Gimme Five

I love my boys. They are the greatest gifts sent straight from heaven. They never fail to keep me on my toes and fill up my life with laughter and adventure. My oldest son is six and he is a health nut. He’s gone out for company lunches with my husband and the co-workers are shocked that a kid would order salad and water for lunch at Olive Garden. My youngest son who is two, on the other hand, keeps me on the phone with Poison Control as he loves to eat toothpaste, cough syrup and even Icy Hot. Recently he was banned from all refined sugar for a week when I discovered he was half way through a bag of mini-marshmallows his older brother got from a birthday party where the party favors were marshmallow guns and a bag of mini-marshmallows. I obviously have much more training to do with my two year old on what is considered healthy and nutritious.

Have you ever heard the difference between broccoli and boogers? Well, the difference (and punch-line) is that little kids will eat boogers. Gross yes – but mostly true.

It is recommended that we all get at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. You may find this particularly hard when it comes to feeding your children. Unfortunately this doesn’t mean a glass of Sunny Delight for breakfast, a fruit cup from the school cafeteria at lunch (you know the diced pears in heavy syrup), and a leaf of Iceburg lettuce with extra ketchup on the burger for dinner. Ideally you should serve fresh and raw fruits and vegetables – if you go organic…even better! Serve them first at every meal for two reasons – they digest faster and you can fill them up on the good stuff from the start.

Raw fruits and vegetables are essential for vitamin, mineral, carbohydrate, protein, fatty acids, antioxidants water, and enzyme content – a complete array of nutrients every body needs. If you have trouble getting your children (or spouse) interested in raw fruits and veggies then purchase a juicer and begin making delicious and nutritious fruit and veggie combinations. We have juice mixer parties and make “special juice” every day. Getting your kids excited about eating healthy is all part of training them for a lifestyle of health, fitness and vitality.

Even if you absolutely must do a McDonalds run to get the Ninja Turtle or Idol iPod in the Happy Meal – you can still easily make sure your kids get their five or more fruits and veggies a day. Besides, the original fast food– was the apple!

Marlene has a heart for helping people reach their health, wellness and fitness goals. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of natural health and nutrition.

Joie de Vivre

Experiencing ~ a love of life and the joy of living ~ through natural health, fitness and a little soul food too!

Simple and practical tips on improving health and increasing vitality in your life…

Food for thought for the family:

• Consider making meal time a precious time for the family to be together and share about what each has experienced throughout the day. Do not invite the television to your dinner table. Not only is this a time to slow down and build relationships – a meal should be celebrated and enjoyed. Plus it will do wonders on the body’s digestive capability.

• In raising your children – food should not be used to bribe or comfort. Yes it is easier to offer a treat to calm a fussy toddler or to get them to mind while you are shopping. (If it is time to eat or child is hungry – choose something nutritious)

• Consider the implications of how we associate our emotions with food. It has proven to become a vicious cycle – people eat when they’re depressed about their weight and around it goes.
  Instead, reward your child or comfort your child with words, hugs and kisses – personal praise and love. Food is for fuel and nutrition – our bodies were not designed to receive food to mend emotional hurt.

• The best way for your child (or spouse) to learn proper nutrition for health and healing is by watching you! Introduce a diet change (if needed) slowly and be excited about it! As you are taking steps in the right direction for more raw (salads, fruits, veggie sticks) and nutritious food choices at home – your family will begin to crave these foods – soon you will notice your kids even (wow! imagine that) by-passing the pizza and heading to the salad bar – asking for water to drink instead of soda!

• Above all enjoy your lifestyle of health and nutrition!

“Nothing I've ever done has given me more joys and rewards than being a father to my children.”

Bill Cosby

Seasonal Allergies

Ahhh—the wonders of spring! Fresh rain, birds singing, flowers blooming, trees pollinating... Ahhh–choo!! For some people the joy of spring can be a challenge if dealing with allergies and asthma - particularly for our children.

Allergies may involve the mucous membranes of the head (hay-fever), the bronchial tubes in the lungs (asthma) or involve a skin reaction such as hives. Allergies are sometimes the result of adrenal gland fatigue. When the body is trying to rid itself of toxins via the bloodstream, adrenalin tells the body to increase cellular metabolism to deal with the toxins. If this continues, the adrenals will become overworked and look for other avenues to deal with the toxins. Allergy symptoms arise when the body produces antibodies to take care of the toxins in the bloodstream. It sees them as foreign invaders and wants to get rid of them. Getting rid of them involves cleansing through the sinuses, lungs and/or skin.

When asthma is an issue, the liver may be congested and the adrenals fatigued. The lungs may then be required to help eliminate toxins from the body. This may cause the bronchial tubes to become burdened with mucous discharge causing them to spasm, inducing an asthma attack.

Asthma can be brought on by environmental factors. If you are living in Green Country (Northeastern Oklahoma) you are obviously exposed to more airborne allergens than most anywhere else in North America and trying to provide you and your family with air free of allergens can be a real challenge. In your own home are there toxins, allergens, molds or bacteria present? Is there anything that would further stress the body and its ability to properly breathe? Air filters, ozone generators and ionic air purifiers help in providing a “cleaner” air environment. These purification systems can be easily installed in your home. Some specialized units now have the technology that include an air ionizer, HEPA filter, germicidal ultraviolet light, carbon filter and ozone sanitizer all in one machine.

To help ease stress on the body, consider adding fresh juice to the diet to help cleanse and detoxify the liver. Choose to add supplements which support healthy adrenal function and help alleviate symptoms involving the sinuses, lungs and skin. You may also want to invest in an air purification system to help cleanse the air in your home.

Springtime ideally should be a time of fresh new life, having fun with your family and friends out at the ball field or playing in the park—preferably without allergies and asthma getting in the way.

My Top 5 Nutrition No No's:

1. Using food as a reward. I’m all about celebrating over a great nutritious meal. However, many of us from the time we were toddlers were often having our emotional needs met via food. Got a boo boo? Having a temper tantrum? Have a cookie while mom shops for groceries or a piece of candy for a skinned knee. Whether you are in physical or emotional pain or are anxious or angry – we may have been programmed to feel better through food – generally not of nutrient value.

2. Eating when your body wants to cleanse. This may be eating too early in the day when your body still needs to fast or eating to “keep your strength up” when you are sick. Animals and young children are smarter than we are. They listen to their bodies and allow them to fast while the body needs to cleanse.

3. Buying the wrong food. Whether you are in a restaurant or grocery store the best thing you can do is buy the right stuff. If it is in front of you while eating out or in your pantry – you will eat it.

4. Eating stuff that’s dead. I’m not just talking about brisket from a cow carcass here - but eating processed or overly prepared and cooked foods. Try to eat fresh and raw foods as much as possible. Ideally this should comprise 70% off your diet. I’m not just talking sushi either – but fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts.

5. Eating at weird times. Eating on a schedule works well for your body just like having an established sleep schedule does. Listen to your body and if you aren’t too hungry eat light and healthy but try to keep it on track so your food metabolism is consistent and your blood sugar is balanced. If you wait too long to eat – anything sounds good – and you’ll reach for the easiest thing - which is generally fast food.