Many of the serious strains of bacterial infections can be prevented with immunizations. Seasonal flu shots and pneumococcal vaccines will likely help reduce ear infections.  You and every member of your family should also get a flu vaccination every year. Vaccinating yourself will help keep both you and your family safer from infection.  Experts recommend that you use the PCV13 pneumococcal conjugate vaccination for children. Ask your pediatrician for advice. Wash your child's hands, toys and play surfaces frequently to reduce the likelihood of infection. Pacifiers can be vectors for bacteria, including bacteria that causes ear infections. Leakage is more likely to occur in bottle-feeding than it is in breastfeeding, making the transmission of bacteria higher.  Breastfeeding also boosts your child’s immune system, helping him or her to fight off infections easier.  If bottle-feeding is necessary, place the child in an upright seat so that liquids drip down instead of possibly into their ear.  Never give a baby a bottle while s/he is going down for a nap or to sleep at night. Do this both for the sake of preventing ear infections and for general health and safety. Prolonged usage of antibiotics can leave certain bacteria in your body or your child's body resistant to the effects of certain drugs. Only use antibiotics when prescribed by your doctor, or when other options aren't available. These facilities put your child at a 50% greater chance of developing an ear infection due to the common transmission of infections both bacterial and viral.  If you cannot avoid sending your child to daycare, teach him or her a few tactics to help avoid the spread of infections such as colds, which can cause ear infections.  Teach your child not to put toys or fingers in his or her mouth. S/he should avoid touching the face with his or her hands, especially mucous membrane areas such as the mouth, eyes, and nose. S/he should wash hands after eating and after using the bathroom. Eating a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins helps your body stay strong and healthy. Some research also suggests that "good" bacteria such as probiotics may help protect your body from infection. Acidophilus is a commonly studied strain of probiotic. You can find it in many yogurts.

Summary: Keep all immunizations up-to-date. Keep your child’s hands, toys, and play surfaces clean. Avoid giving your child pacifiers. Breastfeed instead of bottle-feeding. Reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke. Don't abuse antibiotics. Avoid sending your child to daycare or take precautions. Eat a healthy diet that includes probiotics.


Aromatherapy is generally delivered through essential oils, which are distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, or roots of specific plants. There are a wide variety of essential oils that can help you relax. Choose one with an appealing scent to you or mix several for a personalized essential oil. Some of the best essential oils for relaxation are:  Bergamot  Chamomile Jasmine Lavender Marjoram Rose Valerian  Vetiver Every essential oil has different properties. Some may not be ideal for helping you relax. Reading the label of any essential oil you choose can alert you to potential contra-indications and prevent potential problems. Find contra-indications and any other warnings by reading the label of the essential oil. For example, you should see a warning about using valerian if you are pregnant or breast feeding. If there is no label, consider another brand. Essential oils are very powerful and you should avoid using a “neat” or undiluted oil on your skin. A carrier oil reduces the potency of an essential oil. It also moisturizes your skin.  Use a mild carrier oil. Some excellent options are coconut, olive, avocado, safflower, and almond oils. Mix seven to12 drops of essential oil to each fluid ounce of carrier oil, depending on how strong you want the aroma. Don’t dilute your essential oil with water or other liquids. These won’t make the mixture mild enough to use on your skin. Before using your essential oil, it’s important to check that the mixture doesn’t irritate your skin. Dab one to two drops of the oil on the inside of your elbow. If you don’t notice a reaction after 24 hours, you can use the essential oil to help you relax.

Summary: Choose the best essential oils for relaxing. Read product labels. Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil. Test the oil on your skin.


Around the World is all about accuracy and consistency when shooting. You set five or more spots in an arc around the basket. Each player gets two shots at each spot. If you make it, you move on to the next one. If you miss two in a row, you start from scratch. The first player all the way around wins. You need at least two players. However, there is no upper limit on the number of people that can play. You want to make a small half-circle around the basket. If you're new to the game, set it up around the key, the rectangle in front of the goal. If you're experienced you can back up, even setting every spot around the three point line. You want to make a half-circle, representing the world, so that you have to shoot from every angle and on both sides of the basket. However, you should feel free to pick whatever spots you want. Mark them with tape or chalk.  In general, you want your spots evenly spaced out. You can have as many spots as you want, depending on how long you want the game to go on for. Some people like to add the free-throw line as the first and last shot -- your "home base."

Summary: Win by making every shot "around the world"before everyone else. Select your "world spots" before the game starts.


Try one of the following recipes to provide food enrichment that will provide mental stimulation -- and fun! -- for your bird.  Punch a hole through a rice cake and hang from a string.  Parrot breeds especially enjoy pecking and foraging their way through this treat.  Fill a paper lunch sack with nuts, pellets, dried pasta, and/or dried fruit.  Tie the sack with a piece of ribbon or string and hang in your bird's cage.  Especially eager foragers might enjoy the challenge of a double-bagged sack.  Combine chopped walnuts, sunflower seeds, diced pears and apples, and granola and add enough honey and peanut butter to create a sticky mixture.  Slather a clean pine cone with the mixture, then roll in millet seeds.  Hang in your bird's cage.  This enrichment treat is especially popular with parakeets. Just as humans have preferences, your bird will gravitate toward particular flavors and textures.  While the list of treat recipes is almost endless, considering categories is helpful. Use your observations to craft homemade bird treats that will delight your pet. If your bird refuses to eat raw vegetables, try feeding it cooked versions.  Offer nutritious foods in different shapes.  Many birds enjoy peeling their own fruits and vegetables, so offer peas in the pod, oranges with rind, or apples with skin. Quinoa-based treats provide a wonderful source of avian nutrition.  Many pet lovers have developed recipes for "birdie bread"; a quick Web search will reveal a wide variety of options. Blend fruit mixtures with ice or fruit juice.  Human baby food is also a handy ingredient. Try mixing 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, 1 cup mixed walnuts and peanuts, 1/2 dried fruit, and 1 T. dry, hard corn kernels.  Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place.
Summary: Use food for mental enrichment. Watch which foods attract your bird. Trick picky eaters by altering the shape or temperature of their food. Make grain-based treats for birds who are grain enthusiasts. Prepare smoothies and other fruit-based treats for birds who love sweet flavors. Assemble nut, seed, and dried-fruit treats to suit a variety of birds' needs.