Friday, March 14, 2008
Career vs family
A new reality show for stay-at-home-moms.
The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom, a one-hour reality show that takes ordinary stay-at-home mothers and shows them what their lives could have been like had they pursued their careers instead of taking care of the family.
Moms who have always wanted to be chefs, police officers, fashion designers and others will be able to pursue those goals for one week. At the end of the week, the mom can either choose to live the dual life of raising a family and having a career or go back to being a stay-at-home parent.
"Almost every woman experiences the pull between becoming a full-time mom or juggling both family and work. This show will give us the chance to learn what sacrifices and rewards there are in making this challenging and unique decision," TLC senior vice president of programming Brant Pinvidic said in a statement. "Each episode ends up being a remarkable voyage as we see them accomplish goals they never thought possible and then make the decision about which path they should pursue."
Soccer Mom is on TLC and TLC HD Monday nights at 10 p.m
The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom, a one-hour reality show that takes ordinary stay-at-home mothers and shows them what their lives could have been like had they pursued their careers instead of taking care of the family.
Moms who have always wanted to be chefs, police officers, fashion designers and others will be able to pursue those goals for one week. At the end of the week, the mom can either choose to live the dual life of raising a family and having a career or go back to being a stay-at-home parent.
"Almost every woman experiences the pull between becoming a full-time mom or juggling both family and work. This show will give us the chance to learn what sacrifices and rewards there are in making this challenging and unique decision," TLC senior vice president of programming Brant Pinvidic said in a statement. "Each episode ends up being a remarkable voyage as we see them accomplish goals they never thought possible and then make the decision about which path they should pursue."
Soccer Mom is on TLC and TLC HD Monday nights at 10 p.m
Coffee craze
Pros and Cons of the Caffeine Craze
Caffeine drinks are trendy, but are there some downsides? WebMD gets the perspective of experts.
(By Kathleen Doheny)
If you crave caffeine to get you through the day, you're not alone. About 68% of Americans say they're hooked on coffee this year, compared with 64% last year, according to the National Coffee Association.
Sales of caffeine-laced energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster are expected to rise 60% this year, says Gary Hemphill of the Beverage Marketing Corporation, a consulting firm in New York.
If those don't give you enough of a buzz, you can turn to sodas, coffee-flavored yogurt -- some of it has as much caffeine as a 12-ounce soda -- coffee ice cream, chocolate candy, or iced tea.
And one new product, controversially named Cocaine, goes one step further, offering a mega-dose of caffeine that dwarfs its nearest competitors.
Some medicines and dietary supplements for weight loss also include a dose of caffeine. Coke is even planning to roll out a new "negative calorie" carbonated green tea beverage this fall called Enviga that combines caffeine with other ingredients to -- according to the company -- increase calorie burning.
So what's the harm, ask caffeine fans, who point to studies showing the benefits of caffeine, such as boosting memory and improving concentration and perhaps lowering risks of diseases such as Alzheimer's and liver cancer .
But others are alarmed by what they say is an increasingly overcaffeinated nation; they are concerned by studies finding too much caffeine can set you up for high blood pressure , high blood sugar, and decreased bone density -- not to mention jangled nerves.
Caffeine abuse by young people alarms some experts. It was the cause of many calls to an Illinois Poison Center over a three-year tracking period, a team of doctors reported at the American College of Emergency Physicians annual meeting in New Orleans.
Read more.
Caffeine drinks are trendy, but are there some downsides? WebMD gets the perspective of experts.
(By Kathleen Doheny)
If you crave caffeine to get you through the day, you're not alone. About 68% of Americans say they're hooked on coffee this year, compared with 64% last year, according to the National Coffee Association.
Sales of caffeine-laced energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster are expected to rise 60% this year, says Gary Hemphill of the Beverage Marketing Corporation, a consulting firm in New York.
If those don't give you enough of a buzz, you can turn to sodas, coffee-flavored yogurt -- some of it has as much caffeine as a 12-ounce soda -- coffee ice cream, chocolate candy, or iced tea.
And one new product, controversially named Cocaine, goes one step further, offering a mega-dose of caffeine that dwarfs its nearest competitors.
Some medicines and dietary supplements for weight loss also include a dose of caffeine. Coke is even planning to roll out a new "negative calorie" carbonated green tea beverage this fall called Enviga that combines caffeine with other ingredients to -- according to the company -- increase calorie burning.
So what's the harm, ask caffeine fans, who point to studies showing the benefits of caffeine, such as boosting memory and improving concentration and perhaps lowering risks of diseases such as Alzheimer's and liver cancer .
But others are alarmed by what they say is an increasingly overcaffeinated nation; they are concerned by studies finding too much caffeine can set you up for high blood pressure , high blood sugar, and decreased bone density -- not to mention jangled nerves.
Caffeine abuse by young people alarms some experts. It was the cause of many calls to an Illinois Poison Center over a three-year tracking period, a team of doctors reported at the American College of Emergency Physicians annual meeting in New Orleans.
Read more.
Boss bloopers
Things You Should Never Say to Your Boss
I have the list of things you should never say to your boss. You may not be aware of it, but if you say these things, you could come off as rude, lazy, disrespectful, or careless – and sabotage your chances of a promotion or a raise. So here’s what to never to say according to CareerBuilder.com:
Don’t say: “I really need to talk to you – it’s important!” The experts say, what may seem important to you, may not be important to the big cheese. In today’s fast-paced workplace, managers don’t have time to personally attend to your every need. If you have to talk to your boss about something you deem important, explain what it’s regarding quickly, so they can decide whether or not it’s important to them.
Next, never say: “I don’t need help” or “I don’t need anyone to teach me.” It’s one thing to know how to perform a job; it’s another thing to think you already know all there is to learn. If the boss thinks you need help, go with it.
The third thing not to say to the boss: “Could you repeat that?” One time is okay, but continually asking your manager to repeat themselves means you were tuned out – or you weren’t taking notes. It shows a lack of respect.
Another boss no-no: “It’s not my fault!” Never cover up a mistake by blaming someone else or refusing to take the blame. That just shows you’re not only unreliable, you’re deceptive. If you did make a mistake – own up to it and offer a solution. 9 times out of 10, if you go to the boss – before he finds out himself or through someone else – and say ‘Hey, I messed up big time. Here’s what I plan to do about it,” you won’t get in trouble.
Also, never tell the boss: “I just never got around to it.” What you think is a low priority, may not be what your boss thinks. So when they give you a project, ask them – how high of a priority is this? Keep a list of what you’ve got on your plate – and regularly give your boss a status report. Priorities may change.
Okay, the final thing not to say to your boss: “Can you tell Steve to shut off his annoying music!” Ask Steve yourself, nicely. If you can’t resolve a problem with your co-worker, ask the boss for advice, but don’t expect him to respond to your complaining.
I have the list of things you should never say to your boss. You may not be aware of it, but if you say these things, you could come off as rude, lazy, disrespectful, or careless – and sabotage your chances of a promotion or a raise. So here’s what to never to say according to CareerBuilder.com:
Don’t say: “I really need to talk to you – it’s important!” The experts say, what may seem important to you, may not be important to the big cheese. In today’s fast-paced workplace, managers don’t have time to personally attend to your every need. If you have to talk to your boss about something you deem important, explain what it’s regarding quickly, so they can decide whether or not it’s important to them.
Next, never say: “I don’t need help” or “I don’t need anyone to teach me.” It’s one thing to know how to perform a job; it’s another thing to think you already know all there is to learn. If the boss thinks you need help, go with it.
The third thing not to say to the boss: “Could you repeat that?” One time is okay, but continually asking your manager to repeat themselves means you were tuned out – or you weren’t taking notes. It shows a lack of respect.
Another boss no-no: “It’s not my fault!” Never cover up a mistake by blaming someone else or refusing to take the blame. That just shows you’re not only unreliable, you’re deceptive. If you did make a mistake – own up to it and offer a solution. 9 times out of 10, if you go to the boss – before he finds out himself or through someone else – and say ‘Hey, I messed up big time. Here’s what I plan to do about it,” you won’t get in trouble.
Also, never tell the boss: “I just never got around to it.” What you think is a low priority, may not be what your boss thinks. So when they give you a project, ask them – how high of a priority is this? Keep a list of what you’ve got on your plate – and regularly give your boss a status report. Priorities may change.
Okay, the final thing not to say to your boss: “Can you tell Steve to shut off his annoying music!” Ask Steve yourself, nicely. If you can’t resolve a problem with your co-worker, ask the boss for advice, but don’t expect him to respond to your complaining.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Kids get fit
Gov. Charlie Crist announced that nearly 130,000 elementary students at 294 schools had signed up for his new Governor's Fitness Challenge.
That means nearly 90 percent of the public elementary school kids, and some 75 percent of Florida's elementary schools, did not. They basically told the governor, No thanks.
Maybe it was bad timing. Schools had to sign up by Friday, on the eve of FCAT, and the program runs during the two-week FCAT testing window. Maybe it's a sign that not everyone shares the governor's passion for fitness. Or maybe it is simply a sign that schools have a lot on their plates and keeping track of scores on 40-yard dashes, agility runs and broad jumps was more than they wanted to take on.
The governor, who has made more P.E. classes a priority of his administration, seemed unconcerned by the relatively small sign up. In his press release he said he was "proud of the enthusiasm schools across Florida have shown."
The fitness challenge, announced in late February, is an 8-week program that aims to get kids exercising more while their schools compete for sports a equipment, visits from star athletes and the title of Governor's Fitness Champion School.
That means nearly 90 percent of the public elementary school kids, and some 75 percent of Florida's elementary schools, did not. They basically told the governor, No thanks.
Maybe it was bad timing. Schools had to sign up by Friday, on the eve of FCAT, and the program runs during the two-week FCAT testing window. Maybe it's a sign that not everyone shares the governor's passion for fitness. Or maybe it is simply a sign that schools have a lot on their plates and keeping track of scores on 40-yard dashes, agility runs and broad jumps was more than they wanted to take on.
The governor, who has made more P.E. classes a priority of his administration, seemed unconcerned by the relatively small sign up. In his press release he said he was "proud of the enthusiasm schools across Florida have shown."
The fitness challenge, announced in late February, is an 8-week program that aims to get kids exercising more while their schools compete for sports a equipment, visits from star athletes and the title of Governor's Fitness Champion School.
School stinks
Fragrance-Free Campaigns Eyed for Minnesota Schools
A Minnesota lawmaker has proposed legislation urging that schools launch a fragrance-free campaign to encourage kids to skip fragrances and scented body sprays that can aggravate asthma and other health problems. Democratic State Rep. Karen Clark first proposed banning fragrances altogether in Minneapolis schools. But her new bill scales that back to an awareness campaign that could include letters to parents, fact sheets, signs in schools, e-mail and web sites. The nursing service manager who runs the school district's asthma program said that one in eight Minnesota students has asthma, and have been treated by nurses for wheezing and headaches caused by the fragrances on fellow students.
Would you like to see something similar in offices and other workplaces, such as restaurants?
A Minnesota lawmaker has proposed legislation urging that schools launch a fragrance-free campaign to encourage kids to skip fragrances and scented body sprays that can aggravate asthma and other health problems. Democratic State Rep. Karen Clark first proposed banning fragrances altogether in Minneapolis schools. But her new bill scales that back to an awareness campaign that could include letters to parents, fact sheets, signs in schools, e-mail and web sites. The nursing service manager who runs the school district's asthma program said that one in eight Minnesota students has asthma, and have been treated by nurses for wheezing and headaches caused by the fragrances on fellow students.
Would you like to see something similar in offices and other workplaces, such as restaurants?
Ways you turn him off
SURPRISING SEX-APPEAL DEFLATORS
(Cosmopolitan)
Public "Evacuation": You may be a princess in his eyes; however, seeing you on the toilet can be disconcerting or, at the very least, unpleasant. Look, we know you're human. But when nature calls, answer with the door closed -- please!
Catty Chatter: After going to party, some girls have the need to bad-mouth the other women they met that night. It makes the guy think that either all of his friends suck or this chick is an insecure idiot.
Hard-Core Maintenance: Watching you smooth scented lotion all over your bare legs? Priceless. But you couldn't even pay a guy to eyewitness the ugly side of getting pretty -- think clipping your toenails, extracting a blackhead, flossing those back teeth.
In-His-Face Flirting: Sure, being playful with another man may score you a free drink or get you out of a speeding ticket. But by the umpteenth hair flip and giggle, your guy's wondering just how "friendly" you would get if he weren't right next to you.
(Cosmopolitan)
Public "Evacuation": You may be a princess in his eyes; however, seeing you on the toilet can be disconcerting or, at the very least, unpleasant. Look, we know you're human. But when nature calls, answer with the door closed -- please!
Catty Chatter: After going to party, some girls have the need to bad-mouth the other women they met that night. It makes the guy think that either all of his friends suck or this chick is an insecure idiot.
Hard-Core Maintenance: Watching you smooth scented lotion all over your bare legs? Priceless. But you couldn't even pay a guy to eyewitness the ugly side of getting pretty -- think clipping your toenails, extracting a blackhead, flossing those back teeth.
In-His-Face Flirting: Sure, being playful with another man may score you a free drink or get you out of a speeding ticket. But by the umpteenth hair flip and giggle, your guy's wondering just how "friendly" you would get if he weren't right next to you.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Workout at work
As soon as you get to work- *RUN* up the stairs- even one *30 second
sprint* boosts blood levels of human growth hormone, which is an anti-aging chemical that rejuvenates the skin and heart, and helps to maintain muscles. After that sprint, your muscles will burn more fat while you're sitting.
Next- *drink 2 cups of cold water* while you're sitting at your desk.
After 40 minutes, your metabolism will jump *30%*- and stay at a higher rate for an hour because your body has to work harder to warm your body to your natural temperature.
*On your breaks, take a quick stroll around your workplace,* or better yet, go outside. Research shows that getting up from your seat for *two 10 minute breaks and moving briskly can burn up to 350 calories a day. * Do this every day, and you could lose *2 pounds in a month.*
And if *things get stressful* after lunch, make sure to take a *2:00 deep breathing break.* Stress hormones put a damper on your metabolism, which can lead to weight gain. Take 5 deep breaths into your belly, which will not only help you relax, but can also help to reduce chronic tension and headaches.
At 4:00, *instead of going for the candy dish, grab a 100 calorie
snack.* When you give your body food every 4 hours, your metabolism doesn't have a chance to slow down, so you burn more calories. (Go for the protein, like string cheese or grilled chicken breast- even better!)
sprint* boosts blood levels of human growth hormone, which is an anti-aging chemical that rejuvenates the skin and heart, and helps to maintain muscles. After that sprint, your muscles will burn more fat while you're sitting.
Next- *drink 2 cups of cold water* while you're sitting at your desk.
After 40 minutes, your metabolism will jump *30%*- and stay at a higher rate for an hour because your body has to work harder to warm your body to your natural temperature.
*On your breaks, take a quick stroll around your workplace,* or better yet, go outside. Research shows that getting up from your seat for *two 10 minute breaks and moving briskly can burn up to 350 calories a day. * Do this every day, and you could lose *2 pounds in a month.*
And if *things get stressful* after lunch, make sure to take a *2:00 deep breathing break.* Stress hormones put a damper on your metabolism, which can lead to weight gain. Take 5 deep breaths into your belly, which will not only help you relax, but can also help to reduce chronic tension and headaches.
At 4:00, *instead of going for the candy dish, grab a 100 calorie
snack.* When you give your body food every 4 hours, your metabolism doesn't have a chance to slow down, so you burn more calories. (Go for the protein, like string cheese or grilled chicken breast- even better!)
Password protection
And the most popular password is....? Think fast! When it comes to computer passwords, what's far-and-away the most popular? A pet's name? A favorite sports team? A birth date?
According to Netscape News, the most popular password is "ADMIN." A-D-M-I-N short for administrator. Why? It's usually the default password that most programs come with, and most people don't bother changing it! And, almost half of all employees know their co-workers' computer passwords. And that's not a good thing, since most people use the same password on both their work and home computers. And 1 in 5 people never change their passwords ever!
So, how can you protect your computer information?
Make sure your password is a random combination of letters and numbers. Making it John123 isn't good enough. The numbers and letters have to be mixed. And change your password at least once a month. Otherwise, someone could pretend to be you, and steal your money, your identity, or even ruin your reputation.
According to Netscape News, the most popular password is "ADMIN." A-D-M-I-N short for administrator. Why? It's usually the default password that most programs come with, and most people don't bother changing it! And, almost half of all employees know their co-workers' computer passwords. And that's not a good thing, since most people use the same password on both their work and home computers. And 1 in 5 people never change their passwords ever!
So, how can you protect your computer information?
Make sure your password is a random combination of letters and numbers. Making it John123 isn't good enough. The numbers and letters have to be mixed. And change your password at least once a month. Otherwise, someone could pretend to be you, and steal your money, your identity, or even ruin your reputation.
Just relax
Women work extremely hard these days either because they have a career and a household to take care of or even if they stay at home, they have just too many responsibilities, particularly if they have kids. Therefore, women have to find unique ways to relax themselves when they are tired after a hard day's work. Here is what the schedule can look like at least a couple of nights each week so that you will not only have time for yourself but for your partner as well. We are recommending about two and a half hours relaxation routine but you can adjust it according to your schedule.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
FCAT jitters
Checklist for Test "De-Stress"
Does your child get stressed about tests? Follow this checklist to ease worries about standardized tests.
By Victoria Thorp, GreatSchools Staff
Get the facts
Find out the exact dates your child will be tested and which tests he will take this year. Check to see if the tests will be different in any way from the ones he took the year before. Once you know what's happening, you can help your child feel ready for what's ahead.
Talk to your child
Find out whether your child is feeling nervous and if so, why. Often children feel better when they voice their fears, so give your child a chance to talk about the process. If your child is afraid of failing or doing poorly, your reassurances will help him feel less frightened.
Help your child practice
If your child is familiar with the format of the test, he'll feel more prepared. Ask his teacher or check your state's Department of Education Web site for some sample questions or other materials that can help him get acquainted with the test.
Take care of the basics
See that your child gets a good night's sleep the night before the test and eats breakfast that morning.
Keep your cool
While tests have increasing importance, they are just one measure of student learning, so try to keep the process in perspective. If you remain calm, chances are your child will probably feel calmer, too.
Does your child get stressed about tests? Follow this checklist to ease worries about standardized tests.
By Victoria Thorp, GreatSchools Staff
Get the facts
Find out the exact dates your child will be tested and which tests he will take this year. Check to see if the tests will be different in any way from the ones he took the year before. Once you know what's happening, you can help your child feel ready for what's ahead.
Talk to your child
Find out whether your child is feeling nervous and if so, why. Often children feel better when they voice their fears, so give your child a chance to talk about the process. If your child is afraid of failing or doing poorly, your reassurances will help him feel less frightened.
Help your child practice
If your child is familiar with the format of the test, he'll feel more prepared. Ask his teacher or check your state's Department of Education Web site for some sample questions or other materials that can help him get acquainted with the test.
Take care of the basics
See that your child gets a good night's sleep the night before the test and eats breakfast that morning.
Keep your cool
While tests have increasing importance, they are just one measure of student learning, so try to keep the process in perspective. If you remain calm, chances are your child will probably feel calmer, too.
Praising kids
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Praising Your Tween
(Parent & Child)
Using general words, like "good." Be specific about what your child has done well so she knows how to repeat it.
Taking responsibility for your child's success. "If I hadn't made you study every night the week before, you might have failed again." "I told you you'd be a natural; that's why I signed you up."
Punishing a child for his mistakes. Mistakes are a necessary part of learning and show what still needs to be understood or addressed.
Offering money or presents. This can backfire as children demand more, view learning as a means to an end, or feel they lack your trust to achieve without it.
Using sarcasm. "This report card is great, but it took you long enough to get there!" "That model's perfect! Who'd know you used to be all thumbs?"
(Parent & Child)
Using general words, like "good." Be specific about what your child has done well so she knows how to repeat it.
Taking responsibility for your child's success. "If I hadn't made you study every night the week before, you might have failed again." "I told you you'd be a natural; that's why I signed you up."
Punishing a child for his mistakes. Mistakes are a necessary part of learning and show what still needs to be understood or addressed.
Offering money or presents. This can backfire as children demand more, view learning as a means to an end, or feel they lack your trust to achieve without it.
Using sarcasm. "This report card is great, but it took you long enough to get there!" "That model's perfect! Who'd know you used to be all thumbs?"
Monday, March 10, 2008
One man's trash...
...is another man's treasure!
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,282 groups with 4,634,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer. Membership is free.
Find out more about freecycle.org
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,282 groups with 4,634,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer. Membership is free.
Find out more about freecycle.org
Your well-being
How Healthy Are You?
Of course you should get a physical every year, but there are some simple things you can do at home that will tell you a lot about your physical well-being and warn you of possible problems ahead. So put these quick checks from //Fitness// magazine on your to-do list to make sure you stay healthy:
* **Get on the scale and record how much weight you’ve gained since
high school**. If it’s more than 11 pounds, try to drop the
weight. If you’ve gained more than that you’re at an increased
risk for the most common cancers. In a study by the American
Cancer Society, women who gained more than 20 pounds after age 18
had a 40 percent higher risk of breast cancer than women who’d
stayed within 5 pounds of their teenage weight.
* **Count the moles on your body**. If it’s more than 50, it could
be a problem - you could be at an increased risk of melanoma, a
deadly type of skin cancer. If you see any moles that are lumpy or
asymmetrical or strange in any way, have them checked out.
* **Notice how often you have a headache or an upset stomach**. If
it’s more than once a month, it could be a warning sign of
emotional overload. About half of women in their thirties get
tension headaches. You should see your doctor to eliminate a
physical cause, but even if it’s stress-related, you still need to
deal with it. Research shows that stress weakens your immune
system and puts you at greater risk for heart disease. For an easy
stress buster, try laughing. Studies show that when people laugh
they increase blood flow to their arteries and reduce their risk
of heart disease.
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