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Harriet Hodgson - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
Harriet Hodgson has been an independent journalist for 30 years. She is a member of the Association of Healh Care Journalists and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. A prolific writer, she is the author of 26 published books and hundreds of print and electronic articles.
Her latest book, "Writing to Recover: The Journey from Loss and Grief to a New Life," is published by the Centering Corporation in Omaha, Nebraska, North America's ... [More]
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- Grief Recovery - You Have to Keep Going
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] If you ask a friend how they managed to recover from grief, the likely answer is "You have to keep going." That sounds good, but how do you keep going? A grandmother tells how she kept going when grieving for four loved ones and how these steps keep her on the recovery path. Her steps may help you as well.
- Taking Grief Myths in Stride
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Grief myths were not on my radar screen until I lost four loved ones in nine months. Multiple losses made me aware of the grief myths that exist. There are lots of them and, as I discovered, there is a difference between myth and reality.
- Child's Death - Answering the Painful Question
[Home-and-Family:Death-Dying] The death of a child is the worst thing that can happen to any parent. After the death of a child many parents feel like they died, too. Thankfully, I did not feel this way, but I did feel my daughter's death was unfair. "This isn't supposed to happen," I said to myself. "I am supposed to die before my daughter."
- 10 Ways to Be Good to Yourself While Grieving
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] After one death or more in the family it's easy to fall into the "help everyone" trap. Mourners, especially female ones, may fall into this trap and take care of everyone but themselves. These suggestions will help mourners to move forward with life and resolve their grief.
- What Not to Say and What to Say to a Grieving Person
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] People don't know what to say to a grieving person. They really don't know what to say to someone like me who has lost four loved ones - my daughter, father-in-law, brother, and former son-in-law - in nine months. Many people repeat platitudes they have heard before and these words are not always comforting.
- Grief Recovery - Listening to Your Inner Voice
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] The death of a loved one forces us to face many challenges. According to many grief experts, listening to our inner voice helps us to cope with these challenges. This article, by a grief author who lost four loved ones in nine months, tells how she listens to her inner voice and is guided by it.
- Grief and Grandparenting Compliments Make Me Squirm
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] The death of a loved one changes life forever. We may expect some of these changes The author of this article lost four loved ones in a row and became her grandchildren's legal guardian. This grandmother has received many compliments for being a GRG -- grandparent raising grandchildren -- and they make her uncomfortable. This article tells why.
- Dealing With Those Darn Grief Triggers
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] The grieving process is a difficult one. Grief triggers, or anniversary reactinos, as they are also called, catch us off guard. Your personal grief triggers may be so strong you feel like you're starting the grieving process all over again. This article describes one grandmother's grief triggers and how she coped with them while grieving for multiple losses.
- Stick to Your Ribs Skillet Corn Chowder
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Recipes for stews and soups have been handed down from generation to generation. Corn chowder -- onions, potatoes, corn, and cream -- is one such recipe. It's easy to make and inexpensive, a perfect meal for our tough economic times.
- Do You Need a Grief Recovery Tune-Up?
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Recovering from grief takes years. You may think you are doing well and suddenly burst into tears. Grief work takes self-examination, self-understanding, coping skills, and learning to spot signs of regression. This article, by a professional author who lost four loved ones, details the steps she takes to stay on the recovery road.
- Your Emergency Evacuation Kit - The Essentials and Extras
[Reference-and-Education:Survival-and-Emergency] Television coverage of recent hurricanes kept you glued to the screen. You saw footage of people on rooftops, people who refused to leave their homes, and people who wished they had left their homes. Emergency evacuation is a serious business and you need to prepare for it.
- Don't Let Shame Sabotage Your Diet
[Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] It takes effort to maintain a healthy weight. You have to keep at it and deal with the times when you falter. Straying from a healthy eating plan is discouraging. After you have strayed a few times you may be so ashamed you want to give up. But giving up is not the answer. This article offers suggestions for getting back on a healthy eating plan.
- Apple Crisp Coffee Cake
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Are you eating the same boring breakfasts? Are you getting your breakfast from drive through? If you answered yes to these questions it may be time to re-think breakfasts at your place. This Apple Crisp Coffee Cake is a healthier way to start your day.
- Keeping Kids Safe - Never Leave Them Unattended in a Car
[Home-and-Family:Parenting] The American College of Surgeons says more than 9,000 children, ages 14 and younger, are treated for injuries that occur when they're left unattended in vehicles. What's more, in 2002 more than 100 kids died from being left unattended. One death is too many. This article provides additional facts on unattended kids in cars.
- Making a Smooth White Sauce - The Basis of Many Recipes
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Whether you call it white sauce, cream sauce, or bechemel, you need to know how to make this basic sauce. When you know how to make a white sauce, you know how to make dozens of other sauce. This article will help you make a smooth white sauce every time.
- Does the Disbelief of Grief Ever Go Away?
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Disbelief, or denial, as many grief experts call it, is a universal response to grief. It is an unsettling response and may spark roller coaster emotions. This article examines some of the causes of the author's disbelief and how she is coping with them.
- 10 Tips to Make Your Home Business Successful
[Home-Based-Business] An increasing number of Americans are working at home. Some go to work several times a week and work at home the remainder of the week. Others have home businesses and this author is one. Her tips may help your home business grow and prosper.
- Wacky Days - We All Have Them and Must Deal With Them
[Home-and-Family] Every so often you have a wacky day -- a day that starts out normally and then gets out of control. Your wacky day may have nothing to do with your actions. This article tells about one family's wacky time and how family members responded.
- A New, Delicious, Nutritious Tuna Casserole
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Tuna casserole has been around for decades and Americans love it. Many Americans think tuna casserole is the ultimate comfort food. It is made with a few pantry ingredients and no fresh veggies. This avid cook and grandmother changed the original recipe to make it healthier and more flavorful.
- Is Grief Keeping You Awake at Night?
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] As many as one in 10 Americans has chronic sleep problems, or insomnia. Grieving people have sleep problems, too. The grief work you face is hard enough without sleep problems. This article describes a grieving grandmother's sleep problems and what she did about them.
- Storytelling Can Turn a Ho-Hum Talk Into a Wow Talk
[Writing-and-Speaking:Public-Speaking] Book authors are often asked to give talks. Some authors give better talks than others. This article, by an author who has been in the book business for 30 years, shows how one story made her talk about anticipatory grief meaningful to the audience.
- Wall Paint - Do You Need Sheen, No Sheen Or Both?
[Home-Improvement:Painting] What is sheen? Unfortunately, this is not a standardized term in the paint industry. You will have to go to a home store, do some research, and a few tests to determine the sheen you need. This article details the process and the results.
- Now That You're Driving - Tips For Teens From a Grandma Who is Raising Her Grandkids
[Automotive] Mention teen drivers and many parents turn white. Visions of mangled cars and mangled bodies come to mind. No wonder. Car crashes are the leading cause of death in U.S. teens. AAA and state departments of transportation recommend parent-teen driving contracts. This article examines one contract and describes the extra provisions a grandmother added.
- Is Your Homeowners Insurance Up to Date?
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] Updating your home is fun. It can also be costly and you need to keep your insurance company updated on the improvements you have made. This article cites home improvements and ways to keep your insurance policy current.
- Two Lingering Effects of Grief - Forgetfulness and Silly Mistakes
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] After a loved one dies we have lots of grief work to do. Months pass and we may think this grief work is done, only to find there is more to do. This article describes some of the lingering effects of grief after multiple losses.
- Grilled Kabobs Are a Healthy, Easy, and Adaptable Meal
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] As soon as the warm weather arrives Americans dust off their grills and start cooking. Many Americans stick to hamburgers and hot dogs, while others are more adventurous. Anyone can make grilled kabobs. These recipes for Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs and Santa Fe Beef Kababos will make you a grilling expert in no time.
- Chocolate Whipped Cream Layer Cake is a Delicious and Cooling Summer Dessert
[Food-and-Drink:Desserts] Chilled desserts -- cheesecake with fresh berries, ice cream cake, and tall parfaits -- are delicious summer desserts. This recipe for a whipped cream layer cake, also called ice box cake, comes from the author's childhood. Making the cake takes only a few minutes. You may even make the cake a day ahead of time.
- How Do You Decide How Much Allowance to Pay Teens?
[Home-and-Family:Parenting] Allowance rates vary from state to state. Whether or not you pay teens an allowance may depend on their peer group. If most of the teens in their peer group get an allowance, chances are, your teen will want one, too. Deciding how much to pay them takes time, discussion, and some negotiation.
- The Visible and Hidden Dangers of Flood Water
[Health-and-Fitness] These days the flooding in the Midwest is the lead story on television and radio news. The dark, murky flood water can be dangerous for a variety of reasons. This article describes the major dangers and tells how you can protect yourself from them.
- The Caring Basket, a Sympathy Gift That Changed Lives
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] When someone dies we send sympathy cards to the family, call them to express our condolences, and offer to run errands for them. "If you need anything just let me know," we say. After four loved ones died within nine months, the author's friends sent a caring basket to the family. This article tells what the basket held and how it helped one family to recover from grief.
- Stop Heat Exhaustion Before it Starts
[Health-and-Fitness] There is nothing quite like summer time fun. You may get so involved in sight seeing, sports, and hobbies that you miss the symptoms of heat exhaustion. What are these symptoms? How can you guard against heat exhaustion? This article gives you a quick update.
- The Selling Power of Book Design
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] Authors worry about book covers. Will a romance cover wind up on a history book? Will the cover design change in production? Once a manuscript has left the author's desk he or she has little say about cover design. This article tells how one nonfiction author became involved in cover design of her latest book and the results.
- Teaching Kids How to Cook is Part of Parenting
[Home-and-Family:Parenting] When you became a parent you accepted the responsibilities that come with it. You are for your kids, protect them, keep them healthy, and think about their wellbeing constantly. The goal of every parent is to prepare kids for the future and teaching kids how to cook is one way to do it. Why should you bother? Read this article and find out.
- Kick Back, Relax, and Enjoy These Thirst-Quenching Coolers
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] As soon as the hot weather hits we think about cooling drinks: lemonade, coolers, punch, and iced tea and coffee. This article contains recipes for six thirst-quenching beverages. Thanks to frozen drinks and mixes you can make them in a flash. Keep a pitcher of coolers in the fridge for hot, muggy days.
- 15 Laundry Tips to Make Your Clothes Last Longer
[Home-and-Family] Improper laundering can make your new clothes look old in a matter of weeks. You may even feel like you wasted hard-earned money on new clothes. Don't worry. Your clothes will look new and last longer if you follow these 15 laundry tips.
- Fresh Corn Recipes Capture the Taste of Summer
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Minnesota is a farm state and corn is one if its major crops. Residents of the state can hardly wait for the first corn to appear in stores. These fresh summer corn recipes, Corn Fritters and Syrup and Corn Souffle with Chiles and Red Peppers, are perfect summer fare. You may substitute frozen corn for fresh and enjoy the taste of summer all year long.
- Writer's Block Or Too Much Responsibility?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] Even non-writers have heard about so-called"writer's block," a time when the words won't come. Some writers and would-be writers think writer's block can last for weeks, months, or years. But the author of this article, a long-term writer, makes a distinction between writer's block and her family responsibilities.
- Speed Shopping For Groceries is an Acquired Skill
[Food-and-Drink] When it comes to grocery shopping many of us are on "automatic." We shop the same way and buy the same stuff. The author of this article recommends "speed shopping," an acquired skill that saves you time and money. Her tips will help you whiz through the grocery store.
- Painting the Front Door Will Help You Sell Your Home
[Home-Improvement:Painting] Front doors are an indication of home maintenance. Would-be buyers may think the interior of your home needs lots of work when they see a dingy front door. Buyers want move-in-ready homes, not homes that require lots of work. Painting the front door is one thing you can do to catch the eyes of a would-be buyer.
- Six Steps to Take When You're Grieving and Cry in Public
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Crying is a normal response to the death of a loved one. But crying unexpectedly may upset you and those around you. Some days you may be okay with crying in public and other days you may be embarrassed. Are there steps you can take to get your crying under control? Read this article and find out.
- Mourning - I Don't Cry Because I'm Weak, I Cry Because I'm Strong
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Death and crying go hand in hand. When we learn of a loved one's death we usually burst into tears. Some of us are embarrassed by our tears and others take them in stride. This article examines crying from the standpoint of strength.
- Clearing Out Our Deceased Daughter's House - The Last Goodbye
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] The grief journey has many obstacles and cleaning out a loved one's place is one of them. This article, by a professional writer who lost four loved ones within nine months, describes the pain and comfort she received from donating the contents of her daughter's home to flood relief.
- How to Find "Your" Chandelier in the Lighting Jungle
[Home-Improvement:Lighting] Chandeliers aren't just for dining rooms any more. Home owners are hanging chandeliers in front entries, living rooms, bedrooms, and even closets. You have so many chandeliers to choose from it is hard to find one that suits your needs. This article will make chandelier shopping easier for you.
- Paint Color Names Can Drive You Nuts
[Home-Improvement:Painting] Paint manufacturers must hire many writers because paint color names have gotten poetic. Unfortunately, some names make no sense at all. If you have tried to buy paint lately you have come across these names. Your job is to make sense of them and it's not easy. Save yourself time and frustration by reading this article.
- 12 Things to Check Before You Buy an Upholstered Chair
[Home-Improvement:Furniture] Buying a chair sounds easy. You go into a store, see an attractive chair, sit for a few minutes, check the price, and make a decision. If you buy a chair impulsively you risk disappointment. These buying tips will help you find the right chair for your home.
- Cleaning Your Slow Cooker -- Some Do's and Don'ts
[Home-Improvement:Cleaning-Tips-and-Tools] You may use your slow cooker several times a week. Handy as your slow cooker is, it is safe only if you care for it and clean it properly. How do you clean a slow cooker? These tips will keep your slow cooker safe and working for years.
- Is Your Slow Cooker Really Safe?
[Food-and-Drink:Cooking-Tips] After dwindling sales slow cookers are cool again. This small appliance is perfect for busy cooks who don't have little time to shop and fix meals. You can walk away from your slow cooker and know dinner will be done when you return. But is your slow cooker really safe? Read this article and find out.
- Saucy Roquefort Cube Steaks
[Food-and-Drink:Main-Course] Years ago cube steak was called minute steak because you could cook it in minutes. Today this cut of beef is called cube steak and there are hundreds of recipes for it. Many restaurants are pairing Roquefort cheese with meat dishes. This original recipe does just that and Roquefort-lovers will love it.
- Creamy Roquefort Dressing - The One to Keep on Hand
[Food-and-Drink:Salads] Roquefort has a distinctive, tangy flavor. It's one of those cheeses you love or hate. But Roquefort-lovers will love this recipe for creamy salad dressing. The dressing tastes great on salad, grilled hamburgers, and even baked potatoes. If you're a Roquefort-lover you'll want to read this article and try the recipe.
- Vinaigrette Salad Dressing with Crumbled Roquefort
[Food-and-Drink:Salads] Professional chefs know that matching the right dressing to the salad ingredients is an art. The dressing can bring out the flavors of the ingredients or be the main source of flavor. Oil and vinegar dressing is a classic. You will want to make this recipe a classic at your house.
- Light Banana Cake With Chocolate Sauce
[Food-and-Drink:Desserts] Bananas are a wonderful fruit -- tasty, filling, and they come in their own wrapper. Years ago bananas contained large seeds, but growers developed ones with tiny seeds and there are even seedless varieties. Do you have over-ripe bananas on hand? Don't throw them away. Use them in this light version of old-fashioned banana cake.
- Stumped on a Decorating Scheme? Try Black and White
[Home-Improvement:Interior-Design-and-Decorating] Time has tested the black and white color scheme and it has withstood the test. Black and white have been popular for centuries and their popularity continues today. The colors go with all decorating schemes, but you need to know how to use them. Read this article and learn more about classic black and white.
- Taupe -- A New Neutral and Tricky Wall Color
[Home-Improvement:Painting] Home is where the heart is and your heart may be longing for freshly-painted walls. Taupe is taking over as a neutral wall color. Construction companies are switching from so-called builder's white to builder's taupe. What is taupe and how can you find a shade that works for you?
- Mexican Chicken and Vegetables in Foil Packets - Easy Preparation, Easy Cleanup
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have been cooking food in foil packets for years. Some Scouts call these meals hobo meals. Other Scouts call them chuckwagon meals. You can call them convenient meals because food preparation and cleanup are fast. Make this Mexican Chicken and Vegetables in Foil Packets today.
- Family Rules - Do the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Need Them?
[Home-and-Family:Grandparenting] If you are a grandparent you grew up at a time when family rules were clear. Nobody had to spell them out for you. Family rules may be less clear today due to the pace of life. Are you a GRG, a grandparent raising grandkids? Setting some guidlines will help the whole family. This article will get you started.
- Family Meetings Are a Communication Tool for Grandparents Raising Grandkids
[Home-and-Family:Grandparenting] Raising grandkids is a challenge for the best GRGs, grandparents raising grandkids. Good communication makes a grandparent's role easier. Poor communication makes a grandparent's role harder. This article focuses on family meetings, a helpful communication tool for all GRGs.
- Can Grandparents Who Are Raising Grandkids Fix Healthy Meals for Kids and Themselves?
[Home-and-Family:Grandparenting] While grandparents and grandkids enjoy many of the same foods, they tend to eat differently. Grandparents usually eat less, for one thing. Many grandparents are on special diets. Fixing healthy meals for two generations can be a challenge, are you up to it? Read this article and find out.
- The Changes and Challenges of Being a GRG - Grandparent Raising Grandchildren
[Home-and-Family:Grandparenting] More and more grandparents are raising their grandkids, so many, in fact, that a new term, GRG, has been coined. Difficult as it is, the grandparents who are raising their grandchildren find new meaning to their lives. For some, it's a second chance at parenting. For others, being a GRG means setting new goals, as this article shows.
- How One GRG (Grandparent Raising Grandchildren) is Learning to "Talk Teen"
[Relationships:Communication] Communicating with teenagers is a challenge under the best of circumstances. This article describes the steps one grandmother is taking to "talk teen." Your kids don't have to be grieving to benefit from these tips.
- Raising Grandkids - How do You Define "Hang Out?"
[Home-and-Family:Grandparenting] Thousands of grandparents are raising their grandkids. According to Us Government statistics, eight percent of the children in the the nation are being raised by their grandparents. In some states this number has risen to 15 per cent. Though grandparents have experience to draw upon, they need to learn new things about child-rearing. This article tells how one grandmother learned the meaning of the slang term "hang out."
- Mourning - Answering the Question "How Are You?"
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Americans tend to avoid talking about death. But we are a caring people and when there is a death in the family people ask, "How are you?" You may hear the question hundreds of times during your grief journey. Answering the question takes time and this article suggests some of the answers you may give.
- Gingerbread - An Updated, Healthier Recipe for Your Family
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Gingerbread is one of those recipes that appeals to everyone. Nothing smells as good as baking gingersnaps or gingerbread. Historic, vintage, and modern cook books contain recipes for gingerbread, but many of these recipes are too sweet and high in fat. This writer and "foodie" came up with a lighter version of the classic recipe. Your family will love it.
- Teens in the House Again - A Grandparent's Blessing
[Home-and-Family:Grandparenting] Today, thousands of grandparents are raising their grandkids. While these grandparents love their grandkids, caring for them at this age and stage of life is hard. But as this author and grandmother discovered, it is also a blessing.
- Pizza Casserole With Three Cheeses, a Dish Family, Friends, and Surprise Guests Will Love
[Food-and-Drink:Pasta-Dishes] During the holidays your mind is filled with so many details that you may be stumped on dinner. What will you fix? Can you come up with a meal that family, friends, and unexpected guests will enjoy? This casserole blends two things most people love -- pasta and pizza.
- Writing Your Way Through Grief
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Many grief experts tell their clients to document their bereavement in descriptive words, phrases, a diary or journal. This is good advice, but how can you do it when you are overcome with grief. This article, by a writer who has suffered multiple losses, tells how she found the time to write and why she does it.
- Healthier Turkey Tetrazzini - A Scrumptious Way to Use the Last of the Bird
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Many families have turkey on Christmas and, unless you are feeding a crowd, you have leftover meat. Many cook books contain recipes for leftover turkey -- sandwiches, soups, salads, hash and more -- but you may not find the recipe for Turkey Tetrazzini. The popularity of this classic recipe waned in recent years. After you try this healthier version of the classic recipe you'll want to make Turkey Tetrazzini a regular treat.
- Red and Green Christmas Lasagna
[Food-and-Drink:Pasta-Dishes] During the holidays you prepare extra meals. You no sooner serve one meal when it is time to start the next. Will you ever get out of the kitchen? Yes, if you prepare Red and Green Christmas Lasagna ahead of time. The red sauce and green spinach make this a festive dish. Better yet, you will get your kids and grandkids to eat their spinach.
- Another Death - How Much Can a Family Take?
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] The fact that you have suffered multiple losses does not mean you will not have more. How can you survive multiple losses? This article, by a health writer who has lost four loved ones, tells how she is coping and moving forward with life.
- Multiple Losses Throw Off The Stages and Timing of Grief
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Years ago psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross determined five stages of grief. You have probably heard about them or experienced them. The stages were widely accepted by health professionals and the public. But this author, who is recovering from multiple losses, sees the stages differently. Read this article and learn how multiple losses change the stages and duration of grief.
- The Grief and Comfort of Organ Donation
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] One organ donor can impact dozens of lives. Have you designated yourself as an organ donor? Has a loved one designated himself or herself? If so, you need to inform family members. You will learn more about the impact of organ donation in this article and how one grieving mother found comfort in it.
- Talk to Your Kids About Food Servings
[Health-and-Fitness:Nutrition] Many Americans are eating too much. We pack in the food and pile on the pounds. Kids are also eating to much. The result is childhood diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, and lethargy. What is the solution? Kids need to learn how to eat "normal" food servings. Share these food serving facts with kids today!
- When You Read the Sympathy Cards Again and Cry
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Sending a sympathy card to someone after the death of a loved one has become common practice. Do the cards make a difference? This article, by a grieving person who has suffered multiple losses, describes the new comfort she found in cards when she read them again.
- Cranberry Coffee Cake with Walnut-Crumb Topping is Perfect for Holidays
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Cranberries have arrived in grocery stores just in time for the holidays. You may add fresh cranberries to holiday recipes and freeze a few bags for later. The fresh fruit adds tang to recipes and has many nutritional benefits. Your family will love this coffee cake and you only need two bowls to make it.
- Interior Painting - Buy the Best Brush for the Job
[Home-Improvement:Painting] If you haven't looked at paint brushes lately you may be shocked. Paint brushes can be pricey. Should you buy the cheapest brush you can find or should you invest in a quality brush? This article lists things to consider before you buy a paint brush.
- Compile a One-Page Summary of Your Finances Today
[Finance:Personal-Finance] The pace of daily life keeps getting faster. This pace may make it difficult for you to keep accurate financial records. You may even be one of those people (gasp) who stuffs receipts into a shoe box - not good financial management. This article will get you started on writing a summary of your finances.
- Staying Busy Makes My Grief Journey Easier
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] When a loved one dies family members and friends tell us to "stay busy." Why do they stay this? Does staying busy help you cope with grief? This author is staying busy and tells how it is helping her. If you are mourning the loss of a loved one staying busy may help you.
- Leftover Pasta, the Start of a Memorable Meal
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Say the word "leftovers" and family members run the other way. But many cooks, especially Italian cooks, use every leftover in the fridge. Nothing is wasted. Leftover pasta is used in omelets, soups, and main dishes. This article starts with tips for pre-cooking pasta and ends with a recipe for Italian Pasta Pie with Tomato-Basil Sauce.
- Shoppping at Big-Box Retail Stores - You Need a Plan!
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews] Whether you like them or not, big-box retail stores are here to stay. Shopping at these stores takes stamina, a well-organized list, and an action plan. This article offers tips for shopping at big-box retail stores. Start doing push-ups now!
- Granny Smith Apple Custard Pie is a Special Treat
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Americans love apple pie. We eat two crust pies warm from the oven, one crust pies with streusel topping, and different kinds of apple crisps and crumbles. This recipe for apple custard pie brings two American favorites together - egg custard and apple pie.
- Volunteerism - Should You Keep On Volunteering or is it Time to Stop?
[Self-Improvement:Success] Many businesses and organizations rely on volunteers. In fact, their overhead would be higher without the donation of volunteer hours and services. Long-term volunteers run the risk of burn-out. Older volunteers may not find volunteerism as rewarding as it used to be. The time comes when a volunteer asks, "Is it time to stop?" This article examines the question.
- Television Commercials -- Can Advertisers Learn From Silent Movies?
[Business:Advertising] Do you press the mute button on the control when television ads appear? Thousands of Americans are doing just that or walking away. This nonfiction writer thinks advertisers should create commercials that pass the "Silent Movie Test."
- Going Green - Air-Drying Your Laundry Lowers Energy Bills and Helps the Earth
[News-and-Society:Energy] Energy costs are going up, according to a recent news bulletin. The demand for energy is also increasing. No matter what the energy prices are, you still need clean clothes. How can you lower your power bills? Air-drying laundry is one solution. This article describes the types of air-dryers and gives you practical tips on hanging laundry.
- Decorating - What Do Your Fabric Choices Say About You?
[Home-Improvement:Interior-Design-and-Decorating] Choosing fabric for your home can be a challenge. There are thousands, if not millions, of patterns to choose from. Fabrics should match your design style and personality. Your fabric choices reveal a lot about you. This article details some of them and you may think of more.
- Lighting - Finding the Right Lamp for the Right Spot
[Home-Improvement:Interior-Design-and-Decorating] Have you ever wanted something and not been able to find it? Finding the right lamp can be like that. You search for months or even years. Though you aren't sure of what you want, you will know it when you see it. This article describes the author's search for the perfect lamp and her requirements for it.
- Coping With the Anniversary Reactions That Come With Grief
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Recovering from grief and loss is a journey. This journey includes "anniversary reactions," times when the bereaved person relives his or her loss again and experiences the same feelings. Anniversary reactions are extremely painful. This article tells how one health writer is preparing for the anniversary reactions that await her.
- 10 Reasons to Update Your Resume Now
[Business:Resumes-Cover-Letters] Things change fast in the business world. Companies acquire other companies and job titles change. Your job may have changed in the process. This article makes a case for revising your resume often and suggests changes you may make.
- R is for Rutabaga, a Delicious and Nutritious Vegetable
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] You may walk right by the rutabagas when you're grocery shopping. That's understandable because it is an odd-looking vegetable and you may not know how to cook it. But rutabagas are high in vitamins and fiber and low in calories. Even better, rutabagas take on other flavors easily. This article gives you brief information about rutabaga and two recipes to try.
- Having a Happy Birthday After a Loved One Dies
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] The death of a loved one can be overwhelming. You ask yourself basic questions and wonder if you will ever be happy again. This article, by a writer who has had multiple deaths in the family, describes her "Happy Birthday."
- Manhattan Clam Chowder - Give it the Praise it Deserves!
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] The battle over which soup is better, New England clam chowder or Manhattan clam chowder, has been going on for years. Of course, New England residents think their chowder is best and New Yorkers think theirs is the best. The tomato-based Manhattan clam chowder has lots of vegetables and tomatoes are an anti-oxidant. Read more about Manhattan chowder and make a kettle of soup for your family and friends.
- Health Words - Do You Know What They Mean?
[Health-and-Fitness] Something is happening in the US and many people don't know about it. Millions of Americans don't understand what their doctors tell them or the directions on prescription bottles. This lack of understanding, or health literacy, affects personal and national health. Read this article to learn more about becoming health literate.
- The Scoop on Writing - A Writer's Work is Never Done
[Writing-and-Speaking:Writing-Articles] Some writers are pleased with everything they write. You may be one of them. When you read your work you are so pleased with the product you would not change a thing. This writer tells why she sometimes wishes she had chosen different words. Her article gives you an inside look at a writer's life.
- Fashionable Grandmas - Wear What You Like and Ignore the Rest
[Home-and-Family:Grandparenting] Have you seen those modeling shows on television? The models who strut the runways are pencil-thin and wear clothes you would not wear in the kitchen. Few designers think about grandmas when they are designing next season's clothes. What should you buy? Read this article and decide for yourself.
- Two Weeks of Heart Healthy Main Dishes and Side Dishes
[Health-and-Fitness:Nutrition] Planning healthy meals takes time and you may not have much to spare. With a little planning, however, you can create heart healthy meals that save you time and money. This article contains two week's of heart healthy main dishes and side dishes. Add your own ideas to it and planning heart healthy meals will be a snap.
- Loss and Grief -- When Does the Crying Stop?
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Crying is the first response to the death of a loved one. You may cry for days, weeks, and even months. But crying is physically and emotionally exhausting. When does the crying stop? This article, by a writer who has suffered multiple losses, is an attempt to answer that question.
- Planning Heart Healthy Meals for a Healthy Life
[Health-and-Fitness:Nutrition] Changing your eating habits now can benefit your health later. Instead of pushing your cart down the aisle and buying what you see, it is better to plan meals for the week. This article contains 12 tips for planning heart healthy meals.
- Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs and Vegetables in Red Wine
[Food-and-Drink:Crockpot-Recipes] When the weather turns colder you start to think of hearty meals -- soups, stews, and ribs. This recipe for beef short ribs braised in red wine is hearty and delicious. Freeze the leftovers (if you have any) for another meal.
- Responding to Grief -- How Do You Lose An Egg?
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Forgetfulness is a common response to grief. This article tells how the author lost an egg and explains some of the causes of forgetfulness.
- Designed to Stay - 10 Budget-Wise Decorating Updates for Your Home
[Home-Improvement:Interior-Design-and-Decorating] Your home should be comforting. After a while, though, you may get tired of the same wall color, the same furniture, and the same look. These budget-wise tips will help you update the look of your home. Try one or try them all.
- Honor Your Loved One's Memory With a Favorite Foods Dinner
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] All of us must cope with the loss of a loved one. You may be so overcome with grief you don't know what to do. Should you have a memorial service? Will there be food after the service? Who will come? Having a memorial dinner in honor of your loved one answers these questions and will bring you comfort.
- Jicama Adds Crunch, Sweetness and Almost No Calories to Recipes
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Jicama, a root vegetable in the turnip family, is turning up in more recipes. Professional chefs, home cooks, and health-conscious cooks are using jicma in all sorts of dishes. Read this article to learn more about jicama and get a delicious salad recipe, too.
- Home Office Desk - 10 Tips for Choosing the Best One for You
[Home-Improvement:Furniture] Computers have changed desk design. Solo professionals need a practical desk that helps them get their work done. Are you looking for a new desk? This article will help you find just the one you need.
- Auction Bargains - Knowing How to Bid Will Help You Get Them
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Auctions] Financial experts say we have no inflation, but home furnishing prices keep going up. This increase has led many consumers to estate sales and auctions. The auction bargains are out there. You just have to know how to bid. This article gives you some of the bidding basics.
- American Hamburgers - How Big Should They Be?
[Food-and-Drink] You may not have noticed it, but American hamburgers are getting bigger. More Americans are eating out, often at fast food restaurants which have super sized burgers, French fries, milkshakes, and sodas. According to the US government serving sizes are contributing to the rise in obesity. What size burger should you be eating?
- Regular Exercise May Help You Cope With Grief
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Self-improvement books offer sound suggestions for coping with grief. But these suggestions say little about the relationship between exercise and recovering from grief. Exercise can lift your spirits, renew your energy, and restore your soul. After you read this article you will want to get up and move.
- Grief Recovery- A Process That Demands New Ways of Thinking
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] People who are recovering from grief have similar thoughts. They also face similar challenges. But one challenge -- developing a new relationship with a deceased loved one -- is unique. You must do it alone and in your own way. Read this article and learn more about forming new relationship with your deceased loved one.
- Bavarian Cream With Mixed Berries, a Low-Cal Dessert
[Food-and-Drink:Low-Calorie] Many of us grew up with Jell-0, a sweet, colorful gelatin dessert. The British and Irish call gelatin "jelly," the Americans and Canadians call it Jell-o or "gello." Gelatin is used in many desserts and many of them, unfortunately, are high in calories. Do you crave something sweet? Try this low-calorie recipe for Bavarian Cream with Mixed Berries.
- Tipping, What's The Going Rate?
[Finance] Tipping is a personal decision. The amount you give someone for their services depends on the type of services you receive, where you are, your budget, and how you feel about the service. You may think you're "right on" when it comes to tipping. But tipping rates are changing fast. This article updates you on some of the changes and rates.
- Plan Ahead When You Travel With Grandkids
[Travel-and-Leisure:Cruising] Cruising with children is easier than it used to be. Cruise lines have special programs for children and many ships have teen clubs. This grandmother tells about the plans she made for traveling with her 15-year-old twin grandkids. Her plans may help you to plan your trip.
- Arranging Furniture to Fit Your Space
[Home-Improvement:Interior-Design-and-Decorating] Interior designers know that arranging furniture is an art. You may not be an interior designer, but you can still learn to arrange your furniture artfully. These tips will get you started.
- Time is Different When You're Grieving
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] The death of a loved one is a shock to the body and soul. It is such a shock that you may lose track of time. You may worry about the time ahead. Will you ever find happiness again? This nonfiction writer, who is grieving for her daughter, tells why time feels different to her.
- Paint Colors - Old Neutrals and New Neutrals
[Home-Improvement:Painting] Neutral paint colors are featured in television programs and decorating magazines. What are neutral colors, anyway? It's hard to answer this question because the old neutrals are still around and new neutrals are emerging. Read this article and learn more about paint colors.
- Customer Service - A Smile Makes All the Difference
[Business:Customer-Service] All of us have had waiters and waitresses (now called servers) who were discourteous. Lack of courtesy can ruin an evening. Similarly, courtesy can make an ordinary evening special. This essay describes one server's courteous and respectful service.
- Tilapia - A Fish for All Cuisines and Cooks
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Tilapia is appearing on more restaurant menus. As many have discovered, this mild white fish adapts to all cuisines and cooking methods. Red Lobster restaurants were one of the first to serve tilapia and it was a hit, according to "Seafood Business" magazine. These two recipes may make tilapia hit at your house.
- Recovering From My Daughter's Sudden and Tragic Death
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] You understand grief if you have lost loved ones. Grief work is tiring work. How can you recover? This health writer lists the things she is doing to recover from multiple deaths in her family. The recovery steps she is taking may help you.
- What Color Should You Paint Your Walls?
[Home-Improvement:Painting] Colors come and go. Olive green and gold were popular in the 1960s. The bright, bold colors of the 1980s are popular now. Should you put bold colors on your walls? Find out by answering these questions.
- Write Clear Emails and Get Clear Replies
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Email-Marketing] Email is second only to the phone when it comes to fast, personal communication. All of us, however, receive odd replies to emails. Your business contact may answer a question you never asked. Some recipients mis-read emails or only read parts of them. Others take weeks to reply. These tips will help you write clear emails and get the replies you need.
- Grieving and Gratefulness For a Writing Career
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] How do you recover from loss? Each of us recovers in our own way. This author decided to write her way through grief and, along the way, rediscovered the blessings of her career. You may learn from her example and become a writer yourself.
- Talk to Your Kids About Secondhand Smoke
[Health-and-Fitness:Quit-Smoking] The dangers of tobacco smoke have been well publicized. But you may not know about the dangers of secondhand smoke. Whether you call it secondhand, sidestream, passive, environmental, or involuntary smoking, this kind of smoke hurts everybody. Infants, young children, and service workers are especially at risk. This fact sheet tells you why and cites sources.
- Kids Who Won't Eat Vegetables Will Eat This Vegetable-Pasta Salad
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Vegetables. We want our kids to eat them and many won't. You may not be too fond of vegetables, either. But kids will eat pasta of all kinds. So this health-conscious grandmother combined pasta with vegetables. Her grandkids loved it!
- Tenderized Meat - What are You Really Paying For?
[Food-and-Drink] We Americans are famous for our love of meat. Whether it is roasted, fried, or grilled, we want fork-tender meat. In response to consumer demands many meat, poultry, and fish processors are tenderizing their products. When you buy tenderized products you may be getting things you don't want to eat. Read on . . .
- Savory or Sweet, Waffles are a Treat!
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Cooks have been making waffles for centuries. Unfortunately, the early recipes were high in fat and the early waffle irons - two hot metal plates that had to be flipped - were tricky to use. Today, people who are watching their carbs do not eat waffles. But things are changing. Thanks to non-stick grids and new recipes waffles are popular again. You will want to try this healthier, adaptable recipe.
- Goodbye Dear Tree - The Story of a Fallen Oak
[Home-Improvement:Landscaping-Outdoor-Decorating] When you buy a new home you probably need some landscaping. Some new home buyers are lucky to have natural landscaping -- trees, shrubs and groundcover native to the area. This article tells how one couple was forced to cut down an historic oak tree and bid it farewell.
- Eating Out - What Can You Order if You are Salt-Sensitive?
[Food-and-Drink] Some nutrition experts think we are eating too much salt. People who are salt-sensitive (and the author is one of them) need to watch their intake. Are you salt-sensitive? This article tells you what to order the next time you eat out.
- Many Females are Misusing and Abusing Their Speaking Voices
[Writing-and-Speaking:Public-Speaking] Your speaking voice can make you sound credible or questionable. Many women are speaking in high voices and "up-talking," practices that distract listeners. This article, by an experienced speaker, describes some current trends in female speech and ways to care for the speaking voice.
- Shrimp Scampi With Orange Sauce
[Food-and-Drink:Recipes] Doctors are telling their patients to eat more fish. This author is following that advice and is collecting and experimenting with all sorts of fish recipes. Shrimp-lovers will love this one.
- What Makes a Good Cook?
[Food-and-Drink] We expect famous restaurants to serve good food, but his doesn't always happen. Graduating from a vocational or cooking school does not always mean the chef is a good cook. This article describes the attributes of a good cook.
- Carpet Versus Wood - Which Flooring Would You Choose?
[Home-Improvement:Flooring] Do you need new flooring? This article describes the pluses and minutes of wood flooring and how one couple made their flooring choice. Their comparison process may help you to choose new flooring for your home.
- Avoid These Bathroom Renovation Blunders!
[Home-Improvement:Bath-and-Shower] Renovated bathrooms help to sell houses. You may hire a professional construction crew to do the renovation work or do it yourself. Which ever route you choose, you should avoid these bathroom renovation blunders.
- Minnesota Wild Rice Soup with Chicken, Fresh Mushrooms and Sherry
[Food-and-Drink:Soups] Wild rice is the state grain of Minnesota and we love it. Fine restaurants feature wild rice dishes and home cooks fix wild rice recipes for their families. This recipe, from a former food writer, is the result of having "a little of this and a little of that" on hand. If you like wild rice you will like this soup.
- Grief and the Miracles of Kindness
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] The death of a child -- even one who is 45 years old -- is a shock, an unnatural life experience. This author describes her friends' kindness after her daughter's death. Before, the author thought of kindness as a response. Now she sees the kindness of others as a life miracle.
- My Daughter's Death and How I am Honoring Her Life
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] No parent expects a child to die before them, but tragedy happens. After a child dies parents grieve for a life that ended too soon and their child's missing future. Parents are left with now. This writer tells what she is doing to remember her daughter and keep her memory close.
- Use Rummage and Garage Sale Smarts to Get the Best Bargains
[Home-and-Family] Churches have rummage sales throughout the year, but garage sales may be seasonal. Whether you shop the sales year-round or at the peak time of the year, you will get better bargains if you have shopping smarts. These tips from a rummage sale volunteer may help you get the biggest bang for your bucks.
- Teen Consumers Need to Learn About Money Management and Protection
[Finance:Personal-Finance] Parents teach their teens about right and wrong, driving safely, getting an education, the dangers of illegal drugs, and safe sex. But many parents do not teach their teens about money management. Read this article to learn more about teen spending and what they need to know about money.
- Teen Grief - A Time for Patience
[Self-Improvement:Grief-Loss] Grief is hard for everyone. Teen grief is especially hard because of a lack of maturity, brain function gaps, and coping skills. Adults need to be patient with grieving teens. They can also help teens process their grief by following these tips from the grandmother of grieving twins.
- Retirement - 10 Things To Do Before You Downsize
[Home-and-Family:Retirement] Downsizing sounds like a simple word, but the process of downsizing can be complicated. You have to think ahead and allow enough time to lighten the moving load. These tips will make your downsizing transition easier.
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