Like many parents, I’m concerned about my kids and “screen time”. I swore that I would never own a video game console because I see how having access to video games in the home affects kids – especially boys, of which I have two. Constant fighting over the system between themselves and parents, refusing to accept boundaries and limits, missing sleep and more important activities – I wanted no part of it.

Then, my oldest son was given a Nintendo DS by a relative. I’ve been able to stay pretty strict over its use, probably partly because of the size. I can hide it if I need to!

This book gathers all the disturbing reasons why video games aren’t always just harmless fun. For example, video games are highly addictive. Video games have negative effects on the body and the brain – not only do video games contribute to a sedentary lifestyle but they also retrain the brain.

Video games can lead to a reduced attention span and reduced ability to deal in social situations. This book is helpful to a parent to give them confidence – I think most of us believe that there is something unnatural and negative about video games, and we’re not sure what. We don’t want to arbitrarily restrict our kids from something fun without good reason. At the same time, this book presents solid argument why parents should listen to their instincts. It will help strengthen your resolve to place limits on your child’s video gaming.

It also gives you some pointers from these experts on how to spot video game addiction and how to get help for your child – and even yourself!

Available on Amazon.com and in bookstores. Search Amazon below:

My wife watches a show on TLC called 18 and Counting, it’s about the Duggar family and how they live having 18 kids and their simple Christian life. The show really isn’t my thing but my wife likes it and so we get to watch it.

I was watching it the other day and they were talking about making laundry soap, they make 10 gallons for like $2.00. Having 5 kids and always looking for ways to save money I thought I would give it a try. I decided to go to their website www.duggarfamily.com to see what to do. The recipe is pretty simple to make so I gave it a shot.

I bought all the ingredients at the grocery store and you get enough stuff to make the recipe around 15 times. I would advise making it stronger than they suggest on the website, it seems a little weak to me. I will say it does work well though; I have had no problems with it at all. They also give you the option to add essential oils to it if you want to add scent.

I personally like making my own laundry soap and even if you mix it at double strength it will save you between $200-$300 a year, can’t complain about that.

I’m not a vegan or a vegetarian, but I subscribed to Vegetarian Times magazine several months ago. I have really been enjoying the magazine. Mostly I wanted it for the recipes. Just because I’m an omnivore doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy meatless dishes.

In addition to having tons of recipes in each issue, the magazine also features informative articles on a variety of topics of interest to people who want to live more eco friendly lifestyles. In recent months they’ve covered topics such as: healthy picnic ideas, farmer’s market shopping, choosing natural skin care products, and making your kitchen more eco friendly and green.

You will also find product reviews and valuable coupons in the magazine.

Anyone interested in eating more vegetables, regardless of whether they’re vegan, veg or “flexitarian”, will enjoy this magazine.

You can buy a subscription at Amazon.com. Search Amazon below:

I don’t know if I would have made it this far without the help I get from friends and family around us. I would like take this time to talk about one in particular right now. My wife’s cousin has been a great help and relief to me for the past few months.

His name is Sean and he has been coming to help since the babies were born, at first he came with his mom at night to help when the babies were getting up a lot so my wife and I could get some sleep. After the babies started sleeping through the night he began coming during the day to help out with the feeding and other tasks that are tough for one person when you multiply them by 4.

Every day he comes to help and he does actually help out, he changes diapers, helps feed them, and plays with them. I still find this amazing considering he is an eighteen year old kid this dedicated to helping take care of my kids.

There are a lot of people that have helped with my babies in the past and a few that still come over to help and I am forever grateful to all of them for the help they give me and my family, but I just wanted to recognize that there are still some good kids out there worthy of our respect. I don’t know if I would be sane right now if he weren’t helping me.

Has it been a long time since you have had fun when you exercised? The rule of thumb is that if it isn’t fun you won’t stick with it. That certainly holds true for the latest fads in the fitness world. Dancing has made its way from the nightclub to the gym.

Dancing classes are all the rage now. We do it for fun and boy do we work up a sweat. Let’s see: sweating, fun, moving to a beat – that sounds like exercise to me. It has all the earmarks of a great way to shed some unwanted pounds. We’ve all seen Dancing with the Stars and those guys look great.

What are the options for dancing ’til you drop? Here are some of the dance crazes that are making their rounds.

1. Zumba – This class is really gaining popularity. It is a mix of salsa, merengue, and other Latin styles put to stirring music that makes the workout more of an experience than an exercise. Several hundred calories can be burned in an hour from twirling, kicking, and twisting.

2. Hip hop choreography – Who wouldn’t want to dance like the girls on stage at a concert? Learning how to move your body takes practice. The majority of the steps depend on balance and a strong core. After you finish stomping, jumping, and turning, your body will be in great shape.

3. Ballroom dancing – Who would have thought that such a high society form of dance would hit the mainstream? It’s not the ballroom dancing of the 19th century. With quick moves, spins, throws, and dips, the ballroom dancing of today is hotter than ever. It is all that balancing work that keeps the dancers in such good shape for competitions.

4. Aerobic dance – These classes mix dance moves with some aerobics either on the floor or using an aerobic step. As you work the legs, buns, and heart performing step aerobics routines, the steps get more fluid when Latin dance moves like the cumbia are thrown in for good measure. While step aerobics is hard, the dancing component adds some choreography.

5. Couples dance classes – More and more couples are finding that they can have a good time and work up a sweat in a dance class. These classes are held in small studios. Choose your style: Fox trot, salsa, ballroom, or freestyle. Get a few friends together and try a class. You’ll learn some new moves and get in some physical activity three or more days a week.

Dancing is the next big thing in fitness trends. Does it work? Yes. Participants don’t feel like they are working out but their bodies still reap the benefits. You’ll work muscles you didn’t even know you had.

My husband frequently complains about one of the judges on America’s Best Dance Crew.  Lil Mama is her name and rappin’ and choreographin’ (and now judging) is her game.  Ok, cheesy rhyme there.  Personally, I like her.  I think she is smart, ambitious – and has a good heart.

I don’t think my husband realizes that she is only 20 years old.  This would explain her wardrobe.  I like certain elements of it – especially her shoes.  I am hoping over time her style becomes less gimmicky and more like a real hip hop lady.  I feel Mary J. Blige vibes off of Lil Mama and MJ definitely has style.  A wardrobe says a lot about a person.

My hiphop loving friend initially thought when Lil Mama came onto the scene that she was in her 30s but trying to cling to youth by wearing cartoonish clothing.  Note: If people are using your name, “wardrobe” and “cartoon” in the same sentence, you might have a problem.

I am sure that one day Lil Mama’s clothing will match the person on the inside and she’ll sit down and have a good laugh about outfits like this.

My wife and I have had pets our entire relationship and both of us had pets growing up, currently we have a dog and a saltwater aquarium with a clownfish. I think pets add a great deal to any family, they are a distraction when needed, a play friend for the kids, and a cheap form of entertainment.

All of my kids have spent many, many, many, hours engrossed in staring at the fish tanks we have had in our homes throughout the years. My oldest daughter for example used to sit in her baby swing and watch all the fish swim around in a brightly lit freshwater aquarium I used to have. She would stare at it in amazement for as long as I would let her and cry when I took her away.

My German Shepherd I have had longer than my oldest daughter has been alive, she has grown up with him and so have my quadruplets, my son Max’s first word was dog. All of my children love playing with the dog and he gives them a great alternative when they are getting sick of playing with me. I will say he is getting up there in years and his tolerance for hair pulling and being a living slide is slowly being replaced by fear of small humans.

About the Product: Also known as “the toothbrush made from yogurt cups,” the Preserve Toothbrush was designed by dentists and engineers to be an innovation in both oral care and eco-friendliness.

Thoughts on the Product: I have tried many toothbrushes over the years, as I imagine many people have but used to use a wooden toothbrush with natural bristles that I got from a natural products co-op. With my move, however, I did not plan very well and found myself needing a new toothbrush so I had to get a new one and I am quite happy with the one I found.

The Preserve toothbrush was developed by dentists and engineers to be a high performance brush and the brush and its packaging are designed to have minimal impact on our Earth’s resources. Through an innovative recycling partnership with Stonyfield Farm, at least 25% of the handle plastic comes from recycled yogurt cups. The Preserve’s packaging is not only a reusable carrying case, but the materials are wood-based plastics from renewable forests. When you are finished the toothbrush, you can use the postage-paid mailer to recycle your used Preserve and case into plastic lumber products, like park benches. Very cool!

Overall it is a very nice brush and I love the fact that it starts from recycled materials and then goes back to be recycled and I like supporting two companies that partner up for something so unique and eco-friendly.

Where to buy: www.amazon.com – search below…