Forty: Fear Not, It's Fabulous!

If you are turning forty, or are in the middle of it, or leaving forty for fifty, hear me now: Have no fear.

I've come to the conclusion, age is just a number. For me personally, the years between forty and fifty were the best years of my life. Professionally, my career was on track and I was moving up the corporate ladder. In fact, if I had never been promoted again, I would have been satisfied. I liked my job, my co-workers, and my work environment. The worst of the climb upward was behind me and the future was bright. Personally, my family was "settled".  My life partner was supportive and loving. The children were basically self-sufficient, responsive to our family values, and reasonably happy.

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Nail Health

Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails. Keep reading to learn what secrets your nails might reveal.

• Pale Nails - Very pale nails can sometimes be a sign of serious illness, such as:
• Anemia
• Congestive heart failure
• Liver disease
• Malnutrition

• White Nails - If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis.

• Yellow Nails - One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble. In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.

• Bluish Nails - Nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen. This could indicate an infection in the lungs, such as pneumonia. Some heart problems can be associated with bluish nails.

• Rippled Nails - If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Discoloration of the nail is common; the skin under the nail can seem reddish-brown.

• Cracked or Split Nails - Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.

• Puffy Nail Fold - If the skin around the nail appears red and puffy, this is known as inflammation of the nail fold. It may be the result of lupus or another connective tissue disorder. Infection can also cause redness and inflammation of the nail fold.

• Dark Lines Beneath the Nail - Dark lines beneath the nail should be investigated as soon as possible. They are sometimes caused by melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

• Gnawed Nails - Biting your nails may be nothing more than an old habit, but in some cases it's a sign of persistent anxiety that could benefit from treatment. Nail biting or picking has also been linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you can't stop, it's worth discussing with your doctor.

Though nail changes accompany many conditions, these changes are rarely the first sign. And many nail abnormalities are harmless -- not everyone with white nails has hepatitis. If you're concerned about the appearance of your nails, see a dermatologist.


Source: webmd.com

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Home Remedies: Hangover

A hangover is caused by excessive Ethanol being introduced into the body, this causes an increase in urine production which dehydrates the body leading to a decrease of essential fluids in the body and especially the brain which is the main factor which results in headaches and a feeling of lethargy.

• Symptoms:
• Dry Mouth
• Headache
• Bloodshot Eyes
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Dizziness

• Remedies:
• Antacids like peppermint and chamomile tea may help quell an upset stomach.
• Drink plenty of water or fresh juices to rehydrate yourself. One of the main causes of a hangover is dehydration, however skip acidic juices like orange and opt for apple instead.
• Alcohol causes loss of potassium from your body. Eating a banana may help regain lost potassium.
• Nausea can be treated with ginger. To counteract the effects of the same, drinking ginger-ale is highly recommended.
• Sports drinks are highly recommended as they help regain lost glucose in the body.
• Other clear liquids like soup are recommended until the stomach is strong enough for solid food after which easy to digest foods like toast are ideal. Consume a lot of water before you go to bed. This should provide some relief to the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Drink lots of water even after you wake up.

• It’s a good practice to eat something while and after you are drinking. This helps reduce the rate at which alcohol enters your blood and thus can help reduce the after-effects.
• Take vitamin C tablets. These help break down the alcohol content in your body.
• Never drink on an empty stomach. Food helps to absorb some of the alcohol and aids the body in digesting it faster. 
• Try to eat starchy foods to slow down the alcohol absorption. 
• Limit yourself to less than 1 drink per hour. 
• Try to alternate your alcoholic drinks with nonalcoholic beverages such as water.
• Stick to non-carbonated drinks as carbonation can speed up the alcohol absorption.
• Try to avoid sweet drinks (and sugary foods) while you drink. The sweet taste of the drink can make it difficult for you to judge how much alcohol you’re actually consuming.
• One of the earliest recorded remedies for a hangover came from the ancient Romans who on the suggestion of Pliny the Elder (Gaius Plinius Secundus) took to consuming raw owl eggs while sometimes opting for fried canary. Through the years, the accepted remedy for a hangover still varied with 1878 Paris World Exposition demonstrated a cure composed of a mixture of raw egg yolk, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper while in America, people took to consuming a mixture of Coca-Cola and milk. Known author Ernest Hemingway himself swore on tomato juice and beer as being the cure.
• And remember, a good cure for a hangover is plenty of sleep so get a few more hours in than normal!

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Health: Best Snacks 100 Calories or Less

It’s March. The New Year is still fresh, and I’m sure we are all still implementing our “New Year, New You” way of thinking. In my continuous quest to maintain my recent weight loss, I came across this list of snack foods which contain 100 calories or less.

Sweet Treats:

• 5 Nabisco Nilla Wafers
• 1 Whole Foods Market Two-Bite Brownie
• 1 Healthy Choice Mocha Fudge Swirl Bar
• 9 Tootsie Roll Midgees
• 1 pouch Keebler Sandies Right Bites Shortbread Cookies
• ½ cup Sharon's Lemon Sorbet with 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1 Skinny Cow Fat Free Fudge Bar
• 1 Nestlé Butterfinger Stixx
• 12 vanilla Miss Meringue Minis
• 4 Country Choice Certified Organic Ginger Snaps
• 1 Vitamuffin Vitatop

Savory Bites:

• 29 pistachios
• 60 Pepperidge Farm Baby Goldfish Crackers
• 1 Jolly Time Healthy Pop 100 Calorie Mini Bag popcorn
• 25 EatSmart Café Fries
• 12 Back to Nature Sesame Ginger Rice Thins
• 12 Quaker Quakes Cheddar Cheese Rice Snacks
• 40 Rold Gold Classic Style Pretzel Sticks

Dairy Delights:

• 1 Laughing Cow Light Creamy Garlic & Herb cheese wedge and 3 Triscuits
• 1 Kraft Polly-O Superlong Twist-Ums string cheese stick
• 1 Yoplait Light Smoothie
• ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese with 5 strawberries

Hearty Helpings

• Campbell's Soup at Hand Blended Vegetable Medley
• 1 hard-boiled egg with 1 slice Melba toast
• 4 slices Sara Lee Honey Ham with 2 teaspoons honey mustard, rolled in lettuce leaf
• ½ mini bagel with 1 ounce smoked salmon

Fruits & Veggies

• 2 cups raspberries
• 28 grapes
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup mango chunks
• ½ medium cantaloupe
• 15 strawberries dipped in 1⁄4 cup Cool Whip Lite
• 45 steamed edamame (green soybeans)
• 2 tablespoons each of mashed avocado and chopped tomatoes stuffed in 1⁄2 mini pita
• ½ red bell pepper dipped in 3 tablespoons hummus

Source: goodhousekeeping.com

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Empty Nest Syndrome

Empty Nest Syndrome is a feeling of great loss or sadness when a child leaves home to go to college or just to get out on their own.

For some, not being involved in your child’s everyday life and this is not just for mothers, but fathers too, may create a temporary identity crisis. You may find yourself depressed or anxious experiencing unaccountable tears or simply being highly emotional. You may wonder who you are and what are you worth, if not as a parent.


When our children are in high school, they begin to form new friendships, and start going out on weekends. We worry about so many things during this time and rightfully so. With drugs and alcohol abuse at an all-time high, it is a frightening time for parents. While we must be diligent in keeping the lines of communication open, we must also remember that our children need some privacy too. As much as we wish they would tell us everything, the fact is, they will not. We have to respect that. All we can really do is let them know that we are there for them, no matter what. 

When the time does come that our children marry or graduate from high school and leave for college, it can be difficult to deal with the emotions that we feel. We try to hide our sadness from others because these events in a child’s life are supposed to be happy occasions. While we are happy for our children, we are also feeling a deep sense of loss. We have to remember that these feelings are perfectly normal, and not be afraid to seek out comfort from friends and family.


Even though this time in a mother's life can be a difficult time, it can also be a time of refreshing and a time for new beginnings. It can be a time of reflection, and a time to rejoice for a job well done. Believe it or not, this can truly be a significant and positive transition and period of growth for you! 


Here are some tips to help:

• Re-invest in your marriage/relationship: As you begin to re-discover your partner, you may be surprised to find that, though you got along with each other, you had really just been roommates in the past. Having kids that are plowing through adolescence can put many families into survival mode. Others managed to raise kids as a single parent and not only were their kids their responsibility to raise, but they were also their companions. The loneliness of a quiet house can be devastating to a single parent who is going through Empty Nest Syndrome. Now is the time to get out and meet some new people. Whether you are interested in dating is irrelevant. Just be proactive in meeting some people who have shared interests. There is no shame in starting to live again after your kids have moved on.

• Relish the time alone: You now have that peace and quiet that you have been wanting. Remember when they played their music too loud, their friends were too noisy and you wondered if there would ever be peace again? Well, your “peace” is available right now! What are you going to do? Read? Travel? Re-decorate? How will you use your quiet time? Make a list.

• Travel: Make your world bigger. When was your last trip or vacation? You don’t have to go around the world, just get out of town. Expand your world view. Pick a place and go. Explore. Your children are making their world bigger just by leaving home. Now it’s your turn. Where are you going?

• Utilize your talents: Raising children has been a full time job. Now they are gone and you need to replace that, you need another way to do your special work. What are your strengths? What are your skills? How can you use these to help others? Whether it’s through church, community, or more global, your gifts are needed. What are your special gifts? How are you going to use them?

Life is a journey. Consider this time of your life a step forward, a step in the right direction. You now have your very own life, so go lead it! 


Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Sources: letlifein.com, lifescript.com

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Internet Dating: How Your Race Affects the Messages You Get

As a single, professional female, I found it hard to meet men in conjunction with my everyday life. After much thought and many talks with singles in my similar situation, I decided to try internet dating. I tried several sites and never had that “connection” until my interaction with “Jr.”. We instantly formed a bond, and have been together since the beginning. Of course our meet was a “chance” occurrence that has blossomed into something wonderful, but also could have become just another statistic in the internet dating world.

I continue to have an interest in helping others find that “special” someone, whether it be via internet or just old fashioned face to face meets. In my quest to further this goal, I came across this article that I found to be of some interest.


Here are some highlights from the article (Source: blog.okcupid.com)

• Black women write back the most. Whether it’s due to talkativeness, loneliness, or a sense of plain decency, black women are by far the most likely to respond to a first contact attempt. In many cases, their response rate is one and a half times the average, and, overall, black women reply about a quarter more often that other women.
• White men get more responses. Whatever it is, white males just get more replies from almost every group. We were careful to preselect our data pool so that physical attractiveness (as measured by our site picture-rating utility) was roughly even across all the race/gender slices. For guys, we did likewise with height.
• White women prefer white men to the exclusion of everyone else—and Asian and Hispanic women prefer them even more exclusively. These three types of women only respond well to white men. More significantly, these groups’ reply rates to non-whites is terrible. Asian women write back non-white males at 21.9%, Hispanic women at 22.9%, and white women at 23.0%. It’s here where things get interesting, for white women in particular. If you look at the match-by-race table before this one, the “should-look-like” one, you see that white women have an above-average compatibility with almost every group. Yet they only reply well to guys who look like them.
• Men don’t write black women back. Or rather, they write them back far less often than they should. Black women reply the most, yet get by far the fewest replies. Essentially every race—including other blacks—singles them out for the cold shoulder.
• White guys respond less overall. The average reply rate of non-white males is 48.1%, while white guys’ is only 40.5%. Basically, they write back about 20% less often. It’s ironic that white guys are worst responders, because as we saw above they in turn get the most replies.

• Exactly What to Say in a First Message:
• Be literate - Netspeak, bad grammar, and bad spelling are huge turn-offs.
• Avoid physical compliments - Although the data shows this advice holds true for both sexes, it’s mostly directed at guys, because they are way more likely to talk about looks.
• Use an unusual greeting - We took a close look at salutations. After all, the way you choose to start your initial message to someone is the “first impression of your first impression.” The more informal standard greetings: how’s it going, what’s up, and howdy all did very well.
• Bring up specific interests - Talking about specific things that interest you or that you might have in common with someone is a time-honored way to make a connection.
• If you’re a guy, be self-effacing - Awkward, sorry, apologize, kinda, and probably all made male messages more successful, yet none of them except sorry affects female messages. A lot of real-world dating advice tells men to be more confident, but apparently hemming and hawing a little works well online.
• Consider becoming an atheist - Mentioning your religion helps you, but, paradoxically, it helps you most if you have no religion.

Do you think the information listed here is helpful? Leave a comment below to let me know what you think. Since I don’t completely agree with the total content of this article, I will be posting some of my findings and “how to” tips for internet dating in the future.

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First Aid: Cuts or Lacerations Treatment

Cuts or Lacerations Treatment

Call 911 if: A cut is bleeding severely, blood is spurting out, or bleeding can't be stopped after 10 minutes of firm and steady pressure.


In general, a cut that needs stitches has to be repaired within 6 hours of the injury. The exception is cuts to the face and scalp, which generally can be repaired up to 24 hours after the injury.


Take the following steps for minor cuts:

1. Stop the Bleeding 
• Apply direct pressure on the area.
2. Clean and Protect
• Clean the area with warm water and gentle soap.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment to reduce chance of infection.
• Put a sterile bandage on the area.
3. Call a Health Care Provider if:
• The cut is deep or over a joint
• You cannot get the cut or laceration clean
• The injury is a deep puncture wound or the person has not had a recent (within the last 5 to 10 years) tetanus shot or booster
• The cut is from a human or animal bite
4. Follow Up
• For a minor cut or laceration, remove bandage after a couple of days to promote healing.
• See a health care provider if the cut doesn't heal or shows signs of infection, including redness, swelling, pus, or excessive pain.

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Abusive Relationships

Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.

Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: to gain and maintain total control over you. An abuser doesn’t “play fair.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under his or her thumb. Your abuser may also threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you.


Domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate. It happens among heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships. It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And while women are more commonly victimized, men are also abused—especially verbally and emotionally, although sometimes even physically as well. The bottom line is that abusive behavior is never acceptable, whether it’s coming from a man, a woman, a teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.

This Healthy Relationship Quiz was developed by the Santa Clara University Wellness Center to help women (and also men) decide if they are in an unhealthy and abusive relationship.

1. Do you feel afraid to speak your mind, express how you feel or ask for something you need?
2. Does your partner tell you are "stupid", "crazy", or "inadequate" when you disagree?
3. Does your partner make fun of your ideas or opinions?
4. Is your partner bossy and/or try to control every detail in your relationship?
5. Is your partner extremely demanding and jealous?
6. Do you often feel guilty and second-guess your choices in friends, social activities, jobs, etc. because of your partner's negative comments about these choices?
7. Are you afraid of your partner's temper, feel like you walk on eggshells, and/or are constantly monitoring what you say and do as an attempt to avoid making him/her angry?
8. Do you find yourself making excuses for your partner and justifying his/her actions to others?
9. Do you feel more "free" to be yourself when he/she isn't around?
10. Does your partner throw or break things when angry?
11. Does your partner try to control where you go and what you do?
12. Does your partner pressure you to engage in sexual activities that you are uncomfortable with and put you down if you refuse?
13. Does your partner threaten to kill or hurt him/herself if you have a differing opinion, try to end the relationship, or do something they disapprove of?
14. Does your partner try to make you feel guilty for having a "life" (i.e. friends, interests) apart from the relationship?
15. Does your partner criticize your family and friends and ask you to stop seeing them?
16. Do you feel that you have changed, lost touch with who you are, or become someone else in order to be with your partner?
17. Have your friends or family expressed concern about your relationship and/or your well-being?
18. Does your partner know how to make you feel bad (i.e., what buttons to push) and use it often to hurt you?
19. Have you lost touch with your friends, and only hang out with your partner's friends?
20. Does your partner try to control you with anger and guilt, or lash out when you don't do exactly what he or she wants?
21. Has your partner ever hit, slapped, punched, shoved, grabbed or shook you?
22. Has your partner ever threatened to hurt you, take important things away, or leave you?
23. Has your partner ever called you names, put you down, insulted you, and/or embarrassed you in front of others?
24. Do you feel like you never get anywhere when you try to communicate?
25. Do you spend large amounts of time preoccupied with what you've said or how it's interpreted?

If you answered "yes" to 3 or more questions in this Healthy Relationship Quiz, you are experiencing signs of relationship abuse.


Helplines for women:
In the US: call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).


Helplines for men:
U.S. and Canada: The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men & Women at1-888-7HELPLINE
(1-888-743-5754).


Sources: http://dahmw.org/,www.marriage-family-counseling.com

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Fighting Winter Dry Skin

Winter is often a time for more noticeably dry skin. It is a problem that becomes worse due to low humidity in cold weather. It can also bring about dry “patches” in certain areas such as feet and elbows. Here are some tips to fight winter dryness:

• Apply a generous amount of skin moisturizer to keep the water from leaving your skin. A thick moisturizer should work quite well, and you can also try some petroleum jelly. It is best to apply a moisturizer on your skin, immediately after a shower, while your skin is still moist.

• Limit the amount of time you spend while bathing and reduce the temperature of your bath water, as these factors remove the natural oil from your skin. Make sure that you do not spend more than 15 minutes taking a shower and use lukewarm to warm water.  

• Use a bath or shower gel that contains added moisturizer, instead of using a soap that is harsh and drying. 

• Avoid rubbing your skin vigorously after a shower, as it damages your skin and causes it to dry out. Pat your skin dry gently, with a soft towel and allow some of the moisture to remain on your skin while you moisturize to allow for better penetration into the skin.

• Use a humidifier if you spend a lot of time indoors or in an artificially heated or cooled environment. Be sure to keep the humidifier clean and free of bacteria and fungi. 

• Fabrics like cotton and silk allow your skin to breathe and therefore are good for the health of your skin. Certain fabrics like wool and polyester can irritate your skin, leading to dryness, itching, and so on.
It is also important to drink plenty of fluids. However alcohol and caffeinated beverages should be avoided due to their dehydrating properties.

You can also keep skin hydrated by increasing your consumption of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, zinc, sulfur, and vitamin C. With a daily regimen of these tips you should notice healthier looking skin and a happier you.

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Valentine's Day Tips: How To Romance Without Finance

No Romance Without Finance?

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering candies, and sending greeting cards.

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)

Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

Valentine’s Day History

Some say the day is named after a bishop named Valentine, who was stationed in the Roman Empire. Claudius II was the Emperor at that time. He thought that unmarried men made better soldiers, so he decided to make it a law that young men could not marry. Around 270 A.D., Valentine took pity on the ostracized soldiers who were not permitted to marry or see their sweethearts.

He became an advocate of these young lovers and began to perform secret marriages. He was soon found out and jailed. Emperor Claudius II attempted to convert Valentine to begin worshipping the Roman gods, but Valentine refused. Instead, he tried to convert Claudius to Christianity and Valentine sentenced to be executed on February 24, 270.

Another version of the history of Valentine’s Day tells that Valentine fell in love with his jailer’s daughter. Just before his death, he sent her a note and signed it “from your Valentine.” An aura of romance surrounded his demise and those who knew about it spread the tale. Bishop Valentine became Saint Valentine with his fame extending to England and France.

After his death, Valentine then became what is known as a “Patron Saint.” Some considered him the spiritual overseer of an annual festival in which young Romans would distribute cards of affection to those they wished to formally see. This festival was held each February 14. There are Valentine cards in museums worldwide that date back to 1415.

Making Valentine’s Day Special on A Budget

The best experience on Valentine’s Day is to have your loved one come away feeling loved, special, and wanted. Here are some tips to save money and still make the day special.

• Make your own. Cards and gifts that are handmade are more likely to be remembered because they are personally made by you for “your valentine”. You can add many special and personalized touches. Tell the story of how you came to be or tell the story of the dreams you share.
• Think of something special you can do for your love. Use vouchers. Example: This voucher is good for the night of your wildest dreams. To be redeemed when you're in the mood. Give a loving foot massage or full body massage. You would be amazed at the amount of gratitude your partner will have.
• Say "I love you". It doesn't cost anything but it says and means a great deal. Don't be shy; say it a lot during the day. Tell your love how you really feel. He or she will appreciate your honesty and it will mean more than any gift could.
• Be spontaneous.  Watch the sun rise, see the sun set, watch a movie, listen to a visiting band, memorize his favorite poem and recite it after dinner, or whatever else you think is most appropriate.
• Create a music CD. Create a CD filled with love songs and make it better by creating a CD cover with a photo of both of you. Add in a couple of songs that have great titles that you can connect them together to create a short love note.
• Record a video. Record a video of you showing your gratitude to them and just remind them again just how much you love them. Pick a moment to play the video, such as the moment when you are having your home made Valentine’s Day dinner.
• Create a scrap book. Love notes, photos of both of you and other mementos can be collected to help create a scrap book.
• Breakfast in bed. Nothing beats waking up in the morning to see your Valentine had already prepared a delicious looking breakfast that is just right beside your bed. Pay attention to the little details and prepare something your Valentine would like to eat and decorate it with some small gifts or flowers.

When all is said and done, Valentine's Day is really all about the love. Enjoy!

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February Awareness Activities

Black History Month

Established as Negro History Week in the 1920's by Carter G. Woodson, February was chosen for the celebration because Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born in this month. Extended to a month-long celebration in 1976, Black History Month is an opportunity to emphasize the history and achievements of African Americans. Let’s take the time to remember, to reunite, and to rededicate ourselves to our history!

National Heart Disease Awareness Month 

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women today. I am sure we are all familiar with signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Here are some additional facts:
 

• Extreme fatigue or loss of sleep
• Chest problems such as difficulty breathing, aches, heaviness, tightness or burning feeling 
• Pain between the shoulders and above the navel 
• Chest pains or tightness that extends to other areas like the jaw, neck, shoulders, ear, or the inside of the arms

Steps for prevention:

1. Lose weight - Obesity is one of the most significant risk factors in developing cardiovascular disease.
2. Get active - Men and women alike need to exercise often. And a key to consistent physical activity is finding something you enjoy doing that gives your heart a good workout and fits into your everyday life.
3. Prevent diabetes - Diabetes is dangerous as a disease by itself but it has also been medically linked to an increase risk of heart disease and heart attacks. Preventing or treating diabetes is one of the smartest, heart-healthiest decisions you can make.
4. Relax - More studies show that stress really does harm your mind and your health. And heart disease is no exception. While high levels of stress are hard on everyone, they are particularly dangerous to women.

More info @ www.heart.org

AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year. More info @http://www.preventblindness.org/ 

International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month

Group B strep (GBS) is a big deal! Approximately 1 in 4 pregnant women carry GBS, the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). GBS can also infect babies during pregnancy and the first few months of life. Not all babies exposed to GBS become infected, but, for those who do, the results can be devastating. GBS can cause babies to be miscarried, stillborn, born prematurely, become very sick, have lifelong handicaps, or die. Learn more @http://www.groupbstrepinternational.org

National Children’s Dental Health Month

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. NCDHM messages and materials have reached millions of people in communities across the country. Find more info @ ada.org

National Wear Red Day

Celebrate National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 3, 2012 when Americans nationwide will wear red to show their support for women's heart health. Show off your favorite red dress, red shirt, red tie, or Red Dress Pin to raise awareness that heart disease—the #1 killer of women—is largely preventable. Learn more @http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov 

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week

CHC is observed Feb 7-14, 2012. Congenital Heart Disease is considered to be the most common birth defect, and is a leading cause of birth-defect related deaths worldwide. Despite the fact that CHD affects approximately 1.8 million families in the U.S., a relatively small amount of funding is currently available for parent/patient educational services, research, and support. By sharing experiences and providing information, the organization hopes to raise public awareness about conditions that affect approximately 40,000 babies each year in the United States alone. More info @http://tchin.org

National Donor Day

Celebrate National Donor Day on Feb. 14, 2012, which is focused on five points of life: organs, tissues, marrow, platelets, and blood. Many nonprofit health organizations sponsor blood and marrow drives and organ/tissue sign-ups across the nation. National Donor Day was started in 1998 by the Saturn Corporation and its United Auto Workers partners with the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and many nonprofit health organizations. More info @http://www.organdonor.gov/

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