Proof Positivity: Turkey Day Safety

Have A Safe Thanksgiving

From my family to yours I am hoping you have a safe holiday.  This holiday we will be putting up ornaments, eating, putting up more ornaments and getting ready for the Christmas holiday.

–  Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking.  Most fires in the kitchen
occur because food is left unattended. If you must leave the kitchen
briefly, carry an oven mitt with you as a reminder that something is
cooking.

–  Do not try to hold your child in one arm while cooking with the other.
Holding a child while cooking is an invitation for a burn. Keep the
cooking area clear of clutter and keep your child out of the kitchen
while you’re cooking.

–  Keep your range top free of clutter. Don’t overload a range top with
too many pots and pans. Trying to cook all dishes at once could cause
grease to accidentally spill onto a range top and cause a fire. Only
cook with as many pots and pans as there are burners.  Also, never use
the oven cavity for storage.

–  Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency and know
how to use it. Make sure the fire extinguisher is rated for grease
fires and electrical fires and read the directions carefully. The
acronym P.A.S.S. can help make sure you use it properly.

–  Pull the pin; Aim the spray nozzle low at the base of the fire;
Squeeze the nozzle to spray the contents; Sweep back and forth as
you spray the base of the fire.

–  Keep smoke alarms connected while cooking. It can be tempting to
disable smoke detectors, especially if they are triggered easily.
However, smoke alarms can save lives. Make sure smoke alarms are
installed and working.

–  Never put a glass casserole or lid on the stove or over a burner. If
the glass gets hot and explodes, it will send shards of glass in all
directions, which can result in severe injury.

–  Be extremely cautious if using a turkey fryer. Turkey fryers are not
safety-certified because they pose a number of distinct safety
concerns, including burn and fire hazards. If you do decide to use a
turkey fryer this Thanksgiving, be extremely cautious.

Tips from UL

Proof Positivity: This Week In History

November 23- 28

November 23, 1848     Female Medical Educational Society forms in Boston
November 24, 1869     American Woman’s Suffrage Association forms (Cleveland)
November 25, 1715     1st English patent granted to an American, for processing corn
November 26, 1789     1st national Thanksgiving
November 27, 1870     New York Times dubs baseball “The National Game”
November 28, 1943     FDR, Churchill and Stalin met at Tehran to map out strategy
November 29, 1877     Thomas Edison demonstrates hand-cranked phonograph

Proof Positivity: Craft Corner

Bird feeders

Need:
Pine cones
Peanut Butter
Bird seed
Yarn

Place a knot in a piece of yarn to form a loop and wrap it around the pine cone.  Put peanut butter around the pine cone.
Then, roll the pine cone in bird seed and hang outside.

Proof Positivity: Going Green

Green Driving

Here are a few driving tips to make Mother Nature proud .

Energy.gov

 

• Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.
• Combine errands into one trip. Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
• Replace clogged air filters to improve gas mileage by as much as 10% and protect your engine.
• Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or transmission problems.
• Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to improve your gasoline mileage by around 3.3%.
• Use the grade of motor oil recommended by your car’s manufacturer. Using a different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1%-2%.
• Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks. A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to buy a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5%.
• Clear out your car; extra weight decreases gas mileage.
• Use air conditioning only when necessary.
• Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
• When you use overdrive gearing, your car’s engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces wear.
• Idling gets you 0 miles per gallon. The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. No more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days is needed. Anything more simply wastes fuel and increases emissions.

My own tips

• Take a bus if one is available in your area.
• Walk.
• Take a bike.

 

Proof Positivity: On The Science Beat

Bird Flu Pandemic Unlikely

With all the news about swine flu it’s time for a little good news.  The likelihood of a bird flu pandemic is slim.  To cause a pandemic you would need human to human transmission of the illness and to date that hasn’t happened.

“two genetic mutations would need to happen to the virus at the same time in order to enable it to infect the right cells
and become transmissible. At present, H5 viruses can only infect one of the two main types of cell in the mouth and nose,  a type of cell known as a ciliated cell. In order for H5 to transmit from human to human, it would need to be able to infect
the other, non-ciliated type of cell as well.”

“Our new research suggests that it is less likely than we thought that H5N1 will cause a pandemic, because it’s far harder for  it to infect the right cells. The odds of it undergoing the kind of double mutation that would be needed are extremely low. However, viruses mutate all the time, so we shouldn’t be complacent. Our new findings do not mean that this kind of pandemic could never
happen. It’s important that scientists keep working on vaccines so that people can be protected if such an event occurs,” added Professor Barclay.

Science Daily

Proof Positivity: The Yum Factor

Chicken Cordon Blu

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast
4 slices Swiss or Provolone cheese
4 thin sliced smoked ham
2 cups of corn flakes or bran flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon dill weed
jar of your favorite spagetti sauce
2 cups milk

Crunch up your cereal, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and dill weed together.
Cut a slit into your chicken and place your ham and cheese inside your chicken.
Give your chicken a milk bath and place in your cereal mixture.  Spray your pan with cooking spray.
Place your chicken in the pan Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes until juices run clear.
After cooking, place two tablespoons on each of your chicken breasts.

Proof Positivity: Proof Positivity

Ripple Of  Hope

 

At the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights on November 18  Bono and Wyclef Jean were presented  with the organization’s 2009 Ripple of Hope Award.  The award recognizes the bold leadership demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian issues.

“As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur,” said Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. “Their efforts evoke the spirit of my father and we are honored to recognize them.”

Jenni Williams, founder of Women of Zimbabwe Arise and 2009 RFK Human Rights Award winner, introduced Bono who was then presented the award by Ethel Kennedy.  Bono, the lead singer of U2 and co-founder of the advocacy organization ONE and (Product) RED, was recognized for his efforts in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.

“Though we’re not usually that partial to Royals, growing up in Ireland in the 70s, the Kennedy family felt like an Irish royal family. Bobby Kennedy was a super-hero, an Irish scrapper who didn’t see any contradiction between hard-headed pragmatism and an idealism that challenged all of us to change the world. That’s why the Ripple of Hope award means so much. RFK was the blue print for our activism in the ONE campaign,” Bono said. “The image of Bobby that will forever be in my mind is of a man with his sleeves rolled up, hard at work and showing a hint of muscle. His life is an enduring challenge to all of us to do more, get beyond ourselves and send out our own ripples of hope to the world.”

Loune Viaud, who received the RFK Human Rights Award in 2002 for her work in Haiti, introduced her fellow countryman, Wyclef Jean.  Jean was recognized for his work to strengthen and inspire change in Haiti through his Yele Haiti organization.

“It is an honor to receive this award for so many reasons,” said Jean, who was also the evening’s musical performer.  “The Kennedy Family and Robert F. Kennedy have represented and fought for the rights of people around the world, and have paid the ultimate sacrifice for it.  I am humbled by their work, and use it as an example in the work I continue to do in Haiti, the United States, Africa and around the globe.  I look forward to working closely with Kerry Kennedy and the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights in Haiti as a part of our Yele Center.”

The evening was emceed by actor Peter Gallagher and included monologues based on the play “Speak Truth to Power” performed by Matthew Modine, Matt McCoy, Joey Pantoliano and Gloria Reuben.  There was also a special tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy, who served as a member of the RFK Board of Directors from 1968 until his passing this year.

 

PR Newswire

Proof Positivity: A Positive Editorial

Tony Robbins

I am going to be brutally honest here.  I was never a Tony Robbins fan.  In fact until the movie “Shallow Hal”  I didn’t even know who he was.  The name flew out of my head.  A few years after I saw “Shallow Hal”  I began to blog and I cyber met a blogger who adores Tony Robbins.  Having forgotten who he is I did what every good blogger does, I Googled.    Again, I put it all to the side until last week.  Last week changed my perspective.    I saw a video on his blog.  I now understand his motivation.  It’s the same as my own.   What motivates someone like him, what motivates someone like me is simply, to make a difference.

I can’t say everyone who has read this blog knows my story.  I’ll not talk about that here.  I have intentionally geared this for a younger crowd.  For the older crowd you can visit My Thoughts Always or My Habitat Home to get an idea of what I fight for.

When Tony Robbins was a kid his parents divorced.   He explains how the affected him in the video.

The real reason I’m telling you all of this is because of his cause.  You know me I’m all about causes.  I was brought to tears as he recants a childhood story about a Thanksgiving without.  I can’t imagine a Thanksgiving or Christmas without for my children.  That would tear me apart.

Even though my own family doesn’t have a whole lot of money we are so fortunate.  We have a roof , clothes, and my kids have food.  Some families don’t have these basic necessities not even for the holidays.  I don’t have money to donate but I have time to volunteer my time blogging in hopes that someone who does have money can help.

“The International Basket Brigade is built on a simple notion: one small act of generosity on the part of one caring person can transform the lives of hundreds. It takes only one light to dispel the darkness, and even just one basket or a few, to bring hope! A Basket Brigade takes place when one individual prepares one basket to personally deliver to a needy family or individual.

What began more than 30 years ago as Tony’s individual effort to feed families in need, has now grown into the Anthony Robbins Foundation’s International Basket Brigade, providing baskets of food and household items for an estimated 2 million people annually in countries all over the world. Throughout the year International Basket Brigade volunteers deliver food, clothing, and hope to those who need it most. The Foundation would be honored to have you become a part of this truly wonderful event.”

Proof Positivity: Proof Positivity

The Gift of Literacy

 

Imagine not being able to read.  About 1/4 of the adult population – that’s about 44million – possess level 1 literacy skills (the lowest so far).   I believe that learning to read can happen at any time but it’s more benificial to start at a young age.   “Researchers found that children from both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking, low-income families, had better language comprehension and cognitive development if their mothers began reading to them at an early age.
Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of parents reading to preschoolers in terms of improved language development.”

Starting Nov. 14, and ending Dec. 24 Borders® and Waldenbooks® stores nationwide are conducting a company-wide, community-based holiday book drive that’s expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of needy children across the nation.  The drive is for kids who may not have a book to call their own.  Customers can also choose to donate Borders’ own “Beckett the Bear,” a cuddly plush panda bear knowing that the books and the bears will go to a local non-profit organization, carefully chosen by each store.

Borders collected and delivered more than 600,000 books donated by generous customers during its August company-wide book drive. Recipient organizations included Reach Out and Read Michigan, Boys Town, the Ronald McDonald House and numerous other organizations.

“As avid readers we take for granted the access we have to books in our everyday lives, but the fact is many children don’t have books of their own,” said Mike Edwards, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Borders Group.  “We know that through our book drives, we are helping foster literacy, which is vitally important to families and to communities.”

Proof Positivity: This Week In History

November 16:  In 1835 Charles Darwin’s voyage was published in Cambridge Philosophical Society

17 1800 John Adams is 1st President to move into the White House

18 1928 Mickey Mouse makes his big debut in Disney’s “Steamboat Willie.”

19 2008 Claudia Castillo has a successful trachea transplant from stem-cell created organ

20 1789 New Jersey is 1st state to ratify Bill of Rights

21 1968 Supremes and Temptations release “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”

22 1934 “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” 1st heard on Eddie Cantor’s show

Proof Positivity: Craft Corner

Homemade Play Dough

Ingredients:

3 cups boiling water
3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups salt
1 1/2 TBS vegetable oil
3 tsp cream of tartar

Directions:

* Mix all ingredients except for the flour in a large bowl. Once well mixed, add flour. Stir continuously until the dough mix leaves the sides of the bowl. Once well blended, remove from bowl and knead on floured board. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate.

Proof Positivity: Going Green

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

According to a recent survey conducted by Plastics Make it Possible(SM) , an initiative sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council, nearly 70 percent of households make an effort to recycle at home. Of those homes that make recycling a priority, more than two out of three rely on the women of the house to serve as the “recycling enforcers.” One out of four families shares the responsibility while only 10 percent put their kids in charge of recycling duty.

So just where do the plastic bottles you throw in the recycling bin and the plastic bags you take back to the grocery store end up? Though recycled plastics might be out-of-mind as soon as they are placed in a recycling bin, they are far from out-of-sight. Most people use “second life” plastics in their homes or cars everyday – and many of us may even be wearing them! According to the survey, eighty-two percent of Americans know that recycled plastic water bottles can be used to make a variety of items such as lumber for homes and decks, car bumpers, life jackets, sails for boats, rope and even fashionable t-shirts.

To encourage consumers to recycle more, Plastics Make it Possible(SM) provides the following tips for reusing and recycling everyday plastics.

1. Find out which plastics are accepted for recycling in your community
and where they can be taken.  Though recycling options vary, most
community curbside programs collect plastic bottles and many grocery
and retail chains now offer bins to collect used plastic bags and wraps
for recycling.  An increasing number of communities are also collecting
rigid containers like yogurt and butter tubs.
2. Know what to recycle with your bottles.  A “bottle” is any container
with a neck or opening that’s smaller than its base and includes milk
jugs; beverage containers; bottles from salad dressing, oil and other
condiments; food jars for items like peanut butter and mayonnaise; and
bottles from shampoo, toiletries, laundry detergent and household
cleaners.
3. Know what to recycle with your bags at grocery stores.  When you
recycle your bags, include all plastic bags from grocery, retail and
dry cleaning stores, plastic bags that cover newspapers, and product
wraps from paper towels, napkins, bathroom tissue and diapers.
4. Clean and empty.  Before tossing them in the recycle bin, make sure
bottles are appropriately rinsed and that caps are removed.
5. Bring bottles back to the bin.  When bottles are emptied away from
home, store them in a backpack or briefcase, or simply leave them in
the car until arriving home to place in a recycle bin.
6. Store bags in a bag. Storing plastic bags and wraps in a plastic bag
offers neat, convenient storage. Simply knot the handles when you’re
ready to drop them off at your local grocer or retailer.
7. Reuse those bags! From trash can liners to pet pick-up, plastic bags
can be used dozens of ways.
8. Pitch in beyond the kitchen. While many recyclable bottles and bags
come from the kitchen, don’t forget to check the bathrooms and laundry
room for shampoo and detergent bottles and reuse your plastic bags as
trash can liners throughout the house.
9. When in doubt, leave it out. Be careful not to contaminate your
recyclables with garbage or items that aren’t recycled in your area.

10. Bridge the second generation gap.  It’s important to remember that
recycled plastics go on to become second generation products like
carpet, fleece jackets and new bottles and bags.

I recycle when I can and here is my own personal list for recycling plastic:

1.  Make a purse with your grocery store bags.  Recycle Cindy
offers tons of great ideas.

2. Use those huge ice cream buckets to store things like cookie cutters or home made play dough.

3. Turn peanut butter jars into a piggy bank.

4.  Wash out your resealable sandwich  bags and reuse them.

5. Use your 2 liter pop bottle to carry water to drink on a hot day.

6. Use the lids from your pop bottles to create a game of checkers.

Proof Positivity: On The Science Beat

New Diabetes Findings

“Blood glucose levels are tightly regulated by secretion of insulin from beta cells in the pancreas. Defective insulin secretion results in poorly regulated blood glucose levels and diabetes.

The work of the multi-national research team explored the role of LKB1, a gene involved in many cellular functions, whose role in the pancreas was not examined before. Specifically, they studied the implications of beta cell-specific loss of the LKB1 gene, using a mouse model system. They were able to show that eliminating this gene from beta cells causes the production and secretion of more insulin than normal beta cells, resulting in an enhanced response to increases in blood glucose levels.”

The findings would help those who have high blood sugar.  LKB1 has a negatively controls how much insulin is in your system and how much it’s secreted.  Scientists are hoping to create a therapy that would limit the presence of this gene in pancreas beta cells, a type of cell in the pancreas in areas called the islets of Langerhans which make up 65-80% of the cells in the islets, thus enhancing insulin secretion.

From Science Daily

Proof Positivity: Long Time, No See

It’s been some time since I have been to this blog to work.  I was preparing for a huge change in my families life.   Now, the change has happened and I no longer need to pack or build on homes any longer.  To all who were regular readers of this blog I am sorry.  I think I will be publishing maybe once a week maybe on Mondays since most aren’t too fond of Monday.  I have changed my theme to make it easier for subscribers and if there is an article of interest.   If you are interested in writing for Proof Positivity just leave a comment under here.  My criteria:  It must end in a positive note and be clean.  If it isn’t child appropriate it will not get published.  This blog is written for all not just adults.