"The desire to take medicine is perhaps the greatest feature which distinguishes man from animals." --Sir William Osler Expiration and Disposal Do medications really expire? Richard Altschuler writes an informative article with a refreshing lack of technical jargon; he even tests his theory on his mother in law! The bottom line: First, the expiration date, required by law in the United States, beginning in 1979, specifies only the date the manufacturer guarantees the full potency and safety of the drug -- it does not mean how long the drug is actually "good" or safe to use. Second, medical authorities uniformly say it is safe to take drugs past their expiration date -- no matter how "expired" the drugs purportedly are. Except for possibly the rarest of exceptions, you won't … [Read more...]
Creating a Selective/Delayed Vaccination Schedule
Much of the recent media coverage on the debate about childhood vaccinations and the possible links to autism or other neurological disorders presents the issue as an "either/or" decision. Parents may feel they either have to vaccinate their children in complete compliance with the CDC mandated schedule or choose not to vaccinate their children at all. A growing number of parents are discovering that vaccines are not all-or-nothing. If for any reason, you don't feel comfortable with the vaccine schedule created by the CDC, there are steps you can take to create a schedule of immunizations that you feel comfortable with for each of your children. 1) Do your research. You will find impassioned viewpoints on either side of the vaccine debate, and it's important to carefully evaluate … [Read more...]
Embellishing for Beginners
One of the main reasons a lot of people begin to sew is to make their own clothes. While it is amazing to be able to create your own clothes, embellishing clothes you already have is a bit less intimidating, and gives you much faster results than starting from scratch. Here are some easy ways to add a custom touch to your clothes: Tutorials This no-sew fabric flower tutorial from Wise Craft is a perfect Springtime addition to your jacket, bag or even a headband! This Applique tutorial is shown for a quilt, but the same technique can be used to embellish an adult OR kids shirt (especially one with a wretched stain that won't go away). Martha Stewart has a number of ideas for embellishing simple tote bags that could easily translate into clothing as well! Did you know you can … [Read more...]
