RAISINS AND WALKING—SMART STEPS FOR HEART HEALTH
On the heels of national Heart Health Month, there's good news for older Americans. A new University of Connecticut study, published in the journal Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, finds eating raisins and walking may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease for both women and men in the 50 to 70 year-old age range. Raisins are not only fat and cholesterol-free, they also contribute heart-healthy components, such as fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Read more at Diet Reviews
Valerie Waters Health and Fitness Video Tips
Valerie Waters is known for helping celebrity moms stay fit while juggling demanding work and family schedules. She believes getting in shape is no different for a super star or a super mom, and she offers the following tips for parents who want to help get their family’s health and fitness levels back-on-track this back-to-school season (and all year long):
Families that play together, get fit together
It is great if your child participates in a sport like soccer or dance,
but also find something for the family to do together. This could be a
bike ride, family day at the gym, or even something as simple as
playing tag or Red Rover. The key is to spend time together doing
something active. Help your child realize that exercise equals fun.
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Food-wise
When you bring your lunch and snack with you to work or school, it
guarantees you’ll eat right. Take just 10 minutes after dinner to make
lunch for the next day. Help your child learn to be responsible for
his/her own nutrition by getting them involved. Children ages seven and
under can choose from a pre-approved selection of snacks, like an
apple, orange or box of California Raisins. Ages eight through ten can
help assemble a sandwich under supervision, and 11-year-olds and up,
can make their lunch while you make yours.
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Make a plan
Summer
is fun and carefree, but with the first day of the new school year,
structure returns. Your child’s day quickly fills up with school,
homework and after school activities. Now more than ever, it is
important that exercise and meals are planned. Schedule meals so that
your family eats together at the table at least once per day. This is a
good opportunity to slow down and eat mindfully, and sitting together
allows you to stay involved in your child’s life.
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Be consistent
Being
healthy means consistently making wise choices over time. Nobody gets
fit in one workout, nor do they change their eating habits in one week.
It is important to be consistent in the messages you deliver to your
kids. You will make a greater impact explaining the importance of
exercise to your children, if you are committed to your exercise.
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Education through sampling
We all know kids can be notoriously picky when it comes to food. Try
taking them to a farmer’s market where they will learn that food
doesn’t just come from the supermarket and that there are seasons for
different foods. They will be encouraged to sample a wide variety of
fruits and vegetables and often nuts or dried fruit. And, a farmer’s
market is a fun outing for the whole family.
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