Archive for December 26th, 2008
Dec
26
Posted by
admin on
December 26, 2008
The latest figures released in the US state that 15 percent of children and teenagers are now considered overweight, up from 6% 20 years ago. Statistics in the UK are similar, and rising. Whilst children starve in Africa, kids in the Western world are lining up to suffer a frightening array of weight-related illnesses, including skin and joint problems, early osteoporosis, type II diabetes, bowel cancer, high blood pressure, heart attack and strokes. Recent research also suggests that obese kids are 77% more likely to suffer from asthma.
And of course in a world where TV, movies, teenage sitcoms and advertising all promote the ideal image and the “fat kid” is often mocked and made the butt of all the jokes, many overweight children will increasingly suffer from lack of confidence and poor self-esteem, leading to isolation and possibly depression in their teenage years.
Why do the numbers of overweight children keep going up?
* Portion sizes - at school, restaurants and home - keep growing
* Children have far more choice in what they eat (previous generations ate what they were given, or went hungry)
* Food is much more easily available
* Kids’ drinks, fizzy drinks and so-called “sports” drinks abound
* Many snack foods and junk foods are specially targeted at kids, advertised to kids on TV, of little nutritional value, and far from “filling”. Some nutritionists even suspect that chemical additives can make your child crave more of particular foods
* Fast food outlets have proliferated in recent years and provide cheap, easy meals for time-stretched parents
* Kids expect “instant gratification” in many areas of their lives, including food. Living with hunger pangs - even for an hour - is no longer an option!
* Parents are often setting a bad example
* Children no longer walk or cycle to school - or much at all!
* Outdoor activities are much less a part of their lives than in previous generations
* Spare time is spent on more sedentary pursuits, such as television, computers and video games, and even “texting”. The latest figures suggest that the average American teenager spends a horrifying 4 to 5 hours a day watching television!
How can we help our overweight child to lose weight?
Firstly, it is important to be aware that there is no magic formula and no instant solution. Your child will not be fit, healthy and the perfect weight overnight! If, however, your child eats sensibly and healthily and increases their physical activities, they will “grow into” their weight.
Secondly, it is vital that any approach you choose does not make your child feel different, guilty, victimised or unhappy in any way. Young children who worry about their weight grow into teenagers with eating disorders.
Thirdly, remember that by “banning” any foods you are likely to create rebellious feelings even in younger children, and disobeying your dictates may even turn into a game (or worse, a shameful secret). You are never going to be able to totally prevent a child from eating what he likes. If you forbid chocolate in your own house, for example, you can be sure your child will be eating it at friends’ houses or at school if he gets half the chance!
Parts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this article suggest many ideas, tips and tactics for tackling the issues an overweight child faces and encouraging gentle and effective weight loss without damaging your child’s self esteem.
Overweight kids? Overweight adults? Losing It My Way.com provides the information and resources (including an innovative range of free printables) to help you make your own weight loss decisions. For a new look at weight loss visit http://www.Losingitmyway.com
Dec
26
Posted by admin on
December 26, 2008
Price : $199.99
Features
- Includes Flex-Loc infant car seat and base, a peek-a-boo window, and a covered parent tray with two deep cup holders
- Features with a full reclining seat with flip-up foot for carriage style stroller
- Height adjustable handle
- One hand fold
- Large storage basket
Amazon.com Product Reviews
The Baby Trend travel system is designed for safety and ease of use. The myriad features like the adjustable seat back (to grow with your child), one-handed folding, extra-large basket, and child and parent trays are only a few examples. The travel system includes three pieces:
Baby Trend stroller
Its larger front and rear wheels are able to handle rough terrain, although we agreed that the Euro-styling strictly pertained to the aesthetics. The canopy is large and can shield the baby from all angles. The child’s tray swings or can be removed, and the parents’ tray is fairly standard. The stow basket is indeed oversized and proved quite useful.
Flex-Loc infant car seat and base
It includes the stay-in-car base with an adjustable level indicator and expanded polystyrene (EPS) head impact protection that exceeds federal requirements. The three-way grip can be handled at almost every angle, and the canopy does a good job at protecting the child. The five-point harness keeps baby secure and comfortable, while the car seat detaches from its base with the use of one hand.
The Baby Trend travel system can seem slightly over-engineered as it is more sturdy than nimble. The metallic silver and lime are hip and anything but inconspicuous, but when you’re pushing around a stroller, one can hardly stay under the radar. The infant car seat is designed for babies five to 22 pounds and up to 28.5 inches in length. –Scott Teal
Customer Reviews
Review date : 2008-09-09 
Do not buy Baby Trend strollers! I only gave it 1 star because I couldn’t figure out how to give it none. We have a Safari Travel System and the support bar between the rear wheels completely broke in two after less than 4 months of daily walks on the sidewalk. And Baby Trend refuses to cover a repair or replacement. Only buy if you consider strollers disposable items, because ours is now ready to throw away.
Review date : 2008-05-15
I love this stroller. We bought it not knowing what sex our baby was and it could easily be appropriate for girl or boy. Now our baby girl is 7 months old and this stroller has been across the country with us. It was banged around on flights and I have pushed her on bumpy, country roads and it shows hardly any wear and still works great. It does seem to hold heat, so you wouldn’t need any type of warm seat cover in the cold months. But it’s not so hot that she sweats constantly in it. Now that it is late spring we are careful to not put her in the seat with her jacket on and she is fine. I read the other reviews before buying and it is true that the tray bangs the ground when you collapse it, but it’s the front of the tray- not the surface or anywhere the child’s hands can reach (so you don’t have to worry about germs). I also liked that this travel system didn’t have the gaudy red buttons everywhere like the Graco models have. The stroller is great looking and durable. I would recommend it.
Review date : 2008-05-07
I hate this travel system. Contrary to the hefty price tag, it is NOT well built or designed. It’s very cheap and it’s not cushy or comfy for the baby. The canopy on the carseat pulls off easily, the tray on the stroller gets scratched up because of the way it collapes, and it’s not easy to use at all. I’m tired of fighting with this thing (it’s only 4 months old)…I’m getting rid of it and purchasing a Graco or Evenflo.
Review date : 2008-04-12 
My husband and I are both nurses, so we did a lot of research to find the best car seat. Once the crash test ratings came out and had this one listed as one of the best, we decided to buy it. I have been very happy with our choice. The stroller has been great. It is easy to fold and unfold and is very portable. We have taken it in small spaces, and it is very easy to maneuver. We used it with the car seat for a while, and now that my daughter is old enough to sit up by herself, we use the stroller by itself. It is easily converted from use with the car seat to use without it. We also did not have any problems going from the reclining position to the upright position. The harness is secure without being too restrictive and is easily adjusted. It has just the right amount of storage space and cup holders. The car seat has also been great. The base is easy to install and transfers to any vehicle. We have a mini van and a truck, and it fits just fine in both. The car seat is easy to put in the base and also easy to release from the base. My daughter weighed 4lbs 12oz when we took her home, so I am glad that it did not have too much padding. We just used one of the store bought head supports until she gained control of her head. It does not have much padding, but that has only bothered my daughter the last couple of months (She is 13 months old) and only when we are traveling for several hours. My daughter weighs about 20 pounds now, so it is time to upgrade to another car seat anyway. This car seat is more on the heavier side, but I would rather have a car seat that is heavier and safe than one that is lightweight but doesn’t hold up in a crash. The shade does a great job, and we live in a hot and dry climate. It doesn’t get too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. We have had several people stop us in stores and ask where we got the car seat and/or stroller at because they liked the appearance. It is a nice classy color that isn’t too girlish or too masculine. One of my only complaints is about the handle on the car seat. It can be difficult to move forward and back. After a few times of using it and practicing when my daughter wasn’t in the seat, I didn’t have too much trouble with it, but every once in a while it still takes some effort to move. The upside of that is that the handle stays in place and doesn’t slide around. I don’t consider that to be a big deal, it’s just something I thought people might like to know when they get it so they don’t return it right away. The harness is fairly easily adjusted, although the straps can get twisted on occasion (my other complaint). I have been very happy with the entire set, and we are still using the stroller even though we had to upgrade to a bigger car seat.
Review date : 2008-03-22 
We have been using this system for a year and finally are going to get rid of it as our son is outgrowing it. I regret purchasing the stroller every time I look at it. I NEVER used it a stroller alone, always only as a base for the carseat. Wasted money for sure. The stroller is SOOOO heavy, the triangular handle is a great idea, but don’t count on being able to use it. Unless you plan on strolling around with an empty stroller. With a diaper bag, a car seat and a baby you can forget about one handed use. It’s hard enough with two hands. The front wheels don’t spin around easily. Next problem. It so big, it and handful of grocery bags is all that fits in my sedan’s trunk. Next problem. Everytime you fold it, the front tray hits the ground and scratches immediately. Horrible design. And it’s heavy. Also, wheels started squeeking after a shot period of time. I really really really hate this stroller. I have nothing good to say about it.
The car seat has worked ok for us. It rated safer than other carseats, so we chose it for that reason and were happy with it from safety standpoint. Also, straps are easy to use and adjust. Base is easy to move from one car to the next. Done it 10 seconds including walking from car to car. Ok, now the list of problems. It’s SOOO SOOO SOOO heavy. I am in a great shape and carry my 20 pounder around in one hand all the time for extended periods of time, but I could not carry the car seat with the baby in it when he was half the weight. Again, great design for the triangular handle, it allows for a choice on how to hold the handle, BUT, unless you’re a guy (Or a woman with super duper muscles), you won’t use it much. I used both arms to carry him short distances just to move him to the stroller or a shopping cart. Next. The material is very good looking but impractical. My guy sweats in it like crazy and he is not a sweaty baby. The car seat is the only place he gets sweaty. I put a cloth diaper underneath him and it helps some with the sweating. One thing I hate about this car seat most is the handle. So hard to switch positions, it’s crazy. I always feel like swearing when I have to do this and strugle even after one year of using it. One or the other side unlocks but get them unlocked simultaniously on the first try. Good luck with that.
I also had the opportunity to deal with baby trend customer service and it was rather sad. They sent me bent front wheel. No way that thing could bend like that during shipping. It’s a strong axle. Anyway, so I call the customer service and after 15 minutes of giving them this and than number from the stroller they said they will call back. Never did. So, I call back couple days later. They say "sure we can send you a new wheel, what is your credit card number?" So, I said you either send me a new wheel or I’ll send the whole thing back (which means waste for them, returned baby items like that cannot be resold). So, they sent me a new wheel at the end. Not a very good customer service, huh?
Even though the car seat has problems, it is safe and overall not bad. I would give it 4 stars, but would not buy it again though.
The stroller is a one star for sure. Hate that thing.
Dec
26
Posted by admin on
December 26, 2008
The 90’s are barely gone, and still we want the nostalgia of stepping even that short distance into the past. There are so many things that we have forgotten about the 90’s and what made them special, but what better way to remind everyone, than with a 90’s theme party and a rousing game of 90’s Trivia?
The invitations have been sent, your neighbor?s Spike and Rose have arrived in full punk rock regalia, Jen and Alex are there in western attire, with a greatest country hits of the 90’s cd, ready to line dance, and two step the night away, while Sue and Larry are ready to rap the night away, carrying their favorite Eminem CD. I bet, by now, you are thinking to yourself that a 90’s theme party could be one or a combination of many things, and if you are, you are 100% correct, The 90’s were widely varied, troubled, and triumphant, but that only opens up your party to the full range of what the 90’s were all about!
Yes, the new rap was the rage, Rap and screaming rock, with lyrics of doom, blasting from speakers had adults everywhere wondering if the world was coming to an end, but we survived the 90’s, the tragedy of losing a beloved princess and the Waco tragedy. The riots, and the Rodney King trial seemed to spell a decade of change, violence and doom, but there were good times too, and if you want a 90?s theme party, it is likely that a game of 90’s trivia, some punk rock, rap, or heavy metal blasting through speakers thumping with bass, and plenty of snacks and party punch will get you into the mood to kick back, and remember a decade that was plagued with violence, tragedy, and above all, hope. In the 90’s, the American Spirit rose once again to prove that America is ONE nation, ONE people, and that honor and standing up for what was right will always matter to us all.
Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Tons of fun 90’s Party Supplies, party favors, decorations, pinatas, free games and ideas to help complete your event.