Weekly family rail, tips on avoiding the flu and colds, a review of Tim Tebow’s book and more.
Tip of the Week
We're reminded time and again of the good health habits we should practice during the winter germ season - wash your hands, cover your cough and stay home when you're sick. While you likely know these basics, you might not be aware some of the most common places germs tend to congregate and spread.
- The gas station and convenience store. When you're pumping gas, have you ever thought about how many other hands have touched the same pump since the last time it was wiped down? A recent study confirmed that gas pumps are one of the filthiest items we encounter in everyday life. After you fill your tank, your next move should be to reach for that bottle of hand sanitizer in your car. And while cashiers typically work hard to keep their counters clean, it's never a bad idea to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after exchanging cash or touching other common areas in the store.
- The gym. Most health clubs go to great lengths to keep equipment clean and make members feel comfortable. But if you're hopping on the treadmill right after someone else, it never hurts to use a sanitizing wipe, which many clubs keep readily available. Pay it forward by using another one when you are done.
- Grocery store. If you're a parent, you know that it's not just the driver's hands that are getting all over the shopping cart, since kids tend to be obsessed with any moving object with wheels. Consider using a sanitizing wipe before touching a grocery cart. Once you're done shopping, cleansing your hands and any younger shopping companions' hands with sanitizer is a good way to stem the spread of germs that might have been picked up from frequently touched surfaces in the store.
- The mall. Escalator and stair railings, as well as drinking fountains and armrests on benches, see a lot of action throughout the day and collect germs quickly. Put those sanitizing stations in the shopping center's hallways to good use after touching these areas.
- At work. Frequently touching your desk, phone and keyboard means germs multiply at your work station. Keeping tissues and hand sanitizer at your desk can also be helpful for those emergencies when you can't leave your seat immediately to get to the sink.
Family Movie Night
Length: 146 minutes
Synopsis: Young Albert enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse Joey is sold to the cavalry. Albert's journey takes him across Europe as the war rages on.
Violence/scary rating: 4.5
Sexual-content rating: 1.5
Profanity rating: 2
Drugs/alcohol rating: 3
Family Time rating: 3. This is a great family movie, but because of the war violence, only for older kids.
(Ratings are judged on a five-point scale, with 5 being “bad for kids” and 1 being “fine for kids.”)
“Through My Eyes: A Quarterback's Journey,” by Tim Tebow, young readers edition
Synopsis: Meet Tim Tebow: He grew up playing every sport imaginable, but football was his true passion. Even from an early age, Tim has always had the drive to be the best player and person that he could be. Through his hard work and determination, he established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of college football and as a top prospect in the NFL. Now he shares the behind-the-scenes details of his life, on and off the football field. Tim writes about his life as he chooses to live it, revealing how his Christian faith, his family values and his relentless will to succeed have molded him into the person and the athlete he is today. - Zondervan
Did You Know
According to Womenshealth.gov, here is what pregnant women can do to deal with constipation:
- Drink eight to 10 glasses of water per day.
- Avoid caffeine.
- Choose plenty of fiber-rich foods, including fruits, veggies and whole grains.
- Get regular, light exercise.
GateHouse News Service