Notes & Tips: Walgreens "Family Fall & Wellness" Briefing

Recently, I was asked to be a part of a Video Conference Briefing hosted by Walgreens regarding Flu and lead by Dr. Gwenn O'Keefe in order to broach the topic that's on everyone's minds, Seasonal Flu and more importantly, H1N1.

It was a participate. Thank you Walgreens and Dr. O'Keefe. Here I share my notes and Dr. O'Keefe's Tips for Family Fall and Winter Wellness from the briefing.



Family Fall and Winter Wellness Briefing
- Walgreens Flu by Dr. Gwenn O'Keeffe


Pediatrician health journalist, parent and social media expert. She writes Pediatrics Now and Dr. Gwenn Is In. She is from the Boston area and practices in Boston area hospitals.

Topic 2009 Flue Season
2 Different Flu Viruses of the Influenza variety;
a) seasonal flu which we have each winter
b) H1N1 (Swine Flue) just on the scene; concerning is its newness;

Dr. O'Keefe recommends two Shots
one for H1N1 and one for seasonal flu
seasonal flu vaccine shortages are occurring - Walgreens expects more in Nov
Testing shows the vaccine is safe

Moms face flu exposure first in and out of the home - take care of mom, even basic essentials: have the home stocked of
basic meds, groceries, soups, juices, etc. have child care help in place and stay home when sick! Keep your children home if they are sick at all. Have doctors numbers on the fridge and have a 'go to' person in place, friend or neighbor on-call for errands or children; and keep prepare meals from freezer that are readily available when you're not.

Walgreens and Dr. O'Keefe recommend: Try to get both seasonal and H1N1 shots.
They can be given together or separately = except the Nasal vaccines SHOULD BE GIVEN SEPARATELY.

How to Stay Well For the Ones You Love
1) Get adequate sleep;
2) stay hydrated - drink plenty of water;
3) take multi-vitamins;
4) eat well; and
5) avoid contact with sick people.

H1N1 Facts:
Best thing to do: stay home, drink fluids, get rest, take fever reducers.

If difficulty breathing occurs, inability to eat, etc. - go to doctor's or ER
Could be mild at first and end up in the ER 5 days later.

Keep Your Family Well:
Wash hands often w/soap or antibacterial gel - after any contact with anyone;
cover mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze;
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose;
Avoid contact with sick people;
If Sick, STAY HOME - avoids spreading germs and get well sooner!

Hope this helps you all. Are there any questions you would like Dr. O'Keefe to address? She has offered to follow up and answer any specific questions or address anything overlooked. What are your thoughts? Are you and your family planning to be vaccinated? How do you prepare?

Including my Notes and Tips in the "Works For Me Wednesday" blog carnival so as many Moms as possible can be educated on this relevant topic.

Warmly,

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Tasty Fall Classic Pumpkin Bread


Classic Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cup of flour, sifted
1 eggs
1 ¼ cup of brown sugar
1 c. pumpkin
½ cup skim milk
¼ cup canola oil
2 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of baking soda
½ teaspoon of cinnamon
¼ teaspoon of nutmeg
1/2 c. toasted pecans


Preheat oven to 350°F

Sift together dry ingredients (except brown sugar)
Combine the egg, milk, canola oil, pumpkin and brown sugar.

Stir in flour/dry mix and add 1/2 c. of Chocolate Chips if you like

Add the dry mix. Stir until moistened and pour into a greased baking pan.
Bake for 55 minutes or until golden brown. (gage according to your oven heat)

*This is included in the "Tasty Tuesday" Recipe Collection! What are your favorites for Fall?


Warmly,

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"Everyday Greatness" by Stephen R. Covey Review


"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do!"


"Everyday Greatness" by Stephen R. Covey "Inspiration for a meaningful life." Thomas Nelson published. Covey works at facilitating you getting more out of life with his insights and commentary! This is a Reader's Digest recommended reading book. It is a nice coffee table or bedside table book. To clarify, the writings are not by Covey but the "insights and commentary" are and they are well done.

Believe me, I have been perusing it for a while and it is chock full of nuggets to get you focused. Covey challenges you to make three important choices everyday:

1) The Choice to Act - your energy
2) The Choice or Purpose - your destination
3) The Choice for Principles - the menans for attaining your goals.

Other topics and titles include, Creating a Dream, Teaming with Others and Overcoming Adversity. Be prepared there is a lot of information in this book. You can also use this book as a refresher or encouragement, reading Chapters or Sections at a time and still glean a lot of insight.


Warmly,

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The Evil That Lurks After Our Children

Not me! I'm not the one totally clueless at the evil that a 'simple' (data loaded) cell phone, iTouch or iPhone can cause! Not me! needing to be informed of the evil the is seeking out our children! Not me! Where you are a boy or girl mom or both! Meet Vicki Courtney...

Vicki Courtney


"The first alarm sounded when a dear friend of mine who serves on staff at a private Christian school in Florida shared that a large group of their 3rd grade boys were caught surfing a popular online portal of homemade p*rn during school hours.

Stop for a minute and think about that. Eight and nine year-old boys passing around a cell phone or iTouch to each other at the lunch table or on the school bus and getting their first exposure to s*x in the vilest form possible. How will they even begin to process what they have seen and reconcile it with God’s intended purpose for sex?


by Vicki Courtney of "Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter" and more.

What a sobering thought! We all know that evil loves to spread its nastiness. I'll admit, Not me! , I am not the Mom who is clueless about this evil that lurks. Not me! I am not the one who has to be given a cold stop warning like this article by Vicki Courtney. What about you - what areas are "Not Me!" areas for you? Share them here! One thing is that I will continue to read great articles of insight like Vicki Courtney and more. Where do you get your good information for protecting your children and family? Let's share resources on this great topic!

Warmly,

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A Weigh-In and Royal Red Velvet

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Tonight I had a ladies meeting and I took Red Velvet Cake. It inspired me to share this recipe by Mrs. Paula Deen. It is her lovely and famous ...

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting by Paula Deen

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 sticks butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.

Cook's Note: Frost the cupcakes with a butter knife or pipe it on with a big star tip.

These make a wonderful presentation and taste test sensation at Christmastime! What are your favorite recipes?

After trying these, you will want to weigh like this -


... just don't tell my Weight Watchers friends! In fact, this Weight Watchers Girl weighed in proper tonight and was down -3.6 pounds! That rocked the house! (especially after the plateau I've been on).

p.s. I had a small portion of the lovely Red Velvet! A girl has to celebrate! Next Red Velvet craving... I'm turning to these delicious treats, the Weight Watchers Red Velvet Bars! They are divine!

Weight Watchers Red Velvet Bars



And they are soooo worth it! 1 point Mini Bars

Warmly,

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Affordable GlassesUSA Online Retailer

One thing I love about blogging is the opportunity to engage with amazing companies like GlassesUSA! When I discovered these gorgeous eyeglasses I was immediately hooked! Look how stylish -



They have an amazing selection. Everything from Retro, to Fashion, to Rimless glasses. I have worn prescription glasses since I was in the sixth grade. And getting a hip new look has always been my thing. Remember, my Cir. 1999 Ralph Lauren rectangle glasses? I stepped out then and - who knew - they're still in style. Going strong!



I really adore fashionable eyeglass frames. All of these are from GlassesUSA. And they have amazing prices with FREE LENSES! That's right, free lenses. And they offer Free Shipping on all orders over $99. Their website also offers discounts, what more could you ask for!

GlassesUSA

Customer Service at GlassesUSA is quick and concise. My glasses arrived perfect. Everything I had ordered was in place and they did this quickly too. After buying designer glasses and paying the way-over-priced-pricing, I am hooked on GlassesUSA for a variety of reasons. And here's one of the best, their Mission Statement. Check it out!

GlassesUSA Mission: Our mission is to guarantee the highest quality optical products at the most affordable prices in the fastest time span possible – all across the world.
We guarantee our customers the highest quality - yet affordable - prescription eyewear because we own our laboratories, saving our customers on every order! We pay less. You pay less. It’s a win-win situation! Thank you GlassesUSA for providing me your awesome product to learn for myself first hand!

Do you purchase your glasses at a Retailer? Have your purchased online glasses? This was my first experience with online retailer glasses and I am very pleased.


Warmly,

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Pink Together & A Giveaway

WINNER: Tammy @GreekGRITS!! Thanks all who participated!


This loveliness came in the mail today...
Pink Together

I was so happy to be asked to help spread the word about ...

Pink Together®, a national campaign to support those impacted by breast cancer and to help raise awareness of the disease. To support Pink Together, General Mills is donating $2 million to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and is turning the packaging pink next month on an assortment of its most beloved brands. General Mills will also donate $1, up to $20,000, each time you post a comment of encouragement, send a virtual flower bouquet or share a story on PinkTogether.com in October.

Pink Together

October continues to honor and bring awareness of Breast Cancer among women. Now, Pink Together helps put the stories of women in front of you. "Everyone can share hope by posting and reading inspiring stories of breast cancer survivors and supporters within the community."

You can be a WINNER of a FREE Inspiring Hope Gift Basket that includes a sleeved travel mug, a running ribbon charm bracelet, a pink leather strap keychain, a pink cinch bag, and a set of inspirational note cards. All of the gift basket items are from ShopKomen.com, where 25 percent of the merchandise purchase price benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in the fight against breast cancer.

Entering to Win:

1) Share anything about Breast Cancer Awareness - even if this is the first thing you have heard. Or do you know someone? ...

2) Please re-post and get the word out about this amazing site Pink Together

3) Twitter away about this Inspiring Hope Gift Basket for an awesome cause - Susan G. Komen for the Cure's awesome Foundation!

Good Luck! This Giveaway will run until Friday, October 23rd @ Noon!

P.S. Guess what cute pink bag I am taking to the Gym tomorrow?! Pink Rocks October!

Warmly,

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God's Gifts....


"God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame." Eliz. Barrett Browning

Warmly,

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1st Place At The Corn Maze

Oh, my goodness what a blast at the Green Acres Farm! They have everything!

Hay Rides, Tractors, John Deer galore! Pumpkins, Hot Dogs/Hamburgers, Cows to Feed, Cow Milking Simulation that the kids loved! Tons of Hay for the kids to play in with tunnels, and towers of Hay.... The Corn Maze alone was awesome! And the Rope Maze and did I say, "the Hay!"

My Tigers loved it all!


Warmly,

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Awesome Friday Food Finds

Hello Friday! And Friday Food Finds. There is more fun this week. Ode to the Weight Watchers Pecan Crown! Sweet sensations just got better for this Weight Watchers Girl and they're guilt free with this little delight.



Registering in:
Pecan Crowns by Whitman's for Weight Watchers
1 POINTS® value per piece
Who could resist nutty pecans and smooth caramel, especially paired with milk chocolate? These are soooo satisfying!

Thanks to Food Network's Chef Michael Chiarello! And Marie Callender's Pasta al Dente Presents "From Tuscany to Tuscan: Authentic Italian Cuisine at Home" with Master Chef Michael Chiarello blogger briefing that I was able to attend, I found out about this lovely item...



This just made Pasta Jambalaya with an al dente texture to it. (Not a soggy-in-the-pot kinda thing!)

Next, here's something I found a while back and can't do without this Friday:



Another guilt free item. What are your favorite items? Any new food finds this Friday? Hope you have a great weekend!

Warmly,

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Why I Didn't Fit Into the Ralph Lauren Jeans Tonight

Like my new dress? :)



The real reason I didn't fit into the Ralph Lauren Jeans tonight...



... no sane girl would want to look like this!

Seriously, doesn't that picture give you the cold chills! Even with all of my Weight Watchers Girlsuccess, the jeans I encountered tonight were just this small (pictured above). And just that frightening.

Ralph Lauren surprised us all with this outrageous 'model' picture. And the worst is that they altered a gorgeous "Model" to get their result. RL Results stink! Kudos to Filippa Hamilton for sounding the alarm, this is not okay! No, RL, it is not okay to fire a 5'10" woman who weighs 120 lbs for being too heavy. That message is not one we're going to take.

Why would RL or anyone else want to send the message that this is a girls role model. Thoughts? Feelings? Weight? :)

Warmly,

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Thrill of Trio Toys

Oh the thrill of the Trio Toys ! My Tigers made this!



Of course, I was delighted to receive this lovely building system to review. Mainly, the Tigers were ecstatic! We love the way the pieces all click together and create a variety of things like this:



"All pieces in the TRIO™ Building System by Fisher Price work together. Collect them all and build a world of fun."

Here are a couple of quotes about the boy toys from the Tigers:

"I loved it because you can make some neat stuff!"
"And you can make some big things and some small things, too"
"I love it because it is so fun to play with!" "I made a Helicopter first and it was really cool!"

It was the perfect gift/toy to leave behind while I attended the mommyblogging conference last month. Mountain Man was thrilled with the hours clocked by the Tigers creation things like this...


This great new toy from Fisher Price.- the TRIO Building System Starter Set is awesome and includes 100 pieces in a convenient storage tub.

In addition, we welcome the opportunity to host a giveaway for an additional TRIO Building System Starter Set right here on Carolina Mama!

Entering is easy:

1) Tell me about the child you wish to gift the toy, age, etc.

2) Twitter this Giveaway!

3) Subscribe or Follow here at Carolina Mama.

4) Post about the Giveaway on your blog and enter again!

All the best, because Christmas is around the corner and this is a perfect Christmas toy for boys!

This Giveaway closes at 10pm EST Friday, October 16th. Good luck!

** Edited to add: The Winner Is: Southern Blessings (who also did all four steps for quadruple entries!) Thanks to Random.org for the random number generation! Enjoy your Trio! It's awesome!

Because this toy is so great, I am adding this to my "Christmas Shopping Tips List!" and you can find more tips here at Works For Me Wednesday!

Warmly,

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