Your Family's Health - How Does Your Rate?

I ran across this little gem of an article and I thought I would share. I think it is a great measure or goal of what our families can be. Are any of these items something that you and your family can work on? Could you make it a family priority? I hope so! Read on:

Ten Signs of a Healthy Family Home
-published by the YMCA of the USA

1. Water is the beverage of choice, supplemented by 100% fruit juices and low-fat milk.
2. Fruits or vegetables are served at every meal including some fresh fruit or veggie options daily.
3. Snack time includes foods that contain whole grains and protein instead of saturated and trans fats.
4. Kids and adults are moving and playful for at least an hour per day, outside and together whenever possible.
5. Kids and adults are breaking a sweat at least three times per week for 20 minutes or more.
6. Kids are provided with frequent opportunities to play outdoors in ways that are unstructured and exploratory. Play experiences in nature take place often.
7. The family dines together at least once every day, with kids involved in meal preparation and clean-up.
8. Kids all receive daily one-on-one time with an adult.
9. Television and video game time is limited to two hours per day.
10. Kids and adults keep to regular schedule that helps everyone get enough sleep. For the kids that means 10-12 hours per night, and seven - eight for the adults.

Healthy living begins at home. We as parents can send a great example by what we make a priority every day. Along with positive relationships, spiritual matters, and education, please make sure healthy habits are a part of your home everyday. Be a motivator for good health. Your family will thank you for it.

Eating the Alphabet - Our Family Challenge

I came across a book titled, "Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z" by Lois Ehlert and it sparked an idea. I want to do a vegetable challenge with my family! We are going to eat a new vegetable (or fruit if there is no vegetable with that letter) for each letter in the alphabet. This probably wont happen on consecutive days, due to planning issues, but we are going to do it as often as we can. I presented the idea to my family, and with mixed emotions, they agreed. I promised that they would only have to try a small part and I would try to avoid those veggies that they really do hate.

So tonight, we start with artichokes! The rest will be as followed:

A - Artichokes
B - Beets or Brussels Sprouts
C - Cabbage or Cauliflower (sadly, we have never made cauliflower)
D - Dates (no 'D' vegetable)
E - Endive or Eggplant (we've had eggplant before, but will try a new way)
F - Fig (again no vegetable)
G - Gooseberries
H - Huckleberries (yum! I love these!)
I - Indian Corn
J - Jalapeno Peppers or Jicama
K - Kohlrabi, Kumquats and Kiwifruit (want to try all of these!)
L - Leeks
M - Mangos
N - Nectarines (we just always get peaches)
O - Okra ( I might skip this one - hmmmm)
P - Papayas, Pomegranates, parsnips and pumpkin (I think a theme night would be great!)
Q - Quince
R - Rutabaga and radishes
S - Swiss Chard and Starfruit
T - Turnips
U - Ugli Fruit (a real thing, I swear!)
V - nothing for this letter, will have to be creative
W - Watercress
X - Xigua (a Chinese watermelon)
Y - Yams
Z - Zucchini (not a favorite in our home, but maybe a new twist might help)

The point of this challenge is to open our taste buds to some new possibilities. Maybe I will finally find the "food" that Garrett will eat and that is healthy for him. Maybe we will just learn to try and love new foods. Anyways, I am excited about the challenge and wanted to share it with you.

Happy Eating!