Kids Happily Heading to Summer Camp Being away from home a while and heading to summer camp for the first time is a childhood rite of passage. Every kid dreams about being away from home awhile and being on their own. Why wouldn't they? They feel as if they are tasting  ultimate freedom for the first time! They get to sleep in cabin bunk beds while talking all day to their friends and roast marshmallows. Seeing the mile-long packing list and planning what to take with them is only half the fun. They can't wait to explore as they...

Pesky Fleas  You are sitting in your home and you notice something oddly different with your dog; they are constantly scratching themselves or licking their fur when, at first, you thought it was nothing out of the usual. Warm weather invites many insects to come out and dance in the seemingly harmless grass. Because of this, we want to be wary and pay special attention to flea prevention during spring and summer Maybe your dog hasn't fallen victim to the "endless scratching syndrome" yet, but you want to take steps to prevent the little buggers from invading both your pet...

The Precious Amethyst Amethyst has served many purposes for a variety of cultures over the centuries. For the ancient Hebrews and Egyptians, amethyst was thought to open spiritual connections with the Divine, and was used by Eastern cultures as temple offerings.  Catholic bishops wore amethyst rings to protect themselves from evil thoughts, and to keep their minds on spiritual matters. It is the stone of Saint Valentine where it is believed to attract and retain the kind of love that endures throughout the ages.  Benefits of Amethyst In the modern society, amethyst is known for its ability to calm anger, soothe a grieving...

When Children Feel Pain No one likes to feel pain, and everyone (men, women, and children) expresses it in different ways. Children may or may not be able to signal that are pain and it will be up to you to determine if they are in acute or chronic pain. Even children have various tolerances for pain so every child will be different, but there are things they will do or you can determine to find out when they are in pain.  They will either eat less or lose their appetite High-pitched crying Restlessness Grows upset or pulls away anytime...

The End of Menses Every woman dreads “The Change” – the transition of life when a woman is no longer fertile and signs of age really starts to creep in. Menopause is caused by a major hormonal shift, which in turn causes several unpleasant side effects that include hot flashes and night sweats, moodiness and irritability, low sexual desire (libido) and painful intercourse, along with memory gaps and confusion.  Some women can reduce the side effects with hormone replacement therapy, but for those who are at risk categories for breast cancer and heart disease, synthetic hormones are out of the...

Remembering Memorial Day For many people, Memorial Day is a day to be off work, relax and have fun with family and friends; but for those who have lost a loved one, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. Memorial Day was first observed in 1868, shortly following the Civil War as a day to honor fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers.  After World War I, it became a day of remembrance for ones who have died in any war.  To this day, it is still tradition to place flags on military graves and wear red poppies in...