Former Ed. Secretary Margaret Spellings is Romney Adviser - Politics K-12 - Education Week
Read the link above about a major education advisor in the Romney campaign camp published by Education Week- - One of the chief architects of The No Child Left Behind Act, Margaret Spellings.
Spellings is not the smoothest education advisor Romney could have chosen given the controversy of the NCLB Act and its effectiveness.
If Romney is connected to the voice of constituents, he has an odd way of showing it through strategy advisers. Wow, what a scary and downright odd move.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Renewed Warning on Baby Acetaminophen - in Pediatrics, General Pediatrics from MedPage Today
Medical News: Renewed Warning on Baby Acetaminophen - in Pediatrics, General Pediatrics from MedPage Today
A second warning from the FDA has been recently issued on possible dosing mistakes which are possible with acetaminophen medicines for infants. When manufacturers introduced a new strength of 160mg per 5mL of medicine, confusion and dosing errors resulted.
In 2009 an FDA advisory panel and major manufacturers agreed to switch to a single concentration of medicine160 mg due to several strengths on the market. Not all companies complied to the voluntary recommendation, and many infant acetaminophen 80mg/5mL products are still on store shelves.
For more information, click on the above Med Page article link, and as the FDA recommends, always read dosing recommendations on the labels of acetaminophen products.
A second warning from the FDA has been recently issued on possible dosing mistakes which are possible with acetaminophen medicines for infants. When manufacturers introduced a new strength of 160mg per 5mL of medicine, confusion and dosing errors resulted.
In 2009 an FDA advisory panel and major manufacturers agreed to switch to a single concentration of medicine160 mg due to several strengths on the market. Not all companies complied to the voluntary recommendation, and many infant acetaminophen 80mg/5mL products are still on store shelves.
For more information, click on the above Med Page article link, and as the FDA recommends, always read dosing recommendations on the labels of acetaminophen products.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Healthy Holiday Table: Rice and Whole Grains - Dr. Weil's Weekend Tip
Healthy Holiday Table: Rice and Whole Grains - Dr. Weil's Weekend Tip
A healthy holiday table? Is that possible? Every year I carry a whopping large green salad to our get-together. Every year I wag most of it back home after being told "It's Thanksgiving. People eat the rich stuff."
So here's a good one from health guru Dr. Weil. Let's try healthier rice options and whole grains in recipes. I'm not sure it will totally help with my family, a group bearing a long history of taste buds favoring the fat and indulgent casseroles and desserts - - and often sport the gut to prove it.
Basmati and jasmine rice - - I've tried it and really like the flavor. Jasmine rice has a popcorn-like smell and taste. My teenaged crew also likes it - - a true taste test. Basmati has a nutty flavor that complements many other ingredients. And there's always wild rice, which is common, adding texture and flavor. All are both healthier choices than white rice. And yes, they are all a bit more expensive that white rice, but not unexpected as it's often less expensive to chose unhealthy highly processed food.
Couscous is a terrific tasting whole grain that has a unique warm flavor which I have used in the summer as ingredient for a black-eyed pea and tomato salad. Whole grains are not only healthier, they add fiber, and whose bowels couldn't use a little digestive boost on Thanksgiving?
So this year, rather than putting everyone on a diet at THE meal, I'll try sliding in a few healthier ingredients or side dishes across the table incognito. How about a few Calhoun County sweet potatoes in the cake? I'm not sure sweet potatoes will offset the three eggs and butter, but it can't hurt.
A healthy holiday table? Is that possible? Every year I carry a whopping large green salad to our get-together. Every year I wag most of it back home after being told "It's Thanksgiving. People eat the rich stuff."
So here's a good one from health guru Dr. Weil. Let's try healthier rice options and whole grains in recipes. I'm not sure it will totally help with my family, a group bearing a long history of taste buds favoring the fat and indulgent casseroles and desserts - - and often sport the gut to prove it.
Basmati and jasmine rice - - I've tried it and really like the flavor. Jasmine rice has a popcorn-like smell and taste. My teenaged crew also likes it - - a true taste test. Basmati has a nutty flavor that complements many other ingredients. And there's always wild rice, which is common, adding texture and flavor. All are both healthier choices than white rice. And yes, they are all a bit more expensive that white rice, but not unexpected as it's often less expensive to chose unhealthy highly processed food.
Couscous is a terrific tasting whole grain that has a unique warm flavor which I have used in the summer as ingredient for a black-eyed pea and tomato salad. Whole grains are not only healthier, they add fiber, and whose bowels couldn't use a little digestive boost on Thanksgiving?
So this year, rather than putting everyone on a diet at THE meal, I'll try sliding in a few healthier ingredients or side dishes across the table incognito. How about a few Calhoun County sweet potatoes in the cake? I'm not sure sweet potatoes will offset the three eggs and butter, but it can't hurt.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Medical News: Raw Veggies Can Cut Heart Risk Despite Genes - in Cardiovascular, Prevention from MedPage Today
Medical News: Raw Veggies Can Cut Heart Risk Despite Genes - in Cardiovascular, Prevention from MedPage Today
This is a great quote from the article above, one I need to write on the tablet of my carbohydrate addicted heart before reaching for the Cheeze-its: "You can't choose your family or the genetic cardiovascular risk they pass on to you. But you can choose your diet -- and that may be enough to mitigate the deleterious effect of the genes, researchers reported.
Analysis of data from two large studies suggests that a "prudent" diet -- one rich in raw vegetables and fruit -- can markedly reduce the genetic risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease, according to Jamie Engert, PhD, of McGill University in Montreal, and colleagues."
My lineage is long with cardiovascular disease. Going to a family reunion reunites me with a lot of round bellies carrying midriff weight in a strategic place - - an anatomical spot connected with increase risk for stroke and heart disease. So why can't I remember to reach for the raw veggies, the raw fruit?
Fresh is more expensive, but so is disease. Personally, I think we kid ourselves, make excuses, and think we can outrun the long arm of disease. Not true.
So this is my challenge for this month: stock-up and reach for the fresh veggies and fruit, even if it ouches the pocketbook.
This is a great quote from the article above, one I need to write on the tablet of my carbohydrate addicted heart before reaching for the Cheeze-its: "You can't choose your family or the genetic cardiovascular risk they pass on to you. But you can choose your diet -- and that may be enough to mitigate the deleterious effect of the genes, researchers reported.
Analysis of data from two large studies suggests that a "prudent" diet -- one rich in raw vegetables and fruit -- can markedly reduce the genetic risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease, according to Jamie Engert, PhD, of McGill University in Montreal, and colleagues."
My lineage is long with cardiovascular disease. Going to a family reunion reunites me with a lot of round bellies carrying midriff weight in a strategic place - - an anatomical spot connected with increase risk for stroke and heart disease. So why can't I remember to reach for the raw veggies, the raw fruit?
Fresh is more expensive, but so is disease. Personally, I think we kid ourselves, make excuses, and think we can outrun the long arm of disease. Not true.
So this is my challenge for this month: stock-up and reach for the fresh veggies and fruit, even if it ouches the pocketbook.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Facts about do-it-yourself drug savings: pill splitting and taking expired medicine - latimes.com
Facts about do-it-yourself drug savings: pill splitting and taking expired medicine - latimes.com
Pill-splitting: I do this a lot. Not just for myself, but also for the myriad of family pets we have. The above L.A. Times Health link has some good info about this little habit of pill splitting for the splitters among us. This one of those good FYI pieces worthy of an article. Hmm . . .
Pill-splitting: I do this a lot. Not just for myself, but also for the myriad of family pets we have. The above L.A. Times Health link has some good info about this little habit of pill splitting for the splitters among us. This one of those good FYI pieces worthy of an article. Hmm . . .
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Training Ms Cindy
Bella and I have worked all summer toward therapy dog certification. My family thinks I have lost my mind, and I just might before the final objective is met.
We are currently enrolled in two programs to get us there: The Canine Good Citizen certification process and Wildrose Kennels' Adventure Dog certification. Both require training time and consistent performance with a dog that appears to be half Lab, half Border Collie.
Bella and her three sisters were found as abandoned small, helpless puppies in a drainage ditch in a rural Lafayette County Cemetery in late winter, a little over a year ago luckily by a worker from The Friends of Pete Dog Rescue in Oxford. All left for dead.
I researched dogs and resources for months before I found her. I knew I wanted a rescue dog to show what these dogs can do if given a chance, or a second chance in Bella's situation. And when I met Bella at an adoption event sponsored by Hollywood Feed, I was more than excited as her smarts and responsiveness were obvious. My only reservation: she was a little shy. And shyness and therapy dog work are not good bedfellows.
Bella has been all that: very smart, sometimes smart enough to play dumb, responsive, overly active, a good student, a good teacher, and oops, shy.
Her shyness and short attention span is innate and something we struggle to fix, walking in and through every public event showing on the Oxford calendar that will allow woman and beast. I guess we all have things that are innate and need fixing. I sure do, and Bella has taught me more through her weaknesses than I have taught her. Communicating with another species everyday will do that.
Topping the list of Bella's big plans are therapy work in my classroom for children that need extra time reading or working math problems with a dog lying and staring at them as if they were the most special person on the planet or as a reward for kids working extra hard academically. The good news is this is a story that Bella and I get to write together. It's not been done, and we have no how-to manual. But the process has been a worthwhile, beautiful thing that has unfolded.
Last week Bella met and endured some extra tough rubs from mentally challenged adult campers at Camp Lake Stephens. Her shyness peeked through, but she worked around it and actually seemed to enjoy the campers as much as they enjoyed petting and feeding her treats. A few had Bella performing a few of her tricks up her paw. Rewarding. To see a dog left for dead helping others in a small way was a good thing.
Next week Bella has another therapy gig at Heritage Gardens, an assisted living and Alzheimer's facility for the elderly. This means we'll have a little refresher course with me walking on crutches (from foot surgery days - - I knew those dousted things must have a better use) and walking in the yard with a few rolling wheels. The neighbors probably think Bella and I are joining a circus since our yard and street have served as a dog training course with a variety of odd things.
In mid August, she will take her Canine Good Citizen test, the first accreditation among several I hope she will earn. Not shabby for a disposable dog.
If Bella can pull this therapy dog job off, well, it will speak loud and clear for those throw-away dogs sitting in shelters on a ticking clock. And you know, I have never had a dog with degrees, but it sure has been taught me a lot, a good education for some things that I could not have learned otherwise.
Roll Bella, roll!
We are currently enrolled in two programs to get us there: The Canine Good Citizen certification process and Wildrose Kennels' Adventure Dog certification. Both require training time and consistent performance with a dog that appears to be half Lab, half Border Collie.
Bella and her three sisters were found as abandoned small, helpless puppies in a drainage ditch in a rural Lafayette County Cemetery in late winter, a little over a year ago luckily by a worker from The Friends of Pete Dog Rescue in Oxford. All left for dead.
I researched dogs and resources for months before I found her. I knew I wanted a rescue dog to show what these dogs can do if given a chance, or a second chance in Bella's situation. And when I met Bella at an adoption event sponsored by Hollywood Feed, I was more than excited as her smarts and responsiveness were obvious. My only reservation: she was a little shy. And shyness and therapy dog work are not good bedfellows.
Bella has been all that: very smart, sometimes smart enough to play dumb, responsive, overly active, a good student, a good teacher, and oops, shy.
Her shyness and short attention span is innate and something we struggle to fix, walking in and through every public event showing on the Oxford calendar that will allow woman and beast. I guess we all have things that are innate and need fixing. I sure do, and Bella has taught me more through her weaknesses than I have taught her. Communicating with another species everyday will do that.
Topping the list of Bella's big plans are therapy work in my classroom for children that need extra time reading or working math problems with a dog lying and staring at them as if they were the most special person on the planet or as a reward for kids working extra hard academically. The good news is this is a story that Bella and I get to write together. It's not been done, and we have no how-to manual. But the process has been a worthwhile, beautiful thing that has unfolded.
Last week Bella met and endured some extra tough rubs from mentally challenged adult campers at Camp Lake Stephens. Her shyness peeked through, but she worked around it and actually seemed to enjoy the campers as much as they enjoyed petting and feeding her treats. A few had Bella performing a few of her tricks up her paw. Rewarding. To see a dog left for dead helping others in a small way was a good thing.
Next week Bella has another therapy gig at Heritage Gardens, an assisted living and Alzheimer's facility for the elderly. This means we'll have a little refresher course with me walking on crutches (from foot surgery days - - I knew those dousted things must have a better use) and walking in the yard with a few rolling wheels. The neighbors probably think Bella and I are joining a circus since our yard and street have served as a dog training course with a variety of odd things.
In mid August, she will take her Canine Good Citizen test, the first accreditation among several I hope she will earn. Not shabby for a disposable dog.
If Bella can pull this therapy dog job off, well, it will speak loud and clear for those throw-away dogs sitting in shelters on a ticking clock. And you know, I have never had a dog with degrees, but it sure has been taught me a lot, a good education for some things that I could not have learned otherwise.
Roll Bella, roll!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
BIG Sun-Worship-er Medical News: Melanoma Survival Benefit Called 'Astounding' - in Meeting Coverage, ASCO from MedPage Today
Medical News: ASCO: Melanoma Survival Benefit Called 'Astounding' - in Meeting Coverage, ASCO from MedPage Today
Check-out the above link for great news for those suffering from skin cancer. Reducing the death rate of metastatic melanoma by 63 percent will be big health news across the nation. Using the drug agent "BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib" (say that fast three times) improved the survival rate of melanoma patients by unprecidented numbers for oncology studies. This was no slacker-study, but a large international trial.
Now, if we could just get folks out of the tanning beds and wearing sunscreen under this unforgiving Mississippi sun . . .
Check-out the above link for great news for those suffering from skin cancer. Reducing the death rate of metastatic melanoma by 63 percent will be big health news across the nation. Using the drug agent "BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib" (say that fast three times) improved the survival rate of melanoma patients by unprecidented numbers for oncology studies. This was no slacker-study, but a large international trial.
Now, if we could just get folks out of the tanning beds and wearing sunscreen under this unforgiving Mississippi sun . . .
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