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Researchers to Fund Global Study to Decode Zika

Posted on March 16, 2016

Given the fast-spreading global impact of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, a research group plans to launch a study in Latin America to determine the long-term effects of the disease.

RTI International will fund the 4-studies which will be conducted in Latin America among women planning to become pregnant.

“World leaders are struggling with how to deal with the Zika virus in large part because there is so much we still don’t know about its health effects and transmission,” said Wayne Holden, Ph.D., RTI International president and chief executive officer. “It’s critical that we find out those answers so that policies and practices can be put in place to address the virus. RTI has the talent, expertise and global experience that puts us in a prime position to help with this crisis, and we’re compelled to fund such an important effort.”

The first pilot study will be on women in Guatemala and will last two years.

“With this study, we hope to be able to identify the trimester in which Zika infection has the greatest risk to a fetus as well as other outcomes among infants and young children that may not be immediately apparent at birth,” said Pia MacDonald, Ph.D., senior director of RTI’s Center for Applied Public Health Research and the project’s principal investigator.

For more information, continue reading here!

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#IWD2016: Here Are 25 Empowerment Videos By Women For Women

Posted on March 8, 2016

In honor of International Women’s Day today and in celebration of women, including the many moms out there, here are 25 empowerment songs with music videos we are sharing in hopes they uplift the spirits of our readers, most of whom are women worldwide and who all rock!

Enjoy!

2425

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Next time your kid says ‘I’m Bored’, Here are 193 Things for Him to Do

Posted on February 25, 2016

My middle kid is always bored. We have a no TV or video game policy during the school week. We have found that when we let the eldest watch TV and play video games during the week, when he was a kid, that was all he wanted and lived to do. His school work did not come first and his work ethic suffered. As a result, we scaled back TV and video games and eventually banned them altogether Monday thru Thursday. But now the younger kids are having to suffer under the same policy.

So I hear “I’m bored” constantly from the middle kid who finishes his homework pretty quickly and is constantly on the hunt for something to do to occupy his very overactive mind. Thus, it was a no-brainer to get him and his eldest brother together to come up with a list. We also searched the Internet and found some ideas there too. Here is what we came up with:

create a chore chart
roller skate
play with playdough
have a jumping jacks contest
ride your bike
roller blade
play basketball
play board games
make a tent out of blankets
see how many times you can jump rope without tripping up
read books
make homemade play dough
write a letter to a relative
clean up your bedroom
practice your soccer skills
clean bathroom
do a craft project
make a self portrait
take a nature walk
paint a picture using oil sticks
watch a movie
make up a story and write it down
explore the backyard or neighborhood using binoculars
use magnifying glass
use microscope to check out the molecular properties of objects
go bird watching
write a play
find a play on line and act out scene from it
ask mom to give you a list of relatives to call and check up on
put on some music and dance
play card games
toss a ball outside
practice hitting a baseball with a bat
go on a hunt to find different kinds of rocks
collect leaves and make impressions out of them, then color the leaves
make a Frisbee out of old plastic lids and then toss them outside
play office with old telephones or an old phone
help a parent by dusting the house
brush the pet
write letters
read a magazine
play dress-up
play Cowboys
pick vegetables
play outside with the pet
build a fort in your rooms
build a fort in the backyard
do a jigsaw puzzle
read a chapter book
play educational games on the computer
listen to a story or book on tape
do school workbooks from past years you never go to finish
do a crossword puzzle
cook something with your mom
prepare lunch
surprise a neighbor with a good deed
have a tea party with your dolls
make up a lunch menu
take your pet for a walk
have a Teddy bear picnic
play with toy cars
play dolls
play house
collect bugs
plant a garden or a pot
collect seeds
look for four-leaf clovers
learn magic tricks
put on a magic show
plant a container garden
make sock puppets
put on a puppet show
make your Christmas list
decorate homemade wrapping papers
make homemade gift cards
make a crafty picture frame
make a pot holder
mall walk with your mom
sew buttons in designs on old shirts
run relay races
make bookmarks
take a nap
take a shower or bath
bathe a pet
feed the birds or squirrels
watch the clouds
organize a dresser drawer
clean under the bed
help parents empty out the dishwasher
vacuum under the couch cushions and keep any change found
write these ideas on pieces of paper and pick out one or two to do
practice musical instruments
perform a family concert
teach yourself to play musical instrument (recorder, harmonica, guitar)
fold laundry
sweep kitchen or bathroom floors
sweep front walkway
sweep or spray back patio
sweep or spray driveway
wash car
vacuum car
vacuum or dust window blinds
clean bathroom mirrors
go grocery shopping and help put items in the basket
clean inside of car windows
help clean the basement
help clean out the garage
play in the sandbox
wash your bike
work with clay
copy your favorite book illustration
design your own game
build with blocks or Legos
create a design box (copper wire, string, odds-and-ends of things destined for the garbage, pom-poms, thread, yarn, etc.)
plan a neighborhood or family Olympics
have a marble tournament
paint a picture with lemon juice on white paper and hang it in a sunny window and see what happens in a few days
finger paint with pudding
make dessert
make dinner
give your pet a party
paint the sidewalk with water
start a nature diary
have a read-a-thon with a friend or sibling
have a neighborhood bike wash
play flashlight tag
play Kick the Can
check out a science book and try some experiments
make up a story
arrange photo albums
find bugs and start a collection
do some stargazing
decorate bikes or wagons and have a neighborhood parade
play hide-and-seek
create a symphony with bottles and pans and rubber bands
read a story to a younger child
find shapes in the clouds
string dry noodles or O-shaped cereals into a necklace
glue noodles into a design on paper
play hopscotch
play jacks
make up a song
make a teepee out of blankets
write in your journal
find an ant colony and spill some food and watch what happens
play charades
make up a story by drawing pictures
draw a cartoon strip
make a map of your bedroom, house or neighborhood
call a friend
cut pictures from old magazines and write a story
make a collage using pictures cut from old magazines
do a secret service for a neighbor
plan a treasure hunt
make a treasure map
make up a “Bored List” of things to do
plan a special activity for your family
search your house for items made in other countries and then learn about those countries from the encyclopedia or online
plan an imaginary trip to the moon
plan an imaginary trip around the world, where would you want to go
write a science-fiction story
find a new pen pal
make up a play using old clothes as costumes
make up a game for practicing math facts
have a Spelling Bee
make up a game for practicing spelling
surprise an elderly neighbor or relative by weeding his/her garden
fingerpaint with shaving cream
collect sticks and mud and build a bird’s nest
write newspaper articles for a pretend newspaper
put together a family newsletter
write reviews of movies or plays or TV shows or concerts you see during the summer
bake a cake
bake a batch of cookies
decorate a shoe box to hold your summer treasures
make a hideout or clubhouse
make paper airplanes
have paper airplane races
learn origami
make an obstacle course in your backyard
make friendship bracelets for your friends
make a wind chime out of things headed for the garbage
paint your face
braid a doll’s hair
play freeze tag
make a sundial
make food sculptures (from pretzels, gumdrops, string licorice, raisins, cream cheese, peanuts, peanut butter, etc.) and then eat it
go to the planetareum
start a kid’s club
take a nap outside on your lawn
produce a talent show
memorize a poem

193. recite a memorized poem for your family

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People are dragging Chrissy Teigen Online for Sharing that She Picked Her Unborn Baby’s Gender

Posted on February 25, 2016

First time mom-to-be Chrissy Teigen is getting dragged in social media and online today over her decision to pick the gender of her and husband John Legend‘s first child.

The TV host and model made the revelation in a recent PEOPLE magazine interview.

“I’ve made this decision,” Teigen told the magazine. “Not only am I having a girl, but I picked the girl from her little embryo. I picked her and was like, ‘Let’s put in the girl.'”

Phew!

Who told her to share that intimate detail about her infertility struggles that ended in her successfully conceiving via in vitro fertilization? I cannot believe she didn’t’ think folks would get quite up in arms about hearing this tidbit.

Everyone since has stated their ethical opposition to gender selection for non-medical reasons. So much so that she became a trending topic on Twitter and Facebook since the article posted.

She later tweeted a reply to the backlash.

“What is that difference though? i’ve already created embryos with a doctor. only after must it be random,” she wrote. “This is all so interesting. I said it so casually because i’m just open. I’m around so many open-minded people & forgot it’s controversial. anyhow I am not mad at anyone’s beliefs but I don’t really actively seek out people to make them feel bad about their decisions either.”

And she joked about it too to relieve all the hate darts thrown her way. “I also picked the embryo with a taste for bacon, a knack for magic and size 7 feet so she can always find shoes,” she quipped in a tweet.

I also picked the embryo with a taste for bacon, a knack for magic and size 7 feet so she can always find shoes
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) February 24, 2016

Teigen famously shared that she and her singer-songwriter husband were having a tough time getting pregnant while hosting the now-canceled daytime talk show she co-hosted with Tyra Banks (also a new mom.)

Lessons learned, mama. Lessons learned.

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Study: Anxiety or Depression during Pregnancy produces Picky-Eating Baby

Posted on February 25, 2016

According to a recent study, moms who experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy might have children who are fussier eaters. This link could exist between both mother and child and father and child, as the correlation doesn’t just take hold during pregnancy, but also in the years before a child starts school. According to the study, moms can pass this trait to their children during pregnancy and the first few years of life, while fathers can influence a child’s eating habits after birth.

The problem with picky eating

In the context of this study, fussy eaters are defined as those who reject certain types of food. If you’re already a parent, we probably don’t have to tell you that this is pretty common in children—or that it’s incredibly stressful for parents—but did you know that picky eaters are at risk for more serious problems? Constipation, weight problems and behavioral issues can all spring from bad eating habits.

The researchers analyzed 4,746 mothers and 4,144 fathers who had babies between 2002 and 2006 to come to this conclusion. The parents completed questionnaires during pregnancy and then again three years later, reporting their own symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as information about their children’s eating habits. By age three, about 30 percent of the children were classified as fussy eaters.

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Liv Tyler Bumps it up In Electric Blue Stella McCartney While Hanging with Stella McCartney at Elle Style Awards

Posted on February 25, 2016

It’s not everyone who gets to wear one of their favorite designer’s custom maternity dresses then dine with said designer in the same evening. But alas, not everyone is the talented and stunning Miss Liv Tyler. The star of the HBO hit show The Leftovers looked marvelous in an electric blue off the shoulder Stella McCartney dress while attending the Elle Style Awards in London, England on Tuesday, February 23. Her clutch was also by the famous daughter of veteran rocker Paul McCartney. She accented the look with Jessica McCormack jewels. During the event, Tyler won an award for TV Actress of the Year for her role in the mystery drama. Bravo and Congrats! Later, she and McCartney, another Bellyitch Bumpwatch alum, took an usie together which Tyler shared on her Instagram page.

@stellamccartney #ElleStyleAwards A photo posted by Liv Tyler (@misslivalittle) on Feb 23, 2016 at 1:01pm PST

Tyler is expecting her second child with fiancé David Gardner. The couple are parents to 1-year old son Sailor Green. He just had the big birthday earlier this month.

Happy birthday # 1 my baby boy !!! ?? Sailor gene ?? @davidgardner A photo posted by Liv Tyler (@misslivalittle) on Feb 11, 2016 at 7:57pm PST

Gardner has an 8-year old son from a previous relationship and Tyler is mom to 11-year old Milo from another relationship, as well. And this artsy pose with a statute at the gallery where the event was held is fun.

Ohhhh hello!!! #ElleStyleAwards @stellamccartney @davidgardner @jamesbrownhair A photo posted by Liv Tyler (@misslivalittle) on Feb 23, 2016 at 1:05pm PST

Her stylist James Brown showed off a close up of his work on his Insta. Gorgeous, mama! muah

Liv @misslivalittle at last night Elle awards wining best TV actress for the leftovers hair me @jamesbrownhair makeup @kaymontano #ellestyleawards #hollywoodglam #jamesbrownlondon #glossyhair #HBO A photo posted by James Brown (@jamesbrownhair) on Feb 24, 2016 at 1:58am PST

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Here are the 20 Essential Items to Include in Your Spring Capsule Closet

Posted on February 24, 2016

Speaking of Spring…soon it will be time to start pulling together key pieces to include in your Spring capsule collection. That is the items of clothing that you will cycle in and around your wardrobe that will form the basic pieces of your season’s looks.

For me, my Spring capsule would include a couple of long sleeve jersey tops, a few short-sleeve ones for layering, a light jacket, some new sneakers, a pair of ballet flats, a fresh light weight cap or hat, a few maxi dresses, a couple of shirt dresses, some cute leggings, a wrap dress and a light weight blazer.

Tend’s editor assembled a 20-piece capsule collection including items that should make up your essential closet. check it out!

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Here are 12 Ways to Grow a Confident Child

Posted on February 24, 2016

Growing a self-confident child is a monumental task for parents. When children feel great about themselves it shows in their work, play and interaction with peers, siblings and others. Here are 12 ways to help boost a child’s self-esteem:

Encourage independence. Give your child the opportunity to do what he can by himself. While it can be tempting to “help” your child with self-help tasks like putting on his coat to get out of the house faster, don’t. Children feel good about themselves when they’re able to complete age-appropriate tasks without assistance.
Praise the process, not just the results. It can be easy to only focus on winning the game, scoring the goal, or coloring perfectly in the lines. However, when parents focus only on the outcome it’s easy to forget the time, effort and energy that a child put into an activity. Take the opportunity to offer praise for commitment, determination and trying again too.
Applaud safe risk taking. While jumping off the top of the bunk bed is never a good idea, going down a new slide can be a great one. When a child tackles new obstacles, tries new things, or puts himself out there, applaud it! When he overcomes and succeeds, his self esteem will grow. And even if he doesn’t, when he knows you believe in him and support him, he’ll be willing to try again.
Show unconditional love. Nothing your child ever does should cost him your love. While you may, or better stated will, be disappointed at one time or another in his choice of behavior, it’s important to communicate to him that your love is unwavering.
Be a self-confident role model. Your children look to you to gauge what’s acceptable and what’s not. If you want to raise a self-confident person, be a self-confident person. If you feel good about yourself, your kids will feel good about you and the impact they have on your life.
Foster an “I can” attitude. Encourage your children to have an “I can do” attitude. Let your child know you believe in him by encouraging him to believe in himself. A child’s self-confidence is affected by how he believes his parents feel about him, so if you communicate you have confidence in your child he’s more likely to have confidence in himself.
Play with your child. Parents and their children’s days are often disconnected, especially when both parents work. When the time you spend with your child is quality time, your child will feel like he is a priority. Make it a point to give your child your undivided attention and to play with him and show interest in the things that he’s interested in.
Set your child up for success. Don’t take your child bike riding for the first time down a steep hill on a two-wheeler without brakes. Instead start him off on a smooth, flat surface with training wheels to steady him so he can experience his first success. Consider the situations that you put your child in and be sure he has a realistic chance of succeeding.
Show physical affection. Whether it’s a pat on the back or double kisses from mom and dad, make it a point to show your child that you love him. While your second grader may not want a hug and kiss in front of his peers, he’ll likely be thrilled to do a secret handshake or take a fist bump.
Show that you’re proud of your child. If you haven’t stocked up on refrigerator magnets and trophy shelving now is the time. Let your child hear you talking about how proud you are of him and show that you’re proud by displaying symbols of achievement, whether it’s his first drawing or his academic report card.
Avoid labels. Don’t let your child be defined by any diagnosis, personality trait or disability. While you may feel the need to let folks know your child is “shy” or “diabetic”, don’t let those labels define who he is. Your child should proudly introduce himself by his first and last name, not as “Jeffery the diabetic.”
Give your child jobs to do. When children have household jobs or chores, it sends the message that they are a part of the family unit, they are depended on, and that their contributions count. Even a two-year-old can help sort socks. Give your child the opportunity to feel like he’s part of something bigger than himself. When you do you’ll see his confidence flourish.

There you are, parents! Armed and ready for success! Good luck raising great little beings!

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Here is the Real Meaning behind Some of the Most Unique Celebrity Baby Names

Posted on February 24, 2016

Lil Kim’s daughter Royal Reign, Beyonce & Jay Z’s daughter Blue Ivy, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s son Saint West and Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s daughter Apple

Celebrity baby names seem so arbitrary, especially those that are super unique and slightly off-the-wall. Irrespective of their uniqueness, many of them do have a source and meaning.

Chris Riotta over at Mic.com broke down a few of the more popular ones.

Saint West is so named because he was a miracle baby conceived after fertility struggles. His conception made him a Saint to the relationship of his mom and dad Kim Kardashian-West and Kanye West.

Blue Ivy was so named after her dad’s “Blueprint” album and the numeral IV which mom and dad had tatooed on their fingers and represented the number 4 which is significant in their relationship. Beyonce was born on September 4th, the couple married on the 4th day of April. Jay-Z was born on the 4th of December. Also, the couple saw a Blue Ivy tree while vacationing in Hvar, Croatia when Beyonce was pregnant. It solidified the decision for them, Bey said in a Tumblr video she shared.

Gwyneth Paltrow figured apples were “so sweet and they’re wholesome, and it’s biblical and it’s just, they’re so, and I just thought it sounded so lovely”, she told Oprah Winfrey on her show about the meaning behind and her and Coldplay frontman ex husband Chris Martin‘s daughter, Apple.

As the queen B of rap, it was fitting for Lil Kim to name her daughter with rapper Mr. Papers: Royal Reign.

Read the entire post at Mic here!

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Here is Your 100 Item Spring Cleaning Checklist

Posted on February 23, 2016

Spring is coming and very soon it will be time to start thinking of of doing a thorough and comprehensive cleaning and overhaul of the family home. Spring Cleaning is a time to start fresh and get rid of all the accumulated dust, grime and dirt from everyone being crammed indoors.

A little while ago the Imperfect Homemaking blog came up with a pretty thorough list of over 100 tasks including some of these below to guide your cleaning:

FOYER

1. Dust lighting fixtures.

2. Wash walls and trim

3. Wash doors, knobs and switch plates.

4. Wash bench or other furnishings. Launder bench cushion, if applicable.

5. Empty out coat closet. Wash walls and floor, if needed. Sort items as you return them to the closet. 6. 6. Store out of season items, donate unneeded items.

7. Clean or replace entry mat.

8. Sweep and scrub floors.

9. Reseal grout lines, if necessary.

BEDROOMS

11. Open windows

12. Dust furniture.

13. For each drawer: remove items, wash drawer, place items back neatly. Donate Items you no longer need.

14. Remove everything from closets. Sweep and wash closet floor. Put everything back neatly. Donate items you no longer need. Try not to store things on closet floor.

15. Move Bed. Sort and put away anything that was under bed. Sweep or vacuum under bed. Try not to store things under bed.

16. Put bed back. Freshen mattress by sprinkling with baking soda, letting sit briefly, and the vacuuming it up.

17. Launder bedding and curtains. Wash pillows and duvet in hot water. Air out mattress pad, if you have one.

18. Dust lights. Clean lamp shades.

19. Wash windows and window sills. Take out and wash window screens.

20. Wash switch plates. Wash walls and trim as needed.

21. Wash mirrors or dust art.

22. Wash doors and doorknobs.

23. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.

24. Sweep and wash floor or vacuum.

BATHROOMS

25. Open windows

26. Empty all cabinets and vanity. Wash inside, replace items neatly. Discard expired medications and cosmetics.

27. Wash outside of cabinets and vanities

28. Clean tub. Wax if necessary. Clean drain.

29. Clean toilet, inside and out. Remove seat and clean around seat bolts.

30. Clean sink and drain.

31. Shine faucets.

32. Clean mirror and frame .

33. Dust light fixtures.

34. Wash windows and window sills. Take out and wash window screens.

35. Wash switch plates. wash walls and trim. Wash doors and door knobs.

36. Wash floor registers and other vent covers.

37. Sweep and wash floors.

38. Reseal grout lines if necessary.

KITCHEN

39. Open windows.

40. Remove and clean window coverings. Click here for instructions on cleaning mini blinds.

41. For each cabinet or drawer: Remove items, wipe out drawer, place items back neatly. Donate unneeded items.

42. Wash and sanitize cutting boards

43. Sharpen knives

44. Wash cabinet doors and knobs

45. Clean and organize pantry. Check food expiry dates.

46. Clean oven.

47. Clean stove top. Remove elements and drip bowls, if applicable, wash and put back.

48. Clean and organize fridge and freezer. Defrost freezer, if necessary. Check food expiry dates.

49. Clean under fridge and stove.

50. Vacuum refrigerator coils.

Continue READING and get the rest of the list for other areas of the home at Imperfect Homeaking and download a PRINTABLE LIST HERE!

Happy Cleaning!

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