Expecting Moms, Unexpected Skin Conditions

Tips for Minimizing and Treating “Pregnancy Mask” For every mother-to-be, pregnancy brings an abundance of expectations. With a sense of excitement, a woman anticipates her growing belly, feeling that first kick, and hearing her newborn cry in the delivery room. But she doesn’t expect hormone-related skin conditions that can change her appearance and create a sense of self-consciousness. Unfortunately,... Read More

Chickpea Pancakes with Ginger Apple Compote

Valentine’s Day dinner may be reserved for the love of your life, but breakfast can make the perfect date with the apple of your eye. Before you indulge in that heart-shaped box of chocolates, start your day off with this chickpea pancake recipe. A little healthier than your average flour pancake, this dish delivers great flavor with the added benefits of protein, fiber, iron,... Read More

Surge in Surrogacy

Motherhood is one of life’s greatest gifts. Yet, pregnancy can be a challenging journey filled with morning sickness, swollen feet, and stretch marks. Wouldn’t it be amazing if babies really were delivered by a stork or perhaps another carrier? Celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman, Elton John, and Giuliana Rancic have all expanded their families with the... Read More

Is Co-Sleeping a Healthy Habit?

Making sure your newborn has the safest sleeping environment is essential to helping him/her grow up strong and healthy. Sleep habits are a prevalent topic of conversation among new moms and dads, as optimizing the quantity and quality of sleep is vital to an infant’s wellbeing (and mom and dad’s, for that matter). Unlike their exhausted new parents, babies sleep or drowse between... Read More

Making Your Own Baby Food

There isn’t a more powerful emotion than holding your child for the first time. I’ve been blessed to experience that remarkable feeling three times over with my children — Roman (7), Mila (5), and Noah (3). When the time came to introduce baby food, my wife and I chose to make our own. This option is certainly healthier for babies and can offer financial savings for your... Read More

Identifying Trichotillomania: A Hairy Subject

As a psychologist, I have often heard shocked mothers of teenage girls say, “I couldn’t believe it! I accidentally saw her head right after she got out of the shower. She was so good at hiding the bald spots.” This common statement occurs after a parent discovers that their child has Trichotillomania (“Trich”), a type of psychological condition that involves compulsive... Read More

College Crash Course: Talking to Your Young Adult about Alcohol and Drug Safety

Parents from across the country send their graduating seniors off to college with pride, paired with prayers for good grades and smart choices. With newfound freedom away from home, the temptation to drink alcohol and experiment with drugs can quickly impact student safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the use of alcohol by minors is a major public health concern... Read More

Childhood and Teen OCD

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Maybe you think of someone who washes his hands over and over, or of someone who loves a schedule and hates germs. Did you realize that as many as 1 out of every 200 kids or teens has OCD? For most of us, it’s easy to keep ourselves from performing an action over and over. Sure, I might really want... Read More

Nemours Children’s Hospital Makes Care A Family Affair

The grand opening of Nemours Children’s Hospital on October 22nd will unveil a transformed hospital experience made possible through a “for families, by families” philosophy. By partnering with patients’ families, Nemours aims to ensure that physicians and medical teams care for the whole child, not just a child’s illness, plus the entire family unit. The backbone of this... Read More

Calling All Pink Recruits: The Pink Army Wants YOU!

Pink dog tags are truly making a fashion statement. No, this trendy tag isn’t for your pet; it’s for you and your loved ones. The Florida Hospital Pink Army is recruiting, and you are needed to fight the battle! The Pink Army is not about military recruitment either, nor is it a club with an affinity toward the color pink; it’s about saving lives from breast cancer. One out... Read More

Getting the Family You Want

If you could wave a magic wand and have the family you want, what would it be like?  Would you eat more dinners together, go to church together on Sundays, or spend Saturdays volunteering at a local soup kitchen? We often get so busy in our day-to-day routines that we forget what is really important. We go from one activity to another and never stop to spend quality time with the... Read More

Caregivers Need Care, Too

Married for more than 50 years, Sandra Fuchs’ parents were used to relying on each other. When her mother developed multiple health problems in her later years, Fuchs, a mother of three, said that “Dad became Mom’s main caregiver.” But after her father developed brain cancer, Fuchs suddenly found herself assumingcare for both parents. “It’s quite a juggling act when... Read More

Snacks to Keep Your Kids Active and Energized

Whether your kids are on the playground, at school, or engaging in after-school activities, feeling hungry can make it hard for them to be their best. Healthy snacks, however, can keep them fueled and focused. Having nutritious snacks on hand is a smart way to go, but it’s challenging to find a snack that tastes great and can be easily tucked away in a sports bag. “A healthy... Read More

Calming the Back-to-School Jitters

Starting a new school year can be like starting a new job, or moving from one city to another. New people, new expectations, different surroundings… It’s true, you may know some of your fellow students, but you might end up with the annoying one sitting at the desk next to you. So, it’s understandable that kids are uneasy about starting a new school year. But sometimes the... Read More

Getting Comfortable with “The Talk”

It’s never too early to begin talking with your kids about sex. In fact, the earlier you start, the easier it will be when it’s time to tackle the difficult subjectsthat are sure to arise later on. Here are some age-appropriate guidelines (and we know not everyone will agree!) that parents can use with their curious little ones to help pave the way for the more in-depth conversations... Read More

Timely Vaccinations are Important for Disease Protection

Parents agree that sleep and feeding schedules are important to help keep their children healthy.  The same goes for childhood immunizations. Vaccinating children on time is the best way to protect them against 14 serious, and potentially deadly, diseases before their second birthday. “The recommended immunization schedule is designed to offer protection early in life, when babies... Read More

Equine Therapy for Special Needs Kids

Talia Finder loves nature and looks forward to her weekly sessions with Ginger, her therapy horse at Freedom Ride inOrlando. Although Talia doesn’t have an official diagnosis, the 17-year-old hardly spoke to anyone until the sixth grade, in what her mother, Teresa Finder, called selective mutism. In the eight years Talia has been attending therapy sessions at Freedom Ride, located... Read More

Genetic Testing and Pregnancy: Is it necessary?

Today, there is no reason to approach pregnancy in the dark when it comes to genetics. A genetic counselor can help expecting parents and those considering a family to understand their genetic makeup and allay concerns related to passing traits on to their children. Typically, when a couple first learns that they are expecting a child, it’s an emotional moment filled with anticipation,... Read More

Natural Healing Options for ADHD

Coping with a child who exhibits symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a challenge. Ask parents who are beginning to suspect that the exasperating behavior displayed by their child is not “normal”. What can a parent do to address these stressful issues? Unfortunately, there is no single test for ADHD, but there are some specific symptoms that should... Read More

Indoor Playgrounds: A Cool Spot Fun in the Summer

But don’t forget to watch for some common hazards It’s already 95 degrees in the shade nearly every day now. The humidity is enough to permanently frizz my usually flat-ironed bob. So, indoor air-conditioned playgrounds can be a great place to let kids burn off steam during the hottest summer afternoons. If you decide to visit your favorite “Ball Pit/Jumpy Town”, the U.S.... Read More

A Mom Under Pressure!

Combating high blood pressure for health and family “I was barely 30 years old and already pre-hypertensive,” says 35-year-old Orlando resident, Ilene Sakal. “My doctor told me that I needed to immediately focus on lowering my blood pressure, or I’d be facing a medication regimen. It was a scary wake-up call. I needed to take control of my health for me, as well as for my... Read More