You don’t need a big back yard, a lot of time or a lot of gardening know how to grow a successful garden. With one pot, some dirt and a few healthy plants you can have a bountiful mini-garden that produces enough food for your weeknight dinner salad or a fresh batch of salsa.  Even … Read more →

This time of year can be especially harsh on skin. The humidity in the air is low both outside and inside your home and this can cause skin to dry out. You can take several steps to help alleviate this dryness in your child’s skin. Bath Time If bathing is part of your child’s daily … Read more →

My daughter was 14 when we saw the first Gardasil commercial. It was 2006, shortly after the Food and Drug Administration had approved the vaccine. Seeing a “teachable moment,” I asked my daughter if she’d heard of it. “Sure,” she said. “It’s the vaccine against the human papilloma virus, which causes most cases of cervical … Read more →

As a child, I loved coming home from school to a delicious snack my mom always had ready for me. I’d sit down in front of my favorite after-school shows with some sliced berries or peaches, fresh-popped popcorn, a stack of Oreos and milk, or even some delicious homemade ice cream. Looking back now, I … Read more →

Ask children their favorite holiday, and chances are Halloween will rank in the top three or four. And why not? They get to dress up as their favorite character, stay out long after the street lights have come on, and get free candy from as many people as possible. It’s the stuff of legend — … Read more →

You know it’s fall when pumpkins start popping up everywhere. When I see them or smell their sweet, spicy aroma I start daydreaming about thick beds of crunchy leaves, the cool breeze, warm and fuzzy sweatshirts, and the sounds of football on TV. There are so many reasons to love pumpkins, but here’s the best … Read more →

Fall is right around the corner, and along with it comes flu season. Kids are back in school, closed up in rooms with other germy children…coughing on each other, sharing sticky pencils, not washing hands.  Then they bring those germs home with them to share with the rest of the family. What’s a parent to … Read more →

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed ban on the sale of big soft drinks has prompted international media attention, added fuel to the obesity debate in the United States, and made Bloomberg the butt of jokes on late-night comedy shows and the target of ire for those who feel the proposed ban is government … Read more →

Physical activity is any movement of the body that results in an increase in energy expenditure compared to the body at rest. Gardens offer ample opportunity for children and parents alike to enjoy physical activity outdoors.  While physical activity in the garden is still being researched and measured, we know of the following five physical … Read more →