 NewsUSA) – If picky eating were an Olympic sport, would your child be the gold medal winner?
If so, you’re not alone. Many parents find that their children consistently place first in the “you can’t make me eat that” category and excel at pushing food around their plate. How can you turn mealtime into a family-friendly hour as opposed to an all-out war? Here are some suggestions: * Be patient. Don’t try to force your children to eat if they refuse to finish their meal. By creating drama in the kitchen, you set a bad tone for the future. Kids will automatically think of mealtime as a negative experience and will only become more reluctant when it comes to eating. Be persistent by offering a variety of foods along with those you know they like. As new foods become familiar, your children will be more likely to try them. * Remember, timing is everything. In the midst of a dinnertime showdown, children don’t want to hear all of the reasons why they should eat the food sitting on their plate. Try to incorporate nutrition education during other parts of the day. Bring up the issue during story time, play time or television time – not in the middle of a temper tantrum over broccoli. * Look for “fun” foods. Scan the supermarket for foods that you know kids would enjoy. Want to get your kids to try seafood? Products like Gorton’s Popcorn Fish, bite-size fish coated in a crispy batter, appeal to children because of their fun shape and kid-friendly taste. Serving fish in this manner early on will encourage your children to keep an open mind about eating different kinds of seafood in the future. * Set an example. While the focus may be on getting your kids to eat what is on their plate, it helps to look at your own eating habits as well. Children learn by example and often want to eat what they see grown-ups eating. Make a point to let them see you eating and enjoying the same foods you are serving them. |
Chaos in the Kitchen? Tips For Getting Your Kids to Eat
Can America Survive A Nationwide Terrorist Attack?
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(NU) – What would happen if loyalists of Saddam Hussein bombed 12 major U.S. cities one week before the presidential election, thrusting the nation and the election into chaos?
Sound familiar? A similar scenario recently took place in Spain and could happen to other European and Asian countries that assisted America in the controversial war in Iraq and who have Americans living in or visiting them. Many people, including political pundits, believe that more large-scale terrorism will come to American soil and the American people. The broadcast threat by Al-Zawahiri, leader of Al-Queda, that bomb after bomb will soon fall on America has the majority of U.S. citizens frantic with worry. Indeed, terrorism has become one of the world’s greatest fears and concerns. “New splinter terrorist groups are organizing everyday who want to kill Americans around the world, making our safety questionable for generations to come,” said Bruce Schwartz, author of “The Twenty-First Century” (Park Avenue Press, ISBN # 0-9729076-0-2). His new novel tells the story of America in the early years of the 21st century but was written in the 1990s, before the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Schwartz’s book warns America about the potential for a nationwide terrorist attack. His story details the destruction of 12 U.S. cities by Iraqi terrorists just days before a presidential election and results in America’s second civil war. But Schwartz’s version of civil war is not between regions; it is between classes and races. “In the 1990s, hundreds of black churches were burned to the ground. Prejudice is rampant, even today, in America,” Schwartz said. The book’s release during this presidential election year will provoke many controversial discussions on where our nation is headed when it comes to foreign policy, race relations, terrorism and politics. Schwartz portrays the near future as if it were the headlines of today’s news. Planned Television Arts, Schwartz’s publicists, believe that right now is the perfect time to release this novel because his story could potentially become reality right before our eyes. This chillingly prophetic novel has received rave reviews because it suggests what America must do to improve our society. “The Twenty-First Century” is available at www.thetwentyfirstcentury.com and all major bookstores. |
How to Treat Your Feet When Traveling
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(NU) – They say getting there is half the fun. But if you anticipate long hours on the road, on the tracks or in the air, getting there can be the worst part of your trip.
Chalk it up to tight transportation quarters or cramped positions. In fact, inactivity and sitting in one position for prolonged periods, as many people do while traveling, can stiffen muscles and hinder circulation. This inactivity can also cause health problems such as swelling of the feet and blood clots in the legs. Finding relief and relaxation during your journey – and at your destination – can be as simple as knowing how to treat your feet. Moving and stretching your feet and legs and wearing proper footwear can help keep your circulation in check. Give your feet – and yourself – a little tender loving care with these simple travel tips from the American Podiatric Medical Association. * Work out right in your seat. Sprinting through the aisle may be out of the question, but physical activity is possible without irking other passengers, thanks to simple foot exercises. Rotate each foot several times clockwise and counterclockwise, then repeat. Flex your toes up and down, working your calves. If room permits, try raising each knee, holding it there for a few seconds and tensing your thigh muscle. Or, simply wiggle your toes. * Stay mobile. On a plane, when the pilot invites you to move about the cabin, take him up on it. Experts recommend stretching your legs and walking around at least once an hour. Request an aisle seat, if possible, to facilitate movement. * Wear comfortable footwear. While traveling, loosen your shoelaces or take off your shoes. To keep swollen feet at bay during long flights, try wearing supportive elastic stockings. Pack supportive shoes and socks, especially if your vacation calls for plenty of sightseeing on foot. If a special evening calls for high heels, wear heels no higher than 1.5 inches. Heed podiatrists’ rule of thumb: the wider the heel, the more support. For men, a pair of quality oxfords offers comfort during a night of dancing. What should you do with new shoes that haven’t been broken in? It’s best to leave them at home. * Cool your heels. Pack a spa kit for your feet, complete with foot lotion for a soothing massage, a foot brush and pedicure materials for use after a full day of walking around. For more information on foot care, visit www.apma.org. |
New Technology Brings Improved Diagnosis of Heart Disease
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(NU) – Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans. According to the American Heart Association, more than 13 million Americans are affected and, when diagnosing heart disease, using the best medical imaging technology available is crucial.
Until recently, diagnosing heart disease was difficult without a costly and invasive surgical procedure, especially for patients with little or no history of a heart condition. But now, new medical imaging technology has vastly improved the area of computed tomography or CT scanning, which renders 3-D images of internal parts of the body, including the heart, brain and other organs, to make noninvasive diagnoses of heart disease and even stroke faster and more accurate. As with most medical imaging procedures, image quality is key. If the scanned image does not clearly represent all the minute details, the diagnosis may not be as accurate. And today’s latest CT technology allows doctors to not only see things they’ve never seen before, meaning patients are getting the most accurate diagnosis possible, but also conduct faster exams on critically ill patients who might find it difficult to remain still for long periods of time. For instance, the new Toshiba Aquilion 32 CFX multislice CT system is currently the industry’s finest resolution scanner available for cardiovascular imaging, producing 32 slices of detailed images as thin as .5 millimeters. Using this new equipment, a detailed three-dimensional image is produced to allow doctors to see the heart from virtually any angle, which results in greater confidence in diagnosing heart diseases and abnormalities. Inevitably, better diagnosis leads to better treatment. As we become more aware of the dangers of heart disease, we should also be aware of the medical technology available to our doctors. If you have the option of seeing a doctor with access to the latest medical imaging technology versus another doctor with access to dated technology, which one would you prefer? You can be a better-informed patient. Ask your doctor about the quality of the imaging equipment on which you will be scanned. For more information on today’s medical equipment, go to www.medical.toshiba.com. |
Tips to Help You Lower Your Cholesterol
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(NU) – More than 100 million Americans have high cholesterol. So, you probably know someone dealing with the condition, or you may have high cholesterol yourself.
Almost anyone can have an unhealthy cholesterol level. In fact, one in five people have high cholesterol. It’s a very common problem and, in many cases, it may be inherited. So even though having high cholesterol may not be your fault, it’s still very important you treat it now. Having a high cholesterol level can lead to cardiovascular disease. One life is lost every 33 seconds due to cardiovascular disease. Everyone should have their cholesterol levels tested to know if they are at risk. Maintaining healthy eating habits and exercising regularly may lower your cholesterol levels. Here are a few ways you can fight high cholesterol in your diet. * Stick with the basics. Basic foods like raw fruits and vegetables can help you lower your cholesterol. * Reduce your fat intake. Learn what the label really means. Just because a label says “low saturated fat,” “low cholesterol” or “cholesterol-free” does not necessarily mean the product is low-fat. * Substitute healthy sides. Fruit is much better for you than fries. * Do not eat poultry skin. It is high in cholesterol. In addition to eating right, ask your doctor about dietary supplements that can aid you in your fight. For instance, Advanced Plant Pharmaceuticals Inc. (APPI OTC BB) produces a product called Lo-Chol designed to help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels naturally. APPI is a pharmaceutical company that uses whole plants to develop products for the treatment of human diseases. Lo-Chol is derived from six selected plants that work in concert to help normalize cholesterol levels. Unlike almost all other herbal supplements on the market, Lo-Chol does not contain any extracts. Instead, it utilizes the entire part of a specific plant that is processed and standardized to deliver optimum potency and nutritional benefits. In clinical studies, people using Lo-Chol have shown cholesterol reductions of up to 58 percent with an average of 29 percent. For more information, go to www.appi.cc. |
Defying Hair Loss at Any Age
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(NU) – Let’s face it, hair loss is not a welcome change at any age. With more than 70 percent of men experiencing male pattern baldness at some point in their lives, many of them seek a remedy.
Hair loss treatments come in many varieties, but only a few work. Possibly the most reliable and permanent solution to this problem is hair transplantation – a minor surgical procedure done under local anesthesia. Regardless of a man’s age or amount of baldness, the latest techniques in hair transplantation can provide what hair loss sufferers want the most – a confident, more youthful appearance. Bill Wellington, an 83-year-old retired CIA economist and Army Air Force Pilot originally from Detroit, first started noticing his hair loss at 14 or 15. In college, he secretly studied hair loss on his own and even talked to a hair consultant, hoping to find a remedy. Despite these attempts, he continued to lose his hair. One college hockey teammate remarked that Wellington refused to wet his hair in the shower for fear of losing it. ” I always carried that element of personal insecurity that surfaced when I prepared for work or showered after hockey. It was the receding hair line,” Wellington said. When he fought in World War II, he used his helmet and cap to conceal his problem, but it stayed on his mind. Years later, after he left the Army and had a successful career and a loving family, his hair loss continued to bother him. The biggest problem, he says, was his loss of self confidence which stemmed from his baldness. For instance, while taking a family photo, his children commented, “Hey Dad, you’re really getting bald.” “The old comic reply, ‘hair today, gone tomorrow’ got a chuckle but did little to bolster my ego,” Wellington said. After attending a free seminar on hair transplantation, he decided to get treatment from the doctors at Elliott & True, a medical practice specializing in hair transplantation, and he has been satisfied ever since. He still plays organized hockey for a Maryland seniors team called the Geri-Hatricks, which he named. He says younger players always compliment his healthy-looking hair. At the office of doctors Robert H. True and Robert J. Dorin, patients from 25 to 80 get their own natural, growing hair back thanks to the latest hair transplant technology. “The results are quite impressive nowadays, and they seem to have the same positive effect on a patient’s well-being, regardless of his age,” True said . For more information, visit www.elliotttrue.com |
When the Mind Causes Pain
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(NU) – Susan, a 40-year-old school teacher, was suffering from daily headaches, neck pains, shoulder pains, chronic feelings of tension and sleepless nights.
After performing a number of diagnostic tests and a thorough examination, Susan’s physician informed her that her X-rays, blood tests and MRI indicated she had no physical problems. Yet Susan’s pain was very real. To her surprise, her doctor told her that her physical pains and discomforts were symptoms of depression. Susan is one of several people who tell their stories of painful physical symptoms disrupting their lives in a video titled “When the Mind Causes Pain.” The video was produced by Freedom From Fear, a nonprofit mental illness advocacy organization. Freedom From Fear began its focus on pain and depression with a survey to explore the impact of physical symptoms on an individual’s work, social life and family life. The survey, conducted last May, revealed that almost 90 percent of the participants believe depression or anxiety could cause painful physical symptoms. Also, 50 percent of the participants who were diagnosed with arthritis, migraines, diabetes and other medical conditions with painful symptoms reported increased pain on days when they felt anxious or depressed. Some of the other findings indicated that 60 percent of the participants with undiagnosed medical conditions experienced moderate to severe changes in their physical symptoms on days they felt anxious or depressed. “The connection between physical pain and emotional pain is very well documented in the medical literature,” said Mary Guardino, executive director and founder of Freedom From Fear. “Among patients with depression, 80 percent first present to their doctors exclusively with physical symptoms. The most common are: joint and back pain, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness and headaches. In fact, patients with painful physical symptoms are three times as likely to experience high depressive symptoms,” she said. Chronic pain affects more than 40 million Americans each year. Depression affects more than 19 million. The numbers are staggering. The cost in human suffering is immeasurable. Yet, there are safe, effective treatments available, and people can improve their quality of life, even if they are experiencing painful symptoms. A feeling of well-being is a joint effort of the mind and body working together. If you are experiencing physical symptoms and you feel that your mood and emotional state are being affected, help is available. Call 1-888-442-2022 to access a free mental health screening from a health care provider in your area. To learn more about “When the Mind Causes Pain,” visit www.freedomfromfear.org. If you wish to purchase “When the Mind Causes Pain” and related materials, send $25 to Freedom From Fear, 308 Seaview Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305. |
New Appliances Make Laundry Day Easier
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(NU) – Traditionally, the washer and dryer have been necessary annoyances in the home. They’re loud, inefficient and hard on clothes, but they’re the only way to tackle the ever-growing mountains of laundry that families produce week after week.
Now, some innovations in laundry are changing the way people look at these appliances. New lines of front-loading washers and dryers save time, save wear and tear on clothes, and help save the environment. According to Best Buy, over the past year, sales of front-loading washers and dryers have surged to make up 15 percent of all laundry sales. That makes front-loading washers and dryers the fastest growing category of appliances in the country. “People don’t often think about getting a new washer or dryer until their old one breaks, but when our customers learn about all the benefits of these new units, many of them are choosing to make an immediate change,” said Lisa Smith, business general manager of appliances for Best Buy. One key difference between front-loading washers and top-loading washers is the amount of water they use. The newer front-loaders automatically adjust the water level to the size of the load, consuming 35 percent to 50 percent less water and using half as much energy per load. Another key benefit of front-loading washers is that they are easier on clothes. Top-loading washers rely on the center agitator inside the tub to move the clothes around. These agitators can stretch and tangle clothes and contribute significantly to wear and tear. Front-loading washers don’t use agitators. Instead, they gently cycle the clothes through the water. Even delicate clothes can be washed in front-loading washers, meaning fewer trips to dry cleaners. Like the washers, front-loading dryers also offer substantial benefits. They have multiple settings to conform to specific drying needs and help prevent overheating. The newer dryers also spin faster, reducing the time it takes to dry the clothes. The reduced drying time can save as much as 30 percent on the energy bill from the dryer. The benefits and style of these new washers and dryers still may not make doing laundry fun, but they can make the chore easier. These new appliances have vastly increased capacities, with some holding up to 22 bath towels at one time. For more information about front-loading washers and dryers, visit any Best Buy store or go online at www.bestbuy.com. |
Tips for Shipping Bulky Items With Ease
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(NU) – If you’re planning a move, packing is probably the one thing you’re not looking forward to. So, you rent a truck or call a moving company and the problem is solved.
However, if what you really want to do is ship an overstuffed sofa to your son at college or a priceless oil painting to your mother across country, the solutions aren’t as obvious. How do you begin to figure out the best way to handle, pack and transport objects that require a little extra care? Since most damage occurs during handling and movement, the best advice would be to leave it to a professional who will carefully consider the needs of the object, as well as the type of move. Not every packing situation requires the same method. The packing of larger objects, like a bulky couch, is complicated because of size and shape. A valuable painting may need special wrapping to preserve its color and beauty. If you plan on doing it yourself, here are some common sense suggestions to safeguard your belongings from the rigors of transit. * Wrap. To prevent scratches, discoloration, water damage and dirt, you should always protect the surface of your valuables. Use bubble wrap, nonacidic paper for artwork or a clean cloth that won’t scrape the surface. * Absorb. Shock and vibration absorption is important to keep pieces from breaking. Use a cushion material like foam or rubber as the second layer of packaging. * Protect. The outer layer of the package should be a hard, puncture-resistant surface like plywood. However, unless you’re a skilled carpenter, building an appropriate plywood crate is likely to be beyond your abilities. One company makes it easy for people to feel assured their belongings are protected. Pak Mail specializes in large-item packing and shipping – any size, any weight, any configuration. This full-service mailing and resource center has a network of reliable surface and air carriers from which to choose. Pak Mail will also pick up your items and will customize packing crates to fit your valuables. Items shipped by Pak Mail stores across the country and overseas include a motorized hand glider, a grandfather clock, a Mercedes Benz roof, an X-ray machine, a life raft and even an original Pablo Picasso painting. For more information and locations, call 1-800-778-6665. |
Covert Cams Bring Peace of Mind at Home
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(NU) – According to the Vanished Children’s Alliance, a child is missing or abducted every 40 seconds.
A car is stolen every 24 seconds in the United States, according to the Insurance Information Institute. What can you do to prevent these crimes from happening to you and your family? Video surveillance is one option you may not have considered. Video surveillance usually brings to mind retail stores and malls. But many people are finding video surveillance useful in their homes and their personal lives. Today, people use cameras to watch their front doors, back doors, yard, children’s room or car. Why? Many video cameras have saved children from household help, such as cleaning people and baby sitters, who exhibited irrational or harmful behavior. Cameras can also indicate if someone enters a home or room without invitation. And, nothing can prove who stole a vehicle better than video evidence. You can record environments with equipment designed in such a way that only the person using it is able to tell that it’s a camera. CCS International (OTC BB: SITG) makes sophisticated video surveillance systems for home and personal use that monitor, record and broadcast real-life conditions to ensure peace of mind. Here are a few examples: * Hand Held Clock Video Cam: Housed in a palm-size clock, this device views live events through its hidden pinhole camera. It will transmit video imagery for up to 24 hours or use a DVR for long-term recording. A camera system concealed within a functioning alarm clock radio is also available. * Briefcase Camera Portable Recording System: It looks like an ordinary briefcase, but its pinhole lens provides high-resolution recordings with clear quality. * Body Worn Spy Cam: This video surveillance camera can be worn or alternatively placed in a concealed area. It is connected to a microtransmitter that sends a video signal to a video receiver. This included receiver can be connected to a VCR, DVR or video monitor. Other available CCS systems are housed in a gym bag, a pair of sunglasses and even a man’s tie. For more information, log on to www.spyzone.com. |
