Afternoons 3 p.m.-8 p.m.

Is there a LeBron in your office?

ejaffe@litemiami.com (Ellen Jaffe) — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:04:10 GMT

Do you work with someone who just has to crumble up paper and try to toss it in the garbage can from across the room? They could be an asset at Gilda's Office Olympics. June 16th is the 2nd annual Office Olympics at BankAtlantic Center. This is the perfect office 'team-building' event. Companies form teams of 10 players to compete in Trashcan Basketball, Mileage Reimbursement Race, Office Pig Pile, Paper Plate Discus and the Office Chair Relay Race. Whether you're participating as a contestant, or watching and cheering on your favorite office team, it's a really fun way to spend a few hours on a Saturday, and the proceeds benefit Gilda's Club South Florida and their support services for cancer patients. You can register your company's team at 954-763-6776, or e-mail Elizabeth@gildasclubsouthflorida.org. I'll see you there!

End empty-nesting

ejaffe@litemiami.com (Ellen Jaffe) — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:50:12 GMT

Mother's Day Weekend. Moms getting a bit of recognition and gratitude for the 'labor' involved in raising children. And although you never really stop being a parent - not even when the kids are grown with kids of their own - it's not unusual to feel a little empty, or like you're not needed once the last of the kids has moved out and moved on to their own life and their own priorities. Empty-nesting. For some women, it's the time when they re-focus on their marriage and their romantic relationship with their husband. For some, it's an opportunity to try new hobbies or go back to school. For some, empty-nesting equals freedom - from cooking, cleaning, laundry and worrying. Are you an empty-nester? Are you happy to have more freedom, but a little sad that you're not in the role of 'caretaker' anymore? Maybe it's time to take on a different kind of child-rearing. Different, ...

My, your kitchen smells fresh!

ejaffe@litemiami.com (Ellen Jaffe) — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:55:27 GMT

I hadn't expected to write about plumbing today, but then I saw this great tip from the guys at Ruiz Plumbing in Miramar. It reminded me of the old TV commercial where the woman walks into a friend's house and says, "Fish for dinner last night?". So here's what the experts recommend to keep kitchen odors under control: "Don't waste money on fancy cleaning products that not only harm you but may also harm your drains.... here's a safe inexpensive way to keep your drains clean and odor free.*Put a tablespoon of baking soda into the kitchen drain about once a week, then slowly pour in 1/4 cup of vinegar or lemon juice and let it stand ...for 30 minutes. Next run run hot water through the drain to eliminate minor buildups and odors.- Tip: Try to run hot water through the drains every so often, ...

We can do HOW MUCH at once?

ejaffe@litemiami.com (Ellen Jaffe) — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:42:24 GMT

It's being called 'second-screen usage'. Texting while watching TV. Tweeting while reading your Kindle. Posting on Facebook while viewing pictures on your Smartphone. Now ABC and Yahoo are teaming up to give you another option for dual-doing. They've created an app designed to make it easier for you to communicate through social networking while you're watching TV. The new app gets a test-run during this season's final two episodes of the drama "Revenge". The idea is to encourage people to watch live TV rather than viewing shows that have been saved on a DVR, or using On Demand. Translated - they'd really like us to stick around for the commercials, since that's how they make their money. How many screens can you manage at once ... without losing your mind? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

Wild reading of Sendak

ejaffe@litemiami.com (Ellen Jaffe) — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:20:59 GMT

Word today of the passing of Maurice Sendak, the cherished author of 'Where the Wild Things Are', has re-generated interest not only in the book, but also in various narrations of the book. This particular reading is thought by some to be Christopher Walken (responsible for some of the funniest-ever appearances on SNL), and even if it's not, it's being raved about. In case you'd prefer to be the one reading the book to your children (or for yourself), here's a link to the original.

Affordable medicine, no doctor required

ejaffe@litemiami.com (Ellen Jaffe) — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:43:20 GMT

"The Nap Cure" When I see a headline like that, I have to click for more information! I've read that not getting enough sleep has been tied to all sorts of medical problems - it's the time when our body repairs itself, and our brain sorts through all the 'stuff' it needs to process so we can think more clearly during the day and cope better with the challenges we face every day. 'Driving while sleepy' has also been determined to be as bad as driving drunk. But in a world of multi-tasking, single-parenting and working more than one job, sometimes there just isn't enough time to get the recommended 8 or 9 hours of sleep a night - and when there is time, the quality of sleep often suffers because we have so much to think about! So now some sleep experts are saying a 20-minute nap will do the job. Even ...

Harvard for all

ejaffe@litemiami.com (Ellen Jaffe) — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:03:20 GMT

Harvard, M.I.T., U Penn. Universities that used to be accessible to only the most elite (academically and financially) students are letting us all in on their grandeur. Harvard and M.I.T. have joined forces to offer some classes online - at no charge. Other schools like Stanford and Princeton are also venturing into MOOC's - massively open online courses - with massive success. One course had 160,000 students enrolled! You don't get actual college credits for learning this way, but you will get a certificate of completion (and maybe a massive ego boost). So far, the class listing looks nearly as intimidating as actually applying for admission to Harvard. Have a look! The offerings from Coursera, the company teamed with Stanford, Princeton, U Penn and U of Michigan has a more extensive catalog of online classes, including some '101's' that might be a little more accessible.

Enough rain to grow a meal?

ejaffe@litemiami.com (Ellen Jaffe) — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:26:05 GMT

It's supposed to be a hot and stormy May. Rough on the electric bill, a nuisance for the drive to work, but it could produce some good eats! I got inspired this year and started an herb garden. It's still small. Well, just one plant really. But I'm getting some delicious fresh basil from my one plant. Once I started, my sister decided to join the 'self-sustaining green' revolution, and now she has fresh, home-grown tomatoes at every meal! Once you start seeing the literal 'fruits' of your labors, you'll want to expand the garden. Here's a site with all the info you need! Happy growing!

Take your daughters and sons ...

ejaffe@litemiami.com (Ellen Jaffe) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:30:39 GMT

to School! Thursday is National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Except in South Florida. This year, the day falls within the window for FCAT testing, and some school districts have asked parents to observe the day in May, so those students who can't take off from school will still have the opportunity to experience a day at work with Mom or Dad. Best bet is to check with your child's school to see what their recommendation is ... and then check with your boss to be sure the later date is okay!! And if you work at home and decide that you want to 'home work / home school' your child for a day, here's more information about the Day, and the ways in which it's intended to benefit kids.

Burger reality check

ejaffe@litemiami.com (Ellen Jaffe) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:57:04 GMT

Who doesn't love a hamburger (vegetarians, vegans and PETAns aside) or cheeseburger? It's classic American food. But I have a feeling that the burgers that Americans used to eat were probably a lot closer to the recommended 4 oz. serving size than what we're accustomed to nowadays. And they probably weren't combined with entire other sandwiches to create a new one (not kidding, a cheeseburger and a grilled cheese combined ...). So just how much health do we surrender for the convenience of someone else doing the cooking, even when it's not fast? Have a look at the Worst For You burgers in America. This list left my head spinning. Which could be good - less time to fit one of those burgers in my mouth!