Guest post by Judy R.

Although acupuncture has been a proven method of treatment for a variety of problems for thousands of years across countless cultures, its potential is just now being recognized in the mainstream world of western medicine. Now that the research is being conducted, people can look at the actual numbers. There are dozens of reports that quantify the level of improvement in patients suffering from back pain when they are treated with acupuncture. Research published in “Focus On Alternative and Complementary Therapies” also documents the significant results that patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee experience through acupuncture. The evidence is mounting, and people are beginning to wake up to the realities of this form of treatment.

The list of conditions that acupuncture can significantly treat is fairly comprehensive. Everything from arthritis to asthma is treatable through the right acupuncture techniques. Patients have also sought this method of treatment for infertility, stress, chronic fatigue, and as a counter to the side effects of chemotherapy. The most common reason that people seek out an acupuncturist is for the treatment of chronic pain. In most cases, they have tried everything else that they can think of with no real results. Pooled data from people participating in research studies across the nation shows that nearly 18,000 people seeking relief from chronic pain in some form are able to obtain some degree of relief.

A large number of patients choose to use acupuncture treatments in conjunction with other conventional forms of medical treatment.Acupuncture has been shown to boost the effectiveness of some medications and aid in allowing patients to heal faster. In the case of depression and anxiety, some patients respond better to acupuncture than to large doses of medications. From severe illnesses to small issues with bodily comfort, acupuncture has been shown to play a role in providing relief. Brazilian research indicates that acupuncture procedures can alleviate heart burn and indigestion in pregnant women.

In order to achieve these kinds of results, however, people must visit a Board Certified practitioner in their area. These specialists have the training and the experience necessary to apply the treatments correctly and effectively. Because so many of the treatments tend to work well with pregnancy and the female physiology, many practitioners will specialize in women’s health. By visiting “http://www.acupuncturecure.com/,” you can further explore the possibilities that acupuncture has to offer. You can hear from a specialist, and start your life down a healthy path that is guided by natural and comprehensive caring.

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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Now that my kids are teens, some of our holiday traditions have sadly disappeared in the mess of homework, sports, and their complicated social lives.  I have to admit my heart pangs a little bit for those simple days of preparation for delivering Valentines to their elementary school classrooms…but with this guest post by my friends Nicole and Sara of Simply Happenstance, I can live vicariously as they share their joy of creating Valentine’s Day marshmallows…aren’t they adorable?

Who doesn’t love marshmallows… especially, homemade marshmallows to sprinkle on top of a rich and foamy cup of hot chocolate? With Valentine’s, just around the corner, I thought the timing was perfect to recreate my favorite marshmallow recipe. This recipe allows for little hands to help cut out the finished marshmallows into heart shapes with small cookie cutters. My kids love assisting me in the kitchen, and especially love seeing the process from start to finish. A fun activity for a day stuck inside with the flu {as it helped to brighten their spirits since they could not play outside}.

{Heart Shaped Marshmallow Recipe}
Adapted by The Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten)

* 3 packages of unflavored gelatin
* 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
* 1cup light corn syrup
* ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
* 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
* Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
* 2 drops of pink food coloring or paste
* 2 small heart shaped cookie cutters {I found mine at Target}

Combine the gelatin and ½ cup cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment for mixing later.
In a pan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and ½ cup of water. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook the syrup until the mixture reaches 240 degrees with a candy thermometer.

Next, take the candied mixture and slowly pour it into the bowl with the electric mixer. Begin mixing on low {I advise doing all of the above without the kids around, as this part of the recipe is very hot}.
Add in the vanilla and food coloring at this point, meanwhile change the mixer speed to high, mixing for approximately for 15 minutes until the mixture is very thick.
With a sieve, sprinkle confectioner sugar over a non-metal 9×12 inch-baking pan.
I do suggest spraying a paper towel or using a little butter to wipe over the pan first to keep the marshmallows from sticking to the pan.
Place the pan into the oven over night in order for the marshmallows to dry out.

When you wake up in the morning you have magically created the largest rectangle marshmallow you kids have ever seen!
The wait is finally over! Take the mixture out and place it on a large cookie sheet dusted with additional powder sugar for shaping the marshmallows.

Now here comes the fun part for the kiddos! Time to shape the marshmallows……

Or maybe steal a taste of one or two…..

The marshmallows taste very fresh. The kids were proud that we made them with our own hands. Mason and Madeline have enjoyed these little heart shaped masterpieces in their hot chocolate. They are also perfect as a stand-alone treat. Store these fluffy pink hearts in a sealed storage container. They stay fresh for at least a week of enjoyment.

We hope you whip up a batch for a cupid or two! I am sure they will put a smile on anyone’s face. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Enjoy
XO,
Simply Happenstance

Nicole and Sara reside in Southern California. Their blog {Simply Happenstance} is about the simple happenings in life…a return to the old with a hint of the new. They are two mommies who are both married to firefighters, trying to balance life {with their 6 kids between the two of them}. They blog about their shared passion for baking, as well as, highlighting the things in life that are simple, yet beautiful.

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Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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Last March, my friend, Justin Cox, wrote a post for mamawolfe just as he and his wife found out they were having a baby.  Ten months later, he’s back with a reflection about parenting-from the dad’s point of view.

I wake up early all week long and spend the bulk of my day hovering over a laptop in my apartment. Sometimes I don’t go outdoors until my “shift” ends, which is usually between 4 and 7 p.m., depending on the weight of the news day.

I used to regularly do the bulk of my writing in downtown Davis coffee shops (I’m a news editor), but five months ago, my wife and I had a baby (His name is Noah). Two weeks ago, my wife went back to work as an afterschool program coordinator. She works from 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

During the first few days after my wife went back to work, I found myself bouncing Noah on my knee while scanning local news and attempting to plow right on through my workday. Half of my attention on the job and half of my attention on the baby.

During those three hours, I’m Noah’s sole caretaker. My work production lightens significantly, unless he gifts me a long, deep nap – which very really happens. (Only in the cozy-comfort of my dreams).

As the week unfolded, I learned a lesson. A crying baby can do plenty of teaching, it turns out.

With this in mind, I had to rethink my schedule and alter my approach.Not only was a producing second-rate work during those three distracting hours per day, but I was also acting like a second-rate dad. I was pretty much squandering away this block of high-quality time with my son, who will be bigger tomorrow than he is today. And even bigger than that the next day, because that’s how it works.

I’m really lucky to have a job that allows me to be home, and to bend my hours to accommodate my new family without having to shell out all kinds of money for daycare. Those three hours are something I should be taking advantage of. They’re a very legitimate reason for me to snap my laptop shut for a few hours everyday and get outside, or just lay a blanket across the floor and play with Noah.

Or just keep him from crying, or rock him to sleep, etc.

By the end of last week, I had exchanged my half-assed combo of working and babysitting simultaneously for long walks in the park with Noah strapped to my chest. We stop along the way so Noah can contemplate the skateboarders and the dogs we see along the way. This gets me outside, and it lets Noah have my full attention.

But here’s the ironic part of this new approach: At some point during that walk, he conks out, at which point I walk back home, lay him down in his crib, and go back to my computer to get some work done.

 To see what Justin does when Noah is sleeping, head over to DavisPatch.com, one of the Patch sites he edits.

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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cc licensed flickr photo shared by Caitlinator

When my kids were born, smart phones were just an idea on the internet.  I’ve often wondered if I would have parented differently if I have that little device to use back then…certainly, new moms today have a variety of information at their disposal!  Please read the guest post below from Kelsey Jones, and let us know what apps you love for your iPhone!

There are various sources for top app lists, but in determining the 5 best iPhone apps for moms, it’s important to recognize the scope of activities that face a mom on a daily basis. Some of the determining factors include lifestyle, number of children, ages of children and economic situation. The reality is that every mom has a unique set of circumstances that determine her interests and needs in an app. Some mom’s use their iPhones for all sorts of activities. Others limit their use. Some spend a great deal of money on apps, while others only look for the best free apps. The best apps for moms, overall, are those that provide essential functions in a mom’s busy life.

Facebook
While Facebook may not be new, it has become one of the most used apps for various demographics. Use of the Facebook app on the iPhone is perfect for a variety of communication needs. There is your semi-public forum, your own page. You can limit the access others have, permitting only select individuals to post. You are able to communicate privately within the messaging features. Whether you are wishing your best friend a happy birthday or whether you are looking for a Friday night babysitter, you can connect with your personal network. Moms tend to be most responsible for planning family activities, keeping up with family celebrations and collecting family photos. Facebook is one of mom’s organizational and communication tools, especially in app form.

Pinterest
While still a part of the social networking craze, Pinterest is uniquely different from Facebook in that it can be very quick and easy to use on the go for cataloguing ideas that are worth revisiting. The visual appeal of images being pinned to your own thematic boards is helpful. Pinning material from a web page on the iPhone hasn’t been well-incorporated into the app yet, but the app makes it easy to keep up with a huge spectrum of possibilities posted by friends in your network. If you like a post, you can press the like button. If you want the concept on one of your own boards, you can quickly repin for later reference. The popularity of the site and the app are both growing, and moms love the many uses of both.

All Recipes
Related to allrecipes.com, the All Recipes app is a paid app that provides access to a vast collection of recipes. For the busy mom, the benefit of being able to use meal planning features is very helpful for household organization. Being able to share a recipe through the app is helpful as well. Randomizing features allow you to look for something new by shaking the phone. This is an excellent app for gaining control over household meal planning issues.

Angry Birds
Every mom that has an iPhone also has at least one child who will need to be pacified at some point. You may deal with cranky toddlers at bedtime or you may deal with whiny teenagers accompanying you on weekly errands. In either case, the Angry Birds apps are fun, need little explanation and are easy to play. Of course, you may find the game to be a little addictive. It doesn’t require intense concentration, making it great for winding down at the end of the day or for working out your frustration as you wait in the endless line at DMV. There are free versions that have limited levels, and there are paid versions that are relatively inexpensive, providing more extensive entertainment for a minimal investment.

Words with Friends
Sometimes a mom needs a little mindless recreation, and sometimes she needs a mild challenge. Words with Friends allows friends to interact in the context of a friendly challenge similar in nature to Scrabble. While the board and tiles differ from those of Scrabble, the concept is similar. There is a free version, though the use of ads between plays is found to be distracting by some users. The minimal price of nearly three dollars may be worth the freedom from the ads. It’s possible to interact in a general community of players or to keep your circles tight. In either case, this app provides easy to understand play.

There are many variations on each of the types of apps represented, but these are the more commonly used because of their function and popularity. The use of such apps is helpful for a mom. Some provide the opportunity to communicate, while others provide organizational help. Some are effective for entertaining kids, and others serve the needs of the parents. In all cases, the top apps for moms are those that allow the iPhone to accommodate varied needs from day to day.

Kelsey Jones is a working mom and guest author at BestCollegesOnline.org, where she contributed a guide to the top 10 degrees for veterans.

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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One of my favorite aspects of teaching is keeping update with new technology, and finding exciting ways to capture my student’s interest.  Many people use social media like Facebook and Twitter outside the classroom, but at a recent training I attended, I learned about how teachers can use Twitter inside the classroom, and I thought it was awesome!  Please enjoy the guest post below, and let me know what you think!

When it comes to social media in the classroom, some educators remain skeptical. These individuals think that Twitter does not have a place in the classroom and that the only purpose it would serve would be as a distraction.

But Twitter can actually be extremely beneficial to both students and teachers, but too many schools are refusing to see these benefits, eliminating the site from school computers. Most schools just suffer from pure ignorance to the advantages.

1. Continue the lecture.
It is sometimes hard for teachers to present all of their information during the allotted classroom time. Instead of trying to rush through all the information, Twitter allows teachers to continue the lecture even when class is over. Teachers can use Twitter to provide students with links to videos or websites that provide more information about they topic they’re currently learning. This allows teacher to ensure that their students are receiving all the information relating to the topic so that they’re not missing out on any important details.

2. Students can share notes.
Taking notes is essential to education, and if a student misses a day of school, it can be difficult to catch up on the notes taken during the day they missed. With Twitter, both teachers and students can provide links to websites where students can find information or notes about what they missed in class. Now, students who are sick don’t have to spend a great deal of time trying to catch up.

3. Students can learn more on their own.
Thanks to the use of hashtags, students can easily find information via Twitter about topics they’re learning in school. They can gain knowledgeable information from others who are discussing the same topic, and they can even join in conversations that are taking place on the web. This allows students to hear perspective from people other than their teacher, and it can be a great way to help them gain more information for the test.

4. Use the technology for homework.
Instead of sending students home with worksheets, send homework to Twitter. The teacher can post questions via Twitter and have students answer them on the site. It’s also a great way for teachers to provide help for students outside of the classroom. A student can reach out to a teacher when they have questions, helping them gain information when they’re studying.

5. Send reminders to your class.
How often are students saying “I forgot” when it comes to class assignments or tests? Twitter can alleviate this issue. Teachers can send reminders to their students about projects or assignments that are due or remind them about upcoming tests. This way, students will have reminders to provide them with ample time to study or finish projects.

6. Keep parents involved.
If parents are on Twitter, it’s a great way for them to stay up to date with their child’s education. Parents can use Twitter to join discussions with teachers to find out what their child is learning and if they need any extra help. Parents can also find out assignments from the teacher to make sure that their child is keeping up with assignments and projects and that they’re amply studying for tests.

So before educators and parents start ruling out Twitter in the classroom, they should instead find out the benefits associated with it first, and then they may start singing a different tune.

Ben Myers is a college English professor.  He is currently grading a huge stack of essays on Of Mice and Men.  In his spare time, Ben likes to study about learning methods and learning disabilities.

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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