LilSugar

Five Budget Friendly Activities For Fall

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:24 PDT

As the pools close down and the heat comes to a halt, so does our repertoire of Summer activities. Hang up your swimsuits and get ready for Autumn! Enjoy the changing seasons, while keeping a little extra change in your pockets with these five budget friendly activities for Fall.

What Are You Most Excited to Do With Your Kids This Summer?

babysugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:00:00 PDT

Schools all over the country are getting ready to close their doors for the next few months. When that final bell rings, teachers and their pupils may celebrate, but some mommies are more concerned with figuring out what to do with their kids during the time. Some families heading to the local pool to soak up the sun or ship their youngsters off to camp.

My working mama always looked forward to taking a couple weeks off for our monumental road trips. I, too, can't wait to pack up my wee ones for a family holiday that will include hiking, swimming, and biking. What are you most excited to do with your children this Summer?

Weekend Well-Being: Let's Go Fly a Kite!

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:30:00 PDT

April is National Kite Month, and I think we should all celebrate this high flying holiday.

Twenty minutes of kite flying burns about 100 calories, so imagine how many you can burn kite flying for an entire afternoon. Meditating on the beauty of a colorful kite as it dances in the wind is bound to alleviate unhealthful stress. You can find an event in your area using this database. Pack a picnic, pack up the kids, and head out to a windy spot to enjoy some kite flying.

Source

Mamma Mia! Invites Families to Sing it!

LilSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:00:07 PDT

If you have a family that thinks that life's a musical, there's a fabulous and kid-friendly activity that will have you all straining your vocal cords. Take them to the limits and let the kids go wild at the Mamma Mia!: The Sing-Along Edition, which opens in select theaters today. This special version of the movie lists the lyrics to each musical number on screen. And, there's no need to keep your tot's toes from tapping because dancing is encouraged, as is belting out ABBA songs. To see if the show is available in your area, click here.

Lil Links: Tips For Speeding Up the Breakfast Routine

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:33:49 PST

Superfast breakfasts kids can eat en route to school - Parenting
Mom induces labor so her dying husband can meet their baby - The Stir
Ashley Simpson thinks her sister will make a great mom - Celebrity Baby Scoop
The latest advice on five different breastfeeding issues - FitPregnancy
Joy Williams of The Civil Wars is pregnant - Celebrity Baby Blog
Would you try for a baby after 40? - Momformation
Six mistakes room mothers make - Yahoo! Shine
New uses for old things, the family edition - Real Simple
The best kids activities for your buck - LearnVest

Ben and Jen Spend a Packed Weekend With Seraphina and Violet

Katie Henry — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:27:39 PST

Pregnant Jennifer Garner kept her girls busy over the weekend, starting with a Saturday trip to the nail salon and a visit to a friend's birthday party yesterday. Jen's kept up a packed schedule in recent weeks and doesn't seem to be slowing down. She's been spotted all over town running errands with Seraphina and dropping Violet off at her various activities. When it came to picking up a gift for yesterday's bash, though, Jen left the shopping duties to Ben and Seraphina. Ben and Sera stopped by the Brentwood Country Mart prior to the celebration, and she even left with a heart shaped lollipop of her own. The Garner-Affleck family doesn't hide their affection, which is one of the reasons Jen and Ben are among our favorite celebrity couples on Valentine's Day.

Shutterbug: How to Photograph Your Family at Home

Rebecca M Gruber — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:48:14 PST

Grab your camera and get ready to shoot! After baby's born, many mamas fashion themselves into the family photographer, but how much do you really know about capturing the perfect shot? With DSLR cameras on the top of many moms' wish lists, I turned to an expert to get a crash course in recording a family's daily activities - and doing it well! Fort Collins, CO-based Jennifer Little started Sugar Photography (no relation) with the goal of capturing the connection between people and their moments. Keep reading to see her tips for doing the same on your own, as well as beautiful examples of her work!

All photos courtesy of: Jennifer Little | Sugar Photography

8 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day as a Family

LilSugar — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:27:16 PST

If you can't find a babysitter for Valentine's Day, not to worry - we've come up with plenty of fun ways to celebrate with the whole family! Skip the expensive dinner for two and pick something you can enjoy with the kids. From quality time in the kitchen to holiday-appropriate craft classes, these eight sweet activities are sure to spread the love.

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being a Sports Fan

Prevention — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:19:15 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

By Cristina Goyanes, Prevention

It’s no wonder your friends aren’t available to hang out on Sundays in the Fall and Winter - according to a 2005 Gallup Poll, 64 percent of Americans claim to be professional football fans, and as of 2010, women make up 44 percent of the NFL fan base.

Being a sports fan doesn’t mean you’re expected to know all the players and stats of your hometown teams and destined for a beer gut - it’s about coming together in the name of good times as part of a community.

“Bonding over sports - the highs and lows of the game - strengthens ties, helps us feel supported, and makes it easier for you to open up about personal things,” says Renee Clauselle, PsyD, who runs a private psychology practice in Long Island, NY.

Seventeen Unexpected Side Effects of Exercise

Rooting for the same team creates an immediate sense of family, says Daniel Wann, PhD, a Murray State University professor who has been studying the psychology of sports fans for over 20 years. “If you identify with a local team, you build an instant connection to others around you,” he says.

Beyond the bonding aspects, watching sports can motivate you to pump up your own workouts - and even burn a few extra calories when you jump, cheer, and clap during the highlights of the game. Find out more ways being a sports fan is a winning situation for your health.

Keep reading to learn how being a sports fan benefits your health.

Jennifer Garner Takes to Blogging to Support Underprivileged Children

Allie Merriam — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:44:48 PST

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck went their separate ways in LA yesterday afternoon. He was out near their Brentwood home taking care of the family dog, while Jennifer covered her baby bump and headed off to grocery shop at a nearby store. The couple are gearing up for the arrival of their third child, but Jen's been getting active on behalf of one of her favorite organizations, Save the Children.

Jennifer Garner wrote about childhood poverty in a new blog post for the charity. Jen wrote, "Children in this country start kindergarten when they are five or six years old. My daughters donʼt really understand this yet, but they've already won. Here is why: kids growing up in poverty have heard, by the time they turn four, 30 million fewer words than my kids. They are developmentally 18 months behind their middle class counterparts." She and fellow Save the Children ambassador Julianne Moore are urging fans to buy Save the Children's Valentine's Day cards, and the proceeds of the sale will benefit their efforts to eradicate childhood poverty in the US.