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Precautions While Camping and Hiking
As summer draws to a close, you might be thinking of making one final camping trip this season or taking the family on a hike through the woods. While the Great Outdoors is a fun place for kids to learn and explore, families should take serious precautions to prevent the development of Lyme disease, an inflammatory disease spread through a tick bite.
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Ingredients for a Healthy Summer
Summer is finally here in the Pacific Northwest! Lots of sunshine means lots of time to play! Carol Frazey of the Fit School, a 36-week newsletter with the goal of educating you and your family about nutrition and exercise, offers a few ideas to help your family stay healthy throughout the summer.
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New Moms in Bellingham Can Get Fit
Life with a newborn baby can take some adjustment. Whether it's your first or your fifth, the entire dynamic of family might be a bit out of whack for awhile. On top of everything else, many mothers struggle to reclaim their pre-baby body. Getting into a fitness routine is important for both your health and your baby's. Luckily, there are some Bellingham resources that can help you on the way!
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10 Steps to Get Your Family Physically Fit
The number of obese children in the U.S. has tripled since 1980. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, 17% of 2-19 year olds are obese. These startling statistics actually have a very simple cause; over the years American portion sizes have increased while physical activity has decreased. Well, there's no better time than now to turn this trend around because May is National Physical Activity and Sports Month!
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Considering Family Counseling
Every family needs help. Sometimes all you need is a friend to talk with over coffee; at other times, a crisis that shakes the foundational essence of all that defines family requires professional attention. Time with a counselor can meet deep needs or help to avoid certain problems at times, providing assistance to regain balance in your family. If you’ve thought about counseling for your family, here are some questions that might have crossed your mind.
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Encouraged to Eat Better; Eat Together
When was the last time everyone in your household sat down for a meal together at home without the distractions of cell phones or TV? Research, compiled by WSU Nutrition Education, shows that families who eat meals together on a regular basis not only have improved dietary health, but they also have healthier relationships and better communication. That’s why October is designated as National Eat Better; Eat Together Month.
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Make Some Changes on Child Health Day
A Presidential Proclamation designates Child Health Day as the first Monday of October in the United States. While a child’s health is a primary concern for parents each and every day, take some time to reflect on how you’re helping your child grow into a healthy adult on October 5th this year. Take an inventory of the food in your house, evaluate how much exercise your kids get each day, and change your own habits if necessary.
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Quick Look at Whatcom County Flu Clinics
As another flu season draws closer, especially after so much hubbub throughout 2009, you’re probably anxious to find out when and where you can get seasonal flu shots for your kids. Luckily for local parents, the Whatcom County Health Department provides a list of Seasonal Flu Clinics for 2009-2010 on their website. Please note that the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine is not available at this time.
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Boating Safety for Bellingham Families
As summer approaches, your family might be preparing to spend some time on one of Whatcom County’s beautiful lakes. Or perhaps your kids enjoy sailing or kayaking around Bellingham Bay. Whether you're sailing or water skiing, it's always a good idea to review boating and water safety procedures. To ensure that everyone stays safe while enjoying time on the boat, take a look at the following tips and reminders.
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Cloth or Disposable: Which is Right for Baby?
It seems strange to say that cloth diapers are the hot, new trend since disposable diapers have only been around since the second half of the 20th century and children have been…well, you know… since the beginning of time. But which is right for your family? Which is better for the environment? How is baby’s health affected? If you’re trying to decide which option is right for your family, here are some points to consider.
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Good Habits for Healthy Teeth
Like other habits in life (exercising regularly, eating properly, financial savvy, etc.) it’s best to start kids out on the right foot when it comes to taking care of their teeth. Getting into a regular routine for proper dental care when they’re young will help them keep up the habits into adulthood. Here are some facts and tips to keep in mind when it comes to good habits for healthy teeth.
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Information About Peanut Allergies
While most kids love peanut butter, peanut allergies are a serious issue for families today, and the threat of a reaction has become increasingly prevalent in both the media and our personal communities. To better understand those in your family and neighborhood that might have a peanut allergy, Dr. David Elkayam of the Bellingham Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Clinic provides some insight for the following questions.
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Flu Shot Clinics in Whatcom County
You’ve got enough to worry about without your or your kids catching the flu this winter. As a preventative measure, arrange to get a flu shot either in October or November. You can check with your family doctor or local pharmacy to see if a flu vaccine is available there, or refer to the Whatcom County Health Department for a list of community clinics, complete with cost, hours and special requirements for each location.
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Activities for Housebound Kids
Being sick is the pits when you’re a kid. Sure, you get a day off from school, but you usually don’t have the energy to enjoy it like you normally would. And depending on their age, kids can have trouble understanding why they need to stay in bed all day and put up a fight when it comes to taking that pesky cold medicine. So if the kids are home sick, here are a few suggestions to help make them a little happier, and hopefully make the day go by faster.
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Clean Hands Help Fight the Flu
Clean hands might seem to be a silly thing to celebrate, but National Clean Hands Week (September 21-27, 2008) comes just at the right time of year: right at the start of Flu Season. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Although you can catch the flu virus throughout the year, the most common outbreaks of flu occur between November and March. Luckily, there are several ways to protect yourself and your family from catching the flu.
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To Breastfeed or Not to Breastfeed
While breastfeeding is the recommended feeding method for babies from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations, the decision whether or not to breastfeed depends on a variety of factors that are personal for every mom and family. Here are some of the facts about both breastfeeding and formula feeding that will help you evaluate which is best for you, your baby, and your family’s lifestyle.
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Swimming Safety Reminders
A dip in a local lake or swimming pool sounds pretty good on those really hot summer afternoons. But when it comes to kids and water, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Before jumping in, take a few minutes to brush up on some are some reminders about swimming safety and find some local resources that will help you and your kids stay safe in the water this summer.
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Healthy Heart Habits for Life
One of the best ways to decrease the risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases for your kids is to give them the tools to live healthy adult lives starting now. Regular exercise, proper eating habits, and checking in with your doctor on a regular basis are important for kids and adults alike. Here are some helpful reminders to getting your kids started on the right foot to avoid heart disease.
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Eliminating the Fast Food Diet
I’ll confess. I like fast food – fat and salt served up in an instant and you don’t even have to get out of your car. But I don’t eat it anymore. Too much fat, too much salt, too many calories, and no real eating enjoyment involved. Although we know it's not healthy, it's hard to resist the convenience of fast food, especially with hungry kids in the back seat. But planning ahead with snacks for long car trips and meals at home will help establish long-term health habits for the whole family.
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Learn More About American Heart Month
February is a month associated with matters of the heart. Nope, I don’t mean romance; I mean awareness about the prevention of heart disease, one of the leading causes of death in America. During February, the American Heart Association works to increase awareness about heart disease and to raise funds for research and education about this disease that affects kids and adults across America.
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Safety in the Kitchen
Involving kids in the kitchen has many benefits such as quality time with you, life skills being learned, and self-confidence being built. But before you get started in the kitchen, here are some health and safety reminders for cooking with your kids. By taking just a few precautions, you’ll ensure safe and happy cooking for the whole family.
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12 Ways to Get Your Kid to Eat Vegetables
When scientists map our DNA, they’ll probably discover an “I hate vegetables” gene most children have inherited. Despite your valiant attempts to get your kids to eat vegetables, sometimes it can feel like a losing battle. Here are twelve easy tips that might help the pickiest of eaters get excited about vegetables or, really, any new food.
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Tips for Cooking with Kids
Study after study has shown that kids are more likely to eat food that they have helped prepare. If you have concerns about raising picky eaters, consider making dinner an activity that the whole family can help with.