Are your kids picky eaters?  Well, mine are.  That’s quite a challenge when your kids are small.  My children are 5 and 3, and both have learning disabilities, so for me, it’s very important to get them to eat properly.  Between busy schedules, therapies, active children, and fussy eating, getting my children to eat anything healthier than a multivitamin is QUITE a challenge.  So what is a parent to do?

Substitution-One thing I’ve done is NOT to worry so much.  Every day you read the dangers of sugar, or wheat, or dairy, or red meat.  It’s enough to make a parent go crazy. Unfortunately, time and budget do not really allow me to buy organic, sugar-free, gluten-free, etc.  I do the best I can with what I’ve got to work with.  For example, as much as possible, I use extra virgin olive oil for cooking rather than other kinds of oil.  I believe this is probably why my good cholesterol, or HDL, levels are very high.  I happen to also like the flavor that olive oil adds to my food. It is pricier, but we rarely fry foods anyway.

Fruits and Veggies, Any Way They Want-When Amelia was little, her therapist reminded me that sweet potatoes are a good source of iron. I was surprised, because I had given up eaten potatoes years ago.  My daughter loves mashed potatoes so I make them FRESH.  My kids also like potato salad, which I make fresh with potatoes, fresh green beans, tomatoes and onion, drizzled with balsamic vinegar.  My little one like anything with a red sauce and since cooked tomatoes are healthier than fresh, I frequently give her tomato sauce and salsa.  My other daughter likes fresh vegetables uncooked, but only if I serve them in a fancy tray with dip, so snack time becomes a fun mini-party for me and the kids.

Healthier Stuff-Rather than eliminating things from their diet that they like, I’ve taken the road of buying healthier versions of the foods they like. My kids are very fond of chocolate chip cookies, and Kashi makes a version with whole grain products and no sugar.  They love peanut butter, and it’s a good source of protein, so I spend a little extra and make sure there is no sugar, additives or palm oil, just “made from peanuts”.  We are not seafood fans, but buying pasta with Omega-3 and made with whole grains eases my mind that they are getting this important nutrient as well.

Plenty of Liquids-I’ve noticed my kids are thirsty a lot and it’s hard to keep them in milk and juice all the time.   I’ve started giving them more water, or glasses full of ice (they love to munch on it), and that makes me feel good that they are getting their fill of liquids.  I keep lots of juicy fruits, like oranges, on hand as well.

It isn’t easy, but with a little creativity, patience and LOTS of label reading, meal time does not have to be the most difficult part of child rearing.  Making sure that kids think of meals as a time to socialize with their family and enjoy themselves can also go a long way to helping busy parents get their picky eaters to eat right.

Thanks Gina! We have so much to learn as parents. Follow @ginabad on Twitter and her blog at Mom-Blog. For more on the picky eater check out the post from a couple of weeks Are your kids picky eaters?

Our guest Rosabel Yip shares her thoughts on video games, how they affect our children, and some healthy alternatives:

In today’s world, most children are exposed to video games, play station, internet online games, mobile phone games etc. In fact, video games are dominating our childs lives today. It is a trend. Older children are now talking about latest games in the market or internet. They compete with each other on the scores that they get from the games. Children beg their parents to buy them play station or computer so that they can keep up the trend. Even younger children, who do not understand “trend”, will just follow what their older brothers or peers do. Some parents even use them as a reward if their child behaves or achieve the parents’ academic expectations.

I’m not against video games, but I do agree that adults should control the video gaming. We should set some rules and limitations. Some of the games are very violent – killing, beating, hitting, bombing, slashing and so on. There are researchers claims that the violent video games do not have any effect on our children. People are still debating the issue.

I discourage young children’s exposure to violent video games. They do not grasp what is violent, what is right and what is wrong. They might not know how to differentiate appropriate and inappropriate behaviors.

Children love to imitate other people. If a child snatches a toy from another child and the adult involved just lets it be without taking any action, the other child who sees this might imitate the action without understanding appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Imagine if he is exposed to violent video games where the characters in the game can just keep beating one another, what does he captured in his subconscious mind? Beating can be one of the solutions to get what he wants? Moreover, children get addicted to video games easily if we do not control the gaming. Do you want your child to sit in front of the TV or computer just playing video games?

There are many games that we can get our child to be involved in. Games such as running, jogging, basketball, football, climbing and so on are very healthy for our child. These games enable them to stretch and move their body. Your child gets to reinforce his large and fine motor skills as well as better body coordination. He gets to sweat to promote detoxification. The whole body movements also improve blood circulation of his body. More oxygen is carried in the blood to the brain which helps in his intellectual development.

Take the child to the park, water fall, lake, beach, jungle tracking etc. enjoy and learn to appreciate nature. Do gardening together with the child. Cultivate the love of nature among our young children. Take the child to the library or book shop. Cultivate the good reading habits. Reading provides information and knowledge. The child who reads more tends to be more flexible in their thinking and more open to new ideas. He also develops the ability to understand how other people feel and think.

Start by selecting video games that are educational and appropriate for their age. Read the rating symbols on the cover before buying any game – EC (Early Childhood), AO (for adults only 18+), E (for everyone), E10 (for Everyone 10+), T (for Teen) and M (for Mature 17+). Restrict the time and day of the video game activity, encourage your child to participate in the outdoor activities that can bring physical, mental and emotional benefits.

With our world becoming so addicted to technology, we tend to become less active, leading to an unhealthier society. Maybe we want to include some old school activities into our childs lives?  Rosabel has so much to share, visit her at Nurture Our Child with Love and Patience!

Breastfeeding has a profound impact on the health of the baby as well as the mother. Did you know that it is recommended that a child breastfeed for at least 6 months following birth? Breast milk should be the exclusive form of nutrition for at least the first 4 months and this evidence is supported by scientific evidence.

Below is just a small list of benefits both the infant and mother will have from breastfeeding.

Infection Inhibitor – when you compare a newborn that is fed formula or milk to one that is breast fed, the breast fed infants are less likely to suffer from infections. Some of these infections may include diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections, respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections and urinary tract infections.

Allergy Antagonist – infants that are exclusively breast fed the first 4 months are less likely to develop allergies and asthma during their first 6 years of life, this is according to a report that was presented in April 1999 at American Lung Assoc Conference in San Diego.

Heart Aid – breastfeeding offers potent heart healthy benefits to both the mommy and the baby.
Actually breastfeeding can slash the risk of high blood pressure. The hormone in the mom called oxytocin lowers the blood pressure in the mom who breast feeds. The baby also enjoys the reduced risk of high blood pressure later in life.

Brain Booster – Did you know that premature infants who are breast fed score higher on IQ tests during their pre-adolescent years…when compared to premature infants who aren’t breast fed? Ongoing research indicates that the brain-boosting effects of breast milk may also apply to infants who are carried full-term. Now the scientists are unsure whether this benefit is a result of nutritional or social factors, but the fact remains that breastfeeding your little one may make him or her smarter!

SIDS Preventer – The latest research is suggesting that breastfeeding may protect newborns form Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Although the nature of this condition is still yet undetermined, one possible explanation involves toxins manufactured by bacteria. Breast milk contains antibodies that bind to these toxins, stopping the chain reactions that may precipitate sudden death.

Cancer Risk Reducer – Infants who breastfeed are less likely to develop leukemia. Amazing!! Researchers looked at 2,200 children with acute leukemia and 2,417 cancer-free control subjects, aged one to 17 years. The children who were breastfed for at least one month enjoyed 21% reduced risk of leukemia, compared to those who breastfed for less than one month or not at all. Researchers then looked at children that were breastfed for more than 6-months and the reduction in risk jumped to 30%. (Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1999) Breastfeeding not only prevents cancer in children but it may also protect mothers from malignancy. It is believed that women who breastfeed are less likely to develop breast cancer compared to those who never breast fed.

DrMommy offers so much knowledge and insight, please visit her at:

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Supporting Studies:Cancer – listed in Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1999;20:1765-72 Researchers were part of International Journal of Epidemiology SIDS – listed in FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol 1999; 25: 175-82Heart Aid – research came from Pediatric Research 1996; 40:627-32

Three “simple” actions:

1-ZERO television- No TV time for the whole day. How often to you and your family watch television? In the evening instead of turning on the news, take some some time away from the tube. All that news garbage can wait! You might be surprised at how much better you sleep. What did people do before the TV was invented? Maybe draw some pictures, play classic board games, color or go for a walk? See How TV Affects Your Child.

2-Read a book- Strengthen that mind! “When the mind is trained and channeled, it begins to pay attention more thoroughly. ” More at The Benefits of Reading .

3-Compliment five people- Do you believe in Karma? Or at least what goes around comes around? Regardless, for the sole reason of doing a good deed, a compliment towards another feels good. Doesn’t it feel good to help others feel good? A compliment can be a good start.

“To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded! ”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Maybe a couple of actions today will help us continue down a healthier path during our journey?

Are you up for the challenge? I know in our home we have the TV on before bedtime…this will be a huge challenge for us! I definitely need to compliment my wife and kids more…I think it but do not always express it. Maybe this is no challenge for you?

A single step at a time is all that’s possible – even when taken on the run.

High Fructose Corn Syrup. Have you noticed that it’s in seemingly everything? Even things that aren’t sweet – like breadcrumbs – have high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in them. The Corn Refiners Association would have you believe with their recent ads that HFCS is as natural as a freshly picked ear of corn. So, let’s talk a little about HFCS. What is it and why do people get so worked up about it?

High fructose corn syrup is composed of glucose (aka dextrose) and fructose and is produced through a complicated series of chemical reactions. The only thing natural about HFCS is that its molecules originated in a kernel of corn. HFCS was first introduced in the 1970s. It’s cheap, and as its use increased, the price of junk foods plummeted. You can thank HFCS for the cheap Big Gulp at your local convenient store.

High fructose corn syrup is generally 42-55% fructose. The free fructose – and the staggering amount of fructose that people consume through foods containing HFCS – is what is concerning. A healthy diet shouldn’t have too much of any sugar, but fructose in particular gives me the willies because our bodies have a difficult time metabolizing it. High fructose consumption has been linked to diabetes, high triglycerides and bone loss among other things. Yes, we also get fructose from fruit and honey and maple syrup, but not in the quantities found in products that use HFCS as an ingredient, and when foods containing HFCS start to replace fruits and other natural foods in our diets, we lose all of the other wonderful nutritional benefits of those foods.

Some would argue that HFCS is no worse than table sugar (aka sucrose). Sucrose is a disaccharide of glucose and fructose – 50% glucose and 50% fructose held together by a glycosidic bond. It’s enzymatically digested to glucose and fructose in our stomachs. While it does have to go the extra step to release the fructose, our bodies seem to do that fairly easily. Over-consumption of sucrose can also result in health problems – tooth decay, obesity, and blood sugar regulation problems to name a few.

It’s unclear whether HFCS is as evil as it is made out to be. Is the free fructose in HFCS worse than the fructose bound in table sugar or does it get a bad rap because of the types of foods that it is in and the quantity that we consume those foods?

In the end, I’ve decided that it doesn’t matter. HFCS is found in the worst of foods, and by giving up HFCS we’re cutting out a lot of junk and refocusing our eating energy toward healthier foods. Credible studies that both vilify and redeem HFCS seem to come weekly, but rather than worrying about the latest study, we’ve decided to focus on the fact that there is little to be gained nutritionally from foods containing HFCS. In fact, just the opposite as foods that contain HFCS seem to displace truly nutritious foods.

We’re striving to eat healthier in our house, and HFCS is not a part of that goal. I want my children to crave fruits and vegetables and whole grains and not the sickly sweet foods that contain HFCS. Hearing statistics that life expectancies are starting to go down for the first time only solidify our resolve. We want better for our children and for ourselves. So bye-bye HFCS! You have no place in our house anymore!

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So, what contains HFCS, what are some tasty, healthy options that are HFCS free? As frequent visitor of Cathy’s site A Life Less Sweet I find answers to these questions and much more. You definitely want to be well informed when it come to the foods you and your family eat.

Do you have an active child at home or in school, who actively jumps, runs, shouts, climbs all over the place throughout the day? His energy level doesn’t stop, he just keeps going! Many will relate this type of child to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Always have a specialist/experts diagnose his/her condition and confirm before coming to any conclusions! The active child is also usually categorized under “problem” child by adults. Many of us would be “scratching” our heads on how to deal with so called “problem” child because we don’t want him to hurt himself or hurt others. How can we deal with this type of child?

The active child simply needs extra support and understanding from people around him. We can’t stop him from being active as this is his sensitive period in his physical development of life. He is exploring his large and fine motor movements as well as his body coordination. Therefore, he will experiment lots of different movements to satisfy his own curiousity. Once he is happy and satisfied with his own findings, he will stop on his own will. He becomes calmer and more ready to start exploring other areas in life which leads him move forward to another level of development.

The first reaction for most of us adults will usually be to want their active child to calm down, to keep their hands to themselves or to stop doing what they are doing. Instead of going against his flow, why not work along with it? A mother came to me explaining to me that her son is too active and aggressive at home and in school. So she tried all ways to calm him down. However, it is not effective in long run as the boy was not given the opportunities to let go of his excess energy. He felt isolated and unhappy as his real needs were not understood by adults. He might become more tense or restless as he has to suppress his natural tendencies.Lets embrace his energy’s level and prepare a safe environment for him to move around and explore! Interact in some indoor and outdoor activities with him. Often adults these days will let their child play video games or watch TV shows in order to have some peaceful quiet time. Why not become more involved and more creative so that our children will reap the benefits.

Some tips to try:

· Play some music and dance with your child

· Do some stretching exercises with your child

· Do yoga or aerobic together with your child

· Use a physio ball to have some simple workouts with your child

· Take him/her out to a gym class or playground

· Goto a park – jogging, cycling, football, badminton, chasing one another etc.

· Make a kite together and fly it during windy day

Remember when we are able to provide an outlet for the active child to release his/her excess energy and emotional stress, we are also developing a happy child. Their emotional tank is now full and filled with love because they are understood and emotionally secured. The physical play that we work together with our child also bring us closer to them and they hopefully will be more open with us. Whenever I do some stretching with my children in school, we will have a good laugh as we see funny styles and movements. Children feel relaxed and have a great time!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share with all of you!

As we entered the weekend Mother Nature brought chaotic unpredictable weather with her. Black, green, wall clouds moving in opposite directions, followed by intense 40-60 mph winds. My wife, children and I watched from our lower level as the pea size hail pelted everything in sight outside. My daughter asked me, her voice shaking, “daddy what do you have in your special box?”

” Special box?” I asked.

“Daddy, everybody should have a special box that you can take with you in case everything is lost.”

A light went off in my head……what if some crazy act of nature or a fire were to destroy everything?

Now of course we want to think positive and not over react, but my daughter made a pretty valid point.

“Honey, I will make a Special Box. Everything is going to be fine.” I said, hopefully in a reassuring voice.

But, what would I want in my Special Box that money cannot replace?

Let’s go with my daughters parameters, a Special Box is the size of a shoe box.

My Special Box:

1)Many individual and group pictures of my family.

2)Drawings made in school from each of my three children.

3)A very old belt that my late grandfather gave me.

4)Cd of family movies, memories.

Sometimes my children remind me what life is all about and why I want to stay healthy.

What would you keep in your Special Box that you cannot replace with money?