by Angela Heidt
We all want our kids to be involved in sports activities, as we know that doing so will keep them healthy, happy, and out of trouble.... Read more
Green Living: Simple Steps for Busy People
People are finally realizing that the choices they make today directly impact the lives of future generations. Consumers are beginning to make decisions based on whether... Read more
Green Terms- Know What They Mean
The color green has become closely associated with a healthy environment. Here are some common words used in "green" conversations.
Green: Qual... Read more
It's that time of year--time to head out to one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes (or to one of umteen thousands of lakes all over the country). Before you go, check out the downloadable guide below to safe swimming, boating and fishing from Conservation Minnesota. If you're worried about water pollution and contamination, you can go to CheckMyLake.org to find out whether lakes have been tested and what the results show.
Do you sometimes feel that moms can be critical and judgmental about other women's parenting style and choices? Do you feel pressured to be the perfect mom? See what Liz Szabo, writing in USA Today, says about 'competitive parenting.'
Are you planning a quick weekend getaway, a family vacation or a business trip? Here's a round-up of some nifty gadgets that can make traveling easier, more efficient and just plain fun.
Luggage Smarts
* Weigh, Don't Pay: If you can never seem to pack light or you plan on shopping during your trip, get a small digital scale to help you stay under the carry-on weight limit. The Travelon Ergonomic Digital Scale, for example, shows baggage weight up to 75 pounds on a backlit readout. It also includes a tape measure so you know when you're within carry-on size limits.
* Find It Fast: Keep track of your luggage with electronic luggage locators. With the Luggage Locator Pro Deluxe, you put a receiver on each bag and keep the remote on your keychain. Touch a button on the remote and the receiver will beep and light up when you are within 60 feet.
Camera Ready
* Steady Shots: Keeping your camera steady is important for taking better pictures. The Gorillapod, by Joby, is a mini tripod with flexible, multi-jointed legs that let you balance it just about anywhere - on hills, tree branches and more. The original is suitable for compact cameras. A larger version can handle the weight of an SLR and a magnetic version lets you attach the camera to metal surfaces.
* Simple Sharing: Transfer your travel shots and videos to your computer and sharing sites with the Eye-Fi wireless memory card. Using Hotspot Access, you can upload media from tens of thousands of AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots across the U.S.
Business Tools
* Keep the Connections: Having a reliable cell phone signal is a must to stay in touch with the office or loved ones. Cell phone signal boosters like zBoost allow customers to take full advantage of voice, data and Internet services on mobile phones and data devices, including 3G high-speed data and video, instant messaging and pictures. zBoost travel units (www.wi-ex.com), including the zPocket and zboost Dual Band Car Unit, help you take advantage of your smartphone's voice and data capabilities on the road.
* Capture Comments: Take better meeting notes with a smart pen. The Livescribe 2GB Pulse Smartpen records audio and links it to what you write. If you miss something, tap on your notes or drawings with the tip to hear what was said while you were writing. You can transfer your notes to the computer, organize them, search for words and share the finished project with others.
Family Travel
* Keep Them Close: If you've got toddlers that like to roam, you need a way to find them easily. The Giggle Bug Toddler Tracker clips onto your child's clothing. To find your wandering little one, press a button on the hand-held unit and the Giggle Bug emits a loud beep until the child is located and you release the unit. The range is 75 to 100 feet indoors and 100+ feet outdoors, depending on environment and obstructions.
* Keep Them Entertained: If you have movies or TV shows on your iPod or DVDs, everyone can watch them on a bigger screen. The iLuv i1166 portable multimedia player has a 9-inch widescreen display. It can work as a standalone player or you can use an adapter to plug it in to the car for drive time viewing. It also functions as a digital photo frame, iPod charger and music player.
Anyone who's lived in Minnesota for more than a minute is familiar with winter driving.
Winter weather poses unique challenges. Before heading out onto snowy or icy streets, take a few minutes to refresh your memory on how to drive safely in wintery conditions.
Before Leaving
Make sure the gas tank is at least half full and the windshield washer fluid reservoir is full.
Clear as much snow off of the car as you can, including the roof, headlamps and taillights. Scrape ice off of windows and side mirrors for maximum visibility.
Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
If you are going to drive a long distance, find out what kind of weather to expect. Visit the National Weather Service website at weather.gov to check the forecast.
On the Road
Slow down. Tires lose their grip in slippery conditions, so accelerating, stopping and turning all take longer on snow-covered roads. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
AAA recommends that the normal following distance of three to four seconds be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
Accelerating slowly reduces wheel spin. If you're starting from a standstill on ice or slick snow, start in second gear if you have a manual transmission. Some automatic transmissions have a winter mode that automatically starts in a higher gear.
Don't lock the wheels when braking. This can make the vehicle slide or skid. If your vehicle has an antilock braking system (ABS), depress the brake pedal firmly and hold it down. Do not pump the brakes. ABS usually send a vibration through the brake pedal - if you feel this, don't let up, it's normal.
Do one thing at a time. Consumer Reports says that asking a vehicle to do two things at once - such as braking and turning, or accelerating and turning - can reduce your control. When taking a turn, slowly apply brakes while the vehicle is going straight. When it's at the right speed to take the turn, let up on the brakes and smoothly turn the steering wheel. After you're through the turn, slowly depress the accelerator to regain speed.
Correct for a slide. If the rear of the vehicle begins to slide during a turn, gently let up on the accelerator and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide to straighten out. If the front end begins to slide, let up on the accelerator and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to go.
Pay extra attention to other drivers - they may not be driving as cautiously as you.
For more safe winter driving tips, visit consumerreports.org, aaa.exchange.com or the Federal Citizen Information Center at pueblo.gsa.gov.
Do you have children ages newborn to 25? Are you willing to share some information (anonymously if you choose) to help a local writer with her book project on relationships and families? If so, please help by participating in a brief survey by clicking here
Finding out you are pregnant is one of the most exciting days of your life, but being a pet owner there are often many concerns that come along with that. Whether you've got a dog or a cat there are several important things to know about and prepare yourself for both during pregnancy and after baby comes home. In this article you will find information that should help with the transition.
FOR YOUR DOG:
It is essential during your pregnancy to prepare your dog for the new routine the baby will bring. Sometimes we forget just how many changes there will be from the viewpoint of our pets. Think about it; there are new sounds, smells, and sights your dog will be experiencing every day. These things can be scary to any pet but especially to one who is unprepared. Here are some easy ways to get your dog ready for the changes:
• Touch your dog's feet, face, ears, and tail often. Children are very hands-on so it is important to prepare your pet for being handled in a way similar to how a child may act. As your child grows you should also to teach him/her how to use gentle hands and responsible actions with dogs because no matter how well adjusted your dog is nobody likes having their hair pulled or fingers pushed in their face.
• Avoid letting the dog jump on you or pull while on leash. These are dominant behaviors that could not only lead to many more bad behaviors, but could also cause injury to you or your child.
• Socialize your dog both with people and other animals. Try to facilitate as much interaction as possible. Introduce the dog to children of various ages and let them interact with each other, always supervised. You want to be sure that this experience is enjoyable for both the dog and the child. Let the dog know that he is safe and has no reason to fear being around children.
• Touch and interact with your dog while he's eating and playing with toys or treats. Doing this helps the dog get used to you being near during these activities and helps him to understand that he is safe. This is a good thing to do with a dog from a very young age; if you are starting with an older dog you should always approach slowly and use caution as the dog may already have aggression issues that you are unaware of.
• Teach your dog the difference between his toys and the baby's toys. Don't let your dog play with toys that are intended for your children. Besides the germ factor you should teach your dog which toys are okay for him to chew on and which ones aren't so that there is no confusion once the baby comes.
It is also essential to pick out any possible aggressive behaviors your dog may have and work hard to stop them immediately. Dogs will often try to protect things they identify as being there own such as food, toys, people, beds, or personal spaces. Your dog needs to understand that these things he thinks he is protecting are yours, not his. Signs of aggression can include growling, showing teeth, hair standing up or low body posture but may go as far as snapping or biting when people or other animals are around. These behaviors should never be tolerated.
Aggression is a learned behavior and it is much easier to train in avoidance of bad behavior than it is to correct the behavior after it is acquired. If you have a dog who seems to be showing signs of aggression it is important to work quickly to eliminate it. The faster you respond to correct bad behaviors the better it will be for everyone in your household, including your pets. Here are some tips for what you can do if you find that your dog is acting aggressively:
• Check with your vet. Sometimes aggressive behavior may be the result of a medical ailment (ex. Losing sight or hearing, painful joints or teeth, etc.). Have your vet rule out these possibilities.
• Have your dog spayed or neutered. Beyond the health advantages, sterilizing your dog can help to reduce dominant behavior that often leads to aggression.
• Work with a trainer or behaviorist to correct the issue. There are several great resources locally, check with your vet to see who they recommend. We recommend the following:
⁃ Canine Coach: 763-229-8003
⁃ Petra Mertins from the U of M: 612-625-1919
⁃ Eileen Roston, certified pet trainer: 612-382-5678
When you are looking for a trainer, do not be afraid to ask lots of questions. You want to know that the person you are working with is qualified and experienced for the situation. You should also be aware of the training methods they are using and be comfortable and confident with whatever those methods are.
FOR YOUR CAT:
The biggest concern with cats involves an infection called toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is a disease that can cause a variety of adverse effects including serious eye and brain damage, learning disabilities, premature and still birth, as well as convulsions and jaundice. Although infection is rare it is a very serious issue that can be easily avoided.
According to the CDC more than 60 million Americans carry the toxoplasmosis parasite without ever having symptoms and around 15% of women are immune due to previous exposure. Because exposure occurs through the handling of raw meat, cats are often infected by eating rodents, birds, or other animals that are diseased. The illness is then passed on to people through feces. The best way for a pregnant woman to avoid toxoplasmosis is to refrain from changing litter boxes. If you are pregnant and changing the litter box is unavoidable you should always wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards. Also, litter boxes should be changed as often as possible since the parasite does not become infectious for 1 to 5 days after being passed. Gloves should always be worn while gardening too as it is common for feces to be found in garden soil.
If you own a cat or are concerned that you may have been exposed, your doctor can perform a simple blood test to determine whether or not you have immunity. Antibiotics can also be administered to help reduce the baby's risk if an infection is found.
Other things to help you prepare kitty for the new family member include getting him ready for the new noises, scents, and routine you will all be experiencing. Exposing the cat to children or the sound of a crying baby can be very beneficial. Having friends bring their child(ren) over and letting the cat approach them is a great way to do this. The cat should also be allowed to explore the nursery and any other baby specific areas; although, you may want to keep him out of these areas once the baby has arrived. After that remembering to feed and change the litter at the times kitty is used to as well as giving him the love and attention he needs are the best things you can do to keep your kitty happy.
After the baby is home your pets have hopefully had all the necessary preparations to help make the transition easier. Remember, whether you've got a cat, dog, or both the most important thing you can do is be patient and continue to give your pets the affection and care they are used to. It may take some time and hard work but in the end you'll find that it is all worth the effort.
Look for other Auntie Ruth's sponsored articles for more tips on how to keep your pets and kids safe and happy!
Notable Minnesota Moms: Wendy Berezovsky; Sweet Dreams for Kids
By Wendy Berezovsky
HISTORY
When our daughter, Chaya Dalya, was born four years ago, her upper lip looked puffy. At first they thought it was from the delivery but as the swelling did not go down, our panic began to rise. We brought in an ear, nose, and throat doctor and our newborn baby had her first MRI at five days old. It took a while to get a conclusive diagnosis but when Chaya Dalya, was two-and-a-half months old, our worst fear was confirmed. I still remember the day the ENT called (our oldest child's birthday), "It looks like cancer," he said. "It is a very rare type so we have to send it out for confirmation." We had high hopes that this was all just a big mistake, but it was soon confirmed that OUR BRAND NEW BABY WAS BORN WITH CANCER. Her cancer had a name: Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Our lives completely changed. It was turned upside down. We were now completely devoted to saving our baby's life. A life she just started. Our other two children, Reuven, 3, and Eliana, 18 months, had to be away from their mom, dad, and new baby sister, but were lucky to have my wonderful mom and brother as their caretakers who tried to keep their lives as normal as possible.
Our new lives included blood work, appointments, scans, test after test, many of which I had never heard of before. Chaya Dalya went through a chemo regimen that they thought was helping but then realized it was not having as much effect as they wanted. They scheduled her first surgery for December 30, 2005. She endured more chemo and radiation. No matter how difficult everything was, I just kept thinking, "WE HAVE TO DO THIS TO SAVE HER." Time kept moving, our other kids were growing up before our eyes and we were missing things. Our little innocent baby was missing the beginning of life that she deserved. Instead of being spoiled with love at home with her family, she was being poked and prodded, and had to undergo endless tests, endure chemo and radiation, and see different doctors day and night. Things progressed with many ups and downs, and then in June of 2006, scans picked up something suspicious. Words coming from our ENT that I never want to hear again, "Prepare yourself," he told us. He let us know what other doctors were saying, "Leave this poor girl alone, there is nothing else that can be done." With tears rolling down my face, I said to the doctor, "No, you need to do something. We just want her here with us and we will do ANYTHING to make that happen."
June 30, 2006 she had her second surgery to remove the residual tumor. It is now March 2009, and we are so very thankful. We pray a lot. She is truly a miracle. The fear will never leave me and we know she has a long road ahead. We are always thankful...for the little things in life, the things most people take for granted. We appreciate everything. Our world will never be how it was, but we are all different people now. We have learned a lot. I have learned a lot from our two older kids who have been so giving, loving, and caring through this whole nightmare. They were forced to adapt to a different life; forced to hear words like chemo, radiation, scans, blood work, and pokes...all in reference to their baby sister. Our baby, Chaya Dalya, was forced to be injected with chemotherapy--poison--to save her life; and radiation---from which we did not know what the side effects would be; and tests, scans, blood work...learning very quickly of a life filled with doctors and hospital stays. But she is with us and we are blessed.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
From our experience with Chaya Dalya, my idea for Sweet Dreams for Kids came to be. When children are staying at a hospital, it is important that they are able to wear pajamas that are appealing as well as comfortable. And for parents, it is hard enough to see your child so ill, and the regular hospital pajamas can be a constant reminder. It is physically and mentally helpful for both parent and child for the child to be able to wear fun, cute, comfortable, colorful pajamas during their hospital stay.
After speaking to about 100 Hospital staff members at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, I met Dr. Glenn Billman, Medical Director for Patient Safety, who became a wonderful supporter of Sweet Dreams for Kids. Clothing company, Hanna Andersson, jumped on board and was the first one to donate 35 pairs of pajamas. Since then we have been growing steadily.
Sweet Dreams for Kids is currently under the non-profit status of Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. And Hanna Andersson is an official partner who has made a commitment to donate on a regular basis. We are working hard to spread the word for all the deserving parents and kids. My dream is to have all Children's Hospitals nationwide filled with bright and cheery pajamas for kids to wear and feel good in, and for parents to be able to feel good that their child has some kind of normalcy despite what they are going through. I hope to get many more businesses, schools, and families involved to help make this dream a reality. And while helping parents and kids during their hospital stay, I hope to teach others how good it feels to give back and how important it is to help others by giving a little extra sunshine.
Please check out our website at sweetdreamsforkids.org. Or feel free to email me at wendy@sweetdreamsforkids.org for more information, or if you are a parent of a child going through a sickness and just need some support.
