Health & Safety

Perhaps you remember playing outside all day – building forts, making up games, and exploring the backyard or neighborhood park with your friends – until you were called in for dinner. During the last 20 years, what used to be a childhood reality has changed. Today’s children spend less than half as much time playing outdoors as they used to. That boils down to less than 10 minutes per day during the week and less than 30 minutes on weekends, according to research from the University of Michigan.

It seems as if outdoor play time may have been overtaken by indoor screen time. The average child spends more than seven hours a day using electronic devices such as TVs, smart phones and computers. It’s time to take the family back outside. Here are five great ways to do it:

An emergency contact list could prove life-saving when unexpected circumstances arise. No one plans to have an emergency, but every parent should plan for one. You may know to dial 9-1-1 during a serious medical emergency, but your mind may go blank attempting to dig up other emergency numbers during a highly stressful situation. When seconds matter, you’ll be glad that your emergency contact list is not only accessible, but also comprehensive.

Easy ways to start eating healthier – without overhauling your diet.

Spring is the season of new beginnings, so you’re primed for some positive changes in your life. Wait a minute, isn’t that the way you felt back on Jan. 1 when you made the same lofty resolutions?

If you failed to make good on your New Year’s resolutions, hope is not lost and spring is eternal, right? Here are some simple strategies for eating – and feeling – healthier in the weeks and months ahead:

Your child’s first field trip is an exciting event, both for you and your little one. However, it can also be frightening for your child especially if he or she isn’t used to going to places without a parent. To ease your child’s anxiety and ensure that he or she has good memories, prepare for the trip by using these simple tips:

Have you ever had days when even the thought of turning on the oven stresses you out? Chill out with a no-bake meal. Best of all, none of the following simple, yet tasty no-bake meals involve processed, pre-made foods or even requires you to turn on the microwave. Not only will you save on energy costs, your kitchen will stay cooler. You can incorporate lots of healthy fruits, veggies and nuts in a no-bake meal, just the way nature intended. Here are some no-cook meals the whole family will love: