I’m new to the Zen world, which delights me since I strive to achieve balance in just about everything in life.  I’m not even sure what it means to “be Zen,” but thanks to Leo Babauta’s amazing blog, Zen Habits, I am confident I can learn.  I recently learned of Zen Habits, and it is full of practical, great ideas on how to take control of (or improve) things in life that are important to you.  And apparently its not a secret: Zen Habits has over 100,000 subscribers and was named a Top 25 Blog by Time Magazine.  Read the rest of this post...

Many of us have experienced needing a softer or firmer mattress than our partner.  One sleeps soundly (perhaps even snoring, as if to rub it in), the other does not.  My rooster and I have gone through numerous beds the past eight years, trying to find one that works for both of us.  Eventually, it felt like neither of us got any sleep.

Finally, we found a great solution: an organic mattress with layers of latex foam, split in the middle so we can customize how soft or firm we each want “our side” of the bed to be.   It has three layers of natural latex on each side that are interchangeable, allowing versatility in the firmness. 

Wherever you are, whether an office, classroom or social event, count the number of women in the room – and one in eight will have breast cancer in their lifetime.  If you don’t know anyone who has had breast cancer, the statistic may not mean so much, but it should.  Although it is linked to genetics, like any disease it does not know the boundaries of a genetic line.  It could be you, or someone close.

The great news is that there are things you can actively do to limit your chances of breast cancer.  This month is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it is a great time to learn more and take steps to reduce your risk.  Following are some key things you can do, according to the American Cancer Society:

• Catch it before it catches you.  Do monthly self exams.  Get annual mammograms.  This is especially important for women over 40.  For women in their 20s and 30s, clinical breast exams should be done at least every 3 years.
• Eat right.  Eat a healthy diet, and try to control your weight.  Obesity raises breast cancer risk.
• Get up and Move.  Regular exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, helps reduce the risk.
• Talk to you doctor.  Perhaps most important, be sure to talk to your doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts or have any other concerns.  Err on the side of caution.

Imagine being on a Disneyland vacation.  You have planned, waited and anticipated.  After a whirlwind first day in the Magical Kingdom, you tuck in the kids and hit the sack.  Two hours later, the fire alarm goes off. Loud and startling, we quickly grab the kids and head outside.  After an hour outside, assuming it was a false alarm, it turned out it was not.  It was real.  Smoke filled a hallway, and someone had a fire in their personal suite.

While wiling our time away outside in the California night, it reminded us of a prior, similar experience at the YMCA of the Rockies (a FANTASTIC family destination in the heart of the Rocky Mountains).  We happened to be staying in a lodge instead of a cabin, and in the middle of the night, off goes the fire alarm.  Same thing, only much colder than the California sky.

So what did these experiences teach us? First, assume its real, not a prank.  Two, move fast.  Don’t think about changing clothes and grabbing all your personal belongings.  Grab a blanket and the kids, and move.  Once you get outside, you can wrap up and be safe.

You may have had similar experiences, or you may sometime in the future.  To learn more about the important issue of fire safety, take a look at the National Fire Prevention Association website for great tips and information. Scholastic also has a page with great teaching resources for Fire Prevention Week.