Inspiration for the Whole Family With Papersalt

Despite my love of the electronic world, I’m still a sucker for the written word.  I like to touch and feel the paper in my hand, and give paper as gifts.  So when Papersalt, a Seattle-based company, asked me to review some of their family books, I was excited to receive them.

Papersalt’s products are all written and researched by them, and produced in Seattle.  They have a fun, professional appearance, and look great in any office.  The books are all inspirational and educational, and make great gifts.  They are wire-bound and produced on high-quality paper – with cool-looking rounded corners and stylish fonts.

My personal favorite of the books is the “me” book – a thick, wire-bound book where you are inspired to answer such questions as “These things make me happy” and “These women inspire me”.  I also love the “being a girl – the things mom wants you to remember” book.  It includes advice such as “Be the best YOU that you can be.  Sometimes others will be good at different things than you.  That’s okay.”  I was so thrilled to give this book to my daughter, because she can learn so much from it.

They also offer books for high school graduates, new drivers, and families.

Visit Papersalt online for more information.

Win it!  Win a copy of the “me” book and the “being a girl” OR the “being a boy” book (winner’s choice).  Enter via the Rafflecopter.

Disclosure: I received samples from Papersalt at no cost for review.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tagged as: graduation gifts, paper products

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Japanese-American Men With Low Vitamin-D Diet Face Higher Stroke Risk

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THURSDAY, May 24 (HealthDay News) -- Japanese-American men who don't eat a diet rich in vitamin D have an increased risk of stroke later in life, according to a new, long-term study.

The study included nearly 7,400 Japanese-American men living in Hawaii. They were between the ages of 45 and 68 in the mid- to late-1960s, when they were first examined and interviewed about their eating habits.

During 34 years of follow-up, 960 of the men suffered strokes. Compared to those with the highest levels of vitamin D in their diet, men who took in the least dietary vitamin D had a 22 percent higher risk of stroke and a 27 percent higher risk of ischemic (blood-clot-related) stroke. No difference existed for hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke, however.

The study appeared May 24 in the journal Stroke.

"Our study confirms that eating foods rich in vitamin D might be beneficial for stroke prevention," study author Dr. Gotaro Kojima, a geriatric medicine fellow at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, said in a journal news release.

Kojima said, however, it's unclear whether the study findings could be applied to women or to different ethnic groups.

Sunlight generally is the primary source of vitamin D, but synthesizing vitamin D from the sun becomes more difficult as people age, Kojima said, meaning older people need to eat more foods rich in vitamin D or take supplements. Fortified milk, breakfast cereals, fatty fish and egg yolks all are good sources of vitamin D.

-- Robert Preidt Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCE: Stroke, news release, May 22, 2012

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Japanese-American Men With Low Vitamin-D Diet Face Higher Stroke Risk

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THURSDAY, May 24 (HealthDay News) -- Japanese-American men who don't eat a diet rich in vitamin D have an increased risk of stroke later in life, according to a new, long-term study.

The study included nearly 7,400 Japanese-American men living in Hawaii. They were between the ages of 45 and 68 in the mid- to late-1960s, when they were first examined and interviewed about their eating habits.

During 34 years of follow-up, 960 of the men suffered strokes. Compared to those with the highest levels of vitamin D in their diet, men who took in the least dietary vitamin D had a 22 percent higher risk of stroke and a 27 percent higher risk of ischemic (blood-clot-related) stroke. No difference existed for hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke, however.

The study appeared May 24 in the journal Stroke.

"Our study confirms that eating foods rich in vitamin D might be beneficial for stroke prevention," study author Dr. Gotaro Kojima, a geriatric medicine fellow at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, said in a journal news release.

Kojima said, however, it's unclear whether the study findings could be applied to women or to different ethnic groups.

Sunlight generally is the primary source of vitamin D, but synthesizing vitamin D from the sun becomes more difficult as people age, Kojima said, meaning older people need to eat more foods rich in vitamin D or take supplements. Fortified milk, breakfast cereals, fatty fish and egg yolks all are good sources of vitamin D.

-- Robert Preidt Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCE: Stroke, news release, May 22, 2012

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Health Tip: Keep Magnets Away From Children

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(HealthDay News) -- Small magnets that dislodge from toys or products for adults pose choking and ingestion hazards. If swallowed by young children, they can lead to choking or serious injury to the stomach and digestive tract.

The American Academy of Pediatrics mentions these guidelines for parents to help prevent magnet-related injuries:

Never allow very young children to play with or touch objects that contain magnets.Carefully watch older children who play with such toys.Don't purchase large sets of magnets, in groups of more than 100, because it's difficult to keep track of any that are missing.Make sure teens understand the serious dangers of using magnets as fake piercings.

-- Diana Kohnle Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Health Tip: Keep Magnets Away From Children

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(HealthDay News) -- Small magnets that dislodge from toys or products for adults pose choking and ingestion hazards. If swallowed by young children, they can lead to choking or serious injury to the stomach and digestive tract.

The American Academy of Pediatrics mentions these guidelines for parents to help prevent magnet-related injuries:

Never allow very young children to play with or touch objects that contain magnets.Carefully watch older children who play with such toys.Don't purchase large sets of magnets, in groups of more than 100, because it's difficult to keep track of any that are missing.Make sure teens understand the serious dangers of using magnets as fake piercings.

-- Diana Kohnle Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

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Father’s Day Gift Picks

So, it’s a few days before Father’s Day, and if you are anything like me, you are still scrambling for ideas for Father’s Day gifts.  Well, look no more – here are a few of my favorites for the season.

Fitness Apparel

Do you have a weekend warrior or a steady athlete in your family?  Athletic apparel is always appreciated as a gift, and New Balance is offering some great items for Father’s Day, including this latest version of their iconic 990 running/walking shoe.  It’s available for women and kids too – so the whole family can match if you’d like.

The Sonos Wireless HiFi System 

The Sonos Wireless HiFi system is perfect for any music-loving dad on your list.  With the bridge, purchased separately, you can hook it up to your wireless network, play the music that is already on your computer, and control things with a remote or an iPhone/Android device.

Citizen Eco-Drive Watch Perpetual Chronograph AT Watch

My husband got this watch for Valentine’s Day this year and he absolutely loves it.  If your husband or dad needs a nice watch, this is the perfect one.  It never needs a new battery, and sets automatically after you choose the time zone.  Read my full review here. 

Disclosure: I received these items at no cost for review. 

Tagged as: Citizen, father's day, New Balance, Sonos

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Salba Smart – Smarter Chia Seeds

I’m making an effort to be healthier (although I have given up the vegan diet – for the most part).   Two things that I really need to integrate into my diet is more fiber and Omega-3s – both of which help reduce cholesterol.  Chia seeds, which I’ve recently started reading about, include both fiber and Omega-3s.  Salba Smart, a company that makes organically grown and non-GMO chia, sent me some samples of their products, and I’ve integrated them into my diet over the past six weeks.

Salba Smart makes chips and salsa as well as ground and whole chia seeds.  The prepared products are wonderful – they taste great and are healthy. But, my favorites are the seeds, because I can then add them directly to my food.  I’ve added them to water, or to my granola in the morning.  They also work well as an egg substitute in recipes, and sprinkled onto yogurt, smoothies, and fruit.  It’s an extra step, but it’s so worth it.  According to their website, Salba chia, gram for gram, has:

8 x more Omega-3 (ALA) than Atlantic Salmon (EPA/DHA)2.8 x more antioxidants than pomegranates (based on ORAC values)6 x more calcium than whole milk3 x more iron than spinach15 x more magnesium than broccoli3 x more fiber than oats

All of those great benefits are definitely worth the extra step – and the seeds don’t have a taste, so they are easy to integrate into your food.

To learn more about Salba Smart, visit their website.

Disclosure: I received complimentary samples for review.

Tagged as: healthy food

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NCLR Felicita a las Organizaciones Latinas Más Grandes

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June 01 2012

PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA                              PARA MÁS INFORMACIÓN:
1 de junio, 2012                                                            Julián Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jtexeira@nclr.org

La revista “Hispanic Business” reconoce a 11 afiliadas del NCLR entre las 25 organizaciones sin fines de lucro más grandes

Washington, D.C.—El NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza) aplaude el reconocimiento de la revista Hispanic Business en su lista anual de 25 organizaciones hispanas sin fines de lucro mas grandes, entre ellas 11 pertenecen a la red de organizaciones afiliadas del NCLR. La última edición de la revista clasifica a las organizaciones sin fines de lucro en base a su gasto anual. Cada organización presentó información sobre su misión, ingresos, y servicios para proporcionar una visión general de las principales organizaciones de beneficencia al servicio de la creciente comunidad latina en EE.UU.

“Hoy todas las organizaciones sin fines de lucro están haciendo más con menos recursos, por lo que es oportuno sacar a la luz y reconocer el arduo trabajo y dedicación de estas organizaciones que sirven a la comunidad latina”, dijo Sonia Pérez, vicepresidente sénior de iniciativas estratégicas del NCLR. “El NCLR está orgulloso del servicio vital que su red de afiliadas provee a las familias latinas en todo el país, y es un gran honor que 11 de las 25 organizaciones sin fines de lucro que aparecen en la lista de la revista Hispanic Business de este año sean parte de nuestra red. En nombre del NCLR, felicito a todas”.

Al principio de la lista se encuentra AltaMed Health Services Corporation, que ha proporcionado servicios completos de salud en el este de Los Angeles desde 1969. La otra afiliada del NCLR que se encuentra en la lista de las 25 organizaciones sin fines de lucro— en orden de aparición—son: Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. de Phoenix, Arizona; Southwest Key Programs, Inc. de Austin, Texas; Mexican American Opportunity Foundation de Montebello, California; La Clínica de la Raza, Inc. de Oakland, California.; San Ysidro Health Center de San Ysidro, California; Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. de Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Unity Council de Oakland, California; United Community Center/Centro de la Comunidad Unida de Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Latin American Youth Center de Washington, DC; y HELP–New Mexico, Inc. de Albuquerque, New Mexico.

El servicio comunitario proporcionado por estas organizaciones incluye cuidado médico, desarrollo de la comunidad, educación y capacitación laboral, cuidado de niños y personas mayores, servicios para los jóvenes, orientación, programas recreacionales y culturales, y mucho más. La Red de Afiliadas del NCLR incluye casi 300 organizaciones comunitarias que proporcionan servicios directos a millones de hispanoestadounidenses cada año.

El NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza) es la organización nacional más grande de apoyo y defensa de los derechos civiles de los hispanos en los Estados Unidos y trabaja para mejorar sus oportunidades. Para más información sobre el NCLR, por favor visite www.nclr.org o síganos en Facebook y Twitter.

###

Issues: Affiliate Network, Awards and Recognitions
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

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NCLR Felicita a las Organizaciones Latinas Más Grandes

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AppId is over the quota

June 01 2012

PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA                              PARA MÁS INFORMACIÓN:
1 de junio, 2012                                                            Julián Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jtexeira@nclr.org

La revista “Hispanic Business” reconoce a 11 afiliadas del NCLR entre las 25 organizaciones sin fines de lucro más grandes

Washington, D.C.—El NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza) aplaude el reconocimiento de la revista Hispanic Business en su lista anual de 25 organizaciones hispanas sin fines de lucro mas grandes, entre ellas 11 pertenecen a la red de organizaciones afiliadas del NCLR. La última edición de la revista clasifica a las organizaciones sin fines de lucro en base a su gasto anual. Cada organización presentó información sobre su misión, ingresos, y servicios para proporcionar una visión general de las principales organizaciones de beneficencia al servicio de la creciente comunidad latina en EE.UU.

“Hoy todas las organizaciones sin fines de lucro están haciendo más con menos recursos, por lo que es oportuno sacar a la luz y reconocer el arduo trabajo y dedicación de estas organizaciones que sirven a la comunidad latina”, dijo Sonia Pérez, vicepresidente sénior de iniciativas estratégicas del NCLR. “El NCLR está orgulloso del servicio vital que su red de afiliadas provee a las familias latinas en todo el país, y es un gran honor que 11 de las 25 organizaciones sin fines de lucro que aparecen en la lista de la revista Hispanic Business de este año sean parte de nuestra red. En nombre del NCLR, felicito a todas”.

Al principio de la lista se encuentra AltaMed Health Services Corporation, que ha proporcionado servicios completos de salud en el este de Los Angeles desde 1969. La otra afiliada del NCLR que se encuentra en la lista de las 25 organizaciones sin fines de lucro— en orden de aparición—son: Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. de Phoenix, Arizona; Southwest Key Programs, Inc. de Austin, Texas; Mexican American Opportunity Foundation de Montebello, California; La Clínica de la Raza, Inc. de Oakland, California.; San Ysidro Health Center de San Ysidro, California; Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. de Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Unity Council de Oakland, California; United Community Center/Centro de la Comunidad Unida de Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Latin American Youth Center de Washington, DC; y HELP–New Mexico, Inc. de Albuquerque, New Mexico.

El servicio comunitario proporcionado por estas organizaciones incluye cuidado médico, desarrollo de la comunidad, educación y capacitación laboral, cuidado de niños y personas mayores, servicios para los jóvenes, orientación, programas recreacionales y culturales, y mucho más. La Red de Afiliadas del NCLR incluye casi 300 organizaciones comunitarias que proporcionan servicios directos a millones de hispanoestadounidenses cada año.

El NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza) es la organización nacional más grande de apoyo y defensa de los derechos civiles de los hispanos en los Estados Unidos y trabaja para mejorar sus oportunidades. Para más información sobre el NCLR, por favor visite www.nclr.org o síganos en Facebook y Twitter.

###

Issues: Affiliate Network, Awards and Recognitions
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

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Left Brain Right Brain

When I was in business school, my whole Organizational Behavior class took a personality test.  Without telling us the results, my professor called four of us up front and paired us.  Each pair was tasked with drawing a house, alternating turns with the pen, without speaking at all.  My partner Jenna and I worked so well together, creating straight line after straight line.  Then, the professor switched up the partners, and our groups switched.  My new partner Leticia and I couldn’t figure out how to work together at all.  She would draw a swiggly line, and I would draw a straight line.  Then, the professor told us what had happened.  Jenna and I were the most left-brained people in the class, while Leticia and her partner were the most right-brained people.

I thought about that story last week, when my son had a kindergarten homework assignment due.  He was asked to draw a set of eyes for each member of his family, and he could include pets.  I know exactly what I would draw – six sets of eyes in a row.  If I was feeling especially creative, I may have drawn eyelashes and eyebrows.  Maybe.

Here’s what my son drew:

I’ve always had a difficult time figuring out what makes my son tick, and I finally figured out that he is super right-brained – so different from my husband and me.

I think it’s time to sign him up for an art class!

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Prolactinoma: options for the treatment of pituitary gland tumor

By Mayo Clinic staff

Prolactinoma is a condition in which a usually noncancerous tumor (adenoma) in the pituitary gland in your brain overproduces prolactin hormone. The main effect of prolactin is a decrease in the levels of some hormones — estrogen in women and testosterone in men.

Although Prolactinoma is not life-threatening, can impair your vision, cause infertility and produce other effects. Prolactinoma is one of several types of cancer that can develop in your pituitary gland.

Doctors may treat Prolactinoma with medications often effectively to restore your prolactin level to normal. Surgery to remove the pituitary tumor, may also be an option for treating Prolactinoma.

References Prolactinoma. National Institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases. http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/prolact/prolact.htm. Accessed on 17 January 2011., Melmed S, et al., diagnosis and treatment of hyperprolactinemia: clinical practice guideline of An Endocrine Society. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology Metabolism &. 2011; 273.96: Colao, et al., the aggressive pituitary tumour therapy. Pharmacotherapy specialist opinion. 2011; 12: 1561. Mann WA. Treatment of prolactinomas and hyperprolactinaemia: a lifetime approach. European Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2011; 334.41: a. Klibanski Prolactinomas. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2010; 352: 121. Colao, et al. medical treatment of prolactinomas. Nature reviews Endocrinology. 2011; 7: 267.var shareUrl = encodeURIComponent (window.location); var shareTitle = encodeURIComponent (document.title);

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LEGAL CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF USE APPLICABLE TO ALL USERS OF THIS SITE. ANY USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE.

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for medical education and research.

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Prolactinoma: options for the treatment of pituitary gland tumor

By Mayo Clinic staff

Prolactinoma is a condition in which a usually noncancerous tumor (adenoma) in the pituitary gland in your brain overproduces prolactin hormone. The main effect of prolactin is a decrease in the levels of some hormones — estrogen in women and testosterone in men.

Although Prolactinoma is not life-threatening, can impair your vision, cause infertility and produce other effects. Prolactinoma is one of several types of cancer that can develop in your pituitary gland.

Doctors may treat Prolactinoma with medications often effectively to restore your prolactin level to normal. Surgery to remove the pituitary tumor, may also be an option for treating Prolactinoma.

References Prolactinoma. National Institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases. http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/prolact/prolact.htm. Accessed on 17 January 2011., Melmed S, et al., diagnosis and treatment of hyperprolactinemia: clinical practice guideline of An Endocrine Society. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology Metabolism &. 2011; 273.96: Colao, et al., the aggressive pituitary tumour therapy. Pharmacotherapy specialist opinion. 2011; 12: 1561. Mann WA. Treatment of prolactinomas and hyperprolactinaemia: a lifetime approach. European Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2011; 334.41: a. Klibanski Prolactinomas. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2010; 352: 121. Colao, et al. medical treatment of prolactinomas. Nature reviews Endocrinology. 2011; 7: 267.var shareUrl = encodeURIComponent (window.location); var shareTitle = encodeURIComponent (document.title);

Privacy Policy (updated August 2, 2011) terms and conditions of use policy (updated August 2, 2011)

LEGAL CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF USE APPLICABLE TO ALL USERS OF THIS SITE. ANY USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE.

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for medical education and research.

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Stylish Laptop Bags from Knomo London

I’m always toting my laptop around town – whether it’s to my kid’s gymnastics classes or to a meeting at Starbucks (oh, those are my favorites!).  I need a laptop bag that is padded, secure, and lightweight, but that is also stylish and fun to carry.  I recently received a Havana bag from knomo, with Scotch-guarded linen and textured trim.  It’s the perfect summer laptop bag.

The Havana from knomo comes in three different colors – green, yellow, and orange.  It has two handles, or a shoulder strap – I generally use the shoulder strap, but it’s definitely light enough to carry by hand.  There are also several pockets for my business cards, keys, money, and credit cards.  The pocket for the laptop is separate and padded – so I know that my laptop is nice and secure in there.  Since I’m usually with my kids when I carry it, it’s important that my bag is safe.  Best of all,  it doesn’t necessarily look like a laptop bag, and is fun to carry!

To learn more about the Havana from knomo, visit their website.

Disclosure: I received the Havana from knomo at no cost for review. 

Tagged as: laptop, mom bags

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The @NCLR Weekly Top 10

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The @NCLR Weekly Top 10

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Recording Your Daily Feats

Last week, through Boston Parent Bloggers, I had the chance to visit a local Boston company, DailyFeats, first-hand. DailyFeats, a new start up, is a website and app that tracks the steps you take toward goals.  You add your feats, and earn rewards after you reach milestones.  You can also participate in challenges.  The interface is easy to use, and I love the little stamps they’ve designed for each feat.

DailyFeats invited Boston Parent Blogger members to Gather Here, a craft shop and studio in Cambridge, MA.  There, we worked on several feats – eating healthy, drinking water, meeting new people, and learning a new skill (embroidery).  It was really fun to get together with friends before the busy summer season, and I really enjoyed learning how to embroider.

I just loved meeting the DailyFeats staff and seeing Gather Here – a really fun spot.  I had to take some photos because I loved the atmosphere so much.

To register for DailyFeats, use the code momsfavoritestuff100 to get extra points in your account!

Disclosure: I was compensated by DailyFeats for participating in a focus group at their office.

Tagged as: Boston Parent Bloggers

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