Archives for 2019

Are you including the kids in your New Year’s celebration this year? For most of us, that means we bring the kids to the party, but send them off to play with their friends while we mingle with ours. It’s like having two separate parties under the same roof. This year, bring the two parties together with laughter and entertainment for all ages. These eight family-friendly games will help you get it started.

Tablet – like Telephone, but for today’s world – Write down an object and an action (like a monkey climbing a tree) on an index card. Using a dry erase board, the first person picks a card and draws a picture based on what he reads. He then shows the picture to the person next to him without letting anyone else see the picture. That person will erase the board and write what he thinks was drawn. He will then pass it to the third person who will draw what he reads. This continues around the circle until it gets back to the first person.

The Human Knot – Everyone stands in a circle and puts both their hands out, grabbing a random hand from someone else. While not letting go of anyone’s hand, try to untangle the group. For less of a challenge, try using just one hand.

Doubles – Ask every guest to bring two small, wrapped gifts. This can either be white elephant or dollar store items. Pile all the gifts in the center of the table. Everyone sits around the table and rolls a pair of dice, trying to get doubles. If they get doubles, they choose a gift from the center. If not, they pass the dice to the next person. If you are playing with younger children, you might want to limit the amount of gifts each person will get.

The Balloon Game – Write down funny actions, tasks or riddles on slips of paper. Roll up and insert into balloons. You will need two balloons for each person as you need to tie one to each person’s ankles. On go, everyone tries to stomp and pop a balloon. If your balloon is popped, you have to read the riddle, do the task or perform the funny action. This game is guaranteed to keep everyone hopping!

The Silent Snowman – This is a game that goes on all night. Make a snowman out of paper or felt. Attach two sided tape or removable adhesive putty on the back of the snowman. One person starts out with the snowman on his back. As the night goes on, someone tries to steal the snowman and put it on their own back. The person left wearing the snowman at midnight gets a prize.

Auld Lang Syne Scrabble – Write the words to this popular New Year’s Eve song on separate index cards. (You will need two sets). Break your guests into two teams. On go, ask the teams to put the words in the correct order. The first one to get it correct wins. For a real challenge, do both verses. For a variation, use the words to a current top forty song that the kids know.

Line Up Blind – Break your group into teams. Blindfold one of the teams and have them stand in the middle of the room. Now, ask the team to line themselves up in order – alphabetically, by height, by age, etc. The unblindfolded team can tell them if they are correct or not, but cannot say why. When they are in the correct order, the teams switch places.

Cherry Pie – Place a maraschino cherry in a pie plate. Tell the guests the object is to pick up the cherry without using their hands and eat it. Alas, things are never as easy as they seem. Before the challenge begins, fill the plate with whipped cream. This is a great photo opportunity!

By Pam Molnar, a freelance writer and mother of three. Parties at their house include good food, lots of laughs, and of course, games.

 

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Whether you’re hoping to shed some pounds from last month’s food marathon (a.k.a. the holidays) or you’re serious about starting your year off with a real-deal lifestyle change, now is the time to start. But with so many different diet options out there, it’s hard to decide which one is right for you. You’re probably familiar with the usual suspects: Weight Watchers, veganism, Atkins, juicing, etc. Maybe you’ve even tried them all.

There are some newer diets on the scene that you’ve likely seen making rounds on social media or heard whispers of at the gym (you know, that place with the workout equipment?). Unlike the healthy forms of diet from this article in prodiets.org website, these new diets a little harmful but they do help in getting the desired results too. So what are these new diets and do they really work? Here’s a quick rundown.

Keto. The Ketogenic Diet is also known as the “low carb, high fat” diet. The idea is to avoid carbs, which cause your body to produce glucose and insulin. This causes you to enter a metabolic state called ketosis, at which point the body will burn fat for energy. Benefits include weight-loss, improved mental focus, and increased energy.
Does it work: Yep, and probably pretty quickly.
Critics say: It’s a very strict diet that one must follow closely in order to see results, and as there is no specialized company such as My Prep which even today is one of the best meal prep delivery companies in UK in our country, thus resulting in giving complete attention to what we eat. As in any extreme dieting, it could be an unhealthy way of losing weight.

Raw. The Raw Food Diet is centered around the belief that cooking food destroys its nutrients and makes it toxic. It consists mostly of uncooked, unprocessed, organic foods like raw fruits, vegetables, and grains. Some raw foodies even eat unpasteurized dairy, raw eggs, meat and fish.
Does it work? Yes, you will likely lose weight.
Critics say: It’s a tough one to stick out, and you might not be getting all the nutrients your body needs. Additionally, consuming certain raw foods increases your risk of food poisoning.

Paleo. The Paleolithic Diet is also known as the “caveman diet.” It involves eating like our hunter-gatherer ancestors of prehistoric times. It’s high in fiber and protein like lean meats and fish, and free of processed foods, wheat, dairy, grains, legumes, potatoes, salt and sugar.
Does it work? Yes, the foods you will avoid on a paleo diet will lead to weight loss.
Critics say: There are more foods that are a “no” than a “yes,” making it difficult to follow for long. It’s also a pretty costly diet; buying mostly meats, fish, and fresh veggies isn’t cheap.

Whole30. This 30-day plan is designed to “reset” your body by cutting out major food groups for 30 days, then slowly adding certain foods back into your diet to see how your body reacts. It’s less of a diet and more of a way to change your eating habits altogether. You can’t have alcohol, sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, or additives – and you can’t cheat or step on a scale either.
Does it work? Since it’s not technically a “diet,” the focus isn’t supposed to be on losing weight. But you will lose weight anyway.
Critics say: There is no margin for error. Even the tiniest slip-up means starting from square one, which can be extremely discouraging for dieters.

Alkaline. The Acid Alkaline Diet focuses on the belief that certain foods effect the pH balance of your body, helping you lose weight and stave off disease. Dieters should stay away from any acid-forming food like red and processed meat, fried and fatty food, alcohol and caffeine, yeast and wheat, and a long list of others. Foods that are good for your pH include various fruits and vegetables, miso, sprouts, almonds, lentils, and tofu.
Does it work? Most likely. There is no calorie counting or weighing yourself, but healthier choices will lead to weight loss.
Critics say: There isn’t enough evidence to support the chemistry behind the diet’s claims. Some scientists say you can’t truly change your body’s pH levels with food.

Dukan. This four-phase diet by Dr. Pierre Dukan includes mostly high-protein foods and veggies with limited carbs. And if you were to browse this site, you’d know that kratom strains are one of the components of this diet, and are quickly being replaced by other alternatives. There are a lot of rules to follow but successful dieters will shed pounds quickly without feeling like they’re starving.
Does it work? Like most high-protein, low-carb diets you’ll likely see fast results.
Critics say: Very high-protein diets could be harmful for your health in the long term. In addition, many healthy foods seem unnecessarily omitted.

HCG. The HCG Diet requires injections of the pregnancy hormone HCG, while eating just 500 calories per day for 8 weeks. There are other forms of taking HCG, but those may be less effective than injections. The goal is to boost metabolism in order to lose up to a pound per day without feeling hungry.
Does it work? Yes, anyone ingesting just 500 calories per day will absolutely lose weight.
Critics say: Studies show that the weight loss from this diet is due to low calorie intake alone and is unrelated to the presence of the HCG hormone in the body. Additional research shows the hormone didn’t stave off hunger after all.

Teatoxing. If you follow a few big celebs on Instagram, you’ve probably seen endorsement for tea-infused products that claim to help you detox and lose weight.
Does it work: Not likely. There is little evidence to support the idea that tea promotes weight loss.
Critics say: Some of these “teas” are likely to be more harmful than helpful, often imitating the effects of a laxative and causing discomfort or possible even damage to your body.

The list of potential diets can go on practically forever, but there’s no denying there’s an underlying theme forming here. The highest ranked, most successful diets all seem to call for lean protein, limited carbs, and lots of fresh veggies and fruit. Paired with enough exercise (remember that place with the workout equipment?), it’s a no-fail way of feeling and looking your healthiest.

By Jeannine “just put the bread down!” Cintron.

Let’s face it, you can only eat so many turkey sandwiches. Your kids probably feel the same way. But they’re quick and easy to throw together, so no one blames you for how often they occupy the lunchbox. If it feels like a good time to switch things up, these recipes are simple, easy, and will get you some newfound praise over the lunch table.

Chicken and Rice Patties

Ingredients:
3 cups cooked rice (about 1 cup uncooked)
1 chicken breast
½ tablespoon olive oil
1 large carrot
3 spring onions stalks
1⅓ cups grated mozzarella cheese
3 eggs

1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.Split chicken breast down the center (for faster cooking).
3.Heat oil in a medium frying pan and cook chicken breast on both sides.
4.Remove from pan and shred chicken using a fork and set aside.
5.Grate carrot so you have at least 1 cup.
6.Finely slice spring onions.
7.Lightly beat the eggs.
8.In a large bowl add cooked rice, chicken, carrot, spring onions, eggs and about ¾s of the cheese and mix well.
9.Spray muffin trays with cooking spray and then spoon mixture into the trays. Top with remaining cheese.
10.Place in the oven for 15 minutes until the tops turn golden brown.
11.Let them sit in the trays for a few minutes before removing to rack to cool. Use a knife to work around the edges of the rice patties to make removing them easier. Makes 12 patties.

From PlanningWithKids.com

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Rainbow Hummus Wraps

Ingredients
4-6 whole grain wraps
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
1/2 yellow pepper, sliced
1/2 cup matchstick carrots
1/2 red pepper, sliced
1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage

For the hummus (without tahini):
1 15 ounce can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
2 to 4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Blend hummus ingredients in food processor until smooth and creamy. Add olive oil slowly (to taste) for creamier texture.
2. Slice veggies into long strips.
3. Spread hummus in an even layer across wrap. Layer veggies (in rainbow order) over hummus, add salt and pepper if desired, and roll tightly. Slice into pinwheels for more fun or slice in half as a regular wrap.

From TastyThin.com

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Blender Zucchini Waffle Sticks

Ingredients
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs
1/3-1/2 cup milk (adjust to desired consistency)
2 cup oats
1 ripe banana
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup zucchini, grated

1. Blend all ingredients together, except zucchini.
2. Add batter to a mixing bowl and stir in zucchini.
3. Pour batter into waffle iron and cook, according to the directions provided by your waffle iron.
4. When waffle or waffle sticks are done cooking, carefully remove from iron. 5. Serve warm with maple syrup to topping of choice. Makes 20 sticks.

From MIndOverMunch.com

Evidence released by the American Optometric Association (AOA) now supports that children ages 6 to 18 years should receive a comprehensive eye exam before entering the first grade and annually thereafter. The comprehensive eye exam guideline has shifted from a two-year to a one-year frequency recommendation due to research showing the increased prevalence of eye and vision disorders and further understanding of the significant impact eye health has on a child’s development.

The AOA is urging all parents and caregivers to begin taking their children to a doctor of optometry for regular, in-person comprehensive eye exams at a young age to establish a lifelong prioritization of eye health. The AOA is concerned because many children only receive vision screenings offered at a school or pediatrician’s office, which fail to catch a wide variety of conditions that only a comprehensive eye exam can detect.

Good vision and overall eye health are essential in childhood development. Poor vision can affect a child’s ability to participate in class and cause them to fall behind in their education. It can also impact their performance in sports, among other activities. The AOA is educating parents about how comprehensive eye exams go beyond vision screenings commonly offered at school or a pediatrician’s office, which fail to catch a wide variety of conditions. A doctor of optometry can diagnose and treat any eye or vision conditions that may affect overall health, such as glaucoma, brain damage and head trauma.

The AOA has compiled recommendations in line with the new guideline to ensure eye health and safety is a priority:

• Preschool-age children should receive at least one in-person comprehensive eye and vision examination between the ages of 3 and 5 to prevent and/or diagnose and treat any eye or vision conditions that may affect visual development. One in five preschoolers has a vision problem.
• School-age children should now receive an in-person comprehensive eye and vision examination annually to diagnose, treat and manage any eye or vision problems. Previous recommendations were for eye exams to occur once every two years.
• Routine vision screenings offered at a school or pediatrician’s office are not enough. In their initial stages, many vision and eye health conditions lack obvious signs or symptoms. Routine vision screenings cannot be relied on to catch most vision problems. Even if problems are detected, 61 percent of those children with a problem will not receive appropriate follow-up. Evidence demonstrates that the best course of action is following an annual eye exam schedule.
• Children who experience a concussion should visit their optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam in addition to an appointment with their health care provider. Studies have shown that there is a high prevalence of vision problems in children who experience a concussion, so comprehensive eye exams are essential in protecting their vision as well as determining if more care is needed.
• Ocular trauma such as corneal scars, hemorrhages and folds are often linked to child abuse and neglect. Comprehensive eye exams play an important role in identifying signs of abuse when external signs may be limited or nonexistent.
• Some additional updates to the guideline include information on myopia, eye injury/protection, the benefit outdoor exposure has on vision and the importance of ultraviolet radiation and blue light protection.

The AOA is committed to ensuring health and safety for all children. The new guideline is based on a three-year systematic review in which the AOA gleaned insights from doctors of optometry and other stakeholders in the pediatric health field, such as pediatricians, social workers and parents. The guideline provides best practices on eye exam procedures and management of conditions and diseases, among other clinical topics.

Provided by the American Optometric Association (AOA). For more information on the revised guidelines, visit www.aoa.org/childrenseyehealth.