Archive for Lifestyle Center
May 24, 2008 at 5:00 pm · Filed under Lifestyle Center
A mother at one of the message boards I frequent posted a
question recently about using infant walkers. Her pediatrician
had recommended she not use a walker with her five-month-old and
she was wondering the reasoning behind it, since her son seemed
to love it so much.
Parenting a small baby is filled with dangers and frustrations,
and you constantly teeter between fear of everything that your
baby comes in contact with and desperately trying to find
something - anything- that will keep your baby entertained for a
few precious minutes while you fix dinner, get dressed, or just
not have to watch the baby. Any time you find something that
seems innocuous, you are bathed in relief if your baby shows
interest. And if you discover a toy she loves that appears to be
developmentally encouraging, you feel as if you’ve struck the
jackpot. I can remember a couple of weeks when the mobile in
Maddie’s crib was one of the few things that would calm her down
if she was crying (and when wasn’t she?); I could put her in her
crib and turn the mobile on and she’d stare, entranced, while I
used the time to, oh, get dressed or brush my teeth. During
those times, I thanked God for that mobile and knew that if had
cost ten times its price I would have gladly paid it for the
peace it brought me.
Infant walkers can seem like such a godsend: babies who hit 5 or
6 months seem eager to be moving, almost straining to charge
forward. Their joy at having some control over their movement is
plain to anyone who watches them in such a toy, and you wonder
how it could be bad for them. Sure, everyone’s heard the stories
of babies in walkers falling down stairs and dying, but is that
it? If you put a gate across your stairs, doesn’t that solve the
problem and make the walker a safe and even beneficial toy for
your child?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. I’ve heard repeated questions
from mothers about walkers, bewildered moms trying to figure out
why this seemingly great toy is so vehemently opposed by many
medical professionals. So I’ve tried to gather the information
for you and break down a few common misconceptions about the
walker, to help everyone understand why it’s not the best toy
for a baby.
“We don’t have stairs/ I always use the child protective gate/ I
never leave my child alone in the walker. How can it possibly be
a health hazard to them then?” The most obvious danger to a baby
in a walker is the most visible one - the stairs. Many babies
have died after walking themselves to the edge of a staircase
and falling down it. But that’s not the only way accidents can
happen. The walker can get caught on an edge of carpet, a
doorframe, or a piece of furniture, causing the walker to tip
over. Baby can hit his head against a coffee table edge or
become trapped under the walker. According to a study published
in 2002, one in every three babies who use a walker will suffer
significant injuries including skull fractures, finger
amputation, spinal cord injury, and death. That’s one in three.
No matter how closely you watch your baby, no matter how quickly
you move, you may not be able to prevent that accident. And
think about the injuries such as burns or poisonings that happen
because babies are able to reach things that would otherwise be
inaccessible. According to the AAP, 8,800 babies under the age
of 15 months went to the emergency room as a result of using a
walker in 1999 alone.
“How can a walker be bad for my baby developmentally? My son is
already almost standing, and loves being able to move himself
around. Isn’t this helping him learn to walk sooner by giving
him practice?” You would think so, but no. Walkers encourage use
of your lower legs, but not your upper legs which are so
important to standing. That makes sense, since it’s for babies
who aren’t yet able to support themselves. So you’re not giving
the standing muscles any type of a workout, and you’re actually
helping the skill develop backwards.
See, motor skills mature in a baby from the head down. That
makes sense since the top’s where the brain is. If you notice,
babies begin to control their waving arms before their legs;
babies have fine motor skills in their hands before their feet.
Development travels down. You can see the natural progression in
the way babies begin to move. First, the head lifts off the
ground. Then the head and the back. Then babies push onto all
fours. Then they begin to practice balancing by sitting. Then
finally, they stand. There’s a flow to this that is organic and
natural, and moving a baby to a walker before their body’s ready
to walk disrupts that. A 1998 study proved that babies who used
walkers hit their developmental milestones like crawling and
walking later than babies who didn’t. And this wasn’t 10 babies;
it was 109 babies between the ages of 6 and 15 months. In
addition, this study reports that there’s a neurological
disconnect between what babies are actually doing and what they
are aware they’re doing; the plastic tray prevents them from
seeing their feet, which keeps them from connecting what’s going
on down there with what they are experiencing. So there’s no
motor development learning going on. On average, babies who
didn’t use a walker began walking at about their 10th month,
while those who used walkers were on average 12 months old when
they began walking.
“I’m not convinced. My mom used a walker and I began walking
when I was seven months old! And anyway, my grandmother used a
walker, my mom used a walker, and none of us kids got hurt.
Seems like a mom’s wisdom is better than these obscure studies.”
First off, there are exceptions to every rule. For every child
who began walking at 7 months there’s one who didn’t start until
14 months. That’s why studies are done with large numbers of
babies instead of one or two. Second, my parents’ generation
didn’t use car safety seats, and none of my parents’ friends’
babies died, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to use a car
seat. Studies have shown they save lives, and I know I’m keeping
my baby safe by using one. Watching my child die in an emergency
room because I didn’t use a car seat because everyone I know got
on fine without one is not an option to me.
“Studies can be found to support anything. Anyone can take
numbers and twist them to suit their argument.” I totally agree,
so there are several links at the end of this to articles I’ve
drawn from or read to write this piece.
Here’s the bottom line: the American Academy of Pediatrics
strongly discourages the use of walkers. They have been
petitioning the U.S. government since 1995 to ban walkers, and
renewed their efforts after Canada in 2004 banned the sale or
advertising or importing of ANY new or used walkers. So the AAP
says not to. Your doctor says not to. Don’t you think there’s a
good reason for it?
http://www.drgreene.com/21_810.html
http://www.cwru.edu/pubaff/univcomm/rel-archive/babywalk.htm
http://www.chiropractors.asn.au/aboutchiro/press/280402.html
http://www.aap.org/pubed/ZZZZDGTUP5D.htm
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/washing/ban_baby_walkers.htm
May 16, 2008 at 3:20 am · Filed under Lifestyle Center
When buying luxury baby bedding, perhaps first decide what style
and fabric you like best. When you decide what luxury baby
bedding you want, mix and match colors and patterns on your
babys bed. Different flower fabrics mix well with solid or
stripe materials, for example, but keep them all in the same
color family.
Be sure and consider which fiber is best for your baby bedding.
You should be able to find and choose from the following
materials when shopping for bedding:
• Cotton - percale, sateen, flannel or organdy. Cotton is a
natural fiber that breathes well, and it tends to be durable,
easy to machine wash and to dry.
• Linen - linen, damask or venise. Dry-clean this natural fiber
to avoid excessive shrinkage. It is a wonderful fabric to use
during the summer as it stays cool in warm weather.
• Silk - brocade, charmeuse, chiffon, organza, doupioni or silk
satin. This material gives a very luxurious look and feel to
your bedroom. Silk is a natural protein fiber that is very
smooth to the touch. When washing your silk bedding, be sure and
follow the instructions of the manufacturer’s label.
• Wool - flannel, felt, jersey, tweed, merino or gabardine. It
is another natural fiber, durable and soft to the touch. This
type of bedding is usually very warm, and it should be
dry-cleaned unless the manufacturer’s label says otherwise.
• Synthetic fiber - acetate, acrylic, nylon, polyester.
Thread count in luxury baby bedding is important. Thread count
is defined as the number of horizontal and vertical threads that
exist in one square inch of fabric. Thread count in sheets can
range from 80 to 700 - most are in the range of 180 to 320.
Higher thread count in luxury baby bedding does not mean that
the fabric will last longer. What it does mean is that you will
enjoy a better quality of fabric that also has a softer feel.
Blue and white bedding are classic colors that can be combined
with any decor. If you decide to select floral fabrics for
bedding, they can go with a traditional or contemporary room
decor. Rich and bold colors like blue, red, yellow or perhaps
black tend to be used in childrens rooms and teenagers rooms.
These are stimulating colors associated with energy, and they
will bring drama to any room. Pastels can be mixed with
different colors and patterns, and they will give you a relaxing
and beautiful room. These colors like pink, blues, light yellow
and lilacs are frequently used in luxury baby bedding, nurseries
and babys rooms.
Do not be surprised when buying luxury baby bedding that it has
a mild crisp feel to it. This crispiness is normal, because
manufacturers use starches or stiffening products on the bedding
to help it stay wrinkle-free and looking new. When you purchase
machine-washable luxury baby bedding or any other type of
bedding, be sure you wash it before using it. A great benefit of
washing quality luxury baby bedding is that it will become
softer and even more comfortable over time.
Make sure to read the bedding labels to be certain the baby
bedding materials are flame resistant. And if choosing a baby
bedding theme is important, look for nursery bedding collections
that come with coordinated accessories. You can save
considerably if you can find luxury baby bedding on clearance,
even though there will be few or no coordinated accessories. You
can use the savings from the baby bedding to create your own
baby nursery theme.
Enjoy the process. Later, the child will have their own
opinions, but have fun for now! Decorating the babys room can
give everyone the chance to add their touch to this special room
for this very special person.
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
May 14, 2008 at 7:39 pm · Filed under Lifestyle Center
Love has many different meanings in every single language but
there is a universal traditional day when people express their
inner feelings for each other, either love or friendship.
Valentine’s Day was coined as the exchange day for those with
these naturally feelings for others, throughout all cultures.
The origins of Valentine’s day are traced back to the Medieval
era associated with the Catholic Church feast day, but love and
fertility nexus with this particular date falling on February 14
comes from the ancient times of Greece, when the Athens calendar
included a period between mid January and mid February called
the Gamelion, a month dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus
and Hera, hence associated with love and fertility.
Lupercalia, the festival of Lupercus, the God of Fertility, was
the equivalent in the Roman Empire and taking place on February
15, time of purification rituals. Lupercus was represented as a
half-naked man dressed in goatskins. His priests sacrificed
goats to the god on this day and after drinking wine, they ran
through the Roman streets holding pieces of goat and touching
anyone in their run including women in the belief to receive an
easy childbirth.
There is no written reference about how Saint Valentine became
the romantic love protector, in fact the Catholic martyrologies
mention three different Saint Valentines under the date of
February 14; a priest in Rome, a bishop of Interamna, and a
martyr in the Roman province of Africa, making even more obscure
the origins of this celebration.
However, in the 5th century the feast of Saint Valentine was
officially decreed to be on February 14 by Pope Gelasius I
during the year 496. In a later assumption, this could be just
an attempt to supersede pagan holidays like Lupercalia
celebrated in Rome until then. Apart from this historical
setting, the rest is just legends.
Throughout time, the gift of blooming wild flowers was a common
practice to demonstrate romantic love or affection between
partners on Valentine’s Day. Daisy flowers became a sort of
“yes-no” love divination. Today, daisies have their own meaning
of innocence and loyal love, associated with the fifth wedding
anniversary.
During the 19th century, roses took their place having different
meanings according to their color or numbers of flowers given on
Valentine’s Day. It was during the Victorian century when relics
exhumed from the Roman catacombs of Saint Hippolytus were
identified with Saint Valentine.
In 1836, the relics were donated by Pope Gregory XVI to the
Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland, but once
again, the obscure origins of Valentines (or Valentinus) and his
relics are alleged to lie at the reliquary of Roquemaure in
France and in Sankt Stephans Kirche in Vienna.
Instead of an uncertain Saint image, the 19th century associated
the figure of the winged Cupid to Saint Valentine’s Day, along
with and heart-shaped outline cards and paper cuts to be sent
with flowers on this day, tradition remains today when a wide
array of flowers can be chosen online and delivered anywhere
just by placing your order via the internet.
Valentine’s Day 2004, Erica was in Bristol, UK and her boyfriend
Clint was in Oxford, UK. Clint decided to head to the internet.
Typing in “Oxford
florists”, then “flowe
rs in Bristol”, He found the perfect Valentine’s flowers for
her. The flowers can be ordered online from Oxford, UK and sent
to Bristol, UK and would arrive early next morning.
April 28, 2008 at 3:01 pm · Filed under Lifestyle Center
The shih tzu with a long, flowing coat and an arrogant air is
beautiful and captures the heart of many who own and
professionally show the breed. Satisfaction, joy and pride can
result from conditioning and growing a beautiful coat of hair
for the shih tzu. For the showring, this is an absolute must.
The complete protrait of a showring shih tzu is one that is
draped in a long luxurious coat that has been maintained and
groomed properly. This can also be accomplished by sending the
shih tzu to a handler getting the shih tzu ready for the
showring. If you have the time, patience and ability yourself,
whether your shih tzu is a pet or a show dog prospect, you
certainly are very fortunate indeed. Most likely you will
receive rave reviews everywhere you and your shih tzu go.
A lot of shih tzu owners, however, do opt for the shorter cuts.
In my opinion, the shih tzu is just as cute and lovely.
Maintaining the longer coats is a “fulltime” job. It takes hours
and hours of careful brushing and most often daily brushing. One
of the most important aspects of the procedure is your ability
to remain faithful to a schedule.
Start with good health from the inside. Be sure you keep your
shih tzu free from parasites and you feed a good, quality,
nutritious dog food. I highly recommend HealthyPetNet Life’s
Abundance pet foods, treats and grooming supplies. I am a
faithful user of these products myself and I am completely
satisfied with the results evident in my shih tzu. I have a few
that I “try” to keep in long coat. It is very time consuming,
but I must admit when I see these romping around in my yard or
moving about, I get an extra kind of thrill inside to behold
their beauty. So I must say, a beautiful, long coat on a shih
tzu is probably my favorite. I just don’t have the “exact
ability and time” to maintain all of mine in that long coat and
those I do, are still not as perfected as they could be.
Personally, I have just not developed the skills to do so. I
believe I have the ability. That ability has not been developed.
Maybe some day…..
Whatever you feed your shih tzu, dry food is always superior.
And I would think that if you are going all out for a long coat
for your shih tzu, you probably will need to add some extra
supplements. Again, I would recommend HealthyPetNet Life’s
Abundance Daily Nutritional System, which is the dry food with a
daily supplement, and add to that, their skin and coat
supplement, plus add their health bar for skin and coat, which
is full of antioxidants. The decision belongs to you, your vet
and to your handler, if you use a professional handler or
groomer.
I have found where I live that most of the groomers do not like
to mess with a long coat. And when I do get this done, the
expense is far greater than a simple hair cut. I do have one
groomer in particular, only one I have found within driving
distance who halfway was descent in combing out and grooming my
long haired shih tzu. Then, the expense was so great, I could
not afford using her that often. I keep most of my short at this
time. The cost for me would have been at least $70 per month for
one dog and that is going every two weeks. For the shih tzu
lover of long, long hair, it is wise to learn how to do it
yourself, yet, also you got your time and labor involved in
that. Time is something most of us seem to never have enough of.
Good coats are inherited in many lines. I really do have some
show dog coats of hair in my bloodlines at Stain Glass Shih Tzu,
and one day I hope to be able to at least take a course in
grooming. When I do, I most likely will include what I learn
through the course in my articles and e-books I will offer to
others. Most likely, this is coming soon. It is just not totally
“right” it seems to not at least have one very long haired shih
tzu in the crowd. For some bloodlines, to grow a long and
flowing coat is impossible. You will see beautiful and cute
faces, wonderful personalities still, but the coat of some of
the shih tzu bloodlines just will not grow. There is no other
choice in that matter but to the keep it clipped. One of the
goals of my breeding program is to continually search for the
bloodlines that most closely meet the AKC standard for a long,
flowing coat. I am very partial to the smaller sizes, but even
in those, I search for the long flowing coat of hair. My Holly,
Simon, Danny Boy and Jane Jane all have this type of coat. Holly
probably had the best of all. It was extremely long and thick,
but guess what, time was not on my side about keeping it that
way, so I had to opt for a shave down to start all over. She is
still just as cute and perky, and I think she has been very
happy with her new haircut. I was saddened to tears almost, but
my own fault. A person has to allocate the time to grow these
beautiful long coats or else hire someone else to do it for
them. That is just the starting point for the entire process.
There are lots of products to help us deal with the shih tzu
that do not have the better coats of hair. And as I mentioned
before, HealthyPetNet products is always my first choice. There
are, however, dozens of other products you can try that may suit
you and your shih tzu even better. If you have the time and
money, it can be a very enjoyable hobby. I have too many hobbies
concerning the shih tzu right now anyway, but…..I do plan on
gaining more skill at coat handling and grooming. I just
recently bought my first clipper, a must for the types of work I
am in at this time - raising puppies. Many times, shih tzu moms
need to be completely shaven down for the sake of cleanliness
and this is a routine I follow with mine. In my plans is a
special grooming room with all the bells and whistles - a nice
tub - tables and all the right equipment. Even for the person
who has only one shih tzu, having the exact equipment needed and
the lighting and tubs can be a very fun experience and much more
rewarding than using the family bathtub and a small space in the
corner of one very dimly lit room. I tell you what…..my plans
include a nice grooming room with all the bells and whistles. I
just hope I am not 95 before I can afford that. I plan to live
to be 100 years old. And then, I plan an afterlife for myself,
not as a shih tzu of course, but just as a soul that lives
on….that’s a whole other topic however.
April 16, 2008 at 2:02 am · Filed under Lifestyle Center
There are some fundamental rules to the game of golf. Serious
golfers often disagree on what the basics consist of, but if you
are among the millions who desperately want to improve their
golf swing, these basic tips will help you tremendously and save
you a lot of frustration.
The three most important steps you should keep in mind are to
keep your head perfectly still, relax your muscles, and keep
your club head traveling in a straight line while making contact
with the ball. The simple act of keeping your head still
throughout your shot can improve your swing immediately. By
keeping your club head in a straight line while making contact
with the ball, you will avoid slicing and several other
undesirable results.
Relaxing your muscles will aid you tremendously in keeping the
proper balance. Balance is imperative to a good golf swing.
Stand comfortably so you can reach the ball easily and remember
that the muscles that propel the ball are the same muscles that
twist the body and are the most powerful. No matter what stroke
you are making or what club you are playing with, balance is the
foundation to a good golf swing, and you must keep your muscles
relaxed to achieve perfect balance. Balance really is the
cure-all for many faults of golf. Think about keeping your head
still and maintaining your balance at all times and you will
have a foundation for an excellent golf game.
In the game of golf, no two people ever swing at the ball in the
same way. Because of your individual body build, you develop
your own individual set of muscles. A method of swinging a golf
club used by one person who is of a different build and has
developed a different set of muscles may not be of value to you.
Golf will always be an individual sport. Find the method of
playing that will produce results for you, and then go with it.
When you are ready to play a game, and you are faced with a
shot, make your decision on how you are going to do things. Do
not be persuaded to change your methods every time you have a
bad game.
Make sure you keep your eye on the ball and that any stance you
take will allow you to see the ball from every point of the
stroke. If your golf swing is off, go back to these fundamental
rules and plan each shot in advance. Take your time and develop
your own methods that work best for you, but keep in mind these
basic principles and you will notice a definite improvement in
your golf game.
