Vegetarian Practice

There are many types of vegetarian diets. The two most common are lacto-ovo, which includes eggs and milk products, but not meat, and vegan, which doesn't include any form of animal products. Teens who are lacto-ovo vegetarians can usually get enough nutrients if their diets are carefully planned. Vegan vegetarians have greater risk of not getting enough of several nutrients, especially vitamins D and B-12, calcium, iron, zinc, and perhaps other trace elements. These vitamins and minerals are needed for proper growth. To be healthful, vegetarian diets need to be carefully planned.

If it is important to you to be a vegetarian, it is easier to have good nutrition with the lacto-ovo form. Vegetarians who eat no animal products need to be especially careful about getting nutrients in other ways. A nutritionist can help you plan a vegetarian diet that provides you with the nutrients you need for growth and development during your teen years. Here are some non-animal sources of nutrients that many vegans may not get enough of:

• Vitamin B12 – fortified soy beverages and cereals, brewer’s yeast, seaweed
• Vitamin D – fortified soy beverages and sunshine (vitamin D is made in your skin with help of sun)
• Calcium – tofu (if made with calcium sulfate), soy-based beverage with added calcium, breakfast cereal with added calcium, fruit juice with added calcium, dark-green leafy vegetables such as collards and turnip greens (keep in mind that veggies are not as good a source as milk – you will have to eat much more veggies than you would have to drink milk to get enough calcium)
• Iron – ready-to-eat cereals with added iron, spinach, cooked dry beans (such as kidney beans and pinto beans), peas (such as black-eyed peas), and lentils, enriched and whole grain breads
• Zinc – whole grains (especially the germ and bran), whole-wheat bread, legumes, nuts, and tofu
• Protein – tofu and other soy-based products, legumes, seeds, nuts, and grains.

Learn more about the vitamins and minerals you need.

For people who follow vegetarian diets, the American Dietetic Association has these tips:

• Talk to a registered dietitian or other qualified nutrition professional, especially during the teen years or if you are recovering from an illness.
• Limit sweets and fatty foods.
• Choose whole or enriched breads, cereals, pasta, and rice.
• Choose a variety of nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, including good sources of vitamin C (such as grapefruit) to help you absorb iron.
• Choose low-fat or nonfat dairy products, if they are included in the diet.
• Make sure you get enough calories, which will help you get enough vitamins D, calcium, iron, and zinc.
• Vegans need properly fortified food sources of vitamin B12, such as fortified soy beverages or cereals, or supplements.

Dealing with Conflict

Step 1. Cool off! Being out of control will keep you from solving the problem.

• Count down backwards from 10.
• Close your eyes and take deep breaths.
• Think of a peaceful place or something that makes you happy.
• Slowly say over and over to yourself, "Take it easy."

Step 2. Keep it real! Figure out what’s really bothering you.

• Do you not agree?
• Did someone say or do something that made you mad or hurt your feelings?
• Are you feeling the way you do now because of something else that upset you in the past?
• Is this a one-time problem or one that keeps happening?

Step 3. Deal with the issue.

• Find a time when you can talk in private.
• Keep your voice calm and your body relaxed. Make eye contact to show you are serious.
• Say exactly what is bothering you. Share how you feel by using sentences that start with “I.” Don’t blame or accuse the other person. Check out the following examples and then practice changing "you" statements to "I" statements.
  
  Instead of:
  
  

  “You never want to hang out with me anymore.”

  Try:

  “I feel left out when you hang out with Tracy’s friends.”

  Instead of:

  “You always pick on me in class.”

  Try:

  “I feel singled out when you call on me more than other students.”

  Instead of:

  “You’re so bossy.”

  Try:

  “I feel upset when you don’t listen to what I think.”

• Keep the conflict between you and only the others involved. Don’t ask friends to take sides.

Step 4. Listen. The other person might see the problem in a different way. You may each have a different point of view, but neither of you is wrong. Make sure to listen to his or her side of the story.

• Make eye contact. This shows you are interested in what the other person is saying and willing to solve the problem.
• Listen for what is behind the words—like feelings and ideas.
• Keep emotions in check. Don’t interrupt, get angry, judge, or be defensive.
• Try putting yourself in the other person’s shoes to see where he or she is coming from.

Step 5. Work it out. Talk about ways to settle the conflict that will meet both of your needs. Be willing to change and keep an open mind. Be willing to say you’re sorry, forgive, and move on.

Spotting Suicide-Prone Teenagers

It is estimated that anually 7,000 teenagers kill themselves, one million think about it, and 400,000 attempts are made. The magnitude of this problem demands that people know and understand the warning signs of suicide. What once was confined to discussion in hushed tones has become the focus of network news programs and other television broadcasts. It is important that parents and friends make an effort to talk candidly about the issues surrounding suicide. I f you have noticed suicidal tendencies you should not hesitate to discuss this with the adolescent in question. Some may hesitate to become involved in such serious discussion because they fear it will lead a teenager to suicide, but this is not so. troubled teens need to know that someone is willing to listen to their feelings, and to discuss candidly uncertainties about their world and their role in it.
Here are the lists of common tendencies that may signal that an adolescent is considering suicide.

1. a noticeable change in eating and sleeping habits.
2. persistent boredom.
3. withdrawal from friends and family; group activities.
4. decline in the quality of school work.
5. violent or rebellious behavior.
6. running away.
7. unusual neglect of personal appearance.
8. drug or alcohol abuse.
9. difficulty in concentrating on tasks or personal responsibilities.
10. radical personality change.
11. psychosomatic complaints, such as persistent pains and aches, fictitious or contrived physical or mental disabilities.
12. dispensing of personal or favorite possessions, as if making "final arrangements."
13. verbal hints, such as "it's no use," "nothing matters," or" I won't be a problem to you much longer."

If there is any reason to believe that a teenager you know is contempleting suicide, you should help the teenager directly if she or he has confidence in your friendship, or help him or her in seeking professional help from a child psychiatrist, a hotline for troubled teens or a referral from a local hospital.

Taking care of your smile

1. Before we begin, there are two essentials to keep in mind about brushing:
2. First: each tooth has five distinct sides; a toothbrush cleans only 3 of those 5 sides. The other two sides are where much of the destruction and disease (not to mention foul odours) originate: the inbetween areas. These remaining two sides require dental floss or tiny interdental brushes that can reach in between and under the contact points of the teeth. Gum disease is linked to life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and premature low birth weight babies.
3. Second: It's not the toothpaste that "cleans" your teeth -- it's the mechanical action of the bristles in physical contact with the tooth surface that removes plaque (a living biofilm teeming with microorganisms that cause disease). You can do a magnificent job brushing your teeth using a dry brush and rinsing with water (although your teeth will not have the benefit of fluoride). So spend time moving the bristles - at and below the gumline - where it is most important to clean. You will have a better idea of what you're doing if you use a dry bristle brush. A minimum of two minutes with the brush is needed for effective cleaning. The toothpaste can go on after those two minutes, and you can have the advantage of fluoride, whitening, stain removal or whatever work better for you because it's applied to a nice clean surface.
4. NOW - on to the particulars:
5. Be sure your toothbrush has soft bristles (the package will tell you if they're soft). Remember that you'll need a new toothbrush every 3 months. Some toothbrushes come with bristles that change color when it's time to replace them. Don't worry about those whiz-bang toothbrushes -- cheap works just fine, as long as the bristles are soft.
6. Buy toothpaste that contains fluoride, which makes your teeth strong and protects them from cavities.
7. Understand that when you brush, you don't need a lot of toothpaste; just squeeze out a bit the size of a pea.
8. Brush at least twice a day: in the morning, after breakfast, you will tend to be in a hurry, so do a THOROUGH job in the evening, taking the time to use floss and interdental brushes for those important between-the-teeth areas. This comprehensive cleaning has to be done at least once in a 24 hour period to prevent future problems with gum disease. It is best to do this before you go to bed because your mouth does not have the same salivary protection when you are sleeping as it does during the day.
9. If you can, brush after lunch. Brushing during the day will reduce the damage caused by plaque byproducts and toxins.
10. Brush all of your teeth, and ALL SIDES of your teeth - - not just the front ones that show when you smile! Spend extra time on the back teeth along the gum line holding the bristles at a 45 degree angle pointing toward the gums.
11. Learn how to floss your teeth, which is the ONLY way to clean those all-important 'OTHER' 2 sides of the teeth, and the only way to assure yourself that you are doing what is necessary to prevent gum disease. Did you KNOW??? Flossing actually EXTENDS your life expectancy. Go to RealAge.com link title for more information. The reason for this is the strong connection between gum disease and other life-threatening illnesses. So by flossing, you are not only protecting your gums and teeth and preventing tooth loss, you are making a very important investment in your overall SYSTEMIC Health. It's all about quality of life! and you are worth the investment!
12. Find a fluoride mouthwash. A fluoride mouthwash is an excellent idea as it further helps to strengthen tooth enamel. Teach children between the age of 6 and 12 good rinsing skills to prevent swallowing. Rinse with the rinse once a day after brushing and do not eat or drink for 30 minutes
13. Use a tongue scraper! A tongue scraper is an important part of oral hygiene that will also work wonders with stale, smelly breath. Use it to remove the plaque on your tongue, which will freshen breath and presumably slow down the accumulation of plaque on your teeth. You should also use your toothbrush to clean your tongue - then follow with the scraper.
14. Use mouth wash. Follow directions on bottle.
15. Be careful about what you eat and drink. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which then excrete substances that break down tooth enamel. Eat lots of vegetables, and drink water instead of soda or juice.
16. Visit the dentist twice a year and have a professional cleaning with a Registered Dental Hygienist. Be an "informed health care consumer" and pay attention to what is going on. Ask your dental hygienist what your probings are at each visit! (They should be between 1 mm and 3 mm deep.)
17. Most important: In addition to checking for signs of cavities or gum disease, the dentist and dental hygienist can give you feedback about how effective your plaque removal at home is, and more importantly help you learn the best way to brush and floss. You need to know how to prevent problems by having your skills evaluated. If you are not effective with flossing and brushing technique, you are only wasting your time while leaving the door open for infection and disease. How many times a day you brush & floss, or how long you spend brushing are all SECONDARY to your degree of skill using them. It all boils down to whether or not you can effectively reach and remove the adherent biofilm surrounding every one of your teeth, at and below the gumline. Ask your dental hygienist to watch your technique and work with you! That's what we're there for!

Curing Fever

How to Cure Fever

1. How to Cure Fever by taking ginger ale - Drink lots and lots of fluids. First drink water and stick with it. If you feel good, try some Ginger Ale. This really feels cool and calming on your throat.

2. How to Cure Fever with icepack - Put an icepack on your forehead. This also cools you down momentarily. Or, soak a washcloth in a bowl of cool water. Then bring it out and place it on your temple. This will help your body to lower its hotness, thus reducing the fever quicker.

3. Stay away from TV and other high-contrast screens. They lead to headaches that is the last thing you need when you have a fever.

4. Dress in comfortable clothes. Now is no time to be a style diva. Drag out your rattiest, most at ease nightgown or pajamas and robe. Put on some socks.

5. Just unwind and stay cool by drinking plenty of fluids.

6. How to Cure Fever with popsicle - Get a bowl of ice cream or a Popsicle. This will take your temperature down. Don’t be anxious about your diet; calories inspired while you are sick don’t count. Your body is on fire a ton of calories having a fever! if possible you have someone else at home who can get this for you. If you have chills, you may want hot chocolate.

7. How to Cure Fever with electric massager - Get someone to rub down your head, neck and back. If you can get them to do your arms, legs, hands and fingers it will feel really good, too. If you don’t have somebody to rub you then just use an electric massager.

Vacuum Cleaning

VACUUM CLEANING TIPS

PURPOSE:
To provide clean, long-lasting and attractive carpeted areas.

PROCEDURE
1. Prepare Area.Take carpet vacuum equipment to the work site.
   Place a "Caution" sign in a prominent location.
   
2. Set up equipment.
   Plug in machine and place in a central location. Be sure equipment has a three prong plug. To move tank type equipment short distances, pull by the hose. To move longer distance, rewind cord and push the vacuum itself. Take care not to bump walls or furniture. Vacuum carpet. Generally use a push-pull stroke about 3' long. Vacuum so that the nap of the carpet is laid by the pull stroke. Overlap strokes slightly until area is covered. Use the accessory tools for hard-to-get-spots. Move furniture and equipment as little as possible. Do not over clean. Usually two strokes per pass are sufficient. Watch cord carefully as it can present a safety hazard. Work away from the wall with the cord plug outlet to help avoid being tangled in cords.
   
3. When finished:
   Remove the "Caution" sign. Return vacuum equipment to the storage area. Check to make sure that the filter bags are not full. If they are full, empty the bag or replace it with a new disposable bag. Also check for worn brushes or brush strips and replace immediately.
   
4. Clean up
   Wipe the vacuum unit and cord clean of any loose dust or soil.
   

REQUIRED SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT
Upright type vacuum or vacuum with hose, wand, carpet cleaning tool and dusting brush, "Caution" sign

Wash your hands often

Wash Hands Often

Handwashing Simple handwashing is one of the easiest and most effective methods of preventing the spread of infection. When we forget to wash our hands, or don't wash our hands correctly, we can spread these germs to other people. Washing your hands correctly and frequently is the first step toward staying healthy and can help us avoid spreading and receiving germs.
How? How you wash your hands is just as important as when you wash them, especially when it comes to eliminating germs. Just rinsing hands quickly is not enough. Follow these steps when you wash your hands
WET your hands with warm water. APPLY plenty of SOAP. SCRUB your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Wash the front and back of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails. Scrubbing your hands together loosens germs and dirt and allows them to be washed away. RINSE your hands. DRY your hands with a paper towel. TURN OFF THE WATER with a paper towel.
Plain soap and water are best! You do not need to use antibacterial soaps, regular soap and water will kill up to 99.9% of common germs on your hands. If you do not have soap and water available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
When? Before, during, and after you prepare food -- especially raw meat, poultry, seafood products, eggs, and fresh produce Before you eat Before and after changing a baby's diaper After you use the bathroom After handling animals or animal waste After sneezing, coughing, or using a handkerchief or tissue After touching any part of the body After handling garbage or trash Whenever your hands are dirty

Tips on Saving Money

• Save Money Tip 1
• Spend Less. This is not over simplifying the best way to save money! It is essential if you are serious about being a long term money saver. Review what you spend and look at ways you can save money. Consider making telephone calls for instance only at off-peak times. Do you really need to have newspapers and magazines delivered? Can you do without those coffees you buy at break time everyday - would a flask of coffee taken to work save you money? What about using the public lending library instead of buying books or music CDs? Once you start looking for ways to spend less you will quickly become an expert and really save money.
  
  
• Save Money Tip 2
• Establish a personal budget. This is essential for families and individuals. You will not be able to save money unless you know how much money you have coming in, and how much money you have going out. Once you have prepared a budget of incoming money and outgoing money, you will be able to identify areas where you can save. It is MUCH more difficult to save money over a long period of time (the rest of your life?) without a budget.
  
  
• Save Money Tip 3
• Bulk is good. Think about shopping and buying in bulk. You can also save money by cooking in bulk. This is a real way you can save money with little preparation and almost no extra outlay. Always purchase generics when you can. Prepared foods and convenience foods will always be much more expensive than the generic ingredients needed to make the food. Preparing food in bulk and in advance also gives you the opportunity to plan ahead and be more accurate in your budget. Save Money by buying in bulk whenever you can. One thing to be aware of when buying in bulk is to be sure that any product you buy will get used before it goes bad - you won't save money if you have to throw stuff away. Buying in bulk is not only a good way to save money it is also a good strategy for coping with and surviving emergencies.
  
  
• Save Money Tip 4
• Make sure a sale is a sale. By this I mean do your price research before you commit to making an expensive purchase in a retailers money-off sale. You have to be sure the sale really is a sale and not a creative marketing strategy of the store to encourage you to spend your money without thinking. Once you have researched the true price of a product (any product) you are in a good position to take advantage of a sale, special offer or discount and really save money. "Buy one get one free", "50% off", and "Huge Discount" will only help you save money if the actual price you pay is lower than you would pay somewhere else for exactly the same product.
  
  
• Save Money Tip 5
• Buy used. Sure, we all like to buy new. But there are huge money savings to be made in buying used. Typically cars lose one-third of their value in the first 24 months from new. Why not buy a car 24 months old? Other items such as clothes can be worth even less just the day after new. Look for ways to buy "as good as new" items and save money. Typical products you might consider buying used to save money include: cars, clothes, electrical goods, garden items... tools and sheds, household items... pots and pans, the list of used goods where you can save money is endless.
  
  
• Save Money Tip 6
• Don't carry excessive debt. Some debt in our lives may be essential. We may need a mortgage to purchase a home, we may need to use our credit card to make purchases until pay-day, but your aim to save money should be to have as little debt as possible. Credit Card deb is typically the most expensive debt we may carry. You will be able to save money every month if you make it an absolute rule to pay off your outstanding balance every month. If you can have the discipline to do this you will save money by effectively having no debt, and thus no interest charge on your credit card(s).
  
  
• Save Money Tip 7
• Save Money. No, I mean really save some money. Each week or each month get into the habit of putting an amount, however small into your savings. You could start by saving a very small fixed amount each time and then move to putting in larger amounts once you begin to save money from your other money saving strategies. You will find that by saving money on a regular basis you will quickly build up a store of reserve money and also feel motivated to save more. The hardest part is to take the first step and start saving money - so START TODAY and save some money NOW! If you find it impossible to save money once you have it, consider having money deducted from your paycheck direct each month. This can be a great way to save money rapidly as once it is set up you will not notice it is being collected and your savings will grow with no more effort from you.
  
  
• Save Money Tip 8
• Shop Wisely. Consider markets, superstores, farmer's markets, local shops, marts and stores. Anywhere is worth checking out to see if you can save money. Farmer's Markets can be particularly good places to save money. Typically you are buying direct from the producer of the product so the savings are passed on to you. Use your bulk buying strategy here - farmer's markets often offer opportunities to save money by buying larger quantities of staples, for instance potatoes, rice or corn. Save money and shop wisely.
  
  
• Save Money Tip 9
• Eat in rather than out. This is a huge area where you can save money. A cup of coffee taken out could easily cost you TWENTY times (or more) what it would cost you to make it at home. So think before you drink when you are out. Eating is the same. Fast food restaurants are counting on you eating food that you perhaps don't really need at that time but buy just because it is quick. Why not wait until you get home and have a more nutritious meal and save money at the same time.
  
  
• Save Money Tip 10
• Use less. This money saving tip is a lesson we all need to learn. We live in a consumer society where waste is a huge problem. If we could all use and consume less there would be less waste, less power consumption, and the benefits for you are SAVING MONEY. Consider using less shampoo when you wash your hair, this may not mean washing your hair less effectively it means not flushing the excess shampoo and your money down the drain. What about saving on heating? Turn the thermostat down or put on extra clothes when you are cold. Turn off lights, the TV and the computer when they are not in use. Each little saving you make will build up and enable you to save money. Huge savings in energy can be made which will save you money and be good for our planet and the other people on it.