take a moment
 Volume 8 February
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 TREAT immediately! Scrape off excess mustard. Spnge with a commercial cleaner* or apply a pre-wash soil and stain remover. Rinse. Work a light-duty liquid detergent and a few drops of vinegar into stain. Rinse will. If stain remains, apply 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Rinse and launder. Commercial cleaner includes products containing petroleum distillates or hydrocarbon such as tricholoroethane, xylene, methylenechloride, methane, benzene and or naphtha. Examples of such products containing these chemicals are spot removers such as Guardsman’s Afta, Dap Cleaner and Thinner, Goof Off, M-1 Remover, Goo Gone, K2r.
FINANCIAL FITNESS The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to beware of several current e-mail and telephone scams that use the IRS name as a lure. The IRS expects such scams to continue through the end of tax return filing season and beyond. The IRS cautioned taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams involving proposed advance payment checks. Although the government has not yet enacted an economic stimulus package in which the IRS would provide advance payments, known informally as rebates to many Americans, a scam which uses the proposed rebates as bait has already cropped up. The goal of the scams is to trick people into revealing personal and financial information, such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, which the scammers can use to commit identity theft. Typically, identity thieves use a victim’s personal and financial data to empty the victim’s financial accounts, run up charges on the victim’s existing credit cards, apply for new loans, credit cards, services or benefits in the victim’s name, file fraudulent tax returns or even commit crimes. Most of these fraudulent activities can be committed electronically from a remote location, including overseas. Committing these activities in cyberspace allows scamsters to act quickly and cover their tracks before the victim becomes aware of the theft. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years — and their hard-earned money — cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their reputations and credit records. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, may be refused loans, education, housing or cars, or even get arrested for crimes they didn't commit. What to Do Anyone wishing to access the IRS Web site should initiate contact by typing the IRS.gov address into their Internet address window, rather than clicking on a link in an e-mail or opening an attachment. Those who have received a questionable e-mail claiming to come from the IRS may forward it to a mailbox the IRS has established to receive such e-mails, phishing@irs.gov, using instructions contained in an article on IRS.gov titled “How to Protect Yourself from Suspicious E-Mails or Phishing Schemes.” Following the instructions will help the IRS track the suspicious e-mail to its origins and shut down the scam. Find the article by visiting IRS.gov and entering the words “suspicious e-mails” into the search box in the upper right corner of the front page. Those who have received a questionable telephone call that claims to come from the IRS may also use the phishing@irs.gov mailbox to notify the IRS of the scam.
KIDS KORNER Head lice is the bane of many a parent when their children come home from school complaining of an itchy scalp. It is incorrect to associate head lice with poverty and poor personal hygiene. In fact, it's estimated that 10 percent of elementary school children are treated for head lice each year. Head lice are bloodsucking insects that live exclusively on humans. They usually infest only the head, preferring the nape of the neck and the area behind the ears. Head lice are especially common on schoolchildren between the ages of three and ten. Schools bring large numbers of children together in close, personal contact. Hats and coats are often shared or hung together, permitting transfer of lice from one child to another. Transfer of head lice can also occur by using infested combs and brushes, or resting one's head on upholstered furniture or pillows recently used by an infested person. The first indication of head lice is itching and scratching. Examining the hair and scalp will usually reveal the white or grayish crawling forms (about the size of a sesame seed) and yellowish white eggs (nits) attached to the hair shafts close to the scalp. The nits are sometimes mistaken for dandruff or residues of shampoo but will not wash off or be flicked off with a finger. Usually all life stages can be seen with the naked eye, although a flashlight and hand lens are helpful. Red bite marks or scratch marks are often seen on the scalp or neck. There are four key steps to eliminating head lice and preventing their return: The infected person should be treated with a pediculicide shampoo formulated specifically to control lice. Several different products, most containing permethrin or pyrethrins, are available through pharmacists and physicians. Follow the directions on the package. Some products require retreatment in seven to 10 days. If one family member is found to be infested, all others should be examined. Only those showing evidence of lice should be treated. All infested family members should be treated within a 24-hour time span to prevent reinfestation from one person to another. More than half of lice-infested children have another infested family member at home. Remove all nits using a fine-tooth louse comb. Although this step can be quite time-consuming, nit removal is critical to eradication. Louse control shampoos often do not kill all the nits, and surviving eggs will hatch within seven to 10 days, continuing the cycle of reinfestation. Dead nits also tend to remain attached to the hair, causing uncertainty about reinfestation. Nits are most easily removed by combing while the hair is slightly damp. Adding conditioner, olive oil, or a 50/50 vinegar-water solution may also make combing easier. Nits can also be picked out with fingernails or cut out with small safety scissors. All personal articles that have been in contact with the infested person's head should be deloused. Normal laundering with hot, soapy water (125 degrees F for 10 minutes), or dry cleaning will kill lice and nits on clothing, bed linens and towels. Combs and brushes should be soaked for 10 minutes in a pan of very hot water. The first three steps should be performed at the same time in order to avoid reinfestation after shampooing. As an added precaution, car seats, furniture, and carpeting contacted by infested individuals should be vacuumed and the vacuum bag discarded. . To reduce the chance of reinfestation, children should be instructed not to share hats, clothing or brushes with their classmates. Each child should have a separate storage space for their hats and other clothing at home and school to prevent contact with other garments. If this is not possible, coats should be hung on hooks so they do not touch, or on the backs of students' chairs. Treatment of the premises or clothing with insecticides is generally not required or recommended for the control and prevention of head lice. This is because the lice cannot survive for any extended length of time off of their human host. Elimination of a head lice outbreak in a school, nursing home or similar shared facility requires prompt, coordinated action and administrative support to prevent the spread of lice to uninfected individuals. Unless all affected persons are treated, the condition will continue. People should be aware that there are many other factors that may cause itching and irritation during the winter. Dry air alone can cause irritation, producing a condition known as "winter itch". As skin loses moisture, itching results. A skin moisturizer or home humidifier is often helpful in these situations. There are times when a head lice infestation seems to persist indefinitely. Persistent infestation may be due to shampoo being left on the hair for an insufficient amount of time, or failure to reapply after 7 to 10 days. Other times, not enough time was spent combing out the nits or no effort was made to concurrently treat other infested family members. In rare, but increasing instances, the product in use may have lost its effectiveness. Head lice resistance to pediculicides has been documented recently in certain areas of the world, especially to permethrin. If resistance is suspected to the pediculicide you have been using, consult with your physician. For more information, contact the (YOUR COUNTY) Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
FAMILY LIFE Giving your children an allowance teaches them to be responsible financial managers by learning to wisely save and spend money. Some parents may want children to do some tasks or chores around the house to “earn” the allowance; other parents prefer to simply give an allowance. This is a personal decision. Set a base amount for each child when you establish the allowance system. Once you establish a specific amount, stick to
it. For children up to age eight, have a list of small tasks that little hands can do to earn money. Even very young children can help with household chores. You might want to provide one piggy bank labeled for “saving” and the other designated “spending.” Encourage older children to start making buying and saving decisions on their own such as comparison shopping. Developing a spending plan also is a good idea because they learn to manage money for school lunches and supplies, clothes, entertainment and other expenses. If a child doesn’t following the spending plan, don=t bail the youngster out. Staying with a spending plan teaches a child to become a responsible money manager. Your children will form good work habits and job skills by keeping their own records such as the dates jobs are assigned and completed. This recordkeeping also helps them keep track of progress toward reaching a savings goal. Having an allowance keeps children from having to ask you for money. Children should be responsible for some tasks such as helping clear the table or putting their belongings up because they’re a member of a family unit, not solely for compensation. You also can help your children make a contribution to their community by making it a family activity to donate funds or time to a worthy cause. For more information, contact your County Cooperative Extension Service.
NUTRITION & WHAT'S COOKING It's wise to periodically check the quality of condiments and foods stored in your pantry and cupboard. Proper storage is a good way to maintain food quality. Follow these tips on good food product storage practices: -Store baking powder and baking soda in a tightly covered container and put it in a dry location. Always use dry measuring utensils to dip these out of the container. To check baking powder freshness, mix one teaspoon with one-third cup of hot water. If this vigorously foams, the baking powder still has rising power. For baking soda, put one and one-half teaspoons of baking soda in a small bowl and add one tablespoon of vinegar to determine freshness. If this mixture fizzes, it still will help leaven a food. Old baking soda can be used to dispense odors in the refrigerator, drawers and closets. -White flour should be kept in an airtight container or freezer bag to preserve its moisture content that might influence the outcome of a recipe. At room temperature, white flour will keep six to 12 months. Refrigerated all-purpose and bread flowers will keep up to two years at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Frozen, they will keep indefinitely. -Honey stores best at room temperature and will maintain the best quality for up to 12 months. When refrigerated, honey will more rapidly crystallize but dissolve upon heating. -Opened cans of shortening will maintain its quality for three to eight months; unopened, eight to 12 months. Store shortening in a cool, dark place. -Vegetable oil unopened will keep one to six months; unopened, six to 12 months. Store in a cool, dry place. -Brown sugar keeps four to six months, but is critical to keep in an air-tight moisture-proof container so it will remain moist and soft. -Granulated sugar will keep indefinitely in an airtight container. -Walnut, sesame, hazelnut and almond oils have a shorter storage life. Smell before using. -Spices rapidly lose their potency with heat, air, light and moisture. Store herbs and spices in a tightly-covered container in a dark location away from sunlight, such as a cupboard or drawer. A sniff test helps determine the quality of spices and herbs. Crush a small amount in your hand and smell. -Canned foods should be eaten within two years of processing for best quality. After opening a canned food, never refrigerate in the can because food can develop an off-odor from the opened container.
HOME TIPS If planning to purchase new towels, look for those that provide optimum drying power. Terry-cloth towels with thick, dense loops on both sides – loops that are packed so closely that you can barely see the fabric base – will do the best job. If you prefer the fashion look of velour towels, you may find that they are slightly less absorbent. That’s because the shearing process that creates the velour removes the top of the loops and shortens the fabric pile. If the user blots, rather than rubs, and uses the loop side of the towel, the difference will be unnoticeable. No matter which style you prefer, check the edges of the towel. They should be securely stitched and tightly woven. Be sure there is a place for towels to dry thoroughly between uses. This may be the time to install additional hooks or towel bars in the bathroom. Discourage guests and family members from discarding damp towels in a hamper where mold and bacteria can grow. When it’s time to launder the towels, read and follow the directions on the care labels. Don’t make assumptions about how your towels should be laundered. Some manufacturers do not recommend using any type of bleach, and some recommend a gentle wash cycle. Pouring detergent directly onto the towels may cause residue build-up that reduces softness. To avoid this, add detergent to the wash cycle before adding the towels. Using fabric softener is a matter of personal preference. It will slightly reduce absorbency, but many people feel this is offset by the softness it imparts to towels. Source: The Soap and Detergent Association.
WAYS TO WELLNESS On August 14th 2003 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the results of a study that ranked Kentucky the least active state in the nation. It does not have to be that way! If each of us get moving, we can change this statistic! Almost everyone can improve his or her health through physical activity. Regular physical activity can substantially reduce the risk of developing or dying from heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure. Research has also linked regular physical activity to the prevention of breast cancer, stroke, and osteoporosis. It strengthens bones, builds muscles, improves circulation, and helps us to maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity can also improve mental health by relieving stress, and reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety. A physically active lifestyle can save money on long-term health costs. Almost 10 percent of total health care costs in America, including those related to obesity, are due to lack of physical activity. According to the World Health Organization, for every dollar that Americans invest in physical activity time and equipment, we save approximately three dollars in medical costs. Physically active individuals save an estimated $500 per year in health care costs. Physical activity is a great way to spend time with family and friends. By including family members in regular physical activity, you are sharing with them a healthy habit and creating new family traditions. Regular physical activity can help you live a longer, healthier life for both yourself and those you love. Why not go for a short walk today during your lunch break or after work?
IN THE WORK PLACE Some ways to increase the payoff of completing those overwhelming or unpleasant priority tasks include:
A Final Warning For all you Type A readers who are prone to rush through caution lights to save five or 10 minutes, be gentle with yourself. Slow down and pick the daisies. In a society enamored with efficiency and productivity, it is vital that we manage our lives and our time so that we as individuals and as communities of men and women – live healthier, happier, more peace-filled lives.
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Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people |
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