One suggestion for reducing the "damage" done by kids parking their booties for too long while watching telelvision, movies, playing video games or sitting at the computer is to give them something different to sit on.
Actually, back up a step. Sitting is bad. Sitting is to your spine like sugar is to your teeth. Our bodies were not designed to thrive or function well sitting for the length of time we do everyday. Avoid it as much as you can - have your kids avoid it as much as they can. Tough, when they have to sit all day at school, I know. At least you can make it better for them when they're home.
Ideally, kids should be out and about, running, playing, skipping, exploring... that's how they develop and advance, naturally. BUT, when they want to 'chill' and wind down, try some different things. My kids are young enough that they don't gripe too much about this one:
I have a rule that when watching a movie, they are not allowed on the furniture, no more than a few minutes anyway, then they have to change positions &/or location. They can sit or lie down on the floor. They can stand or move around. They just cannot sit on the couch long enough that they could start to grow spuds! Stagnant bodies of water attract disease. Stagnant human bodies don't fare much better! If there's music in the movie, they dance to it. I've even been known to pause a movie and have them do 5 minutes of jumping jacks/crazy dancing/yoga, etc. with their loopy mom! I know they think I'm absolutely nuts! Not a big deal... I'd rather have healthy kids than worry about them thinking I'm wacky! (they're gonna' think that anyway!)
Another highly recommended idea is to provide child-size exercise balls for them in whatever rooms they hang out in. Sitting on, bouncing on, rolling on a ball is highly beneficial for optimal posture (spinal and muscular development), as well as developing fantastic skills using balance, and most importantly, feeding their brains and nervous systems with tremendous doses of Proprioception!
When the brain receives ample propioceptive input from the spinal joints in particular, the result is that the brain produces sufficient amounts of critical neurotransmitters, like serotonin (promotes a feeling of well being and balance) and dopamine (promotes the ability to focus, learn new information, recall old information). One of the most important things you can encourage your kids to do is MOVE! This is what actually creates proprioception. Brain food.
I tease my kids on their "lazy days" that I can smell their brains rotting! This typically motivates them to move their gluteus maximus a bit more! Such a sweet mommy, aren't I?!
One other tip that I personally recommend is to turn music on vs. the television. Simple, I know. My kids have spent many hilarious hours dancing together this summer... all to my great pleasure. It's one of those happy mommy moments when you see your children dancing, laughing and having a blast! It's great exercise... especially the way they dance! I think I can actually hear their brains growing as they do this!
Now all we need is a disco ball!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Kids and the 'Boob Tube'
First, you need to know something about me. I cannot stand my children watching television. It is not a part of their lifestyle. I can count on one hand (OK, maybe two!) the number of times they've watched more than a few minutes in the last year. Yes, I have issues!!! I have never claimed to be 'normal'!
Seriously though, I DO have some legitimate reasons. A couple of them are:
Because of the commercials alone I'd rather let the kids watch a "Dr. Mom approved" movie from time to time. Even if they've seen it 25 times, at least I know what to expect!
By the way, I don't think for one second that any parent would knowingly give their child something they thought might harm them. (I'm not talking about that miniscule percentage of the population that are truly dangerous). I believe that parents just don't know the whole truth... they don't have all the information. If so, of course they'd make even better health choices for their kids. That's why I write these blogs!
Watching television also seems to work in direct opposition to the human body's natural requirements for movement. Parking it on the couch for a few hours a week, or a day, is obviously a contributing factor to childhood obesity. Our bodies need to MOVE! Wellness experts have said that movement is actually one of the most important 'nutrients' for our bodies, and brains. Movement creates Proprioceptive input... which essentially feeds the brain. A sedentary lifestyle starves the brain of this critical input.
So, what's a kid to do rather than watch television?
In the next blog, I'll share some tips and suggestions that work well for our family, as well as several from our experienced Practice Members.
Let me know what works for you and I'll share it with the group!
P.S. I know there are some fabulous educational opportunities available on television... unfortunately, I just never seem to catch them... nor am I actively seeking times for my kids to sit and watch the tube! Let me know your favorites, and don't forget to tell me what kind of commercials they show during the episode! (eg. ever notice that if you watch the Today show or Good Morning America, you might end up thinking that you need about 6 different meds just to be 'normal'??!!)
Seriously though, I DO have some legitimate reasons. A couple of them are:
- research has shown that the quickly changing images on the screen are damaging to optimal brain development
- I think I've actually seen my children's brains turn completely off once the television is on!!! It's like watching my husband watch any sporting event... drives me NUTS!
- I despise, vehemently despise, the commercials! Kids are exposed to unbelievable amounts of violence, questionable portrayal of sexuality and DRUG commercials ad nauseum. It's the drug commercials that drive me over the edge!
Kids are subtly brainwashed into thinking that they need drugs (you may know them as 'medication'... I know them as drugs!) ... that their bodies couldn't possibly function normally without this chemical input. Yet, we expect them to "just say NO"???
I think it's too late for most grown-ups! Most I talk to are completely de-sensitized to this issue. Makes me sad. But with kids, it completely ticks me off. I'm worried about creating a future filled with people who have no idea what real, natural health feels like... or how to achieve it. I'm also worried about how many children are developing chronic drug dependence and will develop a state of chronic dis-ease due to the toxic drugs they regularly take.
(I'm also concerned that in the near future, men will no longer know what a 'real' breast looks like! ha! OK, I digress...)Because of the commercials alone I'd rather let the kids watch a "Dr. Mom approved" movie from time to time. Even if they've seen it 25 times, at least I know what to expect!
By the way, I don't think for one second that any parent would knowingly give their child something they thought might harm them. (I'm not talking about that miniscule percentage of the population that are truly dangerous). I believe that parents just don't know the whole truth... they don't have all the information. If so, of course they'd make even better health choices for their kids. That's why I write these blogs!
Watching television also seems to work in direct opposition to the human body's natural requirements for movement. Parking it on the couch for a few hours a week, or a day, is obviously a contributing factor to childhood obesity. Our bodies need to MOVE! Wellness experts have said that movement is actually one of the most important 'nutrients' for our bodies, and brains. Movement creates Proprioceptive input... which essentially feeds the brain. A sedentary lifestyle starves the brain of this critical input.
So, what's a kid to do rather than watch television?
In the next blog, I'll share some tips and suggestions that work well for our family, as well as several from our experienced Practice Members.
Let me know what works for you and I'll share it with the group!
P.S. I know there are some fabulous educational opportunities available on television... unfortunately, I just never seem to catch them... nor am I actively seeking times for my kids to sit and watch the tube! Let me know your favorites, and don't forget to tell me what kind of commercials they show during the episode! (eg. ever notice that if you watch the Today show or Good Morning America, you might end up thinking that you need about 6 different meds just to be 'normal'??!!)
Friday, August 10, 2007
A Favorite (and Healthy) Snack at our House
Our kids are nearly drooling when I fix them this super-easy, delicious and healthy snack... they can't believe it's not dessert!
In a bowl, mix:
Kefir and yogurt have beneficial probiotics to build overall health. Hemp granola has more protein than most grains, and hemp has countless other health benefits. Flax is an omega 3 fatty acid. Fresh berries provide abundant phytonutrients and antioxidants for vibrant health.
Obviously, substitute whatever you like. This is just our family's favorite.
... and our kids think it's dessert!!!
Go figure!
In a bowl, mix:
- organic kefir or yogurt
- organic hemp granola
- ground flaxseeds
- fresh, organic blueberries and strawberries
Kefir and yogurt have beneficial probiotics to build overall health. Hemp granola has more protein than most grains, and hemp has countless other health benefits. Flax is an omega 3 fatty acid. Fresh berries provide abundant phytonutrients and antioxidants for vibrant health.
Obviously, substitute whatever you like. This is just our family's favorite.
... and our kids think it's dessert!!!
Go figure!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
One of the BIGGEST Back to School Health Tips
We've talked a lot about food choices so far. If you could "master" that, you'd be leaps and bounds ahead of the game!
In fact, if you could teach your kids to make great, nutritious food choices (and to eat to live vs. live to eat!), you really wouldn't need to be too concerned about 98% of the nutritional supplements on the market today. Vitamins, minerals, fiber, healthy fats, etc. is all supposed to come from our food... not a bottle!
BUT, even if you and your family eat a near-perfect diet, we've come to a point in time where it's next to impossible to maintain our healthy balance of long-chain Omega 3 essential fatty acids. It's a combination of:
- our natural sources, deep cold water fish, now being toxic, tainted and not containing as much omega 3 as they once did... you'd have to eat more wild Alaskan salmon than you could ever stomach, or afford!
- the current North American diet dumps excessive omega 6 into us... throwing the delicate balance of omega 3, 6 and 9 completely out of whack!
That's why our top recommendation for supplementation is pure, non-toxic fish oil. It's a MUST for everyone, but particularly growing brains.
These long chain omega 3's (vs. short chain, like flax oil) are responsible for a healthy brain, nervous system and immune system. When we have ample supplies of this critical supplement, we can think clearly, we have a sense of well being (anti-depressants try to mimic the natural effects of omega 3's), we can more effectively learn new information & recall old information, we're less agitated and anxious and we're able to focus better.
Hey, doesn't that sound like something you'd want for your kids this coming school year???
BEWARE:
You get what you pay for when it comes to nutritional supplements... especially fish oil! Seek out pure, ultra-refined, non-toxic sources. Otherwise, you'll just be dumping in concentrated toxins. If you'd like my/our personal recommendation for what we consider the highest quality product on the market, just ask!
Start building your child's supplies of omega 3 fatty acids NOW and you'll notice a remarkable difference by the time school rolls around!
In fact, if you could teach your kids to make great, nutritious food choices (and to eat to live vs. live to eat!), you really wouldn't need to be too concerned about 98% of the nutritional supplements on the market today. Vitamins, minerals, fiber, healthy fats, etc. is all supposed to come from our food... not a bottle!
BUT, even if you and your family eat a near-perfect diet, we've come to a point in time where it's next to impossible to maintain our healthy balance of long-chain Omega 3 essential fatty acids. It's a combination of:
- our natural sources, deep cold water fish, now being toxic, tainted and not containing as much omega 3 as they once did... you'd have to eat more wild Alaskan salmon than you could ever stomach, or afford!
- the current North American diet dumps excessive omega 6 into us... throwing the delicate balance of omega 3, 6 and 9 completely out of whack!
That's why our top recommendation for supplementation is pure, non-toxic fish oil. It's a MUST for everyone, but particularly growing brains.
These long chain omega 3's (vs. short chain, like flax oil) are responsible for a healthy brain, nervous system and immune system. When we have ample supplies of this critical supplement, we can think clearly, we have a sense of well being (anti-depressants try to mimic the natural effects of omega 3's), we can more effectively learn new information & recall old information, we're less agitated and anxious and we're able to focus better.
Hey, doesn't that sound like something you'd want for your kids this coming school year???
BEWARE:
You get what you pay for when it comes to nutritional supplements... especially fish oil! Seek out pure, ultra-refined, non-toxic sources. Otherwise, you'll just be dumping in concentrated toxins. If you'd like my/our personal recommendation for what we consider the highest quality product on the market, just ask!
Start building your child's supplies of omega 3 fatty acids NOW and you'll notice a remarkable difference by the time school rolls around!
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