has three basic properties — it is a powerful antioxidant, selectively binds to collagen and elastin, and promotes the normal production of endothelial nitric oxide, which promotes the normal dilation of dilate blood vessels.*

As one of the most potent natural scavenger of free radicals, Pycnogenol combats many aggressive free radicals before they cause oxidative stress to vital organs. Its super-antioxidant capabilities help support healthy blood platelet activity, support healthy blood glucose levels, reduce mild menstrual cramping and abdominal pain, maintain joint flexibility, promote cardiovascular health, promote healthy sperm quality, maintain healthy cholesterol levels and support a healthy complexion.*

Bilberry Extract : 25 mg
Bilberry extract is derived from the leaves and berry-like fruit of a common European shrub closely related to the blueberry. Extracts of the ripe berry are known to contain flavonoid pigments known as anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. Scientific studies confirm that bilberry extract supports healthy vision and venous circulation. Bilberry extract helps maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins.*

Citrus Extract (Bioflavonoids): 25 mg
Bioflavonoids are antioxidants found in certain plants that act as light filters, which protect delicate DNA chains and other important macromolecules by absorbing ultraviolet radiation. They have been found to promote cardiovascular health, help maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins, and demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity.*

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Other ingredients:

Fructose, glucose, citric acid, maltodextin, silica, calcium sulfate, food starch (modified), and pectin.

With the coming of winter, the pattern is predictable — the temperature drops, the rain starts, the wind blows and the sniffles and sneezes begin. Then … the throat gets scratchy, the coughing starts and before long, you have a full-blown cold or the dreaded flu.

What to do?

By the time you feel flu-ish, do you want to drive to the drug store, scope out, then buy one (or more) of the many medicines to quell your symptoms (temporarily) while loading up your body with chemicals or,  would you prefer to stay in, spend a little time in your cozy kitchen and make your own remedy that’s been easing cold and flu symptoms for generations? I usually opt for my cozy kitchen and make that herbal tea.

I’ve made it for myself, my family and my friends during the flu season. Some comment on the taste, but they’ll ask for it when it’s obvious that they’re losing their battle with a cold or flu. Here’s what to do to battle back the symptoms and start feeling healthy again:

In a pot:

• Fill with water (enough for 4-6 coffee cups) and add the following then bring to a simmer:
• Palmful of ground Thyme
• Palmful of ground Sage
• 1/4 teaspoon of Ginger (approximately)
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper (approximately)
• Juice of 2-3 lemons (then throw in the skin)
• 3-5 Tablespoons of honey (more or less per your palate)

Allow tea to simmer for 3-5 minutes, then, using a strainer, pour the tea into a cup and sip. While it simmers, it’s helpful to inhale the steam.

This is helpful any time of day (or night).  Repeat the process until the tea is gone (or the symptoms go away).

If you discover, or know of, other versions of herbal medicines in the home, don’t forget to send me a note.

—Lowry McFerrin

• • • • Anti-aliasing – process used on low-resolution output devises to smooth the  staircase (jagged) appearance of edges on type
      • Dust Jacket – the printed or unprinted wrapper, usually paper, placed around a casebound book
      • Casebound Book – hard copy version of a book
      • Binder’s Boards – A stiff, high-grade composition board used in book binding, inside the cloth of the case; more dense that chipboard
      • Trim Size – The finished size of a book after trimming
      • Perfect Bound – a technique for binding books by a machine that cuts off the backs of the sections and glues the leaves to a cloth or paper backing
      • Orphan – the first line of a paragraph when it appears alone at the bottom of a page
      • Widow – a short last line of a paragraph, esp. one less than half of the full measure or one consisting of only a single word
      • PMS (Pantone Matching System) – an ink color system widely used in the Graphic Arts. Using four base colors – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black (CMYK) – your graphics production team can produce full color reproductions of photos and art.

    Familiar or new, knowing their vocabulary will help you direct your production team to produce your manuscript as you envision it. What an accomplishment! Write on.

    —Lowry McFerrin, Proforma Mactec Solutions

Now, November, is a great time to start planning for 2011 and we’ll be happy to help you do that.

—Lowry McFerrin, Proforma Mactec Solutions

Calendar photo courtesy of Southern Sampler Artist Colony, a Proforma Macte Solutions client (art: Cathleen O’brien)

Greeting Authors,

By popular demand – a new Publishing in the 21st Century workshop has been scheduled for another Sunday, instead of a Saturday, to accommodate extremely busy schedules! Should Saturday’s be more convenient for you, let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request. Thank you!

You’ve plotted, planned, revised, edited, re-written and agonized over three books to finish the ONE… Now the question is – do you search for an agent and hope they match you with a publisher or, maybe you’ve considered self-publishing – do it or research it? If so, this is the perfect time to make a commitment to yourself and sign up for Publishing in the 21st Century and learn the ins and outs of getting your work into print. You would not be alone in that pursuit! Many notable writers self-published:

Edgar Rice Burroughs: Tarzan
Benjamin Franklin: Poor Richard’s Almanack
Beatrix Potter: The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Henry David Thoreau: Walden
Mark Twain: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
James Joyce: Ulysses
Richard N. Bolles: What Color is Your Parachute

. . .and scores of others, some of whom got noticed and eventually picked up by major publishing houses because of their self-published books.

The advent of the Internet (not to mention the other mind-boggling computer advances as represented by the Kindle and Ipad) has revolutionized the options for publishing, PR, and marketing. Self-publishing is no longer a dirty word; it’s simply another way, a viable and as valuable way, to get your work out into the world…but how do you do that?

At Publishing in the 21st Century, we’ll discuss manuscript file preparation, book layout & design, cover design, printing methods (including print-on-demand), binding choices, ISBN, marketing and distribution, fulfillment services and the associated costs. We’ll also review and discuss the role of new marketing opportunities such as social media, websites and other online marketing tools for self-publishing writers.

Lowry McFerrin learned to love the smell of printers’ ink as a teenager while working for his family-owned, San Francisco-based lithography company. He has served as VP of Distributor Sales for a barcode label manufacturer and today is President/CEO of ProForma Mactec Solutions, a printing and marketing services provider. In addition to supplying these services to publishers such as Lonely Planet Press, Travelers’ Tales, Hunter House Books, Birdcage Books, and Left Coast Writers, Lowry has helped numerous authors self-publish and market their books.

Any successful publishing journey begins with a small investment in the basics.

$95 (includes lunch)

Space is limited. To reserve a place please respond by return email to easeintoprint@pacbell.net:

Comments from past workshop participants:

I…wanted to personally let you know how much I enjoyed the class and your honesty about the whole process. I can see I have a lot of work ahead of me, but it’s better than watching re-runs all night!

Dorothy C., Writer

What fun to be your student! I really learned a lot and your guidance will be invaluable as I (cautiously) make the leap from the wee chair to the brave new frontier of cyber-self-pub, or whatever of the dizzying combinations I end up choosing. It did just what I wanted it to: it gave me a good overview of the options and a sense of the pitfalls for various kinds of “do-it-yourselfing”.

Joanna B., Teacher/writer

Very, very useful and inspiring! All my questions were answered.

TC, Author

Helped my understanding of  the publishing process and the nitty gritty of all the parts.

Lone S., Writer/photographer

Tremendous. I knew very little about the process and the session filled a lot of blanks. Lowry was dynamic and enjoying.

Bari B., novelist

*  From Dublin to Doolin In Ireland

* At McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park

* In Winter in Death Valley

* On safari in The Masai Mara in Kenya

* At an Irish Saloon in Singapore on St. Patrick’s Day

* In the Spring in The Everglades

* The catacombs in Paris

To play or listen, fiddle music continues to bring a smile to my lips, taps to me feet and an appreciation of how music can soothe or excite my spirit.

Play on!

T-shirts, hats, buffs (Survivor promotes with these), sweat shirts, vests—in the marketing business we call these wearables.

Long sleeve or short sleeve, with or without pockets, Proforma Mactec Solutions has taken original art and reproduced companies’ names and authors’ book titles on T-shirts and tons of other items. They can be given away at conferences, readings or book signing events; used to plus a sale as a packaged deal; sold in person or online (a good reason for a good cover design as discussed in an earlier blog); or given away as a gift to fans. Impactful, memorable and fun—seeing a T-shirt with your cover on it can be a very satisfying experience.

The book, the cover, the readings, the swag—all are part of a marketing strategy to promote your product, whatever it is. Write on!

—Lowry McFerrin, Proforma Mactec Solutions