18Jul2018
Kids Health, Kids Nutrition
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July 18, 2018

via Berry Health: Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), Anthocyanin, and Ellagic Acid Values

Curative aspects of the red raspberry have been of botanical interest since somewhere around 4 A.D. The leaves were made into teas and various parts of the plant were used for throat gargles, morning sickness remedies, digestive cures and the like. Today, new research suggests that eating red raspberries may prevent cancer by inhibiting the abnormal division of cells and promoting the normal death of healthy cells. Tests conducted at the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina have revealed that the human body readily absorbs the ellagic acid from red raspberries. This ellagic acid has been clinically shown to cause apoptosis (cell death) in certain
cancer cells.

Among several significant phytochemicals, red raspberries contain ellagic acid, a phenolic compound that has exhibited anti-carcinogenic effects against a wide range of carcinogens in several tissues. Ellagic acid contributes to significant inhibition of colon, esophageal, liver, lung, tongue, and skin cancers in studies with rats and mice, both in vitro and in vivo. By the same token, quercetin, one of the flavanols found in raspberries, has been found to be an effective anticarcinogen against skin, colon, and mammary cancers in rodents. Anthocyanins are also prevalent in red raspberries, working as antioxidants that protect against heart disease and age-related mental decline. What is interesting to note is the superior efficacy of eating red raspberries as opposed to taking the individual phytochemicals in the form of dietary supplements. Though we do not yet fully comprehend why this is so, it is clear the nutraceutical whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Health Benefits
Red Raspberries contain strong antioxidants such as Vitamin C, quercetin and gallic acid that fight against cancer, heart and circulatory disease and age-related decline. They are high in ellagic acid, a known chemopreventative, and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Red raspberry ketones are currently being used in Japan as a weight loss supplement. Red raspberry seed oil is creating market interest in the cosmeceutical industry because it is rich in Vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acid and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 24-50.

  • High in polyphenolic compounds known for their anti-cancer properties.
  • Contain strong antioxidants such as Vitamin C, quercetin and gallic acid.
  • Have a high ORAC level – ORAC is a measure of the antioxidant capacity of a substance. Red raspberries with an ORAC of 24 µmole/TE/g are similar to blueberries, well known for their antioxidant values.
  • Raspberries have been shown to inhibit the production of COX-I and COX-II enzymes. Anti inflammatory products like ibuprofen and aspirin, inhibit COX-I and COX-II resulting in the reduction of pain associated with arthritis, gout and other inflammatory conditions.
  • Eating whole berries has been shown in scientific studies to be more beneficial than taking the individual phytochemicals in the form of dietary supplements.
  • Red raspberry oil is creating interest in the cosmeceutical market (skin care products which provide health benefits). The oil from raspberry seeds is rich in Vitamin E, Omega-3 fatty acids and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 25-50.
  • Red raspberry ketones are currently being used in Japan as a weight loss supplement in a pill form and as an external patch.

4Jul2018
Kids Health, Kids Nutrition, Kids Recipes
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July 4, 2018

via Babykid Center: Blueberry not only is delicious but also contains a lot of nutrients. Though it ranks the second when compared to strawberries, blueberry is a common type. Thanks to having the antioxidants, blueberries are highly appreciated when mentioning to the fight against free-radicals.

It is noticed that mothers enjoy using it in the meals for kids. Consequently, the interesting problem is how to make blueberry baby food a quick and easy manner. Do you know this? Well, it’s here.

By What Means Can We Make Blueberry Baby Food?
In fact, we can combine it with a myriad of cuisines, your preferred dessert – blueberry cheesecakes, for example. Or even, cookies for breakfast or a piece to decorate the top your pizza is also a good idea. Obviously, there is incredible for meet everyone’s eating demands.

On the other hand, blueberry is the top choice of most parents, who have babies starting to eat the solids. In comparison with the baby cereals, this replacement is healthy.

Instead of purchasing it from the grocery, it believes that kids will prefer what you make yourself. By this way, you likely determine what the internal ingredients are and what objects are 100 percent of organic.

The Necessary Things

Fresh blueberry:

You can follow the majority of the people, who picks up the packaged items. However, it should know that you probably get the optimal nutrient and taste well if chosen to utilize the fresh blueberry.

Frequently, the canned fruits will have the high content of sugar. According to the nutrition experts, there are something parents should avoid using for babies, especially when they are under one-year-old.

Another worse one is to make babies become picky eaters when only eating the cuisines with sugar. Like that, it is not good for health.

Others Healthy Fruits & Ingredients:

It is necessary to balance the flavor. Instead of sugar, you are able to utilize pears, applesauce, or banana – the natural sweeteners. Once choosing to use these sweeteners, you do not need to find a lot of ingredients in order to make baby food have sweet.

In additional to that, it does not deny adding the nutritious ingredients as long as the kids can receive. Inevitably, the packaged fruits don’t have to be bad, but the best is to select the fresh kind.

Apart from the difference in the flavor, the shelf-life is also an issue, particularly, in case you plan to freeze, reheat, or enable the puree to thaw to serve in several days.

The Way to Make Blueberry Baby Puree
#1. It selects the precise kind and stores properly. It remembers to pick up organic when purchasing. If it sees bruises, you should not choose because they are easily squishy. The good blueberries are often deeply-colored – brilliant blue-shaded.

It must wash them before placing in your fridge. Then, it uses a bowl with a lid to place your blueberries. A bag/ case is also okay. If preferred, you likely put them in a freezer bag. Don’t forget to remove the excessive air before laying in your freezer.

Although the stored blueberries in the refrigerator have the shelf-life ~ two weeks and more, it recommends that you ought to utilize them as soon as possible.

#2. In fact, it probably utilizes blueberry in some of the manners. One of them is to make a natural yogurt. Simply, it only needs to mash them up. It is great when we do not have to add anything to it.

Do you plan to do this? Well, it requires your blueberries that are fresh from your freezer.

#3. If you want to make blueberry baby puree, you need to prepare a ½ cup of water and a cup of blueberries. It boils the water and remember to decrease the heat when adding the blueberry to here.

It takes about 15 minutes so that the blueberries are softer. If they are frozen before, the time will be more. Hence, it adds some nutrient fruits to your blender. It starts blending it and adds water as long as you recognize that your puree gets consistency.

#4. You can also add the baby oatmeal to your puree recipe. In case you want a variety of ingredients. It doesn’t know that you have recognized when making yourself, the recipe and ingredients are to spend on your need and your baby’s preference. You likely add any nutrient ingredients as long as they are healthy and serve right away when completing.

#5. If you want to use the puree for a long period of time, you should put them in the containers and place in the fridge. These containers must be BPA-free. It avoids using the normal plastic, which is not good for health.

Once storing in the fridge, the shelf-life will likely go for 3 days while it will be able to last up 3 months if put in the freezer. You just need to thaw it when you want to serve.

Final Thoughts
Aside from that, there are also other preferred recipes that you likely try, blueberry pancakes, custard, for example. In general, all they are the flexible ingredients, which are commonly utilized. It makes sure that the little kids will like your preparation.

Let’s experience fun in your own kitchen when making yourself the dish for your love baby. This is very convenient because not only you know the internal ingredients (it ensures the health) but also he/she can be changed the appetite regularly.

It hopes that this article is useful for those parents want to know how to make blueberry baby food at home. Happy take care for children enjoy!

Source: Babykid Center | How To Make Blueberry Baby Food Quickly And Easily

1Jul2018
Kids Health, Kids Nutrition
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July 1, 2018

via The Telegraph: Children should eat blueberries before taking exams to benefit from a short-term boost to brain function, new research shows.

A study revealed that primary school-age children performed tasks with 10 per cent greater speed and accuracy after taking wild blueberry drinks.

The fruit, which contains flavanoids, has been associated with a range of health benefits including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

But the new findings also indicate an enhanced cognitive benefits.

Children were asked to pay attention to an array of arrows shown on a PC screen and press a key corresponding to the direction that the central arrow was facing.

The task was repeated over a number of trials, where cognitive demand was manipulated by varying how quickly the arrows appeared.

The cohort who had drunk the blueberry juice performed comparatively better the harder the tasks became.

Professor Claire Williams, a neuroscience professor at the University of Reading said: “This is the first time that we have seen the positive impact that flavonoids can have on the executive function of children.

“We designed this double blind trial especially to test how flavonoids would impact on attention in young people as it’s an area of cognitive performance that hasn’t been measured before.”

13Jun2018
Feeding Picky Kids, Kids Health, Kids Nutrition
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June 13, 2018

Do you have picky eater kids at home who do not eat vegetables?

If you are keen to figure out on how to make kids eat vegetables, the following article is extremely helpful to you.

Continue reading and you shall find the reasons why some kids refuse to eat vegetables so that you can help your picky eater kids by seeking for solution to the reason.

You will also learn about the consequences of kids who do not eat vegetables and a few smart solutions that have proven to work in helping some kids eat their vegetables.

Read the interesting article below now and drop a comment to let us know should you have any extra tips to share with us!

Via Black Paint: My Children Don’t Eat Vegetables: Why? Consequences & Smart Solutions

Most parents struggle to get their children to eat their vegetables.

Well, you are not alone, and this is an issue not just here in Singapore but internationally as well. Here are some statistics to put the picture into perspective:

  • Singapore: In an online statement released by Health Promotion Board about the quality of food served in school canteens, they found “…. only 25% of children aged 7 to 12 years, are served the recommended servings of vegetables and fruit daily. Additionally, among those aged 13-16 years, less than half are consuming the recommended servings of vegetables and fruit per day”.
  • Australia: Almost 99% of all children and adolescents (2 to 18 years) in Australia are not meeting their daily recommended vegetable intake.
  • UK: Only 1 in 5 children eats vegetables daily.

So why is it hard to get kids to eat their vegetables?

Here are some possible explanations:

Food neophobia

Fear of new or unknown foods, also known as food neophobia, is a natural behaviour seen in toddlers, and this behaviour peaks when the child is between 2 to 6 six years old. In addition, this is the period when the child starts to develop independence in his food choices and taste. Hence the combination of these two factors often end up in dinnertime war between parent and child, and sometimes with the other half.

Unpalatable taste

Ask around about the main reason why people (kids and adults alike) don’t eat vegetables, and the answer that you’ll most likely get is that vegetables are bitter. This bitter taste is due to the presence of naturally-occurring calcium and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients is an umbrella term for plant-based phenols and polyphenols, flavonoids, isoflavones, terpenes, and glucosinolates, and serve as the plant’s natural self-defense system.

Plants protect themselves from predators by making these bitter-tasting compounds (i.e. phytonutrients). However, these phytonutrients do good things for us! Apparently, reports have shown that they have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, as well as tumour-blocking activities. Therefore, diets high in vegetables and fruits are often associated with lower rates of cancer and heart disease.

Sweet- over bitter-tasting foods

Unfortunately, humans have evolved to reject bitter-tasting foods as back in the prehistoric days, ancestors who ate bitter or sour-tasting foods were more likely to die or become very ill. It is also this very reason why food manufacturers are constantly developing ways to reduce or remove these bitter-tasting components from food – the main aim is consumer acceptance.

However, when our ancestors ate sweet-tasting foods, nothing happened to them. One can say that this is very much like a survival mechanism. Hence, humans have become “tuned” to readily accept sweet-tasting foods.

Except when dealing with the stressors of today’s living (e.g. school stress, work stress, you name it), the preference for sweet-tasting foods has worked against us. Many healthcare professionals have singled out sweet-tasting foods (chocolates, lollies, soft drinks) as one of the causes of the obesity epidemic we are facing today.

Exposure

As mentioned earlier, humans have an innate aversion to bitter- and sour-tasting foods, so why is it that as we grow older, we suddenly have a liking for broccoli, brussel sprouts, lemons, and the like? Did our taste buds change, you ask? The answer is no.

It is because we have grown to like these bitter- and sour-tasting foods as time goes by. Think about it – we do not expect ourselves to like something that is fed to us for the first time, especially if it is not pleasant-tasting. Often we become sensitized to that unpleasant taste when there is repeated exposure (to that food). The same can be said about children. The child would need at least 10 to 15 (repeated) exposures to a new food before accepting it.

Health consequences of not eating vegetables

Vegetables contain important nutrients needed for a child’s proper growth and development, such as folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, and dietary fibre. Found mostly in dark green leafy vegetables, a child can have other choices too – such as orange-yellow coloured vegetables like carrots and yellow capsicums.

Hence, the following health problems are possible if a child has no or low daily vegetable intake:

  • Obesity
  • Constipation
  • Infections
  • Poor growth and development

That said, it is also important to ensure the child eats a wide variety of vegetables as the vitamins and minerals profile of all vegetables are different.

My child does not eat vegetables at all!


Supplements

“Isn’t it ok for my child to just eat fruits? Or can I just give my child a vegetable supplement?”

Fruits and vegetables of different colour groups provide us with different vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, therefore it is important that the child consumes a wide variety of both fruits and vegetables to get the maximum nutrients they provide. Furthermore, some fruits are higher in calories, and excessive consumption can lead to weight gain. This can be problematic if the child is initially overweight and is replacing his vegetable intake with fruits.

Some parents might also think of buying a kid-formulated vegetable supplement for their child as a replacement for not eating vegetables, but it is not advisable to do so. This is because vegetables provide us with a whole lot of other components which are hard to mimic in a supplement. Hence it is still advisable to encourage the child to consume his vegetables wherever possible.

How do I make my child like vegetables?

Remember that each child has different tastes.

As mentioned earlier in this article, children would usually avoid trying anything new, especially more so if the food is not palatable in the first place. As such, it is not advisable to force-feed your child a vegetable. Put yourself in his/her shoe – you’d reject that food, and chances are you won’t want to touch that food again. The same goes for your child. Furthermore, we need to bear in mind that each child has different taste preferences, and their likes and dislikes change from day to day.

Be patient – go slow and steady.

Hence the best advice for parents would be to start off by offering the child different vegetables every day, not just the ones your child likes. It is alright if the child rejects or only eats a small amount of the new food at the first instance; the key is to not give up. Remember, it generally takes 10 to 15 (or even sometimes up to 20) repeated exposures before a child accepts the new food. It is also helpful to let your child decide what foods he wants to eat from the plate that is being served, as toddler age is the time when the child starts wanting to take control over his/her food choices. Lastly, parents should aim to make mealtime an enjoyable dining experience. Getting frustrated will not solve problems; instead, it leads to more anxiety and frustration, and might lead to fussy eating behaviours in the child.

Role modelling

Children are great imitators, hence if your child sees you eating and enjoying a wide variety of nutritious food, the higher the chances of your child enjoying his food. This highlights the importance of having meals together as a family, especially since dietary habits usally form during the early childhood years. Time and time again, studies have found that families that eat together tend to have a better-quality diet. Children are more likely to meet their daily recommended fruit and vegetable intakes if they sat down at the table to eat with their family.

Involve the child

Your child doesn’t like to eat his veggies? Well, getting him involved in the grocery shopping or food preparation might just solve your problem. You can ask him to pick out his favourite fruit and vegetable during grocery shopping, or help with simple food preparation tasks, such as washing the fruits and vegetables. This can spark his/her interest in these foods. Engaging your child in such activities is also a good opportunity for your child to learn more about the foods.

Avoid using food as a reward or bribe

Another mistake that some parents make is telling their child they will give a reward if the child eats a vegetable or fruit. This is not a healthy way, and instead the child will learn ways to manipulate their parents. For example, they will learn that for them to eat their favourite foods, all they need to do is to refuse to eat a particular food. Doing so not only sets the child up for unhealthy eating habits, but also predisposes him to health problems later on in life.

Try serving vegetables and in different cooking styles

It is important for parents to recognize that each child has different tastes and texture preferences. A child who prefers soft-textured foods might prefer vegetables which are more well-cooked, and vice versa. It might also be useful to serve sweeter vegetables such as pumpkin, sweetcorn or cauliflower alongside other (new) vegetables. In addition, serving different colours of vegetables together can be visually appealing. If possible, avoid serving your child blended vegetables. Doing so is not only visually unappealing, it also does not expose your child to the different (food) textures. Try offering your child small portions of the new vegetable and/or experiment with different cooking styles or recipes instead.

At the end of the day, the most important thing for parents to remember is to be patient and to keep trying!

Serving Recommendations

Food Groups Recommended Serving for Children

  • 6 – 12 months
    Fruits: ½ serving; Vegetables: ½ serving
  • 1 – 2 years
    Fruits ½- 1 serving; Vegetables 1 serving
  • 3 – 6 years
    Fruit 1 serving; Vegetables 1 serving
  • 7 – 12 years
    Fruit 2 serving; Vegetables 2 serving

What counts as a serving?

Vegetables

  • ¾ mug** cooked leafy vegetables (100g)
  • ¾ mug** cooked non-leafy vegetables (100g)
  • 150g raw leafy vegetables
  • 100g raw non-leafy vegetables
  • ¼ round plate+

Fruit

  • 1 small apple, orange, pear or mango (130g)
  • 1 wedge pineapple, papaya or watermelon (130g)
  • 10 grapes or longans (50g)
  • 1 medium banana
  • ¼ cup*** dried fruit (40g)
  • 1 glass pure fruit juice (250ml)

**mug: 250ml mug; ***cup: 250ml cup; +: 10 inch plate (source Health Promotion Board, Singapore)

 

24Apr2018
Feeding Picky Kids, Kids Health, Kids Nutrition
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April 24, 2018

Do you have a picky eater toddler?

A picky or fussy eater toddler is a child who frequently refuses to eat a particular type of foods.

Picky eating usually surfaces when kids are starting to feed themselves. Now that they can choose what to eat and how much to eat, they tend to munch on foods that they like more and avoid the foods that they dislike.

If are concerned about how to feed a picky eater, this article is what you need to bookmark.

Check out the following article and take note of the key to feeding a picky eater toddler now!

Via Caring for Kids: When your child is a picky eater

Meals are important social times in a child’s day. They help children learn about food while connecting with family and friends.

Eating in a positive atmosphere helps children develop healthy attitudes about food and themselves. Parents and caregivers play an important role in keeping mealtimes relaxed and enjoyable.

How much food should my child eat?

If your child is healthy and growing well, you don’t need to worry. Most children’s appetites are right for their age and growth rate. At around 2 years, most children start eating less. This is because growth starts to slow down.

As a parent or caregiver, your job is to provide your child with healthy choices at meal and snack times. It’s then up to your child to decide what, how much and (sometimes) whether they will eat. Listening to their bodies—eating when they are hungry and stopping when they are full—will help children develop healthy eating habits for life.

Every child needs a balanced diet with foods from all 4 food groups—vegetables and fruit, grain products, milk and alternatives, and meat and alternatives. Canada’s Food Guide gives information about the amount and type of food recommended for your child.

It’s unlikely that your child will eat something from every food group at each meal, but try to get all the servings your child needs over several meals and snacks throughout the day. Because little children eat small portions, you might also want to consider dividing one Food Guide serving into smaller amounts.

What if my child is a picky eater?

Young children often go through stages where they refuse to eat certain foods, only want to eat a small number of specific foods, or are easily distracted at mealtimes. Toddlers are learning to become their own person. One way that they show their independence is by self-feeding and choosing their own foods.

Just like you, your child will have days when he feels like eating certain foods and days when he doesn’t. He might not even be interested in eating at every meal or snack time. Don’t worry too much about what your child eats in any given day, but make sure that he eats a variety of healthy foods over several days.

It is common for young children to react negatively to certain foods. Some children are slow to accept new tastes and textures. Keep offering them to your child, and she will probably start to accept and enjoy them with time. Creating mealtime pressure or forcing your child to eat can actually cause him to resist eating.

Here are some tips to help:

  • Children enjoy deciding what to make for dinner. Talk to your child about making choices and planning a balanced meal. Include her on grocery trips.
  • Let your child know about 10 or 15 minutes before dinner starts. This helps her shift her focus and settle down when it’s time to have a meal.
  • Involve your child in meal preparation, for example, washing vegetables, pouring, stirring, and so on. It might help her be open to trying foods if she helps to prepare them. She’ll probably also enjoy helping you set the table.
  • Eat together at the table and try to make mealtime social and fun. Most young children have short attention spans, so be realistic about how long you expect your child to sit at the table. When the meal is done, take away the food.
  • Avoid distractions like cell phones, toys, books, TV or other screens during mealtimes.
  • Offer a variety of healthy foods for meals and snacks. Most children will eat what they need, even if their appetite changes from day to day.
  • Most young children like to copy the things that others do. Set an example by eating healthy foods.
  • Offer at least one food at every meal that you know your child likes.
  • Give small portions of each food item at every meal. You can always offer more if she finishes everything on her plate.
  • Give her the opportunity to make choices where appropriate. For example, let her choose between two different vegetables.
  • Encourage your child to try at least a few bites of different foods at each meal.
  • Serve drinks only after the main course. Too much milk or juice can affect your child’s appetite.
  • If she refuses certain foods or whole meals, let her make that choice.
  • Stick to a rule that the kitchen doesn’t reopen until the next planned snack or meal.
  • Offer snacks and desserts from the Canada Food Guide. However, don’t offer a snack too close to a regular meal time.
  • Don’t use food as a reward.
  • Threatening, prodding, scolding, bribing and punishing can cause your child to resist eating even more. Praise and encouragement will help her develop food likes and dislikes.
  • Try offering new foods at breakfast. This is usually the time that your child is hungriest and most likely to try something new. Once they have tried a food a number of times, it can be moved to later in the day and another new food can be introduced.
  • Eliminate milk in the middle of the night because it interferes with eating breakfast.

How can I teach my child the importance of healthy foods?

Don’t label food by telling your child that chocolate bars are “bad” and apples are “good.” It’s more important to talk about “everyday foods” like vegetables and fruit, whole grain cereals and breads, and “sometimes” foods—like chips and candy—that are eaten as special treats once in a while.

Should I give my child vitamin supplements?

Vitamins are important for your body to work well. If your child is eating a healthy diet based on Canada’s Food Guide, he won’t need a supplement.

7Feb2018
Kids Health, Kids Nutrition
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February 7, 2018

Did you know that our brains take up approximately 20% of our energy despite the fact that it only occupies 2% of our total body mass? It is the most powerful and complex mechanism in human body that helps us to receive senses, process information, and to perform many other tasks.

In order to enable our kids perform better in school, it is important to take care of their brains’ health. So, what could we do to keep our kids’ brains healthy?

Researchers have found that feeding your kids the right food (or the brain food) will improve their academic performance and memory function.

Watch this video now for the 4 key nutrients that help to boost your kids’ brain health!

28Jan2018
Grow Your Own Vegetable, Kids Health, Kids Nutrition
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January 28, 2018

via Indian Express : CHENNAI: Anamika Bist, who grew up in a small town in Jharkhand, says gardening runs in her blood. This graduate of National Institute of Fashion Technology moved to Bengaluru after marriage and worked as a brand consultant for some of the top companies.

Urban life, family responsibilities, job and the culture of small apartments made it impossible for her to employ her gardening skills effectively and, as a result, she could grow only a few herbs in her balcony.
Forty four-year-old Anamika had always dreamt of having her own garden, where she could grow varieties of fruits and vegetables too along with her herbs. Then, one day, she was shaken when her daughter told her innocently that she thought fruits and vegetables came from supermarkets.

This disconnect motivated Anamika to open a start-up called ‘Village Story’, through which she organises experiential farming for children and their families. Her friend offered her an acre of land to run this.
Within six months, Anamika succeeded in growing vegetables and herbs such as zucchini, broccoli, edamame, cucumber, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, okra, eggplant, beans, born, rocket leaves, spinach, fenugreek, coriander, mint, carrot, millet, butternut squash, radish and capsicum.
Anamika says that her father-in-law, who owns a nursery, farmland and orchard in Dehradun, is her inspiration.

She shares about her startup: “Almost now 15 to 20 families are part of our Farmville/Kitchen Garden; they are extremely thrilled that they have their own green patch where they can grow their own greens. They love coming here with family and friends. They sow, grow, harvest, taste and share. They feel it›s an amazing outdoor family activity for them, from where they take home an experience and joy of growing their own food.” She has observed that this activity has made kids eat vegetables which they never used to taste or touch before.

Tips to grow veggies and herbs

  1. Apply only composted manure that has been kept for at least six months in your soil.
  2. Fresh manure is too high in nitrogen and can ‘burn’ plants; it may also contain pathogens or parasites.
  3. Manure from pigs, dogs, and cats should never be used in gardens or compost piles because they may contain parasites that can infect humans.
  4. Grow vegetables in a location that gets at least 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Most vegetables need full sunlight to grow well.
  5. If you have some shade, try growing cool-season crops such as lettuce, spinach, radishes, cabbage.
  6. Fertilizer is not the answer to growing the best plants; soil quality is. Add organic amendments such as compost and well-aged manure to your soil.
  7. The best soil structure is crumbly, easy to dig, accepts water easily, and offers oxygen for plant roots.
  8. If you choose to use fertilizer, use an organic one to add nitrogen, phosphate, and potash.
20Dec2017
Kids Development, Kids Health, Kids Nutrition
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December 20, 2017

There is a widespread practice of “Lunch-shaming” at schools which forces kids to do janitorial work when they don’t have enough money in their lunch account to pay for meals.

Kids who were treated likewise were bawling with embarrassment, having their self-esteem hurt.

However, great news for all parents that the state authorities are starting to fight back. “Lunch shaming” is finally being banned by New Mexico! It is the first state to pass a law which requires schools to handle lunch debt with the parents instead of the kids.

Kids who can’t afford lunch shouldn’t be embarrassed at school. Check out this video and share it now if you agree!

7Nov2017
Kids Health, Kids Nutrition
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November 7, 2017

Via Dr Nicole Beurkens: 8 Healthy Alternatives to Sugar Filled Snacks for Your Kids

Although it’s tempting to motivate kids with sugar and candy, the truth is that sugar isn’t the best motivator.

While it’s best to avoid refined sugar and processed flour, kids can still enjoy a delicious treat to satisfy those dessert cravings. Here are eight alternatives that kids (and grownups) will enjoy.

Delicious Sugar Alternatives for Sweet Behavior

  1. Agave:
    With a lower glycemic index than traditional sugar, this sweet brown liquid can be used in baking as well as a replacement for traditional maple sugar. Less glucose means less opportunity for sugar spikes – excellent news when it comes to avoiding meltdowns and crashes. Agave is dense in concentration, and it’s much sweeter than sugar, so less is needed in baking. NOTE: Agave has a high fructose level, so diabetics should be careful. Too much of it can overload the liver, so use in small amounts.
  2. Applesauce:
    Applesauce is a super easy cheat when it comes to baking. Not only will there be a 700% reduction in calories, it’s a sneaky way to give kids extra vitamins and minerals. Unlike agave (where one must use 50 – 75% less liquid than sugar) a simple one-to-one ratio works great. NOTE: Because of its liquid content, be sure to reduce other liquids in the recipe (water/milk) by 25% to compensate.
  3. Frozen Fruit:
    Ditch the ice cream and food dyed popsicles and give frozen fruit its due! From frozen grapes to simple smoothies, frozen fruit is a super way to satisfy a sweet tooth.
  4. Xylitol:
    Produced from a silver birch tree’s bark, xylitol has forty percent less calories than processed sugar as well as a much smaller fructose content (a score of 7 verses 100 on the fructose scale). Its low number means that it’s a good choice to keep sugar from spiking. With a texture similar to rock salt, Xylitol is also helpful for giving the gut healthy microbes – a real win for kids with candida overgrowth.
  5. Stevia:
    As part of the sunflower family, Stevia is about three hundred percent sweeter than processed sugar, and is a natural sweetener. It doesn’t raise glucose levels and has fast become one of the United States most popular sugars. It’s a bit more expensive than regular sugar, but much less is needed in baking. (Plus with good health comes less doctor bills, so many find a bit more investment up front goes a long way.)
  6. Honey:
    While stevia and xylitol are amazing healthy alternatives to sugar, honey takes the prize when it comes to sugar that contains vitamins and minerals. Just a few include Vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium and potassium. NOTE: It does have more calories than sugar, but it causes less sugar crashes than traditional sugar – the end result being that kids will get out and play more.
  7. Date Syrup:
    With more potassium than a banana, date syrup has a thick consistency just perfect for baking. It has a bit of a caramel taste which gives muffins and cookies a delicious flavor. On a budget? There’s plenty of DIY recipes that can show bakers how to make their own syrup inexpensively and easily.
  8. Coconut Sugar:
    With a low score on the glycemic index, kids won’t fall prey to the after school sugar coma. Containing calcium, zinc and potassium, it also has antioxidants that can reduce sickness.

Start Slowly!

Changing habits are not easy. While kids won’t likely notice the difference between white sugar and applesauce in their favorite muffins, parents have been known to struggle with the new way of living. Going from purchasing Twinkies at the 99 Cent Store to baking from scratch can cost both time and money. Start with using Stevia on cereal instead of white sugar. Put the baking off for a month or two, and then start with baking once/week – perhaps doubling or tripling the recipe for future snacks.

Long Term Thinking – Short Term Results

Cooking healthy takes a big vision, but results can often be seen immediately. From a reduction in anxiety to less meltdowns and more focus, the payoff for swapping out unhealthy sugars for more natural ones can be enormous.

31Oct2017
Grow Your Own Vegetable, Kids Health
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October 31, 2017

Via Natural Society: 7 Nasty and Crazy Effects of Pesticides in Food, Exposure

When asked by a skeptical friend why you buy organic, do you find yourself tongue-tied? Was it obesity? Or thyroid problems? Why should you buy organic? There are numerous reasons to skip the mainstream supermarket food and shop at an organic grocer, but just one of those reasons revolves around the effects of pesticides.

Unfortunately, pesticides attack your body on several fronts. Keep this list handy the next time you find yourself wondering if you should buy a carton of conventional strawberries rather than organic to potentially save a few pennies. Remember that all of the following conditions will cost you much more than money; the effects of pesticides will cost you your health.

Here are 7 nasty and crazy effects of pesticides.

Effects of Pesticides – Cancer

The dreaded diagnosis of cancer has been linked in over 260 studies worldwide to agrochemicals. Worse, scientists have linked pesticides with several types of cancers, including that of the breast, prostate, brain, bone, thyroid, colon, liver, lung, and more. Some researchers from USC found that “those who lived within 500 meters of places where methyl bromide, captan and eight other organochlorine pesticides had been applied, they found, were more likely to have developed prostate cancer.”

But even indirect exposure, such as through parental use, has been found to affect children in a terrible way. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives has linked parental use of pesticides with an increased risk of brain cancer in children. “Parental exposures may act before the child’s conception, during gestation, or after birth to increase the risk of cancer,” the study said. And when the parents are exposed to the pesticides may also play a role in the different cellular changes that lead to cancer.

Obesity and Diabetes

Because pesticides have also been linked to obesity, it’s logical that it would be connected to diabetes, in which obesity often has a role. Some researchers found a higher prevalence of obesity in the participants with high urinary concentrations of a pesticide known as 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP). It is important to note that 2,5-DCP is one of the most widely used pesticides on the globe.

Robert Sargis, MD, PhD, revealed his recent study findings at the Endocrine Society’s 94th Annual Meeting, stating that agricultural fungicide created insulin resistance in fat cells. The journal Diabetes Carepublished in 2011 that people with excess weight and high levels of organochlorine pesticides in their bodies had greater risk of becoming diabetic.

Parkinson’s Disease

Long-term exposure to herbicides and pesticides have been associated in over 60 studies with Parkinson’s. You don’t have to be a conventional farmer to be wary of these findings. Use natural methods to keep pests and weeds out of your home and garden today.

Infertility and Birth Defects

One of the most well-known negative effects of pesticides, infertility is continuously found to be a result of exposure to these agrochemicals. Atrazine—a weed killer used in agriculture as well as on golf courses and which has been found in tap water—may be partially responsible for climbing miscarriage and infertility rates. As for men, one 2006 study pinpointed chlorpyrifos with lowering testosterone levels. This pesticide is often found in strawberry fields and apple and peach orchards.

Other researchers tested roundup on mature male rats at a concentration range between 1 and 10,000 parts per million (ppm), and found that within 1 to 48 hours of exposure, testicular cells of the mature rats were either damaged or killed.

Avoid pesticides even if you’re already pregnant. These chemicals are responsible for causing various birth defects, too. A report revealed that the top selling herbicide Roundup disrupts male hormones due to the main active ingredient – glyphosate.

Autism

Admittedly, pesticides aren’t solely to blame for autism, but they may be a hefty part of the equation. Leading scientists are attributing the condition to genes and insecticides exposed to the mother while pregnant as well as to the child in early years. This is because many chemicals affect the neurology of bugs, inadvertently affecting the neurological function of children, too. A 2010 Harvard study blames organophosphate pesticides—found in children’s urine—to ADHD.

What is the best way to to avoid pesticide exposure and pesticides in food? Don’t use pesticides, and buy organic. Organic isn’t always easy or cheap, so keep in mind these updated dirty dozen fruits and vegetables to always buy organic (plus 15 cleaner foods you can afford to buy conventional). NASA has also suggested raising air purifying plants indoors to clear your home of indoor air pollution. Remember to remove pesticides from your home, too.

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