Photo by woodleywonderworks.

During my early school years, I remember over stuffing my backpack – especially on desk/locker clean out days. I never realized what a toll carrying a heavy backpack could take on my body. In high school, I started showing signs of Scoliosis. My doctor mentioned that carrying a heavy backpack could have contributed to the cause. Since back to school season is in full swing, it’s important that parents and children are aware of safe backpack use.

Dr. Andrew Casden, associate director of Beth Israel’s Spine Institute says that “overloaded backpacks can lead to fatigue, muscle irritation and tiny muscle tears that bring kids into the office with pain. Students should know the proper way to wear their backpacks to avoid pain.”

In most cases, the damage isn’t permanent and pain can be alleviated by minor behavior adjustments. Here are some tips Dr. Casden recommends for children wearing backpacks:

• Reduce the weight in the pack – weight should not exceed 20% of the child’s body weight.
• Bend at the knees, not at the waist when lifting heavy packs.
• Wear the backpack over both shoulders, not slung over only one.
• Place heavy items in the back of the pack.
• Consider a pack on wheels that can be dragged rather than carried.

Back pain in children is rarely serious, but should not be ignored either. If children complain of persistent pain, Dr. Casden recommends consulting with a physician to rule out any medical problems.

Photo by calliope.

It’s back to school season and while school supplies, gadgets, and new attire are important items on the shopping list, so are nutritious snacks for the kids when they return home. Chicago healers Practitioner Naturopath Dr. Melody Hart, N.D sent over some recommended back to school recipes that both tasty and nutritious.

Pear Pinwheels

· Whole-wheat tortillas
· Cheddar cheese, grated
· Pear, peeled and thinly sliced

Directions:
1. Place 1 whole-wheat tortilla on a plate, and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Cover cheese with pear slices. Sprinkle pear with a bit more cheese.

2. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until cheese melts. Roll, and cut into slices.

Fruit Smoothie

· 1 container (8 ounces) vanilla-flavored nonfat yogurt
· 1 banana, sliced
· 1 cup frozen strawberries or peaches
· 1/4 cup orange juice

Directions:
1. In a blender, whip together all ingredients. Serve in glasses

Cupid Clusters

· 3 cups Yogurt-Burst Cheerios or similar whole-grain cereal
· 1/2 cup chopped dried strawberries
· 1-1/2 cups white chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Place paper liners in 24 mini muffin cups. Toss the whole-grain cereal and chopped dried strawberries in a medium bowl.

2. Melt the white chocolate in a microwave on high for a minute, stirring it frequently. Combine with the cereal and strawberry mixture. Spoon into prepared cups and refrigerate until the clusters are firm, about 5 minutes.

PB and Raspberry Pops

· 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
· 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
· 1 cup reduced-fat milk
· 2-4 tablespoons honey, divided
· 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1-1/2 cups raspberries
· 2 cups raspberry juice or raspberry juice blend
· 1/4 cup sesame seeds (optional)

Directions:
1. Combine peanut butter, yogurt, milk, 2 tablespoons honey, and vanilla in a food processor or blender until smooth.

2. Pour peanut-butter mixture into eight 6- to 7-ounce paper cups or pop molds until they’re one-third full. Cover and freeze for 1 hour. Cover and chill remaining peanut-butter mixture until needed.

3. Stir together raspberries and juice, divide among the cups or molds, and insert sticks. Cover and freeze for an hour. Then fill with remaining peanut-butter mixture and freeze for at least 8 hours, or until firm.

4. Let stand at room temperature for about 5 minutes before unmolding. If you want, spoon honey around the rims and sprinkle on sesame seeds.

Nutty Popcorn and Fruit Mix

· 1 package (6- to 7-cup yield) plain microwave popcorn
· Nonstick cooking spray
· 2 to 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
· 2 cups potato sticks
· 1-1/2 cups peanuts or almonds
· 1 cup mixed dried fruit

Directions:
1. Pop popcorn according to package directions. Pour popcorn into a very large bowl; coat lightly with cooking spray.

2. Sprinkle popcorn with Parmesan cheese; toss gently to coat. Stir in potato sticks, peanuts, and dried fruit.

MommyNamedApril who said, “snacks!!! we always keep snacks with us when we’re out and about.” Congratulations April!!!

Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway and thanks to those who patiently waited for me to draw a winner! If you’d like another chance at winning a 2010 Joovy Caboose stroller, you can submit to have your family featured here at coNectar. In December, we will be drawing a winner from the featured familes, so the chances of winning are VERY high!

Please welcome baby Bryce to the world! He was born on August 4th, 2010. He entered this world weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and stretching 19 3/4 inches long. He has illustrious black hair and brown eyes. Congratulations to the Etheridge family! Show them some love!

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And while we’re on the topic of babies, guess who I had a chance to snuggle up with at the BlogHer ’10 conference? Lil’ J from Baby Making Machine! Ahh, some day I’ll have me a sweet baby girl to call my own.

Heading to the “Happiest Place on Earth”?  Not if you go bankrupt as a result of bad planning or end up with crying children.  Take a minute to review our 12 tips for a successful Disneyland experience.  This list is an excerpt.  For the full story, see our article titled “Destination Disneyland”.

1.  Use the ‘ART’ bus system.  Generally much faster from hotel room to park.  Less hassle with the stroller and bags.  No stressful driving.
2. Pack your own lunches.  Eat when you want.  Avoid the high prices in the park.  Save your money for the turkey legs, churros and frozen lemonade.
3. Bring your own water.  And use the savings to pay off your mortgage early.
4. Book a large room with breakfast included.  Many of the hotels offer an extensive hot breakfast buffet.  If not included in your room, these meals can be costly.  But if your room is booked correctly, you can start your day with everyone fat and happy.
5. Book your trip with Get Away Today for extras.  Usually breakfast is included through the Get Away Today site.  Great prices on multiple day passes to the park.  Ask about other perks.
6. Use FastPasses and parent passes.  If you are traveling with little ones, the parent passes allow everyone to enjoy the rides.  FastPasses are critical if you are enjoying the park on a busy day.  If you want to get real technical, TouringPlans.com has analyzed the traffic flow and created a mathematical model to help you make the most of your time.  There is a small subscription fee to access the information.
7. Use backpacks to organize your belongings.  Use bags instead of throwing everything in the bottom of the stroller.  Getting on and off the bus and through security will be a much more pleasant experience.
8. Know the height requirements of the attractions.  Avoid the disappointment when you get to that ride and your young one is too short.  Platform shoes anyone?  See our post on height requirements at Disney and California Adventure.
9. Plan your show schedule in advance.  There are some great shows in both parks but often they only run once or twice each day.  Plan ahead so you don’t miss that must see show.
10. Get your treats in advance from the dollar store.  Just an easy cost cutting trick.  Add those lunch extras and snack time treats for a fraction of the price.  But save room for the good stuff (see above).
11. Choose the right stroller.  Inevitably even the older kids are going to wear out and collapse.  Even if your kids don’t normally need a stroller, by night time at Disneyland they will.  A few of our favorites you ask…Joovy Ultralight, Baby Jogger City Mini (single or double) and the Bob Revolution (single or double).
12. Find the local restaurants where kids eat free.  Many of the restaurants surrounding Disneyland offer free kids meals on specific days or times.  Couple of good resources include Kids Eat For and The Orange County Register.

 Again, this is just a quick list.  See the full article for more details.  Have a wonderful time at the “Happiest Place on Earth”.