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A HICCUPS IDEA TO TRY
Almost all
remedies work for hiccups— sometimes. You have
to find the right one for you. Try this: Slowly swallow
spoonfuls of peanut butter until they stop, or until
you get full (a sure sign this method isn't working).
health.
..
in the headlines
For many families, losing a job is only matched
in concern by losing the health insurance that
came along with it. But there may be help, says
Sandy Praeger, insurance commissioner for the
state of Kansas.
Go to the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners’ Web site,
naic.org,
for links to state insurance
departments. You, or your children, may qualify
for government health insurance programs
specific to your state. You may have to call your
state department directly for help.
Continue to buy into your employer health
insurance plan
for up to 18 months through
legislation known as COBRA. Just know that
you have to pick up the full tab. If you have a full
bells-and-whistles plan that's too expensive on
your own, talk to your human resources
representative about changing to a no-frills
major medical plan that may be much easier to
afford. Visit the Department of Labor's Web
site,
dol.gov/cobra,
for full details on the
program.
—ALICIA WARDEN
by the
numbers:
8
0
%
The proportion of
teenagers who carry
a cell phone.
Minimize safety
concerns by
forbidding cell phone
use in the following
circumstances:
1. DRIVING Car crashes
remain the leading cause
of death and serious injury
for teens. Minimizing
distractions, such as cell
phone use, is a vital safety
measure— especially since
48 percent of teens admit
they talk on a cell phone
while driving.
2. CROSSING THE
STREET Yes, really. At the
University of Alabama at
Birmingham, researchers
found children were 43
percent more likely to be
hit, or nearly hit, by a car
when they were talking on
a cell phone.
3. RIDING A BIKE Cell
phones can also be a
distraction while biking,
not to mention a
coordination problem. So
institute a "no cell phones
while biking” along with a
"wear a helmet” rule.
Taste our
“Just-Trying-
To-Get-My-
Antioxidants
Cheesecake.”
Just spread some of
The Laughing Cow®
cheese on a
graham cracker
and top with
fresh blueberries.
Get more great snack ideas at
HaveYouLaughedToday.com
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
JUNE 2009 229
