I'm Excited For Four Weeks Of Focusing On My Health

I set up my Mii today on Wii Fit in preparation for Monday. I tried to set a goal but the goals on there are limited ("firm up thighs" wasn't a choice). Actually, my main focus is on getting back into the habit of exercise so that my headaches go away. It's the only way I've found to truly reduce their regularity.
Also, I am drinking a green smoothie made from unsweetened almond milk, fresh spinach, kiwi and a frozen banana. Doesn't it sound gross? But it is soooo good!

Losing Weight for The New Year

Finally found some time to read my Fitness magazine. I gained some weight over the holidays (typical, typical- eating whatever I wanted and exercising whenever I wanted- which was never). So I am all about their "Lose 10 Pounds Fast" Challenge. I signed up online because I would loooove to win that trip. I won't be following their diet and I do have the luxury of having a personal trainer for a husband so my exercise regime will look a bit different (too be fair, he mostly just tells me the simple truth that I need to expend more calories than I take in. I know, I know.)
Four weeks, starting next Monday. Who's with me?

Happy After-Christmas. We are headed for a lengthy family walk this morning (it's not raining, yeah!). 6 new scooters from Santa (although we may not actually have the baby ride his because he just sits on it and says "please" until someone pushes him). And, believe me, I need the walk.

Merry Christmas From The Active Family and Project Playtime!

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No More Honey Ham?

Another study on processed meats and the damage they cause to those who eat them: http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/do_you_eat_processed_meats_many_are_linked_to_cancer/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+checblog+Healthy+Child+Healthy+World+Blog

Ironically, the blog post I am listing here (which references that study and others) is on the same website that includes "healthy" recipes, including this one on it's main page and with processed meats.

I like this blog, in fact you can find it in our sidebar, so I'm not trying to slam it I'm just pointing out how difficult it can be to find positive suggestions... Fine, no processed meats- then what? Pancake breakfast with no sausage or bacon. PB&Js but no ham and cheese. Freshly made hamburgers but no hot dogs.

I've found that my boys (J included) love processed meats. And I want them to enjoy life; enjoy food and enjoy eating. All in moderation. I think that's a good standard for much of our lives. I make pancakes a lot. Generally without sausage or bacon (I add protein powder to the mix a lot) but on birthdays or breakfast-for-dinner occasions J cooks some bacon on the George Foreman. My boys usually pack PB&Js for lunch but every couple of weeks I make them ham sandwiches (with, gasp, mayo for T.K.). We serve hot dogs a lot when friends come over because it is inexpensive, kids will actually eat them and they are easy to make, serve and eat. We serve salad and fruit, too.

I try to limit my consumption of processed foods (and thus, as the main cook, my family does also). I recognize that it is harder for some families than other. Here are some picnic lunch-suggestions to replace lunch meats. Here are some breakfast menus that don't include bacon or sausage. Here are some school lunch ideas. And here is a happy note for you because you are making good choices and sometimes enjoying that one thing you really want- like chocolate-covered bacon?!

There Are Cute Ergonomic Purses But No Ergonomic Children

One of MSN's 8 Surprising Habits Ruining Your Health is carrying your purse over the same shoulder every day. This isn't news to my grandma, who professes to know that her hip pain is worse on the side where she carried her babies. Most of use carry babies on the non-dominant side, did you know that? So if you are right-handed you probably tend to carry toddlers on your left hip.
So try to switch hips (or shoulders for purses or laptops) frequently. And of course, I could suggest that you clean out your purse but I know I NEED the stuff in mine (plus my gorgeous purse is quite heavy in and of itself but I don't care, I LOVE IT). And I can't really suggest that your kid drop a few pounds to save you some back strain. So try to switch sides.
And if you read that article and it is news to you that you need to toss your toothbrush- gross.

Hurry, Hurry... But When Do We Play?

An Active Family's life can get very busy- and I want to encourage you to not leave out the physical activity when choosing what gets accomplished. Particularly with all the holidays coming (I don't know about you, but from Halloween through to New Year's we have a crazy busy schedule), it is easy to drive from school/work to run errands to sports practice to rush home for dinner/homework. Then add in parties, shopping, crafts, cooking... but none of this is particularly fit!

When it gets too rainy for the park it becomes even more difficult (because I find stopping to run and play at a park an easy way to fit in some fun family fitness in between errands or events)... Admittedly, my definition of "too rainy" is different than J's. In fact, there's my first suggestion: borrow his extremely loose definition of weather that prevents playing outside!

If you have balloons around from a party, keep a few of them inflated for impromptu balloon games (I think every age enjoys seeing how long you can keep the balloon in the air).

Park far from the store. This will reduce stress just by staying away from the maddening drivers in addition to burning a few calories and increasing the fresh air you NEED (even if you don't realize it, you do).

Shop online, have the package mailed to the recipient, then spend all the time you would've spent in the car having a dance party.

Do squats while you wait for the cookies to bake. Just kidding...kind of.

Our Fruit Bowl!!

My kids are allowed to eat fruit anytime and I try to keep a bowl of clean fruit available at all times (usually apples and pears w/ bananas in a hanger on the side- we eat so many bananas they don't fit in the fruit bowl). However, if you ever come to my house and grab one- watch out!- some little ones like to taste test :)

Double Digits

Happy, Happy Birthday to our TEN-year-old! Can't believe the baby I carried for 41 weeks to 9lb10z weight is now celebrating his 10th birthday- and as an average-weight kid, by the way!

His football team nicknamed him T.K. a few years ago but I just call him Awesome.