take a moment
 Volume 6
October 2006Important Reminder: Many users and ISPs are adding SPAM filters to their computers or servers. If you already have one, or will shortly be implementing a SPAM filter 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. 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.) Email subscribers@take-a-moment.com and request the PLAIN TEXT VERSION of the newsletter. Did You Know...?
C O N T E N T S
STAIN REMOVAL
Information taken from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service HomeCare 2
FINANCIAL FITNESS It is hurricane season again and we have reached the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans and much of the Gulf Coast. With hurricanes in the news again, it is in the hearts and minds of many Americans to give to those in need. And there are many worthy causes, not just hurricane relief. Americans regularly give to charities reflecting a huge variety of causes and concerns. But we need to be aware that not all charities are equal. Some are scams, and some that are legitimate are inefficient in spending your donations. Even prominent charities that have done wonderful work over the years might not always live up to donors’ expectations. You are not alone in wanting to get the most out of your charitable contributions. Don’t let past disappointments stop you from giving. There are still charitable organizations of many kinds that are very efficient in spending your money. Not all of these charities are well known, however. Following are a few suggestions from State Extension Specialist in Family Resource Management Robert H. Flashman:
Professional Solicitors: Many charitable organizations use professional solicitors to solicit funds. The solicitors give a specified amount to the charity they are soliciting for and the rest goes to salaries of paid solicitors and other operation costs. This is perfectly legal, yet some professional fundraising organizations keep an exceptionally large percentage of donated money. You might be surprised to find that some solicitors give the charity just $.01 for every $1.00 donated. Under Kentucky law, professional solicitors are required to tell you when they call that they are paid fundraisers. Solicitors often ignore this law, so it is up to you to ask if they are working directly for the charity or for a professional fundraising organization. Solicitors are also required to tell you what percentage of the money you give will end up with the charity and how much goes into fundraising costs, but only if you ask. What levels are acceptable to you is a personal decision. Before you give, however, ask yourself if you really want to give to a charity that spends more than 20% on fund-raising and administrative costs. An important resource for looking up charities is Charity Navigator http://www.charitynavigator.org/. Their database of more than 5000 charities provides an overall rating. It shows the percentage of expenses that go toward actual programs, as opposed to administration and fundraising. An efficiency rating is provided. There is an analysis vs. peer organizations. Income and mission statements are also provided. This lets you know whether you really want to give to a particular charity. And it shows you which charities in a particular field are more or less efficient.
FAMILY LIFE We can say that life's energy comes from solid foods, liquids, and the air you breathe, as well as from the sun and from the extremely fine atmospheric cosmic energy that continually surrounds us. Through the intelligent use of will-power, we can draw more extensively on the energy reserves within us and around us. In all these ways, immense amounts of energy pour into your brain and heart and all the tissues of your body. In addition to nourishing the cells and atoms of your physical body, the stream of incoming energy is employed each time you think, speak, or act. As you use energy in these ways, you inevitably put your personal stamp on it-in either a positive or negative way-and send it back into the world where it plays a small but important role in either uplifting or burdening all of us. Like a boomerang, the energy you send out (positive or negative) tends to draw to it more of its kind and then return to you. The same is true for each one of us, and our almost constant decisions to use energy in positive or negative ways dramatically affect our individual and collective well-being. When we use energy positively in kindness, creativity, laughter, or self-discipline, for example, we benefit physically, mentally, and spiritually. When we use energy negatively in fear, anger, or striking out at one another, we reap tension and pain. Once again, our actions not only affect us personally, they also influence those around us and our entire world.
NUTRITION & WHAT'S COOKING Apples are found on the market year-round, but they are at their best from early summer through December. The tart, crisp apple is perfect as a snack or dessert, and when eaten raw it makes a pleasing, low-calorie morsel. A medium-sized apple, about 2-1/2 in diameter has only about 75 calories and provides bulk in the diet for the proper function of the body’s digestive and regulatory systems. The apple is low in sodium and fairly high in potassium, making it an excellent natural snack. When buying apples, look for firm crisp and well-colored fruit. Avoid shriveled skins, bruises, worm holes, and decayed spots. To store apples, keep the perfect ones for later use. Use those with bruised or skin breaks as soon as possible to avoid decayed spots. Apples that are slightly under-ripe should be stored in a cool place, 60-70 degrees F to ripen. Once ripe, apples will keep best stored in the home refrigerator for a week or longer. Apples need some moisture and can be stored in the fruit or vegetable drawer or in a ventilated plastic bag. Late summer and fall selections include Rome, Red Delicious, Winesap, Jonathan and Golden Delicious. Remember, apples will darken when the cut surface is exposed to air so dip in fruit juice such as lemon or orange.
HOME TIPS Every home should have properly installed and maintained carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. CO alarms can help detect CO, a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning any fuel. Exposure to high levels of CO can cause death. The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu and include dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and irregular breathing. Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Test and maintain your CO alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It is especially important to have a CO alarm near sleeping areas. Because of the risk of CO poisoning, never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any closed room or where people are sleeping. CO poisoning from fuel-burning appliances kills people in the United States each year. CO can leak from faulty furnaces or fuel-fired heaters or can be trapped inside a home by a blocked chimney or flue. Burning charcoal inside a home produces CO. Running an automobile engine in an attached garage can cause CO to enter your home. Running a portable generator near a window, door or vent, even if it is outdoors, can also cause CO to enter a home. Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens or clothes dryers for heating your home. Portable generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly. Never use a portable generator in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, including in your home basement, crawl space or other partially enclosed areas, even if you provide ventilation. Generators should be located outdoors and away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to enter the home.
WAYS TO WELLNESS Does your family have a commitment to eat a few meals together each week? Sharing food and good conversation is an old tradition that has real value in today’s world. A family meal does not have to be a cooked-from-scratch, time-consuming affair. Try a pizza or frozen main dish with a tossed salad. Or use your slow cooker to have the smells of home cooking greet you and your family at day’s end. To tune into your family, try turning off the TV, cell phone, and other gadgets. Keep mealtime talk upbeat. Use the chance to get to know how your family’s day really went. You can use the time together to plan future vacations or favorite meals. Children who eat with their families tend to have healthier diets and to do better in school. So do what you can to help your family share meals and make memories. Source: Janet Tietyen, Extension Food & Nutrition Specialist, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture
KIDS KORNER As parents, it can be difficult to touch base with our children between juggling shifts at work, the school bus, taking little ones to child care, preparing breakfast and school lunches, or finding homework. How in the world can anyone take time and concentrate on tuning into children’s thoughts, feelings, or concerns? Research shows that children develop and learn best when they feel that they matter to the adults whom they love and trust. We also know that children’s success in school is helped along by participating in lots of language activities with older family members. There may be hidden pockets of quality time when we can strengthen communication with our young ones. Here are ideas for car travel or times of waiting.
Reference: Gnatuk, Carole (2006, release pending). Traveling Light: Family Language Fun to Go. Source: Carole Gnatuk, Extension Child Development Specialist, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture
IN THE WORK PLACE What is the first thing that happens when our work-life gets out of balance and our to-do list at work and home is never ending? We feel pulled in different directions, or simple put, we get stressed-out. Too much stress in our lives can have a negative effect on our health. Over time it can result in headaches, back pain, increased blood pressure, and even strokes and heart attacks. In addition to physical health, stress can affect work performance by causing a lack of concentration, feelings of burnout and frustration, lack of sleep and feelings of exhaustion. Balancing the responsibilities of work and life can relieve stress and the symptoms that come with it. How Can I Improve Work-Life? It is true that many areas of work-life are controlled by our employer and the type of work we do. However, there are things within our control when it comes to balancing work-life, reducing stress, and maintaining good health. Take care of your own health, which can relieve stress and give you the energy to balance your tasks at home and at work.
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