The career paths that lead to everyday acts of heroism
Posted on Mar 26, 2014
(BPT) – Often, we don’t think about heroism until we see it in action – when disaster strikes and ordinary people exhibit extraordinary courage and compassion to help victims in their time of need. The truth is, however, that the best of human nature is on display every day in the lives of millions of Americans who work in public service jobs across the country. Sometimes all it takes to tap that inner hero is an opportunity – and the education – to serve others.
“People may not realize how broad the opportunities are in public service fields,” says Connie Bosse, vice president of Kaplan University’s College of Public Service. “From law enforcement and emergency responders to teachers and child advocates and behavioral therapists who help children with developmental disabilities, thousands of career options offer people the chance to make a living and help others in a meaningful way.”
Numerous studies on job satisfaction show that workers in a broad range of fields say job satisfaction is important to them. Public service jobs such as firefighting, teaching and therapy consistently rank among the top most-satisfying careers in the General Social Survey conducted by the National Organization for Research.
Whether you’re a recent high school graduate looking for a direction in higher education or an established professional looking for a meaningful career change, public service holds many opportunities. The Kaplan University College of Public Service created a Network of Good video series which highlights alumni and their path to public service. As with any career, it’s important to receive the right training, education and degree to ensure professional success. Here are some degree paths that can lead to public service careers:
* Human services – A bachelor of science in human services can prepare you to work in a variety of fields, including mental health, social services, education, rehabilitation and even the courts. If you already have an associate or bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible for an accelerated degree path.
* Education – Graduate programs are designed to serve educators and instructors at every level, from colleges and universities to K-12 environments. There is also a bachelor in early childhood- development that encompasses caring for the educational needs of young children and can extend far beyond the elementary school classroom. This degree can open doors to careers in childcare centers, Head Start programs and other before- and after-school care settings.-
* Public administration – Strong leaders are vital to the success of any organization, whether public or private. A master’s in public administration can help you qualify to serve in leadership roles in local, state or federal government agencies, a variety of organizations and nonprofits.
* Homeland security – With natural disasters and terrorist threats making daily headlines, the federal government says demand for professionals qualified to work in homeland security and emergency response roles will increase. A master’s degree in homeland security and emergency management can help you find a career in emergency preparedness and response, border and transportation security, information analysis, homeland defense and more.
For those interested in learning more, there is a wealth of information, inspirational stories and videos about public service professionals at the Center for Public Service, an online information resource center created by Kaplan University. Visit the site at center-public-service.kaplanu.edu.
Courtesy of BPT
Time-pressed in the kitchen? Rediscover pressure cooking
Posted on Mar 19, 2014
(BPT) – There’s nothing like the smell of a home-cooked meal wafting through the kitchen for hours and hours – that is, if you have time to prepare such a meal. Since most of us don’t have that sort of time on a daily basis, many time-pressed cooks are rediscovering pressure cooking: an age-old cooking method that makes mealtime fast and easy.
You may recall your mother or even your grandmother talking about using the pressure cookers of old, sometimes with unexpected results. A pressure cooker uses steam to cook foods. Available in stovetop or electric models, they both work on the same principle: foods and liquids are placed inside a pot that has a pressurized chamber, and the steam transfers heat to the foods. The pressure builds up inside the pot to cook food at a high temperature, while allowing the food to retain its moisture and nutritional value. When cooking is complete, the steam can be vented using a release valve, before the lid is opened.
Recently, pressure cookers have evolved to include many built-in conveniences and safety features that simplify the cooking process. Today, more home cooks are taking advantage of these cooking marvels, not only because they cook foods faster than most conventional methods, but also because they bring out the delicious flavor of foods and preserve inherent nutrients.
Today’s advanced pressure cookers can be used to prepare anything from meats and main courses to fresh vegetables, potatoes or even desserts. And because they cook foods faster, they use less energy, providing a “greener” way of cooking. In short, a pressure cooker enables a user to prepare recipes in less than half the time, while locking in flavors and preserving vitamins and minerals. This means a pot roast, sweet potatoes, or even cheesecake recipe worthy of Julia Child can be done in record time, making pressure-cooking perfect for busy weeknight meals. –
Manufacturers are increasingly taking the guesswork out of pressure-cooking with intuitive features that make it easy to prepare delicious, nutritious meals in a flash. For example, Calphalon’s 6-quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker has a cover that locks on with the touch of a button, and a pop-up pressure indicator that makes it easy to monitor cooking times. The cooker also has a pressure release dial that lets you select from multiple settings for cooking, and to safely release the steam after you’re finished.-
If you’re new at using a pressure cooker, here are some general tips to get you started:
* Cut foods evenly: Uniform pieces cook most evenly.
* Don’t overfill: Aim for a pot no more than two-thirds full of food. Be sure to use the recommended amount of liquid called for in the recipe.
* Adjust spices: Flavors are more concentrated with this cooking method, so you may want to reduce the amount of spices you use in your favorite recipes.
* Brown meats first: For especially tasty pressure-cooked meats, sear and brown the meat before placing it in the pressure cooker to obtain the best flavor and texture.
* Secure the lid: Make sure it’s properly closed and locked before you begin cooking.
* Experiment with recipes you love. Try cooking in incremental stages, starting with the shortest recommended cooking time; you can always cook for a more minutes if needed.
* Consult the manufacturer’s manual: Read and follow the instructions for the specific model you purchased.
Courtesy of BPT
Preparation and technology can help you weather the storm
Posted on Mar 12, 2014
(BPT) – The last few years have brought record destruction from natural disasters. While disasters such as Hurricane Isaac, Superstorm Sandy or the Oklahoma tornadoes are tragic and unavoidable, there is value in being prepared for the challenges Mother Nature throws our way.
Technology can help you prepare for the unknown and get back on your feet more quickly. Whether it’s building an emergency plan or securing your important documents, a little planning can make it easier to recover from a disaster. And fortunately, today, abundant technology tools are available to help you do just that.
According to Tony Surma, the chief technology officer for Microsoft’s Disaster Response Program: “The best way to help you and your family after a disaster is to build an emergency plan today.- As part of your plan, technology can help you connect with loved ones, access critical information and preserve cherished memories after a disaster strikes.”
Follow these steps to prepare for recovery:
* Create an emergency plan. The first step is to create a plan for you and your family. A good plan will include emergency contacts, planned meeting locations and personal health details, such as allergies and medications, for all your family members. Microsoft Excel offers a template that walks you through the process of creating a comprehensive plan. You can find it on Office.com.
* Make your plan accessible. Just as important as creating the plan is accessing it during a disaster. Save your plan to a cloud drive, like SkyDrive (skydrive.com), that will sync your files, so you can get to your plan on any computer or smartphone, even when Internet connectivity fails.
* Keep important documents safe. Scan your important documents – insurance information, birth certificates, passports, medical records and other essential documents – and organize them in a digital notebook, like OneNote (onenote.com), so they can be quickly searched to find information you need. -If you save them to the same cloud drive as your plan, they’ll be accessible anytime, from anywhere.
* Build a communication plan. The ability to connect with friends and family during a natural disaster is critical to ensuring everyone is safe, or knowing when someone needs help. While your plan will have mobile phone numbers and a meeting place outlined, many natural disasters disable communications and make transportation difficult. Mobile applications like HelpBridge (microsoft.com/helpbridge) and Skype (skype.com) can help you quickly communicate when networks get overloaded. It is also important to share your family emergency plan with trusted friends, relatives and coworkers and keep contacts up to date on your computer or smartphone to provide as many points of contact as possible when cellphone and Internet access is inconsistent.
* Construct a disaster preparedness kit. While technology can help you get through and recover from a disaster, you can’t forget the basics. Experts recommend having enough food and water to last 72 hours, as well as other essential supplies such as a first aid kit, flashlight and battery-operated radio. Check with your state’s emergency preparedness office for a checklist to ensure you have all the right items and keep track of when items need to be replaced.
While no one can anticipate the next tornado, earthquake or super storm, a little planning and a little technology can make a big difference.
Courtesy of BPT
Five ways to build a better shower
Posted on Mar 12, 2014
(BPT) – The shower is a place to unwind from a stressful day, where you can forget your worries and pamper yourself. Remodeling the shower is extremely popular because it allows homeowners to create a spa-like experience in their own home, not to mention it’s a good investment and can increase resale value. Before you start your remodel, here are five ways to create a shower that will give you some well-deserved peace and quiet.
1. Spacious shower
If you’re gutting your bathroom, think about opening up the space to expand the size of your shower. Typically, showers are 36 inches wide by 36 inches deep; but now, luxury-style showers measure at least 48 inches by 96 inches. You can also create more shower space by selecting certain types of shower doors. Sliding glass doors can be a hassle to clean, as dirt can get into every little crevice. Hinged, glass doors, or if you have the space, a larger opening with no shower door at all, are better options for creating a modern, streamlined look.
2. Bring in the light
Do you have a small bathroom and don’t have room for a spacious shower? Not to worry – make the shower look bigger with lighting. Adding a skylight above the shower will make it feel larger in size and give a sense of being in a high-end resort. The materials you use on the door can also brighten things up. Choosing a glass door lets more light fill the space while showing off a fancy showerhead or tile. The glass can be frosted for added privacy.
3. Showerheads in all shapes and sizes
Showerheads come in a wide variety of styles to add the desired look – and functionality – to your bathroom. From rainshowers to traditional showerheads and body sprays, the combinations are almost endless.
No matter what style or the number of sprays you choose, make sure to include a hand shower. It makes cleaning the shower a breeze, will help with washing the family pet, and gets all those hard to reach places during your daily shower. Moen now offers both multi- and single-function hand showers. The multi-function hand shower features four settings: a focused rinse, full spray, massage and combination full spray and massage. The new single-function hand shower is available with a slide bar, allowing everyone in your family to adjust it to the perfect height. Best of all, both use up to 20 percent less water than the industry standard 2.5 gallons-per-minute models. You can now install and use a hand shower as your primary showerhead, without a major remodel, thanks to Moen’s new, shower arm cradle. Instead of attaching a bracket to the wall, the shower arm cradle easily installs onto the existing shower arm.
4. A place to sit and relax
Shower benches and seats are becoming an essential component for rest and relaxation. It’s a great way to add a spa-like element to your shower but also provides extra safety for your family. You can build a bench into the shower or attach one that folds up against the wall. Different styles and materials are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Teak is a popular choice in the shower as it withstands different temperatures, is resistant to bugs and humidity and is also easy to clean.
5. Storage in the shower
Finally, build niches in the shower wall to fit all the bottles used on a daily basis. Creating several built-in areas will eliminate reaching for bottles on the shower floor and make it easier for the family to stay organized. Make sure the shelves slope toward the shower to keep the areas from getting moldy or full of soap scum. If you aren’t putting in new shower walls, you can also create more storage with a sturdy, corner shelf. Choose one with at least three shelves so Mom, Dad and the kids can each have their own shelf.
With these few key upgrades, you’ll soon have the spa-like shower you’ve always desired. For more information about Moen products, visit moen.com or call 800-BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636).
Courtesy of BPT
Woman with rare disease overcomes adversity one mountain at a time
Posted on Mar 5, 2014
(BPT) – For most of her life, 44-year-old Tanya Howell was considered unreliable. She missed many days of work, even lost jobs and would frequently cancel on her friends and family at the last minute. She was particularly devastated when she needed to cancel on group outings, because she loves exploring and conquering the outdoors. The reason for her ‘flakiness,’ a term many of Tanya’s friends used to describe her, was because she was suffering from unexplained, debilitating swelling attacks that would come on quickly and cause swelling in different parts of her body at any given time. Most often the swelling and excruciating pain were located in her abdomen. These seemingly uncontrollable attacks used to confine Tanya to her bed for several days at a time.
Tanya’s mysterious nightmare lasted for two decades and entailed visits to specialist after specialist in pursuit of an explanation for her swelling attacks along with frequent visits to the emergency room. Over the years, she was misdiagnosed with a litany of conditions including ‘muscular uterus,’ gall stones, ulcers and allergies. Despite her determination to find answers, healthcare providers had failed to pinpoint the cause for her seemingly helpless condition. This caused Tanya extreme frustration, and she even suffered from bouts of depression.
Two years ago, Tanya finally found an answer to her unexplained swelling attacks. She visited an allergist and immunologist who recognized her symptoms and accurately diagnosed her with hereditary angioedema (HAE), an extremely debilitating and potentially life-threatening disease that can rob people of educational and career opportunities and cause decreased overall mental and physical health. HAE is a rare genetic disease that affects about 6,000 people in the United States. The disease causes repeated swelling attacks that can occur anywhere in the body, including arms, legs, hands, feet, stomach, genitals, face or throat.
The average HAE patient endures about 10 years of repeated misdiagnosis before the disease is accurately identified. In fact, approximately 68 percent of people with HAE in the United States are initially misdiagnosed because the symptoms of HAE mimic other disorders, such as an allergic reaction, appendicitis, and ulcers, among many others. There is a need for increased awareness of HAE given that patients have therapy options to help them.
After receiving an accurate diagnosis of HAE, Tanya was put on a preventive prescription therapy. With the frequency and severity of her HAE attacks helped by therapy and by seeing her physician regularly, Tanya has even been able to ski the Rocky Mountains and hike the Ice Lakes located in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. She has also reached the summit of Mt. Humphreys in Arizona, followed by Mt. Whitney in California. She hopes to someday reach the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, which is the highest peak in both the Western-and-Southern Hemispheres, and would be her biggest adventure yet.
“Whether it was meeting friends for a hike, a bike ride or even competitive events, having an HAE attack made it impossible. I was simply unable to show up because of the unbearable pain and swelling,” says Tanya. “I am grateful there are treatment options for people like me living with HAE because today, I feel I can do just about anything I put my mind to.”
Tanya also just recently competed in her first mountain bike race in Flagstaff, AZ and hit another major milestone – celebrating her one year anniversary with her husband. Tanya is so thankful that she and her husband can have a future together that is not purely dictated by her disease.
Now that Tanya has finally reached a place in her life where she is knowledgeable about HAE and feels in control of her condition and her future, her advice to other people who are living with a rare or chronic disease is to not be discouraged when seeking an accurate diagnosis, search for resources, know your limitations and shoot for the moon!
“I suggest that you leave no stone unturned in your quest to live a happy and active life,” says Tanya. “Do not be afraid; you are not alone. Being diagnosed with a rare disease is just one part of your journey.”
To learn more about HAE and hear other stories from HAE patients like Tanya, visit www.HAEandMe.com, an online resource for people with HAE and their loved ones. To find a health care professional, visit www.HAEA.org, the official Web site of the U.S. Hereditary Angioedema Association.
Courtesy of BPT
Add years to your pet’s life with expert tips
Posted on Feb 26, 2014
(BPT) – Few things in life are as special as the unconditional love and loyalty a pet provides. With 78.2 million owned dogs and 86.4 million owned cats in the United States, according to The Humane Society, it’s obvious Americans enjoy having pets. What might not be so apparent is how best to care for them. When it comes to making sure your pet stays healthy and lives as long as possible, what steps can you take?
Jodi Ziskin is a holistic nutrition and wellness specialist for pets. Her mission is to help cats and dogs live healthier and happier. She has a Master of Science degree in Holistic Nutrition and is the owner of Holistic Healthy Pets by Jodi Z. Her top tips for adding years to your pet’s life include:
1. Investigate pet food
While many pet parents feed their cats and dogs the same thing day after day, they may not realize it’s a habit that can lead to nutritional deficiencies and food intolerances.
“I recommend a holistic approach to a pet’s diet,” says Ziskin. “That simply means using real, whole food, not by-products, rendered ingredients, artificial colors, artificial flavors or preservatives. Homemade (cooked or raw) is optimal.” She recommends you work with a holistic veterinarian or pet nutrition specialist to create a good, basic recipe you can make at home.
“If a pet guardian is not interested in preparing homemade food, the next best thing is frozen raw food. All the pet parent has to do is defrost portions in the refrigerator overnight. Freeze-dried or dehydrated raw food is another good option. Finally, there are a handful of canned foods that are very high quality,” comments Ziskin.
She suggests always reading the label when selecting food. The first ingredient should be a high-quality meat, like de-boned white chicken. If the first ingredients are different types of grains and starches, then that food should be avoided.-
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2. Consider supplements
Many people take multivitamins and other supplements to better their health, and this practice can benefit pets too.
“There are many factors that contribute to a pet’s lifespan. Some are out of our control, like genetic, congenital and environmental factors. However, providing a species-appropriate diet, including supplements like omega-3s, contributes to overall wellness, helping pets thrive,” says Ziskin.
Supplementing a pet’s diet with omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) has many health benefits, including healthy skin and coat, reduced inflammation that causes itching and hot spots, joint health with less inflammation, strong immune system and a healthier digestive tract.
“Using fish oils specially made for pets is highly recommended,” Ziskin says. “The fish oil I recommend to my clients is Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet.- This product is made from wild-caught sardines and anchovies that are cold processed. It is free from heavy metals, PCBs, dioxins and chemicals.”
3. Prioritize play and rest
“Exercise is paramount to the physical health of cats and dogs,” says Ziskin. “After all, a body in motion stays in motion. The simple act of walking a dog (or cat) helps to lubricate joints, preserves flexibility, maintains muscle mass (which protects joints), and keeps blood circulating through the joints and muscles.”
Make time every day to play with your pets. Cats need only five to 10 minutes once or twice a day for interactive play. “On days when you simply do not have a minute to spare, hide some cat toys around the house. Some high, some low. Your kitty will get extra exercise by finding and playing with their ‘prey,'” Ziskin suggests.
Walking a dog once or twice a day is good for both you and your pet. “If you cannot devote the time, please look into hiring a dog walker. Since it is detrimental to a dog’s health to have him hold urine all day long, having a dog walker come midday is optimal,” stresses Ziskin.
Remember, resting periods are just as important as physical activity. “Spending quiet time with our pets is so important for their overall well-being,” says Ziskin. “The simple act of petting a dog reduces their stress and helps them feel secure. The same is true for cats, however, most cats do not liked to be stroked for a long period of time.”
In addition to these tips, Ziskin advises pet owners of young and middle-aged pets to see their vet annually. Older pets should see the vet at least twice a year. This helps ensure you and your furry family members have many happy, healthy years to look forward to.
Courtesy of BPT
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