Yummy and Low-Calorie Dessert Recipe: Pink Stuff

Here is one of my favorite things to eat (the kids love it, too!) when I am dying for sweets but need to keep the calories low. So easy and the kids love it!

Take a container of strawberries, a small container of fat-free Cool Whip and a package of sugar-free strawberry Jell-O. Cut up the strawberries and mix it all together. That's it. Easy to double, and easy to change up using different flavors of Jell-O and different fruits. Canned fruit works fine too, such as pineapple or mandarin oranges. Go retro and toss in some shredded coconut!

Sleeping Issues From Newborn to Tween

Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for health at all stages of life. Insufficient good quality sleep can lead to mental and physical health problems, and even a few hours of lost sleep can make you cranky and tired. As with all aspects of childcare, kids will differ. Some children will sleep better than others right from the word go, and some seem to struggle to get to sleep and stay like it for more than a few hours at a time. When the teenage years roll around, the problem very often reverses, and you’re then struggling to get them out of bed! For younger children, there could be a variety of underlying factors as to why they aren’t getting the sleep they need.

Babies

Newborns and infants are the most notoriously difficult when it comes to sleeping for extended periods. There have been studies galore into why this should be so, with three factors coming out as the main causes.

·         Illness or discomfort: If the baby is crying or seems distressed, or is acting in any way out of the ordinary, you should consider whether they might be feeling unwell. They could be coming down with a virus like a cold, or it could be one of the common causes of discomfort and pain in infants such as colic or teething. Most of the time these are simple problems that can be home-medicated, but if the baby has a fever or becomes lethargic and hard to rouse, you should see a doctor. There are treatments for colic, acid reflux, and teething pain that are safe for babies, although sometimes it can be a case of trying each one until you find out which works! You can often get it right the first time if you make a note of every symptom they’re exhibiting and check it against a reputable medical source of information, like the WebMD Children’s Health Center website.

·         Hunger: Babies are best fed frequently throughout the day and night, as their systems are designed to be nourished this way. Some babies adapt well to a more rigid routine, and it’s possible to get them used to feeding on a less frequent basis. That means you are more likely to get a good night’s sleep, but on the other hand, many babies don’t adapt well and will grizzle and cry if not fed when they are hungry. It’s also amazing how much babies can consume! If you’re breastfeeding one of the worries frequently expressed is that you don’t know how much milk baby is drinking. If you’re concerned that baby might not be getting enough, the best approach is to feed them more often and use a breast-pump in between feeds. Doing so will increase the amount of milk you are producing so you can be confident you always have plenty for their needs. You can also supplement the breastmilk with formula, examples of which are detailed on websites such as Formuland.

·         Comfort: The psychological drives of babies are difficult to pin down precisely, due to the fact they have no way of communicating their feelings verbally. It’s also hard to conduct studies on babies due to the ethical issues involved, so the science behind the psychological needs of babies is far from complete. What is known is that physical contact is critically important for a baby’s development. If your infant is crying, they may simply need to be cuddled and comforted. Parents are often afraid that if they respond to a crying baby every time, the child will cry more often because it knows it is going to be picked up. The evidence doesn’t support this belief, in fact, babies who are always comforted when they cry seem to be less prone to this problem. The ultimate in close contact parenting is to keep the baby with you most of the time. Sharing a bed with baby is controversial, because of the risk of suffocation, but a bedside cot is a good compromise. Obviously, the demands of modern life may mean you can’t always be there for your baby, but trustworthy family members and friends, or professionals in child care will be just as effective in soothing a fretful baby.

Toddlers

Once your child starts to move about by themselves, they will be able to get out of bed and wander about, so your best bet is to use a cot or bed with extendable sides to keep them confined to quarters! Having a good bedtime routine will help prepare your toddler for sleep, and reading them a story once they are settled in bed will help them relax and drift off. If your little one persists in getting up and making a fuss, it’s time to be firm but kind. As long as they aren’t sick and there’s nothing wrong, they need to learn that bedtime is for sleep.

Older children

Nightmares and night terrors are the main problem for older kids. All children will dream, and some of those dreams may be nightmares, but they can become so real and terrifying that a child will wake up screaming and hysterical. They will need comforting and settling down to sleep again, which may take a while if they’ve been very distressed. Avoiding unsuitable TV programs, books, games, images, and conversations will help reduce the chances that nightmares will occur, but if they start to happen very regularly, it’s best to have a check-up in case there is an underlying cause. Bedwetting may accompany night terrors, or a child may just be experiencing trouble controlling their bladder overnight. Using sleeping underwear and waterproof bedding will help reduce the cleaning up, and you shouldn’t get mad at your child if they are taking longer to stay dry than their contemporaries. Again, if the problem persists, seek medical advice.

Every child will experience sleep disturbances of some kind as they grow up. Your role as their parent is to try and find the cause so you can address it, and be there to help them in any way you can to get the good night’s sleep they need.

It's Time to Upgrade the Quality of Your Dog's Food

It should be easier than ever for you to find the best quality medications for your dog. All you need to do is go to the web and log on to Vet Products Direct. But when it comes to finding the best quality food for your four legged friend, where do you go? For example, do you know the best place to find great products for your dog like advance dog food on the web? This is a question whose solution is easier than ever to find. Just go to Vet Products Direct for medications and food.

If Your Pet Won't Settle for Less, There's No Reason Why You Should

If you think about it long enough, you may come to the conclusion that your canine friend is trying to tell you something. Why should you let them settle for food that is less than ideal quality for them? Chances are good that they won't. They will simply refuse to eat the low quality pet food that you place before them. And why should you slow at taking the hint? They are trying to tell you in their own way that they need different and better food. And this is a hint you should really pick up on.

Healthy Dog Food is a Requirement for a Long, Happy Life

The health of your dog should always be a major concern. When you spend time with him or her, you want them to be at their best. Healthy dog food is a necessity if you want them to stay strong and active for many years to come. This is why you should always make sure to get them Advance and other top grades of pet food. When the life of your pet is at stake, there just isn't any time to waste on inferior quality food.

You Don't Need to Spare Any Expenses to Keep Your Dog Healthy

This is why you should never worry about having to spare any expense to keep your four legged friend healthy and happy. And as it turns out, you will never need to. You can find all of the best deals on pet food and medication on the world wide web. Just go to Vet Products Direct to get the latest info and updates on all of the health products you need for your dog.

Finding the Best Quality Food for Your Dog Just Got Easier

In the old days, finding the best quality food for your dog wasn't always so easy. This is why you were frequently forced to settle for low grade food. But you did so with a guilty conscience. It all came down to the fact that if you wanted to really find them the best quality food, you had to drive all over town to find it. And sometimes you couldn't get it even then. In the meantime, you racked up a serious loss of time, money, energy, and fuel. But those bad old days are gone forever. Now there is simply no excuse not to get the best quality food for your canine friend.

Vet Products Direct is Your One Stop Shop for All Your Pet Needs

When it comes to getting all of the best pet products for your four legged friends, there is really one place you ought to consider. Instead of spending all day on a wild goose chase visiting pet shops and supermarkets, why not head straight to the world wide web? All you need is log on to Vet Products Direct to find everything you need for your pet. And it isn't just a mere matter of finding them their favorite foods and fast acting medications. It's also a matter of finding the very best price. This is why Vet Products Direct is here to be your one stop shop on the web.

Etiquette Tips Every Restaurant Server Needs to Know

In a restaurant, servers have one of the most important roles in the establishment: making sure that the customer has a great experience, from the moment they walk into the restaurant to the moment they leave. This goes beyond merely just taking their order and getting their meal to them on time. It extends to doing little things that exhibit good and professional behavior to make sure that they are having the best experience imaginable. That’s where etiquette comes in!

So, what etiquette tips should restaurant servers observe? Here are a few of them.

Smile at Customers

No one wants to be served by someone who looks like they are having a bad day. If you deal with customers, no matter what industry you are in, smiling at them is a must. This is one thing that customers remember the most because it makes them feel more welcomed. It also makes you more approachable, something that puts customers at ease.

Be Neat and Tidy

If you are going to act professional, you need to look professional. And nothing makes you look professional like having a neat and tidy appearance. Things that contribute to this neat and tidy look include a clean uniform, tying back long hair and trimming fingernails. But most importantly, make sure you are wearing an apron. Don’t know where to find a quality apron? Click here to see restaurant waitress aprons.

Know the Menu

Sometimes customers don’t know what they want and might need you to explain some of the dishes to them. That is why you must make sure that you are in the best possible position to advise them. Get acquainted with the menu as well as the ingredients in case the customer you are serving has any allergies. And where you don’t know, always seek clarification from the chef; customers won’t fault you for it.

Bring the Bill When Asked

It is considered rude to bring the bill to your customers before they request for it. Even though your guest may appear done, they could still be enjoying their conversation as they finish their drinks. Handing them a bill in this scenario is like giving them a signal to leave. So hold off on that until you are asked to bring it.

Be Alert

Don’t just assume that because you have served your customers, you are done with them until they are ready to leave. Your guest can still need other things during the course of the meal, such as refills and dessert, making it important to always be alert. People hate it when they are at a restaurant and can’t get their server's attention to the point they have to call or follow the server. Be in a position where a customer can get your attention by simply raising their hand.

Knowing these few etiquette tips for servers can make sure that guests have the best experience when they come to eat at your restaurant. As a server, your primary role is to make sure your guest are taken care of, from start to finish, and good etiquette is a great way to ensure this goal is achieved.

5 Work At Home Jobs That You Can Do Part-Time

I firmly believe that everyone should have a side job. Let's face it, the majority of problems in this world require money to solve them. Sometimes your regular job just isn't enough to cover all those expenses that life continually throws at us. That is why everyone needs a second source of income. Think of it as a profitable hobby!

1. Crafting

This is a category with almost unlimited possibilities. Many people supplement their income by making various crafts in their home and selling them. There are some who make simple decorative crafts, and others who make useful items like tools and gadgets. If you can make anything of value, it can probably be sold. The only difficult part is finding a place to sell your goods. You can sell art and art supplies online at etsy.com and its various clones. Local events are also worth considering. If you happen to own a 3-D printer, your manufacturing ability becomes even greater.