Holiday Toys: How Can You Tell the Good From the Bad?

By Harriet Hodgson

Each year hundreds of new toys appear on store shelves. Even grocery stores are selling toys. You want to make your child's toy dreams come true, but how can you tell the good toys from the bad? These toy shopping tips will help you to make your way through crowded stores and the holidays.

EXAMINE A SAMPLE TOY. Stores may have a mountain-sized toy display, including pictures of the toy and its price, but not a sample toy you can examine. In most states retailers are required by law to display an actual sample. Ask to see a sample if none is available.

IS IT REALLY A TOY? Obvious as this question sounds, many of today's toys are passive and don't require anything from kids. A good toy asks a child do do something, such as buildng a block fort or putting a puzzle together. Toys like these stretch your child's intelligence and imagination. Buy toys that are really toys!

CHOOSE AGE APPROPRIATE TOYS. Most manufacturers print the age range of the toy on the box. Choose toys that fit your child's age, physical development, and interests. Basic toys, such as wooden blocks, are a wise purchase because they've already stood the test of time and can be passed down to younger kids.

READ THE FINE PRINT. The toy manufacturer may have put a warning on the product label. As the Carolinas HealthCare System notes on its Website, "If there's a warning, there's a reason." So check every side of the package for a warning and heed it if you see it.

CHECK MATERIALS. Some toys are made from unsafe materials. Recently The CBS Early Show Consumer Watch did a story called, "Choose Safe and Fun Toys." According to the program, necklaces and zipper pulls have been recalled because of lead poisoning risks. And the Website "Kids Health for Parents" says fabric toys should be labeled "flame retardant" or "flame resistant." Art materials should say "nontoxic somewhere on their packaging," the Website adds.

HAS THE TOY BEEN TESTED? Look carefully and you'll see that some toy packages have the letters "ASTM" on them, which means the toy has met American Socety for Testing Materials and Standards. Toys that have been tested will be safer than toys that have not.

SAFETY COMES FIRST. Never buy toys for infants and toddlers that have parts small enough to choke them. The store may have a "choke tube" tester you could use. Objects that fit in this tester are unsafe. As for older kids, be careful about buying electronic toys because some are so loud they will damage your child's hearing. Also avoid electronic toys that can shock or burn. Always buy the safety equipment that goes with the toy, such as a bike helmet.

THINK ABOUT STORAGE. Do you have room for this toy? Huge toys will just get in the way and block the room's traffic pattern. Toys that have lots of small parts can be hard to store. If you choose a toy that has lots of small parts, buy a storage bin or box at the same time. By the way, cleaning up toys is your child's responsibility, not yours.

CHOOSE WELL MADE TOYS. There are hundreds of cheap toys on the market - toys that break in record time. Nothing disappoints a child more than a broken toy. Choose toys that are made from durable materials, have smooth edges, and sturdy connections.
Look for wooden toys because they seem to be disappearing in this age of plastic.

ASK AN HONEST QUESTION. Before you buy a toy ask yourself, "Is this something my child wants or is it something I've always wanted?" Holiday toys are for kids and your joy comes from watching them open their gifts, playing with toys, and having you play with them.

Buying toys on the Internet is convenient, but it can also be risky, according to "Kids Health for Parents." The Website says Internet retailers aren't required to include information about choking hazards or the age level of the toys. It also says foreign toy manufactuers "aren't even required to meet strict U.S. regulations." So be careful about buying toys you haven't seen.

You may have purchased unsafe toys or come across them in stores. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission wants to know about these toys. To report an unsafe toy call 1-800-638-2772 or email a report to info@cpsc.gov. You may also report unsafe toys on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Website, http://www.cpsc.gov. Internet services are available day and night.

Copyright 2005 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 years and is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists. She has written several books about making toys and games from safe throw-aways. Her 24th book, Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief, written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from http://www.amazon.com. A five-star review of the book is also posted on Amazon.

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Behavioral Problems, Allergies Link - Allergies Can Cause Behavioral Problems In Kids And Teens

By Dr. Anca Martalog N.D.

Children are the pride and joy of their parents. They are the future and hope of our society. There is nothing more disturbing for parents than when their children become ill. Fortunately, kids are very vibrant and vital, so when it comes to a disease, they usually fight it much easier than adults would.

Homeopathy is one of the modalities used by naturopathic doctors to treat kids because it is one of the most gentle, simple and precise ways of addressing kids' health issues.

One of the most common challenges faced by parents today is the so-called bad behavior of their children. Some of the causes of behavioral problems in children are food allergies or sensitivities (such as sensitivities to food additives or to refined carbohydrates like sugar and/or sucrose, deficiencies - such as iron deficiency, which is the most common and heavy metal e.g., iron toxicity).

Other causes include lack of creativity in their day-to-day lives, emotions reflecting their parents' moods, strong will and early understanding reflected in their keen moral sense.

One way a parent can tell whether his/her children are experiencing behavioral problems is to start noticing the difference (if any) between how active and creative the children are allowed to be, compared to how much the children would actually like to be.

We start putting restrictions on kids at a very early age. They have to understand the rules of the "game" adults play ( a game called life) and have to obey them before they even understand these rules. This is why kids need (more so than adults) an outlet to make and express their own rules.

Some kids like to play a little longer than we think they should, some might enjoy a particular sport, while others are touched by music or any other kind or art.

Regardless of the type of hobby or activity they enjoy, parents should encourage their children to express their feelings. This encouragement inevitably helps balance any behavioral problems.

Another way parents can make a difference in their kids' behavior is diet. Avoiding overfeeding, keeping regular meals, cutting down milk (research shows too much milk is linked to violent behavior), eliminating toxins ( such as artificial flavoring, coloring and preservatives) and eliminating possible sources of food sensitivities are a few steps one can take toward improving their kids' diet.

Pay special attention to milk, peanuts and oranges in kids showing signs of malicious behavior.

When the behavioral problems are primarily emotional in origin, the parent should ask, "Who is rally feeling like this right now?" When family tensions run high, the children might pick up on somebody's emotion and act it out.

Once the emotion is returned to the owner ( who, by virtue of being an adult, can handle it differently), the children suddenly feel better.

Given the chance, kids are truly the pride of their parents and without behavioral problems.

And now I'd like to invite you to learn more how naturopathy can help you address your child's behaviour and allergies by offering you FREE access to my upcoming Tele-seminar on this topic; for details, go here: http://www.doctoranca.com and click on SURVIVORS link

From, Dr. Anca Martalog, N.D- survivors' coach of survivors network. http://www.telehealthsecrets.com

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Childhood Obesity - Exploring the Current Research on Child Obesity and Learning How to Reverse It

By Steven R Arnold

Childhood obesity statistics in the Unites States are at record highs - just like all health issues involving diet and exercise habits. In short, obesity in America is at epidemic levels as we have became the fattest nation on the planet. As we continue to tell ourselves that we are "just too busy" to plan and prepare healthful meals at home, we, and our children, grow continually larger and are significantly more likely to develop a variety of preventable diseases and health issues including, but certainly not limited to:

• High cholesterol;
• High blood pressure (hypertension);
• Diabetes mellitus;
• Diabetes Insipidus;
• Kidney issues;
• Heart disease and circulatory problems;
• Cancer;
• Strokes;
• Liver disease;
• Arthritis;
• Gout;
• Premature aging and even death;
• More...

While these issues used to be thought to lay in wait for adults only, they are now becoming increasingly evident in our children. The single most prevalent reason is our poor dietary habits.

Causes of obesity in our children:

Modern research on child obesity is quite disturbing indeed. Our children are being introduced to health problems at staggeringly young ages because parents are not feeding them correctly and ensuring that they get adequate exercise. Here are some tips to reverse your child's progression towards childhood obesity:

• Recognize that children do not need to have diets specifically for them. Healthy food is healthy food. It really doesn't matter if your child prefers a Big Mac meal with supersized fries to a salmon filet and wild rice. You are the parent and you need to provide healthy food choices for your child.
• Just because your child is growing does not mean that they need every bit of food that they can possibly stuff down their throats. More is definitely not better. Sensible portions of nutrient-packed foods are what is needed. Just because a teenage boy feels like a big man because he can gobble down 3 nutritionally-void Whoppers from Burger King doesn't mean anything at all. In fact, it is simply an invitation for lifelong health problems.
• Soda pop is a worthless concoction that should not be consumed. It is only simple sugars (monosaccharides), artificial flavorings and preservatives - a recipe for acne and health issues. Ensure that your children drink water, low-fat milk, green teas, fruit juices and loads of other non-soda beverages.
• Every living animal must exercise daily to remain healthy. That is a simple fact of nature. You and your family members should all get 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise that is semi-challenging. The benefits are immeasurable. Make your children step away from the video games, computers and televisions to get outside in the fresh air and play for hours.

Childhood obesity is the direct result of poor food provision and lacking physical activity levels - most often nothing more. Sure, we can attribute our overweight children to socio-economic factors, psychological turmoil, genetic predisposition and the like, but it all really just boils down to diet and exercise - the same as always. Take control of your child's health beginning today. Make and take the time to plan and prepare wholesomely nutritious meals and enjoy them with your family after your daily exercise sessions. Living healthily is the best way to avoid both adult and childhood obesity.

Steven R Arnold is editor of http://fatsense.com

The Healthy Heart Series of Essential Knowledge Guides is a new audio book series that will show you how to naturally lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose numbers safely and easily.

You'll find the Healthy Heart Series of Essential Knowledge Guides only at http://fatsense.com

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21 Times a Day

By Simon Evans

That's the number of food ads that elementary school age kids see every day. The vast majority of them are for junk foods. This is according to the largest study ever done looking at TV advertising to kids – by Kaiser Family Health and the University of Indiana.

The study evaluated advertising on ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS, Cartoon Network, Disney, MTV and Nickelodeon. Researchers found that 8 – 12 year olds viewed the most TV food ads at 21 per day. Teenagers see about 17 food ads per day and 2 – 7 year olds about 12 ads.

Can you compete?

How many times a day will you have to encourage your kids to eat healthy to overcome the number of ads they see promoting junk food? Is it reasonable to compete? Of course you can always cut back on the TV time but these days ads are everywhere – internet, cell phones, sporting events and even school hallways.

The Association of National Advertisers has vowed that over the next year, half of the ads will either promote healthier foods or encourage physical activity. Does that mean they'll be suggesting that kids can eat their Twinkies as long as they do some jumping jacks first? That's not good enough.

Too many kids today are too fat. There's no way to candy coat that message. We can blame the advertisers, the junk food makers, the fast food restaurants, the school lunches or the snack-ridden soccer games. But the big bottom line is that we, as parents, need to step up and intervene.

Yes, we are busy. We can't monitor everything our kids put in their mouths – but it is our job nonetheless. If we don't take charge of our kids health, who will?

There's more than meets the eye

It's not just a weight problem. One out of three kids born today are expected to develop type II diabetes, and many of them before they reach the age of 18. Girls are especially at risk for some unknown reason. Overweight high school girls are much more likely to be obese adults and develop heart disease and diabetes.

The British Medical Journal predicts that diabetes will bankrupt their health care system in the coming decade. The U.S. has not run those numbers but we are not likely any better off. If you think that health care is expensive now, just wait until the aging baby boomer population and the current Generation XL take a toll on the system. Our behavior is unsustainable.

Not all overweight kids or adults have their own diet to blame, although most do. A few have a hard time losing the extra fat or keeping it off even with good diets. Some researchers believe that chemicals we have released into the environment are somewhat responsible.

In fact, we have released over 6,000,000 chemicals into the environment since the onset of the industrial revolution. It turns out that some of these that we get a lot of contact with mimic the female sex hormone, estrogen, and act in unpredictable ways – especially in the female body. Unfortunately, this means that some people have to work much harder than others.

We were built for lean times

When it comes down to it, our bodies are not designed for abundance. We store energy very efficiently to prepare for those lean times when we will need to tap into that fat. But those lean times never come anymore. We have become accustomed to our indulgent behaviors and feel entitled to our cakes, cookies and desserts. We are taking our lifestyles for granted and it is killing us.

Some folks are taking notice. More people are joining gyms, getting on regular exercise routines and watching what they eat. Society is becoming polarized – those improving their health and those neglecting their health.

We are winding the rubber band very tight and have only two choices. We can keep winding it until it breaks or we can begin to unwind it and relieve the tension. We can continue to take our families down the road of poor health or do something to reverse it. The longer we wait, the less of a choice we will have – have you made your decision yet?

Copyright (c) 2007 The Brain Code LLC

Train your Brain for total Brain Fitness. The Brain Code is the key to unlock your maximum potential. Put together the right ingredients in right amount and you have the recipe for success. Visit us at http://www.thebraincode.com

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Simon Evans
Level: Platinum

Dr. Simon Evans holds a PhD in molecular biology with 15 years research and teaching experience in neuroscience and a current faculty position in the ... ...

Male Specific Health Insurance

By Michael Bell

It is widely known that women outlive men and more female babies survive than male. Nowadays men live an average of 5 years less than women, which is 4 years more than it was almost a hundred years ago. Why is this the case and how can men correct this problem? Some of the reasons are rooted in the way men take care of themselves in general and how they approach purchasing health insurance. Other reasons are simply because of how men don't take care of themselves physically and when selecting or even purchasing health insurance policies.

Most men don't even bother with health insurance, nor do they even consider looking for it. More and more women are purchasing health insurance for their spouses, but what about all the single men out there? If you obtain a quote for a man's health insurance, it will usually be higher than that for women. Men don't just slack off on the health insurance coverage, they don't seek medical help even if they do have medical insurance. Getting a good health insurance policy is one of the few steps to a healthier and longer life.

A man's health is not just important to him, but to his offspring and to his spouse. If you die, what will happen to your wife and kids? Health insurance and life insurance for men go hand in hand sometimes, and you should get both. Since the men tend to bring home the bread more, or earn more income, it is important that men have a decent health insurance plan to cover them and probably their family for when things go wrong. Being covered not only physically but financially by a good health plan will reduce the risk of death for not only you but for your entire family. It would be wise to obtain health insurance early on or just finding the best plans available on the market today.

Health insurance becomes more important for men as they age, as this is usually when more and more health problems and risks arise. Widows are left with expensive medical bills and post postmortem expenses after their husbands die from easily preventable diseases and complications. With health insurance men are more inclined to see the doctor and are better cared for by health professionals since necessary tests are covered. Guys wouldn't bother with tests if they weren't paid for and convenient for them, thus health plans will help them stay healthier.

Men leaving their wives in poverty is becoming more common as they die without life and health insurance, leaving their entire family to deal with the left over medical expenses. There are more elderly women than men in the United States and it seems to be getting worse while men don't take care of themselves. Men need to get out there and find those popular health plans aimed specifically to males so you can be there for your wife and kids. For single guys this means living longer than your ex-girlfriends and your other friends!

Mike Bell is the owner and operation of the Insurance Options Guide. A site dedicated to providing users with appropriate information to make informed insurance decisions.

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ADHD Information For Parents - Latest News and Experiments

By Robert William Locke

In the great dash to understand more about ADHD disorder, a number of interesting facts have emerged which should help us to understand our approach to ADHD treatment. It should also aid us in treating ADHD information with the suspicion/respect it deserves.

Transcendental Meditation ?
Trancendental meditation (TM) has hit the ADHD headlines. Researchers at the George Washington University studied a group of middle school students who were taught how to do TM for just ten minutes twice a day. All the children had greater or lesser ADHD problems and after the experiment was over, there was a 50% reduction in ADHD symptoms and the children were able to concentrate better, had fewer behavioural problems and were much less hyperactive.. More experiments will need to be done before we send our kids to TM lessons but it is a promising development in that it could reduce the number of ADHD children on psychotics/psychostimulants.

College Students Abusing ADHD Drugs
The number of college students using ADHD drugs to power their memories and concentration has never been higher (5%) according to a study which involved three major US universities. These were Duke, Michigan and North Carolina. Of the 3,000 students interviewed, the majority were pleased with the results and not at all worried about drug dependency, insomnia or eating disorders. Yet these are the same side effects that ADHD children have to cope with when prescribed these drugs. The three most popular drugs used by the college students were Ritalin , Concerta and Adderall. The prospect of our youth being permanently on mind altering psychostimulants for all their life is alarming to say the least!

Jamie Oliver's Campaign
In the UK, the debate on obesity and hyperactivity in children has been taken up by the very popular TV chef/guru Jamie Oliver. He likes the idea of Scottish schools providing free balanced meals for kids in the first three years of primary school but is most concerned that the taxes paid by working mothers is not being invested in giving cookery lessons to kids which would instil in them an awareness of food from an early age. He wants a £6 billion investment in school meals and cookery lessons. The British Heart Foundation is concerned about the false claims used by food manufacturers in advertising kids' foods - they never mention facts such as high sugar, salt and fat content, not to mention dangerous food colourings - the latter have been linked to ADHD symptoms.

Media Exposure And ADHD ?
In the USA, the National Institutes of Health and Yale University have collated all the studies done on media exposure and their effects on kids' health. The studies/research covered such areas as, TV, video, PC, the Web. It is bad news and the children who are overexposed to some or all these media are likely to end up with some of the following problems:- obesity, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, smoking, premature sexual activity , hyperactivity and ADHD.

Is it possible that there is a reliable website where you can find some information on ADHD alternative therapy and ADHD natural remedies ? More and more concerned parents are becoming more wary of conventional ADHD medication and the pill-popping culture which as we have seen above can lead to problems continuing into adolescence and beyond. Time to wise up and the link below will get you started on the right track.

Robert Locke is a Health enthusiast who specializes in Children's Health. He has written extensively on ADHD.

Find out the latest ADHD Information.

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Childhood Obesity, Overweight Kids and the Problem

By Dr. Mark Clayson

While childhood obesity is easy to diagnose, it is not easy to treat. In fact, the best way to prevent and treat the phenomenon known as childhood obesity is to simply encourage a healthy lifestyle at home. Kids are not the best ones at changing their own eating habits and physical exercise habits. They need the help of their parents and guardians.

Prevention of obesity ultimately begins at home. For children and young adults dealing with obesity, it is best to evaluate the individual’s situation, taking in to consideration environmental, genetic, and metabolic concerns while treating the arising physical and psychological damage that has arisen. An obese child’s eating plan should also come with an exercise plan. Long term counseling is often needed to deal with self esteem issues relating to obesity that can effect the child’s performance in the real world.

Parents should keep in mind that weight loss is not a healthy or proper method for young children to employ, as their bodies are still developing. Unless a doctor assigns your child to be put on a diet for specific medical reasons, dieting should not be encouraged in young children, as it could deprive them of the nutrients and energy they need to grow.

Once the issue arises then the problem is much more difficult to deal with. Prevention is the best way. You should be able to monitor yor child's activities. You should be aware of their eating habits especially when they are not with you and you should, where possible, encourage exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Read opinions and promote your views at The World's Best Homepage and read and submit reviews and opinions at Free Opinions and Content

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Infant Health Care

By Bob Taylor

Understanding infants health is very helpful for a parent of a child.

Infants easily pick up viruses and illnesses. Their immune system is not well developed and it seems every little illness that is around, they get. Having the basic knowledge can help save on stress, time and money. It will also help a parent make sure they are doing everything possible to ensure their kids health.

It can be difficult for a parent to know exactly when an illness is serious enough to require medical attention. A parent should discuss with their doctor the signs and symptoms to look for when their child is in need of a visit to the office.

Infants health can be a scary thing. When a child is under the age of two it can be quite difficult for a parent to know exactly how to access and treat their kids health issues. There are some things that are very helpful for a parent to know when it comes to the health of their infant.

Fevers are quite scary in an child. A fever that would not be considered high for an older child can be dangerous for an infant. Parents should ask their doctor what temperature should be a concern for their kid. Complicating matters when it comes to a fever is treatment. In an older child a parent would simply give them ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, in an infant the dosage amounts are not listed on the bottle, so a parent needs to contact their doctor to find out what it is.

http://www.preferedforms.com

Believing in good balanced diet, taking vitamins and minerals. Daily exercise, yoga, stretching, breathing exercises, drinking enough water, meditation, relaxation, positive thinking, and trying to be happy.

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Children's Health

By John Allsop

There may be a lot of literature on kids health but sifting through them for relevant information is a chore by itself. There are several factors to consider about kids’ health like nutrition, daily exercises, mental stimulation, and emotional development. Attending to these things can be stressful to parents day in and day out. Thus, if you have kids and want to stay on top of their growth and progress, it is necessary to maintain good kids' health resources.

Kids health is basically simple and the requirements of children mirror those of the adults. The basic requirements include a good shelter, good food, loving and caring community, and daily exercise. However, kids require a little more since they are in the development stage. Keep their environment healthy and safe because unfavorable surroundings would have adverse long term effects on their health. Children do not enjoy autonomy and must live with whatever decisions -- good or bad -- that adults make for them. Moreover, kids should be taught early to adopt healthy habits. Habits picked up while young can be carried well into adulthood. Lack of attention to a child’s training and development is often the cause of many adults’ problems.

Since parents only want the best for their children, it becomes necessary to set up a health program for kids. This should really start from the time when parents plan on having a child. At the onset, parents need to be clear as to how they intend to raise their child. Since it is always much more difficult to correct mistakes, it is only sensible to do it right early on. From then on, it will have to be a series of assessments of the child’s wellness and progress and adjustments in the program as may be necessary. Somehow, caring for an infant seems a lot easier than seeing to the needs of a full grown child.

A baby’s needs are simple and they only need you to feed, change, play and bring him to his pediatrician in case he is sick. Older kids have more demands and their needs are more complex. Parents should be able to provide answers to their never-ending questions, and learn how to protect them from potentially harmful influences. Further, parents need to make some difficult decisions in terms of their freedom (TV time, going out, etc.) and disciplinary training. Parents also need to set down rules and standards for rewards and punishments. In other words, parents need to figure out how to best protect their children from the dangers of the world while they are young so parents can prepare them well to cope on their own when they become adults. After all, being a parent has never been easy.

Visit our health articles website for the latest articles covering a broad range of health topics And read our kids health article.

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Health Should Come Easy For Today's Kids

By Kathleen Patalsky

In the past twenty years a lot has changed in the world of everyday foods. Not long ago, families woke up to a breakfast of orange juice made from a frozen concentrate, white toast with butter and jelly, scrambled whole eggs with bacon or sausage and a side of sugary cereal with low fat cow’s milk. This was the norm back then and slowly the norm seems to be changing. Today, it is much easier to give kids healthy super food options considering the plentiful amounts of new exotic super foods on the market- packaged and available for your everyday convenience.

Today, it is easy to wake up to a breakfast of Acai or fresh squeezed orange or tangerine juice, or a freshly blended smoothie. The white toast and butter could easily be substituted with whole wheat, oatmeal or spelt bread-a drizzle of honey or real fruit jam on the side. The scrambled eggs and bacon can be substituted with scrambled egg whites or tofu scramble. The bacon replaced by one of the many available soy protein ‘bacon’ and ‘sausage’ options available in your grocers freezer. Sugary cereal can be replaced with whole grain cereals free of artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners, yet still packaged to appeal to the scrutinizing eyes of children. Cow’s milk, which is high in saturated fat and hormones, can easily be replaced with soy, rice or even almond milk, all much healthier alternatives.

SNACKS: Goodbye Ring Ding's and Ho Ho's, hello Snackimals and Uncle Eddie’s

The snack world has always been a deal breaker for kids and healthy eating. Kids and candy go hand in hand and a childhood without treats would feel quite dull and deprived. But the definition of a treat is what is drastically changing in recent years. Back in the nineties, I recall seeing kids and teenagers toting treats for school snacks such as Hostess Donuts, Twinkies, Doritos, Fruit Snacks with gooey-green-sour-slime centers, and even bagels smothered in whole fat cream cheese. All of these choices are either high in sugar and/or high in saturated or trans fat. Not good. Today, the healthy snack marketplace is booming with healthy options for kids. There are cookies called Snackimals, high in flavor and fun yet low in fat and completely vegan. Healthy yet tasty granola bars and chips like Pirates Booty are also available and enjoyed as new age treats of today.

SUPERFOODS: Who needs vitamin pills when you have Vitamuffins, acai juice and soy.

Super foods are a hot trend. Super foods are foods that not only taste good, but offer some sort of healthy benefit or healing property. A few trendy super food qualities are omega fats, fiber, antioxidants, soy protein and phytochemicals. Companies like Navitas Naturals bring exotic super foods like goji berries into mainstream markets. Parents of kids today probably didn’t have such plentiful options for purchasing super foods. They would’ve had to venture into an advanced Health Food store to find such delicacies as almond butter, acai berry juice, kombucha tea and coconut water. But today it is easy! Parents can easily put super foods into the forefront of kids diets. There should be absolutely no excuse for unhealthy children who grow into unhealthy adults. If kids embrace this new world healthy norm, I’d predict that rates of heart disease and cancer will plummet. However, the marketing and finance departments have got to step in.

Marketing healthy foods to kids is tough especially when you have to compete against companies like Pepsi Cola, McDonalds and Hershey’s. These companies market mainly to kids and teens, cheap costing, low nutrition foods. However there are a number of companies that are trying to step in where health food marketing agents have failed. Websites introduce children to fruits and veggies at a young age by creating fun characters and selling gift and apparel items. Kids can learn about and fall in love with a favorite fruit or vegetable from a very young age.

SUPERFOODS LIST

Here’s a list of what I believe are the top kid friendly super foods out there:

1. Acai Juice: Companies like Samzabon, are packaging the juice of the Acai berry. Acai is very high in omegas, high in protein and fiber (for a juice) and rich in vitamins. It’s somewhat chocolaty taste makes for an excellent substitute for apple or grape juice.

2. Soy, Rice and Almond Milk: It may seem like a simple substitution, but it will change your child’s life. Especially if your child suffers from lactose intolerance or asthma symptoms. Giving up cow’s milk and dairy products will be a huge boost in your child’s health, as they will benefit from the natural healing properties of soy, rice and almonds. You can learn about alternative milk ideas at www.silksoy.com

3. Baby Carrots: OK, so you might think carrots are not very glamorous, but try setting a bowl of carrots and hummus dip in front of your child as an after-school snack and I promise they will catch on quickly. Baby carrots are sweet flavored and high in vitamin A. Nix the chips for carrots and you have done wonders.

4. Coconut Water: A beverage trend in the marketplace today is pure coconut water. Coconut water is an excellent replacement for those sugary sports drinks your kid’s love. Twelve ounces of coconut water contains as much potassium as a banana and fifteen times the amount of potassium in an average sports drink. Plus no sugar and no fat means you are adding only 60 calories of refreshment to your diet. Try it and you’ll be amazed. Zico brand has different flavors like orange peel and passion fruit.

5. Snackimals and Uncle Eddies: Ok we all love cookies, some of us prefer soft chewy flavors, and other like the sweet crispy crunch of a cookie bite. I have a healthy option for both tastes! If you like crispy cookies, try Snackimals brand cookies. Four flavors, all vegan and ridiculously healthier than your average trans fat containing grocery store brand. For soft cookie fans, try Uncle Eddies Vegan Cookies. Though the calorie content is still high, the nutritional value is leagues above traditional cookie brands.

6. Fizzy Lizzy: Soda Pop addicts, I’m talking to you. Kids are synonymous with carrying around those 20 ounce bottles of high sugar, artificially flavored sodapop. But now there is an effervescent option! Fizzy Lizzy is just one brand that has reclaimed the carbonated beverage industry. If it’s bubbles you crave try this option with no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners, and you will be back on track and still satisfied. New lighter in calorie options from Fizzy Lizzy are even available.

7. Kashi Mighty Bites Cereal: We’ve all dove into a big bowl of sweet cereal at some point in our lives, and its true that there’s nothing better….until now! Take a stroll with your kids down the health food cereal aisle and let them check out box covers galore. There are several kid themed cereal options with a hidden healthy ingredient list. Kashi’s Mighty Bites Cereal is just one great option.

8. Farmers Market Produce: It’s fun, it’s yummy and it’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning with your kids. Turn off the cartoons and take a stroll through a local farmers or green market. Taste different foods and let your kids pick out their our produce. Give them a budget of ten to twenty dollars to buy whatever healthy foods they’d like. I guarantee they will use up the entire budget and love every minute of it. Afterwards, let them peruse The Lunchbox Bunch website and discuss all the different types of produce they saw.

9. Jamba Juice: Fast food just got healthy. It’s simple, skip the burger joint and get a smoothie. You can even get a few sideline healthy treats like Pirates Booty and Luna Bars at most Jamba Juice joints. Try an all fruit smoothie, or ask to substitute the sherbet and frozen yogurt for fruit.

10. Vitamuffins: Another cool innovation for this generation. Inside every yummy plump muffin are 100% RDA of many vitamins and minerals. It’s like a vitamin supplement only tastier! Vitamuffins are also very high in fiber and come in a few different flavors like blueberry and chocolate chip. Yum. Not vegan, however.

Kathleen Patalsky received her B.S in Health Promotion from American University in Washington DC, and is the creator of The Lunchbox Bunch as well as The Coconut Water Diet. To contact her please visit her websites at http://www.lunchboxbunch.com or http://www.coconutwaterdiet.com or email Kathy@lunchboxbunch.com

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Family Health- Parents - Kids Have Stress Too!

By Dr. Anca Martalog N.D.

Do you remember searching for four leaf clovers in the grass when you were a kid? Making dandelion necklace? Building forts with old cardboard boxes? What will your kids remember? Sitting in the back of a minivan? Ordering dinner at drive -thru? Being shuttled from activity? More importantly, how will it affect their mental and physical health?

Emergency doctors are noticing more and more children coming into emergency rooms with racing hearts, sweating, feeling like they're going to die, etc... all adult symptoms of anxiety and stress.

Common children stressors include: problems at home or school, parental conflicts, family money problems, health problems, changes to routine, distressing world events, and social problems, such as teasing and bullying.

Children often say "the morning rush hour stresses me": I have to eat quickly, I have to get dressed fast, brush my teeth quickly, then pack my stuff!....

Academic stress or competitive sports can be healthy for children but it depends on how children manage the stressors and their sense of control. "If the stress is something over which they have no control, and that could be anything from a certain disaster to problems in the family, the results can be long-term physical and psychological health effects.

Signs that a child might be experiencing undue stress are:
" Recurring headaches, tummy aches or neck pain
" Increased irritability, sadness, panic, anger
" Trouble relaxing or sleeping
" Lethargy, daydreaming, withdrawal from activities
" Excessive energy or restlessness
" Reverting to less mature behaviour
" Nail biting, hair twisting, thumb sucking or sighing deeply
" Friend trouble
" Behavioural problems, such as biting, kicking, poor listening, restlessness, acting out, impulsiveness, poor school performance, whining, crying, and fighting.

Although there's more research regarding the health effects of stress on adults, there's no reason children wouldn't experience similar effects.

What parents can do is often too simple, but due to their own stressors and busy lives, it often becomes challenging or pushed to the side:

1. Stop, look, and listen! This is one of the most effective and simplest strategies: really look at the child and seeing what they are doing, whether it's darting eyes or raised shoulders.... and really listening to their concerns while a connection is established.

2. Help kids cope: the best defence against stress is a healthy balanced lifestyle that includes physical activity, quiet time and relaxation techniques, with a primary emphasis on affectionate parents who are good listeners.

3. Be a good role model. Parents are terrible stress models for kids. "Where's the balance that we're modelling for kids as we answer cell phone calls in the middle of soccer games or we bring briefcase of work on holidays?

Helping children gain a sense of control through effective problem solving and decision making are great strategies for stress management. But it's important that parents first emulate the behaviour. Many professionals encourage parents to share their mistakes and challenges with their kids; this is an excellent and efficient way to teach them to problem solve when, for example they hear " I blew it at work today and this is what I'm going to do to retrace my steps"

4. Play with your kids: Above all, parents need to play with their kids. "Get to know your kids and let them get to know you." It's the only way parents can determine if stress is a problem in their child's life.

Some of the most important nutrients to help children cope with stress are the ones that strengthen the adrenal glands (stress glands):

" Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)-helps the adrenals function adequately
" Vitamin C-is vital for proper functioning of the adrenals
" L-Tyrosine (amino acid)-relieves excess stress put on the glands raw adrenal extract (adrenal glandular)-helps rebuild and repair the glands
" Coenzyme Q10-carries oxygen to the glands
" Multi vitamin-mineral complex-contains nutrients needed for correct functioning of the body

Naturopathic medicine offers many other therapies for reducing stress caused by the begining of school, such as: botanical medicine, acupuncture and chinese medicine,homeopathy,etc.

And now I'd like to invite you to learn more how naturopathy can help your child recover from stress and anxiety by offering you a free access to my upcoming Tele-seminar on natural kids health: for details, go here: http://www.doctoranca.com
From: Dr. Anca Martalog, N.D -http://www.telehealthsecrets.com

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Are the Colors on Your Child's Plate Talking Health Or Illness?

By Angelle Batten

Yes, you read that right; it does say 'talking'. You have probably heard or read about how important it is to eat a variety of Real Foods and to make sure to have foods of different colors. Well, as it turns out, that's even more important than you may realize. Sure, when you eat lots of different colored foods, naturally colored that is, you are getting a variety of vitamins and minerals. Most recently, however, scientists have discovered that equally as important to those vitamins and minerals, and maybe even more important, are the phytonutrients in Real Foods. All of those natural colors in fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains are key to great health.

"If on a daily basis you incorporate at least seven different colors, you are much more likely to get a wide variety of these nutrients that are healing, that prevent degenerative disease, and that will go to work on every tissue, cell and organ of the body," says nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, coauthor of The Fat Flush Plan (McGraw-Hill, 2002). You see, the crazy thing is that those colors or phytonutrients actually talk to our cells. That's right, they pass along information. Information that leads our bodies toward health or leads us toward illness.

Just before you are about to feed your child a meal or a snack, stop and imagine you are at a fork in the road. One arrow points to a path marked 'Health and Happiness' and the other points to the opposite path, marked 'Illness'. Making the choice in our head is obvious, isn't it? In reality, it's not always as easy. We have busy lives and convenience is important. The problem is convenience is causing us too often to send our kids down the path toward 'Illness'.

As moms, we need to realize that each time we feed our children (and ourselves) we have an opportunity to move toward health. When we feed our kids real fruits, vegetables and other whole foods, our cells are happy. The opposite is true when we feed our children processed, artificial junk foods. The cells are not happy. It's like the wires get crossed. The body's cells get the wrong information. Confusion in the cells is not a good thing. The body's cells are constantly saying "wrong number, please try again" all day long for many children. They are getting the wrong information from the foods they are being fed from adults who love them. This confusion at the cellular level leads to dis-ease: allergies, ADD, eczema, obesity, asthma, moodiness, poor behavior, diabetes, cancer and more.

So, what can you do? Just like so many moms are doing, you can make a choice to move in the direction of health. Maybe you will start with breakfasts or with snacks or maybe you are the mom who will take on the whole thing at once. Either way, each time you prepare something for your child to eat, you can stop and imagine that fork in the road. Picturing health for your child will help you realize that the extra few minutes it takes to pack snacks for the car or sporting event, or to make a healthy breakfast, or to pack homemade lunches is, as Amy says, "worth it". If your children are used to processed foods, you will have to both educate them about how their bodies need Real Foods and you will have to be consistent. Give them choices, but make the choices all Real Foods. You may have some tantrums at first, but being consistent about things that affect our kids' health and safety are a huge part of parenting; not the most fun part usually, but probably one of the most important parts. Our kids deserve that kind of conscientious parenting.

Healthy Kids, Happy Moms http://www.nourishyourkids.com Angelle Batten, M.A., H.H.C., Mom of 3 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angelle_Batten

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How Dance Dance Revolution is Getting Kids Off the Couch

By Denise Nero

Are you concerned about the lack of exercise your child is getting?

Would you like to see them up and moving instead of sitting around so much?
Dance Dance revolution is the lastest dance craze that is a fun and addictive way to help your child get get up and move without realizes they are even exercising.

Our kids health and fitness is more important today than ever before since video games, tv and computers are turning our kids into couch potatoes.
This new dance craze called Dance Dance revolution is a video game played on a gaming system but it is not your typical video game. This fun and exciting Dance pad is hooked up to any playstation or Xbox then the player chooses one of their favorite songs from the DDR video game
This fast paced game will surely get your child’s heart pumping and their feet moving! The player chooses their song and they move their feet to the pattern of the arrows on the dance pad while keeping the beat to the flashing arrows that are moving side to side and up and down. As your child gets more practice on this engaging game, you will move to higher and higher levels which will progressively turn the game into a fun and challenging workout.

There are many kids today that do not like the typical physical activities that sport provide but once they try Dance Dance Revolution they are usually hooked.

There are many levels from beginner to advanced even the youngest of children can play Dance Dance Revolution.

What better way to get your children involved in exercise than by doing something they love.

If you have a gaming system such as a Playstation or Xbox you can own Dance revolution, just connect the DDR Pad to any of these systems. If you want your kids up off the couch doing something that is good for them while they are having fun I highly recommend DDR. What better gift can you give them? Next time your child asks for a playstation or Xbox game buy them the DDR pad and game.

Make sure your child keeps his water bottle close by, he’s going to need it after this workout.

Weight Loss and Dance revolution

Dance Dance Revolution games offer a specific "Workout Mode" in which players can choose a song, and play accordingly using either the normal step routine, or a modified step routine designed to provided a workout. The workout mode also allows players to track their progress, not in the standard step scores, but by calories burned, minutes played, and distance traveled. The game also calculates the equivalent of DDR dancing to common exercise activities, and can keep track of a player's weight as well.

The built-in workout features have inspired many DDR fans to make playing DDR their primary source of exercise, and some have built entire weight-loss regimens around the game. However, as with all new diet or exercise plans, it is recommended that one discusses the changes with their doctor

There are many different types of DDR pad you can purchase. You will need a gaming system such as a Playstation or an Xbox and of course the DDR pads and DDR games.

So if you are interested in an extremely fun way to get in shape go ahead and give Dance Dance Revolution a try!

Dance Dance revolution

Natalie, 14, was drawn to the pulsing techno songs, and didn't realize she had slimmed down until she went clothes shopping.
"I went to go buy pants and the 14s were too big. The more I played, I gradually had to get smaller size pants," said Natalie, who now buys size 8 baggy cargoes

Zachary 13, I did not even realize that I was exercising until my mom said something to me one day about losing weight. I realized that Dance revolution was not only fun but I was getting a great workout!

Denise Nero Personal fitness trainer and owner of Fitness and Kids. To learn more about Dance Dance revolution and other unique fitness items for kids stop by http://www.fitnessandkids.com/Dance-Dance-revolution.html

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Save Your Kids - Don't Continue to Vaccinate Them!

By Mirdza Hayden

Many doctors are finally realizing that they have been misled when they were taught that vaccines were one of the best inventions ever. They are realizing that diseases did not start to dwindle out because of the vaccines, but rather because of better nutrition. Doctors are realizing that most vaccines are filled with poisons, like mercury and formaldehyde, and that they are actually counterproductive to your health. Not only are vaccines ineffective in reducing diseases, they actually lower the body's immunity to fight off disease and sickness.

I have been researching the subject of vaccines lately since I am so passionate about living the healthiest life possible. After I watched the video titled: "Vaccination, the hidden truth", I have come to the conclusion that I will no longer vaccinate my kids. I refuse to take my kids somewhere and have a health practitioner inject poisons in their body, thereby lowering their immune system. I invite you to watch this video so you can see for yourself that vaccines are not your friend.

I want to give you some tips that will help you keep your immune system strong, thereby reducing the risk of getting health problems. I hope that you will use these tips to help your whole family strengthen their immune system so that you can all live the healthiest life possible.

First of all, concentrate on eating primarily organic foods.

Organic fruits, veggies, meats and dairy products are much better for you since they are not loaded with toxic pesticides or growth hormones. Eating at least 80% organic foods will help you live a lot healthier.

Second, supplement your nutrition with whole food supplements.

Most people need extra supplementation to make sure they are getting all the nutrients their body needs. However, supplements are just that - drinks or pills that supplement your nutrition. You need to make sure you eat healthy AND supplement your nutrition with this whole food supplement, not just expect to be healthy just because you take a multivitamin, or multinutrient.

Third, I recommend that you exercise everyday.

Exercise does wonders for your body. Not only will you look better, you will also feel a lot more energetic and your body will reward you with good health. If you are having a hard time being accountable with exercise, I invite you to join the Million Dollar Body Club. You can even join for free! Not only do you get lots of neat fitness tools and tips to help you lose weight and get fit, you will also get a chance to win cash every day, just for working out!

My fourth recommendation is that you keep your stress level down.

Most of us live in an area that is constantly on the go. We get involved in so many things that we get stressed out over the smallest things. We need to just take a breath and slow down. Stress causes a multitude of health problems, causing you to dig yourself an early grave. Some recommendations I have for you to reduce stress are massaging yourself with therapeutic-grade oils, like those offered by Young Living Essential Oils, listening to soothing music, meditating or/and going for a walk.

My fifth recommendation is that you stop using products that contain toxic elements in them.

Make sure you look at the ingredient list of the products you use on yourself, including shampoos, soaps, lotions and deodorants, as well as the products you use to clean your homes. Make sure that there are no toxic elements in them like aluminum, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or Propylene Glycol, just to name a few. Some companies that offer good products that I recommend are Young Living, Neways and the ONE group. I also recommend the Eco-sense line of products that Melaleuca offers and the Watkins laundry detergent.

My sixth recommendation is that you stop using over-the-counter drugs and talk to your doctor about getting off any prescribed medications you may be taking.

These drugs are very toxic and will never really get you better. You will have to take these for the rest of your life. Instead of using these drugs that are sold by pharmaceutical companies, look for natural alternatives. In our home we use therapeutic-grade essential oils for every ailment. We don't even take an aspirin anymore! Therapeutic-grade oils are a much better alternative to drugs and antibiotics. Do your own research and you will realize that this is true. I invite you to experience for yourself the therapeutic effects that these oils can have not only on your physical body, but also on your psyche. Therapeutic-grade oils support your immune system, supply potent antimicrobials, provide natural pain relief, reduce inflammation, ease stress and anxiety, decrease insomnia, soothe digestive disorders, improve the circulatory system, and much more! Therapeutic-grade oils are a safe and natural alternative to household cleaners and pain relievers. Experience them yourself!

And, finally, I urge you to get enough rest.

Many people don't realize this. They think they can truly survive on just a few hours of sleep every night, but that is far from the truth. Research has shown that our body rejuvenates and cleanses itself when you sleep. It's very important to have good sleeping habits. You will feel much better and live much healthier if you do.

Vaccines are poisons - they are counterproductive to your health and our kids' health. Watch the video I recommended above, and refuse to have your kids vaccinated. The safest way for you and your kids to ward off sickness and disease is by strengthening our immune system by eating primarily organic food, supplementing your nutrition with good whole food supplements, making exercise part of your daily routine, keeping your stress level down, using products that contain only safe ingredients in them, using therapeutic-grade essential oils instead of OTC and prescription drugs, and by getting enough sleep at night. Enjoy living a healthy lifestyle without vaccines!

Mirdza Hayden
Helping People Lead Healthier Lifestyles
http://www.MirdzasHealthSite.com

The link to the video is http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8610554679207090010&pr=goog-sl

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For Kids Sake, Know What is in Our Drinking Water

By Ronald Frommert

If you want to learn about your local drinking water system, you might only need to pick up a newspaper. Reporters are always warning us about what is in our drinking water. The latest stories are about prescription drugs.

Of course, some of you may be more concerned about the rate increases that are hitting consumers all over the country. The increasing cost of fuel has also affected the public drinking water system, because of the chemicals they use to control contamination and the fluoride they put in to prevent tooth decay.

Now some experts suggest that fluoridation is not healthy, but who lets their kids drink straight from the tap, anyway? I guess if you don't know what is in our drinking water, then you might. Or if you are a public official, trying to impress your constituents by saying that you drink the city's water "without fear".

More and more people are beginning to understand that the public drinking water system cannot fully protect our children's health. It doesn't protect our own health, either, but most parents are more concerned about their kids' health, than their own.

That's why the news about the prescription drugs is so scary. It's not enough to cause an overdose or anything like that, but no one knows what ingesting those traces will do to a child's long term health. Another worry is that there are a number of different drugs that can interact with each other as well as trace chemical contaminants and increase the toxicity exponentially.

The Environmental Protection Agency, who tries to control what is in our drinking water, knows that. Scientists have reported to them on numerous occasions that the standards they have set for safety are not good enough to protect public health. They are based on illogical assumptions, such as there will only be one chemical in a glass at one time.

Well, there is always chlorine, so that's one. Chlorination causes byproducts called trihalomethanes and there are five different types of those. So, that's at least two and possibly six.

Another problem is that the standards that the set for your local drinking water system are based on what would be "safe" for an adult. Lower levels would be toxic for children.

The EPA even lists the maximum safe levels for kids on their websites, but your local drinking water system does not have to adhere to those standards. They only have to be under the maximum safe levels for adults.

Knowing what is in our drinking water allows us to take additional precautions in our homes. But, I don't think that the EPA or other government organizations are very good at getting the word out. Because, they keep talking about safety, but they don't fully explain the risks.

Many people still use tap-water to prepare infant formula, even though the presence of cysts can cause gastrointestinal illnesses. The presence of drugs and hormones can affect growth. The presence of lead can affect neurological development and behavior.

Why won't anyone tell parents that they need a good drinking water system for their home? It's probably because they are afraid that the government would have to pay for them.

You know what is in our drinking water. So, take some time to shop for a multi-stage point-of-use drinking water system that will remove all of the contaminants mentioned in this article and more. It's the healthy choice.

Ronald Frommert is a baby boomer researcher of water purification issues. Visit his site now at http://www.safewaterpurification.com to get the facts on how to choose the best water purification system.

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Infant Health Care

By Bob Taylor

Understanding infants health is very helpful for a parent of a child.

Infants easily pick up viruses and illnesses. Their immune system is not well developed and it seems every little illness that is around, they get. Having the basic knowledge can help save on stress, time and money. It will also help a parent make sure they are doing everything possible to ensure their kids health.

It can be difficult for a parent to know exactly when an illness is serious enough to require medical attention. A parent should discuss with their doctor the signs and symptoms to look for when their child is in need of a visit to the office.

Infants health can be a scary thing. When a child is under the age of two it can be quite difficult for a parent to know exactly how to access and treat their kids health issues. There are some things that are very helpful for a parent to know when it comes to the health of their infant.

Fevers are quite scary in an child. A fever that would not be considered high for an older child can be dangerous for an infant. Parents should ask their doctor what temperature should be a concern for their kid. Complicating matters when it comes to a fever is treatment. In an older child a parent would simply give them ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, in an infant the dosage amounts are not listed on the bottle, so a parent needs to contact their doctor to find out what it is.

http://www.preferedforms.com

Believing in good balanced diet, taking vitamins and minerals. Daily exercise, yoga, stretching, breathing exercises, drinking enough water, meditation, relaxation, positive thinking, and trying to be happy.

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Our Abundant Lifestyle is Exacting a Terrible Price - Our Children's Health

By Linda Henderson

An 11 year old boy with type 2 diabetes. A 16 year old girl with osteoporosis. No parent would ever knowingly give their kids such a legacy. But in fact, that is what's happening all over America.

Type 2 diabetes, called adult onset diabetes, as the name implies, didn't usually strike adults until after age 50. Not any more. Type 2 diabetes is rising at alarming rates in children, seriously affecting their health and even their life spans.

And osteoporosis, well, that's something old women got, wasn't it? Same answer. Not anymore. Less than half of teenagers, and only 15% of girls, get enough calcium to build their bones, the most active years for bone building. If they smoke they can even lose bone! When kids drink soda pop they likely aren't drinking as much milk as they should. Worse, the acidic nature of the phosphoric acid in soda pop causes the body to pull minerals such as calcium out of the bones to buffer the acid. According to one study girls who drank soft drinks were more than three times as likely to have a bone fracture.

According to the United States Surgeon General the prevalence of overweight children has tripled in just the past two decades. And this endemic weight gain is closely tied to the rise in type 2 diabetes.

While genetics can play a role in causing children and adolescents to be overweight the biggest causes are overeating (the wrong things) and lack of physical exercise.

Television, computers and video games now dominate our kids' play time instead of hide and seek, kick the can and softball, like in the "good old days." Couple that with all the fast food restaurants ("Would your like to super-size that?"), the mini-marts at most gas stations and the enormous amount of food advertising all around us, our kids don't stand a chance!

The solution of course, is totally obvious: eat healthier and be more active. But we've grown lazy and we don't do it. But if we love our kids-well, of course we do-then we as adults need to change and provide the lifestyle that supports our kids' health, giving them a chance. Of course, we'll be healthier too!

Let's be honest. We need to do a better job with our own diets and levels of activity. We'll benefit and so will our kids. Adolescents and teenagers just aren't supposed to get "old people" diseases like type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis.

Linda Henderson has a keen interest in promoting health and nutrition ranging from raising four robust children to keeping others informed about the basic values of good diet, exercise and nutrition. As a result of this interest she found a highly respected 28 year old company that actively promotes a philosophy of well-being through a variety of thoroughly researched products, and that company is Herbalife. Linda is an Herbalife Independent Distributor and firmly believes we should "be a product of the products," including the food we eat and the supplements we take. If you are like minded and would like to learn about this opportunity please go to http://lindash.theonlinebusiness.com

If you have a question she would love to hear from you: lindash@theonlinebusiness.com or 1-888-232-6785

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Colorado Children's Health Insurance - How to Find the Cheapest Kids Colorado Health Insurance Plan

By James J. Robinson

When you are wondering about how to find the best health insurance for children in Colorado, there are a few different approaches you can take. There are a few different ways people with children who live in CO can find the best health insurance for their children. One way is to consider the children's needs and try to find the best insurance plan to meet them. Another approach to finding cheap Colorado kids health insurance is to look at your budget first and then get the most coverage you can afford.

Make A Wish List

If you decide to use this approach, then your first step is to make up a shopping list of the types of services you want covered by the insurance plan you choose. You will want to be sure that you have coverage for such services as:

Checkups

Doctor Visits

Vaccinations

Hospital Stays

Surgery

Prescription Drugs

Compare Several Plans

Now that you have a list of benefits you want to get coverage for, you can start to look for an insurance plan. One of the wonderful things about the Internet is that you can get good information with just a few clicks of your mouse.

Check out some quotes for CO kids heath insurance and compare the type and level of coverage you get from each company against your list. You may not be able to find a policy that will pay for everything on your list, but you should be able to get a plan that pays for the portions of your wish list that are the most important to you.

Look At Cost First

The other way to approach the issue of trying to find affordable Colorado health insurance for kids is to get quotes from several different insurers and make your decision based on cost alone. This may seem like a good idea, especially if you have limited funds available for this purpose, but you want to get the best level of benefits you can afford.

Looking for health insurance is not something you can decide quickly and the last thing you want is to find out that you have been paying for coverage that doesn't really give you the right type of benefits for your children's needs. Take the time to consider your decision carefully.

Compare Children's Colorado Health Insurance Quotes Online

Are you ready to work on how to find the best Colorado health insurance plan? You can get started right away by comparing quotes and plans from top agents and companies across the state of CO. Be sure and compare rate quotes from at least 3 different insurance companies before you make your final decision.

Get started finding children's health insurance quotes today! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J._Robinson

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Tips For Travelling With Allergic Kids

By Fanda Amnesiana

When the holiday season is coming closer, what will you do? Contacting your travel agent for arranging a tour? Or just don't do anything since your kids have an allergy, and it will be dangerous for them to travel far from home? Relax! With these tips you can have a fun family trip with your allergic kids next holiday.

It's quite hard for kids to get suffered from allergy. With all the strict diets against food allergy, 'stay-at-home' period during pollen season, or strict rules to play with the dog. All of them have somehow seized their opportunity to have fun. So, how if you plan a family holiday trip on next school holiday? And this time, you will have plenty of time to plan and prepare everything, to ensure that your kids will have an allergy-free-holiday! These are just some idea that you can add in your holiday planner list...

Choosing travel destination

This might be the most exciting activity near a holiday. Browsing for beautiful places, planning activities, comparing hotel rates, etc...But don't forget to include the most important aspect in your travel destination list, your allergic kids! Choose a travel destination that won't trigger allergy to your kids!

If it is a food allergy, make sure that you can get special allergy-free food for the kids, either from the hotel catering itself, or whether there is a restaurant nearby which can serve allergy-free foods for your kids.

If your kids have pollen allergy or hay fever, make sure that your destination country/city is having a different season (not pollen), or at least have different kind of pollen than the one your kids are allergic to. But for the best solution, why not taking your family to the beach this time? There your kids can have more fun, and the pollen level at beaches are usually lower than at the coasts.

Travel arrangement

Since you have special health conditions, it is recommended to use a travel agent to arrange your trip. As travel agent has a connection with hotels and restaurants, as well as airlines, it will be easier for you to arrange everything with the travel agent, instead of spending much time to arrange with each parties.

What kind of things you need to arrange with the travel agent?

If your kids need a special diet during flight or during the stay,
If your kids must have special bedding arrangement in the hotel room,

You can ask the travel agent to provide it, and don't forget to ask for their written confirmation before you settle the payment.

Baggage listing

Apart from your usual 'things to bring' for travelling, be sure to bring what your kids need concerning their allergy,

Medications - bring enough spares for the whole holiday, and don't forget to check the expiry date. Put it in your hand bag, NEVER in your baggage case, in case you lost your baggage or some other baggage problems.

Asthma action plan - if your kids suffer from severe allergy or asthma, bring their asthma action plan. It will be much helpful for your guidance when the kids have an attack.

EpiPen - if there is a risk your kids might have an attack, bring spares of epinephrine and extra EpiPen, in case you need it more than once. Check the expiry date!

Precautions things to prepare

These are precaution things that you should arrange before your holiday trip, especially if you are going abroad,

Health insurance - check whether the insurance can cover hospital treatment in your destination, in case of an attack.

Doctor's letter - get a letter from your kids' doctor, confirming that medication you bring is for your kids' health. It can avoid problems at the customs.

As soon as you arrive to the destination country, find information about nearest ER or hospital, phone numbers of ambulance, doctor's, and emergency services (911 in US).

And now, when everything is ready, you can focus on the holiday, and many fun activities you can have during it. Allergy will not be a threat that can ruin your holiday, as long as you have well prepared everything before the departure.

Have a nice holiday...

Fanda Amnesiana is the owner of http://www.1st-asthma-treatment.com a valuable resources for asthma and allergy problems. She has been familiar with allergy and asthma, as she and her mother share the same disease, and want to encourage people with asthma to control their asthma and have a normal and happy life.

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Help Your Kids Fight Off the Diabetes Onslaught

By Patrick Qimm

Some tragic news was released recently and we need to take action fast. You have got to get involved in a new health battle and help your kids fight off the diabetes onslaught that is creeping across America. Here is the sad news - The number of our kids taking medication for diabetes has doubled over the last few years. This increase apparently is most profound amongst our teenagers, with females showing the highest percentage increase. This was recently published in the Pediatrics - The Official Journal of The American Academy Of Pediatrics, based on a study sample of over 3.5 million children aged 5 to 19 years of age, from medical data stretching from 2002 to 2005.

How did this come about?

Well it looks like it has got something to do with our diet and how it is getting us fat. Fact is, we are getting fat in unprecedented numbers and so are our kids. Obesity and being overweight has become the prime suspect for this rise in diabetic incidence because being overweight grossly increases your chances of becoming a diabetic.

Let me tell you that diabetes is one horrible disease that you rather be without. Now having your kid deal with it at such a young tender age will be heartbreaking and you can help minimize their risk.

Fix it before it fixes you.

Here are some of the thing you can do right now.

Become a physical family.
As a parent, you need to take the lead and get physical. Kids these days spend too much time in front of the TV or with their computers. Get them to a gym or just out into the open doing any form of physical exercise can work wonders for their health. If you are not the physical type yourself, then this is a great reason to start. Look at it as quality time that will be well spent with the family that comes with great health benefits as well.

Just 30 minutes a day of exercise will do wonders for the family. Now if your kids are overweight, then set a goal to lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight as this has been shown to reduce their risk of getting diabetes and other related diseases. Physical activity burns up energy which then helps the body perform better, control blood glucose levels and blood pressure as well.

So, how do you get physical quick?
Set some goals and get the whole family on a daily physical routine. Do regular brisk walking, at least 30 minutes each time, failing which, go for family walks after dinner. Ideally this is done daily but if that is going to be a challenge for starts, then at least 3 times a week and build it up from there. If going to the gym is your thing then why not get the whole family there as well. Join a club that has physical fitness facilities for the family.

The surgeon general has recently recommended that kids and teenagers get at least one hour of physical activity daily, including exercises which will include bone and muscle building activity at least three time a week. Having just quoted that, I would say from experience that taking you couch bound kids out for a 1 hour walk with a couple of push-ups thrown in is going to get them slouched back where they were before for a week, never to hear the word physical ever again. I would suggest that you start slowly and build up your routine over a month or two. Make it a fun activity and I do not mean picking up some ice cream on the way back. Seek guidance for a good regime to follow.

One good way to get your kids into a regular physical activity, and at the same time taking the heat off you is to get them seriously involved in PE at their school. Check out if there are any after-school programs as well and encourage them to participate.

Now, how did this all come about?
Food, food and the wrong kind of food. Period. Fact of the matter is we are just not eating right. Now this is where it has to start with you. Let us face it, your kids are going to eat what you eat. If a burger and fries is your idea of a great meal, then you can bet it is going to be your kids thing as well.

Research has shown that contrary to popular belief, children value and respect their parents opinion. Apparently, so do our rebellious teens and thus you have the power to influence them to eat the right food. There are lots of things you can do at home to get things right. Source out for recipes for home made meals with value. Quite obviously, I am not referring to any of the Value Meals you would get at the fast food restaurants. When eating out, look for places that offer nutritious dinners and many today provide such information on their menus. Here is one thing you can do right now. Why not start by replacing the diabetes in a can fizz drink with some healthy fresh home made fruit juice.

When you are at the supermarket, check what you are buying. Read the labels and bear in mind that processed foods generally lack nutrients and are normally devoid of enzymes that are needed for proper digestion.

Sorry, no quick fixes here.
Obesity and its related diseases is a major health challenge facing our kids and we need to address it now. There is no quick fix to this and any step you take now is a step forward towards your kids health and their future.

Do whatever it takes to get your kids on a path to a healthier life. Talk to them about it and explain the reasons why taking action now is going to help. If reasoning does not work in getting them to change their habits, then fear therapy might. Not that I am advocating it, but then, back in the old days it worked on us did it not? And the health authorities have used fear successfully to wean us of cigarettes haven't they?

Whatever way you choose, you have a role to play is helping your kids fight of the diabetes onslaught. Look at it this way, getting your kid to love carrot juice over a can of fizzed-upped sugar syrup beats having to watch them take insulin jabs daily.

P.Qimm has been a health professional for over 30 years. He currently works with a health care provider and is actively involved with health related activities in his community. More information on diabetes prevention, care and management can be obtained at http://www.diabetes-and-you.org

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Health Tips for Kids

By Mikhail Tuknov

Obesity among kids is increasing at an alarming rate. What should you, as a parent, do to prevent this epidemic from spreading? These tips may help you:

1. Lead a healthy lifestyle - you can't teach a child healthy habits if they don't see the same habits in you. As the parent, you should serve as their role models. A lot of parents cheat and pretend to lead healthy lives only when their kids are looking. Be warned: kids see more than you think. By leading a healthy life, you will be acting responsibly as well as improving your own living condition.

2. Start young - make sure that you start training your kids to eat healthy foods as well as lead healthy lives early. This way, when they grow up, they'll be able to make healthy choices on their own. A lot of parents start feeding their children vegetables too late. This equals tantrums and poor compromises. When children learn at a very young age that vegetables can be delicious and good for them, they will be able to make healthy food choices without you having to resort to pleading.

3. Eat with your kids - a lot of families today eat separately or in front of the television. The dining experience has become isolated for each family member. What you need to do in order to encourage healthy eating habits is to eat as a family. This way, you will be able to monitor what your kids are eating, as well as bond as a family. When you dine with your kids, you will be encouraging them to eat slowly, leisurely and moderately. This will definitely help you raise healthy kids.

4. Encourage activity - the biggest mistake some parents make is thinking that being cooped up inside the house is better for the kids. They turn the television into some sort of babysitter for the child. You do not want your child to become a couch potato at such a young age. Kids have all this energy that's supposed to be spent playing and finding out more about the world. If they don't use that energy, it becomes fat. And having a fat child does not necessarily equal to having a healthy child. Try to encourage play and even sports for your kids.

5. Help your child meet new friends - unlike you, a child has yet to develop social skills. Because of this, you really should help kids make new friends. This will encourage your kid to become more active and play more. Try to set play dates with neighbors. You should also take the time to take your children to the park or any areas where they can learn how to meet other kids.

6. Be supportive - if your child is to lead a healthy lifestyle, you need to show him or her that doing so will make you proud. Have you ever experienced turning to food when you feel insecure or otherwise unsatisfied? Well, kids experience the same emotions. When you show love and support for your children, you should be able to help them be happy with who they are and not turn to negative influences.

7. Learn when to say "no" - whatever you do, you cannot spoil your child. Remember that you are trying to get him or her to lead a healthy life because you love him or her. Keep your eye on the goal and be patient. A lot of parents today cave in to their children's wishes simply because they want to avoid the inconvenience of disciplining a child. However, you should realize that, as a parent, it is your responsibility to see to it that your child is sound psychologically and physically.

8. Vitamin supplements - remember that the nutrients in food might not be enough to fill the needs of your child. Because of this, it is important to give your kid some vitamin supplements. These are usually chewable and taste like candy, so you'll have no problem giving them to your child.

9. Check-ups - you need to make absolutely sure that your child is healthy. Because of this, it is important to visit the doctor and the dentist for regular check-ups. This encourages your child to see these people as friends rather than as scary monsters in white coats. Regular check-ups will also enable you to get tips on how to better raise the child.

10. Treats - of course, your child needs to be treated every once in a while. Every kid likes that. It is a part of growing up to like junk food. However, you shouldn't make a habit out of it. By taking your kids to fast food places only once in a while, it will instill in their minds that junk food is not for regular consumption. This will help them keep their healthy lifestyles as they grow older.

Workout videos shape your body with most effective fitness training program.

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Family Health- Parents - Kids Have Stress Too!

By Dr. Anca Martalog N.D.

Do you remember searching for four leaf clovers in the grass when you were a kid? Making dandelion necklace? Building forts with old cardboard boxes? What will your kids remember? Sitting in the back of a minivan? Ordering dinner at drive -thru? Being shuttled from activity? More importantly, how will it affect their mental and physical health?

Emergency doctors are noticing more and more children coming into emergency rooms with racing hearts, sweating, feeling like they're going to die, etc... all adult symptoms of anxiety and stress.

Common children stressors include: problems at home or school, parental conflicts, family money problems, health problems, changes to routine, distressing world events, and social problems, such as teasing and bullying.

Children often say "the morning rush hour stresses me": I have to eat quickly, I have to get dressed fast, brush my teeth quickly, then pack my stuff!....

Academic stress or competitive sports can be healthy for children but it depends on how children manage the stressors and their sense of control. "If the stress is something over which they have no control, and that could be anything from a certain disaster to problems in the family, the results can be long-term physical and psychological health effects.

Signs that a child might be experiencing undue stress are:
" Recurring headaches, tummy aches or neck pain
" Increased irritability, sadness, panic, anger
" Trouble relaxing or sleeping
" Lethargy, daydreaming, withdrawal from activities
" Excessive energy or restlessness
" Reverting to less mature behaviour
" Nail biting, hair twisting, thumb sucking or sighing deeply
" Friend trouble
" Behavioural problems, such as biting, kicking, poor listening, restlessness, acting out, impulsiveness, poor school performance, whining, crying, and fighting.

Although there's more research regarding the health effects of stress on adults, there's no reason children wouldn't experience similar effects.

What parents can do is often too simple, but due to their own stressors and busy lives, it often becomes challenging or pushed to the side:

1. Stop, look, and listen! This is one of the most effective and simplest strategies: really look at the child and seeing what they are doing, whether it's darting eyes or raised shoulders.... and really listening to their concerns while a connection is established.

2. Help kids cope: the best defence against stress is a healthy balanced lifestyle that includes physical activity, quiet time and relaxation techniques, with a primary emphasis on affectionate parents who are good listeners.

3. Be a good role model. Parents are terrible stress models for kids. "Where's the balance that we're modelling for kids as we answer cell phone calls in the middle of soccer games or we bring briefcase of work on holidays?

Helping children gain a sense of control through effective problem solving and decision making are great strategies for stress management. But it's important that parents first emulate the behaviour. Many professionals encourage parents to share their mistakes and challenges with their kids; this is an excellent and efficient way to teach them to problem solve when, for example they hear " I blew it at work today and this is what I'm going to do to retrace my steps"

4. Play with your kids: Above all, parents need to play with their kids. "Get to know your kids and let them get to know you." It's the only way parents can determine if stress is a problem in their child's life.

Some of the most important nutrients to help children cope with stress are the ones that strengthen the adrenal glands (stress glands):

" Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)-helps the adrenals function adequately
" Vitamin C-is vital for proper functioning of the adrenals
" L-Tyrosine (amino acid)-relieves excess stress put on the glands raw adrenal extract (adrenal glandular)-helps rebuild and repair the glands
" Coenzyme Q10-carries oxygen to the glands
" Multi vitamin-mineral complex-contains nutrients needed for correct functioning of the body

Naturopathic medicine offers many other therapies for reducing stress caused by the begining of school, such as: botanical medicine, acupuncture and chinese medicine,homeopathy,etc.

And now I'd like to invite you to learn more how naturopathy can help your child recover from stress and anxiety by offering you a free access to my upcoming Tele-seminar on natural kids health: for details, go here: http://www.doctoranca.com
From: Dr. Anca Martalog, N.D -http://www.telehealthsecrets.com

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