The Parent Center

Veteran's Day Freebies for 2011: Tons of freebies for Vets & their families to enjoy!

2011-11-11T05:42:00.000-08:00

Thank you to each and every one of the veterans out there that have fought for our freedom! Without you we would not have such an amazing country to raise our children in and provide them with the freedom and opportunities we have been afforded. Thank you also to the families of the veterans and all military personnel that endure months and years apart. Your selflessness and courage are unmeasurable. Below is a list of freebies to take advantage of on this day of thanks to all veterans. It's nowhere near enough for the sacrifice you have made but it's a way for many companies to express their gratitude. Enjoy and please share :)

Please note you will need to show your military IDs at all participating locations to receive the freebies. It's a good idea to also call ahead to be sure your location is participating. You can also click the links to each offer to see all the details.

FREE PARK ENTRY

Sea World, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place offer free admission to active duty military and up to 3 dependents once a year.

The National Parks Service will not charge entrance at more than 100 national parks this Friday through Sunday Nov. 11-13.

FREE HOTEL and B & B Stay

Through the group B & Bs for Vets nearly 500 bed and breakfasts are offering vets a free night tonight, Nov 11, 2011

FREE PILLOW

Sleep Number, the adjustable mattress chain, is offering a free cotton travel pillow to military personnel who visit their store on Friday. See link for locations.

FREE MEALS

Chili’s – Veterans and Active Duty Military Eat FREE 11am – 5pm (view menu choices here)

Outback Steakhouse – 4pm – 11pm Veterans and Active Military will receive a Free Bloomin’ Onion and Beverage

Famous Dave's is offering a FREE meal to military personnel today, Nov. 11, 2011. Selection varies by state.

Subway is offering a free 6 inch sub to military personnel on Veteran's Day, Nov 11, 2011. Call your local location to ensure participation.

7-Eleven is offering a free small Slurpee drink on Friday November 11th, 2011 to all active, veteran and retired military members and their immediate families between 11am - 7pm.

BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse is offering a complimentary lunch entree or a one topping mini pizza for dinner. Offer valid to all active duty military and veterans with proof of ID.

McCormick & Schmidts is offering a special Veterans Appreciation Event with a complimentary entree Sunday, November 13th. Reservations are recommended and space is limited.

Applebee’s – All Veterans and Active Duty Military Enjoy a FREE Applebee’s Signature Entree

Golden Coral – Military Appreciation Monday, November 14th, 5pm – 9pm Free “Thank You” Dinner for all Veterans and Active Duty Military

Hooters – All Veterans and Active Duty Military will receive 10 FREE wings boneless or traditional all day Friday (drink purchase required)

Little Caesars Pizza – Veterans and active military members will receive FREE Crazy Bread with proof of military status at participating stores nationwide. (I’d call ahead to be sure your location is participating)

T.G.I. Friday’s – Buy one entree get one FREE

Sizzler Restaurants - Buy one get one free 6 oz steak entree with proof of military service.

Texas Road House – Veterans and active duty military can select one FREE Entree from this list plus a FREE beverage

Olive Garden – Veterans and active duty military can enjoy a FREE entree from a select list

A Fun, Rainy Day Experiment!

2011-11-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Need something to do with your kiddos indoors on this rainy day? Try this easy Ice & Salt experiment I found on Surviving a Teacher's Salary blog. All you need is a frozen block of ice, salt and food coloring. Check it out at http://www.survivingateacherssalary.com/2011/10/awesome-ice-salt-art-experiment.html

Things a Husband & Wife MUST Agree On

2011-09-20T05:43:00.001-07:00

Marriage is by no means one of the easiest things in life. In fact, since approximately 50% end in divorce, it seems to be one of the toughest! Being married 10 years this December, my husband and I have surely been through our trials and tribulations but we've made it nonetheless. Marriage counseling helps even if you're not necessarily going through turmoil and it also provides a couple with tools on keeping their marriage in tact. While searching for parenting tips online, I cam across Mark Merrill's site and the 11 Things a Husband and Wife Must Agree On. Most of these should be agreed upon before becoming husband and wife! Print them out and see how much of many of these you and your spouse agree on. Sitting down to talk about these could be the answer to some of your troubles!

Make a Scarf Out of an Old T-Shirt!

2011-09-13T06:32:00.000-07:00

Saw this and thought it was an ingenious idea!! Who doesn’t have TONS of old t-shirts hiding in their closets and all over their house. Now, thanks to Money Saving Mom and Make It and Love It, you can put them to good use and have a new accessory too!! All you need is the following: an old t-shirt, thread, scissors and a sewing machine. You could sew by hand but the machine makes it much easier J Find t-shirts in different colors and make multi-colored scarves, scarves with different patterns and textures and more. I loved that I could make scarves of different lengths and widths! Great activity to do with your kids too!

September 9th Friday Freebies!

2011-09-09T05:32:00.000-07:00

1. Enjoy free general admission for you and a guest to museums and cultural venues nationwide on Saturday, September 24, 2011. Visit the linked page for more details. PLEASE NOTE: Check back in June when the site will go live with museum listings and the free admission tickets.

2. Get the Cedarmont Kids MP3 Sampler for Moms free available to download from Amazon! Songs include:The Wheels On The Bus, Father Abraham, The Ants Go Marching, Ezekial Saw The Wheel and Brahms Lullaby.

3. Amazon is also giving away downloads of the Wiggles Summer 2011 sampler for free! Songs include:Thank You, Mr. Weatherman!, England Swings, Hawaiian Boogie, Clap Your Hands with Dorothy and How Many Fingers Do I See?

4. And another great kids' music download from Amazon! They're offering a FREE Sesame Street Amazon Music Sampler in MP3 format. The songs on the album include:The Wheels On The Bus, Ladybugs’ Picnic, Let’s Go Tubbin’, Oh Look What Our Baby Can Do! and What’s the Name of That Song?. Click the download link on the far top right of the page to get your free Sesame Street Music Sampler.

5. Receive a Free Dr. Seuss Lorax Activity Book. Energy Star is providing visitors with the chance to order a free Dr. Seuss Lorax Activity Book. Add it to your cart and complete the checkout process to receive yours.

6. Amazon is allowing users to download a free VeggieTales 5 Super Silly Songs Amazon Sampler! The songs include: The Hairbrush Song, The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything, I Love My Lips, His Cheesburger and Belly Button. Visit the linked page and click the 'Get MP3' on the right to start your download for free.

7. Get 25 free MP3 songs from Urban Outfitters. All you do is click on the iTunes or Stream links at the bottom of the page & your songs will begin to load!

8. Download the New Blink 182 Single After Midnight for Free. To get it,go to the Get 182 page. Click on the link to "Fix the Sign". Stop the counter at 182 & you'll then fill in your e-mail address to receive a link to the free mp3 download. You can try over and over until the counter stops at 182.

9. FREE Blockbuster Express rental codes. The movies can be expensive when you add in the cost of snacks, movie tickets & more. So, stay home & rent a movie for FREE! Use the codes below to get your free rentals from Blockbuster. The codes can be used once per card on the $1 movies & you will be charged $1 per night if the movie is not returned by 9pm . Thanks Melissa's Bargains for another great deal! The codes are as follows: 75TTDR3 - 34PGAR2 - 72KRVF5 - 38RMAQ4 - 89AGSF7 - 83TPLD4 - 76DMNP2 - 29SPNF9 - 68MMKC2

10. Submit a Recipe to get your Free Spam Cookbook. Enter a recipe in the Spam Recipe Exchange and, once it's published, you'll get a free Spam Cookbook in return. This offer is available while supplies lasts only. In addition to the free cookbook, At the end of the challenge, five (5) winners will be awarded prizes. The top rated recipe, as defined by the Official Rules, will receive $1,000 and four (4) runners up will each receive a one-year supply of SPAM® products.

11. Free Smile Bright Teeth Whitening Strips from Savemore! f you’re NEW to SaveMore, sign up here and you’ll get a $10 credit just for signing up! Redeem your credit to “buy” the Smile Bright Teeth Whitening strips, which are priced at $7 and you’ll still have $3 left to get something else later! Plus, shipping on this item is FREE! Via Melissa's Bargains

Check out last Friday's Friday Freebies too by going to our Facebook Fan page & scrolling down. Many are still active and some of the activities for kids that are free (at Lowe's, Home Depot, Lakeshore, etc) are free EVERY Saturday!

Shopping for Your First Baby?

2011-09-06T15:17:00.000-07:00

There are many choices when it comes to where your newborn will be sleeping...

I recently found out one of my very close friends is expecting her first baby. Knowing that I spent my entire pregnancy researching anything & everything I could related to parenting & pregnancy, she asked me for advice. She wanted to know where she could find good deals on baby gear online and, specifically, where she could look up ideas for a bassinet, co-sleeper and/or device to help her share a bed with her newborn baby. This is a topic that many new moms think about. Should their baby sleep on the top portion of a play yard as many veteran moms suggest? Should they buy a bassinet? Should they go directly in a crib or should they just share a bed? Decisions, decisions. Once you decide, you then have to shop around for the right price on the crib, co-sleeper or bassinet you decide on.

Once she told me what she was looking for, I immediately began researching and came across Become! It's the perfect site if you've spent countless time on the web looking for the best products & prices and it was super easy to use.

In order to find different types of sleeping arrangement's for my friend's baby, I went to Become and searched through their database of co-sleepers at http://www.become.com/baby-bed-co-sleeper. The results brought up many different options, even some I'd never seen or heard of before. The Humanity Family Bed was one option I found for her that I loved. I'd never seen it before but it's a great way for mom, dad and baby to share a bed safely. The search also brought up the Co-Sleeper Cambria Bassinet & the Arm's Reach Sleigh Bed. Both of these are great options for keeping baby near you while you sleep but not sharing the bed.

Of course, if you buy a co-sleeper and/or bassinet, you'll also need to buy bedding for it (http://baby.become.com/baby-mini-crib-bedding). Since there are different shapes & sizes of cribs, bassinets and co-sleepers, you have to make sure you get the right size for the one you choose to ensure safety. Bedding that doesn't fit the mattress right can cause SIDS as it can suffocate an infant. Become brought up many choices when I searched bedding including crib sets for standard cribs & mini crib bedding sets. There were choices for virtually any theme you choose for your nursery too!

Since my friend's favorite color is purple, I had to see what I could find so I could be the first to shop for her little one (http://baby.become.com/crib-bedding-purple)! Not only does she love purple but she loves animals and was hoping for a purple jungle theme set. This seemed like an impossible task since I'd never seen anything but a green, yellow or neutral toned animal themed set. I was pleasantly surprised when I came across an adorable custom purple safari 15 piece crib set!!

After all of this research, I had to thank my friend because, thanks to her assigning me the task of helping her decide & find options for her baby's sleeping arrangements, I also found a new shopping website that I love... Become!

Eating Fast Food CAN Be Healthy

2011-09-02T17:15:00.000-07:00

Teach Your Family What to Eat When Eating Out

Most people have the misconception that, if you eat out, the food must not be healthy! Obviously it's easy to make the unhealthy choices because they're usually easier to find on the meny, cheaper (most places have many $1 deals) and more appealing to kids. Eating healthier, however, has recently gotten much easier because restaurants are now required to post nutritional information directly on their menus! Now, when you see that number next to the double cheeseburger you wanted (usually between 700-900 calories), you may look for a healthier, less caloric option.

Need some tips on finding some of the healthiest burger options out there? Check out this article on the 10 Healthies Fast Food Burgers & Sandwiches out there! Still don't see anything you'd like? Try the following suggestions at each of these fast food restaurants and you won't have to worry so much about your waistline next time you eat out! You have shrimp, chicken, turkey & lots more to choose from!

Charbroiled Shrimp Baja Ensalada
230 calories & 6 grams of fat when eaten with one if their delicious salsas or pico de gallo instead of salad dressing which adds hundreds of added calories

Carl's Jr Tender Grill Chicken Sandwich
360 calories & 7 grams of fat when ordered with mustard instead of mayo

Burger King Veggie Burger
310 calories & 7 grams of fat when ordered without mayo

El Pollo Loco 2 piece meal including a breast & leg with mashed potatoes & steamed veggies
432 calories & 17 grams of fat. That's under 500 calories for a full, fresh meal!

Subway 6" Turkey Breast Sandwich

290 calories & 4 grams of fat when ordered without oil & mayo

Saving Energy and Money in Your Home

2011-09-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

It's no surprise that most people are trying to save money anywhere they can these days! People are driving less to save money on gas, eating at home more often to save money on food & using less power at home to conserve energy and save on the ever increasing energy bills! Because my energy bill is so high, especially in the summer, I thought it'd be a good idea to provide families with some useful and easily applicable energy saving tips for the whole family! In looking for tips online, I came across Texas Electricity Providers .

According to Texas Electricity Providers, families spend the most amount of money cooling their home. In the summer months, turning your air conditioning to a higher temperature can save you hundreds. TEP suggests keeping your AC at 78 degrees to keep your home at an optimal temperature. In order to help keep it at this temperature, you may want to keep curtains or shutters closed, especially when no one is home, to keep the heat and sun out.

Another great tip TEP provides is turn your ceiling fans off when you leave the room. My husband and I are guilty of this energy wasting habit! We forget to turn them off because the light is off so we don't see that they're still on. Ceiling fans serve no purpose unless you're in the room to feel the cool air so remember to turn them off before you leave!

When cooking in the kitchen, try to defrost and preheat items in the microwave to reduce cooking time in the oven. This will keep your house cooler because the oven will not be on as long. Better yet, make cold dinner plates such as pasta salad, sandwiches, salads & other yummy summer dishes.

If you'd like more money & energy saving tips, including some on saving energy in the laundry room, bedroom, garage, office and the rest of your home, visit Texas Electricity Providers for a complete list of their energy saving tips. You'd be surprised how much you can save by making a few small changes around your home!

FREE Online Resources for Teaching Your Kids!

2011-09-01T07:54:00.001-07:00

Here’s a site that’s not only a great tool for moms & dads but for teachers & home schooling parents too!! The site has a HUGE database of worksheets, assessments, e-books, writing tools & more for kids. The handouts are in color, easy to print & cover every topic you could imagine including the alphabet, auditory processing, visual discrimination, letter/word awareness, phonics, gross motor skills, social development & much more. I’ve spent hours online looking for educational tools for my daughter to use at home and this is BY FAR the best site I’ve found so far! Check it out at http://www.schoolsparks.com/

Get Your Kids To WANT To Do Their Chores!

2011-09-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

Check out My Job Chart & Motivate Your Kids to Do Their Chores!

Ok parents, here’s a subject most of you will be very familiar with….getting your kids to do their chores!! Not only does this help you out around the house but it also teaches them responsibility, organization & how to take care of themselves and their belongings. I recently came upon a website that provides parents and kids with an amazing tool to motivate your kids to do their chores!!! My Job Chart is a free, easy to use, online chore chart and reward system. It motivates your kids to get organized and teachers them first hand how to save, share and spend. And it does ALL of this for FREE!! It makes it easy for parents to assign chores and more motivating and meaningful for children to complete them.

All you do is register with the site and get your family registered as well. Then you assign jobs, set the rewards you desire and encourage your kids to get started! You can set morning and evening tasks for each of your kids to complete and designate a point value for each one. Tasks can be as simple as "Brush my teeth", "Eat my veggies", etc or "Clean my room", "Take out the trash". etc. After they’re completed, kids earn points to either save, give to charity or buy more rewards you set! You can keep track of what they accomplish and get notification of when chores are done too! My daughter is still a toddler so we are working on chores but she’s too young for this technology on her own. I am doing it with her so that, when she’s old enough to get on the site on her own, she’ll be used to it and loving it by then!

Check it out at http://www.myjobchart.com.

We're baaaack!

2011-09-01T06:02:00.000-07:00

Hello again!! My apologies for not posting for months! Yes, months! In blog land, this is one of the worst crimes you can commit! Excuses, excuses, excuses but lately, life has been quite chaotic. We were in the process of trying to buy a home, move and sell a home in this crazy housing market and, to top it off, the home we lived in didn’t sell so we then had to find renters…ASAP before being late on a mortgage payment! Needless to say, after a hectic 3 month escrow, it’s over and we’re all settled in! So, it’s back to posting!! And we will be posting at least once per day, if not more often, to keep everyone up to date on some cool new mom & dad news! My favorites are the Freebie Fridays where I’ll be looking anywhere and everywhere I can online through blogs, facebook pages, store sites and more to find you the best freebies out there! So, check back tomorrow and suggest us to your friends!

Thanks for following J
Ellie at The Parent Center

Fun Frugal Money Saving Sites for Families!

2011-07-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

Save $$$, Get Free Stuff & Connect with other Moms!

Saving money is something every family could benefit from and the internet is a GREAT way to do that. There are countless blogs & websites that post money saving tips, daily freebie deals and some even post deals on the hour every hour. With social networking sights such as Facebook & Twitter, you can find out about tons of different ways to save your family money from your PC or your mobile device. Below are some of my favorite frugal sites. I check these sights regularly and also follow them on Twitter and Facebook to make sure I’m up to date on the latest ways to save my family money! In the past few weeks, I’ve received 4 free photo books, had 3 free meals & gotten tons of coupons for items such as detergent, cereal, shampoo & meals. I have saved at least $100 simply by logging onto the internet for a few minutes a day! Thanks to these wonderful ladies & gentlemen for providing fellow moms & dads with such great ways to save money!

Freebies for Mom

Heather at Freebies4mom.com can help everyone save money by spoiling you with the hottest freebies!

http://freebies4mom.com

http://facebook.com/Freebies4Mom

The Frugal Girls

The Frugal Girls is all about serious money savin’ fun as they put it! They feature stylish crafts, DIY projects, recipes, freebies, coupons, giveaways & more

http://www.TheFrugalGirls.com

http://www.facebook.com/thefrugalgirls

Passion for Savings

I love to post the best deals, and the best products. Anything to make life a little easier!

http://www.passionforsavings.com

Debras Dollars

Debras Dollars is a blog dedicated to help others save money. You will find Coupons Samples Reviews and Giveaways and More!

http://debrasdollars.blogspot.com/

Frugal Fabulous Finds

A NC Wife & Mom of 3, Helping you Spend Less, Make More & Live Wisely with deals, coupons, freebies, giveaways and personal finance tips!

http://www.FrugalFabulousFinds.com

Zearly: Revolutionizing Kids Clothing!

2011-06-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

How would you like a FREE wardrobe for your child?

Ever heard of Zearly? If you haven’t, you have to check them out! They’re a kids’ clothing site where you can literally get a whole new wardrobe for your kids for FREE! And they’ll help you clean out their closets at the same time! Zearly works like this! First, you sign up on their website and they automatically send you out a huge, postage paid bag to fill with all of your childrens’ gently used clothing. You don’t even have to take the bag to the post office because Zearly arranges for the bag to be picked up right from your front door. Once the bag arrives at Zearly headquarters, our staff goes through the clothing, tallies up the points and credits your account with points for each item you send in. When your points appear on your account, it’s time to start shopping. There are clothes ranging from 0-3 months all the way up to 14/16 on Zearly. We even have shoes! There are gently used clothes AND brand new designer apparel too! If you spend over 150 points, your order ships to your house free! That means the entire transaction will cost you nothing, not even the time or gas it takes to get to your nearest consignment store.

AND if your kids have outgrown these sizes and you no longer need to shop for kids’ clothes, you can STILL send in your clothes because, at Zearly, you can also use your points towards gift cards to Target, Walmart, Amazon & other retailers. So, you can actually get yourself some clothes in exchange for clothes that no longer fit your kids. How can you not like this site? So far, the reviews are all 5 stars! Moms and dads are raving about it so check it out!

Zearly also has a Facebook page where they post tons of links and articles related to family life such as recipes, family activities, freebies, giveaways and more! There’s even a chance to win 50 Zearly points each week! Like them on facebook and follow them on Twitter for more information!

Below are just some of the reviews from their Facebook Reviews page! See what other moms and dads have to say about Zearly!

Tiara Fletcher
"" LOVE IT! I spent about 192 points, and got my sons entire summer wardrobe. And the best part was, i didn't spend a dime. If i would've bought everything i got brand new, it would have been close to $300 dollars, if not more...love, love, love saving money anyway i can!!

Laura Sokol
"" If I could give you 10 stars I would... This is an incredible store! I just received my 1st bag of 36 clothing items for only 196 points... and they are all perfect! Thanks SO much Zearly! I will definately be buying MANY more!!

Ciara Thomas Castañon
"" Love the whole concept of your business! I have really been impressed with the items we have received from you. Thanks!

Courtney Stewart Winters
"" I LOVE Zearly!! Excellent idea and excellent service. I've received two shipments already :-) We'll be customers for a LONG time!!

Carissa Wooten Fulkerson
"" Got my first shipment in! Awesome stuff and awesome concept. This mother of 5(all 6 and under!) approves! Two thumbs up!

There Are How Many Uses for WD-40?

2011-05-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

WD-40

Known as "the can with thousands of uses," WD-40 is truly one of the most versatile, multi-purpose problem solvers on the market! The formula remains a secret but the product definitely isn't. It can be found in virtually every household in America! With over 2,000 excuses collected to date more and more are added to the list each day. The "water displacement 40th Attempt" does anything from protect metal from rust and corrosion, penetrate stuck parts, provide a great moisture barrier and lubricates just about anything. Below are some ways to to use WD-40 at home! If you think of any more, feel free to comment!

- Erases marks caused by chair backs on running boards of wall

- Cleans piano keys

- Lubricates screws on lawn furniture

- Removes grime from grout on bathroom floors (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)

- Removes crayon from carpet (be sure to test WD-40 on low visibility area of carpet before using)
- Removes scuff marks from ceramic tile flooring (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes marks from floors left by chair feet (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)

- Clean grease off kitchen hoods
- Take the squeak out of door hinges
- Remove glue residue left beyond by stickers, labels and contact labels
- Remove permanent marker from hard surfaces
- Remove crayons from wallpaper chalkboards, brick, dryer drums & many other surfaces
- Clean and lubricate garden cutting & digging tools

There are thousands more uses on the WD-40 website! Check it out and see all that you can do with it!

Tips for Getting Around Exercise Excuses

2011-05-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

No Excuses! You Can Always Fit Exercise into Your Day! Here are some tips for getting around the typical excuses why not to exercise!

Excuse: My child is too young to do much and I can't always just take her for walks.
Fix: Look for local yoga or gymnastics academies in your city. Many offer classes geared towards toddlers or have open gym times where you can join in and have fun too. Get a child trailer for your bike and go for bike rides. Look for strolled friendly walking trails or get a baby carrier. You'll increase the intensity of your walks with the extra weight and your baby will out of the sttoller. Look for gyms with child care. Most accept babies 6 months or older and are only $2-5 each time you drop them off.

Excuse: I don't have time to exercise and after a long, crazy day, I'd rather just grab fast food.
Fix: Squeeze it in before your kids get up or after the go to bed. Pop in an exercise DVD or tune into FitTV. Both are available around the clock, mo matter when you're ready to workout. There are also several websites available with free online workouts. Go for a quick run in the morning or squeeze a brisk walk in at lunch time. As for dinner, get a crock pot, prep it, put it in the fridge and turn it on before you leave for work. When you get home, dinner is all set to be served. Forgot to prep the crock pot or didn't have time? Buy a cooked rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store & serve with baked potatoes, corn or steamed veggies (microwaveable in minutes).

Excuse: I'm tired and don't have the energy.
Fix: if you start making the time to exercise, you'll realize that working out actually helps you gain energy. It seems counterintuitive but the endorphin release from exercise improves mood and alertness and reduces fatigue. Drag yourself to the.gym & start...if you're there, you're bound to get something accomplished.

Fast & Easy Pasta Sauce

2011-05-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Looking to make some fast & easy pasta recipe but don't have tons of prep time? Try the semi-homemade version below! It makes enough to save & freeze and take out for future dinners too! Hope you like it!

Use one jar of pre-made pasta sauce (Prego, Ragu, etc). Add 1 can stewed tomatoes, 1 lb cooked ground turkey, browned chopped onions & 2 chopped garlic clove. Spice with your choice of spices (basil, oregano, rosemary, etc). Simmer & serve over pasta. It takes like homemade spaghetti sauce but it's much easier to make. The turkey adds lean protein too! The recipe makes plenty to save & use throughout the month. Divide the leftovers in freezer bags or tupperware containers, air out the bags or containers, seal them and freeze them. This way you'll have pasta sauce ready to go at a moments notice. You can pull out a bag, thaw, hear and serve. Do this for soups, sauces and stews too.

5 Recipes Using Cornflakes!

2011-05-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, there is lots you can do with the corn flakes your kids eat every day for breakfast! Incorporate them into dinners, snacks, desserts & more. Try any of the recipes below and see what your family thinks!

Honey Mustard Chicken Fingers

Preheat oven to 450. Place wire rack in large jelly roll pan. In pie plate, crush 3 cups cornflakes, with 1 Tbsp honey, ½ tsp finely grated lemon peel, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper until blended. Coat 1 lb chicken tenders or breast with 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard. Dredge each in cornflake mixture. Place on rack. Bake 12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the center. Serves 4. Double or triple recipe for larger families.

Chocolate Clusters

In large glass bowl, microwave 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips and ¼ cup peanut butter on high for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until melted. Mix in 2 cups of cornflakes, ½ crushed potato chips & ½ cup unsalted peanuts. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate until hard. Makes 3-4 dozen.

Lemon Butter Broccoli

In 12 inch skillet, heat 1 inch water to boiling on high. Add 1 lb broccoli florets. Cook 3 minutes or until tender. Drain and sprinkle with 1/8 tsp salt. In skillet, melt 2 Tbsp of butter on medium. Add 1 cup of cornflakes and cook 2 minutes while stirring. Add 1 tsp grated lemon peel and 1/8 tsp pepper. Sprinkle over broccoli. Serves 4.

Apple Pear Crisp

Preheat oven to 400 f. Cut & peel 3 lbs apples and pears into ½ inch chunks. In buttered 13 by 9 inch baking dish, toss apples, pears, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, ½ tsp apple pie spice and ¼ tsp salt. In a bowl, crush 3 ½ cups of cornflakes with 5 Tbsp butter, 1/3 cups of brown sugar and ½ tsp of apple pie spice until blended. Sprinkle over fruit. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 8.

Mini Salmon Cakes

In a food processor, pulse 1 lb skinless salmon fillet, 1 ½ cup of cornflakes, 1 tsp of grated orange peel, 2 Tbsp of cilantro, ½ tsp of salt & ¼ tsp of pepper until finely chopped. Form into 9 patties. Cook in a 12 in nonstick skillet on medium heat for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Combine 1 orange, peeled and diced, 2 Tbsp of chopped cilantro and ¼ tsp each of salt and pepper. Serve it as a garnish with the cakes and serve. Serves 9

Via Good Housekeeping March 2011

Raise Your Kids to Be Money Savvy!

2011-04-20T05:19:00.001-07:00

It's never too early to teach your kids about money. Some parents think children are too young to understand the concept of money but they aren't. They see their parents go to work, go to the grocery store, put gas in their cars and they make the correlation long before you explain it to them that money is what buys you what you need. Now, all parents need to do is show their children how to start learning how to budget their money and use it sensibly at an early age.

Parenting magazine suggests using games that involve tasks in your daily routine to show your kids how money works. Some ideas from Parenting magazine (and some added ones of my own) are below!

Lesson #1: Take your kids with you to the ATM

To children, the ATM is like a money tree. You put your card in, enter a number and the money comes pouring out. They don't see that you first have to deposit the money you made while you were at work the past two weeks . So, talk your kids through each visit to the bank and the ATM. First, go inside and deposit the check. Then explain to them that, in the next few days, when you need the money, you will be back to get the money you saved to buy things you need. You explain to them that you worked to make the money, you save it in the bank and, when you need it, you come back for it. Show them the receipt and explain the math, if the child is old enough to understand, so that he/she knows that the money can and will run out if you keep taking it out.

Lesson #2: Saving for things you want but don't need

Children habitually ask for things when you're out running errands. Whether it's the latest cereal, the latest toy or a candy bar on the way out from the grocery store. Next time they tell you they want a small toy or treat, tell them you'll help them save money for it so they can buy it all on their own. At home, draw a chart with a square for each coin or dollar they need to buy the item. Give your child small tasks to accomplish in order to acquire her money (i.e., take out the trash, walk the dog, clean her room, help wash/put away dishes, etc). Each time she gets a coin/dollar, put a sticker on the chart or color it in. When she has enough to fill the chart and can afford her treat, she can go pick up the item she wanted. Try to make the time it takes to accumulate the money no longer than one to two weeks, just as you would at work for a paycheck.

Lesson #3: Start a savings account

When your child fills up the piggy bank, the natural thing to do is head to the nearest toy store to see what he/she can buy with their loot! Try encouraging saving a portion of it. Allow your child to spend half of the money in the piggy bank on what he/she wants & start a savings account with the rest. It's preferable that you start one with a high yield interest rate so that your child can see the growth faster than in a regular account. CDs and Mutual Fund accounts are great options since this account should only receive money and not have many withdrawls. The goal is for this savings to add up for a long period of time to be a solid lesson in saving money for the long haul. You can show your child the statements each month and how his/her money grows without even putting any money into it!

Teaching your kids about money now can help them establish financial security in the future. Many of my adult friends now wish their parents had taught them about saving money early on so they could have applied it as adolescents and into adulthood. Give them the value of money, teach them skills and instill habits that will get them off to a good start early on in life!

Fast, Easy to Make Semi-Home Cooked Family Dishes

2011-04-07T05:35:00.001-07:00

As a full time working mom, it's not easy to make a healthy, home cooked meal every night. Using semi home cooked recipes makes it easier to get dinner on the table and it's much faster too! With small tweaks to old recipes, almost any meal can be made with less than 15 minutes of prep time! I regularly make the recipes below either as main dishes or side dishes if there are left overs for my husband and daughter. Not only are they home made but they also contain many of the healthy ingredients that should make up our diets.

Baked Ziti with Meatballs
1 lb ziti
1 lb small refrigerated fully cooked meatballs
3 cups marinara sauce
12 oz shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 450. Cook 1 lb ziti in lightly salted water until al dente, about 9 minutes. Meanwhile, in a deep skillet, simmer 1 lb small refrigerated fully cooked meatballs in 3 cups of marinara sauce until hot, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta and stir into meatball mixture. Transfer mixture into a baking dish and stir in 2 cups of shredded mozzarella. Top with 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese. Bake until top is browned, about 15 minutes.

Classic Meat Loaf
1 1/2 ground beef or turkey
1 10 oz box of frozen thawed drained spinach
1 bag of sliced, multi colored frozen bell peppers (Melange a Trois at Trader Joe's)
2 tbsp of minced garlic
1 raw egg
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
3/4 cup marinara
1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook frozen bell peppers and garlic in skillet for a few minutes until lightly browned. Put aside. Put turkey, 1/2 cup of marinara, breadcrumbs, raw egg and parmesan cheese into large mixing bowl and mix or fold to blend ingredients. Add spinach, garlic and bell peppers and fold into a loaf. Place it on a cookie sheet and cook for approximately 1 hour or until lightly browned. Brush top with 1/4 cup marinara & broil until bubbly. Cut and serve.

Cauliflower Puree
4 cups caulflower
1/4 cup whole wheat pasta
2 cups low-fat milk
1/2 tsp sea salt

Put cauliflower, pasta, milk & pinch of salt in a pot. Bring to boil & reduce to simmer. Cook until cauliflower is tender or about 25 minutes. Cool. Puree until smooth in a blender.

Easy Fitness & Nutrition Tips to Help You Shed Lbs

2011-04-07T05:32:00.000-07:00

It is well known that some of the most common New Years resolutions are to eat healthier, lose weight, get in shape, etc. So, since by now about half of those that set New year's Resolutions have broken them, I figured I would interview some of my closest friends and co-workers and ask them what the smartest diet and exercise tips they had to offer. These tips come from people that have fought the weight loss battle and won so take them and apply them to your daily life. They just may help you stick with that New Year's resolution after all...or at least stick with it longer than you expected! Since I got so many responses, there will be a part 2 & a part 3 to this post!

1. Save money and buy in bulk BUT separate out portion sizes into small, snack size sandwich bags. This not only saves money, it is also helping you eat healthier by minimizing how much you eat. If you eat out of the large containers, you will liable to eat much more than just one or even two servings. The snacks that often come in those 100 calorie packs also tend to be not so healthy choices. Instead of eating 100 calories of mini Oreos, crackers, etc, separate out bags of almonds, dried fruit, whole wheat crackers, etc.

2. If you are not feeling like working out, try and remind yourself of the feeling you get when you are done. More often than not, you feel 100 times better and more refreshed than if you had opted to forgo your workout.

3. Retrain your appetite. Instead of eating when you are bored and when you are not really hungry, wait about 10 minutes before you decide to dive into a meal. It is common for people to eat just because it is lunch time or eat out of boredom. Go for a walk, make phone calls, answer emails and, if you are still hungry, then eat.

4. Try to plan your meals at least a day or two in advance, if not a week in advance. It sounds difficult but it's really not. Make several chicken breasts on Sunday night and separate them out. Then make some whole grain rice and maybe grill some veggies. Many foods will keep in your refrigerator for at least a week and you can eat these foods as a lunch or dinner. Make a chicken sandwich on Monday, Chicken Parmesan for dinner Tuesday, fajitas on Wednesday, etc. It'll help you avoid poor food choices when you don't have anything ready to eat at hand.

5. If you are on a diet, focused on your New Years resolution or recently started a strict exercise regimen and you slip, do not give up!! Move on and work twice as hard the next day to make up for it. We all slip sometimes..

6. If you joined a gym, signed up for classes or got yourself a personal trainer recently, try and pay for the memberships or fees up front and in advance. Knowing that you have already forked over all of that cash will give you the incentive to keep going and not miss.

7. Put a mirror on your fridge! When you are about to reach in there for some impulsive eating (boy am I all too familiar with that!), look yourself in the eye and make sure you are really hungry and really want to do that. Believe it or not, it is helpful and helps you confront what's really driving you to food.

8. Say no to the little things. Avoid eating out of the candy jar at work, grabbing an extra serving at lunch, eating that sample at the grocery store, etc. Little bites like these can add anywhere from 75 - 150 extra calories a day to your diet. In about a month, that adds up to just over a pound gained (or lost if you avoid them!)

9. Bet on it. A lot of people at work and at places of employment of friends of mine have started a Biggest Loser contest in the new year. They put $50 each into a pot on the first day. Then they diet and exercise for the next 30 - 90 days. At the end, the winner gets all of the money. If even just 10 people join, that's $500 you win!

10. Eat slow. Eating slow can help you feel full much faster, helping you eat less at each meal. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the point where your body will tell you your full so give yourself time to get there before it is too late and you stuff yourself silly!

Online Security for your Kids

2011-04-07T05:22:00.000-07:00

Internet safety for your kids should be one of your top priorities as a parent. Read some of the statistics below to see just how dangerous the internet can be:

--Your child has a nearly 100% chance of meeting a predator in an online chat room

--Only about 25% of youth who encountered a sexual approach or solicitation online told their parents about it

--2 - 4 weeks is the average time it takes a child to be lured from an online relationship to a personal contact meeting

--60% of all websites (1.2 billion) are considered to be pornographic

--The average age of first exposure to online porn is 11 for boys and 13 for girls

--85% of kids surveyed said their parents are not aware of sites they visit while online

--50% of kids have encountered cyber bullying and 1 out of 4 have encountered it on more than one occasion

--73% of victims targeted by online predators were between the ages of 12 and 15 and 33% of those were initiated from social networking sites

--71% have received messages from people they do not know online

--87% of teens worry about consequences of making risky posts online

--67% of boys and 71% of girls admitted to sexting nude or semi-nude photos of themselves to friends.

After reading such alarming statistics, how could you not consider getting some sort of monitoring device to keep yourself informed what your kids are doing online. I recently saw a news segment on two companies that offer internet monitoring for parents. I still have yet to decide which of them I will be purchasing for my home but I will definitely be investing in something like that as soon as my daughter is old enough to go online. There are others besides the two below but these are ones I've chosen to research.

True Care is an online monitoring program that makes it easier for parents to keep their children safe from online social networking. It offers:

--24/7 monitoring of your child's social networking accounts whether they access it from home, school, the library, a friend's house or even via their cell or smart phones!

---Locates questionable content on your child's pages using a customziable database of over 50 key words relating to potential dangers. For example, if you are concerned that your children are talking about marijuana, sex, raves, etc, you simply customize a search that will alert you whenever the key word or words you choose are written anywhere on your child's social networking page

--Parents receive automatic e-mail alerts anytime new relevant content pertinent to your customized key word search is posted

--Know who your child's online friends are with a feature known as Friends Network and Investigate Friends links

--Program also provides one click access to locate sex offenders in your area

--Difficult for you as a parent to understand your teens language and slang terms? The program enables you to know what they are saying with a dictionary of hundreds of commonly used slang and acronym terms.

True Care is easy to use, even if you are not computer savvy. The online monitoring through True Care is provided on a membership basis and can be canceled at any time. It is not something that needs to be downloaded or installed on your computer or purchased at a store. You access the program through a user identification and password selected by you. True Care also offers a 30 day risk free trial period to see if the program is something that will work for you.

WebWatchers is different in that it's a software that needs to be purchased or downloaded and installed on your computer. Some may prefer this option as opposed to a membership service that True Care offers. Web Watchers features include:

--Monitoring of your children's key strokes in real time from anywhere

--Ability to block any webpage based on content or web address

--Read Instant Message (IM or Chat) conversations

--Read incoming and outgoing mail

--Logs every keystroke

--Take pictures of screenshots to you can see exactly what is typed, surfed, read and then show your children later if confrontation is necessary

--Record online and offline activities

--Quickly sift through data using keywords chosen by you.

--Sorts, sifts, rearranges and prioritizes recorded data instantly

--Completely invisible so your children do not know they are being monitored.

These are just some of the features offered by Web Watchers. Once the software is purchased or downloaded, you have 5 days from the date of purchase to request a refund if you are not satisfied. Parents do not need to have advanced computer skills to use the program.

Below is a page with excellent (free) online resources for parents on internet safety. Articles include Adding Privacy Settings, Starting Dialog About Internet Safety, Educational Video Tools to Watch With Your Children and more. Click Online Resources for more information.

Bob Revolution: The BEST Jogging Stroller on the Market

2011-04-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

A few moms have recently asked me about my jogging stroller. I was an avid runner before having a baby and, to my surprise, I became even more of one after my daughter was born. I thought it would be the opposite but, after she was born, I just did not have the time to drive to the gym, get a good workout and get home in between breastfeeding, burping, changing, etc. Since I needed to stay in shape, I decided to just run around my city and take her with me! Put her in the stroller, go for a run and she naps peacefully while getting out for a bit too!

When I decided to buy a jogging stroller, I looked at many of them and decided on a Jeep model from Babies R Us. It seemed sturdy and the price was right. It was only about $150 and, since I already had a main stroller that was over $300, I really didn't want to spend another $300-400 on a jogging stroller that I was not sure I would use much. I was not sure if my daughter would like it, was not sure if she would sleep in it, was not sure if she would STAY asleep in it so, why spend a lot of money when I was not sure if it would work out.

Well, to my surprise, after I began running, I loved it. I loved getting out of the house, getting my daughter out and getting a good workout with her. The problem was, the stroller!! It was not quite as sturdy as I thought.. It was rickety and made noises after just a few runs. The front wheel did not swivel so, if I took the stroller into a store to use the restroom, buy water, etc, it was impossible to maneuver. The stroller was also not very smooth. If I pushed it, it would roll only a little bit and then stop. Sure it had nice gadgets, such as an iPod hook up with its own speaker and cup holder but that was not what I purchased it for. I have an iPod with earphones. What do I need the speaker for?

So, after realizing that I was using it a lot, almost daily in fact, I opted to research jogging strollers once again. I interviewed moms, dads, salesmen and anyone else I could ask about which one they would recommend. I wanted the best stroller on the market for the price. I asked everyone and most of the reviews online pointed me to the BOB. I thought they would but the BOB is approximately $400 so I was not sure it was worth it. Well, I found it for $350 and not only is it worth it, it is INCREDIBLE!! I love it.. What a difference running with the BOB as opposed to the Jeep stroller! It flows easily, has state of the art shock suspension to adjust to the growth and development of your baby, has durable fabric, a welded frame for optimum strength and durability, a swivel front wheel (with adjustment to control steering), easy two step folding system, almost complete recline for comfort and more! It only weighs about 23 lbs and you do not even feel it while you run. BOB also sells tons of accessories for it too. I bought the car seat adapter/food tray. Not because I still use my car seat but because it is a combination accessory and I needed the food tray. My daughter props her feet on it and puts her toys there . I also purchased the handlebar console and sun shield. The handle bar console is great because I use it to put two water bottles and my wallet, ID, keys, etc in the zippered compartment. The sun shield protects my baby from UVA/UVB rays comppletely. It also protects her from wind and flying insects. It allows her to see out while being protected. It is perforated for ventilation so it is an ideal and much needed accessory. For more information on the BOB revolution and other BOB models (including double and triple models!), visit their website at www.bobgear.com.

BabyWise: The Cliff Note Version

2011-04-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

As a new mom, a good friend and great mom recommended the book BabyWise to me. Having seen how well her two boys turned out, I never doubted the book and began reading it immediately. I wanted my husband and care takers to follow the BabyWise
routine as well, however, I knew they wouldn't read the book. So, I decided to type up an abridged version for them from the notes I took while reading the book! I will post it on the blog in several segments, the first one being below. Enjoy and, buy the book if you can. It's an excellent parent tool for both parents and kids!

PART 1
Table of Contents
(1) The Babywise Routine
-Guidelines for Feeding Time
-Guidelines for WakeTime
-Guidelines for Nap Time
(2) Sleep Patterns
(3) 3 Rules for Baby to Wake Up Happy

BABYWISE ROUTINE:
3 components:
(1) Feeding & Diaper Change Time
-At least 15 - 30 minutes of continuous eating (not snacking) followed by adiaper change every 21/2 to 3 hrs up to 8 weeks of age & ending up every3-4 hours between 2 months to 1 year.
(2) Wake Time
-Immediately after eating, keep baby awake as long as possible (30-90 min)
(3) Sleep Time
-Put her down for a nap until the next feeding is due

Guidelines for Feeding:
-Weeks 1 to 8
Feed baby every 3-4 hours from the beginning of each feeding except atnight. Average 7 to 8 feedings (not snacks) every 24 hour period. Ifshe sleeps longer than 5 hours though, wake her up to prevent her from missinga feeding in the day.

-Weeks 8 to 15
Feed baby every 3-4 hours for 7 to 8 feedings a day & drop the late nightfeeding. This may mean feeding every 2 hrs or less starting at 6pm to get enough feedings throughoutthe day. By week 12 to 15, most babies can go 3-4 hours between feedings,so, by week 15 you may be at 5 to 7feedings per day.

-Week 16 to 24
Baby maintains 4 to 6 liquid feedings per day with 3 of them (breakfast, lunch& dinner) also supplemented with baby food.
-By Baby's 16 to 24th week, you will introduce solids & continue with 4-6liquid feedings per day. If you're breastfeeding, you may need to add more tomaintain milk supply.
-By Baby's 24th week, her main mealtimes should be lined up with the rest ofthe family. Liquid (2-4) feedings should be spread throughout the day &given just before solid food meals
-As you begin introducing solids, you're not adding feeding periods, justadditional foods. Breastmilk or formula should be given or offered before eachsolid meal. Breastfeeding moms must maintain a minimum of 4 - 6 feeding periodsa day to maintain milk supply.

-Week 25 to 1 year
Baby should be at 3 meals a day with the rest of the family. If still breastfeeding,add 1 - 3 more liquid feedings a day before or in between meals.
-By Baby's 25th week up to 1 year, she should continue to eat throughout theday with 4 to 5 nursing periods before each meal throughout the day.

Guidelines for Wake Time:
-Wake time should be 30 - 90 minutes, depending on the baby & earlier naptimes or duration of feeding.
-Wake time can be you with the baby or when the baby remains awake but alone.Examples of wake time with the baby are singing or reading to her, bathing,walking, or playing with her. Examples of wake time for her on her own areputting her in the crib to follow the mobile, in her swing to play & watchthe toys dangle, laying her on her floor gym face up to reach for the toysabove her (helps w/ hand-eye coordination), in a bouncer or playpen or inher infant seat to look around & follow mom & dad's movement around thehouse.
-An important part of wake time is "Tummy Time". Babies need tummytime to strengthen their neck muscles since their heads grow so quickly in thefirst months. Put your baby down on a playmat for tummy time several times aday for a few minutes at a time. She should get a total of about 30 minutes oftummy a day. Make sure she's near or next to you at all times during tummy timeto prevent choking or suffocating.
-Avoid watching tv while holding the baby or turn her away from it. Althoughshemay seem facinated, it will put her brain into overload. The rapid changinglight patterns from scene to scene & the change in volume will heighten hertension. She's not able to neurologically handle such rapid light and soundchanges.

Guidelines for Sleep/Nap Time:
-Nap time should be 1 to 2 1/2 hours when she eats every 3-4 hours a day. Ifbaby isn't napping well, cut back on wake time because they may be overstimulated. Fatigued or over stimulated babies become hyper alert, fighting offsleep through crying.
-Some crying is normal when putting her down for a nap or sleep time. It willeventually dissipate. Crying for 15-20 minutes at first is normal & willnot emotionally or psychologically harm her.The American Academy ofPediatricsrecognizes several periods of crying as a natural part of ababy's day.

Sleep Patterns:
-Newborns: If feedings are kept routine & constant, nap times willtoo. When there are too many changes in her daily routine, this will affect hernap/sleep time as well. Naps should be 1 to 2 1/2 hours long. Nighttimesleep should be no longer than 5 hours to give her adequate nutrition &calories to grow. This will also help mom sustain adequate milk production bynot going to long without nursing.
-Babies 2 months: By this time, she should be dropping her night timefeeding & sleep 7 to 8 hours a night.
-Babies 3 to 5 months: By this time, there will only be 4 to 6 feedings a day & she should besleeping 10 to 12 hours a night. By 5 months, the 3rd nap time may be dropped.This means Wake times & other nap times will last longer.
-Babies 6 to 16 months: By 6 months, she should drop her late afternoon/eveningnap, leaving only 2 nap times during the day. One in the morning and one atnight lasting 1 1/2 to 2 hours long.
-Babies 16 months and up: By this time, she should be sleeping 10 to 12 hours anight & taking only one nap in the afternoon for 2 to 3 hours.

3 Rules for Baby to Wake up Happy:
-You highly influence your baby's wake up disposition:
(1) Mom, not baby, decides when nap starts
(2) Mom, not baby, decides when nap ends
(3) If she wakes up cranky or crying, its because she hasn't had sufficientsleep, has a dirty diaper, loud noises, getting sick or is uncomfortable insleeping position.
-When babies fall asleep they transition from active sleep to relaxed sleep in30-45 minutes. During active sleep they may stir, fuss, cry or make noises. Donot pick her up or attempt to console her unless she cries for an extendedperiod of time (longer than 30 minutes). Babies need to become accustomed toyour schedule for them in order for them to eventually adhere to it.

Pediatric Advice

2011-04-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

Below are some notes I took from my daughter's pediatrician. Some is information she told me, some is from pamphlets that she gave me and the rest is from books, magazines and websites I came across as an expecting mommy.. I received so much information that I found it useful to take some notes for myself while preparing for my new arrival! Hope you can all benefit from them as well!

Pediatrician Book: Feeding Suggestions
Table of Contents
(1) Freshly Expressed Milk Storage
(2) Milk Thawing
(3) Water for Baby?
(4) Introducing Solids
(5) Signs of Food Allergies
(6) Foods & Feeding By Age
(7) Colic Symptoms & Solutions

Freshly Expressed Milk Storage
-4 hrs at room temperature
-24 hrs in cooler w/ 3 ice packs
-5 to 7 days in refrigerator
-3 to 6 months (6 if at 0 degrees)
-Thawed milk can be refrigerated for 24 hrs
-Don't store thawed breast milk
-Don't store milk kept in cooler longer than 8 hrs
- Never refreeze thawed milk

Milk Thawing
-Warm milk under cool then warm running water for a few minutes OR
-Put milk in container with heated water
-Don't ever heat milk directly on stove
-Don't ever microwave milk
-Thawed milk must be used within a 24 hour period if refrigerated & within 1-2 hours if left at room temperature
-Don't refreeze leftover thawed milk

Water for baby?
-Breastmilk & formula contain enough water but some parents offer water for taste & variety
-If you give her water, limit it to 2 oz a day until at least 4 months. Use only boiled tap water or bottled water with added flouride. You can also use weak chamomile tea as part of the 2oz per day for fussy babies

Introducing Solids
-Should not be introduced until at least 4-5 months.
-Introduce only 1 solid food at a time to determine if it agrees with her or causes an allergic reaction.
-Always give with a spoon, not a jar or bottle
-Babies with only 1/2 to 1 teaspoon & should not be force fed.
-Stay away from foods that are a choking hazard such as raisins, grapes, sliced hot dogs, peanut butter, nuts, chips, meats, any food that's hard to chew & any food about the size of the baby's trachea.

Common Signs of Food Allergies
-Difficulty breathing
-Constipation, diarrhea or vomiting
-Watery eyes, coughing or runny nose
-Excessive bloating or gassiness
-Unusual daytime crankiness

Suggested Foods & Feedings by Age
Babies 0-4 months
-BREASTMILK: 8-10 feeds day for total 16-32 oz
- No solids at all

Babies 4-5 months
-BREASTMILK: 5-6 feeds day for total 24-36 oz
-SOLIDS: Rice or single grain cereal up to 1-2 times a day
-No vegetables, fruits, juice or proteins

Babies 5-8 months
-BREASTMILK: 8-10 feeds day for total 24-32 oz
-SOLIDS: Single grain cereal, cereal & fruit mix, oven dry toast or teething biscuits up to 2-3 times a day
-JUICE: Infant 100% juice max 4oz a day
-VEGETABLES: Strained or mashed soft vegetables 1/4 to 1/2 cup a day up to 7 months
-Soft boiled vegetables after 7 months
-FRUITS: Strained or mashed w/out peels max 1/2 cup a day up to 7 months
-Some soft fruits after 7 months
-No proteins

Babies 8-10 months
-BREASTMILK: 2-4 feeds day for total 20-30 oz
-SOLIDS: All baby cereals 1/2 cup a day, toast, 1/2 plain bagel, crackers & bread up to 3 times a day
-JUICE: 100% infant juice max 6oz a day
-VEGETABLES: Cooked, chopped soft vegetables only
-Soft or canned packed only in water or fresh peeled, seeded & chopped fruits
-PROTEINS: Ground or finely chopped lean meats, egg yolks, few teaspoons of
plain yogurt & cheese

Babies 10-12 months
-BREASTMILK: 1-2 feeds day for total 16-24 oz
-SOLIDS: All baby or unsweetened cereals 1/2 cup a day, toast, 1/2 plain bagel, crackers, bread, mashed potatoes, rice or pasta up to 3 times a day
-JUICE: 100% infant juice max 8oz a day
-VEGETABLES: Cooked, chopped or in sticks for finger food only
-Soft or canned packed only in water or fresh peeled, seeded & chopped fruits
-PROTEINS: Ground, chopped or small tender pieces of lean meats, egg yolks,
cooked beans, plain yogurt & cheese

Common Colic Symptoms & Solutions
Symptoms
-Colic "Rule of 3" is crying that occurs for more than a total of 3 hours throughout the day, 3 days a week for 3 consecutive weeks.
-Crying that starts off quietly & escalates to an ear-piercing pitch.
-Arching her back when she cries.
-She can temporarily be soothed by burping, the pacifier or the swing.
-Sleeps or dozes off during feedings during feedings, not swallowing & digesting
properly.

Solutions
-Babies with some of the above symptoms often have GER (Gastroesophageal Reflux) instead of colic. Zantac can help relieve discomfort during feedings & reduce the spitting up. All babies spit up to some degree but they shouldn't be spitting up large amounts (vomitting) at every feeding. Zantac will help reduce the burning babies experience in their throat and esophagus from stomach acid. To prevent baby from spitting up the dosage, use a slender syringe & squirt the medicine toward the back of her cheek so she swallows it.
-Keep baby upright or no more than semi-reclined for at least 20 minutes after each feeding.
-When possible, have mom or dad soothe the baby after feeding to improve bonding, comfort & psychological feeling of comfort in the baby from the baby instead of from other friends or family.
-Elevate the head of the crib by rolling a towel and placing it under the mattress
-Breastfeed for 10-15 minutes from one breast, burp, then do the same on the other breast. Start on the opposite breast at the next feeding.
-Sucking is calming so don't let baby fall asleep sucking at the breast since she isn't actively swallowing & digestings. Offer a pacifier if she's done
eating & has fed for an adequate amount of time.
-Pick a consistent bedtime & make it obvious its bedtime. Do this by creating a nightly routine by exaggerating the differences between day & night feedings. You could dim lights, rock her, play gentle music, swaddle her, read to her & put her to bed after feeding & burping.
-Downsize daytime naps. They shouldn't be any longer than 1 to 2 1/2 hours at the most, diminishing in time & quantity of naps throughout the day as they get older.

SafetyTat: A Removeable Safety Tattoo for Your Child

2011-04-05T14:09:00.000-07:00

Here's an idea I think is pretty clever. I know I get pretty nervous when I take my daughter to a crowded mall, amusement park, carnival or sporting event! As much as I don't like to, I use a "backpack leash" to be on the safe side and make sure my little one doesn't wander. Well, a new, innovative company came up with a great idea. They created temporary child safety tattoos known as SafetyTat.

A mother of 3 created this product when while at an amusement park, she decided she needed a way to identify her kids if they happened to be lost. She also wanted whoever found them to know who to contact immediately. So, she wrote her cell phone number on their arm and explained to them why she was doing it. She stressed to them that they should stay together and ake sure never to lose sight of their siblings or their mom but, if they are separated, they can use the number to help find their mom again. The kids were instructed to tell any adult near them, should they become lost or separated from the group, that the number to contact their mom was on their arm.

Since it was not a permanent ink pen, the number needed to be re-written several times due to sweat, heat and clothes rubbing on it. After a number of other parents commenting on what a great idea she had, she decided to develop SafetyTat. Her slogan is, “the tat that brings kids back”. For more information on safety tips and ordering your own SafetyTat, visit the SafetyTat Website. They are sold in packs of 6 or 18 and cost a little more than $1.00 each. That seems very much so worth my child's safety and I'll definitely be ordering some.

I was not paid or reimbursed in any way by the SafetyTat website to post this blog.

Keeping Your Family Safe

2011-04-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

Keeping a child safe and out of harms way is a common concern among parents. Budget cuts in state prisons and local jails are causing a growing number of criminals to be released early and back into our communities. As a law enforcement officer and someone that interacts with criminals on a daily basis, I take every precaution to ensure mine and my family's safety. Parents should do the same and educate their children on safety. Since most parents work full time and children are often left alone or with caregivers, they should teach their children what to do in cases of emergencies, when approached by strangers and while walking to and from school.

While many children are taught to be friendly and greet others, they should be taught when it's appropriate and when it is discouraged. When they are alone and walking to school, they should always walk with an adult and/or with a group of friends. They should not stop to talk to anyone nor should the stop if approached by others in a vehicle. Children as young as kindergarten should also have some sort of communication device. While a standard cell phone would not be a good idea for a child, there are cell phones that have pre-added answer and call buttons, limiting the calls that can be made from a phone. The Disney D100 is an option that allows for 20 contact numbers to be added. Calls and messages can only be made to and from those numbers. Some of these phones are also equipped with GPS. This gives parents the ability to regularly monitor their children's whereabouts.

Another tool that parents have is the internet. One of the biggest concerns parents face is the growing number of sex offenders living in and around their cities and neighborhoods. Cases such as the Elizabeth Smart and Jaycee Dugard kidnappings, along with the most recent Norma Lopez murder have recently brought to the more attention to protecting our children against sex offenders. An excellent parent recourse is the Megan's Law website. It's a government run website that parents can use to look up sex offenders living in and around their neighborhoods, places of employment, parks and schools. In addition to the Megan's Law website, parents can also check sex offenders in their area through the Family Watchdog website. This website offers a free to help locate registered sex offenders in your area. All you need to do is enter an address and a map will immediately show up identifying where registered sex offenders live. Just click on the squares that appear and see photos (where available), addresses, convictions and other information about the offender. You can search areas near your home, day care, relatives' homes, schools, parks and any other area your children are in or around.

Family Watchdog also offers a notification service that' s simple to use. You specify addresses that you want to watch and the distance around those addresses and Family Watchdog will do the rest. The site can also monitor specific offenders when searched by name. It is a good idea for parents to utilize this website to pre-screen any coaches, teachers, caregivers, friends' parents or any other adult their children may come in contact with. The site updates their data daily from multiple state sex offender registries. If you register with the site, the site will alert you as soon as a convicted sex offender registers an address in your area. It's simple and it's freeIn addition, Family Watchdog also alerts you when an offender moves in or out of your area by text or email. Other services they provide are updating you about crimes in your area and about any recall or advisory issued by the government about food or other products. Lastly, they also offer an extensive library of safety tips related to product, family and child safety!

Tools such as the children's cell phones, the internet and your local police are all available to parents to ensure their children's safety. Parents should take every precaution to make sure that their children don't fall victims to a crime. Awareness is the best defense to protect your family. Knowing the people that your child comes in contact with and being aware of those that live, work and play around your children is something that every parent should do.
Below are some statistics that are shocking, but that parents need to be aware of. Don't let your family become a victim. Be proactive instead of reactive. Be aware of your surroundings and the people that are around you and your family.
According to the US Department of Justice:
--1 of 5 girls and 1 of 6 boys will be molested before their 18th birthday.
--90% of all sexual assaults against children are committed by someone whom the victim knew.
--The typical sexual predator will assault 117 times before being caught.
--The re-arrest rate for convicted child molesters is 52%.
Sources:
--Snyder, H.N., US Department of Justice Statistics, 2000. Sexual Assault of Yong Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics.
--Center for Sex Offender Management, (2001). Recidivism of Sex Offenders, Full Report and Statistics.

Making Every Moment a Teachable Moment

2011-04-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

Increasing Your Child's Vocabulary, Recognition, Speech and Comprehension with Daily Tasks

Teachable moments are anywhere and everywhere. Parents should take every opportunity to teach their children as they go through the day. School isn't the only place children should be learning. All parents have to do to take advantage of teachable moments throughout the day is realize that there are teachable moments in virtually anything and everything you do. Below are some examples that I used when my daughter was a toddler.
When you wake up in the morning, ask your little one what the numbers on the alarm clock are. Even toddlers can begin to recognize numbers at an early age! Ask them what shape the alarm clock is. A square, a rectangle, a circle?

1. When eating breakfast, continue with shapes and ask about the shape of the top of a cup, the plate the table, etc. Expand with asking about colors too. What colors are in the food? Fruits and cereals come in many different colors so it's easy.

2. Have your little one match colors together in his breakfast as he or she eats.

3. After breakfast, move on to colors and shapes with clothing. You don't have to let you little one choose his clothing since he may not make the wisest choice for the weather but you can pull out a few choices and have him pick the matching pieces.

4. After breakfast, go out for a short walk. Look at the houses, leaves, cars, people, airplanes, birds, etc and make your child aware of his or her surroundings.

5. On your way to preschool, kindergarten or just to run errands, ask your child about environmental cues. Most children can recognize the signs to popular stores around their neighborhood because they see them often and hear you say them. This is a great opportunity to teach letters as well. If they recognize the Target sign, ask about the first letter in the word. What letter is that? Is there another "T" in Target? Is it a big T or a little T?

6. Identify people in stores while running errands. Teach children the difference between a young boy, a teenager, an adult such as a mom and dad and an elderly person such as a grandpa.

7. Look at prices of items when shopping and teach your child (usually 5 or above) about prices and rounding up numbers. Prices tend to be easily rounded up at grocery stores since most end in 95, 97 or 98 cents.

8. When paying, show your child the money and see if he or she can figure out how much to give the cashier. If the bill is $7, show your child a $5 bill and a $10 bill and see which one he thinks will be enough to pay for it.

9. When taking a bath at home, filling up a glass of water or filling up a bucket in the yard, show your child the difference between half full, half empty, empty and full.

10. At the end of your day, recap and see if your child remembers what he or she learned throughout the day. See what they have retained and what they have to continue to work on the following day.

There are countless other ways to take advantage of the environment around you and make every moment in the day a teachable one. As a former teacher, I try to do this as often as possible with my little one and I've seen it make a notable difference in her recognition, comprehension and speech. It has helped increase her vocabulary and expand on her curiosity. Now she asks me about many things as opposed to me having to pique her curiosity about it.

More resources

www.theparentcenter.net

Sugar and It's Impact on Your Children's Weight

2011-04-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

A child's diet is something that a parent establishes as a very young age. Some children are very picky eaters while others have to be stopped from over eating. Some children love vegetables while others refuse to eat any at all. One aspect of diet that most children have in common is sugar. Almost every child likes sugar and items that contain sugar. Once it is introduced, it tends to be preferred because of its appealing taste. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, sugar, however, is one of the leading factors in obesity among children now. It is something that needs to be controlled in everyone's diet. Children, along with parents and older siblings, should be aware of the sugar content in foods they eat and how it affects their bodies.

There are foods which naturally contain sugar, such as fruits, which contain fructose. Then there are foods with added sugar such as cereals, cookies, oatmeal, etc. Whether the sugar is natural or added, it has the same effects on the body.

Parents need to be mindful of the amount of sugar in items they bring home and the amount of sugar in each serving. Most cereals have approximately 15 grams of sugar per 3/4 cup. Most children have at least two cups a day, totaling more than 30 grams of sugars in cereal alone. Milk also contains approximately 13-18 grams of sugar per cup. Most children love yogurt but most yogurts have at least 18 grams of sugar per serving as well. Milk, cereal, fruit and yogurt are all staples in ca child's diet and all items that can add up to a lot of extra sugar being consumed. Mothers need to be mindful of items they buy and bring home. They need to read and understand nutritional labels. Just because there are only 5 grams of sugar per serving doesn't mean an item is good for your child. It could have 20 servings in a container, adding up to more 100 grams of sugar total.

This does not mean that parents must eliminate all sugars from their family's diet. What it means is that parents need to be mindful of the sugars their families consume. Juice is one of the items that contains the most amount of sugar per serving. Most juices, even if they are 100% real fruit juice, have more than 30 grams of sugar per cup. Dr. Lauren Lubin, M.D. recommends giving your child a piece of fruit as opposed to drinking the juice. It is not only more filling but it is also providing more nutrients. Cereals are another culprit of sugar in children's diets. Parents should restrict sweet cereals completely since children should be able to treat themselves but these cereals should be kept to a minimum. They can be served as treats on the weekends, mixed with low sugar versions of the cereal or served in small servings only a few days a week. When serving yogurt, Greek yogurts are a great option since they are natural and have little, if any, added sugar. As for treats and junk foods, Dr Lubin adds that there is a place for those types of foods in everyone's diet as well. It is not a good idea to completely restrict these foods from a child's or an adult's diet. Restricting leads to binging when the item is eaten again. These foods need to be eaten in moderation and, better yet, only on special occasions such as birthday parties, weddings, holidays, etc. Parents should also monitor serving sizes of these foods since they tend to have high caloric value along with high sugar contents.

Serving your family a proper balanced diet is one of the best things you can do for your family. Recently this has been difficult to accomplish in the US because most households have to very busy working parents. In addition, it's much cheaper to eat unhealthy, fast, easy to eat foods such as frozen meals, dollar menu drive-thru items and packaged, preservative filled goods. It is more expensive to eat healthy and buy organic foods so most parents skimp on quality and focus on quantity. In the last twenty years, the obesity rate in the United States has risen to more than 25% of the population. In the next 20 years the obesity rate is expected to rise up to 40%. That's almost half of the US population being obese.

As previously stated, the Center for Center for Disease Control and Prevention cited sugar as the main culprit in adding to the obesity rate in the US. If we don't change this now, it'll only continue to worsen as it has in the last 20 years. About 20 years ago, the fat free craze took over. It was the latest fad and the new way of "eating healthy". If the food did not contain fat, it was assumed it was good for you and you could eat as much of it and as often as you want. Fat, however, was replaced by sugar in these fat free items and what does sugar turn into when it's not burned by the body? It is turned into fat. So, eating fat free is not better than eating regular foods. In fact, you are better off eating the original version of most foods since they contain fewer additives and artificial sweeteners.

Most people would never consider eating spoonfuls of sugar throughout the day but families do this unknowingly do this regularly. Most of the liquids consumed, such as soda, juices, sports drinks and milk, all contain at least 15 grams of sugar per serving, more often twice that amount. Most popular cereals are also laden with added sugars in the form of corn syrup, glucose, brown sugar and fructose. Cookies, candy bars, cereal bars, waffles, trail mix and pretzels are other common foods in a child's diet that adds extra calories and especially added sugar.

Parents, school districts, day care centers and food makers in general should focus on providing healthier, nutritious meals to children at home and at school. Foods laden with carbohydrates and sugars don't provide the nutritional value that a child needs to make it through a day. In addition, Mike Adams, editor of Natural News.com states that any sugar and carbohydrates not burned through activity is stored by the body as fat. Snacks and meals should be comprised mostly of protein, vegetables and healthy carbohydrates such as whole grains. Fruits should be consumed but in moderation. Treats should always be allowed but parents and schools should monitor the consumption of these items and it should not be readily accessible to children throughout the day. Children do not inherently have self-control, it must me learned and taught.

Help this country avoid reaching nearly 50% obesity and help our youth get healthy. Encourage healthy, balanced meals and snacks. Encourage physical activity instead of video games. Teach your children about nutrition and the importance it plays in their lives.

More resources

www.theparentcenter.net
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/
http://children.webmd.com/obesity-children

The Good Fun Book: 12 Months of Parties That Celebrate Service

2011-04-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

All parents want to raise kids that are grateful for what they have and are generous enough to give back to those that are in need. Well, authors Karen Duncan and Kate Hannigan Issa have written a book that has awesome activities that help kids give back. The book is called The Good Fun! Book: 12 Months of Parties That Celebrate Service. It will hit stores on October 22, 2010 and coincidentally it is also National Make A Difference Day! It's perfect for preschoolers on up through the teen years. Even adults can get great ideas on giving back to their communities.

What could be better than having fun while doing good things for the city you live in and the people around you. The book helps young children engage in their communities to do some good while having a good time with family and friends. Whether it's a party to help animals, a party to collect sports equipment for needy kids, or a party to make goody bags for needy families, this book will have your kids giving back in no time. It includes 12 party plans to help mostly elementary school aged children make a difference. It's fill with tons of ideas that include participation from friends, family, classmates and more. It promotes critical thinking, problem solving and most importantly, generosity! It even includes invitation suggestions, craft ideas, recipes and charity profiles. It's a great tool for parents and teachers that are interested in participating in service projects with their little ones while teaching them real life skills. It helps educate children on charities and non profit agencies that were created to help people in their communities and those around the world. This book promises to deliver by getting kids excited about giving back! It'll be $15.95 and, in my opinion, worth every penny!

Educational Websites for Kids with Tons of Activities

2011-04-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

Educational Websites for Kids with Activities, Recipes,

Birthday Party Themes, Printables and More!

Here's a great website I came across when I was looking for new activities for my daughter and friends. It's Activities for Kids and, not only does it have recipes, printables, crafts and travel games, but it also has tons of features for teachers! The site features classroom activities, personalized open house invitations, activity calendars and more. Parents can use these at home as well if you have a few kids around the same age and/or have other kids cared for at your home.

In addition to all of the features for teachers and parents to teach their kids anything and everything including art, math, American Presidents, the Pledge of Allegiance and more, the site also features tons of Birthday Party ideas! Make free personalized invitations, thank you cards, guest lists and happy birthday banners with clip art directly from their site. They also feature party games, party foods, recipes and more. Need to keep kids entertained, print out the printable games they feature. Not sure what theme to go with for the party? They have a long list of themes along with great ideas on incorporating them. Having tons of family over for the holidays? Entertain them with fun holiday activities, recipes and arts and crafts!

Everything on the site is free and printable without any copyright restrictions. Check it out!

Visit the La Brea Tar Pits for FREE

2011-04-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

Looking for a fun activity t do with your kids ? Low on cash and would like to do something that's F.R.E.E.? If you live in or around the Los Angeles area, why not take your little ones to the La Brea Tar Pits Museum! It's free on the first Tuesday of each month (tomorrow). The museum is located at the Rancho La Brea Tar Pits in the heart of Los Angeles. It's a world famous location displaying fossils from centuries ago. The museum is recognized as having the largest and most diverse assemblage of extinct Ice Age plants and animals in the world! Visitors can learn about LA as it was between 10,000 and 40,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. You and your kids can learn about a time in our history when animals such as the saber-toothed tiger and the whooly mammoth roamed the LA Basin. You can even watch bones being cleaned and repaired through the windows of the museum's laboratory! Outside the museum, your kids will be able to see life size replicas of the animals they learned about in the museum. Hancock Park, situated directly accross the street, features several extinct animal statues. Parking is only $7 so it's a great deal. You and your kids can get out on a sunny day and participate in an educational activity together!

Teach Your Kids Spanish at Any Age

2011-04-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

You don't have to speak Spanish yourself or have relatives that speak Spanish to teach your little ones. Many parents have expressed to me lately how much they wished they spoke Spanish because they want their kids to be bilingual. With the economy the way it is and with jobs being so hard to find, they want to give their kids an early advantage and get them interested in the language early on so they maintain it and continue learning it through elementary, high school and onto college. Well, I always tell them that they don't need to speak Spanish themselves in order to teach their kids. There are tons of resources, most of them free, to teach their kids Spanish at home. Below are some examples, along with some ways to make your home a bilingual one. The whole family can learn together!

Nickelodeon Nick Jr's Say It Two Ways Program with Dora & Diego

Nickelodeon's Nick Jr website offers games, activities and printables to help your child learn words in English and Spanish. Perfect for young preschool or kindergarten age children just starting with the language.

Spanish for Kids

This is an excellent, comprehensive website for parents and kids of all ages to test their Spanish and learn it at any level. It features tons of free activities including memory games, vocabulary, alphabet sounds, children's videos, songs & lyrics, spelling practice, conversational Spanish to speak with friends, age appropriate activities, worksheets and more! The site also has sections to make your own flashcards, puzzles and even a section for Spanish teachers that you can check out. It also has a "Test Your Spanish Level" section to estimate yours or your child's level of fluency in the language. For older children, it has a Verb Conjugator section to help with the most difficult part of learning the language. Simply enter the word and it conjugates the verb for you. There's also a Spanish/English Dictionary, Text Translator and Sentence Maker. Excellent learning or tutoring resource! What more could you ask for and it's free!!

Spanish Lessons

This website features specific lessons on all of the major Spanish topics, including music and literature. It's ideal for high school age children or children that already speak the language and want to learn to read and write. The site features audio samples, quizzes, musical audio and more. It also allows you to subscribe to a free email newsletter so you can get notification whenever new activities are posted. Some of the lessons include people identifiers, question words, verbs, masculine and feminine words, days of the week, months of the year, imperfect verbs and much more!

Teaching Spanish at Home

In order to enforce lessons at home, it may help to label items all around your house in Spanish and English. Simply write the words on 3 x 5 cards or Post-It notes and tape them everywhere such as on chairs, windows, doors, appliances, etc. You can also type them and cut them out to make all of the letters look exactly the same and encourage font recognition.
Practice the words when eating, bathing, playing, etc by asking your child what it is and having him or her tell you in both English and Spanish.
You can also make Spanish/English bingo games, flash cards, memory games and more!
When your child draws pictures, see if he or she can draw items that he knows the Spanish words to so he can tell you what it is in Spanish.
When asking for something, have him or her say Please and Thank you in Spanish as well as English.

Simple tasks such as these and using the online resources will help your entire family learn the language and quickly spark an interest in your little ones so they keep learning it through childhood and into college!

Top 3 Baby Bottles

2011-04-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

After getting pregnant, moms and dads are faced with many decisions. What are they going to name their baby? What color will they paint the room? What hospital will the baby be delivered in? Another important choice that most parents do not even realize is one of any importance is what type of bottle they will use to feed their baby for at least the first year of their life. When parents are ready to introduce a bottle, it's important to use a bottle that is BPA free and provides a next generation nipple for a smooth transition. Below are examples of three bottles that either I or friends of mine have used and have been very happy with. All are BPA free and also offer various types of nipples.

1. Weil Baby Nurser Bottles: Dr Andrew Weil, M.D. is an integrative medicine specialist. He believes that there are other chemicals in plastic besides BPA that disrupt an infant's hormone regulation. His bottles are made with an exclusive new material called Tritan. His claims are that it's completely nontoxic. They also have a bubble reducing vent that is just one piece so it's easier to clean. Bottles can be found at weilbaby.com and are $8.99 for a 9 oz bottle

2. Born Free Bottles: This is the first bottle maker to go completely BPA free in the US. They've become a trusted brand for all feeding gear. The bottles are especially sturdy and also have a bubble reducing vent that is composed of two parts. The bottles are very popular amongst parents, especially because they never leak and stand up to a lot of wear and tear. Visit newbornfree.com. They are $18.99 for two 5 oz bottles or $19.99 for two 9 oz bottles.

3. Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottles: These bottles have an ultrawide and ultrasoft nipple. They rae also BPA free and are especially designed to make an easy transition from breast to bottle. Some nursing moms claim that this is the only bottle that worked when transitioning their babies. Go to tommeetippee.com where you'll find 5 oz and 9 oz bottles for $7.99.

In addition to BPA free bottles, parents should also be mindful to use only BPA free plastic when feeding their baby. Plastic plates, cups, bowls and utensils should also never be heated up in a microwave or on a stove top since it is known to release toxins into its contents. When heating food or beverages for yourself and your family, heat it in glass or porcelain dishes and cover with a paper towel instead of plastic wrap.

Are There Toxins in Your Home?

2011-04-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

Are you a parent that is unsure about possible toxins in your home or in products? Perhaps you are a parent concerned about symptoms in your child, symptoms that just don't seem to go away. Maybe you are a healthcare professional treating a child with a persistent and non-responsive condition. Are you a school or community official concerned that many children are showing similar symptoms. Regardless of your concern, the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit can help.

The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit organization was formed to serve as a respected network of experts in children's environmental health. They are a source of medical information and advice on environmental conditions that influence children's health. Because children's environmental health covers a wide variety of issues, the PEHSU network has experts in pediatrics, allergy/immunology, neurodevelopment, toxicology, occupational and environmental medicine, nursing, and other specialized areas. PEHSU work with health care professionals, parents, schools and community groups, and others to provide information on protecting children from environmental hazards. They also work with Federal, State, and local agencies to address children's environmental health issues in homes, schools, and communities.

Their website offers a Frequently Asked Questions page, numerous resources, health information, links to fact sheets and publications and more. The site is a free resource available to parents, offering them a network of health experts at their fingertips. For more information go to www.PEHSU.net Click on your state to find an expert. Then call or send an e-mail and a physician will get back to you.

Gluten & Casein Free Diets and Their Benefits in Autistic Children

2011-04-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

The Autism debate and the possible causes of autism are an ongoing debate amongst parents, doctors, teachers, psychologists and virtually everyone involved in the lives of children. From vaccinations to genetics, no one truly knows what causes autism. What many have figured out, however, is a way to improve the lives of autistic children through managing their diets. After beginning a gluten and casein free diet, most Autistic children show significant improvement. Their behavior improves, their emotions are more evident, they are more open to being social with other children and their eating habits improve.

Why does a gluten free and casein free diet help autistic children?
According to Bruce Semon, M.D., Ph. D, the gluten and casein free diet for autistic children is derived from the role that the proteins left over from digestion of those foods leaves in the body. The protein in milk and dairy products is casein while the protein in wheat products is called gluten. The structures of these proteins are what make it difficult for the body to process. They remain in the body long after food is digested and react with receptors in the brain called opioid receptors. Dr Bruce Sermon states that these receptors are what keep the brain functioning normally. When the proteins in casein and gluten bind themselves to these opioids, they slow the brain down as would opiate drugs such as opiates. Dr Sermon states that studies of the brains of most autistic children show that their brain is less active and has decreased blood flow, specifically in the areas that control speech. Adding gluten and casein further slows them down and does not allow autism to improve. This has, in turn, led to many parents, doctors and therapists to eliminate gluten and casein from the diets of autistic children.

Eliminating Gluten and Casein From the Autistic Child's Diet
Many parents cannot fathom eliminating milk from a child's diet. That seems to be the stable in most children's diets and something they need to grow and develop. Breads, crackers, cereals and other carbohydrate laden snacks are also some of the favorite items of most children. Both, however, can be eliminated and substituted in a diet. Parents should begin by eliminating dairy products and casein. After a child has adjusted, they can begin to minimize foods containing gluten and eventually eliminate them. Gluten free diets are becoming ever more popular and many grocery store chains carry a wide variety of gluten free foods. There are gluten free pastas, soups, cereals, desserts and much more. As far as dairy products are concerned, soy is a good option but there are also many other options of butters, cheeses, almond milk, rice milk and even chocolate that are dairy free! The Gluten Free Mom offers a site to help parents in their quest to eliminate gluten and casein from a child's diet. She offers recipes, substitutions, options for dining out and much more.

How a Gluten and Casein Free Diet Cured Autism
Dr Bruce Semon uses one of his patients, Carl, as one of the best examples of how gluten and casein free diets can help minimize or diminish autism. Carl went to see Dr Semon at the age of 2 and a half. He had stopped speaking at 18 months, was having seizures and was on medication in addition to behavioral therapy by the age of 3 years old. His mom had tried homeopathic drugs and, along with therapy, his symptoms showed slight improvement, however, changes were minimal and Carl was still not able to function in a regular classroom at school. Once the casein and gluten free diet was begun, Carl showed almost immediate improvement. Dr Bruce Semon stated that Carl was talking more, responding to questions and his name, was more spontaneous, was eating better, played appropriately and was showing general child behavior. Six months later, Carl was off any medications, greeted others and seemed less withdrawn and could even read and write! A year after treatment with a casein and gluten free diet began, Carl was in a full day kindergarten class and by the time he turned 8 years old, he was no longer diagnosed as autistic. In this case, the diet eliminated the autism all together!

The Autistic Network for Dietary Intervention recommends the gluten free, casein free diet as well and suggests that parents incorporate it into their child's diet for at least 3 months. This means the items must be removed and there is no cheating. It can be challenging and children will resist at first but it can make a tremendous difference in the livelihood an autistic child lives. It may not be the cure for autism but it's certainly a step in the right direction and an option that every parent of an autistic child can try.

More resources

http://www.autismndi.com/

http://www.nutritioninstitute.com/Autism.html

http://glutenfreemom.com/AboutUs.html

Food Essentials: A Nutritional Info App

2011-04-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

A Comprehensive Website with a Wealth of Nutritional Information for You and Your Family

Food Essentials.com is a nutritional website that gives you information on more than 20,000 brand name groceries. Whether you're a parent or not, this is one of the most useful and practical websites and phone apps available. Whether you're dieting or just want to monitor yours and your family's eating, you'll want to download this app. Experts at Food Essentials add more and more products daily to keep the database up to date on new products. When you search a product, the site shows you a page that has all of the following information on it:

UPC code
Nutritional label
Label information
Allergens it may or may not contain
Additives it contatins
Function each ingredient plays in the product (flavor, preservative, etc)
Any extra ingredients product may contain to help family members that are specially allergic to certain foods

You can look up foods free on website or download the now Food Essentials App on your iPhone or Blackberry! The app used to be $4.99 but it is only $2.99 for now! With the app on your phone, all you need to do is scan the bar code on any grocery item and the information will immediately pop up on your phone! Why not download this app for you and your family's health, safety and nutrition!

The site also features a blog that has tons of educational articles on anything and everything nutrition.

Parenting Ages & Stages App

2011-04-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

If you're a parent and also an iPhone and iTouch user, you will LOVE this app! It will solve all of your parenting dilemmas on the go. The brand new Parenting Ages & Stages app is now available and best of all, it's free! All you need to do is go to your iPhone or iTunes App Store and download the app directly to your iPhone or iTouch. Get all the best of Parenting.com in the palm of your hand, with info on everything from stretch marks to breastfeeding, potty training, disciplining, feeding, weight loss and nutrition and more. You can also customize the app to match the stage in your pregnancy or the age of your child or children too! What more could you want in an app and especially when it's free! It's like having a parenting encyclopedia with you everywhere you go.

Random Healthy Eating Tips

2011-04-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Help Your Entire Family Improve Their Diet!

Not sure if the produce you're buying is really organic? If the number on the sticker starts with a 9 them it is!
Have stale bread at home? Don't throw it out! Make breadcrumbs out of it & use them to make baked milanesas! It's like country fried steak but it in the oven instead. Or cut it up in cubes, toss in olive oil & make home made croutons to add to add your salad!

Here's a nutrition rule the whole family should be aim to follow! From baby to grandma! Choose foods with no more than 5 ingredients, surely not more than 10, no ingredients you can't pronounce and no cartoons on the package! That'll help insure you and your family are eating healthy, clean foods!

For a quick healthy mid-day snack on the go, grab a string cheese, 12 almonds & an apple. It's about 250 calories and has just the right amount of nutrients, protein & carbohydrates to keep you moving through your day!

Be cognisant of the difference between eating your food and savoring every bite. Teach your kids to enjoy their food. Chew 10 or 20 times, drink water and wait a bit until your next bite. Not only will you enjoy your food much more but you'll also get full quicker, leading you to avoid overeating!
Instead of harping on one bad food choice that you made today (you grabbed a Snickers on the run or ate a donut in the office), get past it and make a very good choice for the next meal. Make up for it by eating a super healthy, clean dinner and make a promise to stay on track the next day.
Even if you're tired, had a long day at work or your kids wore you out at home, push yourself to get out for a brisk after dinner walk. Even just 30 minutes a day, especially after a large evening meal, will help digestion, burn calories, get your heart rate up and help you sleep better.
For more tips on healthy living, go to the Whole Living website. There you'll find workout tips, recipes, ideas for healthy snacks and much more!

Emerging Drug Trends Among Teens

2011-04-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

Marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and many other drugs are all still out there as drug options for teenagers to explore. Each day, however, there are new, emerging drugs that children and teenagers experiment with. Working in law enforcement, I see everything from horse tranquilizers to floor cleaner being turned into some sort of drug that children either smoke, inhale or snort. Parents need to familiarize themselves with these drugs that may all be somewhere in your home and they don't even know it. Understanding the drug and its side effects can help parents identify when their child is using and how to help them.

Raves
One of the most notorious places where drugs are rampant is raves. Raves are a social dance party or gathering that commonly plays loud computer generated or techno music. Laser light shows are common at these parties, along with club drugs being highly promoted to all attendees. Water is sold at extremely high prices, sometimes $15-20 a bottle, because of the thirst experienced by attendees from constant dancing and drug use. Having worked security for raves in the past, I have seen the drug abuse by children as young as 12 years old at these so called "dance parties". What parents think is a supervised, controlled environment is actually a drug haven.

Common Rave Drugs
According to Deputy Sheriff Schaves of the LA County Sheriff's Department, some of the commonly sold drugs at raves are "X" or "E" also known as ecstasy, "Special K"or "Vitamin K" which is a potent horse tranquilizer capable of killing a human and "Roofies" also known as the Rohypnol. Many parents are familiar with Ecstasy and Rohypnol but Special K has become increasingly more popular because of its potency. The CNOA states that special K is especially potent. It works faster than PCP, gives the visual effects of LSD and gives children almost an out of body experience. The downside is all of the unpredictable effects associated with Ketamine such as high body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety attacks and schizophrenia. It can even cause persistent psychosis. When taken in unknown doses, Ketamine can cause mental retardation and/or death.

Marijuana Candy
Although marijuana is a popular drug amongst teens and even some adults, it has begun to be sold in various forms in order to disguise it as a drug. There are new types of THC "candy" available. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has recently encountered the candy that is sold in in wrappers similar to Butterfinger and Snickers candy bars but is instead called "Buddafingar" and "Stoners". Until recently, these "candy bars" were sold via the internet to anyone that provided a credit card numbers. Each bar weighs approximately 60 grams and contains 20-30 milligrams of THC. There are also THCee lollipops. These lollipops come in different flavors such as cola, grape and Dr. Pepper. They are often labeled with the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 to appear to be legal and for medicinal purposes, however, they are illegal and you can still be prosecuted for having them in your possession. The scarier part of this is that these items can fall into the hands of young children who are not aware that it is a drug.

Salvia Divinorum
Salvia Divinorum is one of the newest drug trends. It is the only hallucinogenic species of the sage plant. Salvia is currently legal in California and anyone over 18 can purchase it at local smoke shops. When smoked, Salvia can give a sense of having an out of body experience. Smokers of salvia lose complete control of their extremities and experience a similar high to that of marijuana. Hallucinations are common when smoking salvia and further damaging effects are still being studied.

Kratom
Kratom is another drug that is sold under the pretense that it is only an incense. Common names for Kratom are Kakuam, Ithang and Thom. It is either chewed like tobacco or brewed in a tea. The high will last about 2-6 hours and it's similar to that of a heroin experience. It prolongs sexual activity, gives extreme energy and increases heart rate.

There are hundreds of other drugs on the street market that parents and law enforcement aren't even aware of yet. The important thing to remember is that parents need to be aware of their child's behavior. If your child acts differently, dresses differently, starts spending time with a different crow, you need to question their behavior and, if in doubt, drug test him. Drug tests are sold over the counter at most local drug stores and grocery stores and parents are encouraged to use them if drug use is suspected. Even if drug use isn't suspected, it provides your child with an excuse if and when he is approached with drugs to experiment with.

Sources
-California Narcotics Officers Association
-Deputy Sheriff Todd Schaves, LA County Sheriff's Department
-Drug Enforcement Agency
-National Institute on Drug Abuse

More resources

http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/Salvia%20divinorum%20and%20salvinorin%20A_Feb%202010%20wo%20image.pdf
http://www.justice.gov/dea/major/rave.html
http://www.clubdrugs.org/

Sleep Mistakes Most Parents Make & How To Solve Them

2011-03-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

Getting your baby, toddler or school age child to sleep and stay asleep IN THEIR OWN bed has to be one of the most difficult tasks you'll face as a parent. This is especially true considering up to 40% of children suffer from one sort of sleep issue or another.

The experts at Baby Center have identified six common mistakes that parents make when it comes to their kids' getting good sleep. After reading their post, I realized that I've made all six of them! The good news is, those mistakes can be undone with some work and effort. Children's sleep experts and veteran parents alike confirm that simple changes to sleep routines and environments can make a big difference in preventing or correcting common sleep difficulties.

Once you've achieved success, meaning your kid goes to bed on time and stays asleep all night, you'll not only have a happier, well-rested child but a happier, better rested family, too. Now, don't be fooled. I'm not quite at this stage yet but it's simply because I am not putting these tips to work. I work full time and get up before 4am so I'm just too darn lazy to spend the time each night to make these tips become a reality for me. Mine goes to bed every night at about 8:30pm after her story from dad and her bath....but she stays asleep only until about 2am....then she wakes up crying, dad picks her up and puts her to bed with us. If we spend even just 5 minutes with her in her room to put her back to sleep, she'd probably stay in there but we're just too tired. And, to tell you the truth, because I'm away from home all day and miss my little bug like crazy, I treasure even our time asleep in bed together. I'm sure this will pass, especially when she doubles in size and her kicks to the head become stronger but, for now, I'm content. Most parents, however, would love some help in the sleep department so here it is....courtesy of Baby Center and relayed through yours truly at The Parent Center!

1. Mistake: Putting children to bed too late
Kids sleep less these days than their parents did growing up. "In infancy and throughout early adolescence, children today get less sleep than they did in the mid '70s and '80s," says Marc Weissbluth, pediatrician and author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. One study found that 2-year-olds now get 40 minutes less sleep than 2-year-olds a generation ago or two. The result of later bedtimes, Weissbluth says, is more bedtime battles, nap difficulties, and night waking.

Maybe you don't have your infant or toddler on a regular sleep schedule or you don't have much time with her after work, so you keep her up a little later to play. "Letting children go to sleep too late as babies and toddlers creates overfatigue," says social worker Jill Spivack, cocreator of The Sleepeasy Solution: The Exhausted Parent's Guide to Getting Your Child to Sleep from Birth to Age 5. "When they become overtired, they have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep, and they get up earlier than if they were put down at an appropriate time."

In preschool and elementary school, a jam-packed schedule with multiple sports or after-school activities may cut into sleep time. "A lot of kids have too much to do," says Jodi Mindell, associate director of the Sleep Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and coauthor with Judith Owens of Take Charge of Your Child's Sleep.

Think about it: By the time your whole family gets home, has dinner, does homework, and so on, sleep may become a forgotten priority. Or you might put off bedtime to avoid battles or in the hope that your child will crash, fall asleep without any intervention, and sleep in late. But this is folly, says Mindell, because when kids are overly tired, they get wired.

A Good habit: Set regular bedtimes (and, if appropriate, nap times) and stick to them. And don't wait until your kid is rubbing his eyes, yawning, or whining — that's probably too late. Put him to bed earlier. Even 15 to 20 minutes of extra sleep can make a difference.

While every child is different, Spivack says that during the night, babies and toddlers typically need 11 hours of sleep, preschoolers need up to 12 hours once they drop daytime naps, and older kids should get 10 to 11 hours. Figure out what time they need to be up in the morning and plan accordingly.

2. Mistake: Relying on motion
What parents haven't breathed a sigh of relief watching their baby snooze in an infant swing or doze in the backseat of the car? Often these wonderful moments occur when you least expect it — and most need a break.
But some moms and dads fall into the trap of using motion to get their young kids to nap or fall asleep at night. "If the child is always sleeping in motion — in strollers or cars — he probably doesn't get the deep, more restorative sleep due to the stimulation of motion," says Weissbluth. He likens motion-induced sleep to the type of sleep an adult might get while flying in an airplane.

A Good habit: Use motion for calming, not naps
Before you throw a tantrum at the notion of giving up the musical swing, listen to Weissbluth's next bit of advice: It's okay to use motion to soothe a cranky child. But once your child has fallen asleep, cut off the swing or park the stroller. "The child has better-quality sleep," says Weissbluth. Guilt-free bonus: If you're taking a long car ride and your child slumbers, just sit back and enjoy the moments of silence.

3. Mistake: Overstimulation in dreamland
Take the ubiquitous crib mobile (please): "I did what I thought all new moms are supposed to do — put a mobile on the crib," says Kelly Ingevaldson, the mother of a toddler in Atlanta. But she soon learned that the mobile — with its rotating toys, sound, and lights — was too much of a distraction for her little one. "She wasn't falling asleep with the mobile. There were so many bright colors, it was keeping her awake instead of teaching her it was nighttime."It's not just babies who may be overstimulated at bedtime. If older kids have lots of toys in the bed or other distractions, they may not be getting the shut-eye they need.

A Good habit: Keep it dark, and cut the action at nap time and nighttime
To maximize sleep, put infants and toddlers — who are too young to have developed nighttime fears — to sleep in nearly pitch-black rooms. "For babies to sleep well, on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the darkest, the room should be an 8 or 9," says Spivack. Use a fan or white noise machine to muffle any sounds from the street or the next room.

Older kids can have a soft night-light to soothe any fears, but no bedtime entertainment. Think long and hard before allowing a TV or computer in your child's bedroom. Even kids who fall asleep with a favorite DVD on are probably losing a half hour or so of precious shut-eye — a loss that can affect their mood and behavior during the daytime — and it's easier to keep the electronics out of the bedroom than negotiate the issue every night.

4. Mistake: Skipping the bedtime routine
With a baby, you might assume that a routine consisting of a bath, a book, and a lullaby isn't yet necessary. But "having a series of calming, pleasing activities leading up to lights-out is very important," says Judith Owens, director of the pediatric sleep disorders clinic at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. It prepares your child for sleep, she explains.

Parents of big kids who used to have a bedtime routine may drop it because they mistakenly believe their child is too old or because they are too tired themselves to do it. But even adults benefit from having some kind of routine to wind down each night. "We can't expect our kids to go from a busy day to lights off," says Mindell. Plus, she adds, research has indicated that "school-age children who do not have a routine clearly do not get the sleep they need."

A Good habit: A comforting bedtime ritual
Regardless of your child's age, the key is to have a predictable series of steps — or what Spivack calls "sleep cues" — that help him wind down from the day. For an infant, that might mean a simple change into pajamas and some cuddling; with older children, the routine might entail a bath, reading books, singing songs, or saying a prayer.

You can create your own ritual: "What we're talking about is having consistent activities that happen in the same space, in the same order, at roughly the same time every night," Spivack says.

5. Mistake: Inconsistency
A couple of times a week, when he's really whiny, you lie down with your preschooler in his bed until he falls asleep. Or maybe you put your big kid down in his room but allow him to crawl into bed with you in the middle of the night. The problem is not the sleep method but the inconsistent practice of it. Many parents don't mind having their child in bed with them, but too often parents end up with a "family bed" that they didn't plan on.

"Parents bring the child into bed but don't want her to stay in bed with them," says Owens. "The first couple of times the child gets up during the night, the parent will put her back in her own bed and around 3 a.m. let the child get into bed with them." She says this scenario creates "intermittent reinforcement." "It essentially teaches the child to hold out and persist even longer, as she learns she will eventually get what she wants," Owens explains.

A Good habit: Set guidelines for where to sleep

Although it's best to decide whether you want a family bed early on, it's never too late to establish rules. Karen Tinsley-Kim of Oviedo, Florida, has a 3-year-old son who recently started waking up at 11 p.m. a few nights a week and finding his way into his parents' bed. After a couple of months of night visits, sleep deprivation spurred Tinsley-Kim to take action.
Once Tinsley-Kim laid down the law, her preschooler stayed in his room. "I wouldn't let him out of his toddler bed, telling him as gently but firmly as I could that it was time to sleep, and it was time to sleep in his bed," she says.

There are exceptions, of course. If your child gets sick or is afraid of a loud storm, feel free to comfort him by staying with him in his bed or sleeping on an inflatable mattress in his room. But as soon as the illness passes or the storm subsides, return to your usual routine. A child who has had the comfort of snuggling with Mom or Dad might protest, of course. In that case, Mindell suggests taking a few days to slowly ease yourself out — perhaps by standing in the doorway until your child falls asleep for a couple of nights before leaving altogether.

6. Mistake: Going from a crib to a big bed too early
Your child turns 2 — what a big guy! — and you want to celebrate by buying that cute toddler bed you saw on sale. But as soon as you make the switch, he starts getting up after lights out or waking up in the wee hours.

Why? Before the age of 3 or so, many kids are just not ready to leave the crib behind. "They don't have the cognitive development and self-control to stay within the imaginary boundaries of a bed," says Mindell.

A Good habit: Wait till your child is ready for a big bed
When a child is close to 3 years of age, it might be time to move him to a bigger bed. Might is the operative word: If your preschooler has difficulty staying in bed at that age, you can always give it more time.

Much like temporarily going back to diapers after a few disastrous attempts at potty training, returning to a crib is not a failure. "If it's not working out, there's nothing wrong with switching back," Mindell says. Your child will eventually be able to handle a big-kid bed — and may even ask for one. "There's no child going to kindergarten who is still sleeping in a crib," says Mindell.

My Perspective

Having read all of the above, I clearly realize why establishing a good bedtime routine, where kids go to sleep and stay asleep in their own room is important. I intend to work on this soon but, for now, I'm enjoying cuddling with my little one during the night hours before I have to get up for another grueling day at the office!

Hearty, Healthy Protein Packed Scones

2011-03-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

A healthy way to start the day...or snack your way through it!

Many times, parents are in a rush out of the house in the morning. After feeding their kids, they rarely have time to grab a nutritious breakfast for themselves. That usually leads to the dreadful drive-thru breakfast sandwich as the only option. These healthy, nutrient packed scones are a great option. They're easy to make and easy to grab on your way out the door!

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups of almond flour
1 cup liquid egg whites
3/4 cup vanilla whey protein powder
1/2 cup granulated Splenda
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup raisins
1 tbsp cinnamon
a dash of nutmeg

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees & spray the baking sheets with cooking spray (preferably vegetable oil spray).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, egg whites, vanilla whey protein powder, Splenda, oats, dark chocolate chips, chopped almonds, dried cranberries & raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Stir well until blended.
Scoop out scone mix in 2 inch spoonfuls onto baking sheets.
Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the peaks begin to brown
Cool & serve

Makes 24 scones. Each scone has approximately 135 calories, 9 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber & 7grams of protein.

Budgeting is Free Online & On Your Mobile Phone

2011-03-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

According to researchers at the National Marriage Project, marriages dissolving over money issues have risen dramatically in the last year or so. Read the statistics and it's clear. Couples who argue about finances one a week are 50% more likely to divorce than those who do so only once a month. Newlyweds who run up their credit cards spend less time together, fight more and are unhappier overall than those who manage their plastic spending. Couples with $10,000 in financial assets, such as savings, investments and a home, are 70% less likely to divorce than those who do not have assets. This could be because they've learned to manage money in order to acquire these assets and it's difficult to split up and figure out how to divide assets acquired during marriage.

While it's no secret that we're in the middle of a deep recession, there still doesn't seem to be an end in sight. Because of that, it's now become even more important for couples to communicate about money issues and try to resolve them before it leads to the dissolution of their relationship. One way I found to stay on top of my finances is with new online and mobile budgeting applications. They are free and require little work on your end. Mint and Money Strands are two secure applications that provide secure SSL encryption on their site to protect your financial information. Money Strands even has 24/7 CCTV surveillance at their data center to protect you from any information intrusion.

Money Strands is an application that lets you track expenses with the push of a button on your smart phone! It was developed to help you take control of your finances, save money and all while not having to spend a dime on financial software. Money strands pulls together data from your checking, savings, credit cards and loan accounts to provide an accurate, up to date picture of your financial life broken down by category. They provide a mobile widget that gives you immediate access to all of your financial data anywhere, anytime. Check balances & receive text alerts on the go. They make money by working with third parties to bring deals, coupon offers, financial products and more to its users. Money Strands can be used online or on your mobile phone and you can cancel with them at any time if you wish to do so. When you do, all of your information will be deleted.

Mint is similar to Money Strands and provides budgeting software online to help you set and stick to realistic budgeting goals. Mint will show your financial portfolio alongside your checking, savings and loan accounts so you can see a complete picture of your account. After adding your accounts, Mint immediately pulls balances, purchases, stock trades, etc to give you a complete picture of where you stand financially. It connects securely to nearly every US banking financial institution that has internet banking capability, saving you hours of tedious data entry into expensive budgeting software. It also updates all of your account information automatically even while you're not logged in. You always have access to the most current information available to you for all of your accounts on one site.. Mint uses SSL encription and 24/7 security at their data centers. They are a read only service and no transfers within are possible so your money is secure. They don't ask for your name or any personally identifiable information that would put your accounts at risk. In addition, they notify you of possible fraudulent transactions on your inputed accounts.

Before these websites and applications came along, you were required to pay upwards of $100 for budgeting software. Even after spending that, it was up to you to regularly update the information and keep your balances up to date in order to maintain an accurate, current picture of your finances. With Mint and Money Smart, the work is done for you and it's all for free. You and your spouse can log on to both of these budgeting sites and see exactly where you stand any day, any time. It's worth a try and it very well could save your marriage!

For more information on these websites, links to their websites and reviews on their products, see the links below:

www.mint.com
http://www.doughroller.net/money-management/a-review-of-mint-com-online-budget-tool/
http://personalfinancesoftwarereviews.com/mint/
money.strands.com
http://financialsoft.about.com/od/onlinesoftware/gr/moneystrands_review.htm
http://iphone-apps.toptenreviews.com/finance/moneystrands-p47535-video-1.html

Feeding Your Toddler

2011-03-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Your little guys or gals are up and at it now. Crawling is phased out and, before you know it, your toddler is running around everywhere. The hard part is getting your child to stop so you can feed her. What your child eats during the toddler years sets the tone for eating habits for the rest of his or her life. What she eats now will influence your child's meal and snack choices as adolescents, teenagers and adults. For that reason, parents must ensure that they select nutritious, wholesome food choices for their family and, most importantly, their toddlers.

Important Nutrients

Each meal should consist of at least 3 major food groups. The ingredients in those meals should include wholesome food items that help a child transition from breast milk or formula to solids. Parents should select lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats/poultry/fish and dairy food. Fiber, vitamin E, potassium, folic acid and vitamin B12 are crucial ingredients in a toddlers diet.

Variety is Key

Variety is the most important aspect of feeding your toddler. Early on in toddlerhood, your child should be exposed to as many different foods as possible, Fish, poultry, beef, vegetables, legumes, fruits, etc should all be introduced to help prevent a picky eater. Even if the parents don't eat it, if the food item is healthy and nutritious, your toddler should be introduced to it and be given the opportunity to see for him self if he likes it. It's also important not to say anything negative about a certain type of food in front of your children. If they hear you say something bad about a food, they'll believe it and will not eat it again.

Healthy Fats

Fat is a critical ingredient in your toddler's diet. It is necessary for brain and body development in general. Parents should include some fat in their child's diet in moderation. Making the right fat choices is important, especially in dairy products and oils. Parents should chose low fat dairy products, skim or low fat milk and vegetable based oils such a canola, soybean and olive.

Eating Skills

Some eating skills that parents should look for in toddlers is the ability to feed his or herself easily. Your toddler can start by using his or her fingers and, once he's mastered this, you can move on to eating with a spoon. It may be messy at first but eventually your little one will be a pro! After your toddler has almost a full set of teeth, experiment with textures and feed him a variety of textured foods. This will expose him to a variety of foods early on, hopefully preventing picky eaters in the future.

Hunger Cues

For the most part, your toddler isn't going to come up and tell you he's hungry (unless it's my daughter who says "Eat, me, peeeezzz"). So, instead of guessing when he or she is hungry, look for hunger cues. Some toddlers will use sounds, words or gestures to let you know they're hungry while others will simply throw a tantrum out of frustration. Look for signs early on and try to remember. Eventually, you can ask your child if he or she is hungry when you see hunger cues start up and help improve your communication.

Fullness Cues

Some kids will eat and eat and eat until they are uncomfortably full. They need help understanding when meal time should be over and at what point they should feel full. Others will give clues that they are donw eating and these are actions, words or gestures you should look out for. If your toddler says "no more" or asks to "get down" from the high chair, he is probably full and no longer wants to eat. Some cultures expect kids to clean the plate. For the most part, this is creating a bad habit and forcing your kids to eat past the point that they are full. Encourage your child to eat until he is satisfied and then stop. While this is true, they should not stop eating dinner but expect to eat a bowl of candy instead.

What Should I Eat After I work Out?

2011-03-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

Nutritionists tell athletes to consume meals high in proteinsand carbohydrates shortly after exercise to promote muscle growth and speed recovery. What they don't always tell you is what to eat and what not to. They also fail to tell you that this could impede weight loss efforts!

Dr Barry Braun from the University of Massachusetts, Amherstfound that walking on a treadmill one hour per day improved blood sugar regulation by 40%.. This effect is wiped out completely when you consumecarbohydrate rich foods immediately after your workout. Exercise helpscreate a caloric deficit that is greatly diminished by post-exercisemeals. If you are going to eat immediately after exercise, try to eat aprotein snack such as almonds, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, lettuce wraps,etc. A protein shake is also a great idea for a post workout boost. (Health Day, Nov. 14, 2008)

Some Blogs for Mom & Dad

2011-03-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

The internet is one of the best resources for anything & everything parenting. There are tons and tons of blogs out there for parents and by parents so how do you find some that have the information you're looking for? Well, start by searching for keywords that appeal to you. For example, if you're a first time mom of an infant, look for a blog written by the same type of parent. If you're the parent of three teenagers and need help deciphering what the heck it is they're telling you and why they may be acting a certain way, search for parents of teens that blog about issues that pertain to you. In addition to parenting advice, you may also want to find blogs that focus on general family topics such as the ever important saving money topic. Moms and dads can be some of the most innovative and creative individuals when it comes to saving money, especially in this economy, so search for blogs that focus on money saving tips. Many times, you can find new blogs by reading comments on blogs you are already subscribed to. Bloggers build their following by commenting on other blogs and will usually have a link to their blog along with the comment. So, enjoy the blogs below and start your search for others. There's many out there with lots of useful information. The two below are unique in their own ways, one by a mom and another by a dad, each appealing to a different audience.

Frugal Dad: He once answered phones at a financial service call center and now offers step by step practical posts that touch on everyday problems. Topics include such as grocery shopping mistakes and more complex problems such as investing in electronic fund transfers. His topics include Become a Millionaire, Best Online Banks, How to Get Out of Debt, Kids & Money and Money Saving Tips. What more could a family in this economy ask for?

Mom Advice: This site offer advice on home cooking, crafting, product reviews, free giveaways, printable family tools, Goodwill hunting and other dollar saving moves. She also offers lots of photographs and a regular list of freebies and deals. She has three running blogs on her website, along with pages for articles forums and resources for parents.

FREE Chipotle Kid's Meals in April!

2011-03-29T05:54:00.000-07:00

Every Saturday and Sunday throughout April (and May 1) visit any Chipotle in LA, Orange County & surrounding areas and receive ONE FREE KIDS MEAL with the purchase of a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos. Visit CHIPOTLE for more information or to see if the offer is available in and around your city.

Munchkin Travel Booster: One of the Best Baby Products On the Market

2011-03-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

If you're expecting or if you just had a baby, you NEED to have this product by the time your little one is ready for a high chair. It is one of the best and most practical baby/toddler product on the market today. It's the Munchkin Travel Booster. It's a booster seat that attaches to any chair at home or at a restaurant. It even has a built in storage compartment for where you can store water, bottles, snacks, bibs, utensils & more! It even has four legs that fod in for adjustable heights! What more could you ask for in a baby product? Below are some of the key features:

Portable bag with shoulder strap
Transforms into a booster seat
Storage compartment inside with strong internal shell that provides stability
Adjustable leg height with hidden pull out legs
Suggested for 1 year and up ( I used it starting at 8-9 months)
Adjustable safety belt
Easy to clean by wiping down with a clean dry cloth
JPMA Certified

It's sold at Target and some Babies R' Us locations for only $24.99. You can't go wrong. My daughter gets uneasy in a high chair and uses the foot rest on them to stand up and try to get out. With this booster, she can't do that and she stays seated through the end of a meal. Sitting in a chair with the rest of us at the same level must make her feel better and more part of the group. Either way, it has been an excellent product for us.

Breakfast... The Most Important Meal of the Day

2011-03-29T05:41:00.000-07:00

Breakfast has long been known as the most important meal of the day. It's what fuels a body to make it through a long day at school folllowed by tutoring, sports practice, homework, studying and more! For that reason, consuming a healthy, nutritious meal in the morning is one of the most important things a child does each day. Research has repeatedly proven that a healthy breakfast positively impacts brain function and energy level, which is extremely important for school-aged children. With as many standrardized tests, college entrance exams and homework assignments that they are expected to complete now at school, they need fuel to help them remain alert and make it through hours of work.

Benefits of breakfast There are many benefits to eating breakfast and many reasons why parents should make eating breakfast a top priority for their children Breakfast equals better behavior. Children who skip breakfast are more tired, irritable, or restless by late morning. These symptoms lead to aggressive behavior that causes children to get in trouble in school. Schools already have enough discipline problems to deal with between gangs and Children who regularly eat a morning meal have more energy, are less likely to exhibit aggressive behavior, and have a better attitude toward school.

Higher Test Scores Eating a healthy breakfast also leads to higher test scores amongst school aged children. A study published in 1998 in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine showed significantly higher math test scores after children ate breakfast. This and other research has clearly shown that children who consistently eat breakfast test higher in most academic areas. They are more alert and more prepared to endure the testing process.

Better Attendance Eating breakfast has also been shown to lead to better class attendance. Children who eat breakfast are absent from school fewer days a year than children who miss this important morning meal. They also spend less time in the nurse's office complaining of stomach pains. The irony falls in the excuse most parents give for not giving their kids breakfast. Most say that they are too rushed or don't have time for breakfast. This contradicts itself, however, since children who claim they don't eat breakfast due to a lack of time in the morning are tardy more often than those who take time for a morning meal.

Healthy Eating All Day Eating breakfast in the morning also leads children to eat healthier the rest of the day. They are not starving by the first break and aren't reaching for the first bag of candy or chips they see in the school vending machine. In addition, they generally meet vitamin and mineral requirements for prevention of deficiencies. They consume more fiber, vitamin C, calcium and folic acid. Unfortunately, children who miss breakfast do not make up for lost nutrients later in the day.

Weight Control Eating breakfast also helps weight control. With the rising child obesity rate today, it's even more important to make sure children are well fed and eat a healthy breakfast every morning. Eating breakfast helps to establish a normal eating pattern. Eating regular meals and snacks is a key to maintaining a healthy weight throughout life. Increasing childhood obesity is in part attributed to the disappearance of normal eating patterns in many of today's households.

So, not sure what to give your child for breakfast? Don't think you have time? Try some of my favorite choices for a healthy breakfast. They're suitable for children & adults by adjusting the serving sizes.

Breakfast Ideas --1/2 cup of cottage cheese, 1/2 cup chopped cantelope & honeydew and 1 slice whole wheat toast --1 Kirkland Signature Homestyle Waffle, chopped strawberries, 1/2 cup of low sugar yogurt --1 English Muffin w/ 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 apple & a glass of milk

Kirkland Signature Waffles

These waffles are delicious, nutritious, inexpensive and easy to serve! What more could you want in a breakfast food. If you want to, you can hand it to your child on his or her way out the door and they can eat it as they would a piece of toast! Kirkland Signature Waffles are an excellent source of 10 vitamins & minerals, including 460 g of ALA Omega-3s, 25% less sodium than the leading brands, no artificial colors or flavors, no high fructose corn syrup and only $ .30 per serving at only $7.94 for 60 waffles! I usually serve them with fruit (cantalope, honeydew, apples, orange slices, strawberries) & half a yogurt so my daughter gets fruit & dairy servings along with healthy carbohydrates.

Work Out Anywhere for F.R.E.E. or...almost Free

2011-03-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

Most people want to work out and get in shape but use not having the money for a gym membership or a trainer as an excuse. Well, you can save money and shed pounds at the same time with some money (and weight) saving tips below!

Get Outside & Play: Play with your kids, play sports in a league, play with a group of friends from work or play with your neighbors. No matter what you decide to do, getting outside gives some of the best exercise! Many employers encourage bonding and what better way to bond than with a friendly game of basketball. If you're a stay at home mom or work from home, get outside and play tag with your kids, kick around a soccer ball or practice your dribbling skills. You'll burn 100 - 300 calories per hour depending on the intensity!
Hit the Stairs: Go to your local high school or college stadium and start climbing. Stairs is some of the best exercise out there, burning upwards of 100 calories in only 10 minutes. It works every muscle in your leg while giving you an excellent cardio workout.
Get Apps: There are thousands of fitness apps available for virtually any smart phone on the market. Most don't cost more than $1.99 and give you tons of useful information. Download some apps today and you'll have workout ideas, nutrition advice, exercise tips and supplement advice at your finger tips 24 hours a day!
Hit the Classifieds: Craigs List, the Recycler, your local paper and many online classified websites have tons of barely used gym equipment for sale. People buy it and sometimes never even use it when they finally decide to sell it. Keep an eye out for garage sales in your area too. Equipment is sold at ridiculously low prices at garage sales because people just need to get rid of their items! You can get great deals on gym equipment that way.
Pay a Visit: Go check out your local gym and see if you can get some passes so you can check it out. Most gyms will give you free passes for one week up to a month and give you free access to the facility and all amenities. With the pass, you can go any time of day and see which times work best with your schedule. Maybe you want to avoid the after work rush so you may want to get up and go first thing in the morning.
Buddy Up: Most gyms give their members free buddy passes. They can give it to friends or family members and they usually give you a one week to one month free pass. Not only do you get to work out for free, but you get to do it with a friend or relative!
Got Cable: Get the cable channel and get FitTV. It offers workout, nutrition, health and fitness programming 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Go to fittv.discovery.com for more information or to watch free videos online.
Play Video Games: You wouldn't think that playing video games would be a way to get a workout but it is. With systems like the Wii, you can play video games and get a workout at the same time. Not only that, it will also monitor your weight loss (or gain) and help keep you accountable. If you don't use it for a few days, it'll remind you by telling you how long you've been away! You'll be getting a great entertainment video game console for your home and your family, a fitness program and a DVD player all in one.
Fitness Classes: Community park and recreations programs offer classes at very low cost. They offer them mornings and evenings so that moms and dads can attend before or after work. Clothing stores such as Lucy apparel and Lululemon offer free introductory classes in store. They include yoga, pilates, strength training and more.
Surf the Internet: Log onto websites such as meetup.com and fit-2gether.com to find friends to work out with no matter where you live. Most of these sites are free to search and they get people with common interests together for workouts, healthy cooking nights and team sports.
Bid Away: Go Ebay and search for videos, resistance bands, medicine balls, workout gear and more at below retail prices. Just as in classifieds, on Ebay you can items and build your own home gym for under $100.
Partner Up: If your gym allows, split a training session with your best friend. Ask a trainer if he'll train both of you together for the price of one. Not only will you get the encouragement from your trainer but from your friend as well.
Use Your Weight: You don't need gym equipment to exercise. Use your own body weight. If you cant do push ups, pull up a chair and do push ups off the chair. Can't do squats yet, put a ball between your lower back and the wall and guide yourself down the wall with it. Not ready for lunges yet, do them next to a couch or a table, helping you support some of your body weight on furniture.
Download: Download free workout videos from You Tube and podcast websites onto your iPod for workouts anywhere and everywhere you go. Most are only $1 on itTunes.
Cut Coupons: Fitness magazines, newspapers and websites often have coupons to local gyms in your area. Cut the coupons and get to it.

Milestones & Household Items To Help Your Child Achieve Them!

2011-03-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

Are you wondering if your little one has reached some of the more typical milestones of toddlerhood? Do you want to help your child reach his or her reach important points in development? See if your little one can do the following and, if not, use some of the household items below to help him do so!

Parents place a lot of importance on milestones specific to the development of a baby. Many times, parents will compare their child to others around the same age. The fact is that children grow and progress at different rates. One child may sit up at 4 months while another many not do so until 6 or 7 months old. Some children walk as early as 9 months old while others don't take their first steps until they're a year and a half. Although milestones vary greatly from child to child, parents do play a part in helping their child reach milestones. Parents should work with their child from very early on by encouraging tummy time, sitting up, rolling over, taking steps and more. Are you wondering if your little one has reached some of the more typical milestones of toddlerhood? Do you want to help him or her reach important points in development Do so by helping build fine and gross motor skills and do it with items in your own home. Not sure if or what you need to work on? See if your little one can do the following and, if not, use some of the household items below to help him do so!

By the end of the 1st Year, your baby should:

Sit up for periods of time with no support

Crawl forward and backward

Stand by themselves (sometimes holding onto something)

Pick up an object while standing (sometimes holding onto something)

Move around furniture or walk around it while holding on Mimic others

By the end of the 2nd Year, your baby should:

Walk without holding your hand

Pull a toy while walking

Carry a toy while walking

Begin to run

Stand on tiptoes

Kick a ball

Climb onto and down from the sofa

Walk up and down stairs holding onto support

By the end of the 3rd Year, your baby should:

Climb well

Walk up and down stairs, alternating feet

Kick and direct the motion of a ball

Run easily

Pedal a tricycle

Bend over easily without falling

By the end of the 4th Year, your baby should:

Hop and stand on one foot for up to 5 seconds

Go up and down stairs without help

Kick a ball forward

Throw a ball overhand

Catch a bounced ball most of the time

Move forward and backward with agility

By the end of the 5th Year, your baby should:

Stand on one foot for 10 seconds or longer

Hop

Do somersaults

Pump on a swing

Begin to skip

Is your little one not quite there yet or do you want to help him or her meet developmental milestones? Use these household items for help!

Balloons: These are great for visual tracking, throwing and catching! Throw them up in the air and have your little one catch it. It falls slowly so you'll be able to help him or her practice reaction time. Throw it at your toddler and have him duck to avoid it! Test how fast his reaction time is and, the best part is, it won't hurt if it hits him!.

Paper Towel Rolls: When they're empty, fill them up with rice, cover each end and wrap it up in tape. Then use it as a shaker and make music with your little one. Have him mimic the sounds you make and follow a beat!

Hula Hoops: Your little one might be too small to hula hoop with it but she can still jump through it, in and out of it, push it or pull it around.

Sprinklers: Not everyone can have a pool in the backyard. When it's hot, you don't need a pool. Use the sprinklers in your front or back yard for some summer fun. Jump in and out of the water, try to jump away from the sprinkler or bring out a slip n' slide near it.

Pots & pans: Most kitchens have stacks of pots and pans that fit together, one on top of the other, from smalllest to biggest. Separate all of the pots in the pile and have your little one try and put them back in the order they belong in!

Fruit Loops or other Colored Cereal: Of course it's a food that is eaten for breakfast or a snack but, before eating it, learn something with it! Have your little one separate the different colors and name them for you each day before breakfast. In no time, he'll know the basic red, green, yellow and orange colors!

Paper: Have paper that needs to be shredded before being thrown out? Have your little one rip it up for you! The dexterity needed to tear pieces of paper helps them refine their fine motor skills!

Glasses: Even if you no longer use them to drink out of, save those kids' cups you get at restaurants. Place it on the table or on the floor and have your little one practice making it in the cup. Throw a plastic ball, coins, pieces of macaroni or any other object.

Chalk: Take it outside and start writing! Practice letters, numbers, shapes & more. When you're done, leave it out there and let the rain or the sprinklers wash it away! Better yet, draw a hopscotch and start jumping!

Rope: Use it to jump rope as usual, play tug or war or as a line marker on the ground for a race!

Lose 1-3 lbs a Week With These Minor Changes!

2011-03-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

Do you want to lose weight but just don't have the time or effort to make the necessary changes? Have you tried many diets in the past and failed? Do you refuse to cut out certain foods? If so, try making small, sometimes inconspicuous changes, to your daily lifestyle. It can help you burn hundreds of extra calories per day without doing much at all. Make all of the changes below and you could lose 1-3 lbs a week!

1) Eat breakfast every day! Get your body burning calories immediately and keep yourself from snacking on processed foods all morning until lunch! Try to eat at least 200 - 300 calories of a balanced breakfast with plenty of fiber & protein. Avoid bagels, donuts, croissants or fast food breakfasts. Try cottage cheese, oatmeal, low sugar yogurt, fruit, nuts and eggs. All of these foods are easy to pack and take to work. They will also provide the nutrients and energy you'll need to make it to lunch time!

2) Add lemon to your water! It has been said by many that the acid in lemons will help burn a few extra calories as you drink your water! Even if it doesn't burn many, it will make your water taste better so you drink more of it!
Truth? Nice in theory, short in practice. Nobody is losing fat with ice cold water. If it sounds too good to be true - you know the rest of the story.

3) Eat 2 whole eggs per day. Whole eggs are a much more viable source of protein because, when the yolk and whites are eaten together, they are more easily digested and absorbed by the body. The egg yolk is also the part of the egg that contains all of the nutrients, 90% them to be exact. The yolk contains a wide array of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, D, E, K, B6, B12, zinc, thiaminecalcium, iron and phosphorus. Eating eggs as a part of your breakfast will give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs, along with protein to keep you full through lunch. This should help prevent snacking and help you save a few hundred calories along the way!

4) Eat cottage cheese daily to get your daily dose of casein. Low fat cottage cheese has lots of healthy milk protein, including casein. Casein helps the body absorb sugar and other proteins at a slower rate, preventing a large, rapid insulin surge. This, in turn, helps prevent excess weight gain and makes cottage cheese one of the best fat burning foods around. In addition, the yolk also contains lutein. It's an antioxidant also found in leafy greens such as spinach. It's responsible for slowing the thickening of the arteries that often leads to heart disease.

5) Drink at least 64 ounces of water, if not more! Drinking water not only hydrates your body but it also helps it digest food much more efficiently.. Try to drink at least a cup of water before a meal and continue drinking through your meal, every few bites of food. You'll get full much faster and, if you opt for water instead of soda, alcohol or juice, you'll save hundreds of calories! 6) Take the stairs instead of the elevator wherever you go! The average American woman burns approximately 7 calories per minute climbing stairs. Not only will you be burning calories, you'll also be working your leg muscles and help keep them toned and firm!

6) Go for a walk after dinner each night. Getting moving after you eat, as opposed to sitting on the couch for some television time, will help your body digest food much more efficiently. It'll help prevent heartburn, acid reflux and burn a few extra calories at the same time!

7) Buy in bulk to save money and calories! Those 100 calorie packs can get expensive. Not only that, they are usually high in sugar and carbohydrates, although they are only 10 calories. Instead, purchase bulk items and healthier options of foods. You can choose from raisins, pretzels, almonds and many more snacks that will be much more nutritious than a 100 calorie pack of Chips Ahoy! When you buy in bulk, instead of eating out of the large package, separate snacks into serving sizes to avoid overeating. Buy snack or sandwich bags and measure out your servings so that you are aware of how much your eating. When you're done, you can refill the bags.

(8) Park far away from wherever you go. A little extra walking never hurt anyone. Walking burns calories, even in small

increments. Wear a pedometer if it'll encourage you to walk more each day. Even those steps from your car to the mall entrance count towards your 30 minutes of recommended daily activity so why not make the most of it!

(9) Sit in a stability ball instead of a desk chair. Not only will this improve your posture and help prevent slouching, but it will also help strengthen your core. By sitting on the ball, your body must continuously make adjustments in muscles throughout the core to remain upright and balanced.. The abdominals, gluteals and leg muscles will all be working as you sit at your desk to keep you upright. It's like getting a work out while you're at work at your desk! Many report noticing dramatic improvements in balance and stability soon after making the change from office chair to stability ball. If you suffer from lower back problems and/or your office doesn't allow the use of stability balls as chairs for liability reason, try using a Fit Disk on your chair. It works in the same way as a stability ball, however, it fits on the seat of your chair and you sit on top of that.

(10) My favorite calorie burning activity is playing with my kids! Running around the house playing tag, riding bikes, tossing a baseball, swimming and more burns tons of calories, sometimes more than going to the gym! Not only will you be getting your exercise in and burning calories, but you'll also be spending quality time with your kids. Getting the kids up and moving will also help them get their exercise in. It'll keep them from doing what most kids do....spend time playing video games or surfing the internet.

More resources

http://www.howtoburnfat.com/burn-fat/fat-burning-foods.html
http://www.getyourtruthaboutabsbonus.com/fat-burning-foods/list/
http://walking.about.com/cs/fitnesswalking/a/ballchair.html

The Parent Center

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Zearly: Revolutionizing Kids Clothing!

Tiara Fletcher"" LOVE IT! I spent about 192 points, and got my sons entire summer wardrobe. And the best part was, i didn't spend a dime. If i would've bought everything i got brand new, it would have been close to $300 dollars, if not more...love, love, love saving money anyway i can!!

Laura Sokol"" If I could give you 10 stars I would... This is an incredible store! I just received my 1st bag of 36 clothing items for only 196 points... and they are all perfect! Thanks SO much Zearly! I will definately be buying MANY more!!

Ciara Thomas Castañon"" Love the whole concept of your business! I have really been impressed with the items we have received from you. Thanks!

Courtney Stewart Winters"" I LOVE Zearly!! Excellent idea and excellent service. I've received two shipments already :-) We'll be customers for a LONG time!!

Carissa Wooten Fulkerson"" Got my first shipment in! Awesome stuff and awesome concept. This mother of 5(all 6 and under!) approves! Two thumbs up!

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Random Healthy Eating Tips

Not sure if the produce you're buying is really organic? If the number on the sticker starts with a 9 them it is!

Have stale bread at home? Don't throw it out! Make breadcrumbs out of it & use them to make baked milanesas! It's like country fried steak but it in the oven instead. Or cut it up in cubes, toss in olive oil & make home made croutons to add to add your salad!

Have stale bread at home? Don't throw it out! Make breadcrumbs out of it & use them to make baked milanesas! It's like country fried steak but it in the oven instead. Or cut it up in cubes, toss in olive oil & make home made croutons to add to add your salad!

Here's a nutrition rule the whole family should be aim to follow! From baby to grandma! Choose foods with no more than 5 ingredients, surely not more than 10, no ingredients you can't pronounce and no cartoons on the package! That'll help insure you and your family are eating healthy, clean foods!

Here's a nutrition rule the whole family should be aim to follow! From baby to grandma! Choose foods with no more than 5 ingredients, surely not more than 10, no ingredients you can't pronounce and no cartoons on the package! That'll help insure you and your family are eating healthy, clean foods!

For a quick healthy mid-day snack on the go, grab a string cheese, 12 almonds & an apple. It's about 250 calories and has just the right amount of nutrients, protein & carbohydrates to keep you moving through your day!

Be cognisant of the difference between eating your food and savoring every bite. Teach your kids to enjoy their food. Chew 10 or 20 times, drink water and wait a bit until your next bite. Not only will you enjoy your food much more but you'll also get full quicker, leading you to avoid overeating!

Instead of harping on one bad food choice that you made today (you grabbed a Snickers on the run or ate a donut in the office), get past it and make a very good choice for the next meal. Make up for it by eating a super healthy, clean dinner and make a promise to stay on track the next day.

Even if you're tired, had a long day at work or your kids wore you out at home, push yourself to get out for a brisk after dinner walk. Even just 30 minutes a day, especially after a large evening meal, will help digestion, burn calories, get your heart rate up and help you sleep better.

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Milestones & Household Items To Help Your Child Achieve Them!

Lose 1-3 lbs a Week With These Minor Changes!

Tiara Fletcher
"" LOVE IT! I spent about 192 points, and got my sons entire summer wardrobe. And the best part was, i didn't spend a dime. If i would've bought everything i got brand new, it would have been close to $300 dollars, if not more...love, love, love saving money anyway i can!!

Laura Sokol
"" If I could give you 10 stars I would... This is an incredible store! I just received my 1st bag of 36 clothing items for only 196 points... and they are all perfect! Thanks SO much Zearly! I will definately be buying MANY more!!

Ciara Thomas Castañon
"" Love the whole concept of your business! I have really been impressed with the items we have received from you. Thanks!

Courtney Stewart Winters
"" I LOVE Zearly!! Excellent idea and excellent service. I've received two shipments already :-) We'll be customers for a LONG time!!

Carissa Wooten Fulkerson
"" Got my first shipment in! Awesome stuff and awesome concept. This mother of 5(all 6 and under!) approves! Two thumbs up!