The folks in Portland, Maine have encouraged their community to follow the 5-2-1-0 program: EVERYDAY eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, engage in 2 hours or less of screen time, exercise at least 1 hour, and, consume 0 sugary drinks. A recent survey showed a significant increased dedication to this behavior pattern.  More kids are sitting down and eating fruits and vegetables which means parents are serving them.  45% of kids are watching less screen entertainment.  Water is replacing sodas.  The trend is moving in a healthy direction.  This 5-2-1-0 number series seems to make it easier for parents and children to follow this guideline.  Do you agree?  If so, we encourage you to adopt it in your home.

… for the health of families,
ellen

Win a Whole Free Range Turkey (Shelton’s Poultry) for your family. Go to www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes to enter.  Shelton’s birds “don’t do drugs.”  You can really taste the delicious difference!

www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com

Pick just one of these five easy to do resolutions to improve your mental and physical health in 2011*: 
   1. Drink more water (coffee and sodas don't count). 
   2. 5 days on/2 days off (eat healthier foods for five days, enjoy treats on the weekend).
   3. Portion control (don't overload your plates- also a budget saver). 
   4. Keep moving (get up and move around for a few minutes every hour).
   5. Sleep at least 7 hours a day (turn that tv off and go to bed).

Any one of these will have both a short and long term positive impact on the health of your family as well as you.  You 'll feel better and consequently so will they.  Do more than one if you want – may be easier to add another later in the year. 

Wishing you a Delicious Healthy Happy New Year!

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

* This is an abbreviated version of our 12/31/10 internet radio (podcast) show, Better Food Choices. To learn more, listen to it on iTunes.

2011! New Year’s is here again. Another chance to start anew. How many New Year Resolutions have you made? How many have you kept? Join the club. However this year, we are proposing 5 Lifestyle changes and are inviting you to pick just one. None are hard to do. We chose easy ones. Each one has long term healthy results for your family and you. Tune in to find out which one will work best for your situation and start this year on the right foot. Dec. 31, Noon EST at www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com or go to iTunes.

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

1.  ”The typical young American, upon turning 18, will have spent just 9% of his or her hours on this planet under the school roof (and that assumes full-day kindergarten and perfect attendance) versus 91% spent elsewhere.”

2. “American youngsters now devote an astounding 7.5 hours per day to ‘using entertainment media’ (including TV, internet, cellphones and videogames). That translates to about 53 hours a week – verus 30 hours in school.”

What does this have to do with food?  How about food for thought? From what and whom are kids learning?  Moms and dads, it is time to notice how much time is truly dedicated to a solid education and what is being fed into the brains, the minds, of your kids.  Only 9% of time in school?  Where are they the rest of the day?  TV, internet, cellphones and videogames need to represent a very small percentage of how kids spend their time.  What happened to books, board and card games, playing outdoors, and interacting with friends  in-person for social, physical and intelligent non-passive development?  It is no wonder obesity is an issue – kids aren’t moving much for at least 7.5 hours a day – just the tip of this iceberg. 

Until your kids have grown up and are on their own, they are your responsibility.  We know you care so please, help improve these statistics. Start by saying “No” to entertainment media influences. 

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

A Most Effective Way to Live Longer: take a bubble bath!  Dr. Jonny Bowden knows we are all too stressed and it is taking a toll on our health and longevity.  He suggests that we can not stop the aging process but we can manage it more gracefully.  A number one management tool, move!  Interrupt sedentary days with a short walk, play tennis, dance around… have some fun being active.  Every little bit helps.  Another priority is, take some time for yourself, mom.  Just as you need to use the oxygen mask on an airplane first so you can give one to your children and take care of them, you need to prioritize some time for yourself so you can care for your family – one easy way to do this, take a bubble bath!  Love, love, love this idea – use some lavendar bath oils and relax – no phone, no tv, no one in the room but yourself! 

… for the health of your family,
ellen and sally

Poison is strong word but it reflects Dr. Bob Sears passion.  Fat cells do not just sit around doing nothing while coating your organs and body.  Fat cells actually release inflammatory chemicals which Dr. Sears describes as being poison to your tissues.  The reality is, inflammation is the root of most if not all diseases: heart, cancer, strokes, depression, you name it…  Those inflammatory chemicals cause interactive cellular disturbances. Dr. Sally Byrd describes it this way, “It is like your body is on fire.” We can’t see or hear it but it’s happening.  And so begins the downhill run to disease.  Please note that these diseases are showing up among children.  How sad is that?  (To learn more, download our March 5th interview with Dr. Sears for free on itunes or listen to the archived version on www.BetterFoodChoicesRadio.com.)

To many, managing weight is all about how you look on the outside, but, on the inside is it all about living a healthy life or struggling with disease and dying. Now you know why being overweight and obesity is a serious disease.   Put your priorities in order, make Better Food Choices and get moving.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

What do you do?  First, don’t eat foods that breed inflammation such as sugar.  Second, eat foods that deter inflammation such as artichokes.  Have your adrenal glands checked.  Get massages and/or exercise.  Sleep for at least 8 hours a night … don’t laugh (turn off your computer and TV and go to bed). Reduce your stress level (say NO to what is not possible to do in time available).  Be in tune with your body. 

… for the health of your family,
ellen