Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

Mar
18

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas that Can’t Fail

Posted by: houstonp  |  Posted in: Family  |  Posted on: 03-18-2009

According to consumer reports, this year’s Mother’s Day will be celebrated more than A surprising fact, isn’t it? Some may expect that the world recession limits the purchase of Mother’s Day gifts like a mother jewelry piece, but the opposite is actually true. Custom Jewelry . Trouble in the economy does mean people save more on a daily basis, however we are also more likely to celebrate the people we love.

Still, there are plenty of options for spoiling this year for Mother’s Day. A card and flowers are probably the quickest way to Nag-ville, unless you want those argumentative phone calls to start up again! One popular choice is a new mother jewelry addition. Jewelry is best when given with authenticity, so it’s important to make an informed choice. You want to choose a piece that she will actually wear. That’s why I recommend that you survey her already existing jewelry collection. What is her favorite necklace? Is it a jade strand or a simple silver rope? Once you can answer this question easily, then it’s easy to choose an original mother jewelry piece that will work with her collection.

For example, a beautiful and inexpensive choice for mom is a charm bracelet. LCD TVs . But don’t just randomly purchase one that you like at the jewelry store. Rather, see what jewels and stones she already appreciates, and make sure these stones are included in a new charm bracelet. Does she prefer gold or silver? Pearl or rubies? Anklets or bangles? These simple questions are worth the research, because Mother will love the gift and be sure to treasure it forever.

Mar
15

Omega-3 supplements and infant/child development

Posted by: houstonp  |  Posted in: Family  |  Posted on: 03-15-2009

This article is not intended as medical advice. You should always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before beginning any diet regimen.

You are probably reading this article because you’ve heard that Omega-3 fatty acids can help with pregnancy and infant development. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you may be considering adding Omega-3 supplements to your own diet. Some parents consider giving Omega-3 supplements to their children. Omega-3 supplements may have considerable health benefits for infants and children. These supplements are generally regarded as safe by the US FDA and side effects, if any, are usually mild. Still, there are some things you need to know before taking Omega-3 for pregnancy or child development (or any condition). Consult with an obstetrician and/or pediatrician before taking Omega-3 for any reason having to do with pregnancy and/or child development.

Up to 97% of Omega-3 fats in the brain and 93% of Omega-3 fats in the retina consist of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The heart also contains large amounts of DHA. Large amount of DHA are also found in the heart. Babies depend on their mother’s diet and breast milk or formula for their DHA and other essential fats; their bodies cannot make it on their own.

There is evidence that increasing the amount of Omega-3 in the diets of babies can give them a developmental edge. Pregnant mothers who consume plenty of Omega-3 can give their infants the same advantages. These benefits include:

• Better attention spans into the second year. Attention is one of the components of intelligence. DHA is important for brain and nervous system development, as well as long-term heart health. Children’s brains accumulate DHA during their first two years.

• Two-month developmental lead over babies born to mothers with lower levels of Omega-3 during the first six months.

• Omega-3 may also play a role in developing visual acuity. Babies born to mothers with high level of Omega-3 scored better on test that measure visual learning at 12 and 18 months of age.

• Breast milk is best for infants; however, bottle-fed infants should consume formulas rich in DHA for proper development.

250mg per day may be an ideal dose of DHA for pregnant mothers, however the actual dosage requirements are presently unknown. The fetus’s brain grows rapidly during the last 3 months of pregnancy, making Omega-3 particularly important during that period. The average American diet contains far too much Omega-6 and there is concern that pregnant mothers are not getting enough Omega-3s.

Fish is a great source of DHA; however, contamination from mercury, dioxin, PCBs and other toxins. These toxins are a large concern since they are linked to cancers and birth defects. This presents a possible Catch-22 in that the best foods may also be the most harmful.

MOXXOR contains Omega-3 from contamination-free New Zealand green lipped mussels that are grown in the pristine waters of New Zealand. Third Party Logistics . New Zealand is one of the world’s leaders in ocean protection with 70% of its coastline protected from environmental harm. By contrast, only some 2% of the Mediterranean coastline is under protection.

Be sure to consult your obstetrician and/or pediatrician for advice on Omega-3 during or after pregnancy.

Anthony Hernandez

Anthony Hernandez is a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Business Association Coach and author of Guerrilla Marketing Success Secrets with over 20 years of successful self-employment experience. He is proud to be a co-founding member of the MOXXOR WORKS Team. Visit MOXXOR WORKS Team web site to learn more about the MOXXOR WORKS Team and our home-based opportunity.

Sources

• Journal of Perinatal Medicine
• Mayo Clinic
• Medical News Today
• Science Daily
• University of Connecticut
• WebMD

Mar
12

You May Not Know This But Sometimes Cake Pans Choose You When You Least Expect It

Posted by: houstonp  |  Posted in: Family  |  Posted on: 03-12-2009

I was shopping online one day searching for some ideas for a party I was throwing, when I came across a totally cute cake pan that I absolutely had to get. It was a choo choo train shaped pan, and I knew that I absolutely had to have it. I wasn’t even looking for this particular pan, since the party I was throwing was for my daughter who loves fairies, and princesses. Custom Jewelry . What 8 year old girl doesn’t, right?

The thing is, my 4 year old son absolutely adores toy trains, and I knew right away that he would love a train shaped cake. I relented and ended up getting the choo choo train cake pan, along with a Tinker Bell face cake pan.

I baked a delicious Tinker Bell cake, and I decorated it to look just like tiny Tink’s pretty fairy face. When I brought out the cake, my daughter’s smile melted my heart, because I knew she loved that I took the time to bake her something that came from the heart. It didn’t hurt that it tasted great too, if I do say so myself.

After the party was over, and the guests had left, I decided to pull my son to the side. I didn’t want to do it in front of anyone else because I didn’t want to spoil my daughter’s special day. I brought out the choo choo train that I’d baked using the train cake pan I’d bought, and my son’s eyes widened, and his mouth opened. He was speechless, which is a tough thing to be when you’re 4.

He didn’t know why I had baked a special cake, just for him, and I told him it’s because I love him (of course). He’s my special boy. He thanked me with a hug, and who can ask for more?

My daughter caught wind of what was going on, and she understood. She knows how much I love them both, and how sometimes I show it through baking. What can I say–baking is an important part of my life, and by extension, my family’s too. It was something that was passed down from my mother, and her mother before her.

The moral of this story is that sometimes, you can get great inspiration when you least expect it. Sure, baking great cakes takes some planning and you have to get your cake pans well ahead of time. But, don’t discount the power of spontaneity. It’s severely underrated, and it can be a surprise both to you, and to whomever you decide to bake a unique and special cake for. They will definitely thank you, sometimes with a smile, and sometimes with a big hug.