Jealously, it’s natural, comes easily and for some of us is a very powerful emotion. Jealousy isn’t wrong, in fact your partner might be worried if you didn’t exhibit just the teeny-tiniest bit of it now and then…you know, just to show you care. But jealousy can overwhelm us and be a relationship killer if left to grow unchecked. Constant jealousy in a relationship is like a slow acting poison. It’s not the greatest thing for your mental health, either. Jealousy is rooted in insecurity, so feel better about yourself and your love by using these tips.

For most of us, summer has a little slower pace, both professionally and personally. That's not to say that there isn't work to be done and vacations to take, but we do tend to have a little more down time. Often people leave the office a little earlier and take long lunches and longer weekends. I think that summer is a golden opportunity to ratchet up your networking.

Since many of us have summer calendars that are a bit less packed, it's a great time to reach out to people you've been trying to get together with and grab a cup of coffee, lunch or a glass of wine. You may have much better luck connecting with colleagues in June, July and August than in other months. So here's a snapshot of how to create a killer summer networking plan:

1) Go through your Rolodex or contact database and identify 8-10 people you'd like to reconnect with.

Per several requests, here’s the famous baked bean recipe:

3-pound can of prepared beans (of the pork ‘n’ bean variety)

1 1/4 c. brown sugar (I use a little less.)

1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

3 onions, diced

9 slices of bacon, chopped and fried crisp, drained

3/4 c. catsup

Combine all of the ingredients in a large casserole dish. Bake, uncovered, in a 325-degree oven for 3 hours.

This recipe comes with a saucy bit of gossip. When I was young I thought that this was my Mom’s recipe. Turns out it’s originally from my “Aunt” Alma, my Grandfather’s girlfriend. We kids always knew Grandpa Roy had a girlfriend. What we didn’t know, until years later, was that “Aunt” Alma had been in the picture even before Grandma died.

Summer is all about blood suckers, and no, we don’t mean the sparkly ones in the movie theatres. Seems you can’t so much as enjoy a lemonade outside without getting the onslaught of thousands of little moochers, secretly taking their loot and leaving you with the welt. We usually scratch (like we were told not to) and shrug it off as the price of enjoying the outdoors, but you can actually do something to make that nagging itch go away. Here are some tips to ease you mosquito bitten woes:

• Wash the infected area with soap and water as soon as you recognize that you've been bitten. Try to keep the site clean and dry until the irritation abates.

• Avoid scratching. Although a mosquito bite should itch for only a few days, continual scratching will increase your discomfort and may prolong the itching.

• Make a paste of baking soda and water, using just enough water to make the paste sticky. Spread the mixture on the bites.

With obesity at an all time high and initial signs of Osteoarthritis often symptom free, it’s important to learn about the factors that impact your joint health so you can continue to enjoy the activities you love throughout your life.

Dr. Kevin R. Stone, renowned orthopedic surgeon and creator of Joint Juice ®, a leading joint health beverage company, developed an easy web-based tool that determines the condition of your joints based on a series of 15 easy questions about your age, Body Mass Index (BMI), diet, exercise, lifestyle and joint health history. The assessment also features joint health tips from Dr. Kevin R. Stone, M.D. and fitness tips from celebrity ultramarathoner, Dean Karnazes.

Visit jointjuice.com and take the Joint Health Assessment to evaluate your joint health and learn proactive steps to improve it.
 

Oregon is a culinary mecca! The 2010 Bite of Oregon presented by Reser’s Fine Foods celebrates that heritage. New and exciting food features have been added for this years event, there’s more Oregon craft beers, more Oregon wines and talented local and celebrity Chef’s sharing their culinary skills on Sysco’s Oregon Chef Stage. Join us this summer on August 6,7,8 and celebrate all that is Oregon. Plus, you’ll be supporting Special Olympics Oregon too.

Disasters. Emergencies. We often don’t think about them—until they happen. But disasters do happen. They can happen quickly, and without warning.

You can’t predict disaster, but you can prepare for it. Although it might be unpleasant to think about, what’s worse is not having a plan in place. By taking some simple steps in advance, you and your family can keep a sense of calm and routine in the event of an emergency.

Develop a disaster plan

During a disaster, your family may have to leave your home and daily routines behind. Do you have an evacuation plan? A list of phone numbers (for example: family members, trusted friends, poison control or your pediatrician) to call in case of emergency can greatly help.

Build an emergency supply kit

By: Emily Moser

Youth who stay busy reap an array of benefits, including lower rates of substance abuse and new skills and broader perspectives

Summer is here. And as the warmer weather rolls in, you may be ready to roll out a series of activities to keep your kids active and having fun while school is out.

As parents and guardians, it’s almost built into our DNA to steer our kids into positive activities because of the enormous benefits: young people learn and grow, and they are less likely to get caught up in risky behavior.

But there are usually some questions to answer, too. Which activities are a good fit? How can we strike a balance between a run-them-ragged schedule and having too much time on their hands? And what are some fun, affordable options in a difficult economy?

Emily Moser, director of parenting programs for the nonprofit Oregon Partnership, addressed these and other questions recently: