(NC)—Parents searching for fun activities that will get the kids excited about exercising outdoors might be surprised to hear that learning golf might just be the ticket.

“Golf is a game that conditions young minds and bodies, teaching everything from accuracy to coordination, patience, sportsmanship and playing by the rules,” says Barry Wallis, experiential marketing manager and CPGA professional at Callaway Golf.

To get a solid basic knowledge of the skills and rules of the game, book a lesson with a golf instructor certified by the Canadian Professional Golf Association. CPGA instructors can be found at golf courses, driving ranges, through kids’ golf programs, and at many golf equipment retailers. To reduce the cost of lessons, get a few friends together and ask the instructor about a group lesson for a set rate.

According to Wallis, one of the best ways toget kids into golf is to sign up for a golf program tailored to children.

“One of the great kids’ golf programs available now is Callaway Golf for Kids, which gives children a chance to learn that golf can be an exciting sport to play at any age, and teaches them sporting values they can carry throughout their lives,” says Barry Wallis.

Through school- and community-based recreation modules, Callaway Golf for Kids gives kids the opportunity to learn what the game of golf has to offer on and off the course, including how playing golf can help develop character through understanding the subtleties of the rules and traditions of the game.

“No matter how they get involved in the game, golf is a game that can be enjoyed for life,” says Wallis.

More information about Callaway Golf for Kids can be found online at www.mrknickers.com.

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From the journal’s abstract …

A 2001 study revealed that $3.6 billion could be saved if breastfeeding rates were increased to levels of the Healthy People objectives. It studied 3 diseases and totalled direct and indirect costs and cost of premature death. The 2001 study can be updated by using current breastfeeding rates and adding additional diseases analyzed in the 2007 breastfeeding report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Further more …

The lives of nearly 900 babies would be saved each year, along with billions of dollars, if 90 per cent of U.S. women breastfed their babies for the first six months of life, a cost analysis says.

“The health care system has got to be aware that breastfeeding makes a profound difference,” said Dr. Ruth Lawrence, who heads the American Academy of Pediatrics’ breastfeeding section.

The findings suggest there are hundreds of deaths and many more costly illnesses each year from health problems that breastfeeding may help prevent. These include stomach viruses, ear infections, asthma, juvenile diabetes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and even childhood leukemia.

Even when Grandpa Richard was raising children (starting 30+ years ago) it was well known that breast milk contains antibodies that help fight infections. It also can affect insulin levels in the blood, which may make breastfed babies less likely to develop diabetes and obesity.

About 43 per cent of U.S. mothers do at least some breastfeeding for six months, but only 12 per cent follow government guidelines recommending that babies receive only breast milk for six months.

If you are a non-breastfeeding mom, like some that have sent me scathing emails over the years, keep this in mind. Why are you not breastfeeding? Is it due to some health-related challenge, or inconvenience? Is it because your family dynamics require you to work full time (ever heard of breast pumps?) or the idea just turns you off?

If you are physically able to breastfeed, consider your child’s future health. Yes, many formula fed babies do just fine, but many people who refuse to wear a seatbelt also live to a ripe old age. The statistics are there. The stats do not say your baby will suffer. The stats say that there is a better chance of great health if they are breastfed.

If possible, I urge you to do what nature intended. If truly not possible, do not feel guilty. If not possible, work with your health care professional to find alternatives that increase your baby’s chance at a great and healthy future.

(NC)—April 22 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, reminding us that there are still things we can do to lighten our impact on the planet. Here are some easy ways to cut your home energy use, courtesy of Warrington Ellacott an energy efficiency expert for Whirlpool Canada, the 2009 Energy Star manufacturer of the year.

Keep your heat or air conditioning from escaping by making sure you have a tight seal on your windows and doors. According to Natural Resources Canada, air leakage is a significant contributor to high energy costs during the heating and the cooling seasons. Use caulking and weather-stripping to make sure your house is airtight – saving you energy and money.

Look for the Energy Star symbol on your home appliances. Don’t see one? Think about replacing them with new, energy efficient appliances – according to the Canadian Appliance Manufacturers Association, replacing a fridge from the 1990s with a current model can cut your energy usage by over 50 per cent. In fact, Whirlpool makes a French door refrigerator that uses less energy in a year than a 75-watt light bulb.

Unplug electronics when they’re not in use. Even when electronics are switched off, they can still draw a small amount of power called a phantom load.

Keep your eyes open for machines that work for you while keeping the environment in mind. High efficiency washers – like the Whirlpool Duet – give great water and energy savings. Plus, the Duet dryer features a cycle called Eco Normal that reduces the energy used by up to 40 per cent.

Turn lights off when you leave. Save energy (and money) by making sure you turn lights off when you leave a room. Go the extra step by switching your bulbs to compact fluorescents – they use less energy and last 10 times longer resulting in less waste.

“Even small changes can make a big difference,” says Ellacott.  “Taking simple steps like these can have a major effect on your resource use, your utility bill, and the planet as a whole.”  

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1. Recycle Materials for Art : Items like egg cartons, cereal boxes and old newspapers (for paper Mache) are great to keep for your craft projects at home or school. And ask your parents to buy earth-friendly craft glues and paints, too.

2. Start a Green Project: Come up with a fun green idea such as starting a garden or recycling program at school, planting trees or cleaning up your local park, and get your friends, teachers and family involved. If you are between the ages of 6–13 years old, submit your idea to the Sunlight Green Clean Kids: Green Grants Program by writing a short essay on your unique idea to make the environment a better place. Sunlight is offering up to $1,500 to get your project started. More information can be found online at www.sunlightgreencleankids.ca.

3. Organize a Swap: Recycle your old toys and clothes—while getting a bunch of cool new stuff—by organizing a swap at your home, school or community centre where everyone can trade their used items. Set simple rules for the swap such as how many toys each person should bring and how to deal with more than one person choosing the same item.

4. Bike to School: Ask your parents if you can bike or walk to school (as long as it’s safe) a few days a week instead of taking the bus or having them drive you.

5. Teach Your Parents to Recycle: Teach your parents how important it is to recycle by learning about the types of materials that can be put in the recycle box. Label small cans and tubs to collect glass, cardboard, paper and tin items, and ensure the right material goes in the right box. Also look for products that can be recycled on your weekly grocery shop with mom and dad.

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A recent study by Toronto Public Health found rates of breastfeeding among new mothers drop significantly six months after the birth, especially when the mothers fed their babies breast milk and formula in hospital.

Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s chief medical officer of health, found the results concerning, given that the benefits of breastfeeding are well known. It reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, as well as gastrointestinal, ear and respiratory infections in infants.

I wrote a more in depth article available at this site, and I also created a short YouTube video about this topic.

For more details on the Toronto study, see the Toronto Star article here.

Watch this short video from News Canada.

• Hot stoves can be extremely hazardous for children and adults. The stove that you use should be at a high level so that your child cannot access it. Even though the stove is kept away, your child can always raise his hand and touch one of the hot surfaces. If you envisage that there will be times that you may be away, try and make a gate around the area where you have the stove.
• Another thing that you can do is to use the back burners as much as possible so that you child cannot reach up to that level. When you do have to use the front burners try and keep the handles of the pots on the stove towards the back. This will ensure that your baby cannot pull the handles and get the hot contents tumbling down.
• Get covers for the stove knobs so that your child does not switch it on inadvertently. These covers can ensure that there are no burning accidents.
• It is very likely that you may leave knives, forks and other sharp objects on the shelf without realizing this. It can happen to a large extent while you are in the process of cooking something. And then there is the phone call and you go to check without realizing that dangerous objects are lying around. Leave the knives and forks in the sink or in the dishwasher even if you are leaving the kitchen for a few seconds.
• When not in use, ensure that the knives and forks are in a cabinet that has a child proofing latch. These latches are available easily and should be used on all cabinets that are at the lower level.
• It is also a good idea to get a latch or lock for the dishwasher because the dishwasher generally contains all sharp used utensils that can harm your child.

These are just a few of the things that you need to ensure when you are childproofing your kitchen. Make sure that you think through the whole process and spend adequate amount of time planning the childproofing process for the kitchen. You will realize that the kitchen has the maximum number of aspects to take care of.

“While pets such as dogs, cats and birds can transmit infection, it is unlikely that you or your child will get sick from touching these animals. Some infections caused by pets are common, such as salmonellosis, roundworm and hookworm infections, and cat scratch disease, while others like plague are rare,” says Dr. Colette Pienaar of LifeLabs.

LifeLabs conducts more than 50 million, physician-requested diagnostic tests on more than 10 million Canadians every year, so this laboratory is in a prime position to identify various health trends, including infections caused by pets.

“The best defence against transmission of infections by pets is hand washing,” Dr. Pienaar emphasizes.

Other LifeLabs tips to prevent infection in you and your child include:

• Teach children to wash their hands well with soap and running water after handling pets, their feces and pet chews.

• Supervise children younger than 5 years old while they are playing with pets.

• Keep your pet(s) healthy to ensure the health of your family, by keeping up to date with vaccinations, deworming, tick and flea control as well as regular visits to the vet.

• Teach children not to kiss or share food with their pet.

• Teach children not to play rough with their pets to prevent bites and scratches. If bitten or scratched, immediately clean the affected area with soap and water.

• Keep children away from dog and cat feces, indoors and outdoors. Litter trays should be placed where your kids do not play.

• If older children are responsible for cleaning litter boxes, teach them to wear gloves while cleaning up, and to wash their hands afterwards.

• Help your pet stay clean. Remove dirt from their paws and fur. Teach your child how to bath and groom their pet regularly.

• Keep children’s sandboxes covered and teach your children not to eat dirt so as to avoid potential contact with animal feces.

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As an author, literacy is obviously important to Munsch, which is why he has been the Honorary Chair of Family Literacy Day for the last seven years. Family Literacy Day is an annual initiative created by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Honda Canada in 1999 to promote the importance of reading and learning together as a family.

“I love being a part of Family Literacy Day because it allows me to meet lots of interesting people and help to create a love of reading,” says Munsch.

Anyone can celebrate Family Literacy Day on January 27 by practicing literacy activities such as writing, singing, reading and telling stories. In honour of Family Literacy Day, Robert Munsch shares some of his expert storytelling tips:

1. Be yourself, develop your own style.

2. First read the story, and then write it down. Then tape yourself telling the story.

3. Start telling the story using your own words.

4. Tell stories on the bus, during bath time or while cooking.

5. Make your voice loud and clear.

6. Include simple songs or chants to bring the story to life.

7. Use repetition of a word or a phrase.

8. Move around to act out the story.

9. Have your child pick a favourite toy or use one of your old stuffed animals to be a character in the story.

10. Relax and have fun.

Family literacy tips, activity ideas and event information, can all be found online at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

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What is a Zhu Zhu Pet?

Zhu Zhu Pets are electronic toy hamsters and they are so hot this year that they caused a scuffle among Black Friday shoppers in Indianapolis. It is said that the online versions of Walmart and Toysrus have sold out of them. Some retailers are still selling them, but at four, five, even eight times their suggested retail price.

These electronic hamsters has been the runaway hit of the recession-hobbled holiday season so far. The furry little, wheeled critters scoot around a Habitrail-like track, spin in a hamster wheel, and drive little hamster sports cars. The battery-powered pets coo and squeak and have a little artificial intelligence—knowing to make teeth-brushing sounds when they enter their little bathrooms, for example. “They’re so real—without the mess,” chirps a television commercial.

Check out Amazon for possible stock.