When my kids were in elementary school, I attended many classroom parties. Being an eco-friendly person, I was always shocked to see how much trash was generated at the end of the day. When my child's second grade teacher asked me to help coordinate the spring classroom party, I took it upon myself to research what it would take to make this a GREEN classroom party! It was easy to do…the kids learned about being eco-friendly, the teacher was happy not to have all that trash, and you should have seen how surprised the custodian was!

Not only did we figure out ways to reduce the amount of trash generated, but we also provided some healthy and locally-grown foods for the kids to eat. And, instead of sending home 25 pieces of paper so that families could sign up to bring something, we used free online signup sheets. read more

Universally, for the most part, adults of all ages do not one like going to the dentist. No one really does. Children especially are oftentimes frightened by the mere word of dentist, let alone going to see one. What if children could go to a dentist that turns out to be a fun adventure and rewarding experience for them? It’s not as far-fetched as you think. There are now dentists who cater to children in helping them overcome their fears. You’ll find offices featuring toys, videos, and other fun features.

The dentist I went to many years ago also specialized in pediatrics. A portion of his office was set-up with many bright colors, lively decorations, and other childlike settings. If you didn’t know better you wouldn’t believe you were in a dentist office. Right here in Tampa there are four outstanding children’s dentists who are devoted to making your child feel special and cared for. read more

Turning 40 is fun and comes with it infinite wisdom and a new zest for living for oneself. The only problem is entering into middle-age, which is more than we bargain for. We assume that because our minds are still 25, our bodies will follow right along and keep up. read more

Cystic fibrosis is a complex health condition that progresses and worsens over time. For many CF patients, the health complications of cystic fibrosis often lead to decreased quality of life and many hours and days spent in medical facilities, trying to manage disease and symptoms.

If your child has cystic fibrosis, it is important to become familiar with spectrum of healthcare services that can be offered for this challenging respiratory condition. For many children, recover from a spike in symptoms comes more readily when alternatives to traditional cystic fibrosis care are considered. read more

Getting kids to eat healthy is a challenge. Most children would rather munch on salty chips and chocolate bars than enjoy a plate of steaming broccoli. Unfortunately, kids with a "sweet tooth" can end up carrying around too many pounds when they enter adolescence. What's the solution? According to a new U.K.study, the answer may lie in how healthy food is perceived by kids.

The Challenges of Getting Kids to Eat Healthy read more

The parents of toddlers often wonder if their child is getting enough to eat. At mealtime it is sometimes difficult to get your toddler to stay still long enough to eat. If you are offering healthy snacks then most likely they are getting enough.

Toddlers need to have snacks through out the day. Children sometimes have small appetites and they need to have enough nutrients for healthy growth and development. When you provide nutrient rich foods through out the day, it will provide the necessary nutrients their bodies need to ensure proper development. read more

In my normal multi tasking fashion Tuesday morning I did a video chat with senior associate health editor from SHAPE magazine, Bahar Takhtehchian, and Fiber One^® titled “Beating the Bulge: Staying On Track Through the Holidays.” I particiapted in the video chat and was doing work at the same time ?? read more

There is a great event being put on by POPSUGAR next Saturday in Minnepolis at the Farmers Market, if you live in the Twin Cities you should come check this out: read more

My out-of-the house son and I were recently discussing the minimalist lifestyle. We noticed how many people claim to be minimalists but in fact aren't. Case in point: money. It's easy to talk about living simply, but much harder to do it. And now that our son is paying his own way, he realizes why dad and I were so frugal when he was growing up. He sees first-hand how expensive things are and how easy it is get deep in debt. Avoiding debt is one reason parents should live simply. Here are others.

* Minimizing spending prepares kids for the real world. And conversely, overspending doesn't. Kids who are raised with privilege and excess are ill-equipped for reality. Paying bills on time, living happily with less, living within a budget–kids who have everything handed to them don't learn these skills. Our kids never went without necessities. They had plenty of toys. But they weren't immersed in possessions. Our lives didn't revolve around stuff. Each child now knows how to work, save, budget and stay out of debt. read more