Got Allergies? 5 Practical Cures By Paula Owen

Republished by Asep Setiabudi

Allergies arise when you come in contact with a foreign substance that sets off a reaction from your body. Inhalant allergies, which we experience when we breathe in irritants, cause your nose to get congested. You'll start to sneeze. Your eyes may also get itchy and you can develop a cough.

The four most common airborne allergens are dust, pollen, pet dander (dead skin cells shed by animals) and mold. If your home is clean, there are fewer chances of you encountering these substances. But since your home isn't hermetically sealed and you go to many places, there are times when these substances find their way to you. If you're allergic to any of them, then you're in trouble.

To help you fight your allergies, here are some of the practical moves you can make to deal with them:

1. See your doctor.

This would be the most logical move to make -- but so many people put off going to the doctor unless the ailment is "serious." However, if you don't want to suffer anymore, take note of your symptoms and record all the details about your allergic reaction. Share all the useful information to your doctor to help him or her determine the cause of your allergic reactions. He or she will then prescribe you with the necessary antihistamines. Make sure that you always have a ready supply of the prescribed medication.

2. Invest in air conditioners.

This will help alleviate pollen, mold and dust. Air conditioners keep the humidity level low, which prevents the development of molds, the accumulation of dust and the transfer of pollen. You should also make sure that your car's air conditioning is working well.

3. Wear a face mask.

To prevent allergic attacks, make sure that you wear a face mask whenever you're doing anything that will expose you to allergens. It's advisable for you to wear it when you're doing chores or when you're going to be outdoors for hours.

4. Disinfect dark and damp areas.

Make sure that ever corner of your home is clean. Pay attention to inaccessible corners and areas where moisture easily develops such as the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry area. Your garage and your basement should also be kept uncluttered and clean. If you have carpets, you should replace them with throw rugs, which are easier to clean.

5. Isolate your pets.

If you can't stay away from your pets, make sure that they're restricted to certain areas of your house. They should not be allowed to wander around everywhere so that you can easily seek refuge in the uncontaminated areas each time you feel your allergies acting up.

Conversations With a Six-Year-Old - And What We Can Learn About Ourselves By Steve Wickham

Republished by Asep Setiabudi

EXPERIENCE is a wonderfully rich thing; not in the moment always, but as we reflect, the significance simply overwhelms. Seated at a table at a wedding as an impromptu guest recently, my neighbour was one delightful young man with the propriety of an adult. Trying not to look too conspicuous I engaged him in dialogue, and after introduction, I asked him questions ranging from naming pleasantries to what he enjoyed doing.

I marvelled later regarding what my conversation with young Sam--his nearby parents of which I know--revealed about myself through his eyes and I felt as if I was talking almost with myself; certainly a glimpse of the inner "me."

Asking his age, he indicated he was turning seven. I was curious to know if that would make him a 'lot bigger,' thinking how significant my own memories of passing birthdays were at that sort of age. With a short pause he simply answered matter-of-factly with poise and politeness: "No, I'll just be a little bigger."

When we got onto the subject of counting, he proudly declared he was no longer allowed to count with his fingers; he can count to "nine thousand and ninety nine" you know! And then he set about demonstrating... but his favourite pastime was 'playing cars' at Recess and Lunch at school with his friends. Showing his growing aplomb with physics he described the hazards of inclines, slopes and the various terrains his cars must negotiate as he plays with them.

As we ate and talked, it was clear that this little guy was really socially conscious and recognising this forced me to adjust to his sensitivities. I had to respect this little guy. I think this is what struck me most. He was guarded but in a way wise beyond his few years; the eldest of three, a defender and explainer of his younger two siblings--which is not atypical of an eldest child.

During the remainder of the event, my interactions with young Sam built upon the initial rapport we'd developed. Like with all our relationships we're loath to threaten the trust developed, and even more so with ever-trusting children. Our minds skip fancifully to some of the darker things adults have done with or to children, harming our precious future.

What I learned most of all during this cherishable quarter hour was just how much thought needed to go into the interaction as we wove through each other's psyches, building rapport.

We can learn so much about ourselves through chatting with children, for we're but kids ourselves. We never fully reconcile our pasts I find; we're always mystified by them, and quite possibly both from positive and negative viewpoints.

Getting to know, appreciate, and most of all accept the inner child within is probably the greatest freedom we can bestow on ourselves and others we relate with.

© 2010 S. J. Wickham.

Gold Mine- Benete-Sumbawa

Protecting Our Children - Child Identification Programs By Robert Melillo Platinum Quality Author

Have you heard these frightening statistics?
· Every day the FBI receives reports of 2000 missing children.
· The chance of a child becoming missing is 1 in 42.
· Every 40 seconds a child goes missing.
This is why the importance of a Child Identifications Program cannot be stressed enough. Being able to move quickly and provide accurate information is the saving grace when a child is reported missing. This information can be expelled electronically within seconds to law enforcement agencies who will act immediately in getting the word out.
Many schools and daycares provide this type of program when school pictures are taken to enable the process. A current photo, fingerprints, and physical description is the basis for child identification cards. Providing a program for child identification is easy to set up and maintain. A simple computer program allows the user to electronically fingerprint and enter the pertinent information about the child, including emergency contact information, address, and any medical conditions in addition to the physical descriptions.
The child id program provides the parent with two wallet sized ID cards, a file sized ID, and a CD ROM containing all the same information in a digital format. The program is operated through a private business that is responsible for obtaining a child's information, typically coordinated through a school. Many times parent-teacher organizations or local businesses will sponsor the child identification program in order to cover the costs involved and ensure that each child has an ID.
When local schools are unable to provide the child identification program, the parent can also order one individually. The programs are simple to use and do not require technical computer skills. Most law enforcement agencies recommend the annual update of a child ID, and prefer that all 10 fingers are printed, as opposed to simply one finger.
A child identification program is an important tool in protecting children today. The threats against young people are on the rise, and with the aforementioned statistics, it should sway any parent to provide this invaluable information. While many will never experience the anguish of a missing child, having an ID card will provide a faster way to communicate, especially when such a stressful situation is also bound to create confusion.

How to Save on Your Energy Bill By Lisa Marie Brown Platinum Quality Author

With energy costs expected to skyrocket this winter, many homeowners are wondering how to save money on their electric bill this year. In the end, you've got to be a little more innovative when it comes to real savings. Here are a few tips to help you save on your energy bill this year:

1. Lower your thermostat. Every degree above 70 increases your cost by 7 percent to 10 percent.
2. Check your filters. Dirty filters may increase your costs by up to 20 percent and could also damage the heating and cooling system.
3. Vent air from your radiator. Venting the air from your radiator makes them more efficient. The key on the end of the radiator costs less than $1.
4. Install a programmable thermostat. Program it to be lower while everyone is at work
5. Clean the coils that cool your refrigerator. This will help your refrigerator cool more efficiently.
6. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater. The hot water heater should be between 115 and 120 degrees.
7. Replace the shower head with a low-flow shower head. This will cut down on your natural gas bills, because your water heater will not have to work as hard.
8. Wash in cold water. The cost comparison here is a no brainer: it costs about 38 cents to wash a load of clothes in hot water. It costs about 1.5 cents to wash it in cold.
9. Use your dishwasher. Dishwashers use approximately 15 gallons of hot water. Washing by hand could use as much as 20 gallons.
10. Fill your motorized appliances to capacity. Air conditioning units, freezers, washers and dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers operate most efficiently when they're operating at full capacity. When they're not working at full capacity they pull more energy than they use.

Even using just a few of these tips should save you dollars and cents off of your next energy bill. Using good common sense, like investing in compact fluorescent light bulbs and turning off the lights when you leave the room, should further reduce your bill and add to your savings.

Lisa Brown is a Sales and Marketing Associate for Almost Home USA, a corporate housing company whose goal is to provide such excellent experiences that clients feel almost home.