Issue Date: March 9, 2008
Good brain? Thanks, Mom
Pregnant women who get sufficient levels of the nutrient choline in their diet may have offspring with a higher IQ as a baby, better verbal skills as a child and better memory in old age, speculates Steven Zeisel of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In animal tests, he found that choline has an amazing, lifelong effect on brain structure and function. Choline stimulates fetal brains to make more stem cells, producing superior wiring in the brain.
Tips: One way to get choline is by eating two or three eggs a day. Other good sources: wheat germ, soybeans, peanut butter, chocolate and beef liver.
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Don't mask odors: Neutralize them
A home is full of odors. Whether caused by a musty basement, your teen's closet or the trash somebody forgot to take out, stench is something we all deal with on occasion.
Even with so many air fresheners on the market, it's hard to find one that really works. The problem is that most are fragrance-based and only mask the odor. But last year, I tried a line of odor neutralizers called Fresh Wave (fresh-wave.com). I was intrigued to learn that this was a consumer version of a product that's used to control odors in factory smokestacks and from asphalt being laid on city streets.
The concept is simple: The substance attracts and grabs odor molecules, then it eliminates them. The popular Crystal Gel comes in two sizes; just open up the jar for 24/7 odor elimination.
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When a teen grieves
Losing a friend is painful, no matter how old you are. But teens who have lost a friend or schoolmate in a car accident or other tragedy grieve differently from adults, says Alan Wolfelt, grief counselor and author of Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens. Often, the experience leaves them confused. How can you help?
Don't minimize your child's need to mourn. Avoid clichés like "Keep your chin up."
Know that your child takes cues from you on how to grieve. When you mourn, do so openly.
Realize that teens may resist inducements to grieve openly if they don't see their friends doing so.
Recognize that teens may not acknowledge the pain they feel.
Suggest ways to memorialize the friend, such as a memory box.
Be on the lookout for red flags (like a drop in grades) that signal your teen may need additional support from a school counselor, church group or a private counselor.
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Getting a green mortgage
Purchasing an energy-efficient home may earn you a break on your mortgage. The thinking: You'll save money on utility bills over time, so why not apply that savings to mortgage costs? "Green" mortgages come in three flavors:
Discounts for energy-smart new homes. Bank of America and Citigroup offer $1,000 off on closing costs if you buy an energy-efficient home (many new home builders incorporate the government's Energy Star standards). JPMorgan Chase gives some borrowers more credit and $500 off closing costs for homes with special insulation.
Credit for lower energy bills on old and new homes. Some lenders may qualify buyers for higher loan amounts, factoring in long-term savings on utilities and adding that to a buyer's qualifying income.
Help with improvements on an older home. Some lenders incorporate the costs of energy-efficient upgrades (windows, heating/cooling systems, insulation) into your loan amount. If improvements are not made before the loan closes, the upgrade funds are held in escrow.
Plus, check state incentives. Go to naseo.org to find contact info for your state energy office. Then call and ask about any low-interest loans for energy-efficient renovations on existing homes.
Contributing Editor Walecia Konrad is an award-winning consumer writer.
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