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Be Prepared for Medical Emergency

(NAPSI)-In a medical emergency, every second counts - and this is especially true for children who live with food allergies.

According to AllergicChild.com, food allergies affect 6 to 7 million Americans. Eight foods in particular account for 90 percent of all allergic reactions: peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, soy and wheat.

Food allergies are the leading cause of anaphylaxis, the immediate and severe reaction to certain foods that accounts for approximately 30,000 emergency room visits annually. An allergic reaction from food proves fatal for 100 to 200 people each year.

Most school-age children eat two meals a day unsupervised by their parents. Without knowing it, children may consume ingredients that cause allergic reactions, and in some cases it only takes a tiny amount for a person to have a severe reaction.

Without proper supervision, children can experience symptoms ranging from hives, swelling, nausea and loss of consciousness to even death.

In case of just such an emergency, the child's personal health information should be available to his or her caretaker and emergency personnel.

One simple solution is the MedicAlert's Kid Smart® program. MedicAlert, known for its personalized lifesaving services since 1956, has improved on a successful child-specific program that safeguards and identifies children during an emergency.

By wearing a personalized MedicAlert bracelet, children are provided with 24-hour child emergency ID and family emergency notification services. If a child experiences a life-threatening allergic reaction, it's important to dial 911 and notify them about the situation.

Emergency medical personnel are trained to look for the MedicAlert bracelet, which provides the child's personal identification number, primary medical condition(s) including any allergies, and the 24-hour emergency hotline number. A call to the hotline enables responders to access vital medical information. Through its Family Notification service, MedicAlert will call the parents and tell them what's happened.

David Cope, father of 18-year-old Derek, can attest to the comfort this program provides his family. Derek was diagnosed with being severely allergic to beef and dairy products at age 2.

"If an emergency occurs and we are not there with Derek, the paramedics or emergency staff will know instantly that they need to administer epinephrine, control his breathing and get him to the hospital," said Cope.

He signed his son up for the program after Derek consumed a small amount (0.05mg) of a dairy product found in rice ice cream labeled "dairy free," resulting in an emergency room visit.

The program is just one step in safeguarding children from such medical emergencies before and when they occur. There are other efforts to consider:

• Inform your circle of friends, family, teachers, nurses and other school or day care officials about the seriousness of your child's allergy. Provide pamphlets or discuss the facts of the allergy and how to recognize the symptoms of a reaction.
• Define a clear action plan that can be used during anaphylaxis. This can be a detailed process developed from scratch with your pediatrician or the simple plan outlined by the program.
• Take control of your children's diet and help them take control of their own diet. Try to pack children's lunches every day to help regulate their diet and continue to teach them which foods to avoid, especially those with hidden ingredients.

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has joined with MedicAlert to bring about awareness of the Kid Smart program.

For more information, visit www.medicalert.org/kidsmart.

Become a 'Good Neighbor'

(NAPSI)-Here's cool news: Scientists say that if we cut carbon emissions by 80 percent over the next 40 years, we can avoid the worst impacts of global warming. That's only 2 percent per year. And you may already be doing more than you realize.

Simple actions at home to reduce energy consumption - switching to compact fluorescent lightbulbs, adjusting your thermostat, cutting your shower time by 5 minutes, purchasing an Energy Star appliance - can not only help the environment but can save you money at the same time.

If you've already committed to doing some of these things, the National Wildlife Federation wants to recognize your efforts to make a difference by distinguishing you as a Good Neighbor. You can earn Good Neighbor points for such energy-saving actions as:

• Replacing your old hot-water heater with an energy-efficient model
• Using the cold-water setting on your washing machine
• Keeping your car off the road one day a week by teleworking, carpooling or taking public transportation
• Drinking filtered tap water instead of bottled water.

Once you earn 20 points and take the Good Neighbor pledge, the organization will reward you with a Good Neighbor Pledge Kit. It includes a certificate to proudly display in your home, a window decal that lets friends and neighbors know you have a Good Neighbor home, "turn off the light" reminder decals for light switches, and a Good Neighbor e-newsletter with useful tips and updates.

Each 20 points you earn reduces your household's carbon footprint 2 percent per year for two years. If every household does that, we can significantly reduce the global warming pollution that is harming our planet and robbing future generations of their wildlife heritage.

For suggestions and more ways to earn points and to cool the planet one home at a time, visit www.nwf.org/goodneighborhood or call (800) 822-9919.

Boomers Need to Be Proactive in Their Health

(NAPSI)-The good news: Baby boomers are living longer and leading more active lives.

The not-so-good news: There's still room for improvement when it comes to long-term health. According to a recent survey of baby boomers, the majority are feeling young, eating healthy and putting less focus on age-related health issues such as hearing loss, elevated blood pressure and declining eyesight. The findings are in stark contrast to those of the National Center for Health Statistics, which reports that half of Americans in the 55 to 64 age group have high blood pressure and two in five are obese.

So are boomers fooling themselves into a false sense of security when it comes to their overall health?

Quite possibly, says Dr. Stephen Sanders, diabetic expert and Internal Medicine specialist at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo. "A recent Energizer Keep Going. Live Healthy survey uncovered the disconnect between health perceptions and health realities among this age group," says Dr. Sanders. "That's why it is so important for boomers to be proactive, to take charge of their health and to undergo routine screenings for all common age-related health issues."

Dr. Sanders also stresses the connection between these health screenings and maintaining a high quality of life. For example, untreated hearing loss could mean the difference between living independently and requiring assistance, says Dr. Sanders. "If you can't hear the phone, doorbell, fire alarm, etc., it's going to be extremely difficult to maintain your independence. If you have a hearing issue - and one-third of boomers think they do - get a hearing screening to determine if you need a hearing aid," he advises. "If not, you put yourself and others at risk."

For those ready to improve their lifestyle, Dr. Sanders has six tips:

1. Routine health screenings are extremely important preventive efforts and the key to healthy living and disease management.
2. Diabetics must work to keep their blood sugar as near to normal as possible - one of the best ways to do so is the regular use of a glucose meter.
3. Be sure to maintain all your vital devices. People who use blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors and insulin pumps should have backup batteries available for all their medical devices.
4. Get up to speed on the latest technologies. From discreet hearing aids with wireless technology to hearing aid battery dispensers, such as the Energizer® EZ Change, it's easier than ever to remain active.
5. Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice - anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster.
6. Utilizing devices such as pedometers, calorie counters and MP3 players can help make exercising fun and enjoyable.

Dr. Sanders urges everyone, and especially boomers, to make health a priority. By incorporating these six simple steps, people of all ages can achieve better health and meet their health and fitness goals.

For more tips from Dr. Sanders or to learn more about the Energizer "Keep Going. Live Healthy" program and specialty batteries that power important health and medical devices, visit energizer.com/livehealthy.

Seniors Join the Wii Revolution

(NAPSI)-Although video games are usually enjoyed by their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a number of seniors are finding that a popular gaming system is right up their alley.

Retirement communities and senior centers across the country are seeing very promising results with this kind of digital entertainment as seniors dive in with a sense of fun and joy some haven't experienced in years.

For example, Oregon-based Holiday Retirement began rolling out Nintendo Wiis to 25 of its independent-living senior communities as part of a pilot program in November 2007, with an ultimate eye toward phasing it into all of Holiday's 300-plus communities throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The success of the pilot program prompted Holiday to order units for another 230 communities; Maplewood Estates in Fairport, N.Y., reported anticipation as delivery approached.

"Our residents' initial reaction about it was excitement," said Amy Werth, life enrichment coordinator. "While they didn't know what it was, they had heard about how popular it was, so they were very curious. They were eager to learn what the hype was all about."

Now with a couple of months under their collective belts, Holiday managers and enrichment coordinators, who generally introduce the Wiis to their residents as well as play alongside them when time permits, are reporting excellent response.

"What we are finding is that this game system is playable by all residents, across the board, no matter how limited their fine motor skills or eyesight might be," said Jeanie Sparagna, resident volunteer in charge of setting up the system at Woods at Holly Tree in Wilmington, N.C. "And they don't need any understanding of the technology to enjoy playing all of the game."

Vineyard Place in Milwaukie, Ore., reported an excellent reception at the initial setup session, attended by 15 residents. "Everyone had a great time setting up their identity for the games," said Linda Pruitt, manager. "I could hear the laughter all the way down the hall."

Bowling is a special favorite, with many communities setting up bowling leagues. "The residents think it's exciting that they can bowl just like they used to, in spite of physical limitations they have now," said Holley Howard, enrichment coordinator at Washington Commons in Evans, Ga. "One resident got a strike and said, 'Wow! I never did that before!'"

In addition to being well received by seniors, the game system also enjoys significant cross-generational appeal. "One of our residents wanted to learn before Christmas so she could play with her great-grandchildren over the holidays," said Bill Johnson, manager at Cascadian Place in Everett, Wash.

Overall, the Wii appears to be a hit among Holiday's senior residents, appealing to their lighter side as well as providing physical and social benefits as they play, move and interact with their fellow residents.

"I feel that the Wii is a wonderful way to get exercise and to have a lot of fun," said Victoria Diana Liberator, therapeutic recreational director at White Oaks in Manchester, Conn. "The residents who have tried the Wii truly enjoyed themselves."

"It's a great idea to get the residents who don't normally participate to get involved and have fun," added Joy Paglia of Bethel Park in Bethel Park, Pa.

And what is life if it doesn't involve a bit of fun from time to time, a chance to relax, play alongside your neighbors and hit the sweet spot? Or roll your first strike?

The Yard Doctor is In

(NAPSI)-Is your yard ugly? Do you mow more weeds than lawn? Does the word "jungle" describe your landscaping? Are you tired of looking at that tree stump and old tire you use as a planter?

If this sounds like your yard, there's hope. The Yard Doctor is in, and he's making house calls in 2008 as part of America's Ugliest Yard Contest sponsored by Briggs & Stratton Corporation.

Homeowners living with ugly yards are invited to share their problems via video or photos. The two ugliest yards - determined by your neighbors across America - will receive a house call from Yard Doctor Trey Rogers, who will prescribe treatment and deliver new yard care equipment and a check for $1,000 to jump-start some landscaping efforts.

All the contest details can be found at www.myuglyyard.com.

"Even the ugliest yards can be helped," says Rogers, a world renowned expert who has grown playing fields for the Olympic Games as well as helped everyday people create great yards.

To enter the Ugly Yard contest, provide a two-to-three-minute video tour of your yard and commentary on your yard care issues. As an alternative, you can send a photo montage (four-photo limit) and describe your problems in 300 words or less. You can even nominate a neighbor or family member's ugly yard for some TLC.

The top four ugly lawns will be featured on www.myuglyyard.com, where people across America will determine whose yards are the ugliest and most deserving of an emergency house call.

Meanwhile, here are some basic tips from the Yard Doctor on how to prevent ugly from happening in the first place.

• Focus on the front yard because it's what people see first. Pick up items - toys, tools, sticks/debris. Move worn-out lawn ornaments to the backyard.
• Mow correctly. Don't scalp your lawn by cutting it too short, thinking you'll have to mow less often. You could end up killing your lawn. Cut only one-third the grass height each time you mow.
• Mulch is your friend. Keep a bag or two of bark or wood chip mulch on hand to spread on flower beds and cover muddy areas for an instantly better appearance.

For more tips on yard care, visit yardsmarts.com.

Transform That Tired Plate into a Masterpiece

(NAPSI)-They say presentation is everything, and while there is no denying that the most important attribute of every meal is taste, plating like a professional can take the next meal you serve from decent home cooking to decadent five-star fare. These simple steps can help you put your best plate forward:

The Plate Picture

The plate is for the meal, both the frame and the canvas. It is important to choose a plate that will not distract from the food itself, but rather complement it instead. For example, if the dish being served is colorful, try serving it on a simple, single, complementary-colored plate.

Keep It Neat

A purposefully placed artful drip or brush of sauce can be the perfect touch on a plated dish.

Focus On The Focal

Choose a focal point of your dish. Typically, the focal point of the dish relies on the placement of the protein on the dish. Think of the plate as a clock: Always remember to serve the plate with the focal point facing your guest at 6 o'clock.

Think About The Drink

Now that each plate is picture perfect, think about pairing them with beverages as beautiful as the main course. Consider serving a sparkling mineral water with red meats and robust sauces, and still, natural spring water with white meat, fish and light fare in elegant glass bottles. The ideal accompaniments to every meal, S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water and Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water are both available in attractive 750-ml glass bottles. Not only do the bottles help to keep the water cool, they are the perfect size for sharing at the table. Practice plating with this delicious and beautiful recipe:

STEAK 'N' ASPARAGUS

When stalking the perfect steak, asparagus are usually nearby. Here's one example:

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds of rib steak
• 18 asparagus stalks
• 4 Idaho Potatoes, peeled and quartered
• Butter
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Paprika

Directions:

Slowly grill the steak in plenty of butter and olive oil, turning with a tong so as not to pierce the meat. A 1-inch-thick cut should be done in 11 to 14 minutes.

Place potatoes in a 350-degree oven, salted and sprinkled with paprika a half hour before the steak.

Stir-fry the asparagus stalks when the steak and potatoes are nearly ready.

Artfully place the beef over the asparagus and roasted potatoes. When finishing the dish, a sprinkle of spice is nice. If the dish being served is colorful, try serving it on a simple, single, complementary-colored plate.