We all nearly deal with workday interruptions- maybe from co-workers, calls from families, endless emails... If you're feeling the stress from this chaos in the workplace, follow these tips:
1. Get a bigger monitor- researchers at Microsoft found that bigger computer monitors help people to work up to 44% faster- it's one of the best ways they found to increase productivity because workers are better able to focus.
2. Put up a "Do Not Disturb" sign, or another obvious signal that you're busy, and insist that your co-workers respect it.
3. Re-arrange your office furniture so that your desk is facing away from the flow of people- this way no one can catch your eye as they're walking past; when we make eye contact with others, they may feel more comfortable to stop and chat.
4. Always stand to talk to someone who has interrupted you. It's not natural, and likely to serve as a sign that they've disturbed your routine.
5. Keep a notebook handy, and the next time you're facing an interruption, take a moment to write down what you were doing. Studies show that it takes anywhere from 3-15 minutes to recover from an interruption, and this'll help you get back on track faster.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Oprah takes the tube
It's not that Oprah Winfrey is getting bigger—it's the screen that's getting smaller.
The multimedia maven has added another medium to her résumé, this time her very own YouTube channel.
Winfrey's new domain on the incredibly popular video-sharing site will feature previews and behind-the-scenes footage from her Chicago-based show (courtesy of the Oprah Cam), as well as her interviews with "YouTube celebrities" and, true to form, user-generated content.
(Comments will be posted "at the discretion of the channel manager," however.)
While Winfrey's empire currently includes her syndicated talk show, now in its 22nd season; O magazine; and a dizzying array of production projects, this is her first Internet-only, next-generation-friendly addition to the zeitgeist.
The channel doesn't have an official name yet, but it's likely that a capital "O" will be involved.
The multimedia maven has added another medium to her résumé, this time her very own YouTube channel.
Winfrey's new domain on the incredibly popular video-sharing site will feature previews and behind-the-scenes footage from her Chicago-based show (courtesy of the Oprah Cam), as well as her interviews with "YouTube celebrities" and, true to form, user-generated content.
(Comments will be posted "at the discretion of the channel manager," however.)
While Winfrey's empire currently includes her syndicated talk show, now in its 22nd season; O magazine; and a dizzying array of production projects, this is her first Internet-only, next-generation-friendly addition to the zeitgeist.
The channel doesn't have an official name yet, but it's likely that a capital "O" will be involved.
Leftover meds and kitty litter
It's time to pooper-scoop your leftover medicine.
Mixing cough syrup, Vicodin or Lipitor with kitty litter is the new advice on getting rid of unused medications. Preferably used kitty litter.
It's a compromise, better for the environment than flushing — and one that renders dangerous medicines too yucky to try if children, pets or drug abusers stumble through the trash.
A government experiment is about to send that advice straight to thousands of patients who use potent painkillers, sleeping pills and other controlled substances.
Why? Prescription drug abuse is on the rise, and research suggests more than half of people who misuse those drugs get them for free from a friend or relative. In other words, having leftovers in the medicine cabinet is a risky idea. Anyone visiting your house could swipe them.
So 6,300 pharmacies around the country have signed up for a pilot project with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. When patients fill prescriptions for a list of abuse-prone medicines, from Ambien to Vicodin, the pharmacist also will hand over a flyer urging them to take the kitty-litter step if they don't wind up using all their pills.
Not a cat owner? Old coffee grounds work, or doggie doo, even sawdust. Just seal the meds and the, er, goop in a plastic bag before tossing in the trash.
Mixing cough syrup, Vicodin or Lipitor with kitty litter is the new advice on getting rid of unused medications. Preferably used kitty litter.
It's a compromise, better for the environment than flushing — and one that renders dangerous medicines too yucky to try if children, pets or drug abusers stumble through the trash.
A government experiment is about to send that advice straight to thousands of patients who use potent painkillers, sleeping pills and other controlled substances.
Why? Prescription drug abuse is on the rise, and research suggests more than half of people who misuse those drugs get them for free from a friend or relative. In other words, having leftovers in the medicine cabinet is a risky idea. Anyone visiting your house could swipe them.
So 6,300 pharmacies around the country have signed up for a pilot project with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. When patients fill prescriptions for a list of abuse-prone medicines, from Ambien to Vicodin, the pharmacist also will hand over a flyer urging them to take the kitty-litter step if they don't wind up using all their pills.
Not a cat owner? Old coffee grounds work, or doggie doo, even sawdust. Just seal the meds and the, er, goop in a plastic bag before tossing in the trash.
Thank you notes from kids
Child Behavior: Writing Thank-You Notes
From Robin McClure,
Your Guide to Child Care.
Thank Yous Can Come In Simple Ways
It's an indisputable fact that kids hate writing thank-you notes as much as they love opening presents. Parental prodding to write a simple note of gratitude, however, may be needed to help teach kids the important social manner of expressing gratitude. Because if parents don't require a note, then most certainly a child is not going to initiate a thank you note on his or her own.
What should parents do to help teach kids good manners and the proper show of appreciation after a gift is received? Here are some tips to make giving thanks a positive and heartfelt experience.
Discuss with children why a thank-you note is considered important. In the very young, discuss with them that a loved one spent time selecting the special present, purchased it with their own money, wrapped it, and then delivered it--either in person or via mail. Ask them how they would know if someone liked a present they picked out and why a note is especially appreciated. Don't just assume that children will value the experience or gesture of note: educate them as to a note's importance and how it lets a gift-giver know a present has been received and is appreciated.
Provide children with age-appropriate notecards or paper and help them with the message. For very young children who do not yet write, a crayon picture of the child's choosing created with the gift-giver in mind can be mailed along with a note by a parent saying something like, "Cindi created this for you in appreciation of her gift of a new doll for her birthday." Budding writers can be given the thank-you cards that only require a child to fill in certain blanks. While not as personal, this format encourages a youngster to write a note that may only include the salutation, the gift received, and name, but it's a great first start! Older kids should write thank-you notes on their own.
For kids who can write, what should notes say? While creativity is appreciated, not all kids can put that type of thought on paper and the worst thing would be for the thank you note to sound as if it were coming from you! Kids should be encouraged to tell a gift-giver thanks for the gift mentioned specifically but to also explain how or why the gift is especially appreciated. For example, if the child received a CD and a song on it is selected for use by the kid to perform a dance to at the school talent show, then include that in the note!
And if the gift is a real loser? All gifts should be acknowledged--even those that aren't exactly appreciated. A child should be taught that it is truly the thought that counts, and even if a 12-year-old is embarrassed to open the young kiddie game Candyland, a thank you is in order. Explain to the child that the game was still purchased in honor of their birthday, special occasion, or for the holidays. And, a younger sibling or a charity will truly love receiving the game!
Are thank you notes always required? This is a time where you should let your conscience be your guide sprinkled in with family custom or the expected practice. If a child thanks someone in person when opening a gift, a thank-you note is not necessarily required, especially when it is from a member of the family. But, they will absolutely be delighted to receive a note just the same. Gift exchanges do not typically require thank you notes or small token gifts given to groups. One mom requires all her kids to write a thank-you note to Santa, and explains that he won't come next year unless proper respect and appreciation is shown for the gifts left the current year. Her kids take advantage of the down-time on Christmas afternoon and write them that day.
It's about time! Yes, timeliness is always important when writing a thank-you note. Some parents have adopted practices that a toy can not be played with or clothes worn until a thank-you note is written. Others require notes to be written within a select number of days. Don't let days turn into weeks and then the note forgotten in the midst of a child's busy schedule.
Think of the educational value of writing notes. Some teachers and child care providers have children write notes in conjunction with a writing lesson. After all, what better way to practice on letters or writing sentences than with a short and personal note to a loved one? Some ideas from teachers include writing a thank you note to parents to express appreciation for their support during the school year, or to thank them for bringing snacks or treats to a special class party. One provider has her pre-schoolers write thank you notes each Valentine's Day to their parents for their love. A first grade teacher has children write notes of thanks each Thanksgiving.
Lead by example. Let children see you writing thank-you notes and hear or read what you have written. What better way to teach good manners than by modeling the expected behavior. Um, you do write ones yourself, right?
From Robin McClure,
Your Guide to Child Care.
Thank Yous Can Come In Simple Ways
It's an indisputable fact that kids hate writing thank-you notes as much as they love opening presents. Parental prodding to write a simple note of gratitude, however, may be needed to help teach kids the important social manner of expressing gratitude. Because if parents don't require a note, then most certainly a child is not going to initiate a thank you note on his or her own.
What should parents do to help teach kids good manners and the proper show of appreciation after a gift is received? Here are some tips to make giving thanks a positive and heartfelt experience.
Discuss with children why a thank-you note is considered important. In the very young, discuss with them that a loved one spent time selecting the special present, purchased it with their own money, wrapped it, and then delivered it--either in person or via mail. Ask them how they would know if someone liked a present they picked out and why a note is especially appreciated. Don't just assume that children will value the experience or gesture of note: educate them as to a note's importance and how it lets a gift-giver know a present has been received and is appreciated.
Provide children with age-appropriate notecards or paper and help them with the message. For very young children who do not yet write, a crayon picture of the child's choosing created with the gift-giver in mind can be mailed along with a note by a parent saying something like, "Cindi created this for you in appreciation of her gift of a new doll for her birthday." Budding writers can be given the thank-you cards that only require a child to fill in certain blanks. While not as personal, this format encourages a youngster to write a note that may only include the salutation, the gift received, and name, but it's a great first start! Older kids should write thank-you notes on their own.
For kids who can write, what should notes say? While creativity is appreciated, not all kids can put that type of thought on paper and the worst thing would be for the thank you note to sound as if it were coming from you! Kids should be encouraged to tell a gift-giver thanks for the gift mentioned specifically but to also explain how or why the gift is especially appreciated. For example, if the child received a CD and a song on it is selected for use by the kid to perform a dance to at the school talent show, then include that in the note!
And if the gift is a real loser? All gifts should be acknowledged--even those that aren't exactly appreciated. A child should be taught that it is truly the thought that counts, and even if a 12-year-old is embarrassed to open the young kiddie game Candyland, a thank you is in order. Explain to the child that the game was still purchased in honor of their birthday, special occasion, or for the holidays. And, a younger sibling or a charity will truly love receiving the game!
Are thank you notes always required? This is a time where you should let your conscience be your guide sprinkled in with family custom or the expected practice. If a child thanks someone in person when opening a gift, a thank-you note is not necessarily required, especially when it is from a member of the family. But, they will absolutely be delighted to receive a note just the same. Gift exchanges do not typically require thank you notes or small token gifts given to groups. One mom requires all her kids to write a thank-you note to Santa, and explains that he won't come next year unless proper respect and appreciation is shown for the gifts left the current year. Her kids take advantage of the down-time on Christmas afternoon and write them that day.
It's about time! Yes, timeliness is always important when writing a thank-you note. Some parents have adopted practices that a toy can not be played with or clothes worn until a thank-you note is written. Others require notes to be written within a select number of days. Don't let days turn into weeks and then the note forgotten in the midst of a child's busy schedule.
Think of the educational value of writing notes. Some teachers and child care providers have children write notes in conjunction with a writing lesson. After all, what better way to practice on letters or writing sentences than with a short and personal note to a loved one? Some ideas from teachers include writing a thank you note to parents to express appreciation for their support during the school year, or to thank them for bringing snacks or treats to a special class party. One provider has her pre-schoolers write thank you notes each Valentine's Day to their parents for their love. A first grade teacher has children write notes of thanks each Thanksgiving.
Lead by example. Let children see you writing thank-you notes and hear or read what you have written. What better way to teach good manners than by modeling the expected behavior. Um, you do write ones yourself, right?
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Block a wine headache
The effects are all too familiar: a fancy dinner, some fine wine and then, a few hours later, a racing heart and a pounding headache.
But a device developed by University of California, Berkeley, researchers could help avoid the dreaded "red wine headache."
Remember to drink responsibly and don't drink and drive.
But a device developed by University of California, Berkeley, researchers could help avoid the dreaded "red wine headache."
Remember to drink responsibly and don't drink and drive.
National Adoption Month
The 2007 National Adoption Month Theme
This years theme is "Answering the Call - You don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. There are thousands of teens in foster care who would love to put up with you."
This year's theme of adopting teens from foster care builds on the Ad Council's new public service announcement (PSA) campaign of the Children's Bureau, the Adoption Exchange Association, and The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids. Learn more.
This years theme is "Answering the Call - You don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. There are thousands of teens in foster care who would love to put up with you."
This year's theme of adopting teens from foster care builds on the Ad Council's new public service announcement (PSA) campaign of the Children's Bureau, the Adoption Exchange Association, and The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids. Learn more.
Culprits of weight gain
So, have you gained a few pounds lately, and don't know how? Here are some likely culprits:
The newer, trendy bigger utensils. According to food researcher, Dr. James Painter, people who ate with smaller forks and spoons tend to feel more satisfied after one serving than people who ate with the bigger utensils.
A neat, tidy table! Leave all empty dishes on the table until cleanup time. Studies show that people eat 27% more food when their dishes are cleared, because they don't have that visual score card of how much they've eaten.
A big menu- menus with 2 or more panels take longer to read. The longer you look at the choices, the more food you're likely to order and to eat!
The newer, trendy bigger utensils. According to food researcher, Dr. James Painter, people who ate with smaller forks and spoons tend to feel more satisfied after one serving than people who ate with the bigger utensils.
A neat, tidy table! Leave all empty dishes on the table until cleanup time. Studies show that people eat 27% more food when their dishes are cleared, because they don't have that visual score card of how much they've eaten.
A big menu- menus with 2 or more panels take longer to read. The longer you look at the choices, the more food you're likely to order and to eat!
The sex diet
Forget the 'no pain, no gain' philosophy on slimming down, if you want to lose weight, the hottest new diet is the 'Sex Diet', a way to trim down, shape up and make your love life better than ever.
The one-month 'Sex Diet' uses critical libido-boosting foods and couples them to scheduled sexual activities. It's a "diet and do-it" philosophy that uses positive reinforcement to peel off the pounds and it's all in the book "The Ultimate Sex Diet".
Dr. Erika Goodstone, a clinical sexologist says it works. "Sex is just one other way to boost your metabolism." She says everyone can learn to use food to maximize their sex life and use their sex life to maximize weight loss.
Here are some of the rules of the diet:
Don't starve yourself. "If you're really starving yourself, you're not enjoying, and nurturing the part of you that would also really enjoy sex," says Goodstone.
Rule number two: "Make foods sensual. Indulge in soft, suggestive foods like bananas or peaces and sweet treats like strawberries dipped in heart healthy dark chocolate. Dr. Goodstone says because they're high in libido boosting arginine, even beans are on the list. "And we never think of beans as a sexy food."
Rule number three: Don't eat too much before the act, just sample and savor.
Susan Nowrouzi, a nutritionist at Miami's Baptist Hospital, says sex can curb your appetite. "When you do have orgasm after sex, you kinda feel calm, and that takes away from cravings," according to Nowrouzi.
Rule number four: Warm up your bodies and your passion with special made-for-two stretching exercises like the 'crunchy kiss' or the 'see saw'. Do it daily and then just do it.
The book calls for daily sex in a variety of unmentionable but calorie burning positions. "The more vigorous it is, the more calories you lose," says Nowrouzi.
And if you can't do it daily, just do it more. "You do lose calories, 100 to 300 calories depending on the time. But again this is putting all in perspective something you can achieve. Something that makes sense" says Nowrouzi.
Rule number five: Enjoy. It refers to enjoying your food and each other. "When you're trying too hard to not enjoy foods, and you're trying to eliminate all these foods that you enjoy, you're not going to be enjoying sex either," according to Dr. Goodstone.
She adds that if you spend more time in bed, you'll spend less time at the table.
CBS4 Health Specialist, Dr. Sean Kenniff
The one-month 'Sex Diet' uses critical libido-boosting foods and couples them to scheduled sexual activities. It's a "diet and do-it" philosophy that uses positive reinforcement to peel off the pounds and it's all in the book "The Ultimate Sex Diet".
Dr. Erika Goodstone, a clinical sexologist says it works. "Sex is just one other way to boost your metabolism." She says everyone can learn to use food to maximize their sex life and use their sex life to maximize weight loss.
Here are some of the rules of the diet:
Don't starve yourself. "If you're really starving yourself, you're not enjoying, and nurturing the part of you that would also really enjoy sex," says Goodstone.
Rule number two: "Make foods sensual. Indulge in soft, suggestive foods like bananas or peaces and sweet treats like strawberries dipped in heart healthy dark chocolate. Dr. Goodstone says because they're high in libido boosting arginine, even beans are on the list. "And we never think of beans as a sexy food."
Rule number three: Don't eat too much before the act, just sample and savor.
Susan Nowrouzi, a nutritionist at Miami's Baptist Hospital, says sex can curb your appetite. "When you do have orgasm after sex, you kinda feel calm, and that takes away from cravings," according to Nowrouzi.
Rule number four: Warm up your bodies and your passion with special made-for-two stretching exercises like the 'crunchy kiss' or the 'see saw'. Do it daily and then just do it.
The book calls for daily sex in a variety of unmentionable but calorie burning positions. "The more vigorous it is, the more calories you lose," says Nowrouzi.
And if you can't do it daily, just do it more. "You do lose calories, 100 to 300 calories depending on the time. But again this is putting all in perspective something you can achieve. Something that makes sense" says Nowrouzi.
Rule number five: Enjoy. It refers to enjoying your food and each other. "When you're trying too hard to not enjoy foods, and you're trying to eliminate all these foods that you enjoy, you're not going to be enjoying sex either," according to Dr. Goodstone.
She adds that if you spend more time in bed, you'll spend less time at the table.
CBS4 Health Specialist, Dr. Sean Kenniff
Monday, November 5, 2007
Handling family gatherings
Do holiday visits with family members make you nuts? Here's how to deal with each and every one of them.
Men's Fitness, by J.L. Sullivan
It's great to see your extended family when everyone gets together for the holidays, isn't it? For a while, anyway ... until they start to get on your nerves, and you begin to wonder why Christmas couldn't come along just once every other year. Well, you don't have to let your yuletide thoughts turn into homicidal fantasies. We've met your relatives, and we know just how to handle 'em. Follow our lead, and you will, too. Read more.
Men's Fitness, by J.L. Sullivan
It's great to see your extended family when everyone gets together for the holidays, isn't it? For a while, anyway ... until they start to get on your nerves, and you begin to wonder why Christmas couldn't come along just once every other year. Well, you don't have to let your yuletide thoughts turn into homicidal fantasies. We've met your relatives, and we know just how to handle 'em. Follow our lead, and you will, too. Read more.
A guide to caring for parents
Your 5-minute guide to caring for parents
When your aging parent needs help, it's often up to you. Here are 24 tips on how to make it work.
By MSN Money staff
Some parents may not feel comfortable divulging financial information, even to their children.
It's not important that the whole family know the details of their finances. What is important is that your parents, as they age, gather the information, are prepared for the possibility of incapacity and consider how to pay for long-term care if necessary.
To begin, start with the paperwork:
Attitude is everything. If you try to boss your parents around, they might reject any help from you at all. Failing to act, however, can have serious consequences, both financially and health-wise. (See "3 steps to help parents grow old gracefully.")
Find out where they keep important papers, including a will, powers of attorney, safe-deposit-box information, birth and marriage certificates, dissolution certificates, Social Security and military service records, and insurance policies. (See "9 vital money questions for Mom and Dad.")
Make lists of pensions and investments, property and financial advisers.
Can they stay at home?
Your parents could live independently just fine for a while. For extra peace of mind:
Find out if they're paying the bills. If not, sign them up for online or automatic bill pay. That way, you can also sign in to make payments. You have other options, but consult an attorney before taking more drastic steps, such as joint bank accounts, a living trust, financial power of attorney or guardianship.
Make sure they fill their prescriptions. Look into state or drug makers' programs to help reduce the cost. Consider mail-order drugs that update automatically each month; ask about lower-cost generics; join a Medicare plan for prescription drug coverage. (See "13 ways to save on prescriptions.")
Do a safety check and fall-proof the house, including tacking down loose carpets, tossing throw rugs and removing thresholds. Install handrails, grab bars and nonslip strips in the shower.
Consider meal delivery services.
Bring in a home-care nurse if needed, but be prepared to pay. Annual costs for home care can top $20,000.
Get a medical-alert system so your parents can push a button for help.
If they can't live at home
At some point, your parents may need more daily help, and moving them in with you might not be the best option. Many assisted living facilities offer graduated levels of care and can meet your parents' needs with less than 24-hour-a-day service.
Select the lowest-possible level of care. Medication, bed-to-wheelchair transfers, bathing and dressing help can be provided. Your parents have their own room but eat in a common room and have access to social activities. Help your parents keep as much of their lifestyle and mementos as possible. (See "Ease your parents' move to a home.")
Assisted living facilities vary in cost. What you need to know:
Medicare does not pay for assisted living services, so you and your parents will have to foot the bill.
The average cost is nearly $70 per day. Know what you're paying for. Additional fees are billed separately for services such as extra nursing, equipment and rehabilitation.
Before you sign a contract, ask if the facility requires medications to be packaged in single-dose packets. This can add as much as $6,000 per year to costs.
Facilities that offer graduated care are good insurance should your parents' money run out. Most assisted-living facilities give priority for their Medicaid-funded beds to current residents.
Is more care needed?
A nursing home would be the next step. Nursing homes are designed for people not able to care for themselves.
Long-term care is expensive, and a nursing home stay can cost $75 to $235 per day. Under certain conditions, Medicare might cover some of the cost.
How to pay for it all
Typically, Social Security, pensions and savings fund our later years, but there are options to pay for health care and other expenses:
Sell the house, difficult as it might be, to free up cash.
Keep the house: Reverse mortgages allow homeowners over 62 years old to access money built up as equity. The home does not need to be paid off. The balance of the reverse mortgage is paid off as a part of the sale. However, one homeowner does need to live in the house until it is sold. (See "Pay the bills with a house.")
Medicare: The process begins at age 65, when all who've paid into the system during their career receive Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospital costs and skilled-nursing home care.
If the kids are grown, cash out the life insurance and reinvest in something that provides a predictable monthly income.
Taxes: Keep track of medical bills. Medical expenses are deductible if they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income.
Credit cards: They're a bad idea for seniors on fixed incomes. The payments erode financial flexibility and use up cash. Advise your parents to switch to lower-interest cards and ditch the debt.
What about you?
As much as you might want to, you can't do it all. Decide what you are willing to do, then stick with it.
Get some help with community services (meal delivery, adult day care, etc.) and recruit relatives or friends.
Build an emergency fund. Even if you're not paying directly for your parents' care, you'll encounter plenty of expenses. (See "Why you need $500 in the bank.")
Don't try to carry your parents' debts. You can't be held responsible for their debts, unless you co-signed a loan, added them to a credit card or otherwise took legal responsibility for their obligations.
Heed your parents' lessons and don't delay saving for your own retirement.
When your aging parent needs help, it's often up to you. Here are 24 tips on how to make it work.
By MSN Money staff
Some parents may not feel comfortable divulging financial information, even to their children.
It's not important that the whole family know the details of their finances. What is important is that your parents, as they age, gather the information, are prepared for the possibility of incapacity and consider how to pay for long-term care if necessary.
To begin, start with the paperwork:
Attitude is everything. If you try to boss your parents around, they might reject any help from you at all. Failing to act, however, can have serious consequences, both financially and health-wise. (See "3 steps to help parents grow old gracefully.")
Find out where they keep important papers, including a will, powers of attorney, safe-deposit-box information, birth and marriage certificates, dissolution certificates, Social Security and military service records, and insurance policies. (See "9 vital money questions for Mom and Dad.")
Make lists of pensions and investments, property and financial advisers.
Can they stay at home?
Your parents could live independently just fine for a while. For extra peace of mind:
Find out if they're paying the bills. If not, sign them up for online or automatic bill pay. That way, you can also sign in to make payments. You have other options, but consult an attorney before taking more drastic steps, such as joint bank accounts, a living trust, financial power of attorney or guardianship.
Make sure they fill their prescriptions. Look into state or drug makers' programs to help reduce the cost. Consider mail-order drugs that update automatically each month; ask about lower-cost generics; join a Medicare plan for prescription drug coverage. (See "13 ways to save on prescriptions.")
Do a safety check and fall-proof the house, including tacking down loose carpets, tossing throw rugs and removing thresholds. Install handrails, grab bars and nonslip strips in the shower.
Consider meal delivery services.
Bring in a home-care nurse if needed, but be prepared to pay. Annual costs for home care can top $20,000.
Get a medical-alert system so your parents can push a button for help.
If they can't live at home
At some point, your parents may need more daily help, and moving them in with you might not be the best option. Many assisted living facilities offer graduated levels of care and can meet your parents' needs with less than 24-hour-a-day service.
Select the lowest-possible level of care. Medication, bed-to-wheelchair transfers, bathing and dressing help can be provided. Your parents have their own room but eat in a common room and have access to social activities. Help your parents keep as much of their lifestyle and mementos as possible. (See "Ease your parents' move to a home.")
Assisted living facilities vary in cost. What you need to know:
Medicare does not pay for assisted living services, so you and your parents will have to foot the bill.
The average cost is nearly $70 per day. Know what you're paying for. Additional fees are billed separately for services such as extra nursing, equipment and rehabilitation.
Before you sign a contract, ask if the facility requires medications to be packaged in single-dose packets. This can add as much as $6,000 per year to costs.
Facilities that offer graduated care are good insurance should your parents' money run out. Most assisted-living facilities give priority for their Medicaid-funded beds to current residents.
Is more care needed?
A nursing home would be the next step. Nursing homes are designed for people not able to care for themselves.
Long-term care is expensive, and a nursing home stay can cost $75 to $235 per day. Under certain conditions, Medicare might cover some of the cost.
How to pay for it all
Typically, Social Security, pensions and savings fund our later years, but there are options to pay for health care and other expenses:
Sell the house, difficult as it might be, to free up cash.
Keep the house: Reverse mortgages allow homeowners over 62 years old to access money built up as equity. The home does not need to be paid off. The balance of the reverse mortgage is paid off as a part of the sale. However, one homeowner does need to live in the house until it is sold. (See "Pay the bills with a house.")
Medicare: The process begins at age 65, when all who've paid into the system during their career receive Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospital costs and skilled-nursing home care.
If the kids are grown, cash out the life insurance and reinvest in something that provides a predictable monthly income.
Taxes: Keep track of medical bills. Medical expenses are deductible if they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income.
Credit cards: They're a bad idea for seniors on fixed incomes. The payments erode financial flexibility and use up cash. Advise your parents to switch to lower-interest cards and ditch the debt.
What about you?
As much as you might want to, you can't do it all. Decide what you are willing to do, then stick with it.
Get some help with community services (meal delivery, adult day care, etc.) and recruit relatives or friends.
Build an emergency fund. Even if you're not paying directly for your parents' care, you'll encounter plenty of expenses. (See "Why you need $500 in the bank.")
Don't try to carry your parents' debts. You can't be held responsible for their debts, unless you co-signed a loan, added them to a credit card or otherwise took legal responsibility for their obligations.
Heed your parents' lessons and don't delay saving for your own retirement.
Do you have a healthy eater
How to Raise a Healthy Eater
By Lynn Schnurnberger, PARADE Magazine
We want our kids to eat right. Experts say they’ll do better in school and have more energy, brighter skin and shinier hair if they choose carrots over chips or lean meat over a greasy burger. Still, it’s not always easy. Arguments with recalcitrant tots who’d rather be playing with their mashed potatoes than eating them threaten to turn the dinner hour into a family food feud. But don’t give up. Here’s the skinny on how you can make eating healthy food more palatable.
Do As I Do: “Young children are like ducks: They do what their parents do,” says Harvard endocrinologist Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life program at Children’s Hospital Boston. If you eat junk food instead of fruits and vegetables, they will too. A University of Tennessee study reports that mothers usually refrain from offering babies foods they themselves dislike—so if you hate fava beans, chances are that your child has never tried them. Still, says Dr. Ludwig, it’s never too late to become a good role model.
Keep It Real: Explain to children that real foods—like fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, fish and meat—come from nature. Dr. Ludwig recommends that obese children keep food diaries, recording all of the sugary drinks and factory-processed junk foods they eat in a day. They’ll be astonished at how many they consume. Kids may moan, but they’ll get hungry and learn to replace cheese puffs with low-fat cheese.
Give Babies a Taste for Variety: Your baby is 4 to 6 months old, and the pediatrician says it’s time to augment her diet of breast milk or formula. You give her a first spoonful of pureed cereal—and she spits it out. “Persevere,” advises Penn State University’s Leann Birch, Ph.D., director of the Center for Childhood Obesity Research. Birch’s studies show that, though babies are born with a preference for sweets, daily exposure helps them accept initially rejected foods. There’s no reason why babies’ diets should be bland. As early as possible, children should begin discovering new tastes and textures. By the time they’re a year old, children in Latin American countries already are sampling moderately spicy foods.
Defuse a Potential Food Fight: If kids are refusing to eat their veggies, “Ask them to take one ‘ No-thank-you bite,’” says registered dietitian Elizabeth Ward. Be firm, but don’t make a big deal about it. Children may need 15 or 20 tries over the course of different meals. Still, older children, like babies, usually develop a taste for once-disliked foods too. Pair new foods with old favorites, and serve small portions (kids always can ask for more). Don’t try to introduce a new food when your child is cranky or overtired. Kids under age 5 will do better experimenting at lunch.
Think Out of the Box: Children need energy-boosting snacks. But beware of the calorie-laden after-school slice of pizza or the toddler treat of cookies and juice. Baylor College of Medicine behavioral nutritionist Tom Baranowski, Ph.D., says healthy snacks have to be accessible. A child is more likely to munch on carrots that are peeled, sliced and sitting next to a favorite dip on a reachable refrigerator shelf. A variety of dressings can make veggies more fun. Cut up oranges and apples, cube low-fat cheese, serve frozen grapes. Offer whole-wheat toast with a little peanut butter or yogurt.
Make Good Menu Choices: Americans today spend 18 times what we did on fast food just 30 years ago; the average teen eats fast food twice a week. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation recommends that you teach kids to pass or go lightly on mayo, sour cream and sauces when eating out. Choose grilled, baked or broiled (anything but fried or breaded) chicken over a burger; a salad or baked potato instead of onion rings or fries. Nix shakes and soda in favor of water or low-fat milk. Avoid the words “double meat” or “supersized.”
“De-Program Your Child,” says Dr. David Ludwig, who believes that TV might be the most insidious factor in children’s weight gain. There’s no nutritional value in being a couch potato. TV-obsessed kids miss out on exercise and are exposed to more than 10,000 food commercials a year—most of them for high-calorie, low-quality snacks that they later nag their parents to buy. In a Harvard study, Dr. Ludwig found that for each hour of television they watched, children consumed an additional 167 calories. Take TV sets out of the kitchen and bedrooms, avoid watching during dinner and limit every family member’s viewing—parents included—to two hours a day. If you can, set up a treadmill or stationary bike in front of the TV. Then get moving to create fun alternatives to sitting on the couch. Set up a game of Twister or some dance video games in the den. Go biking, jump rope or toss a ball around in the yard.
Beware of Becoming the Food Police: Banning a food completely can make forbidden fruits—or ice creams—all the more tantalizing. In a study of 5- to 7-year-old girls, those told that they couldn’t eat snacks were more likely to pig out on food than their peers. Elizabeth Ward suggests striking a balance. “If 90% of the time you eat from the food pyramid, 10% of your choices can be strictly for fun,” she says. The best idea is to go out for treats—that way you don’t have to argue over candy that a child knows is right there in the kitchen cabinet. And while you can make sure to stock only healthy foods in those kitchen cabinets, you cannot and should not try to control what your kids eat outside the house. Teenagers, especially, need freedom to make their own choices, and if you limit that freedom, they’ll rebel. The good news is that children who grow up in families that are serious about healthy eating often eat right as adults too. After all, you’ve given them good food for thought.
Courtesy of PARADE
By Lynn Schnurnberger, PARADE Magazine
We want our kids to eat right. Experts say they’ll do better in school and have more energy, brighter skin and shinier hair if they choose carrots over chips or lean meat over a greasy burger. Still, it’s not always easy. Arguments with recalcitrant tots who’d rather be playing with their mashed potatoes than eating them threaten to turn the dinner hour into a family food feud. But don’t give up. Here’s the skinny on how you can make eating healthy food more palatable.
Do As I Do: “Young children are like ducks: They do what their parents do,” says Harvard endocrinologist Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life program at Children’s Hospital Boston. If you eat junk food instead of fruits and vegetables, they will too. A University of Tennessee study reports that mothers usually refrain from offering babies foods they themselves dislike—so if you hate fava beans, chances are that your child has never tried them. Still, says Dr. Ludwig, it’s never too late to become a good role model.
Keep It Real: Explain to children that real foods—like fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, fish and meat—come from nature. Dr. Ludwig recommends that obese children keep food diaries, recording all of the sugary drinks and factory-processed junk foods they eat in a day. They’ll be astonished at how many they consume. Kids may moan, but they’ll get hungry and learn to replace cheese puffs with low-fat cheese.
Give Babies a Taste for Variety: Your baby is 4 to 6 months old, and the pediatrician says it’s time to augment her diet of breast milk or formula. You give her a first spoonful of pureed cereal—and she spits it out. “Persevere,” advises Penn State University’s Leann Birch, Ph.D., director of the Center for Childhood Obesity Research. Birch’s studies show that, though babies are born with a preference for sweets, daily exposure helps them accept initially rejected foods. There’s no reason why babies’ diets should be bland. As early as possible, children should begin discovering new tastes and textures. By the time they’re a year old, children in Latin American countries already are sampling moderately spicy foods.
Defuse a Potential Food Fight: If kids are refusing to eat their veggies, “Ask them to take one ‘ No-thank-you bite,’” says registered dietitian Elizabeth Ward. Be firm, but don’t make a big deal about it. Children may need 15 or 20 tries over the course of different meals. Still, older children, like babies, usually develop a taste for once-disliked foods too. Pair new foods with old favorites, and serve small portions (kids always can ask for more). Don’t try to introduce a new food when your child is cranky or overtired. Kids under age 5 will do better experimenting at lunch.
Think Out of the Box: Children need energy-boosting snacks. But beware of the calorie-laden after-school slice of pizza or the toddler treat of cookies and juice. Baylor College of Medicine behavioral nutritionist Tom Baranowski, Ph.D., says healthy snacks have to be accessible. A child is more likely to munch on carrots that are peeled, sliced and sitting next to a favorite dip on a reachable refrigerator shelf. A variety of dressings can make veggies more fun. Cut up oranges and apples, cube low-fat cheese, serve frozen grapes. Offer whole-wheat toast with a little peanut butter or yogurt.
Make Good Menu Choices: Americans today spend 18 times what we did on fast food just 30 years ago; the average teen eats fast food twice a week. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation recommends that you teach kids to pass or go lightly on mayo, sour cream and sauces when eating out. Choose grilled, baked or broiled (anything but fried or breaded) chicken over a burger; a salad or baked potato instead of onion rings or fries. Nix shakes and soda in favor of water or low-fat milk. Avoid the words “double meat” or “supersized.”
“De-Program Your Child,” says Dr. David Ludwig, who believes that TV might be the most insidious factor in children’s weight gain. There’s no nutritional value in being a couch potato. TV-obsessed kids miss out on exercise and are exposed to more than 10,000 food commercials a year—most of them for high-calorie, low-quality snacks that they later nag their parents to buy. In a Harvard study, Dr. Ludwig found that for each hour of television they watched, children consumed an additional 167 calories. Take TV sets out of the kitchen and bedrooms, avoid watching during dinner and limit every family member’s viewing—parents included—to two hours a day. If you can, set up a treadmill or stationary bike in front of the TV. Then get moving to create fun alternatives to sitting on the couch. Set up a game of Twister or some dance video games in the den. Go biking, jump rope or toss a ball around in the yard.
Beware of Becoming the Food Police: Banning a food completely can make forbidden fruits—or ice creams—all the more tantalizing. In a study of 5- to 7-year-old girls, those told that they couldn’t eat snacks were more likely to pig out on food than their peers. Elizabeth Ward suggests striking a balance. “If 90% of the time you eat from the food pyramid, 10% of your choices can be strictly for fun,” she says. The best idea is to go out for treats—that way you don’t have to argue over candy that a child knows is right there in the kitchen cabinet. And while you can make sure to stock only healthy foods in those kitchen cabinets, you cannot and should not try to control what your kids eat outside the house. Teenagers, especially, need freedom to make their own choices, and if you limit that freedom, they’ll rebel. The good news is that children who grow up in families that are serious about healthy eating often eat right as adults too. After all, you’ve given them good food for thought.
Courtesy of PARADE
Friday, November 2, 2007
How to earn respect
(Men's Health)
Pick up the tab. What? Buy respect? Of course not -- you earn it by showing it as you scoop up the bill. To your potential father-in-law: "Your daughter and I would like to treat you." On business: "Jim, it's the least I can do."
Try the sushi.
Never blunt the bad news.
Stay sober when no one would blame you for drinking.
Nail the toast.
Cook for 12.
Become what you told people you always wanted to be.
When some lemon- sucker asks, "Ugh, you actually like that book?" just reply -- with unwavering eye contact -- "Yes."
Say no when no's the answer. "We'll see," "I'll have to get back to you on that," and "I'm not 100 percent sure" are smoke screens for the person who's afraid to disappoint.
Become multilingual. Could be Spanish. Could be the secret language of the internal combustion engine.
Risk being hated for doing the right thing.
Show patience with those who can't do what you can.
Pick up the tab. What? Buy respect? Of course not -- you earn it by showing it as you scoop up the bill. To your potential father-in-law: "Your daughter and I would like to treat you." On business: "Jim, it's the least I can do."
Try the sushi.
Never blunt the bad news.
Stay sober when no one would blame you for drinking.
Nail the toast.
Cook for 12.
Become what you told people you always wanted to be.
When some lemon- sucker asks, "Ugh, you actually like that book?" just reply -- with unwavering eye contact -- "Yes."
Say no when no's the answer. "We'll see," "I'll have to get back to you on that," and "I'm not 100 percent sure" are smoke screens for the person who's afraid to disappoint.
Become multilingual. Could be Spanish. Could be the secret language of the internal combustion engine.
Risk being hated for doing the right thing.
Show patience with those who can't do what you can.
Beat holiday hangover debt
Four Tips to Help You Stay Out of Debt During the Holidays
Keeping a Lid on Christmas and Holiday Spending
Here are four simple steps to help you stay out of debt this holiday season and avoid that financial "holiday hangover."
Set spending limits--Look at your monthly budget and figure out how much you can realistically afford to set aside towards holiday gift giving, without going into debt. Your intentions may be good, but the reality is that most people have a depressing amount of debt after the holidays and are not able to pay it off in as timely a manner as they had hoped.
Make a list--Follow Santa's example. Make a list of all the people you need or want to buy gifts for, including small gifts for babysitters, teachers, newspaper deliverers, etc. These small gifts can add up and are often the cause of going over your gift budget. Include money you'll spend on Christmas cards, postage, holiday parties, decorations, holiday entertainment, etc.
Set a limit--Decide how much you will spend on each person on your gift list, then add everything up and make sure it doesn't exceed your overall spending limit. Try to allow a cushion for unexpected items or price fluctuations.
Decide where to shop--As important as deciding what you're going to buy is deciding where you're going to buy it. If you don't wait until the last minute, you'll have time to comparison shop. Prices fluctuate significantly from store to store and from one month to another. Stores start cutting prices 10 to 25% on holiday items like decorations, gifts, and winter clothing the week before Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November). As Christmas approaches, some items are marked down as much as 40% but selections are limited. You'll need to decide whether price or selection is more important to you and time your shopping accordingly.
Follow these simple steps and you'll avoid the nagging feeling that you've overspent on Christmas or other holiday gifts. You'll also avoid the struggle to pay off the credit card bills for months to come. Instead you'll feel in control and free of the dreaded financial "holiday hangover."
Keeping a Lid on Christmas and Holiday Spending
Here are four simple steps to help you stay out of debt this holiday season and avoid that financial "holiday hangover."
Set spending limits--Look at your monthly budget and figure out how much you can realistically afford to set aside towards holiday gift giving, without going into debt. Your intentions may be good, but the reality is that most people have a depressing amount of debt after the holidays and are not able to pay it off in as timely a manner as they had hoped.
Make a list--Follow Santa's example. Make a list of all the people you need or want to buy gifts for, including small gifts for babysitters, teachers, newspaper deliverers, etc. These small gifts can add up and are often the cause of going over your gift budget. Include money you'll spend on Christmas cards, postage, holiday parties, decorations, holiday entertainment, etc.
Set a limit--Decide how much you will spend on each person on your gift list, then add everything up and make sure it doesn't exceed your overall spending limit. Try to allow a cushion for unexpected items or price fluctuations.
Decide where to shop--As important as deciding what you're going to buy is deciding where you're going to buy it. If you don't wait until the last minute, you'll have time to comparison shop. Prices fluctuate significantly from store to store and from one month to another. Stores start cutting prices 10 to 25% on holiday items like decorations, gifts, and winter clothing the week before Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November). As Christmas approaches, some items are marked down as much as 40% but selections are limited. You'll need to decide whether price or selection is more important to you and time your shopping accordingly.
Follow these simple steps and you'll avoid the nagging feeling that you've overspent on Christmas or other holiday gifts. You'll also avoid the struggle to pay off the credit card bills for months to come. Instead you'll feel in control and free of the dreaded financial "holiday hangover."
Dads connect with daughters
A Letter to My Daughters is a father to daughter talk about life. It covers the issues and "life topics" that every teenage girl, young woman and adult women alike are currently facing, or will one day face in their lives. Keith Hudson shares the letters he has written to his three daughters covering essential life instruction and wisdom about some of the most powerful and provocative issues facing our young women today.
The book goes on sale today.
The book goes on sale today.
Proper tea etiquette
We have come a long way from the straight-laced Victorian tea times when tea etiquette was first established, but we can still set aside our fast paced lives for a little bit of gentility. So, lets brush up on our manners and spend a couple of hours (or longer) treating our self and friends to a proper tea.
Remember, no pinky extensions.
Remember, no pinky extensions.
Need some organization?
Every busy household needs just one item to keep it running like a well-oiled machine: a monthly calendar. Unfortunately, paper wall calendars generally have only have a tiny space in each date box, and once you've written on it, any change of plans will result in a scratched-out, incomprehensible errand list. Overscheduled moms need a monthly wall calendar with magnetic dry erase board. Its surface allows you to freely write and erase without any messy marker residue as you usher in each new month. And the calendar is magnetic, so you can tack notes and such to it. Now all of your family's activities will be neatly organized on a bright board that can be changed with the swipe of an eraser.
Women and hair loss
Are you losing your hair? Is your hair thinning? According to a multitude of advertisements -- you can have longer, thicker hair in just two weeks! The advertisements for treatment of balding, and hair loss in men are hard to miss. These ads might lead one to believe that hair loss is generally a men's issue.
However the fact is that as many as two-thirds of all women experience hair loss at some point. The role of estrogen in hair growth in humans is not clear. However both oral and topical estrogens are prescribed by physicians to treat hair loss in women -- although there are no controlled studies to support this use of estrogen. Always check with your doctor.
However the fact is that as many as two-thirds of all women experience hair loss at some point. The role of estrogen in hair growth in humans is not clear. However both oral and topical estrogens are prescribed by physicians to treat hair loss in women -- although there are no controlled studies to support this use of estrogen. Always check with your doctor.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Help for foster kids turning 18
By the end of this week, 15 former foster kids will be settling into their new Pembroke Pines homes. They're part of a program designed to be a safety net for youths who are forced to leave state foster care at age 18. Many aren't prepared for that transition, though. Studies show up to 40 percent of kids spend at least one night homeless within 18 months of leaving foster care. In this program, they can share a two-bedroom furnished duplex with another person for $350 a month. They receive a monthly stipend of a little more than $1,000 and are eligible for free tuition at a state college or university.
Don't fall down and go boom
Rates of fall injuries increased with age and were higher for women compared with men. The most common cause of fall injuries among older adults was slipping, tripping, or stumbling. Most fall injuries occurred inside or around the outside of the home. Studies have shown that injuries experienced as a result of falling may lead to a decrease in the ability to perform activities of daily living. Especially among older adults, falls increase disability, and those injured during a fall often do not return to their pre-fall level of physical functioning.
Find satisfaction at your job
From Elizabeth Scott, M.S.,
Your Guide to Stress Management.
Enjoy Your Job More—Or Know When It’s Time For A Change:
If you’re overstressed and at risk for job burnout, you may feel that a major life overhaul is necessary for you to be able to enjoy your job and avoid burnout. Before making major changes, this article can help you to better enjoy your situation with a few minor adjustments, and give you food for thought on whether major changes may be necessary. The following suggestions can help you increase job satisfaction:
Be Clear About Job Requirements:
It’s nearly impossible to do a good enough job at your work if you don’t know what the requirements are. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s difficult to know all of the requirements at a job when those in charge are poor communicators. Some bosses and supervisors are vague with expectations, assign new tasks with little advance notice, request new tasks without providing training, and inadvertently set workers up to fail in other ways. While you can’t prevent things like this from happening altogether, you can gain a clearer view of what you need to do and help your situation quite a bit with assertive communication skills. Learn to speak up for yourself in a respectful way and you’ll improve your work life and your relationship, and decrease your risk for burnout.
Find Rewards and Recognition:
We all need to feel recognized and rewarded for what we do. If your job doesn’t have built-in opportunities for recognition, or if rewards are infrequent, you may need to add rewards and recognition to your own life. You may decide to take yourself to a movie, have a home spa experience, buy yourself something nice, or give yourself other small but nurturing rewards when you complete a project or complete another month of hard work. You can also team up with a supportive friend and agree to listen to each other’s successes and provide support to one another if you don’t get that support and recognition from your job. These things can nurture you emotionally and remind you of the importance of the work you do, especially if you work in a job or field where these rewards are sparse.
Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle:
Keeping balance in your lifestyle is important; if it’s all work and no play, you may find your ability to work beginning to wane. In order to maintain balance in your lifestyle, the first step is to take an overview of your current lifestyle and see which areas are out of balance. Do you have enough time for relationships, hobbies, sleep, self care, exercise, healthy eating, and other important features of a healthy lifestyle, in addition to your work responsibilities? If not, the next step is to look at your priorities and make some changes so that your lifestyle reflects them better. (You can find tools for doing this at the end of this quiz, or with this free e-course.)
Think Positive:
You can usually change your experience of your current circumstances by changing your attitude about them. Developing an optimistic point of view and changing negative self talk patterns can go a long way toward helping you see the glass half-full, as well as actually making you more productive and less stressed! Assess your current state of mind, and make some changes in yourself so that you see things in a more positive light, and you may just find you’re much happier where you are in life!
Know Yourself and Work With Your Personality:
Certain features of your personality make some jobs a better fit for you than others. If you’re in a job that’s not well-suited for your personality, you may be putting yourself under unnecessary stress every day you go to work. The following are some good questions to ask yourself:
Do you like to work toward deadlines, or do you like your tasks to come in a relatively steady stream?
Do you like to work as part of a team, or independently?
Do you like things to be structured and routine, or loose and variable?
Do you enjoy being a ‘big fish in a small pond’, or would you like to be a ‘small fish in a big pond’? (Meaning, would you like to be a small part of a large company or a large part of a small company, or something else?)
Do you believe in what you do, and is it important to you that you do?
These questions and others can give you a better picture of what kind of work would be best for you. If you find you’re not in the type of position that’s ideal for you, you can see if you can make additional changes in your job’s structure to make it fit better with your needs, or you might think of what jobs might be better suited for you and see if working toward a change in jobs is a good idea for you.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Cure yourself of workaholism
(Men's Health)
Admit that you're powerless in the grip of your addiction to work: This is not easy. You have to fight the common perception that to work until you drop is an admirable quality. You need to realize that you're not really happy, sleep is difficult, and your life is not fun, before you can cope with your addiction.
Acknowledge there are things in life more important than work: If you find yourself missing things, wondering why the hell you're doing what you're doing, sitting in front of a laptop while everyone else is playing Whiffle ball, you may be ready to accept that you're leaving much of your life behind. And no matter how much money you make, you won't be issued a second life.
Accept that you can't control everything in the universe: Workaholics are pursuing a perfect solution to the problem of existence. That's why they try to control everything within their scope. It's like a whack-a-mole. Trust me, you won't run out of quarters.
Appeal to the higher power of your choice for assistance with your transformation: This is hard for career workaholics. You tell yourself you're "doing it for them" whoever "they" may be, but really, you're lonely, isolated and self-involved. You need to move outside yourself if you're going to break the cycle of addiction.
Replace work with other things that give you satisfaction: This may be the most difficult step of them all. Perhaps for workaholics, there is a sunrise out there that will be as wonderful to behold as the closing documents on a smart acquisition.
Workaholics Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from workaholism.
Admit that you're powerless in the grip of your addiction to work: This is not easy. You have to fight the common perception that to work until you drop is an admirable quality. You need to realize that you're not really happy, sleep is difficult, and your life is not fun, before you can cope with your addiction.
Acknowledge there are things in life more important than work: If you find yourself missing things, wondering why the hell you're doing what you're doing, sitting in front of a laptop while everyone else is playing Whiffle ball, you may be ready to accept that you're leaving much of your life behind. And no matter how much money you make, you won't be issued a second life.
Accept that you can't control everything in the universe: Workaholics are pursuing a perfect solution to the problem of existence. That's why they try to control everything within their scope. It's like a whack-a-mole. Trust me, you won't run out of quarters.
Appeal to the higher power of your choice for assistance with your transformation: This is hard for career workaholics. You tell yourself you're "doing it for them" whoever "they" may be, but really, you're lonely, isolated and self-involved. You need to move outside yourself if you're going to break the cycle of addiction.
Replace work with other things that give you satisfaction: This may be the most difficult step of them all. Perhaps for workaholics, there is a sunrise out there that will be as wonderful to behold as the closing documents on a smart acquisition.
Workaholics Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from workaholism.
Workplace etiquette book
New Rules @ Work: 79 Etiquette Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get Ahead and Stay Ahead
For anyone who's breaking in, moving up, or just trying to make a great professional impression, this essential guide offers real-life anecdotes and advice to help you build competence and confidence in the tricky arena of modern business etiquette. Includes:
- "Blunder Busters"-proven strategies to help you tackle anything from office dating to business lunches
- "Sir, your fly is unzipped!"-the art of verbal diplomacy
- Contemporary guidelines for goof-proof e-mail
- The top ten career killers and how to beat them
- Global gaffes: easy ways to avoid overseas embarrassment
- Grace under fire-surviving dining disasters, party faux-pas and everything in-between
About the Author
Barbara Pachter is a business communications consultant, speaker, and coach. She has conducted more than 1,600 skill-building seminars on assertiveness, business etiquette, and international communications.
For anyone who's breaking in, moving up, or just trying to make a great professional impression, this essential guide offers real-life anecdotes and advice to help you build competence and confidence in the tricky arena of modern business etiquette. Includes:
- "Blunder Busters"-proven strategies to help you tackle anything from office dating to business lunches
- "Sir, your fly is unzipped!"-the art of verbal diplomacy
- Contemporary guidelines for goof-proof e-mail
- The top ten career killers and how to beat them
- Global gaffes: easy ways to avoid overseas embarrassment
- Grace under fire-surviving dining disasters, party faux-pas and everything in-between
About the Author
Barbara Pachter is a business communications consultant, speaker, and coach. She has conducted more than 1,600 skill-building seminars on assertiveness, business etiquette, and international communications.
Teens exposure to sex and violence
Two-thirds of parents said they are very concerned about sex and violence the nation's children are exposed to in the media, and there would be broad support for new federal limits on such material on television, said a survey released Tuesday.
Have tea for your hips
New research suggests that having a cuppa (tea, that is) may help strengthen older women's hips. "Those who drank tea in the study had a higher bone density over the four years that they were studied," the study author said. "These women lost less bone than those who did not drink tea. More than three-quarters of the women drank tea daily, and they consumed on average about three cups per day." Outside experts called the findings intriguing but still preliminary. Fractures, especially hip fractures associated with osteoporosis, are a major source of disability in postmenopausal women.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Keep kids safe from predators on Halloween
It's been a long time since children were allowed to trick-or-treat by themselves or eat the candy they collected on Halloween before parents could inspect it.
But now police are asking parents to go one step further: check the online sex-offender registry before allowing their children out on Halloween night.
On Halloween night sex offenders are ordered by law to keep their porch light off. They can’t decorate, and they can’t answer the door. Probation officers in both counties will be checking on them.
But now police are asking parents to go one step further: check the online sex-offender registry before allowing their children out on Halloween night.
On Halloween night sex offenders are ordered by law to keep their porch light off. They can’t decorate, and they can’t answer the door. Probation officers in both counties will be checking on them.
How is women's health in the U.S.
The United States isn't making the grade when it comes to women's health, a new report contends. The report gives the country an overall grade of "unsatisfactory" because it meets only three of 27 benchmarks for women's health. Those benchmarks are the percentage of women aged 40 and over who get regular mammograms; the percentage of women who visit their dentist annually; and the percentage of women aged 50 and over who are screened for colorectal cancer. Not one state received an overall "satisfactory" grade in the area of women's health.
Local Halloween fun
Halloween fun!
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Here's a round-up of some of the events tied to Halloween for adults, teens and kids in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Here's a round-up of some of the events tied to Halloween for adults, teens and kids in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
Do not call list
Names will not be removed from the National Do Not Call List...yet.
A few weeks ago you may of heard that the list would expire, meaning you would have to re-register by June. But federal regulators changed their minds. The Federal Trade Commission will not remove any numbers while congress considers making the list permanent.
You can still add your number to the list if you would like to. The number is 1-888-382-1222.
A few weeks ago you may of heard that the list would expire, meaning you would have to re-register by June. But federal regulators changed their minds. The Federal Trade Commission will not remove any numbers while congress considers making the list permanent.
You can still add your number to the list if you would like to. The number is 1-888-382-1222.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Concierger pampers employees
Memorial Healthcare System's employees can get an oil change and their clothes dry-cleaned without leaving work. General Mills workers can skip traffic and long lines when they mail packages or get jewelry repaired. More an dmore companies are offering great work perks.
When guys put on the apron
THE AVERAGE MAN'S KITCHEN SKILLS
(Men's Health)
Number of men who believe their cooking skills are sound: 2 in 3
Number who say they have the Food Network to thank: 1 in 3
Number of men who cook to seduce women: 1 in 20
Number who buy cookware based on how they look rather than how they work: 1 in 5
Entree the average guy feels most confident preparing: Steak
Number of men who've started a fire in the kitchen: 1 in 4
Number who clean up in the kitchen as they cook: 1 in 2
Time the average guy spends at the supermarket each week: 30 minutes
Time he spends per day turning his groceries into greatness: 15 minutes
Percentage who are willing to pay more for organic ingredients: 23
Percentage who don't care how healthy the ingredients are as long as it makes a meal taste better: 46
Number of men who have successfully passed off takeout as something they slaved over: 1 in 14
Number of meals the average guy cooks each week: 7
Number of men who've had sex in the kitchen: 2 in 5
Percentage of men who've dropped food on the floor and served it: 36
(Men's Health)
Number of men who believe their cooking skills are sound: 2 in 3
Number who say they have the Food Network to thank: 1 in 3
Number of men who cook to seduce women: 1 in 20
Number who buy cookware based on how they look rather than how they work: 1 in 5
Entree the average guy feels most confident preparing: Steak
Number of men who've started a fire in the kitchen: 1 in 4
Number who clean up in the kitchen as they cook: 1 in 2
Time the average guy spends at the supermarket each week: 30 minutes
Time he spends per day turning his groceries into greatness: 15 minutes
Percentage who are willing to pay more for organic ingredients: 23
Percentage who don't care how healthy the ingredients are as long as it makes a meal taste better: 46
Number of men who have successfully passed off takeout as something they slaved over: 1 in 14
Number of meals the average guy cooks each week: 7
Number of men who've had sex in the kitchen: 2 in 5
Percentage of men who've dropped food on the floor and served it: 36
Teen Dating Tips
Dating is a natural part of the teen years. But it's important for both teenagers and parents to review some basic dating safety information. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these suggestions when talking to your teen:
Encourage your child to get to know someone over the phone or at school before going out on a date.
If your child wants to go out, make sure it's to a public place. Encourage fun and safe outings, like a picnic, a trip to the mall, or the movies.
Talk to your child about the importance of speaking up about what makes her comfortable and uncomfortable.
Make sure she -- and her date -- both understand what time she is to return home.
Be sure that your child tells you where she's going, who she'll be with, and how you can reach her.
Encourage your child to get to know someone over the phone or at school before going out on a date.
If your child wants to go out, make sure it's to a public place. Encourage fun and safe outings, like a picnic, a trip to the mall, or the movies.
Talk to your child about the importance of speaking up about what makes her comfortable and uncomfortable.
Make sure she -- and her date -- both understand what time she is to return home.
Be sure that your child tells you where she's going, who she'll be with, and how you can reach her.
Women and cancer
Sixty-three percent of American women think that if there's no family history of cancer, you're not likely to develop the disease, a new survey found. In fact, most people who develop cancer have no family history of cancer, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which sponsored the survey. The survey underscores the need for better education and understanding of the steps women can take to prevent cancer and to detect it early.
Halloween Safety Tips
A Happy Halloween Means Safety First
(HealthDay News)
Halloween costume? Check.
Goody bag? Check.
A head full of safety tips? Safety tips?
Yes, safety tips.
Before letting your little trick-or-treater loose this Halloween, make sure he or she is armed with a checklist of "dos" and "don'ts" that will make for a safe and fun-filled night for all.
Topping the list -- be sure your child can safely navigate the neighborhood, especially once darkness has settled.
An average of four deaths among children aged 5 to 14 years occurred on Halloween between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. every year from 1975 through 1996, compared to an average of one death during those hours on any other night of the year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The good news this year is that Daylight Savings Time doesn't end until Nov. 4, four days after Halloween, said Dr. Seema Csukas, director of child health promotion at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. That means more light this year than in years past. But children will still need supervision when they walk from house to house, she said.
"Any little bit of light that we can get on this night when so many children are out is a plus, but that doesn't take away from the need to be safe and careful," Csukas said. She also suggested that parents talk to their children a few days before Halloween, so everyone knows the rules ahead of time.
Her recommendations for parents and children:
Map out the trick-or-treating route beforehand.
Stick to familiar neighborhoods, and no darting between parked cars.
When crossing streets, stay on designated crosswalks.
Give children flashlights or glow sticks to carry for visibility, or attach reflective tape to costumes.
Approach houses from well-lit driveways and sidewalks, rather than dark lawns.
With so many children walking around in the dark on Halloween, families should clean up their yards -- rakes, bikes, garden hoses and the like should be put away, and outside lights should be turned on so kids won't fall. Drivers, too, should slow down and keep a careful eye on the road to avoid excitable children who might run into traffic without looking.
"Kids get excited, and adults do as well, and we want them all to enjoy the evening and enjoy it safely," Csukas said.
Costumes should also be assembled with an eye toward safety, Csukas said. Masks should have big eye holes to give kids as much peripheral vision as possible, and costumes should be short enough to allow walking without tripping. Shoes shouldn't be so big and unwieldy that kids can't walk properly.
Most store-bought costumes are made of flame-resistant material. But homemade costumes aren't necessarily flame-proof, so special care should be taken around pumpkins lit with candles. And stay away from sharp objects -- any make-believe swords, pitchforks, knives and the like should be made of soft material.
Then there are the treats themselves. Parents should check the candy bags when their kids get home. Parents whose children have food allergies should remove candies that could trigger reactions in their kids. And parents with younger children should look for small items that could cause choking if swallowed. Also, be cautious about homemade treats. Commercially wrapped candy bars that show no signs of tampering are safer.
Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis and president of the American Dietetic Association, said that when children have a bag full of Halloween treats, their natural inclination may be to devour as much as they can as quickly as possible. In order to control consumption, parents need to do some pre-planning, she said.
"Start ahead of time. The day before Halloween start talking to your kids about all the treats they are going to get. Talk about how fun it would be to divide up candy, so it can be enjoyed over several days," Diekman said in a prepared statement.
Dividing treats into small packages that can be eaten over an extended period of time prevents overindulging and gives children something to look forward to over the coming weeks.
Here are more safety tips, courtesy of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the U.S. National Safety Council (NSC), the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI):
Over-the-counter decorative contact lenses as part of a Halloween costume can lead to serious eye problems like inflammation, pain, corneal abrasions and even blinding infections, the AAO warns. To protect eyes, lenses should be fitted by an eye-care professional.
Make sure your child brushes his or her teeth after eating Halloween candy. Treats like sticky taffy and gummy bears are less likely to be washed away by saliva, and long-lasting lollipops and hard candies keep sugar and preservatives in a child's mouth, increasing the risk for cavities, according to the ADA.
If your child has allergies, the AAAAI suggests handing out allergy-safe candies to neighbors beforehand, so they can give them to your child when he or she comes trick-or-treating. Do the same for classroom Halloween parties by packing treats from home for your allergic child.
Peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk and soy are the most common causes of food allergies in children. Allergic symptoms include headache, nausea, sneezing and coughing, hives, swelling of lips, tongue and throat and itching. More dangerous symptoms can be difficulty breathing, hoarseness or a lump in the throat or tingling in hands, feet, lips or scalp. If your child exhibits any of these latter symptoms after eating, he or she could be having a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, and you should call 911 immediately, according to the AAAAI.
(HealthDay News)
Halloween costume? Check.
Goody bag? Check.
A head full of safety tips? Safety tips?
Yes, safety tips.
Before letting your little trick-or-treater loose this Halloween, make sure he or she is armed with a checklist of "dos" and "don'ts" that will make for a safe and fun-filled night for all.
Topping the list -- be sure your child can safely navigate the neighborhood, especially once darkness has settled.
An average of four deaths among children aged 5 to 14 years occurred on Halloween between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. every year from 1975 through 1996, compared to an average of one death during those hours on any other night of the year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The good news this year is that Daylight Savings Time doesn't end until Nov. 4, four days after Halloween, said Dr. Seema Csukas, director of child health promotion at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. That means more light this year than in years past. But children will still need supervision when they walk from house to house, she said.
"Any little bit of light that we can get on this night when so many children are out is a plus, but that doesn't take away from the need to be safe and careful," Csukas said. She also suggested that parents talk to their children a few days before Halloween, so everyone knows the rules ahead of time.
Her recommendations for parents and children:
Map out the trick-or-treating route beforehand.
Stick to familiar neighborhoods, and no darting between parked cars.
When crossing streets, stay on designated crosswalks.
Give children flashlights or glow sticks to carry for visibility, or attach reflective tape to costumes.
Approach houses from well-lit driveways and sidewalks, rather than dark lawns.
With so many children walking around in the dark on Halloween, families should clean up their yards -- rakes, bikes, garden hoses and the like should be put away, and outside lights should be turned on so kids won't fall. Drivers, too, should slow down and keep a careful eye on the road to avoid excitable children who might run into traffic without looking.
"Kids get excited, and adults do as well, and we want them all to enjoy the evening and enjoy it safely," Csukas said.
Costumes should also be assembled with an eye toward safety, Csukas said. Masks should have big eye holes to give kids as much peripheral vision as possible, and costumes should be short enough to allow walking without tripping. Shoes shouldn't be so big and unwieldy that kids can't walk properly.
Most store-bought costumes are made of flame-resistant material. But homemade costumes aren't necessarily flame-proof, so special care should be taken around pumpkins lit with candles. And stay away from sharp objects -- any make-believe swords, pitchforks, knives and the like should be made of soft material.
Then there are the treats themselves. Parents should check the candy bags when their kids get home. Parents whose children have food allergies should remove candies that could trigger reactions in their kids. And parents with younger children should look for small items that could cause choking if swallowed. Also, be cautious about homemade treats. Commercially wrapped candy bars that show no signs of tampering are safer.
Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis and president of the American Dietetic Association, said that when children have a bag full of Halloween treats, their natural inclination may be to devour as much as they can as quickly as possible. In order to control consumption, parents need to do some pre-planning, she said.
"Start ahead of time. The day before Halloween start talking to your kids about all the treats they are going to get. Talk about how fun it would be to divide up candy, so it can be enjoyed over several days," Diekman said in a prepared statement.
Dividing treats into small packages that can be eaten over an extended period of time prevents overindulging and gives children something to look forward to over the coming weeks.
Here are more safety tips, courtesy of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the U.S. National Safety Council (NSC), the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI):
Over-the-counter decorative contact lenses as part of a Halloween costume can lead to serious eye problems like inflammation, pain, corneal abrasions and even blinding infections, the AAO warns. To protect eyes, lenses should be fitted by an eye-care professional.
Make sure your child brushes his or her teeth after eating Halloween candy. Treats like sticky taffy and gummy bears are less likely to be washed away by saliva, and long-lasting lollipops and hard candies keep sugar and preservatives in a child's mouth, increasing the risk for cavities, according to the ADA.
If your child has allergies, the AAAAI suggests handing out allergy-safe candies to neighbors beforehand, so they can give them to your child when he or she comes trick-or-treating. Do the same for classroom Halloween parties by packing treats from home for your allergic child.
Peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk and soy are the most common causes of food allergies in children. Allergic symptoms include headache, nausea, sneezing and coughing, hives, swelling of lips, tongue and throat and itching. More dangerous symptoms can be difficulty breathing, hoarseness or a lump in the throat or tingling in hands, feet, lips or scalp. If your child exhibits any of these latter symptoms after eating, he or she could be having a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, and you should call 911 immediately, according to the AAAAI.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
What parents think about the internet now
A new study suggests parents have become more ambivalent about the Internet, with fewer of those surveyed considering it good for their children.
The Pew Internet and American Life Project says 59 percent of Americans with children ages 12 to 17 who were polled in 2006 consider the Internet a positive influence on their kids. That's down from 67 percent in 2004. Meanwhile, those who don't believe the Internet has had any effect one way or the other increased to 30 percent, up from 25. A senior research specialist at Pew says parents are not in a "honeymoon period" with the Internet anymore, adding they realize the Internet is something with good and bad things. More than 900 sets of U.S. parents and children were surveyed by phone in October and November of 2006.
The Pew Internet and American Life Project says 59 percent of Americans with children ages 12 to 17 who were polled in 2006 consider the Internet a positive influence on their kids. That's down from 67 percent in 2004. Meanwhile, those who don't believe the Internet has had any effect one way or the other increased to 30 percent, up from 25. A senior research specialist at Pew says parents are not in a "honeymoon period" with the Internet anymore, adding they realize the Internet is something with good and bad things. More than 900 sets of U.S. parents and children were surveyed by phone in October and November of 2006.
Got a super sarcastic teen?
Deal With Tweenage Attitude
Margery Rosen
Sometime between the ages of 8 and 10 (earlier if older siblings are around) your mostly sweet-tempered munchkin, the one who broke into a wide grin the second you walked in the room, will look you in the eye and sneer, "Why should I?" when you remind her, again, to pick up her clothes and hang them in the closet. Perhaps she'll lob a sarcastic "So what?" when you inform her that unless she does, she won't be going to her best friend's birthday party. Her rude outbursts are piercing and you can't help but wonder: isn't she old enough by now to know better?
Yes, she is -- but she also needs to test her preteen mojo. "The middle school years are a time of huge physical, emotional, and cognitive change," notes child and adolescent psychologist Richard Gallagher, Ph.D., director of the Parenting Institute at New York University's Child Study Center. Your child is trying to figure out who she is and how she feels about things. "One way to do that is by flexing her verbal muscles and challenging your authority," says Dr. Gallagher. "She's purposely pushing you away, letting you know she's her own boss." When she questions everything you do or say ("And your point is?"), or cuts you off mid-sentence with a sarcastic "Mom, I just told you that," she's also learning to assert her own needs and ideas. "Who better to do that with than someone who will always love her?" he adds.
The problem is, middle schoolers don't have the maturity to know when they've crossed the line. The pre-frontal cortex -- the area in the brain that affects reasoning, impulse control and the ability to recognize the consequences of their actions -- isn't fully formed until the late teens or early 20s. What's more, it's overshadowed by the highly reactive amygdala, which triggers the brains' automatic fight-or-flight reflex. "When this area fires up, a child may instantaneously interpret just about anything you do or say as hostile -- and react accordingly," explains Steven C. Atkins, associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Dartmouth Medical School.
Then, too, our society fosters this kind of behavior. "I call it the Bart Simpson affect," says Dr. Atkins, who is currently revamping the behavioral curriculum of a New Hampshire middle school to address issues of insolence. "We live in a racy, rude world. Kids listen to raunchy CD lyrics, read cruel posts on the Internet, and watch reality TV where the humor and drama is derived to a large extent from putting others down. And they witness the cynical, taunting comments of classmates at school." In the guise of being "cool," a child may adapt the tone of voice or verbal bullying of peers in order to fit in, explains Atkins, who is also coauthor of Because I Said So: Dealing with Family Squabbles. "His friends get away with it, so he figures, why not try it out?"
An Attitude Makeover
No one wants to raise a rude, bratty child. Yet what parents do, and don't do, causes insolence to escalate. "Parents are time-famined," says psychologist Michele Borba, Ed.D., author of Don't Give Me That Attitude. "We're overtired and overworked. We yearn for good times with our kids, without arguments." We let snarky comments pass, or pick those clothes off the floor and hang them up ourselves.
Plus, so much of our culture is geared toward a child's success -- in school, on the athletic field -- that building moral character gets short shrift. "No one gets a trophy being kind, helpful or generous," says Borba. In fact, she sees a strong uptick in mouthing off among preteen girls. "Parents are so focused on teaching their daughters to advocate for themselves, they fail to show them how to be assertive without being aggressive and disrespectful," she notes.
While the best defense against kid attitude is an early offense, it's never to late for a makeover. Most likely, you won't banish the back talk forever, but these tips will help you mitigate it -- as well as develop a thicker skin:
Figure out what's behind it. Sometimes an obnoxious attitude is a reaction to stress, disappointment, or even too little sleep. Middle schoolers are trying to prove themselves academically and socially, and it can be a challenge to keep negativity and cynicism at bay when they're emotionally depleted. If your child had a fight with a friend, or is doing poorly in school, a flippant, "so-what" tone may conceal fear or anxiety. If she hears you or a spouse speak rudely to others, she'll copy that behavior.
Target one attitude at a time. Do you bristle at his fresh mouth or sense of entitlement? Are you most offended by her barely-under-the-breath remarks or the way she rolls her eyes when you speak? While there may be several things you wish would disappear instantly, focus on one at a time.
Nurture the attitude you want to see. Once you've targeted the offensive attitude, zero in on what you'd like to see instead. For instance, an insensitive child needs to be caring and empathic; the non-compliant child can learn to be respectful and dependable; the demanding child should be considerate. "Don't try to do this alone," warns Borba. "Attitude change requires the cooperation of other family members, grandparents, caregivers, teachers and coaches. Get their input, so you can figure out whether she's acting impudently with everyone or just with you."
Stay cool. Like the schoolyard bully who hones in on the one kid he knows will cry, your child wants to see that he's ticking you off -- and he's probably quite good at it. That's why you need to plan ahead. "Pretend you're on Oprah," says Borba. "Memorize a short script so you can clearly but calmly respond to a child's hostility in the heat of the moment." Never lash back ("Don't you dare speak to me that way, young lady!"); she'll focus on your anger, not what you're saying, and before you know it you'll be embroiled in a power struggle. Instead, repeat your zero-tolerance policy and, if she continues, ignore her or walk out of the room. You can say, "When you're ready to speak respectfully, you can find me in the kitchen."
Draw your line in the sand. During a peaceful moment, patiently point out the attitudes you're concerned about. Make it clear that, while you understand her feelings and opinions, you won't tolerate her response. You could say: "I know you think I'm not being fair, but I won't be spoken to like that." Or: "That may be the way you talk to your friends, but it's never okay with me." Give her another chance to respond in a kinder, gentler way: "If you'd like me to help you, ask politely," or "You call me clueless and that hurts my feelings. Can you say it another way?" Dr. Atkins' mantra is: "You can be mad, but you can't be mean."
Follow through with consequences. If your child has slipped into the habit of being disrespectful, he really may not be aware of it or, in the heat of the moment, realize how wounding his words are. Still, Borba advises that you "flat out refuse to respond until he does." If it continues, ground him or take away privileges: no cell phone or X-Box, an early curfew, missing an important social event.
Notice the good times. "You'll need a thick skin to ignore infuriating comments, but the more you do, the quicker they'll stop," says Gallagher. When they do, let your child know you're proud of her. And hang in there: by the age of 14 or 15, the nice kid you used to know will come back.
Margery Rosen
Sometime between the ages of 8 and 10 (earlier if older siblings are around) your mostly sweet-tempered munchkin, the one who broke into a wide grin the second you walked in the room, will look you in the eye and sneer, "Why should I?" when you remind her, again, to pick up her clothes and hang them in the closet. Perhaps she'll lob a sarcastic "So what?" when you inform her that unless she does, she won't be going to her best friend's birthday party. Her rude outbursts are piercing and you can't help but wonder: isn't she old enough by now to know better?
Yes, she is -- but she also needs to test her preteen mojo. "The middle school years are a time of huge physical, emotional, and cognitive change," notes child and adolescent psychologist Richard Gallagher, Ph.D., director of the Parenting Institute at New York University's Child Study Center. Your child is trying to figure out who she is and how she feels about things. "One way to do that is by flexing her verbal muscles and challenging your authority," says Dr. Gallagher. "She's purposely pushing you away, letting you know she's her own boss." When she questions everything you do or say ("And your point is?"), or cuts you off mid-sentence with a sarcastic "Mom, I just told you that," she's also learning to assert her own needs and ideas. "Who better to do that with than someone who will always love her?" he adds.
The problem is, middle schoolers don't have the maturity to know when they've crossed the line. The pre-frontal cortex -- the area in the brain that affects reasoning, impulse control and the ability to recognize the consequences of their actions -- isn't fully formed until the late teens or early 20s. What's more, it's overshadowed by the highly reactive amygdala, which triggers the brains' automatic fight-or-flight reflex. "When this area fires up, a child may instantaneously interpret just about anything you do or say as hostile -- and react accordingly," explains Steven C. Atkins, associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Dartmouth Medical School.
Then, too, our society fosters this kind of behavior. "I call it the Bart Simpson affect," says Dr. Atkins, who is currently revamping the behavioral curriculum of a New Hampshire middle school to address issues of insolence. "We live in a racy, rude world. Kids listen to raunchy CD lyrics, read cruel posts on the Internet, and watch reality TV where the humor and drama is derived to a large extent from putting others down. And they witness the cynical, taunting comments of classmates at school." In the guise of being "cool," a child may adapt the tone of voice or verbal bullying of peers in order to fit in, explains Atkins, who is also coauthor of Because I Said So: Dealing with Family Squabbles. "His friends get away with it, so he figures, why not try it out?"
An Attitude Makeover
No one wants to raise a rude, bratty child. Yet what parents do, and don't do, causes insolence to escalate. "Parents are time-famined," says psychologist Michele Borba, Ed.D., author of Don't Give Me That Attitude. "We're overtired and overworked. We yearn for good times with our kids, without arguments." We let snarky comments pass, or pick those clothes off the floor and hang them up ourselves.
Plus, so much of our culture is geared toward a child's success -- in school, on the athletic field -- that building moral character gets short shrift. "No one gets a trophy being kind, helpful or generous," says Borba. In fact, she sees a strong uptick in mouthing off among preteen girls. "Parents are so focused on teaching their daughters to advocate for themselves, they fail to show them how to be assertive without being aggressive and disrespectful," she notes.
While the best defense against kid attitude is an early offense, it's never to late for a makeover. Most likely, you won't banish the back talk forever, but these tips will help you mitigate it -- as well as develop a thicker skin:
Figure out what's behind it. Sometimes an obnoxious attitude is a reaction to stress, disappointment, or even too little sleep. Middle schoolers are trying to prove themselves academically and socially, and it can be a challenge to keep negativity and cynicism at bay when they're emotionally depleted. If your child had a fight with a friend, or is doing poorly in school, a flippant, "so-what" tone may conceal fear or anxiety. If she hears you or a spouse speak rudely to others, she'll copy that behavior.
Target one attitude at a time. Do you bristle at his fresh mouth or sense of entitlement? Are you most offended by her barely-under-the-breath remarks or the way she rolls her eyes when you speak? While there may be several things you wish would disappear instantly, focus on one at a time.
Nurture the attitude you want to see. Once you've targeted the offensive attitude, zero in on what you'd like to see instead. For instance, an insensitive child needs to be caring and empathic; the non-compliant child can learn to be respectful and dependable; the demanding child should be considerate. "Don't try to do this alone," warns Borba. "Attitude change requires the cooperation of other family members, grandparents, caregivers, teachers and coaches. Get their input, so you can figure out whether she's acting impudently with everyone or just with you."
Stay cool. Like the schoolyard bully who hones in on the one kid he knows will cry, your child wants to see that he's ticking you off -- and he's probably quite good at it. That's why you need to plan ahead. "Pretend you're on Oprah," says Borba. "Memorize a short script so you can clearly but calmly respond to a child's hostility in the heat of the moment." Never lash back ("Don't you dare speak to me that way, young lady!"); she'll focus on your anger, not what you're saying, and before you know it you'll be embroiled in a power struggle. Instead, repeat your zero-tolerance policy and, if she continues, ignore her or walk out of the room. You can say, "When you're ready to speak respectfully, you can find me in the kitchen."
Draw your line in the sand. During a peaceful moment, patiently point out the attitudes you're concerned about. Make it clear that, while you understand her feelings and opinions, you won't tolerate her response. You could say: "I know you think I'm not being fair, but I won't be spoken to like that." Or: "That may be the way you talk to your friends, but it's never okay with me." Give her another chance to respond in a kinder, gentler way: "If you'd like me to help you, ask politely," or "You call me clueless and that hurts my feelings. Can you say it another way?" Dr. Atkins' mantra is: "You can be mad, but you can't be mean."
Follow through with consequences. If your child has slipped into the habit of being disrespectful, he really may not be aware of it or, in the heat of the moment, realize how wounding his words are. Still, Borba advises that you "flat out refuse to respond until he does." If it continues, ground him or take away privileges: no cell phone or X-Box, an early curfew, missing an important social event.
Notice the good times. "You'll need a thick skin to ignore infuriating comments, but the more you do, the quicker they'll stop," says Gallagher. When they do, let your child know you're proud of her. And hang in there: by the age of 14 or 15, the nice kid you used to know will come back.
Another reason for kids to trim down
Obese children and those at risk for obesity show early signs of heart disease -- similar to that seen in obese adults, U.S. researchers say.
"In the patients who are obese, the rate of motion of heart muscle changed," Dr. Angela Sharkey, an associate professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine and a pediatric cardiologist at St. Louis Children's Hospital, said in a prepared statement. "As a child's BMIA (body mass index for age) increases, we see alterations in both the relaxation and contraction phase of the heartbeat. Many of these changes that have been seen in adults were assumed to be from long-standing obesity, but it may be that these changes start much earlier in life than we thought."
About 19 percent of American children ages 6 to 11 and 17 percent of those ages 12 to 19 are overweight, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"In the patients who are obese, the rate of motion of heart muscle changed," Dr. Angela Sharkey, an associate professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine and a pediatric cardiologist at St. Louis Children's Hospital, said in a prepared statement. "As a child's BMIA (body mass index for age) increases, we see alterations in both the relaxation and contraction phase of the heartbeat. Many of these changes that have been seen in adults were assumed to be from long-standing obesity, but it may be that these changes start much earlier in life than we thought."
About 19 percent of American children ages 6 to 11 and 17 percent of those ages 12 to 19 are overweight, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That pain "down there"
The Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) at the National Institute's of Health (NIH), in partnership with other federal and non-federal partners, announced the launch of the "Vulvodynia Awareness Campaign." Vulvodynia, also referred to as "the pain down there" or "feminine pain," is chronic discomfort or pain of the vulva, which is the area around the outside of the vagina.
It is a persistent condition for which there is no apparent cause and no single effective treatment. Vulvodynia can have stressful effects on every day life and relationships. A lack of sufficient consumer and health care provider information may contribute to a delayed diagnosis and the ultimate long-term suffering of vulvodynia patients. Researchers estimate that as many as 18 percent of women will experience symptoms consistent with vulvodynia.
It is a persistent condition for which there is no apparent cause and no single effective treatment. Vulvodynia can have stressful effects on every day life and relationships. A lack of sufficient consumer and health care provider information may contribute to a delayed diagnosis and the ultimate long-term suffering of vulvodynia patients. Researchers estimate that as many as 18 percent of women will experience symptoms consistent with vulvodynia.
The Boat Show
Going to the boat show this weekend? The world's largest boat show opens today in South Florida! The 48th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs from today through Monday.
More than 2 billion dollars worth of marine merchandise is being shown off at six different locations across South Florida. From kayaks to super-yachts, you can browse, buy and learn what the marine industry is doing to go green.
Need details? Just click here.
More than 2 billion dollars worth of marine merchandise is being shown off at six different locations across South Florida. From kayaks to super-yachts, you can browse, buy and learn what the marine industry is doing to go green.
Need details? Just click here.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Take stress out of your office space
Want to live a healthier life? Start in your office! Here's some workplace intel, and what you need.
1. A well-placed monitor- the top of your computer screen should be at eye level, and about 18-20 inches away from you. And avoid the glare that can make you tired; do not put your computer in front of a window.
2. A calming color for the walls in your office; cooler hues like light blue or lavender are calming, and will help lower your stress level. Hang a picture of the ocean, the sky or a country field.
3. Soothing sounds- background noise, like the traffic outside, ringing phones, or the constant din of conversation can stress you and make you eat more. Try a fan for some white noise, or a sound machine or iPod to help block it out.
4. A neck-saving phone-get a headset to avoid neck and shoulder pain from cradling the phone between your shoulder and ear.
5. Last? A window, if you can- natural sunlight will help suppress the hormone melatonin, and increase the brain's levels of seratonin, a calming chemical, making you feel more alert, and less stressed!
1. A well-placed monitor- the top of your computer screen should be at eye level, and about 18-20 inches away from you. And avoid the glare that can make you tired; do not put your computer in front of a window.
2. A calming color for the walls in your office; cooler hues like light blue or lavender are calming, and will help lower your stress level. Hang a picture of the ocean, the sky or a country field.
3. Soothing sounds- background noise, like the traffic outside, ringing phones, or the constant din of conversation can stress you and make you eat more. Try a fan for some white noise, or a sound machine or iPod to help block it out.
4. A neck-saving phone-get a headset to avoid neck and shoulder pain from cradling the phone between your shoulder and ear.
5. Last? A window, if you can- natural sunlight will help suppress the hormone melatonin, and increase the brain's levels of seratonin, a calming chemical, making you feel more alert, and less stressed!
Save big on a tiny income
19 ways -– and counting -- to save when you make next to nothing.
(from MSN.com)
By MP Dunleavey
Editor's note: Join columnist MP Dunleavey and a group of women as they seek to strip away the myths around money, liberate themselves from debt and find financial sanity. Follow the ongoing quest of the Women in Red every other Wednesday in Dunleavey's column on MSN Money.
When I wrote an article describing how some of the Women in Red could save more, I got an earful from frustrated readers, many of whom don't earn as much as the women in the group.
"Let's deal with the real world," wrote one woman, who declined to give her name. "If I had that kind of income I could save easily. Try (saving) on the incomes of most of us working, single moms, which is more like $2,500 a month! Cut our expenses? How???"
Carrie Bowers, 29, of Colorado, added: "How would the average service worker go about saving for retirement, a child's education (or even (her) own in hopes of moving up in the world) on less than $18,000 a year? Some financial advice for the public-transit set would be appreciated more than you know."
With her dunce cap on, this writer decided to unearth smart savings strategies anyone can use, no matter how much they earn -- from real-life tips contributed by women on our blog, to the abundance of savings stories right here on MSN Money.
As you might expect with such a wealth of ideas, there are many ways to fire up your inner-savings goddess. Try one, try 'em all.
Spare change = big bucks
Stash a dollar in a jar every time you do the laundry, says blogger LBL.
Save all your $5 bills in a coffee can. (My husband and I do this so we have extra fun money.) Or save all your $20 bills in shoe box ("I saved for a trip to Europe this way," says Bowers, who earns $1,800 a month working in a cafe.)
Cash in your spare change. Many banks and credit unions will sort your change without charging a fee. Or, do it yourself: "We invested in a $30 coin sorter, which has paid for itself three times over," writes a reader who calls herself darcie1590.
Salt away all those little rebates, refunds and reimbursement checks.
Take free money. Now some institutions, like Bank of America and even PayPal, are offering what you might call "spare change" savings plans. Bank of America will round up any purchase you make and deposit the extra change in a savings account for you. For a limited time, they'll even match your spare change up to $250. If you use the PayPal debit card, they'll refund 1% of your purchase immediately, wrote Kit on the blog. Other cards may offer similar deals; don't let free cash pass you by (but beware of hidden fees).
Don't even think about it
Even if you love to save, it can be hard to sock away that cash -- unless you let Mother Technology do it for you. Nearly everyone on the blog -- and in the WIR -- has an automatic transfer set up from their checking to their savings.
You can do this anywhere you bank, but a number of readers favor ING Direct.
At 3.4%, ING pays a lot more interest than you can get on most no-minimum savings accounts.
Because the account is online -- and there's no direct ATM access -- you can't touch your savings without thinking about it.
Savers can set up multiple sub-accounts at no extra charge -- for different purposes (vacation, new roof, Sally's sweet 16).
To test-drive ING's basic savings plan, I set up an account in 15 minutes to have $25 a week taken out of checking and put into a little account I nicknamed "Happy Money." I'm richer already!
Play little money games
Create bank errors in your favor. "If I spend $2.16 on a coffee, I deduct $3 (in my check register)," writes AJ. "It really adds up." Several readers share AJ's strategy, including a blogger named Natalie, who even rounds down her paycheck. A $425 check would become $400 in the check register -- and the $25 is saved.
Make a fair trade. One reader swapped her cleaning skills for day-care time for her child; Beth of the WIR recently helped a neighbor build a fence in exchange for some pocket money; in exchange for some editing, a friend is going to organize my messy apartment. The swaps are endless -- and the savings can be huge. "You can get together with friends and have a clothes or furniture/house item swap," adds Nancy.
Switch from paper to plastic. A surprising number of women are mega-advocates of relying on credit cards as a way of controlling spending. Some get cash back or miles; some just feel handling cash is too risky. "I don't carry cash, I don't use cash," writes Chris. "This has helped to curb impulse spending, which equates to effective saving." Caveat: These responsible souls pay the card balance in full each month, often depositing the cash for purchases in advance. Ahem!
Divide and conquer. Divide the total amount of your car insurance (or other irregular expense) by 12 and sock away that amount each month so you don't get caught short. Lea says she won't blow her holiday budget this year because she's used this system to save each month for gifts.
Never pay full price
Buy non-perishables in bulk (i.e., cereals, rice, pastas, dried fruit and canned goods); bulk prices are much lower.
Share the savings. Bowers says one friend will buy toiletries and such at a warehouse store and divvy the spoils up with friends.
Buy generic instead of brand-name products. "I've stopped eating Cheerios in favor of Toasty-O's -- my paycheck loves me for it, and my tastebuds don't know the difference," writes Chada.
Research before you buy. Most readers say bargains can be found for any item if you put a little time into finding discount Web sites, clearance centers, warehouse outlets and the like.
"Look at the Pottery Barn catalog, shop at Goodwill," writes Chada again. "You'd be amazed at what you can turn into a masterpiece with a little paint and stain."
Fly cheap. Renee recommends mobissimo.com and itasoftware.com -- both travel search engines that comb the Web to find the lowest of the lowest possible prices.
Build it, grow it, make it, cook it yourself
A big way to save on a small income is to embrace DIY as your financial salvation. In addition to sewing, making gifts and homemade cards, cooking at home, and baking everything from scratch, here are some other creative ways to save:
"We've made lamps, a window seat, a bar, our headboard, a corner sofa and various tables and shelves," writes Kelly. "It's saved us a fortune."
"There is little that can't be cleaned with (a mix of) vinegar and baking soda," writes ylm23. "We use the mix throughout the kitchen, bathroom, dining room -- and have scrubbed pots and pans with it."
"Don't forget gardening as a money-saving venture," writes a green-thumbed reader. "One year, I fed the four of us and a neighbor for almost four months from a 10-by-15-foot garden."
More savings than space
I wish I could go on, but I'm running out of room.
For those of you interested in reading more (and more and MORE!) ways to save, please visit the Women in Red message board, where this topic has inspired the most incredible gold rush of ideas.
Log on, share the wealth, feel the love -- and give us some of your ideas, if they haven't been covered already. And remember the most powerful money-saving secret of all: You won't save until . . . you start saving.
(from MSN.com)
By MP Dunleavey
Editor's note: Join columnist MP Dunleavey and a group of women as they seek to strip away the myths around money, liberate themselves from debt and find financial sanity. Follow the ongoing quest of the Women in Red every other Wednesday in Dunleavey's column on MSN Money.
When I wrote an article describing how some of the Women in Red could save more, I got an earful from frustrated readers, many of whom don't earn as much as the women in the group.
"Let's deal with the real world," wrote one woman, who declined to give her name. "If I had that kind of income I could save easily. Try (saving) on the incomes of most of us working, single moms, which is more like $2,500 a month! Cut our expenses? How???"
Carrie Bowers, 29, of Colorado, added: "How would the average service worker go about saving for retirement, a child's education (or even (her) own in hopes of moving up in the world) on less than $18,000 a year? Some financial advice for the public-transit set would be appreciated more than you know."
With her dunce cap on, this writer decided to unearth smart savings strategies anyone can use, no matter how much they earn -- from real-life tips contributed by women on our blog, to the abundance of savings stories right here on MSN Money.
As you might expect with such a wealth of ideas, there are many ways to fire up your inner-savings goddess. Try one, try 'em all.
Spare change = big bucks
Stash a dollar in a jar every time you do the laundry, says blogger LBL.
Save all your $5 bills in a coffee can. (My husband and I do this so we have extra fun money.) Or save all your $20 bills in shoe box ("I saved for a trip to Europe this way," says Bowers, who earns $1,800 a month working in a cafe.)
Cash in your spare change. Many banks and credit unions will sort your change without charging a fee. Or, do it yourself: "We invested in a $30 coin sorter, which has paid for itself three times over," writes a reader who calls herself darcie1590.
Salt away all those little rebates, refunds and reimbursement checks.
Take free money. Now some institutions, like Bank of America and even PayPal, are offering what you might call "spare change" savings plans. Bank of America will round up any purchase you make and deposit the extra change in a savings account for you. For a limited time, they'll even match your spare change up to $250. If you use the PayPal debit card, they'll refund 1% of your purchase immediately, wrote Kit on the blog. Other cards may offer similar deals; don't let free cash pass you by (but beware of hidden fees).
Don't even think about it
Even if you love to save, it can be hard to sock away that cash -- unless you let Mother Technology do it for you. Nearly everyone on the blog -- and in the WIR -- has an automatic transfer set up from their checking to their savings.
You can do this anywhere you bank, but a number of readers favor ING Direct.
At 3.4%, ING pays a lot more interest than you can get on most no-minimum savings accounts.
Because the account is online -- and there's no direct ATM access -- you can't touch your savings without thinking about it.
Savers can set up multiple sub-accounts at no extra charge -- for different purposes (vacation, new roof, Sally's sweet 16).
To test-drive ING's basic savings plan, I set up an account in 15 minutes to have $25 a week taken out of checking and put into a little account I nicknamed "Happy Money." I'm richer already!
Play little money games
Create bank errors in your favor. "If I spend $2.16 on a coffee, I deduct $3 (in my check register)," writes AJ. "It really adds up." Several readers share AJ's strategy, including a blogger named Natalie, who even rounds down her paycheck. A $425 check would become $400 in the check register -- and the $25 is saved.
Make a fair trade. One reader swapped her cleaning skills for day-care time for her child; Beth of the WIR recently helped a neighbor build a fence in exchange for some pocket money; in exchange for some editing, a friend is going to organize my messy apartment. The swaps are endless -- and the savings can be huge. "You can get together with friends and have a clothes or furniture/house item swap," adds Nancy.
Switch from paper to plastic. A surprising number of women are mega-advocates of relying on credit cards as a way of controlling spending. Some get cash back or miles; some just feel handling cash is too risky. "I don't carry cash, I don't use cash," writes Chris. "This has helped to curb impulse spending, which equates to effective saving." Caveat: These responsible souls pay the card balance in full each month, often depositing the cash for purchases in advance. Ahem!
Divide and conquer. Divide the total amount of your car insurance (or other irregular expense) by 12 and sock away that amount each month so you don't get caught short. Lea says she won't blow her holiday budget this year because she's used this system to save each month for gifts.
Never pay full price
Buy non-perishables in bulk (i.e., cereals, rice, pastas, dried fruit and canned goods); bulk prices are much lower.
Share the savings. Bowers says one friend will buy toiletries and such at a warehouse store and divvy the spoils up with friends.
Buy generic instead of brand-name products. "I've stopped eating Cheerios in favor of Toasty-O's -- my paycheck loves me for it, and my tastebuds don't know the difference," writes Chada.
Research before you buy. Most readers say bargains can be found for any item if you put a little time into finding discount Web sites, clearance centers, warehouse outlets and the like.
"Look at the Pottery Barn catalog, shop at Goodwill," writes Chada again. "You'd be amazed at what you can turn into a masterpiece with a little paint and stain."
Fly cheap. Renee recommends mobissimo.com and itasoftware.com -- both travel search engines that comb the Web to find the lowest of the lowest possible prices.
Build it, grow it, make it, cook it yourself
A big way to save on a small income is to embrace DIY as your financial salvation. In addition to sewing, making gifts and homemade cards, cooking at home, and baking everything from scratch, here are some other creative ways to save:
"We've made lamps, a window seat, a bar, our headboard, a corner sofa and various tables and shelves," writes Kelly. "It's saved us a fortune."
"There is little that can't be cleaned with (a mix of) vinegar and baking soda," writes ylm23. "We use the mix throughout the kitchen, bathroom, dining room -- and have scrubbed pots and pans with it."
"Don't forget gardening as a money-saving venture," writes a green-thumbed reader. "One year, I fed the four of us and a neighbor for almost four months from a 10-by-15-foot garden."
More savings than space
I wish I could go on, but I'm running out of room.
For those of you interested in reading more (and more and MORE!) ways to save, please visit the Women in Red message board, where this topic has inspired the most incredible gold rush of ideas.
Log on, share the wealth, feel the love -- and give us some of your ideas, if they haven't been covered already. And remember the most powerful money-saving secret of all: You won't save until . . . you start saving.
Burn more fat during workouts
Would you like to burn more fat during your next workout?
Then take a break! Japanese researchers have discovered that taking a rest in the middle of your workout; for example, exercising for 15 minutes, taking a 10 minute break, then exercising for another 15, actually burns more fat than powering straight through.
Just don't make it a break to grab a cookie!
Then take a break! Japanese researchers have discovered that taking a rest in the middle of your workout; for example, exercising for 15 minutes, taking a 10 minute break, then exercising for another 15, actually burns more fat than powering straight through.
Just don't make it a break to grab a cookie!
Buckle down and be rewarded, kids!
Miami sixth graders with good grades, behavior and attendance records will be rewarded with laptop computers in a new program starting this month.
The Elevate Miami initiative is part of an education plan from the city of Miami and the Miami-Dade school district to infuse culture, life skills and technology into the traditional curriculum. Also under the program, third-graders will earn museum passes and tickets to cultural events. Eleventh-graders will have the opportunity to intern with top Miami employers. The program only applies to students living within Miami city limits, though school district officials say it may soon be introduced elsewhere in Miami-Dade County.
The Elevate Miami initiative is part of an education plan from the city of Miami and the Miami-Dade school district to infuse culture, life skills and technology into the traditional curriculum. Also under the program, third-graders will earn museum passes and tickets to cultural events. Eleventh-graders will have the opportunity to intern with top Miami employers. The program only applies to students living within Miami city limits, though school district officials say it may soon be introduced elsewhere in Miami-Dade County.
More weight means more risk for breast cancer
Putting on weight throughout adulthood can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer in middle age, according to new research.
Obesity was already known to be associated with post-menopausal breast cancer. But new findings link the risk of developing the disease after the menopause with weight gain from the age of 18. The pattern was seen in women who did not take hormone replacement therapy, which is known to increase the risk. Women who were not overweight or obese at 18, but were by the ages of 35 and 50, had a 1.4 times increased risk of developing breast cancer. Losing weight appeared to protect against the disease. Women who lost weight had the same risk as those whose weight remained stable.
Obesity was already known to be associated with post-menopausal breast cancer. But new findings link the risk of developing the disease after the menopause with weight gain from the age of 18. The pattern was seen in women who did not take hormone replacement therapy, which is known to increase the risk. Women who were not overweight or obese at 18, but were by the ages of 35 and 50, had a 1.4 times increased risk of developing breast cancer. Losing weight appeared to protect against the disease. Women who lost weight had the same risk as those whose weight remained stable.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Pumpkin patterns
From easy to super scary pumpkin patterns. Make your jack-o-lantern special with the latest patterns.
Parenting tips
How can I be a good parent?
There's not just one right way to raise children. And there's no such thing as a perfect parent--or a perfect child. But here are some guidelines to help your children grow up healthy and happy:
Show your love. Every day, tell your children: "I love you. You're special to me." Give lots of hugs and kisses.
Listen when your children talk. Listening to your children tells them that you think they're important and that you're interested in what they have to say.
Make your children feel safe. Comfort them when they're scared. Show them you've taken steps to protect them.
Provide order in their lives. Keep a regular schedule of meals, naps and bedtimes.
If you have to change the schedule, tell them about the changes ahead of time.
Praise your children. When your children learn something new or behave well, tell them you're proud of them.
Criticize the behavior, not the child. When your child makes a mistake, don't say, "You were bad." Instead, explain what the child did wrong. For example, say: "Running into the street without looking isn't safe." Then tell the child what to do instead: "First, look both ways for cars."
Be consistent. Your rules don't have to be the same ones other parents have, but they do need to be clear and consistent. (Consistent means the rules are the same all the time.) If two parents are raising a child, both need to use the same rules.
Also, make sure baby sitters and relatives know, and follow, your family rules.
Spend time with your children. Do things together, like reading, walking, playing and cleaning house. What children want most is your attention. Bad behavior is usually their way of getting your attention.
Who can I ask when I need help raising my child?
There are many ways to get good parenting advice. Sign up for parenting classes offered by hospitals, community centers or schools. Read parenting books or magazines. Talk to your family doctor, a minister, a priest or a counselor.
You can also ask your family doctor for parenting help. Don't be embarrassed to ask. Raising children is hard, and no one can do it alone. Your doctor can help you with issues like discipline, potty training, eating problems and bedtime. Your doctor can also help you find local groups that can help you learn better parenting skills.
There's not just one right way to raise children. And there's no such thing as a perfect parent--or a perfect child. But here are some guidelines to help your children grow up healthy and happy:
Show your love. Every day, tell your children: "I love you. You're special to me." Give lots of hugs and kisses.
Listen when your children talk. Listening to your children tells them that you think they're important and that you're interested in what they have to say.
Make your children feel safe. Comfort them when they're scared. Show them you've taken steps to protect them.
Provide order in their lives. Keep a regular schedule of meals, naps and bedtimes.
If you have to change the schedule, tell them about the changes ahead of time.
Praise your children. When your children learn something new or behave well, tell them you're proud of them.
Criticize the behavior, not the child. When your child makes a mistake, don't say, "You were bad." Instead, explain what the child did wrong. For example, say: "Running into the street without looking isn't safe." Then tell the child what to do instead: "First, look both ways for cars."
Be consistent. Your rules don't have to be the same ones other parents have, but they do need to be clear and consistent. (Consistent means the rules are the same all the time.) If two parents are raising a child, both need to use the same rules.
Also, make sure baby sitters and relatives know, and follow, your family rules.
Spend time with your children. Do things together, like reading, walking, playing and cleaning house. What children want most is your attention. Bad behavior is usually their way of getting your attention.
Who can I ask when I need help raising my child?
There are many ways to get good parenting advice. Sign up for parenting classes offered by hospitals, community centers or schools. Read parenting books or magazines. Talk to your family doctor, a minister, a priest or a counselor.
You can also ask your family doctor for parenting help. Don't be embarrassed to ask. Raising children is hard, and no one can do it alone. Your doctor can help you with issues like discipline, potty training, eating problems and bedtime. Your doctor can also help you find local groups that can help you learn better parenting skills.
Is it always women and children first?
If a flu pandemic broke out who would be taken care of first?
Pregnant women, babies and young children would be at the front of the line to get a scarce vaccine if a flu pandemic breaks out, according to a plan drafted by the government.
Doctors, soldiers and emergency workers would also be at the head of the line.
At the end? The elderly and healthy young adults.
Pregnant women, babies and young children would be at the front of the line to get a scarce vaccine if a flu pandemic breaks out, according to a plan drafted by the government.
Doctors, soldiers and emergency workers would also be at the head of the line.
At the end? The elderly and healthy young adults.
Breast cancer mastectomies study
The number of women having both breasts removed after a tumor is found in one increased by 150 percent over a five-year period, researchers reported Monday.
The procedure, however, is being performed despite a lack of evidence showing that double mastectomies increase survival in most women.
Current guidelines for treatment of a localized breast cancer call only for removal of the tumor and not for a mastectomy — much less a double mastectomy.
But an increasing number of women, particularly young white women, are pushing for the more aggressive procedure for reasons that are not totally clear, the researchers said.
They surmised that some women think the health-care system did not detect their tumor early enough and that continued screening would not be effective, while others might have been traumatized by chemotherapy. Improvements in reconstructive surgery also have made a double mastectomy a more acceptable alternative.
The procedure, however, is being performed despite a lack of evidence showing that double mastectomies increase survival in most women.
Current guidelines for treatment of a localized breast cancer call only for removal of the tumor and not for a mastectomy — much less a double mastectomy.
But an increasing number of women, particularly young white women, are pushing for the more aggressive procedure for reasons that are not totally clear, the researchers said.
They surmised that some women think the health-care system did not detect their tumor early enough and that continued screening would not be effective, while others might have been traumatized by chemotherapy. Improvements in reconstructive surgery also have made a double mastectomy a more acceptable alternative.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Laughing all the way through old age
Mike Slosberg is not giving in to old age. He's fighting back -- with poetry. The ancient Japanese kind, of course, called Haiku. His book called Pimp My Walker: The Official Book of Old Age Haiku is brimming with 60 poems. So how , you ask, can a poem fight arthritis or bring back memory? Well, actually it can't -- but the ones Slosberg pulled together are packed with humor and have turned old age into an art form. Check these out:
I can remember / When sex was better than food/ Now vice is versa
Grandkids are a joy / Play a while, and hand them back / Just like a Hertz car
High school reunion / Everyone looks so ancient / Except for yours truly
Mike Slosberg is no slacker, though graying on top himself. He's written two novels and a book of cartoons which he wrote and illustrated himself. He's currently working on a third novel, a children's book, a play and, believe it or not, a time machine... really!
Jeff Martin shared this one with me:
I'm Fine, Thank YOU
There is nothing the matter with me.
I'm as healthy as I can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak, and my blood is thin
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
Arch supports I have for my feet
Or I wouldn't be able to be on the street.
Sleep is denied me night after night,
But every morning I find I'm all right.
My memory is failing, my head's in a spin
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
The moral is this, as my tale I unfold,
That for you and me who are growing old,
It's better to say "I'm fine" with a grin
Than to let folks know the shape we are in.
How do I know that my youth is all spent?
Well, my "get up and go" just got up and went.
But I really don't mind when I think with a grin
Of all the grand places my "get up" has been.
Old age is golden, I've heard it said;
But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed
With my ears in the drawer my teeth in a cup,
My eyes on the table until I wake up.
Ere sleep overtakes me, I say to myself,
"Is there anything else I could lay on the shelf?"
When I was young my slippers were red,
I could kick my heels over my head
When I was older my slippers were blue,
But I still could dance the whole night through.
Now I am old, my slippers are black,
I walk to the store and puff my way back.
I get up each morning and dust off my wits
And pick up the paper and read the obits.
If my name is still missing, I know I'm not dead
So I fix me some breakfast and go back to bed.
Author Unknown
I can remember / When sex was better than food/ Now vice is versa
Grandkids are a joy / Play a while, and hand them back / Just like a Hertz car
High school reunion / Everyone looks so ancient / Except for yours truly
Mike Slosberg is no slacker, though graying on top himself. He's written two novels and a book of cartoons which he wrote and illustrated himself. He's currently working on a third novel, a children's book, a play and, believe it or not, a time machine... really!
Jeff Martin shared this one with me:
I'm Fine, Thank YOU
There is nothing the matter with me.
I'm as healthy as I can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak, and my blood is thin
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
Arch supports I have for my feet
Or I wouldn't be able to be on the street.
Sleep is denied me night after night,
But every morning I find I'm all right.
My memory is failing, my head's in a spin
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
The moral is this, as my tale I unfold,
That for you and me who are growing old,
It's better to say "I'm fine" with a grin
Than to let folks know the shape we are in.
How do I know that my youth is all spent?
Well, my "get up and go" just got up and went.
But I really don't mind when I think with a grin
Of all the grand places my "get up" has been.
Old age is golden, I've heard it said;
But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed
With my ears in the drawer my teeth in a cup,
My eyes on the table until I wake up.
Ere sleep overtakes me, I say to myself,
"Is there anything else I could lay on the shelf?"
When I was young my slippers were red,
I could kick my heels over my head
When I was older my slippers were blue,
But I still could dance the whole night through.
Now I am old, my slippers are black,
I walk to the store and puff my way back.
I get up each morning and dust off my wits
And pick up the paper and read the obits.
If my name is still missing, I know I'm not dead
So I fix me some breakfast and go back to bed.
Author Unknown
Swearing at work good for morale? @$#!%
A new study found that regular swearing at work can help boost team spirit and morale among employees, allowing them to better express their feelings and develop social relationships.
The researchers said the key for managers is knowing when such language is appropriate and when it's not. For instance, swearing in front of senior staff or customers should be a no-no, while in other situations it helped build solidarity among workers and allowed them express frustration, stress or other feelings.
The researchers said the key for managers is knowing when such language is appropriate and when it's not. For instance, swearing in front of senior staff or customers should be a no-no, while in other situations it helped build solidarity among workers and allowed them express frustration, stress or other feelings.
Cube Monkeys: A handbook for surviing the office jungle
Boss-to-English Translator: What your boss says and what he really means
Do you ever feel a trip to your boss's office is like a trip to a foreign country? Nice view, but no speaka dee English? In order to ensure that none of the buck passing, put- downing, or one- upping is lost in translation, make sure to bring along this cheat sheet so you know what the big enchilada is really trying to say.
"Great job on the report!"
Translation: "I'm taking credit for your work."
"I have to attend an off-site meeting."
Translation: "I'm having an affair."
"Let me give you some broadstroke ideas and you can fill in the rest."
Translation: "I still haven't learned how to create an Excel document."
"Headquarters has assured me we will not be affected by the merger."
Translation: "You are going to be fired."
"I'm not sure if what you are suggesting is in alignment with our core competencies."
Translation: "What exactly do we do again?"
"I'll be out of the office for a couple hours with senior management, but you can reach me on my mobile."
Translation: "I'm playing golf."
"I'll be off-site and unreachable for the rest of the afternoon."
Translation: "I'm playing golf and I expect to be very, very drunk."
"It's good to see you take such bold initiative!"
Translation: "You are a threat to me. You will be fired the next time we so much as run out of coffee."
Do you ever feel a trip to your boss's office is like a trip to a foreign country? Nice view, but no speaka dee English? In order to ensure that none of the buck passing, put- downing, or one- upping is lost in translation, make sure to bring along this cheat sheet so you know what the big enchilada is really trying to say.
"Great job on the report!"
Translation: "I'm taking credit for your work."
"I have to attend an off-site meeting."
Translation: "I'm having an affair."
"Let me give you some broadstroke ideas and you can fill in the rest."
Translation: "I still haven't learned how to create an Excel document."
"Headquarters has assured me we will not be affected by the merger."
Translation: "You are going to be fired."
"I'm not sure if what you are suggesting is in alignment with our core competencies."
Translation: "What exactly do we do again?"
"I'll be out of the office for a couple hours with senior management, but you can reach me on my mobile."
Translation: "I'm playing golf."
"I'll be off-site and unreachable for the rest of the afternoon."
Translation: "I'm playing golf and I expect to be very, very drunk."
"It's good to see you take such bold initiative!"
Translation: "You are a threat to me. You will be fired the next time we so much as run out of coffee."
Meningitis vaccine for little ones
The approved age range for the bacterial meningitis vaccine Menactra has been expanded to include children ages 2 to 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said last week.
The vaccine had been approved for people ages 11 to 55. Previously, a product called Menomune was the only meningitis vaccine approved in the U.S. for use in children ages 2 and older. Both Menactra and Menomune are made by Sanofi Pasteur Inc. and offer protection against four groups of the bacterium that can cause meningitis. In the United States, about 2,600 people become ill from bacterial meningitis each year. About 10 percent of those patients die and about 15 percent suffer brain damage or limb amputation.
The vaccine had been approved for people ages 11 to 55. Previously, a product called Menomune was the only meningitis vaccine approved in the U.S. for use in children ages 2 and older. Both Menactra and Menomune are made by Sanofi Pasteur Inc. and offer protection against four groups of the bacterium that can cause meningitis. In the United States, about 2,600 people become ill from bacterial meningitis each year. About 10 percent of those patients die and about 15 percent suffer brain damage or limb amputation.
A new chemo drug for breast cancer
A new chemotherapy drug called Ixempra has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to treat women with advanced breast cancer who haven't responded to three other types of chemotherapy.
Ixempra, which belongs to a new class of drugs called epothilones, is designed to stop the growth of cancer cells. It does this by targeting a protein called tubulin that helps cells proliferate, the Wall Street Journal reported. Bristol-Myers also is studying the use of Ixempra to treat earlier-stage breast cancer, as well as ovarian, prostate, renal, pancreatic and non small cell lung cancers.
Ixempra, which belongs to a new class of drugs called epothilones, is designed to stop the growth of cancer cells. It does this by targeting a protein called tubulin that helps cells proliferate, the Wall Street Journal reported. Bristol-Myers also is studying the use of Ixempra to treat earlier-stage breast cancer, as well as ovarian, prostate, renal, pancreatic and non small cell lung cancers.
Friday, October 19, 2007
College kids can stay fit
The Dorm Room Diet Disaster
Late night study binges, sports events with endless junk food, more sitting than ever before... there's little wonder why college kids gain weight. And so Daphne Oz, now a junior at Princeton University, wrote The Dorm Room Diet Planner, an illustrated planner to help readers follow their own healthy diet and lifestyle and a follow-up to her first book called The Dorm Room Diet.
This planner is jam-packed with tips, checklists and sidebars on topics such as:
shopping for food on a college budget
game plans to help avoid disaster
tips on choosing vitamins and supplements
exercise and how it reduces stress
danger zones at school (like the cafeteria)- and how to avoid them
When in high school, Daphne successfully worked to change her school's lunch menu from processed cafeteria food to include whole grains and raw foods. She's the daughter of Lisa and Dr. Mehmet Oz, co-author of the bestsellers You: The Owner's Manual, You: The Smart Patient, and You: On A Diet.
Late night study binges, sports events with endless junk food, more sitting than ever before... there's little wonder why college kids gain weight. And so Daphne Oz, now a junior at Princeton University, wrote The Dorm Room Diet Planner, an illustrated planner to help readers follow their own healthy diet and lifestyle and a follow-up to her first book called The Dorm Room Diet.
This planner is jam-packed with tips, checklists and sidebars on topics such as:
shopping for food on a college budget
game plans to help avoid disaster
tips on choosing vitamins and supplements
exercise and how it reduces stress
danger zones at school (like the cafeteria)- and how to avoid them
When in high school, Daphne successfully worked to change her school's lunch menu from processed cafeteria food to include whole grains and raw foods. She's the daughter of Lisa and Dr. Mehmet Oz, co-author of the bestsellers You: The Owner's Manual, You: The Smart Patient, and You: On A Diet.
Dating During The Playoffs
HOW TO DATE DURING THE PLAYOFFS
(MSN.com)
ADVICE FOR THE GUYS:
Use travel days. Maybe Wednesday isn't usually a big date night, but if it's an off day for the series, you could win lots of brownie points. "I'm a rabid Red Sox fan," admits Tony Caputo of Bellevue, Washington. "But I've never dated one. So to make up for missing 'date nights' because of a game, I plan dinner at the best restaurant in town or something she really likes that I don't. It's a way of showing her that I do still care -- and that I appreciate her understanding about my sports addiction. It seems to work."
Help her learn the game. "Nothing's worse than watching the game with your girlfriend and having her ask stupid questions," says Cardinals fan Paul Garrison of St. Louis, Missouri. "I teach her a little about the game. You know, the difference between strikes and balls. What the catcher's signals are about. Small stuff. It'll help both of you enjoy the game more."
Buy her a little present. Everyone likes a gift... why not have it be baseball-related? "There are fun things like lingerie for women in baseball logo lines now," says Paula Duffy, founder of Incidental Contact, a sports learning site for women. That will get her in the mood for... a lot of things.
Plan a romantic movie night. Make some hot dogs, get some good beer, and rent some movies that give her the right idea about baseball, suggests Kevin Magon of San Luis Obispo, California. "Watch the movie Fever Pitch with Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon." Or Bull Durham. These movies have great baseball action and a touch of romance to keep both of you interested.
ADVICE FOR THE GIRLS:
Watch your mouth. "Make comments about the players' attractiveness sparingly," advises lifelong Dodgers fan Charles Small of Washington, D.C. "You have to realize that you are kind of in a frat-boy environment where the last thing on a guy's mind is whether Derek Jeter is cute or not. And root against your boyfriend's team if and only if you are OK with being heckled and if you are actually a real fan of the team."
Know the score. "The one stat that is critical to know is how many games out of playoff contention is your guy's team as you move into playoff season," Duffy says. "Why? Because it's all about winning, and to win the World Series you have to be in the playoffs."
Figure out the keys to the game. Search any of the network or sports Web sites for the latest information and analysis. "Learn the roster of your sweetie's favorite team and share some obscure fact, which will amuse and even impress the guy," suggests Jeff Louderback, founder and editor of Sox and Pinstripes (www.soxandpinstripes.com), a blog/Web site dedicated to the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry. "If my girlfriend told me something like, 'I really think that Jason Varitek is the catalyst for the Sox's success because his leadership and ability to call a game outweigh his batting average,' I would be impressed and turned on!"
Get in uniform. Show you care by sporting some team apparel. "A hat is good as long as it isn't a pastel color," Duffy counsels. "A tee shirt, tank top or something else particularly feminine will get you the hard stares, especially at a game or a sports bar. He might stop sipping his beer for a moment... who knows?"
(MSN.com)
ADVICE FOR THE GUYS:
Use travel days. Maybe Wednesday isn't usually a big date night, but if it's an off day for the series, you could win lots of brownie points. "I'm a rabid Red Sox fan," admits Tony Caputo of Bellevue, Washington. "But I've never dated one. So to make up for missing 'date nights' because of a game, I plan dinner at the best restaurant in town or something she really likes that I don't. It's a way of showing her that I do still care -- and that I appreciate her understanding about my sports addiction. It seems to work."
Help her learn the game. "Nothing's worse than watching the game with your girlfriend and having her ask stupid questions," says Cardinals fan Paul Garrison of St. Louis, Missouri. "I teach her a little about the game. You know, the difference between strikes and balls. What the catcher's signals are about. Small stuff. It'll help both of you enjoy the game more."
Buy her a little present. Everyone likes a gift... why not have it be baseball-related? "There are fun things like lingerie for women in baseball logo lines now," says Paula Duffy, founder of Incidental Contact, a sports learning site for women. That will get her in the mood for... a lot of things.
Plan a romantic movie night. Make some hot dogs, get some good beer, and rent some movies that give her the right idea about baseball, suggests Kevin Magon of San Luis Obispo, California. "Watch the movie Fever Pitch with Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon." Or Bull Durham. These movies have great baseball action and a touch of romance to keep both of you interested.
ADVICE FOR THE GIRLS:
Watch your mouth. "Make comments about the players' attractiveness sparingly," advises lifelong Dodgers fan Charles Small of Washington, D.C. "You have to realize that you are kind of in a frat-boy environment where the last thing on a guy's mind is whether Derek Jeter is cute or not. And root against your boyfriend's team if and only if you are OK with being heckled and if you are actually a real fan of the team."
Know the score. "The one stat that is critical to know is how many games out of playoff contention is your guy's team as you move into playoff season," Duffy says. "Why? Because it's all about winning, and to win the World Series you have to be in the playoffs."
Figure out the keys to the game. Search any of the network or sports Web sites for the latest information and analysis. "Learn the roster of your sweetie's favorite team and share some obscure fact, which will amuse and even impress the guy," suggests Jeff Louderback, founder and editor of Sox and Pinstripes (www.soxandpinstripes.com), a blog/Web site dedicated to the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry. "If my girlfriend told me something like, 'I really think that Jason Varitek is the catalyst for the Sox's success because his leadership and ability to call a game outweigh his batting average,' I would be impressed and turned on!"
Get in uniform. Show you care by sporting some team apparel. "A hat is good as long as it isn't a pastel color," Duffy counsels. "A tee shirt, tank top or something else particularly feminine will get you the hard stares, especially at a game or a sports bar. He might stop sipping his beer for a moment... who knows?"
Cold medicines and young children
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel began two days of hearings to consider banning the sale of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for young children. Such a ban already has the support of safety experts at the FDA, who published a 365-page review last month that showed decongestants and antihistamines have been linked with 123 pediatric deaths since 1969. Many outside experts are also in favor of restricting children's access to cold remedies. Last Thursday, leading drug makers announced a voluntary withdrawal of oral cough and cold medicines marketed for use in infants.
Ease morning sickness
When you're pregnant, it's important to eat healthy, regular meals to provide plenty of nutrients for your developing baby. But morning sickness can make that a tough task.
Here are some suggestions when you're dealing with morning sickness, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:
Get enough rest.
First thing in the morning, eat a few pretzels, crackers or some dry cereal.
Eat small meals frequently throughout the day.
Stay away from greasy, fried or spicy foods.
Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Try to drink them between meals instead of just with them.
If you don't feel like you can eat anything and can't drink water, try some ice chips, fruit juice or fruit juice popsicles.
Steer clear of offensive odors.
Here are some suggestions when you're dealing with morning sickness, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:
Get enough rest.
First thing in the morning, eat a few pretzels, crackers or some dry cereal.
Eat small meals frequently throughout the day.
Stay away from greasy, fried or spicy foods.
Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Try to drink them between meals instead of just with them.
If you don't feel like you can eat anything and can't drink water, try some ice chips, fruit juice or fruit juice popsicles.
Steer clear of offensive odors.
Get flu shots in Miami
Flu season is knocking on our door, and as usual, the young and the elderly run the biggest risk of suffering the virus's most severe effects. Experts recommended you don't wait until the last minute to get your flu vaccine.
The Miami-Dade County Health Department is providing flu vaccines that are free of charge for some and cost $30 for others. If you are between the ages of 6 months and 18-years-old, you can get vaccinated for free. Also, if you are 65-years-old, or older, you get the vaccine for free. Adults between the ages of 19 and 64 must pay the $30 fee for their vaccines.
For a schedule of locations and dates providing the flu vaccine CLICK HERE.
The Miami-Dade County Health Department is providing flu vaccines that are free of charge for some and cost $30 for others. If you are between the ages of 6 months and 18-years-old, you can get vaccinated for free. Also, if you are 65-years-old, or older, you get the vaccine for free. Adults between the ages of 19 and 64 must pay the $30 fee for their vaccines.
For a schedule of locations and dates providing the flu vaccine CLICK HERE.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Scientists explain chocolate cravings
Scientists Explain Why You Crave Chocolate Deep Down - Right Into Your Gut
By SETH BORENSTEIN
The Associated Press
If that craving for chocolate sometimes feels like it is coming from deep in your gut, that's because maybe it is.
A small study links the type of bacteria living in people's digestive system to a desire for chocolate. Everyone has a vast community of microbes in their guts. But people who crave daily chocolate show signs of having different colonies of bacteria than people who are immune to chocolate's allure.
That may be the case for other foods, too. The idea could eventually lead to treating some types of obesity by changing the composition of the trillions of bacteria occupying the intestines and stomach, said Sunil Kochhar, co-author of the study. It appears Friday in the peer-reviewed Journal of Proteome Research.
Kochhar is in charge of metabolism research at the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland. The food conglomerate Nestle SA paid for the study. But this isn't part of an effort to convert a few to the dark side (or even milk) side of cocoa, Kocchar said.
In fact, the study was delayed because it took a year for the researchers to find 11 men who don't eat chocolate.
Kochhar compared the blood and urine of those 11 men, who he jokingly called "weird" for their indifference to chocolate, to 11 similar men who ate chocolate daily. They were all healthy, not obese, and were fed the same food for five days.
The researchers examined the byproducts of metabolism in their blood and urine and found that a dozen substances were significantly different between the two groups. For example, the amino acid glycine was higher in chocolate lovers, while taurine (an active ingredient in energy drinks) was higher in people who didn't eat chocolate. Also chocolate lovers had lower levels of the bad cholesterol, LDL.
The levels of several of the specific substances that were different in the two groups are known to be linked to different types of bacteria, Kochhar said.
Still to be determined is if the bacteria cause the craving, or if early in life people's diets changed the bacteria, which then reinforced food choices.
How gut bacteria affect people is a hot field of scientific research.
Past studies have shown that intestinal bacteria change when people lose weight, said Dr. Sam Klein, an obesity expert and professor of medicine at Washington University in St. Louis.
Since bacteria interact with what you eat, it is logical to think that there is a connection between those microbes and desires for certain foods, said Klein, who wasn't part of Kochhar's study.
Kochhar's research makes so much sense that people should have thought of it earlier, said J. Bruce German, professor of food chemistry at the University of California Davis. While five outside scientists thought the study was intriguing, Dr. Richard Bergman at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, had concerns about the accuracy of the initial division of the men into groups that wanted chocolate or were indifferent to it.
What matters to Kochhar is where the research could lead.
Kochhar said the relationship between food, people and what grows in their gut is important for the future: "If we understand the relationship, then we can find ways to nudge it in the right direction."
By SETH BORENSTEIN
The Associated Press
If that craving for chocolate sometimes feels like it is coming from deep in your gut, that's because maybe it is.
A small study links the type of bacteria living in people's digestive system to a desire for chocolate. Everyone has a vast community of microbes in their guts. But people who crave daily chocolate show signs of having different colonies of bacteria than people who are immune to chocolate's allure.
That may be the case for other foods, too. The idea could eventually lead to treating some types of obesity by changing the composition of the trillions of bacteria occupying the intestines and stomach, said Sunil Kochhar, co-author of the study. It appears Friday in the peer-reviewed Journal of Proteome Research.
Kochhar is in charge of metabolism research at the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland. The food conglomerate Nestle SA paid for the study. But this isn't part of an effort to convert a few to the dark side (or even milk) side of cocoa, Kocchar said.
In fact, the study was delayed because it took a year for the researchers to find 11 men who don't eat chocolate.
Kochhar compared the blood and urine of those 11 men, who he jokingly called "weird" for their indifference to chocolate, to 11 similar men who ate chocolate daily. They were all healthy, not obese, and were fed the same food for five days.
The researchers examined the byproducts of metabolism in their blood and urine and found that a dozen substances were significantly different between the two groups. For example, the amino acid glycine was higher in chocolate lovers, while taurine (an active ingredient in energy drinks) was higher in people who didn't eat chocolate. Also chocolate lovers had lower levels of the bad cholesterol, LDL.
The levels of several of the specific substances that were different in the two groups are known to be linked to different types of bacteria, Kochhar said.
Still to be determined is if the bacteria cause the craving, or if early in life people's diets changed the bacteria, which then reinforced food choices.
How gut bacteria affect people is a hot field of scientific research.
Past studies have shown that intestinal bacteria change when people lose weight, said Dr. Sam Klein, an obesity expert and professor of medicine at Washington University in St. Louis.
Since bacteria interact with what you eat, it is logical to think that there is a connection between those microbes and desires for certain foods, said Klein, who wasn't part of Kochhar's study.
Kochhar's research makes so much sense that people should have thought of it earlier, said J. Bruce German, professor of food chemistry at the University of California Davis. While five outside scientists thought the study was intriguing, Dr. Richard Bergman at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, had concerns about the accuracy of the initial division of the men into groups that wanted chocolate or were indifferent to it.
What matters to Kochhar is where the research could lead.
Kochhar said the relationship between food, people and what grows in their gut is important for the future: "If we understand the relationship, then we can find ways to nudge it in the right direction."
Family Day a paid holiday
Canadians have come up with a really nice idea and possibly another way to get the whole family to sit down to dinner together.
The Canadian province of Ontario is getting a new holiday — Family Day to be observed the third Monday in February.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced Thursday he was adding a ninth holiday to the province's official list, issuing an executive order to make good on a campaign promise.
"Families are busier than ever," McGuinty said. "That's why we committed to creating a new long weekend in February by introducing a new statutory holiday."
Most workers are entitled to take the day off with regular pay. Businesses that do open are obligated to pay holiday pay.
I think we need a "Family Day" holiday too...what do you think?
The Canadian province of Ontario is getting a new holiday — Family Day to be observed the third Monday in February.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced Thursday he was adding a ninth holiday to the province's official list, issuing an executive order to make good on a campaign promise.
"Families are busier than ever," McGuinty said. "That's why we committed to creating a new long weekend in February by introducing a new statutory holiday."
Most workers are entitled to take the day off with regular pay. Businesses that do open are obligated to pay holiday pay.
I think we need a "Family Day" holiday too...what do you think?
Testing to start for airport body scan
Body scan
By EILEEN SULLIVAN, Associated Press
The federal government will begin testing a body-scanning machine that could eventually be used instead of the metal detectors passengers walk through at airports.
Tests were scheduled to begin Thursday at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with passengers pulled out of the security line for secondary screening. Passengers may request the full-body scan — which blurs faces so the person being screened cannot be recognized — instead of the traditional pat-down used across the country. The new machine uses radio waves to detect foreign objects.
Since February, the Phoenix airport has been testing a similar machine that uses so-called backscatter radiation to scan the entire body. The backscatter uses a narrow, low-intensity x-ray beam that's scans the entire body at a high speed. The amount of radiation used during this scan is equal to 15 minutes of exposure to natural background radiation such as the sun's rays.
Officials are trying to determine if the body-scan machines are a more effective search tool than a pat-down. Both types of machines check for explosives, metal, plastic and liquids — anything hidden on the body, said Mike Golden, the Transportation Security Administration's chief technology officer.
The new type of device being tested, called a "millimeter wave" machine, doesn't use radiation, Golden said Wednesday during a demonstration for reporters at the agency's headquarters in Arlington, Va. Instead, it uses electromagnetic waves to create an image based on energy reflected from the body.
The millimeter wave machine works like this: A person walks into a large portal — nearly 9 feet tall and 6 feet wide — pauses and lifts his arms while the machine takes two scans using radio waves. The scans take 1.8 seconds, and it takes about a minute for the image to appear on a computer screen in a separate location.
To protect privacy, the image will be shown on screens in a completely different area than where the screening is taking place. The TSA officer doing the screening will never see the computer image, and images will not be saved, TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe said.
Reporters were only shown an example of a female body image, which was a three-dimensional image of a very fit woman in her brassiere and underwear. TSA describes this as similar to a "fuzzy photo negative."
Privacy advocates say the images are more graphic than that.
"If you want to see a naked body, this is a naked body," said Barry Steinhardt, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's program on technology and liberty.
Steinhardt also received a demonstration of the new machine, which he says shows the same graphic image as the backscatters.
"I continue to believe that these are virtual strip searches," Steinhardt said. "If Playboy published them, there would be politicians out there saying they're pornographic."
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and the Alexandria, Va., federal courthouse use the millimeter wave machines, TSA said.
TSA purchased eight of the millimeter wave machines, which cost between $100,000 and $120,000, and is considering deploying them at John F. Kennedy and Los Angeles international airports during the testing period. The results of the testing will determine whether to use these machines for primary screening, Howe said.
By EILEEN SULLIVAN, Associated Press
The federal government will begin testing a body-scanning machine that could eventually be used instead of the metal detectors passengers walk through at airports.
Tests were scheduled to begin Thursday at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with passengers pulled out of the security line for secondary screening. Passengers may request the full-body scan — which blurs faces so the person being screened cannot be recognized — instead of the traditional pat-down used across the country. The new machine uses radio waves to detect foreign objects.
Since February, the Phoenix airport has been testing a similar machine that uses so-called backscatter radiation to scan the entire body. The backscatter uses a narrow, low-intensity x-ray beam that's scans the entire body at a high speed. The amount of radiation used during this scan is equal to 15 minutes of exposure to natural background radiation such as the sun's rays.
Officials are trying to determine if the body-scan machines are a more effective search tool than a pat-down. Both types of machines check for explosives, metal, plastic and liquids — anything hidden on the body, said Mike Golden, the Transportation Security Administration's chief technology officer.
The new type of device being tested, called a "millimeter wave" machine, doesn't use radiation, Golden said Wednesday during a demonstration for reporters at the agency's headquarters in Arlington, Va. Instead, it uses electromagnetic waves to create an image based on energy reflected from the body.
The millimeter wave machine works like this: A person walks into a large portal — nearly 9 feet tall and 6 feet wide — pauses and lifts his arms while the machine takes two scans using radio waves. The scans take 1.8 seconds, and it takes about a minute for the image to appear on a computer screen in a separate location.
To protect privacy, the image will be shown on screens in a completely different area than where the screening is taking place. The TSA officer doing the screening will never see the computer image, and images will not be saved, TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe said.
Reporters were only shown an example of a female body image, which was a three-dimensional image of a very fit woman in her brassiere and underwear. TSA describes this as similar to a "fuzzy photo negative."
Privacy advocates say the images are more graphic than that.
"If you want to see a naked body, this is a naked body," said Barry Steinhardt, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's program on technology and liberty.
Steinhardt also received a demonstration of the new machine, which he says shows the same graphic image as the backscatters.
"I continue to believe that these are virtual strip searches," Steinhardt said. "If Playboy published them, there would be politicians out there saying they're pornographic."
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and the Alexandria, Va., federal courthouse use the millimeter wave machines, TSA said.
TSA purchased eight of the millimeter wave machines, which cost between $100,000 and $120,000, and is considering deploying them at John F. Kennedy and Los Angeles international airports during the testing period. The results of the testing will determine whether to use these machines for primary screening, Howe said.
Is your child Autistic?
Some important information for people wondering if their child might be suffering from autism. A new Web site offers dozens of video clips of autistic kids, along with clips of children unaffected by the disease. The site gives parents a way to compare their kids' behavior to see if they might need to have a doctor take a closer look. The site is sponsored by two non-profit advocacy groups, Autism Speaks and First Signs. They hope it will promote early diagnosis and treatment, which can help young children with autism lead more normal lives.
If your child is diagnosed with autism, early intervention is critical to gain maximum benefit from existing therapies.
If your child is diagnosed with autism, early intervention is critical to gain maximum benefit from existing therapies.
5 Talented Women
Five talented women have been selected as winners of the second annual Acceleration Grant for Emerging Filmmakers competition, it was announced by the national organization of Women In Film (WIF) and the General Motors Corporation. The grant, awarded annually, is a program of the WIF/GM Alliance, the goal of which is to support talented filmmakers from under-represented communities.
The Women In Film/General Motors Alliance was created to support women in the entertainment industry and to expand Women In Film chapter programs across the country.
The Women In Film/General Motors Alliance was created to support women in the entertainment industry and to expand Women In Film chapter programs across the country.
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