Top Ten Ways to Grow Happy Kids!

You are an important adult in a child’s life!  Small, everyday actions can have a big return in terms of a child’s health and happiness.  What will you do today to grow a happy child?

 

Source:  Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program

A Loving Parent’s Secret: Persistance

We all want what’s best for children.  We want them to be happy, healthy and successful!  And of course providing healthy foods plays a large part in growing happy kids.  But sometimes we get discouraged when children make faces at new foods, pick at foods at meals or pester to get less healthy foods.  What is a parent to do?!

Loving parents know that being persistent pays off.  Being persistent means doing things to make your child’s life better, even when it’s not easy or popular! 

• What stories or examples of persistance have you seen among family or friends?
• How will your child be stronger if their health is better? 
• How will you model persistance for others today?

Source:  Strengthen the Family Circle IHS

Warm and Filling Palouse Soup Mix

Kids love to help make this soup mix.  Cook up a batch for a, hearty, inexpensive way to warm their hearts!

Palouse Soup Mix

1 pound green split peas (16 ounce bag or 2 1/2 cups)                                     

1 pound lentils (16 ounce bag or 2 1/2 cups)                                                       

1 pound pearl barley (16 ounce bag or 2 1/2 cups)                                          

Mix all ingredients together.  Store in air-tight container or zip lock bag.  Stir before using.

To make soup:

1 cup Palouse soup mix

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

4 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon oregano

Combine ingredients in large pot. Bring mixture to a boil.  Reduce heat to low.  Cover pan.  Simmer gently for 45 minutes or until peas and lentils are tender.

Fruits and Veggies-More Matters Trackers and Planners

What better way to encourage your children to eat more fruits and vegetables than with an exciting challenge and a fun reward! Visually engaging and simple to use, the tracker and shopping planner ecourage your kids to actually choose to eat more. They can help you make your weekly shopping list and have fun tracking their progress toward becoming true Fruit & Veggie Color Champions™Click Here to Visit the Fruits & Veggies More Matters Website and download all 4 pages.

Source:  Fruits & Veggies-More Matters

33 Terrifically Tasty Snack Ideas from the National Dairy Council

Enjoy 3 servings of milk, cheese or yogurt for stronger bones and to stave off the afternoon slump! Help your kids get on their way to 3-A-Day of Dairy and keep them energized by serving one of these snacks as they arrive home from school or on their way to after-school activities.

Source:  National Dairy Council

Nutrient Dense Foods: Smart choices for smart shoppers

Nutrient dense foods are smart choices because they give you nutrients you need with fewer calories than food choices that are often higher in calories. Nutrient dense foods have fewer added sugars and are lower in fat. For example, choose whole wheat toast instead of croissants and pastries.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Click here for more tips on choosing nutrient dense foods.

Source:  MyPyramid

BAM! Body and Mind

Designed for kids 9–13 years old, BAM! Body and Mind is a resource for parents and children to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Show your child you love them by helping them complete an ACTIVITY CALENDAR.  Provide opportunities for your student to get the 60 minutes of physical activity needed each day to keep their bodies strong.

Source:  CDC BAM Body and Mind

Give Your Child 10 Tasteful Gifts That Will Last A Lifetime

A love for beans.

A love for broccoli.                                                   

A love for eggs.

A love for milk.

A love for oatmeal

A love for oranges.

A love for sweet potatoes

A love for tomatoes

A love for whole wheat bread.

A love for yogurt.

How to Package the Gifts that Keep on Giving

Source:  Touching Hearts, Touching Minds, Mass WIC

What do we say to ourselves?

We all talk to ourselves everyday.  What kind of things do you say to yourself when you’re feeling successful?What kind of things do you say to yourself when you slip or aren’t perfect?

Which type of self-talk do you do more often: positive, affirming and uplifting messages or negative, critical and destructive words?

Which words will lead to continued progress in your efforts and which words wills top change?

Some people put rubber bands around their wrist and snap them each time they have a negative thought.  Others put motivating quotes and positive words on their refrigerator or mirror to keep them moving ahead.  What strategies will work for you to keep you focused on success rather than challenges during the coming week?

Some people say that the first week and month are the hardest from people making changes.  What happens during that time that stops success?  Sometimes it’s negative self talk like:  “This is too hard.”  “I will never be thin.” “I need to wait until my life is in order.”  “I don’t have the support/time/money/to do this now.”

Are statements like that the truth? Or lies and excuses we tell ourselves?

How can you transform those lies and excuses into positive statemetns that will help you achieve your dreams?

Source:  MOMcircle

Check out the “I love my whole grains” photos

Parents everywhere are helping their kids enjoy whole grains.  The Whole Grain Council sponsored a “I Love My Whole Grains” contest.  Cute photos of kids (and pets) and great ideas to add some variety to your life!  My favorite is the “Wow, Mama Oatmeal Pancakes!” poster.

Source:  Whole Grains Council

Five Reasons Why Chocolate Milk Matters

All milk contains a unique combination of nutrients important for growth and development – including three of the five “nutrients of concern” for which children have inadequate intakes. And, flavored milk accounts for less than 3.5% of added sugar intake in children ages 6-12 and less than 2% in teens.

1.  KIDS LOVE THE TASTE!  Milk provides nutrients essential for good health and kids will drink mroe when it’s flavored.

2.  NINE ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS! Flavored milk contains the same nine essential nutrients as white milk -calcium, potassium, phosphorous, protein, vitamins A, D, and B12, riboflavin and niacin-and is a healthful alternative to soft drinks.

3.  HELPS KIDS ACHIEVE 3 SERVINGS! Drinking low-fat or fat-free white or flavored milk helps kids get the 3 daily servings of milk recommended by the Diatery Guidelines from Americans.

4.  BETTER DIET QUALITY! Children who drink flavored milk meet more of their nutrient needs; do not consume more added sugar, fat or calories; and are not heavier than non-milk drinkers.

5.  TOP CHOICE IN SCHOOLS! Low-fat chocolate milk is the most popular milk choice in schools and kids drink less milk (and get fewer nutrients) if it’s taken away.

Read on for the science behind these top five reasons…

Source:  National Dairy Council