It is a list of 110 words organised in groups of 10 and listed on order of reading difficulty. Once the test is completed the correct answers are counted then, using the scale supplied in the instructions the child’s reading age can be estimated.

There are a number of different versions for the test. Currently the most widely used is that based on a sample of 2200 primary school children in Scotland. Generally the test is not recommended for children younger than approximately 6 years.

The test is widely used in New Zealand after being revised for New Zealand conditions. The test is conducted on an individual basis.

Used in alongside other information the test allows teachers to make an evaluation of a child’s reading ability and can help identify wider reading problems.

You can purchase the New Zealand version of the test from here: Burt Word Reading Test NZ revision

The plates are typically made from the same materials as car number plates but are much smaller.

The outside is often reflective acrylic and can be easily attached to a pram, buggy, crib, cot or door.

They come in a range of colours, with some models displaying a unique number on the plate, as well as the name of the recipient.

They make ideal christening, first birthday or Christmas gifts. Baby Stroller plates are one of the few gifts which will endure through most of your child’s development.

• Age 0-1  – Use as a baby stroller name plate.
• Ages 1-7 – transfer to the bedroom wall of door
• Ages 7 Onwards – Move to baby memoirs, perhaps even save  for their 21st birthday

This is a present which can be given by any member of the family or just from friends. Unique, enduring and loads of fun this may be the perfect present for the child of someone you care about.

So when your buying your next baby present consider baby stroller plates as an option

It is one of the most versatile household products, which is easy to use and easy to find in a grocery store or pharmacy. Just as importantly it costs less than a cup of coffee.

Epsom Salts is  a   bitter-tasting water-soluble compound that occurs as colorless or white needle-shaped crystals.

The substance was prepared from the waters of mineral springs at Epsom, England.  It is  also known to occur as the mineral epsomite.

Epsom salts is used medicinally as a purgative and has many other uses, some of them are:

Skin Exfoliator

Simply massage handfuls of Epsom salt over wet skin, starting at the feet and moving all the way up to the face. Rinse in a bath

Face Cleaner

For cleaning your face at night, mix half a teaspoon of Epsom salt with a regular cleansing cream. Massage into the skin and rinse in cold water.

Remove Gel and Hairspray

Mix together one gallon of distilled water, a cup of Lemon Juice and one cup of Epsom Salt. Cover the mixture and leave it to sit for atleast 24 hours. The following day, pour the mixture into your hair, letting it site for 20 minutes. Shampoo as normal.

Fight Oily Hair

Epsom Salts can do wonders for hair by absorbing unwanted oil. Start by adding 8 tablespoons of Epsom Salts to half a cup of shampoo specially for oily hair. Then put a tablespoon of shampoo mixture on dry hair, work it in an around the  the scalp area, rinsing out with cold water. To further treat the hair, pour a cup of apple cider vinegar over the hair, leaving for 5 minutes, then rinse in cool water.

Hair Volumiser which Adds Body

Add 3 tablespoons of deep conditioner with 3 tablespoons of Epsom Salt. Microwave the ixture for 20 seconds. Then work the warm mixture into the hair from the scalp to the ends and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. This treatment adds body and life in your hair an restores the curl to permed hair.

Soak Out Splinters

Soaking a splinter in Epsom Salts can draw out the splinter out and help the wound to heal.

Ease Aching Feet

You can remove odors, soften rough skin and soothe aching feet by soaking them in Epsom Salts. Add half a cup of Epsom Salt to a large pan. Soak your feet for as long as you need. Epsom salts work to   neutralize  odour and soften skin as well as making your feet feel better.

Ease Sprains and Bruises

The salts can reduce the swelling of bruises and sprains

Homemade Skin Mask

Use this mask on your damp skin in the shower. It will seal in moisture. With normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of Cognac, 1 Egg, one quarter cup of non fat dry milk, the juice of one lemon and half a teaspoon of Epsom Salt. When using on normal to dry skin mix one quarter cup of grated carrot,  1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and half a teaspoon of Epsom Salt.

Insulin More Effective

The salt is said to increase the effectiveness of insulin which helps lower the severity or risk of Diabetes.

Preventing Blood clots and Hardening of the Arteries

Heart disease and strokes are believed to be helped prevented by using Epsom Salts. It lowers blood pressure, thereby preventing blood clots and protecting the elasticity of arteries.

Deterring Slugs

By sprinkling  Epsom salts where the slugs glide you will stop them from coming back.

Excellent Fertiliser

Epsom Salts is a great general fertiliser. This is especially true for tomatoes

See off Raccoons

Several tablespoons of Epsom Salts spread around where the congregate will deter Raccoon. They don’t like the taste of the salts. Must be re-applied after rain.

Improve your Grass

Epsom Salts adds Magnesium and Iron to your soil. Add 2 tablespoons to 3.7 liters of water. Sprinkle on the lawn then water with plain water to get it to soak in properly.

Christmas Frosting

Mix Epsom Salts with stale beer until the salt stops dissolving. Apply to windows with a sponge.When dry windows look as if they are frosted.

Cleaning Bathroom Tiles

Mix equal parts Epsom Salts and liquid dish detergent. Dab on the area then scrub. The detergent and the salts work together to dissolve and scrub the grime.

References:

Epsom Salt Council

Sonet is a social networking site targeted at Kiwis. Sonet members can share diaries, take part in groups, keep in touch with friends and most importantly meet people and date.

Most sites aim for as many sign-ups as possible but this isn’t the case with Sonet as it is specifically for New Zealanders. There are many social networking sites available, but none are designed for New Zealand.

This means that when you become a member Sonet, you are more likely to create long lasting friendships as you will be communicating directly with other New Zealanders.

What can you get from Sonet?

• Keeping friends up to date
• Seeing what friends have been up to
• Watching videos uploaded by friends
• Sharing videos / photos
• Creating a discussion for people to get involved in
• Meeting new friends with similar interests
• Asking questions
• Dating
• Keeping sports teams up to speed with the latest news

There are so many things that this site can be used for. We hope that you enjoy your FREE membership with Sonet.

Sign Up For Free Now

Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, churches are fulled with worshipers, altars are decorated with easter flowers and music heralds the start of spring.

Easter is also a time to honor loved ones, friends and family with the gift of flowers.

There are many different Easter flowers available over this time and its sometimes difficult to choose what to buy. Here are a few tips to help:

Pricing is always a consideration. Its important to buy something appropriate for each of your friends and also equally important to stick to an overall budget you can afford. Florists often offer bunches with special prices over Easter so its a good idea to look through all the flowers available before making a decision.

Where to buy is usually influenced by your personal circumstances. If your buying for family and friends close by then the local flower shop is a good option. If its for special people out of town, an internet purchase is probably the best option. The internet usually have a global florist network who will be able to deliver quality fresh flowers the next day to any part of the world.

Selection. The internet florists because of the scale of their business will usually have a wider selection than the local florist. Although the local florist is more likely to be able to put together a customer bouquet for you.

The meaning of different flowers. Down through history each flower has aquired a meaning. Here are a few which can be related to Easter:

• The white Lilly is the symbol of the resurrection and the traditional Easter flower.
• The Pussy Willow is the Easter flower in UK and Russia
• Narcissuses have the same symbolism in Southern France and Northern Italy
• Bouquets of red flowers are popular in Germany as they symbolize God’s blood.
• Roses come in many colours and a few have come to have special meaning:
  • Pink – Friendship
  • Red – Passionate Love
  • Red & White – Unity
  • White – Purity

• Burning, redness, and swelling
• Pain when urinating
• A thick, white discharge that looks like cottage cheese and does not have a bad smell

You may only have a few of these symptoms and they may be mild or severe.

Many things can change the acidity of the body and increase your chances of a vaginal yeast infection. These include:

• stress
• lack of sleep
• sickness
• poor diet, or high intake of sugary foods
• pregnancy
• having your period
• taking birth control pills
• taking antibiotics
• taking steroid medicines
• diseases such as poorly-controlled diabetes and HIV infection

How are yeast infections treated?

If you are looking for an FAST, Safe, Effective and All-Natural Cure for Yeast Infection follow this link

Yeast infections can also be cured with antifungal medicines in the form of creams, tablets, ointments or suppositories that are inserted into the vagina. These medicines include butoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, nystatin, tioconazole and terconazole. These products can be bought over-the-counter at the drug store or grocery store. Your doctor can also prescribe you a single dose of oral fluconazole.

Infections that do not respond to these medicines are becoming more common. Using antifungal medicines when you don’t really have a yeast infection can increase your risk of getting a hard-to-treat infection in the future.

Is it safe to use over-the-counter medicines for yeast infections?

Yes, but it is important to talk to your doctor first. Always call your doctor before treating yourself for a vaginal yeast infection if:

• you are pregnant
• you have never been diagnosed with a yeast infection
• you are having repeat yeast infections

Studies show that two thirds of women who buy these products do not really have a yeast infection. Using these medicines incorrectly may lead to a hard-to-treat infection. Plus, treating yourself for a yeast infection when you really have another kind of infection may worsen the problem.

If you decide to use these over-the-counter medicines, be sure to read and follow the directions carefully. Some creams and inserts may weaken condoms and diaphragms.

What should I do if I get repeat yeast infections?

Call your doctor. About five percent of women develop four or more vaginal yeast infections in one year. This is called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). RVVC is more common in women with diabetes or weakened immune systems. Doctors normally treat this problem with antifungal medicine for up to six months.

How can I avoid getting another yeast infection?

To help prevent vaginal yeast infections, try the following:

• Learn what causes yeast infections.
• Don’t use douches.
• Avoid scented hygiene products like bubble bath, sprays, pads and tampons.
• Change tampons and pads often during your period.
• Don’t wear tight underwear or clothes made of synthetic fibers.
• Wear cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch.
• Change out of wet swimsuits and exercise clothes as soon as possible

If you have repeat yeast infections, talk to your doctor.

For more information…

For more information on yeast infections, call the National Women’s Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Natural Cure for Yeast Infection