Take-a-Moment January 2005

Volume 5 January 2005

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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.

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Did You Know...?

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You can go to this link and find past articles, recipes, and reference resources.

C O N T E N T S

Stain Removal -- Candle Wax
Financial Fitness -- Surviving A Job Loss
Family Life -- Approach Conflict Open-Mindedly
Nutrition & What's Cooking -- 2005 Resolutions
Home Tips -- New Year's Cleaning
Ways to Wellness -- New Year's Resolutions for Wellness
In The Work Place -- Handwashing in the Workplace

STAIN REMOVAL
CANDLE WAX
stainremoval@take-a-moment.com

Spills and stains often accompany holiday tinsel and merriment. These tips will help you successfully handle every drip and drizzle of the upcoming season.

To remove candle wax from fabrics that can be laundered, use a dull knife to scrap off the excess; then put the stain between paper towels and press with a warm iron from the back of the fabric to transfer wax to the paper towels. Repeat this process, frequently changing paper towels, until they no longer absorb wax.

Next, put the stain face down on clean towels and sponge with a pre-wash stain remover or commercial cleaner. Blot the treated area with paper towels and let it air dry before laundering. If stains remain, wash the fabric again using bleach on the care label directions.

The faster you treat a wax stain, the more likely you can completely remove it, because some waxes contain dyes that can permanently stain a fabric.

FINANCIAL FITNESS
SURVIVING A JOB LOSS
finances@take-a-moment.com

If you face the possibility of losing a job, these thoughts will help you adjust to the period of unemployment.

Losing a job is a traumatic event so it is natural to go through a grieving process. In fact, grieving is necessary for emotional recovery.

It is important to rebuild your emotional strength before beginning to get another job. Take time to recover from the concerns arising from unemployment. Rest and relax. Take long walks. Refresh your spirit with whatever activities and rituals you find comforting and inspiring. Generate positive thoughts to lead to positive actions. Remember, you have been successful in the past, and you will be successful again.

Look at this traumatic event as an opportunity to refocus your values and redefine your goals. Identify what is important in your life and define your goals accordingly. Do not dwell on things you cannot control; instead, work on those you can control.

Reach out to family and friends to help you recover from the emotional roller coaster of losing your job.

Take these steps necessary to survive economic hard times:

Sit down with household members and list all expenses. Then, jointly decide what expenses can be eliminated, reduced, or deferred. Based on the information, develop revised budgets.
Under job loss situations, most creditors are willing to work out alternative payment plans with you. Notify creditors of the situation but do not make promises to creditors that you cannot keep.
Use credit only for absolute necessities. Be sure to use only one credit card account for these purchases and keep thorough records of the account you use.
Perhaps your emergency savings fund can help cover expenses that are absolutely necessary.

As you take steps to regain employment, use available programs, benefits, and insurance to supplement income. Some benefits might be available through your last employer.

If a family member or friend faces job loss, remember that grieving is a natural process. Grieve with that person and do not try to cheer him or her up before they are ready. Support them emotionally with your presence, assurances, and willingness to listen.

Many times our high regard and expectations for family members and friends are the best motivations we can give them. Provide sincere compliments, exciting challenges, and positive prospects. Help with necessary tasks and concerns so recovery proceeds in a timely fashion.

Above all, give family and friends practical assistance they need while recovering emotionally from losing a job.

FAMILY LIFE
APPROACH CONFLICT OPEN-MINDEDLY
familylife@take-a-moment.com

Like it or not, conflict is part of life. It's one of the ways we learn and grow. To handle conflict really well, you need to keep an open mind. Stay on your toes, and pay attention to your hunches and instincts. Think creatively.

Do your best to be calm and patient. Being able to think in a fresh and flexible way is particularly important. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

Sometimes a conflict isn't worth fooling with.
Sometimes conflict resolution is a gradual process that takes a long time.
Sometimes conflict is a gift that opens the door to new and wonderful possibilities.
Sometimes it's best to avoid dealing with conflict until you're calmer and more rested.
Sometimes it's wise to seek outside help.
Sometimes it's best to agree to disagree.
And sometimes it's good to say with an open mind, "Let's try it your way."

Source: Sam Quick
Adapted from Mental Medicine Update, Winter, 1993.

NUTRITION & WHAT'S COOKING
2005 RESOLUTIONS
whatscooking@take-a-moment.com

Good health comes from an accumulation of good decisions and actions over time. Now that you are starting a new year, resolve to make good decisions all year. Here is a calendar of good ideas for each month.

January-KICKOFF-Think SUPERBOWL-and start incorporating more bowls of soups and salads in your diet. Make them chock full of vegetables and low in fat and sodium.

February-HEART MONTH-focus on limiting or omitting foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fatty acids and cholesterol. This means fatty meats, fried foods and many animal-based foods. Increase your consumption of seafood.

March-Nutrition Month-focus on the good news about foods. Increase what is good for you-that means fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nonfat or low-fat milk and milk products.

April-SPRING-add variety to your diet. Instead of eating the same things over and over, consume a variety of foods within and among the basic food groups while staying within energy needs.

May-BLOOD PRESSURE-choose and prepare foods with little salt. Experiment with new seasonings, such as herbs, citrus fruits and vinegars to add flavor to foods. Be aware of canned, frozen, packaged and bottled foods and their sodium content.

June-VACATION TIME-be physically active every day. Now the weather is nicer, it is time to make time for that fitness program your always putting off.

July-FRUIT AND VEGETABLES IN SEASON-choose carbohydrates wisely for good health. Increase your consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables instead of items that are devoid of fiber.

August-BACK TO SCHOOL- whether your in school or graduated from school you can always learn more. Now is the time to take notice of all the foods that are high in calories that you are eating on a regular basis.

September-TAILGATING-remember as your cheering for your favorite team to make tailgating foods healthy ones. These meals are easy ways to consume high calorie, high fat foods.

October-SPOOKY TIME-take some time to learn more about food safety. Wash your hands; keep all food surfaces clean; do not cross-contaminate ready-to-serve foods with the juices of raw meats, seafood and poultry; keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.

November-HOLIDAYS-if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. Enjoy the holiday season with less stress this year.

December-YEAR END-it is time to review this list and decide what you need to be more fit and a lower weight. What worked well? What do you need to do more of?

HOME TIPS
NEW YEAR'S CLEANING
hometips@take-a-moment.com

When your house is clean, you feel good. But, with hectic lifestyles and schedules, who feels up to cleaning? You will, with help from these new forms of cleaning products that get cleaning done in a snap! Always read product label directions before using.

Bathroom

Bleach pens. These pen-like cleaning tools can quickly and easily remove mold and mildew on such surfaces as grout lines between wall or floor tiles. The products contain chlorine bleach in gel form. Use the pointed tip or the broader scrubber end to apply bleach precisely where it’s needed.
Toilet bowl cleaners in tablet form. They deodorize as they clean. Drop these rapid-action tablets into the bowl; watch them dissolve into a froth of bubbles, then simply brush away stains.
Toilet bowl cleaners in gel form. The gel clings to the sides of the bowl longer than a liquid cleaner, making it particularly effective on tough stains, such as lime scale. Brush, then flush –the toilet bowl will be clean and fresh.

Dishwashers

Detergents in tablet form. The tablet is actually in two layers: a pre-soak that dissolves and removes dried food, and a detergent that cleans. Another version includes a sheeting agent, so glassware comes out shiny and spot-free.
Detergents in gel form. Concentrated gels come in easy-pour bottles or in pre-measured packs that dissolve completely. Light citrus scents are available, so dishes smell as clean as they look!

Living Quarters

Cloths, dust mitts, dusters and furniture wipes. Clean surfaces in bedrooms and living rooms while trapping dust and dirt. Many familiar products now come in a choice of scents. Whether natural or exotic, these scents help deodorize the home, eliminate medicinal cleaning smells and bring in a fresh breath of spring!

WAYS TO WELLNESS
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR WELLNESS
wellness@take-a-moment.com

Make caring for yourself an important part of your New Year's Resolutions! If you missed beginning on January 1st, don't worry! Every day is the right day to begin lifestyle habits that help ensure good health. How are you doing in each of the following areas?

Sharing your feelings with someone who listens well, cares about you, and offers helpful suggestions.
Planning time of your own to recharge your batteries to enjoy life and be a better worker and family member.
Keeping a sense of humor. Humor relaxes the body and renews the spirit. Seeing the funny side of life does wonders for emotional and physical health.
Celebrating what you do well. Congratulate yourself when you complete a project. This does wonders for your positive self-esteem.
Nourishing your body by eating healthy foods. Your county Cooperative Extension Service is a great source of nutrition information.
Getting plenty of sleep can help you feel calm, energetic, and more cheerful on the job and at home. You will be able to better solve problems and face life's challenges.
Enjoying physical activity. Exercise is wonderful for cleaning out the cobwebs in your mind and increasing your flexibility to prevent injuries at work and home. Why not put on some comfortable shoes and find a safe, pleasant place to walk at work or home?
Focusing on the positive. Make cheerfulness and optimism a habit. Try seeing life's challenges as chances for learning and growing.
Learning and exploring new information, skills, and possibilities that interest you will keep you feeling energized. The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association's mission is lifelong learning. Are you a part of this educational organization? Call your county Cooperative Extension Service for more information.
Recognizing and managing stress is important. Look in this column next month for several ideas to handle stress.

Source: above ideas shared in the "Keys to Great Parenting - Care for Yourself " publication
from the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky.

IN THE WORK PLACE
HANDWASHING IN THE WORKPLACE
workplace@take-a-moment.com

With cold and flu season now upon us, many people use common sense cleaning practices at home to defend the family against harmful germs. But what about the place we spend most of our waking hours - work? Handwashing is recognized by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the most important means of preventing germs from spreading.

While most people can employ good cleaning habits to fight germs at home, they have much less control over their work environment. That makes proper handwashing the first line of defense against germs in the workplace. Washing often, about five or more times a day, is the first step. But, you also need to wash your hands the right way, washing thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.

Recommendations: When To Wash Hands At Work

Each time you use the restroom
Before and after staff meetings, if food is served
After scanning newspapers or magazines
Before and after lunch
After using a co-worker’s keyboard or tools
Before and after a meet-and-greet activity
When using shared office equipment, such as faxes, phones, etc.

Waterless products, such as hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes, are useful alternatives if soap and water are not available (for example, when traveling in the car or taxi on the way to a business meeting, before eating an in-flight meal or snack, outdoor work setting, etc.)

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Good Living!
From: the Agents of the Louisville Area Cooperative Extension Service

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