Service Strategies Food and Hospitality Service

Question: Discuss about theService Strategies for Food and Hospitality Service. Answer: Introduction: The One Tree Grill can be identified as one of the eminent and highly ranked restaurants of Auckland. It is a service providing organization that is specializing in the food and hospitality service. It is operating since 1996, in the hospitality sector as an up market, suburban bistro (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). As per the organization website, the restaurant offers modern European and New Zealand cuisine along with the best quality wines. The point of differentiation of the organization can be identified the customized service pattern, the purpose built dining facility, convenience of tailor based environment and the amalgamation of down to earth dining with high-end facilities like car parking, supreme quality food and wine and many others (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). The company is continuously trying to uphold its brand name and make it unique by introducing facilities like providing flowers for birthdays and anniversaries, personalized decoration facility in the event of birthday celebration and out catering (from finger food to full service dining). Moreover, as mentioned in the website of the restaurant, it provides the facility of vouchers (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). It may not be much a unique idea, but what makes it special is the facility of personalization of the voucher. The prime competitors of the organization can be identified as The French Caf, Aria Restaurant Bar, Kazuya Restaurant and many others (Petrie, 2013). These restaurants are closely situated to the selected organization. Moreover, these restaurants have competitive rating with the One Tree Grill, which is competitive threat to the organization. However, in the context of competition, One Tree Grill has a competitive advantage because of its location. Where the remaining organizations are located in the Wellesley street in close distances, One Tree Grill is operating in relatively hustle free area which is making it preferable to the potential customers. To provide the best quality service to the customers the organization has the facility of delightful ambience, tasty foods, useful technology, and last but not the least, professional and proficient employees. The organization has experienced and innovative chefs and knowledgeable and credible supporting staffs. From the confirmation of the booking, selecting the customized menu to receiving and providing service to the customers is done with honesty and great precision. The ratings of the company in various credible rating cite can be regarded as a proof of this claim. This report is dedicated to explore the service pattern and the strategies that the organization is maintaining to provide the best possible service quality to the customers. With this report, the author has identified how the organization is putting its effort to make the brand unique and earn loyal customers. Rationale for Report: For uplifting the service standard of an industry, the companies need to identify the expectations of the potential customers. Moreover, to increase the profit count and uphold the brand name it is necessary for the organizations to detect the gap within the service. It helps them in identifying the areas those are needed to be improved and those are needed to be reserved. Hence, with the help of this report, the selected organization will be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses involved in its operation and other aspiring companies will be able to identify the must-have strategies to be successful in the hospitality industry. Here, in the brief span of the following report, the author has tried to explore the service pattern and the strategies used by One Tree Grill to achieve the supreme level of customer satisfaction. The author discussed the whole report in some sub parts for obtaining better precision. Here, in the introduction, the author has provided an overview about the company and its service offerings. He has also discussed the points of differentiation, which are directing the customers to choose this restaurant over its close competitors. The author has also mentioned the competitors, how they are challenging the selected organization. Then the author has provided a discussion over the service pattern with a GAP model and the potential faults and how those can be removed. He/she has also provided a discussion over the usage of customization and standardization within the organization. Then he/she has mentioned the hard and soft standards and the role of customers and the staffs in the service encounter and concluded the report with an over of the company. Service Standards: It is important for the organizations to identify the customer expectation to best serve them. As opined by Mok et al., (2013) the lack of knowledge and failing to provide the expected quality service creates gap in the service pattern and quality. A Parasuraman, Valarie Zeithaml and LL Berry first proposed the idea of GAP model of service quality in the year of 1985 in the journal of marketing (Mudie Pirrie, 2012). As mentioned by Terzakis et al., (2012) the gap analysis assists a service providing organization to make their customers more satisfied with their service and collect more loyal customer than before. As discussed by Mudie Pirrie, (2012) the GAP model talks about five different gaps within the service structure: customer gap, provider gap (1), provider gap (2), provider gap (3), and provider gap (4). Here, in the selected case, it can be noted that the organization is doing a great job in bridging the gaps of service quality. By learning the customers expectation, establishing right service quality and ensuring commitment to the promise, the organization is trying to bridging the gap. However, as mentioned by Wilson et al., (2012) the provider gap (1) occurs when the organization is not aware of the customers needs. To eradicate this issue the organization tries communicating to the customers through every possible communication channels. One Tree Grill encourages the potential customers to make the employees known about their preferences via online sources (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). It helps them in bridging the gap of lack of knowledge of the customers choice. Figure 1: GAP model for One Tree Grill (Source: Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016) In the context of provider gap (2), to avoid this issue, One Tree Grill offers the customers to set or customize their menus according to their choices. By incorporating the customer defined service standard, One Tree Grill is successfully managing the issue that involves the provider gap (2), within its service offerings. If an examination on the customer reviews or ratings in various credible sources about One Tree Grill can be done, it can be noticed that the organization is also successfully bridging the provider gap (3) with the help of its service structure. As mentioned by Van der et al., (2015) it is important for the service providing organizations to ensure the best quality service expected by the customers. Here, One Tree Grill is trying to provide the same with the help of its proficient employees, technologically upgraded website and supply chain management (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). As discussed by Sisson Adams, (2013) the gap in the external communication i.e. the claim of service quality in the advertisements and the actual service offerings can be occurred due to lack of horizontal communication, overpromising, ineffective management of the customer expectation and lack of integration of marketing communication. Here, the organization tries fulfilling the promises by incorporating the strategy of providing iPad menu to provide extra visual layer to your dining by feeding your eyes first (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). It makes the customers considerably sure about the level of conformation to the advertisement by One Tree Grill in reality. Last but most importantly, the customers expect an excellent dining experience, control over the offerings, good ambience, less time-consumption and good service from the employees. The organization is trying to provide all these. By using a technologically updated by user-friendly website, employing proficient human resource and maintaining genuine external communication, the organization is successfully bridging gap between customer expectation and organizational service. However, it is almost impossible to eradicate the gap completely. The potential faults that the organization may suffer are the lack of variety in the food offerings, the price issue. Here, by utilizing the standardization process, the organization can eliminate the issue with price concern. Moreover, by including more varied options in the food offerings the customization can be increased and customer satisfaction can be achieved. However, One Tree Grill has utilized the strategy of standardization and customization simultaneously to strategically manage the organizational offering and customer service. However, the current service pattern has a sheer inclination towards the strategy of customization. As mentioned by Kesavan et al., (2015) the service providing organizations need to focus on the differences of choices among the customers. By concentrating on this idea, One Tree Grill has introduced the strategy of creating own menu by the customers. By following the strategy of customization of the service according to the customers choice One Tree Grill has successfully bridged the customer gap. Customization has helped them to establish better communication with the customers and know about their preferences. Moreover, with varied choice of areas, purposed built booking pattern and kids menu the service structure has provided the brand a label of customer-oriented organization (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). However, in the closed choice option in the European and New Zealand cuisine the organization is following the strategy of standardization. Soft and Hard Standards: The idea of standardization is of service largely customer driven. The aim of One Tree Grill is to provide hundred percent complete customer satisfactions. In order to achieve it the organization is relying on the quality, service and value. The organization believes that by providing maximum satisfaction it will be able to create the best brand vale. The Hard Standards: Pre-Booking: To best serve the customers and reduce the in line time, the organization has opted for providing the pre-booking facility to the customers. It calls for information from the customers and confirm the table number and time according to the list of guests (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). It helps them in reducing the waiting time for the customers and providing the best quality service to them. Customized Menu: The organization has opted for the facility of customization in the menu to eliminate the possibility of errors in the service of food and reducing wastage. With the introduction of arrangement of food and wine according to the customers choice, the organization obtains less production cost too. Moreover, by offering separate menu for children, the organization avoids the quality issues in the menu (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). Use of Protocol and Facility of Dining voucher: By using, the protocol of first booking and followed service the organization tries to minimize the count of transaction time with the customers. Moreover, it also helps the organization to reduce the possibility of errors in the operation, as the number of customers is pre-set. On the other hand, by using the facility of dining voucher, the organization tries to increase the number of back orders, repeated customers and recommended customers from an old one. Soft Standards: As mentioned by Donovan Samler, (2012) the soft standards are typically immeasurable. It depends on the customers perception and experience of the service provided by the organization. Hospitality: As opined by Mok et al., (2013) providing hospitality is prerequisites for restaurants hoping to top the lists of most favorable brands. To provide best hospitality One Tree Grill has employed helpful, friendly, knowledgeable personnel to approach the customers (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). From parking of the car to the bill payment, the employees maintain professional but heartily communication and assistance. Convenience: To provide the best possible convenience to the customers, the restaurant offers Purpose built dining facility, tailored environment and personalized decoration. It provides the most convenient environment to enjoy their time and any memorable celebration. Moreover, with online service regarding booking, menu selection and customization the customers get the highest convenience in the dining experience (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). Credibility: To maintain the credibility claimed via advertisement, the organization uses best quality ingredient to provide best quality food, ipad menu for visual knowledge of the service and review option available in the website (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). All these make One Tree Grill a credible restaurant in the town. Customers and Staff: Role of Employees: As mentioned by Markey Knudsen, (2014) the high end or the upscale hospitality service offerings need a trained and experienced stuff. As mentioned in the website of the selected restaurant, the organization has skilled and experienced employees, who are motivated and dedicated to provide the best possible customer service ranging from the food to dining experience. As opined by Chon, (2013) in the hospitality sector service encounter is vivid than any industry. Hence, the organization looks for fresh talents who love the functionary of this industry, and motivated enough to serve the guests with smile. Moreover, as the organization has an online process of service, the employees are well aware of the handling of computers and online activities (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). As discussed by Petrie, (2013) in the hospitality sector, the employees need to be fair and the communication skill of the working force of an organization is needed to be of the best quality. Here, in this selected restaurant the employees are committed to provide the best interpersonal experience coupled with the best communication pattern to the customers. As mentioned by Mudie Pirrie, (2012) it provides any hospitality organization the best level of service encounter to the customer. From receiving the customers, addressing them, serving the foods and providing necessary assistance, the employees play major role in the service encounter. Role of Customers: As mentioned by Donovan Samler, (2012) customers are the key of service encounter. Here, with the customization of the service the customers hold a great range of control over the service encounter. As per the company website, the employees are always there to alter the service pattern according to the customers choice. Moreover, as per the company website, the organization offers a wide range of choices in the food offerings. As mentioned by Padilla-Melndez Garrido-Moreno, (2014) control or the sense of having choice provides the customer best service encounter experience. Being a service (hospitality) providing organization, One Tree Grill greatly values the customers and they have designed the service pattern to bridge the gap between the customer expectation and the service offering of the organization. As mentioned in the organization website, in order to provide the control to the customers in the service encounter, the restaurant has the facility of customizing the menus and the added conveniences in the service pattern (Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland, 2016). Conclusion: Hence, from the above discussion it can be concluded that One Tree Grill is successfully serving the customers and earning satisfaction and loyalty by tactfully bridging the gap between customer expectation and opting for customization in the service pattern. It has provided the organization the opportunity to best serve the customers. Moreover the balance of standardization and customization is being helpful for the management of the organization to operate the restaurant with great precision. The organization has employed strategically maintained service policies like (purpose built area, tailored environment and ipad menu) to match the expectation level of the customers. Last but not the least the hard and soft standers arte helping the organization to meet the claimed service patter and mainlining a high brand value in the market. References: Best Auckland Restaurants | Restaurants Auckland. (2016). Onetreegrill.co.nz. Retrieved 25 September 2016, from https://www.onetreegrill.co.nz/ Chon, K. S. (2013).Tourism in Southeast Asia: A new direction. Routledge. Donovan, P., Samler, T. (2012).Delighting Customers: How to build a customer-driven organization. Springer Science Business Media. Kesavan, R., Panitz, E., Rao, C. P. (2015). Standardization Versus Customizing Services Across Global Markets. InProceedings of the 1995 Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) Annual Conference(pp. 125-125). Springer International Publishing. Markey, R., Knudsen, H. (2014). Employee participation and quality of work environment: Denmark and New Zealand.International Journal of Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations,30(1), 105-126. Mok, C., Sparks, B., Kadampully, J. (2013).Service quality management in hospitality, tourism, and leisure. Routledge. Mudie, P., Pirrie, A. (2012).Services marketing management. Routledge. Padilla-Melndez, A., Garrido-Moreno, A. (2014). Customer relationship management in hotels: Examining critical success factors.Current Issues in Tourism,17(5), 387-396. Padilla-Melndez, A., Garrido-Moreno, A. (2014). Customer relationship management in hotels: Examining critical success factors.Current Issues in Tourism,17(5), 387-396. Petrie, H. (2013).Chiefs of industry: Maori tribal enterprise in early colonial New Zealand. Auckland University Press. Qizhang, L., Goh, M. (2015). Standardization and Customization. InTA-Q-BIN(pp. 149-165). Springer Singapore. Sisson, L. G., Adams, A. R. (2013). Essential hospitality management competencies: The importance of soft skills.Journal of Hospitality Tourism Education,25(3), 131-145. Terzakis, D., Zisis, P. V., Garefalakis, A. E., Arvanitis, S. E. (2012). Translating the service quality gaps into strategy formulation. An experimental case study of a greek academic department.European Research Studies,15(1), 99. Van der Wagen, L., Goonetilleke, A. (2015).Hospitality Management, Strategy and Operations. Pearson Higher Education AU. Wilson, A., Zeithaml, V. A., Bitner, M. J., Gremler, D. D. (2012).Services marketing: Integrating customer focus across the firm. McGraw Hill.

Sony Aibo Case Study free essay sample

The new AIBO came with new software options as well. After adding wireless LAN technology, Sony has unveiled its new â€Å"entertainment architecture†, dubbed OPEN-R, which provided third-party developers with the ability to create any number of software applications as well as hardware modules. Though priced at whopping $2,500, $1,500 the second generation, Sony’s profit margin on the AIBO was close to zero. It is the software applications and hardware modules developed by Sony and third-party developers that makes money for the company. AIBO has created such a stir that only two products had in the history of Sony: the original Walkman and the Playstation game console, far exceeding the developers’ expectations. It is such a success in Japan; the American market is not that hot. Par of the reasons were the culture differences between these two countries. In Japan, many people live in small apartments where real pets are not allowed. And Japan has a large elderly population, to whom a companion without any inconvenience is perfect. We will write a custom essay sample on Sony Aibo Case Study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Besides, robots in Japanese culture are heroes and Japanese are so fascinated about high-technology while to older Americans, too lifelike technology is dangerous and threatening. Apart from the culture elements, most customers were confused of what Sony was selling. The confusion was compounded by the release of a number of low-end knock-offs. The performance of five years’, six prototypes’, and millions of yen’s outcome, AIBO, is so obviously superior to those cheap imitations, it is difficult to consider these knock-offs â€Å"competition†. At the other end of the competitive spectrum are robots that can â€Å"do something† perform â€Å"serious† household tasks. Admitting that these types of â€Å"functional† robots were much easier for Americans to understand, Sony has provided new software applications so that AIBOs can read emails and pre-selected websites and owners can remotely control their AIBOs’ movements. With more and more software applications and hardware modules being built on the base of OPEN-R technology, the possibilities are really limitless. As to broaden the American market, I think several questions should be considered before making the decision of whether Sony should begin mass advertising. What is the popularity of AIBO in America? What are the main concerns that stop Americans to reach into their pocket to pay for an AIBO? Standing in the Americans’ shoes, what do they want from a robot dog? Will sales of AIBO be stimulated by the mass advertising? Is the return going to be enough to cover the cost of mass advertising? Which medium might be the best way to touch the audiences? Further analysis of American market and culture should be done before making the decision. Since Sony has created AIBO Town, a magazine for AIBO devotees, and Cartoon industry is very mature in Japan, AIBO cartoon, AIBO comic books, AIBO video games and a series of AIBO related products can create infatuation with the robotic dogs, and the popularization of robotic dogs, vice versa, will promote the sales of the derivatives. The possibilities of AIBO are limitless. With more and more applications developed, AIBO can be a functional companion. For instance, AIBO could be used to guide blind people, the sensor can get information of the owner’s health condition when he/she touches an AIBO’s head, AIBO can play music, the owner can monitor his/her house when traveling, AIBO can work as a projector, etc. The price of the AIBO can not be much lower than the cost of manufacturing cost, or the margin profit. As AIBOs are equipped with more and more functions, people have a clearer understanding of what Sony is selling and are more willing to pay for them.

France Vs England During 17th century essays

France Vs England During 17th century essays During the 17th century, two very different types of governments developed in Europe. In France, Louis XIV established an Absolutist State, while in England, Elizabeth I followed a Parliamentary government. Even though, Louis XIV and Elizabeth I saw a brilliant flourishing in their kingdoms, only one of them had the power to rule successfully. In France, Louis XIV ruled by Divine Right and had the absolute control of his kingdom during his long reign. He took several steps to assure his authority above everyone in France. First, he only allowed the nobles who supported him to retain their titles. Second, he revoked Edict of Nantes that forced the Hugnenots (French Protestants) to convert to Catholicism or die. Then, he started his move toward building his splendid palace, which known as the Versailles (located outside Paris). He needed a finance minister, so he hired Colbert to strengthen the economy and trade of France. Louis XIV was an extremely authoritive king, but people called him the Sun King for they witnessed how France was a place of art and glory. In England, Elizabeth I followed a Parliamentary government, which allowed her to rule her people, and in the time, satisfy Parliament with her kingdom policies. Elizabeth I aimed for peace and security to England, which was why she didnt allow any religious strives to arise in her it. Therefore, her first step was to promote Protestantism within England. Then, she chose excellent advisors and she expanded the English Navy which stunned the world of its defeat to the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth I never got married and was wedded to England, that was why people called her the Virgin Queen. France and England had excellent rulers, however, England was ruled successfully, without any economical or political problems. Even though Louis XIV ruled with absolute control, he still wasnt completely wise in the decisions he took toward the H ...

Enterprise Applications and Technology Coursework

Enterprise Applications and Technology - Coursework Example The end-user involvement reduces resistance to the implementation of the program. The users of such systems, for instance, nurses and pharmacists will tend to resist the implementation of the information system in case it serves other purposes different from quality enhancement. With their due involvement, there is ease of implementation of such programs. Moreover, when going through the transition method, the user learn how to use the information system and its real essence of application. Through such experiences, the end user can adapt well and quickly to the newly implemented information system in the healthcare set up (Rahimi, Vimarlund & Timpka, 2009). The end-users can be involved in the implantation of the healthcare management information system through the gradual introduction of the end-user to the information system during the transition. The end users are taught on the how to utilize fully the new system and are allowed to raise any concern related to the system (Rahimi, Vimarlund & Timpka,

Film Les Miserables and Masculinity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Film Les Miserables and Masculinity - Essay Example Therefore, this paper is not a film review, but a technical research paper. It is however, not a full thesis or complete research study, but general thoughts on masculinity with a general aim of understanding it better. The paper uses scholarly ideas or theories and relates these to the selected movie in order to draw new insights on masculinity. The chosen theme or recurring working idea for this paper is the understanding and appreciation of masculinity. This effort to understand is made through an analysis of previous ideas on masculinity drawn from papers or researches of scholars on the issue of gender and masculinity. Meanwhile, appreciation is derived through a chosen visual presentation or a film from which a more graphic representation of ideas on masculinity can be derived. The film chosen for this paper, the movie Les Miserables is a Golden Globe Award winner for Best Picture in Hollywood this December 2012. The significance of this paper can easily be seen from the important social developments starting the late twentieth century, more particularly the 1960s and 1970s. During these years, feminism and the gay movements started to change the outlook of societies towards gender and sexuality (Peoples 9). Since then, traditional beliefs and biases on masculinity and femininity started to erode. This very well shows that gender is not a static, but rather a dynamic reality. This dynamism behind gender has been especially portrayed, if not exploited by the powerful media of communications today. In turn, mass media have served to hasten the dynamism of change in human sexuality and gender. Thus during our own times, dramatic social and cultural changes have introduced the rather unexpected recognition of gay rights in the U.S. military, legalization of gay marriages in some countries, surgical male-to-female sex changes in modern medicine, and other social and cultural alterations or reform s. The need to understand issues on masculinity is therefore important, as the dynamism of gender and manhood continues to escalate until our day. And as shall be shown later, the issues relating to masculinity may have created a global impact in which even the security and sustainability of democratic states and the world may be at stake. This shall be discussed later, but for more clarity, the following questions are proposed as the main problems in this paper: 1. What is the appropriate understanding of masculinity? 2. What are the major concepts of masculinity that relate to its dynamic nature? 3. How does the movie Les Miserables portray the major concepts of masculinity? 4. What lessons can be drawn from the above conceptual and visual analysis of masculinity? Studies on gender and manhood To understand masculinity, there is a need to analyze ideas or theories introduced by scholars or researchers on this issue. This is an appropriate approach since our modern societies are to day knowledge-based societies. Scientific studies have become the lever to awaken awareness, impart understanding, and formulate theories on social issues. This paper has therefore sought concepts expounded by scientific theorists on gender and manhood. From these theories, an appropriate understanding of masculinity can be derived. In this regard, the study made by Christopher T. Kilmartin deserves consideration. In his book The Masculine Self, Kilmartin clarifies the concept of masculinity by differentiating between sex and gender (14). For him, sex is a biological frame of reference to the male or female as this relates to genes, hormones, genetalia, and other physical aspects of the human body. On the other hand, gender is a broader frame of reference

MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane)

MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) What is MSM? MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) is a naturally occurring sulphur compound that is found in all vertebrates (including humans) and is highly effective in not only improving joint health and hair health but also in reducing pain relief significantly. It does this predominantly by reducing inflammation within the body. How sulphur is absorbed into the diet is very interesting. MSM gets into the diet through the sulphur cycle. Plankton from the ocean will release sulphur compounds into the ozone and the ultra violet light will proceed to make MSM and its precursor DMSO. These nutrients will then be returned to the earth’s surface in the form of rain. When we eat the plants or the animals that have absorbed the MSM, the benefits begin to unfold. Why is MSM so good for you? MSM is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain reliever) which has been most known for its effect on joint health, pain management, hair health and skin health. As most conditions are caused from inflammation, MSM is highly effective at putting a stop to and/or helping to treat these common issues. Signs of an MSM Deficiency A deficiency in MSM has been shown to result in the following: Low Energy; Chronic Pain; Allergies; Low resistance to Stress; Parasites; Tissue and Organ Malfunction; Unhealthy Hair and Skin; Low Immunity. A deficiency has also been shown to contribute to many conditions (see chapter 2 for further information on each of them), some of which include: Asthma; Arthritis; Candida; Diabetes; and Constipation. Nutritional Sources of MSM As with any nutrient, it is always preferable to get it from naturally occurring food sources before taking supplementation. Unfortunately this is not so easy when it comes to sulphur. The foods richest in sulphur are those which we tend to not consume very much of in today’s society, such as collagen or keratin. However, Paleo is possibly one plan that would promote enough sulphur in the diet, as long as it is a paleo diet that emphasises the quality of the foods as opposed to just the type of food. Bone Broth If you ever sat in the kitchen while your grandmother was making homemade chicken soup (as I did) or you remember your mum coming in with a nice pot of homemade chicken soup when you were sick (which I also did) then you would have been exposed to bone broth at some point in your life. Bone broth is basically as the name implies. It is the boiling down of bones until all of the collagen and minerals seep into the water and then you drink it. It is absolutely delicious and so good for you. One of the best sources of sulphur in our diet would be from the connective tissues in the bones of grass fed and free range animals and therefore boiling down some bones into a bone broth and drinking the broth regularly could provide you with almost enough sulphur to promote optimal health. The sulphur in the bones, as well as the amino acids proline and glycine are some of the components that make bone broth so great†¦ So to get you started with implementing MSM into your diet, how about I give you a bone broth recipe that you can get started using today†¦ Bone Broth Recipe Ingredients: 1 kg or more of beef bones from grass fed cows; 2 chicken feet if possible (just gives that extra bit of gelatin); 2 onions; 3 carrots; 3 stalks of celery and any celery leaves you have; 2 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar; 1 tbsp. Celtic Sea Salt; Any herbs of choice. Methods: Roast the beef bones in the oven for about 30 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. Place the bones in a large stock pot and pour filtered water over the bones and add the vinegar. Let this solution sit for about 30 minutes or so as the acid from the vinegar will help to make the nutrients more available. Roughly chop and add the vegetables to the pot and add any herbs and spices you are going to use. Bring this broth to a boil. Once it has come to a vigorous boil bring it back down to a simmer. To simmer beef broth leave it for 48 hours and for chicken broth leave it for 24 hours. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. With a metal strainer, strain out all of the bones and vegetables. When cool enough, store in a large glass jar in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze until needed. Raw Foods MSM is in virtually all raw foods and is found in decent quantities in green leafy vegetables such as Brussel sprouts and kale. It is also found in garlic, onions and asparagus. However, although vegetables can contain a significant amount of MSM, it should not be your primary source due to the poor amounts of sulphur in the soil that these vegetables are grown in. Animal Sources Eggs, Meat, Poultry, Fish and Milk are all a much more reliable source of MSM than Raw Foods. Why Don’t We Get Enough Sulphur in Our Diet? There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, as mentioned above, the richest source of sulphur is found in collagen and keratin and in modern society we seem to not consume too much of these. However, thanks to more real food advocates they are becoming much better known, especially in the form of bone broths. Secondly, MSM is lost significantly when the food is processed. Cooking, drying and steaming food depletes the MSM content, as does washing our food and storing it for a long period of time. So, as you can see it is very difficult to get a sufficient quantity of MSM into your diet without a little additional supplementation, especially if you are wanting to receive therapeutic doses. Supplemental Forms of MSM MSM is able to be found in capsules, crystals, flakes, powders, tablets, lotions and gels. I prefer to use the crystals or flakes when I take it internally as it gets absorbed a lot quicker than tablets and capsules. I use lotions and gels when I require it to be absorbed through the skin (as is the case with muscle pains). If you would like to learn how to make your own lotions and gels you can go to the recipes section at the back of the book. Beneficial Supplements to take with MSM Vitamin C (Overall Health, Cell Regeneration) The number one nutrient that has been shown to work extremely well alongside MSM is that of Vitamin C. In fact by combining MSM and Vitamin C together, they work synergistically to provide the benefits listed in the upcoming chapters. When MSM is taken alongside Vitamin C you will notice particular benefits: o helps the body to build new cells; o helps reduce scar tissue and wrinkles, and helps keep the skin more elastic. o helps the hair and nails grow stronger and faster. Glutamine (Athletic Performance, Antioxidant Capabilities) When used alongside MSM this nutrient is a great recovery workout combination. L-Glutamine is the most prevalent amino acid found in skeletal muscle tissue and blood and may significantly aid in muscle recuperation as well as overall immune function. Just like MSM, Glutamine (when taken orally or intravenously) has been shown to raise the body’s natural antioxidant glutathione. Glucosamine (Arthritis and Joint Health) When taken with MSM, this supplement has been shown to provide double the joint comfort relief than either of them alone. Previously you would find most arthritis supplements would contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin alone. However, since MSM has now been recognised as essential for joint health they have started adding that too. Because of the fact that Chondroitin is so expensive studies have actually been done to test Glucosamine and MSM alone and have found some amazing results. This makes the supplement a lot cheaper for the user. To read up on this study, check out the section on â€Å"Arthritis†. Optimal Intakes of MSM As MSM is not stored in the body, a fresh supply is needed to prevent any further deficiencies developing. As you age your MSM concentrations also decrease so your requirement for it will be a lot higher. It is important to start off slowly when taking MSM and gradually increase your dosage, so as to minimise any digestive complaints that might appear. So as to minimise the chance of heartburn, take MSM with your meals. A single dose of MSM will not be a cure all but taken over time on a daily basis you will be able to start experiencing the amazing benefits of this nutrient. A good way of increasing your supplementation is by incorporating the following tiers – although everybody is different so you will just have to experiment yourself. Tier #1 Start off by taking 500mg per day and take this dosage for a week. Tier #2 Increase the dosage to 1000mg (1g) per day and take this dosage for a week. Tier #3 Every day add on another 500mg per day until you reach 10000mg (10g). Tier #4 Once you have been taking 10g per day for a couple of weeks and have made up for the years of deficiency then start to reduce it to a maintenance level. Tier #5 For most people the maintenance level will be about 4-8g per day. Note: Make sure you drink plenty of water when starting on MSM and/or when increasing your dosage of MSM. Also ensure that you do not use tap water with the MSM as the chlorine in it can cancel the effectiveness of the MSM. Toxicity of MSM MSM has been found to be safe with minimal reported adverse effects, even at very large doses. The only effects that have been reported (on minimal occasions) are loose stools, stomach upset or skin rashes, which could indicate a slight allergy to the product but these symptoms will disappear once you have stopped taking the MSM. In fact there have been numerous studies done showing that MSM is Non Toxic even at very large doses. Research (1) – Non Toxic for Pregnant Females even at extremely high amounts of 1000mg/kg/day (Animal Study) This study split the pregnant rats into 4 separate groups and were administered a variety of different dosages. There was no evidence of maternal toxicity and no significant differences in the litter viability, litter size or litter body weight upon testing. There were no foetal abnormalities seen in the MSM treated group or in any of the foetuses. Therefore the non-observed adverse effect level for both maternal and developmental toxicity was 1000mg/day. Please note that this study was done in rats and although the animal studies are generally very accurate and MSM is seen as extremely non-toxic for both the pregnant female and the foetus, it is still wise to either administer it at reasonably low doses (1-3g per day) and/or do it under the supervision of a practitioner. Research (2) – MSM has very low toxicity (Animal Study) In this study they split the mice up into separate groups. One group was given a single dose of 2.5g per kg body weight, one group was given a single dose of 5.0g per kg body weight and the other group was given up to 10g/kg body weight over a period of 90 days. They found that with these numbers there was no toxic effects. Detox Symptoms When you first start taking MSM you may experience some detox symptoms which may make you want to stop taking it. But that could be a big mistake. The symptoms you experience can range from mild flu-like symptoms to more severe symptoms. If the symptoms are not too severe try to tough it out for a few days and make sure you drink plenty of water. However, if you find the symptoms are too severe, try tiering the dosage down and take some hot baths to make you sweat more and therefore make the detoxification process go a lot quicker. Soaking in some Epsom salts is also a good idea. More information on how MSM can help with detoxification can be found here†¦ People who should be cautious when taking MSM MSM is extremely safe for most individuals and is actually about as toxic as water. However if you have kidney issues or kidney disease it may be an idea to check with your practitioner prior to taking this supplementation. Medications that are contraindicated with MSM If you are taking high doses of aspirin or blood thinning medications such as heparin or dicumarol it is advisable to check with your physician prior to taking MSM. This is because it has been observed in some clinical settings that it may have a blood thinning aspirin like effect on platelet aggregation.

American Beauty (movie)

The movie American Beauty bears the name of the most popular in the USA brand of roses. The roses are present in the picture everywhere. They are like a scarlet ribbon running through the canvas of the narration, each time concentrating audience’s attention upon themselves as upon the stereotype of American beauty. This is not a story about empty cellophane bag flying in the wind. This is not a saga about a masturbating wimp American man. And even not about that that life is a shit and women are you know who. This is rather the story of stereotypization of mass conscience that reached global proportion.This is a story about that that our life as any reality is a mosaic with different patterns – sometimes even ugly and detestable. Some of us see the life lines interlacing as a stifling web and others see it as roads running away beyond the skyline. Overall, American Beauty is a film about the life of an average American family, and problems experienced by each member of this family. And in this case it does not matter is the family American, English, French or any other as it was already mentioned the stereotypical conscience became global.Movie plot is simple enough and, to certain extent, hackneyed. To tell the truth the beginning of the picture evokes feelings of boredom as you expect a typical tearful story of jerk husband, stinker wife, their daughter suffering from loneliness and lack of understanding and their neighbors – a bit screwed guy, trading drugs and practicing voyeurisme with his video camera, his father, colonel retired, who hates homosexuals being himself a latent homosexual. However, the way all this story is presented makes this movie different and distinguished.American Beauty is impressive for the fact that there are no right or guilty characters in the story. For example, Lester (Kevin Spacey) is not a dull, horny jerk, he is rather an average man who could not achieve in this life anything or even establish a normal f amily, where al least someone would understand and support him. His wife Carolyn (Annette Bening) is not a stinker or a whore; she is a simply unhappy woman, which tries hard to bluster way out of difficult life â€Å"I will sell this house today, I will sell this house today†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Carolyn), but fails.And their daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is not a wicked child dreaming of killing her parents but rather a poor little girl, who feels awfully lonely and seeks for someone to understand her. The central event of the film is the moment when Lester is trying to free himself from the chains of commonness and dullness of the life surrounding him. He quits his well-paid position and starts working in McDonald’s and going in for sport. But the outward manifestation is not the point; the point is that Lester got free inward.He ceased being afraid of his wife, he has got that job which does not give you satisfaction and where you have to lick the boots of your boss is worthless. These changes made Lester feel free and happy! â€Å"I feel like I've been in a coma for about twenty years. And I'm just now waking up. † (Lester) But this is the moment when an inevitable end had to come. Lester is killed. Any person from his surrounding could have done it. Daughter Jane, who could not stand his lusty stare at her classmate: â€Å"I need a father who's a role model, not some horny geek-boy who's gonna spray his shorts every time I bring a girlfriend home from school.†(Jane); wife Carolyn, who hates him as she regards him as a sluggard and loser; Jane’s friend, Ricky (Wes Bentley), whom Jane asked to kill her father; Ricky’s father, crazy about patriotism and fascism colonel, who believes his son to have an affair with Lester; and even Lester who feels good and likes his new life. Why not to die at such a moment? To leave this world with pleasant emotions†¦ I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me †¦ but it's hard to stay mad when there's so much beauty in the world.Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much. My heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst †¦ (Lester) The movie is masterfully shot in all respects. Young film director Sam Mendes has demonstrated fairly good sense of humor and style. Take for example red rose-petals emerging as soon as Lester gets absorbed in his erotic fantasies. Red petals serve as unambiguous, though delicate euphemism of orgasmic feelings of the main character. This cross-cutting image looks very nice though till the end of film it becomes exuberant and starts irritating.And finally the empty bag fluttering in the wind is like a key symbol of the film. It is noticed by Ricky through his camera lens, who looks at the world only in this way, through his camera, as it makes reality to be accepted easier. â€Å"Video's a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember†¦ and I need to remember†¦ Sometimes th ere's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in† (Ricky) Ricky, as a real artist, sees beauty in the things which are seen by others as ugly.This is, as a matter of fact, the notion of â€Å"American beauty†, the world, which you see beyond U. S. model through this or that stimulating means. American beauty is a McDonald’s, but not as a place where you come to gorge fast, sooner as a place of inner freedom. This is a bright scarlet car, of which you dreamt all your life but had not bought because there were more â€Å"useful† things you had to buy. In the long run, American beauty is your inner freedom, freedom in mind and not under the canopy of Star & Stripes flag. Bibliography American Beauty. Dir. Sam Mendes. 1999. DVD, 2002.