(NAPSA)—Ask any mom you know when she last gave herself, instead of one of the kids, a true “time-out”—the kind of time-out that allows her to rest and relax. If she is anything like the millions of moms in the U.S. who juggle kids, family, a job and the daunting task of overall home management, she is unlikely to recall the last time she dedicated a day, hour or even 15 minutes entirely to herself. With our increasingly busy society, moms are less inclined to take a break from life’s demands to simply slow down and relax. It just seems like there is never enough time to take care of daily responsibilities and avoid exhaustion at the same time. But setting aside time to care for yourself can be easier than it may seem. Just 15 minutes a day spent focused on a rejuvenating or relaxing activity can result in a renewed, fresh-minded mom. Many of us are familiar with the classics such as taking a bubble bath, exercising or reading a book. However, more and more women are finding relief from less conventional de-stressing activities such as playing a computer game or meditating. Jennifer Louden, women’s lifestyle expert and author of “The Life Organizer: A Woman’s Guide to a Mindful Year” and other bestselling books for women, suggests that moms try something different to combat burnout—her personal favorite is skipping around her neighborhood with her daughter and dog for 10-15 minutes. But if you are looking for an activity that won’t leave your neighbors questioning your sanity, Louden suggests playing a game. Growing in popularity across the U.S. and around the globe are casual computer games—simple word, card, puzzle and strategy (NAPSA)—The backyard is a refreshing backdrop for dining al fresco any night. Serve fun fingerfoods, such as Neapolitan Nesquik Quivers, for smiles and carefree cleanup. Visit VeryBestKids.com for the recipe and more fun ideas. *** Nearly 70 percent of powersport enthusiasts—owners of RVs, travel trailers, boats and motorcycles— say they won’t change their travel plans because of high gas prices, according to Nationwide Mutual Insurance’s Second Annual Fueling Powersports Index. Visit www.nationwide.com. *** They say if you have a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. That’s why more and more Americans are turning to the things they enjoy most as a source of income. For more information or to take the first step toward turning your hobby into a business, go to www.storesonline pro.com/hobby. *** There are ways commuters can put the brakes on stress. For instance, vehicles such as the Dodge Avenger have available SIRIUS Satellite Radio that plays favorite songs without commercials, as well as MyGIG™ multimedia systems with navigation that can help you avoid traffic jams. Visit www.DodgeAvenge YourCommute.com. *** In just two years of operation, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance has helped 3.5 million The Art Of Giving Some women say playing casual games helps with problem solving, stress relief and insomnia. games that are easy to learn but challenging to master. These interactive games can be played in small time increments, perfect for a 15-minute breather before the kids come home from school or after the kids go to bed. Many women also play during breaks at work to clear the mind and regain focus. Web sites such as RealArcade.com, Lifetimetv.com and GameHouse.com provide hundreds of casual computer games that busy moms can try for free. Louden recommends a quick game of Super Collapse! 3, Aloha Solitaire or one of the many versions of Sudoku to help moms achieve relaxation, mental stimulation and a sense of completion. So listen up, you “supermoms,” you’ve heard it before: It is time to take a “time-out”—today, tomorrow and every day thereafter. Soak in a bubble bath, skip around the yard or sit down to play a casual game. With a little consistency, you’ll realize immediate benefits and thank yourself for taking the time to ensure that your mind and body are renewed. You might even be admired by friends and family for being brave enough to actually take care of yourself. (NAPSA)—Scented candles can be a delightful gift for anyone who lights up your life. And because scent is closely tied to memory, a scented gift has the ability to create lasting memories. To make it even easier to find a a good fit, some candle gift sets are themed around relationships or occasions. For example, Gold Canyon offers candle sets with The best way to brighten his or her day may be to give that special person a scented candle set that is appropriately themed. Birthday Wishes, A+ Teacher, Baby Bundle, A Warm Welcome, Petals & Blooms, The Great Outdoors and Cherished Love themes. Gift sets range between $19.99 and $64.99. Each includes an attractive container filled with candles, holders and other decorative items to match the theme. Regarded by many as the world’s finest, these candles are made with great care using only the very best ingredients. Visit goldcanyoncandle.com for more information. *** Genius is the ability to put into effect what is on your mind. —F. Scott Fitzgerald *** Americans who are uninsured get the medication they need. To learn more, visit www.pparx.org or call, toll-free, (888) 4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669). *** To treat minor cuts and scrapes, you may care to consider Aquaphor Healing Ointment. It creates a moist, breathable barrier to help protect raw, exposed skin. It can speed healing and minimize scarring. For more tips, visit www.eucerinUS.com. *** Children taste with their eyes before their mouths, and arranging foods in festive shapes keeps their attention on the meal at hand. Mrs. T’s Pierogies—the perfect pairing of pasta and potatoes—is an excellent food for making fun creations. *** Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, let people save pretax dollars for qualified medical expenses. When matched with high-deductible, low-cost health insurance plans, they can be an affordable and safe way to insure a family. Visit www.ehealthinsur ance.com. *** True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information. —Winston Churchill *** *** Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. —Calvin Coolidge *** *** Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. —Thomas Alva Edison *** *** The principle mark of genius is not perfection but originality, the opening of new frontiers. —Arthur Koestler *** 7 How Much Do You Really Know About Alzheimer’s? (NAPSA)—If you or someone you know is caring for a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s, here’s some encouraging news. There is progress being made in treating the condition, as well as in the number and type of support systems that help both patients and caregivers. Yet there is still a lot that Americans don’t know about the disease and how many in the U.S. have it. Here’s a quick quiz that may help: Q. The number of people 65 and older in the United States in 2004 was approximately 35 million. By 2050, the number is expected to be: a) 50 million b) 70 million c) 100 million d) No change. A. (b) 70 million. Q. There are now approximately how many cases of Alzheimer ’s disease in the United States? a) 1 million b) 3.3 million c) 5 million d) 6.7 million. A. (c) 5 million. Q. How many cases are predicted to exist in 2050, if current trends continue? a) 5.2 million b) 7.5 million c) 9.6 million d) 13.5 million. A. (d) 13.5 million. Q. Approximately what proportion of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s disease or some other type of dementia? a) 5 percent b) 10 percent c) 35 percent d) 50 percent. A. (d) 50 percent. Q. Which of the following are considered behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer ’s disease, rather than cognitive symptoms? a) Wa n d e r i n g , a g i t a t i o n , depression, sleep disturbance, hallucinations. b) Memory loss, inability to perform simple tasks, disorientation to place and time. Present treatment of Alzheimer’s improves symptoms and functional status but does not slow or arrest brain tissue loss. c) Inability to recognize friends or family members, getting lost in familiar places, neglecting to bathe. A. (a) Wandering, agitation, depression, sleep disturbance, hallucinations. Q. True or False: Slightly more than half of Alzheimer’s sufferers receive care at home. A. True. Q. True or False: The average survival of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease is 12-14 years. A. False. The average survival is eight to 10 years, but some patients live as long as 20 years. The answers to this quiz were supplied by Interim HealthCare, a leader in the home health care industry. According to the company, creating an Alzheimer ’sand dementia-friendly and safe environment is an important step in making it possible for people to remain at home much longer and further into the dise a s e . To l e a r n m o r e , v i s i t www.interimhealthcare.com. Regional Dishes Start With Great Ingredients (NAPSA)—When Biba Caggiano moved to the U.S. from Italy, she felt homesick for the wonderful foods she’d left behind in Emilia-Romagna. “What a difference 45 years make!” she observes in her new cookbook, “Biba’s Italy” (Artisan, 2006). Not only are Americans more appreciative of regional Italian dishes such as Caggiano’s luscious ragus and pasta dishes, but authentic ingredients are far more available now than in the past. Caggiano recommends using all-natural Prosciutto di Parma for several recipes, including an “appetizing, hasslefree dish” typical of Bologna, her home town. Three slices of what Caggiano calls “the world’s finest ham” are arranged on each appetizer plate. Several small chunks of Parmigiano-Reggiano (“the king of cheeses”), drizzled with an artisan-made balsamic vinegar, are mounded in the center. The final touch: quartered fresh figs, fanned around the cheese. If figs are out of season, it’s fine to substitute melon, grapes, mangos or pears. Even simpler, just serve Prosciutto di Parma with seasonal fruit and a few walnuts. The ham and cheese—produced only in Biba’s native EmiliaRomagna—are widely available in U.S. markets. Prosciutto di Parma Regional dishes are easy when you choose authentic ingredients. (Parma Ham), for example, can be purchased by the ounce at a deli counter or in presliced packaged form at many supermarkets and specialty stores. These long-cured hams contain no ingredients other than sea salt and each one is marked with the official ducal crown logo only after passing strict quality tests. In addition, Prosciutto di Parma has been singled out for Protected Designation of Origin designation by the European Union, a mark of quality similar to the DOC designation reserved for fine wines. This prized Italian ham is not only one of the very best ingredients, but one of the easiest to use. No need to wait for a special occasion—make a wonderful regional dish, such as the ones in Biba’s Italy, or add Prosciutto di Parma to a pizza, salad, sandwich or main dish.
