Back to School…Just DON’T Let Them RULE…

Rule out recess, that is. This is one of my sore spots when it comes to children.  WE are responsible for the future of our youth.  We teach them all kinds of things from values to attitudes to how to eat. But somehow, in this “no kid left behind” world, we have become too focused on so called “enrichment” classes and activities to the point that childhood obesity has become an epidemic.

We CAN do something about school lunches. if you cannot influence the offerings, then at least you can send something from home. And, that’s definitely a step in the right direction.

But what about the other side of the equation?  The equation that’s been proven time after time after time: our bodies are meant to move.   We work & perform better.  We think better.  Our bodies heal better.  We feel better…when we are active.  And so do our kids.

No longer do schools have physical education every day…how sad is that? And recess–a physical and mental break which is key on many levels– is often dependent on a slew of factors.  Sadly, an article in Dallas Child magazine says close to 40% of our nation’s schools have reduced or are thinking about eliminating recess from the school day.   My daughter’s elementary school only has PE 2-3 days a week, where the goal is some activity for at least 20 minutes.

Gone are the days when our kids learn various sports in school PE. I learned all my sports that way! In today’s world, the knowledge comes from parents getting kids into extracurricular sports outside of the schools. And while that combats the issue some, it isn’t an option for many under-privileged families.  With parents working, kids are often left to the entertainment of TVs and computer games…and a lot of artificial, nutritiously empty, processed food.

Whole Foods has a wonderful program that is free for schools to participate in. It helps kids log miles that they walk/run in quarter mile segments. In Texas, there is a kick off celebration and 6 months later, a final lap celebration. The children who successfully complete a log that equates to a “marathon” (26 miles) earn a free T-shirt and finisher’s medal. I think it’s a great program for the education, goal setting and physical aspects. My daughter is participating for her 4th year.  The program also comes with a food calendar to count daily fruit and vegetable intake.  It’d be easy to implement in your area and Whole Foods would be happy to help.  We participate as “independents”!

Take a stand and speak up. For your kids or the kids in your neighborhood.   Be a role model.  Let children see you being active and invite them to join you.   And let me know what’s working for you!

This is a fight worth fighting.

It’s that time of the year again…and I have to tell you, I am READY!  Ready for a more normal schedule again. Earlier to bed, earlier to rise.  I love the summers, but as a single mom, it’s a more difficult juggle to stay on top of things and keep balanced in the summer when the kids are up later and sleeping in, swimming and racing. It’s all fun, but I am READY for school to start back.

A subject that is near and dear to my heart is kids’ health. You’ve read the stories, seen the headlines.  The % of kids overweight has more than TRIPLED (yeah, you read that right) since the mid 1970’s. That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Awful, huh?) It’s tough as a parent to fight the marketing and the taste of junk food.  Did you know the government began setting standards for school lunches after World War II because too many young men failed their physicals due to malnutrition?!  But, as you and I both know, our school lunches leave much to be desired. Those programs are trying to balance budgets with demand. That’s why 20% of our Jr. and Sr. High Schools have started bringing in McDonalds and Pizza Hut! It sells and the schools get money. Another loophole in the school lunch program involves the ala carte options which are not required to follow the “standards” set by the government.

As a parent what can you do? Expose your kids to as many healthy foods as possible. Involve them in the meal creation. I allow my kids to add ANY food to the grocery list as long as it is healthy. Also, at my house, if you COOK the meal, you don’t have to do the dishes. So, my kids have actually started cooking meals. That way they cook what THEY want and don’t have to do the dishes. Works for me. Long ago, I took a paper plate and drew a cross on it. I explained 1/4 of the plate should be protein, 1/4 starchy carb (rice/potato/whole grain roll) and half should be covered in colorful vegetables–the more color the better. I encourage them to enjoy a wonderful fruit for dessert and I always try to have some washed on hand so fruit is an easy option when they are hungry.  And, I holler, “Eat REAL!” when they are heading out the door with friends. They probably roll their eyes, however it’s my reminder to choose real food vs. the artifical stuff when they have the option.

I also send lunches to school and incorporate my kids into that planning process. They can select one day a week to eat at school for their “junk” day. (I know, it makes me cringe, but it helps with the balance and buy in!)  Recently I came across a wonderful, easy recipe that my kids LOVE and it gets GREEN into their lives. It is so simple, even my 10 year old makes it!  However it’s best eaten as soon as it is cooked, so it’s not really an option for school lunches.  It’s called “kale crunch” and I hope you enjoy it!

Take one bunch of kale, wash it, shake or blot the water off, and remove the center stalk. I just pull it off by hand. Then line or spray a cookie sheet with pam or olive oil. Fill it with kale, lightly mist with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt, garlic salt, parmesan cheese, or Ms. Dash Chipotle (we’ve tried all of these!).  Bake it for 10 minutes at 375 and voila! You have a light, crunchy GREEN snack for your family to enjoy.