health - Parenting Healthy

I have partnered with Premier Protein via TapInfluence for this feature. All opinions are my own

I am a Mom and Bonus Mom to a total of 3 boys. Our son is 9 and like his older brothers, is heading into the tween years. Help me! We have been through it twice already but with a coparenting situation so this time we are 100% responsible for how this son gets through it. I recently bought a book a friend recommended that I am reading with my son and it is all about is his changing body and emotions. We just read the chapter on nutrition where it really stresses to stay away from sugary sports drinks and drink more water. My son (and myself) are not good water drinkers.

So I made him a deal. We would measure out a healthy amount of daily water and both of us will work together to drink more water. He does sports year round and I am busy and always on the go so we both need healthy hydration. I do allow his water drinks to include a natural flavor added-cucumbers or lemons added to make it more enjoyable and I have added a bottle of Premier Protein Clear Protein drink to my daily beverage consumption.

Premier Protein Clear Protein drinks are only 90 calories and offer 20 grams of much needed protein for me. There is 0 grams of sugar and no fat, soy, gluten or artificial flavors. I need that boost and protein gives my muscles that lift it needs to help me out whether I am hauling groceries, walking the puppy and even getting a meal prepped and packing lunch at the same time.

With a protein water I don’t have to mix anything, get the blender out. No extra dishes to wash. I can just grab a bottle and go. Clear Protein drinks can be found at Sam’s Club stores nationwide so make sure you pick up your daily helper in the form of protein water by Premier Protein on your next trip in.

Make sure the protein products you consume offer the best ingredients like Premier Protein. Other brands out there may contain artificial ingredients and synthetic nutrients so you really want to do your homework and choose wisely. I have been a regular consumer of Premier Protein for years. The water is so much appreciated and I am so glad I have another protein option I can consume.

Want more food topics? Visit our 2020 Fall Foodie Series!

Healthy Living, Parenting, Reviews, Uncategorized

Keeping Kids Healthy with GIANTmicrobes – Review

January 2, 2018February 12, 2019 Erin Sluka

I have partnered with GIANTmicrobes for feature. All opinions are my own

Vitamins come in many forms from tablets and capsules to yummy gummies. Most kids get their vitamins in gummies or flavored, candy-like tablets. Now they can play with their vitamins! With actual, enlarged molecules of Vitamins A, B6, C and D they will learn all about these compounds that are essential for growth and nutrition. See these fun Vitamin GIANTmicrobes.

Vitamin A plays an important role in bone growth and vision. It also is great for the skin and teeth as well as cell and tissue growth. What foods are a good source of Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is found in yellow and orange foods like carrots and squash. Ask your child to name a few they can think of?

Vitamin B6 is one of those B-Vitamins that converts food into energy. In particular, B6 is important for the cardiovascular and nervous system as well as immunity and digestion.

Vitamin B6 is found in meat, fish, nuts, bananas and potatoes! Ask your child what Disney Minion they think gets the most Vitamin B6?

Vitamin C fights the cold and flu bugs and helps heals wounds. You can’t stay away from germs, they are all around us but Vitamin C helps our body not get sick from those germs.

Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, cabbage and kiwi to name a few. Ask your child what Vitamin C food they want as a side for lunch or dinner today?

Vitamin D is for the bones! Vitamin D also gives us a mineral that helps our body take in Calcium. Calcium (milk) and Vitamin D are best friends.

Vitamin D can be found in grains, green leafy vegetables, egg yolks and some cereals. Ask your child what they like to put on their green salad?

Now that you and your child have learned about their vitamins, how about some plush molecules to play with. They will use these to learn and memorize. If vitamins don’t excite them, there are so many cells, diseases and critters to learn and have fun with at GIANTmicrobes.

Healthy Living

Dental Tips for Baby & Toddlers

October 4, 2017October 4, 2017 Erin Sluka

This is a sponsored post brought to you with expert tips

Having raised 3 boys and the youngest is 9 and has his first Orthodontist Appointment next week for overcrowding teeth, I have learned a lot and am still learning about the link between dental health and overall health. Did you even know that a simple trip to the dentist can turn into a recommendation to see a Physician? When young, dental health can reveal signs of many illnesses.

Knowing this I went from thinking a good time to start dental appointments was sometime after the first teeth have emerged to even sooner then that first tooth appearance!

I really want to share these important tips below with you. It is so important that you truly understand how Dentists can make connections to improving or maintaining systemic health, many systemic diseases have oral manifestations.

Dental Tips for Baby & Toddlers

Most Asked Questions & Answers from Dr. Larry Williams of The Academy of General Dentistry and Midwestern University:

1. When should you first take your child to the dentist?

According to leading experts, the first visit should be when the first tooth erupts or at the first birthday.

2. When should parents expect their child’s first tooth to come in?

Based on nature’s timetable, teeth can erupt at 3 months or later. If no teeth are erupted by the one-year mark, the dental visit will begin the relationship between the parent, the infant, and the dental team.

3. What can a parent expect during the first visit for their baby/toddler?

Often a first visit is simply a time to acquaint your child with the dentist and the practice. As a parent, you should reassure your child that the visit is not scary or something about which to be afraid. Short, successive visits can build the child’s comfort with the dentist and the dental office. Schedule the appointment earlier in the day, when your child is alert and refreshed. You may need to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the first examination. The first visit usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and may include any of the following, depending on the child’s age:

A gentle but thorough examination of the teeth, jaw, bite, gums, and oral tissues to monitor growth and development and observe any problem areas
A gentle cleaning, which includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar build-up, and stains
X-rays
A demonstration on how to properly care for your child’s mouth and teeth at home
Nutritional counseling
An assessment of the need for fluoride

4. How do you instill good teeth brushing habits at home?

The best way to instill habits is by starting your baby’s oral care regimen at a young age:

Clean your infant’s gums with a clean, damp cloth twice a day. Ask your dentist when you may begin to rub a tiny dab of toothpaste on your child’s gums. Doing so will help your child become accustomed to the flavor of toothpaste.
As soon as the first teeth come in, begin brushing them with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste.
Let your child begin brushing their own teeth around the age of 5 with proper instruction and supervision.

5. What promotes tooth decay in babies and toddlers?

Just say “no” to bottles in bed. Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup filled with milk, formula, fruit juice, or other sweet liquid. The sugar in these beverages can cause cavities in your baby’s bottle before bedtime. If you must give your baby a bottle when he or she is going to sleep, fill the bottle with water instead.

Get more of your questions answered by starting at The Academy of General Dentistry.

Healthy Living

5 End-of-Summer Safety Tips

August 16, 2017June 5, 2018 Erin Sluka

The long, hot days of summer are still here, but already many of us are dreaming of days when the weather cools and brings the colors of autumn. But don’t let your guard down yet. Parents and families should continue to take care. Summer heat and the various outdoor activities we engage in outside of our usual routines bring with it an edge of danger.

Here are tips for continued summer safety for you and your loved ones.

Watch the water play.

According to the US National Safety Council, between the ages of 5 and 24, drowning is the second most common cause of death.

Parents should always accompany their child to a water play area. Safety experts suggest that parents learn how to administer CPR and other rescue techniques. Children should know to never swim by themselves and only to swim in areas that are supervised by adults or lifeguards.

Practice safe enjoyment of outdoor activities.

Summer is a time when kids and parents get to try out new sports and other activities that aren’t a part of their usual routine. From motorboats to ziplining to skateboarding and more. However, Houston injury attorneys warn that a serious injury can be enough to sideline a person for good.

Make sure that you take safety guidelines for each activity to heart. Emphasize to your children the importance of following instructions that are given when trying out any new activity. You do not want to frighten your child, but at the same time you want them to know that injuries are no laughing matter.

Don’t compete with the heat.

Children under the age of 4 years old are at the greatest risk of heat stroke. But that’s not to say that children above 4 are off the hook. Everyone is susceptible to heat stroke if caution is not taken.

The best defense is to prevent the risk by staying out of direct sunlight. Plan for any outdoor activities during the coolest times of the day. If you must go out during midday heat, make sure all the members of your family wear hats and are covered to protect from sunburns. Other tips for staying safe include staying hydrated and cooling off with showers at the first sign of overheating.

Don’t leave food out.

Summer temperatures can surprise you with their intensity. Food poisoning during the summer can happen when you least expect it. Perhaps you have been used to leaving a plate of food on the counter and returning to it in a couple of hours? During the summer, leaving food out could lead to a case of food poisoning.

The FDA gives guidelines on their site about how long food can be left out. If the temperature is higher than 90° F, then it needs to go back into the fridge after 1 hour. To play it safe, during the hottest days of summer, everything that isn’t going to be eaten immediately should be tucked away in your fridge.

Dodge bees, bugs, and bites.

It’s not just children who are out in full force during the summer. Summer weather is prime time for the insect world. But there are steps you can take to make yourself less attractive to mosquitoes, bees, and other crawlers.

Bees like fragrances and floral patterns. Avoid both when choosing clothing for your children. Dress your children in clothes that provide coverage and that are lightweight and breathable. Use bug repellent spray whenever you go to the park or other area that has heavy mosquito traffic. Mosquito netting around baby strollers is another helpful way to keep mosquito bites at bay.

Most of the items that on this list are things we are aware of, but it can be easy to relax as summer’s end nears. Keep your family safe by staying aware even while you enjoy your quality family time.

Tag: health

New Clear Protein Drink by Premier Protein

Keeping Kids Healthy with GIANTmicrobes – Review

Dental Tips for Baby & Toddlers

Dental Tips for Baby & Toddlers

5 End-of-Summer Safety Tips