Great video from a food network run specifically for kids. This low fat quesadilla recipe looks absolutely amazing and is simple enough for your child to make with you, or for older children, without supervision. For more recipes visit healthy lunch ideas
Although it is a little "product" focused this video gives some really good nutrition and cooking tips for kids. With a vegetarian focus, the owner of "Peas of Mind" really knows her stuff and gives some great advice. Fore more tips and advice visit healthy lunch ideas
Getting your kids involved and passionate about healthy eating and nutritional food is the only way to start a life long love affair with a balanced diet. This informative and entertaining video for kids in a step in the right direction. For more information go to healthy lunch ideas
Great game for your kids to play educating them on food nutrition and where their food comes from. Manages to be educational and still fun. Getting your kids involved is the biggest key to healthy eating, so this game is worth checking out. More info on games and resources at healthy lunch ideas
Did you know that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting at least 60 minutes of moderate to physical activity for kids and close to that for adults? And do not forget that strength and bone- building exercise should be incorporated in your exercise routine along with aerobic activity. And if this task seems insurmountable, with numerous tips and exciting activities offered by SuperKids Nutrition, it is as easy as 1-2-3.
Everyday
- Get outdoors: take early morning or evening family walks
- Walk or bike to school and work
- Walk the dog
- Walk to the store
- Park the car further away
- Make a commitment starting today to make it a habit to take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator
- Have fun creating and maintaining a garden. Weeding? It can count as squats-make it a work out!
*Remember 60 minutes a day, can add up quickly, 15+15 +30!
On the Weekend
- Hire a babysitter to spend time with your younger child while you exercise with the older child.
- Take a family trip to the beach or park and spend the day actively playing.
- Schedule a family outing that includes swimming, biking, walking, rollerblading, or hiking.
- Go on a fitness date: instead of the movies or dinner, hire a sitter to take a long walk with your spouse. Focus on fun conversation –you’ll be saving money too!
- Poor weather conditions?
- Workout on an exercise bike while watching your favorite show. Learn more by investing in a bike trainer.
- Try exergaming
- Invest in a favorite workout DVD -what’s your favorite?
This article looks at something which is often forgotten when we think about keeping our kids as healthy as possible and that is exercise! Yes, we need to give great fuel to our kids but we also need to give them activities to burn that energy off! For more info visit healthy lunch ideas
The new USDA healthy eating graphic, ChooseMyPlate.gov, is a simple guide to smart meals anywhere. You can use MyPlate to quickly and easily plan healthful meals at home and on the go. MyPlate is perfect for summer picnics, since many picnic plates are already divided into sections!
PLAN
The KISS Principle (Keep It Super Simple) is a delicious way to make picnics popular with people of all ages. Choose a limited number of foods (no more than 4 to 5 items) that can all be served at the same time. Make the meal fun with a simple theme - like red, white, and blue foods for the 4th of July or an all-kebob meal on small skewers.
- Plan picnics for the yard, park, or lake: A picnic can make any meal special. Use beach towels for lunch in the backyard or pack a weeknight dinner to the park.
- Plan to keep picnic food safe: Always keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Frozen water bottles and juice boxes can do double duty as drinks and as chill packs.
- Plan active fun with your picnic: Plan to play before and/or after you eat. Bring along a Frisbee® or two. Pack some balls (or water balloons when it is really hot).
EAT
- Go fresh with fruits and veggies: Summertime is a very tasty time to follow the MyPlate tip to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. Farmer’s markets and supermarkets have local produce at great prices. It’s easy to prepare simple tossed or fruit salads at home. Or take a bag of baby carrots and slice a melon once you arrive.
- Go hearty with whole grains: Sandwiches, wraps, and pita pockets are perfect for picnics. MyPlate says to make half your grains whole, like whole wheat bread for sandwiches. Whole grains (cracked wheat, barley, brown rice, and the exotic quinoa) also make delicious cold salads, with chopped veggies and light dressings.
- Go smart with protein and dairy: MyPlate suggests protein and dairy foods at every meal. Protein can be tuna in a sandwich or a cold salad with black beans or chickpeas. Serve well-chilled plain or flavored milk (fat-free or 1%) or refreshing drinkable yogurts. String cheese is always popular with kids and easy to carry along.
ENJOY
Treat your family to regular picnic times this summer. Everyone can enjoy time to eat in a relaxed and casual setting. Just remember to keep fun on the menu!!
Quick look at how to create super, simple healthy summer food for your kids. Good resource, with the focus in on summer picnics and other summer meals manages to give a decent amount of info in a shortish post. For more info visit healthy lunch ideas
Healthy Foods for Summer Outings, Picnics and Camping Trips
Enjoying time as a family in the outdoors is a great way to have fun with your children this summer- a family picnic or bbq at a local park, a mini hiking trip, cooking out at local lake, or a camping trip to a state park is an affordable way to spend a fun family weekend.
The great outdoors offers so many wonderful benefits of family time, special bonding moments, appreciation for wildlife and our earth, time away from the TV, and fun active outdoor activities. But too often, we bring prepackaged foods, hot dogs and chips to fill our kids’ tummies. Here are some easy healthy outdoor eating tips to ensure a great family time with fun and healthy food.
There are very few things enjoy more than camping trips and other outdoor activities, but often these trips and excursions can lead some seriously unhealthy eating! This article gives some great trips on how to cut out the junk food from your outdoor adventures. For more info go to healthy lunch ideas
