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Entry bubble Every 6 months... Visit the Dentist!

By: Colleen | May 14, 2008 | Category: Health

Friday morning I have an appointment with the dentist. I'm psycdentist 2hed! No, seriously- I love going to the dentist.

As a kid, my parents took me to a pediatric dentist who offered free games of Pac-Man while you waited, thus I've always equated the dentist with fun.

While I've been very diligent about getting a cleaning every six months, there are many people, especially my age that do not. My best friend's rationale for this is, "My teeth don't hurt, so why should I get them checked?"

Not having your teeth cleaned professionally allows plaque to build up that regular brushing and flossing can't remove. The excess plaque leads to tooth decay, which causes cavities. Cavities- which don't always hurt at first, must be treated before they become more serious. If let go, they can require a root canal, or other more advanced dental work.

Not sure how to start looking for a dentist? Check out this site:  http://www.ada.org/public/directory/index.asp . You want to be sure the dentist is board certified, and check to see if they have an area of specialization. Free Pac-Man doesn't hurt, either.

Does anybody have a dental horror story? Any great experiences?

| Comments [1] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: brush  cavity  cleaning  colleen  dentist  floss  teeth 

 

Entry bubble Credit Card Offers

By: Colleen | May 07, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

Few things are consistent in life. The alarm clock doesn't always go off when it's set. The Patriots ruin a perfectcredit card season by choking in the Super Bowl. A bright and sunny Saturday can turn to thunderstorms in the blink of an eye.

As far as I can tell, I can guarantee only two things:

  • If I am wearing white to dinner, something with spaghetti sauce will be served.
  • At least three times a week I will find a credit card offer in my mailbox.

Wearing white will never stop me from eating spaghetti, but I can help eliminate the seemingly endless stream of credit card offers.

Receiving these offers makes you a target for identity theft. To prevent your information from falling into the wrong hands, you should "opt out" of pre-approved offers.

You can opt out for five years or permanently.

Eliminating these offers helps protect your identity and is also eco-friendly. You're saving paper and creating less waste. It is reported that my generation is in an endless cycle of post-graduation credit card debt—so the fewer offers you get, the less temptation you have to add another card to that bulging wallet.

| Comments [8] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: card  colleen  credit  identity  mail  offers  theft 

 

Entry bubble DOE Website for Energy-Saving Tips

By: Colleen | April 30, 2008 | Category: General

To continue on Joanne's "everyday is Earth Day" theme...gas pump

Anyone currently residing on planet Earth knows the cost of gas is soaring sky-high. Because prices at the pump are following the same trajectory as a spaceshuttle, it's important to find other ways to cut costs and reduce energy consumption.

Last week the U.S. Department of Energy launched a new website. The interactive page gives you a virtual tour of a typical home. Just click your mouse on different areas of the house and you're given tips and ideas about saving energy and costs.

One of the more interesting tips I found by clicking on the car in the driveway. It told me to "Get the junk out of the trunk and properly inflate your tires! An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your fuel efficiency by up to 2%."

Off the top of my head, if someone were to break open my trunk right now, they'd find: a pair of roller blades, a wool winter coat, my old non-functional laptop, my sister's semi-functional laptop from college, a garbage bag of old clothes I've been meaning to donate, and a heavy-duty ice scraper. And that's just the stuff of which I am AWARE. It's time for a vehicular spring cleaning.

Check out other suggestions for getting the most energy efficient appliances, and using mother nature herself as a natural means of heating and lighting. Little changes can add up to BIG savings, for both our wallets and environment.

What tricks do you have for saving money and energy? Any good tips?

| Comments [4] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: colleen  consumption  doe  energy  gas  money  saving  tips 

 

Entry bubble Allergy Season

By: Colleen | April 23, 2008 | Category: Health

With the exception of a weird brand of adhesive bandage and penicillin, I am very lucky that I do not have any allergies—especiallyallergy considering my family history.

The same can't be said for my poor sister whose entire childhood was severely sleep-deprived due to horrific allergies, particularly in the spring and fall. And who can forget the Thanksgiving when we cleared out nearly the entire extended family, not realizing our new pet rabbit would send them rummaging for inhalers—and out the door? Then there was the road-trip when I spent 6 hours freaked out, thinking my friend had pinkeye. Turned out to be a ragweed flare-up.

Suffice to say, allergies are no fun! They become particularly bad this time of year when new flowers are in bloom and pollen is whirling around. Pollen allergies, also known as hay fever, can often be confused with the common cold. Same sneezing, runny nose, coughing, watery and itchy eyes. While a cold typically clears up in a week or so, allergies can last for weeks. Left untreated, it can lead to more serious issues like ear infections, sinus infections, and asthma.

What can you do if you have these extended symptoms? Obviously, the first step is to see your doctor. Once it is determined what you're allergic to, you can then figure out ways to avoid the allergen. Allergic to plants and trees? Keep your windows shut, and use air-conditioning with a filter. For dust allergies, do your best to minimize clutter—where dust gets trapped. Purchase pillow and mattress covers to form a barrier between you and dust mites.

Your doctor may also prescribe you medication depending on your specific problem. Many nasal sprays or antihistamines can be taken at home. Sometimes allergy shots are recommended. These take place in the doctor's office and continue at weekly or monthly intervals for 3 to 5 years.

Determining the cause of seasonal discomfort is half the battle. Don't let allergies keep you cooped up this spring!

| Comments [1] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: allergy  colleen  dust  fever  hay  pollen  spring 

 

Entry bubble Summer Prep!

By: Colleen | April 16, 2008 | Category: Health

sunThe days are getting longer, temps higher, baseball is in full swing—Summer is just around the corner - I can feel it! Cue Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff!

Summer is my favorite time of year: Phillies games, weekends down the shore, dining alfresco, outdoor concerts, sunshine and swimming—what's not to love?

While having fun in the sun is a priority of mine, there are dangers that cannot be dismissed when preparing for summertime. That big ol' ball of gas in the sky can really do some damage.

Speaking from personal experience, when I was a kid I spent endless summer days at the pool, playing softball, or running amok around the neighborhood with my pals. At the ripe old age of 12, I had my first surgery to remove a questionable mole on my back. With a long Irish lineage, my mom was always adamant about her girls using sunscreen. Even so, I found myself with 10 stitches and a noticeable scar while only in the 6th grade.

In college, while lounging outside on a sunny afternoon, a friend pointed out a dark, oddly shaped mark on the back of my left arm. An area I couldn't see myself, this was the first time it was ever brought to my attention. A biopsy revealed the patch contained pre-cancerous cells and had to be removed immediately. This was before I even hit 21.

Now I see my dermatologist every 6 months for a check-up, and am "that girl" who constantly gives her friends a hard time about their trips to tanning salons and lack of SPF while trying for that perfect tan.

Of course, skin protection is not a summer-only issue. But, here are some tips to get you ready for the most outdoorsy time of the year.

  • Sunscreen has a shelf-life of only about 6 months. So, your leftovers from last year? Chuck them. Exposure to oxygen and light cause the chemicals to oxidize and are less effective in protecting you.
  • Be sure to slick on the 'screen everywhere. Two of the most common areas to find skin cancer are on the lips and tops of feet, which are often overlooked.
  • Wear sunglasses that are 100% UVA and UVB protective—prevents crow's feet down the road!
  • The bulk of skin damage comes from everyday exposure—running out to your car, walking to the mailbox, etc. Wear moisturizer with SPF every day for added protection.
  • Check your skin regularly. Make note of any changes in color or shape of moles and report them to your doctor. Make a yearly appointment for a mole check inspection of areas you can't see yourself.
  • Wear SPF of at least 15 or higher, and re-apply regularly (every 2 hours or so).

Any other tips to safely enjoy the sunshine?

| Comments [2] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: cancer  colleen  skin  spf  summer  sun  sunscreen 

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