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: _HAAF_ , Flickr

Stress is a one of the world’s leading causes of illness, even death. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) states that stress has contributed to billions of losses in terms of productivity in the workplace, sickness, and poor work ethic.

Combat stress by starting your day with relaxation. When you start your day without the stress of the previous work day, you’ll feel better physically and mentally, ready to take on the challenges of a new day. Here are five ways to a more relaxing start to your day.

1. Prepare for tomorrow

The key to starting off your day relaxed is by preparing for it the night before. Before you go to bed lay out you clothes for the next day, make your lunch, and write a to-do list for the next day. This way, you can concentrate on starting your morning free from stress, rush, or panic. { read more }

About Martine De Luna

I'm a freelance writer, editor, blogger and former preschool teacher. Married with one kid, I'm a work-at-home mom, but most of all, a mom-in-the-works. I'm a work in progress, and I believe that living intentionally day by day will help me become the best mom for my child.

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Photo: Nina Matthews Photography

As summer approaches and we rid our houses of unnecessary clutter, we should also consider cleansing our bodies. With long and warm days ahead, we should gear up our bodies for afternoon bike rides and mornings at the beach. Detoxing is a great way to cleanse your body of toxins and rejuvenate your spirit. Although many detox diets focus on what you can’t eat, these guidelines encourage you to embrace all the life-giving food you can eat.

Fresh produce, organic grains, and raw nuts make for a healthy and happy body. A detox diet doesn’t have to be about restriction. This is especially important if you’re a new mom. Because even though you want the benefits of a detox cleanse, you still need energy to take care of you and your family. Follow these guidelines to ensure you give your body an extra step forward as summer begins. { 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: Brian Samuels

Blooms are blossoming and birds are tweeting. But busy moms and dads still need to put dinner on the table even while the world is ripe for frolicking. Fresh spring pasta salads are a great way to highlight seasonal produce easily and affordably.

These pasta dishes are easy enough to make on a weeknight but elegant enough to serve for a weekend dinner party with friends. Both adults and children will ask for second helpings, but if you have a particularly picky little one, you can always omit some of the ingredient add-ins. Serve with a simple fruit salad and a pitcher of lemonade. These dishes will have you celebrating the warmer weather and longer days. { 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: Anecdotes and Apple Cores

Easter is just around the corner, and grocery store shelves are swelling with packages of candy and plastic eggs. As fun as it can be to hunt in the backyard for candy and treats, all that refined sugar and preservatives aren’t good for your little one or you (f you happen to be one of those parents that eats the leftover candy). Easter brunch with those heavy potato casseroles and sugary hams is also not the most nutritional-friendly Easter event either. But there are ways to make your Easter healthier and happier this year. This naturally sweetened carrot cake is a wonderful alternative to the traditional variety that is loaded with granulated sugars, oil, and cream cheese.

Replace the usual 1-2 cups of sugar with mashed bananas, and you and your kids won’t notice the absence of the granulated sweetener. The  natural sweetness of bananas paired with a dash of maple syrup will not only make your carrot cake healthier, but moister too.

{ 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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Phot: ibu menyusui, Flickr

A breastfeeding mom they say eats for two, since she would need to consume anywhere between 300 to 500 extra calories a day aside from her recommended daily allowance. According to breastfeeding advocates, there is not a strict list of foods that a breastfeeding mom should avoid. Turns out you can actually eat what you like. However, if you notice that your child has an adverse reaction such as an allergy, colic, or even lethargy, then you should check to see which foods you’ve been eating that may be the culprit.

Colicky, gas-causing foods

Some doctors believe that babies get gassy or colicky if a mom has eaten a certain “gassy” food. Common gas-causing foods include onions, certain vegetables (cabbage, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, and peppers), shellfish, chicken, beef, citrus fruits, wheat and dairy products, among others. According to the Dr. Sears’ website, it’s recommended that you eliminate a certain food from your diet if you believe it’s contributing to your baby’s colic. { read more }

About Martine De Luna

I'm a freelance writer, editor, blogger and former preschool teacher. Married with one kid, I'm a work-at-home mom, but most of all, a mom-in-the-works. I'm a work in progress, and I believe that living intentionally day by day will help me become the best mom for my child.

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Photo Credit: Anecdotes and Apple Cores

Waffles. Who doesn’t want to start the day with a pile of golden waffles? A drizzle of maple syrup, a pile of fresh fruit, and the slight crunch when you take your first bite can transform an ordinary breakfast meal into something otherworldly.

Adults and kids alike enjoy eating waffles for breakfast…or even for dinner. But most waffles in the frozen food section aren’t the best items to serve you or your family for one of the day’s most important meals. Full of preservatives and artificial flavors, frozen waffles can cause more harm than good for your body. Instead of turning to those ubiquitous boxes in the freezer aisle, take a Sunday afternoon to make a batch of whole-grain flaxseed waffles that will last you and your family the rest of the week. { 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: www.freshhealthyvending.com

Enjoying a healthy after-school snack doesn’t have to involve a lot of preparation or be time consuming. Think in terms of nutritional value and ease. Kids are usually very hungry when they walk in the door and will grab what is easiest and most appealing. Here are ten tasty snacks that will keep your children nourished and meet your need for ease.

Fresh fruit and nuts

Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on your kitchen counter or table and a container of nuts beside it. Apples are filling foods and nuts have the healthy fats and proteins to help keep your little ones going until dinner. { 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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Photo: marcokalmann, flickr

Living sustainably might sound like a deep concept for some families. But it simply means using the Earth’s natural resources in a way that is ecologically responsible. From the way we source our food to how we power our homes, living a sustainable lifestyle is being able to preserve our environment while still living our lives as conveniently as possible.

According to the World Watch Institute — as with several other similar organizations — climate change is causing more and more erratic changes in the weather, and ultimately affecting the Earth’s ability to sustain our ecological resources. The good news is, we can make a gradual changes in the way our families live so that we can take better care of the Earth’s resources. Here are five steps towards leading a more sustainable life — some big, some small — which you can take together, as a family.

1. Use the car less

Yes, this means walk more. By using our cars and motorbikes less, we consume less gas, which means we preserve the Earth’s supply of fossil fuels. This might mean freeing up your schedule in the morning so that you can have time to walk or bike to work, or even take public transportation. A good idea would be to arrange for a carpool schedule in your neighborhood, so that your kids can all go to school in one vehicle instead of a car per family. { read more }

About Martine De Luna

I'm a freelance writer, editor, blogger and former preschool teacher. Married with one kid, I'm a work-at-home mom, but most of all, a mom-in-the-works. I'm a work in progress, and I believe that living intentionally day by day will help me become the best mom for my child.

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