Most Popular Articles

September 2008 Archives

Shoes Causing You Foot Pain?

By Kim Schworm Acosta

Painful feet? Aching toes? You're not alone! A whopping 84 percent of women say they've experienced at least one foot problem, according to a recent survey from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Yet the majority also report that they haven't had their feet measured in five years, and 20 percent say they wear painful shoes at least once a week.

"In 90 percent of people who suffer from bunions, hammertoes, pinched nerves, ingrown toenails and corns, the shoe is the culprit," says Carol Frey, M.D., a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Sur ... Continue reading Shoes Causing You Foot Pain?.

Stephanie Ross and Wendy Lutter, Empoword: Notable Minnesota Moms

by Julie Burton

"People need inspiration. In our busy, crazy lives, we need something to focus on that helps us smile throughout the day," says Wendy Lutter, co-founder of Empoword (pronounced empowered), a product-based business that uses words to promote positive thoughts and actions.

Wendy and co-founder, Stephanie Ross, light up as they share stories of how their Empoword products have made a difference in peoples' lives, which is the main goal of the two women. Whether it is a woman who has had trouble walking for years and starts using her "s ... Continue reading Stephanie Ross and Wendy Lutter, Empoword: Notable Minnesota Moms.

Comfort At The Table

Ah, comfort food. Nothing fancy, just simple, homemade dishes that warm the body and the soul.

Turkey pot pie is an easy-to-make, hearty dish that can comfort a whole crowd at the dinner table. And this recipe, from Organic Valley Ohio Dairy Farmer Charlene Stoller, uses good-for-you organics, so you can feel even better about serving it to the family.

Charlene's recipe combines chunky turkey and vegetables in a creamy, broth-rich sauce. She tops the "gravy" mixture with pie dough, mashed potatoes or biscuits. Her husband likes it with grated cheese on top, too.

Turkey is a lean white meat ... Continue reading Comfort At The Table.

How To Survive Middle School Math

(NAPSI)-In her groundbreaking book, actress and math genius Danica McKellar sets a few things straight: Acne sucks. Mean people suck. But math is actually a good thing, and she proves it in her book, "Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail" (Plume).

Dubbed a "math superstar" by the New York Times, McKellar gives girls and their parents the tools they need to master the concepts that confuse middle schoolers most, including fractions, percents, ratios, rates, "solving for x" and more.

In addition to teaching the most important middle school math ... Continue reading How To Survive Middle School Math.

What is Conjunctivitis?

by S. Jafar Hasan, M.D.

Conjunctivitis (commonly called "pink eye") is a condition where the eyes look pink or red. This may be associated with a yellowish or greenish discharge. Other symptoms may include mild swelling of the lids, tearing, and irritation.

What causes conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis in children can be caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies, and chemicals. In the pediatric population, bacterial conjunctivitis has shown to be much more of a factor in causing conjunctivitis than in the adult population. Bacterial conjunctivitis is associated with signif ... Continue reading What is Conjunctivitis?.

Cooking For A Crowd: Entertaining On A Budget

Whether you're expecting family for the weekend or a dozen friends for a party, feeding a lot of people can be challenging. But with some creativity and wallet-stretching tips, you can satisfy the hungry hoards without breaking the bank.

Weekend Menu

Friday Night Dinner: Home-style Comfort Meal. Make a one-pot meal that's ready whenever they arrive: lasagna, layered potato casserole, a big pot of soup or stew. Offer plenty of cornbread, biscuits or good bread and butter.

Saturday Breakfast: Omelet Bar. Dub someone Chef and provide plenty of fixin's-shredded cheese, bits of ... Continue reading Cooking For A Crowd: Entertaining On A Budget.

Myth Busting: Some Helpful Tips for a Nutritious Pregnancy

Simple Steps to Pricing Your Home

Six Greener Ways to Stay Warm this Winter

With cool weather on the way you may be wondering just how you'll manage to maintain your eco-friendly habits and stay warm at the same time. While your home, like most in America, will likely rely on fossil fuels for heat for years to come, it's still possible to have a "greener" winter.

When it comes to home heating costs, "green" practices can also save you another kind of green - cash. The average American household spends $2,000 on energy costs each year, and half of that total goes to heat and cool the home, according to EnergyStar.

"Making environmentally friendly changes to your heating habits can ... Continue reading Six Greener Ways to Stay Warm this Winter.

Stopping Influenza's Harm

By Peter Dehnel, MD

Starting this fall, it is strongly recommended that all children from 6 months to 18 years of age be immunized against influenza - the true "flu." This is extremely important because the harm caused each year by influenza can be reduced for a whole community by immunizing the children and teens of that community. It is the first time that ALL pediatric patients are encouraged to get the vaccine on an annual basis.

Four key points explaining why we all benefit from expanded vaccination are:

1. Children and teens with high-risk medical conditions are more likel ... Continue reading Stopping Influenza's Harm.