Karen’s Opinion

I still have nightmares about homework. I dream that I left my book in my locker, can’t find my locker and cannot get anyone to help me. I have to get that homework done but I can’t! Talk about tossing and turning. I have been out of school for 40 years and still have the nightmares from the stress of homework.

My kids were more organized and seemed to bring home what they needed to finish a project. My stress with them was that they waited until the last minute to tackle an assignment. If they needed help, they were out of luck.

There is an online tuition website where kids can bounce around each other’s ideas and get help with their homework. TutorHub offers help in a variety of subjects from history to economics and psychology. They also offer, for a fee, tutors online. These tutors have helped students get over the hurdles that hold them back academically.

On Tutorhub, students have two routes to getting help when they need it: publicly use the site and get help from other students or tutors for free or privately arrange a paid session with a qualified tutor.

What a terrific way to avoid the “Homework Nightmares”!

The following subject is one that concerns me. Please welcome Alan Cassidy as he presents this important information.

Staying healthy while pregnant is essential to both mom and baby’s well-being. There are many ways to ensure that you stay in good health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health has composed guidelines to keep you informed on what is safe and what is not. Most women will hear all kinds of stories and old wives tales while pregnant but many of them should bear no weight on how a woman behaves during her pregnancy. Keep it simple and you can have a safe pregnancy.

For most women, gentle exercise during pregnancy is very safe. Women who stay active are often relived of many common pregnancy ailments, and also tend to have easier labors and deliveries. The best exercises for pregnant women are low-impact. Besides walking, other good forms of exercise include swimming, biking and aerobics. Of course, any activity that could result in injury, particularly to the abdomen, should be skipped. If there are any complications, make sure to consult your OB/GYN before engaging in any kind of exercise. But usually, even for these women, there are some things that can be done to keep fit.

As for diet, there are certain foods that should be avoided. Raw or under cooked meat and fish is a no-go all pregnancy long. Alcohol should be avoided and caffeine intake should be reduced, instead drinking water and other low-sugar beverages to stay hydrated. To reduce the risk of listeria, always heat lunch meats and hot dogs until they are steaming. Never consume unpasteurized juice or milk, or sunny side up or runny eggs. Avoid raw sprouts and steer clear of fish with high mercury levels, such as shark, snapper, mackerel and swordfish. Most other types of fish are safe during pregnancy, just keep the amount low, around 6 ounces per week. Other seafood, so long as it is cooked, is safe in amounts up to 12 ounces per week.

Post-delivery, there are things a mother can do to help protect the future health of her baby. A growing trend, called cord blood banking, preserves the baby’s umbilical cord blood as a precaution. Should the medical need for a stem cell treatment arrive in the future – for the baby or a sibling, a source stem cells will be available to the family Mothers should also maintain their healthy diets and fitness routines post pregnancy to continue to pass nutrition on to their child. This will build a strong, healthy foundation for the baby in its most impressionable and developmental stages.
This article was written by Alan Cassidy, an active writer within the blogging community covering maternity and childbirth, and always advocating for infant and children’s health. Connect with him on Twitter @ACassidy22

I hate January! The sky is gray most days and it is so cold out that I don’t even want to check the mailbox. I sound crabby, don’t I. Well, instead of dwelling on the crummy weather and slow January days, I am going to look ahead to February.

February is a great month. It is one month closer to spring and nice weather. My birthday is in February. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or not but I do like Valentines Day. I am hoping to talk my hubby into combining my birthday and valentine’s gifts and letting me buy some new glasses. My frames have bit the dust. Yesterday, the other ear piece fell off. I paid a fortune for my glasses and they only lasted two years. Never again. I am ordering from Zenni Optical from now on. They have $6.95 prescription eyeglasses! That includes progressive lenses like the ones I need!

For the awesome prices that I get quality frames and lenses at Zenni, I can afford to have fun and get more than one pair. Wouldn’t it be fun to get a pair of red frames to celebrate Valentine’s day? Zenni has the best selection and the best price. Check out Zenni Optical!

I heard that watches are becoming a thing of the past. What?! I feel naked without my watch. It is the only piece of jewelry I wear most times. I have tried wearing bracelets but they drive me crazy. I revert back to my beautiful, trustworthy watch for its faithful job of keeping me on time.

I remember, about 35 years ago, looking longingly at the Seiko watches at our local jewelry store. Yes, the local jeweler was who we counted on for advice and quality time pieces, necklaces and earrings. Well, my husband was paying attention! I never know if he is listening or if what I say goes in one ear and out the other. LOL He was definitely listening and surprised me with a beautiful Seiko watch with small diamonds on each side of the face of the watch. I still have that watch and it still works!

Do you wear a watch? What do you count on to keep the time? I’ve heard that many folks use their cell phones to check the time. I like the convenience of looking at my watch. I’d hate to have to dig for my cell phone to check the time. How about you?