1. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds;

2. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;

3. Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick;

4. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick; and

5. Stay home when feeling sick, and obtain consultation from your health care provider.  

Dr. M

What does it take to be free of mental pain? I have been told that it lies with forgiveness and acceptance. We all have our faults - no question there. 

Can we make the conscious choice to accept our mistakes, move on in a positive way and forgive ourselves for the same? I have been trying to instill this belief in my children. I can say that I did not learn this trait early enough to avoid mental pain. I tell my kids over and over that they will fail and make mistakes. How they respond to the failure is the key. 

They are good children and deserve the teachings of acceptance, forgiveness and growth. I have tried to lead by example by forgiving others as they bear witness and by forgiving them for their mistakes. I have found that when I let them in on a few of "daddy's mistakes" as an age commensurate child, they feel better and understand their natural struggle. However, there is a downside to this idea.

I let my kids know about a time when I was a young boy, age 9. My sister got a new black hand held radio and I got her hand me down. I was mad and irrational. Being the third child, I never received a new product. So naturally, I took the radio and smashed it on the ground into 1.2 billion pieces. My father was none too pleased. I was disciplined of course. My son reminds me of this episode often when we are in company and he feels the need to be balanced for his faults. 

The point for my kids is that it was wrong, yet, I learned a valuable lesson. Now, I have no radio and just my frustration to deal with. No pity party for me from my family. I can learn from the situation, forgive myself for my stupidity and accept the reality of a radio less future by my own design. 

These are the lessons that I want them to learn under my roof where they have low risk of trouble with outside forces. I don't want them to learn these lessons when they are older and in a higher risk situation. 

Grilled Shrimp modified from Marcus Samuelsson

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 3 large garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• juice from 1 lemon and 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon organic greek plain yogurt
• 1 small jalape�o (large for more spice)
• 12 uncooked extra-large shrimp, peeled or prawns
• 1 tablespoon of shredded carrots
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
• salt
• have chopped veges available like zucchini,  squash and onions for extra skewers or extra puree or double the puree and make some all vege skewers for your vegetarian guests. 

Directions:

Blend the garlic cloves, olive oil, cilantro, parsley, lime juice, lemon juice, yogurt and the jalape�o. Mix shrimp in the puree and evenly coat them. Thread the shrimp onto presoaked wooden skewers. Place skewers on a plate and drizzle extra puree on top. 

On medium to low heat, grill skewers for 4 to 5 minutes, until they are fully cooked and the shrimp is bright pink. Place cooked skewers on a plate and sprinkle w coconut and carrot shards or garnish the plate to change the flavors being eaten at once.