Do-It-Yourself Supplement Articles

1. Employees Are an Untapped Source of Competitive Advantage

Employees are the most important part of any successful business, but in many organizations they are underutilized. Seventy-five percent of American employees have indicated they are not working at their full potential according to a Harris survey. "Although there are a multitude of reasons for this situation, there are three major contributing factors that employers should be aware of,"<... read more

2. Exercise is Vital for Seniors, Too

In a nation obsessed with youth, fitness is equated with taut skin and a toned, well-muscled physique. Yet even the oldest and frailest adults, such as elderly residents of nursing homes, can gain significant health benefits -physically and mentally - from exercise. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a part of the National Institutes of Health, recent studies involving sedentary... read more

3. Financial Fitness is Just as Important as Physical Fitness Avoid Unpleasant Surprises with a Financial Checkup

It seems like every time you turn around, you're bombarded with information on staying healthy: what to eat, how much to exercise, what vitamins to take, and how much water to drink. Most people try their best to incorporate at least some of this advice into their daily routine because they know that taking preventive measures now means less chance of serious health problems down the road. The ... read more

4. Discovering the Joy of Trees

Trees come in all shapes and sizes-so many that it can be almost impossible to tell them apart. How do you know if you're admiring a red maple or an amur maple, a Colorado blue or an Engelmann spruce? "Helping people enjoy and appreciate trees is very important," says The National Arbor Day Foundation President John Rosenow. "Being able to identify trees is important to knowing how to care for ... read more

5. A New Model for Meeting the Needs of the Rural Elderly A community retirement cooperative seeks to discover community assets

Meeting the needs of the elderly and disabled has reached crisis levels in rural America. As young people leave in larger numbers, rural counties are left with an elderly population, and a shrinking tax base. The elderly and disabled that remain in these communities are facing increasing difficulty finding the care and support they need. A generation ago 70 was considered old, but now the... read more

6. New Law Forces Parents to Rethink Head Lice Treatment Options Parents in California will now have to search for an alternative in battling head lice.

A California law that recently took effect has banned lindane, the commonly prescribed pesticide, because of its link to environmental pollution and concerns about its toxicity. Lindane is prescribed to more than 2 million patients annually for the treatment of head lice and scabies. According to the California State Health Department, lindane has contaminated California sewers and water suppli... read more

7. Get with the Program for Summer Utility Savings

Staying cool this summer doesn't have to mean paying outrageous cooling costs. Fortunately, there are ways to beat the heat and save on your cooling bills. "One of the simplest ways to save energy and cut your cooling bill is to install a programmable thermostat to automatically change your home's temperature based on your schedule and lifestyle. Studies show a programmable thermostat can save... read more

8. Grocery Store China Still Popular

Family heirlooms come in many guises. For some, it is their Grandmother's cookie jar, for others a treasured piece of furniture, and for many others, the family china holds a place in their hearts. "I love my china," says Susan Durrell. "It is very special to me." She fondly describes the pattern as white with green flowers and yellow flower baskets. "It's really pretty," she a... read more

9. Hard Economic Times, Expensive Gas & Oil Prices

No Problem "¦ Scooters Offer A New Inexpensive, Ecologically Friendly Way to Travel (ARA) - People of all ages are zipping around towns and cities on scooters these days. Back in the early 1960's, scooters were considered merely a toy for boys to get around their immediate neighborhoods before they had a license. Yet today, scooters have transcended the sexual divide and are now being u... read more

10. Helping Kids Beat the Back-to-School Blues Boys and Girls Clubs of America Provides Tips Every Parent Can Use

o-School Blues Boys and Girls Clubs of America Provides Tips Every Parent Can Use (ARA) - It seems just like yesterday that the school bell rang and classes were dismissed for the summer. But already, parents everywhere are beginning to panic because of the annual battles they will face trying to get their kids excited about the school year. This may be a parent's worst nightmare, bu... read more

11. The Economics of School Supplies Parents Can Use School Shopping to Teach Budgeting Skills

From paper and pens to notebooks and backpacks, there's no shortage of items for parents to spend money on. This annual rite of fall is the perfect opportunity for parents to teach their kids about the fundamentals of budgeting. "With teens making budgeting and purchasing decisions alongside their parents, the act of school shopping helps build openness with money issues," says Diana Don, Direct... read more

12. Tips for Attracting More Birds to Your Feeder

Ever wonder why some backyards seem to naturally attract more colorful birds to the feeder? Chances are that it didn't just happen. The homeowner probably followed a few basic steps to make sure the birds weren't attracted to the feeder just once, but again and again. Selecting the right food * Be sure to read package labels carefully to determine the exact ingredients of the bird food you p... read more

13. Tips to Make the Most of Your Pool and Spa

Get away from it all and relax - without being frisked by airport security. Whether you go for candlelit tranquility or kid-friendly splash zones, creating a comfortable and comforting atmosphere around your pool and spa means surefire stress relief is always close at hand. The National Spa & Pool Institute (NSPI) offers these ideas for escaping into your own backyard. * Room for a view ... read more

14. Wear Your He(art) on Your Walls

You've heard the phrase "wearing your heart on your sleeve" - now you can wear your heart (or your favorite photo) on your wall. Thanks to advanced printing technology, you can personalize your living space with wall murals created exclusively for you, using a favorite photo or piece of art. Murals My Way, a new division of Environmental Graphics, has developed custom software and prin... read more

15. What to Discuss With Your Homebuilder Asking the Right Questions Will Ensure You Get What You Want

Building a new home takes a lot of time and effort, and your home purchase is probably the largest investment you'll ever make. To protect your investment, you'll want to ask your builder some pertinent questions before construction begins. Homebuilders are generally honest, hard-working professionals dedicated to creating your dream house. But with the vast number of homes being built the... read more

16. 10 Ways to Keep Your Fitness Plan on Track

The average American basically hibernates during the cold winter months. We eat more, exercise less and generally become increasingly out of shape. "Winter is a challenging time of year for those who are trying to maintain healthy habits such as working out and eating low-fat, low-calorie foods," says Jeff Zwiefel, president, Health Enhancement Division of Life Time Fitness. But ... read more

17. Add Affordable Luxuries to Your Home Now and Reap the Benefits at Resale Time

The consensus of opinion among realtors is that there are a few key improvements that can be done to substantially increase the value of your home when the time comes to sell it. But why wait to make repairs and enhancements until you want to sell when the upgrades will improve the quality of your life today? Definitely, the prime home improvement projects that increase home resale valu... read more

18. All Decked Out: 5 Tips for Designing Your Deck

Are you ready for spring? For many of us, it's a season for entertaining friends and family or just relaxing around the house with our loved ones. These are the times when memories are made that last a lifetime. After the winter blues, we turn to our backyards for comfort and beauty. Many plan their flower gardens year round, why shouldn't you spend as much time and energy choosing your ... read more

19. America's Silent Epidemic What you should know about heart failure

The number of people in the United States with heart failure is expected to double during the next few decades. More than half a million people will be diagnosed this year alone. That's in addition to the 4.8 million who already have the disease. However, there is good news. New treatments can be very effective in slowing and stopping the progression of the disease and in some cases can even rever... read more

20. Man's War on Weeds Enters New Offensive Phase New weed control products are more time- and cost-effective

and cost-effective (ARA) - Is there anyone who likes weeds? Back in the 17th century, W.U. Shu appropriately wrote, "The only good dandelion is a dead one." After all, what's to like? They're ugly, cause soil erosion, detract from the beauty and value of a home, interfere with landscape plans, some are sharp to the touch, and some are even poisonous. Ever since man first started planting veg... read more

21. Managing E-mail Overload Expert Tips Help Individuals and Employers Get a Grip on E-Mail

ail Overload Expert Tips Help Individuals and Employers Get a Grip on E-Mail (ARA) - Are you drowning in e-mail? If so, you are not alone. E-mail has become the most common way for business people to communicate with internal and external audiences. And with e-mail growing at a rate of 66 percent annually, there is no end in sight. Over 1.4 trillion e-mail messages were sent from No... read more

22. Maytag Repairman's Top 10 Signs That You're Lonely

If you think you're the only one who's lonely, think again. Ol' Lonely(R), the Maytag Repairman, has been waiting patiently by the phone since 1967, hoping some consumer would call for his help - but of course no one ever has, because Maytag's appliances are so darned reliable. That's 35 years of being lonely. To determine whether you're among the truly lonely, listen to the voice of e... read more

23. Money Matters: How Newlyweds Can Avoid Conflicts about Cash Couples should learn how to work together and trust each other's judgment

Starting a life together is one of the most exciting times in a newlywed couple's life; yet disagreements over money matters can strain even the strongest of marriages. Different styles of spending and saving can be a source of great conflict for newlyweds. It doesn't matter whether couples are getting married right after college graduation, blending two families together after years ... read more

24. National Memorial to Organ Donors is Now A Reality

When 11-year-old Elyssa Jacobs was just 15-months-old, she contracted a virus that destroyed her heart. She was in the ICU at a Georgia hospital and deteriorating quickly. Around the same time, a little boy named Ian suffered a seizure and was pronounced brain dead at a hospital in Wisconsin. "His parents made a decision I will forever be grateful for," says Elyssa's mother, Edie Jaco... read more