Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition [Survival Today

Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.

To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.

How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)

Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)

Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)

Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)

40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)

Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)

5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)

* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance

http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news/?fr=yalerts-keyword&c=&p=school+bus+accident&ei=utf-8

[a sample of the dangers our kids face...]

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School Bus Accident Occurs In Columbia County Tuesday Afternoon
A second school bus accident has occurred in Columbia County, Tuesday afternoon. The accident happened around 2:00 p.m. outside Gate 2 of Fort Gordon.
WJBF-TV Augusta - Sep 23 10:12 AM

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8 Students Sent To Hospital After Columbia County School Bus Accident
A 20-year-old man is charged in a school bus accident that sent 8 students to the hospital, in Columbia County. About 6:45 a.m., Tuesday morning, authorities say William Pitts rear-ended school bus 966 on its way to drop off kids at Harlem Middle School And Harlem High School. The Columbia County School Transportation Department says the students’ injuries weren’t serious, most just needed to be ...
WJBF-TV Augusta - Sep 23 10:08 AM

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Capital city school bus involved in minor accident
A school bus taking children home from Ecole-Francois-Buote School in Charlottetown was involved in a minor accident this afternoon.
The Guardian - Sep 22 11:53 AM

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Oley Valley school bus involved in accident in Ruscombmanor; students not injured
Students were not injured in an accident involving an Oley Valley School District bus about 3:40 p.m. Tuesday on Route 662 in Ruscombmanor Township, emergency dispatchers said.
Reading Eagle - Sep 22 12:58 PM

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School Bus Accident In Southbury
Emergency crews are responding to a motor vehicle accident involving a school bus.
FOX 61 Hartford - Sep 22 6:12 AM

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9 Columbia Co. students treated after school bus accident
Nine Columbia County students were taken to the hospital after a school bus accident Tuesday morning.
NBC 26 Augusta - Sep 22 7:17 AM

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School Bus Accident Leaves Teen Dead In Phoenix
One teenager died and a second was critically injured when their car slammed into the side of a school bus in north Phoenix on Wednesday morning.
CBS 13 Sacramento - Sep 23 10:57 AM

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MANVILLE: Local man injured in school bus accident
MONTGOMERY A school bus and garbage truck collided head on near the entrance of the Upper Middle School this afternoon, resulting in injuries to both drivers, according to township police.
The Manville News - Sep 22 10:30 PM

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Horse dies in accident with school bus
The Conway Police Department confirms a horse died following an accident with a school bus.
WPDE Myrtle Beach - Florence - Sep 21 7:34 AM

A page of articles that are protein related:

http://stanford.wellsphere.com/wellmix360/list-of-high-protein-foods

http://stanford.wellsphere.com/healthy-living-article/food-on-a-budget-protein/431031

Food on a budget Protein

[chart will not print]

by Brett Blumenthal

As the economy continues to be somewhat unpredictable, you are probably looking for ways to cut back spending in a lot of areas…food being one of them. If you do your research, it is possible to still eat healthy and not spend a fortune. It means understanding what things cost per serving, and what nutritional values are provided in each serving.

As a result, we are kicking off a series of articles that takes a look at different foods and compares them serving for serving, as to what is cheaper. This will help you understand how to potentially maximize your budget around grocery shopping, while insuring you get the nutrients your body needs and SO deserves. Our first food on a budget is protein. We look at the serving size, and the calories, grams of fat, grams of protein and the cost for both a regular and an organic product per serving.

Quick Facts on Protein: First, let’s understand the basics of protein and why you need them in your diet:

* Protein comes from animals and plants and provides us with everything we need to build and maintain our muscles.
* Protein is found in fish, meat, poultry, dairy, eggs and tofu, as well as beans, vegetables and fruit.
* The leaner the protein is, the healthier it is for your diet.
* Complete proteins provide you with ALL the necessary amino acids your body requires.
* Incomplete proteins, however, are not sufficient protein sources by themselves. As a result, you need to eat several incomplete proteins to get all of the amino acids your body needs.

To ensure we are comparing apples to apples, so to speak, we are going to focus on complete proteins. The chart below does not include all foods that contain complete proteins, but it provides a good cross-section of popular foods. (All data is taken from Peapod, an online grocery shopping site.)

To really understand what is the best option, you need to factor in the quality of the food AND the cost. If the food is high in fat it isn’t such a bargain. For instance, chicken drumsticks, eggs, peanut butter and milk look to be the best cost options at $0.50 or less per serving. However, chicken drumsticks, eggs and peanut butter are high in fat. Further, if a food is low in protein (peanut butter and Tofu), you might not be getting as much ‘protein bang’ for your buck.

The best on the list for protein quality (low fat, high protein foods) would be canned tuna, skinless chicken breast and whey protein with milk. The best category in terms of value (lower fat, high protein and lower cost) would be your dairy products, especially egg-whites and low-fat milk. Within the meat/poultry/fish food category, skinless chicken breast is your best option. In general, red meats tend to be the worst choice, as they are higher in fat and higher in cost.

http://stanford.wellsphere.com/green-living-article/sources-of-plant-protein-other-than-beans/698659

SOURCES OF PLANT PROTEIN OTHER THAN BEANS

I just saw the post below (in purple font) on the forum on http://www.vegetarianwomen.com/

It’s a good question, b/c a lot of people don’t like beans.

Im a new vegetarian and im worried about not getting the right protein. I hear peanut butter and bread have it but I dont wanna have that every night. I also hear beans do, but, i dont really like beans. Confused

So I thought I’d answer it here. I think about protein and calcium every day, every meal. In addition to over 100 vegetarian/vegan recipes, our book Veggie Revolution has a very very thorough coverage of vegetarian and vegan nutrition and cooking tips. It’s not hard at all to get enough protein without eating beans. And you don’t have to be a gourmet cook. The only times I spend more than 15 minutes cooking are Thanksgiving morning and Christmas Eve.

So here goes:

One cup of soy milk has 7 grams of protein. I drink 4 cups a day, or at least 3. That’s 21 to 28 grams of protein a day right there. There are so many flavors of soy milk now - it’s much more tasty than cow’s milk to me. I like Enhanced, a variety of Silk soymilk. Sweet, full of calcium and vitamins, yummy.

If you’re into convenience, there’s a big variety of soy-based fake meat products, from companies like Morningstar, foods that are really good. Chik ‘n Nuggets are great, my college-age kids love those. Four little nuggets have 12 grams of protein. Morningstar and other companies make a variety of plant-based burgers too that are really good, in the frozen foods section. My kids like the Pizza flavored ones or the Philly Cheese Steak ones. I don’t have any in the freezer at the moment, but I think they have 10 grams of protein per burger. There’s also a “Smart Ground” product that’s very much like ground beef but is plant-based, has several grams of protein per serving. YOu can use it anywhere you would use crumbled ground beef, like in chili. My conventional grocery store has all these products. The Smart Ground is with the tofu and salad veggies at Harris Teeter.

A cheaper product to use in chilis, soups, and casseroles, with just as much protein or more, is TVP or textured vegetable protein. It costs pennies per serving. You can get it at any health food store, in bulk. It comes in dried little pieces sort of like oatmeal flakes that you rehydrate by soaking in water. Or you can just put it directly into any soup or chili and and it’ll soak up the broth. It’s a soy product, loaded with protein.

If you drink cow’s milk, don’t forget yogurt and cottage cheese. If you’re vegan, soy yogurt is pretty good these days. Both kinds of yogurt have several grams of protein. I have yet to find a soy cheese that I really like, but would love to hear suggestions from others.

Tofu is a favorite in our house. 40 grams of protein per package. You can dice it and heat it in your favorite tomato sauce, it soaks up the flavor of the sauce. Then put the sauce over noodles. My teenaged kids love this and ask for it. For a lot of tofu recipes, see our new book Veggie Revolution (amazon). I eat tofu for lunch with a little broccoil almost every day. I slice the tofu (2 slices) and put some frozen broccoli florets or frozen cut okra on a plate, sprinkle it all with powdered ginger and tamari, and heat it in the microwave until hot - 4 or 5 mintues. Hardly any calories and very very good.

Then there’s tempeh and seitan. Tempeh is a soy product that can be substituted for meat in recipes, it has a tougher texture than tofu.

And seitan is a popular meat substitute in vegetarian restaurants, chewy and flavorful. It’s actually a wheat product, not a soy product. There’s a nice little vegetarian restaurant in GreensboroNC that serves seitan dishes that are wickedly good. I have only seen tempeh and seitan at health food stores. Of the two, I like seitan better. It is very meatlike in texture (not that I like meat, but I do like the chewiness of seitan). Just like tofu or tempeh, it can be sauteed and mixed with a variety of foods.

There’s more about all of these foods in our book Veggie Revolution. If you have any questions about nutrition or cooking, post them here and I’ll answer them.

Sally Kneidel

[Always an interesting site]

http://www.almanac.com/content/frame-gardening

Frame Gardening

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How to Make a Cold Frame
Related Articles

* Transplanting Your Seedlings
* When is Soil Ready for Planting?

Gardeners use frames to “harden off” seedlings that were started indoors or to start their vegetable plants from seed. Here are tips on how to make a cold frame.
Timing

Sow seeds of crops such as radish, lettuce, endive, and scallions directly in the frame for an early or late harvest. You can even raise them there all summer as long as the cover is removed when warm weather arrives.
Make a Cold Frame

* Construct a bottomless box and set it in the garden or atop other good soil in a sunny location.
* Frames are usually made from scrap lumber, but concrete blocks or bricks can also be used.
* Top the box either with glass (perhaps an old storm window) or a frame covered with clear plastic.
* Hinge the cover so that it may be opened for ventilation on warm days.
* Temporary frames or “cloches” can also be made by leaning old storm windows tent-style over the plants along the length of the garden row.
* To protect individual seedlings, cut the bottoms out of plastic milk jugs and place them over individual plants, holding the jugs in place with mounded soil. During sunny days, remove the caps for ventilation.

A Hot Bed

A hot bed is a cold frame that is heated. The method of using horse manure or compost works well and is more economical than electric heating cables.

* For a nonelectric hot bed, excavate 18 to 24 inches under the frame and add fresh manure or compost.
* Turn and moisten this material every couple of days for a week until it settles, then cover it with 6 inches of soil.
* As the manure or compost decomposes, it will generate enough heat to protect against early or late frosts.

He who sows thickly, gathers thinly.
He who sows thinly, gathers thickly.
–Old-time saying
More Articles:

* Planting
* Seeds
* Starting Your Garden
* Transplanting

http://www.almanac.com/content/16-folk-remedies-headaches

16 Folk Remedies for Headaches

Here are 16 folk remedies for headaches:

1. Put leeches on your forehead.
2. Rub cow dung and molasses on your temples.
3. Tie a buzzard’s head around your neck.
4. Use powdered moss as snuff.
5. Have someone else rub your head; the headache will be transferred to that person, but it will be less severe.
6. Have a relative read chapters of the Bible to you.
7. Stand on your head or spin around until you are dizzy.
8. Soak your feet in hot water to draw blood from your head.
9. Run around the house three times.
10. Ask a seventh child to blow in your ear.
11. Put a buckwheat cake on your head.
12. Rub your head with a piece of stone containing iron ore.
13. Wrap damp cloths around your head and burn scented wood.
14. Plait a handful of hair very tightly on top of your head.
15. Lean your head against a tree and have someone else drive a nail into the opposite side of the tree.
16. Tie a leather thong tightly around your head.(If this fails, you may tell your friends, “The thong is over, but the malady lingers on,” which will give them headaches.)

* Natural Remedies

http://www.almanac.com/content/try-madstone

Try a Madstone

Source: Adapted from an article in The 2010 Old Farmer’s Almanac
Courtesy of the National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C.

Have you ever heard of a mad stone? This home remedy was used for centuries to heal though it’s not a common practice today.

A mad stone (sometimes called a ‘bezoar stone’) is used to draw poison out of bites and wounds. It works by absorbing the poison bit by bit, curing the bites by detoxifying them completely.

* Mad stones can be found in the stomach or intestines of cud-chewing animals.
* Depending on the animal, the stone may be more potent and valuable; for example, the stone of a brown deer is said to be inferior to that of a white deer.
* Mad stones are not to be bought or sold; such interaction may negate their healing powers.

Naturally, the effectiveness of mad stones has long been in dispute. Can cosmic healing powers really reside in the intestine of a cow? There is only one way to know for sure. . .
Please Pass the Stone

Want to try a mad stone? The challenge is getting hold of one—since they can’t be purchased for money. We advise traveling to the home of a stone’s owner.

If you have experience with mad stones, please share your story or your stone in the box below. To learn more about mad stones, please see the 2010 edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/recipes/a/recipes-for-smart-snacking

Recipes for Smart Snacking

cranberriesBy Denise Dill

Last week, I explained some principles for healthy snacking, and gave some simple recipes. Here are a few more ideas that require a little more time, but if you make them in large amounts they can actually save you time and money:

Cranberry Rouie
Serves 8

Ingredients:
1 cup dry cranberries
1 cup chopped walnuts
1-2 shallots or one onion, chopped
1/2 cup bread crumbs *
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp cayenne
1 tsp salt

Directions:
Heat orange juice over low heat in a pan. Add cranberries to the warm orange juice and cook until soft. Put all ingredients into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth adding oil in at the end. Serve on crackers or with fresh vegetables.

* Using day old bread for crumbs, instead of store bought bread crumbs, is a great money-saver.

Thrifty Hummus
Serves 8

Ingredients:
1 15 ounce can garbanzo beans
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 garlic cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika (and more for garnishing)
1 tablespoon water

Optional:
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or 1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 whole scallion

Directions:
Blend all ingredients, except for beans, in a food processor. Add beans and process until it resembles a chunky dip; not completely smooth. Enjoy!

Italian Pita Crisps
Serves 8

Ingredients:
2 pitas, each about 6 inches in diameter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1/4 teaspoon dried basil or oregano
2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 1 or 2 cookie sheets with non-stick pan spray. Cut each pita into 8 wedges; split each wedge to separate the halves. Arrange in a single layer on cookie sheets. Mix the olive oil and garlic. Brush over the pita sections; sprinkle with basil and cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and crisp. Serve hot, or cool and store in an airtight container.

Denise Dill is a Community Cooking Educator with Lots to Gardens, an urban gardening and community nutrition initiative sponsored by St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston, Maine. Lots to Gardens is featured in the 2010 edition of the Farmers’ Almanac. Order your copy today!

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/recipes/a/game-day-top-10-picks-for-healthy-snacking

Game Day: Top 10 Picks For Healthy Snacking

buffalowingsFootball and food go hand in hand. But all that snacking can add up to unwanted pounds by the playoffs. What can you do this football season to satisfy those couch potato cravings without over consuming calories? Give these healthy appetizers a try.

1. Baked Buffalo Wings – Chicken wings don’t have to be a forbidden treat when they are baked in the oven. Mix 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon red pepper sauce, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce in a resealable plastic bag. Add 2 pounds (about 24) chicken drummettes (with skin removed) and seal bag. Refrigerate a minimum of 15 minutes up to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally. Place chicken in a foil-lined baking pan and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until crisp and done. Serve with low-fat or fat-free ranch dressing.

2. Crab Deviled Eggs – Try this unique variation of an old favorite. Cut 6 hard-boiled eggs in half lengthwise, removing the yolks. Put half the yolks in a bowl and mix with ¼ cup shredded crab meat (or lean ham if you prefer), 2 tablespoons finely chopped red pepper, 2 teaspoons finely chopped green onion, 2 tablespoons low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, a dash of nutmeg, ½ teaspoon parsley flakes, and black pepper to taste. Spoon mixture into the egg white halves.

3. Cashew Chicken Salad Finger Sandwiches – Combine 1 ½ cups finely chopped cooked chicken (or turkey), ½ cup finely chopped celery, ½ cup chopped cashews, 2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped scallion. Add ¼ cup low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise and ¼ cup light or fat-free sour cream and mix well. Make sandwiches, trimming crusts off bread. Cut each sandwich into 4 triangles, squares, or rectangles.

4. Fruit with Coconut Dip – Fresh fruit with this delicious low-fat dip will be a hit. Combine one 8-ounce can of crushed unsweetened pineapple (undrained), ¾ cup skim milk, ½ cup fat-free sour cream, and 1 package instant coconut cream pudding mix in a blender; process for one minute or until smooth. Serve with fresh pineapple, grapes, strawberries, melon, or any other favorite fruits.

5. Ginger Meatballs – These meatballs will warm up football fans on a chilly game day. Combine 1 egg, ½ cup finely crushed gingersnaps (about 11 cookies), and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Crumble 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef over mixture; mix well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place meatballs onto greased rack in shallow baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until done. Combine 1 cup ketchup, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, and ½ teaspoon ground ginger in skillet; add meatballs. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes until heated, stirring gently. Alternatively, a crock-pot can be used for heating the meatballs and sauce, and it’s a great way to keep this appetizer warm for serving.

6. Create Your Own Salad – Set up your own salad bar with favorite salad toppings and let your football fans customize their own individual salads. Iceberg lettuce has almost no nutritional value, so go with spinach or a blend of the darker salad greens. Include an assortment of vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, radishes, snap peas, and broccoli. Fruits such as pineapple, raisins, strawberries, and apple slices will add sweetness. For a heartier salad, offer hard-boiled eggs and lean meats in lieu of fried or processed meats. Other toppings such as croutons, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits finish it off right, but use these in moderation to avoid excess calories. Top with low-fat or fat-free salad dressing. Salad toppings are endless – be creative! Your family and friends are sure to enjoy customizing their own salads. Maybe you’ll start a new game day tradition!

7. Baked Pita Chips – Greasy potato chips can quickly expand the waistline. Fortunately, there are healthier – and delicious – alternatives. Try cutting whole wheat pita bread into 8 wedges and separate the layers. Place the pita bread triangles in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 10 minutes until crisp. Serve with salsa, hummus, or a low-fat spinach dip.

8. Bruschetta – Toast ½-inch thick slices of your favorite French or sourdough loaf, then top with a mixture of chopped tomatoes and basil seasoned with oregano and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then drizzle a teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil over top. Yum!

9. Italian Popcorn – Oil-popped butter popcorn is loaded with fat and calories. Air popping your own corn is the healthiest choice. Try this new flavor twist – drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil over 9 cups popped popcorn, then sprinkle with 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning blend and 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese. Toss to blend.

10. Veggie Wraps – Heat veggie burgers and crumble into bite-sized pieces. Wrap in flavored tortillas along with diced tomatoes, lettuce, chopped roasted peppers, and low-fat dressing. Slice tortillas into smaller portions and secure with toothpicks.

More Game Day Recipes Here.

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/best_days/month

September 24th
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes, Go Hunting, Wax Floors

September 25th
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Go Hunting, Potty Train, Wash Windows, Advertise to Sell, Travel for Pleasure

September 26th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Potty Train, Wash Windows, Advertise to Sell, Travel for Pleasure

September 27th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Potty Train, Wash Windows, Advertise to Sell, Travel for Pleasure

September 28th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Potty Train, Wax Floors

September 29th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Potty Train, Wax Floors

September 30th
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Potty Train, Host a Party

October 1st
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Potty Train, Paint, Host a Party

October 2nd
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Potty Train, Wax Floors, Get Married, Start Diet to Gain Weight

October 3rd
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Potty Train, Wax Floors, Get Married, Start Diet to Gain Weight

October 4th
Dry Fruits and Vegetables, Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Pick Apples and Pears, Quit Smoking, Perform Demolition, Wash Wooden Floors, Start Diet to Lose Weight

October 5th
Dry Fruits and Vegetables, Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Pick Apples and Pears, Quit Smoking, Perform Demolition, Wash Wooden Floors, Start Diet to Lose Weight

October 6th
Dig Post Holes, Paint, Advertise to Sell, Ask for Loan

October 7th
Dig Post Holes, Paint, Advertise to Sell, Ask for Loan

October 8th
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Quit Smoking, Wash Wooden Floors, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds, Buy a Car, Host a Party, Write

October 9th
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Quit Smoking, Wash Wooden Floors, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds, Buy a Car, Host a Party, Write

October 10th
Can Fruits and Vegetables, Brew Beer

October 11th
Can Fruits and Vegetables, Harvest, Get Married

October 12th
Can Fruits and Vegetables, Harvest, Brew Beer, Get Married

October 13th
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Dig Post Holes, Harvest, Pick Apples and Pears, Quit Smoking, Perform Demolition, Wash Wooden Floors, Paint, Get Married, Start Diet to Lose Weight, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds, Ask for Loan, Entertain Friends, Host a Party

October 14th
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Dig Post Holes, Harvest, Pick Apples and Pears, Quit Smoking, Perform Demolition, Wash Wooden Floors, Paint, Get Married, Start Diet to Lose Weight, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds, Ask for Loan, Entertain Friends, Host a Party

October 15th
Harvest, Quit Smoking, Start Diet to Lose Weight, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds

October 16th
Harvest, Quit Smoking, Start Diet to Lose Weight, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds

October 17th
Harvest, Quit Smoking, Start Diet to Lose Weight, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds

October 18th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Go Hunting, Wax Floors, Get Married, Buy Clothes, Entertain Friends, Host a Party

October 19th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Go Hunting, Wax Floors, Get Married, Buy Clothes, Entertain Friends, Host a Party

October 20th
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Go Hunting, Wax Floors

October 21st
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Go Hunting, Wax Floors

October 22nd
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Go Hunting, Wax Floors

October 23rd
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Wean, Go Hunting, Potty Train, Wash Windows, Advertise to Sell, Travel for Pleasure

October 24th
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Wean, Go Hunting, Potty Train, Wash Windows, Advertise to Sell, Travel for Pleasure

October 25th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Wean, Potty Train, Wax Floors

October 26th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Wean, Potty Train, Wax Floors

October 27th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Wean, Potty Train, Wax Floors

October 28th
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Wean, Potty Train, Paint, Host a Party

October 29th
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Wean, Potty Train, Paint, Host a Party

October 30th
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Wean, Potty Train, Wax Floors, Get Married, Start Diet to Gain Weight

October 31st
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Wean, Potty Train, Wax Floors, Get Married, Start Diet to Gain Weight

November 1st
Bake, Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes

November 2nd
Dry Fruits and Vegetables, Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Mow to Retard Growth, Pick Apples and Pears, Quit Smoking, Perform Demolition, Wash Wooden Floors, Start Diet to Lose Weight

November 3rd
Dig Post Holes, Paint, Advertise to Sell, Ask for Loan

November 4th
Dig Post Holes, Paint, Advertise to Sell, Ask for Loan

November 5th
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Quit Smoking, Wash Wooden Floors, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds, Buy a Car, Host a Party, Write

November 6th
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Quit Smoking, Wash Wooden Floors, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds, Buy a Car, Host a Party, Write

November 7th
Can Fruits and Vegetables, Brew Beer

November 8th
Can Fruits and Vegetables, Brew Beer

November 9th
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Dig Post Holes, Harvest, Pick Apples and Pears, Quit Smoking, Perform Demolition, Wash Wooden Floors, Paint, Get Married, Start Diet to Lose Weight, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds, Ask for Loan, Entertain Friends, Host a Party

November 10th
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Dig Post Holes, Harvest, Pick Apples and Pears, Quit Smoking, Perform Demolition, Wash Wooden Floors, Paint, Get Married, Start Diet to Lose Weight, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds, Ask for Loan, Entertain Friends, Host a Party

November 11th
Harvest, Quit Smoking, Start Diet to Lose Weight, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds

November 12th
Harvest, Quit Smoking, Start Diet to Lose Weight, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds

November 13th
Harvest, Quit Smoking, Start Diet to Lose Weight, Kill Wild Onions and Weeds

November 14th
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Mow to Retard Growth, Harvest, Get Married, Entertain Friends, Host a Party

November 15th
Cut Hair to Retard Growth, Mow to Retard Growth, Harvest, Get Married, Entertain Friends, Host a Party

November 16th
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes, Go Hunting, Wax Floors

November 17th
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes, Go Hunting, Wax Floors

November 18th
Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes, Go Hunting, Wax Floors

November 19th
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Go Hunting, Potty Train, Wash Windows, Advertise to Sell, Travel for Pleasure

November 20th
Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Go Hunting, Potty Train, Wash Windows, Advertise to Sell, Travel for Pleasure

November 21st
Bake, Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Go Hunting, Potty Train, Wax Floors

November 22nd
Bake, Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Go Hunting, Potty Train, Wax Floors

Best Days Explained...

According to Farmers’ Almanac tradition, when the moon is in the appropriate phase and place in the zodiac, it’s widely believed that activities will be more fruitful or lead to improved results. The period between the new and full moon (first and second quarters) is considered as the best time to perform tasks that require strength, fertility and growth. The period between the full and new moon (third and fourth quarters) is best for harvesting, retarding growth, etc. Consideration is also given to the relationship the moon has with the 12 ruling signs of the zodiac.

Learn More about the Signs of the Zodiac »

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:RzkolnsKmEwJ:www.cwu.edu/~geed/547/2006/Valerian.ppt+Herb+Almanac&cd=47&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

This is the html version of the file http://www.cwu.edu/~geed/547/2006/Valerian.ppt.
Google automatically generates html versions of documents as we crawl the web.

Valerian

Kelly Hughey

Nutrition Update 547

What Is Valerian?

* Botanical Name: Valeriana officinalis
* Other Names: Heliotrope, Fragrant Valerian and European Valerian.
* Valerian grows wild over many parts of Europe and Asia. However, most of the valerian used for medicinal extracts is cultivated.
* Parts used for extract: Root and rhizome.

Valerian is a popular herb used as a sedative to promote sleep and as a calmative agent.

History and Traditional Uses

* Valerian: from the Latin word valere, which means to be in good health.
* The herb was first discovered and used by Greek physicians, who recommended it for a host of medicinal uses:
o Insomnia
o Digestive problems
o Anxiety
o Epilepsy??

Current Valerian Claims

* Valerian is currently recommended for the following:
* Insomnia
* Anxiety
* Pain

* Valerian is used in combination with many other herbs for a list of purposes.

Insomnia

* Even losing sleep a few nights a week can significantly impair your ability to function and decrease the quality of your life.
* Lack of Sleep can cause:

1. Depression and Anxiety
2. Delayed Reflexes
3. Mental and Physical Exhaustion
4. Weight Gain
5. Slow recovery from infections and diseases
6. Depressed immune system
7. Decreased attention span
8. Irritability

Insomnia cont..

* Many who suffer from sleeping problems seek out help.
* Options available: Relaxation techniques, prescription drugs and herbal remedies (like valerian).
* Herbal remedies may be chosen due to the high cost and addictive properties of prescription medications.

Chemical Constituants

* Valerian extract is composed of many chemical constituents that are suggested to have medicinal properties
* Valerenic acid
* Valeoptriates
* Amino acids
* Valerenic acid; suggested in several studies to be one of the active compounds of valerian.

How it Works

* GABA receptors, melatonin, serotonin and dopamine play a big part in controlling sleep (circadian rhythm, sleep latency, and duration)
* Valerian may decrease the degradation of GABA, therefore increasing GABA concentration at the synapse (similar to Rx drugs like barbituates and benzodiazepine) resulting in a calming or sedative effect.
* There are also studies testing valerians effect on serotonin and melatonin receptors as well, but the mechanism of this reaction is unknown.

Abourashed, E. and Koetter, U.
In Vitro Binding Experiments with a Valerian, Hops and Their Fixed Combination Extract to Selected CNS Receptors. Phytomedicine. 2004. Vol 11
_____________________________________________________

* Several central receptors were selected for screening the binding affinity of valerian extracts. (serotonin, dopamine, melatonin)
* Valerian dry extract was prepared for the dried roots of the plant and paired with hops dried extract.
* The binding assays were performed using human cloned receptors.

* Findings:
o The tested extracts showed considerable affinities towards the serotonin and melatonin receptors.
o the nature of affinity for the valerian product to the respective receptors is yet to be determined.
o Partially due to the in vitro tests (bioavailability is an essential parameter to be considered).
o Identification of the active constituents of any herbal product is important for full understanding of its pharmacological use and risks.

* Analyzed 3 studies of uses and effectiveness of valerian.
* Double blind, placebo controlled trial, 128 participants. Evaluating the effects of a single dose (400mg) on sleep latency, quality, night awakenings and sleepiness upon wake.
o Valerian extract demonstrated significant improvement over placebo in latency and quality, but no differences in the other two parameters.
o Examination of the study showed that the positive effects of valerian extract on sleep were most significant in those who considered themselves very poor sleepers and smokers. Subjects who rated themselves as good sleepers where largely unaffected by the herb.

Hadley, S., Petery, J.

Valerian.

American Family Physician. 2003. Vol 67. pg 1755-1760.

________________________________________________________

* Another double blind study of 58 subjects who were described as and having lengthy sleep latency:

+ Single doses of 450 and 900mg for comparison
+ Wriest activity meter
+ Provided sleep rating surveys

* They also found the single does to be effective for sleep latency and achieving “better rest”, however no effect on total sleep time.
* The 900mg dose produced increased sleepiness on awakening, compared with placebo.

3. The last study focused on pts with confirmed insomnia.

o Design: Placebo-controlled, double blind
o 600mg single dose
o Doses given over 14 days
o Each monitored with a polysomnograph (measures sleep waves)
* Findings:
o The 600mg single dose of valerian extract demonstrated no effect on sleep efficiency.
o While multiple doses over the 14 days resulted in significant improvement in parameters of slow-wave seep.
o There was a slight trend toward reduced sleep latency after the long-term valerian Tx.

Summary of article

* Most studies reviewed suggested that valerian is more effective when used continuously rather than as an acute sleep aid.
* More rigorous studies are needed to confirm these results.
* A potential advantage of valerian over prescription meds is the lack of sleepiness upon awaking when using recommended doses.

Other Research reviewed:

* Evidence indicates that valerian may be beneficial and safe for persons with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and possibly may be superior to other sleep aids.
o RA can be used as an example of problems that people may have that inhibit good sleep (others found include child developmental delay, anxiety and fibromyalsia,,, the list can go on)
* One article suggested that valerian is just as, if not more effective as Kava in treating insomnia.
* In pre-op pts: Valerian, and other herbs should be tapered off within a week of most surgeries or when anticipating a major medication change. But may be useful post-surgery for pts with sleep difficulty. (check with MD)

Dosages and Effectiveness

* Many people take 300-500mg of valerian root extract in capsules or tablets, 30 minutes to 2 hours prior to bedtime.
* Another common preparation is to create a tea-like tincture, by soaking 2-3g of dried root in warm water.
* It has been found that taking valerian for single time use is questionable effectiveness.
* Valerian is recommended to be used longer periods of time or for chronic conditions. Valerian is most effective after taking it nightly for 5 to 7 days.
* Several clinical studies have shown that valerian is effective in the treatment of insomnia, most often by reducing sleep latency.

Side Effects and Herb-Drug Interactions

* According to several studies, there are no contraindications with valerian.
* Reported adverse effects are rare, but include dizziness, headache and GI distress.
* Valerian may potentate the sedative effects of barbiturates, anesthetics or other CNS depressants. Use with other sedative medications is not advised.
* No evidence of averse effects have been found in studies combining the use of valerian and alcohol consumption. But is still not advised.
* Contradictory information was found regarding the operation of heavy machinery or motor vehicles.

Quality Considerations

* Quality standards generally relate to the level of essential oil.
* The European Pharmacopia defines valerian root as containing at least 5ml of essential oil/kg.
* Higher quality is considered to be associated with roots bred to have higher concentrations of oil.
* Neither the FDA nor any other federal or state agency routinely tests valerian products, or other supplements, for their quality.

Quality Considerations cont..

* ConsumerLabs.com:
Products were tested for: the quality and quantity of their valerian; potency, contamination, and dissolution.
* What CL Found:
Among the 13 products tested by ConsumerLab.com, 5 failed.
Low potency was the primary reason for failure.

Summary and Key Points

* Efficacy: Appears effective in mild to moderate insomnia.
* Adverse Effects: Rare GI disturbance and headache.
* Interactions: None have been reported, however may increase sedative effects of barbiturates, anesthetics and CNS depressants.
* Dosage: Varies. Usually 300 to 600mg capsules 30 minutes to 2 hours before bed. Or 2 to 3g of dried root (tea form).
* Cost: $0.08 to $0.30 per capsule, depends on brand.
* Bottom line: If the brand is tested to provide adequate amounts of active ingredients, it is a safe and effective treatment of mild to moderate insomnia.

Fin

References

* Abourashed, E. and Koetter, U. In Vitro Binding Experiments with a Valerian, Hops and Their Fixed Combination Extract to Selected CNS Receptors. Phytomedicine. 2004. Vol 11.
* American Academy of Family Physicians. http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030415/1755.html. retrieved July, 2006.
* Hadley, S., Petery, J. Valerian. American Family Physician. 2003. Vol 67. pg 1755-1760.
* Herb Almanac. http://www.1001herbs.com/valerian/. retrieved July, 2006.
* McCabe, S. Complementary Herbal and Alternative Drugs in Clinical Practice. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. 2002. Vol 38. pg 98-109.
* Mischoulon, D. The Herbal Anxiolytics Kava and Valerian for Anxiety and Insomnia. Psychiatric Annals. 2002. Vol 32. pg 55-66.
* Muller, D., Pfeil, T., et all. Treating Depression Comorbid with Anxiety Results of an Open, Practice-oriented Study with St.Johns Wort and Valerian Extract in High Doses. Phytomedican. 2003. Vol 10. pg 25.
* Office of Dietary Supplements. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Valerian.asp. retrieved July, 2006.
* Taibi, D., Bourguignon, C., Taylor, A. Valerian Use for Sleep Disturbances Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Holistic Nursing Practice. 2004. Vol 18. pg 120-127.
* Wills, R., Bone, K., Morgan,M. Herbal Products: Active Constitualnt, Modes of Action and Quality Control. Nutrition Society. 2000. Vol 13.

A side Note…

Valerian has shown to have a similar

effect on cats as cat-nip.

The Return of the Puppet Masters
by Carl Zimmer
_http://scienceblogs.com/loom/2006/01/the_return_of_the_puppet_maste.php_
(http://scienceblogs.com/loom/2006/01/the_return_of_the_puppet_maste.php)

Are brain parasites altering the personalities of three billion people?
The question emerged a few years ago, and it shows no signs of going away.

I first encountered this idea while working on my book Parasite Rex. I was
investigating the remarkable ability parasites have to manipulate the
behavior of their hosts. The lancet fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum, for
example, forces its ant host to clamp itself to the tip of grass blades, where a
grazing mammal might eat it. It’s in the fluke’s interest to get eaten,
because only by getting into the gut of a sheep or some other grazer can it
complete its life cycle. Another fluke, Euhaplorchis californiensis, causes
infected fish to shimmy and jump, greatly increasing the chance that wading
birds will grab them.

Those parasites were weird enough, but then I got to know Toxoplasma
gondii. This single-celled parasite lives in the guts of cats, sheddding eggs
that can be picked up by rats and other animals that can just so happen be
eaten by cats. Toxoplasma forms cysts throughout its intermediate host’s
body, including the brain. And yet a Toxoplasma-ridden rat is perfectly
healthy. That makes good sense for the parasite, since a cat would not be
particularly interested in eating a dead rat. But scientists at Oxford discovered
that the parasite changes the rats in one subtle but vital way.

The scientists studied the rats in a six-foot by six-foot outdoor
enclosure. They used bricks to turn it into a maze of paths and cells. In each
corner of the enclosure they put a nest box along with a bowl of food and
water. On each the nests they added a few drops of a particular odor. On one
they added the scent of fresh straw bedding, on another the bedding from a
rat’s nests, on another the scent of rabbit urine, on another, the urine of a
cat. When they set healthy rats loose in the enclosure, the animals rooted
around curiously and investigated the nests. But when they came across the
cat odor, they shied away and never returned to that corner. This was no
surprise: the odor of a cat triggers a sudden shift in the chemistry of rat
brains that brings on intense anxiety. (When researchers test anti-anxiety
drugs on rats, they use a whiff of cat urine to make them panic.) The anxiety
attack made the healthy rats shy away from the odor and in general makes
them leery of investigating new things. Better to lie low and stay alive.

Then the researchers put Toxoplasma-carrying rats in the enclosure. Rats
carrying the parasite are for the most part indistinguishable from healthy
ones. They can compete for mates just as well and have no trouble feeding
themselves. The only difference, the researchers found, is that they are more
likely to get themselves killed. The scent of a cat in the enclosure didn’t
make them anxious, and they went about their business as if nothing was
bothering them. They would explore around the odor at least as often as they
did anywhere else in the enclosure. In some cases, they even took a special
interest in the spot and came back to it over and over again.

The scientists speculated that Toxoplasma was secreted some substance that
was altering the patterns of brain activity in the rats. This manipulation
likely evolved through natural selection, since parasites that were more
likely to end up in cats would leave more offpsring.

The Oxford scientists knew that humans can be hosts to Toxoplasma, too.
People can become infected by its eggs by handling soil or kitty litter. For
most people, the infection causes no harm. Only if a person’s immune system
is weak does Toxoplasma grow uncontrollably. That’s why pregnant women are
advised not to handle kitty litter, and why toxoplasmosis is a serious
risk for people with AIDS. Otherwise, the parasite lives quietly in people’s
bodies (and brains). It’s estimated that about half of all people on Earth
are infected with Toxoplasma.

Given that human and rat brains have a lot of similarities (they share the
same basic anatomy and use the same neurotransmitters), a question
naturally arose: if Toxoplasma can alter the behavior of a rat, could it alter a
human? Obviously, this manipulation would not do the parasite any good as an
adaptation, since it’s pretty rare for a human to be devoured by a cat.
But it could still have an effect.

Some scientists believe that Toxoplasma changes the personality of its
human hosts, bringing different shifts to men and women. Parasitologist
Jaroslav Flegr of Charles University in Prague administered psychological
questionnaires to people infected with Toxoplasma and controls. Those infected, he
found, show a small, but statistically significant, tendency to be more
self-reproaching and insecure. Paradoxically, infected women, on average,
tend to be more outgoing and warmhearted than controls, while infected men
tend to be more jealous and suspicious.

It’s controversial work, disputed by many. But it attracted the attention
of E. Fuller Torrey of the Stanley Medical Research Institute in Bethesda,
Maryland. Torrey and his colleagues had noticed some intriguing links
between Toxoplasma and schizophrenia. Infection with the parasite has been
associated with damage to a certain class of neurons (astrocytes). So has
schizophrenia. Pregnant women with high levels of Toxoplasma antibodies in their
blood were more likely to give birth to children who would later develop
schizophrenia. Torrey lays out more links in this 2003 paper. While none is a
smoking gun, they are certainly food for thought. It’s conceivable that
exposure to Toxoplasma causes subtle changes in most people’s personality, but
in a small minority, it has more devastating effects.

A year later, Torrey and his colleagues discovered one more fascinating
link. They raised human cells in Petri dishes and infected them with
Toxoplasma. Then they dosed the cells with a variety of drugs used to treat
schizophrenia. Several of the drugs—most notably haloperidol—blocked the growth
of the parasite.

So Fuller and the Oxford scientists joined forces to find an answer to the
next logical question: can drugs used to treat schizophrenia help a
parasite-crazed rat? They now report their results in the Proceedings of the
Royal Society of London (press release). They ran the original tests on 49 more
rats. Once again, parasitized rats lost their healthy fear of cats. Then
the researchers treated the rats with haloperidol and several other
anti-psychotic drugs. They found that the drugs made the rats more scared. They also
found that the antipsychotics were as effective as pyrimethamine, a drug
that is specifically used to eliminate Toxoplasma.

There’s plenty left to do to turn these results into a full-blown
explanation of parasites and personalities. For example, what is Toxoplasma
releasing into brains to manipulate its hosts? And how does that substance give
rise to schizophrenia in some humans? And even if the hypothesis does hold
up, it would only account for some cases of schizophrenia, while the cause of
others would remain undiscovered. But still...the idea that parasites are
tinkering with humanity’s personality—perhaps even giving rise to cultural
diversity—is taking over my head like a bad case of Toxoplasma.

and

Parasites brainwash grasshoppers into death dive
_ http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7927_
(http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7927)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/soilandhealth/

Cyber Security Tip ST04-011
Using Instant Messaging and Chat Rooms Safely

Although they offer a convenient way to communicate with other people, there
are dangers associated with tools that allow real-time communication.

What are the differences between some of the tools used for real-time
communication?

* Instant messaging (IM) - Commonly used for recreation, instant messaging
is also becoming more widely used within corporations for communication
between employees. IM, regardless of the specific software you choose,
provides an interface for individuals to communicate one-on-one.
* Chat rooms - Whether public or private, chat rooms are forums for
particular groups of people to interact. Many chat rooms are based upon
a shared characteristic; for example, there are chat rooms for people of
particular age groups or interests. Although most IM clients support
“chats” among multiple users, IM is traditionally one-to-one while chats
are traditionally many-to-many.
* Bots - A “chat robot,” or “bot,” is software that can interact with
users through chat mechanisms, whether in IM or chat rooms. In some
cases, users may be able to obtain current weather reports, stock
status, or movie listings. In these instances, users are often aware
that they are not interacting with an actual human. However, some users
may be fooled by more sophisticated bots into thinking the responses
they are receiving are from another person.

There are many software packages that incorporate one or more of these
capabilities. A number of different technologies might be supported,
including IM, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), or Jabber.

What are the dangers?

* Identities can be elusive or ambiguous - Not only is it sometimes
difficult to identify whether the “person” you are talking to is human,
but human nature and behavior isn’t predictable. People may lie about
their identity, accounts may be compromised, users may forget to log
out, or an account may be shared by multiple people. All of these things
make it difficult to know who you’re really talking to during a
conversation.
* Users are especially susceptible to certain types of attack - Trying to
convince someone to run a program or click on a link is a common attack
method, but it can be especially effective through IM and chat rooms. In
a setting where a user feels comfortable with the “person” he or she is
talking to, a malicious piece of software or an attacker has a better
chance of convincing someone to fall into the trap (see Avoiding Social
Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information).
* You don’t know who else might be seeing the conversation - Online
interactions are easily saved, and if you’re using a free commercial
service the exchanges may be archived on a server. You have no control
over what happens to those logs. You also don’t know if there’s someone
looking over the shoulder of the person you’re talking to, or if an
attacker might be “sniffing” your conversation.
* The software you’re using may contain vulnerabilities - Like any other
software, chat software may have vulnerabilities that attackers can
exploit.
* Default security settings may be inappropriate - The default security
settings in chat software tend to be relatively permissive to make it
more open and “usable,” and this can make you more susceptible to
attacks.

How can you use these tools safely?

* Evaluate your security settings - Check the default settings in your
software and adjust them if they are too permissive. Make sure to
disable automatic downloads. Some chat software offers the ability to
limit interactions to only certain users, and you may want to take
advantage of these restrictions.
* Be conscious of what information you reveal - Be wary of revealing
personal information unless you know who you are really talking to. You
should also be careful about discussing anything you or your employer
might consider sensitive business information over public IM or chat
services (even if you are talking to someone you know in a one-to-one
conversation).
* Try to verify the identity of the person you are talking to, if it
matters - In some forums and situations, the identity of the “person”
you are talking to may not matter. However, if you need to have a degree
of trust in that person, either because you are sharing certain types of
information or being asked to take some action like following a link or
running a program, make sure the “person” you are talking to is actually
that person.
* Don’t believe everything you read - The information or advice you
receive in a chat room or by IM may be false or, worse, malicious. Try
to verify the information or instructions from outside sources before
taking any action.
* Keep software up to date - This includes the chat software, your
browser, your operating system, your mail client, and, especially, your
anti-virus software (see Understanding Patches and Understanding
Anti-Virus Software for more information).
_________________________________________________________________

Authors: Mindi McDowell, Allen Householder
_________________________________________________________________

Produced 2004 by US-CERT, a government organization.

Note: This tip was previously published and is being re-distributed to increase awareness.

http//www.us-cert.gov/legal.html

This document can also be found at

http//www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-011.html

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