Rexanne's Web Review 
Web Sites & Insights

Issue #87 March 1- , 2005 

Brought to You By: Rexanne.com

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Welcome all newcomers and faithful readers! 


Rexanne's Web Review is 5 (count 'em!) years old this month. I can only look at the body of work in the archived newsletters and remain in awe of time. For those of my readers who began this newsletter with me,  we've accomplished a five year run together. Wow ... you could knock me over with a whisper. 

And thank you to everyone who wished my baby Liberty a happy birthday. She was thrilled to receive your well-wishes. You are all terrific pals!

Easter falls very early this year. Easter Sunday is March 27. Best get those bonnets out of the attic and the baskets ready. :-) For all the 
Easter inspiration and help you need, here's my Easter site link: Rexanne's Easter

Have fun, enjoy spring and Happy Easter! 

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Reader's Comments:

Mike wrote:

"I enjoy your newsletter. Thanks for adding a little extra joy into my day."

Hey Mike. You made my day. :-) Thank you! 

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Sandy wrote:

Thank you for the article on romance last month. I figured out that I don't have to rely on my husband to make all the romantic plans for Valentine's Day. I just get disappointed and he's miserable so I made dinner reservations and treated him to dinner out. He was so grateful to be relieved of the burden or "having to be romantic" that he brought me flowers and a beautiful gift again just last week and  begged me to make this new arrangement a family tradition. I'm happy to comply and can verify that the rewards are worth it."

Makes total sense, Sandy. Thank you for sharing. Ladies ... are you listening? 
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OK, here's the scoop:

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Quote of the Month: Food is an important part of a balanced diet. - Fran Lebowitz

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Supporting the sponsors and advertisers in Rexanne's Web Review keeps this newsletter alive and a portion of revenue is donated to various children's charities. . Each advertiser has Rexanne's Seal of Approval. Please visit them today.

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This Month's Web Review Sponsored By: Easter Baskets

Easter Baskets by Grandma are the most affordable and best gift baskets online. Grandma knows just what everyone would like to find in their 
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already have plenty to do. Easter Baskets

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Parenting & Family Topic of the Month: Eating Disorders in Children
By Rexanne Mancini

If I had a dollar for every time I persuaded a girl of 8 or 9 that they were not, in fact, fat, I’d be considerably richer. When my older daughter was 
about that age, their mothers were putting a lot of her friends on diets. It drove me absolutely crazy to see these poor little girls, worrying about their “tummies” or “fat” that wasn’t even evident, except to a mother who was hoping for a super model-skinny pre-pubescent child, which is ridiculous. When they were at my house, they ate well, I wouldn’t allow them to drink or eat anything diet and I encouraged them to eat healthy food that would strengthen their bodies and bones. I also tried to assure them that they were not fat; that they would grow into their bodies and they were absolutely beautiful just the way they were. With that came some nutritional education about eating a healthy combination of foods that would not make them fat, but strong and naturally slender. 

Parents, at around age 8 and 9, children can be short and plump. Once they gain height, their bodies balance out and  grow longer, thus eliminating the storage of “baby fat” all in one or two places. If you are in doubt, please consult your child’s pediatrician and whatever you do, don’t even think about saying the word “fat” when talking to and about your child. 

Using food as a reward or punishment is equally as damaging and can lead to eating disorders that swing either toward over-eating or 
under-eating. Think about what you are saying to your child when you either withhold food or offer unhealthy food as a reward. 

I see these same kids who were labeled “fat” and fed diet foods and drinks at very early ages, now in their mid-teens. Most of them are svelte and downright skinny. Unfortunately, quite a few of them are skinny by indulging in horrible habits, such as starving themselves or inducing vomiting after every meal. These kids, girls mostly, are so obsessed with being “skinny” they’ll do anything to shed pounds or not put any on. Most of them survive on diet soda, which scares me more than obesity. Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners, which are extremely toxic and are now known to cause many potentially deadly ailments, especially after having been consumed for years.

Eating disorders are almost as common as acne in teenagers today. These can create many health problems, not the least of which is potential 
death. Try telling a 15 year-old girl that she is not fat after her mother or both parents have been urging her to diet from the time she was old enough to dress herself. 

Bulimia, which is the act of inducing vomiting after eating to maintain one’s size or to lose weight, creates horrible health problems of it’s own, including rapidly deteriorating teeth because the stomach acids retched up on a daily basis destroy tooth enamel faster than sugar ever could. We know children who are fainting and breaking limbs as a result of undernourishment, children who have developed severe tooth decay from bouts of bulimia and children who’s self-esteem is so damaged that no matter how much weight they manage to drop, they still see themselves 
as fat and unattractive. These are not even just “average” looking kids. Most of these children are amazingly beautiful specimens of humankind. Go figure … 

Another potentially harmful age to mention the “fat” word is right before or when puberty hits. Girl’s bodies will change, apparently 
overnight and the slender little child you held in your arms a month ago will have developed budding breasts and a rounder behind. This can 
be startling and you might assume your little girl is getting fat. I assure you, she is not. She is merely developing and maturing naturally. This would be a good time to have a talk with your daughter about menstruation, as it is right around the corner and she will be much better served if she is  prepared and aware of what to expect. 

If you are concerned that your child is indeed overweight, talk to the pediatrician and try to insure that your child eats a healthy, well-balanced diet. Children will naturally eat bread, chips, cakes, cookies, ice cream and drink soda if left to their own devices when hunger or thirst strikes. All of these will pack on unnecessary pounds and should be minimally incorporated into a healthy diet consisting of protein, lots of fresh vegetables, fruit and purified drinking water. Soda is something I do not offer my children and is a major contributor to many people being overweight. The amount of sugar in one can of soda rivals that of a good-sized candy bar. It is not healthy for anyone. Diet soda, in my opinion, is even more detrimental. 

Eating disorders are dangerous and should be taken seriously, whether your child is trying to loose pounds unnecessarily or needs to actually 
loose weight for health concerns. Always maintain a dialogue with your child’s pediatrician and discuss any and all concerns with the doctor on the telephone, before your child is within earshot in the examining room with you. 

Children will take any remark we make about their bodies seriously and as parents, we should strive to fortify healthy self acceptance in our 
kids. If your child does, indeed, have a weight problem, help him understand the value of good nutrition and exercise. Help her understand that she is beautiful and that a healthy body is a perfect body, no matter what shape or size. If you are a parent struggling with a this issue, please do not project your anxiety onto your child and be careful to monitor your children's eating and exercise habits while also watching for any signs of an eating disorder, which could manifest as a compulsion with weight loss or an obsession with unhealthy snacking. Be gentle and non-alarming if you feel it's necessary to restrict your child's consumption of junk food. Teaching children to fear their food is not any healthier than allowing them open reign in the junk food aisle of the market. Moderation is always key in healthy eating habits and if learned early, will serve them well all their lives. 

C) Rexanne Mancini - 2005

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Rexanne Mancini is the mother of two daughters, Justice and Liberty. She is a novelist, freelance writer and maintains an extensive yet 
informal parenting and family web site, Rexanne.com -Visit her site for good advice, award-winning 
Internet holiday pages and some humor to help you cope. Subscribe to her free newsletter, Rexanne’s Web Review, for a monthly dose of 
Rexanne:
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For excellent information on all aspects of good health and nutrition, I highly recommend Dr. Mercola's site for a bountiful measure of 
excellent health articles, advice and common sense.: Mercola.com

Your opinions, stories and feedback are welcomed and needed. Please send any information you care to share about this subject with other 
readers. Your identity will not be used unless you give permission. 

Know of a good parenting or family site your fellow readers might enjoy or do you have a topic you'd like to see covered in this section? 
Please send your ideas in for possible publication in an upcoming issue. Parenting Site

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Food & Cooking Site of the Month: Easter Recipes

This site has it all, from ham to lamb, all manner of egg recipes such as quiche and eggs Benedict, everything you need to know about 
asparagus, cinnamon and dinner roll recipes and lots more classic Easter foods. Yes,  they have dessert recipes, too. You'll surely find 
inspiration for Easter cooking on this site.

Bon Appetit!

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Advertisement: Easter Candy

Chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, Rocky Road eggs, Easter lollypops ... it's all good and it's all at Amazon.com's candy store, where you'll 
find every type of Easter candy and boxed chocolates you've been searching for. Perfect for baskets or individual treats for everyone you love. 

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Kid's Site of the Month: Easter for Kids

Lots of fun, cute Easter crafts, coloring pages, Easter activities and more. Everything a kid on spring break could want. :-) 

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--- Freebie of the Month: Easter e-cards & Screen Savers

Send friends, family and online buddies the perfect e-card to wish them a Happy Easter from Card Fountain

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Time to decorate your computer with bunnies, eggs or however you want for Easter. There are so many cute screen savers and wallpapers 
available to brighten up your screens. Download safely and enjoy: Easter Screen Savers & Wallpapers

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--- Advertisement: Spring Flowers from Proflowers

Proflowers is the most popular online florist, with hundreds of specials daily to give you the flower purchasing advantage you need. 
Flowers are shipped directly from the grower to ensure freshness for at least 7 days and the arrangements of spring flowers are simply 
gorgeous. Flowers are always the perfect way to let someone know you're thinking of them. This Easter, send a gorgeous arrangement of spring 
flowers or Easter lilies from Proflowers.

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--- Tip or Trick of the Month: How To Clean Your House Faster

Want some great tricks and ideas on getting that horrible chore of housecleaning done in half the time it usually takes? Of course you do. ;-) You'll love the advice and ideas on this page

Have a tip or trick your fellow readers would enjoy or could use? Please send it in for possible publication in one of the next issues: Tips 

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--- Time Waster of the Month: Wild Tangent Games
(Because life is supposed to be fun!)

Ready for a new game site, offering all the new and old favorites? Wild Tangent has classic arcade games, puzzle, action, sports games to 
mention a few and plenty of amusing distractions to waste a considerable amount of time online. Have fun, see you in the game rooms! :-) 

Feed the kids first ...

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--- Featured Site of the Month: 
Furniture & Bedding for Babies, Kids and Teens

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--- Advertisement:  Lillian Vernon Online

My home is filled with Lillian Vernon treasures, from the coolest and most beautiful kitchen goodies to holiday items I've collected over the 
years. Everything I've ordered from Lillian Vernon has been a delightful surprise and has remained a favorite, much-loved piece of my history. You will love Lillian Vernon's exclusive Easter treats for home, kids or gifts and her exclusive collection of goodies. 

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