Hand Sanitizers: What You Don't Know

We all know that having clean hands is one way to prevent seasonalcold and flu viruses, including H1N1 Swine Flu.

But should you wash with soap and water OR coat your hands with disinfecting gel?

If your hands aren't actually grimy, the best way to clean them is to use hand sanitizer, James Scott, a microbiologist at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health. "It reduces the bacterial burden to a greater extent than soap and water," he said. "And your hands stay cleaner longer than if you were to use soap and water."

The waterless gels and foams have also been found to be effective in preventing the spread of viral and bacterial based diseases, like seasonal colds and flus. One study found that college students with hand sanitizer dispensers in their dorms had fewer complaints of coughs, chest congestion and fever. Plus their risk of getting sick was 20 percent lower than students whose dorms did not have the dispensers.

But the hand sanitzers must contain 60 percent or more alcohol, according to the FDA. Skim past the "kills 99.9% of bacteria" claim on the package and instead be certain that the active ingredient listed is either ethanol or isopropanol, at a percentage over 60.

They also must be used correctly. Make sure hands are free of visible grime and dirt and then apply a palm full of product and rub vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds, making sure to distribute the sanitizer between your fingers, under your nails and jewelry, on your wrists and on the backs of each hand.

Never rinse your hands with water or wipe them with a towel after using a hand sanitizer... this will counteract the effect of the product.

Another gold star for hand sanitizers: They tend to be gentler on skin than soap and water. Despite their high alcohol content, which is often thought to make creams and gels drying, one study found alcohol based hand sanitizers left skin in better condition than antibacterial soap. "Most of the modern hand sanitizers have emollients in them that will actually improve skin condition," Scott said.

But, don't toss your soap dispenser just yet. While the high alcohol content of hand sanitizers can kill bacteria, it doesn't necessarily clean your hands. That is, it does not cut thorough grime like dirt, blood, feces or other bodily fluids. Therefore, soap and water must be the first choice in restrooms. It is also essential in the kitchen as alcohol doesn't kill the foodborne bacteria E. Coli as well as soap and water does.

The best way to wash your hands with soap and water is to rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing front and backs of hands, wrists, and between fingers and under fingernails, according to the Mayo Clinic. Rinse well, dry hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer and, if possible, use your towel to turn off the faucet.

Know Your Zodiac Sign

CAPRICORN - The Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny.. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be Unfriendly at times. Hold grudges.... Like competition. Get what they want.

AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart ( Jan 20 - Fe b 18) Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.

PISCES - The Dreamer (Feb 19 - Mar 20) Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don't like details. Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful.

ARIES - The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19) Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse..Easily angered. Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly.. easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.

TAURUS - The Enduring One (April 20 - May 20) Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings that are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard, Passionate. Express themselves emotionally.. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves often. Very generous.

GEMINI - The Chatterbox (May 21 - June 20) Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty. Lively, energetic.. Adaptable but needs to express themselves. Argumentative and outspoken. Like change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent. Beautiful physically and mentally.

CANCER - The Protector (June 21 - July 22) Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome. Excellent partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic.

LEO - The Boss (July 23 - Aug 22) Very organized. Need order in their lives.. likes being in control. Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help Others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy. Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos. Attractive.

VIRGO - The Perfectionist (Aug 23 - Sept 22) Dominant in relationships. Conservative. Always wants the last word. Arg umentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy. Often shy. Pessimistic.

LIBRA - The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22) Nice to everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible.

SCORPIO - The Intense One (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser. Flirtatious. Can be secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long Relationships.. Talkative. Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional.

SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Good-natured optimist. Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.

Best Info To Know

To my friends who enjoy a glass of wine... and to those who don't.

As Ben Franklin said:
In wine there is wisdom,
in beer there is freedom,
in water there is bacteria.

In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 litre of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E. coli) - bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of poop.

However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.

So Remember:

Water = Poop

Wine = Health

Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid,
than to drink water and be full of shit.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information: I'm doing it as a public service. ;)

Celebrity Gossip

Just wanted to share these YouTube videos and some pics with you all of Wes from The Bachelorette.

Wes Tells All: His Own Addition...

The real story from Wes' own mouth:
Many of you have wondered why I didn't go on the Men Tell All. It's quite simple........ they would not allow me to say what I have said in interviews. I didn't want to go thru another editing job by ABC. If you want to hear it in my own words. Check out the YouTube video. I think you will find it VERY interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDjAtDIngik

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Wes Live on ABC:
Here's a video clip of Wes on Good Morning Texas on ABC on July 28, 2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIhEUfVuP7o

*and an interview after that...

Wes Tells All on Good Morning Texas:
From the hit TV show The Bachelorette, bad boy Wes Hayden appeared on WFAA's "Good Morning Texas" to set the record straight about what he said was just "playing a character."
WES HAYDEN!! SMALL PORTION OF THE TRUTH FROM GOOD MORNING TEXAS INTERVIEW..CHECK IT OUT..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDuHp_GvmJ0

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Here are pics from the show that they were talking about at The Gaylord Glass Cactus in the second Youtube video...

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Here is Me (on the left) and my friend, Kara and I enjoying the show.

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High school buddies Wes and Jeremy, from Deanna's season of Bachelorette.

I have caught alot of crap from people as to why we went to the show. It was a great show, we had a fun time, and he is not as bad of a guy as it looked on The Bachelorette. Take away all that and just listen to his music... it's pretty good, you just might like it too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-IrQscU3o4&NR=1

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Here is an interview that lasts about an hour with Wes, but this youtube interview does it in 9, 10 minute sessions, so that's why there are 9 parts.

Interview Part 1

Interview Part 2

Interview part 3

Interview Part 4

Interview Part 5

Interview Part 6

Interview Part 7

Interview Part 8

Interview Part 9

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After all this extra info... Now you can decide if you think Wes is still a Bad Guy or a Good Guy now?!?!

What do ya think?

I would love to hear your opinons, good or bad.

Vaca

How To Prepare for a Family Vacation

Getting ready to go on a family vacation can be an exciting time and being prepared will help make things go more smoothly…

Traveling with a family can be a nightmare. Most family travel meets some sort of major emergency or crisis during the planning phase, and it usually occurs right before they are due to go to the airport for departure. No matter how well the parents have planned, something never ever fits in and this can cause extreme panic when there are several children to deal with as well as making sure that everyone arrives at their vacation destination in one piece.

It is no wonder that family travel can cause major stress when you consider all of the things that have to be considered and then remembered. With insurance, packing, documentation, hotel arrangements, flights and other things to deal with, what you really need is a checklist to use to ensure that all elements are dealt with in the correct timescales to ensure that the dash to the airport is not an ordeal!

To help you cope with this, here are helpful tips and checklists that you can use for any given trip, whether going abroad or traveling near by. All of the information is relevant and can certainly help you to relax and enjoy your vacation!


If you’re family is traveling to a foreign country:
-Check Foreign Entry Requirements: http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
(Note: If Mom and Dad aren’t traveling together with a child, many countries are now requiring a notarized consent from the absent parent for children under 18.)

-Check Travel Health Warnings: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

-Check for Travel Warnings: http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html

-Check Vaccination Requirements: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm


Airline Travel Tips:
-Check your airline’s luggage restrictions and limits. (Note: The number one most confiscated item is nail scissors. Make sure you put them in your luggage and not your carry-on!)

-Put identification on the outside and inside of all luggage.

-Check FAA regulations for list of what you can’t carry on-board: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

-To help with trip planning, the TSA has a web site to check estimated security checkpoint wait times at airports: http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html


One week prior to your vacation:
-Make a list of the items you plan to pack.

-If you plan on driving your own car during the trip, get the oil changed, rotate the tires and perform other necessary maintenance.

-If necessary, plan transportation to the airport.

-Pay necessary bills, such as mortgage/rent, utilities, etc.

-Wash your clothes & Give your house a thorough cleaning.

-Leave contact information and your itinerary with a house sitter, neighbor, or friend that wouldn’t mind checking on your property while you’re away.

-Make arrangements for someone to feed the pets, water the plants, and bring up the mail.


Luggage Packing Tips:
-Put all liquids in plastic containers filled no more than ¾ of the way and then place in zip lock bags.

-Bring a plastic bag for dirty clothes.

-Put a unique marking on your luggage for easy spotting.


Important Items to Pack:
-Tickets
-ID
-Passport
-Itinerary
-Maps
-Traveler's Checks
-Cash
-Keys
-Medications
-Vitamins
-Insurance Cards
-Cell Phone & Charger
-Sunglasses
-Sunscreen
-Camera, Video Camera, Batteries & Chargers


Carry-on Checklist:
-Camera, video camera, extra batteries or charger.
-Tickets, Wallets, IDs, passports, itinerary, traveler’s checks, money, maps, keys, medical insurance cards.
-Jewelry, medications, and other important or high value items.
-Cell phones and charger.
-If you’re traveling with children, make room for a change of clothes and bring wipes in case of a spill on the plane!


Kids get a carry on too!
-Let them bring their own backpack of toys and books.
-Snacks
-Games for entertainment
-Sunglasses
-If your kids have difficulty during plane pressurization, bring lollipops and let them have them prior to taking off. Gum will work too, they just need to do some extra swallowing!
-Wet wipes


If traveling with a baby: car seat, diapers, wipes, prepared bottles, bib, pacifiers, change of clothes, stroller, night essentials, bathing supplies.


Toiletries to Pack:
-Lip Balm
-Body Soap & Face Wash
-Lotion
-Shampoo & Conditioner
-Makeup Remover
-Brush/Comb
-Hair Dryer/Straighter/Curling Iron, etc
-Hair Accessories
-Hair Gel/Hair Spray
-Deodorant
-Toothbrush, Toothpaste & Floss
-Razors & Shaving Cream
-Nail Clipper & File, Nail Polish & Remover
-Q-tips
-Bug Repellent
-Eyeglass & case
-Contact lens case and solution
-Mom's make-up
-Band-aids, Disinfectants, & Sunscreen

Clothes to Pack:
-Underwear/Bras
-Socks
-Pajamas/Robes/Slippers
-Jeans/Pants - day & night
-Shorts - day & night
-Shirts - day & night
-Skirts - day & night
-Dresses - day & night
-Belts
-Shoes - walking, beach, dress-up
-Swimsuits & Pool Cover-ups

Other Items to Pack:
-Watches & Jewelry
-Sewing Kit
-Travel Alarm Clock
-Ipods & earphones
-DVD Players & Movies
-Laptops
-Magazines & Books

**Make Sure you pack these items for each family member.**


Two -Three days prior to your vacation:
-Visit your airline's website to confirm departure times.

-Begin packing for your trip.

-Give your house a final tidying.

-Give plants a sufficient watering.

-Put lamps, tv, and/or radio on timers to ensure that your residence maintains a lived in look
while you are away.


One day prior to your vacation:
-Finish packing.

-Make sure that your vehicle has a full tank of fuel.

-Position luggage, purses, and necessary travel documents near the door.

-Remove perishable foods, such as milk and meats, from of the refrigerator so they don't spoil.

-Take out the trash & Wash the dishes.

-Prepare snacks for the trip.


Day of departure:
-Pack your vehicle.

-Review what you have packed to ensure you haven't forgotten anything.

-Turn off and unplug unnecessary appliances.

-Ensure your answering machine is on.

-Make sure all doors, windows, basements, and garages are locked.

-If your house has a security system, enable it.


Hopefully these tips will serve as a good starting point when you are considering how to prepare for your trip, You may want to add or take away items from your checklist, depending on your destination and other factors. And remember, after your diligent preparation, the next thing to do is enjoy your trip!

Whatever your time frame is, planning ahead can ensure that your vacation runs as smoothly and is as fulfilling as possible.

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Dedicated to The Waldenville Family :) Hope you have a terrific, stress-free vacation! Love you guys!

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