o5 Recipes for Life

Tips for moms who work from home

4Mels — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:12:19 +0000

It can be extremely difficult to run a business (or even right a semi-coherent email) when your baby is crying and your preschooler is whining for attention. Here are some tips for moms who work from home—they can add order and sanity to your life!

Know and protect your peak hours

We all have our “peak hours” when we work fastest and think most creatively. So instead of trying to be a superwoman and doing everything perfectly for 24-hours straight, work with your natural energy levels. If you’re a morning person, then schedule your most difficult tasks then, and then slow down in the afternoon—could be the time to play with the kids or tackle routine housework.

Organize your kid’s schedule

They’d be less likely to bug you the whole day if they have their own routine. And you can synch their routine with yours (work while they’re in school, or make calls during their naptime). Your child will also be less needy for attention if he knows you have regular time with each other: “Mommy can’t play now but at 4 pm we go to the playground.”

Psych yourself for work

It’s hard to be in top form when you’re in pajamas the whole day. While it’s unrealistic to actually wear a suit and heels, establish some sort of routine: shower, get dressed, wear makeup and spritz cologne.

Make lists

Declutter your brain by unloading all thos reminders and random ideas in lists. Once its on paper tell yourself to let it go until you’re ready to tackle the problem. For example, instead of worrying about a presentation you need to make, just break it down into tasks, set a schedule (“Research today, make Powerpoint tomorrow morning, animate slides in the evening” ) and adapt a tunnel vision, thinking only about what’s directly ahead of you.

How to store meat and vegetables

4Mels — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:30:35 +0000

Got a lot of party leftovers? Or a bunch of fruits and vegetables from the Farmer’s Market that need to stay fresh for a salad you plan to prepare in the middle of the week? Here are some ways to store food properly so that the flavors and texture stay intact.

Divide and conquer

Many refrigerators come with a “crisper” that will keep fruits and vegetables at an optimum temperature. But here’s an additional tip: keep fruits and vegetables in separate compartments. That’s because fruits can emit ethylene gas, which tend to make vegetables wilt faster.
If you have already washed fruits, such as berries, then keep them in a container that is airtight. Buying smaller containers, with fruits divided into daily servings, will also make it easier to grab fruit as you need it.

Some vegetables should be allowed to ripen on the counter. This includes tomatoes. However, cherry tomatoes should be treated like berries and kept in an airtight container.

And as a general rule, avoid washing fruits and vegetables until they’re ready to be eaten or cooked, since the water that clings to them will hasten deterioration.

Freezing meat

Divide meat into portions and then wrap them in freezer paper or store in bags or plastic containers. To make your life easier, label the container with the type of meat and the date of purchase. It helps to put the “older” meat in front of the freezer, and the newer purchases at the back.

Read more tips on the safe handling of fruits and vegetables.

Tips for applying concealer

4Mels — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:15:37 +0000

Makeup artist Bobbi Brown said “concealer is the secret of the universe.” Concealer can hide really dark under eye circles and blemishes, making you look fresh and radiant even when you haven’t had any sleep. But poorly applied concealer can cake or cause “reverse racoon eyes” or obvious white splotches. Here are some tips on flawlessly applied concealer.

Get the right shade

Get the right concealer for your skin tone. It should be the same shade but in thicker consistency than foundation, or one shade lighter. You may want to keep two shades of concealer with you if you sometimes get tanned or pale depending on the climate.

Another trick is to consider the shape of your face. If the undereye area is recessed or slightly sunken then use one shade lighter than your skintone. If the undereye area is puffy use one shade darker.

Blend well

The trick is to work in very light, sheer layers and just gradually build up coverage. First place several dots under the eyes and then use the tip of your finger to tap (not rub!) it into place. Don’t forget the inner eye where some women tend to get darker.

You can also apply it on dark spots, around the nose, and around the mouth.

Set

Apply a fine, loose powder over concealer to set it so it doesn’t settle into fine lines. Use a large fluffy brush and a light touch—you don’t want to dislodge the concealer.

Concealer should glide on

Prepping the eye area with moisturizer or eyecream can help you blend concealer better.

Blot

Check your face and blot off any excess concealer or area that looks splotchy.

Watch this great concealer tutorial on o5.com’s Youtube channel.

What to look for in a pillow

mamasaurus — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:24:45 +0000

It’s true: a good mattress is crucial for getting restful, healing sleep. But don’t forget to invest in a good pillow, too! Choosing the right pillow can prevent cricks in the neck, and contribute a great deal to your comfort—and after a long day at work, you certainly deserve it! Here are some things to consider when you’re looking for a good pillow.

Pillow fill

There are many tpes of pillow fills: down feathers, synthetic/polyester fibers and foam. The Rolls Royce of pillows is the goose down, but if you’re on a budget (or allergic!) look for synthetic and polyester fiber. These may not feel as good as goose down ut the good news is that they can be cleaned usinga washine mashine! If you are looking for firmer support look for pillows made of memory foam.

Thread count

The higher threat counts are more expensive but they will last longer and feel very plush. You may want to look for a standard-size 20″ by 26″ pillow with a 300 thread count. Looking for a little luxe? Spring for a 500-800 thread count.

Fluffiness

The fluffiness isn’t just more comfortable, it allows more air to pass through. This is more hygienic. You can check for a pillow’s fluffiness by folding it in half or hugging it tightly. The best ones will unfold to its original position.

Do you overthink problems?

mamasaurus — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:14:37 +0000

Do you overthink or overanalyze situations or problems? Let’s say you call a good friend, who seems to be distracted and distant. Do you shrug and say, “She’s having a bad day?” or do you start worrying that you’ve done something to offend her? Or maybe you have a big project at work. Do you tend to delay decisions, weighing pros and cons forever–driving everyone around you crazy with your indecisiveness?

While reflection and analysis are crucial, dwelling on situations—like a cow chewing its cud—is draining and paralyzing. The big questions of “Wh is this happening?” and “what does it mean?” keeps you stuck, and possibly feeds depression, anxiety and insecurity.

Let’s understand why we can get stuck in this circle. Our brains are wired to connect memories, so one event can trigger similar memories until you have a running catalog of every disappointment or setback. This can distort your view of a problem, and make it bigger than it seem. And as your brain gets flooded in stress hormones, it loses concentration and awareness. You can be so worried by a comment made during a meeting that you lose other info, cues and opportunities to shine.

How do you break out?

First, try to rephrase the situation so it’s action oriented. Instead of “I feel like I’m in a career rut” say “I want a job that challenges my mind and creativity.” Or, “Nobody likes me or believes in me” can be phrased as “I want to be more assertive and confident.” You can the create an action plan.

Also pay attention to what psychologists call “cognitive distortions” or exaggerated views of a problem. Distance yourself from a situation and think, “Is my interpretation correct? Am I making the problem bigger than it really is?”

Distracting yourself from anxiety and other negative emotions. Try a physical activity like taking a walk, playing a game on your iPad. But whatever you do, don’t call a friend and then proceed to “brainstorm” or “analyze” on a problem. This can feed on your stress and fears.

Bad habits that instantly turn off girls

Ronda — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:21:00 +0000

You can be funny, sweet and a generally nice guy—but some habits are just plain dealbreakers. So if you’re wondering why girls aren’t into you, or why a really exciting date fizzled out 10 seconds after she stepped into your apartment, this list can help you find the real problem (and solve it!).

Bad breath

It sounds so superficial, but how can you kiss a guy (or even have an intimate conversation) with someone whose breath smells like a garbage dump? We know bad breath can have a lot of medical causes, but 99% it can be reasonably fixed by a date with a toothbrush and a handy supply of breath mints.

Greasy hair

We spend so long getting ready for a date, why can’t you? And if your hair is a disgusting mess, we can only imagine what the rest of you could possibly be like…eeew! We understand that your hair may have been a result of a bad encounter with cheap gel, but let that be a lesson. First impressions may be unfair, but they’re still very real.

Mean comments

When you’re rude to the waiter, or make snarky remarks about people the whole day, we’ll be wondering if you really treat all people badly, and along that line, if you’ll treat us badly. Leave the nastiness to Jersey Shore, because the only girls who think that’s hot are pretty nasty themselves.

Being too serious

We love a sense of humor. While you don’t have to be a stand up comic, at least don’t look grumpy or look uncomfortable when we crack a joke.

Filthy apartment

We’ve dated guys who leave their jackets everywhere, but we draw the line at yesterday’s dishes piled in the sink (roach motel, baby) and sweaty gym socks on the sofa.

Photo from dentaldoc.info

How to strengthen your child’s immune system

MomDine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:11:08 +0000

Babies are born with an immature immune system. As they grow older, their bodies develop the ability to fight the germs, viruses and bacteria. But they’re still at greater risk for colds, flu, ear infections, and other childhood conditions. Vaccines help, but there are other healthy habits that can give their developing immune system a much-needed boost.

Eat more fruits and vegetables

No surprise here. Best bets are carrots, green beans, oranges, strawberries, which are rich in phytonutrients like vitamin C and carotenoids. Phytonutrients help the body produce white blood cells (which fight infection) and interferon (an antibody that coats the surfaces of cells and shields them from viruses). There’s also evidence that regular intake of phytonutrients can also prevent cancer and heart disease. Your child needs about five servings of frutis and vegetables (one serving = two tablespoons for toddlers, and 1 and ¼ cup for older kids).

Get sleep

Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system. A baby needs 18 hours of sleep, a toddler needs 12 to 13 hours, preschoolers need 10 hours.

Breastfeed

Mother’s milk is rich in antibodies and white blood cells, and studies show that breastfed babies are at lower risk for ear infections, allergies, diarrhea, pneumonia, meningitis, urinary-tract infections.

Get moving and grooving

Your child needs regular exercise, and you can encourage him to do this by exercising yourself! This can be as simple as playing frisbee together or talking a walk around the block.

Wash your hands!

Teach your child to wash his hands before and after eating, using the bathroom, and going home from school. Bring disposable wipes and anti-bacterial gel when you go outside, and get kids excited about staying clean by getting them colorful soaps and hand towels.

Throw out the toothbrushes

The Academy of General Dentistry encourages you to throw away tooth brushes after you’re sick, since the viruses can stick there (and your child can get reinfected). Germs can even travel from toothbrush to toothbrush.

Little changes that can dramatically improve your marriage

MomDine — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:55:32 +0000

They say it takes two people to make a relationship work, but it only takes one person to make it better. We can complain about what our partner doesn’t do, or wait for him to change—neither of which will garner much results. We can, however, take the first, second or third steps to improve our marriage, and the good news is that those steps aren’t that hard to take.

Condense the issue

During most arguments, the issues get bigger and more complicated, as we bring up past frustrations or go into rebuttals: “Oh yeah? Well YOU do this too…” Pretty soon everyone’s overwhelmed and confused and angry. Not really going to work.

So when you’re fighting, try to summarize your point in three sentences or less—and stick to it. Think of it as a thesis statement. “You said you’d watch the kids tonight, but you didn’t.”

Praise works better than criticism

It may seem odd but try praising your partner when he’s most likely to expect criticism. Is he a slob who leaves things around? Instead of nagging him when he drops his shirt on the floor, praise him when he remembers to actually put it in the hamper. “Thanks, hon. It really makes it easier for me when you do that.”

It’s okay to say “later”

We’re all told how important it is to listen to each other, but let’s admit it—it’s hard to give anyone full attention when you’re cooking dinner, checking the kids’ homework or trying to get the baby to stop screaming. You can say, “I can’t listen to this right now, hon. Let’s talk after dinner.” That’s much better than half-listening, which he’ll notice—and be more offended by.

Give specific compliments

Sweeping statements like “You’re the best!” are less meaningful than saying, “I love how patient you are with the kids.” After all ,we’re so specific about our criticisms (“You forgot to put gas in the car!”) so we should be specific about our praise too.

Don’t play attorney

Is it necessary to correct his pronunciation of a particular word or argue over whether or not there were 50 or 100 people at a friend’s wedding?

Pretend you have a guest

We all are on our best behavior when there’s a guest in the house. So imagine there were someone important and proper in your home… wouldn’t you be more polite, more gracious, less likely to scream bloody murder…

Know his pet peeves and simple pleasures

He hates wet bathroom counters—then wipe up. He likes a cold mug of beer—then give him one. They say love is in the details, and we can probably think of at least three things right now that can make our partner happier and won’t take 5 seconds to do.

Facebook safety rules to teach your child

MomDine — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:56:36 +0000

Facebook is the biggest social networking service in the world today, with approximately 750 million registered users—a large percentage of which are teens. Or even younger. Surveys show that 60% of children between the ages of 7 and 14 are already using the Internet. How can we protect them from internet risks?

Internet risks

Social networking sites, including Facebook, are sometimes used by cybercriminals to gain access to personal information and profit from these data. It’s the virtual equivalent of letting a stranger into your living room.

Aside from this, kids can can stumble onto pornography, violent material, scams. They can accidentally enable malicious software disguised as anti-virus alerts.

There have been incidences of children who were bullied through social networking services especially Facebook. And, of course, the sexual predators who use “grooming” tactics to gain attention and trust: praising targets’ achievements, giving consoling words or advice, until kids are eager to meet up with their newfound “friend.”

What parents can do

According to Facebook rules, only those 13 and above can open an account. But even older kids need supervision.

1. Install security and antivirus applications. Look for those that are constantly updated for the latest malware signatures.

2. Limit your personal data. Use nicknames or codenames for Facebook account, and never give the full birth date or school.

3. Tweak privacy settings. Make sure your child’s posts and photo albums can only be seen by a select group.
4. Regularly check your child’s Friends list.

5. Have the “internet talk.” Tackle privacy and security, who they can “friend” and the kind of photos they can post. Also talk about how they need to “think before they post” and consider how people can react to their replies. You may also want to discuss cyberbullying in this context: never be mean or post information that could hurt someone’s reputation, and what to do if someone bullies them (take a screenshot and report it to an adult). Read our article on what parents can do about cyberbullying

Photo from ok.gov

How to keep a guy interested after the third date

Ronda — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:02:27 +0000

It seemed like a great first, second or even third date… but after a couple of weeks, he seems to get bored or restless, and he drops the inevitable line: “Maybe we’re better off as friends.” What happened? Fact is that flirting can only get you so far. What keeps the flame alive? Read on.

Show an interest in his hobbies

What does he love to do? This may be a way for you to bond and seal your relationship beyond making googly eyes over candelight dinners. You don’t have to force yourself into doing something you hate (like playing golf when the mere thought of the greens makes you gag) but surely there’s one thing that you can see yourself doing or talking about: his favorite movie genre, bowling, tropical fish…

Show off your talents

Show him other sides of you. Being good at something, whether it’s cooking or taking awesome photo, will set you apart from all the other beautiful girls he’s met or dated.

Laugh more

There’s nothing sexier than a sense of humor. Loosen up and joke around, or show him your lighthearted and carefree self. He’ll see that you’re fun to hang around with. It can be a downer to be with someone who takes herself too seriously.

Show support

Men want caring and nurturing women. You don’t have to baby him, like pick after his clothes or make him a cup of coffee, but you can ask him how his day was and listen to him when he needs someone to talk to.

Don’t let yourself go

We often dress up for the first few dates but as the relationship progresses we have a tendency to let ourselves go. Put some effort into it. Even if you’re just hanging out in shorts and tees, at least wear a nice lipstick and cologne. Casual doesn’t mean sloppy.

Give him space

It’s important to have your own interests and friends, because you don’t want to turn clingy. Give him a chance to miss you. Besides there’s something sexy about a woman who’s passionate about a lot of things, and has a very dynamic and diverse life.