Either way, introduce them to “Kids Who Love to Cook”– a webseries filled with cooking videos for kids. The website and cooking series takes you into the kitchen with seven real-life kids to show their love of food and to teach other kids the joys of cooking. The website features cooking videos, recipes, food adventures and contests for both the beginner cook and future chefs alike.

“Kids Who Love to Cook” embraces personal preferences and encourages kids aged 8 to 16 to prepare food from their family history, as well as new ideas and trends like gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. It  also teaches them important life lessons: planning, budgeting, measuring, cooking, and being creative and able to adapt when presented with challenges.

All dishes seen on “Kids Who Love to Cook” are easily prepared and enjoyed at home. The show does not use swap-outs – the dishes that are shown in the end are the actual dishes made by the kids.

Get your kids into the kitchen to make the Baked Chicken recipe that 13 year-old Abby made and your kids might become “Kids Who Love to Cook”. Check out www.KidsWhoLoveToCook.com.

More SingleMindedWomen.com Ideas for Kids

Teaching Your Child Organizational Skills

Preparing Your Child for Summer Camp

Free Summertime Staycation Ideas for Single Moms

We all know that the food you choose is an important part of maintaining your pet’s optimal health. Science Diet has come out with Ideal Balance, a new food for cats formulated with the precise amount of natural ingredients in the exact proportions cats need. We’re impressed with their “meat-first, corn free” policy.  It’s even guaranteed to make a visible, healthy difference in just 30 days.

And here is your chance to try Hill’s^® Science Diet^® Ideal Balance™ for felines for free!

FREE GIVEAWAY!

Tell us why you love your cat in the comments section below.  Three SingleMindedWomen.com readers will win a free bag of cat food!

SingleMindedWomen.com Resources:

• Cat Nutrition Center
• Hill’s^® Science Diet^® Ideal Balance^™ cat food

Ideal Balance™ cat food

• Meat-first formula – chicken is the first ingredient
• Contains fruits and vegetables, including cranberries
• No corn or artificial colors
• Noticeable improvement in skin and coat in 30 days
• Not too much, not too little – just the right balance of nutrients for the best nutrition for your cat
• Formulated for easy digestion
• Available in kitten, adult, mature adult and grain-free varieties

JKCP meets the needs of moms and teens alike with customized programs that inspire self-discovery, instill leadership, encourage creativity and provide an exciting environment for learning. Their variety of courses and activities allows students to follow their passions or try something new in the areas that interest them most all while having fun.

After a successful tennis career, competing professionally on the international tennis tour including Wimbledon and the Italian and French Opens, tennis mogul Julian Krinsky founded JKCP to help kids and teens refine tennis skills while enjoying an amazing summer experience.  35 years later, JKCP is a world leader in summer programs offering over 20 specialized experiences from sports and arts camps for middle school students to pre-college academic programs and summer internships for high school students.  Teens travel from all over the country (and world) to attend JKCP, with students from over 35 states and 40 countries in 2011.

“Teens love choice,” explains Krinsky.  “JKCP provides just that through rich educational experiences, world-class programs, inspiring teachers, networking opportunities and amazing summer experiences.”

Whether students are looking to fine tune their skills, try new things, or meet friends from around the world, JKCP has the program to meet their interests and needs.  Programs include, sports, fitness, art, architecture, science, technology, classical music, digital media, production, business, leadership, internships, pre-college and SAT prep, cooking, fashion design, dance, yoga, photography, Spanish, and much more.

“JKCP allows kids and parents to work together to design their perfect summer,” said Krinsky.  “We help students discover their capabilities and help them create their best self.  We focus on what students and parents need and create an environment of balance and happiness between the two.”

Because programs are held at prestigious private colleges in Philadelphia such as Villanova, UPenn, Haverford and the Curtis Institute of Music, students also get a sample of the college life experience – in the dorm, in the dining hall, on campus, and meeting new friends from around the world.  Tuition includes housing, meals, weekday trips, and activities.

JKCP is right in the heart of the east coast making seeing famous places and attractions an easy weekend trip.  Every Saturday JKCP offers a getaway to places like New York City, Washington, D.C., the New Jersey shore and more.   Fun activities around campus and around town are also a part of the experience in evenings and on weekends.

For more information visit www.jkcp.com .  For media inquiries please contact Jackie Copp, Pitch Public Relations, at Jackie@PitchPublicRelations.com or (480) 606-8180.

More SingleMindedWomen.com Articles about Teens

Teens and Sex: The Pressure is On

Don’t Know Much About Economy: Teens Have Low Financial IQs

What Single Moms Need to Know About Sexting

In his memoir “Muted. Dreams” – Antonio details his childhood of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of those who were supposed to protect him the most. For years he suffered in silence, forced to accept a nightmare childhood. But today, as an adult, he can help give power to those children facing this under-reported, under-recognized and under-treated plight.

Did you know:

• Every 13 seconds a child is abused
• It is estimated that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will have experienced an episode of sexual abuse while younger than 18 years
• Child sexual abuse can happen anywhere, to anyone in any neighborhood, in every religion, across all racial boundaries and ethnic group
• Most children are abused by someone they know and trust, although boys are more likely than girls to be abused outside of the family.

How can we fight what we do not know or refuse to see hiding in plain sight? The sooner we are able to talk openly, the sooner we can break the chain and save many children from abuse. Antonio has started a Kickstarter campaign to support his book “Muted. Dreams.” The money raised through this Kickstarter campaign will cover:

• Printing costs for the novel in both hard cover and paperback (approximately 20,000 books).
• Promotional and advertising costs.
• Key city bi-coastal book tour, targeting those areas where reported cases of abuse and molestation are the highest.
• Costs of books to be given to young adults in youth centers and shelters who have suffered from abuse and molestation.

Help to get the word out about this epidemic and help raise much-needed funds to prevent more children from being victimized. Visit “Muted. Dreams” Kickstarter campaign to find out more. To read more about Antonio’s story visit www.antonio-brown.com.

Make a Difference; Join the Twitter Chat

Also, be sure to join SingleMindedWomen.com (@SMWomen) for a twitter chat on February 16, 2012 at 8:00 pm eastern time to help #protectachild with child abuse awareness and prevention tips. RSVP and receive more details about the event here http://su.pr/9OcBXe. Follow the panelists @MomSpark, @MomSparkMedia, @AntonioisMuted,  @SMWomen,  @AnnMarieNieves and @HaleyTweetsToo before the party to be a part of this important and possibly life-changing conversation.

The World Almanac^® for Kids 2012 includes:

• Faces and Places: Huge full-color photographs.
• Animals: Explore animals on a scientific level, from endangered species to creatures of the deep.
• Environment: A brand-new section on “Living Green.”
• Games: Check out the top-selling video games of all times.
• Military: Information on historical wars and military innovations civilians use every day.
• Movies and TV: Fun facts about this year’s most popular movies and TV shows.
• Music and Dance: Get the inside scoop on the year’s hottest acts.
• Nations: Interesting facts and trivia about every country in the world.
• Population: Results from the 2010 census.
• Sports: Coverage of kids’ favorite teams, athletes, and sports.
• Technology and Computers: New advice on the best ways to avoid cyberbullying and stay safe online.
• United States: Information about the 50 states.

FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Tell us the areas of most interest to your kiddo in the comments section below and you could win a free copy of The World Almanac^® for Kids 2012.

About The World Almanac:
The World Almanac^® is part of Infobase Learning, an educational media company that owns such well-known brands as Facts On File, Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Chelsea House, Bloom’s, Ferguson’s, Meridian Education, and Shopware.

Buy The World Almanac^® for Kids 2012 today!

Want to be a SMW Book Reviewer? Click here.

We love Wild Planet Foods because they are dedicated to producing sustainably-fished, safe, nutritious, and great-tasting seafood. Exclusive use of pole and troll fishing techniques eliminates the bycatch of sea turtles, seabirds, sharks and other fish commonly killed by the methods used by conventional canned seafood companies. Wild Planet Foods is 100% US owned and operates its own docks where selection and delivery of fish are taken directly from the fishermen, many of whom are also shareholders with the company.

Try two delicious recipes you can make with Wild Planet tuna or shrimp right here on SingleMindedWomen.com.

FREE GIVEAWAY!

The winning name is posted in the comments section below — they won a free sample pack from Wild Planet Foods!

Check out Wild Planet Foods’ website www.wildplanetfoods.com, Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/wildplanetfoods and Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/wildplanetfoods.

Starting December 7^th and ending December 22^nd, one new appliance will be announced via the KRUPS Facebook and Twitter page each weekday.  To win the item, entrants can simply tell us why they want the appliance for the holidays; or, more creative entrants can comment with an updated “verse” from the beloved “12 Days of Christmas” carol, highlighting the day’s item.   All entries must be posted on the KRUPS Facebook wall for that day: http://www.facebook.com/KrupsUSA.

Check back daily to view each day’s item! Giveaways will include fan favorites like the Beertender, the new Cup-on-Request Coffee Machine, a Waffle Maker, Espresso Machine, and more!

Life Savers: Life-Simplifying Gifts

Every single mother—heck, pretty much every human being—could use a gift that streamlines, de-stresses, and simplifies our life. Help your pal stay organized and on top of her myriad PTA meetings, doctor appointments, and soccer games with Kate Spade’s playfully designed desk calendar, or a floral-printed WeekDate planner, which tracks recurring commitments.

Another great gift idea: treat her to a gift certificate to a kid-friendly restaurant or a gift card to Dream Dinners, which cuts down on kitchen and grocery shopping time by assembling the ingredients for tasty, seasonal dishes perfect for families.

Speaking of food, a digital DaysAgo kitchen tool—a certified Oprah pick—is a clever gadget that any mom will love; affix the digital clock to leftovers, baby food, meats, etc. to keep track of its freshness (or not so freshness).

Finally, we all know single moms are short on personal time. And if you happen to be short on funds, there’s one gift you can give that will keep everyone happy: the gift of your babysitting services. (Bring the new Wall-E DVD and some chicken nuggets and everything will work out just fine.)

Single Parent Reads

Want to give your loved one something to read besides “Goodnight, Moon”? Pay for a subscription ($19.99) to Single Parent Magazine, a bimonthly publication that addresses the issues that single parents face.

Another page-turner: Life in Beauty by Kate Porter, a single mother who seeks to find the pure beauty in life’s experiences.

Gifts that Give Back

Why not give a gift that you can both feel great about? Charity Choice gift cards are perfect for budding philanthropists—you buy the card, and the recipient can select up to three different charities (from a list of 100) to donate the amount to.

Add some fun to the mix with the DivaGirl Game, a fabulous girls-night-out party game that donates a portion of every sale to women’s and children’s charities like Camp Laurel and Home Makers.

We also love the You Are My Inspiration pay-it-forward gift offering from the Step Up Women’s Network. Buy an “Inspiration Gift” ($50 and up) in honor of an amazing woman in your life, and you’ll both receive a gorgeous Isabella Bijoux necklace, while an underprivileged teen girl in the Step Up program receives a gift (a digital camera, money towards a college visit, etc.) in your pal’s honor.

Know a new mom? Snag her some Dr. Bloom’s Chewable Jewels, eye-catching baubles that are safe for teething babies to gnaw on.

The finishing touch: a Kids Helping Kids gift card from MAC Cosmetics, an adorable set of illustrated cards that benefit children living with HIV and AIDS.

Pampered Presents

Just want to shower a single mom with love? You can’t go wrong with a stunning and sentimental Etched Four-Photo Locket from Things Remembered, or an incredibly indulgent Italian-inspired beauty gift set (a bargain at $25) from La Dolce Diva—almond biscotti or tiramisu, anyone?

Or, splurge on a beyond-relaxing Jimmyjane Form 6 Vibrating Massager, a waterproof wand designed to work the kinks out.

If that doesn’t do the trick, snuggling up to an irresistibly soft Max Daniel Adult Throw—available in a slew of sassy animal prints—surely will.

And jewelry buffs on the hunt for something unique will fall hard for the nature-inspired, sustainable pieces from Prismera Designs. Our favorite: the cheerful, stainless steel leaf motif of the Woodruff Necklace. What mom—or woman, for that matter—wouldn’t love that?

Other Great SMW Gift Ideas

Best Kitchen Gift Guide Ever

Holiday Gifts for Staff and Boss

Holiday Gift Guide: Beauty Gift Ideas

BB guns are not nearly as popular today as they were in Ralphie’s time, but unfortunately eye injuries are still all too common, particularly at this time of year. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds us that last year alone there were more than 250,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms.

So the dilemma for parents is how do we get the kids what they’re hoping to find under the tree and hopefully safeguard them from injury as well?

David Wheeler, MD, pediatric ophthalmologist with the academy suggests, “A good rule of thumb is to choose a toy that is appropriate for your child’s age and abilities.” Consider as well, Wheeler says, the time that you will have to supervise their use of any new toy. “Being aware and thoughtful about what you are putting in your children’s hands is the best preventative medicine.”

It’s no surprise that a serious eye injury can ruin a family’s holiday. Christmas Day spent in a hospital emergency room is not on any parent’s list of hoped for things to do for the holidays. And, you’ll be surprised to learn that over 20% of the eye related toy injuries are suffered by adults trying to figure the toy out or on the receiving end of a misaimed projectile.

The academy gives four important tips for keeping eyes save during the holiday season and all year around.

First, and most importantly, avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.

Second, when there is a potential safety hazard, do your very best to assure your children have appropriate supervision and discuss fully with them the potential dangers.

Third, if you plan to give sports equipment, provide appropriate eye protective gear that has “polycarbonate” lenses.

Fourth, always check product labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for your child’s age and maturity.

In this age of Internet and television marketing children are exposed constantly to toy options that are not appropriate for their age. The only true gatekeeper is you, the parent. This is a role that has become more challenging today than it has perhaps ever been before.

It’s a sober message and not fun to think about over the holidays, but as we all know, eyes are precious. As parents we need to do all that we can to protect them.

_________________________________________

Martin Brown is the Heath Channel Editor for SingleMindedWomen.com, and co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Finding Mr. Right.

His latest book is Fit in 50 Days.

More SMW Dieting Tips

Are You a Nibbler? Curbing Empty Calories

Dieting With the Support of Online Girlfriends

Staying Motivated with Buddy Workouts

BPA, the common term for Bisphenol-A, is an organic compound used in lots of common products from thermal receipts to plastic sports equipment.  BPA is added to plastics to make the products virtually shatterproof.  These products range from baby bottles to eyeglass lenses.  Plastics made from this compound are also used as a liner in almost all cans and bottles because of its ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria, thus extending the safety and shelf-life of our foods and beverages.

Despite this chemical being in use for almost eighty years, reports began to surface around 2008 associating BPA with lots of ailments from obesity to tumors.  The most recent study draws a conclusion that ingesting BPA during pregnancy causes behavior disorders in children.  The downfall of these studies is they rely on a correlation rather than showing a cause and effect.  It is akin to claiming that increases in crime also cause the sales of ice cream to rise.  This statement is a correlation, because both events are more common during the hottest months of the year, rather than directly related to one another. Without the missing link of realizing those two events are connected by weather, many incorrect conclusions are inferred.

The data many researchers use as “evidence” of BPA ingestion is by detecting it in the urine.  As a physician, this measurement is not of significance because it is excreted from the body, meaning it is unbound and has not remained within to create the metabolic chaos that has been inferred.  By definition, being water soluble and excreted in the urine means the BPA that is measured is not being stored in fat and left to accumulate in our bodies as claimed by some groups.

With this understanding, let us examine the recent report about the exposure of BPA during pregnancy and behavioral problems later reported in children.  This is a correlation and there is no data, at all, that can demonstrate a causative effect.  Additionally, it does not explore other reasons, like the summer months in the example above.  What if we considered that women with higher levels of BPA excretion, were by definition, eating more processed foods?  Could there be reasons that pregnant moms without time to prepare healthful meals, might also be under more stress than say a mom able to nourish her body with fresh fruits and vegetables?  What if her exposure to BPA occurred while working as a cashier?  Could it be possible that a mom working as a cashier (exposed to the BPA from the thermal receipts) might have less time or energy to nurture her children than a stay-at-home mom?  I am NOT stating these are reasons or even that they represent a defined trend.  I am simply suggesting that the investigation be widened to include other possible causes before we blame a chemical that has actually improved most of our lives, literally everyday.

While we are researching this, however, please allow me to share a very real, very prominent danger of living “BPA-free.” In response to the bad-press of BPA, many parents have chosen to forego plastic bottles for their children.  Resultantly, many are drinking from glass bottles.  How do I know?  Because I stitch the faces of these precious angels when their bottle shatters and lacerates their skin.  Sometimes, they only have to endure the trauma of stitches to their hands or arms, but all too frequently they are drinking as they trip and fall resulting in glass shards in their faces.  It still turns my stomach every time.  As I ease their fears and meticulously repair the damage, I listen to the concerns of parents about how big and how permanent these scars will be.  The trauma of receiving stitches takes quite an emotional toll on children and parents alike.

It would be impossible to say that BPA has absolutely no long-term effects, but neither do we have reliable evidence that it is the harmful chemical it has been deemed in headlines meant to drive up ratings rather than improve our understanding.

I DO know the fear of a suspected effect has driven many parents from the physical safety of plastic into the dangerous territory of glass containers.  Scientists created BPA to help solve the problem of containers that shattered and keep us safe from broken glass and plastic.   As I routinely fix the wounds of the children living with the consequences of a “BPA-Free” environment, I can’t help but wonder if avoiding an almost negligent chemical from fear of a potential risk, is really worth scarring a face for life?

Until there is compelling data that uses sound science, rather than fear and correlation to alarm the public, I strongly recommend plastic bottles to avoid the need for plastic surgery.

_______________________________________

A board certified emergency physician, Jennifer Hanes, D.O., discovered that patients have greater success when they understand their bodies.  With that unique philosophy, she founded Empowered Medicine, PLLC, where knowledge is powerful medicine.  She empowers patients with her articles, motivational speeches and private consultations.  You can learn more at www.DrHanes.com