http://www.sheknows.com/authors/michele-borboa-ms/articles Tue, 25 May 2010 10:38:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995351/eat-this-not-that-healthy-snacks-you-can-grab-on-the-go Juggling kids, family and career doesn’t lend itself to sitting down to three square meals or taking time to make healthy snacks every day. You’re often faced with the decision: Eat a bag of chips, or eat nothing at all. Grab and go packages of convenience foods are certainly easy to eat, but with their usual high fat and calorie content they aren’t easy on your waistline. To help you quiet your grumbling tummy on the days your schedule bites into your mealtimes, consider the following healthy snacks you can grab on the go. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995351/eat-this-not-that-healthy-snacks-you-can-grab-on-the-go Michele Borboa, MS Tue, 25 May 2010 10:35:00 -0700 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995349/easy-ways-to-exercise-without-the-kids-even-knowing-it Do you remember marveling at the energy your kids had when they were toddlers and seemingly always in motion? Years later, are you now dealing with children and teens who would rather sit at the computer or play video games instead of move at all? The sedentary tendencies of our kids is resulting in a rise in childhood obesity and chronic weight-related diseases that were once considered medical conditions for adults. Our responsibilty as parents is to get our kids off the couch and exercising so they don’t end up with life-long weight and health problems. Sure, they may be reluctant to 'exercise' but you can sneak it into their daily routine without them even knowing they are doing bona fide physical activity. Here’s how. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995349/easy-ways-to-exercise-without-the-kids-even-knowing-it Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:31:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995281/skiing-and-snowboarding-safety-tips The first big snow of the winter season is a great excuse to hit the powdery slopes on your skis or favorite snowboard, but be aware that going unprepared can set you up for serious injuries – possibly fatal – that will keep you out of the snow game for the rest of the season. Before you pack your snow gear, keep the following safety tips in mind. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995281/skiing-and-snowboarding-safety-tips Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:29:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995279/fishing-safety-tips You throw a hook into the water, you sit and wait for a bite or you reel back in. How dangerous can fishing be? Though not considered a high-risk sport, fishing does pose a few potential dangers. Before your family heads to the water, keep these fishing safety tips in mind. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995279/fishing-safety-tips Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:25:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995277/boating-safety-tips From the relaxing lull of the water to catching the evening’s fish fry dinner, boating offers many family opportunities to enjoy summer. To make sure your boating adventures are all about fun in the sun, teach your family the following boating safety tips. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995277/boating-safety-tips Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:24:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995275/amusement-park-safety-tips An anticipated event of summer for many families is going to an amusement or theme park. The harrowing rides, the indulgent junk food, and fun in the sun are too exciting to pass up. Amusement parks aren’t all fun and games, however. From sunburn to risky rides, theme parks can pose hazards to your family. That doesn’t mean nixing your summer visit, it just means keeping the following amusement park safety tips in mind. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995275/amusement-park-safety-tips Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:20:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995273/bbq-safety-tips Backyard barbecues are a quintessential part of summer for many families. Juicy steaks, burgers and grilled veggies on the grill can’t be beat on a lazy afternoon. But grilling doesn’t come without risks. From hot flames to propane gas, your relaxing outdoor meal can turn into a trip to the emergency room without proper precautions. Here are our top BBQ safety tips to keep your summer grilling hazard-free. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995273/bbq-safety-tips Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:18:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995269/safety-tips-for-mowing-lawns Summertime means fun in the sun and getting back to your badly neglected yard work. Though pulling weeds is fairly harmless, mowing the lawn can put you at risk for injury. According to a study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, lawn mower injuries are on the rise, with the majority of injuries occurring in children under age 15 and adults age 60 and older. The most common injuries reported are due to strikes from debris, such as rocks and branches, propelled by the mower's spinning blades. To keep your family safe from lawn mower related injuries, follow these lawn mowing safety tips. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995269/safety-tips-for-mowing-lawns Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:15:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995267/how-to-prevent-drowning Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for people of all ages, including people who know how to swim. Summertime means more time spent at the pool, lake or ocean. To protect your family from drowning, here are some tips to keep them safe. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995267/how-to-prevent-drowning Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:12:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995265/acute-mountain-sickness-effects-of-high-altitude If part of your summer recreational plans include camping and taking your family on gorgeous hikes up mountains you couldn’t access in the winter, be aware that high altitudes can cause altitude sickness, also called acute mountain sickness. Though most people will not be negatively affected by high altitude, some may experience potentially fatal conditions such as high altitude pulmonary edema or high altitude cerebral edema. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995265/acute-mountain-sickness-effects-of-high-altitude Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:03:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995263/how-to-avoid-dangerous-plants-poison-oak-poison-ivy-and-poison-sumac Though the great outdoors offers fun family opportunities to camp, hike, explore nature or garden close to home, it also puts your family at risk for exposure to nature’s less pleasant side, namely poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac. These benign looking plants are leading culprits behind allergic skin reactions in the US, and though not fatal, can cause days of discomfort. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995263/how-to-avoid-dangerous-plants-poison-oak-poison-ivy-and-poison-sumac Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:59:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995261/how-to-treat-insect-bites The warm weather and all that extra time outdoors puts your family at risk for bug bites, ranging from bees and spiders to scorpions and ticks, depending on where you live. Avoiding insect infected areas and wearing insect repellent are helpful in prevention, but knowing how to treat bug bites once they occur will minimize the impact bug bites have on your family’s health. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995261/how-to-treat-insect-bites Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:57:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995259/what-do-if-you-get-a-snake-bite According to the Centers for Disease Control, up to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes every year in the US. Though a very small percentage of snake bites result in death, immediate treatment is important to avoid venom-related complications. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995259/what-do-if-you-get-a-snake-bite Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:55:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995257/safety-tips-for-swimming According to the National Safety Council, drowning is the second leading cause of death from unintentional injuries in people ages 5 to 24-years-old, and the leading cause of death from unintentional injuries for all ages. Whether your family is poolside or lakeside during the summer months, you can reduce the risk of drowning by setting – and following – a set of swimming safety rules. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995257/safety-tips-for-swimming Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:53:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995255/how-to-avoid-hypothermia Hypothermia is a serious medical condition in which the body’s core temperature drops dangerously low, causing a potentially fatal strain on the heart, brain and other organs. The most common cause of hypothermia is exposure to cold weather or cold water and not being adequately dressed for cold conditions. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995255/how-to-avoid-hypothermia Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:46:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995253/symptoms-of-heat-stroke-or-sun-stroke Heat stroke or sun stroke is a form of hyperthermia, characterized by an abnormally elevated body temperature and related symptoms that are considered a true medical emergency. People most at risk for heat stroke are infants, the elderly, outdoor workers, and athletes, particularly in the summer when the temperature is high. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995253/symptoms-of-heat-stroke-or-sun-stroke Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:41:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995249/dangers-of-sun-burn Summertime means shorts, sandals, bikinis and sunbathing. It also commonly means overexposure to the sun and a resulting sunburn. More concerning, overexposure to the sun can lead to skin damage even before redness occurs, and every exposure can result in cumulative damage over time. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995249/dangers-of-sun-burn Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:37:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995247/diagnosing-and-treating-histoplasmosis Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus that grows as a mold in the soil, particularly soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995247/diagnosing-and-treating-histoplasmosis Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:33:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995243/babesiosis Babesiosis is a malaria-like disease caused by microscopic Babesia parasites that are transmitted through a tick bite. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995243/babesiosis Michele Borboa, MS Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:30:00 -0800 http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995241/rocky-mountain-spotted-fever According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is one of the most severe tick-borne illnesses in the US. The American dog tick and Rocky Mountain wood tick are the primary transmitters of the disease, which is most common from April to September in the south-Atlantic states; the highest incidence is reported in North Carolina and Oklahoma. Even though the first cases were reported in the Rocky Mountain region, the illness is rare in this area today. http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/995241/rocky-mountain-spotted-fever Michele Borboa, MS