Real Life Solutions

Winter fires can be prevented! The following winter fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire-safe home this winter season and protect you and your family.

(ARA) – House fires happen more frequently during the winter months each year due to holiday decorations, malfunctioning furnaces and increased use of cooking appliances and fireplaces, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Fire Prevention Month in October is a good time for homeowners to make fire escape plans and take steps to prevent house fires. Every member of your family, from your youngest child to the oldest senior, can help to protect your home from fire and learn how to assist others in getting out in case a fire does occur.

Here are some actions you can take this fall to protect your house and family.

* Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Go through your entire house and make sure you put new Duracell CopperTop batteries in every detector. You should have a smoke detector on every floor in the house, as well as just outside of every bedroom.

“Installing a smoke detector is one of the strongest defenses for a family to prevent devastating fires and ensure loved ones are alerted and escape a potentially dangerous situation,” says Philip Stittleburg, chairman of the National Volunteer Fire Council. “A good habit to develop is to replace your batteries in your smoke detector every fall to ensure the detectors will work in the event there is a fire in your home.”

* Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected. Residue from previous fires can build up in the chimney, and if the conditions are right, catch on fire. Schedule a chimney cleaning every year if you plan to use your fireplace.

* Unplug holiday decorations when you’re away from the house or have gone to bed.

* If using space heaters in your home or garage, keep them at least three feet away from any objects, and don’t leave them running and unattended.

* With all the holiday cooking you’re bound to do, be sure to practice safe cooking methods. For instance, keep anything flammable away from the stove and oven, always roll up your sleeves when working around a hot range and never leave the kitchen unattended when cooking.

* Store lighters and matches out of reach of children and pets, and never leave a burning candle unattended.

* Establish escape routes for second story and higher rooms. You may need to purchase escape ladders that can be stored under the bed in case a family member would need to leave the house through the window.

* Organize a family escape plan. Put the plan down on paper, and then run through it several times so everyone – including your youngest children – knows exactly how they’re getting out of the house, and where they’re supposed to meet outside. Review this plan yearly.

All members of your family can work together to prevent fires. With a fire safety plan in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy the fall and winter months without worrying about your family’s safety.

By following the above winter fire safety tips, you will be protecting not only you and your family but your neighbors as well.

If you are looking for anti aging tips for women, you have come to the right place.  Have you heard it said that ageing is a state of mind? In part, that’s probably true! It’s also a state of body. Here are some anti-ageing tips for both your mind and your body.

Anti Aging Tips For Women – Skin

Keeping your skin supple and elastic is important for looking and feeling young. Many sources note the importance of eating fresh fruit for skin health. Not only does it contain antioxidants that help reduce the effects of aging – fresh fruit also helps your body produce and maintain collagen, the elastic protein that keeps skin supple. Citrus fruits and berries are said to be particularly effective. Fresh fruit also hydrates your body, an important aspect of looking younger.

In addition to eating fresh fruits, your skin may benefit from drinking water, too. Hydration of the skin starts from the inside, after all, and water helps flush out any toxins and impurities that may be building up in your system.

Exercise

Exercise is important for all ages, so beware of thinking you don’t have to engage in it because you’re ageing! In fact, as you begin to grow older, exercise is essential. Here are some reasons why.

* Joint health is positively affected by proper exercise. Weight-bearing but low-impact exercises may be best, such as bike riding or low-impact aerobics – this is purported to reduce and prevent bone loss (which can result in osteoporosis). Also, movement of the joints helps keep them lubricated, reducing inflammation and the pain of arthritis.

* Excess weight gain can creep up on us as we age. Exercising regularly helps keep weight in check.

* Toning those areas most affected by age – the belly (in men) and the triceps (in women), for example, can help prevent the appearance of age.

Laugh!

Laughing and having fun can greatly reduce stress, sources say. And stress reduction helps you feel and look younger. So go ahead – dance around, listen to music from your college years, read a funny book or watch a funny movie – and laugh!

Get Adequate Sleep

Ever wonder why it’s called “beauty rest”? There’s a reason that adage came to be – getting enough sleep prevents rings, circles, and puffiness under the eyes and helps keep the face from having that saggy look associated with ageing.

Anti Aging Tips For Women – Diet

A study has shown that Icelanders eat the most seafood of any population in the world, and, at 81, they also have one of the longest life expectancies. While most of us can’t practically replicate Icelanders’ consumption (220 pounds per person per year!), we can incorporate more seafood in our diets. Salmon is considered particularly healthy. Consider at least two meals a week that center around seafood.

Another anti-ageing diet tip is to steam your veggies, sources say. Steamed vegetables tend to reduce inflammation (which is associated with ageing), whereas fried or grilled vegetables may increase inflammation.

By using any of these anti aging tips for woman that are listed above you will be sure to start to feel and look younger!

Every mom deserves a break. You can’t always take a day off just for you. However, you can pamper yourself any day of the week, right at home. These quick pampering tips for moms are sure to give you a quick boost!

Listen to your favorite music – When was the last time you bought yourself a new CD of your favorite artist? Turn on some motivating music for yourself. Listen to music to relax or pump up the volume and dance while you do the laundry.

Light some candles – Gather a few scented candles and light them for a soothing effect. Be sure to keep a few of the scents you like best on hand so you never run out.

Bubble bath – Fill your bath tub with hot water. Squirt in some nice-smelling bubble bath. Scents like lavender, mint and vanilla contribute a calming aroma.

Rose petal soak – Instead of using bubble bath or bath salts, drop some rose petals in your water just before you get ready to soak.

Rose petal foot soak – Soak your feet for twenty minutes in warm water with rose petals. The smell from the rose petals have a calming effect and the foot soak is sure to be a treat for mom’s tired feet.

Manicure and pedicure – What mom doesn’t deserve a nice pampering manicure and pedicure! Plan a special day out alone for this special treat. If you can’t afford to pay for this, invite a girlfriend and take turns pampering each other.

Save face – Buy an inexpensive tube of facial mask and soothing cream. Give yourself a facial while relaxing in the tub or soaking your feet in a rose petal foot soak.

Mother-daughter pampering – All moms need special pampering, but don’t forget to include your daughters from time to time. If you have a younger daughter, use some of these pampering tips we’ve provided for a fun mother-daughter night. Take turns giving each other facials and manicures, rubbing lotion on your feet or combing your hair. If you have an older daughter, save and plan for a special mother-daughter pampering day at the spa.

Need a Break Mom? Break free from the SuperMom Trap by Clicking Here.

Halloween is an exciting night for children and a busy time for their parents. With such excitement, it’s easy for children to forget basic safety rules.When emotions are running high, it’s a good time to remember to “use your head.” Plan ahead and plan to have a safe Halloween. Raise safety awareness with your family before the festivities begin.We do the right thing, but we don’t always explain it to children. As you place a saucer under each tea light, or “stop, look and listen” at street corners and in parking lots, tell your child why. They don’t always connect the dots unless you point it out.

Here are some Halloween Safety Tips to keep in mind:

1. Stay sober and alert: It’s amazing how many family Halloween celebrations involve adults drinking. It’s impossible to monitor children’s safety or your own when you’ve had too much to drink, so don’t.

2. Avoid cuts and burns when decorating: Carving the pumpkin, placing luminaria in the driveway, and hanging spooky skeletons all present opportunities for injury. If you’re decorating with candles, observe fires safety. Have a good fire extinguisher handy and make sure everyone knows where it is.

3. Observe ladder safety regulations: According to the NASD, accidents involving ladders cause an estimated 300 death a year in the US, and 130,000 injuries requiring medical attention. Review ladder safety rules and observe them.

4. Make sure “treats” aren’t “tricks.”:Many people these days choose to go to fairs or private parties instead of trick or treating for safety reasons. If your child is going trick or treating, go with them. Make it a rule that nothing is to be eaten until it’s first been inspected by you.

5. Caution your child about strangers and dogs:Keep your children with you and remind them to avoid people and dogs they don’t know. Many people are taking their dog companions out in costume these days, and even the most gentle of family pets can do something unexpected with all the excitement.

6. Accidental fallsis the number one cause of injuries on Halloween night (National Safety Council). Choose your child’s costume with this in mind. Hem up the hemlines. If you choose a mask, choose one that doesn’t obstruct sight. Stay sober and observe safety rules when decorating.

7. Four times more children are killedin pedestrian/automobile accidents on Halloween night than on any other night of the year.

The CDC suggests these factors make it a high risk: short stature, inability to react quickly enough to avoid a car or evaluate a potential traffic threat, lack of impulse control, and all the exciting distractions.

8. The holiday syndrome: The excitement, more candy, more parties, less sleep, less nutritious food, and getting off schedule all mean less attentiveness and also possibly illness. Keep routines as normal as you can.

9. Choose safe and sensible costumes:Choose fire retardant costumes that allow children free movement and good visibility. Be careful about accessories. Even toy knives and swords can cause harm. Give each child a flashlight.

10. Set a good example:Show that you care about safety and make it a top priority.

Visit Real Life Solutions!  It is your resource for all of your Holiday planning needs. We provide articles and products that will enable you enjoy stress free holiday planning.

As a working woman with children, a husband who works in the building trades, and a father with Alzheimer’s, I am very concerned about environmental contaminants.

There has been growing evidence in the form of scientific studies that warn about contaminated food and the possible health risks. My father is one of thirteen children and the only one in his family to have developed a dementia type disease. Did he get exposed to something that his brothers and sisters didn’t? Or was it genetic? They know so little about dementia, but it just seems a bit coincidental that as the percentage of people developing dementia and cancer are increasing so is the quantity and variety of toxins that are being created and released into our environment. Hmmm……

What do we mean by “the environment”?

The environment is everything around you, indoors and outdoors. The air you breathe, the water you drink, the ground you walk on, and the food you eat are all part of your environment. It’s important that you know what things in the environment can affect your health and what you can do to protect yourself and your family now and over your lifetime.

How the environment affects your health

Chemicals are released into the environment in a variety of ways. Manufacturing plants have often been blamed as the primary culprit releasing chemicals in the form of waste products into water supplies and the air. However, individual homeowners can release lead into the soil from scraping old house paint, or by pouring oil from a car into the road drain. Today, scientists are measuring abnormalities in fish and amphibians that seem to be caused by an increasing amount of pharmaceuticals being flushed down the toilet, thus entering the water supply.

Women

Environmental toxins play a role in conditions such as breast cancer, endometriosis, and menopause. Pregnant or nursing mothers can have increased risks for miscarriage, preterm birth and birth defects. Pollutants in the environment can contribute and aggravate symptoms of cardiovascular and lung disease, including high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in older woman. Long term exposure may cause cancer and dementia. Click here for a list of top 7 threat’s to women’s health.

Children 

Many types of exposures are more harmful for children than for adults. There are many reasons for this, some are:

• Relative to their body weight, children eat, breathe and drink more than adults do. So children take in higher concentrations of any toxins in food, water, or air.
• As organs develop, they are more likely to be damaged by exposure to toxins.
• The ways that toxins are removed from the body are not fully developed in children.
• Children spend more time outdoors, where they may be exposed to outdoor air pollution and ultraviolet radiation.
• Children do more intense physical activity, causing them to breathe air pollutants more deeply into their lungs.
• Young children tend to put their hands, dirt and other objects into their mouths.

Men

Men more often are exposed to work related environmental toxins from the labor trades or from around the home. Lead and VOC in paint, pesticides from lawn care, or asbestos and other air quality pollutants can cause men to be prone to lung cancer. Excess sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. Prostate cancer and colorectal cancer, stroke and diabetes are among the top 7 threats to men’s health.

There are habits that you can change to reduce your risks from environmental hazards.

Theresa Dansin is the webmaster at www.greenchoicesforyou.com.  She shares news, information and recommendations on how to go green todayin order to encourage environmentally friendly families for tomorrow.

Many people get discoraged when the seasons change and they quickly look around for some quick indoor herb garden tips that they can use so that they don’t miss out on the taste of fresh herbs when the seasons change.

Don’t despair if you want a nice herb garden but you don’t have the time and space for a big garden plot. Many herbs are hardy and easy to grow in containers, so you can make your own indoor herb garden. Tips like the ones I have included below will help to supply  you with herbs for cooking, tea, and crafts; your indoor herb garden will beautify your home and enhance the indoor air quality.

Here are some indoor herb garden tips on how to get started.

1. Choose Your Spot — Bear in mind that most herbs enjoy sunshine, at least three to four hours a day. So a sunny spot is ideal. If you don’t have a sunny spot, don’t worry – you can choose shade-tolerant herbs and/or rig up a fluorescent light to augment the light from your window(s).

If you like, you can purchase or make a rack or open shelf for your herbs, which can come in especially handy if you need to move your garden from one sunny window to another. Make sure you have a rubber tub or other protection under whatever set-up you choose, so that the floor, table, and so forth won’t get doused with water when you give your garden a drink.

2. Choose Your Herbs

Herbs that grow well in pots include the following:

• Parsley (can tolerate some shade)
• Lemon balm (shade-tolerant)
• Mints (shade-tolerant)
• Basil (sun-loving)
• Thyme (sun-loving)
• Chives (can tolerate some shade)
• Oregano (can tolerate some shade)

There are others, too. When you go to buy your plants from a local nursery, you can ask them what other herbs do well indoors.

3. Choose Your Containers – Herbs are usually not too picky, but it pays to know something about the root structure of the herbs you want to grow.  Thyme, for instance, has a much shallower root system than lemon balm. So choose your containers based on the growth habits of the herbs. Just make sure every container has adequate drainage. And when in doubt, err on the size of size – it’s better to have a pot that seems too big than one that’s too small. 

4. Plant Your Herbs -  Once you have your plants home, you’ll want to plant them in the containers you’ve chosen. Place potting soil into the bottom of each container, then set the herb carefully down into the pot and fill the rest of the space with soil. Water thoroughly after planting, and keep the herbs out of direct sun for a day or two. Then put them in their sunny spot and watch them grow!

All of the above indoor herb garden tips will help to keep your house beautiful and smelling lovely year round and you can also get the benefit of tasting your home grown herbs even during the winter months.

Here are some easy tips that you can use to help to include more whole grains snacks for kids into your childs diet

(ARA) - Parents want the best nutrition for their children, but there is often a struggle between making healthy choices and pleasing children’s palates. Whole grains are critical for maintaining children’s health, but research shows most kids are eating far less than is recommended. The good news is that there are plenty of creative ways to resolve this nutritional dilemma by incorporating whole grain snacks for kids and whole grain meals throughout the day.

How deprived are our children?

Young people are consuming less than one serving of whole grains per day, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. The USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend consuming at least three or more servings of whole grain per day. A recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that children who consume the most servings of whole grains have higher nutrient intake and better diets overall.

What exactly are whole grains?

Grains are divided into two subgroups: whole grains and refined grains. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel. Because whole grains haven’t been refined, they contain higher levels of dietary fiber, iron and B vitamins. Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, tortillas and grits are examples. By eating whole grain varieties of these foods, you’ll give yourself and your children better nutrition.

What are easy ways to eat whole grains every day?

1. Make it a whole grain breakfast. The morning may be the easiest time to begin integrating whole grains into your family’s diets because many breakfast foods are available in whole grain options. Choose ready-to-eat breakfast cereals containing whole grains, including whole wheat cereal flakes, muesli and rolled oats. Choose whole grain bread for satisfying and tasty morning toast. Tip for parents of picky eaters: If your kids want a bit more sweetness with their whole grain breakfast, offer dried fruits to add to cereal and real fruit jam as a topping on toast.

2. Read labels. Foods labeled multi-grain, stone-ground, 100 percent wheat, cracked wheat, seven-grain or bran may not contain any whole grain. Tip for reading food labels: Check the label for fiber content. A product containing 10 to 19 percent of the daily recommended value of fiber is a good source of whole grains.

3. Stock whole grain snacks for kids. Choose snacks that contain whole grains, such as Lance Whole Grain Peanut Butter or Cheese Sandwich Crackers, which contain more than 8 grams of whole grain per serving and offer 12 percent of the recommended daily value of fiber. Visit www.Facebook.com/LanceSnacks to learn more. Tip for choosing sensible snacks: Look for products that contain zero grams trans fat, no preservatives and no high fructose corn syrup, such as Lance Sandwich Crackers.

4. Add whole grains to your dinner plate with a side dish. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun – add vegetables and seasoning to brown rice, quinoa or whole grain couscous for a tasty alternative to potato or pasta salad. The colorful creations make eating whole grain side dishes fun for kids of all ages. Tip for busy parents: Cook up extra rice, bulgur or barley when you have time and freeze it for use later as a quick side dish.

5. Set a good example. Say goodbye to the old food pyramid as the new diet recommendations from the USDA follow a circular icon known as MyPlate. Part of this change includes the recommendation that half of all the grains we eat should be whole grain. Kids will follow your lead; make sure that you eat whole grains often as part of your meals and snacks. Plus, research shows people who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases – so mom and dad can live healthier as well. Tip for learning more about MyPlate: If you’re still unsure about the new USDA MyPlate guidelines,visit www.choosemyplate.gov for tips and tools.

Eating whole grains benefits everyone’s diet, and with these tips, you can easily integrate whole grains into your family’s snacks and meals while enjoying delicious and healthy results. Using 1 or more of the tips above will help you to add more whole grain snacks for kids into their diet.

As you can see there are some  low fat fast food options available to you when you are in a hurry to eat but also want to make healthy choices.  Also be sure to visit Meal Planning Central for a free meal planning report.

Yes, there are some low fat fast food options out there.  I know…  when you think of “fast food,” it’s probably not in connection with healthy eating.  However, it is possible to make healthy food quickly at home, and there are also healthy choices your teen can make at fast food restaurants.

Here are some low fat fast food options that you can incorporate into your diet.

Pizza – Yes, pizza can be a healthy, fast meal. If you make your own crust, choose a healthy, whole wheat recipe and freeze the extra dough. Then you can thaw out the dough (or buy a ready-made whole wheat crust) and add healthy toppings – just leave off the fatty meats like pepperoni and sausage, and cut back on cheese.   Pizzas only need to bake for 10 minutes or so at 500 degrees F, making them a pretty fast option.

Some low fat fast food option toppings for pizza:

• Garlic, spinach, mozzarella and Parmesan
• Tomatoes, onions, olives and bell peppers
• Mushrooms, onions and banana pepper rings
• Green olives, garlic, onion, and bell pepper
• Fresh tomatoes, minced basil, and mozzarella

Veggie Burgers - This is another great  low fat fast food option.  You can make these patties ahead and freeze them (black bean burgers freeze well) or buy ready-made veggie burgers. Then you can pull them out of the freezer and heat them in a skillet with a little olive oil and they’re ready to eat in a matter of minutes. Serve these as you would traditional burgers, but make sure you use a whole grain bun (or no bun at all).

Fish Sticks  – Pre-packaged, frozen fish sticks are notoriously high in fat and salt (and who knows what else). Keep some mild white fish, such as tilapia, on hand and slice the fillets into strips to make your own fish sticks. Toss the fish with lemon juice, then dip the pieces in whole wheat flour, a mixture of 1 beaten egg and 3/4 cup plain yogurt, and whole wheat bread crumbs or panko. Then bake on a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet for about 12 minutes at 425 degrees F.

As you can see there are some  low fat fast food options available to you when you are in a hurry to eat but also want to make healthy choices.  Also be sure to visit Meal Planning Central for a free meal planning report.

You’ve come to the right page if you are looking for some great fall gardening ideas!  While things are winding down in the fall, there are still some gardening tips and strategies that you can employ.   You can add some color and life to your garden, and prepare it for winter. Depending on where you live, fall can be a busy time in the garden.

Here are some Fall gardening ideas that you can use: 

Color  – Fall is a colorful season, and you can add some of that color to your garden this time of year. Chrysanthemums (mums) come in a variety of yellows, bronzes, reds, and purples. Fall is the time to plant these and take advantage of the season’s colors. It’s worth noting, however, that mums will return each year – they’re perennials.  So take that into consideration as you decide on their placement in your garden.

Get the Weeds before They Seed – Fall is the time when many weeds go to seed, sending the makings of next year’s invasion all over your yard. Thankfully, fall can be a rainy time, and wet soil is easier to pull or hoe weeds out of than dry soil. You’ll thank yourself next spring when the weeds are fewer.

Another word about weed control in the fall – you can lay down several layers of newspaper on your garden once the plants are spent. Anchor the newspapers with rocks or soil and, by the time spring arrives, the weeds will have been deprived of the light and air they need to sprout. The newspaper will decompose and can be tilled into the soil to enrich it, and another layer applied in the spring before planting (poke holes in the newspaper layer to plant).

Pests’ Hiding Places – Remove the dead leaves and spent plants from your garden before winter sets in. Many invasive and annoying pests overwinter beneath leaves, boards, tools, and anything else left lying on the ground.

However, some gardeners like to leave a layer of autumn leaves on their garden to act as a mulch and compost in one. So depending on what kind of pests you have in your area and how cold it gets, leaving the leaves may work for you.

Plant Bulbs -  There are a variety of bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. If you grow garlic, it will need to be put into the garden in the fall. Flowers like hyacinths and daffodils are typically planted in the fall so they can complete their growth cycle in time to come up in spring. 

Trees and Shrubs -   When thinking of Fall gardenging ideas, don’t forget about those shrubs.  Now is a good time to prune back trees and shrubs, including shrub roses. It’s also a good time to plant them. In the fall, trees and shrubs are in a dormant state, and the planting and pruning are less shocking to the plant.

As you can see from the above Fall gardening ideas, there are many things that you can do to your yard to add some beauty and color for the Fall season.