By Dannielle Crouch
I was in my teens when I got the fake tanning bug. I would purchase the unlimited monthly tanning packages that allowed for many tanning bed sessions to achieve that deep, dark tan. I began frequenting tanning salons in high school and continued well into my 20’s.
I was never informed of any health risks and certainly didn’t think I would be a victim of skin cancer. I have olive skin and dark hair and always tanned very easily in the sun. I didn’t fit into the high risk category. If you read about who is at risk it usually describes someone who has had many sunburns and very light complexion. That just wasn’t me.
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The “Mommy Makeover” is not a new procedure. Pregnancy can take its toll on the female body causing breast deflation, tummy laxity and stretch marks. There are two parts to the traditional “Mommy Makeover”: (1) an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to tighten the abdominal wall, remove the excess skin and markedly decrease the presence of stretch marks, and (2) either a breast augmentation or breast lift. During pregnancy the breasts swell – sometimes markedly – in preparation for the baby and milk production. After breast feeding stops, however, the breast tissue involutes and the overall volume deflates. 
We live in a culture where “stimulation” clearly receives a negative response. Many pediatricians and experts will often label a baby who cries often or for prolonged periods of time “over stimulated”. However, we often give the brain little credit in this regard, and it should be acknowledged that stimulation and multi sensory play offer undeniable value to the overall development to the infant brain. 
The Dilemma:
Have you ever been asked “How are you smart?” Probably not. Have you ever been asked “How smart are you?” Probably – or you’ve asked yourself this question? The same four words in a different order can make all the difference when attempting to quantify intelligence. We have many measures that tell us how smart we are in different subjects, but very few that tell us how we learn and process information. 
Recent research is now pointing towards something that Chinese medicine has been explaining for thousands of years. 80% of your immunity potential lies in your gut. Studies indicate that a balance between good and bad bacteria in the large intestine is a significant determinant of your potential to ward off pathogenic illnesses such as colds and more importantly the flu.
It is never too early, nor too late to begin instilling the value and importance of learning proper table manners. In addition to the warmth and comfort it provides for the family, it allows an opportunity for us to feed our bodies with a well-balanced meal, to share in the ritual of conversation, and to slow down from the days’ activities to enjoy time together. These top tips will help you teach your children appropriate table manners so you too can enjoy your family’s dining experiences.
As a speech therapist, people always ask me how to assess whether or not their children have speech and language disorders.
It has been an interesting year for influenza. Not only are there more types to worry about, but also more vaccines for the flu than ever before. The novel H1N1 influenza virus (also known as “swine flu”) has hit the community hard, and particularly early in the year. This article will focus on prevention of the flu.