Puberty Belly Fat. Healthy Food Swaps to Burn Tummy Bulge

I've lost 97 pounds and dropped from size 20 to size 3/ 4. (Left photo is then, right photo is now). Belly fat has always been my nemesis--being apple-shaped.

Parents, is your once-slim tot sprouting a belly in puberty? Don't worry too much, if he's active and mostly eating right, it'll trim down in adolescence. But if you have family history of obesity, or if that belly is staying past 15-16, it's time to tone it. Here are healthy food swaps to help everyone from a menopausal 50-year old like me to a preteen, burn belly fat. These are healthy diet tweaks, not crash dieting. Don't, for heaven's sake, put your child on a too-restrictive diet. He needs to eat a lot while growing. The trick? Avoid saturated fat, highly-inflammatory food, sugary, salty and bloating foods. Then boost MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids), metabolism-boosters, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, fermented foods, vitamin C. Here's an A-Z guide of foods that add and subtract to tummy bulge.  Belly Fat or Flat, Foods That Boost and Burn Stomach Bulge

Parent coping tips for teen anger and mood swings

Clinical teen depression is relatively uncommon, but tell that to parents of teens and they may not agree. I certainly wouldn't have. Bouts of moodiness are hallmarks of teen behavior and one of the most worrisome for parents. Here's a parent survival kit for dealing with teen mood swings.  Parent coping tips for teen anger and mood swings

Girls Hitting Puberty Younger Isn't Surprising

Girls are starting puberty at younger ages and these findings are causing physicians concern, The Week reports. Increasingly more girls are starting puberty before age 10. Based on changing diets, obesity trends and exercise levels, I'm not surprised. Some girls enter puberty younger because they have central precocious puberty. Medscape says girls with CPP start hormonal changes younger than the normal ages of 9 to 15. My mother  started puberty at age 8.  Read more at Girls Hitting Puberty Younger Isn't Surprising 

How to treat mono symptoms in kids, teens

Your teen is cranky and tired. She sleeps all the time and complains of a sore throat, fever, achy muscles and belly pains. It could be the flu, but there's a good chance that she has mononucleosis, usually shortened to "mono." We've been through three bouts of it in our family, with one child getting a reinfection a few years later. Here are some tips to prevent mono infections and care for a teenager who has it. Read more at How to treat mono symptoms in teens

Genetic Testing for Mood Disorders

With the Arizona shooting deaths on January 9, 2011, discussion is focused on mental health issues that may trigger violent events. Profiles of shooters often reveal a history of psychiatric issues. Are there genetic

tests that demonstrate a predisposition to mental health issues? Let's look at one commonly diagnosed mental health condition: bipolar or manic-depressive disorder. Read on...

Back to School Shopping: Men's Body Wash and Deodorant Spray for Boys

Back to School Shopping: Mens Body Wash and Deodorant Body Spray for Boys
Going back to school isn't much fun, let's face it. If you're a pubescent boy starting middle school or high school, multiple the potential misery 10x. How can parents boost a boy's confidence? Get him men's body wash and deodorant spray.
Read More