Do you know what's for dinner? Mom and blogger Stephanie O'Dea does, and chances are she's cooking it in one of her five Crock-Pots. In January of this year, Stephanie made a New Year's resolution that she would cook at least one meal a day using a Crock-Pot. Not only has she stuck to her commitment, she's created a blog to share her experience and her recipes. A Year of CrockPotting (misspelled to catch the Google searches) details her menu hits (Original Crock-Pot Taco Soup) and misses (Overnight Quinoa and Brown Rice Pudding).

Stephanie's resolution recently caught the attention of famous kitchen diva Rachael Ray, where Stephanie got a chance to show her stuff. The show will air July 23rd, where she'll show Ray's viewers how to make Crock-Pot creme brulee. I had the opportunity to talk to Stephanie this week about her experience on the show, as well as her year of Crock-Potting and she had a lot of good stuff to share with ParentDish readers.

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I'm one of those moms that cares a lot about the food my family eats. Even as food costs rise, we've cut back in other areas in our budget so that we can continue to buy organic and locally grown meat and produce.

But by far, the most important thing I do to ensure that my family eats healthy, well-balanced meals is to COOK. That is why I found myself particularly peeved as I read a Time Magazine cover story entitled "How America's Children Packed on the Pounds."

In summing up the answer to the dilemma presented in the cover story title, the author describes "a long multifront war" on childhood obesity as such: "Parents are fighting it in the home....... Policymakers are fighting it as they study the growing body of research..... Doctors are fighting it as they deal daily with the ills associated with childhood obesity. And perhaps most important, teachers, mentors, and public role models are fighting it as they help kids navigate a culture that fosters fat but idealizes thin....".

Teachers, mentors, and public role models are the most important front in this war??!! I have a serious problem with the assigned hierarchy. In fact, this mentality, which inevitably leads to millions of wasted tax dollars, makes my blood boil!

A child's food preferences, habits, and his/her relationship with food are determined at HOME. Teachers, mentors, and public role models (whatever that means) can do precious little once the mold is set.

If America thinks that real solutions to childhood obesity lie in government campaigns such as the $125 million "VERB" campaign aimed at preteens and featuring Miley Cyrus, they are either grossly naive or, more likely, in serious denial. The campaign's budget was eventually slashed, which Time Magazine described as the government "dropping the ball."

Actually, parents are the ones "dropping the ball." We don't need another million-dollar government study to figure out that childhood obesity increased at about the same time that the once sacred family meal became optional and even non-existent in some homes.

If your child is a latch-key kid who heats up his dinner in the microwave or if eating take-out in the car on the way to soccer practice has replaced good food and conversation around the family table, you may have a genuinely good reason for your family's meal arrangements. And that's fine by me.

My problem is not with your particular arrangement (to each his own), but rather with our national denial. We blame McDonalds, school lunches, commercials, video games, the government -- the list goes on.

To combat childhood obesity, kids don't need government funded celebrity campaigns or mentors as much as they need parents who take the time to plan and cook nutritious meals that family members are expected to attend.

Why do we insist on complicating things so much? It's the family meal, stupid.

For more information about Rachel, visit her website at www.rachelcamposduffy.com.

Teaching your child to call 9-1-1 in an emergency is an important part of house safety rules. For Jessica Eaves, 24, however, it was crucial that her child know how to contact help on her own. Jessica has a medical condition called vasovogal syncope, which can cause her to faint.

Since her daughter Madelyn is only three, Jessica made up a song to teach her how to call for help on Jessica's Blackberry phone -- "9-1-1 green." That song made all the difference in the world last week when Jessica fainted and Madelyn was able to use the phone to call for an ambulance.

Madelyn called for help last year as well, when Jessica had taught her the song "green, green, green." By pushing the green button on the phone, Madelyn called the last number dialed and that adult called for help.

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If you or your partner have ever had to take drugs during pregnancy, then you know what a juggling game it can be. Basically, doctors only prescribe a medication if the benefits outweigh the risks to the pregnancy and the developing fetus. Want to take a decongestant for your stuffy nose? Forget it. Need an inhaler for asthma? Go right ahead.

One of the reasons doctors know so little about how drugs affect unborn babies during pregnancy is because there has been so little research done. USAToday has a really interesting article on the "drug drought" for pregnant women right now. Though many pharmaceuticals are considered safe for conditions women have before they become pregnant, there are no new drugs in the pipeline for medications that treat pregnancy-related conditions such as pre-eclampsia.

Drug manufacturers say the drug drought is due to safety issues -- no one wants to test drugs on a fetus. Others think it's more financial in nature. Pregnancy-related conditions are often short-lived and are relatively uncommon, so there's no real money in treating them. Either way, it leaves some women with extremely limited options when problems do arise. In the case of pre-eclampsia, treatment often includes delivering the baby, even if it's too soon.

Did you have to take medications during pregnancy? If so, did this "drug drought" affect you?

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Depending on who you talk to, Summer officially started yesterday evening. In short order, the street fairs and other summer festivals are set to make their debuts, if they haven't already. Amidst all the fun, thrills and excitement, the lights and sounds--and smells--of the fairs, there's another main reason people of all ages travel to such things: The food. It's deep-fried, a lot of it, it's greasy, and it sure is tasty. It also presents some precariousness for a parent of a child with a serious food allergy. After all, who knows what exactly is in that stuff? Most of the time, we'd rather enjoy it and not know.

Dr. Amal H. Assa'ad, a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology warns parents to inspect every molecule of food their children may come in contact with, and recommends children with severe allergies such as peanuts and tree nuts carry an Epi-pen with then at all times. I would add to that, from personal experience (I have one of these life-threatening allergies) that you SHOULD ALWAYS WEAR YOUR MEDICAL EMERGENCY ID BRACELET. As my CPR instructor noted, if my throat is closed up and I can't speak, and I'm not wearing my bracelet, no one is going to know I have a nut allergy and to give me the Epi-pen shot.

I hate to say this too, but parents should consider packing and bringing snacks they know are safe to any event, whether it be a potluck or a street fair. Sure, the food is tempting, but most of the people selling it didn't make it, don't know what's in it--oils, for example, are known to be terrible allergens but most servers don't know if what they're serving was made with peanut oil or soy oil--and don't understand how severe the consequences can be when the provide misinformation. Bringing your own food is sure to be healthier, too. Dr. Assa'ad also recommends that parents who suspect a child may have any sort of allergy get it checked out immediately. Honestly, as a kid, I never did. I just had the reaction and we thought, ok, we'll avoid that FOREVER. It's not a great way to navigate through the endless purveyors of things that smell delicious, but could be deadly.

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If your child is between the ages of five and fourteen, this summer he or she can help change the world by helping to rid it of malaria. According to this, Malaria kills over 3,000 children a day. Malaria is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. A simple solution? A $10 mosquito net.

Brooke White, of American Idol fame, along with American Idol Gives Back and Malaria No More, are championing efforts to rid the world of Malaria. This summer, they're urging children to use their summer vacations to do the same. White says she is inspired to be a part of the campaign and is amazed by the youth these days--according to her, they're "the most globally-conscious and actively engaged the world has ever seen."

Ideas to help this summer include turning summer-time activities like carwashes and lemonade stands into fundraisers, putting that time in front of the computers to use by social networking to spread info on and awareness of the cause, and designing T-shirts with witty slogans to help spread the word. For more information on how to fight malaria, as well as three other cool ideas to help fight the battle, click here.

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Not too long ago, Scott Baio was looking for love. The Happy Days star eventually found it, with Renee Sloan, and soon after was set to become a father. In November 2007, Scott did become a father, to baby girl Bailey Deluca. Then, disaster struck. His newborn daughter was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening metabolic disorder. The star kept the entire thing under tight wraps, even as he and Renee tied the knot.

Says Scott: "It was the worst time in my life.... The disease is a constant in your brain. It never leaves you." After over two months of testing, it was revealed little Bailey had tested a false positive. While Scott and his wife felt relieved, he noted that the scare put everything in perspective.

I can't imagine what it must have been like for them to go through such a thing. I feel for any parent who has medical concerns about a child. I used to spend all my time worrying about my son; now I split that time between worrying about him and my unborn daughter. Baio was incredibly lucky that his baby's illness turned out to be only a scare--many parents are not so lucky. Still, scare or no, it's all a part of being a parent--welcome to parenthood, Scott.

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When Bobby Jones played outside with his two-year-old son recently, a neighbor said that she thought he was very "attentive." Not attentive enough, apparently. Jones neglected to protect his toddler from the sun, and the boy developed second and third-degree burns -- including large blisters -- on his back and shoulders.

The sunburn has landed Jones in hot water. He's been arrested and is facing criminal abuse charges. Jones recently pleaded not guilty, but the court has placed an emergency order that doesn't allow Jones to see his son for the next two weeks.

Whether or not this is a case of a terrible mistake or, worse, neglectful behavior, it is a good reminder that it doesn't take long at all for children's skin to burn in the hot summer sun. Having been caught without sunscreen once already this summer, I recently bought an extra stick for my purse. Check out our sun safety post for more tips on protecting kids from those summertime rays.

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In a tale that could very easily have a bittersweet ending, possibly ailing actor and philanthropist Paul Newman has quietly turned $120 million in earnings from the Newman's Own company over to charity. Friends of Newman claim the actor is battling lung cancer.

Newman and his family have tried for some time to keep his illness, which for all intents and purposes remains unconfirmed, under wraps. Some think the turning over of the NO profits is a signal that Mr. Cool Hand Luke is dying and that the rumors are true. Not so, say others, who confirm the star did so in honor of his 80th birthday to make sure his charities would continue receiving his funds after the inevitable.

As you may know from my past rantings writings, Paul Newman, at any age, will always occupy a large part of my heart. And it's not because he's a big movie star. That helps, for sure, but it's more that he's been married to the same woman since the 50's, that he gives to charity and doesn't make a big show of it, and that the only questionable film choice he's made was The Color of Money. Still love him--at any age--and always will.

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Every child is unique, it's true. Some, however, are a little more unique than others. There was Lakshmi, who was born with four arms and four legs. And now there's the son of Chinese farmer Li Jun of Hejian city located in the central Chinese province of Henan. The boy was destined to be twice the man I am -- he was born with two penises.

Yep, you read that right -- the boy had an extra bit of manhood smack dab in the middle of his back. While I'm not sure that's the spot I'd pick for a little extra equipment, it would certainly make for some interesting conversations down at the local swimming hole. The abnormal growth was apparently a case of fetus in fetu, a condition where a fetus develops inside or as part of its twin.

Doctors spent more than three hours in surgery removing the extra penis and say he is doing fine. I'm not so sure of that, however. You think the anti-circumcision guys are angry; when he grows up, this kid is gonna be pissed!

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In a recent New York Times article, the pain associated with not being able to have a child is likened to that of a back ache--dull, aching, and never quite goes away. For some women, the miracle of child birth and the joy of raising a child will always be unattainable--because of infertility, because of timing or age, or for unknown reasons.

Some of these women (and their partners) adopt. Some, like Pamela Mahoney, who was interviewed for the article, make the tough decision to move on. Many of them do this after countless hours and thousands of dollars spent on treatments, analysis and IVF. They decide to remain childless.

The question that keeps ringing in the back of my head is why not adopt? There are so many children out there who need loving homes, the kind that surely these couples would be able to offer. As one woman commented in the article, adoption isn't an easy answer. She'd seen the struggles of her friends who went through the adoption process. I've seen it to--some meet with success, others not so much. It's just as heartbreaking.

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Parents of a 12-year-old Scottish girl may face charges after the child was brought to the hospital with a degenerative bone disease. Doctors say that she has the spine of an 80-year-old, caused by a severe case of rickets, which occurs when a person does not get enough vitamin D. In addition to her curved spine, she also has had several broken bones.

Though doctors are not yet commenting on the case, some feel that her condition was caused by the strict vegan diet she was raised on since birth. Vegan diets don't allow meat, fish, or dairy, which are good sources of vitamin D (as is the sun).

Last year, a couple was sentenced to life in prison for letting their newborn starve on what they perceived to be a vegan diet. Since then, the question has been asked again and again: Are vegan diets safe for kids? The trend has nutritionists concerned, that's for sure.

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Kids love a good walk through the woods to get away from the hot summer sun. If you go off-trail, though, be sure to keep a look out for poison ivy. Some studies suggest that global warming is contributing to the growth of poison ivy and its ability to produce its itch-causing oils.

Whether or not that's true, it is a fact that you want to stay far away from the stuff. Poison ivy grows in open fields, on roadsides, at the beach, even in your backyard. The general rule is, "Leaves of three, let it be." But there are a lot of three-leaved plants around, so it's a good idea to know what poison ivy looks like.

Poison-Ivy.org is an excellent resource for learning how to identify poison ivy. Start with their quiz, then work your way up to their FAQ. If you think you're already a poison ivy expert, check out their advanced page to see how creative poison ivy can be. If you really need motivation to learn more, check out their skin rash hall fame (but not if you're squeamish, it's pretty ugly!)

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Can a child teach an adult how to love? Well, I'd wager there is a lot we can learn from our children. I think Jim Carrey would agree.

In a recent interview Jim claims that Jenny McCarthy's son, Evan, taught him how to love. Jim says the five-year-old, who was diagnosed with autism, has not only taught him how to love but has also shown him Jenny's wonderful spirit, which he wouldn't have seen without Evan.

McCarthy is spearheading an activism movement to clean up toxins in vaccines and believes that there is a link between vaccinations and autism. Her partner, Jim, joins her in this movement. According to Jim, Jenny is the source of everything good in his life. Sounds like love to me!

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When I was pregnant with my first child, I had a lot of fears. Some of them were totally unsubstantiated, but all of them were most likely the product of going through a life-altering experience with no real rules or know-how. And of course there were the hormones. My main fear, or at least one of my favorites, was that the baby's umbilical cord would get wrapped around his neck and strangle him.

I used to stop and think, after feeling that fear, that it was ridiculous to be afraid of something so unlikely to happen. Still, the rumor mill persisted on how such a thing could happen. Living in New York, I took the subway all the time. I read somewhere that reaching above your head, and specifically that holding on to a subway bar (instead of sitting down) would cause the umbilical cord casualty. Then, I had my son and everything was ok.

However, it turns out, I know a relatively high number of women whose children were born with their umbilical cords wrapped around their necks. All the children and mothers were thankfully totally fine, but it still scared the bejesus out of me to even think about it. Now I am pregnant again, and those old fears are back. I checked out Dr. Spock, who helped my mom bring me into and up in this world, to see what the real deal with umbilical cords is.

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