If you want to keep from getting sick one of the best ways is to wash your hands frequently. Also, keep the surfaces that you touch frequently clean and free from germs. Your telephone, cell phone and computer keyboard are surfaces you should clean every day if possible.

Research shows that bacteria thrive on computer keyboards. In one study, keyboards had 52 times more bacteria than doorknobs. These microbes can survive as long as 24 hours.

Experts recommend two simple ways to fight back:

Wash your hands frequently – Use warm water and soap, scrub for 20 seconds, and rinse well.

Clean your keyboard – Disinfecting wipes can kill more than 95 percent of bacteria. The effect lasts for up to 48 hours.

So this is not the kind key board cleaning you do with compressed air and q-tips but a simple wiping down of the keyboard with a disinfecting wipe. Make sure the wipe is not too wet or you may damage your keyboard. You may want to consider wiping down your cell phone, ipod and other electronic devices you use frequently.

New Years Resolutions Pauline Phillips

I have always loved this bit of advice which actually comes from Dear Abby’s mother Pauline Phillips. She adapted this meditation from the original credo of Al-Anon. I read it when it appears in her column at the beginning of the year but then I tend to drift away from remembering what it said.

So I decided this year to put the “Just for Today” poem on my site. I am going to try read it at least once a week and really take the advice to heart. This year my resolutions are all about better mental health and I think the “Just for Today” poem is a good set of guidelines.

Just for Today: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess abut tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

Just for today: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, though and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

I feel better already just writing it down. I hope you do too. I also very much like the site Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff The author of the site, Christine Carlson (wife of the late author Richard Carlson) posts a daily affirmation and these are also very helpful especially when you are having a rough day. I have read several of Richard Carlson’s books and find the advice to be easy to understand and easy to work into my daily life. If you need a quick relaxer see my post on Relax with the Count Ten This technique comes from the book “Don’t Sweat the Samll Stuff.”

Who would have thought the recession would drag on for so long. But here it is the holiday season and things are still a bit grim for us and the economy. So here is some advice from some successful women entrepreneurs:

1. Take on new projects- From coming up with new cost-cutting initiatives to volunteering to head up a project, one of the best things you can do to lift your spirits is to pitch in where help is needed. Taking action will give you a sense of control over your work life, while increasing your skill set will keep you motivated.

2. Don’t engage in pity parties – Coffee-break chatter about layoffs or pay cuts will only make you feel worse. Save your complaints for outside the office – with your non-office friends or spouse. Keep the conversation with office buddies neutral.

3. Create you own mini-goals – Come in early one day a week or set up a brainstorming session with your supervisor. Creating goals energizes you and gives you a sense of accomplishment, which will help you stay on track when work is slow.

4. Invest in yourself – attend a networking event or take a class. While these activities may not have an immediate payoff, expanding your business network and learning new skills will keep you inspired and might help you get hired when the economy gets better.

5. Find fun outside of work – Find one non-work-related activity that is exciting to you. Take a pottery class, a yoga class, volunteer somewhere – whatever sound fun. The important thing is that you get engrossed in this activity and forget about stress at work.

Stress incontinence or leaky bladder is very common in women who have delivered children vaginally. Vaginal delivery can weaken your pelvic floor muscles. Here are few natural solutions to the problem:

Lose weight – (Doesn’t this always seem to be the answer?) If you are overweight, slim down. Studies show that losing 8 % of your body weight can help with the problem of a leaky bladder.

Start doing kegel exercises - Here is how to perform kegel exercises. While you are sitting down, squeeze your vaginal muscles (like you are trying to stop the flow of urine) for 3 seconds, then relax for 3 seconds. Do 10 at a time and work your way up to 50 a day. You can do kegels at your desk, in the car while sitting at traffic lights or when you are sitting at your computer.

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Our paper published some very practical tips for weight loss. Here they are:

1. Get eight hours of sleep a night.

2. Eat breakfast – Even if you have to choke it down, studies have shown over and over and that those who eat a good breakfast are more successful at losing weight.

3. Walk briskly for 60 minutes every day - No fancy equipment needed. Climb the stairs a few times at work and then do it again at home. Walk around your neighborhood. Park your car as far away as possible from the store and walk.

4. Write down what you eat – It’s the best way to keep track of your food intake.

5. Weigh – Step on a scale to monitor your progress. Don’t do it every day, just once a week is fine.

6. Find support - Our paper listed this site for a free online support group momhouston.com

7. Never give up – If you stick to your diet consistently your weight will come down. Even if you fall off the wagon a few times, the important thing is you get back on.

See our post on What-About-The-Obesity-Gene

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I have come across several free offers for some of the more popularhealth products and supplements. I am posting these in case you are interested in trying any of these products.

Colon cleansing – Because of the limited level of success the medical community has had in treating digestive disorders many people have turned to alternative medicine for relief. Colon cleansing has been one of the more popular alternative health solutions to digestive disorders. The theory is the intestines can store a vast amount of partially digested, putrefying matter (as well as drugs and other toxic chemicals) and the toxins that result are carried into your blood stream. Colon cleansing gets rid of those toxins. Here is a free trial offer from Colon Cleanse Pro:

Acai -There has been a great deal of talk about Acai (ah-sigh-ee). Acai is number one Dr. Perrisone’s (on Oprah) list of top ten superfoods. According to Oprah.com Acai comes from a special Amazon palm tree. The acai berry is harvested in the rainforests of Brazil and is possesses a tremendous combination of things that are good for your health – antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids.

The concentration of anitoxidants (which helps combat premature aging) is 10 times higher in acai than it is in red grapes. Additionally acai has 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine. Anthocyanins are defined as flavonoid pigments found in many varieties of vegetables and fruits. They’re a good source of antioxidants. Acai berry’s anthocyanins help protect the body against cancer cells. Anthocyanins can also help prevent memory loss. Medical research has shown that the anthocyanins within the acai berry have been successful in reducing the likelihood of premature memory loss. Acai berry’s anthocyanins can also assist in preventing heart disease. Here is an offer I found for a free trial of Acai product:

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Probiotics -Probiotics help the body’s naturally occurring microorganisms do their job. More than 400 different types of bacteria live in the gastrointestinal system and some are good and some are bad. The entire body depends on the colon doing its job properly. The colon’s beneficial bacteria (probiotic) manufacture B vitamins including biotin, niacin, folic acid and pyridoxine. Besides producing the enzyme lactose necessary for digesting milk sugar (lactose), these microorganisms produce antibacterial substances that kill disease-causing agents such as salmonella and some type of E. coli. These bacteria make the digestive tract function at top efficiency.

Probiotics, dietary supplements made of beneficial microorganisms, can reintroduce beneficial bacteria. Many people are familiar with yogurt, which contains acidophilus and other foods that are high in probiotics but you can also get probiotics in supplement form. If you suffer from digestive problems or just want to keep your digestive system functioning at peak efficiency you might consider a probioitc supplement. Here is a free trial offer:

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Our sister site Curepure.com just published an interesting post on Natural Remedies for Fibrocystic Breasts

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Sleep Aids

Ambien is the most common names for the drug Zolpidem, although there are at least a dozen other brands of sleep aids that use it. Available by prescription since 1992 (generic versions were approved by the FDA in 2007) Zolpidem works quickly – within 15 to 20 minutes – and flushes from the system easily, minimizing grogginess and disorientation associated with the previous generation sedatives. A new version, Ambien CR, offers a time-release component to prolong sleep.

As with all sleep aids, extended use can lead to a dependency. Discontinuing often results in short-term insomnia. Although Zolpidem seems to be effective in treating convulsions and as a muscle relaxant, the dose required is so large that the risk of side effects – amnesia, poor motor coordination, increase appetite, decreased libido and impulsive behavior outweigh the benefits.

Most doctors are not the least bit reluctant to prescribe Zolpidem. But the only legal way to get it by prescription, so talk it over with your physician.

If you are looking for a more natural sleep aid try SerenitePlus Drops for Insomnia and Sleeping Disorders

What is SerenitePlus?

SerenitePlus is an herbal formula specially formulated by a Clinical Psychologist for teenagers and adults. The natural ingredients are chosen for their soothing properties to assist with occasional routine restlessness at night and to wind down naturally after a busy day. Being in tincture form, Serenite Plus is quickly absorbed and gets to work almost immediately as a natural sleep tonic to support the maintenance of night time harmony and rest.

SerenitePlus has been used safely and effectively for many years. Using up-to-date scientific knowledge of natural sleep patterns, SerenitePlus is a new and improved herbal formula.

SerenitePlus comes from a company called Native Remedies. Native Remedies’ products are created using a Full Spectrum Approachâ„¢ (FSA), a set of standards and processes that combines the best quality, laboratory-tested, raw ingredients, good manufacturing practices and a Full Spectrum manufacturing method to guarantee you products of the highest quality, safety and effectiveness.

This product contains no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, is suitable for lacto-vegetarians, is not tested on animals, and backed by our One Year Unconditional Money Back Guarantee.

I like to publish these lists because I think it is important that everyone be aware. So here are the five warning signs of a stroke:

Your speech has become slurred or you’re having trouble speaking or understanding what others are saying.

If you have nay of these symptoms, even if they go away after a few minutes, call 911 immediately. Ask to be taken to a stroke center nearby. The sooner you get treatment, the better your chances are of preventing permanent damage.

I am a firm believer in portion control. The trick is though to know what the right portion is. Once a friend who was on Weight Watchers showed what the portion was for cereal. I was stunned when I realized what I thought was one serving was really about three. So when I came across this great chart in Woman’s Day magazine that had the appropriate serving in terms of common everyday items that you can relate to, I wanted to share it with readers. So here it is:

One serving of Steak is equal to an IPOD Classic

One serving of Cheese is equal to a matchbox

One serving of a Pancake is equal to a DVD

One serving of Pasta is equal to a standard Ice cream scoop

One serving of Potatoes is equal to a Computer Mouse

One serving of Fish is equal to a Checkbook

One serving of Butter is equal to a Postage Stamp

One serving of Salad Dressing is equal to a One Ounce Shot Glass

One serving of Brown Rice is equal to a Baseball

One serving of Peanut Butter is equal to a Golf Ball

One serving of Beans is equal to a Standard Light Bulb (you know the one over your head)

One serving of Dark Chocolate is equal to a Package of Dental Floss

When Oprah’s was really thin her eating plan was a combination of moderation i.e portion control, as well as controlling carbohydrates. In fact, many diet experts believe that remarkable weight loss can be achieved by merely controlling your portions even if you do nothing else.

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