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Missing your son or daughter? Rest assured that although they may not show it, they are missing you too. There are numerous occasions where getting just a little something from Mom & Dad is the boost your college student needs to trudge ahead, cheer them up and ease them into the transition from home to college. Here are just a few gift-giving, cheer-spreading ideas:

1. With many students living miles from home, you wont get to share family holidays together such as Easter and Halloween like you used to. Send them a basket full of goodies or some fresh-baked cookies to let them know you care during those holidays away from home.

2. Final exam care packages are always a big hit. There really is nothing better than food and drink to energize someone studying for finals. Care packages today come in many varieties ranging from caffeine items for the coffee lover, to all-natural nutritious snack choices including fruit and energy bars.

3. Birthdays are always big celebrations amongst friends and family. You can join in the fun by sending a fresh-baked birthday cake or party in a box that includes candles, party blowers and party hats for several people. We always suggest that you send enough food for them to share with their friends because, believe it or not, all parents are not as considerate.

4. Study break gifts are a fabulous way to encourage your student to put the books down and have some good, clean fun with their friends. Perhaps send the game Cranium or Taboo. Both are great games for a group and outrageously fun. Throw in a few snacks and your student will be all set. I cant think of a better way for your son or daughter to build camaraderie. My hall in the dorm used to sit around many nights playing games or watching TV while enjoying snacks. They will be thrilled that you thought of them and score some points with their friends too!

You can either shop online or locally to find some of the above items or you can put together your little gifts yourself. Some great ideas of things to use are a container from the container store or Target. Items such shower totes, nested boxes or crates can be used after all the enclosed items are gone. Fill the container with things like high-liters, pencils, note-pads, aspirin, energy bars, granola bars, pretzels, cracker jack, chips, chex mix, buttered microwave popcorn, candy bars, jelly beans, rice krispie bars, cookies, crackers, coffee, cocoa, tea and fruit juice. Basically, fill it with whatever your son or daughter enjoys. After all, you know them best!

Need to send a College Care Package for upcoming finals , or perhaps just a great Kids Gift Basket to cheer them up? Check out All About Gifts & Baskets for all your gift giving needs. And don't forget to check out the selection of Birthday Gift Baskets too ! Whatever the occasion , shop online today!

Are there flat tummy exercises that are the best for great female abs? Abs-olutely! To make this list, the female abs exercises must be safe, effective and can be done nearly anywhere. Your abs can be worked out every day. Here are great flat tummy exercises:

1. Tummy Isometric Crunch - exhale, then suck in your stomach as far as you can, hold for about 15 seconds. Relax and breathe. Visualize moving your bellybutton straight toward your back. Holding in your tummy muscles and tensing your abs is a good way of firming and strengthening them. You will also become more aware of how to control your tummy muscles. Repeat several times. This exercise can be done anywhere, anytime.

Note - if you have high blood pressure, do not hold your breath for extended periods of time.

2. Rectus Abdominis Tummy Exercises (doesn't that sound great?):

a. Lie on your back on the floor with bent knees and your feet flat on the floor, knees and feet spread apart the width of your hips.
b. Place your hands gently on the sides of your head for support, spreading your elbows so you cannot see them.
c. With your chin tucked toward your chest, gently curl upward and forward so that your head, neck and shoulder blades lift off the floor and your lower back presses against the floor (if you want, start with your head resting on a pillow which has your head and neck in the correct position to begin).
d. Pause just a moment, then gently return to the starting position.
e. Repeat several times.

Note - do not use your arms to complete the curl. If you can see your elbows, you're cheating. Do not put your feet under anything since this lessens the effectiveness of these types of flat tummy exercises. If this female abs exercise is too difficult for you, do the next one below.

3. Sit-Back Flat Tummy Exercises - if your female abs muscles are weak and you have trouble lifting yourself off the floor in #2 above, here is an alternate flat tummy exercise for you:

a. Start in a sitting position on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor (secure your feet under a piece of furniture).
b. Cross your arms over your chest and roll your head and shoulders forward toward your chest.
c. Gently and slowly lean back, keeping your head and shoulders tucked. Continue until you begin to feel your stomach muscles contracting.
d. Then try to lean back just a bit more if you can and hold that position until your muscles start shaking. Try to hold this position with your muscles shaking for five seconds, then ease back to the upright sitting position.
e. Repeat in a few seconds.

4. Reducing Chewing Exercises - yes, as in jaw muscles used for excessive chewing as in overeating. Reducing overeating or exercising those jaw muscles less may be necessary to have great female abs. No one can see your great female abs if they are covered with body fat! Having great female abs may require losing some body fat. Losing body fat means:

a. Cardio exercise on a regular basis - getting the heartbeat up with fun whole-body workouts several times a week.
b. Healthy eating habits - eating healthy foods, eliminating sodas/junk food and taking in fewer calories than you burn each day.
c. Besides flat tummy exercises, strength training for the whole body - any muscle tissue you add will burn extra calories 24/7.

Besides looking great, having great female abs is about good health. Visually and physically, the midsection is the center of the body and the foundation of strength. Weak abdominals leave a woman weaker looking and vulnerable to lower back pain. At first, the goal is to build up the basic strength in the female abs area with flat tummy exercises. And remember, always check with your health care provider before starting any exercise program. Start out slowly and gradually build up your strength and repetitions.

For great abs and good health, the ideal is to reduce body fat down to no lower than 15-20% for women. Sometimes, doing flat tummy exercises is the EASY part, losing excess body fat is the TOUGH part. Eat right, exercise right -- it may take time, just don't give up on your dream of having those great female abs.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of physician-recommended natural treatments and articles for a variety of health issues. Visit the website for an excellent free Permanent Weight Loss report you can view online right now.