I’m 50 and apparently, I’m not too old for Strep Throat, because today I found out I indeed have it. And wow, the pain is horrific., and it came on suddenly with no warning What I learned is:

• You do not have to have a fever to have Strep.
• The less cold symptoms you have with a severe sore throat, the more likely it is that you have Strep.
• When you feel like razor blades are cutting your throat, go to the doctor to get a Strep test immediately.
• Only a Strep test can tell for sure if you have it or not.
• Strep is VERY contagious!

My husband read this page on WebMD last night, which made me realize I needed to get checked. Don’t diagnose yourself or your family, unless of course, you are a doctor!

http://www.clipartheaven.com

San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to ban Happy Meal Toys in McDonald’s kid meals that do not meet minimum nutrition standards. What? Can they really do that?

Childhood (and adult) obesity is a growing problem in this country. But I have to say that I am shocked that a city can decide how a restaurant markets its meals. I just don’t like it. Does simply having a Happy Meal toy really make children eat burgers and fries? Probably not. If we want to legislate what types of food can be sold (to kids or adults), where do we draw the line? Should the police handcuff me if I order a 3-scoop hot fudge sundae? Should local governments be able to control this? What about all the other restaurants in their huge city, like Chili’s that sells Texas Cheese fries that have 1900 calories and 147 fat grams? Ever hear about the fat and calories in one slice of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory? Will children eat the fruit or veggies that come with a healthy Happy Meal? Can we make them eat it?

Parents should provide their children with smart, healthy food choices from the moment they are born. City officials cannot control that, no matter what they do. Last time I checked, America was a free country, and businesses should be allowed to market their products the way they see fit. I do think it’s a good idea to require accurate disclosure of nutritional information (calories, fat, sodium, etc.).  Then people can choose to go there or not – or bring their children there or not. Or eat the chili fries or a fruit cup.

What do you think??

Read the article here.

I am bewildered by the TV show Man vs. Food on the Travel Channel. Host Adam Richman goes to the greasiest restaurants he can find and is challenged to eat massive quantities of artery-clogging, heart attack slop within a certain time frame. Have you seen this show? What happens when this guy goes to the doctor and gets a blood test? How is he feeling on a daily basis? How can a person have this unhealthy of a job?

At this moment, Adam is about to eat bacon-wrapped Tater tots. He just finished a 4 patty burger with a bucket of cheese sauce that was stacked at least 9 inches high, with a big pile of fries on the side. Oh, wait a minute, he’s shoving fried chicken into his face.

Next up is a fried chicken, fried cheese, fried bacon, fried beef sandwich. I’m not kidding.

I am totally grossed out.

Oh, now he is watching a guy make a pizza with a sweet potato crust, 3 layers of cheese and 3 layers of corned beef – topped with cheese.

I just changed the channel.

I have never written about my one obsession before, but now is as good a time as any. I am obsessed with brushing my teeth and flossing. (Hold on a minute, while I brush and floss. Writing about it, makes me need to do it.) . . . . . . . .

http://school.discoveryeducation.com

I’m back. Much better, thanks. So what does a brushing and flossing obsession really mean? For me it equates to the dire need to brush and floss each and every time I eat anything. (And sometimes just because I feel like brushing for no reason.) d Thanks to my Grandmother’s obsession with clean teeth, I really can’t stand the feeling of having scuzzy teeth.I get excited when I see my favorite floss on sale. Isn’t that pathetic?

This obsession can be a burden. When I’m in a restaurant or at some one’s home for dinner, I simply must find a way to at least floss my teeth after eating. I’ve also read that too much brushing can be a bad thing and is wearing on tooth enamel. Also, toothpaste is somewhat toxic in large quantities. That’s why I use only a tiny dab of it each time.Cavities? I have a whole mouth full of them. But most of them surfaced as a young child, long before my obsessive compulsive behavior.

I suppose I can think of much worse obsessions that over brushing and flossing. And until I can find a cure for my CTO (Clean Teeth Obsession) I guess I’ll have to keep shopping for floss and toothbrushes on sale.

Doctors at several health centers in MA are giving child patients from low income families coupons to farmer’s markets for free veggies and fruits in an effort to encourage healthier eating and fight childhood obesity.

18-year-old raised over $1,00,000 for The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Bone marrow stem cells are used to repair skin of pediatric patients with a rare, life threatening skin disorder.

http://webclipart.about.com

I came across this great Q and A int he NY Times where a parent admits that he discovers his son is cyberbullying. It isn’t often that one can read about it from the point of view of the bully’s family. The advice is quite good.  Click here to read it.

Not every fun event has to be planned around eating! Summer is a great time to get outside and be active. Here are some ways your entire family can enjoy the weather while burning some calories and building muscle.  The best part of getting fit is that you’ll be spending time together:

http://www.bicycle-stuff.com

1. Take a Hike – Whether you take the dog on a brisk walk through your own neighborhood or head out to a trail to hike, walking will always be one of the best ways to get in shape. Make it extra fun by collecting leaves and flowers to press.
2. Take a Class – Sign up for a family exercise class together, like aerobics, swimming, kick boxing -  you name it. Check out what your local YMCA has to offer.
3. Plan an Adventure Trip – Pick a theme like horseback riding, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, fishing and more, and plan a trip around it. There are plenty of companies out there who organize all inclusive adventure trips for families.
4. Get on Your Bike - There’s nothing like a long bike ride. You can even pack a healthy picnic to make a special day out of it.
5. Clean it Up -  Pick a project to do at home, and find a way to make it fun. Clean the garage, paint a room, go through old boxes in the attic and reorganize.
6. Make a Splash – Have a water balloon or water gun fight, take a swim, get a Slip and Slide, run through the sprinkler!
7. Do Some Sightseeing – Plan a long day in your hometown or nearest large city and see the sights. Walk everywhere you can, and take stairs rather than elevators wherever you go.
8. Blast Your Favorite Music – And then dance to it!
9. Put on Your Gardening Gloves – Gardening can give you a great workout! All that digging, moving dirt, plants and large pots will get you fit in no time. Then you can enjoy the fruits of your labor down the road – eating your healthy, homegrown veggies.
10. Sign up for a Charity Event – Run or Walk for a Charity event. Before you go, you’ll need to get some practice in to get in shape for the big day. You can even set some goals as far as your time to finish and work toward that goal together every day.

1. Run through the sprinkler (like me and my dog in this picture). So much fun!
2. Get out your water guns.
3. Water balloon fight!
4. Jump in the ocean or the pool.
5. Wash your car (and yourself with the hose).
6. Go to an  indoor ice skating rink.
7. Hang out and play a game in your basement (if you have one) where it is the coolest in your house.
8. Drink a tall glass of lemonade, iced tea, or just plain ice water, while sitting under a fan.
9. Eat a Popsicle, or 2.
10. Run after the ice cream truck with your kids, and reward yourself with the biggest coldest ice cream bar available.

My readers know I grow organic tomatoes and eat as many organic foods as possible. An article today in The Atlantic Monthly suggests that steering clear of toxins in our food is crucial in preventing cancer.

Organic food is indeed more costly than conventional, but I find that it lasts much longer in the fridge, tastes better and is naturally healthier. You can buy an organic broccoli from a farmer’s market, and weeks later it is still fresh. But buy a conventional broccoli from the grocery store, and it will go limp in a few days.

When we buy gallons of milk, we often don’t think about what the cows were fed or what chemicals and antibiotics are added to their diets and the milk itself. Should our daughters be drinking estrogen-induced milk? I think not. I insist on organic dairy products.

If we all stand together and demand more wholesome, hormone and chemical-free foods, we’re likely to get them. We’ll be healthier and our children will be grateful a they live to be older.

Last year I interviewed my friend, Daphne at Dylan’s Smile about her charity and her personal experience with having a son with a birth defect. It remains one of the most read blog posts on the site! Read it here.

http://www.cksinfo.com

Daphne brings comfort to families with children who have cleft palettes, lips and other other birth defects. Her charitable organization is accepting donations that will help pay for beautiful Gund teddy bears for children who are getting ready for surgery. You cannot imagine what a difference a teddy bear can make for a frightened child! Daphne is an amazing person with a great big heart! You simply cannot choose a better organization to support. Please donate today!

Click here for more info about the teddy bear program.