H is for Happy, Healthy Kids

{Note:  I started this post a while back and I decided that now was as good of a time as any to post it.}

Happy, healthy kids.  Isn't that what every parent wants?   I know I do.  My kids have always been pretty active.  In the summer we were constantly at the beach or pool, the fall and winter we spend our time outside at the playground, riding bikes, taking walks, or just running around the front yard.  

Now that my girls are doing sports they have a whole new reason to stay healthy.  Now. my girls don't do sports just because it's fun.  Kaylee and Mo both have their sites set on Olympic gold.  {This house has a "go big or go home" mentality as you can see}  Having kids with Olympic dreams is great sometimes.  When they ask for that 600 calorie dessert?  "Do you think Michael Phelps/Gabby Douglas would eat that?"  

Speaking of Michael Phelps and swimming.  Below are some links to what the proper nutrition for a swimmer is.      

Swim Nutrition
Resources
http://www.swimming.org/swimfit/nutrition-and-diet/
http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1546
http://www.sasoswimming.org/Swim%20Nutrition.pdf

This was in the newspaper the other day.  

The fact that 75% of the kids in my county AREN'T obese is a very good thing.  I was a chunky kid.  I know how rough is can be.  Kids are mean.  They can say some very hurtful things.  I want to save my kids the pain and hurt feelings (as well as high medical bills and premature death.)  Childhood obesity is a makjor issue in the United States.

As of January, 17% (12.5 million) 2-19 year olds were onbese.  70% of obese kids had atleast 1 risk factor for cardiovascular disease!  That's ridiculous.  Below are some of the many health consequences of childhood obesity. 


Health Consequenses of Childhood Obesity
(From the Florida Commission on the Status of Women link)

Type 2 diabetes

Cardiovascular risk

Sleep apnea

Asthma

Being overweight as an adult

Potentiality of high health care costs

Psychosocial consequences

Liver disease

Early puberty

Skin infections

Ask yourself, are these things you want your 5, 6 or 13 year old to deal with??  Is this fair to them?  Read this list to your kids and see if any of these things are appealing to them.  Ask them if being laughed at and called names is fun.  Now realize that you are in control of your child's weight. 

Yes I said it.  YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF YOUR CHILD'S WEIGHT.  

There are a few easy things you can do to help your kids get healthy.  Cut down on their daily intake of fats, sugar and sodium.  Some easy things to do are replace chips with plain air popped popcorn or switch from hamburger to ground turkey.   Don't let them sit in front of the tv.  Send them outside to play{when the weather isn't too hot I shove my kids out the door for atleast an hour.  They are only allowed in for drinks and to use the bathroom},  take them to the park, get them involved in a sport, or do some exercises in the living room if you can't go outside.  

I don't want to hear the excuse "it's too expensive to eat healthy."  If you want to know how far your money can go for healthy food take a look at this link from SparkPeople.com

Eating healthy is not that hard.  People are always kind of surprised by the way that we eat.  Low/no fat, low sodium, healthy desserts and most of our meals are 90-100% homemade.  Why is this weird to people these days???  Because I don't use a pound of butter in everything I'm a horrible parent??  At Kaylee's birthday party one girl freaked out because the popcorn didn't have butter or salt,the syrup at breakfast was sugar free and we didn't have any ice cream in the house (yet, at this party there was a gorgeous, store bought cake [thanks to Sirrr], chocolates and we roasted marshmallows)  

Below are some resources about childhood obesity and how to help your kids be healthy and active.  Helping your kids lead a healthy life isn't that hard.  What's stopping you?
    

Resources
CDC
NICHQ
NAEYC
American Heart Association
Let's Move!

F Is For....Forgotten Friday

This post is going to be exactly what the title implies.  It's going to be a mish-mash rambling post.  There are a few old posts that I never got a chance to post.  They got shoved to the back and I want to give them to you now, along with some information that I've been dying to let you in on.

Let's start with news....

• I have decided to postpone my photo shoot.  I originally planned it being the week of October 6th.  But, due to the fact that my diet was crap due to getting used to our hectic schedules and I missed all but a handful of workouts for 2.5 weeks I am nowhere near where I want to be.  So, I'm putting it on hold until I can get into the shape I want to be in.  

• I have started my cardio training for the mud run on the 5th.  I have 2 goals for this run.  Beat Ken and finish in under 90 minutes.  Ken is doing his run at 11:30 and my time is at 10 so, if I don't finish by then I screw him over.  I have been using this new piece of equipment at the gym.  

It's called the Helix Lateral Trainer.  It's kind of like an elliptical machine except instead of forwards, you move your legs clockwise and counter-clockwise.  (You switch in the middle of your workout)  It's a major workout and it targets muscles that you don't normally use.  I was quite sore for a few days after I used it the first time.  I am addicted now.

Since we're on the topic of exercise, I became obsessed with the rowing machine (I still am, I am just MORE obsessed with the Helix at the moment...gotta switch up your routine from time to time to keep your body from getting used to it.)  The rowing machine has a bunch of benefits.  It's a major  calorie burner and it's a total body workout.  Below are some links about how awesome and beneficial the rowing machine actually is.

Rowing Machine Links

References
Details.com Why Rowing is the New Spinning
Greatist.com The Rowing Machine: Get the Benefits Without the Boat
ExpertClinic.com Rowing Machine Benefits

Next I bring you a nice gravy recipe.  It's great for going over biscuits.  If you thin it out a bit then it would make an awesome stew also.  This recipe  came about due to my love of comfort food and a failed meatloaf recipe.  It's versatile and awesome.  Give it a try!

Meat Lovers Meatless Gravy
Recipe
2 bags Boca Soy Crumbles
1 bag frozen peas
2 medium onions, diced
1 T minced garlic
5 cup vegetable broth
1/4 cup cornstarch (or more if you want it thicker

Directions

1. Cook peas according to directions
2. Saute onions and garlic until soft
3. Add  in soy crumbles and cook until thawed.
4. Add in peas and vegetable broth.  Bring to a boil
5. Mix cornstarch with water and make a paste.  Whisk into vegetable broth.
6. Boil until thickened.

And lastly, a product review.  (This is the brand I used for my K recipe that's coming up later this month)

Bob's Red Mill 10 Grain Hot Cereal Review

To order this shirt head over to Zazzle

Every time I went to Diane's my eyes would lock onto Bob's Red Mill 10 Grain Hot Cereal.  I finally picked some up a while back.  The texture is more like grits but, the taste is very oatmeal-y.  The hot cereal is a mixture of  red wheat, rye, triticale, oat bran, oats, corn, barley, soy beans, brown rice, millet, and flaxseed.  It's delicious.  Honestly you should go buy some!  You should be able to get it at your local health food store or Whole Foods.

Well, thank you for reading my scatter randomness!!

Fat Free Queen's Reaction to the Boston Marathon Tragedy

Yesterday at 2:50 pm someone set off bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  As of now 3 people are dead and 140 are injured.   What the hell is the world coming to??!??  People have to be worried about going anywhere or doing anything!

The Boston Marathon has a long history.  It's a major event for many runners.  To have it marred by something like this is appaling! 

I have a hard time putting words to how much this upsets me. 

I believe that Cassey at Blogilates.com puts her feelings into better than I can.  Check out her post:
 Blogilates response to the Boston Bombings

And here's a link to CNN's story on it:  CNN


My heart goes pout to all the victims and their families.

Living Simply, or Simply Living?

My husband loves me.  Wanna see what he bough me himself?  (I have a gym membership so, he mostly bought it for himself.)  

A bit shabby but, it works and it's great for the days [Friday, Saturday, and Sunday] when I don't goto the gym.  Do you consider this "living simply?"

That's the NaBloPoMo prompt for the day.  How do you interpret the words "live simply"? 

This question seems so easy....yet it's so complex.  I feel like I live simply, yet again I feel like there are parts of my life that are rather lavish.  I live in a simple house.....half a mile from the beach.  I have a gym membership....and I now have a home gym....that was bought used and very cheap.  

So do I live a simple life?  Compared to who?  But to me, living simply is living at or below your means.  I'm not driving a car I cannot afford [I drive a 10 year old car], I don't have any credit cards, and I shop at Walmart and Target.  My life is not complex.  It's as simple as simple can be. 

You know what else is simple?  My food.  I have some awesome simple recipes for you coming soon.  

Have a great weekend!