New Eyewear For the Whole family from Crocs

The Grundig family lives in Crocs in the summer, and since school got out officially today, I’m considering it summer.  I was so happy to hear that our favorite summer shoe brand has just come out with a new eyewear collection for the whole family.

As a mom with a young boy and girl, I have a hard time keeping their eyes safe.  While they’ll happily wear bug repellent and sunscreen, they aren’t too excited about wearing sunglasses.  So I need sunglasses that are not only high-quality, but are also lightweight and easy to wear.  The new Crocs eyewear line is perfect.  The glasses are stylish and fun, with interchangeable hinges for some style changes.  But, they are also a nice size – covering the whole eye.  And, they are lightweight so they aren’t too heavy for my kids to wear.

To learn more about the new Crocs eyewear line, visit their website.

Disclosure: I received samples at no cost for review.

Tagged as: crocs, sunglasses

View the original article here

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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

View the original article here

Read More

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

View the original article here

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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

View the original article here

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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

View the original article here

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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!

View the original article here

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New Spot It! On the Road Travel Game

My family is doing quite a bit of traveling this summer – from some road trips to a Canadian cruise.  We love to play board games because it’s a great way for us to bond as a family – without pulling out the Leapsters, laptops, and iPads, but they aren’t always the easiest to travel with.  And, travel versions of full board games are often a bit too small for my little ones to realistically play with.  So, I really love the new Spot It! On the Road travel game – which is great for the whole family.

On the Road is the latest of the Spot It! games.  It is played the same way as the traditional Spot It!, but with travel icons.  Kids have fun spotting the matching icons on their card, and it really is something that kids and adults are pretty equal at – so the kids have a good chance at winning without mom and dad throwing the game.

To learn more about Spot It! On the Road, visit the Blue Orange Games website.

Disclosure: I received this game at no cost for review. 

Tagged as: board games

View the original article here

Read More

Final Accutane Results

When it comes to the “after” part of a before and after, seeing is always better than reading.  So I decided to put on my webcam to show you exactly what results I got from 4 1/2 months of Accutane.  It’s obnoxiously close-up, but it’s all here!

Tagged as: Accutane

View the original article here

Read More

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

View the original article here

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Choosing My Baby Boy’s Name

When my daughter was born, we had no idea what gender she was going to be. Therefore, we had both a boy and girl name ready to go. Less than two years later, when I discovered I was going to have a boy, that leftover boy name just didn’t feel right at all. I loved the name, but I didn’t love that name for my boy.

My husband and I went through name after name, decided against every single one. Admittedly, with the last name Grundig, we are fairly limited. Anything with too many consonants was pretty much out of the question. For most of my pregnancy, we called my baby boy Pea 2 (my daughter was always my Pea in utero), and had somewhat settled on the name Ryan.

But, it still didn’t feel right. Again, I loved the name Ryan, but it just didn’t feel right for my baby boy. So, desperate, I reviewed the US Social Security lists of names, and found the perfect name – Mason. It was common, but not too common. It fit well with our last name. And, most importantly, it just felt right for my baby.

My little guy turns six later this month, and I still love his name. It’s just perfect for him.

It wasn’t easy, but that is how I decided on my baby’s name. How did you decide on your baby’s name? Or do you have a great story on how your parents decided on your name? Tell me for a chance to win a year’s supply of cards from Cardstore.com!

In celebration of the 8 women who are pregnant, Cardstore.com has expanded their offering of birth announcements!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cardstore. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Tagged as: baby names

View the original article here

Read More

Choosing My Baby Boy’s Name

When my daughter was born, we had no idea what gender she was going to be. Therefore, we had both a boy and girl name ready to go. Less than two years later, when I discovered I was going to have a boy, that leftover boy name just didn’t feel right at all. I loved the name, but I didn’t love that name for my boy.

My husband and I went through name after name, decided against every single one. Admittedly, with the last name Grundig, we are fairly limited. Anything with too many consonants was pretty much out of the question. For most of my pregnancy, we called my baby boy Pea 2 (my daughter was always my Pea in utero), and had somewhat settled on the name Ryan.

But, it still didn’t feel right. Again, I loved the name Ryan, but it just didn’t feel right for my baby boy. So, desperate, I reviewed the US Social Security lists of names, and found the perfect name – Mason. It was common, but not too common. It fit well with our last name. And, most importantly, it just felt right for my baby.

My little guy turns six later this month, and I still love his name. It’s just perfect for him.

It wasn’t easy, but that is how I decided on my baby’s name. How did you decide on your baby’s name? Or do you have a great story on how your parents decided on your name? Tell me for a chance to win a year’s supply of cards from Cardstore.com!

In celebration of the 8 women who are pregnant, Cardstore.com has expanded their offering of birth announcements!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cardstore. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Tagged as: baby names

View the original article here

Read More

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

View the original article here

Read More

Final Accutane Results

When it comes to the “after” part of a before and after, seeing is always better than reading.  So I decided to put on my webcam to show you exactly what results I got from 4 1/2 months of Accutane.  It’s obnoxiously close-up, but it’s all here!

Tagged as: Accutane

View the original article here

Read More

Choosing My Baby Boy’s Name

When my daughter was born, we had no idea what gender she was going to be. Therefore, we had both a boy and girl name ready to go. Less than two years later, when I discovered I was going to have a boy, that leftover boy name just didn’t feel right at all. I loved the name, but I didn’t love that name for my boy.

My husband and I went through name after name, decided against every single one. Admittedly, with the last name Grundig, we are fairly limited. Anything with too many consonants was pretty much out of the question. For most of my pregnancy, we called my baby boy Pea 2 (my daughter was always my Pea in utero), and had somewhat settled on the name Ryan.

But, it still didn’t feel right. Again, I loved the name Ryan, but it just didn’t feel right for my baby boy. So, desperate, I reviewed the US Social Security lists of names, and found the perfect name – Mason. It was common, but not too common. It fit well with our last name. And, most importantly, it just felt right for my baby.

My little guy turns six later this month, and I still love his name. It’s just perfect for him.

It wasn’t easy, but that is how I decided on my baby’s name. How did you decide on your baby’s name? Or do you have a great story on how your parents decided on your name? Tell me for a chance to win a year’s supply of cards from Cardstore.com!

In celebration of the 8 women who are pregnant, Cardstore.com has expanded their offering of birth announcements!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cardstore. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Tagged as: baby names

View the original article here

Read More

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

View the original article here

Read More

New Spot It! On the Road Travel Game

My family is doing quite a bit of traveling this summer – from some road trips to a Canadian cruise.  We love to play board games because it’s a great way for us to bond as a family – without pulling out the Leapsters, laptops, and iPads, but they aren’t always the easiest to travel with.  And, travel versions of full board games are often a bit too small for my little ones to realistically play with.  So, I really love the new Spot It! On the Road travel game – which is great for the whole family.

On the Road is the latest of the Spot It! games.  It is played the same way as the traditional Spot It!, but with travel icons.  Kids have fun spotting the matching icons on their card, and it really is something that kids and adults are pretty equal at – so the kids have a good chance at winning without mom and dad throwing the game.

To learn more about Spot It! On the Road, visit the Blue Orange Games website.

Disclosure: I received this game at no cost for review. 

Tagged as: board games

View the original article here

Read More

New Eyewear For the Whole family from Crocs

The Grundig family lives in Crocs in the summer, and since school got out officially today, I’m considering it summer.  I was so happy to hear that our favorite summer shoe brand has just come out with a new eyewear collection for the whole family.

As a mom with a young boy and girl, I have a hard time keeping their eyes safe.  While they’ll happily wear bug repellent and sunscreen, they aren’t too excited about wearing sunglasses.  So I need sunglasses that are not only high-quality, but are also lightweight and easy to wear.  The new Crocs eyewear line is perfect.  The glasses are stylish and fun, with interchangeable hinges for some style changes.  But, they are also a nice size – covering the whole eye.  And, they are lightweight so they aren’t too heavy for my kids to wear.

To learn more about the new Crocs eyewear line, visit their website.

Disclosure: I received samples at no cost for review.

Tagged as: crocs, sunglasses

View the original article here

Read More

Final Accutane Results

When it comes to the “after” part of a before and after, seeing is always better than reading.  So I decided to put on my webcam to show you exactly what results I got from 4 1/2 months of Accutane.  It’s obnoxiously close-up, but it’s all here!

Tagged as: Accutane

View the original article here

Read More

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

View the original article here

Read More

Supersized reactions to Mayor Bloomberg’s soda ban plan

Here’s a glimpse of just some of the commentary on NY mayor Bloomberg’s call for a ban on supersized soda in any public place regulated by the city health department. It’s become a battle of clever headlines:

Soda Jerk

Soda Plan Fizzles

Sugar Daddy

City Health Weasels Go “Pop”

On Philly.com, William Saletan called Bloomberg a hypocrite:

“…the harder Bloomberg presses, the more he’s outed. He’s been caught salting pizza and bagels. He drinks three or four cups of coffee a day. NBC’s Matt Lauer recently grilled him about his proclamation honoring “NYC Donut Day.” The mayor replied, “One donut’s not going to hurt you. In moderation, anything — most things are OK. … That’s exactly what we’re trying to do with soft drinks, is get you to drink in moderation.”

Really? Bloomberg believes in moderation? Then let’s talk about the wiener orgies.

12 minutes, 50 wieners

The orgies take place every year in Coney Island. They’re broadcast live on ESPN. They’re known as the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. In 10 minutes, contestants stuff as many hot dogs down their throats as they can. During Bloomberg’s tenure, the record has increased from 50 to 68. It’s pornography for gluttons.

Year after year, Bloomberg officiates at the weighing-in ceremony, praises the contestants for gorging themselves, and brags about the millions of people watching on TV.”

On TheAtlantic.com, Brian Wansink and David Just wrote: “How Bloomberg’s Soft Drink Ban Will Backfire on NYC Public Health.”

The New York mayor defends his prohibition on sugary drinks with an appeal to science, but the very people who carried out the studies in question say he’s misread their work.

A web search could give you a weekend of reading and you still wouldn’t catch up. On The Daily Show, Jon Stewart has hammered Bloomberg in a series of shows in recent weeks. Here’s one:

Not all think it’s such a bad idea.

In the Kansas City Star, Barbara Shelly wrote, “Why we should all cheer Bloomberg’s soda policy,” noting how majors in Kansas City, Newark, Oklahoma City, Boston and San Diego have also taken public steps to promote healthy weight.

And one of our expert editors, Harold Demonaco, MS, wrote the following:

Whether you agree or not with Mayor Bloomberg’s attempts to banish 32 ounce soft drinks from the streets of New York, you have to give him credit for highlighting the problem of “supersizing.”

In a perfect world, people would understand the consequences of their actions and a Big Brother approach would not be necessary.  After all, shouldn’t adults be allowed to decide what to eat and drink?  The obvious answer is yes.

Two recently published studies provide a bit more insight into the issues surrounding over consumption.

A study  published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine suggests that regulation of nutritional content of foods can make a big difference in school aged children.  California regulates the food and beverages available to students in the schools. This includes cafeteria foods and beverages as well as those sold elsewhere in the school.  On average, California students consumed about 160 fewer calories daily than their counterparts in the 14 states studied that do not regulate foods in schools.  That’s equal to a bit more than half of a 32 ounce soda a day.  Maybe regulations do work!  But of course, we are talking about children………………

Dan Ariely and colleagues published a study in February looking at what would happen if you simply invited people to downsize a portion of their meals.  Surprisingly, about one third of people asked did reduce their portion size and did so whether they received a discount or not.  They effectively reduce their calorie consumption by about 200 calories.   And they did so without changing the amount of leftovers.

I stumbled over a really interesting body weight simulator  from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders.  With it, you can see what changes to your caloric intake and exercise will do to your weight, body composition and body mass index over time.

I ran the simulator to see what would happen if I drank a 32 ounce soda daily for a year.  That’s 310 extra calories a day.  My weight went from 175 pounds to 189 pounds.  And that is despite my daily exercise routine.  To rid myself of the extra pounds, I would need to increase my exercise commitment by 80% (that’s an extra 45 minutes on the accursed spinning bike daily).  Without additional exercise, I would weigh about 200 pounds at year two.

Over 60% of adults in the US are overweight and just about 30% are classified as obese.  The causes are complex and the fixes are not easily apparent.  What is apparent however is that the present course will only lead to the obesity problem getting worse.

View the original article here

Read More

Supersized reactions to Mayor Bloomberg’s soda ban plan

Here’s a glimpse of just some of the commentary on NY mayor Bloomberg’s call for a ban on supersized soda in any public place regulated by the city health department. It’s become a battle of clever headlines:

Soda Jerk

Soda Plan Fizzles

Sugar Daddy

City Health Weasels Go “Pop”

On Philly.com, William Saletan called Bloomberg a hypocrite:

“…the harder Bloomberg presses, the more he’s outed. He’s been caught salting pizza and bagels. He drinks three or four cups of coffee a day. NBC’s Matt Lauer recently grilled him about his proclamation honoring “NYC Donut Day.” The mayor replied, “One donut’s not going to hurt you. In moderation, anything — most things are OK. … That’s exactly what we’re trying to do with soft drinks, is get you to drink in moderation.”

Really? Bloomberg believes in moderation? Then let’s talk about the wiener orgies.

12 minutes, 50 wieners

The orgies take place every year in Coney Island. They’re broadcast live on ESPN. They’re known as the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. In 10 minutes, contestants stuff as many hot dogs down their throats as they can. During Bloomberg’s tenure, the record has increased from 50 to 68. It’s pornography for gluttons.

Year after year, Bloomberg officiates at the weighing-in ceremony, praises the contestants for gorging themselves, and brags about the millions of people watching on TV.”

On TheAtlantic.com, Brian Wansink and David Just wrote: “How Bloomberg’s Soft Drink Ban Will Backfire on NYC Public Health.”

The New York mayor defends his prohibition on sugary drinks with an appeal to science, but the very people who carried out the studies in question say he’s misread their work.

A web search could give you a weekend of reading and you still wouldn’t catch up. On The Daily Show, Jon Stewart has hammered Bloomberg in a series of shows in recent weeks. Here’s one:

Not all think it’s such a bad idea.

In the Kansas City Star, Barbara Shelly wrote, “Why we should all cheer Bloomberg’s soda policy,” noting how majors in Kansas City, Newark, Oklahoma City, Boston and San Diego have also taken public steps to promote healthy weight.

And one of our expert editors, Harold Demonaco, MS, wrote the following:

Whether you agree or not with Mayor Bloomberg’s attempts to banish 32 ounce soft drinks from the streets of New York, you have to give him credit for highlighting the problem of “supersizing.”

In a perfect world, people would understand the consequences of their actions and a Big Brother approach would not be necessary.  After all, shouldn’t adults be allowed to decide what to eat and drink?  The obvious answer is yes.

Two recently published studies provide a bit more insight into the issues surrounding over consumption.

A study  published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine suggests that regulation of nutritional content of foods can make a big difference in school aged children.  California regulates the food and beverages available to students in the schools. This includes cafeteria foods and beverages as well as those sold elsewhere in the school.  On average, California students consumed about 160 fewer calories daily than their counterparts in the 14 states studied that do not regulate foods in schools.  That’s equal to a bit more than half of a 32 ounce soda a day.  Maybe regulations do work!  But of course, we are talking about children………………

Dan Ariely and colleagues published a study in February looking at what would happen if you simply invited people to downsize a portion of their meals.  Surprisingly, about one third of people asked did reduce their portion size and did so whether they received a discount or not.  They effectively reduce their calorie consumption by about 200 calories.   And they did so without changing the amount of leftovers.

I stumbled over a really interesting body weight simulator  from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders.  With it, you can see what changes to your caloric intake and exercise will do to your weight, body composition and body mass index over time.

I ran the simulator to see what would happen if I drank a 32 ounce soda daily for a year.  That’s 310 extra calories a day.  My weight went from 175 pounds to 189 pounds.  And that is despite my daily exercise routine.  To rid myself of the extra pounds, I would need to increase my exercise commitment by 80% (that’s an extra 45 minutes on the accursed spinning bike daily).  Without additional exercise, I would weigh about 200 pounds at year two.

Over 60% of adults in the US are overweight and just about 30% are classified as obese.  The causes are complex and the fixes are not easily apparent.  What is apparent however is that the present course will only lead to the obesity problem getting worse.

View the original article here

Read More

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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AppId is over the quota

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

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

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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AppId is over the quota

(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

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

(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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