There has been recent discussion on EmpowHer about women being in abusive relationships. I wanted to share a Safety Planning Checklist, as well as information about how to protect your computer use (deleting internet history, for example).

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Safety Planning Checklist
* Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs - avoid rooms with no exits (bathroom), or rooms with weapons (kitchen).
* Think about and make a list of safe people to contact.

picture perfect

Allow me to be your poster child for what not to do when outside.

I'm the first to advise all to wear sun screen, not to sunbathe in direct sunlight with no protectant and to generally avoid prolonged exposure to the sn.

So off I trot, out to our deck having slathered my kids in a very high factor sunscreen about 15 minutes before hand. The huge umbrella is up and I sit beneath it, watching my children splash in their little pool. A couple of hours and a nice lunch later, I put everyone down for naps and continue my day.

The Fourth of July is a nice reminder about our personal independence.

When I talk about independence with my female friends, what we mean is that we are very much OK on our own. I adore my husband, Ray, but I am also an independent woman. I think that is part of what he loves about me.

No matter what our marital or boyfriend status may be at the moment, it is a nice weekend to reflect on the fact that each of us is already complete, by ourselves.

Viva Independence!

For women who are suffering from postpartum depression and need help now, there is a great hotline that I found at PPD Hope (www.ppdhope.com). The number is: (877) PPD-HOPE, or (877) 773-4673. I called it myself this evening just to check it out and make sure that a live person answers. Sure enough, a woman answered the line and confirmed that a live person answers 24 hours every day. You have options to receive free literature on PPD and/or get in touch with their peer support program.

Turns out Elizabeth Edwards, breast cancer patient advocate and wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards, is behind a multi-million plan to push for universal health insurance. The campaign called Health Care for America Now is backed by unions Service Employees International Union and the AFL-CIO.

(To find out more, check out politico.com)

When most of us think about our Founding Founders, astute politicians probably come to mind. But five of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were physicians:

Benjamin Rush, served as a high-ranking surgeon in the Continental Army;

Matthew Thornton practiced in rural New Hampshire and inoculated himself against small pox.

Josiah Bartlett was a practicing physician who became governor of New Hampshire and pushed to crack down on quackery;

Lyman Hall was originally a dishonored preacher, who became a doctor and moved to Georgia;

Hundreds live their lives without realizing they are depressed. How can this be?

We have selected several of the best entries from our Gift of Giving contest, which asked women to share their best health advice, and here is one of them. Please share your best health advice with us here. Your advice could be the answer that someone has been waiting for.

We have selected several of the best entries from our Gift of Giving contest, which asked women to share their best health advice, and here is one of them. Please share your best health advice with us here. Your advice could be the answer that someone has been waiting for.