How to prepare baby food safely

Once your baby starts solid food, you will need to think carefully about hygiene. Babies' immune systems are less developed than adults' and their tummies are particularly susceptible to bugs and infections. These tips will help.

• Wash your hands well before you start to prepare any meals for your baby. Make sure that your nails are well trimmed and clean. Also make sure other members of the family and the maid wash their hands after using the toilet, gardening or cleaning the house.

• Use filtered or boiled water for cooking and cleaning the baby’s utensils. Remember that in our country, unclean drinking water is the cause for most illnesses.

• Always keep your baby’s utensils separate and rinse it thoroughly with filtered/boiled water before serving any meals.

• Wash the chopping board thoroughly with hot water and soap, prior to using it for cooking your baby's meals.

• If you have been handling raw meat/fish or leafy vegetables, thoroughly wash the knives, spoons, and the chopping board to avoid cross contamination.

• The Ministry of Health recommends starting solid foods at around six months. If you do choose to wean before then, sterilise feeding spoons and utensils until your baby is six months old and after that wash your baby's bowls and feeding equipment in very hot water. Use a clean tea towel to dry them.

• While buying feeding utensils for your baby, ensure that you do not buy the cheap, though attractive feeding bowls. The plastic may not be food grade or worse, the dyes/colours used may be potentially toxic. Always ensure that the baby's feeding utensils made of food grade materials.

• Baby food prepared in advance should be cooled quickly then stored in the fridge. Freeze anything that won't be used within 24 hours. However always remember that frequent power cuts increase the chances of contamination of the food stored in the freezer or fridge. It is safer to avoid feeding refrigerated foods -- especially in the hot summer months.

• Try not to feed your baby any leftovers. If your baby leaves any food in his bowl after a meal, always throw it away. Food that has been in contact with saliva (from your baby's mouth or a feeding spoon) will contain bacteria that will multiply if kept.

• It is better to serve small quantities in a separate bowl in case you plan to use the food over two meals. Store the unused food immediately and use it at the earliest. Never leave unused baby food out at room temperature and then later reheat it to feed your baby.

• When reheating baby food, make sure it is piping hot throughout (you should be able to see steam coming out) and then let it cool down before you give it to your baby. Test a tiny bit of food on the inside of your wrist to see if it is a comfortable temperature.

• Don't reheat baby food more than once. Repeated reheating kills the nutrients in the food, in some cases constant heating and cooling results in quicker contamination and spoiling of food.

• You can use a microwave to reheat baby food, but be careful. Stir the food well to avoid hotspots and let it cool down to a safe temperature before giving it to your baby. If you are heating liquids, be very careful before serving your baby, often the container may be cold but the liquid in it may be very hot and can scald your baby’s mouth.

• Check the manufacturing, best before, use by, and expiry dates on packaged/ convenience foods that you give to your baby. If you are using prepared baby foods and you have any uneaten baby food in a jar (that hasn't been heated up or been in contact with your baby's mouth) you can keep it in the fridge for 24 hours after it's been opened. Throw away any food left in jars that have been heated up or that you have fed your baby directly from.

• Never buy juices, milk or readymade foods that are in bulging or leaking packaging. Bulging and leaking packaging is a sign of bacterial contamination.

• Wash high chairs, bibs and eating areas in hot soapy water, or give them a good wipe with antibacterial cleaner. Keep the kitchen as clean as you can, especially the floor, where babies love to crawl!

• If your baby is eating finger foods or eating with his hands, remember to wash his hands too before he eats his meals.

• Check the temperature of your fridge; it should be between 0 degrees C and 5 degrees C (32 - 41 degrees F). Buy a fridge thermometer if you haven't got one.

• Change kitchen cloths and tea towels frequently. Sponges, dishcloths and scrubbers are breeding grounds of germs, avoid using these. If really must, soak them in hot soapy water and boil for a minute or two before using. Avoid putting these in the microwave as the there are no set guidelines and the dishcloth or sponge may catch fire due to excess heat.

• Cook eggs until the yolk and white are solid and cook meats until they are no longer pink in the middle. If you are serving fish, make sure it is properly de-boned. Always strain fish, chicken or meat stock through a sieve and then blend it well so that there are no small bone fragments.

• If food is frozen, defrost it thoroughly before you cook it, unless the food label says otherwise. Make sure you defrost it in the refrigerator and not outside as bacteria multiply at an alarming rate at room temperature.

• Do not leave any food uncovered. Flies, insects, cockroaches, lizards, dust, or even the family pet may contaminate it. Keep your baby's food in a safe place and keep it well covered.

• Avoid feeding your baby outside food (especially in restaurants) if you are eating out. Also ensure that your baby does not put the spoons/forks kept on the table in her mouth -- in case they are not properly clean.

• Always carry food and water for your baby with you whenever you are travelling with your baby. Invest in quality food grade plastic ware to store your baby’s food. Taste your baby's food before you feed her to ensure that the food is not spoilt. This is particularly true in the hot summer months when stored cooked food spoils very quickly.

Important Tips for Baking Perfect Cakes

• Measure the ingredients with great care. Using correct amounts of ingredients is more important than the beating of the cakes.

• Invest in a good electric hand mixer. It simplifies your work besides giving good results. Always beat in one direction.

• To beat the egg whites light as air, they should be at room temperature while beating. Always use a clean, dry bowl and beater for beating.

• While using raisins or dry fruits or peels in a cake, first coat them with a little flour (maida) and then add to the batter. They will then not sink to the bottom of the cake.

• Remember to always sift the baking powder with the maida at the time of making the cake.

• Never use baking powder which is more than a year old. Check the manufacturing date on the container.

• Always preheat the oven at the temperature at which you have to bake your cake for at least 10 minutes.

• Always grease your baking tin and dust (sprinkle) with flour (maida).

• Baking should always be done in aluminium containers.

• Do not open the oven door again and again to check the cake as this causes variation in the temperature and hence affects the baking.

• Test your cake with a clean knife at the place where the cake has risen the most, i.e. at the highest point, before removing from the oven.

• Permit the cake to cool for sometime before you remove it from the tin.

• Never cool a cake under the fan as this will make the cake hard.


What Went Wrong With Your Cake

A Heavy Cake: Too little baking powder; too much flour; mixture not creamed enough; flour mixed too vigorously; oven too slow.

A Dry Cake: Too much baking powder or flour; not enough fat or liquid; too long in the oven.

A Sunken Cake: Too much liquid, baking powder or sugar; too little flour; oven door slammed or cake moved during baking; taken out from oven too soon.

A Peaked Cake: Insufficient fat or baking powder; too much flour; oven temperature too high.

A Badly Cracked Top: Oven too hot; cake tin too small; too much flour; not enough liquid.

Fruit Sunk to the Bottom: Fruit not properly dried; cake mixture too thin; fruit added before adding flour.

Kids need calcium to build strong bones.....

Osteoporosis, a disease of bone loss leads to debilitating fractures, earlier known to affect only the older generations is now discovered to be a problem common to the kids as well.

Researches in the recent past have shown that children are drinking increasing amounts of sodas and fruit juices and less milk. While other foods contain calcium - the mineral so important to building strong bones - few deliver as much as a glass of milk.

Calcium is essential for many purposes, including tooth formation and proper nerve and muscle functioning. Under normal circumstances, we maintain a tight range of calcium in our bloodstream no matter what our intake. Extra calcium is banked in bones, to be used when needed.

Few parents realize that children need to consume enough calcium while they are building bones to ensure a strong skeletal system. How much is enough?

1. Infants under 12 months old should be fed breast milk and need no special calcium supplementation.

2. Toddlers from 1 to 3 years old need 500 mg per day.

3. Children from 4 to 8 years old need 800 mg per day.

4. Youngsters through teens, 9 to 18 years old, need a hefty 1,300 mg per day.

5. An 8-ounce glass of milk provides about 300 mg, and the same amount of yogurt provides even more. Cheese packs 200 mg per ounce.

Mothers should think of creative ways to add milk while cooking. Toss spoonfuls of nonfat, powdered milk into tomato sauces, casseroles, mashed potatoes and pancake batter. Use milk instead of water when preparing oatmeal, bread or pizza dough, canned or packaged cream soups and sauces, and rice or pilaf dishes. Sprinkle cheese on steamed vegetables, or make a cheesy dipping sauce for fresh veggies sticks. Most kids enjoy a snack of a freshly blended drink, made with combinations of their favorite fruits mixed with yogurt, ice cream or milk.

Consider bringing back the traditional after-school or bedtime snack of cookies and milk. It's a wonderful calcium-rich experience that will build fond memories - and bones - as your children grow.

Prevent and Control of Arthritis

* Get active:
Regular physical activity helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints. It also helps to control joint swelling and pain.

* Change positions often:
Avoid keeping muscles and joints in the same position for long periods of time. Stretch and relax areas that are tired or tight.

* Practice joint protection:
If you work with your hands for long periods of time, use assistive devices when possible, such as wrist splints and arm rests. Utilize equipment that can reduce pressure on your joints such as enlarged grips on your pens and utensils.

* Resolve to reduce:
You won’t just look better; you’ll feel better, too. Every extra pound you carry translates to added stress in your knees, hips and lower back. Maintaining an appropriate weight lowers your future risk of getting osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.

* Avoid unnecessary risk of injury:
Proper use of equipment and protective gear can greatly reduce the chance of serious joint injuries when participating in sports activities. This applies to young children and adults of all ages.

* Bone up your diet:
Stock up on your favorite source of calcium. A diet rich in this important mineral can help decrease your risk of osteoporosis. Try consuming more milk and milk products, such as yogurt, cheese and ice cream, along with other good sources of calcium: broccoli, salmon (with the bones) and kale.

* Stretch yourself:
Stretching is a simple way to keep joints and muscles flexible. It relieves stress and can help enable you to maintain your daily activities. Also, by stretching at the beginning and end of your exercise sessions, you will enhance your range of motion, avoid injuries and reduce soreness - but be sure to warm up muscles first before stretching (a five-minute walk serves as a good warm up routine).

* Make a date with your doctor:
Getting a medical diagnosis is important if you think you have arthritis. Arthritis is a general term for more than 100 different diseases and related conditions that affect joints, bones and muscles. Getting the right treatment begins with getting the right diagnosis.

Tips for travellers:

1. While travelling, one should avoid eating food or drinking water contaminated by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. This is especially so in the case of foodstuff that is uncooked or raw and/or sold open on the streets. Infections may cause diarrhoea and vomiting (E.coli, Salmonella, cholera), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis).

Food:

* Food should be selected with care. Any raw food could be contaminated, particularly in areas of poor sanitation. Foods of particular concern include salads, uncooked vegetables and fruit, unpasteurized milk and milk products, raw meat, and shellfish.

* Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled. When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be peeled, peel them yourself after washing your hands with soap first.

* Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are still hot and steaming.

* Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult for food to be kept clean on the street, and many travelers get sick from food bought from street vendors.

* Infants younger than 6 months should either be breast-fed or be given powdered commercial formula prepared with boiled water.

Drinking:
In areas with poor sanitation, only the following beverages may be safe to drink: boiled water, hot beverages (such as coffee or tea) made with boiled water, canned or bottled carbonated beverages, bottled mineral water (with the seal intact), beer, and wine.

* Ice may be made from unsafe water and should be avoided.

* Avoid popsicles and flavored ices that may have been made with contaminated water.

* It is safer to drink from a can or bottle of beverage, after wiping clean the area that will touch the mouth, than to drink from a container that was not known to be clean and dry.

* Never drink from open wells or rivers unless using an iodine resin water purifier.

* Boiling is the most reliable method to make water safe to drink. Bring water to a vigorous boil, and then allow it to cool; do not add ice.

2. One should prevent malarial infection by taking prescribed antimalarial drugs and protecting oneself against mosquito bites.
In addition to using drugs to prevent malaria, travellers should protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing clothing that covers most of the body, using mosquito netting, i.e. bed nets, and applying insect repellent to exposed skin, particularly between the cooler hours of the dusk and dawn, when most mosquitoes are known to feed.

3. Sunburn and heat stroke, especially at high altitudes and after long hours in the sun. Dehydration and salt deficiency can cause heat exhaustion which is typically characterized by lethargy, fatigue and headaches. In comparison, in a heat stroke, it's the body's heat control mechanisms that break down and the body temperature rises to dangerous levels. Sweating diminishes, and headache and delirium also occur. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, drink lots of non-alcoholic fluids and increase salt intake in food.

To protect oneself from sunburn, one should always wear a hat, sunglasses and use some form of sun protection cream or lotion.

4. Acute mountain sickness can be caused at high altitudes when trekking. If you plan to visit or trek in parts of the Himalayan Mountains, ascend gradually to allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitude. Rest a bit, drink lots of fluids, eat light, avoid alcohol, cigarettes and sedatives.

In addition, use sunblock rated at least 15 SPF, because the risk of sunburn is greater at high altitudes.

Note: Travellers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and should tell the physician their travel history.

Tips

Avoid excessive heat:
It can have a severe impact on the health of many elderly persons. Staying indoors in air conditioned settings, not overexerting yourself and drinking plenty of liquids, unless restricted by your doctor, is advisable.

Tell your doctor if your hands always seem to be cold:
It might be a sign of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). One function of the thyroid gland is to regulate body temperature. When it's not doing its job, the body becomes tired and less tolerant of the cold. The signs of hypothyroidism can be vague, so be sure to mention even mild changes to your doctor.

Make your toothbrush easier to hold:
People with arthritis or other conditions that limit motion may want to attach their toothbrush handle to their hand with a wide elastic band, or enlarge it by strapping it to a sponge, Styrofoam ball or similar object. People with limited shoulder movement may find brushing easier if they lengthen the handle of the brush by attaching a long piece of wood or plastic. Electric toothbrushes are helpful to many.

Improve the circulation of blood to the feet:
Wear comfortable shoes that fit well. Foot width may increase with age. Always have your feet measured before buying shoes. The upper part of the shoes should be made of a soft, flexible material to match the shape of your foot. Shoes made of leather can reduce the possibility of skin irritations. Soles should provide solid footing and not be slippery. Thick soles lessen pressure on hard surfaces. Low-heeled shoes are more comfortable, safer and less damaging than high-heeled shoes.

Follow a regular plan of exercise:
Exercise helps our bones, particularly our joint bones and the bones of the spinal column, rebuild and repair themselves as they should. Without exercise, they become thin and porous -- a condition known as osteoporosis. Strong muscles help protect your joints and spinal column, improve your posture and balance, increase your mobility, and reduce the likelihood of falls and other accidents, and give you a younger body image.

Home Safety:
Home modification and repair can help prevent accidents such as falls. Research suggests that one-third to one-half of home accidents can be prevented by modification or repair.

Tips for healthy eyes.....

* To clean your eyes thoroughly, wash them with cold water. Splash water into your eyes for best results.

* If your eyes are strained, soak cotton balls in chilled water or milk, and keep one on each eye for 10 minutes.

* Consume a diet rich in vitamin A.

* For treating dark circles around the eyes, cut slices of cucumber or potato, and keep them on your eyes for 15 minutes.

* To have sparkling eyes, soak amala in water over night, strain it in the morning in a clean cloth, and wash your eyes with this water.

* Exercise your eyes daily. Simple exercises like looking at a distant object and looking at an object at arms length can be done.

* Make sure that you remove eye makeup completely before going to bed.

* If you suffer from headaches frequently, get your eyes checked for any defect in vision.

* Do not read in dim light, or while lying down.

Ayurved Healthtips

1. Headache:
5-10 leaves of holy basil + 10 black pepper + 1 teaspoon honey. Recommended thrice in day.


2. Hoarsness of voice:
1teaspoon piper longum + 1 teaspoon honey + 1 teaspoon ginger powder. Recommended thrice a day. This combination can also be used in Hiccough.


3. Insect bites:
A paste of 1 teaspoon powder of black pepper + 1 teaspoon ghee. Recommended twice or thrice daily.


4. Intestial worms:
1 teaspoon bishop seeds + 1 teaspoon castor oil. Recommended 1-2 times a day.


5. Malaria :
10 leaves of holy basil + 10 pieces of black pepper +1 teaspoon of honey. Recommended 3-4 times a day.


6. Piles :
1/2 teaspoon dried ginger powder + 1 teaspoon jaggery. Recommended two or three times a day.


7. Prevention of Malaria :
1/2 teaspoon of asofoetida powder once a day after lunch to prevent recurrent attacks of malaria.


8. Cough & Cold :
1 teaspoon. dried ginger powder + 1 teaspoon. black pepper + 5-10 leaves of holy basil in a cup of tea. Recommended 3 -4 times in day.


9. Dental pain :
10 pieces of clove + 1 piece of camphor in a cotton piece and place it over the area of pain as required.


11. Diabetes :
One teaspoon of powdered Emblic Myrobalans + one teaspoon of turmeric powder & honey. Recommended thrice in a day.

10 Ways To Get A Good Night's Sleep.

1. Listen to soothing music.

2. Set up a routine. Go to bed at the same time every night.

3. Read a book of your choice.

4. Do some light exercise.

5. Consider aromatherapy.

6. Shower before bed.

7. Don’t eat sugar or caffeine before you sleep.

8. Try to avoid heavy meals before bedtime.

9. Don’t face the clock while you try to sleep so it doesn’t distract you.

10. Use breathing exercises to relax you.

Dum Aloo

Ingredients:

50g ghee or 45 ml oil

1 bayleaf

1 onion, minced finely

½ tsp ginger paste

½ tsp garlic paste

½ tsp whole mustard seed

½ tsp cumin seed

500g small potatoes, with skins, washed and dried or
500g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

¼ tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp ground coriander

1 ½ tsp chilli powder

¼ pint natural yogurt

¼ tsp salt

Method :

1. Heat ghee or oil and add bayleaf and onion.

2. Fry for 3-4 minutes.

3. Add ginger and garlic and fry for 1 minute.

4. Add mustard and cumin seed.

5. Add potatoes, mix well and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

6. Sprinkle with turmeric, coriander and chilli powder.

7. add yogurt and salt to taste. Mix gently, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until potatoes are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.

8. Sprinkle with a little water if potatoes are not quite tender.

9. Dum aloo is a dry dish with potatoes covered with spices. Serve with puri.

Dum Aloo

Ingredients:

50g ghee or 45 ml oil

1 bayleaf

1 onion, minced finely

½ tsp ginger paste

½ tsp garlic paste

½ tsp whole mustard seed

½ tsp cumin seed

500g small potatoes, with skins, washed and dried or
500g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

¼ tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp ground coriander

1 ½ tsp chilli powder

¼ pint natural yogurt

¼ tsp salt

Method :

1. Heat ghee or oil and add bayleaf and onion.

2. Fry for 3-4 minutes.

3. Add ginger and garlic and fry for 1 minute.

4. Add mustard and cumin seed.

5. Add potatoes, mix well and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

6. Sprinkle with turmeric, coriander and chilli powder.

7. add yogurt and salt to taste. Mix gently, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until potatoes are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.

8. Sprinkle with a little water if potatoes are not quite tender.

9. Dum aloo is a dry dish with potatoes covered with spices. Serve with puri.

Bengal Fish Curry

Ingredients:

1. 700g firm fleshed fish such as river trout, grey or red mullet.

2. 1 tsp ground turmeric.

3. 1 ¼ tbsps salt or to taste

4. 5 tbsps cooking oil

5. 1 large onion, finely chopped

6. ¼-in cube of root ginger-peeled and finely chopped or grated

7. 1 tbsp ground coriander

8. ½-1 tsp chilli powder

9. 1 tsp paprika

10. 250g thick set natural yogurt

11. 4-6 whole fresh green chillies

12. 1-2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed

13. 1 tbsp besan (gram or chick pea flour)

14. 2 tbsps chopped coriander leaves (optional)

Method:

1. Clean and wash the fish and pat dry.

2. Cut each fish in to 1 ½ -inch pieces.

3. Gently rub into the fish ¼ tsp turmeric and ¼ tsp salt from the specified amount and put it aside for 15-20 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, heat the oil over medium heat; use a pan wide enough to hold the fish in a single layer and fry onion and ginger until the onions are lightly browned (6-7 minutes), stirring frequently.

5. Add coriander, remaining turmeric, chilli powder and the paprika - adjust heat to low and fry for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.

6. Beat the yogurt with a fork until smooth and add to the onion and spice mixture, adjust heat to medium, add the whole green chillies, the remaining salt and the garlic. Stir and mix well.

7. Arrange the pieces of fish in this liquid in a single layer and bring to the boil. Cover and cook over low heat for 5-6 minutes.

8. Blend the besan with a little water to make a pouring consistency. Strain this over the fish curry, stir gently, and mix. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes.

9. Remove from heat and gently mix in half the coriander leaves.

10. Transfer the fish curry into a serving dish and garnish with the remaining coriander leaves (if used).

Snake Bite:

Treatment:

* Keep the victim calm and still.
* Keep the affected area below the level of heart, so as to contain venom locally.
* Wash hands thoroughly or put on the latex gloves before attending the wound.
* If the bite is not bleeding, wash the wound well with mild soap and water and pat dry with clean swabs or other non-fluffy material.
* If the bite is actively bleeding, control the bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean and dry cloth until the bleeding subsides.

* Remove any of the constricting items.
* Lightly compress the limb above the wound with a roller bandage.
* Immobilise the injury, immobilise an injured arm with a sling and an injured leg by binding it to the injured leg.
* If the patient stops breathing, be ready to resuscitate if needed.
* Observe the bite for signs of infection (increasing skin redness, swelling) and other vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure).
* If the area around the wound begins to swell and change colour, the snake was probably poisonous.
* Get medical help as soon as possible.

Warning.

* Do not apply ice or a cold pack to snakebite because cold can cause the venom to spread further.
* Do not apply a Tourniquet such as a belt, necktie or cord.
* Do not slash the wound with a knife.
* Never try to suck the venom orally.
* Patient should never be put to strenuous physical exercises.
* Site of the bite should not be raised above the heart level.
* No stimulants or pain medicators should be taken without the prescription of the doctor.
* Removal of the dressing/elastic wraps to be avoided until you are at a facility ready and able to administer antivenom.
* Do not eat or drink unless told by the doctor.

Prevention.

* Do not thrust hands or feet into any areas if you cannot see into the area.
* Avoid playing or picking up any snake unless you are properly trained.
* Wear long pants and boots if possible while hiking into an area known to have snakes.
* If given adequate warning, snakes will avoid coming near to you. Hence before entering an area with an obscured base, tap ahead with a walking stick.

Giving Medicine to Kids

Here are some tips on how to give medicines safely to children.

1. Make sure you understand the instructions before leaving the pharmacy.

2. Always use good light to reduce risk of giving the wrong medicine or the wrong dose.

3. Always use child-resistant caps and lock all medications away from your child.

4. Give the correct dose as directed by your pediatrician or on product labeling.

5. A pediatric syringe is the most accurate dosing device.

6. If your child doesn't like the taste, ask your pharmacist about other dosage forms and flavors.

7. Report any adverse effects to the medicine to your health care provider.

8. Make sure kids know medicine is not candy.

Guidelines for choosing healthy snacks for children..

To keep children healthy and help protect them from developing certain diseases later in life, it is recommended that children (and adults, for that matter!) consume at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. To meet your goals, it's helpful to add fruit and vegetables to snacks.

Make sure that food contains more than calories. The snack should also provide such nutrients as fiber, vitamins or minerals. It should contain foods from more than one food group, if possible, and serve to complement or supplement the child's meals. For example, if the child does not eat fruit or vegetables at mealtime, provide these foods at snacktime.

As a child's care provider, set a good example on your child by eating healthy food yourself.


Children's diets can contain some foods that are higher in sugar and fat as long as the total diet is well balanced and the foods from all four food groups are consumed in the appropriate number of servings.

When involved in preparing the snack, the child is more likely to eat it.

Sweetened snack:

1. For a dessert, use a blender or food processor to blend 1 cup of your child's favourite fresh or frozen fruit with 6 ounces of nonfat vanilla flavored or plain yogurt.

2. Make a fruit juice fizz from a half-and-half mixture of fruit juice and mineral water or club soda.

3. To make unsweetened cereal and milk even more nutritious as a snack, add sliced fresh or frozen fruit, such as berries, peaches or bananas.

4. When you bake cookies or quick breads, substitute 1/2 of all the white flour with whole wheat flour; add 1/2 to 1 cup of oatmeal; decrease the sugar by 1/3 and add raisins, dates or coconut.

5. Make breads that contain fruits or vegetables, such as banana, zucchini, carrot, pumpkin or apple bread.

6. Make a peanut butter and fruit sandwich, substituting banana slices, raisins or chopped apple for the jelly.

7. For variety, you can substitute a muffin or bagel for sliced bread.

8. Cut fresh fruit and dip into lemon or other fruit flavoured nonfat or lowfat yogurt.

Health Tips And Technics

Health and Fitness has now become one of the major concerns. Earlier humans used to hunt for their living, due to which their body had to undergo a lot of physical exercise. This made life active and alert. Now, life has become more simple and easy. Everything we need is just a phone call away. This easy life has restricted humans to do that bit of physical exercise which is required to keep the body fit and healthy. We get instant, spicy and variety of food which lose their nutrition during the process.

How do we ensure that we have all that we need to have a healthy living? This is a big question among everyone. We need proper nutrition and a fit and belathy body. Good Health is all that one craves for. Becoming healthier and fitter though not very difficult needs dedicated efforts.

Nutrition and Health Diet.


The basic foundation for a healthy individual starts from his foetal stage with proper and healthy nutrition derived from his or her mother. Hence, a pregnant woman's diet stands atop all diets.Your food shall be your medicine. Ayurveda has postulated the rold of food and especially nutritive foods for maintaining health as well as cure of diseases. Nutrients are necessary for the proper functioning of mental, physical, metabolic, chemical and hormonal activities. The body is like a machine that will repair and rebuild itself provided proper nutrition is provided by way of food.

Sumptuous nutrition is available in fruits and vegetables. Fruits have the capacity to give all that a body needs.

Exercise and Fitness.

Simple fitness exercises can help to have a fitter and healthy life. Stretching exercises can help in many ways in mainting a fitter body. Weight loss can be achieved by following simple effortless regular exercises. Medical breakthroughs can happen by regular meditation and exercising. Yoga and other workouts which can be performed easily are available in this website to keep you fit and healthy.

Health and Fitness can make all that difference in one's life. Healthy living is all that one needs and to achieve that we picked up the best of the articles from reliable sources and have presented here in an organized manner. You might not be able to spend your valuable time on complicated medications and diet controls, but. you can find articles to help you have a better living using simple and easy technics.

Ayurveda, a science in vogue practiced since centuries, uses a wide variety of plants, animal origin substances, mineral and metallic substances to rebalance the diseased condition in the sick. A few tips on simple treatment of life style diseases have been carefully picked for the visitors of this website. These tips can help reduce or control diseases like diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.

Ear-Care

The ear is normally a self-cleaning mechanism. Wax acts in a protective manner, catching particles that may land in the ear. Fine hairs inside the ear canal constantly move wax and sloughed skin out of the canal. Wax and skin can build up inside the ear canal. If the canal is not clean, the eardrum can become completely blocked, greatly reducing hearing and eventually cause permanent damage.

1. If you have itching inside your ear canal, use an eye dropper to place a few drops of baby oil in your canal once or twice a week to lubricate.

2. Visit your physician or hearing specialist regularly if you frequently have fluid in your middle ear. Fluid normally drains from the ear via the eustachian tube. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can: cause damage to the small bones in the middle ear, cause extreme pain, and possibly rupture the eardrum.

3. If pus flows from any part of your ear, you probably have some kind of infection and should see a physician immediately. You can lose your hearing if you allow the condition to continue.

4. Common symptoms associated with hearing impairment are ringing sounds in the ears, a feeling of pressure in the ears, and dizziness. Call your doctor your hearing health care professional to test your hearing if you experience these symptoms, particularly if you've recently began taking a new medication or experienced some kind of head trauma.

5. Common childhood diseases such as mumps, measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, or any high fever can leave permanent hearing impairment. Always have your child's hearing tested if he/she has had any of these conditions in addition to regular ear care.

6. Women who are exposed to measles, mumps, or any other viral diseases during their pregnancies have a very high risk of giving birth to a baby with serious hearing impairment. Have your baby's hearing tested if you have been exposed to these conditions during your pregnancy, or even if you suspect hearing impairment.

7. Note: Your doctor or hearing specialist should remove your excess wax. Do not try and remove ear wax with cotton swabs, hair pins, or other hard objects. You can damage your ear canal or eardrum.

Hygiene in the kitchen

1. Wash hands and scrub fingernails before handling food.

2. Keep work areas very clean.

3. Do not allow pets anywhere near cooking place. Prevent cats jumping on to tables.

4. Keep food cool in summers. Use a refrigerator whenever possible.

5. Avoid meats which have stood a day or two at room temperature after being cooled. Recooling may not ensure safety.

6. Eliminate flies.

7. Keep all food covered.

8. Dispose of food scraps, wrapped in plastic or paper. Keep waste bins covered and lined with a plastic bag. Do not allow children to play near waste bins.

Tips to Stop Thumb (or Finger) Sucking

Thumb sucking and finger sucking are natural reflexes that babies develop while they are still in the womb. When it first develops it is a comfort reflex that will gradually be phased out by the baby as they grow into a toddler. However, in some children thumb and finger sucking can develop from a comfort reflex into a habit that is difficult to break.

1. Do you need to intervene?

The first tip for stopping thumb and finger sucking is to determine if you need to intervene at all. Thumb sucking is a natural reflex that babies develop to comfort themselves. For babies and young toddlers it will normally phase itself out. If your child is not sucking their thumb too aggressively or only sporadically then you should just ignore it. However, if your child relies heavily on thumb sucking and it is starting to affect their dental health and thumb health then you need to take steps to stop the sucking problem.

2. Don't pull

The second tip for dealing with thumb sucking is never pull your child’s thumb or finger out of their mouth. This can cause damage to their teeth or finger, especially if they have a strong suction or if they have teeth. Instead, you want to ask them to stop sucking their thumb.

3. Use redirection

If your child is older and they are still sucking their thumb then it may simply be a habit that they have developed over the first years of their life. To break this habit you may want to use redirection when they show signs that they are about to suck their thumb. Use a special toy or activity to draw their attention away from sucking their thumb.

4. Work together to solve the problem

A good strategy to stop thumb sucking is to talk with your toddler and come up with deal. For example make a deal that if they can stop sucking their thumb then they will be able to go to an amusement park or get a special gift.

5. Keep their thumbs busy

If they are using their thumbs for a fun activity they won’t be able to suck them, nor will they have the desire to suck them. Some activities that you can introduce include: coloring, video games, board games, drawing, painting, clay modeling, and computer games.

6. Don't stress them

Don’t try to get your toddler or prescholler to stop sucking their thumb during emotional stressing times of their life. If your family is dealing with a death, if you have just gone back to work, or if you are going through a divorce don’t push the issue of no more thumb sucking. Instead wait for a time where things are more or less stable. This will help reduce the stress that your toddler experiences because they are giving up an enjoyable habit and it will increase their chances of success.

TEN TIPS FOR PARENTING TEENS

Here are a handful of potentially helpful ideas about being a parent of a teenager. The stars indicate that there is additional information at the end.

1) Don't argue with your teen.

When you realize you are arguing, tell your son or daughter that you would like them to summarize* their perspective, so that they can be sure you have heard what they are saying. Then, if you don't have a reasonable response, tell them that you will need some time to think about whatever it is, and that you will get back to them before the day is over, or by the next morning, if the argument happened in the evening.

2) Learn how to negotiate with your teen.*

It is up to you to figure out what is negotiable and what isn't. For example, if your teen wants permission to smoke in the house, and you think this is unacceptable, then this is not negotiable. NO, is the answer. If your teen wants to go to a party with friends you do not know, this may be negotiable. You may need to know more about the location, whether a parent will be there, etc. If you need more information, ask for it. If it spells trouble, your answer is NO. If it seems OK, then your answer may be YES, but given some limits, like getting home at a certain time.

3) When you set limits*, stand by them.

If you find that the limits that you set are impractical or unreasonable, then revise the limits. Limits may be negotiable after your teen has demonstrated cooperation and responsibility.

4) Support your spouse in determining consequences for breaking family rules.

Establish the rules, guidelines, or limits in private. If you are not sure what makes sense, ask other parents or check with the teen's guidance counselor. Do not contradict your spouse in front of your teen. The only time you may need to intervene is if the other parent is being abusive or irresponsible.*

5) Start with firm expectations.*

Be conservative in the beginning as your teen asks for more freedom. As your teen demonstrates that they can handle the freedom responsibly, you can ease up on the reins. Starting strict and easing up as freedom is earned is much, much harder than trying to tighten up after irresponsible behavior.

6) Learn what being a teenager is like these days.

Times have changed and so have the limits of acceptable behavior. Fashions are almost totally different. For instance, body piercing and tattooing are fashionable these days. You might think that this is totally unacceptable, but you may want to rethink this. Some piercing and tattooing may totally disgust you; however, some may be more acceptable than others. A belly button ring may seem trivial when compared to a tongue piercing. See if you can negotiate. If you determine that you can't in good conscience, then don't!

7) Do not accept unacceptable behavior from your teen.*

Yelling at you is not OK. Swearing is not OK. Breaking curfew is not OK. Disrespecting others is not OK. Determine what your limits are and tell your teen when they cross the line. Determine consequences for offensive behavior.*

8) Give consequences instead of punishing.

Consequences should follow from the infraction. If your teen comes in late, then require that they come in earlier the next time they go out. Do not "ground" your teen for more than a couple of days, if at all. Not allowing contact with friends is abusive and demeaning. If the friends are urging your teen to do something illegal or unsafe, then you may need to step in, but this can be tricky. If you forbid your teen from seeing a particular friend or set of friends, most likely your teen will do so secretly.

9) Do not be a detective! State your expectations of how you want your teen to behave. If an infraction is brought to your attention, then determine consequences. For instance, you may set a rule that your teen will not drink alcohol or use other drugs. If your teen comes home high, then restrict their freedom. If your teen comes home and you suspect they may have been drinking, etc., but you don't know for sure, do not interrogate them. You might say, "I think you have been drinking, (or whatever else you suspect) but I don't know for sure. I hope you are making wise decisions." and leave it at that. Interrogation drives their behavior underground and cuts off meaningful communication.

10) You want your teen to be safe at all times, but this can never truly happen, unless you lock him/her up at every opportunity.

Every parent has fear about his or her children getting hurt or dying. Unfortunately, no matter what you do, you will not be able to prevent such things. Your fear will motivate your teen to be secretive. It is not a parent's job to prevent painful experiences. As your teens grow older into adulthood, they will make choices that you do not agree with. Your job is to share your values, but not to impose them.

Additional Information:

*Stopping an argument and asking your teen to summarize

When you attempt to stop what you perceive has become an argument, you will probably meet with resistance. Your stopping will be perceived as a power play to avoid listening to what your teen has to say. Power is not bad. You are the parent, and you need to exert your power as a parent. Your stopping your participation in an argument is an expression of responsible power. So stick to your guns, so to speak. When you explain to your teen that you are stopping arguing, he will most likely reply that there is no argument, just a discussion. This can be the basis for another argument and must be avoided. (Later, you may discuss the differences between arguing and conversing. This is metacommunication and may not be comprehensible for less mature teens.) If, and only if you have your teen’s attention, ask her to take a moment and sum up what they want. If she is unwilling, then tell her that you are willing to get back together later to talk. Do not continue the conversation until she sums up her point of view.

Holding onto your power as a parent is very difficult. Holding onto your power and maintaining respect for your teen is even more difficult. There are a number of skills involved, such as detachment with love, remaining cool under fire, postponing decisions when you are unsure, stopping anything when you feel uncomfortable, maintaining your perspective in spite of another’s criticism, and backing down, changing your mind when you realize that you have been misinformed or mistaken in your judgment of the situation.

*Negotiating with your teen

Negotiating is a very important conflict resolution skill. Agreeing to negotiate about an issue is tantamount to saying, “I want to come up with a solution that is acceptable to both of us.” Before you negotiate, be absolutely sure that the issue before you is negotiable- in other words, that you will offer your teen a choice. If you are not sure, it is always ok to stop negotiating and either come back to the table later or stop the negotiating process altogether. Do not negotiate if you are unwilling to live with the solution agreed upon by both you and your child.

Determining whether something is negotiable is an ongoing process and depends on your values and the responsibility demonstrated by your child- more specifically, the maturity level of your child. Negotiation is about offering choices. Negotiating with a 10 year old is quite different from negotiating with a teen.

The same kinds of skills mentioned above are required. Expect immaturity. That is what being a child is all about. Your willingness to engage in this process is about teaching your child how to grow up. You are helping your child mature.

Setting Limits

Setting limits is about determining what is ok and what is not ok. We set limits when we determine what we are willing to do and what we are not willing to do, what we are willing and unwilling to put up with, and how we willing to be treated and how we are unwilling to be treated. Consciously or not, we set limits much of the time in our relationships. Leaving the toilet seat down is OK. Leaving it up is not OK…

In the context of parenting, setting limits is about informing our teens just where the line in the sand is. This is OK. Stepping over the line is not OK. Goodness and Badness have very little to do with limit setting, keeping within limits, or overstepping. You might say, “It is not OK to come in after curfew.”

A very important note here: Staying within limits is not about being good. Conversely, breaking rules is not about being bad. If you understand this concept, you will save yourself an incredible amount of grief as you are raising your child. Children learn about the world by exploring. Part of exploration is testing limits. Sometimes your child will simply overstep limits in an attempt to find out more about the world. Sometimes your child will test limits to see what you will do in response. Both types of exploration are natural and normal and should be encouraged.

On the other hand, your parenting job requires respectful authority, structure and direction. Your job is to set up rules and guidelines that promote holistic growth: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and behavioral. Some rules/guidelines may be flexible while others may not. A respectful parent meets his teen’s misbehavior with calm yet firm resistance. In addition to the resistance or “No, that has gone too far,” your job also requires that you offer alternatives, such as, “If you show me that you can abide by the curfew, you can stay out an hour later in a month.

Abusive or Irresponsible Parenting

Abuse ranges from very mild to very severe. If your communication with your teen is neither nurturing nor respectfully structuring, then it is probably abusive. Mild to moderate abuse includes raising your voice, spanking, calling names, putting another down, predicting that your teen will fail, neglecting, not listening, ignoring, chronic teasing, expecting adult thinking, feeling, and behavior from an adolescent, severely restricting social interaction, punishment that does not fit the offense, arbitrarily maintaining authority and power, and failure to apologize when you have made a mistake or been offensive. More severe abuse includes hitting, threatening to hit, yelling, swearing, not speaking for long periods of time, suggesting that your teen will never grow up, picking and removing friends, sexual touching or innuendo, chronic sarcasm, and acting recklessly or inappropriately in front of your teen.

If your co-parent is being abusive, it is your job to end the abuse in whatever way possible.

Unacceptable behavior

Abusive parenting is unacceptable. Likewise, abusive behavior from your teen is unacceptable. Theoretically, adolescents are quite capable of being polite, helping with chores around the house, dealing with conflict, and expressing anger or annoyance without offending others. Theory becomes real when parents have helped their teen gain this level of maturity. Even if your teen does not demonstrate the above skills, it is your job to expect respect- not total submission, but respect of the golden rule variety.

Parenting Tips

Helping Children Manage Their Toys

Wow, kids today certainly do have a lot of toys. Big toys, little toys, games and sets with tons of pieces... many of our children have so many toys that it can be difficult to walk through a room after a busy day of play. While children should learn to pick up their toys to avoid injury to other family members and to avoid losing toys, the task can be a bit overwhelming, especially for little ones.

There are some ways to make things easier. First, a large toy box should only be used for large toys. If all the toys go into the box, your children will likely empty the entire toy box looking for specific items. Instead, keep sets with lots of pieces, or small items like Lego's or Matchbox Cars, in smaller containers. Even if you then place the smaller containers into the toy box, at least everything is separated. Your children can simply remove the box that contains the items he or she wants to play with, and return everything to the proper container when finished playing. It makes for neater rooms, happier moms and dads, and happier children because they won't lose important items so often.

Another step is to help children get into the habit of putting away one thing before getting anything else out. If he or she is done playing Lego's, they should all be picked up before your child brings out another toy or game. It will take some effort on your part at first. You will need to remind your child often, but soon things will become much more organized.

Parenting Tips

Breastfeeding advice

Here are a few MEGATIPS to help spread the pleasure of feeding the little one AND to getting a good nights kip!

Once you both (you and baby) get the hang of it, it's a synch!

In short, your milk starts to flow once your "let down reflex" kicks in. It's a signal sent to the brain to tell the breasts to start the milk flowing, otherwise you would be walking around like a pair of taps on legs. You may even find your milk will start to flow in reply to somebody else's baby in the middle of a supermarket! Wear good quality pads at all times to avoid embarrassment!

The let down reflex works on both breasts at the same time, so buy breast shells to wear over one as you feed baby on the other. These are hollow plastic covers, the size and shape of a donut and you place them over the nipple while you feed baby on the other side and the milk drips into the hollow. You will pick up precious drops that can emptied into icecube trays and frozen! A little bit here and a little bit there soon makes a bottle! After a while, you might be able to catch 4oz of milk per feed in the shell!

Now, once you have cracked the first 6 weeks, you will be in a position where the body should be producing as much milk as your baby needs, so this is the time to think about expressing. Buy a good kit, mine was from Avent and I found it very easy to use. It looks a bit like a flat pack cupboard when you first unpack it, but don't worry! It's not as bad as it looks.

Many ladies try expressing once or twice and if they get nowhere, they give up.....DONT GIVE UP....you just need learn how to trigger your body off with that let down reflex I talked about!

Set yourself up with the sterilised pump (mine was manual, but you can get electric too) AND a breast shell. Put the shell on one and sit comfortably on the sofa or bed. Put on a video of your new born, preferably one where they are making a bit or noise!! HEHE a good cry is perfect! Also, have some baby clothes to hand, maybe something they have just worn, so it has their smell on it. Smell the clothes and watch the video, maybe look at a few photos of baby too and before you know it, your body will think "Hey, it's time to feed". Keep pumping the handle, one pump every few seconds and the brain will eventually think it's baby. Being relaxed is the key here. Don't worry if it doesn't happen straight away. Try again another time. If you can manage it (and you can, it's just practise) express WHILE baby is actually feeding!

The bottom line is this, if you can get a good 9 oz off, your partner can take baby for that ghost shift feed and maybe you can get a clear 4-5 hours sleep!!! When you wake up, your breasts will be nicely full because YOU have had such a great sleep!! Feed baby and express at the same time and you will have another good bottle for that night and on the cycle goes! If you get excess milk, freeze it. After a while, you could bank up enough to have a well deserved evening out. A well trusted sitter would be giving baby as good a feed as if it came from you! You enjoy your restful evening, the body is relaxed, you have more energy, make more milk and the cycle goes on!

It all falls into place after 6 weeks - speak to your midwife for any support and help you need, they are delighted to help!

Weight Loss

1300 Calorie Plan for Using 20 Pounds in 6 Weeks

With the following diet plan, you can expect to lose approximately 20 pounds in six weeks by consuming approximately 1300 calories per day. The amount of weight that you will lose depends on your actual calorie intake, activity level and individual body metabolism. Average weight loss should be between two to four pounds per week.

Guidelines for Success

1. For any diet plan to be successful, you need a sufficient amount of exercise. Cardiovascular activity burns fat and calories, while strength training creates lean muscle and raises the metabolism. Try to get thirty minutes of cardio three to five times per week. Supplement your cardio program with three strength training sessions per week for best results.

2. Choose your beverages wisely. Water and green tea are best when it comes to staying hydrated and losing weight. If you're a coffee lover, stick to one cup in the mornings taken black or with calorie-free sweetener. Diet soda is OK every now and then, but shouldn't be consumed daily as it can bloat and dehydrate the body.

3. Avoid foods that are overly processed. Whole foods are always best when dieting to lose weight. If you can, go organic for even more health benefits. Aim for a balance of lean protein, whole grain, lowfat dairy, healthy fat and most importantly, lots of fruits and vegetables.

4. Allow yourself an indulgence once a week or so. This doesn't mean you should go overboard or sabotage your diet. Choose your treat wisely and eat it slowly and with full awareness. Examples might be a few squares of chocolate or one serving of chips, cookies or ice cream. Refer to the food label for exact serving sizes, which are smaller than many people think they are.

5. Make sure you're eating on a regular schedule. Rather than three large meals, try six small ones. Eating healthy foods at regular intervals will keep your metabolism at optimal functioning and help you feel less hungry and more satisfied.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Introduction

Most women equate a missed menstrual period with the possibility of being pregnant, but other symptoms and signs are experienced by most women in the early stages of pregnancy. It's important to remember that not all women will experience all of these symptoms or have the symptoms to the same degree. Even the same woman can have different types of symptoms in a subsequent pregnancy than she had in previous pregnancies. The following are the most common pregnancy symptoms in the first trimester.

Missed period

A missed menstrual period is most often the first sign of pregnancy. Sometimes a woman who is pregnant may still experience some bleeding or spotting around the time of the expected period. This small amount of bleeding that occurs at the time of the expected menstrual period happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall and is referred to as implantation bleeding.

Any bleeding during pregnancy is typically lighter than that observed during the regular menstrual period. However, if a woman does not have regular menstrual cycles, she may notice some of the other symptoms of early pregnancy before it is apparent that the menstrual period has been missed. A missed menstrual period also does not confirm that a woman is pregnant even if she has regular cycles, since both emotional and physical conditions may cause absent or delayed periods.

Breast swelling, tenderness, and pain

Feelings of breast swelling, tenderness, or pain are also commonly associated with early pregnancy. These symptoms are sometimes similar to the sensations in the breasts in the days before an expected menstrual period. Women may also describe a feeling of heaviness or fullness in the breasts. These symptoms can begin in some women as early as one to two weeks after conception.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are also common in early pregnancy. Traditionally referred to as "morning sickness," the nausea and vomiting associated with early pregnancy can occur at any time of the day or night. Its typical onset is anywhere between the 2nd and 8th weeks of pregnancy. Most women who have morning sickness develop nausea and vomiting about one month after conception, but it may develop sooner in some women.

Elevations in estrogen that occur early in pregnancy are thought to slow the emptying of the stomach and may be related to the development of nausea. Accompanying the characteristic "morning sickness" may be cravings for, or aversions to, specific foods or even smells. It is not unusual for a pregnant woman to change her dietary preferences, often having no desire to eat previous "favorite" foods. In most women, nausea and vomiting begin to subside by the second trimester of pregnancy.

Fatigue and tiredness

Fatigue and tiredness are symptoms experienced by many women in the early stages of pregnancy. The cause of this fatigue has not been fully determined, but it is believed to be related to rising levels of the hormone progesterone. Fatigue is another symptom that may be experienced early, in the first weeks after conception.

Abdominal bloating

Some women may experience feelings of abdominal enlargement or bloating, but there is usually only a small amount of weight gain in the first trimester or pregnancy. In this early stage of pregnancy a weight gain of about one pound per month is typical. Sometimes women also experience mild abdominal cramping during the early weeks of pregnancy, which may be similar to the cramping that occurs prior to or during the menstrual period.

Frequent urination

A woman in the early stages of pregnancy may feel she has to urinate frequently, especially at nighttime, and she may leak urine with a cough, sneeze, or laugh. The increased desire to urinate may have both physical and hormonal causes. Once the embryo has implanted in the uterus, it begins to produce the hormone known as human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which is believed to stimulate frequent urination. Another cause of frequent urination that develops later is the pressure exerted by the growing uterus on the bladder.

Elevated basal body temperature

A persistently elevated basal body temperature (the oral temperature measured first thing in the morning, before arising from bed) is another characteristic sign of early pregnancy. An elevation in the basal body temperature occurs shortly after ovulation and persists until the next menstrual period occurs. Persistence of the elevated basal body temperature beyond the time of the expected menstrual period is another sign of early pregnancy.

Changes in nipple color

Women may notice a deepening of the color of the area surrounding the nipple, called the areola and/or a dark line going down from the middle of the central abdomen area to the pubic area (known as the linea nigra). Some degree of darkening of the areola persists after pregnancy in many women, but the linea nigra typically disappears in the months following delivery of the baby.

Melasma (darkening of the skin)

Some women may develop a so-called "mask of pregnancy" in the first trimester, referring to a darkening of the skin on the forehead, bridge of the nose, upper lip, or cheekbones. The darkened skin is typically present on both sides of the face. Doctors refer to this condition as melasma or chloasma, and it is more common in darker-skinned women than those with lighter skin. Melasma can also occur in some conditions other than pregnancy. Women who have a family history of melasma are at greater risk of developing this sign of pregnancy.

Mood swings and stress

Mood swings and stress are common symptoms reported by many women in the early stages of pregnancy. Many women in the early stages of pregnancy describe feelings of heightened emotions or even crying spells. The rapid changes in hormone levels are believed to cause these changes in mood. Pregnant women may also notice more rapid and drastic changes in their moods.

Asthma in Children

How is asthma diagnosed in children?

Asthma is often difficult to diagnose in infants. However, in older children the disease can often be diagnosed based on your child's medical history, symptoms, and physical exam.

* Medical history and symptom description. Your child's doctor will be interested in any history of breathing problems you or your child may have had, as well as a family history of asthma, allergies, a skin condition called eczema, or other lung disease. It is important that you describe your child's symptoms—cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness—in detail, including when and how often these symptoms have been occurring.


* Physical exam. During the physical examination, the doctor will listen to your child's heart and lungs.


* Tests. Many children will also have a chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests. Also called lung function tests, these tests measure the amount of air in the lungs and how fast it can be exhaled. The results help the doctor determine how severe the asthma is. Generally, children younger than 5 are unable to perform pulmonary function tests. Thus doctors rely heavily on history, symptoms and examination in making the diagnosis.

Other tests may also be ordered to help identify particular asthma triggers. These tests may include allergy skin testing, blood tests and X-rays to determine if sinus infections or gastroesophageal reflux disease (a gastrointestinal condition that causes reflux of acid stomach contents into the esophagus or even into the lungs) is complicating asthma.

How is asthma treated in kids?

Based on your child's history and the severity of asthma, his or her doctor will develop a care plan, called an "asthma action plan." The asthma action plan describes when and how your child should use asthma medications, what to do when asthma gets worse, and when to seek emergency care for your child. Make sure you understand this plan and ask your child's doctor any questions you may have.

Your child's asthma action plan is important to successfully controlling his or her asthma. Keep it handy to remind you of your child's daily asthma management plan, as well as to guide you when your child develops asthma symptoms.

In addition to following your child's asthma action plan, you want to make sure exposure to asthma triggers is limited, and preferably avoided.

What asthma medications can children take?

If an infant or child is experiencing symptoms of asthma requiring treatment with a bronchodilator medication more than twice a week, most doctors recommend daily anti-inflammatory medication.

Most asthma medications that are given to adults and older children can also safely be prescribed to toddlers and younger children. Medications that are approved for younger children are given in doses adjusted for their age and weight. Specifically, children 4 years and up may be prescribed the asthma inhaler Advair. Advair treats both airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction. Another antiinflammatory medication called Pulmicort Respules has been approved for children ages 12 months and up. In the case of inhaled medications, a different delivery device based on the child's age and ability may be required. (Many children aren't able to coordinate their breathing well enough to use a standard inhaler.)

How do I give my child asthma medication?

You will probably give your child asthma medications using a home nebulizer, also known as a breathing machine. A nebulizer delivers asthma medications, usually bronchodilators, by changing them from a liquid to a mist. Your child gets the medicine by breathing it in through a facemask. These breathing treatments usually take about 10-15 minutes and are given several times a day. Your child's doctor will tell you how often to give your child breathing treatments, based on the severity of his or her asthma.

Your child may be able to use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer. A spacer is a chamber that attaches to the MDI and holds the burst of medication. Talk with your child's doctor to see if an MDI with spacer is right for your child.

How do I know when my child's asthma is well controlled?

You know your child's asthma is well controlled if, with medications, your child:

* Lives an active, normal life
* Has few troublesome symptoms
* Attends school every day
* Performs daily activities without difficulty
* Has few urgent visits to the doctor, emergency department, or hospital for asthma
* Has few medication side effects

By learning about asthma and how it can be controlled, you take an important step toward managing your child's disease. We encourage you to work closely with your child's asthma care team to learn all you can about asthma, how to avoid triggers, what medications do, and how to correctly give them. With proper care, your child can live free of asthma symptoms and maintain a normal, healthy lifestyle.

Will my child outgrow asthma?

Once a person's airways become sensitive (asthma), they remain that way for life. However, about 50% of children experience a noticeable decrease in asthma symptoms by the time they become adolescents, therefore appearing to have "outgrown" their asthma. About half of these children will develop symptoms again in their 30's and/or 40's. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict whose symptoms will decrease during adolescence and whose will return later in life.

What do I do when my child has an asthma attack?

If your child is showing symptoms of an asthma attack:

* Give your child his/her reliever (bronchodilator) medicine according to the asthma action plan.
* Wait five to fifteen minutes. If the symptoms disappear, your child should be able to resume whatever activity they were doing. If symptoms persist, follow your child's asthma action plan for further therapy. If your child fails to improve or you are not sure what action to take, call your child's physician.
* Danger signs are severe wheezing, severe coughing, trouble walking and/or talking or blue lips and/or fingernails. If any of these are present go to the emergency department.

Health Tip

Listen to Your Child's Breathing.

Asthma in children can have many different physical and behavioral symptoms. Paying close attention to your child can help you spot the early warning signs of asthma.

Here's a list of common symptoms, courtesy of the American Lung Association:

* Coughing that is not related to an illness, especially at night.
* Frequently clearing of the throat.
* Irregular breathing.
* Wheezing, even slightly.
* Labored or very loud breathing.
* In some children who are having an asthma attack, the notch just above the Adam's apple sinks in as they breathe.
* Unusual paleness or sweating


Asthma in Children

What makes a child more likely to develop asthma?

There are many risk factors for developing childhood asthma. These include:

* Presence of allergies
* Family history of asthma and/or allergies
* Frequent respiratory infections
* Low birth weight
* Exposure to tobacco smoke before and/or after birth
* Being male
* Being black
* Being raised in a low-income environment

Why are more children getting asthma?

No one really knows why more and more children are developing asthma. Some experts suggest that children are being exposed to more and more allergens such as dust, air pollution, and second-hand smoke. These factors all are triggers of asthma. Others suspect that children are not exposed to enough childhood illnesses to build up their immune system. It appears that a disorder of the immune system where the body fails to make enough protective antibodies may play a role in causing asthma.

And still others suggest that decreasing rates of breastfeeding have prevented important substances of the immune system from being passed on to babies.

How can I tell if my child has asthma?

Signs and symptoms to look for include:

* Frequent coughing spells, which may occur during play, at night, or while laughing. It is important to know that cough may be the only symptom present.
* Less energy during play
* Rapid breathing
* Complaint of chest tightness or chest "hurting"
* Whistling sound (wheezing) when breathing in or out
* See-saw motions (retractions) in the chest from labored breathing
* Shortness of breath, loss of breath
* Tightened neck and chest muscles
* Feelings of weakness or tiredness

Keep in mind that not all children have the same asthma symptoms, and these symptoms can vary from asthma episode to the next episode in the same child. Also note that not all wheezing or coughing is caused by asthma.

In kids under 5 years of age, the most common cause of asthma-like symptoms is upper respiratory viral infections such as the common cold.

If your child has problems breathing, take him or her to the doctor immediately for an evaluation.

Heart Attack Symptoms - Different In Women!

Heart disease and heart attacks claim the lives of more American women than men each year, and pose a greater threat to American women than all forms of cancer combined. Unfortunately, many women do not know that the symptoms of a woman having a heart attack can be significantly different from those of a man. C. Noel Bairey Merz, M.D., Chair of the American College of Cardiology's Prevention and Cardiovascular Diseases Committee is offering a dozen important heart tips for women.

Women take notice of these 12 Important Heart Tips!

1. If you're over age 18, have your blood pressure checked annually; over age 45, have your blood cholesterol and blood sugar checked each year; and if you have a family history of heart disease in a relative prior to the age of 60, especially in a female relative, ask your physician to do these tests at earlier ages and to consider additional tests such as treadmill testing and other heart disease screening tests.

2. Be aware that the symptoms for women having a heart attack are often different from those of a man, but any of the following symptoms can occur in men and women:

Classic Symptoms

* Squeezing chest pain or pressure
* Shortness of breath
* Sweating
* Tightness in chest
* Pain spreading to shoulders, neck or arm
* Feeling of heartburn or indigestion with or without nausea and vomiting
* Sudden dizziness or brief loss of consciousness

Symptoms More Likely in Women

* Indigestion or gas-like pain
* Dizziness, nausea or vomiting
* Unexplained weakness, fatigue
* Discomfort/pain between shoulder blades
* Recurring chest discomfort
* Sense of impending doom

3. Talk to your doctor or gynecologist regularly about your heart health. Be proactive in bringing this topic up for discussion. Ask for a thorough assessment of your heart disease risk factors: family history, cholesterol - especially LDL, HDL and triglycerides - glucose (blood sugar) levels, blood pressure, smoking history, weight, stress and exercise. If you have risk factors, formulate a plan with your doctor to reduce or eliminate or reduce them.

4. If you have one or more risk factors, ask your doctor or gynecologist if you should have an electrocardiogram (ECG) or exercise stress test.

5. Ask your doctor or gynecologist to review risk factors for heart disease and heart attack symptoms during your annual check-up. Discuss these with your family and friends, along with the importance of calling 9-1-1 if these symptoms occur.

6. Tell your doctor or gynecologist about any personal or family history of heart disease.

7. Make sure you understand any medications or special instructions your doctor has given you, including when you need to have follow-up tests.

8. Be aware of your diet and lifestyle. Read labels and avoid foods that are high in saturated fats. Aim to eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Whenever possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and look for other ways to get more exercise.

9. Don't smoke If you do smoke, stop.

10. If you are experiencing symptoms that could be a signal of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 and get to the emergency room quickly to minimize possible damage to your heart.

11. Consider taking aspirin at the first sign of heart attack symptoms.

12. Check out nearby cardiac rehabilitation centers and community programs to help you stop smoking, get regular exercise, lose weight and reduce stress.


If you are experiencing symptoms that could be signaling a heart attack or if you see someone else with these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately and summon an ambulance. Do not attempt to drive yourself as only paramedics and trained fire department personnel have the necessary equipment to revive you if your heart has stopped beating. Give the patient one aspirin to chew, and if she or he is not breathing, start CPR. Above all, get to the hospital as quickly as possible because the longer a heart attack goes untreated, the more badly damaged your heart will be.

Cancer Prevention

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), more than a half million Americans will die of cancer in 2004�that is more than 1,500 people a day. One of every four deaths in America is from cancer. About 1.4 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2004. This estimate does not include diagnoses of in situ (preinvasive) cancer (except for urinary bladder cancer) or the approximately 1 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer that will be diagnosed this year.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that about 9.6 million Americans with a history of cancer were alive in January 2000. Although some of these individuals were considered to be cured or cancer free, others continued to live with the disease and may have been receiving treatment.

Effective strategies exist for reducing the number of both new cases of cancer and deaths caused by cancer. These include decreasing the prevalence of behavioral and environmental factors that increase people's cancer risk and ensuring that evidence-based screening tests and treatment services are available and accessible. Resources that can be devoted to such strategies are limited, and must be allocated wisely. Wise resource allocation, in turn, depends partly on the availability of complete, timely, and high-quality cancer data.

Much of the promise for cancer prevention comes from observational epidemiologic studies that show associations between modifiable life style factors or environmental exposures and specific cancers. Evidence is now emerging from randomized controlled trials designed to test whether interventions suggested by the epidemiologic studies, as well as leads based on laboratory research, result in reduced cancer incidence and mortality.

The most consistent finding, over decades of research, is the strong association between tobacco use and cancers of many sites. Hundreds of epidemiologic studies have confirmed this association. Further support comes from the fact that lung cancer death rates in the United States have mirrored smoking patterns, with increases in smoking followed by dramatic increases in lung cancer death rates and, more recently, decreases in smoking followed by decreases in lung cancer death rates in men.

Additional examples of modifiable cancer risk factors include alcohol consumption (associated with increased risk of oral, esophageal, breast, and other cancers), physical inactivity (associated with increased risk of colon, breast, and possibly other cancers), and being overweight (associated with colon, breast, endometrial, and possibly other cancers). Based on epidemiologic evidence, it is now thought that avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, being physically active, and maintaining recommended body weight, may all contribute to reductions in risk of certain cancers; however, compared with tobacco exposure, the magnitude of effect is modest or small and the strength of evidence is often weaker. Other lifestyle and environmental factors known to affect cancer risk (either beneficially or detrimentally) include certain sexual and reproductive practices, the use of exogenous estrogens, exposure to ionizing radiation and ultraviolet radiation, certain occupational and chemical exposures, and infectious agents.

Food and nutrient intake have been examined in relation to many types of cancer. Fruit and vegetable consumption have generally been found in epidemiologic studies to be associated with reduced risk for a number of different cancers. Contrary to expectation, randomized trials found no benefit of beta-carotene supplementation in reducing lung cancer incidence and mortality; risk of lung cancer was statistically significantly increased in smokers in the beta-carotene arms of 2 of the trials. Similarly, randomized controlled trials have found no reduction in risk of subsequent adenomatous polyps of the colon in individuals who have had polyps previously resected taking dietary fiber supplements compared with those receiving much lower amounts of supplemental wheat bran fiber. On the other hand, there is evidence from at least 1 randomized controlled trial that calcium supplementation does modestly reduce risk of adenoma recurrence. Consumption of red meat and inadequate folic acid intake have also been associated with increased risk of colon cancer. A large randomized trial is currently underway to investigate whether men taking daily selenium or vitamin E or both experience a reduced incidence of prostate cancer in comparison to men taking placebo pills. A meta-analysis of 19 randomized trials suggests that vitamin E supplements do not decrease the risk of all-cause mortality.

Daily use of tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, for up to 5 years, has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in high-risk women by about 50%. Cis-retinoic acid also has been shown to reduce risk of second primary tumors among patients with primary cancers of the head and neck. Finasteride, an alpha-reductase inhibitor, has been shown to lower the risk of prostate cancer. Other examples of drugs that show promise for chemoprevention include COX-2 inhibitors (which inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzymes involved in the synthesis of proinflammatory prostaglandins).

Considerable research effort is now devoted to the development of vaccines to prevent infection by oncogenic agents, and to potential venues for gene therapy for individuals with genetic mutations or polymorphisms that put them at high risk of cancer. Meanwhile, genetic testing for high-risk individuals, with enhanced surveillance or prophylactic surgery for those who test positive, is already available for certain types of cancer, including breast and colon cancers.

Screening for colon cancer through fecal occult blood testing has been demonstrated to reduce both colon cancer incidence and mortality, presumably through the detection and removal of precancerous polyps. Similarly, cervical cytology testing (using the Pap smear) leads to the identification and excision of precancerous lesions. Over time, such testing has been followed by a dramatic reduction of cervical cancer incidence and mortality.

DIET & HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR CANCER PREVENTION

Short guidelines from the American Institute for Cancer Research

* 1. Choose a diet rich in a variety of plant-based foods.
* 2. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits.
* 3. Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active.
* 4. Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all.
* 5. Select foods low in fat and salt.
* 6. Prepare and store foods safely.
* And, more important, do not smoke at all!

ADVICE to INDIVIDUALS
FOODS, EATING and related factors

# 1. Food supply and eating
• Choose predominantly plant-based diets rich in a variety of vegetables and fruits, pulses (legumes) and minimally processed starchy staple foods
# 2. Maintaining body weight
• Avoid being underweight or overweight and limit weight gain during adulthood to less than 5 kg (11 pounds)
# 3. Maintaining physical activity
• If occupational activity is low or moderate, take an hour's brisk walk or similar exercise daily, and also exercise vigorously for a total of at least one hour in a week

FOODS AND DRINKS
# 4. Vegetables and fruits
• Eat 400 - 800 grams (15 - 30 ounces) or five or more portions (servings) a day of a variety of vegetables and fruits, all year round
# 5. Other plant foods
• Eat 600 - 800 grams (20 - 30 ounces) or more than seven portions (servings) a day of a variety of cereals (grains), pulses (legumes), roots, tubers and plantains.c, f Prefer minimally processed foods. Limit consumption of refined sugar
# 6. Alcoholic drinks
• Alcohol consumption is not recommended. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to less than two drinks a day for men and one for women
# 7. Meat
• If eaten at all, limit intake of red meat to less than 80 grams (3 ounces) daily. It is preferable to choose fish, poultry or meat from non-domesticated animals in place of red meat
# 8. Total fats and oils
• Limit consumption of fatty foods, particularly those of animal origin. Choose modest amounts of appropriate vegetable oils

FOOD PROCESSING
# 9. Salt and salting
• Limit consumption of salted foods and use of cooking and table salt. Use herbs and spices to season foods
# 10. Storage
• Do not eat food which, as a result of prolonged storage at ambient temperatures, is liable to contamination with mycotoxins
# 11. Preservation
• Use refrigeration and other appropriate methods to preserve perishable food as purchased and at home up
# 12. Additives and residues
• When levels of additives, contaminants and other residues are properly regulated, their presence in food and drink is not known to be harmful. However, unregulated or improper use can be a health hazard, and this applies particularly in economically developing countries
# 13. Preparation
• Do not eat charred food. For meat and fish eaters, avoid burning of meat juices. Consume the following only occasionally: meat and fish grilled (broiled) in direct flame; cured and smoked meats.

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
# 14. Dietary supplements
• For those who follow the recommendations presented here, dietary supplements are probably unnecessary, and possibly unhelpful, for reducing cancer risk m
# TOBACCO
. Do not smoke or chew tobacco

GENERIC NAME: GREEN TEA (Camellia sinensis) - ORAL

USES: Green tea leaves and leaf buds have been used for sleep, stomach upset, lowering cholesterol, and cancer prevention. Some herbal/diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the particular brand you use. The FDA has not reviewed this product for safety or effectiveness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

HOW TO USE: Take this product by mouth as directed. Follow all directions on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

SIDE EFFECTS: Stomach upset, diarrhea and constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor promptly. Unlikely but report promptly: fast or irregular pulse, trouble sleeping, restlessness, tremors, mental/mood changes. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor before using this product: heart problems, intestinal problems (ulcers or GERD), kidney problems, psychiatric problems (e.g., panic attacks), allergies. Liquid preparations of this product may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of this product. Green tea is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this product. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Use with caution in infants or children, due to an increased risk of side effects. Consult your doctor.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially other products that contain caffeine, such as: drugs used to treat migraines/headaches or prevent sleepiness. Many nonprescription products contain caffeine; check labels carefully. Also, since coffee and soft drinks contain caffeine, you should discuss their use with your doctor or pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES: Not applicable.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially other products that contain caffeine, such as: drugs used to treat migraines/headaches or prevent sleepiness. Many nonprescription products contain caffeine; check labels carefully. Also, since coffee and soft drinks contain caffeine, you should discuss their use with your doctor or pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES: Not applicable.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Refer to storage information printed on the package. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Refer to storage information printed on the package. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist.