Vitamin D and You: Are You Deficient?

It is a question that no one is asking. You feel lethargic and running on empty. Work could be tiring you out but the answer might also be something else. Could you be deficient in vitamin D?

What Is Vitamin D?

You read it on the milk carton, but what is it really? This vitamin is produced in the body as a result of exposure to sunlight. When you get outside and soak up some natural rays (not too many), they are absorbed through the skin where a chemical reaction takes place and vitamin D is formed. That’s why it is referred to as the “sunshine vitamin.”

You can also find this vitamin in foods. One biggie is milk. Most, if not all milk contains added vitamin A and D. Naturally, it is found in fish liver oils, some fish and eggs. Many food producers today are adding this vitamin and others as a way to increase consumption of necessary nutrients. You may read of its inclusion in cereals, juices and whole grains.

Why do you need vitamin D? It is essential for strong bones and teeth. Calcium keeps bones strong, it is true, but vitamin D is vital because it enables the body to utilize the calcium it receives through food and supplements. As you get older, lack of calcium can lead to osteoporosis and other skeletal problems. It isn’t just a matter of calcium but also vitamin D.

Symptoms of Deficiency

How do you know if you are Vitamin D deficient? Here are some of the signs that your levels are lower than need be.

* Fatigue – You are always tired even when your work day isn’t so strenuous.

* Body aches – Bone pain is a common sign of vitamin D deficiency. Muscle aches can also fall into this category.

* Weight issues – It may be harder to get your weight under control when you lack sufficient amounts of vitamin D in your bloodstream.

What Puts You at Risk

What could put you at risk for vitamin D deficiency?

* Obesity – Fat cells are used to remove vitamin D from the bloodstream. Too much fat can result in lower levels of the vitamin in the body.

* Ethnicity – Darker skinned individuals have melanin pigment in their skin, making it harder to absorb the vitamin D. Longer exposure to the sun can fix that.

* Limited sunlight – Living in an area where the sun rarely shines greatly inhibits the intake of vitamin D.

* Limited diet – Lack of the foods that contain vitamin D in your diet can also lower your overall daily intake.

* Digestive issues – Conditions like Crohn’s disease reduces the ability of the intestines to absorb the needed vitamin D.

If you are not sure about your levels or if they are low enough to cause problems, see your doctor and have your blood drawn for testing.

Trendy colors for 2014

Don’t be afraid of color. In colder months, it’s as if the color drains out of your wardrobe like it drains out of nature. Don’t hibernate; come alive in your fashion. Spruce it up with these colors that will be trending for the next year.

What is it about color? Most people like to play it safe, especially if they are older. Color is thought to be a youthful thing. However, while it is youthful, it is not just for youth. There are some young people who go overboard with color and look like they got into a fight at a paint store.

Dare to look younger than your age by adding a bright splash to the clothing you like to wear the most. The best part about color is that you get to shop for accessories as well. That’s more retail therapy.

The great thing about color is that it works on many levels. Party dresses, jeans, sweaters, jackets, accessories, eyewear, skirts, silk, cotton, corduroy, fleece and the like are all great. They may each reflect a certain color in different ways that can enhance your look when worn with similar colors.

Trendy Colors for 2014

So, what colors do you need to add to your wardrobe?

* Blue – This is not basic blue but brighter shades like royal blue and even deeper shades that make you pale in comparison.

* Orange – Go for bright shades that make a statement and contrast well with your skin tone. Orange is a great color for fall and winter.

* Green – This is a deep green like forest or gray-green tones for coats, dresses, scarves and hats. Green works well with military fashions.

* Purple – It is the color of royalty when it’s darker but we are going for the lilacs and the lavenders here. They communicate femininity and delicateness.

* Deep reds – Avoid the candy apple variety but go for burgundy and blood red for parties and in everyday wear to make a stylish statement.

Hair Coloring

When it comes to hair, colors are trending here as well. One that stands out is the red. Bold, red shades add fire to your life and pump up your look. Match your hair color to your skin coloring. Some colors won’t work with all skin tones and your colorist should apprise you of this. For lighter skin tones, pastel is daring and trending for 2014.

Reds and browns work well on all skin tones. Go auburn, light brown with highlights, reddish brown and all variations in between. Layers can soften the look of a bold color.

Blond is ever trending. This is the light mixed with brown as well as ash blond.

Makeup Coloring

Again, bold is in. Go for deep colored shadows like blue and green. Lips can even be bold in orange and pink and red. Metallic colors for lids like gold and silver are great for winter and fall. Want a more ethereal look? Go for pearl and opaque to give your face a timeless appeal.

So, what colors are you thinking about for next year?

“Tough Love” – How to Best Serve It

The term tough love may not be all that familiar these days. Many years ago, the term tough love indicated a need for an individual to exude a stern, firm, and sometimes harsh demeanor toward a loved one. Was this so that the individual could be abusive? Most certainly not – tough love has the best interests of a loved one at heart.

Tough love may not be all that well known these days, but it is making a comeback. It is a method of loving someone, but not enabling them. Putting up healthy boundaries and having them suffer consequences of their actions are just two examples of tough love.

Tough love is used in many ways and for many individuals.

Parents of Teenagers

A teenager has to struggle through the rite of passage from puberty, through the teen years, and right into adulthood. And right there suffering with them, are their parents.

We all know teenagers that have pulled a few stunts here and there. This may even bring back memories of a few we pulled ourselves. We all probably know someone who has a child (or maybe they even did this themselves when they were a teen) who took the family car out for a spin without anybody knowing about it.

Tough love comes into play when you make your teens accountable for their actions. In the example of taking the car out, one appropriate scenario is to hold off on allowing them drivers’ education or their own car longer than anticipated.

Another, more extreme example, if your teen is experimenting with alcohol or not obeying curfew is to have them go and live elsewhere until they choose to straighten themselves out. Offer help in the form of support groups and counseling, of course, but if all else fails, having them go elsewhere to a facility is considered tough love at its strongest.

Loved Ones with Addictions

For loved ones with addictions, tough love can be brutal. There are many support groups that will prepare you for dealing with this:

* Drub rehabilitation centers
* Alcoholics Anonymous
* Counseling
* School counseling
* Group therapy

These are all ways to find and discover more about tough love for loved ones with addictions.

Sometimes the best and first step to using tough love with a loved one – no matter the scenario – is to stop enabling them, let go, and seek the help that both you and they need.

Top Home Fitness Trends for the New Year

Everyone knows somebody (including themselves) who has a good intention to work out. Many of those individuals even join a gym – and then they never go to that gym. That is why so many of those individuals choose to exercise from home these days.

Exercising from home has its benefits. There is no excuse that you are too tired to drive, or do not have enough time or the money to spend on a monthly membership. You are already standing in the place where you will exercise.

So once you have chosen to take home fitness seriously, how about exploring some of the newest home fitness trends for the New Year?

High Intensity Training

High intensity training involves high impact bursts of exercise that are extremely intense combined with lower impact bouts of resting periods. These home exercise routines are highly intense and can incorporate regimens such as yoga, martial arts, kickboxing, and weights as well.

The purpose behind high intensity training is to take the body beyond its limits and then experience periods of rest. This high intensity training is supposed to bring about optimal results.

There are both benefits and risks involved with high intensity training, just as with any other exercise regimen. For example, the benefits may show up in efficiency and proof that this type of exercise really does work. One of the risks may include injury or issues with the heart if you are not heart healthy to begin with.

Yoga

Yoga is making a huge comeback and is showing up in a variety of styles and ways. There are many new forms of yoga that will be showing up as the latest trend for 2014.

Martial arts, swim, and dance yoga are to just name a few. KOGA, otherwise known as kickboxing and yoga, is picking up steam. Combining the intense movements of kickboxing with yoga highlights the intrinsic differences between the two, making it more powerful and effective.

Bodyweight Training

Bodyweight training is hot, hot, hot right now and getting hotter by the moment. Bodyweight training uses no free weights, just the body to achieve maximum goals. While push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups are the most common, new and innovative bodyweight training exercises are on their way down the pike.

If you cannot afford equipment and are short on time, bodyweight training is an excellent choice for you. If spending money on a gym is not an option and you feel intimidated by working out in front of others, bodyweight trainings is an excellent option.

These are just a few of the top home fitness trends for the New Year.

Top Five Makeup Mistakes

You would think with so many trends in makeup these days, there is not a wrong way to enhance your beauty. Yes, there is. Keep reading and you will discover the top makeup mistakes that women routinely make. See if you are guilty of any of them yourself.

Reason for Makeup

Why do you wear makeup in the first place? For most women, it is to look more beautiful. Makeup can enhance great features and minimize those we don’t want to draw attention towards. As they say, “makeup covers a multitude of sins.”

Unfortunately, if you are not applying it properly, you could be creating more problems than you solve. Remember, the clown face is only for the circus and Halloween. Spare yourself the agony and strange looks by getting it right before you walk out the door. Look your best at every turn.

Top Five Makeup Mistakes Women Make

1. Drawing on your face – Drawing your eyebrows in is a no-no. That single thin line along the brow bone actually gives you more of an alien “I come in peace” look. For thin eyebrows, use brow powder to give the illusion of fullness. Another trick is to use a brow pencil in short feathery strokes amongst your natural brows and then brow powder on top.

2. Dark lip liner on light lips – This is a totally 80s look and is no longer in fashion – anywhere. Black lip liner with red lipstick or red liner with nude lipstick is not happening. Always try to match your lip liner to the color of your lipstick for a flawless look that shapes the lip without bleeding and feathering.

3. Cat eyes – We’ve all seen it. The eyeliner that extends so far outside the corner of the eye that you look like you stepped out of an Egyptian hieroglyph. It is not necessary to create a dramatic eye. Instead, use a liner pencil and frame the upper and lower lashes with both lines meeting no more than a quarter of an inch past the eye’s corner.

4. Clumpy mascara – It makes it look like you got made up in a hurry. Lashes make eyes “pop” when they are each smoothly coated to the end with a mascara brush. They lengthen and separate. What is not so cute are intermittent clumps along the lashes that can be easily seen. There was probably too much mascara on the brush before you started. Combing lashes after application can remove such clumps.

5. Cherry cheeks – It is not necessary to make the apples of your cheeks noticeably brighter that the rest of your face. A good blush application is one that gives you a hint of colorful flush that seamlessly blends in with the rest of your skin color. Always bump off any excess blush from the brush before application.

Are you guilty of any of these beauty faux-pas? They are easy to fix.

Top Five Fashion Mistakes

When it comes to fashion, who can keep up? It is just like technology. As soon as you get the latest thing, the trendsetters have moved on to something else. Oh well. There are still some things that you simple need to avoid no matter what your signature style. Do you know what they are already?

The Fashion Police Are Coming

The sky isn’t falling, but the fashion police will surely arrive at your house if you commit any of the following offenses. Actually they may not, but they should. Hopefully, there is that one trusty person in your life that will tell you the truth about your outfits – before you step out the door in public.

Truthfully, much of fashion is a matter of taste. That is what makes it your personal style. In light of that, the fashion mistakes that will be highlighted here do not attack personal style but how you would wear any style of clothing that you like. Now, there are some definite choices that you should not make as well, but you’ll soon see what we are talking about.

Top Five Fashion Mistakes that Women Make

1. Bigger is definitely not better – We are talking about clothing here. Whoever said that wearing baggy clothing was stylish or made you look thinner, wanted a good laugh at someone else’s expense. In a nutshell, it just looks sloppy. And, it makes you look older. Ever notice that some elderly people do the same? For anyone of any age, wear clothes that fit your size and shape. That is the most flattering of all.

2. Do not sneak into your daughter’s closet – There is nothing worse than a mom who dresses like her daughter. Can you say, “Recapturing your youth?” It isn’t happening and everyone knows it. Trends that are good for young girls just look sad on their mothers.

3. What hides beneath is not flattering – If you wear a light shirt, always pair it with a darker bra. The see-through shirt and light bra went out with the 80s thankfully. Granny panties under a fitting dress are also a major no-no. Invest in tummy shapers and bras that support for special occasions. All the celebrities do.

4. Mismatched clothing – Colorblocking is one thing but clothing material that doesn’t even remotely belong on the same body at the same time is not right. When shopping, have a plan for your wardrobe and signature look. Picking up odds and ends can leave you with a closet full of junk no matter how much it costs.

5. These shoes are made for no one – A stellar outfit can be brought low by the wrong shoe. Just because it looks cute on the rack doesn’t mean it will be cute on you or with your outfit. Heels make you look taller. Flats can make an outfit look dumpy, especially a long dress or skirt. Too many straps across the foot are also a no go. Choose a complementary color, not one that signifies your feet didn’t get the memo about today’s outfit.

Fashion mistakes can happen to anyone. Now that you know, refuse to become a fashion victim.

The Importance of Dental Care for Children

Dentists recommend adults stop by for a check-up twice a year. What about kids? Even though they start out with no teeth and end up losing their baby teeth, dental care is critical for children. Laying a solid foundation of dental care can prevent cavities, acid erosion, tooth decay, gum disease and a whole host of problems that can result from that, such as cardiovascular disease.

A healthy mouth can give a child a confident smile and lead to more confidence throughout life. Here are some facts about dental care to keep in mind.

The center for Pediatric Dentistry says early dental care is important because more than 40% of children have tooth decay before kindergarten.

* Early check-ups prevent cavities and tooth decay.
* With healthy teeth, children learn to chew easily, speak clearly and smile with confidence.
* Proper cleansing can remove bacteria in the mouth which can lead to other diseases.

Here are some tips for dental care at various ages:

# Birth-1

* Wipe your baby’s gums with a washcloth to clear bacteria from gums.
* When the first tooth arrives, gently begin to brush the tooth daily.
* Dentists recommend that only breast milk, milk or formula go in the baby’s bottle. No juice or sugar water or soft drinks.
* Avoid letting your baby sleep with a bottle in its mouth. Milk and juice contain sugars that cause tooth decay.
* As your child begins to get teeth, brush with an infant toothbrush and a tiny dab of baby toothpaste.

# Age 1-2

* Dentists recommend parents teach children to drink from a cup as early as the age of one and avoid prolonged reliance on sippy cups.
* Consider scheduling the first dentist visit between age 1-2. Although your child may not have all his or her teeth yet, the dentist will examine your child’s mouth and talk about what to expect in the next year. For many young children, this first visit will be the start of a positive experience at the dentist and begin a solid foundation of dental health care throughout their life.

# Age 2-6

* Your toddler will be able to brush her own teeth with supervision and spit the toothpaste out. Some experts recommend continuing to brush their teeth for them until the age of six.
* Many recommend that children brush as long as “Old McDonald” or the ABC song so that they know they’re spending enough time.
* Monitor your child’s intake of sugary foods and drinks.

Starting your child out with healthy dental habits will begin a pattern of a lifetime of healthy habits. If you can start your child out with healthy habits from the start, she will develop the habit of brushing and flossing daily.

Early positive experiences with the dentist’s office will make those twice-yearly visits easy and part of your routine. Beginning from an early age with healthy dental habits can help prevent disease, give your child a foundation of healthy habits, a confident smile, strong teeth and healthy gums that will last a lifetime.

The Importance of a Solid Foundation for Kids

Kids need a solid foundation. They need someone there when they are young to take care of them when they are sick, to teach them right from wrong, and to generally provide stability in their lives. Researchers have determined that the solid foundation is especially crucial in the early years, from birth through age three.

Although nobody’s perfect and your child will undoubtedly be first in line to let you know this once she is a teenager, here are some suggestions to lay a good foundation for your children.

Stability and Routine

Stability and routine are important to children. Most parents can’t be with their children 24/7, but maybe there’s a particular time of day when you can be with your child consistently. For example, some parents work late but manage to be home for story time every night. Other parents can always be available in the morning to make a healthy breakfast, set out the backpacks and see the kids off to school.

If you have odd hours but can be around in the middle of the day, that can work, too – for example, many elementary schools allow parents to sit in the cafeteria with their children for a special lunch together. Anything will work as long as you’re providing some stability and familiar routine.

Reading

One way to provide some familiar routine is to read to your child every night. Reading to your child is a huge contribution to your child’s solid foundation. Experts say even from the womb your baby will get used to the sound of your voice and will find it very comforting.

Reading to babies teaches them about communication, builds listening and memory skills and exposes them to numbers, letters and new words in a fun way that can become a part of your daily routine. Researchers say that reading to your child as a baby will give them a stronger vocabulary by age two and make them a better reader later.

The National Institute for Child Health and Human Development has done research that has led them to say, “Reading is the single most important skill necessary for a happy, productive and successful life. A child that is an excellent reader is a confident child, has a high level of self-esteem and is able to easily make the transition from learning to read to reading to learn.” What better way to lay a solid foundation than to read a few minutes every night.

Beyond the Basics

Beyond the basics of ensuring that you provide your children with healthy food, exercise, love them and keep them safe, you could drive yourself crazy considering all the things you have to teach them — right from wrong, how to be a good friend, how to do algebra, stress management, responsibility, your values. You could read all the childcare books ever written and they’d all say something different.

In the end, it all comes down to the quality time they spend with you. Kids learn by example and you’re their example. Maybe they’ll learn how to play checkers, how to root for their favorite baseball team, how to be a good sport. Maybe they’ll learn the importance of a family vacation at the lake.

All of these seemingly little things add up to make your child the wonderful child that they are going to become. You’re a good guide. Just go forward and be yourself and do your best.

The Darwin Awards – Why (Most) Women Are Too Forward Thinking to Win Them

There are those who seek. Those who strive. Those who break new ground. And then there are those, who… well. They screw up. A lot of really stupid things happen in this world, and there are a lot of really stupid people. But there are a select, exceptional few that go above and beyond the ordinary. For these impressive few, there are no limits — there are no heights to which they will not seek to climb, no depths to which they will not travel, no experiment untested.

Just like Homer Simpson, that fateful day in which he got his arm stuck in a vending machine for hours because he would not let go of the candy bar in his hand, there are others who have achieved similar heights of… stupidity. And these people don’t go uncelebrated, thanks to the Darwin Awards.

The Darwin Awards began in 1985. Named after Charles Darwin, who developed the theory of evolution, the Darwin Awards are awarded annually to honor those who have best displayed Darwin’s theory of evolution by, according to Wikipedia, “self-selecting themselves out of the gene pool via death or sterilization via their own (unnecessarily foolish) actions.” The requirements to win a Darwin Award are the following:

* Inability to produce – The nominee must be dead or sterile.

* Excellence – The candidate must display “astoundingly stupid judgement” via incredibly foolish feats.

* Self-selection – The nominee must contribute to their own demise.

* Maturity – The candidate should be capable of sound judgement. (That’s not to say that he or she actually displayed it on this particular feat.)

* Veracity – The tale of excellence must be true. There have been quite a few internet emails circulating about Darwin Award winners that turned out not to be true.

Perhaps it won’t surprise you that the majority of Darwin Award winners are men. Why so few women? Is this yet another glass ceiling, old boy network that women need to organize together to burst through? Well, in recent years the book of Darwin Award winners has been put together by a woman, Wendy Northcutt. So it’s not that women aren’t involved.

Is this a case of a man-hating woman spitefully organizing a collection of the stupid deeds of men? Well, the Darwin Awards stemmed from an 80s usenet newsgroup discussion, one that wasn’t women only. Hmmm. Could it be that women are simply too forward thinking to win the lottery and then go on a marijuana-and-meth binge that results in blowing up the house?

There are women who have won the Darwin Awards. They won for incidents such as not waiting for a free shuttle bus to a parking lot after a concert, choosing instead a mad dash across a seven-lane interstate – during a raging thunderstorm. Another woman won – a biology teacher who happened to have several different types of chemicals in her car. She and her friends poured them into the sewer drain and it exploded, severing her head.

While the severed head example does fall into the category of “excellence,” one can argue that at least she was a biology teacher. The concert women were in a hurry. Another candidate that didn’t win was annoyed that the men in her life weren’t listening to her so she cut the cord on the TV and created an explosion that knocked her across the room.

However, the vast majority of Darwin Award winners are men. Gals — this is one honor that we can just leave to the men. They like attention. They do spectacular things. Let’s allow them to receive the recognition they so deserve. 😉

Teens and a Budget: Is There Such a Thing?

If you have teenagers, then you know how expensive they are. The old saying that small children need small things and big children need bigger things certainly is true. But, can you successfully set a budget with your teenagers? Of course, you can. It may not be easy, at first, but it is certainly doable. There are a few tips and tricks to setting and keeping a budget when you have teenagers.

It’s All about Communication

If you are determined to set a budget and stick with it, be sure to include your teens in the conversation. Implementing a budget and not letting them in on it, is like pulling the proverbial rug out from underneath them. You cannot expect good results if everyone is not on the same page.

Start out by letting your teens know that you are implementing a budget. Sit down with them and your spreadsheets if necessary and show them what the bills of the house look like. If you do not feel comfortable showing them what the monetary intake of the household is, that is just fine.

Be certain to let them know how much money you need to make up at the end of the month and what your thoughts are as to what needs to be cut. Sit down and have a round-table discussion, letting everyone know you will have a meeting to discuss the budget.

Troubleshoot

Make certain that you approach this with the idea that everyone is important and everyone’s thoughts are important as well. Allow everyone to put in his or her two cents, so to speak. Take a look at everyone’s ideas and see the benefits and risks of those ideas.

By having an open mind, you make your teenagers feel as though they are part of the process and not just being dictated to or yelled at by you.

Be Active

When it comes to making and setting a budget, everyone needs to be actively involved. Allow your teens to discuss after school work and part-time jobs with you. If you are like most parents, you may rather have them stay home and give them an allowance as compared to driving them all over creation to earn the same amount of money.

Discuss it with your teen and see how they may actively fit into the budget scenario. Perhaps your teen can work and put some money aside for their cell phone or to save for a first-time car. Maybe they can contribute in other ways by working around the house in exchange for gas and socialization money.

Whatever you do, make sure that your teen is actively involved in all aspects of the budget.

Maintenance

Last but not least, stick to your budget – do not cave in. If there is something extra that comes up, let your teen continue to brainstorm or take on more work such as pet sitting to make up the difference.

Be firm but fair and your budget and your relationship with your teen should stay successfully intact.

Teaching Your Kids about Gun Safety

While your first instinct is to keep your kids in the dark about guns and weapons, in today’s day and age that is really not feasible any longer. Educating your kids that guns and weapons do exist and what you expect them to do if they encounter a dangerous situation is vital to his or her wellbeing.

Of course, the age of your child will determine how to approach the situation.

There are several ways to teach your child about gun safety as a youngster. First and foremost, as an adult, you need to take most of the responsibility with your child’s safety – most especially with gun safety.

If you do own a gun, make sure that it is kept locked away from your curious youngster. More importantly, make sure with absolute certainty that the gun and its ammunition are stored in two completely separate places.

Of course, the most logical thing is not to own a gun at all with small children in the home. Also of importance is to teach your child to tell you if a friend or family member has a gun and they have seen or have access to it. Tell your child that if they ever go to someone’s home and there is a gun, that you need to know immediately. Reassure them that you will never get mad at them for telling you about it. Let them know early on that they can come to you and tell you anything.

What is even more crucial in today’s day and age is to teach your children (no matter what age) that toy guns look exactly like real guns. Tell them to take no chances; if they are not sure, they should remove themselves from the area, and tell an adult.

Just as with anything else, communication is crucial at any age. It is imperative that you discuss with children the dangers of handling a gun. They may see a lot of gun handling in video games and on television and, unfortunately, in real life.

Conversation is a crucial link to educating your children to the dangers of handling a gun. If you depend on a video game or television show to educate your children about guns, chances are this will be a glorified version of what a gun can really do. The best form of education for a younger child is conversation and communication.

Do not under any circumstances leave it to chance when it comes to your child’s safety and wellbeing and the safety and wellbeing of those around them.

For older children such as teens, gun safety takes a step forward. For the most part, 18 may be the legal age for gun ownership. If your child is determined to own a gun and partake in sporting events such as target shooting or hunting (depending on where you live), it is vital that you get them the proper education, training, and skills to learn how to partake in such sports safely and wisely.

This is in the best interest of your child and those around them, even if they are between the ages of 18 and 21.

Teaching Your Children to Brush Their Teeth

Some experts are divided on what age your child can begin to brush on his or her own. Some suggest that you brush for your child until he or she turns six. Others suggest that at age three your child can begin to brush under your guidance and that at age four your child should be able to brush daily and nightly on their own. Here are a few guidelines for teaching your children how to brush their teeth:

Birth to Age One:

* Dentists recommend that parents begin gently washing a baby’s gums with gauze or a washcloth daily to prevent the spread of bacteria.

* When that first pearly white that pokes through, a special baby toothbrush will polish that beautiful tooth.

* Very young children may not be able to spit out the toothpaste. If you’re concerned that your child isn’t able to do this, just use a soft baby toothbrush and gently brush with water.

* Apply a dollop of paste to a soft baby toothbrush, give it a good brush, and help your child to rinse and spit. Usually two-year-olds are able to do this.

* Once your child’s teeth begin touching, you can begin to gently floss between their teeth. Strive for every night, but at minimum, floss twice per week.

Ages Two to Six:

* Help your child angle the toothbrush to get all of their teeth and gums.

* Guide your child’s hand to move the brush back and forth. Be sure they get the front, back and top of their teeth.

* Experts suggest that children brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. Coincidentally, the old wives’ tale that a round of “Old McDonald” or the Alphabet song is a good way to measure that the child has completed two minutes’ worth of brushing is a good way to prevent your child from a quick dab-and-dash job. However, it doesn’t usually hit the two-minute mark until you’ve brushed your way through cows, chicks, goats, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, roosters, farmers…

Tips:

* Your child’s toothbrush should be age appropriate. A baby toothbrush for those first teeth, a toddler toothbrush for your toddler and so on. The bristles should be soft and the size and shape should allow your child to reach each area of the mouth.

* Replace the toothbrush every 3-4 months or after your child has been ill.

* Fluoride is important, but baby toothpaste does not contain fluoride because it can be dangerous if they swallow it. Wait until your dentist says it’s ok to start using fluoride toothpaste, and then be sure to keep it and other items containing fluoride, such as mouthwash, away from your child.

* Concerned about whether your child is reaching every area? Disclosing tablets, found at most drugstores, can show you any plaque that remains after brushing.

Teaching your children to brush their teeth is an important way to lay the foundation for a strong, healthy dental experience that will impact your child’s health for yours to come. With a few simple tips, your child will be on his or her way to a healthy mouth.

Stevia: The Super Sugar Substitute

We have all heard about the detrimental health effects of sugar. What if you need something sweet but don’t want to ruin your health? One alternative that has come about is stevia. It is being called the “super sugar substitute.”

What Is Stevia?

Stevia is a natural sweetener and an alternative to sugar. It is produced from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. These leaves have been used by South Americans for years as a sweetener and for medicinal purposes. The shrub grows naturally there.

Stevia is produced in crystal form like sugar and also in liquid extract. It is said to be over 300 times sweeter than sugar. You won’t have to use as much to get the same sweet result. A teaspoon of sugar provides 15 calories. One packet of stevia is equivalent to two teaspoons of sugar and provides only 5 calories. The body treats all sugar the same, so less is always preferable to more. With stevia, your caloric intake won’t add up as quickly.

Health Effects of Stevia

This sweet substitute wasn’t approved in the US by the FDA until 2008. It was found to be safe for human consumption without causing health problems. Using a substance such as this can lower sugar intake, thereby helping sufferers of metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes and other conditions. It may be easier to wean oneself off of sugar this way.

When it comes to cooking, however, sugar will still be needed. Stevia doesn’t brown foods like sugar and won’t ferment yeast for breads. It doesn’t provide the same bulk to foods as sugar because it is such a concentrated sweetener. Some bakers have mixed stevia with sugar to lower the calories in baked desserts.

Just like any other substitute in the body it is important to know about side effects. While stevia is ruled safe by the FDA, some consumers have experienced dizziness, bloating, nausea and muscle pain. These are not common effects, however. Because stevia is manufactured from a plant, those who are allergic to ragweed might experience an allergic reaction while using stevia.

Stevia can interfere with some medications so inform your doctor if you are using it as a sugar substitute. Stevia interacts with lithium, medications for diabetes and some medications for high blood pressure.

Just like with sugar, try to use the smallest amount possible whenever you can. Since it is so much sweeter than sugar, one packet should suffice for coffee and tea. Test the sweetness as you add the stevia to ensure you don’t add too much.

Will stevia replace sugar? Probably not, but it does offer a viable alternative to those trying to reduce the amount of sugar that they consume as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Prepare Your Kids for Emergency Situations

Unfortunately, in today’s society, you have to prepare your children for emergency situations of all types. While you do not want to scare them, it is necessary for them to be well aware of dangerous situations and how they can protect themselves.

There are several arenas where we will have to teach our children about safety. Of course, we wish to keep them home and safe all the time; however, that is not reality. Teaching our children about being safe in the home, at school, while out with friends, and with their peers is essential to their safety and wellbeing.

At Home

There are, unfortunately, many perils existing in the family home. While you think your child is safest at home, this may not be the case. It is imperative to have a family meeting to discuss the best exit route in case of a family fire. Not only should you discuss it, you should practice it with them as well. Practice it over and over again until they get it down pat.

Teach your child the neighbors who are safe to run to in case of an emergency and which neighbors are more likely to be home in case of an emergency. Show them as early as possible how to dial 911. Teach your children their address and phone number as soon as they are able to understand it. These may seem like simple things, but in the case of an emergency, they can be life-saving.

In School

It is so sad that we have to even think about this in today’s day and age, but it is essential to the children’s wellbeing to discuss safety in school. The most important way to address this issue is to get the school involved. Discuss at meetings the possibility of having someone come in and discuss age-appropriate safety techniques in case of an emergency.

Have a talk with your child, letting them know that they are safe and just like a fire drill these safety presentations are to keep them even safer.

Outside the Home

Children of all ages are susceptible to danger outside the home. Teach your children the importance of letting you know AT ALL TIMES where they are – even if they move from one neighbor to the next. Have them keep their cell phones on them and charged at all times.

For younger children, of course, talking to strangers and helping adults in any way, shape, or form, is always wrong. If an adult wants help, teach your youngster to find a trusted neighbor or come home to dial 911.

These are just a few tips and advice on preparing your child for danger. As with any scenarios, an educated child is a safe child.

Mountains and Molehills – Which Child Behaviors Should You Worry About?

Kids will be kids – that’s one life rule that never changes. As much as you’d like, you can’t make your child be that perfect shining example you see in the TV commercials. But you also have to choose your battles. Here are a few ideas about which child behaviors are mountains and which are molehills.

Homework

Is your child procrastinating on the homework or is the homework not getting done? Did he or she receive a low grade on one test, or is this a frequent problem? Remember that often cumulative subjects, like algebra, take a few weeks to grasp. Just as your child’s teacher moves on to the new thing, your child suddenly understands the old concept. That’s great. This will just glide into the new topic, and your child will keep learning.

However, if your child is frequently failing tests, failing all classes, fails the state tests or appears constantly sick — too anxious to go to school – this could be a serious problem. Consider scheduling a meeting with the school counselor, teachers and your child to see what the problem is. Perhaps there’s a medical or social problem that you can identify and address.

Appearance

Messy room? Messy hair? Does your child have a lack of interest in appearance? Kids don’t like to make their beds. Many kids are happy not to take a shower or brush their hair. But if a simple reminder doesn’t send them into the shower for a good shampoo, there may be an underlying reason. Are they depressed? Is there a serious underlying problem such as abuse? Check with your child and consider scheduling a visit with your pediatrician.

Does your child wear wrinkled, mismatched clothes? Consider this just a molehill and move on. But if your child is consistently wearing inappropriate clothing to school or to the mall, this can be a mountain that many parents have tried to address.

Watch out for your child carrying a large bag — many teachers can attest that students, especially girls, may leave the house in one outfit, arrive at school, meet up with friends in the rest room and arrive to first period in a completely different outfit and wearing elaborate makeup. Some teachers have even caught students who were tardy because they were changing clothes in the bathroom. If the tardies become frequent and the clothing is inappropriate, you have a mountain rather than a molehill and need to lay down the line.

Screen Time

Is your child using a lot of screen time? Although research does show it’s not the greatest thing for our children, keep in mind that yours is definitely not the only one out there spending time online. However, if you start to notice this becoming an addiction and if you find that your child is no longer having fun on family vacations to the beach, hiking in the woods, or other non-electronics-oriented times, then you may have a bigger problem.

You may want to talk to your child about internet safety, and consider monitoring your child. That’s your job – keep him/her safe, keep her healthy, and if it means you’re not her best friend, well…. That’s not your job. You’re her parent.

Generally speaking, many parents find that it’s best if they go with their instincts. If something feels not quite right, it probably isn’t. Remember that there are a lot of resources available to you: other parents, your child’s school, friends, family, and your pediatrician.

Motherhood versus Career – Is There No Compromise?

In the 50s, most women were simply mothers. By the 1970s, women had joined the career track and were working hard to break through the glass ceiling. In the 80s, women wore shoulder pads and power suits in attempts to appear more masculine and powerful – but despite zeitgeist films like Mr. Mom and Daddy Daycare, and the rise of groups of Stay at Home Dads, the perception remains that it’s women – not men, who must decide between parenthood and a career. Is there no compromise?

Despite perceptions, women have always worked. There was work to do around the farm, and women counted chickens, milked cows, churned butter and raised children without the convenience of take-out food. In the 1940s when the men were off fighting World War II, that left only the women behind to work in the bomber plants and Rosie the Riveter was born. But with women working and men working, who does that leave to take care of the family?

Childcare is one of the major issues behind the motherhood versus career debate. Some people are firmly behind day care from birth. Others feel it’s fine once a child is a toddler, but that it’s important for someone to stay home with the children in the early years. Whatever your feeling may be, realize that it doesn’t have to be the mother – the father could stay home with the children; aunts, uncles or grandparents could care for the children. Parents could take turns working from home. There are lots of options.

Some types of career are more conducive to parenthood than others. Education has long been a popular field for those who want to be able to devote sufficient time to their families. With two months off in the summer, a week in December and a week in the spring, many parents find that they are able to enjoy vacations with their families and spend time together in the after school hours.

Other jobs with flexible hours also work. Freelance writing lends itself easily to parenthood, as does any job that allows a parent the flexibility to work from home.

More and more industries are making this possible. The computer industry seems to fall under two extremes: on the one hand, some companies don’t care what hours their workers keep as long as they get the job done. They offer unlimited vacation time, flexible schedules and work from home opportunities. Other computer-oriented jobs, on the other hand, are calling their workers in more and more, offering in-house exercise gyms, in-house social activities, even cots for naps or spending the night at the office. With a message like that, how does a person with a family hope to survive?

Keep in mind the phrase, “It takes a village.” Who can you enlist? Are your parents or in-laws in town? Do you have brothers or sisters? What about the parents of other children in your child’s class? Some parents have worked out the idea that there can be a co-op, sharing rides, carpooling on various days of the week or even babysitting or making dinner. Consider finding some like-minded parents who can help out.

In the end, whether a woman decides to “lean in” to her career on all four cylinders or whether a woman chooses a career that works easily to balance work and home, there’s one key phrase to keep in mind: “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Figure out what makes you happy, and then go do that.

Lighten Up: Alternatives to the Classic Little Black Dress

The one thing that all women typically have in their wardrobe is a little black dress. It works for formal occasions on so many levels. But, everyone has seen that dress. What else can you add to your wardrobe that stuns? Here are some alternatives to the classic little black dress.

Give That Dress a Rest

Often referred to as simply LBD, the little black dress has gotten much use over the years. Black has always been synonymous with formality and after-five functions. Whether you are stepping out to a dance, a holiday party, a benefit, a movie premier (you wish) or a political function, you can’t go wrong with black.

But, how many little black dresses do you need to have in your closet? If you run in the same circles, everyone has seen that dress. Mix it up and also get some oohs and aahs with a different color this year. LBD needs a rest.

Alternatives to the Classic Little Black Dress

Flesh tone – This look works when your skin coloring and hair color are of low contrast. That means that they are both about the same. Adding a dress in a similar color, whether satiny or metallic or matte, can offer a unique and eye-catching presence for you.

Red – What is it about red that we all love? All women can wear it but in a shade that flatters their coloring. Buy that floor-length red sequined gown or that short red halter dress for an evening out. Red is a great color for high contrast skin and hair colors.

Blue – Blue is a power color, especially navy. Instead of black, go out in a navy dress. You can still wear your best black pumps or heels and accent jewelry.

Light purple – This color is trending for 2014. Light purple shades give an ethereal and feminine appearance to women.

Metallic colors – Nothing says party more than a metallic dress. It doesn’t have to be gold or silver, either; any color can be given the metallic sheen.

Lace – Lace is fun and feminine. A lace overlay on just about any color of dress adds class and sex appeal. Try sheer sleeves to show some skin without giving away too much.

Suit up – A black suit is classy for women as well as men. Stepping out in heels and your best suit exudes style and confidence. Add a stunning diamond necklace to complete the look.

Separates – Every occasion doesn’t need a dress to be classy. Pair a stunning blouse in your favorite color with a pair of black trousers and your best heels.

What is in your wardrobe? Give that black dress a rest with the suggestions above.

Is High Intensity Training a Dangerous Way to Exercise?

We all know that for all the individuals wanting to exercise, there are many ways to do so. Some individuals prefer stretching and toning to high impact aerobics. Others may have a preference for Zumba over walking.

While there are many different variations and just as many preferences, it is important to know as much as you can before taking on any type of exercise regime.

High intensity training (also known as HIT) works the same way. The more you know, the more you can judge for yourself whether or not HIT is the exercise regimen for you.

What Is High Intensity Training?

Originally, high intensity training utilized intense weight lifting and repetition. The goal back then in the 1970s was to produce a greater muscle mass in a shorter period of time. Limited yet frequent and highly intense weightlifting is the foundation behind this type of high intensity training.

Today’s version of high intensity weight training works similarly. Repeated bouts of intense, but short courses of movement followed by a less intense form of movement is part of what makes up today’s high intensity training.

Success in High Intensity Training

Research is beginning to show that there is success when using high intensity training. For example, a study done at the American College of Sports Medicine shows that two weeks of high intensity intervals improves your aerobic capacity as much as 6 to 8 weeks of endurance training.

If such is the case, that is a benefit pointing to the success of high intensity training. Another benefit points to the ability to burn fat long after a high intensity training workout.

Some studies are showing that individuals who utilize high intensity training are able to exercise for longer periods of time at a higher rate than before.

The Downside of High Intensity Training

As with any exercise regimen, if you do not know what you are doing or do not have the help of professional, there is always the chance for risk of injury or harm.

Taking on high intensity training without the advice of a doctor and at the very least a healthy heart check-up is risky and dangerous.

Performing high intensity training on an empty stomach could result in many dangers such as:

* Fainting
* Dizziness
* Injury
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Physical injury
* Muscle weakness

So before starting this type of exercise, make sure you see your doctor to ensure your heart is able to cope with this strenuous activity.