Ensuring you and your family are consuming a “rainbow” of foods and eating enough fruit and vegetables each day is important. But do you know if what you are serving is providing yourself and your children with the nutrients they need? The following, from Parenting, invites the Author of the “Sneaky Chef” to show you the good, better, and best you can be serving at each meal of the day. Check it out!
Inspired
“It’s the wheel of fortune, it’s the leap of faith, it’s the band of hope. Till we find our place, on the path unwinding in the circle, the circle of life…”
“The Circle of Life,” by Elton John
Getting Physical with Education
Great news! Physical education is not just happening in the gymnasium anymore and gone are the days of children being expected to sit quietly all day in the classroom. Instead, it is now recognized that each student learns differently and for those with attention deficit disorders and learning disabilities, classrooms need to accommodate unique styles of learning. In today’s classroom, children are spending more time collaborating, exploring, moving around the room, creating student driven discussions and having frequent breaks for stretching and physical activity. The following form the New York Times discusses how adding physical elements to the classroom can help spark creativity and support a better learning environment for all kids, but especially those with ADHD.
Inspired
credit: quotesaday.com
Terry Fox – The Legacy Continues
“It took cancer to realize that being self-centered is not the way to live. The answer is to try and help others.” Terry Fox
I was 5 when Terry Fox began his epic journey across Canada. I remember watching this on a television with bunny ears and no remote. He would run in the rain, fog, and cold, with his prosthetic limb and very distinguishable gait. Even in a world without the internet, Facebook, email and Twitter, news of his journey spread and touched millions of Canadians. Unfortunately, Terry died before he could complete his journey, at the way-too-young age of 22.
What I find so incredible about Terry’s story, however, is that it didn’t die with him. Even 34 years later Canada remains committed to continuing his legacy through education about Terry, his disease and his mission, and by continuing to promote and encourage others to run as Terry did, and to donate. My children will again participate in the Terry Fox Run this September, as I did in school before them.
According to the Terry Fox Foundation, to date they have raised over $600M for cancer research. But above the massive amounts of money raised, and the heroic action of being one man, all alone, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for an important cause, Terry set an example. He became a poster-boy for overcoming challenges and to have hope. He paved the way for others (Rick Hansen included) to do epic things to raise awareness, and money, to fight for important causes. He demonstrated, as his quote indicates, that being self-centered does not progress a Nation, nor does it raise a generation of loving youth committed to the greater good. The answer is to help others. In some way, or some form, to give back and make your existence matter. This can be as simple as a kind word or friendly gesture, or as significant as donating time, money or careers to worthy causes. We have a lot to learn from Terry Fox – still – even if he is only here in spirit to teach us.
photo courtesy of www.historymuseum.ca
Inspired
“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Laughter Therapy
www.webdonuts.com
Weekly Mind Bender
What occurs once in a minute, twice in a moment and never in one thousand years?
The letter M.
Inspired
The story of Claudio Vieira de Oliveira, a 37 year old man from Brazil, was recently featured on TLC’s “Body Bizarre.” Claudio was born with extreme deformities and his parents were told he wouldn’t survive. Against all odds, Claudio has lived a full life, graduated as a professional accountant and is a motivational speaker across the globe. Check out Claudio’s amazing story here.
Back to…Fitness
The “lazy days” of summer are over, vacations are done, the kids are back to school, and it’s time to get back to routine. As a mom of four, believe me that I understand the stress of September and how parents can easily lose themselves with the focus on getting the kids back to a manageable routine. So, this September, we wanted to provide a series of ideas and strategies to make sure you are going “back to school” while also getting “back to you!”
In the second week of our series we are focusing on getting back to fitness! As keeping fit is a key way to maintain physical health, mood, improves sleep, increases energy – exercise really is the best medicine! However, it is also one thing that drops off the radar when parents are overwhelmed. Here are some great simple ways to sneak in exercise when you don’t have time to hit the gym.
1. Walk or ride your bike – if you’re going less than 1 km, try to walk or ride your bike. Take a walk at lunch to boost your energy for the afternoon.
2. Park far away—get in some extra steps by parking in the farthest spot from the entrance – those extra steps add up over time.
3. Take the stairs—take the stairs instead of the elevator or even escalator. This can get your heart pumping and help strengthen muscles at the same time.
4. Focus on posture – if you’re sitting at a desk all day long, ensure you remember your posture. Sitting up straight and tightening your stomach can help to strengthen your core.
5. Sneak it in—If you’re on the couch at night watching your favourite show use the commercial breaks as a quick 2 minute exercise drill. Do some squats, crunches or lunges until the show comes back on. Have a competition with your kids to see how many sit-ups or push-ups you can do in that 2 minute period!