OK, it’s totally off the subject and has nothing to do with health or nutrition, but I wanted to invite you all to go on an amazing trip with me and my husband to Italy. We will be gone 14 days during March of 2009 and will see many cities along the way starting in Venice, then to Florence and end in Rome. If you are interested and want to learn more contact me for more info. We did a trip like this to France in 2006 and it was an amazing experience! This time we want to be joined by many friends and family, that’s the only thing that would make a trip like this more memorable. Come go to Italy with us!

We’re almost there, school will soon be out and our schedules can finally take a much needed break from the insanity… I love the summer with my kids home…well at least the first few days of it. No, I really do love having them home, I love the time I get during the summer to teach them all of the other things I find important, that doesn’t make it on the “have to learn for the AIMS test” list. One of the things I love teaching them the most is how to love and care for their bodies. We have come up with a couple of very interesting projects for this summer that I will update you on their progress from time to time. It should be interesting…

I hope to make a few childrens’ health related posts this month in order to motivate all of you with children in your lives to make their health a priority (and your own while you’re at it!) I will of course start with some alarming statistics…I love doing that!

• the average American youth spends 5 hours on average using the computer, TV,or playing video games a day!
• 52% of girls begin dieting before they are 14 years old.
• 1 in 4 children do not participate in any free-time physical activities.
• 1 in 3 children will end up as type 2 diabetics from the current generation of children.
• 67% of today’s children are overweight
• 92% of US elementary schools do not provide a daily physical education program.

That will probably do for now… my point is that we are the first generation of adults who are reported to possibly outlive our children. The rising generation deserves so much more than that, we have to make changes and fast! I will be adding steps through out the month, please choose 1 or 2 or all of them to make these changes this summer, educate your children and help them understand the importance of living a healthy life. And remember, your example is the best teacher of all!

Ever feel foggy after lunch? It’s not all in your head, the food you eat has a very real impact on your mind. So if you value your brain power, which foods should you steer clear of?

1. Alcohol: alcohol is a neurotoxin, which means it can posion your brain and kill brain cells.

2. Refined foods: white flour, sugar, white rice, and other highly processed foods (including soda) can cause wild fluctuations in your blood sugar, and for your brain to function optimally it needs to receive a steady supply of fuel. Imbalances can cause irritability, distraction, and tiredness.

3. Trans fats (hydrogenated fats): Trans fats are found in fried foods, margarine, baked goods, vegetable shortening, bread, cookies, snack crackers, salad dressings, granola bars, cereals, frozen dinners and much more. These artificial fats raise your triglycerides, which may contribute to hardening of your arteries (atherosclerosis). This, in turn, increases your risk of not only heart attacks but also strokes (or “brain attacks”). Trans fats have also been linked to other mental problems ranging from ADHD and dyslexia to autism.

4. Food additives: Flavor enhancers like MSG and “natural flavors”, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and preservatives are known as “excitotoxins”, and are all part of a group of substances that cause brain neurons to die. So, what should you eat for brain power?

• Leafy vegetables, like spinach
• Fruits, especially blueberries and apples
• Seeds and nuts, especially walnuts
• Wild-caught, low-mercury fatty fish (salmon)
• Organic cage-free eggs
• Organic, grass-fed meats and chicken
• Whole grains

My recommendation? Get smart and get back to the whole real foods, usually found along the outer perimeter of the grocery store.

Along with reading the labels on the food you buy to avoid the dietary culprits listed above, here are more simple tips to get you started:

1. Cut out excess “empty” calories like those from soda, candy, cookies, sweetened drinks and chips first.
2. Eat more vegetables, fruits and other whole, fresh foods.
3. Eat less processed foods and oils, sugar and caffeine.
4. Eat whole fruit instead of drinking fruit juice.
5. Bake, grill, steam or broil food instead of frying it (fewer calories and better for health and energy).
6. Drink water as your primary beverage.
7. When choosing grains, pick items that have whole grains listed as the first ingredient on the label.
8. Get healthy fats by eating foods such as low-mercury fish, nuts, avocados, olives and olive oil.
9. Sit down to a regular, family mealtime everyday (or as often as possible), including foods you’ve cooked at home.
10. Limit take-out food, fast food and pre-packaged convenience foods.