Manage Home

This alert was sent to us from the Environmental Department. Please read it thoroughly and adhere to its content.
Open the windows before you enter your car

"In brief: According to research done by a U.C., the car dashboard, sofa, air freshener will emit Benzene, a cancer causing toxin (carcinogen). In addition to causing cancer, it poisons your bones, causes anemia, and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. May also cause miscarriage.

Acceptable Benezene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft. A car parked indoors with the windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benezene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benezene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level. The people inside the car will inevitably inhale an excess amount of the toxin.
It is recommended that you open the windows and door to give time for the interior to air out before you enter. Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver, and is difficult for your body to expel. "

Forgetfulness

2008-09-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

24 Handy Ways to a Better Memory

Do you have a hard time remembering names, phone numbers, and important dates? Are you constantly losing your car in parking lots? When you leave for vacation, do you have to turn around 20 miles down the road to make sure you shut off all the appliances? Do you sometimes forget how to spell common words? If you can answer yes to most of these questions, here's some very good news: Forgetfulness is curable!

Er, let's see, where were we? Ah, yes. We checked with a few professional memory experts, and a few whose professions require excellent memories. We even checked with a 13-year-old national spelling bee champion. They told us their secrets for building an iron-clad memory.

"With a few simple devices, it's within most people's power to have a super memory," says memory expert Michael Pressley, Ph.D., professor of human development at the University of Maryland.

What kinds of devices? Glad you asked.

MEDICAL ALERT

Keep These Symptoms in Mind

Most skin lumps are not cancer, and most slips of memory are not Alzheimer's disease. "But people tend to be hard on themselves, particularly so as they get older," says Stanley Berent, Ph.D.

When is your forgetfulness so serious that you should see a professional about it? Dr. Berent suggests the following guidelines:

Do you lose contact with reality? It's one thing to forget today's date, another to forget the year. If you lose track of where you are, can't remember if it's evening or morning, or have forgotten the name of your spouse (as opposed to someone you just met), a doctor should be consulted.
Are you uncomfortable with yourself? If you're feeling anxious about your recent memory lapses, don't sweat it out—seek a doctor's advice.
Are you performing your day-to-day roles efficiently? If forgetfulness is affecting your work, your role as a parent or grandparent, or any of your other life activities, you may need help.

Above all, says Dr. Berent, know that your memory doesn't have to be perfect to be okay. Some forgetfulness is just part of life.

Think of remembering as re-membering. Say you're appearing on a television game show and you're on the verge of winning an all-expense-paid trip around the world. All you need to do is remember the name of the battle in which Napoleon was defeated. You know the answer. It's on the tip of your tongue. How to get it off?

"Try to reinstate as much as possible of what you know surrounding the issue," says Robin West, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the University of Florida. Thus, Napoleon may lead to Josephine, to France, to the Napoleonic Code, to battles, and (eventually) to Waterloo. "The more connections you make, the better your chances of finding the right pathway," says Dr. West.

Are There Any Pills for Forgetfulness?

Scientists have long looked for relationships between nutrients and your brain's ability to learn and remember. They know that a lack of certain nutrients can lead to memory and other cognitive failures, but whether supplemental nutrients can lead to supplemental memory is still a mystery.

Research over the past several years has focused on the following nutrients, all of which seem related to memory: vitamins B1 (thiamine), B6, B12, and C, choline, folate, niacin, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, and—above all—lecithin.

Some research from the Institute of Physiology in Sofia, Bulgaria, raises questions and hopes about a new, exotic nutrient. Scientists there, experimenting with mice and ginseng, have determined that something in the root of the Chinese plant improves both learning and memory. At least with mice.

So it appears that the day may come when forgetfulness can be cured by popping a pill every morning. Of course, some of us will inevitably forget to take our pills.

Take a picture. The average American, in the course of a lifetime, spends a full year looking for misplaced objects. Want to save yourself a year of your life? You can. Take a good look at those keys as you place them on the table. "Raise your hands to your eyes, miming a camera, and click the button," suggests Joan Minninger, Ph.D., in her book Total Recall: How to Boost Your Memory Power.

Talk to yourself. Go ahead, don't be shy. Give yourself an aural as well as a visual image to remember. If you leave your car at the end of the parking lot, under the huge oak tree, go ahead and say, "I'm leaving my car at the far end of the parking lot, under the huge oak tree." Say it out loud. "It's another way to reinforce the memory," says Irene B. Colsky, Ed.D., a memory expert and adjunct professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Miami.

Tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree. Afraid you'll remember your car is under an oak tree, but you'll forget which oak tree? Use physical reminders—they are "very efficient ways to remember," says Forrest R. Scogin, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Alabama. The "yellow ribbon" on the oak tree could just as well be a rubber band around your wrist (to remind yourself to buy tissues), a wristwatch on the "wrong" arm (to remind yourself of Aunt Bertha's birthday)—or just about anything you can think of.

Make lists. Wherever and whenever possible, jot down on paper what you need to remember. "Our short-term memory has limited capacities—there's only so much space available," says Dr. Scogin. By making lists, you not only are assured of remembering what you wrote down, but it frees your mind for more important things.

Categorize. When pencil and paper are unavailable, you'll have to list things in your head—but don't do so randomly, says Dr. Scogin. If you're on your way to the grocery store and you know you need 20 items, you'll probably never remember all 20 unless they are logically grouped. Think: five vegetables, four paper goods, three fruits, etc.

Chunk. "Chunking" is like categorizing, but you do it with numbers. If, for instance, you had to remember the numbers 2, 0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 1, 4, 1, 4, you'd probably have a rough time of it. Remember (202) 456-1414 (the phone number of the White House) is quite a bit easier. Phone numbers come naturally chunked, as do social security numbers (001-00-1000). You are free, of course, to "chunk" not only these but any numbers you like.

Make up a silly story. If you've got several items to remember and you're afraid you never will—no problem. Just make up a tale involving your items, says Dr. Pressley. Say you're on your way to the market and you need pork chops, apricots, milk, and bread. Tell yourself a story in which a pig is drinking milk, in a wheat field, under the shade of an apricot tree.

To remember names, think of faces. Perhaps the most difficult memory task we're faced with is remembering the names of people we've just met, says Dr. Scogin. The trick is to etch in your mind a permanent association between the name and the face. Better yet, find a prominent feature on the face and focus in on that. If Budd Luzinski, that new guy in the office, happens to have a long nose—visualize a tiny man skiing down that long nose. Imagine that little man losing (Luzinski) those skis.

How to Avoid Stage Fright

For most of us, keeping a dozen or so phone numbers, an occasional shopping list, and the starting times of our favorite television shows under our cap is about all we demand of our short-term memory.

But what do you do when you have to remember a sales pitch, a speech, or the lines of a play? Or how to spell at a moment's notice any word in the English language? Professional Shakespearean actor Edward Gero and 13-year-old national spelling bee champion Rageshree Ramachandran of Sacramento, California, have a few tips for remembering words and their spellings.

From Edward Gero:

"Before I memorize my lines, they have to make sense to me. I will read Shakespeare's lines to myself, putting them into my own words."
"I look for rhythm patterns. 'To be, or not to be'Édum de, dum dum de dum."
"I look for any alphabetical keys. For instance, in MacBeth, I had to say the following line: 'But, I have none; the king-becoming graces, as justice, verity, temp'rance, stablenessÉ' It helped me to remember the order by knowing that the first two, justice and verity, are in alphabetical order, and that the second two, temp'rance and stableness, are in reverse alphabetical order."
"I try to associate lines with movements, so that in The Merchant of Venice, I say, 'and let my liver rather heat with wine' as I'm reaching for a glass of wine."

From Rageshree Ramachandran:

"A lot of spellers just try to memorize a list of words for spelling bees—that doesn't work. It's not just memorizing, it's learning the words. I make a new word part of my everyday vocabulary."
"Spelling is mostly logic. If a word is unfamiliar, I'll look for a part of it that I can understand. I can spell elegiacal, for instance, because I know it comes from elegy. (Elegiacal means expressing sorrow.) I can spell mhometer because I know that mho is the reciprocal of ohm, and a mhometer measures ohms (a measure of electricity)."
"A lot of memory is visual. It helps me to remember a new word if I write it down several times."
"There are often little tricks to help spell a word. Take curliewurly (a little squiggly shape). I had to remember that it was curliewurly, and not curlywurlie. The solution was simple: ie comes before y in the word—just like in the alphabet."

Make name associations. It's always easier to remember names if you have something to associate the name with. If you have to remember the name of someone who has no big nose or mole on the cheek, make up a little story. Picture someone named Bruce Taylor sitting in front of you with a pair of scissors, a measuring tape, and a piece of chalk. Someone named Feinstein, you might picture sitting before you holding a huge stein full of beer. Someone named Pressley? Imagine him reading the Pittsburgh Press or shaking hands with Elvis, says Dr. Pressley.

Look for "markers." Things that happened to you long ago did not happen in isolation from other events, says Dr. Pressley. Say, for instance, you forgot when it was that you worked at the ABC Construction Company. Think of any markers or cues that might help your focus. You may recall that you were dating so-and-so at the time, and that so-and-so and you would often go to the movies, and that one movie you saw together was Jaws. You may then recall (or your local librarian can help you find out) that Jaws appeared in the theaters in 1975.

Outline your thoughts. Many college students become intimately involved with a pink, yellow, or green highlighting marker. But you don't need a highlighter to outline your thoughts. You can do it mentally. "Select what is important and what is not," says Dr. Pressley. You're far less likely to forget what you read, he says.

Read, read, and read. If your problem is forgetting words, it's probably because you don't use them enough, says Frederic Siegenthaler. As a senior interpreter at the United Nations, he must store an enormous vocabulary in his memory and keep it ready to pull out at any moment. In English alone (and Siegenthaler is also fluent in French, German, Russian, and Spanish), there are as many as 200,000 words available, although we typically use fewer than 5,000 on a daily basis. So if you can't seem to find the right word, your vocabulary is likely to be a bit rusty.

Solution? "Do as much reading as you can," says Siegenthaler. "I recommend good fiction, particularly classics of the English language, such as those of Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, or Somerset Maugham.

Test yourself. "People generally aren't very good at knowing how good they are at remembering," says Dr. Pressley. "It's very common that someone may think he remembers something, but he doesn't." You've probably experienced this in the middle of an exam. The way to make sure it doesn't happen again is to give yourself a quiz before the exam, says Dr. Pressley. "A practice test will let you know if you have it down or not."

Keep calm. Stress and anxiety can clearly disrupt memory performance, says Dr. Pressley. "You need your consciousness to encode things. Anxiety eats that up."

If you're a forgetful person, it may be that your mind could use a vacation. Patricia Sze of Berlitz International Language School in New York City claims that her school's success in teaching students foreign languages lies largely in the nonthreatening environment of soothing colors, no grades, and no testing.

Check your medicine cabinet and liquor cabinet. Dozens of things have the potential to contribute to forgetfulness, says Stanley Berent, Ph.D., director of the Neuropsychology Program and an associate professor in the Department of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School. At the root of your forgetfulness may be the booze you're drinking or certain drugs you're taking, such as diet pills, blood pressure medication, or antihistamines.

Aspartame harms young brains

2008-09-15T08:58:00.006-07:00

Learning and memory may be affected if young people have diet drinks containing the artificial sweetener aspartame, according to a US paediatrician who is presenting evidence today by telelink to the Health Committee at 10am. Mothers are also concerned about New Zealand schools which are now stocking artificially sweetened drinks instead of sugar soft drinks.

The Committee is hearing submissions on aspartame as a result of a petition which calls for the removal of all products containing aspartame and other artificial sweeteners from schools, as well as warning labels on products to alert pregnant women and mothers of young children.

"We are presenting this submission on behalf of over 8,000 people from throughout New Zealand, and especially for all those who have become aware that their symptoms of ill health are due to consuming products with aspartame," stated Alison White, Co-convenor of the Safe Food Campaign.

"The artificial sweetener is the most controversial and complained about additive in history. You only have to google it to see that. It is significant that non-industry funded studies have found various adverse health effects from aspartame, whereas industry-funded studies do not find problems. We cannot underestimate the power and sophistication of industry to maintain and expand its profit and market share, regardless of the health consequences of exposure to this substance."

"The manifestations of aspartame disease in young children are myriad," reported Dr Kenneth Stoller, MD. "These may range from severe headaches, unexplained visual loss, to depression, antisocial behaviour and seizures. Aspartame is not just a food additive. The components in it are isolated in a way that does not occur in nature. It is a neurotoxic drug, causing the deterioration of brain cells."

Mother of a school student, Mary Byrne, is concerned that the Hutt Valley school her daughter attends now stocks artificially sweetened drinks. "I think it's a good thing they're getting rid of sugar soft drinks from schools, but I don't think it's good they're replacing them with artificially sweetened drinks," said Ms Byrne. "I'm pleased that a teacher at the school my daughter is attending is going to show a video on aspartame to students. This gives students more information about the dangers of aspartame, so they are motivated to avoid it."

Aspartame is being used in an increasing number of products, an estimated 6000 products worldwide, not just those labelled 'diet' and 'sugar free' but also in chewing gum, sports drinks, dietary supplements and medications. Sometimes the only warning is 'contains phenylalanine'. An estimated one in 15 people consume aspartame around the world.

"We are alarmed that exposure of young people in New Zealand to aspartame is probably increasing," said Ms White. "Young children especially are at risk of developing an allergy to formaldehyde from aspartame products. Parents and doctors need to be alerted to the problem." The submission presented to the Health Committee includes the stories of three people who have become aware that their health problems were caused by aspartame.

The petition requests specifically:

1. Warning labels on all products containing aspartame to increase awareness of symptoms associated with aspartame toxicity, particularly to alert pregnant women and mothers of small children.

2. A public education programme to raise awareness about adverse reactions to aspartame.

3. A programme to raise awareness within the medical profession of the symptoms associated with aspartame toxicity, to prevent incorrect diagnosis of conditions that may be related to aspartame toxicity.

4. Removal of all products containing aspartame and other artificial sweeteners from schools to reduce toxic effects on young people, thus reducing any behavioural and psychological problems that may result from these effects.

A MORNING PRAYER

2008-09-15T08:58:00.005-07:00

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so tha t I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess w ith my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it w ith others. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..

This is my prayer.
In God's Name, May God bless you.

TODAY PRAYER

2008-09-15T08:58:00.004-07:00

Today is the day that the Lord hath made we will
rejoice and be glad in it...I thank you Jesus for your
love to me from day to day...As I look back over the years,
I thank you Jesus for all the answered prayers.
I cannot help but praise my Lord. I want to tell you Jesus
that I love you.....We'll shout it out and rebuke satan
in the name of Jesus. We plead the blood of Jesus upon
those who need a special healing or a special touch
from God in these days...Jesus you know all about your
children you tells us to enter right into the holy of
holies and make our request known unto you.. I pray that
you would wrap and shield each one in your loving arms
and hold them so tight, show them your love and that You
will work all things out for their good and your glory.
Lord many of your children is hurting today for different
reasons but we leave them in your care and we'll believe
for a miracle in Jesus name. I ask that God's protection
would be upon each and everyone in these difficult days.
If we love Him and live our lives according to His commands,
even when life seems so hopeless and dark, God is about
to bring blessing into your life. Thank you Jesus for
what you are about to do.....Amen

Freedom of Simplicity

2008-09-15T08:58:00.003-07:00

Freedom of Simplicity
By Bo Sanchez

Happiness is not found outside of you. It doesn't come from cars,
clothes,cash, or Caribbean cruises. Happiness is found within.
But how can you find it if you don't have the simplicity of time
and space to discover the most important things in your life?

How can you search the depths of your soul if you are too busy
impressing others, acquiring wealth, protecting your properties, and
paying your debts?

Simplicity is not about the external either: living in a doghouse,
eating in Hepatitis joints, wearing rags.

Let me define what it is: Simplicity is living from the core of your being.

A TREASURE MAP OF HAPPINESS

Simplicity will point to you where and what and who the gold is in your life.
Let me share with you the seven powerful lessons I've learned on simple living:

1. LIVE ON LESS, AND DELIGHT IN THEM MORE
Some take their pleasure dining in classy restaurants, trips to Europe ,
and owning the latest home theatre-equipment. I've chosen the simple path:
If I can simply be with my wife, or take a quiet stroll under a canopy of stars,
or play with a child, or read a good book in my home, or laugh with friends
over a pizza, I consider myself richly blessed.

Focus on what you have and not on what you don't have.

2. STOP RUNNING AND WALK INSTEAD
Here's the truth: The person who has covered the greatest distance does
NOT win, but the one who has most enjoyed the journey does. Stop
running around chasing your own tail!

Get off your hurried pace and learn to breathe. Replace doing with
being. Learn to say no to invitations, appointments, and commitments,
activities and events that will rob you of your focus. Learn to say
"yes" to rest, to tranquility, to quietness.

3. YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR WEALTH
I own very few things today. Because I am more than the brand of my
watch,the logo of my shoes, the name of my car. I believe that if in my soul
I deeply respect and value myself, people around me will sense that, and they too,
will value and respect me-whether I'm wearing Armani or not.

You are more than your wealth.

4. AVOID BUYING ON CREDIT
I don't believe in borrowing from credit cards. (For convenience, I use one card
but I pay the whole amount at the end of each month.) If I need something really bad,
I save up for it. Sometimes, at midpoint, I realize I don't really need the darn thing
and give up the whole idea. The only exception I feel we should enter into a
credit is when buying a non-depreciating item, such as housing or land.
I believe we should always live within our earning capacity.
Proverbs 22:7 says, "Those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders."

5. GIVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
If I content myself with 25 shirt instead of 400 Lacoste, I can help others more.
Trust me, there is immense pleasure! You will find that the empty thrill of owning a
diamond ring on your finger pales in comparison to the joy of handling a
piece of bread to an orphan child.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

The Old Testament of tithing, or giving 10% of your income is a good guideline to follow.
The New Testament challenges us to give with a cheerful heart. (When you're cheerful,
you may give more than 10%!) Make it a habit.

6. SAVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
Saving is essential to being good stewards of the money that God "lends" to us.
Saving is an important way of providing for our future-both for our needs and
to be generous to others. I recommend that you save at least 10% of your income.
I can almost hear you now: "Bo, that's impossible!" Oh yeah? Well, how did you
live three years back when your salary was one-half its present amount?"
Sacrifice. Many of our needs are actually wants. Is cable TV a need? Will you
suddenly die if you can't watch CNN or HBO? Are those new golf clubs essential
to your existence? Invest in time deposits, long-term stocks and housing.

7. BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET
Make a list of all your monthly expenses, according to categories. Make also a list
of irregular expenses-those that don't come monthly. Set up another savings account
for these expenses and put in a little money each month. To differentiate this from
the savings account, we call ours "freedom account" because it frees us from worrying
about them when they suddenly attack. And stick to your budget!

ONE LAST WORD BEFORE WE CLOSE
Balance.
Don't take living simply to the extremes! Living simply doesn't mean living in deprivation.
There are special days when my wife and I eat in a fancy restaurant. Or, when we splurge into a
vacation. Very rare, yes, but my point is that you take living simply NOT as a rigid goal-
but as a happy process towards the goals of generosity, inner peace and holiness.

How to End Negative Thinking

2008-09-15T08:58:00.002-07:00

End negative thinking and learn to see the light.

Rid your mind of negative thoughts.

Instructions

Step1

Become aware of the negative though process. If you are a negative thinker, odds are negative thinking is second nature to you. In order to stop the negative thoughts from taking over you'll have to practice awareness. Try to be aware of everything you're thinking all the time. Tie a reminder string around your finger or stick up post-it notes if you are having a hard time remembering to be aware.

Step2

Once you catch yourself in a negative thought, stop yourself. Take a deep breath and focus on what you are doing. Use your five senses to concentrate on the moment. If you are getting dressed, for example, think about how the material feels, what your shirt smells like, what sounds you hear outside. By the time you are finished getting dressed you will feel calmer and the negative thoughts will have vanished.

Step3

Practice. Don't give up on yourself. This can be a difficult task since it takes up a lot of brainpower. Howver, if you are truly committed to ending your negative thought process this simple exercise will help you stay on the track to positivity.

Step4

Replace the negative thought with a positive one even if you don't believe in it. Eventually it will become truth. If every day when you get dressed you think about how fat you look, replace that with a thought about how good you look after your five senses exercise.

The Healing Power of Pets

2008-09-15T08:58:00.001-07:00

Studies show that contact with domestic animals can prevent illness.

As she makes her way through the hospital wards, Billie-Jean keeps up an impressive pace. She has to if she is going to see all the patients who are waiting for her. Wearing her official uniform, she looks neat and trim, and despite how busy she is, she always has time to stop if someone wants to say hello or slip her a Bonio. You see, Billie-Jean isn't a ward sister doing the rounds or a doctor bringing vital medicine, she's an Irish terrier. But despite the fact she's a canine, not human, carer, her medical value is second-to-none because she is a Pets As Therapy dog.

Pets As Therapy is a charity that takes pet dogs and cats to hospitals, hospices, residential care homes, day centres and special-needs schools. It was formed in 1983, explains chief executive Maureen Hennis, by a group of pet owners who were convinced that their animals could help other people. "At that time, people were moving into residential accommodation and nursing homes, and they had to give up their own pets," she says. "This wasn't only making them sad and depressed, sometimes it was actually making them ill."

The importance of regular contact with domestic animals has been highlighted by recent research conducted by the University of Minnesota. According to the study, having a cat around the house can cut the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke by almost half. After studying nearly 4,500 adults aged between 30 and 75 for 10 years, it was found that cat owners had a 40 per cent lower risk of suffering a fatal heart attack.

"For years we have known that psychological stress and anxiety are related to cardiovascular events, particularly heart attacks," says Dr Adnan Qureshi, executive director of the Minnesota Stroke Institute at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. According to Qureshi, the research shows that "essentially there is a benefit in relieving those inciting factors from pets". And in a study published last year, Dr Deborah Wells of Queen's University Belfast found that dog owners tend to suffer less from ill health, have lower cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. "It is possible that dogs can directly promote our well-being by buffering us from stress," says Dr Wells.

Today, Billie-Jean, along with her owner, Emma Charlton, is on her weekly visit to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney, south London. The hospital is just one of the thousands of places that PAT animals visit every year. "When we first started, we used to have to look around for establishments for registered PAT dogs to visit. Now we have more than 900 establishments waiting for PAT dogs to visit in," says Hennis. "Currently, we have 3,600 dogs and 92 cats working in the community and they are benefiting more than 100,000 patients every single week in the UK." As Billie-Jean makes her way through the hospital, clad in a bright PAT vest and fresh from the grooming parlour, it's clear that she is a real favourite with the patients.

When Billie-Jean bumps into Scott Robertson in one of the hospital's corridors, his face is wreathed in smiles at the sight of her. Charlton slips him a dog biscuit, which he hands to Billie-Jean as she enthusiastically licks his hands.

Not all of the patients here can articulate their likes and dislikes as clearly, so Charlton always checks with the ward staff who will welcome some time with Billie-Jean. Tina Loughney, Charlton tells me, loves to see her. Loughney usually communicates through facial movements and her expressive hands but today she has a surprise for everyone. Loughney has dogs at home and Emma asks how they are. "All right," she says. Charlton is gobsmacked -- and thrilled. "That's the first time I've heard Tina speak." The staff agree. "It's moments like this that make it worthwhile," says Charlton, who has been visiting the hospital with Billie-Jean for the past two years.

For over an hour, Billie-Jean pads through the hospital, shaking paws with and licking anyone who says hello. She is wonderfully behaved -- she seems to know instinctively when to be gentle and when she can be a little more boisterous. This is no accident -- every PAT animal is assessed to ensure that only the best-behaved pets come into contact with patients. Billie-Jean and her ilk are a hard-working part of the healthcare system. "PAT animals are being used for desensitisation in phobia patients, as part of stroke rehabilitation, helping to get people to use their limbs again and to talk," says Hennis. "Very often people go into a world of their own and they stop communicating with anyone. But if you go in with a dog, it's amazing how a dog can get through barriers that humans can't."

When speaking to a doctor friend about PAT, he waxes lyrical about his experiences of the animals and tells me about a patient on a stroke ward who had not spoken since she arrived in hospital. During an encounter with one of the charity's volunteer canines, she stroked the dog and uttered her first word -- "soft".

Hennis, herself a regular visitor to a number of establishments, tells me about how she realised the importance of what the charity was doing. "There was a lady that I visited who used to sit by the door every Saturday morning, and when she saw my dog she always used to say, 'Here's my ray of sunshine, she's my reason for staying alive'." One thing's for sure -- it's hard to imagine the average GP getting such a warm welcome.

Animal magic: how pets prevent illness

Dog owners tend to have lower cholesterol and lower blood pressure, as dogs can reduce the risk of spikes in blood pressure due to stress or tension.

In some cases, the emotional support offered by an animal is greater than that offered by a human. For older people in particular, an animal can fulfil "the need to be needed".

Owning a pet can improve a person's chances of survival after a life-threatening illness, by helping to lower blood pressure. Pets can also help speed up rehabilitation following a stroke.

Children with pets have higher levels of self-esteem and function better emotionally than those without, studies have shown. Some teachers have introduced pets into the classroom and children with learning disabilities and behavioural disorders such as autism, for example, show immediate benefits from animal-assisted therapy.

Children who live with a cat or dog in their first years have a lower incidence of hay fever and asthma and are less likely to develop animal-related allergies, or to suffer a bout of gastroenteritis.

Home Remedies You Can Use To Improve Your Memory

2008-09-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

If you are having problems remembering things, there are some simple things you can do to improve your memory. The first thing you will want to master is repetition. When you repeat things many times over, it increasing the chances that your brain will store it into your long term memory.

Repetition is directly connected to your ability to memorize important information. The next thing you will want to use is association. If you need to remember something that is important, associate it with an image which is very important to you.

By making this connection, your brain is much more likely to retain the information. You should also strive to learn at least one new fact each day. It should be something you're interested in. Your brain is much more likely to retain information that interests you. It will discard information that you find to be boring. A large percentage of our brains are composed of fatty substances. Because of this, the foods we consume can have an effect on the function of our brains. Because of this, you will want to make sure you only eat foods which are healthy to your brain. Eating good foods for your brain is just as important as eating the proper foods for the rest of your body.

It is also important to exercise your mind. Like your muscles, a brain which is exercised will be mentally fit. If you don't exercise your brain, you will become mentally weak. Antioxidants can enhance your immune system and protect your neurons. This is very important as you age, as memory problems have been connected to the aging process. Blackberries, raspberries, and raisins are excellent for keeping your brain healthy as you get older. These foods are full of antioxidants. Another product you will want to eat on a consistent basis is almonds. Eating about eight almonds a day can do a lot to improve your memory.

Milk and honey have been shown to help improve your memory. While there are many books you can buy which will present a number of techniques you can use to improve your memory, you don't want to forget about the foods you eat. Many people take this for granted. We always hear about the foods which are good to eat for those who want to lose weight and stay in great shape. Unfortunately, you don't hear a lot about the importance of brain food. What good is being physically fit if you are not mentally fit as well?

When you were young, your parents probably told you to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and there is a reason for this. Studies have consistently shown that eating the right foods can help you improve your memory. We live in a society where eating bad foods is the norm for many people. It is unfortunate that more fast food restaurants don't add either fruits or vegetables to their menu. However, it is up to you to take responsibility for the health of both your brain and your body. Nobody has a more vested interest in your health than you. We live in a world of information.

On a daily basis, the typical individual can expect to receive a ton of information. Much of this information is worthless, and your brain will discard it. However, there is a lot of information which is presented to you that has to be memorized. Because of this, your brain must know what information should be retained and what should be discarded. Having a knowledge of memory improvement techniques will allow you to store important information in your long term memory while discarding data which is not important. By eating the right foods will make this process easier. There are two primary reasons why people have memory problem.

The first reason is a result of them not knowing how to control the information that they receive. The second reason is not caring for their mind and body in a way that makes it easier for them to process information. Once you master these two things, there is little that will be able to stop you from enjoying a long, health life were you continue to learn new things each day.

A dummy's guide to cutting commuting costs

2008-09-14T07:23:00.001-07:00

Inflation is at its peak. Rising cost of consumer durables, food and fuel have left most of us in a difficult situation. We all are thinking about ways to beat inflation and how to reduce our monthly expenses.

I am sure most of you must have, at some point, made it a point to cut down on your lifestyle expenses. Didn't you?

Also, I am equally sure that most of you must not have succeeded. Did you?

Well, whatever your success ratio the point is that more can be done. Let's first look at managing travel/commuting costs and time.

To begin with let's try to economise on the things which have started costing more and pinching our pockets like never before.

Fuel forms a big chunk of it. With rising crude prices petrol/ diesel prices seems to be pinching everyone the most. With banks offering competitive interest rates in the recent past -- not now as interest rates are also on an upward journey -- owning a vehicle has become very easy and most of you, I am sure, must be owning either a two or a four-wheeler. Consequently, your fuel bills must have skyrocketed and hence the mounting expenses!

If you are looking at cutting fuel expenses you are probably starting out on this exercise quite wisely.

Car pool

A tried-and-tested method and one of the best ways to reduce travel cost when driving to work. Share a car with office colleagues or neighbours or friends heading in the same direction. Car pooling not only helps in reducing travel costs but also decongests traffic and reduces pollution as well your stress levels.

If you have no one with whom you can pool your car or vice versa then check this site out: commuteeasy.com which can help you to find car pools in your area. The only limitation of this site is that it offers its services in limited cities like Bengaluru [Images], Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Public transportation

It is the best and cheapest mode of travelling. Sanket Mehta, 24, a businessman from Mumbai's Fort area, says: "For me to travel from my home in Santa Cruz to Fort in peak hours takes at least an hour and a half. I use the train instead and reach my office in an hour or so; I don't get tired as well. Also, it's much more economical."

Trains and buses can be very crowded especially at peak hours. But they are economical and you don't have the headache of finding a parking space. You will understand this more if you are a resident of one of India's biggest metros where congestion is creating a huge problem. Remember where you can use bus or train; avoid taking a taxi or a rickshaw. Iy you live in a city that has taxis or rickshaws try to share them to reduce the burden of travelling fares.

Plan in advance

You can schedule your day in advance so that you can club appointments or places you have to go to. This way you can plan your route and transportation in advance and not only save time but also fuel. Also, if there is no urgency then select non-peak hours to reach your destination so that way if travelling by car you reach early as well as save on time and fuel. Again try to use public transport and if travelling during non-peak hours then you do not even have to worry about the crowds.

Walk where possible

Avoid taking your car or rickshaw or taxi to short distances where it's possible to walk. Like, going to a grocer's near your house.

Driving tips

Use driving tips to save that extra litre of petrol. You can get driving tips from your car dealer as well as from the service station you visit or even from the Internet.

School drive

For all those with children you should try to use the school bus instead of dropping your kids to school by car, taxi or rickshaw. Or form a car pool to drop kids to their school. With the amount of classes students attend these days parents spend half their time in dropping their kids to classes and picking them up.

Again parents can get together a group of children from their neighbourhood and form a car pool or can hire a bus to drop kids off to their classes and pick them up. This will prove economical both in terms of time and money.

Use teleconferencing

Technology can be a great boon in current times. Business people can use teleconferencing where possible instead of travelling.

Free home delivery

On weekends or even on weekdays instead of going out for dinner or lunch you can order your food at home. Almost all the restaurants have free home delivery service. This way you can save on fuel by not travelling to the restaurant, save on time by avoiding the waiting time at the restaurant (that is to wait first for a place and then for food which can be used for some effective task like reading a newspaper at home or doing some household chore). Also, you will save on time spent in searching for a parking lot, that is, if no valet service is available.

Buy passes

One should make use of monthly, quarterly or annual bus and train passes wherever available. It saves time because you can avoid peak hour queues to buy tickets everyday and arrange for small change. Also, the passes are a much cheaper option than buying tickets everyday if you go for periodic passes.

However, this only applies if you are travelling the same route everyday for work or other purpose. Also, students and senior citizens should try to use the discount available to them.

There are also a bunch of other even more radical innovations to save petrol flying around -- like using bicycles to work. It's not always practical solution especially in India. But creating an awareness sparks new ideas to cut costs.

Do you have an interesting idea on how to cut costs? Would you like to share your idea of cutting costs while travelling, shopping, eating out, buying clothes? Let us know on the message board below!

6 facts you should know about your home loan

2008-09-06T18:22:00.001-07:00

It really is a tough time for home loan borrowers. Interest rates on home loans -- be they fixed or floating -- are going through the roof, and so is the equated monthly installment, EMI, throwing monthly budgets out of gear.

What should you do in such a situation? Here are a few things that every home loan borrower must remember now that home loan rates are expected to increase further.

1. Is it worth switching from a floating to a fixed rate home loan now?

Switching your current floating home loan to fixed home loan is not advisable as there are not many banks that offer genuine fixed rate loans anyway. Once the interest rate is fixed on genuine fixed rate home loans the banks from which you borrow cannot change the rate of interest.

Fixed home loans are not available for less than 14 per cent rate of interest today and also, the borrower has to pay a fee for changing from 'floating' to 'fixed' home loan rates which is 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent of the outstanding loan amount. This means that the equated monthly installments (EMIs) will go up immediately.

2. Are fixed rate home loans really fixed?

Now ideally as it should be, we assume that once you select fixed rate plan for your home loan the rate of interest will remain unchanged over the entire tenure of the repayment period irrespective of any subsequent increase in the same. But actually this is not the case.

All banks include the reset clause on fixed interest rate in their loan agreement. So if you have taken a loan @ 10.5 per cent for 15 years it does not mean the same rate will be applicable through the tenure of your loan.

Banks have introduced a clause according to which they have the right to revise the fixed rate home loan after two years or five years of disbursing the loan. This clause is called the Force Majeure Clause.

The statement included in the loan agreement will say:

Provided further that from time to time, the bank may in its sole discretion alter the rate of interest suitably and prospectively on account of change in the internal policies of the bank or if unforeseen or extraordinary changes in the money market conditions take place during the period of the agreement.

Don't let yourself to be misled by the term 'fixed rate'. For that reason, it is significantly important to go through the contents of your home loan agreement meticulously. Most of us see the home loan agreement as a mere formality. Well! This can be the biggest pitfall.

It is a contract twisted towards the lenders through different legal clauses presented in fine quality paper. You should not take things for granted. Always ask the lender bank to make you understand the agreement before you sign it. Also, ensure to bring these uneven and twisted clauses to the notice of your housing finance company and suggest the changes you need in co-operation with the lender bank.

3. What about shifting to other lenders offering a lower floating rate?

This can be a good idea especially if another lender is offering a floating rate which is at least 0.5 per cent or 0.75 per cent lower than what has been offered by your existing lender, and, more importantly, with the balance tenure of not less than 7-8 years.

There are banks that charge high rate of interest from existing customers and low rate from new customers. Therefore, shop around the market and get informed regarding the same to avail the best deal.

4. What forces banks to increase EMIs on existing home loans?

The rising interest rates in the country today has brought this debt trap to your household. In the past few years, the floating interest rates on home loans have shot up to 12 per cent from 7.5-8 per cent.

Rate of interest and principal are two basic components involved while calculating EMI payment for any loan. In the first few years of your loan repayment tenure, a major part of the amount goes in paying up the interest. The trend reverses after a few years -- after you have paid much of the interest -- and the principal repayment increases.

Today, when home loan interest rates are high everywhere, banks have to increase tenure up to a certain point. If the interest rate continues to go up, the EMI you pay fails to cover the loan amount.

Moreover, increasing the time period is not seen as a solution to cope up with the rising interest rates. Hence, banks are forced to increase the amount of EMI.

5. What are the options to reduce the EMIs?

If you have extra money, it is recommended that you pay a part of your loan to keep the EMI at the same level. Since most banks do not charge part pre-payment penalty, it can be an excellent option.

In case you find the increase in EMI unfeasible, you should check whether your bank is ready to increase the loan tenure while keeping the EMI at the same level.

However, banks generally do not increase the tenure beyond the retirement age which is 60 years for salaried people and 65 years for self-employed.

6. Is it the right time to buy a home?

Interest rates are likely to go up further, which could affect demand, putting property prices under pressure. However, if you want to buy a house for your own use, this could be a good time.

The value of borrowed amount is depreciating (decreasing in value) because of inflation. If the value of the property you are buying does not depreciate, your investment will give you handsome return. Of course, that is a big IF.

somE usefuL tipS

2008-08-31T09:05:00.000-07:00

Almonds: To remove the skin of almonds easily, soak them in hot water for 15-20 minutes.

Ants: Putting 3-4 cloves in the sugar container will keep the ants at bay.

Biscuits: If you keep a piece of blotting paper at the bottom of the container, it will keep biscuits fresh for a longer time..

Butter: Avoid the use of butter. If it is essential to use, use a butter containing low saturated fat or with plant stanols (which avoid absorption of cholesterol by our body) or similar substitutes.

Apples: Apply some lemon juice on the cut surface of the apple to avoid browning. They will look fresh for a longer time.

Banana: Apply mashed banana over a burn on your body to have a cooling effect.

Bee and Scorpion Sting Relief: Apply a mixture of 1 pinch of chewing tobacco and 1 drop of water. Mix and apply directly and immediately to the sting; cover with band aid to hold in place. Pain will go away in just a few short minutes

Bitter Gourd (Karela): Slit Karelas at the middle and apply a mixture of salt, wheat flour and curd all round. Keep aside for 1/2 an hour and then cook.
Stuffed Karela

Celery: To keep celery fresh for long time, wrap it in aluminium foil and place in the refrigerator.

Burnt Food: Place some chopped onion in the vessel having burnt food, pour boiling water in it, keep for 5 minutes and then clean.

Chilli Powder: Keeping a small piece of hing (asafoetida) in the same container will store chilli powder for long time.

Chopping: Use a wooden board to chop. It will not blunt the knife. Don't use a plastic board, small plastic pieces may go with the vegetables.

Coriander/Mint: You can use dried coriander and mint leaves in coarse powder form in vegetable curry or chutney, if fresh ones are not available.
To keep them fresh for a longer time, wrap them in a muslin cloth and keep in a fridge.

Cockroaches: Put some boric powder in kitchen in corners and other places. Cockroaches will leave your house.

Coconut: Immerse coconut in water for 1/2 an hour to remove its hust.

Dry Fruits: To chop dry fruits, place them in fridge for half an hour before cutting. Take the fruits out and cut them with a hot knife (dip it in hot water before cutting).

Dough/Rolling pin: If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, place it in freezer for a few minutes.

Egg peeling off: Make a small hole in the egg by piercing a pin before boiling it. You will be able to remove its skin very easily.

Egg fresh: Immerse the egg in a pan of cool salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh; if it rises to the surface, it is certainly quite old.

Garlic: Garlic skin comes off easily if the garlic cloves are slightly warmed before peeling.

Ghee: Avoid the use of ghee. If it is necessary, substitute it with canola oil. Even for making halwa, you can partly substitute it with oil.

Green Chillies: To keep the chillies fresh for a longer time, remove the stems before storing.

Green Peas: To preserve green peas, keep them in a polythene bag in the freezer.

Idlies: Place a betel (paan) leaf over the leftover idli and dosa batter to prevent them sour.
Do not beat idli batter too much, the air which has been incorporated during fermentation will escape.
If you add half a tsp of fenugreek seeds to the lentil and rice mixture while soaking, dosas will be more crisp.

Fruits: To ripen fruits, wrap them in newspaper and put in a warm place for 2-3 days. The ethylene gas they emit will make them ripe.

Frying: Avoid deep frying. Substitute deep frying with stir frying or oven bake. Don't pour the oil, but make a habit of spraying the oil in the utensil for cooking. Heat the utensil first, then add oil. This way oil spreads well. You will use less oil this way.

Left Over: Don't throw away the foods left over. Store them in Fridge. Use them in making tasty dishes.

Lemon/Lime: If the lemon or lime is hard, put it in warm water for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to squeeze.

Lizards: Hang a peacock feather, lizards will leave your house.

Milk: Moisten the base of the vessel with water to reduce the chances of milk to stick at the bottom.
Keep a spoon in the vessel while boiling milk at medium heat. It will avoid sticking the milk at the bottom of the vessel.
Adding half a tsp of sodium bicarbonate in the milk while boiling will not spoil the milk even if you don't put it in the fridge.

Mixer/Grinder: Grind some common salt in your mixer/grinder fro some time every month. This will keep your mixer blades sharp.

Mosquitoes: Put a few camphor tablets in a cup of water and keep it in the bed room near your bed, or in any place with mosquitoes.

Noodles: When the noodles are boiled, drain all the hot water and add cold water. This way all the noodles will get separated.

Onions: To avoid crying, cut the onions into two parts and place them in water for 15 minutes before chopping them.
Wrap the onions individually in a newspaper and store in a cool and dark place to keep them fresh for long time.

Oven: Watch from the oven window to conserve energy because the oven temperature drops by 25 degrees every time its door is opened,
To clean the oven, apply a paste of sodium bicarbonate and water on the walls and floor of the oven and keep the oven on low heat for about half an hour. Dried food can easily be removed.

Paneer: To keep paneer fresh for several days, wrap it in a blotting paper while storing in the refrigerator.
Do not fry paneer, immerse it in boiling water to make it soft and spongy.

Papad: Bake in microwave oven.
Wrap the papads in polythene sheet and place with dal or rice will prevent them from drying and breaking.

Pickles: To prevent the growth of fungus in pickles, burn a small grain of asafoetida over a burning coal and invert the empty pickle jar for some time before putting pickles in the jar.

Popcorn: Keep the maize/corn seeds in the freezer and pop while still frozen to get better pops.

Potato: To bake potatoes quickly, place them in salt water for 15 minutes before baking.
Use the skin of boiled potatoes to wipe mirrors to sparkling clean.
Don't store potatoes and onions together. Potatoes will rot quickly if stored with onions.

Refrigerator: To prevent formation of ice, rub table salt to the insides of your freeze.

Rice: Add a few drops of lemon juice in the water before boiling the rice to make rice whiter.
Add a tsp of canola oil in the water before boiling the rice to separate each grain after cooking.
Don't throw away the rice water after cooking. Use it to make soup or add it in making dal (lentils).
Add 5g of dried powdered mint leaves to 1kg of rice. It will keep insects at bay.
Put a small paper packet of boric powder in the container of rice to keep insects at bay. Put a few leaves of mint in the container of rice to keep insects at bay.

Samosa: Bake them instead of deep frying to make them fat free. Don't fry the filling potato masala.
Preserve the samosas in freezer. For eating, take out of the freezer two hours in advance and bake them over low temp.

Sugar: Put 2-3 cloves in the sugar to keep ants at bay.

Tadka: Use sprouted mustard seeds (rayee) and fenugreek (methi) seeds for your tadkas. Both of them when sprouted have more nutritional values. Also this add flavour to the dish and can be more beneficial, besides giving decorative look to the dish. Submitted by MS Itisha Madhav

Tomato: To remove the skin of tomatoes, place them in warm water for 5-10 minutes. The skin can then be easily peeled off.
When tomatoes are not available or too costly, substitute with tomato puree or tomato ketchup/sauce.
Place overripe tomatoes in cold water and add some salt. Overnight they will become firm and fresh.

Tamarind: Tamarind is an excellent polish for brass and copper items. Rub a slab of wet tamarind with some salt sprinkled on it on the object to be polished.
Gargles with tamarind water is recommended for a sore throat.

Utensils: Use nonsticking utensils. Use thick bottom utensils, they get uniformly heated. For electric stoves, use flat bottom utensils.
Add a little bit of common salt to the washing powder for better cleaning of utensils.

Vegetables: Don't discard the water in which the vegetables are soaked or cooked. Use it in making soup or gravy.
To keep the vegetables fresh for a longer time, wrap them in newspaper before putting them in freeze.
Chop the vegetables only when you are ready to use them. Don't cut them in too advance. It would spoil their food value.

Sink (Blocked): To clear the blocked drain pipe of your kitchen sink, mix 1/2 cup sodium bicarbonate in 1 cup vinegar and pour it into the sink, and pour about 1 cup water. In an hour the drain pipe will open.

Soup Salty: Place a raw peeled potato in the bowl, it will absorb the extra salt.

Yoghurt (Home Made): To set yogurt in winter, place the container in a warm place like oven or over the voltage stabliser.

Yogurt: If the yogurt has become sour, put it in a muslin cloth and drain all the water. Then add milk to make it as good as fresh in taste. Use the drained water in making tasty gravy for vegetables or for basen curry.
To keep the yogurt fresh for many days, fill the vessel containing yogurt with water to the brim and refrigerate. Change the water daily..

Some Cooking Tips & Tricks, Kitchen Tips

2008-08-23T10:26:00.001-07:00

Almonds: To remove the skin of almonds easily, soak them in hot water for 15-20 minutes.

Ants: Putting 3-4 cloves in the sugar container will keep the ants at bay.

Biscuits: If you keep a piece of blotting paper at the bottom of the container, it will keep biscuits fresh for a longer time.

Butter: Avoid the use of butter. If it is essential to use, use a butter containing low saturated fat or with plant stanols (which avoid absorption of cholesterol by our body) or similar substitutes.

Apples: Apply some lemon juice on the cut surface of the apple to avoid browning. They will look fresh for a longer time.

Banana: Apply mashed banana over a burn on your body to have a cooling effect.

Bee and Scorpion Sting Relief: Apply a mixutre of 1 pinch of chewing tobacco and 1 drop of water. Mix and apply directly and immediately to the sting; cover with bandaid to hold in place. Pain will go away in just a few short mintues. [submitted by Pam R, pr1190@yahoo.com]

Bitter Gourd (Karela): Slit Karelas at the middle and apply a mixture of salt, wheat flour and curd all round. Keep aside for 1/2 an hour and then cook.
Stuffed Karela

Celery: To keep celery fresh for long time, wrap it in aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator.

Burnt Food: Place some chopped onion in the vessel having burnt food, pour boiling water in it, keep for 5 minutes and then clean.

Chili Powder: Keeping a small piece of hing (asafoetida) in the same container will store chili powder for long time.

Chopping: Use a wooden board to chop. It will not blunt the knife. Don't use a plastic board, small plastic pieces may go with the vegetables.

Coriander/Mint: You can use dried coriander and mint leaves in coarse powder form in vegetable curry or chutney, if fresh ones are not available.
To keep them fresh for a longer time, wrap them in a muslin cloth and keep in a fridge.

Cockroaches: Put some boric powder in kitchen in corners and other places. Cockroaches will leave your house.

Coconut: Immerse coconut in water for 1/2 an hour to remove its hust.

Dry Fruits: To chop dry fruits, place them in fridge for half an hour before cutting. Take the fruits out and cut them with a hot knife (dip it in hot water before cutting).

Dough/Rolling pin: If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, place it in freezer for a few minutes.

Egg peeling off: Make a small hole in the egg by piercing a pin before boiling it. You will be able to remove its skin very easily.

Egg fresh: Immerse the egg in a pan of cool salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh; if it rises to the surface, it is certainly quite old.

Garlic: Garlic skin comes off easily if the garlic cloves are slightly warmed before peeling.

Ghee: Avoid the use of ghee. If it is necessary, substitute it with canola oil. Even for making halwa, you can partly substitute it with oil.

Green Chilies: To keep the chilies fresh for a longer time, remove the stems before storing.

Green Peas: To preserve green peas, keep them in a polythene bag in the freezer.

Idlies: Place a betel (paan) leaf over the leftover idli and dosa batter to prevent them sour.
Do not beat idli batter too much, the air which has been incorporated during fermentation will escape.
If you add half a tsp of fenugreek seeds to the lentil and rice mixture while soaking, dosas will be more crisp.

Fruits: To ripen fruits, wrap them in newspaper and put in a warm place for 2-3 days. The ethylene gas they emit will make them ripe.

Frying: Avoid deep frying. Substitute deep frying with stir frying or oven bake. Don't pour the oil, but make a habit of spraying the oil in the utensil for cooking. Heat the utensil first, then add oil. This way oil spreads well. You will use less oil this way.

Left Overs: Don't throw away the foods left over. Store them in Fridge. Use them in making tasty dishes.

Lemon/Lime: If the lemon or lime is hard, put it in warm water for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to squeeze.

Lizards: Hang a peacock feather, lizards will leave your house.

Milk: Moisten the base of the vessel with water to reduce the chances of milk to stick at the bottom.
Keep a spoon in the vessel while boiling milk at medium heat. It will avoid sticking the milk at the bottom of the vessel.
Adding half a tsp of sodium bicarbonate in the milk while boiling will not spoil the milk even if you don't put it in the fridge.

Mixer/Grinder: Grind some common salt in your mixer/grinder fro some time every month. This will keep your mixer blades sharp.

Mosquitoes: Put a few camphor tablets in a cup of water and keep it in the bed room near your bed, or in any place with mosquitoes.

Noodles: When the noodles are boiled, drain all the hot water and add cold water. This way all the noodles will get separated.

Onions: To avoid crying, cut the onions into two parts and place them in water for 15 minutes before chopping them.
Wrap the onions individually in a newspaper and store in a cool and dark place to keep them fresh for long time.

Oven: Watch from the oven window to conserve energy because the oven temperature drops by 25 degrees every time its door is opened,
To clean the oven, apply a paste of sodium bicarbonate and water on the walls and floor of the oven and keep the oven on low heat for about half an hour. Dried food can easily be removed.

Paneer: To keep paneer fresh for several days, wrap it in a blotting paper while storing in the refrigerator.
Do not fry paneer, immerse it in boiling water to make it soft and spongy.

Papad: Bake in microwave oven.
Wrap the papads in polythene sheet and place with dal or rice will prevent them from drying and breaking.

Pickles: To prevent the growth of fungus in pickles, burn a small grain of asafoetida over a burning coal and invert the empty pickle jar for some time before putting pickles in the jar.

Popcorn: Keep the maize/corn seeds in the freezer and pop while still frozen to get better pops.

Potato: To bake potatoes quickly, place them in salt water for 15 minutes before baking.
Use the skin of boiled potatoes to wipe mirrors to sparkling clean.
Don't store potatoes and onions together. Potatoes will rot quickly if stored with onions.

Refrigerator: To prevent formation of ice, rub table salt to the insides of your freeze.

Rice: Add a few drops of lemon juice in the water before boiling the rice to make rice whiter.
Add a tsp of canola oil in the water before boiling the rice to separate each grain after cooking.
Don't throw away the rice water after cooking. Use it to make soup or add it in making dal (lentils).
Add 5g of dried powdered mint leaves to 1kg of rice. It will keep insects at bay.
Put a small paper packet of boric powder in the container of rice to keep insects at bay. Put a few leaves of mint in the container of rice to keep insects at bay.

Samosa: Bake them instead of deep frying to make them fat free. Don't fry the filling potato masala.
Preserve the samosas in freezer. For eating, take out of the freezer two hours in advance and bake them over low temp.

Sugar: Put 2-3 cloves in the sugar to keep ants at bay.

Tadka: Use sprouted mustard seeds (rayee) and fenugreek (methi) seeds for your tadkas. Both of them when sprouted have more nutritional values. Also this add flavour to the dish and can be more beneficial, besides giving decorative look to the dish. Submitted by MS Itisha Madhav ( itisha_madhav@yahoo.com)

Tomato: To remove the skin of tomatoes, place them in warm water for 5-10 minutes. The skin can then be easily peeled off.
When tomatoes are not available or too costly, substitute with tomato puree or tomato ketchup/sauce.
Place overripe tomatoes in cold water and add some salt. Overnight they will become firm and fresh.

Tamarind:Tamarind is an excellent polish for brass and copper items. Rub a slab of wet tamarind with some salt sprinkled on it on the object to be polished.
Gargles with tamarind water is recommended for a sore throat.

Utensils: Use nonsticking utensils. Use thick bottom utensils, they get uniformly heated. For electric stoves, use flat bottom utensils.
Add a little bit of common salt to the washing powder for better cleaning of utensils.

Vegetables: Don't discard the water in which the vegetables are soaked or cooked. Use it in making soup or gravy.
To keep the vegetables fresh for a longer time, wrap them in newspaper before putting them in freeze.
Chop the vegetables only when you are ready to use them. Don't cut them in too advance. It would spoil their food value.

Sink (Blocked): To clear the blocked drain pipe of your kitchen sink, mix 1/2 cup sodium bicarbonate in 1 cup vinegar and pour it into the sink, and pour about 1 cup water. In an hour the drain pipe will open.

Soup Salty: Place a raw peeled potato in the bowl, it will absorb the extra salt.

Yoghurt (Home Made): To set yogurt in winter, place the container in a warm place like oven or over the voltage stabliser.

Yogurt: If the yogurt has become sour, put it in a muslin cloth and drain all the water. Then add milk to make it as good as fresh in taste. Use the drained water in making tasty gravy for vegetables or for basen curry.
To keep the yogurt fresh for many days, fill the vessel containing yogurt with water to the brim and refrigerate. Change the water daily.

__._,_.___

Benefits of Calcium, Calcium Rich Food and Calcium Deficiency

2008-08-02T18:55:00.001-07:00

Benefits of Calcium, Calcium Rich Food and Calcium Deficiency

Calcium is an essential dietary mineral for healthy bones and strong teeth. A constant blood calcium level is essential for the maintenance of the normal heartbeat, and for the usual functioning of nerves and muscles.

Advantages of calcium -

# Calcium ion is essential for a large variety of important physiological functions, including muscle contraction, nerve stimulation, hormonal release, cell membrane, permeability, proper enzyme function.

# Calcium is necessary to stabilize the activity of a number of proteins and enzymes. The binding of calcium ions is required for the activation of "vitamin K-dependent" clotting aspects in the blood coagulation process.

# Calcium, especially calcium derived from dairy products help adjust body fat.

# Calcium helps slow bone loss in postmenopausal women, may reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms, and is associated with reduced threat of colorectal cancer.

# The body requires calcium to make strong teeth and healthy bones. The bones serve as the storage place for the body's calcium. They continuously release calcium into the bloodstream, and then keep replacing it as the body's requirement for calcium arises. When calcium intake is low, there is poor absorption; and there is a high probability of bone breakdown because the body uses up the stored calcium to perform normal biological functions.

# Calcium is also needed for muscle contraction and maintenance of cell membranes.

# Calcium supplements help alleviate mood swings, food cravings, pain, and bloating associated with premenstrual syndrome.

What is the recommended daily requirement of calcium?

Optimal calcium intake depends according to a person's age, sex, and ethnicity.

The U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance for calcium is 1,000 milligrams per day - given for adults (except pregnant or lactating women) and children over 4 years of age.

It is about 1200 milligrams for individuals older than 50 years of age.

The calcium intake of vegans tends to be slightly below the recommended optimal amounts but the body does adapt to lower intakes. Since vegetarians have a slightly lower protein intake and rule out meat from their diet, encourages their bodies to retain calcium so their dietary need is relatively lower.

Sources of Calcium -

Dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese, cheese) are the main sources of calcium. Individuals with lactose intolerance (people who cannot completely digest the milk sugar lactose) and those who are vegans tend to avoid or eliminate dairy products from their diet. We all know that it is important for vegetarians to meet calcium needs with alternative calcium sources.

Good vegan sources of calcium include tofu (if prepared from calcium sulphate), green leafy vegetables, dried figs, broccoli, seeds and nuts. Some soya milks, instant breakfast cereals are also fortified with calcium. Drinking water can provide as much as 200mg of calcium daily, as hard water contains a rich source of calcium.

Although most grains are not high in calcium, they do contribute calcium to the diet because they are consumed regularly and frequently.

What affects calcium absorption and excretion from the body?

Only 20-30% of calcium in the average diet is absorbed into the body, the rest gets excreted.

A high protein diet, especially based on animal foods, causes calcium loss in the body. The higher sulphur-to-calcium ratio of meat increases calcium excretion.

Calcium absorption can also be affected by the amount of calcium present in the body, amount of vitamin D presence (helps improve calcium absorption), age, pregnancy (intestinal calcium absorption increases during pregnancy), fibre content in diet etc. The amount of calcium consumed at one time such as in a meal is inversely related to the absorption rate.

Calcium excretion refers to the amount of calcium eliminated from the body through urine, feces and sweat. Calcium excretion is affected by factors such as amount of sodium, protein, caffeine and potassium in diet.

Calcium is lost in cooking some foods even under the best conditions.

To retain calcium:

* Foods are best cooked in a minimal amount of water.

* Cook food for the shortest possible time.

What does calcium deficiency lead to?

Osteoporosis: major cause of bone fractures in the elderly, especially women. Prevention includes an adequate intake of calcium throughout life, but especially in childhood and young adulthood; and reducing trigger factors such as smoking, heavy drinking and lack of physical exercise.

Diets high in protein and salt also increase calcium loss from the body. Post-menopausal women are more prone because they produce less oestrogen, which protects the skeleton in younger women.

Rickets is a childhood disorder involving softening and weakening of the bones. It is caused by lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. Deficiency of vitamin D leads to improper regulation of calcium and phosphate. Symptoms of rickets in children include delayed sitting, crawling, walking and the development of bowlegs

LOVE HAS NO LIMITS

2008-08-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

While Dad was polishing his new car,
his 4 yr old son picked stone & scratched lines on the side of the car.
In his anger, Dad took the child's hand & hit it many times, not
realizing he was using a wrench.
At the hospital, his child said "Dad when will my fingers grow back?"
Dad was so hurt.
He went back to car and kicked it a lot of times.
Sitting back he looked at the scratches, child wrote "I LOVE YOU DAD"

Anger and Love has no limits...

Dandruff

2008-08-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

Vinegar Wonder
• Add six spoonfuls water, two spoonfuls pure vinegar and apply it on the scalp with cotton wool before going to bed. Tie a towel around your head to protect the pillow. Wash your hair next morning. After shampooing, rinse again with vinegar water. Continue this once a week for at least three months.
• Mix a spoonful of lemon juice with two spoonfuls of vinegar and massage on the scalp. Wash your hair with an egg shampoo after this.

Methi Power
• Soak fenugreek (methi) seeds in yogurt overnight and apply the curd on your scalp for half an hour before washing in the morning.
• Just soak the fenugreek seeds overnight in water to soften the seeds and grind in the morning to make paste. Before hairwash, apply this paste on scalp and hair and leave it on for half an hour. Wash off with shampoo later.

An Egg Pack
• Beat two eggs and add two tablespoons of water to it.
• Wet the hair and apply the egg mixture over the hair.
• Now massage your scalp and let the mixture on for ten minutes to fifteen minutes. Then rinse the hair with lukewarm water.

Amla Power
• Amla is rich in iron and considered to be very nourishing for strong and healthy hair. Add amla juice to lemon juice and massage your scalp with firm fingers.
• Wash after half an hour.

MAKE YOUR OWN SHOESHINE KIT!

2008-08-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

What’s the first thing that women observe about a man? Apparently, his shoes! This is because your shoes are a reflection of how well-groomed you are! And we don’t mean that you need to blow a lump sum of money on new shoes, but see that the ones you already have look shiny ‘n’ new!

Here’s how to pamper your shoes:

• Get your shoeshine kit together. You’ll need: a shoeshine & polish brush, shine cloth ( cotton cloth, old T-shirt, socks etc), standard brown and black polish, an old toothbrush and cotton.
• Wipe away the dust and debris using a dry cloth or shoeshine brush, and then a wet cloth.
• Once your shoes are clean and dry, use your shoeshine polish brush to apply a good amount of polish onto your shoes. Evenly spread over shoes and use a toothbrush/cotton swab to polish hard-to-reach areas. Wait 15 to 20 minutes for the polish to dry.
• Once your shoe is completely dry, use the shoeshine brush to carefully brush off the polish. Again, use a clean cotton swab or toothbrush for hard-to-reach spots.
• Now using a clean, lint-free shine cloth, give your shoes the shine they deserve.

SOMETHING ABOUT SOCKS & SHOES

2008-08-01T09:26:00.001-07:00

Socks
Your socks should be of a dark shade so as to compliment your suit. Lengthwise they should be mid-calf or knee-high in length.

Shine
Your shoes should be and have new heels, soles and tips, if needed. Worn down heels and scuffed tips make you look shabby.

CAN I WEAR FORMAL SHOES ON INFORMAL CLOTHES?

2008-08-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Shoes are an important part of dressing for the occasion.
• Each dress code has its specified shoes. Nothing can be as jarring as mismatched shoes and clothes.
• Besides aesthetic appeal, shoes also have a specific purpose. Business shoes for example are designed to bear the weight of heavy clothing that is a part of formal business wear. Loafers, lug soles, chukka boots, suede oxfords are meant for lazy weekends and have an air of informality about them.
• Avoid activity footwear like hiking boots, basketball sneakers, boating shoes etc. when you dress informally to work, such shoes connote physical movement. Another important aspect to be borne in mind is the type of socks one wears while dressing informally.
• Avoid business socks, but that does not mean you end up wearing athletic ones, the stress once again is on cool and comfortable wear.

SOCKS & SANDALS -- A STRICT NO-NO!

2008-08-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

Guys, you might think socks with sandals are cool, but trust the women -- we know better.

Why were you wearing sandals in the first place? To keep your feet cool, right? So why are you wearing socks now? If you think it’s a cooler way of wearing a pair of shoes then think again. Most of you do it because you think it looks good, but the truth of the matter is, it doesn’t. Socks and sandals when paired together can be nothing short of a fashion disaster!

So here’s what you need to keep in mind, in order not to repeat this fashion felony.

Knee-highs and sandals look silly
Stay away from socks that reach your knees. This style may have been acceptable in the 80s but not any longer.

No neon socks
You like making a fashion statement, but do it without it going overboard!

Non-matching socks
Ok maybe when you wear closed shoes, it doesn’t matter. But, hey, if you are going to go ahead teaming socks with sandals then at least match the socks!

Stay away from the whites
You also might think of going with the classic white look, but that doesn’t work either. It draws too much attention to your feet.

Breaking Family Ties That Bind

2008-07-31T06:25:00.001-07:00

When we really examine our fears about something, we sometimes notice that the fear we have is not based on our own experience. Often, if we trace our fear back to its source, we find that one of our parents may have handed it down to us. For example, your mother or father may have had an intense fear of lack of money, stemming from their own life experiences. If that fear was not resolved by the time you came into the picture, chances are you inherited it. Meanwhile, you may have no actual experience of lacking money, so being fearful doesn't make sense, and it may even block you from doing certain things you want to do.

Keeping in mind that your parents were only trying to protect you, and that most of the errors in judgment they made were made with the best intentions, it might be time to release this fear symbolically. You cannot resolve someone else's fear for them, but you can decide to let go of it on your own behalf. Whether your parents are still alive or not, it is best to do this in a symbolic way, using visualization and, if you like, ritual. One simple visualization involves inviting your parent to sit across from you in your heart space and sharing your desire to move on from this fear, letting them know that you will not carry it anymore. You may be surprised at the response you get, because it's possible they will be proud of you, grateful, and proud of your courage.

The more we do this deep inner work with our fears, the better we will be able to parent our own children without burdening them with fears that don't belong to them. Some of us will do as much of this work as we can before we become parents, while others will be working on this even as our children become adults. Either way, the effects will be felt, because once we break our ties to the fears of the past, our children's ties to those fears are greatly weakened, so it's important to remember that it's never too late.

Electrical Burns -Electrical shock

2008-07-30T09:58:00.001-07:00

Electrical Burns

Electrical Shock, Electrocution

Electrical burns occur when a person is directly exposed to an electrical current. Electrical burns can result from contact with either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Although some electrical burns look minor, they can cause extensive internal damage, especially to the heart, muscles, or brain.

Classification of Skin Burns

Causes

Electrical burns result from accidental contact with exposed parts of electrical appliances or wiring, such as:

Children biting on electrical cords
Poking utensils or other metal objects into electrical outlets or appliances, such as a plugged-in toaster
Failing to shut the power supply before making home repairs or installation
Dropping a plugged-in appliance into water
Occupational accidents due to, for example, electric arcs from high-voltage power lines. (Electric arcs occur when a burst of electricity jumps from one electrical conductor to another, such as flashes of electricity from the wheels of an electrically powered train or where a trolley car connects to an overhead power line.)

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Skin burns
Muscle contraction or pain
Numbness or tingling
Weakness
Bone fractures
Headache
Sudden hearing impairment
Seizures
Heart arrhythmias
If you experience any of these symptoms don't assume it is due to an electrical burn. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, consult your doctor.
Electrical burns can cause cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and/or unconsciousness.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.

Like other burns, electrical burns have three degrees of severity, each with distinctive symptoms:

First-degree burns—injure only the outer layer of skin. They are red and painful, and may cause some swelling. The skin turns white when touched.
Second-degree burns—are deeper and more severe. They cause blisters and the skin is very red or splotchy. There may be more significant swelling.
Third-degree burns—cause damage to all layers of the skin down to the tissue underneath. The burned skin looks white or charred. These burns may cause little or no pain because the nerves in the skin are destroyed.

It may be more difficult to diagnosis damage under the skin caused by electrocution. Test may include:

Electrocardiogram —to detect rhythm disturbances of the heart
Urine or blood tests–to check for severe damage to muscles

Treatment

Electrical burns require an immediate call to paramedics. If possible, shut off the electrical current from its source (such as unplugging a cord or turning off the circuit breaker). Often, simply turning off the appliance itself will not stop the flow of electricity.

If the current can't be turned off, use a non-conducting object, such as a wooden broom, chair, rug, or rubber doormat to push the victim away from the source of the current. Don't use a wet or metal object. If possible, stand on something dry and non-conducting, such as a mat or folded newspapers.

Do not attempt to rescue a victim near active high-voltage lines.

Once the victim is free from the source of electricity, his or her airway, breathing and pulses are checked and, if necessary, cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts are started. The victim is covered with a blanket to maintain body heat and feet are raised above the head.

Ice, butter, or ointments, should not be applied.

Any patient with an electrical burn should be taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Treatment will depend on the severity of the burn and any other associated complications.

Prevention

To help reduce your chances of an electric burn, take the following steps:

Use child safety plugs in all outlets.
Keep electrical cords out of children's reach.
Avoid electrical hazards by following manufacturer's safety instructions when using electrical appliances. Always turn off circuit breakers before making repairs to wiring.
Avoid using electrical appliances while showering or wet.
Never touch electrical appliances while touching faucets or cold water pipes.

CHILDREN AND ANGELS

2008-07-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

I have often felt that children are far closer to the angels than we adults are. They seem far more ready to share joy freely and to give love unconditionally to others. They seem to easily know how to celebrate life, laugh, smile, and embrace delight just as God meant for all of us to do. Nothing brought this point home to my heart more clearly than a story a friend of mine recently shared with me about her daughter.

Her daughter while mentally handicapped has a soul that shines brighter than a thousand suns. She loves everyone and is never afraid to express her affection to others. Once when she was at Church with her Mom it came time to give others the sign of peace. Now most people do this with a handshake or a gentle touch. This little Angel Child , however, wasn't one to hold back on her love. She turned around and gave a sweet, elderly lady next to her a huge hug full of both energy and love. Later after Church that same lady with tears in her eyes approached the girl's Mom and spoke to her. "My husband just died a week ago", she said. "I felt so alone that I was going to go home and take some pills to end my life today, but now thanks to your little girl I believe that there still is love in this world."

Our children can teach us so much about love. Our children can teach us so much about joy. Our children can teach us so much about life. Let us not ignore the lessons they give us every day. Let us instead learn from them and share more love and joy with others in our own lives. God loves us and put us here to love each other. Sometimes we forget this, but thankfully God is patient and forgiving with us. He never fails to send us joyous angels and happy children to guide us back to love again.

The Power of Solar Communities

2008-07-26T21:33:00.001-07:00

The great innovations of the 21st Century will be social. I predict that the solutions to our greatest challenges will emerge through new ways of coming together. Case in point, the Drake Landing Solar Community is a fully integrated housing development that takes solar to the next level. Solar panels channel heat through a series of underground pipes to produce a reservoir of energy for warming the 52 home neighborhood throughout the winter months.

This is a social solution. The community is built around the ideas of (1) producing energy locally and (2) sharing in the effort through a common infrastructure. In order for this to work, the homes must be structured in such a way that neighbors are in close proximity to one another.

Neighborly behavior is the future for solar.

This idea is taking hold in a number of places. Another example is the partnership between Global Green and Community Housingworks that has produced the first fully solar powered apartment community in the state of California. This community includes 54 homes and several business sites that share the wealth of abundant sunlight.

And that’s not all. Community Housingworks provides resources to its tenants including courses in financial management, special needs housing opportunities, and leadership training for broader civic engagement. Developers are shaping the future of these homes with a focus on community.

Already have a home? No problem. Home owners can get organized and purchase solar upgrades in bulk, reducing the cost for each installment and distributing the risk across the entire neighborhood. Community solar programs are offered by the company, SolarCity , to encourage “buying in bulk.”

Yes, of course there is a need for new technological innovations like MIT’s prototype solar dish that may prove to be the most energy efficient and affordable in the world. But the real breakthroughs will be in the ways we integrate these techologies into the structures of our communities.

Mark my words on this one - 21st Century innovations will be overwhelmingly social in nature. Ultimately, it will be about our vision of what it means to be a community .
http://www.celsias.com/article/power-solar-communities/

Energy Saving Tip

2008-07-26T09:48:00.001-07:00

Please TURN OFF your PC's , A/C's & Lights, before Leaving OFFICE .....

- Abstract from speech By Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam (Former President of India)

Most of us are used to doing one thing before leaving for the day from officen : Press Ctrl+Alt+ Del and leave to home happily.

That means your PC is still on.
One normal PC will consume 35 watts/hr.
Based on this we will do a small calculation.

For one week 24 X 7 = 168 Hrs.
of this if we consider that we are working for 68 hours,

then the PC is in sleeping mode for 100 Hrs a week.

For one month 4 (weeks) X 100 = 400 Hrs.
In a normal IT office, if we assume approximately 250 PCs are there,
250 * 400 = 1,00,000 Hrs

So the power wasted in an office in a month is,
100000 X 35 = 3500 KWH or units.

If the charge per unit is Indian Rs. 6,

then totally the wastage value is approximately 21000 Indian rupees.

Here the sad thing is not the money loss to the company but the power loss to the country.

Apart from the loss to the country we need to think of the efforts people are putting for producing the power in the Mines, Thermal Stations, Hydro electric Stations, etc. If this is to continue, the cost of unit power will go up & at one stage we will not get power even if we are ready to pay any cost.

So before leaving to home take some time to shut down the PC's, A/C's & Lights and do some favour to the country and the organization.

I'm shopping for Priyanka's B'day gift

2008-07-26T06:20:00.001-07:00

Harman is on a family holiday in Dubai..

"Just the four of us my dad, mom, my sister Rowena and me. We took off for a 5-days trip to Dubai. We all needed the break.

The last two years and particularly the last few weeks have been very stressful for all of us. So here we are, just chilling and shopping.

Actually the ladies are doing all the shopping. I'm just their bag boy, " says Harman sounding completely relaxed and far from the tense wreck that his well-wishers in the entertainment industry would like him to be.

"In the past two weeks (after the release of Love Story 2050) I've learnt so much about life. I think I'm much wiser now."

'Wise' Harman intends to go shopping in Dubai for his girlfriend Priyanka whose birthday is on the 18th.

"I don't know as yet what I'll get her. But girls like anything you give then in a gift-wrap and with a smile, trust me on that."

Have the courage to say 'no' to your children

2008-07-25T10:38:00.001-07:00

Train your children to digest disappointments, denials and refusals.

Modern life is not only competitive but also stressful in many aspects. Children have to gradually adapt themselves to this demanding environment at some point of time. This is exactly why parents need to train their young ones accordingly. Children must be taught to take a `no', not only from parents but also friends, teachers, neighbours and even strangers.

Discipline begins at home

Some parents tend to pamper children unreasonably. Abundance of anything, ranging from toys, games, sweets and chocolates, spoils children at a very young age. In fact, research has shown that children brought up in over-affluent families tend to lose their faculty of imagination. Since they have too much on their platter, it becomes difficult for them to yearn for anything. Therefore, parents should not bombard their children with more than what is needed. The need for this inherent discipline has to be internalized by parents themselves. Parents should be prepared to prepare their children for the rough and the smooth in life.

Never satisfy all demands

Although parents derive immense satisfaction from fulfilling their children's wishes, they should deliberately leave some wishes unfulfilled. If every whim and fancy of the child is entertained, the child grows up to be a very self-centered person. Even a single `no' can put him or her off balance. Such children take their whims to an illogical extent. For instance, if they fancy a person who does not reciprocate their feelings, they may get violent out of frustration. Or they might not be able to digest rejection in a job interview later in life. Over pampered children are also prone to acute depression mainly because they cannot take disappointments in the right spirit.

Never encourage comparisons

Parents should always discourage their child's tendency to compare his or her material assets with other children. For instance, if a child demands a toy merely because a neighbour has got a new one, such a craving should not be entertained. Such children end up constantly comparing themselves with other people. Parents have to curb this tendency at a very early stage.

Appeasement does not have long-term effect

In order to keep their daily routine hassle-free, parents tend to please children. However, overt appeasement has short-term gains. Children tend to lose respect for their parents. They look upon parents as mere scarecrows. The policy does not pay in the long run. Therefore parents should not enter into a popularity contest. They must have the courage to call a spade a spade.

Some parents tend to please children out of guilt. For instance, a working mother comes home late. She is harried. She does not have time for attending to the child's homework. The child asks for an ice cream after dinner. Despite knowing the fact that an ice cream can cause a bad throat, the mother gives in. The child is smart enough to know the reason behind the bribe/favour. This scenario is universally applicable. Therefore, parents should not let guilt get the better of them. They must have the courage to face the child's tantrums.

The Horrors of Homework

2008-07-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

Is it for parents or for children?

Today homework has become a nightmare for both parents and children. In a time when it seems that every child needs to be a superachiever to survive, the pressure on them to excel not just academically but otherwise is tremendous. While children have never been enthusiastic about doing homework in the first place, they now view homework as being the last straw that broke the camel's back as they try to juggle school, tuition classes and other extracurricular activities.

Tips for dealing with homework hassles

Appoint a specific time to do homework every day. Parents should try to ensure that they are around at this time so that they are on hand if they are needed.
Parents should find out the schedule of tests planned for the week and help their children organize their homework time so that they are well prepared.
Avoid power struggles. Confronted with a whining, tantrumatic child, a parent should first try to maintain her cool. She should try to lighten the atmosphere, offer help is she thinks the child needs it, or just leave the room, leaving the child to his own devices. But she should brook no arguments from the child and be uncompromising about the fact that the homework must be done, and done immediately.
Parents should regularly encourage their children and praise their efforts. When a child does well on a test, for instance, parents while applauding his achievement should remind him that doing his homework properly and being prepared made the difference.
Parents should make their children feel that they are interested in their work and offer to help if necessary. But at no point should parents do their children's work for them. This will adversely affect a child's motivation and initiative, as he will feel that at the slightest difficulty his parents will bail him out.
Remember that if a child is cheating on schoolwork and blindly copying homework from others, it may be a sign that she is feeling unduly pressured and afraid to admit that she cannot cope. In such a case, it is advisable that parents speak to the teacher or the school counselor.
Make provision for a special place in which the child can do her homework, as if it were her personal office.

In the Eye of the Beholder

2008-07-14T18:47:00.001-07:00

One night, my eight-year-old son, Zakariya, and I were scanning the TV listings for something to watch.

"Oooh, there's a beauty contest on," I said. Zakariya asked me what a beauty contest was, and I explained that it was a contest to choose the most beautiful woman in the world.

Then my son thrilled me by asking with complete sincerity, "Why aren't you in the contest, Mommy?"

Solution to teenage smoking problem

2008-07-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Solution to teenage smoking problem

At last there comes up some solution for preventing a kid from having a life long addiction of smoking. Some serious research has been done by the scientists at the University of Utah; regarding the characteristic of being a life long smoker. The researchers have taken DNA samples of about 2,827 smokers. They made a vivid study over the changes in the genetic code called single nucleotide polymorphisms. This is something that is very much a part of nicotine addiction and that leads to a life long smoking practice. This research justifies the point that kids who have picked up smoking before 17 years of age are more into this addiction than those who have had it after 17.

This is indeed a good news, as now all the guardian can prevent their teenagers in getting into the whirlpool till 17. Once they are successful, there will be a hope of giving it up easily, if one gets addicted to smoking at a later stage in life. Researches of these types really deserve good appreciation.

I'm a JUNE Baby: WHAT BABY ARE YOU ???

2008-07-13T07:46:00.000-07:00

Replace the month in the subject with your own & forward this to everybody in your address book & to the person who sent it to you... I did! These are so adorable, don't ya think? I'll bet they fit your B-day/personality to a T; ...... and, then, maybe not! I just love the animated babies they have on here.
Enjoy!

What baby are you?

Jan	---------------JANUARY BABY-------------------- Pretty/handsome. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Sensitive. Down-to-Earth. Stubborn. Repost this in 5 mins and you will meet someone new in 8 days that will perfectly balance your personality.
Feb	------- FEBRUARY BABY -------- Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexiest out of everyone. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble.. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Horny. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside.. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions. Repost this in 5 mins and you will talk to someone new and realize that you are a perfect match.
Mar	-----------------MARCH BABY -------------------- Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate Shy and Reserved. Secretive.. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Great kisser.. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Observant and assesses others. If you repost this in the next 5 mins, you will meet your new love in 8 days.
Apr	------------------APRIL BABY ------------------- Suave and compromising. Funny and humorous. Stubborn.. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does work well with others. Very confident. Sensitive. Positive attitude.. Thinking generous. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Able to cheer everyone up and/or make them laugh.. Able to motivate oneself and others. Understanding. Fun to be around. Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and traveling. Systematic. Hot but has brains. If you repost this in 5 mins, a Cutie that's caught your eye will introduce themselves and you will realize that you are very much alike in the next 2 days.
May	-----------------MAY BABY ----------------- Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm standpoint. Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain).. Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing.. Loves Literature and the Arts. Loves traveling. Dislikes being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. If you repost this in the next 5 minutes, you will become close to someone you do not speak to much in the next 4 days.
Jun	------------JUNE BABY ------------- You've got the best personality and are an absolute pleasure to be around. You love to make new friends and be outgoing. You are a great flirt and more than likely have an a very attractive partner. A wicked hottie. It is also more than likely that you have a massive record collection. You have a great choice in films, and may one day Become a famous actor/actress yourself - heck, you've got the looks for it!!! In the next 6 days you will meet someone that may possibly become one of your closest friends, if you repost this in 5 minutes.
Jul	----------------JULY BABY -------------- Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people's feelings. Tactful. Friendly.. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Spazzy at times. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be with friends Always broods about the past and the old friends. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover. Repost this in the next 5 mins and your reputation will boost some way in the next 12 days
Aug	------------AUGUST BABY --------------- Outgoing personality. Takes risks. Feeds on attention. No self-control.. Kind hearted. Self confident. Loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. Easy to get along with and talk to. Has an "every thing's peachy" attitude. Likes talking and singing. Loves music. Daydreamer. Easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. Loves to be loved. Hates studying. In need of "that someone". Longs for freedom. Rebellious when withheld or restricted. Lives by "no pain no gain." Caring. Always a suspect. Playful. Mysterious. "Charming" or "beautiful" to everyone. Stubborn. Curious. Independent. Strong willed. A fighter. Repost in 5 mins and you will meet the love of your life sometime next month.
Sep	------------SEPTEMBER BABY --------------- Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Usually you have many friends. Enjoys to make love. Emotional. Stubborn. Hasty. Good memory. Moving, motivates oneself and others Loves to travel and explore. Sometimes sexy in a way that only their lover can understand. If you do not repost this in the next 5 mins, someone very close to you will become mad at you in the next 8 days.
Oct	---------------OCTOBER BABY ------------------- Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the centre. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn't pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care to control emotions. Unpredictable Extremely smart, but definitely the hottest AND sexiest of them all Repost this in 5 mins or you will not meet the love of your life for 10 years.
Nov	---------------NOVEMBER BABY -------------------- Trustworthy and loyal. Very passionate and dangerous. Wild at times. Knows how to have fun. Sexy and mysterious. Everyone is drawn towards your inner and outer beauty and independent personality. Playful, but secretive. Very emotional and temperamental sometimes. Meets new people easily and very social in a group. Fearless and independent.. Can hold their own. Stands out in a crowd. Essentially very smart. Usually, the greatest men are born in this month. If you ever begin a relationship with someone from this month, hold on to them because their one of a kind.
Dec	---------------DECEMBER BABY --------------- This straight-up means yo u are the most good-looking person possible... better than all of these other months! Loyal and generous. Patriotic.. Competitive in everything. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy to talk to, though hard to understand.. Thinks far with vision, yet complicated to know. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Has that someone always on his/her mind. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Abiding. Able to show character. One guy/girl kind of person. Loveable. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves music.

Help Them Organize Their Writing

2008-07-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

Many supervisors and managers ask me for help when their employees can't organize information. Of course, organization depends on the document. But here are five solutions I offer supervisors and managers to help employees organize their messages.

Insist that every document get to the point within 50 words. Tell employees you won't read a document that doesn't get to the point right away.
Insist that employees use headings in reports, recommendations, and other messages to make information skimmable. Headings will force them to categorize information.
Allow just one main idea per paragraph. In disorganized messages, a mishmash of ideas packs each paragraph.
Allow just one idea per sentence. With just one idea in it, almost any sentence can get organized.
Limit the words per sentence--no more than 15 to 20 words on average. It's hard for short sentences to get out of hand.

Tips for Spoken English...........

2008-07-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

1. Read aloud in English for 15-20 minutes every day
Reading loudly helps in developing confidence.

2. Until you learn the correct intonation and rhythm of English, slow your speech down
If you speak too quickly, and with the wrong intonation and rhythm, people will have a hard time understanding you. Don't worry about your listener getting impatient with your slow speech - it is more important that everything you say be understood. When you read loudly, take a 3 second pause after every word that you read.

3. Think in English – 30 minutes daily
People who speak fluent English have a habit of thinking and speaking in English at the same time. Think “simple & short” sentences in English whenever you have free time.

4. Pronounce the ending of each word
Pay special attention to 'S' and 'ED' endings. This will help strengthen the mouth muscles when you speak English.

5. Record your own voice and listen for pronunciation mistakes
Many people hate to hear the sound of their voice and avoid listening to themselves speak. However, this is a very important exercise because doing it will help you become conscious of the mistakes you are making.

6. Observe the mouth movements of those who speak English well and try to imitate them
When you are watching television, observe the mouth movements of the speakers. Repeat what they are saying, while imitating the intonation and rhythm of their speech.

7. Be patient
You can change the way you speak but it won't happen overnight. People often expect instant results and give up too soon. You can change the way you sound if you are willing to put some effort into it.

kids jokes

2008-07-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

One night, a father passed by his son's room and heard his son praying: "God bless Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma. Ta ta, Grandpa."

The father didn't quite know what this meant, but was glad his son was praying. The next morning, they found Grandpa dead on the floor of a heart attack. The father reassured himself that it was just a coincidence, but was still a bit spooked.

The next night, he heard his son praying again: "God bless Mommy and Daddy. Ta ta, Grandma."

The father was worried, but decided to wait until morning. Sure enough, the next morning Grandma was on the floor, dead of a heart attack.

Really scared now, the father decided to wait outside his son's door the next night. And sure enough, the boy started to pray: "God bless Mommy. Ta ta, Daddy."

Now the father was crapping his pants. He stayed up all night, and went to the doctor's early the next day to make sure his health was fine. When he finally came home, his wife was waiting on the porch. She said, "Thank God you're here -- we could really use your help! We found milkman dead on our porch this morning!"

===============================================================

A boy was assigned a paper on childbirth. He asked his parents, "How was I born?"
"Well honey ..." said the slightly prudish parent, "the stork brought you to us."
"OH," said the boy. "Well, how did you and daddy get born?" he asked.
"Oh, the stork brought us too."
"Well how were grandpa and grandma born?" he persisted.
"Well darling, the stork brought them too!" said the parent.
Several days later, the boy handed in his paper to the teacher who read with confusion the opening sentence:
"This report has been very difficult to write due to the fact that there hasn't been a natural childbirth in my family for three generations."

===============================================================

A little kid asks his father, "Daddy, is God a man or a woman?"
"Both son. God is both."

After awhile the kid comes again and asks, "Daddy, is God black or white?"

"Both son, both."

"Daddy, does God love children?"

"Yes son, he loves all children."

The child returns a few minutes later and says, "Daddy, is Michael Jackson God?"

Caution, college ahead

2008-07-03T18:23:00.000-07:00

My just-out-of-school child joins college soon. I'm very nervous about the parent interviews. How do I prepare for them? Also, some of the teachers in a school are my friends. However, my other child is their ward, conversation inside and outside school gets a little awkward. How do I demonstrate to my child the difference between her "aunty" outside school and the "miss/ teacher" in school?
— Vikram Udyavar

Parenting is a full-time job without any manuals! And yet we have nurtured a great foundation of the next generation, though they need to be harnessed from time to time. And their intelligence is enhanced and cultivated at the various colleges and institutes that you will be called on to visit in these few weeks for your child's admissions.

Interviews of any kind do make all of us nervous but we've got to keep our wits and confidence about ourselves, especially when called to accompany our children to such meetings.

• It is essential to answer all questions with truth and sincerity. Don't attempt to appear what you are not, particularly in terms of social status and standing.

• This will also indicate to your child that no matter what, you are proud of who you are. The child will adopt these qualities and will lean upon when faced with peer pressure.

• You will be asked questions about the nature and quality of relationship with your child. While you must be honest, do know that what and how you frame your responses will set the tone of how the child will be treated by the school or college staff and peers. It is necessary to keep the child's respect, but at the same time, diplomatically indicate the general shortcomings s/he may have. So, instead of saying your child is lazy, say s/he needs to be motivated.

• Impress upon the school/college the awareness and remedial actions that you intend to implement to improve these shortcomings. This will prove that you are involved in your child's education and it also instils confidence within the child.

• If you are posed questions regarding the environment at home and/or the relationship with your spouse, it is advisable to keep the responses diplomatic.

• If you are a single parent, you may say so without giving details of your marital status.

• If you have friends who are part of the faculty, it may be difficult for tender children to disconnect the relationship between them and an "aunty or uncle" and a teacher.

• Tell them people play different roles. So at school, the "aunty/uncle" is a teacher and the child is a student. The teacher must be addressed as 'ma'am' or 'sir' and the child will be treated like any other student.

• And when at home, the "aunty/uncle" is a friend and the child can expect the warm, familiar relationship s/he has enjoyed so far.

• Children like to boast about their proximity to their teachers / professors to the other students and this tendency needs to be curbed.

• You could pointedly indicate that the inability to keep the relationships in their respective slots may lead to them being alienated from other students and being perceived as "teacher's pets".

• Do not go out of your way to describe the nature of your relationship to all and sundry. When bumping into a friend at school, restrict the conversation to school work. It is also advisable to not flaunt your close relationship with a teacher to other parents or faculty members.

• Likewise, avoid asking questions about your child's progress and problems at school when meeting a teacher at a house party. Keep these questions for PTA meetings.

• If your child has been pulled up in class for untoward behaviour, step in only when asked. Do not take the punishment personally, or be vindictive and sever the relationship with the teacher. Understand that the deed may have been done for the betterment of the child. Leave the remedial action to the teacher.

KEEP YOUR ROOM CLEAN

2008-07-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

Children's failure to keep their rooms clean is the basis for many a family argument. However, it's not that difficult to keep your room clean. Divide room cleaning into several tasks, concentrating on one until you do it well. Then focus on a second task, and continue until the whole job is accomplished.

Be specific: Make checklist, post the list in your room and recheck off each task as it is performed. Even if a bed is not made exactly to your standards, if it looks better than it did the day before, feel happy that you have seen improvement. Recognize your achievement.

Be consistent: Some of us have a very bad habit that we keep our clean only for a few days. Then again we start ignoring the regular dusting, our study table is mess again and our so is our cabinet. We often blame our routine for this. However there is no reason why we cannot spare 10 minutes to daily dusting and making sure that things are organized in our room.

Set specific Times: Another area in which the cleanliness of a room becomes a point of discussion is time. Give yourself some time to do the job. Make sure that you do the job of cleaning the room with in the specified time.

It's my Turf: Sometimes, when our parents comment on our untidy room, we are ready with the answer, it's my room and I am fine with it, many of us would choose to be neat, but if parents say we must clean our rooms, we become stubbornly rebellious. The fact is the way you keep your room is your choice, so why not choose to life in a neat and tidy room.

The key is to keep cleaning and organizing daily. If you spend just a few minutes a day, your room will stay clean. Also, the problem is probably related to a lack of organization, so may be if you find a system for organizing your stuff that works for you (other than just throwing it on the floor) you will be more apt to maintain the system. I am sure if you ask your mom, she would be happy to help you get the materials you need to keep your room clean and organized.

When God Made Fathers

2008-07-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

When the good Lord was creating Fathers, he started with a tall frame.

A female angel nearby said, "What kind of a Father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put the Father up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without stooping"

God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child size, who would children have to look up to?"

And when God made a Father's hands, they were large. The angel shook her head and said,"Large hands can't manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails, or even remove splinters caused from baseball bats."

Again God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets, yet small enough to cup a child's face in them."

Then God molded long slim legs and broad shoulders, "Do you realize you just made a Father without a lap?" The angel chuckled.

God said, "A Mother needs a lap. A Father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, to balance a boy on a bicycle, or to hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."

When God was in the middle of creating the biggest feet any one had ever seen, the angel could not contain herself any longer. "That's not fair. Do you honestly think those feet are going to get out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries, or walk through a birthday party without crushing one or two of the guests?"

God again smiled and said, "They will work. You will see. They will support a small child who wants to ride to Branbury Cross or scare mice away from a summer cabin, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill." God worked throughout the night, giving the Father few words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes that see everything, but remain calm and tolerant.

Finally, almost as an after thought, He added tears. Then he turned to the angel and said, "Now are you satisfied he can love as much as a Mother can?"

The angel said nothing more.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2008-07-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Rajesh married to Sunita and have a 3-year old son Ritesh. We shall see the labyrinth of interaction between the two in the descending order.

Rajesh : "Sunita, I am telling you the truth. I really had some important meeting in my office."

Sunita : "Just shut up okay. All men are the same, all are liars.

Rajesh : "I am not lying. You can ask my colleague if you want to.

Sunita : "Yeah, right ! Now I have to waste my time and energy talking to your boring ill-mannered friends of yours!"

Rajesh : "Sunita, please calm down."

Sunita : You, your parents and your immature son will not let me live my life!"

Rajesh : "Why do you always have to talk like that about my parents?"

Sunita : "Oh yes, I forgot, I forgot that you have sold off your soul to them."

Rajesh : "Sunita, please, they might hear what you are saying. Ritesh also will hear that we are fighting.

"
Sunita : "Oh yeah, so now I am fighting. You never fight at all. You are the greatest saint of the world, right? Besides, I don't care who hears it. Let them hear what I say. They must know what kind of person you are."

Rajesh : "Fine, fine, my mistake. Now please don't say anything. Just calm down. There was an important meeting and I got late."

Sunita : "Then why do you even have to come late? You should have come tomorrow directly. I am just living like a slave in this house. I have become just a pathetic housewife. And your parents are lazing around the whole day. They have nothing to do."

Rajesh : "What are you saying? Who is treating you as a slave? You can do anything you want. You said you don't want to do any housework, I agree and we hired - not one but two maid servants. You said you want to invest money in the stock market. I gave it to you but you lost everything and still I didn't say anything to you. I am still giving you money to invest in the stock market. Now what more you want me to do?"

Sunita : "Why don't you just tell your parents to leave my house? I just don't like their presence. And I also don't like Ritesh being close to them. They are going to spoil him with their ancient teachings."

Rajesh : "Sunita, it is their house. The house is not even in my name. Besides, they are not bothering you at all. And Ritesh is going to learn a lot from his grandparents."

Sunita : "Bullshit!"

Three Years earlier

Rajesh : "I don't believe you are pregnant. I am so happy. Great. I am going to be a father."

Sunita : "I am also happy. You are going to be a father."

Rajesh : "What do you think what name we should give to our son?"

Sunita : "I like Ritesh."

Rajesh : "Ritesh is okay name. I like Sunesh. Sun from Sunita and Esh from Rajesh. What do you think?"

Sunita : "That's a lousy name. I don't like that. Ritesh is the best."

Rajesh : " Okay, we will ask our parents."

Sunita : "Okay, but I know everybody will like Sunesh only. But I don't care. My son's name will be Ritesh and that's final."

Rajesh : "Okay darling. Whatever you wish."

Sunita : "I am not going to thank you for it."

Rajesh : "It is going to be so nice. Our son will play around with his grandparents."

Sunita : "Yes, Ritesh will be lucky to have his grandparents."

Rajesh : "He is going to call me daddy daddy."

Sunita : "So what ? He is going to call me mummy mummy. And you should know mummy is the best, not a father."

Rajesh : "Whatever you think Sunita."

Sunita : "What do you mean by that ? Am I wrong?"

Rajesh : "No, not at all. Mummy is stronger than the daddy, okay, happy now?"

Sunita : "Shut up and get me a glass of water, you lazy daddy."

Two Years Earlier

Sunita : "I love you Rajesh. Tell me you are never going to leave me alone."

Rajesh : "I never will. Trust me."

Sunita : "I promise I will never fight or even argue with you. Whatever you say, I will do it."

Rajesh : "And whatever you say, I will do it too."

Sunita : "Your parents are so nice. They are so experienced and so friendly. They have never treated me as an outsider. They treat me as their own daughter."

Rajesh : "I am glad you like my parents."

Sunita : "Don't worry Rajesh. I will always like and support your parents for life."

Rajesh : "Would you continue your career or would like to become a housewife?"

Sunita : "Of course a housewife. I don't want to pursue my career. I just want to take good care of my family."

Rajesh : "I mean you can surely do whatever you want to anytime. In my house there is no restriction at all."

Sunita : "I know, but I will always remain a nice housewife. Besides, being a housewife is actually a privilege and not some slavery as some women say. I will do all the housework and won't let you or your parents do any work in the house at all."

Rajesh : "I am always going to stand by you Sunita."

Sunita : "I will always love you from the bottom of my heart. I will never hurt you. Never."

Well, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. You decide which one is which.

I think Marriage institution is Good.
What we make out of Marriage is Bad.
And our ignorance and mistakes are Ugly.

Coaching Boys into Men

2008-07-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

What you Can Do

The boys in your life need your time and energy. Your son, grandson, nephew, younger brother. The boys you teach, coach and mentor. All need you to help them grow into healthy young men.

Boys are swamped with influences outside of the home – from friends, the neighborhood, television, the internet, music, the movies… everything they see around them. They hear all kinds of messages about what it means to "be a man" – that they have to be tough and in control. There are numerous conflicting and some harmful messages being given to boys about what constitutes "being a man" in a relationship.

Boys need your advice on how to behave toward girls. Boys are watching how you and other men relate to women to figure out their own stance towards girls. So teach boys early, and teach them often, that there is no place for violence in a relationship.

Here's How:

Teach Early. It's never too soon to talk to a child about violence. Let him know how you think he should express his anger and frustration – and what is out of bounds. Talk with him about what it means to be fair, share and treat others with respect.

Be there. If it comes down to one thing you can do, this is it. Just being with boys is crucial. The time doesn't have to be spent in activities. Boys will probably not say this directly -- but they want a male presence around them, even if few words are exchanged.

Listen. Hear what he has to say. Listen to how he and his friends talk about girls. Ask him if he's ever seen abusive behavior in his friends. Is he worried about any of his friends who are being hurt in their relationships? Are any of his friends hurting anyone else?

Tell Him How. Teach him ways to express his anger without using violence. When he gets mad, tell him he can walk it out, talk it out, or take a time out. Let him know he can always come to you if he feels like things are getting out of hand. Try to give him examples of what you might say or do in situations that could turn violent.

Bring it up. A kid will never approach you and ask for guidance on how to treat women. But that doesn't mean he doesn't need it. Try watching TV with him or listening to his music. If you see or hear things that depict violence against women, tell him what you think about it. Never hesitate to let him know you don't approve of sports figures that demean women, or jokes, video games and song lyrics that do the same. And when it comes time for dating, be sure he knows that treating girls with respect is important.

Be a Role Model. Fathers, coaches and any man who spends time with boys or teens will have the greatest impact when they "walk the walk." They will learn what respect means by observing how you treat other people. So make respect a permanent way of dealing with people – when you're driving in traffic, talking with customer service reps, in restaurants with waiters, and with your family around the dinner table. He's watching what you say and do and takes his cues from you, both good and bad. Be aware of how you express your anger. Let him know how you define a healthy relationship and always treat women and girls in a way that your son can admire.

Teach Often. Your job isn't done once you get the first talk out of the way. Help him work through problems in relationships as they arise. Let him know he can come back and talk to you again anytime. Use every opportunity to reinforce the message that violence has no place in a relationship.

HELP KIDS SLEEP ALL NIGHT

2008-07-01T09:42:00.001-07:00

HELP KIDS SLEEP ALL NIGHT

An astounding seven out of 10 children aren't getting enough z's. Here, five top children's sleep-stealers, plus smart strategies that ensure sound slumber for them — and for you.

You tuck your kids into bed with a kiss and a prayer...that they'll drift off quickly and sleep through the night (so you can too!). Sadly, those z's don't always come easy: Nearly 70 percent of kids under age 10 experience some type of sleep problem, according to the National Sleep Foundation. And although sleep needs naturally decrease by about 15 minutes on average every year (1-year-olds require almost 14 hours daily, while a 17-year-old needs at least 8.25 hours), a startling 80 percent of kids ages 11 to 17 get less than the recommended amount, and 54 percent of 17-year-olds don't get to bed before 11 p.m.

Unfortunately, lost sleep can do more than just leave kids groggy and grumpy. Studies show that children who are sleep-deprived are more likely to be depressed, to catch colds and flu, and to suffer accidents on the playground. Just one hour less of sleep a night causes measurable memory and concentration problems. Behavioral problems, such as whining and short tempers, also shoot up. In fact, the frenzied energy and lack of focus in some sleep-challenged kids is often mistaken for attention-

deficit/hyperactivity disorder. And those who get less than 10 hours a night are three times more likely to be obese than those getting 12 or more, putting them at higher risk of diabetes and other weight-related conditions.

The good news: Sleep problems in kids are easily prevented and treated, experts say. You can help the entire family get more rest by addressing these major roadblocks to a good night's sleep.

Overscheduling

Participation in too many after-school activities can get kids amped up, pushing back dinnertime, homework time—and bedtime. Compared to 1981, now the average kid has almost two hours less of unstructured time each day. Instead, they spend twice as much time in structured competitive sports, while good old-fashioned outdoor play—the running, jumping, and catch-playing that reduces stress and helps them sleep at night—has dropped by more than half. A rule of thumb: "If your kid never says, 'I'm bored,' he's overscheduled," says child psychologist Jodi A. Mindell, Ph.D., coauthor of Take Charge of Your Child's Sleep and associate director of the Sleep Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "Sit down with your child and tell him, 'You're allowed to do two things this season: one sport and another activity. Which will it be?'"

Too Much Technology

Sneaky Caffeine

Even just one caffeinated drink a day robs children of half an hour of sleep each night—another reason to monitor your child's intake of sugar-laden sodas. But caffeine can lurk in lots of surprising places, including bottled teas, chocolate, and coffee-flavored ice cream. Hefty amounts can also be found in over-the-counter medications such as Anacin, Excedrin, and Dristan, so scan the active and inactive ingredients lists for caffeine before you give your child one of these meds. And check drink and protein bar labels for guarana, a common herbal stimulant.

Nightmares

Bad dreams are often triggered by real-life events that frighten kids, including immunizations, being left alone, or accidents—not to mention the scary impressions left by a few minutes of the nightly news report. "Nightmares are actually good for a child. They're a way to process and make sense of both real and imaginary fears, which enables him to deal with them better in his waking life," says pediatrician Alan Greene, M.D., author of From First Kicks to First Steps and a clinical assistant professor at Stanford University. "If a nightmare wakes him up, your best approach is to comfort him and tuck him back into bed, then give him the opportunity the next day to draw pictures or tell stories to work through the underlying issues."

If your child screams, moans, or thrashes wildly in the middle of the night, and is glassy-eyed and unresponsive when you try to console him, he is probably having night terrors. As distressing as his behavior is for you to witness, it's simply a sign that he's stuck between two stages of non-REM sleep. He won't even remember the event the next morning, so it's better left unmentioned. Night terrors often occur when a child is potty training or overtired, so try leading him to the bathroom or letting him sleep a little longer in the mornings or during naps.

A Hidden Health Concern

If your child snores heavily off and on, thrashes about in bed, and awakens frequently, her struggles with sleeping may signal an underlying health condition that requires attention. "Probably 60 percent of children brought to our clinic have sleep issues related to a physical reason," says Mindell. One common culprit: sleep apnea, a condition characterized by temporary breathing disruptions during slumber. Childhood cases have skyrocketed by 436 percent in the past 20 years, largely because the number of overweight children has tripled to 16 percent in the same period (excess fatty tissue in the throat can block airways).

Other sneaky sleep-stealers include respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies, as well as restless legs syndrome (a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move your legs when they're at rest) and narcolepsy (a sleep disorder marked by brief "sleep attacks" that come on during the day). If lifestyle changes such as nixing caffeine or moving the TV don't solve your little one's sleeplessness within two to four weeks, see your pediatrician or visit one of 2,000 sleep clinics nationwide to get the proper diagnosis and treatment. For a sleep clinic in your area, log on to sleepcenters.org. Getting to the root of the problem will help you and your child rest easy.

NINETEEN SOMETHINGS TO SAY TO CHILDREN

2008-07-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

NINETEEN SOMETHINGS TO SAY TO CHILDREN

Author Unknown

Jun 22, 2008

1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you.

Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.

2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you

Can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No

one!

3. It's all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when

they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or

lonely. Big people cry too. I do.

4. You've made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do.

Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It's all over. You can

start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.

5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it

wasn't easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.

6. I'm sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.

7. You can change your mind. It's good to decide, but it is also fine

change.

8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up

with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!

9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that

person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!

10. I have a surprise for you. It's not your birthday. It's for no

reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.

11. I can wait. We have time. You don't have to hurry this time.

12. What would you like to do? It's your turn to pick. You have great

ideas. It's important to follow your special interests.

13. Tell me about it. I'd like to hear

more. And then what happened?

I'll listen.

14. I'm right here. I won't leave without saying good-bye. I am

watching you. I am listening to you.

15. Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to

use them, will you remind me?

16. I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!

17. Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might

like it.

Let's see. I'll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.

18. I'll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you?

If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it

by yourself, but I'm glad to help since you

asked.

19. What do you wish for? Even if it's not yet time for birthday

candles and we don't have a wishbone, it's still fun to hear about

what you wish for, hope for, and dream about

all about milk

2008-07-01T07:16:00.001-07:00

What is the difference between skim milk and whole milk?

It all depends upon the fat content of milk. Generally cow milk (whole milk) contains 4.0% milk fat whereas buffalo milk contains upto 9.0% milk fat. Milk fat is the valuable portion of milk, based on which, milk is priced in most countries. When skimming is done to separate the fat by means of a cream separator, cream is obtained as a main product, which is rich in milk fat (approximately 25%) and skim milk as a byproduct (containing less than 0.5% milk fat).

What is the difference between full cream milk, skim milk and lite milk?

FAQ's

The differences lie in the fat content.Harvey Fresh Full cream milk (or whole milk) contains 3.6% milkfat and is suitable for both adults and children. It is also widely used in cooking or baking. For those who are conscious of their fat intake, Harvey Fresh skim milk is suitable as this contains almost 0% fat. For those who are diet conscious but would like something creamier than skim milk, Harvey Fresh Lite Milk would be suitable as it contains only 1.8% fat.

Does skim milk have the same amount of calcium as whole or 2% milk?

Yes. The nutritional value of whole, 2%, 1% and skim milk is similar, only the fat and number of calories are different. YES! A glass of Chocolate milk, made from fresh white milk, provides the same 15 essential nutrients that a glass of white milk provides. Neilson Dairy's Chocolate milk is also low in fat, made with 1% milk.

IS NONFAT MILK THE SAME AS SKIM MILK? IS SKIM MILK A FUNKY FOOD?

Nonfat milk is the same as skim milk. It may also be called fat free. It is not a funky food, but it is considered a carbo and should only be used with carbos. I always say, check the ingredient list, not the nutritional panel. If there are no added sugars, it is fine. The reason you see sugars in the nutritional panel is because non-fat milk has carbohydrates, which convert to sugar upon digestion. That is why non-fat yogurt is grouped as a Carbo.

ONE OF THE INGREDIENTS IN SKIM MILK IS SUGAR. IS THAT STILL OKAY?

Your skim milk should not list sugar in the ingredient list. If it does, I would look for another brand. It may, however, list "Sugars" on the nutritional panel. This is because milk has carbohydrates and natural sugars. That is why we list nonfat milk with the Carbos. It is perfectly fine to eat food in the approved Carbos list even if you see Sugars appearing on the nutritional panel.

Can I replace milk with skim or soy milk in my baking?

Yes, while White Wings products are formulated for use with full cream milk, skim and soy milk can be used, but they may result in a slightly different texture and flavour. However we generally do not recommend variation from full cream milk in cold set custard and mousse products, please call our Consumer Advisory Centre for extra information.

Why is milk called skim, 1%, 2%, and homogenized?

The names of the different types of milk refer to how much fat (by weight) is in the milk. Skim milk has less than 0.3% fat or less than 0.3g fat per 100g of milk.

1% milk has 1g fat per 100g of milk.

2% milk has 2g fat per 100g milk, and

homogenized milk has 3.25g fat per 100g milk. All types of Dairyland milks contain 15 nutrients that are essential to your good health.

What's the difference between the different kinds of milk?

Whole Milk is 3.5% milkfat, which is why it tastes so delicious and has a rich, creamy texture. After babies stop drinking mother's milk, they usually drink whole milk until they are at least two years old. The fatty acids in whole milk are important to the development of the brain and the nervous system. Lowfat Milk has the benefits of less milkfat, but still tastes great. It is fortified with skim milk and has 10 grams of protein per cup.

What is the difference between fresh milk and full cream milk?

Fresh milk is fresh from the farm, while full cream milk is recombined milk with added ingredients for a creamier taste.

What is the difference between full cream milk and filled milk?

Full cream milk is milk made from animal fat which makes it creamier and tastier than other kinds of milk, while filled milk is made from vegetable oil such as corn, palm olein or soya. Alaska uses the finest vegetable oil from coconuts to make it as creamy and tasty as full cream milk.

Can i skim freshwater?

Yes, it is possible to use a protein skimmer in freshwater. But it makes no sense. The freshwater usage of skimmers does not justify the purchase. The benefits of skimming are only profitable in saltwater - that is why it is commonly believed that skimmers only work in salt. Unless you have scientific information about why the skimmer will work in your fresh environment, it is not advisable to waste your money!

What's the difference between milk allergy and lactose intolerance?

Milk allergies are an abnormal response by the body to milk protein. Lactose intolerance is the body's inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk. Allergies to milk are rare, while lactose intolerance is not. A food allergy is an abnormal response of the body's immune system to ordinarily harmless foods or ingredients -- in this case, milk protein. An estimated 1-3% of infants and young children have milk allergy, but usually outgrow it by two or three years of age.

What is the difference between The Organic Cow milk and soymilk?

The Organic Cow milk is made from cow's milk. Soy beverages are derived from soybeans. Cow's milk is an excellent source of calcium and naturally contains more vitamins, protein, and minerals than soy beverages. Unless the soy beverage is fortified, it is not a significant source of calcium, riboflavin, or vitamins A and D. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends whole cow's milk for babies who are more than 1 year old and who are not breast-feeding.

What is the difference between Regular Milk and Instant Milk?

None. Both mix with cold water. Instant milk can be used right away, regular milk should be refrigerated before using.

What is the difference between evaporated filled milk and sweetened condensed filled milk?

Alaska's evaporated filled milk and sweetened condensed filled milk are both made of the finest vegetable oil from coconuts, but undergo different preservation methods. To make evaporated filled milk, water is partially removed from the milk then it is sealed in cans and sterilized to prevent spoilage. Sweetened condensed milk is made by partially removing water from milk and adding sugar to it. It is not sterilized as the sugar acts as a preserving agent.

What Is The Difference Between Milk-Based And Soy-Based Infant Formulas?

The protein in milk-based formulas comes from cow's milk which has been heat treated, making it easy for a baby to digest. The sugar in milk-based formulas is lactose, unless specifically manufactured as lactose-free. Soy-based formulas are milk-free and lactose-free; the protein in these formulas comes from a soybean source that also is easy for a baby to digest.

What is the difference between milk, dark and white chocolate?

Dark chocolate (also known as plain or bittersweet) is made with cocoa butter, cocoa liquor and sugar, and contains no milk. Butlers Irish dark chocolate is made with 58% cocoa solids. Milk chocolate is made with cocoa butter, cocoa liquor, full cream milk and sugar which gives it a creamer texture. Butlers Irish milk chocolate contains 32% cocoa solids & 20% milk solids. White chocolate is made with cocoa butter, milk and sugar.

How and why is milk pasteurized?

All milk intented for direct consumption should be pasteurized - it's a matter of food safety. Pasteurization is a simple, effective method to kill potentially harmful bacteria without affecting the taste or nutritional value of milk. With standard pasteurization, milk is heated to a temperature of at least 161 degrees Farenheit for not less than 15 seconds, followed by rapid cooling. The Newer Knowledge of Dairy Foods contains additional information on pasteurization.

5 TEEN BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS: A Troubleshooting Guide

2008-06-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

5 TEEN BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS: A Troubleshooting Guide

Is your teenager rebelling, defying your curfew, or hanging out with questionable kids? Here's how to nip behavior problems in the bud.

By Christina Frank
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by John M Goldenring, MD, JD, MPH

To be fair, no one has ever pretended that parenting a teenager was going to be easy. Still, until your own kids reach that stage, it’s tempting to believe your family will be immune to teen behavior problems. No, you tell yourself, your teenager will never talk back, stay out too late or pierce her eyebrow.

Dream on.

Teenagers are basically hard-wired to butt heads with their parents, says Stuart Goldman, MD, director of psychiatric education at Children’s Hospital in Boston. “Adolescence is a time of rapid change for kids both physically and cognitively,” he explains. “It’s the task of the teenager to fire their parents and then re-hire them years later, but as consultants rather than managers.”

But that doesn’t mean you have to take it lying down. With the right approach, you can troubleshoot the following teen behavior problems in a relatively civilized fashion.

Teen Behavior Problem 1:

Your Teen Seems To Hate You

One minute your sweet child is begging you to come on the class trip or to lie down with her while she falls asleep. Then, seemingly overnight, she starts treating you like dirt, discounting everything you say and snickering at your suggestions. If you look closely, you’ll see that you’ve been through this before, when she was a toddler -- only instead of shouting “no!” like a two-year-old would, a teenager simply rolls her eyes in disgust.

“It’s so hard for parents when this happens,” says Nadine Kaslow, PhD, a psychologist specializing in kids and families at Emory University in Atlanta. “But part of adolescence is about separating and individuating, and many kids need to reject their parents in order to find their own identities.” Teens focus on their friends more than on their families, which is normal too.

Your Solution

Sometimes parents feel so hurt by their teens’ treatment that they respond by returning the rejection -- which is a mistake. “Teenagers know that they still need their parents even if they can’t admit it,” says Goldman. “The roller-coaster they put you on is also the one they’re feeling internally.” As the parent, you need to stay calm and try to weather this teenage rebellion phase, which usually passes by the time a child is 16 or 17.

But no one’s saying your teen should be allowed to be truly nasty or to curse at you; when this happens, you have to enforce basic behavior standards. One solution is the good, old-fashioned approach of: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all." By letting your teenager know that you’re here for him no matter what, you make it more likely that he’ll let down his guard and confide in you once in a while, which is a rare treat.

Teen Behavior Problem 2:

Communication Devices Rule Their Lives

It’s ironic that teenage forms of communication like IM-ing, text-messaging and talking on cell phones make them less communicative, at least with the people they live with. In today’s world, though, forbidding all use of electronic devices is not only unrealistic, but unkind. “Being networked with their friends is critical to most teens,” says Goldman.

Your Solution

Look at the big picture, advises Susan Bartell, PhD, an adolescent psychologist in New York. If your child is functioning well in school, doing his chores at home and not completely retreating from family life, it’s probably best to "lay off." It’s also OK to set reasonable limits, such as no "texting" or cell phone calls during dinner. Some parents prefer not to let teens have computers in their rooms, since it makes it harder to supervise computer usage, and this is perfectly reasonable. Many experts also suggest establishing a rule that the computer has to be off at least one hour before bedtime, as a way to ensure that teens get more sleep.

One good way to limit how many minutes your teen spends talking on his cell and texting: Require him to pay his own cell phone bills. And do your best to monitor what your child does when he’s online, particularly if he or she is using networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. You still own the home and computer -- so check into parental Internet controls and software to monitor use of any questionable web sites.

Teen Behavior Problem 3:

Staying Out Too Late

It’s 10:30 p.m. and you told your daughter to be home by 10 p.m. Why does she ignore your curfew again and again?

“Part of what teens do is test limits,” explains Goldman. “But the fact is that they actually want limits, so parents need to keep setting them.”

Your Solution

Do some research before insisting that your child respect your curfew because it’s possible that yours is unreasonable. Call a few of your kids’ friends’ parents and find out when they expect their kids home. Goldman suggests giving kids a 10-minute grace period, and if they defy that, to set consequences -- such as no going out at night for a week.

If it seems like your child is staying out late because she’s up to no good, or doesn’t feel happy at home, then you need to talk with her and figure out what might be going on. However, if your curfew is in line with what what’s typical in your teen’s crowd, then it’s time to set consequences and then enforce them if your teen continues to break your rules. When you make a rule, you have to mean it. You can’t bluff teenagers -- they will always call you on it.

Teen Behavior Problem 4:

Hanging Out with Kids You Don’t Like

You wince every time your son traipses through the door with his greasy-haired, noisy buddies. Should you suck it up, or say something?

Your Solution

Kids can wear weird clothes, pierce their lips, act rudely and still be decent kids, says Bartell, who advises parents to hold off on criticizing something as superficial as fashion in their kids' friends. “Teenagers are so attached to their friends that it’s like criticizing them directly.”

On the other hand, if you know that your child has taken up with a group of troubled teens who skip school and do drugs, a talk is in order. “Without putting him on the defensive, tell your child you’re concerned about who he’s hanging out with and that you’re worried he’s doing drugs,” says Bartell. While you can’t forbid your child to hang around with certain kids, you can intervene and try to nip dangerous behaviors in the bud. Don’t be afraid to ask for professional help about hanging out with a crowd engaged in negative behavior. Counseling or family therapy can help.

Teen Behavior Problem 5:

Everything’s a Drama

Every little thing seems to set your daughter off lately, and the more you try to help, the more she sobs or shouts or slams the door.

Part of being a teenager is feeling things intensely, so what may seem like no big deal to you is hugely important to her.

Your Solution

Parents tend to trivialize the importance of things in teenagers’ lives, says Bartell: “What happens is that kids feel misunderstood, and eventually they will stop telling you anything. Right now it is the most important thing in the world that her best friend is flirting with her boyfriend, and you need to take it seriously.”

Don’t offer advice, disparage her friends or try to minimize it by saying that one day she’ll see how silly high school romances are. “Just listen and sympathize,” says Bartell. And put yourself in her position -- because, after all, you were once there yourself.

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/5-teen-behavior-problems-troubleshooting-guide

RAGGING IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

2008-06-30T10:41:00.001-07:00

It is June and many colleges and schools are opening up for the new
academic year. Could you please spare a moment and read about :

THE LITTLE GIRL WHO DARED TO WISH

Please send a message against ragging; you may save quite a few
lives as also deep mental injury for innocent children. Please

As Amy Hagadorn rounded the corner across the hall from her
classroom, she collided with a tall boy from the fifth grade running
in the opposite direction.

"Watch it, squirt," the boy yelled, as he dodged around the little
third grader. Then, with a smirk on his face, the boy took hold of
his right leg and mimicked the way Amy limped when she walked.

Amy closed her eyes for a moment.

Ignore him, she told herself as she headed for her classroom.

But at the end of the day, Amy was still thinking about the tall
boy's mean teasing. It wasn't as if he were the only one. It seemed
that ever since Amy started the third grade, someone teased her
every single day. Kids teased her about her speech or her limping.
Amy was tired of it. Sometimes, even in a classroom full of other
students, the teasing made her feel all alone.

Back home at the dinner table that evening Amy was quiet. Her mother
knew that things were not going well at school. That's why Patti
Hagadorn was happy to have some exciting news to share with her
daughter.

"There's a Christmas Wish Contest on the radio station," Amy's mom
announced. "Write a letter to Santa and you might win a prize. I
think someone at this table with blond curly hair should enter."

Amy giggled. The contest sounded like fun. She started thinking
about what she wanted most for Christmas.

A smile took hold of Amy when the idea first came to her. Out came
pencil and paper and Amy went to work on her letter. "Dear Santa
Claus," she began.

While Amy worked away at her best printing, the rest of the family
tried to guess what she might ask from Santa. Amy's sister, Jamie,
and Amy's mom both thought a 3-foot Barbie Doll would top Amy's wish
list. Amy's dad guessed a picture book. But Amy wasn't ready to
reveal her secret Christmas wish just then. Here is Amy's letter to
Santa, just as she wrote it that night:

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Amy. I am 9 years old. I have a problem at school. Can
you help me, Santa? Kids laugh at me because of the way I walk and
run and talk. I have cerebral palsy. I just want one day where no
one laughs at me or makes fun of me.

Love, Amy

At radio station WJLT in Fort Wayne, Indiana, letters poured in for
the Christmas Wish Contest. The workers had fun reading about all
the different presents that boys and girls from across the city
wanted for Christmas.

When Amy's letter arrived at the radio station, manager Lee Tobin
read it carefully. He knew cerebral palsy was a muscle disorder that
might confuse the schoolmates of Amy who didn't understand her
disability. He thought it would be good for the people in Fort Wayne
to hear about this special third grader and her unusual wish. Mr.
Tobin called up the local newspaper.

The next day, a picture of Amy and her letter to Santa made the
front page of The News Sentinel. The story spread quickly. All
across the country, newspapers and radio and television stations
reported the story of the little girl in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who
asked for such a simple, yet remarkable, Christmas gift - just one
day without teasing.

Suddenly the postman was a regular at the Hagadorn house. Envelopes
of all sizes addressed to Amy arrived daily from children and adults
all across the nation. They came filled with holiday greetings and
words of encouragement.

During that unforgettable Christmas season, over two thousand people
from all over the world sent Amy letters of friendship and support.
Amy and her family read every single one. Some of the writers had
disabilities; some had been teased as children.

Each writer had a special message for Amy. Through the cards and
letters from strangers, Amy glimpsed a world full of people who
truly cared about each other. She realized that no amount or form of
teasing could ever make her feel lonely again.

Many people thanked Amy for being brave enough to speak up. Others
encouraged her to ignore teasing and to carry her head high. Lynn, a
sixth grader from Texas, sent this message:

"I would like to be your friend," she wrote, "and if you want to
visit me, we could have fun. No one would make fun of us, cause, if
they do, we will not even hear them."

Amy did get her wish of a special day without teasing at South Wayne
Elementary School . Additionally, everyone at school got an added
bonus. Teachers and students talked together about how bad teasing
can make others feel.

That year, the Fort Wayne mayor officially proclaimed December 21st
as Amy Jo Hagadorn Day throughout the city. The mayor explained that
by daring to make such a simple wish, Amy taught a universal lesson.

"Everyone," said the mayor, "wants and deserves to be treated with
respect, dignity and warmth."

Father's Day

2008-06-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

The Crow

An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 years old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window.

The father asked his son, " What is this ? "

The son replied , " It is a crow ".

After a few minutes , the father asked his son the 2nd time ," What is this ? "

The son said , " Father , I have just now told you , It's a crow ".

After a little while , the old father again asked his son the 3rd time , " What is this ? "

At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the son's tone when he said to his father with a rebuff. " It's a crow , a crow ".

A little after , the father again asked his son the 4th time , " What is this ? "

This time the son shouted at his father , " Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again , although I have told you so many times " IT IS A CROW ". Are you not able to understand this ?"

A little later the father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his son was born. On opening a page , he asked his son to read that page. When the son read it , the following words were written in the diary :-

" Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window.

My son asked me 23 times what it was , and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a crow.

I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times.

I did not at all feel irritated I rather felt affection for my innocent child ".

While the little child asked him 23 times " What is this ? ", the father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the father asked his son the same question just 4 times , the son felt irritated and annoyed.

So....

If your parents attain old age , do not repulse them or look at them as a burden , but speak to them a gracious word , be cool , obedient , humble and kind to them. Be considerate to your parents. From today say this aloud, " I want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me. They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to make a person presentable in the society today ".

When God Made Fathers

2008-06-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

When the good Lord was creating Fathers, he started with a tall frame.

God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child size, who would children have to look up to?"

Again God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets, yet small enough to cup a child's face in them."

Then God molded long slim legs and broad shoulders, "Do you realize you just made a Father without a lap?" The angel chuckled.

God said, "A Mother needs a lap. A Father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, to balance a boy on a bicycle, or to hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."

Finally, almost as an after thought, He added tears. Then he turned to the angel and said, "Now are you satisfied he can love as much as a Mother can?"

The angel said nothing more.

HELP KIDS SLEEP ALL NIGHT

2008-06-23T20:11:00.000-07:00

HELP KIDS SLEEP ALL NIGHT

An astounding seven out of 10 children aren't getting enough z's. Here, five top children's sleep-stealers, plus smart strategies that ensure sound slumber for them — and for you.

The good news: Sleep problems in kids are easily prevented and treated, experts say. You can help the entire family get more rest by addressing these major roadblocks to a good night's sleep.

Overscheduling

Too Much Technology

Sneaky Caffeine

Nightmares

A Hidden Health Concern

Bill Gates' 11 Rules of Life...

2008-06-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

Gates' Rules

Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School

about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school

. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1

: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2

: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3

: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4

: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5

: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6

: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7

: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8

: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9

: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10

: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11

: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Discipline the Children

2008-06-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

Parents are the greatest role model for their children.

Its the duty of every parent to set values and discipline their children. Discipline does not mean being strict or hitting the child. But it means to make them understand what is right and needs to be done by them and handling all the issues that are imporatant for them.

Both the parents should sit and make the child understand together. Differences in views, of the parents may cause the child a lot of confusion so it is utterly important that first of all, both the parents sit and discuss the views that have to be presented to the child, so that the child can act upon it with utmost ease and comfort. Understanding the moods of children and then making them understand is very important. Both the parents have to have respect for one another, this helps children to accept the views and respect both equally. Discipline means 'teaching'. Not screaming or shouting at them but teaching them. So that they can learn and to make them learn anything the children should be at peace with both the parents and that peace has to be created by the parents among themselves.

Parents are responsible for raising wonderful children, so their should be mutual understanding between them,which comes from sharing and having conversations, discussing problems and spending time together. So parents influence your children positively, build up their confidence level and teach them the right things in life. Let them see you encouraging one another, while you encourage them and see the results for yourself.

Stay happy, peaceful and blessed.

How To Teach Your Child Manners

2008-06-07T00:23:00.000-07:00

The most difficult period of upbringing a child is when you have to teach him good manners and behavior. You need to have a lot of patience and tolerance to make sure you do not end up losing your temper and making a mess out of it. Though it is impossible to train toddlers, you need to slowly start telling your kid what is good and what is bad when he/she starts to grow up. It will not only make him a responsible adult in future, but also ensure that you, as a parent are successful in the good upbringing of the kid. Here are a few tips for teaching manners to your child.

Tips for Teaching Good Manners to Your Child

· Your children will set you as their role model. Unless you are at your best behavior, you cannot expect the child to be at his best behavior. So, set a good example for your children and portray a behavior that you would want them to follow.

· It is not possible to teach the child everything in one go. It is only as and when the child matures that he is able to understand things the way they are. Teach basic manners and train the child when he is around 3 years old; then move on to instilling etiquettes and politeness. Do not expect a two year old to stop chewing with his mouth open because you said so.

· If you want your child to talk politely, do that yourself. Use words like 'thank you', 'sorry', etc. yourself. When you do that, you are encouraging the child to do that too. Take care of what language you use, since children tend to imitate how adults speak.

· Teach your child to talk to others with respect. Ask them to call your friends by adding Mr. or Ms. before their name. Teach the kid how to shake hands and smile and answer when asked something. Also, train the kid how to behave when in public or at someone else's home.

· If your child behaves in a bad way, do not ignore it. Take the child to a corner and talk about it there and then. Address bad behavior as soon as it is exhibited. If the child breaks a rule, do not reprimand but do address the issue in a firm manner. Never ever reprimand or scold the child in front of others.

· Do not keep advising your child about good behavior. If he does exhibit it, appreciate him and acknowledge the behavior. This will encourage the child to take you even more seriously and be at his best behavior always.