Visit Arlene's website, http://www.losingweightafterbaby.com for free resources to help you lose weight after baby .

CMV is the second leading cause of mental retardation, after Down syndrome. There is currently no vaccine for CMV, but there are anti-virus meds that can be used in babies who already have a CMV infection. The virus is spread through close personal contact, such as kissing or sharing eating utensils. Pregnant women may not know they have the infection.

Delilah Page can keep up with her older brother and sister just fine. But her mom didn't know what to expect when Delilah was born deaf two years ago.

"Here we have this beautiful, beautiful little infant, and we don't know what's going to happen," Delilah's mother, Rachel Page, says.

When Rachel was pregnant, she contracted CMV. She passed the virus onto Delilah.

"It happened when she was inside my body, so then I blamed myself," Rachel says.

Mark R. Schleiss, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and CMV Specialist at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., says about 40,000 babies are born in the United States each year with CMV.

"There's no question about the public health significance of this. It might truly be characterized as a national epidemic," Dr. Schleiss says.

Almost all babies born with CMV suffer hearing loss or mental retardation. After 15 years of research, Dr. Schleiss and his colleagues have developed a vaccine they hope will wipe out the virus.

"Vaccines are, without question, the single most cost-effect and life-saving intervention that has ever been described in medicine," Dr. Schleiss says.

In animals, the vaccine stopped the virus from being transmitted from mother to child by training the body's immune system to detect and attack it. Researchers hope it will do the same in humans.

Delilah is getting along okay with the help of her cochlear implant and some sign language. A vaccine wouldn't help her, but it may help others like her in the future.

Motherhood was always in the plans for Laura Stinson. "I always knew I wanted to have four. Then, I had two and said, 'That was enough,'" Laura says.

"Then we were blessed with two extras."

Laura can say that today, but when she was pregnant with Sarah, depression set in. She says: "I started feeling overwhelmed. Simple things like paying the bills, I couldn't do it." Knowing antidepressants pose risks to unborn babies, Laura looked for something different.

She found it with two simple clicks of a light switch.

Psychiatrist Katherine L. Wisner, M.D., is involved in a formal study on the power of light therapy. She says, "I've become absolutely excited about the possibility of showing that it's an effective treatment for depression in pregnancy and that we might spare many women medication treatments during pregnancy."

While doctors don't understand why the light therapy works, Dr. Wisner, of University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, says all that matters is that it does. "The number of patients who respond, and the rate at which they respond, is similar to drug studies," she tells Ivanhoe.

Forty-five minutes every morning was all it took for Laura's mood to turn around, and it took less than three weeks.

Even now when she uses it Laura notices a difference. "I find that I do have a little extra spring in my step," she says. And that's important to keep up with the activity of her active crew.

These are special lights, and just any light will not have the same effect. The therapy should be used within 10 minutes of waking up in the morning. Dr. Wisner warns that although the side effects are few and rare, the treatment can be harmful to people with severe depression, so it's not recommended without the guidance of a doctor.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Light for Depression in Pregnancy Study
http://www.pregnancylight.org/

If you believe your happiness hinges on finding a better job or a bigger house, or if you suspect you're destined to have a downbeat disposition because your dad had one, think again. "Your happiness level isn't set in stone, and it's a myth that you're either born naturally happy or you aren't," says Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and author of the recently published The How of Happiness (Penguin Press). What's more, "your intentional activities can make a big difference in your happiness level," she says. For the past 18 years, Lyubomirsky has been conducting research on what makes people happy and ways they can be happier. Her conclusion: Only 10 percent of your happiness is influenced by life circumstances, such as your financial situation or marriage. And while genetics determines 50 percent of your happiness, a full 40 percent is within your control because it is influenced by what you do and how you think in your daily life.

"I've never been the type of person to read inspirational quotes or browse through the self-help section," says Lyubomirsky. But "now I know that practicing certain happiness activities -- and practicing them in specific optimal ways -- is highly effective and has the potential to change people's lives." The first step: Choose to be happy. Then, take matters into your own hands. Lyubomirsky's book is filled with get-happy strategies, but she says the following four are among the most important:
Jump to full text of this article here.

Price Books: You have probably heard about them, or read about them in budgeting articles. But what exactly is a Price Book?

A Price Book is a powerful tool used by smart shoppers to help them save money. It is a practical technique used to record prices of frequently purchased items. Consumers armed with a current Price Book will know if an advertised "special" is truly a bargain or not. Costly mistakes can be avoided, and much money can be saved by knowing how much to pay for items used most often.

A Price Book is a personal item created by each individual shopper. There are various formats and suggestions one can follow, but the effectiveness of a Price Book is determined by the way it is prepared, and if it represents the typical purchases of the individual who created it.

A Price Book can be simple or complex; there is no set way to manage one. A person should try a few different ways to determine which method is best for their personal use. Here are a few methods to choose from when starting a Price Book:

Large notebook
Small, pocket size notebook
Spreadsheet
Index cards
Address book

My personal preference is a small notebook that I can carry along with my coupons. I use a simple format. I list the products that I buy most often in alphabetical order, with the lowest price I have found next to each item. I have realized that with whatever method used, it is best to list or file alphabetically.

I started my Price Book by carrying an 8x11 notebook with me to the store. Each item that I purchased was written at the top of a page in the notebook. I listed the price for that particular store, the date, and a few other brand comparisons. Then each time I shopped at another store, I would add the prices for that store.

After visiting each store in my area, I was able to see which ones consistently had the lowest prices on the products I purchased. However, I also found that no one store had the lowest prices on everything. In order to buy at the lowest prices, I have to shop at several stores, and be willing to use many brand names. Unfortunately, I cannot save money by being brand loyal.

Once I had been keeping my Price Book for several months, I knew the lowest price that I could pay for my regular purchases, and how to avoid paying over that amount. I see advertisements everyday claiming to offer the lowest prices on products for sale. Since I began investing my time and efforts into my own price book, I am no longer deceived by false advertising claims.

Keeping a Price Book is one easy way consumers can be smart shoppers. Start your own Price Book today, and you too will see the patterns that the stores and manufacturers follow. But don't just start one; be sure to use it regularly once you have the prices listed. It is a practical tool to help you save. Happy Shopping!

Sandy is a freelance writer and webmaster of TheFrugalShopper.com. She enjoys living the frugal life, saving money, and helping others to do the same.

FOOD, FRIENDS & FUN
Tuesday, July 29th, 6:00-9:00 pm

Aagesen Chiropractic Clinic will be celebrating July with these Red Hot Events.

New Patient Donation: We will donate $25 to the Red Cross for each new patient we see in July.

Our Famous Silent Auction: July 14 - July 29. Bid on dynamic items!

Food, Friends & Fun:
Tuesday, July 29, 6:00-9:00 pm
Join us for a sizzling parking lot BBQ, win GREAT prizes, bid on your favorite items and help a great cause!

A minimum donation of $10 is requested to attend the event!

All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross.

You can help hundreds of Twin Cities metro area community members each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Twin Cities Area Chapter, which enables the Twin Cities Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and assistance, and preparedness education to those in need.

If you're like millions of other Americans, this summer you and your family are likely to buckle up the kids in the back seat, strap luggage to the roof and set out for a vacation driving the nation's roadways. And if you do, there is one thing as certain as your kids getting antsy here and there: The trip will be more expensive this year than it was last year.

In light of rising costs of fuel, food and hotel accommodations, the American Automobile Association advises that you do your research before getting behind the wheel. Fortunately, the Internet is an excellent resource for the budget-conscious traveler, with web sites offering everything from helpful tools such as fuel calculators to ideas about innovative and affordable lodging opportunities such as house-sitting.

An estimated 32 million of you braved the nation's roadways during the first weekend of summer this year, according to AAA. But even if the higher costs make you think twice before getting behind the wheel for a road trip this summer, the Internet can help you find ways to stay within your budget. "If you know where you are going, you can plot out your trip and find the cheapest gas along your route," says John Townsend, manager of public and government relations for AAA's mid-Atlantic region. "If you were able to make the trip last year," Townsend adds, the higher costs "don't have to be a deal breaker this year."
Jump to full text of this article here.

"I tell kids they should throw away the cereal and eat the box. At least they'd get some fiber."
-Richard Holstein, D.D.S-


The latest obsession among moms lately has nothing to do with mom, per se, but focuses on what moms can do to trick their children into eating foods that are actually good for them. This is a good thing since so many children are consuming foods that are heavily processed and light on nutritional value. And, since summer is when most of us start craving juicy, fresh fruits and veggies, now is a great time to experiment with some fun, healthful food tips for you and your family:

Tip #1: Start early: Instilling healthy habits early on really does help lay the foundation for the future. Take my friend's toddler for instance. Since he turned one-year-old, he has always eaten the same healthy foods that his parents eat--he didn't have a choice! Unlike many of us, his mom and dad never made a separate meal just for him and now he eats pretty much anything!

Tip #2: Make it colorful: Try to ensure that your child's plate is not monochromatic. Fill it up with as many colors from the rainbow as possible.

Tip#3: Go for frozen or fresh: Opt for frozen or fresh produce over canned varieties. Frozen fruits and veggies may actually be more nutritious than their fresh food rivals. This is because, over time, fresh produce can lose important nutrients while frozen produce is usually picked at peak times.

Tip #4: Make it silly: Try building a leaning tower of Pisa out of banana slices or making a happy face out of some baked chicken. Your kids will love devouring its' parts!

Tip #5: Limit snacks: Children normally require two or so snacks during the day to get them through to the next meal. Just try to make them small-portioned, light snacks like popcorn or grapes. They need foods that won't stay with them for too long and ruin their appetite at meal times.

Tip #6: Out of sight out of mind: Store junk foods away in the pantry and on the top shelf, out of an easy arm's reach. Research has shown that the closer you are to a food, and the more visible it is, the more likely you are to eat it.

Tip #7: Reach for a book: There are a couple of great books on the market for hiding those not-so-popular veggies inside kid's favorites like brownies and Mac-n-cheese. Although many of these recipes require a good amount of prep time, it may be well worth it in the end.

Tip #8: Don't obsess: Last but not least, don't become overly obsessive about the dietary habits of your kids, especially the young ones. Let them eat what they will, within reason of course, and chances are they will soon become more open to trying foods that are not shaped like dinosaurs.

Hopefully your children will start out appreciating the healthfulness offered by lean meats, crisp vegetables, and sweet fruits. If not, it is likely they will, at some point, trade in their bowl of cocoa puffs for some granola, some children just need a little more coaxing than others.



P.S.S. (Parent Sanity Saver): If your child is a real fussy eater, he or she will likely benefit from a once daily multivitamin. Just make sure you store them way out of reach since most of them taste almost as good as candy.



The author is a doctor of pharmacy and mother of two amazing little girls. Her book, The Colic Chronicles (Da Capo Lifelong) is scheduled for release in Summer 2008. You can check out her website at TheMedicineMom.com or e-mail her directly at drk@themedicinemom.com. She encourages reader questions and feedback!

Nearly all of us are concerned about the economy these days, and not to mention the hit it is taking on our pocketbooks. Budget clothes shopping, such as consignment shops, stores that sell vintage clothing and discount clothing stores used to get a bad rap- but those days are gone. These days it's hip to have articles of clothing that are sassy and unique- not the same old chain store clothes that everyone in the neighborhood is wearing.

So, forget the embarrassment, look hip, and best of all, save money doing it.

Consignment Shops
If you are planning to sell clothes on consignment, the general ground rule for successful consigning is this: Designer and better department store labels sell. The better the label and the better the condition of each garment, the quicker it will sell, and the better price it will fetch.

Many consignment shops require you to schedule an appointment to bring your clothes in. At the appointment, the associate will briefly inspect your items, and give back any items they feel are not sellable.

Platos Closet
9 locations throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area
www.platoscloset.com
Platos Closet is a nationwide unique recycling retail store specializing in clothes for tweens and twenty somethings. As a consignment store, Platos Closet buys and sells the latest looks in gently used clothing and accessories from the hottest brand name designers for girls and guys. They buy only the best fashions and price them substantially lower than brand name retailers.

Turn Style Consignment Clothing
9 locations throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area
Turn your clothes into cash at Turnstyle. The employees at Turnstyle will help you recycle your gently worn designer label clothing and accessory items into cool, handy cash. As a customer, what's not great about finding brand name, trendy clothes at a discount?

Elite Repeat
1336 Randolph, St. Paul
Known as one of the best consignment shops in the Minneapolis-St.Paul area, Elite Repeat sells bargain apparel for men and women, casual and career. The clothes are brand name and designer; there is a large shoe selection, and an accessories section with high-end designer handbags, jewelry and scarves. What people love best about Elite Repeat- is that the staff is so friendly and helpful, making it a fun place to shop.

Very Vintage
Tatters Clothing
2928 Lyndale Ave. South, Minneapolis
If you love shopping vintage, then check out Tatters Clothing in Minneapolis. The environment at Tatters is fun, loud and constantly changing. Rock stars, wanna bees and even us average people can stock up on leather pants, vinyl boots, bowling shirts, vintage party dresses, military surplus, teeny tank tops and other new and used trendy fashions.

Lula
1587 Selby Ave., St. Paul
Lula sells vintage wear from the 1940s though mid-1970s and is the place to go for vintage clothing in St. Paul. The stock changes frequently, no doubt because everyone who loves vintage shops at Lula. The Lula collection contains cashmere sweaters, formal dresses, casual dresses and much more.

Megan has a range of education and experience-from Resource Management and Forestry to Information Technology. She also enjoys freelance writing and is currently developing her own online business. Megan lives in Inver Grove Heights with her husband Tony, daughter Isabel, son John, and two beautiful but very naughty Siberian Huskies, Mika and Timber.