Issue Date: December 18, 2005
Mix comfort with joy
Whether we light the menorah or hang stockings by the chimney with care, the holidays are filled with ritual and happy memories. But for many, the season's joy is tempered by somber TV images and talk noting the anniversary of last year's tsunami disaster and the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina.
Use a map to show school-aged kids where the disasters happened, and talk to them about the events.
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There are two important ways we can mix holiday fun with this new reality, says Robert Butterworth, a psychologist who specializes in trauma: Educate, and lend a hand.
Teach important lessons. For children younger than 6, just answer their questions. Avoid bombarding them with information. With older kids, get out a map, show them where the disasters happened, and talk about those events. If your kids raise questions about their own safety, reassure them, and take this opportunity to talk about an emergency plan.
Find a way to help. "Doing something gives children a sense of control," Butterworth says. "I'm not suggesting people sacrifice their own holidays, but do something." Visit redcross.org or other charitable websites, figure out what the victims need, and talk to your child about how you can help as a family. Let your children come up with their own ways to help, but guide them so their good intentions actually do good.
Contributing Editor Soledad O'Brien is co-anchor of CNN's "American Morning".
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Healthy, hearty pie
This meatless comfort food is packed with high-antioxidant vegetables, plus curry's anti-cancer curcumin.
Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 Tbs. curry powder
2 tsps. ground cumin
2 small red or green bell peppers, chopped
1 eggplant, cubed, unpeeled (3 cups)
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
10 small red potatoes, halved
1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half (or milk)
1 cup frozen or fresh peas
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet on medium heat, heat 1 Tb. oil; add onion, garlic, curry and cumin. Sauté until onions are soft, 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl.
Heat remaining oil in skillet; add peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and 1/2 cup water. Sauté until soft, 20 minutes. Stir in onions. Place in a shallow 8-by-8-inch baking dish.
In a saucepan, boil potatoes until done. Drain and smash. Stir in half-and-half, peas, salt and pepper. Spread over vegetables and top with Parmesan.
Bake 15 minutes. Brown in broiler. Serve.
Serves 6
Per serving: 193 calories, 9g protein,8g fat (2g saturated), 22g carbohydrates, 7g fiber, 390mg sodium, 10mg cholesterol.
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Go wireless, securely
More of us are hooking up wireless Internet connections, but 60% of home networks are completely unsecured, increasing our vulnerability to identity thieves and other bad guys.
Protect yourself, for free. The key is your router, a piece of equipment attached to your modem. Look on the router's bottom or back for the brand name (Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, Belkin, etc.) and model number. Then, go to the manufacturer's website to see how to set up wireless security. Be sure to:
Change the router administration password to your own password.
Turn off the SSID broadcasting (a signal that tells anyone looking that a network is operating nearby).
Enable WEP or WPA encryption, which forces users to enter a password before accessing the network. It also encrypts data transmitted wirelessly.
Want to buy security? McAfee wireless home network security software ($49.99) will help to keep you safe and is compatible with most newer routers.
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Eat before exercising
Does doing cardio before breakfast burn extra fat? No. In fact, it may lead to burning more stored carbs and protein. And if those energy stores drop too low, your metabolism may slow to prevent their depletion.
"Exercising on an empty stomach can cause glucose stores to become low," says Michele Olson, exercise science professor at Auburn University Montgomery. "You risk breaking down muscle protein to provide carbs your body needs during exercise."
Because you'll burn the same number of calories whether you work out before or after breakfast, it's better to eat a balanced pre-workout meal about an hour before exercising.
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