Snuck a peek at the scale . . .

Okay, so weigh in isn't until Saturday morning, but I snuck a peek this morning to see how I'm doing and I couldn't be happier!! I won't reveal the numbers here, because I really don't want to jinx it, but I am excited and hopeful.

On the WW site there are message boards. Now, let me tell you for some of them you have to have a pretty thick skin and a good sense of humor! Thank God I have both. But there are a few things that people will ask that really even make ME cringe . . . One of these things has to do with something that I have been passionate about for years - children's eating habits. So for today's post, I thought I would delve into a subject that is no stranger to me, and thus shouldn't be a stranger to any of you that are my regular readers . . .

SCHOOL LUNCHES
(enter meancing "dum dum DUUMMMMM" here)

i hate school lunches

Not because they're gross, although I'm sure "fajita chicken enchiladas" is REALLY unappitizing to a seven year old, but because of the nutritional value (or lack thereof) included in these meals.

For the elementary school the menu for the month looks like this. Notice the chicken nuggets, the hot dogs, the pizza, the steak fingers . . . and a lot of which is served with "gravy and a roll". And look at the veggie selections: mashed potatoes, green beans,corn, baked beans . . . Now from a kids perspective, I'm excited about these lunches. Chicken nuggets with mashed potatoes and gravy is still one of my all time favorites. But the fat, the cholesterol, the sodium . . . Really?? You are REALLY giving my kids this??

The Jr. High is even worse. They have the same things on the elementary menu, except they also have the "a la cart" line in which they can chose to have things like chicken strips, popcorn chicken, cheeseburgers, pizza, french fries . . . daily.

Not so long ago celebrity chef Jamie Oliver started a "food revolution" in schools. I think it's time we take matters into our own hands, so to speak.

In a nutshell, don't let your kids buy school lunch.

I don't.
I haven't in over a year (unless it's a special occasion, or I'm running late - my kids have bought their lunch twice in a month).
My kids get in their lunches:

Juice or water
a sandwich made with 100% whole wheat bread, lean ham, 2% cheese and mustard or low-fat salad dressing.
yogurt or applesauce
baked chips
a piece of fruit or a veggie

And they LOVE it.
It's not very creative, I'll admit, but it's a darn sight better than what they'd be eating at school!

If you're a parent with your kids in school, I urge you to try sending them lunches to school. Buy them a really cool lunch bag or box, and let them help chose (would you prefer apple sauce or a tangerine?) what they would like to put in their lunch box. Their health will improve, and you'll have piece of mind about their nutrition!

Here's to being losers in 2011!

My Kid Likes Salad . . !

Every day my children amaze me.
I had no idea that my picky seven year old would like salad.
But she does.
No, she LOVES salad.
She ASKS for salad!
I think if I was to give her a big bowl of lettuce she'd be happy.

Now, I thought that maybe it was the dressing. Or the croutons. Or the bacon bits.
But nope.
Last night, I saw her eat her lettuce PLAIN. I can't even do that!!
When I told her she could eat as much salad as she liked, she got so excited. Her eyes shone.
It was like I'd just handed her a seven layer chocolate fudge cake with extra ganache and a spoon and said "Have at it kiddo"

She likes raw veggies too.
Won't touch them cooked, but she'll eat carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, even potatoes raw.
I have hope. LOTS of hope for my daughter's future health.

Now if I can just get the 14 year old to eat something other than chicken, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese we'll be in business . . .

Preventing Obesity in Your Children

Childhood obesity is a growing concern in the American family.  We, as a country, have some of the most overweight adults on the planet.  And our children aren't any healthier than we are.  With diets consiting of fast food and little fruits and vegetables, and with exercise routines that include how fast the your thumbs can go on the action button, it's little wonder that our children are slowing gaining on us in the overweight department.

So, what can we do as parents?  There are several steps that you can take to ensure your children will remain healthy and happy.

1) limit TV and video game time.  Children should watch only two hours of television a day and should play only an hour of video games a day.

2) decrease carbs while increasing whole grains.  According to the food pyramid guide, kids only need 6 oz of grains a day.  If you give them a bowl of cereal in the morning, a sandwich at lunch, and a bowl of pasta or rice a day, they will have plenty.  They also recommend that at least half of those grains be whole grains such as whole wheat, brown rice, or flax.

3) increase your fruits and vegetables.  The food guide also says that kids need up to four cups of fruits and vegetables a day.  Let's face it, most adults don't get that much.  Give some juice and a piece of fruit in the morning, carrot sticks at lunch, fruit or raw veggies and dip for snacks, and at least one vegetable at dinner.  Need some help with some picky eaters?  The Sneaky Chef has some great online recipes to help out with that!

4) don't force the issue.  Seriously.  There is an old saying that goes "when he's hungry enough, he'll eat".  Learn this.  Live by this.  Know this is true.  If he's not hungry enough to eat that plate of mashed potatoes, green beans, and turkey meatloaf, then he's not hungry enough. Forcing our kids to "clean your plates" teaches them the wrong idea. Basic idea is: IF YOU'RE NOT HUNGRY DON'T EAT.  Same should go for the children.

5) play with your kids.  Go outside or to the park. Run with them. Climb with them. Show them that exercise can be fun family time for all! They'll love the special time with you, and they'll be getting in a workout to boot!

Remember that YOU are your child's best example.  You want them to live healthy happy lives?  Show them how by living one yourself.