shannon_butler's Blog

We're getting over the stomach flu in my house (NOT fun), so believe me, I've been thinking about germs this week--specifically how to avoid them. So a recent headline caught my eye: The 10 Germiest Jobs in America. Of course, I had to click and learn more. Here's the scoop ...

Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, whose nickname is "Dr. Germ," spoke to ABC News recently, about the germiest professions in America:

1. Teacher/day-care worker
2. Cashier, bank employee
3. Tech support/computer repair
4. Doctor or nurse
5. Lab scientist
6. Police officer
7. Animal control officer
8. Janitor or plumber
9. Sanitation worker (AKA garbage man/woman)
10. Meat packer

I think I'd add pest control workers to the list. Just think of those poor guys (and gals) crawling around in dark basements in search of rats. Ewww.

Do you have a germy profession that you'd add to the list? A friend of mine is a librarian at a public library and she Purells her hands all day long. (Is Purell the best way to kill germs?)

And, a quick side note about Purell, and all other alcohol-based hand sanitizers folks: These don't "breed" bacteria as many people fear (I've been seeing some comments to this extent on the blog, so I thought I'd speak up). It's easy to come to this conclusion given all the warnings from health experts about superbugs and how bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, yada, yada, yada--but rest assured, hand sanitizing gels aren't the reason. These are alcohol based and don't contain any "antimicrobial" properties (most don't, anyway). It's antibacterial soaps and wipes that have some health experts worrying. The thought is that bacteria are becoming stronger and bolder as a result of our love-affair with antibacterial everything. So, Purel away--it just kills the bugs and doesn't make them grow bigger and stronger. And maybe read up on antibacterial soaps and products before using--just FYI.

please tell me..what kind of sicko pushed a woman down and spits on her?

that's what happened at ucf last week. a jogger was running on campus when a man did just that. it is so strange that the investigators aren't sure if the man was trying to commit a crime or if he is just an odd duck..i say both!

A MAN DIDN'T HESITATE WHEN A SHARK ATTACKED HIS DOG DURING THEIR DAILY SWIM AT A MARINA...HE DOVE HEAD FIRST TOWARD THE SHARK, HITTING IT IN THE BACK...FORCING IT TO RELEASE HIS FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND.

IF YOU ARE AN ANIMAL LOVE AND HAVE NOT SEEN THIS STORY YOU MUST!

today congress is out for the jewish holiday..although i have no problem with them taking off for the celebration, i have say...today they should have come in and not taken this "holiday"

why? well our country is in a downward spiral with no upside in site.

Plenty of us had to go to work today and even worse yet ..... there are millions of americans that would love to be working today...on a holiday.....but can't becasue they are out of a job!!!!

your thoughts?????

FOR ALL OF YOU ATTORNEY'S OR LEGAL MINDS OUT THERE?

DO YOU SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE WAY MR. JOSE BAEZ IS HANDLING THIS CASE? IS HE SAYING TOO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH?

SHANNON

Property taxes are likely to rise in the city of orlando..so what a campaign flyer sent out by orlando mayor buddy dyer when he ran for election in 2003. It says in big green letters. Dyer's pledge-no increase in property taxes. Did he go back on his promise? or was that 6 years ago? a case of that was then and this is now.

In 2002 before dyer took office..the property tax rate was $ 5.69 per $1000 dollars, in 2008 it was $4.93. If they milage rate is approved at the proposed 21 percent increase.The property tax rate will be $5.97.

so here i am looking forward to a little savings on my property taxes to find out now the city is going to raise my taxes..by 10 bucks a month.

one of the commissioners said "it's only 2 lattes a month"  i know but that really isn't the point is it???

what is going on...is there nowhere where we can save money anymore??

3 WOMEN ATTACKED, ONE MURDERED..DO YOU THINK COPS ARE DOING ENOUGH ON THE EASTSIDE TO PROTECT THEM?

ORANGE COUNTY JUDGES DECIDED FOR NOW NO BREATH TEST RESULTS WILL BE USED IN EVIDENCE?

DO YOU THINK THIS WILL CHANGE WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU GET PULLED OVER FOR DUI?

SHANNON

now we all have a good excuse!!!!

It's no mystery that a diet full of fried foods, giant portions, decadent desserts, alcohol, and sugary soft drinks will lead to weight gain. And there's little question why the pounds pile up when you take in more calories than you burn in physical activity. But how do you explain weight gain when your lifestyle includes regular exercise and a healthy diet that is controlled in calories? Gaining weight is absolutely maddening, especially when you really don't understand why the needle on the scale keeps going up. Several things should be considered if you are gaining weight while watching calories and being physically active. More than likely, it's a variety of things working together that have resulted in the weight gain. "Weight gain is so complicated; there are so many factors that can impact your weight. It is more likely a combination of things more than just one factor," explains Michelle May, MD, author of Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don't Work. Here are five factors that can cause the scale to creep up when you least expect it. (Need to lose a few pounds? Maybe even 50 lbs? You’re not alone. Join the discussions in our Diet Club message boards.) 1. You Might Be Gaining Weight Because of Lack of Sleep The body functions best when well rested. "When you don't get enough sleep, your body experiences physiological stress and, biochemically, you store fat more efficiently," says May. When you're tired, you also don't handle stress as well, so you may reach for food as a coping mechanism. Further, you may be taking in extra calories from late-night snacking. Some people think eating might help them get back to sleep, but all it really does is add more calories to their daily total. Symptoms that you may not be getting enough rest include fatigue, low energy levels, nodding off easily, and feeling irritable. Strive to get eight hours of sleep each night. "Add about 15 minutes to your bedtime and see how you feel," suggests May. "Continue to experiment with additional 15-minute increments until you find the ... amount of sleep that is right for you." When you develop good sleeping rituals and get regular exercise, you sleep better, she adds. 2. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Stress We live in a society that demands we do more, be more, and achieve more. Stress moves us forward and helps cope with life's demands, but it also affects our mood and emotions. "Stress response, whether it is 'fight-or-flight,' juggling too many responsibilities, or coping with financial pressures, triggers a biochemical process where our bodies go into survival mode," explains May. "Our bodies store fuel, slow down metabolism, and dump out chemicals [cortisol, leptin, and other hormones] which are more likely to cause ... obesity in the abdominal region."

yesterday i was coming home from lax when a rude woman told me my carry-on was too big(mind u i had just gotten off the plane with the same bag).  then the screener said all the bags were stuck going into the machine and if one of the passengers didn't help him push them through he was going to let the bags sit there until he got help.(mind u that is not our job)i don't care that they have to be a pain to keep us safe, but why do they have to be so rude?

any thoughts??

This missing woman, a jogger , brings up a question how does a rapist get away with raping women over and over again in the same area and nobody can find him?

shannon

A MAN LEFT HIS BABY IN A HOT CAR...THANK GOODNESS A PASSERBY SAW IT AND CALLED 911. THE FATHER SAYS HE ONLY LEFT HER FOR TEN MINUTES...

AS I SEE 10 SECONDS, 10 MINUTES, 10 DAYS ALL THE SAME!

SO FAR THE DAD HAS NOT GIVEN ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY HE DID THAT?

PARENTS OUT THERE...CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE HECK WOULD POSESS SOMEONE TO DO THAT???