Power Parenting

Interesting Fact About Mint Tea

2011-03-07T06:16:00.000-08:00

Picture: thingsthatfizz.blogspot.com

OK, be warned this is a warts 'n all account! (Fellas, if your wife is over 35 trust me, she knows what I am talking about - nothing gross though, really) Read on.

So in my quest to rid myself of the evil C's - caffeine, chocolate and cheese I decided to take a break from black tea (lovely tea - sigh) and see if my insatiable appetite for a hot beverage five times a day could be satisfied by the herbal variety. In addition to the berry teas, I incorporated mint tea as my main staple. Why? Because it reminds me of my mom, she loves mint tea and because I have it growing in profusion in the back garden. So I stared drinking it and liked it! Cool!

Now because I like to learn about everything that we consume I started doing a little research on mint tea consumption and found that it has anti-androgen properties, meaning (ladies) that if you have hair growing where it shouldn't, mint tea has the capacity to greatly reduce that. Interesting, I thought, but thought nothing else of it. That was about two months ago.
Well! Here comes the interesting fact part; For the last I'd say, about five years father time has been bringing me a reminder each month that I am not getting any younger in the form of a single facial hair right below my jaw line. Every month I pull it out. Every, single month - without fail, it comes back!
So lately I've been looking for my rogue hair and have not been able to find it (OK, I was up to about three hairs if you want to know the real truth). No more beard? What happened? Then the penny dropped. The mint tea! It works! Living, unscientific proof. There you go. Remember where you heard it first.

But seriously, mint tea is really a good alternative to caffenated teas and coffee. In addition to being very refreshing (hot or cold) it's great for stomach/digestive issues and is loaded with anti-oxidants (sorry, can't verify that - all teas are, haven't you always heard that? Thought I'd just drop it in there).

And here's the miracle, because I know you are wondering... No, it does not inhibit the growth of hair on your head! Antiandrogens only inhibit the growth of hair produced by an excess of testosterone.

Here's a little edumacation:

Finally, for those who don't know; androgens, androgenous (stress the "o" as in the word 'not'), antiandrogen refers to the presence of male and female stuff going on in the same body. Imagine Boy George or Grace Jones, those are just two extremes of the same condition (though with Grace we know it really is just part of the image - innit hon!) For women, as we age we depelop the propensity to produce more testosterone - hence facial hair - neck beard! Men however, do not turn into girls over time - although that boy genious did didn't he. What was his name? James Harries, now Lauren Harries:

As James

As...er...Lauren

Anyhoooo...

Disclaimer:

I still love caffeine, chocolate and cheese and have not completely abstained; just as with everything else, I am doing it in moderation now.

I do not advise anyone to give these up, or to quit cold turkey. Ramifications can be serious and sometimes fatal. Cases of spouse abuse related to C's deprivation have been reported. Forwarned is forearmed!

This is so random.
Love, peace and the best of health.

Pictures: tongs.org.uk
bbc.co.uk

My name is Gump!

2010-12-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

courtesy: http://www.go4awalk.com/userpics/davesheldon6.php

Suspension Bridge over the River Wye

The Royal Forest of Dean and The Wye Valley

Gloucestershire, England

Walk Photograph by: Dave Sheldon

So I'm sitting here watching a movie with my boys and it shows a clip of a suspension bridge in China. Well I am immediateltly launched back to my teenage years when I had to cross a very similar bridge while trying to qualify for my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. When I look back at the things I have done and the places I have been it all seems quite bizarre - I really do feel like Gump - the girl.
So anyway, the picture above is the actual bridge that I had to cross - TWICE!.
Kids! No inhibitions.
Ask me to do it today and I'll probably ask you to take a long walk off a short pier.
The moral if this story: Enjoy your youth or be a little nuts when you're old.

Update on ACV

2010-12-11T09:45:00.000-08:00

Well ya'll
Remember when I told you about the wonders of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and couldn't say enough about how wonderful it was? WELL, I still do believe it is one of nature's best kept secrets - HOWEVER, it didn't like ME!
Dear oh dear. I started mixing my little concoction of 1tbs of ACV in a glass of water each morning and it was very refreshing. I did notice that my skin was looking markedly clearer and my craving for all things wrong was greatly diminished. However, about four weeks into my new found way of life I started to develop a 'patch' on my left check. It was not raised, but was a little scaly and itched from time to time. This patch which was a couple of shades lighter than my usual complexion began to expand rapidly until it was about the size of two quarters side by side, looked like it too. The only change in my diet and my environment was the the ACV, so reluctantly I had to ditch my easy detox.
Sooo, the jury is in for ACV. Naaah, I'll have to pass. The good news is that with time my skin returned to normal.
Interestingly I searched and searched for similar reactions to the ACV and did not come up with one. So there you have it, I' weird, maybe even of another species. I do come in peace though.

Postscript: Coconut oil is still the beez-knees!

OK That's it for today. Peace (in a deep growly gangsta voice - you know the one).

What?
You are wondering how I can just start blogging again with absolutely no explanation of where I've been and what I've been doing for the last x - amount of weeks?
I was blogging in my mind!
I'm here now.
I'm sorry!
OK, there - I said it.
Seriously though, I'll tel you all about it. That's a promise.

OK, gotta bounce!
Peace!
Out!
(Too much? Trying too hard to be cool?) Yeah.

Day (lots), Lots more to go

2010-05-07T12:27:00.000-07:00

Do not sleep on Coconut oil people!!!!!

Courtesy :http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/nutrition/coconut.htm

Now lets tell you a little bit about coconut oil.

Coconut oil is one of the most stable oils you can buy. It does not turn rancid easily. It does not attack your arteries. In fact, coconut oil was one of the foods Weston Price studied in his journeys. He discovered that the coconut was considered, by the local populations, a medicine food. He found that those civilizations that consumed coconut regularly had no knowledge of cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.

Let’s take a look at the healing properties of coconut oil:

Coconut oil is antiviral, antifungal (kills yeast too) and antibacterial. It attacks and kills viruses that have a lipid (fatty) coating, such as herpes, HIV, hepatitis C, the flu, and mononucleosis. It kills the bacteria that cause pneumonia, sore throats, dental cavities, urinary tract infections, meningitis, gonorrhea, food poisoning, pneumonia, and many, many more bacterial infections. It kills the fungus/yeast infections that cause candida, ringworm, athletes foot, thrush, jock itch, diaper rash and more.

Coconut oil is called the "low fat" fat. It actually acts like a carbohydrate in that it is quickly broken down in the liver and used as quick energy. It is NOT stored like other fats. It boosts one’s energy and endurance. Many athletes use it blended into their drinks. It also supports thyroid function and increases your metabolism (great if you want to lose weight).

Coconut oil improves digestion and absorption of fat soluble vitamins, minerals (especially calcium and magnesium), and amino acids. It improves the body’s use of blood glucose and improves insulin secretion and absorption (great for type II diabetes). In fact, many diabetics (type I and type II) use it to reduce their symptoms. One’s risk of diabetes decreases with regular use of coconuts and coconut oil. And as we already mentioned, cooking with coconut oil does not create any harmful byproducts.

Coconut oil helps the body heal and repair faster. It aids and supports immune function, protecting us from a variety of cancers.

Coconut oil, contrary to much hubbub, is good for your heart. It keeps our blood platelets from sticking together (and causing dangerous clots). Regular users of coconut oils have a much lower chance of atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries), arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and strokes. Coconut oil can lower your blood pressure.

Coconut oil is a natural antioxidant. It protects the body from free radical damage and prevents premature aging and degenerative diseases.

Finally, coconut oil is the best massage oil on the planet. What it does to your skin, you simply have to witness. It forms a barrier against infections, softens and moisturizes your skin, and prevents wrinkling, sagging, and age spots. It promotes healthy hair and complexion, protects from any damaging UV rays. (It is used in Ron Salley’s products.)

So? How come we don’t know about coconut oil? In our research, we discovered that coconut oil was attacked by the oil industry as being an "artery clogger." While doing this research, we were contacted by Bruce Fife, ND, who sent us a copy of his book to review: The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil. (See below for where to get your copy.)

According to Bruce, it was mainly the American Soybean Association (ASA) that began the attack. They were followed by the Corn Products Company (CPC International), and finally got support from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Prior to the eighties, coconut oil was used quite heavily in the US for baking, frying, and even making popcorn at the theaters. Then along came the ASA that contended that saturated fats caused heart disease, and since coconut oil was saturated, it too caused heart disease. Ironically, when they got the backing of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, science went out the window. For something to be truly scientific, it has to be tested. There were lots of assumptions, accusations, and claims, but no tests. During congressional hearings, the truth tried to come out, but as the saying goes, "The truth never stood in the way of a good story," and newspapers hit the stands proclaiming that coconut oil clogged arteries. The poor countries exporting coconuts couldn’t fight the large American food industry, and soon partially hydrogenated soybean oil was in everything.

And that’s when heart disease rates took off. Bruce tells us about India, and how within a year of switching from coconut oil to partially hydrogenated soybean oil the number of death due to heart disease tripled. He goes on to tell us that researchers estimate (this is the low estimation) 30,000 premature deaths each year in this country due to partially hydrogenated oils.

Bruce tells us that 50% of coconut oil is lauric acid. The only other good source of lauric acid is mother’s milk. Dr Mary Enig, one of the leading authorities on fats, tells us

Approximately 50 percent of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric acid.

Medium chain fatty acid. That doesn’t mean much to most people, however, this gives coconut oil its unique qualities. It is not digested as other fats, but gives you quick energy. In the body it is broken down quickly, but on the shelf, it doesn’t break down as quickly as other fats. It is just plain better than other fats.

In our book, Bypassing Bypass, we point out that the current theory of heart disease points to infections in the blood as being the culprit behind our skyrocketing heart disease rates. Even gum disease can eventually lead to a fatal heart attack, as the germs leave the mouth and travel through our system of blood vessels. Consumption of coconut oil can cut your chances of heart disease better than any drug on the market. We highly recommend you pick up a copy of Bruce’s Book. It is so packed full of information that you’ll read it like a murder mystery, hardly able to put it down. It is well researched and well written.

Coconut oil is NOT a magic bullet. You don’t simply take it when you have been hit by a virus. You have to eat it daily (or get some whole coconut in you) and build up your body’s supply of the nurturing fatty acids in coconut from the coconut.

How much coconut oil to eat? Here’s the figure we get from Bruce: between three and four tablespoons a day. "That’s a lot!" you might say. But we have some ways for you to get it.

In Bruce’s book there are a few recipes. But one simple way we found is this: people love sweets in the morning. With their coffee or just alone, humans love sweets. So, take some coconut oil, add some honey and cinnamon, and spread over toast. You will love it.

Add some coconut oil to your morning or evening smoothie. We even modified our Mock Miracle Whip recipe to include coconut oil.

Instead of that third cup of Safflower Oil, in your heated mixture, stir in a cup of coconut oil. Then blend that in slowly. The taste is fabulous. Everyone who tried it loved the new coconutty flavor. We also tried ¾ cup of coconut oil and ¼ cup wheat germ oil. This too is tasty and very, VERY healthy. Imagine that, really healthy mayo!

It's very good for ya ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day something, only something something to go

2010-03-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

OK here's another great creation from mother nature. Of course I'm doing it daily and so far so good. Still oil pulling too. Have I mentioned oil pulling? Awesome! next time.

Apple Cider Vinegar (Raw/Organic)
(http://www.homeremediesweb.com/apple_cider_vinegar_health_benefits.php)

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is an effective natural bacteria-fighting agent that contains many vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine that are vital for a healthy body.

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is made by crushing fresh, organically grown apples and allowing them to mature in wooden barrels. This boosts the natural fermentation qualities of the crushed apples, which differs from the refined and distilled vinegars found in supermarkets. When the vinegar is mature, it contains a dark, cloudy, web-like bacterial foam called mother, which becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light. The mother can be used to add to other vinegar to hasten maturity for making more Apple Cider Vinegar. Natural vinegars that contain the mother have enzymes and minerals that other vinegars in grocery stores may not have due to over-processing, over-heating, and filtration. For this reason, it is recommended that you purchase only Natural Apple Cider Vinegar, with an ideal acidity (pH) level of 5 to 7.

What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is a wonderful natural cure for a number of ailments which usually require antibiotics and other medications that have a number of side effects. In particular, Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to:

•Reduce sinus infections and sore throats

•Balance high cholesterol

•Cure skin conditions such as acne

•Protect against food poisoning

•Fight allergies in both humans and animals

•Prevent muscle fatigue after exercise

•Strengthen the immune system

•Increase stamina

•Increase metabolism which promotes weight loss

•Improve digestion and cure constipation

•Alleviate symptoms of arthritis and gout

•Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections

Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar

Weight Loss

While it is not known why, many people claim that Apple Cider Vinegar promotes weight loss. Some theories suggest that ACV helps to speed up the metabolism, while others suggest that it burns calories. A number of nutritionists also believe that combining Vitamin B6 and Lecithin with Apple Cider Vinegar is highly effective for weight loss. A suggested remedy is to mix 2 teaspoons of ACV mixed with a glass of water and drink this before every meal or sip it slowly throughout the day

Bad Breath

Due to its acidic properties, Apple Cider Vinegar makes a wonderful remedy for bad breath or halitosis. Simply add 1/2 tablespoon of ACV into a cup of water and gargle the mixture in your mouth for 10 seconds at a time until the cup is empty.

Body Odor

Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective body odor remedy, since it can help adjust the skin's pH level which helps to eliminate odor-causing bacteria. For armpit odor, simply wipe them once each morning with undiluted apple cider vinegar (using a cotton ball). For foot odor, fill a pan with warm water and add 1/3 cup of ACV, then let your feet soak in this mixture for 15 minutes once per week.

Skin Problems and Infections

Acne

Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural cure for acne. Please refer to our Acne Home Remedy page for more information on how to treat acne with Apple Cider Vinegar.

Age Spots

Apple Cider Vinegar contains sulfur that fights the effects of aging, which makes it suitable for treating age spots. Visit our Home Remedy for Age Spots page to learn about an effective Apple Cider Vinegar and onion juice treatment for this condition.

Cellulite

Many women have found that Apple Cider Vinegar can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Our Cellulite Home Remedies page contains details on how ACV can be used to treat this problem.

Stomach Problems

Constipation

Apple Cider Vinegar is frequently used as a natural cure for constipation. Please visit our Constipation Home Remedy page for more information on how drinking Apple Cider Vinegar can help cure this common digestive problem.

Diarrhea

There are various causes for diarrhea, and although it should not be left untreated, it is often a natural way for the body to rid itself of harmful compounds and ingested materials. Apple Cider Vinegar is a fantastic natural remedy for diarrhea since the high pectin concentration acts as a protective coating which soothes the irritated lining of the colon. A suggestion is to add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a large glass of water, and drink this 3 times daily while the symptoms persist.

Major Illnesses

Diabetes

Apple Cider Vinegar may help to control high blood sugar levels, which is why it is often used as a natural treatment for Diabetes. Visit our Diabetes Remedies page to learn more about how ACV can be used to treat this condition.

What are the Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar?

There are no major known side effects of Apple Cider Vinegar when used in moderation. However, drinking vinegars, acids or even lemon juices on a regular basis can lead to a deterioration of dental enamel. This can give your teeth a yellowish look and make them more sensitive to heat and cold. To prevent this, the vinegar should always be diluted with water or a pinch of baking soda should be added in order to reduce the acidity level.

Where and How to Buy Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar can be found in almost any natural health or nutrition store, or from a variety of online retailers such as Amazon.com (see links below). Look for ACV with a pH level of 5 to 7. Apple Cider Vinegar can also be found in capsule form which help eliminate the strong sour taste associated with the liquid vinegar.

Day 50, only 315 to go

2010-03-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

Day 50 - woo - hoo!

Happy Little green vertically challenged man Day!

Day 42, only 323 to go

2010-03-10T19:08:00.000-08:00

Just saw the Movie Alice in Wonderland. Had a little sleep, DH had a lotta sleep. Interesting movie.

Auwf With Her Head!!!!!!!!!!

I did find out the origin of this nonsense poem (not being derrogatory, that's really what they are called) we studied last year. You see it turns ot that Alice's mission was to slay the "Jabberwocky':

JABBERWOCKY

Lewis Carroll

(from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872)

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

Long time the manxome foe he sought --

So rested he by the Tumtum tree,

And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,

The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,

And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

He went galumphing back.

"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'

He chortled in his joy.

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

Day 34, only 331 to go!

2010-03-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

Day 31, only 334

2010-02-26T18:48:00.000-08:00

Here's a thought
Sitting here watching the the NAACP Image Awards and my initial thought was; "we're still colored?" (My other thought was; "why are you procrastinating, you have a truck load of work to do!")

But it got me thinking about the circular descriptions that have evolved and been attributed to ... ur, em, hmmm... folk!!!
When I was a child we were colored
As a teenager we became (right on!) black
Then as college students we were Afro-Caribbean (UK) and Afro American (US)
As a grad student African American became the flavor
A new and enlightened consciousness finally brought us people of color.
(Sorry gangsta rappers we were never 'n' words)

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the geniuses that brought us people of color. OK, seriously, was it it a bet to see if anyone would notice that you had brought us full circle in our descriptions of ourselves? Or better still, someone who cares as much about black as they do blancmange came up with it as a devisive tool to remove folks from a discussion of real and meaningful issues.

Just a thought!

Still wandering about NAACP though.

Image: sustainability.tufts.edu

Day 29, only 336 to go

2010-02-24T18:53:00.001-08:00

Day 28, only 337 to go!

2010-02-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

New Word!

Postexamenitus:
Pronouniation: post-exam-'en-I-'tus/
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English (the very middle), from Latin postidio to suffer after.
1. the form or version in which one looses their natural mind after sitting a ludicrously insane, mind bogglingly - horrendously difficult exam; passing it and then passing out with stress, exhaustion and total amazement at actually passing the awful thing.
2. the state of surprize resulting from the resistance of an urge to laugh maniacally, choke-slam a computer and run screaming from a room having briefly skimmed the first fifteen items on an examination.

It's a word!!!!!!!!!

Day 26, 339 to go

2010-02-21T20:02:00.000-08:00

Exam Time, capiche?

Day 23, 342 to go!

2010-02-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

Remember I mentioned that I was cutting out sugar (Plus all the other white processed stuff: white flour, white rice...)? Read the following article:

by Sherill Sellman
Courtesy: http://www.laleva.cc/food/xylitol.html
From: The SPECTRUM Vol. 4 No. 8; February 2003, p.23 -- www.thespectrumnews.org

Xylitol: Our Sweet Salvation?

Editor's note: Considering the quantity of sugar we all consume in one way or another each day, sometimes not by choice, the following is perhaps the most important health article to come along in quite some time, and should be shared as widely as possible with family and friends of ALL ages.

Many of you readers of this publication are quite familiar with the various business and "health" reasons why the New World Order gang of misfits have long been promoting sugar (and even nastier artificial sweeteners) to help with their sinister control and depopulation agendas. Obviously, on the way to ruining our physical and mental health, a lot of money can be made through "managing" medical problems resulting from these "sweet" poisons. Therefore, when you read the following, you'll easily "connect the dots " and see why Xylitol is not a part of our familiar vocabulary-but should be!

Likewise, it was our News Desk guru (and retired dentist), Dr. Al Overholt, who originally identified this article for the News Desk. When you get to the part of Xylitol's astonishing benefits to the mouth and teeth, you'll see what may have acted as a strong factor in Dr. Overholt's decision to want to share this information with you.

This article was written by Sherrill Sellman of GetWell International, P.O. Box 690416, Tulsa, OK 74169-0416. (See the end of the article for further biographical and contacting information.) Sherrill deserves loud applause for assembling an easy-tounderstand and well-documented dissertation on this important health matter having obvious far-ranging implications. Perhaps copies of this article should be available in the waiting rooms of all dentist's and doctor's offices.
© 2002 Sherill Sellman

Xylitol is not only a safe, natural sweetener without the bad side-effects of sugar and artificial substitutes, it's also good for your teeth, stabilizes insulin and hormone levels, and promotes good health.

Americans have a mighty hankering for sugar. It seems that we just can't get enough of the stuff. On average, a half a cup of sugar is consumed per person every day. It is estimated that the average American eats, drinks, slurps, stirs, and sprinkles about 150 pounds of it annually. Never in modern history has a culture consumed so much sugar.

Sugar truly does deserve its reputation as a "white poison". Thinking of sugar as a food is really a stretch of the imagination, because it is more a chemical that is difficult for our bodies to utilize and digest.

Humans were really not designed to eat large amounts of sugar in whatever form it may take: white and brown, corn syrup, sucrose, dextrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose, barley malt, honey, rice syrup, and maple syrup. Sugar is also highly seductive, acting like an addictive drug that lures even the most well-intentioned person back into its sweet clutches.

According to Chinese wisdom, sweetness is one of the flavors necessary for maintaining balance in the body.

[Editor's note: The concept of sweetness" referred to here likely means alkalinity, as in the acid-alkaline balance within the body that was a major topic of Edgar Cayce's medical discourses while in trance. In that respect, Cayce's wisdom would agree with the ancient Chinese wisdom-but the advice is actually OPPOSITE the implied conclusion. That is, you want to eat ACIDIC things, like citrus, to produce an alkaline REACTION in the body to keep it slightly on the "sweet" side.

This matter has long been a subject of obvious confusion for Cayce readers,who often "get it backwards" until they understand the actual reactions of body chemistry he was talking about. And that same concept is likely what the ancient Chinese medical wisdom meant by "sweetness" within the body.]

But regularly eating large amounts of sugar will cause serious harm. Sugar can cause hypoglycemia and weight gain, leading to diabetes and obesity in both children and adults. It leaches the body of vital minerals and vitamins. It raises blood pressure, triglycerides, and the bad cholesterol (LDL), increasing the risk of heart disease. It causes tooth decay and periodontal disease, which leads to tooth loss and systemic infections. It makes it difficult for a child's brain to learn, resulting in a lack of concentration. Both children and adults exhibit disruptive behavior, learning disorders, and forgetfulness from sugar consumption. It initiates auto-immune and immune deficiency disorders such as arthritis, allergies, and asthma. It also upsets hormonal balance and supports the growth of cancer cells.

So what are we to do? Will our sugar cravings always hold us hostage, or is there really a way to lick the sugar habit successfully?

Xylitol To The Rescue!

During World War II, Finland was suffering from an acute sugar shortage. With no domestic supply of sugar, the Finns searched for an alternative. It was then that the Finnish scientists rediscovered xylitol, a low-calorie sugar made from birch bark. It had, in fact, been known to the world of organic chemistry since it was first manufactured in 1891 by a German chemist.

By 1930, xylitol had been purified, but it wasn't until World War II that the sugar shortages forced researchers to look at alternative sweeteners. It was only when xylitol was stabilized that it became a viable sweetener in foods. It was also during this time that researchers discovered xylitol's insulin-independent nature. (It metabolizes in the body without using insulin.)

By the 1960s, xylitol was being used in Germany, Switzerland, the Soviet Union, and Japan as a preferred sweetener in diabetic diets and as an energy source for infusion therapy in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. Since then, many other countries, including Italy and China, have been producing xylitol for use in their domestic markets-and with remarkable health benefits. It has been relatively unknown in the U.S.A. and Australia, primarily because cheap supplies of cane sugar made the more expensive xylitol less economically. viable.

Xylitol is a natural substance found in fibrous vegetables and fruit, as well as in corn cobs and various hardwood trees like birch. It is a natural, intermediate product which regularly occurs in the glucose metabolism of man and other animals, as well as in the metabolism of several plants and micro-organisms. Xylitol is produced naturally in our bodies; in fact, we make up to 15 grams daily during normal metabolism.

Although xylitol tastes and looks exactly like sugar, that is where the similarities end. Xylitol is really sugar's mirror image. While sugar wreaks havoc on the body, xylitol heals and repairs. It also builds immunity, protects against chronic degenerative disease, and has anti-aging benefits. Xylitol is considered a five-carbon sugar, which means it is an antimicrobial, preventing the growth of bacteria. While sugar is acid-forming, xylitol is alkaline enhancing. All other forms of sugar, including sorbitol, another popular alternative sweetener, are six-carbon sugars, which feed dangerous bacteria and fungi.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1963, xylitol has no known toxic levels. The only discomfort that some sensitive people may notice initially when. taking large amounts is mild diarrhea or slight cramping.

Since the body makes xylitol daily, as well as the enzymes to break it down, any discomfort usually disappears within a few days as the body's enzymatic activity adjusts to a higher intake.

Xylitol has 40% fewer calories and 75% fewer carbohydrates than sugar and is slowly absorbed and metabolised, resulting in very negligible changes in insulin. About one-third of the xylitol that is consumed is absorbed in the liver. The other two-thirds travels to the intestinal tract, where it is broken down by gut bacteria into short-chain fatty acids.

Xylitol looks, feels, and tastes exactly like sugar, and leaves no unpleasant aftertaste. It is available in many forms. In its crystalline form, it can replace sugar in cooking, baking, or as a sweetener for beverages. It is also included as an ingredient in chewing gum, mints, and nasal spray.

Xylitol And Oral Health

Tooth decay and gum disease are serious problems. According to the American Dental Association, 75% of American adults over the age of 35 suffer from some form of periodontal disease.1 Needless to say, diet plays a major role in dental heath. When there is an excess of sugar in the diet, this weakens the immune system and creates an acidic environment; thus oral health suffers. The mouth is home to over 400 strains of bacteria. Most of these are benign, but when sugar enters the scene, it feeds the destructive strains, allowing them to proliferate.

Periodontal disease is basically caused by bacteria. These deposits permit the growth of bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums. The bacteria also release minute amounts of toxins that break down guru tissue, thereby helping the infection to progress. Plaque is an invisible, sticky film of saliva and food residue that constantly forms on the teeth. Ongoing low-grade bacterial infection also burdens the immune system.

Bacteria help to create plaque and they also thrive within it. Unless removed, plaque formed along the gum-line can lead to gum disease. When left untreated, plaque at or below the gum line hardens into tartar.

Periodontal disease takes two forms: simple gum inflammation, called gingivitis, and a more severe gum infection, called periodontitis, which may lead to tooth loss and receding gums.

Gingivitis results from the build-up of plaque and tartar which irritate the gum or periodontal tissue. The more advanced state of gum disease, periodontitis, occurs when inflammation of the gums is accompanied by bone and ligament destruction. Bleeding gums are usually the first indication that gum disease is developing, but obvious symptoms may not always be present.

Gum infection can also lead to other serious health problems. It doubles the risk of stroke, triples the risk of heart attack, increases the incidence of premature, low-weight babies, and also contributes to bronchitis, pneumonia, and emphysema. In fact, the same bacteria that cause gum disease end up either directly or indirectly infecting your heart and arteries. A study conducted at the University of Minnesota in 1998 found that rabbits injected with tooth plaque developed blood clots which led to heart disease. 2 It seems that the bacteria first attack the bones and gums in the mouth and then enter the bloodstream through small cracks in the gums.

Eating sugar causes tooth decay by creating a highly acidic condition in the mouth. Acidity strips tooth enamel of minerals, causing it to weaken and making it more vulnerable to attack by bacteria, leading to tooth decay or demineralization. Ordinarily, saliva bathes the mouth with an alkaline solution that neutralizes all acidity and actually remineralizes the teeth. Saliva also washes away leftover bits of food and helps the digestion process. But when saliva turns acidic because of too many sweets, bacteria in the mouth have a feeding frenzy. These nasty bacteria, along with carbohydrate waste, stick to the teeth and tongue and hold the acid close to the teeth where it eats away enamel. Virtually whatever food you ingest, the remaining particles become food for plaque-producing bacteria. Using xylitol helps to raise plaque pH, thereby reducing the time that teeth are exposed to damaging acids, as well as starving harmful bacteria of their food source.

Xylitol is a dentist's dream. It reverses all these destructive effects of sugar on oral health. Xylitol is non-fermentable and therefore cannot be converted to acids by oral bacteria, thus it helps to restore a proper alkaline/acid balance in the mouth. This alkaline environment is inhospitable to all the destructive bacteria, especially the worst variety, Streptococcus mutans. It also inhibits plaque formation.

Using xylitol right before bedtime, after brushing and flossing, protects and heals the teeth and gums. Unlike sugar, it can even be left on the teeth overnight. With proper use, xylitol actually stops the fermentation process leading to tooth decay. Long-term use suppresses the most harmful strains of oral bacteria, making a long-lasting change in those bacterial communities. Xylitol even has the ability to enhance the mineralization of the enamel. It is most effective in treating small decay spots. Although larger cavities won't go away, they can harden and become less sensitive.

Consistently using small amounts of xylitol tends to increase protective factors in saliva. Xylitol stimulates saliva flow and helps keep salivary minerals in a useful form. Prolonged xylitol use increases the buffering capacity and protective factors in saliva. Increased saliva production is especially important for people suffering with a dry mouth due to illness, aging, or drug sideeffects.

Since the oral environment becomes less acidic with continued xylitol use, it is advisable to chew xylitol gum or suck a xylitol mint after every meal or after eating sweet snacks. The best news is that studies have shown that xylitol's effect is long-lasting and possibly even permanent.

Xylitol has recently received positive support in the Journal Of The American Dental Association. "Xylitol is an effective preventive agent against dental caries... Consumption of xylitol containing chewing gum has been demonstrated to reduce caries in Finnish teenagers by 30-60%. Studies conducted in Canada, Thailand, Polynesia, and Belize have shown similar results.... " 3 A study conducted at Harvard School of Dental Medicine concluded that: "Xylitol can significantly decrease the incidence of dental caries." 4

Another unexpected benefit came from a Finnish study which showed that children whose teeth are colonised between 19 and 31 months of age by Streptococcus mutans bacteria are more likely to have a large number of cavities. Most children acquire this bacteria from their mother's saliva through food tasting, sharing cups, and kissing. The study showed a dramatic 70% reduction in tooth decay among children whose mothers chewed xylitol gum.5

Xylitol, however, isn't just for the young. In a paper published in the Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, researchers tested 111 adults, aged 60 and older, over a 12-month period. All were frail but healthy adults. In the study, one group of volunteers chewed no gum, a second chewed gum containing xylitol, and a third group chewed gum containing both xylitol and an antimicrobial. In the two groups receiving gum, the participants chewed two pieces for 15 minutes, two times per day. At the end of the study, the researchers reported that the group who received xylitol gum had substantially lowered their risk of developing thrush, a fungal or yeast infection that can cause mouth soreness. (The group who received xylitol plus the antimicrobial had equal benefits.) It had also reduced their risk of developing angular cheilitis, a condition in which sores develop in the corners of the mouth. The researchers noted that xylitol gum can provide a "real clinical benefit" to frail, elderly people.6

Xylitol And Ear, Nose & Throat Infections

Recurring middle-ear infections pose a great health threat to children. Tubes are often inserted into the eardrum in children with these recurring infections to reduce the fluid that is attempting to wash out the infection from the middle ear. Whil this procedure sometimes helps to reduce the frequency of infections, it is also designed to help with hearing.

Language, a critical part of learning, is built by auditory input during the first two years of life-the same period when ear infections are most common. If this input is dampened by infection or fluid in the middle ear during this important period, it can cause learning problems.

One researcher demonstrated that, even when properly treated, recurrent middle ear infections during the first two years result in significant impairment in reading ability up to the age of nine.7 Another study followed children longer and showed significant learning and social problems extending up to age eighteen.8

One of xylitol's versatile benefits is its ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause middle-ear infections in young children. In two recent studies involving over 1,000 children, xylitolflavored chewing gum was found to reduce the incidence of middle-ear infections by 40%, significantly decreasing ongoing middle-ear complications and the need for antibiotics.

Regularly washing the nose with a spray containing xylitol decreases the number of harmful bacteria and stimulates normal defensive washing of this area. A clean nose reduces problems with allergies and asthma that originate from nasal irritants and pollutants.

Current research shows how bacteria attach to cells in the body, causing infection. Some sugars like xylitol are known to be able to interfere with this binding, blocking the attachment of the major infection-causing bacteria that live in the nose. Dr. Lon Jones, a physician in Plainsview, Texas, reported that the use of a xylitol nasal spray in his practice prevented 93% of ear infections and resulted in comparable reductions in sinus infections, allergies, and asthma.9

Xylitol has been shown to be effective in inhibiting Candida Albicans, a serious systemic yeast problem, and other harmful gut bacteria including H. Pylori, implicated in periodontal disease, bad breath, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and even stomach cancer.

Xylitol And Osteoporosis

Another exciting benefit from xylitol is its role in reversing bone loss. Studies in Finland found that xylitol maintained bone density in rats that had their ovaries removed. Without ovaries, estrogen levels plummeted and so did the bone density in rats that were not given xylitol. However, in the rats that had ovaries removed and were given xylitol, bone density actually increased.10 Another study showed that xylitol was effective in decreasing age-related bone loss in older male rats by 10%. 11

In an unprecedented action, the Finnish researchers made bold recommendations for human application of their studies. They suggested that an effective human dose would be about 40 grams daily. The scientists speculated that xylitol's bone density-enhancing properties are due to its ability to promote intestinal absorption of calcium. Including xylitol in one's diet is certainly an enjoyable way to reap the benefits of greater bone density, along with other health benefits.

Xylitol And Insulin Resistance, Diabetes Hypertension, And Hormonal Imbalances

Consuming sugar and other refined carbohydrates results in the rapid release of glucose, or blood sugar. In response, the pancreas secretes insulin to usher glucose into the cells, where it is burned for energy. Excess glucose stresses the system, and over time the cells become less responsive to insulin. This condition, known as insulin resistance, is a huge health problem and it is estimated to affect half the American population. Insulin resistance is associated with abnormalities in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, hypertension, increased risk of heart disease, and diabetes.

The dramatic rise in type-2 diabetes since the mid-1900s directly coincides with our increased consumption of sugar. One long-term study of more than 65,000 women demonstrated that a high-sugar, low-fibre diet increased the risk of type-2 diabetes by 250%. Another recent study found that excessive intake of sugar was the single most important dietary risk factor for heart disease in women and for men. It has been estimated that sugar intake may account for more than 150,000 premature deaths from heart disease in the United States each year.12

Xylitol has been demonstrated in repeated clinical studies to be very slowly metabolised. In fact, on the glycemic index, which measures how quickly foods enter the bloodstream, sugar is rated at 100 and xylitol at just seven! Xylitol is a natural insulin stabilizer, therefore it causes none of the abrupt rises and falls that occur with sugar. In fact, it actually helps in stopping sugar and carbohydrate cravings. Foods sweetened with xylitol will not raise insulin levels. This makes it a perfect sweetener for people with diabetes as well as those wanting to lose weight. There is a growing consensus amongst anti-aging researchers that maintaining low insulin levels is a key to a successful anti-aging program.

Insulin resistance also plays a significant role in hormonal imbalances, including those that lead to breast cancer. High insulin levels increase the production of estrogens, leading to an estrogen-dominant condition, and also interfere with healthy ovarian function. Insulin resistance is a major cause of a growing hormonal problem called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS causes the ovaries to become anovulatory, which means that the normal cyclic production of estrogen followed by progesterone either ceases or becomes dysfunctional. Insulin stimulates the ovaries to produce predominantly male hormones, which, in combination with higher insulin and glucose levels, increase weight gain around the waist-a body type that is a risk factor for breast cancer. Signs that the body is being exposed to higher levels of the male hormones include acne, loss of head hair, and an increase in body hair. Lowering insulin levels is crucial for not only treating PCOS but also resolving most other hormonal imbalances, including those leading to breast cancer.13

Dr. John Lee, author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer, explains the connection between insulin resistance and breast cancer:

"Overeating junk food makes you fat. Increased body fat and lack of exercise lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance leads to further craving of sugary carbohydrates to generate energy for the body. More insulin is released in response to increased carbohydrate intake, leading to more weight gain. More fat leads to more estrogens, which, in turn, lead to earlier breast development and menstruation. Earlier onset of menstruation leads to more ovulatory cycles and a greater lifetime exposure to estrogens without adequate progesterone. A greater lifetime exposure to estrogens increases breast cancer risk.

"Simultaneously, increased consumption of simple carbohydrates, coupled with insulin resistance, leads to polycystic ovaries and lack of ovulation during menstrual cycles, resulting in excess production of androgens and estrogens, along with inadequate production of progesterone. Excessive estrogen production in the absence of progesterone production leads to estrogen dominance and increased breast cancer risk. Use of contraceptive hormones increases insulin resistance, exacerbating all the above problems."14

Using xylitol instead of sugar, as well as reducing intake of high-glycemic, refined carbohydrate foods, helps to lower the risk not only of PCOS but also of ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, PMS, hot flashes, weight gain, and depression.

The Safer Sweetener

Increased sugar consumption has bedeviled Western cultures with more and more health problems, many of which are putting an enormous strain on healthcare systems. Finally, there is an answer to our collective prayers for something truly healthy that can also satisfy our sweet tooth. Over 1,500 scientific studies have found that the more you use xylitol, the more you can eliminate sugar cravings, reduce insulin levels, and alkalinize your body. It's a great aid on the way to good health and long life.

Imagine never having to feel those twinges of guilt when you bite into a xylitol-sweetened brownie. Or how about increasing your bone density while enjoying your favorite hot drink with two spoonfuls of xylitol crystals, or knowing that xylitol-sweetened chewing gum is preventing cavities and gum disease?

With xylitol, you can now have your sweet tooth and treat it, too!

Day 22, 343 to go

2010-02-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

So I made a promise yesterday and by golly I'm going to deliver!
Actually this was donated by my good mate Eve, it's really cool inforation.

So here goes. Thanks chickadee!
Fascinating facts about the invention of the SMILEY FACE
(Courtesy: http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/smileyface.htm)

Smiley Face by Harvey Ball in 1964.

AT A GLANCE:

There are few symbols which so fully represent the American spirit of friendship, happiness and peace as the smiley face. Harvey Ball, co-owner of an advertising and public relations firm in Worcester, Massachusetts designed the Smiley Face in 1964 to help ease the acrimonious aftermath following the merger of two insurance companies

Definition: A round happy cartoon-like image, often black-on-yellow, a symbol of peace and joy The smiley face represents the American spirit of friendship, happiness and peace.

Inventor: Harvey Ross Ball

Birth: July 10, 1921 in Worcester, Massachusetts

Death: April 12, 2001 in Worcester, Massachusetts

Nationality: American

Milestones:

1964 Ball spent about 10 minutes designing the smiley face for his client, an insurance company

1970 Bernard and Murray Spain added the words "Have a nice day," to the smiley face

1971 At its peak of popularity, more than 50 million Smiley Face buttons were sold.

1999 United States Postal Service unveiled the Smiley Face Stamp

1999 First World Smile Day held

CAPS: Ball, Smiley Face, Harvey Ross Ball, Bernard Spain, Murray Spain, Have A Nice Day, ARYS, smiley face, :-), symbol, ☺, SIPS, invention, history, inventor of, history of, who invented, invention of, fascinating facts.

The Story:

In the early 60s State Mutual Life Assurance of Worcester, MA initiated a merger that had bad effects on company morale. In 1964, State Mutual cooked up a “friendship campaign” to get employees to smile whenever they answered the phone, paid a claim, or typed a report. The company turned to Harvey Ball for graphic support. Ball reported that he spent about 10 minutes designing the smiley face, and he was paid $45 for it. This was the only profit that Ball ever made from his most famous creation. Neither Ball or the insurance company trademarked or copyrighted the smiley face. In the early 1970s, the smiley face image became a symbol for an entire generation of Americans, emerging as one of the most well-known images in the country.The smiley face craze, was the work of two brothers in Philadelphia, Bernard and Murray Spain, who were in the business of making would-be fad items. In September of 1970 they drew up a smiley face added the words "Have a nice day," and copyrighted the image and words. Soon they and their many imitators were cranking out buttons, posters, greeting cards, shirts, bumper stickers, cookie jars, earrings, bracelets, key chains, and many other items. The fad lasted about a year and half; the number of smiley buttons produced by 1972 was estimated at 50 million .

And now you know!

zai jian! (p: sigh jen) - Chinese

Day 21, 344 to go

2010-02-16T20:14:00.000-08:00

Wanna know the history of the 'Smiley?' Meet me here tomorrow. See you then.

Day 19, 346 to go

2010-02-15T20:11:00.000-08:00

Alas! Day 20. Milestone!

Day 18, 347 to go

2010-02-13T18:23:00.000-08:00

Watching the women's bumpy downhill skiing, I think there's a proper name for this event - Mogul or something. I see there's a 35 year old woman competing. Well now I KNOW for sure that I too can compete in the olympics. I always encourage readers and young people, (stolen of course from my DH) 'Make a goal and make it happen!" . Now I'm taking my own advice.

So, let's see what event should I start training for? Snowboarding, tobogganing, slalom! I know, I've got it and I know I can absolutely nail this sport, in fact when I think about it I already partially have this one in the bag. In fact, I'm going to do some training right now. Just off to get my equipment. Got it! Now I'm off to train...

Whew! That was some session! I need to sit down for a while while I get my breath back. Having swept the kitchen, I know I am on my way to becoming the world's next Curling champion. Well, it could happen!

Maybe next they'll introduce an event called WATCHING PAINT DRY! Common people, what is curling? Why? Who said it should be so?

Go Apolo Ohno!

That's this fella.

In action...

Day 17, 348 to go

2010-02-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

Vancouvapalooza! 2010
Sitting here waiting for the Vancouver opening ceremony I can hardly contain my excitement. However it appears that swimming rather than skiing may be more appropriate since Vancouver is reported to be the warmest city ever to host the Winter Olympic Games. There have already been reports of varying degrees of melting snow. My opinion? It'll be just fine. The media are always looking for an opportunity to get tongues wagging - its their job!

So, faces to look out for:

Mirai Nagasu - Figure Skater (USA)

And guess who her role model is - Christie Yamaguchi (who'd have thought!), and she got to meet her this morning. Good for her!

Then there's this young fellow Shaun White - Snowboarding (USA)

Now, I like him because he has had (oooh alliteration! 'hhh') setbacks in his life and still persevered. He had two major heart surgeries as a child to correct a defect.

And there's lots of other people too...

Sorry, I tried to appear knowledgeable but I have to confess I am the world's least knowledgeable person when it comes to sport. I ONLY jump on the bandwagon to get caught up in the hype and excitement when events reach the level of international hysteria. But folks I'm really not a follower - of anything! - OK I kind of like tennis now but that was for pragmatic reasons, it was the only way that I could guarantee a conversation with my sister throughout the summer.

Anyhooooo, the reason I follow at the end is because I just can't muster enough interest to sit and watch sports at length, but I do have maximum respect for the athletes and competitors for choosing an activity and sticking with it to the level of mastery. They are true role models for all that follow.

Au revoir !

Day 15, 350 to go!

2010-02-10T18:40:00.000-08:00

In five years from now, what will matter? Try not to dwell on the minutia! That's it!

Ciao!

Image:www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/8...

Day 14, 351 to Go

2010-02-10T18:27:00.000-08:00

Day 13, 352 to go

2010-02-08T18:11:00.000-08:00

Continuing our discussion on success

So thinking a little deeper about the success/celebrity dichotomy I started to mentally list celebs who were prior educated or those who 'went back' after getting a taste of stardom. Let's see, Rudy Huxtable (Keshia Knight Pulliam) went back and earned a Sociology degree from Spellman in 2001:

Ashley Judd graduated from the University of Kentucky; majoring in French and minoring in Anthropology (cool!):

Julia Stiles ("10 Things I Hate About You" and "Save the Last Dance") graduated in 2005 from New York's prestigious Columbia University with a degree in English.

And then of course there's Sinbad, one of the funniest men of the 80's. He attended the University of Denver (don't have much more info than that but I remember he talked about college life in some of his skits). I thought he was great and admired him because he advocated education. I was going to use him as one of my examples of people who had a back- up plan, people who had the foresight to realize that celebrity was a game of Russian Roulette; until I found out that he is now in the process (allegedly) of filing bankruptcy. So now where does that leave my theory of education vs reaching for the stars. Well, in all honesty it leaves it pretty much intact. Because if you read the last part of my blog I made sure to mention that wisdom and smart budgeting were also very important considerations.

So, young people (I generally abstain from using 'kids' because I had a professor who all but used electric shock as an aversive therapy to deter us from using the expression; 'kids are baby goats' she would say - she was awesome and left an impression on me - a good one!), parents, mentors, y'all. Reach for the stars by all means but at the same time - with your free hand, reach for those textbooks.

And if college just isn't for you, that's OK, maximize your God -given skills and let them work for you. Max-out you potential!
Arevaderche!

Day 12, 353 to go

2010-02-08T17:27:00.000-08:00

Day 11, 354 to go

2010-02-06T20:14:00.000-08:00

Who really is successful?

I was reading an article today about celebrities who dropped out of school. The list was quite extensive. So I started thinking. What messages are being sent to our children? Many of the celebrity college or high school drop-outs are hugely successful.
The ultimate goal for most people (though many will not admit it) is to be so financially stable that they never have to worry about how the next bill is going to be paid. We encourage our children to study hard so they can go to college and then college will lead to respectable employment. And employment will pay the bills. At the same time our children grow up watching parents who have followed this path, done all the right things and have an 'OK' life. Then they see these massively famous and wealthy celebrities who did not continue in education not having to worry about money - ever. We therefore have a new generation of young people who when asked what they want to be, answer "I want to be famous". To this generation success equals celebrity, they are increasingly failing to see the trade-off between hard work and success.
We have to be careful that we don't loose these young minds that are increasingly getting caught up in the X-Factor, American Idol wave; minds that are being fed the myth that they too have a shot at fame and fortune and that hard (academic) work does not pay off. (Now bear in mind,college may not be for everyone).
So what do we tell them? How to we reel them back in? Well, we show them the statistics. Dropping out of school is a huge risk; the percentage of wannabe superstars that actually make it to superstardom is miniscule compared to the percentage of kids that continue with school and end up with a career that will house them, put food on the table and pay the bills. So lets weigh it up. Of the millions of celebrity hopefuls reaching for the stars approximately one percent of them make it - leaving them uneducated, unemployed and often unemployable; compared to the ninety plus percent that continue in school that end up in a career and are at least able to sustain themselves.
So yes, the dream is to be rich, wealthy, dripping with money; but the reality is -"it's probably not going to happen, so let's go with plan B - let's eat! (and have some fun along the way, with wise budgeting and self control thrown in for good measure).

Sag olun (Goodbye) Azerbaijan, Iran

Day 10, 355 to Go

2010-02-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

Rain, Rain, Rain. Thanks Phil. Hope you are cozy down there in your hole. Wait 'til you get out matey! (still a little sore about the whole groundhog, shadow, 6 more weeks of winter thing). Let it Go woman!!!

A bit wiped out after an intensive couple of days of studying. Yawn...stretch...

Nitey-nite.

Day 9, 356 to go

2010-02-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

Shout out to the Sicklers!
Since mine is acting up today I want to give an honorable mention to those notable sufferers that have beaten the odds, persevered and made a name for themselves. Fellow warriors, I feel your pain (literally). You are strong, inspirational leaders and pillars of our community. But first to dear relatives and friends who fought to the bitter end: Crafton, Roger - love you, miss you. To those that fight on; Kaz, Jayden, AT. And to those that light up the red carpet: T-Boz (TLC) who also recently struggled with a brain tumor, Mobb Deep - rapper (dunno much about him - apologies if he's a b'chs and h's rapper), Miles Davis - Jazz musician, the late Georgeanna Tillman of the Marvellettes (February 5, 1944 - January 6, 1980) and the late Paul Williams of the Temptations (July 2, 1939 – August 17, 1973).

And finally Larenz Tate and brothers - not sure if you have it but thanks for all the work you do to raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease. We salute you!

Punxsutawney Phil: 6 more weeks of winter - Weather- msnbc.com

2010-02-02T08:14:00.000-08:00

Punxsutawney Phil: 6 more weeks of winter - Weather- msnbc.com

Day 7, 358 to go

2010-02-02T06:45:00.000-08:00

Phil!

Was it just too much to ask!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 more weeks of Winter!
(See yesterday's post - too upset to continue right now)

Day 6, 359 to go

2010-02-01T10:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Punxsutawney Phil
I know that you are a groundhog of distinction, a rodent of principle and you stand by your convictions concerning traditions. However, Mr Groundhog Sir, I am appealing to your good nature that if perchance you happen to see your shadow tomorrow morning (Feb 2nd) could you possibly find it in yourself to abstain from returning to your burrow (that is what you creatures hibernate in isn't it?) and spare us all from an additional six weeks of winter.
We all have those mornings where we wake up to a dull overcast morning when the sun refuses to shine and we wish that we could just roll over and go back to sleep. But we can't! Life has to go on regardless of the weather. The world would be a mess if we all did that - OK scratch that, the world is a mess, but you know what I mean. Anyhow, you see the thing is sir, many of us have a touch of SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorder) to a greater or lesser degree and we could all do with a little cheering up. In addition, I have this lovely garden that is just waiting for some mild weather to start springing forth its beauty. My garden, sir, is a source of power and energy for me. Through it I come alive, I produce, we eat, I meditate, I communicate with God (Have you met the Lord - Sir?)

So, please give this some serious thought and follow your heart when making your decision tomorrow.

While we're on the subject of Groundhog Day there's something that I'm hoping you'll help me to clear up. Growing up, there used to be an expression called De-Ja-Vu, we all know it and have felt it - ""wow, this happened before!" So in 1993 a movie by that same name was made, starring Bill Murray. It basically chronicled a series of events in some man's life that kept on repeating. The day that kept on repeating happened to be Groundhog Day. It could very easily have been Valentine's Day, Christmas Day or the man's birthday. Since then, and I know you must have noticed, ( your ears have probably been ringing insanely since 1993) people have been using Groundhog Day as an expression synonymous with De-ja-vu. How can we get people to stop it? Can you imagine if the man's experiences had fallen on Ash Wednesday?
Groundhog Day refers only to the day that Punxsutawney Phil sees (or doesn't see) his shadow. That's it! Spread the word, your furriness, sir. And thank you in anticipation of your kind gesture tomorrow.

Image:coreybrinn.com

Day 5, 360 to Go

2010-01-31T11:41:00.000-08:00

Sad News
As we say goodbye to an Icon in the Christian/Apostolic/Gospel world I would like to pay my own personal tribute to the late Bishop Norman Wagner who passed on Saturday 30th January, 2010.
You touched the lives of many. Though I did not know you personally I too was personally touched by your servitude to God. A true warrior of the gospel. May God send comfort to his family at this time.
Bishop Wagner we love you, we miss you and we thank God for lending you to us for this short time in the vast expanse of the eternity you now share with our creator.

Bishop Wagner, world-renowned teacher, preacher, and pastor of Calvary Ministries International in Youngstown, Ohio. Along with his Mount Calvary Concert Choir.

Day 4, 361 to Go

2010-01-30T07:58:00.000-08:00

Snow Joke!

Ok so I got a little sucked in by the "winter storm is coming hysteria'. I had heard that bad weather was coming but really didn't pay too much attention to it; Until my DH called to inform me that they had terrible ice, snow, sleet and blackouts where they were- they had it all. He encouraged me to stock -up just in case.

So off I went to WalMart and joined in with the panic buying. I needed water and firewood, two of the hottest commodities during panic buying season. Now usually we have a game plan: As we enter the store I send my big DS in one direction to grab hot commodity number one, while little DS and I head for the other. I opened my mouth to do the same as we entered the store to execute the plan and was harshly reminded that my big DS is no longer here to grab the items I need, I started to send little DS and then paused. At times like this people become irrational, crazed, will kill for a loaf of bread, I wanted to see my son again so I had to change strategies. We would both headed for water (and had to settle for a generic brand, not our usual 3 galon dispenser). Then we both shot over to the firewood to grab a couple of packets; that should tide us over for a few days should there be a power outage. We'd be all set; we had food, munchies, candles, batteries, water, masking tape (huh?), and...NO FIREWOOD!, it was ALL gone!

Long story short, after promising myself not to get caught up, we eventally found some at or fourth stop, though I did try a couple of gas stations after getting it, just in case, I was now in emergency mode (you can never have too much in an emegency, hee-hee). Traffic was crazy, parking was crazy, people were crazy, store attendents were crazy, news chanels were crazy, weather men were crazy.

We finally got home, a litle friend came over to wait it out with little DS and the wait began. The snow was scheduled to arrive at around 11 p.m. So we watched and waited; waited and watched, waited and waited some more. Maybe that snow storm would come while we were sleeping. So we thought, better get some good sleep, we might need to dig ourselves out of here by tomorrow. So we set up the candles, positioned the water, the flashlights and masking tape (?) and entered a fitful sleep.

At 7 a.m I awoke with a start. The room was glowing with a bright white light radiating from outside the window. It was here! The snow storm was here. The winter havoc was here. We were snowed in, we would become weekend recluses. The power would go out, we would not be able to communicate. We would only have ourselves to rely on. But it was OK, because we were prepared. We panic bought and we had everything we needed.

So boldly I walked over to the window, I was ready to shout to the blanket of white " we are ready! fearless! prepared! give us your best shot!" And that's exactly waht we got. Two mmilimeter's of snow! That's it!

So, all I'm saying is. THERE HAD BETTER BE MORE SNOW THAN THIS!

I'm calm.

Day 3, 362 to Go

2010-01-29T20:26:00.000-08:00

As we enter Black History Month, an homage to the historical victory in South Africa, 1994.

Amandla!

Nkosi sikelel'

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.

Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika.

Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,

Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.

(Contributed by Riccardo Venturi)

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a teacher at a Methodist mission school in Johannesburg. It was one of many songs he composed, and he was apparently a keen singer who composed the songs for his pupils.

The words of the first stanza were originally written in Xhosa as a hymn. In 1927 seven additional Xhosa stanzas were later added by Samuel Mqhayi, a poet.

Most of Sontonga's songs were sad, witnessing the suffering of African people in Johannesburg, but they were popular and after his death in 1905 choirs used to borrow them from his wife.

Solomon Plaatje, one of South Africa's greatest writers and a founding member of the ANC, was the first to have the song recorded. This was in London in 1923. A Sesotho version was published in 1942 by Moses Mphahlele.

The Rev J L Dube's Ohlange Zulu Choir popularised Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika at concerts in Johannesburg, and it became a popular church hymn that was also adopted as the anthem at political meetings.

For decades Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was regarded as the national anthem of South Afrika by the oppressed and it was always sung as an act of defiance against the apartheid regime. A proclamation issued by the State President on 20 April 1994 stipulated that both Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika and Die Stem (the Call of South Africa) would be the national anthems of South Africa. In 1996 a shortened, combined version of the two anthems was released as the new National Anthem.

There are no standard versions or translations of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika so the words vary from place to place and from occasion to occasion. Generally the first stanza is sung in Xhosa or Zulu, followed by the Sesotho version.

Courtesy: http://www.antiwarsongs.org/canzone.php?lang=en&id=996

Day 2, 363 To Go

2010-01-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

Coming of Age
So I was thinking about what it means to turn 13. Because my little chickadee is now officially a teenager it represents a huge milestone in life. Not so much for him, but for us as parents. We have a responsibility to raise our children to become the best human beings that they could possibly be. In essence they are still children and should be allowed to be just that, but at the same time they are now edging more rapidly towards adulthood and need to be strategically prepared for the challenges, triumphs, successes and of course disappointments ahead.This stage of life involves major undertakings and the beginning of the assumption of adult responsibility. Yet, in the United States and the UK (my points of reference) we do not systematically celebrate or ritualize the transition from childhood to adolescence unless we belong to a religious, cultural or ethnic group whose practices dictate it.
In many cultures, a ceremony, ritual or celebration rings in a time when a child becomes a young adult. For boys the age is usually 12 or 13. For girls, the coming-of-age is usually celebrated at their first menstruation, which can be as early as 9 or as late as 15.

Examples
Native Americans have a variety of coming-of-age rituals.. For many, girls have their rite of passage with the first menses and boys have theirs at the age of fourteen or fifteen. Both boys and girls are separated from the tribe to spend several days alone fasting. The hunger teaches the child patience and discipline. The isolation allows the child to stay competely focused on their goal, which is to have a dream or vision.

In Japan the second Monday of January is Coming-of-Age Day, a national holiday to encourage those who have newly entered adulthood to become self-reliant members of society. In the past boys marked their transition to adulthood when they were around 15, and girls celebrated their coming of age when they turned 13 or so. During the Edo period (1603-1868), boys had their forelocks cropped off, and girls had their teeth dyed black. It wasn't until 1876 that 20 became the legal age of adulthood.

The Igbo Tribe of Nigeria are reviving a tradition that was lost during colonialism where boys and girls are guided into adulthood. I am now discovering that many African Americans are embracing the tradition too: The children are taught teamwork, leadership, values, responsibilities, moral decisions, freedom, and valuing their heritage. Candles are lit, and prayers recited. The children pledge to conduct themselves in a manner that gives glory to God and that will command respect for them, their families abroad, in the ancestral land of the Igbo tribe -- Nigeria -- and to the American community where they live.

In Korea the Confucian coming-of-age ceremony is called Gwallye and is held for both boys and girls aged 15 to 20.

In Judaism girls reach the status of Bat Mitzvah on their 12th birthday. Boys achieve Bar Mitzvah on their 13th birthday. They are then recognized as adults and are personally responsible to follow the Jewish commandments and laws.

When I started to write this article I thought:

"Wouldn't it be great to conduct a ritual that focuses on both the joy of the childhood they have experienced and the beginning of the transition into adulthood. The intention would be to explore and discuss with our children how relationships and people will change in the coming years. Reassuring them that everything will not happen at one time, but to expect that a change will happen. Handled appropriately it can be a change that our teens may approach with great trepidation, but we as parents can guide them gently through; a change that they will ultimately embrace rather than fear."

Having done the research I realize that there are so many opportunities to celebrate this wonderful transition all around us (For example: The Interfaith Families Project is composed of families from the Washington DC area which follow two religious traditions. They celebrate the passage of their children "into young adulthood ... embrace their emerging identities as adolescents." It is held during the children's 8^th grade year of religious education). If this is something that is important to us, yet we find that there are no avenues within our immediate communities to partake, why not do it yourself? Based on your own ideals, personal beliefs and visions of the future bring your child into the adult world your way, with Grace, love, wisdom and compassion.
That's it!
Sayanora!

Image: baliadvisor.com

And so it Begins: Day 1; 364 to Go!

2010-01-27T06:54:00.000-08:00

What?
Oh, you thought I had a plan! That's funny. No, I only got as far a the "Write" part. The 'knowing what to' is still finding a seat in the auditorium .
I thought of a name for my quest for change (I won't call it that because Barack got the bragging rights to that nifty little attention grabber first). I thought of...get ready. Drum roll...Breathe, breathe...OK, here it is, are you ready for this? My Ezeikiel Journey - BAM!!!

I know, weak right! (I can hear the melancholic tones of a muted horn going warp, warp warp, in a descending trend). So, help me out here, please help me come up with a name. OK, so you've discovered my OCD, I cannot move on without titles, names, compartments; the first step to recovery is acceptance - where's my xanax?.

So, moving on, big day today. My DS is now officially a teenager, up until yesterday he was a Tween. I remember 13, sorry mom! (We eventually managed to work all that out with time, therapy and a really good priest - brandishing a pretty impressive crucifix). Happy Birthday Son! I love you beyond..

Also, it is Day 1 of my quest. Only 365 to go. So here's how it will work? I'll give daily updates on General stuff, Ed. Research stuff, and of course My Garden stuff. Each day will strengthen my affirmations and propel me closer to the end goal (end goal, who says that?). Comments are always welcome. Can get a little lonely out here in the bloggesphere.
Just wanted to get started today really.

Honorable mention:
Standing ovation to Venus Williams as she leaves the Australian Open, head held high - defeated by China's Li Na, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 in a nail-biting match that lasted two hours 47 minutes. Well done Venus!

Go, Murray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm counting on you now kid!

OK, that's it for today, for now, for this minute, cause you know don't have a good grasp on limits.

*N.B. If you get daily updates of my blog in your inbox, please click on the powerparenting link that will bring you directly to the site. Click the link!

I am going to try 365 ways to say goodbye: Today it's:
Out !
(with a peace sign, cause I'm cool like that)

Me Again

2010-01-26T11:50:00.000-08:00

Ok I'm back - again! But this time with even more mind boggling stuff for you to ponder over. After my last post I continued teaching and then we stopped for lunch. We had another really great French session; anyhooo I digress.
While washing up the lunch plates, I really started to get inspired, scriptures n'all. Tomorrow will mark a pretty significant milestone in my life, the youngest of my offspring will be entering into the teenage (scream-age) world. Wow! where did the time go?
I decided that tomorrow will therefore mark the beginning of a new, big and rather scary milestone for me. I do not do New Year's resolutions and goal setting has always been a very personal thing for me. However, like Ezeikiel when he was told to 'Write" I am being obiedient to what I am being inspired to do, and I likewise am going to WRITE - a lot!. So here goes:

My Decree
One year from Tomorrow, my life( and others') will be positively transformed. Here's why:

I will have made a meaningful and significant contribution to society that will benefit people on a global scale.
I will have completed my Doctoral Study and will have conducted a meaningful and historic piece of research.
I will make a meaningful contribution to the world of applied Behavior Analysis
I will inspire, educate and entertain others through my words.
I will be a published (or soon to be) author.
Among other contributors, an anonymous benefactor will click on my "Donate" button with a significant contribution through sheer gratitude.
Through my faith and gritty determination I will succeed and teach others how to do this.

Anecdote:
For the last two years my DH has had a rather lengthy outgoing message on his voice mail, which I have occasionally joked about. "Honey, I just want to leave you a quick message, no time for the soliloquy today - love you though, bye!
The message encourages callers to "Make this year, their very best year, by making a goal and making it happen. Imagine that!

Today I am laying it bare, striking while the iron is hot.

ONE YEAR FROM TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 365 Days!

Feel free to join me and watch this unfold.

It starts...
(I need a name for this quest).

That's it, and now I rest.
(Kidding, I'll lose the Middle-English for now, I think my own persona is adequate)

Eek! This is Exciting!

Image: inspirationforliving.files.wordpress.com/2008

Hello World, I'm Back

2010-01-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

Image: fashionlaw.foxrothschild.com/uploads/image/wo...

Hello Blog World
I know your lives have been dull and empty. You have sat in the same spot for months, nay weeks wondering 'when will she write again?' You tried to enrich you own lives and failed, you tried blogging yourself and realized there was only one true queen of the bloggespher. Friends, Romans, I apologize. I have returned, never to disappear again.

HOWEVER, things are a little different now. Since I am now in the throws of Doctoral Research and aim to have completed this mammoth task by the end of the year I have decided to bring you along with me for the ride. So, in addition to my adventures in parenting land I will be regularly journaling about my research escapades, capishe? (sorry dunno how to spell that).
Did I tell you that I am also pursuing a Professional Certificate program in Applied Behavior Analysis? Did I also tell you that my bonkers pills are really working now? Who would take on so much, in addition to Homeschooling, being VP of a pretty cool organization, chair of another equally awesome group? Huh, who? Me, that's who, cause It's all good babeee!
OOhh Yes, my beloved eldest DS is now in college, remember him , Big Byte? And my little chickadee is still homeschooling, Li'Bit, remember? See I used computer paraphernalia as their pseudonyms because they are both such techno babies.
You haven't heard much about my DH, up until now, hopefully I can get him on board to write couple of articles every now and then. Then you'll truly see where the family intelligence comes from. Such a smart man! Yum... Ooops, did I say that out load?
Free information:
For those like me that never understood blogspeak:
DD = Dear Daughter
DS = Dear Son
DH = Dear Husband
Dear is often substituted for Darling it depends on your level of mushiness really.

So, watch this space for stuff, lots of it.
*Ta-ra for now
Brummie(Birmingham,Uk) colloquialism for good bye.

BTW: Did you notice the Donate Button? This is not a joke. I really want donations, really I do, no seriously, give me the money! Son in college, Mom in college, what gives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summer safety continued...

2009-06-28T18:35:00.001-07:00

6. it's not old fashioned to believe the old adage 'There's safety in numbers'. Teach your children to always take a friend when playing or going somewhere. Remember that even older children should not go to a public convenience alone.

7. Remind your child to stay on familiar paths. Children (esp. younger children) should never take shortcuts without their parents' permission.

8. Teach your children to trust their instincts. Often when something doesn't feel right, it usually isn't. Teach your child to have the confidence to remove him or herself from uncomfortable situations and raise the alarm if at all possible.

9. Put non-identifiable clothes on your children. Kids should not wear clothes or carry items with their name on the outside. Someone may try to trick them by calling their name. However, remaining with clothing it is always a good idea to dress your child in bright colours or unique yet subtle markers so you can keep your eye on them in a crowd without imposing on their space.

10. Regularly practice basic safety skills with your children. Should your child become lost or separated from you, teach them not to panic. Identify beforehand the safest place they should go to wait for you, or teach them to contact an appropriate adult to ask for help in reuniting them with you, such as a uniformed security guard or law-enforcement officer, store salesperson with a name tag, a mother with children, or the person in the information booth. Children should never search for you by themselves, and should never, ever go off alone with anyone who claims to be trying to reunite them with you.

Trust your instincts, know your child's weaknesses, strengths and limitations and allow your child a level of independence based on that knowledge.
As with all thing success comes with hard work and gritty determination. Parenting is not always easy but it is possible to be come a successful parent.

Ten Tips for Kids to Have fun Safely

2009-05-20T04:38:00.000-07:00

With lighter evenings, sunny weekends and an anticipated long hot summer ahead we want our kids to have fun, minus the horrible stuff lurking in the background that most conscientious parents cannot ignore. We also want our kids to be creative, active and enriched with a degree of freedom that allows them to experience independence at a level appropriate to their age. Parenting involves thinking 24/7, it involves planning, diplomacy and strategising. Unfortunately unlike the worry free days of yore it's going to take a little planning. Schedules and lists are a fabulous way to organize the family - though this is completely optional. I do better writing things down, then when I have a thousand- and- one things on my mind I don't have to squeeze my brain too hard -just consult the notice board.

1. Have a list of chores that must be completed prior to recreational activities. This not only teaches responsibility but imbues a sense of confidence and satisfaction when a job is well done.

2. Seek out local organized activities - Boys Scouts, Youth Clubs, Sports Clubs/Camps, Bicycle Groups, Free Bowling, the list is endless. Gives children the independence from parents, yet in a supervised facility.
**Be very careful to properly research the facilities first, check all health and safety regulations. Ask as many questions as you need to - don't feel bad, these are your children you are responsible for them.You have a right to enquire about their safety. If staff become irate with your questioning that's a clear indication of where you don't want to send your child.

3.Organize day trips to outdoor recreation areas, parks adventure playgrounds etc. Allow your children to bring friends along. Again, stressing the importance of independence, establish boundaries and check points beyond which your child should not venture without your consent. OK bite the bullet, allow them a cell/mobile phone for emergencies. Use this phone to touch base with your child if they are not within eye sight. This will of course depend largely on the age of the child and parental discretion is therefore necessary. Take something to do for yourself; catch up on some reading, crafts, take a friend along yourself and catch upon some good old goss.

4. Invest in season passes for local theme/water parks. Again, giving strict instructions regarding boundaries, meeting points and pick-up points. Make sure you have a means of contacting them in case of emergencies or park closures due to inclement weather and other adverse situations. This will generally be suitable for the older child).

5. Organize trips to the library. Upon arrival allow your child to visit the department of his choice to browse or to just sit and read. You do the same. Agree upon a meeting time. Taking the books home allows for a more sedate activity to be worked into an otherwise active schedule.

NEXT...
Five more top tips on ensuring safety and fun all in one!

Healthy Eating

2009-01-24T12:44:00.000-08:00

I promised myself that I would not talk about childhood obesity. I promised that I would not jump on the bandwagon of seeking out the 'fat' kids and cast aspersions on their parents. I promised that I would leave that to those who enjoy singling out defective sections of our society.
So I have no intention of explaining that childhood obesity centers around an imbalance between energy in (calories obtained from food) and energy out (calories expended in the basal metabolic rate and physical activity). Neither will I tell you that childhood obesity most likely results from an interaction of nutritional, psychological, familial, and physiological factors.
I have no interest in the fact that a recent study found that at least 20 children have been put under care orders because they are obese. Who cares that medics now believe that extreme cases of overfeeding should be seen as neglect or abuse.
I am actually bored by the fact that the British Medical Association will be meeting on this issue later this month and that the current consensus is that if a child is malnourished it is a cause for public concern, yet there is outrage regarding obesity only in extreme cases. It therefore doesn't matter that the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health advise caution when considering penalties towards parents of obese children, suggesting that care orders should be used only in extreme cases.
As for me - I want no part of it!

Letter to Michelle Obama

2008-12-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

Why Homeschooling should be considered for the Obama Girls

Dear Michelle,

Choosing a school can be such a difficult task, but when you are the first lady it can seem like an impossible one ( I'm sure). There are so many things to consider, but most of all, the biggest concern by far is the security of these precious children. This is why I am recommending that homeschooling be considered as an option for the Obama girls. Yes I know the first argument of the nay-sayers is 'what about the social development?' This is an age old argument which has no scientific basis or supporting evidence to suggest that homeschoolers are less prepared for the world socially than their schooled counterparts. In fact when you think about it twenty-four hour body guards and secret service personnel in the playground strikes me as being far more socially stigmatizing. Homeschoolers have a rich social life and most parents make it their duty to involve their children in a variety of activities in which they have numerous opportunities to integrate with other children. In fact just last night I was invited to attend a concert put on by a homeschool woodwind band. We were also entertained with ballet, choral pieces, prose and solos. Today I visited a homeshool group's end of term show- and- tell presentation where we were entertained by drama groups, spanish groups, gross and fine motor groups (just to name a few); kids of all ages coming together to display their talents; it was amazing. Through the homeschool networks friendships have been forged and it is obvious that these are well adjusted, well rounded, very intelligent children.
Now I know as first lady this may strike one as a difficult undertaking, with all the upcoming commitments and appointments in view. However, as astute as I know you are - as well as passionate about your children I believe that you will be able to manipulate your schedule for the benefit of your children. It is also in your power to solicit any help that you may require, even if it calls for a resident tutor.
The statistics show that homeschoolers are performing significantly better than their mainstreamed counterparts; their grades are head and shoulders above the rest. There is nothing to loose - this is a win-win situation.
Having said all of the above, I am not condemning your choice of education (as I have children that have done very well in both public and private education) I am merely suggesting that you consider the alternatives - it's all about CHANGE!
With deepest respect and admiration.
Jay

Teens Revisited

2008-11-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

Many parents of teenagers find themselves increasingly being left in the dark when it comes to matters of the heart and issues of a personal nature. I have spoken to so many parents who felt this transition happened literally overnight. One day they existed as the be all and end all to their helpless and completely dependent miniature version of themself who sought their approval before making the smallest of decisions. The next they were locking horns with an unrecognizable body-snatcher who just wanted to be left alone and given some SPACE. Often the friction resulting from this transition leads to anxiety, arguments and suspicion between parents and teens. For many parents, not knowing means not trusting. But this really ought not to be the case.
Fortunately for most families, it is extremely unlikely that arguments during teenage years will cause family relationships to break down permanently. The conflict, although frequent and upsetting, is generally less serious than people think. In fact some researchers see an argument as a positive event. When young people argue with their parents they are learning the art of negotiation, an essential social skill for later life. Teenagers certainly seem to know how far they can push their parents. When they see they are near breaking point they usually back off. (Your response at times can often spark something of a buzz in particularly testy teens – so don’t rise to it)
Parents can be reassured that most teenagers still value their parents’ opinion and will turn to them for help when they are in trouble. Children need to make boundaries between themselves and their parents if they are to become adults. They want to be free of their parents' control and take charge of their own life. Many of us are under the misconception that we need to control our teens. Children respond negatively to being controlled and it doesn’t do their self esteem any favours either. Rather than trying to control their children parents will invariably find that influencing their children through modelling appropriate behaviour, values and attitudes is a much more effective tool.
If your child needs more space then you have a duty to respect that requirement. Not to relinquish all parental responsibility, nor allow them to go hog-wild, but rather to instil confidence in them, shadow them and offer suggestions rather than give direct orders. There are times in all of our households where a firm directive is required. But we are the adults; so let’s use our judgement, choose our battles and guide our teens through this difficult and often unpredictable period.

A New Dawn

2008-11-06T09:52:00.000-08:00

I never really felt a true connection to the pledge, though we do it every morning; hand on heart eyes forward. I never really understood why people always referred to this as the Greatest Nation when I perceived so much injustice and pain. I never felt moved to tears when I joined in with the "Star Spangled Banner", it was actually quite a confusing song until we broke it down in our unit study. I 'liked' America, I was fond of it's uniqueness, the quirkiness of the people and the scope for diversity.
My children are American, my husband is American so it is important to me to understand American-ness (just made that up) - but I didn't. To me it was not the land of opportunity that everyone talked about. I witnessed immigrants turned down for opportunities of citizenship and a better life. I have experienced the cut-throat mentality of educators, college professors and Deans trying to hold students back, when their job description depicts the contrary. I have seen an education system that shouts 'no child left behind', but screams 'not my problem'. So for years I have been confused, I've tried to 'get it', and when I didn't I resigned myself to the notion that maybe it is something outside of me; you either felt it or you didn't.
In almost everything I do, I have a desperate need to understand it, to break it down into a logical order that makes sense to me. If this doesn't happen I feel disconnected and eventually stop trying to understand. This is where I was with the Grand Old US of A. I am here because the people I love are here, this is where they belong, and by default where I belong (UK ex-pat). So I was happy to make the best of it in a disconnected sort of way - and be content.
But on the 4th November 2008 everything changed. I was not anticipating this. I was excited about the whole election race and all the hysteria that went with it, but I did not expect it to change me.
You see it's not really about me, it's about our children. I have always looked at them as brilliant, exceptional human beings. I am frightened by what I have been given to be a steward over. I feel unworthy and often worry that I am unqualified for this awesome task; I need to get this right. They have been blessed with so much. When I look at them I see potential, I see brilliance, I see grace - but sometimes niggling at the back of my mind I would also see challenges, struggle and fight.
Now though, added to the equation I also see hope and endless possibilities. When I look up I no longer see a ceiling.
Today, I can truly say that I am proud of America, I am excited for what the future holds. Not because of his race, but because he is the right man for the job. Only a GREAT NATION could achieve what we did on November 4th 2008.

2008-10-31T06:13:00.000-07:00

How to Celebrate Halloween the Christian way (Oohhh, oxymororon!)
How About; How not to Celebrate Halloween

It has come to that time of year again where many of us struggle with decisions on how to handle Halloween. There are many who stand by their convictions and choose not to indulge at all. And there are others who feel compelled to allow their children to join in with the festivities so as not to make them feel 'left-out'. Whatever your decision, stay true to your convictions and make sure you explain to your children your philosophy as a family.

Things You’ll Need:
Full sized pumpkin
Watermelon
Appropriate carving tools
Candy
A sense of humor

Step 1

Fully research the history of Halloween and teach it to your children in a manner appropriate to their ages.

Step 2
Explain to your child what your beliefs are and how they either line up with, or conflict with Halloween.

Step 3
It's OK to change the name of the occasion to suit your family; we call it Costume Day. We use it as an opportunity to dress up, act a little crazy, and consume copious amounts of candy once a year.

Step 4
If you are not keen on the whole pumpkin idea, try carving a watermelon with a family friendly theme.

Step 5
I usually wait until the 31st to buy candy, when it has all been marked down in a desperate attempt to get rid of the surplus. It's a risk, but there is usually some left; enough to get you through the evening.

Step 6
Most of all have fun and be guided by your convictions, not the pressure of society.

If for no other reason, you are preventing a major egging of your beautiful home.

Ohh, ggotta go. Se if there's any candy left at Walmart.

Eat your GREENS!!!!

2008-10-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

Now this is a subject that has been bothering me for quite some time and I think I'll simply explode if I don't get it off my chest. It is an issue that every now and then pops in to visit me to let me know it's still lurking. So here I go.
We had a great summer, in fact it was fabulous because we had the rare opportunity to spend some well needed quality time together as a family. It was heavenly. We went to Disney (again), hung out with family, laughed, played, ate and ate some more. This is where I need to pause. It was on one of those wondrous occasions that my old friend returned to visit me. All our family (immediate and extended) were seated around the table and in my usual manner I took on the role of server with our host. While the meal was being served I heard my youngest refuse a serving of rice that he was being offered. I immediately knew from the kitchen that this was going to be an issue, not a big one, but an issue nevertheless. I could feel the raised eyebrows burning through the kitchen wall. You see the cultural melting pot that we have come to love as our family has for many generations used rice as a staple. As a child I remember having rice every day of my life, except Fridays when we had fish and chips (fries Stateside). There was no question as to whether we liked it or not, it's what was for dinner. YOU ATE IT. I actually remember hearing my sister say she hated rice and I thought she was lying, trying to get attention or something. 'How could you not like rice?'. So that was the way we grew up.
Then I became a mom and we had our own two chickadees who came with new and exciting taste preferences of their own. To be fair our eldest's preference was food, more food and always more chicken. That was simple enough. L'il Bit however began life pretty much eating everything we gave him, some things however he ate under duress. As he got older he increasingly began to request 'no rice', which at first was very disconcerting to me. It was our staple, it was what we ate! More and more I noticed that he really did not like rice so I decided to do a mental assessment. Does he eat vegetables? Yes he does, he loves vegetables. Does he eat fruit? Yes he does he loves fruit. As a matter of fact LB loved fruit and veg more than anyone else in our family. So then I asked, 'what nutritional value would he loose by not eating rice?' I didn't know so I did the research - and guess what I found out. The rice that we have traditionally been feeding our children, white rice, bleached and loaded with starch has zero nutritional benefits. If we were to truly attempt to derive nutritional benefit from rice then we would have been feeding our children Brown Basmati Rice for generations. But the truth is we have not. We have been following a tradition which is essentially of no value. When I discussed this with my husband he made the very valid point that rice is used as a filler so that the children do not get hungry again too soon after meals. Very good pint indeed. However, with careful planning it is possible to feed our children with a balanced enough meal, consisting of enough protein and carbohydrates that they will not get hungry again too soon, but rather will be energized by the food provided for them.
So what is the massage here? Before we dive blindly into the feeding traditions handed down to us by our parents, can we first do a little research to find out what the long term ramifications may be. Within our community many, many of our senior folk are suffering with high blood pressure. Research has found a direct link to the starchy foods consumed in high proportions by this community.
It is therefore my plea that we take a little time on this end of our children's lives to make educated decisions about their diets, so that they don't have to spend their adult lives undoing the damage done to their bodies.

How to Survive the Credit Crunch

2008-10-13T05:54:00.001-07:00

(Now I would love to take the credit for this next article because it is truly inspired. However my wonderful husband is something of a Guru in this area and has some very solid advice on how to survive the current economic crisis.)

The day is here where your credit score really is the key to your finances.

Expect to pay more for car insurance and every type of credit this year based on your credit score. Salary is important but truly the name of the game is credit score now.
20% down and a min credit score of 740 is the norm now to purchase a house.

Credit lines are being decreased and creditors do not care how well you have paid your account to date. What matters is what percentage of your balance is being carried month to month.

Sacrifice now to enjoy the rewards later.

1. Check credit reports for mistakes. By law, you can get your credit report free once a year from each of the major consumer credit reporting agencies. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com to get a copy online. You are also due a free copy if you are a victim of identity fraud or if you've been turned down recently for credit, employment or insurance, based on your credit information. To keep better tabs on your credit, request one free report from a different agency every four months, instead of ordering one from all three agencies at the same time. If you see something off base, contact the credit-reporting agency immediately to correct the error.

2. Know your credit score. Your credit score is a three-digit number that reflects whether you are a good credit risk. The scale generally runs from 300 to 850 — the higher, the better. A late payment or notice that your account has been sent to a collection agency can subtract 35 to 100 points from your credit score. Aiming for 740 is a good score. Though you can get your credit report free, you'll have to pay for your credit score.

3. Pay your bills on time. This is the single most important thing you can do to affect your score. Currently, under the credit scoring system developed by Fair Isaac Corp., known as FICO, 35% of your credit score is derived from how well you pay your bills on time. For more, see fico.com. Not good about getting things done on time? Consider setting up automatic payment plans so you don't miss the due date.

4. Repair your credit. If your score is below 700, chances are that too much debt, medical bills, overdependence on credit cards; poor student loans repayment or overdue utility bills may be the cause. If that is so, begin bringing down debts aggressively, contact creditors, and make payment arrangements today. Pay debts starting with the one that has the highest interest rate.

"Lenders compare your debt-to-income ratio to determine the amount of money you can borrow for a loan," "Excessive debt will lower your credit score and reduce your buying power."

5. Use credit cards wisely. If credit card use has put you in financial despair, consider cutting up all but one card once you've paid off the balances. Don't close the accounts — accounts that stay open a long time help build good credit. Keep one card active once your debt is under control. Using that card responsibly can help you rebuild a solid credit record. Never carry a balance of more than 50% on any credit card. Using over 50% is a red flag to credit grantors and lowers your credit score.

6. Be persistent in credit repair. Bad credit cannot be fixed without effort. If you're paying your debt and staying current with your bills, you should begin to see up ticks in your score within a few months. It can take as little as six weeks and as long as two years, depending on the amount and type of damage. A 50- to 100-point improvement in your credit score can save hundreds to thousands of dollars in interest charges on a loan. Quite simply good credit can change the way you live.

7. Beware of credit repair scams. There are tons of services that make all kinds of promises, from fixing your credit score to eliminating debt. Take charge of your own situation. Look at your own report. Contact the lender or creditor. Attempt a resolution. No success? call again the next day and talk to another representative. No success? Call again in a month, call near the end of the month and attempt a resolution. You can generally solve your own issues best. Repairing your own credit is an investment in you.

And finally, don’t panic –survive!

Photo:smallbiztechnology.com

Oooh, Happy Birthday Ellie!!!!

2008-10-11T15:28:00.001-07:00

On Oct. 11, 1884, Eleanor Roosevelt, the American first lady, social reformer, diplomat and author, was born. Following her death on Nov. 7, 1962, her obituary appeared in The Times

How y'all doing?

2008-10-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

Image (www.modernartimages.com)

Well I'm back! Took a little sabbatical since I decided to plan for myself the craziest, most hectic four month period in history. But now that I'm back from the Silly Isles (that's a real place! different spelling of course - and no I didn't really go there) I'll be blogging up a storm. I have so much to share. So many new and exciting things going on.
Hey, how d'ya like the new pink backdrop? Actually I'm doing it in observance of national breast cancer awareness month. Ladies, get those mammograms done! Yes I know, it's daunting, but we need to do it!
Anyway watch this space, just wanted to touch bases. Until next time.
Jay

Remedy Update

2008-05-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

As I promised here is my update on the seasonal allergies nightmare. The locally sourced honey in NC worked like a charm. I only gave LB a couple of doses and he was fine for the rest of the week. Back in the UK, since spring often forgets to come we began to think that we had been spared the misery of the UK allergy season - but OH MY DAYS!!!!!! - WHAM came the allergies, more commonly referred to as Hay Fever here. As I mentioned before BB does not suffer at all in the UK, poor LB on the other hand is having a horrible time. He is beginning to look as though he has done a couple of rounds with what's his name - Mayweather? Merryweather? y'know the boxer! Puffy red eyes, sneezing, irritated nose etc but fortunately I have some locally sourced Birmingham honey. So far it does not seem to be having the same effect as the NC honey. I am really trying hard not to medicate but I cannot let him suffer much longer. Have to sort out a miracle cure TODAY!

April Fool, Oh So Cruel!

2008-04-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

Picture: south.com

So where did it all start. Well according to popular belief April Fool's day began as a part of the Vernal Equinox celebrations which took place usually around March 25th. There are actually many explanations of it's origin but I'm going to talk about the ones I like the best.
Remember Chaucer; notorious Classical writer of the 14th century? His writings show the earliest record of any reference made to April Fool's in his story 'The Nun's Priest's Tale'. It is about two fools and takes place thirty two days from the beginning of March - April 1st!
Also of notable mention is the fact that prior to the establishment of the Gregorian Calendar New Years day originally fell on the first day of April. In Europe prior to the 1500's it was customary to deliver and exchange gifts to friends and relatives to celebrate the 'new beginnings' on April 1st. However in 1564 Charles IX decided that he liked January 1st better and declared it as the replacement New Year (can he do that?). Anyway, there were many who opposed this change and others who were just not aware of it - naturally these people became easy prey for practical jokers who would fool them with felicitous gifts and pranks ostensibly celebrating the New Year. And naturally the tradition continued.

And if you believe any of the above then...

No seriously, these are actual theories. And yes I know the joke would be on me since it's after 12pm and blah, blah, blah...

So if you've been caught out today - sorry! If you haven't then like me you have been spared the indignity and humiliation of looking like a twerp. Well done!

Is it just a bit of fun or is it a day that the vulnerable among us dread? Dunno really, maybe it depends on which end of the prank you are sitting.

Have fun! Be Nice!

Remedies

2008-03-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

As most of us know we are entering that time of year when at last we can put away our gloves, hats scarves and overcoats, in addition to shedding the three extra layers of thermal insulation. It is also the time of year when unfortunately many of our kids endure the misery of sneezing their little noses off, resisting the urge to rub those itchy red eyes and try desperately to scratch an itch located somewhere between the back of the throat and nasal passage.
Interestingly my eldest BB having spent his first nine years in Virginia suffered terribly with allergies until we went to England where they completely vanished.
Conversely LB who was completely unaffected developed allergies almost immediately. Now that we are currently in NC I find both boys are showing symptoms. Not Good!

Now being a mom who resists the urge to use medication unless it is an absolute necessity, I have tried several methods to combat the misery caused by seasonal allergies without great results. However, lately I have come across articles that recommend the use of local honey to combat the effects of allergies. According to research it is suggested that by administering daily doses of locally produced honey one can expect to see a great improvement in the condition. So of course I had to try it. (My Brother calls me an advertiser's dream). We visited the farmers market over the weekend and purchased a jar of local honey. I have been giving daily doses of it to LB and expect to see a miraculous result of some kind (ha!). I do have concerns about sweet stuff in the diet so I am giving only a teaspoonful daily diluted with an equal amount of water (I actually don't know what the recommended dose is). Now, it may be a little too soon to tell but LB is really not sneezing or feeing congested right now - unlike the first day after we arrived.
So watch this space - I'll let you know how it goes.

Also

I SWEAR BY........

Garlic. Yes garlic! It is a miracle cure in my home. Particularly for colds and related symptoms. It is very useful on its own crushed and infused with hot water; letting it simmer for about five minutes I find is most effective. It is best taken neat, but in an attempt to avoid a rebellion I allow LB a little juice with his. It usually knocks out a severe cold in one day.

I also came up with what I call the LOOGI remedy. Combine Lemon (juice), Onion, Oregano, Garlic and INFUSE with about a quarter cup of water (5 mins). It really works for colds.

NOW FOR THE DISCLAIMER:

I AM NOT A DOCTOR NEITHER AM I MEDICALLY TRAINED IN ANY CAPACITY. THESE ARE PERSONAL REMEDIES THAT WORK FOR ME. TRY THEM IF YOU WISH. OR DON'T. It's okay I won't be offended, really I won't.

Have a great day one and all!!

Easter Bunny Blues

2008-03-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine has decided that now is the right time to tell her daughter that the Easter Bunny isn't real. Are we confusing our children by telling them about the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus only to 'un-tell' them at the age of 10 and 11? Are we telling them that fibs are okay as long as WE tell them? I wonder...

Sooo Good to be Back!

2008-03-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

Well I bet you thought you'd never hear from me again, WRONG! I just took a little sabbatical but I'm here to stay now. Can't get rid of me that easily.

Watch this space - more to come.

Summer Log

2007-07-27T00:38:00.000-07:00

So the summer holidays (vacation to the State Side readers) are here but where in the world have I been, I hear you ask. Well the first week is always a menagerie of caching up with the 1001 things that have been grossly neglected, rejected and put to rest while the demands of the school term took over my life. But life goes on I hear you say, we all have demands - yeh, I know - you're a gazillion times more organized than me OK! I'm calm. So with only six days to go before we also go stateside my daily schedule begins in ernest. We have done our resting and chillin, found old toys and books that have not been seen for months, doug out our bikes, skateboards, heelys, jump-ropes you name it;we even sampled life as couch potatoes for a WHOLE DAY (heaven forbid!). But since I'm a mom that knows that old fella 'WASTED TIME' who has a best mate called 'REGRET' always lurking close behind I need to crack the whip a little. Not to take the fun out of summer but rather to pack it with memories. There's nothing worse than having the end of the summer creep up on you and you wonder where the time went and what you did; you have no memories of anything significant that happened. It's no surprise that sometimes our chickadees appreciate a little help with coming up with things to do, considering the creative part of their brain is also on vacation: So our summer of 'supervised freedom' begins.

TODAY
To offset our carbon footprints we will PARK and RIDE. We will drive the short distance to the metro (train/subway) station and ride the metro into town (our wonderful Bull Ring Shopping Center). Today is bookstore day.

You know.....

The great thing about reading is that even if it not possible to physically travel, books can take you anywhere and everywhere. Seriously, encourage your kids to read, read, read! It opens up a whole new world of experience, fantasy and knowledge. Last week I was so engrossed in the book I was reading I now have to stop myself from believing that I have actually been to Afghanistan.

Word of the Day

2007-07-27T00:36:00.000-07:00

Hybridize (v): To produce or give life.

Word of the Day

2007-07-06T05:42:00.000-07:00

Blogcation n: Taking a small vacation from bloggging for much needed inventory, stock taking and massively neglected responsibilties. HOWEVER - you won't find it in the dictionary. Ha, I made it up.

Manners to be taught is schools

2007-07-06T04:56:00.000-07:00

So the word on the street today is that the Government is forking out a huge sum of money for the purpose of teaching manners to children in schools - since as the big wigs assume, most kids don't have any. Now, and please forgive the despair in my tone; if there is money to be spent on education why oh why is it not being spent on measures to ensure that children will leave full time education with a rudimentary knowledge off the three R's? I am exhausted at the amount of school leavers that I come across who are unable to string a complete sentence together or write a formal letter. There is a dire need for teachers who are qualified, not just on paper but in practical terms to impart useful knowledge to children that will equip them for a successful future. I guess in some ways I hold to traditional values in that I believe after spending a huge percentage of life in the classroom children should have something to show for it.
I have no real objections to the suggestion of manners being taught and I reflect the sentiments that many kids today are lacking in certain areas. However the learning of manners begins very early in life, it starts even before a child can construct a full sentence. There are so many levels involved in the impartation of acceptable behaviour it could not possibly be effectively instilled in the classroom. Attempting to teach manners to a 15 year old is a waste of resources; a measure that is essentially a day late and a dollar short. There is a fundamental difference between teaching and reinforcing, the latter of which is effective in the classroom.
It is therefore the responsibility of parents to impart their knowledge of the world, of good and evil, of right and wrong to their children. Many argue that the young parents of today don't have the skills themselves. WRONG, they do, most parents have been brought up with a general understanding of right and wrong but choose not (or simply fail) to pass this knowledge on to their children for whatever reason: not around their children enough, working lengthy hours, lack of communication due to the techno/cyber age - who knows. Parents need to go back to what they learnt as children, revisit their own childhoods and pick up where their own parents left off. We all have a responsibility to do our part in creating a healthy wholesome, and safe environment for those who come after us. If we slack off on our responsibilities we are teaching the next generation that that is the thing to do. It's just not O.K to load our responsibilities off onto teachers who are employed to impart knowledge, not raise our kids.
Now what I would support is an enhancement of what has already been learnt in the home. You may argue that with the diversity of cultures in our schools it would impossible to establish a general rule. WRONG again, with slight variations, there are general codes of conduct which transcend all cultures and religious backgrounds. Generally speaking the rules of the indigenous population carry. So how about this, rather than attempt to teach manners and respect, try teaching social etiquette, customs, traditions: - which fork to use for the salad, do you wait for everyone to receive their food before eating; how to use chopsticks properly, how to use cous cous as a spoon; is it rude to slurp in a tepanyaki restaurant. Don't know about anyone else but these are the lessons that would have been valuable to me and money well spent at my school - not to mention FUN.

Wild Weather Weekend

2007-06-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

(photo: www.cynical-c.com) - OK so I exaggerate a little.

Now I don't usually talk about mundane thing like the weather but -OH MY GOODNESS!!! What happened in the midlands today. For the last 24 hours we have been under siege. Severe thunder storms, tornados, flooding (I mean serious FLOODING) and unimaginable travel delays - even my big bro. was scared (shhh don't tell him I told you that). Did the world end?

Word of the Day

2007-06-15T11:42:00.000-07:00

Obese (adj): Grossly overweight; having excess body fat.

Not Childhood Obesity Again!

2007-06-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

Word of the Day

2007-06-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Salvitas (n): Medieval Latin for 'safety'.

Ten Tips for Kids to have Fun Safely (continued)

2007-06-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

6. it's not old fashioned to believe the old adage 'There's safety in numbers'. Teach your children to always take a friend when playing or going somewhere. Remember that even older children should not go to a public convenience alone.

7. Remind your child to stay on familiar paths. Children (esp. younger children) should never take shortcuts without their parents' permission.

8. Teach your children to trust their instincts. Often when something doesn't feel right, it usually isn't. Teach your child to have the confidence to remove him or herself from uncomfortable situations and raise the alarm if at all possible.

9. Put non-identifiable clothes on your children. Kids should not wear clothes or carry items with their name on the outside. Someone may try to trick them by calling their name. However, remaining with clothing it is always a good idea to dress your child in bright colours or unique yet subtle markers so you can keep your eye on them in a crowd without imposing on their space.

10. Regularly practice basic safety skills with your children. Should your child become lost or separated from you, teach them not to panic. Identify beforehand the safest place they should go to wait for you, or teach them to contact an appropriate adult to ask for help in reuniting them with you, such as a uniformed security guard or law-enforcement officer, store salesperson with a nametag, a mother with children, or the person in the information booth. Children should never search for you by themselves, and should never, ever go off alone with anyone who claims to be trying to reunite them with you.

Trust your instincts, know your child's weaknesses, strengths and limitations and allow your child a level of independence based on that knowledge.
As with all thing success comes with hard work and gritty determination. Parenting is not always easy but it is possible to be come a successful parent

On this Day in History

2007-06-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

1893 : Gandhi's first act of civil disobedience.

Mohandas K. Ghandi was forcibly ejected from a train in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa for refusing to comply with racial segregation rules. Ghandi made history several times over for his remarkable stance on peace and humanitarianism.

Ten Tips for Kids to have Fun Safely

2007-06-07T04:26:00.000-07:00

Continuing with our discussion:

With lighter evenings, sunny weekends and an anticipated long hot summer ahead we want our kids to have fun, minus the horrible stuff lurking in the background that most conscientious parents cannot ignore. We also want our kids to be creative, active and enriched with a degree of freedom that allows them to experience independence at a level appropriate to their age. Parenting involves thinking 24/7, it involves planning, diplomacy and strategising. Unfortunately unlike the worry free days of yore it's going to take a little planning. Schedules and lists are a fabulous way to organize the family - thought this is completely optional. I do better writing things down, then when I have a thousand- and- one things on my mind I don't have to squeeze my brain too hard just consult the notice board.

1. Have a list of chores that must be completed prior to recreational activities. This not only teaches responsibility but imbues a sense of confidence and satisfaction when a job is well done.

2.Seek out local organized activities - Boys Scouts, Youth Clubs, Sports Clubs/Camps, Bicycle Groups, the list is endless. Gives children the independence from parents, yet in a supervised facility.
**Be very careful to properly research the facilities first, check all health and safety regulations. Ask as many questions as you need to - don't feel bad, these are your children you are responsible for them and have a right to enquire about their safety. If staff become irate with your questioning that's a clear indication of where you don't want to send your child.

3.Organize day trips to outdoor recreation areas, parks adventure playgrounds etc. Allow your children to bring friends along. Again, stressing the importance of independence, establish boundaries and check points beyond which your child should not venture without your consent. OK bite the bullet, allow them a cell/mobile phone for emergencies. Use this phone to touch bases with your child if they are not within e sight. This will of course depend largely on the age of the child and parental discretion is therefore necessary. Take something to do for yourself; catch up on some reading, crafts, take a friend along yourself and catch upon some good old goss.

4. Invest in season passes for local theme/water parks. Again giving strict instructions regarding boundaries, meeting points and pick-up points. Make sure you have a means of contacting them in case of emergencies or park closures due to inclement weather and other adverse situations. This will generally be suitable for the older child).

5. Organize trips to the library. Upon arrival allow your child to visit the department of his choice to browse or to just sit and read. You do the same. Agree upon a meeting time. Taking the books home allows for a more sedate activity to be worked into an otherwise active schedule.

TOMORROW...
Five more top tips on ensuring safety and fun all in one!

The New Age of Ten

2007-06-05T03:22:00.000-07:00

This OR

As the summer draws close I am reminded of a time when we were footloose and fancy free. At around the age of 10 the summer holidays meant EVERYTHING. Everything throughout the year was a build up to the summer holidays. It was a time of fun, adventure, friends, ice-cream, mud pies, ant farms (and of course the odd ant -sun-magnifying glass experiment). I remember us (my siblings) waking up each morning with nothing but fun and adventure on our minds. Family excursions were actually something of an inconvenience at that time. We went scrumping for apples, built secret dens and clubhouses; there was even a place which all I can describe as, was a giant crater in the middle of nowhere where we would take our bikes and scramble from the top to the bottom at full speed (the thought of it today fill me with dread). We went for long walks, discovered new places - places we thought only we knew about. We made new friends, lost friends, made up with them again. We went home only for meals, bathroom breaks and twilight. We WERE the famous five! We had not a care in the world, but more importantly - neither did our parents. These were not neglectful parents who didn't care where their children were or what they were up to, these were parents who were confident that their children were safe; in a community they felt secure in - and were happy that their children were getting fresh air, forging social relationships and enjoying a safe healthy environment. So what about our 10 +/-'s today? We are all aware of how the world has changed and it would be inconceivable for most of us to allow our children to get up to the things we did as children - as much as I would love them to have the childhood I had. So what we have emerging is a new kind of ten year old. A ten (+/-) year old that has to stay much closer to home and constantly under the watchful eye of a significant elder. A discussion on BBC Radio 4 about this today suggested that children will ultimately suffer developmentally and emotionally as a result of not being able to creatively play, hang out with friends and enjoy freedom in their neighborhoods without the threat of the constant dangers we hear about everyday in the headlines.
So how do we help our new generation of 10's not to become couch potatoes, computer dependent home -bodies who lack the enriching experience of special friendships and lifelong memories?
Lucky for us as humans we naturally evolve and children adapt to their surroundings without being aware that the are lacking in any way; the problem is - WE KNOW! And we often don't feel great about it. We know that there is so much more. Even though many of us are very active with our kids, we spend quality time, do great trips, give them the best education, the best stuff - there's still more.
Are parents being overprotective? Should we allow our children more independence and freedom?
Tomorrow I'll be discussing all of the above plus I'll be making some suggestions about how to maximize childhood experiences given the new constraints we have to deal with. I'll be looking at how new traits have developed within this age group, how being more home/technology based is possibly producing a more analytical child - is that so bad?And most importantly how to strike a balance. See you next time.

Talk to me! I'm listening.

2007-05-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

Keep those comment coming. I'm going to keep this going for a couple of days. So, what are you waiting for - VENT!

OK, Here's the Thing...

2007-05-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

(Image:appraisalnewsonline)

So I came online with the intention to excuse myself from posting today and to lament about the enourmous amount of work I have to do for a paper that is due on Friday. Now as a mom I can multi-task with the best of 'em; but with Li'l Bit's untimely bout of the Flu, Big Byte recruiting me as Mommy Motivator to help with strategies for revision -home made flash cards, colour coding and so on; a little freelance writing project to complete (also by Friday) and my hundred-and -one other day to day routines notwithstanding, I'm feeling just a tinsy winsy bit over-extended! Is there enough coffee in the world to get me through this, I hear myself asking.
HOWEVER, moments ago I got this fabulous idea. My paper is about teaching stlyes and how they can affect student outcomes. I'm interested in finding out about how different teachers affect students' experience and the extent to which a teacher's stlye can have a lasting effect on a student's life. THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN. I'd be really interested to hear about the effects on your life (or other's lives) that a particular teacher or several teachers have had, and how important you think a teacher's attitude, mannerisms, style and knowledge is. This would make me very happy, so happy I would thank you, many times. Maybe even mow your lawn, walk your dog, do you like diamonds?
Look forward to hearing from you. Start writing!

Word of the Day

2007-05-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

Ouch! Is it just mine that hurts?

Imbibe(n): To receive into the mind and retain. As in ideas or knowledge.

Word of the Day

2007-05-28T04:26:00.000-07:00

Delectation (n): To experience delight of enjoyment.

**Which is exactly what I am wishing for all readers everywhere. Have a great Bank Holiday Monday and a super Memorial day. I'm on my way to do just that. See you tomorrow!

Have a Great Memorial Day Weekend to all our Readers in the US

2007-05-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

And a special mention goes out to VW who is a modest yet exceptional serviceman. God bless him and all of the brave troops who are serving their country in these difficult times.

Sanapshot of Half-Term Events around the UK - May 2007

2007-05-26T01:43:00.000-07:00

Surely it can't be half-term again? Well, whether you're looking forward to spending time with the kids, or you have other things planned here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Countrywide Events

Berkshire: Attenshun!
Date: REME, Arborfield, Reading
Location: Wed 30 May - Fri 1 June 2007, 11-3.30pm
Activities: Enjoy a trip to one of the REME Museum of Technology's Sounds and Signals half-term activity days. The assault courses, water jumps and marching training are all suitable for ages 5-12, but bring a change of outfit!
www.rememuseum.org.uk

Cheshire: Green Fingers
Location: Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire
Location: 26- 28 May 200711.30-4pm
Activities: Discover the Tudor Knot garden at its best and see how many varieties of birds your children can spot around the estate. Why not let them try their hand at gardening by learning how to sow a seed, take it home and watch it grow.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Clwyd: Knights and Princesses
Location: Chirk Castle, Wrexham
Date: Thursday 31 May 2007 from 12-4pm
Activities: Queen Joanna requests the presence of all bold knights and beautiful princesses to her Castle for a fun filled day. Activities include a Knight's quest through the State Rooms, trail in the gardens and best dressed knight & princess competition.
www.chirk.com

East Midlands: Just For Kids
Location: Nottingham, Leicester, Derby
Date: 28 May-10 June 2007
Activities: More than 10,000 people went to last year's The Spark - Britain's largest children's arts festival. Highlights for 2007 include breakdance workshops by the Hip Hop Collective, a baby rave for parents and the under-4s as well as countless performances by visiting theatre groups.
www.sparkfestival.co.uk

Kent: King Of The Castle
Location: The Knight's Realm, Leeds Castle, Kent
Date: Every day
Activities: Let the kids blow off steam at Leeds Castle's newly-opened Knights Realm Playground. Over 5s will enjoy climbing the Maiden’s Tower or jousting along an aerial runway and there's a special toddler's playgound for the youngest family members.
www.leeds-castle.com

London: Design Museum Family Day
Location: Design Museum, Shad Thames
Date: Saturday 26 May 2007
Activities: The Design Museum opens its doors for an exciting day of fun, family friendly activities on Saturday 26 May. Highlights include family exhibition trails, drop-in design and make workshops, Meet the designer sessions, children’s exhibition tours, and the chance for families to design and eat their own gingerbread people.
www.designmuseum.org

London: The Long Weekend
Location: Tate Modern
Date: Sat 26 May - Mon 28 May 2007
Activities: From family fun in two giant yurts in the Tate Modern's front lawn to the welcome return of The Great Turbine Challenge, the hugely popular 3000 square foot board game created by set designer Delia Peel, this recurring festival has loads to offer children of all ages.
www.tate.org.uk

** A personal favourite of mine.

Northumbria: Art With Attitude
Location: Belsay House, Northumbria
Date: 5 May - 30 September 2007, 10am-5pm.
Activities: Picture House sees the magnificent empty and austere nineteenth century Belsay Hall Castle and gardens transformed by film directors, sound and music producers, performers, artists and fashion designers. Children and adults alike will love this amazing exhibition which is bound to get everyone talking.
www.picturehousebelsay.co.uk

Perthshire: The Big Bang
Location: Perth Racecourse, Perth
Date: 26 May 2007, 5pm.
Activities: The Scottish Fireworks championships are a must for anyone who enjoys a good display. Three companies will compete to win the Scottish heat of the British championships - each will put on a 10 minute display of the biggest and best fireworks you may ever have seen. (eat you heart out 4th of July!)
www.britishfireworks.co.uk

Tyne & Wear: Bookworms
Location: Seven Stories, Newcastle
Date: 5 May - 30 September 2007, 10am-5pm.
Activities: The Centre for Children's Books has arranged a variety of children's activities over the summer half term. Events are free, including collage making, clown performances and for older kids script writing workshops, be aware however that some need to be pre-booked. Phone ahead to check.
www.sevenstories.org.uk

West Sussex: Horsing Around
Location: Petworth House, East Sussex
Date: Mon 28 to Wed 30 May 2007 12-4pm
Activities: Visit the Petworth hobbyhorses this half term and enjoy an afternoon 'horsing around'. Hobbyhorse quiz trail and crafts - help create a fantastic horsey mural, and a prize for the best 'pony picture' brought on the day.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Cambidgeshire

Saturday 26th May - Monday 28th May
Thomas The Tank Engine will be in steam at Nene Valley Railway this Bank Holiday weekend - booking is recommended on 01780 784444. Normal services will be running every day during half-term week, please check times with the railway before you travel!

Sunday 27th & Monday 28th May
The Farmland Museum celebrates its 10th anniversary of being at Denny Abbey with a Country Fair drawing together all areas of the museum's collections, from Victorian toys to Early Saxon settlements. 12-5pm, admission £4 adults, £1.70 children (under 5's free).

Monday 28th - Wednesday 30th May
Family activity days are being held at Wimpole Home Farm (11am-4pm Monday and Wednesday, 1.30-4pm Tuesday) - for more details visit www.wimpole.org.uk

Monday 28th May - Friday 1st June
Free family craft activities with a science fiction and space theme are being held every morning at Peterborough Museum from 10.30am-12.30pm. Entry is £2 for adults and £1 for children (under 5's free), with all proceeds going to the BBC Children in Need and Help the Aged charities.

West Midlands

Big Bonanza Book Bash at Cannon Hill Park

Sunday 27 and Monday 28 May, 12 noon-6pm Admission FREE

Two days of family fun at Cannon Hill Park during the Lord Mayor's Show. Meet poets, storytellers and authors and join in the activities. Plus bookstalls, children's book characters, mendhi and face painting.
More information on the Book Bash.

Summer Half-term Events

Highlights include the chance to see potty poet Chris White in action, enter the spellbinding world of storytellers Anamation or find out how to write thrillers with Joe Craig!
Find out more details about the half term events
Or have a look at the full programme listing: www.birmingham.gov.uk/

As always be safe, have fun and enjoy your time together. Even if the decision is to stay at home, be creative; do spring cleaning together, how about a little gardening. Try a carpet picnic - a good DVD and some naughty snacks. And I don't mean to contradict myself but - try to relax too!

On this Day in History

2007-05-24T11:09:00.001-07:00

1819 Queen Victoria was born in London.

Wi-fi Warfare

2007-05-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

Recently the Wifi revolution has been the subject of great debate within the media and the education system: Is it safe? Or is it harmful? Naturally parents are going to be concerned if there is a threat to the health of their children and though others consider it to be an overreaction to a media hype, it remains a valid concern until parents can categorically be assured that there is absolutely no risk - period! A recent report investigated the radiation emissions of Wifi systems in schools and compared them to those of mobile phone masts (a story that dominated the headlines last year when parents feared for the safety of their children who attended schools within close proximity of the masts). The masts are believed to be the cause of a rise in unusual illnesses in children; including many rare forms of cancer and brain tumours. The recent study of the Wifi systems in schools showed that they gave off an average of three times the emissions as those of mobile phone masts. Being a highly cyber-dependent family with computers in every uncaptured space this has been a source of great division in our household. My preference is to err on the side of caution - so as of 2 days ago we became wired again, limiting wireless usage to a bear minimum - for now!

Word of the Day

2007-05-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

Primogeniture (n): Firstborn- principle by which the right of inheritance belongs to the eldest son.

Easing Exam Anxiety

2007-05-21T03:45:00.000-07:00

(Picture:BBC News 24)

Its exam time again for many students across the country. (Many of our US readers will already have done them and are now skating down easy street for a nice long summer break). For super cool dudes like my Big Byte exam time is usually as stress free as any other time of the year; but for the majority of us mere mortals ( if my memory serves me correctly) it is a time of high anxiety, sleepless nights, last minute cramming and 'Dear God Let it be over!' moments. So what can be done to alleviate some of this unpleasantness?
An invaluable resource for quick tips and bullet points of note is the BBC Bitesize website. I cannot recommend this site enough for kids of all ages; it makes learning fun and completely comprehensive. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
It can actually be positive for students to feel anxious or nervous about exams. These feelings should be relatively short-lived and are an indication that they are taking the exams seriously. Experts suggest that tension can also serve to channel energy into the short-term task of exam preparation.

In the run-up to exams help your child by:

Attempting to demystify the exams as much as possible. Make sure they know where they will be taking the exams and what they can take in with them.
Talk about fears as they arise and offer them the chance to express their concerns. Offer reassurance when appropriate.
Encourage your child to pair up with others in his or her group. A system of 'revision buddies' can help students to talk about how their studies are going. They will be less likely to bottle-up fears.
Good quality sleep will serve your child well in the run-up to exams: the more hours they get before midnight the better.
Carefully monitor what they eat before and during the exams. High fat, high sugar and high caffeine foods will not optimise brain-function. Neither will going for long periods without eating a balanced meal.

Revision Tips:
Help you child to get organized. Valuable time can be lost through lack of organization
Help them to plan the weeks leading up to the exams, allowing time to cover the necessary topics without limiting relaxation time.
Avoid last-minute cramming.
Encourage them to talk to teachers and fellow students about difficulties as soon as they arise.
Remind them to take breaks often through any revision period: at least ten minutes every hour, if not more. Some form of physical movement helps to kick-start the brain. Stretching, walking and getting some fresh air will all help the learning process. Never let exercise become a luxury, it is a necessity for active brains.
Plan treats and activities. Intensive work and no play leads to despondency. Small tasks, followed by big rewards, help to pace them through anxious times.
You may not have been successful in education yourself, or you may indeed have been a high achiever; either way, you can be a tremendous support to your child. Knowing that they have you in their corner spurning them on is often enough to get them through.

Word of the Day

2007-05-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

Progeny (n): Descendants or children. Offspring.

How to Identify if Your Teen Needs Help or is in Trouble.

2007-05-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

1.Ask them! Have regular conversations to keep the lines of communication open.
2.Sudden onset of secrecy and avoidance.
3.Sudden and unreasonable outbursts of anger disproportionate to what has caused the anger.
4.Unauthorised absence, lateness, missing curfews and a struggle to come up with valid reasons for their behaviour.
5.Change in peer group with a reluctance to letting you meet the new friends.
6.Increased incidence of missing money and other valuables around the home.
7.A change in grades and attitude towards school in general.
8.Radical and severe mood swings, decreasing interest in usual activities.

This list is not exhaustive and there may be many other signs that are unique to your child and your situation. Also bear in mind that your child is going through many changes which may manifest themselves in one or several of the ways listed above. It is therefore important not to jump to conclusions. Find opportunities to spend time alone with your child. Try to think of something they like to do, and do it together. Be creative; join them in the kitchen on dish-night; catch them right before they go to sleep; take them shopping – your treat! Bake their favourite desert, on one condition – you do it together. Meal times are an invaluable time for touching bases with the family; insist on meals together – it may be the only time throughout the day that you get to eyeball your child. And finally, don’t try to be a hero, solicit the help of friends and family, you’d be surprised how many of the people around you have experienced similar situations. Parenting can be exhausting at times but remember that in having children you automatically by default become enrolled into the parenting community. Your instincts will direct you on who to turn to and how much help to accept. Remembering that hindsight is 20/20 strive to be proactive in your child’s life rather than reactive.

On this Day in History

2007-05-17T02:05:00.000-07:00

(USA)
On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court issued its landmark Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka ruling, which declared that racially segregated public schools were inherently unequal.

Word of the Day

2007-05-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Hope (v): To desire and expect.
*As four year old Maddie McCanne has now been missing for thirteen days after being abducted in Portugal, our HOPES and prayers go out for her and her family at this very difficult time.

Does your teen need a little more SPACE?

2007-05-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

Sats for Stats

2007-05-15T02:40:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or are there others out there who are just a little anxious about the direction of our state education? It's that time of year again when our primary schools fall silent, there is no running - ever! The teachers are on edge. And our children arrive home each evening looking somewhat bewildered. It's SATS week again! Now, I'm not criticizing the teachers because they (mostly) do a sterling job in our schools, given the limited resources and often overcrowded classrooms - not to mention the gross assumption that they are actually equipped to cater to the multiple learning modalities that enter their classrooms each year. My concern is that although assessments are a useful tool, we run the risk of misusing them in an attempt to produce figures for statistical analysis. For the past few years I have endured a churning sensation in my stomach as I silently observe the panic preparation in schools 2-3 weeks before Sats in order to get the children ready for the tests. Repeatedly going over past papers, practicing extended writing and working out maths problems that have not been covered in the curriculum - now I ask; how can this be a true reflection of a child's ability? Time constraints make it difficult for teachers to adequately cover all the necessary areas to be tested, yet poor performance is a poor reflection of the teachers' ability, the school and the LEA- it all comes down to STATS!
It's a very stressful time for children as they are put under immense pressure to 'cram' all of this new information in time for the Sats. Information learnt in such a way is not sustainable and will invariably be removed from the short term memory store once it has been used. Now personally this is not how I want my kids to acquire information. I want education to be meaningful, useful, and appropriate. I want learning to be fun, creative, inspired and character building - which to me is a recipe for an enduring knowledge base, an enquiring mind and academic success. Every child has a right to reach a level of success which reflects his or her own full potential (whatever that may be). I just wonder to myself, are these yearly Sats necessary, appropriate and useful to our children? Is there a better way to do this? Is it even developmentally appropriate to be testing primary school aged children who are in such an unsteady stage of development, in order to categorize them? Hmmmmm! I just wonder. But that's just me!

Word of the Day

2007-05-15T02:35:00.000-07:00

Agnate (n): Any paternal relative. (Traceable exclusively through the male line of descent).

Word of the Day

2007-05-11T23:48:00.000-07:00

Somnambulist (n): Someone who walks in their sleep.

Sleep - when is enough too much for your teen?

2007-05-10T05:12:00.000-07:00

Like mine your teenager has probably got into a pattern of late nights and difficult to rouse mornings. You’re probably getting tired of the Saturday mid-day tirade when the rest of the house has been buzzing with life for several hours and that one room with the curtains still closed and the muffled sound of snoring remains lifeless. Cajoling your teen to wake up just doesn’t seem to work, no matter what you try. This behaviour does not occur necessarily because your teen is lazy there are actual physiological reasons for this behaviour.
Before adolescence, internal rhythms direct most children to naturally fall asleep around 8 or 9 p.m. Puberty changes an adolescent's internal clock — delaying the time he or she starts feeling sleepy by about two hours. Studies in Brazil, Japan and the United States found that adolescents require more sleep than pre-teens but actually get considerably less. Because the sleep timing mechanism is reset in an adolescents body many are incapable of falling asleep earlier, yet school schedules continue to force them out of bed at an early hour- leading to a population of sleep deprived adolescents.
Staying up late to study or socialize with friends can disrupt an adolescent's internal clock even more. Adolescents need about nine to ten hours of sleep a night in order to maintain optimal daytime alertness. But only 15 percent actually get that amount of sleep regularly.
Sleep deprivation can have serious consequences. In addition to causing irritability and moodiness, daytime sleepiness makes it more difficult to concentrate and learn. It can also have detrimental consequences for young drivers.
Trying to play catch up on sleep during weekends doesn't help much. It can actually confuse a teenager's internal clock even more. Intermittent bouts of going to bed early won’t always help matters. Like mine, your son or daughter will just lie in bed awake, finally dozing off in the early hours of the morning.
Some adolescents turn to stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine in an attempt to overcome their daytime sleepiness. However such dependence can backfire and make it even more difficult to go to sleep at a reasonable hour.
In most cases a simple re-setting of the internal clock can be very effective in assuring the optimum level of sleep for teenagers: Exposing the teenager to bright light in the morning will help his or her body to realize it is time to wake up (try a light box). Conversely complete darkness at bedtime can also help to realign the internal rhythm. But this takes time and consistency. (Sudden changes will not help to reset the body’s internal rhythm). Products containing melatonin – a sleep inducing hormone helps people of all ages to resume a normal sleep pattern.
For most teens it is just a matter of adjusting their schedules and managing their time effectively to accommodate an appropriate sleep regime; which you may need to help them with. Help them to prioritize extra curricular activities and minimize social activities on school nights. Though difficult to enforce, suggest an official quiet time prior to bedtime, restricting loud music, video games and the computer. Be sure however to explain the reasons for the restrictions (or bans), pointing out the long-term consequences of sleep deprivation on school work, social relationships and even a future career. In fact it may be a good idea to allow you teen to set his or her own ground rules with your help. If all else fails do consult your physician to rule out any medical problems or sleep disorders.

Word of the Day

2007-05-10T03:04:00.000-07:00

Avuncular (adj): Resembling an uncle; kind, friendly, helpful, good humoured.

Teen Time

2007-05-07T05:03:00.000-07:00

First of all let’s just establish that not all teens are troubled neither do they have issues 24/7. They do not all do drugs or drink heavily, steal mobile phones or ipods (they have their own!), join gangs or succumb to peer pressure. To be honest I think our teens get a bad rap most of the time. In fact young people are more likely to become victims of crime than they are to become perpetrators. Teenagers are young adults emerging from a childhood of direction and manipulation to an adulthood of independence and decision-making. It can be a scary time for them, very confusing at times.
Parents can often miss the point; we focus on wanting our teens to stay out of trouble and to succeed. But we must understand that they cannot do that alone (no matter how confident and single minded they appear to be), they need your guidance and support. Your time, patience and understanding is needed, not just for a better relationship with your teenager, but for your teen to resist peer pressure, stay out of trouble and avoid alcoholic binges, use drugs or get depressed. Also a very good memory helps, when your teen starts to push your buttons cast your mind back to a time when you were his age; check out his attitude and check yourself in the mirror, you will at some point recognize yourself (him) and your parents (now you). This happens to me on occasion, and invariably diffuses the situation (for me at least – if one of us is calm a solution is easier to arrive at).
To develop the skills to resist and cope with the pressures of growing up, your teens need to know that they matter in your life and that they can come to you for help and advice. Your teen needs you - even if at times they act otherwise.

Word of the Day

2007-05-07T05:02:00.000-07:00

Materfamilias (n): A female head of household.

Exploring Teen Issues

2007-05-05T04:13:00.000-07:00

Next week will be dedicated to all things related to the teenage world: Self esteem, mood swings, organization skills, 'why do they sleep so much?????'; studying and 'when do you know how much SPACE to give them?'

And a Happy Cinco De Mayo too. (US and Mexico)

2007-05-04T12:24:00.000-07:00

5th May Celebration

Beat Bank Holiday Blues

2007-05-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

So what are you thinking about this Bank Holiday weekend? Spending extra time with the family? Having a lie in? Enjoying the outdoors and the traditionally good weather?
Maybe, but more than likely your mind will be on the typical bank holiday traffic jams, spending money on a family pass to a theme park or trying to stay dry on the beach when the rain starts to fall. Whatever your plans there are just a couple of things to consider before revving up the engine:
The RAC has warned of "worst ever May Day Bank Holiday congestion" with traffic jams expected to peak on Friday afternoon. They singled out the M25, the M1 through Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire and the M6 around Birmingham as "congestion hotspots", as well as roads to the coast. They are urging motorists to allow an extra 45 minutes for their journeys and to check travel updates online. It said Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire and Longleat in Somerset were likely to be the leading tourist attractions over the weekend.
There are also ugly rumours emerging that the weather promises to be 'unsettled' at best. So be flexible with your plans. (An indoor barbecue works just as well as an outdoor one).
If you plan on hitting the road be sure to take plenty of fluids, stock up on water and interesting snacks. Books on tape/CD are always useful, especially for younger members of the family but do consider the tastes of all family members. Striking a compromise between a ten year old and a fifteen year old is no easy feat believe me - I know, but all I can say is 'thank God for the ipod!"
Most of all be safe, have fun, choose your battles and RELAX!

Word of the Day

2007-05-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

Paterfamilias (n): The male head of household

Allergy Anguish

2007-05-03T04:36:00.000-07:00

In the midst of our mini-heatwave thousands of Hay Fever sufferers nationwide are experiencing unusual levels of discomfort for this time of year. The season of misery (for some) has come early this year as record temperatures sparked a hay fever outbreak two months earlier than usual. It has been reported that twice the usual number of people have called NHS Direct complaining of persistent sneezing and eye problems. In many cases the symptoms appear to be more severe than in previous years and the onslaught very sudden. Doctors have reported a significant increase in symptoms among the five to fourteen age range who appear to be the worst affected.
The culprits, it has been suggested are the Silver Birch and Oak varieties which have been producing more pollen in the warm, sunny weather. Typically around June and July most people suffer from allergic reactions to pollen in grasses.
Unfortunately the problem is expected to worsen as Britain predicts a heat-wave similar to that of 2003. (Oh shucks!).
So what do we do? Well I know I'm not the only one out here having to watch while my Li'l Bit (AC) endures the misery of this season. We've all tried the antihistamines and other over the counter remedies which this year seem to be having the same effect as sugar pills, so what else? Invest in an Ionizer; I did and it made a huge difference, especially at night. I've also heard that coating the inside of the nostrils with a thin layer of petroleum jelly also helps in alleviating the symptoms. (N.B not scientific knowledge, just a useful home remedy). Staying indoors with doors and windows closed, particularly in the evening is also useful for keeping the pollen away - though not great news for our adventure loving kids. Flush the eyes periodically with cold water, this eases the itching and soreness and is also very soothing. Apparently wearing wraparound sunglasses helps as I'm sure wearing a veil or even a gas mask does too! - But probably not everyone's style. Changing outdoor clothes and taking showers as close to arriving home as possible also helps to ease the discomfort of the lingering pollen on the body.Try to discourage children from rubbing their eyes as this causes further irritation - I tell Li'l Bit "Don't rub - Flush!" And after rolling his little red eyes at me for being corny we trudge upstairs to the bathroom for some well needed relief.

Word of the Day

2007-05-03T04:06:00.000-07:00

Serendipity (n): Discovering something pleasurable by chance.

Word of the Day

2007-05-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

Consanguinity (n): Of the same blood or origin. Family.

Welcome!

2007-05-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

You've heard of Power Walking and Power Dressing - even Power Napping! Well here's a new and exciting concept; Power Parenting. Prefacing a concept with the word power immediately thrusts us into a position of responsibility, determination and a heartfelt desire to positively influence outcomes. As we know our children don't come with instruction manuals and daily we are faced with a multitude of issues which at worst can be trying. In addition to the glorious moments of birth (ouch!), first smiles, piano recitals and home-runs there are moments of anguish, desperation, confusion and feelings of failure. But don't despair, you are not alone. Power Parenting aims to provide information, resources, ideas, thoughts and much more to inspire and motivate parents to take this awesome commission by the horns and embrace it with confidence, integrity and of course humour (very important).
Watch out for topics ranging from birth to young adulthood. Power Parenting is the starting place for parents and care-givers determined to make a positive contribution to the lives of their children. Babies, toddlers, preteens, adolescents, children with special needs, health and nutrition will all be discussed here.
In addition I'll also be offering recipies, fun stuff, 'On this day in History', and because of my love for words of course I'll be having a 'word of the day' section.
Look forward to sharing with you.
Jay