Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle through Food

Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle through Food The Scope As part of the Occupational Health and Safety programme at my place of work (a public service small medium enterprise), I have discussed and come to an agreement with the management to deliver a workshop on the importance of eating healthy in order to prevent obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, (2013) illustrate that workplace health programs are of great potential benefit to both employers and employees. Such educational and awareness programs or strategies enable both worker and the organisation to achieve a holistic lifestyle for better healthy living. These health programs could potentially save costs on absenteeism among employees. They may also reduce the cost of overtime to replace absent employees, as well the costs to train replacements. The scope behind this program is to give employees guidance on how to choose local fresh produce, rather than the imported or preserved food. This initiative will also raise the awareness about which food to choose and the importance to read the nutritional facts label. It is scientifically proven that fresh products are more beneficial to our health than the imported or preserved ones, both in taste and in vitamin content, because they arrive at our shops soon after being harvested and thus fresher. Yates (2009) supports this theory by quoting that scientifically, meat, fruits and vegetables are more nutritious when eaten as fresh as possible. Malta has a high rate of obesity according to surveys done by the European Commission. Eurostat (2011) reports that Maltese men occupy the top position of the European obesity rankings while Maltese women placed themselves second. In their ‘Paediatric Obesity’ journal, Fox and Jago (2011) who are both established researchers in pa ediatric studies, claim that Maltese children are the second fattest on the globe. Plan of Action The presentation is aimed mainly for both employees who cook at home and those who buy their snacks from vending machines or take away snack shops making them aware of how to choose healthy options, such as choosing baked not fried food, brown bread instead of white bread, fresh instead of processed or preserved food products. The employee age bracket varies from 18 to 50+ years of age. The workshop would be planned with the human resources department and it will be held in the training room of the company. Employees will be notified by means of a letter distributed internally for at least two weeks before. The workshop would take place during working hours, one in the morning and one in the afternoon in order to give the opportunity for everyone to attend at their preferred time. The workshop will be delivered by a qualified person in the matter and illustrated with charts and pictures accompanied with some motivational quotes. To support this strategy, the vending machines will be supplied with more genuine healthy choices rather than the usual junk food as per agreement with the supplier. Another initiative is that the company will supply a service of surveillance scheme by launching free optional medical check-ups every 12 months sponsored by the company. Information and facts about eating Years of research studies were carried out to come out with the result on what is contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases. The WHO (2013) reported that a lifestyle based on high saturated fats, dairy products rich in fats and processed meat is the main cause for obesity and cancer reported. There is no doubt that all the food that we consume can have an important effect on our health and well being. Nestle and Nesheim (2012) reports that the daily average calories consumed by men must be not more 2,500 calories while women must consume 2,000 calories supported with some physical exercise. To lose weight, one must either consume fewer calories than needed or burn calories through physical activity. The combination of both is the ideal way to obtain fat loss while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Anyone who eats more calories than he/she burns will put on weight as the extra calories are stored as fat by the body. Therefore, with the right diet and by controlling eating habits and with a routine of physical activity, any person can lose weight. The benefits of eating healthily are; having more energy, self-confidence, a healthier heart, respiratory and circulatory system (Hunter, 2003). Nowadays, the best method to of determining the ideal body weight is by measurement kn own as Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI can be calculated by dividing the body weight in kilograms by the square of body height in meters (Kg/(m)2) and the ideal BMI reading should be 20 to 22. If it is more than 30 there would be the need for a change in lifestyle and to eat healthy and exercise more often. Ideally, this needs to be a way life and not a short term quick fix. During the presentation information and guide tips will be given to the employees on how to choose the right food and drink wisely. This presentation will also explain how the body works and how important it is to eat the right food and take smaller portions regularly. Carbohydrates are the main energy source for the human body. Carbohydrates are found in a wide array of foods such as wheat, potatoes and pasta. Food rich in carbohydrates is ideal to be taken in the morning since carbohydrates are what give energy to the body. Some popular diets project carbohydrates as the source that generates body fat and obesity build up. However, the truth is that we do need carbohydrates in our diet, but not exceeding the required amount and not those containing unhealthy fats. For instance, wholegrain carbohydrates are the best choice since they contain vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that are essential for good health. Lack of carbohydrates will make you feel weak and without drive, so one should not cut them completely but choosing healthy options. â€Å"Protein is found throughout the body, in muscle, bone, skin, hair, and virtually every other body part or tissue† (Harvard School of Public Health, 2014). Protein builds up, maintains, and replaces the muscle tissues in our body. The human body is made up of at least 10,000 proteins. However, the body functioning system does not store amino acids. On the other hand, it does store carbohydrates and fat. Therefore a daily intake of amino acids is needed to build new protein. Best protein sources with law saturated fat is found in lean beef, chicken or turkey breast, liver, fish, eggs, dairy products such as cottage cheese, nuts (almonds and hazelnuts), seeds, beans and lentils. It is highly important to choose the right protein in your food choices since some protein is rich in saturated fats. Beans, vegetables, and whole grains, are the best choice, as they are rich in healthy fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Almonds and hazelnuts are rich in healthy fats. Fish, chicken bre ast and beef liver are considered as the best animal protein and if you go for red meat try to choose the leanest cuts and try to avoid pork, lamb and processed meat such as burgers, sausages, breaded fish/poultry since the latter contain high amount of fats. If someone decides to dine out, as starter one could avoid high carbohydrates foods such as pasta and instead have an antipasto involving salmon, which is rich in protein and vitamin D and Omega 3. Apart from the calories and carbohydrates pasta contains, the sauces that go with it are mostly fat laden and therefore as a starter it would already be too filling. One can also opt for chicken salad, soup or skip the starter altogether. As a dressing, one can go for squeezed lemon, olive oil or balsamic vinegar instead of mayonnaise. As main course, one could opt for fish steak, lean fillet, or chicken breast and avoid processed or fried food. Instead of fries one can choose baked potatoes and try to cut down the bread intake. As a dessert, instead of indulging in a high calorie cake rich in sugars and fats one can opt to fruit salad which at least contains natural fructose and vitamins. In this manner, one can be enjoying food which is still tasty but is healthier. As a drink, it will b e ideally that one will opt to drink water or a glass of dry wine rather than soft drinks which contain a large amount of calories and sugars. Sugar-sweetened soft drinks are non-beneficial to the human body. It is understood that these beverages are contributing to diabetes and heart disease. Harvard School of Public Health (2014), argue that by cutting down sugar-sweetened beverage intake will reduce the risk of obesity-related illnesses and that such statement is backed up with sufficient scientific evidence. A snapshot of the presentation’s content: Avoiding illness through the food we eat By the end of 1945, the Life Expectancy (LE) of EU citizens started to increase. There were improvements in the sanitary system, more epidemiological data and more quality improvements in medical cure. Furthermore, statistics estimate issued by the Malta Statistics Office reveal that the LE of a person born in Malta in 2013 is 82.2 for females and 78.0 for men (NSO, 2013). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has long since been promoting healthy eating patterns. As much as humans need clean air and access to water, food is a vital necessity for human health but it has to be healthy. Our health is particularly affected by agriculture and the other sectors involved with food supply. Therefore, to promote a healthy way of living there must be ongoing publicity to instruct the public the benefit of eating healthy food (Danzon, 2000). Nevertheless, although life expectancy in Malta has increased, statistics still show that the average Maltese person spends 7.1 years (9% of LE) with illnes s, due to lack of adequate knowledge about health (WHO, 2005). Hunter (2003) argued that by being obese, one is subject to high probability risk to serious health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, reproductive disorders, gallstones, osteoarthritis and certain type of cancer. Moreover, the WHO (2005) issued a report about non-communicable diseases (NCD) in Malta and such illnesses accounted for about 84%. NCD vary from heart disease, stroke (cerebrovascular accident), cancer disease, chronic lung disease and diabetes. Food produced locally Healthy eating campaigns promote the intake of small portions of healthy food every three hours to prevent weight increase, whilst related research studies acknowledge that the lack of combined healthy nutrients increases the risk of non-communicable diseases (WHO, 2000). Moreover, locally produced vegetables and fruits are fresher, with high source of nutrients content than the stored produce that are imported. Imports have the disadvantage of long distance travelling until they reach our market. During transportation, the source of nutrients is highly likely to be reduced while repetitive exposure to oxygen may quicken the deterioration process as oxidation may change its composition. The Food Revolution (2014) argue that since the food system is dominated by a few producers, when there is no other option for healthy food, the industrial food production methods (un-healthy) are determining our well-being. WHO (2000) stretches out that by having at hand the availability and the acce ssibility of fresh produce, there will be less need to buy long shelf-life products, with lack of vitamins and minerals and abounding in high calories, preservatives, salt and sugars. Farming and fishing is part of the Maltese heritage, so promoting healthy and fresh produce contributes to the local market, a good economy and a healthy lifestyle. Expected outcome Through this information awareness workshop, I hope that the targeted audience will choose to eat healthier, to buy more fresh local produce and to start preparing their food for their working day cooked in their kitchen, rather than buying junk food from the vending machines or take away shops. Due to family commitments, responsibilities, and other social obligations, for the majority of people engaged in a full time job, the maintenance of their individual well-being is often seen as a difficult task to meet with all the day demands. The adoption ofhealthy behaviourswill reduce risks for life threatening diseases from developing, it will reduce their associated costs and moreover it will improve the quality of life (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).This will hopefully help out in today’s fast paced world and also help to minimise the consumption of ready-made and fast foods which are contributing to ill-health, obesity and disease. This is costing the govern ment and employers millions in treatments and in sick pay and medical support. Moreover, it is hoped that following these guidelines will help to extend a good quality of life and reaching WHO-Europe’s aims and goals. Such targets are that by the year 2015, our society will adapt to healthy patterns of living by having good quality of air, access to water and a lifestyle based on healthy eating and physical activity.

A Comparison of Homeric Formalism in The Iliad and The Odyssey Essay

Homeric Formalism in The Iliad and The Odyssey "Much that is terrible takes place in the Homeric poems, but it seldom takes place wordlessly... no speech is so filled with anger or scorn that the particles which express logical and grammatical connections are lacking or out of place." (from "Odysseus' Scar" by Erich Auerbach)    In his immaculately detailed study comparing the narrative styles of Homer to those of the Bible, Erich Auerbach hits upon one of the most notable intrigues of reading Homer, namely his unrelenting sense of epic form and rhythm. The stories that unfold in the works of Homer are filled with passion and fury, but this never effects the meticulous regulation of his narrative. One of the chief questions regarding the works of Homer is to what effectual end he follows this formula so explicitly. In both The Iliad and The Odyssey, the reader recognizes patterns and formulae that combine to make up the Homeric template.    The reader can first recognize Homer's formulaic style on a specific scale in the repetition of phrases and epithets. Odysseus, throughout both The Iliad and The Odyssey is almost never mentioned without a reference to his cunning or "many designs". Likewise, throughout The Iliad the city of Troy is almost never mentioned without reference to it being "strong-walled" or "wide-wayed". As Richard Lattimore writes in the introduction to his translation, much of this particular kind of repetition was dictated by the metric needs of the poem. Above and beyond this strictly mechanical function however, recurring descriptions serve to ground the story in a cast of recognizable characters, thus creating a sense of familiarity for the reader.    Studying ... ...tions of the Odyssey,   Frankfurt, Athenaeum 1988 Hamilton, Edith. The Greek Way. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 1930. Heubeck, Alfred, J.B. Hainsworth, et al. A commentary on Homer's Odyssey. 3 Vols. Oxford PA4167 .H4813 1988 Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fitzgerald. New York: Vintage Books, 1989. Nussbaum, Martha C. "Victims and Agents: What Greek Tragedy can teach us about sympathy and responsibility." Boston Review. (1999)31 May 1999 Stanford, William Bedell. Homer's Odyssey. 2 Vols. Macmillan  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Books, 1990. The Iliad of Homer. Trans. Richmond Lattimore. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1951. Tracy, Stephen V. ,The Story of the Odyssey Princeton UP 1990 "Gospel of Matthew". The Holy Bible. New Revised Standard Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989.

Is the Dollar Depreciation Good for the American Economy? Essay

Currency depreciation always affects both sides of the coin. By lowering the dollar, it will enhance the price competitiveness of US product overseas but lower dollar maybe counter productive especially if there is not enough output for further expansion. Thus the move to depreciate or to appreciate the currency is very significant for economy not only to the US but in the global economy as well. Maintaining the dollar at its value therefore is also very important as it provides balance on imports and export commodities. Over the years the dollar has been swinging high and low against some of the worlds leading currencies. The question that might be ask is, was it intentionally depreciated as part of economic strategy or was it a result of economic decline due to domestic or international circumstances that hamper economic growth, such as, the 9/11 tragedy and the US led war and continues occupation in Iraq? In the midst of ever-increasing competitiveness in the world market, dollar depreciation is good for America because it puts them in the economic competitive advantage position in the international market relying on the quality of the US made goods. It is often a deliberate economic action to cope with the stiff international market competition. However, there is a contraindication to this economic action as lowering the dollar would mean lowering the living standard back home. Depreciating the dollar could stimulate strong economic performance but it also poses bad impact because it will be at the expense of cutting American wages. Paul R. Krugman point out â€Å"Depreciating the dollar is a bad way to reduce the trade deficit because it amount to meeting international competition by cutting American wages, thus lowering the living standards of the American workers† (119) In view of the macroeconomic principles, it will be more advantage for the U. S. to depreciate the dollar at a certain level because it will help to settle some of its economic deficits such as unemployment problem and trade deficit. What the US needs to do is expand its market abroad while increasing domestic productions of export goods. If there is enough output for export expansion, the impact of lower dollars maybe minimal as more money will circulate in the market. Japan’s yen is certainly undervalued compared to the dollar and yet the Japanese enjoy a high standard of living comparable to that of the United States. By mass production it will create more jobs, which can ease the problem of unemployment Another thing the U. S. should do is to put a substantive limit on domestic product for domestic consumption in order to maintain the inflation rate at its current level. Because of the lower dollar, imports from other countries will be balanced by the US exports thereby wiping trade imbalances because of the higher dollar. Thus lowering the dollar provides ample economic benefit for America. It maybe a bitter pill to swallow for others but it may cure some of the economy’s diseases. But it cannot be denied that depreciating the dollars have a serious economic implications to some developing countries. As a matter of principle the US should not play the role of a shrewd manager who only cares of its interest at the expense of the weaker countries. Jacob Frenkel Noted â€Å"The U. S. decision on an exchange-rate regime will clearly affect foreign economies, and it is not clear that what is best for America will be best for the rest of the economy, we must reformulate our notion of how a good exchange rate system performs† (158). Frenkel cited that due to dollar depreciation, the corresponding appreciation of foreign currencies against the dollar worsens the situation abroad compared to the fix exchange rate case. Frenkel stated, â€Å"By allowing the U. S. to export some of its unemployment, the dollar’s depreciation has a beggar-thy neighbor effect† (158). Thus, while the dollar depreciation might shield the U. S. economy from the adverse effect of inflation, but it has an opposite effect on U. S. trading collaborates. To explain this further Frenkel said,â€Å"The beggar thy-neighbor effect of dollar depreciation can be thought of as a payment made by the foreign country to the United States in states of the world where U. S. aggregate demand is relatively low. In the opposite situation, the United States, by allowing its currency to appreciate, compensates foreign countries† (Frenkel, 158). Thus the depreciation of the U. S. dollar requires a more sensitive study of the possible implication on other countries particularly on the trading partners of the U. S. if the United States is concern of its trading partners’ economic developments. Not only in the international market that the dollar depreciation had its impact but in domestic economy as well. Allen J. Lenz pointed out that â€Å"contractionary policies could slow U. S. economic growth relative to foreign growth rates† (68). Lenz emphasized that what counts is not just good trade performance but how that performance is achieved. Strong U. S. market performance based on productivity gains contributes to gains in living standards. Strong performance achieved by dollar depreciation can lower living standards. The depreciation therefore is an important economic action of the United States that will have significant impact not only in the U. S. but also to its trading partners. It may be good for the U. S. economy, and bad for the trading partners, but it may also be bad for the U. S. Work Cited icago PressFrenkel, Jacob. Exchange Rate and International Macroeconomics. U. S. A. : University of Chicago. 1988. Krugman, Paul. Diminished Expectations U. S. A. : The Washington Post Company 1994. Lenz, Allen J. Narrowing the U. S. Current Account Deficit: A Sectoral Assessment. U. S. A. : Institute for International Economic. 1992.

Analyzing Both Sides of the Conflict Theory Essay

Conflict theory was the first radical criminological theory proposed by the scholars in the 1960s (Barkan, p. 254). It particularly analyzes the role of conflicts in class, gender, and power in the incidences of crimes in a particular society. It tells that these conflicts are the reasons why people commit crimes.   This specific thought opposes the view of the consensus theory which perceives crime as â€Å"any behavior that violates criminal law† (Barkan, p. 14). To compare, Conflict theory believes that a crime is far more complex than the first definition, assuming that people do not share the same values, beliefs, and dispositions. Because of this, the conflict theory becomes one of the theories that are applicable for larger contextual conditions. In fact, the theory encompasses a wide range of areas which makes it divided into sub- categories, such as radical criminology, peacemaking criminology, radical feminism, and left realism. (Greek, 2005). These minorities—the poor, Blacks, Hispanics, to name a few—are being given focus and importance through the theory. Marx and Engels specified that justice is not attainable and is unfairly being administered to the minorities. Through the conflict theory, an explanation on why minorities get involved with crimes is provided. The theory explains that laws against crimes are made not for the interest of everyone but only for themselves. Laws are made to serve the interest of the powerful who knows that their illegal malpractices can only become legal if the laws will be made based on their needs.   This made conflict theory sounds more realistic with consensus theory. It has able to portray the problem with power struggles as a source of crime motives that other theories disregarded or missed to see. However, proponents of the conflict theory also got blinded and missed to see some of the criticisms regarding the conflict. First of all, it is said that the conflict theory is too generalized and assuming with its discussion on the implementation of laws in societies. Laws connected to the prevention of street crimes such as robbery and murder do not necessarily serve the purpose of the powerful and neglects the less powerful minorities. In fact, such kinds of laws are directed to serve the security of everyone, and not just a little percentage of the people. The theory seems to forget that although people are different in some aspects, they still posses the same characteristics and needs. In this particular situation, all people need security for their lives. The laws protecting people’s lives could not be considered as law protecting only the interests of those who are in power; it is also for the benefit of other people. In addition to this criticism, the theory of conflict also shows a weak spot in terms of labeling disparities. There has been inconsistency in the evidence of such gaps tackling how dominant groups use the law to support their personal interests. In this way, the theory, in some ways, lose slightly its credibility. Nevertheless, the greatest strength of the theory is its vast and radical way of exploring the reason behind crimes in societies. These crimes are deeply rooted in the skins of the people who commit them. Although committers of crime are being treated as lowly kind of persons, their condition is being protected by the conflict theory. The theory will simply said that instead of committers, the minorities are victims of a much bigger crime brought about by the powerful groups to them. The theory, instead of prosecuting them, is aiming to reason out their main reason why they have done such crimes. Conflict theory acts like a lawyer who defends a person who has valid reasons behind the crime he committed. The lawyer may lack reliable and consistent evidence to prove the innocence of his client, but still, he believes in the accountability of the person. References Barkan, S.E. (2005). Criminology:   Sociological Understanding.   New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall   Bartos, J.O.   Wehr, P.E. and Paul Wehr. ( 2002). Using Conflict Theory. New York: Cambridge University Press Greek, C.E. Criminological Theory.   November 2005. Retrieved on 4 June 2008. http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/conflict.htm Lenski, G.E. (1966). Power and Privilege: A Theory of Social Stratification. McGraw-Hill.   

Jean Piaget & Child Development essays

Jean Piaget & Child Development essays Jean Piaget outlined a series of developmental stages that children go through as they mature. These stages are: Sensorimotor stage (birth-2 years); Preoperational stage (2-6 years); Concrete operational stage (7-11 years); and Formal operational stage (12 years into adulthood). For this assignment I was asked to observe a child who was in either the sensorimotor, preoperational, or concrete operational stages of development. The child whom I chose to observe was my little cousin Nicholas, or Nick for short. Nick is currently 7 Â ½ years old which puts him under the concrete operational stage of development. The concrete operational stage of development is defined by our textbook as "the stage of cognitive development (from about 6 or 7 years to 11 years of age) during which the children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically about concrete events"(page 131). When broken down, this definition basically means that during the ages of 7 through 11, children gain the mental capacity, which allows them to understand different conservations, perform simple arithmetic, and to think logically and with reason. I observed Nick on the morning of Saturday October 19, 2002 while he was staying at my house for the day. This allowed me the perfect opportunity to get in some observations. I chose to do my observations while Nick was outside in my backyard helping my Father so some yard work. During the course of about half an hour, I witnessed what I thought to be typical behaviors for someone of his age. Nicholas appeared to be very interested in performing the tasks that he was involved in. He eagerly offered his assistance to my father. Although Nick wanted to involved and helpful, there was a few times when he seemed to grow inpatient with the way that my father was carrying out the chores. I was able to notice this because Nick was trying to tell my father how to do the work. For example, m ...

Westerns and social commentary

Westerns and social commentary Throughout history Americans have had a fascination with unexplored, uncharted, anduntamed territory. Never has this been so pronounced as with the American west.Stories of bravery, new peoples, cultures, and strange new lands have enchantedAmericans for nearly two centuries. This attraction is strikingly prominent in the filmhistory of the west. Yet, despite it's early and lasting popularity, the Western has notuntil recent years attracted the attention of interpretive critics. Many critics viewedWesterns as an escapist, immature medium. "Discussions of Westerns characterized thegenre as endlessly repetitive, utterly simple in form, and naive in its attitudes (Cook 64) ."However, since the late 1960's Westerns have been recognized, "similar to other forms ofpopular culture, as a useful barometer of shifting currents in American society andculture (Etulain 3)." The development of the western film genre in American film culturehas progressed in manner, style, and ideology, and can be tracked in association with thepolitical, societal, and cultural trends of the last 90 years.View of Hollywood and Los Angeles from Griffith Pa...The first westerns were the same as many other first films, merely scientificrecordings of actual events such as wild west shows and rodeos. The first Western withany content was The Great Train Robbery (1903). While still very primitive it gave much ofthe stock form to westerns that exists today."It established the essential formula of crime, pursuit, showdown, and justice,and within its ten minute running span it included, in addition to the trainrobbery itself, elements of fisticuffs, horseback pursuit and gunplay, along withsuggestions of small child appeal, and probably the first introduction of that clichÂÆ'Â ©to be, the saloon bullies forcing a dude into a dance (Everson 15)."As train robberies and similar crimes were not uncommon in the early nineteen hundredsThe Great...

Six Things Your Ghostwriting Client Should Expect From You

Six Things Your Ghostwriting Client Should Expect From You Could you cut off your own arm in order to save your life? That was the first question one of my ghostwriting clients asked, because that was the position in which hed found himself a few years earlier. He had been forced to cut off his own arm when he became trapped in a flaming piece of farm equipment and the subsequent international attention was the reason he wanted to write a book. The result: Unthinkable Choice: The Story of Sampson Parker. Even so, it wasnt my answer to his first question that landed me the assignment (my answer was I hope I dont ever have to find out). It was the answer to questions he had asked others about me prior to our meeting. Then it was the answers to questions we dealt with as the writing process progressed that reaffirmed his contention that I was the writer for the job. That being said, there are six things your client should expect from you when they hire you as a ghostwriter:  ·         Trust  ·         Flexibility  ·         Experience  ·         Authentic voice  ·         Clear communication  ·         Confidentiality These six attributes will (not can) make or break your career. Lets take a look at why thats true. Trust. Your client must be assured of your character, your ability, and the truth in your words and actions. They need to know that their faith in you and your abilities is well founded and well placed. Flexibility. It is essential that you are able to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements. To paraphrase a popular saying, stuff happens, and as a ghostwriter one of your greatest assets will be your ability to go with the flow. Experience. Is this your first rodeo or have you done similar jobs before? How long have you been writing and how long have you been writing professionally? Theres a difference, and your client deserves an honest answer. Authentic voice. This is the quality that makes your writing unique. But as a ghostwriter, you also need the ability to write in a way that sounds like your client. You must be able to hear and reproduce your clients unique cadence and rhythm on every page. For example, after I turned in the first draft of the book Unthinkable Choice, Sampsons wife called me after she read it and said, I cant believe it. The book sounds exactly like him. Clear communication. There should be no gray areas when it comes to what you expect from the client and what they should expect from you. So, spell it out in a contract, because it will protect both of you. For example: my clients have final say over most content, but I have the final say in matters of style. Period. Additionally, every stage of the project delivery and all financial arrangements are spelled out in detail. Confidentiality. While this should be fairly obvious, lets be crystal clear. If they cant trust you to keep some things to yourself, they shouldnt hire you. Not everything you hear is for public consumption, though it might be vital as a way for you to better understand your client. In short, your client needs to know the person they have hired has both the ability and the character to develop the project. Meet those criteria, and you will create a steady demand for your services. Sidebar: Where do you find ghostwriting projects? Check sites like: = Craigslist.org (be careful here because in addition to really good leads there are a lot of scams and content mills listed) = JournalismJobs.com = Freelancedaily.net = Mediabistro.com = Freelancejobopenings.com. You can also search phrases such as ghostwriter and ghostwriter wanted on SimplyHired.com and Indeed.com. Book packagers are always looking for dependable ghostwriters and The American Book Producers Association is a great place to start your search for projects (abpaonline.org).