Are Restaurant Menu Items Labeled Gluten-Free Actually Safe? Maybe Not

by Shahrzad WarkentinApril 23, 2019

Parenting kids with food allergies and food sensitivities is never easy. You count on labels to help you steer clear of dangers, but what happens when those labels are incorrect? New research reveals that some restaurant foods marked gluten-free contain gluten.

Despite many restaurants labeling items on their menus as gluten-free a new study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that 32 percent of those items do actually contain gluten. The study was conducted using Nima, a portable gluten tester, at restaurants across the country. The researchers collected data over 18 months from over 5,000 tests performed by 804 private Nima users who were willing to share their results.

photo: Nerise Gokpinar via Unsplash

While no specific restaurants were named in the study, there were some statistics revealed that can help those with a gluten allergy or intolerance be more aware. The food most commonly found to contain gluten was pizza and pasta. Gluten was found in 53.2 percent of gluten-free pizza samples and 50.5 percent of gluten-free pasta. Food served at dinner tended to test positive more often than foods at breakfast.

Foods labeled gluten-free were less likely to test positive for gluten at restaurants located in the western United States. Fast-casual and casual restaurants were less likely to have gluten-free foods test positive for gluten than fast-food places.

It’s important to note that the results might not be reflective of all gluten-free restaurant food as the Nima users were more likely to only test foods they suspected might contain gluten. The study’s lead author Dr. Benjamin Lerner explained that a good majority of the gluten detected was likely due to cross contamination, like the same cookware being used to cook gluten-containing and gluten-free foods.

“We all want people to be vigilant, but not too worried,” said lead author Dr. Benjamin Lerner. “If you have celiac disease or it’s harmful for you to ingest gluten, you should feel comfortable asking the waiter how things are prepared.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Are Dog Owners Happier Than Cat Owners? New Research Makes No Bones about It

by Shahrzad WarkentinApril 10, 2019

Pets can be a great addition to your family and studies have even shown that pets can keep you healthy—but if you really want to be happy you might want to bring home a dog instead of a cat. New research shows that dog owners are happier than cat owners.

Last year for the first time notable survey the General Social Survey quizzed households on pet ownership. The survey found that six our of 10 American households have at least one pet. Using the data collected the researchers were able to look at how pet ownership aligned with other social factors, in particular, happiness.

photo: StockSnap via Pixabay

The survey found that when it comes to happiness there is no major difference between pet owners and non-pet owners, however there was a divide among pet owners based on what type of pet they have at home. Dog owners are nearly twice as likely as cat owners to say they’re “very happy,” with people owning both cats and dogs falling somewhere in between.

It’s important to note however, that the study didn’t show a direct correlation between happiness and pet ownership, only that the two factors overlapped. There are several other points to take into consideration. For example, the General Social Survey data shows that dog owners are more likely to be married and own their own homes than cat owners, both factors known to impact happiness.

Dog owners also said they are more likely to seek comfort from their pets when they feel stressed, they more likely to play with their pet and more likely to consider their pet a member of their family.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Lawmakers Just Proposed a Major Update for Children’s Online Privacy Laws

by Shahrzad WarkentinMarch 18, 2019

Do you wish you could have more control over what your kids see on the internet? A new federal privacy law could give parents an “erase button” for targeted ads online. Here’s the skinny on this proposed change to existing laws.

U.S. Senators Ed. Markey (MA) and Josh Hawley (MO) have just proposed a measure to amend the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to add parental controls and ban targeted advertising to kids under 13. The parental controls would include a so-called “Eraser Button” that would remove all of a child’s data from an online platform without the company refusing service to the user.

photo: Igor Starkov via Unsplash

COPPA already protects kids ages 13 and under from having their personal data collected by companies like Facebook or Amazon without the direct consent of parents. This new amendment would raise the age and extend this protection to kids 15 and under, while giving kids ages 13 to 15 the agency to give their own personal consent on data collection from the same sites if they choose.

Under the amendment, internet-connected devices and toys marketed to kids would be required to include labeling on their packaging that would detail how a child’s data is collected and retained, shared and collected. If those devices don’t meet a specific set of cybersecurity standards, they will be banned from sale in U.S. stores.

The bill, with co-sponsors including Sens. Mazie Hirono (HI), Richard Blumenthal (CT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), has also received support from children’s advocacy organizations such as Common Sense Media and Focus on the Family. The bill, S. 783., was introduced in the Senate on Mar. 13; you can track its progress online here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Here’s Why Homeschooling Actually Makes More Sense in the Digital Age

by Shahrzad WarkentinFebruary 25, 2019

While homeschooling hasn’t been as mainstream as a traditional public or private school education, it’s become a growing trend as more parents rethink their children’s educational experience. Homeschooling in the digital age is steadily growing in popularity—and here’s why you might consider turning your own living room into a classroom.

Recent data collected by the U.S. Department of Education shows that homeschooling has grown by 61.8 percent over the last decade. Now 2 million kids—or 4 percent of the total youth population in the United States—are homeschooled.

photo: Pragyan Bezbaruah via Pexels

As homeschooling mom Alison Davis of Williamstown, New Jersey explained to Business Insider, “You’re not going to be put in a work environment where everybody came from the same school and everybody is the same age.” Davis added, “In my opinion, the traditional school atmosphere is not the real world at all.”

While Davis’s remarks represent just one parent’s opinion, there are plenty of studies to back up the claim. A 2009 study of standardized testing in the United States found that homeschooled students scored in the 86th percentile. Other research has shown that homeschooled students are more likely to get accepted into college and perform better academically while they are attending. There’s also the social aspect, in which homeschooled students don’t have to deal with things like peer pressure and cliques.

Homeschooling isn’t for everyone, but it certainly has some advantages that are worth considering, Davis notes. “Schools have to bring in all these extra testing and courses and electives to try to make it resemble the real world,” Davis says. “But that can never happen unless you’re actually living in it.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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The FDA Issues New Warning about Avocados

by Erica LoopJanuary 13, 2019

The FDA would like to remind you to please wash your avocados before cutting them. Well actually, the FDA wants you to wash all fruit—but a two-year sampling surveillance program may have found that the green goodness of avocados might come with something that you definitely don’t want in your kitchen: food-borne illnesses.

Between 2014 and 2016, the FDA collected and tested whole fresh avocados, testing the skins and flesh for Salmonella and Listeria. Of the 1,615 samples, only 0.74 percent tested positive for Salmonella on the skin. While that’s not a crazy-high number, any presence of a bacteria on the skin means that cutting into the fruit can spread the microorganisms into the flesh—and ultimately, into your system.

Photo: Matthew Henry via Burst

When it comes to Listeria and avocados, the FDA testing found that more than 17 percent of the fruit tested did have Listeria on the skin—but only 0.24 percent had the pathogen inside. While Listeria doesn’t typically cause illness in healthy adults, it can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly and anyone with a compromised immune system.

So what does this mean for all of you avocado enthusiasts out there? Quite simply: wash your fruit! The easiest way to avoid contaminating the inside of your avocado with anything that’s on the outside of the peel is to clean and thoroughly dry it before cutting.

—Erica Loop

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Why Are Some Kids Better at Math & Reading Than Others? Personality Plays a Role

by Shahrzad WarkentinJanuary 4, 2019

You can study flash cards daily and complete extra worksheets, but personality might be the pivotal influence for kids who do better at math and reading.

According to a new study from psychology researchers at the University of Texas at Austin certain characteristics, like intellectual curiosity and confidence, were more likely to make kids adept at math and reading than characteristics like perseverance and conscientiousness.

photo: Rawpixel

Prior studies have shown that academic achievement was linked to self-regulation, but this new research set out to more clearly define which components of self-regulation are responsible for success. Using data collected from more than 1,000 twins, ages eight to 14, in the Texas Twin Project, the researchers found that, even after accounting for intelligence, kids who are higher in executive functioning demonstrated increases in levels of openness, intellectual curiosity and confidence. However, those same increases were not seen in kids displaying personality characteristics like conscientiousness and diligence.

“This indicates that some of the genetic factors that predispose children to do well in school are also the same genetic factors that predispose children to be more open to new challenges, creative, intellectually curious and confident in their own academic ability,” said University of Texas at Austin psychology associate professor Elliot Tucker-Drob.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Chris Liverani via Unsplash

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Reduce, Reuse, Treecycle! Local Holiday Recycling 411

by Ayren Jackson-CannadyJanuary 1, 2019

It seems that even the tree knows when Christmas is over—ever notice how those pine needles fall off at a faster clip after the holidays? Yep, all good things must come to an end. But even more pitiful than a bare Frasier Fir is a bare Frasier Fir leaned against an outdoor trash bin for days (weeks?), gathering dust and potato chip wrappers. Read on for dates, times, and tips on giving your spruce the send off it deserves.

Photo: Jonny Hughes via Flickr

How to Say Goodbye to a Christmas Tree (No Tears Allowed)

Remove all of the lights and ornaments (including the ones that kiddo hid deep inside the tree).
Don’t bag the shrub. Most recyclers don’t want the plastic, just the tree.
If your little one asks “where does it go?,” explain that the tree will be chipped and composted to help flowers grow in the spring. Who knew you’d be teaching Junior about the circle of life just by chucking the tree?

D.C.: Holiday trees and wreaths will be picked up during regular trash pickup between Jan.14-Feb. 2. Trees picked up during these dates will be composted and made available to residents for free.

Fairfax County, VA: Trees are collected during the first two weeks of January.

Arlington, VA: Christmas trees will be scooped up on your regular trash day, between Dec. 31-Jan. 11. Trees picked up during these dates will be turned into mulch available to residents.

Prince William County, VA: Drop off your tree anytime at one of four spots—Prince William County Ladnfill, Balls Ford Road Compost Facility, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC), or Leesylvania State Park (where they’ll be used for wildlife habitats at the park).

Alexandria, VA: Put your tree on the curb during regular pick-up times. The trees will be turned into mulch, which is available in the spring for residents on a first come, first served basis.

Loudoun County, VA: Between Dec. 26-Jan. 20, strip your tree of all its bells and whistles and drop it off at one of these recycling locations: Loudon County Landfill Dropoff Center, South Riding Town Hall, Claude Moore Park, Game Protective Associating in Lovettsville, or Franklin Park.

Montgomery County, MD: MoCo residents who like to hold onto their Christmas tree for-like-ever are in luck—Christmas trees are accepted year-round in the county’s curbside yard trim collection. Just leave your fir on the curb by 7 am.

Howard County, MD: Tree collection is available through Jan. 19. Residents with yard trim collection can place their trees on curb by 6 a.m. on the day off service.

Prince George’s County, MD: Through Jan. 28 you can leave your Christmas tree out (before 6 am) to be picked up with yard waste. Bare pines can also be dropped off at the Brown Station Road Public Container Pad and Recycling Center or the Missouri Ave. Solid Waste Acceptance and Recycling Center.

Frederick County, MD: Re-gift your tree to one of these area parks (where they’ll mulch it up): Reichs Ford Road Yard Waste Recycling Site, Ballenger Creek Park, Middletown Park Recycling Center, Kemptown Park, Eyeler Road Park, Point of Rocks Ruritan Club, or Heritage Farm Park.

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

How Sweet It Is! Halloween Candy Buybacks in San Diego

by Nikki WalshOctober 29, 2018

Your kids love trick-or-treating, but if you’re a bit spooked by the thought of them consuming their giant stash of Halloween sweets, why not let those little pumpkins in on a secret? They can trade their extra candy for cash! No tricks! Even more, they’ll be doing a good deed, because their wrapped treats get shipped to troops overseas. We’ve made it easy for you to offload the excess by finding over a dozen San Diego dentists who are hosting spook-tacular Halloween Candy Buybacks. Read on to find your local sweet spot to make the drop.

photo: Curtis L. Chan, DDS

Curtis L. Chan, DDS
Treat the troops to trick-or-treat candy and earn a little cash for your littles. Bring your extra goodies to dentist Dr. Chan’s on Nov. 10th with many other little ghouls and goblins. Amazingly, this dentist collected over 15,000 pounds of candy, 4,500 cards and letters and almost 500 beanie babies last year!

Date: Nov. 10, 3-7 p.m.
12835 Pointe Del Mar Way #3
Del Mar, CA 92014
Online: curtischandds.com

First Tooth Pediatric Dentistry
Do a boo-tiful thing and exchange your extra wrapped candy for treats Nov. 1-10. Not only does the candy go to support the troops overseas, but your little ghost can also choose a toy, gift card or cash in return for those sweets. Further, you’ll get $1 for every pound of candy with a max of 5 pounds.

Date: Nov. 1-10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
2775 Via De La Valle, Ste. 103
Del Mar, CA 92014
Online: firsttoothsd.com

photo: U.S. Embassy Panama via Flickr

Warner Pediatric Dental
A ghostly gathering of happy teeth. It’s the 7th year for Dr. Warner Pediatric Dental’s candy buyback. Save the date Nov. 1st and support Operation Gratitude.

Date: Nov. 1, 2-6 p.m.
1443 Encinitas Blvd.
Encinitas, CA 92024
Online: warnerpediatricdental.com

Han Orthodontics
If you live in North County San Diego, we know ‘witch’ candy buyback to hit up: Dr. Han’s Orthodontics. Head on over between normal work hours, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Nov. 1st or 2nd. Your little pumpkin will get $1 per pound with a max of $5. Also, all kids need to be with an adult. Note: they take a break from noon-1:15 p.m. for lunch.

Date: Nov. 1 & 2
122 Civic Center Dr., Ste. 104
Vista, CA 92084
760-726-4790
Online: hanortho.com

photo: Clappstar via Flickr

Dr. Ellen Im Pediatric Dentistry
Join Dr. Im for Operation Candy Buyback on Nov. 2nd to switch sweets for money. Hurry in because they’ll give $1 per pound with a max of 3 pounds to the first 50 kids. Moreover, the treats go overseas to troops in combat.

Date: Nov. 2, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
13422 Pomerado Rd. Ste 201
Poway, CA 92064
858-679-6660
Online: drellenimpediatricdentistry.com

Marey Stone & Cathy Schlaht DDS
Bring your goodies to Dr. Stone’s and Dr. Schlaht’s 6th Annual candy buyback. Even more, the candy goes to support the troops (with Halloween candy) in Operation Gratitude. These dentists pay $1 per pound with a max of 10 pounds per kiddo (wow!). Also, just a note, fresh candy only, please. Meaning candy that’s from Halloween, not Easter or Valentine’s Day.

Date: Nov. 1, 5 & 6; 8:30-noon & 1:30-4:30 p.m.
8077 La Mesa Blvd
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-465-8077
Online: lamesa-dentist.com

Coronado Pediatric Dentistry
Join Dr. Dixon in the fun this year. Bring your wrapped candy to this local dentist and your half-pint will get $1 per pound with a max of 5 pounds. You’ll be glad for fewer sweets and your little has money to buy a treat.

Date: Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
875 Orange Ave, Suite 210
Coronado, CA 92118
Phone: 619-435-6655
Online: coronadopediatricdentistry.com

photo: MjZ Photography via Flickr

Scripps Pediatric Dentistry
Stop zombie mouth! For a buck a pound, Scripps Pediatric will take your extra wrapped candy. Even more, this is their 8th year buying back sweets to give to the troops.

Date: Nov. 1-8
9840 Hibert St., B4
San Diego, CA 92131
Online: scrippspediatricdentistry.com

Tom Keller Pediatric Dentistry
It’s ghoulishly fun! Bring your packaged candy to Dr. Keller’s in Encinitas. You’ll be supporting the troops while earning $1 per pound with a max of 5 pounds. Also, are you done with your little one’s costume? Then bring it in and this dentistry will donate it to Kathy’s Legacy, a non-profit that helps families and children in need. Your costume will get used next year!

Date: Nov. 1-7, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
500 Second St.
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-635-3478
Online: tomkellerpediatricdentistry.com

La Jolla Dental Care
Receive $1 per pound for your candy and a glowing light-up toothbrush at La Jolla Dental Care. All candy is sent to troops via Operation Gratitude. Candy will be collected at the office of Dr. Charles Briscoe. Note: candy must not be opened.

Date: Nov. 1st-Nov. 9th from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
7737 Herschel Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-454-3221
Online: LaJollaDental.com

photo: Little Pearls Kids Dentistry

Dr. Ida Alfonso DMD
Now in their 6th year of hosting their Operation Halloween Candy Buyback program, you can send your treats to the troops in exchange for cash at Dr. Ida Alfonso’s Dental Office.

Date: Nov. 1-15
5814 Van Allen Way #205
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-931-0144
Online: idaalfonsodental.com

The Super Dentists
All locations of The Super Dentists throughout the county from Chula Vista to Oceanside will be buying back Halloween candy. For every pound, one dollar goes to the child’s school and one dollar goes to the child. The Super Dentists have hosted Halloween Candy Buybacks since 2005.

––Nikki Walsh

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This Is the “Perfect” Age to Have a Baby, According to Science

by Shahrzad WarkentinFebruary 14, 2018

photo: Pixabay

Deciding if and when you’re ready to become a parent can be challenging. It can feel like no time is the exact right time until it happens. While the answer is ultimately different for everyone, there is apparently an age that research has found to be the best.

According to The Wall Street Journal, there is an ideal time in your life to get pregnant and that is up until age 32. A recent piece on the perfect age for everything, from marriage and pregnancy to getting a cell phone and making financial decisions, explained that the most fertile time in a woman’s life was before the age of 32. Getting pregnant before this age makes it the most successful time for conception. Research collected by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists concluded that 32 is the age when fertility begins to decline.

What do you think the perfect age is? Via @WSJ: https://t.co/GrQ4nHG2wk

— Ben Feder (@BenFederAuthor) February 2, 2018

That number doesn’t necessarily ring true with what is actually happening in the US, with the average age of women giving birth to their first baby steadily on the rise. In 2016, for the first time in history, the CDC reported more American women were becoming pregnant in their 30s than in the their 20s.

What do you think is the ideal age to start a family? Share your thoughts in the comments.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Is It Safe for Your Kids to Eat Snow? Science Has the Answer

by Erica LoopFebruary 11, 2018

Ah, the age-old question, “Is it safe for kids to eat snow?” Yeah, yeah, you already know the answer to the yellow snow question. Don’t eat it. We all know where it comes from (and it’s not from kids armed with yellow snow paint pretending that they’re outdoor winter-time Picasso’s). But what about the pristine fluffy white stuff? Well, as it turns out it’s not just parents who want to know the answer to this question — scientists do too. And here’s what they found out!

Scientists at the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania recently examined the safety of snow. That is, they looked at how safe it is for human consumption. After collecting snow form two sources (a park and a roundabout) in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania, the researchers placed their samples into sterile containers. The samples were collected in January and February, with temps ranging from 0.7 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

And then came the bacteria and mold. Um, that’s what the scientists were trying to grow. The fresh snow was fairly bacteria-free. But after two days, the scientists found dozens of bacteria. Researcher Istvan Mathe noted that the number of microorganisms in the snow increased due to impurities in the air.

While the study didn’t exactly find that feasting on snow will cause serious illness, Mathe recommends not eating it.

Does your child eat snow? Does this study change what you do/don’t allow? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

—Erica Loop

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