Most Popular Articles

January 2007 Archives

Fitness 101: Ready, Set, Think!: Energy Express

By Marilynn Preston

Welcome to the Energy Express 2007 Pop Quiz. Don't panic. OK, you haven't studied. And your grade will become part of your permanent record. But living a healthy lifestyle means you are a perpetual student, always learning and up for a challenge. So answer these four questions (no peeking, answers below), and learn from your mistakes:

THE QUESTIONS
1. The sun's rays are destructive. You should never go out in the sun without wearing sunscreen. TRUE or FALSE?

2. Portion control is vital to successful weight loss. The ideal 3 oz. portion of meat is as big as:
a. your thumb
b. yo ... Continue reading Fitness 101: Ready, Set, Think!: Energy Express.

How to Recover When Kids Get Behind in School

By Ursula Richards Scheele, M.S.Ed.

When a middle or high school students falls behind in his/her schoolwork, the student and his parent/s often enter a power struggle over how to get the child back on track, and how quickly this can be accomplished. Often, one of the main hurdles in this situation is making sure that succeeding in school is the number one priority for the child and the family. When a child is falling behind in school and grades are suffering, schoolwork ... Continue reading How to Recover When Kids Get Behind in School.

No More New Wheat Thins! (And Other Resolutions for the Food Industry

By Lenore Skenazy


Ever dunked a cookie into a cup of hot chocolate a split second too long? Of course you have. Maybe you're doing it right now. (Check!) Either way, you know what you end up with: A contaminated drink with a cookie stub hovering above its own disintegrated body.

This is an experience you'd want to repeat?

Well, apparently someone in corporate marketing thinks so, because now you can buy S'mores-flavored Nesquik, the world's first drink engineered to taste like an after-school snack accident. By comparison, Mini Marshmallow Nesquik sounds like Dom Perignon.

On the other hand, Nesqui ... Continue reading No More New Wheat Thins! (And Other Resolutions for the Food Industry.

Roasted Veggies

Sometimes we can actually convince the kids that vegetables are a real meal. This roasted veggie dish could take the place of meat at the dinner table. Or it could be a hearty and healthy side dish.

Prep time: about 1 hour

Ingredients:

* 2 cloves garlic, diced
* 2 c. broccoli, chopped into florets
* 1 medium red onion, chopped
* 1 medium zucchini, sliced
* 1 medium yellow squash, sliced
* 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
* 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
* 1 medium tomato, chopped
* 2 tbsp. olive oil
* 2 tbsp. balsamic ... Continue reading Roasted Veggies.

Dealing With the Baby Blues

From the Editors of Your Baby Today

The days and weeks immediately following the birth of your baby can be an emotional roller-coaster. You can expect to experience elation, wonder, anxiety, and -- if you are like most new moms -- at least a touch of the blues.

Experts estimate that between 50 and 90 percent of all new mothers experience a bout of mild depression right after the birth of their babies. So if you've found yourself feeling weepy, sad, or irritable for no appa ... Continue reading Dealing With the Baby Blues.

Mommy's Little Helpers

By Diana McKeon Charkalis

When it was time to clean the windows, Amy Walker's six-year-old son, Richard, begged to use the spray bottle. At first, the Sanibel Island, Florida-based Walker resisted. She didn't want him to accidentally get a face full of chemicals. But then his enthusiasm sparked an idea: "I filled an old bottle with water so he could help me finish up," she says. "He had so much fun, I began to recruit his help on more and more chores. Now he does all kinds of chores!"< ... Continue reading Mommy's Little Helpers.

A Family Banquet for the Birds

By Elizabeth Wells

You don't need a stereo to hear soulful tunes. Thanks to some melodic birds, the air is filled year-round with sweet, light songs.

So, set aside the bread for French toast and spoil them with other tasty delights - sure to make them return again and again.

In my family, each winter we make treats for the birds in our yard. Over the years, we vary the treats and create new ones. Whether the birds you love are in your yard or in the park, consider the following recipes to show your appreciation.
Jump to full text of this ... Continue reading A Family Banquet for the Birds.

Oxygen Therapy - The New Buzz in the Beauty Industry

by Livia Mercer

You might have heard a lot about oxygen therapy in the media lately. It certainly has become the new buzz word in the industry. With celebrities such as Madonna, Heather Locklear, Donatella Versace and Gwen Stefani endorsing it and Madonna is even reported to have a machine in her home, there is certainly a lot of interest in this treatment.

So what is Oxygen Therapy and how does it work? We all need oxygen. We are surrounded by it. We breathe it in. Oxygen is the ultimate life support ingredient, helping cells to survive, reproduce and regenerate.

Oxygen is also a healing agent, a provider of ... Continue reading Oxygen Therapy - The New Buzz in the Beauty Industry.

Flu Vaccine: Unsure for Elderly, Right for Kids

By Eric Sabo

Recommendations to vaccinate the elderly against the flu may be based on an overly optimistic view of how well the vaccine works, a study suggests. Out of a large group of seniors who were given flu shots, the biggest reductions in hospitalizations and deaths were before the start of the influenza season, implying that current vaccines offer less protection than believed.

Yet researchers do not call on older people to skip annual flu shots. Instead, they urge increased vigilance to keep the potentially deadly virus in check, such as by vaccinating children first.

"The elderly should continue to get vacc ... Continue reading Flu Vaccine: Unsure for Elderly, Right for Kids.

High-Tech Toys for Tots

By Beth Weinhouse

It's hard to miss them in toy stores. They talk, blink, whistle, light up, and practically sing and dance by themselves. No, we're not talking about computer and video games for big kids, but toys for the very tiniest youngsters. Good old stuffed animals have become "interactive plush toys" that move and talk back. Keyboards play music by themselves, or prompt babies with flashing lights. Activity boards that used to simply rely on babies' hands to move levers, turn dials, ... Continue reading High-Tech Toys for Tots.