Families Online Magazine - Parenting Advice from Experts - Family Fun Crafts and Activities - Life and Style - Doctors and Health - A Free Publication

Happy Birthday

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:21:10 -0400

Contemporary Retirement Alane Cunningham - Have you had your birthday yet this year?

Buying a House in Retirement

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:38:34 -0400

Contemporary Retirement By Alane Cunningham - There has never been a better time to buy a house.

You've all heard it. Well, I have no proof, only personal experience. And I say, there may be no better time, but if you are retired without a steady income, just try it. Interest rates are at historic lows and for some there are large tax incentives to close your purchase before June 30th.

That was not really what drove my desire for a home. After retiring, my husband and I moved into a condominium. While that lifestyle worked for awhile, I realized if we were ever going to own a house again, we probably needed to do it before we become unable to care for a house and yard. In retrospect, perhaps, we did things in reverse. A condominium, or some type of community where you are not responsible for the upkeep of home and yard may be appealing at some point, but not yet. And maybe there will come a time when people stay in their homes and have live-in caretakers. The future is impossible to know, but for now, a house has a certain appeal.

We decided to look for a new home in Florida, we soon became familiar with the term Short Sale. And for those unfamiliar with the term, a short sale is a situation where the homeowner owes more than the home is worth and can no longer make payments. In a short sale, the bank, the homeowner and the potential homebuyer negotiate to try and find a price that minimizes the bank's loss in a market that is still questionable. There are no hard and fast rules for short sales and they can take a long time to finalize.

When we first entered the housing search, we were interested in a short sale home. After six months, we lost the house to a couple who had put the first bid on the house.

Discouraged, but still hopeful, we looked at many different houses in many different locations and became familiar with the ever changing market and pricing. When a foreclosed home became available, in the area we wanted, we jumped on it.

We were one of six bids on the first day. After two days we were told to bring our best offer. We stayed with our original bid, and although it was not the highest, it was accepted. At that point, we were ecstatic and thought there was some cosmic force at work rewarding us because we had lost the short sale home.

Then we applied for a mortgage. We were told we have an excellent credit rating and that there should be no problem closing. But that's where the catch comes in. If you have started drawing your retirement benefits, good for you, you will probably get a mortgage and live happily ever after. However, if you haven't, regardless of your assets, it is going to be rough going. And unless you have cash it is going to be a long process.

We have been told that because of the recent mortgage security crisis, the laws have been rewritten. If you are retirement age, you probably remember the good old days when you had to have 20% down to get a mortgage. Well, you need that now, but that is only the beginning. The laws have been written so you need to show you have a steady income. Savings, other assets, are not enough, even if your assets far exceed the value of the mortgage!

Our story had a happy ending. We got our house. Although, we came very close to walking away several times because the red-tape became excruciating.

As I told our loan officer this process is crazy. She agreed, but that is not going to change anything.

I vowed that I would tell everyone that I could that this process is not working and the lending laws need to be changed. And I just did. Oh, by the way, we did get that mortgage and love our new home.

About Alane Cunningham

Alane is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. She retired from the University of Michigan after 27 years. She currently lives in Florida in a small beachside community with her husband. She navigates retirement with human nature observations realizing everyone must find their own way to happiness through this passage of life.

Karma, good vs. evil, what does it all mean?

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

New Habits for the New Year

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Too many times we think in terms of having to break bad habits.

Secretariat

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement - There are certain themes in movies that always work because they are inspirational.

Friendships

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0500

By Alane Cunningham - Changing Friendships Bring Joy and Sadness

Retirement Real Estate Market

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

By Alane Cunningham- Contemporary Retirement

Finding Your Volunteer Niche

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:48:27 -0500

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By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

Enjoy Your Retirement or Your Relatives Will

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:56:28 -0500

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

One of the hardest things about retirement is deciding if, and when, it is okay to spend some of your money.

Springtime Truth and Beauty

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:52:29 -0400

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty-

Future of Retirement

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:33:46 -0400

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

Learning to Swim

Mon, 30 May 2011 04:30:00 -0400

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

Better World

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:15:29 -0400

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

Food A Luxury?

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:07:18 -0400

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

Deciding what to have to eat is a luxury I take for granted.

Vacationing Without Your Spouse

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:40:00 -0400

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

While I like to think I am on the cutting edge of trends, the truth is, I often am not.

Living in These Times

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:01:08 -0400

Contemporary Retirement by Alane Cunningham

While I am normally an optimistic person, I must admit that recent new events of the world are depressing me. Am I alone in these feelings?

Retirement Worries

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:06:34 -0400

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

In David Mitchell's book, Cloud Atlas, when people retired they got to go to Hawaii.

What's next?

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:46:27 -0500

By Alane Cunningham, Contemporary Retirement

It is the time of year when we tend to look back at what has taken place in our lives during the last year and decide upon what we want to change.

When Are You Going To Retire?

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:52:35 -0500

By Alane Cunningham - Contemporary Retirement

When do you want to retire?...Statistics indicate that over 30% of the work force plans to retire at age 80 or older that is one number that made me take notice.

Retirement- For the Love of Libraries

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:30:00 -0500

By Alane Cunningham

In February, thoughts turn to love and romance to celebrate Valentine's Day.

It is also a month to celebrate something you may not think about, "Library Lovers Month". If you have not been to a library lately, this might be a good way to celebrate this month and perhaps, start a new habit for the new year.

You're Never Too Old to Learn

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Alane Cunningham - Recently a friend retired after teaching for thirty two years.

Everyone must find their own way

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 02:25:16 -0400

By Alane Cunningham

One of the smartest quotes I ever heard about retirement actually came from my husband when he said, "Everyone must find their own way." And it has been fun watching everyone do just that. Some friends have moved to warmer climates. Some friends have gone back to work due to the economy or boredom. Some have used their time to pursue hobbies, such as painting or golf. Others have just used their spare time for enjoyment away from the day to day routine of work.

Four Reasons Fifty Really Is the New Forty

Sat, 05 May 2012 20:19:31 -0400

You’ve probably heard the expression that ‘fifty is the new forty’, right? Well, as your fiftieth birthday starts to get closer and closer, you might begin to doubt it. You may even start to think that fifty is just that: fifty – a full decade on from being forty. Don’t worry, though, because here are just a few reasons why you should celebrate your 50^th and why fifty truly is the new 40.

Wise Financial Pre-Retirement Tips

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:33:48 -0500

By Jason Boden

Fact: Retirement is inevitable.

People in their later years worry about retirement as it forebodes a multitude of problems; especially financial worries.

What Every Grandparent Should Know

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:00:00 -0400

by Josef Strong

Because... Parents enjoy a break for short periods of time, children enjoy getting away from their parents from time to time and grandparents enjoy being a special part of this essential relationship.

Getting Younger Every Day?

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:02:00 -0400

Empty Nesters by Greta Jenkins - 60 is the New 40

Movie Lines Have Left a Thumbprint on America's Psyche

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 03:10:39 -0500

Anti-aging in the Genes?

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:43:56 -0400

While the massive anti-aging industry provides a ray of hope for some consumers, it seems that many are realistic.

Shortfall in States' Retirement Systems

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:42:02 -0400

May Month for Older Citizens

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:35:09 -0400

The U. S. Census Bureau Reports:

New Retirement Planning Strategies for 2012

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:12:14 -0500

By Greta Jenkins

Are you like my husband and I, trying to figure out how to support ourselves on retirement income and one employed spouse? Both retired? Single? Are you both still working and wondering how you will ever retire if these economic trends continue?

Empty Nesters Archive

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:24:50 -0500

Empty Nest Archive

Feeling Old? Well change that!

Cruise Away

Whistler Skiing, Luge, Bobsled Olympic Games

Men’s Hockey and Curling

Vancouver Olympics Continued

Olympics Day 2

Vancouver Olympics

Holiday Gifts That Help Families in Need of Homes

Brush Up on Your Pet IQ Before Holidays Arrive

Visit a National Park This Summer

Boomer Women Defying Stereotypes

Best Gifts for Mom this Mother’s Day

Choosing The Right Books For Your Grandkids

Home Fix Up For Empty Nest Blues

US ties Poland, 29th Place Infant Moratality Rate

Do You Have a Bucket List?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Sharon Scott, LPC, LMFT - Recently my friend Lisa asked me what was on my “bucket list.”

Top 10 Best Places To Live (and Retire) Affordably in the U.S.

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Portland, Winchester, Gainesville, Wenatchee and Tulsa Among Cities Selected

4 Reasons Why Swimming Workouts are Good for You

Wed, 02 May 2012 19:42:06 -0400

By Alan Webb

Exercise has always been recommended for a healthy lifestyle. Swimming has been considered to be one of the most ideal forms of exercise for many years now. However, it seems people ignore the benefits that come with regular swimming. Here are four reasons why swimming is good for you:

Hot Gadgets for Boomers

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 15:59:44 -0400

By Amy Nicole

Youth may be wasted on the young, but that doesn’t mean the youngest generations get all the fun.

How to Stay Relevant in the workforce After the Age of 50

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:52:07 -0500

By James Zachary

The business world and workforce have undergone many changes in the past 20 years and not all of them have to do with the recession.

Budgeting for Your Parents: Is Assisted Living an Option?

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:12:19 -0500

By Anthony Joseph

When most people begin discussing whether or not their parents should move into an assisted living community, they immediately become concerned about the price.

Homemade Love on Grandparent's Day September 12

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Sue Johnson, Julie Carlson, and Elizabeth Bower

Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Ends Earlier this Year

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:52:22 -0500

Make Any Changes by December 7

On Becoming A New Grandparent

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Larry Morton - Tips for new grandparents.

A Walk in the Woods

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 19:52:02 -0400

By Lori Stewart

The 7:00 am sun streams through the window, the lobstermen are checking their traps, the loons are aoohooooooooing, and the dogs are breathing in my face.

Sweet Memories Are Made Of These

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 20:33:36 -0400

By Lori Stewart

If you are a grandparent today, chances are you play a large and important role in your young grandchildren’s lives.

A Natural Face Lift In Just Minutes A Day

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:00:00 -0400

At birth, everyone’s skin is velvety soft and supple. But as we get older, our skin’s softness and flexibility decrease.

L-Arginine Benefits "Over Age 50 Sports Participants

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Antioxidants and L-Arginine Demonstrate Benefits for Active "Over Age 50" Sports Participants

B-Vitamins May Lead to Happier Seniors, Reports New Study

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Increased intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 may reduce the risk of seniors developing depressive symptoms, says a new study with 3,500 seniors from Chicago.

For every 10 milligram increase in the intake of vitamin B6 and for every 10 microgram increase in vitamin B12 the risk of developing symptoms of depression were decreased by 2 per cent per year, according to findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study adds to previous reports linking B vitamin intakes and a lower risk of depression. The World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts that within 20 years more people will be affected by depression than any other health problem; it ranks depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, with around 120 million people affected.

Following earlier reports on the potential anti-depressive benefits of the B vitamins, researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Illinois obtained data from 3,500 over 65 year-olds in Chicago.

Dietary intakes were quantified using food frequency questionnaires and depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies

Depression scale:

Over an average of 7.2 years of follow-up, the researchers noted hat increased intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 were associated with a "decreased likelihood of incident depression". The intakes of the vitamins came from both food and supplements, explained the researchers.

The benefits did appear to be limited to supplement intakes, said the researchers, since no link between depressive symptoms and food intakes of B6 or B12 were observed. They also noted that folate intakes.

"Our results support the hypotheses that high total intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 are protective of depressive symptoms over time in community-residing older adults," concluded the researchers.

While the data does indicate correlation, it does not represent causation. There is a biologically plausible link between B vitamin intake and depressive symptoms, according to a 2003 study by scientists from the University of Kuopio in Finland. Writing in BMC Psychiatry (3:17), they noted that vitamin B12 is involved in the synthesis of mono-amines, some of which act as neurotransmitters.

B12 may also inhibit the accumulation of dangerous homocysteine, wrote the Kuopio scientists, which may lead to toxic reactions that enhance depression. Indeed, data from other studies indicated that 52 per cent of depressed patients have raised levels of homocysteine.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Published online: "Longitudinal association of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 with depressive symptoms among older adults over time"

High Blood Levels of Vitamin E Reduces Risk of Alzheimer's, Swedish Study Finds

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Weight Loss for Postmenopausal Women

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:30:00 -0400

New Research Reports Calcium's Valuable Potential For Weight Loss

Anti-aging Food

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Green Tea May Protect DNA From Damage According To New Study

Seniors Looking for Jobs?

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Raymond Angus - Hidden secret to finding jobs

B Vitamins Help Slow Process of Brain Atrophy in People With Memory Problems

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Christmas For One

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0500

By Kristin Johnson

6 Easy Days to Perfect Christmas Baking

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0500

After so many years of baking every holiday season, I still love the idea of making a large assortment of Christmas cookies during the holidays.

Forget the New Years Resolutions: Your Future is Now

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

by Jacqueline Cornaby

Tips to Keep that Weight Loss New Year Resolution

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

By Bob Osgoodby

Gauge Crochet

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:06:17 -0500

By Kris Perry - Gauge is the number of stitches per inch and the number of rows per inch produced when working with a particular size of yarn and a specific hook.

7 Tips for Beautiful Skin

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 05:53:03 -0500

By Mike Law - For most women, part of their morning and evening routines involve a skincare regiment.

Stem Cell Facelift - The Royal Road to a Young Face

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:47:04 -0500

50+ Eyesight

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:49:24 -0400

Vision plays an important role in many aspects of daily life.

Empty Nest Goes Social

Mon, 30 May 2011 16:38:41 -0400

A new social networking website aimed specifically at helping baby-boomers lead an active and productive life has officially gone live.

44% of All Baby Boomers are Not Confident That They Will Retire Comfortably

Sun, 22 May 2011 04:30:00 -0400

Two-Thirds of Boomers Call Social Security an "Extremely" or "Very" Important Source of Retirement Income

Annual Happiness Index

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:40:59 -0400

Finds One-Third of Americans Very Happy

Why It Gets More Difficult to Remember As We Get Older!

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:09:25 -0400

Adult Fitness

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:23:55 -0400

Linked to Their Overall Health Status Later In Life...

Testosterone Levels and Aging

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Testosterone Levels In Healthy Men Do Not Decline Due To Older Age...

6 Benefits of Strength Exercise for Women

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:07:36 -0400

Strength training is not everything. It isn’t just for men who want to bulk up. It isn’t a gender specific exercise plan or for a select group of tomboys who have been weight training all their life. It is however, for any woman who wants glutes like Pippa Middleton, arms like Hilary Swank or flat abs that you’ll want to show off to anyone who asks. Here are some more benefits that will have you drooling all the way to the gym.

Older Women at Higher Risk of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 19:36:49 -0400

By Jasmine McCarthy

As women approach middle age and menopause, health care professionals generally warn them of a number of diseases and health conditions that become more likely during this phase of life.

Which Supplements Should You Take After Age 50?

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:51:08 -0400

By +Rebecca Chopin writer for Vitacost.com

With age comes change. And with change comes challenge. Just when you thought you’d mastered good nutrition—eating a healthy breakfast, cutting back on unhealthy fats, switching from coffee to green tea—you’re told your diet needs another overhaul. Now that you’re over 50,

Our New Look

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:50:36 -0500

We updated our site to ensure that readers can read Families Online Magazine easily on all devices, mobile, tablet and pc. Let us know if you like our new look? What would you change? Any problems viewing the site? We value your opinion and appreciate your input!

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Sat, 02 Mar 2013 01:33:03 -0500

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About Families Online Magazine

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:45:37 -0400

Welcome to Families Online Magazine a Parenting and Family Fun website.

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A Good Read - Books

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 18:06:12 -0400

A Good Read - Books from Families Online Magazine Columnists

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Demographics Survey

More Demographics:

Gym Gone But Not Forgotten?

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:48:29 -0400

Parents Want More Physical Activity at School for Kids

Pesticide Exposure in Pregnancy Linked to Lower IQ in Kids

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:06:23 -0400

Newborn Death Cut in Half When Pregnancy Lasts 39 Weeks

Sat, 28 May 2011 23:02:20 -0400

Adding just a few more weeks of pregnancy can cut a newborn's risk of death in half.

Little League Injury Prevention

Sat, 28 May 2011 23:10:43 -0400

Kids Water Safety Tips

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:15:02 -0400

Keep the following safety tips afloat in your mind.

Safer Cribs for Babies

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:29:17 -0400

A new generation of safer cribs for sale at local and national retail stores.

Children at Risk for Eye Strain

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:37:33 -0400

Due to Growing Use of Digital Devices

Medical ID Bracelets Allergies

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:08:02 -0400

$10 to Help Drought Victims

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:45:50 -0400

2 million Children at Risk from Drought

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:53:20 -0400

Pertussis: Still a Serious Threat

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 22:25:39 -0400

Pertussis is Highly Contagious but Preventable.

Parenting Eight to Twelve Year Olds

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Ages and Stages

On-Line Screening for Autism

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

On-Line Screening for Autism and Mental Health Issues Provides Parents With Immediate Results

Parents and teachers concerned about a child's mental health and development can now get immediate answers from an online screening with Project SKIP (Screening Kids for Intervention and Prevention) (www.projectskip.com).

A U.S. Government study found that 1 in 7 children have a developmental disability. Yet sadly, only about 50 percent of children with developmental problems are identified before they enter school. The parents and teachers of these children deserve to have a reliable screening tool at their disposal."

Project SKIP was developed by Dr. Bonny Forrest, a psychologist and attorney, who has more than a decade of experience working with children with mental health issues and development disabilities, including autism.

With SKIP, any parent or teacher can log on, any time, and for a $20 fee, get immediate feedback a child's behavior in relation to other children of the same age. Dr. Forrest emphasized that the screening does not provide a diagnosis, but begins the process of understanding a child's mental health and developmental needs to access supports at home and in school.

In addition to the online screening, Dr. Forrest will provide parents and teachers with a 15 minute consult if their child is found to be "at risk" for a mental health issue or development delay. The consultation will focus on helping the parent identify any necessary follow-up services.

"We need to take mental health and developmental screening to the level of prevention in this country," said Forrest. "We brush our teeth every day, why aren't we screening for these issues regularly?"

"Project SKIP has been my passion for more than 10 years," said Dr. Forrest. "We have developed the program to effectively and efficiently screen children for social-emotional, cognitive, and developmental delays (including autism) through the use of gold standard on-line instruments." Project SKIP is for kids from the ages of two through 18.

About Dr. Bonny Forrest

After practicing law for more than a decade, Dr. Forrest received her Ph.D. from Columbia University with fellowships at Yale University and the National Institute of Mental Health.

Log on at www.projectskip.com

What Parents Need To Know About Vision and Learning

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

As a mother trying to determine why her child was struggling with reading and learning, Robin Benoit found it very difficult to locate answers. According to Jillian's fourth grade teacher, even though Jillian was very bright, her academic performance was lagging behind. She had poor handwriting, left many of her class assignments unfinished, skipped words when she read out loud, would daydream during silent reading, and was consistently going to the restroom during math.

Teaching Kids About Money Management

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:52:59 -0400

Helpful tips for talking to your children about money management.

Benefits Of Nursery Rhymes In These Modern Times

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:16:28 -0400

Did your parents teach you to sing or recite nursery rhymes when you were a kid? I remember the days when I would be bribed treats just to sing classic ones like “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “London Bridge,” “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” and other favorites.

Tips for Raising Digital-Age Tots

Sat, 05 May 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Dawn Lee

If you’re a parent, then you know all too well how helpful these new-fangled thingamajigs are in keeping your young ones occupied. The peace and quiet helps get you some rest while you prepare for the next big day.

How To Choose Educational Baby Products For Your New Baby

Sat, 05 May 2012 16:53:53 -0400

By Angela Henderson

Choosing the best baby toys; educational toys and baby products for a newborn or very young baby can be tough, especially if she's your first. Unlike a three year old who'll make it very clear EXACTLY what she wants, loudly, and repeatedly, choosing a toy for a newborn may take a little detective work. Babies are never too young to play and never too young to learn so choosing the best baby toys can offer your little one great benefits.

Play and Development

Sat, 05 May 2012 17:40:08 -0400

There are many theories about play and development that suggest when each milestone should happen but one thing most experts agree on is that baby's should be directly engaged with language right from day one, which is why it's so important that Auntie Sarah makes those strange baby babble noises at him - even though it seems strange and perhaps even annoying! The consensus then is that spoken word story cds and music cds are a great investment to relax your baby – even a newborn- and to help with language development in the long term.

What is Cord Blood Donation?

Thu, 31 May 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Casey Haslem.

The gift of life is probably the most precious gift you can give someone else. Cord blood, the blood taken from the umbilical cord and placenta linking mother to baby, can provide life-saving blood cells to people with certain blood diseases such as leukemia or sickle-cell anemia. Blood cells found in cord blood are similar to the cells found in the marrow of your bones. These cells give rise to more blood cells, which include the red blood cells that transport oxygen to your tissues and the white blood cells that fight disease.

Scheduling Your Baby: How and Why?

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:41:02 -0400

By Sari Holtz

If you’re like most women, you probably couldn’t sleep comfortably for most of your pregnancy, and you counted down the days until you could sleep on your stomach, roll over without cramping or find a comfortable position that lasted for more than 35 minutes.   Now that the baby’s been born, however, you’re probably longing for the days where you could spend the night in silence, without the wailing of an infant rousing you from the depths of your slumber. You probably also yearn for the days where you could take a shower without interruptions or go for a shopping trip without stopping for a feeding. The good news is that you can do these things, if you properly schedule your baby.

Terrible Two's or Terrific Toddlers?

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 04:30:00 -0400

I know.........everybody seems to claim that toddlers who hit the age of two suddenly become difficult and demanding. You know, they are demanding, they throw temper tantrums, they grab everything they see, and they seem to have fallen in love with saying the word, “NO!”. Although some of these behaviors do happen during this stage of development, it doesn’t mean that these years have to become an unbearable nightmare that leads every parent into psychological therapy.

New Borns Play and Learn

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:52:06 -0400

By Josh Doyle

That little bundle of joy has arrived, and whether you’re a first-time parent or a veteran, that sweet little person deserves the best.

Tips for a Safe and Healthy Pregnancy

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 19:38:25 -0400

By Greta Jenkins

New information about what you can do during pregnancy to give your baby the best chance of a healthy life.

6 Ways to Get Your Child to Appreciate Classical Music

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 19:53:54 -0400

By Suzy St. George

It’s human nature to appreciate the things our generation has to offer, and the area of music is no exception. While contemporary musical forms can and should be valued and appreciated, there are those timeless forms that children should be exposed to as well.

Creative Ways to Help Pull out Your Child's Loose Tooth

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:11:53 -0400

The phenomena of loose teeth typically begin between ages 5 and 6.

5 Tips To Prepare Your ADHD Child For Better Social Skills At School

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:08:23 -0400

By Robert Locke

Maybe your ADHD child does not have many friends at school and this is getting him or her down.

LeapFrog And Walt Disney Records

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Kids favorite Disney music coming to the LeapFrog in December.

Alternatives To Stimulants For ADHD – Getting The Facts To Help You Decide

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:42:42 -0400

By Robert Locke

Are there really alternatives to stimulants for ADHD? We may start by asking ourselves how reliable are the statistics of trials for any drug on the market to-day, including those for ADHD.

Children in Sports - How to Ensure Healthy and Positive Competition

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 04:30:00 -0500

"The Healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting above average effort". - Colin Powel

Sports can be many things to our children, fun, thrill, emotion, feelings, pride, and many more. Our kids more than ever are being driven by sports everywhere; they know the name of every player in soccer, basket-ball, baseball, football and any other sport that they can practice; these athletes are like heroes for our kids, and they will imitate any behavior from their heroes; but what happen when these heroes show unhealthy competition attitudes?

There is now doubt that competition can be a double-edged knife for your kids, in one hand it keeps your childrenís spirit hungry, thirsty and wanting for more; in the other hand, a kid that is too competitive can develop bad attitudes, and with time be perceived as a negative person; these issues later can affect your kid as an adult and create vicious circles that will make him or her unhappy.

There is nothing wrong with being competitive; many famous athletes talk about competition as a healthy factor in their development; they say that competition is the key for them to stay focused and disciplined. Competition gives them the opportunity to become aware of their own vulnerability, and that is what keeps them pushing and eventually be successful. For our children with less maturity in specific situations of life, the issue starts when they perceive those vulnerable positions as threatening situations for themselves; at that point, a kid can become rebellious and start creating troubles with other kids. That is why it is important that we as parents can educate our kids so they can take sportsmanlike attitudes at every stage of their life.

Take advantage of Sports to give your kids valuable lessons

There is a great opportunity for us as parents to play a role in the education of our kids, and even when this sounds like obvious, not many people understand that every step is key in a kidís learning curve. A great way to help your children to mature these ìthreatingî situations is to expose them to those in a controlled way; sports really offer a big chance for you to do that. Here are some of the things that you as a parent should be watching and adjusting with every play:

Teach them the rules: Take your kids to the park or your backyard to play a game and be friendly all the time, instruct them in the ground rules of the game and show them the importance of enforcing the rules. Whenever someone breaks one, stop the game and explain it again, be clear about the fact that the game cannot continue when one rule has been broken. This is a great moment to remind them that you all should have fun, but that the rules have to be followed.

Threatening situations: It will happen, one of your kids is going to feel threatened by something or someone, he could or†couldn't†give you any sign of it, so that is why is important that you keep the environment healthy, encouraging all of them to give their best but following the rules.

Kids must be educated with love: If someone gets hurt or shows a negative attitude is always a good idea to stop the game and all as a team assist to the kid or remind him that all are having fun and that the game needs him to continue; if the kid is reluctant to continue you can give him some space, but you must address this as soon as possible.

Fun and Love are Key ingredients to educate your kids

Unlikely most adults, children will pay attention to whatever you want to say, so good advice and friendly questions are always a good idea. Love is the key ingredient that will always turn things in the right direction, if you share advice and reflecting questions with love, your kids will be more agreeable to follow you. The whole point is to have fun; it is best to instruct your kids to have fun at their sport practice, once they understand that fun is the primary objective of any sport, they will be ready to endure any of the threatening situations that we described, they will also gain maturity to see when some of their heroes is not playing fair, and to understand that sports are discipline, hard work, team work, camaraderie and sacrifice; but more than anything, sports are a game of fun and a fun game. Have fun!

About the Author:

Jose Lozano is and Engineer who also serves as a consultant for a local football team, encouraging the players to have a fun at every game and play by the rules. Part of the training is to teach the team to do more things together than just football; the team decided to learn to fly an RC F-18 jet plane and a 3.5 RC helicopter, this of course paid-off, the team is now communicating in a different way,†team-building†and having more fun. They are playing the finals for their second consecutive championship next week.

Are Our Playgrounds Really a Safe Place for Kids to Play?

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:52:31 -0500

By Paul Harding

Playgrounds are an American staple. An idyllic outdoor place for our little ones to enjoy a sunny afternoon.

Charming Baby Boxes

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:03:22 -0500

An Occasion to Gift

Arrival of a baby is an occasion to celebrate.

How Much Sleep Does Your Child Need?

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:10:39 -0500

Sleep is essential no matter how old you are, however, to a growing mind and body a lack of sleep can be very detrimental.

Educating Your Child by Age on Drugs and Alcohol

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 04:30:00 -0500

By Melisa Cammack

Our job as parents is to protect our children from the common dangers of life. One of the best ways to do this is by educating our children and being there to listen to feedback in a non-judgmental way.

Too Excited! Keeping Children Calm and Happy When Santa is On His Way

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:35:26 -0500

By Liz Madeley

If you would like to avoid tears before Christmas-eve bedtime, here are some helpful tips to try. If the children are calm and happy, the whole family is bound to be more relaxed!

Although there is plenty of fun to be had, every parent knows that the run up to Christmas can be a trying time. With the knowledge that school holidays are coming, days will be devoted to play and Santa is on his way with toys, it can mean sleepless nights, temper tantrums and over-excited behaviour.

When Playdates Go Bad, What Do You Do?

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 04:30:00 -0500

Guest post by Kassandra Brown

A Playdate Ends in Tears

"Bye Mom. See you later!" My daughters cheerfully sent me on my way after agreeing to an impromptu playdate at a new friend, Beeís house.

Effects of Thumb Sucking on Teeth Development

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 02:05:22 -0500

From the early months of a child’s life, even within the womb, it is very common for infants to form a habit of sucking their thumb or finger.

New ADHD Study Recommends Talking To Your Baby

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 04:55:30 -0500

By Robert Locke MBE

Forgive the strange title because mothers talk to their babies all the time! But do they? How many parents are guilty of plonking their child in front of a screen and relying on electronic babysitting?

Child Safety At Home: What You Need To Know About It

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 20:13:27 -0500

By Kate Simmons

Our homes are full of appliances that we use on a daily basis. It is easy to forget that these appliances may be dangerous to your children.

8 Tips to Keep Your Children Safe on Social Networks

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:00:39 -0500

By Melissa Page

Posts, comments, videos, chats, tweets, texts have become a regular part of children’s lives these days.

Swimming Lessons: When Is The Right Age To Start?

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:23:42 -0500

By Kristene Blackham

From the time children are born, water safety is a primary concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional death in the United States, with approximately two children under age 14 dying every day of accidental drowning.

Chores to Develop Responsibility and Get Household Help from Your 8-9-Year-Old

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:03:09 -0400

By Danielle M.

Most kids go through a transition in which they are able to take on significantly more responsibility sometime between the ages of 8 and 9.

Understanding Differences in Gender Development

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 01:05:36 -0400

You’ve heard the phrase, “Boys will be boys and girls will be girls.” But have you thought about what that really means? Understanding the biological causes for behavioral differences in children can be very interesting, and may give you a better idea of why your son seems so curious or why your daughter seems so talkative.

How Baby's Learn

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:10:02 -0400

By Paul Banas - Baby's learn all the time.

How to Create a Routine for Baby

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:59:58 -0500

By Jan Kremer

When you first bring your new baby home, you’re going to have a lot of questions.

New Baby Get Your Home Ready

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 02:18:01 -0500

Just when we have the house how we want it, what do we do? Yes you have guessed, we decide to start a family!

Five Must Do Exercises to Burn the Post Baby Pounds

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:18:42 -0500

If you are like many new mothers, then you are probably eager to get back to your pre-pregnancy size.

Kid Safe Home

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:33:50 -0500

By Annabelle Smyth

Children have a knack for bringing a youthful, vibrant feeling to any home. They also have a knack for being a little clumsy and that's where we, the parents, come in!

How to Make Birth Announcement Cards

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:52:28 -0500

Baby announcements are cards that are usually sent to close friends and relatives, to announce the arrival of a new baby.

The Science Of Birth Order

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 19:13:15 -0500

By Helen Burns

The Science of Birth Order! It has been the topic of controversy between psychologists over the last century.

Tips For Cleaning Your Child's Toys

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:51:11 -0500

Nowadays, kids have tons of toys that get used countless times on a daily basis. And on many occasions children tend to handle their toys with dirty hands. Even though parents are usually quite alert when it comes to the cleanliness of their children's hands, sometimes this goes unnoticed.

Hottest Baby Products

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 19:59:44 -0500

By  Tauseef Hussain

If you thought all the baby products that were needed in the world had already been invented and improved upon you should think again.

The Rhino: A Toy or an Animal For Babies?

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:53:25 -0500

By Tanya Wilcox

Infants and toddlers start the learning process immediately after birth, and the ideal toy can be instrumental in their mental, physical and cognitive development. In addition to being educational, toys for small children should not have small parts that can be easily ingested or sharp edges. The following are the latest safe and age appropriate toys for your child.  

Diaper Rash Prevention and Treatment 101

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:49:00 -0400

By Greta Jenkins

Babies’ age 4 months to 15 months are likely to experience a diaper rash. So even the most attentive parent can be faced with their little bundle of joy having a diaper rash.

Breastfeeding Support: Who to Call, What to Do

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:05:36 -0400

By Karla M. Somers

Breastfeeding may seem awkward and uncomfortable for new moms at first, but to help you get over any worries or frustrations, you need a wonderful support group. A team of experienced moms, professionals, nurses and physicians will be able to answer your questions, ease any fears you may be experiencing and give you helpful tips to make nursing easier, as well as a special bonding experience for both you and your infant.

Teething: What Parents Should Know

Thu, 02 May 2013 16:41:34 -0400

By Richard Freeland

The appearance of your baby’s first teeth can be a day of celebration. At times, however, teething can be accompanied by irritability and discomfort, sometimes outright pain. But parents need not despair. There are many tried and true solutions for relieving the symptoms of teething.

Engaging Your Baby: Development Toys

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:44:19 -0400

By Valerie Stout Cyrus

New parents often find themselves so excited about their new baby’s arrival that they may forget about the many toys available to entertain and teach newborns. Since brain development begins very early in life, it makes sense to consider finding ways to help the process along while also making parenting considerably easier. Doing this also provides ways for babies to learn how to entertain themselves.

Lighting for a Newborn's Bedroom

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Jessica Ackerman

The right kind of lighting is important for creating a suitably comforting environment for a newborn.

Adding Bold Color to a Baby's Room

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Jessica Ackerman

While soft pastel colors have often dominated the color palette when it comes to designing a baby’s room, the trend today is toward bold color.

Personalize Baby’s Room with a Stencil

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:33:55 -0400

By Alyssa Davis

Make a Clay Cotton Ball Holder for the Nursery

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Love working with polymer clay, and enjoy creating things?

Mom’s Comfortable Furniture for a Baby’s Nursery

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 19:57:22 -0400

Decorating and furnishing a baby's nursery is one of the most exciting times during pregnancy.One often overlooked aspect of the room's decor is comfortable furniture for mom.

Building a Room That Will Grow with a Child

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 20:07:36 -0400

Building a room that will grow with a child from birth through the teenage years is a great way to save money and time over the course of 18 years.

Decorating Baby’s Room with Garage Sale Finds

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

With many reports citing the average cost to raise a child from birth to age 18 at $200,000, any way to save money is welcome.

5 Nursery Safety Tips

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:57:21 -0500

As any parent knows, a child's safety is a parent's number one priority, especially in the nursery.

Creating a Wild Nursery Décor

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 18:01:12 -0500

Creating a Wild Nursery Décor

When you are looking for a nursery decor that has a life all its own, consider going wild: A wild decor complete with jungle animals and murals on the wall.

From Guest Room to Nursery

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 18:09:04 -0500

Transforming a Guest Room into a Nursery for Baby

Making Plaid Work in the Nursery

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:33:24 -0500

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Preparing the nursery for a new baby is an exciting time in the life of any parent-to-be.

Decorating a Nursery for a Boy and Girl Twins

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:15:55 -0500

So, you are expecting twins. Congratulations on the bundles of joy and energy that will soon be coming your way. If you know that you are having a boy and girl, the nursery decorating can become a bit tricky. Try one of the ideas below to create a nursery that is perfectly suited for both the little boy and little girl who will soon be making an appearance.

Mellow Yellow

As one of the most common and gender-neutral colors, yellow is the perfect hue for a room that a boy and girl will be calling home. In addition to being easy to find in bedding, wall decorations and other nursery decorations, yellow is perfect for matching with other shades. For example, on your son’s side of the room, pair yellow with light green or blue to add a touch of masculine color to the space. On your daughter’s side of the room, incorporate touches of pink and lavender with the yellow. Use white as a neutral color to tie all of the colors of the room together. Used in combination with the other colors, it will solidify the color palette of the room.

Cotton Candy Inspired

Some of the sweetest treats come in pale pink and light blue. Make your children’s nursery all about the cotton candy color combination. Using cotton candy pink and blue as the inspiration, divide the room into two and begin decorating. The boy’s side of the room can be decorated with pale blue on the walls, bedding and room accessories. The girl’s side of the room should have the walls, bedding and room accessories done in cotton candy pink. If painting the walls two different colors is too much hassle, consider painting them all white and using a border that captures both the pink and the blue in its design. You may even be able to find some cotton candy wall borders that would fit the decor perfectly.

Themes

Instead of focusing on the color of the room, you can also focus on the theme of the decor. Everything from barnyard animals to teddy bears to polka dots makes an appearance in nursery bedding and accessories. Choose the theme that appeals to you the most and use that to gain color inspiration. For example, if you choose a barnyard theme, the boy’s crib bedding could be the same shade as the blue in the sky, while the girl’s bedding color could be pulled from the red in the barn door. By using a theme, you break away from the idea of complete separate areas and create a nursery that is cohesive and comforting.

Each child deserves to have a space of his or her own, but when space is limited, it is best to design a room that will accommodate siblings in the best way possible. A nursery for twins can do just that with some creative thinking. Explore new colors, capitalize on themes, and remember that the nursery decor will be changing in a few years as the children get older.

This article was written by Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, an online wall art site, and your best place to buy quality restaurant wall art.

New Color Choices for a Baby’s Room

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:24:02 -0400

Why Choose Organic Bedding for Your Baby?

Thu, 02 May 2013 16:25:41 -0400

By Meggie Smith

Some of the best products in the world are often chosen by parents for their new born babies to ensure safety and comfort. Apart from comfortable clothes, bedding products are available in organic forms which are derived from natural products like bamboo and cotton. To give your baby the best sleep experience, it is essential to choose products which are organic and free from harmful chemicals and pesticides. In comparison to the traditional bedding products, Eco friendly bedding products are considered to be safe and healthy in many ways.

Volunteers

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:41:33 -0400

Always great to see people volunteering!

Birthdays

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 01:09:49 -0400

Birthday seem to come too often s time goes by

Doctors and retainer fees

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 07:51:38 -0400

Waste of money unless you have a serious illness which requires immediate attention 24/7. The physical exam is a joke -- I'd rather pay out of pocket for a complete physical and know my physician actually read the lab report and had enough interest to discuss it with me. I may give up trying to find another internist at this up-scale location and rely solely on specialists or the E.R. when necessary.

MDVIP

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

Tommy Thompson, former US govt exec, has found a way to make money. If you all can't figure that out, you ain't very smart, are ya? I'd like to see or know about your reaction when you turn 65 and join Medicare and can't find a doctor who will accept Medicare unless you pay Tommy's fees which will be more than the current fees which range from 1500 to 2000. You should realize that the goal of MDVIP is to recruit docs, as many as possible b/c that's how they get their money. However, if you can't come up with the fees for you and your spouse when you turn 65, you may have to consider relocating to Costa Rica with Rush, which he promised to do if the healthcare reform bill passed. Guess you won't be seeing much of your grandkids except on skype or ipods.

Sibling Rivarly

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:37:50 -0400

My sons are age 2 and 3, they fight all the time. Both believe all toys are "mine". My youngest has started biting the oldest. How do I get this under control now so it doesn't just get worse as they get older?

Foods that help increase intelligence

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:40:15 -0400

Are there any foods that help kids increase their intelligence? I've heard about brain foods but have been unable to find a list.

Brain foods

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:43:50 -0400

Here is link to an article (cut and paste in browser) which list some brain foods. http://www.familiesonlinemagazine.com/health/brain-food2.html

Omega-3

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

It is amazing how adding Omega-3 can help. Fish, beans, walnuts and olive oil can help add omega-3 to your diet. Trish http://www.healthy-family-meals.com

Bonding activities

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

Hi Michelle I'm a little biased as I work for Atlantic Trampolines in the UK but since getting a trampoline in the back garden I find the best quality time I spend with my daughter is on it. Because you have to shut the safety enclosure behind you, you can't just wipe the dishes, sweep the floor, or do any of the other chores that are always calling Mums. Instead you just have to relax and enjoy your daughter's company. Although mine is only 2, I hope we will carry on using it as a bonding space as she gets bigger.

Wonderful Childrens Books

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:37:59 -0400

I never hear people mention Usborne or Kane/Miller books enough. So many award winning books that are unique in the sense that they appeal to all 3 types of learners. Plus, they're high quality and affordable too! There's books for children of all ages started with infancy and going through high school. In my opinion a home library is not complete without some of these wonderful titles! You can find out more at http://www.brightwormbooks.com

type 2 diabetes

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

I was type 2 diabetic and am no scholar on the disease however I found that by changing my diet to a low glycemic regiment, I no longer am affected by it. I don't know about if people are insulin dependant how the diet may or may not work, but I'm convinced that eating habits are a huge part of keeping the disease in check

Broom, Zoom!

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:45:54 -0400

Hello! Thank you very much for including "Broom, Zoom!" in your Halloween list. I am the illustrator of that book, which was a great project to work on. I've noticed that the link brinks you to a different book on Amazon. Here's the correct link: http://www.amazon.com/Broom-Zoom-Caron-Lee-Cohen/dp/1416991131/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1285598634&sr=1-1 Thank you!

Pumpkin Bars

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:17:48 -0500

Hi, You bake the crust for 8 minutes-at what temperature? Then you bake the whole dish for 30-35 minutes-at what temperature? They look great, and I'd love to make them, but can't without knowing what temp. to bake everything at? Thanks, Laurie

baking temperature

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:12:32 -0500

These should be baked at 350 degrees.

acting

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:39:38 -0400

I have good acting and some times it can be fun but it is pretty cool

game

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:49:35 -0400

i think this e book are good

drug facts

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:08:51 -0500

this site explains how drugs are dangerous and tells how they affect you in a way kids would actually read and find intresting

Re:

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

Every body remembers that men's life is not cheap, nevertheless people require money for different issues and not every person earns big sums cash. Therefore to get some home loans and student loan will be good way out.

britto

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

By adding color with permanent marker, paint, or glitter, you will instantly add charm to the mantel space. Another way to add personality to the pumpkins is to decorate them with ribbons. britto

Yes!

Sat, 05 May 2012 04:30:00 -0400

We bought my daughter baby flash cards when she was about 10 months old, they were textured and rather thick so she could play with them and appreciate the hands on interaction with them. She took great joy in proudly announcing the picture on each card to anyone she could pin down. Now at age 6, I have been told by the president of the local toastmaster's club (who happened to speak to her on the phone one day) that she is more eloquent than a lot of adults these days.

latest article, "Are we Drugging Ourselves to Death"

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

I also submit articles to Families Online Magazine and just read your latest article. We have a lot in common in both agreeing how important is to tell the "truth" to the public. I also interviewed Dr. Abramson on my talk show. He also carries a great message. I now live in St. Petersburg, (moved from the L.A. area last year) and would love to speak with you. My phone number is (760) 902 3343 and website is: www.walkthetalkproductions.com Howard

Cool baby hats and clothes

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

Color did make a big comeback this year. Great tips!

website

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

all these ideas are very good but you could add face paint

Let's learn together

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:07:33 -0500

What do you do when a playdate gets hard? Do you have tips to share? Have you tried some of the suggestions in this article? How did they work? I'd like to hear from you! Kassandra

When play dates go bad...

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 16:19:18 -0500

Like so much parenting advice, this is generally about common sense and trying to see things from the child's perspective. You have to slow down and remember that children don't see things the way we do. For adults, we would never have a second thought about using the toilet at a friend's house, but this could be intimidating for little ones!

Cyber problem

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

This article helped me feel like I am not alone. Thank you! These are important issues that need to be discussed.

when I had young ones

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 01:00:00 -0500

Would have been nice to have a coach like this when I was raising my girls. Thanks. Margot

July 2010 Families Online Magazine Award

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:21:25 -0400

SignUpforCamp.com

A free summer camp locator website that helps parents easily find summer camps that fit their schedule and and coordinate plans with friends.

August 2010 Families Online Magazine Award

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:35:13 -0400

CreativeKidsCrafts.wordpress.com - Easy, fun kids crafts.

BrainPop

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:57:26 -0400

BrainPop
Brainpop is a really cool and unique site full of animated health and science movies, and fun quizzes.

Family Help Online

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:10:14 -0400

Family Help Online

Offers Online Developmental Screening ( $39 -49.95) , Parent Coaching, e-counseling, Development Screening, agency/parent workshops (in Canada) - reasonable fees.

Trekaroo Travel With Kids City Reviews

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:00:58 -0400

Families Online Magazine Award Winner - November 2010

Trekaroo is a reviews website dedicated to helping parents explore and travel with kids. Our community of parents is sharing thousands of reviews on where to go and what to do with kids everywhere.

Popular Kids Toys

Family Meal Makeover

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 19:16:56 -0500

A lifestyle series for hectic families that don't have enough time in the day and struggle to put quick, easy and healthy meals on the table. Family Meal Makeover

Award January 2011

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

Kids National Geographic

Travel to different times and places, create cartoons, or take a geography quiz.

Bird Party Blog Families Online Magazine Award Feb. 2011

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:05:17 -0500

Bird Party

Great on-line resource for parties, entertainment, crafts and celebrations!

Families Online Magazine Award for the Best Parenting and Family Websites.

Nominate a Family or Parenting Website

Families Online Award March 2011

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 03:51:21 -0500

Time For Kids, Time Magazine Website for Kids

Award - Download a Dinosaur

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:05:35 -0400

Download a Dinosaur

Families Online Magazine Award

Submit your favorite website for a Families Online Magazine's Parenting and Family Website Award

Award -Family Day Out USA

Sat, 28 May 2011 21:40:58 -0400

Family Day Out USA is a resource to help people easily find family days out in the USA.   Searchable by age, state, zip, indoor/outdoor, type of attraction .Designed by parents for parents    Our award winning UK site (http:www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk) has over half a million visitors a month.

Submit your favorite website for a Families Online Magazine's Parenting and Family Website Award

American Indians and Kids

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:04:45 -0400

July 2011 Families Online Magazine Award Winner

From Apples4theTeachers.com

American Indian Printable Short Stories for Kids

Award August 2011 - Drug Facts for Kids

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:56:49 -0400

Drug Facts for Kids - comics and educational information to help prevent drug use.

Families Online Magazine Award for the Best Parenting and FamilyWebsites.

Nominate a Family or Parenting Website

Great Family Vacation Destinations

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 03:50:12 -0400

Families Online Magazine Award Winner!

Ideas for Family Travel - Activities for Families

Great Family Vacation Destinations

Gun Control -- What Can You Do

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 18:01:40 -0500

Sign on to Petitions to Protect Our Kids.

Wintertime

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:48:11 -0500

No doubt with all this snow it's easy to understand why January is National Hot Tea, National Oatmeal, and National Soup Month! Celebrate Martin Luther King Day January 17 by Teaching Children about Discrimination. Here are some more wintertime family fun ideas:

Superbowl Party

Gourmet Popcorn

Kids Winter Crafts

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Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:40:57 -0400

Please use the menu or search box to find your article on another page or an article that matches your topic.

We apologies for the inconvenience.

5 Gifts that Will Help Your Kids Learn Valuable Life Lessons

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 02:37:49 -0400

By Dixie Sommers

In today’s dot com, battery-operated world, children are exposed to so much more than in the past. Because of this bold, new environment, parents should put more thought into the gifts they buy for their children. Instead of buying the shiniest, most popular toy, we should try gifts that inspire life lessons. With a little creativity, parents can discover gifts that are both fun and economical. Here are five of the best things you can get for your children to help them learn valuable life lessons.

Family Fun Ways to Keep Fit This Summer

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Is family fun and keeping your family healthy and fit at the top of your priority list? It should be.

Teen Mystery Book Reviews

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Jillian Bietz - Teens - Get Lost in One of These Suspenseful Tales

Give the Gift of Books

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:14:16 -0500

By Jillian Bietz - The gift of the written word.

On the Darker Side of Life

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:51:09 -0500

By Jillian Bietz - Teens - Stories of Secrets and Struggles

The Alex Awards

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:28:49 -0400

By Jillian Bietz - Each year, YALSA (Young Adult Library Service Association) puts out various booklists and presents awards to the best selection of YA books.

Usher in the Spring with Brand New Reads!

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:00:24 -0400

By Jillian Bietz - Teens

Whether you need a break from studying for finals or just feel like cracking open a new book while you bathe in the sun, here are a few new "sure to be your fave" reads of this year.

The Golden Kite Awards

Tue, 24 May 2011 15:58:14 -0400

By Barbara Bietz - Children Book Reviews

Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Beyond

Sat, 28 May 2011 23:42:31 -0400

By Jillian Bietz - Teens

“If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany's, then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name.”- Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Books for Insomniacs!

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:32:09 -0400

By Jillian Bietz - As summertime comes to a close, it's the perfect time to stay up late or even all night long, with a good book.

Finding the Right Books for You

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:36:14 -0400

By Jillian Bietz - Teens

Have you ever finished a good book and thought, "Now what?"

Scary Stories – Not for Kids!

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:56:40 -0400

By Jillian Bietz - Teens

If you have surpassed the age of wearing a polyester costume and knocking on neighbor's doors holding a pillowcase full of treats, perhaps it will be fun to gear up for Halloween with one of these eerie tales!

Kid Art Craft Printmaking: Step by Step with Pictures

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 17:22:55 -0400

How to make an original piece of art from Eye Can Art's Sketch Foam Printmaking Kit: that recently won a Platinum Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award

Funny Kids Can win $10,000 Dream Vacation

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 01:01:27 -0400

Zarbee's Inc., the fastest-growing all natural cough remedy in the country, today announced the official launch of its Hilarious MOMents Contest, designed to celebrate the funny and hilarious moments that parents experience while raising children.

Summer Resources to Beat the Boredom Blues

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:13:57 -0400

By Barbara Bietz -- There are lots of activities that will keep kids busy without breaking the bank.

Get Your Poetic License!

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:01:00 -0400

Children's Books by Barbara Bietz -Many young readers don’t know a lot about poetry beyond Dr. Suess and perhaps Shel Silverstein.

Genealogy – Fun for All Ages

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Barbara Bietz -- Creating a family tree is a wonderful way to share stories.

Keepin’ the Beat with Books

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Barbara Bietz -- Childrens' Books - Music plays an important role in our communities.

A Treat for Everyone – Halloween Favorites

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:52:53 -0400

by Barbara Bietz - Children's Book Reviews

Be Thankful - Family Fun Movies

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Brarbara Beitz - Movie Reviews - Thanksgiving conjures up images of family gatherings, football games, and fun.

Novels with Heart and History

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0500

by Barbara Bietz - Children's Book Reviews

Fear and Fantasy

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

By Barbara Bietz - Children's Book Reviews - The popularity of fantasy novels is growing across all age groups.

Family Fun – Coming Attractions on DVD!

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:10:29 -0500

By Barbara Bietz -- If you missed some of the recent great family movies, you can enjoy them in the comfort of your living room.

The Joys of Imperfection

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:04:47 -0400

Kids can be hard on themselves – whether in school, sports, or art, unreasonable expectations can create unnecessary anxiety.

Gleeful Movie Musicals

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:15:44 -0400

By Barbara Bietz - DVD Reviews

Fans of all ages are passionate about Glee, the musical television show.

Will Rugby Replace This Year's Football Season?

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:03:47 -0400

By Kelly S. Croslis - Sports

Summer Reading Sparklers

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:14:03 -0400

By Barbara Bietz -- Parents are advised to encourage their kids to read during the summer break.

Can't Get Enough of Harry Potter?

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:14:52 -0400

Movies for Halloween - From Silly to Scary

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:57:53 -0400

By Barbara Bietz - Children's Books and DVD's

Activities abound during Halloween and kids fill up with treats and tricks.

The Gift of Reading

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:58:09 -0500

By Barbara Bietz - Childrens' Books and DVD Reviews

The holidays can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to gift giving for kids. In the midst of plastic toys and high tech gadgets, don’t underestimate the joy of a wonderful book gift.

Helping Our Kids Make Dollars and Sense

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:22:39 -0500

By Barbara Bietz

The economic shifts in our world have impacted families in many ways. It’s hard for children and teens to understand the importance of saving and spending in an environment that is full of consumer temptations. Schools don’t teach financial planning – that burden falls on families. Parents don’t want to be punitive when dealing with necessary cut-backs, but families do need to make sacrifices. There are many books available which provide financial information for kids in a meaningful way. From educational to entertaining, the right books can help your family increase their financial IQ.

Money Sense for Kids by Hollis Page Harman offers an overview of the flow of money, from creation to consumers. Even elementary school kids will have a greater understanding of the economic system in our country. Youngsters will have a greater understanding of financial responsibility and how can they control their financial well-being. The sections on currency are particularly interesting for all ages.

Not Your Parents' Money Book: Making, Saving, and Spending Your Own Money Jean Chatzky and Erwin Haya

Jean Chatzky is a well-known financial media personality. She brings her non-nonsense approach to tweens and teens in a meaningful way. Based on her experiences working with middle school students, Jean helps kids navigate the basics of financial responsibility. Fun illustrations and interactive activities will keep readers interested. This is a great selection for parents and kids to read together.

Rock, Brock and the Saving Shock by Shelia Blair and Barry Gott is a perfect chapter book for encouraging smart-money decisions. Two brothers, Rock and Brock, are paid to do chores. Brock is a saver and Rock is a spender. Through the use of natural consequences, readers see who makes the better choices. There is a math related section that illustrates the benefits of saving.

Whether a financial guide or a work of fiction, there are many books that can help kids understand the power of money and the importance of responsible spending habits.

Free Kid's Book

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Artie Knapp's children's book Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand is now available as a free flash-animated storybook from MightyBook Inc.

Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand - teased and bullied about his stuttering, Stanley the squirrel refuses to let on that his feelings are being hurt, until one day he learns an important lesson from a new friend.

At mightybook.com there are more than 60 free animated stories, songs, games and puzzles. To read Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand click on the picture.

Family Bonding with Bedtime Books

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Barbara Bietz -- Bedtime rituals are especially important for today's busy families.

The Past Comes to Life with Historical Fiction

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 02:06:51 -0400

By Barbara Bietz

Historical fiction allows the reader to become full immersed in a specific time and place while connecting to carefully crafted characters that bring the time period to life. If your student struggles with history, find a great age appropriate novel about the time period. History is anything but boring! My benchmark for worthy books in the genre is whether or not I feel compelled to do further research about the characters or setting before I finish the book. From Typhoid Mary to Nazi Youth, the following pager turners will not disappoint.

Picture Books: Connecting with History, People, and Places

Sun, 27 May 2012 01:38:36 -0400

By Barbara Bietz - Children's Books and DVD's

Many non-fiction picture books are created for a school-age audience. Picture books are engaging; the combination of art and prose is the perfect medium to invite readers to learn about history and the people who helped shape the world around us.

Summer Sun, Summer Fun - New DVD Releases for All Ages

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:58:16 -0400

by Barbara Bietz - Children's Books and DVD's

Family friendly movies Saveare perfect for those hot summer days that have parents scrambling for some indoor fun or for the perfect evening activity after a family barbeque. Keep everyone cooled off with a pitcher of fresh lemonade, a big bowl of popcorn and a terrific movie.

Literary Field Trips

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:15:42 -0400

by Barbara Bietz - Children's Book Reviews

In the final weeks of summer, kids grow restless. Why not plan a field trip that encourages reading? There are lots of fun places throughout the country, and here are a few to put on your list.

Learning with Little Ones

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:01:10 -0400

by Barbara Bietz - Children's Book Reviews

As parents and older siblings are gearing up for back to school activities, younger kids don’t need to be left out!

Expand Your Knowledge of Children’s Literature

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 05:42:47 -0400

by Barbara Bietz - Children's Book Reviews

All parents know the importance of reading. When kids are young, parents choose the books to read aloud, as they get older their choices become more independent, as they should.

Poem: Ceiling to the Stars

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:13:44 -0400

By Artie Knapp

Illustrations by Chung Oh

After the Turkey - Thanksgiving Books and Movies

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Thanksgiving is a special time for families. Festivities, food, football games, and more keep us all busy throughout the weekend.

Turkey and the Pumpkin

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:24:07 -0500

Here's a Great Thanksgiving Online Kids Book to read and enjoy. It is written by Arte Knapp. A young turkey escapes from his farm in the hopes of reaching a petting zoo before Thanksgiving.

Read now!

More Thanksgiving Books

Bipper and Wick a Christmas Story

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:33:14 -0500

By Artie Knapp

The snow had turned the forest into a winter wonderland; and as the bears worked hard to get their den prepared for the long winter ahead, the ice on the trees snapped aloud. The hard work made the bears very sleepy, and their yawns could be heard from far away.

Light on a Snowy Day - A Christmas Story

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:41:12 -0500

By Artie Knapp

IT WAS TWO DAYS before Christmas and young Maggie Dotson was already being told that her Christmas wish would not be coming true. Paxton she was told, would not be coming back.

Children's Books and DVD's Article Archive

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:02:40 -0500

Animal Books and DVD's

A Dog's Tale
It's All Happening at the Zoo
Doggone Good Movies - Children's DVD
Children DVD: A Dog's Tale

Authors and Awards

2010 Children Book Awards
Here Come the 2009 Newbery Awards!
Open the Door to Reading; Invite an Author to Your School
Family Fun with Oscar Musicals
Creating Life-Long Readers
Children's Books Authors
Children's Books Awards
Newberry Medal

Baby Picture Books

Baby Picture Books - Books for Baby Gifts

Bedtime Stories

Children's Bedtime Books from Families Online Magazine

Books for Boys

Books for Boys

Activity Books

More Than Words Activity Books

Books As Gifts

Tall Tales, Time Travel and More: Gifts Ideas for All Ages

Books for Girls

Books Fit for a Princess

Comic Books

Graphic Novels

Biographies

Page Turning Non-fiction and Biographies

Children Books for Hoidays and Seasons

Earth Day: Being Green Can Be Fun!
Holiday Gift Books
New Releases for Fun Summer Reading
Thanksgiving Books
Back to School Children's Books
Summer Reading for Kids
Halloween Children's Books
Thanksgiving Children's Books
4th of July Independence Day
Springtime
Summer
Readers Theatre

History

Children's Books About Presidents

Sports Books

Wide World of Sports Books for Boys and Girls

Sports Movies

Movies For Sports Fans: Play Ball!

Children Travel Books

Books and DVD's for Family Vacations
Travel Books

Music

Music and CD ROM Entertainment For Kids While In The Car
Just Listen - CD Selections for the Family

Movies

Movies To Watch With Your ‘Tweens
Children's Book and Movie Reviews

Parenting

Family Fun for Less
Good Book for Good Parents
Inspirational Books For All Ages

Favorite Children's Books

Children's Book Club
Books That Help; Books That Heal
Story Time Books for all Ages
Animal Books by Eric Carle
Broccoli, Babies, and Birthdays

(Primary)Grade School Books

Beyond Whimpy Kids
Realistic Fiction for Kids

Middle Grade Books

Like a Maccabee A Middle Grade Chapter Book
Recommended Middle Grade Books

Social

Children Books: Heroes to Admire
Different Strokes for Different Folks

School

Keep Your Cool For Back-to-School

Teen Books

New Books for Teens
Top Teen Choices - Book Reviews
Notable New Novels for Young Adults

Family Night: 5 Family-Friendly TV Shows to Watch In 2013

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:18:43 -0500

By Dixie Somers

These days, watching cable television with your family is not easy. Many of today’s shows are filled with excessive violence, sex and profanity. Finding family-friendly entertainment can be difficult. The good news is that there are still a few television shows that you can watch with your family.

Top 3 Kid Approved And Family-Friendly XBox Game

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 17:02:50 -0500

By Madyson Grant

Families looking for a few good quality X Box games that are not offensive and that do not expose kids to something violent should check out these top games.

Making Something out of Nothing

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Jillian Bietz - Easy and fun crafts.

Homemade Christmas Gifts

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0500

Decorate for Valentine's Day with Kid Crafts

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:38:20 -0500

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Decorating for the holidays, no matter which one, can be a fun job.

Happy 4th of July

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:48:09 -0400

Patriotic Songs and Poems

Picnic Recipes

Fireworks

4th of July Crafts

Parents’ Mission Control: Craft Projects that Keep Kids Active and Engaged all Month!

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:30:00 -0500

By Jennifer Cummings, M Ed.

Weather got you down? Wondering how you will fill up those dark hours when the sun sets so early in the day? Have no fear! The four projects in this month’s column will each give you:

An Outside Mission: If you choose to accept it, this special assignment is designed to get your kids out and about, even in the colder weather,

A Craft Attack: A great craft idea that can be done with simple household items and natural materials that kids can do in the house, and

A Fantastic FollowUp: A fun activity that you can do after or on another day to extend the learning fun!

So don’t despair! Just choose a project plan and get started! All of these projects are designed for kids, with an adult’s help and oversight. They’re great family activities!

Project #1: Bird Nest Challenge

Outside Mission: Birds make their whole house from only things they find outside, so do you think you could make the perfect nest? The mission for this craft is to go outside gathering as many small, natural objects as you can that you think will help you build the perfect bird nest! You can use anything natural, including twigs, grasses, seeds, cones, of anything else. The only catch? Whatever you choose has to fit in one paper lunch bag and you only have 20 minutes to get as much stuff as you can!

Craft Attack: Using only a small lump of play dough for ‘mud’ and the items you gathered outside, try to make a perfect bird’s nest that you think a bird would like to live in this spring! It’s harder than it looks, so don’t get discouraged. You may have to try a couple different methods!

Fantastic FollowUp: Using a digital camera, go to an area of your yard, a nearby park, or a nature area and try to find bird nests that are still hanging in the trees. Winter is a great time to spot them, since the leaves are all down. Try to get pictures of any that you find. This spring place the nest you made in an open area in a tree or on a fence to see if any birds come and recycle your materials into a new nest!

Project #2: Pine Cone Feeders

Outside Mission: Take a shopping bag outside to a place where there are pine trees. Look underneath (you may have to dig through the snow!) and find as many whole pine cones as you can. Brush off as much dirt and as many pine needles as you can, and bring them into the house.

Craft Attack: Place all of your cones on the table. Take you best 12 cones that are whole and open, and place them on an old cookie sheet. Place in a warm, dry place until the cones are dry all the way through. If you want to make it happen faster, you can use a hair dry to speed up the process. When the cones are dry tie a 12” piece of yarn to the top of each one. Coat each pine cone in peanut butter or vegetable shortening and roll the covered cones in crushed cereal, bird seed, raisins, or nuts. Tie your new bird feeders to one or more trees in your yard and watch the birds come to eat!

Fantastic FollowUp: Try rolling different pine cones in different coatings. Then, hang feeders up where they can be seen from the house. See if you can identify the kinds of birds that come to each different kind of feeder you made. Not sure what you saw? Visit an online help site, such as www.whatbird.com to search birds by your location!

Project #3: Track Attack!

Outside Mission: Winter is a great time for watching animal tracks! Become a track detective to find out what animals have been in your backyard! Take a notebook, a pencil, and a ruler outside and try to find animal tracks in the snow. When you see some, draw what you see. Include the right number of toes in the track, a picture of how the pattern of tracks looks, and try to measure how big the tracks are. Look closely because even though tracks like dogs’ and cats’ are easy to spot, even mice make tracks, too!

Craft Attack: Tape 6 pieces of computer printer paper together the long way to make a banner. Then, lay two layers of newspaper on the floor long enough to fit completely under the whole banner when it’s laid on the floor. While sitting in a chair right near one end of the banner, have mom or dad paint one of your feet blue and the other one red with finger paint. When they are both painted, use your two-color feet to walk right down the middle of the computer paper banner! (When you get to the end, have another chair ready so you can wash your feet!) Take a look at the pattern you made on the paper when you walked. Have more time? Tape 12 pieces of paper together and see what happens to your foot prints when you jog! Compare your track pattern to the ones you found outside!

Fantastic FollowUp: not sure what kind of animal made the footprints you found outside? Visit www.bear-tracker.com to see examples of lots of different animal tracks, from house cats to bears! Try to match your pictures to the tracks on the website.

Project #4: How Fast Will Snow Go?

Outside Mission: How fast will snow melt? Does it matter if it’s light and fluffy or hard? Do this outside experiment to find out! First, take out two old pans that are about the same size (brownie pans work well). Go outside and fill one pan to the top with snow by putting it in as loosely as possible. Don’t pack it down or make snowballs in this pan! In the other pan, fill with snow by packing it in as much as you can with your hands. Then, take both pans and put them side-by-side in a basement or bathtub. Write down the time you put them inside. Then, check them every 5 minutes to see how much each one has melted. Which one do you think will melt faster? Watch and find out! How long does it take to melt all of the snow?

Craft Attack: Using old magazines, cut small pieces of paper in different shades, especially blue, white, gray, and brown. Then, using the small pieces of paper like pieces of a puzzle that you make yourself, create a mosaic picture of a snowy landscape! Add glitter to the snow and you’ll have a beautiful picture!

Fantastic FollowUp: Did you know all snowflakes are different? Perform an online image search for ‘snowflake photographs’ to see some of nature’s most amazing structures! Do you think you can make an amazing snowflake like the ones in the pictures? Using art supplies try to copy your favorite snowflake design!

With these four terrific projects, the month of February will fly right by and spring will be here before you know it! Have a little fun outside, make some great crafts, and learn something new together as a family! Before you know it, the world will start to turn Positively Green!

About the Author: Jennifer Cummings

Ms. Cummings has a B.A.in psychology and a M.Ed. in special education from Framingham State College in Massachusetts. She has been an elementary teacher in Massachusetts for almost 10 years, serving both regular education and special education students. She has taught grades 1, 4, and 5.

Welcome to Positively Green! It's a column dedicated to bringing you new ways of saving, interacting with, and using the natural world with activities that both help the environment and help you grow healthy families and healthy communities. Each month will feature information for your family about a positive green activity, book, program, or community idea. So c'mon, join the fun and go Positively Green!

Gauge Crochet - What's Your Stitch?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Kris Perry

Summer Art Crafts for Kids

Tue, 29 May 2012 18:01:04 -0400

Summer Crafts

Get out there and have fun, avoid boredrom and have fun. Arts and crafts for all ages to enjoy this summer.

Make these homemade easy arts and crafts - summer fun!

Happy Valentine's Day

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 04:30:00 -0500

Valentine's Day Love Poems

Valentine's Day Crafts and Recipes

Home Decorating with Kids Crafts

Photo by Mamama Designs

Summer Outdoor Fun

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Summer Fun Outdoor - Yard Games by Peter Jay

Hot Toys for 2011 Christmas

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:06:02 -0400

LeapPad Explorer™ - Help your child create and learn with the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer.

Christmas, Unplugged

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:51:41 -0500

By Patti Hermes - Parent to Parent

I don't know about you, but I find the battle to limit my children's screen time gets more difficult during the long dark days of winter.

Game Cheats eBook Free Download

Tue, 15 May 2012 02:50:54 -0400

This Cheatbook includes PC Games Cheats and Tips, Hints for several popular PC Action and Adventure Games. Free download

432 PC Games, 13 Walkthroughs for PC and 20 Console Cheats are in this new version from Strategy Games, Adventure Games to Action Games.

Beyond Marco Polo: Swimming Pool Games for Kids

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 22:04:13 -0400

When it comes to swimming pool games, Marco Polo is so cliché. Try a new game to add a fun twist to your kids’ summer swimming adventures. Here are five games kids can play in the swimming pool.

Great Games to Keep the Kids Entertained This Summer

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 18:39:54 -0400

By Stuart Kerr

So it’s that time again, the summer holidays are here – the weather is getting hotter, and the kids are off school. So the main question is how to keep the kids entertained? Video games are the easy option, but that keeps them glued to a TV screen. How can we get them up and about? Or even better outside? Let’s take a look!

Fly a Kite

When your kids hear about kite flying it might not fill them with thoughts of a cool extreme sport – but today that is exactly what it has turned into! Modern kites have been designed in wind tunnels to give a really fun flying experience. Not only that but it gives your kids a great reason to get outside, and sets them on to what could be a hobby for life!

Go To a Museum

Although this one requires a bit of organisation (which multiplies out if friends are invited) there are plenty of museums which offer free entry. Not only can it be very cost-effective, you never know the kids may actually learn something!

Bike Rides

Most kids love their bikes, and if you have some countryside or even city bike paths near where you live then why not take advantage of these and lead the kids out on a bike tour? You can make it interesting by pointing out local landmarks or attractions, with the bonus being that it’s also great exercise!

Build a Clubhouse

If you have some outdoor space, ideally with some trees or bushes and maybe even a bit of spare timber or similar then why not encourage the kids to build themselves a club house? Not only will it keep them busy while they are building it, but once it’s in place they can amuse themselves inside it! Just make sure the local club house planning inspector (you) gives it the once over for compliance with safety regulations. Don’t have any outdoor space? A few blankets and chairs can do the same indoors (if a little less permanent).

Board Game

Ok so it’s not exactly much more active than a video game, but board games do have a number of advantages. Firstly they are at least half the price of even the cheapest console games, and they can be played anywhere, so you’re not tied to a power outlet – so the garden, a camping trip, the beach – they all work. Board games give kids a reason to talk to each other and interact and – if you pick a good one – have a lot of playability.

Games Tables

Although this option requires a small amount of cash to get going, a games table can give you years of use as opposed to the potential weeks or even days of a video game. Kids still love playing pool, and it’s a more physical and interactive game than console games. Not only that but a decent kids pool table can be taken outdoors when the weather is nice. Kids don’t like pool? There are plenty of other games such as air hockey or foosball where entry level kids tables cost roughly the same, some even have multiple games in one!

This post is by Stuart Kerr, content manager at Liberty Games - a pool table and games table retailer. Stuart knows only too well how difficult it is to keep the kids happy during the long summer holidays, so he’s shared his ideas with us today.

Easy Halloween Party Games

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 23:46:31 -0400

By Ryan Heuer

That spooky night grows ever closer with each minute. You’ve picked out the perfect costume for yourself and you have some of your favorite Halloween treats at the ready, but have do you have a game plan ready for your party?

5 Fun Pool Activities for the Whole Family

Mon, 06 May 2013 17:23:50 -0400

By Casey Haslem

Swimming is perhaps one of the most anticipated and enjoyed summer activities, especially for families with children. Spending time cooling off in the pool is a great way to enjoy quality time together, making memories to last a lifetime. Pool time can be a lazy, floating time to stay cool, talk, just be together, but likely with kids, it will also be a rowdy, splashing good time. With the help of the excellent staff at http://www.swimjim.com/, all family members can learn to swim and be ready for summer fun.

Put On A Happy Face

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:06:49 -0400

Teens By Jillian Bietz - Looking for a way to improve your attitude or your outlook on life?

The Top Ten Attractions to Avoid on your Family Vacation

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Funny Stuff By Comedian Cheryl Moeller

The Top Ten Attractions to Avoid on your Family Vacation

1. Any roadside diner advertising, "Home Cooking" and "Free Oil Change".

2. Any medieval jousting match asking for your blood type and name of next of kin.

3. Any mule trip into the Grand Canyon selling only one-way tickets.

4. Any tour of a nuclear power plant promising, "You'll be the first on your block to glow in the dark."

5. Any Wild West rodeo cautioning, "Patrons must not feed the bulls that charge into the bleachers."

6. Any 3D Imax theater showing, "The Fantastic Gall Bladder."

7. Any water amusement park promising, "Raging Rivers and E-Coli Fun for Everyone!"

8. Any helicopter ride requiring proof of a Last Will and Testament.

9. Any bungee-jump offering, "Full Money Back Guarantee If We Forget to Tie the Cord.".

10. Any "All You Can Eat" Buffett boasting, "We Never Serve the Same Customer Twice! "

Ten Signs Its Time to Clean Your House

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Top Ten Vacation Attractions to Avoid

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Top Ten Vacation Attractions to Avoid

Ten Reasons it May be Time for a Parent to Call a Financial Advisor

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Ten Reasons it May be Time for a Parent to Call a Financial Advisor

Time for Mom to Learn Computer Skills

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Time for Mom to Learn Computer Skills

1.   You offer to sew new curtains for Windows 2007.

2.   You rush both your children to the doctor when they tell you the computer has a virus.

3.   You put on lipstick and earrings and a puff of extra hair spray before visiting Facebook.

4.   You asked the Best Buy salesman if you could have fries and a drink with your new Mac.

5.   You scold your son for calling his friend a Yahoo.

6.   You ask your neighbor if there really is a farmer in the Dell.

7.   Your teenager stops you just in time from putting their Blackberry in a flaky pie crust and baking it on 350.

8.   You continually correct your children's bad grammar for saying IPOD -- "You should say MEPOD instead -- and by the way, quit talking and finish your peas!"

9.   You told your daughter to stop complaining about her hard drive -- when you were her age you had to walk three miles to school (and uphill in both directions).

10. You produce a can of Raid and search for a webmaster in the house -- they could be poisonous after all.

Please Make Comments and Share It Below

Baby Chic

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:07:44 -0400

By Tiffany Carboni - Parenting Humor

Ten Field Trips to Avoid

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:31:43 -0400

By Cheryl Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Mom Time

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Sermon Titles that Almost Made It to the Pulpit

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0500

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Disharmony(dot)com

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

What Happens When Kids Take Bumper Stickers Seriously

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:15:05 -0500

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

How to Know if you are an "Over the Top" Grandparent

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:37:39 -0500

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Your Economic Recovery

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:35:31 -0400

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Nine Things Not to Say in a Graduation Card

Tue, 31 May 2011 14:48:42 -0400

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Summer Camp Stats

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:30:51 -0400

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Nine Things Not to Say in a Wedding Card

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:25:36 -0400

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

As a Mom I'd Like to Know...

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 01:21:31 -0400

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Humor: Goldfish Lessons

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:38:32 -0400

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Top Ten Things a Mom Can Learn from a Goldfish

10. You can both eat and be eaten.

9. Keep the glass clean; it helps you to see outside

8. Just because you own a castle by the sea, doesn't mean it's worth much.

7. Don't let the mirror give you a false sense of security because it makes you look bigger than you are

6. Eating more doesn't eliminate the ones that want to eat you.

5. Not everything in the fish bowl is a fish.

4. Don't be proud of being H20 intolerant.

3. Not everything that gets shaken down on you is good for you.

2. Don't get caught in the net.

1. Don't get caught in the net.
Please Make Comments and Share It Below

Good News - Bad News

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:55:18 -0400

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

10 Gifts Mom Wants for Christmas....

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:10:03 -0500

By Cherly Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

New Year's Resolutions A Mom May Wish She Never Made…

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:25:17 -0500

By Cheryl Moeller

(Top 10 New Year's Resolutions A Mom May Wish She Never Made This Year!)

Now that I'm a Mom of Six...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:54:28 -0400

By Cheryl Moeller

I used to have the latest up to the minute technology and electronic gadgets; now that I'm a mom of six I have a used ripped stepped-on spiral notebook and a pencil with a very dull lead.

Mom's Multiple Choice: Promises or Threats?

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 03:05:54 -0400

Parenting Humor By Cheryl Moeller

Manipulative, absurd, and impulsive statements.   It's hard to take mom seriously, when she makes these kinds of promises (threats)...

Top Excuse Notes Given to Teachers by Students

Fri, 25 May 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Cheryl Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

1. “Unfortunately I will not be able to turn in my science experiment for religious reasons. I attend a church that believes you should do no work on Sunday. Just to be safe, we also believe you should do no work any other days of the week either. Thank you for honoring my religious tradition.”

There's More Than One Way to Skin a Rabbit

Tue, 29 May 2012 12:36:51 -0400

By Cheryl Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Roadside Sign I saw on a farm fence post during recent vacation:

FOR SALE
Rabbits to eat
Farm Raised

And as a parent, I'm thinking....

Mom, do you feel guilty spending money on yourself

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 19:39:11 -0400

Funny Stuff by Comedian Cheryl Moeller

Sure you do (and well you should) that’s why when…

10 Things I'll Never Say to my Children Anytime Soon

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:17:46 -0400

Funny Stuff by Comedian Cheryl Moeller

Mr. Acorn Man

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:53:40 -0400

By Cheryl Moeller

This was no ordinary Fall Fest, this was the Macomb Park Elementary School Flower and Harvest Fall Family Fun Fest in Warren, Michigan on the second Saturday of every October.

30th Anniversary of Being a Mom with Autumn Fading

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:09:57 -0400

By Cheryl Moeller

I love seeing naked branches through windows when I wake.

I love my husband Bob's one day old morning beard.

I love staying ahead of the hours fleeting when I can have a fire on the deck.

I love listening to the birds wildly deciding when to leave for Florida.

I love premiums at the coffee shop worth drinking another hot cup.

I love Red, White, and Blue waving in the wind.

I love our grandson reminding us of his wagon ride by plopping blankets in it.

I love the pumpkin colored bench two miles away on our morning walk.

I love our dog, Boaz, a faithful friend, who always wears his own warm coat.

I love my mom instincts being cozy with my children during short days and long nights.

I love listening to my children take the first bite of a new crisp apple at the same time.

I love my sons jumping over the hot campfire, but no love for the danger.

I love the lake's edges beginning to freeze paper thin crooked silver ice with autumn fading.

I love thinking of snow days ahead sliding down hills plodding on skis and cold.

I love being a mom for the 30th winter.

Humor Archive

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 05:01:04 -0500

Family Humor

Eight Ways A Parent Can Answer their Kid's Complaints on Vacation

10 Things that a Dog Teaches a Parent, Just Because

Ten Things A Parent Discovers When Spring Arrives...

Super Bowl Mom: Why the NFL needs the MFL (Mom For Laughs)

Ten Ways a Mom knows that Winter has Gone on Too Long

12 Things A Parent can Learn from a Cat

10 Things that a Dog Teaches a Parent, Just Because

9 Ways to Know You Have Overdone the Christmas Decorations

Family Funny Stuff: How to Know If you're a Real Mom...

Ten Ways You Know You and Your Husband Have Failed to Communicate

Ten Reasons why Mothers have Mixed Feelings about Labor Day

Ten Ways to Know Summer Has Gone on Too Long

You Know You are an Over-the-top Supermom

Too Tired For Technology

Family Funny Stuff: Things You'll Never Hear From Your Mother

You Know Gardening Is Not Your Gift, If...

How to tell if your Mom is Swedish

Super Bowl Mom: Why the NFL needs the MFL (Mom For Laughs)

Mom's 2009 New Year's Resolutions, Two Months Later

What Mommy is thinking about in December...

Ten Reasons Why My Mom Should be President

Family Funny Stuff: Ten Reasons a Mom Knows it's Going to be a Long Labor and Delivery

Ten Reasons a Mom Knows it's Going to be a Long Labor and Delivery

You Know It's Time For Summer To End

Family Funny Stuff: Top 10 Ways For A Parent To Fight High Gas Prices

Family Humor: You Know You Have a Large Family When

Ten Ways to Keep your Kids from Getting Those Annoying Diplomas

Text Messaging for Preschoolers

Read the Instructions or Else

At Last -- An Alternative to Michael Moore -- Me

Myths of Birth Order Dispelled

New Year Resolutions

Gifted Moms

20 Things I’ve Learned from Raising Six Children

Family Ice Skate Escape: Outdoor Rinks Preferred

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 19:47:51 -0500

By Cheryl Moeller

I love an ice skate escape on a moonlit night

Skating tightly hand in hand with my husband

Dad Knows it's Time to Throw His Favorite Sweater Away, When…

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:23:28 -0500

By Cheryl Moeller

March Madness: Top Eight St. Patty's Gifts for Mom

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:16:33 -0500

By Cheryl Moeller

8. A large green Christmas ornament, from the Christmas tree which is still up, but slightly dry.

7. Hand-picked green M&M's out of the Red and Green Christmas M&M's.

6. Four Leaf Clover shaped gloves, for those days when you can't find your green thumb.

5. A large greenhouse, Irish plants and "jigs" all year long.

4. Greenery from funeral flowers. (Dumpster diving brings home big results.)

3. Even if it's you, a big green nerd, counts as sweet candy.

2. No one is going to outshine St. Patty's Grill Daddy and his gigantic sea serpent with a dry rub of green sugar sprinkles.

1. An Irish serenade is never better and more clear than when it's from your 8 year old's clarinet.

Top Ten Excuses Mothers Hear From Children

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:13:48 -0400

By Cheryl Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

1.         I gave the cat a hair-cut because he said he was hot outside.

2.         I ate the last cookie so I wouldn’t spoil my appetite for tomorrow’s night’s supper.

3.         I sprayed my brother with the hose just to get rid of all his germs – he’s healthy now.

4.         I didn’t draw on the wall – the dog did – but I tried to stop him.

5.         I didn’t brush my teeth because the tooth fairy needs business.

Mother's Day is a Time to Get Your Mom Things She Really Needs Because...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:59:23 -0400

By Cheryl Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

Nine Signs Mom is Not Taking Care of Herself

Which Card are You Going to Pick out for Dad on Father's Day?

Sun, 26 May 2013 20:36:27 -0400

By Cheryl Moeller - Family Funny Stuff

1. Dear Dad, This is not a plea for my allowance, it's a plea for a stimulus package to restart my economy. Happy Father's Day.

Safe Fun in the Summer Sun!

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

It's finally summer,the time of the year that many outdoor-loving families look forward to more than any other.

50 Kid Fun Things To Do On A Rainy Day

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:02:00 -0400

Kid indoor fun things to do on a rainy day at home - See how many you can do before the sun comes out again!

It's Time for the State Fair

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 05:16:59 -0400

By Patti Hermes -- Perfect family fun.

The Lazy Loppin Goat

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Artie Knapp

The grass was tall - very, very, tall - but it shouldn’t have been.

The RoosterThat Wouldn’t Crow

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Artie Knapp

It was the driest summer on record, and all the crops were wilting away.

There’s a Crocodile in Our Pickle Jar

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 02:16:43 -0400

By Artie Knapp

“Alex, your brother ate everything on his plate. Why don’t you be a good boy too and eat your dinner?”

No More Car Wash Blues

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Artie Knapp

“Ethan, I don’t know how much longer I can do this. My feet really hurt.”

Halloween Fun

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:50:36 -0400

Make Kids Costumes

Pumpkin Carving Tips

Halloween Jokes

Halloween Poems

Scary Short Story

Sledding Safety

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

Tips for Safe Sledding

Summer Fun

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:11:27 -0400

Summer Crafts

USA Family Vacation Destinations

Fun Things to Do This Summer

Fall Family Fun

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:04:40 -0400

Go leaf-peeping, visit the pumpkin patch, or pick apples.

Spring Family Fun

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Sharon Scott, LPC, LMFT - I’m excited because spring has arrived!

How To Get Kids To Enjoy Outdoor Leisure Activities

Sat, 05 May 2012 18:18:49 -0400

Having kids around the house can be quite interesting and fun. Kids are always full of energy that needs to be creatively dissipated. Keeping kids in the house all the time may wear you out since it is almost impossible to completely keep them under control. It is important that your children are given an avenue through which they can use up their energy in a fun and safe way. Here are some fun ways to entertain your kids.

Picnics

Picnics are a great way of getting together with the kids and bond. You might choose to go for the picnic in a park or right on your backyard. Just make sure that you have a lot of food. After you eat you can engage in game like catch, baseball; anything that will get the kids moving and provide them with good exercise.

Fishing
A good leisure activity for you and your kids is fishing. Go to the lake or a river with your fishing gear and cast away. Apart for this being an entertaining activity it can also serve as a learning opportunity for the child. Fishing will teach the kid to be patient and enduring; both desirable qualities in life.

Build a Tree House

While you are outdoors you can also start a fun project like building a tree house. Every kid should get a chance to play in a tree house before growing up. A tree house can serve as a place where the child can escape reality for a while. This is very healthy for normal development. Better yet; the kid can go to the tree house to cool off after an altercation. Here’s a video on how to do it yourself.

Amusement Park

The amusement park is also a must if you want your kids to enjoy themselves. This is a place that both you and your kid can have fun. You will have an opportunity to let the child in you out. If you’re tight on a budget, there are various online discounted deals sites that you can consult. Use them. Go for the various rides and games that are available there and make sure that at the end of the day you have had as much fun as possible. Get ice creams and sweets for the kids; at least this once.

Adventurous Outing

You can get some leisure time with your kids by going on an adventure. It is safe to say that most kids have an adventurous spirit and a big imagination. This consequently means that you will also have to let your imagination loose when you organize an adventurous outing. You could personally organize every single detail since you are the only one who knows your own kids best. You could go for an adventure in the forest, hiking or whatever else your kids like.

There are so many ways that you and your kids can have fun together. Playing video games all day is not a very healthy option. Engage in an activity that will make the both of you break

A Digital Camera As An Educational Toy

Sun, 06 May 2012 00:30:26 -0400

By Alison Graham

There is such a huge range of toys on the market for pre-school children; and of course, parents want to get toys that will be fun and entertaining for their children and be tough enough to stand up to being played with! But perhaps even more importantly, they want educational toys that will help their child to develop new skills.

Summer Camps for Kids

Tue, 08 May 2012 02:05:33 -0400

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By Sari Holtz

Summer is rapidly approaching, which is great for kids, but often terrifying for parents – especially working parents who must find suitable camps for their children. Among the things that parents usually consider before choosing a camp are price, range of activities offered, proximity to home, the child’s friends who will be attending the camp and the number of hours per day that the camp runs. To complicate matters, today’s challenging economy has forced many parents to feel torn between overnight camps and local day camps, or between day camps run by established institutions and backyard camps which tend to offer limited activities at a fraction of the price. Below are some ways to choose a summer camp that both you and your child can feel comfortable with.

Keep Kids Busy This Summer with a Backyard Camping Trip

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:01:11 -0400

The smell of a campfire, roasting marshmallows and sleeping under the starts can be an unforgettable summer experience for children of any age. Boredom during summer break typically leads to boredom after only a few weeks, but if there are time restraints or if it’s not in the budget for a family camping trip, a backyard camping trip is the perfect solution to having a family adventure close to home. Camping is a fun experience and even in your backyard, the sounds and sights are different during the night. Backyard camping is a great way to introduce the kids to the experience of camping including how the sights and sounds change at night, cooking over an open fire and telling scary stories with only the light from a lantern, all of the camping experiences, without leaving the comforts of home.

12 Fun, Cheap and Easy Summer Activities for Children

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:41:43 -0400

By Kirsty Snare

Summer vacation is here, bringing 12 weeks of days just waiting to be filled with exciting new activities. We have put together a list of 12 fun, cheap and easy summer activities that any child will love - one for every week of the summer.

Activities for Active Kids

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:46:42 -0400

By Zachary Daniel

For many children, summer is their favorite season. It provides a break from the drone of school and is a time when many families go on vacation. While at home, kids spend their days having fun.

Kids Pool and Water Fun

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:34:31 -0400

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By Drew Barlow

Keeping the kids active this summer doesn’t have to be expensive. Few sounds are more relaxing than the joyous laughter of kids playing in water. There are plenty of affordable options to get wet this summer.

Five Fun And Creative Summer Outdoor Activities

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 22:37:09 -0400

By Haliegh Adams

One popular competitive game is called slip and slide toss. The object of the game is to run and fly down the slip and slide with one ball in each hand. While sliding, you must attempt to toss the balls into a bucket located at the end of the slip and slide. The first person to get five balls into the bucket is declared the winner. All that you need for the activity are two balls, a bucket, and a slip and slide.

Another great activity is an outdoor scavenger hunt. The difference with this game is that every time you find one of the items, you get a scoop of ice cream or other cool treat. This is a great way for children to stay entertained, educated, and cooled off during the scorching heat.

A great nighttime activity is an outdoor movie theater. All that you need to do is purchase an inexpensive DVD player and projector. These have really come down in cost, so they are not too difficult to get. Invite friends and family over to watch your own drive-in movie without having to drive. Find a location somewhere on your house or garage to view the movie. You can also create your own movie screen by purchasing some inexpensive white fabric and tacking it to the side of the house. Have everyone bring their chairs. If you have a fire pit, you can also pop some popcorn outside and enjoy other summer treats on the fire.

You could also create your own little pond with frogs, fish, and other small animals. You can find an area in your yard to bury a little pool around the outside. Then, fill the tub part with water and anything else that you will need to create your very own animal habitat. It is a great educational opportunity for everyone in the family, and it will provide hours of entertainment throughout the summer months.

The final fun and creative outdoor activity is the sponge war. Purchase some sponges from the store and get some buckets. Fill the buckets up with water and give everyone a sponge. The object is to get people as wet as possible by filling up the sponge with water and squeezing the water out on someone. It is also fun to play freeze tag with the sponges. Once the person is frozen, he or she must remain frozen until someone soaks the person with sponge water.

About he Author:

Haliegh Adams is a professional writer. She loves spending time with her family and camping or hunting. She also enjoys collecting Benchmade knives. For more info on Benchmade, visit benchmade.com

Post-Holiday Family Workout Plan

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:16:05 -0500

By Kate Simmons

I hope your holidays were fantastic and now you’re probably not ready to go back to working.

Five Fun Ideas for a Successful Family Night

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:49:30 -0500

Family nights are a great way to spend time with loved ones. Even when children go through periods of time when they want to avoid their parents, they will often make an exception when a family night comes around.

Kids Choice Award

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 02:04:32 -0500

By Stacy Marks

With all the award shows dotting the landscape at the beginning of each year, it’s only natural that Nickelodeon wanted to get in on the action long ago with their Kids Choice Awards.

Freezing Family Fun for Free!

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 20:09:00 -0500

By Allison Dresser

There are so many options when it comes to finding a winter activity for the family. The hard part is finding ones that are affordable or better yet, FREE! Here is a list of free activities you and your family can look into this winter.

Swimming Pool Safety For Kids

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 02:21:24 -0500

Children have a tendency to be carried away especially when it comes to water.

The Ultimate Summer Camp Guide – Every Interest Under the Sun!

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 23:34:09 -0500

By Emily Birkett

When it comes to summer camp, there is no one-size-fits-all. Every youngster has different interests and aspirations. Check out this list of awesome summer camps. Surely your young camper will find something that strikes his fancy!

Beginners Guide For Your First Fishing Trip With Your Kids

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:18:43 -0500

By Annabelle Smyth

Fishing is a sport that requires a few good tools and a lot of patience. Going fishing with your kids can create some memories that will last forever with them. They will always remember catching that first fish or waking up early to go find that big fish before the sun rises.

5 Fun Family Activities for Springtime

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:31:44 -0400

By Gavin Harvey

I’m not locking away my winter coat just yet, but with the bulk of the cold weather hopefully behind us, I’m definitely looking forward to spring!

Celebrate Nature with Some Crafting Fun for Pre-Schoolers!

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 02:09:13 -0400

Celebrate the joys of the great outdoors with some easy, nature inspired craft ideas. These fun five natured themed projects will ensure you and your pre-schooler enjoy and appreciate the start of Spring!

How To Create A Kid-Friendly Yard

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 01:21:08 -0400

By Angela Prickette

Renovating your landscape can help you keep your kids active through the year. If your children don't spend hours playing out in the sun during the spring and summer, you may find that they have to be called in at dusk with just a few minor improvements. The physical activity will help them grow up fit and healthy while encouraging restful sleep at night.

Huge List of Fun Things To Do in a Playgroup – at a Birthday Party and more.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:43:45 -0400

Here's out list of fun things to do in a playgroup. Please help us make this list even bigger, add your ideas and describe what kid fun things you have done in the comments!

More Summer Camps Available For Military Kids

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:42:12 -0400

2013 Summer Camp for Children of Wounded, Disabled or Fallen Military Families

Finding a Summer Camp Last Minute:

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 01:38:06 -0400

For parents who put off looking for summer camp this year, don't worry! There are still some summer camps with availability. Here are some tips on finding a summer camp at the last minute and planning ahead for next summer.

Stop Kids Summer Brain Drain with This Summer Reading List

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 02:15:42 -0400

The diversity of bats, the language of birds, "wacky" animal defenses, and the inspiring true stories of physicist Albert Einstein, oceanographer Sylvia Earle, and environmentalist Rachel Carson are all covered on a new list of 10 top summer science books for children in kindergarten through fourth grade.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

BBQ Recipes
Arts and Crafts
Books for Summer Reading
Student's Summer Vacation
Disney - Know Before You Go
Camping

Got Candy?

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Patti Hemes - Parent to Parent - There are plenty of other ways to make use of the candy stash, if you just get creative.

Springtime

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:04:03 -0500

Springtime Family Fun

March is Women's History Month

Spring Crafts

Top Five Tips for a Thrifty Kids Party

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:32:17 -0400

So birthday time is rolling around again! Birthday parties can be really stressful for parents to organise and if they’re not carefully planned the costs can end up spiraling out of control. So what do you do if you want your child to have a fantastic birthday party but you don’t want to break the bank? Follow these handy tips to create a great birthday party without spending a fortune.

Kids Birthday Party Planning

Sat, 05 May 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Birthdays are Special for Kids

Adult and working people can have fun at weekend with their friends by inviting them on dinner, or being a guest in party at friends home or dining out with friends. Such activities makes you feel refreshed at the end of long working week. But once you have become mum or dad of one or two kids, you need to think something unusual that you never do before.

Safety, Games and Sweet Treats Make for Unforgettable Pool Parties

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:49:27 -0400

With summer upon us this is a great time to start planning your pool parties. From safety, exciting games and even snacks that keep pool time cramp-free these tips will help you create parties that leave your guests hankering for your next gathering.

How to Plan a Party Worthy of "Super Sweet Sixteen"

Mon, 28 May 2012 19:13:29 -0400

A sixteenth birthday is a momentous occasion for any teenager, and many choose to mark the occasion with a party. Roughly equivalent to a quinceañera, the Sweet Sixteen party has been made even more popular by an MTV show called My Super Sweet 16. Not everyone can afford the type of party featured on that show, but a 16th birthday party calls for a little more than the ‘same old thing’. Here are some ideas on planning the perfect night:

10 Tips on How to Organize a Karaoke Birthday Party

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 20:01:15 -0400

By Marcelina Hardy

I never knew how much fun a karaoke birthday party could be until my daughter asked for one. She has always loved to sing in her room with a pretend microphone, and she absolutely loved the karaoke singing machine we bought her for Christmas. So, when her birthday came around, she came up to me with the idea that she would love to have karaoke as part of her party.

How to Plan a Quince

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 14:48:29 -0400

A Quinceanera is a coming of age celebration for a 15-year old girl. It falls into the same category as the bat mitzvah for Jewish girls or a coming out party for debutantes. Traditionally the quince is an event celebrated by those from a Latin American heritage and is prefaced by a Catholic mass commemorating/blessing the event.

In order to best enjoy your Quinceanera, you don’t want to be giving instructions during the reception. Planning ahead of time gives you the freedom to celebrate on your special day. To make your reception go flawlessly, communicate your expectations clearly with the vendors you hire ahead of time.

What to Communicate to the Professionals Before Your Quince Reception

Venue

Once you have decided where your reception will be, it is important to communicate with the venue so they are adequately prepared before you arrive. They will need to know how many guests you expect, whether there will be a sit-down dinner, a buffet line or simply finger foods. Also, they need to know when people will arrive and when they will be leaving. The following topics should be discussed as well:

· The size of the dance floor

· What time the DJ will arrive to set up

· When centerpieces will be available for the tables

· Whether or not alcohol will be served and who will pay

· If it is a sit-down dinner, what time the servers will distribute the meals

DJ

Any DJ service in San Antonio will need to know where the reception will be held so they can prepare and bring the proper equipment to meet your needs. A good DJ will do more than simply play music; they will be the emcee for the event. The DJ will be the one with the microphone who directs guests and family members what to do and when, so he/she needs an agenda before the event. The agenda should include the following information:

· Scheduled times for each item on the agenda

· What song(s) should be played and when

· The names (and relationship to you) of anyone who will be introduced

· Which individuals need to be addressed specifically for certain agenda items

· Basic style or genre of music you want played when people start dancing

· If you would like to include karaoke San Antonio as part of the entertainment

· Whether or not there will be a toast or speech given, by whom and when

Choreographer

If you want any of the special dances choreographed, you need to give the choreographer plenty of time to teach the routine and participants plenty of time to practice together. When choosing the choreographer, explain what kind of dance it will be (father/daughter, waltz, surprise dance) and the level of skill each participant possesses. Additionally, tell the choreographer which song(s) you have selected for the dance(s). This enables them to arrange movements to fit the abilities and skill levels of the dancers. It might also be helpful to tell the choreographer about any space constraints that may exist.

Photographer

When you hire the photographer (and/or videographer), you need to be prepared to tell them whether you want them to capture the ceremony and the reception, just the family and court, or both posed and candid shots. While many professional photographers know to check with the DJ for the schedule, it is a good idea to provide a copy of the agenda to the photographer as well.

Unique Host and Hostess Gifts

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 23:20:28 -0500

Your Friends and Family Will Appreciate These Gifts!

If you’d prefer to skip the bottle of wine as your normal host and hostess gift and instead opt for something more creative, there’s definitely a way to thank them for their hospitality without gifting them with the same repeat gift.

Three...Two...One...Theme! Count Down in Style with These New Year's Eve Party Ideas

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:25:33 -0500

By Melisa Cammack

Looking to make this New Year’s Eve one to remember? Here are five party themes that will keep guests from dozing off on the couch before the ball drops.

How to Throw a Holiday Party on the Cheap

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:56:07 -0500

By Amy Sawyer

We all know that the holidays can be an expensive time, what with all the gifts, the food and the travel, and adding to that by spending a fortune on a party can be a nerve shredding experience.

New Year's Party Healthy Recipes

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 04:30:00 -0500

Chances are, you’ve already made a New Year’s resolution to train harder and eat healthier.

Healthy Super Bowl Party Food Ideas

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 04:30:00 -0500

Just a few short weeks ago, your New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier stood strong. Now you find them wavering as you stare down a bowl of spinach artichoke dip and cocktail weenies on Super Bowl Sunday.

How to Throw a Winning Super Bowl Party

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 02:04:00 -0500

Whether you're planning a fiesta for forty in your new entertainment room or an intimate gathering of bros in the basement, make sure your party receives more buzz than the most clever Super Bowl advertisements. From food to guest list to games, everything must come together for your party to be a hit. The Super Bowl is less than one month away, so now is the time to plan your menu and invite guests.

Party Snacks

Finger foods and apps work well for Super Bowl parties. Not only are they fun, they are often easy to make and they require little other than durable cookware and pot holders. Capture the spirit of the epic game with classic Super Bowl fan faves that are hearty, flavorful and quick. This buffalo chicken dip from Burp! Where Food Happens was a fan favorite in the food blog community, for the way it combined classic game-day flavors in a new and expected way. The dip contains hot sauce, chicken, cream cheese and cheddar and is served with celery sticks and crusty bread.

Trick your guests into thinking that you slaved over the oven with a pull-apart bacon monkey bread that uses pre-made biscuit dough as a little cheat. Stuffed with bacon, cheddar, sauteed peppers and onions, the monkey bread tastes rich and flavorful and is easy for a crowd to tear into. To make, cook the bacon, onions and peppers. Toss the filling and cheese with cut pieces of biscuit dough, then pack everything into a 10-inch bundt pan and bake.

Try lighter fare alongside these rich crowd-pleasers. Homemade popcorn is low in calories, crunchy and flavorful. Serve in parchment paper cones or portion into quart-sized mason jars so each guest can grab a jar and snack. As an extra touch, wrap the jars in scrapbook paper patterned with end zones.

For health-conscious guests, incorporate lighter dips that can be served with fresh veggies, crackers, baked tortilla chips or whole wheat bread. Store-bought hummus makes this a snap, but you can also experiment with homemade edamame or avocado hummus, white bean dip, jalapeno popper dip or a skinny hot spinach dip from Jeanette's Healthy Living.

Have a couple of game-day sweets around, such as football-shaped whoopie pies or cupcakes decorated as footballs. Don't forget the brews, a Super Bowl essential. Stock your coolers with ice and pop some cold ones in there to greet guests upon arrival. Print football-shaped drink tags so guests can find their brew on a crowded table.

Party Games

Games give guests that don't know each other a way to mingle and buy you some time to bring out food, clean as you go and greet newcomers. Plus, everyone's competitive spirit is riding high on Super Bowl Sunday. If the weather's warm, consider hosting a pre-party pickup game for all ages. This gives kids an outlet for excess energy that can keep them from getting rowdy as the game goes on, and allows everyone to burn off some calories before eating. Create a sheet of predictions --who will be the MVP, who will score the most points -- and have all guests fill it out. Whoever gets the most trivia right wins a prize.

Decorate your home with streamers, balloons or tissue paper pom poms in team colors to get ready for the big day. Have plenty of trivets and pot holders on hand to hold warm dishes. By creating a warm atmosphere, using games to encourage mingling and serving fun and flavorful food, you've addressed all the essentials of a wonderful party.

About the Author:

Danielle writes on behalf of Sears and other brands she uses. The only reason she’s excited for The Super Bowl is all the snacks that come with the parties.

Throw a Pinterest party

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 20:12:05 -0500

By Suzanne Turcotte

Pinterest is the hottest online sensation right now. Simply put, Pinterest is eye-candy. It is your own collection of virtual bulletin boards that you customize based on your own tastes.

Graduation Party Recipes

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:04:45 -0400

Here are some graduate favorite recipes!

Graduate Crafts and Party Favors

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:14:53 -0400

Make this graduation a special one to remember with these handmade crafts and party favors for all ages.

Graduate Crafts and Party Favors- Party Table Decorations

Lil Grad Guy

Bookworm

Wall Hanging

Seed Bead Pins

Memory T-shirt

Photo Stand

Grad Recipes

Party Ideas

Grad Poems

Insprational Poems for Graduates

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:56:33 -0400

Emergence - I belive I can Fly - Desiderata and If (by Kipling)  - Hogh School and College

Poems to inspire and remember this graduation day. Perfect for graduation celebrations and ceremonies for middle school, high school and college.

Stress Free Graduation Parties and More

Mon, 06 May 2013 17:36:39 -0400

The graduation season is soon approaching and many parents and loved ones are looking for ways to mark the momentous occasion. Finding a stress free solution to celebrate the event can be easy and affordable with the following graduation party ideas.

Pool Party Ideas This Summer

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:57:24 -0400

Summer is right around the corner and that means it’s time to uncover the pool and think about new party ideas. There are an infinite number of pool party themes to throw this summer. Here is a list of the most popular ideas that will put a new twist on your pool parties and have your guests coming back all summer long!

Funny Baseball Quotes

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Aron Wallad - Funniest Baseball Quotes

A baseball game is simply a nervous
breakdown divided into nine innings.
Earl Wilson

When they start the game, they don't
yell, "Work ball." They say, "Play ball."
Willie Stargell, 1981

When we played softball, I'd steal
second base, feel guilty and go back.
Woody Allen

A baseball park is the one place where
a man's wife doesn't mind his getting
excited over somebody else's curves.
Brendan Francis

There have been only two geniuses in
the world. Willie Mays and Willie
Shakespeare.
Tallulah Bankhead

Baseball is very big with my people.
It figures. It's the only way we can
get to shake a bat at a white man
without starting a riot.
Dick Gregory

What does a mama bear on the pill have
in common with the World Series? No cubs.
Harry Caray

Confucius say: Baseball wrong - man with
four balls cannot walk.
Author Unknown

With the money I'm making, I should be
playing two positions.
Pete Rose, 1977

Andre Dawson has a bruised knee and is
listed as day-to-day. Aren't we all?
Vin Scully

Cricket is baseball on valium.
Robin Williams

Finish last in your league and they
call you Idiot. Finish last in medical
school and they call you Doctor.
Abe Lemons

The doctors x-rayed my head and found nothing.
Dizzy Dean

I managed a team that was so bad we considered
a 2-0 count on the batter a rally.
Rich Donnelly, minor league manager

Let no one accuse baseball of not being
tough on drugs. During his baseball career,
Steve Howe was given 7 lifetime suspensions.
Bill Ferraro, baseball fan.

I could never play in New York. The first
time I came into a game there, I got into
the bullpen car and they told me to lock the doors.
Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles

On his own scouting report: "Very deceptive.
Slower than he looks.
Joe Garagiola

A lot of things run through your head when
you're going in to relieve in a tight spot.
One of them was, 'Should I spike myself ?
Lefty Gomez

Three more saves and he ties John
the Baptist.
Hank Greenwald, on Bruce Sutter

Increase Golf Swing Speed Easily

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Mike Pedersen - Golf swing speed is an elusive term for most amateur golfers.

The Road to the Stanley Cup

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:32:17 -0400

Sports Savvy By Kelly S. Croslis Hockey's Stanley Cup Chase

Every so often a playoff or championship game reminds us of what a game is really about, the game itself. We see years go by with the same teams dominating the field, the court or on the ice and many will forget those who came before them. Then the time comes, the tides turn and a new age arrives along with new teams, new dreams and new stories.

When the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks take to the ice for the 2010 Stanley cup championship, it will be one of those games, a renewal of the game and spirit – not the same ‘ol, same ‘ol, as some may call, but a battle to see which team can break their championship drought.

The Philadelphia Flyers, a team that has always been a contender in the Eastern Conference has not won the Stanley cup since 1975, when the team was less than 10 years old, and has not played for the cup since 1997. Though the Flyers have a young team, there is no guarantee they will reach this place again, with the teams in their conference having such superior players and records, like Pittsburgh and Washington.

In addition, the Chicago Blackhawks can top that with no Stanley cup win since 1961, when they were one of the six original teams, and this will be their first cup finals appearance since 1992.

Neither team can say they know how it feels, and neither can many of their fans. With a young hockey fan base, those who follow “their parent’s teams” will now see what it takes and what it feels like to win a championship. It is their moment in the spotlight, their time to shine and in front of their fans they will make the most of it. The goal is not only the cherished Stanley cup, but being able to bring an end to a championship drought that has lasted too long.

The Flyers and Blackhawks will begin play on Saturday, May 29^th with games 1 and 2 played in Chicago, games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia, with game 5 back to Chicago. Game 6 if needed will be played in Philadelphia, with a final game in Chicago if a decision game is needed.

NBA Championship

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

In the midst of Baseball season, NASCAR races, the upcoming NBA draft and World Cup soccer there was the NBA playoffs and championship game.

Family Canoe Trip Tips

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

A canoeing trip for the entire family is a great way to spend a lazy summer afternoon.

World Cup Encourages Kids to Play Soccer

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Why Should Children Be Encouraged To Play Soccer?

World Cup Frenzy

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Kelly S. Croslis - Sports

Every four years we become soccer fans, and become ‘cool’ in the process.

Football 2010 - Are you ready?

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Kelly S. Croslis - Sports

2010 World Series Was Different

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 22:42:24 -0500

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There was something different about this year’s World Series game – the teams. When it came to the final game we didn’t see the New York Yankees or Philadelphia Phillies, teams who had dominated the series over the last few years. Instead we were watching teams not seen before in the end of the season classic. The San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers are not teams people would consider powerhouse’s and certainly not expected to see still playing baseball in October. But 2010 would be their year to make a name for themselves and show baseball fans what they are made of.

Both the Giants and the Rangers are new comers to the classic game. The Rangers making their first appearance since the team was formed some 50 years ago, and the Giants, while making it the World Series four times since 1958 (when they moved to San Francisco), and had not won the game since 1954 when they were still known as the New York Giants.

Together the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants eliminated the 2009 finalists, the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies (the Phillies had also won the World Series) the Rangers win over the Yankees gave the team its first World Series appearance. Their last post season appearance was in 1999, making the team well over due for an appearance and a claim to fame.

There is one thing that became apparent during this year’s World Series, new coverage. It was, for the most part, those who were fans of the teams that knew what was happening, the game did not take the urgency as games past when the “usual” teams played in the series. Fairness of the game comes into play here, a team that deserves the same coverage and air time, not only in their hometowns, but to baseball fans in general.

This year was proof of the old saying, “Any team can win, on any given day.” What will next year have in store for these teams? We can’t say, but with a taste of victory and glory they are sure to keep the fall classic in the forefront of their minds and work to play again.

Rock Climbing Gift Ideas

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:59:18 -0500

By Richard Chapo

Bring On The Snow!

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

As the temperature starts to drop and the leaves begin to fall, news reports begin their annual run down of local snow resorts and snow making efforts – this is all music to the avid snowboarder. Snowboarding, while similar to skiing, has become one of the fastest growing sports combining a love of skateboarding, surfing and skiing into one board. Snowboarding was developed in the United States in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and became an Olympic sport in 1998 with the addition of the half pipe and individual giant slalom. At the 2002 Salt Lake City games, the Parallel giant slalom replaced the individual slalom and the introduction of snowboard cross came during the 2006 games in Torino.

Many will see Snowboarding as simply a “knock off” of skiing, but their only true difference is both sports require snow and bring hours of fun. Skiers have the advantage of being able to rest on their ski poles and two skis when as rest, whereas Snowboarders usually require a place to sit in order to maintain balance when at rest for a period of time. Snowboarding offers the rider more opportunities for tricks, challenges and areas for riding, which may be one of the top draws to the sport. Snowboarding, while most common on snow, can also be ridden on any terrain available, such has railings or boxes. If you are looking for the sport with fewer injuries, they are even; however, the type of injury does vary. For skiers, it is a knee injury that is most common, for the snowboarder it is more common to suffer a wrist injury.

Snowboarding, from the beginning, has often been seen as a male sport, and has been male dominated; giving the women the drive to become known and challenge their male counterparts on the slopes. Male riders are often seen as more adventurous and willing to take the bigger challenges when it comes to aerial tricks, women are seen as being more cautious in this area.

It is common for any new sport or activity to have its strengths and weaknesses and often it is between the sexes, but beyond that it is the enjoyment of the sport and the availability of slopes, equipment, instructors and competitions that brings the people in.

Please Make Comments and Share it! Below

Kelly S. Croslis is a Freelance Writer and stay-at-home mom to 3 active teenage girls. She uses much of what she learned and experienced in her 20 years of military life and raising her girls. Kelly is a columnist for several Online magazines and Freelances for her local newspaper. She lives with her husband and 3 girls in Pennsylvania.

Superbowl XLV

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:30:00 -0500

As the NFL play-offs began, it seemed possible that there would be new teams in the Super bowl, was it to be the year of the unknowns? In the end, it wasn’t meant to be – we will see the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers in Super bowl XLV, but the journey to the big game was filled with excitement and possibility.

Did you think you could have picked who would be in this year’s super bowl? The Philadelphia Eagles? The Dallas Cowboys? The Pittsburgh Steelers? There was no telling and this year brought many surprises when it came to the play offs, it what may be seen as the year of the underdog.

This year we found, on the same day, the Seattle Seahawks extended their season for one more game, as they beat the New Orleans Saints in a Wild Card game; the New York Jets held their ground and became the second underdog win of the day, beating the New England Patriots. What surprised everyone was the Seahawks ended the regular season with a 7-9 record, and many believed they did not belong in the play offs. Along with the surprise wins, were the games everyone expected, when the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles took to the field. A heated rivalry on a “normal” Sunday, this game was for the honor of moving on in the play-offs, and for the Eagles it wasn’t meant to be.

NFL Media Day Photo

When pre-season starts up again in August, there will be plenty to talk about, the teams that were on the verge on the play offs, may come out ready to fight for the spots that eluded them this year. Many have proven they can compete, that they have the talent and with a little luck, have the ability to beat any team in the league.

In the end it doesn’t seem so easy to pick the winner, the odds have changed, the teams are playing for keeps and those we have forgotten about in the past are tired of being pushed in the background. 2011 just may be the year of the underdog team.

Please Make Comments and Share it! Below

Kelly S. Croslis is a Freelance Writer and stay-at-home mom to 3 active teenage girls. She uses much of what she learned and experienced in her 20 years of military life and raising her girls. Kelly is a columnist for several Online magazines and Freelances for her local newspaper. She lives with her husband and 3 girls in Pennsylvania.

Women’s World Cup Soccer

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 22:16:31 -0400

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By Kelly S. Croslis - Sports - Sixth Women’s World Cup Soccer Tournament.

Minor League Baseball

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:56:00 -0400

By Kelly S. Croslis - Baseball has always been known as America’s past time.

Come Out and Watch The Boys of Summer

Mon, 23 May 2011 21:18:21 -0400

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By Patti Hermes - Parent to Parent

Baseball season is in full swing, finally.

The Best of Summer

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:56:26 -0400

By Kelly S. Croslis - Favorite Sports

Fantasy Football

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:24:51 -0400

By Kelly S. Croslis - Sports

NASCAR Begins It's Race For The Cup

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:52:27 -0400

By Kelly S. Croslis - Sports

Who Will Be This Year's "Speed Racer"

Baseball has the pennant race. College basketball has march madness, and football focuses on the super bowl, for NASCAR.

2011 NBA Lockout

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:59:33 -0400

Kelly S. Croslis - Sports

2011 has been the year of indecision, especially when it comes to sports.

Sports Year in Review

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:02:16 -0500

By Kelly S. Croslis

Each year as a sports season ends fans begin counting the days until they see their favorite players on the field again with hopes that maybe next year will be better.

2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:00:20 -0500

By Kelly Croslis

Every two years the world comes together as one, not only to compete against one another but to show how we can be one. The Summer Olympics are approaching, and soon the world will turn its sights on London, England, the host of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Super Bowl XLVI: Giants vs. Patriots

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:30:00 -0500

By Kelly Croslis

The New York Giants and New England Patriots will face each one another, February 5^th, 2012, in Indianapolis, Indiana’s Lucas Oil stadium for Super Bowl XLVI. Super bowl Sunday has become a de facto national holiday in recent years, holding the distinction of being the 2nd largest day of food consumption; Thanksgiving holds the number one spot.

The New York Giants and New England Patriots have earned the honor to playing in this year's super bowl game. The Giants, enter the post-season game with a 12-3 record and are considered 3-point underdogs against the Patriots. Their ticket to the super bowl came on a 31-yard field goal in overtime to the San Francisco 49ers. This will be the Giants fifth super bowl appearance, the last time they entered the big game; they also faced the New England Patriots, beating them to end their chance for a perfect season. (The Patriots had an 18-0 record going into the super bowl that year) The New England Patriots will start in their 7^th Super Bowl; thanks to a last minute missed field goal by the Baltimore Raven’s kicker.

While fans are happy to see their favorite team make it to the big game, it is the commercials that have become to true topic of conversation in recent years. With the popularity of these short ads has grown so has the price tag. A 30-second spot during the game is the most expensive because of the level of exposure that will be given. In the same way, in the early days of the game marching bands from local high schools and colleges entertained at half time. As the game has grown in popularity, music acts began to take the center stage in order to game exposure for themselves. For this reason, half time during the super bowl is set at 30minutes in contrast to the normal 15 minutes during the regular season and play offs.

As technology becomes the forefront of our lives, for the first time the Super Bowl and pro bowl will be streamed online and to Verizon customers with the NFL mobile app on their phone. The game will be seen on both the NFL and NBC websites and include additional camera angles, in game highlights and live stats, along with replays of the much-anticipated commercials. For the past four seasons, the NFL has streamed Sunday night football and has seen no drop in traditional users, and has noted that many use the ability to watch the games on line as a way to supplement the game itself.

The Super Bowl has become more than a football game; it is an event to be seen and experienced. As fans arrive in Indianapolis this week, they will seek out fun activities and souvenirs. Merchants are coming to Super Bowl Village in high style. Tiffany & Col, Macy’s, Sak’s 5^th Ave, and Carson’s furs will set up shop in various venues, offering more than simply souvenirs. For those looking for a memento of the game, they will be available but are more likely to have a Super Bowl logo in contrast to a specific team logo. This way of thinking caters to those who come to the event for the experience itself, not necessarily for the game.

Will the Giants once again send the Patriots home without the trophy, or will the Patriots be seeking revenge for the game only three years ago? Tune in February 5^th to see the drama unfold.

About the Author: Kelly S. Croslis is a sports enthusiast, freelance writer and stay-at-home mom to 3 active teenage girls. She uses much of what she learned and experienced in her 20 years of military life and raising her girls. Kelly is a columnist for several online magazines and freelances for her local newspaper. She lives with her husband and 3 girls in Pennsylvania.

Sports Archive

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:33:51 -0500

World Cup 2010

Basketball Camp - Hoop Camp Naples, Florida

March Madness - Final Four 2010

XXI Olympics - Winter 2010

Baseball's Top Team

The Male Presence in Predominately Female Sports

Field Hockey

Are We Pushing Children Too Fast Into The Sports World?

Summer All-Stars: Baseball and Soccer

Cheerleading

Sports and Our Lifestyle

Professional ball players give of themselves, not only on the field.

Sports Fantasy

A Summer of Dreams Olympics Summer 2008

Olympics Summer 2008 Sports for Everyone!

The Obscure Among The "IN" Sports

Spring Sports: Football is Over, NASCAR Revs Up and Baseball Is Overshadowed

Football is Over, NASCAR Revs Up and Baseball Is Overshadowed

The Sports Year in Review - 2007

Mia Ham Women's Soccer

NCAA Basketball March Madness

2006 Winter Olynpics in Torino, Italy

Baseball Spring Training

2005 Baseball World Series

Hockey Season 2005-06

Family Sports

Sports Camp For Kids

Little League

Sports Tips For Parents: Food and Drink For Young Athletes

Swimming Pool and Spa Safety for Kids

Swimming

College Sports: Staying In School Or Going Pro

The Good Side of Youth Sports

The year in review - the sports world

Ice Climbing

David Beckham

NCAA Basketball March Madness

The World Series vs Football

Beach Volleyball Summer Fun

The World Series vs Football

Pro Sports

Other Authors

Big League Advice for Handling Heckling

How to Cure a Golf Hook

NASCAR – Daytona 500

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Kelly S. Croslis - Sports

For 53 years racing fans have flocked to Daytona, Florida for the running of the Daytona 500.

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Sat, 05 May 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Kelly Croslis

March 3^rd will be the start date for the 2012 Iditarod race, as the day approaches, excitement builds but there are many who are not aware of what truly goes into this test of strength, stamina and determination.

The Iditarod trail sled dog race, or commonly known simply as the Iditarod is held annually, covering over 1,049 miles in 9 to 15 days, from anchorage to Nome. The race begins on the first Saturday of March in downtown Anchorage. On average, there are more than 50 mushers and a thousand dogs, mostly from Alaska, but in recent years the field of competitors as expanded to include mushers from fourteen countries. The initial race was held in 1973 attracted only 34 mushers, 22 of whom could finish the race. The race is named for the Iditarod trail, one of the first four national historic trails named in 1978 and named for the town of Iditarod; an Athabascan village before it became the center of the inland empire's Iditarod mining district in 1910. Except for the race starting in A the race follows sections of the trail. Historically, portions of the Iditarod trail were used by the Native American’s before fur traders from Russia arrived in the 1800s; the trail then became a popular route from 1880 and 1920 during the Alaska gold rush.

Two separate routes exist for the race, a northern route and a southern route. Until 1977, the northern route was the route used, the southern route was added in order bring the impact of the race to smaller villages in the area, many having a few hundred residents, and runs through the trail's name sake, the town of Iditarod. The northern route covers 1,112 miles, the southern route 1,131 miles. Along the race trail, there are 26 check points where the mushers are required to check in. At three of these checkpoints, mushers must take a 24-hour layover, at any checkpoint, eight-hour layover at any checkpoint on the Yukon River, and an eight-hour stop at White Mountain. Prior to the race, supplies are purchased in anchorage and flown to the various checkpoints, so they are available to the mushers. In addition to being able to rest at the checkpoints, veterinarians are on hand to check the dogs and make sure their health is being maintained during the races. The finish line is the Red "fox" Olsson trail monument, or the "Burled Arch" in Nome. A "Widows lamp" is lit and remains hanging on the arch until the last musher crosses the finish line.

In order to qualify for the Iditarod mushers are required to participate in three smaller races, rookie mushers need to pre-qualify by finishing several qualifying races, in any case the main requirement is a participant must be an experienced musher. A musher has a dog team of 12 to 16 dogs and not are not permitted to add any dogs during the race, in addition when the race finishes at least is of the dogs must be in harness. The most common dog used for mushing is the Siberian Huskie, today the racing dogs are mixed breed's Huskies, which are bred for speed, endurance, good attitude and most of all the need to run.

For those who do finish the race, the award of a "golden harness" is given to the lead dog of the winning team; a "rookie of the year" award is given to the musher who places the best among the rookies. For the musher who finishes last is given the red lantern, signifying perseverance. The amount of money given to the mushers is determined by the number of mushers who receive cash prizes; in addition a new pickup truck is given the musher who finishes first.

About the Author: Kelly S. Croslis is a sports enthusiast, freelance writer and stay-at-home mom to 3 active teenage girls. She uses much of what she learned and experienced in her 20 years of military life and raising her girls. Kelly is a columnist for several online magazines and freelances for her local newspaper. She lives with her husband and 3 girls in Pennsylvania.

Entertaining Your Kids with English Sports Traditions

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 19:12:00 -0400

By Amy Nicole

Summer is here and that means one thing for your household: How will you ever keep the kids entertained with school out for the summer? If you are looking for a fun day to spend with your kids, spend a day exploring some of England’s famous sports traditions. With the Royal Wedding last year, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee marking 60 years for Queen Elizabeth II on the throne and the London Olympics happening later this summer, this presents a great opportunity to teach your kids about English sports customs. Spend the day learning more about rugby, horse racing, tennis, and even plan a tea and crumpet break in the afternoon.

Teaching Children to Play Tennis – an Interview with Henry Emery

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:07:55 -0400

By Mark Warner

Teaching children to play sports from an early age gives them the opportunity to socialise, improve coordination and stay fit and well. However, teaching young children to master a sport, whilst still finding it fun and engaging can be a daunting

Fall Family Fun Tailgating

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:58:33 -0400

Tailgating Planning, Roadtrips and Recipes

Tailgating Party at Home

5 Ways A Hot Tub Will Benefit Your Family

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:00:10 -0400

Are you looking to invest in something that will make your time at home much more enjoyable and relaxing? If you are looking for a great addition to add to your home, consider buying a hot tub spa that the whole family can enjoy. Hot tubs provide a variety of different mental and physical health benefits that many individuals never even consider. Here are just 5 of the many benefits that you should keep in mind before making the investment.

Most Little League Baseball Injuries Preventable

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:18:09 -0400

A new book Play Ball…Play Safe gives coaches, parents tips for keeping young athletes healthy.

Family Finance Archive

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 04:36:02 -0500

More Family Finance and Budget Articles:

Smart Money Moves

Smart Money Moves for April

Four Simple Ways to Stay on Budget

Ready, Set, File: It's Tax Time

Reaching Your Financial Goals One Freebie at a Time

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:10:06 -0500

By Michelle Sharrow, MBA - Family Budget and Finance

Sometimes it’s so hard to stay the course to reach long term savings goals. For those who need a little encouragement, in time for spring, I decided to go a little light hearted this month and focus on free and exciting things that you can do while you save.

Five Excellent Tips for Lowering Household Expenses

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:06:02 -0400

By Madyson Grant

When it comes to saving money, everyone knows to clip coupons and to switch off the TV when not watching it. Even though doing such things can help save significant amounts of money, there are many other things that can be done as well.

Stay on Budget and Spend Safely with Cash and Gift Cards

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Family Finance and Budget By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA There is nothing like cash. There is no waiting for transactions to post or fumbling around for receipts so that you can record transactions in your checkbook register.

Is Your Credit Card a Perk or a Crutch?

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Family Finance and Budget By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - We are only weeks away from the implementation of new changes under the Credit Card Act.

Save on Fall Clothes for the Family

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Family Finance and Budget By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA. - Family’s fall wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Four Alternatives for Low Costs Gifts

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Family Finance and Budget By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA -Maximize Your Savings While Shopping for Holiday Gifts

Fall Wardrobe Tricks to Save You Money

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Family Finance and Budget By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Did you know that you can make it through the fall and winter without spending a ton on weather appropriate clothing? .

How Much Happiness Can You Buy?

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

By Gary W. Buffone, Ph.D.

Over the past four decades, we’ve become more than twice as rich, yet we are far less happy.

Children Are Big Business

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:00:08 -0500

By Gary W. Buffone, Ph.D. - Fighting the Commercialization of Children

Automatic Bill Payment Services

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:03:59 -0400

Family Finance and Budget By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Automatic Bill Payment Services can be a Win Win

For years I have shied away from automatic bill payment services. While my decision left me in control of my money, or so I thought, I've come to realize that I have not benefited from my desired control. Why? Because life happens and it happens every month or every other month. Homework, school projects, dinner, laundry, unexpected trips to the store, these are some of the many things that threw curveballs into my daily and nightly plans. Now while life didn't lead me to spend money that I owed to others, I sure have paid my share of late fees simply because when I remembered to submit my payments it was on the due dates - and sometimes right before bedtime.

Sadly, that was often too late as most companies require that payments made over the phone be paid before 5 pm in order to be applied on the same business day. So here is my spill on automatic bill payment services and why you should consider it.

The Service is Free

Most banks offer automatic bill payment services to existing customers free of charge with direct deposit. You can send a payment to anyone including credit card companies, insurance companies, medical facilities or even a person. Also, if it's a recurring bill, you can choose to send the same amount each month on a set date or you can go in each month, enter the amount that you want to pay. With the latter, you just have to remember to do it.

You can also arrange, free of charge, through the websites of many businesses to have your payment automatically withdrawn from your bank account each month. You can set this as a recurring event so that you don't have to log into each account to make your payment each month.

Keep in mind, which ever method you choose, you should still monitor your bank accounts as you normally would and maintain a written budget so that you always know how much money you should have and to ensure that nothing is causing your account to be overdrawn.

Avoid Late Fees and Stay on Budget

I think the minimum amount I've been charged as a late fee has been $15. That is $15 less in disposable income that I could use to treat myself or add to my children's college savings plan. Automatic bill payment services help users to avoid late fees. In addition to avoiding late fees, automatic bill payment forces discipline on those who are easily swayed by sales advertisements, dining out and the many other things that can easily turn a home's budget upside down.

Reduce Life's Stressors

Lastly, on many days when I submitted my payment on the due date via telephone services, I was worried about whether my payment would post the next business day or later which would cause me to be un-enrolled in budget payment plans. That is truly avoidable.

Now my reluctance to let my bank take the wheel has been replaced by total appreciation, support and advocacy of automatic bill payment services. What I thought I was saving by holding on to my money, I was spending in late fees or expedited payments fees because the events of my busy life caused me to run too close to the payment dues dates. If you aren't using an automatic bill payment service and you can relate to my situation, stop trying to rationalize not doing it and save yourself some time and money by enrolling today. Spend your new found time playing with your children or catching up on your sleep.

Sweltering Hot Deals in August

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:52:43 -0400

Family Finance and Budget By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - August is an exciting month. It's a month of new beginnings and extreme savings.

Would You Like a Receipt with That?

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:21:35 -0400

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Family Finance and Budget - Standing in line during a recent lunch outing, I couldn’t help but notice that, when asked, most of the patrons declined their receipts.

Three Quick Tips for Simple Fall Living

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:33:29 -0400

Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Family Finance

Many people open bank accounts, set up domain names and sign up for magazine and newspaper subscriptions with intentions of doing something big or different.

What you get for Your Money: $25 Buys?

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:30:12 -0400

Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Family Finance

Don't think twenty five dollars can go a long way? Well keep reading and if you have $25 dollars per month to spare, consider using one of these ideas or think of one of your own and share it with our readers.

Gifting Yourself the Budget Conscious Way

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:24:15 -0500

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Family Finance and Budget

Knee deep in the holiday season, most of us are trying to make our children’s Christmas wishes and dreams come true whilst also trying to ensure that these once a year purchases don’t sabotage our long term goal of creating well rounded kids with prepaid college savings plans.

Maximize Your Savings with Organization

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:59:28 -0500

By Michelle Parker Sharrow, MBA

One of

the best things about winter is the amount of quality time we spend hibernating in doors awaiting warm temperatures and long sunny days. It is during this time that we are forced to face and conquer the mounds of clutter inside of our homes. Here are a few ideas and tips to help you along the way.

Financial Tune-Up

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA -This month we prepare to send our children back to school.

Are Your Children Spoiled?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Gary W. Buffone, Ph.D. - Curing the Silver Spoon Syndrome Five Laws to Protect Your Children

Wealth Transfers to Children

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Gary W. Buffone, Ph.D. - Family Finance - Four Definate Don'ts When Divvying Up the Loot

Five Smart Money Moves for Your Tax Refund

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:41:33 -0400

By Michelle Parker Sharrow, MBA

Tax season kicks into high gear this month. As you anxiously wait for your W-2 Forms, 1099 Forms and other tax documents, why not think of a plan for this year’s refund if you think you have even a remote chance of getting one. Why? Because it’s better to have a plan in advance of receiving a refund, than it is to wait until you receive it and risk folding it into your regular spending money. And, by the way, the average refund in 2011 was $3,000. You could do a lot with that. Here are some options.

A Bargain is Not Always a Bargain

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 02:50:06 -0400

By Michelle Parker Sharrow, MBA

Have you ever wreaked havoc on your budget to take advantage of a bargain? Buy two get two free or buy one get one 50% off is not a bargain when it turns your budget upside down. I’ve fallen into the bargain trap numerous times, enticed by the thought of getting vitamins, food, and even clothes at rock bottom prices.

Unique Saving Money Tips

Sat, 05 May 2012 15:36:35 -0400

Personal finance experts have been making a lot more noise about the importance of saving money, establishing worthwhile savings accounts, and planning for retirement as a method of achieving personal financial stability. Many people are struggling to make ends meet and thus do not put the emphasis on savings that they should. Many make excuses for not remaining as committed to savings as they should be.

Train up a Child

Mon, 21 May 2012 01:19:47 -0400

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA

The best way to bring about meaningful change is to make generational changes. In the U.S., 93 percent of all financial wealth is controlled by a meager ten percent of the population. This means there is much work to be done by the remaining population. The best way to change this dynamic is through the next generation. If we arm them early and consistently with information about budgeting, saving, and investing, we can make a difference.

When is the right time? It’s never too early to start. If your child regularly receives cash from relatives, now is a good time to start. You can also begin as soon as you start to give your child an allowance or regular stream of money.

How can you teach them in a meaningful way? What you demonstrate through your every day actions is just as important as what you reiterate in weekly or monthly conversations about money. How much you have is not as important as showing how you actually use it.

Be honest by inviting your child to sit down with you as you work on the household budget. Gauge the maturity level of your child when deciding that the time is right. Generally, this exercise might be best saved for an older child – preteen and up. Show them how much money is coming in and the cost of nonessential services like cable, gym memberships, and extracurricular activity fees. Most importantly, show them your bottom line after everything is paid each month. It is important that children know how much it cost to live. Not only so that they can begin to appreciate all that you as parents sacrifice to provide for them, but also so they’ll have a realistic picture of the type of lifestyle that is achievable for someone who is new to the workforce – whether that is fresh out of high school, college or graduate school.

Another point to teach is the importance of making wise purchasing decisions. Help your child develop habits to plan for big purchases and comparison shop. An ideal time to do this is when your child wants a big ticket item such as an electronic device. Sit down with your child to show them where it can be purchased, how much it cost, and how much they need to save to purchase it. You can develop charts or graphs that show weekly or monthly progress towards the goal.

Stressing the importance of saving is just as important as developing a habit of paying obligations on time. Everyone should save at least 10 percent of their income a month. For some this is achievable, for others it is not. No matter how much you save, the key is to consistently put something away. If you help your child develop a habit of saving at least $5 a month; you will ensure that he is $60 richer in December than he was at the start of the year (assuming a January start).

Shame keeps us from sharing valuable experiences and life altering lessons with our children. Don’t let shame keep you from positively shaping your children’s financial future. Form habits that show you care. Shape their lives by sharing your budget and your decision making process, too.

5 Ways Families Can Start Saving for College

Sat, 26 May 2012 05:24:12 -0400

Retirement plans and college saving plans are two of the most important activities for families looking to prevent financial disaster. With national student loan debt soaring and tuition rates continuing to rise, many parents are creating college savings accounts so that their children won’t have to be saddled with enormous amounts of student loan debt.

Stay the Course: Financial Reminders

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Family Finance and Budget

We are now into the seventh month of 2012. Have you met any of your financial goals? Are you still on course? Though it may be tempting to step off course, it’s important to stick to your vision. If that means creating a vision board or some other daily or weekly reminder of what you are trying to achieve, then you need to do that. Funding your kid’s college fund, saving for retirement or becoming debt free, these are all long term goals that require focus and commitment. They also are ones that can be hard to achieve and easy to dismiss because the actual event is so far away. So this month’s column is focused on reminding you to stay the course.

Kick Complacency and Convenience from your Budget

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:54:43 -0400

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Family Finance and Budget

Complacency and convenience don’t deserve a permanent space in your family’s budget.

Your Child`s First Business

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Andrew Griffiths

Teaching your child business and money saving strategies early on is key to their success in those endeavors as adults. Helping them operate a summer business like a lemonade stand, even if it's only for one day, can go a long way in instilling money management values.

Expectant Mothers: Ways To Save The Pennies

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:12:27 -0400

Being pregnant is stressful, so you do not want to be also worrying about money.

Smart Grocery Shopping Tips To Improve Your Minimal Monthly Budget

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:16:45 -0400

By Briner Thomas

Shopping household goods from the supermarket is a thing that almost all folks can do. It is nothing new about it. On the other hand you could make your grocery shopping nicely by turning it into both simple, as well as cost effective.

Daily, Weekly, Monthly: The Life of a Dream Catcher

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:27:59 -0400

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Family Finance and Budget

Are you giving away money without knowing it? If I were to call you lazy, you might immediately become defensive and tell me about all of the tasks that you’ve completed on your job this week; the hours you’ve spent grocery shopping; and the hours you’ve spent driving your kids to and from school and extracurricular activities.

6 Ways that You’ve Never Heard of to Stretch Your Budget

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:09:11 -0400

By Terry Johnson

There come times in everyone’s life that money just stops coming in like they hoped. When you find yourself in this penny pincher time and you have to stretch every penny into a dollar you need to find some ways to survive without sitting with goose eggs in your back account.

New Parents: Save Money on Child Expenses

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:45:22 -0400

By Eric Stauffer

I remember it like it was yesterday. Our first son was coming in about three months and we were frantically trying to get our hands on what felt like a hundred different baby items, all while trying to not break the bank. Bottles, cribs, diapers… oh the diapers. You name it, we needed it.

3 Free Amartphone Apps that Help You Save Money on Groceries and Other Goods

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:39:42 -0400

By Joe Pawlikowski

The smartphone has brought many conveniences to our lives.

Surprising Ways to Save Money on Monthly Bills

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:25:28 -0400

It’s no secret that many people are pinching pennies to scrape by these days.

Old Things Become New

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 17:57:33 -0400

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Family Finance and Budget

Over the course of a life, many of the paths we cross and actions that we take will be in places that we’ve tested once before.

4 Ways To Save When Buying Technology

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:57:46 -0500

Guest Post by Joe Pawlikowski

New gadgets are getting released faster than most of us can keep up.

3 Money Saving Holiday Gift Ideas

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:22:05 -0500

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA - Family Finance and Budget

Christmas is the time of year when months of hard work and savings can be ruined within a few days.

4 Reasons to Keep Your Receipt

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 00:48:55 -0500

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA -Family Finance and Budget

One of the biggest tasks of every new year is cleaning and organizing.

Personal Finance Education for Kids

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:17:41 -0500

By Kate Simmons

One of the most important and most difficult lessons that we all have to master is how to manage our money.

Paying Attention Saves Money

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:24:42 -0500

By Michelle P. Sharrow, MBA -Family Finance and Budget

Many families have food that has expired lingering around in their refrigerators, yet most go grocery shopping on a weekly basis.

When To Use Your Credit Card

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:42:11 -0500

By Melanie Fallen

Having a credit card can be risky businesses. There’s definitely an appropriate time to use a credit card, but maybe you’re not exactly sure of what that time is. Here are a few situations that will help you know when to use your credit card.

Slightly Used Is Just As Good

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:28:49 -0400

By Michelle Sharrow, MBA

Family Budget and Finance

Checking out slightly used items is a great way to get the items that are on your growing wish list. From cars to clothes and electronics, most of the items that are available at full price can be purchased at deep discounts on the second hand market by savvy savers.

Ties be Gone, Other Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Sun, 26 May 2013 19:50:41 -0400

By Michelle P. Sharrow - Family Finance and Budget

After the first few years of giving ties, tool sets, and cologne, it becomes increasingly difficult to find unique and meaningful gifts that express your love for Dad on Father’s Day. After all, a man can amass too many ties, too many tools, and too many greeting cards very quickly. This year wow Dad with one of these not too costly ideas to show him that he is appreciated.

Four Ways to Save without Spending

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:14:04 -0400

By Michelle Sharrow, MBA - Family Finance

If I told you that I could help you reach your financial goals a lot sooner than you had plan, would you believe me? If I also told you that you didn’t need a penny, would you think that it was too good to be true? Well, it’s not and I actually am doing just that in this month’s column.

Work from Home Jobs Real or Scams?

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 18:17:04 -0400

By Joe Pawlikowski

Working from home can be a liberating experience. Free from a commute and someone looking over your shoulder, you can work on your own terms -- or at least terms that are more aligned with your own than an office setting provides.

8 Healthy Dessert Recipes Kids Will Love

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 01:45:15 -0500

By Manilyn Moreno

Desserts have always been part of our meal, our meal may not be considered complete without them, and of course, kids always love desserts.

Best Easter Recipes

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:25:13 -0400

Suggested Menu:

Martha Stewart's Honey Orange Baked Ham

Pear and Walnut Salad with Roquette and Parmesan - Recipe Below

Wicked Roasted Vegetables

Edith's Applesauce Cake

Recipes:

Italian Culinary 101

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 02:57:54 -0400

By Samantha Samonte

Don’t we all just love those scenes in Eat Pray Love, where Julia Roberts gets served up awesome Italian dishes one after another, after another? I must confess the eating scenes in that movie were the parts I truly paid the most attention to. Where I come from, at least from what I see in the movies, one can only gawk and daydream of eating as frequently and as splendidly as the Italians do.

Smoothie Recipes

Mon, 27 May 2013 00:50:19 -0400

100's of Smoothie Recipes for the whole family!

AMAZING APPLE SMOOTHIE

2 cups apple sauce
1 cup apple cider
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons Vermont maple syrup 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg

1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Chorizo Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 11:30:13 -0400

By Samath a Gianulis - Apron Strings - Chorizo Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon

Healthy Appetizers for New Year

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:50:05 -0500

The New Year celebration is one great time to enjoy the company of dear friends and family. Are you planning to host a New Year’s party at home and have everyone over to celebrate the start of the coming year?

Easy Appetizers

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:34:40 -0500

By Jan Kremer

What do you think of when you hear “New Year's Eve party”? Do you think of a great start to a new year? A fun time with friends? Or do you think of bubbly champagne and yummy foods? No NYE celebration would be complete without some mouth-watering treats, delicious noshes, and scrumptious snacks, so be ready to serve up some fun and refreshment before your guests arrive.

Healthy Super Bowl Party Snacks

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:09:00 -0500

By Parissa Amerinouri

Let’s face it - watching TV comes hand in hand with snacking. With the number one watched program on television comes one of the top days for over snacking and loading on the calories.

Cauliflower Gratin

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 11:53:46 -0400

By Samantha Gianulis - Apron Strings - Cauliflower Gratin

Blanch the cauliflower first for a softer creamier texture or you can do it from

the raw state for more of a bite, just make sure the pieces are cut uniform.

Directions:

Add oil to pot over medium-high heat.

Add onions and garlic and saute to release oils.

Add milk, bring to a gentle boil and reduce to simmer.

Add bay leaf and peppercorns.

In a separate pan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour until you have a light (blonde) roux.

Whisk roux into milk, bay leaf and peppercorn mixture and gradually and cook for 25-30 minutes on low heat to cook out flour taste. Stir occasionally.

Strain into a large baking dish, add 2 cups of Gruyere cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Mix in cauliflower florets.

On top, add breadcrumbs, remaining 1 cup Gruyere cheese, and parsley.

Bake at 400 for 25 minutes until cheese is bubbling.

Ingredients:

Mornay sauce (recipe as follows)

16oz milk

1/2 Onion diced

2 smashed garlic cloves

1 bay leaf

5-6 peppercorn

2 TB olive oil

4 TB unsalted butter

1/4 cup all purpose flour

Pinch of nutmeg

3 cups shredded Gruyere cheese, divided use

1 head of cauliflower florets

1 cup bread crumbs

2 TB chopped parsley

Please Make Comments and Share It Below

Samantha Gianulis

Writes for

Families Online Magazine , the Family Food Network and Mom Writer’s Literary Magazine , where she is Editor-in-Chief.

She recently released my her family food memoir, Little Grapes on the Vine…Mommy’s Musings on Food & Family (Wyatt Mackenzie).

Samantha has written for San Diego Family Magazine, Hybrid Mom Magazine, UCSD Alumni Magazine as well as many other print and online publications.

Samamntha is a a self-taught chef. She worked in the Catering and Special Events industry for seven years before becoming a stay at home, now a work at home, Mom.
She appeared on NBC’s ivillage Live

Cornbread Oyster Dressing

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 12:46:19 -0400

By Samantha Gianulis - Apron Strings - Cornbread Oyster Dressing

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:45:34 -0400

By Samantha Gianulis - Apron Strings - Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

World of Carrot: Carrot Cakes, Carrot Soup and Carrot Slices

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:24:18 -0400

By Sally Anthony

The carrot: much loved snack of Bugs Bunny and ever-present vegetable of childhood has gotten all grown up, now parading in a procession of delicious dishes.

Whether its soup, cake, slices or other sumptuous creation, the carrot takes centre stage.

Cranberry Orange Relish

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 12:30:10 -0400

By Samantha Gianulis - Apron Strings - Cranberry Orange Relish

Thanksgiving Turkey (Brined)

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 01:41:54 -0400

By Samantha Gianulis - Apron Strings

Easy Weeknight Dinner: BBQ Bacon Meatloaf

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 03:23:49 -0400

Home-Sweet-Home Meatloaf

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:52:01 -0500

Crock Pot- Slow Cooker Receipes

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 04:30:00 -0500

Chili, Soups, Stews, Main Dishes Slow Cooker Recipes and More.

Preparation time 20 minutes or less.

5 Simple Ways to Cook a Great Stew

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:16:33 -0500

By Simon Miller

Everybody loves a good stew. It is the perfect winter warmer.

Easy Chili Mac and Cheese

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:37:00 -0500

Cold-Weather Favorite: Easy Chili Mac and Cheese

When it’s cold outside, how do you warm yourself up? Most people bundle up with heavy jackets, fuzzy mittens and thick scarves, but if you’re looking for a more delicious way to get warm, cooking yourself a hot dinner will do the trick, too. Soup, chili and casseroles are all excellent examples of hot and hearty comfort foods that warm you up from the inside out, but the most popular cold-weather comfort food would have to be macaroni and cheese.

This recipe for Easy Chili Mac and Cheese is perfect for those lazy nights where all you want to do is curl up on the couch and stay out of the cold. It only uses four ingredients, so making it definitely won’t break your budget, and it takes just 20 minutes to make from start to finish.

Mac and cheese is comforting enough on its own, but add chili to it and you’ll never want the traditional version again. Plus, since a serving of this cheesy goodness is less than 400 calories, this is one comfort food meal that you won’t have to feel guilty about eating. Enjoy!

Easy Chili Mac and Cheese

Prep Time: 20 min – Total Time: 20 min – Serves: 6 (1 cup each) – Calories per Serving: 392

Ingredients

-8 ounces dry elbow macaroni, uncooked

-1 15-oz can Wolf Brand Chili No Beans

-1 10-oz can Ro*Tel Mild or Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained

-1 8-oz package pasteurized prepared cheese product, cut into cubes

Cook macaroni according to package directions, omitting salt. Drain and return to your pan. Add chili, drained tomatoes and cheese to the cooked macaroni; cook over medium heat for 5 more minutes or until the cheese is fully melted, stirring occasionally.

About the Author:

This is a guest post by Meredith K. on behalf of Ro*Tel. For other zesty macaroni and cheese recipes, along with hearty chili recipes and Ro*Tel’s famous queso dip recipe, visit www.ro-tel.com.

Pizza Recipes - Healthier When Made at Home - Fun Too!

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 21:04:13 -0400

Make pizza for an everynight dinner, or have a pizza party and make several. Fun for the whole family to help make a pizza or even make their own. You are bound to find a pizza recipe form one of these below that everybody wil love! Easy to gourmet - you can make the dough from scratch or buy a pre-made crust or pizza dough mix - add the toppings and dig in!

Choose your ingredients carefully and the pizza you make will be much healthier ( less fat, salt and cholesterol) that those you buy frorm the store or restaurant.

Middle Eastern Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Tue, 28 May 2013 15:16:13 -0400

Time for Summer Grilling! Enjoy These Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs Jazzy!

Food Play That Makes Eating Healthier and Fun

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:59:55 -0500

by Stephanie Maze

Millions of people make resolutions to improve their lives--both at the beginning of a new year and throughout the year. In addition to personal resolutions, parents often promise to make their children's lives healthier and more productive as well.

Five Great, Healthy Soups for Expectant and Breastfeeding Moms

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 21:51:04 -0500

Expectant Moms know that they need to follow a healthy diet for their own sake and that of their unborn baby but if pregnancy is also leaving them queasy then there are days - even later in pregnancy - when the thought of eating anything much (and keeping it down) is a hard one.

Some age old advice is to try a little soup with a few crackers or a piece of toast. The soup should not be too ingredient laden or have too many rich flavors to upset a delicate stomach. It should however be nutritious and have at least some great flavor to it.

Here are some of my favorites:

Simple Bean Soup

A simple bean puree gives this soup a thick, creamy texture without the need for a lot of fatty added extras like butter. This is a dish that is low in calories but packed with good stuff that expectant mothers need, especially fiber and iron.

Recipe Ingredients

3/4 cup red kidney beans

2 onions, chopped

4 tomatoes, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, chopped

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Leave the beans to soak overnight and drain before use. Drained, canned kidney beans are fine too.

Add a little oil to a heated skillet. Add onions and saute for about a minute. Add garlic, chili powder, tomatoes and salt and cook in the same way for a minute longer.

Add the beans and water to the mixture. Stir and simmer until the beans are soft. Next, transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Finally add in the lemon juice and mix well.

Broccoli Soup Recipe

It is essential that expectant Moms get enough folic acid and broccoli is a great natural source of it. This simple soup makes the most of the broccoli's flavors and is very easy to make.

Ingredients

1 cup broccoli, chopped

1/2 cup onions, chopped

1 tsp wheat germ

1 tbsp processed cheese

1/2 cup milk

1 tbsp oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Heat a little oil in a skillet and the saute onions until golden brown.

Stir in the broccoli and 11/2 cups of water and simmer for about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Transfer the cooked ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and then return them to the pan.

Stir in the wheat germ, milk and cheese and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Lower the heat, allow to simmer for a few minutes and then serve after adding salt and pepper to taste.

Cream of Celery Soup Recipe

Everyone needs to try and get enough protein in their diet but it is especially important that expectant and breast feeding Moms do. This tasty creamy soup is packed full of protein and the smooth flavor is delicious without being overpowering.

Ingredients

1 tbsp butter

1/2 cup chopped onions

1/4 cup chopped potatoes

1 1/4 cups finely chopped celery stalks

2 tsp corn flour dissolved in 2 cups of milk

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Allow the butter to melt in a pan. Stir in the potatoes and onions, mix well and then saute for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the celery and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.

Stir the water into the mix, lower the heat and cook for a further 5 to 7 minutes. Set the mixture aside to cool and then blend in a blender until smooth.

Return the mixture to the pan and add in the corn flour enriched milk as well as the salt and pepper. Cook for a minute or two longer and then serve hot.

Golden Broth Recipe

This mild tasting soup has all the vegetable goodness an expectant Mom needs but also has a pleasant flavor that should not increase nausea.

Ingredients

For the basic stock

2 large carrots, chopped

2 onions, chopped

1 potato, chopped

For the soup topping

1/2 onion, chopped

3/4 cup chopped spinach

3/4 cup milk

1 tbsp butter

salt and pepper to taste

Making the stock

Combine all of the ingredients with add 5 cups of water and pressure cook for 2 to 3 whistles. Blend the cooked broth mixture until smooth and then set aside.

Making the topping

In a skillet heat the butter, add the onions and saute for about a minute. Stir in spinach and saute for 2 or 3 minutes more.

Stir in the stock gradually and bring to a gentle boil and then fold in the milk, salt and pepper. Stir over a low heat for a minute or so longer and then serve hot.

Simple Potato and Onion Soup

This is another very mild soup that should sit well in a queasy tummy. When preparing the potatoes scrub the skins clean but do not peel them off as potato skins are full of folic acid.

Ingredients

1 cup potato cubes

1/4 cup onions, sliced

1/2 tsp dried mixed herbs

1 tsp butter

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

While melting the butter in a pressure cooker in a separate skillet saute the onions and potatoes until the onions are translucent.

Add them to the pressure cooker, together with the water and cook for 3 whistles.

When the mixture is cooled transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Reheat the soup and serve.

About the Author:

All of her life Lena has had two great passions - making great healthy food and helping women get great healthy hair, whatever their age. Over the years she has made a point of studying food nutrition and has written extensively about the links between great healthy food and beautiful healthy hair.

Healthy, Fun and Easy Recipes to Make with Kids

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:09:59 -0400

By Jessica Velasco

If you can’t get your kids to eat enough fruits and vegetables, give these recipes a whirl. Who could resist these?!

Apple Cartwheels

Mix ¼ cup peanut butter and 1 ½ tsp. honey. Carefully add ½ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips and 2 Tbsp. raisins. Set the concoction to the side.

Remove the core of four medium apples. For added nutrients and to keep the slices from breaking apart, do not remove the peel. Keeping the peel intact will also prevent the snack from turning brown – what an unappetizing appearance!

Fill the center of each apple with the peanut butter mixture. Place the stuffed apples in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Remove the apples and cut them in ¼ inch rings (you should be able to get 6 slices from each apple). Enjoy!

Banana Pear Caterpillar

Peal a banana and place it on a plate. Gently make a V-cut about ¼ inch deep. Be careful not to cut all the way through the banana, severing it into two pieces. Make several v-cuts along the length of the banana, about 1 inch apart.

Cut a pear in half, and then slice each half into ¼ inch pieces. Insert the pear slices, skin side up, into the v-cuts in the banana. Add raisins for eyes and serve immediately.

Safari Snack

First, make the delicious filling. Soften 4 ounces of cream cheese; then, beat it at low speed until smooth. Add ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2-3 tablespoons milk, and 2 teaspoons honey. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

Wash and cut celery slices. Fill each slice with dip. Garnish with an animal cracker and fresh fruit (strawberries and bananas are tasty).

Expect to enjoy about 20 dip-filled celery slices.

Corn Flowers

Eating corn off the cob is a difficult task for anyone – little mouths are no exception. However, eating kernels that have been cut off the cob isn’t much fun. If youngsters can’t be like the grownups at the table, their alternative had better be more exciting!

Firmly grasp a cooked ear of corn.   Count four rows along the cob horizontally and make a cut. Count another four rows and make another slice. Once you have chopped up the entire ear, place a lollipop stick in each to make it look like a stem.

For added nutrients, anchor the corn flowers in a slice of cucumber.

Tom the Turnkey

Start with two slices of whole wheat bread. Use a 2 ¾ inch-wide cookie cutter or standard drinking glass to create the turkey’s body. Cut a rectangle slice of bread from the leftover pieces for the turkey’s neck/head.

Make a turkey sandwich with the two round slices of bread. Add a slice of roast turkey, a slice of cheese and top it with cranberry sauce.

Place the rectangle piece of bread on top of the sandwich and attach it with a swipe of mayo. Cut two semi-circles of cheese for the beak. Add two raisins (or chunks of olive) for eyes.

Cut 2 ½ inch strips of colorful sweet peppers. Tuck these under the sandwich as feathers. Add a piece of red pepper for the gobbler. Kids will gobble these right up!

Snack time doesn’t need to revolve around sweets and pre-packaged junk. Take a few minutes to put together something tasty, healthy, and enticing!

About the Author:

Guest author Jessica Velasco is the mom of a very picky eater. However, she refuses to let her youngster munch on calorie-rich junk food. The topic of healthy eating is especially important to Jessica. She recently found out she was vitamin B12 deficient. Now, she shares about her experience with daily b12 injections on a health blog and encourages parents far and wide to focus on quality food selection for kids.

An Aspirin a Day?

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:35:24 -0500

Dale Petersen MD - Building Health

The health adage used to be “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” In today’s society, in which fruit and vegetable consumption is low and the reliance on drugs is high, a more apt description of our attitude toward health is “An aspirin a day keeps the doctor at bay.” It seems that more people in the United States are taking an aspirin a day than are eating an apple a day.

Family Ties: A Key to Healthy Living

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:48:26 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

Growing Pains

Fri, 27 May 2011 14:25:39 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

Swimmer’s Ear

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:57:27 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

For many families summer fun means spending time in water.

For Crying Out Loud

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:24:13 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

It is not uncommon to hear one of my granddaughters cry.

Beating the Common Cold

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:40:11 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

Are You Childish?

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:36:40 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

“That’s childish!”

What do those words mean to you? Read them again, aloud.

Flu Season

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:39:45 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

Nausea and Vomiting: Weathering the Storm

Toxicities of Holiday Plants

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:25:25 -0500

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

Decorating the home for the winter holiday season is a time-honored tradition, but it is important to be aware of potential risks to children and pets.

What Would You Like To Drink?

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:09:28 -0500

By Dale Peterson, M.D.

My wife and I recently went out to eat with a nine year-old granddaughter. When the waitress came to take our drink orders we requested water. Our granddaughter did the same.

Dealing with “Winter Skin”

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:30:00 -0500

By Dale Peterson, MD

“Can you tell me what to do for ‘winter skin’?” asked the boy in my office. “Every winter my skin gets red and scaly. It itches almost all the time and sometimes it hurts. It can even crack and bleed.” The young man was describing a condition called eczema. Eczema develops much more frequently and is usually more severe in winter than at other times of the year.

SIDS: A Preventable Tragedy

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

What Do You Know?

Wed, 02 May 2012 01:11:30 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

The Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It has been observed annually since 1971.

Is Nutritional Supplementation Dangerous?

Sat, 05 May 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

Physicians and medical researchers in the United States appear to have declared war against vitamin and mineral supplements. Last November Medscape, a website that provides news articles and educational activities for physicians, declared “the dark side of vitamins and supplements” the 2011 finding most likely to change the way doctors practice medicine. They followed up in February 2012 with an editorial titled “Trash the Vitamins: Convince Your Patients.”

Energy Drinks: A Potentially Fatal Attraction

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:59:40 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

Energy drinks have become exceedingly popular, especially among teens and young adults. Surveys have found that 30 to 50 percent of young people consume them on a regular basis.

Febrile Seizures: Frightening but not Dangerous

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:13:11 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

Build Your Support Base

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:49:58 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MDBuilding Health

The 2012 elections in the United States are rapidly approaching. Political campaigns are in full gear.

Detecting Breast Cancer

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Dale Peterson, MD - Building Health

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and one of the primary messages given at this time is to be sure to have a mammogram. A mammogram may be the right thing for you to do, but first take a few moments to consider the controversies surrounding this procedure.

What are your assets?

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 04:30:00 -0400

Building Health By Dale Peterson, MD

November is here and Thanksgiving Day is rapidly approaching. It’s a time to express our gratitude for the many blessings we’ve received throughout the year.

Genetically Modified Foods: A Reason for Concern

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 04:30:00 -0500

Building Health By Dale Peterson, MD

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants or animals that have been created using the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology, which is also called genetic engineering or bioengineering.

Resolutions with Resolve

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:30:00 -0500

Building Health By Dale Peterson, MD

A common New Year ritual is the making of resolutions. Unfortunately, most are soon broken and forgotten. Many are recycled year after year without effecting any positive change in our lives.

Without Love It’s Just Coffee

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 04:30:00 -0500

Building Health By Dale Peterson, MD

February is the month of Saint Valentines' day. The theme of the holiday is love, particularly the love that couples have for each other. It should serve as a reminder of the importance of love in our lives.

How to Prevent Osteoporosis

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 01:11:46 -0400

Building Health By Dale Peterson, MD

May is osteoporosis prevention month. Osteoporosis is the name given to a condition in which bone strength has diminished to the point that a fracture may occur with minimal or no trauma. The most common sites of osteoporotic fractures are the hips and spinal vertebrae.

How to Safely have Fun in the Sun

Tue, 28 May 2013 14:37:30 -0400

Building Health By Dale Peterson, MD

With the arrival of summer most families will be spending more time outdoors. Sunshine provides many health benefits, but excessive sun exposure can have serious consequences. Too often a fun filled day at a pool, a baseball game, or an amusement park is followed by and agonizing night. A few simple precautions can allow families to enjoy fun in the sun without paying the penalty of a painful burn at the end of the day.

Sunshine provides many health benefits, but excessive sun exposure can have serious consequences. Too often a fun filled day at a pool, a baseball game, or an amusement park is followed by and agonizing night. A few simple precautions can allow families to enjoy fun in the sun without paying the penalty of a painful burn at the end of the day.

CoachMD

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 04:04:04 -0400

By Charles F. Glassman, MD

I am excited to be part of Families On-Line. As you get to know me, I hope you will learn quickly that I serve more as a coach and guide, than a know-it-all authority.

Breaking Habits-Easier than You Thought

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:01:23 -0400

By Charles F. Glassman, MD - CoachMD

One of life's most frustrating features is habits. Now I'm not talking about the good habits.

Radiation from X-rays

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:32:40 -0400

By Charles F. Glassman, MD - CoachMD

Next time your doctor tells you to go for an x-ray, maybe you ought to ask a few more questions.
Radiation Exposure from Common X-Ray Studies

One of the most powerful diagnostic tools in medicine is the X-Ray. From CT Scans to routine Chest X-Rays, these tests give us a peek inside the human body, beyond the doctor's touch or eye site. In the past, and unfortunately still in the present day, many doctors view x-ray studies as benign procedures without the likelihood of harm. In the past 3 - 5 years, there have been many commentaries and studies in major medical journals including The New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA, dispelling the myth that x-rays are free from danger.

Internal Rusting
X-rays are the source of ionizing radiation. What that means is that x-ray beams not only give us an image on a slide, but in doing so they cause ionization (free radicals). This means that the radiation displaces electrons from atoms that make up molecules - the building blocks of every structure in our body. Once displaced, the missing electrons cause the molecules to be unstable. When they float around, they look to get their electron back from other molecules thus causing further oxidation. A similar phenomenon occurs when water and oxygen react with certain metals as iron. We know this as rusting and this in some ways mimics what occurs inside our body with internal oxidation or rusting, which is accelerated by exposure to radiation.

Safety of Radiation
In some respects, there is no safe dose of radiation. We are continually barraged by radiation simply by walking outside or flying in an airplane. However, a healthy body with a sufficient store of natural occurring anti-oxidants and/or supplemented antioxidants has an ability to fix these unstable molecules. The balance may be tipped, though, if we suddenly face larger, unexpected doses. When we do not have the ability to fix instability within our molecules, and especially within the molecules making up our DNA, mutations of tissue occur and many respectable studies have shown can lead to cancer.

Radiation from X-Ray Studies
Common x-rays compare to the exposure that we get from general lifetime activities. Chest X-rays, for example, compares to our exposure over ten days. Dental X-rays compares to a day of general exposure. Whereas, a mammogram is about two and one-half months worth of radiation. A CT scan of the Abdomen and Pelvis is similar to five years, where the same one with and without contrast is similar to ten years! For more stats, go to this link on the safety of x-rays.

Protecting Yourself from Radiation
Although the use of regular anti-oxidants and multi-vitamins has been a little controversial, I am a proponent of a good health program that includes them to protect from the daily incidental exposure. From what I have seen, most people do not get enough in their diet. If one finds themselves needing an x-ray, I suggest taking good doses of anti-oxidants before and after for a several week to month period. There are many to choose from and I will not endorse any in this article. Nevertheless, you can contact me for information regarding a supplement recently shown in a University of Pittsburgh study to repair damage done by radiation. NASA astronauts also use it.

Take Home Message
So, don't just accept your doctor telling you, "It's not that much radiation." Understand your exposure, weigh the risk vs. the benefit of a diagnosis that could help you, and look for the right supplements to take to minimize the development of free radicals and oxidation.

As the Summer Ends

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 19:44:46 -0400

By Charles F. Glassman, MD - CoachMD

One Size Does Not Fit All

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:25:12 -0400

By Charles F. Glassman, MD - CoachMD

There’s quite a rift in the medical profession between those who wear blinders and those who don’t. OK, maybe those are fighting words and certainly one could say that about many other professions.

A Unified Theory of the Brain: Explaining the Incomprehensible

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:36:42 -0500

By Charles F. Glassman, MD - CoachMD

An Approach to the New Year – One Resolution at a Time

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:12:12 -0500

By Charles F. Glassman, MD, FACP

From time immemorial, people have looked to the New Year as the benchmark of a new beginning and hence a time for resolutions. Unfortunately, statistics confirm what we all know intuitively—most resolutions get broken. Why is that?

Should I Call My Doctor?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Charles F. Glassman, MD -CoachMD

For many of us, navigating through the medical system is frustrating and complicated.

Attraction, Physical Intimacy, and True Love

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:02:15 -0400

By Charles Glassman M.D.

For Valentine’s month I thought a discussion of intimacy would be appropriate.

Does Prayer Work? - One doctor’s perspective

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 02:20:34 -0400

By Charles Glassman M.D.

Does prayer help people recover from illness? Some studies say yes, some say no. But when prayer doesn’t seem to help, what happens to the faith of devout believers? When you’ve prayed and prayed and yet a loved one does not get better and perhaps dies, what then?

Stress—What is it and what can we do about it?

Thu, 03 May 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Charles F. Glassman, MD - CoachMD

Coach MD...What's Next?

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:49:55 -0400

By Charles F. Glassman, MD - CoachMD

One year ago, I started a Facebook page called Coach MD. Like many others, I have a personal Facebook page, but this was something new, a Fan Page. So why do this?

Stop the Cascade, Before it Stops You

Sun, 27 May 2012 20:20:15 -0400

Charles F. Glassman, MD, FACP - Coach MD

A popular motivational speaker spoke in front of a large crowd. After he was finished, a group gathered in front of him for a brief question and answer period.

But Are They Really Happy?

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:05:25 -0400

Charles F. Glassman, MD, FACP - Coach MD

Live in the Moment…For Your Health

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:30:53 -0400

Charles F. Glassman, MD, FACP - Coach MD

I’m sure you have heard the call to “Just live in the moment.”

The question I ask is, “What defines a moment? Is it a second, is it a minute, is it an hour, a day, a lifetime? How long is it?”

Unconventional Advice from a Conventional MD

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:49:17 -0500

Charles F. Glassman, MD, FACP - Coach MD

Our brain has evolved over tens of thousands of years for the primary purpose of protecting our physical body.

Violence: Media Menace

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 22:19:01 -0500

By Charles F. Glassman FACP - CoachMD

Violence is the darling of the media. Each time a violent event occurs, the media outlets go on a feeding frenzy like sharks thrown bloody chum. Why is that?

The Power of Self Interest

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 02:50:00 -0400

By Dr. Charles F. Glassman, Coach MD

When I say that I believe in order for you to connect with your life’s purpose you must dedicate your life to servicing yourself many cringe and suggest I am teaching selfishness and narcissism.

8 Steps to a Fitter Body

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:29:22 -0400

By Charles Glassman, MD , FACP - CoachMD

In many areas, the warmth of the Spring season is an opportunity to shed layers of clothing. For many, this can be uncomfortable, especially if our bodies are less fit than we would like. In my career, thousands have come to me with the frustration of not being able to achieve a desirable body weight.

Maintaining Faith During Hard Times

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:44:21 -0400

By Charles Glassman, MD , FACP - CoachMD

You may know how this story ends that goes something like this: Joe stood on his roof as the waters rose. The first boat came by and the captain yelled, “Joe, hop in.” Joe yelled back, No, it’s okay God will save me.” The waters continued to rise now covering his entire house and at his feet. A second boat passed and the occupants yelled, “Joe, our friend, hop in.” Joe retorted, “You go on, God will save me.” Water now up to his chin, a helicopter hovered over dropping a rope, “Joe shook his head upward, and muttered, “it’s okay, God will save me.” Joe drowned. In heaven, Joe angrily confronted God with, “I thought you were going to save me. God replied, “What did you want me to do, I sent 2 boats and a helicopter!”

Garlic and Onion Help Boost Mineral Absorption

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

It is well known that phytochemicals promote cardiovascular health and help support the immune system.

Calcium in Early Life May Prevent Obesity

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Fat Cells Play Key Role in Development of Type 2 Diabetes

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Vitamin D May Cut Risk of Parkinson's Disease

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Vitamins D & E Show Brain Benefits

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Lycopene May Reduce Asthma

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Important New Research on The Tomato-Derived Antioxidant

L-Carnitine May Boost Exercise Recovery

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

New Research Supports Beneficial Role of L-Carnitine Supplementation For Promoting Energy & Endurance

Daily supplements of L-Carnitine l-tartrate (Lonza Corp.) may reduce muscle soreness in middle-aged individuals and
accelerate post-exercise recovery, says a new study.

Two grams of Lonza's Carnipure tartrate ingredient per day was found to have beneficial effects on muscle soreness after exercise, as well as positive effects on a range of biochemical markers like free radicals, and muscle tissue disruption, according to findings published in Metabolism.

"The major finding and new discovery of the present study were that l-carnitine l-tartrate supplementation can beneficially affect post-exercise markers of metabolic stress, muscle disruption, and muscle soreness in men and women older than 40 years," report researchers from the University of Connecticut.

"These findings support our previous working hypothesis that L-carnitine supplementation in younger people can reduce chemical damage to tissues after exercise and optimize the processes of muscle tissue repair and remodelling," they added.

L-Carnitine, a vitamin-like nutrient, occurs naturally in the human body and is essential for turning fat into energy. It is frequently used as a dietary supplement by physically active people to help with post-exercise recovery.

Lonza Corp., which claims to be the world's largest raw material ingredient manufacturer of L-Carnitine, has said that extensive scientific research shows the supplement promotes cardiovascular health and that other studies suggest the nutrient may be useful in weight management.

The new study sought to expand previous findings that carnitine supplements may improve recovery in younger subjects. The researchers recruited 18 men and women with an average age of 48.7 and normal activity levels to participate in their double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Participants received either L-Carnitine supplement (2 grams per day) or placebo for 24 days. This was followed by a one-week washout period and
then crossing over to the other intervention. After 21 days of each intervention the participants performed resistance exercise (squat / leg presses).

Blood samples showed that L-carnitine supplementation significantly improved a range of biochemical markers, including purine metabolism, free radical formation, and muscle tissue disruption.

"The l-carnitine l-tartrate supplementation therefore reduced both myoglobin and creatine kinase concentrations, providing additional evidence that LCLT reduces post-exercise muscle disruption," wrote the researchers. "Such findings support the additional findings that l-carnitine l-tartrate significantly reduced muscle soreness immediately after the exercise workout and at 24 and 48 hours postexercise when compared with the placebo condition."

Source: Metabolism - Clinical and Experimental
"L-Carnitine l-tartrate supplementation favorably affects biochemical markers of recovery from physical exertion
in middle-aged men and women"

Omega-3 Fish Oil For Supporting Cardiovascular Health, Reducing Risk of Diabetes and Weight Management

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Omega-3-rich supplements may improve blood lipid levels of people with metabolic syndrome, reducing the risks of developing serious health problems, reports a new study.

The research, published in The Journal of Nutrition, suggests that the effects of metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for insulin resistance and diabetes can be reduced through the addition of omega-3 fatty acids in low-fat, higher complex carbohydrate diets.

"Fish oil supplements correct many metabolic alterations associated with insulin resistance, including reduced postprandial plasma triglyceride concentration" stated the researchers from the University of Cordoba, Spain.

Metabolic syndrome is the name given to a group of risk factors that frequently include obesity, hypertension, high levels of blood lipids, and high blood sugars. The condition is a common precursor to type II diabetes, and is also strongly associated with increased risk of major health problems such as heart disease and stroke.

The causes of metabolic syndrome are unknown, although they are thought to involve both genetic and environmental
factors, including poor diet.

One way to increase the overall health and reduce the risks of people with metabolic syndrome, has been to eat a diet
low in saturated fat and high in complex carbohydrates. However, previous research has suggested that this diet does not help to reduce high levels of blood lipids, with some studies observing such a diet could even be raising blood lipid levels.

The new study looked into the effects of four different diet combinations on blood lipid metabolism, in 117 patients with metabolic syndrome.

In accordance with previous suggestions, the researchers found that a low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate diet had "several
detrimental effects", including significantly increasing total triglyceride levels, and triglyceride rich lipoprotein cholesterol
levels.

In contrast, intake of the same diet supplemented with omega-3 was found to have no effects on blood lipid levels,
with researchers observing that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats, or a low-fat diet rich in complex carbohydrates and
omega-3 fatty acids, resulted in lower circulating blood lipid levels than a diet rich in high saturated fats or a diet low in
fats and high in complex carbohydrates.

The data from the study suggest a place for higher omega-3 intake in people with metabolic syndrome, and supports previous
research that suggests monounsaturated fatty acids can have a positive effect on blood lipid levels.

"The long-term effect of the low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate diet, pre vs. post intervention phases, showed several beneficial effects of long chain omega-3 PUFA supplementation," stated the researchers.

"Our data suggest that long-term intake of an isocaloric, low-fat,high-carbohydrate diet supplemented with long chain omega-3... have beneficial effects on postprandial lipoprotein response in patients with metabolic syndrome,"

Source: The Journal of Nutrition
"A Low-Fat, High-Complex Carbohydrate Diet Supplemented with Long-Chain (n-3) Fatty Acids Alters the Postprandial Lipoprotein Profile in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome"

Chocolate and Heart Health

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Moderate Chocolate Consumption Linked to Lower Risks of Heart Failure, Study Finds

Grapefruit's Antioxidant Ingredients Beneficial for Diabetes

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Naringenin, an antioxidant derived from the bitter flavor of grapefruits and other citrus fruits, may cause the liver to break down fat while increasing insulin sensitivity, a process that naturally occurs during long periods of fasting.

A team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) report that naringenin activates a family of small proteins, called nuclear receptors, causing the liver to break down fatty acids. In fact, the compound seems to mimic the actions of other drugs, such as the lipid-lowering Fenofibrate and the anti-diabetic Rosiglitazone, offering the advantages of both. If the results of this study extend to human patients, this dietary supplement could become a staple in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, type-2 diabetes, and perhaps metabolic syndrome. The report appears in this week issue of the online journal PLoS ONE.

"It is a fascinating find," said the researchers of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem "We show the mechanism by which naringenin increases two important pharmaceutical targets, PPARa and PPAR?, while blocking a third, LXRa. The results
are similar to those induced by long periods of fasting."

The liver is the main organ responsible for the regulation of carbohydrate and lipid levels in the blood. Following a meal, the
blood is flushed with sugars, which activate LXRa, causing the liver to create fatty acids for long-term storage. During fasting,
the process is reversed; fatty acids are released by fat cells, activate PPARa in the liver, and are broken down to ketones.
A similar process, involving PPAR?, increases sensitivity to insulin.

"It is a process which is similar to the Atkins diet, without many of the side effects," they added... "The liver behaves as if fasting,
breaking down fatty acids instead of carbohydrates."

"Dual PPARa and PPAR? agonists, like naringenin, were long sought after by the pharmaceutical industry, but their development was plagued by safety concerns. Interestingly, naringenin is a dietary supplement with a clear safety record. Evidence suggests it might actually protect the liver from damage."

Grapefruit's bitter taste is caused the presence of the flavonoid naringin, which is broken down in the gut into naringenin. Earlier evidence has shown the compound has cholesterol lowering properties and may ameliorate some of the symptoms associated with diabetes. The researchers demonstrated that the compound activates PPARa and PPAR? by dramatically increasing the levels of a co-activator peptide of both, called PGC1a. At the same time, naringenin bound directly to LXRa, blocking its activation. These effects culminated with increased fatty acid oxidation and the inhibition of vLDL ('bad cholesterol') production.

The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and European Research Council (ERC).

This work was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K01DK080241), a European Research Council starting grant (TMIHCV 242699), and the Harvard Clinical Nutrition Research Center (P30-DK040561). Resources were provided by the BioMEMS Resource Center (P41 EB-002503), Shriners Burns Hospital, and the Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences.

Journal Reference:
"Transcriptional Regulation of Human and Rat Hepatic Lipid
Metabolism by the Grapefruit Flavonoid Naringenin"

Public Library of Science (2010, August 27). Grapefruit's
bitter taste holds a sweet promise for diabetes therapy.

Omega-3 May Improve Cardio

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Antioxidant From Onion & Garlic, Quercetin Has Respiratory Benefits

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Grape Seed Extract and Heart Health

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

Blueberries as Anti-Diabetic

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

More Calcium and Vitamin D May Aid Weight Management

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0500

Cranberry Juice Could Help Protect Against Staph Infections

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0500

Watercress,Broccoli and Cabbage May Suppress Development of Breast Cancer

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0500

Large Waist Size Linked to Diabetes

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

Is you waist size a risk factor?

Nitrate-Rich Foods

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

Help Increase Blood Flow To The Brain

Benefits of Exercise

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 04:30:00 -0500

Heart Health, Prevent Strokes, Decrease Diabetes, Cancer and Dementia

Strawberry and Apples and Blood Sugar

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:30:00 -0500

Blueberries and Other Purple Fruits Help Ward Off Alzheimer's...

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 04:30:00 -0500

Chocolate May Help Chronic Fatigue

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:30:00 -0500

Plant Sterol Enriched Rye Breads

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:08:04 -0500

May Reduce Cholesterol.

New Study: Best Diet to Lose Weight

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

New! The Doctors - Medical Experts Provide Monthly Columns

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:52:31 -0400

Health Wisdom for You and Your Family

"Shots" By Dr. Marvin Ackeman Article Archive

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 04:30:40 -0500

About Shots

Guess What! There May Be a Common Link Between Cancer and Arthritis from Doctor Ackerman's Monthly Column "Shots"

Do Doctors Tend To Blame The Patient When They Don't Have An Answer?

Are Your Suffering From Adrenal Exhaustion?

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:18:56 -0400

Dr. Mary Riggin, LAc, FitFM - Family Wellness

Male Menopause

Mon, 23 May 2011 18:00:25 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin - FitFM - Family Wellness

Fatigue? Depression? Irritability? Erectile Dysfunction?

It could be Male Menopause!

Funny as it may sound, there is some validity to this phenomenon. According to WebMD – men can manifest symptoms that mirror those of women at that similar age; 45 – 70 years old. This has been correlated to lower testosterone levels, similar to the way women manifest lower estrogen levels. When the hormones are affected, an array of symptoms can and will occur.

For men, symptoms include lowered sex drive, depression and fatigue. The name for this phenomenon is ANDROPAUSE. The medication prescribed by many doctors is a testosterone patch. The most common (and disturbing) side-effect of the testosterone patch is atrophy of the testes.

Now some may say “Well that’s pretty common for all men at that age!” But in all reality, just because something is common, does not make it normal. If we look at ancient history; the emperors in China were significantly outliving their European counterparts, and continued procreating in their senior years. Many were having children in their 80s, 90s and even older!

Now, this doesn’t seem to be practical for our modern day and age; but certainly having all of our body parts work for a lifetime isn’t too much to ask, is it?   In my opinion, it is not.  I'll explain why in a minute.

Andropause (male menopause) can affect younger men too!

What I find interesting from a clinical perspective is that this phenomenon could manifest in younger men as well. Men in their twenties and thirties are finding that certain parts are not working as well as they used to work when they were younger, and their wives are not happy!   Recently, John, a young 30 something male, who was suffering from an array of hormonal symptoms, came to my office looking for help.   He consumed (as do we all) commercially produced eggs, dairy products, meats, grains, and produce. All of these have been tainted with some form of chemical or food additive. The tolerance for these chemicals varies dramatically from person to person, but could easily produce these symptoms.

His biggest issue was premature ejaculation, but he also was suffering from depression, and fatigue – these problems were being compounded by the stress it caused in his relationship. Thirty seems a bit young to be labeled “male menopause” but the indications were all there. When he was evaluated; it was found that his hormone communication lines were “blocked” and therefore his various parts were “not getting the message” to do their job.

No wonder John didn’t feel good.

He was evaluated by his western medical doctor and told he had low testosterone; and was prescribed medication. After he evaluated the potential side effects of hormone therapy, he decided it wasn’t worth all the risks involved with taking a medication like that. He also realized that this wasn’t a short-term treatment – he would have to stay on the hormones for a long period of time, and treatment could go on for years. He wasn’t too happy with taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and started searching for other answers.

Alternatives to HRT

John’s research led him to start investigating the impact of our tainted food supply; and he decided to attend a class on “Balancing Hormones Naturally” at a local health food store.

Much to his surprise, he learned that hormone communication can become clogged and blocked by eating certain foods. When the communication becomes “clogged” the organs and glands never get the message to do their job; so it can appear that the hormone levels are low in blood tests. In reality, it isn’t that the levels are low – it’s really a condition of “never getting the message” to that gland or organ, so it doesn’t know to do its job correctly. So, the question becomes; how do they become clogged?

Since this is a relatively new condition that men are experiencing, it makes me wonder.

Why now?

In researching this topic, a connection between our food supply and our hormones has been discovered. Many of the symptoms are caused by estrogen mimics (including pesticide residue in produce that cannot be peeled, washed or cooked away) and hormones (rBGH) given to cattle.

The most common treatment for this condition is to just simply treat the deficiency with hormones. However, logic dictates that if it was just a simple deficiency, supplementing with hormone replacement - HRT or bio-identicals – would get the deficiency handled and you could go off the hormones within a reasonable amount of time. Unfortunately, this is not the case. For many who suffer with hormone deficiencies, the minute they go off their hormone medications, the symptoms return, and for some worse than before. This makes me stop and wonder if it’s a true deficiency or if there is something else going on to create the symptoms.

When you think about the increased use of synthetic hormones in our food supply, like meats and dairy products; and then look at the increase in hormonal based health problems. It begs the question, “is there a connection?”

Chemicals clog hormone communication!

There have been medical experts, like Dr. John Lee, MD, who wrote the book “What your doctor may not tell you about menopause” that have theorized that hormone problems could be rooted in a “mutated receptor sites.” In other words; it isn’t an issue of too much or too little hormones, it’s really a problem with how the communication between the glands and organs are, or are not, being completed. It could be compared to bad cell phone connections. Both phones are fine; but the cell towers that send and receive the communication are having problems.

When our patient John had his hormone pathways checked, they were blocked. By using an advanced acupressure technique, combined with a course of supplementation – his problems were resolved. His wife is now very happy and so is he!

Nutritional Secret to Weight Loss Revealed!

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:25:03 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin - FitFM - Family Wellness

This is so simple, yet so profound. I discovered this nutritional secret to permanent weight loss 5 years ago, and haven’t looked back since.  Also, my neck and back aches and pains are just about non-existent. It’s not that complicated, and comes down to simply understanding the definition of the word food.

Misunderstanding the definition of the word food can lead to various health problems including weight gain and all the chronic illnesses that go along with being overweight. This seems simplistic, but our society does not know what the word “food” really means. The common definition is simply something we eat and enjoy; it doesn’t include understanding the ingredients. As long as government agencies have approved the ingredients, we assume they are OK for us. Unfortunately, this isn’t exactly true. In fact, when you actually look at the definition of the word “food” you may be surprised by what you find.

By definition, "food" is: any substance that can be metabolized (broken down by the body) to give energy and build tissue. (source: WordNet; Princeton University.)

In order to understand this definition, it’s important to know a little about how your body works and what it means to “build tissue.” According to the American Heritage Science Dictionary, "tissue" means: A large mass of similar cells that make up a part of an organism and perform a specific function. The internal organs and connective structures (including muscle, bone and cartilage) are made up of different types of tissue. So, in order for the things we eat to qualify as food, they must build tissue.

Every single day, various cells in your body die off and every day, new cells are rebuilding tissue. The fuel our body uses to rebuild new cells is directly related to the things we put into our mouth. If you put processed, dead, and genetically modified things that have been tainted with chemicals, growth hormones and antibiotics into your mouth; that is what your body is going to use to build new tissue. If you stop and think about it for a moment; do you really want to give your body substandard fuel to build new tissue? On the other hand, if you put unprocessed, live, chemical-free, clean, organic things into your mouth, that is what your body will use to build new cells. Food, by definition, is supposed to build tissue – what we eat is what our bodies use to make themselves -- including our brains, other organs, bones, muscles, skin, etc. The question now becomes, "What do you want your body to use to make itself? Good material or junk?" The choice now becomes easier; however, it can be very challenging.

If you actually start to apply the definition of food to what you eat, you will be surprised to learn how much of it isn't really food! You must start asking the question, will this "food-like substance" help my body build healthy tissue, or will it create mutated, diseased tissue?

Short-term studies have been conducted to see if anyone gets sick from consuming certain chemical agents, like artificial sweeteners or artificial flavors and colors. Sure, nobody’s “keeling over dead” when they consume these items, but do they meet the definition of food? The answer is a resounding NO! These things don’t build tissue; in fact, they actually stress various organs, like your brain, liver, and pancreas. All of the processed sugars, grains, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), etc, don't meet the definition of food either, because these items also stress the pancreas, liver, and brain. Look at how type II diabetes is rising at an epidemic rate.

So, if it isn’t food, then what is this stuff? Food is supposed to help rebuild our body. If what you are eating (or drinking) isn’t building tissue, and the various chemicals found in processed items people eat (and drink), are actually suppressing function, I think it’s just easier to call them POISON! So, the question now becomes, if it isn’t food, and it’s really some kind of low dose poison, do I really want to eat it? Sometimes the answer is still yes! Believe it or not, we will still choose to eat poison sometimes. But, understanding that it is poison is a good start, because now there is an awareness that wasn’t there before, and this can be life changing.

When I started to apply the definition of the word “food” to everything I ate, I was shocked to find there was very little food in the grocery store! If it sits in a box or bag on a shelf, it probably isn't food. Anything with nutrition labels has to be scrutinized closely; especially if it has more than four ingredients. Ingredients with numbers in them or words that are difficult to pronounce are no longer on the food list – they must be moved to the poison list.

The NY Times best selling author Michael Pollan gave a great piece of advice in his book, “In Defense of Food” - “if your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize it as food, it probably isn’t, so don’t eat it!   I try to follow this rule of thumb.

If you’d like more information about this topic, listen to “Food is the First Medicine” in Tampa Bay on WTAN 1340AM Sundays at 11PM or online anytime at www.FoodisMedicine.org.

Chronic Pain Solutions

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 01:29:30 -0400

Dr. Mary Riggin, LAc, FitFM - Family Wellness

With all of the TV commercials selling pain relievers ranging from headache powder to digestive aids, one might think that all of these problems are a result of some kind of medication deficiency.

A Mom’s Story

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:26:12 -0400

Dr. Mary Riggin, LAc, FitFM - Family Wellness

Alternatives for Arthritis - How Food and Acupuncture Helps Chronic Pain

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:46:12 -0400

Dr. Mary Riggin, LAc, FitFM - Family Wellness

Karen came to our office looking for help for her chronic arthritis pain and inflammation.

What You Always Wanted to Know About Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine - Part 1

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:50:40 -0400

Dr. Mary Riggin, LAc, FitFM - Family Wellness

It is not hard to spot a trend when it is featured on the cover of Time Magazine, Newsweek, Business Week, The New England Journal of Medicine, dozens of TV talk shows and even the subject of an NIH conference.

What You Always Wanted to Know About Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine – Part 2

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:57:51 -0500

Dr. Mary Riggin, LAc, FitFM - Family Wellness Herbs, Massage, and Acupuncture

Possible Cause of Widespread Health Problems Discovered!

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:02:04 -0500

The US Food Supply is linked to Hormone Problems!

By Dr. Mary Riggin

There is a new epidemic. Growing numbers of “healthy” people are complaining of unexplained weight gain, belly fat, lack of energy, chronic pain, insomnia, digestion problems, allergies, low immune function, fibromyalgia, arthritis,

Natural Solutions for Allergies

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin - Acupuncture and Acupressure for Allergy Relief

Handling Allergies without Medications – A Patient’s Story of Health Restoration

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:48:15 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin

I consider myself blessed to see the dramatic results produced by Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Unfortunately, often the drastic improvements would not have HAD to be so drastic if “Alternative Medicine” did not mean “Last Resort Medicine” to so many people.

Possible Cause of Widespread Health Problem Discovered: The US Food Supply is linked to Hormone Problems!

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:46:18 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin

There is a new epidemic. Growing numbers of “healthy” people are complaining of unexplained weight gain, belly fat, lack of energy, chronic pain, insomnia, digestion problems, allergies, low immune function, fibromyalgia, arthritis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, bone loss, hair loss as well as an array of other symptoms that are often attributed to stress, age or just being “out of shape.”

Are we drugging ourselves to death?

Sat, 05 May 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin

Recently, a young woman came home from the doctor with a cholesterol reading of 220 and a prescription. She is 36, teaches aerobics, is in great shape, eats a healthy Mediterranean diet, has no heart disease in her family and doesn't smoke. But her doctor read her the riot act and she left his office convinced that the only thing standing between her and an imminent heart attack was this little pill.

Vitamin therapy - is it right for everyone?

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:37:24 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin, LAC, FitFM - Family Wellness

Prevention was something high on the priority list for Sally. Her daily regimen included a hand full of vitamins, a brisk run, and a protein drink. She was focused on keeping healthy as she passed the age of 50, she didn't want to end up with some debilitating illness, or in a nursing home.

Vitamin Therapy - Is It Right for Everyone? Part II

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:56:55 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin, LAC, FitFM - Family Wellness

Last month, I discussed how vitamins don’t always give people the results they want. One woman, Sally, would experience uncomfortable symptoms when she took lots of vitamins. For some people this phenomenon was not unusual. Why? If it’s good quality, shouldn’t it help?

“Your body is detoxifying; that’s why you don’t feel good” is what some say is the reason some people react badly to supplements. The idea is that if you just take more supplements, your body will eventually release the old toxins that are stuck in the cells.

For some this theory just doesn’t apply. Sally, who’d supplemented for years, wasn’t doing any better, and in some areas, was doing worse. This confused and frustrated her. She couldn’t understand why she wasn’t doing as well as her friend, who was using similar supplements for similar problems. What was wrong with her?

Bad reactions to supplement and vitamin therapy are sometimes caused by some type of sensitivity to the nutrient being taken. For example, someone who is lactose intolerant cannot digest dairy products properly. Even though dairy products themselves are not bad for you (as long as they are organic), some people just can’t tolerate them. We view this as sensitivity to that food. Sensitivities to various vitamins can also create a problem. If you have some type of sensitivity to Vitamin C, you may not experience the same results of an enhanced immune system as your neighbor. You take the C, and still get really sick. Why? The reason is simple; you have some type of sensitivity that your neighbor doesn’t have.

Absorption issues can actually cause deficiencies. In Sally’s situation, this is why she wasn’t responding to her vitamin therapy.   The cause of Sally’s problems was rooted in food allergies. Even though she didn’t show the typical signs of food allergies like sinus problems, frequent sneezing, acid reflux, weight loss or gain, or skin trouble; there was still an issue with absorption. This is why her stomach bloated so badly and her energy would crash.

When your body isn’t processing the nutrients properly, everything is affected. Sometimes it can be very subtle, so you wouldn’t think, “Oh, I have food sensitivities and allergies” however, this can be exactly why some don’t respond to nutritional therapy.

Have you ever known someone who just doesn’t like to eat healthy foods? They say the salad makes them sick, or the eggs just don’t taste good. This could be an indicator that the body isn’t absorbing correctly. These are the same people who have an aversion to vitamin supplementation. When they take the supplements, they feel sick. Adding more supplements doesn’t fix this issue, and can make it worse. But unfortunately that is exactly what some people do; they just add more, to no avail.

Have you ever had a leak in the fuel line of your car? This happened to me a few years ago. No matter how much gas we put in the car, it seemed like I was always running out of gas. Even though I would fill up the car; because of the leak, I’d run out of gas quickly. The deficiency didn’t get handled until I got the fuel line fixed. It can be the same with our body; if we aren’t absorbing correctly, the deficiency is harder to fix.

Correcting this problem isn’t easy. In fact, for many, the problem is rooted in their family history, and that just makes the whole situation more complicated. Fortunately, for many, like Sally, finding the correct problem and getting it handled is possible.

Sally continued to look for answers. She wanted her issues handled and wasn’t giving up. She ended up consulting with a doctor of acupuncture and Oriental medicine who understood that correcting the absorption issue would handle the problem.

By using an advanced form of acupuncture and acupressure, the absorption issues in her digestive system were treated. By handling the sensitivities, her absorption of nutrients was enhanced. This enabled her to supplement with whole food based vitamins without an issue. It’s like we fixed the broken fuel line in order to handle the deficiencies. As an interesting side note, she still wasn’t able to tolerate chemically produced vitamins; she needed to be careful with how the vitamin was produced and its quality, in order to benefit from the supplementation.

Sally’s story isn’t unusual. Many people have genetic sensitivities to foods and nutrients; and others have developed issues over time. In our society, with the use of many types of food chemicals, additives and preservatives, many people are experiencing absorption issues due to over-exposure to these types of foods. This creates a domino effect, so the good nutrients don’t get absorbed correctly either.

It’s important to stay in-tune with your body and pay attention to details. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. Getting your system checked, the way we get our cars checked for optimal function; could prevent bigger problems down road. If you are using supplements, but feel like you are not getting optimal results from them, get your body’s systems checked; there may just be a deeper issue.

Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation – Look Younger, Naturally!

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 18:24:24 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin, LAC, FitFM - Family Wellness

For thousands of years, women and men alike have been using ancient techniques from the East to diminish the negative effects of the aging process on health and appearance.

Health or Disease – It Really is YOUR Choice!

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 19:13:58 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin, LAC, FitFM - Family Wellness

Estrogen deficiency, adrenal fatigue, sluggish thyroid, endometriosis, low testosterone, fibroids and cysts… the list goes on. Do you suffer with one or more of these conditions?

Stress: The silent killer…

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:19:39 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin, LAC, FitFM - Family Wellness

Recent investigations have disclosed the identity of the long sought serial killer who strikes all year long but saves most of his devastation to exploit those with year-end holiday season depression.

Ancient Secret Treats Holiday Stress

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:14:33 -0500

By Dr. Mary Riggin, LAC, FitFM - Family Wellness

Last month I talked about how Stress can be a silent killer, especially during the Holiday Season and how the key to maintaining health, even during stressful times, is balance. This month, as promised, I’m going to talk about an ancient method that treats holiday stress, and returns the body back to balance.

Staying Fit: Flexibility Essentials

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 03:41:00 -0500

By Dr. Mary Riggin, LAC, FitFM - Family Wellness

In order to achieve the best results with any health program, good flexibility is essential.

A lack of flexibility can lead to muscle tightness, back pain, neck pain, achy and painful joints, muscle spasms and knots, and numbness. These physical symptoms can greatly affect your health program and quality of life.

Lies Exposed! Common Diet Myths Revealed

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:40:08 -0400

By Dr. Mary Riggin, LAc, DAc, DOM and Dr. Kim Marie, LAc, DAc, DOM

This is Part 1 of a series on popular diet recommendations; and why they may be a problem…

Concussion

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:55:39 -0400

By Anthony G. Alessi, MD - Healthy Rounds

Stroke Deficits Can Be Prevented

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:03:26 -0400

By Anthony G. Alessi, MD - Healthy Rounds

May has been designated as National Stroke Awareness Month.

Preparing for a Medical Office Visit

Mon, 23 May 2011 19:45:52 -0400

By Anthony G. Alessi, MD - Healthy Rounds

Preparing for an Office Visit 2

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:22:51 -0400

By Anthony G. Alessi, MD - Healthy Rounds

Migraine Headaches

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:12:05 -0400

By Anthony G. Alessi, MD - Healthy Rounds
Migraine headaches affect more than 28 million Americans each year. They can be severely debilitating with economic and social implications. Unfortunately, it is believed that nearly half of all people with migraine headaches never receive the correct diagnosis. Instead their pain is incorrectly attributed to tension or sinus headaches.

Migraine headaches are best defined as recurrent headaches that last from 4 to 72 hours. The pain is usually pulsatile in nature and occurs on one side of the head. These headaches are often associated with light and noise sensitivity, nausea and vomiting. Physical exertion will intensify the pain and many migraine sufferers retreat to a dark quiet room to attempt sleep.

There is a strong familial component to migraine despite being almost three times more common in women. A history of headaches can often be traced back to childhood. Migraine headaches can be triggered by a variety of events including hormonal changes, head trauma, insomnia and hunger.

The current theory of what causes migraine headaches involves both the vascular and nervous systems. It is believed that migraine headaches begin in the brain stem and spread to involve the trigeminal nerve and its associated blood vessels. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for communicating sensory input from the face and scalp. The pain associated is the result of a cascade of chemical events.

Current treatment of migraine involves interrupting the chemical cascade that produces pain. Over-the-counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine, motrin and naprosyn are very effective. Newer prescription medications known as triptans are designed to bind to specific receptors and block painful dilation of blood vessels.

There is currently a broad spectrum of available medications to alleviate the pain associated with migraine headaches. These medications are best taken early in the onset of discomfort and there is no role for the repeated use of habit-forming narcotics in the treatment of this chronic disorder.

Correct diagnosis and developing a treatment partnership with a physician is the first step to relief from migraine headaches.

About the Author

Anthony G. Alessi, MD, MMM ,graduated from the University of Rome and completed his residency and neuromuscular fellowship at the University of Michigan. He is in private practice in Norwich, CT, specializing in neurology, electrodiagnosticmedicineand sports neurology. He is board-certified in neurology and electrodiagnostic medicine. Dr. Alessi received his Masters degree inMedicalManagement from the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University in 2001.

He serves as a neurologic consultant to many athletic organizations including the University of Connecticut Athletic Department, Norwich Free Academy and the Connecticut State Boxing Commission.Dr. Alessi also serves as neurologic consultant to the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, CT Sun (WNBA) and Hartford Colonials (UFL).

>He is medical director of the William W. Backus Hospital Stroke Center, writes a syndicated column, “HealthySports,” for the Norwich Bulletin and is host of “Neuro Frontiers” on Reach MD XM 160 and “HealthyRounds,” syndicated through WTIC 1080, the Hartford CBS affiliate.

Dr. Alessi’s book, “Healthy Sports: A Doctor’sLessonsfor a Winning Lifestyle,” is a compilation of instructive columns.His most recent book, “Lift Up Your Hearts: Healing Haiti, Land of Hardship,” recounts the work of Dr. Alessi and other medical volunteers after the earthquake in Haiti.Reach him at www.alessimd.com.

Olive Oil: The Next Wonder Drug

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:15:38 -0400

By Anthony G. Alessi, MD - Healthy Rounds

Parkinson's Disease and Exercise

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:34:56 -0400

By Anthony G. Alessi, MD - Healthy Rounds

Parkinson's Disease and Exercise

Vitamins

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:53:27 -0400

By Anthony G. Alessi, MD - Healthy Rounds

Over half of all adults in the United States take some form of vitamin or supplement regularly. Shockingly, this practice may be shortening their lives.

Diagnostic Imaging

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:44:37 -0500

By Anthony G. Alessi, MD - Healthy Rounds

The field of diagnostic imaging has become increasingly complex.

Telemedicine

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:46:16 -0500

By Anthony G. Alessi, MD

Telemedicine involves the use of various types of electronic communications to provide medical consultation. These include videoconferencing, telemetry and electronic health records.

Cold Weather Workouts

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:21:16 -0400

By: Anthony G. Alessi M.D.

Many former athletes have begun the new year with a resolution to exercise more. For those who have stuck with their resolution and live in cold climates, some words of caution are needed.

Diabetes Mellitus: Time to Take Control

Sat, 05 May 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Anthony G. Alessi M.D.

Diabetes mellitus affects 25.8 million Americans. The estimated price tag for this single condition is $174 billion each year. These two statistics make it imperative that all Americans become aware of the causes of diabetes and its treatment.

Glucose is essential for normal physiology. It is a principal source of energy for cell function. When the blood glucose level is chronically elevated, this condition is known as diabetes mellitus and carries with it serious complications.

Sleep Is Not Time You Lose

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:24:11 -0400

By Doctor Seibel - HouseCall®

This article is about something important to everyone – sleep. For many people, sleep almost seems a waste of time. You know the expression, “you snooze, you loose.” It sounds good, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. A 2002 National Sleep Foundation (NSF) Sleep in America poll found that 74% of American adults have some type of sleep problem a few nights per week or more, 39% get less than 7 hours of sleep each weeknight, and more than a third (37%) say too little sleep interferes with their daily activities.
How Much Sleep Do You Need?

According to NSF, here’s how much daily sleep you should get, including naps:

Infants/Babies 0-2 months 10.5-18.5 hours

2-12 months 14-15 hours

Toddlers/Children 12-18 months 13-15 hours

18 months – 3 years 12-14 hours

3-5 years 11-13 hours

5-12 years 9-11 hours

Adolescents 8.5-9 hours

Adults/Older persons On average 7-9 hours

Seven ways snoozing affects your cruising:

Too little sleep affects just about every part of your life. Here’s what happens if you don’t get enough sleep:

Mood: more sleep makes you less irritable

Concentration: Being too tired affects concentration about the equivalent of having one alcoholic beverage.

Dangerous driver: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates vehicle crashes due to driver fatigue cost Americans $12.5 billion per year in reduced productivity and property loss. Nearly 5% of adults surveyed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) nodded off or fell asleep while driving at least once in the past month. Nearly 40% said they had unintentionally fallen asleep during the day at least once. More than 1,500 people die every year in car crashes due to the driver dozing off or being too tired.

Decision making: People who are tired make poor decisions and have difficulty deciding.

Poor performance at work: It’s hard to do a great job when you can’t concentrate, make poor decisions and feel irritable. According to a NSF poll, sleep loss costs US employers an estimated $18 billion in lost productivity.

Increased risk of diabetes: Poor sleep increases blood sugar levels and makes insulin (the hormone that gets sugar from the blood stream into the cells) less able to do its job.

Increased risk of obesity: Poor sleep increases hormones the stimulate appetite and decreases hormones that tell us we have had enough to eat. Stated simply, people who don’t sleep enough eat more.

Seven tips for your slumber trips:

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day

Use your bed only for sleep or intimacy. Work or read somewhere else.

Avoid the television and computers within two hours of bedtime.

Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate), nicotine and alcohol close to bedtime. Alcohol disrupts sleep and wakes you for bathroom trips.

Create a relaxing bedtime routine such as a nice, warm bath.

Get plenty of exercise, but none within 3 hours of bedtime.

Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, uncluttered, cool and comfortable

Seven tips that disease could be disturbing your zzz’s (according to NSF):

You snore loudly

You stop breathing or gasp for air while asleep

You find yourself dozing off while driving or during an activity

You have difficulty sleeping 3 or more nights per week

Your legs tingle or feel restless or nervous when you try to sleep

Your sleeping partner snores every night and wakes you up

Your sleep is regularly disturbed by hot flashes, going to the bathroom, pain or heartburn

Make sure you talk with your doctor or healthcare provider if sleep is a problem for you. You will not only feel better, it will help you stay well. Remember, sleep is not time you lose. For a free download of the song Sleep is Not Time You Lose, please go to www.HealthRock.com/podcasts. Enjoy the song and sleep well.

Machelle Seibel, MD

It is a real pleasure to contribute a regular article to Families Online Magazine. Over the past 30 years I've had the privilege of providing care to over 10,000 women. I've helped them face their challenges, answered their questions, and heard the frustrations they deal with as they transition from their reproductive years to and through menopause.

As a result, my goal is to share the wisdom I've gained that applies directly to women’s health and menopause, or provide insights that can be of help with their families. Some articles will be on things that are ongoing health and wellness topics, and others will be comments or perspectives on important issues you notice in the news.

You will find my two most recent books helpful. They are Eat to Defeat Menopause and Save Your Life: What to do in a Medical Emergency. Click their titles now to learn more.

My websites are http://www.doctorseibel.com/ & http://www.healthrockwomen.com/. There are many FREE downloads, songs, videos, eBooks and other useful content that I hope will help you stay well. My comments here aren’t intended to take the place of your healthcare provider. If you have a medical problem, be sure to ask your doctor.

If you have a topic you want me to cover, drop me a note at info@DoctorSeibel.com and I’ll do my best to cover it for you. Receive my content-rich FREE NEWSLETTER at www.DoctorSeibel.com.

Editor's Note: Do not consider medical editorial reviews, news items and other general information found in any Families Online Magazine medical or natural health columns as a prescription, medical advice or an endorsement for any treatment or procedure. Always seek any medical advice from your doctor. Medical editorial reviews and other news items that you read about may or may not be appropriate for your particular health problem or concern. Always refer these matters to your physician for clarification and determination. Any information provided in may be controversial, totally unrelated to your own situation, even harmful if taken merely at face value without appropriate evaluation of your specific condition, and therefore must be considered simply to be an editorial review, a news review or a general medical information review and not as relating to your specific condition or as information for diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of your specific condition.

Is Estrogen Safe?

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:27:15 -0400

By Doctor Seibel - HouseCall®

Sexual Assault – What Every Woman Should Know

Thu, 05 May 2011 16:45:29 -0400

By Doctor Seibel - HouseCall®

This article is about a very sensitive issue – Sexual Assault. I’m writing it for two reasons: 1) April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and 2) my hope is that by talking about it openly, it won’t happen to you or your loved ones.

How common is it? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1 in 6 women report that they have either been raped or an attempt has been made to rape them in their lifetime. The first time for 60% of these women was before age 18.

What is it? Sexual violence is any sexual activity for which you do not freely give consent. That includes both sex against your will and sex that happens when you cannot freely give your consent. If you have been drinking and suddenly find a man having sex with you, it is rape. If a man has sex with a woman who is under the influence, it is rape. Think of it like this, if you are under the influence, you cannot sign a consent form for a medical procedure, and you cannot give consent for a sexual act, either.

Rape is more than unwanted sex. It’s an act of violence and it’s a crime.

Who commits it? Unfortunately, all kinds of people; a current or former intimate partner; a family member, friend, or acquaintance; a person in a position of power or trust or a stranger.

What are the risks? The short-term risks are getting pregnant, acquiring a sexually transmitted disease, or being injured. But there are also long-term risks that can affect your physical or emotional health:

Chronic pain

Headaches

Fear and anxiety

Problems trusting others

Anger and stress

Eating disorders

Depression

Suicidal thoughts

What can I do to prevent it?

Avoid using excessive amounts of alcohol and drugs. It interferes with clear thinking.

Be aware of your surroundings. Be cautious and alert.

Try to walk in groups rather than alone, especially at night.

Take a self-defense class.

Lock all doors to your car and residence at all times.

Believe in your right to set limits that match your sexual desires and limits.

State your limits clearly and loudly and “NO” if necessary.

Yell “Fire” or carry a whistle and blow it. It attracts people’s attention.

If the rapist is unarmed, fight back, should “NO” and run away as soon as possible.

If the rapist is armed, try to talk him out of continuing the assault or resist passively by pretending to faint, vomit or urinate

What do I do in case of rape?

Go to a safe place and call a friend or family member to be with you.

Take some slow deep breaths and realize that what happened is wrong, it’s not your fault and that you have value.

Call the police; rape is a crime.

Do not bathe, douche or change clothes.

If you choose not to contact the police, go to a hospital emergency department to be checked. You do not have to report to police to get medical care.

Write down as much as you can remember what happened and the person who did it while it is most fresh in your mind.

Contact a rape treatment center. A counselor there can be of great help.

What is Domestic Violence? Domestic violence is more than physically hurting someone. It also means hurting someone psychologically, emotionally, verbally or sexually. Every nine seconds a woman in the United States is beaten by someone who claims to love her.

When I first began in practice, I didn’t want to believe that so much domestic violence and sexual assault took place. But now that I routinely ask patients about these issues, I realize sadly that everybody knows someone who has been sexually assaulted. There’s a 1 in 6 chance that person is you. To support Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I’m offering a free download of my HealthRock song called Love Doesn’t Hurt. I hope it is helpful. I’ve put the lyrics below.

Love Doesn’t Hurt

Words and Lyrics by Mache Seibel
Verse 1
Love doesn’t hurt
Matter of fact, love feels safe and good
No, love doesn’t hurt
There’s just one situation where it could
If love ends and breaks your heart
Love could hurt when it departs
Otherwise love doesn’t hurt

verse 2
Love isn’t cruel
It doesn’t lock you up or put you down
Love isn’t cruel
It’s supposed to make you smile, not make you frown
No love does not cause you shame
Or emotional pain
‘cause love isn’t cruel

Chorus

Don’t think there’s something wrong with you

For doing what you need to do

It’s not your fault, get help, don’t wait for more

Don’t be ashamed or be confused

Hurt isn’t love, hurt’s called abused

And it won’t stop till you walk out the door

Verse 3
Love doesn’t hit
It doesn’t leave you looking black and blue
Love doesn’t hit
Love wouldn’t do a thing like that to you
Love don’t kick or slap or shove
That’s assault, it’s not love
‘Cause love doesn’t hit

Machelle M. Seibel (ASCAP)

© 2009 All Rights Reserved

Resources:

http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SexualViolence/?source=govdelivery
http://www.ohlone.edu/org/healthcenter/sexualassaultinfo.html#riskysituation

Machelle Seibel, MD

It is a real pleasure to contribute a regular article to Families Online Magazine. Over the past 30 years I've had the privilege of providing care to over 10,000 women. I've helped them face their challenges, answered their questions, and heard the frustrations they deal with as they transition from their reproductive years to and through menopause.

As a result, my goal is to share the wisdom I've gained that applies directly to women’s health and menopause, or provide insights that can be of help with their families. Some articles will be on things that are ongoing health and wellness topics, and others will be comments or perspectives on important issues you notice in the news.

You will find my two most recent books helpful. They are Eat to Defeat Menopause and Save Your Life: What to do in a Medical Emergency. Click their titles now to learn more.

My websites are http://www.doctorseibel.com/ & http://www.healthrockwomen.com/. There are many FREE downloads, songs, videos, eBooks and other useful content that I hope will help you stay well. My comments here aren’t intended to take the place of your healthcare provider. If you have a medical problem, be sure to ask your doctor.

If you have a topic you want me to cover, drop me a note at info@DoctorSeibel.com and I’ll do my best to cover it for you. Receive my content-rich FREE NEWSLETTER at www.DoctorSeibel.com.

Editor's Note: Do not consider medical editorial reviews, news items and other general information found in any Families Online Magazine medical or natural health columns as a prescription, medical advice or an endorsement for any treatment or procedure. Always seek any medical advice from your doctor. Medical editorial reviews and other news items that you read about may or may not be appropriate for your particular health problem or concern. Always refer these matters to your physician for clarification and determination. Any information provided in may be controversial, totally unrelated to your own situation, even harmful if taken merely at face value without appropriate evaluation of your specific condition, and therefore must be considered simply to be an editorial review, a news review or a general medical information review and not as relating to your specific condition or as information for diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of your specific condition.

5 Simple Steps to Jump Start Better Health

Thu, 26 May 2011 21:05:08 -0400

By Doctor Seibel - HouseCall®

Bioidentical Estrogens

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:07:19 -0400

By Doctor Seibel - HouseCall®

What they are, What they are not

Women everywhere are talking about bioidentical estrogens. Oprah did a show about them. Suzanne Somers wrote books about them. And women in book clubs and board rooms are hearing they have all the benefits of pharmaceutical estrogen with none of the associated risks.

But is that really true? These facts will help you answer the question.

What is bioidentical estrogen?

Like every hormone in the body, estrogen has a specific chemical structure. It looks like chicken wire made from 18 carbon atoms with one, two or three “OH” groups hanging off some of those carbon atoms. If it has one “OH” group it is called estrone or E1. If it has two “OH” groups it is called estradiol or E2. If it has three “OH” groups hanging off it is called estriol or E3. These are the three main biological estrogen molecules that a woman’s body normally makes.

How are bioidentical estrogens different from other pharmaceutical estrogen products?

Most of the estrogen molecules that are purchased in a drug store have a similar structure to one of these three biological estrogens, but they differ just a little in their chemical structure. The body thinks these molecules are close enough to what nature produces to respond to them as if they were biological. But they aren’t the same; they might be a little stronger, a little weaker, or just different. There are some estrogens purchased in traditional drug stores that are in fact

Bioidentical estrogens are exactly the same chemical structure as the biological ones the body normally makes. They are not made from plants. In fact, the only plant they come from is a chemical plant. So they are not natural. That is why the term used to describe them is bioidentical. The body cannot turn plant estrogens into human estrogens. It doesn’t have the necessary enzymes to do that.

How safe are they?

I’ll explain the answer to this question with another question: Which weighs more; a pound of feathers or a pound of bricks? Of course, they both weigh a pound so they are the same. In other words, bioidentical estrogens might be weaker than some pharmaceutical estrogens, but if they are given in equivalent dosages so a person receives an equivalent amount, the benefits and the risks should be the same. The problem is that while there are many studies with estrogen medications that are sold in traditional drugstores, there are very few safety studies on bioidentical hormones. Most doctors believe that the risk of estrogen is the same whether it is bioidentical or a different molecule if it is given in the same equivalent amount.

Is there any real advantage to bioidentical hormones?

For me, the major advantage of bioidentical hormones is that they can be measured in laboratory tests and you can know exactly how much is in your bloodstream. Other estrogens cannot be measured as exactly.

Another benefit of bioidentical estrogens is that the dose can be mixed just for you. So if your needs happen to fall between the available dosages of standard pharmaceutical estrogens, a special dosage can be compounded just for you.

Finally, bioidentical estrogens can be compounded together with bioidentical progesterone and/or testosterone or other hormones and all can be applied in one application rather than having to take more than one medication.

Bottom line.

If you think estrogen is for you and your doctor or health care provider believes the benefits are greater than the risks for you, then consider any estrogen as a possible choice.

Many patients don’t realize that there are bioidentical estrogens available in traditional drugstores both as pills and patches and through other forms. Those formulations must all pass national standards for manufacturing. Most bioidentical estrogens are mixed in the specific drugstore you purchase them in and are not regulated as closely. I am not implying that they don’t do a great job. Almost all do. But there is a large difference in how closely they are regulated. If you prefer to apply your hormone as a cream, bioidentical hormones are an excellent choice.

I hope this information has been helpful to you. If you would like more information on menopause or many other health issues, please go to www.DoctorSeibel.com.

Machelle Seibel, MD

It is a real pleasure to contribute a regular article to Families Online Magazine. Over the past 30 years I've had the privilege of providing care to over 10,000 women. I've helped them face their challenges, answered their questions, and heard the frustrations they deal with as they transition from their reproductive years to and through menopause.

As a result, my goal is to share the wisdom I've gained that applies directly to women’s health and menopause, or provide insights that can be of help with their families. Some articles will be on things that are ongoing health and wellness topics, and others will be comments or perspectives on important issues you notice in the news.

You will find my two most recent books helpful. They are Eat to Defeat Menopause and Save Your Life: What to do in a Medical Emergency. Click their titles now to learn more.

My websites are http://www.doctorseibel.com/ & http://www.healthrockwomen.com/. There are many FREE downloads, songs, videos, eBooks and other useful content that I hope will help you stay well. My comments here aren’t intended to take the place of your healthcare provider. If you have a medical problem, be sure to ask your doctor.

If you have a topic you want me to cover, drop me a note at info@DoctorSeibel.com and I’ll do my best to cover it for you. Receive my content-rich FREE NEWSLETTER at www.DoctorSeibel.com.

Editor's Note: Do not consider medical editorial reviews, news items and other general information found in any Families Online Magazine medical or natural health columns as a prescription, medical advice or an endorsement for any treatment or procedure. Always seek any medical advice from your doctor. Medical editorial reviews and other news items that you read about may or may not be appropriate for your particular health problem or concern. Always refer these matters to your physician for clarification and determination. Any information provided in may be controversial, totally unrelated to your own situation, even harmful if taken merely at face value without appropriate evaluation of your specific condition, and therefore must be considered simply to be an editorial review, a news review or a general medical information review and not as relating to your specific condition or as information for diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of your specific condition.

Save Your Life: What to do in a Medical Emergency

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:20:07 -0400

By Doctor Seibel - HouseCall®

Almost everyone knows someone who has had a medical emergency: a broken bone, a burn, choking, a bee sting, a stroke. The list goes on and on. But for most people, the hope is that it will never happen to them. That’s why so many people don’t give it a lot of thought and aren’t prepared for a medical emergency.

If that sounds like you, here are three important questions you should be asking:

Would I recognize a medical emergency?

Would I know when to call 9-1-1?

What should I do after I call 9-1-1?

Not knowing the answers to these three important questions is one of the main reasons people die in a medical emergency even though their death could be preventable. Unfortunately, 40% of Americans don’t know a single symptom of a stroke even though it’s the third most common cause of death in the United States.

That’s why I, together with Shelly Glazier, have written a new book called “Save Your Life: What To Do In A Medical Emergency.” It’s a simple to read and easy to understand guide that answers the three important questions above.

Here are four important examples taken from our “Save Your Life” book to help you when you are faced with a medical emergency.

If you think there could be a medical emergency:

Should you:

Call your doctor?

No!Waiting for the doctor to call back wastes valuable time.

Rest to see if you feel better?

No! Waiting to see if the symptoms pass also wastes time that could save a life because the sooner you get medical care: the more likely you are to live.

Drive yourself to the hospital?

If you drive yourself to the hospital, you might pass out or stop breathing on the way.

Call a family member or friend for a ride to the hospital?

No! Do not ask family or friends to drive you to the hospital (unless emergency services are not available). If you lose consciousness, your driver likely won’t be able to help you.

Here is why you should call 9-1-1 immediately whenever you think it’s an emergency:

When you call 9-1-1, the responding Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) will monitor you. If you stop breathing or your heart stops beating, they will give you emergency treatment on the way to the hospital.

They also will notify the emergency room staffs of your condition, so when you arrive they will know you need immediate treatment.

Here is why you should call 9-1-1 immediately whenever you think it’s an emergency:

When you call 9-1-1, the responding Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) will monitor you. If you stop breathing or your heart stops beating, they will give you emergency treatment on the way to the hospital.

They also will notify the emergency room staffs of your condition, so when you arrive they will know you need immediate treatment.

Calling 9-1-1 is the safest and fastest way to get medical care. Remember, car accidents are more likely to happen when family or friends are trying to rush you to the hospital.

People Often Ask…

I’ve had many symptoms at one time or another that I worried could be an emergency. How will I know when to call 9-1-1?

The Answer Is…

Everyone knows how his or her own body normally feels. When your body starts to feel very unusual or strange, don’t try to diagnose the symptoms on your own. Call 9-1-1 immediately. For example, if you experience a sudden onset of extreme fatigue, or any other symptoms that you’ve never felt before, don’t ignore it. Call 9-1-1. It could be a heart attack.

Make the right call. If it could be life threatening or you’re not sure, don’t guess…call 9-1-1!

Earlier in this article I mentioned that only 40% of Americans know even one symptom of a stroke. Just in case you are one of them, here is what you need to remember to save someone’s life from a stroke. Remember the first letters; they spell the word FAST

Common Symptoms of Stroke The National Stroke Association’s “ACT FAST©” list can help you identify the symptoms of a stroke:

FACE - Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

ARMS - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift

SPEECH - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Ask them to repeat a phrase. Are the words slurred or strange?

TIME - If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important because brain cells die every second.

If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important because brain cells die every second.

For more information about “Save Your Life: What To Do In A Medical Emergency” go to www.DoctorSeibel.com or to purchase the book go to Amazon.com (http://amzn.to/oE56BZ)

Machelle Seibel, MD

It is a real pleasure to contribute a regular article to Families Online Magazine. Over the past 30 years I've had the privilege of providing care to over 10,000 women. I've helped them face their challenges, answered their questions, and heard the frustrations they deal with as they transition from their reproductive years to and through menopause.

As a result, my goal is to share the wisdom I've gained that applies directly to women’s health and menopause, or provide insights that can be of help with their families. Some articles will be on things that are ongoing health and wellness topics, and others will be comments or perspectives on important issues you notice in the news.

You will find my two most recent books helpful. They are Eat to Defeat Menopause and Save Your Life: What to do in a Medical Emergency. Click their titles now to learn more.

My websites are http://www.doctorseibel.com/ & http://www.healthrockwomen.com/. There are many FREE downloads, songs, videos, eBooks and other useful content that I hope will help you stay well. My comments here aren’t intended to take the place of your healthcare provider. If you have a medical problem, be sure to ask your doctor.

If you have a topic you want me to cover, drop me a note at info@DoctorSeibel.com and I’ll do my best to cover it for you. Receive my content-rich FREE NEWSLETTER at www.DoctorSeibel.com.

Editor's Note: Do not consider medical editorial reviews, news items and other general information found in any Families Online Magazine medical or natural health columns as a prescription, medical advice or an endorsement for any treatment or procedure. Always seek any medical advice from your doctor. Medical editorial reviews and other news items that you read about may or may not be appropriate for your particular health problem or concern. Always refer these matters to your physician for clarification and determination. Any information provided in may be controversial, totally unrelated to your own situation, even harmful if taken merely at face value without appropriate evaluation of your specific condition, and therefore must be considered simply to be an editorial review, a news review or a general medical information review and not as relating to your specific condition or as information for diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of your specific condition.

How Too Little Sleep Can Kill You

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:00:03 -0400

By Doctor Seibel - HouseCall®Are you so tired that you're irritable, having trouble focusing, finding it hard to make it through the day?

Free 3-Minute Ovarian Cancer Video

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:25:36 -0400

By Doctor Seibel - HouseCall®

Do you know about ovarian cancer? It's a silent killer with almost no symptoms.

What Every Woman Should Know About Heart Attack

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:48:02 -0500

By Doctor Machelle Seibel - HouseCall®

Holiday Weight Gain and Diabetes Risk

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:39:44 -0500

By Doctor Machelle Seibel - HouseCall®

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year. Families get together, celebrate and share meals. But it's also a time that many people overeat, gain weight, and put themselves at increased risk for diabetes.

Got Colonoscopy!?

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 03:18:38 -0400

By Mache Seibel, M.D.

You probably know about the college basketball tournament called March Madness, but the real excitement comes from knowing March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. It's so exciting that Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne are promoting a colonoscopy sweepstake, which you can enter at www.CBSCares.tv. That's right, win a free trip to New York, get wined and dined, and then as your grand finale, receive your free colonoscopy. What could be better!

This type of awareness is essential to help get the word out. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death for both men and women, second only to lung cancer. More people die from it that from breast cancer and HIV combined. But it doesn't have to be that way – 1 person dying every 9.3 minutes.

Lose Weight with MyPlate

Thu, 03 May 2012 20:27:54 -0400

By Mache Seibel M.D.

I was a fat baby. By the time I was 29 months old, I had grown into Mighty Mite - the fattest child in Galveston County. That's what the heading was on the front page of the Galveston Daily News. The feeling at the time was "a fat baby is a healthy baby." Of course, now we know a fat baby is often not a healthy baby and more likely to be a fat and unhealthy adult. In 2012, 1 in 3 children are obese. Mission Readiness, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization run by retired military leaders dedicated to investing in America's youth, discovered that today, 27% of 17- to 24-year-olds, some 9 million, are too fat to meet the basic minimum standards required for military service because they are too fat. They fear obesity as a national security issue.

The Facts on FRAX: Bone Density, Osteoporosis and Diabetes

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:06:00 -0400

By Mache Seibel, MD

First the facts on FRAX. FRAX is an acronym. It stands for Fracture Risk Assessment Tool. It uses algorithms based on a person's clinical risk plus their bone mineral density results.

Personal Health - What Are You Going To Do?

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 03:14:55 -0400

Peter J. Weiss, MD FACP

Over a year after our Congress passed "healthcare reform" we're still arguing about it. Will it work, or will it make things worse?

Overcoming Excuses To Get Healthy

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:57:52 -0400

By Peter J. Weiss, MD FACP - More Health Less Care

Are you making excuses about your health?

Make Exercise Social

Mon, 23 May 2011 19:32:36 -0400

Peter J. Weiss, MD FACP - More Health Less Care

Keep it Simple

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:49:54 -0400

Peter J. Weiss, MD FACP - More Health Less Care

Life is complicated, isn't it? While this is probably true for most of us, does it have to be? How much of life's complexity do we create for ourselves? A lot it seems to me.

Ask Yourself the Hard Questions

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:35:52 -0400

Peter J. Weiss, MD FACP - More Health Less Care

Advice For Patients with Serious Illness

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:51:36 -0400

Peter J. Weiss, MD FACP - More Health Less Care

Those of you who are regular readers of this blog know that I am deeply conflicted about how we as a society have come to use physicians, medical science and advanced technology in our lives.

So You Don't Like Vegetables

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:44:39 -0400

Peter J. Weiss, MD FACP - More Health Less Care

Pretty much everyone knows that eating more vegetables, less meat and less processed food would be a healthier way to live. It's just hard to do it, and when we don't want to try something, we often turn to excuses.

The Brain-Body Connection

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:40:57 -0400

by Dr. Joseph Eplett - Keep the Pressure off Your Nerves and Enjoy a Healthy Life!

Sunny Vitamin D

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:00:00 -0400

Nutrition Tidbits By Lisa Metzgar, PhD Eating your ABC’s Vitamin D- The sunshine vitamin

Vitamin E

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Nutrion Tidbits by Lisa Metzgar, PHd. - We have reached Vitamin E in our alphabet nutrition.

Wellness

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Nutrition Tidbits by Lisa Metzgar, PhD - The Definition of Wellness.

What does wellness mean? Wellness is an individual term that can only be defined by you. Living in the real world we all encounter stress in one form or another. It is how we respond to that stress that defines our wellness. Some people overeat, some people become couch potatoes, and others exercise to extreme. Lifestyle choices are key to being able to deal with the stress that comes along in everyone's life. If you make healthy choices your body and mind has an easier time dealing with the effects that stress has. Finding a balance and knowing how to counteract the stressors that come along will lead you to health and wellness.

The first thing you need to define what wellness means to you is to take inventory. There are many areas of wellness you can evaluate. Start with just 3 areas of health. For example...Do you drink enough water? Are you satisfied with your weight? Do you exercise enough? Do you eat a balanced diet? Are you satisfied with your relationships in your life? Do you get enough rest?

Once you have defined 3 areas of your health that you would like to work on, the next step is to make goals for these areas. The goals must be SMART...Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timeline. For example...I will lose 20 lbs in 6 months so I will look good at my sister's wedding. This is specific, I can measure the progress, it is attainable in this time frame (assuming you are realistic...if you are 5'7" and weigh 120lbs. you probably will not lose 20lbs), it has to mean something (I really want to look good at the wedding), and it has a timeline. The stronger your "why" the better chances you have of attaining your goal. For example...if I don't lose weight my blood pressure puts my health in jeopardy, I really want to be able to play with my children without getting out of breath, and my favorite...I want to be a positive healthy example to my children so they learn to make healthy choices for themselves.

The next step is to take each goal and define an action step. These action steps need to be baby steps, something that you can start today. Small steps make a huge difference in very little time. If you make the goals or action steps too big, then you probably won't attain them. For example, try adding one new healthy food to your diet today. Drink more water, take a walk around the block or take the stairs instead of the elevator, go to bed half an hour earlier than you normally do. Every small change leads to big changes if you keep doing them. How will you stay accountable to your goals? Find an accountability partner that you check in with on your progress. Make sure you check in on a regular basis.

Next, make a list of your biggest stressors and your reactions to them. Define how you will counteract that stress when it comes up. A few examples of diffusing stress are deep breathing, take a short walk, go to the gym, tai chi, yoga. Instead of your normal reaction, try using one of these techniques. Again, it helps to have an accountability partner who you can talk to if you feel like going back to your old patterns of coping. They will be able to encourage you to stay on track.

The final step is to write a detailed description of what your life would be like if you attain your goals. Be as descriptive as you can. Your subconscious doesn't know the difference between what is imagined and what is real so the more details you have, the more real it will be in your subconscious.

Start today! You only have your wellness to gain.

If you would like more information about wellness programs you can go to my website at www.lisametzgar.com

Kids Eat Healthy!

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits - Childhood obesity is an epidemic in this country.

Trick or Healthy Treat

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits - Halloween is the start of holiday treats.

Healthy Foods

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:30:00 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits - Foods that Harm and Foods that Heal

Christmas Turkey

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:30:00 -0500

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits

Healthy Way To Lose Weight

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0500

By Lisa Metzgar - Nutrition Tidbits - Happy Healthy 2011

Protein is King?

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:52:21 -0500

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits - Out of all the nutrients, protein seems to be the star. It has been touted as the one nutrient that doesn’t make us fat. Well…this is partially true.

Are you Coconuts?

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 03:50:12 -0500

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits

This month I am going to go back to the subject of healthy fat. We have been told for years that fat is bad for us, it makes us fat, and we should avoid it if possible. The food pyramid…which I suggest you throw in the trash…has us eating only a fraction of the fat that our bodies need to be healthy. Our markets are filled with low fat processed foods pretending to be healthy and marketing commercials fill us with wrong information.

I am here to tell you that FAT IS HEALTHY! Our bodies need fat for our nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system to function properly. If you eat the right kind of fat…you will actually lose weight! I will share a little information on a healthy fat that is actually a saturated fat. Yes…You read right…a saturated fat that is very healthy for us!

Coconut oil has gained a lot of attention in the world of healthy nutrition. It is the oil that is extracted from the meat of mature coconuts and is over 90% saturated fat. The main components of coconut oil are short and medium chain triglycerides. Three of these components, lauric acic, capric acid, and caprylic acid seem to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties making it beneficial for many systems in the body.

There are numerous health benefits of coconut oil including:

weight loss

increased immunity

improved digestion

increased metabolism

prevents premature aging

beneficial for skin and hair

lowers blood pressure

maintain healthy cholesterol

heals arteries

sooths irritable bowel syndrome

Athletes use coconut oil because it boosts energy and endurance. The fatty acids are easily assimilated and convert easily to energy in the liver, thereby reducing stress on the liver. It is also great for middle aged women who are prone to osteoporosis. Coconut oil helps absorption of bone enhancing minerals like calcium and magnesium to help maintain bone density. Teeth also benefit. It is a great oil to use in a weight loss program as it reduces stress to endocrine organs (helping to maintain healthy hormone levels…especially the pancreas and thyroid), it increases metabolism, and is easily utilized for energy.

Coconut oil is a very stable oil making it a great oil for high temperature cooking. It is slow to oxidize (oxidation creates damaging free radicals) and is resistant to rancidity. Of course with any food grade product…there are different ways to process coconut oil. You want to look for the least processed oil and preferably organic. Here are a few labels you want to avoid as it is not the healthiest version of the oil: RBD (refined, bleached, and deodorized) coconut oil, hydrogenated, and fractionated. You can find healthy coconut oil and health food stores and online.

So go coconuts!

Eating the Caveman Way

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:07:10 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits

Spring Cleaning

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:15:55 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits - Body Detox Using Vegetables

Simple Steps to Weight Loss

Mon, 23 May 2011 20:51:51 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits

Summer Grilling

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:06:19 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits

Summer Camping

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:14:16 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits

Natural, Healthy, Organic...what does it really mean?

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:47:13 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits

Pumpkins Aren’t Just for Carving!

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:11:48 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits

I love this time of year! The weather is starting to get a little cooler, and the leaves are changing color.

Food: More Than Just Energy and Calories

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:33:50 -0400

Pass the vegetables, Please!

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:20:58 -0500

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD, Nutrition Tidbits

Nutrition Tips for 2012

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:20:16 -0500

By Lisa Metzgar

Wow, I can’t believe I am writing my New Year’s article for 2012! Hope everyone had a fantastic 2011 and are ready for an even better 2012.

Heart Health

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:27:20 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar

Valentine’s Day, the holiday of love, the holiday of the heart is around the corner. February is also another important month of the heart…Heart Awareness month.

Heart disease is one of the biggest killers in our country of both men and women. It is a disease that for over 90% of cases is caused by our lifestyle choices. Stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, and hidden inflammation can all lead to this potential killer.

So what can we do to protect ourselves?

The answer is very simple yet so many people have a hard time adopting these simple steps into their lives. It is all about making small choices for health every single day. I am not talking about adopting anything radical like becoming a raw foodist or exercising for hours every day to get healthy. I am talking about small changes that done consistently over time will result in big change and a healthy heart.

Here are a few things you can do to protect your heart.

Eat whole foods. When making food choices, avoid anything that is processed. Eat as close to nature as possible…lean meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains (a great majority of people have a wheat allergy or sensitivity so stick to brown rice, quinoa, and millet.) Get back to nature!

Eat a variety of colors. Colorful fruits and vegetables have excellent heart beneficial phytonutrients.

Take essential supplements. Even if you are eating a whole food diet, you still need some basic supplementation. Multivitamin/multimineral, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin D, B vitamin, and calcium/magnesium pretty much cover the basics for overall health.

Control blood sugars. Eat a carbohydrate, protein, and health fat with each meal and snack. Include high fiber foods that slow the release of sugar into the blood.

Move your body! Every little thing you do during the day will add up so create small steps you can do throughout the day. Park further away, take the stairs, do core strengthening exercises for 10 minutes a day. As you can see…you don’t have to spend hours at the gym…just do something!

Breathe! Breathing helps to activate the vagus nerve which relaxes the whole body. This will help reduce your stress response.

Discover your hidden food allergies. Food allergies or sensitivities can create inflammation in the body. Try eliminating potential allergy foods like wheat, eggs, gluten, citrus, tomatoes, and dairy for one week. Add them back in one by one and see how you feel. If you get any symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, reduced energy, skin eruptions or rash then you will know you are sensitive. Eliminate those foods from your diet and you will notice how much better you feel.

Reduce inflammation. Inflammation isn’t always visible and most times you don’t even know it is happening in your body. Good ways to reduce hidden inflammation is to move your body, take a good quality fish oil, and reduce stress.

Try using a few of these suggestions and you will notice how much better you feel.

You can find more information about getting on a healthy path on my website. www.conceptsinwellness.com

Here’s wishing you a happy and healthy heart!

Kale - Not Just For Decoration

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:58:51 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar

In my practice I am always telling people to find new things to add to their diets to make it more interesting and get more nutrients into their bodies. One of the foods that I highly recommend is KALE.

Kale is one of those foods that I consider a superfood due to it’s high nutritional and health benefiting qualities. Add kale to your diet at least 3 times a week and you will see the healthy results.

Summer Nutrition

Tue, 22 May 2012 22:16:11 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD - Nutrition Tidbits

Summer time means more outside time, more activity, warmer temperatures, and a yummy array of fresh produce. Here are a few tips to keep you healthy and enjoying the summer months.

Sugar is Toxic to Our Health!

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 22:48:02 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD - Nutrition Tidbits

Salt of the Sea

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 05:25:50 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD - Nutrition Tidbits

All life depends on salt. Salt whether it is table salt or sea salt is primarily sodium chloride.

Is Your Body Too Acidic?

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 20:24:21 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD - Nutrition Tidbits

Your body needs a balance of acid and alkaline foods to function properly. Acid means that the Ph is less than 7 and alkaline is a Ph more than 7. Our bodies function at optimal performance when our blood Ph is around 7.36 which is slightly alkaline.

Fall is in the Roots

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:01:52 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD - Nutrition Tidbits

Fall is here and the veggie garden is full of root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, turnips, and beets.

No More Cupcakes In The Classroom! What's A Mom To Do?

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:59:09 -0400

Dairy Council of California Offers Healthy Snacks for Classroom Celebration Ideas

Black Rice...The "Forbidden Rice"

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 23:33:32 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD - Nutrition Tidbits

In ancient China, Nobles did not allow the commoners to eat this amazing grain…Black Rice.

Eat Healthy - 2013 is Here!

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 04:30:00 -0500

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD - Nutrition Tidbits

Well, it is that time again where we look back at the passing year and resolve to make the next year even better.

Nutrition Tidbit's Archive

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 04:53:26 -0500

Rice, Again?

Grocery Shopping 101

Simple Ways to Eat Healthy

Not all Fats are Created Equal

The Soda Story

High Fiber Foods And Their Fiber Content Per Serving

Carbohydrates and the Glycemic Index Nutrition Tidbits by Lisa Metzgar, PhD

Delicious Fruits That Heal Us

So How Much Water Do You Need To Drink Everyday?

The Zero-Waste School Lunch

Enjoy Chestnuts In A Variety Of Different Recipes

Wellness Goals in the New Year - Best Diet for Weight Loss

The Healthy Benefits of Chocolate

Lower Your Cholesterol By Eating Colorful Food - Eating a Rainbow Part 2

Bananas Are An Excellent Source Of Instant Energy, Eating a Rainbow Part III

Health Benefits of Spinach,Popeye's Favorite

Health Benefits of Blueberries

Health Benefits of Eggplant

Eating your A,B,C's and Zincs

Eating your A,B,C's Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

How Not Overeat This Holiday Season

Staying Motivated in 2010!

Eating your A,B,C's Vitamin B3 (Niancin)

Vitamin B-6

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin C

Healthy Valentine Sweets for your Sweeties

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:17:57 -0500

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD - Nutrition Tidbits

Valentine’s day conjures up images of heart shaped boxes full of sweet filled chocolates, pink and red cupcakes, and of course roses (many of them chocolate!) How about some healthy options for your sweeties?

Edible Spring Flowers

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:44:08 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar, PhD - Nutrition Tidbits

Spring is in the air with the smell of blossoms. Did you know that you can not only enjoy the fragrant aroma of spring flowers but also eat some of them? Edible flowers can be a delightful way to brighten up a meal and add some different flavors as well as beneficial nutrients.

Body Spring Cleaning

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:10:48 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar PhD. - Nutrition Tidbits

It is the time of year that I like to do a little spring cleaning. Not only do I clean out the garage, I also like to do a little spring cleaning in my body.

Essential Fats for Health

Tue, 28 May 2013 14:29:11 -0400

By Lisa Metzgar PhD. - Nutrition Tidbits

For many years we have been told that fat was bad for us, that fat would make us fat and lead to heart disease. The problem is that all fats shouldn't be lumped together in that claim. In the 1970’s our diet was dramatically changed by this belief. We started eating more grains and producing “low fat” foods. Now look at our country. Obesity is at an all time high and our children are unhealthier than they have ever been.

Denial Is Not A River in Egypt

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 03:48:09 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life

Enabling, The Other E Word

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:16:06 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life

“Enabling” can be described as a behavior pattern of the significant people in the life on an addict or alcoholic. Enabling involves rescuing the alcoholic/addict from the negative consequences of his or her behavior. When the addict has negative consequences of his/her addiction removed, the significant other is enabling the addict to continue using. The significant other enables the addict to stay in active addiction. This effect is usually not the intention of the worried and caring family member or friend. Most of the time the significant other is trying to “help” rather than hurt. People who love an addict/alcoholic may see the link between the using and the problems associated with it. They erroneously believe that if they can intervene and solve the problems associated with using, that the addict will be able to regain control over his/her life.

Alcoholics/addicts in active addiction often have layers of enablers. When family members of addicts finally get to a place where they can detach, either with anger or with love, there are often others willing to step up and takeover their enabling roles. These second, third (and so forth) layers of enablers could be made up of parents, spouses, friends, coworkers, boss, clergy, community agencies, etc. The ways that they enable is much like the primary enablers (parents and spouses). They provide money, food, shelter, transportation, etc.

Second tier enablers can become engaged in the same struggle over control that primary enablers do. They try reason, logic, argument, bribery, shaming, lectures, and threats to get the addict to step up and take responsibility for his/her life. They tend to suffer from the mistaken assumption that the addict can take control if she/he just would.

Examples of Enabling

Examples of enabling behaviors include:

Making excuses for the addict/alcoholic (calling the alcoholic’s boss to say they are sick with the flu, when they are really hug over, or referring to your teenager’s drug use as “just a phase”)

Paying their bills

Bailing them out of jail

Making rationalizations for their irresponsible behaviors

Ignoring the problems caused by the addict’s use (financial, employment, legal)

Cleaning up their messes

Accepting their excuses or believing their lies

Not discussing the problem of their chemical use

Not getting help for yourself

For most alcoholics/addicts to take control of his/her life, it is necessary to receive appropriate treatment for addiction. It does not matter where an addict is addicted to cocaine, pot, sex, or prescription drugs. Most people need professional help to put their addiction into remission so that they have an opportunity to resolve the other problems in their lives. Significant others of addicts/alcoholics initially mistakenly think that the addiction will go away if the problems associated with it are resolved. One example is financial responsibility. Addicts can become financially responsible once clean/sober, but cannot become clean/sober by becoming financially responsible. It does not work that way.

Like other family members, the second tier of enablers often believe that if an addict can get a better place to live, a job, disability benefits, (or any other desired element), that they can feel better and become motivated to quit drinking/using. Significant others often operate from the mistaken assumption that the alcoholic/addict drinks and uses because of the circumstances of their his/her life instead of the probability that the alcoholic/addict that the negative circumstances exist because of the drinking/using. Most people do not start drinking or using to escape from problems. They start drinking/using for fun, recreation, or socializing. Problems, such as low self-esteem, trauma, unresolved grief, and other troubling conditions can help create a climate where addiction can occur.

Saying “Yes” when we mean “No”

Mon, 23 May 2011 16:56:16 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life

Saying no can be one of the hardest things to do.

Being Our Own Authority

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:30:59 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life

Being our own authority does not mean being an authority for anyone else! It just means that we don't let any one else become an authority for us.

What is Love? An Inside Job

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 19:58:25 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life

Loving ourself isn't just about feeling good in our body, nor being our self and accepting our self. Loving ourself isn't just a feeling. Loving ourself is a commitment. It is respecting ourself enough to do what's best for us, even if it might not seem to satisfy our first impulses.

Loving ourself is saying and showing up. It is forcing ourself to get out of the house when we realize we have been wallowing in self-pity or depression. Loving ourself is accepting that invitation from our close friend whom we have been blowing off because we've been hiding from the world.

Loving ourself is doing our work first, before checking our e-mail, instead of playing games or watching TV, so we won't be up depriving ourself of sleep at the very last second before a deadline. It is sleeping at a time early enough that we will be well-rested tomorrow morning, every single night. Waking up early enough to give ourself time to have a moment in the morning, to have time to dress ourself in clothes that make us feel confident, and nourish our body with a breakfast filled with food we love.

Loving ourself is realizing that drowning in a box of cookies is not the answer to an empty feeling in our heart. Loving ourself is breathing deeply and asking ourself first why we feel this way, and being there, being present for ourself. It is calling a friend or taking a walk instead of indulging in an addiction to go numb. Realizing that binge drinking, eating, or anything else will and does hurt us, no matter what comfort it may seem to bring for a moment.

Loving ourself is refusing to use words to bring us down, refusing to deny our own awesomeness and refusing to insult or otherwise demean us. It is accepting the compliments, using kind words to others and us. Recognizing our own unique nature, be happy with it, and recognizing the unique nature of others and be happy for them.

Love ourself has nothing to do with jealousy or envy. It is being grateful for what we have, knowing that more of the good stuff is to come, and knowing that every individual has their own struggles and successes. Loving ourself is refusing to let our self-worth be dictated by any external comments or numbers. Realizing that failing exams or losing jobs does not make us a failure. Choose to focus on the thoughts and feelings that make us feel good and refuse to get caught up in thinking about things that bring us down. Daydream about what excites us and visualize our reality.

Loving ourself is prioritizing our health, making sure we always have healthy foods available, doing what it takes for us to be comfortable, happy, and healthy in our body. It is eating only what we are excited to eat, not settling for something just because it is there, eating when our body needs sustenance, and paying attention to what we put into our precious body. Honor our hunger.

It is being our own best friend, our own lover and our own family when we find our self during a period of time without any external assistance. Loving ourself is enjoying time alone, doing something that makes our heart sing. It is honoring our commitments to others, and ourself and forgiving others and us. Letting go of yesterday's seeming mistakes and seeing them as lessons. Grow, change and learn.

Loving ourself is refusing to settle for less, saying no to what is unimportant to us and letting go of friends or family who don't treat us well. It is sprinting our way out of any relationship that makes us feel threatened, unsafe, lowered, unworthy, abusive, controlled….

Loving ourself is knowing that we are worthy, worthy of living passionately, worthy of enjoying our life, worthy of focusing what excites us, worthy of letting go of anything that holds us down and worthy of doing whatever is necessary for us to be healthy and thriving, worthy of the very best.

"There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer. There is no disease that enough love will not heal. No door that enough love will not open. No gulf that enough love will not bridge. No wall that enough love will not throw down. And no sin that enough love will not redeem. It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble. How hopeless the outlook, muddled the tangle or great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. And if we could love enough we would be the happiest and most powerful person in the world." Emmet Fox

Energy Drinks Do We Really Need Them?

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:02:32 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life

Understanding Grieving

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:21:20 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life

We may find ourselves hysterically crying, having angry outbursts, or even laughing or fainting.

Living with Stress

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:51:37 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life

It seems that there’s nothing we can do about our stress level.

Revisiting Childhood Messages

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:39:46 -0500

By Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life

Every one of us exits childhood with our own unique cocktail of patterns, programming, beliefs, habits, preferences, and expectations.

Releasing Unhealthy and Unfulfilling Relationships

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:09:42 -0500

By Dr. Howard Peiper, N.D.

Maintaining

unhealthy and unfulfilling relationships can drain us physically, emotionally and spiritually, while letting go of them empowers us to shift our reality and create space for new relationships that enhance our growth.

Keeping Our Hearts Open

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 04:30:00 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper

Do we live our lives with our heart mostly open or mostly closed?Do we spend most of the time protecting against rejection or being taken advantage of, or is most of our time open to sharing love with others?

Do Our Minds Need a Spring Cleaning?

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:33:19 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper

Spring is in the air and many of us take time out to spring clean our homes, garages, etc to get rid of all the clutter and dirt we have accumulated over the past seasons. But as we go about doing this, have we considered giving our minds a spring clean too, to get rid of any emotional clutter and junk we may have accumulated?

FEAR - The Siren Call to Change

Tue, 01 May 2012 17:31:29 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper, N.D.

When most of us think of fear, we conjure pictures of screaming women in slasher movies, horrible mindless villains, or heroes chased by zombies. But, for others, fear feels more like an insidious virus that our minds and emotions create to atop us from moving forward.

Fear is the minds/ego’s way of saying “I’m not going there! I like being right where I am. I’m familiar with my current state (comfort zone). If I plunk myself right down here, nothing can hurt me because I already know this territory, I’m not worthy and if I stretch myself, I might get rejected.”

Fear means we are not willing to venture into the unknown, not willing to take risk, not willing to accept and adjust to change. Fear is about ignoring imperatives to change, putting our head in the sand and expecting the problem to go away, allowing others to control our life because we may not have the courage or confidence to control our own. And fear always leaves our life messy, miserable, and myopic (limited in scope).

We may not actually be aware of the grip fear has over us, and even if we are, we sometimes feel powerless to change because of past, tightly held beliefs.

But fear can be our ally. If we feel it, it is a siren call to change!

When we bump up against fear, we know we are called to move forward, be bolder, take a well-calculated risk, flow with the change imposed on us, make the course correction we’ve been resisting, cross the seemingly impenetrable barrier, strike out on our own, or act in our own self-interest.

The following is how we can move beyond it to something better when fear is at our door:

The flip side of fear is faith. If we are experiencing fear, then something is pressing us to change. Where does that urgency for change originate - in our heart, in our spirit? Let go and trust. Allow our faith to spring forward and trust the process.

Get clear. If part of our fear is confusion, about what steps to take or where to head, spend time in silence asking questions. Reach out to someone else who can counsel us through the process of getting clear or put our options in writing.

Bring it out into the light. The more we look at fear from an objective standpoint, as if we were not in our body – bring it out, hold it to the light, examine why it’s making us crazy – the more power we have to eradicate the fear of it we are harboring.

Recalibrate our limiting beliefs and go for expansion. Look at the beliefs that are causing us to hold onto our fear. What’s real, what’s not? Make a list of these limiting concepts. Then list the opposite possibility and unlimited belief that we could be holding.

Talk it out. Find a positive, good listener friend, someone who is used to stepping through fear, or perhaps a counselor or advisor. Talk about what we are feeling. Be open to feedback. Be inspired by other people’s courageous acts.

Fear is just thoughts and emotions – those can be changed! Fear is just something we created in our mind. It is not real. It is simply a virtual prison that we can choose to make disappear by hitting the delete button!

Stop clinging and start living – embrace the unknown! Life is an exciting e-ticket ride with everything we want if we will simply embrace the unknown. But is we persist on clinging to the known, we will never experience it. Greet the unknown future with a warm welcome and magical things start to happen.

Remember who we are. We are an unlimited being with a mandate to live in joy. Fear has no place in our abundant, richly rewarded life.

Dr. Howard Peiper, N.D., nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, has written several best selling books on nutrition and natural health. His website is:www.walkthetalkproductions.com.

Being a Victim of Other Peoples Actions

Fri, 25 May 2012 05:36:02 -0400

By Dr. Howard Peiper, N.D. - Path to a Better Life

We all know who are “victims”, people who view their lives like “It’s not my fault. They (or it) did it to me.” When we understand what the feeling of victimization really is, where it comes from, and how it affects people, we will discover it is even more widespread and debilitating we might think.

Finding Our Authentic Self

Tue, 29 May 2012 20:27:09 -0400

Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life -

The dictionary describes being authentic, as being genuine and original. It could also mean being true and trustworthy. Who wouldn’t want to be authentic (real)? For most of us, there has been a time when we were young and exhibited our true thoughts and feelings only to have someone cut them down. No wonder it’s scary to be authentic. It’s that age-old fear of not being accepted, liked, or criticized if we show the real us that has been lingering inside us just festering.

Anything Past Our Nose, is None of Our Business

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:18:52 -0400

Dr. Howard Peiper - Path to a Better Life

Ever come across people who would tell us about their salaries before they wave a hello and smile, or ever met an unmarried woman advising us, when to have babies? There is nothing more annoying than being polite and smiling back to these people, while suppressing a growl and holding our hands away from their throat.