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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2449 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Delaying Vaccinations Puts Young Children At Risk (NAPSA)—Recent outbreaks in the U.S. of measles, whooping cough and the flu among young children have refocused Americans’ ideas about the importance of vaccinations. This is especially true because diseases such as mumps, measles, polio and rubella—virtually eradicated in this country—are just a plane ride away. In fact, the number of measles cases in England and Wales jumped more than 30 percent last year—their highest level since 1995. For a young child, regular vaccinations are an important part of ensuring overall health. Vaccines have been shown to protect and save lives. Yet despite the overwhelming scientific evidence proving the benefits of immunizations, there are still parents who question the value of vaccines. Why Vaccinate? Before the development of vaccines, thousands of babies died or were seriously disabled every year from a variety of now-preventable diseases. But because immunization programs of the 20th century were so successful, many of today’s young parents have never seen these diseases and do not understand that the risk for them is still real. According to the recommended immunization schedule, children should be protected from 14 preventable diseases by age 2. Yet 2.1 million children in the United States are not vaccinated on time, putting them at risk for serious illness. According to Every Child By Two, a nonprofit organization founded by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former First Lady of Arkansas Betty Bumpers, it is critical for parents to realize that today’s vaccines are safe for children. In fact, when it comes to (NAPSA)—When it rains, it pours. And rain gutters are supposed to help channel a downpour safely to the ground so there’s no ground erosion. The problem is that traditional rain gutters can easily get clogged with leaves, maple keys, twigs and other debris—making them ineffective and prone to flooding. Protecting your child’s health means getting him or her vaccinated on time, every time. vaccines, the biggest risk is being misinformed. “Immunizations are a medical miracle,” says Paul Offit, M.D., Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Director of the Vaccine Education Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “They are the most powerful tools to control and potentially eliminate diseases that have caused death and lifelong disability for millions of people. Too many children, adolescents and adults in our country and worldwide continue to fall prey to deadly vaccine-preventable diseases each year.” To help keep track of your children’s many immunizations, ask your doctor to put their vaccination records into your local immunization registry. Every Child By Two, the Campaign for Early Childhood Immunization, works to educate families about the need for all children to receive timely immunizations and continues to seek methods to institutionalize vaccine delivery and ensure access to vaccines for all children. For more information, including the immunization schedule, visit the Web site at www.ecbt.org. Almonds: One Ingredient, Multiple Benefits New Rain Gutter System (NAPSA)—If you are looking for a single ingredient that can add flavor, texture and nutrition to a dish, consider adding almonds. Almonds can be combined with a variety of other foods for a memorable flavor combination. Plus, a daily portion of almonds (one ounce, or about 23) supplies a number of important nutrients, including antioxidants. Following is a fun and flavorful recipe that combines almonds with other foods that deliver antioxidants—chocolate, green tea and cherries. Antioxidant Lace Cookies ⁄2 ⁄4 1 ⁄2 1 1 1 A variation on traditional rain gutters can help homeowners avoid clogs and floods. Fortunately, there’s another option—one designed to be immune to clogging. Rainhandler gutters use an open-louver system that breaks up sheets of water into small rain-sized drops that are deflected away from the home. The system is nearly invisible when it’s installed, so the natural lines of the home aren’t broken up by pipes and downspouts. And even if a rare leaf should land i n the lo uve rs, it won’t affect the system’s performance at all. You will probably never have to clean them, but if you ever do, it can be done from the ground with a hose and a basic pressure nozzle. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.rainhandler.com or call 800-942-3004. 2 ⁄3 1 ⁄4 1 3 cup slivered almonds cup flour cup sugar tablespoon green tea powder large egg whites cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled cup diced or finely chopped almonds tablespoons cocoa powder Preheat the oven to 325 F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place slivered almonds in a food processor and process until finely ground. Set aside. Stir together flour, sugar and green tea powder in a small bowl. Set aside. Whisk together egg whites and butter in a large mixing bowl; whisk in flour mixture. Stir in ground almonds. Working in small batches, drop the batter by rounded teaspoonfuls about 3 inches apart onto prepare Adding almonds to a dish can enhance its flavor and texture. It may also add to the dishes antioxidant content. baking sheets. Spread batter into 3-inch rounds. Sprinkle half of each round with diced almonds and bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges of cookies are lightly browned. Immediately remove cookies from sheets and drape over a rolling pin or wine bottle. If cookies become too hard, briefly return to the oven to soften. Cool cookies completely on rolling pin or wine bottle. Repeat with remaining batter. Dust the diced almond side of each cookie with cocoa powder (use a clean, empty salt or pepper shaker that has been filled with the cocoa or use a spoon to lightly dust cookies). For a simply delicious dessert, serve 2 lace cookies with a cup of Almond-Cherry Sorbet. Find the Almond-Cherry Sorbet recipe and many others at www.AlmondsAreIn.com.