Part-Time Jobs for Teens

Part-time jobs are a great way for teens to learn about managing money, and it can take some of the load off of Mom and Dad as providers of spending money. It can boost their confidence and help them on their way toward becoming independent adults. But most teens are still in school, so it’s important to remember that work should not take the place of homework or study time.

Here are some tips on how teens can find a part-time job, things to consider, and some of the things to expect.

Transportation

Consider how your teen is going to get to and from his or her job. If your teen is not driving, or if you don’t have a vehicle you can spare, take that into consideration before your teen applies for a particular job.

How Many Hours?

Twenty hours a week is the average for a part-time job, but your teen’s other activities and schoolwork should be taken into consideration, too. If he or she only has 10 hours a week to devote to work, then babysitting or yard work might be good choices.

Studies have shown that teens who work more than 20 hours a week tend to flag behind in schoolwork and experience more fatigue due to lack of sleep. Other studies point to between 10 and 15 hours per week as the ideal number of hours for teens to gain the advantages of employment without sacrificing school and social life.

What Kinds of Jobs?

As noted above, babysitting and yard work are popular first jobs for teens. Today, there are online jobs, too. Transcription, writing web content, running a blog, and so forth are all legitimate part-time jobs, and your teen can pick and choose based on how many hours your teen has available.

Speaking of online jobs, your teen can also set up his or her own business online. He can manage a web content company and hire other teens to write for him, or he can set up an informational niche website. There are forums and organizations online devoted to helping teens start up their own businesses.

Handmade items and crafts are on the rise. Artisan foods are a hot item these days, as are hand-sewn bags and bath products. Your teen can set up a website to sell his or her products, or use online tools like eBay. Also, local retailers might be willing to sell items for a percentage of the sale price.

Income

How much your teen can expect to make does, of course, depend on the job and the number of hours. It’s important to be realistic here, too; your teen may be working for minimum wage at only 10 hours a week. But experience is invaluable, and your teen does not have the life expenses that adults do, such as grocery and utility bills.

Paintball – Is It Safe for Children?

Paintball is somewhat dangerous, just by virtue of its nature. After all, you’re shooting pellets of paint at each other in an activity which you’d never allow in your own house. But it can be a fun and rewarding game, even for children, if the proper safety protocol is followed. It’s also a good idea to go beyond the basic requirements of the paintball course.

Making It Safer

Here are some tips for how you can make paintball a safer experience for your kids, and how and why safety on the paintball course matters.

1. Masks

This is probably the most important piece of paintball gear your child will wear. Eye injuries are said to be the most common injury incurred during a paintball game, and a good-quality mask is essential. And sources agree that it should be high-quality – shop goggles won’t do. It’s important to use masks made specifically for paintball, and they should be worn every time there is a loaded paintball gun in your hands or in the hands of those nearby.

2. Barrel plugs

Required at some courses, barrel plugs fit on the end of the paintball gun, preventing it from firing accidentally. These are a must, sources say, along with a general rule that you should never point your paintball gun at anything or anyone you do not intend to shoot.

3. Not (really) a toy

Don’t let your children brandish the paintball gun like it’s a toy. Yes, paintball is a game, but shooting someone who is unprotected can be detrimental. It should be noted that a paintball gun should never be pointed at anyone’s face, ever, regardless of safety mask.

4. Shoes

Some sources point out the importance of wearing the right shoes. It makes sense – you don’t want your child wearing shoes that could come untied, or that have slick soles. Good-fitting running shoes with treads are a good choice; Velcro fasteners are a good idea as well. You might consider boots, too, to prevent your child’s foot from bending or rolling to the side.

5. Torso protection

There are paintball vests available as well, and you can also provide some torso protection with a thick jacket. Getting hit with a paintball does hurt, and torso protection can help prevent bruises and welts.

6. Paintball courses

Playing on a regulated paintball course is the safest route. Turning kids loose to play paintball in the woods could be disastrous. Make sure the course you choose has a good reputation and that a referee/adult is present for the whole game.

Stroller Jogging Fitness – How to Get Rid of Leftover Baby Weight

Your first post-partum look in the mirror can be daunting. Then come the questions – how are you going to get in shape when baby takes so much time? How soon should you embark on a workout program? What’s the best method?

As long as you have your doctor’s go-ahead and have completely healed from the birth, a jogging stroller is a great solution.

Benefits of Jogging

Jogging is a great way to get in shape. Here are some of the benefits of jogging.

* Jogging helps burn calories, which is the key to weight loss.

* Stubborn fat, especially belly fat, is said to succumb to jogging.

* Jogging provides a full-body workout. Legs, arms, and core are all involved, which may help you feel a lot better all over.

* Heart health is said to be greatly enhanced by jogging. You get your heart rate up and keep it up for the duration of your jog.

* Muscle strength is increased by jogging. Moms need all the muscle strength they can get! Muscle tone, too, may be helped by regular jogging. It also is said to help build muscle as well, and the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn, even while sitting still.

* Bone density is increased with use, and with the right shoes and diet, the impact from jogging can help build bone. This is important particularly for nursing mothers.

* Studies show that exercise improves mood, particularly lifting depression. This can be a welcome effect for new mothers, who may suffer from post-partum depression.

Why a Jogging Stroller?

A jogging stroller provides all those benefits of jogging, but you get to take your baby with you. That fact helps solve one of the big problems many new moms face – not enough time to exercise. If you have to find a babysitter each time you went to work out at the gym, it’s not likely you’ll get there very often. But a jogging stroller is something you can use in your own neighborhood.

Another advantage of a jogging stroller is that babies love it. Older babies in particular really like moving fast in a stroller, and when they get old enough to ask, love to ask Mom to run while pushing the stroller.

Jogging strollers are designed differently than a regular stroller. Their design takes safety into account. While regular strollers have wheels, the similarity ends there. Jogging strollers have a three-wheel design, and the wheels do not pivot like they do in strollers designed for easy maneuvering at slow speeds. Jogging strollers are designed not to flip or tip the way umbrella strollers and other types might do when moving at the speed of jogging.

How to Host a Valentine’s Day Party?

Hosting a Valentine’s Day party can actually be pretty versatile. All you really need is to create a warm, loving atmosphere that makes your guests feel welcome and loved. It can be a couples’ party, or it can just be a fun time with a group of friends. Here are some ideas on how to make your Valentine’s party a time to remember.

Pick a Time

If you are going for a romantic love type of theme, an evening time would set the right mood. For a friendship party, you could do brunch or a late afternoon party. If you are having children, early afternoon might work best. The key is to choose a time that fits the schedule and lifestyle of the majority of your guests.

Choose the Menu

There are all sorts of ideas for Valentine’s Day food. Here are some ideas based on party themes and types.

* Couples’ party – Food at a couples’ party can be romantic and share-able, like kabobs and/or fondue. Fruits like cherries, raspberries and strawberries can be dipped in chocolate for a lovely dessert.

* Friends’ party – A buffet is a great way to welcome friends. You can decorate the buffet table with all sorts of Valentine themes, such as candy hearts and cinnamon candy scattered around on a white tablecloth, or muffin papers filled with assorted treats tucked among the food dishes.

-Children’s party * Kids love just about any excuse for a party, and Valentine’s is no exception! Have a trinket as a favor for each child, or a goodie bag with a few candies and toys. Cupcakes frosted in pink, white, red, or purple are pretty and festive, and you can decorate the tops with hearts. Arrange the cupcakes in a big heart on a cloth or platter. For healthier fare, cut watermelon, whole wheat bread, deli meats, and cheese slices into heart shapes.

Invitations

Now that you know your time, place, and basic theme, you can send out invitations. It’s fun to make your own, or you can just buy ready-made ones at the store. You can also do e-invitations, which are gaining popularity. Try to choose invitations that reflect the overall feel of the party.

Decorate

Now to decorate!

* Couples’ party – Votive candles, rose petals, strings of pearls, and flowers make romantic decorations. A single tulip, rosebud, or carnation makes a lovely, simple statement on a dining table, end table, or windowsill. Lighting should be low.

* Friends’ party – For this party, you can combine the favor with the decorations. Have several bouquets of flowers around such as tulips, and let everyone take one home as a gift. Use tulle on your mirrors or wall art to create swags and bows. Have you ever cut paper dolls? Use that technique to make long paper chains of hearts to hang in front of windows or from chandeliers.

* Children’s party – Go for fun with this one. Bring out the stuffed animals and arrange them so they look like they’re having a tea party. Balloons are always fun for kids; tie bunches of red, purple, white, and pink ones in bunches around the room (tie them to the stuffed animals’ “paws” for a really fun effect). Make paper heart garlands using construction paper and string, and let your kids do some window decorations with dry erase markers, cut-out hearts, or store-bought stick-ons.

What to Eat to Fight Off Winter Depression

The foods you eat can affect your mood, and in the winter, many people need foods to boost their mood. Winter is a time of year when many people battle depression, but eating right can help take the edge of the sadness of the season. Here are some ideas and suggestions.

Nuts and Seeds

Some people feel like they should avoid nuts and seeds due to their high calorie and fat content. But the high fat content is what makes nuts and seeds so good for fighting depression. These crunchy little foods contain important mood-boosting fatty acids. Heat can harm these healthful fats, though, so health experts recommend eating nuts and seeds raw if possible. A handful or two a day makes good sense in fighting off winter depression. Some nuts and seeds to try include:

* Almonds
* Hazelnuts (Filberts)
* Pepitas (Pumpkin seeds)
* Sunflower seeds

Poultry

Lean turkey and chicken contain mood-soothing amino acids called L-tryptophan and L-tyrosine. These amino acids help your brain produce serotonin, the “feel good” brain chemical. Serotonin is often low in people with winter depression. If possible, choose poultry from the whole chicken or turkey rather than deli meats or processed meat slices.

Seafood

In addition to supplying essential, healthy fatty acids, some seafood also supplies zinc and Vitamin B12. All three of these nutrients – essential fatty acids, zinc, and B12 – play important roles in mood regulation. Salmon is a good source of B12 and fatty acids; crab, oysters and clams are good sources of B12 and zinc.

Legumes

An important nutrient called folate has a significant effect on certain key neurotransmitters. Some beans and legumes supply this vital nutrient, such as:

* Lentils
* Pinto beans
* Garbanzos
* Black beans

Greens

During the winter, greens like kale and winter cabbage are in season. So are collards and some other greens. If you can’t find them fresh, you can try eating the frozen versions. Many greens are rich in folate, iron, and calcium, which are minerals often lacking in depressed people. Some of the most nutritious greens in this regard are:

* Collard greens
* Turnip greens
* Spinach
* Kale

Yogurt

In case there weren’t enough reasons to eat this healthful food, here comes another one! Yogurt, like some of the seafood noted above, contains zinc. This mineral has been shown to help fight anxiety which is often a component of depression. Health experts agree that you should avoid sugary yogurt with lots of additives. The best thing is to eat plain yogurt with a little fresh fruit or raw honey.

Whole Grains

Sometimes, winter means craving sugar and unhealthy carbs. That’s probably your body’s way of telling you it does need carbs – but the healthy type. Whole grains are considered essential in fighting off depression. For one thing, they contain important mood-boosting B vitamins; for another, they help prevent blood sugar spikes and subsequent crashes. So try to incorporate these whole grains into your diet, replacing the unhealthy, “white” ones:

* Whole wheat
* Quinoa
* Brown rice
* Millet

Fitness Getaway Ideas for the Whole Family

Getting fit as a family is in these days. More and more families are choosing to take their family vacation time and make it a fitness adventure. If you’d like to take a fitness getaway with your family, here are some ideas.

National Parks

There are so many lovely national parks, and nearly all of them offer beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures. Book your vacation to include the activities offered by the park, such as horseback riding, biking, and hiking. Arrange your schedule so that each day involves being physically active.

Water Sports

Water sports are a great way to get the whole family in shape, and they are lots of fun. Here are some suggestions:

* Water skiing can be enjoyed at lakes, rivers, and oceans. All kinds of resorts offer water skiing. Your family can spend each day doing physical activity and having fun.

* Tubing is like water skiing in that it’s often available at water resorts. Tubing involves riding in an inner tube and being towed behind a motorboat. It does not require any special skill except the ability to swim, making it a fun family event.

* Scuba diving and snorkeling are fun for families with older kids who are proficient swimmers and experienced with the water.

* Kayaking is a fun, outdoor adventure that usually involves lovely scenery as well as physical activity.

Ranches

A ranch – or, more correctly, a dude ranch – is a great family fitness vacation spot. Dude ranches are deliberately planned as vacation spots, but they are modeled after traditional Western ranches. This is a fun one for horse lovers. The whole family can participate in chores and activities, and some dude ranches offer a fitness-oriented vacation package.

Turn Any Vacation into a Fitness Vacation

Think about it – with a little planning, you can arrange any vacation to have fitness at its center. Just schedule in daily activities. For example, a beach vacation can involve walking and/or running on the beach, biking, horseback riding, and water sports. A cabin getaway can involve daily hiking. Even a cruise can have fitness as its focus – most cruise ships have gyms on board, and you can make it a point to work out with your family each day.

Learn a New Activity

So you’ve never done anything like this before? Why not make it a learning experience? Find some activities you and your family would like to learn, and design a vacation around them.

For instance, maybe you or a family member have always wanted to learn how to ride horseback; plan a vacation that involves daily riding lessons. Find vacations where experts and guides are available and where the learning of the activity is the point. You don’t want to go on a learning vacation and be surrounded by others who have done this before.

A little planning and creativity can go a long way toward planning the perfect family fitness getaway.

Overspent This Holiday Season? – How to Get Your Finances Back on Track

Spending during the holiday season can really set you back financially. It’s all well and good to read advice on how to avoid holiday debt; but now that you’re in it, what can you do? How can you get your finances back on track? Here are some tips.

Long-Term Changes

Twelve months are not as long as they seem. It may take that long or longer to pay off your holiday debts, so it’s a good idea to plan to make changes over the long term. In other words, you can’t expect to spend yourself into debt every year, or you’ll end up digging a hole you can’t get out of.

Take a Look – a Real Look – at Your Finances

It can be so hard to admit you messed up and got yourself into debt. But if you don’t, it isn’t going to go away, and everyone will expect you to keep spending like you always have. It’s best to face the facts.

First, sit down with all your holiday bills. Write down the amounts and interest rate of each one. Then, look at the one with the highest interest rate. That’s the one you want to pay down first. Then, look at the others. Determine how long it will take you to pay them all off and how much per month you’ll be putting toward bills, and set yourself to the task.

To keep these numbers ever before you, keep a running list, hand-written or on your computer, that you can update each time you make payments. This can help you keep actual numbers in mind, and may help boost your mood as you watch the numbers decrease. For the numbers to really go down, you’ll need to pay more than the minimum payment – more on that below.

More Than the Minimum

If you only pay the minimum balance, it will take a long time to pay off and you will end up paying a lot more in the end. As you put your payment plans in order, count on paying as much over the minimum payment as you can.

Fiscal Discipline

If you are serious about getting your finances back on track, then you need to exercise some significant discipline with your finances in the upcoming year. In fact, you may need to rethink how you view money.

Think of all your income – windfalls, gifts, tax returns, bonuses at work, regular income, etc. – as a means to get you out of debt. When you see the numbers on that check or those bills, your debt numbers should immediately pop into mind (and you are keeping track of those numbers, right?). Only after you’ve spent a percentage of your income on your debts can you spend on unnecessary things.

Inform Friends and Family

It’s probably a good idea to let your friends and family know you are making these changes. Your family will certainly need to know, because your finances directly affect them all year round. Your friends should be in the know, too, although not necessarily to the same degree as your family. Otherwise, everyone will expect you to keep spending the same amount on them each holiday season.

Smart Ways of Fighting Off Flu and Cold

When cold and flu season comes around, it’s hard not to feel that getting one or both is inevitable. After all, doesn’t everyone get sick during the winter? Not necessarily – there are certain things you can do to help minimize your risk of contracting colds and flu this season. Here are some smart ways to fight off these unwelcome sicknesses.

Nip It in the Bud

If you feel a cold or flu coming on – maybe it’s a tickle in your throat, or a certain feeling in your chest – then it’s a good idea to act fast. One option is over-the-counter homeopathic cold and flu remedies, which are said to be highly effective if you use them at the first sign of a cold or flu.

Other options are listed below, and they are all said to be more effective if implemented right away, before the illness settles in. This means it’s a good idea to keep your treatment(s) of choice on hand, before symptoms set in.

A Good Multi-Vitamin and Mineral Supplement

During the winter months, health experts theorize that our susceptibility to colds and flu increases in part due to lack of key vitamins. Vitamins C and D (particularly D3, say experts) tend to be low in the winter season, with its lack of fresh produce and sunlight. So it’s a good idea to get started taking a quality supplement at the beginning of cold and flu season so your body is ready when you get exposed to germs.

Sleep

Lest you think you don’t have time to get a good night’s sleep, consider the amount of work time lost if you get sick. You could be out of commission for weeks! Instead, try to get at least eight hours of sleep a night, preferably starting before midnight (sources say you get a healthier eight hours if they begin before midnight).

Wash Hands

Really. This one is important. Hand sanitizer is good to keep on hand (literally) in case you don’t have access to soap and water, but nothing beats thorough washing with anti-bacterial soap and warm water. The general consensus is, work up a lather on your hands for a full 20 seconds before rinsing.

Eat Well

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to eat junk food instead of fresh produce. There are all kinds of interesting, healthful foods you can eat in the winter that can boost your immunity and keep you healthy: greens (like kale and collards), winter squash, whole grains, sweet potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, pomegranates, and so forth.

Healthful meats like fish and lean turkey are generally available year-round, and Vitamin C-rich citrus fruits are often available in grocery stores during the winter. And don’t forget frozen fruits and veggies.

How Different Room Colors can Help Your Mood

Did you know that the color of a room can affect your mood? Health professionals who work inside people’s homes have noted physiological effects from certain colors – midwives, for instance, may not allow a laboring woman to go into a red room, as it tends to increase bleeding. Hospitals have that classic “hospital green” in their rooms because it was shown to make people feel calmer. A room’s color can have an impact on your state of mind and mood.

What colors cause what effects in a room?

Blue

There are many shades of blue. It ranges from electric and bright to twilight-like gray-blue. Light, “baby blue” tends to evoke calm and happy moods, perhaps reminding you of childhood. Bright, royal blue or electric blue tends to create an energetic or fun mood. Cool, grayish blue might make you feel calm and ready for sleep. Another interesting thing about blue is that blue-walled rooms tend to take away your appetite, so it’s not necessarily a good choice for a dining room or kitchen.

Purple

Dark purple tends to make a room feel close and small, so it might create a pensive or introspective mood. Bright purple has a tendency to evoke nervous energy, while periwinkle and lavender evoke the opposite – tranquility. Mauve is another color that may suppress the appetite. Children tend to respond positively to violets and purples with happy, playful moods.

Red

Red runs from deep burgundy to light pink. It’s generally grouped as a warm color, although pink can be cool or warm. Red rooms stimulate the appetite, sources say, and they also may increase blood pressure and heart rate. Red is also the color of choice for evoking a sexy or passionate mood. It’s a bold color until you move into soft pinks, which tend to make you feel happy and calm.

Yellow

Yellow is warm and sunny. It tends to be a mood-lifter, bringing a sense of light even to a dark hallway or small bedroom. There’s a line that experts warn you shouldn’t cross, though – bright, intense yellow may induce anxiety. A mellow, “mustard” yellow might be a good choice for a study or library, as it may help you concentrate.

Orange

From rust to pumpkin to pale salmon, orange is something like red but less intense in the moods it creates. Orange may induce feelings of friendliness and a sense of welcome and hospitality. Rooms like family rooms and living rooms might do well with a friendly coat of orange.

Green

Green is one of the most prominent colors in nature, and it tends to produce a calming mood regardless of shade. It might work well in a child’s bedroom to promote a relaxed mood, or in a bathroom.

Jogging Stroller – How to Choose One

Jogging strollers are a fun way for moms to get back in shape, and dads can use them, too. The whole family can go jogging together before baby can even walk! But how do you choose the right one for your family? Here are some tips.

Types of Jogging Strollers

There are various types of jogging strollers, while they have basic features in common. For example, all jogging strollers are specially designed for speed. They have three wheels instead of four, and the wheels do not pivot. Within these basics there are various types.

* Stroller for two – Some jogging strollers are built for two children. These double strollers can accommodate up to 125 pounds. A two-child design could come in handy for those with twins, two young children who are close in age, or an older child and a newborn. Most have a choice between 16- or 20-inch wheels.

* Bike trailers – A variation of the jogging stroller is the bike trailer, which can be converted back into a jogging stroller with a special kit. These usually accommodate up to 125 pounds, too.

* Single stroller – The one-baby stroller is probably the most common jogging stroller. These usually accommodate up to 75 pounds. Like the double stroller, you can usually choose between 16- and 20-inch wheels.

Features

Various jogging strollers have different features. Here are some to consider.

* Weather – If you live somewhere where there is a lot of harsh sun or long periods of rain, some weatherproofing features might be a good idea. Most jogging strollers have a sun canopy, while bike trailers are more likely to have rain and insect protection.

* Safety – Sources point out the importance of a hand break and secure harness for holding children safely in the stroller. You might also want to look for a parking lock.

* Wheel size – As noted above, you can choose the size of the jogging stroller’s wheels. You may not think this is important, but it actually can make a lot of difference depending on your terrain. At the beach, for instance, or for long-distance running, you’ll want larger wheels (20-inch). For strictly smooth and level surfaces, 12-inch wheels will do. In the middle are 16-inch wheels, which work well for grass and off-road terrain.

* Price – There’s a rather wide range of prices on jogging strollers. They can be as little as $75 or as much as $400. Some of the cost depends on size; larger strollers cost more. Other factors are the features – the farther you get from the basics, the more expensive the stroller (usually). Sometimes it’s just the brand name that costs. A good rule of thumb is to look for a stroller that has the basic safety features and has good safety reviews, and go from there.

How to Burn Off Post-Holiday Weight Gain

One of the difficulties with post-holiday weight gain is that it happens to come about in the middle of winter. This is not an inspiring time to get out and move. The weather is often cold and wet, and the mornings and evenings are dark. It’s tempting just to hibernate and wait until spring to get in shape.

The trouble is that excess weight may get harder to lose the longer it’s on, and you might get used to it. So take advantage of the timing – it may be the middle of winter, but it’s a new year, and that’s a good time for a healthy weight loss program. Here are some tips for burning off that holiday weight.

Choose Your Exercise

During the winter, you may have to be more deliberate about exercising, but that doesn’t make it less important. If you can’t get outside for your usual walk or jog, try some of these options instead:

* Use a mini-trampoline, the sort that is only about three feet across, to jog in place. It’s easy on the joints, and the mini trampoline can be stored fairly easily. Some of these trampolines come with upper-body workout attachments and timers to track your progress.

* Take to the stairs! If you live in a ranch-style house, this may not be practical. But for those who have access to indoor stairs, you can design a workout around running up and down them. If you don’t have stairs, you can use blocks to mimic steps and do your workout accordingly. In fact, you can find videos online and in stores to help you design a stair-based workout.

Eat Well

* Spice up your meals with low-calorie, high-flavor foods. Think salsas and spicy peppers, and condiments like Dijon mustard and horseradish. Use these flavorful condiments as replacements for higher-calorie, higher-fat items like mayonnaise or cheese. Also, spicy foods may mean you’ll eat less, and studies have shown that some piquant condiments – mustard in particular – actually boost metabolism.

* Freeze leftovers, preferably in the basement in a deep freezer. No one likes to be tempted, but if you put all that holiday candy, fudge, cake, pie, casseroles, etc. in the freezer, it might well be out of sight and out of mind. And if you have to go down into a basement or out to the garage to get it, you may think twice before indulging that craving.

Another perk of freezing your leftovers is that you can dip into them slowly and carefully over the following months, making sure to share with friends and family. They can also make great “emergency meals” months down the road, when one fattening meal won’t set you back from your main goals. Speaking of goals…

* Sources say that making lots of little resolutions instead of one big one are best for weight loss goals. See if you can put together weekly goals that challenge you, but that still are reachable. You don’t want to get discouraged.

Teen Babysitting Basics

When you were growing up, you might not have heard about babysitter training. But today, there are classes and certifications to train teens on how to be a safe and effective babysitter. Teens learn that there is more to babysitting than just being in the same room with a baby or child; they learn basic skills and, in some cases, special skills like CPR. And all these qualifications can certainly enhance a teen’s resume.

Where Are Classes Held?

There are various places where teens can seek babysitter training. Your local hospital, YWCA, Red Cross chapter, or community center may offer classes, or have information on where and when classes are held. You can search online under “babysitter training classes” or “childcare training.”

What Can You Expect from the Classes?

There are several basic categories of babysitting classes. Some of them are simply advice and tips on childcare, whereas others delve into first aid and child safety. Nearly all types of classes are of some benefit. Here are some of the things you’ll learn at a babysitting class or classes:

* What games and activities are appropriate for what ages. This can be really helpful when you’re trying to figure out what to do with your charges.

* Child safety, including CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Sometimes this is called “lifesaver training,” and can really give you an edge with clients who want to know their child or baby is safe.

* Basic first aid, including what to do in an emergency.

* Basic understanding of babies, children, and how they act, which can go a long way toward preventing problems. In this day and age of “shaken baby syndrome,” parents are more concerned than ever that their babysitters know how to keep calm when baby cries, and have been trained as to what they can expect regarding crying.

* Handbooks are sometimes given out for babysitters to take with them to jobs. Red Cross classes usually give out this kind of handbook to class participants.

* Basic do’s and don’ts which sometimes need to be spelled out for young teens, such as not tying up the phone line with social calls, or not inviting friends over to the place where you’re babysitting.

You can also expect to obtain higher-paying clients if you have taken babysitting classes, especially if you earn a certification.

How Much Do Babysitting Classes Cost?

Sometimes you can find classes for free, such as at your school or online. Other times you may have to pay a fee, but sources say these fees are not usually high – about $25 to $50.

Fatigued and Forgetful? – Check Your B12

Being tired and forgetful are not necessarily a normal part of aging, or of living in general. Some of us have come to expect feeling tired and forgetful as just being a normal part of life, but it may be a very correctible condition – Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vegans are particularly susceptible to B12 deficiency, because the vitamin is found primarily in animal products (organ meats, eggs, etc.). Others who may be prone to this deficiency include those with chronic intestinal inflammation (such as Crohn’s disease), alcoholics, and those who consume antacid medication over a long period of time. In fact, recent studies have shown that B12 deficiency is more widespread than previously thought.

What Are the Symptoms of B12 Deficiency?

As noted above, feeling fatigued and tired is a symptom, particularly if it’s chronic. Other signs and symptoms include:

* An inability to concentrate
* Forgetfulness
* Bruising easily
* Odd pain sensations in hands and/or feet. This could take the form of tingling or nagging pains.
* Headaches
* Feeling light-headed
* Feeling weak

If you have any of these symptoms chronically (we all feel “off” once in a while; but if it’s a continual thing that’s different), then you can check with your doctor, who will perform various tests to see if you’re deficient. Your doctor also may recommend upping your B12 intake to see if your symptoms disappear.

What Causes B12 Deficiency?

Sometimes, B12 deficiency is as simple as not eating a balanced diet, or not eating enough B12-containing foods. It could also be due to a greater need for B12 in some people than others. B12 is also manufactured in the gut by intestinal flora, so it stands to reason that a lack of these helpful bacteria could contribute to a B12 deficiency.

Chronic intestinal inflammation such as occurs with Crohn’s disease and colitis can also affect B12 absorption and manufacture in the body. And finally, there may be a genetic component. Some families find that the tendency to need B12 supplementation seems to get passed on to their children.

How Can I Get More B12?

You can eat foods high in B12 or go for a supplement. If you tend to take a lot of antacids, this affects B12 absorption; studies show that sublingual (under the tongue) supplements work best. This form of the vitamin bypasses your digestive tract and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucus membranes. These are often marketed as “B12 lozenges.” Other ways to get B12 include the following:

* An injection from your doctor, which also bypasses the digestive tract
* Eating foods high in B12, such as eggs, beef liver, lean beef, poultry, nutritional yeast (sometimes called “Brewer’s yeast”), fish, and shellfish
* Taking supplements such as capsules or tablets.

B12 Rich Foods – List

Studies are showing that lack of Vitamin B12 is a more widespread problem than was once believed, indicating that more than one-third of the population is deficient. To complicate matters, excessive folic acid intake can mask the symptoms of B12 deficiency without offsetting the resulting psychological and neurological effects of the B12 deficiency. Folic acid is added to many foods, from breakfast cereals to enriched flour, so people may be ingesting more folic acid than they realize.

If you are concerned about your B12 levels, you might want to simply eat more B12-rich foods. Here is a list of foods containing B12.

* Clams – These little bivalves provide significant B12 – one cup of canned clams provides 12mcg, or 200%, of the daily value of B12. Steamed whole clams have even more – 3 ounces has 84mcg, or 1400% of your daily value. Oysters and mussels have significant amounts of B12, too.

* Lamb – Lamb is the meat from a young sheep – not to be confused with mutton, which is the meat of a full-grown sheep. Lamb shoulder is particularly high in B12, with 100 grams providing 62% of the US RDA of B12. Lamb liver is said to be chock-full of B12, packing 102mcg, or 1696% daily value, into one 4-ounce serving.

* Liver – All sorts of liver is high in B12, including calf, lamb, chicken, beef, goose, and pork liver. You can eat liver braised, fried, or as a pate.

* Octopus – Okay, so this may not be high on your grocery list. But octopus, common in Asian cuisine, is rich in B12. Three ounces provides almost 31mcg, or 510% of the US RDA.

* Fish – Many kinds of fish are rich in B12. Salmon, tuna, cod, sardines, and trout are among the top providers of B12. Mackerel is said to have the most, with 19mcg (317% RDA) per 3.5 ounces.

* Crustaceans – Crab and lobster are good sources of B12. A 3.5-ounce serving of crab has 11.5mcg, which is 192% of the RDA.

* Beef – Lean chuck comes in highest as the best provider of B12 among beef products, containing a bit over 100% of the RDA, followed by sirloin, which contains 62% of the RDA.

You’ll notice that these foods are all animal based. If you do not eat any animal products, you might want to look for fortified foods like cereals and nut milks.

Aromatherapy to Fight Winter Blues

Winter can be a gloomy time. It can feel very long, and the lack of daylight combined with holiday stress can get some people pretty down. What’s interesting is that certain aromas or scents have been known to help lift your spirits during the winter blahs.

How Does It Work?

Our sense of smell is very powerful, and can have a profound impact on our feelings. Of course, you ultimately smell with your brain, and it’s this scent-brain connection that aromatherapy seeks to tap into.

Studies have shown that certain smells actually affect brain wave activity. For example, lavender induces brain waves associated with relaxation. Smelling bright, uplifting scents may generate brain activity that makes you feel much more alert and happy.

What Scents Are Best for Winter Blues?

To help combat the feelings of melancholy associated with winter, there are certain “sunny” scents that may lift your mood. One group of scents that is highly recommended for fighting sadness is citrus. This includes lemon, orange (sweet, bitter, and mandarin varieties), grapefruit, lime, and bergamot. Other scents that may help are sage, basil, ylang ylang, and jasmine. Ginger essential oil may also add zing to your mood.

Other popular essential oils with uplifting qualities include the mints, particularly peppermint and spearmint.

You can blend these in various proportions to achieve a pleasing, bright scent. Some ideas might be equal parts of all or some of the citrus oils; basil and grapefruit; jasmine and ylang ylang; ginger and lemon; or sage and bergamot. You could blend peppermint and ginger, too.

What Are the Best Sources of Scent?

It’s generally agreed that, regardless of what scent you choose, natural essential oils are the best. Synthetic fragrances can induce unpleasant reactions, such as chemical allergies, and may not have the same positive effect as natural scents.

To get these essential oils into your nose, you can try several methods.

* Massage – Mix 10 drops of your favorite blend or single essential oil with 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of carrier oil, such as sweet almond or castor oil. Rub some of this oil on your temples and apply to your wrists. If you’re lucky enough to get a massage, have your masseur use this mixture.

* Diffusion – Many health food stores and even mainstream retailers carry electric diffusers. You simply add drops of essential oil according to the instructions. This gets the scent throughout the room.

* Bath – Add a teaspoon or so of your massage oil to your bathwater and mix well.