Sleep for 8 hours!!

Sleeping  about 8 hours each night allows you to better prevent getting a cold. Feeling rested but not sleeping for 8 hours doesn’t provide the same health benefits.

For more info: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090113/ap_on_he_me/med_colds_sleep;_ylt=AgZQGM2tHeUKg2km_nFRZxKs0NUE

Jamming Cell Phone of Teen Drivers

There’s a new article out about a new type of car key that jams the cell phone of a teen driver to not allow cell phone use.

I think everyone, not just teens, should not talk on a cell phone while driving. It’s the most frustrating thing to drive behind  a cell phone talker and very scary to drive around.

More info:  University of Utah.

High Dose of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) May Cause Acute Gastric Damage

Aha! Here’s my proof that Tylenol causes some harm. I was in a debate about 6 months ago regarding Tylenol and I was told that study after study had shown that it’s damage is minor. And that was not my experience with the drug.

Here’s my proof: World Journal of Gastroenterology.

Third-Hand Smoking

A study found that toxic particulate matter gets into hair, clothes, and the room the smoker was in. So even though smoking may occur when the baby’s not home, the toxins linger and can enter the airway of people who go into the area that was smoked in.

Babies are especially susceptible to third-hand smoking because they come into contact with surfaces more with their crawling and exploring.

 

For more info:  Massachusetts General Hospital

Lemon Clove Cookies

Prep Time: 15 Minutes   Refrigerate: 1 hour   Cook Time: 15 minutes per batch   Makes 5 Dozen

 

2 cups flour

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon salt

¼ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

½ teaspoon pure lemon extract

 

Mix flour, ground cloves, and salt in medium bowl; set aside.

 

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and pure lemon extract; beat until well blended. Stir in flour mixture. Divide dough in half. Form each half into a log about 1½ inch in diameter and 9 inches long. Wrap in wax paper.

 

Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Cut dough into ¼ inch thick slices. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

 

Bake in preheated 350˚ oven 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Drizzle with Lemon Glaze, if desired.

Lemon Glaze

Mix 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar, 2 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon water and ¼ teaspoon pure lemon extract in a small bowl. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

 

 

In case you want to make an exact copy of my cookies this is what I used or did differently:

§         I didn’t refrigerate the dough. I just rolled it into a ball and flattened it onto the cookie pan.

§         I used one of those air-cushioned cookie pans. They lose heat more quickly when out of the oven.

§         I used an oven that circulated heated air rather than just a regular convection oven.

§         I just mixed the ingredients with my wooden spoon.

Twice as Nice Almond Cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes   Cook Time: 9 minutes per batch   Makes 3 Dozen

 

1 package (15 ounces) sugar cookie mix

½ teaspoon pure almond extract

1 cup chopped sliced almonds

 

Prepare cookie mix as directed on package, stirring in pure almond extract.

 

Shape dough into balls. Roll in almonds. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

 

Bake and cool as directed on package.

 

Flavor Addition – Cozy Cinnamon Cocoa

Stir ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract and a dash ground cinnamon into 1 cup prepared hot chocolate until well blended. Use a cinnamon stick as a stirrer.

 

Here’s what I used/did:

§         Pillsbury sugar cookie mix. 16.5 oz package

§         Pure almond extract

§         I used one of those air-cushioned cookie pans. They lose heat more quickly when out of the oven.

§         I used an oven that circulated heated air rather than just a regular convection oven.

Cure to Patches of Dry Flaky Skin

Skin: Do you get dry patches during the cold winter? Use some 1% hydrocortisone cream on the effected area as needed.  Use according to the directions for the product.

Lips:  Flaky lips? After brushing your teeth when your lips are thoroughly wet, use a manual toothbrush and brush off the hanging skin. Apply lip balm after.

Hands and Nails: To keep your cuticles from cracking keep your hand moisturized. Using a cuticle pusher and cutter should keep the cuticle from over growing and splitting as your nails grow. Don’t soak your hands before cutting the cuticle, this may lead to over cutting. Just push back the cuticle and cut the part that sticks out, i.e. overgrown.

Best Body Moisturizer: Yes to Carrots!

I discovered this new brand about a month and a half ago in Walgreen’s. It uses organic ingredients and it’s jam-packed with good-for-you oils and not all those chemical fillers that other brands might use.

My favorite is the Yes to Carrots C through the Dry Spell body butter. After being dried out from the harsh weather, I’ve tried a few brands of lotions (Thymes, L’Occitane, Cerave, and Lubriderm) none of it got rid of the scaly look I had on my legs. C through the Dry Spell cured me!

I’ve also tried their face creams and lotions, those work well too. The lip balm was a bit more run-of-the mill. Smells great, but Mode De Vie’s Shea Butter lip balm works better.

http://www.yestocarrots.com

Best Lip Balm

Mode De Vie’s Shea Butter Lip Balm: I’ve been using this lip balm for a few years now. It’s the absolute best! It doesn’t form a weird layer over time. And really if you don’t let your lips come into contact with anything; you don’t need to reapply at all. It’s great for big lips  and lips that dry and crack easy.

http://www.modedevie.com/en/lip_balms_/p16740585.html

Today’s Picture of the City

Taken today @ 10:38am.