Monday, August 8, 2011

Heathy tips for back to school #transitionslenses

Even though we all try to keep our children healthy all the time, summer tends to bring with it some less healthy habits – more snacking, video games, playing on the computer. Fortunately, there are also many opportunities for fun outdoor exercise to balance out those other things!

As everyone starts thinking about getting ready for back to school, we might also be thinking about starting some new healthy habits for our little ones. Here is a list of a few of my ideas to get the kids healthy and thinking “healthier” for back to school!

**Healthy Snacks** Forget about the Twinkies and Oreos, no more cookies and cupcakes! Think of healthy fun snacks like carrot and celery sticks – what?? Those don’t sound fun to you?? Add a small container of ranch for dipping and – viola – it’s fun!

**Go for a walk!** Even if it is just to the mailbox and back, get moving! Pretty soon the kids will be asking to go a little farther each day, go with it! Who knows, you might even meet some new friends walking around the block!

**Be involved!** There is always something for kids to be involved in – sports change each season, they are sure to like something! And then there are things like dancing, gymnastics, and music that are generally available year round. Not only is there the added benefit of the exercise, but it is also an opportunity for the kids to practice listening, paying attention, practicing, and more.

**Crank up the music!!** Nothing like a great cd playing while you guys dance around the house, having fun and burning a few calories. As an added bonus, there are also giggles sure to be included!!

**Chores** I know, it’s not any child’s favorite. Again, however, it helps the kids learn responsibility…and it helps mom out too!

**Read** Reading is not actually a physical activity – incase you were wondering – but it is a great activity for your brain! Besides, reading something that the kids enjoy outside of school reinforces that books are not just for school.

**Make your own lunch** School lunches are convienent sometimes, but when you make your kids lunch – you are in control of what food groups and portions your child is given. Besides, you can add a little love note from mom!

**Ditch the soda** Water, milk, and juice are all so much healthier for the kids – and for us! Not only will it cut out a bunch of sugar and calories, but it will make the dentist happy too!!

**Keep an open mind** Let the kids pick things that they want to do, you might be surprised at what they choose. I have found that when the kids are in on the decision making, they are more into it!

**Try new things** You don’t know if you are going to like something until you try it! This applies to everything – healthy foods, sports, exercises, activities, etc. We are trying soccer for the first time tonight for our four year old. She has everything pink that she needs and now is excited so we will see how it goes!!

About Transitions Optical, Inc.Transitions Optical is a joint venture of PPG Industries, Inc. and Essilor International. The first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic lens in 1990, today the company is a leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide. Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names.
Transitions® lenses are the ideal everyday choice for healthy sight. They are clear indoors and at night. Outdoors, they automatically darken as light conditions change. Transitions lenses provide visual comfort, and enhance visual quality by reducing glare and enhancing contrast, helping you to see better today. Transitions lenses block 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays – helping to protect the health and wellness of your eyes – so you can see better tomorrow as well. More info on Transitions Lenses:
www.transitions.com

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Transitions Lenses blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here

1 comment:

Leave a comment and let me know what you think! I love to hear all of your opinions (agreeing and disagreeing with me) and will comment back!