Photo: chrisroll | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Here comes summer. For some families, that means a big upswing in the amount of time and energy kids spend running around — as it should be!

We’re giving away a sample pack that will help you keep up with your children’s increased nutritional needs, plus a little extra. Here’s what you can receive:

• USANIMALS (www.usana.com): Supplements just for children. Supports healthy immune function and helps create strong, healthy bones. Easy-to-eat chewables stamped with fun animal shapes.

• HINT Water (www.drinkhint.com): A fruit-infused all-natural essence water that contains no calories, sugar, artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Kids need to stay hydrated — but what if they’re not water-drinkers? Forget the unhealthy soft drinks and pick up a bottle of HINT instead. It’s not flavored water, it IS water.

• Smart for Life Cookies (www.smartforlife.com): Healthy ingredients, all-natural, preservative-free and made from 60 percent organic ingredients. Not only are they tasty, but they increase bone health and improve intestinal health.

• Medical ID Marketplace (www.hopepaige.com): What if your child has a food allergy or diabetes? How do you make sure your child is safe when they are on a field trip or on a play date? Medical ID Marketplace is one solution to that problem. Fashionable, trendy and cute medical ID bracelet that blend in with everyday pieces and only stands out to first responders in case of an emergency. These accessories come with a customized engraving (emergency contact info, health condition, etc.) so health officials will know how to react in a worst case scenario. Also with hundreds to choose from, there is an option that fits for every child’s colorful personality.

Want a gift pack filled with samples of the above? Like PureNaturalMom on Facebook, and post a comment below with your ideas for a kid’s perfect summer. We’ll pick a winner next week, and their Healthy Summer Pack will be on its way.

About Tracy Morris

I wear a lot of hats while spinning plates and true stories. In between taking care of myself and my family, I write about fertility and other health care topics. Most of my online time lately is spent at two very different places: FertilityTies.com and TrailerParkKarma.com. Perspective is everything -- my pre-teen reminds me daily.

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Photo: Dan Mogford

Detox diets don’t have to be an unhealthy fad. By eliminating overly processed food and embracing organic produce and grains, you can rid your body of toxins while still giving yourself much-needed energy and clarity.

This quinoa and chicken bowl recipe can be a great foundational meal for your detox diet. Think of this recipe as a guided suggestion. You can easily substitute different grains, proteins, vegetables, or healthy fats. But remember, always eat enough calories during your detox diet, especially if you are a new mother. Severe restriction will only slow down your metabolism, and prevent you from feeling healthy. { read more }

About Monet Moutrie

Monet Moutrie is a writer and baker, who lives in Austin, Texas with her three cats and husband. Between government work, graduate school and her own blog, Anecdotes and Apple Cores, nothing sounds better to Monet than an evening of yoga, a cup of Earl Grey tea and a novel. Knock on her front door and you'll find her pulling out a loaf of bread from the oven while brainstorming ideas for her own work of fiction.

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Photo: ruurmo, Flickr

Spring is a season that’s hard not to enjoy. Whether you live in Chicago or New Orleans, Los Angeles or New York, spring is a winner. It’s a time to shake the cold off your bones and breathe in the fresh scents of blooming flowers. And if you’re fortunate enough to have an outdoor area at home, it’s also the best time to enjoy your very own spring garden. Here are just a few of the many reasons to love a great spring garden.

A spring garden is visual evidence that winter is over

Even for those of us who live in moderate climates, the end of winter is a thing to celebrate. But for you poor unfortunate souls who live in cooler climes, the end of winter doesn’t necessarily mean the end of cold weather. Early spring still brings cool to cold weather in a lot of places, especially after dark, and when cool fronts come in it can often be hard to tell when winter ends and spring begins. That’s where your garden comes in. Even when it’s too chilly for comfort outside, the sight of those summer squash, watermelon, and tomato buds sprouting to life is visual proof that spring is well on its way in, and the cold weather is well on its way out. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: gamene, Flickr

As parents, we always want the best for our kids, and that includes making sure they get a healthy, balanced diet. But kids don’t always make the best choices when it comes to food, and dealing with a fussy eater can be a source of great frustration. If you are dealing with a picky eater in your house, try a few of these tips to get your young one back on the right track.

Set a good example

Babies learn a lot simply by observing and copying. If your baby never sees you enjoying some asparagus with your pasta, she’s not going to learn that asparagus is meant to be eaten. This is an over simplification, of course, but the point remains: making healthy choices for yourself is the easiest way to send a message to your child that eating healthy is a good choice. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: Svlenska C.

Across the United States, millions of people suffer from seasonal allergies. Most turn to over-the-counter antihistamines for relief from itchy eyes, runny noses, and sneezing, but this over-reliance on allergy medications takes a toll on your body too.

Side effects of antihistamines include dizziness, drowsiness, headaches and nausea. These side effects vary amongst individuals, but for some people, the benefits of allergy medicine don’t outweigh the negatives.

Thankfully, there are several natural ways to combat allergy season. Because many medical professionals discourage pregnant woman from taking allergy medications, these natural remedies can be valuable tools for moms-to-be. { read more }

About Monet Moutrie

Monet Moutrie is a writer and baker, who lives in Austin, Texas with her three cats and husband. Between government work, graduate school and her own blog, Anecdotes and Apple Cores, nothing sounds better to Monet than an evening of yoga, a cup of Earl Grey tea and a novel. Knock on her front door and you'll find her pulling out a loaf of bread from the oven while brainstorming ideas for her own work of fiction.

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Photo: findingtheobvious, Flickr

The busy holiday season has a way of wreaking havoc on people, both physically and mentally, and our immune systems tend to take the lion’s share of the grief. Babies are no different. They may not stress over the perfect gift for your mother-in-law, but they get toted around from shop to shop all fall, and with all the public places they frequent and rarely-seen family members they visit, are often exposed to a higher than usual level of seasonal colds and allergies. If sniffles and coughs were among the presents your baby received under the tree this year, try a few of these natural remedies to relieve her of her worst cold symptoms.

Nose cleaners

You know those rubber nose suction thingies caregivers use on newborns? Well, you should get one. Grown-ups take nose-blowing for granted, but parents have to remember that babies don’t know how. A stuffy or runny nose means babies have to breathe through their mouths more than they should, and that can lead to sore throats (especially for hardcore thumb suckers like my little girl). Your baby probably won’t appreciate a rubber cone up her nostrils a few times a day, but she will appreciate being able to breathe — and therefore sleep all night — regularly. { read more }

About Jeff Jacobson

Socrates understood himself to be the smartest man in Athens because he knew at least enough to know he knew nothing. That's me. I'm an inconsistently successful father, stepfather, husband, and writer. But at least I know it.

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Photo: chigmaroff, Flickr

We are what we eat, so the saying goes.  It is no surprise, then, that diet and lifestyle changes affect our fertility at many levels. The effects can add up profoundly; women with ovulatory infertility who follow a combination of five or more lifestyle factors, including changing specific aspects of their diets, can reduce their risk of infertility by more than 80%.

Keep your body healthy for better fertility

In the “ecology” of reproduction, if your own body is not thriving, you are not likely to sustain a healthy pregnancy and children.

Supplements can readjust a poorly balanced diet that may not support fertility.  Vegetarians may need iron and vitamin B-12.  Diets low in fresh fruits and vegetables may contain inadequate antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, E, omega-3, omega-6 and linolenic fatty acids. { read more }

About

Dr. Kathy D obtained her PhD in Physiology and did biomedical research for over a decade, specializing in reproductive endocrinology. She is a devoted "earth girl" - non-meat eater, passionate recycler, persistent home remodeler/do-it-yourselfer, always with a focus on environmentally friendly options.

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Most health practitioners agree that the best way to ward off illnesses, such as the common cold and flu, is to strengthen the immune system. When this is weakened or fails, caring for yourself or your children can be challenging and costly due to missed work, doctors visits and medications.  Take the efficient route this season by being proactive in protecting yourself from the sickness bug.  So what does it take to build a strong and healthy immune system?

1.  Eat properly

Stay away from the fast and fried, and stick with the vibrant and colorful.  The body needs vitamins and minerals.  These come from the earth’s fruits and vegetables.  Vitamins D, A, E and C combined with zinc, selenium and iron are essential.  A simple rule of thumb is to eat a variety of colors to ensure you’re getting proper nutrients. { read more }

About Lisa Gale

"She was an artist and her life was her canvas." (Kobi Yamada) When I grow up, I want to be her! For now, it's fun to pretend.

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