Pansy Pie

For the Love of Cherries

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:03:00 GMT

All About Cherries!

The name cherry originates from the Latin word “cerasum”. It is a native fruit on the Northern Hemisphere and will bloom in places with temperate climate.

The two most popular varieties are the wild and sweet cherry and the sour and tart cherry. Oftentimes, the tart cherry is the one used for cooking.

The Traverse City in Michigan, USA is known as the 'Cherry Capital of the World'. The fruit is also widely grown in Japan, America, Baltic States, Iberian Peninsula Scandinavia, and Canada.

In Japan, people honored the cherry tree. The attractive flowers play an important part as centerpiece in their spring flower displays. Ornamental varieties of cherries like ‘Kanzan’ are flowering types that show 'double' flowers. They are usually grown for decorative purposes.

One cup of fresh cherries has 87 calories, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, and 1 gram of protein. Healthy? Absolutely!

Health Benefits!

Even though cherries are a bit expensive, it’s an in-demand fruit for its body wellness benefits.

Some studies have shown that regular intake of this fruit is specifically good in fighting organ cancers. It also has anti-aging factors. The anti-oxidants in cherries eliminate the free radicals which are the cause of cell damage in our body. The antioxidants are believed to slow gradually the aging process.

We can get some anti-inflammatory benefits from the cherry, as well. Research shows that the Anthocyanins in the red coloring of cherries help reduce pain and swelling. An average cup full of cherries can lessen the pain related to gout and arthritis. It can also reduce persistent painful episodes in fibromyalgia, a muscle condition/ injuries related to sports.

Cherry is a good source of melatonin. Melatonin can pass through the blood-brain barrier easily thus provides calming effects on the neurons in brain, soothing irritability in the nervous system, which can relieve insomnia, neurosis, and headache problems.

The cherry fruit is also attributed to minimized risk of diabetes and heart disease when regularly consumed. Experts reveal that those who include raw cherry or its supplement in their diet display lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides.

The best beneficial part of this fruit is its ability to aid in our weight loss method. The fruit is high in water content and yet low in fat. Regular intake gives us immediate energy and boosts our metabolism to effectively lose weight.

A study advised one or two servings a day of fresh, frozen or dried cherries or its juice to acquire its disease-fighting benefits. So grab now a handful and bite into its healthylicious benefits!

Enjoyed them with sour cream! Celebrate it with cereals and ice cream! What about you? How do you enjoy your cherries?

Hooray for Acai

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Have you ever heard of Acai berry?

ACAI BERRY—SUPER FRUIT—this is the label some of us have probably seen in groceries, health hub, and the local market.

Doesn’t it make you curious why it’s called super fruit and why is it expensive?

Researches revealed tons about this wild Amazon fruit!

Yes, it’s grown wild in the Amazon rainforests. Some locals there regarded the Acai berries as a food source taking up 42% of their total food intake.

They look like grapes- the smaller, rounder and darker purple version having big seeds and thin pulp.

And why were they named SUPER FRUITS?

These fruits were unknown to many until the 90’s. From that decade, Acai berry juice, extracts, supplements and dried forms were increasingly marketed worldwide to the can-afford health conscious people.

It is indeed a super fruit as the Acai berry is very rich in Antocianine--a potent antioxidant which fight free radicals and eradicate cholesterol. Acai contains 33 times more of Anticianine amount in grapes. If you heard that red wine is good for the heart, it’s true because of this component.

So what can we get when we eat this very nutritious fruit of Amazon?

Since it contains a lot of antioxidants, it can eliminate more of the toxic elements in our body. This fruit can aid us in having a strong immune system and minimizing cancer risk.

It can help us lose weight! This is one of its amazing benefits as it can cleanse away about 25 pounds of fats as well as toxins.

It is an energy booster as it can improve our over-all body energy by letting us rest better and sleep more soundly. Thereby also boosting our metabolism and making us less prone to sickness!

It can also improve body circulation. The supplements made from Acai berry will facilitate good blood flow. It will prevent clotting, and other heart illness so it will aid us live better and longer.

Having the fatty acids -Omega 6 or Linoleic acid and Omega 9 or Oleic acid, it is good for people trying to keep their cholesterol levels normal.

Rich in fibers, Acai berry fruits are especially good for elderly people and to those who complain of digestive problems.

In a research conducted about Acai berry fruit by the University of Florida, they found out that the fruit has the ability to lead the leukemia cancer cells to “self destruct”.

And what’s more is that it is a super anti-aging fruit considering the high content of anthocyanins and antioxidant that you can get from it! These properties may slow or reverse age-related inflammation and damage. So it will make you look and feel younger!

Of course, as a precaution it is still best to consult your physician for any allergic effects you might be subject to.

Whether you want Acai fresh, dried, in a beverage or supplemet, Acai berry fruit is indeed a super fruit!

School Guidance

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:50:00 GMT

Guidance Counseling has become a necessary process in every existing school because of the everyday stress students are exposed to. This stress comes from different factors such as bullying, racism, family crises, abuse, substance abuse and a whole lot more. Some might need guidance to reckon with some tragedies they were exposed to, such as gun attacks in schools, for example. These incidents are becoming more and more frequent and there are many students that need guidance counseling in order to surpass them. Over the years, professionals in this field have tried to improve the existing guidance methods.

One-on-one counseling

The traditional method of guidance is the so called "one-on-one counseling", or the individual counseling, held between an expert and a client, in our case, the student. During these sessions, problems deriving from different areas can be treated. For example, a student might need guidance because he is depressed, anxious, because he was pushed into abusing substances or because he has some phobia that is not letting him have a normal life. Also, students can have they have problems with their self esteem, difficulties of integration within a group; difficulties when it comes to organizing their life or time; difficulties of communicating with others or they may have repeated conflicts with certain persons. All these can be treated within the individual counseling sessions, in school.

Group counseling

Another method of guidance that is practiced in schools, although rarer than the individual counseling, is the group counseling. This can be applied to groups of children, teenagers or students. For example, group counseling for children are meant to prevent or to remedy some undesirable behaviors; group counseling sessions for teenagers are meant to provide the adequate environment for them to constructively confront their ideas or to develop their social skills. At this age they have a lot to say because they are in a stage of development where they also encounter affective pressure, which is best to confront. Finally, group counseling for students is mostly for career development, for female students that have children or for minority students, for example.

Pros and cons of these guidance methods

There are pros and cons when it comes to choosing the best method of guidance to be used in schools. Group counseling is more efficient because more students are treated at a time, with fewer costs and money. Still, some may fear opening up in front of other people and the result of this type of guidance might not be the desired one for everybody. One of the pros for group counseling is that one can learn from other's experiences and can surpass his own fears by taking his colleague's example. On the other hand, confidentiality is not guaranteed when choosing this type of counseling and sometimes, it might also be hard to organize because the counselor has to find a date and an hour convenient for all their participants. When it comes to individual counseling the student is sure that his privacy is guaranteed and he might feel more comfortable talking about his problems in front of a single person. Still, this method requires more time and money compared to the other.

No matter what counseling method one chooses to practice it is very important to obtain the best possible results and to help children surpass their problems and have a normal life during and after school.

When Taking A Test

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:19:00 GMT

Age doesn't matter when it comes to tests. We start taking tests at a small age and we keep taking them for a very long time. As we grow up we gather more experience and we become more confident in ourselves, but a lot of people are nervous and they need advice on how to handle the pressure better. To have good results, here are some test taking tips for the three stages that need attention:

Before the test

The first and most important advice will solve 50% of your problems. Pay attention in class. The teacher's explanations can value more than hours of reading on your own without understanding. Even if you do understand, it still helps you to save a lot of time if you already know the facts and you just repeat them instead of learning them for the first time.

Make sure you study everything in time. Don't let everything gather up in the last night before the test. You may not be able to finish reading everything and even if you do, staying up all night means you will be very tired when taking the test and not being able to focus 100% when taking it.

When studying, check the notes you made in class and try to emphasize on the things the teacher focused the most on. Some things are more important than others. The teacher will definitely give some hints in class about certain subjects that have a higher possibility of being included on the test. All you have to do is to pay attention.

If you have examples of similar tests, make sure you check them. Even if you won't get the exact same subjects, you can still have an idea about how the test will be.

Rest well the night before the test. Make sure you wake up on time and, just to be sure, place an alarm. Missing a test you studied a lot for is just horrible.

Eat before the test so you don't have anything else to worry about. Also, go to the bathroom so you don't waste time on the actual test.

Be sure you show up in time, at least 10 minutes before the test starts, with your pencil ready and also with a spare one.

During the test

Be calm and confident because panicking will not help at all. If you keep calm the right ideas will come to you. If you feel the pressure is too high, take a few deep breaths. These will help you relax again.

Tests may be very hard and it is possible to have questions you don't know even if you studied. Keep calm and don't try to cheat; it's not worth it. If you get caught, it may not only permanently ruin your reputation, but teachers will lose confidence in you, and it may also get you expelled. It's better to get an honest "B" than to risk getting caught and getting dismissed from of school.

Read the questions very carefully. That's the moment when you need to focus and to really make sure you understand what you need to write. Some questions are tricky and you wouldn't want to write something else more than you're supposed to. If any of the questions seem wrong or you can't understand something, just ask, and the test supervisor will clear things out.

Even if you write quickly, the teacher must be able to understand when he reads your paper, so keep the writing as beautiful as you can.

If you don't know the answer to one of the questions, skip it and come back to it when you finish answering the other questions.

Focus on your paper and don't let emotions get to you if other people taking the test are already leaving the testing room. For all you know, they might be leaving because they didn't learn and didn't know what to write.

If you have time, after answering all of your questions, try to check everything again and you might find simple mistakes you can correct.

After the test

If you get a high grade, enjoy it - it is the well-deserved result of your hard work. If you get a bad grade, don't panic and start studying for your next test because you can't afford to lose time in these situations.

When you see the paper, check for the mistakes you made and try to learn from them, so you won't make them again.

If you think you can do better, ask your teacher if there is a possibility of improving your grade by taking one more test or maybe by doing some essay.

Good luck!

Another Simple Weekend Plan For The Fam

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:02:00 GMT

Finding time to spend together during the course of a week can seem next to impossible for the average family between work, school, practice, homework and chores. It's sometimes even more of a challenge to find activities that the whole family can enjoy. This weekend is the perfect time to settle family dilemmas with these options for family fun.

Local festivals

There are plenty of local festivals to choose from and that will satisfy everyone from the cultural enthusiast to the people watcher, and most include an area dedicated to family fun. Don't forget to check with your local schools for spring fling and summer festivals that provide all the fun at a fraction of the cost.

Sporting events

While going down to the arena or ballpark to watch professionals in action is fun, you don't need season tickets to watch the minor leagues or your local high school take on the town rival.

Volunteer

Consider contributing to your community as a family. Many towns have organizations that spruce up public spaces where toddlers can pull up weeds (with supervision) while the older kids can plant seeds and bulbs. Another option is to help out at one of the many animal-rescue organizations or take your kids to visit the elderly at a retirement home.

Camping

Find the bug spray, pop the tent and light the campfire. Even if you can't get to a campground, have your own family camping night in the backyard. While you may not be able to light a campfire, you can grill hot dogs and tell stories by the glow of a flashlight or portable lantern.

Movies

Going to the movies is the perfect option for bad weather weekends. Kids get a kick out of seeing their favorite characters on the big screen, and you can sneak in some quiet time. Seriously, who can resist the movie snacks anyway?

Road trip

Have the family pack their bags and head out of town for a family road trip. Check out a national park, head to the beach or strap on the backpacks and go hiking in the mountains. Getting away from the everyday hectic pace and taking in nature's beauty is a great way to spend time with the family in the fresh air.

Find fun activities that the whole family can enjoy and rediscover the joy of being a family this weekend.

Top 6 Greens

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:06:00 GMT

Spinach is one of the most common green leafy vegetables around. It contains a very high amount of vitamin A and C. It also contains folate and 20 calories per serving. Cooking spinach is better than eating it raw because it reduces the oxalate and gives more calcium. You can eat spinach raw in salads or you can just heat them up a little bit before eating.

Broccoli is another common vegetable that most homes serve. It contains high amount of Vitamin A and C and contains 25 calories per serving. It also contains folate and potassium and most kids like to eat it raw. You can eat it raw or have it alongside other dishes like pasta.

Iceberg Lettuce contains mostly water and it’s very healthy for the system. It doesn’t contain too much nutrients but it is sure good for the body. You can use this lettuce to introduce yourself into eating green vegetables. It is mainly used in the preparation of taco salads and hamburgers. It is very popular and should be added to your daily diet. You need to wash this vegetable before eating to get rid of any bacteria present.

Cabbage is one of the most consumed green leafy vegetables in the world today. Almost every household add this vegetable to their daily diet and it can be a part of a very good diet plan for people looking to lose weight. It is a cruciferous vegetable and sometimes the color can be very light and almost white. It is very high in vitamin C and contains anti cancer properties. Sometimes, this vegetable can come in red colors too not only green. Cabbage can be eaten raw, cooked, steamed, and added into pasta or stew or any other dish for that matter. One serving of this vegetable contains about 15 calories.

Mustard greens have more nutritional content like turnip greens and is used in most homes. These vegetables can come in red or green colors like cabbages. They have mustard smell, scalloped edges and a peppery taste. You can tone down the hotness of this cabbage by adding vinegar to it while cooking. One serving of mustard green contains about 10 calories.

Kale is one of the many green leafy vegetables that contain almost all the nutrients you need. It’s a very good source of both water and fat soluble vitamins like A, C and K. It contains high amount of calcium, potassium and folate. It has many varieties such as purple, black and cream. Before cooking this vegetable, you have to wash or rinse it as many times as possible to get rid of the dirt. Put it in a bowl filled with water or a sink filled with water and then drain. Keep draining the water until there are no dirt present. You can use any recipe you want but the most common is to add it in olive oil and spice it up with garlic. Cook for some minutes and serve.

Ooh La Orange

Fri, 31 May 2013 09:03:00 GMT

Oranges are highly beneficial for your body. The orange, a fruit containing vitamin C and healthy flavonoids, may be your ticket to lowering risks of heart attack. Eating an orange daily provides the recommended dietary intake of vitamin C. The orange is also one of nature's Power Fruits and adding it to your diet every day will give you amazing benefits such as antioxidants, fiber, and trace amounts of minerals such as manganese.

Health Facts

Oranges are a coolant by nature and can be eaten even while one is fasting or is sick. People whose digestive system is weak should add 3 parts of water to 1 part of orange juice before drinking it. Here are some benefits of eating oranges:

• Lowering Cholesterol

Orange peels contain Hespetidin, a compound known for its antioxidant properties. It is also found in orange pulp but in a much lower amount Hespetidine helps in lowering the cholesterol level of the body and maintain the blood pressure.

• Protects Your Organs

Antioxidants protect your organs from damages due to wear and tear, as well as certain diseases such as cancer. It also helps your body resist certain types of colds and flu. It is not a direct cure for colds or flu, but it can help keep your body's immune system at its peak.

• Prevent Cancers

Oranges are a great source of Limonoids. Limonoids appear to protect the body against certain types of cancer. This includes skin cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, mouth cancer, lung cancer and stomach cancer.

• Great Source of Vitamin C

One orange gives the human body 67% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Both wound healing and disease resistance are aided by this vitamin.

• Natural Fiber

Oranges contains pectin, a natural fiber which prevents problems like constipation and maintains the blood sugar level. Pectin also helps in promoting the growth of good bacteria in the intestine which results in better digestion.

• Reduces Heart Disease

The risk of heart disease may be reduced by eating oranges on a regular basis. The risk may be reduced by 50% if the fruit is eaten on a regular basis. It is believed that the flavonoids in oranges help protect cells.

Some another Benefits of Orange

• Works as Natural sunscreen.

• It has anti-inflammatory properties

• It helps keep the wrinkles away.

• Keeps the fluid levels of the body in proper balance.

• Helps reduce blood cholesterol levels.

• Protects the cells.

• Arthritis prevention

If you know more about oranges, share them with us!

Vitamin K OK

Tue, 28 May 2013 05:58:00 GMT

Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin found naturally in foods such as leafy greens and dairy products. The natural forms of vitamin K are K1 and K2. Bacteria in the large intestine help the body obtain vitamin K from food. Along with other lip soluble vitamins, such as Vitamins A, D, and E, vitamin K is stored in body fat, especially the fatty tissues of the liver. Vitamin K deficiency is not common, but can result in poor blood clotting, and poor bone growth. Vitamin K is resistant to heat and somewhat resistant to processing, but fresh, raw produce contains the highest levels of this vitamin.

The intake of vitamin K is advisable. Healthy females should take about 90 micrograms a day and also even throughout pregnancy and lactation. Males may take about 120 mcg a day. Vitamin K also plays a very important role on your skin rejuvenation.

Vitamin K Foods vs. Vitamin K Creams

Vitamin K can be found in high doses in several foods, the best sources of which are dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach, collard greens, and kale.

Many oils including olive oil, soya bean oil and canola oils also contain significant levels of vitamins and minerals and are a healthy addition to any diet.

Vitamin K is also available through processed skin creams which are used as topical application. You can apply Vitamin K cream directly to the affected areas of the skin.

Healthy and Beauty Benefits of Vitamin K

There are lots of benefits of Vitamin K including:

• Improved blood clotting

• Good skin quality

• Heals skin discolorations

• Prevents hip fractures in post menopausal women

• Alleviates vascular problems

• Promotes bone health

• Heals scars and skin imperfections

• Treats anti-coagulant induced pro thrombin deficiency

• Reduces the risk of osteoporosis

• Prevents the appearance of spider veins on the face

• Aids in preventing cancer

• Binds calcium in the bones

• Improves bone density

• Taking in vitamin K can help a women experiencing excessive menstrual flow to control blood flow.

• The intake of vitamin K among pregnant women suffering from nausea can bring about relief within 72 hours.

• Vitamin K plays an important role in the regulation of blood sugar level.

There is an extensive list of Vitamin K benefits. If you would incorporate this on your daily diet, you are sure to improve the quality of your lifestyle.

Stranger Danger

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:38:00 GMT

“Don't talk to strangers” is not necessarily the key. We cannot expect our kids to do this if we adults break this rule every time in the grocery store, waiting in line at the movie house, or even in school. Children should know that most adults they encounter are basically good people. Often, these strangers are actually people who can help kids in case of emergencies.

What You Can Do

Teach kids to pay attention to their instincts. Parents should tell their kids to listen to that voice in their heads; if they don't feel safe or they feel it's not right, they shouldn't go through with it. We need to give children safety nets of people they can go to if they need help, such as uniformed law-enforcement or security officers, a store salesperson with a nametag, the person in an information booth at a mall or other public venue, or a mother with children.

Next, describe the proper way to handle a stranger. A common ploy for abduction attempts is for strangers to pretend that they are a friend of the child's parents, and that the parents who are either sick or injured asked them to pick the child up on their behalf.

To help children deal with this particular situation, let them run the scenario in their heads, then ask them the following questions:

- What do you do when a person you don't know says mommy or daddy asked him or her to pick you up from school, and that you should hop into the car?

- Do you run to your teacher, the principal, or the security guard?

- What do you do if the stranger grabs you?

- What do you think is the safest thing to do while waiting for mommy or daddy after school?

- Do you stay with your teacher in the classroom or the principal's office?

Should a stranger grab your kids, children should be taught to run for help and scream, kick, make a loud noise and keep yelling something like “You're not my mother!” or “You're not my father!” More importantly, teach your child at a very young age why he or she should never go anywhere with any adult, without your permission, whether that person is a stranger or a friend.

To help children deal with this particular situation, let them run the scenario in their heads, then ask them the following questions:

- What do you do when a person you don't know says mommy or daddy asked him or her to pick you up from school, and that you should hop into the car?

- Do you run to your teacher, the principal, or the security guard?

- What do you do if the stranger grabs you?

- What do you think is the safest thing to do while waiting for mommy or daddy after school?

- Do you stay with your teacher in the classroom or the principal's office?

Developing Self Esteem

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

As parents, we fear the worst for our children. We see an imperfect world, where strangers and circumstances can discourage, frighten, harm, or endanger our little ones. But kids need not be plagued with thoughts of a dangerous surrounding, and parents shouldn't feel the need to create a protective bubble around them. The best defense is to empower kids with a boost of confidence and how-to-deal skills when facing possible dangers.

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is the collection of beliefs or feelings that we have about ourselves, or our self perceptions. How we define ourselves influences our motivations, attitudes, and behaviors, and affects our emotional judgment. Self-esteem includes other qualities, such as self-confidence, pride, independence, self-reliance, and self-respect. Experts say we develop our self-esteem during childhood, and it constantly evolves as we are shaped by the different social interactions and experiences we go through.

Enhancing a child's self-esteem is the first step in ensuring his or her right to personal safety. Keeping children away from physical harm is only secondary. Programs have been developed to teach children self-protective skills, and families recognize and respond to potentially unsafe situations. Children who are conscious of their self-worth feel good about themselves, pulling out all the stops to any sign of threat or danger. Moreover, self-esteem develops the same positive communication skills and attitudes, which children could pass on to the next generation.

A child's self-esteem is based on a positive relationship with parents and eventually teachers. Parents can foster that can-do attitude in their children with a “Wow!” or a “That's great!” every time they accomplish a feat. These positive comments form children's first concept of success, which ultimately leads to a healthy self-perception.

But praise and positive reinforcement alone will not make children feel better automatically. Providing them with lots of love, care, and understanding is equally significant. Children who are happy and confident may still experience low self-esteem because they do not feel loved. Likewise, children who are loved and pampered at home may still feel inadequate and incompetent, thus ending up with low self-esteem.

Hence, a balance of both should be present. Delivering positive messages and engaging in constructive communication lead to a healthy self-perception. Try these time-tested tips to enhance your child's can-do attitude.

1. Limit the “Don'ts” to the barest minimum.

State your requests positively. Too many negative words in your sentences will only lead to a child's self doubt.

2. Let kids complete their sentences.

Avoid interruptions, as these disrupt their train of thought or make them forget what they're saying. Otherwise, they'll feel as if their ideas are insignificant and not worth listening to.

3. Establish eye contact.

Be a good model of conversation by giving kids your full attention. This communicates that you are interested in what they are saying, and that you are stressing a noteworthy idea, as well.

4. Take turns in the conversation.

Agree on who speaks first, and who speaks next. It is important for parents to encourage kids to verbalize their ideas and feelings, but to also wait for the go signal to speak. Children should be able to understand that if people talk all at the same time, they will end up understanding nothing.

5. Keep a calm, uncritical, and non-irritable manner when explaining.

Keep your speech concise. Use language that kids will easily understand, explaining to them what they need to do, and why they should or should not do it. Speaking in a calm tone also keeps panic from rising within them.

6. Criticisms should still be present.

We should also take notice of shortcomings or misbehavior as we see it or learn about it. Explain why an action is not acceptable, and allow kids to think of ways to avoid doing it again.

Be the first to develop your child’s self esteem. Believe in what they can do and guide them through their years.

Motivation vs. Stress

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:46:00 GMT

Parents naturally want their children to be the best, whether in academics or extra-curricular activities or both! Young kids especially find happiness in pleasing their parents, and would do almost anything to gain their approval from doing simple chores and creating pretty artwork, to accomplishing more ambitious feats like winning in sports or beauty pageants. But how far can we push our little ones without breaking their spirit or setting them up for disappointment?

Over competitive parents usually have many expectations from their children. They are more particular with good grades and performance than with how happy the child is going through schooling or joining an activity. For instance, some parents are still not satisfied when a child receives a B grade, expecting instead the perfect A. These parents see mistakes as unacceptable. Pointing fingers at who is to blame for the failure of their child becomes their means of rectifying the situation, ignoring the possibility that there are other factors and variables at play. The worst scenario is when explanations are sought from the children, who may not always know why they performed below expectation.

Why Would Parents Demand Much From Their Children?

Here are several factors:

Family Background

Continuing the family legacy is important for most parents. For instance, if you came from a family of doctors, chances are, you will be expected to become one, too, regardless of your capacity or inclination. When one or both parents are achievers, they don't see any reason for their talents not to manifest themselves in their children.

Economic State of Family

Some average income earners force kids to excel beyond their abilities so they can avail of scholarship grants and minimize the cost of schooling in their budget. Children owe it to them. Many parents think that the formula to their children's success is to provide them with everything. And since everything is given, there is no reason why they cannot excel.

Comparing Children

Hearing parents boast about their kids' success causes other parents to feel envy and even self-doubt. Because they feel this way, parents then put more pressure on their kid.

Effects on Children

There is a constructive side to instilling competitiveness: children tend to strive more and see for themselves what they are really capable of. Financial gain is another advantage. If your child performs well, he can be awarded scholarship grants and get good offers when he or she reaches high school or college levels. Prestige and popularity come with territory, too, because the ability of the child shines.

Though instilling competitiveness in our children has its benefits, experts agree that potential negative ramifications outweigh the positive. The following are some of them:

Children Become Misguided.

When the pressure is too much, the child no longer sees knowledge and the acquisition of knowledge as goals. The grade has become the premium whether or not he or she learns anything that is of value to him or her. Also, the child becomes an unfriendly competitor.

Children Can Get Easily Frustrated.

Children under great pressure become very unhappy with one or two little mistake. They may start blaming themselves for the slightest setback. They may start having sleepless nights. They will take every mistake as the end of it all. This kind of mindset where personal worth is measured by grades, accolades, and other quantifiable achievements can be detrimental to their self-perception.

Children Become Fearful.

With expectations set high, children may fear punishment from their parents every time they fall short. If children have difficulty in certain subjects or areas, they need support and guidance early on. However, since they are afraid of disappointing their parents, they will not come out and say, I am having a hard time understanding this. Nothing is resolved; no course of action is taken.

This fear of failure also translates itself into children's unwillingness to take risks, to explore, or to try something new, thus stunting their development. Children develop over-dependence on parents.

Children under tremendous pressure from their parents are usually unable to think for themselves. How happy they are with their achievements depends on how happy mom and dad are. They feel that their parents should approve every move they make. Children become socially isolated. Constant bragging of parents about their children to others may not always be graciously received. This may even create a wall between the child being bragged about and others (friends, the school, community, even relatives). A child may develop either an unhealthy superiority or inferiority complex. The feeling of being better than everybody else, because a child was constantly drilled that he or she is, can result in ostracism by peers. Similarly, feeling inferior to others may cause children to retreat into their shells.

Children Measure Self-Worth By Achievements.

When children hear their parents comparing them with others, it only translates to two messages: either Mommy and Daddy love me because I am perfect, or They say I'm not as good as the other kids.

Thus, the need to succeed arises, but only to satisfy the desire to be accepted and be loved. Before anyone notices, what begins as self-doubt escalates into serious anxiety, which can lead to more serious problems, such as power struggles, eating disorders, and depression, even at a very young age.

Children need to know that they will be loved whether or not they receive any achievement. Preschoolers, in particular, should be guided more on mastering age-appropriate skills that will serve as their foundation for later learning, not on reaping awards or medals. The universal rights of children include not only the right to have food, shelter, and education, but the right to play as well. Therefore, it is important that parents find ways for children to also relax and have fun.

Be confident of your children's lead: Let them learn at their own pace, and be there to hold their hand when they need it. Keep in mind that accomplishments in infancy, toddler years, and preschool years do not necessarily predict a child's success in adulthood.

Parents should do their best to love and accept their children for who they are. Allow them to be themselves and hit that road the way they see it. Each child is unique. Respect their ways of learning, growing, and thinking. Ultimately, a child’s true measure of greatness depends on the guidance and values their parents give them.

A Discussion On The Different Teaching Strategies

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:47:00 GMT

Why vary the strategies in teaching?

As a teacher, having knowledge and mastery of varied teaching strategies is essential. We all know that each of us is a unique individual and has each own learning style.

And the very effective way to address the diversity in the classroom is to vary the teaching methods. It is proven that the academic performance of students improved when the methods used matches with the learning styles.

Here are the effective teaching strategies a teacher can utilize:

Cooperative Learning

This is a suitable method when the class is divided into small teams. Here the students learn not only from the teacher but also from each other. And they will be able to communicate, explore and discuss ideas. It place value on listening, respecting differences and working as a team.

Inductive Method

It is more like an investigation method. Students will draw conclusion from experiences to get the evidence, principle or generalization. What is agreeable with this method is the on-hand activities like measuring, manipulating, discovering and constructing to achieve the conclusion.

Deductive Method

The reverse of inductive method, it begins with the presentation of generalization and process the specific points logically. It helps students to analyze, utilize truth, and delay judgment until analysis is correct and complete. This is good for students to realize the meaning and significance of the established truth or fact.

Demonstration

It follows the principle of learning by doing and imitation. This could not only be applied to physical skills but also with mental skills by performing it under teacher’s supervision. It develops the confidence and showmanship as they demonstrate in front of an audience.

Discovery Approach

Children have to discover or find out themselves of the answers to the problem. The appropriate tools and data are given but it is the initiative and responsibility to use them to arrive at the solution based on his or her own knowledge. Students do have active participation in the learning process.

Guided Discovery Approach

This is a discovery approach where there is a help or intervention given to led the students to the generalization. This may be time-consuming and tedious on the part of the teacher. The teacher should also be expert in organizing the data at the same time knows his/her students well.

Discussion

One of the traditional methods which is useful wherein students have to share ideas about a topic.

Experimentation

This is a scientific method where children experiments or manipulate the materials in a procedural manner. Then analyze the data results gathered for the conclusion.

Field Trip

An out-of-classroom or –school activity where students observe and study first hand a phenomena in a real world setting. Usually they go places where growth and development are evident like factories, museums, zoos and other scientific/mechanical marvel.

Problem Solving

This is particularly useful and common in mathematics where there is a problem given and students need to solve for the answer. They will be given enough information or clues to establish sense of the problem. From those clues, they have to clarify, interpret, and attempt to make more solutions to answer the problem.

Some methods could fit very well on certain topics and certain students. It is the ingenuity of the teacher to determine which is best to apply on a given situation and for a particular group.

Early Morning Routines to Start Your Day Right

Fri, 10 May 2013 19:20:00 GMT

You probably do not notice your morning routine. But believe it or not, this often overlooked time of day presents a valuable opportunity to enrich your life. If you have planned your day ahead starting from your morning activities and ritual, the rest of your day will surely be a blast. Here are some ways to sure-fire your mornings:

Wake Earlier

It seems there are endless article online espousing the benefits of waking earlier but when you think about it, this really is the key to overhauling your morning routine. With more time, you are free to develop the habits listed in this article and actually enjoy every mornings free from the pressure of having to rush out the door.

Mediate

Meditation is the practice of silencing the mind, and the morning is a particularly good time to do it. Just a few of its many benefits include improved concentration, better health, and increased knowledge of your inner self. If you would like to learn more about meditation and how to get started, you can head to your local meditation center and discuss this with a soul advisor.

Avoid Cereal Solely for Breakfast

Cereal has little nutritional value. Whether it contains bits of almond or it's multigrain, it's usually a little more than highly processed filer laden with sodium and excess sugar. While it may give you energy in the morning, it sets you up to crash later. A delicious breakfast made with fresh foods may take a little planning and forethought, but you won't regret it when you're eating like a king.

Exercise

There are immense benefits to exercising in the morning. First, it raises your metabolism which helps convert calories. Second, it starts the day with a positive accomplishment. You will have that certain feeling of accomplishment that you are ready to take on anything after exercising, and it is great to carry this momentum throughout the day. If you would like to kickstart the exercise habit, then get suggestions from advisor or instructor.

Set Goals

Pick a goal to accomplish for the day. Do this consistently and you will be pleasantly surprised by how much you can accomplish from day to day. A goal gives you focus and a sense of achievement when you see it through. Never let a day slip where you don't finish a task you've been meaning to get to.

Here are some other killer habits you might want to consider:

• Drink 8oz of water as one of the important things you do when you wake up. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day by drinking a glass of water every hour or within a 90-minute duration.

• Instead of walking up slowly, get up and do some stretches or light aerobic activity such as jumping jacks or jogging in place to set your metabolism to high speed for the day.

• Read a favorite inspirational book for 20 minutes each morning.

Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be. What are your morning rituals to having a killer start to the day? Share it with us!

Have an awesome day ahead!!!

A Serious Take On Allergies

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Food allergies can affect as many systems in the body as possible. Symptoms can range from mild itching to as extreme as something life threatening. The allergic reactions can be instant or it can develop through the course of several days. The very instant and immediate reaction is called anaphylactic reactions. It can be deadly if no care is given immediately.

There are certain foods that are commonly known to cause or trigger the development of anaphylactic reactions. They include seafood, spices, peanuts and nuts in general. As a parent, you should know that anaphylaxis is a critical condition that requires medical attention immediately. Once your kid starts complaining of narrowed airways, if they can’t breathe well, throat is swollen, pulse is rapid, chest tightening and redness of face after eating any food, then you need to rush your child to the hospital.

The most common place to notice food allergic reactions is mainly on the skin. Skin reactions are the most immediate symptoms of food allergies in kids. The common skin reactions include appearance of rash, swelling or edema of the face, itchy and swollen tongue, itchy and swollen lips and hives. The hives can be red and itchy.

The second most common among the symptoms of food allergies is respiratory tract signs. The throat can become itchy, itchy nose and runny nose. Some other common symptoms include wheezing, sneezing, shortness of breath or dyspnea and it can mimic asthma attacks. There may be coughs and nasal congestions.

Of course, since food goes through the gastrointestinal tract for digestion, it means it will also affect the area and begin to produce further symptoms. Some common gastrointestinal tract symptoms of food allergies include stomach pain and abdominal cramps. Diarrhea is usually more common than constipation. Nausea and vomiting are common but not specific as it can be a sign of other stomach problems. In more severe cases there can be rectal bleeding.

This may be farfetched but whether parents like it or not, food allergies can affect the cardiovascular system as well. There are some cardiovascular signs that can be manifested in people with food allergies and among them includes fainting and dizziness. Sometimes the symptoms are not as severe as skin reactions. However there will be times that it can go really extreme. Some very severe symptoms of food allergies connected to cardiovascular system include loss of consciousness and even sudden or acute drop in blood pressure.

Food allergies can cause kids to develop eye irritations that will lead to tears, itchy eyes, and swelling of the vocal chords that will cause the voice to become coarse. In babies, the reaction is usually seen by excessive and inconsolable crying. There can be redness in the anal area and skin becomes really pale.

The symptoms of food allergies above are mainly seen in kids but can also be present in adults. They shouldn’t be taken lightly and the best advice is to have them checked by your trusted physician immediately.

Home Remedy If Your Child Has Colds

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:59:00 GMT

Use Steamy Air

Inhaling steamy air will help loosen the mucus plug in the nostrils. A child can inhale steamy air while having a warm bath. You can keep a humidifier or vaporizer in your kid’s room but be sure to clean the humidifier because of mold accumulation. Before bathing you child, you can let the water run for a few minutes and make the bathroom air moist. You can add little drops of menthol into the bath tub to help your angel decongest the nostrils. If it’s not your baby’s bath time, you can just run the hot water, close the doors and block every point of air exchange. Sit with your baby inside the locked steamy room and relax for about fifteen minutes.

Use Saline drops

Using saline drops is one of the most convenient home remedies for colds in children. It is very easy to do and can be done for children of all ages unless the procedure in inconvenient for an older child. This is more beneficial for young children who can’t blow their nose.

You can use a bulb syringe for babies to clear their stuffy nose. You can buy saline nose drops without prescriptions in drug stores or you can make one at home with salt and warm water. Put about two drops into the baby’s nose while the head is tilted backwards, then use a rubber bulb syringe to collect mucus and saline drops out of the nostrils. You should be very careful with this procedure and don’t do it so many times in a day.

Hydration

For kids who are six months and above, hydration is an important part of treating colds. Hydration is one of the most effective home remedies for colds in children to avoid dehydration. It doesn’t only help ward any possibilities of dehydration but it also helps thinning the mucus plug in the nostrils. You can use plain water if your child doesn’t mind or a nice alternative would be fruit juices, especially fresh ones.. Most often, children don’t find plain water appealing and would rather go for something with some form of sweet taste. For children younger than six months, you can always continue with breast milk or formula feeding.

Keep the Head Elevated

This may not seem like a lot but it sure helps to keep your child comfortable. Due to nasal congestion, your child may find it difficult to breathe. Raising the head while resting can make his or her situation easier. You can use pillows or even towels to raise the baby’s head while lying down. You can place towels or pillows under the head of your baby’s crib. You should not elevate the head so much and cause neck ache for the child. This should be done moderately. You should always be conscious of your child while he or she is asleep and make sure she doesn’t flip around and get the pillow off his or her head.

While these practices are effective, you should always consult your physician for the right medication and processes to aid your angels with their colds.

Baby Bath Time

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:09:00 GMT

As much as bath time can be fun for both mother and child, there are still safety rules and tips that you should follow. Below are some of the tips for bathing a baby:

The first and most important tip for bathing a baby is that you should never leave your baby alone in the bath tub unsupervised. Leaving a baby in the bath tub alone can increase the chances of the baby drowning as a baby can drown in as little as one inch of water. It is better to get everything ready such as the baby towel, baby soap and sponge, diapers, body lotion and all toiletries before going ahead to bath the baby. Do not leave your baby in the bath tub to go answer your door bell or the phone .You should either ignore the distraction or take your baby along with you.

Another important tip you need to pay attention to is how not to put or leave your baby inside the bath tub while running the water. For all you know the water temperature could change from very cold to very hot and cause harm to your angel. The water can even become too deep for the child and cause drowning.

While at it, make sure to set your water heater to a not so high temperature to avoid burns. You can set it to a 120 degree Fahrenheit and also make sure the bathroom is warm enough for the baby. In order to ensure that the water is warm enough for your baby, you can test it on your wrist. You can also test it in the inner part of your elbow. The depth of the water should be about two inches for babies.

The next thing you should ensure is to make the bath tub as safe as possible. Try to keep electric gadgets away from the bath tub. In case you haven’t noticed, bath tubs can be really slippery and dangerous for the baby. You can put in a rubber mat to make it easy for your baby to seat comfortable without slipping. Try to keep your child away from bath tub glass doors.

Sometimes, using soaps and shampoos can be really harsh for your baby’s skin, it is fine if you just use plain water to wash your baby. If you are going to use just plain water, try to wash the diaper region, bottom area and all skin folds well. If you decide to bath your baby with soap, make sure to buy a very mild soap made specifically for babies. It is safer not to let your baby sit in the soapy water for a long time. The best thing is to do every other thing first before using soap and bring the child out of the water soon enough.

Mothers should try hard not to use bubble baths for their babies as it can go up the urethra and cause irritation which will increase the chances of infection. Teach or train your child not to stand in bath tubs and try to provide extra handle like bath rings for babies who can already stand.

Outstanding Olive Oil

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Olive Oil is a substance used in almost every home and also one of the most commonly used remedies to common diseases.

Health benefits of olive oil include its ability to reduce the risk of developing Diabetes Mellitus. It achieves this by reducing the low density lipoproteins and regulates blood sugar level. In prevention of diabetes type 2, low fat diet and a diet rich in fiber and vitamins are suggested and olive oil provides these nutrients in agreeable quantity. Research shows that this condition can be prevented by adding olive oil to your diet as it contains healthy fat that you body needs. It also helps to improve insulin sensitivity in the body.

Olive oil contains a phytochemical substance called oleocanthal which has anti-inflammatory effects. This can help reduce the occurrence of breast cancer. Studies have shown that olive oil diet can help prevent the risks of malignant melanoma, also known as skin cancer. The progression of malignant skin cancer can be slowed down by olive oil diet because of its antioxidants content. It also prevents skin cancer by blocking and protecting the skin from ultraviolet rays which can be damaging to the skin. Olive oil also impedes the development of colorectal and digestive tract cancer.

Another one of the very important health benefits of olive oil is its ability to fight bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is common in elderly people and it is characterized by a decreased bone density and mass which makes bone very vulnerable. When your bone is weak, it can lead to easy fracture and can cause even more severe damage. Olive oil somehow affects the calcium level in bones. Olive oil has been proven to be effective in the thickening of bones. While the causes of Osteoporosis are vague, olive oil is an assurance that your bones will be healthy.

Olive oil also has the ability to lower blood pressure which makes it perfect for preventing any further damage to the heart. People that incorporate olive oil in their diet have a much reduced risk and chance of developing hypertension and diseases associated with increased blood pressure. This is because of a content present in olive oil called polyphenols which somehow reduces the speed of development of the factors contributing to high blood pressure. Oleic acid present found in olive oil have also been proven to effective in lowering blood pressure.

Olive oil has been successful in the prevention and reduction of the rate of rheumatoid arthritis development in people. It also helps in the reduction and prevention of obesity which can lead to heart and endocrine diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. It contains Linoleic acid that is good for keeping and maintaining a glowing skin. The acid helps the skin to retain water so it doesn’t evaporate. Let’s not forget its effectiveness in treating hair issues; it moisturizes the hair and treats dandruff. It is mainly useful during the winter period because it helps to keep the hair moisturized.

Baking Soda For Laundry? Really

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Baking Soda is a great help at home! Aside from an ingredient in baking, Baking Soda serves a great purpose in laundry!

Oil and Grease Stains

It’s hard to get greasy stains off your dress or shirt with a normal detergent from the supermarket. Oil and grease stains are the hardest stains to remove when it comes to clothing. If you have this stain on your jeans, you can apply a little amount of baking soda on the stained spot and sprinkle water on it. You can also spread baking soda on the stain spot and use a moist brush to scrub it off. You’ll be surprised at how effective and easily this can get the stains off your jeans!

Shower Curtains

Shower curtains are often the most common thing that people tend to forget about, not knowing that it can actually be a breeding area for infection-causing organisms. Not washing or cleaning your shower curtain can be really disgusting because it develops this bad smell. If you want to clean your shower curtain, sprinkle or apply baking soda on a moist sponge and use it to clean the curtain. Start from the top and go downwards. When you are done, rinse it off with plain water and leave it to dry before use again.

Baby Clothes

One very important baking soda use for laundry is washing baby clothes. Considering the kind of stain babies and kids get on their clothes and the sensitivity of their skin to harsh detergents, baking soda remains the safest choice. To remove harsh stains from their clothes you may need to use harsh chemicals that wouldn’t be safe for their skin. Baking soda isn’t harmful and just half cup of soda mixed with your normal liquid detergent will do the trick. Make sure you rinse the clothes thoroughly after wash.

General clothes

It doesn’t matter what kind, color, or texture of cloth you wash. It is sometimes and almost better to mix your liquid detergent with baking soda. You can make your laundry time fun and at the same time get the maximum result by adding about half cup of baking soda to your detergent. This mixture increases the potency and effectiveness of your liquid detergent. It can get rid of really harsh and tough stains from your laundry without having to spend much money on buying additional washing detergents.

Guiding Your Child in Viewing the News

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:20:00 GMT

Children often see or hear the news many times a day through television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. Seeing and hearing about local and world events, such as natural disasters, catastrophic events, and crime reports, may cause children to experience stress, anxiety, and fears.

There have also been several changes in how news is reported that have given rise to the increased potential for children to experience negative effects. These changes include the following:

television channels and Internet services and sites which report the news 24 hours a day
television channels broadcasting live events as they are unfolding, in "real time"
increased reporting of the details of the private lives of public figures and role models
pressure to get news to the public as part of the competitive nature of the entertainment industry
detailed and repetitive visual coverage of natural disasters and violent acts

While there has been great public debate about providing television ratings to warn parents about violence and sex in regular programming, news shows have only recently been added to these discussions. Research has shown that children and adolescents are prone to imitate what they see and hear in the news, a kind of contagion effect described as "copy cat" events. Chronic and persistent exposure to such violence can lead to fear, desensitization (numbing), and in some children an increase in aggressive and violent behaviors. Studies also show that media broadcasts to not always choose to show things that accurately reflect local or national trends.

For example, statistics report a decrease in the incidence of crime, yet, the reporting of crime in the news has increased 240%. Local news shows often lead with or break into programming to announce crime reports and devote as much as 30% of the broadcast time to detailed crime reporting.

The possible negative effects of news can be lessened by parents, teachers, or other adults by watching the news with the child and talking about what has been seen or heard. The child's age, maturity, developmental level, life experiences, and vulnerabilities should guide how much and what kind of news the child watches.

Guidelines for minimizing the negative effects of watching the news include:

monitor the amount of time your child watches news shows
make sure you have adequate time and a quiet place to talk if you anticipate that the news is going to be troubling or upsetting to the child
watch the news with your child
ask the child what he/she has heard and what questions he/she may have
provide reassurance regarding his/her own safety in simple words emphasizing that you are going to be there to keep him/her safe
look for signs that the news may have triggered fears or anxieties such as sleeplessness, fears, bedwetting, crying, or talking about being afraid

Parents should remember that it is important to talk to the child or adolescent about what he/she has seen or heard. This allows parents to lessen the potential negative effects of the news and to discuss their own ideas and values. While children cannot be completely protected from outside events, parents can help them feel safe and help them to better understand the world around them.

Lying in Children

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:20:00 GMT

Honesty and dishonesty are learned in the home. Parents are often concerned when their child or adolescent lies.

When Lying Is Not Yet A Serious Problem :
Young children (ages 4-5) often make up stories and tell tall tales. This is normal activity because they enjoy hearing stories and making up stories for fun. These young children may blur the distinction between reality and fantasy.

An older child or adolescent may tell a lie to be self-serving (e.g. avoid doing something or deny responsibility for their actions). Parents should respond to isolated instances of lying by talking with the youngster about the importance of truthfulness, honesty and trust.

Some adolescents discover that lying may be considered acceptable in certain situations such as not telling a boyfriend or girlfriend the real reasons for breaking up because they don't want to hurt their feelings. Other adolescents may lie to protect their privacy or to help them feel psychologically separate and independent from their parents (e.g. denying they sneaked out late at night with friends).

When Lying Is A Sign Of An Emotional Problem:
Some children, who know the difference between truthfulness and lying, tell elaborate stories which appear believable. Children or adolescents usually relate these stories with enthusiasm because they receive a lot of attention as they tell the lie.

Other children or adolescents, who otherwise seem responsible, fall into a pattern of repetitive lying. They often feel that lying is the easiest way to deal with the demands of parents, teachers and friends. These children are usually not trying to be bad or malicious but the repetitive pattern of lying becomes a bad habit.

There are also some children and adolescents who are not bothered by lying or taking advantage of others. Other adolescents may frequently use lying to cover up another serious problem. For example, an adolescent with a serious drug or alcohol problem will lie repeatedly to hide the truth about where they have been, who they were with, what they were doing, and where the money went.

What to do if a Child or Adolescent lies:

Parents are the most important role models for their children. When a child or adolescent lies, parents should take some time to have a serious talk and discuss:

the difference between make believe and reality, lying and telling the truth,
the importance of honesty at home and in the community, and
alternatives to lying.

If a child or adolescent develops a pattern of lying which is serious and repetitive, then professional help may be indicated. Evaluation by a child and adolescent psychiatrist would help the child and parents understand the lying behavior and would also provide recommendations for the future.

Spring Snacks!

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:47:00 GMT

Spring is in the air and what can stir your appetite more than the crisp, familiar feeling that the season brings. Of course, your tots would love some Spring Snacks to enjoy the moment! Here are 2 easy to make snacks that would definitely send your child prancing in delight!

Chocolate Fondue

3 ounce(s) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoon(s) heavy cream
1 tablespoon(s) brewed espresso (see Tips & Techniques)
1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
salt
1 banana, peeled and cut into 8 pieces
8 piece(s) fresh pineapple
4 strawberries

Directions

Place chocolate, cream, espresso, vanilla, and salt in a medium microwave-safe bowl; microwave on Medium, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted, 1 to 2 minutes. (Alternatively, see "No microwave?" below.)
Pour the chocolate mixture into a serving bowl. Serve with fruit.

Oven-Fried Zucchini Sticks

Canola oil cooking spray
1/2 cup(s) whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoon(s) cornmeal
1 teaspoon(s) salt
1/2 teaspoon(s) freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 pound(s) zucchini, (about 3 medium), cut into 1/2-by-3-inch sticks
2 egg whites, lightly beaten

Directions

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine flours, cornmeal, salt and pepper in a large sealable plastic bag. Dip zucchini in egg white, shake in the bag to coat, and arrange, not touching, on the baking sheet. Coat all exposed sides with cooking spray. Bake on the center rack for 7 minutes. Turn the zucchini and coat any floury spots with cooking spray. Continue to bake until golden and just tender, about 5 minutes more. Serve hot.

All About Lead Poisoning

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:43:00 GMT

Lead exposure is one of the most common preventable poisonings of childhood. Data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) show that 6% of all children ages 1-2 years and 11% of black (non-Hispanic) children ages 1-5 years have blood lead levels in the toxic range. Lead is a potent poison that can affect individuals at any age. Children with developing bodies are especially vulnerable because their rapidly developing nervous systems are particularly sensitive to the effects of lead.

Almost all children in the United States are exposed to lead. Common sources include lead paint and lead contained in water and soil. Housing built before 1950 has the greatest risks of containing lead-based paint. Some children may eat or swallow chips of paint (pica) which increases their risk of exposure to lead.

Exposure to lead can have a wide range of effects on a child's development and behavior. Even when exposed to small amounts of lead levels, children may appear inattentive, hyperactive and irritable. Children with greater lead levels may also have problems with learning and reading, delayed growth and hearing loss. At high levels, lead can cause permanent brain damage and even death.

Parents should make sure that their homes are free of lead paint and that the lead level in their drinking water is acceptably low. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all children be screened for exposure to lead. A simple and inexpensive blood test all can determine whether or not a child has a dangerous level of lead in his or her body. The test can be obtained through a physician, or public health agency.

Early identification and treatment of lead poisoning reduces the risk that children will suffer permanent damage. Treatment begins with removal of the child from the sources of the lead. Medications can remove lead from the body.

The Effects of Music Television

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:47:00 GMT

Singing and music have always played an important role in learning and the communication of culture. Children learn from what their role models do and say. For many years, some children's television very effectively used the combination of words, music and fast-paced animation to achieve learning.

Most parents are concerned about what their young children see and hear, but as children grow older, parents pay less attention to the music and videos that capture and hold their children's interest.

Sharing music between generations in a family can be a pleasurable experience. Music also is often a major part of a teenager's separate world. It is quite common for teenagers to get pleasure from keeping adults out, which causes adults some distress.

A concern to many interested in the development and growth of teenagers is the negative and destructive themes of some kinds of music (rock, heavy metal, hip-hop, etc.), including best-selling albums promoted by major recording companies. Themes like drugs and alcohol abuse that is glamorized, suicide as an "alternative" or "solution," graphic violence, and sex which focuses on control, sadism, masochism, incest, children devaluing women, and violence toward women are featured prominently in some lyrics and can be particularly troublesome.

Parents can help their teenagers by paying attention to their teenager's purchasing, downloading, listening and viewing patterns, and by helping them identify music that may be destructive. An open discussion without criticism may be helpful.

Music is not usually a danger for a teenager whose life is balanced and healthy. But if a teenager is persistently preoccupied with music that has seriously destructive themes, and there are changes in behavior such as isolation, depression, alcohol or other drug abuse, evaluation should be considered.

The Effects of Video Games

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:16:00 GMT

Playing video games has become a popular activity for people of all ages. Many children and adolescents spend large amounts of time playing them. Video gaming is a multi billion-dollar industry – bringing in more money than movies and DVDs. Video games have become very sophisticated and realistic. Some games connect to the Internet, which can allow children and adolescents to play online with unknown adults and peers.

While some games have educational content, many of the most popular games emphasize negative themes and promote:

the killing of people or animals
the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol
criminal behavior, disrespect for authority and the law
sexual exploitation and violence toward women
racial, sexual, and gender stereotypes
foul language, obscenities, and obscene gestures

There is growing research on the effects of videogames on children. Some video games may promote learning, problem solving and help with the development of fine motor skills and coordination. However, there are concerns about the effect of violent video games on young people who play videogames excessively.

Studies of children exposed to violence have shown that they can become: “immune” or numb to the horror of violence, imitate the violence they see, and show more aggressive behavior with greater exposure to violence. Some children accept violence as a way to handle problems. Studies have also shown that the more realistic and repeated the exposure to violence, the greater the impact on children. In addition, children with emotional, behavioral and learning problems may be more influenced by violent images.

Children and adolescents can become overly involved and even obsessed with videogames. Spending large amounts of time playing these games can create problems and lead to:

poor social skills
time away from family time, school-work, and other hobbies
lower grades and reading less
exercising less, and becoming overweight
aggressive thoughts and behaviors

Tips for Parents
Parents can help their children enjoy these games and avoid problems by:

checking the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings to learn about the game’s content.
selecting appropriate games—both in content and level of development.
playing videogames with their children to experience the game’s content.
setting clear rules about game content and playing time, both in and outside of your home.
strongly warning children about potential serious dangers of Internet contacts and relationships while playing games online.
talking with other parents about your family’s video game rules.
remembering that you are a role model for your children – including video games you play as an adult.

If parents are concerned that their child is spending too much time playing video games or appears preoccupied or obsessed with aggressive or violent video games, they should first set some limits (for example – playing the games for one hour after all homework is done) and try to encourage the child to participate in other activities.

Kids, Religion, and Families

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:02:00 GMT

Religion and spirituality can be important in the lives of youth and families. Religion and spirituality can serve as sources of strength and coping during times of stress and illness, serve as the basis for family values and traditions, and contribute to moral and social development

Many religious institutions also offer valuable community services and support for children and families, such as child care, shelters, food, recreation programs, and emergency aid.

Religion and spirituality can have positive influences on children and families, but some situations can also lead to distress. Normal adolescent development can lead to questioning religious beliefs or taking on other religious beliefs that may cause family conflict. Sometimes your family's religious beliefs may differ from those your child is exposed to in everyday life (school, sports, and community activities). Being aware of how stressful this can be is important. Talking openly with your child can be helpful.

Differences in religion can cause conflict within a family. Sometimes children and adolescents find it helpful to talk to friends or other family members who observe their religion to help clarify and discuss beliefs and practices. If you and your child are having conflicts about religion, it may also be helpful to consult with your clergyperson. If the conflicts do not improve and get in the way of your family getting along, consider consulting a trained family therapist. If your child has a sudden or extreme change in his or her religious practices, this may be a sign of an underlying problem. In these cases, it may be helpful to consult with a child and adolescent psychiatrist or another trained mental health professional.

Dealing With Too Much Munchies

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:03:00 GMT

The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise.

Defining Obesity

A few extra pounds do not suggest obesity. However they may indicate a tendency to gain weight easily and a need for changes in diet and/or exercise. Generally, a child is not considered obese until the weight is at least 10 percent higher than what is recommended for their height and body type. Obesity most commonly begins between the ages of 5 and 6, or during adolescence. Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult.

Causes of Obesity

The causes of obesity are complex and include genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factors. Obesity occurs when a person eats more calories than the body burns up. If one parent is obese, there is a 50 percent chance that their children will also be obese. However, when both parents are obese, their children have an 80 percent chance of being obese. Although certain medical disorders can cause obesity, less than 1 percent of all obesity is caused by physical problems. Obesity in childhood and adolescence can be related to:

• poor eating habits

• overeating or binging

•lack of exercise (i.e., couch potato kids)

•family history of obesity

•medical illnesses (endocrine, neurological problems)

•medications (steroids, some psychiatric medications)

•stressful life events or changes (separations, divorce, moves, deaths, abuse)

•family and peer problems

•low self-esteem

•depression or other emotional problems

Complications and the Risks

There are many risks and complications with obesity. Physical consequences include: •increased risk of heart disease

•high blood pressure

•diabetes

•breathing problems

•trouble sleeping

Child and adolescent obesity is also associated with increased risk of emotional problems. Teens with weight problems tend to have much lower self-esteem and be less popular with their peers. Depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder can also occur.

Treatment

Obese children need a thorough medical evaluation by a pediatrician or family physician to consider the possibility of a physical cause. In the absence of a physical disorder, the only way to lose weight is to reduce the number of calories being eaten and to increase the level of physical activity. Lasting weight loss can only occur when there is self-motivation. Since obesity often affects more than one family member, making healthy eating and regular exercise a family activity can improve the chances of successful weight control for the child or adolescent.

Ways to manage obesity in children and adolescents include:

•start a weight-management program

•change eating habits (eat slowly, develop a routine)

•plan meals and make better food selections (eat less fatty foods, avoid junk and fast foods)

•control portions and consume less calories

•increase physical activity (especially walking) and have a more active lifestyle

•know what your child eats at school

•eat meals as a family instead of while watching television or at the computer

•do not use food as a reward

•limit snacking

•attend a support group (e.g., overeaters anonymous)

Obesity frequently becomes a lifelong issue. The reason most obese adolescents gain back their lost pounds is that they tend to go back to their old habits of eating and exercising. An obese adolescent must therefore learn to eat and enjoy healthy foods in moderate amounts and to exercise regularly to maintain a desired weight. Parents of an obese child can improve their child's self-esteem by emphasizing their strengths and positive qualities rather than just focusing on their weight problem. When a child or adolescent with obesity also has emotional problems, a child and adolescent psychiatrist can work with the child's family physician to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Such a plan would include reasonable weight loss goals, dietary and physical activity management, behavior modification, and family involvement.

**We would like to thank AACAP for this wonderful discussion.

Non Standard Hours and How To Deal With It

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:18:00 GMT

Night and weekend shifts, as well as rotating work schedules, are becoming increasingly common as service businesses, such as restaurants, stores, and health-care facilities, operate longer hours to stay competitive. Today, nearly one in five American workers has nonstandard hours.

What can be hard hit is family life. Mom may miss Saturday outings; Dad's only chance to sleep is when the kids are awake and want to play. To help ease the toll on children, here are some tips that can be really useful to keep your family still intact:

Be in Two Places at Once

When you go to work, keep reminders of yourself at home or at daycare for your child. Examples: Give a toddler a sweatshirt with traces of your regular soap; he'll feel connected to you when he snuggles it. Record yourself reading his favorite story or leaving a loving message. It can be as simple as sticky notes on the fridge or by the door of your angel’s room.

Ignore the Clock

If you can't be there to tuck her in at night, re-create bedtime bonding during the day by cuddling over a book or rocking her to sleep at naptime. What's important is that one-on-one time with your child happens, not when it happens!

Keep Life Predictable

Try not to let a rotating work schedule disrupt your child's daily routine -- children need consistency at home to feel secure. Keep order in his life by having the same caregiver watch him, and by making sure he eats, sleeps, and bathes at set times. Decorate a calendar with yellow sun stickers for days off and blue stars for nights off, to help children understand when to expect you home.

It may not be that easy at first but you will eventually get used to this routine. All you have to do is prioritize your child’s welfare and development and you would know that you’re doing the right thing!

**Thank you Parenting for this wonderful ways on how to cope up with conflicting schedules!

Finding Out The Kind of Learner Your Child Is

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:26:00 GMT

How many ways are there to learn about a subject? According to the latest findings by several leading psychologists, there are seven specific types of learning styles. This means that in order to maximize learning advantages, you must define the type of learner that you have, and cater the lesson to that particular learning style. For example, if your child is primarily a linguistic learner, you could incorporate several novels into your curriculum. You could encourage short stories to explain scientific developments, or allow the student to rewrite a difficult math problem into a story problem. If he/she is primarily logical, you will want to emphasize charts, tables, and diagrams. Venn diagrams work well with a logical learner.

Read each description below to determine which style best describes your child. Remember that it is possible to have more than one style of learning, particularly in the intrapersonal and interpersonal categories (numbers six and seven), which have traditionally been interpreted as personality types.

1. Linguistic

This type of learner loves to read, write, and tell stories. They tend to memorize places, dates, names, and trivia very easily, and are always mesmerizing you with their incredible tales. They have a remarkable ability to repeat back everything you have ever told them, word for word. Encourage their creativity, and do your best to distinguish between the truth and exaggeration (it is all well intended). These students learn best by saying, hearing, and seeing words. Ask them to write down a word or a phrase, and it is forever locked into their memory. Encourage them to participate in spelling bees and creative writing courses. You could have another Shakespeare on your hands!

2. Logical

This child is very mathematically inclined. They enjoy solving problems, particularly if they are math related. They are similar to Dr. Spock, on Star Trek, in that they are very logical, straight-forward types of learners. They will plague you with questions on how things work, how things relate to one another, and why things are here. Their favorite toys as young children were likely building blocks, and pattern puzzles. Answer their ongoing questions with as much patience as you can muster, and know that one day they may likely become an engineer. This type of student learns best by categorizing, classifying, and working with abstract patterns or relationships. Ask them to make a chart or to show relationships between different items. For example, "What kind of effect does the El Nino have on the stock market?". They will not only come up with an answer, but they will be able to explain the process and developmental stages of the relationship.

3. Spatial

These are the visualizers. They spend most of the day dreaming, watching movies, and staying as far away from reality as possible. If they seem particularly "down", asking them to draw a picture will get you much further into the nature of the problem, than asking them to tell you about it. Allow them to develop their senses and their natural artistic abilities. They are very good at working with colors and pictures, and using the "mind's eye". Allow them to play a couple of educational computer games, such as Civilization or the Oregon Trail, or to daydream under a tree. They could be hard at work thinking about a particular problem, but have yet to put it on paper. These types of learners are very artistic, although they often have problems expressing it. Encourage any type of creative endeavor. They may become the next developer of an international theme park.

4. Musical

If your child is always walking around the house humming a tune, or always needs music to study by, then he/she is likely a musical learner. This type of learner is best at noticing details, pitches, and rhythms that escape the normal listener. They are excellent at keeping tune, and are adept at turning the abstract into concrete objects. They learn best through rhythm, melody, and music. For memorization techniques, ask them to write a song about the lesson (rap works well as a narrative), or teach them a song. Encourage their natural love of music, and try to incorporate music into as many lessons as possible.

5. Bodily

This type of learner is always on the move. They constantly walk around, they have to touch everything, and they use body language to convey their feelings. They would rather play sports or do a craft than sit down and read a book. They need active education! Keep them moving. Play word games in the pool, have spelling lessons during tennis. Take them camping to learn about geography and nature. These are the learners who can do more than one thing at a time. Generally recognized as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), many are misdiagnosed. Allow them to use all of that extra energy to learn. Remember to incorporate sense development and interaction with space during their lessons. Attempt to keep the duration of each lesson down to a minimum (10-20 minutes depending on age), and change subjects frequently. Interdisciplinary lessons are very successful with these types of learners.

6. Interpersonal

These are the "social butterflies". They adapt easily to any type of social situation, have many friends and are excellent leaders. They are patient, understanding, and very empathetic, which makes them a favorite among their playmates. They generally make good leaders because of their ability to mediate conflict, and are often referred to as "the Peacemaker" of the family. Encourage their love of people, and allow them to be with many different types of people. They will likely bring home a number of different types of friends. Although this can be difficult at times, it is important to support and accept all of them. This type of learner will do best in a group situation as they compare, share, relate, and interview other people. If no group is available, don't be surprised to see them create one in their animals or toys!

7. Intrapersonal

These strong willed people work best alone. They pursue their one interests and have a deep understanding of themselves. They pride themselves on being independent and original, and they tend to stand out from the crowd without even trying. They are the "strong, silent type". They do best in self paced instruction, individualized projects, and working alone. Allow them to be by themselves, but continue to encourage their socialization skills. Create a number of situations for them to socialize, yet allow them to maintain their own space. These children work best alone, and often need to be encouraged to socialize.

In conclusion, we all have elements of each learning style. But the truth is that one or two types stand out in each of us. Determine which style of learner your child is, and figure out ways to incorporate that learning style into your teaching. Continue to encourage the student to figure out alternative styles, and teach them how to bring each type into their life.

Kids and Money Matters

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:14:00 GMT

It's not just your child's avid interest in getting and spending that makes early age the ideal time to start imparting money sense. She or he is also likely learning about currency and coins in school as part of his or her math curriculum, so money and how it adds up is less of an abstraction. Capitalize on this shift by teaching valuable money-management skills at home.

The Allowance Scheme

The best way to teach the value of money is to give kids some of their own, so initiate a weekly allowance. Just how much is a personal matter, based on your financial circumstances and the going rate where you live. If possible, start with an amount that's equivalent to half your child's age. For example: $3.50 for a 7-year-old and $4 for an 8-year-old. Experts cautioned that an allowance shouldn't be contingent upon meeting routine expectations such as unloading the dishwasher or feeding the dog. It's important to teach children that doing chores is an expectation for everyone in the family. If you want to give your child the opportunity to earn extra money -- by raking leaves or washing the car -- that's fine, but make it a separate transaction.

A Lesson How to Budget

Don't just hand out cash. Help your child set goals for her money. Does she have her eye on a Wii or tickets to an upcoming concert? Get out the calculator and explore various saving scenarios together. Some kids are naturally thrifty and will want to sock away every penny, while others are the spendy type. Both styles have virtues, and consequences, so allow her to experience her chosen approach. Giving your child her own money will also encourage independence and give her a measure of freedom. In keeping with that spirit, try to take an advisory role. An allowance should have relatively few strings attached to it. After all, that's how she's going to become a savvy consumer. Even if you think your child is frittering away her money, take a deep cleansing breath and try to let it go. Buyer's remorse can be a useful lesson. But you can and should set some limits. If something is against your rules or beliefs, don't accept the "it's my money" retort. Things like World of Warcraft, skateboards, or a hamster are all examples of perfectly acceptable places to draw the line. Similarly, if you don't allow unlimited candy or soda, having an allowance shouldn't give your kid carte blanche to disobey your family's rules.

Be a Model

Your child is watching how you and your partner handle money-related issues. Whether you make big-ticket impulse purchases or debate, discuss, and comparison shop before you buy anything, how you deal is how he'll learn. If you want your kids to save and invest, they need to see you do it. Be mindful, however, that so many financial transactions are abstract. From the swiping of a debit card to automatic online payments, you have a lot of explaining to do so that your child understands the cold-hard-cash connections. Begin by pointing out how things work. For example, when you charge something, point out that you're spending real dollars. Follow up by letting your kid look at relevant parts of your monthly statement so he can see, for example, the charges for tickets you bought when you went to the movies or the last big trip to the supermarket. The more familiar he becomes with what's going on behind the scenes, the less vague the entire process will be. Also be aware of finance-related fights. If the whole topic seems fraught, your child may get the impression that the best fiscal strategy is to avoid conflict with secrecy or silence.

It's All In The Details

Let's face it, who really wants to be asked, "How much does our house cost?" or "How much money do you make?" over dinner by a 7-year-old. The best approach is an even-keeled response. Don't feel compelled to name your salary, but try not to shut down the conversation either. Kids lack a frame of reference, so if your answer is $30,000 or $130,000, neither would be meaningful. It is suggested that offering a more general statement of reassurance, such as "We have enough to live comfortably and buy the things we need for every day." When it comes to spending decisions, get into more specifics and share some of your reasoning. Kids this age often think that since you're a grown-up you can have anything you want. There are big benefits to explaining how you didn't buy something you wanted because it was too expensive. They should hear about how you have to wrestle with difficult decisions like that.

Finally, make the learning fun. Play board games together that involve money, such as Monopoly Junior, Payday, The Game of Life, and The Allowance Game. These are money-management courses in a box. Between real-world experiences and pretend-cash crash courses, you'll decrease your chances of raising a big spender while investing in helping your child become a savvy money manager.

Is Your Child Gifted?

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:39:00 GMT

Did your child walk and talk early? Does she have a brain like a sponge? Scribble magnificently? Love learning? Ask questions that leave you marveling?

Wow, clearly she's a genius!

…oh…not so fast…

"Gifted" has become one of the most tossed-about words in the parenting lexicon. Unfortunately -- sorry, but let's get this out of the way right up front -- it's also one of the most misused. The vast majority of children are not gifted. Only 2 to 5 percent of kids fit the bill, by various estimates. Of those, only one in 100 is considered highly gifted. Prodigies (those who can read at 2 and go to college at 10) are rarer still -- like one to two in a million. And despite the boom in infant-stimulation techniques, educational DVDs, learning toys, and enrichment classes, those numbers haven't been increasing. You can't build giftedness; it's mostly built in.

Still, it's hard to resist scrutinizing your child for signs of greatness. The growing fascination with giftedness is part natural impulse to see our offspring as special, part wanting to be sure a child's needs are met, and maybe a bit of hoping for a competitive edge in the increasingly cutthroat school-admission process or bragging rights

True giftedness may be as rare as Einsteins and Mozarts, but the good news is that there are loads you can do to help your child reach her full potential. Even better: Whether young children are truly advanced or happily average, in the early years they need pretty much the same things. To raise a happy, emotionally healthy kid, follow these five steps to success.

1. Gifted? Forget It!

There's plenty of wishful thinking about giftedness because there's no standard definition of it. Broadly speaking, a gifted child has special abilities in a particular area. The five main ones outlined in a popular 1993 U.S. Department of Education report are intellectual, academic, creative, artistic, and leadership -- none of which is normally associated with the performance of babies and toddlers.

The boundaries of being gifted is often misunderstood. People don't always recognize a gift because they're expecting a prodigy. And parents whose kids are "highly capable" or "advanced" in one area or another may not feel satisfied until somebody official labels it "gifted."

Many parents of kids under 5 look to IQ tests for a number that will "prove" their child's ability. In truth, IQ testing doesn't tell you much before the school years, and even then is generally considered unreliable. Why? Because "giftedness" is typically concentrated in one area and doesn't refer to overall intelligence -- the focus of an IQ test. If you're going to use it for academic placement -- as many schools do, among numerous other factors -- testing between ages 4 and 9 is optimal.

2. The Basics

In the first three years of life, all children need to feel a sense of security and attachment. Being held, being loved, and having one's basic needs met are all critical for future learning.

The growing brain next needs stimulation in order to change and develop. One thing it loves: novelty. Every time your baby is exposed to new toys, words, sounds, textures, tastes, smells, faces, and places, she's learning. You don't have to work overtime to make this happen; everything in everyday life is new to a baby.

By late infancy and toddlerhood, some kids do dart way ahead on milestone charts -- and some don't. Whether your kid does or doesn't, experts say, all babies, toddlers, and preschoolers will thrive as long as they are:

Provided a predictable life with a reasonably ordered environment

Held and touched often

Talked to (or sung to) often

Read to frequently

Exposed to interesting experiences

Given many opportunities to learn through play.

3. The Fun in Learning

What even chart-busting toddlers and preschoolers don't need are special "gifted" programs or learning tools such as flash cards, educational DVDs, or brain-building computer games. There's no evidence that this "edu-tainment" does anything to boost children's intellectual ability.

Most educators believe kids don't benefit from academically oriented preschools, either. Far more important is having opportunities to explore without constraint -- and teachers and parents who know how to keep learning fun.

Neuroscientific research confirms that pleasure is what makes our brains want to repeat and remember an activity, and it's that kind of natural repetition that fuels learning.

This helps explain why play is everything to young children. It's how they learn, experiment, tinker, express creativity, work through feelings, practice socialization, develop language and math skills, and see the world in new ways. Pre- schools should mainly be play schools, centered on this kind of discovery learning and the teaching of basic social skills. Many parents want their kids to start kindergarten being able to read Dr. Seuss, write their names, and count to 100.

But a kid who can do all that is actually going to have a harder time than his peers in school if he can't also sit still and listen, take turns, share, and follow directions. Those are the real skills teachers expect kindergartners to have.

4. Tune In To Your Child

If, for example, your child is very verbal, you can make your language a little more complex by using more adjectives. Expand a little on where the child is mainly focused on.

Building on ability is known as "scaffolding." It means presenting experiences that are challenging but not overwhelming and doing it in a positive, supportive way to help the child reach the next level, higher than she could on her own. For example, if your child asks about a stop sign, you can describe the sign and explain its meaning. Point out the letters S-T-O-P. Later, you can point out an "S" on a store name, then ask if she can find some more.

Another idea for a curious, verbal child: Make Question Books. Scatter three or four notebooks around the house. If your child asks a question you either don't know the answer to or are too busy to answer, say, "Let's write it down." Later, you can explore the question together -- find a book, go online, visit the library or a museum.

Enrichment doesn't have to cost money. There's learning in practically everything you do with a young child.

5. Be a Guide, Not A Coach

Ultimately, the relationship between a child and his parents and teachers shapes his attitude toward learning. Aim to be a gentle guide, not a high-pressure coach. Rather than ask, “Is this kid counting better than others?” ask, “Am I supporting what's interesting and exciting to my child?”

Just don't think you have to drive yourself (or your kid) crazy signing him up for teams and classes to find activities he loves. Simply exposing him to different experiences will spark things that "click." Build on his interests. If he likes dinosaurs, find books and movies about them, or visit a museum. You don't need to sit down and "teach" anything.

Above all, don't over focus on cognitive abilities. You also want your child to be resilient, empathetic, and creative. You both want to enjoy his childhood.

So relax. The best gift your child can have is the gift of time with you. Reading, singing, playing, dancing, catching fireflies -- it's all good. The rest is gravy.

**Thank you Parenting for this amazing ideas!

FAQs About Vaccines

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:14:00 GMT

Children today are immunized against 15 diseases, including hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, pneumonia, polio, chicken pox, flu, H1N1 (swine) flu, rotavirus, and the human papillomavirus (HPV). It can be overwhelming and scary for new parents to try to sort through all of the information – and misinformation – out there on the topic of vaccines. However, the bottom line is immunizations keep children safe from deadly diseases, and any risk they may pose is far less than the risk of getting the disease itself.

Here’s a rundown on things you might want to inquire about:

Can Children Handle These Shots?

Vaccines are made of inactive or weakened forms of a bacteria or virus. When they enter the body either orally or through an injection, the immune system responds by creating protective antibodies. These antibodies then live in the body, providing protection against any exposure to the full-force version of the disease.

It’s easy to be scared off by the idea of injecting your child with even an extremely weakened or inactive form of an illness. But think of this: The average bacterium that causes a common ear infection is made up of about 3,000 immune components. Every dose of every shot that your child will receive between now and age 8, added together, contain only about 150 immune components. Even when your child gets many shots at once, it’s still just a tiny amount of the trillions of bacteria that her immune system deals with on a daily basis.

Do these diseases even still exist?

Unlike our parents and grandparents, we’re lucky to live in an era that has benefitted from a widely immunized population; we don’t see children that are paralyzed by polio or deaf because of the mumps. Many of the shots that our kids receive prevent diseases that many of us haven’t even heard of – diphtheria, anyone?

But when immunization rates drop, these deadly diseases can reemerge. That’s because vaccines aren’t 100-percent effective; on average about 95 percent of the protection comes from the vaccine and the remaining protection comes from living in a community where there are low rates of the disease. So for vaccines to keep a disease in check, most people in a community need to be immunized, so they’re not contracting and spreading the disease. This way, the few people that are not able to be vaccinated, say, a child sick with leukemia, or a newborn who hasn’t had her shots , will hopefully be protected by what’s called “herd” or “community” immunity.

There are parents who choose not to vaccinate their children based on either religious, philosophical or health objections, and the vaccines that are required to enter daycare or school vary from state to state. Many of these parents argue that their unvaccinated kids can benefit from herd immunity, too. Unfortunately, this isn’t a reliable way to protect your child. There have been deadly outbreaks of measles and pertussis in the United States in areas where vaccine rates have fallen. In Eastern Europe and Russia, where immunization has dropped, there have been tens of thousands of cases of diphtheria. For vaccines to work, a community needs to have high rates of immunization. Immunization not only protects your child, but your nieces, nephews, and neighbors, too.

Are these vaccines safe?

Without daily reminders of the threat of these diseases, some people have started to fear the vaccines more than the diseases that they prevent. In recent years, a very vocal anti-vaccine movement has emerged, suggesting that vaccines are to blame for everything from allergies to diabetes to asthma to autism. While none of these claims have been proven true, there is still a growing community of scared parents who choose not to vaccinate their children based on this misinformation. In turn, these well-meaning parents end up putting their children at risk, and endangering their community as a whole.

As with any medical intervention, nothing is 100-percent risk free. But when you weigh the risks and benefits, the benefits of protecting your child against deadly diseases far outweigh the very remote risk that the vaccine may cause a reaction. The vast majority of children receiving an immunization will not have any reaction and if they do, it will be a minor one, like redness or soreness at the injection site. Keep reading for a review of the risks of reaction for every vaccine, as well as what you may have heard, and the bottom line as far as safety.

What is thimerosal?

Part of the controversy around vaccines stems from a preservative called thimerosal that was once regularly used in vaccines. Concerns arose because thimerosal is a compound that contains a form of mercury, known as ethylmercury. Another type of mercury, known as methylmercury, can, in large doses (say, from drinking contaminated water or eating large amounts of contaminated fish), harm the brain development of a fetus or child. With the increased number of shots that children receive, some wondered whether children were being exposed to too much of this preservative. In particular, there were concerns that the preservative was to blame for increasing rates of autism, a behavioral disorder that has been on the rise in the U.S. in the past few decades.

As a precautionary measure, thimerosal was removed in 1999 from most vaccines (or reduced to trace amounts), with the exception of the flu vaccine, which is available without the preservative, though you need to request it from your doctor. But it’s worth understanding that while the methylmercury found in large fish can build up in the body and harm the developing brain of a growing child, the ethylmercury in thimerosal does not build up in the body. Autism rates in the US have continued to rise even after the preservative was removed from nearly all of the vaccines that children receive. In 2010, a U.S. court ruled that vaccines containing thimerosal cannot cause autism on their own.[

However, this blog topic only aims to guide you through the vaccination process. If you have any doubts or questions in mind, please feel free to consult your doctor as they would best know what is good and safe for your little darlings :)

**Thank you Parenting Magazine for keeping us informed!

Dental Health 101

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:34:00 GMT

Brushing your child's teeth every day is an essential part of maintaining preschool dental health. Some parents mistakenly believe that because their preschooler's teeth aren't permanent, they don't need to pay particular attention to their dental habits. Nothing could be further from the truth, however!

The Facts

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, approximately 64 percent of Americans visit the dentist on a yearly basis. What many parents are surprised to learn is that 20 percent of preschoolers experience tooth decay by age five, and 50 percent develop tooth decay by age eight. Your child's health is important to you, and preschool dental health should be just as important!

Preschool Dental Health Problems

Part of your child's development involves his teeth. While good oral hygiene may seem simple, if it isn't done correctly and regularly, dental problems can occur for your preschooler.

Aphthous Stomatitis

Although not that common among preschool age children, aphthous stomatitis can occur. This condition causes small ulcers or canker sores inside the mouth. The exact cause of this condition isn't known, but it has been linked to weakened immune systems, food allergies, poor nutrition, viruses, some medicines, and even stress. Although these sores aren't contagious, they can disappear and reappear for many years. The sores are caused by a virus, so treatment may include the following:

Proper dental care and oral hygiene
Increased consumption of fluids
Medicinal ointments
Mouthwashes
Acetaminophen
Avoidance of salty, spicy, and acidic foods

Pulpitis

The common name for pulpitis is simply toothache. The most common cause of a toothache is a cavity. Symptoms may include the following:

Painful tooth
Sore jaw
Extreme sensitivity
Fever

Treatment can vary, depending upon your child's age and medical history, but may include the following:

pain medicine

antibiotics

drainage of an abscess

tooth extraction

root canal

Tooth Decay

The biggest threat to your child's oral health is tooth decay. The propensity for cavities may somewhat be related to genetics. If you and your spouse were fortunate enough to avoid many cavities, your kids may inherit those good genes. Unfortunately, most children will experience some tooth decay. Because everyone harbors bacteria in his or her mouth, the risk of tooth decay is a very real one. Diet plays a key role in preschool dental health. What you feed your kids has a direct bearing on the condition of their teeth. Bacteria feed on sugars and starches, which can lead to tooth decay.

Preventing Tooth Decay:

While all the statistics and evidence can make you want to throw up your hands and say, "I give up!", take heart. There are steps you can take to ensure that your preschooler has good dental health.

Brush your child's teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Make this part of your child's daily routine, such as after breakfast and after his bath.
Brush your child's tongue and gums twice a day as well.
Once your child turns two, begin flossing his teeth daily.
Monitor your child's diet and limit sugary and starch-filled foods.
Take your child to the dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam.

It is never too early to start a good dental regimen with your angels. What is important is the fact that they value their overall health and that they are equipped with the proper knowledge to help battle anything that can harm them.

Getting Through Separation Anxiety in Children

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

It happens with every baby. Between the ages of 6 and 12 months, she may be sweet and outgoing. Then, enter another person — a sitter or even a relative — and your happy-go-lucky baby becomes clingy and scared, and often begins to cry. Leave her alone with that person, and the crying can quickly escalate to screaming.

Separation anxiety is a sign that your baby is growing up, suddenly aware that there is a world of unknown people beyond her parents. Despite the stress and guilt that leaving her is likely to cause, separation anxiety is an essential part of every baby's normal development. How you handle it can make this transition in her life smoother or more difficult.

Separation anxiety occurs in babies as they start to develop a better sense of the world. This is when they begin to understand differences between people. It is important for parents to recognize that it's typical. Parents can provide some indication that this is going to be okay, provide support, and then make the separation as short as possible.

Separation anxiety usually wanes during the last half of your baby's second year. Until then it can be a roller coaster of emotions for parents, too, ranging from guilt for upsetting your baby — however briefly — to anxiety about her clinginess. The goal is to minimize the stress of these situations while reassuring your child that you love her.

Some tips to ease you and your baby’s way through the process:

Soothe Separation Anxiety in Baby — and You

Don't let separation anxiety keep you from exposing your child to other individuals. With a little planning and loving reassurance your baby will be smiling at friends and family in no time. Follow these tips:

Soothe yourself

Recognize that separation anxiety is normal. It's not something you caused or did wrong.

Practice short separations

Your baby can experience separation anxiety the minute you're out of sight, even if you've just stepped into the kitchen for a cup of tea. When she crawls to a different space (that is, of course, baby-proofed) wait a minute or two before retrieving her. If you have to go to another area of your home, tell her you'll be back. If she cries, call to her while you're in the next room instead of rushing to get her.

Expose your baby to others early in life

Experts say that kids should be involved with a number of people as they grow up. If your child shows distress while being held by someone else, don't overreact and swoop in and take her away from the other person. Exposure is always the key.

Be prepared for bedtime

Separation anxiety is common during this time, so be extra tender when you tuck baby in for the night. It would be helpful for parents to comfort kids and let them know, through soothing words, that it's okay and that they will still love them and be there for them.

Depart after she's had a nap and been fed

Babies are likely to have a tougher time if you leave when they are tired, hungry, or sick. If possible, try not to have periods of separation when she isn't feeling well.

Employ distraction

Have your sitter or other caregiver create a distraction while you're leaving. Then leave as quickly as possible.

Watch how you react

It's hard to do, but try to avoid responding to your baby's reaction as if this is a disastrous experience. If you panic every time you get ready to leave, baby will get panicky, too.

Carve out a few extra minutes

Before leaving your child at daycare or at a sitter's house, spend a little time playing with your child. Then reassure her that you'll be back soon.

Take comfort

When you leave, the waterworks will most likely stop. Her tears are for you to see and will subside shortly after you leave. So, as distressing as her tears may be for you, make a quick getaway and rest assured that she'll calm down soon after you leave.

Hopefully these ideas work for you!

** We would like to thank Everyday Health. If it wasn't for them, it would be hard leaving our kids at home come our time to work ♥

Valentine's Day History For Kids

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:26:00 GMT

Valentine’s day is a fun celebration each year, especially when you receive candy and cards from your friends. There is a lot more to this day. Did you know that Valentine’s Day is actually named after a real person called St. Valentine? There are many stories and legends behind who the real St. Valentine was, but most scholars agree that he was a martyr (a person who was killed for his beliefs). Later in the Middle Ages, a great writer named Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a poem as a present to King Richard II, who was going to be married soon. In it, he mentioned St. Valentine, and over time, the idea of Valentine’s Day became associated with the idea of love.

During the Victorian times (in the 1800s), Valentine’s Day became extremely popular! Men and women spent a lot of time making beautiful Valentine’s cards with ribbon, fancy paper and even lace. In those days, people were very reserved and they did not often say what they were feeling. Valentine’s day gave them a great way to express their feelings to someone they were in love with in an anonymous manner (without showing their names). This meant that the sender would remain a mystery until they could speak more freely. Even before this time, in the late 1700s, printers would create large amounts of Valentine’s Day cards so that friends and families could exchange them.

In the last few decades, Valentine’s day has changed a lot! Today we still exchange cards, but many people buy ready-made cards instead. We also give flowers (usually a bouquet of red roses) or chocolates as a gift to remind people of our friendship and love for them. Older couples sometimes also celebrate this day by exchanging other gifts and going out to dinner. Most Valentine’s gifts and cards make use of the colors red and pink, and are decorated with images of hearts or roses. Another common symbol of love on this day is Cupid, the Roman god of love. He is usually shown as a little angel with a bow and arrow. According to legend, anyone who is struck by his arrows will fall in love.

Don’t forget that while it is great to remind people how much you value them on Valentine’s Day, it isn’t the only time to do so. You can continue doing nice things for people throughout the rest of the year too. Today, many people focus on giving gifts on Valentine’s Day and some people even get quite stressed out about it because they think they have to spend a lot of money on gifts! The main thing to remember is that Valentine’s Day is all about showing people that you love them and appreciate them. Sometimes the best way to do this is by doing something nice for them or making them a little keepsake.

Writing Your Way To The Top

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Even though we do it every day, writing is one of the most complex tasks that humans engage in, involving both motor and critical-thinking skills. It's not surprising that learning to write is a process that takes years to complete. It also happens in order, with each skill building on the last.

As with reading, kids are aware of writing from infancy, especially when they're exposed to it regularly. By being read to and seeing you write your child begins to understand at a very young age that written words have meaning.

It's only a matter of time before kids start trying to create words on their own. All children start writing by scribbling, an activity most toddlers enjoy. To do it, they must use coordination to hold the crayon, keep the paper still, and apply enough pressure to make a mark on the paper.

As time goes on, with lots of practice, they'll start to realize that not only can they make marks to create a pattern, but by repeating the same movements, they can make the pattern again.

Practicing!

At around 3 or 4 years old, kids may start to practice writing, and included among the scribbles may be recognizable letters. For example, you may notice your child writes all of the letters of his or her name in a seemingly random way on different parts of the piece of paper. That's because kids learn to write individual letters before they learn how to put them together to form a word.

As they continue to read and develop an understanding of how words work, kids start to understand how to group letters into words. Between kindergarten and first grade, most learn to put letters together into words and will use these words to label pictures that they draw. Kids this age usually use only capital letters and will not include spaces between words. They will also use "invented spelling," writing words with no vowels (for example, BBYDLL for baby doll).

Eventually, with practice and formal schooling, kids learn what are called the conventions of print — writing from left to right, the difference between uppercase and lowercase letters, how to put spaces between words, and how to use correct spelling in most instances.

As kids get older and develop more motor control, their handwriting becomes smaller and neater. Between second and fourth grade, kids learn to write in cursive and will apply the conventions of handwriting automatically.

Handwriting is Important

Even as we move to a society driven by keyboards, kids still need to learn to write by hand. Handwriting is so much more than simply putting letters on a page; it is a key part of learning to read and communicate. In fact, experts think that developing writing skills reinforces reading skills and vice versa.

In order to read, a child needs to understand that letters stand for sounds and that the sounds are put together to make words. Learning to write letters is an important part of this understanding.

When preschoolers start imitating the letters that they see around them, they show that they understand the connection between the sounds they hear and the words they see on the page. When kindergartners use "invented" spelling, they're practicing writing words the way they sound, which helps them as they learn to read. When first-graders use words to create a poem or write about an experience, they're experimenting with language and sharing their stories with those around them.

As kids grow older and start to use a keyboard, the motor control and communication skills they've gained through handwriting will help them become more successful writers because they'll know how to transfer their thoughts into words.

Handwriting is also important because kids are required to use it daily in school from kindergarten on. Children who struggle with the mechanics of handwriting may have trouble taking notes or tests or completing their schoolwork. This can affect both their self-esteem and their attitude toward school.

Encouraging your kids to write can be as simple as giving them a stack of paper and crayons to play with or as creative as introducing them to journals. Just remember to be enthusiastic and show them how proud you are whenever they flaunt their works to you! After all, compliment is the best teacher. Especially for kids.

Family Open Communication

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Sometimes it may seem easier to look the other way instead of approaching a family member with a problem, however, ignoring issues can cause more harm than good. Sidestepping issues won't make the problems go away, but instead intensify the feelings you will have about future disagreements. Understanding the importance of family communication will help you realize that while sweeping things under the rug may be easier, it's not the wisest thing to do in the long run.

Why Family Communication Is Important

#1: Reach Understandings

When you are able to communicate with family members, you will be able to share what you believe and learn what others feel is right. While you may not agree, you may begin to understand more about the reasons why they do what they do or say what they say. You could even grow a better appreciation for them.

#2: Solve a Problem

Many issues among family members arise because of miscommunication. Coming together to talk about a particular problem can open the lines of communication so you can find solutions to what is negatively affecting both of you.

#3: End Gossip

Family members love to talk about one another, and sometimes the details of topics become misconstrued. By the time it's been passed down the grapevine, facts are no longer facts. Going to the family member people are gossiping about to ask about the situation is a great way to open communication so that no one gets the wrong impression of the situation.

#4: Encourage Support

A family system helps every one of its members through the good and the bad times. When a family communicates well, everyone understands what loved ones need, making them better able to provide support. Even if nothing can be done about the situation, just providing a listening ear can make all the difference.

#5: Provide Insight on Situations

Family members often disagree about how they should deal with their personal problems. While it may be difficult to hear, sometimes it's good to have a family member share another perspective of a situation. This enables the person dealing with the issue to make an informed decision about what troubled him.

The problem occurs when the different perspective offends the family member, especially when it dramatically goes against what he or she believes. If this happens, it's best to share the perspective and then take a step back. It's your loved one's decision to take what you have said into account.

#6: Form Tighter Bonds

Trusting in family members by communicating with them will foster the love you share and tighten your bonds. Many families grow apart because the individual members each become wrapped up in their individual lives, and they forget to come to home base to talk about the world around them. When problems do come up, if you've established a strong communicative base with your family, you'll feel as though your family is a safe place to seek shelter.

Importance of Family Communication During Disagreements

Communicating with family members on neutral ground is easy. However, during disagreements it may seem impossible to communicate anything to the other person. It's important not to turn the other way though, or you could ruin the relationship you have with that person for many years. Many families go through this and it causes strife for not just the two in conflict, but for other family members as well.

If you often have family issues or you are currently in cahoots with your loved one, learn about conflict resolution in family. Good communication helps both people come to an understanding, which is the basis for all healthy familial relationships.

**Thank you Love to Know for aiding us in opening communication lines with the people we love!

Herbs for Comfort and Wellness

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 12:51:00 GMT

Are you comfortable? If not, your body may be trying to tell you something.

For many of us, getting comfortable is often the subject of daydreams or relegated to weekends or vacations. Common signs of discomfort, such as stiffness, insomnia, depression, chronic pains, and early signs of aging, are ways our bodies communicate the need for action to support our health and wellness.

The truth is that physical and emotional comfort supports our digestion, breathing, circulation, and mood. Maintaining comfort on a day-to-day basis may lead us down the aisles of the local drugstore, searching for relief, but many times this path only trades a symptom for a side effect. There are, however, many pathways to health.

Although many of us have lost touch with traditional, natural methods, trusted, easily available herbs have been used for generations to enhance comfort and wellness—and thanks to modern science, we often understand the reason why they work so well or have confirmed their effectiveness.

A balanced, cleansing diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains, seaweeds, whole soy products, and tea reduces acid wastes and can therefore improve bone quality and muscle strength and flexibility, provide a clear complexion, and normalize hormonal functions. By reducing impurities we also reduce the likelihood of illness.

Herbs such as lavender, prunella, kelp, and shilajit, and calming teas, including vervain and skullcap, can help rejuvenate us physically and emotionally, relaxing our bodies, freeing our energy, and providing comfort.

1. Lavender Essential Oil and Chinese White-Flower Analgesic Liquid

Tension headaches are often aggravated by neck and shoulder pain, after sitting for hours without moving, or from poor posture. Aching neck and shoulder muscles and hard knots from spasm may occur in response to overexertion, prolonged physical stress, or emotional tension. The pain is often dull, nagging, deep, and magnified by fatigue or emotional upset. That sort of physical/emotional pain can prompt insomnia and depression.

According to French endocrinologist Dr. Yves Requena, the herb lavender (Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula officinalis) is both a heart stimulant and regulator that reduces stress, heart rhythm irregularities, and improves depression. A simple, effective way to use this fragrant bittersweet herb is to apply essential oil of lavender to painful points on head, neck, shoulders, and chest. The pleasing aroma is soothing. This works well for simple tension headaches and stiff neck because it increases blood circulation to the painful areas.

Another pleasantly fragrant Chinese analgesic liquid called white flower is recommended for muscle and joint pain from simple headaches, arthritis, sprains, and bruises. It contains oil of wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), menthol (Mentha piperita), camphor (Cinnamonum camphora), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), peppermint (Mentha arvensis), and lavender. Apply it to the back of the neck at the hairline and temples as needed, avoiding the area around the eyes, and temporarily stop activities such as using your computer that aggravate neck tension.

If neck pain involves nerves, for instance when a cervical disc presses on a nerve, you may feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm or hand. Your pillow may also be at fault, especially if you wake up experiencing a painful, stiff neck or a sudden contraction of neck muscles. A pillow that is too large props the neck at an extreme angle that may aggravate existing circulation problems. Try to use a pillow that conforms to the shape of your neck and head. When lying on your back, use a cylindrical pillow that supports the back of your neck. Neck pain and numb extremities may signal a whiplash or vertebrae problem impairing circulation.

2. Prunella Vulgaris Tea

Prunella vulgaris tea, called xia ku cao in traditional Chinese medicine, has long been used for anxiety, itchy skin rashes including herpes zoster (shingles), diabetes, hypertension, acute infectious hepatitis, jaundice, thyroid and other chronic inflammation, and nervous insomnia. Chinese phytochemical studies reveal that prunella possesses a variety of constituents such as triterpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and flavones.

Triterpenoids have been studied in fighting cancers because of their beneficial antioxidant, antibacterial, and liver-protective effects. Triterpenoids include oleanolic acid, found in honey mesquite, garlic, or java apple; ursolic acid found in apples, basil, bilberries, cranberries, elderflower, peppermint, or lavender; and moronic acid found in mistletoe.

Prunella tea is detoxifying, cooling, and calming. It grows wild in your lawn like a spiral of little purple flowers and round green leaves. I buy the dried herb in Chinatown or online. The easy-to-brew tea is tasteless and feels cooling and relaxing. I especially enjoy its calming effects at bedtime to help sooth springtime allergies and nervous insomnia. Used regularly, it helps reduce cholesterol and improves circulation. Steep two tablespoons in a teapot and drink it warm or cool. Do not sweeten it, other than by adding a pinch of stevia. You may combine prunella with dandelion herb to increase the cleansing effects.

3. Herbal Teas

Herbal teas can be sold as single herbs or in combination teas. Brew one tea bag or ½ teaspoon of dried herbs for three to five minutes in hot water. Herbal teas are considered safe for nearly everyone, but I have added cautions based on traditional Asian medical diagnosis.

A cup of vervain (lemon verbena, or Aloysia triphylla) tea is a soothing after dinner beverage that is popular in Europe. It is a liver-calming remedy with a pleasant lemony flavor. However, if you are depressed, obese, or if you have heart-failure symptoms, avoid all herbal sedatives. Heart-failure symptoms include shortness of breath while climbing stairs, evening water retention at the ankles, and a puffy waterlogged face, among other signs. If your energy is low avoid hops, passionflower, or valerian, a central-nervous-system depressant.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a central nervous system depressant useful for fever, anxiety, insomnia, and hot flashes that was originally used as a treatment for rabies. Clinical studies have demonstrated skullcap’s ability to improve blood flow in the brain, inhibit muscle spasms, and act as a sedative. Some alternative-health practitioners use skullcap to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and withdrawal.

If you are very sensitive to herbs, start by adding three to five drops of skullcap liquid extract to a cup of water and observe the results. You may feel more relaxed. Avoid skullcap during pregnancy. Stop using skullcap if you develop shortness of breath, liver pain, or jaundice (a yellow color to skin or eyes). Skullcap should not be used by anyone with epilepsy, seizure-related disorders, liver disease (including cirrhosis or hepatitis), and kidney disease.

4. Help from Kelp

Kelp seaweed (Laminaria longicruris) encourages relaxation, tones and tightens the skin, and promotes blood circulation and lymphatic drainage (an anti-cellulite treatment!). It improves aching muscles and arthritic joint pains. Kelp digitata (Laminaria digitata) has also been suggested as an anti-radiation treatment.

There are several ways you can benefit from kelp. Tired, aching muscles need to breathe and expand. “Drink lots of water” is the advice offered by many health professionals. Muscles, bone, and flesh are mostly made of water, which we consistently lose through perspiration and urine. To this advice, I would add: Eat seaweed daily for vital minerals needed by muscles and bone. With a naturally salty flavor, delicious and crisp dried nori (Porphyra yezoensis and P. tenera), dulse (Palmaria palmate), and kelp (soaked until soft and consumed along with the soaking water) make excellent snack foods.

We also absorb water and beneficial nutrients from a bath. A refreshing soak in the bathtub feels great after exercise or working overtime and helps correct long-term dietary over-indulgence. Separate your bath from a meal by at least two hours. Imagine you are at the seashore breathing the healing peace of the ocean.

Bath ingredients:

• 1 cup sea salt

• 1 cups baking soda

• 2 cups epsom salts

• 2 or more tablespoons powdered kelp

• 2 tablespoons dried ginger powder

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar

Draw a warm bath. Mix the dry ingredients sea salt, baking soda, ginger powder, Epsom salts and kelp powder in a bowl. Add water and combine well to make a paste. Pour the vinegar into the bathwater and add the seaweed mixture. Soak for 20 – 30 minutes. Then take a 30 second cool shower if you prefer. Wrap in a dry towel and lie down for another 15 minutes to enjoy the benefits of improved circulation.

Kelp offers a wealth of nutritional factors that support many systems in your body. The primary known constituents of kelp include algin, carrageenan, iodine, potassium, bromine, mucopolysaccharides, mannitol, alginic acid, kainic acid, laminine, histamine, zeaxanthin, protein, and vitamins B2 and C. It is especially high in natural iodine plus the cell salts that are so important for the proper functioning of the thyroid.

Kelp oil is helpful for everyone because of its strengthening effects, especially for ailing and convalescent persons and during pregnancy. It improves weight loss and chronic depression from low vitality. If you hate the fragrance of seaweed, add a few drops of essential oil of lavender, lemon, or mint.

5. Shilajit: Mineral Pitch Capsule

For thousands of years in India, China, Tibet, Pakistan, and Russia, people have enjoyed the benefits of shilajit (aka mineral pitch, bitumen, or fulvic acid), the thick, black liquid minerals that drip from cracks in Himalayan rocks during hot weather. Now capsules of refined shilajit are available online. Shilajit is made of decomposed, centuries-old plants and rocks formed under pressure. The purified black semisweet liquid is one of the most potent rejuvenating substances used in Ayurveda, the classical medicine of India.

Shilajit is used as a general tonic that improves libido, helps stabilize blood sugar, heals injury and broken bones, and improves immune function, arthritis, hypertension, and obesity among other things. Shilajit helps move minerals to the muscles and bones, while it relaxes ordinary daily tensions. As a general tonic, swallow one capsule of shilajit with a few sips of milk or water daily. The only contraindications for using shilajit are high uric-acid levels, gout, or kidney stones made of uric acid.

Finding Your Comfort Zone

When thinking of comfort, most people crave relaxation and may use sedatives and painkillers to help them decompress. In contrast, many exhausted people require supportive energy tonics to enhance vitality in order to maintain health and comfort. These five herbs are just a primer on the many ways herbs can safely and naturally make you comfortable and enhance your health and wellness. If you find them effective for you, traditional systems such as botanical, traditional Chinese, and Ayurvedic medicine offer you a world of possibilities

Learning and Having Fun!

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:38:00 GMT

Children learn best when they are having fun. Take advantage of playtime to make learning fun and enriching for your preschooler.

Hands-on fun

Busy hands equal busy brains! Engage and entertain your little ones with hands-on activities that stimulate their minds and bodies. From building blocks and Lego sets to arts and crafts, the opportunities are endless. No matter what subject you are trying to teach, finding a sensorial approach will be the most effective way to keep little ones engaged and enthusiastic.

The Body Electric

Maria Montessori wrote extensively about the link between freedom of movement and a child’s mental development. When children are given the freedom to explore their bodies in space, their learning potential is improved dramatically. When planning activities for preschoolers, make sure to keep this principle in mind. For example, instead of having children sit and color alphabet worksheets, have them use their bodies to make the letter shapes themselves. Or, when listening to music, have the children wave colorful scarves to the beat of the tune. Take every opportunity to engage little ones in a physical way while they are learning and everyone will learn more and have a great time.

Get Your Game On

Play is critical to healthy brain development in youngsters. So why not turn dry lessons into fun games? Need to practice the ABCs? Try sending the children on a scavenger hunt around the room for things that begin with the letter “A.” Organize a game of Alphabet Twister by redesigning your Twister mat. Make laminated alphabet fish and homemade magnetic fishing rods and have your preschoolers go fishing for a select group of letters. Think creatively and the possibilities for learning fun are endless.

Do It With Music

Little children love music. Want to teach the days of the week, numbers and letters, the seasons or other preschool themes? Try doing it with song! Finger-play and nursery rhymes are a few more fun ways to engage little ones while they learn. Listening to music creates a rich, sensual environment that has been proven to build neural pathways and boost learning throughout life.

Returning To Nature

Make learning come alive when you step outside into the big, wide world. Instead of staying indoors to study bugs, go outside and dig some up with your very own hands. Even if you aren’t studying nature directly, getting out into the fresh air is a great way to add a bit of fun to any lesson.

Make Believe

The world of make believe is alive and well in the minds of children. Help foster their natural creativity and imagination by adding dramatic play to your preschool activities. After reading a story, have your children act it out with puppets. Let them practice life skills by setting up a playhouse or play kitchen. Erect a tent in the middle of the room and make believe you are camping. Don’t get rid of old clothes or Halloween costumes. Create a dress-up chest where the children can use their imaginations and act out plays and stories.

**Credits to She Knows for helping us come up with this wonderful discussion. Cheers!

Kids and Internet Safety

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:41:00 GMT

These rules are aimed mostly at pre-teens. It is now very common, and generally safe for teens and even older pre-teens to upload pictures and information about themselves on social networking sites. However caution is still necessary to make sure that posts, images and videos are appropriate.

As parents, we cannot monitor every single thing our child does over the Internet. We cannot control everything they see in it. Kids are smarter than we think and they can do things unnoticed. This has become a major issue for most parents.

So how do we prevent these mishaps from happening? How do we secure ourselves and our loved ones from the possible threats on the Internet? We have here some things that you should always remind your teens. You can post this list near your computer or your home’s working station where they can view it whenever they go online.

1. I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parents’ permission.

2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.

3. I will never agree to get together with someone I “meet” online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring a parent along.

4. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.

5. I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do I will tell my parents right away.

6. I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online and using a mobile phone. We will decide upon the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.

7. I will not give out my passwords to anyone (even my best friends).

8. I will check with my parents before downloading or installing software or doing anything that could possibly hurt our computer or mobile device or jeopardize my family’s privacy.

9. I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

10. I will help my parents understand how to have fun and learn things online and teach them things about the Internet, computers and other technology.

If you would notice, these rules are revolving around getting parents involved in any online activity that your kids might engage on. They might be a little tight and might raise an issue about your children’s privacy. However, it is important that we brief them about these rules. Talking is always the key for helping them understand that it is always to their benefit that we impose such rules. A good relationship and communication is always, ALWAYS the key.

** Thank you Safe Kids for keeping our little ones on the safe side of things ♥

Valentines Day Projects

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:48:00 GMT

Valentines Day is near!!! Why don't you and your little angels start early? Today's blog is all about LOVE! Love for arts and crafts, that is. We have easy to make projects that you can enjoy making and giving out. Spread the amour and spread it early! :)

♥♥ Lollipop Dragonfly Paper Craft ♥♥

This is a simple dragonfly paper craft that uses a lollipop as the head and body.

You can use cardstock or a heavier paper to make the petals. You can use construction paper and it works best for children. I find cardstock is too difficult for young kids to cut out and scrapbooking paper is expensive. ♥

Materials:

paper (construction paper is my favorite for this project)

scissors

scotch tape and glue

printer

lollipop (tootsie roll brand is suggested)

Directions - three dimensional craft:

Cut out 12 similarly sized hearts from different colored paper. You can use red and white construction paper.

Glue or tape three valentine hearts together (overlapping) to make a long dragonfly wing.

Repeat until you have 4 wings.

Tape the wings, two per side, slightly angled on either side of the body.

Cut out a small heart and glue it on where all of the wings connect (to cover the pieces of tape and tidy up that area of the craft).

♥♥ Cup And Ball Lovebug ♥♥

Kids can make this cup and ball lovebug craft for Valentine's Day or any time they want to make something for someone they love!

Materials:

Paper cup
Polystyrene ball
Red paint
Black paint
Black craft foam
Red craft foam
Black chenille stem
Wiggle eyes
Glue
Heart hole punch

Directions:

Glue the ball to the bottom of the cup. Paint the cup red and the ball black. Leave to dry.

Use the heart punch to make small black foam hearts. Glue these to the cup.

Use a short length of chenille stem folded in half and then stuck on top of the ball as the antennae.

Punch 3 red foam hearts. Stick one red heart to each end of the antennae and one to the centre of the ball as the nose.

Stick on the wiggle eyes to finish.

I hope you enjoy today’s arts and craft! Feel free to share your finish product with us!!!

**Thank you Activity Village for giving us an artistic inspiration!

Help Your Child's Battle With Bullying

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Did you know that 25% of public schools report that bullying among kids occurs on a daily or weekly basis? And that 1 in 5 high school students report being bullied in the past year?

The good news is that because bullying has made national headlines, schools and communities (and even celebrities) are taking a strong anti-bullying stance.

You can do your part at home, too. Here are five smart strategies to keep kids from becoming targets — and stop bullying that have already started:

Talk about it. Talk about bullying with your kids and have other family members share their experiences. If one of your kids opens up about being bullied, praise him or her for being brave enough to discuss it and offer unconditional support. Consult with the school to learn its policies and find out how staff and teachers can address the situation.
Remove the bait. If it's lunch money or gadgets that the school bully is after, you can help neutralize the situation by encouraging your child to pack a lunch or go to school gadget-free.
Buddy up for safety. Two or more friends standing at their lockers are less likely to be picked on than a child who is all alone. Remind your child to use the buddy system when on the school bus, in the bathroom, or wherever bullies may lurk.
Keep calm and carry on. If a bully strikes, a kid's best defense may be to remain calm, ignore hurtful remarks, tell the bully to stop, and simply walk away. Bullies thrive on hurting others. A child who isn't easily ruffled has a better chance of staying off a bully's radar.
Don't try to fight the battle yourself. Sometimes talking to a bully's parents can be constructive, but it's generally best to do so in a setting where a school official, such as a counselor, can mediate.

No parent would like their kids bullied and the best help you can do is being always there every step along the way so they will never feel alone.

Thank you Kids Health for helping our fellow parent go through tough times.

Strengthening Your Immune System!

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:40:00 GMT

Looking for some ways to boost your immune system so you can prevent the flu this year? The immune system is a network that helps you avoid illness, or sometimes it can become the underlying reason you get sick. Here are some ways to strengthen your immune system to help prevent viral and bacterial infections.

What Is the Immune System?

In simplest terms, the immune system is a balanced network of cells and organs that work together to defend you against disease. Your immune system blocks foreign proteins from getting into your body. If a few intruders happen to sneak by your biological sentry, that's OK. With a powerful "search and destroy" task force, your body deploys a host of additional immune cell forces that are designed to hunt down the unwanted intruders and ultimately work to destroy them.

How Does the Immune System Prevent Illnesses Like the Flu?

The human body has an innate ability to manufacture antibodies that work as part of the immune system to destroy abnormal or foreign cells. Not only do these antibodies help fend off common illnesses like the flu or a cold, but they also play a role in protecting you against catastrophic diseases like cancer or heart disease.

Additionally, you also have a second protective response known as the "cell-mediated immune system." This involves immune system cells rather than antibodies. The immune system cells are "helper" or "killer" cells, and they help our body create memory of past defenses against disease.

When the body identifies a pathogen again, it immediately calls upon the memory of the previous infection and sets out to destroy the invader before the disease develops. This physiological mechanism is what lies behind vaccines or immunizations for illnesses such as measles, chicken pox, or hepatitis. When you get a flu shot or measles vaccine, you're getting a deliberate but harmless amount of the pathogen so that your immune cells can react, learn, and remember how to produce antibodies to fight the pathogen.

What Vaccines Are Recommended to Fight Disease?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the recommended vaccines for children and adolescents include hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, polio, pneumococcus, human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal, influenza,and Haemophilus influenza type B -- called HiB.

The CDC says seniors need vaccines against pneumococcus -- pneumonia -- and the flu, as do all adults whose immune system may be impaired by diseases such as HIV or cancer. In fact, the flu shot is recommended for almost all children and adults who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with the flu or of transmitting influenza to others. (Babies under six months do not get a flu shot.)

In addition, everyone needs to update their tetanus vaccine once every 10 years, while those who work in high-risk jobs (like hospital workers) need vaccines for hepatitis A and B. The CDC recommends all children ages 11 to 12 get a vaccine for meningitis with a booster at ages 16 to 18. This vaccine is also recommended for people at elevated risk of getting the disease, such as travelers to countries with high rates of meningococcal disease.

What Causes the Immune System to Weaken?

Your immune system can lose some of its protective effects when your body is constantly battling negative health habits such as a poor diet, little sleep, and too much stress. As such, it's not surprising that doctors frequently recommend certain lifestyle changes as a way to optimize the function of your immune system.

What's the Most Important Lifestyle Change to Boost Immunity?

Reduce stress. A steady cascade of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, negatively impacts the body's ability to stay well. Findings show that reducing levels of stress through relaxation techniques, daily exercise, and coping skills helps your body maintain physical and emotional health.

What Else Can I Do to Boost Immunity?

To boost immunity, get plenty of sleep -- every night. Prolonged sleep deprivation wears down immune protection while getting adequate rest each night helps to boost your defenses. Try to aim for seven to eight hours sleep for the best immune function.

Is There Anything Else I Can Do to Stay Well?

Try some ways to boost Immunoglobulin A (IgA), a protein from the immune system that helps fight infections. IgA is thought to play a critical role in keeping pathogens from entering your body -- and capturing those that do get in.

Clinical studies have shown that while stress reduces IgA levels; laughing, having a strong support system, engaging in positive relationships, listening to music, and even having sex can boost IgA levels. .

Moderate exercise three or four times a week also increases immune function while working out too much can run down the immune system.

Are There Foods I Can Eat to Boost Immunity?

Studies published in the journal Chest in 2000 showed chicken soup can pump up immune power and may help you get well faster. In addition, mushroom varieties such as reichi, maitake, and shitake may have some powerful influence on immune function as well as enhance production of tumor necrosis factor, interleukins, and interferon. Also, stick with a mostly plant-based diet that's low in red meat and high in fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish.

Are There Other Immunity-Boosting Tips?

Take some time daily to be happy. Smell the roses. Enjoy life's journey and listen to your favorite tunes. Some findings indicate that listening to just 30 minutes of music increases IGA levels in the body.

Also important, keep your hands clean. Nothing beats the power of frequent hand washing to keep germs at bay. By washing hands thoroughly -- and often -- throughout the day, you can stay healthier and help your immune system protect you from the flu and catastrophic diseases.

**Thank you Web MD for helping us fight the flu! :)

Immune Boosting Treats!

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:34:00 GMT

It is so hard to protect our kids from colds and flu especially when they are already engaging in activities that require them to leave home and interact with a lot of people. While it is easy to give them medicine once they already acquired these illness, don’t you think it is much more better to prevent it?

To prevent it, one must have a proper diet and as in all things related to diet, it's hard to find absolute agreement. The following list contains the nutrients most favored for helping your immune system fight off illness:

Beta-carotene is a fat-soluble substance that protects the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Bioflavonoids, sometimes referred to as polyphenols, modify the body's reaction to allergens, viruses, and carcinogens.
Probiotics maintain your balance of "good germs" and are especially important if you're on antibiotics.
Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation (and benefit heart and neurologic health).
Selenium is incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes.
Vitamin C is another antioxidant. Its cold-prevention prowess is now in question, but let's not underestimate the placebo effect!
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals.
Zinc plays a key role in many chemical reactions, and zinc deficiency is linked to greater susceptibility to infectious disease.

**Thank you WEBMD for the inspiration.

Rainbow Crayons

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:31:00 GMT

If you have a preschooler at home you would know how it is to have tons and tons of used crayons scattered all over your home. Before you throw them away, are you sure that these crayons are already useless?

What we have here is a simple arts and craft procedure that you can share with your angel. Aside from it is creative and easy to make, it is very economical and environmental!

Supplies Needed: You’ll need an old pot, clean empty cans, crayons, plastic spoons, a candy mold with heart shapes and a pot holder.

How to Make It:

1. Sort your crayons by color. We grouped various shades of each color together, so red orange could go either way! Make piles to go with the colors of the rainbow.

2. Peel the paper off all of the crayons. Some crayons may take a bit of work because the paper is glued on.

3. Add some water to your pot, put it on the stove and turn on the heat. It is best to start with Medium. Break up a bunch of red crayons into a soup can and put the can into the warm water. Use a spoon to poke and prod and mix up the reds.

4. When the crayons have melted, use your spoon to ladle some red into each of the molds. Do as little or as much as you want.

5. Repeat with each color, allowing the crayons to cool in the molds between colors. We used a fresh soup can each time to keep the colors true. You can layer orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. You can also use extra crayons to make solid hearts, too.

6. Allow the crayon hearts to cool completely and then pop them out of the molds!

There you go!!! I hope you and your angel enjoy this activity!

***Thank you Wabisabiwanderings for giving us a creative inspiration.

The Post-Holiday Project

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:52:00 GMT

You know for yourself that you have succumbed helplessly to the yummy, fatty, but scrumptious Holiday feast. Now that the Holiday is over, you are left with an out-of-shape body. What to do?

Let us think for you! We have here 20 easy ways to lose that Holiday fat!

1. Drink water. People often mistake thirst for hunger, so next time you feel like noshing, reach for water first. Drinking also helps you feel full. Some experts suggest sipping water (or iced tea) just before you sit down to a meal. Continue drinking as you eat to add volume and weight to your meal.

2. Set realistic goals. One or two pounds a week maximum is doable. Top weight-loss programs advocate stopping after the first 10 pounds and maintaining that loss for about six months before trying to lose any more.

3. Build in splurges. If you allow yourself to eat whatever you want for 2 meals out of every 21, you won’t inflict enough damage to subvert your weight loss. And you’ll feel less deprived.

4. Count to 10. Studies suggest that the average craving lasts only about 10 minutes. So before caving in to your urge, set your mental timer for a 10-minute time-out. Use the time to tackle an item on your to-do list; choose one that will give you a sense of accomplishment — and get you out of the kitchen.

5. Eat more often. People who have kept their weight off for more than a few years tend to eat an average of five times a day. Light, frequent meals curb your appetite, boost your energy, improve your mood and even speed your metabolism, since the process of digestion itself burns calories.

6. Make weekly resolutions. Don’t try to overhaul your diet overnight. If you make too many changes at once, chances are you’ll get frustrated and throw in the towel. Instead, make one change, such as eating at least one piece of fruit daily, every week.

7. Start with 10%. People who start by focusing on achieving just 10% of their long-range weight-loss goal may have the best chance of ultimate success.
Losing those first pounds yields the biggest health gains, too, since belly fat is usually the first to come off and is the most dangerous.

8. Spike your meals with salsa. This spicy condiment can stand in for mayo to deliver plenty of flavor without the fat. Mix it with a bit of low-fat yogurt to make tuna salad. Spread it on a veggie burger, or serve it with chicken or fish.

9. Take one-third off. When you eat dinner out, reduce the temptation to clean your plate by setting aside one-third of your meal. Ask the server for a doggie bag, and take it home for lunch the next day. Try serving yourself one-third less at home too. This simple tactic could subtract more than 500 calories a day.

10. Go easy on the alcohol. Remember that alcohol is a source of calories. A 12-ounce beer has 150 calories; a 3.5-ounce glass of wine, 85. A margarita packs a bigger caloric punch. Even worse offenders are creamy cocktails, such as brandy alexanders and mudslides — equivalent to drinking a rich dessert. The bottom line: If you’re trying to lose weight, stick with water.

11. Write notes to yourself. To help you stay on track, post notes to yourself on the fridge and the pantry. Put up a little stop sign or make tags with questions like “Do you want this food enough to wear it?” and “Are the calories worth the consequences?”

12. Stay away from sodas. Soft drinks are a major source of empty calories in the American diet. We drink twice as much soda as milk and nearly six times more soda than fruit juice. But fluids don’t satisfy your appetite as well as solids. A study at Purdue University found that when people were fed 450 calories daily as jelly beans or as soda, the soda drinkers gained a significant amount of weight, but the jelly-bean eaters compensated for the extra calories by cutting back on other food. So if you crave something sweet, you’re better off chewing it than gulping it. If you’re truly thirsty, reach for water or unsweetened iced tea instead of soda.

13. Don’t just eat — dine. Eating on the run or in front of the tube invites mindless munching. Instead, set the table every time you eat. Make a conscious choice to sit down and savor every bite. Placing a portion of chips on your best china helps focus your attention so you don’t eat the whole bag.

14. Up your protein (a little). Research suggests that protein prolongs the feeling of fullness better than carbohydrates or fats do. Studies in Scotland, Denmark, Sweden and England found that people who ate a high-protein breakfast or lunch were less hungry at their next meal. Protein also requires a few more calories to digest. Just don’t go overboard. Stick to low-fat protein sources like low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, low-fat soy drinks or snacks, or thinly sliced turkey breast.

15. Learn how to measure. It’s easy to misjudge portion sizes. Pull out the measuring spoons and cups, especially for full-fat salad dressings, dairy foods and mayo.

16. Make smart substitutions. Look for nutritious low-calorie alternatives to sugary, high-fat treats. Try frozen grapes instead of candy. Use air-popped popcorn instead of oil-popped. Dip fresh strawberries in fat-free fudge sauce for a sensuous chocolaty treat.

17. Have a “party plan.” When attending a party, offer to bring a plate. Arriving armed with chopped fresh veggies and a low-fat dip — or any other low-calorie snack — ensures that you’ll have something to snack on without feeling guilty.

18. Think positively. Experts note that low self-esteem is a major cause of overeating. Train yourself to focus on your best points rather than your weak spots. Buy clothes that fit and flatter you at your current weight. Update your hairstyle and get a makeup consultation so you feel attractive today.

19. Give yourself a break. No one says you have to reach your goal without making mistakes along the way. Tell yourself you can succeed in losing weight by taking things one step at a time and starting fresh whenever you slip up. If you overeat one night, just get back on track in the morning by focusing on what’s worked for you in the past.

20. Relax! Some people binge when they’re stressed. A Yale University study found that women who secreted the most cortisol (a hormone released during stress) ate the most high-fat food after stress. The combination of cortisol and insulin prompts the body to store fat in preparation for possible starvation — just what you don’t need. If stress has a stronghold on your life, try learning yoga, meditation, or simple breathing exercises.

Remember to keep it healthy at all times! Love your body and improve your look :)

Stay beautiful!

**Thank you Health Magazine for giving us a start on this!

Egg-xcellent!

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:34:00 GMT

Healthy eaters know that a quality breakfast sets the tone for the day’s meals.

A guaranteed way to start your day off right would be protein-packed eggs.

This breakfast superstar contains a nutrient called choline, a type of B Vitamin. An increase in choline intake improves nervous system function and cardiovascular health.

Eggs also promote weight loss (yes, really!). A trial study of 160 overweight people by university researchers in The FASEB Journal compared the effects of starting the day with either two eggs or a bagel. Both meals contained the same amounts of calories and weight mass. The egg eaters lost more weight, had a bigger drop in waist size, and said they felt more energized than those who ate bagels. Why? The protein in eggs keeps you full, preventing you from eating foods that are high in fat and sugar.

If you love to work out, you have to work protein into your diet. It aids muscle repair after a cardio or weight-training routine, while also providing you with energy. Hard-boiled eggs are an easy recovery snack!

Not sure how else to serve ‘em up? Here is a recipe for Huevos Rancheros :

1 can (15 oz) low-sodium black beans, drained
1/4 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
1 clove garlic
8 large eggs
1 can (16 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, with juice
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced (about 1 Tbsp)
Juice of 1 lime, divided
Pinch of cumin
8 soft corn tortillas

How to make them:
1 Prepare salsa by combining tomatoes, onion, chipotle pepper, half the lime juice, cilantro, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until well blended but still slightly chunky. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture sit while you make the rest of the meal so the flavors have time to meld.

2 In a small mixing bowl, combine black beans with cumin and remaining lime juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Use the back of a fork to lightly mash beans; add a splash of warm water if the mixture looks too dry.

3 Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and warm the pan over medium heat. Crack eggs into the skillet and cook until the whites have set but the yolks are still runny. Set another skillet over medium heat and toast tortillas for about 1 minute on each side.

4 Spread beans on warmed tortillas and top with eggs and salsa. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 431 cal, 16 g fat, 48 g carbs, 801 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 21 g protein

Do you have any unique egg recipes? Share it with us!!!

***Thanks Women’s Health for giving us a healthy inspiration!

A Happy New Year to You!

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 16:47:00 GMT

Happy New Year everyone!!! Today marks the day of new beginnings, creating renewed hopes, and being ready for all the challenges that might come along the way. But the day celebrated as New Year's Day in modern America was not always January 1.

Ancient New Years

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring).

The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical or agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.

The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.

The Romans continued to observe the New Year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.

In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the New Year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

New Year Traditions

Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California.

Although the Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, it was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year. In 1916, the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival.

The tradition of using a baby to signify the New Year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth.

Although the early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the New Year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus.

The use of an image of a baby with a New Years banner as a symbolic representation of the New Year was brought to early America by the Germans. They had used the effigy since the fourteenth century.

For Luck in the New Year

Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Parties often last into the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man.

Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune.

Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the New Year by consuming black-eyed peas. These legumes are typically accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The hog, and thus its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day.

Toasting

One of the most venerable New Years traditions is the Champaign toast at midnight to ring in the New Year. Toasting can be traced back to the ancient Romans and Greeks who would pour wine, to be shared among those attending a religious function, from a common pitcher. The host would drink first, to assure his guests that the wine was not poisoned. Poisoning the wine was a fairly common practice in ancient times, designed to do away with one's enemies. In those days the wine was not as refined as it is today so a square of burned bread (toast) would be floated in the wine bowl and then eaten by the last person to drink. The bread was put there to absorb the extra acidity of the wine in order to make it more palatable. Eventually, the act of drinking in unison came to be called a toast, from the act of "toasting" or putting toast into the wine.

Auld Lang Syne

The song, "Auld Lang Syne," playing in the background, is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scottish tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."

I hope you enjoyed these facts about the New Year! May 2013 be a great year for you and your family! As Oprah once said, “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” Happy New Year and welcome 2013!

Start Your New Year Sweet!

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:22:00 GMT

The New Year’s Celebration is one of the most awaited feasts of the year! It is when families get together regardless of age, race, or religion. The whole nation stops to welcome the New Year with new hopes that the coming year would be great!

What could be better than a celebration with great food? We have here 2 great treats for you! Aside from it is easy to make, it’s absolutely scrumptious!

PISTACHIO-HONEY TORRONE

Ingredients

Edible wafer paper, enough for 2 layers in pan
1/3 cup cornstarch
3 large egg whites
1 cup honey
3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 cups shelled raw pistachios

Directions

Piece together wafer paper, without overlapping, to fit bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, and set aside. Liberally sprinkle a clean surface with cornstarch. Pour egg whites into bowl of electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine honey and granulated sugar. Place over medium heat; cook until mixture just begins to simmer, about 4 minutes. Clip a candy thermometer onto the side of saucepan; continue to heat, stirring occasionally.
Beat whites until stiff peaks form; add confectioners' sugar, and beat until combined. When thermometer registers 315 degrees, remove honey mixture from heat. Temperature will rise to 320 degrees. Stir until temperature drops to 300 degrees, 1 to 2 minutes. With mixer running, slowly pour honey mixture into egg-white mixture (at this point, whites will double in volume; let stand a few seconds; volume will return to normal). Beat until mixture thickens and begins to stick to beaters; fold in the nuts.
Pour mixture onto cornstarch-covered surface; knead about 5 turns. Stretch and roll to fit pan; place mixture in pan. Cover with another layer of wafer paper; let cool on wire rack. Cut into slices while still warm; store in airtight container, with parchment between layers, for up to 2 weeks.

Makes one 9-by-13-inch sheet

BLOOD ORANGE PUNCH

Ingredients

2 bottles (25 ounces each) blood-orange juice, chilled
3 cans (12 ounces each) natural orange soda, such as San Pellegrino Aranciata, chilled
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
8 ounces light rum, such as Appletons
5 dashes bitters
1 blood orange, or orange, cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges and frozen

Directions

Fill ice cube trays with 1 1/2 cups orange juice, and freeze. To make punch, stir remaining orange juice, soda, lime juice, rum, and bitters into a 16-cup punch bowl. Before serving, add frozen orange slices. Add ice cubes as needed to keep chilled.

Makes 8 cups

Merry Christmas Facts!!!

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:08:00 GMT

First of all, we would like to greet you and the rest of your family a very Merry Christmas! Our hearts are full of hope that you are enjoying this holiday with the rest of your family :)

Since we know that you are probably exhausted from all the Christmas preparation, we have a treat for you! We have here 20 quick facts about Christmas for everyone to enjoy!

1. The Greeks celebrated Christmas on January 7. Until in A.D. 350, Pope Julius I proclaimed December 25 the official date for Christmas.

2. In Greek, 'X' stands for Christ. This is from where the word 'Xmas' originated.

3. If you wait for Santa to bring you a gift on every Christmas Eve, then keep these facts in mind. According to US scientists, if Santa is to deliver all the world's gifts on Christmas eve, then he would have to visit 822 homes a second, while traveling at no less than 650 miles per second. That has to be fast...

4. The legend of Santa Claus comes from a real saint, St. Nikolas of Myra, who lived in today's Turkey around the fourth century. The term 'Santa Claus' is itself derived from Sankt Niklaus, German name for Saint Nicholas.

5. According to a story, the tradition of Christmas stockings have been originated from three sisters who could not afford a marriage dowry. They were helped by Saint Nicholas, who crept down their chimney and filled their stockings with gold coins.

6. Apples were the first known Christmas tree decorations. Until they were replaced by lights, a trend first started by protestant reformer, Martin Luther (1483-1546). According to a story, he got the idea after watching stars shining between the branches of a fir tree.

7. In Britain, people wear paper crowns on Christmas. The origins of this tradition can be traced back to the Roman Saturnalia Celebrations.

8. The term 'Christmas' has been derived from the Old English word "Cristes maesse" which means "Christ's Mass".

9. Christmas was first celebrated in Britain in 521 in York.

10. An average Christmas tree takes 15 years to grow.

11. An average household in America mails out 28 cards on Christmas and see 28 Christmas cards return to their place.

12. In Canada, Santa Claus has his own postal zip code, H0H 0H0.

13. In 1647, Christmas was made illegal by the English Parliament. The Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell, who considered feasting on a holy day to be immoral, banned the Christmas festivities. The ban was lifted only when Cromwell lost power in 1660.

14. The song "Jingle Bells" was originally written for Thanksgiving in the year 1857.

15. The Norwegians believed that witches come out on Christmas eve to look for brooms to ride. Thus, all the brooms in the house were hidden and men went outside and fired a shotgun to frighten the evil spirits away.

16. 56 percent Americans say that they always sing Christmas carols to their pets.

17. During the Christmas buying season, Visa cards are swiped an average of 5340 times every minute in the United States.

18. There are two islands in the world named 'Christmas'. One in the Pacific ocean and the other in the Indian ocean.

19. According to a study, two weeks before Christmas is the most popular time for couples to break up.

20. The Germans made the first artificial Christmas tree out of dyed goose feathers.

There you go!!! Make these a topic of your Christmas Dinner conversations or a game for both kids and grown-ups! Just ensure that today, you are enjoying every moment! Christmas is just once a year! Spread the love!!!

Merry Christmas from Pansy Pie!!!

** Thank you Oddity Journal for helping us enjoy the season ♥

Help Your Kids Cope with Stress

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:04:00 GMT

We all know how everyday stress can be. We, as adults, go through it a lot every day of our lives. From the time we wake up, until the time we get ready to go to sleep. What is good about us, adults, is that we are used to this routine. Kids are not. Children do not think, act, or manage stress like adults. The younger the kid, the smaller their stress reflex are. Sometimes, the smallest of things like arriving at school and finding out that there will be a substitute teacher can be very big for them.

Young children do not yet have the ability to identify or express their own feelings of stress. They struggle with their own emotions and they pick up on their parents’ tension. The American Psychology Association noted that 39% of children feel sad and worried when their parents are stressed. Often a stressed out child can be detected when a teacher or parent observes changes in a child’s behavior.

Frequent melt-downs, sleeping problems or nightmares, clingy behavior, refusal to go to school, acting younger than their age, bed-wetting, stomachaches and headaches are signals that your child may be experiencing too much stress. The main thing to look for is a change in behavior. Trust your instinct.

Tips to Reduce Stress:

1. Help children put words to their feelings. Ask them if they feel nervous, scared, or worried. Ask them what is making them feel that way.

2. Acknowledge your child’s feelings and encourage the use of positive statements. Often children do not understand the outcome of an action or change. Instead of realizing their favorite teacher will be back tomorrow, they might think she is gone forever. Create positive statements for the situation. Help them realize that, “I will be ok, my teacher will be back soon.”

3. Introduce stress management techniques to children. Parents and teachers can easily teach and use techniques like breathing, positive statements, and visualizing on a regular basis. Lesson plans are available both online and in Child Psychology Centers.

4. Establish a bedtime routine that helps kids relax. Soothing music or relaxing stories can go a long way.

5. Spend reassuring quality time with children. Parents and teachers can laugh and play together. Singing songs like “The More We Get Together”, “This Is the Way We Laugh and Play,” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It” can be a liberating and fun stress reliever that you and your children can enjoy together.

It is very important that we build a strong foundation to be able to assist our kids and relieve them from stress. We have to keep a positive aura at all times and be as encouraging as possible. We have to radiate feelings of love and utmost support at all times.

Always remember that a stress free kid will be healthier adults tomorrow!

**Thank you Stress Free Kids for helping us with this one ♥

For a Happy Flight

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:14:00 GMT

Christmas and the New Year are almost here! We are pretty sure that some of you will be going out of town and even out of the country for that well-anticipated Holiday vacation! Now some of you have little tots jet setting with you and we all know that long trips would mean the worst for them!

You need to survive! We have here some tips to make long-haul flights seem short for your tots!

The Busy, Busy Bag

Virtually every guide to flying with kids recommends that you pack a busy bag, but here are a few critical tips that they usually leave out. 1) Pack any new toys in your own bag so that you control how quickly they get opened. 2) Even if the only thing your child really likes is cars, pack a variety of activities. For instance, include a few cars, a car-themed workbook, and a game or puzzle that involves cars. 3) Don’t forget to look around for old toys before you buy a new one!

The Battle with Jetlag

You’ll see lots of expert advice on how to best avoid jet lag at your destination. Most of it involves getting your child onto local time before you leave. Focus on making sure your child is either calm and well-rested for a morning flight or drowsy for a nighttime flight. For an afternoon departure, try to get lots of daytime exercise, and get your child ready to nap on the plane. With any luck, the soothing engine noise will ensure an extra-long nap.

Pack a Hearty Meal

Sure, they’ll serve meals in-flight. But here’s the problem—kids are extra picky when they’re in the midst of a tiring day, so they’ll probably reject airplane food. True, some airlines promise kid-friendly meals, but they’re usually loaded with so many sugary treats. Pack your own filling, protein-rich (or most commonly known as “sleep-inducing”) foods like sunbutter sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, roasted chicken, and string cheese. Dried fruit is a great snack because it’s non-perishable and takes a while to eat.

Running Mate

Before you board your plane, take advantage of every opportunity for exercise. We hire a sitter to take the kids outside or to a playground as we pack everything in the car and close up the house. Once at the airport, find any empty gate area to run relay races or encourage your kids to have a jumping contest (that’s a great way to practice counting, too). You might see a few dirty looks, but it’s well worth it in order to get those pre-flight wiggles out.

Dehydrate

Nursing moms and young children are at more risk of dehydration than healthy adults. Bring along a few bottles of water and offer water to your child often, taking a drink yourself each time. On a related note, bring more diapers than you think you’d normally need.

Remember that even with all these preparations, your flight can still be not that smooth sailing. Just keep in mind to have fun with the experience and observe! The next time that you will be in a long-haul flight with your child, you would know that to do!

Safe flight to you!

**Thanks Parenting.com for helping us figure out some of these tips!

Relaxation for a Great Parent Like You!

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:23:00 GMT

Being a parent is a hard, yet very rewarding role that most of us plays. There will be times that our kids would test our limits and moments of utter chaos that we need to fix. I know that you will agree when I say that most of us need a well-deserved break but time does not permit us from accomplishing it. In line with this, we have came up with 5 relaxation techniques that you can do without taking much of your dedicated family time :)

Massage

Unless you have a professional masseuse on call 24 hours a day, you'll probably have to rely on your partner to knead away your tension at bedtime. A 10-minute massage that includes your head, neck, shoulders, back, arms, and legs can be a relaxing prelude to drifting off to sleep.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Lie in bed and close your eyes. Alternating between the left and right side of your body, tense and release your hand and forearm muscles followed by your biceps and triceps, face and jaw, chest and shoulders, stomach, thighs, and so on until you reach your feet. After 20 to 30 minutes you should feel relaxed from head to toe.

Yoga and Stretching

Many health clubs and recreation centers offer yoga and stretching classes for all ability levels. If you don't have time to fit in a trip to the gym, consider renting or buying a yoga video or creating your own at-home stretch routine: Lie on your back and slowly pull your knees up to your chest, hold for a few seconds while you breathe deeply, and release. Or clasp your hands in front of you, fingers intertwined and palms facing the wall, and raise them straight up over your head for an upper body stretch.

Deep Breathing

Taking slow, deep breaths can ease muscle tension, lower your heart rate, and help you fall asleep faster. It's a good back-to-sleep strategy for when you find yourself wide awake at 3 a.m. What to do: Close your mouth and breathe slowly through your nose, feeling your stomach rise as you gradually fill your diaphragm and lungs with air. Hold for one second before exhaling through your nose to the count of four. Repeat until you feel your body relax.

Guided Imagery

Imagine yourself in a relaxing place such as lying on a warm, sandy beach or beside a mountain stream. Close your eyes and visualize every detail in the scene, down to the tiny grains of sand and the trickling sound of the water as it flows over the rocks. Your attention may wander at first, but with practice you'll be able to tune out the chatter in your head that's keeping you from getting to sleep.

These techniques can offer us some time to regain our inner balance! Feel free to incorporate some of these in your everyday activities! Also, if you have some relaxation tips, feel free to share it with us! We would love to hear it!

**Babycenter provided inspiration for this article. Thank you so much!!!

Superb Stocking Stuffers

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:37:00 GMT

Nope, this is not a tongue twister fated to put Sylvester the Cat in peril. This is a list of fun things you can put in your kids' stockings! Christmas is never complete without stockings hanging by the wall and absolutely no Christmas can ever pass that these stockings are without anything in it!

Out with the traditional items you placed in there the past few years! Make it more fun this Holiday! Why not create a THEME for your Stocking Stuffer!!!

Here are some ideas that are bound to excite your kids and make their Holidays more merry!

Superb Science

Inspire a love of science with a science-themed stocking this Christmas. Shop for gifts that teach kids that science can be fun. Visit a local boutique toy store for unique science gifts you won’t find in big stores. When you’re shopping online, try favorites like astronaut ice cream, bubble wands, small gem kits, model airplanes, stacking toys and Play-Doh. Don’t worry about teaching high concepts. Science doesn’t have to be difficult. Play on your child’s strengths and interests. For the music lover, try a fun DVD that helps kids learn about basic science concepts.

Active Athlete

Ready to get your little one moving and cheering? Create a sports-themed stocking that celebrates the sporty side of your child. Work on a mixture of gifts that encourage your child to play sports and gifts that cater to the superfan in the making. Try official sports team gear such a tumblers, hats, socks and T-shirts. Toss in a baseball or tennis ball.

Soothing Spa

Until she’s old enough to visit the spa and salon on her own, give her gifts that let her primp and pamper herself in an age-appropriate way. Fill the spa stocking with goodies for budding beauty babes. Try brightly colored nail polish, sweet-smelling bath salts, girlie Band-Aids and clear lip gloss in funky flavors. Toss in a few small, shiny makeup pouches for storing her little odds and ends. Shop for costume jewelry to complete her fancy spa day. Encourage early skin care with a kid-friendly cleanser :)

Aesthetic Artist

Kids love receiving art supplies for Christmas. Stuff this year’s stocking with a variety of arts and crafts goods that will inspire little masterpieces well into the New Year. When shopping, buy a mix of products geared specifically for kids, and get art supplies that will inspire your kids to turn the hobby into a real passion. Colored pencils, tempera paint, brushes, crayons and stencils make great stocking stuffers. Include small books that teach kids basic skills like drawing or knitting. Include a set of beads to encourage fine motor skills and imaginative projects.

You can just imagine the look on your children's faces when they see the treats you came up with! Remember that these items should not necessarily be expensive. You can come up with alternatives that would fit with your stocking's theme! Enjoy the Holidays everyone!

**Thank you so much SheKnows and Amazon for being our creative inspiration for this article ♥

It's a Play Date!

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 08:02:00 GMT

Have you ever noticed your child in a corner while everyone else in the playground enjoys together? You should not worry immediately! This does not automatically mean your child is anti-social. Experts say that the kind of play kids do varies depending on their age. Toddlers play much differently from preschoolers, just as babies play differently from toddlers. We have here a guide on the age-appropriate types of play kids do:

☮ Independent play: Before they turn two, most kids couldn't care less about playing with other children. Sure, it's fun to get them together on "play dates," but your baby is probably happy just to do her own thing.

☮ Onlooker play: This observational type of play teaches your toddler how to act when he's ready to join in the fun. Watching the big kids play is a great way for him to learn the politics of the playground (no stealing shovels!).

☮ Solitary play: This type of play is just what it sounds like—solo play. You might be tempted to entertain your toddler every moment, but try to give him some space to figure things out on his own. It's good for his development to play alone. Of course, it goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway), don't leave him unattended in a room that isn't kid-safe.

☮ Parallel play: When your kid is playing side-by-side with his BFF, he's engaged in parallel play. It may not be obvious, but your kid is learning loads about socializing and playing just by building blocks next to another kid. This sort of play will also teach him basic concepts and rules of play (taking turns, not grabbing). Don't pressure your kid to play with his "friend." Chances are, they're having a ball!

☮ Associative play: Around age 3 or 4, your kid may be playing in a group, but still doing his own thing. In other words, a group of kids may be playing together in a sand box, but they're all building their own sand castles. This is an important stage since it teaches kids how to cooperate and possibly start making real friends. It also helps with language development and problem solving (how do we dig all the way to China?!).

☮ Competitive play: By the time your child is 5, chances are he'll be ready for real play dates and will probably be able to understand the rules of basic board games (Candy Land anyone?). This competitive sort of play can help develop self-esteem and ultimately, foster real friendship (but be prepared for tears if your kid loses!).

In conclusion, parents please trust your kids! If your child is hesitant to play with others, this does not necessarily mean that he has problem with social skills. It is quite common for young kids not to know how to make friends so you can guide them and discuss with them to ease their apprehensions. Just don’t forget the most important rule of play: have fun!!!

**We thank Nickmom for helping us understand our kids more ♥

Safe Toys for the Girls and Boys!

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Toy Shopping Season has arrived! We are pretty sure that you have already listed ideal gifts for the kids. But are you certain these gifts are safe? Before you go out into a shopping spree, you can read through today’s blog. It might help you a lot in deciding which presents to buy! ♥

The doctors at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics, have listed some gift-giving tips to aid you in choosing the right, and safe presents for your little loved ones :)

☃ Avoid toy jewelry that may contain lead or cadmium, both of which can be harmful to children.

☃ Don’t give toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet to children younger than 10. Give them battery-operated toys instead. Remember, though, that button batteries found in toys can become lodged in the throat and cause serious injury or death.

☃ Read all warning labels carefully and consider a child’s age, interests and skill levels when buying toys.

☃ Choking is one of the leading causes of toy-related deaths, and most of these choking deaths are due to tiny balls, latex balloons and small magnets. Any toy that will be accessible by children under age 3 should not have any parts that are smaller than 1 inch in diameter and 2 inches long, because these can lodge in a child’s mouth or throat.

☃ Choose toys with sturdy construction and avoid those with sharp edges and points.

☃ Store toys in designated areas, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older children’s toys away from younger children.

☃ If people offer you used toys that don’t have warning labels, inspect them carefully and use your best judgment about whether to accept them.

☃ Some toys contain powerful magnets. If a child swallows more than one of these magnets, they can attract to one another and result in serious injury or death. If your child ingests one more magnets, seek immediate medical attention.

☃ Don’t buy pull toys with strings longer than 12 inches. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.

It is very important that this Holiday Season we value everyone’s safety aside from having extreme loads of fun. The Season is about giving and kindness so let it be the Season for us to extend our care to everyone around!

Happy Shopping!!!

** We would like to thank Health.com for inspiring us and aiding us in keeping our loved ones safe and secure ♥

For A Healthier Holiday Eating!

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 06:09:00 GMT

This time of the year is the most difficult for the health and weight conscious. From Halloween, it has been a struggle to keep your hands off the sweets, up to the recent Thanksgiving Celebration which is utterly a feast of flavors!!! Not to mention the coming Christmas and New Year! Food is just everywhere!

Now this can cause problems with your health. It’s very important that amidst all these festivities, we allot time to review our physical well-being. Have we reached the border of calorie intake for our specific height and weight? Are we still taking in vegetable and fruits?

We have here some tips to help you get through the Holiday Season healthy. Read through it and try incorporating these tips in your everyday routine. Plus, we also have some guide on how to modify and improve Holiday Favorites into Healthy Treats!

☃ Be realistic. Don’t try to lose pounds during the holidays, instead try to maintain your current weight.

☃ Plan time for exercise. Exercise helps relieve holiday stress and prevent weight gain. A moderate and daily increase in exercise can help partially offset increased holiday eating. Try 10- or 15-minute brisk walks twice a day.

☃ Don’t skip meals. Before leaving for a party, eat a light snack like raw vegetables or a piece of fruit to curb your appetite. You will be less tempted to over-indulge.

☃ Survey party buffets before filling your plate. Choose your favorite foods and skip your least favorite. Include vegetables and fruits to keep your plate balanced.

☃ Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. Savor your favorite holiday treats while eating small portions. Sit down, get comfortable, and enjoy.

☃ Be careful with beverages. Alcohol can lessen inhibitions and induce overeating; non-alcoholic beverages can be full of calories and sugar.

☃ If you overeat at one meal go light on the next. It takes 500 calories per day (or 3,500 calories per week) above your normal/maintenance consumption to gain one pound. It is impossible to gain weight from one piece of pie!

☃ Take the focus off food. Turn candy and cookie making time into non-edible projects like making wreaths, dough art decorations or a gingerbread house. Plan group activities with family and friends that aren’t all about food. Try serving a holiday meal to the community, playing games or going on a walking tour of decorated homes.

☃ Bring your own healthy dish to a holiday gathering.

☃ Practice healthy holiday cooking!!! Preparing favorite dishes lower in fat and calories will help promote healthy holiday eating. Incorporate some of these simple-cooking tips in traditional holiday recipes to make them healthier.

Gravy — Refrigerate the gravy to harden fat. Skim the fat off. This will save a whopping 56 gm of fat per cup.

Dressing — Use a little less bread and add more onions, garlic, celery, and vegetables. Add fruits such as cranberries or apples. Moisten or flavor with low fat low sodium chicken or vegetable broth and applesauce.

Turkey – Enjoy delicious, roasted turkey breast without the skin and save 11 grams of saturated fat per 3 oz serving.

Green Bean Casserole — Cook fresh green beans with chucks of potatoes instead of cream soup. Top with almonds instead of fried onion rings.

Mashed Potato — Use skim milk, chicken broth, garlic or garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese instead of whole milk and butter.

Quick Holiday Nog — Four bananas, 1-1/2 cups skim milk or soymilk, 1-1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt, 1/4 teaspoon rum extract, and ground nutmeg. Blend all ingredients except nutmeg. Puree until smooth. Top with nutmeg.

Desserts — Make a crustless pumpkin pie. Substitute two egg whites for each whole egg in baked recipes. Replace heavy cream with evaporated skim milk in cheesecakes and cream pies. Top cakes with fresh fruit, fruit sauce, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar instead of fattening frosting.

It is not necessary that we restrict ourselves from the scrumptious holiday treats. What matters is we always have an alternative for them and that we eat in moderation! It is the season to be jolly, indeed. But it’s also the season to practice self-control and discipline ♥

***All thanks to CPMC for these wonderful and healthy ideas!

Writing Workshop For Your Child

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 06:09:00 GMT

Who wouldn’t love to have a young Shakespeare or Edgar Allan Poe as their child? It is always a parent’s pride when they realize that their son or daughter excels in something…more so if it is in writing. It has been said by many that writing is a talent and a gift. All you have to do is expose yourself and polish your techniques. Never forget inspiration as well! You cannot write about something that you do not truly enjoy.

As parents, this is our duty to our children. We have to help them realize the talent and develop the gift. Before we start with the exercises, bear in mind that children pick up messages their parents send. Keep everything light and fun for them to enjoy this!

Below are some tips you can use to turn your child to a Literary Prodigy!

Preschool
Teaching preschoolers to write can be as simple as printing out handwriting worksheets that they will have to trace. Have fun with this! When your child traces a letter accurately make this a huge deal by clapping your hands and cheering with each new letter traced correctly. Before you know it, your child is ready to do the next one and hear the joy from their parents’ mouth.

Have fun writing a story together. Start with a simple scenario, “There once was a little girl who…” and then ask your child to fill in the blanks. Make this process fun and easy for children, laugh at the funny stuff, or make funny stuff up. For example: “There once was a little girl who had a blue elephant. Or “There once was a little girl who always wore a frown, many people thought she looked like a clown.

Grades K-3rd
Have your children become active with local libraries and be an active reader. To write better you should read more and write more. Have your children copy from short books on a spiral paper, not to claim as their own, but only to help them see how a story structure is created.

Make up scenarios for your children to write a story about. You can start with just a character, a young boy who wanted to learn how to play the guitar, or a situation like a farmer whose land was in drought, or questions for fantasy stories such as what if aliens were real?

These fun scenarios, to name a small few, will have your children ready to write stories for all to read.

Grades 4th-6th
Have your child make up alternative endings to their favorite books or stories. What if the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk was really a nice guy? What would happen if the witch from Hansel and Gretel was actually a doctor?

Ask these types of questions to your children about their favorite stories or characters in stories. But don’t stop at their favorite stories! Have them read stories they have never read before and have them create an alternative ending from the story. How else could these characters life end happily ever after?

All of these are good exercises, not to mention fun. You’ll also get to discover your children’s passion, which in turn help you relate with them more. This is called hitting 2 birds with one stone!.... Definitely an idiom your child can learn!

**We appreciate Teach Kids How for guiding us on helping our kids grow bright and intelligent!

A Sweet Thanksgiving To You!

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMT

First off, a great and awesome Thanksgiving to all of you guys, from us at Pansy Pie!!!

You have got to admit that this Holiday is synonymous to food. When we say Thanksgiving, the first thing that comes to mind is that scrumptious Turkey dinner and that sweet potato casserole! But why limit yourself with just that?!

We have here 3 express recipes that you can surely add up to your menu to stuff your guests with ♥

We'll start off with SUGAR COATED PECANS!

Ingredients:

1 egg white

1 tablespoon water

1 pound pecan halves

1 cup white sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease one baking sheet.
In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.

Another great but easy recipe would be the CIDER CRANBERRY SAUCE

Ingredients:

6 cups fresh (or fresh-frozen) whole cranberries

1 1/2 cups apple cider

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 or 3 long strips of orange zest

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

Combine all the ingredients in a large, nonreactive saucepan or medium-size covered casserole. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and cook at a very low boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
Transfer the sauce to a serving dish. Cover and refrigerate (it thickens as it chills) until serving. Test Kitchen Tip: If the sauce seems too loose at serving time, spoon off a little of the liquid. Makes 10 or more servings.

And last but not the least, we have this APPLE ORCHARD PUNCH which, of course, is non-alcoholic, and would be greatly enjoyed by your little angels ♥

Ingredients:

1 (32 fluid ounce) bottled apple juice, chilled

1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen cranberry juice concentrate

1 cup orange juice

1 1/2 liters ginger ale

1 apple

Directions

In a large punch bowl, combine apple juice, cranberry juice concentrate and orange juice. Stir until dissolved, then slowly pour in the ginger ale.
Thinly slice the apple vertically, forming whole apple slices. Float apple slices on top of punch.

There you go!!! Just remember that Thanksgiving is all about being grateful of all the things we have received for the past year. Thanksgiving is a celebration and a chance to spend time with your family! Enjoy, everyone!

**Thanks ALL RECIPES for the inspiration ♥

Sleeping Well in A Sleep Haven

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Just as promised, today's blog is all about turning your room to a more conducive place for snooze! Sometimes, the littlest things, such as lighting, affects our ability to turn in for a good rest. But hey! That's what this blog is all about :)

Below is a guide on how to turn your now comfortable room to an even more convenient place for slumber!

The Dimmer, The Better

Dim the lights while you get ready for bed, or turn off bright overhead lamps and switch to a soft, bedside lamp. Your body is programmed to sleep when it's dark, so you can encourage that rhythm by easing into nighttime.

Light inhibits the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that naturally promotes sleep. "Even if you doze off, light can be detected through your eyelids—and your brain won't produce melatonin if it's confused between night and day," says Joyce Walsleben, PhD, associate professor at the New York University School of Medicine. "You want as much darkness in your bedroom as you can handle without tripping over things."

Maintain the Darkness

Hide digital clocks and glowing electronics from view. Put a night-light in your hallway or bathroom in case nature calls at 2 a.m.; that's better than turning on a ceiling light, which would disrupt levels. And if street lamps or moonlight shines in from outside, consider installing heavy window shades or wearing a dark sleep mask.

Stay Cool!

Your body temperature naturally drops as you drift into sleep, so cooling down your bedroom can jump start the process and make it easier to doze off. Most experts advise setting your thermostat 5° to 10° lower than your average daytime temperature.

"It's different for every person, but your bedroom should probably be under 70°," says Walsleben. Menopausal women experiencing hot flashes—or those who like to bundle up in blankets—may want to aim even lower.

Hush Hush!

If your bedroom is victim to unwelcome sounds of ambulances, catfights, or whipping winds, a thick rug and heavy blinds might help buffer the noise. If not, try a machine or soothing CDs that can drown out disruptions, or even earplugs to muffle the sound completely. If you do fall asleep to music, use a player with a "sleep" function that can shut down automatically after 30 or 60 minutes, recommends William C. Dement, MD, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University and author of The Promise of Sleep. As your body transitions through different , unexpected noise may wake you during shallower cycles.

Keep Calm, And Have A Good Snooze

After you've achieved these conditions, get rid of anything stimulating that distracts from the room's main purpose: sleep. That means no treadmill, no television or computer, and no reminders of anything stressful. Adding personal mementos, calming color schemes, and soothing sights and sounds will also make your bedroom a more inviting place to rest and relax.

We hope for a better relaxation for you, after all, you deserve that! ♥ Find your inner calm and leave your worrying for tomorrow!

** All thanks again to Health.com for some of these wonderful advices!

Off To A Better Snooze!

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

No matter how you toss and turn, there are times that you just can’t catch that zzz’s! According to studies, this is most probably caused by thinking too much, eating the wrong food, and poor sleeping environment. But did you know that there are things that you’re doing everyday that might also be affecting your sleep? Kristen L. Knutson, PhD, an assistant professor and sleep specialist at the University of Chicago’s Department of Medicine, said that “Certain habits you’re unaware of could be sabotaging your sleep.” So with that, we have here tips for a better, more relaxed sleep that you deserve!

BEAR IN MIND THE EFFECTS

Lack of shut-eye doesn’t just leave you foggy the next day: Chronic, long-term insufficient sleep ups your odds of diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease, even weight gain.

CHANGE YOUR AFTERNOON HABIT

It’s a no-brainer that drinking coffee or tea right before you hit the sack won’t do you any sleep favors. But you also need to watch your afternoon drinks, according to Joan Salge Blake, RD, a clinical associate professor at Boston University. Love your 4 p.m. peach tea? It’s got caffeine, and so do some flavored waters and even orange sodas, Blake warns. Check the labels on your favorite midday drinks—any that boast energy-boosting benefits are likely culprits. Then, if possible, stop sipping them by 2 p.m., so there’s time for their effects to wear off. Naturally, coffee drinks pack a real wallop, so stay away from them after lunch.

WINE IN TIME

Even though a nightcap may help you relax and fall asleep faster, it’ll make the second half of your sleep cycle restless and unsatisfying. Alcohol decreases deep sleep and increases arousals from sleep, says John E. Brown, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland. If you like a glass of wine in the evening, have it with dinner—around 6 p.m. rather than 11—and drink in moderation, so it’ll wear off by the time you lie down.

AN EARLIER SOAK

Like to unwind in the tub before you snooze? Surprisingly, a hot bath might make it harder for you to drift off: Doing anything that raises your body temperature too close to bedtime may actually hinder you from falling asleep, because your body needs to cool to a certain temperature in order to reach a sound slumber, says J. Todd Arnedt, PhD, director of the University of Michigan Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program. That doesn’t mean you can’t soak after a rough day—when you get home from work, not right before turning in.

SETTING THE MOOD FOR SLUMBER

Keeping your room dark while you sleep is a great start, but bringing the lights down before bed is also important. “Bright light too close to bedtime can make it hard to fall asleep,” Arnedt says. That’s because dimness signals the biological clock that it’s time to wind down, while bright light says “daytime!” Swap out überbright bedroom bulbs for low-watt ones, or install a dimmer switch and keep it low. Do you like to read in bed? Do it in the lowest light that’s still comfortable.

STRETCH YOUR WAY TO SLEEP

Getting in a little gentle, restorative yoga before you hit the sack can help put your mind at ease, steady your breath, and reduce muscle tension without revving up your heart.

BONUS: You can try this Reclined Butterfly Pose from Tanya Boulton, a managing teacher at Pure Yoga East in New York City:

Lie on your back with the soles of your feet together and your knees bent and dropping toward the floor. Place your arms, palms up, by your sides, keeping your shoulders back and your chest open. Close your eyes and inhale through your nose while slowly counting to four, then exhale while counting back down to one. Continue for 10 minutes, or as long as it takes you to feel fully relaxed.

BLACKBERRY BAN

Need to send out one last e-mail before you “officially” turn in? Not so fast. Typing in bed can wind you up, so when you do unplug, it will be harder to fall asleep, Knutson says. “It’s possible that even the vibration of a BlackBerry could disturb sleep if a person is cued to hear or respond to it,” she says.

For tech-free zzz’s, disconnect an hour before bed, turn your smartphone off, and put any gadgets on an out-of-reach dresser or in another room so you won’t be able to grab it if you get the late-night urge. Also, invest in a real alarm clock (using your cell will only give you another excuse to keep it close)—and get ready to wake up feeling so refreshed that you won’t even need to press snooze.

TURN YOUR BEDROOM TO A SLEEP HAVEN

It's the cardinal rule of sleep hygiene: Your bedroom should be a calming, comfortable haven—designated for sleep and relaxation only. The more clutter and distractions you're up against at night, the harder it will be to transition into sleep.

…And we have more tips on how to turn your bedroom to a Sleep Haven!!! Watch out for it on our next blog ♥ Sleeping is one of the most important activities our bodies need to engage in. It fuels our body and sets our mood at a better plane so we can function well with our loved-ones!

See you next blog!!! And we thank Health.com for turning our sleep to a better comfort ♥

Busting the Clutter!

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

It can be really hard at times to convince kids to clean their room but since a lot of holidays are happening this November and December, it’s time to renegotiate! We have here tips that can really be effective in persuading your kids to bust the clutter ♥

Tip #1: Have a goal for getting organized.

Create a goal your child can understand and relate to. You can tell your kids that they can help other children by donating the stuff they no longer need. Make them aware that not all kids receive many gifts every Christmas and that some don’t even have comfortable clothes to wear. Instill in them the virtue of giving! Also, consider adding an incentive for your child by promising a special treat like a trip to the ice cream shop or a movie rental.

You might also want to call the local charities to see if they’ll pick up your items. If so, this is a good way to set a deadline for your kids, and fuel their motivation even further.

Tip #2: Use a simple sorting system.

The simplest sorting system is the “yes and no voting” method. Just hold up each thing and ask your kids if they wanted to keep it. The “yes” items will be sorted by type (toys vs. books, etc.) and the “no” will go into a bag of charity.

Set a target number of “no” items and show your excitement to your child when you hit the magic number. Remember to keep the enthusiasm going during the whole process by saying things like “just ten more and we’ve reached our goal!!!”

Tip #3: Tackle the project in steps.

If the clutter is too much, consider spreading the project out over several days. You can start with the book shelf on day one, the floor on day two, and the closet on day three. Whether you organize your child's room in one step or over a series of days, be sure to take lots of fun-filled breaks with your little one. Play with some of those long lost toys you've found under the bed or have a nutritious snack to fuel your energy.

Tip #4: Group toys based on how your child plays.

Get involved by asking your child which toy belongs together with the other. This way, you can go ahead and keep them together. In a nutshell, ask your child what makes sense to him or her, and then honor it even if it doesn’t make sense to you ♥

Tip #5: Let your child do the tasks he enjoys most.

Let your child do simple tasks he suggests of doing. Labeling is one of these activities. If your child just learned how to write, a good exercise would be letting him assign labels to his things. Plus, it’s so cute seeing his handwriting over boxes he is keeping under his bed.

Tip #6: Focus on progress.

Make a big deal out of all the progress you make along the way. Try really hard not to focus on how much there is left to go through or do. Comment often on how much is done, all the great decisions your child has made and so on. You can also encourage him or her by saying things like "look what we found" or "look how much we've gotten done already." Keep it upbeat and fun!

Tip #7: Keep large items in the toy box.

Putting only larger items in your child's toy box prevents smaller toys from sinking to the bottom (a.k.a. never-never land.) Another option is to group smaller toys together in containers before storing in the toy box.

Tip #8: Label, label, label!

Once everything has a home, use labels to show where everything goes. By labeling where toys and clothes belong, it will disarm your child of the classic "I don't know where anything goes" excuse. Have you heard that one before?

Tip #9: Store toys strategically.

Keep favorite toys in reach, allowing your child easy access for play and clean up. On top shelves (those out of your child's reach), store things you'd like to supervise your child while using, such as:
- Games or puzzles requiring adult assembly.
- Fragile or keepsake items like china tea sets and collectible books.
- Toys with lots of tiny pieces you would rather not have mixed with other toys with tiny pieces.

Out with the old and in with the new, as they say! The year is coming to an end and it would be really nice to see that your angel has learned that cleaning up a fun activity they can share with you :)

We that Simplify101 for helping us keep things simple and easy ♥

Ideas for a Merry, Merry Christmas Holiday!

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Christmas is just around the corner! For those of you who are tired staying at home with your cup of hot choco, boy, do we have great Christmas Vacation ideas just for you!!! Plan your trip with the family and enjoy the experience!

Disneyland

Take advantage of special Disneyland Christmas packages and take your kids to the Mickey Mouse Christmas Eve magical party. It will make for an unforgettable Christmas holiday. If you select Disneyland in Florida as your Christmas getaway, you can enjoy the splendor of lights, candlelight processional, special parades, and hundreds of rides located on the Disneyland premises.

Polar Express Train Rides

A list of Christmas getaways wouldn't be complete without including Polar Express train rides, which are held at various places in the U.S. If you have small children in your family and want to give them a great gift this holiday season, take them on a one-hour-long Polar Express train ride that will strengthen their belief in Santa. All the famous characters from the Santa story will make an appearance during this train ride and you will be given hot chocolate and cookies en-route. Upon reaching the virtual North Pole, each child is provided with a silver sleigh souvenir.

Bethlehem

Known as America’s Christmas city, this city in Pennsylvania is one of the best Christmas getaways. This historic city exudes a charm that rubs off on all visitors. Bethlehem is believed to have been founded on Christmas Eve in 1741, and to date, a festival is celebrated here with great pomp and show. Christkindlmarkt, which is a fun and food extravaganza, is the main reason why a large number of tourists visit this place during the Christmas holidays.

Boston

The historic city of Boston is one of the best Christmas getaways if you want to spend your Christmas holidays in a postcard setting. Christmas decorations and the presence of thick sheets of snow add an extra glow to the historical sites and colonial buildings of Boston. While in Boston during the festive season, do not miss out on a great meal at Locke-Ober on Christmas Eve and enjoy “the nutcracker” by Boston Ballet held at the Opera House. You can also get into the Christmas spirit by attending candlelight carols and special first night celebrations at Trinity Church. Enjoy the coziness of New England hospitality and appreciate the old world charm by visiting Boston during your Christmas holidays.

Hawaii

Want to escape the snow and harsh winter? Then opt for a Hawaii Christmas package. There are numerous reasons to include Hawaii on the list of Christmas Getaways for 2010. There are many low-cost Christmas packages available for visitors to Hawaii during this time. Watch the joy on the face of your children when they greet Santa alighting out of his red canoe on Waikiki beach. Enjoy beach activities, good sea food, and a Christmas concert in Hawaii to make your Christmas holidays truly memorable.

With these destinations, your kids would surely enjoy the Holidays. The trip might even be their best Christmas gift ever! Just don't forget the most essential thing on vacations: CAMERA! Snap your memories and immortalize every moment with your loved ones!

** Thank you Newsmax for a wonderful inspiration that made us look forward to the Holiday Season ♥

Election Questions By Kids

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The race is on! Today is Election Day and chances are, your child has noticed the campaign signs, news coverage, bumper stickers, buttons, t-shirts, etc. for some time. Now, no matter what your political beliefs are, when your child asks you questions, you are obliged to give an answer they will understand. Your little angel will raise interesting inquiries and will get caught up with the election excitement and we have here some answers to the questions they might ask:

What is voting?

You can explain to preschoolers that voting is a way for a group to make a decision. In your family, you can cast votes to decide where to go on the next family vacation, next dinner, favorite book, and more!

Why can't kids vote?

Kids who get caught up in election excitement may be disappointed to learn that they don't get a vote. Explain to them that in order to vote in this country, you have to meet citizenship, residency and age requirements, meaning you have to be at least 18. But remind kids that even if they can't vote in the presidential election, they can still vote in class, with their family or with a group of friends.

Who can vote?

School-age children are ready to learn that when this country began, the Founding Fathers wrote a constitution describing how we would govern ourselves. It said people should vote but didn't say who could vote. That was left to each state to decide, which created problems. In the past, people were denied the right to vote because of social class, gender or ethnic origin. Now after centuries of protest, four amendments to the Constitution and several new laws, all U.S. citizens, 18 years or older, are allowed to vote.

Why should people vote?

Raise a future voter by teaching children about the importance of making their voices heard. Tell them that despite the struggle to extend the vote to all American citizens over 18, only 64 percent of U.S. citizens age 18 and over voted in the 2004 presidential election. Explain that because a surprising number of elections are determined by small margins, it's important for all eligible voters to participate at the local and national level.

Can I come to the party?

You may need to teach young children that that a political party isn't the same as a birthday party -- even though they'll see lots of balloons, confetti and dancing if they watch a convention on TV. Show kids that political parties are groups of people with similar interests who join together to support candidates. School-age children have probably heard of the Democrats and Republicans. Introduce them to other parties, too, like the Green Party, the Libertarians and the Progressives. Remind them that voters can just be independents and not join a party at all.

Can I become president?

Tell your aspiring world leader that, according to the Constitution, a person must meet three conditions to be eligible to become president. An individual must:

1. Be a citizen who was born in the United States

2. Have lived in the United States for fourteen years

3. Be at least 35 years old

What does the President do?

Children may understand that the President leads the nation, but you can explain that he also serves as the head of the military, makes agreements with other nations and chooses people to hold important government jobs. He doesn't do it on his own, however. Introduce kids to the three branches of government: the Legislative, which includes Congress; the Judicial, which includes the Supreme Court; and the Executive, which includes the President, Vice President and Cabinet. Each branch can limit the powers of the other so none becomes too powerful.

What do donkeys and elephants have to do with being president?

Political symbols can be a fun topic to explore with children, since they have roots in something kids love: cartoons. Tell children that before TV, radio and the Internet, political parties used printed materials to attract and educate voters. Political cartoonist Thomas Nast (the same man who created our modern image of Santa Claus) drew a cartoon of a Democratic donkey and a Republican elephant in the late 1870s. These symbols have since become official mascots of their parties.

Invite young children to draw their own cartoon symbols for causes they believe in, whether they're helping animals, saving the earth or raising money for a children's charity.

How can kids get involved in the election?

Let kids know that even though they can't vote, they can encourage the adults in their life to register to vote and to campaign for their favorite causes and candidates. Future voters can also pass out fliers, help at polling places (in some states), listen to debates and wear buttons or T-shirts for their favorite nominee.

**We thank PBS for giving us tips to help enlighten our children ♥

Family Halloween Movie Marathon Ideas

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMT

We know you are tired from all the pre-Halloween preparations and all the post-Halloween clean up. Now, we’re here to help you out unwind! Might we suggest a good movie marathon with the kids? This is also a good way to utilize all the treats you guys got from Trick or Treating!!!

So ladies and gentlemen, we present to you a list of child-friendly movies to enjoy what is left of the celebration!

☠ Hocus Pocus (1993)

The story revolves around 3 witches that were sentenced to die in Salem, Massachusetts and a boy that was cursed and turned to a black cat 300 years ago. Now as Halloween is being celebrated at present time, they are back and they have their eyes on immortality! They are back with a vengeance against all trick-or-treaters and the 300-year-old cat is the only one who can save the day!

☠ Corpse Bride (2005)

Victor Van Dort was arranged to marry Victoria Everglot against his will. During his worrisome wandering (and practicing) in the forest, he accidentally puts the ring on the finger of a corpse. Before he knows it, Victor is in the land of dead and now has a corpse bride. Whilst everyone worries about who Victoria will marry in the land of the living, Victor desperately finds a way to get back.

☠ Monsters Inc. (2001)

James P. Sullivan is Monsters Inc.’s “Top Man.” He works with his best friend Mike Wazowski to help the land of monsters sustain electricity for Monster City which is powered by the screams of children. One night, however, Sully uncovers a devious plot to rid the city of its power problems, but in all the wrong ways. Together, ironically, Sully and Mike will fight to protect the innocence of the children they scare every night.

☠ The Witches (1990)

A recently orphaned young boy is taken to England by his grandmother. At a hotel in which they are staying, a group of witches have gathered to prepare a plot to rid the world of all children. This movie is based on the wonderful book by Roald Dahl and stars Anjelica Huston and Rowan Atkinson. This is a film that the kids will definitely love. This film was produced by Jim Henson.

☠ Casper (1995)

Determined to get her hands on a hidden fortune stated on the map of a gloomy looking estate left by her late father, Carrigan Crittenden hired afterlife therapist Dr. James Harvey to exorcise the ghosts in the mansion. Harvey and his daughter Kat moves in and meets Casper, the ghost of a young boy who’s also trying to regain the memories of his life.

☠ Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

In a small anywhere town in any state in America, two young boys with a very contradicting personality- quiet Will Halloway and somewhat rebellious Jim Nightshade-enjoy the ever-shortening days of autumn. When the boys hear about a strange traveling carnival from a lightning rod salesman, they decide to see what it is all about-but Will is fearful, as most carnivals end their tours after Labor Day. When the ominous Mr. Dark, the Illustrated Man, rides into town on a dark midnight, setting up his massive carnival in a matter of seconds, the boys are both thrilled and terrified.

☠ Pufnstuf (1970)

Originally a television program, the Pufnstuf film was a real gem and has outlived the series. One of the best things about this film is that it stars Mama Cass (Cass Elliot) from the Mamas and the Papas, as Witch Hazel. The show and the film were both notable for bright colors, fast edits, sped-up film, musical segments and pop culture in-jokes, and appealed to young adults almost as much as children. Featured in the film is young Jimmy and his magic flute, and a group of wicked witches who want to capture the flute for themselves. The series and movie is named after one other important character, a friendly dragon.

☠ The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, is bored with doing the same thing every year for Halloween. One day he stumbles into Christmas Town, and is so taken with the idea of Christmas that he tries to get the resident bats, ghouls, and goblins of Halloween town to help him put on Christmas instead of Halloween and, yes, they can never get it quite right.

☠ Beetle Juice (1988)

After Barbara and Adam Maitland were killed in a car crash, they find themselves trapped as ghosts in their beautiful New England farmhouse. Their peace is disrupted when a yuppie family, the Deetzs, buy their house. The Maitlands are too nice and harmless as ghosts and all their efforts to scare the Deetzs away were unsuccessful. They eventually turn to another ghost ‘Beetlejuice’ for help.

☠ Ghost Busters (1984)

Three odd-ball scientists get kicked out of their cushy positions at a university in New York City where they studied the occult. They then decided to set up shop in an old firehouse and become Ghostbusters, trapping pesky ghosts, spirits, haunts, and poltergeists for money. Their adventures include wise-cracking their way through the city, and stumbling upon a gateway to another dimension, one which will release untold evil upon the city. The Ghostbusters are called on to save the Big Apple. This film is a timeless cult classic.

Although, some of these movies are old, we guarantee their value is timeless! A great time with your family is a great medicine to relieve you from all the rush! Certainly, you would be enjoying the movie with all the treats you got. Just don’t forget to brush your teeth right after!

**Thank you IMDB for the help with some of the synopsis and awesome ideas!

Easy To Make Halloween Costumes

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 05:22:00 GMT

Imagine this: you have finally cooked up the Halloween Party of a lifetime! You knew for yourself that the party you will be throwing would be the best in town! But you suddenly remembered…you still haven’t shopped for your little angel’s costume!!!

WHAT TO DO?!

First of all, don’t panic. Next is, scroll down! We have here easy homemade costume ideas that are both creative and pretty impressive!

Roll the Snowball!

Start with an oversized pale-blue sweatshirt. Accent it with Styrofoam balls in assorted sizes, elastic, Velcro, fabric glue, string, etc. Use a pale-blue or white beanie, and decorate it with felt paper, strings, and more Styrofoam balls!

Rainbow Connection

The key here is play with colors! Obtain all the rainbow-colored items you can get! Tights, tops, socks…you name it! Just don’t forget the main piece of this costume: a rainbow-colored tutu! Of course, we have it here in Pansie Pie! ♥♥♥

Gumball Machine!

Paint a plastic soda cap with silver paint. Use hot glue to attach it to the top of a red beret hat. Cut the number "5" from black craft foam and glue to the leg area of the red pants. Cut the hood and sleeves off a clear raincoat; put on backward (snaps in back). Use a 30-inch piece of elastic as a belt; blouse coat over it. (You can also use a clear bag.) Blow up 20 multicolored balloons halfway. Put in through back of coat. Snap up coat; cut off excess, if any. Voila!

Jellyfish-ing

Arrange half a bag of polyfill stuffing around the brim of a straw sombrero. Cut circles of blue satin, 10 inches larger than brim. Glue it under the hat bit by bit and in alternating sides as you go to make it even. Repeat with same-sized circle of sheer, shimmery fabric, covering the satin. Smooth the top into a dome shape. Glue pieces of white curling ribbon underneath to hang down. Curl with scissors.

Figuring Out the Rubik’s Cube

Cut holes for the head and arms in a square box (the 16 x 16-inch would do ♥). Cut the flaps off the open end so that your angel can pull the finished cube over head. With craft glue, glue four 8 1/2 by 11-inch sheets of green paper to one side. Repeat with blue, orange, yellow, and red paper on other sides. Then create the squares with black electrical tape.

Easy, right? These are great and easy ideas that will not compromise beauty, quality, and your child’s ability to flaunt his or her mom and dad’s creativity! Now all that’s left for you to do is enjoy your Halloween and have fun!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE FROM US AT PANSIE PIE!!!!

**Recognitions to Parenting Magazine for the bright and creative inspirations!!!

Happy and Healthy!

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

"Comfort Food" -- we've all heard of this term. Simply put, these are foods we crave for when we feel down and stressed out. Mostly, these are junk foods, sad to say.But do you know that junk foods can only worsen your mood and your health?

We have here a list of foods to turn your mood around and make you a happier and healthier person! That's goodbye chips for us!

1. Swiss Chard

A study in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry in 2009 revealed that lower magnesium levels are associated with depression. Now, this vegetable contains a lot of it! Magnesium is a nutrient that plays a vital part in the biochemical reactions that increase the energy levels in the human body.

2. Mussels

This is nutrition-packed! Let's start with Iodine: this compound supports the thyroid gland which helps us to regulate our weight and our MOOD. The Selenium and Zinc also aid our thyroid glands. B12 helps to strengthen and insulate a person's brain cells and keeps us sharper over time! That's a healthy lot, right?

Just remember to eat farmed mussels and not wild mussels. They are not only beneficial for your health but to the environment as well ♥

3. Greek Yogurt

This food helps a person's brain by stimulating it to produce happiness-inducing neurotransmitters through Calcium! Can you believe that Greek Yogurt contains a larger amount of Calcium compared to milk? Seriously! Also, Greek Yogurt has more protein than regular yogurts which makes weight-loss a lot easier.

4. Honey

Honey is faaaaaaarr better than sugar! It contains components such as quercetin and kaempferol which helps us ward depression off our system! It also reduces inflammation in the brain and has lesser impact on blood-sugar levels.

5. Eggs

A study conducted in 2008 in the "International Journal of Obesity" found that people who had eggs for breakfast lost considerably more weight compared to those who ate bagels. Eggs can keep your energy pumped up and can also keep your stomach full longer. Also, eggs contain moderate-to-large amounts of Zinc, Vitamin B, Iodine, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and of course, protein.

6. Blue Potatoes

Blue Potatoes have powerful antioxidants known as anthocyanins which provide neuro-protective qualities, once of which is protecting the brain from inflammation which is known to be associated with depression and short-term memory. The peel even has a function as it's very rich in iodine! It's just that Blue Potatoes are harder to find in groceries, so ensure that if you find one, grab a whole bunch!

7. Dark Chocolate

According to the Journal of Psychopharmacology, all you need is a few ounces of dark chocolate each day to obtain its benefits. What are the benefits, you ask? Dark chocolates improve blood-flow in the brain and provides an instant boost in mood and concentration. It has benefits that milk and German chocolates don't have. It will also make you feel more energetic and vibrant. Just don't go overboard, ok?

8. Asparagus

Feeling down? Your folate level might be at an all-time low! Eat asparagus! It is known to have high levels of folate and tryptophan which helps you avoid depression according to recent researches. Tryptophan is used by the brain to make serotonin which is known as the brain's mood-stabilizer neurotransmitter. Fun Fact: Turkey is also a great source of tryptophan which explains why people are suddenly sleepy right after Thanksgiving Dinner.

9. Cherry Tomatoes

Try eating Cherry Tomatoes with Olive Oil. This will increase the body's absorption of Lycopene which Cherry Tomatoes are very rich with! Lycopene is an antioxidant that helps protect the brain from inflammation.

10. Coconuts

Coconuts have been hailed as the miracle produce. It has a lot of health function that are still being developed as we speak! Although it has a reputation of being found in unhealthy desserts, coconuts contain medium-chain triglycerides. Medium-chain triglycerides are special fats that fuel better moods and promote general brain-health. Just be careful with coconut milk -- that is unhealthy. Just stick with the unsweetened coconut shavings ♥

There you go! If I were you, I'd keep a good stock of these foods at home so whenever I would feel a wee-bit down, I'd grab one or whip up a meal, than grabbing a bag of marshmallows :)

**Thanks Listverse for inspiring us to be healthy at all times!

Caramel Apple Cider: Can't Get Any Better!!!

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 05:18:00 GMT

The cool fall weather is a great excuse to indulge yourself with warm, scrumptious, and super sweet concoctions! And with that, we have here a great recipe for Apple Cider!

Enjoy the season with this great recipe that will ignite your spirit!!!

☮ Apple Cider w/ a Caramel Twist ☮

1/2 gallon apple cider (64 oz or 8 C)
1/2 C orange juice, fresh squeezed or good quality bottled like Simply Orange
1 orange
8 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1/4 t ground allspice
1/3 C jarred caramel sauce more to taste if needed ♥

♤ Pour 8 cups of apple cider onto a pot and heat it over medium-high flame.

♤ Accent it with orange juice, allspice, and cinnamon sticks.

♤ Stab the whole cloves into your orange. If you find it hard to do that without destroying the cloves, use a toothpick to poke little hole first and then insert the cloves.

♤ Carefully drop the whole orange into the pot. Bring the cider to a boil and then reduce the heat to a low simmer.

♤ Simmer for 60 minutes, keeping close eye on the orange. If it splits open at any time, remove it from the pot immediately! You certainly don’t want your cider tasting bitter!

♤ After simmering for an hour, add caramel sauce and stir to dissolve it into the mixture. Feel free to add more caramel if you have that sweet tooth ♥

♤ Top it with whipped cream! Sprinkle it with cinnamon! Design it however you like and show off your creativity ♥

What could be better than this?! I'd say: good company to share this with!

☀ My sincerest gratitude to Our Best Bites for being a great reference!

Kids ♥ Pets

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Children and pets go well together. There are many benefits that they provide in a child’s development may it be in social or emotional aspect. More and more families are considering adding a new member to their family but to those who are a bit hesitant, here are some facts that will make you want to succumb to those puppy-dog eyes:

Research reveals that...

★ Two out of five kids seek out their pet when they’re upset.

☆ Kids with pets tend to develop more responsibility and discipline.

★ Kids who regularly care for a pet usually become more socially competent with other kids and adults.

☆ Two out of five kids play with their pet when they’re bored.

★ Kids with pets are more likely to interpret nonverbal communication and body language correctly.

☆ Four out of five kids say their pet is one of their playmates.

★ Kids tend to be more empathetic when they have a pet.

☆ Almost all kids name their pet when asked to name their 10 most important individuals in their lives.

If you are not sure which pet is suited for your household, you can check websites such as ASPCA or simple personality tests such as ♥ THIS ♥ to give you an idea.Better yet, consult your local shelter and pretty sure they will be able to help out!

Let me leave you a quote by Anatole France, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.”

Have a happy day everyone!

** Thanks a big lot to Parenfurther for inspiring us to write this article ♥

10 Best Books For Your Kids

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 05:27:00 GMT

It is very important to take your time and read a good book to your babies or pre-schoolers. During these formative years of their lives, they are like sponges that absorb everything you give them. However, there are many books out in the market and it’s hard to tell which one is best for your child. This article aims to help you decide which book will suit your child’s age and interest by lining up the top 10 best books for kids in the age group of 3 to 5:

1. I Will Not Ever, Never Eat a Tomato

by Lauren Child

Lola is a picky eater. She won't eat peas, carrots, or fish fingers, and absolutely not tomatoes. But her brother Charlie has a solution. Don't be surprised if your little reader develops their own passion for "cloud fluff from Mount Fuji". This book deals with a problem familiar to children and parents and, with the help of bright and fresh illustrations, shows how much fun eating can be!

2. The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Beatrix Potter

Despite somewhat dated language, this age-old classic about the naughty but loveable Peter Rabbit retains its appeal, as do the charming illustrations. Many children will enjoy the story from a younger age, but the pocket-sized books are suited to the older age category and, once hooked on Peter Rabbit, these children may show interest in progressing to some of the wordier Beatrix Potter stories.

3. The Three Bears

by Paul Galdone

This version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears will have young readers joining in, especially when the Great Big Bear says something in his Great Big voice. Galdone's book is a good introduction to the classic fairy tales, which are extremely popular amongst three to five year olds. Progress to other fairytales and a whole new fantasy world opens for your children.

4. The Rainbow Fish

by Marcus Pfister

With its glistening silver scales, the Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful in the ocean. But beauty alone is not enough to bring happiness. This story, with its underlying message about sharing, is a worthy addition to any collection.

5. Where's Wally?

by Martin Handford

This book provides the kind of eyesight test children enjoy. Finding Wally hidden in the dense and detailed illustrations will reveal previously unknown powers of concentration. A good car-trip choice.

6. Imagine

by Alison Lester

This book is also attractive to a broad age range, with younger children enjoying the beat and rhyme of the verses and the colourful pictures, but older children scanning the detail of the pictures to learn the difference between a tyrannosaurus and a triceratops, a pigmy possum and a brushtail possum.

7. Possum Magic

by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas

Grandma Poss has magic for all occasions, but her best trick of all is to make little Hush invisible. Undoing her magic proves more difficult, and there follows a culinary tour of Australia as the possums search for a cure. Joyful, delightful, and a wonderful taste of Oz for children overseas.

8. What Do People Do All Day

by Richard Scarry

Inquisitive readers who are constantly asking "why?" will revel in the opportunities posed by this book, which is packed full of busy "people" engaged in all manner of activities. Even adults will find their curiosity sparked by the detailed drawings of industrious characters.

9. Wombat Stew

by Marcia K Vaughan, illustrated by Pamela Lofts

The wily Dingo is intent on making gooey, brewy, yummy, chewy Wombat Stew. The other animals offer their suggestions on how to improve the dish, but it is not the greedy dingo they are trying to help. A very Australian tale, with a chant full of fun.

10. Green Eggs and Ham

by Dr Seuss

My personal favorite! The distinctive, sketchy illustrations of Dr Seuss and the catchy rhymes have enthralled young readers for decades, and most parents will have their own fond memories of a Dr Seuss classic. Sam-I-Am tries his hardest to make green eggs and ham appealing, but the grouch just isn't interested. Eventually, however, to get rid of the persistent Sam-I-Am, he agrees to try them. "I do so like green eggs and ham. Thank you, thank you, Sam-I-Am!".

Thanks to Bubhub.com for the inspiration! We love the books!

Take A Break, Relax

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

It's finally Thursday and most of us are looking forward to a weekend-full of relaxation. This has been one busy week! So why not let us help you by providing these 7 relaxation tips that will most definitely relieve your stress?

1. Take a Deep Breath

Start by stretching and trying to yawn: this will draw more oxygen in your body causing you to relax. Take a couple of deep breaths, making sure that you are letting the tension off your body as you slowly exhale.

2. Try Aromatherapy

Lavender is known for being one of the scents found to have a calming effect on the human body. It is good to purchase lavender candles and place them around your home or your work space, so whenever you feel the stress level rising, you can flick a match and light a candle to ease your feeling. Just make sure your lavender candles are made with essential oils, as this is more effective.

3. Try Visualization

If you are stressed about a situation, close your eyes and visualize yourself in a place more relaxing, like on a beach. Imagine that you can hear the waves of the ocean and the cool breeze touching your skin.

Visualization can help affect your mood. It can ease any negative feelings you might have at the moment. It can calm you and help you deal with whatever has you feeling stressed in the first place.

4. Listen to Some Music

Soothing music can be relaxing. You can buy a CD featuring smooth jazz, soft and gently classics, or anything that can carry you away to a state of comfort. It is actually up to you on what music you prefer. Just pop the CD into the player and let it take you away.

5. Take a Warm Bath

The warm water relaxes you physically, loosening tight, stiff muscles. Soaking in a tub full of warm water can work wonders when you're feeling stressed. This will also relax you mentally.

6. Read a Good Book

Get your mind off the stressful situation. Go to your local bookstore and check out the latest best seller. Or if you don’t think that you will be able to concentrate on anything new, you can re-read an old book that you are familiar with.

7. Spend Time Outdoors

For me, I find the fresh breeze and sunlight the greatest medicine for my spirit. Sometimes when you think you just had enough of your office work or anything that is causing you stress, take a small walk. This will align your priorities back to where it should rightfully be and help you maintain a calm and composed frame of mind.

According to Hans Selye, an Austrian Endocrinologist, “Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.” It’s all about the outlook on things! So if you are feeling stressed out and you’re slowly losing your composure, help yourself. Use these tips to relax, and transform your negative aura to a positive one, radiating your glee to those around you!

** Credits to Suidoo.com for inspiring us to take a break, relax ♥

Tending Your Tutus

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Wearing a tutu means declaring that you have officially become a ballerina. This is considered a milestone in every ballerina's career. What a crown is to a King is the same as a tutu to a Ballerina!

It is also not new to our knowledge that Tutus are delicate, more than they are pretty! So we have consolidated guides in taking care of your precious Tutus ♥

1. There are some tutus with metals and/or hoops attached to it. If yours have, remove it first to avoid rusting. Same goes for feather trims or any other delicate removable trims. Remove first, and reattach later!

2. For the professional ballerinas out there: detach the bodice from the skirt if possible, and wash it separately. Certainly, we don't want to give it the same washing treatment as the Tutus ♥ Make sure that you spot clean it, taking more careful notice in the areas most affected by sweat.

3. Spot clean the panties by using a bowl of warm soapy water.

4. Rinse well and dry thoroughly.

5. Ensuring that all the delicate decorations were removed, swish the skirt in a bath with warm water and rinse well.

IMPORTANT: If you use soap you may well make a frothy foam which will be difficult to rinse so just spot clean any make up marks etc. with mild 'non -biological' soap if needed.

6. Take care not to crush the net which will spoil your tutu.

7. Dry your tutu well!

There you go! So weather you own a platter tutu, a pancake tutu, a powder puff tutu or a longer romantic tutu, it is very important that you take very particular care for it! An elegant and exquisite tutu deserves your love!

** Much appreciation to Our Little Pea Pod, Flickr, Baby-gaga Forums, and Jenklairkids for inspiring this blog ♥

Don’t Forget to Eat Your Breakfast!

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you eat a well-balanced breakfast, it would be enough to energize your whole day and set both your body and mind in a very good state.

Here are 10 suggestions for a healthier breakfast:

Sugary Cereals? Why Not Go 100% Whole Grain?

Instead of your usual sugar-rush mornings, improve your body’s supply of fiber by eating 100% whole-grain, fiber containing cereals served with low-fat or fat-free milk. You can also try whole wheat muffins and top it off with smashed bananas. Now that’s tasty!

Toast ‘Em!

Pop your whole-grain waffles in the toaster and top them with—nope, not syrup!—but with low-sugar applesauce, sliced bananas, and berries :)

The Spread

Avoid margarine and butter! Instead, slice up a couple of strawberries and mix it up with all-fruit spreads!

More Fruit Food!

And since we love fruits so much, why not serve yourself with fresh cut up fruit with a spoonful of low-fat or fat-free yogurt? Remember that bananas are a good potassium source and will keep you active throughout the day. Also, apples are rich in fiber for a better digestion.

Smoothie Talk

Looking for a nutrient-packed-on-the-go breakfast? Blend frozen fruit, low-fat or fat-free milk and 100% fruit juice!

Go Nutty!
To get protein and fiber, spread your all-time favorite peanut butter or almond butter onto a whole-grain toast.

Bagel Madness

Low-fat cream cheese or peanut butter is always best on whole-wheat bagels. You can try it on sunflower seed bagels too!

Oatmeal is Your Meal!

What would be more delicious than a warm oatmeal on a cold morning? The answer: Not pre-sweetened oatmeal, but oatmeal topped with raisins and fresh fruits!

Egg-xaggerate it!

Serve your boiled, poached, or scrambled eggs over a whole-wheat toast and you can never go wrong with nutrition! This is great for kids as well!

For the Fast-paced

Always on the go? Keep muffins, nuts, dried or fresh fruits, and bagels handy in your car! Just don’t forget to take them out too J

Did you know?

People who eat breakfast are significantly less likely to be obese and diabetic than those who usually don't.
Children who eat breakfast are more likely to have better concentration, problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.
The State of Minnesota Breakfast Study showed that "students who ate breakfasts before starting school had a general increase in math grades and reading scores, increased student attention, reduced nurse visits, and improved student behaviors."
Unfortunately, many breakfast foods contain a lot of sugar and have been stripped of their natural nutrients. Try to avoid frosted and chocolate cereals, donuts, white bread and high-sugar breakfast bars. Instead of sugary juices, provide your children with 100% fruit juices or fat-free or low-fat milk. Eating only sugary foods may cause your child to have erratic energy levels. Eating a balanced breakfast will help get them going and sustain their energy until lunch time.

Invest in your breakfast and make sure you're getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need to jump start your day.

Good morning everyone! ♥♥♥

Credits to Healthier Generation for a wonderful inspiration!

Kids Crafts Featuring Fall Leaves

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Today our blog is inspired by gorgeous fall leaves. It's that time of the year when the leaves turn into gorgeous fall colors and fall to the ground. Schedule a fun day to take your kids to a beautiful park and collect fun fall leaves. Here are some pictures that will inspire your kids to make fun crafts from the day's findings:

Make animal shapes with your leaves using these pictures as inspiration. Glue them onto paper for a cute masterpiece!

Paper bags (or wrapping paper) can be decorated with silhouettes of autumn leaves.
To do this; in a spray bottle add water to the paint color of your choice. Lay the leaves onto the bag and spray the bag over and around the leaves. After the paint has dried, peal off the leaves. Put some sand into the bottom of the bag along with a tea light inside a glass holder to create a wonderful atmospheric lantern.

Decorate pumpkins and gourds by using a paintbrush to cover leaves in glue. Press leaves onto the pumpkin and then use the paintbrush to paint more glue onto the leaf, making sure the paint over the edges where the leaf touches the pumpkin. This method is called "decoupage".

Use leaves as stamps! Using a paintbrush, paint pretty colors onto the veiny side of the leaf. Then stamp the leaf onto paper. If you want to decorate fabric, make sure to use fabric paints.

Enjoy!

What are your kid's favorite fall crafts?

*Thanks so much to KoKoKo Kids Blog for the beautiful inspiration! :)

How to Make Homemade Mozzarella Cheese

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

This is a fun activity that kids love! Here is how to make your own homemade mozzarella cheese:

Ingredients/equipment:

-A gallon of milk (The milk can be pasteurized but it can't be "ultra-pasteurized" because that process affects the milk's ability to coagulate.)
-Citric acid (Available at any well stocked grocery store)
-Rennet. http://www.cheesemaking.com/cheeserennets.html
-Non-iodized salt (I use pickling salt)
-A very large pot
-A meat thermometer
-Rubber gloves

Instructions:

1. Fill two small bowls or cups with 1/4 cup of cool water. To one bowl add 1 1/2 tsp citric acid and to the other add 1/4 tsp of liquid rennet.

2. Pour your milk into the giant pot and heat over medium heat until the milk measures 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This won't take long.

3. Add your citric acid mixture and gently stir. Continue to heat milk until it reaches 88 degrees. It will begin to thicken and separate and it won't look very appetizing.

4. Pour in your rennet mixture and stir gently for thirty seconds. And then leave undisturbed until milk heats to about 100 to 105 degrees. The curds will separate from the whey and pull away from the edge of the pot. The whey will be a non-cloudy yellow Mountain-Dew-looking liquid. When this happens, turn off the heat.

5. Scoop or pour the curds into a fine mesh strainer and drain as much whey as you can. Reserve the whey in a large bowl or pot.

6. Return the whey liquid to the pot and heat it over medium high heat to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. While the whey is heating, shape your curds (the solid part) into 6 balls.

7. Put on your rubber gloves. They will protect your hands from the hot cheese in the next step.

8. One at a time, put the balls of cheese on a ladle and dip into the hot whey for a few seconds. Pull the ball out and kneed it a bit in your hands. Dip it again and knead it some more. Work in 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of salt. Dip and knead some more. Keep dipping and kneading until the cheese is smooth and pliable and doesn't break when you stretch it.

9. With the first ball you will want to take a little taste and make sure it's salty enough. And then repeat step Eight with all the other balls until you have six little balls of cheese.

10. Enjoy your mozzarella creation!

School organization Tips

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Kids usually start the school year organized and excited about school. Unfortunately, after school is in session for a few weeks, things start to get unorganized and messy. Here are some tips to keeping your kids organized for school:

-Lighten Up
Try this alternative to bulky binders: a notebook with tear-out pages, plus an accordion file folder with tabs for each subject. Your student takes notes in class, then slips the pages and any handouts into the designated slot. At week's end, he empties all the materials into a color-coded filing system at home for safekeeping and easy access.

-Filed Away
Create a "home file," either a file box or a cabinet drawer, with a slot for each subject; color-code the tabs to match up with any folders, etc., used for each class. Not only does this system give kids a place to unload weekly papers, but it also helps them organize reference materials (e.g., that periodic table of the elements) as the semester changes. Also important: creating a study-friendly spot that's well-lit and has a comfy seat and good-size work surface — it can be a bedroom desk or the kitchen table. Turn off the wireless router or unplug the TV, if needed, to keep distractions at bay.

-Stay Stocked
You know the feeling — it's 9 p.m. and you're out of posterboard for your daughter's project that's due at 8 a.m. Prevent late-night freak-outs with a supply stash: markers, index cards, and so on. Save cash by buying products in bulk.

-Plan Ahead
Experts recommend week-at-a-glance planners to teach older children time management. But it doesn't help anyone if your son's "soccer game at 6 p.m." never makes it onto the radar of his driver (i.e., you). Transfer items to the family calendar — or ask the kids to do so — once a week and as things come up.
Don't skip this tip: Before starting homework, have kids check their planner, assess their work, and unpack accordingly. As each to-do is done, it goes back into the bag — so nothing gets "forgotten" at home.

-Keep vs. Toss
Toss kids' worn-out clothes, and donate the ones that no longer fit. Have little kids do a "fashion show," trying on all of their clothes while listening to favorite music or watching a movie. If your child is too old (or manly) to model, let him know there will be no new back-to-school clothes until unwearables are weeded out.

Keep spare change in a jar near the door. Give tweens and teens a lunch budget for the week, but if they wind up needing a few bucks — and you're out of singles that day — let them know they can take from the change stash.

Toss nonproductive systems or too-rigid ideas: If your kid prefers studying in bed, buy her a lap desk. If she hates spiral notebooks, switch to three-ring binders. As long as it works for her, it's working.

What is your favorite way to keep kids organized for school?

Making Frozen Banana Pops

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Here is a fun recipe to make when you’re craving something sweet and healthy. Kids love making these just as much as they love to eat them!

Ingredients:
-Bananas (small bananas will make 2 pops, large ones can make 3)
-Spread ideas- cream cheese (Cream cheese must be very soft to spread onto the bananas, so make sure it is warm or room temperature. You can also doctor it up with honey and cinnamon for more flavor.), yogurt, dark chocolate (To create a good dipping chocolate, add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to each 3 oz of chocolate and heat until melted. This will create a hard shell when frozen.), peanut butter, Nutella, Biscoff, whatever you like!
-Toppings- oats, granola, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, crushed graham crackers, cookie crumbs, shredded coconut, sprinkles, chopped dried fruit, etc.
-popsicle sticks

Instructions:
-Prepare a cookie sheet with a layer of parchment paper.
-Peel bananas and cut off each end. Cut the bananas in half or thirds, depending on the size.
-Carefully insert a popsicle stick into the banana.
-Using a knife, spread your desired topping onto the banana. (For melted chocolate, yogurt, or thinner spreads, dipping may be more practical.)
-Roll the banana in your toppings (a shallow bowl or plate works well), using your hands to add more topping if your banana is curved.
-Place on the parchment paper. Repeat with remaining bananas.
-Freeze the bananas for 2-4 hours. Serve or place in a freezer bag for up to a week.

What is your favorite frozen treat to make at home?

Fun with homemade invisible ink

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Here’s a fun project for those rainy days when kids are looking for something fun to do! Invisible ink is something that most people have on-hand already in their kitchens, and it’s easy to make at home! All you need is lemon juice!

Instructions:
-Squeeze your lemon juice into a bowl, and add some sugar if you want it a bit thicker.
-Dip a q-tip, thin paintbrush, or a toothpick into the lemon juice and paint your message onto a white garment, cloth, or a piece of paper.
-Let the lemon juice dry and your message will be invisible.
-To make it visible again, use heat by putting it under a light bulb, hairdryer, or you can iron it.

Have fun and keep checking back…we’ll be posting more fun rainy day activities soon! What is your favorite rainy day activity?

Homemade Infused Gourmet Cooking Oil

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:10:00 GMT

It’s only September but we’re already starting to think about Christmas gifts!! We love making homemade gifts that kids can have fun helping with. One of our faves is flavored oil. Here’s how to make your own gourmet flavored oil at home:

*The key is to use dry herbs and spices. Fresh herbs and spices will cause the oil to go badly within a week or so. When vegetables or herbs are dried, there is not enough moisture to support pathogen growth, so dried vegetables or dried herbs in oil can be stored safely at room temperature. This will also greatly extend the shelf life of your oil, allowing it to be stored at room temperature for 6 to 8 months, or refrigerated for up to a year.

What you need:

Dried herbs (you can find dried chili peppers, sun dried tomatoes, dehydrated mushrooms, dried herbs and spices, and even dried fruit at specialty grocery stores.

Bottles

High quality oil (most people like to use olive oil, but our favorite is grape seed oil since it has a very neutral taste, is very healthy, and also easily takes on the flavor of any spice you add to it.)

Instructions:

Heat your oil in a saucepan until it’s warm, but no hotter than about 150 degrees. If it boils, the oil will get bitter and will not taste the best.

Line your jars on the countertop and place the dried herbs/spices into each jar. This is the fun creative part! Each one can be different or all of them the same…kids love putting together their own combinations.

Use a funnel to fill each jar with the warmed oil and put the lids on the jars and store in a cool, dark place.

Uses for infused oil:
-A dip for your favorite artisan bread.
-Add balsamic vinegar for a custom vinaigrette mix
-Drizzle any herb-infused oil over tomatoes.
-Toss cooked pasta or rice with any infused oil.
-Brush fish or chicken with infused oil before grilling.
-Drizzle over popcorn for a distinctive snack.
I hope you enjoy making your own infused oils! We’ll be posting more fun and creative gift ideas soon!

What is your favorite homemade gift to make?

How To Deep Clean Your Dishwasher

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:24:00 GMT

Dishwashers are sometimes overlooked when it’s time to clean the kitchen. Here are 10 steps to a sparkling clean dishwasher.

Step 1: Remove the bottom rack and any visible food debris in the bottom of the dishwasher.

Step 2: Remover the filter(s). This is the cage that catches your food bits. Some dishwashers have two of them. Removing them will involve removing some screws or bolts. Be careful once you remove the filter not to drop the screws (or anything else, for that matter) down the now uncovered drain hole. Clean the filters in a sink full of warm water and vinegar.

Step 3: Use a wet vac to remove all the water and debris in the bottom of your dishwasher and down the drain hole (If you don't own a wet vac, you can just sop it up with paper towel and clean it by hand).

Step 4: Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray any stuck on sediment or visible dirt. Also clean the inside bottom lip just below the door.

Step 5: Screw filters back in place.

Step 6: Use tweezers to remove any debris that may be clogging up the spray holes in the spinning arm.

Step 7: Use Q-tips to clean the hot air vent.

Step 8: Clean door edges and gasket with vinegar or your favorite mild cleaning solution.

Step 9: If there are rust stains in your dishwasher you can clean them quite easily by combining baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Apply the paste with a sponge and then remove it with a cloth. You'll want to be wearing rubber gloves, especially if your skin is sensitive. It is shocking how easily this solution lifts the rust stain.

Step 10: Return the bottom rack to its place in the dishwasher. Turn the flatware caddy upside down. Fill the detergent trap with vinegar and place a bowl full of vinegar sitting in the top rack. Put the dishwasher through it's warmest cycle. The bowl full of vinegar will fill with water, overflow, and dispense vinegar throughout the cycle.

I hope this tip comes in handy the next time you’re deep-cleaning your kitchen.

Hearty Homemade Chicken Soup

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

This chicken soup takes a little time, but is well worth it in the end. It's delicious and very nutritious! With chilly fall weather right around the corner, this recipe will be sure to please everyone in the family!

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
½ bag of frozen peas
½ batch of brown rice (we use this recipe)
6 cups veggie stock
1 chicken, quartered
2 teaspoons sea salt
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Pepper to taste

*All ingredients we use are organic

Directions:
Heat oil in large heavy pot. Cook onion until translucent. Season chicken pieces liberally with salt and pepper (we also use Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute on the chicken). Place chicken skin side down in pot and brown, about 5 minutes. Add carrots and cover with the stock. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 hour. Remove chicken from soup and let cool. Remove meat from bones and shred, discard skin (we wear disposable gloves when shredding the meat). Before returning the meat to the pot, spoon some liquid from the pot into a bowl and whisk in the cornstarch. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the soup pot. Return meat to pot and stir in peas. Cook for another 20 minutes. Add rice and some parsley if you wish. Enjoy!

Healthy After School Snack Ideas

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:56:00 GMT

School is back in session for many kids, and it’s time to start thinking of healthy after school snack ideas. Here are some great foods to have on hand, which will nourish your kids and give them the energy they need to get through the afternoon.

• Freshly ground sesame seeds mixed with a bit of raw honey
• Berries with a dust of xylitol sprinkled on top
• Manna Bread (sprouted grain breads such as Ezekiel) with some almond butter and raw honey on top.
• Brown rice and sushi loaded with veggie strips
• Vegetable crudités
• A homemade smoothie (add in a few spinach leaves…they won’t even taste it)
• Bean salads (chick peas, sprouted lentils, etc.)
• Veggie pâté
• Apples or bananas with raw pecan butter (this is sooo yummy with a bit of sea salt mixed into the pecan butter)
• Pure Bars

Homemade Raw Applesauce:

Ingredients:
• 12 apples peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 lemon juiced
• A handful of raw walnuts or 3 T of flax seeds ground
• ½ C raw honey or raisins- optional
Directions:
Process everything until as smooth or chunky as you prefer. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Tropical Bliss Balls:
Ingredients:
• 1 C dates pitted
• ½ C cashews
• 2 T orange zest
• ½ C orange juice (zest the orange skin before you juice)
• 2 T raw coconut butter/oil
• 1 t organic vanilla extract
• Pinch of Celtic sea salt
Directions:
Ground the cashews down to a fine powder in the food processor. Then add all the ingredients and blend until very smooth and creamy. Roll the balls in orange zest and coconut.

Homemade Popsicles:
Add some almond milk into a blender along with the fruits of your choice (bananas, berries, peaches, nectarines, apricots). Blend ingredients and add some stevia or agave nectar if you wish. Pour mixture into Popsicle molds and freeze.

I hope this has given you some great ideas! What’s your kid’s favorite after school snack?

Cleaning Shirt Collar Stains Tip

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:24:00 GMT

Today's tip is removing those stubborn stains from shirt collars. Dirty neck rings around shirt or blouse collars can be removed by putting shampoo on them. Rub the shampoo in like you were washing your hair. Shampoo is specifically made to remove body oils. A cheap bottle of shampoo kept by the washing machine is handy for all kinds of stains in clothing. Don't forget this trick when you are traveling as well! What is your favorite laundry tip?

Our Favorite Uses For Coconut Oil

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Because coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils we can consume, we decided to dedicate today’s blog to it. We use it all the time for many things and wanted to share our favorite ways to use this miraculous oil.

1. Flat Iron hair protection. Instead of spending all that money on expensive hot iron hair protective products, just rub a small amount of coconut oil in your hands and then run your fingers and hands through your hair (avoid your scalp so it won’t look oily). It works perfectly for me and my hair doesn’t look fried after I use my Flat Iron now.

2. Condition your cutting boards. We try to avoid using mineral oil because it’s not a healthy oil to ingest (think motor oil in your car). Instead put your jar of coconut oil in a bowl of hot water to liquefy it. Then pour a small amount (about the size of a quarter) onto the cutting board and rub it into the front and the back. It will be beautifully conditioned and you won’t have to worry about ingesting harmful oils anymore.

3. Use as a facial moisturizer. Rub just a small amount of coconut oil into your hands and apply to your face. It has a natural sun screen in it too so your face will be protected when you’re in the sun.

4. Add some to your pet’s food 2-3 times a week. The medium chain acids in coconut oil are wonderful for all creatures, not just humans.

5. Eyeliner/mascara remover. Dip a q-tip into your coconut oil and wipe gently around your eyes. It removes my eye makeup flawlessly.

6. Use on cuts, sores, or rashes. Since coconut oil has antifungal and antiviral properties, it’s wonderful to apply to wounds. It will help them heal more quickly while also protecting them from getting infected.

7. Mix with baking soda for a non-toxic “Goo-Gone”.

8. Use it to make popcorn. We love to make our own popcorn on the stovetop. We use coconut oil in a Whirly pop with organic white corn kernels. It tastes amazing!!

9. Use to make your own healthy Superfood Chocolates.

10. Massage into your dog’s skin to help control dandruff and hot spots.

I hope enjoyed today’s tips on using coconut oil! What are your favorite uses for coconut oil?

Tip: Prevent Necklaces From Tangling

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

It seems whatever way I pack my jewelry, it’s always a mess when I get to my destination. Until now! Stop necklaces from forming knots by undoing the clasp, threading a straw through and re-clasping. So clever! Just remember to take the straw off before you wear it …

I hope you enjoyed today’s tip! Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite jewelry tip!

Preparing Your Child For Ballet Class

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Staring a new activity can be a bit stressful for both kids and parents. Here are some helpful tips on preparing your daughter for her first ballet class:

What to wear: A simple leotard and a pair of tights is the best thing to wear to class. Leotards are available in several colors and designs, including sleeveless, short sleeved and long sleeved. Young dancers delight in wearing small skirts and tutus over their leotards, but most teachers discourage them in older classes.

Choosing a leotard: Check with the teacher… Many ballet teachers enforce strict dress codes, even for their youngest dancers. Some teachers assign particular colors for leotards, others prefer a certain style. Ask before you start shopping. Choose the correct material…Many materials are used in making leotards, some having advantages over others. For instance, a blend of washable cotton and lycra offers support with stretchability. However, certain blends, including the new microfibers, are soft and light but require hand-washing. Try it on… Be aware that your regular clothes size will differ from her dancewear size. Many of the major dancewear companies have their own sizing charts, so check to be sure. But the best way to get the right fit is to try the leotard on. Do a few stretches with your arms raised, noting any gaps in material or slipping of shoulder straps. Squat down, as in a plie', and check for pinching or gaping around the legs. Try several styles to find the style that best fits your body.

Choosing Ballet Slippers: Try them on… Many people say that a ballet shoe should fit the foot "like a glove." Although the shoe should fit quite snugly, be careful not to buy them too small. There should be sufficient room in the shoe for moving the toes. When trying on ballet shoes, raise up and balance on the balls of your feet. Your toes should not be crammed into the front of the shoe, but should be relaxed, with plenty of space to move around. If you are struggling between two close sizes, it's probably best to go with a slightly bigger size, rather than buying shoes that are a bit too snug. Ballet shoes are available in leather and canvas. Leather ballet shoes are more expensive, but are more durable and will probably last longer than the canvas variety. Canvas shoes are easiest to clean, as they can be thrown right into the washing machine. keep in mind that some shoes are sold without elastics (which are used to secure the shoe to the feet). If you buy a pair without elastics, you'll have to sew them on yourself. It's not difficult to sew on the elastics, but some dancers, and especially parents of young dancers, prefer to buy them pre-sewn.

Making the perfect Ballet Bun: Check out this great video on making your little girl’s hair look perfect for ballet class!

I hope this has been helpful to you! I’d love for you to post your favorite tips on getting kids ready for their first ballet class.

Fun Kitchen Tips

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Today we wanted to give you some tips that will make your life just a bit easier in the kitchen...

Pre-bake your cakes and keep them fresh overnight by leaving them on the counter, and placing a slice of bread on top. In the morning your bread will be hard as a rock but the cake will remain moist, ready to ice. Use this same trick with muffins, cupcakes, anything that you want to leave on the counter. Try it, it really does work. (Source: bakedbree.com)

Attach a strip of velcro to your tea towel, loop over your oven door handle and join the ends – voila, a non-slip dish towel! (Source: marthastewart.com)

You need to find a use for those wire CD racks now that no one buys CDs anymore. Re-purpose them to hold your Tupperware lids. (Source: bhg.com)

Green Gifts For Babies & Kids

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:15:00 GMT

If you’re looking for something more natural to buy for your kids or even for a baby shower gift, be sure to check out these fun online stores…they have cute eco toys, blankets, clothing, etc.

Planet Happy

Abe’s Market

Hazelnut Kids

Etsy’s Natural Kids Team

I hope you enjoy these shops as much as we have! Leave us a comment and let us know your favorite Eco Baby/Kid's shop!

Our Natural Laundry Favorites

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

We have tested dozens of natural laundry products and have found some of the best cleansers to be the very things sitting in our kitchen cabinets. Here is what we use in our daily laundry routine:

Vinegar: Plain white vinegar kills bacteria and germs on laundry. Add 1 cup to the washing machine before adding the clothes. Add ½ cup to the rinse cycle and your towels will be fluffier than ever!

Baking Soda: Rub some into a stain before throwing it in the laundry, and it will get rid of many stubborn stains. Add a bit to your washing machine when clothes are extra dirty.

Lemon Juice: Add the juice of 1 lemon to your washing machine to keep your whites bright.

Tea Tree Oil: Add 4-5 drops to hot wash water to disinfect clothes.

Wool Dryer Balls: These simple creations help to reduce static in your dryer and also decrease drying times. Make them yourself or find them HERE on Etsy.com.

Ecos Laundry Detergent works very well and is free of harsh chemicals.This can also be found in larger bottles at Sam’s Club.

Leave us a comment and let us know what your favorite natural laundry tip/product is!

Most Heavily Sprayed Produce

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Now that it’s summer, there are myriads of farmer’s markets and fresh produce at everyone’s disposal. Unfortunately, many of the inorganic produce is so heavily sprayed, that it has the potential of causing health problems later on. Here are the most heavily sprayed crops to avoid eating if you’re not planning on buying the organic version:
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Pears
Grapes (Imported)
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes
*if you can’t afford organic, then washing and peeling them is a great alternative for those applicable fruits.

If you intend on buying conventional (non-organic) produce, consider the list of the twelve least contaminated:
Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn (Frozen)
Pineapples
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas (Frozen)
Kiwi Fruit
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Papaya

*Hint: Did you know that you could easily tell whether your produce is conventionally grown or organic just by looking at the PLU? The PLU is the four or five digit number that the big grocery stores use to ring up different produce. If it is a four digit number that starts with three or four, it’s conventional. If it is a five digit number that starts with nine, it’s organic.

Make Your Own Bubbles Recipe

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

It’s summertime, and kids love playing outside in the sun! Helping kids to make their own bubble solution is a great hands-on activity that’s fun for everyone. Playing with the bubbles is so much more fun and rewarding for the children when they know they’ve made the mixture themselves. Here is a recipe to get you started:

Materials:
Clean hands
Safety glasses or even sunglasses (to protect eyes)
Bucket or large bowl
Parent or adult to assist
1/3 cup Joy® or Dawn® dishwashing soap
1/2 gallon of water
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder (not baking soda)

Instructions:
1. Gently stir your bubble making ingredients together in a bucket or large container.
2. Carry your bubble solution to a grassy area outdoors.
3. Dip both of your hands in the bubble solution so that they are completely wet.
4. While submerged in bubble solution, bring your hands together so that your thumbs and index fingers are touching, as shown.
5. Slowly raise your hands out of the bubble solution. A sheet of bubble solution should form between your hands.
6. Gently blow your breathe between your hands.
7. Try using cookie cutters, kitchen utensils, etc. Anything can be used that has a hole in it.
8. Host a “Bubble Show” so kids can show off your bubble blowing techniques and inventions

Delicious & Completely Raw Cheesecake

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Did you know that you could make a scrumptious “cheesecake” out of of entirely raw ingredients? This luscious cake is not only delicious but sooo much healthier (and easier on your waistline) than traditional cheesecake. So now cheesecake can be a weekly indulgence rather than a “sometimes food”! Here's the recipe:

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust
Makes 1 7-inch cheesecake

Crust:
1 cup raw pecans
3 T raw cacao powder
6 pitted medjool dates
Pinch Himalayan sea salt
Drizzle coconut nectar, if needed
*Process the ingredients above in a food processor until the mixture begin to stick together, then press into a pie pan.

Filling:
1 ½ cup raw cashews, soaked
2 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 ¼ cup almond milk
½ cup coconut nectar
1 t vanilla bean powder
½ cup melted cacao butter
1 t maca powder
1 t lucuma powder
1 T soy lecithin powder
Pinch Himalayan sea salt
*Blend all ingredients above until smooth. Pour into the pan with the crust that you just made. Tap on counter to release air bubbles, freeze overnight.

Chocolate Shreds:
½ cup cacao butter
½ cup raw cacao powder
¼ cup coconut nectar
*Mix and set in fridge to solidify for about 15 minutes. Shred in food processor to get a coarse powder.

To serve:
Thaw the cheesecake overnight in the fridge after removing it from the pan. Before serving, place each slice on a plate, and sprinkle with the shredded chocolate.

Unique Baby & Kids Products

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

If you’re looking for something unique for your child, or even for a fun baby shower gift, be sure to check out uncommongoods. This is one of my favorite websites…especially when I’m shopping for a person who seems to have everything. Recently I needed a baby shower gift and found the most adorable and unique baby toys at uncommon goods! Where is your favorite place to find unique baby and kids products?

10 Tips To End Thumb Sucking For Good

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Thumb-sucking is very common for children of all ages...but it can be very destructive to teeth and to skin and nails. Here are some great tips to help break your child of their thumb-sucking habit:

1. Praise children for not sucking, instead of scolding them when they are.

2. Place a Band-Aid on your child's thumb. To make it fun, let them pick out their own fun and colorful Band-Aid designs to wear.

3. Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.

4. Keep them busy. When you spot your child thumb-sucking, give them something fun to do. Coloring books and interactive games are great activities to keep little hands busy.

5. For an older child, involve him or her in choosing the method of stopping.

6. If the habit gets worse, talk to your dentist about fitting your child with a special mouth guard, which helps prevent thumb-sucking. Your dentist can also offer encouragement to a child and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking.

7. Special hand guards can also be used, which are fitted over the thumb, making it difficult to "thumb-suck".

8. Let your child pick out a yummy smelling perfume or body spray that they like. Then every night before bed, dab a small amount on his or her thumb. The child will not like the taste of the body spray, which will remind them not to thumb-suck.

9. Purchase a special nail polish designed to stop thumb-sucking. The nail polish tastes bitter and the child will be reminded not to put their finger in his or her mouth.

10. Consistence is key. Make sure that all of your child's care-givers or teachers know that you are trying to break their thumb-sucking habit. This way they can continue using the same methods as you are when trying to break your child's habit.

Sugar In Disguise

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

If you're a food-label reader, then you know that sugar lurks in all sorts of unlikely products, from salad dressings to vanilla extract. Sugar creates inflammation in the body, which can cause acne, weight gain, headaches, addiction (sugar has been found to be just as addicting as cocaine), candida (aka yeast), thrush, athlete's foot, depression, diabetes, and anxiety. Those are only a few reasons that everyone should consider limiting sugar from their diet. Here are some words to look for on food labels to help you limit your family's sugar intake...these ingredients are sugar in disguise:

• Corn sweetener
• Corn syrup
• Corn syrup solids
• Dextrose
• Fructose
• Glucose
• Lactose
• Maltose
• Sucrose
• Fruit juice concentrate
• High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
• Molasses
• Turbinado

• Barley Malt Syrup
• Dehydrated Cane Juice
• Dextrin
• Invert sugar
• Maltodextrin
• Malt syrup

• Raw sugar
• Rice Syrup
• Saccharose

• Sorghum or sorghum syrup

• Syrup
• Treacle

• Xylose

How To Store Fresh Herbs

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:34:00 GMT

The hot Spring weather has caused our herb garden to grow like weeds! Because of this overabundance of herbs, we did some research on storing them to keep them fresh as long as we possibly can. If you have wondered how to keep your herbs fresh, then I hope this information will be as useful for you as it was for me...

Prize-Winning Gluten Free Cheesecake Recipe

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

I spend most of my life trying to be healthy...but sometimes I have to enjoy some really amazing cheesecake. This recipe has won me some prizes at various desert competitions, and it's also gotten me lots of requests to make more lol! People never even know it's gluten free ;) This is a great basic recipe that you can add to and change up a bit. I've added melted chocolate to the batter and substituted chocolate gluten free cookies instead of vanilla for the crust (it turned out amazing), and I've also added white chocolate chips and swirled a tart raspberry sauce into the cake as well. However you decide to serve it...plain or glammed up with fruit or chocolate...this cake is sure to be a HUGE hit with your guests. Leave me a comment and let me know how you liked it!

Crust:
Approximately 1 ¼ Cups of Gluten Free Graham Crackers, Sugar Cookies, or Shortbread Cookies (crushed). We like to use these cookies.
1/3 Cup of Butter (melted)
1/4 Cup of Sugar

Filling:
3 Eggs
3/4 Cup of Sugar
16 ounces of Cream Cheese
1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla

Topping:
Cherry Pie Filling (optional)

Instructions:
Use a food processor to make the gluten free cookies or grahams into crumbs. Keep processing the cookies until you get 1 ¼ cup of crumbs. Mix cookie crumbs, butter, and sugar ingredients. In a 9 inch pie pan, push crust mixture into the bottom and edges. Mix filling ingredients (minus eggs) and beat until fluffy. Mix in eggs and beat. Bake at 325 degrees for 40-50 minutes.
Optional...top with cherry pie filling

Wildcraft ... Herbal Education Through A Fun Game

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Lately I’ve been really interested in using natural herbs for healing certain ailments. It all started when I caught a horrible cold but had to go grocery shopping anyway. I was at Whole Foods and didn’t feel like stopping at a drugstore on the way home. So I picked up some herbal cold medicine from the health and beauty isle...I looked everywhere but they didn’t have Advil Cold & Sinus lol! Anyway, I took some of this as soon as I got home and didn’t expect much. About 20 minutes passed and I could not believe how much better I felt…it worked just as well as my normal go-to Advil, but without the side-effects. From that moment forward, I was a believer in natural medicines. Now for the reason I posted that long drawn-out story…Wildcraft! This is a fun board game that teaches kids all about herbs and their medicinal properties. I had the privilege of playing this fun game at a friend’s house, and I was very impressed. It’s beautifully illustrated, incredibly entertaining, and I learned a lot! If you’re looking for a fun, educational game for your kids, then give this gem a try! Leave me a comment and let me know how your kids liked it!

Finding Trusted Sitters

Thu, 31 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Nowadays, it’s so hard to find sitters that can be trusted. Using an online service like sittercity will do the looking (and the screening) for you. I personally know many moms who use this service, and LOVE it. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about it. This company lets you view the prospect’s background checks, as well as look at profiles and certifications. You post a job and let the nannies and sitters come to you! If you need a good night out on the town, then give an online sitter-finder a try. Leave me a comment and let me know how it worked out for you!

Spices & Herbs That Heal

Tue, 29 May 2012 18:01:00 GMT

Did you know that natural spices and herbs can heal your body and keep you healthy? The very same spices that are in your cupboards can do wonders for your life. Our favorites are garlic, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. All have been shown to prevent cancer and other diseases. Here are some key health benefits to each one of these amazing spices:

- Garlic helps strengthen your body's defenses against allergies; helps loosen plaque from the artery walls; helps regulate your blood sugar levels; helps to prevent cancer, and is the best choice for killing and expelling parasites such as pin worms from the human body. For ear infections: Wrap a small piece of garlic in some tissue, and insert it into the ear. Leave it there overnight if possible. Pain is almost immediately removed and the infection tends to start clearing up overnight. For scratchy throats: Put a small slice of garlic in your mouth and suck on it for 10-15 minutes. You can put it between your teeth and cheek, then scratch it with your teeth a little to help stimulate juice from the garlic slice. This juice slides down your throat and removes the pain.

-Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments for centuries. From migraines to motion sickness to cancer, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful painkiller. Cold sore relief can be achieved with this tea: steep 1 teaspoon dried sage in 1 cup boiling water. Strain and add 1 teaspoon ginger. Drink three cups throughout the day. Ginger also works as well as aspirin as a blood thinner. Take two capsules of powdered ginger each day. Ginger is also beneficial for arthritis relief, especially rheumatoid arthritis.

- Cinnamon has been known to help relieve toothache pain. Simply make a paste using five teaspoons of honey mixed with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply a small amount of this paste directly onto the aching tooth 2 or 3 times daily until the pain is relieved. You can store any extra paste in a small container at room temperature. Other studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol and that it also has a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon has also shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections and is also used for cancer prevention.

- Turmeric (also known as Curcumin) has been used for over 2500 years for its anti-inflammatory properties. Recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease. Since turmeric is a cholagogue, and aids in the breakdown of dietary fat, adding turmeric to daily cooking or a glass of water can help in controlling weight. This wonder-spice can be found in capsule form in many natural or health food stores. A good dosage of turmeric provides 400 mg to 600 mg of Turmeric taken three times a day.

-Cayenne pepper will help a wound stop bleeding quickly. Simply sprinkle the pepper liberally on the cut. Believe it or not, it doesn't sting! Many herbalists rank cayenne among the most useful and valuable herbs; it's known to be effective for the entire digestive tract, as well as for the heart and circulatory system. Cayenne pepper can help lower blood pressure. Add 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to 1 cup of hot water and drink daily. Alternatively, you could take the pepper in capsule form (2 capsules daily would be a good dosage). This anti-cancer spice also acts as a catalyst: it increases the effectiveness of other herbs when it's used with them.

What's your favorite health promoting spice or herb??

Is Your Hair Made Of Donuts?

Thu, 24 May 2012 19:54:00 GMT

In a world so saturated with unhealthy foods, it’s very hard for children to determine what’s good for them, and what’s not. Just because a food is on the shelf, ready to be purchased and consumed, doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for us to eat. So when I came across the adorable book, “Is Your Hair Made Of Donuts?” I just had to share it with every mother I knew. It’s beautifully illustrated, and brings health education to children in a comical and entertaining way. If you’ve been searching for a way to teach your kids the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods, give this fun book a try. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think…or please share your favorite children’s book!