About.com Stay-at-Home Moms

First Lady Michelle Obama Takes a Bite Out of Childhood Obesity

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:42:10 +0000

"It's done, honey." The words President Barack Obama spoke after signing an executive order to fight childhood obesity kicked off first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative. Members of the White House's new task force say one-third of American children are overweight or obese and 1 out of 10 kids between the ages of 2 and 5 are already obese.

Michelle Obama Wants to End Childhood Obesity
Photo � Getty Images

I sat in on a White House conference call shortly after President Obama signed the executive order today. Members of the task force discussed some alarming statistics our children are facing and what we can do to fix the problems.

"Researchers have warned us if we don't solve this public health crisis, it could be the first generation of American children to have a shorter life span than their parents," said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.

She also said parents have to be role models, citing research that shows children with one obese parent have a 40% chance of being obese too. If both parents are obese, there's an 80% risk.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan noted schools must also make changes to combat childhood obesity.

"We need to have healthier meals in schools," he said. "We have 31 million students eating school lunches every single day -- 31 million times 180 school days. That's a tremendous number of meals that our students are eating every day -- 7.6 billions lunches a year."

On the LetsMove.org website, Mrs. Obama shares her personal story of life before the White House, juggling a house with two working parents and sacrificing nutritious home-cooked meals because of a lack of time.

This is something stay-at-home moms face too. We're out running errands, going to playgroups, picking up our children from school and before you know it, you have whining kids in the backseat begging for a burger. The easy choice is to hit a fast food chain, but Mrs. Obama cautions this convenience turned into a wake-up call when her family's pediatrician warned her about her daughters' body mass indices.

"I started to see the effects on my family, particularly my kids," Mrs. Obama says in the video. "It got to the point where our pediatrician basically said, 'You may want to make some changes.' We started making those changes, short, easy changes, but they led to some really good results."

This isn't the first step Mrs. Obama has taken to put healthier eating habits on Americans' plates. She planted her first garden last summer on the South Lawn of the White House, which helps feed her own family fresh vegetables. She also visited Sesame Street to talk with Elmo about healthy eating habits.

Let's Move has partnered with the NFL, FDA, CDC and other organizations to encourage exercise, create easier to read food labels and support community programs. The American Academy of Pediatrics will also reach out to its 60,000 members to educate them on measuring every child's body mass index regularly while providing parents with resources to help their kids eat better and exercise daily. The campaign's ultimate goal is to knock out childhood obesity within one generation.

First Lady Michelle Obama Takes a Bite Out of Childhood Obesity originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 16:42:10.

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Pam and Tim Tebow Super Bowl Commercial from a Parent's View

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:17:47 +0000

The Super Bowl commercial featuring Tim Tebow and his mom Pam ignited controversy more than two weeks before it aired. News of the pro life ad being placed in the Super Bowl gave TV and radio shows hours of content, started heated debates that swept across the Internet and caused organizations to threaten protests if CBS didn't pull the ad.

Focus on the Family purchased the 30-second spot in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLIV for an estimated $2.8 million. The first advocacy ad to ever air during the Super Bowl debuted to a history-making 106.5 million viewers, beating the M*A*S*H finale's 27-year run as the most-watched program.

Now that everyone's had the chance to see the commercial, let's look at it from a different angle without debating pro life vs. pro choice. As a parent, how do you feel about Pam Tebow sharing her personal story? Check all that apply in the poll.

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Pam and Tim Tebow Super Bowl Commercial from a Parent's View originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 22:17:47.

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Mom Blogger of the Week: Mommy Niri

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:37:38 +0000

Niri started her blog on a dare. Almost two years later, she's now attending blogging conferences, attracting major companies looking for a mom's input and making new friends all over the country.

Image Courtesy Mommy Niri

Mommy Niri has everything you want in a blog. Interviews, news, her personal views and more blanket the site. Even her husband gets to share his Papa Posts in his own section.

If you haven't visited Mommy Niri, settle in for funny, smart reading. Just be sure you have more than a few minutes of spare time. You'll get hooked fast.

Share your opinion about Mommy Niri. Be sure to click the blue "Write a Review" button at the bottom of her blog profile page to rate and review the Mommy Niri blog.

Are you a SAHM with a blog? Submit your blog to be featured on the About.com Stay-at-Home Moms site. You could be the next Mom Blogger of the Week.

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Mom Blogger of the Week: Mommy Niri originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 13:37:38.

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Thrifty Thursday: Stock Up on Birthday Presents

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:55 +0000

I can't even count how many children's birthday parties I've attended since I became a mom. My son always seems to have a friend's party circled on our calendar. Our next three Saturdays are booked!

After spending enough time in our local toy store that employees began welcoming me by name, I decided I was making too many last-minute trips to buy a gift for the party of the week. I started stocking up on toys when I saw a good deal.

Buy one, get one free offers. Percentages off. Gift cards that were included with the purchase.

Keeping an eye on deals has helped me get $20 toys for under $10. Now I browse deals in the stores and online to keep a stockpile of gifts for my son's friends at incredible savings.

Once you add in my tip for cheaper, greener gift bags and a homemade card (or 99-cent card if you prefer), the total cost is well under $15 for a great gift. Read more...

Thrifty Thursday: Stock Up on Birthday Presents originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 05:00:55.

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Move Over Cupid, February is for Friendships

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:00:09 +0000

About 10 years ago, a friend and I made the mistake of driving through Las Vegas on Valentine's Day. We shuffled from hotel to hotel looking for a room on our Thelma and Louise-style girlfriend getaway (without the crime spree and Brad Pitt tag-a-long).

Celebrate your mom friends
Photo � xlordashx / Flickr

But there were no rooms. It seems Vegas is the place to get married on Valentine's Day. I've only seen that many wedding dresses at the annual Running of the Brides sale where women flock to the stores to fight for the perfect bridal gown.

My friend and I gave up on finding a room anywhere near Vegas, which was obviously at capacity with newlyweds. Out of all the memories we shared on our 4,000-mile road trip, that is the one we still talk about to this day.

Later that same year, I married my boyfriend. Six years after our wedding, I became a mom.

While the love I have for my family is indescribable, my friends -- now moms themselves -- have become a rock of support. We've shared so much good news and leaned on each other in rough times. We've talked about everything from potty training to finding the balance between motherhood and marriage. Read more...

Move Over Cupid, February is for Friendships originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 09:00:09.

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Do You Leave Your Kids in the Car?

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:18:46 +0000

This usually isn't the time of year we hear news stories about children being left alone in the car. But there have been quite a few making headlines lately.

Like Connecticut mom Candy Ann Rock, who left her kids in the car while she went to her 18-minute tanning session. Her 3 and 1 year old sat in a non-running car right outside in 19 degree weather.

Rock was arrested on charges of reckless endangerment and risk of injury to children. She's due in court February 9.

Or the man who was arrested on a long list of charges, including endangering the welfare of a child, after he allegedly stole mom Tara Goss's running SUV from a grocery store parking lot. Her 10- and 2-year-old sons were sitting in the backseat. The SUV was found 45 minutes later with the boys safely inside. Read more...

Do You Leave Your Kids in the Car? originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 13:18:46.

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Thrifty Thursday: Free Disney Tickets

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:09 +0000

Give a day. Get a Disney day. It's that simple.

Disney will send you a free ticket to Disneyland or Walt Disney World with time being your only investment. Disney is giving up to 8 members of a household a free ticket to a Disney theme park in the U.S. for donating a day of service to a charity.

With a one-day adult ticket price of $79, you could save up to $632!

Get a free Disney ticket just for volunteering
Photo � Getty Images

Even the little ones can get involved to receive a free ticket worth $68. Kids 6 and up can participate as long as they're accompanied by an adult on the day they volunteer. Read more...

Thrifty Thursday: Free Disney Tickets originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 05:00:09.

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Parenthood Show Finally Has a Premiere Date on NBC

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:52:07 +0000

Eager fans who've been waiting for the new Parenthood series on NBC now have a date to circle on their calendars. The show will debut March 2 at 10 p.m. ET.

Cast members include Peter Krause, Bonnie Bedelia, Lauren Graham and Sam Jaegar
Photo � Getty Images

NBC originally planned to air the show last fall. The plug was temporarily pulled on production when actress Maura Tierney was diagnosed with breast cancer. She later left the show due to scheduling conflicts with her treatment and the show's production. Lauren Graham was named as her replacement.

Bonnie Bedelia, Erika Christensen, Miles Heizer, Sam Jaeger, Peter Krause, Craig T. Nelson, Monica Potter, Sarah Ramos, Dax Shepard and Mae Whitman round out the star-studded cast. Ron Howard, who co-wrote and directed the movie version, is serving as executive producer for the series. Read more...

Parenthood Show Finally Has a Premiere Date on NBC originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 18:52:07.

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Free E-Course: Time Management for Moms

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:51:20 +0000

Father Time has never had a mom's busy schedule or there would be more minutes in the day. Taking care of your family, cooking, cleaning and running errands leaves very little time for yourself.

Photo � ..stiina.. / Flickr

But you can win the battle against time.

This free e-course for moms slows the hands of the ticking clock. You'll manage your day more effectively without having to constantly keep an eye on your watch.

Start gaining more time to do the things you want to do today. You've earned it!

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Free E-Course: Time Management for Moms originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Monday, January 25th, 2010 at 11:51:20.

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Mom Blogger of the Week: Green Earth Journey

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:13:52 +0000

Hyla is a mom of four children who's committed to helping others go green. Her earthy passion sparked Green Earth Journey.

Image Courtesy Green Earth Journey

Her Green Earth Journey began when she noticed her kids were getting sick from breathing the cleaning products she was using in her home. She started looking for alternatives that led her to simple, money-saving, earth-friendly solutions.

"The pride to provide my family with healthier living and knowing that I was the one doing it, feels amazingly awesome," Hyla writes on her blog.

Her blog posts range from eco tips to life with her kids. Hyla's posts show you that going green doesn't mean you have to install a solar panel roof or fork over cash you don't have for a hybrid car. Living the Green Earth Journey can be done in smaller steps with your family. Making her family's world healthier and taking the time to help others go green is how Hyla of Green Earth Journey became the Mom Blogger of the Week.

Share your opinion about Green Earth Journey. Be sure to click the blue "Write a Review" button at the bottom of her blog profile page to rate and review the Green Earth Journey blog.

Are you a SAHM with a blog? Submit your blog to be featured on the About.com Stay-at-Home Moms site. You could be the next Mom Blogger of the Week.

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Mom Blogger of the Week: Green Earth Journey originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 12:13:52.

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