Blog Posts by genConnect.com

Caring for youngsters and managing the rest of your family, home, and work obligations seem to leave little time or capacity for self-indulgence, and indeed, moms who take time for themselves often feel guilty that they aren't doing more for everyone else.

Nowadays, mothers of young children are bombarded with advice. The parenting sections in bookstores and libraries are overflowing with the ultimate solutions for everything imaginable. Any woman who wants to be the best mother possible (isn't that every mother?) is faced with trying to do everything "right" for her children and family, as well as keeping up with the housework and her job, while also finding time to do something nice for herself. Instead of helping mothers relax, that push to "take a bubble bath" can feel like one more impossible task on the never-ending to-do list. But remember that even though you're a mom, you are still a healthy adult, with needs which deserve to be met every bit as much as anyone

Read More »from Moms: Take Time for YOU!

When is a salmon not a salmon? It sounds ridiculous, but that's one of the most important issues in the food world, where the gloves are off in the fight about genetically engineered foods.

Genetically engineered or modified foods-known as GE foods or GMOs-have been unnaturally altered at the molecular level. The DNA from different sources or even different species are combined together to create a new set of genes that are thought to confer an advantage, such as more rapid growth or resistance to cold.

And, according to Healthy Child board member and food activist Robyn O'Brien, who appears in this video, some GE foods are designed to release insecticides inside the plant and to withstand increasing doses of pesticides. That's right, insecticides and pesticides linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, birth defects, reproductive disorders, kidney and liver damage, according to Dr. Phil Landrigan of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, who also serves on our Honorary Board.

Read More »from Frankenfood: Is Your Food Genetically Modified?

Tips to transform your home into a healthy sanctuary…

Scenario One: You walk into your home after a long day at work. You feel like you've walked into a hug. Warmth, comfort, and safety envelope you. You sigh with relief at the sight of your sofa and sink down into it with gratitude.

Scenario Two: You avoid going home because you know it means having to pick up the clothes you left on the floor, dig through layers of junk to find the book you've meant to finish, and wash enough dishes so you can serve dinner on clean plates.

Whether we realize it or not, our environment - particularly our home environment - affects our state of mind, and thus, our health. Whether you've recently moved or not, my guess is that you might feel better if you did one of these five things to make your home more of a haven.

1. Shine the light. If you've not yet discovered glassybaby - the Seattle-based maker of hand blown glass candle holders - get thee to their website (or to one of

Read More »from 5 Ways to Make Your Home an Oasis

undefinedEver heard of Pinterest? If not, you will soon. It is the fastest growing social network and is hot, hot, hot!

Basically, users create "boards" then "pin" interesting photos or videos to them. It is a very interesting and different type of social network. While the platform can be a major distraction, there are also great ways to leverage Pinterest for your business.

Related: How You Can Be a Twitter Star

Here are a couple of things I discovered:

1. Drive traffic to your blog or videos by pinning images in your posts or the videos themselves. Once a user clicks on a "pin," the image is a link to your post or video. Note: be sure to have a license to use images if they are not yours. No one needs a copyright infringement lawsuit.
2. Searchengineland.com did a great post on "How to Use Pinterest for Local SEO" and suggested that users create keyword-rich "about me" areas and board titlesRelat
3. If your business is well represented by a Google Places business page, consider

Read More »from 6 Reasons You Should Use Pinterest

As we usher in 2012, many of us also start to think about our travel plans for the year. Should we go somewhere tropical? How about a exotic vacation far away? Or perhaps beaches far from your typical tourist traps?

1. Tibet If you're seeking a spiritual destination with a dose of luxury, the St. Regis Lhasa in Tibet should be on your bucket list. Your days can be filled with magnificent monasteries, dramatic landscapes and an extraordinary culture, but you can come home to luxurious accommodations, a 24-hour butler, incredible pool and spa, wine bar and a choice of restaurants that serve other things besides yak meat!

2. South Beach

The Surfcomber Doubletree is now a Kimpton Hotel and has been completely remodeled into contemporary cool.

Speaking of cool, check out the recently opened Dream Hotel . The Z, which was the old Regent, is no longer under wraps or under the radar, and Red, built in 1939, is now a red-hot-mama of a hotel. Be on the lookout for the SLS (the

Read More »from The 5 Best Places to Travel in the World in 2012

Think the flame retardant Tris is a thing of the past? Think again...

Last week the Washington Toxics Coalition and Safer States released a study that found 80% of new baby and children's products tested positive for chlorinated Tris (TDCPP), a chemical voluntarily removed from children's pajamas in the 1970s because it was found to cause cancer.

The Hidden Hazards In the Nursery study tested 20 products-including nursing pillows, changing pads, bassinet pads and car seats-for traces of Tris and other toxic chemical flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ether compounds, or PBDEs.

The findings echo those of a 2011 UC Berkeley study authored by Arlene Blum, a Healthy Child Healthy World Advisory Board member, which found that 36% of 101 baby products tested positive for Tris.

According to the Berkeley study, Americans have 20 times higher blood levels of PBDEs than in Europe; these chemicals are linked to cancer, thyroid disruption, lower testosterone in

Read More »from 4 Tips to Protect Your Baby from Dangerous Products

This year let's try something new-the "Age of Gregarious." Surround yourself with worthwhile people; you are the age you act, and you can act any age you want! If you were looking for permission, there it is! Now, not saying you should go out and buy some coveralls and start braiding your hair again with a soggy stuffed animal in hand, but if you're going to focus on any one resolution, resolve to value yourself, not a number.

Related: Fortytude Author Sarah Brokaw - Embrace the Aging Process

How to kick off your very own, sumo-free "Age of Gregarious:"

1. Change up the routine! Life feeling a little "Leave it to Beaver"? Invite a little change. Routines are comfortable, we know they work, and they make things easy, but most of all they become BORING! If you normally have chicken for dinner, try steak. A candle centerpiece? Try flowers. Normally run? "Bar Method" is a great way to tone up. The little movements focus on muscles you didn't even realize you

Read More »from 2012: The Age of Gregarious

Looking for love? In an age of growing technology, relationships can now begin on the Internet. The Internet is a big place -- so where do you begin? Let us help: we interviewed dating expert Julie Spira on ways to tailor your online dating profile to set you apart from the rest. Watch:

1. Join more than one dating site. Someone once said, "Fish where the fish are." Online dating sites like Match.com and eHarmony.com pack quite the love punch: over 120 million people are looking for love online worldwide every month according to comScore. Other great options: OkCupid and PlentyOfFish.

2. Join niche dating sites. It's an easy way to instantly connect with a person who shares your interests. "It can be anything from veggie dating to date my pet and date my school if you want to date another alumni from the school you attended," Spira said.

3. Have a catchy screenname. "Mine was Piano Baby because I played the piano," Spira said. "[A catchy screenname] makes it easier for a gentleman to

Read More »from Online Dating Profiles that Get Noticed!