No two teenagers are the same, and no two divorces are identical; thus, divorce can have an impact to teenagers in different ways. Parents who are planning on getting divorced must remember that their child or children could be seriously affected by divorce.
There are teens who show maturity beyond their age and who can handle the problems well, but there are some young people who take the opposite position and behave in upsetting manners. Some teens will have their school grades dropped, even alarmingly. Some will become angry teens and pick fights with others especially any siblings. Some will go off the rails big time and team up with other troubled teens getting into strife with the police. How young people react varies but in some cases it can be extremely harmful to the teenagers.
When parents arrive at the subjects of who will have custody and where the child will live, all sorts of issues come into play. Some parents will try bribing their child to live with them. Remember teens are young adults and, unlike young kids, will be in a position to have a say and make their mark. For some teens, having to choose to live with one parent and leave the other can be a traumatic experience. And if one parent leaves town or the state, the hardship can be greatly magnified.
Kids who love their parents don't want to choose. They don't want to take sides. The parents may have fallen out with each other but this doesn't mean the teen blames either parent. In fact all the teen most likely wants is for the family to stay together and live as they did in happier times.
One of the big tragedies of a divorce is that some parents are so emotional and locked into their own problems that they fail to see the impact the divorce is having on the children. The kids can be left to fend for themselves.
A further distressing problem is that some teens start to feel guilty about their parents breaking up. Teens are old enough to think logically and some will lie awake at night thinking about if or how they caused the marriage of their parents to fail. This is rarely if ever the case but the guilt trip by the teen can be very real.
As hard as it may be, every parent should keep the lines of communication open with their spouse if for no other reason as the welfare of their child. If there is a danger of the divorce causing serious problems for the teen, the parents should agree on a course of action. Taking their child to a counselor who works specifically with troubled teens would be a good place to start.
Parents must understand that during the divorce and after it has become law, life goes on and this includes the wellbeing and protection of the children. The divorce may come and go but the health of your teen remains a vitally important issue.
If you need more information on the effects of divorce, visit our website to find more divorce and separation advice.
Article Source : http://www.article-content-king.com
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
A look at the psychology of bereavement
Bereavement is the state people experience when someone or something they love tremendously, is taken away. Humans, as varied as we are, experience and react to loss differently. Most of the time, the first reaction is crying while for others it is not. It may take a period of months, even years for some to overcome the grief of loss while it does not take as long for others. Dealing with it, which is accepting the fact that you suffered a huge loss is unpleasant and most people live in denial. Over time, people do manage to overcome the pain and grief of loss. However, it takes time. Researchers say one person's reaction to loss may not be similar to the other person's as it depends on the individual's personality, family, culture, and spiritual and religious beliefs and practices. A popular theory is the Kübler-Ross model, where Elisabeth Kübler-Ross describes five stages of grief which are most common.
The stages are: *
1. Denial.
2. Anger.
3. Bargaining.
4. Depression.
5. Acceptance.
These aforementioned reactions do affect a person's behavior and well-being. Commonly bereavement affects us with:
* Sleeplessness.
* Appetite Loss.
* Restlessness.
* Exertion.
* Preoccupation.
* Anxiousness and panic.
* Inability to resume normal duties.
* Lack of interest.
* Irritability.
* Tearfulness.
* Physical side-effects.
Individuals suffer different types of loss. They are: childhood bereavement, death of a child(considered by most to be the most devastatingly painful form of bereavement), death of a spouse, death of a parent, death of a sibling (as the saying goes, "if you have lost your parents, you have lost your past; if you have lost your children, you have lost your future; if you have lost your spouse, you have lost your present; and if you have lost your sibling, then you have lost a part of your past, present and future"), loss of children through divorce or kidnapping and other losses (examples include the end of a romantic relationship (i.e. divorce or break up), a vocation, a pet (animal loss), a home, children leaving home (empty nest), a friend, a favored appointment or desire, etc).
Recovery is possible through patience and many ways of coping. Such as :
* Asking for help. First, accept that you are hurt and need help.
* Discuss it with someone responsible and helpful. Find someone trustful, a parent, a sibling,a professional, a pet or even God.
* Use art to express feelings. Very cathartic and helpful.
* Maintain some pleasant mementos of the person or thing you lost.
* Exercise. A great way to release pent up anger.
* Listen to music. Any kind of music as long as it calms you.
* Take care. Don't seek escapism that will be even more detrimental to your well-being, like drugs or alcohol. Instead, fuss over yourself and treat yourself well.
* Trust your own self. Accept and trust your feelings knowing that it is alright to feel so. * Take time to heal. * Enjoy each moment. Be grateful for being alive and surviving grief. Talk to family, someone close or even professional help but do take help. Finally, remember and acknowledge that you have gone through immense loss and with time, the scars will go but more important than that is realizing that time alone is no good, you have to make an effort to move on as a survivor a fighter.
Article Source : http://www.article-content-king.com
The stages are: *
1. Denial.
2. Anger.
3. Bargaining.
4. Depression.
5. Acceptance.
These aforementioned reactions do affect a person's behavior and well-being. Commonly bereavement affects us with:
* Sleeplessness.
* Appetite Loss.
* Restlessness.
* Exertion.
* Preoccupation.
* Anxiousness and panic.
* Inability to resume normal duties.
* Lack of interest.
* Irritability.
* Tearfulness.
* Physical side-effects.
Individuals suffer different types of loss. They are: childhood bereavement, death of a child(considered by most to be the most devastatingly painful form of bereavement), death of a spouse, death of a parent, death of a sibling (as the saying goes, "if you have lost your parents, you have lost your past; if you have lost your children, you have lost your future; if you have lost your spouse, you have lost your present; and if you have lost your sibling, then you have lost a part of your past, present and future"), loss of children through divorce or kidnapping and other losses (examples include the end of a romantic relationship (i.e. divorce or break up), a vocation, a pet (animal loss), a home, children leaving home (empty nest), a friend, a favored appointment or desire, etc).
Recovery is possible through patience and many ways of coping. Such as :
* Asking for help. First, accept that you are hurt and need help.
* Discuss it with someone responsible and helpful. Find someone trustful, a parent, a sibling,a professional, a pet or even God.
* Use art to express feelings. Very cathartic and helpful.
* Maintain some pleasant mementos of the person or thing you lost.
* Exercise. A great way to release pent up anger.
* Listen to music. Any kind of music as long as it calms you.
* Take care. Don't seek escapism that will be even more detrimental to your well-being, like drugs or alcohol. Instead, fuss over yourself and treat yourself well.
* Trust your own self. Accept and trust your feelings knowing that it is alright to feel so. * Take time to heal. * Enjoy each moment. Be grateful for being alive and surviving grief. Talk to family, someone close or even professional help but do take help. Finally, remember and acknowledge that you have gone through immense loss and with time, the scars will go but more important than that is realizing that time alone is no good, you have to make an effort to move on as a survivor a fighter.
Article Source : http://www.article-content-king.com
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Help keep cosmetology and barbering in the Philadelphia Public Schools
Help us keep cosmetology and barbering on the High Occupational Priority List!
The state of Pennsylvania is ready to put cosmetology and barbering on the chopping block and take these two areas of training out of the high schools.
I am reaching out to you about advancing cosmetology and barbering to High Priority Occupation status using job placements other than salons. We must prove to the state that the jobs associated with these trades are full time, have career advancement opportunities, and that there is demand among employers.
Click HERE
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Food and your health
In the nine years after GM crops were introduced in 1996, Americans with three or more chronic diseases jumped from 7 percent to 13 percent.24 But without any human clinical trials or post marketing surveillance, we may never know if GMOs are a contributor.
Citizens need not wait for more research to take the doctors’ advice: avoid GMOs.
For your convenience, I have prepared this Non-GMO Shopping Guide using information from the Center for Food Safety and Institute for Responsible Technology. Even a small percentage of people choosing non-GMO brands could force the food industry to remove all GM ingredients.
Thus, the AAEM’s non-GMO prescription may be a watershed for the US food supply.
Tell the USDA that you DO care about GE contamination of organic crops and the food you eat! Let the USDA know that you WILL reject GE Contaminated Alfalfa and Alfalfa-Derived Foods and that GE Alfalfa will significantly increase the use of pesticides, resulting in harm to human health and the overall environment.
Also, send the FDA your feedback now!
To learn more about the health dangers of GMOs, and what you can do to help end the genetic engineering of our food supply, please visit www.ResponsibleTechnology.org.
About the Author
International bestselling author and filmmaker Jeffrey Smith is the leading spokesperson on the health dangers of genetically modified (GM) foods.
His first book, Seeds of Deception, is the world’s bestselling and #1 rated book on the topic. His second, Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods, provides overwhelming evidence that GMOs are unsafe and should never have been introduced.
Mr. Smith is the executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, whose Campaign for Healthier Eating in America is designed to create the tipping point of consumer rejection of GMOs, forcing them out of our food supply.
For a straightforward guide to shopping Non-GMO, see the Non-GMO Shopping Guide.
Citizens need not wait for more research to take the doctors’ advice: avoid GMOs.
For your convenience, I have prepared this Non-GMO Shopping Guide using information from the Center for Food Safety and Institute for Responsible Technology. Even a small percentage of people choosing non-GMO brands could force the food industry to remove all GM ingredients.
Thus, the AAEM’s non-GMO prescription may be a watershed for the US food supply.
Tell the USDA that you DO care about GE contamination of organic crops and the food you eat! Let the USDA know that you WILL reject GE Contaminated Alfalfa and Alfalfa-Derived Foods and that GE Alfalfa will significantly increase the use of pesticides, resulting in harm to human health and the overall environment.
Also, send the FDA your feedback now!
To learn more about the health dangers of GMOs, and what you can do to help end the genetic engineering of our food supply, please visit www.ResponsibleTechnology.org.
About the Author
International bestselling author and filmmaker Jeffrey Smith is the leading spokesperson on the health dangers of genetically modified (GM) foods.
His first book, Seeds of Deception, is the world’s bestselling and #1 rated book on the topic. His second, Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods, provides overwhelming evidence that GMOs are unsafe and should never have been introduced.
Mr. Smith is the executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, whose Campaign for Healthier Eating in America is designed to create the tipping point of consumer rejection of GMOs, forcing them out of our food supply.
For a straightforward guide to shopping Non-GMO, see the Non-GMO Shopping Guide.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The House approved unprecedented and extreme cuts that will hurt millions of people.
These harsh cuts will come up for a vote in the Senate - probably by late today (Tuesday).
There are tens of millions of reasons* why you should pick up the phone and email to tell your Senators to VOTE NO on H.R. 1 and YES on the Senate alternative.
Use this toll-free number: 888-245-0215
(You'll be connected to the Capitol Switchboard - they'll put you through to your Senators)
Click and Send an Email:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/125/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5919
Why this much unshared sacrifice should make you mad enough to call and write:
The House cuts target the most vulnerable among us. They would force 81,000 older people to go without food, leave 10,000 people with serious disabilities without the ability to afford the housing they're in now, and leave millions of low-income students without the aid that makes it possible for them to go to college or to worker training programs. They would deny millions health care, both through cuts in community health centers now and by trying to cripple the new health care law. They do not take one dime away from give-aways to the oil and gas industries or from military contracts (in fact, they increase military spending). Just this past December, they continued tax cuts averaging $130,000 each for millionaires.
It is true - the decisions Congress makes now will affect our economic security. But we will not improve our economic security by hurting those vulnerable now and by preventing poor children and young workers from getting ahead. Most of the cuts in the House plan listed below are not made in the Senate bill.
The votes today are not the end of these struggles. But if senators do not hear from constituents when cuts as harsh as these are proposed, they will agree to harsh cuts. So call - 888-245-0215! Email!
* Some of the tens of millions of reasons Senators should vote NO on H.R. 1 - and why you should call/write to tell them:
* 218,000 young children would not be able to receive Head Start services
* 10,000 people with long-term disabilities would lose their current rental assistance; most will be forced out of their homes
* 11 million patients would lose health care they've received at Community Health Centers (for more than 3 million, the loss of health care would be almost immediate)
* 20 million people, including 5 million children, 2.3 million seniors and 1.7 million people with disabilities, would lose some or all of the anti-poverty help now provided by community action agencies
* 9.4 million low-income college students would lose some or all of their Pell Grants
* 8 million adults and youth would lose access to job training and other employment services
* 81,000 low-income people, mostly seniors, would no longer receive supplemental food packages
* 1.2 million poor households in public housing will see their rental units deteriorate further because of cuts to maintenance and repairs; some units will no longer be habitable.
That's not all. Many thousands of jobs would be lost (for example: 10,000 teachers, 5,000 health care staff, 55,000 Head Start staff). And the cuts would slow down the economy, threatening our fragile economic recovery, and costing hundreds of thousands of jobs, just as we've started to make some progress. And remember: there are far smarter ways to reduce the deficit. A combination of fair revenue increases (examples worth many billion$: collect more revenue now sheltered offshore, end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy) and reductions in wasteful spending (many examples in the military, as well as oil and gas industry subsidies, etc.) can reduce the deficit without hurting those most in need or threatening the economy.
Your calls will make a difference! A big vote against the House plan will help protect the vulnerable and the economy as Congress continues to negotiate. Your silence will mean the cuts will be worse. It's as simple as that.
For more information about the House plan and other budget background, see the CHN report, A Better Budget for All: Saving Our Economy and Helping Those in Need: http://www.chn.org/pdf/2011/BetterBudget4AllReport.pdf
For state data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities showing the impact of the House cuts: http://www.cbpp.org/files/2-17-11bud.pdf
There are tens of millions of reasons* why you should pick up the phone and email to tell your Senators to VOTE NO on H.R. 1 and YES on the Senate alternative.
Use this toll-free number: 888-245-0215
(You'll be connected to the Capitol Switchboard - they'll put you through to your Senators)
Click and Send an Email:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/125/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5919
Why this much unshared sacrifice should make you mad enough to call and write:
The House cuts target the most vulnerable among us. They would force 81,000 older people to go without food, leave 10,000 people with serious disabilities without the ability to afford the housing they're in now, and leave millions of low-income students without the aid that makes it possible for them to go to college or to worker training programs. They would deny millions health care, both through cuts in community health centers now and by trying to cripple the new health care law. They do not take one dime away from give-aways to the oil and gas industries or from military contracts (in fact, they increase military spending). Just this past December, they continued tax cuts averaging $130,000 each for millionaires.
It is true - the decisions Congress makes now will affect our economic security. But we will not improve our economic security by hurting those vulnerable now and by preventing poor children and young workers from getting ahead. Most of the cuts in the House plan listed below are not made in the Senate bill.
The votes today are not the end of these struggles. But if senators do not hear from constituents when cuts as harsh as these are proposed, they will agree to harsh cuts. So call - 888-245-0215! Email!
* Some of the tens of millions of reasons Senators should vote NO on H.R. 1 - and why you should call/write to tell them:
* 218,000 young children would not be able to receive Head Start services
* 10,000 people with long-term disabilities would lose their current rental assistance; most will be forced out of their homes
* 11 million patients would lose health care they've received at Community Health Centers (for more than 3 million, the loss of health care would be almost immediate)
* 20 million people, including 5 million children, 2.3 million seniors and 1.7 million people with disabilities, would lose some or all of the anti-poverty help now provided by community action agencies
* 9.4 million low-income college students would lose some or all of their Pell Grants
* 8 million adults and youth would lose access to job training and other employment services
* 81,000 low-income people, mostly seniors, would no longer receive supplemental food packages
* 1.2 million poor households in public housing will see their rental units deteriorate further because of cuts to maintenance and repairs; some units will no longer be habitable.
That's not all. Many thousands of jobs would be lost (for example: 10,000 teachers, 5,000 health care staff, 55,000 Head Start staff). And the cuts would slow down the economy, threatening our fragile economic recovery, and costing hundreds of thousands of jobs, just as we've started to make some progress. And remember: there are far smarter ways to reduce the deficit. A combination of fair revenue increases (examples worth many billion$: collect more revenue now sheltered offshore, end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy) and reductions in wasteful spending (many examples in the military, as well as oil and gas industry subsidies, etc.) can reduce the deficit without hurting those most in need or threatening the economy.
Your calls will make a difference! A big vote against the House plan will help protect the vulnerable and the economy as Congress continues to negotiate. Your silence will mean the cuts will be worse. It's as simple as that.
For more information about the House plan and other budget background, see the CHN report, A Better Budget for All: Saving Our Economy and Helping Those in Need: http://www.chn.org/pdf/2011/BetterBudget4AllReport.pdf
For state data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities showing the impact of the House cuts: http://www.cbpp.org/files/2-17-11bud.pdf
New law includes a payroll tax cut
There's a new tax break this year, and you'll want to update your budget to accommodate it. The compromise tax legislation passed in December included a payroll tax cut for 2011.
* How it works when you're an employee. Your employer will deduct less social security tax from your wages during 2011.
Prior to the change, your employer was required to withhold social security tax from your paycheck at a rate of 6.2% of the first $106,800 of your wages. That rate was reduced to 4.2% for 2011, meaning your take-home pay will go up - with no impact on your eventual social security benefits and no payback required.
The Medicare tax rate remains unchanged at 1.45%, which your employer will continue to deduct from your check.
* How it works when you're self-employed. You'll pay less self-employment tax.
In the past, you calculated self-employment tax using a 12.4% rate for the social security portion. For 2011, the rate you'll use is 10.4%.
Your income tax deduction - that is, the amount of self-employment tax you subtract from ordinary income - will not be affected.
* How it works when you're an employer. The reduced rate only applies to the social security tax you deduct from employee wages in 2011. To calculate your expense, you'll continue to use the 6.2% rate for social security tax, plus Medicare tax of 1.45%, for a total of 7.65%.
You have until January 31 to implement the change, and until March 31 to refund any overwithheld social security tax to employees.
* How it works when you're an employee. Your employer will deduct less social security tax from your wages during 2011.
Prior to the change, your employer was required to withhold social security tax from your paycheck at a rate of 6.2% of the first $106,800 of your wages. That rate was reduced to 4.2% for 2011, meaning your take-home pay will go up - with no impact on your eventual social security benefits and no payback required.
The Medicare tax rate remains unchanged at 1.45%, which your employer will continue to deduct from your check.
* How it works when you're self-employed. You'll pay less self-employment tax.
In the past, you calculated self-employment tax using a 12.4% rate for the social security portion. For 2011, the rate you'll use is 10.4%.
Your income tax deduction - that is, the amount of self-employment tax you subtract from ordinary income - will not be affected.
* How it works when you're an employer. The reduced rate only applies to the social security tax you deduct from employee wages in 2011. To calculate your expense, you'll continue to use the 6.2% rate for social security tax, plus Medicare tax of 1.45%, for a total of 7.65%.
You have until January 31 to implement the change, and until March 31 to refund any overwithheld social security tax to employees.
Will the alternative minimum tax apply to you?
March 7, 2011
Will the alternative minimum tax apply to you?
What's your alternative minimum tax (AMT) preference?
Though you might prefer to not think about the AMT, certain income and deductions, known as preference items, affect the way the tax will apply to you. Those amounts, along with others called "adjustments," are added to or subtracted from the income shown on your tax return to arrive at your AMT taxable income.
For example, certain bond interest that you exclude from your regular taxable income must be included when computing income for the AMT. This is a "preference item" because tax-exempt interest gets preferential treatment under ordinary federal income tax rules.
Adjustments include personal exemptions and your standard deduction. In the AMT calculation, these taxable-income reducers are not deductible. Instead, they're replaced with one flat exemption, which is generally the amount of income you can exclude from the AMT.
Note: For your 2010 tax return, the AMT exemption is $72,450 when you're married filing a joint return or are a surviving spouse, $47,450 when you file as single, and $36,225 if you're married and file separately. The exemption decreases once your income reaches a certain level.
What if you itemize? Some itemized deductions are allowed, such as charitable contributions. Others, including medical expenses and mortgage interest, are computed using less favorable rules.
Whatever AMT preference — or adjustment — applies to you, we're here to help calculate the best tax outcome. Please contact us for details or assistance.
Will the alternative minimum tax apply to you?
What's your alternative minimum tax (AMT) preference?
Though you might prefer to not think about the AMT, certain income and deductions, known as preference items, affect the way the tax will apply to you. Those amounts, along with others called "adjustments," are added to or subtracted from the income shown on your tax return to arrive at your AMT taxable income.
For example, certain bond interest that you exclude from your regular taxable income must be included when computing income for the AMT. This is a "preference item" because tax-exempt interest gets preferential treatment under ordinary federal income tax rules.
Adjustments include personal exemptions and your standard deduction. In the AMT calculation, these taxable-income reducers are not deductible. Instead, they're replaced with one flat exemption, which is generally the amount of income you can exclude from the AMT.
Note: For your 2010 tax return, the AMT exemption is $72,450 when you're married filing a joint return or are a surviving spouse, $47,450 when you file as single, and $36,225 if you're married and file separately. The exemption decreases once your income reaches a certain level.
What if you itemize? Some itemized deductions are allowed, such as charitable contributions. Others, including medical expenses and mortgage interest, are computed using less favorable rules.
Whatever AMT preference — or adjustment — applies to you, we're here to help calculate the best tax outcome. Please contact us for details or assistance.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Hydrogen Peroxide vs. Bleach
Thu, 10/02/2008 - 11:56am — Cricket
Chlorine bleach is a chemical that most of us have in our homes. It's very handy for multiple applications including cleaning and disinfecting; but may not be all that earth friendly. A good alternative to consider is hydrogen peroxide.
Most of the debate about chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) stems from its ability to form more toxic byproducts such as dioxin, furans and other organochlorines when reacting with other elements.
Hydrogen Peroxide on the other hand, is simply water with an extra oxygen molecule (H2O2) and breaks down into oxygen and water. It's certainly kinder on the environment. H2O2 is produced by both animal and plant cells and is formed naturally in the environment by sunlight acting on water.
Many industrial bleaching operations, such as those used in the production of paper, are increasingly moving towards the use of hydrogen peroxide for a greener bleaching process. It's also the active ingredient in many "oxygen" bleaches and is used extensively for lightening hair.
Do be careful when purchasing and handling this substance as some commercially available "food grade" hydrogen peroxide is 35% pure, highly corrosive and can be toxic or fatal if ingested at that strength.
Hydrogen peroxide should be diluted down to 3% as a base for most applications. It's also readily available in 3% solution from your local pharmacy or drugstore; which is probably the preferable and safer way to buy it, especially if you can take your empty bottles back for exchange/refilling - that can help cut down the cost.
If you choose to dilute a 35% solution yourself, add the hydrogen peroxide to distilled water rather than the other way around and wear gloves, body and eye protection when doing so.
Hydrogen Peroxide tips and uses
- Keep it out of direct sunlight and in a cool place, as exposure to the sun and heat will quickly break it down into oxygen and water; rendering it ineffective. Store it in a dark bottle and remember to keep it out of reach of children.
- Dip your toothbrush in a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide solution to help kill bacteria on the brush after brushing.
- A tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution in a cup of water can be used as a mouthwash - swish for up to 60 seconds once a day; but don't swallow and be sure to rinse your mouth out afterwards. This can also help whiten teeth.
- Hydrogen peroxide in a 3% solution applied to a rag can be used to clean benchtops and cutting boards to help kill salmonella and other bacteria
- Half fill a spray bottle with a 3% solution and then top it up with water for use as a bathroom and toilet disinfectant and cleaner. This is especially useful if you have a septic, greywater or blackwater treatment system as it won't harm the bacteria in the treatment areas - the hydrogen peroxide would have diluted to a point that renders it harmless by that stage through the interaction with flush water.
- Mix a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with two parts water in a spray bottle and use on areas affected by mold. You can try a neat 3% solution for areas like bathroom tiling, but be careful on the strength in relation to painted items as it may bleach them.
- Make a whitening toothpaste by mixing baking soda and enough 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to form a paste
- Use 3% hydrogen peroxide to sterilize cuts and abrasions - the fizzing you'll see occur is normal.
- To help kill bacteria such as E. Coli on fruits and vegetables, add a quarter cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a sink full of cold water. immerse, rinse with cold water and drain. By killing bacteria this will also help keep fruit and vegetables fresher for longer. You can also use a spraybottle containing a 50/50 mix of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water - just spray and rinse.
- Add a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your whites wash in place of bleaches
- Remove bloodstains from clothing by blotting stain with 3% hydrogen peroxide, then rinse promptly with cold water to avoid bleaching of the fabric.
- To remove yellowing from lace curtains or tablecloths, fill a sink with cold water and a 2 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Soak for at least an hour, rinse in cold water and air dry
So there you have it - hydrogen peroxide can not only be a more earth friendly replacement for chlorine bleach, but has many more uses around your home!
In researching this article, I found all sorts of weird and wonderful tips relating to ingesting and inhaling hydrogen peroxide. Some claimed cures for cancer and many other ailments. Please, consult your doctor before ingesting hydrogen peroxide - bear in mind that it can be quite corrosive in higher concentrations and cause damage to your respiratory and digestive tract.
http://www.livinghiho.com/article/hydrogen-peroxide-vs-bleach
Chlorine bleach is a chemical that most of us have in our homes. It's very handy for multiple applications including cleaning and disinfecting; but may not be all that earth friendly. A good alternative to consider is hydrogen peroxide.
Most of the debate about chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) stems from its ability to form more toxic byproducts such as dioxin, furans and other organochlorines when reacting with other elements.
Hydrogen Peroxide on the other hand, is simply water with an extra oxygen molecule (H2O2) and breaks down into oxygen and water. It's certainly kinder on the environment. H2O2 is produced by both animal and plant cells and is formed naturally in the environment by sunlight acting on water.
Many industrial bleaching operations, such as those used in the production of paper, are increasingly moving towards the use of hydrogen peroxide for a greener bleaching process. It's also the active ingredient in many "oxygen" bleaches and is used extensively for lightening hair.
Do be careful when purchasing and handling this substance as some commercially available "food grade" hydrogen peroxide is 35% pure, highly corrosive and can be toxic or fatal if ingested at that strength.
Hydrogen peroxide should be diluted down to 3% as a base for most applications. It's also readily available in 3% solution from your local pharmacy or drugstore; which is probably the preferable and safer way to buy it, especially if you can take your empty bottles back for exchange/refilling - that can help cut down the cost.
If you choose to dilute a 35% solution yourself, add the hydrogen peroxide to distilled water rather than the other way around and wear gloves, body and eye protection when doing so.
Hydrogen Peroxide tips and uses
- Keep it out of direct sunlight and in a cool place, as exposure to the sun and heat will quickly break it down into oxygen and water; rendering it ineffective. Store it in a dark bottle and remember to keep it out of reach of children.
- Dip your toothbrush in a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide solution to help kill bacteria on the brush after brushing.
- A tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution in a cup of water can be used as a mouthwash - swish for up to 60 seconds once a day; but don't swallow and be sure to rinse your mouth out afterwards. This can also help whiten teeth.
- Hydrogen peroxide in a 3% solution applied to a rag can be used to clean benchtops and cutting boards to help kill salmonella and other bacteria
- Half fill a spray bottle with a 3% solution and then top it up with water for use as a bathroom and toilet disinfectant and cleaner. This is especially useful if you have a septic, greywater or blackwater treatment system as it won't harm the bacteria in the treatment areas - the hydrogen peroxide would have diluted to a point that renders it harmless by that stage through the interaction with flush water.
- Mix a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with two parts water in a spray bottle and use on areas affected by mold. You can try a neat 3% solution for areas like bathroom tiling, but be careful on the strength in relation to painted items as it may bleach them.
- Make a whitening toothpaste by mixing baking soda and enough 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to form a paste
- Use 3% hydrogen peroxide to sterilize cuts and abrasions - the fizzing you'll see occur is normal.
- To help kill bacteria such as E. Coli on fruits and vegetables, add a quarter cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a sink full of cold water. immerse, rinse with cold water and drain. By killing bacteria this will also help keep fruit and vegetables fresher for longer. You can also use a spraybottle containing a 50/50 mix of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water - just spray and rinse.
- Add a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your whites wash in place of bleaches
- Remove bloodstains from clothing by blotting stain with 3% hydrogen peroxide, then rinse promptly with cold water to avoid bleaching of the fabric.
- To remove yellowing from lace curtains or tablecloths, fill a sink with cold water and a 2 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Soak for at least an hour, rinse in cold water and air dry
So there you have it - hydrogen peroxide can not only be a more earth friendly replacement for chlorine bleach, but has many more uses around your home!
In researching this article, I found all sorts of weird and wonderful tips relating to ingesting and inhaling hydrogen peroxide. Some claimed cures for cancer and many other ailments. Please, consult your doctor before ingesting hydrogen peroxide - bear in mind that it can be quite corrosive in higher concentrations and cause damage to your respiratory and digestive tract.
http://www.livinghiho.com/article/hydrogen-peroxide-vs-bleach
Friday, March 4, 2011
Preserve Women’s Jobs... Stop Cuts to Training, Child Care and Programs That Enable Women to Support Their Families
Sign letter today!
The House continuing resolution will cost women jobs and make it more difficult for them to get the education, training and supportive services they need to be able to work and improve their families’ economic security. HR 1 and similar proposals must be defeated this week and in the months ahead.
Please sign a letter that supports women's employment and says no to cuts in training, child care and other important programs by sending your organization’s name as it should appear to Jill Hamadyk, jhamadyk@wowonline.org. Names will be added as received for various distributions in the coming weeks since a short-term continuing resolution has left these issues still unresolved. Please respond as soon as possible.
Sign the letter: http://wowonline.org/documents/NCWJJTBudgetLettertoCongress.pdf.
Questions, contact Susan Rees, srees@wowonline.org.
==========================
http://www.chn.org/about/staff.html to contact us directly.
The House continuing resolution will cost women jobs and make it more difficult for them to get the education, training and supportive services they need to be able to work and improve their families’ economic security. HR 1 and similar proposals must be defeated this week and in the months ahead.
Please sign a letter that supports women's employment and says no to cuts in training, child care and other important programs by sending your organization’s name as it should appear to Jill Hamadyk, jhamadyk@wowonline.org. Names will be added as received for various distributions in the coming weeks since a short-term continuing resolution has left these issues still unresolved. Please respond as soon as possible.
Sign the letter: http://wowonline.org/documents/NCWJJTBudgetLettertoCongress.pdf.
Questions, contact Susan Rees, srees@wowonline.org.
==========================
http://www.chn.org/about/staff.html to contact us directly.
Shopping: Once an enjoyable pass time...
Shopping was once an enjoyable, therapeutic pass time for me. Especially when I found a good bargain. Lately, I've found myself getting depressed when shopping for anything from food to toiletries; shoes/accessories and clothing. Well, mostly the food/toiletries shopping...you can still find good bargains on shoes and clothes and if you can't you can always pass it up. For me that's not always a necessity, however, eating and personal hygiene is.
Upon my recent shopping trips to the grocery stores, WalMart, Target, etc., I've noticed that their prices are definitely increasing and, in some instances, size is decreasing. The reality of my situation is that I never really had to shop for food. I would give my mom money and she would always do that for me. She did all the coupon clipping and circular flipping. She was that lady you see at the supermarket with two shopping carts full of stuff and ends up paying like $20.
So I figure there may be some people out there like myself who need a crash course in saving money at the grocery store. I found these helpful tips and websites and wanted to share them. I'm gonna start clipping and flipping myself and will let you know how much I save on my next visit to the grocery store.
TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY ON GROCERIES
• Go shopping alone
• Have a budget and stick to it
• Make fewer, larger trips
• Don’t shop hungry
• Plan your meals in advance
• Scan your cupboards, pantry, and fridge before leaving
• Keep a running list of items you need on your fridge
• Break your list down by store and plan your outing accordingly
• Plan your trip through the store to minimize wandering the aisles
• Don’t forget your list when you head to the store, but…
• Be willing to deviate from your list for great deals
• Don’t be afraid of store brands
• Buy the Sunday paper
• Keep an eye on the weekly store circular
• Clip (and use!) coupons for name brand items
• Check the store’s website for printable coupons
• Be on the lookout for “double coupon” days
• Stack manufacturer and store coupons
• Learn your store’s sale cycle (sales are often cyclical)
• Stock up (within reason) when things are on sale
• Get rain checks when sale items are out of stock
• Visit multiple stores to get the best deals, or…
• Avoid non-grocery items that can be bought for less elsewhere
• Joins the store’s affinity program and flash your card
• Be on the lookout for “shrinkage” (e.g., 1.5 quarts vs. half gallon)
• Cook large batches and freeze for later
• Don’t waste leftovers
• Eat less – seriously, many people eat way more than necessary
• Cook from scratch, avoid processed foods
• Avoid frozen/prepared entrees
• Eat more fruits/veggies, cut back on meat
• Eat in season fruits/vegetables
• Hit the local farmer’s market
• Drink more water, fewer costly beverages
• Be on the lookout for pricing errors at the register
• Be sure they scan instant coupons that are attached to some items
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL SITES THAT HAVE PRINTABLE COUPONS!!!
www.couponmom.com
www.coupons.com
www.coupons.redplum.com
www.101waystosavemoney.com
Upon my recent shopping trips to the grocery stores, WalMart, Target, etc., I've noticed that their prices are definitely increasing and, in some instances, size is decreasing. The reality of my situation is that I never really had to shop for food. I would give my mom money and she would always do that for me. She did all the coupon clipping and circular flipping. She was that lady you see at the supermarket with two shopping carts full of stuff and ends up paying like $20.
So I figure there may be some people out there like myself who need a crash course in saving money at the grocery store. I found these helpful tips and websites and wanted to share them. I'm gonna start clipping and flipping myself and will let you know how much I save on my next visit to the grocery store.
TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY ON GROCERIES
• Go shopping alone
• Have a budget and stick to it
• Make fewer, larger trips
• Don’t shop hungry
• Plan your meals in advance
• Scan your cupboards, pantry, and fridge before leaving
• Keep a running list of items you need on your fridge
• Break your list down by store and plan your outing accordingly
• Plan your trip through the store to minimize wandering the aisles
• Don’t forget your list when you head to the store, but…
• Be willing to deviate from your list for great deals
• Don’t be afraid of store brands
• Buy the Sunday paper
• Keep an eye on the weekly store circular
• Clip (and use!) coupons for name brand items
• Check the store’s website for printable coupons
• Be on the lookout for “double coupon” days
• Stack manufacturer and store coupons
• Learn your store’s sale cycle (sales are often cyclical)
• Stock up (within reason) when things are on sale
• Get rain checks when sale items are out of stock
• Visit multiple stores to get the best deals, or…
• Avoid non-grocery items that can be bought for less elsewhere
• Joins the store’s affinity program and flash your card
• Be on the lookout for “shrinkage” (e.g., 1.5 quarts vs. half gallon)
• Cook large batches and freeze for later
• Don’t waste leftovers
• Eat less – seriously, many people eat way more than necessary
• Cook from scratch, avoid processed foods
• Avoid frozen/prepared entrees
• Eat more fruits/veggies, cut back on meat
• Eat in season fruits/vegetables
• Hit the local farmer’s market
• Drink more water, fewer costly beverages
• Be on the lookout for pricing errors at the register
• Be sure they scan instant coupons that are attached to some items
HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL SITES THAT HAVE PRINTABLE COUPONS!!!
www.couponmom.com
www.coupons.com
www.coupons.redplum.com
www.101waystosavemoney.com
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