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The Neighborhood
 

in the spotlight
Saving Money at the Dentist — Which Option Is Right for You?

heads up on health
Stretch Your Way
to Feeling Better
Healthy Treats for the Season
Don’t Let the Flu Get You
life lines —
home, family and finance
Mouthwash to the Rescue
Old Games Mean
New Holiday Fun
Make Your Kids Savvy Shoppers
mark the date
Interesting Monthly Observances
   
 
instant poll
 
Do you get a flu vaccination?
 

Yes, I get the flu shot
  Yes, I get the nasal spray
  No
  No, but I’m thinking about getting it
Want to tell us more?
Email us your thoughts
 

heads up on health
   
Stretch Your Way to Feeling Better
   
  Woman stretching
Did you know stretching helps: improve posture, add flexibility, prevent pain and stiffness, and increase energy? Plus, it is easy … you can even do it while sitting at your desk or watching TV. Try these:

Shoulder Shrug
To release tension in your neck and shoulders, inhale deeply and lift your shoulders to your ears. Hold, release and drop. Repeat three times.

Torso Twist
To release tension in your upper body, inhale and as you exhale, turn to the right, grabbing the back of your chair with your right hand and the arm of the chair with your left. Twist your torso around as far as possible. Hold, and then slowly face forward. Repeat on left side.

Leg Extensions
To work your abs and legs, extend your legs out straight in front of you so they are parallel to the floor. Flex and point your toes five times. Release and repeat.

Talk to your doctor for more stretching ideas.

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  Healthy Treats for the Season
  
     
  Just because it is getting cold doesn’t mean you need to give up fresh fruits and vegetables. Fall produces many great-tasting foods that pack a powerful nutritional punch.

Here are some fall goodies (and their nutrients) to enjoy:
  • Apples (vitamins C and K, fiber)

  • Cranberries (vitamins C and K, fiber, manganese)

  • Pumpkins (beta carotene, potassium)

  • Squash (vitamin A, fiber, iron, potassium)

  • Sweet Potatoes (beta carotene, vitamins B6 and C, fiber, iron, potassium)
For more information and recipes, visit fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.

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  Don’t Let the
Flu Get You		  
     
  It’s here! Not just the holiday season, but the flu season, too. A good way to protect against the flu is a vaccination.

There are two choices in vaccines:
  • Flu shot — featuring a killed virus, the shot is usually given in the arm; it’s for healthy people older than 6 months, as well as those with chronic conditions.

  • Nasal spray — made with live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu; it’s approved for use in healthy people ages 2–49 who are not pregnant.

Plus, it is easy to find a clinic or pharmacy near you that offers the flu vaccine.

Talk to your doctor for more information. Don’t let the flu slow you down, get vaccinated soon!

IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you are like many Americans, you are probably hearing a lot about the swine flu. Learn more about it and vaccination options at cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

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in the spotlight
 
Saving Money at the Dentist — Which Option Is Right for You?		  

smiling couple
We all know how important it is to see the dentist regularly.

Unfortunately, finding the time (and desire) to go can be difficult. Plus, when you consider how expensive some dental bills can be, it just seems easier to skip a dental visit.

But the affects of missing a visit can be dangerous. After all, how we take care of our teeth can directly affect the health of our whole body. And, your dentist can be the first medical professional to detect warning signs of serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

However, with more and more employers dropping dental coverage from their insurance programs, employees may not have coverage for the dental care they need.

Luckily there are ways to save money on your dental care, helping make it a little less painful to see the dentist … read on.

 
 
life lines
  
 
Mouthwash to the Rescue		  
 
Who doesn’t like the feel of a freshly-rinsed mouth? But, mouthwash has many other uses. Sugarless alcohol-based mouthwash can save the day! Check out these things it can do:

Disinfect your toothbrushes
Soak your toothbrushes for a couple of minutes to kill harmful germs and bacteria.

Clean your face
After washing your face, just apply some mouthwash to a cotton ball and wipe your face. Rinse with water when finished. You’ll have cleaner pores and a fresh-feeling face.

Say goodbye to dandruff
Wash your hair as normal, with regular shampoo. Then, rinse with mouthwash, and follow with your regular conditioner. Soon your hair should be flake free!

Ban underarm odor
Get rid of odor-causing bacteria by swabbing your underarms with mouthwash.

Treat nail fungus
Create a half-and-half solution of mouthwash and vinegar. Apply to the affected nails two to three times a day, using a cotton ball.

Get rid of poison ivy
With a cotton ball, apply mouthwash several times each day to areas affected by poison ivy. The mouthwash will relieve the itch and inflammation — and will also dry the area so it starts to heal.

Clean the toilet bowl
Pour a cup in the toilet and let it sit 30 minutes. Then, clean as normal. Stains and germs will be gone!

Keep a bottle of mouthwash close by — it has many uses!

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  Old Games Mean New
Holiday Fun		  
 

Remember all those fun games you played as a kid? Card games, board games and more!

They provided hours of fun, camaraderie and friendly competition. This holiday season, visit the past and introduce some of the games to your kids.

Card games such as Rummy, Crazy Eights, Old Maid, Go Fish and 31 are easy to learn, great for a variety of ages and require only a deck of cards. To add a twist, have the players put a penny into “the pot” each time a hand is dealt and the winner takes the pennies. It will be fun to see who has the most pennies at the end of the day.

Think of all the childhood memories you can share as you play. And don’t forget about board games. They still provide great entertainment even in today’s video age. Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, Checkers, Backgammon and other favorites can be played by many ages and encourage analytical thinking and lively discussions.

Give it a try. Today’s video gamers may find card and board games more exciting than they expected!

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  Make Your Kids Savvy Shoppers  
 
child with shopping bag
We all know the importance of having good spending habits, especially in today’s economy. But how do you pass those values to your children?

One of the best ways to teach kids about finances is to get them actively involved. And this holiday season is a perfect time because it helps make learning fun! Here are a few tips to make your kids savvy shoppers:
  • Make a list — creating a shopping list helps ensure there are no impulsive buys and teaches kids how to make (and stick to) a budget.

  • Price shop — looking at the sale ads shows kids how to find the best bargain; also consider clipping coupons or shopping at outlet malls.

  • Save receipts — keeping receipts helps kids track the amount they’re spending, as well as comes in handy if an item needs to be returned or exchanged.
So get your kids involved in holiday shopping today and instill good spending habits for tomorrow.

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  Quote:

“It’s not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.”

— John Wooden, American basketball coach		  
     
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December

Wash Your Hands in December

Sometimes it helps to have a reminder to wash your hands. That’s why December 6–12 is National Handwashing Awareness Week. Learn more about the four principles of hand awareness and how “Henry the Hand” can help.
January

Donate Blood this January

Start the year off right by donating blood and ultimately saving lives. January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month since 1970. Learn more about how you can help save lives by donating blood.
February

National Burn Awareness Week is February 7–13

The first full week of February is National Burn Awareness Week, a time to educate children about fire safety and responsibility. Learn more on fire safety and burn prevention.

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