Monday, October 25, 2010

Deal With the Candy Witch

Do you dread the candy holidays? They start in February with Valentine’s Day and continue year-round with the biggest candy fest happening on Halloween. What is a mother to do?
The good news is that kids usually forget about the candy after a few weeks. Sometimes letting them go nuts for a day or two gets it out of their systems. Here are a few suggestions to help you deal with the onslaught and avoid turning into a candy witch:

Deal With the Candy Witch
1. Buy a limited quantity
2. Make young children carry their own bag.
3. Sort the candy.
a. Set a limit for each day.
b. Move to the freezer.
c. Throw it away.
4. Plan ahead.


• Buy a limited quantity of the treats so you and your family won’t be tempted to eat leftovers.
• Make young children carry their own plastic pumpkin or bag. When they start saying it is too heavy, it is time to go home.
• Sort the candy. Limit the ones that are high in saturated or trans fats.
a. Set a limit on how much they can have in a day.
b. Set a time limit when the candy moves to the freezer.
c. Set a time limit when the candy will get thrown away.

• Plan ahead. Knowing the candy is coming, start to avoid fast food and cut down on fat and refined flours. This teaches balance. Get out your crock pot or slow cooker and make more meals with lots of vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Serve more fresh fruit snacks.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Healthy Kids Fun Run

Marc Goldman with the Marine Corp Marathon for the Healthy Kids Fun Run spoke with Peggy Fox this morning about getting kids in shape for the Healthy Kids Fun Run.

FAMILY Magazine has been sponsoring the run as well as the activity fair, Camp Miles for several years. In fact, FAMILY gives out a cash reward to the school that enters the most students.

With one-third of American children fighting obesity, healthy children should be our number one priority FAMILY Magazine has found that sponsoring the Healthy Kids Fun Run is a way for the magazine to encourage individuals and communities to become and stay physically active.

Here are Marc’s tips on making this event fun and healthy:

Running is fun.

Running is a family sport.

Run for distance, speed or both.

Here is the link to the run and fair:
http://www.marinemarathon.com/weekend_events/kids_run.htm

FACTS:
Healthy Kids Fun Run, 9:30 AM
October 30
Ages 6-13
Pentagon North Parking Lot
Advance Registration Needed

Camp Miles
Free Interactive Family Activities
9AM-2PM

You can still register now open for the annual Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun. The race will be held in the Pentagon North Parking Lot. Children ages 6-13 are invited to participate in the one-mile just-for-fun event. All participants receive a t-shirt, medal and snacks at the finish line.

Also, Camp Miles will be going on.
Parents, families and runners are invited to visit Camp Miles, a free all-day activity area featuring interactive challenges and games focusing on health and fitness. Camp Miles activities begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m.

This year's activities include:
-CNN - Q&A with health experts including Dr. Sanjay Gupta
-FitArlington - Ring Toss, Fitness Dice, Hoop Jumpers, Ring Toss and more
-Washington Redskins Cheerleader autographs
-Junior League of Washington bookmark coloring activity
-Madame Tussauds wax figure of a surprise celebrity
-City Football Club street soccer game
-Pre-race warm-ups with Fit & Healthy Schools and Clif Bar
-Other great activities hosted by: National Children's Museum, DC United, Verizon Wireless, Max Muscle, FAMILY Magazine, Silver Diner, Toys for Tots and Sarah Stanley Inspired

They have a lot of great information about the race and all the activities on their website.
http://www.marinemarathon.com/Weekend_Events/kids_run.htm

Also, on the website you can download course information and other descriptions about the event.

It will be a lot of fun, and a great way to encourage our children to be healthy and stay physically active. If you go, send us your pictures so we can post them on our Facebook page.

Have fun!

Brenda