A new youth-driven campaign aims to end bullying where it begins: with kids and the choices they make.

"I Choose" (www.WhatDoYouChoose.org), available free to schools and communities, asks children and teens to adopt and embrace one of five words representing powerful social concepts: friendship, kindness, respect, compassion, love. In teacher-guided discussions, they analyze the meaning of their word and then strive to use it in daily interactions. When confronted with a choice involving peer relationships, they’re asked to choose their word to put into action.

A Lance Armstrong "Livestrong"-style bracelet imprinted with "I choose (their word)" serves as both a reminder and a message to others.

"I Choose was developed with the help of the youth community at Yoursphere.com (kids-only social networking site). We asked who they thought could end bullying and 98 percent of respondents said kids can," says Mary Kay Hoal, the website's founder and president. "When we asked about the choices they thought would be effective in helping them end bullying, they chose these five."

The education initiative is the first for Yoursphere's non-profit arm, The Yoursphere Media Foundation and Coalition for Internet Safety Education and Reform (FCISER).  "Bullying is a global issue and cyber-bullying is at an all-time high," says Hoal, an Internet safety expert. "Unfortunately, a lack of funding and awareness has left many schools and communities without a solid bullying education program."

School and community representatives can apply for a free Anti-Bullying Challenge Starter Kit at WhatDoYouChoose.org. They'll receive an information packet, poster ("Bullying is a choice") and the "I Choose" bracelets.

But wait, there`s more! »

Are you part of Club Sandwich, caught between rapidly aging parents who need caregiving while raising your own children? Then you've likely faced the problem of maintaining your parents' health while trying to keep the home fires burning.

Researchers at the Generva University Hospital in Switzerland have found one method of reducing your workload; Keep your parent's fridge properly stocked. According to a research letter in the The Lancet, elderly people with empty refrigerators often face hospital readmission, compared to patients with adequate refrigerator content. In fact, only 8 percent of study participants with full fridges went back to the hospital.

So how do you define "adequate refrigerator content?"  Use the following guide to stock your parents' kitchens with easy and nutritious food items to keep them healthy for years to come.

But wait, there`s more! »

Thanks to Leslie at Leslie Loves Veggies, I have found out about a wonderful (and addicting) new social network called Triberr.  Triberr is a way to band together via Twitter and maximize your exposure by agreeing to tweet out a few of your fellow tribesmen's blog posts while they return the favor.  I've only been doing this for a few days now, but suffice it to say that instead of tweeting my messages to only 3800+ Twitter followers, I now reach an audience of almost 300,000!  Now that's what I call power in numbers!

Here's the catch though...you can only get on Triberr with an invitation and that's what I want to extend to my readers.  If you are interested in joining my tribe, "The Giveaway Gang!", then please send me an email ([email protected]) with the words "Triberr" in the subject line and include your Twitter account name along with your blog's url.  I will then send you an invitational email (while supplies last) and you're all set!

But wait, there`s more! »

Don't worry about record-breaking gas prices – the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates prices to be $3.79 a gallon this summer, less than in 2008.

That's good news for families considering reviving the tradition of a road trip vacation, one of the best experiences parents and kids can share, says Michael DiLorenzo, author of Adventures with Jonny: Road Trip to the Parks! (www.adventureswithjonny.com).

"This is a shared experience, and one that will be talked about during family gatherings for years to come," says DiLorenzo, a father of three. "For busy parents, this is a time to savor their children’s youth. As moms and dads eventually find out, they grow up fast."

It's also a chance to get children outside and away from their computers, he says. Children today already have a deep-rooted interest in technology, which is why a road trip to a natural, outdoor destination is an opportunity to "give your child the gift of the outdoors, which is a gift for life," says DiLorenzo.

The journey to a national park in the United States or Canada – perhaps Yellowstone in Wyoming or Banff in Alberta – is as bonding an experience as whatever happens at the destination.

"And there are parks in every state," he notes. "If you don’t have the time or money to go cross country, pick a park closer to home."

DiLorenzo offers these helpful tips for the road:

But wait, there`s more! »

When it comes to fashion, men have had a free pass for far too long. In the Information Age, not knowing any better simply doesn't cut it. Though casual attire is showing up in an increasing number of workplaces, there's still something to dressing for success.

Stocking up on a few new looks might postpone your impending PlayStation 3 purchase, but it doesn't have to drain your bank account. There are plenty of affordable ways to create a professional wardrobe. Before you start buying up penny loafers and blazers, consider a few of these money-saving style tips for men.

But wait, there`s more! »

The countdown has begun and parents all over the United States are tackling the age old question: How on earth do I keep my kids busy during the summer without breaking the bank? Vacations and overnight summer camps can be expensive...believe me, I've checked! Here's my list of cheap and money-saving activities for kids this summer.

1. Free Bowling

Yes, that's right FREE bowling through the summer, two games per child per day. That's over $500 in savings per child. Kids Bowl Free is a program that community bowling centers participate in during the summer months as a way to give back to their communities and provide a safe and fun environment for local children. Sign up your family at KidsBowlFree.com and bring on the free strikes!

But wait, there`s more! »