A significant factor in an individual's overall wellness is a sense of financial security. In times of rising costs, political unrest and rapid change, many of us who are a part of the Baby Boom generation may be feeling somewhat unsure about the status of our future retirement years. This month the President signed the Pension Act of 2006 to ensure greater retirement security for American workers. The Act strengthens the Federal Pension Insurance System. The legislation:

• Requires companies that under-fund their pension plans to pay additional premiums to the insurance system.
• Extends a requirement that companies that terminate their pensions provide extra funding for the pension insurance system.
• Requires that companies measure the obligations of their pension plans more accurately.
• Closes loopholes that allow under-funded plans to skip pension payments.
• Raises caps on the amount that employers can put into their plans, so they can add more money during good times and build a cushion that can keep their plans solvent in lean times.
• Prevents companies with under-funded plans from digging the hole deeper by promising extra benefits to their workers without paying for promises up front.
• The Act also contains provisions to help American workers who save for retirement through IRAs and 401(k)s.The legislation:

• Removes barriers that prevent companies from automatically enrolling employees in defined contribution plans.

• Ensures that employees have more information about the performance of their accounts.

• Provides greater access to professional advice about investing for retirement.
• Gives workers more control over how their accounts are invested.
• Makes permanent the higher contribution limits for IRAs and 401(k)s that were passed in 2001.

The reality is that whether you are a mid-career worker or someone just entering the workforce responsibility for financial security in retirement belongs to you. Entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare are projected to grow faster than the economy, faster than the population, and faster than the rate of inflation. To learn more about how to manage your daily finances, how to design effective debt reduction plans or tips on planning for a financially secure retirement visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/macon/moneymanagement.html or contact your local Extension office for information.

- Teresa Adams

Labor Day seems to be the final day of outdoor grilling for many. According to the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) with USDA, there are a few tips to grill safely.

Before grilling, be sure the surface is clean. Some may need to use a wire brush to scrape away food that has stuck to the grill surface. If marinating foods for the grill, the food should be thawed before covering with the marinade. Then store the food marinating in the refrigerator. Avoid reusing marinade.

Have the grill hot before cooking. Coals should be grayish-white. Grill food thoroughly. NEVER partially grill meat or poultry and finish cooking later.

Use a meat thermometer to be sure meat is fully cooked. All poultry should reach 165°F. Hamburgers made of ground beef should reach 160°F, ground poultry 165°F. Beef, veal and lamb steaks, roasts and chops can be cooked to 145°F. All cuts of pork should reach 160°F.

Don't let juices from uncooked meat come into contact with cooked meat or ready-to-eat food.

Serve hot grilled food immediately...which is not only a safety issue, but a quality issue. In hot weather, 90°F and above, food should never set out for more than one hour. Store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer within two hours of taking food off the grill, for safe food handling.

For more information on outdoor grilling, visit the FSIS/USDA website at:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/ .

Many busy singles and families are enjoying healthy meals in just minutes by planning ahead. Today, there are ways we can work ahead to have healthy meals in minutes.

Marinate cooked vegetables to use in salads later. Asparagus, green beans, cauliflower, cucumbers, onions and broccoli are good marinated in any French dressing variation, even low or non-fat. Cut, chop or dice onion, celery, parsley and store in tightly covered jars or plastic bags in refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. Cook ahead dried beans, rice, macaroni, noodles or potatoes. Use in salads, casseroles, or side dishes and use within 2 to 3 days.

Prepare molded salads and desserts one day ahead. Some gelatin mixtures lose quality if held longer than one day. Prepare frozen salads and desserts up to one month ahead.

Use cooked meat, chicken, or fish in casseroles, creamed mixtures or use in sandwich fillings. Prepare hard cooked eggs and store up to a week in the refrigerator. If you want to shell the hard cooked eggs they can be kept covered in the refrigerator and used within 3 to 4 days for casseroles, garnishes, salads or sandwiches.

Most casserole dishes can be prepared one day, refrigerated and baked the following day. Add crisp toppings just before cooking. Another option, freeze cooked and prepared foods for later use.

Many soups and stews improve in flavor on standing. Cook them one day, cool rapidly and refrigerate for reheating the following day.

Cakes, quick breads and cookies are favorites cooked today for tomorrow's menu. If preferred, make refrigerator dough for rolls and cookies to use within 1 to 2 days.

Keep mixes on hand, commercial or made at home, for cream sauce, gravy and puddings, as well as for baked products.

The following recipe from University of Illinois Extension is especially good if a combination of white and sweet potatoes are used. To shorten prep time and increase fiber, scrub potatoes before using, but don't peel!

Healthy Oven Fried Potatoes

6-8 potatoes–3-4-1/2 inches each (may use combination of sweet,
gold, white, red potatoes)
3 tablespoons oil
Salt or salt free herb blend

Scrub and rinse potatoes well to remove dirt but do not peel. Slice potatoes into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Sprinkle potatoes with oil and stir well to coat.

Place potatoes in a greased baking dish or cookie sheet. Top with salt or favorite blend of herbs. Bake at 375°F for 50 minutes.

Makes 6 servings.

Nutrient per serving (using herbs rather than salt): 184 calories, 3 grams protein, 32 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 5 grams fat, 0 cholesterol, 32 milligrams calcium, 667 milligrams potassium, 42 milligrams sodium.

Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat

Family Day–A Day to Eat dinner with Your Children will take place on Monday, September 25th, 2006–the 4th Monday of September. Launched by CASA, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, it is a national effort encouraging Americans to make family dinners a regular part of their lives.

Though eating dinner as a family may seem like a simple action, research has consistently shown that the more often young people sit down at the dinner table with their families, the less likely they are to:

• Smoke, drink, or use illegal drugs
• Have sex at young ages
• Get into fights
• Have suicidal thoughts

And the more likely they are to:

• Study and do better in school
• Be emotionally content
• Have positive peer relationships
• Have healthier eating habits

Even though these outcomes are all tied to family dinners, it is not just the act of eating together that makes the difference, but what it includes. Parents who eat dinner with their children regularly tend to know what's going on in their children's lives and what problems and tough decisions their kids face. These children are more likely to talk their problems over with their parents. The more involved you are as a parent and the more you believe you can make a difference, the safer your child will be.

Though parents might think that monitoring a teen's activities will alienate the teen, the opposite is true. Parents who are "hands-on"–-setting codes of behavior and monitoring activities–have teens with a lower risk of substance abuse and better parent-child relationships. Family Day helps remind busy families of the invaluable role that parental involvement plays in steering children and teens away from cigarettes, drugs and alcohol.

As a family, some suggestions for celebrating this day are:

• Eat dinner together. Turn off the TV, talk, and listen to each other. Involve the whole family in planning and cooking the meal.
• If you can't eat dinner together, try having breakfast together or engaging in another family activity.
• If eating together is common for your family, you might celebrate by sharing your meal with children who don't have families.

If you are an employer, consider letting your employees off early on Family Day and adding your name to the companies who endorse it. If you are a local school district, consider implementing a No Homework Policy on Family Day, publicize and write public officials to sponsor an essay contest, and host an event leading up to Family Day, such as a lecture on substance abuse prevention or parenting, a cooking class for families, or organizing a meal at a local homeless shelter.

For more information on Family Day, visit http://www.casafamilyday.org.

Proper handling of food to prevent illness caused by bacteria is a serious concern. Foodborne illness is a concern if food is not handled properly. We usually can't see, smell or taste bacteria that can cause a foodborne illness. During National Food Safety Month, University of Illinois Extension stresses safe food handling to prevent foodborne illness.

Clean means having clean surfaces and equipment when preparing food, but the first step to prevent foodborne illness is to wash your hands. Thoroughly wash your hands with warm, soapy water before working in the kitchen. Hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds. Use a disposable paper towel to dry hands. Washing hands is especially important before you start to fix food for a meal or snack. It is vital to wash hands again after touching raw meat, poultry, or fish.

If you have pets, wash after touching or petting them and before and after feeding them. Wash hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, coughing or sneezing. Again, hands should be washed for 20 seconds.

For more information on safe food handling, visit the government's website on food safety at:

www.foodsafety.gov.

Exercising With Your Pet

Kimo Huffman keeps himself in shape with regular exercise, running five miles most days. The regular exercise is great for his body mass index, the health of his heart and his general attitude about life. In fact, if he misses a regular run he tends to be a little sluggish and cranky. The regular exercise is pretty good for his owner, Liz Huffman, of Denver, Colo., as well.

Dr. Marcella Ridgway, veterinary internal medicine specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, says "I like activities that allow you and your pet to participate together. Sometimes we gain a little extra motivation to exercise out of a sense of responsibility to our pet." While the benefits of exercise for you and your dog are obvious, Dr. Ridgway says that there are certain things you should take into consideration before introducing your pet to a new exercise routine.

She cautions that large amounts of repetitive, physically-demanding exercise are not natural for dogs. Just as you would do for yourself you'll need to gradually break your dog into an exercise regime. Start slow, gradually increasing the length of the activity and take breaks; constant, steady activity at an elevated pace could be harmful for an unconditioned pet. When left on their own, dogs will run for a short time, stopping frequently to sniff a tree or a flower before running for another short period. Dr. Ridgway also cautions that there are certain breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs, which often cannot withstand large amounts of physical activity because their respiratory systems are unable to handle too much activity, especially in warmer weather.

It is important to consider the age of your pet. Dr. Ridgway doesn't recommend long periods of repetitive motion exercise, such as running with young dogs, because they are still growing. Such types of exercise may cause injury to their growing bones and joints. She also doesn't recommend exercising with pets that are at a later stage in life because they simply don't have the physical stamina that they once did.

Medical conditions which your pet may have are also important considerations. Pets with respiratory, heart or joint disease may be harmed by too much physical exercise. Dr. Ridgway says, "Just as with any human, it is important to consult your veterinarian before introducing your pet to a demanding exercise regime."

The climate in which you and your pet will be exercising is another important issue to consider. During the summer months it is important to be cautious about overheating. Your pet doesn't have the ability to sweat efficiently to dissipate body heat as does a human; a hot and humid day provides the ideal conditions for your pet to overheat.

You'll need to be as equally alert to the climate during the winter months. Your pet's feet don't have much protection; you should be watchful for frostbite and observant of any icy patches that might cut your dog's foot pads. Salt or other de-icers on roads and sidewalks may also harm their feet. You'll also want to be conscious of any icy patches that might slip you up as well.

Just as when you're exercising by yourself, you should be aware of your surroundings. Although Dr. Ridgway doesn't recommend running along a road because of traffic concerns, she says that trails provide a nice surface that is gentler on the joints, for both dogs and humans. Trails also provide a safe place for a break, should one be necessary. Dr. Ridgway also recommends being attentive to other animals around you, including wild ones. Your dog will likely respond to any activity of another animal, and you'll need to be able to act accordingly. You can also make yourself and your pet more visible to others by wearing a vest or a collar equipped with reflectors.

Dr. Ridgway says that it's equally important to be a good neighbor. Have a bag to pick up your pet's waste and make sure your dog is controlled so it's not intrusive to others around you. Not only is a leash the law in most urban areas, it is a must to provide proper control of your pet. Dr. Ridgway suggests a couple of options to a traditional leash. A commercially-available leash offers joggers the option of attaching the leash around their waist. However, Dr. Ridgway cautions that this type of leash can be harmful to your own health if your pet is large enough to pull you down. She also recommends a harness, which will prevent tugging at your dog's neck, and a retractable leash. This option provides your pet the opportunity to run a little further ahead or behind while still under your control.

The most important thing you should do is to be alert to what your dog is experiencing. Be prepared to take a break if it's lagging behind, limping or working too hard to breathe. These are all physical signs that your pet has had enough exercise and you should stop.

For more information about exercising with your pet, consult your local veterinarian.

. . .a combination of wine and chocolate may actually work together to lower blood cholesterol? According to an article in Nutrition Today (Volume 33, #3, May/June, 1998), cocoa butter, which is the fat in chocolate, does not contain or produce cholesterol and it has a certain amount of phenols that may help prevent heart disease. Wine also contains a certain amount of phenols, 210 mg per glass, hence a pairing of some red wine with a bit of chocolate could be beneficial to the heart. A 1.5 ounce of chocolate contains 105 mg of phenol and a mug of hot chocolate made with 2 tablespoons of cocoa has 146 mg. For best results, dark chocolate is recommended because it has less fat than sweeter varieties like milk chocolate.

With summer in full-swing, we thought it would be nice to take a closer look at apples, which are a quick and easy snack, tasty any time of the year. The following excerpts are taken from the Illinois Apple Ag Mag, which is produced by Agriculture in the Classroom and the Illinois Farm Bureau.

Apple Production

Thirty-six states grow apples to sell, including Illinois. Apple growers use half-a-million acres of our land to produce apples, and produce 265 million bushels per year. Most of these apple orchards are in our northern states, such as Washington, Michigan, and New York. Washington state has the best climate in the world to grow apples because of its warm days and cool nights. Of all the apples grown in the United States, half are sold fresh and the rest are made into apple sauce, apple juice, or dehydrated apple products.

Top 5 Varieties

What's your favorite kind of apple? There are nearly 100 varieties grown in the United States, but 15 popular varieties account for more than 90 percent of production. The top five are:

• Red Delicious–bright to dark red and sweet-tasting
• Golden Delicious–golden to light yellow-green, keeps its shape and flavor during baking
• Gala–crisp, yellowish-white, sweet flesh with red or golden skin with red striping
• Fuji–super sweet, super juicy, super crisp, great for snacking
• Granny Smith–green, crisp, great for salads and fresh eating

Healthy Bites

Apples contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12, along with thiamin and niacin. They are rich in pectin which is known to reduce cholesterol. Apples contain as much fiber as a whole bowl of most popular cereals and are also good for diabetics. The soluble fiber in apple works to regulate blood sugar, and prevent its sudden fluctuation.

Apples All the Time

Apples are harvested in late summer and early fall; however, we can buy fresh apples from the store all year. This is due to Controlled Atmosphere Storage. Controlled Atmosphere Storage regulates the temperature, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the storage room. Each variety of apple requires different conditions so computers help keep the specified conditions constant.

As the apple ripens, the starches change to sugar, and the apple takes in oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide. This is the respiration process of an apple. In Controlled Atmosphere Storage, the respiration process is slowed down so the apples do not ripen quickly. Most varieties of apples can be stored for 12 months or longer. Because of Controlled Atmosphere Storage, we are able to enjoy apples all year round.

Where Did Apples Come From?

The apple was brought to the United States by the pilgrims in 1620. While the Native Americans taught the early settlers how to grow corn and vegetables, the settlers taught the Native Americans how to grow apples with apple tree seeds, seedlings, and small trees. They used apples to make apple juice, apple cider, dried apples, apple butter, and vinegar. The apples were even food for pigs, cows, and horses.

During the long, cold winters, the settlers could not grow fresh fruits and vegetables. So, instead they found ways to preserve them. The apples were peeled and cored and hung out to dry on a big net or string hung high by trees or posts. The warm air would evaporate the water inside the apples, and they would be dried in a few days.

A Few More Interesting Facts:

• A medium apple has about 80 calories.
• Apple trees take four to five years to produce their first fruit.
• Apples are members of the rose family.
• Americans eat about 19.6 pounds or 65 fresh apples per year.
• The largest apple picked weighed three pounds.
• It takes the energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple.

For more information on apples, go to: www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/apples/.

The main microbial spoiler of jams, jellies and preserves is mold. Molds can send "roots" down into the jelly, which may produce toxic substances. For this reason, moldy jelly should be discarded. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that all jams and jellies be processed in a boiling water bath canner if they are not to be refrigerated or frozen.

To process jellied products in a boiling water bath, pour the boiling product into a hot sterilized canning jar, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe the jar rim, and close with a treated canning lid and screw band.

Place on a rack in a canner filled with boiling water. The water should cover the jars by at least one inch. Cover the canner and bring the water back to a boil, and boil gently for 5 minutes. Remove jars to a protected surface and cool, away from drafts.

Note, jars should be sterilized beforehand if the jams and jellies are processed less than ten minutes in the boiling water bath.

For more information on processing jams and jellies and other home canned foods, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation at: http://www.homefoodpreservation.com.

Parental Mood & Its Effect on Children

Grumpy, demanding, impatient, discouraged, and stressed OR, pleasant, caring, patient, optimistic, and calm...what's your general parenting mood?

Most of us would like to think we are warm, responsive parents. We want to be a positive influence in the lives of our children. However, many parents today are so stressed trying to keep up with the demands of work, life and children that they may be unaware of their mood, how it is affecting their children and merely go through the motions of parenting.

How does our mood affect our children? In one study, children reported their greatest desired change for working parents was not to spend more time together or have them work less, but that they wished their parents would be less stressed and tired. Children wanted the time they do have with parents to be positive.

When our life becomes too hectic or our time and energy are drained for the day, it can be hard to remember warmth and caring. Yet what we model communicates to our children what is important in our lives.

Try these tips to improve your mood and be a positive influence in your child's life:

• Pay attention to your mood. Many factors can affect mood, but YOU control your behavior. Choose to smile and use a cheerful voice.
• Be consistent and predictable. Extreme mood fluctuations confuse your children and lower their trust in you. Children feel secure when they know what to expect.
• Pay attention to your times of stress. Children often need us at the most awkward times, especially when we are tired or preoccupied. If you know mornings or the end of the workday are most harried for you, take steps to calm yourself and regain your energy.
• Tune in to your children's feelings. Children feel safe and accepted when you take the time to listen and understand their needs.
• Give lots of hugs, kisses and one-on-one interactions. Play games, sing, dance, and enjoy the time you have with your children.
• Take care of yourself. Make arrangements to get the rest you need so you can enjoy your time with your children. In her book "Ask the Children", Ellen Galinsky says "when parents take care of their physical and emotional needs, they are better parents."
• Pay attention to your non-verbal language. You might say, "I love you" to your child, but if your voice and body language don't match your words, the message will be lost. Research shows that only eight percent of what we communicate comes from words; the rest comes from our tone of voice and body language.

Parents that choose a positive attitude can weather most of life's challenges and promote healthy relationships with their children and others around them, even under adverse situations.

As a child, do you remember traditions you did with your family? Maybe your family captured the spirit of camping during the summer or attended an annual family reunion picnic. If you have fond memories of family traditions, you know how important they are.

As a parent, what traditions are you continuing or establishing with your family during the summer? Do you go on a vacation? Do you have a picnic in the park once a month or go to the library once a week? Or maybe the last night of summer vacation is going out for ice cream.

"Traditions are special ways of doing things that we repeat over and over again," explains Milly Kaiser, one of our family life educators with University of Illinois Extension. "When you use a muscle in your body over and over again in a certain way, it makes the muscle stronger. Sharing experiences over and over again in a certain way strengthens a family."

Traditions give the family stability and a feeling of belonging, Values and beliefs are often reinforced through our traditions. Togetherness does not have to cost extra money. Togetherness is just giving your time to each other. With a positive attitude and a little creative flare, your family can make these simple activities a fun and exciting way to be together:

• Create a family memory book.
• Make homemade ice cream.
• Plan and prepare a special meal together.
• Explore the outdoors and take a picnic lunch.
• Plan a pizza and movie night at home.
• Make and fly your own kits.
• Plan a special day for grandparents.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are grown for seeds which are used for oil production, birdseed, livestock feed or human food. The best known sunflower is the giant sunflower.

The giant sunflower is a gorgeous plant growing eight or more feet tall with a seed head of twelve or more inches across. Seeds planted in April should be nearing harvest.

You should harvest your sunflowers as soon as birds begin to feed on them. When birds begin to feed on the outer rows of seed, it is time to harvest.

At harvest, cut the seed head with a portion of the stalk attached and hang the seed head in a warm, well-ventilated area to dry. The seed will take several weeks to dry. After the seed dries you can remove them from the seed head by rubbing over them lightly. Store the seeds in an airtight container or plastic bag.

As a snack food, sunflowers are usually salted and roasted. There are several ways to prepare your seeds. One of them is to cover the seed with salted water and bring it to a boil. Next, reduce heat and allow them to simmer for about 2 hours. Then drain and dry on a paper towel. They can then be oven baked by spreading them in a shallow pan coated with salad oil and sprinkled with salt. Bake them at 250 degrees until golden brown with occasional stirring.

So, whether you plan to enjoy your own homegrown seed feast or feed them to your animal friends, sunflower snacks are a fun result of your gardening project.

Once a standard fixture at the side of homes, the long-vanished rain barrel is making a comeback, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"By using rain barrels, you are benefiting the environment by reducing sewer runoff, helping your garden and landscape thrive, reducing your water bill, and reducing stress on our water supply," said Matt Kostelnick.

In nature, rain is welcomed by plants and animals and sustains the natural balance of life. Rain is absorbed by the roots of trees, grasses, and other plants. Remaining water runs purely into streams, rivers, and wetlands.

"In urban environments, the story of rain is a little different," he said. "Much of the rain in urban areas hits rooftops, roads, or sidewalks and rushes into the storm sewers, carrying anything it picked up along the way. That might include trash, oil, dirt, and other contaminants. Water rushing down into sewers carries these pollutants into streams, rivers, lakes, marshes, ponds, and other wetlands."

Two major steps can reduce this pollution runoff, he noted. The first is to reduce the amount of pollutants that lie in the path of runoff water. Examples include removing or cleaning up after automobiles leaking oil on the ground.

"The second step is to reduce the amount of water running off into sewers," Kosstelnick said. "Lawns, trees, shrubs, and other plants naturally reduce water runoff by absorbing it for growth. Manually collecting rainwater runoff with a container is another method of reducing runoff."

"This is not a new concept, as people have collected rainwater in containers since ancient times. Rain barrels are becoming more popular with homeowners, especially after the water restrictions and high water bills in some areas of Illinois last summer."

Rain barrels are barrels that collect water from downspouts on homes. They range in many different sizes, shapes, and designs.

"Rain water is a great source of water for home gardens," he noted. "It is free, you can use it whenever you want, and it is actually higher-quality water than city water. It does not contain the chlorine and fluoride that is in city water. Fluoride and chlorine are not desired by plants.

"Another benefit of collecting rain water in barrels is that it diverts water that otherwise would collect around the foundation of your home."

Water from rain barrels can be used for drinking water, but specialized filtration systems need to be used, he noted. Any filtration system that is used for drinking water needs to meet city ordinance codes. Water for plants does not need to be filtered.

"Maintenance is quite low for rain barrels, but there are a few things to keep in mind," he said. "Mosquitoes breed in standing water so it is important to prevent mosquito breeding in your rain barrel. Cover the rain barrel with a very fine screen and empty the barrel at a minimum of 10-day intervals to prevent mosquito breeding.

"It is also important to keep the barrel covered to prevent children or animals from accidentally falling in. Many rain barrels come equipped with screens and devices to prevent children and animals from falling in."

Another important factor is keeping the water pressure high enough so water will actually flow out of the barrel's spigot. An easy way to think of this is the water tower concept.

"Water towers are raised above the ground to build water pressure," said Kostelnick. "Similarly, a rain barrel that is elevated will create more water pressure than one that is sitting on the ground."

Severe wind and rainstorms have caused major property damage over the past month for many homeowners throughout Illinois, reports Bob Frazee, University of Illinois Natural Resources Educator. If and when this situation hits your home, Frazee suggests the first step to take is to quickly assess the situation and decide what needs to be done–and by whom. Immediately notify police and your power company of any wires that are down on sidewalks or the street. Stay away, and keep other people away! In case of tree damage on your property, notify the phone or electric company of any problems with wires–and do not try to correct the situation yourself.

For removal of downed trees or repair of damaged ones, decide if you want to do the work or hire someone to do it for you. Tree work can be extremely dangerous and physically demanding. Frazee recommends a tree care company be used for the following situations: when the tree is large and requires high climbing; the tree is partially down (leaning on a structure or entangled with another tree); wires are involved or structures are endangered; major repair of a tree is necessary (cabling or bolting of a split fork); large limbs are still attached to the tree; or if the homeowner does not have the proper tools, knowledge, or health to do tree work.

After a storm, it is common in some areas for people to show up at your door offering their services to remove or repair trees. Do not be a victim. Frazee recommends you make sure you use only tree professionals who meet the following standards: are part of established businesses in the community or nearby areas and are working for the company rather than moonlighting; have a listing in the phone book, usually under "Tree Service"; are fully insured for property damage, personal liability, and worker compensation; and, ideally, are members of a professional association of arborists.

Frazee recommends that homeowners get more than one estimate when possible. In case of tree removal, have a clear understanding about who removes the limbs and debris from the property, and whether or not the price includes stump removal and clean-up. He emphasizes that damaged trees do have some salvageable value, as firewood or chips, whether used by the homeowner or sold to others, and should be considered in the estimate.

In many areas, water softeners are used in households to reduce problems associated with "hard" water, or water that is high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not a health risk, but it is a nuisance because of mineral buildup on plumbing fixtures and poor soap and/or detergent performance. Calcium and magnesium ions that cause water hardness can be removed fairly easily by using a water softener which contains sodium. Sodium ions are supplied from dissolved sodium chloride salt, also called brine. In the ion exchange process, sodium ions are used to coat an exchange medium in the softener. The exchange medium can be natural "zeolites" or synthetic resin beads that resemble wet sand.

As hard water passes through a softener, the calcium and magnesium trade places with sodium ions. Sodium ions are held loosely and are easily replaced by calcium and magnesium ions. During this process, free sodium ions are released to the water. After softening a large quantity of hard water, the exchange medium becomes coated with calcium and magnesium ions. When this occurs, the exchange medium must be recharged or regenerated. To recharge the exchange medium with sodium ions, a softener is backflushed with a salt brine solution. During a backflush, the brine solution replaces the calcium and magnesium ions on the exchange medium with sodium ions from the salt solution. The water then is usually discharged to a septic system.

There is some debate on whether the discharge from a water softener regeneration cycle is harmful to the septic system. Several studies including ones from the University of Wisconsin and the National Sanitation Foundation indicate that when the sodium content from the softener regeneration cycle is discharged into the soil via a septic system along with other salts such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, the result is an improvement in the soil's percolation rather than a detriment. Others believe there needs to be more research done to confirm this. In either case, there are still things that a homeowner can do to minimize any potential harmful effects to the septic system from water softener discharge:

• Don't use a water softener if it is not necessary. Test your water for hardness.
• Use a water softener that recharges only when needed. Some models work off an automatic timer, and will recharge whether it's needed or not. Others measure the amount of water used, and will recharge only when required.
• If your water softener has a manual or clock driven backwash control, you can install a flow meter or hardness meter to determine when the system needs to be backwashed. Adjust the backwash frequency and salt dose to the lowest level absolutely necessary.
• Watch for malfunctioning equipment: if you hear water running continuously in your drain you should track down the source to a leaky toilet tank, faucet, or malfunctioning water softener, etc.
• Connect to a rural/municipal water supply (if available) so that your water will arrive already properly conditioned and won't require softening.
• If putting in a new system, make sure the water softener discharge is included in calculations for septic tank and drainfield size.

Enjoy cut flowers from your garden by caring for them properly. Following some simple steps can extend their life. Each type of flower has a proper stage of development or maturity for cutting. For most flowers this is just before they are fully open or mature; examples include baby's breath, chrysanthemum, carnation, pinks, cornflower, cosmos, dahlia, delphinium, geranium, nasturtium, sunflower, and snapdragon.

Some flowers keep best when cut in the bud stage or when just beginning to open, for example daffodil (jonquil), iris, peony, poppy and tulip. Gladiolus may be cut when the two lowest buds are open or can be allowed to develop more fully. Some flowers keep best when fully open at cutting time, for example daisy, marigold, orchid, violet, and zinnia.

Horticulturists at University of Illinois feel late afternoon or evening is the best time to cut flowers since the plant has more stored food. Early morning is the next best time because the plant is turgid. Avoid cutting flowers in the heat of the day when plants may be wilted.

Cut the stems somewhat longer than needed, using a sharp knife. The additional stem length is necessary for later recutting when the flower is placed in water or into an arrangement.

Remove all leaves that will be in water. Be especially careful to remove any leaves that are diseased, damaged, or insect-ridden.

As each stem is cut and the unneeded leaves removed, the stem should be placed immediately into a pail of warm water. This is especially important if a large number of flowers are to be cut or if it is a hot day. To further prevent wilting, cover the flowers in the pail with a plastic bag.

Regardless of how careful you have been in cutting flowers in the garden, a certain amount of wilting will occur. It is necessary, therefore, to condition the flowers so that they are again full of water before they are arranged.

Conditioning should last at least one and preferably several hours. Overnight conditioning is even better.

For flowers brought in from the garden, the following is recommended:

• Have containers of warm water ready (about 100 degrees–110 degrees F. bath water temperature). Although warm water is better than cold, many flowers are not "fussy" and take up cold water readily. In case of doubt, use warm water.
• The water should be about half the depth of the entire stem length, preferably containing a floral preservative.
• Recut the stems at an angle. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife, under warm water if possible. Probably the easiest way to do this is to make the cut while holding the stem under running warm water.
• Immediately place the stem into a container of warm water with preservative before the stem end dries. When the stem is handled for recutting, remove any leaves that will be in the water.
• Keep the blooms out of the water.
• Store the containers of cut flowers in a cool humid place, free from drafts until you are ready to arrange them.

A number of commercial floral preservatives are available. Follow the directions carefully. Several homemade floral preservatives such as the following work well:

1.2 teaspoons sugar plus 1/2 tsp. chlorine bleach (or similar material) plus 1/4 teaspoon alum plus 1 quart water.

2.2 tablespoons white vinegar plus 2 teaspoons sugar plus 1/2 teaspoon chlorine bleach plus 1 quart of water.

3.1 pint non-diet (must contain sugar) non-cola drink (e.g. 7-up, Sprint, etc.) plus 1/2 teaspoon chlorine bleachplus 1 pint water.

In order to sun dry tomatoes, you need ideal weather conditions. Long, hot, summer days with a gentle breeze and low humidity. Sounds like Chicago? We may have one day per year that meets that description, but no one expects it and it probably won't happen when our tomatoes are ready to harvest. So what can we do? Dry the tomatoes in a dehydrator or the oven.

Now that you have dried them, what do you do with them? There are some wonderful ways to use dried tomatoes. Remember, once dried, tomatoes take on a completely different texture and flavor from their ripe counterparts. They become rich tasting, intensely tomato flavored, and raisin-like in texture.

• Use kitchen shears to snip them into pieces and drop into soups, stews and casseroles. Use as a topping for homemade pizza too.
• Enhance your flavored olive oil by adding pieces of 4 tablespoons of dried tomato pieces to 1/2 cup of virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup feta cheese chunks and add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, basil or oregano or combination. Serve with toasted or grilled bread chunks. Serve at room temperature and refrigerate leftovers for 2 to 3 days. Makes a great appetizer.
• Rehydrate tomatoes by covering with warm water. Allow them to set at room temperature for 30 minutes. Drain and add to a tossed salad. Save the liquid or add to cooked vegetables.
• Add dried pieces to cooked vegetables during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Try adding them to green beans, cabbage or green peas.

The magic age of 62! You're counting the months or years until you can begin collecting Social Security. But you could wait until you are 65, 66, even 70. If you wait, you'll get a larger monthly check. Making the wrong choice could cost you money.

First, let's review the basics. Full retirement age is the age at which you would receive the normal benefit, the amount calculated by Social Security's basic formula. Full retirement used to be 65, but it is gradually increasing. It will reach age 67 for those born in 1960 or later. You can begin receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62 (60 for widows.) For each month you delay collecting, you will get a larger benefit, up to the age of 70.

Knowing a few additional rules will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Filing for Social Security before full retirement age AND continuing to work could backfire. If you earn more than $12,480 (for 2006, indexed annually), your Social Security benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn over the $12,480 limit. Different earning limits apply in the year you reach full retirement age. In years after you reach full retirement age, your earned income has no impact on your Social Security benefits.

Un-earned income such as interest, distributions from IRAs, and profits from the sale of stock never affect Social Security benefits. But they may cause part of your benefit to be taxed. This is true for income from any source. Individual tax filers with "combined income" between $25,000 and $34,000 will pay income tax on 50% of their Social Security benefits. If their combined income is above $34,000, up to 85% of Social Security benefits is subject to income tax.

Joint filers may have to pay taxes on 50% of benefits if they have a "combined income" that is between $32,000 and $44,000. For combined incomes over $44,000, up to 85% of Social Security benefits are subject to income tax.

"Combined income" includes all earned income, all interest you earned even if it's exempt from federal income tax, investment income, distributions from regular IRAs and most employer retirement plans, and 1/2 if your Social Security benefits. In tax terms, it's your adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest and half of your Social Security benefits.

Some retirees have decided to begin taking distributions from their IRAs and retirement plans before the age of 70-1/2 when they are required to start. If they waited until 70-1/2, the larger balances in their accounts would result in larger annual distributions and more of their Social Security benefits being subject to tax. By taking distributions earlier (but not before age 59-1/2 when a 10% penalty would probably apply), they hope to smooth out their income and keep it below the threshold that would cause 50 or 86% of their benefits to be taxed.

"Bunching" your income is a strategy that might reduce or avoid tax on Social Security benefits in alternate years. By structuring your income to have more in one year and less the next year, you might only pay tax on Social Security benefits every other year, instead of every year. However, bunching income could also push you into a higher tax bracket in those years. Check to see how much additional income you could have before hitting the next tax bracket. Or, check with a tax planner to determine whether this strategy would work for you.

You can get more information to help you make the right choicer for you by going to the Plan Well, Retire Well: Your how-to-guide at: www.RetireWell.uiuc.edu .

In the last century, three influenza pandemics have swept the globe. In 1918, the first pandemic sometimes referred to as the Spanish Flu, killed more than 20 million people worldwide. Pandemics in 1957 and 1968 killed millions across the world. Scientists believe that viruses from birds played a role in causing each of these outbreaks.

Today, we face a new threat. A new avian (bird) influenza virus–influenza A/H5N1–is spreading through bird populations across Asia, Africa, and Europe, infecting domesticated birds, including ducks and chickens, and migratory birds. Avian influenza is a bird disease; however, since 2003 more than 200 people worldwide have been infected by the H5N1 virus, and more than half have died. Most human infections to date have resulted from direct contact with infected birds. There is concern, however, that if the H5N1 virus develops the ability to transfer easily between humans it could spread quickly around the world, potentially causing a human influenza pandemic.

Nations around the world are working together to address the pandemic threat by monitoring the spread of disease, developing vaccines and vaccine production, stockpiling antivirals, and working with local governments to plan and prepare for a potential pandemic.

To provide current information about the status of avian influenza and the steps individuals and families can take now to begin preparing for a potential human influenza pandemic, whether at home or abroad, President Bush announced the creation of a single Website to serve as the official U.S. Government source of information. The Website, http://www.pandemicflu.gov, provides up-to-date information on developing news stories and tools and resources to help individuals and organizations plan and prepare for a influenza pandemic.

This Website is an accurate source of information for American citizens living abroad. The site also provides information to individuals traveling through infected regions around the world and offers suggestions for safeguarding personal health while traveling. Additionally, visitors to the site can sign up to receive periodic avian and pandemic influenza news updates.

Country living often brings to mind the hint of a cool breeze on a quiet day and the sound of crickets at night. Few imagine the offensive odor of a leaky septic tank on that same breeze. And we seldom dream of falling asleep to the sound of the neighboring farmer's combine at 10:30 at night, only to wake up to a house filled with dust the next morning. Unfortunately, the reality of country living sometimes resembles "Green Acres" more than "Gone with the Wind."

"But your enjoyment of rural life can be greatly enhanced with forethought and some careful planning," said Ted Funk, University of Illinois agricultural and biological engineer. According to Funk, your search for rural acreage, and your subsequent purchase and lot development, should include several considerations:

• The soil and topography of your property will affect the location of your home (and any other buildings). Proper drainage of rain water and snow melt is crucial to avoid damage to a building's foundation, and the soil on your property will determine the specifications of your drainage system.
• Ideally, your home should be set back 100 to 150 feet from the public road. This will provide room for tree windbreaks, drainage, driveway maintenance and the possibility of future road widening.
• The location of your home should be such that you are upwind of any septic systems and/or odorous, dusty livestock facilities. If possible, it's also desirable to orient your living area to take advantage of prevailing summer breezes and protect yourself from prevailing winter breezes.
• When establishing the locations for your septic system and your well or water line, remember that most state regulations require a 50-foot separation distance between the two, and having them on opposite sides of the house can minimize the possibility of cross-contamination.
• When making landscaping decisions, remember that deciduous trees shade your house in the summer, but allow sunlight through in the winter, while evergreen trees provide shade (and block winds) all year round. Trees planted as a windbreak can also improve living conditions by screening undesirable signs, sounds, smells and dust.
• Most states require permits and inspections for just about everything. Check with your state and local regulatory agencies or go to their websites to learn which permits and inspections are necessary and how to obtain them.

These are just a few of the topics you should address when considering a move to the country, said Fund, and a new publication entitled Living on Acreages: What You Should Know, can help you think through some important decisions.

In addition to information on lot development, Living on Acreages has chapters on utilities and rural services, outdoor living areas and pests, as well as safety, security and emergency planning. Living on Acreages is available for $20 from the MidWest Plan Service, a university-based publishing cooperative. The book can be ordered online at http://www.mwps.org or by calling 1-800-562-3618.

"We've talked to a lot of people who moved to a rural area and discovered things weren't quite what they thought they'd be," said Funk. "This book will give you some great information about what to expect when you move to the country."

There seems to be a lot of debate of the pre-washed salad greens situation. The staff of a major newspaper collected different types of pre-cut, pre-washed vegetables including salad greens for laboratory analysis for bacteria. The result was shocking. Several of the pre-washed packages of produce contained high levels of bacteria.

What the reporters failed to mention was that most of the bacteria found were harmless, because produce, i.e., lettuce, carrots and the like, are grown in the soil, therefore we cannot expect them to be bacteria free.

Washing in cool water actually loosens and removes most of the bacteria on produce. There are harmless microorganisms living there as well. These harmless bacteria actually compete with pathogens for nutrients, thus keeping our produce safe.

The next time you are in your supermarket, look at the produce section carefully. Any bulk lettuce displayed in open bins or boxes is exposed to the elements. People touch it, they sneeze on it, things fall on it from the air and it should be washed before eating, even if the box says pre-washed.

The bagged vegetables and lettuce have been problem-free. These items are washed and sealed in plastic bags. They are actually cleaner than we could get them at home, according to tests conducted by the USDA and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The words to look for on pre-washed plastic bags of greens are "washed" and "ready to eat." Large companies use special techniques to maintain high quality and safety standards. Don't be fooled by words like "fresh," "natural" and "organically grown," it does not mean the produce is washed. In fact, there is no reason to believe that such packaging carries pre-washed greens.