Though I do love a good bowl of Captain Crunch cereal, preferably peanut butter or crunch berry, as of the last couple of years, my expanding self does not. It’s just not easy to get the weight off (when was it ever?)

So I’m having to snack smart. That’s why when I was given the opportunity to taste and review a free sample of Breyers’ YoCrunch Yogurt, I didn’t have to think twice.

The main thing that caught my attention was they use Truvia (rebiana – a natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the stevia leaf. ) in their yogurt. Since I stopped adding sugar to my coffee and I try to avoid Splenda and other artificial sweetners which are prevalent in low fat yogurts, I thought I’d give YoCrunch a try.

I was expecting a coupon in the mail, but instead I got an ice-packed package of a four pack yogurt! How cool is that! I immediately went to the nutrition facts. 100 calories, .5 fat. Not a bad start. Plus it had Truvia, the best tasting stevia I found. But I was a little surprised to find when I dug deeper that the yogurt still contained sugar and high fructose corn syrup. Needless to say I was concerned so I emailed the publicist who did some extra research for me.

She said, “Some of the flavors do not contain any high fructose corn syrup, but the product you received has less than 1% and Breyers is currently working to remove it from the formula completely.  Breyers YoCrunch 100 Calorie Packs are portion controlled and have less sugars when compared to other full sized yogurts. Additionally, the product is a healthy indulgent snack that is nutrient rich and designed to replace other dessert items such as cake and ice cream which are not.”

Well, I felt better after that! But what about the taste test? It was smooth and creamy, though not as flavorful as I’d have liked, but the granola added a yummy, crunchy addition, yet the “snack” wasn’t as filling as a regular size yogurt. Upon further inspection, I did discover that it was just under 4 oz but still contained 100 calories. Maybe the granola added the extra calories. While the Truvia ingredient is a plus, I think YoCrunch could stand some improvements on the size and taste. Though in all fairness, I did only taste one of the flavors, and I’ve heard there several varieties including cheesecake, cookies and cream, etc.

But don’t just take my word for it, go and try it for yourself!

Please welcome Mary M. Byers to Portrait of a Writer…Interrupted author of S.O.S. for PMS: Practical Help for Moms (and who doesn’t need practical help)

If you struggle with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) each month, you’re not alone. According to WebMD, up to 85% of women experience symptoms ranging from backaches and headaches to irritability, depression, feeling overwhelmed and outright rage. For moms the emotional symptoms can be the most troubling because what affects you also affects your family. The good news is that there is help. Follow these tips to reduce the chances that you’ll turn into Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde each month.

Chart your symptoms for three months. Use a blank calendar page to note the beginning and end of your menstrual cycle and jot down your symptoms prior to, and during your period.  Do this for three months or longer so you can see your personal pattern emerge. The longer you do it, the better your information will be.
Recognize that knowledge is power. Use what you’ve learned about your cycle to change your PMS response. Schedule more lightly on your toughest days. Ask for help from friends or your spouse when you know your patience will be at its lowest. Don’t make decisions when you’re feeling overwhelmed or depressed.
Identify your triggers. If grocery shopping with your kids when you have PMS makes you crazy, don’t do it. If meal time is difficult for you when you are irritable or feeling blue, ask to be excused

(and let your hubby make pancakes!).  If acting as homework proctor stresses you when you have PMS, ask an older child or your spouse to step in. Though you may feel you’re shirking your responsibilities, it makes more sense to have an alternate plan than it does to set a bad example by having a meltdown in front of your children every month.

Use free coping techniques first. Minor adjustments in nutrition, exercise, stress levels, and sleep patterns can make a big difference in reducing the severity of PMS. Take a personal inventory, decide where you need to focus your efforts, and then begin making changes a little at a time.

See your doctor if symptoms persist. If the above tips don’t help, take your symptom chart to your physician and ask for help. Though diagnosing PMS can be tricky, it will be easier for your physician to work with you if she has your history and a list of your symptoms. Medication may be an option for you. If so, know that dosages can be set low and some prescriptions can be used on an “as needed” basis.

Remain committed. Though it’s not easy to change your response to PMS each month, it is possible. Don’t lose heart if you blow up this month and slide into depression next month. Most likely you’ll gain control a little at a time. It’s important to be kind to yourself as you work to change your personal PMS response. Kindness, more than anything, has the ability to change you from the inside out.

Mary M. Byers is popular women’s conference speaker and the author of The S.O.S. for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms.

It can be very discouraging when you’re doing everything right and the weight isn’t coming off. I know it’s only been a week, but I “feel’ like I should have lost 5lbs with how I’ve been eating, tracking my calories and staying under my daily allotment and how I’ve been drinking more water and exercising for at least 30 minutes every day. Earlier this week when I got on the scale it said I lost 2 lbs. This morning it says I lost 1lb.

I know I shouldn’t be a slave to the scale. I know that I’m making great choices, doing the right things and actually on schedule to lose all the weight by the time I hit that goal date, but it’s hard when the scale is harsh! My body feels sore and I feel more fit than a week ago, is it to much to ask the scale for a little encouragement!

I know what my problem is. I’ve taken my eyes of the dailies and looked ahead toward the months of doing the same thing with little results. I know that’s not realistic, but at the moment, that’s how I feel. I probably should put the scale away for a couple of weeks and keep doing what I’m doing, but what if at the end I haven’t lost anything? Is it possible to do everything you’re supposed to and still fail?

I don’t think so, but it just makes me wonder if I really should be doing more…eating less…

Yep, I’m doing it! Not sure what exactly or when or even why, but I’m tired of the body I’m living in, the excuses I make and basically I just want to prove myself wrong. The self that says:

I’ll never have the fit body I’ve dreamed about even though I’ve seen my overweight friends finally achieve theirs…in their 40s.

It’s impossible to lose weight now that I’m over 40!

I’ll never be able to run a marathon, let alone a half or 5K. Especially since I HATE running.

And that Iron Man Hawaii triathlon is INSANE! I’m not even sure I can swim, bike or run a mini-triathlon.

I’m not sure how it will all work. (Like I can fit something else into my crammed schedule, though I did wake at 6:16 am!) Maybe I’ll start with a 5K in a couple of months, maybe more (months not miles.) Maybe a triathlon isn’t on the agenda until next year, maybe sooner and I have NO plans of ever running a marathon, but who knows! I’ve signed up for Beginner Triathlete.

Anyone want to jump on the insanity train?

When I decided to teach at my kids’ school, I knew I  wasn’t going to order the fast food lunches every time. I needed to get into the habit of packing my lunch. I barely have the time to pack my kids lunches but every since I got the CitizenPip lunch system (thanks to Qlubb.com) I’ve been excited to pack lunch!

The funky insulated lunch box wasn’t the only thing that caught my eye. What really made me “have to have it” was the Eco-friendl, Muck-free (Lead-free, BPA-free, PVC-free and phthalate-free) containers and the great water bottles and hot soup container. I’ve already used it twice and it’s not even soup weather. I just heated my soup up in the morning and it was still warm by lunch. I’m hoping this new lunch kit will cut down on the fast food and I feel good using something that is Muck-free!

They have lunch boxes and several kits to choose from or you can pick the pieces you want. I’ve found myself wanting to pack more salads at lunch time just so I can use the cute and easy open containers!

CitizenPip not only has great products for healthy lunch containers, but they care enough to help give back to your school by offering fundraiser opportunities.

Lori Walter, a Licensed Massage Therapist and Stretch Instructor, developed the Stretch for Life routine over a thirteen years period. The DVD is designed to help the average person or athlete “heal and repair their structural integrity.”

I found this DVD very simple to use and liked the fact they used average people and not super models to demonstrate the stretches. Each stretch was explained and demonstrated before performed. The only thing I couldn’t figure out was if there was a section to let each stretch flow into the other instead of having to choose the stretches you want to do one by one. It got a bit laborious changing to each stretch, and I’m an impatient person by nature.

Though the description of the DVD seems to target individuals in need of muscular repair or better range of motion, I found it helpful for promoting rest. Even though I was tired when I tried the stretches, afterward I felt rested and a bit rejuvenated. This video would be perfect before bed or after a long day at work.

I also see this as a great tool for physicians to give to their patients. “You can begin with the stretches necessary to begin the healing process. Later, as client’s range of motion and strength improve, you can increase their individual plan by simply assigning additional stretches.”

In the past, I’ve been given copies of exercises and stretches on paper and later had to decipher the moves. Having a video where the stretches are demonstrated and where you can stretch along takes the guess work and trouble out of doing your exercises.

I recommend this video for those who are looking for a simple way to relax through stretching and find yoga took hard or desire muscular repair. I can even see this video a great tool after your regular workout. I know I’m guilty of not stretching enough after I exercise.

Frequently asked questions about stretching.

Flexibility is an important aspect of overall health and well-being.  The body has an enormous and amazing way of healing, and incorporating simple stretching exercises can be extremely helpful in speeding up recovery as well as in maintaining good physical fitness.  Licensed massage therapist and educator Lori Walter has developed Stretch 4 Life, a proven and effective tool for people of any age and level of muscular fitness.  By using this full body stretch routine, relaxation and flexibility can easily be achieved.  The Stretch 4 Life DVD and manual are a wonderful resource for anyone who wishes to pursue enhanced health and well-being.  This fabulous routine will also help reinforce healthy habits.
With this practical and easy to use program, Stretch 4 Life will enable anyone to achieve increased flexibility.  Tailor any stretch sequence you need to aid in your journey to better health.  Individuals can get started with only a few simple stretches to begin the healing process.  Later, as the range of motion and strength improve, individuals can increase the specialized plan by simply incorporating additional stretches from the manual and DVD.

Lori Walter is a licensed massage therapist and stretch instructor.  She has developed this Stretch 4 Life routine over her 13 years of work with the goal to help people heal and repair their structural integrity.  For more information or to place and order, visit www.Stretch4Life.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to stretch?
Although the mind is the dominant center of control, by attaining relaxation in the voluntary muscle system, we can influence relaxation in the involuntary muscles and other systems of the body.  While the muscles in the heart will perform their jobs without conscious effort, we can assist them by ensuring that the muscles we can control do not become tense and thus interfere with the processes.  Instead those muscles can be relaxed, which conserves our energy for those times when we need extra.  By learning to relax we have a useful tool for release when life gets more complicated.

What techniques will I learn to help me relax?
Muscle work always has at least two parts.  A muscle contracts and shortens or it relaxes and lengthens.  In this way muscles also work together but in an exactly opposite and reciprocal relationship.  For example, when we bend an elbow, the biceps muscle contracts and the triceps muscle behind lengthens to allow the movement.  Sometimes this interaction may be disturbed, as when our foot goes into a cramp.  The muscle remains in a state of contraction, which becomes painful because it is prolonged and very fatiguing.  Relaxation is the physiological state that follows muscle contraction.  To achieve relaxation, we will learn to move in one direction followed by a balance of movement in the opposite direction.

What is diaphragmatic breathing and why is it important?
Respiration at rest is performed most significantly by the diaphragm, and any “action” occurring in the abdominal area is quite passive.  In fact, if the muscles of the abdomen are not relaxed and passive, then breathing is forced up into the chest.  Diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation of the abdominal wall complement each other by helping us stay loose and keeping our breathing slow and deep.

Why is posture important and can I learn to stand up straight now?
Correct posture is energizing to the system of the body.  It is the position your brain likes best and will re-learn it quickly and easily.

Just found this interesting site for people with back pain. I admit, I suffer on occasion from upper neck and shoulder pain and most often rest and good posture is the cure. But I know many writers and friends who have continuous back trouble that even a chiropractor can’t help. These Back Exercises claim to eliminate back pain by strengthening your muscles and improving body mechanics. They have a free trial, online videos, professional support, progress tracking tools. What have you got to lose, except your pain?

Back Exercises

Okay guys, you might not have a clue what “The Curse” is but every grown woman does! Most girls dread the coming of age “sign” others embrace it, but however you look at it, many end up “cursing” their monthly menstrual cycle at one time or another.

So where does “the cure” come in? There’s a lot of controversy over stem cell research being done on aborted babies, yes, I’m calling fetuses and embryo’s aborted babies. But what if there was another way to do that research or to gather up stem cells of your very own in hope of one day (if you ever happen to need it) finding a cure for one of many diseases?

That’s where C’Elle comes in.   Who is C’Elle?  They’re the first company to provide a way for women to collect and preserve the blood from their menstrual cycles. It’s quiet fascinating that they’re able to gather stem cells this way instead of using other painful procedures like harvesting from bone marrow. And think of all the treatments these stem cells could be used for including heart disease, stroke and diabetes, 70 diseases all together and the research and usefulness of these stem cells are growing every day.

I remember hearing about preserving my baby’s umbilical cord blood, but never did. It was too new, but now it’s being used to treat over 70 diseases. This new service offered by C’elle has got me thinking… And it’s definitely worth spending some time on their site.

Already convinced this is for you? Order your kit here.  Need more info? Just check out their informative website, then come back here and tell me what you think!

I ran for almost 30 minutes straight! Now coming from someone who got a D on her college 3 mile field test because I couldn’t run it in under 30 minutes and MISSED Summa Cum Laude by fractions of a point because of it, THIS 30 minute running nonstop is a big deal!

I didn’t plan on doing it, but by the time I dropped my daughter off at dance, I was 15 minutes late to my step aerobics class and thought I’d give the treadmill a try. I didn’t think I’d last 5 minutes, let alone almost 30 (had to cut it a minute short since my pump class was starting) but I did it!

I didn’t like it. It was BORING and I couldn’t read like when I’m on my elliptical, but I did it. I never felt winded and I averaged a 15 minute mile. Stop laughing now! A 15 minute mile kept me jogging, but I only went 2 miles and burned maybe 200 calories. I can do 45 minutes on the elliptical while reading a book and burn 600 calories and it’s easier on my body. Why in the world would I want to make running a part of my daily exercise?

Why do YOU make running a part of your daily exercise?

On the elliptical I climb mountains, push through levels 4, 5 and 6 and it’s HARD, but doesn’t batter my body like running does. I probably won’t make running a habit, but it’s nice to know I can do it if I wanted to. Maybe one of these days I’ll try running a real race! But until them, I’m content with this small achievement!

It’s a battle I’ve been waging all my life and while I’m not 100 lbs over weight, even twenty extra pounds on my 5ft. 3 1/2 inch frame manifests itself in more junk in the trunk and ship-like hips, then I care to carry. I’ve never been really good at dieting. Who wants to deprive themselves, really? And exercise has always been an on and off again way of life. I was down to my lowest when I followed the weigh Down Weight Loss plan and I wasn’t even exercising. But then I got pregnant and gained 60 lbs. Though I lost 40 before my next pregnancy, I still have that extra 20 I haven’t been able to lose. Then I started homeschooling and exercise really took a back seat, which didn’t help my um…back seat.

So I got an elliptical and exercised consistently 4- 6 days a week for 20 -45 minutes and I thought I’d see significant weightloss. I didn’t, and I realized I had hit the age where my metabolism was slowing down.  What to do? What to do? I had a choice to make, step up the workouts and curb the eating or not be fit and trim like I’ve dreamed all my life.

Then I saw my friends hitting forty, losing weight, and looking the best they’ve ever looked. If they could do it, surely I could as well. Some did it the natural way, diet and exercise. Some not so natural with HCG, and some who’ve gotten model thin, I’m still unsure about how they did it.

So I figure, lent would be a great time to really buckle down and feel the pain. So I stepped up the workouts, now busting my butt, literally, doing step aerobics and pump weight training twice a week at the gym and once at home with the other days filled in with elliptical or some other aerobic training.

I put myself on my own healthy eating plan, mostly smaller portions and chicken and veggies in the evenings and I’ve seen a drop in lbs. Four to be exact. Then my son’s birthday hit and I over did it a bit with the fat intake. No weight loss that week, so I got anxious and did some online research. Maybe there was a way to speed up the weightloss process. And what is that Alli pill all about? I did some research and found out. Not fo me. Diet pills never were. I just can’t see taking the risk just to be thinner.

My conclusion. There’s just no easy road to weight loss and like anything else in life worth the fight, it’s going to hurt. But I’m learning to embrace the hurt. Especially during workouts because I know every pain is doing me good. Every stomach growl is getting me closer to health and the body I’ve always dreamed up. And I think there’s something magical about hitting 40 and losing weight. It has nothing to do with the number but the season of life most women are in. Their children are older and can fend for themselves for the most part and it’s a time mom gets to spend more time working on self! That’s how I’m looking at it and I’m hoping and praying finally, finally, finally, I’ll be able to win this battle and not bulge!

The day has finally arrived. The day I anticipated and dreaded. Ash Wednesday.

This year I’m doing something different.

Instead of giving up a particular thing for lent like bread and sugar, like I usually do, I’m giving up my unhealthy habits. The first one being my eating habits. Dare I say it, I’m going on a hopefully life changing diet. I’ve been heading toward this for a long time and though my exercise habits are great, my weight has not dropped significantly in about three years. So it’s time I take a closer look at what I eat and how often I eat and how often I run to food instead of God.

I’ve been on Sparkpeople.com for a while and they have a great site to help me track my food, but tracking gets tedious. So I’m making my own breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack lists on index cards. I’ll start with five different healthy and low calorie options for each category and put them on cards, so I can mix and match days. I’m not giving up sweets altogether, but I will allow myself cereal bars, etc. that fit into my plan. Will I be successful at weight-loss? I hope so, but more importantly this process will be painful, and I need that during this season so I can get the focus of making myself comfortable and do the hard things I know that need to be done. Am I a martyr? No, but I know this will help me get back on track to living a healthy lifestyle.

The second part of my lent plan is to really make room for God. My church has given us a scripture reading for 3x a day, little God breaks. I’m going to try my best to do this, but if I can’t read, then I’m going to at least pause, 3x a day. When I wake, after lunch and before I go to bed. Plus, the children’s church gave out these great little devotions we’ll do at dinner. Plus, every other Wed. we’ll be going to the lent services. I’ll be fasting dinner and eating soup with the congregation afterwards.

It’s no secret that my daily quiet time is always a struggle. I don’t know what it is about getting quiet and being still, but I’ve never been good at it. One key to being successful in this in NOT turning on the computer. So, my plan is God first, computer second. Plus, I’m going to limit my Twitter and Facebooking which always distracts me. I also want to make it a point to get off the computer by 9:30 am and start homeschool at a decent time. I’m getting better, but not there yet. Then, I’ll limit my email checking to lunch and after the kids are in bed. The computer often robs me of family time and I want that to change that this lent.

Phew! That’s a lot of stuff I want to do, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And even if I’m not succesful at it all, I’ll at least accomplish some. I’m hoping, instead of giving up candy or carbs, I’ll be recommitting to the things I should be doing all year long. I hope this year I really will make room for God!

Ever dream of going on the biggest loser and learning how to eat better, prepare healthy meals and literally exercise your butt off? Well, according to this article it ain’t all it’s baked up to be!

Good old fashioned healthy eating, portion control and exercise is still the key to permanent weight loss!

I’m all for supporting our President through prayer and not bad mouthing him when I don’t agree with his policies. But I can’t support his stand on the Freedom of Choice Act. If you’re against partial birth abortions, abortions in general and any of the following:

FOCA will do away with state laws on parental involvement, on partial birth abortion, and on all other protections.
FOCA will compel taxpayer funding of abortions.
FOCA will force faith-based hospitals and healthcare facilities to perform abortions.

Then join hundreds of thousands of other in telling him so!

Heart disease runs in my family. My paternal grandmother died from a heart attack at 65 when I was 12. Years earlier my grandfather died, most likely of a heart attack. I was six when he died, but I still remember the pain of learning of my grandparents’ death. I have a memory of the place when I found out, like a photographer etched in the album of my mind.

A couple of years ago my dad had a heart attack, he survived. My sister had a heart attack at 36 years old. She survived. One thing they all had in common that I don’t have is they smoked! But it’s not hard to see how I could get excited about a website like heartlibrary.com.

When I first heard about this site that utilizes video, animation and real doctors to explain complicated heart terminology diseases, I thought it was a great way to communicate information. Even a nonreader could find the videos easy to use and understandable. But after I watched some of the videos and browsed the categories, I thought it would be an awesome homeschool tool. Check out this sample on irregular heartbeat.

I can see my 11 yr old being the most excited about this site. Even though I don’t homeschool him anymore, he loves to learn and will probably spend hours browsing the heart videos.

Then when I sat down to write this post I thought about my novel which is currently in front of editors and how I could have used this website when researching my character’s heart problems. I could have saved myself a lot of time pouring through websites for information if I’d come to heartlibrary.com first.

I forwarded the link to my sister and dad. Who do you know who could use this informative site?

I started using Stevia, a non-caloric herb sweetner when my mom moved in a year ago. I had always heard of it, but never tired it. Now I’m hooked. No more real sugar (well, occasionally) and definitely no Sweet and Low, Nutrasweet or Splenda.

The only drawback to Stevia is that some people say it can have a bitter aftertaste. It comes in liquid drops and crystals, and I’ve tasted the bitterness in certain brands. But I didn’t realize how bitter it could be until I did a taste test comparison with Truvia!

First I compared the look of these two brands. The Truvia on the left looked more like real sugar. The other brand on the right looked more powdery like Nutrasweet.

Then I did the pure taste test and I couldn’t believe how bitter the one on the right tasted compared to Truvia. I also tasted the brand above in the jar. And it was even more bitter. Next I tasted it in my coffee. I put the same amount of coffee and stevia in two seperate cups and the difference was really noticeable. Truvia didn’t have an after taste. The other brand did. Truvia is a company that takes the best tasting part of the stevia plant and processes and packages it so consumers can enjoy it! And it definitely makes a difference.

 Now the only downside may be that Truvia has 40 packets in its box and the other brand has 100 and I’m not sure of the price comparison. Plus I just read an interesting article on the processing of Stevia into Truvia that has me thinking. But if taste matters to you, then Truvia is the TRUE winner!

Here’s more on the company and product.

I’d like to be able to take credit for this, but I can’t. Years ago, I subscribed to several magazines and always tore out pages of ideas, put them in a three ring binder and then never looked at them again.

Well, with the internet so convenient and our recent move, I thought I didn’t need all those bulky binders, so I started to clean them out and came across an article about themed dinners. My mind started churning. I’m not one of those weekly menu planners. I don’t like to have a set meal per day planned, but I like to have an idea and be able to choose.

Themed dinners was the perfect solution.

How did I pick my themes? First I looked at what meals my family really loved. The ones they went back for seconds and thirds. There was tacos, teriaki chicken, pasta and lentils for starters.

Then I broke it down. I figured out what days I needed a quick meal and chose the other themes by the way they sounded and whalla! My themed dinner schedule.

Mexican Monday

Souper Tuesday

Whatever (One Pot) Wednesday

Leftover Thursday

Italian Friday (since we used to get pizza every Friday, but want to save some money and eat healthier, and being Italian…it was easy to figure out this day)

Seafood Saturday

Surprise Sunday

Then I took an index card and wrote out my schedule. Under each category I listed several meals options. Now when the day rolls around, I check my index card and calendar and decide what we’re in the mood for. Right now Mondays are always taco night, and some meals can do double duty. Like Tortilla soup can be a Monday or Tuesday dish. And Pasta fagioli can be Tuesday or Friday.

I love the flexibility of theme menu planning without the rigidness. It lets me be in control of my dinner instead of the dinner controlling me!

“Chawcherries!”

That’s what Grace called strawberries when she was two. She loved strawberries soooo much I decided her birthday theme would be “Strawberry Shortcake.” Aside from the fun Strawberry Shortcake decorations and cake, we made giant papermache strawberries (which I still have up in the attic) and went on a hunt for strawberries! And of course there was tons of chocolate dipped strawberries!

One year we even tried to grow our own strawberries! While the vines flourished across our garden almost taking it over, it produced very little strawberries…in size and quantity and well, they just didn’t taste as good as store bought.

So I decided to leave it up to the experts! The California Strawberry Commission is all about sharing, educating, and filling you up with strawberries. I visited their site and learned some interesting facts about strawberries. I also visited Strawberryville a fun, interactive site for  kids and teachers which includes downloads, screesavers and recipes. The Strawberry Breakfast Pizza sounds YUMMY! And there’s lots more recipes on their site like strawberry salad! So check them out.

Did you know:

Fun Strawberry Facts

Better Start Eating Strawberries
Respondents to a recent national survey labeled strawberry lovers as “health conscious, fun loving, intelligent and happy.” Non-strawberry lovers, on the other hand, were described as “weird, boring, stuffy–picky, fussy eaters who avoid healthy foods.”

Strawberry Lore and Legend
In provincial France, strawberries were regarded as an aphrodisiac of the highest quality. Newlyweds traditionally were served a soup of thinned sour cream, strawberries, borage (a European herb whose flavor is reminiscent of cucumber) and powdered sugar.
The second wife of Henry VIII, Queen Anne Boleyn (1507-36), had a strawberry-shaped birthmark on her neck. Unfortunately, some claimed this fact proved she was a witch.

The strawberry is recognized as representing absolute perfection in the Victorian language of flowers.

Medieval stonemasons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals, symbolizing perfection and righteousness. During the same time period, strawberries were served at important state occasions and festivals to ensure peace and prosperity.

Ever eaten a double strawberry? Legend holds that if you break it in half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you will soon fall in love with each other.

Strawberries in Literature
Sacred to the both Goddess of Love and the Virgin Mary, strawberries boast a long, dramatic history.

“Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did.” –William Butler

“The strawberry grows underneath the Nettle, And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best Neighbour’d by fruit of lesser quality.” — William Shakespeare, Henry V

“My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn, I saw good strawberries in your garden there.”
– William Shakespeare, Richard III

When as the rye reach to the chin,
And chopcherry, chopcherry ripe within,
Strawberries swimming in the cream,
And schoolboys playing in the stream,
Then O, then O , then O, my true love said,
Till that time come again,
She could not live a maid.
– George Peele, The Old Wives Tale

Um, after all this strawberry talk, I need to run out and get me some! Does anyone have strawberry recipes to share?

I just discovered a GREAT new website. Mommy Docs was started by two mom doctors who have more in common than their medical degree. I can tell from their website they’re all about informing and helping moms raise healthy kids. They have a great Q & A page, and a page where you can ask them specific questions. (I’m still waiting to hear from my OWN doctor about a rash I had over Memorial Day!) They have podcasts, a blog, and links to other medical sites!

Jamie A. Freishtat, M.D.

Rachel L. Schreiber, M.D., FAAAAI

And they want to get the word out about Summer safety. Check them out and let me know what you think!

• Have a Sun Protection Strategy: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15. Look for products that provide “broad spectrum” coverage to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Use this sunscreen routine with your child–daily application 30 minutes before going outside and reapplication every 2 hours (or sooner if swimming, toweling off, or sweating). Creating a routine will establish good habits for the future. In addition, don’t forget a wide brim hat, sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection, and sun protective clothing.
• Keep Pests off Your Little One: In the summer, many insects can bite or sting your child. For pesky mosquitoes and ticks, consider a DEET containing insect repellant. Apply sparingly to exposed skin (avoid backs of hands and around the eyes and mouth) and/or to clothing once a day. As the percentage of DEET goes up, the duration of action increases. To prevent unnecessary exposure, always use the lowest percentage that will last for the planned length of time spent outdoors. Never go above 30% or use on children under 2 months old.

• Keep the Pool Cool and Clean: Small yard pools provide a great way for kids to have fun and cool down when the temperature rises, but they can also harbor germs, such as bacteria. To keep the pool free from unwanted “swimmers,” after each use disinfect it with bleach by cleaning with a solution of ¾ cup regular bleach to one gallon of water, then rinse well and dry thoroughly. Safety must: Always supervise children regardless of age when they are around any water; whether it’s a bucket, a small backyard plastic pool, or the local community pool.
• High Heat Means Hydrate: Excessive heat exposure may cause your child to experience a heat-related illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. How to prevent this: take breaks in the shade, avoid playing outside during peak sun exposure hours, and drink, drink, drink! Make sure your child is taking in plenty of fluids before he become thirsty.
• Rid Rashes and Relieve Itchies: Running through the yard in bare feet, taking a nature walk on a trail, and picnicing in the park are some of the joys of warmer weather. But all of this outdoor activity can expose your child to a host of plants including those which cause poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. If an allergic reaction occurs, ask the pediatrician about an oral antihistamine and/or a topical skin care product such as a steroid cream or calamine. If the rash is extensive, looks infected, or is not getting better, call your doctor right away.

All safety tips can also be found on MommyDocs.com.

Never Say Diet by Chantel Hobbs

What they Say:

Chantel Hobbs, a mother of four, recounts her struggles with obesity, body image and health in Never Say Diet. Realizing that choosing to live well was one of the best gifts she could give her family, Chantel is so excited to encourage YOU this Mother’s Day to take the small but meaningful steps towards a healthier life. Ditch the diet! Buy some new skinny jeans! And don’t forget to read the five tips to get your family fit this spring.

What I Say: 

I’ve been exercising regularly for several years now, but with each birthday came a few extra pounds. I had to face facts. I was getting older and my metabolism was slowing down. No matter how much I exercised the scale fluctuated five pounds. I could never break the invisible barrier.  I guess part of me didn’t think I could unless I really cut back on my food. But my draw to food was still strong and I was still eating more calories than I seemed to be burning.

Then I got Never Say Diet in the mail. I thought, “what the heck, it really couldn’t hurt.” My heart was desperate to shed the last 20 or so of my baby weight, but my mind just gave up on it ever happening. When I started to read Chantel’s story of weighing over 300 lbs. and getting a healthy, lean, I started to get encouraged. Her no nonsense writing style was refreshing especially since it came from someone who was severely obese and not a skinny, size zero personal trainer. The one thing that Chantel said, that I had known, was that I needed to change my brain about food. I don’t know whether it was her book, or summer and not really feeling like cooking big meals, but I started to see a change in my appetite. I didn’t really feel like eating as much as I had been, plus I started increasing my workout intensity and I actually saw a drop in the scales.

I remember, before this book, telling my friend how it seemed to try and diet and that I really needed a gift from God. A gift of weight loss to get me motivated again. Well, it only took two pounds and I felt my hope rise. Maybe I can actually lose the weight!

Though this week has been wrought with one birthday party after the other, and I did indulge in cake and ice cream several times already, my normal meals have been less, and I’m sticking to what Chantel said to do. The first month of her commitment to get fit, she only concentrated on exercise and still ate the way she used to. So I’m still on track. I’ve been working out 20-30 everyday with increasing intensity and it feels good to sweat a little more than usual.

I’m not all the way through the book, but I’m excited to be on this journey in hopes and anticipation that I’ll never say diet again!