Choosing A Sunscreen Most parents are pretty good about using sunscreen on their kids, both because they want to avoid the future damage the sun can do and because they don't want their kids to suffer with a sunburn. Many are still confused about which sunscreen is the best to use though. Do you have to use a kids or baby sunscreen? How high of an SPF is high enough? While you usually can't go wrong with using a brand that is targeted at kids, you could just as easily...

The Road to Nationals-Tyler McGill Coming off a successful 2009, Auburn senior Tyler McGill is looking forward to a strong finish to his collegiate season and more international competition. McGill placed second in the 100-meterbutterfly at the 2009 ConocoPhillips National Championships to earn a spot on the 2009 World Championship team. In Rome, he was part of the gold medal 400-meter medley relay team, swimming the butterfly leg in prelims. With only a handful of meets left in the collegiate season, I caught up with McGill to talk about his...

Children's snacks: 10 tips for healthier snacking When your child gets the munchies, be prepared to offer a quick-and-healthy fix. Start with these 10 tips for healthier children's snacks. Courtesy of Mayo Clinic Staff Snacking is a major pastime for many kids — and that's not necessarily bad. Snacking can help your child curb hunger throughout the day, as well as provide energy and important nutrients. But the quality of the snacks is key. Consider these 10 tips for healthier children's snacks. 1. Keep junk food out of the house....

The Road to Nationals-Eileen Breeden In her fourth year at Stanford University, national teamer and Olympian Elaine Breeden is entering her favorite part of the collegiate season and enjoying every minute of it. As the training focus shifts after the frenzied peak of the holiday workouts, Breeden is working on her speed and looking forward to the exciting meets ahead. National Team Member: Elaine Breeden Location: Palo Alto, California Distance from the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships: 396 miles Did your performances from Trials and Beijing last summer impact you in...

Children's swimming: Keep health risks at bay Is it risky for children to swallow pool water? Your child is bound to take a few gulps of pool water at one time or another, especially when first learning to swim. A little swallowed pool water isn't cause for concern, but drinking too much pool water can make a child ill. What's the best age to begin swimming lessons? The American Academy of Pediatrics supports swimming lessons for most children age 4 and older. If you choose to enroll a child younger...

Todays Know What Topic: Healthy Snacks The nonprofit group Center for Science in the Public Interest has released a list of unhealthy snacks that are commonly served in vending machines in schools, which are often 'filled with soda, candy bars, cookies, chips and other low-nutrition foods,' plus a list of more healthy choices. Another big problem is that many kids use these vending machines and 'snacks' as an alternative for lunch. Among the ' Worst Vending Options' are: Chips Ahoy!, Oreo and other fatty cookies Chocolate whole or 2% milk...

The Road to Nationals-Alex Wold When the temperature is five degrees below zero, it's difficult to imagine competing at an outdoor meet – even if that competition is still over eight months and nearly 2,000 miles away. But with the countdown to the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships in Irvine, Calif. already underway, National Team member Alex Wold is doing just that. I caught up with Wold, a senior at the University of Minnesota, prior to the Gopher’s annual training trip to Hawaii. As a middle distance freestyler and 400 IMer,...

Todays Know What topic: Secrets to Selecting Fresh Fruits and Vegetables We all know buying fresh is best, but when it comes to shopping for fresh produce, it is not always easiest. In fact, it is a little tricky and can be time consuming. Here are a few of our secrets to shopping smart for the fresh stuff in the produce aisle. Buy produce that is in season: Foods that are in season are at the peak of freshness, flavor and affordability. If you don't know if an item is...

The Road to Nationals-Julia Smit ConocoPhillips presents The Road to Nationals, a year-long series in which Swimnetwork will follow National Teamers from January onwards as they look forward to the summer's biggest meet: the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships. This versatile National Teamer has had an impressive start to 2010 and is looking forward to carrying that momentum into the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships this August. Stanford’s Julia Smit competed at her fourth NCAA Championships this past March, winning the 200-yard Individual Medley, 400-yard Individual Medley and the 400-yard freestyle relay,...

Courtesy of Mayo Clinic Children's swimming: Keep health risks at bay Your child may love to swim, but is it always a good idea for him or her to be in the water? Follow these year-round children's swimming tips. By Mayo Clinic staff Jay Hoecker, M.D. Is it OK for your diaper-clad toddler to splash in the local pool? Can your child safely wear a cast or ear tubes in the water? Could bacteria lurking in the pool or lake make your little one sick? Before you help your child...