Tips on Keeping Your Feet Warm and Dry This Winter

Wet, cold feet are miserable! Yet many of us neglect the protection of our feet in cold winter weather. Here are some tips on keeping your feet warm and dry this winter.

Rubber Rain Boots

If you live in an area where cold is not a significant factor but wetness is, then rubber rain boots may fit the bill. Rubber is not the greatest insulator, but they are warmer if you buy a large size and layer socks. These types of boots are also not suitable for hiking or long walks, especially on icy or rough terrain. Rain boots are excellent if you will be walking on sidewalks, through puddles, and in parking lots.

Weather Proofing

For boots made of suede or leather, sources recommend a spray-on weather-proofing medium to prevent water from soaking the material. You can choose from a variety of weather-proofing media, actually, from oils to pastes to sprays. Slip-on rubber covers for your regular shoes are also an option.

For warmth, look for leather boots with warm lining of fleece or something similar.

Bring a Change of Shoes

Another important tip in keeping your feet warm and dry this winter is to wear your winter footwear regardless of your clothing or destination, and bring nice shoes along with you. For instance, if you are going to the office, go ahead and wear your wet-weather boots and change into nice shoes at the office.

Another tip along these lines is to keep winter boots handy in your car all season. That way, you will be prepared if unexpected bad weather blows up and you find yourself having to walk outside in rain and/or snow.

Layers

Everyone says to dress in layers in cold weather, and that includes your feet. There are some important differences, though. For one thing, cotton socks are considered a no-no (whereas a cotton under layer is considered a good idea in clothing). Cotton socks hold moisture against your feet and, once damp, they lose their ability to insulate.

Gore-Tex and wool are highly recommended materials for winter socks. Underneath, a sock liner is said to be helpful in keeping feet dry.

Remove Wet Socks ASAP

If you do happen to get your feet wet while you’re outside, it’s a good idea to take off those wet socks as soon as possible. Let your feet air-dry in as warm a room as you can, preferably in front of a space heater. The sooner you remove the wet socks, the sooner you will be comfortable again.

Three Great Uses for Hay or Straw Bales

At your local garden center or farmer’s market in the fall, you probably notice lots of hay or straw bales. Hay is different from straw; hay is essentially dried grass, and contains seed heads and the long, flat leaves characteristic of wheat, millet, timothy hay, and other types. Straw is actually the inedible part of cereal grains, primarily oats, and it is used more as bedding than feed for animals. Straw or hay will work for most of the uses below, but straw is usually cheaper.

1. Fall Decorating

Straw and hay bales make lovely bases for decorating. You can pull some of the hay out to stuff a scarecrow and then set him on them; bales make a lovely backdrop for gourds and pumpkins. Hay bales can also be used to line a driveway or sidewalk, and then you can poke solar lights into them for outdoor lighting.

Anywhere you want to put potted plants, you can put them on straw bales. They can even serve as seasonal furniture for an outdoor cookout or other event. Cover them with red-checked tablecloths or other material.

2. Garden – Mulch, Planters, and More

When fall is over and winter sets in, don’t throw away the straw or hay – use it as mulch. Spread the straw over your garden soil and around any plants that are still growing. Once the growing season is over, you can work the straw into the soil to add organic matter. Alternatively, you can let the straw sit on the surface all winter and dig it under in early spring. Beware, though, that hay is likely to have seeds mixed in; be ready to pull up sprouts next spring if you don’t want them in your garden. Straw is a better choice if you don’t want to deal with sprouting seeds.

Did you know you can use a straw or hay bale as a planter? Scoop out a hole in the top of the bale and fill it with soil and compost. You can even grow some vegetables this way, as long as they have fairly shallow roots – you can’t grow carrots in a straw bale, for instance!

You can, however, grow potatoes according to some sources. For potatoes, you don’t need any soil; you can plant the seed potatoes directly (and deeply) into the straw and the roots will grow among the hay or straw and draw nutrients as the bale decomposes. You can pile loose straw from another bale over the green aerial parts that make it up above the top of the bale. Shade is key for producing potatoes from the plant.

One more garden use for straw bales – stack them around your garden to keep out invaders like deer, and even to act as a wind break and insulator. This might prolong your growing season a bit.

3. Fun Stuff

Make a maze with straw bales for your kids and their friends and neighbors. Use them to insulate animal housing – stack bales around the outside of dog houses, chicken coops, sheep and goat pens, and so forth. Straw and hay bales also act as a moisture barrier – they soak up water from rain and melting snow before it gets into the base of the building or enclosure.

Thinking Outside the Box: Fall Fitness

During the summer, fitness may have been almost a no-brainer. You’re outside, swimming at the pool, playing at the beach, and so forth. The daylight hours are long, so being more active seems natural. But what do you do when summer ends? The same activities don’t work the same way, and there is less daylight. To help with this dilemma, here are some tips for thinking outside the box for fall fitness this year.

Pick Apples

Look for a pick-your-own-apple farm in your area. You can plan a road trip with others if you want to make it a group event. Apple picking farms involve lots of walking, stretching, and movement. In fact, you can plan to pick apples every week if it’s affordable. It’s a great way to keep your family in apples and in shape!

Jump Rope

Have you thought about the fitness aspect of jumping rope? It’s not just for kids, although they like it too! Jump ropes are very affordable, and jumping outside in the cool weather can be very pleasurable. You can also jump indoors if your ceilings are high enough and you have enough room. Jumping ropes is very versatile, too – you can make it a family thing, or you can do it by yourself.

Dance Lessons

Now is the time to sign up for those dance lessons you’ve always wanted! It’s fall, so you may have a few hours during the day now that the kids are in school. Any dancing is great for increasing your activity level – choose one that you like so you’ll be more likely to stay motivated. Belly dancing, ballroom dancing, and other types are usually readily available.

Indoor Exercise

Have you thought about getting in shape with Yoga, Zumba, or another activity? If the early evenings and short daylight hours make you want to hole up at home, make your home your workout place. If you have internet access, you can find all kinds of great workout videos online. You can also get DVDs. Invite friends over if you don’t want to work out alone.

There are other indoor exercise options, too, that don’t have to be in your own home. There are all kinds of sports you can play indoors, such as:

* Tennis
* Raquetball
* Swimming
* Indoor rock climbing
* Bowling

If you schedule something regularly, it can help keep you fit this fall. If you like variety, switch between activities.

Ten Ways to Calm a Crying Baby

Few things go through the heart of parents like their baby’s cry. We’re wired to respond to our baby’s cry, and a breastfeeding mom has a physical connection with her baby that means her body, not just her feelings, respond to her baby’s cry. So what do you do? How can you make the crying stop? Here are some suggestions that may help – ten ways to calm a crying baby.

1. Understand Crying

Okay, so this may not be direct action taken to stop the crying; but it’s important to understand a bit about why babies cry. Knowing their crying has a reason that isn’t just torturing or manipulating you can go a long way toward helping you respond to cries in a prompt, loving manner.

Babies cry to communicate. Their crying is not “bad behavior.” They can’t speak, so the only way they can tell anyone anything is by making noise and with body language. Crying usually indicates a need of some sort, including emotional needs.

2. Swaddle Your Baby

Wrap your baby closely in blankets (as long as it is not too hot) and lay him on his side. The snug wrapping and side position are reminiscent of being in the womb, say experts. It gives babies a sense of security.

3. Feed Your Baby

Hunger is one of the primary reasons for crying. Think about the last time your baby ate or filled her diaper, and you may find that it’s time for more food.

4. Discomfort

Your baby may be too cold, too hot, or just plain uncomfortable. If he looks flushed and hot, try removing some of his clothing to cool him off. If he is squirming and arching away from something, look and see what is causing the discomfort and remove it (or move your baby).

5. Soothe Baby to Sleep

Some babies get very upset when they are tired. If it’s near nap time or if it’s evening (or if your baby didn’t sleep well the night before), she may need a nap.

6. Calmer Surroundings

Your baby may be overstimulated by noise and/or people. Try moving him to a quieter area.

7. Music

Playing music may soothe your crying baby, especially if the room is otherwise pretty quiet. Singing to your baby may help stop crying, too.

8. Shushing

Some experts recommend “shushing,” making a “sh” sound into your baby’s ear. This is basically white noise, and like the swaddling, it helps recreate the womb environment (it’s said the womb is pretty noisy due to blood circulation).

9. Check the Diaper

Your baby may be one of those who gets upset at having a dirty diaper. Check her diaper if she’s crying and see if she needs a change, or if the diaper is uncomfortable.

10. Tummy Gas

Some say that babies don’t cry because of gas, but a baby who needs to be burped probably will cry! Make sure your baby is burped if he is crying, especially shortly after a feeding.

Techniques for Baby Massage

The concept of baby massage builds on what is really a mother’s instinct – touching and holding her baby. So many studies have pointed to the importance of physical contact in a baby’s health and development. In fact, babies in orphanages who receive little or no physical touch do not thrive.

Baby massage provides a tool for parents to use to give their baby the touch he or she needs. Did you know that infant massage may benefit parents, too?

Baby massage may build on instincts inherent in parents, but there are special techniques that should be employed for maximum benefit and to prevent harm. Here are some of the techniques for baby massage.

Make It Part of the Regular Routine…but Don’t Forget to Be Spontaneous

Count on about half an hour for your infant massage. If possible, set the mood with calm surroundings and total focus on your baby. However, as you learn these techniques, they can be employed as needed, such as during diaper changes or when you are waiting in the pediatrician’s office.

Assume the Position

Baby massage works best when your baby is in his diaper only. Lay him on a blanket and sit down with your feet together (if you can). Then you need only lean forward to massage your baby.

Talk to Your Baby

Make eye contact and talk to your baby when you massage him. This enhances communication, and some experts even suggest asking your baby for “permission” to give him a massage.

Feet First

Unless your baby objects to having his feet touched, these adorable parts of baby anatomy make a good starting place for your massage. This is particularly nice if massage is new to your baby.

Be Gentle, Not Ticklish

Tickling babies can be fun, but it produces the opposite effect than a massage. Massages are intended to induce calm and enhance bonding. Apply gentle pressure to the bottom of your baby’s feet with your thumbs, working from heel to toe.

Moving to the Middle

Go up your baby’s legs with the same gentle pressure and circular strokes with your thumbs. Then you can massage your baby’s tummy gently, keeping in mind the “inward to outward” technique. Using your fingertips, massage his tummy in a circular motion. You can also use a gentle “walking” motion with your fingers, especially around his belly button.

Bendy Baby

Another technique that can help if your baby has trouble with gas is to fold the knees gently upward toward the chest and rock gently from side to side. Then straighten the legs and repeat.

Massaging Baby’s Head

Avoiding the soft spot on the very top, make a “shampooing” motion with your fingertips. On his face, make a heart shape with your fingertips, starting at your baby’s forehead and coming down to his chin. Stroke his eyebrows outward using your thumbs.

Staple Items for Your Diaper Bag

The diaper bag: don’t leave home without it! For new parents, the diaper bag represents the ability to be mobile – to take your baby out with you to various places. But what do you need to put in it? What are the staple items for your diaper bag?

The items you can’t live without will vary by age, of course. Here are some basic tips to help you keep that diaper bag stocked and ready whenever you need it.

More Than Just Diapers

You probably know to pack diapers in there – it’s a diaper bag after all – but you’ll need more than just diapers. For one thing, it’s a good idea to pack a diaper for every hour you’ll be out. You may not need them all, but the one-diaper-an-hour rule means you’ll have extras in case your baby has one of those blow-outs right after you changed him (or her).

In addition to diapers, you’ll need diapering essentials: a small blanket for laying your baby down, wipes, and a couple of large zip top bags. If you can’t toss the dirty diaper or if your baby has soiled his clothes, you’ll need those zip top bags.

Don’t forget diaper ointment or cream!

Entertainment and Soothing

Keep age-appropriate toys and books in your diaper bag – not too many, of course, but a few board books, a favorite toy or two, and pacifiers (if you use them) can make the difference between a pleasant time and a nightmare!

Feeding

If you’re a breastfeeding mom, you might want to keep a cover-up blanket, nursing hat, or whatever method you use. Bottle-feeding moms will need to bring along a prepared bottle for each feeding while you’re out. Both types of feeding methods require burp-up cloths and possibly a change of clothes (more on the change of clothes below).

Don’t forget to feed yourself, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Keep some snacks and a bottle of water for you in your diaper bag.

Clothing

For blow-outs and burp-ups, a change of clothing is essential. Bring two changes, or one for every feeding.

Health Items

Whatever you use for teething, keep that handy in the diaper bag (teething tablets, gel, rings, etc.). Sunscreen, baby-safe insect repellent and after-bite lotions are essential in the summer. It might be handy to keep some allergy meds in your diaper bag, too, in case of an unexpected allergic reaction.

Last but not least, sanitary wipes (not to be confused with baby wipes) are important for wiping down public places like changing tables and shopping carts.

Seven Money-Saving Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

Is it possible to make mistakes in saving money? Unfortunately yes, it is. The good news is, we can learn from the mistakes of others and apply them to our own situations. Following is a list of seven money saving mistakes you don’t want to make.

1. Careful with Coupons

While it’s a money saver to take advantage of sales and use coupons where you can, serious “couponing” is not necessarily a savings boon, say sources. For one thing, you aren’t going to find coupons for some of the healthiest foods: produce. That means if you rely on coupons only you may end up in poor health, which means more money spent on medicines, sick time away from work, and so forth. Hardly a money saver.

2. Budgeting for Savings

Too many people make the mistake of saving if the opportunity presents itself, or if money is just sort of left over. Big hint: money rarely just presents itself! Saving money needs to be a deliberate, thoughtful process and budgeting in a certain amount to save each month is a wise approach.

3. Restricted Accessibility

Savings accounts vary in their accessibility, but having one like a CD where you are heavily penalized for early withdrawal may be a mistake. If you do have money wrapped up in something of this nature, experts agree that it’s a good idea to start another savings account that’s liquid – that is, an account you can get at if you need it without penalty. Money market accounts are good for this.

4. Jumping on the Investment Bandwagon

There are two important points to keep in mind regarding investment opportunities: 1 – If you don’t understand it, avoid it; and 2 – If it sounds too good to be true, it is. As for #1, many investment fraudsters will be unclear in their explanation of the deal, causing confusion and sounding so technical that you figure they must know best. True investments are easy to understand; saving money should be simple. As for #2, don’t fall for the notion of “risk-free” investments with “guaranteed returns.” Baloney!

5. The Long Term

Don’t make the mistake of putting your money where “introductory rates” sound good. Nothing lasts forever, and after a year or so, those rates will change. Some promotional deals are excellent – the key is to do your homework. Find out what the promotional deal really involves in the long run. For instance, a promotional mortgage rate that’s rock-bottom low may sound great, but only if it’s fixed-rate would it be worth it.

6. Random Saving

It’s good to have savings goals. It can be a mistake to save randomly. Goalless saving also makes dipping into your savings for frivolous reasons a bit too tempting. Goals help you keep your hands off the savings unless it’s really necessary.

7. Savings Follow Income

Another mistake to avoid is to keep your savings at the same level even if your income and standard of living go up. If those things go up, so should your savings.

Seven Fun Ways to Flavor Your Popcorn

Popcorn is very versatile. From sweet to salty to spicy, there seems to be no end to the flavoring you can impart on this humble but delicious food. Here are just seven of the fun ways to flavor your popcorn.

1. Olive Oil

This is not only a way to get great flavor from your popcorn – it’s also a springboard for other flavoring options. For this healthful treat, you’ll need the kind of olive oil that is appropriate for saut

Rutabaga Basics: What They Are and How to Cook Them

Admittedly, the rutabaga is not generally considered a traditional holiday food like sweet potatoes or pumpkins. But it’s worth taking a second look at this humble root vegetable. Here is some information on rutabagas – what they are and how to cook them.

What Is a Rutabaga?

A cold-climate vegetable, the rutabaga may have originated as a cross between cabbage and turnip. Because it grows well in cold climates, you’ll find that the people of Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Finland, and other northerly areas know it well. It has some other names around the world, too, such as swede, cabbage root, yellow turnip, and neap.

The leaves of the rutabaga are edible as well, and can be cooked and eaten like kale or turnip greens. Usually, the root is the main part that is consumed and the part that most recipes refer to.

What Do You Do with It?

Now that you’ve identified just what a rutabaga is, you might be wondering what to do with one! Here are some recipes and ideas on how to cook and prepare rutabagas.

1. Mashed

Like turnips and potatoes, rutabagas can be mashed. Here’s how.

Ingredients:
* 4 large rutabagas
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons butter
* Salt and pepper to taste

First, peel the rutabagas as you would a turnip, using a vegetable peeler or sharp paring knife. Then, chunk up the flesh and put it in a large saucepan. Add the salt and water to cover, then cover the saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for about 15 minutes.

Once the rutabagas are tender, drain them and reserve the liquid. Mash them with a potato masher and add cooking liquid as needed (you can substitute milk for all or part of the cooking liquid if you prefer). Add butter while the rutabagas are still hot. Season to taste and serve as you would mashed potatoes.

2. Roasted Rutabagas and Carrots

Combine rutabagas with carrots for this healthful, vegetable-rich treat.

Ingredients:
* 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch strips
* 2 large rutabagas, cut into 3-inch strips
* 1/2 cup water
* 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons olive oil
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar or evaporated cane juice
* Juice and zest of 1 lemon
* Salt and pepper to taste

Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F. Then steam the strips of rutabaga and carrot in the water for 5 minutes over high heat. Drain, then pour the steamed veggies into a bowl and toss with remaining ingredients. Pour onto a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 15 to 20 minutes.

Pacifier Pros and Cons

It’s been said that babies are not born with pacifiers in their mouths. True, but they often end up with one so soon it seems like they were born with it! If you are trying to decide whether or not to use a pacifier with your baby, here are some pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

* Pacifiers are convenient. They allow parents to quieten a fussy baby while in public without too much bother. Pacifiers are small and portable and easy to carry along.

* It can buy parents some time – the pacifier does what its name implies: it pacifies. This gives parents a chance to find a place to nurse or get a bottle ready (or prepare whatever is needed).

* Some studies suggest that SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is reduced with the use of a pacifier at night-time.

* Pacifiers have a reputation for preventing finger- and thumb-sucking. (This may or may not be the case – the habit of sucking on fingers and thumbs may have its roots in more complex causes.)

Cons:

* Dependency can be a significant problem for some babies, and giving up the pacifier may end up being a major headache.

* A pacifiers can be a big source of germs if it falls out and parents put it back in the baby’s mouth. (It’s only too easy to get into this habit.)

* If you lose the pacifier or it wears out, beware: a substitute may not do, making for a very discontented baby!

* Proper tooth and jaw development may be adversely affected by the use of pacifiers. Speech delays may also be a problem with pacifier use, especially prolonged use.

Tips for Using a Pacifier

Here are some tips to help you out if you decide to use a pacifier.

* Sterilize the pacifier in the dishwasher (make sure you buy ones that are dishwasher-safe).

* Don’t put the pacifier back in the baby’s mouth if it falls out and hits any surface (especially the floor).

* When you find a style that works, buy several, and toggle them so your baby gets used to changing nipples. This helps prevent the fussiness that may ensue if you lose the pacifier or if it wears out.

Tips for Not Using a Pacifier

If you are not going to use a pacifier with your baby, here are some tips.

* Use your breasts as a pacifier if you are breastfeeding. This ups your milk supply and increases your bond with your baby. (Pacifiers are, after all, a substitute nipple!)

* A parent’s clean pinky finger can suffice as a temporary pacifier.

Newborn Baby Bathing Basics

It’s time for baby’s first bath! This should be fun, right? Not necessarily – parents can get awfully anxious about how to bathe a newborn, and for good reason. Newborns are small, fragile, and helpless. But you can enjoy bath time with your baby with a few newborn baby bathing basics. Here are some tips.

Sponge Baths

A sponge bath – that is, a bath that does not involve immersion – is recommended until the baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off. And there’s no need for daily sponge baths; once or twice a week is fine. The rest of the time, just clean baby’s face, neck, and diaper area as needed.

Here are some sponge bath tips.

* First, you’ll need a few things, including a thick blanket or towel, another towel, a soft cloth, and a basin or container to hold warm water. You don’t necessarily have to use soap on a newborn, but if you choose to, use a mild baby soap.

* Bathe your baby on a flat surface such as a changing table or kitchen counter. Lay the towel or blanket on this flat surface and work from there.

* Make sure you always have one hand on your baby while you bathe him or her.

* Have a change of clothes and clean diaper handy for when the bath is over.

Gather Your Supplies First

Because it’s dangerous to leave a baby alone in water for even a minute (babies can drown in less than an inch of water), make sure you have everything you need for the bath nearby (see above list).

Immersion Baths

For a baby’s first bath in an actual tub, consider getting a specially-made newborn tub that fits down into your sink or bathtub. These plastic tubs are made for a reclining baby body and are very helpful for the first six months of life when your baby can’t sit up on his or her own.

You only need a few inches of water in your baby’s bath. Make sure it’s warm, but not hot. If you’re doing the sponge bath thing, then you’ll want to lay your baby on a clean, dry towel after the bath; don’t wrap him up in the wet towel that you used while bathing him.

Hot Water

Before your baby is even born, make sure your hot water tank is turned to 120 degrees, no higher. This helps prevent scalding should the hot water somehow get to baby’s skin. Also along these lines, don’t let your baby touch the faucets. That’s a good way to get the water too deep or too hot.

Keep Baby Warm

Once baby’s skin is wet, she will get chilled easily. Keep the room where baby is being bathed nice and warm, and when the bath is finished, wrap her in a towel. If you have a towel with a hood, all the better.

Joint Bank Accounts: Pros and Cons

Whether you and your spouse choose to have joint bank accounts or separate ones, you are going to be making an impact on your family budget and, in a way, making a statement about how you think of money (and other things). To help make this important decision, it’s a good idea to take stock of the pros and cons. Here are some ideas about the pros and cons of joint bank accounts, and how it affects the household budget.

1. Pros

First, let’s look at the pros of having joint bank accounts.

* It’s convenient. You don’t have to “go through” another person to make a purchase or pay bills.

* You and your spouse may be able to save money faster for the simple reason that twice the income (or more income) is coming into the account, which leaves more for saving.

* Communication is necessary for a joint account or accounts to go smoothly. For many couples, this is an asset – it acts as an avenue toward better communication between them.

* Being willing to share an account with your spouse could be interpreted as a gesture of trust on the part of both parties. It says you’re willing to be transparent with your money, and for some couples, this can be an enhancement to their relationship.

2. Cons

There are some drawbacks to having joint bank accounts. Here are some to consider.

* One spouse tends to become the financial manager, which is a burden he/she may resent.

* For some couples, privacy is important, even if it’s so you can buy a surprise gift for your spouse.

* Coordinating expenditures can be tricky with a joint account. Both spouses need to keep clear records so that the account doesn’t get overdrawn.

* Arguments could potentially ensue if one or the other party is irresponsible with his or her spending; suddenly, it becomes “You spent our money” rather than “You spent your money.”

How It Affects the Household Budget

When it comes to budgeting, whether or not you have joint accounts will make a significant impact. For instance, separate accounts mean that you have to look at two separate sets of records of expenditures and income to form the budget. For couples who have separate accounts for privacy, there will need to be two separate household budgets, which can get a bit dicey.

A joint account may actually make budgeting easier. You only have one set of records to look at, and while you both may be bringing home an income, the income becomes one stream that’s easier to track.

How You Can Save $100 Every Month

Money is kind of like calories – you can cut back here and there for a nice net result. Have you been wondering how you can save each month? Here are some tips on how you can save $100 every month.

Where Is the Money?

Think about it – $100 a month is about $3.35 a day. Start looking for items you spend money on daily. Lunch? Coffee? Parking? Snacks? Movies? See if you can come up with $3.35 a day that you can cut back on. If you are only counting weekdays, look for expenses totaling around $5 a day.

Utilities

Take a hard look at your utility payments. Is there a way to cut back? Maybe you can switch internet providers or telephone companies. You might also be able to downgrade your cable bill, or – horrors – get rid of cable altogether. In fact, you might want to get rid of your land line, too, and go with just cell phone service. That all depends on what the service is like in your area, and how happy you are with your provider.

Going Green for More Green

Speaking of utilities, take a good look at your energy bills. Electric, water, sewer, and gas are what most people have to pay each month. Can you cut back your use of these utilities by $25 a month? How about $10? Here are some quick tips of shaving bits off your utility bills:

* Hand-wash dishes in a sink of soapy water and use the dishwasher as a drying rack.

* Check for water leaks around your home and seal them up, or place a jug under them to use the water elsewhere (such as refilling pet water dishes or watering plants).

* Make sure your home’s insulation is up to par.

* Change your furnace filters every 60 to 90 days.

* Use fans instead of air conditioning whenever you can.

* Don’t heat and cool rooms you aren’t using. Close vents in rooms that are unoccupied.

* Insulate your pipes with foam wraps in the wintertime.

There are lots more ideas – do an internet search and start implementing all the energy- and money-saving tips. Once you get a handle on what you are saving, you can put that into your $100-a-month fund!

What Do You Do with It?

Probably the best thing to do with the money at first is…nothing. Once it’s accumulated enough to open a savings account with it, you can do that. You might want to discuss the money’s final destination with a financial adviser – there are a lot of savings options available, such as IRAs and Money Market accounts.

How to Make Exercise a Part of Your Daily Life

It’s been shown that one of the most effective ways to keep up with your exercise schedule is to make it a part of your daily routine. Have you been wondering how to do this? It can be challenging to start a new habit, but once you get exercise worked in, you may find that you hardly notice it (and miss it when you don’t do it!). Here are some ideas on how to make exercise a part of your daily life.

Standing versus Sitting

Many of us end up in prolonged inactivity because we sit for most of the day at desk jobs. If you have a job that requires a lot of sitting, try getting creative in the workplace (or at home if you work from there). Rig up a standing work station if possible, such as setting your computer on a platform on your desk and standing at the keyboard. While standing, you can come up with lots of ways you can keep fit. Here are some ideas.

* Get a treadmill to put under your desk or table so you can walk while typing.

* Do squats periodically while you are standing at your computer.

* Keep your lower body moving while you type by doing Pilates moves, Yoga, belly dancing, or whatever lower-body movement you can. (Some of these may help with toning, too.)

* Bend and straighten your knees one at a time, going as quickly as you can.

Park Far Away

Rather than fighting for that perfect parking spot right in front of the door, make it a habit to park far away from your destination. The walk to and from your car is a good way to get a bit of exercise in, especially if you do it daily. Take advantage of the cart return at stores, too – it gets even more of a walk in if you have to go from your car to the return and back.

Dog Walking

If you don’t have a dog or it isn’t practical to get one, offer to walk your neighbor’s dog. Dog-walking is a good way to get regular exercise in, because it has to be done! And if you agree with your neighbor and he or she is expecting you, it’s hard to back out.

Lunch Hour Workout

If you work in an office, make it a habit to get some exercise during your lunch hour. You can eat at your desk after – in fact, you may want to make it part of your lunch routine to walk to a take-out place that’s at least several blocks away. Or, you can bring your lunch and eat at your desk, then use the noon hour to walk or do Yoga in your office.

Stairs

Whenever possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator, especially at work. If you make this a habit everywhere – the mall, the library, etc. – you’ll work even more exercise into your daily routine.

How to Extend Your Garden’s Growing Season

Does the first frost always seem to come too soon? For many gardeners, it’s hard to see those last tomatoes succumb to frost when they would have ripened in a few days, or those peppers that needed just a week or two more to produce another crop. The good news is, you can extend your garden’s productivity – besides protecting your existing plants, you can plant crops in late summer and fall to harvest into cold weather.

Here are some ideas on how to extend your garden’s growing season.

Individual Greenhouses

It’s impractical to build a greenhouse over your entire garden each fall! But you can create a greenhouse effect for your individual plants. What’s more, you can use inexpensive items or objects that are found around the house (or someone else’s house if you need to borrow some!). Here are two approaches, one more of a quick-fix approach and the other more elaborate.

1. Clear plastic bags make great covers for tomato plants. Don’t put them on in the daytime, or you might cook your plants on a warm autumn day. But in the evening, if frost is predicted, throw clear garbage bags over the plants (you can use white or black garbage bags in a pinch, but you’ll have to remove them early in the day so light can get to your plants). The stakes or cages will hold the bags up.

Remove the clear bags when things have warmed up a bit, and if it stays cold, leave the bags in place and ventilate them periodically.

Smaller plants can be protected with clear 2-liter bottles cut in half, or with the bottom cut off if the plant is a bit taller. You could also use milk jugs.

2. You can make a plastic tunnel over your garden rows using plastic sheeting and plastic hula hoops. Take advantage of those fall sales when summer toys like hula hoops go on sale. Cut the hula hoops in half and stick them into the ground, curved-side-up, at intervals down your garden rows. Then lay plastic over the hoops and weigh it down with bricks, rocks, or logs. For tall plants like tomatoes, you can use PVC piping to create a taller, square frame along your tomato rows and cover with plastic.

Fall Crops

You can plant kale and cabbage in the fall for a winter harvest. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower can also be sown in late summer for a harvest in fall. That’s not all – radishes and spinach can also be sown in late summer for a late fall harvest.

Shrubs, Plants, and Flowers

Now is a great time to take cuttings and replant some things. Take cuttings from basil and root them indoors, then grow the basil in pots indoors all winter. Then you can move the pot outdoors when it gets warm, or plant the basil out in the garden again. You can also take cuttings from the indoor plant in late winter and plant the seedlings out in the garden when the weather warms up. Almost all members of the mint family can be extended this way.

How to Choose the Right Coat – Top Tips

Are you looking for a new winter coat? Not sure where to start or how to choose the best one for you? There are several things it helps to consider. Here are some top tips on choosing the right coat this winter.

Budget

The first thing you’ll need to figure out is how much you can spend on a coat this season. That will determine a lot as to where you’ll shop and what you can expect to purchase.

Body Type

Coats do more than just keep out the cold. Choosing a coat that flatters your body type can make the difference between looking sharp and looking awkward this winter. Here are some tips on which styles and cuts of coats that work for which body types.

* Pear-shaped figures tend to look better in coats that accentuate your upper body. A wide collar or other embellishment across the shoulders help balance out the heavier lower half. Think of adding volume to your upper half – double-breasted coats, for instance, accentuate the top and tend to be fitted at the waist.

* Square body types without a lot of curve may benefit from a coat with some bulk at the top, like a double-breasted coat, and flares or pleats at the bottom to imply curves at the hips.

* For rounder body types (“apple-shaped” figures), it might be a good idea to go with a coat that is lighter at the top (no double-breasted coats) and without a lot of flare or embellishment at the waist. A long coat that flares outward at the waist in an A-line may be a good option for this body type.

Climate

How cold does it get where you live? Remember that materials like down, fleece, and wool tend to be excellent insulators and you may find yourself sweltering on a “cold” winter’s day. If you live in a milder climate, you can lean a bit more toward the fashionable side of things and go for a stylish suede jacket.

If you live in an area that gets really cold, then you’ll need to go for warmth (but you can still go for style, too, just warm style!). Think of water resistance and insulation if you live in a cold area.

Activity Level

What are you going to be doing this winter? How you answer this determines a lot about what coat will work best for you. If you spend the winter largely indoors and go out mainly for work, meetings, errands, or socializing, then your needs are different from someone who spends a lot of time outdoors in the winter, skiing, camping, hiking, and so forth.

A stylish, even formal coat will work for someone who is going to be wearing it mainly between indoor activities. Someone who engages in a lot of outdoor activity should look for something water-resistant and sporty, made to provide protection against the elements.

How Dressing in Layers Keeps You Warm

Whether you are exercising outside or just running errands, dressing in layers helps you stay warm. Here’s how dressing in layers keeps you warm, as well as some tips on how you can make the best use of layers to stay warm.

How (and Why) Layers Work

Layers work in various ways, such as:

* Trapping heat – Did you know that air makes a good insulator? It’s true! This is why manufacturers put some form of gas between panes of glass to make insulated windows. When you dress in layers, the air between the layers creates an insulating effect, trapping heat. In addition, the multiple layers (if done correctly – more on that below) simply add more layers that the heat has to get through in order to navigate away from your body.

* Repelling water – Proper layering provides a protection from the weather. If you’re only wearing one layer, a rain or snow event can leave you damp and chilled. The layers help keep the cold precipitation from reaching your skin.

* Wicking moisture – In addition to preventing moisture from coming in from the outside, layers help “wick” moisture away from your skin. If your skin gets too sweaty in cold weather, it can cause you to get chilled; but if the moisture is absorbed by the layers, it helps keep you warm instead.

* Blocking wind – If you are running or walking and generating your own wind, or if you are just out on a cold and windy day, layers act as a breaker for the wind. The more still, warm air near your skin, the warmer you’ll feel.

* Cool down – When you layer your clothes, you’re guarding as much against overheating as you are overchilling. When you get hot, you can remove a layer to cool off. This is especially helpful if you go from exercising out in the cold to being in a warm room.

Layering Tips – Get the Most from Your Layers

Layering for optimal benefit is about more than just throwing on multiple sweaters and pants. Here are some tips for optimal layering. Remember, these tips are for the upper and lower body.

1) Start with an inner layer of cotton that is fairly snug. If it’s close to your skin, it helps with the wicking effect described above.

2) The middle layer is looser than the inner one. Materials like fleece and wool are good inner layers. If you’re going for a zip-up collar or underarm zippers to regulate heat, the middle layer is where you’ll want these amenities.

3) Finally, the outer layer should be water-resistant and insulated, preferably made from a material like Gore-Tex. Ankle zippers can help here if you’re covering footwear and underlying layers.

Health Benefits of Eating Pumpkin

As you look at the jack-o-lanterns on people’s porches and around your neighborhood, consider that there’s more to a pumpkin than decoration. Not only are pumpkins edible; they may have health benefits.

Here are some of the health benefits of eating pumpkin.

Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted pumpkin seeds are called pepitas. You can eat them raw or roasted, but some experts contend that nutrients get lost when the seeds are heated. At any rate, studies have shown that pumpkin seeds may help support a healthy prostate gland.

Pumpkin seeds are also rich in zinc, a mineral that is sometimes lacking in the American diet. Zinc has been shown to protect against osteoporosis, so pumpkin seeds may help ward off this debilitating condition.

Another mineral that pumpkin seeds boast is magnesium (another one often lacking in our standard diet). Sources say that eating half a cup of pumpkin seeds provides over 90% of your daily intake of this important mineral.

Beta-Carotene

The pumpkin’s distinctive orange rind and flesh are due to beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A (it’s converted to vitamin A in the body). Beta-carotene has been shown to have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Another benefit of beta-carotene is a potential decrease in cancer risk (particularly lung cancer) and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disorders. Once it becomes vitamin A, beta-carotene has a reputation for promoting eye health.

Pumpkin also contains carotenoids, substances that are said to boost the immune system. Interestingly, carotenoids have been shown to help prevent yeast infections in women.

Fiber

Pumpkin contains both types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is what its name suggests – it’s soluble in water, which has a thickening effect on the contents of the digestive tract. This may slow down the absorption of sugar, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. Pumpkin also has insoluble fiber, which does not dissolve in water and therefore keeps things moving in the digestive tract.

Vitamin C

This important vitamin is also an antioxidant, making it an important component for immune health. And you guessed it – vitamin C is found in pumpkins! Vitamin C is important for all sorts of body functions, including healing of wounds and maybe staving off cancer.

Potassium

You’ll find this valuable mineral in pumpkin as well. Potassium is often recommended to people with high blood pressure, particularly if they take a diuretic. Potassium has a reputation for reducing the risk of various diseases and disorders, such as kidney disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and hypoglycemia.

So take a new look at those pumpkins decorating everyone’s home and yard. They are a nutritional treasure trove!