As almost everyone knows these days, the same obesity epidemic widening the waistlines of adults is also affecting our kids--and prompting several blue ribbon reports, including one issued earlier this month from the National Academy of Sciences. In today's Lean Plate Club, learn how some simple changes at home can help you reduce the risk of childhood obesity in your family.
So how does your child measure up? The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers an online guide to BMI for kids and teenagers. Or you can use this fast online calculator to gauge your child's body mass index percentile.
The Federal Agency for Healthcare Research provides a free DVD, Max's Magical Delivery: Fit for Kids, aimed at kids 5 to 9 and their parents. The DVD helps kids learn about healthy food, the importance of eating breakfast and more. Your tax dollars at work!
What are you doing about childhood obesity? Tell us from 1 to 2 p.m. today in the Lean Plate Club Web chat or leave your comments and suggestions ahead of time. You can also e-mail me anytime at [EMAIL PROTECTED].
And speaking of kids: Many parents take part-time jobs or make other flex time arrangements when their children are young. Learn in today's Health section why a growing number of parents of adolescents are making the same move to spend more time with children.
What's for Dinner Tonight?
Asian Chicken-Salad Pitas or Chicken Burritos, both from Men's Health, offer healthful uses for chicken. Or, try Chicken a l'Orange, which is ready in less than 15 minutes.
The Post's Food section offers Italian Tuna and Rice Salad. It's ready in just 30 minutes and will only set you back about 300 calories.
In a recent Lean Plate Club Web chat, LPCers asked about great-tasting, healthy recipes for slow cookers. Prevention magazine offers five Sumptuous Slow Cooker Meals. Do you have a tried and true recipe for a slow cooker, perfect now that the weather has gotten colder? Share your favorite in today's Web chat.
If you're looking for fresh ingredients, where better than a farmer's market? You can find a market close to home with this list from the Weekend section or, thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, find one anywhere in the country.
(And yes, here's yet another reason to keep eating more fruit and vegetables, rather than popping a multivitamin. A new study finds that the antioxidants in pills don't seem to protect against cancer the way that eating fruit and vegetables does.)
How about vegetable broth? How tough is that to make? That's one of the questions addressed by washingtonpost.com's Kim O'Donnel in her weekly Web chat. Read a recent transcript to find out how easy it is to make your own vegetable broth.
And if you're a die-hard foodie looking for the next new trend, you may want to check out the Natural Foods Expo, which starts Thursday and runs until Sunday at the Washington DC. More than 1,100 exhibitors are expected.
In last week's Lean Plate Club Web chat, a Lean Plate Club member offered this suggestion for a quick nightly meal with spaghetti squash (which by the way counts as another serving of vegetables):
Anywhere: Regarding spaghetti squash: I treat spaghetti squash like spaghetti, add hearty tomato sauce (and sometimes soy meatballs).
Sally Squires: Thanks, Anywhere. How long does it take that spaghetti squash to cook before adding the tomato sauce? Other suggestions for spaghetti squash? Or other fast meals? Tell us in today's Lean Plate Club Web chat. Can't join live? You can leave questions ahead of time and check the chat transcript anytime.
Joy of Motion
It's not just aerobics that is good for your heart. The ancient Chinese practice of Tai Chi can be good too for your ticker too.
Last week, was Kids Walk-to-School Week, but you don't need an official day to help your children move more. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has plenty of tips to help.
Or you could just get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. The Weekend section offers some of the best spots to take in the changing leaves.
Or get out an pick your own apples--that's a great way to get some physical activity, be outdoors and snag some great tasting, health food.
Got 15 minutes? Then Redbook magazine has got a way for you to fit in a quick workout. Or find more balance--or at least your own tipping point--in today's Moving Crew.
And if you've been taking Vioxx to soothe your sore joints so that you can stay active, then you're probably looking for another medication, since Merck removed it from the market. In today's Health section, find out which other arthritis drugs may soon also be off the market.
Since Flu shots are likely to be short supply this season, learn in today's Health section where you can still snag a shot to help you stay healthy--and active--this winter.
And here's how one LPCer finds the motivation to keep working out--even when it's dark outside.
Washington, D.C.: I've lost a bit over 25 pounds so far, with quite a few more pounds to go. My inspiration was really, really simple. I saw an ad online for someone starting a running group. Because I answered that ad, I get up to run while it's still dark out because I've committed to it and someone expects me to be there. In short, my advice is to find someone to exercise with-- whether you walk, or go to the gym, or whatever. Ask your friends and neighbors, or post an ad somewhere. I am not a morning person, but I get up even on mornings when I really, really want to go back to sleep. And I've recently joined a gym to add some strength training to my repertoire.
Sally Squires: Great going, D.C.! And you've just given us a good example of how having a buddy or other support can really help make the difference. Thanks very much!
With a Little Help From Your Friends
We ran out of time before these could be included in last week's Web chat. (Please know that I read all your e-mails and postings) :
Staying on track: This might sound like an odd suggestion, but it's actually worked for me! I've tacked a picture up of myself as an infant and try to make myself think before I eat something--would I feed that to myself if I were the mother of that infant? The answer is usually no, so I remind myself to treat my body with care! Sounds a bit odd, but anything helps, right?
Sally Squires: You bet. And creativity often helps, as you've just demonstrated. Thanks!
Bethesda, Md.: Where can I find a really great, fresh Thanksgiving Turkey? I'm interested in the best-tasting bird I can get and would prefer to pick one out at a local farm. (Maybe an organic farm?) Any ideas?
Sally Squires:Whole Foods sells organic turkeys. You might also check Yes! markets. If you'd like to buy one online, check igourmet.com. Other suggestions out there? And by the way, with Thanksgiving just about five weeks away, the Holiday Challenge is also not far off. Stay tuned....
