Search TNH:

The New Homemaker Newsletter
for September 21, 2007

Dear Readers,

Well! Apparently I took the summer off and didn't bother to tell anyone. ;)

I don't know about you, but I am SO READY for fall to officially start this weekend. The nights have turned cold here--what John and I refer to as "good sleepin' weather." It's cold enough that we've put the girls' down comforters back on their beds, and early in the morning when Lou crawls in after John's gone to work I don't even mind. She's toasty!

We got our first apples off of our new little trees, and I ate one today. So good! I can't wait until they're big enough for a real harvest. The stone fruits in our produce boxes are giving way to apples and pears, and soon the pomegranates and persimmons will be here.

Here's a cool thing about persimmons, and so far here at least it's worked, but only with persimmons grown in our neighborhood: Cut the persimmon open and look at the seed (slice through the seed). If it's shaped like a fork, it's a mild winter. If it's a spoon, it'll be a cold, wet, snowy winter. And if it's a knife, expect an icy, hard winter. But remember, this only works with persimmons grown near you! We finagle a persimmon each year from our neighbors across the street just to check the seed. So how do I eat persimmons? I like em with chile powder and a little sea salt. So good!!

I'll be back on our regular weekly publishing schedule now that the year is back underway.

From the Hacker Housewife: Basics Of Spyware--You've Heard About It, What Is It?

A spyware program installs itself on to your computer without you ever knowing that it is even there, usually but not always by way of the web. The program then can create pop-up ads at will when you try to browse the web, or redirect your web browser away from the page you want to go to, to a set page. As a side effect, spyware can also significantly slow down your machine.

In essence, spyware will basically take control over your computer right before your very eyes without you being able to stop it unless you get software such as a spyware protection program. There are also a few freebie spyware and adware program cleaners that scan your computer for you, showing you all the many things spyware has already managed to do to your computer and to your files.

Spyware can also act as a "key logger," watching your every online move. Every keystroke can be monitored through spyware. In this way, spyware can collect information on you, including passwords and account numbers, and pass the info on to ID thieves.

Linux and Mac computers are less susceptible than Windows machines, but it's still possible for spyware to install itself on those machines as well.

The best way to avoid spyware is to avoid downloading files from unknown sites. If you or your kids download music or software illegally, look out: A lot of those downloads contain spyware. And not that there's anything wrong with it, but porno sites often have spyware downloads, too.

Make sure you have a pop up blocker on your machine. It can help keep out some of these unwanted threats that are out there. Remember that your firewall should always be turned on when you are browsing the internet; this too can help keep these things away. Anti-virus software can also help. Just be sure you use it!

---

This Week's Coupon: 20% off The I Love Garlic Recipe Book!

This is our BRAND NEW ebook that I spent months compiling--yeah you wondered where I was this summer, this is where. :) I came up with 90 PAGES of garlic recipes for this special ebook, and I'm giving you three other ebooks as gifts along with: Delicious Italian Recipes, Pizza Recipes and Salsa Recipes. Just in time for Halloween! Keep the undead at bay!

Use coupon code "garliclove" to get 20% off the usual price of $11.95. This coupon is ONLY good till 9/28/07, so hurry!

---

The Regular Roundup:

Latest Article

Beat Insomnia Now

leep can be an elusive thing. Experience a couple nights of tossing and turning in bed, and it's all too tempting to reach for a sleep aid. But before you do, consider that several recent studies conducted at major institutions all over the country show that, despite their ordinary nature, simple behavioral strategies--like going to bed at the same time every night and avoiding afternoon naps--really do work. What's more, over-the-counter sleep medications can leave you feeling sluggish the next day, and "there’s very little evidence that these sleep aids actually result in significant sleep," says Mark Mahowald, M.D., director of the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center in Minneapolis.

What about prescription sleep drugs? For acute, short-term insomnia--such as that brought on by a stressful event, like a death in the family--experts say these medications can help. "In fact, by treating acute short-term insomnia [with prescription sleep aids] when it first occurs, we can actually prevent the development of long-term insomnia," says Dr. Mahowald. But for the occasional sleepless night, consider the following 10 tips. You may find they help you get to sleep just as well as popping a pill!

continued...

Recent Articles

Recent Entries from Lynn's Diary of a New Homemaker

Recent Member Blog Postings

You can start your own blog at TNH any time you'd like. Your blog even has its own RSS feed so that friends can "subscribe" to your blog and see what you're up to.

---

---

Active Forum Topics

Start or join a conversation any time!

Latest Recipes

More recipes in the Recipe Box--be sure to enter your favorites!

Latest Poll

Have you voted yet?

Latest Product Reviews

Remember, ANY purchase you make at Amazon when you click through a TNH Amazon link benefits TNH, even if you don't buy the item you click on!

Always on TNH