• The Healthy Walnut Archive

    My kids seem to have more energy than I have in my little finger, so why is it that they’d rather be tapping on a keyboard than playing outside? With the weather (finally!) getting nicer, I nudge them outdoors as often as possible…but it’s never long before someone comes to the back door in tears or telling me they’re bored and “Can I come in now?” Frustrating, to say the least. If you feel you fight a never-ending battle with your kids about less screen time and more active play, you may finally have some ammunition. This summer, LeapFrog is introducing its latest electronic gadget, LeapBand activity tracker, that’s destined to be a big departure from sedentary play. Aimed at ages 4-7, this wearable device [&hellip

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    Juggling two kids’ schedules competes for my attention every day. As a mom who’s been working from home for the past decade, I’ve become a master at time management and, on most days, feel like I have a pretty good handle on things. Even though my girls’ lives are undeniably busier than mine was at their ages, their schedules are predictable for the most part. But for moms of little ones, trying to get a baby to nap on queue, or take a bottle when they’re good and ready, is easier said than done. Aiming to make new parents’ a little less overwhelming comes Baby Bundle, a brand-new mobile app designed to simplify your baby’s everyday routine at the swipe of a finger. Monitoring Tools [&hellip

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    A show of hands: How many of you swaddle your baby? If you’re a new mom looking for a way to comfort your little one, you’ve probably heard about the benefits of swaddling (how it can help babies fall asleep and stay asleep). But what you may not know is that the more natural way for your baby to sleep isn’t with her arms at her side, but with her arms UP. Studies have shown that giving babies access to their arms and hands enables them to self-soothe, and may help prevent them from rolling onto their tummies. While we’ve seen quite a few swaddling blankets on the market, there wasn’t any particular product that supported this type of design…until now. Enter Love To…Swaddle UP [&hellip

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    For a new parent, there’s nothing more frightening than the first time your baby has a fever. When my daughters were infants, the sight of their beet-red faces, along with their heartbreaking cries, was enough to send me over the edge. And trying to take their temperatures to confirm my fears? Truly scary for this mom. While there have been plenty of innovations in the thermometer category over the years, I wished I’d been able to take advantage of the latest development. Pacifier thermometers are the answer to the prayers of any parent who dreads the mere thought of having to take their baby’s temperature. There are already a handful of different models on the market, but our top pick is the Carex Digital Pacifier [&hellip

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    There’s a hint of spring in the air today, as the mercury soars above 30 degrees. Yup, it’s truly been the winter of our discontent here in the Northeast where we have been “toughing it out” during what feels like a never-ending chill fest. Trust me when I say we’ll be paying close attention to that groundhog, come Sunday. The skin on my hands would welcome some warmer temps; I wonder if this feeling of parchment paper will become permanent. Because I have an overactive imagination, I sometimes find myself daydreaming about warm weather getaways to far-off lands. High on my list is Provence in summertime, with the sun beating down on those lush lavender fields that seem to go on for miles. No wonder [&hellip

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    Since Christmas, my 5-year-old has been washing her hands to the tune of “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” After months of washing along to “Happy Birthday,” she was looking for a change of pace (aren’t we all?). All kidding aside, I’m impressed that she continues to follow the 20-second or longer hand-washing rule; the time-honored parenting trick of making a game out of something mundane works well for this child. Of course, not every kid is easily swayed by songs and rhymes; her 9-year-old sister prefers a quick wash–so fast, I wonder how she could possibly get clean? And don’t get me started on brushing her teeth…Joining the ranks of frustrated parents everywhere comes a new product that gives kids an incentive to get their hands [&hellip

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    Two weeks into January, and the winter weather has covered everything from an ice storm and subzero temps, to an unseasonal tempest that hints of an early spring. Today brings about a cold, damp rain…but I’m still debating whether I should put away my flip flops. If this roller coaster of a winter is any indication of the next few months, then we’ll glad hide out at home with a hot cup of something and a leisurely soak in the tub. If your version of reality hardly lends itself to undisturbed mommy time, then at least you can make bathtime for baby a little more fun –and less of a chore for you. One product we’re raving over is the brand-new Skip Hop Moby Waterfall [&hellip

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    Happy (almost) New Year! Have you joined the resolution-making camp? You know the drill: The road to 2014 may be paved with good intentions, but as most folks know–whether they’ll admit to it or not–most resolutions fizzle out before spring. If you vow that this year will be different–you will put that gym membership to good use and get up at 5 a.m., even if it kills you–then we commend you and aim to help you achieve your goal (just don’t expect a gym buddy). Instead, we’ve been checking out some of the newer activity bands, and have found one worth treating yourself to. Oregon Scientific’s Ssmart Dynamo has all the bells and whistles you expect from a fitness tracker, but with an ease of [&hellip

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    Can you put a pricetag on a good night’s sleep? If you happen to be a new parent or a worldwide traveler, it’s probably something you don’t get much of.  So, if you’re wondering just how precious those zzz’s are, would you consider investing in one of the latest trends in sleep aid? We’re not talking about popping a pill or drawing a hot bath. Philip Stein, maker of high-end watches, jewelry and other lifestyle accessories, has created a Sleep Bracelet that’s designed to give you the quality rest you so desperately need, especially during the start of an especially exhausting time of year. How does it work, you ask? The $300+ bracelet is designed with perforated holes that allow your skin to breathe more [&hellip

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    Happy first weekend in November. Have you scarfed down all that Halloween candy yet, or at least put it out of plain sight? As the countdown to Thanksgiving begins, we’re trying to be a bit more…er, healthy and so that means making smarter choices in what we put in our tummies. And that’s the perfect excuse for updating your kitchen gadgets or dropping a few hints what you might appreciate under the tree this December. Because my 5-year-old has been on a smoothie kick lately (I wish I could take credit for this, but I think it’s because of Healthy Snack Fridays at school), we can truly appreciate a juicer that gets the job done and looks pretty on the kitchen counter. The Omega NC900 [&hellip

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