Honeydew: Keeping Moms and Moms-to-be in the Know

Obama Mama: Talking To Kids About Politics

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:33:00 +0000

Politics have always been a hot topic, especially around election time and during Presidential Inauguration. But many parents don’t view politics as a topic they discuss with their children. Discussing politics with children, however, is important in teaching them how government affects the world and how their opinion counts . Easy ways to discuss politics with children and encourage interest are:

Talk about the privilege of voting . Taking your kids to the voting booth shows them firsthand how the voting process works and shows them how their vote counts.

Keep it simple. Because children process information in a different way, it is best to keep answers as concrete as possible.

Keep it positive . Being positive and enthusiastic in the presidential campaign sets a precedent in what kind of voters your children will be in the future.

Get historical . Children like to ask ‘why’ and political events can often be explained through old pictures… or even from a visit to the museum!

Hot Mom Trends for 2009: Get Your Greek On

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:23:00 +0000

The New Year is a time that brings a plethora of trend predictions, from the latest fitness craze to the new “it” article of clothing. But new moms and moms-to-be often find it difficult to adapt to the latest trends. Trends such as fluorescent green and 6” stilettos are both unflattering and impractical for moms but this year’s trend predictions give moms a sigh of relief:

Greek-inspired dresses . A very pretty, flattering, and appropriate dress for new moms and moms-to-be that cover just enough and show just enough.

Pants . Expectant moms can now wear their harem pants from the house to the store… and be fashionable about it! (Not quite sure how flattering these pants are for non-expectant moms)

Value Home Cooking . An interest in locally grown organic foods and smarter spending habits will influence the way many of us enjoy our meals this coming year. Time to exchange recipes!

Fun Workouts . While boot style-camp fitness programs made the list, new moms might find this too intense. Fun classes new moms can take are specialty classes like Zumba, Bollywood, Afro-Cuban, and ballroom dancing that increase cardio fitness.

Au Naturel . Expectant moms finally have a moment to relax as this season the “natural” look is finally in… again. Good thing as natural is best for moms.

Active Kids, Active Minds: Exercise Boosts Kids' Grades

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:44:00 +0000

Parents often encourage their kids to simply study more to get better grades but recent studies show that a another way of achieving high marks in the classroom may be through exercise. Exercise not only improves growing bodies but improves growing brains as well; studies show fit students scored 30% higher on standardized tests than their non-fit counterparts.

Researchers speculate that exercise in children improves academics by burning off pent-up energy, calming kids and allowing them to focus; boosting self esteem; and increasing blood flow to the brain, helping with memory and concentration. Though exercise alone will not make kids smarter, it will put kids' brains in the optimal position to learn.

New Year, New Habits: Healthy Habits to Start Off the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 07:50:00 +0000

As we start the New Year off with a clean slate, why not lose the bad habits we’ve developed and adopt some better ones for a healthier new year? Healthy habits can affect our physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. Some great healthy habits for life include:

Eating Breakfast. Research shows that breakfast eaters consume more vitamins and mineral, less fat and cholesterol during the day, are more able to control their weight, and have better concentration throughout the morning.

Flossing Your Teeth. Not only can flossing your teeth lead to a cleaner, whiter smile but research suggests that this simple act may help protect your health as well. Flossing has shown to help prevent gingivitis, periodontal disease, and protect arteries.

Taking Care of Your Skin. As the body’s largest organ, our skin protects us from outside bacteria and helps regulate body temperature. By eating a well balanced diet, moisturizing after bathing, and applying sunscreen daily, maintaining a proper regime can help our skin become healthier and younger looking.

Get Enough ZZZ’s. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night is essential to good health. Studies show that chronic sleep deprivation may harm health by impairing memory and judgment (causing accidents on the road), increase blood pressure, and cause weight gain.

Get Connected. From exchanging information, providing emotional support, to offering a sense of belonging, social connections are as important to good health as are exercise and diet. The benefit of good connections can reduce levels of stress by regulating insulin and maintaining a healthy immune system.

The Right Start: Tools to Help Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:13:00 +0000

It's that time of the year when we can reflect on the changes we've made and renew our commitments to ourselves. Popular New Year's Resolutions include spending more time with family and friends, getting fit, and improving our organizational skills. What should also be included on this list should be sticking to these resolutions. To help out, here are some helpful tools to keep your resolutions on track. Happy 2009!

To help you reach your fitness goals, Traineo can give a boost of self confidence and motivation needed for those last few pounds.

Look up and track calorie and fat intake on Daily Plate.

If improving your finances is your goal, software such as Mint can easily be download onto you cellphone to help manage your money.

Also available for your cellphone is a virtual to-do list. Remember The Milk makes managing your tasks effortless.

New Kids On The Block: Predictions for Top 2009 Baby Names

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:00:00 +0000

The results are in for the most popular baby names of 2008, but who wants to tag onto last year's trends? Here are a few unique suggestions if Emma, Sophia, Madison, Aiden, Jayden, or Ethan weren't on your list:

Girls

Boys

Lighten Up Your Holiday: Healthy Holiday Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:25:00 +0000

The holidays are a time of good friends, family, and traditions. And many holiday traditions center around food. In an effort to keep the calories down and stay trim, here are a few healthy holiday recipes to make festive eating less of a challenge:

Lightly drizzled chocolate-covered nuts. The health benefits of nuts and antioxidants in chocolate (if using dark chocolate) can make one forget they are eating a healthy snack.

Grilled Peach Sundaes. A great way to sneak in your daily servings of fruit!

Shredded Root Vegetable Pancakes. A nice alternative to potato pancakes and a good way to get your serving of veggies.

Crunchy Pear and Celery Salad. High in calcium, low in calories and another way to get your serving of fruit.

Mango Brûlée. Slices of mango broiled in the oven will look like an elegant dessert you spent all day in the kitchen whipping up.

Merry Fitness: Winter Exercise Tips to Keep You Moving

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0000

The dark, cold weather outside may make it hard for us to wake up in the mornings let alone motivate us to step up our exercise routines. But with all the extra calories consumed, winter workouts should be part of our weekly if not daily schedule. Here are a few great winter workout tips to help keep us in shape:

Window shop. This is a good workout for new moms living in chilly climates that prevent them from strolling outdoors. Its also a great way for new moms to socialize in a safe environment with others in their community.

Yoga. Yoga is obviously beneficial all year round but is especially nice during winter as it keeps us warm and limber. There is also prenatal yoga to keep moms-to-be in shape.

Making Waves. Swimming and water aerobics are excellent cardio workouts. Indoor pools provide a great place to escape the cold.

Walk it out. If possible, take the stairs at work; take a couple of extra laps around the office. Doing only 15 extra minutes of intermediate walking activity can burn up to 50 calories or more.

Keep moving. Just because you don't own a gym membership doesn't mean you are not fit. Any activity counts towards a workout. So shovel that snow, vacuum that house, and wrap those packages!

ECO Ways to Save Energy: Winterize Your Home

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:12:00 +0000

Oh the weather outside is frightful... and so are our utility bills! As the winter season brings in the chill, most of us will use more electricity in heating our homes causing our utility bills to increase and generate up to twice as much pollution as the average car.

But with some few easy tips, we can reduce our bills and the environmental impact:

Run fans in reverse. Counterclockwise rotation shoots a breeze while a clockwise rotation pulls warm air upward and evenly disperses it, cutting heating costs up to 10%.

Wash clothes in cold water.

Adjust your water heater. Turning it down from 140 degrees F to 120 degrees F can reduce your bills from 6 to 10%.

Upgrade to efficient appliances. Energy star models can save up to 10 to 50% energy depending on the model.

Keep an eye on the thermostat. Lowering it each degree can save you 1 to 3% of your heating bill.

Download a copy of the Cool Citizens Guide for suggestions on how to cut energy costs while keeping an eye on your environmental impact.

It's A Wrap: Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 04:22:00 +0000

Part of the holiday gift giving fun is the pleasure of giving and receiving a beautifully wrapped present. The creativity behind an imaginatively wrapped gift can make a simple stocking stuffer look like a personally chosen unique gift. Here are some great, creative ways to wrap your holiday presents:

Embellish your gift with a ribbon weave.

Wrap the present with hints of what the inside gift may be.

Use one of a kind wrapping paper- old newspapers, comics, dictionaries, wallpapers... Creative, unique, and ECO-friendly!

Gifts don't have to be extravagant. A couple of stocking stuffers wrapped in a common theme make a great present!

And last but not least, a great way to display gift cards, tickets, even cash are with gift card holders!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving: Happiness

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:44:00 +0000

Feeling especially giddy lately? You can have your friends to thank for that. Inadvertently, your good mood can be affecting your other friends, and your friends' friends. Studies show that happiness can be contagious like the flu, and spread through social networks up to three degrees removed from one another.

Although research shows that this emotional contagion is more dependent on proximity (the closer we are to the friend, the happier we feel) than behavior, the happy bug can last up to 12 months! So this holiday season, give the gift that keeps giving!

A Breath Of Fresh Air: Improving Indoor Air Quality

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:34:00 +0000

Now that the colder winter temperatures are here, many are finding refuge indoors. But less open windows and natural ventilation can mean poorer air quality. Indoor air quality can be up to 10 times worse than outdoor air due to pollutants such as oil, gas, household cleaning products, mold, pressed wood products, central heating/ cooling systems, malfunctioning stoves, asbestos-containing insulation, etc.

But there are a few ways to improve indoor air quality in your home for this holiday season:

Clean and vacuum regularly

Clean with natural cleaning products, which contain no volatile organic compounds or toxic chemicals.

Remove your shoes before coming indoors to prevent dirt and germs from entering your house

Keep your air filters clean

Use houseplants as natural air filters

Never smoke indoors

Gift Giving Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:06:00 +0000

As the holidays approach and we all rush to do our last minute shopping, feelings of love and joy may soon be replaced by feelings of stress. The holiday season however can be a very enjoyable time, even up to the very last minute, if enough planning is done ahead of time. Some handy, if not strategic, tips to gift giving might help ease the stress of shopping with the masses this time of year:

Stick to your holiday budget ; there's nothing more stressful than paying off holiday bills!

Buy appropriate gifts. Chances are your colleague will not find that gift your best friend thought was hilarious even remotely funny.

Try to shop early to avoid the holiday crowds and to stock up on good inventory. If you see a great gift during the summer, buy it because it won't be there a few months later.

Shop online to beat the crowds, find the best deals, and avoid the parking lots.

Ask friends and family for their wish list .

Post Thanksgiving Workouts to Trim The Fat

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:09:00 +0000

For all of you that celebrated a greener Thanksgiving by following the 100 mile diet but perhaps consumed the entire 100 mile radius, here are a few great tips to shed those extra calories:

Eat smaller meals throughout the day

Drink extra water (10-12 glasses a day)

For those on a regular exercise routine, time to increase the intensity

For those not on a regular exercise routine, here are some beginner cardio blasts

Last but not least, burn off those calories the old fashion way- Black Friday Shopping!

A Taste of the Nation: Regional Thanksgiving Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:48:00 +0000

Following the 100 mile diet, a radius large enough to reach beyond a big city and small enough to feel truly local, we've found great recipes for each region based on their local ingredients:

Time to give thanks and see what's cookin' across America! Happy Thanksgiving!

Think Local, Eat Local: Ways to Have A Healthier, Greener Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:19:00 +0000

Thanksgiving has long been an American tradition of good eating and giving thanks. But somewhere between football, parades, and take-outs, traditions got reworked to adapt to our lives. This Thanksgiving, why not start a new tradition of having an ECO-friendly Thanksgiving by thinking locally and eating locally.

Thinking locally and eating locally can help us eat healthier by consuming less processed foods. Locally grown fruits and vegetables are easily accessible at farmers markets thus helping us sample a wider variety of fresh food at its nutritional peak. Supporting local farmers market can also help the environment by cutting oil and gas on food shipped across country, creating a smaller carbon footprint. Celebrating Thanksgiving by eating local harvest can give us tastier, fresher food and give thanks to local farmers- killing two birds with one stone!

What's Hot This Season: Google Flu Trends

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:39:00 +0000

Another yet interesting tool Google launched this week may prove helpful for moms this upcoming season. Google Flu Trends can help cautious moms decide when to keep their kids in or when and where to get those last minute flu shots.

Google Flu Trends uses data collected from searches from each state and tracks this information accordingly. This program, created with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, can detect flu outbreaks up to 2 weeks faster than traditional methods. Putting this aggregated information into graphs and maps, Google hopes it can provide early warnings of flu outbreaks in the near future... An interesting tool not just for epidemiologists but for overprotective moms as well!

Ways to Go Green Spending Your Greens

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:56:00 +0000

The extra spending during the holidays can make our wallets tighter. But with a few smart tips (or reminders), it's easy to save and go green on spending the greens!

Recycle! And that means not just the end product but buying recycled goods as well
Consume less
Stay conscious (locally, socially, environmentally)
Buy fair trade
Give to non-profits and charities ...'tis the season!

Honeydew Skin Care Gives Expectant Moms 'A Leg Up'

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:19:00 +0000

The latest in lush all-natural skin care is getting even better. Honeydew Skin Care is expanding its line of prenatal pampering currently available at Nordstrom.com!

Available mid-November, just in time for the holidays, will be A Leg Up foot lotion for those swollen pregnancy tootsies. This all-natural lotion is formulated with cucumber and aloe, with a hint of mint – perfect for those times when pregnancy takes a toll on those over worked soles. A Leg Up is a lightweight foot lotion that cools and detoxifies tired and swollen feet during pregnancy. All-natural plant extracts help reduce swelling, encourage fluid draining, and stimulate circulation.

Proudly made in the USA, Honeydew Skin Care is committed to using natural ingredients free of irritants such as parabens, petrolatum, synthetic colors, dyes and fragrances. Already available at Nordstrom online are Balmy Mommy, a convenient take anywhere belly balm that replenishes elasticity using 10 soothing moisturizers, and Bun in the Oven, a lightly scented belly butter formulated to moisturize, soothe and guard against stretch marks.

The Glow-Getter: Tips to Beat Dry, Winter Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 07:02:00 +0000

The winter season around the corner can bring a misery of sniffles and other illnesses, as well as wreak havoc on healthy skin. The low humidity in cold winters can pull moisture from the air, causing skin to experience what is known as the winter itch . But with a few easy tips, skin can remain glowing even in the dead of winter:

avoid sugar
drink plenty of water
load up on Essential Fatty Acids
remember your vitamins and minerals
exfoliate dead skin cells
apply sunscreen
humidify with indoor plants
moisturize skin often (especially after bathing)
exercise

Your Garden Variety : The Many Benefits of Quercetin

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:43:00 +0000

With colder weather here, many are taking precautionary measures in preventing the flu by doubling up on vitamin C. But a better way in fighting off those sniffles is with your fall fruit...and veggie! Your everyday apple and onion may prove to be your best defense against the flu, allergies, asthma, fatigue, pain, and even aid in the prevention of cancer and heart disease.

Quercetin, the flavanoid found in apples and onions, may boost the immune system and fend off illnesses. If apples and onion aren't your favorite, other popular fruits and veggies high in quercetin are: broccoli, red grapes, citrus fruits, organically grown tomatoes, raspberry, cranberry, leafy green vegetables- all which should be easily accessible! This season, try to keep your medicine cabinet shut and eat your way to a healthier you.

Happy Halloween: Tips for a less Freaky Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:38:00 +0000

The spookiest time of year is here! For parents taking their kids out trick or treating, here are some great tips from the Department of Health and Human Services CDC on help keeping everyone safe:

S Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
A Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
F Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
E Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

H Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
A Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
L Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
L Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
O Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
W Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
E Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
E Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
N Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Trick or Treat: Healthy Halloween Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:46:00 +0000

Halloween is a scarier time for some more than for others. Not only does one worry about devilish ghosts haunting their presence or pranksters causing trouble, but with all the high fructose corn syrupy treats surrounding them, moms are also plagued with the concern of extra fat and calories entering their kids' diet.

But with a little planning ahead of time, moms can make sure that their kids get plenty of treats without compromising the spirit of the holiday. Some great Halloween recipes include:

She's Crafty: Creative Homemade Halloween Costumes

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 02:08:00 +0000

Let's face it, Halloween is as much about the costumes as it is about the candies. But who wants to be the same old boring witch year after year? Part of the fun of Halloween is coming up with a creative costume, either store bought or homemade. For all you with a knack for sewing, gluing, or taping, here are some interesting ideas for a Halloween costume (for your kids...or you!):

Costumes made entirely of cardboard boxes (chances are, you'll have a one of a kind costume!)
Colonel Sanders and a Bucket of Chicken (a costume for both parents and kids)
A Sandwich (why not?)
Costumes that do not require sewing
And last but not least, fast and simple outfits for last-minute costumes!

How to Green Your Kids' Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Honeydew) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:57:00 +0000

Halloween has always been a night of conspicuous consumption- from over the top party props to excessive high fructose corn syrup treats. But there are tips for moms to easily green their kids' Halloween.

Some tips for an overall healthier, earth-friendlier Halloween include: serving healthier treats instead of traditional candy, using email to invite parties rather than snail mail, replacing inefficient bulbs with fluorescent or LED bulbs, choosing a reusable canvas bag over a plastic bag... For more information on how to add green to your night of black and orange, check out Green Halloween !