Between all of the chaos of having little kids in your house, being healthy may fall on the bottom of the priority list. It may seem overwhelming to try and cook a healthy meal after a day of running around, picking up messes and preventing disasters. Besides, will they even eat it after all the work you put into it? Well, there are some easy ways to make your house a little bit healthier. Here are five tips:
1. Eat one green thing with each meal
Cooking gluten-free, organic or hormone free meals may seem impossible for your household, but it does not mean you throw in the tail and eat chicken nuggets at every meal. Vegetables are usually the food group eaten the least, so make it your goal to include one green vegetable in each meal. Spinach in a smoothie at breakfast, salad with lunch and broccoli at dinner. Its that simple. Give your children the gift of loving to eat vegetables.
2. Move
Exercising every day is very healthy, but finding the time to do a specific workout routine may be challenging. Instead of sticking to a strict schedule, make a goal to move every day. Put on music and dance, have a push-up contest, play red light/green light, musical chairs or duck-duck-goose. Make it a goal to have physical activity throughout your day.
3. Spend 30 minutes outside each day
Exercise is important, but so is Vitamin D. It is not hard to spend most, if not all your day, indoors. Not only are you missing out on sunshine, but you are also more likely to be sedentary while inside. Find a point in your day to go outside, rain or shine. Take a walk, play with sidewalk chalk, pull weeds in the yard or go to the playground. There are so many options in the great outdoors. My kids were so excited to use their umbrellas the other day when it was raining that we went outside just to jump in puddles and use umbrellas. There is always a reason to go outside.
4. Make fruit a dessert
There are some families that feel a meal is not complete without dessert. This can lead to some unhealthy habits and unwanted calories. Instead of always having a traditional dessert, make fruit your dessert. Teach your kids that sweet things dont have to be cakes and cookies, but can be slices of kiwi or cantaloupe dipped in yogurt. This creates healthy habits and gives better options for something sweet.
5. Plan healthy family activities
In addition to moving more and going outside, try to plan family activities that involve physical activity. A family hike, bike ride or pool day are great options. It doesnt take a lot of money or creativity, just something simple. You can even do the same activity each week, as long as you are making an effort to do something fun as a family that does not involve sitting down and sitting still. It will teach your kids that moving is fun, and something everyone in the family does, not just the kids or one parent, but everyone.
These ideas are simple and easy. Making small changes in your life can make a huge difference in your health and the overall health of your family. Your kids are always watching and always learning by seeing you and what you do. So, chose healthier choices and teach your kids the importance of living healthy.
1. Eat one green thing with each meal
Cooking gluten-free, organic or hormone free meals may seem impossible for your household, but it does not mean you throw in the tail and eat chicken nuggets at every meal. Vegetables are usually the food group eaten the least, so make it your goal to include one green vegetable in each meal. Spinach in a smoothie at breakfast, salad with lunch and broccoli at dinner. Its that simple. Give your children the gift of loving to eat vegetables.
2. Move
Exercising every day is very healthy, but finding the time to do a specific workout routine may be challenging. Instead of sticking to a strict schedule, make a goal to move every day. Put on music and dance, have a push-up contest, play red light/green light, musical chairs or duck-duck-goose. Make it a goal to have physical activity throughout your day.
3. Spend 30 minutes outside each day
Exercise is important, but so is Vitamin D. It is not hard to spend most, if not all your day, indoors. Not only are you missing out on sunshine, but you are also more likely to be sedentary while inside. Find a point in your day to go outside, rain or shine. Take a walk, play with sidewalk chalk, pull weeds in the yard or go to the playground. There are so many options in the great outdoors. My kids were so excited to use their umbrellas the other day when it was raining that we went outside just to jump in puddles and use umbrellas. There is always a reason to go outside.
4. Make fruit a dessert
There are some families that feel a meal is not complete without dessert. This can lead to some unhealthy habits and unwanted calories. Instead of always having a traditional dessert, make fruit your dessert. Teach your kids that sweet things dont have to be cakes and cookies, but can be slices of kiwi or cantaloupe dipped in yogurt. This creates healthy habits and gives better options for something sweet.
5. Plan healthy family activities
In addition to moving more and going outside, try to plan family activities that involve physical activity. A family hike, bike ride or pool day are great options. It doesnt take a lot of money or creativity, just something simple. You can even do the same activity each week, as long as you are making an effort to do something fun as a family that does not involve sitting down and sitting still. It will teach your kids that moving is fun, and something everyone in the family does, not just the kids or one parent, but everyone.
These ideas are simple and easy. Making small changes in your life can make a huge difference in your health and the overall health of your family. Your kids are always watching and always learning by seeing you and what you do. So, chose healthier choices and teach your kids the importance of living healthy.
