The Simpsons Celebrates Longevity with 500th Episode

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The long-running animated show “The Simpsons” celebrated a monumental mark yesterday, as the program’s 500th episode aired on Fox. In sum, the show has run for roughly 200 hours total and spanned 23 seasons. Guest voices for the animated program have come from a pool of Oscar winners, novelists, politicians, singers and entertainers, and many others. It has also made billions of dollars for the Fox network and millions of dollars for its creators.

The celebration to mark the 500th episode was done in grand style, as Fox ran an 86-hour string of episodes in order to break the longest record for a television marathon. It was such a big deal that people competed for a $ 10,500 prize to see who could watch the longest. Al Jean, who was the show’s executive producer in the third and fourth seasons, and then again from the 13th season to present, sat down to talk about the history of the show and some of the nuance surrounding it.

One of the most interesting things he talked about was the switch from a focus on Bart to one that centered more on Homer. Asked if there was a plan from the beginning to feature Bart, he noted, “Well, he was the one that really popped with the general public first. I think with the writers it was always slightly easier to pitch Homer ideas because Homer was an adult male and he was somebody they could relate to. But Bart’s a great character. Two of the episodes that center around him and the school are still really popular. There was never a conscious change. We just do episodes that we think are funny and there’s always a point where we think ‘Hmm, we had too many Homers in a row. Let’s break it up.’ I like doing Lisa ones too. They’re all great characters.”


Buzzle: Entertainment & Media

Is Your Child Truly ADHD/ADD?

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I have had many students cross my path over the 15 yrs I taught and I have met some students that were truly ADHD. The ones that needed medication were severe and with the integration of a good behavior modification plan and quality one to one instruction, those students would begin to thrive. I was also given students that were being labeled as such and I found them precocious, and sometimes in need of behavior modifications, but far from ADHD/ADD. I can honestly say that this is where things can get subjective. I am a parent and an early childhood specialist but more importantly I am ADHD and have been as long as I can remember. What I considered to be ADD/ADHD behavior compared to that of a teacher without the actual symptoms seems to be vastly different.

When early childhood students enter a classroom it could be a few years before they are properly diagnosed if at all, unfortunately by the time the diagnosis comes the student is already behind academically and more than likely frustrated and even angry. If in a public school, the student is really at the mercy of a poorly-run special education system.

Unfortunately even when students are serviced, the actual time they spend learning new strategies that will help them in the classroom is meager at best. The responsibility often falls squarely on the shoulders of over-worked and under-paid teachers. Most teachers are skilled at finding resources to handle almost any student with a disability, however with ADHD/ADD the symptoms often spill over into the behavior category which will get the student flagged as a having a problem or being an “at-risk” student.

What does this mean to students and parents? If the student is flagged at-risk this is supposed to be a way to provide the student with extra one-to-one instruction in order to help the student make progress in the areas they are lacking, however, with the classrooms bursting at the seams it is not likely a student that is diagnosed with ADHD/ADD will get more than the bare minimum!

When parents get ADHD/ADD inferences from teachers or caregivers, it’s important to consider the source, to ensure it’s not just a case of your child not being a cookie cutter kid. Is the behavior just part of their character or something more that requires medication? Often this is subjective from teacher to teacher, do you know what your options are?

The other thing that can happen that is very frustrating is if a student is not just as content to sit, focus or stay on task as long as the others, teachers will sometimes encourage parents to have them seen by a doctor. Parents already overloaded and unsure of why their child isn’t doing well may go ahead with having the student seen. In almost every case the doctor then gives the teacher a form to fill out asking for their professional opinion on the student’s behavior. If the student is more than a cookie-cutter kid and requires more re-direction and constant interventions; the teacher will cite examples of students having the symptoms of ADHD/ADD then they get diagnosed and medicated all because they may have a different learning style. I am not by any means saying to not get your child seen by the doctor, it’s just important to look at all the ingredients before adding the label.

So what can parents do to help their child be themselves, avoid misdiagnosis, and get the academic support that they need?

  • Parents first have trust their gut instincts; if you know that your child is the happy-go-lucky type that is perhaps a bit more active than others their age or shy and likes to day-dream, communicate your concerns to the teacher. Don’t let the fear of your child failing or getting into trouble intimidate you into going along with what you know inside.
  • If your child’s not doing well, is always getting notes in their folder and unhappy with school, ask for your child to be moved for a trial run to another classroom and see how they work with that teacher. In many cases it makes all the difference in the world.
  • If the school is not supporting what you think is best for your child, go beyond the school. Don’t settle for an end of the year answer because by that time the damage will be done, and your child will already not want anything to do with school. Go to the district, to get the ball rolling!
  • If things still don’t change think about moving to a charter school or private school. There are lots of private schools that take state funding and offer affordable payment plans.
  • There is another option that you will start to see more and more of and that is home-schools run by other qualified parents or teachers. They offer one great value compared to that of any large school and that is the specialized attention your child will receive. Most take only a handful of students, and some specialize in students with special needs.
  • Get your child a good tutor that is qualified to work with students with special needs. This will help set clearly defined goals for your child and tutors can customize the curriculum.
  • The last option is online-classrooms. There are so many options now however this takes some work on the part of the parent, so consider your schedule before committing to this option.

The point is don’t give up! If your child is truly ADHD/ADD then most teachers will go above and beyond to meet the educational needs of your child, but there are teachers that are just way too over-loaded and find it easier not to deal with the behavior at all. Just get a second opinion and a third if the teachers are in the same school and be very clear about your expectations for your child’s education. Parents have the loudest voice in the schools; they often just don’t know it.


Buzzle: Children & Family

Bird Symbolism and their Meanings

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Most of us see birds as a symbol of freedom, or even as symbols of the future. Their ability to soar high into the sky and their proximity with the sky makes them desirable for humans who cannot fly without substitute wings. From time immemorial,

mankind has considered birds to be signs of eternal life. Many folklores and stories suggest that birds were taken as signs of renewed life, often as a transition between life and death. Many even consider them to be an idea or proposal for the future.

“Do you ne’er think what wondrous beings these?
Do you ne’er think who made them, and who taught
The dialect they speak, where melodies
Alone are the interpreters of thought?
Whose household words are songs in many keys,
Sweeter than instrument of man e’er caught!”
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s ‘Tales of a Wayside Inn’

Often, we see magpies as signs of good or bad omens. Do any of these symbolism have any meaning or are they simply hyped folklores? Now that we are thinking on such lines, and you have dreamed of, or seen a particular bird, then a quick glance at the following table will help you know just what it means. Help yourselves . . .

*Click on the images for a better view.

Blackbird

Blackbird

Connotes
★ Good omen
★ Paradise
★ Mysticism and Magic

Seeing a blackbird for most is a sign of a good omen. Apart from being a good omen, it could also refer to a heightened awareness either spiritually or in your personal life. It could also imply shyness and insecurity, which directly implies lack of self-confidence. It could infer to being vulnerable to the decisions made by others. The color black, as we know, is associated with supernatural prowess, hence lending the individual who sees a blackbird frequently in his dreams a mystical and magical feel.

Bluebird

Bluebird

Connotes
★ Arrival of spring
★ Hard work
★ Spiritual joy

Bluebirds are associated with spiritual joy and contentedness, it most often predicts the occurrence of a happy condition or good tidings coming your way. It is symbolic of a transition or spiritual awakening. It may also refer to the craving of an individual for the inner child which would obviously mean innocence.

Blue Jay

Blue Jay

Connotes
★ Fearless
★ Truthful
★ Talkative

A blue jay could mean anything from being faithful to your spouse or purity of the soul, which definitely implies a gentle human being. To an extent, it means clarity in thoughts and actions of the individual. Blue jays are symbolic of adaptability; besides, seeing a blue jay either in its natural habitat or in your dreams could also send across a message to develop an innate talent.

Canary

Canary

Connotes
★ Joy
★ Freedom
★ Intellectual development

Canaries are happy birds that spread joy and a sense of well-being. For some, a flying canary could be a sign of freedom, while for some others it could be a sign of spread of unwanted information that we know as gossip. It could also mean that you as an individual, is the cause behind the gossip. A canary is also a symbol of selflessness, sexual ecstasy (flying canary); in the extreme, it could mean entrapment (caged canary).

Cardinal

Cardinal

Connotes
★ Beauty
★ Vibrancy
★ Nobility

Red is the color of love, and it is but natural to associate a red cardinal with love and warmth. It could be a reference to a possible passionate encounter or a sign of you settling down in life with the person you love. Besides, it could mean delight by way of accomplishment of a good deed.

Chickadee

Chickadee

Connotes
★ Clarity
★ Purity of soul

Chickadee is symbolic of higher thinking capabilities, which implies a better understanding of the self as well as that of the world. It also refers to fearlessness with regards to expressing oneself, and being happy in the self, the individual tends to be truthful and faithful to others around.

Chicken

Chicken

Connotes
★ Hysterical futility
★ Feeling of fear

You must be familiar with idioms like ‘chicken out’ or ‘chicken-hearted’ – what it essentially hints at is – the individual is not brave enough to face difficult situations and is timid. If you happen to see a hen sitting on her eggs, take it as a sign of fertility and protectiveness. Seeing a chicken with its head cut off would symbolize hysterical futility as the individual is apparently not thinking logically.

Crane

Crane

Connotes
★ Renewal
★ Christ’s resurrection
★ Social elevation
★ Immortality

Cranes provide myriad symbols for interpretation, basically it is associated with renewal and rejuvenation of the body and the spirit. It is symbolic of peacefulness and the ability to resist trauma and generally as a healing measure. It could also mean that the individual who sees it is curious to take up matters in his/her hand.

Crow

Crow

Connotes
★ Sacred law
★ Clear messages
★ Straight talk

Crows are a symbol of mysticism and the ‘other world’. Most cultures believe that the crow is symbolic of ancestral souls. Seeing a crow could be interpreted as a straight talker or an arrogant speaker. Seeing a crow could also hint at the individual being a master of illusions.

Dove

Dove

Connotes
★ Peace
★ Inner initiation
★ Holy Spirit

Purity and innocence best define the dove. For a Christian, it is a sign of hope and the descent of the Holy Spirit. It is also a sign of pure love and compassion, many sayings also insist, be gentle like a dove. It could be a hint to a compassionate and gentle individual.

Duck (tame)

Tame Duck

Connotes
★ Weak inner strength
★ Simplicity

Don’t fall in for the name, even though they are tame ducks, they tend to be relatively aggressive especially when you confront them. Seeing it would symbolize your own aggressive nature when confronted by an unknown force. It is also a sign of marital bliss and simplicity. At times, it could be seen as a spiritual vulnerability. Besides, it could also be a sign of honesty.

Ducks (wild)

Wild ducks

Connotes
★ Adventure
★ Grace

Quite an irony if you go by what its name suggests, a wild duck is relatively peaceful and sensitive. It refers to the individual self who, when confronted is aggressive, but if left by himself is actually sensitive and peaceful. People who happen to dream of wild ducks in particular love their individuality and are a contented lot, and most importantly have a heightened awareness of themselves and others around them.

Eagle

Eagle

Connotes
★ Triumph of light over darkness
★ Self-confidence
★ Royal bearing
★ Intellectual freedom
★ Positive energy
★ Renewal
★ Symbolic of Christ

Seeing an eagle could mean anything from prosperity and success to a contemplative individual. It is not a rare sight seeing eagles and its meaning would definitely be different in the situation in which you see it. It could mean an act of generosity or kindness of the individual. It could also be symbolic of inner healing and enlightenment. Some cultures see eagles as an act of faith soaring high. It could also refer to a person with a forbearing personality.

Falcon

Falcon

Connotes
★ Protector
★ Spiritual aspects of life
★ Spiritual achievements

Falcons like eagles are taken as signs of hope and positivity. Seeing a falcon could imply some sort of help coming through to you. It also signifies heightened spirituality and freedom. For some of you, it could also mean a spiritual message or help coming to your aid.

Flamingo

Flamingo

Connotes
★ Beauty
★ Grace
★ Balance

Flamingos refer to an outgoing personality. It also denotes responsibility and vibrancy. Seeing a flamingo could be interpreted as being family oriented and having a well-balanced personality. Flamingos encourage you to be social and vibrant in life. Besides, it is also a sign of responsibility and leadership.

Geese

Geese

Connotes
★ Swift
★ Desire to escape problems
★ Watchful
★ Providence

Old quacks, that’s what old people are called, ain’t it? Well, geese are symbolic of an individual who can babble nonstop for hours on end. It could also mean a happy-go-lucky attitude towards life. At times, it could symbolize apparent foolish behavior. Besides, they could also mean quarrelsome individuals (tame goose), fidelity and loyalty towards spouse and family (snow goose), and a devout Christian (gray goose).

Hawk

Hawk

Connotes
★ Nobility
★ Acute perception
★ Quick discernment
★ Messenger of the sky

Hawks, eagles and falcons are known to be messengers of the sky, and are symbolic of spiritual awareness and spiritual rejuvenation. Reach for the sky applies not just for eagles but for hawks too, seeing a falcon should be taken as a message of inspiration and logical thinker. A falcon is a reminder to lead an honest and truthful life.

Hen

Hen

Connotes
★ Intellectually impoverished
★ Panicky
★ Protective

She is a ‘Mother hen’. You must have cribbed of so many people in this way, if they have fussed over you! Hens are a sign of fertility and being a mother figure to someone. If you happen to see a hen sitting on her eggs, it could mean that you as an individual can be guarding some secret or are very secretive, not allowing anyone to know what goes on in your life. Seeing a hen could also mean you are highly susceptible to danger, are intellectually impoverished and panicky as an individual.

Heron

Heron

Connotes
★ Good omen
★ Symbolic of the souls of the world
★ Contended
★ Symbol of Christ on the mount of olives

A heron refers to a self-reliant, independent individual free to make decisions. It basically points out to an individual who strives for reasoning and is aware of the happenings with himself/herself and the world around at large. Seeing a heron could be interpreted as longevity in life. People who constantly see herons in their dreams are considerably good at dealing with other people and make good leaders.

Hummingbird

Hummingbird

Connotes
★ Beauty
★ Joy
★ Messenger
★ Stopper of time
★ Permanence

Who doesn’t like eternal life? Seeing a hummingbird won’t mean giving you eternal life, but it is considered as a sign of permanence. The hummingbird symbolizes an optimistic approach to life, it reflects on the gentleness of the individual. Besides, it also stands for devotion and spiritual awareness of the individual.

Ibis

Ibis

Connotes
★ Harbinger of Lunar functions
★ Devouring deadly deeds

All I can say about ibis is that, it is considered to be a scavenger, and seeing an ibis refers to a spiritual esoteric or rare and unusual interest. The ibis probe the mud for food, hence symbolizing a person dwelling in evil, and feeding it to others around as well. The possibility of a transformation or change is inherent when you see an ibis.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Connotes
★ Beauty
★ Dignity
★ Speed

Kingfishers denote beauty, agility and refer to serenity and a peaceful approach to life. If you happen to come across a kingfisher, it could be symbolic of success and prosperity coming your way. Seeing a kingfisher could also be symbolic of your faithfulness towards your spouse.

Macaw

Macaw

Connotes
★ Masculine energy
★ Resourceful
★ Psychic
★ Vibrancy

Macaws are highly intelligent and hence, symbolize an ability for higher thinking and intellectual individuals. It also is a pointer to the awakening of psychic abilities. An individual is made up of male and female energies and seeing a macaw is indicative of a balance between the two energies. It is also symbolic of resourcefulness of the individual and represents a well-adapted and adjusted individual.

Magpie

Magpie

Connotes
★ Chatterbox
★ Flashy
★ Happiness
★ Good fortune

Magpies are symbolic of happiness and jovial approach to life, yet it can denote a shaky personality. It can also be a reference to unpredictable behavior or situations occurring around you. It denotes lack of discipline in life and an individual with a highly deceptive nature. In the extreme, it could also symbolize marital bliss.

Mockingbird

Mockingbird

Connotes
★ Imitation
★ Mockery

The name says it all, mockingbirds are but that, and they symbolize a person who lacks individual expression. It could be taken as a sign of rebuke and the innate ability to imitate people and situations around you, thus making a mockery of yourself. It could also mean that you or someone close to you is committing adultery.

Nightingale

Nightingale

Connotes
★ Good omen
★ Cry for help from a poor soul from purgatory

Everyone is aware that a nightingale’s song refers to love and longing, what it could also mean is a sign or warning of an impending death. It could also refer to praise for acts of charity. With its natural ability to sing, it symbolizes a creative individual who is unearthing his/her potential. It could also refer to someone who has taken up the responsibility to bring about a transformation or reformation.

Ostrich

Ostrich

Connotes
★ Faith
★ Virginity of Mary (egg)

Ostriches are believed to be shy and evasive, yet seeing an ostrich could be representative of a contemplative personality. Like the peacock, it is also symbolic of pride, seeing it could also mean you are a religious hypocrite faking your faith. In some cultures, it is taken as a sign of fertility.

Owl

Owl

Connotes
★ Wisdom
★ Knowledge
★ Harbinger of death
★ Prince of darkness

Wise as the owl or not, owls are symbolic of an inquisitive individual. It also refers to a contemplative and virtuous individual. You can take it as a sign of enlightenment, and of course, wisdom. Beware though, seeing an owl could either mean you are being judged or are making a false judgment about another. It could also mean a warning of danger lurking around.

Parakeets

Parakeets

Connotes
★ Lacks analytical thinking
★ Unconscious messages

Parakeets are good to look at but unfortunately the symbolism is just the opposite. Seeing parakeets flying could bring a sense of freedom yet seeing one that is caged could refer to your relationship that is caged and stuffy. It is also symbolic of lack of freedom. If you happen to see them in your dreams, it could be hinting at a message being conveyed to you.

Parrot

Parrot

Connotes
★ Bringer of rain and seed
★ Babbler
★ Status symbol

Parrots are symbolic of an individual who lacks a personality of his/her own, it simply means it is dependent on another for views, opinions and ideas. Parrots are known to be imitators and seeing parrots could mean you or someone is making fun of someone.

Peacock

Peacock

Connotes
★ Universal consciousness
★ Prestige
★ Birth
★ Pride
★ Spring

Pride goes before a fall, and peacocks with their magnificent beauty are associated with pride. It refers to conceit or falseness of a person. It could be symbolic of success and goodwill and to an extent, is associated with immortality.

Pelican

Pelican

Connotes
★ Sacrificial death of Christ
★ Abundance

If you have watched Finding Nemo, then you will know, that pelicans are symbolic of abundance, besides, they are also symbolic of acts of charity and generosity. Seeing a pelican could mean that you believe in selfless service to others. It could also refer to a sacrifice or sacrificing attitude.

Pheasant

Pheasant

Connotes
★ Harmony
★ Supernatural calamity

Pheasant symbolizes a spiritual seeker. It could also be a sign of wickedness, and secrecy. For someone who is going astray, seeing a pheasant could mean giving in to seduction. Take it as a sign of warning and supernatural calamity.

Phoenix

Phoenix

Connotes
★ Resurrection
★ Utmost spirituality
★ Recreation of earth

Phoenix, as you know, is a mythical bird, seeing it in your dreams could be a sign of bouncing back from adversity. It is a symbol of immortality and of spiritual rebirth or transformation. It could also be taken as a sign of aggressive behavior.

Pigeon

Pigeon

Connotes
★ Gossip
★ Blame for the action of others
★ Youthful generation

Pigeons represent the lost culture of the young generation, it also refers to ignorance and gossiping nature of people. It is taken as a sign of courage to take the blame on to oneself.

Quail

Quail

Connotes
★ Family oriented
★ Protectiveness

Quails live in groups, hence symbolizing group harmony. It is a symbol of lust and love. For some, it is a symbol of victory and even more, an ability to overcome obstacles.

Raven

Raven

Connotes
★ Recognition of spiritual lies
★ Reminder of God’s love
★ Teacher
★ Mystery

Ravens are considered to be sign of good omen, yet they are harbingers of misfortune and deception. It is a sign of alertness and watchfulness, it could also refer to an adjusting personality.

Roadrunner

Roadrunner

Connotes
★ Speed
★ Agility
★ Reflexes

Spotting a roadrunner could mean that you are a quick thinker and have leadership qualities. It could also refer to a well-adjusted and adapted individual.

Robin

Robin

Connotes
★ Rebirth of ideas and spirit
★ New beginning

Robins are symbolic of a rebirth or the beginning of a new idea. It is a gateway to new opportunities, and refers to patient outlook towards life. It is also symbolic of growth in personal and spiritual life. It also symbolizes selfless and sacrificing nature of the individual.

Rooster

Rooster

Connotes
★ Awakening of ideas
★ Spirituality

Roosters are symbolic of aggressiveness and a warning of impending danger, it is also reflective of the shimmering aspects of personality.

Sandpiper

Sandpiper

Connotes
★ Speed
★ Foraging

Sandpipers are symbolic of heightened paternal instincts and a quick wit. It refers to an adventurous spirit and an explorer of the wild. It also refers to a focused approach to life.

Seagull

Sea gull

Connotes
★ Freedom
★ Sea God ‘Lir’
★ Messenger

Seagulls are highly intelligent and refer to intellectual abilities. However, they lack concern for life/things. You can take it as references to skillful approach to life.

Sparrow

Sparrow

Connotes
★ Gentle
★ Intellectual
★ Ancestral knowledge

Sparrows are sweet little birds that symbolize companionship, and a symbol of hope. It is also a sign of fertility and renewal as well as rejuvenation of the spirit.

Stork

Stork

Connotes
★ Resurrection
★ Fertility

The stork came visiting! Seeing a stork symbolizes a creative and speculative individual. It also refers to birth and rejuvenation; besides it points to a philosophical approach to life.

Swallow

Swallow

Connotes
★ Harbinger of spring
★ Attribute of love Goddess, Aphrodite

Seeing a swallow could refer to having a disciplinary approach to life. It could also connote rejuvenation of the spirit and is symbolic of the relationship between two brothers.

Swan

Swan

Connotes
★ Personal grace
★ Inherent spirituality
★ Foresees impending death
★ Hypocrite (because of black flesh)

Swans with their beautiful white features, refer to the purity of soul, innocence. It also refers to faithfulness towards family and spouse. It is also a sign of honesty and integrity, elegance and grace. It also points towards a spiritual awakening.

Tanager

Tanager

Connotes
★ War and bloodshed
★ Noisy

Tanagers refer to an individualistic and egocentric individual. It could also refer to restlessness due to an impending warning. It also refers to spiritual awakening of the individual.

Toucan

Toucan

Connotes
★ Paradise
★ Peace

Toucans can symbolize blooming partnership/companionship. It could also refer to relaxation and peace. It lends importance to teamwork and family and is a warning of impending death.

Turkey

Turkey

Connotes
★ Acquisition
★ Restlessness
★ Sacrifice

Turkey is symbolic of sacrifice and it lays stress on family togetherness. It implies healing of the body after critical surgery and spiritual rejuvenation. It refers to a selfless individual and symbolizes a rapid rise from a sticky situation.

Vulture

Vulture

Connotes
★ Aggressive
★ Watching over you
★ Virgin Mary (because it doesn’t sit on its eggs)

Vulture refers to a greedy individual. It also refers to a prophetic or demonic approach to life. It could also mean a visionary and harbinger of impending death and gloom.

Woodpecker

Woodpecker

Connotes
★ Prophecy
★ Magic
★ Heralds rain and storm
★ Guardian of trees

Woodpeckers are protectors of the trees and refer to people who are protective of nature and their surroundings. It refers to an apparent surge of power and an industrious outlook towards life. They are also symbolic of prophetic and mystic powers.

You are sure to find lots of similarities between the symbolism of birds, not only birds but also with animals too. The symbolism varies again in different regions. Where in one culture a certain bird may be considered as a good omen, in some other culture, it stands for a bad omen. Ultimately, interpreting birds is up to you and your beliefs. Keeping symbolism apart, if you ever find yourself bored and have nothing else to do, try bird watching. Don’t waste your time trying to identify them and hunt for their significance, simply lose yourself to their chirping and rejuvenate yourself therein.


Buzzle: Animals & Pets

Why Playing in the Dirt is Good for Kids

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It is no secret that most children have an insatiable urge to grab the dirtiest looking things and put them into their mouth. Even a child who is less than a year old, hardly able to do much except drink milk and sleep all day, experiences a personality change the moment it is put down on the ground, out in the open. The exploration begins and everything including dirt, mud and even poop finds its way into the tiny mouths. This continues for a while and most mothers are clueless about why their babies find the taste of dirt so irresistible, when mashed veggies, formula food in various flavors and other food prepared with the labor of love just do not seem to appeal to them! Well, relax everyone! You’re not bad cooks, bad parents or bad caregivers. Your darling kids are just being very natural and their actions are driven by instinct.

Positive Effect On Our Immune System
Recent research suggests that children splattered in mud are acting on instinct that gives them an evolutionary advantage. The immune system that is still in the developmental stages in children, is exposed to a variety of bacteria, viruses and worms through all the dirt and filth. This exposure prepares suitable immune responses to counter the possible ill effects caused by the entry of these pathogens into the body. This early exposure to pathogens is so effective that scientific research claims it is instrumental in preventing allergies and other autoimmune disorders later in the life of these children.

Exposure to dirt and filth is akin to a “warm-up” exercise for the immune system to enable it to get ready for nastier bugs. Isn’t that a good reason why dirt is good for kids? Among all the research published, the book by Dr. Mary Ruebush, Why Dirt Is Good: 5 Ways to Make Germs Your Friends is worth mentioning here. Through her book, the immunologist strongly advocates that the western civilization’s obsession with antibacterial soaps and the quest to be ‘always clean’ is actually making our children more sick.

girl in mud A Case Against Hyper-cleanliness
Diseases involving immune dysregulation, autoimmunity or chronic inflammation have been increasingly reported as becoming common in developed countries. Experts believe that this is mainly due to the destruction of our ‘personal ecosystems’ caused by our attempts to over sanitize our living spaces and our bodies to make them “germ-free”. A whole range of modern diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, Graves’ disease, ulcerative colitis, type I diabetes, asthma, allergy, coeliac disease, and Sjögren’s syndrome are more common than ever before, and experts believe that our excessive sanitization of our environment is one of the primary causes.

In modern medicine, this theory is called the hygiene hypothesis. The hypothesis states that humans have always coexisted with several varieties of microbes (lactobacilli, various mycobacteria, and certain helminths) including parasites forming our personal ecosystem. The exposure has resulted in human beings becoming less susceptible to allergies. But in today’s extremely clean environment, the lack of exposure to these microbes has resulted in children growing up with an underdeveloped immune system. The lazy immune systems are now developing allergic reactions instead of focusing on fighting infection (which never occurs due lack of exposure to microbes, thanks to vaccination, hand washes, airtight windows, etc.). In addition, antibiotics are making things easier for the already relaxed state of our immune system. On the contrary, the microbes are now fighting back to resist these artificial responses, resulting in “super bugs” that seem to be resistant to even antibiotic treatment.

Is it Time to Shed our Clean Image?
So should we go to the prehistoric lifestyle of humans and stop all vaccinations and cover our children in filth and dirt? Should we just stop bothering if the child catches a mild cold or fever, hoping his/her immune system will rise up to the challenge? Certainly not! We definitely should not ignore life-threatening food allergies or encourage our children to be less hygienic in the hope of developing resistance to germs. What we need to do is stop obsessing over cleanliness and understand why playing in the dirt is good for kids.

Let your kid play freely when he/she is out in the open. Let environmental interactions be normal and playful. Stop fretting every time your child touches mud on the ground. Do not count the several times he/she touches his/her sweaty playmate! It is useless to lose sleep over that little scratch on his/her elbow. Stop carrying the hand sanitizer looking for an opportunity to use it on your child.

Go and get that vaccination done now, if your child has been bruised by a rusted metal thing. Ask your child to wash his/her hands before a meal and to always keep the nails clean. Ordinary soap is fine for maintaining hygiene. Avoid using antibacterial soaps on a regular basis. A balanced diet and normal exposure to the environment are essential for children. You’re not being a protective parent by obsessing over your child’s hygiene when outdoors. Just let the child be. Find that essential balance between caution and obsession. Let your children go barefoot into the mud and befriend some of those germs! Mother Earth will surely protect them.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that this article is for informative purposes only. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.


Buzzle: Children & Family

Why are Role Models Important for Children

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Like sponges, children eagerly soak up behavioral and personality traits from their surroundings. Children unknowingly behave or act like the person they are fascinated with or think is ‘cool’, learn appropriate behavior and try to acquire admirable qualities from them. The individuals they try to imitate intentionally become their role models. The reason why role models are important for children is because it is these role models that either inspire and motivate the children, or discourage and admonish them, thereby shaping their character and personality as adults. The following extract from Edgar Guest’s poem The Living Sermon, best describes the importance of role models for children:

“One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.”

Importance of Role Models for Children

Perception of Life
Children are known to be very keen observers and once they latch on to something, it is more than likely to stay with them for life. They tend to look at life through the eyes of the person they are close to or want to be like. If their role model is optimistic, there are more chances of them looking at a glass as half-filled, than if that role model was pessimistic. The role model becomes their standard of measurement or ‘idol’. So how they perceive themselves is based on how similar they are to their role model or how the role model looks at them.

Personality and Attitude
Because they follow the actions of their role models so closely, children adapt the personality traits and attitude of their role models. The response of their role models to a certain situation or circumstance, often determines the course of action the child will take. Children learn to like or dislike certain things by gauging the personality and attitude of the people they admire.

Aspirations and Ambitions
One reason why children keep changing their answers for ‘what would you like to be when you grow up’ is because they are influenced (inspired or disgusted) by individuals in a certain field. How far they are willing to go, how much they are ready to put in and what they think they need to do to fulfill their dreams, depends on the determination (or lack of it) shown by their role model.

Social Relationships
Man is said to be a social animal but not all animals are domestic. The point here is that children view the social relationships (family or public), mainly in the light of the importance these relationships hold in the life of their role models. Their expression of their feelings are many times a reflection of their role model’s outlook.

Importance of Parents as Role Models

According to a study conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Service in 2002, it was found that around 56% of adolescents ‘identified with the role models’. Out of these, those having personal or direct contact with their role models had higher self-esteem and were better at academics as compared to those who didn’t. As such, children who have positive role models, have more self-confidence and are more optimistic about their future. They learn to handle themselves well in social settings and positively interact with those around them. Children with positive role models are more motivated and have a higher drive to achieve. They are better at understanding their priorities in life and balancing themselves accordingly.

Children benefit more from their role models, if they are in personal contact with them and if that role model is someone they see every day, the positive impact is greatly increased. One reason for this could be because, a role model is human and will fail or go wrong at some point in life. If the children know the circumstances leading to ‘the fall’ closely, they are less likely to feel disappointed and a firsthand knowledge of the consequences of the mistake will serve as sufficient warning to avoid the same pitfall. That is why, children who have their parents as positive role models have a well-rounded outlook towards life instead of a rose-tinted one. They find it easier to deal with the highs and lows of life because they have seen their parents do it before. They find a sense of stability and security knowing that they will overcome failures just like their parents before them. Besides, it becomes easier for parents to discipline and guide children and also keep negative influences (peer pressure included) at bay, if they are the role models. Hence, it is no wonder why children who have parents as their role models have lesser behavioral issues.

Many psychologists believe that over 95% of an individual’s behavior is learned by imitation or modeling of those around him/her, mostly in childhood and adolescence. This fact alone is enough to emphasize the importance of being a good role model for children, plus the relation between positive role models and children. One very important thing to keep in mind about role models for children is that what the children might not learn through repeated instructions, they will quickly adapt through example.


Buzzle: Children & Family

Benefits of Parenting Classes

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Parenting was a process that one took up naturally, without any trace of self-doubt; those good old days are virtually passé. As humans, we are blessed with a lifelong sense of nurturing, and this is the very trait that sets us apart from the other species that constitute that animal kingdom. The progress in time brought about a definitive change in our lifestyle, which also called for a change in our outlook towards parenting.

Previously, parenting was always thought of as instinct that you were born with, and you simply had to hone it along the course of life. The adage that ‘parents know best’ was something we always took for granted. Preparing for parenthood was a completely alien concept, because we totally let nature decide the course of our behavior as parents-to-be. Not that it was wrong in any way, but the advent of prenatal classes changed all that.

Originally aimed at young or single mothers, prenatal classes spearheaded the change in the mindsets of many traditionalists who frowned upon the concept of training a mother to be a mother. For young parents, however, prenatal classes were a godsend. Parental classes today are no longer limited to new parents. You have classes that help you deal with a wide spectrum of parental issues like anger management, looking after children with special needs, dealing with bullying or abuse; there are sessions that deal specifically with raising teenagers, and frankly, there isn’t a parent who would refuse help when it comes to interacting with teenagers.

What do Parenting Classes Teach?

♦ The benefits of parenting classes are many, but the best thing about taking one is the amount of confidence it instills in you. You are better equipped to deal with different challenges that parenthood throws at you.

♦ There is a fine line between being authoritative and autocratic. As parents, it often appears blurred. This is one of the main reasons that cause differences. Professional advice in such cases often proves helpful.

♦ Besides emotional issues, you will meet counselors who will address your doubts regarding nutrition, exercise and creating a healthy environment for your children.

♦ Parental classes are a boon for families that include children who are victims of abuse. They have proven to be very useful with recuperation.

♦ Couples planning to adopt a child benefit greatly from parenting classes, since they provide practical advice about parenting, without getting too preachy. It is valuable for new parents, more so with the disappearance of the extended family structures.

♦ As a parent, it is a wonderful experience to be meeting other parents on a platform that works as an outlet for issues that commonly plague them all.

Why Take Parenting Classes?

To begin with, you may be skeptical about parenting class benefits, but just remember that parenting classes do not cast a shadow of doubt on your parenting skills. They simply do the job of honing them. But if you happen to be someone stuck in the age-old school of parenthood, you are sure to raise the following points. The answers include facts that you are already aware of, but tend to believe in them only when you hear them from someone else.

“Am I a Bad Parent?”
Certainly not. On the contrary, good parents are those who accept their mistakes, and reach out for help when they find themselves falling short. They are also in touch with reality, having dispelled all illusions of being the ‘perfect parent’.

“How Will Attending a Class Make It Better?”
These classes are conducted by thorough professionals, who know what they’re doing. With child rearing, you can never be sure of the rights and wrongs, although there is no doubt about the parenting skills that come naturally to you. If nothing else, professional advice will introduce you to a different perspective, won’t it? As a parent, you always want what’s best for your children.

“My Parents Never Took Any Class; I Think I Turned Out Just Fine.”
And thank heavens you did. You would perhaps, remember your parents as being too authoritative for your well-being. Your parenting skills have mostly been imbibed from those of your parents, and they are sure to be good. But with the change in the generation, it calls for a change in the line of thought as well.

“It’s Just a Fad.”
We all know it’s not, and the ones who do are shutting themselves to the obvious. Parenting classes are there to help, and what’s so bad about getting help? Prenatal classes were also a passing fancy once upon a time, but look at the scores of parents who have gained from it.

Keeping the benefits of taking a parenting class apart, as a human, you understand that parenting is not a cakewalk. You can also easily admit that any kind of help is always good. The presence of such interactive platforms is the sign of a healthy society. After all, we do know that life never gives us a second chance. Parental classes not only guide you on how to raise happy children, they also teach you to accept your limitations as a parent and celebrate your triumphs. If you have the means to change your life for better, wouldn’t you rather grab it than rue about having missed your chance?


Buzzle: Children & Family

Counting Calories to Lose Weight

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If you are like most Americans, you made a New Year’s resolution to start losing some weight. Every year, people start trying crash diets and other specialty trends like the Atkins diet and the South Beach diet, and every year, people discover that these diets don’t work. Why don’t they work? Because every time you deprive your body of some nutrient you actually need – like carbs – you are making your body crave that nutrient, so when you inevitably go off the diet, you end up overloading on what you’ve been missing for the duration of your diet, and you gain weight. The best way to lose weight is to count your calories, get active, and set realistic weight loss goals. The goal should be to change your lifestyle, not to lose weight fast.

Counting Calories

The best way to start counting your calories is to find a calorie tracker website or smartphone app that will allow you to enter the foods you eat and will track your calories for you. If that isn’t an option, you probably want to keep a food diary with how much you eat and how many calories are in your food choices. The simple act of writing it down or entering it into a program will help you stay honest and reach your goals. Be careful, though. Often, calorie information on nutritional information labels is just a guess. It isn’t an exact science, so do the best you can, experiment, and adjust accordingly. Also, don’t forget to account for exercise. The more you move, the more you can eat!

Portion Sizes

Counting calories is a great way to teach yourself about portion sizes. When you read the nutritional information on the sides of boxes, you often see that a portion size is much less than what you eat in a sitting. If you eat crackers, chips, and other snacks directly from the bag or box, try counting pieces and sticking to the portion size on the side of the box so you know about how many calories you are actually eating. It’s easy to sit in front of the television with a bag of chips and, before you know it, the whole bag is gone. Control portions and be aware of how much you are eating.

Getting Active

Getting active is the best way to lose weight, and it’s a great excuse to eat more. Remember, the more you exercise, the more you can eat. Find high-intensity workouts that burn a lot of calories and are fun to do, and the pounds will be melting off in no time. Just don’t over compensate with food too much. Keep track of how many calories you burn while working out, and be careful not to add more calories than that to your daily intake.

Setting Realistic Goals

Losing more than two pounds a week is actually really dangerous. The best way to go is to try to lose one pound a week, which will help you maintain your weight loss and will train you to make different lifestyle choices. These lifestyle choices will help you keep losing weight, and will help you to keep that weight off. With slow weight loss by simply counting calories, you are not depriving your body of nutrients, and you won’t be so hungry that you’ll want to eat everything in front of you at the first chance you get.

Listening to Your Body

The most important thing with any weight loss regimen is to listen to yourself. If you are dizzy or nauseous, you are not getting enough fuel for your body and you need to eat more. No amount of weight loss is worth sacrificing your health.


Buzzle: Food & Drink

Leaving Your Dog Home Alone

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The most you can usually leave your dog home alone is around eight hours, or a normal workday. Any longer than that, and you’ll need to figure out something to do so your dog can go outside and have some puppy play time. Dogs are social animals, after all, and leaving them alone for long periods of time can have devastating effects. Even though they sleep most of the day, they need some interaction with other living things, as well as potty breaks, throughout the day to keep them happy.

Ask A Friend

If you have a friend who is home during the day, and who likes spending time with dogs, this may be your best bet. Of course, you would want to compensate your friend in some way, but having someone you know come into your house to let your puppy out can be cheaper than hiring someone you don’t know. It can also be safer, as you will know and trust the person entering your house. If you have a friend who is home during the day but who can’t make it to your place, or if your friend cannot leave his or her home overnight to stay with your dog, there might be an option to drop the dog off at your friend’s house and leave it there for as long as you need. If your friend is available and willing to take your dog into his or her home for a period of time, you will absolutely want to compensate him or her in some way. However, this can be a great situation, as it allows your friend to stay in the comfort of his or her home, and it gives your dog a change of scenery. Dogs especially like to switch it up; they don’t like to stay in the same place for too long. By giving them a new place to go, you will give your dogs a way to channelize some more energy.

Doggy Daycare

Doggy daycare is a great option for those who do not have a friend or family member available. When you take your dog to a daycare, you pay a fee for the day, and you can sometimes add some services such as grooming, long walks, playtime, agility training, or special treats. Each of these add-ons generally costs more, but can be extremely fun for your pet. You set up a time with the daycare to drop the dog off and pick it up. After that, you can trust in the daycare to take care of your pet while you are away. Many daycare places will also keep your pet overnight if you need them to. It’s always a good idea to take a look through the daycare before dropping your dog off to be sure that everything is sanitary and that the people working there are good with dogs.

Dog Walker

If daycare isn’t an option, you can hire a dog walker. Hiring a dog walker is ideal for people who cannot get to a daycare facility, or for people who aren’t gone for that long during the day but who just want their pet to have some extra attention during the day. When hiring a dog walker, it’s best to go through an agency. Be sure to ask them if they do background checks on their employees, and make sure you know who has copies of your keys. You should also be able to ask them for a report on what your pet did while the dog walker was there.


Buzzle: Animals & Pets

Freezing Carrots the Right Way

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Carrots are available almost throughout the year and their antioxidant health benefits make them ideal for consumption throughout the year. However, there are quite a few people who are frustrated by the prospect of stocking up these roots only to find them gone rotten or sprouting within a few days in the refrigerator. If you’re one of those who love to buy carrots in bulk but have a lurking fear of them turning rubbery or misshapen before you have had a chance to try out the recipe, you might find this article useful. By adopting proper methods of storage, carrots can be made to remain fresh and flavorsome for a long period of time.

Simple Techniques to Store Carrots
Freezing these hardy root vegetables is one of the most effective ways of storage. But there is more to it than just dumping them in the refrigerator. Listed below are a few simple techniques that will tell you how to freeze carrots the right way.

Freezing Carrots: What to Do

✔ Always trim the top green stubble before freezing as it draws out the moisture from the root and causes rotting. If you need to use the stubble in your cooking, store it separately (lasts fewer days).

✔ Let the carrots dry in the sun for a day or so. The moisture on the outer skin can accelerate rotting. Then store the dry carrots in an equally dry plastic bag in the coolest part of your refrigerator. Carrots will remain fresh for several months if stored this way.

✔ Refrigerated carrots often form a white root film on the exterior, after a few days. Just peel the carrots before use to expose the orange fresh layer. It will not affect the taste of the carrots.

✔ While buying carrots from the store, pick the ones with the greens attached as they will undoubtedly be more durable than those with the trimmed greens. If you must pick up frozen carrots from the store, leave them in their original film packing when storing at home.

✔ Most varieties of carrots have a long storage life; however, baby carrots wilt faster than the regular ones. To prevent them from becoming rubbery, it is best to blanch them. We will learn how to blanch them later in this article.

✔ Vacuum packing or storing in zip lock pouches (or thick bags) makes the carrots stay fresh longer than in regular plastic bags.

Freezing Carrots: What Not to Do

✗ Washing carrots before freezing them is a no-no.

✗ Avoid packaging carrots to be frozen in a huge single pack. It is better to freeze in smaller batches instead of one single container, especially if the carrots are homegrown or purchased in bulk.

✗ Avoid postponing harvesting of homegrown carrots until they’re old. Younger carrots last longer due to the relatively lesser fibrous content.

✗ Deep freezing is a better option than storing in frost-free setups.

✗ Avoid storing carrots next to vegetables like potatoes or fruits like apples and pears which give out ethylene gas, making the carrots bitter in taste.

✗ Avoid storing almost damaged carrots. They will ruin the fresh ones as well and they’re anyway best used immediately.

Blanching Carrots for Storage and Preservation
Fresh produce when exposed to the atmosphere triggers enzyme action. This, in addition to rotting from moisture, causes loss of flavor, texture and color of the vegetable. In order to stop the enzyme activation, blanching carrots is an effective method. The steps are described below.

  1. Boil a generous quantity of water (a gallon per pound of carrot) on high heat.
  2. If the carrots are big, you may cut them into manageable chunks or slices; baby carrots are best blanched whole. Remove the green stubble, wash and peel the young carrots.
  3. Immerse the carrots into the boiling water and let them stay for 2-5 minutes while the water is still boiling (2 minutes for slices and 5 minutes for whole carrots).
  4. Now, for some flash cooling – remove the carrots with a slotted spoon and drop them into a large container filled with ice water so that the carrots chill quickly.
  5. Next, drain the carrots of excess moisture, blot them on paper towels so that they’re completely dry.
  6. Put the blanched, dry carrots into plastic bags with about half an inch of head space and quickly put them in the freezer.
  7. Do not blanch carrots for more than five minutes or you’ll be left with a rubbery, overcooked almost useless vegetable unfit for freezing.

Some Offbeat Tips
The below tips are not tried and tested but they’re talked about among experienced homemakers and cooks.

  • A water bath is known to be effective in keeping carrots fresh for a longer duration. Store the carrots in a container filled with water, just ensure you change the water occasionally.
  • Some claim that bubble wrapping keeps carrots fresh for a long time.
  • Peeled carrots when placed and wrapped tightly in a damp towel seems to be a popular technique. They are then sealed in a plastic bag before storing. Open the bag and dampen the towel every other day for best results.

Like most other veggies, drawing the maximum nutritional value of carrots into your food is possible when it is freshly consumed. Storing vegetables in root cellars were effective ways of preservation before the age of refrigerators. However, using the above techniques you can come very close to the near-fresh experience with all the crunch intact. Even though carrots can last for months using some of the techniques, we still recommend using them as soon as possible. The sooner it gets out of that freezer and into your recipe, the fresher it will be.


Buzzle: Food & Drink

Exquisite Corpse: A Great Teaching Game

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Have you ever thought to yourself that you’d really love to do something with your kids that doesn’t involve money or technology? If you have, then Exquisite Corpse is the activity for you. It is a simple game that will also help to educate your students about word choices and sentence structure. It originated as a game played by the surrealists in the early 1920s, and is still enjoyed by people today.

A Surrealist Parlor Game
Emerging in the early 1920s, surrealism took the world by storm. Famous surrealists include Max Ernst, Salvador Dali, and the leader of the movement, André Breton. Surrealism focused on unexpected combinations. You can famously see these unexpected combinations in the artwork of Salvador Dali, which has delighted many a viewer, and prompted much study. The surrealists used to play parlor games that enhanced their creativity and provided them with ideas for their work. Now, people play them to laugh at the funny combinations as well as to further delve into poetic turns and word choice.

How to Play
The key to this game is the sentence you work from. This sentence is “The exquisite corpse drank the blood-red wine.” If you want to turn this game into a grammar lesson, you can divide the sentence into two: the subject (“The exquisite corpse”) and the predicate (“drank the blood-red wine”). Each person is responsible for half of the sentence, either the subject or the predicate, and they should follow the pattern of the sentence. Each subject should have an article, an adjective, and then a noun. Each predicate should have a verb, an article, an adjective, and a noun. To begin, each person needs a piece of paper and a writing utensil. Each person should write a subject on his or her paper in the article, adjective, noun format. After everyone has written their subject down, they should fold the paper over so what they have just written is hidden. Then, they should pass the paper to someone else. When everyone has a new paper, they should not look at what was written before, but write a predicate down in the verb, article, adjective, noun format. Only after they have written the predicate can they flip up the paper to see what the subject is. The whole sentence read together should be hilarious and unexpected.

Word Choice
The first few rounds of this game might fall flat. This is because, if the words in the sentence aren’t interesting words, the sentence will just be boring. Think of the words in the original sentence. What is more interesting than an exquisite corpse drinking blood-red wine? Choosing interesting words makes all the difference in this game. In this way, you can teach your children about interesting words and use this game as a vocabulary builder as well as a fun activity.

Variations
If you have several kids or family members in a group, there are many possibilities with this game. You can have everyone write a subject, fold it up, and put it in a bowl. Then, have everyone write a predicate and fold it up and put it in another bowl. Then, take turns drawing subjects and predicates and reading them aloud. You might be surprised at the combinations. Another favorite is Exquisite Corpse Picture. Have someone draw the top to a picture and then fold the paper over so just a little bit is showing. Then, have someone else draw the bottom to a picture without looking at the top. This can create some crazy combinations and some great artwork for the fridge.


Buzzle: Children & Family