Spring Clean Your Home and Routine
Spring is just around the corner and with it, spring cleaning! A good spring clean-up is a tradition that promotes wellness by keeping your environment clean and orderly. But a changing season can inspire change in our routines as well. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be limited to your home; there are lots of ways […]
Presidents’ Day Books for Kids
Book recommendations from Dr. Alice Mar February is a great time for reading about American history. It’s when we celebrate President’s Day and Black History Month. There are so many excellent books you can share with your kids. This year being an election year is an especially good time to talk about and study the […]
Family Fitness in February
February is National Heart Month and we’re reminded that heart disease — the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States — can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle. The American Heart Association recommends that kids and teens (ages 6-17) get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity […]
Award Winning Children’s Books
Reading recommendations from Dr. Alice Mar Last January I shared a list of kid-approved books that have also won the coveted Newbery award for the most distinguished overall contribution in children’s literature. I thought I’d return to the treasure trove of past Newbery winners for a list of a few more fantastic books for kids. […]
Raising Resilient Kids
Modern families experience tremendous amounts of stress. Children and adolescents are especially susceptible to mounting pressures from academics, extracurriculars, and their peers. In today’s environment, children and teens need to develop strengths, acquire skills to cope, recover from hardships, and be prepared for future challenges. They need to be resilient in order to succeed in […]
Best Books to Give as Gifts
Reading recommendations from Dr. Alice Mar It’s the gift-giving season! Books are my favorite things to give and to receive. I thought instead of a general gift guide I’d share what I’m getting my own kids. Your kids might have different interests but maybe this will spark some ideas. For my tween daughter: Guts by […]
Staying Mentally Healthy During the Holiday Season
Family gatherings, celebrations, traditions, travel, and gifts … while the holidays are intended to be a joyful time, they can also be stressful for both children and adults. Here are some tips for managing your family’s mental health this holiday season: Stick to Your Routine Holiday travel, events, and guests can wreak havoc on […]
Books About Gratitude
Reading recommendations from Dr. Alice Mar Thanksgiving is possibly my favorite holiday. It’s (mostly) free from the commercial pressures of the bookends of Halloween and Christmas. It’s really all about eating good food, hanging out with family and friends and remembering our blessings. Gratitude is a character trait that is great to cultivate all year […]
Handle With Care- All About Antibiotic Stewardship
Antibiotics save lives, but antibiotic overuse is creating a serious health threat worldwide. Some medications that used to be standard treatment for bacterial infections are now less effective or don’t work at all. When bacteria in the body are exposed to antibiotics, they adapt to resist the effect of the drug. The more often that […]
(Not So) Scary Stories to Read in the Dark
Reading recommendations from Dr. Alice Mar I have a confession to make. I’ve never been a big fan of Halloween. I’m just not someone who enjoys being scared or spooked. But my kids have always loved the holiday, which I get. Candy and dressing up are pretty fun. So as a compromise, we’ve gravitated towards […]