Sleep: the ultimate school supply

Start the school year off right by getting your kids back on a healthy sleep schedule! Have them go to bed at the same time each night and get a consistent amount of sleep.

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

Related resources:

Getting into sleep routine for back to school- video by St Christopher’s Hospital

Back to school sleeping requirements and tips – from The Sleep Doctor

I get asked sometimes what to do for your children when everything you have tried has not worked. Your child will simply not eat any or very little fruits and vegetables.  Kids can be very picky eaters and stubborn, too.

I always recommend continued patience and don’t give up trying to introduce fruits and vegetables in different experiences that can be really fun for kids.  Like planting a vegetable and involving the child so they can see it grow from a little seed.  That can really pique their interest.

But in the meantime, how do you ensure your child is getting the necessary vitamins and minerals they need that only comes from fruits and vegetables.  Although fresh is best, sometimes a child does need a supplement.

I am not an expert at supplements but there is one that my husband and I take every morning and one that I buy for my grandniece who is five years old.  And that is Juice Plus.  It is not a manufactured vitamin but actually made from 17 fruits and vegetables.

As I said, it is not a vitamin or mineral, it is actually whole food supplement.  It is made from 17 different fruits and vegetables that are juiced and then dried at low temperatures so that the water and sugar,  salt and the bulk are removed leaving just the concentrated powder from the fruits and vegetables.  This powder is put inside capsules and chewables for kids.

I am not paid to tell you about this special nutrient.  I just really believe in the importance of fruits and vegetables and wanted to share with you something that my family takes to get all our nutrients. I do eat lots of fruits and vegetables every day but sometimes I don’t get all the servings my body needs.  I know my little five year old is one of those very stubborn picky eaters.   That was when I found out they also had a the kids chewables Juice Plus.

When I find a healthy snack or in this case, supplement that I really think is great, I want to pass that on to you.

Here is a link to their general Juice Plus website where you can get more information about their kids chewables and all the research and science behind their product.

Resources:

Picky Eaters Printable Guide for Parents

Remind me Monday

You’re more likely to attain your family’s health goals with constant reinforcement. So make a list of family’s desired behavior changes every Monday and keep your goals in sight by posting a reminder on the refrigerator for yourself and your family!

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

Pencil in some push-ups!

Get to know your schedule. Look at the week ahead and find several 30-minute blocks when you and the family can use for exercise. Write them on your calendar and look back next Monday to see how you did!

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

Resources:

Printable – Write in your daily activity worksheet

Kids Daily Exercise Needs Article
How To Get The Children Off The Couch And Get Moving!

Improving Kids TV Habits Article
How to Reduce Kids TV Time and Unhealthy Snacking

Keep Kids Active During Summer Article
Get kids active during summer and avoid too much TV time.

Seek the summer shade

Help prevent skin cancer by staying out of the sun from 11–3, and by reaplying your sunscreen often. Don’t run out of sunscreen – Restock Monday.

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

Avoid barbeque binging.

Stay on track this Memorial Day by using small dishes instead of picking from a larger bowl or package.

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.  This is actually a great time to remind us how important it is to find physical activities to do with our kids.  Why?  Many of us may have started out the year with great enthusiasm but with busy lives, work and keeping up the kids, it is easy to forget our health and activity goals.

But, that’s okay.  It happens to most of us (including me!)  Just a great reminder to get moving again.

Here is a list of activities that you and the kids can choose from.  The most important thing is to have fun.  Don’t think exercise, think being active and FUN!  Find the activities that you and your kids enjoy!  Then you will want to keep doing it.  And try new activities, too!

Related resources:

Activity Goal Sheet for Kids

Activity Tracking Sheet for kids- print out to track daily and weekly activity

Wind down to amp up.

Stay alert by devoting 30 minutes a day to a relaxing activity like yoga, meditation or reading. Regular relaxation keeps you energized- get in the habit today!  These are good habits to teach the kids as well.

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.

Here is a mini ‘Let’s Move’ commercial featuring NBA star, Kevin Durant, that you can share with your kids.  This little video helps reminds kids why it is important to move everyday.  I thought it was very well done and uses a combination of kids, fun activities and characters to get the message across to move every day!

Enjoy and share this with your kids:

Related Resources:

Let’s Move.Gov

Printable ‘Move it Minutes’ Tracking Goal Sheet- kids set goals and track 1 hour of daily physical activity

Stay healthy under pressure

Got stress?  You may be at risk for high blood pressure. Visit your local pharmacy or schedule a screening with your doctor to get your numbers this Monday.  Taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your family.

Mondays are a great day to renew Family Health vows. Every Monday, you will find some healthy tip to help your family start the week off on a Healthy Note!

Thanks to Healthy Monday organization for sharing their Monday tips.