take a moment
 Volume 8
March
2008Important Reminder: Many users and ISPs have adding SPAM filters to their computers or mail servers. Please remember to configure the filter to ALLOW email from take-a-moment.com domain, or you will not be able to receive your newsletter. (Also, AOL users that opt to not receive html email or email that includes pictures will also find their email is undelivered.) Welcome to TAKE-A-MOMENT! The Take-A-Moment newsletters strive to provide quick-to-read content to improve and enhance the quality of life at home and in the work place...for when you can "take-a-moment" from your hectic schedule. Take-a-Moment is provided by the Louisville Area Cooperative Extension Agents. When you have "more-than-a-moment" visit our web site for expanded articles, article archives, sign-up and contact information, and links to other web sites of interest. ("Netiquette" statement is at the end of this email, see below.) Did You Know...? Yeah! TAKE-A-MOMENT Newsletters has received the C O N T E N T S
STAIN REMOVAL If you are getting a brown or yellow discoloration in your laundry....you may have a rust problem. The discoloration can come from iron, rust and manganese in your water or your water system. Treat with a rust remover (such as Carbona or Rit) recommended for that type of fabric. Rust removers can be found at most local department stores in the laundry detergent area. DO NOT USE a chlorine BLEACH as it may set and intensify the stain. If rusty water is a problem, use a packaged water softener (non-precipitating) that can be added to the wash and rinse cycle of your machine. If this is a continuing problem, consider these 3 steps:
*Where product names appear, no discrimination is intended: and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
FINANCIAL FITNESS As you may know, an economic stimulus package was recently signed into law. Included in this package is a provision that will provide tax rebates to the majority of Americans, including senior citizens and veterans. To qualify, individuals must file or have filed a 2007 tax return. Any legal citizen filing a tax return whose tax form shows at least $3,000 in qualifying income will receive a rebate. The law phases-out the rebate for individuals who earn more than $75,000 a year and married couples who file jointly who earn more than $150,000. If you file a 2007 tax return meeting the above criteria, the Department of the Treasury will automatically send you a rebate check. No additional paperwork is necessary. The economic stimulus package contained a provision that will allow Social Security benefits, certain veterans' benefits and certain Railroad Retirement benefits to count toward the income requirement of $3,000. If you are a recipient of these qualifying benefits an extra step is required. These qualifying benefits should be reported on Line 14a of the short tax return Form 1040A or Line 20a of Form 1040. Those who have already filed, but did not include the aforementioned benefits, may file an amended return by using Form 1040X. The IRS is working closely with the Social Security Administration to ensure that all eligible individuals know what to do to receive a stimulus payment. The IRS plans to send out two informational mailings about the rebates in the coming months. CAUTION!!! Be alert for scams related to the stimulus rebate, including phone calls or emails asking for sensitive financial information. The IRS will not make phone calls or send emails about the rebates, nor will it ask for financial information. Scam emails or information about scam phone calls should be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov. The rebate checks will be sent out starting in May 2008.
KIDS KORNER Excuse: "My child is safest in my arms"
Excuse: "Safety belts will trap us if the car catches on fire or falls into water"
Excuse: "I can grab my child in a crash"
Excuse: "We might be saved if we've thrown clear of the car crash."
Don't risk your child's life. Buckle up!!
FAMILY LIFE Instilling self-discipline in children will provide them with tools necessary for achieving success in the classroom and throughout life. Parents are a key factor in helping youths become good at disciplining themselves and local 4-H programs can be helpful as well. A recent research study of 204 eighth-graders focused on the relationship between the youngsters’ self-discipline and their school achievement. Researchers found that self-discipline, when measured in the fall of the school year, had more than twice as much effect on students’ final grades in the spring as their measured IQ or scores on national achievement tests. Students’ capacity to discipline themselves also influenced their school attendance record, the number of hours spent doing homework, and the time of day they started doing their homework. The study’s results are encouraging for hardworking but not brilliant youngsters. Student intelligence is not nearly as important in doing well in school as their ability to discipline themselves to study and complete home and school tasks well. Parents should stay calm in their discipline and expectations, even when kids complain. Plenty of praise should be shown for a job well done. Also, parents should encourage their children to participate in activities that will help develop self-discipline. 4-H activities are an excellent way for children to develop a sense of responsibility. One area where this quality is quickly learned is with animal projects, whether that be caring for a dog, rabbit or steer. These activities require young people to develop a daily routine of caring for their animals by feeding and cleaning up after them. Developing this routine is necessary for the health and welfare of the animal and helps youth understand the importance of disciplining themselves to do these tasks. Through the 4-H program, young people are also guided in the correct ways of doing tasks, whether it be baking a cake or feeding a market lamb. As youngsters learn these guidelines, they also grasp the reasons why it is important to do something a certain way. Knowing the reasons why can make the careful methods more understandable. The discipline learned through 4-H projects can be transferred to all aspects of children’s lives as they grow to adulthood. College admissions officials like seeing 4-H listed as an extracurricular activity on entrance applications, according to the state 4-H office. Being a part of 4-H shows that the students have developed personal skills in thinking for themselves, applying sound reasoning to solve practical problems and completing complex tasks.
NUTRITION & WHAT'S COOKING Are you tired of spending lots of money on prepackaged snacks? Try buying nature's prepackaged snack-fruit. Fruits can be bought year round. They are not just sweet tasting and colorful; they are good for you. Almost all fruits are low in fat and provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They come in many flavors and textures. Buy fresh fruits that are free of bruises and cuts. Buy them in different ripeness stages so that you can eat them at peak juiciness and flavor. Don't forget that apricots, bananas, cantaloupe, kiwi fruit, nectarines, peaches and plums will continue to ripen. However, apples, cherries, grapefruit, grapes, oranges, pineapple, strawberries, tangerines and watermelon ripen only 'on the vine.' Fresh fruits in season usually don't cost a lot. Wash fresh fruit under running water before eating. Don't wash fruit with soap. Soap will leave a coating that is not meant to be eaten. Store fruit unwashed. The skin of most fresh fruit has an interesting texture and flavor. For added fiber, eat the skin of fruits. Canned fruit is a good buy all year. Compare store brands against national brands for cost, piece size, and quality. Often the only difference between national and store brands is the size of the fruit pieces. For fewer calories, choose canned fruit that is either packed in fruit juice or light syrup. Some people prefer to drink their fruit. Buy fruit juices that are 100% juice with no added sugar. For a change, mix different kinds of juice. Purple grape juice mixed with orange juice is delicious, although it blends to a shade of brown. Club soda added to fruit juice gives it a refreshing zip. Juice contain little fiber: therefore, limit juice to one serving each day. Children, teens and adults enjoy dipping bite-size fruit. Children tend to double dip food items which can spread germs to others. Give children their own small bowl or dip.
HOME TIPS Depending upon your individual cleaning situation, several factors might influence your decision whether to use commercial cleaning products or home-made alternatives. The alternatives limit your risk of potentially dangerous exposure or environmental pollution. However, they can require more effort and, in some instances, more expense. This is because many commercial cleaners are made for specific cleaning tasks so they will do the job more easily and quickly and use fewer products. Alternative products are especially useful for smaller, less severe problems. These products might be an inexpensive, easily obtained option to save you money by reducing the amounts of commercial cleaning products you need buy. Whether you decide to use commercial or alternative cleaning products, always follow good safety practices. Carefully read the labels on all commercial products-even those you’ve been using for a long time-because these products often are reformulated and the ingredients might be changed. Anytime you mix household products with water, remember to add the cleaning chemical to the water first, rather than the reverse. For instance, pouring water into an acid product, the splashing could produce disastrous results. Store all cleaning solutions out of children’s reach. To prevent an accidental poisoning, never put a cleaning product in an empty food or drink container. Be sure each container has a label. Mix cleaning solutions in a well-ventilated area. Clean up after using toxic substances. Be careful about combining some alternative cleaning products. Never mix chlorine products such as bleach, mildew remover, tile cleaner and powdered cleansers. Ammonia products include glass, floor and appliance cleaners. Many detergents also contain a drop of ammonia. Acid products include toilet bowl cleaners.
WAYS TO WELLNESS You've probably heard of 5-A-Day, the advice that eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day is good for your health. Well, get ready for "5 to 9 and feelin' fine", a message designed to help Americans eat even more fruits and vegetables. As we struggle with the battle of the bulge, larger portions of our diet should come from colorful fruits and vegetables which are lower in calories and richer in nutrients. 5 to 9 may sound like a lot, but remember that's servings - not different kinds of foods. Each 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables or 1 cup of salad is a serving. One medium piece of fruit is a serving - and bigger pieces of fruit may provide 2 or 3 servings. The bottom line is the more fruits and vegetables, the better your chances of feelin' fine - so aim for 5 to 9!
IN THE WORK PLACE During the cold and flu season, we're reminded to drink plenty of water. The absence of perspiration and heat conspire to make drinking water during the winter less likely. Increased sickness in the flu and cold season disrupts normal eating and fluid consumption patterns. Fever and diarrhea also cause fluid loss. Water makes up 60 percent of the human body. We need an adequate supply of water each day for a healthy life. Water transports nutrients through our blood, keeps us mentally alert, assists food digestion and waste elimination and regulates our body temperature. Try to increase the amount of fluids in your diet, as well as that of your family and friends. Drink more water. Adults should drink at least 64 ounces of water or caffeine-free beverages each day. If an exercise plan is part of your New Year's resolutions, remember to boost liquid intake, preferably water, as your activity and perspiration increase.
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