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How to keep your scents light and sensible this summer
(BPT) - The seasons affect everything we wear, eat and feel – including the scents we choose. When weather warms, Americans turn to lighter scents in everything from body lotions and perfumes to clothing fabric softeners. “Annual American perfume sales are around $5.2 billion,” notes Sue Phillips, founder and president...
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New survey shows working from home sometimes means working from bed [Infographic]
From checking emails and surfing the web, to watching television and making phone calls, respondents in a recent Serta-sponsored CARAVAN omnibus survey showed that seven in 10 (69%) Americans regularly do work related and personal activities in their bed.  
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Making summer fun to teach your kids life lessons
(BPT) - Ah, the hot days of summer when a neighborhood lemonade stand is the perfect place to buy – or sell – a cold, refreshing drink. While a lemonade stand is a classic summer activity for kids and their parents, it’s also a great way to help teach children about earning money, building community and expressing creat...
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Greener decorating for your deck and patio
(BPT) - Outdoor living spaces cry out for an eco-friendly touch. Whether you’re adding a patio, updating a deck or livening up your landscaping, the last thing you want to do is harm the environment. Greener decorating and building practices can help you protect and pay homage to Mother Nature while creating a space whe...
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Guidance to help parents keep kids smoke-free
Children often learn by example. They grow up watching Mom and Dad’s behaviors, learning at a very early age how to mimic their elders. In school, the examples shown by peers help to develop children, both academically and socially. So when it comes to smoking, children might not be prepared to take an individual stanc...
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Five unexpected ways to get your kids to eat veggies - and like them
(BPT) - Peas, carrots, broccoli and spinach ... some kids love vegetables, but many do not. We know that veggies provide nourishment, especially for growing children, but getting your kids to eat healthier can be a challenge. Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to increase the amount of veggies in your kids’ diet...
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Sun safety: How to protect your eyes and vision [Infographic]
As summer approaches, consumers will stock up on sunscreen to help protect against skin cancer. However, what people don’t realize is that prolonged sun exposure without proper UV protection for their eyes may also lead to a variety of vision disorders.
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Expert advice for smart investing strategies
(BPT) - After five years of market volatility, recession and uncertainty, markets in the U.S. are showing signs of life. Leading indexes are now approaching all-time highs, and many individuals are taking a fresh look at their investment plans. But with the sting of recent losses and swings still fresh in mind, now is a...
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Speedy recipes for a flavor-filled summer
Summertime is filled with fun activities from local festivals to neighborhood parties and vacations. These events always seem to have one thing in common – the wonderful food – which can be difficult to avoid with tasty temptations around every corner. However, by taking advantage of the season’s best fruits and vegetab...
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Tips to keep potty training positive
(BPT) - Parents everywhere agree – potty training can be a struggle. You worry about taking your toddler out in public or trying to find ways to simultaneously encourage potty training and boost your child’s self-confidence. Still, of 1,000 moms surveyed, 76 percent feel that their child’s personal growth as a result of...
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Celebrate the dairy days of summer by keeping products cool and fresh
(BPT) - Nothing says summer like dairy products from the number one dairy state, California. From scoops of cold, creamy ice cream to melted cheese atop juicy grilled burgers, dairy and summer menus go together like sweet corn and butter. But nothing spoils the summer fun like spoiled milk, which is why it’s important t...
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One size doesn't fit all in reproductive health
(BPT) - Every woman knows that in the world of fashion, there’s no such thing as “one size fits all.” Yet for decades, American women have seemingly accepted the “one size fits all” approach when it comes to dealing with reproductive health issues. This one-size approach has meant that each year, thousands of women unde...
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national news
FBI says it uses surveillance drones on U.S. soil

Robert Mueller gestures at the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee at an oversight hearing about the FBI on Capitol Hill in WashingtonBy David Ingram WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States uses drones for surveillance in some limited law enforcement situations, FBI Director Robert Mueller said on Wednesday, sparking additional debate about President Barack Obama's use of domestic surveillance. The acknowledgement came in response to questions from U.S. senators who said they wanted to know more about the federal government's increasing use of unmanned aircraft. "Does the FBI use drones for surveillance on U.S. soil?" Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa asked during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. ...


2013-06-19 17:19:45 -0500
Murkowski becomes third Republican U.S. senator to back gay marriage

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry sits next to U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski during the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in KirunaBy Yereth Rosen ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska publicly backed gay marriage on Wednesday, becoming the third Republican senator to do so as she spoke out ahead of potentially landmark rulings from the Supreme Court on the issue. Murkowski, 56, wrote in an essay posted on her Senate website that her decision was swayed, in part, by meeting a lesbian couple from Anchorage, one of whom was in the National Guard, who had adopted four children. "This first-class Alaskan family still lives a second-class existence," Murkowski said in her essay. ...


2013-06-19 15:59:11 -0500
Three plead guilty in New York City payroll fraud case
By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three women pleaded guilty on Wednesday to criminal charges arising out of what prosecutors say was a corrupt New York City payroll project that cost the city more than $600 million. The three are related to Mark Mazer, a former city consultant who prosecutors say played a central role in the scheme, which involved more than $40 million in kickbacks. The defendants who pleaded guilty include Svetlana Mazer, Mazer's wife; Larisa Medzon, his mother; and Anna Makovetskaya, a cousin. ...
2013-06-19 17:35:15 -0500
Baby-size burritos lead to unusual photos
America’s problem with portion size has sparked a strange new photo trend, one in which parents set their newborn babies alongside massive burritos on restaurant tabletops. According to the U.K.’s Daily Mail, a Mexican restaurant in Seattle, Wash., is saying that any diners who take photos of their babies next to one of the restaurant's [...]
2013-06-19 15:51:08 -0500