Healthy families does make a healthier Idaho

Did you that 27% of Idaho's children (ages 10-17) are obese?  31% of our nation's children are obese. Obviously, these numbers are WAY to high.  One in three children are obese and are set up for a lifelong battle with various issues, including a higher risk for diabetes.

Starting healthy eating habits with our children and getting them active in the great outdoors lowers their chance (and yours) of becoming obese.  Grab an apple and head outside today!

Raising healthy kids

Living in Sun Valley, where everyone seems fit and healthy, we sometimes forget that there is a childhood obesity issue on the rise in our country.  Creating healthy active and food habits at a young age, helps set your child up for success in the future.

Click HERE  to read a great article on how to get your child to eat more fruits or vegetables.

Fruit of the month

Summer brings us loads of sweet berries and a wide variety of fresh fruit.

 Christmas time brings us Cutie oranges.

We buy boxes of these small juicy oranges at least once a week and eat them all day long.  Yummy!  Even little fingers can easily peel these sweet oranges and they make a perfect addition to lunchboxes.  Time to load up on your Vitamin C.

A great way to get a few more veggies into your child (and you!)

I like to call this "liquid magic" or "the breakfast of champions".  Not only am I providing my kids and myself with a  strong dose of their daily fruits and veggies, but it fills me up as well!

My daily morning smoothie that I share with my kiddos and that keeps me going:

*Nancy's plain yogurt (can substitute vanilla yogurt if it is not sweet enough for you)

*Kale or spinach

*One raw beet

*One cup of frozen blueberries thawed out

*One banana

*Flax seed

If I have extra fruit laying around, then I may toss in an apple, strawberries, etc.

Happy breakfast time!

What every active toddler needs

This bike has been the best thing EVER for our 2 year old son.  He literally rides it every day. Either around the neighborhood or around our porch (and sometimes in our living room if I'm feeling like a lazy mom).  

He loves his Strider bike and has become quite a pro at it.  I truly believe that this bike helps kids get ready for a big kid bike, minus dealing with the training wheels.  

It is quite darling to watch their little legs go as fast as can be on this miniature bike and has encouraged us to take more family bike rides and family walks.  

 Check them out at www.stridersports.com

Lunch ideas

A hot topic around the mommy circle is "what should I pack for my child's lunch?".  This becomes an issue for me about two weeks into school.  My creative lunch packing skills go out the window and I tend to pack the same things over and over again.  Boring!

I know that I'm not alone, so I thought I would share a few ideas. If you have other ideas, please share them so my kids don't think they have the worst lunches ever!

*Quesadilla with avocado

*Cheese and crackers (they can make mini-sandwiches with them)

*carrots and dip (ranch, hummus or whatever they prefer)

*Cut up hot dogs and ketchup

*yogurt (Squeezeable, Brown Cow, Danimals, etc)

(speaking of yogurt, this new brand which I bought at Atkinsons is a HUGE hit for me and my kids)

*Grilled cheese sandwiches cut into cool shapes via cookie cutters (Pumpkins for Halloween?)

*Apple slices with peanut butter (if your child's school allows peanut butter)

*Pizza (tastes even better if homemade)

*Mac & Cheese, Spaghetti, Soup or anything else in a thermos

*Applesauce or a fruit cup

*Cut up fruit

*Cheese sticks

*Bagel and cream cheese

Happy lunch making!

What every active family needs

Just because you have kids, that doesn't mean you have to stop all of your fun outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and cross country skiing. It completely changes things up, but include your little tykes with you. Not only will it give you a better work out, but it will also create an amazing family bonding opportunity.  Also, you will be setting a great example for your kids.

With that said, here are our top picks that every active family needs:

A heavy duty hiking backpack.  These are great for taking your kids hiking or just taking the dogs for a walk around your neighborhood.  A must have!  The kids loved being at our level and taking in all the scenery while talking to us.  

 If you have an infant, then the Baby Bjorn (pictured above) or the Ergo Baby is a life saver. I had a Baby Bjorn with all three kids and could even vaccuum around the house with it and grocery shop, besides hiking.  Wherever I went, baby and Baby Bjorn went too.

The Chariot has also been a lifesaver for my family.  It transfers from a stroller to a bike trailer to a cross country skiing trailer.  Pure genius in my mind!  It easily converts from one to another and your child will ride in comfort and style.  It comes with a weather protector as well so if it's cold or raining outside, then you child can stay nice and dry inside.

Last, but not least is the Tag-a-long.  This neat half bike for kids attaches to an adult bike.  You can ride all around town with your little bike helper being pulled behind you.  Your child can either help peddle (encouraged!) or cruise along behind you.  Our 2 1/2 year old sometimes rides around on the tag-a-long in our neighborhood, but we are waiting until he is a little older to handle long distances.

There you have it, after having three young kids, those are my top picks that every active family must have.  Get out and enjoy the great outdoors with your family!  

Role models and weather

 This was Sun Valley last year on October 5th.  Kind of hard to believe, isn't it!

Thankfully, this is Sun Valley this year (and my cute 4 year old).  Thank goodness Mother Nature got it right this year!

Role Models.  Most of us have someone that we look up to and more than likely our children have role models as well. Wether it's Brett Favre, Brett Michaels, or Elmo, these role models can and will influence your child.  Some role models can be good and some can be not so good.  So, why not be the role model that you want your child to have?

Being active together, eat healthy together, be kind and help others, read books together and do community service together .  Doing all of this with your child will leave a big impact on their little lives.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  We spent as much time as possible outside.

Next week is a big weekend in the valley and is full of family friendly events.  More on that to come!

Great article on different preschool teaching methods

Our valley may be small, but we are not lacking outstanding quality preschools.  Up and down the valley, we can choose from a wide variety of preschools and teaching methods.  This is a handy, easy to read article that breaks down the philosophies of three popular preschools:  Montessori (in Ketchum), Waldorf (in Bellevue) and Reggio-Emilia (in Sun Valley).

http://wondertime.go.com/learning/article/choosing-a-preschool_2.html

Waste free lunches

While you are anxiously waiting for me to update my blog, check out this great article on waste free lunches http://www.kidscelebratemagazine.com/downloads/August_2010_webT.pdf.

The article is on page 8.
Perfect article to read just as we are getting ready for school to start. PLUS, it was written by my older (had to throw that in) sister!

A great place for families

Just another reason why the entire Sun Valley area is a great place to raise families.....

It was recently reported that the crime rate in the valley dropped during 2009.  For a town that is already very safe, it just keeps getting better and better for families!

Another great family hike

Greenhorn Gulch is a wonderful place to hike with the kids!  We had the greatest afternoon exploring the area, especially the many wooden bridges and the many streams/ponds.  It was so wonderful to see so many families on our hike. With such gorgeous weather we have been having, it doesn't surprise me.  Everyone we encountered was ultra friendly and in such chirper moods.  It just enhanced our hike experience even more.  

I love hiking with kids because they make you stop and appreciate the small things.  Right now, there is an abundance of colorful wildflowers, plus a lot of caterpillars and frog eggs. These are all things I would have never noticed (besides the flowers) if it weren't for the kids.  Allowing the kids to frolick in the streams brought huge smiles to their faces and to mine.  

Did you know that allowing your child to play in the dirt can actually make them smarter?  Check it out HERE

To get to Greenhorn Gulch, turn West at the East Fork light, drive through all the spectacular homes (the drive to the hike is almost just as fun as the hike).  Once you hit the dirt road, keep going.  Eventually, you will hit the trailhead and the dirt parking lot.  

Enjoy another one of Sun Valley's great hiking trails!