At home, I know my local restaurants, I know what I can order and I know the chance I’m taking. But when traveling, I don’t know what restaurants are available, I don’t know how gluten free they are or what they have to offer. I’m the type that likes to know what I’m getting into. I want to know ahead of time if the restaurant can accommodate us and what they have to offer.

Sure, a lot of places can put something together, but just as many can’t or won’t. I hate needing “special service”, I don’t like drawing attention to my dietary needs. Please! If you run a restaurant, be it a chain or a just a simple local place, put your allergen menu online! Having it there at least lets us know that someone in your kitchen is aware of allergens, but it really helps in deciding where to go. If I have another “naked” burger I may scream! I don’t want to have to settle for the same stuff over and over, advertise what your gluten free options are online and with a special menu. I don’t mind asking for a gluten free menu, I love that, I hate having someone come out and rattle off a list to me. My brain does not handle that and I’ll forget everything I was told.

Things I learned:
1. Mexican food is generally a safe bet for anyone with gluten sensitivities. However, with most servers speaking english as a second language, it can be hard to get your allergen across. It’s definitely taking a chance, but probably safer than some other places. However, tacos and enchiladas do get a bit tiring after awhile

2. Rudy’s BBQ in Texas is great! Just remember to say no bread as soon as you step to the counter and watch your bbq being prepared. I had to bring attention to myself (hate that!) because one server dumped brisket off a sandwich onto the cutting table and my server tried to give us that cut of meat. No go! I totally understand cross contact, and that’s a chance I take, but I saw that one and was able to stop it. Nevermind that it took 4 servers to get her to understand she can’t do that!

3. Cheddar’s (Texas), while not having a gluten free menu, did the thing I hate the most by calling out the kitchen manager. He was actually very nice, unlike others I’ve encountered, and he made sure we had a great meal, including putting together a meal especially for my son. A specific menu would have been much more to my liking, but at least I know what to order next time.

4. Graceland (Mempis, Tn) is not at all gluten free friendly. I took a chance, a big chance and thankfully didn’t react too much. It’s best not to eat at Graceland though.

5. Brixx Pizza (Tn, Carolina’s and Va I believe) have a pretty darn good gluten free pizza. They are right on par with zPizza (my favorite), but not quite as good. The pizza could have been cooked a little longer, but we were just so hungry we didn’t really care.

6. There is an awesome little cafe/bakery in Austin- Wild Wood Art Cafe. Yummulicious! If you get the chance, you must try the sweets they offer. The entire place is gluten free and the bread they bake is pretty good.

There was more I wanted to share in this post, but by now I’ve forgotten. Lucky for you, I’m making that trip to Texas again this weekend

You’ve got kids, the internet has Facebook. It’s inevitable. More and more and more teens and tweens are signing up for a Facebook profile. I have touched on keeping teens safe online in the past. But now, my 15 year old does have a Facebook account. As mentioned before, I have her password. But, I’ve added a new weapon to my online tracking- MinorMonitor.com

MinorMonitor is a FREE online service for parents to track your child’s actions on Facebook. I love it. There’s a few things I wish it did more of, but for what it does do, I’m happy. If you have multiple children, you will need multiple accounts, one account may only be linked to one facebook profile. No big deal. Registration and set up are very easy. Once you register on their site, you will need access to your child’s facebook profile, but you do have their password, right?! You’ll need to authorize the app, once authorized you’re good to go and your child probably won’t even know. They’d have to go digging through their profile to find the list of apps they’ve given permission to in order to find it.

MinorMonitor tracks comments, statuses, photos and videos. You can change settings to be alerted when keywords are posted. In some cases you might not be able to click through to read conversations unless you sign in to your child’s facebook profile or “friend” their friends. It’s all in the Facebook settings of the other person (you know, that allow friends of friends thing…). One thing you don’t see is private messages. Those only show up when there’s some on the alert list. Not too big of a deal to me, I do want to give my daughter some type of privacy.

I just can not recommend this program enough. It has more potential, but what it offers (and free at that!) is wonderful and fills the need. And let me tell you, this thing does not skimp on alerts! The phrase “I’m going to get off the computer” was red flagged for get off, and “tempted to say” was flagged as mild profanity.

Note: I logged in today to grab this screen shot (where I’ve blurred out personal information) and I see a link to add a child. I get a pop up telling to upgrade in order to add multiple children. I knew they mentioned adding this feature in the future, so definitely something to keep an eye on.

UPDATE: I was just informed by MinorMonitor by the ability to monitor multiple children was just rolled out this week (I knew I hadn’t seen that before) and it does not cost extra. I have given them a screen shot of the pop up I received and I’m sure they’ll get it fixed right away. I’m sure it won’t be too long before my second child asks for a Facebook account. For now, he’s content having me follow his favorite soccer team and enter contests

Check out MinorMonitor and let me know what you think!

First, I want to point out this line by Mario Vittone, “And parents – children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why.” Any time your child is near water, if they are not making noise, you need to be concerned!

Dr. Pia described drowning using the following points in the Coast Guard’s On Scene Magazine:

1. Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs.
2. Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water.
3. Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.
4. Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.
5. From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.

(Source: On Scene Magazine: Fall 2006 (page 14))

Read this article, Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning, and then share it with your friends and family.

Many Internet experts agree with the kids. “Everyone is panicking about sexual predators online. That’s what parents are afraid of; that’s what parents are paying attention to,” says Parry Aftab, an Internet security expert and executive director of WiredSafety.org. But the real concern, she says, is the trouble that kids might get into on their own. Through social networking and other Web sites, kids with eating disorders share tips about staying thin, and depressed kids can share information about the best ways to commit suicide.

Read more: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline

I can’t begin to stress how important it is to know what your children are doing online at ALL times. I am a big advocate of parents having passwords and checking in periodically. I also highly suggest using filters. Personally, I like OpenDNS. I like being able to filter by category, but also to go in and block (or allow) a website under certain circumstances. I also use K9 Web Protection as a second filter as well as to limit computer time. K9 blocks internet access during a time period of my choosing.  In my house, that’s usually about 10PM until 8AM. Best of all, both of these programs are FREE. I am not at all against using a keylogger type program to track the doings of an uncooperating sneaky teen as well.

For all of it’s good, the internet is evil. It causes people to lie and sneak around. As parents, we must stay on top of it.

Don’t just try to get things second hand, try to pass your used items on as well! One person’s trash is another’s treasure. Try to find someone to pass your child’s used clothing on to. Don’t be afraid to ask, most anyone would be happy to accept, if not for money savings alone.

Don’t be afraid to think ahead. I keep two very large totes full of clothes outgrown by the big kids, ready for the little ones to grow into. Sure, it takes up space, but it saves a ton of money.

Always check for used first, especially for big purchases. I’ve gotten so many things off Craigslist for a fraction of what I would pay new. It might take longer to find what you’re looking for, but time spent is money saved.

Think before buying. Do you really need it? Do you really need it new, right now? Many times we can make do with what we have in order to save up or wait for a sale. I’ve been waiting on a KitchenAid mixer for 2 years now Eventually, I’ll have saved money and I’ll happen upon a great sale, for now, my handheld mixer is working just fine.

What are your tips for going green on a budget?

This is great for every mom! You’re basically getting Amazon Prime for free! Just answer a few questions about your family. You’ll get 30% off diapers and wipes, an extra 15% off subscribe and save items and the free shipping. The shipping deal is only for the first three months, but you can extend it (for free) by purchasing $25 or more from the Baby Store. Each $25+ transaction will extend your free 2-day shipping by one month.

Subscribe and Save is a great feature and worth looking into, especially for gluten free items. I’ve found that extra 15% savings sometimes works out better than any local store and you can adjust the delivery schedule as needed. I have a few “subscriptions” on hold for now until I need them again.

Just another way to save a little money.

Gluten Freeville says it best:

September 13 is National Celiac Awareness Day.

The first annual Celiac Disease Awareness Day Resolution was passed in 2006 by the United States Senate (Resolution 563). This bill, sponsored by Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma, instigated by one of his staff members with celiac disease and co-sponsored by Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, made September 13, 2006 National Celiac Disease Awareness Day. The bill has passed each year since 2006, keeping the September 13th date.

What is the significance of September 13? That is the date of Samuel Gee’s Birthday in 1839, who is credited with finding the link between celiac disease and diet. Gee felt that “if the patient can be cured at all, it must be by means of diet.”

The resolution wording includes:

Resolved, That the Senate–

(1) designates September 13, 2010, as `National Celiac Disease Awareness Day’;

(2) recognizes that all people of the United States should become more informed and aware of celiac disease;

(3) calls upon the people of the United States to observe National Celiac Disease Awareness Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and

(4) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Celiac Sprue Association, the American Celiac Society, and the Celiac Disease Foundation.

Read the complete text of Senate Resolution 563 from the Library of Congress here.

Read more about Samuel Gee here.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is a radio-active gas that you can not see, smell or taste. Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium. It is a single atom gas that can penetrate through most materials.

Some radon in your environment is normal and acceptable, but too much is not good at all. Screening levels over 4pCi/L require action.  According to Radon.com, “An elementary school student that spends 8 hours per day and 180 days per year in a classroom with 4 pCi/l of radon will receive nearly 10 times as much radiation as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission allows at the edge of a nuclear power plant.(25 mrem limit, 200 mrem exposure).”

Testing for radon is very easy. You can pick up a simple test at your local home improvement store for about $10. The test will need to sit, undisturbed for 48 hours. The test is then mailed to the testing facility and you await your results. I chose to pay a little extra and send mine via Priority Mail. I sent the test on Wednesday and had the results in my email inbox on Friday! That was quick. The average outdoor concentration is 0.4pCi/L, indoor is 1.3pCi/L, our home tested at 1.8pCi/L.

After viewing a radon map, I see that the neighboring county does have higher levels of radon than our county. I would guess due to the nuclear plant. At any rate, I’m happy to know that I don’t have to worry about radon for now. It is something I might consider testing for again in the future, if we remain here for an extended time.

Pretty Posts provides layouts for Craigslists, Ebay and other classified ads networks. Basically anywhere you can input html, you can use their layout. You upload your images, type up your description or input other information and they format the posting. Their free package gives you 3 templates, 50MB of space for images and the ability to save 3 posts. The Premium package is $5/month and gives you access to all layouts, 500MB of image space and unlimited post saving ability.

I went with the free package to test things out. The layout is nice and attractive, but will it work?

I had a few inquiries right away. Even a serious buyer. That buyer, however, backed out on me at the last minute. Apparently he couldn’t meet me due to car issues. A week and a half in to my test and I still have the stroller. If this thing sells, I’ll be sure to update, but it isn’t looking promising. The first week did bring me a few more emails, but no sale. Maybe I’ll switch to one of the other free themes next week.

I know the homeschool budget is always small. Anything free that we can use for education is a great find. I recently ran across this site and I wanted to share it. FreelyEducate.com started as a Yahoo Group and grew to a full blown blog in just over 2 years.

You’ll find links to free educational sites along with some giveaways. I haven’t had time to dig through the many resources on the site, but I know when I need something, I’ll be heading over there first. The only drawback I see is there is so much out there, I’ll never find time to use it all.

What are your favorite, free, online sites for education?