|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Friday, 18 June 2010 14:56 |
|
Grow Your Own Garden People of any age range are growing gardens even in a limited space. Whether you live in an apartment, house or condo, you can grow veggies and herbs. Isaac is planting a vegetable garden in a small plastic swimming pool. We will follow his progress monthly to see how it is doing. Here are some simple steps to make your own garden. 1.) Container-Isaac is using an old plastic wading pool. You can use a bucket, barrel, pot, or even a mile jug cut in half. You can have fun decorating it later if you want to. 
2.) You will need an adult to drill holes in the bottom so the water can drain. 
3.) Fill the pool with potting soil, top soil or even compost. Fill the container 3/4 full. 
4.) Choose vegetables that you like to eat. There are so many: tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beans, cucumbers and so much more. 
5.)Make a hole, put some water in it and put your plant it the hole. Gently cover the roots with the topsoil and water. 
6.) For tall plants, use a stake to support them. This is so they can climb such at cucumbers and tomatoes. You can buy stakes or use a piece of wood. 
7.) Keep your tags so you know what you planted. Place them next to you plant. 
8.) Remember to water your garden daily. 
9.) That's it! You now have your very own garden. 
10.) Check back to see how the garden is doing. Later on in the summer, we will let you know what yummy dishes you can make out of the vegetables you grew. |
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 21:34 |
|
Here are some easy tips and guidelines to help you turn mealtime into fun family time. - Pick one meal a day that works for the whole family.
- If your schedules don’t allow you to eat as a family every day, then pick one day a week to start. That’s ok.
- Gradually add another day until you are having one meal a day as a family.
- Set a time for family meals. This makes it easier for everyone to plan their schedules.
- Eat together at the table. It’s easier to talk to each other when you are face to face.
- During mealtime, focus on each other by turning off the TV, cell phones and even iPods.
- Keep mealtime a fun time for the family to catch up and share their day.
- Parents and older siblings can be a great role model for good eating habits.
- Keep it fun. Kids can make name cards for their seats.
- Keep meals from lasting too long. If your child gets fussy, let them be excused and take their plate to the sink.
- Introduce one new food item at least 3 times a week.
With set meal times and a fun family experience, kids will look forward to eating together as a family while learning about healthy eating. |
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 21:10 |
|
Teens The demands on you change throughout your life. Eating well, exercising, and other healthful habits can help keep you going at every stage. Teens and energy Teenage boys and girls are busy with school, friends, sports, and clubs. Plus, they're still growing and developing at a rapid pace. Nutrition Teens spend more and more time with their friends and make food choices away from home. Peer pressure, busy schedules, bigger appetites, and seeking independence will influence their food choices. Demonstrate healthful habits and offer nutritious foods to your teen. Keep your fridge stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables. Buying pre-cut veggies or even filling containers from the grocery store salad bar can save you time, too. Encourage low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese to ensure your teen is getting enough calcium for bone growth and development. If your teen avoids dairy products there are alternate ways to fit in calcium. Talk to your teen about healthful eating. Teens get messages about food from friends, coaches, the media, and food advertisements. Talk to them about the information they're hearing to make sure it's accurate. Exercise and lifestyle Make sure your teenage kids are sleeping enough. Teens tend to need a lot of sleep — even more than 9 hours a night. There are a variety of exercise options for teens. School and club sports take center stage for some teens, while others enjoy activities like yoga, Pilates, and martial arts classes. Even a school dance can count as exercise. Support and encourage your teens to be physically active. Active teens are more likely to be active adults. Between school, sports, friends, after-school jobs, and other activities, teenagers can get overwhelmed. Make sure your teen has some unstructured time, too. Regular family meals, a family "game night," or even a stroll around the neighborhood can help your kids de-stress. Help your teen prioritize by routinely reviewing his or her schedule. Young people often need help seeing the big picture and looking ahead. Be a good example. If you take time out for yourself and relax, your child is more likely to see the value of relaxing. Consider having your teen help make dinner one or two nights a week. If they show an interest, let them try making the family meal on their own. |
|
Obesity and your Child's Mental Health |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Friday, 19 February 2010 21:07 |
|
Obesity can be harmful to your child's mental health Research shows significant risks, impacts Children who are obese are at increased risk for emotional problems that last well into adulthood, according to several studies and experts on the subject. Obesity and the mental disorders they contribute to should be considered as serious as other medical illnesses, they say. .A study at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey found that obese girls ages 13 to 14 are four times more likely to experience low self-esteem than non-obese girls. The study also reported that obese boys and girls with low self-esteem had higher rates of loneliness, sadness and nervousness. These children were more likely to smoke and drink alcohol compared with obese children with normal self-esteem. Depression, often an outcome of low self-esteem, affects as many as 750,000 teens in the U.S. (Source: Pediatrics, "Childhood Obesity and Self-Esteem," January 2000.) Untreated depression can be both the cause and effect of obesity. A recent University of Minnesota study reveals that children who were teased about being overweight were more likely to have poor body image, low self-esteem, and symptoms of depression. The study found that 26 percent of teens who were teased at school and home reported they had considered suicide, and 9 percent had attempted it. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents. (Source: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, "Associations of Weight-Based Teasing and Emotional Well-being Among Adolescents," August 2003) Obese children between the ages of 10 and 13 have an 80 percent chance of being obese adults. Children are considered obese when their weight is at least 10 percent higher than recommended for their age and height. (Source: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Facts for Families, January 2001.) Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Distress - Your child seems to have reduced energy or interests and is reluctant to enter into social relationships or other activities;
- Your child seems increasingly sad, lonely, angry or withdrawn;
- Your child has few friends;
- Your child has thoughts of hurting him/herself or others;
- Your child is obsessed with eating and/or food;
- Your child is sleeping too much or not enough;
- and Your child is reluctant to go to school.
How to Help Your Child - It is important for parents to understand the problems and risks for obese children.
- Help children understand that being overweight can undermine physical and mental health and is more than an appearance issue;
- Talk to children about why they overeat and how they feel about themselves.
- Identify feelings and situations that cause them to overeat, and discuss coping strategies;
- Criticizing an obese child or trying to humiliate them into losing weight will increase the child's emotional difficulties.
- Praise your child's strengths and accomplishments;
- Help children gain control over their weight by discussing and encouraging healthy food choices and exercising regularly with them.
- Individualize food and exercise plans according to the child's interests and your commitment level;
- Set an example--make healthy eating and exercise a family affair;
- Encourage children to make smart choices and understand the benefits of feeling better and being healthier.
- Explain the long-term medical impacts of a healthy lifestyle;
- Limit access to high-calorie, high-fat and sugary foods, including soda and juices--especially at home;
- Limit sedentary activities including television and computer time; and Do not use food to reward or punish children.
- Establish a system to reward weight goals and help the child get back on track when they fall off.
|
|
