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Can your kids jump rope?

Jumping rope is a wonderful way to keep fit and have fun. It is inexpensive, portable, and really enjoyable! Working with kids in fitness, I try to incorporate jumping rope as a way to enhance their fitness level. Jumping rope increases endurance, agility, and coordination. Kids are quick to pick up the basics of jumping rope and I find they like setting personal best continuous jumps.

Jumping rope can be done individually or in groups, but it still has the same effect. With a lot of patience and practice you could jump as well as the Kangaroo Kids.

Creating a challenge for kids to work towards is a fantastic way to promote positive self-esteem, hard work, and dedication because they are setting a goal and working towards achieving it. Jumping rope also breeds creativity, along with the amount of jumps one can do, the kinds of jumps, and the combination of them all together is all about self-expression, which I love! How many continuous jumps can you get? What kind of routine will you create?

Ingredients:

• 1 mashed banana
• 1/2 cup nut butter (2 heaping tablespoons)
• 2 eggs
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 4 heaping teaspoons unsweetened dried shredded coconut
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Teaspoon vanilla extract
• Dark chocolate chips, as many as you feel like

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir.
• Drop heaping teaspoonful of dough onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet (I got 18 cookies out of this recipe)
• Bake 10-12 minutes.
• Cool and enjoy!

What if iCarly made a fresh salad or a gluten free dessert? What if she found a silly way to promote something healthy instead of a processed carb inside another processed carb?

Kids are now using the recipe at sleepover parties, family dinners, and lunches. I hate to be a party pooper, but I am not a fan of this silly recipe. I am however a huge fan of silly recipes that are full of healthy and nutritious whole foods – any suggestions?

She looked at federal data collected on nearly 2,000 children and compared those who slept 10 hours or more a night with those who slept less. She also looked at how much the children weighed over a five-year period. The most striking findings had to do with infants and toddlers.

“We found that their napping didn’t have any effect on their later obesity, whereas the nighttime sleep was significant,” Bell says.

Listen to the story: NPR Podcast

I do not believe that sleep is the only factor causing childhood obesity, but I think this it is important to recognize how everything is connected. I think this message is important for everyone of all ages, how have you and your kids been sleeping?

• losing excess pounds
• preventing heart disease
• improving and maintaining mental health
• slowing the aging process
• improving the quality of the air we breathe
• preventing and controlling diabetes
• improving arthritis
• relieving back pain
• gain habits for a healthy life i.e. team building skills, positive attitude, kindness, empathy.

“Literally, anyone can put on a pair of shoes along with few necessary gears and equipments and start moving into the woods for a little fresh air—this is called hiking. The scenery, accessibility and diverse nature of hiking trails make this heart-healthy pastime attractive for people of all ages, fitness levels and income brackets. Moreover, except few points, hiking and trekking don’t require any special expertise and skills.”
The Health Benefits Of Hiking And Trekking?

Going on a hike is also a nice way to spend time as a family, parents taking action and being physically active with their kids is one of the best ways to pass on healthy habits. Find local hiking near you and reap the benefits that nature has to offer!

Since January, 2010 I have been following a primal/paleo lifestyle and have seen amazing results from clean eating! Consuming whole foods, and eliminating all processed carbs has changed the way I view food as well as diet and nutrition. Imagine a food pyramid that looks like this:

A wonderful resource and great place to gain more information on being primal is Mark’s Daily Apple. Mark helps make this idea of being primal come to life, and the recipes are AMAZING! Another site that helps put things in perspective is Everyday Paleo, started by a busy mother, wife, and coach. She offers recipes, news, and workout tips that can add variety and ease to your day.

Not sure what’s for dinner? How about a primal/paleo feast?