Here are five more ways you can turn your child's lunch into a more healthy and nutritious experience. Serve fresh fruit with every lunch. The enzymes will aide in digestion, the natural sugar will give them energy and feed their sweet tooth, and the nutrients will feed their brains. Buy products with fewer ingredients, and less sugar and sodium. If the list of ingredients is long, don't buy it. If the list is short, and you know what each ingredient is and are willing to serve them separately on a plate to your child, then that product is a better choice. Limit the total sugar content of …

School time is here, and like many parents I find myself back to the grind of making my son lunch every morning. Some of you might moan and groan at the very thought, but a lot of good comes out of making lunch for your kids every day. Here are five tips on how you can make your child's lunch healthier: Water! Water! Water! Don't waste their calories on liquid sugar.  Avoid sugary flavored milks. Water is better.  Their lunch should contain whole grains for energy, protein from meats, cheese, beans or nuts for cell function and body movement, and fruit for fiber and digestion. Choose "whole" …

Trapped at home with the kids now that camp has ended? Or are you trapped in the office with a boss rejuvenated from two weeks on LBI and eager for you to start a dozen new projects s/he thought of while s/he was away? (And will decide to scrap after you've already logged 100 hours trying to complete them.) One thing’s for sure; these dog days of August are a real test of your nerves. Cheer up! Here are the perfect cocktails that will take the edge off your work week and help get you to the weekend. 1. Wrong Island Iced Tea For those days where everything you do is wrong. Or so you’re told. …

The excitement of the first week back at school has now died down and many kids are once again dragging themselves out of bed, whining about homework and are generally reluctant to get back into the rhythm of the school schedule. Here are a few suggestions that may make life a bit easier. Make bedtime earlier. Many of us have the intention of getting the kids back to their "normal" bedtime the week before school starts. Some are able to make that happen and others like myself fall short of that goal each year. The key, experts say, is to get them into a routine that ensures they get enough …

With school having recently opened for the new year, here are some safety tips for drivers: 1. Drivers should observe the speed limit. All roads in the borough have a speed limit of 25 mph unless otherwise posted. 2. Never drive past a school bus with flashing lights. 3. New Jersey law requires that drivers stop for pedestrians. Drivers should also obey directions from crossing guards. 4. It is important to always obey crosswalks and stop lines and drive with caution. 5. Drivers should plan extra travel time around the hours when children are on the way to or from school.

Looking to have a night out without the kids? Here are some guidelines to remind local parents that hiring a babysitter requires some preparation. Here's five things to keep in mind when having someone to watch your children: 1. Leave a note explaining where you will be and how you can be reached. Also include emergency numbers, including a doctor and posion control (800-222-1222). Also leave contact information for neighbors, friends and relatives. 2. Be sure to warn the babysitter about any medical conditions, allergies or fears your children have, and also explain rules about snacks, TV, …

With the summer wedding season having ended, the Internal Revenue Service advises the soon-to-be married and the just married to review their changing tax status. If you recently got married or are planning a wedding, the last thing on your mind is taxes. However, there are some important steps you need to take to avoid stress at tax time. Here are seven tips for newlyweds. Notify the Social Security Administration Report any name change to the Social Security Administration so your name and Social Security number will match when you file your next tax return. File a Form SS-5, Application …

E. Coli can be a nasty bacteria to pick-up as it will make you quite sick. Here are some tips on avoiding E. Coli. 1. Make sure all meats are cooked to at least 165 degrees internally with a meat thermometer. Also, don't let raw meat touch other foods like salad or desserts.  2. Wash your hands. The FDA recommends spending at least 20 second washing with warm water and liquid soap, then drying with a paper towel when preparing food, changing diapers or after using the bathroom. 3. Also wash fruits and vegatables with soapy water before cutting them. Even if E. Coli is just on the rind, …

(Although "Skunks and Dogs" would be an apt homage to the men I've dated, for the purposes of this article, I really am talking about skunks and dogs.) Some people go to the annual “Running of the Bulls,” but our dog goes to the annual “Running of the Skunks” around this time every year. Since my dog, lovingly known as "Bad Dog" for reasons that are self-explanatory, excels in this sport our family has had ample opportunity to perfect the formula for removing the skunk stink. Here it is for all of you to share, print and hang on the fridge. Because if you have a "Bad Dog" like I do, you just …

A recent poll conducted by online pet retailerMrChewy.com found that the majority of pet owners are unaware of some of the most dangerous summer foods for family pets. In fact, among 913 pet owners polled, a staggering 88 percent were unaware of the risk that lemons pose to both cats and dogs.  The survey also named the top five most popular foods that pose health risks to dogs and cats. Avocados You make think Spot loves yummy summer guacamole as much as you do but in fact avocados are toxic to dogs. According to the ASPCA’s website, all parts of the avocado, including the pit and skin, …

If you make a donation to a charity this year, you may be able to take a deduction for it on your 2011 tax return. Here are the top nine things the IRS wants every taxpayer to know before deducting charitable donations. Pledges and payments: Only contributions actually made during the tax year are deductible. For example, if you pledged $500 in September but paid the charity only $200 by Dec. 31, you can only deduct $200. Donations made near the end of the year: Include credit card charges and payments by check in the year you give them to the charity, even though you may not pay the credit …

If you make a donation to a charity this year, you may be able to take a deduction for it on your 2011 tax return. Here are the top five things the IRS wants every taxpayer to know before deducting charitable donations. Make sure the organization qualifies: Charitable contributions must be made to qualified organizations to be deductible. You can ask any organization whether it is a qualified organization or check IRS Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations. It is available online. You must itemize: Charitable contributions are deductible only if you itemize deductions using Form …

This Sunday is National Grandparents Day where Americans celebrate the eldest members of their extended families. The American Red Cross offered five top tips for honoring grandparents on their special day: Call them or set up a Skype session to let them know you care and are thinking of them. Cook their favorite meal or something they won't or can't make for themselves anymore--they will appreciate the special thought. Join them in their favorite hobby whether it is knitting, tennis or fly-fishing. Host a party with all the favorite people in their life, both friends and family. Take them on…

This year marks the 10th anniversary since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Two years ago, Sept. 11 was named a national day of service in honor of those who lost their lives and the heroes who saved and helped many during the attacks and their aftermath. This year, the goal is for people to log more than 1,000 acts of service to pay tribute to lives lost and to honor the heroes. Once you complete an act of service, you can enter it into a database which will keep track of all the wonderful deeds being done around the county. Each day this week, Patch will be sharing ways you can …

This year marks the 10th anniversary since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Two years ago, Sept. 11 was named a national day of service in honor of those who lost their lives and the heroes who saved and helped many during the attacks and their aftermath. This year, the goal is for people to log more than 1,000 acts of service to pay tribute to lives lost and to honor the heroes. Once you complete an act of service, you can enter it into a database which will keep track of all the wonderful deeds being done around the county. Each day this week, New Milford Patch will be sharing …

This year marks the 10th anniversary since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Two years ago, Sept. 11 was named a national day of service in honor of those who lost their lives and the heroes who saved and helped many during the attacks and their aftermath. This year, the goal is for people to log more than 1,000 acts of service to pay tribute to lives lost and to honor the heroes. Once you complete an act of service, you can enter it into a database which will keep track of all the wonderful deeds being done around the county. Each day this week, Patch will be sharing ways you can …

This year marks the 10th anniversary since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Two years ago, Sept. 11 was named a national day of service in honor of those who lost their lives and the heroes who saved and helped many during the attacks and their aftermath. This year, the goal is for people to log more than 1,000 acts of service to pay tribute to lives lost and to honor the heroes. Once you complete an act of service, you can enter it into a database which will keep track of all the wonderful deeds being done around the county. Each day this week, Patch will be sharing ways you can …

It's Labor Day, the unofficial end to the summer season. Swim clubs and beach houses are closing as children return to school. Here are five fun facts about Labor Day. The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City back on Tuesday Sept. 5, 1882. The event was organized by the Central Labor Union, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. More than 10,000 workers marched in the first Labor Day parade, protesting 16 hour workdays and were fighting to have an eight-hour workday. In 1884, the holiday began to be observed on the first Monday of September as the Central Labor Union encouraged…

This year marks the 10th anniversary since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Two years ago, Sept. 11 was named a national day of service in honor of those who lost their lives and the heroes who saved and helped many during the attacks and their aftermath. This year, the goal is for people to log more than 1,000 acts of service to pay tribute to lives lost and to honor the heroes. Once you complete an act of service, you can enter it into a databasewhich will keep track of all the wonderful deeds being done around the county. Each day this week, Patch will be sharing ways you can …

Whether you’re a recent graduate going to college for the first time or a returning student, it will soon be time to get to campus – and payment deadlines for tuition and other fees are not far behind. The Internal Revenue Service reminds students or parents paying such expenses to keep receipts and to be aware of some tax benefits that can help offset college costs. Typically, these benefits apply to you, your spouse or a dependent for whom you claim an exemption on your tax return. American Opportunity Credit This credit, originally created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, …