Cascia Talbert's Blog, page 85

The Story Behind the Talbert Zoo

by Cascia Talbert

Sponsored article, the author was provided product for review.

I never imagined that I would be a mother of five children. When I was growing up in the eighties my friends and I would talk about what life would be like when we were adults. We often dreamed about what careers we would have, who our husbands were going to be and how many children we would have.  I was going to marry my latest crush, be a famous actress or singer and have two or three kids. God had other plans.

I met my husband Chris shortly before I graduated college. We got married a few years later. Early on in our marriage we moved around a lot. We lived in Wisconsin, California, and Washington State before finally settling down in Illinois, where we live today.

Our youngest child was born in Spokane, Washington in 2010.  Back then Chris and I always joked that our home was like a zoo. We had a fourteen-year-old and four other kids 5 and under.  They were all crazy blessings with unique quirks, personalities and special needs. I told Chris that I needed to start another blog to document our life with our young, special children.  We already referred to our home as the Talbert Zoo, so we decided that would be the name of my blog.

I also decided that my children all needed to be named after animals. As a teenager my oldest was very talkative, messy, and enjoyed helping me take care of her little siblings.  She was like a mother goose. So we named her Goose. Our second child, another girl, has always loved to sing, dance and entertain others. She also is very independent and likes to take charge like the king of the jungle.  We named her Kitty. Our third child, a little boy is very unique and special. He was diagnosed with autism at an early age and is very bright. In fact he might be a genius. He is a fast learner, started talking at five months, taught himself how to read by the time he was three and captured our attention and hearts when he was little. Chris and I decided to call him Parrot.  In 2010 our fourth born, another son, was only a year and a half.  He was very mischievous when he was little. I remember we had pancakes for dinner one evening and I didn’t clean up right away. He climbed on the dining room table and helped himself to the pancakes. He used to climb everywhere and he started walking the day after his first birthday. Today he is a very active and athletic eight-year-old.  We call him Monkey.  Our youngest was a newborn back in 2010 and all we did was snuggle and cuddle with him, like a little teddy  bear.  He will always be our little Bear.

Chris and I still call our home the Talbert Zoo. Today our family is even crazier. Sure I don’t have four kids five and under anymore, but I have five children with special needs. My oldest was diagnosed with autism, anxiety and depression when she was 15. We are speculating that there might be more going on with her.  Kitty started pulling her hair out when she was four. She has full blown anxiety induced trichotillomania. Both of my girls are on the same medication to treat their anxiety and depression.  Parrot has high functioning autism.  Monkey has learning disabilities and ADHD, which he is on medication for. Our youngest, little Bear also has high functioning autism.

Raising these children is challenging. My life has been blessed five times over. I have many stories to tell which I plan on documenting in my next book. Our home will always be the Talbert Zoo. Now we can greet our guests with a beautiful sign hand crafted by, GiftedOccasion.com .

Welcome to the Talbert Zoo

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Gifted Occasion can customize signs, wedding guest books and cutting boards with your family’s name, special dates or just about anything you would like.

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Gifted Occasion also carries a wide selection of nautical signs, kitchen signs and nursery signs. All of their products are hand crafted out of wood. I love the beautiful design and finish on my welcome sign.

These signs look beautiful near your front entrance or to add that extra touch to your home decor.

GiftedOcassion.com is offering a gift certificate valued at $100 to one Healthy Moms Mag reader. In order to enter the contest all you need to do is leave a comment at the end of this article. What would you order from GiftedOcassion.com?

For extra entries you can like and follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletter and RSS feed. We have provided links at the end of this article for your convenience. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry.

This contest ends on March 23, 2018 at 9am CST.

 Signs and Gifts from GiftedOcassion.com

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Extra entry links:

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Don’t forget to visit GiftedOcassion.com and let us know which one is your favorite!

The article The Story Behind the Talbert Zoo by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Bullying

by Cascia Talbert

Bullying is when someone gets teased, made fun of, gossiped about or physically harmed. We hear stories all the time about kids being bullied. This occurs at school, on the playground and for older kids – online, which is called cyber bullying.  The worst stories about kids being bullied end in tragedy and grief.  Bullying can cause low self esteem, thoughts of and, or carrying out suicide.

Bullying Leads to Suicide

According to the CDC suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people. Approximately 4,400 children and adolescents under the age of 18 commit suicide each year. Nearly 15 percent of high-school students have considered suicide and about 7 percent have attempted it.  Yale University studies have concluded that kids that are bullied are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than kids that are not bullied.  Girls between the ages of 10 to 14 years old are at a higher risk of suicide according to a study from Britain. That same study also concluded that at least half of suicides among young people are related to bullying.  ABC news reported that nearly 30 percent of students are either bullies or victims of bullying.  Most of these kids stay home from school because they are afraid of being bullied at school.

Why does the United States have a bullying crisis in our schools? We see anti-bullying messages on t-shirts, bumper stickers, flyers and online, yet our kids are not getting the message.  Most bullies have other issues. They either come from broken homes, are abused, or have gone through a tragic event in their lives. The bullies are the ones that need help. This should start within our families.

Love and Kindness Stops Bullying

Over the years the family unit has broken down. Half of marriages end in divorce. More children are being shuffled through foster homes or raised by grandparents. The ones that are raised by just mom have to learn how to take care of themselves because mom is out working two or three jobs. The pews in our churches are empty. Sports is taking a priority over faith.  The bullies are not taught about love and kindness in their homes. This is also a lesson that a lot of parents must learn too.

My family has been personally impacted by bullying.  Fortunately, we had a happy ending.  This is our story.

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From 2010 to 2014 we lived in a small town just outside of Spokane, Washington. The airport was nearby and we often heard and saw airplanes flying over our home.  Our neighborhood was also close to an Air Force base. My children went to school with kids from military families. Most of those kids moved around a lot and would move within a couple of years.  My children made new friends each year and our home was the place to hang out for kids in our neighborhood.

My daughter was surrounded by friends and she was one of the most popular girls in her second grade class.  She was in the school talent show and people raved about her performance for months afterwards. Her self esteem and spirits were high.

Moving from California to Washington State and the birth of her baby brother was stressful for my little girl. This stress turned into anxiety and she started to pull her hair out to cope. It started with just her eyelashes.  We were able to hide her bare eyelids behind glasses so her peers didn’t notice.  She handled her trichotillomania well and had a therapist to help her.  She knew she was different but this didn’t stop her from making and keeping friends.

In the summer of 2014 we moved from Washington to Illinois, just outside of Chicago to be closer to family and so my husband could start a new job.  This is when my daughter’s whole world turned upside down.  She had a hard time adjusting to her new school in third grade.  When she attempted to make friends the girls in her class told her that she couldn’t be their friend because she was the new girl. They called her weird, gossiped about her and told other girls not to play with her on the playground.  This was the first time she fell victim to bullying.

A few weeks later my daughter came home from school in tears.  She told me all about what the other girls in her class were saying and how they were treating her.  Then she said that she hated herself and wanted to jump out her bedroom window.  She said that she didn’t want to go to school ever again and she just wanted to die.  I didn’t know what to do. I was heartbroken and grieving for my little girl.

My husband rushed home from work. We called the crisis line and locked her windows so she couldn’t open them. I went on a long walk with her to try to calm her down. I was terrified about what would happen to her if the bullying continued.

That school year I had several meetings with her teacher, the principal and assistant principal.  My daughter never had a difficult time making friends until we moved to Chicago.  She was too scared to even try to make friends.

Reach Out to Your Children to Stop Bullying

After a few years of therapy and medication my daughter is doing much better now.  She is still pulling her hair out, but the medication is helping improve that and her depression.  We were lucky that she opened up to us about the bullying and we got help for her.  A lot of families are not as lucky.

Everyone knows someone who has been a victim of bullying. Most of us also know someone who suffers from depression and thoughts of suicide due to bullying.  There are many ways we can reach out to these young people before they choose suicide as their way out.

In the new book, “Bullied Dying to Fit in[image error],” author Normandy D. Piccolo explains why kids are being bullied, how to stop being a victim and how to develop a positive outlook on life.  The book is written for young people. The author includes creative sketches and language that kids and adolescents can understand.

[image error][image error]I thoroughly enjoyed the positive messages and ideas to help kids improve their self esteem and prevent bullying.  I still believe that the bullies need just as much help as the victims of bullying.  These troubled youths haven’t been taught how to love others, be kind and show respect.  Bullies and the bullied can equally learn how to be kind to others and love themselves by reading, “Bullied, Dying to fit in.”  This book should be in every school library, therapists’ offices, and homes. It is a must read for parents, students, educators and mental health professionals.

“Bullied Dying to Fit in,” can be purchased on Amazon.com.  To learn more about the author, Normandy Piccolo and for more information about her book visit www.normandysbrightideas.com.

 

 

 

The article Bullying by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Fitness Tips For Girls

by Guest Author

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If you’re like most girls, you probably want to look fit and healthy. Fitness, after all, is not only about looking good but also about feeling nourished and strong. In today’s world, it can feel as though it is more and more difficult to achieve and maintain fitness. Our environment is increasingly polluted, and our food is full of pesticides, hormones and other chemicals. These times require attention and consistency to achieve and maintain health and fitness.

Work Out

Over the decades, women have become more interested in hitting the gym for more than just cardio. Cardio and weight training combined can yield many benefits. However, if you cannot manage gym equipment, try body weight exercises, such as push-ups and squats, which can be performed at home.  There is no need to kill yourself with intense exercise. You can stay fit with simple movements that challenge you. Yoga and pilates are other forms of less intense exercise to try if you are not interested in lifting weights and running.

When starting out, contact a professional who can develop the right kind of workout for you. An appropriate workout routine depends on several factors, including your age, goals and medical limitations.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eat well. Choose healthy foods. You may choose a diet like the ketogenic diet, military diet or vegetarian diet. You can find out more here about various diets and how they may benefit you. However, remember that not all diets may be appropriate for your needs. An appropriate diet depends on several factors, including your age, medical requirements and your goals. For example, if you wish to quickly lose weight, the military diet or ketogenic diet may be for you, but if your goal is to gain weight you may need to look at other options.

It is recommended that you speak to a doctor and a Registered Dietitian or nutritionist about your medical and nutritional requirements to get a customized diet plan that suits your specific requirements.

Find Some Motivation

It is not easy to lose weight, and many people give up even before they hit the first milestone. It is quite understandable why you may feel disappointed along the way, especially in the beginning when you may see few results. The key lies in staying motivated. The best way is to create goals and work hard to achieve them. For example, your goal can be to lose 2 pounds per week. While a loss of 2 pounds may not appear to be much, it may be just enough to keep you motivated and moving forward. When you achieve one goal, you will be ready to achieve the next. With this step-by-step mentality, you will be able to achieve your desired goal.

Work hard. Remember these tips when you need focus and motivation. You will see a difference.

The article Fitness Tips For Girls by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Home Remedies For Stomach Flu

by Gina Badalaty

With flu season fully underway, families might be worried about the stomach flu – and with good reason. This virus is extremely contagious for your family and the can live up to two weeks on surfaces. That’s troubling since this is one of the most common childhood outbreaks. When different members get sick and pass on the contagion, there’s no quick, easy relief until the disease has run its course. Let’s learn about the stomach flu, its causes and what home remedies for stomach flu you can use before your child becomes seriously ill.

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Stomach Flu vs. Standard Flu

What people actually call the “stomach flu” is not related to influenza, the flu virus. Officially, it’s called gastroenteritis. While the flu primarily affects a person’s respiratory systems, the stomach flu attacks the gastrointestinal tract. While both are caused by viruses, that’s where the similarities end.

It’s important to know that when dealing with the stomach flu, symptoms can include:

Diarrhea
Vomiting
Fever
Chills
Abdominal pain

Gastroenteritis itself can be caused by two different viruses: norovirus or rotavirus. According to the Mayo Clinic, norovirus causes most of the cases in kids and adults and often lasts just a few days – up to three, and you’re contagious that entire time, even if you don’t have symptoms anymore. However, babies and young children tend to get the stomach flu from a rotavirus and can be contagious before symptoms appear for up to two weeks after recovery.

Home Remedies That Prevent Stomach Flu

The biggest complication of gastroenteritis is dehydration but the worst problem can be stomach flu contagion! For example, it’s hard to keep away from the virus when you’re changing diapers frequently. The best precaution thing to do is prevention. Let’s discover some of the home remedies that can prevent the stomach flu.

A healthy gut and proper probiotics.

Having a healthy gut is important for many reasons, but using an appropriate probiotic strain regularly can be a good foundation for optimal health . While it is unclear whether a balanced gut can fend off this virus, a healthy gut will help you get back to health more quickly once it has run its course. You can also help keep your child’s gut health by incorporating fermented foods into their diet.
Apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar is famous for anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. However, it also can help with nausea, so it’s a good treatment once you are sick as well. This is one of the versatile home remedies you can use and may help prevent stomach flu.
Quarantine sick family member.

As mentioned, the worst part of the stomach flu is contagion. This means you must be meticulous to quarantine a sick family member from others. Don’t let them share towels or blankets or other objects. You may want to provide this child with his own utensils as well. For younger children, keep track of any toys that are mouthed as well, to thoroughly clean them too.

Home Remedies For Stomach Flu

If preventing the stomach flu has failed, you can still help your child. Treatment is simple since the stomach flu commonly clears up on its own. However, your child can get dehydrated and a weakened immune system can make them vulnerable to other viruses, colds or allergies. These simple home remedies for stomach flu should help your child recover:

Keep Hydrated

The biggest danger of the stomach flu is that it can quickly dehydrate a child. Because of their upset stomach, your child might not want any liquids. That’s fine for a little while, but once their stomach seems a little settled, you will need to give them water. Of course, we recommend purified water. If your child really can’t drink it, be sure to give her drops of water from time to time to stave off dehydration. If your child is still struggling, you might want to try rehydration salts, which is one of the essential remedies every family should have in their medicine cabinets.
Seltzer Water

One of the age-old home remedies for stomach flu, seltzer can relieve pent-up gas if your child is not feeling the urge to vomit or have diarrhea. Be sure to buy plain seltzer with no flavor or additives.
Ginger

This can help nausea as well while your child is sick. Kids can chew on a ginger root or you can make ginger tea if your child will tolerate a hot drink. You can also try sugar -free ginger ale soda if all else fails.
Peppermint Essential Oil

Essential oils can help children with many different illnesses. For the stomach flu, diffused peppermint oil can bring also relief, including reducing painful stomach cramps. Dilute 2-3 drops in a diffuser for children only over the age of three. For younger children, avoid peppermint, but you can try spearmint essential oil.
BRAT Diet

Banana, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast are the components of the BRAT diet that you can feed your child once he starts to get hungry. You can also try plain bland crackers if he needs something sooner.
Activated Charcoal

This is one of those home remedies for stomach flu that will make your child vomit. This helps his body process the virus more quickly. It is not recommended for children under the age of three, so you should use it sparingly even for older kids. Adults can take 2 capsules a few times a day, but I wouldn’t use more than 1 capsule a day, spread over time, for children.
Don’t Mind The Fever

A fever won’t normally get too high with gastroenteritis. Just let it run its course unless it breaks 104 degrees or more.

Fear Of Vomiting

Many kids may experience fear of throwing up, especially if they have had frequent vomiting due to the stomach bug. It can actually develop into emetophobia, a common phobia for adults. Try to soothe and relax your child. You can firmly but gently hold your child by their sides to comfort them while they are throwing up. It’s important to remain calm throughout the crisis so as not to trigger any additional fears.

Tips For Cleaning During And After The Stomach Flu 

Your next biggest challenge is finding a safe way to clean and fight the germs. The rotavirus that causes stomach flu in younger children is extremely difficult to kill and can live for days on surfaces that an infected child has touched.

The CDC recommends using bleach to do all cleaning as it is guaranteed to be effective in killing the norovirus, but it might be too harsh for your family. Some tips for safeguarding your family include:

Use a safe cleaning product that can balance good and bad bacteria.
Wash linens frequently in hot water.
If you do choose to use bleach, at least us chlorine-free brand.
Use rubber gloves for handling infected clothing and items, cleaning and for changing diapers.
Clean items immediately so germs don’t spread.
Clean “splash radius” around your toilet bowl after a child gets sick.
Wash laundry in hot water with detergent or Borax immediately
Use baking soda to remove stains from carpeting and fabrics.

As the stomach flu spreads among kids and families this cold and flu season, you can take steps to ensure that your family does not suffer too much or too long. Hopefully, these home remedies for stomach flu will keep your family safe. Keep an eye on your family for the first symptoms and your child should be fine within a few days.

The article Home Remedies For Stomach Flu by Gina Badalaty appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Get Your Kids Ready to Move to a New Home

by Guest Author

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Moving to a new home is a lot to handle, especially for kids. It is harder for them to process the change at first, and depending on their age and where you’re moving, you may have to deal with the challenges of changing schools. No matter how old they are, they are likely going to need some of your help when it comes to getting ready for a move.

Talk to Them

The most important thing you can do is talk to your kids. Let them know that you are moving in advance, and listen to their concerns. If they are still young, explain to them what it means, and try to play up the positives. Younger kids will likely take the change in stride, but there will still be an adjustment period. For older kids, they might not be happy with the move, so you’ll just have to give them some time. But the sooner you can start this process, and the more upfront you are with them, the smoother the process will go.

Coordinate With Their School

If you are moving to an area that requires your kids to attend another school, you’re going to want to coordinate this with both of the schools. Let the current school know that your child is leaving, and speak with the new school to get your child enrolled. Coordinating with the schools helps to ensure your kid remains up on their schoolwork, and that the transition runs smoothly. Even if you’re moving close by, and the school situation will remain the same, you’ll want to inform your kid’s current school. That way, if your child has to miss a day or two because of the move, or falls behind on schoolwork, the school will know why.

Help Them Pack

Packing is the hardest part of moving. If your child is old enough to pack for themselves, they will still likely need your help. Help them go through their things, and see if there is anything they want to get rid of before you move. Coming up with an organization strategy, and showing them how to properly pack a box, are both useful ways you can help your child prepare. For younger kids, you will likely have to do most of the packing yourself, but you can still involve them in the process. Engaging them in moving can let them know what it happening with their things and give them time to adjust to a new norm.

Have Someone Watch Them on the Day of the Move

When you have younger children, it may be difficult to keep track of them on the day of the move. They need a lot of attention, but you will probably have many other things that you need to think about while the movers are there. If possible, arrange for someone else to watch your kid on the day of the move. This frees you up to handle the day of the move, and allows you to simply pick your kid up at the end and bring them to their new home. Even if it’s just for a few hours, having one less thing to worry about is always nice when you’re stressed about moving.

Get Yourself Ready

Finally, one of the best ways you can help your kids is by helping yourself. If you stress about the move, or feel disorganized, this will have an impact on your kids. They will sense your stress and come to see moving as a negative experience. And when you’re disorganized, you end up spending more time on things, and therefore have less time for your kids. So take some time to carefully plan out your move and to get things in order. A moving day checklist can be beneficial, as is working with the right moving company. As a mom, we tend to try to do it all, but if we are unorganized, this quickly becomes overwhelming. Get yourself ready first, and then focus on helping out your kids.

Remember Moving is Hard For Your Kids

During all the stress of the move, we sometimes forget that moving is just as – if not more – stressful for our kids than it is for us. The more you can help them through this process, the better things will be for them. The key is good communication with your kids, to keep yourself organized and to ask for help when you need it. If you can do this, you should find that you are able to get your kids ready to move to a new home, and that everything runs a little smoother.

The article Get Your Kids Ready to Move to a New Home by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Take Years Off Your Face in Record Time

by Guest Author

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Take Years Off Your Face in Record Time With These Anti-Aging Skin Care Tips

Have you fantasized about finding the fountain of youth? If so, you are not alone. In a survey reported by Allure magazine, women spend $300,000 on beauty products in their lifetime. What about the cost of makeup for everyday use? On average, women have $8 to $11 worth of products on their face on any given day. Face washes and eye creams can be pricey! But clearly, women value staying young and looking their best.

For many of us, our impatience for results can mean not sticking with a routine long enough to see the improvements we want. While many of us may benefit from learning patience, there are ways to look 10 years younger in record time.

Consider Skin Resurfacing Treatments for Skin Conditions and Deep Damage

Have scars or stretch marks on your face? What about lines and wrinkles? Looking for something that will tighten and firm, but don’t want to go under the knife? Skin resurfacing, also called Fractional Therapy, might be just the thing for you. According to Laronn Clinique, “Fractional Therapy laser modality uses energy to create micro-ablated channels deep in the dermal tissue, covering only a fraction of the total surface area and leaving the surrounding skin intact for faster healing and increased comfort. The wound-healing process produces fibroblasts that generate new collagen, plumping the skin and correcting skin imperfections.”

Recovery times for skin resurfacing treatments vary, but most individuals can expect a full recovery within a 2- to 5-day time frame.

Eliminate Sugar For One Week

Ever notice how your skin takes a hit after bingeing on doughnuts or chocolate? Here’s why: when you eat sugar, which includes simple carbohydrates like white flour, your body can experience a burst of inflammation. In this inflamed state, your body cannot effectively produce the collagen it needs for firm skin. Instead, with regular sugar and white flour consumption, what you get is skin that sags and decreases in elasticity over time. What if you were to go on a sugar fast? You can expect to see results as quickly as 72 to 96 hours, according to Dr. Harold Lancer, Beyoncé’s personal dermatologist. Remember, it’s not just the typical sugar culprits to watch out for. Simple carbs are foods that the body quickly digests as sugar, which also can trigger an inflammatory response.

What you wolf down in a moment of stress eating will eventually show up on your skin, so the next time you are tempted by that chocolate bar, imagine it aging you by a couple of years. That might help you find a better alternative to snack on. Go for complex carbohydrates instead. For example, eat more brown rice, whole wheat products and vegetables.

Try 30 Minutes of Exercise Twice Per Week

New research has begun to point to exercise as being a method for reversing the skin’s aging process. In a study conducted by McMaster University, researchers observed volunteers who were 65+. The volunteers were asked to begin a training program that included either cycling or jogging for about 30 minutes twice per week. After 3 months where volunteers continued this exercise regimen, the subjects’ skin was re-examined. Researchers found that the volunteers’ skin now looked quite different from the original samples taken from them. Their outer and inner skin layers no longer looked similar to those of a 65 year old. Instead, they looked closer to skin associated with those in their 20s or 40s. Perhaps one of the reasons for this dramatic change has to do with how exercise promotes blood flow throughout the body. With greater blood flow, your skin receives more nutrients that are carried through the bloodstream to skin cells.

Polish Your Smile

Have you found yourself hiding your teeth as you smile, or avoiding photo opportunities? Have you asked yourself why? It could be that you have been subconsciously aware of your teeth’s yellowing trend. Having a bright smile is an easy way to take years off your appearance. Conversely, having a dull or yellowing smile can pile on the years fast. The benefits of taking care of your teeth do not end there. Investing in your appearance by going in for teeth whitening appointments can have a cascade effect on overall oral health. How? If you are maintaining the whiteness of your teeht, you may be more likely to pay attention to trending topics related to the health of your teeth and gums. The possible result of taking care of discolored teeth? Overall improvements in oral health for the price of one step forward.

The article Take Years Off Your Face in Record Time by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

5 Ways to Protect Your Child’s Tooth Enamel

by Dr. Jack Gruber, DDS

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and is vitally important for protecting your child’s teeth from decay. Although durable, it can crack, chip or erode over time, even in children. This is why it’s important for parents to actively take steps to protect their child’s tooth enamel. So, what can you do to keep your child’s smile healthy? Keep reading!

Limit Soda and Juice

Sugar in soda and juice exposes teeth to bacteria and acid which causes tooth enamel to lose minerals. In children, a white spot on a tooth is often the first sign that minerals have been lost and enamel is eroding. This is an early sign of decay. Over time, the enamel continues to weaken until it is destroyed. This is when a cavity sets in. By reducing intake of bacteria-producing beverages, you can go a long way towards protecting your child’s enamel – the first line of defense against decay. Instead, offer water, especially after meals to wash away some of the food that can promote enamel-damaging bacteria and acid. It’s important to note that most bottled water doesn’t contain sufficient fluoride to prevent tooth enamel erosion and decay. If your child drinks only bottled water, it’s important to talk with your dentist about supplemental fluoride.

No Chomping on Ice

Many kids enjoy the cold, crunchy sensation of chewing on a piece of ice. The problem is the hardness of ice can cause tooth enamel to chip and crack. In these areas of weakness, decay can start. If your child has a fondness for ice, switch to crushed, slushy ice instead of cubes or chips.

Avoid Whitening Toothpastes

Because whitening toothpastes have strong abrasives that can wear down tooth enamel, they are not a good idea for kids. A better option is a child-friendly toothpaste which has the ADA’s seal of approval. Not only are children’s toothpastes less abrasive than those with whitening agents, they also are available in flavors that kids prefer.

Ditch the Hard Bristle Toothbrushes

While it’s important to encourage regular toothbrushing, you don’t want your child damaging tooth enamel with a hard nylon-bristle toothbrush. A better option is a toothbrush with flexible, rubber bristles that can thoroughly clean teeth and gums while protecting tooth enamel.

Consider Dental Sealants

Dental sealants can also help protect enamel by coating chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Because food and bacteria can get stuck in the uneven surfaces of molars, they can collect if toothbrush bristles can’t easily brush them away. Sealants cover these surfaces to form a protective barrier to prevent food and bacteria from collecting and protect tooth enamel.

Of course, it’s also important to schedule regular dental cleanings and examinations. With a multi-prong approach to protecting your child’s tooth enamel, you are ensuring a healthy, bright smile for many, many years to come.

The article by Dr. Jack Gruber, DDS appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Your At Home Workout You Can Do With Your Kids

by Sarah Chadwell, CPT

Your long workday has ended, but your work isn’t over. There’s homework to do with the kids, dinner to prepare and getting everyone ready for tomorrow. Who has the time to even think about going to the gym every day with that kind of hectic schedule?

What if I told you that a 15 to 20 minute family workout each evening, inside the house, could help you burn off that lasagna dinner, wear the kids out, create lasting memories and you’d have a ton of fun while doing it? Sound like something you need in your life? I thought so!

Guess what? It’s all possible! Here’s the story of a fit game for the kids called Monster Hide and other ways I stay fit with my family in the evenings.

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The Deeply Rooted Tradition Of Monster Hide

Jump in the time machine and go back to the mid-80s when I was a child. I can still see my dad walking up to the back porch after a long day at work. He’s been sweating all day, which makes the dirt and concrete dust stick to him head to toe. He’s tired and really does look quite a bit like a monster. My brother and I couldn’t wait for him to get home though. We knew what fun the evening would bring.

Right before bedtime my dad would chase my younger brother, Thomas, and I around the house. Dad would growl and grumble as we rounded the familiar curves of our house. Soon, Dad would become silent and slip behind a piece of furniture or in the pantry or crouch alongside the bed. We would begin searching for him. Out of nowhere, he’d spring out and capture us.

We’d be trapped under his strong arms as he hauled us both, at the same time, to a couch or bed, where he dropped us and tickled us until we could hardly breathe. He’d let us escape and start the chase all over again. We never wanted to stop playing.

My brother summed up the experience perfectly: “It was the bond and knowing that Dad could still play, joke and have fun like a kid, not just be a disciplinarian. The best part is that it carried over to the way I am with my boys and nephews. I love knowing that all of us can joke around together, and as an adult I realize that it’s a pretty good evening mini-workout with my kids!”

He’s not kidding! We were all out of breath. Every now and then we’d hunt our mom down (who mostly tried to stay out of it), and she fell victim to the monster and his minions. These memories were the best!

My dad, Wesley, recalls, “It was a good way to get me ready for bed, y’all ready for bed and end the night in a good way.”

 

How My Children Named This Family Exercise “Monster Hide”

Horseplay may seem like a father’s job, but it really isn’t. Now that I’m a mom, I find that I am just as much a human jungle gym as any dad. I have two sons, and I’m just as likely to get on the floor and roughhouse with my boys as my husband.

When my children were old enough to chase around the house, I started my dad’s family tradition almost daily because they loved it so much. They began calling this tradition “Monster Hide.” If you saw and heard us playing, you’d find it quite fitting. We sound like we belong in the book Where The Wild Things Are.

It’s More Than A Kid Exercise

One Mother’s Day, as part of my gift, I realized how much our evening family workout meant to my kids through a questionnaire they completed at school called “All About My Mom.”

The sixth question asked, “What does your mom do best?” Both children answered, “Plays Monster Hide.”

Their answers were eye opening. My boys were attending different schools and had different teachers. Neither answered, “She’s a good cook” or “She works out.” It was, “She plays Monster Hide.” That’s when I knew how much my children valued this 15 to 20 minutes of quality time at the end of the day.

I had always felt it was an excellent kid exercise, a great way to tire them out and a good way for me to burn a few more calories, but now I see that this workout with my kids is really the time you spend focused on them for something besides homework or chores. To be honest, we’re all tuckered out and ready for bed after just one round of Monster Hide.

How To Play A Game Of Monster Hide

Kids love to be chased. Add a couple of “Grrrrs” or “Raaars” and it’s on! Sprint after your kids long enough to scare them to the other side of the house, retreat and then hide somewhere as they are running away.

Stay silent and they’ll seek you out.

When you hear them getting close, jump out growling like a monster. Chase them around the corner again and sprint to a new hiding spot. My children give me mere seconds before they turn around to come after me again. I barely have a breathing break before I give chase again.

The game physically wears me out! I am literally focused on trying to breathe silently so the kids can’t find me via heavy breathing. Being fitness minded I naturally began wondering how many calories I was burning, how many steps I was taking and what my heart rate was maxing at during Monster Hide so I decided to capture some exercise data.

Kid Exercise Gets Your Heart Rate Screaming (Too)

Most adults don’t get enough aerobic exercise probably because most don’t enjoy running anymore. Monster Hide puts the fun back into running.

According to the Mayo Clinic, adults should perform “at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aerobic exercise should make up the majority of the suggested 60 minutes of kid exercise per day.

If you let a game of Monster Hide commence for just 15 minutes, five nights per week, that’s 75 minutes of aerobic exercise for the week, a good amount of time to spend on a family workout.

I can attest that the game feels more than moderate in intensity because I’m breathing hard when I’m playing. You know how it feels when you talk while you’re running? Growling and running is pretty much the same.

Show Me The Data!

I put my fitness watch to work to conduct a little research on Monster Hide. Here’s what I found:

Amount of time we played: 15 minutes

Steps taken: 750 (approximately .375 tenths of a mile or just over ¼ mile)

Max heart rate: 162 BPM

Average heart rate: 125 BPM

As you can see, this is a great adult and kid exercise. But, what if you want to tone your muscles, not just get your cardio in with the kiddos?

Exercises To Tone Using Your Children

The Mayo Clinic states adults should do “strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week.” So, how can you use your children as resistance? It’s really easy.

My children are always in full attack mode. If I’m sitting on the floor, I’m fair game. When they jump on me, I simply use them as a piece of resistance equipment (very special resistance equipment because I made them).

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Here are some of their many uses:

Pro Level Planks: When one or two children are stacked on your back and hugging around your waist while you hold the plank position, you’re doing pro level planks.

Pro Level Bench Press: Use your children as your personal barbell to bench press as you are lying on the floor.

Pro Level Push-ups: Even if you have to do girl push-ups, let them sit on your back while you tone your shoulders, core and back with kid-weighted push-ups.

Pro Level Squats: Hold one or two children on your back like little monkeys as you do sets of squats.

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Children don’t care about your daily hustle or if you are tired. What they care about is that they have a piece of your time each day and that the time spent with them is quality.

Any time you can combine two things you see value in, like family and exercise, it’s a win-win. Go ahead and exercise and play with your children – even if it’s in addition to what you do in the gym. A family workout will give them positive memories of you that will last into adulthood like mine with my family, and they’ll learn the value of exercise and taking care of yourself.

The article Your At Home Workout You Can Do With Your Kids by Sarah Chadwell, CPT appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

4 Reasons to Consider Coverage Other Than Your Employee Health Plan

by Guest Author

It’s great that your employer provides access to a comprehensive medical plan. You find it works well for things like physicals and getting treated for minor ailments. You know there are also benefits for more serious health issues, but you’ve never looked at them closely. Now is the time to get out your copy of the policy and determine if it really would cover everything if some major event came to pass. You may find that you do need additional coverage for one or more of the following situations.

Dealing with An Extended Recovery

What is you were injured or developed a health issue that required months of recuperation? Take a good look at the limits associated with treating a specific medical condition for an extended period of time. Does your employee health plan provide enough coverage to prevent financial difficulties for that entire period? If the answer is yes, then you are in great shape in terms of preparation. When you are not so sure, it makes sense to think about some way of building reserves you can call upon if necessary.

Managing Co-Pays and Deductibles More Effectively

Do you know which benefits are covered in full and which ones require you to supply a co-pay or meet a deductible? Now would be a good time to take a closer look. This is especially true when it comes to coverage related to more comprehensive medical treatments. Do you have the financial resources on hand to cover those costs if you were seriously injured and had to be out of work for several months? If not, looking into some sort of health savings plan that would cover those amounts will certainly make it easier to concentrate on getting well and not fretting about medical bills.

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Being Prepared for Emergency Medical Treatment

Take a close look at the range of benefits associated with emergency medical treatment. Even if you don’t travel out of the area often, what would happen if you required emergency treatment while visiting relatives on the other side of the country? Would the same schedule of benefits apply if you were not close to home? If not, that’s a sure sign that you need some sort of additional coverage to take care of any medical debts that result from the emergency treatment.

Peace of Mind

As you read through the terms and conditions found in your health insurance contract, make a not of anything that causes you to feel a little uneasy. Even events that you do not expect to happen could come to pass. If so, would the benefits be enough? Instead of you and your family wondering about how those expenses would be covered, it pays to go ahead and take advantage of any voluntary benefit packages offered through your employer. Choosing to secure these additional benefits will not involve a great deal of expense. What they will do is provide plenty of peace of mind if you ever need to call upon those benefits.

Now is the ideal time to take a second look at the scope of your coverage. If anything is lacking, find out what can be done to correct the situation. All it takes is one serious illness to make your effort worthwhile.

Benecaid Health Benefit Solutions Inc

185 The West Mall #80

Etobicoke

ON

M9C 5L5

Canada‎

877-797-7448

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The article 4 Reasons to Consider Coverage Other Than Your Employee Health Plan by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Top 4 Reasons That Adults Get Braces

by Guest Author

Many people think of braces as something for kids. It’s true that wearing braces is part of childhood for a lot of kids, but adults can wear them too. This is often the case when circumstances make it impractical to be fitted for braces during the pre-teen and teen years. Later in life, adults may find that being fitted with braces is just what they need. Here are four of the more common reasons why an adult may make this decision.

More Professional Appearance

Career advancements sometimes mean no longer working behind the scenes. Instead, there’s the need to be up front meeting with clients, doing presentations in front of other employees, and in general being the center of attention more often. While you never really worried about your teeth in the past, the fact they are a little crooked is bothersome.

One solution is to invest in Newmarket braces that are less noticeable. A dental professional will help you explore the merits of designs that fit behind the teeth or that are made of clear materials. You will only have to wear them for a couple of years before your teeth are straight and your smile is everything you need to make your appearance more professional.

Increase Confidence

Everyone has something about their appearance they would change if possible. If yours happens to be your teeth, why allow it to continue eating away at your self-confidence? Braces will help align your teeth perfectly. If necessary, the dental professional can pair the braces with a few other procedures to ensure your smile is everything you want. Once the work is done and your teeth are perfectly straight, it will be easier to relax and be confident in the way you look. That will only enhance your sense of being competent in other areas of your life.

Single Once Again

Not every relationship lasts forever. When things don’t work out the way you planned, getting back into the dating game can be difficult. That’s especially true if you were together for a number of years.

Since you want to look your best, close scrutiny of your appearance will be part of the plan. It may be time to get back to the gym and lose a few pounds. Maybe a new hairstyle is in order. Along the way, you may decide that it’s time to do something about yours slightly crooked teeth. If so, rest assured that a dental professional will help you understand the different options for braces and make it easier to choose the one that makes your smile more attractive than ever.

They Can Afford Them Finally

Sometimes it boils down to economics. There as no money to have the teeth straightened when you were growing up. Now you have a job making good money and benefits that include dental insurance. What better time to see a dentist and talk about getting braces? You’ll find that the options today are superior to those of years past, and the cost will not seem as daunting. At long last, you will have the teeth that you wanted and get to enjoy them the rest of your life.

If you are tired of looking at crooked teeth, do something about it. Conduct a searchfor “a

Dentist near me and find one who understands how to help adults choose braces. In the years to come, you will be happy that you took the time and effort.

East River Dental Care

130 Davis Dr #35

Newmarket

ON

L3Y 2N1

Canada

 

(905) 895-8031

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The article Top 4 Reasons That Adults Get Braces by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.