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!

Healthy Habit Thursdays: Give Your Kitchen a Health Makeover

Posted on February 24, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Genre scene, woman in kitchen peeling vegetables

Image by George Eastman House via Flickr

What do you think are the dirtiest, most germ-laden areas in your home?

Most people would probably say the bathroom or the kitchen.

Interestingly enough, studies reveal items like your television remote, cell phone and computer keyboard are actually the culprits!

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/08/ten-most-germy-places-in-the-home/

How many of you lifted your fingertips off the keyboard just now? 🙂

No worries…you can easily clean it by turning it upside down and gently shaking to release any crumbs…then wipe with a cotton ball slightly damp with alcohol or special computer cleaning fluid and finish with an antibacterial wipe. Clean each key…the black ones are dirty even if you can’t see the bacteria. 🙂 For more detailed information: http://www.ehow.com/how_2215315_clean-computer-keyboard.html

Even though some research has put computer keyboards, TV remotes and cell phones at the top of the germ hot-spot list, the kitchen is not far behind.

So what can you do to insure that your kitchen is a safe place to prepare and store food for your family?

Here are 6 simple steps to give your kitchen a Health Makeover!

1. Always start with freshly washed hands when preparing or serving food…then wash hands, utensils, countertops and cutting boards, especially after touching raw meat or poultry.

2. Promptly refrigerate leftovers…bacteria can grow at room temperature.

3. Switch to glass food containers because some plastics contain chemicals that leech into the food.

4. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and remove outer leaves of lettuce and cabbage.

5. Wash off the tops of cans before opening…you never know who or what was crawling on the merchandise in the store warehouse.

6. Rinse off your can opener after each use…and give it a good wash on a regular basis.

Young children love to help in the kitchen…mixing and measuring give them a sense of competence…one of the building blocks in the formation of a positive self-image. If you are looking for fantastic fun-filled cooking activities, check out SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING, available right now at half-price on my website.

Don’t forget, Mother’s Day is coming sooner than you think (May 8^th)…why not grab a copy for a special mom or grand-mom in your life. And maybe one for yourself! It’s a gift that provides 100’s of fun-filled educational activities…and answers the question…what are we going to do today?

IBS, GERD and CHILD-FRIENDLY CARROT CAKE

Posted on January 2, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

Have you had to give up many of the foods you LOVE because of medical conditions like GERD or IBS?

Did you resolve to start the New Year eating in a healthier manner?

Are you looking for a nutritious and delicious dessert to serve to your family?

If any of the above applies to you, here is the PERFECT CARROT CAKE recipe. Easy to prepare and easy on the stomach, this child-friendly recipe is so yummy, you will want to serve it to company…and so high in nutrition, you will not hesitate to serve it to your family. Check out the ingredients and you will find 4 of the SUPER FOODS recommended by health experts. (I’ve underlined them in the ingredient list) And, as if that isn’t enough to get you started on this recipe, the preparation is easy-peasy and your kids will enjoy helping you measure and mix.

So, what are you waiting for?

PERFECT CARROT CAKE FOR 2011

You will need: 1½ cups unbleached white flour, 1½ tsp baking powder, ¾ tsp baking soda, ¾ cup white sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 egg lightly beaten, ½ cup canola oil, 1 tsp vanilla, zest of one orange, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 cups grated carrots (I use a pound package of peeled baby carrots). ¾ cup pineapple chunks with ¼ – ½ cup of the juice (I use pineapple canned in its own juice – no added sugar). 2 large bowls, blender to chop carrots and pineapple, Bundt pan sprayed with canola oil.

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl (a whisk works great) and set aside.
Mix 1 lightly beaten egg (I substitute egg beaters), canola oil, zest of an orange (you can use a fine hand grater to grate the zest from the orange…and this is one of those items that SHOULD be organic if at all possible as you are using the outer peel), vanilla and brown sugar in another large bowl…I use a wooden spoon.
Chop or grate carrots (I use a blender…you could use a food processor or do it with a hand grater).
If you are using a blender or food processor, add the pineapple chunks and the juice from the can. If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you could purchase crushed pineapple in a can instead of the chunks. You can blend or food process to a fairly smooth consistency or you can leave the carrots and pineapple in a more chopped state…your choice.
Add the carrot/pineapple to the bowl with the egg mixture and mix well.
Add this mixture to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix gently until well-mixed.
Pour into the lightly greased Bundt pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Remove from oven and cool on a rack.

10. When cool, turn over onto a dinner-sized plate.

11. I cover the cake with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. It can keep for about a week…but it won’t last that long. J

The great thing about this recipe is that it is very forgiving…a little more or a little less of any of the ingredients and the cake still turns out GREAT. In fact, I once realized I didn’t have any pineapple AFTER I had started making the cake. I substituted applesauce and it was delicious. Another time I found that I had run out of baking powder…I added a little more baking soda and the cake still looked and tasted wonderful. I’d love to know if you try this recipe…let me know how it turned out!