Issue Date: February 19, 2006
Don't pay for A's
THIS WEEK: Murphy reports on boys' eating disorders on Good Morning America.
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Educators in Valdosta, Ga., think they have the keys to motivating students: a new car. This year, kids at Lowndes High School can earn tickets for good grades, behavior and extracurricular activities. A drawing in the spring will determine who wins the wheels. "We're rewarding the good kids, not trying to buy off problem kids," says chemistry teacher John Thrasher, who hatched the idea. Teachers are raising $25,000 to pay for the car and several computers. "The response has been unbelievable," says Lowndes principal Wes Taylor.
If this inspires you to pay for A's, reconsider. Many experts agree that a reward system is only a short-term fix.
"Research shows that paying for grades is not just ineffective, it's destructive," says Alfie Kohn, author of "Unconditional Parenting." "The more you reward kids for doing something, the more they tend to lose interest in what they had to do to get the reward."
Instead of bribes, foster your child's natural curiosity. Read together. Research a topic on the Internet. Hit a museum. Most important, ask lots of questions about what she's studying, how she solves tough problems and what she finds most challenging.
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Was your Valentine's Day a bust? Getting fit can better your chance of romance.
"Exercise is a very important part of improving your love life because people who feel good about themselves -- and about how they look -- are more comfortable with their own bodies. That leads to more relaxed and enjoyable romantic encounters," says Catherine Sanderson, a social psychologist at Amherst College. And in a recent study, married couples who completed physically challenging tasks together had greater marital satisfaction.
At least one website even romantically matches exercisers. At fitnessfansmatch.com, you can post your profile and be paired with someone who enjoys the same workouts you do.
To add spark to a relationship, consider trying these partner workouts:
Ballroom dance. Burn about 380 calories an hour as you hone fancy footwork with your partner. John O'Hurley from ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" lost 15 pounds during the show.
Couples yoga. Use a book or a DVD to help you and your honey get in touch with your inner yogi -- together.
Doubles tennis. Build teamwork and burn about 290 calories an hour on the court. For game details, visit operationdoubles.com.
Whether you spot for your spouse at the gym or join a running club to meet Mr. or Ms. Right, you'll reap double benefits.
Contact Jorge Cruise, author of "The 3-Hour Diet," at 3hourdiet.com.
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An easy, tasty cabbage casserole
This comfort food is anti-cancer: Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables are linked to less risk of lung, breast, stomach and bladder cancers.
Scalloped cabbage with fennel and cranberries
1 1/2 pounds green cabbage, shredded roughly (about 8 cups)
1 medium bulb fennel, chopped roughly (about 2 cups)
1/2 pound (8 ounces) smoked turkey breast, in 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup dried cranberries
4 tsps. fennel seeds
2 cups (14.5-ounce can) low-fat, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup "light" cranberry juice
1 Tb. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Place cabbage and fennel in a 9-by-13-inch Pyrex dish or other large, shallow casserole dish. Sprinkle on turkey, cranberries and fennel seeds. Pour on broth, juice and oil. Add salt and pepper.
Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Uncover; stir and bake 30 minutes. Serve.
Serves 10
Per 3/4 cup: 122 calories, 6g protein,17g carbohydrates, 4g fat (1g saturated), 13mg cholesterol, 3g fiber, 403mg sodium
For more great USA WEEKEND recipes, visit allrecipes.com.
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Give the gift of flight
Add "air travel" to your next shopping list. Buy $50 and $100 gift cards for America West travelers at Rite Aid, Longs Drug Stores, 7-Eleven, Staples, Diamond Shamrock and RadioShack franchises, and up to $500 cards at Winn-Dixie and Kroger stores. American Airlines sells $50 and $100 gift cards at Vons, Safeway, Pavilions, Dominick's, Carrs, Genuardi's, Randalls and Tom Thumb stores. Gift cards also are available online at americawest.com and aa.com.
Southwest Airlines sells gift cards for $10 to $1,000 at southwest.com, and Continental Airlines offers gift certificates for $25 to $10,000 that can be sent via e-mail to the recipient.
You also can buy frequent flyer miles from United Airlines (ualmiles.com) and Alaska Airlines (alaskaair.com).
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