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07/23/14

I’ve written extensively about my experiences with febrile seizures. From the first one that rocked my world to the latest just a few short months ago.

Sili Recio

families & the federal budget family economic security

07/23/14

Improvement. It’s a subjective word, I guess. Otherwise how does H.B. 4935 get to call itself the Child Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2014? The House is set to vote on the bill this week , and although it sounds like a winner, for millions of low-income working families it is exactly the opposite. First, a little background. The Child Tax Credit was created in 1997 to help families meet the expenses of raising children. Since then, it has had a couple of edits (dare I say improvements ?) that make it more valuable to lower-income families. In 2003, the credit value was raised from $500 to $1,...

Susanna Birdsong

Food!

07/23/14

Greens get a bad rap, and it's not fair. Because they're easy to grow, they taste awesome, and they're really good for you, too! I'll admit: getting kids to eat greens can be particularly challenging, as they're something of the epitome of the "vegetable". But drawing them into the process of planting, growing, cooking, eating and, yes, crafting, can help. I'm going to share tips for bringing greens into your life, from seed to plate. First, let's look at growing greens. Here's how to get started. There are lots and lots of types of greens out there - from tender-leafed salad greens to the...

Karen Showalter

Food!

07/23/14

Children's sports and sports snacks seem to go hand in hand, but should they? It's a proven fact that healthy children do better in schools . Children's sports play an integral role in keeping children healthy. It fills the gap left by the closing of physical education classes . It gets children moving in a fun, safe enviroment. It also aids in academic success . Yet, the benefits of children's sports can be offset by the snacks served during the event. Join us this Friday, July 25. 2014 at 1pm, EST on Twitter to learn the truth about children's sports and sports snacks. Hear from @CSPI , @...

Migdalia Rivera

Food!

07/23/14

Collards are a gift. Truly. They are easy to grow, really tasty to eat and they are FULL of nutrients (they have more nutritional value than broccoli and spinach! That's saying a LOT!). Yet, cooking collards can seem daunting, because in the store the leaves seem large and tough. And make no mistake: if you don't cook them down well, they will be chewy. But it's not hard to cook collards correctly. Here's how: Wash the leaves, and remove the stalks and stems. Chop them into 1/2" wide strips (easiest is to roll a bunch of leaves together and chop. I also use scissors). Boil a couple of inches...

Karen Showalter

childcare & early education

07/23/14

***UPDATED*** We texted and you responded -- see below for the summer activity wisdom of members like you! School’s out and summer is here! As a kid, that meant sunshine, long days full of fun, and all the perks of summer: BBQs, popsicles, swimming, summer camps, and no homework! As an adult and as a soon-to-be parent, it leaves me with more questions than anything! Figuring out what to do with little ones can be fun and stressful. Fear not! Below are some great resources to help families find care for kids during the summer months while school is out. And as an added bonus, our fabulous...

Lauren Hipp

Food!

07/23/14

Homemade plantable seed paper is a simple DIY project that can be done at home in a very short time. It can be used in a variety of ways. Given that I enjoy hosting parties and gathering, I use homemade plantable seed paper as memorable party favors and gift tags! What I love most about homemade plantable seed paper is that you recycle paper items that normally go to waste, like toilet paper rolls, while also providing a beautiful keepsake that will grow and provide beauty and nourishment for years to come! What you’ll need: Cardboard toilet paper rolls Seeds Food processor Hot water...

Migdalia Rivera

Take Action!

healthcare

07/23/14

It’s always nice when an investment pays off! And that’s the case when it comes to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It was passed in 1997 with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats and, along with the Medicaid program, has helped cut the number of uninsured kids by half, from 14% down to 7% . This is a big deal. Kids who have health insurance are less likely to get sick and more likely to get preventative care (including immunizations and dental care) to keep them well. It also ensures they get the treatment they need when they do get sick, injured, or have a...

Sili Recio

Food! politics & policy

07/23/14

We all watched with shaking heads this week as a Sears security employee posted screen shots of breastfeeding mothers that he captured from Sears security footage on Twitter. The twitterverse unleashed its fury, citing the obvious concern about violating the privacy of these unsuspecting mothers and the obvious stupidity of an employee who should know better. The employee was fired. The fact is, when to comes to breastfeeding in public, employees of many retailers often get their companies in big trouble, with let’s say, not-well-thought-out moves. Last week, a nursing mother who claimed she...

Kimberly Seals Allers

healthcare

07/23/14

We all watched with shaking heads this week as a Sears security employee posted screen shots of breastfeeding mothers that he captured from Sears security cameras. The twitterverse unleashed its fury, citing the obvious concern about violating the privacy of these unsuspecting mothers and the obvious stupidity of an employee who should know better.

Kimberly Seals Allers