In honor of the 15th annual Food Allergy Awareness Week May 13-19, we’re going to run through the three most common food allergies: What they are, what to avoid and what to substitute.  There is of course a way more information out there, but here’s a QUICK guide for families who don’t know much about food allergies but who may have friends who have them. This post is a way for all of us to be more educated and understanding when we prepare food for those with food allergies.

Dairy allergy

• What is it: Dairy is the most common food allergy in American children affecting about 2.5 percent of all children. Within the dairy category there are many variations of this allergy but the most widespread is cow’s milk. The other common issue is lactose intolerance, which is sensitivity to the sugars found in milk. If you are lactose intolerant you can still have dairy, but you need to find products that are lactose-free (check the labels).
• What to avoid: Cow’s milk products: milk, yogurt, ice cream, butter, etc. If you are lactose intolerant avoid dairy products with lactose. Also watch baked goods as most are made with dairy.
• What to substitute:  Sheep’s and goat’s milk (if approved by your doctor), almond milk, soymilk, rice milk and lactose-free milk.

 Gluten Intolerance – Celiac

• What is it: Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic disorder that affects at least 1 in 133 Americans. In addition to Celiac, many people also have gluten sensitivity. So while they aren’t intolerant to gluten, they easily bloat and get headaches or stomachaches when they eat gluten and therefore may choose to avoid eating it.
• What to avoid: Wheat products such as cereals, crackers, pasta, breads, cookies, cakes, and other baked goods. Check the label on items such as ice cream, ketchup, and mayonnaise as they may contain gluten as well.
• What to substitute: Corn, potatoes, soy and rice. Gluten-free foods are now widely available at grocery stores and restaurants in most cities so they are easy to find in today’s world. And don’t worry, you can still have bread (gluten-free), crackers (rice based) and chips (corn chips).

Peanut/Nut Allergy

• What is it: According to PeanutAllergy.com a peanut allergy is “a severe, usually rapid, reaction to the ingestion of peanuts.” Peanuts are a groundnut so if you have this allergy you may still be able to eat tree nuts (almonds, pecans, etc), but many people are allergic to both.  The good news is approximately 20 percent of infants with a peanut allergy outgrow the allergy. Some people are only affected by peanuts when eating them directly while others have an airborne allergy. If you have grade-school aged kids this is probably a common topic brought up if there is someone in school or your child’s class with this allergy.
• What to avoid: Any foods that may contain peanuts. Beyond the very obvious ones such as peanuts themselves and peanut butter, check the labels as many foods such as crackers, cookies and breads can contain peanuts in them or they are manufactured or processed at a plant that also processes peanuts.
• What to substitute: Sunflower, almond or cashew butter and any products (chocolate, cookies, etc. that say “peanut free”)

Is your family affected by allergies? How has it changed your family’s diet?

We still encourage you to take part in your family’s traditional Mother’s Day celebrations, but since the day is about spending time with your kids and celebrating being a mom, why not celebrate your kids (just for a little bit) too – after all, they made you a mom, right?

Here are a few “Reverse Mother’s Day” suggestions you can use to add a little more love to your life this May 14, 2012.

1. Small token. Pick up a little “thank you” gift for your son or daughter. It could be a book on being a mother, a gift certificate to a store they love, a bag of their favorite candy, or tickets to an event to attend together that you know they’ll love.
2. Favorite meal. Designate one meal of the day for mom. If breakfast is your favorite then have dad and the kids plan a family meal or breakfast in bed. Then make dinner about your son/daughter. Cook their favorite meal as a “thank you” for being such great kids.
3. Activity. If the kids ask what you’d like to do for Mother’s Day suggest something you’d really like to do like a family trip to the arboretum or a family bike ride. Then reverse it and have your kids pick out something fun they love to do such as going to get ice cream or playing at the park.

Remember Mother’s Day is about celebrating the joy of motherhood and the amazing work that us moms do to raise wonderful, balance and healthy kids. So while you’re in the loving mood already, go ahead, thank your kids. After all it’s not like there is a “son” or “daughter” day – or maybe that’s everyday!

Has this post sparked any creative ideas for you and your kids to do together on Mother’s Day? If so share ways you think you could celebrate the day normally or in reverse.

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Administered by Every Child A Reader and sponsored by the Children’s Book Council, Children’s Book Week celebrates the transformative power of literacy, a mission we share here are at the Mom’s Choice Awards.

Founded by Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, we can still find some wonderful ways to celebrate the magical power of books for children 93 years later after its start.

Here are a few fun ways your family can read your way through the week.

1. Assign a book a day. A week prior have your children line up a book to read each night. Label them Mon, Tues, Wed and so on. You can read the assigned story of the day and talk about the message of the book after reading it as a family. Your kids will be excited to read what they so diligently planned the week before!
2. Time for a new one. Why not treat your child to a new book this week? Take a special trip to the bookstore and let him/her pick out a new book.
3. Try out your neighborhood library. Full of free, wonderful, on-loan books, your local library offers the opportunity for you to check-out some books. Also look for any events they have such as storytelling time.
4. Create your own book. Pick up a “make your own” book kit or just get out some paper and challenge everyone in your family to write and/or draw their own children’s book. Then you can read them aloud and share them as a family.
5. Pass along the joy of reading. Take time this week to go through all of your books to see if there are any that you are no longer enjoying or using as a family. Load them up at the car and drop them off at Goodwill or another organization that collects books for kids in need.

For more information on Children’s Book Week and events happening across the country, click here for official Children’s Book Week events. You’ll see events in more than 40 cities.

Also, if you are looking for some new additions to your family’s library of books, check out our Mom’s Choice Awards March honorees for some recommendations. There are some good ones in there that you may not have heard about before – enjoy! A few include: Loukoumi’s Celebrity Cookbook Featuring Favorite Childhood Recipes from over 50 celebrities, Smarty Pig by Molly Nero, and Baby Unplugged series by Dr. John Hutton.

So what are some ways you can keep your kids centered and focused for just a few more weeks? Here are five tips that we think will do the trick.

1. Allow free time and set study hours. Each day allow your child to have some free time to unwind either after school or after homework time to get outside and move around or relax inside. Set aside this routine time every day to be sure homework and playtime can both fit in.
2. Organize “If you get your work done” fun activities in your city. Make a list of 1-3 activities you could do together as a family if the schoolwork gets done. Perhaps set a goal each week and if the goal is met, then that weekend you can do the select activity. It could be a favorite dinner spot, a trip to a really cool park or going to an outdoor baseball game. Sometimes I take my kids for frozen yogurt on a Friday night if they had a “good” week – the perfect treat as it heats up outside.
3. Create a wall calendar. Make a large wall calendar with your child that plots out the rest of the school year. Include any and all events and deadlines such as exams, field trips, and project due dates, etc. This will help them stay focused as they can look at the calendar each day to see what is next on their “end-of-school-year” list.
4. List out the “Good for you” stuff. Sit down with your child and make a list of everything they have accomplished this year in school. New things they learned, projects completed, new places they went (museums, new cities, etc.). Then leave a space for about 3-5 more accomplishments that they can fill in the rest of the school year.
5. Plan the summer off. While you want to keep them focused on school, it’s also a good time to get excited about summertime. Plan any family summer trips or events you are going to participate in. Or if you haven’t already talked about camps and other activities they might be interested in, now is the time (remember, camps are filling up fast!). This will give them something exciting to work towards (and look forward to!) as the school year comes to a close.

Question to the Mom’s Choice Awards’ friends: How do you keep your kids focused when spring fever hits?

What’s in season. During spring there are some items that are finishing out their main season (citrus fruits) and others that are just beginning (cherries, peas). Some of our favorites for spring include:

• Artichokes (main harvest is in spring, second harvest in fall)
• Asparagus (primetime)
• Beets (finishing their season)
• Cherries (now through summer)
• Grapefruit and navel oranges (in season into early summer)
• Mint (begins to grow in the spring)
• Peas (garden, snap, snow, etc.)
• Radishes (at their best)
• Rhubarb (one of the first fruits of spring)

Create a shopping list. You can of course create your own list, but if you are looking for something a bit more organized, try an online system such as Cozi.com – a Mom’s Choice Award® honoree. Cozi.com is a free online organizer that helps busy families manage crazy schedules, track shopping lists and to do lists, organize household chores, stay in communication, etc. You can start your springtime shopping list here.

Create a meal. The Food Network has a whole section devoted to springtime recipes – sides, produce, main dishes, etc. You will find things such as roasted asparagus, rhubarb crumble, potato/egg salad, chickpea-radicchio salad and snow pea radish slaw. Yum!

For more information on what’s in season where you live, click here to see Epicurious’s Seasonal Ingredient Map.

What springtime food item have you been looking forward to buying in bulk again?  Share with us any wonderful springtime recipes here!

Energy conservation. Teach your kids about simple ways they can save energy around the house such as turning off appliances when they are not in use, switching the TV off after watching, hitting the power button on the DVD player and then of course shutting off lights around the house when they aren’t in use.

Save water. There are many ways children can learn to conserve water around the house: Only do full loads of laundry and dishwasher cycles, turn the water off when you brush your teeth (seems simple, but every child has to learn), take shorter showers, be mindful when watering the lawn and plants, etc.

Garbage vs. recycling. When your kids are at the right age, teach them about what items can be recycled vs. thrown away. Talk to them about recycling – what it is and perhaps even showing them the triangle sign that most recycle products have so they can keep a look out for what is recyclable.

Composting. Here you can take recycling one step further and start a compost. Make it fun for your kids and educate them about what items belong in a compost. It’s more than you think! Banana peels, coffee grinds, apple cores – let them have fun with it.

Littering. This lesson is as simple as instructing your children not to litter. Show them the public garbage cans on sidewalks, in parks, and at malls so they learn the right way to discard and how to keep our Earth clean.

Walking and biking. If you’re going somewhere within walking or biking distance, allow a few extra minutes to hit the pavement on wheels or feet rather than always using a pollutant car.

Reusable bags. With all the “cute” reusable grocery and shopping bags available these days why would you not choose to use reusable bags!?! Let your son/daughter pick out one of their own (or maybe even make one?) that they can use when they run errands or help you shop. Teach them about why you use reusable bags (to save on paper and plastic, etc.).

Waste in packaging. Give your kids examples of over-packaged items so they can be on the lookout when they shop for items that use less waste.

Learn through media. Introduce your children to the concept of helping Planet Earth by watching movies or reading magazines on the subject. There are some great resources out there for kids: The Disney film Earth, The Lorax (for younger kids), and An Inconvenient Truth (for teens or older). For reading try National Geographic KIDS magazine or a great book on the subject such as, “What Does It Mean To Be Green?” by Rana DiOrio – a Mom’s Choice Award honoree.

Get outdoors. According to the Earth Day Network, 90 percent of kids’ playtime is spent indoors. Opt to spend time outdoors appreciating the Earth and perhaps even do a few things to help as you go such as plant a tree or volunteer in the community by cleaning up litter.

The important thing to remember here is to lead by example. Your kids will never learn the right way if you don’t practice what you preach. What other ideas do you have? What does it mean to be green in your life?

According to the “holiday’s” founder, National Humor Month was designed to remind people how the simplicity of joy and laughter can improve your health, be therapeutic, boost morale and in general improve your quality of life.

Experts say laughter truly is the best medicine. It triggers healthy physical changes in the body, strengthens your immune system, boosts your energy, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. And it’s free – how priceless is that?

So how can you add humor, joy and laughter into your EVERY day life? Here are eight easy ways from your friends at the Mom’s Choice Awards.

What makes you laugh? Determine what makes you laugh and do it, read it, and/or watch it more often. Is it a funny movie or TV show? A book of jokes? The Ellen DeGeneres Show? Whatever it is, frequent it often.

Surround yourself with funny people. Who makes you laugh the most? Who’s sense of humor do you find hilarious? Make dates dates with those people more often. Keep them a part of your every day life. They’ll keep you sane and healthy!

Smile. Challenge yourself to smile at people you see everyday. Walking down the street, at the grocery store, picking up the kids from school, at the park, etc. The simple act of smiling will keep you in a happy place.

Make note of it. Keep a journal or a “laughter file” of things that make you laugh. Write down some observations, interactions, funny things your kids said – anything you can go back to when you need cheering up.

Pop of color. Spring is the perfect time of year to add some color to your life. You can do this in many ways: clothing, new pillows/décor, flowers in your house, art projects – you name it. Making color a part of your life may just be the perfect thing to trigger your positive emotions.

Time with the kids. Don’t kids say the funniest things? Whether it’s your kids, your sister’s kids or your neighbor’s children, spend more time around kids. The pure joy they find in the simple things in life is really inspiring. They have a light-hearted outlook and can be silly without a care in the world. Mimic it from time-to-time.

Be spontaneous. How much fun is it when you do something last minute? It can really get your heart racing. An impromptu picnic dinner, a trip to the arcade, running to Target to get a new backyard toy or game – do anything that makes you feel free.

These are just a few ways to add humor, joy and laughter to your life, but we know there are many more. Please share your thoughts and ideas with us. And if you want to read more on the benefits of laughter and humor on the body, mind and spirit, click here for a help guide!

So what should be on your spring-cleaning list? For that we turn to the true home expert, Martha Stewart. She of course has quite the checklist that includes projects room-by-room, but from that huge list (bravo to you if you get through it all), here are our top 10 “must clean” items along with a how to (paraphrased from Martha, of course).

1.Dust refrigerator coils. Dust bunnies love to collect under your fridge. To clean, turn off the power and then locate the coils (usually at the bottom under the grill). Use a crevice attachment of a vacuum or a specialty refrigerator-coil brush to clean. Then power on and you are ready to go.

2.Empty freezer’s contents. Throw out anything that has been in there a bit too long (freezer burn) or you don’t know what it is (ick!). After emptying out all the contents and before refilling, Martha suggests you wipe the interior with a solution of two tablespoons baking soda per one-quart hot water.

3.Turn mattresses. It’s always a good idea to turn over your mattress annually to distribute the wear evenly. Replace any winter bedding (flannel) with summer linens (light cotton).

4.Beauty product clean up. Go through all of your beauty products (many of us have drawers full of products we don’t even use anyone!), and get rid of anything expired or donate anything unused. This includes sunscreen – it’s a good idea to replace your stash once/year to be sure it’s still as effective as can be to protect your family’s skin.

5.Update your first aid kit. In addition to bandages and ointments, the kit should include a list of emergency numbers, especially the one for your nearest poison-control center. Also be sure to throw in some new bug spray too for those long summer (often buggy) nights.

6.Organize files. Martha says this is a good time review insurance policies, contracts, etc. Be sure you have the most recent statements and file away or shred any un-needed documents.

7.Closet switch and clean out. It’s time to replace those warm winter clothes with summer/spring clothes. As you go through your winter clothes donate anything you no longer need or haven’t worn in over a year. Your closet and your sanity will thank you, and you are doing good by providing to others in need.

8.Storage clean out. Go through your basement, attic or wherever you keep things in storage. Donate anything you no longer need, use or want. Organize the rest by time of year you use it. For instance put all holiday decorations together, create winter clothes bins, etc.

9.Clean outdoor living spaces. Time to dust off the outdoor stuff! Clean any outdoor areas with a broom and spray down or mop your decks and garages, depending on the surfaces. Same goes for any outdoor furniture. Wipe it down with water and soap, scrubbing with a soft bristle brush to get it all ready for those lazy summer days and nights.

10. Clean windows. For a step-by-step window cleaning process, we turn 100% to Martha. Click here.

It’s time to stop reading and start cleaning! Just remember to tailor each of these tips to your home and your family. Create a schedule and don’t try to get it all done in one weekend – give yourself a few weeks or a couple months to spring clean. And enlist help from the whole family to help – kids love participating in “grown-up” chores too! Make it a family affair. Happy Cleaning!

We know figuring out TV and video game limits can be difficult. Here are some ideas we hope will help you determine the right amount of media usage for your family:

Set TV hours. Set specific “TV hours” in your house so that your kids know they can only watch television and for how long.  Remind your child that TV can only be watched only after homework is complete too. Set that precedent early during your child’s formidable years. Try to avoid TV during dinnertime as it can encourage unhealthy eating habits and disengages everyone from important family conversation.

Watch TV together. While TV doesn’t always elicit the best quality time, watching an educational TV program or fun movie can bring your family closer together. Watch the programs along with your child and find something the entire family can enjoy. The Discovery Channel, National Geographic, The Food Network along with many fun children’s programs and movies can offer enjoyment for the entire family at any age. After the show, take the time to discuss the program as a family.

Pick quality video games.  While many parents just say “no” to video games and that is that, it’s not always feasible in our video-game ridden world. Growing up I remember my mom disallowed video games in our house, although I would sneak in a few “plays” at friends’ houses don’t worry, Mom, nothing violent). Regardless, each household is going to have their own rules when it comes to video games. If you do allow video games in your house, be sure they are age appropriate and that they offer some learning qualities too. As your child gets older (teenagers) they will likely become exposed to violent games – these are teachable moments for you to share with your child. Help him or her understand that video games often confuse fantasy and reality. As a general rule of thumb, limit the time your kids can play each day to 30-60 minutes to avoid over stimulation. Also, keep an eye on your child’s behavior and if violent video games are impacting him. Many kids can distinguish fantasy from reality, but some cannot and it’s important for parents to keep a close eye on their child’s behavior.

Remember, the above are suggestions from a bunch of moms who have been there, done that. In the end it’s up to you, the parents, to decide what your household rules are. Just remember one thing – whatever rules you set – it applies to you too Be a role model.

Be sure to share with us any bits of advice that have worked in your household when it comes to limiting media time.

How it works: We’ll be giving away one awesome prize to one awesome winner for 11 days straight – all in celebration that spring is here! You can enter daily & earn extra entries when friends enter too. Winners will be chosen at random.

Each day has a theme to inspire positive changes in your life. The prizes, which all include at least one Mom’s Choice Award honoree, align with the day’s theme. Here’s of rundown of each day:

March 20 – Be Healthy

• $25 gift card to Williams Sonoma
• A free download of the iCookbook application
• A Little Book Gift Set that includes six books such as Mealtime Madness, Meal Planning & Budgeting, Menu Planners, etc.

March 21 – Be  Cleaner

• $25 gift card to Target for cleaning supplies
• The Professional Housekeeper DVD & Training Guide by Marta Perrone

March 22 – Be Sweaty

• Subscription to Fitness magazine subscription ($15) or $25 to Dick’s Sporting Goods for Athleta.com
• A copy of the book, “Hot Sweaty Mamas: Five Secrets To Life As A Fit Mom” by Laurie Kocanda and Kara Thom.

March 23 – Be Organized

• $25 gift card to The Container Store
• Subscription to AboutOne.com. Be one of the first to receive a subscription to the new, free version of AboutOne when it launches in Spring 2012, and then receive a free upgrade to the Premium version when it’s released in Summer 2012.

March 24 – Be Traveled

• $25 gift card to BP gas stations
• Wise Alec Travel Game: Nature Travel Game & Expansion Set
• Tales2Go 3-month subscription

March 25 – Be a Parent Reader

• $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble
• A complete set of books, workbooks, parent guides, tracking charts and stickers fromLearn To Read Kids Club.

March 26 – Be Greener

• $25 gift card to ProFlowers
• Get Out!: 150 Easy Ways for Kids and Grown-Ups to Get Into Nature and Build a Greener Future
• PackIt Reusable Personal Cooler

March 27 – Be Well Rested

• $25 gift card to Tea Forte
• A copy of the book “Master Your Sleep – Proven Methods Simplified”

March 28 – Be Centered

• Yoga Journal subscription
• Storyland Yoga DVD: Yoga for Kids and Families (ages 3-8)
• La Vie De La Rose Flower Essences: The Balanced Child Solutions are: Happy Child, I Am Me and Magical Child

March 29 – Be Playful

• $25 gift card AMC Bowling
• The Question Challenge Card Game & Jeepers Peepers

March 30 – Be Adventurous (in the kitchen)

• Everyday Food Magazine Subscription
• A copy of the book, “Vegan Family Meals: Real Food For Everyone”

Sweepstakes starts March 20 and ends March 30. Enter daily by clicking here. Good luck!

US residents 18 years or older only. Non transferable. No purchase necessary to enter.