**ON MY SOAPBOX! My Rant on the Food Industry!**

Every once in awhile something I read or see on T.V. or hear on the radio gets my blood to come close to a full boil. When this happens, I need to get it out. Since I am not a violent man, the next best thing is to put a post together in my blog. Well, today is that day; at least for awhile until the next thing comes along. Today I read an article from Yahoo.com about what the Food Industry does NOT want us to know. It was a great article about how even the junk food companies are stating that they are starting to "steer kids away" from bad choices and more towards "healthier choices" when it comes to food. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? If anyone believes that they are trying to steer away kids from their junk food products; a population that these companies make their living off of; I have some swamp land i can sell you cheap! Childhood obesity rates are astronomically high; doctors, nurses, medical professionals, are seeing kids as young as 2-4years old with weight problems; and THESE companies are saying they are steering kids away?? Here is a quote from the article:

"Food giant PepsiCo, for example, points out on its website, that 'we can play an important role in helping kids lead healthier lives by offering healthy product choices in schools.' The company highlights what it considers its healthier products within various food categories through a 'Smart-Spot Campaign that features green symbols on packaging."


There is no arguing that we as a society need to eat healthier. There is no argument here. especially in our children, do we need to have them eating healthier foods, exercising more and getting off the proverbial "couch potato" lifestyle of watching too much television and playing WAY too many hours of video games! (Sidenote: video games are also on my "ranting radar" but will save that for another day). Healthier living is what we need to enphasize and it does NOT need to come from the hypocites that run the junk food companies! Check out this video below about what is going on.Click and Paste this in your browser:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=10249794&ch=4226723&src=news


We are a society that is literally "killing" our kids with bad eating habits and we need to stop it now. I am a parent and I try to instil in my son healthy eating habits and exercise almost on a daily basis because it was instilled in me from my mother. My sister and I grew up with a mother WAY ahead of her time when it came to healthy eating. She was always getting low to non fat foods; making sure we had fresh fruits and vegetables; low sugar intake; scraping fat off of foods that she prepared; etc. This back in the early 1970's! And exercise?? She always had us outside playing games and sports and riding bikes ALL THE TIME! Why should this be any different now?? There are so many kids as well as adults who need to lose weight. Not only for better health but, in some cases, to SAVE THEIR LIVES!

Being a healthy parent is crucial and to hear that junk food companies are trying to get away from marketing prooducts to kids; the very kids that keep these giants in business; is laughable! We need to get our kids eating healthier foods and getting our information from more credible sources rather than the very companies that sell junk food to anyone and everyone that they can.

Thanks for letting me rant and rave to get this out of my system. I feel much better and I think I can go on with the rest of my day in a calm and cool manner. At least until the next issue comes by to get me boiling again.

If you would like to read the article that has gotten me all up in arms; CLICK HERE NOW!



** WANT TO EAT HEALTHIER AND LOSE WEIGHT?** CLICK HERE TODAY!

**Check Out This Great Expo!**

Just a quick post today to let you in on a great Expo happening in Toronto, Canada October 24th-26th. If you can make it to Toronto or if you live there you should really check it out.

Click Here To Visit Their Site!

Its all about being a healthy parent to yourself and your kids.

**Hard Economic Times? Don't Skimp On Healthy Foods! **

The video above is an exaggeration of course but even with these hard economic times you do not have to eliminate healthy foods because of the costs. Don't you think there is a reason that the classic "junk food" is priced so much lower than the "healthy food"? Here are some tips for keeping "healthy food" in your house DESPITE the hard economic times:


1. Do You Shopping Without The Kids. If you can shop without your kids' influence, you can make sure that you get the healthy foods into your home. Your kids would love the "junk" food like the chips, cookies, etc. If you shop alone, you won't have to worry about them "nagging" you to get the "junk".

2. Replace the Soft Drinks with Milk or Water. Soft drinks should be eliminated altogether because of their high sugar and chemical content but if you cannot eliminate them totally; try just at home with milk or water. We all know milk is better for you and your kids' growth and calcium intake. Make drinking soft drinks a "special time" when you are out of the house at an event. Stick with the good stuff at home.


3. Buy the "Healthy Foods" in Quantity. Foods such as fruits and vegetables can be bought in bulk and stored in your freezer in freezer bags so they do not spoil. You can then unfreeze them for use in the future days, weeks or even months.

4. Use Great Protein Sources Like Meats and Beans. These can also be bought in bulk for a better price than if you bought it retail.They also can be prepared in soups and stews using a crock pot and storing them in the freezer for future uses.

5. Try the Local Fish Market. If you live near the coast, going to your local fish market can save time as well as money buying the fish directly from the fishermen. If it is legal, you can even try to catch your own fish as well.

6. Go With the Great Kids Staple: PEANUT BUTTER! Peanut Butter is a favorite of most kids and is a great food on a budget. Natural peanut butter tastes great and can be stored in the refrigerator for weeks.

7. Use High-Water Filled Foods! Using foods like these are not only a great snack for you and your kids but it will "fill them up" better than junk food like chips and cookies. Water-filled fruits such as Watermelon, salads, etc. can do a much "healthier" job of providing a snack that can "fill-up" your kids.

Yes; these are hard economic times. But you do not have to lose the healthy foods because you are on a tight budget. Stick with the healthy foods and you and your family will benefit in more ways than one.



For More Information Please Click Here!

Talking To Your Kids About Their Weight? This Can Backfire!

Talking with your kids about "weight issues" can be a very touchy subject. You do not want to come across as a "nag" or even worse, possibly degrading your kids. If you want to take on any weight issues with your kids, make sue that you do it in a positive way! Do not single them out; make your conversations be a "whole-family" issue that you all need to work on getting healthier. Being a healthy parent needs to be an on-going process. If you talk to your kids in a negative way about any weight issues that they might be having; like saying: "Your getting too fat" or "Do you have to eat all that?"; this will backfire on you and you will have many difficulties with your relationship with your kids. They could rebel against you. They could defy anything you say. They could also have major psychological issues as they grow to adulthood. If you are having problems with talking with your kids about weight issues and eating healthy, check out the video below. Make sure you then click on the link below the video to get information on what you can do TODAY to get the help you need with Healthy Eating and Weight Loss.







Click Here To Get The Information To Help With Your Healthy Eating!

Nutrition And Childhood Obesity

Being a Healthy Parent is what this blog is all about. Whether it is for yourself getting and being healthy; or for your kids. I cannot emphasize the point enough that we, as a society are "killing our kids" with what we give them for nutrition. Childhood Obesity is a problem; that's obvious. But it is a problem in society that CAN and SHOULD be preventable. Our children need to be given the proper tools to make the correct choices on what foods they put into their bodies. We, as parents, need to help them with those choices when they are young; and as they grow, give them the tools to make the choices on their own. Watch this video on "Overweight Kids in America" and then click on the link below to see what you can do. Watch it now:






Click Here To See What You Can Do To help Your Kids!

Childhood Obesity: Video Investigation

This video, as you will see, was done in 2003! Childhood Obesity is an even greater problem now than ever before. After you watch the video, ask yourself the questions you know you need answers to for your kids. Also, check out the link below the video to see what you can do to help your kids and, quite possibly, even yourself if need be. Watch the video now.





Click Here For More Information on What You Can Do!

Childhood Obesity: The "Fast Food" Effect!

We all know that childhood obesity in America is growing at an alarming rate. Between 10-15% of children in American today ARE considered obese. This statistic does not include any children that may be at-risk for becoming obese.

Many factors for this include improper nutrition, lack of proper daily exercise, Low to no exercise activities such as watching television, playing video games, etc.

All of these factors contribute to these high rates of obesity in kids but what I think is THE factor is what I call "THE FAST FOOD EFFECT". I am not saying that consuming fast food occasionally will make you fat but kids who eat fast food regularly are at high risk.

With today's economy the way it is and with many families leading such hectic lives both with work and school as well as with activities after school and work, many times instead of families eating healthy nutritionally balanced meals; they are turning to the Fast Food for the quick meal. This quickly becomes a habit in the lives of many people and some children end up eating fast food meals almost every day.

Eating like this on a regular basis will add up over time to your kids overall growth to an almost detrimental level. Even if your child eats fast food 2-3 times a week, they can add an additional six pounds to their weight every year. Think of what it maybe if they ate fast food everyday??

So, what can you do?

Be Informed! Know what is in the foods your kids are eating. What are the calories and fat grams in the foods. How much sugar is in their diet. Find healthier alternatives to eat when you are out and about. Show your kids by example and eat foods, yourself, that are healthy.

Saying "never again" to fast food is not the answer. But, by cutting down the amount of fast food that they consume a week, a month, a year will eliminate the risks of what fast food can do on childhood obesity.


Take a Sneak Peak At How to Improve Your Child's Healthy Eating!

Healthy Eating For Kids: Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity has been a problem for many years now but with the rapid increase of children with this chronic condition on the rise in recent years, it has finally gained national recognition. Children between the ages of two years old and five years old right now are on their way to becoming the next generation of adults with obesity. Obesity has become one of the biggest public problems since tobacco use and exposure. However, bad eating habits are not to be blamed solely on this condition.There are also genetic diseases that can predispose children to become overweight cannot be forgotten.


Healthy eating and diets for kids along with an active lifestyle can help at-risk kids have the longevity and energy throughout their lives. Some of the best examples of this is:


1. Do not get into power struggles with your child over food.

2. Never use food as a behavior modification tool.

3. Set a good example by eating healthy yourself.


Always keep in mind the health of yourself and your children. Healthy eating and diets for kids is such a big factor in helping with our staggering childhood obesity rates. If you lead by example and keep yourself in shape with a good diet and regular exercise, you can impress upon your kids the importance of being a health-oriented individual. These habits will stay with them for all of their lives.


Click Here For More Information On Childhood Obesity!

How To Get Your Kids To Eat Healthy!

Kids these days seem to be more and more interested in food that "tastes great" but is so NOT good for their overall health. Chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese seem to be the mainstream diet for many children. We , as parents, have such a difficult struggle to get our children to eat healthy foods. Getting children to eat healthy needs to be a "whole-family affair". Your children need to see you eat healthy! The motto: "Do as I say AND Do as I do!"
Here are some suggestions to help you make the transition to healthy eating in your home:


1. Keep track of what and how many snacks your children eat in a day. If they want something healthy like an apple, a bagel, or some fruit, they can have it without asking. Keeping track of how many snacks is also important because even "too much of a good thing" is bad for your kids health.

2. Make sure there are more vegetables on the dinner table. Make sure that you have a variety of vegetables available and when you find ones that they like, keep them always available. Try to serve the vegetables in many forms; i.e. smashed, baked, with other ingredients, etc.

3. Show your kids that food can be fun! Serving dinner in many different forms and using recipes that your kids can adapt to their own tastes makes dinner more fun, and gets them to eat better.


Healthy eating takes time but is worth it in the end. Your kids will adjust and eventually won`t miss the candy and chips that they used to munch on. Everyone will benefit from the change.



Take a Sneak Peak at How You Can Get Your Kids To Eat Healthy!