Play time, not screen time: Cut screen time to 2 hours or less a day. Are you new to meal planning? Start small. Which meal would be easiest to plan for in advance? Breakfast may be a busy time, or difficult to plan for if household members awake at different times. Dinner tends to be... Continue Reading →
Many of our schedules and routines have been disrupted during this time, which can make it difficult to make sure we are getting enough water. Approximately 60 percent of our body consists of water, so it is essential to make our bodies function. Water is vital to the life of every cell in our body,... Continue Reading →
Stay active, even while indoors. Physical activity plays an important role in mediating mood, improving sleep, and reducing risk of chronic disease. With physical distancing guidelines still in place, it is important to continue providing kids with opportunities to release energy and build strong muscles and bones. Try a plank contest and see which family... Continue Reading →
Feed Your Kids a Rainbow Serve 5 fruits and vegetables a day. Did you know that ½ cup of dried fruit counts as one serving? This is because the loss of water during the drying process concentrates the calories and nutrients. Check the nutrition facts label for added sugar when buying dried fruit, as it... Continue Reading →
We open the fridge to find our spinach has wilted to a slimy mess and the zucchini we had planned to eat before the stay-at-home had been placed is shriveled to almost nothing. We know it is important to eat vegetables and fruits, but how do we purchase enough to get us through until our... Continue Reading →
Serve 5 fruits and vegetables a day. A variety of fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals important for growth, development, and a healthy immune system. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may lower rates of diseases like high blood pressure, stroke heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Fruits and vegetables may... Continue Reading →
Water is just fine, thanks: Serve water or milk instead of soda. By tracking water intake throughout the day, you can determine whether or not you are getting enough to drink. It’s easy to make adjustments in order to meet your healthy hydration goals! Try these simple tips to improve your water intake: Use a... Continue Reading →
Water plays many critical roles in maintaining our health and wellbeing. Fluid in the body accounts for approximately 60% of total body weight. Many people are quick to rehydrate after exercising or when temperatures rise. However, adequate fluid intake is important throughout the day, even if there is not significant water loss. Did you know that we excrete about 2 cups per... Continue Reading →
Turn off TVs, computers, phones, tablets, and other screens. Substitute 1 hour of physical activity for 1 hour of screen time a day. Take family screen time breaks throughout the day to release energy and promote physical and emotional wellbeing. Design a hopscotch pattern using masking tape, build an obstacle course with furniture and pillows,... Continue Reading →
Active play every day is important to maintain a healthy weight. Moving also helps your child’s brain development. Everyone in the family needs physical activity for a healthy heart, bones, muscles, and brain. Encourage running, jumping, skipping, hopping – activities that result in a quicker heartbeat, more breathing, and sweating. Be a good role model... Continue Reading →
Keep the TV off during mealtimes. Instead, focus on eating together as a family. Screen media entertains, informs, and educates; however, studies have shown that too much time in front of the TV, tablet, and smartphone can negatively impact health. It is important to find a healthy balance between taking advantage of the many benefits... Continue Reading →
Play time, not screen time: Cut screen time to 2 hours or less a day. Exploring and playing are important for brain development. TV and other electronic media simply cannot provide the same type of brain stimulation. Computers and tablets are part of our daily lives for work and school. But too much screen time... Continue Reading →
How do you get your kids to eat 5 fruits and veggies a day? We've got a couple of ideas and we would love to hear your ideas. Let Kids Choose a New Fruit or Veggie Kids are more likely to try a food that they have a hand in choosing. Plan a trip to... Continue Reading →
Yes! It IS possible to raise children who like to eat a wide variety of vegetables. Follow these fun tips to develop your healthy eater and remember to always talk about vegetables in a fun and inviting way to encourage even more positivity! Enjoy a variety of vegetables yourself. The most important thing that adults can... Continue Reading →
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/11/how-a-christmas-story-became-an-american-tradition The key to all Fall activities is layers! Worried about being too cold? Then put on jacket! Worried about being too hot once you get moving? Then wear a t-shirt underneath! Sometimes our biggest excuse for not going outside is the fact that we don’t know what to wear when being active. A simple... Continue Reading →
August is Kids Eat Right Month and a great time for families to learn how to cook healthy together! A clever way to encourage children to try new foods is to get kids in the kitchen. This week, we're featuring recipes to help kids start young and learn simple cooking tasks before moving on to... Continue Reading →
Let’s talk dairy! Dairy is an important component to our daily diets. It’s one of the five food groups that is recommended by the USDA. You might be familiar with MyPlate, if not, below is a graphic that’ll help you get familiar with what a healthy balance of food looks like. The USDA recommends that... Continue Reading →
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or just looking for some leisure time outdoors Idaho state parks has something for everyone. Idaho has thirty state parks that you can take a day trip, weekend trip, or even a full family vacation at and make great memories. From camping to water sports, sand surfing and even historical... Continue Reading →
As the weather starts warming up we start getting outside more. Some of these outside activities includes sports for us and our children. This is a wonderful way to get our daily exercise. But, we often wonder, what should I or my kids be drinking to stay hydrated? The short answer is: your go to... Continue Reading →
Spring Fever? Nature is a major distraction from the stresses of life and important for the health of children and adults. People who spend time outside… have more energy.are calmer.feel less stress.focus better.feel happier.sleep better. Start close to home with 30 minutes of activity. If you don’t have 30 minutes, try 10 minutes three times... Continue Reading →
Instead of cursing the winter, find ways to enjoy it! Instead of talking about the things we CAN'T do, bundle up, get outside, and be active with these activities: SNOWBALL FIGHT: what better way to run around (and exercise) without even realizing that you are exercising? Put on your gloves, gather your kids, and start... Continue Reading →
Fall activities are even more pleasant when it’s cooler outside and the scenery is changing. Grab a jacket, comfortable shoes, and try some of these activities: Take a walk through your neighborhood or local park to see the changing colors of FallGet the whole family involved - Turn leaf-raking and other Autumn yard work into fun... Continue Reading →
As the weather starts to cool down, you may be looking for some fall activities that let you stay nice and warm, while being inside. What better way to spend some indoor quality time, than at the library? Did you know reading can help improve your memory and reduce stress? So, cozy up in a... Continue Reading →
Idaho is a beautiful state, and trails are everywhere. Some are free, and closer than you think. Look around your town or county, drive the back roads and explore. Idaho state parks are just $10/year to use, and a parks pass can even be purchased with your car registration. Get outside and enjoy the serenity... Continue Reading →
Being physically active isn’t just going to the gym or enrolling in a fitness boot-camp. It’s about having fun, running around, and playing. Just because you’re grown up doesn’t mean you can’t play. It’s also free, depending on what you do. There are so many health benefits too! Increasing physical activity helps with healthy weight... Continue Reading →
