Can you spot an overweight baby? Most moms can't

I knew a baby picture would make you start reading! We’ll get to that item in a moment. But first, some health news for and about grown-ups:

You know that old rule that you buy a lot more food when you do your grocery shopping on an empty stomach? Well, now there’s a new rule that’s kind of related: You eat a lot more fruits and vegetables when you keep them right at your fingertips.

Researchers discovered this in a test with overweight students, who were left alone in a room where sliced apples and carrots were placed either two yards away or within arm’s reach. Guess which group consumed “significantly more” of the healthy snacks? The lesson is this: If you’re trying to get your 5-a-day servings of fruits and vegetables, keep them close at hand — and keep potato chips out of sight. (Ayala’s Herbal Water)

We all know there are plenty of foods that are bad for us, but here’s a reminder that even the best food choices can be ruined when served the wrong way. For instance, sweet potatoes are a super food, but frying them can be self-defeating. Likewise, dried fruit should be the perfect snack — just make sure it’s not coated in sugar. And speaking of fruit, peeled apples lose almost all their nutritional value, so you’re better off buying organic and eating your apples with the skin on. (FitSugar)

When you’re trying to get your body into shape, why do people call it “physical fitness”? We all know that the biggest roadblocks are mental rather than physical, and Joyce Cherrier confronts 3 of the more common “emotional and circumstantial obstacles” in this insightful post. I especially liked her first point: “You don’t want to be a party pooper.” If you’ve ever watched your dinner companions roll their eyes when you ask the waiter for a healthier preparation, you’ll know exactly how strong peer pressure can be. Still, it doesn’t have to be a deal-killer, according to Cherrier. (Freaking Fitness)

Have you noticed that we’re seeing a lot of Michelle Obama lately? That’s a sure sign that campaign season is heating up. She usually talks about health issues — and she really rocks those sleeveless dresses to prove that she can practice what she preaches. If you want shoulders worthy of the White House, try these 5 exercises. But heed the warning to start off light, because shoulders are notoriously easy to injure. (Get-Fit-Naturally)

Since we’re talking about the First Lady, let’s end this week with her pet peeve: childhood obesity. In a recent study, hundreds of mothers viewed cartoon drawings of children that ranged from skinny to plump. Next, they were asked to pick the drawing that best corresponded to the body type of their own toddler. More than 90% of the women with clinically overweight toddlers chose a “normal” size drawing, proving that moms aren’t always the best judge of unhealthy weight gain.

“Our society really values chubby infants and toddlers,” says the lead author of the study. Too much baby fat can be a warning sign of obesity later in life. “There are certainly…kids that grow out if it, but most kids don’t.” (Health.com)

What do you think? Is 12 months too early to start worrying about a child’s weight? At what age does baby fat stop being cute — and start becoming worrisome?

Photo credit: kate_sept2004 via iStockphoto

If you're pinching pennies, try this week's frugal recipes

Next to December, I think May could be the most expensive month of the year. There’s Mother’s Day, for starters, then you’ve got all those high school and college graduations, plus I am hosting 2 1st b-day parties. In addition to all those “gifty” occasions, you’re probably also saving up for a summer vacation — and that doesn’t leave a whole lot of money for grocery shopping.

Yes, I admit it, I’m feeling a little stretched right about now, so this week I searched the Web for “cheap recipe blogs.” From breakfast to dinner and even dessert, I found all kinds of great ideas that definitely won’t break the bank. My husband calls me frugal I like to think of myself as creative.

To start your day off right (that is, healthy and cheap), check out this recipe for a Swiss chard and cheese omelet. This one comes from Billy Vasquez, who likes to cook with “ingredients costing 99.99 cents, or less.” You can’t get much cheaper than that! (The 99 Cent Chef)

When you need “something simple and inexpensive to fall back on” at lunchtime, this English muffin pizza should do the trick. These little babies are easy, flavorful, and they let you use up all the leftovers in your fridge. (Cheap Recipe Blog)

Speaking of leftovers, if you still have some frozen ham from some long-ago special occasion, get out the skillet and whip up this ham and pineapple fried rice. This one is easy on the budget and the schedule — throw the ingredients into your skillet, stir for about 10 minutes, and enjoy. (Fantastic Frugal Foods)

Rice dishes are great when you’re trying to save money because they’re cheap and filling. The same goes for potatoes, of course, so I had to include this recipe for loaded slow-cooked potatoes. You probably have a lot of ingredients like cheese, sour cream and bacon already in your fridge, but even if you go out an buy everything new, Erin Chase estimates that total food costs for this dish would be just $4.70 — and that’s for a family of four! ($5 Dinners)

If you want to cap off your cheap week with a special Friday dinner that still costs less than $3 per serving, try these balsamic beef kebabs. Sure, ingredients like a top round roast might cost a little more, but you get 6 servings from this recipe, and leftovers will make a delicious lunch bowl. (Budget Bytes)

Finally, just because you’re on a budget, doesn’t mean you have to give up dessert, right? These savory asiago rosemary cookies sound pretty sophisticated and special, but the ingredients work out to just 15 cents per serving. I especially like this recipe because it’s more savory than sweet, meaning you can enjoy these cookies for dessert, or pair them with soup for an inexpensive meal. (Frugal Foodie Family)

Photo credit: herreid via iStockphoto

Here are Nathan’s Top 5 coupons on Coupon Network– and below that, our top…uh 6. More savings from all of us at CouponNetwork.com.

Your Top 5…er 6 Coupons on CouponNetwork.com

1. $1.35 off (+50¢ with Video Rewards) when you buy any ONE Glad® Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bag

2. 55¢ (+55¢ with Like Rewards) off when you buy THREE LEAN CUISINE® varieties

3. 50¢ off when you buy ONE BOX Original Cheerios® cereal

4. $1.00 off when you buy any ONE Tyson® Any’tizers® Snacks

5. $1.00 off when you buy any TWO boxes of the listed General Mills cereals

6. $1.25 off (+50¢ with Like Rewards) when you buy any ONE Barbara’s® Cereal

Is pregnancy a time-management technique?

I think we can all agree that there is never enough time for the things that really matter. With all the external obligations and electronic distractions that clamor for attention, it’s easy to feel that we’ve lost control of our days.

Have you ever said to yourself something along the lines of, “I would do anything to take back control of my life?” Well, here are 3 different suggestions for doing just that … and I’d love to know if you think they would work for you.

For starters, how about avoiding email for the entire weekend, starting at 6 p.m. Friday? For most of us, that would mean avoiding smartphones altogether, which is a pretty huge commitment. But here’s the story of one mom who tried it — during a family trip to Disney World, no less. Yes, there were some inconveniences, but without the electronic leash, she found that she was “a lot more relaxed and more aware of the non-electronic world.” (CBS MoneyWatch)

If you’re ready to make an even bigger commitment, you could try canceling the cable, like Jeannett Gibson did. She says she hated the $160 monthly cable bill, but more than that, she resented the way the TV was dominating her family time. One day, in a fit of frustration, she called up the cable company and said, “Turn it off.”

Could you do that? Without the distraction of 100+ channels, Jeannett says there’s a lot more quality family time in her household. “We take trips to the park, go for warm cookies at the kiosk in the mall, or fly kites in the street together.”

Sounds idyllic, but I can’t help wondering if this is a generational thing. Statistics suggest that kids today waste more time with the Internet than with TV, so how much family time can you really gain by yanking the cable? (Simple Mom)

If you’re really desperate to take back control of your life, how about getting pregnant? According to a recent poll in the UK, a lot of women view starting a family as a way to take “time off” from the working world.

Laura Vanderkam isn’t buying it. She says there are lots of terrific reasons to have kids — but greater autonomy and personal time are not among them. “Children are their own little people, not some sort of ticket out of the grind,” she argues in this post. (LauraVanderkam.com)

What do you think? Would you cancel the cable, ditch the cell phone or have a baby to gain more control of your time? Chime in with your thoughts below!

Photo credit: Moncherie via iStockphoto

Is this the secret to making babies?

This week’s health news is all about three F’s: fertility, fat and firm glutes. You’re probably interested in at least two of the three, so let’s dive right in.

We’ll start with an interesting tidbit that might send couples scurrying for the dairy aisle: Scientists have found that yogurt-eating mice reproduced more successfully, compared to a control group that didn’t eat yogurt. That’s right, probiotics may improve procreation. Trust me, you’ll want to click through to the original article, even if it’s only to read the very memorable headline. And if you decide to forward that article to someone who’s trying to get pregnant, maybe they’ll appreciate this yogurt coupon, as well! (Live Science)

You probably already realize that a little bit of red wine can lighten your spirits, but did you know that it might lighten up your waistline, as well? According to a study from Purdue University, grapes are high in piceatannol, a compound that stunts the growth of fat cells. So far, piceatannol research has been limited to the cellular level, but scientists are hopeful that they can replicate their success with mice and eventually humans. WOW isn’t this great news!  (Shine / SELF Magazine)

In diet news, I loved this article about portion control. It seems there are 3 hormones that serve to keep us fit by telling us when to stop eating because we’re full. The problem is, we don’t listen to our bodies — or we eat highly processed foods that confuse our internal appetite signals.

Here’s the takeaway: Eat more whole foods, eat slower, then let your body do its thing. More often than not, portion control is “not an issue to control with will power and force but rather by listening to your body and the signals it gives when eating.” (Zen to Fitness)

Looking for a way to change up your exercise routine? A lot of women want to tone their glutes, but they worry about developing big, bulky thighs from doing too many squats. In this video, fitness guru David Kirsch demonstrates three butt-sculpting exercises you can do at home with no special equipment.

With names like platypus walk or sumo lunge, you can bet these moves look a little strange, but David says they were specially developed to isolate the glutes from the thighs. This is the guy who got Heidi Klum back in shape after her baby, so I’m inclined to believe him. I would not mind looking like Heidi – would you? (FitSugar)

Photo credit: Photoevent via iStockphoto

What's on your menu for Mother's Day?

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, I figure most women will find themselves in one of three categories this weekend. Either you are:

• Being treated like the Queen Mum;
• Treating your own mother to a special meal; or
• Cooking like normal

If you are in Category 1, congratulations! Just put up your feet an enjoy all the attention. If you’re in Category 2, I’ve tried to dig up a few recipes that might help make for a memorable occasion. And if you’re in Category 3, well, I think the goal is to cook the simplest meal possible — and then treat yourself to a nice bubble bath! I found a couple of recipes that just might fit the bill.

Let’s start with all you special-occasion cooks. If you’re planning to celebrate Mom with a nice brunch, then I think these mini quiches with broccoli, bacon and cheddar definitely belong on the menu. They look elegant and time-consuming, but they’re actually dead simple with store-bought pie crusts, some sauteed veggies and eggs whipped up in a mixer.  Make extra, freeze them & treat yourself to a nice brunchy-like breakfast on ordinary days too! (Picky Palate)

Speaking of brunch, have you ever tried making baked French toast? The beauty of this recipe is that you can make up to 16 delicious slices all at once, instead of flipping your slices on a griddle one at a time. Brilliant, right? Wish I’d found this recipe years ago. I am definitely trying this one. (Smitten Kitchen)

If you still have some eggs left over from those quiches, don’t put away the mixer just yet. For a nice, light dessert, nothing says “I love you” like some Mother’s Day meringue. Using a single basic recipe, Zoe Francois shows you how to customize your meringue three different ways.  (Zoe Bakes)

As a mother of two young girls, nothing beats a tea party. The dress up alone makes the event, but to really make it special – here’s a complete menu featuring three different finger sandwiches, a cheese tart and lavender scones. I know, it sounds super-complicated, but you’ll appreciate the tips for making some of the elements in advance. (Bon Appetit)

Now, if your mom is far away and your kids are too young (or too nonexistent) to cook for you, I think quick-and-simple is the way to go this weekend. For me, that usually means a casserole, and this baked Italian sausage rotini certainly fits the bill. Brown up some sausage, boil some pasta, then throw it all into a casserole dish and bake with lots of cheese on top. (Favorite Family Recipes)

For a recipe that feels kind of special even though it’s super simple, try these orange molasses pork chops. Made with a fruity molasses marinade that comes together in just 15 minutes, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner plus plenty of “me time” afterwards. (Budget Bytes)

Whether your cooking is lavish or low-key, I wish you all a delicious Mother’s Day!

Photo credit: fotohunter via iStockphoto

Here are Coupon Network’s Top 5 coupons, brought to you by Coupon Network Advisory Board member Nathan Engles, founder of WeUseCoupons.com:

Your Top 5 Coupons on CouponNetwork.com

1.  55¢ (+55¢ with Like Rewards) off when you buy THREE LEAN CUISINE® varieties

2. $1.00 off when you buy any ONE Tyson® Any’tizers® Snacks

3. $1.50 off when you buy any ONE AVENT Pacifier Pack

4. $1.25 off (+50¢ with Like Rewards) when you buy any ONE Barbara’s® Cereal

5. 50¢ off when you buy ONE BOX Original Cheerios® cereal

How do you balance productivity and pleasure?

This week I read a couple of blog posts that really got me thinking about how we maximize our time for the greatest pleasure. That’s right, pleasure — not productivity.

These days we all seem to be ruled by schedules and to-do lists, and we feel compelled to cram one more minute of productivity into the 168 hours that make up a week. So, in the midst of all that busy-ness, how are we supposed to find the time for doing what we love, without feeling guilty about “wasting” time?

The first tip comes from Laura Vanderkam, who points out that even the busiest schedule is subject to unexpected changes. Maybe you wake up 30 minutes before the alarm or the kids’ carpool driver calls to say she’ll have them home 20 minutes late. You already planned your day to accomplish all the must-dos on your list, and now you have this gift of a few extra minutes. Instead of squeezing in one more errand or chore, why not spend this free-time windfall doing something just for you?

To make the most of your windfall, Laura says it pays to plan ahead. Keep a gym bag packed or download that latest novel to your e-reader. That way, when free time crops up unexpectedly, you’ll be prepared to take advantage, instead of wasting the opportunity. (CBS MoneyWatch)

Even when we manage to carve out a few minutes for personal enjoyment, we sometimes feel guilty. “Don’t be selfish,” says that little voice inside our head. “You ought to be spending this time on work or family priorities.”

How to silence that little voice so you can actually enjoy your downtime? Gretchen Rubin suggests viewing personal time as a “treat” or reward that you give yourself for accomplishing other things on your to-do list. In other words, tell yourself that after you’ve crossed 10 items off your list, you have permission to spend 20 minutes in a bubble bath with a good book. No need to feel guilty — you’ve already “paid for” that time.

Gretchen suggests writing down a list of “small treats” that have “a very low cost in time, energy, or money.” So be sure to scroll through the comment section on this post. You’ll find some great ideas for indulging and rewarding yourself in 15 minutes or less. (The Happiness Project)

Photo credit: JMichl via iStockphoto

Something here could be good for your allergies -- not just your tan

The funny thing about health news is that it tends to focus on the very near term. We obsess over today’s steps and calories and fat grams, then get on the scale tomorrow to judge how successful we’ve been.

But isn’t the whole point of all this to live a longer, healthier life? Why don’t we focus more on long-term health issues and less on swimsuit season?

Yes, I know the two are related, and I still have lots of good diet and exercise news to cover this week. But first, check out this quirky little item about Parkinson’s and dopamine. Researchers have found that people who are cautious and routine in their youth are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease when they get older. Evidently risk-taking is associated with higher levels of dopamine in the brain, while people with Parkinson’s have very low dopamine levels. (My Health News Daily)

What are we supposed to do with that information? Scientists say a lot more research is needed. In the meantime, I’m thinking of taking a sick day to go ride a roller coaster. It could be good for my health!

Okay, back to the here and now: If allergy season feels like it’s killing you, maybe you should reach into the refrigerator rather than the medicine cabinet. Multiple studies show that people who eat a Mediterranean diet have fewer allergy symptoms than the rest of us. Red grapes, onions, walnuts and lentils are a few of the standouts, probably due to high levels of antioxidants that reduce inflammation. Of course the Mediterranean diet is also great for weight loss, so I’m wondering why all of us don’t eat this way. (Shine.com)

Speaking of diet, there’s new evidence that “slow and steady” is the way to go. Researchers studied thousands of successful dieters and found that portion control (65%), cutting fat (44%) and cutting calories (41%) had the highest success rates. At the other end of the scale, only 10% found success with nonprescription diet pills, and liquid diets scored in the single digits. (Daily Spark)

Who doesn’t love a nice, cold treat as the weather gets warmer? Sure, frozen yogurt is a healthier choice than ice cream, but when it’s loaded with high fructose corn syrup and chemical additives, it hardly counts as “health food.” In this post, dietician Nicole German breaks down the numbers for the big frozen yogurt chains. Her advice: Go for the flavors sweetened with natural sugar, but keep your portions small and stick with healthy toppings like fresh fruit. (Diet Blog)

If you’re trying to create a good exercise habit but you keep fizzling out after a few days, Jake O’Callaghan says the key is thinking small. Most of us skip the workout completely when we’re too busy or we don’t feel great, and that breaks the habit before it can take root. Instead, Jake says to go for “small exercise” on those days. Tell yourself you’re just going to run the block instead of the full two miles. Sure, you won’t burn as many calories, but “doing something, no matter how small, is always better than nothing, and starting small can make  you want to do more.” (Zen to Fitness)

Photo credit: mikdam via iStockphoto

Flowers are nice, but how about some help around the house?

Organizing is one of those chores where every member of the family can pitch in. So, with Mother’s Day coming up, I thought I’d highlight some organizing projects that might make a thoughtful “gift” for busy moms. Note to my wife: I’m not suggesting I can do ALL of these.

(If you are the busy mom and you like the idea of getting a little help, feel free to email this post to the man in your life. I’m sure he can take the hint.)

Let’s start with a great idea for the kids. When they leave their toys all over the house, who’s supposed to pick them up? I know moms get sick of being the “toy police,” so maybe dads can help out by creating a “jail” or “ransom box” for all the clutter.

It works like this: Designate a lidded box as your jail. (Clear boxes are good, so that kids can see what’s inside.) Whenever a toy is left lying around, into the jail it goes. On top of the jail is an envelope full of quick, 10-minute chores that the kids can do to help around the house. When their favorite toy goes to jail, kids draw one paper from the envelope, complete the assigned task, and the toy is released. It’s a win-win: Over time, kids learn to pick up their own toys … and until then, mom gets some help with the chores. (Simplify 101)

Okay, guys, now it’s our turn to think about getting organized.

Most of the men that I know consider the garage to be “their” space. It’s a place we can get our hands dirty, find some peace and quiet, maybe store some extra beer. We usually assume that the garage is supposed to be kind of messy, but I wonder why that has to be. I have to admit, I was pretty impressed by the garage makeover in this post. I mean, I’m not going to paint all my tools a turquoise color, but why not store nails and screws in clear glass jars, where I can actually find them? This kind of project would make a really grand gesture for Mother’s Day this year. (Organized Mom)

For a less intimidating project, I’m thinking I might take responsibility for the junk mail. Two reasons this seems like a good fit: First, I hate all those useless mailers that end up in stacks on the counter. Second, I like technology, and this app called PaperKarma looks like fun. After setting up your account, you just snap a picture of the offending mail, and PaperKarma takes care of getting your name off the mailing list. Pretty cool, right? (I’m an Organizing Junkie)

Have you looked under your sink lately? Chances are you’ve got at least 4 spray bottles down there, taking up perfectly useable space. Here’s a great tip for getting them out of the way and making them easier to identify: Install a tension rod and hang the bottles by their spray triggers. This project probably takes about 5 minutes, no tools required. In fact, does that even count as a project? (Clutter Control Freak)

Moms, what do you think? Would you like a more organized house as your Mother’s Day gift this year?

Photo credit: Moncherie via iStockphoto