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September 2007 Archives

Generation XL

It probably comes as no surprise to you that the numbers of overweight and obese children are on the rise. Though we don't have good statistics on Minnesota's children, by simply looking around at your local park or swimming pool you probably notice a change in the average child. According to our government agencies, rates of overweight US children aged 6-11 years have more than doubled from 7% in 1980 to 18.8% in 2004, and rates for 12-19 year-old teenagers more than tripled, from 5% to 17.1% over the same time period! When considering the risks associated with being overweight, you'll likely think of late adul ... Continue reading Generation XL.

All Pregnancies Should be Screened for Down Syndrome

By Karen Barrow

All pregnant women should be screened for Down syndrome, regardless of age, according to new guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Previously, only women over the age of 35 and those at particularly high risk were advised to undergo testing for the chromosomal abnormalities that cause birth defects such as Down syndrome in a fetus. But these new guidelines cite improved, less invasive screening methods as a rationale behind testing all pregnant women for these potential problems.

"Screening tests have gotten much better and more sensitive," said ... Continue reading All Pregnancies Should be Screened for Down Syndrome.

How to Wear Makeup and Still Look Natural

Copyright © Wendy Owen

There are some who wouldn't be caught dead in public without make up and then there are some who refuse to wear make up at all and prefer the natural look.

Some people have told me they like to let their skin breathe. Well don't worry about it! There's plenty of skin on your body, let the rest of it do the breathing! Your skin is fed from the inside and won't suffer so long as you make sure you cleanse at the end of the day.

But you can actually create a natural look using make up. That way you can have that clean fresh appearance while being able to disguise those ... Continue reading How to Wear Makeup and Still Look Natural.

Battle of the Bugs: How to Keep Your Kids Germ-Free: The Medicine Mom

My oldest daughter is starting kindergarten this year. With a smile on my face I will help her onto the bus and, the moment she turns her back to me, I will cry like a baby.

Now this crying will not be without warrant. Besides worrying about the big kids bossing her around, I am also quite paranoid of microscopic troublemakers that may be hiding out.

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa constitute the world of germs and they love to take residence in schools. They can be found on food, tables, doorknobs, and on lots of little hands. In order to help minimize the sick days our children have to take t ... Continue reading Battle of the Bugs: How to Keep Your Kids Germ-Free: The Medicine Mom.

Take the Healthy Living Pledge

Getting your children to eat vegetables is never an easy task.

Just One More for Healthy Living™ has come up with a great little rule your kids will love - 'Eat the Rainbow' - think red, orange, yellow and green! The more richly colored the vegetables, the more nutrients they contain. Have them keep track of all the colors they eat in one day!

With help from the Food Network's Ellie Krieger and YMCA of the USA, Del Monte® and StarKist® are determined to empower American families to start living a healthier, more energized life with the Just One More for Healthy Living™ Pledge.

Wit ... Continue reading Take the Healthy Living Pledge.

Sharing Time

By Julia Tolliver Maranan

When you have children, its natural for relatives and friends to want to get to know your little tykes. But with jam-packed schedules and far-flung families, it can be tricky to see everyone as much as they would like. Arthur Kornhaber, MD, child and family psychiatrist and founder and president of the non-profit Foundation for Grandparenting, offers suggestions for scheduling family fun so everyone feels included.

Discuss your expectations Kornhaber sees parents as the center of the family team, which means it's your responsibility to set the tone for your family's relationshi ... Continue reading Sharing Time.

Hot Enough For Ya?

By Hal Runkel, LMFT

You've may have seen "The Far Side" cartoon entitled, "Nerds in Hell." It depicts a long line of eternally damned souls waiting for, well, eternity. There we find a plaid shirt-wearing, broken-glasses-donning nerd elbowing the next hellion in line, trying to make small talk. He snorts, "Hot enough for ya?"

Well, at the risk of revealing my true nerdiness, it really is hot out there. The entire country is enveloped in a ridiculously scorching heat wave. Unless you're one of the fortunate to live on the California coast, then you know what I'm talking about. And unfortunately, many of us are ... Continue reading Hot Enough For Ya?.

The Truth from a Teacher

By Jenny Runkel

This new school year will mark the first time in almost a decade that I will not be putting up bulletin boards and making new seating charts. I am in the midst of changing careers, from teaching others to write to trying the craft out myself. I must admit I am having quite a bit of trouble with not having my own classroom anymore. There was something magical to me about starting over each year with a new group of students, a new set of goals, a new set of chances.

So, the other day, in order to assuage my sinking spirits, I went into Office Depot - the respite for type-A souls in need of ... Continue reading The Truth from a Teacher.

Fair and Square

By Patricia Berry

Luca Campbell, age four, didn't want to give up his bedroom to a visitor. Who could blame him? He'd worked hard helping his mom Alison, of Allentown, Pa. set up his space just the way he liked it. Now, Grandma was moving in for a few days -- and Luca was moving out. Eventually, he helped get the room ready, making space in his closet and putting out the guest towels, but it was a big step for him.

Misgivings about sharing among toddlers and preschoolers aren't just predictable -- they're perfectly natural. At this age, a child's instincts are to horde and protect what he thinks of as h ... Continue reading Fair and Square.

10 Stress Management and Memory Improvement Tips

by Alvaro Fernandez
Copyright (c) 2007 SharpBrains

Our society has changed faster than our genes. Instead of being faced with physical, immediately life-threatening crises that demand instant action, these days we deal with events and illnesses that gnaw away at us slowly, that stress us out and that, believe it or not, end up hurting our memory and brain.

Dr. Robert Sapolsky, in an interview about his book Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, points out that humans uniquely "can ge ... Continue reading 10 Stress Management and Memory Improvement Tips.