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It is the height of summer here in Florida, and the mosquitoes are out in full force! At dusk, they seem to hover near our patio door, patiently waiting for anyone who opens the door to step outside! My little guy seems to be their biggest target… his sweet, 2 year old skin seems to be their favorite and tiny mosquito bites appear like chicken pox the second he is outside for more than 2 minutes at that time of day!

To keep those pesky mosquitoes away naturally, I have compiled a list of 3 tips and tricks that we use around our home. I don’t like to spray my children or myself with DEET-based repellents, so have found other, less toxic ways to combat the problem. Here are a few of our favorites!

3 Tips on Keeping Mosquitoes Away Naturally

sand toys image

Eliminate Standing Water Sources

Mosquitoes breed in water, and with heavy rains in FL in the summer, this makes for a terrible combination! If at all possible, drain areas that fill up quickly. Any toys & other items, such as plastic buckets, small wading pools, wagons, etc. should be dumped out at the end of the day after playing so as not to create the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Yes, those sand box & water play table toys are the ideal place for mosquitoes to breed, so remember to dump them out and cover the table or sand box at the end of the day!

Brittanies Thyme Bug Spray

Apply (and Reapply!) a DEET-Free Insect Repellent

Brittanie’s Thyme offers a safe, effective organic bug spray that is derived from essential oils, not toxic chemicals. The Organic Bug Spray provides floral & woodsy scents that create a pleasing aroma for people, yet the bugs hate it! Brittanie’s Thyme does not contain citronella, and will not stain your clothes. They recommend not spraying the bug spray directly on the skin of babies and toddlers under 2 years old. Instead, spray your child’s clothing, stroller, blankets or grass area around them.

white socks

Dress Appropriately

We know it’s hot, but wearing light colored, long-sleeved pants & tops will deter mosquitoes from those areas of your body! Mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing, so white or other lightly colored clothing are an optimal choice when planning to spend time outdoors hiking, playing and more! In addition, mosquitoes love feet, so opt for socks and shoes whenever possible!

*Brittanie’s Thyme provided samples for review for this article. All thoughts expressed herein are my own.*

News headlines let parents know that Mother Earth has some concerning problems. There’s depletion of the ozone layer, toxins such as metals or phthalates polluting our water, drought, overstuffed landfills and acid rain, to name a few.

Want to make a difference in 2016, but not sure how? It’s true that small actions when combined together can make a big difference towards protecting our planet. Join together with your kids and you’re on your way!

andrea at work 4

We turned to Southern California’s Dr. Andrea Neal, a mom of two who has a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and lipid biochemistry. She also has a Ph.D. Swedish Agricultural University where she studied the effects of toxins on our soil. After going on an expedition for oceanographic explorer and environmentalist, Jean-Michel Cousteau, in which she explored 8,000 miles of pristine ocean; studying the devastating marine pollution, including the Great Pacific Garbage Patch off the coast of California and the aftermath of Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power meltdown, she founded Hope2o, a company that enables consumers to test their tap and filter water for harmful toxins.

Here are 5 simple solutions for protecting Planet Earth together with your kids:

1. Do your best with the resources you have. Neal suggests simple, healthy approaches to “going green” that work for you and your family. Her family does not drink from plastic (plastic constitutes approximately 90 percent of all trash floating on the ocean’s surface, a whopping 46,000 pieces of plastic per square mile. They eat local and organic when they can. And, she confesses, they have more reusable bags than anyone on the planet.

2. Support an environmental cause. Neal’s cause is anything that has to do with water. “I have been to the middle of the ocean and have seen our trash floating there,” she says. “This makes me a huge advocate for environmental solutions.” She supports many eco-conscious organizations, including Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society for which she is an advisor; Mission Blue, led by famed National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence Dr. Sylvia A. Earle; Blue Frontier Campaign, which inspired Neal’s Operation Water Legacy program (OWL), an initiative to chemically map the New Jersey water system; and Blue Marble Project, a program that links mental and physical health with a connection to water. She suggests finding a project that speaks to your heart.

3. Play outdoors! Nature is healthy for us both physically and mentally. Neal’s family enjoys hiking, camping as a family and they all play soccer. She and her husband surf, dive, and snorkel. “We don’t get in the water as much right now with a small baby, but I am very much looking forward to some board time with him,” she says. “As Jacque Yves Cousteau used to say, ‘you protect what you love.”

4. Develop critical thinking skills. Find accurate information and put your energy and time into real solutions to the specific problem that bothers you and real causes. “You can’t protect what you don’t understand,” says Neal, again paraphrasing Cousteau. “With so much information on the Web, it is hard to sort out what is real and what isn’t.” Share what you learn with your children and involve them with all of your decisions and efforts. Help them learn to easily articulate why your family makes eco-friendly choices.

5. Commit to your kids’ future. Neal says it is going to take a global effort to try to change the current path we are on. “I hope that my efforts help secure clean water and a clean environment for my children,” says Neal. “With the rate of population growth, our ability to support everyone with the resources we have is diminishing quickly.”

*Image courtesy of Kookkai_nak on FreeDigitalPhotos.*

Credit card bills, short days, plummeting temperatures and maybe even a few extra pounds from all those holiday celebrations and libations. According to a recent article on psychcentral.com, “studies show as many as 25 percent of Americans suffer from low-grade to full-blown depression after the holidays.”[1]. And then there is Blue Monday – the third Monday in January, believed to be the most depressing day of the year.

Oy!

The fact is: the sun is out a bit longer each day and people are starting to think about spring, warm weather and bathing suit season. January is the month to actually take advantage and get ready for a new year.

Crispy Green Apple

It’s also “National Staying Healthy Month,” so here are five simple things everyone can do to feel healthier and spring into 2016:

1. Walk, don’t run.

2. Baby steps – take the stairs.

3. Eat fruit – consider freeze-dried fruit snacks when fresh fruit is not available.

4. Stay hydrated – water is best, but try some of the new natural beverages.

5. Sit less – pace, stand, get a walking desk. Just don’t sit.

*Article and image courtesy of Crispy Green. Exercising image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net  and nenetus.*

The holiday season is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” But for some, it’s quite the opposite and the holidays can actually be more like the most miserable time of the year.

Steve Siebold, a psychological performance and mental toughness coach who is the author of 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of The World Class, says, “The change from everyday routines, the large gatherings, the decorating, shopping and more can make many people feel overwhelmed and stressed this time of year.”

Siebold offers his top tips to reduce the stress of the holidays and make it more enjoyable:

1. Slow down: Life is challenging enough as it is, and with all the extra commitments and things that have to get done this time of year, it can cause panic and chaos for even the most mentally tough people. When you find yourself moving a million miles an hour, take a step back and slow down. Instead of getting overwhelmed in everything you have to do, focus on one task at a time. Looking at one thing in front of you compared to the big picture makes it much more manageable.

2. Ask for help: There’s no reason you have to do everything by yourself during the holiday season. Ask for help. If you’re hosting Christmas dinner, for example, ask your spouse or children to help with the shopping, coking, decorating, setting up the guest bedroom, taking out the trash, walking the dog, etc.

3. Don’t feel bad about saying ‘No:’ There’s only so much time in a day, and with all the extra commitments at the holidays, don’t feel guilty about telling people ‘no.’ A very simple response to soften it is, “I would normally love to help; however, I already have so much on my plate right now. I’ll have to pass on the offer. I would love to help another time.”

4. Take a break: If the holiday season gets to be too much, take a break. Put everything down for a day and go do something you really enjoy. If you feel a day is too long, take 30 minutes to an hour and go for a walk, spend time doing something fun with a friend, take your kids to the park, read a new book, work on your business plan for the New Year, watch TV or whatever it is that will take your mind off of the holidays.

5. Talk it out: It’s never a good idea to keep your feelings bottled up inside. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, talk to a close friend you can confide in, a therapist or try journaling. In fact, become your own best means of support and talk to yourself. Put things in perspective and tell yourself the craziness of the holiday season will only last for a few weeks and then life goes back to normal. Tell yourself it’s only temporary and that you can hang tough a little longer.

6. Lower your expectations: Many people have ridiculously high expectations of what the holidays are supposed to be like. Stop paying attention to what you see on TV. Stop being influenced by those holiday catalogs. Take the pressure off and just let the holidays play out naturally.

7. Focus on being rather than doing: One of the best ways to find happiness this time of year is to focus on being rather than doing. Make a list of the 10 things you are most grateful for in your life, and review them every morning for the month of December. Monitor how this simple activity impacts your emotions.

Article courtesy of Steve Siebold, author of 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of The World Class. Learn more at www.mentaltoughnesssecrets.com.

*Image courtesy of imagerymajestic on FreeDigitalPhotos.*

Thanksgiving is almost here and while you’re planning that great turkey dinner, don’t forget about sprucing up your home as you welcome friends and family to celebrate the holiday with you.

Designer Robin Wilson, founder and CEO of Robin Wilson Home, who focuses on creating healthy and beautiful spaces for her clients and has products at national retailers, offers these eight tips to create a warm, inviting and healthy home this Thanksgiving:

1. Start with curb appeal: The exterior is the first impression your guests get of your home so you want it to look clean and inviting. Add fresh mulch, trim overgrown trees and shrubs and plant new flowers, and make sure the front door is freshly painted. Always wear a mask to prevent breathing in fumes and goggles to protect your eyes.

2. Make the windows sparkle with newspaper: Yes, you read that right. Spray your windows with non-toxic cleaner and wipe away with newspaper. The high absorbency of newsprint makes it so effective at cleaning windows because it absorbs the liquid instead of pushing it away. Be careful to stay on the glass and not dirty up moldings and trim.

3. Clean the chimney and stove: This isn’t just to help Santa when he descends into your home next month. A dirty chimney is a fire hazard and can release toxins into your home. On a related note, it’s also a good idea to clean your stove before you do any intensive holiday cooking. It’s also a good time to make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have new batteries.

4. Switch to LED lighting: If you’re doing a lot of entertaining this holiday season, switching to LED lighting will keep your electric bills down. LED lighting is the most energy efficient lighting source available. And if you have young children, LED lights are cool to the touch.

5. Get your couches and rugs professionally cleaned: sofas and rugs can harbor all kinds of allergens, mold and bacteria. And if you have dogs or cats, removing the dander will help you and your guests prevent the “wheezes and sneezes.” Plus, a good looking couch will attract your company allowing time to catchup and reminisce, or just watch the parade or football games together.

6. Put on fresh bed linens: If out-of-town family and friends are staying with you, new linens are always a nice touch. Hypoallergenic comforters and pillows are a good choice especially if you don’t know if your guests have any allergy/asthma issues. For this reason, also use nylon shower curtains which don’t off-gas like vinyl does.

7. Non-toxic cleaners this time of year: With the cooler weather, most people keep their windows shut for the next five months, keeping everything sealed up and trapped inside. For this reason, it’s especially important in the winter to use non-toxic cleaners as you prepare your home for the holidays.

8. Make it smell like the holidays: To make it feel like the holidays it needs to smell like the holidays. Consider soy candles as a healthy alternative to regular candles, which not only add a visual element and warmth, but come in a variety of scents.

*Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net by artur84.*

Five Tricks for a Healthy Halloween

By Vanessa Chamberlin, author of The Fire-Driven Life

Halloween is such a challenging time for health-conscious parents. Everywhere we turn, people are offering the least nutritious, most sugary food around: candy! From classroom parties to neighborhood and family gatherings—there’s no way to avoid it. But if you are prepared and have some tasty, plant-based recipes in your toolbox, it will be a lot easier to partake in the festivities without overdosing on refined sugar. Plus, there are some easy tips (and tricks!) that can help you have a happier, healthier Halloween.

Always eat a healthy meal first. Whether it’s trick-or-treating or going to a party, make sure your kids go on a full stomach so they’ll be less likely to fill up on sugary snacks. On the day of school parties, make a filling, nutritious breakfast, and send them to school with extra special healthy lunches. Pull out your whole toolbox for this one! We’re talking cookie cutters for fun shapes, carving the fruit—everything. Your kids won’t want to miss out on this lunch, which will help them feel satisfied and loved all afternoon.

Send your own snacks. Whenever possible, send your own snacks. Even if you know that your children are going to be eating candy and cupcakes at their holiday parties, at least you can send them with some more balanced foods and encourage them to get their friends to try.

Enlist the help of some professionals! It never hurts to make sure a trip to the dentist falls before Halloween, and ask their help in making sure to explain to your kids why their dental health is so important, and how candy is bad for their teeth. It doesn’t have to be a big scary lecture, but just a simple reminder that a healthy smile starts with a healthy diet is a nice thing to reinforce.

Plan or attend a party that’s more in line with your lifestyle. Many of us have friends who understand why we’ve shaped our habits and lifestyles for healthy living, and they either do the same or are at least supportive and understanding. You don’t want your kids to feel left out, so if they’re not participating in other events, give them something else that’s fun. You might be able to get some of their close friends and families to join in, too. Not many parents like the idea of their kids getting a heavy dose of sugar either trick-or-treating or going to a party, so I’ve found it’s a welcome invitation when I invite people to celebrate holidays with us and have a nutritious night of festivities!

Finally, just talk about it beforehand. Let your kids know that you want them to have fun, but not eat lots of candy and junk that will make them not feel good. Ask if there is anything they would like to bring as a treat or eat before a party, and see if you can accommodate their requests. It’s so important for children to feel loved and respected as humans who have their own desires and opinions. Asking them to be involved in your holiday planning can go a long way!

For your healthy Halloween toolbox, here is a great recipe that kids love, and would easily fit into any festive party platter spread!

Gone in a Day Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup chunky peanut butter

3/4 cup unsweetened coconut

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 TBS maple syrup (add more for desired taste)

1 cup raisins

Preparation

Combine peanut butter and coconut. In a separate bowl, combine cocoa, and maple syrup. Combine the two mixtures and add the raisins. Dough will be stiff. Roll into balls. Refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving.

Article courtesy of Vanessa Chamberlin, a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Lifestyle Coach and author of The Fire-Driven Life: How to Ignite the Fire of Self-Worth, Health, and Happiness with a Plant-Based Diet.

For more information, please visit, www.vanessachamberlin.com and connect with her on Twitter, @vkchamberlin.

*Image courtesy of Tina Phillips at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.*

Grilling SafetyGrilling is one of America’s favorite pastimes and a popular summer activity in backyards across the country. More than 60 percent of American households will cook kabobs, fresh vegetables, and of course meat on propane grills this summer, according to the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). PERC is an energy check-off program dedicated to safety and training for the propane industry.

“Summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends,” says PERC President and CEO Roy Willis. “And with the onset of warm weather, it’s also a good time to review outdoor safety tips, including safe grilling techniques.”

Willis offers families some simple reminders for preparing and maintaining safe cooking conditions while using propane grills.

Before using the grill, he recommends reviewing and following all grill manufacturers’ instructions.

“If you buy a propane-powered grill and assemble it yourself, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter,” Willis says. “Better yet, have the grill assembled before you bring it home. If you’re planning a more elaborate outdoor kitchen, be sure to get in touch with your nearest propane professional for tips on products and access to qualified installers.”

Next, the location of the grill is an important consideration. PERC reminds families that the only safe location for any grill—including propane cooking units—is outside in a well-ventilated area and a safe distance from the home.

“Grills should never be placed in a confined area,” Willis says. “Make sure your grill is at least five feet from your house on a level surface away from siding, outdoor furniture or anything else that could be a fire hazard. It’s something that you don’t always think about when you’re grilling, but it’s a basic safety measure that’s easy to implement.”

Whether the grill is equipped with an automatic ignition or needs to be lit manually, the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed precisely.

“Always use caution when lighting the grill and never stray from the grill manufacturer’s instructions,” says Willis. “If the flames go out for any reason, turn the grill and gas off and wait 15 minutes before relighting it.”

PERC also encourages families to keep the top open when lighting the grill. This allows for ventilation and ensures that propane vapors are not being released into the confined grilling area.

Finally, proper storage of propane cylinders is an essential safety step when using propane-powered grills.

“Be sure to store propane cylinders upright and outdoors, and keep cleaning fluids, oil-soaked rags, gasoline or other flammable material away from cooking areas and gas appliances,” Willis says. “Removing combustible materials from any heat source is always a good idea.”

PERC reminds families that propane is a safe fuel when handled properly, and encourages grillers to learn about additional resources on www.usepropane.com.

“Grilling is an enjoyable way to prepare food and celebrate warm weather,” Willis says. “Enjoying warm weather throughout the summer can be easy with safe, efficient propane grills.”

*Recipe and image courtesy of NAPS.*

Strange MagicCapable, strong and confident women are in the news with increasing frequency these days-from politicians and movie stars to women making strides in sports, business and the military. Parents are becoming more aware that helping their children—particularly girls—build skills that lead to empowerment is important for success in life. But many parents may be wondering just how to go about it.

Child and adolescent psychotherapist Katie Hurley, a parenting expert and author of the upcoming book “The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World,” notes that empowerment begins at home with day-to-day activities.

Here are some easy tips Hurley recommends as effective in helping your daughter to be her best self.

Communicate, communicate, communicate. One of the most important things parents can do is open the lines of communication. Listen before you respond. Allow your child to vent and articulate her emotions, while letting her know you’ll just listen, without judgment. Showing empathy is important (“I hear you” and “How can I help?”). Give lots of love, acceptance and support. This will help her know that what she thinks and how she feels is important and that she is a priority for you.

Help identify good models. Watch what she’s watching and discuss it together. Kids today are often plugged into their own world and tuned out to their parents. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit back and remain in the dark. Watch her—or your—favorite shows or movies together. The subtle lessons in a film can be the impetus for discussing issues and providing role models. One such film is “Strange Magic,” Touchstone’s newest animated tale from George Lucas, now on DVD. A key character is Marianne, a female whose journey to empowerment includes learning to see people not for how they look, but for who they really are. George Lucas notes, “The point of the film is that everyone deserves to be loved and true love goes much deeper than just infatuation or looks…It’s about finding true beauty in someone’s soul regardless of how they look.”

Encourage girls to aim high. Remind them that hard work and dedication are part of what it takes to reach goals and dreams. The key to building girls up is to help identify and then support their strengths so you can encourage them to reach their goals.

Resist jumping in to “fix” things. Rather than solving your daughter’s problems, try stepping back so she can work through conflicts and find solutions on her own. When you empower your daughter to problem-solve, you show her you have confidence in her ability to handle her life. This allows her to enlist your participation in a discussion and show your support through the process.

Success is a team sport. Healthy competition is good. When young girls learn to stick together and lift each other up, they internalize the valuable lesson of teamwork. Whether your daughter is athletically, artistically and/or academically inclined, help her find ways to join with others and learn how to be a team player. Let her know it’s OK to compete by using her strengths to the best of her ability.

Build empathy by volunteering together. Helping others is a great way to spend quality time together and learn to focus on other’s needs, which is a great leadership skill. Search for monthly volunteer opportunities and choose one that appeals to both of you. Spend some time doing good to feel good together.

Learn More

For more tips from Katie Hurley, visit http://practicalkatie.com.

• Disney’s “Strange Magic,” http://strangemagicmovie.com, on DVD and Digital HD.

• Pre-order Hurley’s “The Happy Kid Handbook” on Amazon.

*Article and image courtesy of NAPS.*

Summer SafetyA few precautions can help your children enjoy warm weather fun in safety and good health. Known as “trauma season” among public health and medical professionals, summer is a time when serious injuries and unintentional deaths increase dramatically among children. Statistics show that 40 percent of all injury-related emergency room visits happen between the months of May and August. Fortunately, many of these injuries can be prevented with a few simple precautions.

“Sustaining a serious injury can be a life-altering event for a child,” said Dale Stauss, chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children®. “We see patients every day with injuries caused by accidents, and we are committed to raising awareness about how to stay safe this summer.”

As experts in the treatment of pediatric orthopaedic conditions, spinal cord injuries and burns, Shriners Hospitals for Children provides critical, surgical and rehabilitative care to children, regardless of the families’ ability to pay.

Shriners Hospitals encourages families to take these simple precautions to enjoy a safe, injury-free summer.

Playground 101

• Choose playgrounds that are appropriate for their age and offer shock-absorbing surfaces.

• Teach children that pushing and shoving can result in accidents and injuries.

• Remind kids to use the slide one at a time and to wait until it’s completely clear before taking their turn. Teach them to always face forward with their legs straight in front of them and to never slide down headfirst.

• Remind children to swing sitting down. Encourage them to wait until the swing stops before getting off and to be careful when walking in front of moving swings.

Make A Safe Splash

• Teach children to never swim alone or go near water without an adult present.

• Give children your undivided attention when they are swimming or are near any body of water.

• Always jump in feet first to check the depth before diving into any body of water.

• Never dive in the shallow end of the pool or into above-ground pools.

Fun On The Water

• Always have children wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved, properly fitted life jacket while on a boat, around an open body of water or when participating in water sports.

• Educate yourself. According to the Coast Guard, 86 percent of boating accident deaths involve boaters who have not completed a safety course.

• Always check water conditions and forecasts before going out on the water.

Mowing Matters

• Teach children to never play on or around a lawn mower, even when it is not in use. They should never be permitted to walk beside, in front of or behind a moving mower.

• Children under 6 years of age should be kept inside the home while you are mowing.

• Children should be at least 12 years of age before operating a push lawn mower and at least 16 years of age before operating a riding lawn mower.

Fire Safety Simplified

• Teach kids to never play with matches, gasoline, lighter fluid or lighters. Make a habit of placing these items up and away from young children.

• Do not leave children unattended near grills, campfires, fire pits or bonfires. Always have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby.

• Take your child to a doctor or hospital immediately if he or she is injured in a fire or by fireworks.

Should an injury occur, the physicians and staff of Shriners Hospitals can help. To find out more about the treatments available, visit www.ShrinersHospitalsforChildren.org.

Visit www.ShrinersHospitalsforChildren.org/SafeSummer to find more tips for preventing injuries this season.

*Article and image courtesy of NAPS.*

Soothe Baby Naturally PicIt’s not something any new parent wants to anticipate, but the reality is, infants and toddlers sometimes don’t feel well. Upset stomachs from gas and runny noses are common among youngsters and can happen at any time of the year. When children are not at their best, there are several easy, tried-and-true remedies that are safe for parents to learn to help kids start feeling better quickly.

Upset Tummies

Burping is best: Gently burping your infant or toddler is the easiest way to relieve discomfort from gas during and after feedings and meals. If your little one does not burp immediately, this is normal—just lay him or her down on his or her back for a few minutes before trying again.

Keep on moving: An active infant or toddler is a less gassy one! Supervised tummy time and keeping your little one’s legs and arms moving is another simple technique to keep the flow of oxygen steady to prevent discomfort from gas.

Experiment with food: Certain foods your infant or toddler enjoys eating, such as broccoli, beans and cauliflower, may cause extra gas. Because of this, products such as Little Remedies® Gas Relief Drops and Little Remedies® Gripe Water are ideal for liberating pains from excess gas. Little Remedies® believes “less is more” and strives to make sure that each of its products contains just what is needed for fast, safe relief—nothing more. With no artificial colors, flavors, alcohol, saccharin or preservatives, these remedies provide a comforting relief to upset stomachs due to gas.

Stuffy Noses

Fluids, fluids and more fluids: Plenty of fluids, especially water, are a little one’s best friend when it comes to stuffy nose symptoms. For older children, warm broths, soups and other drinks can also work wonders.

Just add moisture: A little moisture goes a long way! Room humidifiers and saline nose drops such as Little Remedies® Saline Spray/Drops moisten the nasal passage and flush out unwanted mucus from little noses. This non-medicated product can be used as often as needed without the worry of any harmful side effects or drug interactions. Its specially buffered formula is alcohol free, will not sting or burn delicate nasal membranes, and has a baby-size applicator tip.

For more information on Little Remedies® and the full line of products, visit www.LittleRemedies.com, or join them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LittleRemedies and @LittleRemedies on Twitter for updates.

*Image and article courtesy of NAPS.*