Tag Archives: Children

Clue, Sorry, Scrabble

23 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by in Family Fun

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When was the last time you played an old-fashioned board game? Playing board games can be a great way to bond with your children, grandchildren, adult children and other adults. Many games such as Clue, Scrabble and Monopoly, have a junior version for younger children.

Here are some suggestions for enjoyable playing:

1. Keep it fun.

2. Team up if you have too many people or pair a child with a teen or adult for more advanced games.

3. Don’t worry about the outcome and who is going to win. Just like an athlete, play your game, do your best and don’t cave into pressure. Stay focused on the game and your turn rather than on winning.

What if the winner was the person or team that had the most fun, win or lose? Play for the pure enjoyment and entertainment that games are designed for.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

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Families That Laugh Together… Are Healthier & Happier

06 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by in Family Fun, Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

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Children are great at spontaneous laughter, laughing hundreds of times a day, while the average adult laughs about 20 times a day.

Laughter is great for our well-being, it has been shown to reduce stress,strengthen our immune system and even relieve some physical pain. You may remember hearing about Norman Cousins, who developed a recovery program incorporating megadoses of Vitamin C, along with a positive attitude, love, faith, hope, and laughter induced by Marx Brothers films. “I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep,” he reported.

Here are some family friendly suggestions for adding more laughter:

1. Watch funny movies, television shows, or videos.  Find old comedies, sitcoms or cartoons that you grew up with. Some classics include, “I Love Lucy” and “The Carol Burnett Show.” There’s also, “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” Search the web and YouTube for funny animal/pet videos. **Parents, it is advised that you find and preview for appropriateness, movies, videos and photos, without your children.

2. Find funny family photos or take some new ones wearing costumes or themed clothing, or using your expressions or acting silly.

3. When watching television together, watch the commercials and see if you can find something to laugh about.

4. Read the comics together, looking closely at the pictures and expressions of the people and animals.

5. Go to the library or a book store and look for joke books for kids.

6. Post something funny to look at on the refrigerator.

7. Have each family member seek out something funny to look at each day, it could be a photo, a comic strip, a greeting card, a drawing or a figurine.  Keep it by your bedside or in the bathroom where you can see it first thing in the morning and just before you go to sleep.  Just don’t try brushing your teeth while you are laughing, that could make a mess, although it may make for a great photo!

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Fiber Promotes Health!

14 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by in Healthy Eating

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Fiber Promotes Health!Quiz: Which food has the highest amount of fiber?  

a.  1 apple                   

b.  ½ c. blueberries 

c.  1/2 cup black beans

d.  1 whole wheat pita

(See answers below)

Dietary fiber can be found in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, cooked beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds.

Fiber has important health benefits for adults and children. It promotes regularity, prevents constipation and can aid in weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight.  Fiber has also been shown to prevent some cancers, especially colon and breast cancer.  In addition, fiber may help lower the LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol, therefore reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Fiber can also help lower blood sugar, therefore helping better manage diabetes, and possibly preventing diabetes. 

A product or food item can be labeled “High Fiber” when it contains 5 grams or more per serving of fiber.  Fiber-containing foods such as vegetables help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories.  And research has shown that children who eat a wide variety of fiber-rich foods will likely continue with this healthy habit later in life!

Answers: c. 1/2 cup black beans has 6 grams of fiber; a. 1 apple has 4.5 grams; b. ½ c. blueberries has 4.4 grams; d. 1 whole wheat pita has 4.5 grams.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Let’s Get Moving!

25 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Family Fun, Healthy Body

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There are many ways to get moving, walking briskly, jogging, swimming, dancing, and bicycling, to name a few.  Your local city or community usually have programs for adults, and children of all ages, who want to learn a new sport or participate on competitive or non-competitive teams.  These may include soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, gymnastics, and badminton.  Dance studios are another place to add variety that may include jazz, hip-hop, ballet, and tap dancing.  If you belong to a gym, they usually offer a variety of classes and may have some that children or teens can attend, especially in the summer. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children and adolescents get 60 minutes of physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. The recommendation for adults is 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (brisk walking) every week.

Put on some music and dance!  Or get a buddy, join a team and get moving!  

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis