Happy (Healthy) Halloween

Of course I have to post some healthy tips to get you through Halloween weekend!:

• After you carve out the Jack-O-Lantern, remember that Pumpkin is a very healthy natural food that can be used for baking muffins, cakes and of course, pumpkin pie. You can also dry and toast the seeds for a delicious and nutritious snack.  Make sure to offer some to dad, since they have been shown to be beneficial for prostate health.

• Small bags of pretzels, popcorn, pumpkin seeds and trail mix are great substitutes for candy. Dried fruit, juice boxes, sugarless gum and pre-packed cheese and crackers are also good choices.  (If you decide to give juice boxes, be sure to purchase all natural juices that don't have added sugar.) 

• With food allergies and the childhood obesity epidemic on the forefront, you can always opt to offer non-food items such as spooky stickers, colorful pencils and erasers, novelty toothbrushes, crayons, coloring books or small inexpensive story books as your treat.  

• If you are having a party at your home, prepare foods that are festive, colorful and nutritious. (Be sure the party also includes active games that will help children get the 60 minutes of exercise that they need to get each day.)

• Serve the ‘trick or treating' gang a healthy meal before leaving your house and take along some pretzels and fruit in case they get hungry before returning home.

Don't forget these important safety tips:

• Children should wear brightly colored costumes and carry flashlights so that they are easily seen by motorists.

• Make sure costumes aren't a tripping hazard. (Statistics show that falls are among the most common Halloween-related injuries.)

• Avoid costumes that are too long or that limit visibility, as many masks do.

• Develop a costume theme that incorporates face painting instead of risky masks.

• Avoid oversized, floppy shoes and make sure that sidewalks and stairs are well lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls. 

• Make sure your child understands that candy wrappers and lollipop sticks can be hazardous if swallowed.

• Consider keeping your pet in a separate room away from the festivities. (Do the kids know chocolate can sicken or even be poisonous for some types of pets? Keep the sweets away from the pets!)

Once home, go through your child's "loot" to look for any suspicious items and report them promptly to the authorities if found.

Then work out a "deal" (on your terms) with your child to ration the candy. Discuss what constitutes a reasonable amount of treats to consume over a given period of time, with a mandatory (trust, but verify) tooth brushing required after consumption.

Finally, have fun!  Happy Halloween!

Nutrition Fun For Kids!

Check out this great site!  It won First Lady Michelle Obama's competition as the Best App for Healthy Kids.  I guarantee parents will find it as entertaining (and challenging?) as their children!!!

                                                          GO TO SITE

Healthy Students, Healthy Classroom

As we settle into the school year we have already seen how quickly common illness can be spread in the classroom.  There are simple ways to help keep your child healthy as we approach flu season and throughout the entire school year:

1. HAND WASHING, HAND WASHING, HAND WASHING!
Frequent and thorough (fronts and backs of hands up to the wrist, and finger nails) hand washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the number one most effective way to prevent illnesses from spreading. Kids can sing along to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", "ABC's" or "Happy Birthday" (slowly!) to make sure they are washing long enough.  Germs spread when sick kids sneeze or cough without covering their mouths and/or noses, or wipe their noses and touch common surfaces such as door knobs, desks, pencils, or another person. Hand washing should be done after visiting the bathroom or playing outside, before they eat, and after they come in contact with someone who is under the weather.  Consider sending in hand sanitizer for individual or classroom use for times when it is not possible to use the sink. 

2.  COUGH ETIQUETTE
Covering your cough or sneeze with your hands as we were taught when we were kids was really bad advice!  By coughing or sneezing into your elbow, your hands remain clean and germ-free.  Please emphasize this with your children at home.  The following video is a funny and informative description of the technique: 




3.  STAY HOME WHEN SICK
Illnesses spread in school when sick children come to school!   Please keep your child home if he/she has any of the following symptoms of illness:

• Significant contagious illness such as influenza, chicken pox or strep throat
• A fever over 100°F
• Vomiting/diarrhea - may return to school if 12 hours after last episode
• Red or pink itchy eyes with crusty and/or green/yellow drainage.  May return when there is no drainage and/or on medication for 24 hours.
• Rash of unknown cause

Mild colds and sore throats can be tolerated at school.  Of course you should make sure your child uses hand washing and cough etiquette to prevent the spread to others!

4.  HEALTHY HABITS
Healthy kids are better able to ward off common illnesses.  It is important to emphasize good nutrition, physical activity and lots of sleep to help strengthen your child's immune system.  Keep in mind that mild childhood illness are just a part of growing up and, by practicing a healthy lifestyle, your family will be better equipped to deal with them!