CafeWell

March 28, 2012 by 6 Comments
This is a Sponsored post written on behalf of CafeWell for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
CafeWell is one of the newest social networks. The premise of this site is different then most others- health. Instead of promoting itself and getting it’s users to spend more time on their network, users not only build upon their already robust personal networks, but also build up themselves. Anyone is able to join, and it is free to join as well. Through advice, tips, and motivation from Olympic athletes as well as diet and nutrition experts, users have a large support team. There is also a program called Reach for the Peaks, which uses a wireless pedometer to help members keep active. In doing so, users receive regular prizes as well as social acknowledgement.


Now, as with all new things, there is some nervousness about this [Read more…]

Filed Under: health

How to Naturally Increase Fertility

March 23, 2012 by 10 Comments
Many couples today are spending thousands of dollars trying to increase their fertility. Choosing an egg donation service or in vitro fertilization are great ways to conceive, but not every couple can afford to do so and insurance isn’t always willing to cover the costs. However, there are actually many free, natural ways that you can use to help increase your chances of conceiving. Many people report increased fertility after making just a few small changes in their lives.

 

Eat Healthy
Cutting back on fast food and eating right will help your hormones balance in a way that is conducive to fertility. Eating foods rich with vitamin C and antioxidants will also help to increase your chances of conception by reducing the amount of stress that is placed on your reproductive organs. Additionally, you should try to eat organic fruits and vegetables as much as possible. Some of the pesticides used to treat conventional fruits and vegetables contain hormone-disrupting chemicals that limit your fertility.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: family, health

When Is Your Child Too Sick for School?

March 14, 2012 by 7 Comments
If you’re like most parents you’ve probably had to deal with days when the kids just don’t want to get out of bed and go to school. In some cases they may pretend to be sick, while at other times they might have a legitimate ailment. But it’s not always easy to tell which end of the spectrum they’re at, especially if they seem to fall somewhere in the middle. Still, it’s still your job as a parent to determine whether or not your child is too ill to attend school for the day. So how can you decide when to drag him out of bed and get him dressed and when to let him go back to sleep? Here are a few helpful hints that can serve as a barometer to your child’s state of health.
The first thing you should do is check for a fever. This is the one real absolute of illness; if a fever is present you have undeniable proof that something is wrong. Just don’t forget the scene in E.T. where Elliot holds his thermometer next to a light bulb to heat it up so he can get out of school for the day. Of course, there are other signs and symptoms that are fairly irrefutable, such as vomiting, congestion, or rashes (like chicken pox). But in lieu of these outstanding physical manifestations of illness you may have to find other tests to ascertain if your child is truly ill.

One simple strategy is to take away a fun activity. If your child has after-school activities that he loves, just let him know that staying home from school means he forfeits the right to attend the next session. Even if he’s not feeling great, he may be willing [Read more…]
Filed Under: health, kids

The importance of a good nights sleep

March 3, 2012 by 9 Comments

Some of you may have little kids in your life. Some of you may even not have children in your home. Those of you who don’t, know what it feels like to sleep in on the weekend, lol. Those with, may be able to remember those lazy Saturdays where the only thing you had to worry about is your feet poking out of the sheets.

As families grow time, seems to move more quickly. In order to get it all done, we try to get up earlier and stay up later- We end up staying awake into the wee hours of the night in order to finish that last bit of work, and getting up early to prep for your family’s day. Sleep time gets less and less while stress becomes greater and greater.

There are studies released all the time about the importance of a good night’s sleep and healthy sleep patterns. An adult needs eight hours of sleep. Sure, some of us might feel like [Read more…]

Filed Under: health

How Can I Get My Family to Live Healthier?

February 20, 2012 by 11 Comments

So you’ve tried to let things work themselves out, at least as far as your family’s health and lifestyle choices
are concerned. But you’ve come to realize that it’s not going to change on its own, and those small fears
are starting to become big time worries. Whether its cancer or heart disease, childhood obesity or early
onset diabetes, our modern medical understand has made a ton of progress. But many of the warning
signs of these troubling conditions point to lifestyle, and whether a person consistently makes a healthy
choice. And it’s never too early to start. How can you get your family to adopt a healthy lifestyle?

There’s nothing wrong with trickery. You’ve tried everything, and the kids just will not eat the asparagus
you cook. The idea of salmon or tofu revolts them, and if it’s not in nugget form, it just can’t be on the
plate. If health and wellness are your end goals, there’s no harm in trying to sneak some vegetables or
fruits into their favorite foods. There are ways to subtly sneak these underrepresented food groups in
breakfast, lunch and dinner. You’ll even find amazing dessert recipes that involve veggies. Or ‘disguise’
that fruit by cooking it in a way your kids haven’t seen before.

Use your influence. You know your family. You know what makes them tick, how to press their buttons
and what makes them happy. So play to their strengths. If your children won’t eat the healthiest range
of fruits, vegetables and grains, maybe they love sports. Encourage that, but not just from the sidelines.
Find opportunities to play along. Get involved in adult leagues. Most towns have club leagues for soccer,
softball, and basketball, or find [Read more…]

Filed Under: family, food, health

Exergen TemporalScanner- a Must Have for every home

February 17, 2012 by 9 Comments

Do you have dreadful memories of someone taking your temperature? OK, lets not get the therapy couch out, I mean literally getting your temperature taken. 😛
Why not save your children the same “fond memories” with a temporal thermometer. These thermometers are easy to use and don’t require any pain (or wrestling) in the slightest. These particular scanners, the Exergen Temporal Scanner, don’t even need to be touched to the skin.

The way these thermometers work is by measuring the temperature, using the temporal artery instead of rectally or through the ear canal or under the tongue. The advantage to this is it is more accurate, easier to administer and also less uncomfortable [Read more…]

Filed Under: health, kids

MyPurMist and a Coupon

February 15, 2012 by 5 Comments
Have Sippy Disclosure- I have not tried this product, but thought many of you would like to hear about it and would like to try the coupon 🙂
This is a post that was given to me by a representative of PurMist , I did not write it and these are not my opinions.
“It’s cold and allergy season again! And for 119 million US households that are affected that means runny noses, congestion and sinus problems.
While many people find relief using over-the-counter and prescription drugs, they might not realize that something as simple as natural steam can have a profound effect on their respiratory symptoms. We’ve all heard the “old wives’ tales”…hold your baby in the bathroom with the hot shower running if they’re congested; use a humidifier to alleviate cold and sinus issues…but it’s actually proven science! The warm mist opens sinuses by thinning secretions as it hydrates and soothes irritated tissues. No drugs are needed, making it an all-natural and safe decongestant.
But while even doctors agree that steam inhalation is effective in treating some of the most common respiratory conditions, using [Read more…]
Filed Under: health

Helping Kids Overcome a Fear of Dentistry

January 27, 2012 by 2 Comments

Most parents don’t worry about how their kids will react to a dental visit until it’s too late (and a
phobia has already formed). Or perhaps they consider the possibility, but feel that there’s no reason
to raise the issue until there is actually a problem. However, this is a rather shortsighted position
considering how many children (and even adults) seem to harbor a fear of dentistry. So it behooves you
to approach the situation proactively by finding ways to prepare your kids for impending dental visits so
that they aren’t alarmed when they arrive and the poking and prodding starts. Here are just a few steps
that every parent can take to lessen the possibility of dentophobia.

1. Find a pediatric dentist. The first step is really to find a fantastic dentist that has experience
working with kids. Children may be especially afraid of the dentist for a number of reasons that
their parents don’t understand. Think about it; they’re forced to lie in a chair while someone
in a mask and creepy specs forces their mouth open and pokes around with pointy, metal
instruments. Add in the sounds of the drill (or other upset patients), the smell of disinfectant,
and the awful taste of various cleansers and rinses and it’s no wonder kids freak out. A pediatric
dentist understands these concerns and compensates in a variety of ways so that your kids will
[Read more…]

Filed Under: family, health, kids