A round-up of the most interesting and thought-provoking stories of the week.
CDC sets food allergy guidelines for schools
For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are providing schools with guidelines on how to deal with food allergies. USA Today
Those People
A mother opens up about her experience relying on food pantries for assistance, as a way to foster compassion and empathy. Scary Mommy blog
Recipe for Strong Teen Bones: Exercise, Calcium And Vitamin D
The human skeleton is 90% formed by age 15 or so, which is why it is imperative for kids to not only consume adequate calcium and vitamin D but also get enough exercise--especially jumping and running. Are your child's bones at risk? NPR
The 4-Week Plan to Swimming Your First Mile
Want to learn to swim for fitness but not sure how to get started? Check out this plan for newbies. FitSugar
Home Barre Workout: Ballet Belly, Buns, and Thighs
You'll feel the burn with this workout from fitness expert Jessica Smith. Shape
SparkPeople’s Nicole Nichols: Top 5 Reasons You're Not Losing Weight
Our own Coach Nicole shares her best tips. Don't miss! Top 5
Stuffed-Veggie Recipes (Portion Control Built In!)
We love these hearty yet portion-controlled recipes that are heavy on the veggies. Self
Baking 101: Why We Use Large Eggs in Baking
One of our favorite baking blogs explains why the size of your eggs means the difference between a hit or a flop in the kitchen. Joy the Baker blog
Pay Fit Forward: How One Woman Started a Fitness Chain Reaction
You'll love this story about how getting fit changes more lives than one. Fitness magazine
Docs to parents: Limit kids' texts, tweets, online
Pediatricians say many parents are clueless about the effects of screen media on their kids. The consequences can be serious, docs say. AP via Yahoo
The Habit That’s Costing You THOUSANDS of Calories
Are you at risk for weight gain because of this sneaky yet common habit? Women's Health magazine
30 Days of the Little Things (Challenge + Printable!)
Julie is one of my favorite bloggers because she is incredibly conscientious, genuine, and thorough. We love her focus on celebrating the little things in life. Savvy Eats blog
Which stories topped your "must-read" list this week?