http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/tips-for-family-fun-and-recreation.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/tips-for-family-fun-and-recreation.html Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600
It is important for families to set aside some time and schedule a definite time during the week for family fun and recreation. This can be in the form of a family fun night.

Here are a few tips from Shape Up America:

1) Schedule a regular time during the week for physical activity and recreation.
2) Family members can take turns selecting an activity for the family to do as a group each week.
3) Buy toys and equipment that encourage physical activity.
4) Select gifts that promote physical activity with the recipient’s skills and interests in mind.
5) Limit the time spent watching TV, surfing the web, or playing video games.
6) Emphasize the importance of having fun and learning rather than competing to win.

Both indoor and outdoor activities, when the weather permits, should be encouraged. Board games are always fun for the family to play and encourage thinking skills, strategy, and eye/hand coordination. Choose games that are appropriate for all family members.

In warm weather, encourage outdoor play. A variety of ball games can be played even on city playgrounds. Volley ball can be set up on the beach or in the backyard, and who can resist a game of badminton or croquet. Miniature golf can be set up both indoors and outdoors. Shop around to find good equipment at discount prices.

If space permits, set up an indoor recreation room that can be used for family fun. You can purchase special recreation room furniture and lighting or keep it simple. A game of table tennis will provide physical activity, fun, and eye-hand coordination. Try a game of billiards. You can even purchase a multi-game table which will provide hours of family fun and recreation. Add an arcade game like basketball or football toss. Your children will have fun while they enhance their skill level and self esteem. Bicycle riding, hopscotch, trampolines, and pogo sticks are fun activities which contribute to physical fitness.

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Helene Zemel, M.A., M.B.A., has been blogging and writing about family health and fitness. She is the owner of The Family Gamer which is a site devoted to family recreation. This site has a special section devoted to children's sports and activities: Kids Recreation.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/family-fun-and-fitness.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/family-fun-and-fitness.html Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Kids today are often stressed out by many hours of homework and the pressure to take college level courses for advanced placement. I have heard of children getting by on only a few hours of sleep each night because of excessive homework and even skipping lunch in order to take on such a demanding curriculum. Frequently both parents are at work outside of the home, and there is no parent to see that the child engages in healthy outdoors activities during the after-school hours.

Today’s children are more likely to be found playing video games, surfing the web, watching television or the VCR than engaging in sports and healthy recreation. As a result, we have seen a rise in both children and adults in such lifestyle diseases as obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—disorders that are preventable and even treatable by attention to both diet and exercise. A recent survey showed an increase in prescriptions in young people for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

In a message from former Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, M.D., for the Shape up America program, Dr. Koop states: “A survey conducted by Shape Up America has revealed that child care responsibilities are interfering with the efforts of many families to get more exercise and at the same time we know many children are now overweight or obese. The solution is a commitment on the part of the entire family to spend more time together. I encourage you to choose activities you can do together and support and reward each other’s efforts to be more active at home, at school, at work, and in your communities. I urge you to replace the use of food as a reward for good behavior and offer to take a walk with your child instead. The pleasure of your company is the best reward your child can receive and the best gift you can give.”

This is excellent advice indeed. Start a family fun night and take turns choosing an activity. The family can engage in both indoor and outdoor recreational activities depending on the time of year. Remember that not all activities have to be physical. Board games are always fun for the family to play and encourage thinking skills, strategy, eye/hand coordination, and most importantly family togetherness. Choose a variety of games that are appropriate for all ages and skill levels involved in order to keep the chosen activities interesting and fun for all . Remember that the "family that plays together stays together." For more information visit: The Family Gamer/

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Helene Zemel, M.A., M.B.A., has been blogging and writing about family health and fitness. She is the owner of The Family Gamer which is a site devoted to family recreation. This site has a special section devoted to children's sports and activities: Kids Recreation.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/dental/affordable-family-dental-plans.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/dental/affordable-family-dental-plans.html Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Good dental care is so important to your family’s physical health and well-being. Who can underestimate the importance of a pleasant and attractive smile? Healthy gums and teeth can contribute to an individual’s confidence. An attractive smile can help you feel confident and secure when you meet people and even help you perform at a job interview.

Tooth and gum disease could possibly effect your general health. There is some evidence that the bacteria from diseased gums and teeth may cause inflammation in the body which can eventually lead to heart and coronary artery disease. Preventive dental treatment can help you avoid these serious complications, yet there are many Americans who cannot afford expensive dental treatment.

Now that it is back to school time and your child will be required to bring in completed dental and medical examination forms, it might be time to give some thought to your family’s dental plan. What if you or your children need some serious dental treatment? What if your child needs expensive orthodontic treatment? If there are any senior citizens living in your home, they may have medical benefits through Medicare, but do they have an affordable dental plan?

Dental insurance is often the forgotten coverage. While many employers provide some form of medical insurance, as many as seven out of 10 Americans do not have a dental plan. Even among those who do have dental insurance, many dental plans prove to be very inadequate. In my work as an AmeriPlan® Independent Business Owner, I speak to many people each day who lack affordable dental benefits. Even if they are fortunate and have dental insurance provided by their employer, often these plans have serious limits on coverage, have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, and frequently do not provide orthodontic treatment for their children. With the high cost of dentistry, a $1,500 per year limit on dental treatment will not take a family very far.

Discount dental plans provide families with an excellent choice for saving money on dental care. These discount dental plans are reasonably priced choices to expensive dental insurance plans. Savings typically range from 25% for specialist treatment (periodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists) to 80% for exams. Most major dental procedures, such as fillings, root canals, crowns and bridges, dentures, and orthodontic treatment (braces), offer savings from 50% to 60%--literally cutting a family’s dental bill in half.

Some value addedfeatures that a good discount dental plan provides are:

• No limit on visits or services
• Ongoing dental problems are accepted
• Instant savings
• No paperwork
• No waiting period
• Braces and cosmetic dentistry are included

When looking for an affordable dental plan, look for a program that is a member of the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), has a good choice of dentists in your local area, and has an 800 customer service number. In addition, many discount dental plans offer value added services such as discounts on eyewear and contact lenses, a prescription card, and chiropractic treatment.

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Helene Zemel, M.A., M.B.A., is Independent Business Owner for AmeriPlan® USA. For more information visit: HealthPlansPlus. For a discussion on healthcare issues and alternative medicine choices visit her blog at: Health Plans Plus Blog. Ms. Zemel is also the website owner of: Work at Home Moms & Dads.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/discount-dental-plans-for-your-family.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/discount-dental-plans-for-your-family.html Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Good dental care is so important to your family’s good health and well-being. Who can underestimate the importance of a pleasant and attractive smile? Healthy gums and teeth can contribute to an individual’s confidence. An attractive smile can help you feel confident and secure when you meet people and even help you do well at a job interview.

Dental and gum disease may possibly effect your general health. There is some evidence that the bacteria from diseased gums and teeth may cause inflammation in the body that could eventually lead to heart and coronary artery disease. Preventative dental care can help you avoid these serious consequences, yet there are many Americans who cannot afford expensive dental treatment.

Now that it is back to school time and your child will be required to bring in completed dental and medical examination forms, it might be time to give some thought to your family’s dental plan. What if your family needs some serious dental care? What if your child needs expensive orthodontic treatment? If there are any senior citizens living in your home, they may have medical insurance through Medicare, but do they have an affordable dental plan?

Dental insurance is often the forgotten coverage. While many employers provide some form of medical insurance, as many as 7 out of 10 Americans do not have dental insurance. Even among those who do have dental insurance, many dental plans prove to be very inadequate. In my work as an AmeriPlan® Independent Business Owner, I speak to many people each day who lack affordable dental benefits. Even if they have the good fortune to have dental insurance provided by their employer, often these plans have serious limits on coverage, have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, and frequently do not provide orthodontia for their children. With the high cost of dental care, a $1,500 per year limit on dental treatment will not take a family very far.

Discount dental plans provide families with an excellent choice for saving money on dental care. These discount dental plans are reasonably priced choices to expensive dental insurance plans. Savings typically range from 25% for specialist treatment (periodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists) to 80% for exams. Most major dental services, such as fillings, root canals, crowns and bridges, dentures, and orthodontia (braces), offer savings from 50% to 60%--literally cutting a family’s dental bill by more than half.

Some value addedfeatures that a good discount dental plan provides are:

• No limit on visits or services
• Ongoing dental problems are accepted
• Instant savings
• No paperwork
• No waiting period
• Braces and cosmetic dentistry are included

When looking for a discount dental plan, look for a plan that is a member of the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), has a good choice of dental providers in your local area, and has an 800 customer service number. In addition, many discount dental plans offer value added services such as discounts on eyewear and contact lenses, prescriptions, and chiropractic treatment.

--
Helene Zemel, M.A., M.B.A., is Independent Business Owner for AmeriPlan® Health. For more information visit: Discount Health Plans. For a discussion on healthcare issues and alternative medicine choices visit her blog at: Health Plans Plus Blog. Ms. Zemel is also the website owner of: Work at Home Moms & Dads.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>