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Spring Fling Treasure Hunt Downtown

March 27, 2018 by Rachel Witzel

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Back to School Prep with MinuteClinic®

August 26, 2015 by Denise Courter

Back to School Prep with MinuteClinic®

It’s hard to believe that kids are gearing up to go back to school in the Fall. But, its true and parents and their kids are shopping for school supplies, back to school essentials and preparing for early morning wake up calls.

It also means that its time for wellness check ups and obtaining medical forms from practioners, either verifying that your child is in good health, has receive up to date vaccinations and is cleared for sports by getting an old-fashioned physical. Luckily, our partner CVS MinuteClinic® has nurse practitioners and physician assistants for physicals and immunizations to get your kids ready for back to school.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants† are ready to:

Review health history and immunizations
Perform a thorough physical exam
Complete and stamp required paperwork

Also called pre-participation physicals, sport physicals are a great way to make sure an athlete can safely play. Even if your state or school doesn’t require it, sports physicals also help to keep immunizations up to date and provide an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have. The MinuteClinic® website and kiosks have information and videos to help understand more about exams and articles on health and wellness; to learn more, click HERE .

What to know before your visit:

Insurance is not accepted for physicals at MinuteClinic® and payment is due at time of visit.
Bring any required forms including a completed health and immunization history.
Our practitioners can only verify immunizations administered at our clinics or with appropriate documentation.
A sports physical should not replace an annual wellness physical.
For a limited time, there is a $10 discount available on the CVS website.

Help your kids boost their stamina and include the fit 5 in their diet: quinoa, kale, chia seed, peanut butter & pickle juice. If you are lucky, your sports fiend is adventurous and will try all of these in their diet, but I’m pretty sure my soon to be 7 year old will just stick to good old-fashioned peanut butter!

Back to School Health also includes vaccinations including meningitis and pertussis (whopping cough) before attending school. My soon to be Kindergartener is getting ready for her last round of shots and as much as she dislikes them, the pain is worth it for her, since she gets to pick out a lollypop from the Dr’s office. Probably not the best for a 5 year old, but if it means keeping her safe, then the tears and candy are worth it!

Find out the requirements for meningitis shots in your state HERE, and the requirements for pertussis shots HERE. Children and young adults are among the highest at risk for meningitis. MinuteClinic can administer meningitis vaccines to anyone over 18 months in most states. Pertussis is a contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious illness, especially in infants too young to be fully vaccinated. To prevent pertussis, infants should be vaccinated as soon as they are old enough. MinuteClinic recommends that those over 18 should get a booster vaccination immediately if they haven’t received one. More information on vaccines and immunizations HERE.

Don’t forget – you can get $10 off a sports physical from now until September 7th and a FREE Johnson & Johnson coupon book with $29 worth of savings!

Disclosure: I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. All opinions are my own.

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Summer Camp Tips and Tricks with MinuteClinic

June 9, 2015 by Denise Courter

Summer camp is a rite of passage for many school age kids and as the academic year winds down, there is excitement in the air for the upcoming summer camp season. Many children are excited to be packing their bags for day camp or sleep-away camp. Summer campers will be able to explore their independence and enjoy their summer vacation, without a text book in sight. However, with their new found independence, summer campers are responsible for their own health and safety.

Read on for some fantastic tips and tricks from the summer camp experts at the CVS Minute Clinic. As a family that has relied on their expert advice on how to deal with spring allergies, it should come as no surprise that the team at Minute Clinic can provide guidance on helping your camper pack for a fun-filled summer and being prepared for a happy and healthy summer.

#1: Schedule your child’s camp physical – make sure it is up-to-date on immunizations and check their overall health. The MinuteClinic family nurse practitioners will review your child’s health and immunization history, perform a thorough exam and measure height & weight as well as provide safety and education tips.

#2: Follow the packing list provided by the camp – review the list of items that are requested as well as the items that the camp suggests leaving at home. But, don’t forget to send them with an item that is familiar, like a stuffed animal or a favorite blanket. This will help your campers expectations and ensure a happy experience.

#3: Visit your camp of choice – call ahead and schedule a visit with your little camper. This will ensure your child will be familiar with the setup and recognize faces of the counselors and directors of the camp.

#4: Help your camper capture the memories – give your camper a journal or disposable camera to capture their summer camp memories. This will allow you and your child to talk about their camp experiences and create lasting memories.

#5: Pack the essentials – medication, sunscreen, a mini-first aid kit and flashlight and batteries! Include some extras such as chapstick, bug repellent, insect bite relief cream and extra batteries.

The CVS MinuteClinic nurse practitioners are well-equipped to diagnose poison ivy, bug bites and more. They can offer on the spot assessments and recommend over-the-counter medications, that are right for each patient.

The CVS MinuteClinic is a great destination for your family to stock up on the essentials of a summer camp luggage bag. Check out the fun character band-aids, the extreme sport bandages and the reusable cold packs, too. And, no bag, whether it is an overnight back or a day trip bag would be complete without hand sanitizer or handwipes. Stop by your local CVS for all of the summer camp necessities, including sunscreen, vitamins, allergy relief medication, band-aids, calamine lotion and more. Plus, customers can pick up a $25 coupon book, while supplies last.

Join Us for a Twitter Party: Are you (and your kids) ready for camp? Join the #ReadySetCamp chat on Wednesday, June 10th from 1pm – 2pm (EST) w/@MinuteClinic to share your tips! RSVP here: http://on.fb.me/1FjqOgE

Disclosure: I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic

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MinuteClinic® and Allergy Season Myths, Tips and Resources!

April 21, 2015 by Denise Courter

It is hard to believe that allergy season is upon us, but it’s true. Whether you live near the water, the mountains or in the middle of New York City, there is no escaping the fact that for 35 million Americans with seasonal allergies, spring means itchy eyes, sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose and congestion. And, as an allergy sufferer and the Mom of a 6 year old seasonal allergy sufferer, this is a challenging time of year. Luckily, we have the MinuteClinic® in our neighborhood for relief and guidance.

As a child, I never suffered from allergies. It wasn’t until I moved from California to New York, did I feel all of the traditional allergy symptoms. But, I had to learn the basics, to understand how to manage seasonal allergies.

What IS an allergy?

An allergy is the body’s hypersensitivity to substances in the environment. Mold, dust, pollen, pet dander, and even some foods can cause allergic reactions.

What causes seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies are a reaction to small airborne substances. These allergens are small proteins that usually float around in the spring, summer and fall.

So, those springtime colds may actually be allergies?

Yes. A cold will typically clear up pretty quickly, within 7-10 days. Allergies may last weeks or even months!

So, how do you know if the onset of symptoms indicates whether you have a cold or allergies? Check out some great comparisons provided by MinuteClinic®.

Colds vs. Allergies

Many people confuse the symptoms of spring allergies with a common cold. Here’s what you need to know about the two:

The main difference between a cold and allergies is that a cold is caused by a viral infection while allergy symptoms are caused by your body’s own immune system’s attempt to fight off an allergen.

If you start sniffling and coughing at the same time each year and your symptoms come on suddenly, it may be allergies.

Parents need to know how to protect their families from allergies and the best way to get allergy relief. I know that the answers to these questions are critical to enjoying outdoor activities with my family.

1: How can I protect my family and myself?

Symptoms can usually be controlled with treatment. Nasal saline, decongestants and over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines may help relieve symptoms as well.

2. How do I get allergy relief?

There are plenty of options! At MinuteClinic®, the nurse practitioners and physicians assistants can recommend the right over-the-counter medications and write prescriptions when medically appropriate.

If you’re diagnosed with allergies, medication may help relieve your symptoms. The best way to treat allergies is to avoid the allergen – whatever it may be.

FiDi Families Insiders: MinuteClinic® Tips that we LOVE…

Shake it off! Before coming inside, rid your clothes of pollen with a good shake.

Did you know hair gel could be a pollen magnet? Skip the sticky stuff during allergy season for a little extra relief.

Avoid window fans! While convenient, they tend to bring in unwanted pollens or mold spores.

Fall asleep on clean sheets. Wash your bedding every two weeks to help ease allergy symptoms.

As a Mom of two toddlers, having access to health advocates and experts like the one’s at MinuteClinic® is convenient and reliable. My family has trusted their pharmacy team for several issues, whether it has related to teething questions, over-the-counter medications or seasonal allergies. If you haven’t stepped inside a MinuteClinic®, consider it during allergy season. To learn more, visit http://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic

ABOUT: MinuteClinic® is the walk-in medical clinic inside select CVS/pharmacy®stores. We provide quality and convenient health care services 7 days a week — no appointment necessary. Most insurance plans accepted.

Disclosure: I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic®

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Montessori School of Manhattan Announces Spring Open Houses!

April 20, 2015 by Denise Courter

Montessori School of Manhattan Annouces Spring Open Houses!

We’re Expanding! The Montessori School of Manhattan, nurturing preschool students in the downtown community for over 15 years, is now hosting our Spring Open Houses for prospective parents. As a traditional Montessori school, MSM offers children ages 2-6 years hands-on learning experiences which develop self-confidence, independence, and a life-long love of learning. We invite you to visit us and learn more about exciting new additions our expansion will bring.

The school’s beautiful, sun-filled classrooms and highly experienced Montessori-certified teachers, create a joyful and warm environment where each child is specifically challenged to the highest level of his or her own unique abilities. MSM students enjoy an educational experience that enhances self-esteem and fosters an ever-increasing curiosity about the world, affording our graduates consistent acceptance to New York’s most competitive schools. In addition to our traditional Montessori curriculum, MSM students participate in Second Language, Performing Arts, Music, Yoga, and Visual Art Study programs. First-time visitors to MSM are impressed with the self-discipline, confidence and academic talents of even our youngest children. At MSM, Dr. Montessori’s philosophy is showcased throughout their programs and communities, both locally and internationally, through parent-organized outreach programs, fundraisers and their generous scholarship fund.

Prospective parents are invited to attend the first upcoming Open House on the following dates:

May 7^th, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, 2 Gold St. Campus (between Maiden Lane and Platt Street)

May 13^th, 5:30pm – 6:30 pm, 53 Beach St. TriBeCa Campus (between Hudson and Greenwich Street)

Please note RSVP is not required.

For more information please visit http://www.montessorimanhattan.com or call 212-334-0400

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