Even though it’s not something that most of us want to think about, the reality is that every single day we face the possibility of experiencing a disaster. This is because disasters don’t respect geographic boundaries and they come in a variety of forms, including natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, etc.), … [Read more...] about Why You Should Dare to Prepare for a Disaster
Promoting Healthful Living
How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications
For many years, folks have gathered their unused medications and disposed of them by throwing them in the trash or flushing them down the toilet. These seemed like safe ways to dispose of the medications. However, we now know that neither of these are good options. There are two major concerns when it comes to the disposal of … [Read more...] about How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications
8 Ways to Get Kids to Drink More Water
It gets incredibly hot here on the Texas Gulf Coast during the summer months. I'm careful to increase my water intake during these hot months. Unfortunately, my girls don’t always follow my example, nor do they always follow my instructions when I tell them to take some extra sips. It’s incredibly important that they stay hydrated, so … [Read more...] about 8 Ways to Get Kids to Drink More Water
How to Destigmatize Mental Illness in Your Community
A number of celebrities have committed suicide in the last several months. This has turned the spotlight to the topic of mental illness. While I wish the suicides hadn’t happened, it is a good thing that people are thinking about and talking about mental illness. Why is this? Mental illnesses carry a stigma that most physical conditions … [Read more...] about How to Destigmatize Mental Illness in Your Community
8 of the Best Snacks for Pregnant Women
At certain points during pregnancy, I tend to feel really hungry. I’ll want to snack throughout the whole day. Unfortunately, unrestrained snacking isn’t good for mom or baby, so I have to put the brakes on and be judicious about what I eat. I may desire foods like pretzels, cookies, and ice cream, but these aren’t the best … [Read more...] about 8 of the Best Snacks for Pregnant Women
Why Give Kids Glass Dishes Instead of Plastic Ones
I used to hold my breath every time my 3-year-old would carry her plate from the table into the kitchen. I wasn’t concerned about her getting food on the floor, but I was certain she’d drop her plate and we’d spend the next half hour cleaning up broken glass. Yes, my children (currently ages 3 years and 23 months) use glass dishes. I … [Read more...] about Why Give Kids Glass Dishes Instead of Plastic Ones
5 Common (But Often Overlooked) Safety Threats in the Home
Most of us feel that our homes are havens. We feel safe and secure from the chaos and dangers of the world around us when we are at home. Unfortunately, we may not be as safe as we think we are because we face a number of safety threats while in our homes. We overlook a lot of these because they aren’t obvious. What are these safety … [Read more...] about 5 Common (But Often Overlooked) Safety Threats in the Home
Why Kids Desperately Need Outdoor Play
I have a love-hate relationship with outdoor play for my kids. I love it because they get to run around, climb, and get fresh air. It’s challenging, though, because sometimes it seems like it takes forever to apply sunscreen and get their shoes on, not to mention that here on the Texas Gulf Coast we have a lot of bugs (mosquitoes, fire ants, … [Read more...] about Why Kids Desperately Need Outdoor Play
