How Vitamin D Can Positively Affect Your Mood

There’s a reason why some healthcare professionals give their patients Vitamin D supplements in the fall and winter – it’s been shown that a lack of Vitamin D plays a role in SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Other studies point to Vitamin D’s role in cognitive and mood problems in older adults, and studies on overweight people showed a positive effect on mood when Vitamin D was supplemented.

Because the body makes Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, experts believe that the lower levels of sunlight in fall and winter may contribute to lower levels of Vitamin D, and hence depression.

There have been many cases of people experiencing a much-needed mood boost by consuming even more Vitamin D than the US RDA recommends (which is 200 IU). Most sources agree that 2000 IU is the safe limit of supplemented Vitamin D, although your body can synthesize much, much more than that in just a few minutes of sun exposure, sources point out.

So how do you get more Vitamin D in your diet? Supplements are an option, but many people prefer to get vitamins through foods. Here are some foods that are rich in Vitamin D.

* Oatmeal – It’s nice that a cold-weather breakfast cereal – which you might instinctively reach for when the weather turns colder – provides around 188 IU of Vitamin D per serving.

* Soy Milk – Try adding some soy milk to your oatmeal – it has about 200 IU per cup, with some brands and varieties containing more.

* Salmon – Have you ever wondered how people in far northern climates, where the sun doesn’t even shine for months in the winter, get enough Vitamin D? Their diets are rich in fatty seafood. Research supports the positive effect of fish oil on mood, and fish oil contains Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so getting it through a (healthy) fat-rich source makes sense. Sources note that wild-caught salmon is best. (Other fish with Vitamin D include cod, herring, sardines and trout.)

* Mushrooms – Canned or fresh, mushrooms are a good source of Vitamin D, with almost 170 IU per 1-cup serving. White mushrooms and shitake, even dried, are considered the highest in Vitamin D.

* Eggs – One egg has about 20 IU of Vitamin D. Organic, free-range eggs may be higher in this vitamin than conventional eggs.

* Fortified Foods – While it’s not a natural form of Vitamin D, you can find significant amounts of this vitamin in enriched breakfast cereals and fortified cow’s milk.

Tips for Keeping Your Family Healthy This Winter Season

The winter season can be cold and beautiful, but it is called “cold and flu season” for a reason! Many people associate winter with sickness, and not always just the cold and flu. Stomach “bugs” and mysterious, annoying illnesses seem to plague families in the winter. How can you avoid them? Is there anything you can do to prevent these nasty bugs from bothering your family this winter?

Yes! There are some things you can do to boost your family’s health and help keep illnesses at bay. Here are some tips.

Rest and Sleep

Many families have schedules that keep everyone running during the day and up late at night. But resting and getting enough sleep are very important for staying healthy. While it’s understandable that some nights are late nights, it’s not a good idea to make staying up late and being sleep deprived into habits. Help your children balance activities and homework so they will get to bed on time.

Eat Well!

During the winter, there is not the abundant produce that we have in the summer. But there are still whole, healthy foods that are available and affordable. Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and whole-wheat pasta are readily available in the winter. Other healthy foods you can include in your family’s winter meals include:

* Winter squash
* Sweet potatoes
* Dried fruits like raisins, dried apricots, apples, figs, dates, cranberries, etc.
* Citrus fruits
* Frozen vegetables and fruits are more affordable and nutritionally similar to seasonal, fresh produce.
* Salmon and other fatty fish are good sources of fish oil, which is considered important for immune system health
* Greens like kale and collards

Vitamins and Minerals

It may help a lot to have everyone in the family on some sort of vitamin and mineral supplement. What supplement is best depends on everyone’s age and lifestyle; generally, a vitamin and mineral supplement that corresponds to family members’ ages should be fine. Make sure the supplement includes Vitamin D3, a key vitamin in fighting off illness, sources say.

Get Outside When You Can

The weather is not bad all winter. Whenever there is a sunny or milder day, get the family outside to get some winter sunshine and activity. Fresh air is a nice break from germ-laden, indoor air, and sunshine exposure helps your body make that important Vitamin D. If there’s snow on the ground, have snowball fights and build snowmen, and go sledding if you have the right kind of terrain. Winter hikes can be fun, too.

Teenagers and Personal Security Online

In some ways, the internet is safer than “real life” socializing – after all, your teen is not outside on the street after dark; he or she is camped out in front of the computer in your own home. But the internet also poses certain dangers. Teens’ personal information can be obtained and their identities stolen, or they may become victims of cyber bullies. Following are some tips for personal security online for teenagers.

1. Make sure your teen only sends credit card information through secure sites. Check the URL to make sure. Many anti-virus software programs will detect insecure sites and warn you.

2. Think before your share. Teens are often reckless, and don’t really comprehend the potential consequences of their actions. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have really clear guidelines as to what your teens can and can’t share, so your teen does not have to use his or her judgment each time he or she has something to share. Your rules could be as simple as no picture sharing unless Mom or Dad has seen the picture, or it could be more detailed, such as a list of things your teen is allowed to share online.

Another thing to keep in mind with regard to sharing photos is the issue of bullying. Your teenager should be aware that anyone can take that picture they’ve posted and use it to make fun of or otherwise defame them.

3. Remind your teen that the people on the other side of the screen are real people. In addition to being a victim of bullying, your teen could get “sucked in” to being a bully him or herself. Social networking creates a certain distance between people, and sometimes that makes it easier to be mean.

4. The FBI warns that online sexual predators need to be taken seriously. Make sure your teen knows never to arrange a meeting between him/herself and someone he or she met online. Sometimes teens feel invincible – “it won’t happen to me; I’m different” – and it’s important to keep a watchful eye on their meeting of new people online.

5. Playing games online leaves a “door” open to hackers, because ActiveX or JavaScript must be turned on to play the games. These need to be shut off after playing. Otherwise, they act as an opening for hackers.

6. One of the simplest things you can do is have the computer in a “public” or open area. Set it up where you can keep an eye on any internet browsing. Of course, many teens have mobile devices and laptops, so awareness of safety is still crucial.

Easy Ways to Add Superfoods into Your Daily Diet

When you hear about “superfoods,” it can sound somewhat intimidating. It may sound like you have to spend a great deal of money and completely change your diet, or force yourself to eat meals that taste unpleasant. In reality, though, superfoods are just regular foods – some are unusual, but they are generally just really healthy foods you can include in your regular diet. Here are some examples of superfoods and easy ways you can add them into your daily diet.

Berries

Berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cherries contain important vitamins and minerals, and are rich in antioxidants. Most health experts agree that the antioxidants and nutrients are more numerous and effective when these berries are eaten raw. These are great to eat out of hand, along with some of these other ways:

* Blueberries, sliced strawberries, and raspberries are good on hot or cold cereal.
* Freeze any berries and use them in smoothies.
* Puree berries and freeze into popsicles.
* Frozen berries are tasty eaten out of hand.
* Serve a mixed fruit salad that includes berries.
* Top shortcake with whipped cream and berries.

Green Tea

Green tea is not only considered a superfood full of antioxidants; it’s also purported to help boost weight loss. May stores offer flavors of green tea to make it even more enticing and fun to include in your diet. Green tea can be consumed in various ways.

* Brew green tea and drink hot for your morning cup.
* Mix green tea with your regular black tea, hot or iced.
* Coffee can also be mixed with green tea.
* Flavor green tea with fruit juice and drink it iced.

Flax Seeds

Health professionals point out that flax seeds should be ground up into a flour or meal for you to get the full nutritional benefits. Whole flax seeds pass through the digestive tract intact, meaning you don’t get any of the healthful benefits. Try including flax meal into your everyday diet with some of these ideas.

* Replace part of the flour in your favorite baked goods recipe with flax meal (breads, cookies, muffins, and so forth).
* Sprinkle flax meal on hot or cold cereal.
* Add flax meal to smoothies.
* Sprinkle it on yogurt.

Nuts

Look for raw nuts in your local grocery or health food store. Raw nuts are probably healthier, as they do not contain any added fat or salt, and heat has not destroyed the healthy fatty acids in these little superfoods.

* Sprinkle chopped nuts on oatmeal, cold cereal, or salads.
* Roll peeled bananas in chopped, raw peanuts.
* Dip apple slices in melted dark chocolate and roll in chopped nuts. Apples and dark chocolate are considered superfoods, too!

Fish

If you’re not used to fish, it can seem intimidating. But it’s really an easy food to prepare. Here are some ideas.

* Have a “fish night” at least once a week.
* Mild white fish can be cut into strips and used to make healthy homemade fish sticks.
* Broil salmon and baste with lemon juice and olive oil.

How to Stop Emotional Buying Habits

Emotional buying and spending do not necessarily involve large sums of money. It’s more about why you spend money than how much you spend. Emotional buying means you spend money to feel better or feel good in some way, and you do not really think of the consequences. Emotional buyers often use credit cards for their purchases, because it takes the “sting” out of shelling out cash. It seems like you’re not really spending money, and enhances the “feel good” factor.

But emotional buying habits are not healthy, either financially or emotionally. Here are some tips on stopping the destructive behavior known as emotional buying.

Identify the Need

Sources point out that emotional buying is indicative of some sort of unmet need. Maybe you felt deprived as a child, or perhaps you are trying to cope with emotional trauma with the accumulation of stuff. Of course, this is just a superficial fix. The underlying problem is still there.

Seek out therapy and counseling to help you identify what emotional needs or issues are at the root of your spending problem. If you can deal with the emotion that’s driving the behavior, you’re more likely to be able to stop the spending.

Let It Go

It can be tempting to spend because you don’t feel adequate. Maybe you’re trying to keep up with those Joneses we all seem to have in our lives. Or maybe you are buying inordinate amounts of things for your child(ren) or other family members. Some emotional spenders will rationalize their spending if it’s for someone they love. Try to let it go – you’re not competing with other families to see how much stuff you can show off. For all you know, that other family could be in more debt than you are!

Turn It Off

Advertising can be a real trap for the emotional buyer. After all, ads are aimed at your emotions and perceived needs. Emotional buyers are especially vulnerable to these tactics. So turn off your television and other sources of ads, and don’t browse magazines with lots of ads. It’s also a good idea to turn off any shopping networks and not browse through paper catalogues. Take some time out from the ads that make you want things you don’t need!

Find Another Outlet

As you are working on the underlying emotional issues that fuel your buying, find other things you can “indulge” in that can act as an emotional pick-me-up or reward. (It’s probably not a good idea to make that indulgent item food, however.) Treat yourself to a walk in a nearby park or a workout at the gym, or take in a chapter of a book you’ve been wanting to read. Just try to avoid any sort of money spending as you think of ways to give yourself an emotional boost.

Stage of Labor – What to Expect

Labor is usually broken down into stages. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these stages so you’ll know what’s going on and what to expect. This helps prevent fear or panic from taking over. So here are some tips on what to expect during each stage.

Stage One: Contractions and Dilation

During this first stage, you will experience regular contractions that are moderate in strength. They may feel like great pressure across your abdomen, or like an over-sized menstrual cramp or ache. It will usually subside in less than 30 seconds, and in 5 to 10 minutes, you will probably experience another contraction. They may be farther apart or closer together – the sign, say experts, that you’re really in labor is the strength and regularity of the contractions.

What’s going on is this: each contraction thins and opens the cervix (the opening between the mouth of the womb and the vagina) a little bit more. This is known as dilation. Your healthcare provider will measure the progress of the dilation with an internal exam, and once the cervix is fully dilated, the second stage can begin.

Stage Two: Transition

Somewhere between Stage One and Stage Two is a phase known as transition, and this usually marks the beginning of Stage Two. There may be an actual pause in contractions toward the end of transition, where the labor seems to “hang” for a moment. You may feel giddy or feel like crying and laughing at the same time. You may feel shaky. It’s an intense time, and your body kicks in with all kinds of “feel good” hormones and chemicals like endorphins. If you are having an unmedicated labor, transition is often when your labor takes on a dream-like state and you may not remember all of what happens afterward.

Stage Two labor involves stronger contractions that come closer together. Your cervix dilates rather rapidly, and your contractions require your full attention now. The contractions last around one minute each, which is much longer than the shorter contractions of Stage One labor. This stage usually lasts anywhere from 4 to 8 hours.

Stage Three: Descent

Sometimes, babies begin to descend during Stage Two. Otherwise, Stage Three is when the baby begins to descend into the birth canal. The stage has been set: the cervix is dilated to allow the baby’s head to come through; the contractions are strong and forceful; and now you will begin to feel the urge to push.

Interestingly, the contractions often back off a bit at this point, and there may be a longer resting time between each one. If you’ve had an epidural, you may not feel as much urge to push, and may need to be coached to pushed with each contraction. In a non-medicated labor, sometimes women are advised to hold off pushing if it’s early in labor that they get the urge, because it can cause exhaustion if pushing is begun too early.

Stage Three ends with the delivery of your baby. A normal birth starts with his or her head, then shoulders, then the rest of the body – and finally with the passing of the placenta. After your baby is born and you’re busy marveling at him or her, your uterus will contract again (you may not even notice). After a few minutes, the placenta separates from the uterine wall and, perhaps with a little push from you, passes out of the vagina. You will probably barely feel it!

Save Money on Your Groceries and Save the Environment at the Same Time

One of the great things about saving money on groceries is that, if you do your research and take this approach, you will not only be eating healthier foods; you’ll also be helping the environment at the same time. These two goals – saving money on groceries and saving the environment – are easily put together. Here are some tips.

Skip the Packaging

Plastic packaging, cardboard boxes, paper wrapping, etc. are all landfill fillers. When you think about it, so much of our groceries come in packages. Minimize the packaging by buying foods in their whole form. For instance, buy head lettuce, not plastic tubs of pre-cut salad greens. Instead of buying plastic bags of raw vegetables or tubs of chopped fruit, buy these foods whole and cut them up yourself.

The same goes for pre-packaged cookies, snacks, and cakes, and all those frozen foods. Think whole foods with the least amount of preparation and packaging, and you’ll save some money and lessen your impact on the environment.

Know When to Buy in Bulk

Unless you’re making dinner for a lot of people, it usually doesn’t pay to buy perishable foods in bulk. The exception to this is foods you can freeze. So if there’s a big sale on carrots, bananas, or onions, it may not be a good idea to buy more than usual. But meats can be portioned and frozen, and vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers and green beans can be frozen as well. Apples can be preserved through apple butter, applesauce, or canned. But skip the bulk buys if you can’t use or preserve the food.

Juice

If you have children who love juice, you probably have heard that it’s best to water it down. And it’s much more economical to water the juice down yourself rather than buying it pre-watered down. Also, if you skip the juice boxes and bottles, you will be helping the environment by serving juice in reusable cups and drink bottles.

Water

Skip buying individual bottles of water and use filtered tap water in reusable containers instead. If you don’t have a home water filter, take your own container with you to the store – some stores have a machine that allows you to buy purified water by the gallon for very little money.

Electronic Coupons

Find out if your store has electronic coupons, and see if you can download these into your account with your grocer. This saves paper and saves you the trouble of shuffling paper coupons.

Pressure Cooking

Consider getting a pressure cooker. It saves a great deal of energy, which helps the environment, and can save you a lot of time and money. A pressure cooker saves money by reducing the amount of electricity you use, but also because you can cook less expensive foods easily (such as dried beans and brown rice).

Pressure cookers also make less expensive cuts of meat taste very good and tender. Yet another advantage of the pressure cooker is that you can make your own chicken, beef, fish, or vegetable stock in minutes, keeping you from having to buy lots of pre-packaged stock at the store and helping you use your leftovers to make stock.

Pros and Cons of Educational Software for Math and Literacy

Technology has moved into the classroom in various capacities over the years. And as it has, pros and cons have been evaluated. Here are some of the pros and cons of educational software for math and literacy (reading).

1. Math

There are all sorts of educational software options for math, from games to interactive programs. Here are some of the pros and cons.

Pros:

* Educational software for math can help children drill concepts without it becoming boring.
* Math games make math learning fun, which helps keep children interested.
* Virtual manipulatives can help children understand math concepts.
* The intrigue of the technology may encourage children to engage in more math activities.
* For many children today, technological approaches to things are familiar. Using computers and software is often second nature, which may make math less “scary” to them.

Cons:

* Some children do better with hands-on manipulatives.
* Hearing a teacher explain a concept and demonstrate it works better for some kids.
* Software glitches or hardware problems can shut down everything.
* There is a significant expense involved in purchasing computers and software for students. Even for learning at home there is still the cost of the software and/or computer to run it.
* There have been concerns raised about the possible harmful effects of “screen time” for kids, and adding in a math software program would mean even more time in front of a screen.

2. Literacy

Literacy – or a lack of it – is a concern among many teachers and education officials. Some schools employ or are looking into literacy software programs to help deal with this problem.

Pros:

* Software programs are available that will evaluate a child’s reading level very accurately, and it can also detect disabilities.
* Consistency of teaching style and curriculum can help students learn.
* Literacy software is developed according to the latest research and follows all guidelines.

Cons:

* Sources agree over and over that there is just no substitute for personal interaction. It’s still considered best for an adult to read to children.
* Teachers have less flexibility in how they teach reading to their students.
* If the software program isn’t working very well, teachers may still have to follow it because they are required to by administrators.

Generally speaking, educational software makes a good supplement to, but not substitute for, personal teaching. Technology can be a terrific teaching aid, and may help concepts click with kids who were struggling before. But the opposite could also occur. This is why a combination of approaches is usually considered best.

Overspent? – How to Start Paying Back Holiday Debts

The holidays are such a festive time that sometimes it’s easy to lose track of spending. Then you get the bills. What can you do to get that debt paid down? Here are some tips on how you can start paying back holiday debts.

Face It

This can be difficult. After all, you bought the gifts and spent the money with good-hearted intentions, right? Unfortunately, numbers don’t change regardless of intentions! If you spent too much, you spent too much. Now you have to admit that and tackle the problem. Otherwise, you’ll spend the next ten months in denial and go into more debt the next holiday season.

Go on a Diet – a Financial Diet

Cutting back on calories is a popular thing to do in the New Year. It’s also a good idea to try cutting back on spending in the New Year, too. Try cutting out all unnecessary spending for at least a month. That means you only spend money on what you really need (such as groceries – and not the pricey ones, either) and on paying down your debt.

Make a New Year’s Resolution – Never Again

Getting out of debt is no good if you just get back into it year after year. Maybe you should make yourself a promise that you are never going to go into debt at holiday time again.

Start Saving

Start setting aside money for next year’s holiday spending. You can put it in an envelope or in the bank, but just make sure it’s strictly earmarked for holiday spending only. While you’re saving, you can take stock of your debt and get a good idea of the dollar amount you’ll need to save.

Plan to Reduce

Maybe you overspent because you didn’t plan ahead. To avoid that next year, your savings will help, but it will also help if you have a plan. Look at your debt for this holiday season, and consider where you could cut back for next year.

Highest Interest First

As you look at your debts, choose the one with the highest interest rate to pay off first. Double up on payments if you can. Also, call your credit card companies and see if they will reduce your interest rates. If not, then look for interest-free deals on other cards and see if you can roll your balance over.

Tell your existing credit company about this deal, and let them know you will switch if they can’t lower your interest rate. If they think they may lose you as a customer, they are often willing to negotiate.

New Year’s Eve Party Food Ideas

Want to throw a fun New Year’s party with great food? Sometimes it’s hard to come up with the right menu – foods that are familiar but not boring, or new and interesting (but likable), are best. Here are some tips on how you can combine new with old to create a unique New Year’s party menu.

* Fondue – Fondue is one of those party foods that never seems to go out of style. You can use a crockpot if you don’t have a classic fondue pot. You can serve cheese fondue with toast squares and fruit, or chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and cheese.

* Vegetarian meatballs – There are so many great recipes out there for vegetarian meatballs, many of which contain flavorful chopped nuts. These tangy “meat” balls can be served as hors d’oeuvres or with rice as a stand-alone dish.

* Roast – A prime rib roast is a fairly extravagant but traditional New Year’s Eve main course. If you’re serving it buffet-style, you can have it carved thinly and served with baguette slices and condiments. That will also help the meat go further.

* Ham – Less expensive
but just as appropriate as roast, a ham is a festive and traditional food to serve on New Year’s. Like the roast beef, you can set it up so guests can assemble sandwiches. Honey-mustard glazed hams are popular. You can also serve it studded with cloves, pineapple slices, and maraschino cherries.

* Shrimp – From shrimp cocktail to coconut-coated to kabobs, shrimp lends itself very well to a party menu. You can also make shrimp dip with tiny canned shrimp, cream cheese, minced onion, and lemon juice (best served with potato chips or crackers).

* Fruit kabobs – Brightly colored and easy to eat, fruit kabobs make great New Year’s party food. Assemble them ahead of time with various combinations, and let guests dip them in chocolate fondue or eat as-is.

* Layered salad – Layered salad is a wonderful party food, whether you make and serve it as the host/hostess or take it to a party. Serve it in a clear glass bowl so everyone can see the festive effect of the colorful layers.

* Drinks – Champagne is traditional, but you may not want your guests drinking champagne from start to finish. Consider a sparkly champagne punch that combines the bubbly with fruit juice and club soda.

* Dessert – Don’t forget dessert! Finger foods might include mini cream puffs,

Need a New Car? – How to Negotiate a Car Purchase

When you need a new car, the negotiation process can seem intimidating. When it’s time for you to shop seriously for your new car, it helps to be “armed” with some strategies. Here are some tips on negotiating that new car purchase.

Which Car

The first thing to decide is which car you want to buy. This may seem overly basic to include as a first step, but you’d be surprised how many people step onto a car lot with only a vague idea as to what they want or need in a vehicle. At the very least, you should know what type of vehicle you want (truck, SUV, sedan, etc.).

Details

Salesmen like to up the cost of your car purchase by adding on details. These don’t sound like a lot of money in relation to the car cost, but they can add up quickly and put you over your budget. So decide ahead of time what add-ons you want and need and those you can do without.

The Numbers

When you research what kind of car you want, you will get an idea as to the car’s cost. This will help you have a dollar amount in mind when you go to the dealership. This is a good defense against a car salesman’s attempt to get you to buy a more expensive car.

Ready to Buy Today

Car salesmen are under a lot of pressure to sell cars that day, and not let customers get away. Remember this and use it to your advantage. If you go in to a dealership ready to buy that day, you will have a lot more negotiating clout.

Once you walk away, or if you tell the salesman that you are “just looking,” then the salesman may not pay much attention to you or be very willing to negotiate. After all, what’s the point if you’re not buying? But if you make it clear you’re ready to buy, they will probably be ready to negotiate.

As you take this ready-to-buy stance, it can work for you if you are clear with your terms: you will buy today if you can get a certain deal. Most salesmen are so eager to make the sale that day that they will probably meet your terms.

Use the Internet

It’s a good idea to establish yourself as an “internet customer.” Dealers recognize internet customers as more savvy than others, because internet customers have probably done a lot of research and will be armed with lots of information. A good way to start is to email the dealer and get an email price quote on the car you want. They will know that you’ll recognize a price that’s ridiculously high, because you’re in the know.

Money Making Ideas for Teenagers

The modern world offers teens more money-making opportunities than ever. There are still the old-fashioned, much-needed jobs like mowing lawns and babysitting, and those are legitimate money-makers; but now there are also internet business opportunities like freelance writing and web design. And you can use the internet to advertise and market any business.

If you’re a teen who’d like to make some money as an entrepreneur, you’ll need to decide if you’re going to offer a product, a service, or start up an internet business. Here are some tips and ideas.

Products

Creating and selling a product is a straightforward way to make some money. Some ideas for products include the following:

* Arts and crafts tend to be popular in an era when people are looking for items that fit the natural, green lifestyle. Pottery, items made from wood, handmade jewelry, hand-sewn bags/purses, and homemade greeting cards are some possibilities.

* Herbs and spices, especially your own special blends and products, are popular. You can grow and sell live herbs, cut and dry them yourself, or buy them dried in bulk and make your own herbal items. You can also create your own spice rubs and blends for various food items like meats and vegetables.

* Food items like cakes, cookies, sauces, and so forth are becoming more popular. Local is in, and offering homemade, hand-made jars of pickles, applesauce, or cakes for special occasions can be a lucrative niche. Make sure you know your local regulations on preparing food for sale.

Services

* Lawn care is still a viable and much-needed job for teens. Snow and leaf removal can stretch this job opportunity through much of the year. Once you get a reputation, you may find yourself in much demand!

* Babysitting is another time-honored teen job that always seems to be in demand. A trusted babysitter is worth paying for, and you may find that you will have years of employment with some families.

* Cleaning may not be the most fun, but many people will pay for a house cleaner. If you work slightly below the rates of the professional cleaning companies, it will give you an edge.

* Computer repair is another lucrative area. You could be a freelance IT person! So many people have computers these days but don’t know how to maintain or fix them, and they will need technological support at some point.

Internet

* Freelance writing is a lucrative business for the internet. You can start and monetize your own blog or niche website, or be a paid guest blogger for others. Choose subject matter you enjoy writing about and go from there.

* Transcription and translation are other forms of writing that you can do from home on the internet. It’s an information age, and people need content for their websites but don’t always have the time or skills to get that content written.

* Web design is in demand. As the internet offers new business opportunities, people want to start up websites and need help.

Be Aware of Identity Theft – Top Tips for Staying Safe Online

As incidents of identity theft continue to rise, consumers need to be more aware than ever as to how to stay safe online. The first thing is to recognize that it can happen to you – it’s not just someone else’s problem. Here are some other tips for staying safe online.

Passwords – Think Again

It can be tricky to think of a password that is easily remembered by you but hard to guess for others. Here’s an idea. Come up with 4 basic passwords that vary a bit so that when you write them down or note them, your notes will just look like “basic 1.” For example, say your first basic password is PASSWORD123. You can note this down as “basic with digits.” Say your other password is PASSWORDxyz.” You would note that as “basic with letters.” Only you know what “basic with digits/letters” means.

Update your passwords regularly, and make them as complex as you can. The above examples are obviously not passwords you’d really use!

Update Your Anti-Virus Software

It’s very important to have the latest anti-virus (AV) software available. There are effective programs that are free, too – when in doubt, ask an IT professional or some other expert as to the best AV software available. Make sure you sign on for automatic updates – this is how the AV software stays ahead of the hackers.

Firewalls Are Vital

Some people don’t realize that a firewall is separate from AV software. A firewall is deliberately designed to protect you from the internet – it’s like a barrier between your computer and the online world. Make sure you have a good one, and make sure you know how to adjust the firewall’s settings to prevent it from blocking things you do want to come through.

Watch Those Emails and Pop-Ups

Remember, your bank and other service providers are not going to ask for your credit card number, Social Security number, or any other personal information over an email. If you are in doubt, call your bank or credit card company and ask if they sent out any emails to their customers. Hackers are good, and they can make a website look legitimate. A good rule of thumb is, never give out any personal information unless you know beyond a doubt that it is legitimate.

Shopping

When you shop online, it’s a good idea to go with merchants you know and trust, and that your friends have done business with successfully. If you want to buy from a new merchant, look carefully at their website and look at reviews of that merchant online. Look for shipping times, return policies, and warranties.

Online Banking

Banking online is really convenient. But that’s some very sensitive information that’s online! Make sure you read the privacy policies of your financial institution, and keep all records of transactions. Log in frequently and check your balance, and make sure it compares to your records and doesn’t show any suspicious activity.

Home Remedies to Avoid Colds and Flu This Winter

A lot of times, if you wait until you or someone in your family gets the flu or a cold this winter, it’s hard to scramble to get the right treatment. Some prefer to go the preventative route, and have some of these things on hand before the cold or flu strikes. If you’d like to implement some home remedies this year to avoid colds and flu, here are some suggestions.

Vitamins

You have probably heard of Vitamin C for cold prevention and treatment, but have you heard of Vitamin D? The latest research shows that Vitamin D (particularly D3) is important in staving off colds and flu. This may be because the lack of sunlight in the winter creates a Vitamin D deficiency, and supplements are needed to keep the immune system in top shape. You can take a D3 supplement, and/or eat foods rich in this vitamin, such as eggs, liver, salmon, and mushrooms.

Vitamin C – Still Relevant

Vitamin C is still an important cold and flu prevention vitamin. Foods that are high in Vitamin C include citrus fruits, peppers (bell and chili), parsley, dark leafy greens, and strawberries. Many of these foods are out of season during cold and flu time, so if you do get these foods at your grocery store they will not only be more expensive – they will also be less likely to contain their full allotment of Vitamin C. This is largely due to long shipment times during which the Vitamin C decreases in the foods. Therefore, a daily supplement might be a good idea.

Rest

Have you noticed that you seem to get sick at the most inopportune times? This may be because when you are under stress and have a lot of things to get done, your immune system gets stressed and weakened. Getting enough rest is key to staying healthy. You may think you don’t have time to get enough sleep or rest, but unless you allow for the time, you may find you have to take a lot more down time being sick!

Herbs

The popular cold and flu herb, echinacea, is not generally recommended as a daily preventative. You can take it if you think you’ve been exposed and keep taking it for a month or so; but experts warn that echinacea tends to lose its effectiveness if taken for more than a month at a time. The good news is, there are other herbs you can use to keep your immunity working well this winter – and they are probably in your home kitchen.

* Ginger – This anti-inflammatory herb is tasty, spicy, and said to be a great cold and flu preventer. You can drink a cup of fresh ginger tea every day, and/or include this herb in your cooking.

* Garlic – Garlic is another herb that is sometimes used along with ginger in Asian cooking. Sprinkle minced, chopped, or crushed garlic liberally in daily recipes, or mix it with olive oil for a healthy dip for bread. You can also take garlic in capsule form. It’s been shown to be a powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial herb.

* Raw Honey – Truly raw honey can really help with cold and flu prevention – studies have shown that a tablespoon a day prevents cold in children. The same could probably be applied to adults, only perhaps a larger daily dose. If you don’t like it plain, put raw honey on toast or swirl it into hot herbal tea.

How to Throw a Frugal and Fun New Year’s Eve Party

You can throw a fun New Year’s party without spending a lot of money. And if you get a little creative, no one will know you didn’t spend a lot! Here are some ideas on how to throw a frugal New Year’s party.

Better Late Than Never

If you are able, have your New Year’s party late in the day – this is easy if it’s a New Year’s Eve party. The party can start after dinner time, meaning you don’t have to spend a lot on food. Start your party around 9pm and all you’ll need to serve are drinks and some dessert items like candy or cookies.

A Fun Twist on the Potluck

Instead of just asking people to bring a dish (boring), each guest bring an ingredient of a “mystery dish(es)” that you and your guests will assemble together. Soups, stews, and salads lend themselves to this method, as do some tasty casseroles. This saves you some money and makes a fun activity for guests.

Decorate with Nature

Here is where you can impress with your creativity and no one will think about the lack of expense! Use freshly-cut evergreens if you have access to them, and weave wreaths, make swags, or just lay the evergreen boughs along level surfaces such as your mantle. You can also make garlands from popcorn and berries. Holly and ivy are easy to find and often plentiful. Some property owners might really appreciate it if you’d cut some of their holly or ivy!

Cross-sections of small logs can be used as candle holders. Pine cones and nuts can be transformed with a can a gold or silver spray paint.

Recycle Colorful Paper

If you have a lot of holiday catalogues or magazines, you can cut them up to make paper chains, or even create origami centerpieces. You can even make your party invitations and party hats from these free, colorful resources. Don’t forget about all that Christmas wrapping paper and bows! You can make dramatic centerpieces from these, and use the ribbons to decorate a garland.

Games

You can come up with some really fun party games that do not have to cost anything. Dig out old board games like Operation, Trivial Pursuit, or Pictionary for a retro feel. You can play cards or “floor” games like charades. Your guests will enjoy getting prizes. You don’t have to spend a lot on those, either – homemade candy or cookies wrapped in festive paper are a frugal idea, or you can give away homemade hot chocolate mix or herbal teas.

Flu Shot – Who Should Have It

It’s that time of year again, and you’re seeing signs all over the place encouraging you to get a flu shot. Is it worth it? Who should have the flu shot?

Following is some basic information about the flu shot and who should, according to medical professionals, receive it.

Key Facts

These days, the flu shot comes in two forms, one of which does not involve a shot at all. The shot itself is a vaccination made from the dead flu virus. The shot covers various age groups. The “regular” shot is said to be fine for nearly everyone six months of age and older. But there is another flu shot specifically for those over the age of 65; it’s basically a higher dose. And finally, there is a third kind of shot called an “intradermal” (in the skin) shot that may be used on people between the ages of 18 and 64.

The flu vaccine that does not involve a shot is a nasal spray. It uses live viruses that have been weakened. You may hear this one called the LAIV, or Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine. It’s generally not recommended for chronically ill individuals, the elderly, or pregnant women.

So Who Should Have the Vaccination?

In February of 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a flu vaccination for everyone over the age of six months. However, there are individuals for whom the vaccine is more strongly indicated than others. Here are some of those types of individuals and situations.

* If you live or work with children under the age of two or people over the age of 65, experts recommend that you get a flu vaccination. This is because you work with age groups that are particularly vulnerable to serious complications from the flu.

* If you are over the age of 65, you are considered at high risk for complications from the flu.

* If you work with children under five years of age, medical experts recommend a flu vaccine.

* Pregnant women are considered high risk for complications, so the flu vaccine is recommended for pregnant women.

* If you have asthma, this puts your lungs in a vulnerable state that might experience problems if you get the flu. Asthmatics are advised to get vaccinated.

* There are other medical conditions besides asthma that indicate a high risk for flu complications. Those with conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, mental impairment, neurological disorders, muscular dystrophy, and developmental delay(s) are advised to get a flu vaccine.

* Other disorders and illnesses that are said to increase risk of flu complications include: kidney and liver disorders, metabolic disorders, AIDS, HIV, cancer, morbid obesity, and those with blood, heart, and/or endocrine disorders.

* If you are a health care professional (whether you work in a hospital, nursing home, doctor’s office, etc.), you are advised by most medical experts to get a flu shot. Childcare providers should also get vaccinated against flu.

Fever in Children – Treatment Options

When parents see that their child has a fever, then they know the child is “really” sick. Fevers are a confirmation of sorts, letting us know that our child does have a legitimate illness. Should a fever be treated? Is it a problem? What are the treatment options?

Here are some of the treatment options for childhood fevers.

Nature’s Infection Fighter

It’s a good idea for parents to remember that a fever is, in a way, a good sign – it means your child’s body is doing what it is supposed to do to fight off infection. Fevers of 100 degrees F or below are usually not cause for alarm. Some medical experts and health enthusiasts do not recommend treating a low to moderate fever at all; rather, they recommend letting the fever run its course and do its job.

What Else Is Going On?

Perhaps a better question to ask is not “how high is the fever?” but “what other symptoms are present?” For example, a low-grade fever may mean there is a condition that needs treatment if it is accompanied by more serious symptoms such as a stiff neck, or if the fever is persisting for more than a week.

Fever-Reducing Medications

Perhaps the most common treatment for fever is non-aspirin pain relievers like acetaminophen. These medicines are not without concern or possible side effects, however. Make sure to look into the possible complications associated with the fever reducer you intend to give to your child. Also remember that there is often a “rebound effect” when the fever-reducing medicine is stopped, so you’ll need to give it regularly once you start it.

Lukewarm Baths

Many parents report good results from an old-fashioned, lukewarm or cool bath. If you have peppermint on hand, mixing cool peppermint tea into the bath water is soothing and cooling. Sponge your child all over with the bath water, and dress him or her lightly in cotton after the bath. If the child has chills, use blankets to help ease the shivers. Blankets are more easily removed and adjusted if the child goes from cold to hot.

Cool Drinks

Remember that peppermint tea? Iced peppermint tea is a favorite with children, and can be very soothing to drink. You can sweeten it if you like, and let the child drink however much he or she likes. Water and/or watered-down juice are good choices, too. Dairy, like hot chocolate or chocolate milk, should probably be avoided – some sources note that dairy products increase phlegm and inflammation.

Smart Tips to Keep Your Whole Family Fit in the New Year

At New Year’s, a lot of people make resolutions to get into shape. If you and your family want to get into shape in the upcoming year, you might have made a similar commitment. Here are some tips to help keep your whole family fit in the New Year – and hopefully thereafter.

DIY

“Do it yourself” – it can apply to home repairs and fitness. Think “DIY” regarding chores and tasks such as car washing, yard work, snow shoveling, painting, window washing, etc. Tackle these tasks as a family and get everyone moving.

If you’re currently paying to have these tasks done, getting the family involved will save you money. If you’re already doing these tasks yourself, it will take a load off if you all work on these tasks together. Yard clean up, for instance, can be divided into those who rake or shovel, those who sweep, those who trim, mow, and so forth.

Include Others

Find another family that wants to get in shape and keep fit, and see if they will team up with you. Then you can make dates to play at the park, or sign up for sports together. It can help keep everyone motivated to have another family participating, because it makes it more fun and holds you accountable (if someone is waiting to meet you, for instance, you’re a lot more likely to keep a fitness activity appointment than if you’re just going by yourselves).

Try Something New

Sign the family up to learn something together. Maybe everyone could take a family martial arts class, or learn skiing. You can try several different activities depending on family interest and time of year. It’s likely that your family will find an activity that you all really take to, and you can continue this for years to come.

Think Before You Park

Many of us automatically try to find the closest possible parking place when we run errands and go shopping. Try reversing your thinking – park farther away to get an extra walk in. Whatever family members are along will get in on the extra exercise as well.

Family Game Night – Fitness-Style

Have you thought about all the fun and active games that a family can play together? Try implementing a family game night several times a week (or once a week to start) that requires movement on the part of the players. Depending on the weather, you can play some active games inside or out, such as:

* Capture the flag
* Tag/Freeze tag/”Flashlight” tag
* Dance contests
* Hopscotch
* Catch
* Frisbee
* Relay races