Leigh Tanner

As we explore in our newest magazine issue, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recommends that mothers rest at home for an entire month following the birth of their newborn. This recovery time, called yuezi in Chinese, includes other edicts on the mother’s behavior, such as a diet marked by the consumption of “hot” foods and a lack of immersion in cold water (read: bathing). Although some of these traditions are no longer followed religiously, those who can afford it now have the option of yuezi centers that are specifically designed to cater to mothers and their infants within the recommendations of TCM.

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Commuting in Beijing can be an exhausting, dirty, harrowing experience. Whether standing on the subway, sitting on the bus, stuck in traffic, or crossing the street through a sea of cars, it is tempting to day dream about a reality in which getting to the office merely requires a walk down the hall. Rising in popularity over the last few years, telecommuting saves workers the hassle of travel, increases productivity and saves companies money on expensive offices. In a world ever more concerned with the state of our planet, taking commuters off the road also has a positive effect on the environment.

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A recent article from the New York Times reported that indigestible components in breast milk affect the composition of the bacteria in babies’ intestines, helping to protect them as they develop.  Three researchers at the University of California, Davis identified a strain of bacterium that is able to survive on the complex sugars derived from lactose that babies can’t digest. The bacterium, a subspecies of Bifidobacterium longum, coats the lining of the intestines in order to keep out other harmful strains. As Dr. German told the New York Times when commenting on this evolutionary genius, “mothers are recruiting another life-form to baby-sit their baby.”

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If you’re running out of activities to keep the kiddies occupied as the summer winds down, check out The Guardian’s suggestions for some fun kid-friendly recipes to keep little hands occupied. Let youngsters contribute to the family dining experience with easy to make falafel, tomato and sweetcorn salad and berry sundae with homemade chocolate sauce. Whether your children love to follow instructions or just need a starting off point for food imaginations to run wild, these recipes won’t disappoint.

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Family vacations can be a great opportunity to spend quality time together outside of daily life. However, among this picture of familial bliss is also the possibility that one sulky teenager can effectively ruin what should be a relaxing break for their parents. Overly concerned with being “cool,” many kids’ number one vacation goal is to ditch their parental units. To combat this, resorts and hotels have started providing activities for those who are beyond scavenger hunts, but not quite ready for cocktail hour. Helping teens meet each other and stay occupied, these vacation options provide parents with a break from headphone-wearing apathetic adolescents.

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After scouring the US Social Security registry of names that stretches back to 1880, naming expert Pamela Redmond Satran unearthed some of the best names used for 25 or fewer babies each year. Outside of rarity of usage, Satran looked for names that “have genuine provenance,” were attractive and felt contemporary. The result is a comprehensive list of 50 girls’ names and 50 boys’ names that are both unique and dynamic. The selection includes Amabel and Vita for girls and North and Thornton for boys. You can read Satran’s list here and for even more choices, check out the naming website nameberry.com.

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The myth of the “freshman fifteen” hovers in the minds of many teenagers before they head off to their first year of college. Being on their own for the first time with the temptations of junk food and the stress of university can mean the fear of weight gain becomes a reality. Students generally only gain an average of five pounds, but the idea that such gain is inevitable can make the myth a self fulfilling prophesy.

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In the increasingly competitive world of kids’ sports, elite teams such as travel or club teams can place extreme demands on both a family’s time and money. With extensive travel for tournaments and competitions and an expected year-round commitment, these teams can leave little time for other sports, relaxation or family. On top of the stress on the family’s time together, an elite sports team can cost into four figures annually. Faced with this choice, more and more parents are reacting against the pressure put on their kids and deciding that other things come first.

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The blonde hair and unrealistic body type of the US’s iconic Barbie doll has long been a source of frustration for many parents who wish there were more multicultural options for young children to play with. Noticing the prevalence of foreign dolls on the market, Ju Xia and her team at the Shenzhen Aphrodite Co Ltd set out to create a doll that would reflect the distinct cultural heritage of China. With the idea of creating a doll for each of the 56 Chinese ethnic groups, Fisimi dolls were born. Each doll involves extensive research as well as consultations with traditional craftsmen who help to create miniature molds of cultural jewelry and accessories.

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A new type of cultural exchange is gaining popularity in China and around the world. In exchange for two hours per day of native English or another in-demand language conversation, people in a host country will provide free accommodation, free guiding, or even free language lessons.   For those who wish to travel cheaply and experience a culture through the eyes of locals, it’s a perfect opportunity to shun the traditional bubble of touristy hotels and attractions.

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