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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
- Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A in the form of beta carotene and vitamin C.
- The nutrients in sweet potatoes are also anti-inflammatory, which means that besides being great tasting, sweet potatoes can help reduce the severity of conditions like asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- In addition, sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6.

Recipe: Golden Sweet Potato Brownies
1 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups peeled and finely shredded sweet potatoes
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons milk
Preheat the oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the batter just until blended. Fold in the shredded yam. Spread the batter evenly in the greased baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes. Mix together the confectioners' sugar, butter and milk until smooth. Spread over the brownies while they are still warm.
Recipe: Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
6 sweet potatoes cut into French fries
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
In a plastic bag, combine the sweet potatoes, canola oil, taco seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Close and shake the bag until the fries are evenly coated. Spread the fries out in a single layer on two large baking sheets.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until crispy and brown on one side. Turn the fries over using a spatula, and cook for another 30 minutes, or until they are all crispy on the outside and tender inside. Thinner fries may not take as long.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
Last year, Consumer Reports sent a survey team to several schools to find out how much weight kids were lifting , in their backpacks. Parents were shocked to learn that of the students surveyed, the average weight hauled by second-graders was 5.3 pounds, fourth-graders carried 4.6 pounds and sixth-graders averaged 18.4 pounds.

To help alleviate some of the back pain and stress, Consumer Reports suggest that parents should keep the following factors in mind:
- Check for good stitching that can hold a decent amount of weight.
- Shoulder straps anchors should be about 1- to 2- inches below the top of the shoulder.
- The bottom of the backpack should go along the curve of the lower back and the backpack itself should not fall more than 4 inches below the waist.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
We all know that calcium builds strong bones, but it also ensures that your muscles, nerves and cells all work properly.
As adults, we need approximately 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day : or the equivalent of more than three 8 oz. glasses of milk a day. But if you don't do dairy, you are still able to get your daily dose of calcium with these calcium-rich foods.

Broccoli has a calcium content of 86 milligrams in just two cups of raw broccoli. It also contains nearly twice the vitamin C than an orange.
Collard greens contain 268 milligrams of calcium per one cup cooked. It is also loaded with three days' worth of vitamin A.
Kale has a calcium content of 101 milligrams in one cup of raw, chopped kale. Kale also provides a day's worth of vitamin C and twice the recommended daily intake of vitamin A.
Edamame contains 98 milligrams of calcium in one cup cooked. It is also one of the few non-animal foods that is a complete protein : meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. And 8 grams of fiber per serving isn't too shabby, either.
Figs have a calcium content of 121 milligrams in ½ cup dried figs. Figs also supply you with magnesium, potassium and fiber.
Oranges contain 74 milligrams of calcium in one large orange and 27 milligrams in one cup of orange juice. Orange are also great sources of vitamin C, they are full of antioxidants and are low in calories.
Sardines have a calcium content of 351 milligrams in a 3.75 oz. can. While some people may fear sardines simply on looks alone, they are really quite tasty and are an amazing source of vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
It seems like not too long ago we were breaking out the shorts and t-shirts, swim suits and flip flops, and heading outdoors to make the most of the beautiful summer days. But with only days left in the summer season, there is still time to get outdoors and take advantage of the weather, all the while getting your work outs in outdoors.
Running, hiking, swimming, and playing outdoor sports are all great ways to get your daily amount of exercise, but why not try something new in these last few weeks of summer? Mix up your routine by trying one or more of the following and enjoy the weather while it lasts.

- Rock climbing: Although this sport requires the assistance of a professional, most people do not realize the amount of physical strength it takes to participate in rock climbing. Find an experienced rock climber in your area and give it a shot. Before you know it, you'll get the “hang” of it and will wonder why it took you this long to try it out.
- Water skiing: While water skiing is a sport that you may need to work up to, there is no time like the present to give it a try. Water skiing is a fun water sport, where you use a wide variety of muscles to participate in it and therefore it is a great summertime sport for someone looking for something new to try out.
- Snorkeling: If you are heading to the beach or if you live at the beach, pick up a mask and snorkel and get ready for a good time and a great exercise. Not only will you see some pretty amazing things below the water's surface, but you will also be getting a great aerobic workout without even realizing it.
- Kayaking/Canoeing: Kayaking and canoeing are not just fun water sports, but they are also very physically challenging sports. Experts suggest that you take your time learning how to kayak or canoe and enjoy the area in which you decide to try out your new sport. Row for awhile, but then take a break and take in the beautiful scenery around you.
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- Written by Lisa Jillanza
It's already that time of year again when your children will be heading back to school. While it may be a time of relief for parents, it can also be a time of stress when you are dealing with all of the illnesses and germs that children are susceptible to at school.

So, how can you help keep your child healthy throughout the school year? Follow these tips to keep your child in school and out of the doctor's office:
- Remind your child of the importance of washing their hands, not only before lunch and after using the rest room, but also when they get home from school.
- Remind your child to keep their fingers and hands out of their mouth. So many germs are spread this way and infections could ensue.
- Give your child a daily vitamin. This will help them to build their immune systems and fight infections better.
- Remind your child not to drink from other children's cups or use their utensils.
- Make sure your child gets a physical before the school year starts. This will help to target any health problems prior to the start of the school year.
- Make sure that your child gets 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Getting the right amount of sleep is important to keeping your child healthy.
- Make sure to feed your child a nutritious and balanced diet each day. Getting the appropriate vitamins and minerals in their diet will also aid in building their immune systems and will lead to an overall healthier child.
