Today's Headlines

The Healthy Moms Magazine is excited to partner with Amy McCready , founder of Positive Parenting Solutions to offer a free live training webinar TONIGHT Monday, July 25th from 9-10 PM EASTERN Time.

The session is…Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling and Amy McCready promises that we’ll walk away with concrete tools we can use the next day and see results. I know you'll be especially interested in learning the 5 R’s of Fair and Effective Consequences. You can view, hear, and interact with Amy similar to that of an on-site seminar. Participants are not required to have a webcam.

All you have to do is RSVP and then kick back and learn the proven strategies to Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling!
Webinar seating will be limited and spots are filling up fast so learn more and RSVP now! I'll look forward to welcoming you.

Please share this on your FACEBOOK page by clicking here!

Click HERE to reserve your spot.

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 Store, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.

Long work weeks, busy schedules, and our dependency for electronic gadgets can create a lot of stress. Our children, even the smallest ones, can sense when we are under stress. It is during these times they crave our attention and will choose to try to get it in a negative manner. Why do children do this and how can we remain calm when we are stressed out and our little ones seem out of control?

I ask myself this question every single day. My husband is a salesman and his job requires him to travel three days a week. Sometimes he is miles away and stays overnight a few nights leaving me home with five children. Four of our children are ages five and under. Our oldest is a very complicated teenager. When my husband is out of town I get overwhelmed and stressed out very easily. If I did not stay calm while playing single mom, my kids would be holy terrors. How do I do it? Here are a few of my tips.

1. When stress seems to take control walk away. Fortunately I have a teenage daughter so if I need to get away from my kids I leave her in charge, put the baby in the stroller and go for a walk. It helps me to calm down and relax. If you don't have a child old enough to babysit then you can either take all the kids with you and go for a walk, or have a trusted neighbor or close friend watch them for you. Sometimes just ten minutes away from your children can help you rejuvenate so you are able to handle the situation better.

2. Separate the trouble makers. If one of your children keeps misbehaving put him somewhere alone either for a time out, or in his bedroom. If he is 2 or younger make sure he is in a safe place where he will not hurt himself. A crib, play yard or a bedroom with the door shut are great examples of safe places for little ones. If your child screams for a long time just leave him there until you are calm and collected. If your children are fighting with each other put them in separate areas. If a time out doesn't work, then find separate activities for the squabbling siblings.

3. Put off what is not important for the given moment. Do you really need to wash those dishes piling in the sink? Can you fold and put away your laundry tomorrow? Think about what is the most important thing at the exact time your children are misbehaving. Your kids' health and safety and your health and personal well being are more important than bills, work and household chores. If those three things are causing the stress in your life set them aside for another day.

How do you handle stressful situations with your children?

If you are still looking for answers to your parenting questions and need help dealing with out of control children please join us for a free live training webinar on Monday, July 25th from 9-10 PM EASTERN Time.

The session is…Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling and Amy McCready promises that we’ll walk away with concrete tools we can use the next day and see results. I know you'll be especially interested in learning the 5 R’s of Fair and Effective Consequences. You can view, hear, and interact with Amy similar to that of an on-site seminar. Participants are not required to have a webcam.

You'll love the way this webinar is structured. Amy is right there LIVE, a video image of her is in the upper left corner of your monitor the whole time. As she talks with you, you'll watch her PowerPoint presentation that is packed with valuable background, information, and examples. She'll also stop from time to time to ask all of us questions about difficulties and needs when it comes to getting our kids to listen. We'll respond in a poll, and she tailors the presentation based off our responses. You will also have the option to write in specific questions and she’ll address them, right there for you.All you have to do is RSVP and then kick back and learn the proven strategies to Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling! Webinar seating will be limited so learn more and RSVP now! I'll look forward to welcoming you.

Please share this on your FACEBOOK page by clicking here.

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 Store, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.

Amy McCready , founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, has written a new book titled, "If I Have to Tell You One More Time...The Revolutionary Program That Gets Your Kids to Listen
Without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling" (Tarcher/Penguin) to be released
on August 4, 2011. This book covers the same parenting topics that will be discussed in our free webinar hosted by Amy on Monday July, 25 but more in depth.

The book is not a replacement for the comprehensive content and coaching support in Amy's program, (you can learn more about how Amy helps parents by attending our webinar) but it is a great compliment for it. It can work as an introduction if you’re just getting started, or a bedside reference as you work through the online sessions. You’ll enjoy the new and entertaining real life examples of the most common behaviors issues along with Tool Box solutions.

If you pre-order her book you can help deserving military families. For each book sold between now and August 12, Positive Parenting Solutions, in partnership with Blue Star Families, will provide free online parenting training to deserving moms and dads who sacrifice everyday to protect our country.

For more information on how to pre-order "If I Have to Tell You One More Time"...and how you can help a military with Pay It Forward Parenting, visit http://www.amymccready.com.


Don't forget to mark your calender for Monday July 25, 2011 at 9pm E for our live positive parenting webinar hosted by Amy McCready. Only two days away, and seats are limited and filling up fast so make sure you RSVP today. Visit: Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling! for more detailed information on this event.

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 Store, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.

Acting out and breaking the rules is normal natural human behavior and it has been going on for years. Sometimes it may seem like our innocent little one's misbehave more often than we would like. What causes them to act out? Amy McCready, the founder of Positive Parenting Solutions has some great tips for parents of children who misbehave. In her article on Today Parenting she states,

Children (and adults, for that matter) have a need for belonging and significance. It’s just the way we’re wired. Belonging refers to the emotional connection and positive attention we need with one another. Significance refers to one’s sense of autonomy, capability, and need to make contributions in meaningful ways. Think of “significance” as a form of possessing personal power. Without both of these innate needs being met, children will misbehave.

‘I need more of your time and attention’
When a child doesn’t feel a strong sense of belonging, she will act out in ways that she (mistakenly) believes will give her the emotional connection and positive attention she craves. For example, a toddler who isn’t getting enough positive attention from mom and dad will act out with attention-seeking behaviors like whining, clinging or acting helpless. In the child’s mind, she thinks, “if I cling or whine, that’s a great way to get their attention.” The toddler really wants positive attention and emotional connection from mom and dad, but will use negative attention-seeking behaviors to achieve her goal.

‘I need some power of my own’
A young child may feel stripped of his significance because mom and dad do things for the child that he is capable of doing for himself. How can a child ever feel capable if mom/dad do everything for him? Or, perhaps they call all the shots and make all the decisions — robbing him of having some control over his life. These parent behaviors (which are natural and extremely common) strip the child of his sense of significance or personal power.

If his hard-wired need to feel capable, important and to have some say over his own life isn’t met, he‘ll fight back with power-seeking behaviors like tantrums, talking back, not listening, and other power struggles occasionally leading to defiance in tweens and teens. The child really wants positive power, but the negative power-seeking behaviors are the toddlers’ or teenagers’ way of saying, “you aren’t the boss of me! I need some power of my own!”

As parents we may ask ourselves, what can we do to control this behavior in a positive way? If your children are difficult to control Amy can help. The Healthy Moms Magazine and Positive Parenting Solutions invite you do join us for a free live training webinar on Monday, July 25th from 9-10 PM EASTERN Time.

The session is…Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling and Amy McCready promises that we’ll walk away with concrete tools we can use the next day and see results. I know you'll be especially interested in learning the 5 R’s of Fair and Effective Consequences. You can view, hear, and interact with Amy similar to that of an on-site seminar. Participants are not required to have a webcam.

Who Should Attend: Frustrated parents of kids ages 2-16 (Note: Please encourage your spouse or other caregivers to attend. Parenting is a lot easier when everyone is on the same page!)

What You’ll Learn: Amy McCready, Founder of Positive Parenting Solutions will present a strategy-packed, interactive, LIVE online webinar designed to teach you…

• why kids really misbehave – it’s probably not what you think!
• how your personality may actually fuel misbehavior
• the 5 R’s of Fair & Effective Consequences so kids listen the first time you ask
• training resources to reduce your parenting stress & stop nagging, reminding & yelling

All you have to do is RSVP and then kick back and learn the proven strategies to Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling!
Webinar seating will be limited so learn more and RSVP now! I'll look forward to welcoming you.

Please share this on your FACEBOOK page by clicking here!

About Amy McCready

Parenting expert Amy McCready is the founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, which has empowered thousands of parents worldwide to correct their kids’ misbehavior without nagging, reminding or yelling. Amy is a frequent guest on the TODAY show and has also appeared on Rachael Ray, CNN, Fox & Friends, MSNBC, and elsewhere. A regular contributor to the TODAY Mom’s blog, Amy lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband and two teenage sons.

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 Store, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.

Sometimes don't you just wish you had a day off? Wouldn't it be great to spend just a few hours away from home, away from housework, and away from fighting, screaming kids? I love my life and family, don't get me wrong, but this month has been so crazy and hectic so I decided to take a day off. Read More

The Healthy Moms Magazine invites you to join us for a free Positive Parenting Webinar hosted by Amy McCready , founder of Positive Parenting Solutions.

This free live training webinar on Monday, July 25th from 9-10 PM EASTERN Time. Please mark your calendars.

The session is…Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling and Amy McCready promises that we’ll walk away with concrete tools we can use the next day and see results. I know you'll be especially interested in learning the 5 R’s of Fair and Effective Consequences. You can view, hear, and interact with Amy similar to that of an on-site seminar. Participants are not required to have a webcam.

You'll love the way this webinar is structured. Amy is right there LIVE, a video image of her is in the upper left corner of your monitor the whole time. As she talks with you, you'll watch her PowerPoint presentation that is packed with valuable background, information, and examples. She'll also stop from time to time to ask all of us questions about difficulties and needs when it comes to getting our kids to listen. We'll respond in a poll, and she tailors the presentation based off our responses.

You will also have the option to write in specific questions and she’ll address them, right there for you.

All you have to do is RSVP and then kick back and learn the proven strategies to Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling!
Webinar seating will be limited so learn more and RSVP now! I'll look forward to welcoming you.

Please share this on your FACEBOOK page by clicking here!

The Healthy Moms Magazine & Positive Parenting Solutions Webinar

Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling!

The Healthy Moms Magazine is excited to partner with Amy McCready , founder of Positive Parenting Solutions to offer a free live training webinar on Monday, July 25th from 9-10 PM EASTERN Time.

The session is…Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling and Amy McCready promises that we’ll walk away with concrete tools we can use the next day and see results. I know you'll be especially interested in learning the 5 R’s of Fair and Effective Consequences. You can view, hear, and interact with Amy similar to that of an on-site seminar. Participants are not required to have a webcam.

You'll love the way this webinar is structured. Amy is right there LIVE, a video image of her is in the upper left corner of your monitor the whole time. As she talks with you, you'll watch her PowerPoint presentation that is packed with valuable background, information, and examples. She'll also stop from time to time to ask all of us questions about difficulties and needs when it comes to getting our kids to listen. We'll respond in a poll, and she tailors the presentation based off our responses.

You will also have the option to write in specific questions and she’ll address them, right there for you.

All you have to do is RSVP and then kick back and learn the proven strategies to Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling!
Webinar seating will be limited so learn more and RSVP now! I'll look forward to welcoming you.

Please share this on your FACEBOOK page by clicking here!

About Amy McCready

Parenting expert Amy McCready is the founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, which has empowered thousands of parents worldwide to correct their kids’ misbehavior without nagging, reminding or yelling. Amy is a frequent guest on the TODAY show and has also appeared on Rachael Ray, CNN, Fox & Friends, MSNBC, and elsewhere. A regular contributor to the TODAY Mom’s blog, Amy lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband and two teenage sons.

Most of us moms attempting to balance our lives know that not all protein bars are created equal. Yet the idea of grabbing a filling but healthy snack for on-the-go appeals to us. How do we know what kind is really good for us and delicious at the same time?

I was offered the Chocolate Chunk variety of the Fit Smart bars by ReNew Life to try. I was impressed by the label: gluten free, soy free, non-GMO, no added sugar and no preservatives. Since they are marketed to help one lose weight, I was especially excited about the chocolate. The taste was definitely chocolate---no "fake stuff" here. In fact, if you're not a dark chocolate lover, these may even be a bit too rich for you. How's that for diet food?

I tried these as snacks during a time I was trying to lose weight. Replacing a less healthy snack with them did not hurt me at all---I consistently lost 1-2 pounds a week even though the bars contain 210 calories each.

Brenda Watson, one of the founders of Renew Life, is concerned with much more than just dropping a few pounds, however. She is known as "one of the nation's leading authorities on natural digestive health, detoxification and internal cleansing." She even has a PBS television special called The Road to Perfect Health--Balance Your Gut, Heal Your Body.

If you're interested in losing weight while keeping health and optimal nutrition at the forefront, these bars may just be the answer for you.


Jennifer Self is a disciple of Jesus Christ who loves following His plan for her life as a wife to the most wonderful man in the world and mama to four little blessings. Her days are filled with spending time with her man, homeschooling, preparing reasonably healthy meals and keeping the dust bunnies and the clutter monster at bay with a little blogging mixed in. After her family has been taken care of, she dabbles in her other passions of reading, health and music. She blogs about her life, her Heavenly Father, marriage, parenting and home at www.joyeverafter.blogspot.com.

Should parents lose custody of severely obese children if they are unable to control their kids' weight? A recent editorial in a popular medical journal argues, yes. The authors believe that the government should be allowed to intervene in extreme cases.

The article in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association stated that parents have lost custody of obese children in the past and putting children temporally in foster care is in some cases more ethical than obesity surgery.

Approximately 2 million US children are extremely obese. Some of these kids have obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and liver disease that could prematurely end their lives by age 30.

In a case involving a 12 year old girl weighing 400 pounds the state placed her in foster care where she received three balanced meals a day and a snack or two and moderate excercise. She lost 130 pounds after a year in foster care. State intervention is not always necessary. Another medical journal article discussed a story about a 440 pound 16-year-old girl who developed breathing problems due to her excess weight. After spending time in the hospital and nearly losing her life the family made lifestyle changes and the girl lost 100 pounds.

Health care providers are required to report at risk kids to the government. Is this fair to parents? Do we really want our government to tell us how to raise our kids? I disagree with Wednesday's article in the Journal of the American Medical Association. I have always believed that parents need to show a good example for their children and teach them how to lead a healthy lifestyle. But I also believe that our freedoms and liberty are important too.

Having the freedom to chose how we live, where we live, what we eat, where we work and play is what makes this country great. There are plenty of resources available for parents including this website, to learn about childhood obesity and how to prevent it. Education and example will help end this epidemic not punishment.

Statistics have showed that a majority of families with obese children are living below the poverty level. If the government wants these families to lead healthier lifestyles instead of taking their children away educational programs should be more readily available for these families. Families on the national WIC (Women Infants Children) program learn about how to make healthy food choices for their family. But once your child reaches age 5 you are taken off of the Federal Government funded program. Maybe another program is needed for families with children over the age of five. Don't take my rights away or the rights of other parents.

*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 Store, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.

Record high temperatures are in the forecast all over the US this week . Thousands of people are effected by heat exhaustion each year leading to hospitalization and even death. What can you do to keep your family safe from the heat?

Heat exhaustion or heat stroke occurs when the body is exposed to hot temperatures for an extended period of time resulting in a rise of body temperature that is greater than 105.1 °F. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, lightheartedness, and muscle cramps. If left untreated it can lead to a seizure requiring immediate medical treatment.

There are several things that you can do to prevent heat exhaustion.

• Stay in the air conditioning as much as possible. If you don't have air conditioning use fans to circulate the air and open windows and doors.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids especially water. You can also use water to cool yourself. Fill bowls, basins or tubs with cool water and soak your feet. Use a cool wet washcloth to keep your skin hydrated. Avoid caffeinated beverages.
  
• Wear loose fitting clothing.
  
• Stay out of hot vehicles. Children, elderly adults, or disabled individuals left alone in a vehicle are at particular risk of succumbing to heat stroke, even with windows partially open. As these groups of individuals may not be able to express discomfort verbally (or audibly, inside a closed car), their plight may not be immediately noticed by others in the vicinity. A stuffed toy or other child's toy is recommended for a parent or guardian to keep with himself or herself in the front seat as a reminder that at least one child is present. For larger groups, checking the van or bus for stragglers at the end of the trip is essential, complemented by other procedures such as a head count.
  
  Pets are even more susceptible than humans to heat stroke in cars, as dogs (the animals usually involved), cats and many other animals cannot produce whole body sweat. Non-guide dogs are prohibited from being brought into many establishments, and opening a vehicle window sufficiently may present an escape opportunity or bite hazard. Leaving the pet at home with plenty of water on hot days is recommended instead, or, if a dog must be brought along, tied up outside the destination and provided with a full water bowl.

Stay cool and hydrated in the hot summer heat.

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 Store, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.

In the fight against childhood obesity the British health department issued a statement today encouraging the youngest kids to exercise more. Kids under five who can walk should be physically active for at least three hours a day. Officials also said parents should reduce the amount of time such kids spend being sedentary while watching television or being strapped in a stroller.

I agree with the British government's statement and believe that families in the United States should also teach their children how to be physically active starting from birth. You might think that three hours a day is a long time for your little ones, but this actually is quite reasonable and not that difficult to fit into your schedule. Below are a few tips on how you can get your youngest children to learn how to stay physically active.

Have your kids start "tummy time" shortly after birth. For newborns you can break up the three hours into short 2-5 minute segments throughout the day. Once your child gains more strength you can increase the time on his tummy. Make sure you set aside tummy time for your infant every single day.

If your child is between the ages of 6-12 mos provide a safe environment on the floor free from safety hazards and small object that your child can choke on. Place fun toys on the floor for him to explore. Make sure your baby spends plenty of time every day on the floor actively playing with his toys.

For children 1-5 there are several activities you can do to encourage them to exercise more. Below are just a few:

• Put on some fun child friendly music and dance with your kids.
• Go for a walk. Even toddlers can walk around your block. You don't have to put your little one in a stroller every time you go for a walk.
  
• Play an active game with a ball. This can be as simple as catch or kicking around a soccer ball.
• Play tag with your kids.
• Have your children race around the house. (My kids love doing this!)
• Be creative and come up with your own active game!

The best way to teach your children how to lead an active lifestyle is by showing a good example yourself. If they see you exercising and having fun then your children will want to join in. Play with your kids. Not only does playing with your kids get them off of the couch and away from video games and computers it also creates a more positive relationship between parent and child.

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 Store, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.

The summer heat can become unbearable in many areas of the country. We all want to encourage our kids to stay fit and active but it can be difficult to get them outside when the temperatures soar. If your kids' birthdays fall during the summer months wouldn't it be great to have an affordable, active party away from the heat? Now you can!

Pump It Up, the nation’s largest franchise of indoor inflatable playgrounds specializing in private parties for birthdays, and programs, such as corporate events, school outings, field trips and other events, and The Healthy Moms Magazine want you and your kids to have a "weatherproof" Birthday party. Below are a few tips from Pump It Up:

"1) Halloween in the Summer

Having a costume themed party In the middle of the summer is nice surprise for kids who only expect a fun Halloween party in the month of October. Let your child choose a theme for the party and then put together a fun haunted house in the garage.

2) Craft Party

For girls, a jewelry making get-together can be an fun, bonding experience. For boys, provide the group of kids with some leggos and let them build their own creatures or buildings. Then, each child can take home what they made!

3) A Night at the Movies

Turn your home into a decked out movie theater. Create a candy station and a popcorn bar, just like you would see it at the movies. Set up a pretend register where kids use play money to purchase their candy and treats. That way, they won’t be able to over-indulge in the treats and they’ll be using their math skills.

4) Scavenger Hunt

Split the group of kids up into two groups. Have them go on a scavenger hunt using different clues and activities that will lead them to the special treasure (i.e. cake or goodie bags).

5) Indoor Inflatable Party

For a stress-free party, take your group of 10 children or less to Pump It Up, the nation’s largest indoor inflatable playground. The facility’s new ‘Perfect 10’ parties are ideal for intimate birthday parties and gatherings where children can stay active and have fun indoors during the hot summer months."

The Healthy Moms Magazine and Pump It Up are giving away 4 Pump It Up “Pop-In-Play” passes to one lucky reader. This contest is open to US residents only and the last day to enter is July 25, 2011 at midnight PST.

For extra entries:
Subscribe to our Healthy Living Newsletter

Follow Me on Twitter

Subscribe to The Healthy Moms Magazine

Follow This blog with Google Friend Connect

Digg This Contest

Tweet This Contest

Stumble the Contest

E mail the link to our site or this contest to a friend (make sure you BCC talbertcascia @ yahoo dot com so I have proof of the e mail)

Become a Fan of The Healthy Moms Magazine on Facebook

Join our Blog Frog Community

Add The Healthy Moms Magazine to your blogroll.

Blog about this contest. Make sure you include a link back.

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 July 25, 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 Store, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.

Menopause is the transition that women go through when their ovaries stop producing eggs. Her body produces less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping altogether. Symptoms of menopause, which usually begins between the ages of 45 and 55, include heart pounding or racing, hot flashes, night sweats, skin flushing, and insomnia. Some women may also suffer from decreased interest in sex, possibly decreased response to sexual stimulation, forgetfulness, headaches, irregular menstrual periods, mood swings including irritability, depression, and anxiety, urine leakage, vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse, vaginal infections, joint aches and pains or irregular heartbeat.

Most doctors prescribe hormone therapy to treat menopause symptoms. Women on hormone replacement therapy have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. To avoid these risks there are other alternative natural options to treat menopause symptoms.

Aromatherapy using essential oils is one of the most effective natural healing solutions to treating menopause symptoms. Combining lavender, geranium, clary sage, and the unique properties of vitex essential oil along with peppermint to cool hot flashes and rose and sandalwood to calm emotional swings can make menopause an easier transition for women.

Lavender is usually used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications. As an essential oil, lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. During World War I hospitals used it to disinfect the floors and walls. Lavender has many other uses. It can soothe and heal insect bites and burns, repel insects, soothe headaches and aid in sleep and relaxation.

Geranium oil, or Pelargonium distillates also has many uses. Like lavender, geranium oil is a natural insect repellent. It is also used as a flavor in cooking or baking. Geranium oil is also used as a treatment for acne, bruises, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, lice, ringworm, ulcers, breast engorgement, edema, poor circulation, sore throat, tonsillitis, PMS, menopausal problems, stress and neuralgia.

The combination of clary sage, Vitex agnus castus and peppermint can also help relieve menopausal symptoms. Clary sage helps reduce anxiety and fear, menstrual-related problems such and PMS and cramping, and helps with insomnia. The essential oil Vitex agnus castus works well in balancing women's hormones. A studey conducted by the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy showed a remarkable improvement of PMS symptoms in women using this essential oil. The women involved in the study stated that this oil worked better than any over the counter remedy for PMS. Vitex agnus castus works directly with the pituitary, helping normalize progesterone levels.

Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Store now carries aromatherapy products including essential oils and oil diffusers. Aura Cacia, a well known leader in aromatherapy has a wonderful product, Cool Hottie, which combines all of the essential oils mentioned above to help simplify life's transitions.

Essential oils may well be the ultimate gift from nature. Made from the aromatic essences of plants, they have a remarkable ability to affect a person's well-being and improve the environment around them. Explore the many essential oils offered by Aura Cacia at Mom's Natural Health and Wellness Store, that can help you achieve physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.

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 Store, and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge.