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What is MRSA?

Here in the Northwest the rainy and cold weather has arrived and is sure to stay for the next several months. Which means that we will now spend more time inside sharing a variety of germs with each other often resulting in the icky, sicky, germs.

The one illness that I keep hearing and reading about is MRSA.

So, what is all the talk about MRSA that we keep hearing and reading about?

With 5 kids who live active social lives it was time I educate myself on the facts of MRSA so as a mom I can take measures to help reduce the spread or MRSA in my family and my community.

I found this great web site called Stop MRSA now http://www.stopmrsanow.org/ which was full of great information, facts and practical steso that I could take to help reduce the soread of MRSA.

I thought you might want to be in the KNOW with the below information on MRSA.


MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a type of Staph bacteria found on the skin and in the nose that is resistant to antibiotics. More than 90,000 Americans get potentially deadly MRSA infections every year and in 2005, nearly 19,000 Americans died from MRSA infections. More deaths are linked to MRSA infections than AIDS.

There are two known types of MRSA. You may have heard of Healthcare-Associated (HA-MRSA), which occurs in hospitals and nursing homes, but a newer type of MRSA is Community-Associated (CA-MRSA), which has recently begun to spread in public settings like gyms, locker rooms, households and schools.

People can carry MRSA and not have any symptoms. These "carriers" can also transmit the bacteria to other people. MRSA can be easily spread through skin-to-skin contact and by touching contaminated items. This is why it is crucial to take measures to help reduce the spread of MRSA using these practical steps.

Scrub up - Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer.

Wipe it down - Use a disinfecting bleach solution to wipe down and disinfect hard surfaces. (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 quart of water)

Cover your cuts - Keep any nicks or wounds covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.

Keep to yourself - Do not share personal items, like towels or razors, that come into contact with bare skin.

Use a barrier - Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment.

MRSA, like other staph bacteria, can cause a skin infection such as pimples, rashes, abscesses, boils or what can look like a spider bite. These infections are usually warm, painful, red or swollen.If you think that you or anyone in your family may have a MRSA infection, contact a licensed health care professional, especially if the infection is large, painful, warm to the touch, or does not heal by itself.
For more information on MRSA and steps you can take to help reduce the spread of the bacteria, download our STOP MRSA Now Playbook here.

GLOSSARY
MRSA — stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is a type of Staph bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.

Staph — a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the nose. In most cases Staph lives in these areas of the body and does not cause infections. However, for unclear reasons, a small percentage of people develop Staph infections.

Carrier — a person who carries Staph or MRSA bacteria but do not have any symptoms. They can also transmit the bacteria to other people.

Antibiotic — a drug that fights infections caused by bacteria.
Antibiotic resistance — the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic.


Do you have a story or comment about MRSA leave a comment and share it with us?

Mom Promises the Easiest Popcorn Balls

Today is the day I fulfill another MOM promise. I tend to make these with my children. You know - I promise Today we will make _________, I promise next Saturday we will go to _________, I promise tonight I will play ________ with you.

My promise today was that I would make popcorn balls with Nate-no after school . So, as we walked thru the front door what would be the first thing out of my cute adorable curly haired kids mouth ? “Mom, Time to make popcorn balls!” whew, at least I was prepared, ingredients and recipe ready to go on the kitchen counter (No, I’m not always prepared).

Into the microwave went the popcorn and we placed the remaining ingredients into a BIG bowl to then melt and mix in the microwave after we popped all the needed popcorn.

Next we got to do the fun messy job of mixing it all together with our scrubbed hands, can you say sticky, gooey, messy yet FUN…that is what it was like.

Once our creating popcorn ball time was over Nat and I shared one popcorn ball as a pre-dinner snack...MMMMMM YUMMMMMM. These are truly a MUST make for you and your kids or teenagers, the perfect snack for any age.

Nate-no asked me if we could make more and take them around the neighborhood to sell …my little entrepreneur in the making.

I can hardly wait to eat our dinner just so I can eat another popcorn ball for desert.

I'm glad I fulfilled my mom promise today.

Here is the Easiest Popcorn ball recipe

Microwave Popcorn Balls, From my friend Sue Beck

10 cups popped corn

10 regular size marshmallows

½ cup butter

½ cup granulated sugar

Put sugar, butter and marshmallows in a large bowl. Microwave on high for five minutes, stirring twice.Pour over popped corn, tossing with a wooden spoon, with clean buttered hands, form into balls. Place on waxed paper or aluminum foil. Allow to set, then EAT your yummy treat or wrap in colorful saran wrap for gift treats.

Check out http://www.247moms.blogspot.com/ for MORE yummy popcorn treats in today’s Thrifty Tuesday Finds under Stretching the mighty dollar.

What is your easy snack to create with your kids or teens?

Highlights from the 2008 24/7 MOMS Conference

WOW, Amazing, Incredible, Out of this world, Too much fun, Inspiring - these are some of the many comments we heard from moms about their experiences at the first 24/7 MOMS Conference.

The fun was un-ending:
Julie Barnill kept us laughing, Jenn Alexander shared her heart through music, the overflowing bag of Mom Favorites, the “Oh, how sweet it was candy buffet”, the inspiring workshops , 24/7 MOMS cool lime green canvas goodie bags for each mom, late night fun, games, spa time and movie night.

The 2008 24/7 MOMS Conference was truly a MOMorable time.

Sign-up today at http://www.247moms.com/ to be in the MOM know of future 24/7 MOMS events and happenings.

Video Produced by:Ever After CreationsVideography and Designhttp://www.weddings.in-reno.com/http://www.everaftercreations.com/775.624.1141 o775.772.1200 c

If you have a teenager in the house you have probably heard the name IMPERIAL MOTION www.imperialmotion.com ...and if you have not I suggest you click over to their site www.imperialmotion.com and check out this creative line of rad clothing for guys and girls…you might even see something you like.

Now for the BIG news - This Saturday September 20th from 10:00am – 5:00pm they are hosting their annual GOODIES sale from Tees s to board shorts and so much more…you want it they got it….so bring your teenager to the hottest sale of the season and they just might think their parents are cool after all.

The sale will be held at the Imperial Motion Warehouse 1112 Center St in Tacoma WA.

Hapy Shopping

Join me at the 24/7 MOMS conference

Sign up Today and save $20.00 off your registration package......It is going to be the MOM event of the YEAR.

4 FREEbies for YOU

I love FREE stuff so here are my latest 4 FREEbies I found


FREE Huggies wipes at: http://marthababysteps.com/reqform.php





FREE Sample of Tide Total Care at: http://www.startsampling.com/sm/100401/captureAddress.iphtml?item=100401&source=&h=0725101717




FREE samples of Healthy to go drink mixes for your bottled water at: http://togobrands.com/free/sample




FREE samples of Seattle's Best Coffee still available at: http://www.startsampling.com/sm/100198/captureAddress.iphtml?item=100198&source=&p=



Be sure to check out the 24/7 MOMS blog each Tuesday for more Freebies and Thrifty Tuesday Finds. http://www.247moms.blogspot.com/

Do you have any FREEbie offers to share? Comment and share them.