Beverage Alternatives to Diet Soda

It is a common misconception that diet sodas will help people lose weight. While the drinks may not contain sugar, the sugar substitute is not much better. In fact, it can lead some to think that they might not be contributing to obesity by drinking a diet soda. Forbes Living TV offers some beverage alternatives which are better for us.

Drink water. It is a natural hydrator. It is usually free or sold in bottles at a very low price. It is portable, can be recapped to prevent spilling when moving and can be flavored.

Sugar-free juices are another good alternative. Some contain extra vitamins and minerals to improve overall health. And most do not cost too much. They are usually sold in boxes or small cartons.

Green tea comes in a several forms and different taste varieties to please most taste buds. Drink it cold from a can or bottle, or make it hot and add honey to naturally sweeten it up.

Sparkling flavored water will give carbonated beverage lovers the bubbly they desire with no added artificial ingredients. Tonic water flavored with strawberry slices and lemon or lime adds flavor and zip to the drink.

As the weather becomes cooler and heaters come on, familykenkel recommends readers stay hydrated all year long.  Kick the diet soda addiction out in the cold with the above ideas or tell us yours.

Reveals Extra Special Pumpkins for Halloween

There are the carved pumpkins that moms and dads create to decorate the outdoors on Halloween. And then there are the extra special ones which fancy celebrities. familykenkel shares some cool ways to make a pumpkin look like Harry Potter, a sports star or a monster, and more.

There are pumpkin carving kits that give anyone the ability to carve a pumpkin so it looks like someone famous. And there are people who grow pumpkins to look like well-known monsters. Whichever way one decides to go, it will please both kids and adults during the special time of the year to find that they’re looking for.

In case one wants a pumpkin that is grown to resemble Frankenstein, there is a farmer in Ventura, California who grows pumpkins to look like Frankenstein. His gourds are called “Pumpkinsteins” and they sell between $75.00 and $125.00 dollars. We’re not sure if he ships them or not. We doubt it since there is no website for the “Pumpkinsteins”. But if you live in the vicinity, why not check it out?

familykenkel also suggests visiting local arts and crafts stores to find stencils to use at home for both drawing and carving.  Below are a few more websites where fans can download stencils to use.

Have a ghoulishly fun time finding what you need to make Halloween a scream. 

Information on the New Flu Vaccine

It is that time of year when health professionals are urging the public to get the flu vaccine. familykenkel shares information about what’s new with the flu vaccine this year.

Young children can get the ouchless vaccine via nasal spray. Seniors are encouraged to get an updated flu/pneumonia vaccine this year. One hundred children died from the flu last year and most of them were no vaccinated. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that approximately 24,000 people passed away last year from flu-related issues. The new Flu Mist Nasal Spray is recommended for children between ages two and eight. The mist can be also be used for anyone up to age 49 and not pregnant. Seniors over age 65 should also get the pneumonia shots – which should be given six months apart.

familykenkel knows there are other forms of the vaccine to ask the doctor about:

the regular shot; an egg-free shot for those allergic to eggs; a high-dose shot just for those 65 and older whose immune systems may need an extra boost; and a tiny-needle shot that just penetrates the skin. Don’t wait until flu season is in full swing (January to February) to get vaccinated.  Call the doctor to see if the vaccine is available and get it now. Prevention is the key to staying healthy and well this year.

Asks if Parents Should Snoop on Their Kids

Are there parents who insist their kids text them as soon as they get on the bus and as soon as they get to school? Do parents download and install GPS-related software so parents know where their kids are at all times? familykenkel ask these questions and a few more to gauge if parents snoop on their kids.

Today’s children have many more possibilities to end up in danger than in previous decades.  The Internet and smart phones with Internet access make it easy for anyone to contact them. Social media accounts are also huge draws for the wrong kind of people to reach out and touch kids. So, we ask: should parents snoop on their kids? Do they snoop on their kids and how?  In earlier times, it was common for mothers to read their daughter’s diaries. Now both parents can see what their brood is writing on the Internet and in texts and can monitor it.

There are some products parents can use to keep track of what kids are up to: NetNanny, SafeEyes, and MamaBear to name just a few. Familykenkel asks why parents need products like these and the answer is this: more than three quarters of American kids age12 to 17 have cell phones, half of those devices has Internet access, social media and email access. In addition, a survey found that 40% of fifth graders have their own cellphones, 75% of teens aged 13 to 17 have at least one social media account, and more than two-thirds say they text every day.  Parents always want to be sure their children are safe. Snooping on kids is one way to find out if they are okay, happy, not being bullied, where they say they are and safe.

Side Road Trip Weirdness

We know school started and the big family vacations have more or less slowed to a halt. But, the holidays are around the corner and so are road trips to visit the relatives. familykenkel encourages readers to take a little side trip to these crazy, quirky roadside attractions.

The Rain Barrel, ArtisanMuseum, Islamorada, FL – Located at Mile Marker 86.7 in the Florida Keys is easily seen by the giant lobster in the front. The site has great gift shops, a vegetarian restaurant and is generally a good place to stop and stretch before heading further south in US 1 or before getting on the 18 mile stretch if heading north.

Carhenge, Allliance, Nebraska – This is the Stonehengeversion but with cars. Thirty-eight vintage (read old) cars were used to make it.

Red Wood Forest, Klamath, CA – The giant Tree of Mystery are pretty cool when one thinks about how they grew that way.

Lucy the Elephant, Margate, New Jersey – The six story elephant is pretty cool to walk through if heading to the any of the Jerseyshores for a family reunion.

The familykenkel wants to know if readers know of any other weird road stops across the country. America is a very large country and we are sure there are other places people know about which are just plain fun, quirky, or odd. Please feel free to share with others.

Tips for Pets Who Miss Their Kid-Siblings

The family pet mopes all day long waiting for the kids to get home from school. Some become so anxious that they destroy blinds, doors and other objects. A neighbor’s pooch becomes so upset when her family is out of the house that it viewed up three sets of mini blinds before they brought in another dog to keep the wild one calm. Familykenkel offers tips for pets that miss their kid-siblings when school starts.

A great summer for the dog or cat is having their human siblings around to play with and cuddle up to. But once school starts, what’s a sad and lonely pet to do until the school bus comes back or the front door opens? Make school departure time happy and fun with treats and toys. Toss the ball one more time or give the family four-legger a treat before heading out. Make a safe place for the animal to stay in during the day. Crates work well for this especially if the dog is trained to go in it when young. This is their safe space. Don’t draw out saying see ya later to the dog. Make it quick and then go out the door. If school already started, start the new school routine for the pooch over the weekend. Familykenkel recommends getting the family pet used to the new schedule as soon as possible. If the animal has serious anxiety problems, go see the vet and ask if there is anything that can help. Animals are family members just like their human buddies. Look after then and they will look after you.

Where Working Parents Have it Best

There are working parents all over the world. And there are some cities where being a working better is much better than others. Familykenkel reviews where these places are and what makes them so great.

What makes some places better than others for moms and dads who work?

An affordable cost of living,  an affordable cost of child care, quality of the school system, and the percentage of households with children. Another factor might be how long the average commute is.  Some of the top U.S. cities for working parents are: Gilbert, Arizona which is south of Phoenix, Plano, Texas which is an hour from Dallas, Chandler, Arizona, Freemont and Irvine, California, Garland, Texas, El Paso, Texas, Lexington, Kentucky, Chesapeake, Virginia, Mesa and Scottsdale. Arizona, Chula Vista, California and Laredo, Texas.

Familykenkel notes that many of the best places for working parents are in Texasand Arizona. Their cities offer excellent school systems, good career opportunities, relatively short commutes, a large percentage of households with children  and affordable child care.  These are all qualities that many working moms and dads long for and can’t find where they currently live.  This is when ingenuity kicks in and parents find a way to make it work no matter where the family is homesteaded. 

Checks Out Apps to Zap Cyber-Bullies

School is back in session around the country and with it comes the cyber-bullies who think they can hide behind social media accounts and unaware adults. So what can kids who are being bullied and their parents do? Familykenkel shares information on the latest technology and apps which has the power to stop cyber-bullies.

The pain of a child who is being harassed, threatened and bullied online by classmates or other kids now has the opportunity and power to put and end to it. New technology is available and is a good deterrent against online bullying.

But first, nearly 15 percent of students in the 9^thto 12^th grades have experienced cyber bullying, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. These kids are twice as likely to commit suicide too.

A smart phone app just released called STOP It gives children the option to take a screenshot of a harassing post, picture or text, and send it anonymously to a trusted adult. This is a very popular feature among teens who want to help but fear retaliation.

We Heart It is a site which allows users to post photos but allows no comments. It is also very popular with teens because of the no commenting feature. For parents who want to know when a cyber-bully posts something negative about their child, there is Metlife’s Defender identity protection program, which offers a service that monitors a child’s online accounts for abusive content and sends alerts to their parents.Familykenkel believes this is a good solution for parents who are a little behind on all the social platforms around.

Children and parents should also know what to do if a cyber-bully is present in their lives:

• Take a screenshot of the image, text message or social post. Be sure to get the user’s name and date the threat is posted or sent.
• Block the bully’s phone number, unfriend them on Facebook, block them on Twitter and Instagram.
• Report bullies, including those under age 18, to the website, their parents and the school.
• Kids should feel comfortable to tell an adult. Any adult they know whom they think will help: a parent, an aunt or uncle, a teacher, school counselor, religious leader like a pastor or rabbi, coach, or after-school mentor to name quite a few.

It takes courage to report someone who is cyber-bullying. When parents and kids do it together, it is less scary.

Best Toys for Kids on Airplanes

If you’re thinking that an iPad or some other digital device is a good distraction for kids who are restless on airplanes, think again. It turns out that the best toys are pretty simple and well-known from the days when their parents were children. Familykenkel shares the best toys for kids on airplanes.

Child educators and psychologists from Britain conducted research on children aged two to ten on an two hour airline flight. The children were given electronic gadgets like iPads and some rather simple toys such as Loom Bands and Playdoh. They learned that the children were much more engaged with the simple toys and with some interaction from parents for the duration of the flight. Parents switched the toys after a period of time and the child was became interested in that one. The top 10 toys in order of playtime were:

Loom Bands, Playdoh, Lego, Top Trumps, Uno, Usborne, Activity Cards, Magnetic travel game, Aquadoodle!, Finger puppets,  Sticker book

Familykenkel suggests grabbing a few of these games from the store before leaving on a flight of any length. They are affordable and fun. And if we think back on our youth, we will remember having hours of fun with some of these simple toys. Several of them do not take much space in an under the seat bag. As easy as it seems, playing movies on a laptop or electronic tablet is not all that great for keeping children’s minds occupied when confined in a small space like the airline cabin. Break out the easy toys and relax a little.

Finding a Goldmine in the Public Library

We are midway through the summer. What can families do together that is affordable and fun? Where can they go to find something to do when the weather is not cooperating? Familykenkel suggests finding a goldmine at the public library.

Almost every city in the country has a public library. Some have shortened days but are nonetheless still open. Inside – a world of family entertainment can be found.

Many local libraries offer discounted tickets to local museums. Grab tickets for everyone and go exploring in another time and place.

Rent a movie or two that everyone will enjoy. Recent flicks are on the shelves as well as the oldies.

Search for ancestors, dig through old family records and photographs and find something new not known. Some libraries have telescopes in which members can use to gaze into the sky and see what’s there. Explore this new world.

Audio books are great to take on long road trips. They are also fun to listen to at home. Familykenkel suggests renting an classic and having a discussion about the characters and plot.

Sort through the variety of self-published magazines libraries have to offer for interesting topics. A favorite subject is pets and another is crafting. Pick up a flyer with groups meeting there or scan the list of classes offered. There are so many fun things in the local library. Why not see what they have to offer today?

Who Has Boomerang Kids at Home?

The Recession sent many college graduates and older adults back home to their parents’ house to live after not finding a job or losing one. These so-called “Boomerang Kids” can be a helpful addition to the household.  Familykenkel acknowledges what they can bring to the kitchen table.

When times get tough, some head back to the safety and security of their childhood home. This can leave parents feeling like the new freedom of having no children around is cramping their style. But if a few guidelines are set and followed, the new living situation will be beneficial to everyone involved.

Will rent be charged to stay in the house? How much will it be and when will it be paid?

The grown child does their own laundry.

The grown child can pitch in to buy food for meals, help prepare them and clean up afterward.

Is the grown child looking for work? Will the grown child take a part-time job to help pay some expenses?

The house rules should clearly indicate if there any curfews and how many guests the grown child can invite over.

Household duties should be divided equally to include the grown child.

TheFamilykenkel understands that it’s hard for both parents and child to live together again. If all parties work together to live in peace, then the new arrangement will benefit everyone. Parents can help boomerang kids in preparing a monthly budget to pay off credit card bills and student loans, as well as still being able to afford gas for the car and food for meals. Kids can help take the pressure off of their parents by offering to do yard work, take care of their rooms and the rest of the house, and be available if needed. Who has boomerang kids at home? How do you manage the living arrangement?

Teddy Bear Portraits by Nationwide Studios

This week in the studio, Familykenkel welcomed the great people from Teddy Bear Portraits by Nationwide Studios. This company is highly respected by schools, parents and caregivers for taking the best images of pre-school age children.

Children’s portraits were taken years ago as a way to mark the passage of time, to record special moments and to celebrate holidays. They are indelible keepsakes handed down generation to generation as reminders of what we looked like in our youth. Familykenkel are welcome additions to family histories.

The Nationwide Studios photographers are held to very high standards and are professional, child-friendly and make the photo session as comfortable to the child as possible. They are industry leaders in the child portraiture business. The specially trained photographers from Teddy Bear Portraits are experts in capturing the child’s individual personality. After the photo session, parents and guardians have the opportunity to view the pictures and choose the ones they love, and take them home the same day. This is an added bonus most photo studios don’t usually offer.  Forbes Living TV is proud to feature Teddy Bear Portraits by Nationwide Studios, Inc. in an upcoming segment on “Mommy Must Haves”. 

Working with Soon-To-Be New Moms at Work

Spring is baby season and many offices may see a bump in expectant moms. Familykenkel offers tips on working with pregnant co-workers.

It should go without saying but it must be said anyway:

• Never ask an expectant mom how much weight she’s gained
• Never comment what she’s wearing or eating
• Don’t offer pregnancy or parenting advice if not asked
• Don’t touch the woman’s tummy without asking unless you are the dad and we are not joking
• Avoid any questions about planned or surprise pregnancies.

It’s okay to ask if she knows the gender of her child. It’s also okay to ask what names are being considered. But please, keep any negative personal thoughts about gender and names to yourself. Familykenkel also suggests asking if there is something you can do to help the expectant mom in the office. Maybe a run to the nearest deli for lunch. Perhaps she has a doctor appointment and needs her desk covered. Hopefully, the requests for assistance won’t be too many making colleagues feel taken advantage of. As the baby’s arrival time nears, make plans to take the mom out for lunch or host an office baby shower. Let her know that her job awaits her when she returns. Soon, the pictures of the baby will start circulating and those who want to see them can. Here’s hoping that baby season is a happy one for both soon-to-be mom and her colleagues and co-workers.

How to Enjoy an Affordable Memorial Day

Three day weekend holidays are great as most working Americans have the holiday off.  But with so many people out of work and struggling to make ends meet, Familykenkel wanted to offer some ideas about how to have an affordable or free weekend.

Pot luck picnics are fun and allow families and friends to get together. It’s not too late to plan one. Send a holiday themed email to people and ask them if they want to attend and what they can bring. It might be a good idea to suggest everyone bring their own drinks, and tableware. Find a local park or someone’s big backyard to have meet, eat and play. The idea is to not have to pay an entry fee.

Go to a local Memorial Day service. They are inspiring and make great educational moments for children. Many cities across the country have one. Parking is usually free although it can get crowded.

Gather the family and brainstorm ideas for a cool family retreat. Scout the local newspapers for free admission to zoos, parks and museums. Some city pools will be open this weekend.

Since the weather may not be too cooperative, Familykenkel suggests having a movie day in. Use your favorite video rental program to choose family favorites. Cook barbeque food and then sit back and enjoy the time with your family.

Energy Drinks are Not Good for Kids

Health and medical experts agree that active children should only be drinking water when participating in sports and other physical activities.Familykenkel looks into why these drinks are not good for children.

Energy drinks are usually full of sugar which can cause teeth to decay, add unwanted weight and may entice kids to try other things which aren’t good for them such as beer. Energy and sports drinks are made for adults yet more children are drinking them. Water is always the best source for hydration for children under the age of 18. Sugary and highly caffeinated beverages can cause restlessness and anxiety. Energy drinks, while tasting good and sweet, also may cause kids to be significantly more intense in play, which can be harmful to them and others. While children who drink sports beverages tend to be active in organized sports, they are also more likely to watch more TV than the occasional user of the beverage. Familykenkel learns that children who drink more energy and sports drinks are also more likely to have tried cigarettes than those who did not try the drinks. It’s important to know the ingredients in these beverages and the amount of sugar and caffeine in order to make an informed decision about buying them.

Affordable Summer Fun Activities for Kids

Summer is near and that means that school will be out soon. Parents can find a bunch of affordable summer fun ideas for kids right here from Familykenkel.

When school ends, children have more time on their hands to get into mischief and mayhem. Why not keep them busy and active? Below are some ideas found on the web and from the writer’s childhood.

Summer day camps are run by school systems, non-profit organizations and specialty groups. Ask the child what they’re interested in and find a program which fits their likes. Many cities offer affordable options for the public.

City and county libraries offer movie afternoons, reading groups and special guests. Introduce a child to the library, get them their own library card and they are on their way to endless adventures which cost nothing more than the price of the card.

Public swimming pools usually offer family passes which are discounted and are good all summer long. Buy one for the family.

Hit the beach, take the kids out for a nature hike in the area and enjoy a picnic afterwards.

There are also cool things to do at home like make some arts and crafts, play in water sprinklers, and the one thing moms love the most – quiet hour. Send kids to their rooms for one hour of peace and quiet to read or nap. Familykenkel suggests readers start today to find something entertaining and active for children of all ages to do this summer.

Five Pieces of Advice to Never Give

We all know someone who thinks they have the answer to everything, can solve all types of problems and is the best life adviser. Familykenkel has some advice for them.

There are big topics that no one should ever advise anyone else about.

Raising children – Parents know their children the best. What works for one family may not work for the other. Refrain from offering parenting advice unless asked.

Pregnancy – Oh boy are there people who just love to make comments to expectant moms about what to eat, not to eat, wear and not to wear. But to be clear, unless you are her doctor, please keep your comments to yourself.

The home – Some people are busier than others, some have full-time jobs and some do not. What you see in someone else’s home from a random dust bunny to a cloudy glass should not be commented on – unless you are offering to come over do the dishes or clean the house.

Single Friends – There is a reason some people are still single when the people around them are married. They like it this way. Please don’t make comments on what they need to do in order to find a mate.

Physical appearance –Familykenkel knows that no one is perfect. Your style of dress may not be someone else’s style. Some men prefer a scruffy beard and others a clean shave face. Some women like to change their hair color regularly while others prefer to stick to their hair’s natural color. Whatever the difference are, they are the differences which make all unique. Embrace them. And refrain from offering advice if not asked.

Cities That Love Their Pets the Most

One could argue that the top 20 cities that spend the most on the pets did not include yours. Familykenkel, headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL did not make the list. However, that does not mean that people here do not love their pets enough to spend most of their income on them.

The list of the top 20 cities was compiled by Amazon for sales on pet products in 2013. The products included items for all kinds of pets. Miami pet owners spent the most money on pet apparel and accessories. Hello, stylish South Beachpooches! Seattlespent the most on pet treats letting us believe that either their pets are the best behaved or just spoiled rotten. San Jose spent the most on horse-related items which leads us to believe that those Silicon Valley execs want the best for their horses. In any case, Familykenkel finds it absolutely wonderful that pet owners think of their animals as their fur kids. We think the same for ours.
1. Miami2. Seattle3. Atlanta4. San Francisco5. Portland, Ore.6. Washington, D.C.7. Las Vegas8. Austin, Texas9. Tucson, Ariz.10. San Diego11. Sacramento, Calif.12. Raleigh, N.C.13. Denver14. Colorado Springs, Colo.15. Baltimore16. San Jose, Calif.17. Albuquerque, N.M.18. Chicago19. Omaha, Neb.20. Virginia Beach, Va.

Power of Super Heroes

Super heroes can make the world better in the smallest and most significant ways.Familykenkel explores how the power of super heroes can make us feel like leaping tall buildings in a single bound.

Children learn to love super heroes from the time they are old enough to watch and understand TV. They learn how super heroes fight for the underdog and they learn how to treat people. Super heroes come in all sizes and shapes from humans to dogs. When kids don the costume of their favorite super hero they feel strength, compassion and powerful. Sometimes they feel powerful enough to battle a deadly disease they have like Miles Scott dressed as Batman. Super heroes can also be dad and moms, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and siblings.  It doesn’t matter if the super hero is five years old or fifty years old or older.

Familykenkel also realizes that adults like to dress up as their super heroes too. Just ask the thousands of comic book fans who meticulously dress up like their favorites every year for the various Comic Con fests. Everyone wants to feel they are powerful. Sometimes it just takes a Wonder Woman or Thor costume to make us feel that way.

Help Kids Stay Away from Alcohol

Every time kids sit down and watch a sport event on TV with their parents, they are subjected to ads showing how fun drinking is. Familykenkel offers some tips for parents to help kids stay away from alcohol.

It is important that children know what the effects of drinking are. So here are some facts to get started:

• 190,000 kids under age 21 end up in emergency rooms every year due to drinking
• Drinking affects the part of their developing brains which control thinking, memory and decision making. That damage is not temporary but last for a time. If you get stupid drunk now you will be just plain stupid later.
• Waiting until they are 21 to drink ensures they will have a fully functioning brain later and be better able to make sound decisions later.

Parents can set a good example by not over indulging themselves. Have plenty of open discussions about alcohol and especially when a teen’s favorite celebs get in trouble when drunk. Set rules for kids. They need the boundaries to know what is proper and what is not. Be tough. Let them know what happens when they drive drunk. The Familykenkel reminds readers that some state laws are stricter than others, and it is best to inform children what will happen to them if they are arrested for drunk or buzzed driving. Good luck.