Dirt is Good for You

September 30, 2012 By 24 Comments

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A Little Bit of Dirt Is Good for Your Immune System

dirt can be beneficial to kidsI have been saying this for years. A little bit of dirt won’t hurt you. Giving our children and ourselves a clean environment to thrive in is a no-brainer. It makes sense. But are we making our lives just a bit too sterile; harming our immune systems more than we are protecting them?

The experts at WebMD recently published an article on their website with helpful tips on how to keep your children healthy without going overboard when it comes to sanitizing. Here are some highlights from their suggestions.

The Hygiene Hypothesis – What is It?

Simply stated, the hygiene hypothesis theorizes that infants exposed to certain germs tend to have a greater immunity to  illnesses like asthma or allergies. Limiting exposure to parasites, bacteria, and viruses during early childhood may do more harm than good. Limiting exposure can lead to an adulthood plagued with allergies and other illnesses.

Of course no one is saying to actively seek out a dirty environment, but if you forget the hand sanitizer once in a while you will not be condemning your child to a lifetime of illness.

Germs: Bad or Good For You?

Germs get a bad wrap. We have millions of germs existing on the surface of our skin and internally at any given moment. We literally live with germs every moment of our lives. Eradicating all germs is impossible and to do so would create weaker immune systems.

Living in a germ-free bubble does more harm than good. Obviously  you would not knowingly expose your child to a bacteria or virus, but our bodies are adaptable and capable of fighting off those bad germs.

WebMD speaks briefly about the over-usage of antibiotics.

In addition to overzealous hygiene campaigns that may prevent kids from exposure to natural microorganisms that are good for them, there are other practices — like the overuse of antibiotics — that threaten to make us less healthy, not more.

I have to agree with them on this point. Give your body a chance to defend itself. Save the antibiotics for when the body absolutely cannot fight off a virus. You might be surprised at how capable and strong a body is when given a chance.

What Should Parents Do?

Find a happy medium. Striking a balance is the ultimate way to keeping your family healthy.

Do:

  • Clean your home once a week with disinfecting products.
  • Schedule yearly examinations with your child’s pediatrician to discuss growth and any concerns.
  • Encourage your children to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before meals.

Don’t:

  • Buy stock in hand sanitizer. Limit the amount of hand sanitizer used.
  • Over-medicate your child. Common colds will run their course and there are natural ways to relieve discomfort from sore throats, runny noses, etc.
  • Wash and sanitize everything in your home. Living in an absolute sterile environment weakens the immune system.

Do you agree or disagree that we over-sterilize our children’s environments? How do you keep your family healthy?

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5 Tips for Becoming a Better Cook

September 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

be a better cook in the kitchenCooking is a hobby for some, and a chore for others.  For me, it was one thing to help my parents to cook a meal, and a whole different ballgame to plan ALL of my meals.  I progressed quickly, trying many new recipes and buying exotic ingredients at the grocery store.  I would say I fall on the hobby side of things.

If you stand on the other side of the fence (cooking is a chore),  then here are 5 tips that may lead you to enjoy cooking a little more.

Take a knife skills class.

Knife skills are hard to get the hang of without someone guiding you, and they can make your cooking so much easier.  There are some good knife skills videos on YouTube, Vimeo, and free podcasts in the iTunes store.  Many kitchen stores like Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma offer basic knife skills courses.

Start with easy.

Don’t start your cooking career with Julia Child’s famed boeuf bourgignon recipe in preparation for a dinner party of 6.  Instead, make something simple like grilled chicken, soup, or a pasta sauce. It’s easy to get gung-ho and want to make every recipe that ever graced the earth, but brace yourself, be patient, and gradually work your way up to the tough recipes.  Another good rule is to never make a new recipe with guests.

Don’t substitute ingredients.

You forgot something at the store so you decide, “What the heck! I’ll add ____ instead.”  Substituting is an easy way to make a mediocre or disaster meal.  It’s probably ok to add a few of your favorite vegetables to a stew, BUT don’t substitute when you’re baking unless you have ample experience.  Baking involves chemical reactions, so treat it like that chemistry lab you had so long ago.  Be precise in all baking!  Even then, there are a few exceptions:  I give you permission to add extra chocolate chips!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

You’re not going to be the next Iron Chef overnight.  If you’re not the best cook, you can only get better by practicing.  After you master simple recipes, move up to something a little more difficult.  When a recipe is a big hit, add it to your meal rotation and practice until you’ve mastered it.

Plan your meals ahead of time.

Planning meals for the week can save you time, money, and the pain of trying to thaw meat last minute (the meat always wins).  Strategizing your meals can also mean less trips to the grocery store.

Cooking is fun when you learn to create masterpieces.  But in order to create a masterpiece, time and patience are needed.  When those meal blunders happen, don’t be afraid to order take-out and try again a few weeks later.  (My worst cooking incident had to do with a glass dish shattering in the oven when my boeuf bourgignon was almost ready.  The recipe takes HOURS!  Needless to say, my date took me out to eat. I cleaned glass out of the oven for WEEKS.)

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Easy Chicken Stir Fry

September 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

delicious chicken stir fryDon’t feel like cooking?  Make this easy, delicious chicken stir fry.  It’s an easy meal to make.  Here are a few tips for making quick stir fry:

Don’t make your own teriyaki sauce

Buy teriyaki sauce from the store.  I prefer a lower sodium version.  This cuts down on a lot of cooking time, and the risk of messing up the sauce. (Not that any General Gazette gal would do that…)

Buy pre-cut or frozen mixed vegetables

You don’t have to trim and prepare your own fresh vegetables.  If it works out better for your schedule, pick up some pre-cut, pre-mixed vegetables in the fresh or frozen section.  Frozen vegetables are an excellent staple to keep in the freezer for those nights you just don’t feel like cooking or you’re out of fresh veggies and had no time to make it to the store.  Don’t worry if it’s not the same variety as I recommend in this recipe—it will be just as good.

Easy Chicken Stir Fry

  • 2 large chicken breasts (trimmed and sliced into long thin pieces)
  • 1 lime
  • ½ tsp Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup teriyaki sauce (purchased from store)
  • 2 cloves garlic

Vegetables

(use these or substitute for 1 bag of prepackaged vegetables-fresh or frozen)

  • 4 carrots (peeled and diced)
  • ½ pound green beans (fresh, trimmed)
  • 1 large red pepper (sliced)

Marinate the chicken breast in ½ cup teriyaki sauce (or more—just enough to cover the chicken) and the juice of 1 lime for at least 1 hour. (The chicken can marinate up to 4 hours).

stir fry recipesHeat a sauté pan over medium heat with 1 Tbsp of olive oil, or enough to barely cover the bottom of your pan.  Add minced garlic in the pan. Place the chicken in the warm pan with the garlic, shaking off excess marinade as you place it into the pan. Cook the chicken until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, about 5 minutes.  Place on a plate and reserve.

Clean the pan if needed (sometimes pans get a lot of black build-up—you’ll want to at least rinse your pan.)  Thoroughly dry the pan, then heat the remaining 1 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.  When the oil is hot, add the carrots, green beans, and red pepper.  Add the other clove of garlic into the pan and cook the vegetables until they are a little less tender than you would like them to be. (Pour off any excess liquid if you’re using frozen vegetables.)  Add the remaining ½ cup of teriyaki sauce, along with the reserved chicken.  Let cook for 3 minutes on medium heat or until chicken is hot.   Serve over brown or jasmine rice.

Don’t let making dinner break your busy social agenda.  Eat fast and healthy!  Make stir fry!

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

September 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

domestic violence awareness monthDid you know that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime? Did you know that an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year? Did you know most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police?

These staggering facts and statistics are provided by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects not only the person being battered, but it affects the entire family and the community. Chances are you have known someone who has experienced an abusive relationship. Our Facebook page  has  a comprehensive fact sheet available for you, provided by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, to help women who may be in an abusive situation or have a family member who needs help.

Even if domestic violence has never touched your life supporting each other is essential to ending this violent epidemic in our country as well as globally. During the month of October we have the chance to help raise awareness and money for domestic violence organizations nationwide by doing simple everyday things like shopping. The following four companies have dedicated their resources and finances towards ending abuse. By purchasing certain products, you can help, too!

Avon

Source: shop.avon.com via General Gazette on Pinterest

Empowerment of Support Circle Necklace
Price: $5.00
Donation: 100% of proceeds

Beauty Brands

Source: Uploaded by user via General Gazette on Pinterest

Redken Guts 10 Volume Spray Foam
Price: $7.98
Donation: 100% of proceeds

Mineral Fusion

Source: mineralfusion.com via General Gazette on Pinterest

Mineral Fusion Products
Price: Varies
Donation: a percentage of proceeds

Johnson Products

Source: Uploaded by user via General Gazette on Pinterest

General Treatment No-Lye Conditioning Creme
Price: $5.99
Donation: $1.00 per box sold

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Why I Always Fall In Love with Fall. . .

September 28, 2012 By 1 Comment

Whenever I am looking for a gentle nudge or inspiration for a topic to write about, I know that I can always count on Mama Kat to come to the rescue with some great ideas. This week she prompted me to describe 10 things I love about fall. Just 10? Really? Okay, I will do my best to narrow it down.

1. Fall Color

Let’s start with obvious. Who doesn’t feel the romance in the air when the leaves begin to turn into vibrant oranges and reds?

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2. Halloween

After Christmas, Halloween in my favorite holiday. I love decorating, hosting Halloween parties and trick or treating.

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3. Hot Chocolate

Trick or treating just isn’t the same without hot chocolate. Oh, and in my family, trick or treating isn’t complete if we don’t have pizza delivered, too.

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4. Sweaters

The first time I wrap up in a cozy warm sweater, I know that fall has officially started. Check out this picture I found on Pinterest. Candles wrapped in sweater material. I wonder if you could make a koozie like that, too?

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5. Hayrides

While I could do without those random pieces of straw pecking away at my ankles, I do love how relaxing a hayride can be.

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6. Pumpkin Patch

Where is a better place to have a hay ride than on the way to the pumpkin patch. Those perfectly symmetrical pumpkins at the grocery store may be tempting, but I prefer my pumpkins in a more natural setting.

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7. Bonfire

After the hayride and pumpkin patch excursion, it is time to get the party started. I love the smell, the warmth and the ambiance of bonfires. What about you?

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8. Chili

Don’t forget to warm your stomach, too. This is the best time of year to experiment with lots of different chili recipes. Ultimately, I prefer mine sweet, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try something  a little spicier.

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9. Fall Decorating

I cannot get enough of fall decorating. As of this writing, I have yet to adorn my house with pumpkins, leaves, candy corn and scarecrows.  My husband thinks he has been spared this year. Soon he will find out how wrong he is!

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10. Thanksgiving

Lastly, Thanksgiving is my favorite part about fall. Two years ago we traveled to NYC for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We indulged in a New York thanksgiving that ended at an Irish Pub. It just wasn’t the same. I need my turkey, my green bean casserole and my apple pie. Yum!

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What are your fall traditions?

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10 Ways to Treat Acne Scars Naturally

September 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

naturally treat acneWhoever said acne was the worst thing possible, probably did not suffer from acne scarring. The reddish spots left behind can be a real nightmare for most of us.

Here are 10 ways to naturally treat acne scarring using ingredients that you can find in your kitchen or the nearest supermarket.

  • Applying a few drops of lemon juice on the desired area is one of the best known methods to lighten acne scars. Lemon has natural bleaching properties and hence can lighten scars and pigmentations easily.
  • Similarly, rubbing the pulp of a tomato too helps in reducing acne scars and minimizes pores. Remember that it is only the pulp that is effective and not the entire tomato.
  • Aspirin is a wonder drug for not just migraine but also acne. Crush two aspirin tablets and slowly add droplets of water to make a paste, be careful as adding excess water can make the paste runny and render it useless. Apply this paste all over your acne scars to get rid of both fresh acne and acne scarring.
  • Papaya, like tomato is rich in anti oxidants and can help to get rid of uneven skin tone, pigmentation and acne scars. Just rub a slice all over your face for 15 minutes and then let the juice stay on for another 5 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.
  • Neem leaves were used by ancient Indians in numerous skin healing and beautifying face packs. Crush a few neem leaves and apply the extracts directly on the desired area. If you can’t get hold of neem leaves, look out for neem oil that is as effective.
  • Microdermabrasion is a chemical procedure that helps to lighten acne scar. Baking soda helps in garnering almost the same result as a mild microdermabrasion session. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of water (keep an eye on the consistency and add a few more droplets of water if needs be) and stir to make a paste. Now apply this paste all over your acne scarring and scrub gently, the baking soda helps in exfoliating the upper layer of dead skin cells and reduce pigmentation.
  • Look for massage oils or lotions that are rich in Vitamin E as Vitamin E helps in lightening scars and imparting a healthy glow to the skin. Natural oils such as Almond oil, Olive oil, Cocoa Butter, flaxseed oil, etc are all rich in Vitamin E and serve as potent ingredients to lighten acne scars.
  • Mix a few drops of lemon with half a teaspoon of fresh cream and apply evenly on your acne scars. Let the paste stay on for 15 minutes and then wipe off with a cotton pad dipped in warm water.

One consideration that needs to be kept in mind is that while treating acne or acne scars naturally, you need to be patient and persistent. This is not a quick-fix procedure and it would take a few weeks before you start seeing drastic results.

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Arsenic in Food: Weighing in on the Safety of Rice

September 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Arsenic in food products

image courtesy of consumerreports.org

Less than a year after arsenic was found in apple juice,  the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Consumer Reports recently released shocking results of a study linking rice and inorganic arsenic after testing 200 rice products. Arsenic is a chemical that is naturally present in the earth, but is more well-known for its use as a pesticide.  Consumption of elevated levels of arsenic has been linked to long-term health effects.
It can be alarming to hear that a “poisonous” material is being linked to our food supply, but here are a few facts that you should know about arsenic in food:

Arsenic is naturally found in the environment

Arsenic is found naturally in the environment—the air, water, and soil.  In addition, arsenic was a commonly used pesticide until the 1970s when alternative solutions were found.  Arsenic is also used in wood products to prevent insects.  Due to its use in the agricultural setting, arsenic is still present in some ground waters and lands used for growing food.  Inorganic arsenic has long been named a carcinogen.

Arsenic is also found in drinking water

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken the stance that no exposure to arsenic is safe.  With that being said, they also acknowledge that exposure may be inevitable.  The EPA has set up a 10 part per billion (ppb) limit on arsenic in drinking water, but many foods have no limits on the amounts that can be present.

Consumers may want to start cutting down on rice consumption

Rice is still deemed safe by the FDA.  They have not made any suggestions that consumers limit their rice consumption.  The FDA did state that consumers should eat a diet with “a wide variety of grains.”   After their final study of 1,200 rice products, the FDA will make suggestions about the consumption of rice to the public.

On the contrary, Consumer Reports released their study (based on a 5 ppb arsenic “limit”) suggesting that consumers could be taking in 1.5 times more arsenic in their rice products than a whole day’s worth of drinking water.  Arsenic levels in some infant rice cereals were found to be 5 times higher than other cereal alternatives.

With this information, Consumer Reports has suggested limiting rice consumption to 2 times per week for adults and limiting infant cereal to once per day.  (To see other recommendations view the full Consumer Reports recommendations here: www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/11/arsenic-in-your-food/)

The Consumer Reports study is enough for me to being cutting down my rice consumption.  Rice is still a very healthy part of a balanced diet, but it may be best not to eat it every day.  Rice alternatives that you could add to your meals include: quinoa, millet, or couscous.

Will this news change your rice consumption?

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Stainless Steel Jewelry is a High-Style, Cost-Effective Trend in Wedding Bands

September 27, 2012 By 40 Comments

Two years ago the unimaginable happened. After a trip to the restroom, I emerged unaware that I had just lost the centerpiece of my bridal set – my solitaire. As I frantically searched the questionable floors of the public restroom, I cursed and threatened my luck. Of course, as I was cursing and threatening, I was also acutely aware that this was probably the universe’s way of giving me what I deserved.

For years I had felt regretful about the choices I made when my then-fiance and I purchased our wedding bands. I wished that I had chosen a different stone cut. I wished I had gone with white gold instead of the traditional yellow gold. I wished that I had chosen a less “suburban” setting, instead choosing something a little off the beaten path. Well, my wishes were granted in the form of a big gaping hole in the middle of my ring.

Strike One, Two and Three!

I thought I could replace it right away since we had the “lifetime guarantee” on our wedding bands. Nope! The lifetime guarantee only applied to the life span of the jewelry company where we had made our purchase. Unfortunately  they died a quick and uneventful retail death shortly after our marriage.

An insurance claim was out of the question. While my solitaire diamond was precious to me, its value was far less than our deductible. Strike two!

Strike three came in the form of the following: TV died and needed to be replaced sooner than the ring. Husband blew out the engine of our Durango and a  new engine had to be built. House payment, food costs and automobile loans needed to be paid in order to sustain a decent standard of living.

The point? Two years later I am still sans solitaire because there have been more important places to spend our money than shelling out a couple thousand dollars buying a replacement diamond.

Then the other day I had an epiphany. I realized that buying “real” wasn’t necessarily the only way to replace my wedding ring. A friend of mine, who is getting married in the spring, was browsing on her tablet the other day when she was over at my house. She showed me a selection of stainless steel men’s wedding bands that she was considering for her soon-to-be husband.

“These rings are a third of the cost of the rings that the jewelry chains are selling,” she gushed. “And, they look great!”

I questioned her about the legitimacy of wearing a ring that wasn’t a desirable material like gold or sterling silver. She told me that her fiance would prefer stainless steel to the other metals because he works with his hands all day and stainless steel is less likely to tarnish or get destroyed.

Hmmm, I thought. Maybe this could work for me?

Stainless Steel Trend Alert

Stainless steel is a hot new  trend in wedding bands. Why? Let me share with you a few thoughts.

  • Stainless steel jewelry resembles silver, but is harder. This means that it will not tarnish and is less likely to scratch or dent.
  • Jewelry made from stainless steel is also hypoallergenic. Silver, and other precious metals, often contain a type of metal called nickel. Nickel can cause allergic reactions in some people.
  • Stainless steel is affordable. You can get a look that is similar to a white gold wedding band for a fraction of the cost.  Add some sparkly cubic zirconium stones to your setting for a glamorous look that costs less.
Rebel Steel

It didn’t take long to sell me on the idea of a stainless steel replacement for my wedding band, especially when I  found this website called Rebel 316. This online retailer sells an unbelievable amount of stainless steel jewelry,  including wedding bands. And the fact that the word rebel is part of the company name makes it all the better.

I am in love, no pun intended, with this stainless steel engagement band. If I pair it up with one of their simple wedding bands the set would look spectacular. What do you think?

Check out these tennis bracelets! I think they are fabulous and I actually need one to replace the tennis bracelet my husband gave me that slipped off my wrist years ago, too. Yes, I am an irresponsible jewelry wearer. I confess!

rebel316

Who knew that there were so many beautiful pieces of jewelry that exist outside of the mall jewelry chains?  Who knew that you could find elegance beyond gold, platinum and silver? So, if you are a bride-to-be consider rebelling against the usual suspects for wedding jewelry and give stainless steel a chance to shine!

Do you own stainless steel jewelry? Tell us about your most fabulous piece!

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Virtual Trial Rooms: Online Shopping’s Biggest High

September 27, 2012 By 5 Comments

“I love online shopping at work- It’s the only place I can spend my money while I make it!!”

Virtual Trial RoomsThe marriage of internet and shopping is one of the best things that ever happened to us women. What better way to relax, than with your feet up on the sofa, your finger on your credit card and your face covered in smiles with the comfort that online shopping brings us. The hard to resist special offers and marketing adverts make sure we have a whole package of ‘must-haves’ flying our way in no time.

In spite of the awesome advantages of shopping on the net, one huge downside is the absence of trial rooms. There is always that fear factor during the delivery of an order- we’re either thrilled with the latest addition to our collection, or disappointed that it doesn’t look right, the way we thought it would. This is where virtual trial rooms come in:

Wo’Mannequin’-

Many shopping sites have a ‘Put-it-together’ corner, kind of like my daughter’s ‘Dress-your-Barbie’ game. It lets you choose a mannequin whose color and proportions best match yours. You can even pick the hair and features (and I love creating a doll image of me). Trying clothes on this online mannequin will give you a basic idea of what pieces go with what accessories and what would be your best size.

Fitting room fantasy-

Another website I came across provides an online fitting experience by taking multiple measurements like a tailor would. It uses this to build a supposed form of your body proportions so you can ‘virtually’ try on your size. But the chief problem here is, I don’t trust myself to give my actual measurements (considering I flatter myself to be trimmer than I really am). I am also quite petrified at what the form will look like (a walrus maybe?).

Keeping an eye on you-

Here’s what I found perfect… A shopping site (like zovi.com) that actually uses your own webcam to project a multidimensional image of the outfit you choose on yourself. This way I get a pretty good idea as to how a particular dress will look on me. Besides the size, I can literally appraise the cut, pattern and color giving me a wonderful trial room experience in the comfort of my home. An additional plus point is the ability to take pictures on my webcam so I can instantly get a friend’s opinion. I can also experiment with a wide variety of accessories and shoes so I get a complete picture of my purchase.

This new fad in online shopping is sure to transform every lovely lady into a fierce fashionista! So what do you think girl?

Virtual Dressing Trial Rooms

Image courtesy of My Virtual Model

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You Know Your House is Dirty When . . .

September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

10 Signs You Know It’s Time to Clean Your House

House clean upWhen fall approaches the crisp weather and bright sunny days beckon you to abandon the indoors to play in the sunshine. Taking advantage of the beautiful weather makes sense because winter’s bone-chilling temperatures are not that far away forcing us to become winter hermits. But when we abandon our homes for outside adventures, we typically abandon our housekeeping duties as well.

We are going to play a little game today. This game is called You Know Your House is Dirty When. Come on! Do not deny that you have never let life get so crazy that your home hasn’t turned into a disaster that needs immediate attention. It happens to all of us. Honestly, I should be cleaning right now. Instead, I am going to procrastinate and play this little game. Here we go! Have you noticed any of these top 10 indicators that you need to clean your house?

1. You know your house is dirty when . . . You turn off your ceiling fan and discover a four-inch layer of dust on the blades.

2. You know your house is dirty when . . . The walls are beginning to form a formidable dust bunny army.

3. You know your house is dirty when . . . You have to run the vacuum in the same room 3 times and empty the canister just as many times before your carpet begins to resemble something decent.

4. You know your house is dirty when . . . You discover your kitchen tile is not actually a dingy shade of gray, but really a sparkling white. Who knew?

5. You know your house is dirty when . . . Your dog refuses to eat off the floor.

6. You know your house is dirty when . . . Your neighbor actually accepts your apology for a dirty house. They aren’t even going to pretend to not notice and play nice. They deserve that apology.

7. You know your house is dirty when . . . You have more fruit flies than fruit.

8. You know your house is dirty when . . . your shower becomes a receptacle for used razors, tiny soap remnants and empty shampoo bottles from months ago.

9.You know your house is dirty when . . . Your kitchen counter is not longer visible beneath week old school papers, last week’s dishes and other unexplainable items that no longer resemble products known to man.

10. You know your house is dirty when . . . Your teenager begins to suggest a family cleaning night.

Have you been so busy that you have neglected your home? How do you know when it is time for major cleaning attack?

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