Are you prepared for a Natural Disaster?

Disasters are not polite. They don't wait patiently until you have found your flashlight, radio, and first aid kit before they strike. Most catastrophes, like tornadoes and earthquakes, occur without warning. Prepare for these emergency events by assembling a supply kit, arranging meeting places and contact people, and attaining important skills, such as CPR.

Stocking Your Survival Kit

The most basic step in preparing for the unexpected is marshalling a complete inventory of supplies. Store these items in a cool, dark place, preferably in large plastic wheeled crates that can be easily transported in case you are forced to evacuate your home. And check your cache every six months to make sure that none of your supplies have expired. Here’s what you should include:

•Water. According to the American Red Cross, one of the most important items you should set aside for an emergency is one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.
•Medication. Perhaps the second most vital thing is a week’s worth of medication if your or a family member’s health depends on a prescription drug. It’s also key to include a well-stocked first aid kit of assorted bandages, pain relievers, and antibacterial ointment.
•Hygiene items. A stash of personal hygiene items, such as toilet paper, soap, shampoo, is also a must.
•Food. Nonperishable food items that require little or no cooking are essential, too. Look for dried and canned foods that will not easily spoil.
•Utilitarian items. Don’t forget to include basic tools (a wrench and screwdriver), a can opener, scissors, garbage bags, duct tape, a map, a radio (one that can operate via a hand crank is best), flashlights, and plenty of batteries.
•Other items. Be sure you have set aside some money and stored your personal documents in a safe, accessible place. You may also want to include comfortable shoes, sets of clean clothes, and blankets.

Fish facts For Pregnancy

Fish Facts for Nursing and Pregnant Moms and Women Who May Become Pregnant

Fish and shellfish can be an important part of a healthy diet. They are a great source of protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

But almost all fish and shellfish contain some mercury. Mercury is a metal that can harm the brain of your unborn baby—even before it is conceived.

Mercury mainly gets into our bodies by the fish we eat. Only high levels of this metal seem to be harmful to developing babies. So the risk of mercury in fish and shellfish depends on the amount and type you eat.

Women who are nursing, pregnant or who may become pregnant should steer clear of fish with high levels of mercury. But removing all fish from your diet will rob you of important omega-3 fatty acids. So how can you reap the benefits of eating fish without the dangers of mercury? Follow these tips.
Don't Eat

Swordfish
Tilefish
King mackerel
Shark
Raw or uncooked fish or shellfish (e.g. clams, oysters, scallops)
Refrigerated uncooked smoked fish (labeled Nova-style, lox, kippered or jerky)

Eat up to 1 serving (6 ounces) per week:

Tuna Steaks
Canned albacore or chunk white tuna
Halibut
Snapper

Eat up to 2 servings (12 ounces) per week:

Shrimp, crab, clams, oysters, scallops
Canned light tuna
Salmon
Mahi-Mahi
Pollock
Catfish
Cod

Check before eating fish caught in local waters.

State health departments have guidelines on fi sh from local waters. Or get local fi sh advisories at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Website (www.epa.gov).
If you’re unsure about the safety of a fish from local waters, only eat 6 ounces per week and don’t eat any other fish that week.

Eat a variety of small, young non-fatty fish.

Ask your fish monger to recommend lean, small fi sh that are caught young.

Been Busy

Since I had submitted my blog to the Blog marketing & advertising used to be PPP. Eversince it got approved . I have been busy taking their task, didn't have time to blog hop. I will do my blog hopping tomorrow. I just want to apologize to all my co-blogger. I will visit your blog soon.

Summer Insect Survival Guide

Buzz, buzz, buzz. Just the sound of a mosquito is enough to make you start swatting, slapping, and itching. Usually, bugs and bug bites are nothing more than a summertime annoyance—but when are they cause for more concern?


Insect bites are generally harmless, but, in rare instances, a bite can result in serious problems. Wasps, honeybees, and yellow jackets cause approximately 100 deaths each year. Here are tips on how to prevent and treat a bite or sting.

Scenario: You've been bitten by a mosquito or horsefly.
Symptoms: The most common reaction to a mosquito or horsefly bite is swelling, redness, and itching in the affected area. However, some mosquitoes may carry the West Nile virus, which in severe cases, can cause disorientation, neck stiffness, sleepiness, and even death.

Survival Tip: Because mosquitoes and horseflies lay eggs in or around bodies of water, try to keep your property free of standing water. If you have a swimming pool, keep it covered when it's not in use, and use a pump to keep the water flowing. When going outside for an extended period of time, try to wear long sleeves and pants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend using insect repellents containing 50 percent of the chemical DEET. If you've been bit, try not to scratch, as it can lead to scarring or an infection. Instead, use an antihistamine cream for the itch.

Scenario: You've been stung by a honeybee, wasp, or yellow jacket.
Symptoms: A bee sting usually causes minor burning sensations, swelling, and itching. However, for those who are allergic, a sting can cause anaphylactic shock—difficulty breathing, drop in blood pressure, wheezing, and swelling, particularly in the neck or face.

Survival Tip: Most stings occur because the bee is protecting the hive. Start by staying away from hives, and call pest control if one has been built on or near your home. If you are stung, wash the area with soap and water, remove the stinger with a gauze pad, and apply a cold compress. If the person who is stung is allergic, immediately administer epinephrine injection and consult a doctor.

How to Find More Preparation Space in the Kitchen

Space in the kitchen at a premium and the dinner party dishes are not leaving any spare room for cooking? What to do?! Help is at hand with this really simple fix. It isn't a permanent fix but it does create a handy extra space when the need is really there.

Get a sturdy chopping (bread) board.
Open up a kitchen drawer at the top level. Make sure that the draw is sitting steadily and is not wobbling or threatening to fall on the floor.
Rest the chopping board across the drawer. Make sure that it fits across the space snugly and is not going to slip or fall into the drawer or off the drawer.
Use your newfound preparation space. When you need to move it, it's as easy as lifting it up and either washing it or putting it somewhere temporarily.

Be sure that the drawer is sturdy and able to take the weight of the board and your food preparation movements.
If desired, you can substitute a chopping board with a sturdy cookie sheet/baking tray or even a serving tray. Anything flat, strong and wide enough is fine, provided it is also clean.
Another possible extra area is the sink. If you have a double sink, think nothing of covering up one sink with a board and using it as extra space. You can still use the water and wash dishes in the other sink as you go.
If you don't have a bread board or other item that fits the size of your drawer well, cut a piece of wood that does fit the drawer size. Keep this in an accessible place to pull out whenever you need the extra preparation area.

This is unlikely to work on old, wonky drawers. Which probably means it is time to fix your drawers!
Get the necessary utensils out of the drawer before using this method!


Drawer, sturdy, upper level
Chopping board or tray/cookie sheet