Remembering Memorial Day

It seems like at least once or twice a year I am correcting my husband about calling Memorial Day- Labor Day and vice a versa. Just human error, so I try not to judge.

Growing up in my family, Memorial Day was a big deal. We started the morning at Church, followed by the parade, followed by a cemetery visit, followed by the picnic etc. I knew from a very young age the meaning of Memorial Day. Not only because of my own family's service but through the prayers of many friends of the family who had a loved one deployed.

But here is another true mom confession, I do not think I did a very good job of passing this family tradition/dedication onto my own children. Sure we go to the parade and they know the meaning of the day - but what do they do to honor the thousands of men and woman who sacrificied their lives so my children could live free?

A good start may be a penpal program with deployed troops. You can find out information on writing letters, postcards or even have your child draw a thank you picture to deployed troops.

Visit this link: http://www.penpalsforsoldiers.org/

Got Sunshine?

Many people are suffering from something they might not be aware of. It affects about a billion people worldwide, yet treating it can be as simple as going outdoors. It's a health alert about Vitamin-D deficiency. The young, old and in-between all benefit from Vitamin-D. It's been found to reduce the risk of breast, colon and ovarian cancers. And new information indicates that lack of Vitamin-D may be linked to depression and other psychiatric illnesses. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle of spending our days inside in front of a computer screen is contributing to 60% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D.

We've talked about this issue before on Family Matters Radio, but it seems that every month new research finds additional links to Vitamin D and overall health. So, we wanted to know more.

This weekend on Family Matters Radio, we'll revisit our conversation with Dr. James Dowd, author of The Vitamin D Cure. He shares with us new details about the Vitamin-D connection to our health and well being.

Why not download the free podcast in your favorite mp3 player and take a walk outside while you listen?

A Life Well Led

We were sadden to hear of the recent death of Millard Fuller. Mr. Fuller led Habitat from its founding in 1976 until his separation from the organization and his founding of the Fuller Center for Housing in 2005. He died on February 3, following a brief illness. He was 74.

Last year we spoke with Mr. Fuller about his life and how one person really can make a difference. He also shared his thoughts on how parents can instill purpose, compassion and social responsibility in their children. It is one of those conversations you never forget and one we are very grateful for the opportunity.

You can listen to our interview with Millard Fuller by visiting our hot topics on our home page.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fuller family and to the thousands of people he touched during his lifetime.

Oh My - Eight Babies!

I thought I had it rough when I brought home my twin baby girls. It wasn't easy- lack of sleep makes you loopy. And peaceful moments were hard to come by. But, after hearing the news of the octuplets born in California this week, my multiple experience can not even come close.

So what is like to raise multiples? Personally, I think it is a wonderful journey. Sure it's stressful and the first year is a bit of a blur. But, virtually every mom of multiples I have met and talked to about having more than one baby at a time have marveled at the blessing and wouldn't want it any other way. I second that!

Speaking of multiples, in this week's hot topics we'll talk with Joan Friedman, author of Raising Emotionally Healthy Twins, about what it takes to raise two, three or more babies at time and how to parent so multiples develop a healthy unique personality.

A Weighty Issue

Just this past week another "Big Loser" revealed a big weight regain. This announcement comes on the heels of Oprah's recent revelation that she has gained back at least 40 pounds from her most recent trim down.
Third season 'Biggest Loser' champ, Erik Chopin, lost a remarkable 214 pounds on the show, he has gained half his original weight back. Weighing in close to 300 pounds, Chopin says once he stopped getting attention from the show, he fell into depression and stopped exercising.

Have you experienced an Oprah? You know, lost those unwanted pounds, looked really great, and then before you know it you put it all back on again? Well, there is a way to refuse to regain and this week on Family Matters Radio, we'll tell you how to maintain the body you've earned with Dr. Barbara Berkeley, author of Refuse to Regain: 12 Tough Rules to Maintain the Body You've Earned.

This Year You Can!

It’s just over one week after New Year’s, and you know what that means—75 percent of America has already given up on their New Years’ Resolutions.

So, how are you doing? Down on yourself because you’re not exercising at 3 a.m. before work, you haven’t given up red meat, or you haven't organized the hall closet?

Whether you vowed to lose weight, spend more time with your family, volunteer, or maybe quit smoking- the list goes on and on but will you stick to it or have you already given up?

This is the year you can finally change a habit, keep a resolution or make a dream come true. This week in Family Matters hot topics, listen to our conversation with award-winning author MJ Ryan about setting and keeping your New Year's Resolution for good!

Marley Goes to Hollywood!

The last time John Grogan the author of the infamous "Marley and Me" was in the Family Matters studio, we discussed the newest adventure on tap for the Marley phenomenon - the Marley story was about to become a Hollywood movie. We've known John since his first book hit the book shelves. Through the years, we've been amazed by his story - the one told in his book and how it has resonated with so many people. Through it all- John has remained a nice guy who stays true to his friends and family. So, now that the movie is about to hit the theaters, we wonder-could Owen Wilson live up to John Grogan?

This weekend on Family Matters we'll revisit our conversation with John Grogan about the Marley and Me story and the incredible journey that followed.

Share a Smile this Season!

Looking for a little fun and free distraction while you prepare for the holidays?
Here is a really fun site where people can upload the face of their child or whoever they want into cute videos. The site is http://www.madeupmemories.com/

The hot new trend for moms is to put their kids photos in funny customizable videos especially around the holidays to share with family and friends. MadeUpMemories.com currently has some of the best videos for kids, including an amazing illustrated storybook about a princess for little girls, a non-stop action comic strip about a super hero for little boys and a very funny spoof about holiday "it" toys like Tickle Me Elmo and Furby that keeps getting better every time you see it. Have fun with it and send it off to family and friends to share a smile.

And if your tired of all the "gimmies" and "I want..." this holiday season, then tune in to Family Matters Radio this weekend. We'll talk with Susan Newman, author of The Book of No and Little Things Long Remembered: Making Your Children Feel Special Every Day.

Hey Oprah! Tune in to Family Matters This Week

For anyone who is even a casual fan of Oprah, the news of her weight gain- was not much news. Around water coolers and kitchen sinks, many people were pondering and discussing a noticeably larger Oprah. She revealed her "embarrassment" across the media landscape and just like her favorite things-themed shows, the response was - pardon the pun- huge. Morning radio hosts fielded comments ranging from support to down right mean. And food addiction became a hot topic again.
Well far be it for us to tell Oprah what to do but, she may want to tune in to Family Matters Radio this weekend as we talk with Dr. Judith Beck, author of one the best weight-loss books we've ever talked about on our show- The Beck Diet Solution. For many years, Dr. Beck, internationally renowned in the field of Cognitive Therapy, had been helping patients achieve their weight-loss goals, not by following a particular diet but by changing their mind. Or, as Dr. Beck has said "learning to implement cognitive (thinking) and behavioral skills consistently."
Eating less and exercising more to lose weight isn't a secret and it isn't news either. But, discovering why we overeat and recruiting our mind to help us stick to a weight loss or weight maintenance strategy is certainly news we can all use.

A Confession from a Twilight Mom

Yes, I'm obsessed with Twilight. No, I am not a 14-year-old girl. I won't reveal my age, but let's just say I have been married for 20 plus years and am the mother of two teenage children. Back in June my daughter begged me to read Twilight by author and mom Stephenie Meyer. It's the story of eternal love between a teenage girl and her teenage vampire boyfriend. I was reluctant at first, but by the second chapter I was hooked. I have read all four books in the series, listened to three of the books on tape, and was one of those obsessed "Twilighters" who stayed up until midnight to be one of the first to see the movie. Although I'm also obsessed with getting my sleep, my daughter and her friend wanted me to join them for opening night, and hey, how often does your teenage daughter "allow" you to hang out with her?

Dressed in our homemade t-shirts, we arrived at the movie theater an hour and a half before showtime. Armed with our previously purchased tickets, an extra large tub of popcorn, and boxes of Goobers and Rasinets, we were lucky we could find three seats together. The theater was packed - with screaming girls of all ages! While I'm still on the fence as to whether I liked the movie or not, I do know that there is nothing as satisfying as reading a good book, or two, or three or four - and bonding with your teen daughter. For that, Ms. Meyer, I'm eternally grateful. And I'm not alone, this week in Family Matters Hot Topics, we revisit our interview with Karen Stabiner, author of My Girl: Adventures of a Teen in Training, to find out about that special mother-daughter bond.

'Tis the Season for Colds and Flu

Unless you live your life in a bubble, you know that cold and flu season is upon us. With no cure for the common cold or flu, your best friend is prevention. Diet plays a big role and can actually boost your immune system and help your body ward off illness. Having the right mix of immune boosting supplements on hand to attack various viruses can also help diminish the length and the severity of your sickness.
In this week's hot topics, we talk with Suzy Cohen, author of The 24 Hour Pharmacist about the safest and most effective medicines and supplements to stock you pantry and medicine cabinet with this season. Click here to listen to the podcast.

Venus Feels Stress More than Mars

In a recent survey, women expressed more fear about the economic situation than men and reported more physical and psychological effects because of related stress.

The survey, conducted by the American Psychology Association, showed that 84 percent of women expressed fear about where the economy is going, compared with 75 percent of men.

One reason could be the primary caretaker role many women hold in their families. A financial crisis can become even more worrying if you are responsible for caring for children and older relatives than if you are just taking care of yourself. As well, although surveys have shown a shift toward a splitting of chores between genders, women still carry a heavier burden in maintaining the home.

This weekend on Family Matters Radio, we'll talk with Stress Management Expert Debbie Mandel. She'll share tips on how you can reclaim joy and spontaneity in your life by reducing stress.

Dr. Bob is Back!

One of our most popular guests returns this weekend- Dr. Bob DeMaria. Our audience has always responded positively when we have Dr.Bob on the show. We think it's because he explains his findings in straight-forward terms when he discusses all of the different ways the body can be in or out of sync and what contributes to each condition. Dr.Bob makes people feel empowered and filled with a sense of hope. His message boils down to one singular point- the body knows how to fix itself if it is treated well. This weekend on Family Matters, we'll talk about the findings in his new book Dr. Bob's Drugless Guide to Balancing Female Hormones.

Career Destiny According to Birth Order

Do you remember that old Mother Goose poem? Mondays child is full of grace. Tuesdays child is full of face. Wednesdays child is full of woe. Thursdays child has far to go. Fridays child is loving and giving. Saturdays child works hard for a living. But the child that's born on the Sabbath day is bright, bonnie, good and gay!- My grandmother would recite it to me over and over when I was a child. Thankfully, I was born on a Sunday, so it made me happy. Although, I felt sad for my best friend who was born on a Wednesday. But, according to a new survey by Career Builder, your birth order, not the day you were born, may have the most profound affect on your career choice and ultimate success. The gist of it fares well for the first-borns in the family.
In this week's hot topics, we talk with parenting expert Kevin Leman to find out how to make your birth order work for you and how it can help you in parenting your child - even if you were born on a Wednesday.

Have a Trampy Halloween!

Have you gone to the local Halloween costume store lately? In the aisle with the traditional sweet princesses and scary vampires are the sexy witches and the girl pirates with belly rings - even a "child chamber maid" outfit that looks like something straight out of a Fredrick's of Hollywood catalog. We're not prudes, but please- this trend is weird and it's just wrong. Unfortunately risque Halloween costumes, thong panties, padded bras and sexy T-shirts are part of an overall revolution of sexy content all being marketed aggressively to our children. And, there is no where to hide just about on every television channel, as well as in books, movies, video games, and even cartoons you will find sexy and adult themed content.
In this week's hot topics we talk with Diane E. Levin, Ph.D. author of So Sexy So Soon. She talks about what parents can do when they feel fed up, confused, and even scared by what their kids–or their kids’ friends–do and say or want to wear.