Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in oakland, CA

Spotlight On Health

by VDog

March 02, 2009

Being a parent is tough. We're so focused on taking
care of our children that sometimes we forget to take care of
ourselves. Nutrition-wise, we often take the quick and easy way out
-- a cookie here, a bag of chips there, a cup of coffee for breakfast,
half of our children's mac-n-cheese at dinnertime. I'm as guilty as
anyone. But what's a busy parent to do? Today's guest posters, Bonnie
Johnson and Deanna Segrave-Daly, serve up five great ways parents can
maintain a healthy lifestyle even in the midst of all the childhood
chaos. As registered dieticians, they know the ins and outs of good
nutrition. Even more important, they are moms who understand that our
busy, crazy schedules means we need quick, manageable solutions -- and
all the help we can get.

**Giveaway below!**

------------------------------
5 Basic Boosts for Busy Parents
From Two Spicy Moms
Bonnie Johnson, MS, RD and Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD, LDN (on behalf of
trim®)

1) Kick Up Your Heels - Don't make exercise a daunting chore. Have a
20-minute dance party with the kids. Everyone gets to pick one song.
Try out different rhythms or steps like hula, cha-cha, the twist or
the oldie-but-goodie chicken dance.

2) Faster Fruits- Often, we are so focused on getting our children to
eat healthy, we forget about ourselves (sound familiar?) And most of
us need to at least double our daily dose of fruit. So, instead of
trying to count that strawberry cheesecake as a serving, try:

           1/2 cup applesauce - Add a dash of cinnamon and/or nutmeg

           1 can of trim® Juice drink - New from Tree Top, one can
counts as a 1/2 cup of fruit serving and comes in yum flavors like
Mango Peach and Strawberry Kiwi)

           1/4 cup dried fruit - Try tossed into cereal, over a salad
or eaten on the go

3) Satiety is the new buzzword in healthy eating-it's that feeling of
satisfaction after a meal or snack. It makes sense - if you are
satisfied longer, you won't scarf down those extra calories you really
don't need (like the remnants of junior's PB&J.) Fiber has great
satiating power.  Shoot for getting more fiber by choosing cereals
with five grams or more fiber per serving, tossing a can of beans into
a pasta dish, having a small bowl of popcorn  or enjoying a single
serve can of trim® which has three grams of fiber per serving.

4) Get Some Extra Zs - That's sounds dreamy but how do you get your
head on the pillow when  you are multitasking long after the kids are
in bed? Research shows that a good night sleep can reduce stress,
improve your memory and even increase your success at weight loss.
While experts recommend at least 8 hours a night, start by going to
bed just 15 minutes early. Do that every night for a month - and see
how you feel (and if you can up it another 15 minutes.) And yes, this
is one of Deanna's New Year's resolutions.

5) Cover Your Bases - As dietitians, we recommend getting your
vitamins and minerals from food first. But as moms, we know you can't
have it all. Add a basic multivitamin to your morning routine just to
be sure. But remember, it's called a supplement because it SUPPLEMENTS
your diet (rather than replaces food) - and really, we're all about
keeping as much tasty and healthy food in your diet as possible!)

Five readers will receive samples of Trim! To win, be one of the first five readers to:

50 Things to Do Before Your Child Goes to School (Kindergarten, That Is)

by VDog

February 24, 2009

Roughly. A lot of these are great activities for your older kids, too!

This list was compiled over several blog posts by our former Being Savvy Editor, Heather Gibbs Flett. You can still catch her daily at RookieMoms.com! 

1. Children's Fairyland: trippy and bizarre unless you grew up here and remember it fondly from your childhood. Whoa, they even offer a sleepover.

2. East Bay Vivarium: stinky and warm homage to all things reptilian right off Fourth St. in Berkeley.

3. Pumpkin patch (which one's the best? I've heard good things about Clayton Valley?)

4. Little Farm at Tilden Park: wonderful, free working farm. Bring celery or lettuce to feed the animals.

5. Pottery painting at Brushstrokes: work together to make a keepsake gift and have fun getting all painty.

6. Sand castle building contest: play or watch in Alameda in June each year (this year, it's June 7th).

7. Ashkenaz for the kids' music series: we saw Hot Buttered Rum here and my son got hooked on their foot-stomping bluegrass. Plus the venue is a Berkeley institution.

8. The Oakland Museum of Children's Art, MOCHA: free for gallery visits and has an awesome Drop-In Art Studio for kids between ages 18 months and 5 years for $7.

9. Ferry to San Francisco: hop on the ferry at Jack London Square

10. Sketch for ice cream: whether you're pro-sugar or anti-sugar, this place is a real treat. Don't your kids deserve sustainable, organic, deliciousness? Yum.

11. Alameda Flea Market: first Sundays of each month at the former naval air station. Miles of wandering with very little shade, but an amazing trip for a little one. Bring water and a healthy snack or two.

12. Visit the Berkeley Rose Garden: meandering paths, stunning views of SF, and roses of all hue. An antidote to the flea market.

13. BART trip to anywhere: gas prices are so high, you'll want to do this without my suggestion

14. Watch an all ages movie at the Parkway or Cerrito Theaters - snuggle up on couches and enjoy being together as well as watching a show. Check the schedule for weekend all ages shows.

15. Berkeley or Oakland Farmers Market: there are so many good ones, you should pick the closest or most convenient time, then enjoy a snack together.

16. Lawrence Hall of Science: Great little kids area, many hands-on exhibits, and ample outdoor space. Worth a membership. My experiences with the younger scientist on RookieMoms.

17. March (or tricycle) in a Parade. The Pride parade (this weekend) is in SF: join the family fun with a group from the Discovery Museum. Or find a spot to watch from the sidelines. And we'll cover the Solano stroll as it happens. Otherwise, you're just on the receiving end of all those flying candies. Better to be in the action, right?

18. Fireworks: let your kid stay up late to watch the fireworks. We'll be taking our boys to the Berkeley Marina show. In earplugs.

19. Walk around Lake Merritt: Good luck to you! This jewel of Oakland has a 3.4 mile circumference.

20. Go to Berkeley Family Camp: Find a couple days or a weeks to make this tradition your family vacation.

21. Rock out at a Baby Loves Disco Party: You decide far east bay or the big city depending on where you live. I vote SF to relive my glory days and ride the BART.

22. Ride the (real) rails: Amtrak wherever you want or follow my tips for a fun daytrip to Martinez.

23. Circus class at Ha Ha This a way: he'll learn how to juggle and I'll refine my trapeze act, right?

24. Climb Indian Rock: Tucked away in the paths through the hills, reward your little climber with a treat at the top. Follow my tips and mini history lesson or just wing it.

25. Plant a garden: big or small, something edible so they can learn where real food comes from. I'll share my dirty experiences soon!

26. Brunch at Wat Mongkolratanaram, Berkeley's Thai Buddhist temple: At Russell St and Martin Luther King Jr. near the Tool Lending Library, monks invite the public to sit on the lawn and eat delicious and bountiful Thai food. I can't wait to try this! [helpful article in Berkeley Daily Planet]

27. Visit BAM: take your little art critic to Berkeley's Art Museum and ascertain MOMA-readiness.

28. Preschooler yoga class at Yogalayam: Namaste!

29. Wander through the Edible Schoolyard: living history and another great lesson in food!

30. Enjoy story time at N Berkeley Library: N. Berkeley has Whitney's favorite story times. Which one do you like best?

31. Captain's Cottage for High Tea for little princes and princesses in training. Recommended by a fellow preschool mom of 4. Her just-three-year-old enjoyed this place's charms and behaved the whole time.

32. Berkeley Kite Festival (pictured, my husband - photo by me). We loved this festival for our one- and three-year-olds. Responding to the excitement and peer pressure, we bought the Octopus Kite so we'd have something to fly. If at all possible, bike to the festival and avoid the traffic and parking scene.

33. Ice skating in Alameda where the groovy surface is slick without the cold. Cool. Can't wait to try it.

34. Funky sleep over at the Zoo or Fairyland for a change. Good for the over-four set. We'll have to do it next year.

35. Daytrip to SF Giants game and fan lot. Fun for baseball lovers and baseball haters.

36. Visit the USS Hornet for a climbing history lesson. Anyone done this with their kids yet?

37. Bike the Ohlone greenway

38. Pick fruit from neighboring trees and make a tart or pie

39. Visit the fab waterpark swimming pools in Antioch or San Ramon

40. Oakland A's game

41. Boogie through lunch at Cheeseboard Pizza, bring your tipping money

42. Parents' Night Out at Dig's bistro

43. Venture to the Discovery Museum in San Rafael

44. Ride out to Sonoma's Train town

45. Head to Chapel of chimes during a concert

46. Cheer for the Oakland Warriors

46. Go to the pet wash at Telegraph and Alcatraz and watch for sudsing pooches

47. Swing out for a party or take a class at Trapeze Arts

48. Pass the day away at the amazing indoor playspace of Studio Grow

49. Cal Berkeley football game while they're still young enough to dress like a mascot

50. Ardenwood Farm in Fremont -- draft horses pull a train car, kids can help feed the sheep and the chickens, and they offer many seasonal special activities.

Battling Weight Discrimination

by VDog

February 23, 2009

Emme is working with Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity to educate our country about weight bias, weight discrimination and wants to share with you helpful ways to teach your children about the harmful effects of weightbias and how to support a child in your life who is the victim of such a horrible experience.

I am bringing you this interview as the week of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins.  Please take a moment after reading this post to visit the site!  

With me on the call were several Savvy Source City Editors ... read on for the interview :

SS Pittsburgh - Tell us how you became involved with Yale University's Rudd Center for Food and Obesity? 

Emme - I met Kelly Brownell a few years ago.  I was very much influenced and made aware of his impact in food policy and his efforts over the years.  I have always viewed Kelly as a professional and the voice of reason.  Whenever I had to speak on this subject, I would get his perspective.  In the past two years, the Rudd Center was developed to be able to really take a stand in the prejudice and discrimination with obesity.  We're very lucky in this country to have Leslie Rudd, Kelly Brownell and the Rudd Center. 

SS Silicon Valley - What exactly is weight bias? Why is it such a growing problem in the US? 

Emme - The issue with childhood obesity is that it has doubled in the past 20 years.  30% of adults are obese.  1 in 5 children are overweight.  The obesity rate in teenagers has tripled in the last 20 years.  If you read the studies that are being done you realize that children who are obese have the same type of feeling as a child going through cancer treatments. 

They get mobbed, they get verbally assaulted by their parents, other friends, coaches, teachers.  To think that these kids are walking around, having to deal with this? It is vitally important that government take it past just talking about.  Nothing is really being done behind the scenes.

SS San Antonio - How can we help reduce weight bias at home and at school? 

Emme - Exactly what we're doing right now.  We're talking to different avenues in the media.  Openly communicating about the issue.  It is definitely not about keeping silent.  It is definitely about encouraging the conversation around the kitchen table.  It is about talking to kids who are not obese and talking to kids who are obese.  As a society, we need to treat each other better. If families were better aware of these issues, when children see that teasing going on in the classroom, on the playground, in bathroom stalls, it would be easier to deal with the situation.

When they see an obese child, encourage your child to stand up for that child.  We need to have more peer to peer efforts  working in our favor. Open communication.  I use the sunflower idea often.  Imagine a field of sunflowers that all look the same ... that wouldn't be very creative.  We need every flower to be different, otherwise every flower would look the same ... we need the world to look different.  When obesity is kept a secret, it really does lead a child down a really really bad road.

Be aware - as parents - how YOU speak to children about obese people in the movies, in a restaurant, in an image.  As a mother myself, I am aware that 80% of women aren't satisfied with their bodies.  Alot of negative talk is going on just inside the home ... telling children that our self-esteem is surrounded just by our body image and shape. 

SS Newark - How do you talk to your children about the negative advertising by diet companies and negative media?

Emme - First let them know that they are trying to sell us a product for us to buy and make us believe that it will fix you... not everyone can look like the models in those commercials!  They are trying to influence you.  When you buy that product, it probably wont do what its supposed to do.  Once again, are we ALL supposed to look the same? 

Tell your child : "Look at mommy.  Look at mommy's friend so and so.  Do all mommies look the same?"  Bring up real life examples of how everyone looks differently. 

Use your voice when you see negative ads.  Write to companies and news stations about the advertising and tell them to stop.

SS Tampa - What do you hope to accomplish with www.emmestyle.com?

Emme - Emmestyle.com is about to take a very large leap and create a revolution.  I can't tell you everything, but it's going to be more than anything has ever been.  It will become a site for women that has been neglected. It will be THE plus-size destination.  There will be a plethora of women there who love themselves.  We are in the midst of getting into the down and dirty of creating this revolution.  Join as a member and we'll keep you posted about all of the changes.

SS Cincinnati - Your motto, Shattering the Myth is a great one - how can we personalize that in our own small towns and with our immediate families.

Emme - You can instill change by doing a call to action ... ask every friend to write a letter concerning a specific offensive ad.  Big companies get away with things because they are not being held accountable .  Dont be a couch coach ... take that finger and instead of pointing it at the company, point it towards yourself.  What are YOU going to do about the situation?

Use your voices ... it will make such a change, especially with the internet.  Women and mothers can come together and make a change with the internet.

Specifically concerning your children:  Regularly ask your child how was your day ... keep your ear attuned - if you hear anything about teasing or anything about body size, listen.  Try so hard to not react to it or make excuses for it. Simply listen neutrally because then they will be able to tell you what's going on and you'll then have a bit of time to give words of advice.  Children that are just below being obese, that aren't thin-thin, they are affected too. 

When talking to overweight children and beign supportive, point out their strengths ... tell them, you are a creative soul, you are a great chef,  you are an awesome swimmer, etc.   Get away from the physicality and focus on their strengths.

Talk to teachers and communicate with the them to let them know its going on.  The more people you talk to, the louder the issue is heard.  If you can come together and not cause blame, the issue can be closed down quicker.

It is important that we have more positive role models ... this is a challenge.  Find people -not just celebrities - but role models in the child's life that happen to have curves on their bodies.  

SS Cleveland - Yale University's Rudd Center has recently produced two videos.  What do you hope the videos will accomplish in the fight against weight bias?

Emme - To increase public awareness of its consequences.  One video is geared towards teachers/parents and one is geared towards the medical community.  Suprisingly enough, there is quite a weight discrminiation between doctor and patient!

The other goal is to try and change the negative attitudes about obese individuals and replace it with tolerance and respect.  It's awfully hard in this culture right now when there is such loathing and fear around food.  It's hard to ask any of us overnight, to just be nice and be kind. There needs to be so much more education and exposure, so many more conversations and so much more knowledge.

SS Denver - Where can we find out more information about weight bias?

Emme - The Rudd Center's website. When you visit the website, please sign up for their newsletter! I constantly throw stuff over to my facebook page on the things I learn about there.  There are incredible studies and a discussion of all the horrible things happening relating to obesity discrimination.

Our culture is not yet at a place where there is tolerance, so we really need to sit down at our own tables and talk about this. 

SS Denver - What if your child is suffering from being isolated because of his or her weight?  How can you support them while getting any help they may need? 

Emme - Parents should provide open communication, good and bad.  Listen and be neutral.  Let them download.  When you're driving them home from school and you hear chitter-chatter or the kids are having snacks, alot of information is going on then.  Check with your school to make sure that the anti-bullying policy at your school also covers obesity and weight related teasing. 

SS Oakland - How can we set a good example to our children in terms of weight bias?

Emme - You want to be able to find positive role models for your children ... people with diversified figures that still do amazing things ... just because they have curves doesnt mean they are not role models.  Find those role models and bring them up to your children over and over.   

SS Oakland - When did you first begin struggling with weight?

Emme - I always joke that I was born a size 12.  I was never an extremely thin model, I was a size 12 walking in to my jobs. 

I was extremely athletic. That was my gift, but my gift covered an eating disorder ... at a very young age, I knew what diets were all about.  I purged through altheticism ... if eating was a bar, that bar kept getting higher and higher. I was very confident on camera and in the role i had taken on.  When i was alone, i was beating myself up that I wasn't doing enough.  I finally said that I needed to get off of that train.  I had a meal, and immediately needed to go workout.

SS Toronto - What did you learn, culturally, about being a mother from your experiences growing up in Saudi Arabia?

Emme - I think I found my voice from the experiences of living there - where women are required to be covered and shrouded.  There is a complete lack in self esteem for women in that culture.  When you are together with the women with no men around at the hammam - the bathing areas - where we were able to be together without the shroud, there was a lively bit of self esteem - there was no body bashing.  Predominately, if the women were from a middle class family, you found that they had average body shape, if not more rounded.  I think what I took from that culture is that my gosh, here we are in America -- we have GOT to use our voices, where we are allowed to use them. 

We must continue to speak out about what we're passionate about.  What I found from my living there was that the acceptance of ones self needs to be how everyone feels .. back off to anyone else who wants to tell me to look any differently.

**
Some final comments from Emme:

If we dont get this whole issue with obesity down pat and be able to get some exposure about the inequities in medical, school, we will fall deeper in trouble.  We need to be able to be advocates for one another.  This is not just about obesity, its about women, it's about men, it's about our children.  Its about all of us - standing up to support each other.

Its a call to action to all citizens ... this discrimination kills people.

For more on this subject, visit the site of the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and view this video, as well as this one. 

Thank you Emme for your dedication to this issue, and for taking the time to talk with us about this important subject!

Keep The Passion Alive Even As A Parent

by VDog

February 02, 2009

This is a guest post from Michelle Rhea, Passion Party Consultant Have you ever wondered where the romance and excitement in your relationship has gone since the kids have arrived? It seems that when a couple first falls in love the romance is always close by, each person thinking of the other endlessly throughout the day. However, once that couple has little ones, the romance seems to  Read more...

Potty Training Power!

by VDog

January 23, 2009

Savvy wide post courtesy of Being Savvy: Cleveland Today we are going to discuss Potty Training. Our job as parents is to get them out of the diapers and into the bathroom. I don't know about you, but it is one of my least favorite responsibilities as a parent. Not that changing diapers or pullups is fun, but potty training just seems so ... I don't know ... time consuming?  Read more...

5 to love, 5 to toss

by VDog

January 06, 2009

Top 5 Things That Matter (to your preschooler) 1. HUGS and love. It's the foundation for personal security. 2. (Loving) Discipline, Rules & Routines. Preschoolers need and LOVE limits and routines. Make sure you set some in place to reinforce their personal security. 3. Outings! Get out of the house and go for a walk (even if it's ten minutes and your kid splashes in ALL the puddles) or hit  Read more...

Top 5 Local Holiday Traditions

by VDog

December 02, 2008

If these wonderful activities aren't already a part of your yearly Holiday festivities, I would strongly suggest adding one or two to your repertoire. Kids love doing the same thing year after year, and all of these activities would make great outings for a child to look forward to (and hey, maybe you'll even look forward to it, too!). 1) The Tilden Park Merry Go Round and  Read more...