BHM Newsletter
Volume 9      Number 8

August 21, 2007
 

INSIDE BHM

Err...ahhh...

...okay, so we were really, really, late with this issue. We could list the myriad reasons for the delay, but it wouldn't change the tardiness, so we'll just say Sorry about that and do our best to get the September issue online by the 21st.

SELF-RELIANCE TIPS

Disinfecting Water in an Emergency

In any emergency where the quality of water may be questionable, you should disinfect any water that goes into your mouth. That includes water you use for drinking and cooking, of course, but also water you brush your teeth or even wash your dishes with.

There are a variety of ways to make sure your emergency water supply won't be full of dangerous, perhaps even deadly, "bugs."

1. Use bottled water if it is available. This can be commercially bottled or home-stored water that has been properly stored and rotated as part of your preparedness preparations.
2. If you don't have bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers.
3. If you can't boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.
4. If you have a well that has been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede. If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.

The above four recommendations are stressed by the Red Cross and various federal agencies. But there's more you need to know.

Look for other sources of potable water in and around your home.

When your home water supply is interrupted by natural or other forms of disaster, you can obtain limited amounts of water by draining your hot water tank or melting ice cubes. In most cases, well water is the preferred source of drinking water. If it is not available and river or lake water must be used, avoid sources containing floating material and water with a dark color or an odor. Generally, flowing water is better quality than stagnant water.

Examine the physical condition of the water.

When emergency disinfection is necessary, disinfectants are less effective in cloudy, murky or colored water. Filter murky or colored water through clean cloths or allow it to settle. It is better to both settle and filter. After filtering until it is clear, or allowing all dirt and other particles to settle, draw off the clean and clear water for disinfection. Water prepared for disinfection should be stored only in clean, tightly covered, containers, not subject to corrosion.

Boiling and chemical treatment are two general methods used to effectively disinfect small quantities of filtered and settled water.

Boiling

Boiling is the surest method to make water safe to drink and kill disease-causing microorganisms like Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium, which are frequently found in rivers and lakes.

These disease-causing organisms are less likely to occur in well water (as long as it has not been affected by flood waters). If not treated properly and neutralized, Giardia may cause diarrhea, fatigue, and cramps after ingestion. Cryptosporidium is highly resistant to disinfection. It may cause diarrhea, nausea and/or stomach cramps. People with severely weakened immune systems are likely to have more severe and more persistent symptoms than healthy individuals. Boil filtered and settled water vigorously for one minute (at altitudes above one mile, boil for three minutes).

To improve the flat taste of boiled water, aerate it by pouring it back and forth from one container to another and allow it to stand for a few hours, or add a pinch of salt for each quart or liter of water boiled.

If boiling is not possible, chemical disinfection of filtered and settled water collected from a well, spring, river, or other surface water body will still provide some health benefits and is better than no treatment at all.

Chemical Treatment

When boiling is not practical, certain chemicals will kill most harmful or disease-causing organisms.

For chemical disinfection to be effective, the water must be filtered and settled first. Chlorine and iodine are the two chemicals commonly used to treat water. They are somewhat effective in protecting against exposure toGiardia, but may not be effective in controlling more resistant organisms like Cryptosporidium. Chlorine is generally more effective than iodine in controlling Giardia, and both disinfectants work much better in warm water.

You can use a non-scented, household chlorine bleach that contains a chlorine compound to disinfect water.

Do not use non-chlorine bleach to disinfect water. Typically, household chlorine bleaches will be 5.25% available chlorine. Follow the procedure written on the label. When the necessary procedure is not given, find the percentage of available chlorine on the label and use the information in the following table as a guide. (Remember, 1/8 teaspoon and 8 drops are about the same quantity.)

(If the strength of the bleach is unknown, add ten drops per quart or liter of filtered and settled water. Double the amount of chlorine for cloudy, murky or colored water or water that is extremely cold.)

Mix the treated water thoroughly and allow it to stand, preferably covered, for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor. If not, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, allow the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or pour it from one clean container to another several times.

You can use granular calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water.

Add and dissolve one heaping teaspoon of high-test granular calcium hypochlorite (approximately ¼ ounce) for each two gallons of water, or 5 milliliters (approximately 7 grams) per 7.5 liters of water. The mixture will produce a stock chlorine solution of approximately 500 milligrams per liter, since the calcium hypochlorite has available chlorine equal to 70 percent of its weight. To disinfect water, add the chlorine solution in the ratio of one part of chlorine solution to each 100 parts of water to be treated. This is roughly equal to adding 1 pint (16 ounces) of stock chlorine to each 12.5 gallons of water or (approximately ½ liter to 50 liters of water) to be disinfected.To remove any objectionable chlorine odor, aerate the disinfected water by pouring it back and forth from one clean container to another.

You can use chlorine tablets to disinfect filtered and settled water.
Chlorine tablets containing the necessary dosage for drinking water disinfection can be purchased in a commercially prepared form. These tablets are available from drug and sporting goods stores and should be used as stated in the instructions. When instructions are not available, use one tablet for each quart or liter of water to be purified.

You can use tincture of iodine to disinfect filtered and settled water.

Common household iodine from the medicine chest or first aid kit may be used to disinfect water. Add five drops of 2 percent U.S. or your country’s approved Pharmacopeia tincture of iodine to each quart or liter of clear water.

For cloudy water add ten drops and let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes.

You can use iodine tablets to disinfect filtered and settled water.

Purchase commercially prepared iodine tablets containing the necessary dosage for drinking water disinfection at drug and sporting goods stores. Use as stated in instructions. When instructions are not available, use one tablet for each quart or liter of filtered and settled water to be purified.

RECIPES

Wild Mushroom Delights

Although several of these recipes call for particular types of wild mushrooms, you can experiment by subsituting your own favorite mushrooms or those that are in season.

Steak With Wild Mushroom Sauce

4 medium sized New York Strip Steaks
2 tablespoons shallots
2 oz. butter (1/2 stick)
1 pound assorted wild mushrooms, (portabello, morel,shitake, cremini...whatever is available)
1/2 cup red wine (good quality; not plain old cooking wine)
3 oz Demi-Glace Gold*
1 cup hot water
Salt and Pepper to taste

*If you can't find Demi-Glace Gold, you can substitute of veal stock reduced by half and forget about the cup of hot water.

Get your grill really hot. While that is happening, finely chop your shallots and slice your mushrooms. Have your red wine and demi glace or substitute ready to go

Season the steaks with a little salt and pepper. Cook approximately 3-4 minutes per side depending how you like your steaks. When done, slice the steaks into 1/4 inch strips, fan out on a warm plate and add your wild mushroom sauce.

The Sauce

Melt butter in a sauce pan and sauté shallots until transparent, approximately 2-3 minutes. Add red wine.

Add mushrooms and cook until tender and wine has reduced to an essence. Add Demi-Glace Gold and stir until dissolved. Add hot water and simmer until the sauce has thickened, approximately 8-10 minutes.

Salt and pepper to taste and serve over the steaks (and mashed potatoes).

Mexican Stuffed Mushrooms

1 lb. hot sausage
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 clove garlic
2 lbs. large mushrooms

Mix together the first 3 ingredients. Stuff mushrooms. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes or until sausage is done.

Bricked Chicken With Chanterelle And Asparagus

This is a recipe best reserved for a day when you're in the mood to put out your fanciest culinary efforts.

2 whole chickens, about 3 pounds each
2 masonry bricks, 2 or 3 pounds each, wrapped in aluminum foil
1 unpeeled orange, sliced into eight crescents
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
2 cloves of garlic, minced fine
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup olive oil

Sauce

1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup dry sherry or vermouth
4 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 bunches fresh asparagus spears, sliced diagonally, about 2 inches long
1 1/2 pounds fresh chanterelle mushrooms, cleaned with a damp cloth and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using kitchen scissors, remove the first and second joints from the wings of the two chickens and set aside. Stand the chicken upright, and using the scissors, cut down the length of the backbone on either side. Now lay the chicken flat and cut down the center of the breastbone. Now you should have two chicken halves. Repeat with the other chicken.

Mix the chopped sage, orange zest, cumin, cayenne and olive oil together to make the marinade. Coat all sides of all the chicken pieces with the marinade. Stack them, placing a crescent of fresh orange between each piece. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least three or four hours, or overnight.

In the meantime, roast the chicken backs and wing joints in a 325 F oven until they are golden brown. Depending on how high the sides of your roasting pan are, this may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The lower the sides of your pan, the faster your chicken will brown.

While the chicken is roasting, place the orange juice in a heavy saucepan over medium heat to simmer. Let it reduce in volume until it is syrupy. Add the sherry or vermouth, stirring constantly, and continue cooking for about five minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add the roasted chicken backs and wings, lower to a simmer, and cook for one hour. Strain and reserve the sauce.

Place two twelve inch skillets on the stove at high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to each skillet, then place two chicken halves in each pan, skin side down. Cover each pair of chicken halves with one brick, then place in the oven. Roast for about 20 minutes, remove the bricks, and turn the chickens. Replace the bricks and roast for about 20 minutes more. Remove from the pan.

Divide the chanterelles into two halves, placing half of them in each of the two hot pans which were just used for the chickens. Saute the mushrooms for a few minutes, until they begin to soften, then add the sauce. When the sauce boils, add the asparagus tips, cook for two minutes, and add salt if necessary.

Using a slotted spoon, place the mushrooms and asparagus onto four inpidual plates. Place one half-chicken on each plate, then spoon the sauce equally over each. Serve immediately.

Serves four.

Morel Mushroom Soup

The stock recipe yields 8 cups; there will be about 1 1/2 cups left over after you make the mushroom soup. To prepare the mushrooms for this soup, wipe them clean with a damp paper towel. You may need to rinse quickly to dislodge any dirt from crevices.

For chicken stock:

2 medium leeks, ends trimmed
4 pounds chicken wings, rinsed
3 quarts plus 3 cups cold water
2 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 fresh thyme sprigs
12 whole black peppercorns
2 bay leaves

For wild mushroom soup:

1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 tablespoons minced shallots
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
15 ounces morels, cleaned, trimmed and sliced
6 ounces white mushrooms, sliced
1/8 teaspoon curry powder
1/3 cup finely diced peeled carrot
1/3 cup finely diced peeled turnip
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

Cut off dark green tops from leeks and reserve for soup. Cut white and pale green sections lengthwise in half. Rinse any dirt from leeks with cold water. Cut halves into 1-inch pieces. Place in 8- to 10-quart pot. Add chicken wings. Add water, carrots, onion, thyme, peppercorns and bay leaves. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 2 hours 15 minutes, occasionally skimming foam from surface.
Strain stock through fine sieve into large bowl. Chill stock until fat hardens on surface, about 2 hours. Spoon off fat and discard. Measure stock. If necessary, simmer in large saucepan until reduced to 8 cups.
Bring 1/2 cup stock to simmer in saucepan. Add saffron; set aside to steep. Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add shallots and garlic; stir 1 minute. Add 1/3 of wild mushrooms and all of white mushrooms. Sauté until mushrooms release liquid, about 8 minutes. Add curry powder; sauté until mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes. Add saffron mixture and 6 cups stock.

Simmer until mushrooms are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Puree cooked mushrooms and 1 cup mushroom broth in processor until almost smooth. Return mushroom puree to saucepan with broth. Simmer soup 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Sauté remaining Morels in butter over medium-high heat until tender, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into 4 shallow bowls. Top with sautéed Morels and serve.

Serves four.

Fairy-Ring Mushroom Pasta Sauce

1 cup dried fairy-ring mushrooms or equivalent quantity fresh mushrooms
1-1/2 cup peeled and diced tomatoes (use 1 can peeled and diced tomatoes unless you have vine-ripened fresh tomatoes)
1/2 teaspoon Herbs d'Provence
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust for your taste and the hotness of your sauce)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 lb. good quality pasta (farfalle, fusilli, penne, rigitoni, etc.)

Soak the dried mushrooms in hot water until soft. Drain, reserving liquid. Heat the butter and olive oil in a sauté pan. Add mushrooms and Herbs d'Provence. Cook slowly for 15 minutes. Add reserved soaking liquid and reduce over high heat until about 3/4 of the liquid is gone. Add tomatoes and parsley and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until done but still firm to the bite. The mushroom sauce over the pasta serves 4 as a starter course or side course, 2 as a main course.

Mushrooms Florentine

12 to 16 medium mushrooms any with caps
1/4 lb butter, melted
olive oil
1 1/2 tbl onions, minced
1 tbl shallotS, minced
3/4 cup, fresh spinach, cooked until just limp throughout, pureed
1/2 cup fowl or pork, cooked and chopped small (optional)
1/4 tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 tbl Parmigiano or Asiago or similar cheese, freshly grated

Preheat oven to 375F. Wash the mushrooms and remove the stems. Dip the caps into 6 tablespoons of the melted butter and place them upside-down in a buttered (or oiled with the olive oil) baking pan.

Chop the stems small and sauté them in a little butter and olive oil mix with the minced onion until the stems have lost their water and the onions are limp. Add the minced shallot and cook for 5 minutes more.

Add the spinach which has been squeezed very dry, meat (optional), nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stir and warm through.

Fill the caps with the spinach mixture. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top of the filling and bake for 15 minutes. Transfer to an attractive serving platter and while passing them engage your guests into a discussion of "Catch and Release" and they will be impressed.

HUMOR

As it's been some time since we last published blond jokes...

One day, a blonde got sick and tired of all the "Dumb Blonde" jokes being told around her office, so she went home that evening and memorized all the state capitals.

Back in the office the next day, during coffe break, some guy starting telling a Dumb Blonde joke.

Incensed, she interrupted with the shrill announcement, "I've had it up to HERE with these dumb Dumb Blonde jokes. I want you to know that THIS blonde went home last night and did something probably none of you could do, I memorized all the state capitals!"

Of course, one of the guys said, "I don't believe you. What are the capitals of Idaho, Tennessee, and Wyoming?"

With confidence and pride, the blond puffed out ther chest, looked him straight in the eye and answered, "I, T and W."

All we have to say about this one, in the interests of international relations, is, "No comment."

Two blonde guys were in a parking lot trying to unlock the door of their Mercedes with a coat hanger.

They tried and tried to get the door open, but no matter what they tried, they couldn't get it open.

Just as the guy with the coat hanger stopped for a moment to catch his breath, it started to rain.

"Will you hurry up," his friend said anxiously, "Can't you see the top is down?"

Making it easy for barflies to understand...

Finally, for those of you old enough to have enjoyed Abbott & Costello's "Who's on first" (Video) routine, we offer this look at how the two great comedians might have updated their act for the 21st century:

ABBOTT: Hello, Ultimate Super Duper Computer Store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up a home office in the den, and I'm thinking of buying my first computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name is Bud.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name is Bud.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Does it get stuffy?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don't know. What do I see when I look out the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software that runs on Windows?

COSTELLO: No, on the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses. You know, run a business. What have you got?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: Okay, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office.

ABBOTT: Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office and it already has windows! Let's say I'm sitting at my computer, and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: If I'm writing a proposal, I'm going to need lots of words. But what program do I load?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: The Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in "office" is "office."

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in "office for windows"?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue W.

COSTELLO: I'm going to click your big blue W if you don't give me a straight answer. Let's forget about words for a minute. What do I need if I want to watch a movie over the Internet?

ABBOTT: RealOne.

COSTELLO: Maybe a real movie, maybe a cartoon. What I watch is none of your business. But what do I need to watch it?

ABBOTT: RealOne.

COSTELLO: If it's a long movie I'll also want to watch reels two, three, and four. Can I watch reel four?

ABBOTT: Of course.

COSTELLO: Great! With what?

ABBOTT: RealOne.

COSTELLO: Okay, so I'm sitting at my computer and I want to watch a movie. What do I do?

ABBOTT: You click the blue 1.

COSTELLO: I click the blue one what?

ABBOTT: The blue 1.

COSTELLO: Is that different from the blue W?

ABBOTT: Of course it is. The blue 1 is RealOne. The blue W is Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: But there are three words in "office for windows"!

ABBOTT: No, just one. But it's the most popular Word in the world.

COSTELLO: It is?

ABBOTT: Yes, although to be fair there aren't many other Words left. It pretty much wiped out all the other Words.

COSTELLO: And that word is the real one?

ABBOTT: No. RealOne has nothing to do with Word. RealOne isn't even part of Office.

COSTELLO: Never mind; I don't want to get started with that again. But I also need something for bank accounts, loans, and so on. What do you have to help me track my money?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Exactly. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer at no extra charge? How much money do I get?

ABBOTT: Just one copy.

COSTELLO: I get a copy of money. Isn't that illegal?

ABBOTT: No. We have a license from Microsoft to make copies of Money.

COSTELLO: Microsoft can license you to make money?

ABBOTT: Why not? They own it.

COSTELLO: Well, it's great that I'm going to get free money, but I'll still need to track it. Do you have anything for managing your money?

ABBOTT: Managing Your Money? That program disappeared years ago.

COSTELLO: Well, what do you sell in its place?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: You sell money?

ABBOTT: Of course. But if you buy a computer from us, you get it for free.

COSTELLO: That's all very wonderful, but I'll be running a business. Do you have any software for, you know, accounting?

ABBOTT: Simply Accounting.

COSTELLO: Probably, but it might get a little complicated.

ABBOTT: If you don't want Simply Accounting, you might try M.Y.O.B.

COSTELLO: M.Y.O.B.? What does that stand for?

ABBOTT: Mind Your Own Business.

COSTELLO: I beg your pardon?

ABBOTT: No, that would be I.B.Y.P. I said M.Y.O.B.

COSTELLO: Look, I just need to do some accounting for my home business. You know -- accounting? You do it with money.

ABBOTT: Of course you can do accounting with Money. But you may need more.

COSTELLO: More money?

ABBOTT: More than Money. Money can't do everything.

COSTELLO: I don't need a sermon! Okay, let's forget about money for the moment. I'm worried that my computer might... what's the word? Crash. And if my computer crashes, what can I use to restore my data?

ABBOTT: GoBack.

COSTELLO: Okay. I'm worried about my computer smashing and I need something to restore my data. What do you recommend?

ABBOTT: GoBack.

COSTELLO: How many times do I have to repeat myself?

ABBOTT: I've never asked you to repeat yourself. All I said was GoBack.

COSTELLO: How can I go back if I haven't even been anywhere? Okay, I'll go back. What do I need to write a proposal?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: But I'll need lots of words to write a proposal.

ABBOTT: No, you only need one Word -- the Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: But there's three words in . . . Oh, never mind. *click*

ABBOTT: Hello? Hello? Customers! Why do they always hang up on me? Oh, well... Ultimate Super Duper Computer Store. Can I help you?

Contributed by David at airmail.net

BONUS ARTICLE

A Home Schooling Formula That Works

By Donna Stephens Hill

If you are considering homeschooling your children or if you already do but are struggling, I hope my experience will give you inspiration and hope. I have two sons, ages 12 and 17. I have been homeschooling them since the oldest started second grade. The 17-year-old is a National Merit Scholarship Corporation commended student and scored very high on the SAT. Both boys consistently score extremely high on the required standardized tests. I believe that after so many years of homeschooling I have learned a lot that could save many much stress and struggle.

The most important thing is what you do not do. Don't try to have a miniature version of a public school classroom. This will not work, it is not necessary and it is harmful to all. The homeschool teacher's happiness and mental health are of extreme importance. A burnt out homeschool teacher is counterproductive to what you are trying to achieve- a happy, close-knit family. So, priority number one is to get all of the children working independently. This is not as impossible as it sounds. Once everyone learns to read (a natural, simple process if handled correctly), it is simply a matter of setting and sticking to an independent work schedule 5 days a week. There should be a routine that everyone does and it should be as reliable as the sunrise. This tends to make children feel secure and it supports an orderly mind. Learning to be an independent thinker will serve them well in college and their entire lives. They will learn teamwork in many other daily activities and challenges within the family and in other group activities, but their schoolwork should be entirely theirs.

Every day the most important thing in our homeschool is doing a lesson or two of Saxon Math. If you are consistent about this, your children will be happily working on their Advanced Mathematics while you are getting your independent work done too. They will never need your help because the curriculum is excellent and meant for totally independent use. This really works. Start in the appropriate book and let them settle in and get used to it. Your job is to keep them on course. Think of yourself as the director of their education. You should require grading of all lessons before moving on to the next lesson. Regular testing will assure you of their steady progress.

The next most important activity is reading. This is where you will have them learn all the other subjects like science, history or whatever you feel is needed or required. In deciding which books to use ask yourself which book you would read if you had to learn the subject. Since your children are lucky enough to be homeschooled, why not make it enjoyable and interesting. If you wouldn't want to read something don't force your children to either. With the availability of the Internet, you literally have the world at your fingertips. Go to a few homeschooling web sites for ideas on favorite books. Do some research and you will soon have a lot of great ideas. Take your children to the library as often as possible and let them get lots of books in whatever subjects interest them. Make this an exciting and important family activity.

The third important activity is writing. Require a daily paper from each child. Adjust the length by age group, for example, one third of a page for young children, one half of a page for older elementary and a full page for the higher grades. Adjust this based on your child's abilities. The important thing is not the length or the subject matter, but the daily habit. (I did have to place limits on humorous papers from my oldest son because he was enjoying himself a bit too much at the expense of other writing styles). You will find that good readers are good writers too. This is a wonderfully natural process that you should trust.

Realize that developing habits take time. Be patient and peaceful. "The days never know what the years see clearly" is my homeschooling motto. I read that quotation somewhere long ago and it stuck in my mind because it is reassuring on those days when you worry that you're not making appropriate progress. These three daily habits of math, reading and writing will give your children an excellent education and will enable them to do extremely well on standardized tests and college admission tests.

In addition to academics, our sons are in a homeschool band program. Learning to play an instrument has been shown in studies to lead to a greater aptitude for mathematics. This is something that is important to our family but it is by no means necessary for an effective homeschool. Every family should choose their extracurricular activities carefully. Just be sure not to over do it. Our sons also enjoy electronics, ham radio and computers. Whatever your child's passion is, it should be encouraged. Remember, when they are involved in a hobby or interest they are thinking, reading, organizing and using many other mental and motor skills.

Finally, one of the most important things to consider is your children's nutrition. Start the day with a high protein breakfast. Be sure to keep their blood sugar level by serving regular meals and limiting junk food. A good multi-vitamin rounds things out. Learning about nutrition and issues associated with quality food and water will go a long way to avoiding health and behavior problems in your children. On the practical side, your children should get plenty of fresh air and exercise. A comfortable work area with good lighting is essential to a healthy homeschool environment. Also, be sure to take advantage of weekends, holidays and vacations to switch gears and enjoy a change of pace.

Remember that homeschooling offers a wonderful opportunity for your children to really enjoy learning. Keep everyone on track with this simple plan that really works. Stick with it and the joys and rewards will come.
 

OTHER STUFF

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