This week's Wellness Wednesday is brought o you by BioStar Performance Whole Foods. New research published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry (April, 2012) highlights that one of the major components of black pepper (known as piperine) blocks the creation of fat cells. This is big news when 1/3 of Americans are obese, and nearly 1/2 of Americans are overweight. Black pepper has been used for centuries in traditional Eastern medicine to treat gastrointestinal distress, pain, inflammation, and to aid in weight management. Previous studies have shown that piperine reduces fat levels in the bloodstream. Other studies have demonstrated that black pepper increases metabolism. But this new study, conducted in Korea, is the first to highlight piperine’s ability to block the creation of fat cells.

DressageDaily welcomes Carol Gordon of Blue Ribbon Accounting as our new columnist giving us an advance look at the latest topic on her monthly newsletter. You can also “Like” her Facebook Page.

If you own a business, EVERY decision you make impacts your bottom line – whether it be how many employees you have, who designs your website or where your business is located.   But one of the most important factors that contribute to the success of your business is your clients.  Good clients = Good business!  Basically, a good client adds to the process of earning money, helping you achieve your goals and making your job enjoyable for you.  So you need to be able to identify and attract good clients. If you are the client, you need to understand that time is your trainer/instructor/barn owner’s livelihood and need to be respectful of that.  Make your expectations clear from the beginning and ask if the professional is agreeable to them.  If you need to discuss something with the professional, schedule a time to do so.  Your professional will enjoy working with you if you make it easier for them to do their job successfully. 
So what makes a good client?

We were covering a Dressage Show this weekend at the beautiful Silverwood Dressage in Camp Lake Wisconsin, just a short drive from the home of my late Mother–in-Law Esther Hathaway. We lost Esther in August 2011 at the age of 91. She joined my Mom Renie who has been gone four years now, in the universe, but I have to say while this years’ Mother’s Day was bittersweet, I felt them with us as I reveled in all the family combinations at the show this weekend. In the busy lives which are so demanding in the horse world, it is important to take stock of the things that are really important, because it is not the ribbon you won that day which stays in your memory, but the memories of the times you spent with the ones you love. Sometimes though they are not right here beside you anymore, they are always with us. Something pretty amazing happened recently about my Mom that proved to me once again she was fulfilling a conversation we had one time about after she would be gone. I had asked her if she could to come visit with a clear sign so there would be no mistake, and it happened again during a critical time when I needed her most.

There is no doubt about it; social media has had a profound affect on the equestrian community. In fact, more than 55% of the horse professionals who participated in our recent survey reported that they had gained new customers through social media.  We’ve also seen the emergence of several new online equestrian business models, improved communication channels for equestrian associations and horse councils and more opportunities for horse professionals to expand their offerings and develop additional income streams than ever before.
Event: Smart Social Media for Horse Professionals 2012
Date: May 14th 2012
Time: 6:00 pm Pacific – 8:00 Central – 9:00 Eastern
Place: Simulcast – attend via your phone or computer
Speakers: Elisabeth McMillan and Chad Mendell