Land O’Frost Demystifies Lunch Meat for Consumers

Do parents really know what they are feeding their kids? Land O’Frost, the nation’s largest family-owned packaged lunch meat brand, is demystifying lunch meat and offering consumers “Did You Know?” facts about their product.

As a company whose priority is food safety, Land O’Frost is a leader in keeping lunch meat tasty, fresh and safe both on and off the shelves. In fact, Land O’Frost has been awarded numerous industry recognitions for food safety technologies, including American Meat Institute Safety awards and Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification on all three of the company’s facilities.

“Every school season brings the return of thousands of sandwiches being made, packaged and eaten every day by families across the country,” said Karen Malsom, director of innovation at Land O’Frost. “Food safety and making quality products have always been top priorities for Land O’Frost, which is why it is our goal to help consumers better understand lunch meat by clearing up some common misconceptions.”

Malsom debunks the following myths about a product that thousands of people in the U.S. eat every day:

1.  Deli meat is fresher than pre-packaged lunch meat. FALSE, when lunch meat is packaged in Zip-Pak® pouches, like Land O’Frost lunch meat, the freshness is sealed in. This keeps pre-packaged lunch meat fresher, longer compared to deli meat.

2.  Nitrites in lunch meat are  bad for you: FALSE, nitrite occurs naturally in many plants and foods and is produced by the human body. Nitrites that are used in processing lunch meat prevent the growth of bacteria that produce food poisons. Nitrites are the curing agent used during processing and impart a preservative effect in meat products.

3.  Eating meat daily is not healthy: FALSE, The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating 5-7 ounces of meat per day as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

4.  Processed lunch meat is less sanitary than raw produce and other meat products: FALSE, lunch meats have been cooked and packaged in a sanitary manner under controlled conditions unlike raw products, such as sprouts, lettuce, spinach and raw hamburger meat.

5.  Lunch meat only stays fresh for a few days. FALSE, Packaged lunch meat kept at 35 degrees Fahrenheit, the average temperature of a refrigerator, will last up to its sell by date unopened, or seven days after opening.

In addition, here are five “did you know” facts related to lunch meat:

• Lunch meat was brought to the U.S. in the 1800’s with European immigrants.

• Sandwiches, a $121-billion market, are the most popular item eaten by Americans, according to food experts.¹
• Lunch meat is a $3.4 billion industry.²
• American men on average eat 6.9 ounces of meat per day and women eat 4.4 ounces.³
• Total meat and poultry production in 2010 reached more than 92.1 billion pounds.⁴

1. Packagedfacts.com
2. Supermarket News
3. & 4. American Meat Institute

1 Warning Signs – Paint Halloween-inspired street names on scrap wood and nail them to a 5’-tall garden stake.

2 Eye Opener – Glue googly eyes to black bifold cards to create an eerie party invitation.

3 Sweep Stakes – Make your own letter stencils with contact paper to create this lawn decoration.

4 Pumpkin People – Raid your costume bin to disguise your Halloween gourds. Insert a ¾˝ dowel through them for stability.

5 Balance Scream – Challenge the kids to walk the plank without falling into the spider’s creepy swamp!

6 Fear Factor – Have kids reach a hand into bowls filled with pasta, grapes, and baggies of pudding, then ask them to guess what “body part” they feel.

7 Veggies in Disguise – For a sweet-looking snack, arrange colorful crudités on a dish to resemble candy corn. Serve alongside a pumpkin full of hummus.

8 Bone Collector – Hide painted dog treats in the yard, then set the search party out to find them. The kid who unearths the orange bone wins a prize.

9 Ghostly Game – Play backyard bowling with a mummified ball and pins made from recycled soda bottles.

10 Spook Chocula – Make your hot cocoa ghostly by giving a dollop of whipped cream candy features.

11 Tower of Terror – Kids can build a haunted house from boxes wrapped in black paper. Use yellow sticky notes to create a roof, windows, and a door.

12 Crabby Apples – Even your fruit gets dressed up for Halloween! Cut out a wedge for the mouth and decorate with candy.

13 Thrilly Chili – Press Halloween cookie cutters into slices of cheese to add some spookiness to your favorite chili recipe.

14 Candy Carrier – Kids can answer the famous trick-or-treat question by flashing one side or the other of this easy-to-make bag.

CLOTHES CALL

At the beginning of every week, I place five school outfits for each child into the separate compartments of a closet organizer. If the kids wake up late, they can just grab the clothes and go! -brownsugareyna

NEAT SHEETS

To make midnight accidents less of an ordeal, I put several fitted sheets onto each of my kids’ beds at the same time—with waterproof mattress-top protectors between each sheet. If your little one gets sick or wets the bed during the night, just peel off the top sheet and mattress-pad combo andtuck him back in! -kendallg1

Filed Away I keep a folder for each kid’s papers in the kitchen. Slips they bring from school go straight in, so they know where to look for them later. -stepanek99

FUN FINDER

When my son throws a tantrum, I say, “Go to your room and look for a happy face.” He can come out when he can return with a smile. I’m asking for an attitude adjustment—but in language he can understand. -Mommablogsalot

Watch ’Em Work

It’s amazing how cooperative kids will be about cleaning up if you just tell them that you’ll time them while they do it. Most children love racing the clock. -ESPcooks

At The Beep

When both kids want to use the same toy, I set a timer. Whoever has the toy first can play with it until the timer beeps. Knowing it’s fair and that a turn is coming makes it easier for the other kid to wait. -rlh14

Check out these great parents.com/community groups. Crafty Moms • Girl Talk!

Solutions - IT WORKED FOR ME!

Old Object, New Trick

STASH WITH TRASH

A leftover egg carton can be used as a drawer organizer or to separate your favorite pieces of jewelry, while toilet paper rolls can be used to cover cords and keep them neatly wrapped up (simply label the outside so you’ll know what the cord goes to). -tcorganized

Star Member

Hair Repair – When my hair gets too static-y, I spritz static guard on my hands and run them through it (I keep a can at home and in my desk drawer at work—that way I’m always frizz free!). -tny_frgsn

PRACTICE PERFECTION

We say “please” and “thank you” every time our kids hand us something and “you’re welcome” each time they say “thank you.” It feels silly when they give you the same toy 18 times, but those phrases were among the first my kids used correctly.

CHIC IDEA

For a cute pregnancy announcement, I gave our parents Easter eggs along with a note that read, “There’s a little chick coming your way!”

THE NAME GAME

My son has had a case of the whinys since he was 3. Luckily, naming his voices really helped him—he can recognize a whiny, a sassy, a happy, a grumpy, and a loving voice. If he says something in a tone I don’t like, I’ll raise an eyebrow and he’ll apologize, and then say what he wants in a happy voice.

THE POWEROF SONG

We make toothbrushing fun by singing Raffi’s “Brush Your Teeth” song to our son. He loves it so much! -HeathsMommy

ROLE MODEL

To ease my 2½-year-old’s fear of the dentist, we brought his friend (whom my little guy looks up to) with us to the appointment. With Evan there, my son did just great! -fishercl

Want more tips from all these members? Find them at parents.com/community.

Wise Words for Moms

Breast Advice

My aha! nursing moment was learning that you need to feed the baby until she comes off (about 25 minutes in the early weeks), not ten to 15 minutes on each side—that’s what the nurses told me at the hospital. This way, your baby gets enough foremilk and hind milk, which can prevent her from getting gassy. -Ashleigh

TUMMY TAMER

My little one is gassy all the time. To help soothe her bellyaches, I turned a mateless sock into a baby-size heating pad by filling it with rice. I just pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds, then place it on her stomach to ease gas pains (test it carefully first to make sure it’s not too hot for your baby’s sensitive skin.) -crbruner08

REST PERSPECTIVE

Everyone says, “Sleep when your baby sleeps.” It should be “rest when your baby sleeps.” Often, when I have things on my mind, I can’t just fall asleep, but getting off my feet—even for half an hour—works wonders. Plus, making the goal to rest keeps me from stressing about whether I’m getting my zzz’s or not. -didirox82

MAKE SOME NOISE

I pull out the vacuum and get to work when my 10-week-old son won’t stop crying. He likes the sound, and it usually calms him down right away—and I get clean floors, a new-mom dream! -hymanra

STORYTELLERS

Stash audiobooks or CDs of your kids’ favorite stories in your car. They’re a great way to keep kids engaged on long road trips without having to resort to using the DVD player. If the book you want isn’t available in stores, simply read it out loud yourself and record it—this can be a lifesaver for helping little ones stay calm (and preserving your sanity) in the car. -Babylovesbook

WRITE ON

Small dry-erase boards are great for keeping older kids busy in the car for long periods of time. They can practice writing out their letters and numbers or just goof around and draw pictures. -tennislove40

Weeknight Meal

On busy nights, make Salsa Chicken: Place chicken breasts in a greased pan, cover in salsa, and bake at 375°F for half an hour. Sprinkle shredded cheddar on top, then cook for three more minutes. Serve with rice. Done! -kelsey.graves

SUDS BUDDY

To loosen the dried-on gunk from a pan, I just wad up a piece of aluminum foil and use it for a bit of abrasion. It easily takes off the food. -colorwheel24

Dippy Dinner

When there’s no time to cook, I serve veggies, cut-up bread, fruits, and cheeses alongside a medley of dips, like ketchup, peanut butter, and guacamole. We use pretzel sticks for forks. My 2-year-old loves it! -Hko

STOPPED CLOCK

With my last baby, I put away the digital clocks so I wouldn’t stare at them and get frustrated about losing sleep in the middle of the night. It helped!

E-Z CLEAN

While my daughters have a bath, I always take a few moments to clean something in the room. I can keep an eye on them and still get a chore done.

SWEET TREAT

Dunking things in chocolate is a great way for kids to “cook.” I set out toppings like frosting or sprinkles, and then just let my girls have at it.

Quick Fixes

drawer, straws: peter ardito.

STICKY SITUATION

When my daughter stuck tough-to-remove stickers to her skin, I discovered a great way to remove sticky stuff like Band-Aids: petroleum jelly. Just slather it on the bandage before bed, and in the morning it should come right off—no problem, no pain. -Redragon

Smarter Sipping

Bendy straws are much easier for little ones to drink from than the straight ones—but most restaurants don’t have them. So to make sure my little guy can sip with ease wherever we go, I bought a travel toothbrush holder and keep it filled with straws from home. -KristaP1214

Put A Lid On It

Got a messy top drawer in your desk? Baby-food jars make great containers for office supplies like pushpins, paper clips, rubber bands, etc.

-Shelby

Dressed For Less

After Halloween, when costumes are often discounted by 75 percent, I visited a few stores, like Target, Walgreens, and T.J. Maxx, and snatched up a bunch in kid-friendly sizes. I put them all in a dress-up box that looks like a treasure chest—my kids love it!  -Crinaciceu

The downside to being a dietitian: Nobody wants to eat with you—much less feed their kids in front of you. I get guilty looks from friends as they hand their child a sandwich on white bread or sheepishly confess to having hot dogs for dinner. I always tell them to relax. Nobody’s child eats a perfect, totally by-the-book diet. And guess what? To be healthy, they don’t have to. If your child has one of these food quirks, don’t freak out about it. There’s always another way to get him the nutrients he needs.

She refuses to drink milk.

If your kid doesn’t like milk, cheese is a good substitute.

What’s the Big Deal? Milk offers four nutrients—calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin D—that help kids’ bodies and bones grow strong. Getting enough now means better bone mass in adulthood. Research from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center found that women who were milk avoiders as kids had 6 percent lower bone-mineral content and twice the risk of fractures as those who drank it during childhood. What’s more, preliminary research suggests that drinking milk may help kids maintain a healthy weight.

Work Around It. You can meet your child’s calcium needs with other foods and drinks. A 1- to 3-year-old can get her daily calcium allowance with 4 ounces of yogurt plus a slice of reduced-fat cheddar cheese and ½ cup of calcium-fortified orange juice. Kids ages 4 to 8 will meet theirs with a bowl of fortified oatmeal plus a piece of part-skim string cheese, ¾ cup of fortified orange juice, 6 ounces of low-fat yogurt, and a whole-grain English muffin. Yogurt and cheese also contain potassium and magnesium, so those nutrients are covered. Vitamin D, which helps your child’s body absorb calcium, is harder to come by because it’s found only in a few other foods, such as fish and eggs. So if your child doesn’t drink milk, consider giving her a kids’ vitamin D supplement of 400 IU daily.

She loathes practically every vegetable.

What’s the Big Deal? Veggies are very low-cal and packed with healthy plant compounds as well as immune-boosting nutrients like vitamins A and C. According to new research from two children’s hospitals, preschoolers who ate a diet low in fried foods and rich in dark-green and deep-yellow vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and sweet potatoes not only had a lower fat mass but also a higher bone mass than those who didn’t, possibly because the potassium in them acts as a bone builder.

Work Around It. Focus on the veggies your child does like. Even though it’s technically a fruit, the USDA counts tomato salsa and marinara sauce toward your kid’s veggie servings. (Toddlers and preschoolers need about 2 cups daily while 5- to 8-year-olds require roughly 2½ to 3.) Potatoes are another well-liked option.

But keep offering all veggies in a no-pressure way. Routinely put them on her plate or serve them family-style at the dinner table, but don’t make a big deal if she doesn’t eat any. Or set out a veggie appetizer with low-fat dip right before dinner, when kids are really hungry. In a new study from Penn State University, 3- to 5-year-olds polished off more carrots when they were served before lunch rather than during the meal. If she’s still not budging, pick up the slack with fruit: Spinach is high in vitamin A, but so are dried apricots, cantaloupes, and mangoes. If she won’t eat C-rich green beans or broccoli, offer strawberries, citrus fruit, or pineapple. They’re all great choices for a snack or dessert.

He insists his sandwiches be on white bread.

What’s the Big Deal? Whole-wheat flour has 25 percent more protein, 78 percent more fiber, and 93 percent more vitamin E than the refined kind used to make white sandwich bread. “The extra fiber helps prevent constipation in kids, and along with the protein will help them stay fuller,” says Joanne Slavin, Ph.D., professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. And the vitamin E? In a study of kids 8 to 13, those who ate whole grains were 54 percent less likely to have asthma—possibly because whole grains have antioxidants like vitamin E that may prevent airway inflammation.

Work Around It The government’s Dietary Guidelines say only half of your kid’s grain servings need to be whole. If he won’t relinquish his favorite bread, balance it out with brown rice at dinner or whole-grain cereal for breakfast. “Try to get him used to the taste of whole wheat by making a ‘zebra’ with one slice of white bread and another of whole wheat,” suggests Elisa Zied, R.D., author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips, and mom of two.

He squirts ketchup on everything.

What’s the Big Deal? The typical ketchup is sugary and salty. Each tablespoon has a teaspoon of sugar and about as much sodium as a handful of potato chips. But that same squirt adds only a reasonable 15 extra calories, and “for a lot of kids, ketchup allows them to expand the variety of foods they’ll eat,” says Jill Castle, R.D., owner of Pediatric Nutrition of Green Hills, in Nashville.

Work Around It. Look for brands like Heinz No Salt, which doesn’t have sodium, or Hunts No Salt Added, which is also sweetened with regular sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup. Then be generous about how much ketchup your kid can put on veggies, fish, or other healthy foods—the benefits trump a little extra salt and sugar. But insist on just a squirt for foods, which your kid would probably eat plain. Experiment with other toppings too. “I put a small amount of natural maple syrup or agave nectar on bitter-tasting veggies like cauliflower and brussels sprouts,” says Victoria Shanta Retelny,    R.D., a dietitian in Chicago.

Reality Bites Even dietitians let their kids eat junk sometimes. See how they fit it in a healthy eating plan.

Every week or two at snacktime I offer my daughter a sweet like cookies and let her eat as much of it as she wants. This pretty much eliminates her preoccupation with desserts—and she doesn’t eat as much as you’d think she would!

Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, R.D. – Mom of Anna, 4, and David, 16 months

I love to bake and always use real butter. I let the kids eat my baked goods after lunch or dinner to teach them that sweets can fit into a healthy diet.

Heidi McIndoo, R.D. – Mom of Laila, 5, and Colin, 3

I keep breaded chicken in the freezer for quick and easy dinners for the kids. I like the Wellshire Farms brand because it doesn’t contain any preservatives, additives, or antibiotics. I round out the dinner with vegetables and brown rice.

Victoria Shanta Retalney, R.D. – Mom of Grant, 4, and Samantha, 3

During vacations, I let my kids pick out any sugary cereal they want. When the box is done, they go back to healthy cereal. It’s fun, and they don’t feel deprived.

Jill Castle, R.D. – Mom of Gracie, 14, Madeline, 12, Caroline, 11, and Ben, 9

Ginger - Stir ¼ tsp into a smoothie or sprinkle it into a cup of green tea. It also tastes great on sliced peaches and winter squash.

Coriander - This citrusy spice adds a refreshing kick to marinades, grilled meat, roasted potatoes and baked goods. Try it in cookies and breads.

Bay Leaves - Simmer one in your vanilla pudding for a sophisticated flavor. And don’t forget to add a bay leaf to rice or grains before cooking.

Cumin - It’s delicious tossed on potatoes or cauliflower before roasting; a dash also gives grilled-cheese sandwiches an exotic edge.

Thyme - A sprinkle of thyme elevates canned soup to gourmet status. It’s equally delicious stirred into mashed potatoes and store-bought chicken salad.

Mustard Powder – The subtle flavor perks up meatballs, turkey burgers and bread stuffing. Try adding it to olive oil before you sauté veggies.

Curry Powder – Use it to rev up crab cakes, shrimp salad and chicken soup. Or toss with mixed nuts to add major flavor.

Oregano - Use it to wake up a ho-hum turkey or ham sandwich or add pizzazz to your potato chips and oven fries.

Cinnamon - It’s classic in apple pie but also provides an unexpected burst of flavor to popcorn and chocolate-chip cookies, even baked chicken and meat dishes.

Dried Red Pepper – A pinch of cayenne or red-pepper flakes adds a pleasant heat to omelets, guacamole and salad dressing.

by Tara Bench

Two good reasons to get outside, where Mother Nature can nurture your health.

1. Stronger immunity – Taking a walk through the woods might protect you from the common cold and other viruses, according to a series of studies from Japan. You may get the benefit from being exposed to phytoncides—aromatic oils with infection-fighting properties that certain trees emit.

2. Lower blood pressure – Participants in another Japanese study had lower pulse rates and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after a short nature walk compared with a brief stroll on a city street.

3. Better mood – A recent analysis of 10 studies from England concluded that even a short workout in the park can elevate your mood and bolster your self-esteem. The presence of water generated the sunnier outlooks, so consider taking your next jog near a beach, river or lake, if possible.

Warm Feet, Better Sleep

Have trouble dozing off at night? Your feet could be the culprits. Women who complain of chilly feet and hands may have difficulty falling asleep, according to a Swiss study. The body prepares for shut-eye by redistributing heat from internal organs to the extremities, and if your feet are too cold it takes longer to achieve the right temperature balance for triggering sleep. To drift off more easily, warm your tootsies with socks or a hot water bottle or by wearing microwavable booties (such as those made by Earth Therapeutics, Aroma Home or Carex Health).

Foods That Help Prevent Diabetes

About one in four adults are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. To buck these odds, keep to a healthy weight, exercise regularly and eat a well-balanced diet that includes these superfoods.

Milk – Drinking one glass of low-fat milk a day can lower your diabetes risk by 44 percent, says a Vanderbilt University School of Medicine study. Milk is rich in calcium and vitamin D, which help your body use insulin efficiently.

Cinnamon – As little as ½ teaspoon a day added to yogurt, cereal or baked goods has been shown to keep blood sugar levels healthy. Cinnamon contains disease-fighting polyphenols that help improve the body’s use of insulin.

Nuts – In a large study of Chinese women, those who ate peanuts every day cut their odds of developing diabetes by as much as 21 percent. An ounce a day is enough to provide the benefits, says researcherWalter C. Willett, M.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health.

Brown Rice -  Two or more servings a week lower risk by 11 percent. Why? Whole-grain brown rice is full of fiber, vitamins and minerals that stabilize blood sugar better than white rice or other refined carbs.

Flu Shot Update

The 2009 flu season triggered a flurry of questions, thanks to the emergence of the H1N1 virus and the threat of widespread vaccine shortages. What’s up for this year?

People ages 19 through 49 should get vaccinated. In previous years the  vaccine was primarily recommended for younger and older people. For the first time the CDC suggests that everyone over 6 months of age be immunized. This is because those in their 20s, 30s and 40s were particularly hard-hit last season.

There’s plenty of vaccine to go around. The CDC expects 170 million doses to be available. But don’t delay: The sooner you get your shot, the less likely you’ll get sick.

Most people will need only a single shot or nasal spray. This season’s vaccine boosts your immunity to three different strains, including H1N1.

Pet Food Warning

Serving your cat or dog kibble could make you sick. Multiple brands of dry pet food have been found to be contaminated with salmonella, a bacterial infection that can cause severe nausea, fever, diarrhea and vomiting. If your hands come in contact with the dry food (or an unwashed feeding dish) or the kibble touches the kitchen counter or sink, the bacterium can easily spread, according to a recent CDC report. Take these precautions.

• Use a scoop to serve the pet food.
• Wash hands thoroughly afterward.
• Disinfect any kitchen surface that comes in contact with pet food.

Don’t Be Rash

Attention Troubles?

Kids who OD on video games may be more prone to attention problems. Elementary, middle school and college students who played video games and watched TV for more than two hours a day were about two times likelier to have difficulty staying on task in the classroom, according to an Iowa State University study. What can you do?

1. Encourage your child to choose slower-paced, nonviolent educational games, as experts think they’re less likely to cause attention problems.
2. Limit total daily TV and video-game screen time to no more than two hours a day.

Toilet Paper

You might think using moist toilet-paper wipes would soothe an itchy rash, but they may actually cause one, according to a study in the Archives of Dermatology. The preservatives required to keep bacteria or fungi from growing can cause a severe form of contact dermatitis in some people, says study coauthor Mark Davis, M.D., a dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic. If you suspect a family member has had a reaction, stop using the wipes and see if the rash clears up.

Anorexia Alert

Websites that encourage eating disorders still exist, even though search engines like Yahoo and MSN agreed to shut down any that were overtly pro-anorexia or pro-bulimia, says a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study. Of the 180 sites analyzed, 43 percent provided specific instructions on concealing eating disorders and 85 percent included ‘‘thinspirations’’—graphic images or prose that encouraged drastic dieting. These sites can be extremely harmful because they promote excessively low body weight rather than describing it as a symptom of a dangerous disease, says researcher Dina L. G. Borzekowski. If you suspect your teen is viewing these sites, visit nationaleatingdisorders.org for advice on starting a discussion with her about eating disorders; you’ll also find info on how to spot the symptoms and get treatment.

Feeling good in cold weather starts with getting a flu shot, but it doesn’t end there. Take action now against these winter woes.

• Prevent cold sores When your lips are dry and cracked, it’s easier for the virus that causes those ugly fluid-filled blisters to invade, says Laura C. Knobel, M.D., a board member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Use plenty of moisturizing lip balm and make sure it has an SPF of at least 15, as sun exposure during the winter can also trigger cold sores.

• Protect your back Shoveling heavy snow isn’t the only danger—you can pull a muscle reaching to scrape frost off a windshield or wrestling skis onto the car rack. Before cold-weather activities, warm up tight back muscles with some stretching; avoid reaching on your tippy toes and turn by moving your whole body rather than twisting your waist.

• Stop sinusitis Dry, heated indoor air can trigger chronic stuffiness and sinus inflammation. Keep nasal mucus thin and free-flowing by staying well hydrated; use a saltwater nasal spray or rinse at the first sign of a stuffy nose. Running a humidifier can help, too, but make sure to clean it regularly to avoid the growth of mold.

• Head off hypothermia and frostbite You know to dress warmly and in layers, but it’s also important to be prepared: Store blankets, extra gloves, scarves and hats (as well as some bottled water and energy bars) in the trunk of your car in case you get stranded in a storm.

Sweet Calcium Treats

It can be tough to get the 1,000 mg of calcium you need each day (1,200 if you’re over 50) from food alone. And who wants to take another pill? That’s why we set out in search of the tastiest chewable versions. All contain vitamin D for absorption except the cookies (milk will fix that).

Vitafusion Calcium Gummy Vitamins: We love these tasty little chewy, fruity and sweet bundles. About $15 for 100 gummies; 250 mg calcium each

Adora Premium Milk Chocolate Calcium Supplement: We’re amazed at how creamy and rich these disks are. About $8 for 30 pieces; 500 mg calcium each

Dr. Siegal & Son Calcios Cookies: We can’t keep our hands off these crunchy vanilla cookies. About $6 for 21 cookies; 300 mg calcium each

Viactiv Chocolate Mint Soft Chews: The cool burst of mint and dark chocolate makes these rise above ho-hum chews. About $9 for 60 chews; 500 mg calcium each

Bedbug basics

Across the country, bedbugs are popping up in stores, offices, libraries, theaters and other public places. Still, the greatest risk for picking them up is at a hotel, says Mike Potter, Ph.D., professor of entomology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Take these steps to prevent the bloodsucking critters from hitchhiking home with you.

• Before unpacking, check hotel beds closely (carry a small flashlight). Pull back sheets and inspect mattress seams, sides and corners, looking for the appleseed-size bugs themselves or any telltale dark flecks or stains. If you spot evidence of bedbugs, request another room in another area of the building—or even another hotel.
• Keep your clothes and suitcases off the bed or floor by using a luggage stand, tabletop or other hard surface to reduce the risk that bedbugs will migrate and take up residence among your things. Keep your luggage zipped until you need your belongings.
• If anyone in your family gets itchy welts on a trip, don’t bring suitcases into the house. Carry clothes inside in plastic bags, then wash immediately in hot water and dry on high heat for 20 minutes. You can disinfect luggage and backpacks by spraying them with upholstery-safe sprays such as Steri-Fab. If it’s below 32°F outside for several days, you can also wrap bags in plastic and place them outdoors.

No Siblings? No Worries

Forget the myth of the unpopular, lonely only child. Teens without siblings are just as likely to have lots of friends as those with at least one brother or sister, according to researchers at Ohio State University. The study puts to rest a worry sparked by earlier research, which found that only-child kindergartners were more prone to have problems getting along with peers. Says study coauthor Donna Bobbitt-Zeher, Ph.D., “By the time an only child becomes a teenager, he has had plenty of opportunities to learn how to socialize and develop friendships with others in school, clubs, sports and other activities.”

Slam-Dunk Danger

More kids play basketball than any other team sport, and as many as 375,000 are injured each year as a result, says a study by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio. Concussions are a particular concern; they’re up 70 percent in young players. “Head injuries can cause serious short-term problems in a child’s thinking and behavior and in rare cases can be fatal,” says lead researcher Lara McKenzie, Ph.D. Take these steps for your child’s safety.

For parents

Ask if your child’s league, school or district has a concussion policy that keeps athletes out of play on the day of the injury—and that doesn’t allow them back in the game until a physician clears their safe return.

For athletes

Kids should know the symptoms of a concussion, which can crop up right after a bump to the head or days later: headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, slurred speech, ringing in the ears, feeling confused or sluggish. Encourage kids to report a suspected concussion.

For coaches

A free online concussion-training video from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available at cdc.gov/concussion. This tutorial offers prevention tips and outlines the correct way to respond when an athlete has a head injury.

Your child’s frequent stomachaches could be a sign of chronic constipation, a problem that’s on the rise. In fact, doctors at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center saw a 30 percent increase in cases between 2008 and 2009, says Maria Oliva-Hemker, M.D., the center’s director of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. Help your child break the cycle by following Dr. Oliva-Hemker’s suggestions.

• Make sure that your child is drinking plenty of water, eating a lot of fiber from fruits, vegetables and grains and getting regular exercise.
• Try a safe over- the-counter stool softener. She recommends Miralax because it’s not habit-forming and has minimal side effects.
• If your child is having a bowel movement less than three times a week for three months or more, take him to a doctor for treatment.

During my 14-year marriage I put a lot of effort into creating family rituals for me, my then-husband, Larry, and our two daughters, Cazzie, now 16, and Romy, 14. When the marriage ended these rituals came to our rescue, doing what rituals do best—providing us with a sense of predictability and normalcy, stability and security, comfort and love. At the top of the list was family dinner. From the moment my older daughter was first fastened into her high chair, I’d insisted on eating together every night as a family. Preserving that sacrosanct ­tradition amid the tumult of divorce let our daughters know that even though their parents were no longer together, life would go on, routines would continue, dinner would be served.

It was tempting to skip organized meals in those early, difficult days after my separation, but I was desperate to keep daily life as “normal” as possible. If I’d discontinued family dinner, the message to my kids (and to myself) would have been that we weren’t whole anymore, that something was broken. I wanted to send a different message: that our family was changing, but we were still a family. So every night at 6:30 the girls and I sat down to dinner. Nobody felt much like eating and many of those first meals con­sisted of awkward, forced small talk punctuated by long, brooding silences. When I couldn’t take it any longer, I’d fall back on one of my tried-and-true word games to get a conversation ­going. My new full-time job was to make sure my family didn’t fall apart. My kids had many friends from broken homes (by the way, can we please ­retire that awful expression?) whose parents were in constant battle. I was determined to spare my girls that pain.

Fortunately, Larry was just as committed to an amicable divorce and a co-parenting arrangement as I was, and before long he and I decided to try something a little unorthodox: nesting. This is when a couple who’ve separated move in and out of the shared house so that the kids can stay put. Larry got an apartment but had dinner with the girls and stayed at the house every Monday and Wednesday night. I spent those days at my sister’s place nearby. This system helped everyone ease into the change.

Then I decided to venture a step further. I had the notion (read: wild hope) that eventually I could even get my ex back to the table—with me sitting at it—for once- or even twice-a-month family dinners. Crazy? Maybe, but I was eager to try. I yearned to show my girls that it was possible to have a ­loving divorce and that the end of a marriage doesn’t mean you no longer care about the other person or wish to have him out of your life. Also, like most parents, Larry and I needed all the help we could get in navigating the turbulent seas of adolescence. Keeping the lines of communication open would enable us to be a united front, with the same values and rules no matter who was in charge at the time. This would disarm the age-old trick of playing one parent against the other: “When I’m with Dad, he lets me . . . .”

Besides, I had selfish reasons for wanting to stay on good terms with my children’s father. I wasn’t about to be cheated out of seeing one of their most important relationships change and evolve as they got older. I didn’t want to be excluded from all the laughs and inside jokes the three of them shared, or to feel left out of half my kids’ life.

The bottom line was that, divorced or not, I wanted Larry and me to remain cocaptains of our family ship, to invoke an analogy used by parenting guru Susan Stiffelman. Family dinner, I decided, would be the route that got us to calmer waters. I began asking Larry if he would have dinner with the kids and me on one of my nights with them. I ­ received quite a few emphatic nos and then one day, lo and behold, he said yes.

That first dinner was exactly what you would imagine: miserable but mercifully brief. The girls gulped down their food and hightailed it out of the kitchen with excuses of showers and homework. Larry left pretty quickly, too. Time was on my side, though. One meal turned into several, and soon enough we were back to our old ­pattern of “If it’s Sunday, it must be Chinese takeout.” I’d order and Larry would do the pickup on his way over.

Eventually the meals got a little longer and more relaxed; one night Larry even stayed for a movie. By the end of the first year we’d branched out to local restaurants. I’ll admit I get a kick out of the surprised look on people’s faces when they recognize Larry and realize he’s having dinner with the kids and me. I fully expect to read a gossip item one of these days that Larry was seen dining with a woman who looks just like his ex. Hey, that’s no lookalike; that is his ex.

Three years into this experiment I like to think I’ve achieved my goal of a ­happier, more inclusive divorce than the norm. But I didn’t do it alone: It took two devoted parents, two great kids, one hexagonal table, dozens of favorite recipes and my entire arsenal of word games, which forced us to laugh even when we were hurting. During the most challenging time in our lives, sharing dinner provided the space for the four of us to reconnect with one another, to shore one another up, to remind us that we were okay.

by Laurie David

I yearned to show my girls that it was possible to have  a loving divorce.

Excerpted from The Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids, One Meal at a Time, by Laurie David with recipes by Kirstin Uhrenholdt, © 2010 by Hybrid Nation, Inc. Reprinted with permission of Grand Central Publishing, New York, New York. All rights reserved.

Ladies’ Home Journal

Nov 10

Being the target of a bully is always a painful experience for a kid. And now, when taunts can fly at the speed of Twitter and a Facebook post is public knowledge, technology has helped make bullying more pervasive, unavoidable and serious than ever. As many as half of all children are bullied at some point during their school years, and at least 10 percent are harassed on a regular basis, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. What’s more, your child most likely won’t tell you if she’s being bullied or if she sees someone else getting picked on. That’s why it’s so important for you to teach your kid how to recognize when she or a friend is in trouble and to ask for your help.

What kind of kid becomes a bully?

There are many theories about what makes a child the kind of person who would want to hurt others emotionally or physically. He may be aggressive because he’s insecure or lacks social skills, he may be acting out of anger or frustration because he’s been bullied himself, or he could be modeling ­behavior he’s seen at home in a parent or a sibling. “Some kids bully because they’re jealous of their victim or like the sense of power they get from picking on their peers,” says Ross Ellis, of Stompoutbullying.org. Whatever the cause, these kids seek out the weakest, most obvious targets and harass them again and again.

How will I know if My child is being exposed to bullying?

You might not. Kids are sometimes afraid to tell their parents or teachers; they worry that if you step in the teasing will get worse, or they’re ashamed that they can’t deal with it themselves, says Allan Beane, Ph.D., author of ­Protect Your Child From Bullying. Or the problem may come in such a subtle form—your child is excluded from her normal spot at the lunch table or is the subject of a mean rumor, for instance—that she may not even recognize it as bullying. If she sees a friend or classmate being teased, she may be afraid to speak up because the taunting might be redirected at her. The best thing you can do is to encourage open communication at home so that your child feels comfortable talking to you when she first encounters a problem. Make sure she knows that you’ll never punish her for being honest. (For instance, if your child is being cyberbullied, don’t threaten to limit her Internet access.) And look out for changes in her behavior. If she’s sad, moody or depressed after coming home from school or if she is anxious in the ­mornings, complains of constant headaches or stomachaches, has trouble sleeping or loses interest in activities she once enjoyed, bullying may be the cause behind it.

What should I do if my child is being bullied by someone or is witnessing it?

First, you need to accept that you can’t completely protect him from ­being picked on by classmates. “But when teasing crosses the line and another child purposely, repeatedly tries to hurt your child, it’s time to step in,” says Richard Shadick, Ph.D., director of Pace University’s Coun­seling Center. You could intervene by helping him handle the situation himself (see sidebar, below) or by approach­ing the right authority, whether it’s the ­other child’s parents, school counselors or a principal. In the case of cyberbullying, inform your Internet Service Provider or cell-phone company—­bullies often think they can hide behind an anonymous screen name, so uncovering their identity can be enough to stop the behavior. If and when you feel the need to speak to school officials, be sure to bring any evidence, including text messages, notes or nasty e-mails, with you. “Schools are responsible for what happens to your child while he’s there,” says Ellis. Bottom line? Bullying can be stopped—if you treat it seriously and take action.

Gossip girls: Spreading rumors is one form of bullying.

by Janna Oberdorf

Defense Mechanisms

Bullies taunt other kids to get a reaction. Deny them that and they’re thrown off guard. Tell your child to try any or all of these strategies, whether he’s being bullied himself or he’s trying to help a friend.

Walk away Often the most effective way to stop a bully is to ignore the behavior and leave the room or schoolyard. If it’s online bullying, tell your child not to respond and to immediately sign off. Or use your computer’s parental controls to block the bully’s messages.

Get your game face on Even nervous giggling or smiling can egg a bully on, so tell your child to keep his reactions to himself. If he doesn’t respond, the bully won’t get the result he’s looking for.

†Don’t back down Sometimes facing the situation head-on works best. Teach your child to tell the bully calmly, directly and confidently that he needs to back off. If your kid shows that he’s willing to stand up for himself, it makes him appear more confident whether he feels that way or not.

Step in Your child could help if he sees someone getting teased by answering a mean comment with a nice, supportive one or telling the bully to stop. With any luck his courage will spread to both the victim and the other bystanders and the bully will lose his easy target—and his audience.

Fresh, juicy apples start rolling into farmers’ markets about now, so grab some and get these benefits.

• Cardiovascular protection: In one huge seven-year study, eating apples was associated with lower risk of a heart attack. Apple pectin helps reduce cholesterol.

• Colon-cancer prevention: At least one apple a day can cut your odds by 35 percent. Why? Apples are rich in disease-fighting polyphenols, which may block cancer cells from flourishing.

• Better brain health The fruit may also reduce age-related declines in brain function and prevent symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, University of Massachusetts researchers found. The antioxidants boost neurotransmitters that affect memory and thought.

A Breast-Cancer Vaccine?

Ladies’ Home Journal talked to Vincent K. Tuohy, Ph.D., an immunologist at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, about his recent discovery.

- Is a shot to prevent breast cancer really possible?

We’ve developed a vaccine that was 100 percent effective in preventing breast cancer in mice specially bred to be susceptible to the disease. And the mice who didn’t get vaccinated all got tumors.

- How does it work?

It targets a protein called alpha-lactalbumin, found in most breast cancers. When you stimulate the immune system to attack this protein, it also destroys the tumors. And the vaccine appears to be safe; it didn’t harm any normal tissue.

- When will it be available?

Once we get funding and approval for human studies, large numbers of women would be eligible to receive the vaccine in a clinical trial in about five years. This is a monumental step toward eliminating the disease.

Avoid flip-flops and flats to give your foot pain a reprieve.

Before You Walk Into A Hospital …

Kick Heel Pain

While the antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA has declined in many hospitals thanks to prevention efforts, another bad-guy bacterium, Clostridium difficile, is on the rise. Its spores can live on surfaces for a long time and are often spread by hand contact. Symptoms include cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting; patients can even die from it. Experts say we need to develop new antibiotics to fight this and other emerging threats. ­Meanwhile, what can you do? Since C. difficile can be transmitted orally, you should wash your hands before you eat anything in a hospital, whether you’re a patient or a visitor. Also, politely ask your doctor, nurse and tech if they’ve washed their hands.

Does the bottom of your foot hurt a lot when you get out of bed in the morning? You could have plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tight band of connective tissue in the arch of the foot. Many sufferers also have heel spurs. For both, reducing inflammation is key. Get relief by following our recommendations.

1. Stretch it Before taking your first step in the morning, lie in bed with your legs straight, then flex your feet so that your toes point up. Hold for a few seconds and repeat several times before getting up.
2. Soothe it After walking or being on your feet all day long, ice your heels for 20 minutes (protect skin with a towel) or roll feet over a frozen juice can or water bottle. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help, too.
3. Support it Avoid going barefoot and don’t wear flip-flops or other flat shoes—flimsy footwear may be what caused the problem in the first place. Tuck an over-the-counter arch support into your shoe to take pressure off the plantar fascia and provide shock absorption.
4. Splint it Night splints keep your foot in a flexed position, so your calf and the plantar fascia get stretched during sleep. You can find them at most national drugstore chains.

Free Health Apps We Like

AsthmaMD: Record times, symptoms and triggers of your asthma attacks, stay on top of your meds and keep your asthma in check with continuous self-monitoring on this easy-to-navigate system.

Glucose Buddy: If you have diabetes, you can keep track of your blood sugar, medicine, food intake and activity. Then the app makes a cool graph for at-a-glance reference; you can e-mail it to your doc.

Lose It!: Set weight goals, establish a daily calorie budget and record daily food intake and exercise. Also, your goals chart displays personal progress for quick and easy motivation.

GottaKickIt: When you’re ready to quit smoking, this app gives you a plan. It will time your smoke breaks, gradually spacing them out and narrowing them down to help you end the addiction.

Your Healing Voice

If your daughter is stressed out, the soothing sound of your voice can relieve her anxiety as much as an actual hug, says a University of Wisconsin–Madison study. After a series of challenging tests, girls who were comforted by their mom in person or over the phone experienced a surge in oxytocin, the bonding hormone that also calms your stress response. In contrast, girls who had no contact with their mother showed no rise in oxytocin. So if you can’t be there, speed-dial your daughter after her difficult exam, important ­performance or other big event (or tell her to call you).

Asleep at the Wheel

Your teen may be at risk for a car crash if he gets out of bed too early. Accident rates among 16- to 18-year-olds were 41 percent higher in a school district with a 7:20 a.m. start time than at a high school where classes started at 8:40 a.m., according to a study from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Changes in teenagers’ circadian rhythms cause them to fall asleep later at night, so it takes extra effort to get the shut-eye they need.

Want to help?

• Talk to your child about the importance of getting nine hours of sleep a night at his age.

• Enforce realistic weeknight curfews.

• Have him avoid caffeine within six hours of bedtime.

• Establish electronics-free quiet-time routines for the hour before bed.

• If your teen’s school day starts early, consider talking to other parents and the principal about these findings and push for a later start time.

Sports Injury Shocker

Overuse injuries in teen athletes, such as tennis elbow, swimmer’s shoulder and Achilles tendinitis, have quadrupled in the past five years. Many experts think sports specialization is to blame: As more and more teens participate in just one activity all year round, their developing bodies never get a chance to properly cross-train, rest or repair themselves. The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine has spearheaded a prevention campaign at stopsportsinjuries.org that offers help such as:

1. insight for parents and kids on how much practice or play is too much.
2. resources for coaches to help them teach kids safe ways to participate.
3. prevention tip sheets for baseball, cheer- leading, hockey, soccer, volleyball and other sports with high rates of overuse and trauma injuries.

Ladies’ Home Journal

oct 10