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Celebrate Child Health Day!

By: Stephanie | October 06, 2008 | Category: Health

Child Health Day 2008 logoThe other day, I was startled to notice my 14-month-old watching me while I ate an apple. When I peeled it and handed it to him, his eyes lit up as he bit into it like a big kid (until he accidentally dropped it and our dog got it, and that was it).

Children watch us and emulate us in so many ways, not the least of which are our eating habits and level of physical activity. Today is the 80th annual Child Health Day, and this year’s theme is “Eat Healthy and Be Active for a Healthy Future.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that one in six U.S. children between the ages of two and 19 is overweight. In less than 30 years, obesity has more than doubled among children ages 2-5 and more than tripled among children ages 6-12 and adolescents ages 13-19.

Being overweight is a risk factor for serious health consequences such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.

HHS, which sponsors the presidentially proclaimed Child Health Day, urges adults to take the surgeon general’s pledge to:

  • Be a role model by making healthy choices for myself.
  • Help children be physically active through everyday play and participation in sports.
  • Support children’s healthy eating habits.

You can celebrate Child Health Day by following some tips for you and your children on eating healthy and being active. And be sure to check out the child obesity prevention checklists for parents and other caregivers, schools and teachers, and communities.

The Federal Citizen Information Center also offers information on helping overweight children become healthier, and USA.gov offers links to child health information for parents.

Do you try to lead a healthy lifestyle as a role model for children?

| Comments [0] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: celebrate   child   children   date   health   observance   stephanie  

 

Save the Fish, Save the World!

By: Ginger | October 03, 2008 | Category: General

Marine lifeSome of the most exhilarating moments in my life have been in our world’s oceans. While snorkeling off Honduras, I watched a huge whale shark swimming in the distance below. As it began to surface directly towards me, I thought of the times I’d practiced speaking whale (like Dory in “Finding Nemo”) in the shower. I said, “Goooo baaaack whaaaale, don’t huuurt meeee”. I must be pretty fluent, because the whale shark gently avoided me. While scuba diving in Turks and Caicos, eight eagle rays swam by us in formation, turning in unison like a squadron of jets at an air show. Diving from a safety cage off the coast of Australia, I watched 20-25 sharks in an incredible feeding frenzy.

These experiences have given me an appreciation for our oceans and the diverse life they sustain. Global warming and the impacts of pollution on our oceans worry me, but it gives me hope to know that there are organizations studying and trying to protect our oceans.

Recently, two EPA staff members joined environmental scientists and the crew of EPA’s Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) Bold to document science and research in action. Read their blog posts to get an in-depth look at what’s involved in protecting our waters.

The Ocean Observing System, is a network of people and technology from various federal, regional, and state organizations that work together to generate and distribute data on the nation's coastal waters, Great Lakes and oceans.

The NOAA is not only responsible for daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring, but they are also responsible for fisheries management, coastal monitoring and supporting aquaculture.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a Coastal Program that provides incentives for voluntary protection of threatened, endangered and other species on private and public lands alike.

How can you help? Check out Fish Watch when buying fish to find out which fish populations are listed as sustainable. You can also follow these suggestions to help protect coral reefs. If you are considering a conservation career, check out Careers: Conserving the Nature of America.

So, do you think we are doing enough to keep our oceans viable and to prevent environmental disaster?

| Comments [2] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: conservation   environment   ginger   marine   oceans   resources  

 

How Ya Doing?

By: Nancy | October 02, 2008 | Category: Health

Economic and political headlines. Work situations and career changes. Health and home. I don't think I can name anybody I know who hasn't experienced an increase in their stress level this past week.

stressed man with hands claspedAdult or kid, everyday life or traumatic event, stress sure is inevitable. And it's so easy to react to it unconsciously, whether you're stocking up on comfort food or battling physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia. The last time I was under a lot of stress, I developed a tic in my right eye. Half the people on the subway thought I was flirting with them.

Take a look at some of these tips on managing stress in a healthy way and then I'd love to hear: how has stress been affecting you lately, physically or mentally? What are you doing to cope with it (good or bad)? While I'm waiting to hear from you, I'll go have a cookie. And some aspirin.

| Comments [9] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: economy   health   nancy   stress  

 

BAILOUT

By: Colleen | October 01, 2008 | Category: Money

Wall Street, New York street signTruth be told, I can recite the entire Phillies lineup by memory, yet I know embarrassingly little about finances.

With all that's been going on this week, it's time I educate myself. A good friend of mine is an I-banker in New York, and I asked him to give me an easy breakdown of what's been going down on Wall Street the past few months. He sent me an e-mail using different sports teams as an analogy. On the most basic of levels, I think I'm starting to understand what all the fuss has been about—and it ain't good.

I realize now more than ever the importance of making wise investments. I'm doing some reading to help get a better understanding of how to be smart with my hard-earned cash.

These are just a few helpful resources available to help you feel more secure in these unsteady economic times. Another helpful site is www.mymoney.gov. It gives ideas on how to plan on everything from investing to paying for college.

With a bailout plan still in limbo on Capitol Hill, we're all anxious to see what's going to happen next. What are you doing to protect yourself and your finances?

| Comments [11] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: bailout   colleen   deposit   finances   investing   money   wall_st  

 

Living Wills

By: Joanne | September 30, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

legal documentMy mom likes to have her affairs in order and recently she updated her advance directive (they’re also called living wills). She showed it to me so I know what her wishes are in case she’s ever in a medical situation where my brother and I have to make decisions for her. It’s hard to imagine someone you love in a condition where they can’t make their own decisions, but even harder to imagine it happening to you. But let’s face it – this stuff happens. That’s why I’m learning about what I need to do to create my own advance directive.

An advance directive, or living will, is different than a will. It’s intended to make your wishes known about what type of life-sustaining medical treatment you want (or don’t want) in case you’re in a situation where medical intervention is needed to sustain your life. This document sets out who is authorized to make decisions for you and helps medical providers understand the kind of treatment you want and can also make clear your wishes to donate your organs and tissues when you die.

I’m still sorting all this out and I suppose I’ll have to consult a lawyer to be sure that my document will be adequate to covers all of my needs and make it a little easier on my loved ones in case I’m in trouble. Have you had experience creating or carrying out an advanced directive? Any advice?

| Comments [7] | envelope Email This Entry | Tags: advance   directive   joanne   living   will  

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