Exploring the New Official Disney Website

I promised a preview of the new official Disney site, and today I’m delivering. The new Disney site isn’t that different from the old one, it’s just got a sleek new redesign. The front page is less cluttered than before, and is on a bright white background rather than the previous black. I’m actually a little surprised at how plain the front page is; there are plenty of thumbnail pictures and links, but there’s nothing going on around the edges. The official Disney site is a good place to go if you’re a general Disney fan, but aren’t really sure … Continue reading

Teach Kids About Stranger Danger

It seems like every time we turn on the news we hear about another Amber Alert for a child that has been taken. It has been said that nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each and every year. These alarming statistics make me want to hold my son just a little bit tighter each night. It makes me never want my son out of my sight. This week we had an interesting experience that gave me the opportunity to teach my son about stranger danger yet again. We were eating lunch at the mall with some good friends of mine. … Continue reading

Strangers to the Rescue

There’s a fine line between charity and prudence. It’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way since becoming a parent. I was reminded just how challenging it can be to reconcile the two after hearing the story of the family whose summer vacation included a record breaking delay at Salt Lake City International Airport. Earlier this month, the local ABC affiliate in Salt Lake City broadcast the plight of Curtis Saxton, his wife, and his two children, ages 13 and 4, who became stranded at the airport for nearly a week. The clan was trying to get home to Virginia … Continue reading

The Food Cravings Have Found Me

The first week of the Atkins diet was very easy for me to do. The second week, however, has been a little bit more of a struggle. In addition to having times when I felt crabby for no good reason, I was starting to experience food cravings. If I was going to stick with this diet, I needed to find ways to fight those cravings. One of my friends, who is also doing the Atkins diet, had a great suggestion. Make some variations to the food you can eat while on this diet, and this will prevent you from getting … Continue reading

Food Allergies Can Affect Self Esteem

Your child’s food allergies may be causing him or her to have low self esteem. Children want to fit in with their peers, and be as similar as possible to them. Having a severe food allergy means that your child is “different”, and this will be noticed by his or her classmates. Fortunately, there are things that a parent can do that will help their allergic child to regain his or her self esteem. Children, especially older children (like middle schoolers and high school students) want to fit in. No one wants to be that strange kid who can’t eat … Continue reading

Why I’m Blogging My Health

I’ve talked about “liveblogging” your health: writing openly and publicly about your health issues as they happen (or as close to “live” as possible). A writer friend of mine blogs his experiences with cancer — the good, the bad, and the ugly, no holds barred. Former Pets Blogger Courtney Mroch wrote very openly about her experiences with her cancerous “hitchhiker”. One advantage of liveblogging a health issue — or other important goings on in your life — is that lots of people can get the news quickly and easily. They can stay up to day with your progress without you … Continue reading

New to Food Blog but Years in the Kitchen

I’ve been cooking since I was around seven or eight years old and let me tell you that’s too many years ago to want to count them. I had a mother who encouraged me in the kitchen. Back then I cooked mostly cakes and sweet things but by my early teens, I regularly cooked meals for the family. So I guess by now I ought to have found out a bit about food to pass on. I will be writing 6 food blogs per month. For those who don’t know me, I might be new to the food blog but … Continue reading

Baby Blog Month in Review: October 2008

If you had an October baby, congratulations! I hope that you will spend some time with us here at Families.com, as we bring you the latest news and tips for you and your family. Here is the Baby Blog month in review for October. October 1st Insect Repellent and Young Children Protecting my children is the number one priority, but one thing that I tend to avoid is insect repellent. I figure that putting additional chemicals on my kids is not the best idea, that is until now. These days, a mosquito bite is not just an annoyance, but it … Continue reading

Baby Blog Week in Review: October 13th Through October 19th

Where do you stand with vitamin supplementation and visits to the pediatrician? These can be controversial topics. Check out last week’s posts. October 13th New Children’s Vitamin D Recommendation May Require Supplements The American Academy of Pediatrics has a new recommendation for the amount of vitamin D for newborns, babies, kids and teens. Read on to learn more. October 14th Baby Blog Week in Review: October 6th Through October 12th Has your little one discovered the joys of fall? My youngest two are especially proud of their little pumpkins that they picked out themselves this past weekend. Be sure to … Continue reading

Getting Creative with Almost-Expired Food

Using what you have in your pantry is important when food prices have risen so much. Creating meals from your pantry can reduce your weekly food budget or allow you to skip a shopping trip or two. It also prevents food waste. Sometimes you are faced with just a few strange items to use up before they expire or go bad. This is where you have to get creative. I’ll offer you some tips, as well as links to a couple of recipes that will help you create real meals from a collection of end-date food. This post is part … Continue reading