It's not just the grilled ribs, steaks, hot dogs and burgers, either. It's the potato and macaroni salads that we pile on the side, and the much-loved ambrosia recipes that wrap normally healthy fruits into a mountain of whipped cream. And it's all those sugary drinks we find refreshing.

But take heart. Your next barbecue doesn't have to pack a punch with extra pounds. Registered nurse Carla Cocco, practical nursing clinical coordinator at Brown Mackie College -- Cincinnati, offers some sensible advice on how to avoid extra calories. "Instead of grilling ribs and sausages, substitute these high-fat meats with chicken, fish or pork. Pork tenderloin is virtually as lean as chicken breast," she says. "It is important, though, to use a meat thermometer to ensure the meat is cooked thoroughly."

In a U.S. government partnership program called the National Food Safety Program, the Food and Drug Administration collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies to promote safe internal cooking temperatures. They recommend minimum internal temperatures of 165 F for poultry, 145 F for salmon, and 160 F for pork.

"You can pull a pork roast from the grill when the temperature is a few degrees lower," says Cocco, "because it needs to sit for 10 minutes before serving. During that time, the internal temperature will rise."

While summer weight gain can be minimized by grilling leaner meats and fish, you can also ward off extra pounds by considering portion size. Chances are, when grazing the food table, you will see plenty of dishes you want to taste.

"We often want to sample everything," says Cocco. "The key here is 'sample.' Take smaller portions of each item. Instead of a half cup of potato salad, take just a quarter cup." Spoon a portion size on to your plate that would fit in the palm of your hand. Then move on. "Portion sizes for meats are even smaller," Cocco adds. "Just 3 to 4 ounces is the recommended serving size."

Substitution is a big summer rule of thumb. "Instead of nibbling on cheese and crackers, try fruit chunks dipped in yogurt," recommends Cocco. "Instead of ice cream treats, give the kids sugar-free popsicles. They're still cool and sweet and contain only about 15 calories."

Substitutions can go a long way toward maintaining a healthy diet. For instance, you can enjoy potato salad with fewer calories by using a vinegar-and-oil-based dressing, like German potato salad. "Adding nuts to the dish provides huge benefits in terms of vitamins and protein," Cocco says. She also suggests drinking water after your first glass of soda, lemonade or wine. "Don't drink your calories, especially when there is so much else to taste," she advises.

Other healthy summer tips focus on activity levels. When attending a barbecue hosted by another, offer to help serve or clean up. When you're busy, you are less likely to eat as much. "After all, you're there to visit with people, not gorge," says Cocco. "You can also park down the street, and walk to the home. Every step counts."

Above all, whether you're the host or a guest, join in on the outdoor fun. Pick up a badminton racket, or get in on a game of horseshoes or volleyball. Even toss a few water balloons. That's what summer is all about.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Nature-inspired design can certainly be soothing, sedate and traditional, but a plethora of new products and techniques is also bringing the bold, bright and fun side of nature indoors. Whether it's a throw pillow that looks like birch bark or a full wall mural of green bamboo, nature's brighter side is spicing up modern American decor.

If you're looking for fun, funky ways to bring the brighter side of nature-inspired design into your home, here are a few ideas and items to look for:

"Woodn't" it be good
Wood has been a beloved design element in home interiors for centuries. But you don't have to invest in expensive hardwood floors or put up with dated wall paneling to enjoy wood's rich beauty in your decor. Logs are the latest, and not just in log homes.

From glass tabletops perched delicately atop natural twig and branch bases, or a faux wood-grained area rug to plush throw pillows in fabric that mimics the grain of natural wood, you're barking up the right tree by incorporating the look of log into your decor.

You don't have to spend a dime to bring this trendy yet timeless material into your home, either. Simply take a stroll in the woods, gather some eye-catching branches, bring them home, tie with your favorite colored ribbon and use them as an accent piece above mantles, windows or doorways.

Way to do a wall
Wall murals have been around for thousands of years, and the latest twist on nature-inspired murals is bold. Forget the walls of idyllic woodland scenes that were ubiquitous during the 1970s. Modern nature-inspired murals amplify the graphic qualities and bright hues found when you take a closer look at Mother Nature's artistry.

Zoomed in close-ups of a pebble-filled beach, bright green bamboo stalks and graceful birch trunks turn familiar natural scenes into graphic design elements that emphasize color and pattern. Each look adds a unique touch of nature-inspired drama to a room's design. You'll find all three murals for just $99 at www.DecorPlace.com, which sells easy-to-install wallpaper murals.

Whimsy away
Some nature-inspired decor is anything but serious. From parchment votive holders made out of real vegetables (at www.vivaterra.com) to lamps that resemble a tumble of glossy stones (www.stonecreationsonline.com), it's easy to find the fun side of nature-inspired accessories.

Made slice by slice from fresh produce, sculptor Margaret Dorfman presses veggies into durable parchment, then fashions them into flower shapes to create inventive votive holders.

Bamboo is another versatile material that's finding fun applications in American homes. A serene stand of miniature bamboo shoots elegantly displayed on a coffee table is a perfect foil to the vibrant, joyful color of a bamboo wall mural. A spritely bamboo window film can balance the rich, practical presence of bamboo flooring.

Americans' continuing interest in the environment and eco-friendly living is sure to keep the nature-inspired home decor movement going strong. Colorful, whimsical decorator items that remind us of Mother Nature's sense of humor are finding their place beside the more serene staples of this decorating trend.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

The return of the Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog™ exhibit has unleashed a summer of fun at the Museum!

Join us daily for Playtime with Clifford™ - a chance for your child to interact with their favorite big red dog in a variety of settings including Story Time and Big Fun! Get an up close look at real therapy dogs just as friendly as Clifford during the Friday morning animal program.

Also, don't miss our newest exhibit, Secrets of Circles. Explore the mysteries of one of the world's most common shapes through hands-on activities like using a computerized version of Etch-a-Sketch® to draw circles or operating a child-friendly lathe.

$2 off offer good redeemable online. Enter code: 130013004

Getting a hold of your family's finances may seem like a daunting task, especially in these economic times. But it is important that we all take time to evaluate our family's financial footing so we can make smart choices about our saving and spending - especially now.

As we know from our busy lives, the better organized and knowledgeable we are, the more in control we will feel and the better prepared we will be to handle unexpected situations. Although it may not be the most fun summer project, getting a handle on your family's finances will help empower you to position your family for future financial growth. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

1. Determine your family's net worth 
Determining your family's net worth is the first step for getting your finances in order. To do so, add up your assets (cash, bank account balances, retirement savings, home value, automobile value, et cetera) and subtract your liabilities (mortgage balance, balance on all loans and credit cards, outstanding tax obligations or insurance premiums, etc). The total of your assets minus your liabilities is your net worth. It's important to be as honest as possible - ignoring money you owe will not help you in the long run, and in fact, will likely only make matters worse.



2. Budget for short-term expenses and long-term goals
 Once you know your family's net worth its time to think about your family's goals - both in the immediate future and more long term. These may include purchasing a new automobile or paying off the balance on your student loans, or possibly even taking the European vacation with your friends that you have been talking about for years. Whatever it may be, develop a budget that accounts for your everyday expenses and allocates money to help you achieve your goals.


3. Critically assess your investments
 Having taken a look at your investments when totaling your assets in Step 1, now is the time to determine if your investments are properly allocated. Oftentimes when the needs of our family change (a baby is born, a child begins applying to college or graduate school or a family member has an unexpected illness or injury) and in all of the excitement, we forget to account for the change in our financial strategy. If you have had a significant change in your family, it is worth taking inventory of your investments to see if it may be time to rebalance.


4. Take advantage of your tax refund
 If you have or will be receiving a tax refund this year make sure to use it wisely. The cash might be best used to pay down debt or to set up an emergency fund. By using this "bonus" money in a strategic way, you may be able to free up some money in future paychecks for items on your wish list. 


5. Don't go it alone
 Although there is a lot you can do on your own to get your family's finances in order, you can't expect yourself to be an expert. Schedule a time with your tax and financial advisors to review your financial situation and tax minimization strategies. Take advantage of their knowledge and ask any tough questions that have been plaguing you. By working together you will be better able to achieve financial stability, and ultimately, the lifestyle you desire.

Christina Boyd, recently recognized by Barron's magazine as the #2 Financial Advisor in Minnesota*, is a First Vice President-Investments and Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch in Wayzata, MN. She resides in Orono with her husband, Dustin and two children. Christina can be contacted via www.fa.ml.com/ebbgroup, by email: Christina_Boyd@ml.com or by phone: (952) 476-5613.

* Financial advisors considered for Barron's "State-by-State" ranking have a minimum of seven years financial services experience and have been employed at their current firm for at least one year. Quantitative and qualitative measures used to determine the financial advisor rankings include: client assets, return on assets, client satisfaction/retention, compliance records, community involvement, etc.

Do you know the pitfalls that make your marriage vulnerable to an extramarital affair? There are certain dangers that do make a marriage more vulnerable to an affair occurring.

Research shows that most people who become involved in an affair did not intend to. In fact, most say they consider having an affair is against their values. Research also shows that over half of affairs occur in the workplace. Most of these affairs seem to blossom because good people don't know the pitfalls and danger signs. They become too chummy with a coworker and intimacy grows slowly. They find themselves ensnared in a whirlwind of emotion and attraction that could have been avoided.

The good news is most affairs can be avoided. Read on and find out what those dangers are and the secrets to affair proofing your marriage.

Danger #1 -- Getting too chummy with a coworker.
Tip #1 -- Keep conversations at the water cooler and else where casual and don't get personal. Once personal information is shared you are developing intimacy with someone other than your spouse. Most affairs do not start out with the married partner intending to have an affair; they end up as a result of a "slippery slope."

Danger #2 -- Talking about your spouse or your marital problems with a member of the other gender.
Tip #2-- Whether you are experiencing minor frustrations with your spouse or you believe your marriages in big trouble, talk with someone who could not possibly turn into a threat to your relationship down the line. Avoid any intimacies (sharing personal information) with a potential partner.

Danger #3 -- Your friend/coworker confides in you.
Tip #3 -- Extricate yourself form the role of confidant. You are now in an intimate relationship with someone other than your spouse. Also, "being the one who understands" is very seductive.

Danger #4 -- You put effort into looking nice for this person.
Tip #4-- Be very honest with yourself about what you are doing and how you are feeling about your spouse and your marriage. There may be absolutely nothing lacking in your relationship or marriage but having someone new can be very seductive and exciting.

Danger #5-- Working late starts to include going for dinner and a drink.
Tip #5 -- Keep work at work. Working late is how many affairs begin. When at work late try to have a third coworker involved in the project.

Danger #6 -- You've stopped talking about your friend or coworker to your spouse.
Tip #6 -- Keep your spouse in the loop about this friend like you would any other friend or business associate. If you find you have stopped mentioning someone you used to mention to your spouse it is again, time to be very honest with yourself. And, start talking about them again.

Danger #7 -- You keep your business calls from home "private."
Tip #7 -- Avoid dong this at all costs. Keep these calls strictly business. If you need some quiet and go in your den make sure the door is open. If you are reluctant to do so ask yourself why.

I invite you to follow these tips to help guard against an extramarital affair.

Have access to my Free Report: "21 Ways to Renew Fun, Love and Passion" when you subscribe to my free monthly newsletter, "Love Your Love Relationship," a monthly newsletter with advice and tips on creating a strong, healthy and loving marriage. You can get access to both at www.Beatthemarriageodds.com.

For further assistance with your marriage or relationship you can go to www.Beatthemarraigeodds.typepad.com or www.Beatthemarriageodds.typepad/affairrecovery.com.

Photo courtesy Geo Okretic

No doubt we are a busy bunch of people. The following describes some simple steps that make a huge impact on improving the way we live our lives on this planet.

Reuse and Repair Old Furniture
Before buying new, think about purchasing used.  Check out local antique shops for unique furniture- something no one else has.  You'd be amazed at the compliments you'll receive from others on your individual style. 

Buy and Bring Reusable Containers
You can prevent a lot of trash by taking these easy steps:  Take a reusable mug along for your coffee or tea. Purchase stainless steel water bottles to carry your water, rather than continually buying those nasty plastic bottles. Bring canvas bags to the market for your groceries, and pack your lunch with reusable containers. 

Stop Unwanted Mail
Reduce the amount of paper you need to recycle and de-clutter your life by reducing the amount of junk mail that enters your home. Visit www.optoutprescreen.com to eliminate credit card offers.

Bring Home the Goods, Not the Packaging
Buy in bulk and purchase products with the least amount of packaging possible. When shopping, look for recycled content products to help save valuable resources, conserve energy and reduce pollution.

Recycle TV's, Monitors and Other Electronics
Keep mercury and lead out of our environment (and protect our health) by recycling your old TV's and monitors.  Replace bulky computer monitors with a flat LCD monitor.  LCD monitors use about one third the electricity of conventional tube monitors- the equivalent of leaving a 50-watt lightbulb on all year.  Save our natural resources and keep electronics out of our trash.

Don't Burn Your Trash
Burning your trash in a burn barrel or fire pit releases poisonous toxins that pollute our air, water and soil, ultimately ending up in the food we eat.  Get rid of your trash the safe way- through your local trash hauler or at local drop off site.

Paint with a Purpose
Choose a paint low in volatile compounds- VOC's.  Inhaling VOC's can cause health problems as well as harm our environment.

Know Your Household Hazardous Waste
Open a cupboard in your kitchen, basement or garage and read a few labels. If the labels contain words such as caution, warning, danger, poison or toxic, those products most likely contain hazardous materials. Hazardous to you, hazardous to your family and hazardous to our environment if not used up or disposed of properly. Don't throw them in the garbage, don't pour them in the sewer and don't pour them in the ground.

Courtesy of earthfriendlyshoppe.com

Millions of pets in search of good homes fill shelters across our country. Old and young, abandonment doesn't discriminate. Now is the time to help save some lives, though. All it takes is a gentle hand and a little patience. The sun is shining outside and you can help bring it into the heart of an animal in need. Here's how...

Summer is here and there is no better time than now to bring a new animal friend into your life. So many truly wonderful cats and dogs can be found through our local rescue groups just waiting for you to fall in love with them. These aren't bad animals; they are the ones who have been forgotten and neglected. Often times young puppies end up in shelters as the result of backyard breeding or "oops" litters, which can easily be avoided by spaying and neutering. Time and again we see middle aged and older dogs who have been abandoned or surrendered by their families for various reasons including health, decreased activity levels, or incontinence issues. Homeless kitties fill shelters and foster homes across the state due to a lack of sterilization and a high frequency of abandonment as well. These are good pets who deserve a second (sometimes a third or fourth) chance at life.

When you weigh the pros and cons of adopting a new pet into your family it seems the pros will almost always win. Animals provide lifelong companionship to their human moms and dads. So many times all these animals want is a warm bed to sleep in and a full tummy, once you've provided that they will give you nothing back but their unconditional love - which usually comes in the form of sloppy kisses and a wagging tail.

One of the best reasons to adopt a pet is for your children. Studies have shown that exposure to animals beginning at a young age can be extremely beneficial to children's mental health. Pets teach children about responsibility and empathy, help to reduce stress, and encourage learning. They provide a safe, trusting friend for kids to talk to and share their feelings with. This can be especially helpful to a child with anxiety or social disorders as it creates the opportunity to practice communication skills without the fear of judgment. Another invaluable benefit of having your children spend time with animals is that they are encouraged to practice and learn nurturing skills. Depending on the age of your child you can assign them tasks ranging anywhere from changing the litter box, walking the dog, filling the water dish, or simply handing out treats for good behavior. Children who are given the chance to care for an animal from a young age gain experience that they will carry with them into adulthood.

Companion animals are not only a fantastic resource for children to develop their social and mental skills; they are good for adults too! Just petting an animal can reduce stress and lower blood pressure. They can also help keep people active through walks, playtime, and other daily activities. Many of these activities can be done by one family member, but they also provide an opportunity for the whole family to get involved which can strengthen the family bond by giving everyone the chance to help out. Taking the dog out for a nightly walk around the neighborhood can open the door for conversation with your kids and also encourages healthy habits rather than just sitting in front of the television.

If you're still on the fence and not quite sure if your family is ready to commit to adopting a new pet there is always the option of fostering. Many of our local rescue groups work as shelter-less entities; which mean that they are always in need of good homes to care for their animals until they are able to find a forever home. Fostering allows you to see how well your family does with a dog or cat while also providing a wonderful service to our community. A foster pet may stay in your home anywhere from days to months, depending on your level of commitment and how quickly they are able to find a home. Rescue groups will work with you to find an animal that fits well into your family dynamic. They provide payment for nearly all the care the pet requires, you are just there to give them a safe, loving environment to thrive in. Below you can find information on several local rescues and how to contact them about both fostering and adoption options.

Whether you are leaning towards adoption or fostering, taking an animal into your home is a lifelong commitment and something that should be carefully considered. Once you have decided that it is right for you the next step is to find the type of pet that suits your family best. When you begin your search for the perfect pet you will see how many sweet souls out there need a helping hand. Here is a list of websites and local non-profit groups with pets just waiting to meet you!

Petfinder - Petfinder is a wonderful resource for finding lots of local animals who are looking for homes. Petfinder includes listings from rescue groups all across the country but can be narrowed down to a local search. You can look for animals based on their breed, age, and size.

MN Humane Society - The MN Humane Society describes themselves as "a statewide education, advocacy, and rescue organization dedicated to protecting the lives and interests of Minnesota's animals." They are the oldest humane society in MN; founded in 1869! This wonderful group works tirelessly to get animals healthy and happy so they may find forever homes.

Animal Ark - As Minnesota's largest no kill animal welfare organization, Animal Ark strives to do as much as they can for all animals and understands that shelter pets are "missing the most important thing in their lives...a home and family of their own." To learn about the animals they help to save as well as all the other community work they do go to their website.

Blue Sky Rescue - Blue skies and green pastures are what every animal deserves and that's what Blue Sky Rescue strives to deliver. Started by one woman and with the help of foster homes, vet clinics, and countless volunteers they have been able to place many loving dogs into great homes just like yours. To learn more about Blue Sky check out their website.

Save-A-Bull Rescue - Save-A-Bull Rescue is a volunteer-based non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of American Pit Bull Terriers and other Bull breeds. Their mission is to change the poor public image that has been unjustly thrust upon these dogs over the years. To find a special bully breed dog for your home look on their website.

Pet Haven Inc of MN - Pet Haven is a local group that has been around since 1952. They are run by volunteers who work very hard both to find good homes for cats and dogs and also to advocate on behalf of those animals. The group is filled with warm-hearted people who do everything they can to place good animals in good homes.

A Rotta Love Plus - This is another great group that works not only to rescue and re-home animals but also to educate the public on things such as dog safety and responsible ownership. A Rotta Love helps all breeds of dog but focuses their efforts primarily on rottweilers and bully breeds to reinforce the fact that these are good dogs who do not deserve the stigma that has been placed on their breeds.

Other great groups to look for:
Underdog Rescue
Gemini Rottweiler and Pitbull Rescue, Inc.
Retrieve A Golden of Minnesota, Inc.
Carver-Scott Humane Society
Happy Hound Rescue
Minnesota's Unwanted Siberian Husky Rescue
Puppyporch
Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue
Red Lake Rosie's Rescue

Set your family up to create a powerful, close knit, loving family best despite challenging economic times, job loss or the general stress of a busy family life.

Families go faster than ever these days. Whether it's the demands of work, technology, or after-school activities, family members are simultaneously pulled in multiple directions. This can create challenges for even the most stable family, and turn all those desires for a happy, healthy, cohesive, energetic family into a distant dream. Get out of stress mode and avoid the short-fused temper tantrums that come when a family is moving too fast. Get back to the basics of spending time together, talking to each other face to face, and eating meals from the stove.


Here are six ideas to keep the family patterns strong and build a stable foundation for everyone's growth and well being:


1. Family mealtime.  Eat together at least three nights a week or one weekend lunch.  Set the table and sit together. Give everyone a roll in preparing the meal and spend at least five minutes talking about what you liked or what you learned during the day.  Bring show and tell once a week to keep the conversation lively.


2. Get outside together. Ride bikes, hit the park with a ball and a bat, whack tennis balls.   
Exercising together establishes great habits and is a free way for your family to bond. Some families are even doing yoga together as a way to wind down at the end of the day.


3.  Take it head on. Talk about any challenges your family is experiencing.  Kids know   
what is going on. If you have lost a job or are having work challenges, they know.  They are very perceptive. Most kids learn great skills at school by having to address tough situations. These tools might even help a stressed out grown-up keep life in perspective.


4. Create a family theme song.  Encourage everyone to find a song that represents the family.   Take a vote on which one suits your family. This could even work well at family reunions.


5. Think about others. Volunteer.  There are organizations where families can work
together to help others.  This gives your kids a great experience and is a fun way to give back.


6. Stay home.  Try a night with no extra-curricular activities.  No chores, no TV.  See if you can come up with a new activity that allows your family to slow down, connect, and laugh together. How about family game night or a cooking contest? Get creative. It was recently Earth Hour, an idea that the Australians came up with. My kids raced around the house turning off all the lights, the TV, and lighting candles. We sat together and talked. They liked it so much, we're doing it monthly.

Whatever you decide, these are just a few ideas to get you started. Every family needs some routines that get them talking, keep them connected, and create those bonds that last a lifetime. In today's economy, turning to family for comfort, laughter, and a few new activities is a good way to focus on what matters most. A night or two where you're laughing with loved ones will put all those economic or job worries in perspective.

Cathy Paper is the founder of a Performance Coaching firm that takes speakers and authors to the next level with their products. She also specializes in helping organizations energize their workforce. She plays tennis with her three kids and husband when she's not running her dog Stella. Cathy can be reached at cathypaper@mac.com.

Toddlers love to play with their pals, but as any parent who's refereed a preschool playdate knows, learning how to get along with each other isn't always fun and games. "Kids this age are the most energetic and impulsive that they're going to be their whole lives, and they have short attention spans," says Michele Borba, Ed. D., author of numerous parenting books, including Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me (Jossey-Bass). But this is the perfect time for tuned-in parents to teach toddlers the skills that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.

"If you show them how to play, they'll have a model to copy," Borba says. Here's how you can lay the groundwork for future social success:

Do your advance work There's a lot you can do before a playdate starts to pave the way for a good time. Schedule a get-together for a couple of hours, tops, between your child and one friend -- with kids this young, three is often a crowd -- in the morning or after a nap, when they're feeling freshest.
Jump to full text of this article here.



Green:
 Qualities or actions that have little or no negative effect on the natural environment and usually have a positive effect on the environment.

Recycled: 
Manufactured from used or waste materials that have been processed for further use.

Alternative or Renewable Energy:
 Sources of energy that cannot be used up and usually contribute little to greenhouse gases.  This includes solar, wind, geothermal, biomass (plants) and photovoltaic conversion systems.  This excludes fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum.

Biofuels:
 Motor fuels made primarily of recently dead plant material harvested for the purpose.  This is different from fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum, which are derived from long-dead biological material.  Biofuels can reduce carbon in our atmosphere, thus helping counter climate change.

Greenwashing:
 Greenwashing is a term that is used to describe the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.  The term is generally used when significantly more money or time has been spent advertising being green rather than spending resources on environmentally sound practices.

Fair Trade:
 An organized social movement that promotes the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods.

Organic:
 Foods raised without the use of artificial input such as synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, antibiotics, animal byproducts and sewage sludge.  Regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Composting: Biological decomposition of organic materials such as leaves, fruit and vegetable peelings, etc. by bacteria, fungi, and other organisms into a soil-like substance used to enrich garden soils.  This enrichment nourishes the soil and helps increase moisture retention, thus reducing the need for more water.

REC or Green Tag: 
REC is an acronym for Renewable Energy Certificate.  When electricity is generated using renewable resources instead of fossil fuels, REC's (Wind and Solar) can be sold separately from electricity so consumers use more "green" energy.

Carbon Footprint: 
An estimate of how much carbon dioxide an entity (person, family, building) produces and releases into the atmosphere.

Carbon Offsetting:
 Activities that help offset or make up for the production of carbon dioxide.  

Ecological Footprint: 
Is the measurement of the human demand on nature, such as human consumption of natural resources compared to the ability to reproduce or replace some of those resources.

What is Green Power?
Green power is electricity generated from renewable, high-efficiency, or low-pollution energy, such as wind or solar energy.  Your purchase of green power will replace electricity that would otherwise come primarily from burning coal- one of the dirtiest fuels for producing electricity.  Buying green power helps our health, our environment and economy.



• Helps prevent acid rain by reducing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. 


• Reduces mercury emissions from power plants, which significantly contribute to fish consumption warnings.


  
• Helps keep our air clean by reducing small particulates and several other unhealthy emissions.


  
• Significantly reduces carbon dioxide, the primary contributor to global warming. 


• Improves the economy, especially in rural areas where farmers can lease their land for wind development.


  
• Creates additional demand for clean, renewable energy above and beyond any legislative requirement that utilities must meet.


  

How Does It Work?

Buy small amounts of green power for a small charge per month, or buy as much as 100% of electricity usage.  Every dollar spent by green power customers goes directly toward the purchase of new green power.  Green power does not go directly to your house, because utilities cannot direct specific electricity to a specific place.  However, when you purchase green power, the total amount of green electricity that travels over the entire system is increased.

Source: Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Courtesy of earthfriendlyshoppe.com

America has been called a sandwich nation - and with over 45 billion sandwiches eaten each year, it's easy to see why. They are portable, nutritious, satisfying and offer a variety of tastes to suit just about every palate.

The sandwich's lasting popularity derives from the creativity food lovers have shown over the years to find new ways to house a meal between pieces of bread. A little imagination can turn a platter of sandwiches into a sensational assortment of unexpected pairings of meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruits and spreads. Here's how to dream up and create a sandwich of your own:

Bread: It holds it all together. If you are traditionally a white bread lover, try out different varieties such as whole grain, rye, pumpernickel, Kaiser Rolls, boules or baguettes. You'll be surprised by the taste switch this change can make.

Protein: Meats sliced on request at the deli counter assures freshness and provides a range of offerings that are rich in protein, low in fat and high in taste. Sliced solid white meat turkey breast, coated in seasoning and oven roasted, pairs well with a range of sandwich ingredients and spreads.

Cheese: With cheeses from around the world now available in the local grocery store, there are plenty of chances to experiment with new flavor combinations.

Veggies: Piling on vegetables provides a mix of surprising tastes, crunch and nutrients, too.

Fruits: Don't save fruit for dessert. Get creative and add apple and pear slices, berries and more to your sandwich for a note of tangy sweetness.

The Bread Bowl Sandwich is a perfect way to liven up a meal for family or lunchtime guests. Using a sesame boule or any other round bun that can be hollowed out, fill it with chopped up turkey breast, bacon, blue and Colby Jack cheeses, hardboiled egg, lettuce, avocado and cherry tomatoes, and you've created an entirely new concept in sandwich making. Drizzle dressing over the mixture, cover it with the top and dig in. Or, enjoy the preparation as a salad and eat the sandwich top as a side of bread.

Bread Bowl Sandwich
Serves: 1

1 ounce bacon, crumbled
3 ounces Roast Breast of Turkey, cubed
1 ounce blue cheese, crumbled
1 ounce Colby Jack Cheese, julienned
1 ounce avocado, chopped
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
4 ounces romaine lettuce, chopped
2 ounces blue cheese dressing
1 hardboiled egg, sliced
1 sesame boule or round sandwich bun

Slice top off the bread and hollow out the bottom half.

Add ingredients in the following order: lettuce, avocado, bacon, cherry tomatoes, turkey breast, egg, blue cheese crumbles, Colby Jack cheese.

Place the blue cheese dressing in a small container on the side and serve.

Source: Boar's Head

Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from migraines, with women being afflicted three times more than men.

Migraines are a recurrent headache lasting four to 72 hours. In addition to debilitating pain, migraines can bring a host of other symptoms. A survey by the National Headache Foundation (NHF) revealed that more than 50 percent of respondents said they frequently or always experience symptoms such as nausea, neck pain, or sensitivity to lights, sounds or smells when suffering from a migraine.

Migraine characteristics can include:
* Pain typically on one side of the head
* Pain with a pulsating or throbbing quality
* Moderate to intense pain that affects daily activities
* Nausea or vomiting
* Sensitivity to light or sound
* Visual disturbances or aura

About 20 percent of migraine sufferers experience aura, the warning associated with migraine, from twenty minutes to one hour before the actual onset of migraine.

Diagnosing migraines can be tricky. The Migraine Research Foundation says that since symptoms vary widely, migraine is often misdiagnosed - and is never diagnosed in about half of all sufferers. Your doctor needs to analyze your symptoms, conduct medical tests, and eliminate other possible causes of the headache.

Treatments
There are three approaches to treating migraines, all of which should be administered by a qualified physician: acute, preventive, and complementary.
* Acute treatment uses drugs to relieve symptoms when attacks happen. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a small number of over-the-counter products to treat migraine. Prescription anti-inflammatory agents may be effective for some migraines. There are over 100 drugs used in migraine treatment, however, so know that it will take some time to find the right medicine or combination of medicines.
* Preventive treatment involves daily medication to reduce the number of attacks and to lessen the pain. With some patients, life-style changes can help reduce migraine frequency.
* Complementary treatment does not use medication. It involves biofeedback, exercise, relaxation techniques and proper rest and nutrition.

The NHF offers these tips for dealing with migraine pain and associated symptoms:
* Get help. Discuss the symptoms of your migraine with your healthcare provider.
* If you experience nausea or vomiting as associated symptoms of your migraine, talk with your healthcare provider about other forms of your medication such as injections, nasal sprays or tablets that do not require drinking water to take them.
* Avoid identifiable migraine triggers and practice a healthy lifestyle.
* Track your migraines. Write down when your migraines occur. Bring your results to your healthcare professional to review.

The American Headache Society also recommends that you restrict use of acute migraine treatment to no more than nine days per month. If you find that you need more acute medication than that, then migraine prevention therapy is likely needed.

Talk to your doctor. There is help available that can help you manage migraines and not let them take over your life.

All this attention to worry might have left you giving little attention to other pursuits - like sex. But forgetting to give attention to your partner can lead to more stress, and that creates problems. If you are able to switch gears and forget worry for a bit, you can create a bit of sexual healing.

How can you do this when you're stressed and distracted all the time? That's a challenge, we know. But learning how to switch gears is an essential component to bringing back the romance and even affecting a little sexual healing.

Let's look at some ways to make this happen.

Make a cut-off each day

Easier said than done, to be sure, but this can be done with some focus and consistency. Decide on a time each day (perhaps around 9) when work and chores should be done. By this time, you should be done thinking about money, fretting over the job, or worrying about anything else.

Consider coming up with a formal transition each day. Perhaps at 9, you get in the bathtub and read a book. That signals that you are ready for other pursuits beyond the worries of the day.

Spice it up

When romantic endeavors are consistent from encounter to encounter, it's easy to get bored and allow worry to take over these activities. But if you do some things to spice it up, you might see sex as a welcome escape from the troubles of the day.

What entails spicing things up will vary from person to person, and couple to couple, of course, but consider adding toys or different positions. You might even consider a weekend where you send the kids away and reconnect with your partner sexually and romantically, sparking more interest beyond that weekend.

Speed it up

When life gets busy, it can be easy to let romance fall by the wayside, because there "just isn't time" but if you make time, you'll find that you want to make time more often. While a true quickie isn't for everyone, it can be a way to build more romantic and sexual connection, which often begets more and more romantic and sexual connection.

Or slow it down

The flip side of this is where the connections and healing can take place. When you slow down and really take time to enjoy being with your partner, you can begin to find some solace in that connection and be reminded of why you found comfort in your partner in the first place.

Take the time every now and then (at least once a month, but ideally more often) to slow down and enjoy every inch of your partner. Relish the sensations and the connection and relax into the comfort of having a loving partner to come home to each night.

by Deb McLeod

More than 43 percent of U.S. households plan to experience this and the other benefits of homegrown fruits, vegetables and herbs this summer, according to a recent survey by the National Gardening Association.

Space Limited? Get Creative
The good news is you don't need much space to have an edible garden. Many gardeners grow food in containers or mixed in with their flowers, shrubs and other ornamental plantings.

Look for creative ways to include vegetables in your landscape. "I like to mix them with flowers in my container gardeners" says Melinda Myers, horticulturist and author. "One of my favorite combinations is ornamental corn, eggplant, tri-color sage, purple ruffle basil and trailing verbena. For a quick burst of spring beauty and produce I use Swiss chard as a vertical accent, add a few pansies -- they are edible -- colorful leaf lettuce or ornamental mustard and a trailing ivy or two for aesthetics, not eating."

Limited sunlight? No worries
Full sun will give you the best results, but you can still grow edibles where sunshine is limited. Save the sunniest spot for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers and other vegetables where you eat the flowers or fruit. They produce their best and have fewest disease problems when grown in eight to 12 hours of sunlight. Root crops such as beets, radishes and carrots can get by with about a half a day of direct sun and leafy crops like lettuce and spinach can still produce in a shady location with only four hours of sunlight.

Get Your Garden Off to a Good Start
Use a quality potting mix when growing in containers. It should have good drainage and retain moisture. In the garden, it's important to properly prepare the soil before planting. Add several inches of compost, peat moss or other organic matter to the top 6- to 12-inches of soil. This improves drainage in heavy soils and increases water holding capacity for sandy or rocky soils.

Add a slow release fertilizer like Milorganite to the soil. This goof-proof organic source of nitrogen meets the Environmental Protection Agency's Exceptional Quality standards and will help encourage growth without interfering with flowering and fruiting.

Time it Right
Let the weather be your planting guide. Cool season crops like lettuce, peas and broccoli can tolerate chilly air and soil. Wait for the danger of frost to pass and soil to warm before planting tomatoes, peppers, squash and melons. Myers suggests anxious gardeners can, "Jump start the season with the help of floating row covers. These polypropylene fabrics let air, light and water through while trapping the heat near the plants. The best part, you won't need a hammer, nail or other tools. Simply lay the fabric over your planting leaving enough slack for the plants to grow and anchor the edges to the ground with stones, boards or other items."

Maximize Your Efforts
Check the seed packets and plant tags for details on when and how to plant each herb and vegetable seed or transplant. Increase productivity with succession plantings. Simply start with lettuce, radishes or another cool weather plant. Once harvested, replant the area with onions or beans. After these are done you can replant the area once again with a fall crop of lettuce, spinach or radishes.

Double your harvest with interplanting. Plant quick-to-mature crops like radishes and lettuce in between longer maturing plantings of cabbage, tomatoes or eggplant. The short season vegetables will be ready to harvest just about the time the bigger plants are crowding them out.

Consider planting vegetables closer together in wider rows. You'll waste less space for pathways putting more room in plantings. Make sure each plant has enough space to grow and that you can reach all planted areas to weed and harvest.

Just a Bit More Care Needed
Water new plantings thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil moist but not too wet. Add a layer of shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic material to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and moderate soil temperatures. Midsummer, give your plants a boost with a slow release organic nitrogen fertilizer like Milorganite. And don't worry if the weather turns hot and dry, Milorganite won't burn. It will remain in the soil until the plants are ready to use it.

Pull weeds as they appear, watch for bugs and wait for the produce to come pouring in. You may find this is a great family activity that gets even the most reluctant vegetable eaters munching on a few fresh carrots and maybe even broccoli.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Garden centers are packed this spring with people looking for vegetables and herbs to plant. Nothing new there, right? It's spring and that's the tradition for many people - head to the garden center to plan the yard for the year.

What makes this year unique is that many of the people who have begun shopping for their vegetable garden have never done this before.

The recession - and fears about the quality of the country's food supply - have led many people to think that taking a DIY approach is ideal. Hence, the popularity of vegetable gardens in so many yards this year.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, there are many rewards to having a vegetable garden in these tough times. Specifically, the USDA reports that $10 invested in garden materials reaps more than $1,000 in produce over the life of the garden.

But most of the shoppers in the garden center these days are new to gardening. If you're among them, consider these tips:

1. First, remember there might be failures. Your investment in plants doesn't have to be huge (look for buy one get one deals, or discounts on seeds), so the loss will be minimal. Be willing to accept that some failure might occur. Even the most seasoned gardeners will have years when their tomatoes or cucumbers just don't respond.

2. Pick vegetables that are easy to grow. Most people start with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and zucchini. If you want to grow some fruits, consider strawberries and melons. If you enjoy gardening and plan a garden next summer, you can add more complicated produce to your mix.

3. Consider uncommon objects to serve as your garden. If you are unsure about putting plants in the ground, or you rent your home and aren't allowed, get creative in finding containers for your gardening. You can plant a vegetable garden in an old child's sandbox or swimming pool. You can even build a wood box for your garden.

4. Don't assume that if you live in an apartment or don't have a yard that you can't garden. Many people have grown vegetables successfully in small amounts of space. You can grow herbs on your kitchen window sill. Think containers for your other items. Tomatoes and peppers, in particular, grow well in containers.

5. Have fun with it. Give the children their own special corner of the garden, and encourage them to "play in the dirt". You can even grow sections that are specific to a meal. Your pizza garden, for example, might include peppers, tomatoes, basil and oregano. Add some pumpkin seeds to the garden so in the fall the kids can harvest their own pumpkins.

During WWII, "Victor Gardens" were all about taking the pressure off the country's food supply and finding victory over the ravages of war. Your modern version could be about health, decreasing pressure on the food supply (some things never change) or victory over recession and uncertain times.