Consumers | Government Book Talk

Two Bites from MyPlate Make Eating Right Fun for Kids

March 4, 2016

Fad diets appear to be fading in popularity these days. Healthful eating plans packed with flavorful foods are making headway. Sounds sensible for adults, right? But what about kids? Young children need help to make smart choices and grow up healthy. March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to chat about nutritiously fueling our youngsters.

GPO makes available two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition education eBooks for early childhood that make eating right fun for kids. Bonus: these books have great audio and interactivity!

Discover MyPlate: A MyPlate Meal (ePub)

“I have apples. Nate has peas.” It’s certainly not the introduction to A Tale of Two Cities but the simplicity does grab your attention. This zippy activity book has 8 pages of illustrations and 26 words in total. It’s very easy to digest (pun intended) and doubles as a coloring book.

MyPlate illustrates the five building block food groups in the structure of a plated meal that is designed to help children to identify foods within the food groups. It’s what kids know and relate to. The dietary brains at USDA FNS know that children learn best when they can chose and try and enjoy. This resource models eat well, play well habits for life.

The Two Bite Club (ePub)

First rule of the Two Bite Club is that we don’t talk about the Two Bite Club. Just joshin’. Allow Will the cat to give his take: “Each color on the plate in the picture is a different food group. My teacher told me that if we eat two bites from each food group we can be members of the Two Bite Club!”

This publication is available in both English and Spanish language versions (Spanish version coming soon). The Two Bite Club, and El Club de los Dos Bocados, is colored with tasty grain, fruit, vegetable, protein, and diary illustrations. At the end of the booklet is a certificate from the Two Bite Club for bravery in trying new foods. How adorably empowering!

Anna, by the feline nudging of mom and brother, discovers that just one bite can change her nutrition worldview, or should I say foodview. The “try two bites and you might like it” guidance might be just the thing to change your child’s foodview, too.

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

You can click on the links above in the blog or through any of these methods:

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Our guest blogger is Chelsea Milko, Public Relations Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations Office.

Leave a Comment » | Agriculture, Children, Consumers, Department of Agriculture, Family | Tagged: books for children, books for kids, child nutrition, children and nutrition, children's eBooks, childrens books, diet and nutrition, free children's books, national nutrition month | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

What the U.S. Government Can Tell You About Business

February 25, 2016

The last week of February is National Entrepreneurship Week. Entrepreneurs are a mainstay of the American economy. By many estimates, the U.S. is home to nearly 30 million of them. Now, more than ever, the enticement of competitive advantage abroad is driving their business expansion plans. The global marketplace is truly open for American business!

For companies looking to expand their international consumer base, the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service has two publications for your must-read list.

Free Trade Agreements: 20 Ways to Grow Your Business

The U.S. has Free Trade Agreements (FTA) in force with 20, count ‘em 20, countries. In the simplest term, that means tariff-free market access for American firms and economic growth for the U.S. The list of benefits to company and country is vast. FTA partners “form the basis of a sound export strategy for U.S. companies seeking to increase international sales by entering multiple markets.”

This fact book promotes lucrative opportunities in all 20 nations, especially in high-growth emerging economies. Each country section includes insights on market entry strategy, leading sectors, investment climate, and business customs. You can really nerd out with the cool geo-economic facts that abound. For example, Korea is the 7^th largest export partner with the U.S. and the U.S. supplies over 50 percent of Honduran imports. Full-page conversations with Senior Commercial Officers at each U.S. Embassy are an anecdotal compliment to the economic analysis. For any U.S. company hankering to use FTAs to generate new business, this is the actionable resource for you.

Exporters! The Wit and Wisdom of Small Businesspeople Who Sell Globally

Start packing those shipping containers, exporters! Here’s an eBook with an unambiguous title and lots of global market-connecting real talk. As a top exporter, the U.S. prioritizes export promotion policies that make it easier for companies to sell worldwide. Yet only a scant percentage of small-sized businesses actually export their products and services.

This publication offers testimonials from ordinary businesspeople who have survived—and profitably thrived—in the “exporting ecosystem.” Their oral histories express lessons learned in international client relations, U.S. manufactural advantages, removing fear of competition, and using U.S. government assistance programs. One company exec who oversees international marketing for a water-free urinal absorption technology tells the tale of launching international sales. A Nebraska-based leader in nonmedical senior citizen care discusses franchisee experience in Asia. And the Chief Marketing Officer of a prefab fiberglass dome manufacturer shares a vision of expanding into rural, developing markets.

The stories are frank, enlightening, and ripe for small business growth applications. They demonstrate that it is possible to work with U.S. government agencies to grow an export business. From the perspective of both publications, it’s plain to see that focusing on U.S. small business exports is good government and good business.

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

About the author: Our guest blogger is Chelsea Milko, Public Relations Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations Office.

2 Comments | Business, Consumers, Department of Commerce | Tagged: entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship week, national entrepreneurship week, small business | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Steppin’ It Up With College Planning

February 18, 2016

Planning for college is a towering task. Paying for college can be a monumental challenge. My head hurts! I can hardly imagine any of it makes sense to middle and high school students. Until My Future, My Way: First Steps Toward College came along.

The Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid folks have assembled a top-shelf e-Pub booklet to frame the big, scary questions without oversimplifying them. The layout is arranged in a series of prompts, mythbusters, and graphics for the college and vocational school-bound. It tackles the “when should I begin thinking of college?” and “what can a college education do for me?” and “how will I pay for college?” sort of FAQs. And it features a nifty comparison of vocational, technical, and professional career choices as well.

The workbook is certainly not designed to replace traditional guidance counseling. The goal here is to get middle schoolers to start asking questions now that will make professional career planning less intimidating. As is often the case when undertaking something new, school kids might not even know what questions to ask. Give them a tailor-made activity book, such as My Future, My Way, and post-high school success will be that much more attainable.

Equipped with a few new life skills, 6th through 9th graders will hopefully be compelled to build a mentorship network. The workbook calls it a “college support team”—the people who can help youngsters get to college. It’s a sensible suggestion that doesn’t get enough airtime amid the all too important talk of money planning, test scores, and scholarships. Charts and checklists are great. Caring, informed people are better. As the booklet rightly points out, “Getting ready for college may seem like a lot to handle, but you don’t have to do it alone!”

Now my head doesn’t hurt as much! All joking aside, it’s nice to see real answers placed in the hands of students. A bit of good guidance is the sure footing needed for those first steps toward college.

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

About the author: Our guest blogger is Chelsea Milko, Public Relations Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations Office.

1 Comment | Children, Consumers, Department of Education, Family, Parenting | Tagged: American education, college, college education, college planning, Department of Education, education, education resources | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Elmo’s Fire-Safe World

February 2, 2016

Image source: http://www.sesameworkshop.org/

Happy Birthday, Elmo! Image source: www.sesameworkshop.org/

E-L-M-O! Any toddler goes bananas for that fuzzy mass who refers to himself only in third-person. Whenever my two-year-old niece sees a TV screen, she demands that Elmo appear like he’s some kind of omnipresent wizard. The falsetto-voiced Sesame Street pundit celebrates his birthday on February 3^rd (he always turns 3 ½ that day). Insert high-decibel squeal of pre-K apostles who endorse the fire-engine red Muppet as their life coach. Fortunately for you, that’s a sound that cannot be conveyed in writing. So, instead, I will use this time to talk about Elmo and friend’s empowering fire safety message.

The message takes the form of the “Sesame Street Fire Safety Program Family Guide” from Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration. Family coloring book. Fire literacy primer. A get-it-together-you-grown-ups safety guide. It’s all those things. FEMA and Sesame Street really deliver. Everybody do the Elmo happy dance! Yes, all of you. Hordes of zealous preschoolers are watching.

This guide is not just about Elmo. A proper shout out goes to Cookie Monster, Grover, and Telly Monster. Together, the fire brigade educates with catchphrases like “hot, hot, stay away. hot, hot, not for play” and “get outside and stay outside!” The playbook covers how to avoid hot things that burn, make a home escape map, family practice time, and simple steps to follow if the smoke alarm sounds. For parents and caregivers, there are kitchen safety tips for you, too.

Start a healthy discussion around a scary thing like a fire emergency. Demonstrate that preparation and prevention are skills that the entire family can work on together. Cultivate lifelong fire safety habits. Make it a fun process. As the guide says, “fire safety begins at home. The simple steps you take can make a big difference in staying safe from fires.”

So, grab a copy of “Sesame Street Fire Safety Program Family Guide” for your family. Think of it as a conversation starter to reduce the risk of a fire-starter. And remember, it’s Elmo’s fire-safe world. We just live in it.

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS PUBLICATION?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

About the author: Our guest blogger is Chelsea Milko, Public Relations Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations Office.

4 Comments | Children, Consumers, Family, FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency, Parenting | Tagged: Elmo, Elmo's birthday, Elmo's fire safety family guide, Elmo's fire safety guide, fire safety, Fire Safety Family Guide, home fire safety | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Winter Weather Awareness and Preparedness

January 21, 2016

Image Source: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om 1

Freshly fallen snow glistening like icicles on tree limbs is a beautiful side effect of winter. Despite the beauty winter can bring, the season can also bring dangerous weather such as blizzards and ice storms. It is important to be prepared for the unexpected, especially when traveling. You never know when you may run into car troubles and in times of extreme cold, a travel preparedness kit can be a lifesaver. It is also important to make sure to have these preparedness kits in your house as well, due to the danger that a winter storm could knock out power, leaving many homes without heat.

It is important to do research and be prepared for inclement weather before winter starts.

Ready.gov, the Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Preparedness Website gives great tips on how to prepare for winter weather, what to do during a storm, and what to do after a storm is over.

The National Weather Service’s winter weather hub includes resources and information about forecasts, winter storms, hazards, weather predictions and much more. They also offer Simple Steps to Stay Safe and winter weather advisories searchable by zip code.

The CDC offers more tips for preparation and actions taken during and after storms. The CDC also provides information about health problems that can arise due to winter hazards.

The Red Cross provides information about common winter weather terms that are often misunderstood and more information about preparedness.

GPO’s US Government Bookstore offers publications for sale about winter weather preparedness.

Are You Ready?: An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness is a book that provides information about different emergency situations and how to prepare for them.
A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating With Energy Star: Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Attic Insulation is all about ways to seal leaks and add insulation to make your home more energy efficient, but it can also be used for weather-proofing your home. Adding insulation in attics and sealing leaks can help keep winter weather, such as extreme cold, out.
Winter Storms the Deceptive Killers is a government preparedness guide for the winter season.
The CGP also offer a three part color book for children about Winter Weather. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

GPO’s Federal Digital System offers Winter Storms, a Hearing before the Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction.

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Click on the Links: For the free resources, click on the links above in the blog post.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

About the Author: Teresa Mock is an intern with GPO’s Library Services and Content Management division.

Leave a Comment » | Consumers, Environment, FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency, Weather and climate | Tagged: inclement weather, snow, winter, winter storm, winter storms, winter weather, winter weather preparedness | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Crude Facts: Global Oil Market Trends

January 19, 2016

Talk of global oil market trends is everywhere these days. “The price of oil” is a phrase that seems to appear in every news report; it’s one that implies more than the price board at a gas station. Right now, cheap gas prices mean U.S. consumers are on top. In the long term, market volatility could potentially spread into a broader financial crisis and turn winners into losers.

In “The Strategic Importance of the Global Oil Market,” Dr. Leif Rosenberger of the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute points to the work of geopolitics, energy technology, and the Fed’s monetary policy as powerful market forces. His main argument focuses on the causality of record low crude oil prices: a gush of new oil supplies, reduced demand, ill-advised financial market speculation, and a stronger U.S. dollar.

Rosenberger asserts that the shale oil glut from U.S. producers has put global oil prices in a tailspin. Booming oil production has the U.S. “swimming” in a 30-year supply of unconventional fracking and horizontal drilling oil. This surplus is driving prices down and the oil industry into slump not seen in 20 years. American oil businesses are fighting for survival. Company profits are squeezed and the price floor is nowhere in sight.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, which straddles about ¼ of the world’s oil, is engaging U.S. shale oil producers in a “de facto price war.” Saudis can confidently dip into their oil stabilization and sovereign wealth funds to weather the market slowdown. Yet the U.S., hanging tightly to the label of “swing producer,” struggles to sustain its shale oil production in a low price environment.

Rosenberger calls for a clear, cooperative international strategy that brings petro-states into a “wartime alliance” with U.S. oil producers. He makes the case for an international energy early warning system to monitor boom-bust indicators and predict an oil crisis well before it begins. For two interests currently at odds with one another—that of U.S. oil production, the other of global price stability—to coexist, Rosenberger believes sounder international oil policy is needed. That’s the crude reality.

How do I obtain this publication?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

About the author: Our guest blogger is Chelsea Milko, Public Relations Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations Office.

Leave a Comment » | Army War College, Consumers, U.S. Army | Tagged: global oil, Global Oil Market, global oil market trends, world oil trends | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

60 Years of Tracking “Big Red One”

December 22, 2015

‘Twas Christmas eve 1955 when a misprinted Sears Roebuck & Co. newspaper ad directed kids to a top secret Soviet alert hotline instead of Santa’s direct dial. Wrong red phone! On the receiving end, an Air Force colonel played along and a team of Cold War-era serviceman became North Pole elves. And that’s how the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) eventually became the Santa tracking agency.

NORAD is a bi-national U.S. and Canadian organization with the mission of aerospace warning and control in the defense of North America. But its most famous and favorite mission is watching the winter skies for the “big red one.” “Guarding What You Value Most: North American Aerospace Defense Command Celebrating 50 Years,” available thru GPO in hardcover and eBook editions, touches upon how NORAD triangulates Kris Kringle’s course. The publication proudly states that “using the same technology used to perform their day-to-day mission— satellites, high-powered radars and jet fighters— NORAD tracks Santa Claus as he makes his Yuletide journey around the world.”

That sleigh of different high-tech systems is used to read Rudolph’s infrared nose signature, capture high-speed video around the globe, and provide Santa and his reindeer with a NORAD fighter pilot escort. Fun fact to impress people at your holiday party: satellites and radar once clocked Santa’s flying delivery cart at 100 times faster than the Japanese bullet train.

Santa positioning updates were originally delivered over the radio and through the Santa Tracking hotline. In 1997, the operation joined the worldwide interwebs. A few years ago, NORAD teamed up with tech companies to release a set of free apps. If you download the tracking app, that ding from your phone could be a radar ping showing the globetrotting sleigh’s whereabouts.

Want to track jolly St. Nick and his sleigh-pullers on Christmas Eve? Visit NORAD’s multilingual Santa site. It’s soundtracked with some pretty groovy holiday music, too. And while clicking around, do visit GPO’s bookstore. There’s a NORAD history publication there waiting for you. Unlike Santa, it requires no high-tech tracking.

How do I obtain Guarding What You Value Most: North American Aerospace Defense Command Celebrating 50 Years?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

About the author: Our guest blogger is Chelsea Milko, Public Relations Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations Office.

Leave a Comment » | Aviation, Children, Consumers, Department of Defense, Innovation, NORAD, Parenting, Teachers and teaching | Tagged: big red, big red one, NORAD, norad mission, NORAD Santa, norad santa claus, norad santa tracker, Santa tracker, Santa tracking, tracking Santa Claus | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Christmas Tree Manual, O Christmas Tree Manual, How Useful Is Your Guidance

December 1, 2015

That’s not the radio you just heard. It’s a fresh holiday beat from a Federal Government employee! Before you plug your ears or throw a cup full of egg nog at this blog post, please close your eyes and take a moment to think about the poor Christmas trees-in-training out there.

As they grow into canvases fit for a festoon of tinsel and popcorn garland, some Christmas trees are beset by damaging agents and mottled by disease. Insects, mites, fungi, and nematodes can lay waste to hearty spruce, pine, and fir. That all sounds so dire. Thankfully, it’s preventable and treatable. And there’s a government resource for that! Ok, you can open your eyes now.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s Christmas Tree Pest Manual shows how to diagnose and control damaging Christmas tree pests. This tidy publication provides easy-to-use guidance to ensure that Christmas trees of the North Central and Northeastern regions of the United States are vigorously fit for their wintry spectacle.

A read thru of the varied afflictions listed in the manual will renew your appreciation for the health threats trees must overcome to arrive at your local home improvement store parking lot. Take the bagworm for example. While they might serve for a fitting ingredient in a wizardly potion, bagworm larvae thin foliage and render a Christmas tree unfit for sale.

In case you’re worried the topic of Christmas tree pest management is not in your wheelhouse, the manual includes some comforting language in the introduction. “You do not have to be a pest specialist to use this information. The manual was written in everyday language so that anyone with an interest in Christmas trees can read and understand it.” Whew! Now you can confidently pick up Christmas Tree Pest Manual and tell those loathsome yellow-bellied sapsuckers good riddance.

And if you’d like to take your pest manual reading to the next level, the USDA’s Major Forest Insect and Disease Conditions in the United States: 2013 is a concretely good deep-dive.

With early identification and control, injuries to stem, root, branch, and shoot don’t have to be the four horseman of the Christmas tree apocalypse. Because a winter wonderland without healthy Christmas trees is no winter wonderland at all.

How do I obtain these resources?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

About the author: Our guest blogger is Chelsea Milko, Public Relations Specialist in GPO’s Public Relations Office.

Leave a Comment » | Agriculture, Consumers, Department of Agriculture, Environment | Tagged: christmas, Christmas traditions, Christmas tree, christmas tree care, christmas tree management, christmas tree pests, christmas trees, forest management, forests, national forests, trees, U.S. Forest Service | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Summer Safety Resources from the Federal Government

August 20, 2015

Image source: http://www.weather.gov

Summers are all about sun and fun, right? Unfortunately, summer can also come with a lot of things to worry about, from minor things like insect bites, to more major incidents like wildfires. California’s many summer wildfires serve as stern reminders of how a simple flame can get out of hand. Summer can be a downright dangerous season if you’re not careful. A little thing like forgetting to put on sunscreen can turn a fun day at the beach into a disaster; not being properly hydrated can turn a day trip into a trip to the hospital. When you and your loved ones go out to enjoy the weather this summer, it’s important to be informed of what can happen so that you can better prevent it.

Before going out into the heat, make sure you do some research on some summer safety tips.

Poolsafety.gov, Ready.gov, and FEMA.gov are great websites to get more safety tips and resources.

GPO’s U.S. Government Bookstore offers many publications on topics related to summer safety so that you and your family can fully enjoy all summer has to offer.

Mission: Sunwise Activity Book is a great publication for kids that offers puzzles and pages to color all while teaching about sun safety.

Public Playground Safety Handbook shares safety information for public playground equipment and promotes greater safety awareness for those who maintain public playground equipment. This handbook is useful for any member of the public concerned with public playground safety and interested in evaluating their local playgrounds.

Are You Ready?: An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness is an in depth guide for citizens on how to protect themselves and their families against natural and man-made disasters. The guide includes information on how to plan, respond, and recover after a disaster as well as information on assembling a good disaster supply kit.

Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook is a reference originally designed for medics in the field. The book offers medical information for those in outside environments and is organized according to symptoms and organ systems. The book is even printed on tear-resistant and water-resistant paper.

GPO’s Federal Digital System (FDsys) offers some free related resources as well:

Wildfires: Assessing First Responder Training and Capabilities: Hearing before the subcommittee on Emergency Management, Intergovernmental Relations, and the District of Columbia of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Drought, Fire, and Freeze: The Economics of Disasters for America’s Agricultural Producers: Hearing before the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
The Stafford Act: A Plan for the Nation’s Emergency Preparedness and Response System: Hearing before the Committee on Environment and Public Works
An Act to Amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to Provide an Alternative Process for Review of Safety and Effectiveness of Nonprescription Sunscreen Active Ingredients, and for Other Purposes.
Safety and Convenience in Cross-Border Travel: An Analysis of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: Hearing before the subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs

GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications provides access to some free, related resources worth checking out:

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

You can obtain the resources mentioned in this blog by clicking on the links above or through any of these methods:

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

About the author: Tiffane Tingle is a Student Intern in GPO’s Library Services & Content Management office.

Leave a Comment » | Consumers, FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency | Tagged: consumer publications, consumer safety, playground equipment, public playground safety, summer, summer safety, summer safety publications, summer safety resources, summer safety tips, summer weather, weather, weather safety | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Celebrate Doctors Day – March 30th with Publications for the Physician produced by the US Federal Government

March 30, 2015

The United States Federal Government produces a broad array of topical medical-related publications that may appeal to the physicians — primary care, chiropractors, pediatricians, surgeons, elder care physicians, gynecologists, physical and occupational therapists. This blog showcases a few publications that may appeal to these medical-focused professionals serving patients of all ages that may have a variety of ailments.

The chiropractor or physical/occupational therapist may be interested in the Center for Disease Control’s report: Observation-Based Posture Assessment: Review of Current Practice and Recommendations for Improvement can be used to help practitioners assess postural stress of the trunk and upper limbs in a workplace environment.

For pediatricians advising parents of children about vaccinations and immunizations, the Parent’s Guide to Childhood Immunizations (Packages of 10) is an economical way for doctors, especially pediatricians, and pediatric specialists to provide guidance in plain language to parents and caregivers of school-aged children.

(Photo compliments of safe surrender.org from Google Images download)

Pediatric Surgery and Medicine for Hostile Environments may provide a helpful reference in a trauma crisis impacting a child that may be suitable for emergency room doctors, staff, and critical pediatric surgeons s faced with handling gun shot or bomb explosive wounds in children.

Emergency Surgery, 4^th US Revision covers trauma surgeries, including head, face, neck, and eye injuries, to difficulties with airway breathing, amputations, abdominal injuries, infections, gynecological injuries and emergency pediatric medical care that may be impacted by a war situation, terrorist attack aftermath, earthquake, or other accidental disaster. This title is available in print and eBook formats.

Primary care physicians, especially those that have senior citizens as patients, will want to make sure that they have these resources on hand: Pocket Guide to Staying Healthy at 50+ provides guidance on immunizations, living habits, and screening tests this age group should follow to stay healthy.

Long-Term Care Services in the United States 2013 Overview provides data on services including residents of nursing homes, residential communities, patients of home health care agencies, hospices, and participants in adult day care.

All physicians will want to have these resources available in their professional library:

Health Insurance Claims Forms (SMS-1500) -2 part snap-out package – this essential form is used to bill Medicare carriers and medical equipment durable regional carriers when a provider qualifies for a waiver from the Administrative Compliance Simplification Act (ACSA)and can also be used for billing some Medicaid State agencies.

Health Care Act (Public Laws 111-152 and 111-148) is the primary, full-text and authoritative source on the “ins and outs” of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act commonly referred to as “Obamacare” or “Obama Care.”

How can I get these publications?

Shop Online: You can purchase these publications from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov by clicking on the title links above in this blog post.

Visit a Federal Depository Library: Search for one of these publications in a nearby Federal depository library.

About the author: This week’s blog contributor is Maureen Whelan, Senior Marketing Team Leader for GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office in Washington, DC. Maureen oversees print and digital content dissemination strategy and manages third party free and paid content distribution through platforms and vendors, such as Apple iBookstore, Barnes and Noble.com, Google Play eBookstore, Ebscohost databases, Overdrive, and more.

Leave a Comment » | Consumers, Department of Health & Human Services, Health care | Tagged: affordable care act, aging, anatomy, Assisted Living residential communities, children, chiropractors, clinical care, critical care, doctors, elder care, emergency care, emergency medicine, fitness, head and body injuries, health, health insurance, healthcare, Healthcare policy laws, home health care, hospitals, immunizations, Long-Term care planning, medical, medical insurance, nursing homes, obamacare, occupational therapists, parents, patient protection, pediatricians, physical therapists, Physician, physician practices, primary care, private professional medical practice, senior citizens, seniors, surgeons, surgical procedures, trauma care, vaccinations | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Now Available: Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

March 4, 2015

(nationalnutritionmonth.org)

March is National Nutrition Month, a great time to focus on the importance of developing good eating habits. To coincide with this important event about maintaining a healthy diet, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has just released its 2015 scientific report. The report which includes recommendations that will eventually be incorporated into the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015 provides new changes, in contrast to previous guidelines. For instance, until now, overconsumption of cholesterol was long considered to be bad for the American diet. However, according to the recommendations outlined in the new report, cholesterol is no longer “a nutrient of concern.” To read more about this and other eye opening revelations contained in the report, which is now available through the DietaryGuidelines.gov website, see information below.

From HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP)

Get Involved: The “Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee” (Advisory Report) is now open for public review and comment. An official announcement will also publish in the Federal Register. To read the Advisory Report and submit your comments, visit DietaryGuidelines.gov.

Advisory Report: An advisory committee of independent experts – the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (or Committee) – has submitted its report to the Secretaries of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA). The “Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee” describes findings from the Committee’s review of the scientific evidence on diet, nutrition, and health, and will help inform the next edition of the Dietary Guidelines.

Upcoming Public Meeting: HHS and USDA will host a public meeting at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 to receive public oral comments on the “Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.” Meeting registration for in-person and webcast registration will open March 9, 2015 on www.DietaryGuidelines.gov.

Those interested in providing oral testimony will be able to specify their request upon registration. Capacity for oral testimony is limited to 70 individuals with 10 on stand-by. Testimony participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The meeting facility provides ample space for in-person attendance and live webcast viewing will be available. Oral testimony can only be given in-person.

Next Steps: HHS and USDA will use the Advisory Report along with input from federal agencies and public comments to develop the next edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. HHS and USDA will release the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015 by end of the year.

Interested in more information on diet and nutrition? The U.S. Government Bookstore offers the following publications on diet, nutrition, and health.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy the following publications (with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide) from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore website at http://bookstore.gpo.gov:
Order by Phone: You may also Order print editions by calling our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.
Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.
Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Trudy Hawkins is Senior Marketing and Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Division supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (http://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Agriculture, Consumers, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health & Human Services, Family, Health care, Office of Women's Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture | Tagged: Advisory Report, American diet, diet, diet and nutrition, diet books, dietary guidelines, Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, Dietary Guidlines, Food and Nutrition, health, health and nutrition, national nutrition month, nutrition, nutrition and health | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Goblins, Ghosts and Witches, Oh My! Happy Halloween, October 2014

October 29, 2014

It’s nearly Halloween, and if you’re thinking about buying candy or pumpkins more than reading Federal government documents, it’s understandable. All the same, it would be regrettable if you missed reading some very relevant Federal government documents before preparing for your Halloween celebration.

(Image courtesy of CPSC: Click on image to enlarge)

Whether you are pulling together a costume for yourself or for kids, you need to make sure the costume is safe to wear. There are a few basic tips to follow when you get ready for trick-or-treating, according to the CPSC’s Halloween Safety: Safety Alert.

Decorate costumes with reflective tape
Carry bright flashlights
Trim or hem long costumes to avoid tripping
Choose flame-resistant material
Wear good walking shoes
Prefer cosmetics over masks when possible
Wear masks and headgear that are securely tied and do not obscure the wearer’s vision

The FDA recommends getting professional help to avoid eye damage if you plan to wear decorative contact lenses as part of your costume. The safe costume tips from these documents are good hints for choosing Halloween party gear, as well.

(Image: fda.gov)

The CPSC also recommends that you stick to safe houses, make sure your children walk (and don’t run), and that you check children’s candy before letting them eat any, in case of evidence of tampering (although the history of Halloween candy tampering is spotty). Food safety overall is always a concern at Halloween, and reading the FDA’s Halloween Food Safety Tips for Parents is good preparation for anyone responsible for children attending Halloween parties and celebrations.

Those revelers staying in one location will want to follow guidelines given in Halloween Fires. House parties at Halloween frequently feature candles, bonfires, firepits and the like. The US Fire Academy says Halloween is a night when fires spike, with “a 63 percent increase in the daily occurrence of incendiary or suspicious structure fires for October and November. ….the peak in incendiary and suspicious structure fires on Halloween is slightly lower than the peak on July 5^th but higher than New Year’s Day” (p. 12). Many of the fires on Halloween (and the night before Halloween, known as Devil’s Night), are the result of arson, and accidents play a role as well. Be aware and know the exit locations at the party you’re attending. If the party you are holding or attending has includes fire as part of the fun, have fire-extinguishing equipment nearby.

And if you’re planning to stay at home for Halloween, heighten your sense of the holiday mood and read some of the spooky traditions of Halloween in The Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows, from the Library of Congress’ Folklife Center. You can learn about the origins of Halloween, originally a Celtic festival of the dead called Samhain. Samhain was the biggest holiday of the Celtic year, and served as a new year. The Celts lit bonfires for the dead to create a barrier between them and the living. Supposedly, the bonfires guided the dead back to the netherworld at this time of the year when the Celts believed the border between the dead and the living was thinnest. This brief monograph also covers how the Catholic Church appropriated Samhain from the Celtic natives to become All Hallows, and eventually Hallowe’en (Hallows evening). If you finish reading the piece wanting to know more, the author links a selected bibliography of resources on Halloween and related topics at the end of the text. You get to learn a bit of history and appreciate the author’s poetic text also. He closes the piece by noting that traditional American Halloween activities “…reaffirm… death and its place as a part of life in an exhilarating celebration of a holy and magic evening.”

There are records available for the electronic versions of Halloween Safety: Safety Alert and Halloween Fires in the Catalog of Government Publications. You can find the records for these documents in your local Federal depository library.

How can I access these publications?

In addition to clicking on the links in the article above to find the publications, you may find these publications from the following:

Visit a Federal Depository Library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library.
- Librarians: You can find the records for most titles in the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP).
Visit a Public Library: Ask your local public librarian about Federal Government books available to check out as well as Federal eBooks that may be available for library patrons to digitally download through the library’s Overdrive subscription.

And to find popular current Federal publications, you may:

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks as well as print publications (with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide) from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore website at http://bookstore.gpo.gov
Order by Phone: You may also Order print editions by calling GPO’s Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.
Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

About the author: Adapted by Trudy Hawkins, Government Book Talk Editor and Senior Marketing and Promotions Specialist for GPO’s Publication and Information Sales Division in Washington, DC, from an original post by Jennifer K. Davis, formerly from GPO’s Library Services & Content Management Division that supports the Federal Depository Libraries Program (FDLP).

Leave a Comment » | Children, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Consumers, Family, Parenting | Tagged: Halloween, halloween costume, halloween costumes, Halloween safety, Halloween safety tips | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

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Christmas Tree Manual, O Christmas Tree Manual, How Useful Is Your Guidance

Summer Safety Resources from the Federal Government

Celebrate Doctors Day – March 30th with Publications for the Physician produced by the US Federal Government

Now Available: Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Goblins, Ghosts and Witches, Oh My! Happy Halloween, October 2014

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