Food and Drinks, Men's Health, Women's Health
People who are at high risk for developing cancer should definitely avoid These foodsHot dogs Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. Processed meats and bacon Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer. Doughnuts Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer. French fries Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acrylamides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams. Chips, crackers, and cookies All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.
Leah @ August 1, 2008
Babies and Toddlers, Women's Health
How to solve problems you may not have anticipated5 Solutions for Stay-at-Home MomsProblem: You feel isolated.Solution: Go out of your way to court allies and potential friends. “The best cure is to get to know other people in similar situations,” says Joanne Brundage, the founder and executive director of Mothers & More (www.mothersandmore.org). “Once you see it’s not just you and that all the feelings you’re having — good, bad, and otherwise — are not just yours, it’s a huge relief.” Brundage recommends library story-time sessions, playgrounds, park activities, parent-and-child movie events, and school organizations as places to find like-minded moms.It’s OK to leave the little ones at home sometimes, too, says Christina Baglivi Tinglof, author of The Stay-at-Home Parent Survival Guide (McGraw-Hill, $15, www.amazon.com), who schedules a girls’ dinner with her friends once a month. “You need to have girl time, and you need to have marriage time,” she says. Of course, some moms may feel conflicted about taking time for themselves, but the rejuvenation you get from brief breaks will help you — and your family — in the long run. And for your sanity’s sake, use the Internet. Find parental support groups or activity clubs in your area, or join message boards to find out what other parents are going through.Problem: You’re frustrated by a lack of validation.Solution: Get a job you can do in the house, take adult-education classes, or volunteer — find some activity that allows you, at the end of the day, to see in concrete terms that you’ve accomplished something. “Working moms have a salary, but the rewards are so intangible for stay-at-home parents,” says Mary James, the founder and chairman of the International MOMS Club, a support group for at-home mothers (www.momsclub.org). “You may not see the results of what you’re doing until your kids are much older.”Problem: Your financial situation has changed. Solution: As soon as you make the decision to leave your job, start living on one salary and saving yours. The benefit is twofold. “First, you start building a cushion, and, second, you see what it’s like to live on one income,” Tinglof says. Also review your family’s expenses. Can you switch to a less expensive cell-phone plan, cable service, or insurance policy? Tinglof believes such cutbacks are worth it. “A couple of hundred dollars here and there add up to significant savings,” she says. Also consider finding a job you can do at home while the kids are taking their naps or doing their homework, James suggests, adding that she’s seen women take up catering, craft shows, freelance writing, and even house appraising.Regardless of your income level, Brundage recommends that women educate themselves about planning for the future, since being a mom doesn’t come with retirement benefits, and life-altering pitfalls, such as divorce and the death of the breadwinning spouse, do happen. “It’s a little bit of a struggle financially and emotionally to do that, but it’s important. It’s a gift to your family if you’ve been able to think about this and set things up.”Problem: You feel a loss of identity.Solution: Try to reinvent yourself. Brundage sees the change from working woman to stay-at-home mom as an opportunity for a woman to reevaluate what she wants out of life. “Get involved in your community, volunteer, experiment with things you never got to do in the workplace,” she says. “Or think about future career goals. We’ve seen women do a 180 and reenter the workforce in a whole different place.”Problem: The kids are driving you crazy.Solution: Join your kids in an activity — even if it means a household chore gets put on hold, says Tinglof. And teach the kids to do for themselves. “Just because you’re a stay-at-home mom does not make you a waitress,” she says. For example, teach your kids to cook and do laundry. Not only will they be able to make their own breakfast while you see to another task but you’ll also get to spend time with them as they learn. Another way to find perspective and calm down is to call on friends and family to give you and your spouse a break. “If you’re lucky enough to have grandparents around or another family you can trade off with, have a date night once a month,” Brundage says with a laugh. “That helps you to remember that, yes, you did exist as a couple before the children came…and someday you may again.” If you have any comments, advice or input, please see this topic here: http://forum.parentalplayground.com/index.php?topic=3297.0
Leah @ August 1, 2008
In business, the rules of etiquette don’t just cover your office behavior and e-mail content, they also include conversation etiquette with your colleagues. Business conversation etiquette is most commonly thought of during face-to-face interactions, but it’s also relevant on the phone. In both cases, the old-fashioned necessities of listening and talking should be front and center.You might be making small talk with your new supervisor, scoping things out with a new client before you try and close a deal, or calling another company’s representative. No matter which of these instances is your reason for contact, knowing what to say and how to listen can be a building block to a better career, a new business partnership or just a fun conversation. Once someone is comfortable with you, you’ll feel more comfortable with them, and attaining your goals (networking, persuasion, etc.) will come naturally. Not only can this help you get what you want, it will almost always earn you a great deal of respect.Let’s look at some fundamentals of business conversation etiquette.Be formalBeing formal is classy. In business, you need as much class as you can get. Start with a handshake and if you’re being introduced to someone, stick to using a title (Mr., Ms., etc.) until you get an invite for a first name. Logically, the handshake doesn’t apply to a telephone conversation, but the name rule certainly does. You can also make things easier by giving them an invite for your first name, as well. Most importantly, once you’ve heard a name, don’t forget it.Remembering names signals respect, so do what you need to do to keep them in your memory bank. One easy way to do this is to mention their name during the initial conversation or even better, introduce them to someone else. As the conversation progresses, stay formal and avoid letting any of your bad habits show. That means that chewing gum, speaking in the middle of a big bite or drinking during a sentence is out of the equation. This is especially unflattering in a telephone conversation. Instead, try sticking to small bites and sips if you’re attending a business function with food and just avoid eating while you’re on the phone. When your chat is coming to a close, don’t forget a closing handshake, another acknowledgment of the name and a business card exchange. By staying formal through each point in the conversation, you have displayed a solid balance of confidence and tact. If you’re ending a telephone conversation be sure to thank your caller for their time and ensure that another conversation is sure to follow in the future, or a face-to-face if it’s possible. Stick with safe topicsThe words that come out of your mouth are keys to a successful business conversation. Just like in the court of law, what you say can and will be used against you. One bad word and it could follow you for the duration of your business life. A business conversation isn’t meant to be emotional, so it should be pretty basic and drama free. The subjects that run the risk of inciting yells and shrieks usually fall under the umbrella of religion and money. If someone tries to get you going on a topic that you find controversial, don’t get sidetracked and take the bait. Ignore those comments and if, by chance, someone else gets loud or emotional, try speaking to them in a lower tone of voice to defuse the situation.So, what’s fair game to discuss? A safe non-business topic is something that won’t provoke an unnecessary amount of debate or any hostility to speak of (see above). Among business professionals, popular chatter topics include sports, current events, your personal background, and of course, your work. If you’re doing business anyway, then talking about work can be smart, but people will find a little bit of variety refreshing. If you do talk about your career, just make sure that it doesn’t include talking about your boss or coworkers — unless you have something nice to say about them, of course. If you can stay safe, you needn’t worry about making a topic choice that could turn into a conversational misstep.Don’t talk too muchJust like a good personal conversation, a quality business interaction needs a good flow to stay healthy. Some of us really like to talk, which is good when we’re being social, but to someone who doesn’t know you that well this can be off-putting and irritating in a business situation. What’s worse: Someone who dominates a conversation or one who dominates a conversation without realizing it? Neither is very appealing, so try and steer clear of the whole aggravating situation altogether.You can avoid either of those two traps by using a work-around that’s designed to keep you from babbling incessantly. If you’re asked a question, keep your answer to less than 60 seconds long. But don’t use answers that are only a few words long either. The goal is just to keep a steady flow and encourage attentiveness in your colleagues. For a telephone conversation, being attentive is vitally important since you can’t see who you’re speaking to which makes it difficult to gauge their level of attentiveness. When you’re not talking, let the other person finish their thought without jumping in and trying to finish it for them. When it’s your turn to speak, they will grant you the same courtesy.Just as you would treat your conversation partner with respect, make sure you treat everyone else in their company the same way. That includes everyone from their colleagues at a business event to their office assistants on the phone. Equal respect across the board makes your sincerity shine through. Furthermore, through telephone communication, it helps your chances of getting through when the person redirecting your call to a key business contact has a positive association with you.If you can lay off the urge to talk too much and stay respectful, your words will count for more by coming through louder and clearer at the appropriate times.Listen carefullyIf you can avoid talking as much as a game show host, it’s a snap to listen like a pro. Listening will help you get to know who you’re talking to and work toward a solid bond, which is a building block toward healthy business partnerships down the road.Besides the basic act of listening, the next best thing you can do for someone is to let them know that you’re listening — also known as, active listening. If you’re talking in person, you can use body language (eye contact, head movements) in response to what they say. Try to always add brief comments that address their points and show an appreciation and understanding for what they’re saying. Think of it as your way of sharing your understanding and attention level with the person talking.Listening gets a bit more difficult if the person you’re listening to doesn’t have very much to say. Sure, you can politely walk away or hang up and cut your losses, but sometimes people want to open up. You can encourage them by asking a lot of open-ended questions and using keywords that hint at your interest in a topic and a desire to hear more. It could be as easy as saying something like, “I’m new to promotions. It sounds interesting, tell me more,” to a promotions director from your company’s trade partner. When you do this, it makes them feel comfortable and confident in what they’re discussing and they’ll be more willing to open up.If you’ve got your listening skills down pat, you’re all set.the business k.i.s.s.A good business conversation is low on drama and high on simplicity — the acronym K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) could not be more perfect for this situation. And regardless of the acronym, it’s not actually stupid, it’s just business. You can keep things interesting by encouraging chatter, keeping your answers concise and knowing how to listen. If you stay polite and formal in your interactions, you’ll be well on your way to being a certifiable conversational etiquette wonder instead of an embarrassing chatterbox blunder. Stay sharp and happy hunting for your next round of business talk.
Leah @ August 1, 2008
When you’re injured, ice is like gold. In fact, it is an essential treatment for most fitness-related injuries, for both kids and adults. It is one of the key ways to reduce the inflammation that occurs when you have some type of muscle tear, tendonitis, sprain or strain. Always consult your health care provider when treating injuries, but when ice is recommended, here are a few tricks to try:The BucketFill a bucket with ice and water. Plunge the injured area into the ice-cold water. Hang in there for 2 minutes and the initial chilly sensation will fade into a numbing feeling. Soak for at least 15 minutes, but never more than 20 minutes. An added bonus is that the added water pressure will also compress the area, which is another excellent way to treat sports injuries.Vegetables, Anyone?Place a bag of frozen vegetables on the injured area. The tiny vegetables are very flexible and wrap around the injury quite well. The choice of veggies is up to you, but be sure that if you use a bag more than once, don’t prepare those for dinner.Fruity AlternativeThis is great for the feet and leg injuries. Simply place a can of frozen juice concentrate on the ground and roll your foot over it. This can help soothe plantar fasciitis and other injuries to the arch and heel.The SlushyYou can make your own flexible, frozen gel pack just like they use in physical therapy - by filling a freezer bag with one part rubbing alcohol and three parts water. Seal the bag and put it into another sealed bag to prevent leaking. Freeze, use and re-use. Repeat. The slushy compound can be molded to fit your injury.
Leah @ August 1, 2008
Simple, Effective Laundry Tips for Saving Energy (and Money)Adapted from The Home Energy Diet by Paul Scheckel (New Society Publishers, 2005).SIMPLE SOLUTION: Annie loves the drying line that runs from her back porch to a pully on a tree. She finds them to be the most convenient way to hang-dry clothes, and believes that there is no better deodorizer and whitener than the sun. She’s been looking for other ways to save energy while doing laundry, too, and so investigated. Are top-loaders really better? What is the simplest energy-saving tip that also makes the most difference? Find out, here:The two best and most remarkable tips for saving energy (and money) when doing laundry are to 1) wash your clothes in cold water, and 2) hang-dry your clothes (costs nothing in electrical usage or carbon use). Up to 90 percent of the energy needed to wash clothes is attributed to heating water, so using cold water is the biggest energy saving action you can take when washing clothes. You also save $60 a year for an average family.Eight Energy Saving Tips for the Washing Machine1. Wash full loads only (but don’t overload) to save water, time, and energy.2. Weigh a load of clothes once to get an idea of what 15 pounds looks and feels like. When buying, size your washer and dryer for equivalent load sizes.3. Use cold water.4. Adjust water level to the lowest practical setting.5. Use the shortest cycle needed.6. Avoid using too much detergent to eliminate the need for extra rinse.7. Pre-soak especially dirty clothes.8. Use a front-loading washer to reduce water use and drying time.Top-Loaders or Front-Loaders?Top-loading washers use from 30 to 60 gallons of water and 300 to 500 watt-hours per load (not including water heating up).Front-loading (horizontal axis) washers use about 200 watt-hours per load for the longest possible load. The water well pump requires an additional 33 watt-hours to pump the 25 gallons (with extra rinse) needed by the machine. If you have municipal water, you’ll save on water and sewer costs. The front loader’s action is gentler, reducing wear and tear on clothes, and it spins much more water out of the clothes, allowing for shorter drying time.Clothes washers are rated for efficiency using the Modified Energy Factor (MEF), a figure that considers washer capacity, electrical energy used, water heating energy required, and how dry the clothes are when they come out of the washer. The higher the MEF, the more efficient the washer is. When buying new, look for a Modified Energy Factor of 1.42 or higher.Hang Dry Your ClothesHang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer and save 700 pounds of C02 a year.
Leah @ August 1, 2008
Here are a few August gardening tasks and projects that you can do to help keep your garden looking it’s best for the rest of this season.
Watering the garden
Watering can be the biggest task this month particularity if the weather gets hot. Vegetable gardens, most flowering plants, and the lawn all need about one inch of water every week to keep them green and looking nice. Be sure to water thoroughly, and deeply each time you water. When possible, do your watering in the morning or early afternoon so the soil has a chance to warm up before the cooler evening hours set in. Deep watering will induce the plant’s roots to grow deeper, where they are less likely to dry out, as well as the added benefit of anchoring the plant into the ground better. Light, surface watering actually wastes water, because the water never actually reaches the root zone of the plant, and the moisture rapidly evaporates from the top inch of soil. The best way to tell if your plants are receiving enough water is to take a trowel or shovel and dig down a few inches. The soil should be moist at least 3 or 4 inches deep to insure that the water is reaching the root zone of the plants. Of course, if you planted drought resistant plants in your garden, you won’t have to water as often, but the principal of deep watering still applies.
Be sure to check the hanging baskets and container grown plants every day during hot weather and about every second day on moderate summer days. Don’t just check the surface… Push your finger an inch or two into the soil to be sure there is adequate moisture below throughout the root area. Water them thoroughly each time you water, but be careful not to overwater them.
Perennials, annuals, and bulbs
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* Take out a few minutes to pick off the old dead flowers on your annuals, as well as the spent flowers on perennial plants. A little time spent on grooming the plants will make a big difference in the overall appearance of the garden. By removing the spent flowers, the plants will not go into the seed producing stage and should continue to flower longer into the season.
* Perennial and biennial plants can be started from seed sown directly into the garden this month or next.
* Container grown perennials, shrubs and trees can be planted this month. Always take time to properly prepare the soil by mixing generous quantities of peat moss, compost and processed manure with your existing soil.
* Fall blooming Crocus should be planted this month, to give you an extra week or two of flowers after the main garden plants have finished for the year.
* Spring flowering perennials can be divided and transplanted this month or next. Be sure to do this during the coolest part of the day and water the plants thoroughly after transplanting.
Prune your hybrid roses in late August to promote the most fall blossoms. Remove about a third of the vigorous growth. Any stems that cross each other should be removed, as well as those that are in the center of the plant. Weak, spindly canes and any damaged by black spot fungus should be removed. Except in colder regions, roses should be fertilized through the end of September. Maintain a spraying schedule to control insects and disease.
Shrubs and trees
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Summer blooming shrubs should be pruned for shape after they have finished flowering. Remove any dead or diseased branches.
Fruits and veggies
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* Now is the time to start your fall and winter vegetables. Plant starters or seeds of green onions, carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and winter cauliflower directly into the garden early this month.
Enjoy the harvest of your homegrown fruits, vegetables and herbs!
Lawn
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* Contrary to popular belief, a brown lawn isn’t necessarily a dead lawn. Grasses go dormant in times of drought, but will quickly return to life with the fall rains. If a lush green lawn is important to you, and you don’t mind mowing, water it regularly, and deeply. If a water shortage is expected, or you hate tending to grass, you may choose to just let your lawn go dormant, and water it as seldom as once a month.
Raise the cutting height of the mower. Taller grass cools the roots and helps to keep the moisture in the soil longer.
House Plants
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Late this month Poinsettias and Christmas cactus should be brought back indoors and you should begin preparing them for Christmas flowering.
Poinsettias are short day plants. Although they will eventually bloom, if you want the plants in bloom for the holidays they must be kept at about 65 to 70 degrees, and subjected to at least six weeks of 14 hours of total darkness per day (mid to late September). This may be accomplished by placing the potted plant in a closet or unlighted room, or by covering the plant with black cloth, black plastic over a frame or a cardboard box.The plant must then be returned to the light each day and given a minimum of 4 hours of direct sun, or 10 hours of bright light. The application of a 0-10-10 fertilizer this month and again next should help encourage the development of flower buds, then feed your plant every 2 weeks with a high nitrogen fertilizer once color has begun to show.
* Christmas cactus needs the same general care, with the exception that they require cooler temperatures of about 50 to 60 degrees.
* Continue to watch for insect or disease damage and take the necessary steps to control the problem.
Warmer and drier weather means it will be necessary to water and mist your house plants more often.
Odds and ends
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* Keep the weeds pulled, before they have a chance to flower and go to seed again. Otherwise, you will be fighting newly germinated weed seed for the next several years. Weeds in the garden are harmful because they rob your plants of water and nutrients, harbor insects and diseases, and, on occasion grow tall enough to shade your flowers and plants.
* Change the water in your bird bath regularly, and keep it filled. Standing water is less healthy for the birds, and may become a breeding ground for mosquito larvae.
Continue to watch for insect, slug and snail, or disease damage throughout the garden, and take the necessary steps to control the problem.
Leah @ August 1, 2008
1 National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
2 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
3 Friendship Day - First Sunday in August
3 International Forgiveness Day - First Sunday in August
3 National Watermelon Day
3 Sisters Day - First Sunday in August
4 U.S. Coast Guard Day
5 National Mustard Day
5 Work Like a Dog Day
6 Wiggle Your Toes Day
7 Chinese Valentine’s Day/Daughter’s Day - 7th day of 7th Lunar Month
7 National Lighthouse Day
8 Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day - now that’s nasty!
8 Summer Olympics - every 4 years
9 Book Lover’s Day
10 Lazy Day
10 National S’mores Day
11 Presidential Joke Day
11 Son and Daughter Day
12 Middle Child’s Day
13 Left Hander’s Day
14 National Creamsicle Day
14/15 V-J Day - which dare do you mark the end of WWII?
15 Relaxation Day - now this one’s for me!
16 National Tell a Joke Day
17 National Thriftshop Day
18 Bad Poetry Day
19 Aviation Day
20 National Radio Day
21 Senior Citizen’s Day
22 Be an Angel Day
22 National Tooth Fairy Day - and/or February 28
23 Ride the Wind Day
24 Vesuvius Day
25 Kiss and Make Up Day
26 National Dog Day
26 Women’s Equality Day
27 Global Forgiveness Day
27 Just Because Day
28 Race Your Mouse Day -but we are not sure what kind of “mouse”
29 More Herbs, Less Salt Day
30 Frankenstein Day
30 Toasted Marshmallow Day
31 National Trail Mix Day
Leah @ August 1, 2008
Babies and Toddlers, Photo Contests, Uncategorized
The last two months contests were combined! We had a 3 way tie for 1st place, so here are the top 3 rated photos.
Bubba (Parker John), 15 months, son of EmmaAndPJsmomma
Osker, 22 months, son of Astronaut
Nick, 2, son of Buttercup22
Congrats to our winners, and thanks to everyone for entering! Please enter the July contest, theme, Patriotic! Get your cameras out this july 4th and capture your kiddos enjoying the celebrations!
Rock'n'Nicco @ July 27, 2008
Name~ LeahParental Playground Screenname~ WORKIN MAMACITASex~ FemaleState and Country you reside in~ AZ… USANumber of kids~ I have 1 biological child and 5 stepkidsOccupation~ Executive Assistant Age you became a parent~ 27Biggest change you went through when you became a parent~ Being a full time mom, instead of a part time mom, and my body changes.Best thing about being a parent~ All the love and attentionWorst thing about being a parent~ Never free time for meFavorite thing to do with your kid(s)~ I love to do everything with AkashaMarital Status~ MarriedHobbies~ CookingFavorite band/singer~ HorrorPops, Stray Cats, The Reverend Horton Heat, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Gwen Stefani, Debbie Harry/ Blondie, Tiger Army, Nekromantix, & many, many more.Favorite movie~ So many to list.. I love Movies made by Quentin, Francis, Steven, Tim & Ed WoodFavorite TV Show~ My name is EarlFavorite season~ Spring, Fall & WinterFavorite color~ Dark PurpleFavorite food~ I am really loving Caribbean, Cuban, Hawaiian and Greek food right now.Favorite website~ WWW. PARENTALPLAYGROUND. COM, OF COURSE!Tell us something interesting about your family~ I have 5 stepkids, my step sons are triplet boys and my stepdaughters are identical twins.
Favorite thing about parental playground~ The realness of everyone involvedFavorite forum/board~ The Picnic TableHow long have you been involved with our site~ Since its conceptionIf you are a moderator what boards do you moderate~ Too many to listIf you are an administrator what are you admin of~ Admin of Sponsorship/ Advertising, Admin of Smileys, Admin of Newsletter, Co-Admin of ForumsWHY should other people join~ To learn something new, to meet someone cool, and to get some “me” time.What improvements of changes are needed~ More cool peopleHow much time do you spend on Parental Playground~ 5 hoursHave you entered any of our contests~ YES, LOVE THE CONTESTSHave you made new friends there~ I have so many friends that I intend on keeping forever!!Were or Are you a member of our due date clubs~ NO!Have you read our monthly newsletter~ Yes, and I am the Proud EditorHave you used any of the recipes found on our site~ YES!!! I LOVE TO SUBMIT MY RECIPES, AND TRY THE ONES ON THIS SITE!Share anything about Parental Playground~Parental Playground is more than a website to me, its a place where I can learn and share my parental journeys, and hobbies. I love to meet new people and make new friends who are experiencing some of life’s triumphs and hurdles. I HIGHLY recommend it to ALL!!!Do YOU want to be interviewed in our newsletter? Fill out the Parental Playground Myspace survey on our blog and you will be featured eventually!http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=256241467
Rock'n'Nicco @ July 1, 2008
Prepare for awesomeness.This is a great kids movie, starring Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, and so on! It is a really good cgi film, with great imagery, and some really funny parts. It is even entertaining for us parents! My kids laughed their butts off and we did too! We all loved it and recommend it!It’s the story about a lazy, irreverent slacker panda, named Po, who is the biggest fan of Kung Fu around…which doesn’t exactly come in handy while working every day in his family’s noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po’s dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five — Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey — under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it’s up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po puts his heart - and his girth - into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.
Rock'n'Nicco @ July 1, 2008
