Being a Role Model Is Not Enough!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many parents think they’re setting a positive role model for their teens by exercising and staying fit, but the kids don’t seem to care, as study in the Journal of Adolescent Health suggest.  A growing body of research indicates that being physically fit in childhood reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood, but the study found there was little correlation between teens’ fitness levels and the teens, had one or both parents who regularly engaged in physical activity.

The problem with this study is that being a role model is setting a good example, but kids need more than “look at me, see what I am doing” involvement. Have you ever known someone who is a show-off? Well, I have and well it turns me off to, I almost want to do the opposite of what they are doing just to say to them...big deal!

Or how about a role model who is so rigid and over the top about being active? This type of role model is doing more harm than good, who wants to hear about health and fitness 24/7 (well maybe I do) ok back to my example, teens especially don't want this nagging.

The third type of bad role model is a do as I say not as I do, well forget you, you are not even a role model.

Fourth type of role model is a parent who has recently discovered how to eat well and exercise more and immediately wants the entire family to join in. This won't work in the beginning either, especially if you have tried and failed in the past, your family will just sit back and expect you to fail once again.

So what can you do to be a Positive Role Model? Try these steps:

1. Visualize your goal, what does this mean to you? More vegetables, a walking program, lose weight? You know your family better than anyone else, so see your goal and list the steps it will take to get there.

2. Commitment: Are you committed to this goal? What obstacles will you and your family face? What will it take to get your family on board?

3.Communicate. Call the family together, I know it sounds cheesey, but it works, you wouldn't expect a CEO of a company to implement challenges without the staff being on board would you? You are the CEO of your family! Create this goal as a family, listen to what each family member says and allow input from everyone.

4. Follow through. You are the CEO of your family, follow through with every step on your family plan, from grocery shopping to family outings.

5. Stay positive. Always, from obstacles (which are only learning experiences) to rewards (non-food).Before you go to bed every night, be grateful from any steps you took today in making your family life more healthy, and when you wake up think of 3 things you will do today to create a healthier home. Your kids will thank you...someday!

 

Summer Fun: Badminton

Badminton

Taken from- Family Games. The Best in Family Game Night, Amazon 2013

Equipment Needed: Badminton set

I always thought badminton was a sissy sport until I saw it professionally played in Montreal. It is a sport that requires power, finesse speed and strategy

You can set up a badminton net and a simple court or playing area in your backyard. The net should measure 5 feet high and the court should measure 40 feet long by 22 feet wide for doubles and 17 feet wide for singles. If you’re playing backyard badminton recreationally rather than competitively, you don’t need a court that fits all the standard badminton court specifications. You can play on any rectangular surface divided in half by a net. To pick the team that goes first, you should toss a coin. The winner can choose whether to serve or receive first, or choose which side of the court to play on first. The player who lost the toss gets to make the other choice. Stand in the right service court when you have no points or an even number of points. The right service box lies behind the short service line and to the right of the center service line. Stand in the left service court when you have an odd number of points. The left service box lies behind the short service line and to the left of the center service line. Serve the shuttlecock cross-court to the service court diagonally opposite. Hit the shuttlecock below your waist to serve. Players hit the shuttlecock back and forth over the net to keep it in play. You must hit the shuttlecock before it touches the ground. If you hit the shuttlecock out of bounds, into the net or under the net, you lose the point. You cannot touch the net or net posts with any part of your body. You cannot reach over the net to hit the shuttlecock. You can win points on your own serve and on your opponent’s serve. Play until one player or team wins 21 points to win the game. If two sides tie at 29-all, the side that wins the next point wins the game. Change sides after the end of the first and second games. In the third game, change sides when one player or team wins 11 points. Serve first in the next game if you won the previous game. Play until one player or team wins two games.

Black and Blue Water

The Fountain of Youth is water, it is the elixir of life. Water has the restorative powers to cleanse, rebuild and restore the body. But do you sip enough from The Fountain of Youth? Most people feel that they do, but perhaps your body is telling you something different. Many people think that substituting sodas, coffee and juice for water is enough to keep us hydrated and healthy, but nothing can beat the original and the best – water.

Water is second only to oxygen in importance for health. Roughly 70 percent of an adult’s body is made up of water. At birth, water accounts for approximately 80 percent of an infant’s body weight. During your day you lose fluid continuously, from skin evaporation, breathing, urine, and stool, and these losses must be replaced daily for good health.

Once you drink water, it leaves your stomach in about 5 minutes.

We can survive a month without food, but we’ll die after a week without water.

The weight a person loses directly after intense physical activity is weight from water, not fat.

Here is a delicious way to drink your water. This is from; Why Should I Drink More Water?, (Amazon 2013)

 

Black and Blue Water

Fill a quart jar with cold water. Bundle fruit in cheesecloth. Squeeze the fruit and juices to release the flavor, be sure to do this over your pitcher so you don’t waste any of the juices. Tie off the cheesecloth and submerge the bundle just below the water in the jar. 

1. Black and Blue Water


2. ½ cup blackberries and ½ cup blueberries, muddle gently.


3. Optional add a squeeze of lemon or lime.


4. Let sit overnight in refrigerator and enjoy tomorrow.

Just For Today

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry,

and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink,

and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will shut off my phone and keep the computer off,

and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once,

not even a tiny grumble when you whine for the ice cream truck,

and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are

going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made

where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't

stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story

about how you were born and how  much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you  splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours and miss my favorite tv shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair

as you pray, I will simplly be grateful that God

has given me the greatest gift ever given.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer.

It is then, that I will thank God for you  and ask him for nothing, except one more day....

* Author unknown, but I have repeated this poem to myself and my children for many years, and even today although my children are grown-up I still thank God and ask him for nothing, except one more day . 

Easy Fish Taco's

I had my first fish taco 5 years ago in Huntington Beach California, I absolutely love these! The great thing about fish taco’s is you can be creative with this dish. Here is an easy and yummy version;

Fish Taco’s

Any type of white fish, I prefer tilapia. I recommend about one fish per person.

Blackened Seasoning *tortilla’s corn or flour* salsa*avocado*lettuce*shredded cheese ( your choice)

Season each piece of fish with your blackened seasoning, place on a lightly greased baking sheet.   Place in a 375* oven for approximately 7 minutes per side.

Prepare and assemble the tortilla, if you want to warm the tortilla, place in oven for 15 second, they get crispy quickly. Add cheese, lettuce, avocado, and any items of your choice, place the warm fish in each tortilla wrap and enjoy!