<![CDATA[cafeparents.com - All Forums]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:09:32 -0600 MyBB <![CDATA[Buddhist Temple Built from Beer Bottles]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-10.html Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:57:50 -0500 Eddie http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-10.html

... Buddhist monks from Thailand's Sisaket province ... collected a million bottles to build the Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple.

You can see the pictures on TreeHugger.]]>

... Buddhist monks from Thailand's Sisaket province ... collected a million bottles to build the Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple.

You can see the pictures on TreeHugger.]]> <![CDATA[[Article] Turn Over a New Leaf This Fall]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-9.html Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:42:55 -0500 Eddie http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-9.html Turn Over a New Leaf This Fall
Author: Karen Schachter
Copyright © 2008 Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Albert Einstein

Have you ever found yourself stuck, trying to make a change, but being unsure where to start and instead finding yourself repeating the same old patterns...over and over and over again? I'm guessing you have! We all have felt this in one area of our life or another. Instead of trying something else, we just keep trying the same thing -only harder.

And frankly, this is why most of my clients initially come to see me. They have tried everything they can think of to stop their binging, or to lose weight, or to feel better, or change their obsessive thoughts about food and weight, or to improve their health.

Very often, they have tried this strategy or that diet or this exercise program
, and although some of the approaches work some of the time for a while, they eventually find themselves right back where they started. My clients are all very successful in many areas of their lives, but somehow have gotten stuck when it comes to eating, self-care and living their lives as fully and vibrantly as they would like.

During the beginning phase of our work together, we take a step back, look at what they've done in the past and what they continue to do, and we assess: What's working? What's not working? What obstacles have they come up against (usually repeatedly) in trying to reach their goals? We make shifts in what they have been doing, we find ways to negotiate those obstacles, and we use a different solution to address their problem or concern. Generally, this leads to significant positive change in a relatively short time.

At some point during our work together, after making many steps forward and feeling better, inevitably, clients may find they hit a "bump" in the road to their goals. At this point, they feel frustrated, angry at themselves, and oftentimes, hopeless. They may want to crawl back in their hole, back to their old way of doing things, and they may "lick their wounds," feeling like they will never have the relationship to food they desire.

And this is where I come in, strongly reminding them that although they FEEL stuck, they actually are not stuck. They are at a bump, and although this bump feels bad, they actually need to be at this "yucky" place in order to move forward for good. (REALLY). However, they must approach this phase with some new strategies and understanding.

Although it's hard to believe, this "bump" is often part of the process of change (no one tells us that though, so it feels awful when it's happening!). Often, after taking several great steps forward, we take one or two (and sometimes more) steps back. (Just look at children and especially adolescents - this is a natural part of their development as well: as soon as we think they've achieved a new level of maturity, we often see some "acting out" or regression until they become comfortable at their new level. Change is SCARY!).

Same is true for us adults: We move forward and we need to get comfortable in that new place. Whether it's out of fear, discomfort, or old uncomfortable beliefs trying to sabotage us (our unconscious mind does NOT like change), we find ourselves feeling stuck, unsure how to keep going, uncertain how we'll reach our goals.

Instead of getting caught up in feelings of frustration, helplessness, or hopelessness; and instead of beating yourself up for not making progress, I would like you to consider this as an opportunity. Just like the beginning of a new year, this is an opportunity to look back at what's working and what's not, look ahead at where you want to go, and begin moving forward again, often with a new level of awareness and confidence.

Here are some very specific strategies to help you do just that. My request for you this week is to think about an area in your life where you are feeling stuck. Go through the following steps and see if it helps you shift into the direction of your goals and dreams...

1) RECOGNIZE- It is absolutely critical that you recognize that you have simply hit a bump in the road. Just because you have hit this bump, does not mean you have to stay on this bump forever. Although you feel stuck and are unsure of what to do, this stuckness may actually be a REAL sign that part of you is scared of the change that is really in your best interest. It also may be a sign that something you are doing is just not working and it's time to try something different. Stuckness (just like any "symptom") can serve as a wake-up call that our thoughts or our actions need to shift.

2) RE-ASSESS - Ask yourself: What's not working here? What do I keep trying, but just keep hitting a wall with? What do I know, in my gut, might be a different, more useful approach to this problem? (Here's an example: Let's say I keep binging every night. Next day, I wake up, angry at myself, so I skip breakfast. Starving at lunch, but still upset about the night before. Have diet coke for lunch and a salad, trying to be "good." Find myself back at the fridge, unconsciously eating that night." There's a pattern here that I keep trying to "fix" with the same (not working) solution. Time to try something new. Looking at this simple example, one solution might be to eat a BIG breakfast and a VERY SATISFYING lunch (and to make sure I am engaged in something FUN in the evening). Although this sounds simple, it requires re-assessing and re-examining our situation from a different angle.

3) RE-FOCUS - I've said this before, and I will probably continue to repeat it because I think it's so important (and really quite simple): We must have a very clear picture of where we want to go in order to continue to move in that direction. Often, we have a vague idea of where we want to go and we certainly know we don't want to be where we are (struggling), however, I encourage you to get a very clear picture of where you'd like to be, how you'd like to feel, what you'd like to be doing, how you'll be different...when you reach your goal. For example, want to lose weight? Great. What will that look like for you? How will you be eating? How will you be carrying yourself? How will your life be different? Will you be doing things that you're holding yourself back from now? The clearer you are, the more you will continue to be able to move in that direction. Fuzzy goals lead to fuzzy outcomes.

4) RE-NEW- Forgive yourself for "screwing up;" move past what you "didn't do" and stop punishing yourself. Remind yourself that this is part of the process and stop wasting useful energy on self-flagellation. It will only backfire. Instead: Look toward your clear goal. What is the next one small step you can take in that direction? Take that step. When you are ready, take another one. Remember that any endeavor, no matter how challenging it may seem, can only get completed if it is started. And remember this quote by Lao Tzu: "This journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-artic...17708.html]]> Turn Over a New Leaf This Fall
Author: Karen Schachter
Copyright © 2008 Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Albert Einstein

Have you ever found yourself stuck, trying to make a change, but being unsure where to start and instead finding yourself repeating the same old patterns...over and over and over again? I'm guessing you have! We all have felt this in one area of our life or another. Instead of trying something else, we just keep trying the same thing -only harder.

And frankly, this is why most of my clients initially come to see me. They have tried everything they can think of to stop their binging, or to lose weight, or to feel better, or change their obsessive thoughts about food and weight, or to improve their health.

Very often, they have tried this strategy or that diet or this exercise program
, and although some of the approaches work some of the time for a while, they eventually find themselves right back where they started. My clients are all very successful in many areas of their lives, but somehow have gotten stuck when it comes to eating, self-care and living their lives as fully and vibrantly as they would like.

During the beginning phase of our work together, we take a step back, look at what they've done in the past and what they continue to do, and we assess: What's working? What's not working? What obstacles have they come up against (usually repeatedly) in trying to reach their goals? We make shifts in what they have been doing, we find ways to negotiate those obstacles, and we use a different solution to address their problem or concern. Generally, this leads to significant positive change in a relatively short time.

At some point during our work together, after making many steps forward and feeling better, inevitably, clients may find they hit a "bump" in the road to their goals. At this point, they feel frustrated, angry at themselves, and oftentimes, hopeless. They may want to crawl back in their hole, back to their old way of doing things, and they may "lick their wounds," feeling like they will never have the relationship to food they desire.

And this is where I come in, strongly reminding them that although they FEEL stuck, they actually are not stuck. They are at a bump, and although this bump feels bad, they actually need to be at this "yucky" place in order to move forward for good. (REALLY). However, they must approach this phase with some new strategies and understanding.

Although it's hard to believe, this "bump" is often part of the process of change (no one tells us that though, so it feels awful when it's happening!). Often, after taking several great steps forward, we take one or two (and sometimes more) steps back. (Just look at children and especially adolescents - this is a natural part of their development as well: as soon as we think they've achieved a new level of maturity, we often see some "acting out" or regression until they become comfortable at their new level. Change is SCARY!).

Same is true for us adults: We move forward and we need to get comfortable in that new place. Whether it's out of fear, discomfort, or old uncomfortable beliefs trying to sabotage us (our unconscious mind does NOT like change), we find ourselves feeling stuck, unsure how to keep going, uncertain how we'll reach our goals.

Instead of getting caught up in feelings of frustration, helplessness, or hopelessness; and instead of beating yourself up for not making progress, I would like you to consider this as an opportunity. Just like the beginning of a new year, this is an opportunity to look back at what's working and what's not, look ahead at where you want to go, and begin moving forward again, often with a new level of awareness and confidence.

Here are some very specific strategies to help you do just that. My request for you this week is to think about an area in your life where you are feeling stuck. Go through the following steps and see if it helps you shift into the direction of your goals and dreams...

1) RECOGNIZE- It is absolutely critical that you recognize that you have simply hit a bump in the road. Just because you have hit this bump, does not mean you have to stay on this bump forever. Although you feel stuck and are unsure of what to do, this stuckness may actually be a REAL sign that part of you is scared of the change that is really in your best interest. It also may be a sign that something you are doing is just not working and it's time to try something different. Stuckness (just like any "symptom") can serve as a wake-up call that our thoughts or our actions need to shift.

2) RE-ASSESS - Ask yourself: What's not working here? What do I keep trying, but just keep hitting a wall with? What do I know, in my gut, might be a different, more useful approach to this problem? (Here's an example: Let's say I keep binging every night. Next day, I wake up, angry at myself, so I skip breakfast. Starving at lunch, but still upset about the night before. Have diet coke for lunch and a salad, trying to be "good." Find myself back at the fridge, unconsciously eating that night." There's a pattern here that I keep trying to "fix" with the same (not working) solution. Time to try something new. Looking at this simple example, one solution might be to eat a BIG breakfast and a VERY SATISFYING lunch (and to make sure I am engaged in something FUN in the evening). Although this sounds simple, it requires re-assessing and re-examining our situation from a different angle.

3) RE-FOCUS - I've said this before, and I will probably continue to repeat it because I think it's so important (and really quite simple): We must have a very clear picture of where we want to go in order to continue to move in that direction. Often, we have a vague idea of where we want to go and we certainly know we don't want to be where we are (struggling), however, I encourage you to get a very clear picture of where you'd like to be, how you'd like to feel, what you'd like to be doing, how you'll be different...when you reach your goal. For example, want to lose weight? Great. What will that look like for you? How will you be eating? How will you be carrying yourself? How will your life be different? Will you be doing things that you're holding yourself back from now? The clearer you are, the more you will continue to be able to move in that direction. Fuzzy goals lead to fuzzy outcomes.

4) RE-NEW- Forgive yourself for "screwing up;" move past what you "didn't do" and stop punishing yourself. Remind yourself that this is part of the process and stop wasting useful energy on self-flagellation. It will only backfire. Instead: Look toward your clear goal. What is the next one small step you can take in that direction? Take that step. When you are ready, take another one. Remember that any endeavor, no matter how challenging it may seem, can only get completed if it is started. And remember this quote by Lao Tzu: "This journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-artic...17708.html]]> <![CDATA[[Article] Early Sign of Pregnancy - Tracking the Symptoms]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-8.html Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:41:44 -0500 Eddie http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-8.html Early Sign of Pregnancy - Tracking the Symptoms

The earliest and most recognizable sign of pregnancy is missed periods. Woe to the women who do not keep a track of their periods or have an irregular menstrual cycle, for it will take a while for them to register their pregnancy. Nausea or morning sickness is another early sign of pregnancy. Increase in hunger or total loss of appetite follows the missed period and nausea pregnancy symptoms. These signs may vary and swing either way with each passing day, as the body prepares itself to welcome a new life. Every woman, rather every pregnancy, differs in pregnancy symptoms.

Pregnancy Symptoms
There is no standard checklist for determining pregnancy. Different women have different symptoms. It is very important to listen to what your body tells you and recognize any untoward signs. This way you can even recognize early signs of pregnancy much before any testing takes place. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms within weeks of conception, some may have no symptoms other than missed or delayed periods. Some of the most common pregnancy symptoms are listed below.

Nausea or morning sickness: Most well known early sign of pregnancy are experienced between 2-8 weeks after conception. This queasy feeling is due to the changes in the hormone levels the body experiences as it prepares for embryo implantation.

Delayed or missed periods: It is the classic early sign of pregnancy. The uterine lining need not be shed anymore so as to embed the embryo for growth.

Fatigue or tiredness: This pregnancy symptom starts as early as first week after conception.

Swollen or tender breasts: Within a week or two of conception, some women may notice changes in their breasts; they may be tender to touch, sore or swollen due to hormonal imbalance.

Darkening of areolas: The skin around the nipples darkens as the pregnancy advances in weeks, to prepare for the baby.

Backaches: Lower backache is also an early sign of pregnancy, though a dull backache remains throughout the pregnancy due to the increasing weight of the fetus.

Headache: Some women experience headaches early in the pregnancy due to sudden rise of hormones.

Frequent urination: Around 5-8 weeks as the growing uterus presses against the urinary bladder, one needs to make frequent trips to bathroom to evacuate urine.

Food cravings: This is a very classic early sign of pregnancy and lasts throughout the entire pregnancy. Some women crave for sweets and ice creams, while other may want salty food or pickles. According to pregnancy journal, this is one way of the body to take in the missing nutrients or augment poor diet due to nausea.

Implantation bleeding: About 6-12 days after conception the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some blood spotting or cramping may take place at this moment of time. This is also an early sign of pregnancy to be watched out for.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-artic...74406.html]]> Early Sign of Pregnancy - Tracking the Symptoms

The earliest and most recognizable sign of pregnancy is missed periods. Woe to the women who do not keep a track of their periods or have an irregular menstrual cycle, for it will take a while for them to register their pregnancy. Nausea or morning sickness is another early sign of pregnancy. Increase in hunger or total loss of appetite follows the missed period and nausea pregnancy symptoms. These signs may vary and swing either way with each passing day, as the body prepares itself to welcome a new life. Every woman, rather every pregnancy, differs in pregnancy symptoms.

Pregnancy Symptoms
There is no standard checklist for determining pregnancy. Different women have different symptoms. It is very important to listen to what your body tells you and recognize any untoward signs. This way you can even recognize early signs of pregnancy much before any testing takes place. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms within weeks of conception, some may have no symptoms other than missed or delayed periods. Some of the most common pregnancy symptoms are listed below.

Nausea or morning sickness: Most well known early sign of pregnancy are experienced between 2-8 weeks after conception. This queasy feeling is due to the changes in the hormone levels the body experiences as it prepares for embryo implantation.

Delayed or missed periods: It is the classic early sign of pregnancy. The uterine lining need not be shed anymore so as to embed the embryo for growth.

Fatigue or tiredness: This pregnancy symptom starts as early as first week after conception.

Swollen or tender breasts: Within a week or two of conception, some women may notice changes in their breasts; they may be tender to touch, sore or swollen due to hormonal imbalance.

Darkening of areolas: The skin around the nipples darkens as the pregnancy advances in weeks, to prepare for the baby.

Backaches: Lower backache is also an early sign of pregnancy, though a dull backache remains throughout the pregnancy due to the increasing weight of the fetus.

Headache: Some women experience headaches early in the pregnancy due to sudden rise of hormones.

Frequent urination: Around 5-8 weeks as the growing uterus presses against the urinary bladder, one needs to make frequent trips to bathroom to evacuate urine.

Food cravings: This is a very classic early sign of pregnancy and lasts throughout the entire pregnancy. Some women crave for sweets and ice creams, while other may want salty food or pickles. According to pregnancy journal, this is one way of the body to take in the missing nutrients or augment poor diet due to nausea.

Implantation bleeding: About 6-12 days after conception the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some blood spotting or cramping may take place at this moment of time. This is also an early sign of pregnancy to be watched out for.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-artic...74406.html]]> <![CDATA[Let's be friends!]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-7.html Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:36:08 -0500 Eddie http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-7.html
http://www.myspace.com/cafeparents

Help spread the word! Big Grin]]>
http://www.myspace.com/cafeparents

Help spread the word! Big Grin]]> <![CDATA[[Article] Ten Ways to Conserve Water in Your Home]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-6.html Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:14:56 -0500 Eddie http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-6.html Ten Ways to Conserve Water in Your Home

(ARA) – Water is a precious resource and even though it flows readily whenever we turn on a faucet, it's important to conserve. Water is vital to the environment, and conserving water helps our critical ecosystems, but saving water also saves you money. You don't have to make major lifestyle changes to conserve water in your home; there are easy ways to accomplish the environmentally friendly task.

1. Don’t flush water and money down the drain. Fix leaks promptly. It has been shown that leaking faucets and toilets account for 14 percent of all indoor water use, which can add up to 20 gallons of water per person per day. Don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes and hoses for leaks too, before winter sets in.

2. Take shorter showers by setting a time limit for yourself. Also, try and be aware of the amount of water you are using by turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth and washing your hands.

3. Faucets with one-piece waterways can minimize the places that leaks can form because there are minimal joints. Delta Faucet Company’s Diamond Seal Technology reduces leak points with its unique one-piece construction comprised of an integrated diamond-coated valve and InnoFlex waterways.

4. Look for water-efficient lavatory faucets certified by the EPA’s WaterSense program. Lahara bath suite by Delta flows at 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 pounds per square inch, saving about 30 percent more water than a standard faucet, which flows at 2.2 gallons per minute.

5. If your toilet was installed before 1980, install a toilet dam or filled bottle to save water during each flush (make sure operating parts are not affected by these installations). Consider installing a new toilet that uses less than 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

6. When shopping for showerheads, look for models that save water without compromising the shower experience. The Water-Efficient Showerhead with H2Okinetic Technology by Delta actually changes the thermal dynamics of the water, and delivers larger water droplets while using 36 percent less water than a standard showerhead.

7. Landscaping accounts for 20 to 50 percent of all residential water use, so choose drought-resistant and low water consuming plants. Your local home extension service can be found online and can help you choose plants appropriate to your geographic region.

8. Use a landscape watering guide to calculate how long and how frequently to water your plants for optimal growth. A calculator can be found at www.wateruseitwisely.com.

9. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save up to 80 gallons of water each time.

10. Check out other water-saving tips by visiting Responsible by Nature at www.deltafaucet.com/green.

Courtesy of ARAcontent]]> Ten Ways to Conserve Water in Your Home

(ARA) – Water is a precious resource and even though it flows readily whenever we turn on a faucet, it's important to conserve. Water is vital to the environment, and conserving water helps our critical ecosystems, but saving water also saves you money. You don't have to make major lifestyle changes to conserve water in your home; there are easy ways to accomplish the environmentally friendly task.

1. Don’t flush water and money down the drain. Fix leaks promptly. It has been shown that leaking faucets and toilets account for 14 percent of all indoor water use, which can add up to 20 gallons of water per person per day. Don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes and hoses for leaks too, before winter sets in.

2. Take shorter showers by setting a time limit for yourself. Also, try and be aware of the amount of water you are using by turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth and washing your hands.

3. Faucets with one-piece waterways can minimize the places that leaks can form because there are minimal joints. Delta Faucet Company’s Diamond Seal Technology reduces leak points with its unique one-piece construction comprised of an integrated diamond-coated valve and InnoFlex waterways.

4. Look for water-efficient lavatory faucets certified by the EPA’s WaterSense program. Lahara bath suite by Delta flows at 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 pounds per square inch, saving about 30 percent more water than a standard faucet, which flows at 2.2 gallons per minute.

5. If your toilet was installed before 1980, install a toilet dam or filled bottle to save water during each flush (make sure operating parts are not affected by these installations). Consider installing a new toilet that uses less than 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

6. When shopping for showerheads, look for models that save water without compromising the shower experience. The Water-Efficient Showerhead with H2Okinetic Technology by Delta actually changes the thermal dynamics of the water, and delivers larger water droplets while using 36 percent less water than a standard showerhead.

7. Landscaping accounts for 20 to 50 percent of all residential water use, so choose drought-resistant and low water consuming plants. Your local home extension service can be found online and can help you choose plants appropriate to your geographic region.

8. Use a landscape watering guide to calculate how long and how frequently to water your plants for optimal growth. A calculator can be found at www.wateruseitwisely.com.

9. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save up to 80 gallons of water each time.

10. Check out other water-saving tips by visiting Responsible by Nature at www.deltafaucet.com/green.

Courtesy of ARAcontent]]> <![CDATA[[Article] Design Tips for the Little One’s First Bedroom]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-5.html Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:25:04 -0500 Eddie http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-5.html Oh Baby! Expert Design Tips for the Little One’s First Bedroom

(ARA) –Of all the tasks to complete during pregnancy, decorating the nursery may be the most fun. Now new parents can have designer access to the hottest trends and nursery design tips from the master of good design, Ty Pennington. He is sharing his design expertise through “Ty’s Nursery Guide,” a step-by-step guide that helps parents identify their nursery design style.

The following questions from “Ty’s Nursery Guide” can help parents begin discovering their inspiration:

* Which colors appeal to you most? Soft pastels, classic primaries, vibrant hues or earthy tones? Remember, you can choose more than one.

* If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would that be? What does it look like there?

* Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl? If so, do you want the room to be boy or girl themed? Or gender neutral?

After completing this type of “Inspiration Quiz,” Pennington says to start forming a theme. If earthy tones or vibrant hues are dominant, the nursery could be themed after a Fairytale Forest or Grand Garden. If classic primaries are preferred or mom and dad love the outdoors, Beach Baby may be the way to go.

Once a theme is determined, it’s time to pick up the basics. The nursery checklist in the free guide can help busy parents ensure they have all the necessities. A sampling of nursery must-haves:

* Crib – If only one item can be splurged on, it should be the crib. Visit http://www.CPSC.gov to check crib safety recommendations.

* Mattress and sheets – Skip the bedding set. A tight-fitting mattress and a couple of crib sheets are all the bedding an infant needs.

* Dresser and changing pad – A waist-high dresser can hold a lot of onesies, and can work as a changing table with the addition of a pad.

* Glider or chair – A comfortable place to sit for feedings and late-night rocking.

Don’t forget that while great design can make a nursery dazzle, it should also make life easier for parents. Storage containers that do double duty for toys and clothing or a feeding chair ergonomically designed for a new mom’s healing body may ease stress during those first few months. Even formula feeding has gotten simpler for those who choose it. Similac SimplePac is a new baby formula container that replaces the iconic can. The package was redesigned based on extensive research with more than 1,600 moms and includes several features like an innovative “grip-flip-scoop” design that offers a simplified approach to bottle-feeding time.

“I’m all about top-notch designs that make things easier for people, and this new package redesign from Similac definitely makes feeding time easier for moms,” says Pennington.

For more nursery decorating tips from Pennington, to download a free copy of “Ty’s Nursery Guide,” or to find out more about Similac SimplePac go to http://www.StrongMoms.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Some interesting statistics to accompany this story:

* Americans spent $6.2 billion on gadgets, equipment and furniture for babies in 2007. (Source: Mintel International, Baby Durables Report published in March 2008).

* New parents spent anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 to prepare the nursery in 2007. (Source: Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association).]]> Oh Baby! Expert Design Tips for the Little One’s First Bedroom

(ARA) –Of all the tasks to complete during pregnancy, decorating the nursery may be the most fun. Now new parents can have designer access to the hottest trends and nursery design tips from the master of good design, Ty Pennington. He is sharing his design expertise through “Ty’s Nursery Guide,” a step-by-step guide that helps parents identify their nursery design style.

The following questions from “Ty’s Nursery Guide” can help parents begin discovering their inspiration:

* Which colors appeal to you most? Soft pastels, classic primaries, vibrant hues or earthy tones? Remember, you can choose more than one.

* If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would that be? What does it look like there?

* Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl? If so, do you want the room to be boy or girl themed? Or gender neutral?

After completing this type of “Inspiration Quiz,” Pennington says to start forming a theme. If earthy tones or vibrant hues are dominant, the nursery could be themed after a Fairytale Forest or Grand Garden. If classic primaries are preferred or mom and dad love the outdoors, Beach Baby may be the way to go.

Once a theme is determined, it’s time to pick up the basics. The nursery checklist in the free guide can help busy parents ensure they have all the necessities. A sampling of nursery must-haves:

* Crib – If only one item can be splurged on, it should be the crib. Visit http://www.CPSC.gov to check crib safety recommendations.

* Mattress and sheets – Skip the bedding set. A tight-fitting mattress and a couple of crib sheets are all the bedding an infant needs.

* Dresser and changing pad – A waist-high dresser can hold a lot of onesies, and can work as a changing table with the addition of a pad.

* Glider or chair – A comfortable place to sit for feedings and late-night rocking.

Don’t forget that while great design can make a nursery dazzle, it should also make life easier for parents. Storage containers that do double duty for toys and clothing or a feeding chair ergonomically designed for a new mom’s healing body may ease stress during those first few months. Even formula feeding has gotten simpler for those who choose it. Similac SimplePac is a new baby formula container that replaces the iconic can. The package was redesigned based on extensive research with more than 1,600 moms and includes several features like an innovative “grip-flip-scoop” design that offers a simplified approach to bottle-feeding time.

“I’m all about top-notch designs that make things easier for people, and this new package redesign from Similac definitely makes feeding time easier for moms,” says Pennington.

For more nursery decorating tips from Pennington, to download a free copy of “Ty’s Nursery Guide,” or to find out more about Similac SimplePac go to http://www.StrongMoms.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Some interesting statistics to accompany this story:

* Americans spent $6.2 billion on gadgets, equipment and furniture for babies in 2007. (Source: Mintel International, Baby Durables Report published in March 2008).

* New parents spent anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 to prepare the nursery in 2007. (Source: Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association).]]> <![CDATA[Using a Fan During Sleep May Reduce Infants' SIDS Risk]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-4.html Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:36:51 -0500 Eddie http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-4.html

Quote:In the October issue of the Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, researchers at Kaiser Permanente looked at whether the use of a fan in the room where a baby sleeps can help reduce the incidence of SIDS. In in-person interviews, they questioned mothers of 185 California babies who died of SIDS and the mothers of 312 randomly selected "control" infants matched by county, race, ethnicity and age to the first group. Kaiser researchers found that infants who slept in rooms ventilated by fans had a 72 percent lower risk of SIDS compared to infants who slept in bedrooms without fans. Using a fan appeared be most effective with infants in high-risk environments, such as those sleeping in overheated rooms or on their stomachs. Researchers hypothesized that fans may improve ventilation and decrease the chance that babies will rebreathe exhaled carbon dioxide (an explanation for SIDS known as the "stale-air hypothesis").

source
]]>

Quote:In the October issue of the Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, researchers at Kaiser Permanente looked at whether the use of a fan in the room where a baby sleeps can help reduce the incidence of SIDS. In in-person interviews, they questioned mothers of 185 California babies who died of SIDS and the mothers of 312 randomly selected "control" infants matched by county, race, ethnicity and age to the first group. Kaiser researchers found that infants who slept in rooms ventilated by fans had a 72 percent lower risk of SIDS compared to infants who slept in bedrooms without fans. Using a fan appeared be most effective with infants in high-risk environments, such as those sleeping in overheated rooms or on their stomachs. Researchers hypothesized that fans may improve ventilation and decrease the chance that babies will rebreathe exhaled carbon dioxide (an explanation for SIDS known as the "stale-air hypothesis").

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]]> <![CDATA[Check us out on Facebook!]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-3.html Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:07:25 -0500 Eddie http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-3.html
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Join up today and help spread the word! Big Grin]]> <![CDATA[Welcome to Cafe Parents!]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-2.html Sat, 18 Oct 2008 22:47:09 -0500 Eddie http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-2.html
We're still working out the kinks and updating links, graphics and such, but we're open to the public and that's exciting. There are many more exciting changes to come, so hang in there with us.

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Thanks and welcome! Big Grin]]>
We're still working out the kinks and updating links, graphics and such, but we're open to the public and that's exciting. There are many more exciting changes to come, so hang in there with us.

And, as always, your comments, suggestions, questions, etc. are always welcomed. You can post them here.

For everyone joining up, please take a moment to introduce yourself here.

Thanks and welcome! Big Grin]]> <![CDATA[Testing]]> http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-1.html Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:44:14 -0500 Eddie http://www.cafeparents.com/thread-1.html