If you have products containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol, be sure to keep them away from your dog. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has issued a warning against Xylitol, found in many common food and household products. Dogs who ingest even a small amount of this sweetener may see a sudden drop in blood sugar, loss of coordination and finally seizures.

The APCC saw 170 cases in 2005 involving Xylitol, with 114 cases already having occurred in 2006. Some products that may contain Xylitol are sugar-free gums, hard candies, gum drops, toothpastes and mouthwashes. If you are a dog owner, look at the labels of all your artificially sweetened products. If they contain Xylitol, keep them out of reach of your dog.

The American Cancer Society has reported that eating a healthy diet and getting more exercise can help to prevent cancer. Here are some of their guidelines in eating well to reduce your cancer risk:

Is your AOL hanging on “Initializing Modem?” Then your phone lines are probably old enough that they cannot use the latest versions of American Online. But out of great frustration and plenty of tech calls, I have figured out how to get around the problem.

Uninstall your AOL software. Now, put the AOL cd in your computer. If it asks to install the software automatically, tell it no and close out the window.

Look for the icon on your desktop that says “My Computer,” or click on Start, Settings, Accessories and Windows Explorer. Double click on your CD-Drive, usually “D” but not always. If the AOL install program starts every time you click on your drive, then RIGHT CLICK the drive one time and then click “Explore.”

On the top menu, click on Tools, then Folder Options, then View. Click “Show Hidden Files or Folders” and say OK.

Once you have asked to look at all the hidden folders, you will see AOL’s special secret – many of the newer CD versions have the older versions hidden on them! Simply click on an older version of America Online and install it. The version 7.0 should work much better with your modem and will stop America Online from hanging on “Initializing Modem.”

A surprising new study has linked cola to osteoporosis in women. Findings indicated the type of cola did not matter, whether it was diet or regular. Other fizzing sodas did not have the same reaction in women as cola did. Scientists think the cause might be from the phosphoric acid found in cola. It seems the phosphoric acid can cause the body to excrete calcium from the body.

Women, talk to your doctor about your risk for osteoporosis. And to help prevent it, be sure to get plenty of calcium, exercise, and yes – avoid cola drinks!

Having trouble coming up with new, healthy ideas for your child’s lunch? Is your son or daughter eating the dessert and skipping the carrots? How about serving up some Kid Sushi!

This is especially fun for younger children who enjoy the novelty of "sushi" in their lunches. Take a piece of bread and flatten it out a bit. Put on anything that your child enjoys that would wrap well – cheese, peanut butter, tuna, ham, pimento spread, shaved carrots – whatever sounds fun and healthy. Now, roll the bread along the longest edge and pinch it so it won’t unroll. Take a serrated knife and cut off pieces to resemble sushi. Pack two blunt wooden chopsticks to make the lunch even more unique!

Wanna learn a neat trick? Stand close to a wall and extend your right arm out far enough to touch the wall with your fingertips. Now, rub the inside of your right arm quickly for at least ten seconds. Extend your arm out again and voila! Your arm shrunk! How does this happen? We have no clue - but it's pretty cool!

Do you need to remove a wallpaper border but you just can't face the task? We have a homemade solution that is so easy you won't believe it. Simply mix 3/4 cup water with 1/4 cup white vinegar and put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray the border until it is wet and let it sit a few minutes. This mixture will allow the wallpaper border to actually slide right off the wall. You can use vinegar and water to remove wallpaper from entire walls by increasing the amount of solution you make.

What happens to the wax when you burn a candle? Where does it go? Up in smoke! When a candle is lit, the fire burns the hard wax and melts it. Then the heat vaporizes the melted wax, sending it up in the smoke.

Long drives can be difficult – especially if you have children or are traveling at the end of the day. The next time you find yourself feeling drowsy while driving, stop and get yourself a bag of sunflower seeds. As simple as it sounds, sunflower seeds require enough individual attention that they can help you to stay focused and alert while you drive.

Now a wonderful excuse to drink hot cocoa during the cold winter months. Research has shown that the antioxidants in cocoa are twice as strong as those found in red wine and green tea. And at only 100 calories per cup, a steaming cup of cocoa is a good choice for a yummy afternoon treat.

The next time you grill kabobs, add some extra flavor to your seafood or meat. Cut a few branches of rosemary and rinse them thoroughly. Pinch the top of the branch and pull it downward, stripping off the rosemary pieces. You can leave a few rosemary pieces on each end for a nice look to your final meal. Now, use the cleaned branches for your skewers! This gives your grilled food a unique and delicious flavor that won't overwhelm the overall taste. The rosemary branches will also add a beautiful look to your kabobs.

My 9 year old had his first crush – a little blonde girl named Melody. One day in the car, he excitedly told me that he knew what he wanted to be in his life – a farmer! And that it would work out perfectly, because Melody wanted to be a Pharmacist!

Does your newborn seem to cry constantly? Has your pediatrician told you that your baby just has “colic” and will grow out of it? If so, it is time to pursue your baby’s tears further, possibly with a pediatric gastroenterologist. Your baby might be suffering from reflux.

Reflux occurs when the sphincter, or muscle that keeps food in the stomach, is weak. Stomach contents seep into the esophagus, causing what adults know as heartburn. Unfortunately, all too many reflux babies are diagnosed with colic. With many infants, refluxing corrects itself as the baby’s stomach muscles strengthen, so it appears they are just “growing out of colic.” But in the meantime, both Mom, Dad and baby have had far too many sleepless nights and needless pain.

Some symptoms of reflux include crying, screaming, choking, spitting up, kicking, straining and constipation. Doctors can diagnose reflux by giving your baby barium through a bottle and watching the stomach by x-ray to see if the contents leak into the esophagus. Treatment for mild reflux is usually one or two medications, giving your baby much needed relief.

For constant crying, you may also look into your baby being intolerant to dairy. For more information on reflux and dairy intolerance and allergies, go to http://www.babyandkidallergies.com.

Here is something you probably won’t hear on the street. A radiologist from a local children's hospital told us this. Did you know that skittles are one of the only foods that show up clearly on an x-ray? Not very useful information, but certainly interesting – and we are sure they see quite a lot of skittles!

Are you sick of all those annoying solicitation calls right in the middle of dinner? Here is a tip to get off of their list. A bit morbid perhaps, but it works. The next time you get a sales call, tell them you are deceased. Simple as that. “I’m sorry, John Smith is deceased,” and then hang up. Companies (and charitable organizations) do not want to waste their money calling houses that won’t make them money. The minute an organization finds the name is deceased, they will mark the name in their database as a “do not call – deceased.” Have some fun with it and sound REALLY sad!

It has been reported that pre-school aged children are beginning to develop more dental problems than ever seen in the past. It is important to make brushing and flossing a routine, even early in life. Our dentist gave me a flossing tip that is very simple and makes things incredibly easy. When you are ready to floss your child’s top teeth, stand behind your child and have him or her tilt the head back. This gives you a clear path to those top back molars, making flossing a breeze. This simple tip has saved me a lot of time and makes flossing more “productive.”

When the holidays approach, children will often start to think about themselves. “I want this and that and that….” With commercialism so widespread, it is no wonder their minds are filled with visions of toy stores and presents.

This year, start a tradition that will go down in neighborhood history. We began this several years ago, and have still been able to stay anonymous – the best part of the whole process.

A day or two before Christmas, make several pies or plates of cookies. We always choose a “no-bake” pie that can be easily made in one batch, such as lemonade pie or no bake cheesecake. With things being so busy, we even use pre-made pie shells, which still taste delicious. Wrap with pretty plastic wrap and tie a bow around it. Now comes the fun part. When it gets dark on Christmas Eve, send each child out in “stealth mode” to a neighbor’s house. Tell them to sneak up to the porch and lay the pie down where the neighbor will see it in the morning.

I have one child that is absolutely hysterical to watch. He always picks the hardest house – the one directly across from us. They have several families in and out of the front door all night long, and do not have an easy path to hide on. It took my son 30 minutes to slowly sneak around the side of the porch, up over the porch and over toward the door. My other children and I were in tears, laughing as we watched Michael in his best of stealth modes deliver the pie.

In the morning, your neighbors will find a wonderful surprise on their doorstep. They won’t know who it is from, and believe me, it will make some of them crazy! So use our tactic - the next time you see them after Christmas, blurt out, “Did you get a pie too!!? Who do you think did it!?” My elderly neighbor can hardly stand it – not knowing who sneaks the pies every year. I just play along and walk away smiling. These pies teach my children something very important.. giving is best, and giving anonymously is even better.

Christmas ornaments, Hanukah gifts and birthday party activities – there is nothing better for this than salt dough decorations. We have salt dough Christmas Ornaments from years gone by, all handmade and each one precious.

Preheat your oven to 240 degrees. Mix together 1 cup of salt, 2 cups of all purpose flour and one cup of water. Place dough on a floured counter and kneed until it is smooth and stretchy. If it is sticky, add a bit more flour until you get the correct consistency. Do not add too much flour or your decorations will crack.

Roll your dough about ¼ inch to ½ inch thick. Cut out your decorations with cookie cutters, or hand mold creations – keeping them within the same thickness. Use a toothpick to draw faces, lines or other decorations. If you plan to hang these, use the toothpick to make the hole before it is baked.

Bake the salt dough items for 2 to 2 ½ hours. You should take them out just as the sides are beginning to brown. Once cooled, these can be painted with acrylic paint. Be sure your children know these are not cookies. They won’t hurt them, but they sure will taste yucky!

My coworker told me she cashed in her yearly change jar yesterday, and was excited to announce she had saved $475. WOW! She has a special jar that she throws all her loose change in. In less than a year, she had already made that much.

I am starting my own change jar with my children. We will plan on what we will spend the money on and save the coins together. We will give some of the money to charity, and probably use the rest for a higher ticket item that we normally would not buy or for a special family outing that we otherwise could not afford.

This will be a good lesson for them on the benefits of both saving and giving – and will teach them how to make a little money go a long way.

I have just discovered an amazing group of people who give away things and ask for what they need. It is called Free Cycle, and was created to help keep things out of landfills. I’ve seen everything imaginable change hands in the last week. Beds, bedding, bikes, refrigerators, chainsaws, a wood burning stove, dog crates, clothes and building materials – you name it! I even saw someone giving away two 2-liters of diet coke – and someone took it!

It is absolutely worth the time to look at http://www.freecyclefinder.org/ for a yahoo free cycle group near you. You can get rid of unused things that are treasures to others (with a quick, free pickup!) and find some wonderful items for yourself along the way. This is better than recycling – it is free cycling!

This tastes delicious and will last if sealed tightly in the fridge. Cream together 1/2 pound softened bleu cheese and 8 oz softened cream cheese with a fork or pastry blender. Stir in 1/8 tsp. nutmeg and 1/3 to 1/2 cup of brandy. Serve at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nothing can be better than a homemade lemon square!





1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
grated rind of one lemon
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp flour
2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make a crust combining butter, flour and confectioners sugar. Pat into the bottom of a 9" square pan and bake for 15 minutes. Prepare filling by combining remaining ingredients, mixing well. Spread over baked crust and return to oven for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.

If a raw egg spills on the floor, don't wipe it up with a paper towel. That will only smear the egg and make more of a mess. Instead, sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the egg and let it dry. Then sweep the egg up with a broom.

To keep your house smelling fresh, keep a mint plant in rooms that tend to get musty. Besides being decorative, the mint will absorb stale odors. This especially works well in a nursery, bathroom or kitchen. And when you want a boost to your iced tea, pick and rinse off some mint leaves from the kitchen plant - very tasty!

How many times have you burned the top of your arm trying to get individual baked potatoes out of the oven? The next time you plan on baking potatoes, place them in a muffin tin and slip them in the oven. When they are done, simply take out the one tin with all the potatoes.

The next time you are baking or frying breaded meats, prepare them and then place them in the refrigerator four about five hours before frying. This will retain the breadcrumbs, making your meal fit for a king!

Is your soup or gravy too salty? Too much salt in your broth? Add a quartered white potato to the pot and boil for ten minutes, then remove the potato pieces. This will help to take away the salty taste.

French scientists have found that a child's early exposure (including in utero) to pesticides may double the risk of developing acute leukemia. To help avoid pesticide exposure, buy organic fruits and vegetables. Although pricey, these are pesticide free and well worth the cost.

Fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticides are apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, strawberries and spinach.

Those with the least amount of pesticide residue include asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, kiwi, mango, onion, papaya, pineapples and peas.

If you have a tight budget, try to purchase the higher pesticide residue fruits and vegetables organically, to decrease your child's risk for developing leukemia.

Did you know that 80% of a person's lifetime exposure to ultraviolet rays occurs in the first 18 years of life? That is why you should take great care protecting your children from the sun's harmful rays. When purchasing sunscreen, be sure it says "broad spectrum" and is at least 15 SPF or more. If your children will be in the water, use waterproof sunscreen and reapply every hour.

Remember the days when your mother slathered on a thick coat of pure white zinc on your nose? She actually knew what she was doing. Zinc oxide should be applied to nose, ears and cheeks if your child has fair skin. But lucky them - zinc comes in lots of fun colors. Remember big floppy hats, sunglasses and tightly woven clothing. And keep in mind, if it is a cloudy day, the sun will still reflect off of surface such as water or concrete - causing burns that are just as bad as those from sunny days.

I did not know who the Psychedelic Furs were until I spent a week in London and was taken by a friend to the Hammersmith Odeon to see the Furs. Within the first few minutes of Richard Butler's gravely sweet rendition of "Sister Europe," I was hooked. Interestingly, I have met him twice and found him to be one of the most pleasant artists I've been introduced to.

I've followed Richard Butler's work over the years, and was pleased to read he recently released a solo album entitled, "Richard Butler." After hearing it several times through, I can tell you that it was money well spent. This cd is not the type I would want to review song by song. I look at this as an entire piece of work - something that one takes as a whole rather than track by track. From the moment I hit play, I was taken on a journey with Richard Butler at the wheel. This cd cannot be compared to the old days of "Pretty in Pink" and "Alice's House," but rather the more mellow sounds of "Sleep Comes Down." Yet, this album has a matured sound with rich overtones that can't help but carry you away.

Don't look to this cd for the hard, fast "old Furs" style - but rather - for an escape to a delicious place that only Richard Butler can take you to. Trust me, you won't be sorry.

Diet Coke and Mentos - the two just go together! This is a simple trick with a huge bang - and if you do this in front of your house, you will instantly be named the coolest parent on the block.

First, purchase a few liter bottles of diet coke and several packs of mint mentos. Then, create a tube out of cardboard, plastic... anything that will hold the mentos in place in a row, one on top of the other. Cut a square of cardboard bigger than the bottle opening, and you are ready to go.
Place your diet coke bottle, unopened, outside where you won't worry about a mess. Put your square over the hole. Position your tube full of mentos on top of it and quickly slide the square out so the mentos drop one by one into the diet coke. Now run!

What is the science behind this? This is called the "surface effect." Diet coke has lots of carbon dioxide, which forms bubbles. The mento surface has holes and bumps. The carbon dioxide fills all the holes and crevices as the mentos fall to the bottom. The rush of bubbles flowing down quickly causes the diet coke explosion.

Can you imagine a nice walk to your garden to pick some homegrown - wait - what color are those? PURPLE tomatoes!? This may not be too far into the future.

Oregon State University researchers are working on a new tomato whose blueberry colored skin is full of antioxidants. The purple skin contains the same phytochemical that is found in blueberries and is known to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

But is this tomato the by-product of a petri dish? No, say researchers. This tomato is in the same family as a wild grown tomato found in South America. The hybrid is not yet available to the public - but when it is, not only will your garden be beautiful, but will provide a healthy boost of wonderful antioxidants as well!

Recent studies have found that if you bring your IPod to the hospital, you may get better sooner! Researchers from Tufts University followed inpatients who were undergoing surgery. Those who listened to music after surgery had less pain and therefore needed fewer painkillers. As a matter of fact, listening to IPod tunes had the same effect as a 325-mg dose of acetaminophen. But will this help the pain when you are opening the hospital bill?!

We just heard about an amazing children's Halloween costume that can easily be made at home - and it is quite inexpensive as well! It may sound a little odd - but picture this. A clear bubble umbrella with long cut strips of bubble wrap hanging off the edges... then dress the child in white and place some bubble wrap strips on the outfit as well. Taa daaa! You have a jellyfish! This costume would be a sure prize winner at any event.

A study by Child Development recently indicated that if you smoke while pregnant, your child is 7 times likely to have temper tantrums and behavioral issues by two years old. If you’ve ever had a two year old, this may help you to think twice about smoking during your pregnancy. It will not only help to improve your own health, but your baby’s… AND it will help your sanity years down the road!

Are you wondering if you should let your child cross the street alone or play in the backyard with less supervision? Here is an interesting test to help you make your decision. Use something like cheerios or M&M’s to make two rows of equal amounts. Make the lines the same length. Ask your child if the rows have the same amount of pieces or different. The answer will probably be that they are the same.

Now ask your child to close his or her eyes. Move the pieces of one row further apart from each other, so the row is longer than the other. Now ask your child which row has more pieces. If he or she says the longer row has more pieces, your child does not have the reasoning skills needed for a bit more independence. Your child should be able to reason more like an adult before being given a little more space. Of course each child is different, and only you will know when your child is ready.