Just the words seizures and epilepsy conjure up thoughts of great trepidation and the unknown. It is an alarming experience to be with a loved one who is having a seizure for the very first time. Shock, bewilderment, panic, and confusion are just a few of the emotions you as the caretaker may experience. Coping with epilepsy is possible. Yes, coping skills for the caretaker can be attained. The vast range of emotions will still be there but with knowledge there truly comes power. Knowledge of what to look for during a seizure, knowledge of what to avoid, and knowledge of how to prepare as a caretaker. Knowledge truly is power and can give you the confidence to be the best caretaker you can be.
A priceless resource in learning to cope with epilepsy is your local library. Sometimes fifteen minutes in the doctor's office is not enough time to answer all your questions. From reading library books I have learned from a doctor's perspective what to look for during a seizure, what actually constitutes as a medical emergency, when to call 911, how to time a seizure, what to do when a person is having a seizure, and just as importantly what not to do, and so much more. My library has been an invaluable supply of information in putting my mind at ease and making the seizures a lot less scary.
If you are a caretaker of a person with epilepsy and you need to step into that place of definite responsiveness, get a library card, do a search on the card catalog and start educating yourself. You will be quite surprised at the confidence you will gain as you become a successful caretaker to a person with epilepsy.
If you are ever in a situation where a person is having a seizure:
1. Keep Calm
They usually last only a few minutes (even though it may seem much longer) and normally do not require immediate medical attention.
2. Protect from further injury.
Most seizure injuries are from falling during a seizure. If necessary ease the person to the floor. Move any hard, sharp or hot objects away. Protect the person's head and body from injury. As a side note, I keep a firm pillow in every room so I can be prepared to protect.
3. Do not restrain the person.
4. Do not insert anything in the mouth.
5. Roll the person on their side.
This allows saliva to flow from the mouth, helping to ensure an open air passage.
6. If a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or repeats without full recovery ~ SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY.
This information in not intended as medical advise but purely for informative purposes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Tinsley
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Freezing Apples the Easy Way
Freezing apples is a great way to enjoy this delicious fruit anytime of year. The equipment you will is very minimal and possibly readily available to you.
You will need:
Cutting board
Knife
Freezer bags
Large Bowl
Salt and Water (1 tablespoon salt, 1 gallon water)
You will start by washing the apples. If the apples are artificially shiny, or have been sprayed with wax, you can spray them with vinegar and scrub off the wax. I don't remove the peeling just to save time. Cut the apples into cubes or slivers, however you prefer. Put the cut apples into the salt water. One tablespoon of salt per gallon of water is sufficient. Salt is a preservative and prevents the apples from turning brown. I prefer to use sea salt for the health benefits.
Once all your apples are cut up, drain the water and put them into the freezer bags. It is best to measure 2-3 cups per freezer bag. Make sure you leave a little extra room in the bag in order to break up your frozen apples when you're ready to use them. Let me offer an important tip, remember to label your bags so in six months when you look into your freezer you won't be wondering and asking yourself, "What is this?"
Freezing any kind of fruit or vegetable is a very clever way to save money. Have you ever been in the grocery store and the fresh produce is appealingly priced? What usually happens? If you're like me you buy too much because of the enticing price and two weeks later it is in the trash. Well, no more. Now you can freeze what you do not eat and use it at a later date. If you are very organized you can keep all the necessary items for freezing on hand and actually shop with the intention of looking for fruit or vegetables on sale.
Enjoy your apples!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Tinsley
You will need:
Cutting board
Knife
Freezer bags
Large Bowl
Salt and Water (1 tablespoon salt, 1 gallon water)
You will start by washing the apples. If the apples are artificially shiny, or have been sprayed with wax, you can spray them with vinegar and scrub off the wax. I don't remove the peeling just to save time. Cut the apples into cubes or slivers, however you prefer. Put the cut apples into the salt water. One tablespoon of salt per gallon of water is sufficient. Salt is a preservative and prevents the apples from turning brown. I prefer to use sea salt for the health benefits.
Once all your apples are cut up, drain the water and put them into the freezer bags. It is best to measure 2-3 cups per freezer bag. Make sure you leave a little extra room in the bag in order to break up your frozen apples when you're ready to use them. Let me offer an important tip, remember to label your bags so in six months when you look into your freezer you won't be wondering and asking yourself, "What is this?"
Freezing any kind of fruit or vegetable is a very clever way to save money. Have you ever been in the grocery store and the fresh produce is appealingly priced? What usually happens? If you're like me you buy too much because of the enticing price and two weeks later it is in the trash. Well, no more. Now you can freeze what you do not eat and use it at a later date. If you are very organized you can keep all the necessary items for freezing on hand and actually shop with the intention of looking for fruit or vegetables on sale.
Enjoy your apples!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Tinsley
Algebra - Basic Tips on How to Succeed
Algebra is a complex subject, in which seemingly insoluble obstacles can be overcome, if one knows how to approach them. Our basic technique for approaching algebra is to be prepared and know the basics.
Pay attention to signs. Be very careful of positive and negative signs. A misplaced minus sign will give you a wrong answer.
Use graph paper. Do not stop the process of a math problem to draw the graph lines. It tends to break the procedure, especially if the student is unsure about the mathematical instruction to begin with. It is best have the proper tools in place, which includes graph paper.
Learn the order of operations. This is the directive to follow when performing mathematical operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction. PEMDAS is an acronym or a short form to help remember the order of operations.
Balance the equation. Whatever you do to one side of the equation you must do to the other side, and by the other side I am referring to the other side of the equal sign. When first introduced this may be a difficult concept for some students. As I often tell my students, "You may not fully understand this key, just learn to use it and the understanding will come later." As a parallel I do not fully understand how the key works in my car I just know it works.
Learn the addition and subtraction; multiplication and division of signed numbers. Do not just get by on this concept. You will be using this regularly in the higher math so master it early. Practice it often and think of it as if you are building a foundation. This key is vital to your continued success in algebra.
Don't mix units. If you're computing miles and your second distance is in kilometers you must remember to convert to the same unit. This is a common mistake when students get in a hurry; they see two numbers and perform the operation without carefully reading.
These are just a few basic tips to avoid the pitfalls of algebra. By remembering the basics and developing good habits algebra can be a delight and not a duty.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Tinsley
Pay attention to signs. Be very careful of positive and negative signs. A misplaced minus sign will give you a wrong answer.
Use graph paper. Do not stop the process of a math problem to draw the graph lines. It tends to break the procedure, especially if the student is unsure about the mathematical instruction to begin with. It is best have the proper tools in place, which includes graph paper.
Learn the order of operations. This is the directive to follow when performing mathematical operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction. PEMDAS is an acronym or a short form to help remember the order of operations.
Balance the equation. Whatever you do to one side of the equation you must do to the other side, and by the other side I am referring to the other side of the equal sign. When first introduced this may be a difficult concept for some students. As I often tell my students, "You may not fully understand this key, just learn to use it and the understanding will come later." As a parallel I do not fully understand how the key works in my car I just know it works.
Learn the addition and subtraction; multiplication and division of signed numbers. Do not just get by on this concept. You will be using this regularly in the higher math so master it early. Practice it often and think of it as if you are building a foundation. This key is vital to your continued success in algebra.
Don't mix units. If you're computing miles and your second distance is in kilometers you must remember to convert to the same unit. This is a common mistake when students get in a hurry; they see two numbers and perform the operation without carefully reading.
These are just a few basic tips to avoid the pitfalls of algebra. By remembering the basics and developing good habits algebra can be a delight and not a duty.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Tinsley
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Freezing Roma Tomatoes Can Be Fast and Easy
Freezing Roma tomatoes to be used throughout the year is so easy and very economical. The equipment necessary is very basic, you probably already have everything you need to get started. You will need:
• Large cooking pot
• A Large slotted spoon
• A Large bowl
• Freezer Bags
Step 1: Wash your ripened Roma tomatoes and remove the stems. The good news is you don't peel them yet.
Step 2: Fill your large cooking pot about half-way full with water and bring it to a boil.
Step 3: Put one layer of tomatoes into the boiling water skins and all. Let them boil until the skins start to split, 2 or 3 minutes is usually enough time.
Step 4: With your slotted spoon remove the tomatoes that have started to split and put them immediately into your large bowl with ice-cold water, this stops them from cooking any further.
Step 5: Once they are cool enough to handle, which is usually less than one minute depending on the coldness of your water, very gently peel the skins off. Lay them on a cookie sheet, or put them into a bowl to thoroughly cool.
Step 6: Measure 2 or 3 cups into your freezer bag. You can add salt now or wait until you use your tomatoes in cooking.
It is that simple, that is all there is to it!
Always remember to label the freezer bag with the contents, the amount, and the year. Our tendency is to naturally think, "Oh, I'll remember these are tomatoes." But if you are like me and have gotten the 'freezer bug', freezing every fruit and vegetable you can find, in a few months it may be difficult to discern between the green peppers and the jalapeno peppers, and that is a mistake you don't want to make. Trust me, my Denver omelet was one spicy breakfast! Learn from my mistake and label it, label it, label it!
You can also include your children by letting them label the freezer bags. Even if their writing is not perfect or they don't spell perfectly think how pleased they will feel to be included in your new endeavor. If the children are younger, it may be fun, when you pull the tomatoes out of the freezer a few months later, to see how their writing has improved! Step 4 is also a big favorite for children, fishing out the tomatoes with a slotted spoon.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Tinsley
• Large cooking pot
• A Large slotted spoon
• A Large bowl
• Freezer Bags
Step 1: Wash your ripened Roma tomatoes and remove the stems. The good news is you don't peel them yet.
Step 2: Fill your large cooking pot about half-way full with water and bring it to a boil.
Step 3: Put one layer of tomatoes into the boiling water skins and all. Let them boil until the skins start to split, 2 or 3 minutes is usually enough time.
Step 4: With your slotted spoon remove the tomatoes that have started to split and put them immediately into your large bowl with ice-cold water, this stops them from cooking any further.
Step 5: Once they are cool enough to handle, which is usually less than one minute depending on the coldness of your water, very gently peel the skins off. Lay them on a cookie sheet, or put them into a bowl to thoroughly cool.
Step 6: Measure 2 or 3 cups into your freezer bag. You can add salt now or wait until you use your tomatoes in cooking.
It is that simple, that is all there is to it!
Always remember to label the freezer bag with the contents, the amount, and the year. Our tendency is to naturally think, "Oh, I'll remember these are tomatoes." But if you are like me and have gotten the 'freezer bug', freezing every fruit and vegetable you can find, in a few months it may be difficult to discern between the green peppers and the jalapeno peppers, and that is a mistake you don't want to make. Trust me, my Denver omelet was one spicy breakfast! Learn from my mistake and label it, label it, label it!
You can also include your children by letting them label the freezer bags. Even if their writing is not perfect or they don't spell perfectly think how pleased they will feel to be included in your new endeavor. If the children are younger, it may be fun, when you pull the tomatoes out of the freezer a few months later, to see how their writing has improved! Step 4 is also a big favorite for children, fishing out the tomatoes with a slotted spoon.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Tinsley
Home Schooling and How to Stay Encouraged
Home schooling your own children can be an incredibly rewarding endeavor. Whether you just got started or you are a seasoned veteran, staying encouraged is non-optional, it is mandatory, and vital to the success of our children. Don't wait for an external source of encouragement to come along, it only wastes time. Take the leadership role and implement one or both simple tips to keep you encouraged when the going gets tough, not if the going gets tough, but when.
Find something positive in every child, everyday, even when you don't feel like it. If we are actively looking for the positive we will be less likely to become discouraged. No, I am not saying, "Every child gets an A every single day." But as you begin to look for positive traits and express praise and gratitude your children will respond quite favorably which will consequently encourage you. Genuine praise and encouragement go a very long way in keeping a happy school and an encouraged Mom.
Regard this season of life as an opportunity to improve on your own skill set. Education is not simply "serving up" information, and hoping they'll retain it until Friday's test. It is an opportunity, among other things, to improve your own skill set such as time management, organization, and information processing. If you have taught for any length of time you understand by information processing I mean the ability to take in information, process it, and teach it in a way the student will readily understand it. This has been my greatest challenge. I used to get aggravated when my children didn't understand my perfect little lesson plans. If they don't understand that may an indication I need to work on my information processing skills. No, we will never arrive, but we can certainly be moving forward, and quite often just a slight change in mindset will give us that fresh jump-start and the necessary encouragement we need.
I have offered my two favorite tips on how to stay encouraged in home schooling. There are many more ideas we could cover but these are my favorites and have been the most effective for me. Did you notice they both involve the teacher and the teacher's mindset or outlook? We are a major key to our students loving or not loving their home school.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Tinsley
Find something positive in every child, everyday, even when you don't feel like it. If we are actively looking for the positive we will be less likely to become discouraged. No, I am not saying, "Every child gets an A every single day." But as you begin to look for positive traits and express praise and gratitude your children will respond quite favorably which will consequently encourage you. Genuine praise and encouragement go a very long way in keeping a happy school and an encouraged Mom.
Regard this season of life as an opportunity to improve on your own skill set. Education is not simply "serving up" information, and hoping they'll retain it until Friday's test. It is an opportunity, among other things, to improve your own skill set such as time management, organization, and information processing. If you have taught for any length of time you understand by information processing I mean the ability to take in information, process it, and teach it in a way the student will readily understand it. This has been my greatest challenge. I used to get aggravated when my children didn't understand my perfect little lesson plans. If they don't understand that may an indication I need to work on my information processing skills. No, we will never arrive, but we can certainly be moving forward, and quite often just a slight change in mindset will give us that fresh jump-start and the necessary encouragement we need.
I have offered my two favorite tips on how to stay encouraged in home schooling. There are many more ideas we could cover but these are my favorites and have been the most effective for me. Did you notice they both involve the teacher and the teacher's mindset or outlook? We are a major key to our students loving or not loving their home school.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Tinsley
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)