MJ Plaster

Freelance writer, editor, author and entrepreneur

I spent more than two decades traveling throughout Europe and North Africa, and I'm at home wherever I land. Today, I spend time spinning yarns as a brand journalist and weaving tales out of whole cloth, often based on my experiences.

I became an accidental author when I co-authored Waves of Change, the story of Tennessee's 1000-Year Flood from the perspectives of a survivor, a rescue professional, and a family grief counselor. Guess what? I was the survivor.

When I'm not researching; writing or editing; or hounding editors, clients or authors; you can find me practicing alchemy in my Nashville kitchen and garden, pretending to work out on the Total Gym, or chasing my next adventure somewhere between here and Timbuktu.

Portfolio
Florida Turf Digest
02/01/2020
The Nectar of the Gods Meets the Golf Course

Almost 2,400 years ago, Aristotle called honey the nectar of the gods. In the latest twist, golf courses have joined the hive-to-table production line.

Checkworks
08/10/2015
The First Thing We Do, Let's Kill All the Hackers

By MJ Plaster You know the line from King Henry the Sixth even if you've never read a word of Shakespeare: "First thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." Here we're talking about black hat hackers, the ones that wreak havoc with computer networks and Internet sites around the world.

Checkworks
06/03/2015
Phishing for Dollars: Internet Scamsters Gone Wild

By M.J. Plaster Phishing for dollars-it's an old game that predates the Internet, but it's more lucrative today thanks to the speed of Internet travel. Internet scams are a growth industry, with innocent people losing $800,000,000 in one decade. The best way to beat the scamsters is to come to the game armed with knowledge, so let's get to it.

BlueHealth Solutions
04/12/2017
3 Breathing Exercises That Beat Stress | BCBST

There are a lot of different techniques for dealing with stress, but sometimes the best ones are the simplest. The next time you're feeling stressed, focus on your breath. According to The American Institute of Stress, breathing is a stress buster that works for everyone by helping you "feel connected to your body - it brings your awareness away from the worries in your head and quiets your mind."

HowStuffWorks
Top 10 Weekend Getaways

If you're overwhelmed from work responsibilities or burnt out from life in general, a weekend getaway is a refreshing break from your daily obligations. The trend is moving away from longer summer vacations and toward shorter, frequent getaways [source: Belson].

Checkworks
06/26/2015
Cheap Thrills: 3 Insanely Cheap Countries to Visit Now

By MJ Plaster Tourism is booming beyond the major capitals of Western Europe, and you can fuel your Champagne tastes and live like the 1 percent for a song in these three deeply discounted destinations. See a sight or two in the capital cities and then make your way to the hidden treasures in outlying areas.

Checkworks
05/11/2015
6 Ways Baby Boomers Are Spending Their Kid's Inheritance

By MJ Plaster Today's seniors have given the brushoff to "the home." They're too busy packing their bags for a vacation. According to The LA Times , many seniors place more importance on travel than leaving an inheritance to their children. (Say it ain't so!)

Checkworks
07/30/2015
AMS: The Magic of a Winning Corporate Culture

By MJ Plaster When you click "Buy Now" on the Internet, you trust the retailer to deliver your package on time and in perfect condition-and that usually happens. But did you know that a third-party fulfillment company is often the invisible partner that handles all the pesky details to make it happen?

Checkworks
01/14/2016
3 Lazy Work Habits That Are Literally Killing You

By MJ Plaster You might not know your work is killing you. I didn't either until a couple of years ago when I stumbled upon the killer that we all have in common. If you work outside the house, you probably don't eat as well as you could at work.

BlueHealth Solutions
03/06/2017
Everyday Uses of Tea Tree Oil | BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

If you don't have tea tree oil in your medicine cabinet and kitchen cupboards, we're going to give you several good reasons to stock up. This essential oil is known for its anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiseptic qualities, and can be used to heal a variety of common ailments.

BlueHealth Solutions
08/24/2016
De-stress Your Morning Commute with These 5 Ideas - BlueHealth Solutions

According to a recent survey, Tennesseans spend an average of about 24 minutes commuting to work. Endless construction has turned our roads into parking lots and crazy drivers (not you, of course) can add to the frustration. Learning how to de-stress your commute can help you arrive at work feeling fresher and more positive, and may even save you time.

BlueHealth Solutions
01/20/2017
Mindful Meditation Beginner's Guide | BlueHealth Solutions

Mindful meditation is often misunderstood. According to the Mayo Clinic, meditation "originally was meant to help deepen understanding of the sacred and mystical forces of life. These days, meditation is commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction." Psychology Today defines mindful meditation as, "Unique in that it is not directed toward getting us to be different from how we already are.

Checkworks
04/27/2015
Fly by the Seat of Your Pants for a Memorable Family Vacation

MJ Plaster Go against the flow. It's fun, it's budget friendly and you'll have unique tales to tell when you get home. You'll also make friends of like-minded strangers. Rules of the Road Three- or four-day getaways - The pause that refreshes when you get away to chill instead of micromanaging your vacation Griswold style.

BlueHealth Solutions
12/21/2016
Reasons Not to Make a New Year's Resolution | BlueCross BlueShield

Imagine this scenario: You wake up on January 1 feeling invigorated. You've made your list of New Year's resolutions and you think this is your year to finally achieve all of your dreams. Fast-forward two months later: life got in the way, and you've forgotten about those resolutions. Sound familiar?

BlueHealth Solutions
12/16/2016
Health Benefits of Peppermint | BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Peppermint is one of America's favorite and iconic flavors. Who doesn't love this minty candy, especially during the holidays? Peppermint is more than just a delicious flavor, it can have major health benefits. Check out some common health benefits and uses of peppermint.

BlueHealth Solutions
11/25/2016
Health Benefits of Reading | BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Science has proven that there are a lot of good reasons to get lost in a good book. Here are some of the health benefits of reading. In a study conducted by the University of Sussex, the act of reading was found to reduce stress levels more effectively than listening to music, going for a walk or drinking a cup of tea.

eLearning Mind
02/26/2015
JetBlue & Virgin America Flights Introduce eLearning | eLearning Mind

Fasten your seatbelts because eLearning is taking off-literally. While the veneer of civility in airline travel is long gone and the airlines no longer feed your stomach, they are beginning to feed your mind. We're not talking the usual mainstream drivel; second-rate, release-to-DVD; or other warmed-over offerings-we're talking first-class eLearning selections at 35,000 feet.

Checkworks
10/30/2015
Have You Overlooked These Two Powerful Marketing Tools? Part I: Blogging

By MJ Plaster Back in the Dark Ages of the 20th century, customers knew merchants and did business with those they knew and trusted. Big-box stores such as Wal-Mart, big-box services such as H&R Block and online retailers such as Amazon offer little opportunity for you to get to know them.

Checkworks
09/30/2015
America, You've Been Chipped

By MJ Plaster Now that I have your attention, say hello to EMV, which stands for "Europay, MasterCard and Visa." The 'new' credit card technology goes live in the United States October 1, 2015, but the technology is anything but new.

HowStuffWorks
How Chili Peppers Work

Some like it hot and instinctively reach for chili peppers when adding zest to their dishes. The hottest of these vegetables are used as a spice or condiment. Chef Bobby Flay immediately comes to mind as he adds a pinch of cayenne here, a dash of chipotle there.

eLearning Mind
12/11/2014
Exploiting Higher Education for Fun & Profit | eLearning Mind

Conventional wisdom states that a bachelor's degree will buy a student $1 million over the course of a lifetime. Find the hard evidence on that, and then we'll talk. However, to have a crack at a serious job with no prior work experience, and no volunteerism, a first-time job seeker needs a college degree, or at least a few applicable certifications.

Checkworks
11/23/2015
Get the Goods on Five Great American Businesspeople

By MJ Plaster Imagine a world without lightbulbs, cars, 747s, the Dallas Mavericks or Oprah's media conglomerate. Instead of another tired rendition of "Bill Gates, the Great" or "Steve Jobs, the Luminary," we'll get the goods on five great American businesspeople who have left a lasting imprint on American culture and society.

Checkworks
09/21/2015
Logo Creation for the Hopelessly Artistically Challenged

By MJ Plaster What if, like me, you're beyond artistically challenged, and you need a logo for your business? Where do you start, and how do you go about getting the perfect logo for your company? Logos look simple and easy to design, but they're anything but.

Checkworks
08/03/2015
The Ins and Outs of Outsourcing

By MJ Plaster Before you leap into outsourcing, consider how it could affect established relationships with current employees and customers? It's one thing to save money, but you don't want to lose key employees or have customers run for the exit.

Philips Lifeline
02/13/2015
Travel Trends for Adults Over 50

Today's older adults have their own ideas about retirement. According to a National Real Estate Investor article, many senior citizens aren't heading into senior housing - instead, many are living in their own homes and packing for their next vacations. A recent AARP survey of adults over 50 revealed some exciting travel trends for 2015.

Checkworks
08/17/2015
What It Takes to Make a Million Dollars

If you're willing to make sacrifices and cultivate the can-do mindset necessary to become a millionaire, it is probably within your reach. Let's look at three ways people earn their entrance into the millionaire's club. You've got two chances to hit it lucky: win the lottery or win the gene-pool lottery.

Home Depot Military Career Resources
12/23/2013
Email Etiquette Do's and Don'ts - Home Depot Military Career Resources

Does your email etiquette pass muster? Writing with common courtesy and common sense keeps you out of trouble most of the time. But there's more to it than that. The Top Email Rule If you wouldn't put it on the six-o'clock news, don't put it in an email.

Checkworks
08/28/2015
Armed Exterminators: Putting People First

By MJ PLaster On a beautiful California afternoon, you might find Dale Rodgers, owner of Armed Exterminators ( www.armedexterminators.com), taking an occasional walk along the beach in Malibu. Those who rise with the chickens can catch him swimming laps at the YMCA most mornings.

Petcentric by Purina
08/13/2014
Hurricane Sandy Lost Dog Finds Family in Date with Destiny

As we approach the 2-year mark since disaster struck in the form of Hurricane Sandy, it's fitting to reflect on the hope, resiliency, and courage displayed by the hurricane survivors - including the four-legged ones. This particular story concerns a lost dog and his family.

Philips Lifeline
10/10/2013
10 Tips for Handling Stress while Caregiving

Now that you've added "caregiver" to your resume, handling stress is now more important than ever. You'll enjoy better health and quality of life once you get stress under control.

Petcentric by Purina
12/01/2014
Ask a Purina Vet: How Can I Train My Pet Not to Jump on People?

The minute your key hits the lock, your dog races to the door. As you cross the threshold, he pounces with masterful precision and lands a big, wet kiss right on your lips. Then, you head to the kitchen to give him a treat.

Philips Lifeline
10/14/2014
The US Department of Justice Launches Elder Justice

On September 8, 2014, the US Department of Justice launched a website for the Elder Justice Initiative, a resource center for the prevention of elder abuse and financial exploitation of senior citizens. The website consolidates a wealth of resources for victims, families, medical practitioners, law enforcement, researchers, and criminal justice professionals.