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Only the Best for Your Kids – Naturally Safe Wooden Toys

7/29/2020

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​Your kids deserve toys that grabs their attention, spark the imagination, and keep them occupied. When you start to look at wooden toys for toddlers, you may get a bit of sticker shock. Wait just a minute! Why should you pay more for a single toy than you could for a whole pile of plastic, mass-produced ones?
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​Think back to the last time your son or daughter had a lot of toy options to play with. Did they use all of them the same? Or did they reach for their favorites again and again? There's something about a few special toys that really gets their attention and keeps them occupied so you can claim some mommy time for yourself.
 
Think about it for a minute. You want your little ones to have fun, but you also want to make smart buying decisions that focus on-quality favorites instead of piles of stuff that spreads out all over your house. Wooden toys for toddlers are the answer.
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Best of all, all-natural wood toys are safer and more environmentally friendly than plastic. Toddlers and preschool aged children do not need garish plastic toys that beep, blink, and break way too soon. What they do need is long-lasting, healthy toys that spark the imagination and deliver plenty of fun while they learn.
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​No More Plastic – Choose Wooden Toys for Toddlers
 
So, you may be able to buy five cheap plastic toys for the same price as one quality wooden one. While it may seem like more is better, plastic checks all the boxes on the no-no list when it comes to playthings.
 
Did you know that a lot of plastic used to make toys contains chemicals like BPA, PVC, and phthalates that the FDA says our potential health hazards? These are the last things you want your babies chewing on and touching all day long. The risk goes up even more if you buy from countries with looser quality controls.
 
Nothing is more important than your kids health, right? What about their future?
 
Plastic is a leading polluter that is destroying natural ecosystems all around the world. If you opt for wooden toys instead, you are doing something great for your kids today and tomorrow. Help them learn how to make the world the best place possible with smart buying decisions.
 
Natural is best when it comes to babies. You buy organic cotton outfits and wash with hypoallergenic soaps. Why would you turn around and put potentially damaging plastic in their little hands? Wooden toys for toddlers offer sturdy, colorful, and long-lasting toys that are healthy and tons of fun.
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​Not All Wooden Toys Are Safe
 
Unfortunately, you still have to be careful about where you buy the wooden toys. Can you believe that some unscrupulous companies lie about natural toys and end up making unsafe ones instead? Just imagine how awful it would be if your adorable son or daughter got a big splinter or scrape. It would be even worse if their favorite plaything, which they put in their mouth like most little kids do, was covered with toxic paint, stain, or sealants.
 
Invest in quality. Buy from trusted sources that stand behind their products. When you choose the highest quality wooden toys for toddlers, even the most well-loved favorites can last for generations.
 
As a local mom, I understand the importance of choosing the best products for our little ones. As a small business owner, I made it my mission to provide the highest quality, natural wooden toys to other parents who want the best for theirs.

​At Poppy Baby Co., we use old-time inspiration to create modern toys that young kids love. Visit the shop and enjoy a 15% discount on your next purchase of naturally fun wooden toys with the promo code “WESTCHESTERMOM.”


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Rafting, Kayak, Canoe and More Boat Rentals in Westchester County and Beyond

7/22/2020

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Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
When you are in a small boat with your family, keeping your distance from others is easy! That is why this summer is a great time to get out and enjoy the nearby waterways in a raft, kayak, or canoe. Take in the beautiful nature views, experience the thrill of the rapids, row alongside your family and breathe in the fresh air. Boating is relaxing, exhilarating, active and safe fun for all ages.

Check out these nearby boat companies that offer daily rentals in or near Westchester County, NY. Openings and closings are subject to change in the world of COVID so please check with the companies before heading over.
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Westchester County

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Hudson River, Sleepy Hollow
Kayak Hudson
Kayak Hudson conveniently offers kayak and paddle board rentals at Rye Beach, Croton Point Park and Tarrytown Lakes (kayaks only). They also offer a variety of tours for all ages at scheduled times throughout the day. Single kayaks are $29 for 1.5 hours, double kayaks and SUPs $49 for 1.5 hours. Tours range in price and are around $80 for a 2-3 hour adventure. To ensure safety, several measures are in place. All programs, including hourly kayak & SUP rentals, are by reservation only, face coverings are required upon arrival and post trip (not once you have launched). More details are on their website.

Update: Kayak Hudson will be open through September, possibly through Columbus Day weekend depending on weather.

Westchester SUP
This August you can paddle, sail or walk for a cause... to help Save the Sound. Participate in a friendly virtual competition to support regional environmental protection. Prizes for the farthest distance, most money raised through social fundraising, and more will be given to active participants who paddle, sail and walk on Long Island Sound over two weeks, from August 14 – 31. Ticket and price information can be found on the event site.

Currently Closed:
Hudson River Expeditions
Wampus Pond

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park


​Beyond Westchester County

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Delaware River
Mountain Valley Guides (Orange County)
Mountain Valley Guides offer a range of kayak adventures on the Hudson River for kids, families, adults (sunset paddles with wine anyone?) and dogs! Family Kayaking for families with kids ages 8-14 will run you $25 for a kids kayak for 2 hours, $30 for an adult or $60 for tandem. Tours range in price. Most of the tours this summer are out of the Cornwall location. Check out the Kids Only Kayaking Program. In response to COVID MVG will be limiting paddlers on all tours to promote social distancing in a small group setting, additional tours will be added to accommodate reservations. In addition MVG will be sanitizing all equipment prior to and after each use.

Storm King Adventure Tours (Orange County)

Offering guided kayak tours on the Hudson River, Storm King Adventures also offers a whole slew of excursions including Fishkill Creek, Hidden Cove, Sunset, Little Stony Point, Full Moon and Moodna. Check out the Kids In Colorful KayakS (KICKS) program for ages 9-16, which runs every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9am-12pm and 1:30pm-4:30pm, end of June through August for $40/session. Tours range from $40-$120 per child or adult. For health and safety they have also taken a number of steps to make the experience COVID friendly.

Silver Canoes (Orange County)
Escape for the day and enjoy a float trip on this pristine section of the Delaware River while surrounded by the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania and the Catskill Mountains in New York. Silver Canoes offers excellent service with convenient transportation to and from the river from their office in Port Jervis, NY. They are open seven days a week by reservation only. They offer ratings, canoes, kayaks and tubes. Rates are around $40 per person. Children 50″ and under float for $23.50 or one-half of the adult weekend rental rate when accompanied by 2 adults (except for tubing & kayaking).

Indian Head Canoes & Rafts  (Orange County)
Just around the corner from Silver Canoes, Indian Head offers similar options for a lower price. Service is not as good as Silver Canoes but still a gre
at experience. They have three locations so depending on the excursion you choose you may be starting or ending from either Barryville, NY, Knights Eddy (Sparrowbush, NY) or Matamoras, PA. Rafting for the day from NY to PA was pretty cool! In addition to water trips they offer cabins and camping as well.

Currently Closed:
Bear Mountain Canoe & Paddleboats (Rockland County)
Boat rentals are currently closed, they are hoping to reopen in a few weeks, you can check at the Bear Mountain Inn website for updates. Once open hourly paddle and row boat rentals will be available from 11am to 5pm during weekdays and 11am to 6pm on weekends (weather permitting).

Fahenstock State Park Row Boat Rentals at Canopus Lake (Putnam County)

​The Town Tinker Tube Rental (Ulster County)



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Farms, Pick Your Own Fruit and Orchards In or Near Westchester County

7/9/2020

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Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash
A visit to the farm or orchard is a great way to experience the outdoors while keeping your distance. The kids can enjoy berry picking, homemade ice cream, live animals and more at these nearby spots. Social distancing is required at this time so don't forget your masks!

Westchester County families, have fun at these nearby farms and orchards!
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Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag, NY (Dutchess County)
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Barton Orchards is a 175-acre apple orchard and vegetable farm located in Poughquag, New York, that has been in the Barton family for over 40 years. They have a pick your own farm with food, fun park, petting zoo, ice cream and more. 
Status: Open daily Sunday-Wednesday 11am-7pm, Thursday-Saturday 11am-8pm.
Animals: Yes, petting zoo and a dog park
Pick Your Own: No
Market: Yes, curbside and delivery available, farm store is open 11am-6pm daily
Dining: Ice cream

Now Open: Tree Top Adventures where you can spend a full day climbing, swinging, and zipping from tree to tree.
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​Fishkill Farms

9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell JCT, NY (Dutchess County)

Fishkill Farms is an apple orchard and diversified fruit and vegetable farm in the town of East Fishkill, New York. They grow apples, peaches, berries, cherries, and other fruits, all of which are available in season for pick-your-own. Visitors can get produce at the farm store.
Status: Open
Animals: No
Pick Your Own: Yes, by reservation only Tuesday - Sunday
Market: Online only, contactless grocery pick up available
Dining: No


Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY  (Westchester County)

Harvest Moon is a family owned and operated farm market and U-Pick fruit and apple orchard in Westchester County. Open seasonally April-December. During the Fall they do pick-your-own apples and pears and throw a Fall Festival every weekend from Labor Day to Halloween.
Status: Open Monday-Sunday 9am-5pm
Animals: During fall festival events
Pick Your Own: Yes, blueberry picking is currently open, check for daily updates, the largest season at this orchard is apples in September and October every weekend 
Market: Yes
Dining: Yes, seating available outside and inside the Farm Store

Hilltop Hanover Farm
1271 Hanover St, Yorktown Heights, NY (Westchester County)
​

Hilltop Hanover Farm is a bucolic 400-year old historic working farm in Yorktown Heights, Westchester County, New York.  Today the farm is a regional education center that offers programs on healthy and sustainable food production. Visitors can hike the farm's 3.5 miles of woodland trails, picnic on the farm grounds, purchase a CSA share, or produce from our farm stand or at U-Pick during the growing season, or attend any of our numerous classes and lectures. Hilltop Hanover Farm offers tours, classes and field trips to school groups, garden clubs, and scout troops.
Status: Open (Grounds are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm. Trails remain open from dawn to dusk. All visitors must wear face masks in parking lots and while on the grounds of the farm, in addition to practicing social distancing while on the property. All public restrooms are temporarily closed.)
Animals: Yes
Pick Your Own: Closed for the 2020 season
Market: Yes, Farm Stand will be open every Saturday from 10am to 4pm
Dining: No

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Muscoot Farm 
51 NY-100, Katonah, NY (Westchester County)
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At Muscoot Farm you can experience farm animals, agriculture, wildlife, and history in a family-friendly atmosphere. Once a working dairy farm, Muscoot Farm is now a Westchester County park open to the public 362 days of the year.
Status: Open (Please note that until further notice the Farm Complex and buildings at Muscoot Farm are closed. The parking lot and hiking trails however, remain open from 10am-4pm daily.)
Animals: Yes
Pick Your Own: No
Market: Yes (The Muscoot Farm Farmer's Market is open Sundays 9:30 a.m. to 2:30pm, walk-ins are now welcome, though it is still required that only one person per family attends. Face masks are mandatory and social distancing guidelines will be in place. A limited number of patrons will be allowed in at one time, so there may be a line at the entrance.)
Dining: No
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Och's Orchard
​4 Ochs Lane, Warwick, NY (Orange County)
​

Och's Orchard is a family owned farm and market. They offer pick-your-own fruits and vegetables on their vast grounds. From berries to veggies, to fruit, their market is full of goodies, including cider, donuts and homemade ice cream. All available in season! 
Status: Open 
Animals: No
Pick Your Own: Yes (call the day you wish to visit as it is not available every day)
Market: Yes
Dining: No

Outhouse Orchards
139 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem, NY (Westchester County)
​

A seasonal orchard open only in the fall for apples, peaches and pumpkins picking. Donuts, pies, corn maze, live music and more will be available in September and October.
Status: Closed
Animals: No
Pick Your Own: Fall only
Market: No
Dining: No

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​Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture
630 Bedford Rd, Tarrytown, NY (Westchester County)

Stone Barns occupies 80 acres in Westchester County, just 25 miles north of New York City and operates a highly diversified, four-season farm and an education center that hosts over a hundred thousand visitors each year. Live animals, dining, events and more are all here.
Status: Closed (Stone Barns Center remains closed to the public due to ongoing Coronavirus concerns. Public programs are canceled, and the Farm Store and Café & Grain Bar are closed during this time. We do not yet have further details about a timeline for reopening, but we look forward to sharing any change in status as soon as we can.)
Animals: Yes but currently closed
Pick Your Own: No
Market: Yes but currently closed
Dining: Yes but currently closed

Stuart's Fruit Farm
62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, NY (Westchester County)
​

Stuart's Fruit Farm is a family-operated farm since 1828 located in Westchester County, New York. Seasonallly they offer a varied selection of flowers and vegetable plants, in the spring, apple picking, peach picking and a pumpkin patch in the fall, and Christmas trees in the winter.
Status: Open for vegetable plants and flowers only
Animals: No
Pick Your Own: Yes but not until the fall for apples, peaches and pumpkins
Market: No
Dining: No

Warwick Winery & Distillery
114 Little York Rd. Warwick, NY (Orange County)
​
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery is located in the foothills of the Hudson Valley. Their manicured grounds, gardens, and orchards span over 120 acres. They offer an outdoor restaurant, marketplace and apple picking in the fall. Enjoy live music, hard cider and more at this beautiful spot.

Status: Open
Animals: No
Pick Your Own: Fall only for apples (opens August 29, 2020)
Market: Yes
Dining: Yes, the cafe is open Thursdays - Sundays, 11am - 5pm

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Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY (Westchester County)

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm has been around for over 100 years. They sell a wide variety of apples, pumpkins and peaches, all available to “Pick-Your-Own” during harvest season, starting in August. At that time there will be three farm markets that will open and sell everything from their own pressed apple cider to freshly baked pies, famous apple cider donuts and gift items. 
Status: Closed (they anticipate opening August 15th, 2020)
Animals: No
Pick Your Own: Yes (starting in August with peaches and then apples)
Market: Yes (three markets are expected to open in August)
Dining: Yes
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Leaky Bladder After Having A Baby?

7/1/2020

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​You are not alone.

Many women report leaking urine during their pregnancy and into postpartum. Leaking urine is medically called Urinary Incontinence (UI). For some women, UI that began during pregnancy persists after delivery as chronic UI. In addition, women who are incontinent during pregnancy, even if they become continent after delivery, are more likely to develop
incontinence later in life (ref 1).​

​There are different types of UI like leaking with laughing or sneezing, leaking with a strong urge to urinate or even a mixture of both.

So when this happens to us, what do we do? Most of us reach out to our girlfriends, sisters or mothers and it is all too common that we hear similar stories that reinforce the thought that we just have to deal with this issue or that there is nothing you can do about it.

But there is good news- you ​CAN​ do something about it. Your pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that affect your ability to hold in your pee. If you optimize those muscles, you can help improve your leaky bladder! Sometimes we leak because our muscles are too weak, sometimes we leak because our muscles are coordinating incorrectly, and sometimes we leak because our muscles are holding too much tension.
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Here are 5 tips from a Pelvic Floor Expert to optimize your pelvic floor muscles​:
  1. Make sure you can correctly contract your pelvic floor during a kegel.​ Check with a mirror or your hand to make sure you are squeezing and lifting those muscles appropriately.

  2. Make sure you can relax your pelvic floor muscles ALL the way after performing a kegel. ​If too much tension is your issue, then this will help those muscles relearn to relax.

  3. Work on how these muscles coordinate to be able to plug the leak for good. ​Your pelvic floor muscles need to coordinate with your abdominal muscles, so make sure you can feel your pelvic floor working when your abs are working. Your pelvic floor exercises should also include different types like quick, slow, isolated and even integrated kegels!

  4. Try decreasing the foods or drinks that can irritate your bladder. ​Look at how much water you are drinking. If you are drinking too little, then the urine can get so concentrated it becomes a bladder irritant and may make you leak. But there are other acidic drinks or foods that can irritate your bladder, too.

  5. Retrain your brain-bladder connection to release urine ONLY when you are supposed to! ​You should be the boss of your bladder, NOT the other way around. When we pee “just in case” without an urge to go, we are actually training our bladder to go whenever it wants instead of when it should normally empty. A quick way to retrain your bladder, among many, is to stop going “just in case."
​
Not sure if you are leaking because your pelvic floor muscles are too weak, uncoordinated or too tight? Not sure what foods, drinks or activities are affecting your ability to stay dry? Want to improve your bladder situation as much as you can regardless of WHY it might be happening? Many women go see a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, but that requires going to an office, spending a good amount of time and money. As Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists, we acknowledge that not everybody can invest in themselves in that way, especially during these uncertain times.

That is why we created a self-paced, online program for moms of any age who are leaking! It’s called ​Leak-Free After Baby Bootcamp​.

Learn how to help yourself live leak-free from the comfort of your own home and on your own time! It’s jam packed with ​Five 30 minute educational videos​, ​Three Coaching Calls over the time of the course, ​handouts​ for each lecture and ​bonus videos​. Learning how your body should work and how to heal yourself using the tricks we give our clients all the time!

This is our pilot program and we are offering a special introductory price of $99, but the entire course is valued at over $300. ​There are only 15 spots available. Once filled, the course will be closed and we don’t know when we will offer it again.
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Go to our website to sign up or learn more about the Leak-Free After Baby Bootcamp!
https://hudsonvalleypt.com/product/leak-free-after-baby-bootcamp/

Reference: ​https://www.ics.org/publications/ici_4/files-book/comite-1.pdf


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