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lowcarbnutrients · 6 years

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8 Weight Management Strategies This Dietitian Swears By

Most people battle with their weight at one factor or one more, even nutrition professionals. Achieving sustainable weight-loss isn't easy, or else everybody would rest at their most comfy weight. Many of the time, we look to quick fixes- diets that leave us feeling robbed and limited - that might work short-term however eventually lead to disappointment and also defeat, as well as a growing hill of metabolic as well as weight issues.

A Dietitian's 'Tricks' To Post-Partum Weight Loss

It wasn't till after I had actually finished my basic nourishment degree and also started my personal nutrition counseling technique that I recognized the tricks to lasting weight loss and refined my very own partnership with food. As a matter of fact, it ends up that achieving as well as maintaining my healthiest weight boiled down to trusting my body and enabling myself to consume foods that I loved (insane, I know). It's essential to keep in mind that various methods function for different individuals, so what help me may not function the very same for you. As Dr. Yoni Freedhoff states in his book 'The Diet regimen Deal With' (which I recommend as a great source) over 90% of diet plans finish in failure, so it could be worth attempting something new if you've skilled failing in the past.

Here are eight lasting weight administration approaches that I live by:

There's no such thing as 'falling off the wagon'

So much of why diets don't work is due to the fact that people beat themselves up for 'stopping working.' When that occurs, they typically step down, then prepare to 'begin fresh' later. This or absolutely nothing way of thinking frequently translates into weight gain and guilt as well as places you right back on the diet programs rollercoaster. The key to not falling off the wagon is two-fold: To start with, make the wagon really difficult to drop off. In various other words, your goals should be sensible and also not feel also limiting. On the various other hand, if you do 'drop off,' leap right back on at the next dish or treat. Genuine life isn't best, as well as neither is real eating. It's when the towel is included and undesirable indulging brings on for days, weeks, or months that weight gain takes place.

25 Needs To Be A Healthy and balanced Mom

I don't consume something even if it's healthy

It's essential to consume foods you take pleasure in and also not force on your own to consume something for health and wellness (or absence of calories, carbohydrates or fat). Otherwise, you'll feel as though you're on a diet plan. Also though broccoli is nourishing and also healthy and balanced, I'm not a big follower of it, specifically when it's raw. Instead, I pick eco-friendly vegetables I appreciate such as arugula, bok choy, brussel sprouts or asparagus -veggies I love to deal with in the kitchen and love to eat. I understand fat free yogurt has less calories, however I still consume 2% because it pleases me more (and tastes a lot much better). There are no rules that you need to eat salad at every dish to drop weight (sauteed or grilled veggies are equally as healthful!), or that you must pick entire wheat pasta over white pasta (for the record, I constantly pick white). It's more important you like exactly what you consume as well as you attempt your best to accomplish balance in an enjoyable method.

I put my fork down

In order to experience 'comfortable volume,' you should reduce down at mealtimes (which could be difficult if you're made use of to hurrying via). A lot of us power with meals as well as snacks since we're nervous to get to our following task, so we either don't consume sufficient (which increases the chances of overeating later) or consume too much (as well as really feel guilty after that). At dishes I've created the behavior of consciously placing my fork down between each bite, eating my food and also savouring it. I no longer hurry with my dishes (particularly when I'm eating out) as well as often leave a few attacks on my plate (if not even more) because I provide myself the possibility to really feel comfortably complete before my plate is clean (which is when most individuals stop).

I'm a picky eater

When it concerns sugary foods sweet, donuts, cake, or gelato, I might take them or leave them (which suggests that I generally leave them-- they're not worth it). Chocolate on the various other hand, I can't live without. This is why I include it daily (as well as don't really feel guilty about it). Rather than eating a sweet treat even if it's there, or even if you see it, be fussy with your indulgences. Determine which treats will certainly bring you one of the most satisfaction, and also don't waste your time or calories on the mediocre ones.

I don't rely on my will power

Many people condemn themselves (and absence of will certainly power) for not staying with their diet. Darya Pino Rose, PhD, author of the book 'Foodist' (which I very advise for any person wanting to get to a healthy and balanced weight) writes on her blog 'Summer Tomato,' that perseverance doesn't have an on/off button. In various other words, we (no issue who we are) can't depend on our will certainly power to obtain us via times of restriction. This is why diets don't work. Every time you deny yourself of a certain food (this might happen numerous times a day) you drain your determination little by little till you experience what Darya calls the 'what the hell effect,' where you over-indulge as well as throw your diet gone for a specific amount of time. This can reverse days of restrictive eating as well as create unhealthy routines long-term. As opposed to counting on my will certainly power to maintain my eating in control, I regulate my setting in your home so that alluring treats aren't easily accessible all of the time (they appear on unique events or every now and then for fun), otherwise, I would mindlessly consume much like anyone else. I also offer myself consent to consume all foods, that makes it less complicated to state no, unless it is 100% worth it.

Restriction (and/or continuous direct exposure to alluring foods)-- > perseverance drain-- > over-indulgence-- > shame.

Protein appears in each meal and snack

Protein-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, beans, lentils, eggs, and dairy items are not just nutrient-dense, however likewise satisfying. This clarifies why you may be fuller longer if you have eggs for breakfast as opposed to morning meal cereal. Including healthy protein in every dish and treat assists to load you up, avoiding over-eating (and also excess calorie usage) throughout - as well as after - a dish. Try to load concerning 1/4 -1/ 3 of your plate with protein-rich foods at meals and attempt to always include some protein if you have snacks in between.

I trust my gut

Although it's taken years of practice, I'm currently able to overlook exterior hints to consume (essentially) and also focus on my interior consuming signs (exactly how physically hungry or complete I am). Evelyn Tribole, RD as well as Elyse Resch, RD created this phenomenom 'Instinctive Eating' (one more publication that I very advise). I trust my interior cravings scale, indicating that I eat when I really feel refined hunger and I stop when I'm comfortably full. This takes time and method, as well as suggests paying even more interest to my body and also creating some brand-new routines such as consuming gradually, identifying the see-food syndrome, and also not stressing over exactly what other individuals think or do when it pertains to food. Which brings me to my following point ...

I'm not fretted about annoying people

When it comes to my consuming, I don't care what other individuals believe. If I'm supplied a treat at a dinner celebration that I understand I won't love, I often pleasantly turn it down. If I don't love something that I've been served, I don't surface it to be polite. I don't stress over being judged, throwing away food (it could constantly be evacuated) or injuring sensations, due to the fact that inevitably, I'm in fee of just what goes into my body as well as care sufficient concerning it that I'm not ready to allow external signs (or various other people, even if they are family) take control of. As well as quite truthfully, lots of people don't care and also are not upset in the least.

When you've grown familiar with following diet plans and also corresponding weight management with restriction, it's testing to believe past those terms and also offer on your own permission to consume foods that you like as well as trust your body. With some technique as well as terrific sources (look into those books that I pointed out over), you can attain long-term weight management without deprivation.

Please don't hesitate to have a look at my Facebook page, where I post daily nourishment and health ideas, write-ups and resources for adults and also kids.

#diet #diet plans #health and wellness #low sodium diet #nutrition #weight loss #weight management #wellness

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expatsecuador · 4 years

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Is Ecuador Safe?

When you start planning your move to Ecuador, you'll most likely be constantly asked, "But, is Ecuador safe?"

I know I've been asked this question many times. And of course, it was a key consideration for me when I decided to make the move the Ecuador.

There's a few caveats, but yes, I consider Ecuador a safe country to visit and live.

By the end of this article you'll understand how I've reached this conclusion, and I'll also run through some common risks, how to avoid them and my learnings from some not-so-good experiences in Ecuador.

Ecuador's safety compared to other countries

Ecuador is a small country in Latin America that neighbours Colombia and Peru. Whilst it's tempting to lump all of Latin America into one category to assess safety as a region, I'd argue this is not the way to approach it as each country, and city, has very different safety risks.

The below graph shows how peaceful a country is according to the Global Peace Index. This index takes 23 factors into consideration such as violent crime, terrorism, political instability and access to weapons.

Ecuador ranked 71 out of 163

Ecuador's rank is 71, with only Uruguay and Panama ranked higher out of all South American countries. So, from one of the best objective measures we have, Ecuador is safer than almost every other country in the area (and the United States).

Ecuador's crime concerns

Just because Ecuador ranks relatively highly on the GPI, that doesn't mean it's a peaceful utopia. Like anywhere, there are risks. Luckily, most of them can be mitigated with common sense.

Border with Colombia

Ecuador's north eastern border with Colombia is considered a no-go zone because of narco trafficking related deaths. Even journalists have been murdered in this lawless corner of Ecuador. If you're coming from Colombia, crossing the border between Ipiales and Tulcan is safe.

Pick Pocketing in tourist hot spots

Violent crime is rare, but opportunistic crimes like pick pocketing are fairly common in tourist areas. Some well known areas to be paying extra attention:

Quito

Centro historico: especially walking up the hill to El Pancillo. This walk is just private enough for robbers to strike. Taking a taxi to the top is highly recommended (and cheap). However, I've done this walk several times and haven't seen anything remotely suspicious.

Buses: Absolutely be on guard and watch your belongings when on cramped buses. Especially the Ecovia line - it's almost a rite of passage to lose your phone on this bus line (I've lost one).

Plaza Foch: Drunk tourists make easier targets. I'm not the fun police, just know that you have a higher risk of being pick-pocketed in Quito's main drinking & dancing sector.

Parks: A common scam is for someone to spill/squirt/throw a liquid onto your clothes and then try to clean it off. Whilst cleaning they lift your wallet or phone etc. If you feel any liquid (even bird poop), then it's best to keep on walking until you're no longer around anyone.

Cuenca

Cuenca is touted as a safe place for expats - a reason why many retire here. But, secluded areas by the rivers can be tempting for thieves.

Violent crime against expats

Thankfully, violent crimes in Ecuador are rare. But they do happen. This murder of a 79 year old lady from the US sent shock waves through my community in Cuenca when it happened. This was allegedly perpetrated by a worker of the deceased - so not a completely random act.

As a gringo, there will be the presumption that you have money. Which can make you a target - especially for opportunistic crimes. But, this is not likely to lead to anything more than petty theft or worse case a home robbery when the house is unattended.

For peace of mind I do recommend paying attention to the security features of your home/apartment. This includes paying for monitored home security and quality fences.

Ecuador's earthquake & volcano risks

Ecuadorian's have been dealing with the persistent risks from earthquakes and volcanoes forever. Ecuador sits on a tectonic plate, meaning there are also real volcano and earthquake risks to consider. One of Ecuador's main coastal expat destinations, Manta, was hit hard in the 2016 earthquake which killed over 600 people and levelled parts of Manta and other towns.

Volcanic eruptions in the sierras do occur. The large volcanoes around Quito are of particular concern. Cotopaxi, one of the highest volcanoes in the world (5,897m) hasn't had a great eruption since 1877, with some experts suggesting it's due for another.

Ash from erupting volcanoes can cause havoc. It's rained ash on our house several times in Cuenca - nothing severe, but it is a reminder to have a volcano action plan ready just in case.

Honestly, adjusting to the persistent earthquake and volcano risk was a little difficult for me at first. It's not something I've ever had to deal with. But, I rarely think of it now as I've accepted natural disasters can happen anywhere.

The sun & UV

Perhaps your biggest risk as a new arrival is getting sunburn. The high altitude can result in very high UV, meaning you can get sunburnt in a matter of 15-20 minutes. Always have suncream and water with you.

Is driving safe in Ecuador?

We own a car and have driven around most of Ecuador. But, I still find this question difficult to answer as it's relatively complex.

Roads

Many of Ecuador's roads and highways got a major upgrade under a former president (Correa). However, with the seismic activity and constant landslides, maintenance of these roads is a constant issue. This forces you to be on guard to avoid potholes and other obstacles like surprise speed bumps.

I'd definitely suggest against driving at night, especially in poor lit areas. Fog is also an issue in the mountains.

Other drivers

My experience is that other drivers can be quite unpredictable everywhere in Ecuador. Probably once or twice each month I'm perplexed at a decision made by a fellow driver. These are mostly harmless like driving slow in the fast lane, but there have been a couple of close calls that could have been avoided.

Trucks and buses are of the most concern. Keeping to aggressive time schedules turns some otherwise good drivers into risk takers and risk takers into downright lunatics. Bus accidents are too common as a result.

Fault & jail

I'm still coming to grips with Ecuador's justice system and how this impacts drivers' rights. If there is an accident where someone is injured, all parties will go to jail until fault is determined. This can last days.

I'll admit that I'm paranoid about being the scapegoat because I'm not a local. It has happened to me before (in Dubai). My perceived risk is that I will be found to be at fault because I'll be judged by the police to have money and therefore more able to pay for the recovery - or heaven forbid, blood money to the family of the deceased.

For this reason I purchased a dashboard camera with the purpose of being able to prove my innocence should I find myself in such a situation. My rationale was that it's a small amount to pay in the off-chance that such discrimination ever takes place.

Is Ecuador safe for solo female travellers?

Yes, but be prepared to put up with machismo culture. Some Ecuadorian men are known to make females uncomfortable with unwanted attention. This can be in the form of catcalling, staring or being overly forward. In much rarer occasions it can involve touching.

Ecuador is a mostly traditional, catholic culture. So, victim blaming issues aside, you will stand out if you don't dress conservatively. I would not suggest wearing anything too revealing until you have a good grasp on the culture.

My experiences

I've tried to keep the above somewhat objective. Now I'm going to provide some first-hand experiences and what I've learnt from them.

Ecuador vs Colombia

I arrived in Ecuador after spending 6 months in Medellin, Colombia. I really loved Medellin. I fell for it's energy, it's people and general attitude towards enjoying life. But, it is dangerous. I'd gotten used to constantly watching my back and belongings at all times. It was just part of life.

My first stop in Ecuador was Quito, and it immediately felt safer to me. Protecting myself from being a victim of crime was no longer something that consumed my thoughts.

That was a key reason I stayed in Ecuador. I felt safe here. Moving from Quito to Cuenca further increased my feeling of safety.

The value of feeling safe

My key learning from this experience was that I didn't realise how much I valued the feeling of safety until I'd put myself in an environment that I felt safe.

You may not get the same feeling if you visit or live in Ecuador. Maybe you feel safer in Medellin, or New York, or Toronto, or Sydney, wherever. That is all okay. I only urge you to consider how much value you put on 'feeling safe' and include it in your criteria when deciding where to live.

Buses and pick pockets

As I mentioned above, I've been pick pocketed on the Ecovia bus in Quito. This bus line is notorious for bags being slashed, wallets and phones stolen. Even my Spanish teacher at PUCE warned me to keep my bag on my front to avoid being robbed.

It happened to me on my way to Spanish class. I was running late and hadn't had my morning coffee yet - I'm basically non-functioning with out it...

I'm normally super careful and keep my right hand in my right jeans pocket to hold onto both my phone and my wallet. This allows me to keep my left hand free to hold onto the rail. Maybe I wasn't alert because of my lack of coffee or maybe I was over-confident as I'd ridden the Ecovia many times without incident.

But for whatever reason, that day my right hand was not covering my belongings in my pocket. It was free as a bird and my phone could easily be seen in my jeans pocket. At my stop I tried to leave the bus, but there was a very obese male in his early 20's blocking my exit. I tried to get past him on the right, he'd move right. I'd shuffle across to the left and try to leave, he'd block my exit again. But, he did it in such a way that I saw it as more annoying than deliberate.

As I pushed past him, the doors closed and the music in my headphones stopped. I immediately knew my phone was pinched. My first reaction was to be angry at myself for letting my guard down. I was actually furious at myself for doing so. Then, I moved to being grateful that it was only a cheap phone and it could have been something more difficult to replace like my wallet with IDs and bank cards.

I knew the pain of losing a wallet in Ecuador as I'd done it about a year earlier. I was riding an inter provincial bus that dropped me in Puerto Lopez on Ecuador's coast. As I was exiting the bus, my wallet dropped out of my pants and onto the seat. I went to grab a coffee at the station and could not find my wallet to pay. I ran back to my seat no more than 1 minute later and my wallet was gone. Someone had picked it up and taken it. I asked everyone, including the driver. I'd paid the driver my fare less than 15 minutes before arriving, so it was clear a fellow passenger had it and they were not going to give it up.

This might sound weird, but this incident hurt me more than the theft of my phone by actual criminals. I guess I expected strangers on a bus to be more likely to help out a fellow traveller.

The lessons here are pretty clear. Don't let your guard down. Even if you've done the trip 100's of times. It's when you get complacent that you become an easy target.

The Paro - Ecuador's State of Emergency 2019

I'm going to wrap this up with my observations from the State of Emergency that evolved over a 2 week period in October 2019.

It was a very weird experience. I hadn't seen society crumble like that. Supply lines were cut off, food was hoarded, schools and streets closed. There was a peculiar mixture of fear and fiesta circulating the streets.

I work online, so I tried to go about my business as much as I could. We'd stocked up on gas, groceries and water. We felt as safe as we could under the circumstances. It wasn't until the last days of the strike, when our street was blocked off and an angry mob was roaming close to our house that I thought we could be under genuine threat. Mob mentality can be very dangerous, and the mob had been drinking most of the day.

I found it hard to understand how Ecuadorians could cause so much damage to their own country. Damaging roads, buildings and other property. Most of the groups I'd seen going into town to strike didn't seem to be politically motivated - rather they looked like they were in it for the excitement. Like teenagers going to join a street party, booze and all.

I'm not doubting that there were many that had political intentions. But that was not what I saw. We deliberately tried to stay as far away as possible to keep our family safe.

As amazed as I was at how easily Ecuadorians could damage their own country, I was equally in awe at how quickly they were willing to repair it. The thousands of people volunteering to clean the streets immediately after the paro was called off was so heart warming. You could see the people coming together to start rebuilding their country. It was so good to see.

The paro was a genuine reminder that life in Ecuador can be unpredictable. You do need to be prepared for things you'd never thought possible. But isn't that part of life as an expat - to experience how other people live? Warts, beauty and everything in between.

from Expats Ecuador https://expatsecuador.com/is-ecuador-safe/

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meraenthusiast · 4 years

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RealtyShares – What I Learned From Losing $50,000

Yes, it was painful writing the title of this article as I realize that most people don’t like admitting their failures.

And most people certainly don’t like putting their failures online for the entire world to see but I’ve made it a point to be open and honest on this blog so here goes nothing…

Now that I’ve been passively investing in real estate for three years, I can now reflect back at the many things I did wrong with investing, especially with RealtyShares, and losing $50,000 (more on that shortly).

During the process, I realized I broke one of my main investing rules:

“NEVER invest money in something you don’t understand.”

Boy did I break that rule.

Here’s the rest of the story….

What Is RealtyShares?

RealtyShares (was) a real estate investment platform that gave investors direct access to investment opportunities and real estate operators the ability to raise capital.

They sought out, like many other crowdfunding platforms, to develop relationships with real estate sponsors to bring them qualified investors to their deals.

And they also prided themselves on the service and value they provided their investors.

Here’s how I got started…

Becoming Debt-Free

After my wife and I got out from under mounds of student loan debt, I decided that I needed to make a change.

Up until that point, I’d always had goals I was trying to accomplish. For instance, when I was in college, my goal was to get into dental school.

In dental school, my goal was to graduate in the top of my class in order to get accepted into a residency.

Shortly before completing residency, I had a job offer pulled out from under me two weeks before graduation. At that time, I went into survival mode.

My only focus and goal was to learn all I could about starting and running a practice.

Heck, I learned so much I wrote a book about it: What They Don’t Teach You In Dental School

After starting a practice from scratch, I focused on paying off $250,000 of student loan debt and a house that we were paying interest only on.

Once we reached debt-free status, I felt great but unfortunately was a bit confused not really knowing where to go to next.

As a matter of fact, Dave Ramsey has now had to modify his “get out of debt” teaching that also addresses this same issue.

He’s now shifted to teaching his debt-free followers to shoot for becoming a millionaire.

He actually partnered with Chris Hogan and wrote “Everyday Millionaires” which is the largest study of millionaires since the book “The Millionaire Next Door” was written.

It was at this point in my career that I realized I had only “one” stream of income coming into our household which concerned me as I’m still an active guy.

I love sports but have also been injured multiple times playing basketball and tennis.

Yes, I occasionally “ball” with my kids. I’m not that old yet!

I do have the appropriate insurance policies to cover me if I injure my hand or arm but still wanted to do something about that one income stream.

So I decided to look into real estate investing.

My Crowdfunding Experience

Not only did I want to begin replacing my “earned” income with passive income, I also wanted to free myself so I could continue spending more time with my kids as they’ll be out of the house in the not too distant future.

At the time I started researching real estate investing options, our portfolio looked like this:

95+% Vanguard Index Funds (mainly Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Admiral Fund VTSAX)

529 Plans

HSA account (Do not contribute anymore as we have MediShare now)

<1% Bonds

5% Cash (Emergency Fund)

Remainder personal and business checking accounts

I thought about starting off buying a couple of single family homes but after talking to friends that invested in real estate full time, I decided to go a different route.

It seemed that they constantly were having to take calls from either tenants that were having problems to their management companies when structural damage needed attending to.

As someone that still practices full time and wants to stay a devoted father and husband, I decided to bypass the active real estate investing route and chose to invest passively via crowdfunding.

One of the sites I began investing with was RealtyShares

Debt And Equity Investments

Debt Investment

I initially invested in a hand full of small debt deals to get my feet wet. In these types of investments, the investor is acting as a lender to the property owner or the deal sponsor.

The loan is secured by the property itself and investors receive a fixed rate of return that’s determined by the interest rate on the loan and how much they have invested.

In a debt deal, the investor is at the bottom of the capital stack which means they have priority when it comes to claiming a payout from the property.

These deals were easy to understand but one of the main downsides is the fact that returns are limited by the interest rate on the loan. In other words, their returns are capped.

Equity Investment

As I became more comfortable investing with RealtyShares, I decided to step it up a notch and began researching equity investments.

With these investments, the investor is a shareholder in a specific property, and their stake is proportionate to the amount they have invested.

Returns are realized in the form of a share of the rental income the property generates, less any service fees paid to the crowdfunding platform.

Investors may also be paid out a share of any appreciation value if the property is sold.

What really attracted me to these deals was being able to capitalize on the profit once the property was sold.

In essence there were no cap on returns plus the tax benefits were outstanding.

One perk of owning an investment property is being able to deduct certain expenses associated with its ownership, such as depreciation and the cost of repairs.

With equity crowdfunding, deals are normally structured through an LLC, which is treated as a flow-through entity for tax purposes. That means that investors can reap the benefits of the depreciation deduction without having to own property directly.

Now with a potential for higher returns comes the potential for higher risk. These deals are typically riskier versus debt deals but I was still willing to take a chance.

RealtyShares Prescott Woods

I decided on investing in an apartment complex in Tulsa, OK. The complex was called Prescott Woods and the projected cash on cash return was 6-8% and targeted internal rate of return (IRR) was project to be 17.9% – 19.9%.

Honestly, I didn’t know what I was doing back then when I originally invested in this project. My eyes immediately would look for the returns only.

RealtyShares claimed that they were approached with hundreds of deals per year and ONLY would put the cream of the crop on their site.

I was putting my total trust in them to do the leg work for me.

For this particular investment, the minimum was $50,000 and was for accredited investors only.

Again, investing in this property was my BIG mistake due to lack of due diligence on my part with the sponsor.

Failure

Here’s the update RealtyShares sent me on 8/19/19 after IIRR Management Services,LLC (IRM) took over their site:

According to our findings, this asset has been identified as a Tier 3 asset. All possible distributions, interest payments and proceeds from this investment have now been collected and paid in accordance with the investors’ rights per the loan documents.

IRM has classified this investment as Failed. This is because the sponsor underestimated how challenging it would be to turn around an apartment complex at the edge of a rough neighborhood in Tulsa.

The crime and resulting stigma of the neighborhood put a cap on the rents that tenants would pay and the resulting renovation to the subject apartments did not allow the sponsor to charge a premium for renovated apartments.

Compounding this error, the sponsor’s fast-paced construction schedule meant that the renovation dollars were spent before the sponsor recognized that higher rents for renovated units were not achievable.

The property sold for $8.3MM, which resulted in a total loss for investors. There is no further remedy available to IRM to pursue such as a guarantee other security.

IRM will now close this investment, no further updates, payments or distributions will be made for this investment.

After I originally received this notification, I got a sick feeling in my stomach. This entire ordeal had been going on for over two years and I finally was hit with reality….my entire investment was gone.

What Would Rocky Do?

Whenever I face failures and tough times, my mind always goes back to a scene in Rocky.

I’m not sure if it’s Rocky 8 or 9 or some other number. It’s the one that came out in 2006.

I reminisce the part where he’s talking to his son about facing adversity.

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“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.

But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward.

That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth, but you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!”

Multifamily Syndications

I realize it would have been easy to quit the real estate investing thing after such a large loss but I think that things happen to us, they happen for us.

The experience actually inspired me to both learn more about these types of deals, specifically multifamily syndications, and also help educate others on what you should know before investing in these investments.

I encourage folks to do their part and learn as much as they can before considering investing.

Doctor Investors Club

One other thing I highly recommend is to join the Doctor Investors Club.

It’s a group of other docs and high-income professionals that have access to the best syndication deals while also having full access to me to pick my brain before investing.

The post RealtyShares – What I Learned From Losing $50,000 appeared first on Debt Free Dr..

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thismountainhastigers · 6 years

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Writing Assignment #2

Can war be just in the twenty-first century?

Before a discussion of any kind can happen, all associated parties must agree on what certain terms mean in order to lay them out and prevent any confusion further down the line. In this case, these relevant terms include what it means to be at war and what it means to be just. The Oxford English dictionary defines “war” as “a state of armed conflict between different countries; a state of competition or hostility between different people or groups.” It also defines “just” as “based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair; deserved or appropriate in the circumstances.” In both cases, I will be focusing on the latter definitions; armed conflicts between independent states are limited in number in this century, and I believe that it is our responses to war that say more about us as a species than whether we ought to be going to war at all. In this writing assignment, I will review how war intersects with my own position on its permissibility, human dignity, its costs and benefits, and its future in our society.

In Micah 6, the prophet addresses the peoples’ question on the best way to please their God. Rather than sacrifices and offerings, he lays out the three things that have been required of Israel since the beginning: “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Despite being the first thing listed, I have noticed that Christians today tend to overlook “doing justice,” especially in the context of a conflict, preferring a pacifist position and citing Jesus in Matthew 5:39 as their defense: “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” C.S. Lewis offers two different interpretations of this verse in his 1940’s essay “Why I Am Not a Pacifist”: it may mean exactly as it says (i.e. Christians ought to be passive with regard to conflict) in any and all circumstances, or it may mean what it says with the expectation that the audience is intelligent enough to be aware of obvious exceptions (Lewis 1940). For example, if you are in the way of someone attempting to commit a crime and they try to injure you in order to remove you from their path, you are free (and possibly have an obligation) to keep them from doing so. Jesus’ statement therefore only applies in the same sense that we ought to be “slow to anger, slow to speak” (James 1:19) and not retaliate without thinking.

Once we realize that we are not forbidden from engaging in any form of conflict, the next step is to decide which conflicts are worth the solemn undertaking of war. Using the definition from earlier, when is it “appropriate for the circumstances”? From my own perspective, attempting something as serious as war requires the following three things: 1) a grave threat to either the lives or dignity of humans, 2) the exhaustion of all other diplomatic options, and 3) a feasible plan for righting the wrongs that led to the circumstances in 1) (i.e. in the aftermath, there must be a plan to prevent such things from happening again; war should at least be proactive if it has to happen). Just war theory, specifically jus ad bellum, includes the first two (having a moral cause and using war as a last resort) and adds the public declaration of war, the confidence that the side claiming a just reason can succeed, and proportionality.

The remaining principles of just war theory (jus in bello) asserts that war cannot be indiscriminate violence against noncombatants (proportionality again, this time with discrimination). It implies that not going to war incurs a greater cost than the potential loss of life on a battlefield. To me, it seems that to participate in a just war is to recognize that there are things that are more terrible than death or physical pain. I believe that the worst of such things is a loss or deprivation of the qualities that make us human. As always, first we must define such qualities, but unfortunately there is no dictionary that give us such a definition. (As succinct as Plato’s definition of man as a “featherless biped” is, the odds of war threatening our physical characteristics as a species are rather slim.) The qualities that are most critical to our identity are rooted in our intelligence, the thing that sets us apart from the rest of the world. These include decision-making, reasoning, and protecting the things that we care for the most. If some power infringes upon a person’s autonomy, or leaves them powerless to defend themselves or those closest to them, this is when someone sacrificing their life for a cause becomes worth the effort.

Having now covered war in general, we move on to war in our time. Organized conflict is a hallmark of our species, with such conflicts ranging from the Six Day War to the Hundred Year War, and casualties ranging from tens to tens of millions. Wars have often been turning points in history: politically, socially, and even scientifically—the Cold War saw our advancements in space travel, early research into nuclear power, and even the predecessor to the Internet. With such innovations in technology, wars can easily become extremely deadly to a large portion of the population without restraint and right judgment.

Since the alleged Russian intervention in the 2016 election, the idea that international conflicts may be moving out of land, sea, and air and into cyberspace has become a more pressing issue. 2017 has been identified as the start of a new era of cyber conflict, where those with the power to do so threaten to destabilize institutions and create chaos and uncertainty rather than conduct their activities in secret (Valeriano et al. 2017). Thus, the thing we stand to lose the most due to cyber warfare today is out interconnectedness. Trust is a fundamental part of any relationship, whether between two people or a population and its government, and many of the activities involved in cyberwarfare today are aiming at destroying that trust. Such levels of mistrust could grow to rival the psychological harm experienced by David Rohde when he lived in an area constantly under drone surveillance: a person may never know where the threat comes from or who it comes for (Rohde 2009).

This idea of cyber warfare—that a foreign power could cripple a nation by taking down our electronic infrastructure—first and foremost reminds me of Sherman’s March to the Sea in the American Civil War. Though the human casualties were minimal compared to the rest of the war, the Union troops carved such a deep, inescapable scar across Georgia that took years for the South to recover from (Groce 2014). The war was brought to civilians, who were left with no choice but to comply. Sherman’s March helped to bring an end to the Civil War, but it can be hard to say if it was in a just manner. The same could be said of a potential cyber war. If any and all “battles” take place purely in the cyber domain (i.e. no foreign power gains access to our weapons and turns them against us), there could be next to no direct loss of human life. However, the question is what becomes of human dignity. As the Internet of Things grows to include more and more (along with our dependency on it), a possible shutdown of everything online would put the burden of war almost entirely on the civilians, violating the principle of distinction in jus in bello. In a worst-case scenario described by The Economist in 2010, “Computer bugs bring down military e-mail systems; oil refineries and pipelines explode; air-traffic-control systems collapse; freight and metro trains derail; financial data are scrambled; the electrical grid goes down in the eastern United States; orbiting satellites spin out of control. Society soon breaks down as food becomes scarce and money runs out.” Without a clear, physical opposition, the same people could be left defenseless, deprived of the right to defend themselves.

As much as I would like to consider myself an optimist, I do not see war ever permanently abolished. It may never again reach the same levels of destruction as the two World Wars, but it will still be a part of society so long as there is inequality of any form that begets discontent and resentment. In such circumstances, it becomes too easy for those in power to take advantage of those who are not, leading to the buildup of resentment and eventual retaliation of those without power, if the disparity does not reach a level that requires outside intervention. David Cochran argues that because humanity has let go of its more violent habits in the past, such as slavery, we will eventually reach a point where we can end war altogether (Cochran 2016). However, while it is no longer a public institution, slavery is still very much active in the world today, with some saying there are more slaves now than at any other point in history (Hogenboom 2012). If we have swept slavery under the metaphorical rug, who can say that we will not do the same with war, especially if it becomes less and less visible? A world without war is an ideal to reach for, but I will put my faith it without a healthy degree of caution. In the meantime, I will have hope only that those involved can “do justice and love kindness” in the place where it can be hardest to do so.

References

Groce, W. Todd. “Rethinking Sherman's March.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Nov. 2014, opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/rethinking-shermans-march/.

Hogenboom, Melissa. “A Tipping Point in the Fight against Slavery?” BBC News, BBC, 19 Oct. 2012, www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19831913.

Lewis, Clive Staples. “Why I Am Not a Pacifist.” The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses. 1940.

Murphy, Matt. “War in the Fifth Domain.” The Economist, The Economist, 1 July 2010, www.economist.com/node/16478792.

Rohde, David. “7 Months, 10 Days in Captivity.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 18 Oct. 2009, www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/world/asia/18hostage.html?pagewanted=all.

Valeriano, Brandon, et al. “Cyberwarfare Has Taken a New Turn. Yes, It's Time to Worry.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 13 July 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/07/13/cyber-warfare-has-taken-a-new-turn-yes-its-time-to-worry/?utm_term=.6c58bdd92e68.

#i say this a lot ngl but this might actually be the worst thing ive written in any language #and i have a whole mess of bad spanish compositions from last semester #writing assignment #the next one is going to be biology related though soooo #get pumped yall #forreal tho im embarrassed of this crap #like there is no focus at all #but thats what happens in a hell week

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Google Maps for Android adds Street

Google Maps has quietly rolled out a new characteristic that will make it less complicated as a way to see wherein you want to head while the use of flip with the aid of-flip navigation: integrated Street View photographs on the guidelines display screen. While the app has constantly allowed you to look an overview of the upcoming turns and distance between them, the new feature introduces an option to the faucet to peer the associated Street View imagery as nicely.

The trade was first spotted by Android Police, who believed it rolled out extra widely during the last few days. We reached out to Google for in addition confirmation, and the enterprise said the characteristic has been wide to be had seeing that early in May and is now presented to Android users global.

The characteristic hasn’t but made its way over to the iOS version of the Google Maps app

however, and Google couldn’t affirm while it would reach that platform.

Users don’t need to do anything otherwise to see these images appear – you simply input your cutting-edge place and vacation spot as regular, then view the direction. Where earlier than you’d see only the list of turns, you’ll now note that many could have a picture thumbnail next to them. Tap this thumbnail and you’ll be taken to a full-display screen 360 diploma Street View enjoy, that is oriented properly for the direction you’re going

How Is Google Search Changing Us?

Typing in Google and searching for stuff has never been simpler. Have you ever puzzled how it’s far converting us? Read on for insights.

For example, we need to look up the which means of a phrase or discover synonyms of that word. We can discover the answer inside the rely on some clicks. In the antique days, when the web turned into not there, we had to turn over the pages of a dictionary and locate the word we had been looking for matching the first few alphabets.

A search on Google, for this, be counted, absolutely has made this less complicated.

We are too reluctant and lazy these days to consult a solid dictionary while Google is so accessible.

We can also find information relevant to research within the area of interest we are interested in. We can find new sites and bookmark them for future references. All these information can be retrieved on Google clicks.

However, not all statistics at the net corresponding to a Google search may be 100% relevant and correct. We may also, in that case, have to buy books and seek advice from them. So for brief runs, it’s miles ok and we are able to take it. But if we’re writing a thesis, studies paper, article or document, that is where stable books come into the photograph.

Not all the searches on Google provide the answer we’re searching out. Sometimes we fall into a loop, continuously clicking and wasting our time while the information may be rightly found in catalogs or at the library of our workplace.

Free boards are available at the net and a Google search on those can rightly allow us to find out them.

I think it is right to seek advice from the boards for the facts you need badly. This may be related to programming issues or other topics for that count number. If they are popular, you get proper solutions in your issues from authorities or professionals in the one’s forums.

Fiction eBooks are available on hand as properly on many loose sites. Instead of spending cash on fictions, you may just download top fiction eBooks from the websites and these sites you can find on Googling.

The benefits of a Google seek have made our lives a great deal easier, easier and cozier by using letting us access the specified information at a quick tempo. But for long time commitments which, I actually have defined earlier than, Google searches genuinely waste our time without giving us the statistics we need and if so, it’s miles extra dependable for us to seek advice from a library.

The Battle Of The Operating Systems, Android Vs iOS

Android is Google’s powered software whereas iOS is Apple’s powered software program. IOS software can most effective be in Apple gadgets whereas Android is being used in several devices through one of a kind organizations like Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo, and many others. IOS software is said to be greater consumer-pleasant as compared to Android due to its precise designs and uniform factors.

Both working structures convey products to existence. Android become created by way of Google, and iOS was developed by way of Apple. When you’re in an aggressive marketplace, you have to be one of a kind, however which is first-class for you? To find out, don’t forget those 3 crucial categories.

Customization

Android gives nearly limitless get right of entry to and permits settings to be adjusted to choice. Apps, lock displays, and shortcuts have limitless alternatives. IOS isn’t always nearly as bendy. While which means that a product running with iOS is much less probable to have its settings broken with the aid of the user, it additionally way which you have less freedom to do what you want with it. Android beats iOS in terms of customization.

Usability

For iOS users, being the restricted method, it is tough to mess up. Android’s freedom comes with complexity. IOS comes uniform throughout all of their products. I can sense assured giving my seventy one-year-antique grandmothers an iPad, and he or she could possibly now not warfare with it. Android works great for folks who are a little greater tech savvy, and for folks that need something a chunk more specific. If you want a user-friendly interface, then Apple may be the proper desire.

Security Another predominant identifying aspect is safety.

Because iOS is uniform across all merchandise, this indicates it is lots easier to update the devices and connect safety patches. Android is used across many unique products and agencies, meaning that safety patches are slower and regularly require in addition patching and adjusting, leaving the person prone.

So that’s higher? While Android can boast that they’re the best at customizability and compatibility, iOS can declare higher consumer interface and security. Consider your desires to decide which sort of product great suits your needs and your way of life.

If we compare these software program’s in term of devices than iOS is very high-priced as compared to Android. Android is now maximum using the software program within the global. Most of the telephones, humans are the usage of, run by way of android whereas most effective Apple gadgets are operated by using iOS. Here, first permit’s examine Android with iOS

Street Crime Vs Corporate Crime – Which is More Damaging to the Country?

Lots of human beings agree with that street crime is a totally critical trouble in this united states of America. Others, however, trust that company crime is ways worse. Without a doubt, corporate crime is far more unfavorable to our society than all the road crimes put together. As a matter of reality, whilst one compares the dollar quantity misplaced and physical accidents inflicted as result of both crimes, corporate crime is manner ahead of street crime. The FBI estimates that the full dollar quantity lost to avenue crimes yearly is ready $four billion. Now, this discern is chump change as compared to the company crime losses from Enron, WorldCom, and Tyco. Corporate fitness care fraud by myself costs the taxpayers of this USA approximately $300 billion, annually. Remember the financial savings and mortgage fraud of the nineties, called the most important white collar crime in records when a whopping $500 billon of taxpayers’ cash went down the drain.

Well, a few say corporate crime isn’t always violent compared to street crime.

They say victims of company crimes are typically now not critically injured or killed. This is truely fake. Corporate crime also can be violent. According to the FBI, about sixteen,000 human beings are killed in avenue crimes in this u. S ., annually. Now, examine this to the fifty-six,000 who die every yr as a result of company crook negligence. These are folks who die from occupational sicknesses, environmental pollutants, contaminated ingredients, and risky merchandise and so forth. Case in factor, the latest deaths of 25 workers in a West Virginia coal mine, where the business enterprise knew these people were working in unsafe situations.

Unbelievably, previous to this preventable tragedy, this same corporation had received 458 citations from federal inspectors. But the corporation believes that it is less expensive to run the mine in a risky manner and dangers human beings’ lives than it’s far for them to comply with the laws. And to make subjects worse, a couple of years ago the Department of Justice delivered what they knew as the deferred prosecution settlement. With this settlement they could carry costs towards an agency and then inform the employer, in case you behave your self for a subsequent couple of years and stay out hassle, we will drop all the prices. Makes you marvel if they may be at the company criminal’s aspect or against them.

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