Many women may experience constipation following childbirth, due to the slowdown of the digestive system and temporary loss of muscle tone in the abdomen. But there are other explanations. Factors that may contribute to constipation include: medications administered for postpartum pain, prenatal vitamins continued while breast feeding and anesthesia administered during labor.

A fear of pushing can also cause a cycle of constipation. New moms may be hesitant to strain themselves because of post-childbirth tenderness, fear of tearing a stitch or pain from hemorrhoids. C-sections can also contribute.

Mothers should know that this situation is very common. In one survey of about 1,000 new moms conducted by Russell Research in collaboration with Purdue Products, the makers of Colace Capsules, it was found that 47 percent of new moms experienced constipation or other digestive issues after giving birth, and 89 percent of those mothers experienced problems with bowel movements in the days immediately after childbirth.

There are many ways to combat this issue. While it may be hard to get back into gear after the ordeal your body has just been through, it may help to exercise a little each day once you have been told by your doctor that it’s okay. Adequate daily fiber is also key to keeping away constipation. Eating bran muffins, high fiber cereal and lots of fruits and vegetables is a great way to make sure you’re getting your daily intake. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids.

According to the survey, 77 percent of new mothers with constipation took a stool softener, such as Colace Capsules. Since the active ingredient is docusate sodium, Colace Capsules help avoid the painful straining associated with occasional constipation. Colace Capsules is the leading product recommended by doctors and pharmacists to provide reliable relief. Of course, if you are pregnant or nursing, you should consult with your doctor before use, and remember to tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking.

The survey also revealed that a startling 67 percent of new moms were not warned about postpartum constipation. For more info, check out www.colacecapsules.com. Read through the “prevention” section to get tips on natural ways to combat postpartum constipation.

Add Constipation to Postpartum List of Problems was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

But what if you turned on the tap and nothing happened, or if the water you drank made you sick?

While pouring a glass of water may seem simple, before it arrives at your tap there is a complex process of collecting, storing, treating and distributing the water that helps ensure its availability and quality. In fact, water utilities implement comprehensive water management plans to ensure that adequate amounts of drinking water are available. These include conservation and reuse, reclamation and sourcing strategies.

Drinking water supplied by utilities is always treated to remove contaminants and harmful micro-organisms. That treatment process typically consists of clarification (to remove dirt and other particles), filtration (to remove even smaller particles) and disinfection (to kill bacteria and most viruses). The water is then delivered to residential and commercial customers via an extensive pipe network.

Drinking water utilities are committed to protecting public health and constantly monitoring and reassessing their methods for treating water to ensure its quality. In part, this is due to changing government regulations, which periodically alter water quality standards. In addition, they may undertake other forms of treatment not expressly required to comply with regulations in order to ensure that drinking water meets and often exceeds the standards and needs of local communities.

For example, they may seek to remove trace compounds that are not currently regulated, and to enhance the aesthetic quality of the water.

Drinking water utilities carry out these services while also managing costs and minimizing environmental impacts of their processes; they are committed to keeping drinking water affordable. Water utilities and other stakeholders invest more than $12 million each year in the Water Research Foundation to sponsor research that enables water utilities, public health agencies and other professionals to provide safe and affordable drinking water to the public.

So the next time you pour a glass of water from the tap, take a moment to honor the commitment and significant investment made to ensure the quality of that water. Learn more at www.waterrf.org.

Do You Take Drinking Water for Granted? was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

In this fast-paced world, relevance is fleeting, and new product launches make existing technologies obsolete seemingly overnight. The constant evolution of the industry means new job opportunities will continue to rise for professionals with relevant skills. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of computer software engineers is expected to increase by 32 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations, particularly for those with bachelor’s degrees.

Graduates with bachelor’s degrees in engineering technology will be positioned for career success, as these programs provide the educational framework for designing and implementing the software and hardware that make technological advancements possible. Many universities now offer degree programs tailored to this career path, giving students hands-on experience in fields poised to expand over the next decade.

“DeVry University partners with Fortune 100 leaders in business and technology to design programs that provide real-world knowledge,” explained John Giancola, dean of the College of Engineering and Information Sciences, DeVry University. “Our Computer Engineering Technology and Electronics Engineering Technology degree programs are designed to address the skills students need to succeed developing software or electronics for a variety of consumer product markets, including ‘green’ products that require renewable energy.”

While many fields have declining projections for growth, engineering technology continues to thrive. “Money” magazine recently listed software developer, software development engineer and database administrator among its top 20 jobs in fast growth fields, each of which is an attainable profession with a degree in electronics engineering technology or computer engineering technology.

From healthcare and government to telecommunications, the technologies that support growing industries are rapidly becoming more advanced and complex, creating new demand for professionals trained to manage updated systems and resolve new, unique problems.

Similarly, companies in all industries are becoming increasingly global and require engineering technology specialists to ensure that the systems they use to conduct business are compatible at international locations.

Find more information on engineering technology degree programs at www.devry.edu.

Engineering Technology Fields See Continued Job Growth was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

“Fresh mussels are packed with important health benefits. They are rich in nutrients without adding significant calories or fat to meals,” says registered dietitian Lois Ferguson, as he explains the benefits of fresh PEI mussels compared to other proteins like meat and poultry. “This makes them the perfect food for people who aim to live a life of fitness and health.”

A 100 gram serving of fresh mussels delivers an excellent source of vitamins and minerals like phosphorus, zinc, manganese, folate, niacin, riboflavin and thiamine. In fact, mussels offer more iron and vitamin B12 than beef. And unlike beef or pork, blue cultured mussels are low in saturated fat but high in protein.

“This makes mussels a great choice for entrées as there’s an abundance of delicious ingredients to combine with them to make healthy meals for family and friends,” notes Ferguson. “Mussels are every bit as versatile as shrimp, for instance, and while they’re both low in saturated fat, mussels have only one-third the amount of cholesterol.”

It’s a common expression that seafood is “brain food” and research shows that long-chain omega-3 fats in our food helps the brain, eyes and nerves. Ferguson points out that “compared to the very popular and healthy choice of halibut, a 100 gram serving of fresh blue cultured mussels has 125 percent of the omega 3 fats found in the same serving of halibut. So you can really think of mussels as having similar health benefits to fish.”

Often thought to be solely in the realm of fruits and vegetables, mussels are also a rich source of selenium, a mineral and dietary antioxidant involved in the formation of a protein that defends against oxidative stress.

“In addition to providing antioxidants, mussels are a good source of vitamin C, which is rare among protein sources,” says Ferguson. “A 100 gram serving of mussels provides 14 milligrams of vitamin C, compared to the same size serving of watermelon which has only 9 milligrams.”

Enjoy a nutrient-rich meal with this Thai recipe:

SWEET THAI MUSSELS

Ingredients:

4 pounds fresh PEI mussels
4 ounces white wine
2 teaspoons red onions, finely chopped
6 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
4 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
1⁄2 lime squeezed

Instructions:

Rinse fresh PEI mussels in cold water. Tap any mussels that are still open. Discard any mussels that remain open.

In a sauté pan place mussels adding wine, red onions, sweet chili sauce, cilantro and lime. Cover pan and allow to steam until mussels start to open up. Sauté the pan occasionally to ensure the chili sauce coats all the mussels. Discard any mussels that do not open. Serve mussels a large oval bowl with your favorite bread for dipping.

Learn more about mussel health at discovermussels.com, and find more mussel recipes at discovermussels.com/recipes.

Fresh Mussels Make 2012 Wellness Goals Taste Great was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Independent businesses must create a niche for themselves so customers develop a demand for their products or services. Oftentimes this requires high investments, promotional expenses and advertising. Dealing with this increased spending and debt can seem like a burden that many owners can’t handle alone. Yet, it shouldn’t be ignored.

Don’t be too proud or intimidated to admit your business needs help. Deciding to outsource for accounting assistance will cut costs by saving other employees time and money. Firms, like On Call Accountants, offer customized bookkeeping services for all kinds of businesses.

On Call Accountants can evaluate current processes and provide critical feedback and solutions – a process that could lead to improved efficiency, profitability and advanced internal systems. On Call Accountants reconciles bank statements, credit cards, sales tax filings, payroll and payroll tax filings, audits and other bookkeeping services. Relieving accounting pressures allows owners to address issues from basic business plans to loan package analysis to marketing and management.

On Call Accountants works with car dealerships, retail establishments, construction contractors, non-profit organizations, law firms, government contractors, real estate, service industries and more. Plus, the company’s website is an ideal information resource.

For more information, visit www.oncallaccountants.com.

Economy Is Down, Demand for Outsourced Bookkeeping Is Up was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Consider indoor environment devices like programmable thermostats. Programmable thermostats are capable of controlling the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system – from heating to indoor air quality and energy management.

“Adjusting the temperature up and down doesn’t equate to savings or even comfort in the home,” said Jonathan Payne, product manager of programmable controls at Carrier. “The key to total comfort is the homeowner’s ability to control the temperature, humidity, air circulation and energy use.”

Although many homes have programmable thermostats, they may not be programmed or used properly. To truly realize the advantages of a programmable thermostat, consider these tips:

1.    Choose a thermostat that manages your system properly and efficiently. Select a thermostat that is not only easy for you to understand and program, but one that controls all of the equipment in your HVAC system, including an air purifier, humidifier, air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump.

2.    Have the HVAC control or thermostat installed by a Carrier authorized dealer or other HVAC expert to ensure the wiring and settings are configured to match the needs of your specific system.

3.    Choose a program that fits well with your lifestyle, and stick with it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), energy can be saved if you keep energy-saving set points activated for longer timeframes. So, you could leave home energy-saving set points on during the work/school day, or at night when family members are asleep, for instance.

4.    Avoid overuse of the temporary “hold” feature. If you consistently “hold” or over-ride the pre-programmed settings, you could be wasting energy. The EPA suggests that the “hold” and “vacation” settings should be set several degrees warmer and cooler in the summer and winter months, respectively, and only used when you’re away from home for an extended stay.

5.    Try not to achieve a quick fix. The EPA’s Proper Use Guidelines for Programmable Controls indicate that you will not heat or cool your house faster by adjusting the temperature on your thermostat to the extremes – up to 80 degrees or down to 30 degrees.

To learn more about Carrier programmable thermostats, call 1-800-CARRIER or visit www.residential.carrier.com.

Take Advantage of Programmable Thermostats to Maximize Energy Savings was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Pets and owners alike can relate to this common problem, but getting the magical, behavioral transformation you’ve always dreamt of is closer than you think.

Premier pet care authority Camp Bow Wow is holding a contest to discover North America’s most ill-mannered dog – “Bad to The Bone: Camp Bow Wow’s Worst Behaved Dog Contest.” The winning pooch will receive a full year of free services ($3,000 value) at a local Camp or Home Buddies (an in-home care service offered by Camp Bow Wow) of their choice. Most importantly, the winning dog will also receive free dog training to correct those bad habits.

For all frustrated pet owners, here are five dog-training tips straight from the Behavior Buddies experts at Camp Bow Wow to get you started.

1. Proper exercise is key! A majority of behavior issues stem from a lack of proper exercise. At least one 30-minute walk per day is sufficient for most dogs. Playing in the backyard or in the house does not count as exercise.

2. Buy a dog backpack for walks. This allows your dog to have a job and adds weight with objects like water bottles or hand weights so the dog expends more energy.

3. Challenge your dog with brain puzzles. A mentally tired dog will not spend time thinking about how to get in the garbage or waste breath yipping at neighbors.

4. Take a training class. Getting your dog to respect you is critical to having your dog listen to you.

5. Send your dog to Camp Bow Wow or hire a Home Buddies Care Giver to take Fido on a walk. A tired dog is a good dog!

If your beloved Fido is still opening cabinets and devouring furniture, enter him or her in Camp Bow Wow’s contest. Participants can enter on Facebook, www.facebook.com/CampBowWow, with an incriminating picture or video and a story explaining your dog’s disobedient behavior. Voting is also handled via Facebook – the contest runs through May 18.

For more dog-training tips or additional information about doggy day care, overnight camp and in-home pet care, visit www.campbowwow.com. See the full list of entry rules online as well as a location finder for the nearest Camp Bow Wow or Home Buddies near you. #BadToTheBone

Is Your Dog the Worst Behaved Dog in America? was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

It is important to remember, however, that there are no guarantees; it is important to determine the true value of an MBA in each unique career field.

Will an MBA launch my career?

While an MBA can enhance your career, increase earning potential and possibly give you a competitive edge, it isn’t always necessary to obtain one to achieve these results. Take the time to research your desired position to gauge whether the skills acquired through an MBA program are a necessary credential. Some graduates find it worthwhile to gain work experience before applying to business schools, and many business schools favor applicants who have real-world experience.

“Prospective MBA students need to look at the big picture,” said Dr. Donna Loraine, DeVry University provost and vice president of academic affairs for DeVry, Inc. and dean of DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management. “We’ve found that students who map out long-term career goals and determine the potential benefit and relevance of an MBA in advance end up being the most satisfied with the value of their advanced degree.”

What is the financial ROI of an MBA?

It is crucial that students fully understand the commitment required for continuing education.  According to the Corporate Recruiters Survey from the Graduate Management Admission Council (2011), tuition for an MBA program can soar above $100,000 – pursuing one can be a life-changing decision.

It can be beneficial to work with a financial planner to determine the return on investment. Scholarships, financial aid options and paid internships can help ease the financial impact.

Is there only one type of MBA program available?

MBA programs that can be tailored to specific schedules, concentrations, geographic locations and online needs have made earning an additional degree possible for many students.

How can I help maximize my MBA?

Career services can help students make the most of their education. For example, DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management recently partnered with CareerBuilder to supply its MBA students with a variety of career resources and counseling at no additional cost.

Students have access to dedicated career coaches, writing assistance and online tools for effective job searching, as well as insight for building a competitive edge.

Whether you are seeking more professional responsibility or a higher salary or are striving to climb the corporate ladder, an MBA can be a valuable asset, but only when utilized correctly.

Conduct research and map out your options before making this significant career decision. By thoroughly preparing, you can increase the likelihood that your MBA delivers success.

For more information, visit www.keller.edu and www.devry.edu.

The Value of an MBA was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

But take heart.

The Kardashian sisters – who seemingly never run out of mind-blowing ideas – didn’t think that party highlight up themselves. Linnea Johansson, author of “Perfect Parties: Tips and Advice from a New York Planner,” did. And even if you don’t have money to throw around, she says to apply the “same principle” of doing “something unexpected” at your event.

For more on how that translates into actionable advice, read on.

•    Fun in finger foods. Out: sit-down dinners. In: small plates and finger foods like the very trendy Russian-style tapas called zakuski. As far back as Tolstoy’s 19th century, the custom was to individually plate an array of what literally translates into “small bites” and eat them in a set order.

The key to really pulling it off, though, says Johansson, a noted chef herself, is to pair the zakuski with an authentic premium Russian vodka, which to her means Russian Standard Vodka. “It’s the number-one premium vodka in Russia, and it’s perfect for drinking neat or in cocktails, and excellent paired with food.”

•    Creativity shines in centerpieces. Why spend a fortune on store-bought white roses for your dinner table? Pick some pine cones and holly leaves while out strolling, say, throw in a few cinnamon sticks and clove-laden oranges, and you’ve got yourself a masterpiece so delicious-smelling that it doubles as an air freshener.

•    Toast to great times. Russians certainly know how to drink vodka, and toasting is the perfect invitation to celebrate and party. The traditional way of toasting in Russia is continuous and lasts throughout the night, which can only lead to a great time!

•    House cocktail to invite tastebuds. Even if your guests’ tastes lean more toward chips-and-dip than zakuski, Johansson says that vodka – used as the base for a custom cocktail like the one below – is “a definite crowd pleaser.”

MAPLE & FIG COCKTAIL

2 ounces Russian Standard Vodka
1/2 ounce maple syrup
2 ounces lemon juice
1 ounce ginger beer
1 fresh fig

Muddle the fruit and syrup in a shaker, add the lemon juice and Russian Standard Vodka. Add ice and shake well. Strain into a glass and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a slice of fig.

For more information, visit facebook.com/RussianStandardVodkaUSA.

Tips to Entertain at Home the Kardashian Way was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

A delicious savory ingredient is the Oso Sweet Onion, grown at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Onions are not only believed to be a cancer preventative, their low-salt, low-fat health benefits are the proactive equivalent to superhero powers. Onions have 25 compounds that lower blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent thrombosis, inhibit strokes and battle heart disease, says the American Heart Association.

Plus, the antioxidants and flavonoids found in onions don’t lose their potency once cooked. This makes them ideal for slow-cooked recipes. Oso Sweet Onions add a punch of flavor and a whopping serving size, making them an affordable luxury during the chilly winter months. The following recipe is a tasty detour from your typical red chili.

Oso White Bean Chili

1 bag dried white beans
2 Oso Sweet Onions
1/2 cup Garlic (chopped)
1 pound ground chicken or turkey
1 cup celery (chopped)
1 tsp Oregano
1/4 cup Olive oil
2 each large green mild chili (deseeded)
2 quarts chicken stock or water (to cover)
2 tsp Cumin

Saute onions, garlic, celery, chilies and chicken/turkey for 10 minutes on medium heat. Add half of the chicken stock. Then add salt, pepper, oregano, cumin and simmer for 45 minutes. Then adjust with the remaining chicken stock. Combine all ingredients in crock pot or large heavy-bottomed pot, bring to a boil and then simmer overnight, or 8 hours.

Puree 1 cup beans for a thicker chili and serve. Garnish with shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, tarragon or basil, chopped Tabasco peppers, raw chopped Oso Sweet onions or hot sauce.

To find more recipes, go to www.ososweetonions.com/recipes or sweetonionsource.com.

Get Heart-Healthy With White Bean Chili was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com