Sun Screens!!

It is now well known that exposure to sun puts people at risk for skin cancer and premature aging and that most of that exposure comes during childhood (80% of a person's lifetime sun exposure occurs before they are 21). Regular use of sunscreen in children can lower their risk of skin cancer by almost 78%.
There are many sunscreens available for safe use in children over six months old. Pick one that offers UVA and UVB protection and that has a SPF of 15 or higher (especially if your child has light skin). Apply the sunscreen in a thick coat at least 30-45 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours (or more often in he is swimming or perspiring heavily).

Here are some other tips to protect your child from the damaging effects of the sun.

Wear protective clothing, including a hat and long sleeve shirt and long pants. Keep in mind that most clothing only has a SPF of 5-9, so you can still get sun damage with a shirt on.

Limit exposure to the sun when it is at its strongest (10am-4pm).
Protect your child's eyes with sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB radiation.

Use sunscreen daily, even if it is cloudy, since most of the sun's radiation penetrates clouds and can still cause sunburn.

Consider using a sunscreen with ingredients (such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) that physically block the sun's radiation if your child has sensitive skin.

Deet lowers the effectiveness of sunscreens, so use a higher SPF if you are using a combination product that has both a sunscreen and an insect repellent.

USE IT OR LOSE IT...

Cluttered fridge? This can be very annoying when you open your refrigerator with a lot of expired food in there. You might clear it out by getting rid of stuff that's been hanging around too long. It's time to toss after:

BABY FOOD - 2 days
EGGS - 3-5 weeks
BUTTER - 1-3 months
MAYONNAISE - 2 months
SALAD DRESSING -3 months
TOMATO KETCHUP -6 months
SOY SAUCE -6-9 months.

(source: the food marketing Institute)

Food Dyes and Behavior...

I was reading the news last night and this one caught my attention:
" A consumer advocacy group called on the Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of eight artificial colorings in food because they have been linked to hyperactivity and behavior problems in children. The colorings the center seeks to ban are : Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, Red 3, and Yellow 6. Dyes are used in countless foods are sometimes used to simulate the color of fruits and vegetables. The additives are prevalent in the cereals, candies, sodas, and snack foods." (source: health news story-WCVB Boston)
Everytime I give cereals or snacks to my daughter, I always check the sugar content of it. I never thought that those colors that kids attracted to can give so much problem with their health. It was easy for me to avoid foods that I thought not good for her when she was under 3 years old, but now that she goes with me at the grocery stores, goes to school, asks for the snacks she wants, How can I get rid all of those? I dont know. (Anyways, it is good to be aware & avoid those foods as much as I can than feeling sorry later on.)