Healthier Meals from Farm to Table

With busy schedules and a plethora of unhealthy, but convenient foods out there, it’s easy to get your family in an unhealthy eating lifestyle. A recent article published by the Mayo Clinic explains that buying local not only supports farmers in the community and local economy, but also gives you an opportunity to go green and refresh your healthy eating habits. Here are some simple strategies that will help get you more bang (and flavor) for your buck at your local farmers market.

1) Shop Early for the Best Selection

Growers show up in the a.m. With their trucks full, so the closer to opening time you arrive, the better and broader your options will be. Take a few minutes to walk around and check out all the vendors’ offerings; you’re likely to find competing price points for the items you want.

2) Shop Late for Savings

Many farmers (though not all) would rather sell some of their items at a deep discount than haul heavy loads of their goods all the way back to their property. You may have to sacrifice variety (especially on busy weekends), but you might score a few bargains during the last hour of the day.

3) Have a Taste

You’d get some funny looks if you started nibbling on the fruits or baked goods at your grocery store. But plenty of vendors hand out samples to encourage you to test their bounty, so you’ll know right away if the berries are sweet enough for a pie or if the bread will make an excellent sandwich.

4) Try New Things

Go ahead and experiment with unfamiliar ingredients like purple cauliflower or kohirabi. Sellers are usually happy to suggest ways to cook with their crops. If you’re unsure about preparation, strike up a conversation before you buy.

5) Stock Up

While supermarket produce is often harvested weeks before it arrives in stores, the items you see at a greenmarket are usually plucked from the ground the day before you buy them. That means your purchases will have a longer life expectancy-so take home an armload of your favorite seasonal treat!

 

Getting Fit with “Green” Fashion and Accessories

America’s closets are turning green. In USA Today’s story on eco-friendly green fashion, we see how the same environmental sensibilities that have swept the foodie world (farm-to-table, organic produce) are making their way into the fashion industry.

So why choose eco-friendly apparel? Social consciousness – ethical treatment of animals, protecting natural resources – is a big motivator. But no one wants to wear something that doesn’t look and feel good too.

Get in gear and support the planet with these eco-friendly workout finds that will not only have you feeling great about doing right by the environment, but will have you looking good while doing so!

Joe To Go

Talk about a perk: Used coffee grounds are woven into the lining of this Moving Comfort Vixen sports bra (from $36, movingcomfort.com) to help keep skin cool, dry and odor-free.

Short Story

Subtle details like a raw fabric border below the tie-cord waistband give these organic cotton French terry Adidas by Stella McCartney Essentials shorts ($70; shop adidas.com) extra style points!

Tanks A Lot

Sport one of these Horny Toad Swifty V tanks ($58; hornytoad.com) during your next sweat session. The sleeveless staples incorporate recycled polyester fibers that wick away moisture.

Strike A Pose

Made from a sustainable fabric and treated with low-impact dyes, these Beyond Yoga fold-over capris ($71; beyondyoga.com) also boast recycled elastic for a “safe” stretch and comfy fit.

Now Hear This

Econation wooden earbuds ($15; merkuryinnovations.com) allow you to support the cause without sacrificing sound quality.

Metal Protector

Silver particles in this bamboo SilverSport Silver towel ($21; silversport.com) nix odor-causing bacteria. Bonus: non-skid threading prevents the sweat sopper from sliding off machines mid-workout.

Water Porter

The protective sleeve of the Bamboo Bottle ($25; opensky.com) is sourced from sustainable bamboo, while the inner bottle features 51 percent recycled glass.

Tread Lighter

The uppers of these New Balance newSKY 101 sneakers ($70; newbalance.com) are constructed from 95 percent recycled water bottled – eight per shoe – to give you an environmentally FRIENDLY kick!

Beach Motivator

Going to the beach can be a hassle if you’re a parent. Strut your stuff wearing your new eco-friendly gear and work up a sweat! Have baby in tow? Not a problem. BB Waters’ newest innovation, BeachBaby Towa’Round ($20; bbwaters.com), makes it easy to get around in the sand. Now you and your little one can go have some fun in the sun!

Related articles

• 6 Eco-Friendly Lunchbox Essentials for Green Kids (mysweetgreens.com)

Fertility – What You May Not Know

10 percent of couples end up facing infertility, which is defined as an inability to conceive after having unprotected sex for six months to a year. Though age is the most common cause, researchers are identifying a host of other factors that could cause trouble. The good news is that many are easy to change. Read on for a pre-baby correction course.

1) Exercising too much may hurt your chances of getting pregnant

If you’ve got babies on the brain, consider giving your body a break. New research in the journal Fertility and Sterility found that normal-weight women who exercised vigorously (including running and fast cycling) five or more hours a week were 42 percent less likely to conceive each month than those who were sedentary. Intense exercise can disrupt hormones and ultimately interfere with ovulation. The group with the best luck getting pregnant consisted of moderate movers who enjoyed activities like walking.

2) Make sure to add vitamin D to your prenatal vitamin mix

The “sunshine vitamin” is emerging as a major player in the fertility game as it may affect egg quality and embryo implantation. Ask your doctor to test your levels. If you’re lacking, she’ll probably recommend a supplement, as it’s hard to get ample D from the sun or food sources.

3) Scale back caffeine intake while you’re TRYING to get pregnant

A study from Denmark revealed that women who downed 300 to 700 milligrams of caffeine per day had a 12 percent lower chance of conceiving in a given cycle; those who drank more than that reduced their odds by 37 percent. Caffeine may decrease uterine blood flow, which can make conception and implantation more difficult.

4) Too much mercury could reduce your chances of getting pregnant

This toxin is well-known for interfering with neurological development in the womb, but it’s also associated with conception problems. In fact, a Chinese study found that infertile couples at more fish and had higher mercury concentrations in their blood than fertile pairs. Researchers think that this harmful compound may damage eggs as well as sperm.

5) Garden-variety stress can wreak havoc on fertility

Intense emotional turmoil can throw off your cycle, and even at lower levels can cause ovulation problems. A recent research review of women who had used assisted reproductive technology found that stressed-out women were less likely to conceive than their calmer counterparts.

Back To School Means Back To Healthy

After a Summer filled with barbecues, festivals, parties, and vacations, your kids are finally back to school. If all that summer fun has wreaked havoc on your daily health regime, fear not! Follow these easy 5 tips to get your life, and health, back on track.

1) Watch Your Wording

When laying out your lifestyle goals and objectives (for yourself AND your family), be careful not to express too vaguely. Rather than saying, for instance, “I will be more organized,” try, “I’ll spend 15 minutes of each day de-cluttering part of one room.” Likewise, in lieu of “I want to lose weight,” shoot for “I plan to drop 1 pound a week by cutting out late-night snacking.” Hoping to eat in more often? Commit to whipping up a home-cooked meal just three nights a week.

2) Build Your Case

To help clarify your goals and pump up your motivation, make a list of pros and cons. So if you’re aiming to exercise more, for example, pros would include as many reasons as possible to support that (e.g., you’ll lose weight, sleep better, boost your immunity, and lower stress). The cons would identify anything that might stand in the way of your success – say, a packed schedule or money issues. Don’t even attempt to tackle that resolution until the driving factors dramatically outweigh the obstacles.

3) Set Up Incentives

The urge to return to your old ways is going to be pretty powerful at times, which is why it’s critical to regularly galvanize and even reward yourself. Brought lunch from home for the entire work week? Treat yourself to a lipstick or some new songs for your iPod. For high-tech encouragement, turn to websites like habitforge.com and stick.com. They’ll send you emails with inspirational messages and even let you wager on your accomplishment: You can arrange for your hard-earned cash to be given away to a friend if you don’t meet your goals. How’s that for motivation?

4) Rally Support

Research proves that people who make healthy changes together are more likely to succeed. The more similar your objectives are, the better you’ll all do-so if your spouse isn’t up for the brand of self-improvement, keep looking. Check out sparkpeople.com to find a compatible diet comrade, ask someone in your HR department about getting a Weight Watchers at Work program going, or locate a running team in your area through the Road Runners Club of America (rrca.org).

5) Plan Ahead For Slip-Ups

Setbacks are inevitable. But you can improve your chances of a quick recovery by visualizing the fallout in advance. Imagine yourself reaching for a cigarette or biting into that forbidden piece of devil’s food cake. What will you do to avoid smoking the whole pack or scarfing down every sweet in sight for the rest of the day? Sometimes it’s as simple as reminding yourself that a small misstep is just that-a pause in your progress rather than an excuse to throw in the towel-and that you can pick up right where you left off. Enlisting a “backsliding buddy” (a person you call whenever your resolution mojo is faltering) also helps. The only difference between people who reach their goals and those who don’t is that those who succeed didn’t give up.

Related articles

• 3 Natural Ways to Lose Weight Without Killing Yourself! (epicahealth.com)

BB Waters Launches Innovative Must-Have Accessory for Beach-Bound Babies!

BB Waters announces the launch of a new accessibly priced luxury item, to put the ease in getting your stroller though the sand! BEACHBABY TOWA’ ROUND is a universal stroller accessory made to attach to the front of any stroller. Whether your little one is in the stroller or you are loaded down with everything in tow, BEACHBABY TOWA’ROUND makes rough terrains stress-free! The best part is this handy accessory can also be used to pull wagons, coolers and more!

Versatile and trendy.

Now everyone can be beach-bound with their baby in a stroll of comfort, because BB Waters’ BEACHBABY TOWA’ROUND is made to be compatible with most popular stroller brands. “Why struggle with pushing your stroller through the sand, especially when a trip to the Beach is supposed to be fun and relaxing,” says Anna Blazevich, the President and Founder of BB Waters. “Typical strollers are not sand and grass friendly, and may be rough on the back when trying to take all the necessities on your outing, this is an easy resolution.” Parents can now ENJOY their trek to the beach without leaving the stroller behind!

About BB Waters:

BB Waters is a product company that started along the Ocean shores of Southern California and a place where creative creation is the main ingredient involved in every endeavor. Each project is approached by taking the road less traveled in order to provide a tangible solution through innovative concept and remarkable design. We are dedicated to providing fresh, relevant and unique products to our customers. Our goal is to create vibrant, social marketplaces that empower local and national designers, suppliers and communities.

All products are parent tested and approved ‘For ease of mobility.’ For more information about BEACHBABY TOWA’ROUND or BB Waters, visit http://www.bbwaters.com.

Related articles

• BB Waters launches Innovative Must-Have Accessory for Beach Bound Babies! (ireport.cnn.com)

Back to School Anxiety Soothers

Is back-to-school anxiety worrying your kid? Try these calming tips.

Will I get more homework? What if my teacher is mean? Starting a new year comes with a lot of unknowns, so it’s no wonder that many parents report that their kiddo is struck with anxiety this time of year. The biggest clues: Her happy summer mood has quickly turned restless, irritable, or withdrawn, or she starts complaining about headaches, stomachaches, or sleep problems. The good news? It’s nothing for you to worry about, because we’ve asked the experts what you can do.

1. Share your story 

Tell your child about that time in third grade when you were so worried about [whatever] but it ended up being totally okay. It will be proof that she’ll be able to overcome her stress as well.

2. Get them moving 

All of the sitting still that comes with the return of school can wreak havoc on a kid’s nerves. To counter that, make sure your child gets plenty of exercise after school. Physical activity is great for preventing — and alleviating — anxiety.

3. Reset sleep

If you can, try to adjust summer sleep times to the school schedule one to two weeks before the first day. A sudden change in routine can trigger stress. If it didn’t work or if sleep is just hard to come by, practice deep belly breathing right before bed.

4. Make a plan  

For instance, if your child is worried about meeting new friends, have him wear (and look for) conversation-starter clothes. How it works: He spies a classmate with an Angry Birds T-shirt. He likes Angry Birds, too! Ask potential-new-friend if he likes Angry Birds Star Wars. Bond created!

 

Related Articles:

• Helping Kids Deal with Back to School Anxiety
• 4 ways to help your child avoid first day of school stress ()

Five Bonding Tips for Daddy and Baby

For nine months, pregnant mommies carry a precious, tiny human. Baby is a part of her and she is a part of them. They eat together, sleep together, and grow together. It is often effortless for moms to bond with their babies, as they have shared a life for many months, but what about Dad? It is just as important for Dads to bond with their baby, but it can be a little intimidating trying to measure up to the intimacy felt between mother and child. Although this may be the case, there are plenty of ways for a father to bond with his baby and become just as close to his little one as his female counterpart. Here are five activities to get you started!

1. Although Moms do most of the feeding in a child’s early stages of life, Dads can be a huge help in regards to midnight feedings. After a feeding, Dads can help out enormously by letting Moms go back to sleep while rocking, comforting, and calming Baby. This a great way to allow Mom some extra rest, while Dads get a little one-on-one time with their child. If it is not too difficult or inconvenient, Moms can even pump enough breast milk for an extra bottle or two, so Dad can contribute to the feeding process as well.   

2. Based on studies, moms and dads hold babies differently. Moms tend to be more gentle and close, while dads hold babies in a more firm or playful manner. This absolutely does not suggest being rough with your child, but it is important for him or her to be held in different ways by different people, leading to greater comfort in various situations with a variety of people. Dads should have plenty of physical contact with their baby, allowing the two of them to bond in their own special way. Babies love to be worn close to mom or dad in a sling, satchel, or strapped into a harness. There are many types of baby gear for you to choose from and there is something perfect for every family.

3. Talking to your baby is an incredibly healthy and helpful activity. Even reading the sports page of the newspaper or an article in a car magazine. This will not only allow for fathers to be vocal while his child learns, but it is a great way to spend time together while Dad is reading about the things that interest him, allowing for baby to be a part of Dad’s enjoyable, daily activities.

4. Be a part of your baby’s routine. Young children respond to consistency, in terms of a daily or nightly schedule. Dads should play a role in their child’s routine, helping the baby find comfort in structure while enjoying time with Dad.

5. Lastly, it is so important for Dads to be able to understand and support the needs and wishes of Moms. By paying attention to subtle clues, hints, or gestures, Dads can learn to be present for their families, which will create a stronger, healthier relationship. Parents that come together, help each other, and recognize how special and unique their child is will lead to a cohesive, powerful, fulfilling bond that is one of the most rewarding parts of parenting.

Although these may seem like simple solutions for Dads and their babies to bond, they are great tips to establish a solid foundation to raise happy, healthy individuals.

 

Story Sources:

Picoult, Jodi (n.d.). Top tips for dads on bonding with your baby. Retrieved July, 2013 from http://www.babycenter.com/0_top-tips-for-dads-on-bonding-with-your-baby_3692.bc?page=2

Zawilinski, Kaelin (n.d.). 12 Ways for Dad to Bond with Baby. Retrieved July 2013 from http://www.parents.com/baby/new-parent/fatherhood/bond-with-dad/#page=12

 

Blog written by Rebecca Eisenberg. View more of Rebecca’s work here.

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• The New Dad: Ways to Bond with Baby (babyzone.com)

Effective Child Discipline – Focus on your Parenting

Although discipline tactics and time-outs can be a more unpleasant part of raising children, it is necessary to recognize naughty behavior and act accordingly to ensure your little one knows right from wrong. It is absolutely essential to reward and reinforce good behavior while also making it very clear to guide your child away from acting inappropriately. There are many different methods to discipline your child depending on your child’s learning style and your own personal preference. To be most successful in disciplining when your child acts out, it is important to use a variety of tactics to see which one works best for your family.

Time-outs are just one of the many techniques to choose from, but should not be used alone. Time-outs should be used as a break in communication between child and parent, allowing for the child to practice calming his or herself down. This not only lets the child know that what he or she did was wrong, but helps to establish self-control and encourages independence. Here are three tips that we recommend:

1. Punishing your child for every little thing he or she does will not do anyone any good. It is extremely important to help your child form healthy habits and learn that it is wrong to act violently, dangerously, or inappropriately. Figure out what is most important to you. Differentiate the behaviors that are absolutely not okay and the behaviors that are indicative of early childhood. For example, will you reprimand your daughter if she insists on wearing the same pink skirt for a week or would you rather instill the notion that biting is very bad? It is absolutely normal for children to have bouts of anger, confusion, and frustration and it is our jobs as parents to help them. If you punish your son or daughter every time they cry, this may confuse your child into thinking feeling sad, angry, or upset is wrong. Choose your battles wisely in order to properly discipline your child.

2. Consistency is the key. Your reactions to your child’s behavior must be consistent in order to help them understand the difference between good and bad behavior. There is no set schedule or explicit guidelines to follow to ensure your child will stop behaving inappropriately; therefore, it is important to consistently reinforce your corrections. For example, if your child is using hitting to communicate, use a similar tone of voice and volume to state that this is not okay.

3. Be clear, short, and simple when disciplining your child. Although it may be difficult, try not to get emotional. For many of us, it is hard not to give in, reasoning through lengthy conversations of why this is wrong. This may do more harm than good, confusing your child into thinking that the bad behavior is acceptable. Keep it short and simple by speaking in short sentences, using expressions, and a stern tone of voice. Repetition is helpful as well, establishing these lessons and allowing for them to sink in.

These are three of my most influential discipline tips I have found to be effective in raising a well-behaved and confident child.

Hanson, Cynthia (n.d.). 7 Tips for Disciplining Your Toddler. Retrieved July 15, 2013, from http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/discipline/tips/7-tips-for-disciplining-your-toddler/?page=3

Blog written by Rebecca Eisenberg. View more of Rebecca’s work here.

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• Disciplining Your Child – Why & How (roomtogrow.co.uk)

Fire Up Your Fertility

After years of using contraception, many women may wonder about their ability to conceive. Well, not to worry: Research shows that these lifestyle tweaks will increase your odds.

Weigh In

Being in a healthy weight range (a BMI between 18.5 and 25) reduces the time it takes to get pregnant, according to a study in Fertility and Sterility. For each number over 29 a woman’s BMI climbed, her chance of pregnancy fell by 4 percent. Underweight? Having too little extra cushioning not only impedes conception, it also increases a woman’s risk of miscarriage and premature birth, says Mark Perloe, M.D., a fertility specialist in Atlanta.

Check Your Lube

Studies show that water-based lubricants might damage sperm and make it harder for them to swim. If your lovemaking could use less friction, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine recommends using plain mineral or canola oil, or a pH-friendly hydroxyethylcellulose-based lubricant like Pre-Seed Personal Lubricant.

Forgo “Bad” Fats

Women who consume lower levels of trans fats and sugar and more vegetable protein are more fertile, say researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health. In one study, getting just 2 percent of total calories from trans fats doubled the risk for ovulation-related fertility problems.

Get Some Shut-Eye

Too little sleep leads to low levels of the hormone leptin, and this dip may signal the brain to suspend nonessential functions like ovulation.

Relax Already!

The more stressed women are, the less likely they are to conceive. Try yoga or meditation, both of which may lead to increase pregnancy rates.

When To “Go For It”

The best time to try baby-making is right after your body releases a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). This increase triggers ovulation, which is the most fertile time of your cycle. Aim to have sex one to three days following the LH rise, with peak fertility – and your best chance at hitting baby bingo – occurring during that window, 36 hours after the spike.

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• Should You Use an Ovulation Predictor Kit? (babyzone.com)

Top Kiddie Carriers Make Workouts Even Easier

Most people realize that exercise and a healthy lifestyle are important. Moms want to be around to meet their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and we have a better chance of that if we take care of our bodies now. For years, we’ve all been told that keeping active will give us more energy to play with our kids. Let’s face it – more energy is a pretty enticing offer for most parents. Possibly even better, it will teach our children to lead more healthy lives.

With these amazing accessories, what better way to work out than with your little one in tow! The newest crop of kiddie carriers makes working out with your child safer and comfier than ever before.

 

 

 

Run Plus One: Best Running Carrier

You can lock the front wheel of this BOB Revolution SE Stroller ($450; rei.com) in the forward position to increase stability while you’re jogging!

 

 

 

Stride Right: Best Walking Carrier

The cushioned straps and waist belt on the Britax baby carrier ($130; britaxusa.com) help distribute your tyke’s weight evenly to maximize comfort on long walks.

 

 

Take a Spin: Best Bicycle Carrier

Your precious cargo will be safely guarded from win, rain, debris, and insects in this Schwinn Spirit Bicycle Trailer ($139; walmart.com).

 

 

 

Hit the Trail: Best Hiking Carrier

A five-point harness in the Kelty FC 3.0 ($250; kelty.com) keeps a tot up to 50 pounds secure on hikes, while the removable canopy protects from sun and showers.