Health

So, it’s September, which means it’s Childhood Obesity Month.

One contributing factor to childhood obesity are sugary beverages, such as soda, fruit punch, lemonade and other “ades,” sweetened powdered drinks, and sports and energy drinks. The average can of sugar-sweetened soda or fruit punch provides about 150 calories, almost all of them from sugar, usually high-fructose corn syrup. That’s the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of table sugar.

So, while not 100% sugarless, but whit a whole lot less sugar, this refreshing drink consumed in Germany throughout the year by young and could be an alternative to all of the above.

Oh, the tummy troubles of a constipated child. Not fun at all.

While we try to eat healthy, our two little humans do not always agree with our food choices. That being said, it is even harder to add natural prebiotics and probiotics to our diet. Even I cringe at some of them.

Here’s what scientists suggest and what you can do to boost your immune system, enhance digestion, and fight off any bad bugs that come along.

Are you looking for tips for healthy living at home and ways to reinforce those healthy habits at school? Apply for the Parents for Healthy Kids grant and start promoting school-based physical activity and nutrition initiatives!

Not sure what to do? Here are some ideas:

• Help your school start or grow their school garden and use their harvested vegetables and fruit in the school kitchen or the cafeteria
• Organize a sporting event or an event that includes healthy activities
• Create a running group or some other group that supports physical activity
• Raise money for playscapes and other play spaces at your child's school
• Organize a field trip to local farms and food banks
• Bring in nutritionists, farmers, doctors, nurses, or other professionals to talk about healthy foods and healthy living

And here's how to apply for the grant.

So, we’ve been trying to stay away from plastic food containers for quite a while now. We store all our leftovers in glass containers (even in the freezer in tempered glass or glass specifically labeled for freezing), and have migrated to stainless steel lunch boxes and water bottles.
Why? Because plastic is poisoning our bodies and oceans. Doctors and researchers have linked chemicals in plastics, such as BPA (bisphenol-A) and phthalates, in numerous studies to hormone and thyroid problems, behavior issues, obesity, cancer, diabetes, asthma, even kidney and heart conditions. Here's what you can do.

Want to show and teach your kiddos that active lifestyles are fun, build confidence, and are a great way to meet new friends? Join the Healthy Kids Running Series in Cedar Park this spring! No matter your size, your speed, your athletic ability, or your competitive spirit, everyone fits right in. It is not a popularity contest; it is not ‘win at all costs.’

Register your child for the Healthy Kids Running Series, a five week running program in the spring and fall for kids from Pre-K to 8th grade. 

Most people know a home remedy or two to stay healthy or fight a sore throat, a runny nose, or other unwelcoming symptoms that affects their health. 
This year during the flu season, "elderberry syrup" became a buzz word and stores such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, or Natural Grocers were sold out of elderberry syrup for weeks. 

A local Round Rock Mama, who makes her own elderberry syrup, explains what elderberry syrup is all about and how it can help you keep your family healthy.

Since I'm a Mom, I’ve become more prone to fear and anxiety, which isn’t fun for anybody in our family, and the snapping and nagging at the innocent hubs and kiddos for no reason or simply because I feel stressed and anxious, is just fueling Mom’s worst enemy, also known as Mom-Guilt.

So, I put my Superwoman cape on and tried something new....

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