Petco™ Encourages Parents to Make Smart Gift Giving Decisions

Every parent loves to see their child’s face light up with joy when they open the perfect present. So when a new puppy, kitty or other pet appears at the top of a youngster’s wish list, it’s important to realize that unlike other holiday gifts, bringing home a dog, cat, bird, or even a fish, takes a lot of planning. A new pet is a long-term, full-time commitment, requiring thought, care and responsibility. However, with these steps from Petco™, it’s easy for any parent to plan ahead and make smart decisions around adding a new pet to the family.

1. First, go over a child’s wish list together to see if they will appreciate and care for a new pet. Ask the child how he or she would care for the pet if someone granted his or her wish. Make sure to remind them that pets need to be fed, taken care of and they can often make extra messes. Of course, a child is likely to promise to do everything involving the pet, so it’s important to remember that the younger the child is, the more the responsibility will fall on the parents.
   
2. Take the child to a Petco National Adoption Weekend event or animal shelter to confirm what breed or type of pet he or she wants. Some gentle steering will be able to sway him or her to the best option for the family. In addition, Petco hosts free monthly Meet the Critters events where kids and adults can learn about different types of pets, their habitats and care, and feeding information. This month’s event takes place on November 10-11, 2012 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at all Petco stores nationwide and will focus on the Russian Tortoise.
   
3. Thoroughly research the animal’s care, maintenance, grooming and training requirements. Prepare a list of staples the pet will need and put them on a wish list. Be sure to include a cage, food, leash, shampoo, treats, toys and accessories so there aren’t any surprises by the barrage of additional expenses. Then, add on health and cleaning items to cope with the accidents that are part of every new pet’s first days at home.
   
4. Once you’ve decided to add a new pet to the family, identify a good veterinarian in the local community. Determine whether a license or community permit is needed, set a vaccination schedule and take care of any necessary paperwork.
   
5. If adding a puppy to the family, be sure to check out local dog training classes and/or free workshops in the neighborhood. This will help make certain the family puppy is set up for success. Petco offers Dog Training Classes, as well as free seminars to help raise a well-behaved companion.
   
6. Then it’s time to get the house ready for the new family member. Try to prepare as much as possible prior to bringing the new pet home. Amphibians, reptiles or fish need aquariums, filters, heaters, plants and other accessories - many of these need time to settle before they will sustain a new pet. A new bird or rodent will require a cage, bedding or cage liner, dishes and toys. A larger animal, such as a puppy or kitten, will also need a bed and a carrier or crate. Petco provides free care sheets, which list the recommended supplies for each animal, in addition to important information and care requirements.
   
7. When it’s time for the big unveil, it can be enticing to tie a red bow around a new puppy’s neck or the hamster’s cage and leave them amid the other packages. However, this guarantees stressing out the newest family member before he or she is even discovered by the family. It’s better to wrap the cage and accessories with a photo of the animal for presentation on the actual holiday, which also helps to prevent a new pet from being mistakenly identified as a toy. The best option to introduce a new pet into the home is to wait until after the holiday season is over and things have settled down. The hustle and bustle of the holidays can stress out any new pet, and possibly the pet parent!

For more information on how to prepare for a new pet, visit http://www.petco.com/holiday.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Holiday Travel - Winterize Checklist for High Mileage Cars

The holiday travel season is upon us, and so too is winter driving season. Is your car winterized? This is especially important if you are hitting the road with a high mileage vehicle. Just this week, AAA* projected that 43.6 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, of which ninety percent will drive to Thanksgiving destinations and 7% will fly. Furthermore, according to a recent AutoMD.com survey,** there is an aging fleet of cars on the streets, with the primary vehicle for 60% of respondents having over 100,000 miles. This all adds up to a lot of older metal on the road this holiday season.

Fortunately, most cars on the roads today, even the high-mileage ones, have been built to last longer and withstand the test of time – and weather – with the proper care, of course. AutoMD.com encourages all drivers to take some time to put their rides through their ten point winter travel vehicle checklist before making those Holiday road trips, so they don't end up stranded on a chilly roadside.

1. Check the antifreeze (coolant)
2. Change the engine oil
3. Check the tires
4. Check the battery
5. Check the belts and hoses
6. Check the wipers and wiper fluid
7. Check the emergency kit
8. Check 4WD operation if equipped
9. Change your driving habits
10. Wash and wax your car

For more details on these tips, including how-to guides, click here: http://www.automd.com/about-automd/press/12-01-2011/

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Winter is coming, tips to prepare your vehicle

Each year winter rolls in threatening to blanket cities and streets with heavy snow, slush and freezing temps or has mercy and brings a few bitter-cold days and minimal snow. While last year’s winter brought mild temps, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA) predictions for the 2012-2013 winter calls for temperatures to be about 18 percent colder and above average snowfall is in the cards for cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

The trusted car care experts at Turtle Wax know cold weather can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s shine and performance. Waiting until the thermometer hits freezing is too late to begin preparing your car against the harsh winter elements, but taking the proper planning steps before winter hits will help protect your car from damage.

Consumers prepare for winter around the home and yard in a variety of ways, from switching out beach bags for parkas to sealing windows and closing the deck and pool. When it comes to protecting an investment from cold weather damage, a vehicle is no different. Winterizing your car or truck will help prevent interior and exterior damage and avoid bigger problems down the road.

“The winter driving season and harsh weather conditions can be particularly damaging to your vehicle, so it’s important to start preparing your car against harmful elements in the fall before temperatures really drop,” said Mike Schultz, senior vice president of product development for Turtle Wax. “Early preparation can allow for cars to perform better during the hazardous driving conditions and is an all-around safer practice.”

To get your car ready for cold weather, the car care experts at Turtle Wax offer the following winter preparation tips:

Wax On, Winter Off – To keep your vehicle cleaner, longer during winter months, make sure to give your car a thorough wash and wax before the cold weather hits. Wax will help prevents oxidation from dulling and damaging your vehicle’s exterior. For best results, first use a product that will deep clean your vehicle’s exterior and remove any stubborn dirt and stains. Then select a long-lasting car wax, such as ICE® Liquid Wax, that can be applied to the entire exterior, including all metal, plastic and rubber surfaces, and will provide a protective barrier against road salt, snow and other inclement conditions.

Prepare the Interior – Winter elements can also cause damage to the inside of your car. To prevent tracked-in mud, slush and snow from staining your interior, prep your vehicle with protective floor mats and clean with an interior product, such as ICE® Total Interior Care, which leaves behind a protective barrier against stains. Don’t forget to remove any water based products, which can freeze and crack during winter, as well as any unnecessary items that can weigh down your car and lower your fuel efficiency.

Check Tires – Damaged tires are no match for sleek, slippery roads. Get tires winter-ready by first examining their tread for thin or uneven tread wear, which reduces traction and can be very dangerous in winter weather. Cut or damaged sidewalls are also weak areas that can collapse under severe weather conditions. Remember to check the air pressure in your tires before and during winter months to ensure the best traction and mileage. Once your tires are in good shape, apply tire cleaner and protectant to help repel winter elements. Turtle Wax Platinum All-Wheel and Tire Cleaner eliminates harsh scrubbing – just spray on and hose off. It also contains wax, which adds a protective barrier against harsh weather conditions such as snow, ice, and more.

Check Fluids – Maintaining proper fluid levels is critical to keeping your car working properly during the winter. A common mistake is forgetting to replace or top off summer windshield wiper fluid blends with winter blends that will not freeze when the temperature drops. Check your antifreeze and oil levels to prevent internal damage to your car, and keep your gas tank at least halfway full to help prevent gas line freeze. Winter prep should also include an oil change, and adding a product like Marvel Mystery Oil to your vehicle’s crankshaft will keep the oil flowing freely when starting your car, even in below freezing conditions.

Always be Prepared – Winter can be unpredictable, so don’t wait for the first snow fall to put the ice scraper and snow shovel in the car. Keep a winter emergency kit in the trunk in case of an accident or other bad weather situation. Recommended emergency items include a small first-aid kit, flashlight, blanket, gloves, road flares and cell phone or another communication device.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Painless Healthy Eating Habits for Kids

5 Relatively Painless Healthy Eating Habits for Kids

As parents, we work hard to protect our kids from harm. We teach them not to cross the street without looking both ways, and we teach them about stranger danger. We train our kids to practice safety at every turn.

Many of us are less successful at teaching our kids healthy habits, however. One of the areas that most parents struggle with is healthy eating habits. Yet, if the epidemic of childhood obesity is ever going to get under control, we need to find ways to help our kids eat healthier.
It doesn’t help that health foods simply often just don’t taste as good (to kids, anyways) as unhealthy foods. Not only do we have to struggle with a culture that encourages unhealthy eating, we have to struggle with our kids, as well.

Fortunately, there are some relatively painless ways you can help your kids develop healthier eating habits:

1. Start by controlling what you put in front of them.

For the most part, there’s a good chance that your kids aren’t the ones doing the grocery shopping. That’s up to you. That means it’s also up to you to choose what kinds of foods you have on hand in the house. 

Choosing low-fat or nonfat dairy products, lean proteins, and cereals that aren’t high in fat or refined sugars are a good start.

Accordingly, you can limit their access to sugary snacks simply by making the right choices at the grocery store. Even more than limiting access, you can create a positive environment by always making sure there are some fresh, tasty, health options around. Fresh fruits, carrot sticks, and even celery with a lowfat yogurt dip are all good choices.

2.               Encourage your child to eat responsibly.

There are a couple of aspects to this. One is simply encouraging your child to eat more slowly. When your child eats slower, he’s better able to tell when he’s actually full, or when he’s still hungry.

This also extends into the area of education. Talk to your child about what foods are the best for them. Explain why fatty, greasy foods are unhealthy, and what they do to the body. Talk about what a balanced diet means.

3.               Make food a family thing.

Involve your kids in the process of choosing and preparing foods for the family. This will not only tell you what kinds of foods your kids really like, it will give you an opportunity to work with them to identify healthier options. It’s a great way to teach them about nutrition, and to help them learn a little about cooking, too. When your child is involved in preparing the meal, she’s much more likely to want to eat it.

Eating together as a family is often difficult in this day and age, but it’s also a good way to help children develop healthy eating habits. Make mealtimes a peaceful time of talking and sharing with one another. Stressful mealtimes mean eating quick and getting away fast.

4.               Make water your family’s drink of choice.

Consider limiting soda pop to dinner time, just once a day. Ration flavored drinks. Instead, allow each child to have a water bottle and encourage them to fill it as often as they like.
If your tap water isn’t particularly enjoyable for drinking, consider purchasing bottled water or even filtered water by the jug. You can keep a jug in the refrigerator at all times for a refreshing beverage.

5.               Don’t use food for rewards or sanctions.

It can be tempting to turn dessert into a reward for good behavior. Instead, consider other means of convincing children to do what you want.
Sending a child to bed without dinner can cause all sorts of food anxiety. Giving children candy as a reward can reinforce the idea that some foods – especially those sugary foods that are really bad for them – are of greater value than other foods.
Take food out of the equation when it comes to trying to modify your children’s behavior.
Being a parent can be challenging. You need to lead by example. Getting your kids to view food in a healthy way and practice healthy eating habits starts there. You need to be willing to make good food choices yourself, and then share those choices with your children.
It’s not always easy, but the methods above can help you get well on your way to a family with healthy food attitudes, without too much pain. Author Bio

Dorothy Wheaton, PA-C, is the lead clinical provider for Careworks Convenient Healthcare, a US company operating health clinics and urgent care centers in the Northeast United States.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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How connected are our kids to nature?

Trips to the zoo, collecting autumn leaves, reading Ranger Rick – sound like memories from your childhood? If you’re like me, then yes, they do.

But here’s a question: do they sound like a part of your kids’ lives today?

It’s an interesting question we parents should all ask ourselves.

On that note, Disney tells us it’s convening a number of top experts on the issue this week in Orlando as part of its Disney Kids and Nature Celebration (the event also includes a day-long youth summit and the screening of its upcoming movie “Chimpanzee”), and we got some insight on the discussion. Former Ranger Rick subscribers, listen up:

According to Richard Louv, a Disney partner and author of the bestselling books Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, every child needs nature. Not exactly a groundbreaking revelation – but certainly one that poses challenges when you look at your weekly calendar (where’d the white space go?).

Here’s some advice we can take away from his philosophy and the bigger discussion in Orlando:

1. Get nostalgic. Take a moment to talk to a grandparent – or even a peer – about his or her favorite nature memories from childhood – was it skipping stones? A favorite picture book about elephants? Drawing horses? Climbing trees? These simple memories might be enough to remind you just how easy it can be to make nature part of your own parenting style.

2. Think manageable. Connecting kids with nature doesn’t require a family trip to Yellowstone (phew). What it really takes is getting your kids curious about animals, wildlife and the outdoors – the world beyond their house and school. What do baby turtles eat? Why do leaves change colors? How do fish breath underwater? What kind of insect is that in your backyard? Hikes, museums, books and videos can all help spark that fascination.

3. Teach early lessons. Intuitively, we know kids need to learn about and appreciate nature. But what are the real benefits? For one, it’s a sensory explosion for their young minds. Reading about how birds build nests, watching a baby elephant play, touching a sheep’s coat, smelling a rose or digging a carrot out of the soil -- all of this stimulates curiosity in young minds.

More important, however, is that it instills a love of nature. And if our kids love nature – won’t they be more likely to protect it?

Food for thought! Now I’m off to take the kids to the zoo…

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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10 Ways to Identify a Speed Trap

Speed traps catch thousands of unaware travelers each day. Speeding tickets are a multi-billion dollar industry, and these traps are an integral part of that system. If you want to keep your driving record clean and avoid increased insurance rate increases, you need to learn how to identify – and avoid – speed traps.

Here are some ways you can keep from getting caught by those pesky traffic cops:

1. Watch out for overpass pillars. This is the most commonly-used speed trap location on the highway. Motorcycle officers, in particular, will hide next to pillars on the fast lane side of the road. You won’t see these boys in blue until you notice them in your rearview mirror – at which point, it’s too late. Slow down when approaching an overpass.
2. Be careful ascending hills. The top of a hill is another pretty common place for a traffic officer to sit with her radar gun. Keep it under the limit until you crest the hill.
3. Look for brake lights. When cars in front of you on the freeway are braking, there’s usually a good reason. It could be that there’s a traffic accident; in other cases, it’s because they’re passing a speed trap. Their advanced warning can save you a ticket.
4. Know when the speed limit changes. Places where the speed limit drops are also likely to contain speed traps. If you’re traveling along a state road cruising at 55, you might be taken unaware by a drop to 35 through a Podunk town. Aside from being cautious and aware, some GPS devices will actually tell you what the speed limit is in a given area and warn you ahead of time to slow down. In some states, law enforcement are forbidden from setting up speed traps within a certain distance of a speed limit change, so know what the rules are in your area.
5. Plan your travel ahead using the National Speed Trap Exchange. There’s a website that collects user-submitted speed trap information. The National Speed Trap Exchange is a great site to visit when you’re planning to travel. Just because a location is listed doesn’t mean it’s perennially staffed, but you’re better safe than sorry.
6. There’s an app for that. There are even apps for your smartphone that can tap into lists of common speeding trap locations. Speed Trap Finder is one example. Keep in mind that the accuracy and quality of these apps can vary greatly, so do some research before you trust one of them with your driving record.
7. Avoid the biggest speed trap cities. There are some places that have more speed traps than others. The top five cities with the most speed traps per resident include Livonia, Michigan, Windsor, Ontario, Orlando, Florida, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Denver, Colorado. Check out the other cities in the top 25 list, too.
8. Consider investing in a radar detector. To be sure, law enforcement technology does a good job at keeping pace with radar detectors. Understand that some localities might have regulations about the use of a radar detector, so make sure you know the law before you plop one of these down on your dashboard.
9. Use a good GPS system. As mentioned, some GPS units will track posted speeds. We’re now seeing some GPS systems that also integrate speed trap database information, although these are few and far between at this point. A GPS unit can cost you as little as $100, which is under the $150 average cost of paying a speeding ticket.
10. Remember that the best way to avoid a speed trap is not to speed. It should probably go without saying, but the bottom line is this: some cops are particularly clever, and some geographic locations make it nearly impossible to detect a speed trap. If you don’t want the risk of getting a ticket, slow down unless you’re on a wide open stretch of clear highway with little or no other traffic.

You can’t always avoid a speed trap. Sometimes, you’re going to get caught. Remember, too, that law enforcement agents work together; just because you see someone pulled over alongside the road doesn’t mean there’s not another radar gun less than half a mile away waiting to catch you speeding up.

Following these steps won’t guarantee that you don’t get caught speeding, but they may help you to avoid some of the more common (and more effective) speed traps as you travel on your way.

Author Bio

Scott Desind is a Los Angeles traffic ticket attorney, helping drivers in the Los Angeles area get their driving tickets dismissed. With over 20 years of combined, Scott Desind and his Traffic Attorneys  have a 90% success rate in beating tickets.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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4 Workouts at the Park

4 Workouts at the Park

Playgrounds are not just for kids, but also for those that are a “kid at heart.” Make the most of a calorie burn by having fun with the kids and getting a workout in! Your children will get a benefit by having fun with mom or dad and also by promoting to them that being fit is fun.

Tara Zimliki, founder of Tara’s Bootcamp, is no stranger to getting the whole family involved in her workouts. As a mom of two young daughters, she has perfected the art of making “fitness into funtime” with her children. Below are some of her favorite tips for those looking to maximize their time at the playground and have a workout at the park:

Simple Exercises for the Playground

1. Use the Monkey Bars for chin ups or pull-ups, which will effectively tone your triceps, biceps, core and back.
   
2. The Swingset is a perfect tool to use for stability and core exercises. Try a one-leg squat with one foot in the seat of the swing. Target your abs by sitting on the swing and leaning back about 45 degrees. Hold your legs straight out in front of you and cross them over one another in a “scissor”motion.
   
3. Park Benches are not just for sitting! Target your shoulders and triceps with a bench dip. Place your hands on the edge of the bench seat and your feet angled in front of you. Lower yourself off the bench with your hands until your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle, and lift back up.
   
4. Become a Jungle-Gym Jock. While your kids play on the jungle gym, use it to strengthen your arms with a standing push-up. The father back you stand from the gym, the harder the push-ups become.

How to Turn Your Stroller Into a Personal Gym

1. Lunges and Squats are made more fun for kids by using their strollers for support or added resistance
   
2. Running with a Stroller is no picnic, but Tara suggests ramping up your workout with intervals to make your routine go from boring to exciting for your kids

About Tara Zimliki

Tara is a Certified Personal Trainer and a Boot Camp Instructor. She has competed and trained with top athletes at the University of South Carolina where she was awarded a full crosscountry scholarship. Tara has a degree and specializes in fat loss and nutrition. She is passionate about helping people change both body and mind, believing positive results stem from positive attitudes. She helps clients maintain this attitude with fun, challenging and rewarding workouts. Tara’s love of fitness started as a child when she began running at the young age of 7. She played numerous sports but running was her passion. Tara enjoyed it so much that she continued running right up until she had children, completing the New York Marathon 8 months pregnant with her 2nd daughter and the New York Marathon 6 months pregnant with her 3rd child and even ran 1 mile the day she gave birth to her first daughter and 3 miles the day she gave birth to her second daughter and taught and participated in two bootcamp classes before she went to the hospital to deliver her third healthy and happy child. Tara has completed 17 Marathons and hundreds of races worldwide. In addition, she has won many 5Ks and placed top in many long distance runs. In 2008, Tara placed in the top 500 women for the NYC Marathon. Recently, she won the USATF New Balance Long Distance Grand Prix for women 34 and under for the 5th consecutive year. Tara’s practices what she preaches in all aspects of fitness and health and for this reason she is a trusted trainer that produces results. For more information, please visit

www.tarasbootcamp.com


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Tara’s Top Ten Fitness Tips

Tara’s Top Ten Fitness Tips


By Tara Zimliki

As a personal trainer, business owner, competitive marathoner, and busy mom of three young children I have learned and regularly utilize the most productive and time-effective training tips that bring great results. With little time to spare for my personal fitness, I need to use every minute as productively as possible. Here are my top ten tips to help you get the most out of your workouts.

Training Tip # 1: Get the 6 pack of your dreams

Don’t think crunches are the way to your six-pack dreams. Crunches will strengthen your abdominal muscles but they are not the best exercise to strengthen and sculpt your abs. The most ab effective exercises are moves like pull-ups, pushups, and jump squats. These exercises engage your core and many other muscle groups that burn fat and get you lean. Remember, in order to see your abs you must be lean.

Training Tip #2: Lift weights to increase your metabolism

Many women are afraid of lifting weights because they do not want to bulk up. However, in order to have a tight, toned body you need to life weights. Compromise and lift light weights with high repetitions. Baseball players, runners, and other athletes do light weight, high rep training for good reason, and I promise you will not look like a football line backer! Weight lifting will also increase your metabolic rate, which is critical for continual fat burning. If you’re

new to weight training make sure to consult with a professional on proper form to avoid an injury.

Training Tip #3: Feel the burning muscles

When you are working out you should feel like you are working hard. Work harder and smarter and feel the muscles working. If you are concerned about getting larger muscles then stick with your lightweight dumbbells and higher repetitions, but make sure your muscles are tired for the last five reps. If they are not tired at this point increase your weights by 2-3 pounds.

Training Tip #4: Push it to the next level

I often see walkers ambling along at only 2-3 mph. They do this for hours each day but their scale has not budged. What are they doing wrong? It is great to take the first step and get your body moving but once you have gotten there it is important to exercise strong. You should be finishing every workout covered in sweat with your breathing labored. If you do not feel this you need to work out harder and smarter by increasing your intensity. So walkers: add some speed walking spurts or walk/run to bring your workout to the next level. Follow this plan and you will see greater results! You can get great results from three one-hour high-intensity workouts in a week, making it easy to fit exercise into your busy schedule.

Training Tip #5: Get fit for a fraction of the cost

Hiring a personal trainer is not the only way to reach your goals of weight loss and fitness success. To get the assistance of a personal trainer without the large price tag, look into a fitness bootcamp near you. Research the bootcamp and the trainer who’s teaching it to make sure this individual has a background that you admire in both personal and professional training. It is also important that you make a connection with your trainer as you will be working closely together. The best part is you will pay a fraction of the cost of personal training and gain plenty of fitness tips to help you to reach your goals.

Training Tip #6: Set specific fitness goals

Don’t just focus on weight loss as your only goal or it will haunt you. I have found the most successful clients set other fitness goals. For example, one of my clients will be running his first 10k (6.2 miles), another is running her first marathon (26.2 miles). Having these fitness goals takes the pressure off the scale and the weight loss, often resulting in a big payoff. So search for a race that you want to run or focus on increasing your plank time or the miles you can run each week, and remember to keep your goal reasonable and attainable.

Training Tip #7: Keep a training Log

I write in a training log every morning. If I feel sore after a training session, I put a extra description of the workout so I can revisit it soon. Usually the more challenging workouts bring the best results.

Training Tip #8: Keep a food diary

Write down your daily food intake. Studies show that people who keep food journals lose more weight and keep more of that weight off in the long run. The National Weight Control Registry–an ongoing research project tracking more than 3,000 people who’ve lost an average of 66 pounds and kept it off for five years–found that keeping a food journal is the one strategy used by the majority of successful dieters.

Training Tip # 9: Start Each Day the Right Way

Wake up your body and mind with your very own wake up workout. Begin by doing 1 set of 18 alternating lunges, 18 squats, 10 pushups, 10 jackknifes, and a 20-30 second plank. As you become stronger build up to 3 sets of 18. Pace yourself and do what you can at your own fitness level. These exercises will work your total body and are a great way to start your day!

Training Tip #10: You Deserve This

Remember that you have chosen to become fit and healthy, and you cannot help others until you help yourself first. So take care of your health, have fun, and enjoy this great journey! The way you’ll start to look and feel are the best payoff!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Tax Write Offs You Might Have Overlooked

Paul Vazquez, executive at Keycode.com and father of four, is an expert on saving money. There are plenty of great tips on how to save during tax time and what write offs you might have overlooked. Below are just a few.

Magazines and TV
Self-employment lends itself to plenty of write offs…. as long as you're incurring these expenses exclusively for work. If you are a interior designer, you can write off your magazine subscriptions and cable bills because you need to keep an eye on new home trends for ideas.

Mileage and Gas for Charity Work
As many people realize by now, you can deduct the volunteer work you do for charity. But some people don’t think about the fact that they can deduct expenses related to that work. Remember to take the standard mileage deduction or itemize your gas costs.

Online Tax Services
There are promo codes and coupons out there for just about anything, if you look, and online tax services are no exception. If you are a candidate to use an online tax service, you can find considerable discounts on sites like Keycode.com. In addition, you can also write-off tax services.

Vacations for the Unemployed
If you're looking for a job and land some interviews in New York City, the IRS doesn't care if you buy tickets to a Broadway show. Just limit your deductions to reasonable expenses related to your trip including your plane ticket and hotel reservations.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Parenting: When Less is More

Parenting: When Less is More

by Tom Clements

Much is being said today, in both social and high school circles, of so-called Tiger Moms and overprotective (or helicopter) parents; my wife and I were the very antithesis of all that. As parents we were both underwhelming in our need to regulate and direct our children's academic aspirations. Yet we managed to help three daughters make their way to graduate schools at Harvard, Brown, NYU (Tisch) and USF Law School and a fourth to an undergraduate degree at UC Santa Barbara. Here's how we did it.

First of all some background: it helps to have education in the blood. D. H. Lawrence once said, "The ideas of one generation become the instincts of the next." As a native Japanese, my wife comes from a long line of academics; two of her uncles were professors -- one at Waseda and another at Tokyo University -- and her father was a Buddhist priest. Moreover, as a culture, the Japanese are famous for the respect they show toward "sensei" or teachers.

My background is more gritty and mundane. I come from Chicago Irish ancestry, blue-collar people who put more stock in practical than academic pursuits. Nonetheless, my mother taught me to read when I was four years old and kept me well-supplied with monthly Landmark books throughout my formative years. As a result, in college I learned to throw back Guinness with the best of them while simultaneously reading James Joyce and Samuel Beckett.

Oddly, this wide divergence of country and background may have helped shape our parenting skills. When two sides are as far apart culturally as my wife and I, perhaps we learn to better appreciate diversity and accommodate each other's viewpoints. This laissez-faire attitude -- and our shared appreciation for literature -- no doubt spilled over into the way we brought up our four daughters. Our daughters always seemed to have a book in their hands. It wasn't that we demanded it; it was just the natural thing to do.

In fact, around the house, we demanded very little. Unlike many parents, who feel compelled to set rules and regulations for their charges, monitor activities, establish curfews and dictate behavior, we did none of these. We never saw ourselves as martinets. Certainly not policemen. Our policy was simply to figure out what our children were interested in and to get interested in the same things ourselves. For example, when our oldest daughter was three, she began leaning on the coffee table in the living room, with one leg balanced in the air, saying, "Daddy, look, ballet". This kept up for several weeks. Finally, my wife figured the child was serious and enrolled her in dance class, where she thrived, along with our second daughter, who displayed a similar interest.

When it dawned on me that this was an activity that both daughters were interested in and that it might last a dozen years, I turned to my wife and said, "Hey, honey, no football players here, just dancers. Let's join them." Subsequently, my wife became an excellent jazz dancer and I learned to hold my own in hip hop. Stories of parents forcing unwanted piano and violin lessons on their sons and daughters are legion. I'm sorry, but I think it's putting the cart before the horse. Let the child determine the activity, whether art or sport, and, if possible, join in!

Now I'm not suggesting parents have to physically participate in all their children's activities. When our third daughter, for example, decided that sport was more to her liking than pirouettes, she was free to ditch dance and run track. At that point in our lives, my wife and I were not ready to attempt the high hurdles! But it was enough to show up for meets and extend support whenever possible.

And support is really the name of the game here. I think autocratic, overweening parents miss the mark. Children are free spirits full of spontaneity and enthusiasm; these are qualities that can't be forced and must be nurtured. My wife and I both believe children should be left to their own devices to determine their soul's purpose. It does no good -- and creates long-lasting ill will -- for a parent to force a child to go in a direction contradictory to the child's purest impulses, whether those impulses be directed toward dance, sports, art, or music.

I think that any goal-oriented activity that carries with it and engenders discipline, aesthetics, teamwork, or accomplishment is valuable in its own right. Unexpected dividends accrued to us as parents having all four children, at one point or another, pursuing dance. Dance is a particularly precise and exacting activity. Concentration, coordination and discipline all go hand-in-hand to make up the mind-set of a dancer. And this mind-set carries over into other areas, specifically into academics. I have no doubt our daughters ended up disciplined and conscientious students as a direct result of their participation in dance.

This may seem controversial to most parents, but my wife and I had only three rules for our daughters: (1) Don't drive drunk; (2) Don't do hard drugs; (3) Don't get pregnant. And please call us, whatever the time, whatever the reason, if you need help in any way. No questions asked.

In our household, therefore, support and encouragement trumped rules and regulations. Of course, this may go against the grain of classical thinking on the need for parental oversight. Maybe we were just lucky. Or maybe we were on to something. I recall vividly some problems we were having with our youngest when she was fourteen and "acting out" -- skipping dance, cutting classes at school, hanging out with the wrong group of friends. Our oldest daughter took her aside one day, looked her squarely in the eye and said: "Don't you get it? Mom and dad will give you the freedom to do what you want in high school but only if you show them you deserve it. Do you really want curfews, groundings and the rest? Or do you want to be able to shape your own destiny?"

That was exactly what we encouraged all our children to do.

About the Author
Tom Clements, a father of four daughters who attended Ivy League undergraduate and graduate schools with his help, has spent over 20 years of his life tutoring for the SATS, as well as calculus, physics, and chemistry. A former Silicon Valley freelance writer for tech magazines, corporate trainer for international bankers, and former college English teacher, Clements holds a Masters of International Business degree from St. Mary’s College and a BA in English Literature. His new book, How to Write a KILLER SAT Essay ...in 25 Minutes or Less!, is available for purchase at Amazon.com. Or you may visit the author’s website, www.tctutoring.net, or visit Killer SAT on Facebook or more information.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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This Year, Treat yourself and Your Valentine to the Perfect Night Out

A romantic night out on the town for Valentine’s Day—without worrying about the kids. 

 Sound impossible? Here is how today’s technology can help.

written by Chris Hulls, co-founder and CEO of Life360.

Valentine’s Day used to be a stress-free, romantic night out on the town with your sweetheart. That probably changed once you had children. It seems these days, it is nearly impossible to get a night out without an interruption from the kids, or without worrying about what kind of trouble they might be getting into. Even if you have a sitter, you (or your spouse) are calling constantly to check-in and make sure everything is okay. This year, keep in mind how today’s technology can help. All you need to do is glance at your phone to see where your kids are located and that they are safe – easy to do with a mobile app.

There are now apps for your phone that utilize GPS to help parents ensure that their kids are OK. These apps provide simple ways for children to check-in with their parents with one simple tap on their smartphone. Here are some ways that you can use mobile technology this Valentine’s Day to ensure you and you partner can enjoy a romantic evening:

• Worried? Check the map. In an instant, you can pull up the location of your kids and see the threats and safety resources nearby.
  
  
• Check-in. Some apps offer ‘Check In’ features. These are great for younger children and teens alike. Whether your kids are out and about on their own or with a trusted adult, they can simply ‘Check In’ to let you know when they have safely arrived at their destination. That way, you have peace of mind from knowing your kids are where they are supposed to be. Not to mention that your children will be happier without the constant nagging from Mom and Dad.
  
  
• Secure group messaging. Look for group messaging capability—with one tap on your phone, you can send a preset, tailored message to everyone in your family while on-the-go.
  
  
• Immediate notification in case of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, if anyone in the family taps a button for help, you are notified immediately. Even when cell phone networks go down, apps can assist you in getting in touch with your family during a storm or earthquake.
  
  
• Picture this: You and your wife at your favorite restaurant on Valentine’s Day, enjoying a delicious meal and an iced bottle of champagne. You get a message on your phone that tells you that your son and daughter have arrived home from soccer practice so you decide to stay out for another drink and get dessert, secure in knowing that everyone in your family is safe and where they should be.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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The Best Time for Teens to Take the SAT

The Best Time for Teens to Take the SAT

By Tom Clements, author of How to Write a Killer SAT Essay... in 25 Minutes or Less!

One of the biggest mistakes a parent of a high school student can make is having their teen sign up for the SATs too early. While parents want to get a “jump start” on the test and college applications, and students simply want to “get it over with”, both scenarios miss the mark, resulting in test dates that occur long before a student's brain is actually ready.

As a professional tutor, veteran writer and educator, I advise parents to have their daughters and sons take the SAT test at the end - not the beginning - of junior year. There are a couple of very important reasons for this.

First of all, junior year is a year of exponential academic growth. High school students spend their first two years adjusting to the stress of academic life, learning not only the study skills they need to stay on top of math, science, English, and history courses, but also learning to deal with peer pressure, social networking (on- and off-line), activities, sports, and, most importantly, time management. For the vast majority of students, it's only junior year when things -- academic and otherwise -- start to gel and the learning curve begins to spike.

To take the best advantage of this exponential spike in learning, it's important for kids to take the SAT toward the end of their junior year, when math, reading, and writing skills are optimized. This is the time of peak performance.

And it's not just academics that receive a junior year boost; it's also psychological attributes like focus and maturity, the two qualities essential to success on a standardized test like the SAT. The SAT is a marathon, roughly four hours long, and test takers need not only focus to deal with the ten different sections of the test but also the maturity to pace themselves and not give in to distractions, frustrations, and ennui.

One of my students, for example, found himself in an SAT room seated next to a girl with tiny bells on her shoes, which, every time she wiggled her feet (which was often!), sent tiny sonic shivers through the room. My student had to find both the strength to focus and ignore the distraction and the maturity not to strangle the girl! Maturity, moreover, leads to greater self-confidence, an essential attribute of successful test-takers.

Another student told me of the time her proctor for the SAT exam spent most of his time in the front of the room talking on his cell phone while the rest of the kids were trying to concentrate on the test. No one wanted to criticize the proctor, or even politely ask that he wait until the test was over, for fear of being ostracized and thrown even more off balance for the remainder of the test. No one wanted to lose focus on the crucial task at hand.

My generation, of course, never had to deal with anything remotely similar to a four- hour, nerve-racking standardized test on which college admissions now largely depend. It's a different world out there today, folks!

Which brings me to my second point… Because there is so much riding on this test, it's mandatory for students to take the SAT twice, once in March of their junior year and again a few months later in May. I’ve used a simple sports playoff metaphor with my students and their parents to explain the dynamics of this approach.

Which teams invariably do best in the playoffs? Those coming in for their first go-round or veteran teams, who've "been there, done that"?

The answer, of course, is that veteran teams perform better. Way better. Consequently, I position the March test as a "pre-season" game, where students can learn to deal with time constraints, distractions (remember the bells?), proctor problems, and the fear factor, which weighs heavily on most teens the first time they take the test. (By the way, the PSATs don’t have an essay, so there is no test-writing practice until their first SAT.)

Then, in May, when they take the test for the second time, the students come back into the room as "game-day veterans", much more confident about handling the circus atmosphere of the testing arena and more aware of what variables they have to contend with. Scores typically go up over 100 points for my students taking the test again in May.


It's these score increases that bring me to my final point. As an SAT tutor, I schedule my classes to run from January to May so that students can take full advantage of the points I've made so far:

• Exponential spikes in junior year learning
• Greater self-confidence that comes with maturity
• The ability to better focus on the task at hand.

When searching for the right SAT training course for you or your child, look for programs that leverage these attributes, enabling students to better assimilate and implement the strategies and techniques taught. The result: significantly higher scores than would have been obtained had they taken the test in the fall of their junior year.

The race, in other words, is not always won by those who start the earliest. In the surreal and stressful world of SAT testing, students need to slow down and smell the roses, both academic and psychological, to maximize their potential and obtain top SAT scores.

About the Author
Tom Clements, a father of four daughters who attended Ivy League undergraduate and graduate schools with his help, has spent over 20 years of his life tutoring for the SATS, as well as calculus, physics, and chemistry. A former Silicon Valley freelance writer for tech magazines, corporate trainer for international bankers, and former college English teacher, Clements holds a Masters of International Business degree from St. Mary’s College and a BA in English Literature. His new book, How to Write a KILLER SAT Essay ...in 25 Minutes or Less!, is available for purchase at Amazon.com. Or you may visit the author’s website, www.tctutoring.net, or visit Killer SAT on Facebook or more information.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Matters of the Heart: Women and Heart Disease

Matters of the Heart: Women and Heart Disease

By Ramin Manshadi, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FAHA, FACP
There is emerging awareness and concern today, as more women now die from coronary disease in this country each year than do men. In fact, when women show up with their first heart attack, 52 percent of them die from sudden cardiac death. Men, 42 percent. This is true even if women don’t have significant blockages in their vessels.

Some of the explanation behind this is that the disease has actually progressed further without a woman necessarily being aware of it. This is partly because women don’t seek out cardiology doctors as much as men do. Plus, when many doctors see female patients, even they don’t treat them as aggressively as they do men. They underutilize the American Heart Association guidelines for treating women, which at the moment are identical for both sexes.  

Additionally, there are circumstances linked to heart problems that are unique to women. A recent study showed that the risk of a heart attack for a woman who’s had at least one stillbirth was 3.5 times higher than for women who’d had none. Those who have experienced more than three spontaneous miscarriages had a fivefold increase in their likelihood of having a heart attack.

Furthermore, like men, women are not immune to stress impacting their heart health. A recent 10-year Harvard study found that women with high-stress jobs had a 40 percent higher risk of having some kind of heart disease, along with an 88 percent higher likelihood of experiencing a heart attack.

Women’s predisposition toward heart disease is not only a new perception for many doctors, it also contradicts the expectations of most women, who are generally more concerned about cancer than heart disease. This is despite statistics that show for women, one out of every 2.6 deaths in the U.S. is due to heart disease, while one out of every 4.6 females that dies is because of cancer.

Women have Different Symptoms
Another aspect of the misperception that women are less prone to heart disease than men are the differences in how symptoms show up in women and men. Instead, women get “angina equivalent.” That can be pain in the upper back, fatigue, shortness of breath, or perfused sweating. It’s not as dramatic or clear. And not as well-known.

Additional Dissimilarities
Aside from the already described disparities between women and men in connection to heart disease, women are also distinctly different in terms of:
 

• Microvascular Dysfunction
• Plaque Erosion (and distill microembolization)
• Abnormal Coronary Reactivity
• Higher Cholesterol
• Calcium Scores
• CIMT Results
• Framingham Risk Assessment Results
• Response to Emotional Distress
• Likelihood of Obesity
• Vitamin D Deficiency

Let’s take a look at these areas in more detail.

Microvascular Dysfunction

When comparing effects of heart disease on men and women, we have to factor in that women probably have more microvascular dysfunction (sometimes called microvessel disease). It’s one reason that most women don’t exhibit the same warning signs as men – their symptoms and pain are microvascular.

What does this mean?

Heart disease may not necessarily involve a big blockage in a big artery. It can be blockages down in this microvascular system (micro means very small). These microvessels typically control blood supply to the heart tissue during times of high demand, such as exercise or stress. Blockages in these can cause ischemia (decreased oxygen and nutrients to tissue). If lasting long enough while demand is high, a heart attack can result.

This appears to be more of an issue for women than men. One explanation is that the variances in hormone levels throughout a woman’s life (changing during pregnancy to peripartum to menopause), all can raise the risk of more microvascular disease.

So women may not have big blockages in main arteries on top of the heart as much as they have tiny ones inside muscles and organs. These microvascular blockages actually create more symptoms, but doctors can’t figure out why the patient is having them. As a result, many women coming in with this problem will be told they’re not candidates for treatment. But if your doctor isn’t concerned about these symptoms that you bring in, you might bring this possible explanation to their attention.

 Plaque Erosion
Fat in the artery is called plaque. It adheres to an artery wall, builds up and slowly erodes into the artery.

Women are more prone to erosion – meaning the plaque that has adhered and built up on the artery walls, eroding off into the bloodstream – creating likelihood that it will lodge somewhere to cause a blood clot and block the blood flow, causing a heart attack.

Another clot-forming tendency with women, aside from plaque erosion, is they may develop smaller clots on the surface of a large vessel, which then separate and flow through the blood to block smaller vessels further down.

Coronary Reactivity
Women can also have what we call abnormal coronary reactivity. It means their vessels react differently than normal under stress. They may not necessarily have a clot or blockage, but because of stress-related issues, they’re more prone to these arterial spasms that cause less blood flow to the heart and possibly chest pains. If severe enough and continuing long enough, these spasms can even cause a heart attack.

Higher Cholesterol
Women also tend to have higher cholesterol than men. Within that cholesterol, they also tend to have lower HDL (the good cholesterol). Additionally, high triglycerides tend to more negatively affect women in terms of causing blockages and heart attacks.

Calcium Score
 When you get plaque inside your arteries, it can go under the vessel wall, build up, and become calcified. This is of concern.

Calcium scores vary from zero into the 1000s. Different levels predict the likelihood of developing heart disease over the next 10 years. It’s a good screening test, especially for patients who are borderline risks (like having a positive family history or being diabetic).

It is significant for women if they’re at high risk from the calcium score, as chances for them developing heart disease or heart attacks are consequently 10 percent more than for men.

CIMT
Another difference in women and men is their CIMT results. CIMT measures the thickening of the inside lining of the neck’s carotid artery that goes to the brain. Typically, if that result is normal, we measure the risk at only one percent. But if it turns out higher than what should be for someone of a certain age, the risk of having a blockage and a heart attack in the next 10 years will be much higher than if it was normal. That is generally true equally for men or women.

However, as the thickness increases, the risks are much higher in women than men.

Limits of the Framingham Risk Assessment
There is another reason why women may not be diagnosed as early with heart issues as men.

An evaluation referred to as the Framingham Risk Assessment is commonly used to compare variables such as age, sex, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and whether you smoke. It’s designed to determine if you are at low or high risk for developing heart disease or attacks in the future. But it undercuts some of the biomarkers particular to women. This is especially significant, since if the score comes out relatively low, some doctors may not perform further screening tests.

A newer assessment, called Reynolds Risk Score, would be a better choice. This assessment is more male/female specific, and considers the following variables:
 

• age
• gender
• systolic blood pressure
• CRP
• Total Cholesterol
• HDL
• Hemoglobin A1C (a marker for diabetes)
• smoking
• family history

Utilizing this formula, we’re better able to detect early heart disease in women.

Broken Heart
Not literally tha the heart is “broken.” But there is something referred to as “broken heart syndrome.” As you might imagine, it refers to an emotional sorrow.

It is most often used to describe the condition of an elderly woman with recent emotional distress who has a heart attack.

Everything looks like a heart attack, but there are absolutely no blockages. Yet it’s actually a heart attack. What probably occurred was that the heart wasn’t getting enough oxygen, but then in a few moments the heart goes back to normal. The muscle is acutely damaged, though not bad enough to last an extensive time.

So is there an emotional connection? Does “sadness in the heart” somehow affect it physically? Science is still searching for those answers.

Weighty Subject
Another factor more emphasized in women is weight. The obesity epidemic in this country appears to be striking women more than men. Two-thirds of the female population is obese. Obesity is a risk factor for developing heart disease (as well as diabetes).

Vitamin D Deficiency
It is commonly agreed there is a general deficiency of vitamin D in women today.
We know that vitamin D plays a significant role in healthy bones.

A recent study points to vitamin D deficiency in younger women possibly elevating risks of high blood pressure in mid-life. The pre-menopausal women in the study with this vitamin deficiency were three times more likely to have systolic hypertension 15 years later, when contrasted to others with normal vitamin D levels.

Women would be wise to get more vitamin D-producing sunshine, increase the amount of vitamin D-rich foods in their diets, or take supplements, consulting with their doctor as to appropriate amounts.

The myth that women are somehow more immune to coronary disease than men is clearly fading. Women need to be just as conscientious toward their health habits as do men, and similarly consult with a cardiologist when necessary. Their warning signs can be more diverse than the classic indicators, which means that in some cases, women may proactively need to “educate” their own doctors to current information.

Dr. Ramin Manshadi is a Board-Certified physician with the American Board of Interventional Cardiology, American Board of Cardiology, American Board of Internal Medicine and is Board-Eligible with the American Board of Nuclear Cardiology. He is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Cardiology at UC Davis Medical Center. Dr. Manshadi was named a “2011 Top Cardiologist” by U.S. News & World Report. He is the author of The Wisdom of Heart Health: Attaining a Healthy and Robust Heart in Today’s Modern World. For more information, please visit, www.DrManshadi.com.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Developmental Milestones: Why They’re So Important In Your Child’s Life

Developmental Milestones: Why They’re So Important In Your Child’s Life

By Alfred Romeo, RN, PhD

As a health care professional, few things are more rewarding than when a new health-promotion program emerges. This is true especially in cases where the program has the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of children. Please allow me to introduce you to one of those programs. In Utah, the Pregnancy Risk Line is partnering with the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign in an effort to help parents of young children learn about healthy development. The free tools and checklists on the website―http://health.utah.gov/utahactearly―help parents determine if their children have reached important milestones for growth and development.

Parents may be familiar with some of the more common milestones, such as learning to walk and talk, but there are others that parents may not know about, such as the child responding to his/her name being called or pointing at objects. Missed milestones can be symptoms of developmental delays, which could be associated with more serious medical conditions. Parents who suspect missed milestones should make an appointment with their regular health care clinician and ask about the results of the last developmental screening test. Research has shown that children who are identified and treated earlier have better outcomes in development, school performance, and social skills.

The “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently, Utah, Alaska, Missouri, and Washington are the only states that have launched the campaign, in an effort by the CDC to test various marketing methods and materials. The research, which will include surveys from the start and end of the grant-funded campaigns, will test to see if parents understand what to do when they have concerns about their children.

The partnership between the Utah Department of Health Pregnancy Risk Line and Utah’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign is just one example of how teratology (the study of birth defect-causing exposures) information specialists across North America are working to make sure you have the healthiest pregnancy and child possible. Your phone call with one of the specialists may be brief, but you should feel confident knowing that there are many years of work that have gone into providing the answers you will get on that call. So don’t hesitate to call your local service or the North American toll-free number provided by the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS).

As a nurse, I’ve worked in newborn intensive care units to treat infants with birth defects, taught college health classes to promote healthy pregnancies, worked with young adults with disabilities to help them be better self-advocates, and trained doctors to improve their screening processes for developmental delays, including autism. I currently work on three different projects: the Pregnancy Risk Line, the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign, and our Medical Home program. Similar to my OTIS colleagues in other states, I serve on boards and committees for OTIS, the Utah Parent Center, the Utah chapter of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS), and other organizations. We stay involved in a variety of organizations to learn new information, train other professionals, and help parents find resources. All of these duties, and the constant search for new funding, keep all of us busy, but we have someone standing by, during regular business hours, to answer your phone calls with the latest research-based information.

Speaking of research, OTIS is involved with several studies. These and other studies help us find the best answers to the never-ending list of questions about medications, diseases, and other things a mother may be exposed to during her pregnancy that could harm her or her baby. Currently, OTIS is conducting research on vaccines, including the human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis, and influenza vaccines. Also, OTIS is conducting studies on medications used to treat asthma and autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease and arthritis. We realize that women are busy and may have concerns about volunteering for one more thing. The few minutes of your time on the phone with us will help us find even more ways to protect moms-to-be and develop new health-improving programs. So when you have questions, you can be confident that OTIS is working with you to make sure we have the right answers.

Sometimes women may feel that their questions are not important enough for them to call and ask us, but we look forward to the opportunity to answer those questions, based on your particular situation, to help you provide the best possible start for your child.

Alfred Romeo, RN, PhD, works at the Pregnancy Risk Line, a partnership between the Utah Department of Health and the University of Utah. Visit the website at www.pregnancyriskline.org. The Pregnancy Risk Line is an affiliate of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a non-profit with affiliates across North America. Utah women with questions or concerns about pregnancy or breastfeeding exposures can call 1-800-822-2229. Outside Utah, please call OTIS at 1-866-626-6847.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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