Healthy Habit Thursdays: It’s a Question of Moving!

Posted on March 10, 2011 by viviankirkfield

New Zealand postage stamp, 1933: Public health.

Image via Wikipedia

We all know that it is important to “stay in shape”.

But, what does that mean…and how can we accomplish that?

One of the most important factors in staying in shape is to exercise on a regular basis. I’m not sure that is matters exactly what you do…you could walk, jog, run, swim, play tennis, do aerobics…the list is endless.

What matters is that you DO IT ON A REGULAR BASIS!

We need to make exercising a HABIT.

The dictionary defines “habit” as:

A regularly repeated behavior pattern
An action or pattern of behavior that is repeated so often that it becomes typical of somebody
A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition.

Throughout our lives, we deal with many habits…making them and then, if they are “bad ones” breaking them…like biting nails, curling hair, smoking.

So why not make it a habit to exercise on a daily basis…if you do it often enough, it will become an unconscious pattern of behavior for you.

How much time do you need to devote to establishing this new habit?

This really depends on your state of health right now…but, just 15 minutes a day can bring great benefits to you.

Just 15 minutes a day…take a walk around the block.

Just 15 minutes a day…dance to some favorite tunes.

Just 15 minutes a day…the possibilities are endless…just keep in mind how limber you are now and don’t push yourself to the point of pain or discomfort.

Another activity that takes just 15 minutes a day…read a picture book to your child. Or do a craft project. Or prepare an easy-peasy recipe.

Maybe you can make this a habit also. 🙂 If you are looking for story suggestions or educational fun-filled activities, please check out my book. There is a great half-price sale going on right now with a bonus prize…no purchase necessary to enter. http://www.positiveparentalparticipation.com

Please stop by tomorrow for Follow-Me-Fridays: Where’s Miss Vivian? The kindergarten children at Taylor School loved Katy and the Big Snow!

Quotable Timeless Tuesdays: World Read-Aloud Day Special

Posted on March 9, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

“You may have tangible wealth untold,

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be –

I had a mother who read to me” –Strickland Gillilan

Tomorrow, March 9^th, is World Read-Aloud Day.

Around the world, organizations will be promoting the importance of books and reading aloud to children.

“The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression, and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cast out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived.” – Howard Pyle

It’s hard to believe that there are many places in the world (and even here in the United States) where children have NO books. I support a literary outreach program (www.bessthebookbus.org).

“No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.” –Mary Wortley Montagu

I’m not a big TV fan…most of the time I would rather read a book than watch TV. But sometimes we are meant to watch something to see something special and that is what happened last night. During the episode of The Bachelor, Brad and Chris visited The Henna School, a preschool, in South Africa, in need of many things. The Bachelor team donated some much needed equipment and funds…I’ve just sent them an email asking if they would like several copies of SHOW ME HOW! I’d love to donate my book because I think it would help the teachers provide the children with fun-filled educational activities…reading aloud the picture books, doing the simple craft project and perhaps participating in preparing the easy healthful recipes.

“Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.” –Richard Steele

Why is it so important to read to your child?

“The art of reading is in great part that of acquiring a better understanding of life from one’s encounter with it in a book.” –Andre Maurois

So, when should you read to your child?

“The time to read is any time…no apparatus, no appointment of time and place is necessary.”– Holbrook Jackson

And what books should you read to your child?

“A house without books is like a room without windows.” –Heinrich Mann

If you visit my website, you can purchase a copy of SHOW ME HOW, the unique resource that pinpoints 100 picture books every young child should hear. In honor of World Read-Aloud Day, I’m extending the half-price sale for another month AND there will be a WINNER of a CRAFTY EASTER BASKET, filled with safety scissors, non-toxic glue, construction paper and MORE. If you buy a copy of SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING between now and April 9^th, your name will automatically be entered in a drawing for the PRIZE and it will be mailed to you in time for your child to have it for Easter. Several people ordered copies during this past week, so I will be entering their names as well.

Please stop by tomorrow for WHAT’S IN YOUR CHILD’S BOOKCASE WORDY WEDNESDAY. I’ll be reviewing another classic, ANGUS LOST.

Cinema Sundays: My Picks of Great Flicks: Academy Awards Special Edition

Posted on February 27, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Classic Photo from 1937 Academy Awards at the ...

Image by ExperienceLA via Flickr

Tonight many people will be glued in front of their televisions, watching the Academy Awards presentation.

All across the country (and probably in other parts of the world), there will be Oscar-night parties and other celebrations to honor the winners (and losers…how can they be “losers” if those nominated were among the top 5 of all actors, actresses, movies, etc. for the entire year?).

My husband and I don’t go to the movies very often.

We actually LOVE watching movies, but don’t like the cost and inconvenience of going OUT to the movies.

So we got most of our movies for free from our local library or for $1 from Red box vending machines.:)

This past week, for President’s Day, I’ve written several posts that examine HONESTY, and how it relates to parenting.

So, my movie pick for today is GET LOW with Robert Duvall, Bill Cobbs, Sissy Spacek and Bill Murray. Although not one of the Academy Award nominees in any category, it’s a film well worth your time.

The movie examines the life of a man who has a secret he has kept to himself for many years. He takes up the life of a hermit and finally connects with the world only because he wants to arrange a “funeral party”, inviting EVERYONE and ANYONE who has a story to tell about him…but his real reason is that he knows he is going to die soon and wants to reveal the truth…so that he can rest easy.

Look at the word DISEASE…it’s made up of two parts: DIS (meaning not) and EASE (meaning at rest or at peace or functioning smoothly).

When we are not at peace, we are much more prone to getting sick.

Children start out in life being innocent and honest and forthright. Some begin to practice deception and dishonesty because they learn that when you tell the truth, if the truth is something unpleasant, you will likely get into trouble.

One of the cornerstones of Positive Parental Participation is listening to our children without judgment. Please don’t think this means that children don’t have to be responsible for their actions. A second cornerstone of this parenting approach is to consistently expect children to accept the consequences for what they do.

The gentle parenting tips included on every other page of SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING are one of the coolest parts of the book. Do you worry that your children will not grow up the way you want them to? Are you concerned that peer pressure may influence your children to misbehave or stray off the path you would have them follow?

Use the book with your child for just 15 minutes a day and you will be amazed at the positive results! Head over to my website and grab a copy for half-price…only $22.50!

What will you get for $22.50?

100 story summaries of picture books your child needs to hear.
100 simple eco-friendly craft projects you and your child will enjoy doing.
100 child-friendly healthful recipes you and your child will have fun preparing together.
100 gentle parenting tips that will inspire you and give you confidence in your own parenting abilities.
365-day money-back guarantee.

Children grown and don’t need a copy for yourself? Pick one up as a super Mother’s Day gift for a new mom, working mom of preschoolers, homeschooling mom or dad or as a great gift for someone you know who is a preschool teacher, daycare provider, babysitter or nanny. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to spend this special time with your young children…even if it is just 15 minutes a day.

Please stop by tomorrow for Make-A-Meal Mondays!