Franz Xaver Gruber (1787–1863) – Joseph Mohr (1792–1848)

• Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!

Thomanerchor Leipzig

youtube upload by Jairdan

i know what you want
I’m gonna take you the midnight show tonight.

Four more shorts are up and running from our trip to Ireland. Enjoy!

This is the first Annual House Dance Conference in Detroit ..&let me be the first one to tell ya, It isn’t everyday that something like this comes to Michigan.

We had a great turnout and from what I could see, everyone had a great time ..and that’s really what matter’s right? Right. You can catch me in there at exactly the 2minute mark. Shout to Hardcore Detroit, Brian “Footwork” Green, Jimbo, Gehrik Mohr, and everyone else who had a hand in putting this together in any way.

Now wouldn't it be nice to open your door to find a job sitting on your steps?

Hola! I’m back in da hood, after another brief hiatus.

It was recently brought to my attention by one of the Assistant Directors of JTK Negeri Johor that the Ministry of Human Resources is now intensively promoting home working.

According to their information booklet on the subject, there are four main objectives for promoting home working, which are:-

1. Untuk meningkatkan kesedaran masyarakat korporat tentang tanggungjawab social mereka terhadap ibu tunggal, suri rumah, OKU dan keluarga miskin, dan seterusnya menggiatkan usaha untuk menaiktaraf hidup mereka.
2. Memberi kesedaran kepada orang ramai bahawa semua anggota masyarakat mempunyai hak-hak tertentu dalam bidang pekerjaan.
3. Memberi alternative kepada pihak syarikat untuk mendapatkan pekerja dan pada akhirnya dapat mengurangkan kebergantungan kepada tenaga kerja asing.
4. Memupuk semangat kesedaran di kalangan ibu tunggal, suri rumah, OKU dan keluarga miskin untuk melengkapkan diri dengan keupayaan, kelayakan dan kemahiran untuk bersaing di sector pekerjaan agar dapat bersama menyumbang ke arah pembangunan negara.

Sounds good. So what are the types of jobs available under the home work programme? According to the booklet:-

• Jahitan
• Kraftangan
• Hasil Asas Tani
• Makanan
• Produk Herba
• Kemasukan Data/Menaip
• Pembungkusan (Pack and Unpack)
• Pembuatan
• Pemasangan
• Lain-lain yang bersesuaian

Home working is basically where companies utilise available outside labour force to undertake manual tasks such as the above under a valid contract with mutually agreed terms. The home worker has the flexibility of time and method to carry out the work from the comfort of his or her home as long as it conforms to the terms of contract.  There are also some home work programmes which require groups of participants and also through third party agents.

Home work is not new. Companies especially in the manufacturing sector have been doing this for years to lower their manpower overheads.  I was told that the reason why the Ministry is stepping in to regulate the home working concept is because there were complaints from the participants of the home work programme in previous years of being cheated. Apparently some companies were not paying the participants according to what was agreed in the beginning when they were given the job. Some were not given proper contracts to sign, while some had to even pay to get the job. Some companies had since closed down so the participants could not claim their dues.

To safeguard the public from being inveigled by unscrupulous enterprises, the Ministry through JTK would require all participants to be registered before joining any home work programme. JTK would also invite companies to come forth with their home work programmes, then assist to match suitable jobs with the participants. If the job requires  a group of participants, JTK would assist to look for suitable premises for the group to carry out the tasks. JTK would also monitor and assess the programme from time to time to ensure that it complies with prevailing laws and regulations.

For me, I just like the Government’s endeavour to advocate equality for the handicapped, women and the less fortunate. Helping them to become financially independent will boost their self-esteem and inspire others. The Government’s involvement and continual supervision on the programmes ensure their legitimacy and that society is protected.

But anyhow, we cannot afford to be too safe. Do practice these common sense tips before deciding to join a home work programme.

• Find out everything about how you will be paid. What are the rates and agreed terms? Are you paid a fixed salary, a piece rate, or on commission basis? How often are you paid? Will you be paid in cash, by cheque, or through your bank account? Read the conditions of your contract thoroughly and if possible get help from a friend or relative who may be more experienced or knowledgeable in such contracts to “read between the lines” and spot any anomalies before you sign it.
• Avoid jobs that guarantee you wealth, financial success, or that will help you get rich fast.
• Don’t ever, ever pay for a job.  Legitimate employers don’t charge to hire you or to get you started.
• Ask for references if you’re not sure about the company’s legitimacy. Request a list of other employees or contractors to find out how this has worked for them. Then contact the references to ask how this is working out. If the company isn’t willing to provide references do not consider the opportunity.

For more information on the Home Work programme please contact your nearest JTK office or the Human Resources Ministry www.mohr.gov.my.

The Star, 24 June 2009

Subra: Progress is maintained through labour management

PETALING JAYA: Despite the negative feedback, Human Resource Minister Datuk S. Subramaniam is standing firm on the proposal to give maids a mandatory day off.

“Over the years, we have been the subject of scrutiny internationally over the way we handle the issue of foreign workers, particularly maids,” he said at the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Human Resource Conference 2009 yesterday.

“While many other countries have liberalised their laws, in all international platforms, we have always had to defend the situations we were in.

“In line with that, there is a need for us to ensure that, as a progressive and developing nation which is moving up the economic ladder, our status of progressive economy is maintained through how we manage labour in this country.

“That is part of the reason we have to make certain decisions that might not be welcomed by everybody.”

However, Dr Subramaniam stressed that all complaints and feedback from the public and employers would be taken into consideration by the Government.

“We are aware of the social issues linked to this proposal. We will take these into consideration and look into other mechanisms to reduce social problems – not just the ones associated with the maids.”

Dr Subramaniam said he would propose several amendments to the Employment Act in October, including one that would require labour contractors to register with the ministry.

In an immediate reaction, the MTUC secretary-general G. Rajasekaran said that essential standards like working hours, living conditions, minimum wages should be incorporated in the conditions of the work permit.

“As memorandums of understanding are not enforceable, these conditions should be stipulated as part of the Employment Act, in the form of regulations,” he said.

He also urged the Government to review the recruitment procedure and reduce the amount of agency fee, so that employers are encouraged to give better perks to the maids.

“The Government should review the recruitment procedure, so that employers will not be required to pay an exorbitant sum of RM7000 to RM8000 as agency fee,” he said.

On fears that the maids would run away if they were granted one off day every week, Rajasekaran said maids were less likely to do so if they were treated well.

High time too. Our employment laws are archaic and revisions to reflect current socio-economic and business trends are much needed to keep us in tandem with global practices.

After more than half a century of independence we should know better than to allow prejudice and bigotry to get the better of us. If  domestic help are still deemed by society to be at the lower rungs of the social hierarchy, then at least legally we need to tip the scale to ensure that they are recognised and accorded the minimal protection and rights in pari passu with other jobholders who fall under the term “workman” in the EA 1955.  These aren’t master and slave times.

It is ironic that many of the voices opposing the Govt’s move are that of women, because domestic help are, in all cases, also women. We have hardly heard of cases of drivers or gardeners, essentially males, being abused, but we read about maid abuse all the time. We want our “me” times but we deny our maids of their “me” time just because we can.

As for worries from some quarters that this day-off thing may lead to social complications, well, let’s cross the bridge when we come to it. Instead of making a song and dance about it, let’s do a SWOT analysis and propose some workable ways to manage the risks.

The Bar Council is all for this day-off thing. For me, I just think that we just got to do what’s fair dinkum for the maid.

WARNING: PG

Surgeon and inventor Catherine Mohr tours the history of surgery (and its pre-painkiller, pre-antiseptic past), then demos some of the newest tools for surgery through tiny incisions, performed using nimble robot hands. Fascinating — but not for the squeamish.

I am amazed at how far surgery techs has come. It’s is so true that healthy people usually don’t require to go under the knife. Most people who needs surgery are not healthy. So taking care of health is of the utmost important. With health, we can do things we love, have income, enjoy life to the fullest. Thanks!

Credits to Dr Catherine Mohr & TED.

Placement is Guaranteed as long as the trainee fulfils the requirements set by the employers. Employer selection is an ongoing process, so the list will continue grow. However at the moment, companies from Private Sector have indicate interest to employ the trainees. These are BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) or IT companies. Companies from other industries (e.g. tourism, financial services, IT services) are participating as well.

The Train & Place programme is a national iniative spearheaded by the Ministry of Human Resource (MoHR) to re-skill unemployed graduates for placement in selected companies. Asia e University has been appointed by the Ministry of Human Resource to be one of the training providers in making the Train & Place programme effective.

Our Trainees wiil be trained in three important areas; Occupational English, Personal Developement, and Industry-Specific Skills. The training will be conducted over a period of 8 weeks.

Recently the HR Ministry contemplated making conciliation compulsory each time affected workers report their case to the Labour Department as part of a move to help resolve their cases faster.

Well, if things can be resolved by talking and shaking hands then that would’ve happened already. I humbly opine that making such a process mandatory will just delay the service of justice in industrial disputes. Employment contracts are not like commercial agreements whereby mediation serves as a comparatively more practical, cost-effective and conducive alternative to litigation in the spirit of the continuing business relationship and ensuring that both parties can continue to trade as usual past the dispute. When  a breach of an employment contract occurs, basically the party suffering from the breach just wants to be compensated for being “betrayed” by the party committing the breach, and then part company with the latter, seeking new opportunities elsewhere. So the aim of being compensated is ideally speedily obtained because, unlike commercial arrangements, employment relationships are more personal and tend to involve a lot of emotions. After all, as employees we enter into such contracts putting our trust into the hands of someone who will determine our family’s livelihood; and as employers, we do the same in good faith that the person we hire would specifically perform his duties for the business and the common good.

But my main concern about conciliation being made compulsory is whether it would be practical in every situation. Like I said, it would have happened in the first place if it was THE solution. Take for example a case where an employer dismisses a worker with just cause. Now, imagine a conciliation meeting set up between both employer and employee in this case because the employee wants his job back. What mutually agreeable decision do you think will come out of it? That the employer will take the employee back and reinstate him in the same position/salary grade/job function as he was in before he was given the boot? If I were the employer’s rep I’d just tell the fella to dispense with the table talking and take me to court if he thinks he’s right.

Similarly if I was an unfairly dismissed employee I really wouldn’t want to sit across the table from my employer and hear more of his bullshit. I’d just want to haul him to court and give him his come uppance. Regardless of whether it’s gonna take three years or thirty years. I just want to see the look on his face when he eats his shoes.

There is, another small thing about Labour officers being internationally trained and labelled as “experts” to handle conciliation. I certainly don’t see such professional dispostion the last time I visited a Labour office, which was a couple of weeks back. I don’t want to go into details of my experience there but if you had a great day after visiting one then I’d gladly admit that it was just me.

I read this news on Star Online with considerable surprise. I hope The Star has gotten their information wrong, as they have a tendency to sometimes.

2. I cannot fathom how the Ministry of Human Resources is less important than the Works Ministry. Given the increasing emphasis on human capital development, and Prime Minister Najib’s assertion of a People First, Performance Now policy, I would assume that it is an honour to be placed in charge of human capital development.

3. Perhaps some of these close-minded politicians referred to the ‘contracts-awarding’ power of the Works Minister. If that’s the case, then they have no place in the Cabinet to begin with.

4. The importance of a Ministry is a sum of how the Minister and his officials project themselves and evolves with times. In the first cabinet of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Agriculture and Rural Development were right at the top of the ‘list of important’ ministries, along with the Finance Minister and Prime Minister.

5. I hope the Human Resources Minister will openly dismiss this as mere speculations and the works of some irresponsible elements within his party. To say the Ministry of Human Resources is ‘not prestigious’ reflect badly on how much he has achieved as a Minister so far.

The Star, 26 February 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 13 million private and public sector workers will benefit from the flexi work system when it is implemented in two months, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said here.

Dr Subramaniam said his ministry had drawn up the regulations for the flexi wage system and handed them over to the Attorney-General for approval.

“After approval, it will be implemented to enable the workers to work flexi hours,” he told reporters after receiving a memorandum on workers’ plight from Parti Socialist Malaysia here yesterday.

Dr Subramaniam said the regulations contain the terms and conditions on the payment of salaries for workers opting for flexi hours, as well as protection for both workers and employers.

“The protection is important to ensure that the interests of both workers and employers are protected in case of any dispute,” he said, adding that the terms for EPF and Socso contributions would also be spelled out.

Dr Subramaniam said the flexi wage concept not only entailed working after office hours but also the employment of housewives who only wanted to work for two hours.

He said government servants who wanted to work after their office hours needed to get approval from the head of their departments, while private sector workers would be dependent on the agreements with their employers.

On the retrenchment fund handled by Socso, he said the International Labour Organisation was in the process of giving its suggestions to the ministry on the most suitable system for implementing the fund.

“We are positive that the fund would be introduced very soon,” he said.

by Gladys Tay

The Star, 1 March 2009

JOHOR BARU: The first Johor Job Placement Programme organised by the Labour Department here received over whelming response with thousands of job seekers turning up at the event.

State Unity, Human Resources, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman M. Asojan said among those who came were retrenched workers and job seekers looking for employment or training opportunities.

He said that besides creating a one-stop centre for employers and job seekers to meet, applicants could also register with the Labour Department for job matching purposes.

“A total of 1661 vacancies are being offered here today (Saturday) by 19 companies from several sectors such as manufacturing, health and agriculture.

“There are also vacancies for professionals such as engineers,” he said adding that the salaries being offered were also competitive.

Asojan, who is also the Gambir state assemblyman, was speaking to reporters after launching the programme at Plaza Kota Raya on Saturday.

He said the programme would be held twice a month, on the second and the fourth Saturdays from 9am to 6pm, at different locations in order for them to reach a larger crowd.

He also said the department also offered the “train and place” programme, where job seekers would undergo trainings by the companies before they were hired.

“We provide training in various fields including telecommunication and broadcasting system, hospitality and tourism, medical and pharmaceutical, and biotechnology,” he said.

He added that those undergoing training would be given an incentive of RM500 per month and they would receive the Malaysia Skills Certificate (SKM) upon completion.

A. Shamila, 29, who was retrenched in early February from a manufacturing company in Tebrau here said she hoped to obtain a job as soon as possible as she has a three-month old baby to take care of.

“Although my husband is still working, we have a bigger financial responsibility now after the arrival of my son,” she said adding that she had applied for five positions offered at the event.

The engineering in manufacturing CAD-CAM degree holder who graduated from Universiti Malaya (UM) said that she had also registered for a training course.

Había leido y escuchado lo suficiente sobre el lugar como para sentirme entusiasmado. Y mi entusiasmo se tradujo en que me hallara yo en un taxi rumbo a la esquina de 1ra Avenida y la 12 a escasas horas de haber llegado a Nueva York. Iba solo, pero bueno, a veces hay que hacer las cosas así.El propósito manifiesto de mi retorno a la ciudad envolvía visitas médicas y un par de reuniones de negocios. Pero también me proponía una necesaria renovación personal a base del tipo de buena comida y buen vino que es tan difícil de hallar en Santo Domingo, donde resido actualmente.

En busca de vigor y vino de verdad me dirigía yo a Terroir , el nuevo wine bar de moda en el East Village (413 E. 12^th St., New York, NY; http://wineisterroir.com/). Con ese nombre, esperaba encontrar algo que me viniera como un oasis tras semanas perdido en el desierto.

Hablando de “perdido”, me dió mi trabajito encontrar a Terroir. El taxi me dejó en la esquina de Primera y debo haberle pasado por al lado un par de veces antes de percatarme de que el bar queda donde queda. Es que el letrero es de bronce oscuro, sobre fondo de lajas no particularmente contrastantes, sin iluminación directa. Pero bueno, al fin dí con él y obtuve puesto en la barra fácilmente.

Visitando la web de Terroir podrán hacerse una idea muy clara de lo que me encontré yo en términos de la oferta vínica y gastronómica. Excelentes piscolabis y platitos de bar para acompañar una amplia selección de vinos enfocados en lo natural y auténtico. Claro, puntilloso como soy, mirando la carta descubrí unos cuantos lapsus, al menos en términos de purismo terroirístico. Vamos, que si voy a buscar un rioja convincente en ese aspecto, no va a ser de Muga, aunque sea el Prado Enea 98 (¡nada más y nada menos que a US$25 la copa! Porque Nueva York es Nueva York, ¿eh?). Es que lo que fuera un gran vino riojano en sus últimas añadas lo veo algo desmejoradillo. Y la bodega en sí como que cada día se me australiza más, o sea que fallo ahí para este qine bar que…

Por lo demás me resultó genial. La banda sonora durante toda mi estadía fue The Clash. Creo que nos pasamos London Callin (edición deluxe) y Super Black Market Clash completos.  Ser atendido por un barman que sabía la historia del sonsonete de piano de “Rock the Casbah” (fue cosa de Topper Headon, el baterista, que se puso a inventar en un receso de grabación…) y el tipo de guitarra que prefería Joe Strummer, además de hacer recomendaciones certeras de vino y comida, es algo especial—un lujito. Se me olvidó el nombre del muchacho, pero la verdad es que brilló.

En cuanto a la atmósfera, pues el público típico chic bohemio veintrentón, alternativoide y de actitud estudiada. El sitio gozaba de una semipenumbra no muy catatoria, pero favorecedora a la hora del ligoteo, del cual parecía haber bastante.

Tomemos el caso de un par de chicas sentadas a mi izquierda en la barra. El bartender, viéndome estudiar la oferta de rieslings correspondiente a un evento llamado “Summer of Riesling” que la gerencia se traía entre manos, tras decirle yo que mis circunstancias me obligaban a optar por lo seco, me sugirió que comenzara mis libaciones con un Balthasar Ress, Schloss Reichartshausen Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau 2007. Me divertía yo con la carta en sí, cuyo diseño gráfico era un cruce de collage dadaista y afichería punk. También me divertían mucho unas camisetas que venden, con eslogans del orden de “No barrique, no Berlusconi” y otros pronunciamientos legendarios del mundo del vino de verdad. Marketing, sí, pero del simpático.

Me divertía, les decía, y ocurrió el caso en cuestión. Dos chicas, muy guapas ellas, con aire de solteras y en busca, disfrutan copas de vino en la barra de Terroir. A la pelirroja (¿les dije que una era pelirroja?) se le acerca un individuo de vestimenta pijística y perilla. El tipo se presenta y entablan conversación. Alcanzo a escuchar como él intenta cautivar a nuestra heroina con su saber enológico. En una le suelta, con aire de “debes impresionarte”, que está preparando su examen para la Court of Master Sommeliers y comienza a soltarle todo un currículo de lo que ha hecho para acreditarse en el mundo del vino. Un cuadro de glamour y estrellato, pinta…

Por poco se me sale el riesling por las narices de la risa.

Esto tiene que haber sido uno de los más peculiarmente pedantes intentos de ligarse a alguien en un wine bar que he presenciado en mi vida (y les aseguro que he presenciado cada cosa…) La pelirroja, por suerte, decidió pasar del barbitas casi al mismo tiempo que éste le soltó lo de los Master Sommeliers y parecía a punto de embarcarse en una disertación sobre su “varietal” favorito.

Pero me extiendo demasiado en lo atmosférico. El Reichartshausen es un vinito precioso, fresco, de acidez risueña y con mineralidad sutilmente aspirínica. Por delante, la fragancia abunda en flores que algún día serían frutas cítricas y té blanco. En la boca está del lado angular de la categoría de los abocaditos, entrando esbelto y erguido y explotando sin la más mínima vacilación en el paladar medio con ola tras ola de toronja, fresa silvestre y minerales. Muy largo. Mejor comienzo, difícil de pedir. Acompañado por la comedia que se desenvolvía a mi lado, perfecto. Lo imaginé como un vino con fino sentido de la ironía y un talento acojonante para el mot juste…

Seguí, tras breve deliberación, con un Mohr, Riesling Trocken Erstes Gewachs Lorcher Bodental-Steinberg, Rheingau 2004: De primera intención da melocotón y mirabelle. Acto seguido se percata uno de que hay, en el corazón de todo, un intrigante elemento de fruta roja. Mineralidad levemente medicinal. Amplio en boca y—hay que decirlo—mucho más simple que el anterior, lo que, hablando de “fino sentido de la ironía”, resulta irónico considerando que esto declara rimbombantemente ser un Erstes Gewachs (o sea, el equivalente germánico de premier cru). La carnosidad extra que lleva, en un formato seco, acaba por no ayudar a la impresión total. Más precisión y menos suculencia hubiese sido mejor.

Seguí también consejo del amable barman para la comida, probando una ensalada toscana de tomate, parmesano y atún, croquetas de risotto y un panino de jamón de pato, hongos y taleggio. Una cena sencilla que rompía mi dieta baja en carbohidratos, pero bueno, ya que estaba de turismo y joda y encima en un bar, pues…

Aunque ponían un montón de tintos por copa que me hubiese interesado probar bajo otras condiciones, ¿por qué abandonar los rieslings, habiendo tanto de interesante? Así que seguí con el Hirtzberger, Riesling Smaragd “Hochrain”, Wachau 2001. Creo que en estos momentos copear este vino en barra o restaurante es la mejor manera de hacerlo disfrutable a la clientela. La aireación propiciada por esta modalidad de servicio ayuda mucho a un vino que de una botella recién abierta hubiese estado de un impenetrable que no quiero imaginarme. En términos astronómicos esto sería una especie de enano blanco cuya energía se manifiesta, en vez de en calor, en aromas y sabores ahumados, pizarrosos y cítricos (particularmente naranja rubí). Cremoso de textura, con un cierto aspecto de cera. Denso. Intenso. ¿Les dije que intenso? Posgusto muy largo, apretadísimo.

¿Ya le echaron una ojeada a la carta de vinos de Terroir? Habrán notado que los precios por copa no son nada tímidos, por así decirlo. Pero me parece que tampoco son caros, considerando el volumen que te sirven y la calidad de los vinos. Además, a los que me leen en Europa, nada, que con lo que pronto va a valer (o, mejor dicho, a no valer) el dólar si las cosas siguen como van en la economía norteamericana, esos precios serán para ustedes, los de divisas poderosas, una bicoca. Pero al volumen. Digamos que no quería excederme en cuanto a unidades de alcohol. Ir a ver a mi endocrinólogo a la mañana siguiente de una bebienda de mayores no es buena idea. El hombre me manda a hacer cuanto análisis existe. Si me encuentra las enzimas del hígado algo animadillas, me mete tremendos rapapolvos.

Se notaba tranquilo ya el bar cuando decidí que podía tomarme sólo una copa más. Quise aligerar de cuerpo tras el Hochrain, pero no mucho. Me pedí una del Paul Blanck, RIesling Grand Cru “Schlossberg”, Alsacia 2004. Entre una marejada de limón y mandarina me encuentro con un higo fresquísimo. Al morderlo, se realínean circuitos en mi cabeza y de repente sólo puedo concentrarme en la arena que piso y en un aire especiado. Un vino largo, elegante y de mucha viveza, que se las arregla para ser a la vez sensual y cerebral.

Salí de Terroir contento, con riesling correindo por mis venas y una canción en los oidos:

Many people call us for service work, but don’t really get to know the people actually doing the dirty work. Jeff Mohr is one of the guys in our Hazel Green garage. I took a few minutes of his time…well, actually I wasted it, but he got over it quickly!

Runde Auto Chat: Do you have any hobbies or interests?

Jeff Mohr: I like to play electric guitar…(He really meant Guitar Hero…Just Kidding!)

RAC: Any siblings or significant others?

JM: I have two sisters.  

RAC: Are you married yet?

JM:  I do have a girlfriend.  Her name is Linsey.

RAC: Did you grow up around here?

JM: Yes, in Dubuque.

RAC: What kind of car do you drive?                                         

JM: 1991 Jeep Wrangler

JM: Take the PreDriven staff on a cruise…(Remember this guys…you may want to redeem at a later date!)

RAC: If you were stuck on a deserted island, what 3 things would you want with you?

Tara Reid

JM: Beer, guitar, and swimtrunks (in that order)

RAC: If you could talk to anyone in the world for 3 minutes, who would you want it to be?

JM: Angelina Jolie or Tara Reid (I hope he realized I said ‘talk’.)

I hope you all enjoyed a deeper look into the life of Jeff. He spends a lot of time at the PreDriven store, so next time you’re there, stop in and say hello! 

*** Afterthought:  After we posted this blog entry, Jeff let us know that he thought about the deserted island question a little more … He said that it wouldn’t make much sense to have swimtrunks on a deserted island.  So he’d like to change his ”swimtrunk” answer to “Tara Reid.” 

Interview with Dr. Chris Mohr of Meal Plans 101

We all know training is a big part of getting into shape and gaining better health, but even more important is nutrition. This is usually the missing link that keeps individuals from reaching their goal. It takes both training and nutrition to effectively reach your goals, but by fine tuning your nutrition program, you will reach your goals more quickly.

I sat down with Dr. Chris Mohr of Meal Plans 101 to let him explain just how easy it is to reach your nutritional goals.

He and Jayson Hunter, RD, CSCS have designed a piece of nutritional software along with that makes it absolutely simple to create simple, yet effective meal plans.

Question 1:

How important is having a meal plan to follow in regards to nutrition compliance?

It’s just as important as having driving directions if you don’t know where you’re going. Having a nutrition plan is the map to get you where you want to go. Or, for the more technologically sounds folks, the meal plan is the GPS system for improving compliance. I don’t know how to get to Fargo North Dakota—but if I had to drive there, I would pull out a map and write my directions. The same is true for nutrition—most folks know what they need to do to lose fat or gain muscle, but they don’t have the specific directions to get there.

Question 2:

What do you think are the biggest barriers to following a good nutrition program?

First is not planning. Like I described above, you need to plan the best way to reach your destination—in this case, the destination may be fat loss or gaining lean body mass. Meal Plans 101 does the planning for you. If you fail to plan, plan to fail. Why struggle any longer; use the properly designed tools to help you reach your goals.

Second, is watching your portions. Oatmeal is fantastic for you, but sitting down every day to 2-3 cups of oatmeal per meal might be a bit much. Wouldn’t it be nice, though, to know just how much a portion size should actually be? We did that research for you, and it’s all in the software.

Question 3:

Do you have to be a nutrition expert to know how to eat healthy? How hard is it to create an effective meal plan that will allow someone to lose fat or gain muscle?

Nutrition experts are of course beneficial—I’d be knocking myself and Jayson down if I didn’t think they were. But we can’t be there with every single person who wants a simple meal plan put together for them and, quite frankly, it isn’t cheap to work with us individually. This software isn’t meant to replace the advice of a qualified nutrition professional, what it’s meant to do is provide you with science based tools, such as specific formulas (they are behind the scenes, so you don’t have to get involved with them) to tell you how many calories to eat for your goals, along with providing you the ability to choose your food preferences, so you don’t have a cookie cutter program, but instead a unique, proprietary meal plan that fits YOU!

Question 4:

You have mentioned your software. What is it exactly and how can it make the lives of my readers easier?

Simply put—it allows folks to plug in specific values they get from clients or from themselves and it will spit out your specific nutritional needs to achieve those goals. It will then give you the breakdown of just how much of each food group you should be eating, but you are able to customize it to your food choices!! It’s takes just a few minutes to get the grasp of this and then it’s just another tool to help you reach your health and physical goals,

Question 5:

One last question. How important is it to adjust your carbohydrates when it comes to weight loss?

This is the million dollar question. Some research supports a modified carbohydrate diet for successful weight loss, while others suggest a lower fat nutrition plan. The key is nutrient quality and the answer is probably somewhere in the middle. The right types of carbohydrates are excellent. Similarly, healthy fats are crucial, so drastically restricting one or another is not the best way to go about it, in my opinion. And that’s why you have the ability to choose both in the food options under each category.

Chris, thank you for your time today–if you feel your nutrition is the missing link, then check out Meal plans 101 to find out just how easy it is to get your nutrition on track. Don’t leave your nutrition to chance or else you may very well be wasting all that hard work you put in at the gym.
www.mealplans101.com

Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Christopher R. Mohr, PhD, RD
www.mealplans101.com

Q: Recently I have been hearing a lot in the media about inflammation. Is there something I can do or take to help reduce inflammation in my body?

A: That’s a great question and it is good that you are hearing more about it! Inflammation is often called the “silent killer”. But remember that there are different types of inflammation. Acute inflammation is necessary for life. For example, when you cut your finger, an inflammatory process is necessary to heal that wound. That is acute inflammation and is good. Chronic inflammation, however, is dangerous and is the underlying issue for many diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. You can see why it is important to reduce chronic inflammation; particularly since many of these diseases typically begin to present as we age!

Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to reduce chronic inflammation. Here are 5 tips to get you started to a healthier you.

1. Eat more color! Diets which are very colorful, meaning loaded with fruits and vegetables, help decrease inflammation. And the darker the color, the better, so don’t shy away from dark leafy greens, red bell peppers, dark cherries, yellow squash, berries, tomatoes, etc.

2. Eat plenty off high fiber foods. Carbohydrates can affect inflammation; carbohydrates which are low in fiber can increase inflammation and those which are high in fiber can decrease it. Make it a habit to eat plenty of healthy, high fiber carbohydrates, such as whole grain rice, oatmeal, beans, and whole wheat pasta, which all also are a great source of B vitamins, folic acid, and other nutrients as well. And toss the high sugar items, such as soda, candy, cookies, and cakes, which have no nutritional benefit whatsoever.

3. Eat more omega 3 fats and less omega 6 fats. Omega 3 fats are found in fish, such as wild Alaska salmon, tuna, cod, anchovies, and others. The American Heart Association recommends at least 12 oz of cold water fish, like those listed above, each week. And consider a fish oil supplement if OK’d from your physician. The healthy fats in fish oil act like Draino for your blood vessels; they keep your blood flowing smoothly and don’t allow it to become sticky, like other unhealthy fats do. When considering a fish oil product, it is important to do your research; Nordic Naturals is the clear leader in quality fish oil products, for quality, purity, and freshness. And while you’re making an effort to increase your healthy fats, make sure you decrease your unhealthy fats, like those found in fried foods, pastries, French fries and the like. The fats found in these foods can be compared to putting sludge in your gas tank; probably not something that would be too wise.

4. Exercise regularly! Those who exercise regularly have lower levels of inflammatory markers in their bodies. Start each day with a short 10-15 minute walk, do another in the afternoon, and again in the evening. It’s never too late to start moving.

5. Drink tea! Second to water, tea should make up a large part of your fluid intake each day. Tea consumption has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, potentially lower cholesterol levels, and is loaded with other healthy nutrients! It’s a great replacement for juice and soda, which are both pro inflammatory foods.

Making each of these suggestions a part of your daily routine will improve your health. Any lifestyle changes you can do to reduce inflammation are beneficial and each of the above can help do just that. Maybe the saying is true: an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

About the Author:

Dr. Chris Mohr RD, PhD is a health nutrition consultant to a number of media outlets and corporations including Discovery Health Channel, Clif Bar, Waterfront Media, and Fit Fuel. He has authored and co-authored several textbooks and textbook chapters, including consulting with LL Cool J on “LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout” (Rodale Press, 2006). He is also co-creator of Meal Plans 101 nutrition software. For more information on how you can utilize Chris’s expertise go to www.mealplans101.com

A broken watch band might have saved a 10-year veteran of the police department here from serious injury after he was dragged 40 feet by a fleeing car Wednesday night.

Officer Ed Mohr was recovering at home Thursday with a sore wrist and arm after the 6:40 p.m. incident in the parking lot of the Kroger store on Hamilton Avenue, police said.

Mohr was working a uniformed security detail at Kroger when he was directed to the parking lot for a report of a man panhandling near the gas pumps, a police report states. As Mohr approached, the man jumped into the passenger seat of a green, four-door 1992 Toyota driven by a woman.

The car took off onto Hamilton Avenue but got stuck in traffic. Mohr walked up to the passenger side and asked the man and woman to shut off the car. The woman complied.

The officer asked for identification. They didn’t respond – and the man turned the car back on, the report states. He reportedly told the driver to “floor it.”

As the car left, the officer reached into the passenger-side window with his left hand to try to grab the man but his watch band got caught in the frame. After the officer was dragged 40 feet, his watch band broke, freeing him.

North College Hill police broadcast the fleeing vehicle’s license plate number. Florence police traced it back to an apartment in their jurisdiction. They found William Pierce, 25, and a woman.

Pierce was arrested and booked into the Boone County jail on a parole violation. The woman was not arrested. North College Hill police have yet to file charges.