Today's Headlines

We all know how important it is to include whole grains in your family's diet. Whole grains are fiber rich and make you feel fuller which helps fight obesity. Research has also proven that diets rich in whole grain and other plant foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.

The American Italian Pasta Company knows that you always give your family 100% so they decided that they would do the same by introducing a new line of Golden Grain 100% whole grain pasta. These fiber rich foods are also delicious and should be included in everyone's dinner plans.

Each box of pasta contains 100% whole grain wheat, is all natural, includes 5g of fiber per serving, and is low fat, low sodium and cholesterol free. The product line includes:
Angel Hair pasta 13.25 oz, Elbow Macaroni 13.25 oz, Penne 13.25 oz, Spaghetti 13.25 oz. You can use their product locator to find a store near you on the Golden Grain website. Like Golden Grain on Facebook to receive a coupon for $1 off one box while supplies last.

Try this delicious recipe for Veggie Spaghetti from Golden Grain Pasta.

Veggie Spaghetti

Enjoy the healthful benefits of Golden Grain 100% Whole Grain pasta with this delicious, easy-to-prepare recipe.


Golden Grain Spaghetti
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Serves 4

Ingredients

* 1 box (13.25 oz) 100% whole grain spaghetti
* 1 Tbsp olive oil
* 2 cloves of garlic, minced or 1 tsp of garlic powder
* 1 yellow onion, chopped
* 1 red bell pepper, chopped
* 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes
* 1 bunch of asparagus, chopped
* 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook peppers, onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until tender, or about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
3. Meanwhile, add to simmering sauce, asparagus, mushrooms, salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine pasta and sauce and toss with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

You can find more great recipes at Goldengrainpasta.com.

*Disclosure: I received 4 boxes of Golden Grain 100% Whole Grain Pasta in exchange for this review. All opinions are accurate and 100% mine.

Golden Grain Pasta and The Healthy Moms Magazine is giving away a prize package of a Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Steel 4-Piece 12-Quart Pasta/Steamer Set (Retails for around $80) and 4 boxes of Golden Grain 100% Whole Grain Pasta! All you need to do in order to participate in this giveaway is leave us a comment and like Golden Grain on Facebook. This giveaway is open to US residents only and the contest ends on June 11, 2011 at midnight PST.

For extra entries:
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For every entry including extra entries please leave a separate comment. Winners will be chosen randomly from the comments and e mails that I receive. The contest ends on June 11, 2011 midnight PST and is open to anyone in the US. Please leave your e mail address in your comments. All comments without e mail addresses will be disqualified.



About This Author

Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, manages Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.












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Ahhh, summer. I'm so glad you're here! Water sports...trips to the beach...but ugh, sweaty runs and humid outdoor workouts. No matter where you live, summer presents opportunities and obstacles, so why not get prepared NOW?

This week's chat is a perfect way to get into the right mindset so you set new goals and keep up that healthy lifestyle you've been working so hard on! Here is the summary. Join us tonight!

Here is the summary written up by FitBlog Chat creator Katy Widrick.

May 31: Summer Goal-Setting

This week's moderator is Jenn (@myfitcoach; http://personalfitcoach.com/) and I am THRILLED that she is going to help us set some summer goals. For those of you who are taking part in the #Fitblog Planks challenge, it's an opportunity to get support and look ahead. For those who may have struggled through the early part of 2011, this is a chance to find some new blends who will motivate and inspire you to change your life TODAY.

Jenn is a virtual fitness coach, which is just one of the very cool job titles that didn't exist before the Internet and social networking, and I know that the agenda will help some of you (especially since I'm sure I'm not the ONLY one that indulged a bit over the long weekend!)

Agenda:
1. 75% give up on New Year's Resolutions within weeks. Let's discuss our goals for the second half of the year and how we plan to stick to them.
2. What are your goals for the rest of the year?
3. How do you set goals?
4. What resources do you use to help you stick to your goals?
Details: The #Fitblog chat is live on Twitter at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 31.
You can learn more about the chat here.
Can't take part during the chat? Use the hashtag all week to share links, ask questions and find new friends.

Summer? What summer? I'm beginning to believe that here in the inland northwest there is no summer. I think we just have three seasons. Read More





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Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop and The Healthy Mom's Magazine want you and your family to be safe from the sun's harmful rays by protecting your skin with all natural sunscreen.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, "UV radiation is part of the electromagnetic (light) spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun. It has wavelengths shorter than visible light, making it invisible to the naked eye. These wavelengths are classified as UVA, UVB, or UVC, with UVA the longest of the three at 320–400 nanometers (nm, or billionths of a meter). UVA is further divided into two wave ranges, UVA I, which measures 340-400 nanometers (nm, or billionths of a meter), and UVA II which extends from 320–400 nanometers. UVB ranges from 290 to 320 nm. With even shorter rays, most UVC is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not reach the earth."

"Both UVA and UVB, however, penetrate the atmosphere and play an important role in conditions such as premature skin aging, eye damage (including cataracts), and skin cancers. They also suppress the immune system, reducing your ability to fight off these and other maladies."

It is important to use a sunscreen that will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of at least 15.

To many of us, tan skin indicates a healthy, out-doorsy lifestyle. However, it doesn't necessarily indicate healthy skin. In fact, there is probably no other single factor as destructive to the long-term strength and youthfulness of skin than the sun. Although the most immediate effects of sun-damage are endured by the surface epidermal layer of our skin in the form of sunburns and drying, over time, exposure to UV radiation can penetrate deep into the underlying dermis and negatively effect the collagen structures within (a process called photoaging). This results in an eventual reduction in skin elasticity and the development of wrinkles. In addition, the alteration of these collagen structures can weaken the tiny blood vessels that are supported within them, making the vessels more likely to rupture and lead to discoloration as well as decreased circulation. The truth is that as much as 90 percent of the wrinkles, brown spots, and sagging skin that we usually think of as signs of aging can be attributed to sun damage, this according to the the American Skin Association, a national organization for education on skin health. What's worse, skin cancer is now the most common cancer, striking more than 800,000 annually in the U.S. Which is not to say that panic is in order. While these dangers are real and should be taken seriously, diligent use of sunscreen as well as a daily moisturizer -- especially one enhanced with antioxidants - capable of replenishing essential oils lost to the sun, can go a long way towards helping skin withstand many of the external causes of aging.

Healthy skin can be achieved without adding extra chemicals or fragrances. Companies like Alba Botanica and Nature's Gate understand this. They also make sure their products are not tested on animals. For these reasons, Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop is proud to carry Alba Botanica and Nature's Gate skin care products and natural sunscreens. Visit the links below for more information on how you and your family can stay safe from the sun's harmful rays this summer with natural and organic sunscreens. We also offer free shipping for orders within the United States.

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Press Release

Ten $2,500 educational savings bonds awarded to students with asthma and ten $5,000 grants awarded to schools

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., April 28, 2011 - Everyone Breathe - an educational program geared toward raising awareness of asthma - launched a new initiative today in partnership with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) aimed at improving the quality of asthma care and asthma education in schools across America.

“Having battled the symptoms of asthma for many years, and now as the mother of a child with asthma, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of quality asthma care both at home and in school,” said Mary Joe Fernandez, tennis champion and Everyone Breathe spokesperson. “I believe that it is essential for parents of children with asthma to take a proactive role in helping them lead healthy and symptom-free lives and one way to do this is to help make their environments more asthma-friendly. Through the Everyone Breathe program, we are working to further educate people about asthma, providing opportunities to improve the way the condition is perceived and cared for at school and supporting students’ continued education.”

Parents or guardians of children with asthma are invited to nominate their child and child’s school for the Everyone Breathe Asthma Education savings bond and grant. Ten winning applications will be selected: nominated students in the winning application will receive a $2,500 savings bond for their continued education and the schools nominated in the winning application will receive a $5,000 grant to implement the proposal outlined in the application to help improve asthma care and education at the school. Fifty additional applications will be selected as second-place winners and those nominated schools will receive asthma nebulizer kits.

“We have been dedicated to improving the lives of school-aged children with asthma for 60 years so we are excited to be part of an initiative to motivate parents and caregivers to work with schools to develop ways to improve asthma care and awareness,” said Bill McLin President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. “Asthma affects nearly seven million children in America, and it is imperative that we make an effort to further educate children and parents on asthma care and management. The Everyone Breathe program and grants will help do that.”

Interested parents or guardians are encouraged to work closely with school administrators or parent-teacher organizations to apply for the savings bond and grant. They will have the opportunity to share their child’s experience with asthma, explain why their child is deserving of a savings bond and propose ways to make their child’s school more asthma-friendly. Applications will be reviewed by a judging panel, which includes Mary Joe Fernandez and a representative from AAFA, and will be awarded based on creativity, overall need for the grant and student savings bond, and level to which students with asthma will be positively impacted. Application forms are available on www.EveryoneBreathe.com and will be accepted until July 29, 2011. Winners will be announced in September 2011.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit www.EveryoneBreathe.com today to apply for the Everyone Breathe Asthma Education savings bond and grant and for more information about asthma.

The Everyone Breathe program launched in 2010 as an educational initiative geared toward providing parents and caregivers with information and tools to help them manage their child’s asthma symptoms. The program website has a number of valuable resources, including questions for healthcare providers (HCPs), a printable asthma diary, a caregiver checklist and an Asthma Action Plan to complete with their HCP. Furthermore, www.EveryoneBreathe.com also offers information to help patients and caregivers understand different treatment options and learn how to live better with asthma.

Everyone Breathe is sponsored by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. The Everyone Breathe Asthma Education Grants program is supported by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. in partnership with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

About Mary Joe Fernandez

Mary Joe Fernandez is a former Grand Slam tennis finalist and Olympic Gold medalist and now serves as a tennis broadcast commentator for ESPN and CBS Sports. In 1985, at the age of 14, Mary Joe became the youngest tennis player ever to win a main draw match at the U.S. Open. The following year, Mary Joe turned professional and went on to lead a very successful tennis career.

Mary Joe has also lived with asthma her entire life, although she wasn’t formally diagnosed by her doctor until the age of 20. Within the last few years, Mary Joe learned that her six-year-old son Nicolas also has asthma and she has since been dedicating her time to help raise awareness of asthma through the Everyone Breathe program. Mary Joe is a paid spokesperson for Everyone Breathe. More information surrounding Mary Joe’s involvement with Everyone Breathe can be found at www.EveryoneBreathe.com.

About Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world. Founded in 1953, AAFA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people with asthma and allergic disease through education, advocacy and research.

AAFA provides practical information, community based services and support to people through a network of Regional Chapters, Support Groups and other Community Awareness Partners Clinics around the U.S. The organization develops health education, organizes state and national advocacy efforts and funds research to find better treatments and cures. In addition, the mission of AAFA's website, www.AAFA.org, is to provide online access to AAFA's reliable, validated asthma and allergy information and tools to families, patients, parents, healthcare providers, policymakers and others.

About Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Sunovion)

Sunovion is a leading pharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing therapeutic products that advance the science of medicine in the central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory disease areas and improve the lives of patients and their families. Sunovion's drug development program, together with its corporate development and licensing efforts, has yielded a formidable portfolio of pharmaceutical products and candidates with a focus on respiratory and central nervous system disorders.

Sunovion, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., is headquartered in Marlborough, Mass. More information about Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. is available at www.sunovion.com.

For a copy of this release or any recent release, visit Sunovion’s website at www.sunovion.com.

Everyone Breathe is a trademark of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a U.S. subsidiary of DSP Co. Ltd., © 2011 Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. All rights reserved.



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As you all know May is asthma awareness month. You are probably thinking what does asthma have to do with mercury poisoning? I will answer that later.

My e mail in box has been stuffed with messages from several groups advocating healthier lungs and air for our children. According to the CDC one in 10 children have asthma. That is an alarming statistic. In 2007 185 children in the US died from an asthma attack.

When I learned about this I knew how important it is for parents to learn the facts about asthma and what they can do to help. I found one asthma organization very intriguing. When Moms Clean Air Force.org invited me to attend their live webinar along with special guest Jessica Capshaw from Grey's Anatomy I jumped at the chance. I thought that I might learn something new about asthma and be able to share my knowledge with my readers and who doesn't like Jessica Capshaw?

When I signed up I noticed that only about five other mom bloggers had also signed up but I figured that it was still early. Shockingly, I was the only blogger that attended.

The webinar was not about asthma like the e mail stated. The women discussed coal power plants and the mercury that they release into the air, which they believe ends up in our lakes, streams and rivers and then in the fish. Ignorant moms then feed the toxic fish to their children.

I have heard this myth several times before and they still haven't convinced me that tuna is bad for you. Should moms really be concerned about mercury poisoning?

I don't think so.

Although left wing environmentalists and the mainstream media want you to believe that the amount of mercury in our environment (and in the fish we eat) is dangerously increasing, in reality it isn't.

Researchers from Duke University and the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum compared 21 specimens of Atlantic Ocean blue hake preserved during the 1880s with 66 similar fish caught in the 1970s. They found that the concentration of mercury hadn't changed.

In another study, Princeton scientists compared samples of yellowfin tuna from 1971 with samples caught in 1998. They expected to find a mercury increase of between 9 and 26 percent, but they found a small decline instead.

Mercury in fish does not pose a serious health risk to Americans. The tuna fish sandwich you packed in your daughter's lunch is not poisonous. Scientists have proven that the tiny amounts of mercury found in fish are not hazardous. A recent study conducted in the Seychelles Islands (in the Indian Ocean) for a span of twelve years, found no negative health effects from dietary exposure to mercury through heavy fish consumption. On average, people in the Seychelles Islands eat between 12 and 14 fish meals every week, and the mercury levels measured from the island natives are approximately ten times higher than those measured in the United States. Yet none of the studied Seychelles natives suffered any ill effects from mercury in fish, and they received the significant health benefits of fish consumption.

Fish is healthy for you and in fact everyone should have at least two servings of fish a week in order to maintain a healthy diet. These health benefits outweigh the mercury risks. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can decrease the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disorders, Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, type-2 diabetes, low birth-weight, post-partum depression, and pre-term delivery. Unfortunately, too many Americans are listening to the mainstream media and are choosing to avoid eating fish.

My point is this; if you are a blogger pay close attention to the e mails you receive and make sure you visit the links before committing your precious time. Also, don't worry about the mercury level when preparing a fish dinner for your family. Enjoy that delicious meat from the sea. Your heart will thank you later.

*Disclosure this is an editorial and may not reflect the opinions from all the contributors at The Healthy Moms Magazine. All facts represented in this article can be found on mercuryfacts.org.



About This Author

Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, manages Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.






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Whether at the park, on the beach or in your own back yard, a family picnic is a great way to spend time together while bonding over the food you eat. Unfortunately, traditional picnic foods like fried chicken, dips, and mayonnaise-based salads can wreak havoc on anyone’s health. With a little modification, you can enjoy a picnic while keeping your family happy and healthy.

Fresh and Crisp Produce:
Go raw! Summer picnics occur at the height of the fresh produce season. The more colorful produce you add to your menu, the healthier the meal. Get your picnics off to a ‘fruitful’ start by packing your cooler with a wide variety of colorful fruits. If they are in season, there is nothing quite like a juicy watermelon to finish the meal. Sliced apples, berries, and dried fruit like raisins, dried apricots are perfect travel snacks without the mess of fruits you have to peel. Pack a nutritional punch by filling your cooler with colorful vegetables, thereby providing your family picnic with antioxidants and vital vitamins and minerals. Try baby carrots, slices of celery, cucumbers and peppers, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli- all perfect for dipping. Pack low- fat or fat- free dressings for a fun and nutritious snack. Be sure to keep uncooked meats and fresh produce separate in your coolers to avoid potential food-borne illness.

Chips and Dips:
Greasy fried potato chips with onion dip is loaded with saturated and trans fats. Instead, help your heart and cholesterol by switching to baked chips, like Stacy’s Pita Chips or Tostitos Scoops, and pair it with a nutritious dip, such as hummus, salsa, fat-free bean dip, or low-fat yogurt with herbs and spices. Your kids will love all the dipping!

Protein:
There are so many delicious ways to pack healthy protein into your picnic basket. Take slices of lean, chicken, turkey, ham or roast beef and top them on a salad or sandwich for a delicious, healthy meal. Nuts can also boost your protein and fiber intake when sprinkled onto salads, but note to self, watch your portions because although they are high in healthy fat, the calories can quickly add up.

Hearty Whole Grains:
Refined breads, rolls, and starchy pasta salads can pile on lots of calories and little fiber. Choose whole grain products like 100% whole wheat rolls or whole wheat pita bread, for an added boost of fiber and nutritional value without sacrificing taste. Bring along whole wheat tortillas—kids love the fun shape of a rolled up sandwich. Turkey and veggies, lean ham and low fat cheese, and reduced fat peanut butter and jelly, are all great options for fillings. Another kid tip-use a potato chip bag clip to keep the healthy fillings from falling out!

Switch up your Salads:
Resist the temptation to load your picnic basket with high-calorie salads that are mixed with mayonnaise. Mayonnaise-based salads are providing you with artery clogging fats. Instead opt for low-fat or fat- free mayo and split it with non- fat yogurts, which will save you loads of calories and fat and give you an added perk of protein.

Best Beverages:
It’s so easy to become dehydrated without even knowing it, especially when you are outdoors playing in the sun, hiking or tanning. Kids are especially prone to losing fluids, and often don't want to interrupt their fun to drink. Beat the heat with plenty of ice water, sparkling water, unsweetened iced tea, and an assortment of low-calorie beverages. You can freeze water bottles the night before and use as cold packs to keep food and drinks cold.

Get Up and Move:
Whether you’re soaking up the sun on the beach or enjoying the relaxing air in the park, there are so many activities to do to get your heart pumping!
Searching for sea shells, pitching tents, climbing, and hiking are all fantastic nature filled activities, providing good exercise without feeling like a workout.
• Depending on what location you pick there are many fun, vigorous activities you can find.

About This Author

Joanna Dolgoff, M.D. is a Pediatrician, Child Obesity Expert, and Author of Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right (Rodale, 2009). Dr. Dolgoff’s child and adolescent weight loss program (http://www.DrDolgoff.com) has been featured on WABC News, WNBC News, Fox 5 Morning Show, My9 News, and WPIX News. She has also filmed pieces with The Today Show and Extra, is an official blogger for the Huffington Post, and is the official doctor for Camp Shane, the nation’s largest weight loss camp. Children from 45 different states are losing weight with Dr. Dolgoff’s online weight loss program (http://www.DrDolgoff.com).
Dr. Dolgoff attended Princeton University and the NYU School of Medicine and completed her Pediatric Residency at the Columbia Presbyterian Children’s Hospital of New York. She is a Board-Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a former certified fitness instructor. Dr. Dolgoff resides in Roslyn, NY with her husband and two children, ages 4 and 7.

Finding a regular fitness routine can be challenging for busy moms. If you are familiar with pilates, Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates will help you stay in shape before, during and after pregnancy.

Being new to fitness programs pilates has always interested me. It might be due to the fact that I don't know anything about the program. For this reason I jumped at the chance to view these DVD's. However, I had to step out of my comfort zone because I am unfamiliar with pilates. Jennifer uses terminology that may make some women like myself a little confused. This DVD series is wonderful but I don't recommend it for a beginner.

I was also impressed with how flexible Ms. Gianni is. She makes all the moves look easy. I could tell that she is an expert in her field.

The program comes with four DVD's.

• Fusion Pilates Triple Threat

This program combines low impact cardio and complicated pilates and balance moves to get you in shape before pregnancy.

• Fusion Pilates for Pregnancy

This workout is perfect for pregnant women who are looking for something challenging to help them prepare for delivery.

• Fusion Pilates for Post Pregnancy and C-Section Recovery

This DVD is benificial for women who need a safe six week exercise plan to help them get their pre-pregnancy body back.

• Fusion Pilates: Exercise with Baby

Exercise with Baby is my favorite workout in the whole series. Even though I am not flexible enough to do all the moves in this routine my baby and I had a lot of fun exercising together. He laughed at all of mommy's strange facial expressions. For someone who doesn't know much about pilates, this DVD meets my fitness needs the best.

Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates is great, however I think that these DVD's should indicate that they are not designed for beginners like myself. Maybe I am just too used to other fitness programs that are less complex. Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates is a wonderful program for women who are seeking a challenging workout program while planning and raising their children.


About This Author

Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, manages Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.

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Few kids would say they crave a good fiber-rich meal. However, many appetizing foods are actually great sources of fiber — from fruits to whole-grain cereals. Fiber has mounting research that shows we need to have fiber in our diet every day to fight off disease and promote overall well-being. Kids who eat a wide variety of fiber-rich foods will likely continue with this healthy habit later in life, so jump on the bran wagon now!

What is Dietary Fiber?
Fiber is part of the plant food that our body does not digest. You can find dietary fiber in the following plant foods: fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, seeds, nuts and whole grains. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Both are important for a healthy diet.
Soluble fiber acts like a sponge. It absorbs water in the intestines and forms a gluey gel that picks up cholesterol and carries it out of the body.
Insoluble fiber acts like a broom because it doesn’t dissolve in water. It adds bulk and softness to the stools and keeps them moving along comfortably preventing constipation.

Fiber has the following health benefits:
It keeps your child’s intestines working comfortably.
It protects against constipation when combined with enough water.
It fills up your child’s tummy so they will be satisfied and not overeat.
It reduces the risk of many diseases including diabetes and certain cancers.
It reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).

How Much Fiber Do Kids Need?
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association both recommend a simple rule of thumb: The total number of fiber grams a child should consume each day should equal the child's age plus 5, starting at age 2. A 6-year-old, therefore, should have 11 grams of fiber a day.

Fiber intake should be increased gradually. This is important to minimize potential adverse side effects such as abdominal distress, bloating, flatulence, cramps and diarrhea. Remember to encourage kids to drink more fluids, especially water, as they eat more fiber.


What Foods Are High in Fiber?
A high-fiber food has 5 grams or more of fiber per serving and a good source of fiber is one that provides 2.5 to 4.9 grams per serving. Here's how some fiber-friendly foods stack up:

Lentils, cooked (1 cup) = 15.6 grams dietary fiber
Artichoke, cooked (1 medium) = 10.3 grams dietary fiber
Raspberries (1 cup) = 8 grams dietary fiber
Pear (1 medium) = 5 grams dietary fiber


How to Boost Your Child’s Fiber Power
Help your child meet their daily fiber needs, by gradually increasing fiber in their diet with the following tips:

Breakfast tips
Choose 100% whole grain cereals for breakfast
Have cut up fruit in the cereal or as a side dish

Lunch tips
Use 100% whole grain bread, rolls, wraps, or pita for sandwiches
Add fresh fruit and/or vegetables with low fat dipping sauces
Add a small bag of nuts or seeds in with their lunch

Dinner tips
Replace white rice, white bread and white pastas with brown rice and whole grain products
Include a fruit or vegetable salad with the skin on
Add seeds and nuts to liven up the salads
Replace a side dish with dried peas or beans
Make a pizza by topping a whole wheat tortilla with pizza sauce, low fat cheese and vegetables
Toss in extra vegetables in home-made or low sodium canned soups

Snack tips
Offer a bowl of air-popped or low fat popcorn
Make a baggie of 100% whole grain crackers

Changing your child’s diet should be a positive experience. Explain to them why fiber is important for the whole family to feel healthy. You don’t want to get upset and frustrated with your child if they don’t want to try higher fiber foods. Just be positive with your encouragement and keep introducing higher fiber foods.

Homework, late workdays, long commutes, after-school activities -- it's no wonder few families eat dinner together. Yet studies show that the family dinner hour is an important part of healthy living. In fact, a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics found that children and adolescents who share meals with their families at least three times per week are less likely to be overweight, be at risk for eating disorders, or eat unhealthy foods, such as soda, fast food, fried food and sweets or candy.

The researchers examined 17 previous studies, which involved 182,836 children aged 2 to 17 and found that three or more family meals per week were associated with a 12% reduction in the odds for being overweight, a 20% drop in the odds of eating unhealthy foods regularly and a 35% reduction in disordered eating- including purging, the use of diet pills, skipping meals or the use of smoking cigarettes as a way to control weight. In addition, the kids were 24% more likely to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, breakfast and also more likely to take a multivitamin.

Although the studies yielded mixed results and weren't easy to compare, overall they show regular family meals are tied to better nutrition. Basically, by simply having family dinners and engaging themselves in their kids’ lives, parents can significantly benefit their child’s health and well-being. How awesome is that?! Also, as Amber Hammons, Ph.D., of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and the lead study author, points out, it's possible that parents may influence and monitor their kids more during shared meals.

Remember, the goal is to get everyone to the dinner table and to spend quality time together - not to force Mom into Carol Brady mode. Here are tips on pulling it off:

Keep it simple. Family meals don't have to be elaborate. Work salads and vegetables into meals. Focus on familiar favorites, like chili or frittatas.
Get the family involved. Let kids help prepare meals and set the table.
Use the crock-pot. Put everything together before leaving for work in the morning. You'll come home to the delicious smell of a cooked meal.

Americans have always been known to be industrious and innovative. Owning your own business or company is a vision that many of us have. It is important to our economy to keep the spirit of entrepreneurship alive. Without small business unemployment will go up and less people will spend money.

With the economic slowdown more and more women are staying home with their children to avoid expensive day care costs. However, without a second income many households are not able to pay all their bills. For this reason moms are turning to small business. Many of them are joining direct sales companies like Scentsy Wickless Candles, Miche Bags or Passion Parties. The more daring stay at home moms follow bigger dreams at start their own small business from home. If you search the web you will find thousands of mom run online stores. With big box companies like Wal-Mart, Amazon and C Stores how do these small online mom shops stay in business? Word of mouth and social media along with mom's touch of superb customer service is the key to running a successful mom store.

Some stay at home moms will try just about anything to help pay for the groceries. Sometimes they need a little nudge and support from people like you.

Why you should support mom run small business

These moms are just like you and they work extra hard to help our economy grow. Many of them have wonderful ideas but give up when the competition gets too tough. Running an online store with thousands of competitors can be challenging when you have children to look out for and a limited budget to spend on your small business. If you are a stay at home mom you should know how difficult it is to help with your families finances. Children are expensive and many families are struggling in today's economy.

Next time you are shopping online take a closer look at the store that you are purchasing from. Is it a large company? Is it run by an individual? Where is your money really going? Is it paying some one's wage overseas or is it helping an American family? Are you shopping on Amazon.com? Who is the Amazon merchant you are ordering from? Is it a large company or a mom run small business? You may be surprised at what you find.

Take a look at these wonderful mom run stores. These amazing ladies work hard and deserve your support.

Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop Discount Health Store
Monkey Business Graphic Design
Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles
Rocking Horse To Love
Wrapadoodle
Cocoon Wrap Mama Store
Granola Mom for God's Young Living Store
Resume Reform.com
Mom's Healthy Market
Becoming Home Grown Etsy Shop
Belly Charms.com
Artists of Derbyshire
The Knitting Journeyman
Hands of Creativity
Mo Betta Surfer Jewelry
Mo Betta Surfer Jewelry on Ebay
Sam's Stuff
Shell's Eye

If you would like us to share your online store's link with our readers please add it to our Facebook page.


About This Author

Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, manages Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.





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Americans all over are celebrating because the most wanted man, Osama Bin Laden is dead. It was reported and then confirmed by President Obama that Bin Laden was killed by US special forces.

The images and sounds of people dancing and singing the National Anthem while wrapped in the American flag are still vivid in my mind. Bin Laden was the mastermind behind the attacks on the US on September 11, 2001 as well as other terrorist acts that killed thousands of US citizens and our allies throughout the world before 9/11.

Bin Laden was a very smart terrorist. He knew how to hide from the greatest superpower in the world and it took us ten years to finally catch him. Now that he is dead I have mixed feelings about the reactions of American citizens.

Shortly after 9/11 the radical Muslims in the middle east celebrated while the people in our country united and a new patriotism spread throughout the land. I remember seeing the images of people celebrating the murders from that awful day in 2001. It made me sick. How can so many people be happy because thousands of innocent men women and children were killed? To those radical Muslims Americans and the western way of life are the enemies. They believe that we are evil and need to be destroyed. They will do anything to see it happen too.

Now that America has won this battle through capturing and killing Bin Laden, does that give us permission to celebrate the way people in the mid east did after September, 11, 2001? I don't think that we should.

The bible teaches us that it murder is wrong, no matter what the circumstances. I believe that life is precious no matter what your age, race, creed or how often you have sinned. Jesus forgives everyone even mass murderers, like Bin Laden. His death does not warrant a celebration.

There are so many unanswered questions around Bin Laden's death. Do we really know anything about his number two in command? Where is he? Is he planning revenge? Is our armed forces prepared for retaliation? Is homeland security prepared for another attack on our soil? I think we need to stay vigilant and instead of celebrating the death of this mass murderer we should come together as a strong nation, as one just like we did on September 12, 2001. We need to pray and trust in God. Only He will protect us now.

*This is an editorial and may not reflect the opinions of all the writers on The Healthy Moms Magazine



About This Author

Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, manages Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Shop, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.


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I called a friend . . . and nearly sobbed like a baby.  Cried like my sons do when scratched by Ruth, our Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. 

 

 

Change is hard.  Especially when it involves food. 

And that is what I was crying about.

When you leave the prepackaged convenience behind and opt for nutrition and color . . . it is hard.

You have to prepare.  Plan.  Cut vegetables, get out bowls for fresh fruit snacks, boil eggs, sprinkle cinnamon on top of warm muffins . . .

 

 

Wash dishes . . .

 

But it can be done.  And I want to tell you how you can learn to do this faster than I did (6 years in the making.)

For several years it felt like our family was in the middle of Kansas with no car in sight.  I didn’t know many who were eating like us, cloth diapering, visiting Farmer’s Markets, pulverizing baby food, making laundry detergent . . . or whatever else I have listed on my Frugal Organic pull down menu.

 

 

It was a lonely place filled with trial and error.  Some U-turns. 

That is why I started Granola Mom 4 God.  (Well, one of the reasons.)  And why I began reading Healthy Moms Magazine. 

I didn’t want to continue to travel alone.  More importantly, I didn’t want anyone else to travel alone.

Well, now there is actually a class that you can take to jump start your journey into real food, whole food, nourishing food . . .

So . . . if you want to begin your whole foods journey but don’t know where to start, let me introduce you to Kelly, the Kitchen Kop.   She is offering a class to teach you. . . to walk you through the steps towards Real Food. . . she will give you some tips so that you can learn how to change. 

It’s titled the Real Food for Rookies Class.

 

 

The cost of the class is $145 . . . but by using the  coupon code REALFOOD you will receive another $25 off! 

A total savings of $70!

 

If you are JUST STARTING OUT or are CURIOUS as to how to bring real food into your home . . . Kelly has some priceless information to pass on to you.

In 12 weeks you’ll Learn How To:

• Save time and money while serving Real Food
• Read labels and avoid dangerous ingredients
• Make nourishing “fast food” meals to avoid last-minute trips to the drive-thru
• Find healthier alternatives for soda pop, refined sugars, heart-killer oils, sugar-bomb breakfast cereals, factory farmed meat and more
• Serve nutrient-dense foods that are necessary for good health
• Take control of your health and change your family’s future!
• click here to see a detailed class description

In short, if you need a hand understanding how to navigate whole foods or real foods, allow Kelly to be your GPS.  Sign up, here!  (And please let me know if you do so that I can encourage you in your journey!)

 

 

Use coupon code REALFOOD to receive $25 off the promotional price! Valid until Monday at midnight Eastern Standard Time!