Relief for Colicky Babies and Stressed-out Parents

If your newborn’s colic makes you want to scream, try these five calming techniques In many ways newborns are not quite ready for the world at birth. They need a “fourth trimester” of gentle holding, stroking, shushing and wrapping, according to Harvey Karp, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at UCLA School of Medicine. Colicky babies are particularly in need of such... Read More

Cord for Life: A Cord Blood Bank with a Mission to Save Lives

Each year thousands of people are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and sickle cell disease, which can be treated with the stem cells extracted from the blood contained in the umbilical cord of newborns.  As with bone marrow transplants, doctors can match cord blood to a patient and then transplant it to potentially save his or her life.  If not suitable... Read More

A New Year Pantry Makeover!

Your Mission, Should Your Accept this Assignment, is Not Impossible. Is your kitchen stocked with plenty of healthy food choices? Or are your cupboards overloaded with temptations that lead your family’s diet off-course no matter which meal you’re serving? In the spirit of new beginnings and a New Year, we invite you to take a good look inside your refrigerator, pantry, and... Read More

Nursery Essentials for the New Baby

By It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of nursery accessory choices available before your baby arrives.  Granted, the major cuteness factor of all things baby makes it extremely tempting to buy anything that strikes a doting parent’s fancy.  But, before you break your bank account, here’s some basic tips to get you started equipping your nursery. Remember, your... Read More

New Dads and Depression

Experts tell us that it’s not unusual to feel depressed before or after your little one is born. Don’t ignore your feelings, Dad. Get the help you need to cope with the anxiety. Whether for a first-timer or a seasoned dad, fatherhood can be a roller coaster ride of emotional upheaval. It’s supposed to be a time of gurgles, coos, and teddy bears, but the combination of a colicky... Read More

Diabetes Alert Dogs are “Dog gone” Amazing!

The nose knows…Special dogs and, in some cases, even the family pet, can be trained to use their powerful sense of smell to detect a particular change in body chemistry that occurs when there is a drop in a diabetic’s blood sugar level.  With specialized training, man’s best friend can become an important ally in alleviating the worry associated with monitoring and coping... Read More

Is Your Pet Safe?

What you may not know can harm your pet. Here are a few quick tips to keep Fluffy purring and Fido frisky… Most people know that chocolate can be toxic to pets and that certain plants can make them sick.  However, there are many easily-swallowed, dangerous items found in the home and certain hazardous issues that pet owners should consider when providing a safe environment for... Read More

The Power of Pink

Courageous cancer survivors make a fashion statement to save lives! Some might say that a visible bra strap is a major fashion faux pas. And, certainly, wearing a bra as a top would be downright risqué! Well, how about wearing a pink bra on top of your shirt? You won’t see this curious fashion statement on New York’s Fashion Week runways. However, during October, you will see... Read More

Real Estate Savvy – The Truth about Short Sales…

By now we have all heard the term “short sale,” but few know what it is and what it involves.  If you are a buyer, you likely think that you are going to get a great deal, but if you are a seller, you probably have a more negative, uncertain view.  So, instead of guessing what this process involves, let’s take a look at the facts. A short sale occurs when a seller sells... Read More

Alzheimer’s: How to Talk to Your Children about It

When a grandparent or other loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it can be the children of the family who are most affected. Here’s how to address their concerns and give them a meaningful role in the support process. When Jill Ormachea’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2008, she had already prepared herself for the worst. After all, things hadn’t... Read More

Women and Stress – Is It Your Hormones?

The Answer May Be on the Tip of Your Tongue Carol had been experiencing insomnia, headaches, irritability, night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, and low energy. In addition, the 40 year old woman just couldn’t seem to lose those last few unwanted pounds.  Sound familiar? It’s All About Stress Women frequently blame their hormones for these symptoms, usually associated with... Read More

Tanning Myths and Sun Protection Test – How Does Your Teen Score?

OMG–Prom season and bathing suit weather are fast approaching…Let the tanning begin! Studies show that it’s become trendy for winter-white teenage girls to start making appointments to climb into tanning bed in pursuit of the perfect bronzed look to go with formal attire and bikinis. Research cites one in four fair skinned females between the ages of 13 and 19 years... Read More

Get the Family Heart Healthy

A cardiologist with Florida Heart Group offers heart-to-heart advice to lower the risk for coronary heart disease When you think about it, the family unit is a powerful tool when it comes to its members looking out for each other. Wouldn’t it make sense to harness this energy and work together to create a heart healthy unit? The bad news is that there are major risk factors that... Read More

Heart Disease in Women

Learn the Symptoms and Listen to Your Body…It Could Save Your Life When a local young woman decided to listen to what her body was telling her, it saved her life. Now, she is on a mission to save other women like her. In 2002, the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute joined together to create the National Wear Red Day to support women’s... Read More

Yoga… It’s A Family Affair

Going to the mat for a bit of tranquility Step into a neighborhood yoga studio and you are likely to be surrounded by shiny bamboo floors, tranquil green walls, soothing sitar music, and the calming fragrance of lavender oil. A deep sense of serenity washes over you. For family yoga, parents and children roll out their mats and sit comfortably in Easy Pose, or engage in familiar... Read More

Local Family “Keeps Moving” for the MS Society

Keeping active is important to the Frack family of Lake Mary, but not for the reasons you might think. Three and a half years ago Beth-Ann Frack, 48, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a little-known progressive disorder. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic... Read More

Is it a Cold or the Flu? Either Way, It’s Not Much Fun

Whatever you’ve contracted, you can manage your cold and flu symptoms with lots of purified water and OTC medication like Contac Cold + Flu. With Contac’s multi-symptom formulations you can take on your sore throat, headache, stuffy/runny nose and nasal congestion in one place. Hang on to your tissues…cold and flu season is here! It’s 7 a.m. on a school day and your... Read More