10 WAYS KIDS CAN ROCK IT HEALTHY – WEEK 6

stress

Children can get stressed and aggravated quite easily and it’s mostly not because of anything they did wrong, but more of how they get to that point of stress. Unlike most adults we can handle day to day common stress and we learned to shoulder them because it’s the easiest way. Children however, receive stress as another emotion that they learned and accepted into their lives. They don’t necessarily understand it or know that the turmoil they’re feeling can be categorized as stress; they just feel it and usually don’t know how to manage it.

Like adults, we learn to adjust to stress which isn’t all that healthy. Healthy management of stress can prevent illnesses and stop negative thinking and behavior. As a parent, it’s inevitable that you’ll feel stress throughout the day. Add in work, home life, and any other outside factors, it’s no wonder that the world has become so uptight. While we may not be able to manage stress 100%, we can teach our children to make positive changes when they feel an upset coming on. Below are some easy steps that anyone of any age can follow and do.

1. Breathe

It sounds simple, but a deep breath can be enough to get you out of your head and help you refocus. Pause for a few moments and focus on your breathing. Depending on the age of your child, teach them to take deep and long breaths when they feel upset or agitated.

2. Go outside

Research shows that spending a short time in a “green” environment can lower your stress and elevate your mood. Take your child to the park or let him run around in the garden or yard to let out the stressful hormones.

3. Laugh

Laughter does more than boost your positive emotions. It also lowers your blood pressure, decrease inflammation in your heart, and improve your memory. Children naturally find things funny so encourage them with something that will get the bubbly laughter going.

4. Listen to music

Music has a very powerful effect on all of us. It can instantly change your mood, soothe away your cares, or get you excited. Find music suitable for children so the words in the song are uplifting and calming.

5. Exercise

Exercise is great for any age and can be modified to fit any lifestyle or body. When children exercise, their heart pumps faster thus releasing endorphins that create a sense of happiness and peace. Exercise for kids can include simple jumping jacks, running, or any sport suitable for kids such as basketball, swimming, and martial arts. If you’re interested in something new and different for your children, have them try Yoga. Yoga is great for kids and adults and there are easy poses to begin with. Click here for some basic Yoga poses to help relieve stress.

For more information on ways of managing stress, check out Rodale Wellness (http://www.rodalewellness.com/).

Editor’s note: Parts of this post were taken with permission from New Hope Network/Delicious Living Magazine.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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10 Ways Kids Can Rock It Healthy – Week 5

MINI HALLOWEEN CARVING - Copy

In week 5 of our Kids Can Rock It Healthy journal, I’d like to talk about Halloween. If you’ve read any of my articles throughout the years you’d probably guess that Halloween is my favorite holiday or occasion. I’ve loved it since I was a child and that love transferred to my son. Halloween can be a crazy time of year, from decorations to costumes to parties, but if we keep in mind that it also greatly affects our health and the environment, then we can make changes for the better.

There are many wonderful things about celebrating Halloween but also a lot of scary things. Amidst the fun and delightful costumes and the spooky decorations, one of the biggest drawback is of course, the candy. Kids can’t resist them, heck adults can’t either but as parents, we have to be extra diligent during Halloween. Sweets during Halloween come in many different forms but a big concern is GMO ingredients found in these sweets. When buying conventional candy, they’re likely to contain genetically modified ingredients only because they’re usually mass produced from big companies. There are of course health conscious candy companies who realize this concern and make their sweets without genetically modified ingredients. Below, I’ve outlined the top common GMO ingredients found in candy. Always read the labels of food you buy and be diligent about what we put into our children’s bodies.

Happy Halloween!

gmo-candy

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10 WAys Kids Can Rock It Healthy – Week 4

glass-recycing

This week let’s talk about recycling. With America Recycles Day coming up in November, now is the perfect time to get a jump start on what we want to recycle and how we can help our planet. But today we won’t be discussing just basic recycling because most of us already know the fundamentals of recycling. Today we will talk about recycling and re-purposing glass containers and how to make it fun for kids any time of the year.

Recycling, reusing, and repurposing. All of them are similar in their definitions but can individually be taken more in depth. When recycling glass, you are basically taking that glass bottle to a recycling center and having the glass broken down to be made into something else. Reusing is when you generally use the same product several times until it has worn out or no longer functional. Repurposing is taking an object and finding a new use for it. In the case of glass bottles, let’s learn how to repurpose them which helps the environment as well as saves money and brings out the creativity in all of us.

Repurposing glass bottles is actually pretty easy and something kids can do any time with any size bottle. When my son was in Kindergarten, his teacher had requested used glass bottles for a class project. Of course I was intrigued, so I sent my son into his class with a few glass bottles. A few weeks later my son came home with a very special surprise on Mother’s Day. His class had taken the glass bottles (after they were cleaned out by the teacher) and made adorable and ultra creative glass jars of virtual nature. My son’s bottles were filled with a hand-drawn card, some colorful rocks, feathers, and something that glittered (probably for effect). I thought it was rather creative and different and went a few steps beyond the usual glass vase or glass pencil holder. Not that those aren’t unique ways of repurposing glass bottles, but finding different and unusual ways often sparks something even more creative in a child and helps expand his horizons.

So on that note, let’s take a look at 7 ways we can repurpose a glass bottle (or jar).

edible-gifts

Edible Gifts:

-We all have a few pasta sauce jars living in our fridge. They are the ideal size for reusing and repurposing and absolutely no need to recycle them. Since they are already filled with edible food, they can be easily washed out, dried, and ready for your project. This is fun and easy for kids of any age and you can make a few as gifts or for yourself. Edible gifts can include anything that’s easy for you and for your recipient. Try ideas such as homemade granola, spice rubs, ready-to-make hot cocoa (a favorite for kids), and pretty much anything you can fit into a jar that’s easily reusable and stored. For great recipes, check out Martha Stewart’s site: http://www.marthastewart.com/269264/edible-gift-ideas

Sewing Kits:

-This is perfect for college students who don’t have much space in their dorm rooms or apartments. Take a few glass jars and fill each one with needles, thread of various colors (be sure to include lots of black, white, and beige), thimble, chalk, and buttons. You can also add in any other items that you think your recipient might need. Label each jar with the items inside so it’s easy to grab when necessary.

Art Decoration:

-Give your children some art supplies and let them have fun! Have them gather items from nature such as small rocks, leaves, and flowers and decorate the glass jars however they want. Let them create masterpieces for you to show off in your living room or present them as gifts on special occasions. Put some items inside the container as well as on the outside to make it more personal.

glassproject

Natural Glass Vases:

-Glass is quite beautiful on any surface and for almost any occasion. Reuse glass jars or bottles as vases to set on dining tables or mantles. Fill the vases with fresh soil and add in some unique flowers such as orchids and violets. Herbs also do well in glass jars as decoration or cooking uses.

Small Toy Holders:

-My son has tons of Lego pieces. If we collected all of the pieces, we could probably open our own Lego store. Yes, he has that many! So, when I had some larger glass jars that I cleaned out, I put all of his Lego tires in them. Tires are a hot commodity for Lego car builders and he was constantly losing them or I’d find them underneath the couch or underneath the rug. Smaller and harder to find pieces such as accessories for your Lego figures can also fit into glass jars. They are easier for builders to see what’s inside the jars so they can (hopefully) put them back in quicker.

Food Jars:

-Instead of buying brand new glass jars to put your flour, sugar, or dried herbs in, try reusing glass jars from your used sauces and such. Sure, the newer jars may be prettier and fancier, but you’ve got perfect jars in your fridge or pantry already that just needs to be given new purposes. The used jars work just as well if not better than the newly store-bought ones. Just make sure to clean them out really well if you’re storing food that can pick up other scents such as sugar and flour.

Glass Beverages:

-If you go to certain restaurants that like to serve beverages in oversized glass jars then take those examples to try them at home. Glass jars are easier to wash and rarely leave any residue. Plus, if you add in a cool straw the beverages are more fun to drink.

So have fun with these ideas or creating ones on your own. We’re already filling up our landfills with so much trash that whenever possible, reuse and repurpose what you already have.

*Please note that with any glass container, there is a slight possibility of lead remnants. Lead is found in the earth so they are naturally residual in glass or any natural compound found in soil. However, most consumable glass containers are safe to use and are usually vigorously tested for lead.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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Mega Food Kids Nutrient Supplements

 

megafoodimmune

I wasn’t always a big supplements person but when I became a vegetarian, I realized that I couldn’t possibly eat all the right foods on a daily basis to keep myself healthy. Most people can’t and that’s okay, and as long as vegetarians and vegans don’t become “junk food” vegetarians, then supplementing with the right vitamins and supplements is crucial.

Now the debate on whether children should have daily supplements really depends on the individual child. Does your child eat enough vegetables and fruits? Does your child have the proper amounts of minerals that are necessary for a growing body? Most likely not and that’s because kids can be so picky when it comes to food. That’s why I started giving my son vitamins when he was around 4 years old. I even asked his pediatrician and he was open to giving children as young as 4 years old some kind of vitamins or supplements.

As my son got older and started school, I felt that vitamins and supplements were absolutely necessary. Germs are germs but a child’s immune system is still growing and can be accessible to lots of bad germs. We don’t want our kids to get sick and miss out on school and without the right balance of foods on a daily basis, kids can get cranky and irritable on top of not getting enough nutrition. And children certainly have a harder time incorporating all the necessary nutrients on a regular basis.

megafoods

As a Moms Meet Ambassador, I was given the unique opportunity to try MegaFood’s Kids supplements. As a long time user of MegaFood’s supplements for adults, I was eager to have my son try some of their products. Since he was already taking a daily multi vitamin, I thought it was rather nice to have specific supplements tailored to the desired needs of the child. I was given the Kids Daily Immune, Kids Daily B-Centered, and Kids Daily Multi. The only difference between MegaFoods Kids supplements and others is that they are in powdered form. While my son is more accustomed to the gummy and liquid versions, I was hoping he would like the powdered variety.

At first I gave him the supplements mixed into plain water and that didn’t work out too well. I think it was mostly because the supplements weren’t as sweet as the gummy versions he was used to and he doesn’t usually drink powdered beverages. You can definitely taste the powder form when mixed with water. So I tried mixing the supplements into orange juice or any kind of juice. While that masked the powdering form a bit, he was still able to taste the texture. Powdered supplements probably works well for some children but my son knew right away that there were powdered vitamins in his drink. I tried to come up with some other ideas and finally found that putting the supplements into his Kombucha beverages worked out pretty well. With the strong taste of Kombucha, the added supplements weren’t really prominent in taste and texture.

megafoodb

MegaFood recommends putting their powder supplements into juice, smoothies, or baked into food for kids, but I think it’s best that you find the right technique for your own children. I liked that the supplements had the right balance of ingredients and had no added sugar and sweetened  with only fruit. Because it’s not as sweet as the usual vitamins and supplements found in other children’s vitamins, you’d have to get really creative on how you introduce this to your kids. But no matter how you give these supplements to them, know that they are getting the proper balance of nutrients that they can’t normally get on a daily basis.

MegaFood uses only whole foods in their supplements so consumers get all the benefits of a particular ingredient. Many fruits and vegetables contain powerful health properties in their leaves or seeds and while we can’t eat them all of the time, it’s nice to have these components included in our supplements.

MegaFood also incorporates organic ingredients from other high quality brands into their supplements. Companies such as Lundberg Farms, Uncle Matt’s Organic, and Kauai Organic Farms support MegaFood’s supplements with whole grains, vegetables, and power foods such as Turmeric and Cranberries. All of MegaFood supplements go through vigorous testing and specific certification to ensure their products are safe and meet the highest vitamin standards.

MegaFood can be found in most natural grocery stores as well certain online shopping sites. For more information about MegaFood supplements, please visit their website: https://megafood.com/.

 

* I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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10 Ways Kids Can Rock It Healthy – Week 3

NATURE (2)

As we’re starting the first week of October school should already be in full swing. Kids are starting to get used to the morning to afternoon classroom routine again and there are more to learn as each week progresses. There’s probably a bit more homework depending on the age and school as students are absorbing more and more information as the days go by. Which leads me to the next topic for this week, and that’s teaching our kids to be more mindful.

Mindfulness is being aware of what you’re doing at the moment. It’s a wonderful practice that both adults and children should learn and do as often as possible. For some, it is a way of life as being mindful teaches us to be in the moment and to deal with the situation as it is. While it takes a lot of patience to begin this practice, it is a good technique for kids to learn when they’re at a young age. As children become more aware of their surroundings and the things they do, gradually they’ll take this mindfulness into adulthood and learn to deal with stressful situations in a more positive and healthier way.

I wrote another article about  Mindful Parenting which teaches us to slow down a bit and be more sensitive and attuned to our children. With the everyday stress we all go through sometimes we might feel burdened or pressured to do everything for our children and family. With mindful parenting, the purpose is to create more harmony and reduce stress in the household which helps kids learn the value of patience.

Here are some steps to teach our children of being more mindful and to be in the moment:

FOCUS ON BREATHING – Spend 5 to 15 minutes a day practicing mindful breathing. Pay attention only to your breath and train yourself to focus on one thing that’s occurring in the present. Children who practice this will learn the importance of using breathing to manage strong emotions. Depending on the age, your child can start off focus breathing for a whole 30 seconds then gradually increase the time to a minute or more.

OBSERVE YOUR SURROUNDINGS – Take one time in your day to be fully present with yourself. Be mindful of the moment such as listening to your own tone of voice and seeing another person’s reaction. Being even slightly more mindful in such a moment—and less caught up in what you have to do next—can make a profound difference. This practice gives us a chance to get to know ourselves and the people around us better.

TAKE A BREAK – If you feel an upset coming on, take a moment to step back from the situation. Children should learn that if he/she is getting agitated to take 10 minutes to calm down and regroup after everyone is relaxed and more open to a productive conversation.

EAT TOGETHER – Practice mindful eating by discussing where the food comes from or eating slowly enough to notice the color, smell, and texture of your meal. Taking the time to appreciate your food leads to a healthier, more gratifying experience that brings the family together. It is also a way of slowing down and connecting as a family by taking the time to speak and truly listen to each other.

GIVE THANKS – When eating together, ask family members what they are thankful for. This brings focus to parents and their children on what is meaningful in their lives and what they appreciate in this world.

FORGIVE YOURSELF – Children aren’t perfect (even though we’d like them to be). They will at times get angry or impatient with everyone. But children can learn to be more mindful in the future of how they react to others and situations around them. When they can learn from that and see the actual conscious choices they make, they can make better and healthier decisions in the future.

So take some time to explain being in the moment to your children. And then practice this technique for yourself. At times I truly have to remind myself to take deep breaths and to calm down. It isn’t always easy to do one thing at a time but sometimes we need to in order to regroup and to rejuvenate our soul.

 

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10 WAYS KIDS CAN ROCK IT HEALTHY – WEEK 2

herbs

For the second week of helping our kids become healthier individuals, I wanted to write about herb planting in the fall. Herbs are extremely easy and inexpensive to plant and take care of and most herbs are completely suitable for children of any age. Herbs come in Annual, Perennial, and Evergreen Perennial, so if you do some simple planning you’ll have fresh herbs year round that the kids can help you trim off when you’re ready to use them. And I can guarantee that there isn’t at least one herb that your child won’t like. Most herbs are already found grounded or snipped into soups, sauces, and sautes and if your child likes pasta just as much as mine does, there are already at least a couple of herbs in there (try basil and thyme).

Herbs are forever easy to grow and maintain. They contain super healthy health benefits. And they look pretty sitting in a clay pot or in their own secluded spot in the garden. Because of their ease in growing and usage, herbs are also a great beginner’s plant so it’s highly suitable for kids to learn how to start planting.

Below I’ve outlined some of the easiest and most common herbs to plant as well as some unusual herbs that you have to try just because they’re so unique. Teach your children the incredible health benefits of herbs as well as the start of loving the art of gardening.

Annual Herbs (herbs that live up to a year and may die off once the cold weather comes):

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) – Basil thrives in warm weather so this annual herb may grow year round depending on your region. Basil is great in hearty dishes such as soups and stews. Medicinal purposes include aromatherapy, memory focus, bug repellent, antioxidant, and anti-fungal.

Cilantro/Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) – Cilantro has a slight bite to it so it’s great for kicking up a recipe that calls for similar type herbs. Medicinal purposes include aiding digestion, cleans breath, and anti-inflammatory.

Dill (Anethum graveolens) – Dill has a very strong fragrance and taste to it so it’s easily recognizable. It’s what you’ll find in many pickling techniques as it’s also great for preserving vegetables. Medicinal purposes include aiding digestion, insect repellent, and aromatherapy.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) – Parsley can also be grown up to two years depending on the region. Parsley can be used in salads and soups and has a light and refreshing taste. Medicinal purposes include antibacterial, supports healthy blood flow, and enhances the immune system. Click here for an easy and great-tasting Pesto sauce using Parsley.*

Perennial Herbs (herbs that can live two or more years often growing and spreading each year):

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) – Chives are similar in taste to green onions and scallions and can be used in similar cooking methods. Medicinal purposes include detoxifying the body, aids in digestion, and improves vision health.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) – Fennel is mostly used for its seeds and has a similar spicy taste to anise seeds. Fennel is great in salads and soups and the fresh fennel stems can be eaten raw much like celery. Medicinal purposes include aiding digestion, preventing inflammation, and improving immune system.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – Ginger is a flowering plant but is mostly used for its roots. Ginger has many uses for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It can be quite spicy depending on the amount you use and is great as drink tonics and is prominent in Asian food recipes. Medicinal purposes include digestive aid, nausea, and antibacterial properties.

Mint (Mentha) – Mint is pretty well known to kids as an ingredient found in chewing gum and toothpaste. Because of this familiar taste, mint can also be used to flavor beverages and in soups. There are many variations of mint and each mint holds its own distinct flavor such as chocolate mint, spearmint, and peppermint. Medicinal purposes include digestive aid, aromatherapy, and bug repellent.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) – Oregano is popularly used as a dried herb and can be found in most stews and sauces. This herb is extremely hardy and easy to grow and has a pleasant fragrance. Medicinal purposes include antibacterial properties, antiseptic, and supports immune system.

Evergreen Perennial Herbs (hardy herbs that grow into shrubs and can stay green all winter long):

Bay (Laurus nobilis) – Bay leaves or bay laurel has a very distinct flavor and taste that can be found in most stews and sauces. It is mainly used for flavoring and not commonly known to eat the entire leaf. Medicinal purposes include antioxidant properties, stimulates appetite, and bug repellent.

Lavender (Lavandula) – Lavender comes in many varieties and are most popularly known  for its fragrance rather than its culinary uses. Lavender can be used in soups and beverages as it has a very distinct flavor and taste. Medicinal purposes include aromatherapy, bug repellent, and soothes headaches.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – Rosemary has a natural evergreen appeal and can be used as a decorative plant rather than for culinary uses. However, Rosemary is commonly used as a seasoning and flavor enhancer in soups and meat dishes. Medicinal purposes include antioxidant properties, bug repellent, and antibacterial properties.

Thyme (Thymus) – Thyme plants thrive in hot, dry weather and once established can handle dry spells. The fragrant sprigs of thyme works well in soups and as seasoning for meat dishes. There are also many variations of Thyme so choose one or two that works well with your culinary purposes. Thyme is commonly used in all-natural alcohol free hand sanitizers and has been used for many centuries to prevent infections. Medicinal purposes include antibacterial purposes, detoxifying purposes, and bronchial illnesses.

As with all herbs and plants, please use cautionary concern when eating and cultivating herbs. Certain herbs have more beneficial properties than others and/or have more dangers as well. When choosing herbs to plant, find them at well-known nurseries and preferably organic to ensure seeds and seedlings were not treated with chemicals. Most herbs can be planted straight into the ground with fresh soil while others are wonderful as tabletop plants and grown indoors.

So this week or any other week, take your children to the local nursery and pick out a few herbs to start planting. Fall is a great time of year to plant herbs as the weather is still nice enough for these herbs to thrive and flourish.

*Recipe taken with permission from Delicious Living magazine/New Hope Network.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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