Momathon Blog

A Man, a Pink Tutu, and a Great Cause: The Tutu Project

Bob Carey, a stout middle-aged man, doesn't make me think of a ballerina. Yet back in 2003, he started creating quirky self-portraits wearing a pink tutu. When his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer that same year, his humorous photography became a type of therapy for the couple and even helped bring a smile to the other patients they met at chemo treatments. As his collection of photos grew, the The Tutu Project began.

To raise awareness for breast cancer, Bob traveled the US taking photos wearing only his signature pink tutu. This autumn, Bob will self-publish a collection of his pink tutu photos in the book Ballerina and the goal is for his book to help raise awareness about breast cancer and raise funds for women with breast cancer:

The net proceeds from the sale of the book will go directly to breast cancer organizations, including Cancercare.org and the Beth Israel Department of Integrative Medicine Fund, that make significant differences in the lives of women with breast cancer and in the people who love them. Our goal is to raise $75,000. But we need your help to seed the book project so it will take root and grow—and positively affect these families.

To find out how you can sponsor this project and receive a special edition 20-by-24-inch signed tutu print plus a copy of the book Ballerina, check out The Tutu Project. You can also follow the @TheTutuProject on Twitter and on Facebook.

Tutu photo by Bob Carey at The Tutu Project.

Keep Your Dog Safe with Pet Poison Help App

Dogs and cats are naturally curious. And sometimes pets—especially puppies—eat things that look harmless, but are toxic. The Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 animal poison control center based in Minneapolis, MN, answers over 100,000 calls a year regarding pet poisonings.

That's why they created the Pet Poison Help app for the iPhone to assist pet owners or veterinarians in quickly identifying potential poisons, recognizing symptoms of a potential poisoning, and to allow one-touch direct dialing access to the veterinary professionals at Pet Poison Helpline.

This app will gives you information to guide you in treatment of a potential poisoning. That said, the amount of toxin ingested, along with the time since ingestion, overall health, age, species, and breed of your pet may affect the severity or outcome of any toxic exposure. When in doubt about pet poisoning, please contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline for immediate, life-saving advice.

Prevention of poisoning
The app is also a great tool in prevention of poisoning. Dogs love to dig in the garden when you aren't looking. I used this app to select pet safe flowers for my garden. It is always tempting to share people food with your pets, but this is not a good idea unless you know the food is safe for dogs or cats. Use this app to understand which people foods are not safe for pets.

App details
According to their website, Pet Poison Help app will provide you with:

* Life-saving access to poison information with one-touch direct dialing to Pet Poison Helpline.

* A searchable database of over 250 poisonous plants, foods, medications and household items, all with pictures.

* Descriptions of how specific poisons affect your pet, their alternate common names, and symptoms to watch for.

* Instructions on what to do if your dog or cat is exposed to a dangerous substance.

Dog photo above by MythicSeabass photography. App photos by the app Pet Poison Help.

Companies that Give Back: Warby Parker Designer Eyewear

Shopping and helping others at the same time is easy with smart companies like the designer eyewear brand Warby Parker. They make affordable glasses—plus for each pair you buy, they donate a pair to needy people across the world through their Buy a Pair/Give a Pair Program.

Eyeglasses are empowering—they help kids learn better in school and they offer a way to increase income and improve productivity for adults. Warby Parker has distributed over 85,000 pairs of glasses to people who would not otherwise have access to glasses.

Environmentally conscious Warby Parker is one of the few eye wear companies that is also carbon-neutral. They have mapped out all of their greenhouse gas emissions from frame production —to— shipping —to— warehousing —to— office work and have purchased carbon offsets accordingly.

Facts about glasses via Warby Parker

Almost one billion people don't have access to glasses.
That means 15% of the world’s population is unable to effectively learn or work because they can’t see clearly.

Glasses can increase productivity by 20%.
That’s the equivalent of creating an extra day’s work each week. Glasses are one of the most effective poverty alleviation tools in the world.

Watch a short video about the  program Buy a Pair/Give a Pair program here.

 

Image by Chris Olson. Photographs and video via Warby Parker. 

Sleepy? Try Out the Caffeine-O-Meter

Waking up at the crack of dawn has never been easy for me. With kids getting breakfast and heading to school before 6:30 a.m., a cup of coffee is essential for me.

Not all coffees and teas are created equal according to the caffeine-o-meter. A Starbucks Vanilla Latte sounds mellow, but it has 150 mg of caffeine compared to a 16 oz Dunkin' Donuts cup at 143-206 mg. As for tea, a 16 oz. Starbucks Tazo Chai Tea Latte has 100 mg. Who knows, maybe next time I'm feeling a bit sluggish in the morning I'll really go wild and grab a cup of ice cream. Did you know that 8 oz. of Ben and Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch has a whopping 84 mg of caffeine. And two tablets of Excedrin, Extra Strength has 130 mg.

According to research by the USDA as reported by the MayoClinic.com the following coffees, teas, and other drinks include the following amounts of caffeine. Note that the caffeine amount listed is specific to the size of the cup tested. For specifics on caffeine levels, continue reading.

Eight essential friends we all need

 


I have a group of close friends I can count on. Each friendship is unique and that's what makes my life better--and even healthier. Your definition of a good friend is as personal as you are. Now with friendships multiplying quickly on Facebook, the number of "friends" you can have is sometimes overwhelming. Of course, my friends on Facebook are important, but those personal friends I can call anytime, about anything, end up being the ones that make the biggest difference in my life.

New research has found certain friendship traits more satisfying. In fact, according to Prevention.com, a 10-year study of older people in Australia found "satisfying friendships predict longevity better than even close family ties, and they can protect against obesity, depression, and heart disease, among other health problems."

So what types of friendships are beneficial? According to the research, the following 8 types of friends improve your life and especially your health.

1) Childhood friend
2) New friend
3) Workout friend
4) Spiritual friend
5) Younger friend
6) Your partner's friends
7) Your mom
8) Yourself

(Photo collage: by me, Chris Olson) 

 

8 Simple Holiday Stress Busters

 

Completely avoiding all stress triggers during the holidays is an unrealistic goal that might end up making you feel more tense. Instead try one of these eight simple ways to feel better fast when stress levels build.

1. Take a short stress break and laugh – watch, read or listen to something funny

2. Forget about being the super hero – stop juggling and try focusing on one activity at a time or find a way to collaborate with others such as a joining a babysitting co-op to free up some time

3. Slow down and "meditate on the go"– Build your mind-body connection by practicing slowly breathing in and out or even talking more slowly than normal

4. Simplify your to-do list – for starters examine your list and check one thing off and do it now

5. Skip the afternoon caffeine and instead take a brisk walk outside to boost your energy

6. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water

7. Avoid slumping at your desk – set a timer on your laptop and every 30 minutes do a posture check.

8. Build in a daily or weekly "mini escape" from the holiday rush – immerse yourself in something relaxing like a soak in the tub with bath products containing rosemary or eucalyptus or indulge in some aquatic therapy in a pool with sunlight streaming in a few windows

For more information on stress reducers:

• Whole Body Action Plan | Whole Living
• 10 Stress Busters | World of Psychology
• 8 Immediate Stress Busters by MedicineNet.com

Photo by me, Chris Olson

 

Juice Safety: The facts on arsenic and lead in apple juice, tips for parents & which brands are safest

Next time you serve juice to your toddler at snack time or pack it in a school lunch box, you might want to make it safer by diluting it with some water. 

Brand new evidence by a Consumer Reports study suggests that a potential danger exists in that innocent-looking juice your family guzzles down by the quart each day. The study by Consumer Reports found higher levels of arsenic and lead in juice than is allowed in drinking water. We all know that juice is not water, but moms across the nation know that kids often crave LOTS of apple juice–polishing off a juice box quickly as if it was water. (The fact so many kids prefer sugary juice over water is another health matter.)

Here are the arsenic and lead stats from the CR study of 88 juice (apple and grape) samples compared to bottled water standards:

• 10 percent of the juice samples had arsenic levels above the federal bottled water standard of 10 parts per billion. 

• 25 percent of samples contained lead at levels above the FDA limit for bottled water of 5 parts per billion. 

• The exact levels of arsenic and lead in specific brands is given below.

 

Opting out of vaccines is a risky numbers game–just ask my son

Parents of school-age kids today probably never witnessed a whooping cough outbreak or the measles because they were lucky enough to have lived in a generation of vaccinated kids. But this luxury of good health could slip away all too quickly as more and more families opt out of routine vaccinations.

If you want to look at the hard facts, the good health of our kids depends on a numbers game. 

Preventing kids (and adults) from getting diseases depends on a statistic: As long as about 90-95% of us vaccinate our kids, our kids are relatively safe according to an Associated Press report. Even the un-vaccinated kids are protected because the vaccinated kids keep the disease numbers down. In simple terms, our kids are healthy due to herd immunity.

Food Allergies: Can a Midwest Girl Survive Lactose Intolerance

 

Substituting soy milk for cow's milk does not appeal to me. I'm midwest girl at heart. I love milk. I love love love cheese. Pretty much anything dairy is on my yummy list. So what can a dairy gal do to survive lactose intolerance?

To digest milk your small intestine needs to produce the enzyme lactase to break down the milk sugar into the simpler sugars glucose and galactose lactose. When this doesn't happen, lactose intolerance occurs. And you can develop lactose intolerance during your teen or adult years. According to WebMD: "Lactose intolerance means the body cannot easily digest lactose, a type of natural sugar found in milk and dairy products."

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Most people with lactose intolerance can enjoy some milk products without symptoms." 

That's good news, not only because I love the taste of dairy products, but because milk and other dairy foods provide essential nutrients, such as calcium, vitamins A and D, riboflavin and phosphorus. 

How can you minimize the symptoms of lactose intolerance? Drinking less milk more often works for some people. Or you can try limiting drinking milk to only at meal times because this slows down the digestive process. If you still experience problems, you can try lactose-reduced or lactose-free products. Some people like soy milk, nondairy creamers, or rice milk. I prefer lactose-free milk like Lactaid. 

Think pink when shopping for the holidays

 

No pressure, but did you realize there's only two months (60 days!) until Christmas Eve. Now's a great time to stock up on Pink gifts and support the fight against breast cancer at the same time. Check out this list of 19 Pink gifts via Oprah.com.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For more information on breast cancer and early detection, check out National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The The Power of Pink gift ideas:

• Georgetown Cupcakes
• Sharelli Hoop Earrings
• Pink Dots Bottle
• Rebecca Taylor Cami
• Expressions NYC Satin Clutch
• Fila Sport Tank Top
• Reebok's Pink Ribbon ZigFly Sneakers
• Find the rest of the Pink list here

Photos: Power of Pink via Oprah.com

How safe is that arsenic in your apple juice?

HE CONTROVERSY OVER THE safety of arsenic levels in apple juice is heating up after Dr. Oz did some independent testing that questions the safety of those innocent looking juice boxes packed in so many lunch boxes. Turns out the inorganic arsenic found in pesticide now banned in the U.S. is still common in apples grown in other countries and these tainted apples can end up in our juice.

There are two kinds of arsenic–inorganic and organic–and this issue is a point of controversy because Dr. Oz tested for both levels combined. That is exactly how the arsenic levels are tested in the water we drink, but according to the FDA the arsenic levels in apple juice require a different testing.

Here's the catch: If you use the same arsenic safety criteria used for water, then the apple juice tested by the independent lab for The Dr. Oz Show did not fall within safe margins. The total arsenic level is the criteria for studying water safety. Inorganic levels is the safety level currently studied by the FDA as a safety criteria.

 

Irene's flood water risks to pets (and people)

 

 

My three dogs wag their tails when they see a puddle, but even with their amazing canine noses they can't sniff out the hidden contaminants.  And they can't see the dangerous debris hidden in the mud.

The Freudian, the Jungian and now the Starbucks theory in therapy

Since few of us have time to sit down for a three-course meal, why not take the fast food approach to solve even our most complicated and personal challenges? 

While traditional therapists agonize over each patient's problems for hours, weeks, and years, a new kind of fast food therapy pushes the patients in and out of therapy sessions quickly. 

Improving lives one puppy at a time

 

 

Changing lives one puppy at a time, Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.

West Nile Virus: prevention, insect repellent safety, and virus symptoms

If you live in an area with mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus, using some simple precautions can prevent getting bitten by an infected insect. The good news is not all mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus. To see if West Nile Virus is in your area now, call your local County Health Department or consult the CDC West Nile Virus Activity by State by State map. West Nile Virus cases increase as the weather gets warmer, so if the virus is not present in a state now, the virus may develop later in the summer.

Prevention Is Key
According to MedlinePlus, "There are no specific vaccines or treatments for human WNV disease. The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites."

Practice the four D's to avoid misquito bites:

1. Use DEET-enhanced insect repellent or another EPA-registered active ingredient
2. DRESS in long sleeves and pants when outdoors
3. Avoid spending time outdoors from DUSK until DAWN
4. DRAIN standing water outside your home

The CDC has a list of EPA-registered active ingredients in mosquito repellents here and that list includes:

• DEET (Chemical Name: N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-diethly-3-methyl-benzamide)
• Picaridin (KBR 3023, Chemical Name: 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester )
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus* or PMD (Chemical Name: para-Menthane-3,8-diol) the synthesized version of oil of lemon eucalyptus
• IR3535 (Chemical Name: 3-[N-Butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester)

More information is available from the EPA on insect repellents and the active ingredients found in insect repellent at this link.

Applying an effective insect repellent is key. And not all insect repellents are created equal. The percentage of DEET in an insect repellent determines the duration of effectiveness–in other words the effectiveness of a 30% DEET lasts longer than a 10% DEET. According to HealthyChildren.org:

• The current AAP and CDC recommendation for children older than 2 months of age is to use 10% to 30% DEET. DEET should not be used on children younger than 2 months of age.
• The effectiveness is similar for 10% to 30% DEET, but the duration of effect varies. Ten percent DEET provides protection for about 2 hours, and 30% protects for about 5 hours. Choose the lowest concentration that will provide the required length of coverage.
• The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. Children should wash off repellents when they return indoors.
• As an alternative to DEET, Picaridin has become available in the U.S. in concentrations of 5% to10%.

DEET Warning

Insect repellents should be used with caution. Read the label carefully. Consult your doctor or pediatrician if you have questions. Adults should supervise the use of insect repellents on children. When kids come indoors, they should wash the insect repellent off their skin. According to Kidshealth.org: 

• Generally, repellent with DEET should not be applied more than once a day
• DEET is not recommended for babies younger than 2 months old.
• DEET can be used on exposed skin, as well as clothing, socks, and shoes
• DEET should NOT be used on the face, under clothing, or on the hands of young children. 

For more information on the safety of DEET and other repellents with children, check out the Kidshealth.org article, Are Insect Repellents With DEET Safe for Kids?

Prevention Around Your House
Something as simple as maintaining screens in windows and doors will help prevent insects from entering the house. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. If you have a kiddie pool in your yard or flower pots with saucers collecting water, drain them daily. Remember to clean your pet water dishes and refill them with fresh water each day. Drilling a few small holes in the bottom of a tire swing will prevent mosquitoes from finding water in them. For more information, a helpful West Nile Virus video is available at this CDC link.

West Nile Virus Symptoms
According to the CDC 1,021 total West Nile Virus cases in humans were reported in the US in 2010. West Nile Virus infected mosquitoes can transmit a disease that creates a variety of symptoms including stiff neck, high fever, severe headache, memory problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, body aches, rash, and nausea. For a detailed list of symptoms read the CDC West Nile Virus Fact Sheet.

 

Photo: Dr_Relling.

 

Update: Judge rules a divorced mom's an unfit parent because of cancer

Comparing one family court judge's custody ruling to King Solomon's choice, New York Times columnist Lisa Belkin delves into the complex issues of the recent custody battle involving a divorced mom with stage four breast cancer in the post Losing Custody Because She Has Cancer in the NYTimes blog Motherlode:

"Mr. Snyder, who was divorced from Ms. Giordano after her diagnosis, recently moved away from his family to take a job as an executive at Sears Holding, Inc. He asked the court to grant him sole custody, arguing that he was the parent with a paycheck, and that his ex was too sick — and her future too uncertain — for the children to stay with her. She accused him of being abusive and unfaithful during their marriage, and says that sending the children to Chicago would deprive her of her kids when she most needs them, would separate her children from her at a time when they most need her, and would discriminate against her because she has cancer." 

 

I am one of the dozens and dozens of women bloggers who have rallied behind Ms. Alaina Giordano because this case sets a precedent that seems to say breast cancer or diabetes or any other serious illness should be grounds for losing custody.

Those supporting Alaina recognize that asking her to move to Chicago where her ex husband lives is unreasonable. She has found a great medical team at Duke University and Durham is the town her kids call HOME.

The reason for moving the kids to Chicago--600 miles away--is because the judge found this recommendation from forensic psychologist Dr. Helen Brantley most important: 

"The more contact [the children] have with the non-ill parent, the better they do. They divide their world into the cancer world and a free of cancer world. Children want a normal childhood, and it is not normal with an ill parent."

Whenever I read the quote above from the ruling I feel physically SICK! 

The judge's controversial custody ruling that says Alaina's breast cancer is grounds for being an unfit parent solves the problem FOR THE DAD. However, the ruling seems to greatly increase the likelihood that Alaina's cancer battle will end even sooner.

How will the dad ever explain that to his kids?

Living with cancer isn't pretty. I have been lucky in my own health, but many lives around me have faced this unforgiving disease. I applaud Alaina for being so brave and somehow managing to make her family life so normal in spite of the cancer. Moving Alaina's kids 600 miles away and putting the burden on her to somehow financially and medically make the move seems unfair and even cruel. I agree with Emily Cousins in her post on Huffington Post:

"Think of the inconvenience you might have felt when your insurance company made you switch dentists or therapists. Now imagine you had to leave the group of doctors who are literally keeping you alive. Cancer patients develop deep bounds with the people who guide us through the minefield of treatment options, side effects, and recurrences. I referred to my team of oncologists and surgeons "the mothership," and I refused to move away from them for five years after my diagnosis. I only felt safe leaving them then because my disease had not spread like Giordano's has."

Expecting the dad, Kane Snyder, to leave his job at Sears in Chicago and move back to Durham has some challenges. Yes, the economy is tough in Durham. However, it's tough everywhere. I don't think there is a single person–rich or poor–who doesn't know it costs more to buy gas and groceries and clothes and houses then it did a year ago.

But–and this is a very, very BIG BUT–asking Alaina's husband to move back to Durham and find a job does not seem like a impossible request. And perhaps most important of all, it seems like the humane choice.

Someone out there in social media land must be reading about this custody case and must know of a good job for Kane Snyder in Durham–the town his kids call "home" and where his ex wife continues being a heroic mom and also gets top-notch cancer treatment at Duke University.

Please speak up if you know about a job for Mr. Snyder.

 

For more information:

• Read Alaina's petition to overturn the custody ruling here.
• Support her on Facebook: Alaina Giordano Should Not Lose Her Kids Because She Has Breast Cancer
• Sign the Change.org petition: Human Rights Petition: Do not allow NC Judge to take Alaina Giordano's children, just because she has cancer!
• Aliana's blog: Beauty in Truth 

 

 

Bystander can be a lifesaver: Watch this CPR video

Most people who survive a cardiac emergency are helped by a bystander. It's normal to feel nervous to help out in an actual emergency, but this Hands-Only CPR instructional video with two simple steps makes it easier to become a lifesaver.  

    Step 1: Call 911

    Step 2: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest

(Image from HandsOnlyCPR.org.)

Also, now the American Heart Association has an app for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad with CPR videos and other first aid information.

 

HANDS-ONLY CPR INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO

Use this technique only if you see an adult who has suddenly collapsed and is unresponsive. Remember, always attempt to call 911 before you begin CPR.

=

 

Learn how you can help save a life in this one-minute video showing Hands-Only CPR in action. This is the official instructional video from the American Heart Association and HandsOnlyCPR.org. YouTube link: American Heart Assoc's Hands-Only CPR Instructional Video

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about CPR and other safety videos, check out 

• American Heart Assoc's Hands-Only CPR Instructional Video
• American Red Cross's Hands-Only Instructional Video

 

More helpful videos and information available here: 

• American Heart Associantion's Channel on YouTube
• American Red Cross's Channel on YouTube
• American Heart Association
• 911 - Warnings Signs of a Heart Attack
• Find a CPR Class (American Heart Association)

 

 

 

 

Spread the word about heart health and CPR. The number one killer of women is heart disease. Learning CPR is important. Start the dialogue and save lives!

How many girls are in the TV shows your kids watch?

Thinking we are closing the gender gap in the workplace, I assumed the same goes for TV and movies. Unfortunately, male characters still dominate movies and TV for kids. And the impact of a bias that goes undetected is shocking.

In a WSJ.com article today, Geena Davis, founder of the Geena Davis Instute on Gender in Media, talks with journalist Rebecca Blumenstein about how the number of female characters featured on TV and in movies impacts kids.

According to the WSJ.com article, Geena Davis reports: 

The more hours of television a girl watches, the fewer options she believes she has in life. And the more hours a boy watches, the more sexist his views become.

There is hope. If girls see more positive images in the media, they are empowered. As Davis says in WSJ.com: 

If girls can see characters doing unstereotyped kinds of occupations and activities, they're much more likely as an adult to pursue unusual and outside-the-box occupations.

Next time your kids watch TV, sit down with them and together do some counting. Do the male characters outnumber females? You might be surprised with what you find out. And, if you want, send me an email or just add your findings to my comment section.

Photo: Joris de Vrede

Cool + Plus: A chic water bottle that is easy to clean

 

You know how even after you clean ordinary water bottles they still end up with a stinky, gunky mess at the bottom of the bottles. Gross. Finally a company with an incredibly simple invention makes the reusable water bottle easier to clean--the Clean Bottle opens at both ends.

I also like the fact this company is a giver: 10% of all Clean Bottle profits are donated to eco and cycling friendly charities that you vote for.

New York Magazine likes the Clean Bottle: "Both the bottom and top ends of the 22-ounce Clean Bottle can be unscrewed for easier rinsing."  

Features:

• Both top and bottom of bottle unscrew for cleaning
• made of BPA free plastic
• 10% of all Clean Bottle profits are donated to eco and cycling friendly charities that you vote for
• dishwasher safe
• holds 22 oz.
• available at REI and other stores
• $9.95 

See more of my Cool + Plus series featuring products that not only have amazing design, but also benefit the environment and society. Check out Cool + Plus.

Photo: Clean Bottle

Simple fixes for the germiest places in your home (and office)

 

Did you know germs from flushing the toilet can last in the air for up to 2 hours after flushing? Gross!

I'm a germophobe and visions of floating bacteria in a bathroom scares me. The problem is I am not a neat freak. And I know overly friendly germs are lurking...

Because a squirt of hand sanitizer can only do so much good, it's time to for me to break out the cleaning supplies. Mary Anne Dunkin in a WebMD article lists six surprising places germs live and even thrive in your home as well as your office. Here are Dunkins cleaning tips:

Kitchen Sink

The problem: Leftover food particles from plates can end up multiplying before they reach the dishwasher. According to WebMD, the sink zone is a breeding ground for illness-causing bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.

The fix: 

• wash sink with a solution of bleach and water once a day 
• let the bleach solution run down the drain 
• remove the drain plug and clean it
• wash your hands

 

Toothbrushes

The problem: "Flushing the toilet sends a spray of bacteria- and virus-contaminated water droplets into air." These germs can survive in the air for at least two hours after each flush before landing on surfaces such as your toothbrush."

The fix:

• place your toothbrush away from your toilet 
• close toilet lid when flushing
• put toothbrush in a place where it can air out and dry between uses
• replace your toothbrush often
• replace toothbrush after you've been sick

 

Salt and Pepper Shaker

The problem: Cold viruses can live on surfaces you touch when you are sick.

The fix:

• wipe off the salt and pepper shaker at each meal
• wash your hands before and after you use seasonings

 

TV Remote Control

The problem: People don't wash hands regularily and then they touch and also cough on the remote.

The fix:

• wipe remote with a bleach or alcohol wipe daily
• practice regular hand-washing

 

Computer Keyboard

The problem: In a recent study "4 of 33 sampled keyboards had enough germs to be considered health hazards. One had levels of germs five times higher than that found on a toilet seat."

The fix:

• wash your hands before and after using your computer
• don't drop crumbs into your keyboard
• clean your keyboard by carefully shaking out the crumbs or vacuum it
• wipe the keys with alcohol or bleach wipes that are not too wet
• wipe the mouse

 

Bathtub

The problem: "A recent study found staphylococcus bacteria in 26% of the tubs tested. A separate study had even worse findings for whirlpool tubs."

The fix:

• disinfect tub with bleach or bathroom cleaner after bath
• dry tub with a clean towel after use
• whirlpool tubs: clean out the pipes in tub

 

The best advice? Remember to wash your hands often--and don't stop washing too soon. Wash for at least 20 seconds or the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday song twice. According to WebMD, if you depend on hand sanitizers to stay clean, remember to try to wash hands at a sink at least after every 4th use because the hand sanitizers build up on hands.

(Photo by Plutor with processing by me.)

 

Mommy news: food allergies, youth sports, and mommy thumb

The editors of the Personal Journal Section of the WSJ today have three articles you don't want to miss:

New Rules for Food Allergies: "New guidelines for diagnosing and treating food allergies say that blood or skin tests alone aren't sufficient when making a diagnosis." Plus this WSJ article includes an audio version.

Youth Team Sports Don't Provide Recommended 60 Minutes of Exercise: "The majority of children participating in organized team-sports don't meet the federal recommendation of 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous exercise, according to a study released Monday."

The Baby May Be Giving You Mommy Thumb: "Mommy thumb--an inflammation of tendons below the thumb--is affecting more women because of heavier children, older new mothers, and frequent scrolling on smartphones."

(Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography)

Why a cup of tea makes you feel better

Different types of tea have hidden health benefits according to The Dr. Oz Show. 

Migraines: Ginger tea has anti-inflammatory properties and blocks prostagladins that cause migraines. Drink the ginger tea as soon as you feel the headache symptoms.

Weight loss: Oolong helps you burn fat faster because it boosts metabolism.

Libido: Ginseng tea helps both men and women improve their libido by boosting sexual arousal and combating erectile dysfunction.

 

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.

Blog Red, Buy Red, and Support World AIDS Day

 

Last week the NIH announced a major advancement in HIV prevention research: A daily pill that treats HIV also apprears to help prevent HIV infection. A new vaginal gel shows promise in preventing HIV infection in women.

Research studies like this are key to helping save lives. Approximately 2.6 million people each year become infected with HIV worldwide. 56,000 become infected each year in the U.S. Today is World AIDS Day 2010 and the perfect time to be part of the cure.

Blog Red

Bloggers and Tweeters check out (BLOG) RED to find out how you can turn the World (RED) here. You can turn your profile picture red too.

Tweeting ideas from (BLOG) RED:

Dec 1 is World AIDS Day @joinred fact: 430,000 babies born with HIV last yr. By 2015 that could be 0. #turnred www.joinred.com 

Dec 1 is World AIDS Day. Tell the world that an AIDS Free Generation is due in 2015. #turnred to map it. @joinred www.joinred.com 

Tweet #turnred & turn this map of the world (RED). Dec 1 is World AIDS Day. Join @joinred www.joinred.com  

 

Buy Red

When you buy (PRODUCT)RED™ items, up to 50% of the profits go directly to those who need it. Some of the (PRODUCT) RED Partners include American Express, Apple, Bugaboo, Converse, Dell, Emporio Armani, GAP, Hallmark, NIKE, Penguin Classics, and Starbucks. Product Red Partners support the global fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Here are just a few examples of how the Partners are helping:

NIKE: 100% of the profits from every pair of Nike RED laces you buy go to help fight AIDS in Africa. 

GAP: 50% of profits from the sale of all (GAP)RED (GAP)RED products go to help eliminate AIDS in Africa

APPLE: Buy the Apple (PRODUCT)RED™  iPod nano and Apple donates portion of the purchase price to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. 

STARBUCKS: The (STARBUCKS)RED Ceramic To-Go Cup contributes $1US/L3/E3 from the sale of each Cup to the Global Fund. (STARBUCKS)RED Jonathan Adler Card. The (STARBUCKS) RED Card generates 5c/5p for the Global Fund every time it is used. 

Many more companies are involved in Buy (Red). Check out the link to see the many other companies are involved in BUY(RED). 

 

 

Bloat busters

If you have a slinky LBD you want to wear at a holiday party you probably want to avoid that dreaded bloated feeling. Nutritionist Joy Bauer on the TODAY Show offers four foods and drinks you should cut back on one to two days before the party.

1) Starch in carbs including bread, pasta, potatoes
2) Gas producing veggies including broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes
3) Carbonated beverages
4) Sodium in salty foods

Drinking lots of plain water during the holidays will help keep you hydrated and looking svelte.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.

Travel: What you need to know about bedbugs before your next trip

Chances are you've probably already heard a few horror stories about the bedbug infestation spreading across the nation. Although the yuck factor of these blood-sucking parasites (Cimex lectularius)is huge, fortunately they do not transmit disease. According to WebMD, bedbugs are "more of a nuisance than a health hazard." The real problem is the extermination a full-blown infestation which can be costly and often requires a professional. 

 

Bedbugs aren't picky. They can turn up anywhere--in stores, theaters and beds. According to The Dr. Oz Show: 

After 6 decades of living largely bed bug-free, the US is facing a national infestation. In fact, the incidence of bed bug infestation has risen 500% in the last few years alone, and they're not just in dirty hotels – they’re at the 5-star ones as well and swarming the public places you visit every day. 

 

Tips to keep the bed bugs off your stuff 
Bedbugs are tiny hitchhikers that latch on to an object and move around unnoticed. In general, they don't hitch a ride on human skin or hair, but prefer to ride on clothing or other objects. Tips and photo links to help you identify the tiny bugs can be found in a bedbug post I wrote in back August. In general, here are a few suggestions to keep the bugs off your stuff.

• use luggage racks when staying at a hotel
• keep purses and briefcases on your lap and off the floor
• eliminate clutter where bed bugs hide

Where do bedbugs hide?
Bedbugs like the dark and are known to travel up to 100 feet in one night. They often hide in crevices. That's why you need to check out furniture, beds, suitcases, purses, clothing, etc. Common hiding places are near mattress seams, labels or piping--even in the head board. A major infestation in a home warrants checking all furniture, draperies, storage areas, and even appliances. If you can slip a credit card under an object such as loose wall paper, consider this an easy entry space for the tiny bugs to find a place to hide. Because the young bugs are tiny (1/16" -1/4") and nearly translucent, they are difficult to see.  

Check for bedbugs in clothing
When removing clothing you think is infested, stand on bare floor and not on carpet so you can spot them if they fall to the floor. You can even get the floor slightly wet before you remove the clothing because this will make it more difficult for the bugs to escape. High temperature (100 -120 F) washing and drying can be effective in killing bugs on clothing. According to Dr. Oz, to eliminate bedbugs in clothing: "throw your clothes in the dryer for at least 30 minutes as soon as you get home; they cannot survive any temperature above 113 ° F." For detailed instructions on how to get rid of bedbugs in clothing, check out this Univ. of MN link. 

Check for bedbugs in luggage
If you suspect your luggage is infested, place luggage in an air tight plastic bag to contain the bugs. Some methods of getting rid of the bugs inside luggage include high temperature washing (100 - 120 F), heating the bags to a very high core temp (120 F), or freezing (-15 F) the bags. Exact directions for these methods can be found at the Traveler Q & A link at the Univ. of MN.

Signs of bedbug infestation
According to the US EPA here are some warning signs: 

• small dark spots the size of dot made by a pen are bed bug excrement
• tiny white eggs and eggshells (about 1mm)
• skins that young bed bugs shed when they mature
• live bed bugs
• rusty or reddish stains on sheets or mattresses caused by bedbugs being crushed

Best advice I've heard: Be watchful and don't panic
The recent bedbug resurgence requires that all of us be watchful. Although reports of bedbugs turning up practically everywhere is not great for tourism, some reports of bed bugs infestations taking over entire stores or buildings have been greatly exaggerated. According to an AP news story: 

The discoveries of pests at high-profile places are often not full-blown infestations, or even in public areas. Bloomingdale's reported finding exactly one bug in the famous department store, the Empire State Building had them in the basement and Lincoln Center's were in a dressing room. But those reports, along with bedbug discoveries in movie theaters, hotels and clothing chain stores, are causing skittish travelers to call off trips planned months ago. 

Sightings
Bedbugs inspire a feeling of panic in many and the feelings increase when reports of bedbug sightings appear in blogs, tweets, and on Facebook. Checking websites such as the BedBug Registry--user-submitted reports tracking bedbug infestations in hotels and apartment buildings--only fuel the fear. I think the concept of reporting bedbug infestations is good, but this registry does not guarantee its reports are accurate or up-to-date. 

The hardy bedbugs are not leaving any time soon--they can survive for over a year without feeding. I am guessing we will be lifting up the sheets and checking mattresses as well as examining our shopping bags and luggage for a long time. However, bedbugs are not stopping me from traveling. I travelled to NYC in August with my daughter. We followed the necessary precautions on our trip and kept our eyes open for warning signs. I am happy to say we didn't see a single bed bug. 

(Portions of this post include updated information from my post in late August, Will bed bugs be visiting your house?)

(Photo: Screen shot from the WebMD blog.)

For more information: 

• Bed Bugs CDC-EPA Joint Statement - CDC
• Bed Bugs - Pesticides - US EPA
• Bed Bug Prevention and Control - Univ. of MN
• Bed bug hotel safety
• Traveler Q & A: Preventing bed bugs from hitchhiking to your home
• Bogdan Rau: Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Dorm!
• University of Kentucky Bed Bug Fact Sheet
• NYC.gov - Bed bugs
• Bedbugs Crawl, They Bite, They Baffle Scientists - NYTimes.com
• Bedbugs Pictures Slideshow: Photos and Images of Bedbugs from WebMD

 

New study says teens are more safe-sex conscious than baby boomers

In the largest sexual health survey since 1994, 14 to 17-year-old teens are more likely to use safe practices than adults over 40. The study by the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University published Monday in The Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that condoms don't have the same stigma for teens as they do for adults. 

According to the study, 79% of 14 to 17-year-old teens used a condom on their most recent sexual encounter compared to only 25% of all men. The lowest rates of condom use are among adults over 40 years of age. Considering the fact that the risk of contracting an STD dramatically increases when condoms are not used, this condom aversion by boomers is a dangerous trend. Unless couples are in a monogamous relationship, skipping the condom is not a wise choice at any age. Older adults may think they don't need to worry about STDs, however a recent spike HIV infections in women over 60 proves that no age group is immune to STDs.

The survey was funded by Church & Dwight Co. Inc., which manufactures Trojan brand condoms. 

More information about the study's findings can be found at the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior website provided by Indiana University. 

For more information on about sexual health check out my posts on Sex and Relationships 

(Ilustration: Chris Olson © 2010) 

Aack! Cathy comic strip ended Sunday...

The funny, angst-filled Cathy comic strip ended on October 3rd after 34 years. Cartoonist Cathy Guisewite's autobiographical cartoon diary reminded me daily that feeling ambivalent or stressed out is normal. Even the embarrassing meltdowns in Cathy's life made me laugh with her at the struggles we shared. If Cathy survived it, then so could I. Before Cathy, who knew our neuroses could be so funny? If Cathy struggled to find the perfect bathing suit for her body, then chances are women around the globe shared many of her same insecurities about body image as well as relationships and career.

 

Thank you, Cathy! Facing problem coworkers, smothering parents, or clueless guys will never seem so daunting because of you.

Curious about how Cathy"s voice sounds? Watch this YouTube video about Cathy

(Photos: The Cathy comic strips appeared in my favorite newspapers and were created by the talented Cathy Guisewite.)

Daily doodle: yoga

"The yoga mat is a good place to turn when talk therapy and antidepressants aren't enough. ~ Amy Weintraub

For more doodles by me, check out Momathon's daily doodles.

 

Doodle: Chris Olson © 2010.

New evidence that breastfeeding improves health

 

Does breastfeeding improve the overall health of a baby? It depends on who you ask.

Babies "who derive all their nutrition from breast milk during their first six months of life are less prone to a host of common infections" according to a new study in Greece. The topic of health benefits and breastfeeding has been studied before, but many different factors can change the results depending on the environment, healthcare, etc. This new study includes data on how breastfeeding affects the overall health of children who also have access to high-quality health care. Emmanouil Galanakis from the department of pediatrics at the University of Crete in Heraklion, Greece is the lead researcher of the study that was published in the Sept. 28 online edition of the Archives of Disease in Childhood. 

Scientists are not in agreement on whether or not antibodies can enter the body via breastfeeding. In fact, this new Greek study contradicts a Canadian 2009 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) by Dr. Michael Kramer at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. In the 2009 study, the authors concluded, "no demonstrable beneficial or adverse long-term effects on child health or exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months."

What did the new Greek study determine? According to the Archives of Disease in Childhood, out of the 1,000 babies in the study, only 91 children ended up being exclusively breast-fed for a full six months, and they experienced fewer infections.

Do nutritional and immunological benefits rooted in the antibodies found in mothers' milk make a difference in a babies health? Yes, according to the Greek research, but only if the baby is exclusively fed breastmilk. The study found partial breast-feeding did not offer the same kind of protection.

Details on the Greek study according to the US Department of Health and Human Services:

• Study examined feeding patterns and infection rates among nearly 1,000 Greek infants from birth to 1 year of age.
• Babies in the study had received their routine vaccinations and all were deemed to have access to high-quality health care.
• Infection incidence was tracked at the one-, three-, six-, nine- and 12-month marks.
• At the 1-month mark, a little more than 60 percent of the mothers breast-fed their infants to some degree, but only about 25 percent did so exclusively.
• The longer a baby was breast-fed exclusively, the lower the child's risk for infection and the fewer visits to the doctor.
• Infections studied in the research included respiratory and urinary infections, ear infections (otitis media), stomach upsets (gastroenteritis), conjunctivitis and thrush.

Study author Fani Ladomenou, of the University of Crete in Heraklion, Greecethe writes in Archives of Disease in Childhood: 

"Exclusive breastfeeding helps protect infants against common infections and lessens the frequency and severity of infectious episodes not only in developing countries but also in communities with adequate vaccination coverage and healthcare standards."

For more information on the health benefits of brestfeeding and the recent study, check out:

• BBC News - Breastfeeding 'prevents baby infections,' research suggests
• Archives of Disease in Childhood - BMJ Journals
• More evidence that breastfeeding is good for babies - Los Angeles Times
• Breastfeeding wards off baby infections - UK Net Guide
• WomensHealth.gov
• Breastfeeding May Cut Infection Risk for Babies: WebMD.com

For more healthy living posts, check out Momathon's health & wellness.

Special mommy hugs to the wonderful photographer of the photo above: Gabi_Menashe

FAQ: Similac Infant Formula Recall 2010

 
 

Yesterday certain brands of Abbott's Similac Brand Powder Infant Formulas in cans and plastic containers were recalled because they "did not meet its quality standards" due to the potential contamination by the presence of the small common beetle or their larvae according to a FDA press release. The contaminated containers could potentially cause stomach ache and digestion problems. Liquid Similac formulas are not part of the voluntary recall.

Similac powders formula in plastic tubs vs. cans

Plastic tubs: All powders in a plastic tub are being recalled according to a Abbot spokesperson speaking on CNN about the recall. This is not the same information given in their initial press release about the recall in which they told consumers to use their Similac powder infant formula lookup to check if the lot number is in the recall list. Evidently, all the plastic tub lot numbers are on the recall list. Unfortunately the Similac recall lookup website has been overloaded by consumer traffic and it loads very slowly. 

Similac has also provided a 59-page hPDF with a complete list of recalled Similac formulas. The FDA has a searchable Similac Infant Formula List.

Cans: If you  have a Similac powder in a can, use the website to look up to see if that specific can lot number is on the recall list. The specific contaminated products are offered in 8-oz, 12.4 oz., and 12.9 oz cans.

(Liquid Similac formulas are not part of the voluntary recall. )

Was the formula sold in the U.S.?

The Abbott plant involved is in Sturgis, Michigan, and the recall involves up to 5 million Similac-brand powder formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean countries. 

The specific contaminated products are offered in plastic containers and in 8-oz, 12.4 oz., and 12.9 oz cans.

According to the FDA: "At least 12 of the recalled products were provided to families through the federal government’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) health and nutrition program."

Is the contaminated formula a health danger?

The FDA released this safety warning: 

"Possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product. The FDA has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae, could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract."

Health warnings and safety alerts by the FDA for Similac recall:

"If symptoms are noted and persist for more than a few days, a physician should be consulted. Products with affected lot numbers should be returned to Abbott at no cost to the consumer." 

How to check if your formula is on the recall list:

• Find the lot number on your containers.
• Go to Similac powder infant formula lookup, and type in their lot number to determine if their product is affected.
• Or call (800) 986-8850, however the wait time can be very long.
• Similac has also provided a 59-page PDF with a complete list of recalled Similac formulas.
• The FDA has a searchable Infant Formula Products List.

The Similac website is loading very slowly. Also, all Similac powder formula in a plastic tub is being recalled so you do not have to use Similac website. (Note:  Liquid Similac formulas are not part of the voluntary recall.)

 

How to find Similac lot numbers on cans and plastic tubs according to the FDA.

 

For more information:

• Similac Powder Infant Formula Recall Lookup.
• FDA press release: Abbott Voluntarily Recalls Certain Similac® Brand Powder Infant Formulas That Did Not Meet Its Quality Standards
• SFDA Safety Alerts: Similac Powder Infant Formulas: Recall
• Abbott Nutrition: Similac powder infant formula recall
• CBS News: Similac Recall 2010: How to Keep Your Kids Safe
• Huffington Post: Similac Recall: Beetles Concern Prompts Infant Formula To Be Recalled

5 bad fast food meals kids love

Even though I don't think I frequent fast food places, the evidence of stopping once in a while for fries or a burger is clear: Before my kids could read a picture book, they could "read" the Burger King logo sign. 

Sigh. We all know eating healthy meals and snacks is best, but many of us still crave a fresh salad with a gallon of dressing or a sugary fruit smoothie. Nutrition, it turns out, is not always easy to recognize.

Recently Dr. Susan Albers, a psychologist who specializes in eating issues and body image concerns, made a list of foods kids should avoid in Huffington Post. According to Albers, a recent study by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) examined fast food favorites for kids that are popular because they are heavily marketed. Turns out the nutritional content on these meals is less than favorable. Surprise. Surprise. Kids love junk. And I'm guessing that anything labeled a "Happy Meal" sounds good to a six-year-old.

According to Albers article, here are the five worst fast food kids meals (using data from PCRM's study):

Worst
McDonald's Mighty Kids Meal: Double Cheeseburger, French fries, and chocolate milk. 840 calories, 37 grams of fat

2nd Worst
Wendy's Kids Meal: Chicken Sandwich, French fries and chocolate Frosty. 770 calories, 34 grams of fat.

3rd Worst
KFC Kids Meal: Popcorn chicken, potato wedges, string cheese and soda. 800 calories, 1,800 milligrams of sodium.

4th Worst
A&W Kids Meal: Cheeseburger, French fries and soda. 780 calories, 9 grams of saturated fat.

5th Worst
Burger King's BK Kids: Breakfast muffin sandwich meal. 95 milligrams of cholesterol (exceeds the Institute of Medicine's limit on sodium intake.)

For more information on healthy eating habits, check out the Momathon health & wellness news.

Easy dinners with only 5 ingredients

 

Fast meals in my house must also involve no-fuss grocery shopping. That's why I love the meal ideas by nutritionist Robin Miller author of Robin Rescues Dinner and host of the "Quick Fix Meals" show on the Food Network.

Check out the TODAY Show video below featuring Robin Miller. In the video she shares two recipes for easy-to-make dinners using five ingredients that are under 500 calories.

Robin's recipes 

Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with roasted pineapple

• 1 pork tenderloin (about 1-1 1/4 pounds)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 slices center-cut (lean) pork bacon
• 4-6 cored and peeled pineapple rounds (fresh or canned in juice)

(Complete lasagne recipe at the link above)

Lasagne rolls with herbed cheese recipe 

• 12 uncooked lasagna noodles
• 1 cup soft herbed cheese (such as Boursin or Alouette)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups prepared tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

(Complete lasagne recipe at the link above)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

For more recipes, click on Momathon recipes.

New study says media is the leading sex educator for kids

  

Finding out what your kids watch on TV or on the internet could be as important to your kids' health and wellness as making sure they wear bike helmets. 

According to an article published in the September issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, teens and younger children are learning about sex from the media and the message can be dangerous.

Parents might feel hesitant to talk to their kids about sex. However, when parents shy away from talking to their kids, by default then the parents are encouraging their kids to learn about sex from  less reliable sources such as the internet, TV, and movies.  

The content in the videos, shows, or music content is not the only place where kids hear sexually explicit messages. Major advertising campaigns for products including erectile dysfunction drugs constantly play during daytime and primetime TV.

Here are some of main findings of the study according to healthfinder.gov:

• 70% of teen shows contain sexual content 
• Less than 10% of the sexual content in these shows talk about the consequences of sex such as contracting an STD 
• U.S leads the western world in teen pregnancy rates
• One in four American teens have an STD.
• U.S. children spend seven hours and more a day watching or listening to media that may include sexually explicit content-- music, movies, television shows, magazines and the Internet.

Photo of laptop by bigpresh

Will bed bugs be visiting your house?

If you have watched the news this summer, then you probably think bed bugs--also known as Cimex lectularius--are taking over the world, or at least NYC. The bed bug population in the U.S. has grown at an alarming rate in recent months.

A Joint Statement on Bed Bug Control in the United States from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) was issued in August. Although the exact cause of the resurgence is not known, according to the CDC:

"Experts suspect the resurgence is associated with increased resistance of bed bugs to available pesticides, greater international and domestic travel, lack of knowledge regarding control of bed bugs due to their prolonged absence, and the continuing decline or elimination of effective vector/pest control programs at state and local public health agencies."

When bed bugs bite
Bed bugs are a pest. The yuck factor of these blood sucking external parasites (ectoparasites) is huge. Fortunately they do not transmit disease. Some people may get an allergic reaction to the bites. It is also possible to get a secondary infection from the bite. You probably won't even feel their bite because the bugs inject a type of anesthetic and anticoagulant. What you will notice is the small swollen red mark at the bite site that becomes itchy.

Bed bugs and head lice both feed on the human blood, but are not known to transmit disease like other external parasites such as body lice.

How to identify bed bugs
Bed bugs are similar in appearance to a small wood tick. When bed bugs have a meal of blood, their color changes from brown to a purple red and they become more elongated. According to the US EPA:

• Adult bed bugs are 1/4 to 3/8 inch (4-5 mm) long, brown in color, with a flat, oval-shaped body; 
• young bed bugs are smaller and lighter in color

Bed bug photos
Helpful photo illustrations of bed bugs and where they hide can be seen at these links:

• US EPA 
• Univ. of MN: Traveler Q & A: Preventing bed bugs from hitchhiking to your home
• Bed bug versus Bat Bug

Where do bed bugs live?
Bed bugs are tiny hitchhikers that latch on to an object and move around unnoticed. In general, they don't hitch a ride on human skin or hair, but prefer to ride on clothing or other objects. That's why you need to check out furniture, beds, suitcases, purses, clothing, etc. Bed bugs like the dark and are known to travel up to 100 feet in one night. They often hide in crevices. Common hiding places are near mattress seams, labels or piping--even in the head board. A major infestation in a home warrants checking all furniture, draperies, storage areas, and even appliances. If you can slip a credit card under an object such as loose wall paper, consider this an easy entry space for the tiny bugs to find a place to hide. Because the young bugs are tiny (1/16" -1/4") and nearly translucent, they are difficult to see. Bed bugs are found in places people sleep, but they can also infest stores and theaters or any place people hang out.

Bed bugs in clothing
When removing clothing you think is infested, stand on bare floor and not on carpet so you can spot them if they fall to the floor. You can even get the floor slightly wet before you remove the clothing because this will make it more difficult for the bugs to escape. High temperature (100 -120 F) washing and drying can be effective in killing bugs on clothing. For detailed instructions check out this Univ. of MN link.

Bed bugs in luggage
If you suspect your luggage is infested, place luggage in an air tight plastic bag to contain the bugs. Some methods of getting rid of the bugs inside luggage include high temperature washing (100 - 120 F), heating the bags to a very high core temp (120 F), or freezing (-15 F) the bags. Exact directions for these methods can be found at the Traveler Q & A link at the Univ. of MN.

Signs of bed bug infestation
According to the US EPA here are some warning signs:

• small dark spots the size of dot made by a pen are bed bug excrement
• tiny white eggs and eggshells (about 1mm)
• skins that young bed bugs shed when they mature
• live bed bugs
• rusty or reddish stains on sheets or mattresses caused by bed bugs being crushed

What to do if you find bed bugs
Both the US EPA and the CDC offer detailed instructions for what you can do if you find bed bugs in your home or office or dorm. A few tips to keep bed bugs away include:

• thoroughly checking luggage and clothing when returning from a trip
• using luggage racks when staying at a hotel
• keep purses and briefcases off the floor
• removing clutter that provides a hiding space
• vacuuming
• sealing cracks that might be hiding spaces 
• using heat treatment such as washing and drying clothing and linens at high temperatures to kill the bed bugs
• seal mattresses, box springs, and pillows in special encasements to trap bed bugs

If you suspect your dorm room is infested, contact the housing director or your dorm RA immediately. Getting professional help is key to getting rid of them. According to a recent article in The Huffington Post, simply vacuuming and washing your sheets is not a solution to getting rid of the bug hitchhikers in crowded areas such as dorms.

Pesticide safety
If bed bugs take up residence in your house, the National Pesticide Information Center has useful information on how to select and use pesticide products safely.

The recent bed bug resurgence requires that all of us be watchful. New bed bug infestations in public spaces crop up daily. Since bed bugs are very hardy and can survive for over a year without feeding, I am guessing we will be lifting up the sheets and checking our mattresses for a long time. However, bed bugs are not stopping me from traveling. In August I attended BlogHer 10 in NYC with my daughter. We followed the necessary precautions on our trip and kept are eyes open for warning signs. I am happy to say we didn't see a single bed bug. 

For more information:

• Bed Bugs CDC-EPA Joint Statement - CDC
• Bed Bugs - Pesticides - US EPA
• Bed Bug Prevention and Control - Univ. of MN
• Bed bug hotel safety
• Traveler Q & A: Preventing bed bugs from hitchhiking to your home
• Bogdan Rau: Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Dorm!
• University of Kentucky Bed Bug Fact Sheet
• NYC.gov - Bed bugs
• Bedbugs Crawl, They Bite, They Baffle Scientists - NYTimes.com

The high cost of low-cost foods

Finding a deal on a pantry staple at the grocery is a great feeling. That is, until you realize that the low cost of some foods comes with a high price--our safety. Critics of the centralized food production system note the current practices allow for lower costs, but the voluntary recall by large corporations means they are also overseeing their own safety measures. 

The current egg recall by large-scale egg producers involves more than a half-billion eggs linked to a Salmonella outbreak. I recently wrote about the egg recall at BlogHer. The egg recall is only one of many current recalls including a deli meat recall from Wal-Mart. For more details on recalls check out: FDA: Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts.

Improved safety measures
Under current legislation the FDA does not have the necessary power to trace safety violations and impose a recall. The bipartisan Food Safety Bill (S510) under consideration in the Senate now might be the key to improving the situation by giving the FDA new powers to safeguard our food and track down violators.

Meanwhile, cook your eggs thoroughly and prevent cross-contamination by cleaning all surfaces and utensils.

For additional information on recent food recalls, check out these links:

FDA: Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts

Deli Meat Tests Positive for Bacteria - US News and World Report

Nationwide deli meat recall announced - CNN.com

Egg recall points up need for Senate action on food safety - Washington Post

Got egs? Read this - Momathon Blog

Daily doodle: yoga

 

For more doodles by me, click on Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

Got eggs? Read this

 

 
A growing number of people nationwide are getting salmonella infections from the recent outbreak linked to the tainted eggs from Wright County Egg in Iowa. This is not a regional outbreak--the number of eggs recalled is 380 million and growing.  

Recent FDA rules now make eggs safer, but unfortunately before the new July 9th rules large-scale egg producers did not have to comply with the safety measures that cover the refrigeration of stored and transported eggs, pasteurization, rodent control, cleanliness and a Salmonella prevention plan.

How to identify recalled brands
The Egg Safety Center has a detailed chart on recalled eggs listing the brands, codes, and possible stores. You can find it on this link: Egg Safety Center: Recall -- Effected brands and descriptions

Brands listed in recall according to a CNN.com article from August 20th include two recall groups:

Wednesday's (8/18) recall covers eggs branded as
• Albertsons
• Farm Fresh
• James Farms
• Glenview
• Mountain Dairy
• Ralph's
• Boomsma
• Lund
• Kemps
• Pacific Coast 

Eggs in this recall group are marked with
• plant numbers 1720 and 1942
• three-digit code ranging from 136 to 229

The earlier recall covered these brands

• Lucerne
• Albertson
• Mountain Dairy
• Ralph's
• Boomsma
• Sunshine
• Hillandale
• Trafficanda
• Farm Fresh
• Shoreland
• Lund
• Dutch Farms
• Kemps brands

 Eggs in this recall group are marked with 
• plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946.
• a three-digit code ranging from 136 to 225  

Reading the codes on packaging can be tricky. Note that the four-digit plant number begins with "P - " and is followed by the three-digit code.

The plant number begins with a P. The Julian date is a 3-digit code.

If you cook the eggs properly they are safe. However, cross contamination is possible if cooking utensils like pans and spatulas are not washed correctly. Of course, the recall is changing daily. Before consuming eggs please check the most update information. 

Salmonella infections symptoms

Please consult your doctor for complete information on the illness, symptoms, and treatment. The recent egg recall involves Salmonella enteridis. Symptoms can occur from 6 to 72 hours after eating an egg. Some symptoms include lower abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, headache. Please consult your doctor for complete information on the illness, symptoms, and treatment. You can also check these links

     Salmonella Symptoms: Are My Kids Safe? - CBS News 

     Salmonella Infections - KidsHealth.org

     Salmonella infection: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com

     CDC - Salmonella enteritidis: General Information

For more information:

 CDC - Outbreak of Enteritidis Infections - August 19, 2010 - Salmonella

 This link includes detailed advice to consumers regarding identifying recalled eggs and how to handle eggs.

 FDA: Consumers -- Playing it Safe With Eggs

 FoodSafety.gov: Eggs and Egg Products

 Egg Safety Center

 Eggs, salmonella, recall: What you need to know - latimes.com

Photos above 1) Photo of one egg in a carton by Darwin Bell, 2) Egg codes on carton is a screenshot from the CNN.com online video.

Should an 8-yr-old get a bikini wax?

 

What happened to childhood? A new salon trend has girls before they reach puberty getting a "virgin" wax. Sounds outrageous to me. My big question is why? 

Evidently moms are scheduling virgin waxes for their young girls because they think getting a wax treatment at an early age will prevent future hair growth. That's news to me. I have never heard my pediatrician bring up virgin waxing as an option.

According to an article in Gothamist, Wanda Stawczyk, who runs Wanda's European Skin Care on West 57th Street:

"Virgin-waxing for children 8 years old and up who have never shaved before. Virgin hair can be waxed so successfully that growth can be permanently stopped in just 2 to 6 sessions. Save your child a lifetime of waxing... and put the money in the bank for her college education instead."

And this makes me ask again... WHY? Does an 8-yr-old even have pubic hair? According to dermatology.com, the barely noticeable pre-puberty hair is called vellus. This fine, non-pigmented hair covers the body of children. 

Except for the advice of the salon worker quoted above, I'm not sure this shaving will prevent hair growth in the future. Besides, if vellus is not noticeable, why should anyone shave it?

What happened to childhood? Virgin waxing is one more way very young girls are asked to grow up way too fast. 

(Photo above by Tom@HK.)

I heart calcium

 

 

I don't like taking calcium supplements so I try to get as much calcium into my diet through foods. Why bother? Because calcium supports your overall health including bone health. When your body doesn't get enough calcium it takes calcium stored in your bones and this can lead to health issues such as osteoporosis. Between ages nine and eighteen, kids need almost twice as much calcium as younger kids.

Calcium absorption can be disrupted by alcohol so it's best to drink only in moderation--one alcoholic drink a day for women. Too much caffeine and carbonated drinks can also interfere with bone health especially for post-menopausal women because caffeine increases the excretion of calcium. A general rule for caffeine consumption is to limit caffeine to under 300 mg--that's about 16 oz of coffee and 32 oz of tea a day.

How much calcium do you need?

KIDS
Check with your doctor for specific amounts for your child, but a general guideline is

• Birth - 6 months: 210 mg
• 6 - 12 months: 270 mg
• ages 1-3: 500 mg (about 1.5 eight oz. cups low-fat or fat free milk)
• ages 4-8: 800 mg (about 2.5 eight oz. cups)
• ages 9-18: 1,300 mg (about 4.5 cups eight oz. cups)
• (Source: NIH: Milk Matters Calcium Education Campaign

ADULTS

• Adults: 1,000 mg (about three 8 oz. glasses of milk a day)
• Over 50: 1,200 mg (about four 8 oz glasses of milk a day)
• After menopause: 1,300 mg
• If you have osteoporosis: consult your doctor

Calcium supplements are one way to get enough calcium, but you can also eat calcium rich foods. Great sources of calcium include:

• Low-fat dairy products, yogurt
• Fish: sardines and salmon
• Calcium fortified juice and cereal
• Dark leafy green veggies

For more information on calcium check out National Osteoporosis Foundation.

How much calcium are you getting today? Check out the Calcium Calculator

(Photo: AMagill)

Embrace your inner celebrity and wear sunglasses

Chances are you will remember to slather on the sunscreen if you are going to spend time outdoors. Did you know that your eyes can suffer from too much sun too? 

July is UV Safety Month. The same UV-A and UV-B rays that damage your skin can harm your eyes as well. Too much UV exposure can lead to eye health problems similar to a sunburn on the surface of the eye. Conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration can also be caused by too much exposure to UV exposure. 

Simple ways to protect your eyes
Next time you or your kids go outside wear sunglasses that block at least 99% UV-A and UV-B rays. Add a wide brimmed had and your eyes will appreciate the comfort and protection. Watch out for over exposure during midday as well as when the sun reflects the off water or snow. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What to do if you find a deer tick

 

 

What to do if you find a deer tick 

The sooner you can remove a deer tick the better. To prevent lyme disease do DAILY tick checks because you want the deer tick to embed your skin for less than 24-48 hours.

• If you find a tick on you or your pets, use a thin-bladed pair of tweezers. 
• Grab the tick by the head or the mouth as close to the skin as possible and remove attached tick slowly and gently. 
• Do NOT use the ineffective remedies like petroleum jelly, nail polishes, or burning matches.
• Save the tick for testing/diagnosis: Put tick in a small jar to give your health practitioner as soon as possible. 
• An effective history of exposure is helpful for treatment. You can take a photo of the tick or the rash and email it to your doctor for clarification. 
• You can't effectively wash ticks out of clothing, but you can get rid of them by putting clothing in the dryer for a cycle. 

Diagnosis
Because the disease has symptoms that mimic other diseases, diagnosis is often difficult. If you suspect you have been bitten, go to a doctor immediately. A physical exam and blood test may be done. But a blood test is not always conclusive. Early recognition of signs and an awareness of history of possible exposure areas is critical. Fortunately, the disease can be treated with anitbiotics. However, the earlier the diagnosis is made the better the recovery. 

To reduce deer tick population near your house: Keep lawn mowed, brush trimmed, and leaf litter away from home. Clear vegetation on paths and trails. 

Early symptoms
Symptoms that appear 3 to 30 days after the bite according to the deer tick study by the Minnesota Dept. of Health. A person may have all or just some of these symptoms. The symptoms can resemble the flu. 

• Red rash resembling a bulls-eye may be present in some case. This rash is present in 60 to 80 percent of the Lyme disease cases. 
• Fever 
• Chills 
• Headache 
• Muscle and joint pain 
• Fatigue 

Symptoms that can appear later
Symptoms days to weeks after the bite according to the Minnesota Dept. of Health. A person may have all or just some of these symptoms.

• Multiple rashes 
• Facial paralysis 
• Fever - Stiff neck 
• Headache 
• Weakness, numbness, pain in arms 
• Irregular heart beat 
• Weakness or fatigue Long-term symptoms of untreated Lyme disease include arthritis, problems with the nervous system, weakness, fatigue. 

(Photo above of a female deer tick by jkirkhart35 on Flickr)

Eight tips to prevent lyme disease

 

 

Eight tips

1. Avoid wooded brushy areas with high grass and lots of leaf "litter" because ticks love this habitat. If possible, avoid sitting on the ground in these areas. 
2. Make it easier to spot the tiny bugs on clothing: When outdoors in grassy or wooded areas wear light colored clothing to help you see ticks. 
3. Create a tick barrier: Tuck pants into socks or boots when walking in deer tick areas. 
4. Keep long hair pulled back or in a hat to prevent tick attachment when sitting on the ground. 
5. Deer tick repellant for clothing should include Permethrin. 
6. If you apply repellant to the skin it should contain DEET. Don't apply DEET to the face. Read the directions carefully. Also talk to your doctor about the health precautions for repellants and children. (The CDC recommends adults using repellants with 20-30% DEET on exposed skin to prevent bites.) 
7. Daily Tick Checks: At the end of the deer have someone do a tick check. The tick must be attached for at least 24-48 hours to transmit the bacteria. 
8. Check your pets too: Check your pets for ticks each day. (There is a vaccine for pets to prevent Lyme disease, but it won't stop the ticks from hitching a ride on your pet and entering your house.) There are some topical topical repellants available for pets. 

For tips on how to remove a deer tick go to this lyme disease link.

Photo above of an adult female deer tick by Dendroica cerulea.

Takes a village to convince young girls they are fat...

 

Can a girl as young as five learn to dislike her body? If you are unhappy with your body and obsess over dieting, your young daughter might follow your lead and learn to feel the same way according to the American Dietetic Association:

"Parental body image has a powerful influence on how kids feel about their bodies. If you talk about your thighs, your latest diet or your punishing workouts, your children will naturally absorb these negative messages. They will begin to worry about the size of their thighs and think they should be dieting."

I know how easy it is to spill my own feelings about dieting or the fact that a certain pair of jeans no longer fits. It happens. I don't have a simple answer to this dilemma. I will never be able to live perfectly. Perfection is something air-brushed on a magazine cover or edited in a movie. I gripe about not getting to the gym. We keep a big supply of cookies at our house. We have ice cream. Lots! But we also have plenty of good stuff like fresh fruit (or the easy to use frozen fruit), yogurt, whole grain foods, and the super food called water.

I know I won't always set the best example. However, I am taking baby steps in the battle against negative body images. Instead of saying certain foods are bad, at my house I am trying to focus on the foods with positive benefits. As a family we read the food labels. If my kids know the low fat content or the fiber benefits of a certain snack I consider that a success story.

(Photo above: limaoscarjuliet)

Today is National Women's Checkup Day!

 

Yesterday we celebrated our wonderful moms--the women who take care of us. Today we need to remind ourselves to also take good care of ourselves and schedule a regular checkup for early detection of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other conditions. 

Click on the link, for more information on National Women's Checkup Day.

Here is a brief list of reminders, ask your Dr for a complete list. As you grow older, continue to do the checks recommended from previous decade.

30s
blood pressure
cholesterol check
pap smear
self mole check (every month)
tetanus booster shot 
thyroid check (start at age 35)

40s
mammogram
eye exam, screen for glaucoma
diabetes screening

50s
colonoscopy every 5-10 years
hearing check

60s
eye exam, check for macular degeneration
pneumonia vaccine
osteoporosis screening/bone density check

 
Why do so many women avoid getting screened if the tests are so important? Perhaps it is because women are so busy caring for everyone else. And they end up delaying the medical appointment and tests for a week or two, and that delay ends up being a month or two, then a year or two.

According to WomensHealth.gov:

"Screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap tests, can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat. Some women need certain screening tests earlier, or more often, than others."

It’s Your Time! Schedule your checkup. 

Tobacco Mints? New to a classroom in your school...

The slogan by Camel for the new tobacco mints is: Enjoy them Anywhere. Anytime. Anyplace.

R.J. Reynolds might as well have added "For ANYONE." 

And "Share them at SCHOOL!"

The slick candy package (that is easy to hide in a pocket), the cutesy Tic Tac shape, and all the candy marketing makes the Orbs look like they are perfect for your kids. 

The Camel Orbs come in kid-friendly flavors like mint and cinnamon. You might think they would be the perfect treat for kids, that is for one minor detail: they contain finely ground up tobacco. 

Small Tic Tac shaped Camel Orbs mix mint or cinnamon with tobacco and promise a nicotine kick just like smoking a cigarrette. Since nicotine is highly addictive, seems only logical that Orb addicts will crave a smoke too. Or worse... An innocent young child thinking they are candy--BECAUSE THEY LOOK LIKE TIC TACS--will eat too many and get poisoned!

 

 
(Photo above from an article by iVillage: Are Those Mints or Tobacco Pellets?)

Rattlesnake season begins: Time to get your dog vaccinated

 

 

Winter is always so peaceful on the hiking trails by my house because the ground is frozen. Now the daffodils are blooming. Spring is here. The earth is warming up. Creatures I didn't see during the colder months are out and about. Each time I go around a bend on a hiking trail I watch out for a Western Diamondback sunning on the path. 

I wear hiking boots to protect my feet and ankles. But dogs don't wear shoes and their natural curiosity can lead them right into harm's way. Often my dogs are running through the longer grass so quickly it would be impossible for them to even see the snake hiding nearby. That's why I get them vaccinated for rattlesnake bites. And rattlesnake vaccines are a safer alternative to the antivenom treatment if my dogs get a bite. Of course, even with the vaccine if one of my dogs gets bitten by a snake, I still need to immediately go to the vet for a check.

Rattlesnake bites are a veterinary emergency that results in serious injury and unfortunately even death to thousands of dogs each year. The venom spreads through dogs (and humans) quickly. The good news is dogs can get vaccinated to protect them.

If you live in an area with rattlesnakes, it's time to get your dog vaccinated. The best time for the vaccine is at the beginning of the snake season because the vaccine loses its effectiveness over time. Of course, please consult with your vet for the best preventive measures for your dog.

Rattlesnakes like to sunbathe on rocks or ledges during the day, but they are out during dawn and dusk too. Rattlesnakes can climb walls and trees. They also like to hide beneath logs or woodpiles. Last year my husband picked up a bag of grass clippings beside the house and surprised a rattlesnake hiding underneath it. 

Even if your dog can't see the snake they can learn to recognize the signs that a snake is nearby. Rattlesnakes emit an odor and a rattle sound that is specific to them. If you hike often you might consider contacting a professional dog trainer in your area that specializes in training dogs to avoid snakes.

(Photo: Western Diamondback Rattlesnake photo by Charles & Clint)

Exercise your mind and doodle

 

If you're like me, then you probably feel energized after a brisk walk. It doesn't even have to be a long walk, just long enough to clear your head. If you walk fast enough, you might even feel the weight of daily responsibilities lighten. Someone once told me that doodling or drawing offers the same benefits. Drawing is like taking your mind for a walk.

My brother Eric Hanson, author and illustrator, writes a beautiful blog with insightful illustrations (see above). Hanson's artwork has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Harper's, Rolling Stone, among other publications. Here's what Hanson says about drawing in a recent post: 

"Drawings sometimes invent themselves. I put them down the way I take a message for my wife, assuming the information is self-explanatory. For instance, I don't know what the arrow means in this one, but I'm sure it makes perfect sense to you. Happy is a very fungible word, useful in any context. I could have put it next to a drawing of a frowning man and you would assume I meant it ironically. Actually, I drew this in an ironic mood. Maybe the arrow implies irony. Maybe irony is in the ear of the beholder."

The good news is you are never too young to start drawing. And in my highly opinionated opinion, drawing in school is okay--especially if the teacher is on board. My brother loved to draw and doodling might have been what kept him "productive" at school. 

"To quiet my disruptive attempts at humor, my fourth-grade teacher moves my desk to the back of the classroom and asks me to draw portraits of the presidents, which she pins up above the blackboard, 1964," says Hanson in his book. "Miss Maggard is my first art director."

So take your mind for a walk today--and bring your kids along. Doodle away. No gym membership required. 

A Book of Ages: 
According to Vanity Fair, “This is your life! Obsessed with measur ing your self-worth by age? Gird your loins for Eric Hanson’s A Book of Ages (Harmony/ Crown). To wit: Steve Jobs co founded Apple at 21, and Edison dreamed up the light bulb at 32. Take heart, though — Grandma Moses didn’t show her first painting until 78.”

(Illustration above: er-h, Eric Hanson)

How old do you feel? It's all attitude

Next time you are feeling old, consider the peppy piano couple, Marlow and Frances Cowan, who played impromptu piano duets in Mayo Clinic's Gonda Atrium while they were visiting the clinic one week. He's over 90. She's in her mid 80s. They've been married for over 62 years.

Here's the charming story behind their piano duet at the Mayo as well as their life philosophy

Marlow and Frances Cowen on Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know at the Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines, IA on May 16, 2009.  

Childhood obesity: Will we live longer lives than our kids?

In the rush to get everything done in a day, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with healthy meals and exercise often seems impossible. If you are like me, then getting take-out or fast food is a big temptation when you feel like you have no time to cook dinner. Unfortunately, when eating out becomes the norm, eating healthy is not always an option. 

Childhood obesity is a growing trend that threatens about one in three kids in the U.S. Increasing rates of obesity in America means that for the first time in our history, kids may face a shorter lifespan than their parents.

That's why First Lady Michelle Obama is encouraging doctors, nurses, parents, and community leaders to join Let’s Move, a nationwide campaign to change the trend and solve the epidemic of childhood obesity.

The First Lady's nationwide initiative's goal is to raise a healthier generation of kids. Let’s Move aims to give families the support needed to live healthier lives by eating healthy and getting more exercise.

4 key components of Let’s Move

1. Improve the information and tools families need to make healthy changes.
2. Improve quality of food in schools.
3. Improve access and affordability of food including eliminating "food deserts" in the community.
4. Increase physical education for kids to get them moving.

Go Red for Women Day

 

Wear red today--National Wear Red Day--to promote awareness of heart disease and strokes in women.

One in three women die of heart disease in America. 
 Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in America. 

The good news is women have control over many of the risk factors linked to heart disease including: 

smoking
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
high stress
lack of exercise
obesity

Talk to your physician to find out what you can do to lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. 

Unfortunately, too many women shrug off the risks of heart disease in women because they think it's a man's disease. Spread the word--talk to your girl friends about the importance of taking care of our hearts and our bodies.

Going out tonight? Spread the word about preventing heart disease and ask your family, girl friends, and co-workers to wear red. 

 

 

(Photos: Go Red For Women)