Quick and easy snacks for your toddler

Your growing toddler needs to snack quite a few times a day in addition to eating regular meals with the rest of the family. Here are a few quick and easy snack ideas that you can put together in just a few minutes. You toddler will enjoy these yummy snacks.

Ham and Cheese Crackers

Cut up some pieces of ham and cheese and serve them with some crackers. If you want to make it fun, use a cookie cutter to cut fun shapes out of the cheese.

Fruit Dip

Caution, this can get a little messy!

Cut up some fruit in bite size chunks and serve with a small bowl of yogurt. Encourage your toddler to dip the fruit in the yogurt. This is an easy way to get your toddler to eat a serving of fruit, while also getting some extra calcium and protein in his/her diet from the yogurt.

Low Sugar Cereal

I always keep a box of low sugar cereal like cheerios in my pantry. They make a great snack with a little milk, or even just a bowl of dry cereal. Dry cereal also make a great take-along snack. Just throw a serving in a Ziploc bag and toss it in your purse.

Veggies and Dip

Keep some cut up veggies in the fridge. Small pieces of carrot, peeled cucumber, celery as well as small sections of broccoli and cauliflower all make great finger food for toddlers. Make sure the pieces are very small to prevent choking or steam them to soften them up. Serve with a little ranch dressing if desired.

Peanut Butter Sandwich

A PB&J has been a snack staple for ages. Mix things up by toping the peanut butter with some thin slices of apple or banana instead of the jelly. Or try smearing the peanut butter on a tortilla. Add jelly and roll it up. Cut the rolled up tortilla into strips for a fun new way to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Quick Cheese Quesadilla

Place a soft tortilla on a microwave safe plate. Top one half with cheese and fold the other half over it. Microwave 30-60 seconds or until the cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and let it cool a little before serving.

Quick Smoothie

Throw half a banana or some berries in a blender along with some vanilla yogurt and a splash of milk. Add a little ice if desired and blend until smooth. Serve in a sippy cup or with a straw for a quick fruit smoothie. Your toddler will love drinking a milkshake for a snack.

Give these fast, easy and healthy snack ideas for your toddler a try. By the way, these make great snacks for everyone else in the family as well – including mom.

Ecstacy and teens

Ecstasy is known as the "club drug" since it is often used in dance clubs and music raves. Many teens believe that ecstasy is harmless and just enhances the party experience. But in fact ecstasy is dangerous and even deadly. In 2003 1 out of every 12 twelfth graders said they had tried ecstasy. 1 "A study by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America found that 9 in 10 parents know of ecstasy and see it as a danger to those who use it. Yet, parents are less likely to talk with their kids about ecstasy than any other drug."2 Since ecstasy is a new drug many parents don't know much about the drug or believe their child isn't taking it. Yet since teens are using ecstasy it is important that parents talk about it.

What is ecstasy?

Ecstasy is an odorless and colorless drug that is taken orally. Ecstasy affects the central nervous system and is a stimulant related to amphetamines. It has a stimulating effect and can cause hallucinations.

What are the dangers of ecstasy?

Not much is known about the long-term effects of ecstasy use upon the central nervous system since it has only been in use since the 1990's. Currently studies are being done. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse ecstasy damages nerve endings related to critical thought and memory. It also impairs the brains ability to make serotonin, a chemical that regulates mood, memory, sleep, and appetite.

Ecstasy users do not know exactly how much of the drug they are taking since pills can vary in potency. They might also be mixed with other harmful drugs. Ecstasy is often slipped into drinks at clubs causing the unaware user to become a victim of sexual assault. "Stacking" or taking multiple doses can lead to seizure, heart attack, or even death.

What are the signs of ecstasy use?

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure

• Extremely alert

• Teeth grinding – ecstasy causes tension in the jaw

• Mood swings – a person often feels depressed after taking the drug

• Slurred speech

• Poor short-term memory and inability to focus

• Sweating or Hypothermia (cold) – inability to control body temperature

• Decrease in academic performance

• Agitation (excessive agitation is a serious sign)

• Dry mouth – excessively thirsty

Written by Teresa McEntire

Tips on choosing a pediatrician for your child

Finding the right pediatrician is not always an easy task.

Many managed-care plans limit your choices. Furthermore, many families will live in several different towns before their children are grown up, making it necessary to choose a new pediatrician more than once.

But once you locate a pediatrician that makes both you and your children feel at ease, you'll know the effort was worth it.

Start by asking friends for names, checking with local hospitals or going to the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site, aap. org. If you are moving, ask your current pediatrician for a referral. Look for the letters "FAAP" after the pediatrician's name. This indicates that the pediatrician has passed the American Board of Pediatrics Exam and is now a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The next step is to conduct interviews with several pediatricians. Most pediatricians do not consider it an imposition on their time and do not charge for the visit.

"Interviewing potential pediatricians is absolutely essential to making sure you choose the right one for you and your children," says Dr. Carol Berkowitz, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Interviewing allows parents to get a sense of a pediatrician's accessibility, personality and philosophy of practice."

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents ask the following questions.

* Is the pediatrician accepting new patients? Is he or she covered by your insurance or managed-care plan?

* What are the office hours?

* Is emergency coverage available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

* Is the pediatrician available by phone or e-mail? If so, when?

* Does the practice have an after-hours answering service? Is that service linked to a university or children's hospital?

* Where are patients referred after hours?

* Is there access to pediatric specialists, if needed?

* What hospital does the pediatrician prefer to use?

* How does the office handle billing and insurance claims? Is payment due at the time of the visit?

* If your child has special medical needs, ask about the practice's overall orientation and philosophy about caring for special-needs children. Can it provide the support you need to coordinate medical care for your child?

A family's relationship with its pediatrician can be a lasting and rewarding one. That's why it's worth taking the extra time to find a pediatrician that is a good fit for you and your children. - NU

Children s birthday parties - a timeline for a great event

Having the best children's birthday party shouldn't be a stressful thing. Follow the timeline below and your child and you will be the hit of the neighborhood.

About a month before your party you'll want to:

Talk with your child and choose a party theme and/or decide what your “entertainment” will be for the party. This will help you determine your party budget as well.

Create the guest list. Don't forget to include friends from school, the neighborhood as well as relatives and more distant friends.

Choose a party date and time. Most children's birthday parties are generally one to two hours long.

Order the general party supplies: tablecloth, tableware, decorations, etc.

Think about games. Keep the ages and personalities of the children as you plan your activities. And sometimes shorter and simpler parties with one fun activity are best and least stressful.

Two weeks prior to the party make sure you:

Decide on your menu. Are you just having cake and ice cream? Is the party at a mealtime and do you need to order pizzas or are you cooking yourself, etc.?

Mail the invitations. You will probably need to call everyone that doesn’t RSVP. People will forget and will appreciate the reminder call

Ask for help. If you think you might need some help for party day, ask a couple of the moms of the kids who are invited to stay and help. Most people would love to, you just need to ask.

One week before party day you should:

Bake your cake and freeze it. Knowing the cake is done will be such a stress reliever on the big day!

Prepare and freeze any other foods that can be made in advance.

Get an exact guest count. Call any guests who have not responded.

Two days before the party don't forget to:

Get any last minute food items and don't forget candles, matches and FILM!

Check your batteries in your camera and video recorder.

Purchase a small helium tank from your local party or craft store. It's a great thing to keep your children busy the morning of the party too!

Make up a party timeline for the party day so you don't forget anything.

One day before the party remember to:

Take out food and cake from the freezer.

Do any decorating that you can do in advance

Finish any food preparation that can be done ahead of time.

On the morning of the party day make sure to:

Fill your balloons with helium.

Prepare any foods and beverages that could not be made ahead of time.

Write out your timeline for the day so you don’t forget anything.

You don't want to miss out on the memories you'll have with the pictures, so ask a relative or trusted friend to be responsible for the picture taking.

Relax and enjoy this great day. And then get ready for next year!