Just stuff....

We are in the full swing of things with school now. I think we are establishing a routine here any minute. I am getting used to Amara being gone all day now. I am getting used to entertaining Miles all by myself now! Amara was really good at that.

I am trying to teach more classes too. Not that I want to, but it's easy money so why not!?!?

Miles has been without a nap for 5 days in a row now! I am not too happy about that, mainly because he is crabby. If he could go without a nap and still be normal, I would not mind as much. I am wondering and kind of hoping he will crash and burn this weekend and then start napping again. If not, then I can probably get more hours to work at the YMCA. I try to be done working in time for Miles to take a good nap, but this week--no so much! I tried everyday to lay him down and he was up causing trouble. He is lucky he is so dang cute.......

Amara is on mile 13 of her kids marathon! We did not run 1 time this week either. She (we) still have 12 more to get in by the 16th in order to make it. I think we will cut it way to close, but it will get done. She's a tough kid and she wants to earn a medal!

She has been asking to buy hot lunch at school. Yuck. I took a look at the menu and was appalled at most of the choices. I don't even think she would like most of the items. I think I will let her buy hot lunch once a month starting this month. We get the menu for the whole month so we will go over it this weekend and choose a day. It's making me think about Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution that was on TV last summer. Her school serves breakfast pizza too. It's just regular pizza, served in the morning. What a concept. She understands it's only a treat to get lunch once a month. I hope so. Maybe I will make her pay for it...........

News You Can Use. A Dose of the D!

What?? are you surprised this is NOT about potty training? Me too.

This post is about Vitamin D. I have been reading and hearing a lot about this vitamin. I have had quite a few runner friends that have been low on the D- that's a shame because it is very very important for daily function! Without vitamin D the body cannot take up and use enough calcium as it should. We need calcium for healthy bones and teeth!

Study after study shows low levels of vitamin D is linked to nearly every health condition you can think of: heart disease, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression and much more.

Who is the most at risk of vitamin D deficiency?? Exclusively breastfed babies--that's who? Seems strange if you ask me, but it's a fact. Even though breastfeeding is considered the ideal form of nourishment for infants, breast milk does not have enough concentrations of vitamin D.

As a vitamin found in many foods (eggs yolks, fish and fortified products)most kids don't get enough from foods alone. Here are some ways to ensure your kids ( and you!!) get enough vitamin D:

Incorporate vitamin D-rich foods: eggs and fortified foods like cow's milk, soy milk. rice milk, cereals and bread. Read the nutrition label for vitamin content as well. (400 IU/day is ideal).

Ask your doctor how mush fish is safe for your child to eat. Fish boasts vitamin D, some types of fish( shark, some tunas and swordfish) might have too much mercury. It's probably best not to eat more than 2 servings of lower-mercury fish a week such as catfish, salmon, shrimp, tilapia and clams.

Ask your doctor for a prescription for vitamin D drops after the birth of your baby. Breastfeeding is still the best way to nourish newborns and babies throughout at least the first 6 months. The drops just ensure that your baby is even healthier.

Go out and play! The sun offers lots of benefits and not just a burn! Just make sure to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen to your child even on cloudy days. The sun exposure will help their bodies produce vitamin D.

Establishing good habits in infancy and childhood will most likely carry over into adulthood. Making sure that your kids get 400 IU daily of vitamin D may help curb infections and fend off health problems such as osteoporosis, cancer and autoimmune diseases as an adult.

Good to know!

*info was gathered from an article in Family magazine. Article written by: Michael Wood M.D.*

Wordless Wednesday

Pedometers and Kids!

My daughter was recently given a pedometer as a gift. After learning what it was for she was very excited to try it out. The first day she put in almost 5000 steps! Not bad for a 5 year old...or so I thought! ( personally, I think it's GREAT!) I looked up a few sites on the Internet about kids and pedometers.

*Studies showed that for 6–12 year olds, girls needed 12,000 steps/day and boys needed 15,000 steps/day to stay in a healthy Body Mass Index - BMI. The study reviewed research of almost 2000 children in the USA, Australia, and Sweden. The study was published in the June, 2004 "Preventative Medicine" by Catrine Tudor-Locke Ph.D. and associates.* click here for full article.

I know Amara is 5 so the study does not necessarily included her, but still! It took her quite a few trips up and down the steps with 10 jumping jacks thrown in each time to get over 5,000 steps! This was with her being active in the morning, at school playing inside and out and also being active at home. Whew!

A study put out by the same Catrine mentioned above came out with this pedometer walking guide:

Classification of pedometer-determined physical activity in healthy adults:

1) Under 5000 steps/day may be used as a "sedentary lifestyle index"

2) 5,000-7,499 steps/day is typical of daily activity excluding sports/exercise and might be considered "low active."

3) 7,500-9,999 likely includes some exercise or walking (and/or a job that requires more walking) and might be considered "somewhat active."

4) 10,000 steps/day indicates the point that should be used to classify individuals as "active".

5) Individuals who take more than 12,500 steps/day are likely to be classified as "highly active".

I think that giving a pedometer to a little person is a great idea. They can see the numbers immediately ( although you might get a little annoyed when your child asks you every 3 minutes how many steps now!?!? ). Giving them goals to reach is a fun way get their bodies moving. Amara really liked it when I suggested doing jumping jacks when she reached the top of the stairs. She decided to do them when she reached the bottom as well. I caught her doing them the next day as well without my suggestion. Her new goal is 6000 steps! I have no doubt she will make it either.

More TV talk......

I came across this in my daughter's newsletter that is distributed once a week. I think I need to try this out.

If you want to limit your child's TV time, try this idea:

Every week give him seven slips of paper. Each is good for an hour of TV. Remind him to plan ahead. For example, if he wants to watch a movie that is 2 hours long on Saturday, he'll nee to save an extra ticket during the week.

Educational TV for kids

My kids pediatrician says not to watch TV or play the computer for over 2 hours a day for my kids. I would like to say that I wish I abated by these rules all the time, but I don't. I admit it. We have gotten a lot better especially since Amara's Doc asks her how much TV she watches! She tells the truth! I try to do 1 half hour program in the morning and then the kids eat breakfast and I turn the radio/TV ( not videos) on while they eat and then it's still on afterwards.


The same goes for lunch time and dinner. Now that Amara is in school and Miles naps during that time, the TV is rarely on for that 3 hours.


It's after school that I am dealing with. The kids get one 30 minute show when Amara gets home and then I try to turn it off. I say try because it's usually around dinner time then and I am in the kitchen and they both want attention. Coloring gets old and Amara can sometimes have enough of her little brother! It's not everyday that I give in to the idiot box, but on some days it just seems unavoidable!


I came across an article in Children's Health Magazine called
"Grading the TV Teachers".

The Top picks were:

Sesame Street

Beakman's World

Between the Lions

3-2-1 Penguins!

Cyberchase

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

Fetch! with Ruffman, and Teen Kids News

What to avoid:

Curious George

The Replacements

That's So Raven

The kids don't watch any of these shows except for Sesame Street! I have only heard of a few of the others.

Healthy Family Updates

Amara had a dental visit this week. It was her 3rd time going. I am very proud of her! Her teeth are doing great. I was also glad that she kind of enjoys going to the dentist ( I do too). She always gives the hygienist the biggest hug you have ever seen. You would think she sees her every 6 days, not every 6 months!

There was not a lot of scrapping to be done on her pearly whites. She brushes twice a day. Every few days Matt or I will give them a scrub as well, just to remind her how it's done. Although she clearly is doing wonderfully without us (tear). We floss her about once a week ( probably less, but we are working on that).

Even though we do all of those things I am sure a lot of her teeth's health has to do with the food she eats ( or does NOT eat). All of those apples, bananas and milk we feed her are doing some good! It still amazes me how many young children's teeth are bad due to the foods their parents allow them to eat. Sugary pops, candy and junk food all the time are bad for their teeth, health and bodies in general. Anyway....... Miles brushes his own teeth too. He won't let me help him most of the time. He has the time of his life mimicking his big sister while she brushes her teeth-it's the funniest thing! If you want more information on keeping teeth healthy check out this site: TEETH -lots of good info for parents and stuff for kids as well! Keep on brushin'!

Honey Bunnies cereal Review

This weeks review will be on a kids cereal. Honey Bunnies cereal. Amara (5) says " I like the cereal because it has honey in it. I like the shapes and it tastes yummy!" Miles (2) is too little to express his love for the cereal, but he does run to the cabinet and picks the box up trying his best to say " Honey Bunnies". That must count for something! Amara will eat hers with milk for breakfast or as a snack. I will throw some in a trail mix for her as well with some raisins and almonds and Miles will eat them dry any time of day.

It does taste pretty good. I buy it for the kids because it's low in sugar ( but sweet enough so they will eat it and like it.), is made from whole grains and has few ingredients when compared to most kids cereals these days.

*Annie's Honey Bunnies Toasted Corn & Oat Cereal - with Real Honey - bunnies and hearts made from toasted whole grain oats with just a honey glaze. Like all of our products, Honey Bunnies are as wholesome as they are delicious: 75% Organic and 100% All Natural9 grams Whole Grains (a Good Source of Fiber)Low Fat and No Cholesterol NO Icky Additives or Pesky Preservatives Grown and Processed without GMOs 0 grams Trans Fat & 0 grams Saturated FatVegetarian*

This cereal is mostly organic too. As you might already know, I don't buy all organic foods, but when it comes to my kids nutrition I try to get the most nutritious foods that I can afford. When I do buy processed foods, I look for them to be minimally processed, have few ingredients and have as natural ingredients as I can find. So this was a good choice. I recommend Honey Bunnies!

Healthy Family Updates

This week has been a HOT one! We have been looking for ways to stay cool and still have a good time ( and not spend a ton of cash!) and not use a lot of gas( Eco-friendly).

We have had trips to the library, the gym, craft making, and the gym( did I already say that?!?)

We also are starting to declutter our home ( third attempt this year) and have finally made some headway! While I slept, Matt tackled behind the couch. Oh my! What a dusty mess. Now there is NOTHING behind the couch. NOTHING! I am glad I did not take before and after pictures because I would have felt obligated to post them. It was horrible, and we vow to never let it get that way again. Our recylce bins runneth over after the declutter effort! There are also lots of items for our yet to be determined future garage sale! I have never had a yard sale before and am a bit overwhelmed and excited. Kind of. Any tips for a first timer would be appreciated! We vow to take back our home, one clutter pile at a time!

Amara is not so interested in Operation Declutter. She actually declared Tuesday " The worst day of my life!" Was it bad that I giggled after she said that?? I had to remind her of all the tings she did that day: track and field at the gym, swimming at the gym a fun craft at home and played outside. She literally had NO time to have the worst day of her life! By the end of her exhausting day she agreed with me!

Her craft was drawing on an old tank top with fabric markers.

All week long we have been doing environmentally friendly tasks without really trying!

What are some ways you and your family make fun, healthy environment choices? I would love to hear from you!

Tips on Tuesday- Fruits, vegetables and the kids that don't want them!

I am trying to have a daily theme...we will see how long I can keep that up!!

Nutrition is very near and dear to my family. We strive to teach the kids about healthy eating without being overly neurotic about it. We are looking for the balance of healthy foods and not so healthy stuff. I know that if we are too restrictive ( as my single parent dad was...my first taste of sugar cereal was in the 6th grade at a friends house) it could backfire. On the flip -side if we are too leiniet with goodies the kids will get the wrong idea as well. Finding the middle ground is very important to us.

Miles is 20 months and eats just about anything you put in front of him. So far so good. I know his habits will change, but it's nice that he is not picky.

5 year old Amara is another story all together! She knows what she likes and thinks she knows what she does not like! She likes green veggies; broccoli, spinach, romaine lettuce, green beans and fresh asparagus. She is not too keen on carrots or anything in the squash family! Her tastes have changed through the years. She now likes strawberries and bananas. She normally gets 2 fruits and 2 veggies a day; along with a half serving of 100% fruit juice.

Some tips I can offer to help make mealtime less stressful. We have done or still do these things for Amara.

Giving her the veggies before the main course.

Letting her pick out what fruit/veggie we eat for dinner. ( letting her choose between 2 foods)

Letting her pick the seasoning for her veggies.

Giving her a dip for her carrots--works every time! I also let her count out the carrots-- she has eaten 10 baby carrots at one meal before!

Incorporating fruits in the dessert. This week it has been strawberry shortcake!

When we do get fast food; she eats a serving of veggies before she gets the junk food.

In the end it is up to the caregiver to provide a variety of nutritious foods for their kids and to also be a role model. I guess that means I have to start eating bananas and peas! Yuck! :)

What tips do you have to share? I would love to learn some new tactics!

Sani Hands for Kids Review ONLY

I am always on the look out for great products that are kid friendly. I came across Sani Hands for Kids Instant Hand Sanitizing Wipes the other day. I figured what the heck and bought a box of 24 wipes. I am not a total germaphobe with the kids, but I do have hand sanitizer on me at all times. We frequent the grocery store ( dirty carts) the park ( gross) and I have even let them play on the forbidden mall play area. Miles actually has not been there yet, but Amara has been a few times. I like these individual wipes much better then the gloppy hand sanitizer in the bottle. These are much easier to handle and to control with the kids. I know that their whole hands are getting cleaned because I am doing the wiping.
From their site: An important way to prevent illness is to keep hands clean. Yet, how many children really take time to wash their hands before they eat? Sani-Hands® for Kids is formulated for use to clean and sanitize hands prior to handling food without rinsing. Unlike most other products.

Sani Hands for kids claims to kill 99.9% of germs. They are antimicrobial and they moisturize with aloe and Vitamin E.

To find out more about this great product CLICK HERE

15 minutes ( more like seconds) of fame!

Here is my promotional bit for the Honey Don't Cough product!

Click on the 3rd TV on the bottom to see my nervous debut! It was a lot of fun and I was so glad to be a part of it. Both kids were taking the honey all last week before bed and guess what? It still works! They slept all night long without waking up in a coughing fit.

Take some time to buzz around the site as well. Lots of great information!

http://www.honeydontcough.com/

Wordless Wednesday