A healthier Labor Day celebration
So what are your plans for Labor Day? Frankly, the holiday sneaked up on me this year. What with back-to-school and work deadlines and other things I have on my mind, I completely forgot about it. My son and I will find something fun to do, though. We'll probably visit with family and maybe go to the BMX track (my son's favorite activity). When making your Labor Day plans, keep health in mind. Some ideas:
- When grilling for your Labor Day BBQ, choose leaner cuts of meat and grill plenty of vegetables. You can also grill some fruits (peaches, plums, pineapple) for dessert. Remember to keep grilling safety in mind, too.
- Skip the chips and mayo-laden salads. Instead offer more healthful choices like veggie trays, yummy mixed green salads, and fruit salad.
- Plan some active time with family and friends. You can set up a volleyball net in the backyard, hold a basketball competition, or swim. Kids would also enjoy relay races and active games like red light, green light.
- Go on a Labor Day outing. Hike along a nature trail, bike on a rail trail, or visit a nearby beach (and don't just lay around -- swim and be active).


Does your child have a sandbox? If so, do you worry much about what's in it? You know, aside from making sure the cat didn't use it for a litterbox, of course. Even if there's only sand in there, you might want to look into what kind of sand it is.
Ah, summer. That means no jam-packed backpacks in my house. No lunches stuffed into packs with all the other gear necessary for school. No bags sent home overflowing with folders and papers and all sorts of things, like library books, we try so hard not to lose. Nope, my kids' backpacks are sitting on a shelf in our laundry room in all of their sedentary glory. Before long, though -- about six weeks here in my city -- school will begin again, which means the backpacks will be out in full force.
If you've been elected to host this year's 4th of July party, you have only a few days left to get everything prepared. Sure, people will probably show up with some food and drinks of their own, but let's face it, it's incumbent upon you to make sure everyone's well fed.
With summer comes swing sets. So get those kids outdoors for some fresh air and physical activity -- let them slide, swing, jump, and climb. Just make sure they're safe as they scoot up and down and all around. Don't know where to begin? The U.S. National Safety Council offers these tips for securing your back yard play things.
I don't know what it is about my parents and so many people from their generation, but they never, ever wear their seatbelt. I'm not sure what my mother''s excuse is, but I know my father fears that it my trap him in the car if it were to ever plunge into a river. Yeah ... and the chances of that happening are what, Dad?

On May 21,
Breastfeeding isn't always easy in the beginning. Poor latch can lead to sore and cracked nipples, which -- until they heal -- can make nursing even more difficult. Mom's may be tempted to reach for a soothing cream to ease their pain, but the FDA recently put out a warning that babies 
Whenever I see field-tripping kids at the zoo or other event with giant name tags on, my stranger-danger alarm always goes off. After all, when an adult knows their name, kids are less likely to be cautious. Many schools now send their kids with tags that only contain the school name, or sometimes the kids wear school t-shirts, which also makes them easier to spot in a crowd.







