Simple And Good powered by Sherwood A. Grant http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog Health and Fitness Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:59:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Motivate Kids to be Fit (1 of 2) http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/motivate-kids-to-be-fit-1-of-2/ http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/motivate-kids-to-be-fit-1-of-2/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 07:54:44 +0000 Wood http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/?p=67 “Part 1 of 2″

As parents, I think we can all agree that when it comes to encouraging kids to make healthy choices, well, it’s not the easiest of tasks. So what’s a parent to do?

It begins by creating healthy choices without being too obvious about it.  After all, for many kids if you say the word healthy, they’ll turn up their nose in disgust!  It isn’t uncommon for kids to push aside healthy options for the “fun” food, which is heavily promoted through television.

I have a number of parents telling me, “If I don’t buy the food they like, they won’t eat anything!”  The reality is if they get hungry enough, trust me, they will eat.  You’ve never heard of a child starving to death because his mother refused to feed him junk food, have you?

Children WILL choose to eat healthy food.  It’s just a process that takes time and creativity.  There are plenty of good foods that your kids can learn to enjoy.  It’s simply a matter of making gradual changes and allowing their palate to adjust to the changes.  In other words, their palate is used to the high sodium and fat levels in food, therefore they will need to adjust to foods that don’t contain so much salt and fat.  This process takes awhile.

A couple of changes that I made in the beginning for my kids was something as basic as making a smoothie with almond milk and fruit versus a milkshake.  I served baked tortilla chips and salsa instead of french fries and ketchup.  And for a snack, they ate sliced apple with almond butter instead of boxed snacks high in sugar, fat and calories.  Eventually, they get used to it, trust me!

Keep in mind that the changes you make cannot be dramatic.  In order for changes to stick, it must be a slow and steady process.  In other words, don’t clean out all your cabinets and refrigerator in order to eliminate all of the junk food, your kids will flip out, not to mention fight you every step of the way.  To change nutrition habits, it needs to be a “work in progress” but once you’re there, your children will be eating and feeling better, and so will you!

Below are suggestions to encourage your child to make healthier selections now AND later.

Put your kids in charge of packing their own lunch.

The rule in my house is when you entered 5th grade, or a responsible age, you are responsible for making your own lunch.  Waiting until they were in 5th grade worked because the anticipation of “being in charge” of their own lunch made them really want to do it.  It was a win-win: they felt grown-up and there is a feeling of vindication; one last duty is passed on!

Allow your kids to make a list of what they wanted for their lunches.  The first time you did this, there maybe only one food group listed, sweets, so take the time to explain that they are allowed to choose one “sweet,” as part of their lunch. Beside that, they had to choose their fruit or snack of choice, and the type of sandwich they wanted.  Letting your child assist in the grocery list is also a win-win situation because it teaches them organization and keeps them involved with taking care of their body.

Pay attention to how much your child eats and when they are overeating.  A simple half of a sandwich (you’d be surprised how many kids throw out most of their sandwich) or a tortilla roll-up, or some whole wheat crackers along with a fruit and healthy snack will most often satisfy them.  They will let you know if the lunch didn’t provide enough nourishment or fuel for the afternoon.  I try teach my kids to avoid eating to the point of being “full” as that sets the stage to overeat at every meal. I just suggest that when they’re not hungry anymore it’s time to stop.  This is a valuable lesson for children as well as adults!

Teach your kids what constitutes a healthy lunch, if they don’t learn now; it’s unlikely they’ll worry about it later.  Their lunch should include a healthy dose of live food, minerals and nutrients. The bulk of the meal should be natural and colorful, not the junk with added colors, dyes, preservatives and additives.  You want to make sure your child knows that reading the food label is essential and to steer away from food that contain high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.

Help your child make good choices by teaching them that healthy foods keep their body strong and fast.  Kids will respond better to making food choices based on how they’ll feel versus “it’s bad for you.”  The minute you start referring to their food as healthy, to them it becomes unappealing.  When society changes it’s mindset about what is truly food for the body, then eating to live will become so appealing to everyone.

]]> http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/motivate-kids-to-be-fit-1-of-2/feed/ 0 Rebounding Videos http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/rebounding-videos/ http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/rebounding-videos/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 07:14:26 +0000 Wood http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/?p=84 What is REBOUNDING…

Purchase your Rebound Unit at www.simpleandgood.net.

]]> http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/rebounding-videos/feed/ 0 Get Moving Even Though http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/get-moving-even-though/ http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/get-moving-even-though/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 07:10:50 +0000 Wood http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/?p=82

Get up and get going.  If you feel lousy, it will make you feel much better, and if you already feel good, it will make you feel great.

You know all those things you’ve been meaning to get done for the past six months?  Pick one right now and make it happen today.

Life is much more rewarding when you actively participate in it.  This very moment there are good times in your life just waiting to be created.

Do you feel the need to be more positive about life and about the world in which you live?  Then get moving and get yourself positively engaged in it all.

The moment you take positive action, your outlook begins to change.  When you’re making a difference, the world is suddenly a much better place.

Get hot, get cold, get tired, get informed, get out of your comfort zone and get involved in this magnificent life.  Drink in the delightful richness of a life fully lived.

– Ralph Marston

]]> http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/get-moving-even-though/feed/ 1 Top 10 Exercise Questions http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/top-10-exercise-questions/ http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/top-10-exercise-questions/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 07:08:46 +0000 Wood http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/?p=80

Top 10 Exercise Answers

 

1. How can I lose weight?

At a recent medical conference, a prominent physician coined the expression “Foot and Fork Disease” to describe the modern day epidemic of adult and childhood obesity.  Too much food, combined with physical inactivity, has resulted in many overweight and unhealthy Americans.

Just telling someone that’s overweight to exercise more and eat right might be an over simplification of the process, but one that needs to be shouted from the rooftops of every big city and small town across this country.  However, what people need to learn is that small adjustments can result in big changes.

2. How can I reduce my gut (or butt, or thighs)?

Spot training, or exercising to trim a specific area of your body, is an obsolete concept.  Fat is the gas tank of the human body, and it is miraculously stored from head to toe — with the heaviest concentration of fat in the abdominal and hip area.

We don’t get to choose where the fat will be released first.  Thankfully, belly fat is usually the first to go.

3. What’s more important, diet or exercise?

It’s a 50/50 proposition, with these two facets of fitness synergistically supporting one another. Without the right amount of fuel and nutrients, an exercise program will produce no results. Too much fuel will clog up the system and obliterate any fitness gains.

You must eat sensibly without starving yourself.  You must also combine this with three or four systematic, well-thought-out, 20- or 30-minute workouts, repeated over a period of a few short months. This is the only approach that will really work.

4. Do I have to work out every day?

No.  Overdoing it is a common beginner’s mistake.  I rarely recommend anyone train more than five days per week, and I personally train only two or three.

The rest and recuperation phase of any program is just as important as the active phase.  When getting started on a new program, spread out your enthusiasm to avoid burn out.  Use your extra time to prepare your own meals.

5. If I workout and get in shape, then stop, will my muscle turn to fat?

No.  Muscles contract and generate movement.  Fat acts as the muscle’s fuel, supporting the process.  One never becomes the other.

Because fat is consumed by muscle, it’s logical to assume that having more muscle results in an overall reduction in stored body fat.  Muscle does not mean bulk. It can just be more density within your body makeup.

6. What’s the best time of day to exercise?

Whenever you can.  There are pros and cons for every time of day, but your body will actually adapt to a schedule and be slightly stronger at your usual workout time — whenever that happens to be.

For athletes, or those seeking to push the performance envelope, this might have a slight impact.  However, for the rest of us, just exercise whenever it’s most convenient.

7. Is walking as good as jogging?

Walking, jogging, swimming, cycling or any other form of aerobic exercise serves one main purpose, to elevate heart and breathing rate. The mode of exercise is secondary to its effect on heart and breathing rate.  Intensity is measured by the heart rate achieved during the session, coupled with the duration of the workout.

For some individuals, it may be necessary to break into a slow jog to achieve aerobic levels, while others find brisk walking does the trick.

8. Am I too old, or am I too young, to exercise?

No.  While intense weight lifting or running might not be for everyone, most people will benefit from some form of physical activity.  As a society, we’ve become less and less active.

To overcome this lack of activity, the American Counsel on Exercise recommends exercise for senior citizens as well as children.  They have even organized Operation Fit Kids as a way to help overcome the trend towards childhood obesity in the United States.

9. If I lift weights, will I get too bulky?

Stay away from the steroids, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.  Most women and men won’t put on more than a few pounds of muscle without taking extreme measures.  Most likely you’ll just increase your muscles density (tone up) and reshape your body without the characteristic bulk of a power lifter or body builder.

Depending upon many factors (many inherited from your ancestors), advances in lean, body fat levels, strength and endurance will come without a tremendous increase in size.  Regardless, you’re in control of the overall effect of any weight-lifting regimen.  By manipulating sets, repetitions and rest, you can easily regulate results.

10. What’s the deal with sets and reps?

A set is a series of repetitions.  A repetition (rep) is performing a movement from beginning to end, through a full range of motions — to some level of muscle fatigue.

Most people do too many sets and poor quality reps.  If you’re training properly, a typical workout should be no more than 10 to 15 total sets of 10 to 20 repetitions, utilizing perfect form. If training at higher intensity levels, even fewer sets can be just as effective.

]]> http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/top-10-exercise-questions/feed/ 0 Your Metabolism http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/your-metabolism/ http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/your-metabolism/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 07:07:44 +0000 Wood http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/?p=78 Your Metabolism: Do You Understand It?

 

How many people do you know that carry a little bit extra around their waist and then say to you: “It can’t be helped, I have a slow metabolism.”

Probably a few, if not many, have said this to me and they obviously just do not understand their metabolism. Though metabolism does play a big part in weight gain, if you are gaining weight year after year, it may be time to try and better understand yours.

First of all, the term metabolism refers to the rate that your body burns fuel.  The more active you are the more fuel your body will burn, so if you take in (eat) more fuel than you burn in a day you will gain weight and vice versa.  If you eat less than you burn then you will lose weight.

Your metabolism is partly genetic, but it is also very much affected by how you choose to live your life.  Your metabolism will tend to slow down with age but it can be increased by choosing a healthy diet and participating in a regular exercise program.

Lifting weights is the best exercise because as your muscles become larger and stronger they will burn more calories even while you sleep.

Women tend to have lower metabolic rates, meaning that they need fewer sources of fuel than men to maintain the same body weight.

If you are attempting to lose weight and increase your metabolism avoid “Metabolism Booster” products and crash dieting.  While studies have shown only a negligible metabolism increase from these booster products, they have been known to cause diarrhea, increased heart rate, perspiration, and nervousness.

Crash dieting will actually slow your metabolism down and cause you to gain weight faster once you stop dieting.  This is because your body destroys hard-earned energy burning muscle tissue and holds onto its non-energy burning fat reserves because it believes you are starving to death.  Not to mention you will experience less energy and your thought processes will be more sluggish.

The best approach is to exercise and focus on a healthy diet. Here are some tips that work:

  • Never skip breakfast, it is much more important than dinner since you will use this energy throughout your daily activities.
  • Eat smaller meals every 2 ½ to 3 ½ hrs. This will cause your digestive system to work more often resulting in more calories burned and a steadier supply of nutrients to the body.
  • Plan your meals ahead. You will be less likely to make poor food choices if you have a plan.
  • Increase your alkaline whole grains, seeded fruits and colorful vegetables in your diet. They are live, densed with minerals and therefore filling.
  • MOVE!! Swim, dance, hike, bike, workout, walk with someone… just start moving!

If you are looking for the magic get thin and fit pill, trust me, you will not find it.  All you will end up finding is a bunch of hype and marketing gimmicks that really do not work, but a steady determined approach to increase your metabolism, through diet and exercise, will.

Wishing you success in all your health and fitness goals.

]]> http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/your-metabolism/feed/ 0 Healthy Recipes http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/healthy-recipes/ http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/healthy-recipes/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 07:05:02 +0000 Wood http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/?p=76 Pan Sauce Chicken

Brown lightly seasoned chicken breasts, then make a simple pan sauce with white wine, chicken broth and herbs. 

Simmer all together and you have Pan Sauce Chicken!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

0.5 teaspoon sea salt

0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper

0.5 teaspoon seasoning salt

3 tablespoons spelt flour

3 tablespoons water

1 cup white wine

1 cup chicken broth

2 teaspoons chopped Italian herbs

Directions:

1. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper and seasoning salt. In a small bowl, combine flour and water and mix until no lumps remain and the mixture is completely smooth.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add chicken and brown for 3 to 4 minutes each side. Remove chicken to a plate or platter.

3. De-glaze skillet with wine and broth and bring to simmer over medium low heat. When simmering, add herbs; whisk in flour mixture. Return to simmer, reduce heat to low and return chicken to skillet with juices.

4. Cover skillet and simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (no longer pink inside), turning frequently.

 

Tropical Halibut

 

Ingredients: 

  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • ½ teaspoon grated lime rind
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange rind
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 4 halibut filets (chicken also works great with this recipe)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Cooking spray
  • 6 cups bagged, prewashed baby spinach 

 

Preparation:

Combine first eight ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well.  Pour ¼ cup of the mixture into a large zip-lock plastic bag.  

Add fish to the bag. Seal and let stand five minutes.  Add oil to the remaining juice mixture and stir.  

Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat.   Coat pan with cooking spray.   Remove fish from bag.

Remember to discard the marinade that was in the bag.  Add fish to pan and cook four minutes on each side or until done.

Put 1 ½ cups spinach on each of four plates.  Divide fish evenly among servings. 

Top each serving with 1 tablespoon juice mixture.

 

Southwest Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

  • 3 chicken breasts (grilled or steamed)
  • 2 green zucchini (cut into spoon-size pieces)
  • 2 yellow squash (cut into spoon-size pieces)
  • 1 yellow onion (diced)
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 medium red tomatoes (diced into spoon-size pieces)
  • 3 medium tomatoes, pureed
  • ½ bunch cilantro (fresh, washed, then chopped)
  • 2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne red pepper
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon black pepper 

 

Preparation:

Shred the cooked chicken into a pot and add zucchini, squash, diced tomatoes, pureed tomatoes and cilantro.

Fill the pot about 2 inches from top with water.  Add chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper.

Cook at medium heat for approximately one hour or until vegetables are tender and soup has reached full boil for 20 minutes.

Makes one large cooking pot.  You may also add a slice of avocado diced over the top just prior to serving if you have not exceeded your daily fat intake for the day.

Add additional chili powder, cumin, and cayenne red pepper according to your tolerance for spiciness.   For 1 serving:  Adjust recipe to ½-1 chicken breast, 1/4 zucchini, 1/4 squash, ¼ onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 medium diced red tomato, 1 pureed tomato and a small handful of cilantro (just for flavor). Adjust chili powder, cumin, cayenne red pepper, salt and black pepper to a few dashes.

]]> http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/healthy-recipes/feed/ 4 Raw Food Recipes http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/raw-food-recipes/ http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/raw-food-recipes/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 07:01:57 +0000 Wood http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/?p=71 Raw Chocolate Cake

Serves 10

ph and weight loss

Ingredients

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup carob

1/2 cup finely ground almonds

1/3 cup agave syrup

1/4 cup coconut or cacao butter

Pinch of sea salt

For the chocolate filling

2 cups cocoa powder

1.5 cups agave syrup

1 cup coconut or cacao butter

1 tablespoon Vanilla extract (optional)

1 tablespoon Lucuma Powder (optional)

1 teaspoon Maca Powder (optional)

For garnishing: Strawberries, raspberries, or oranges for garnishing.

Crust

Combine and mix all ingredients.  You can best do this by hand or standing mixer).  It should have a dough-like consistency.  Press the dough evenly into a 7 inch tart pan.  (A removable bottom, a plastic cling wrap lining or one of these new flexible silicon pans are easiest.)  Chill in the fridge for at least an hour if you have time.

Filling

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until very smooth.  Poor into the cake crust.  Put the cake back in the fridge and chill for at least another hour.

Before serving, decorate the cake with the berries, orange or other nice looking fruit.

Enjoy, this is the best raw food desert ever!

Guacamole

Serves 4

ph and weight loss

Ingredients

3 Avocados, pitted

1 onion, diced

2 tomatoes, diced

2 sprigs fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Juice of 1 lime or lemon

cayenne pepper to taste

Sea salt to taste

1/2 cup coconut water or purified water (or more to get the right consistency) 

Scoop the meat from the avocado skin.  Cut the avocados into chunks, place in a large bowl, and mash with a spoon.

Gently stir in the onions, tomatoes and cilantro.  Squeeze in the lime juice and stir in salt to taste.  Add the water as desired.  Mmmm! 

The Yummiest Juice

ph and weight loss

This is really the easiest and yummiest raw recipe!  Juice a pineapple. It’s so simple and yet so good.  Pineapples are very healthy too.  They contain bromelain, a special enzyme that is used in muscle injuries.  It aids in digestion, blood thinning and rheumatoid arthritis.  It thins mucus, is anti inflammatory and speeds up wound healing.  This one should be on top of your juice list!

Enjoy! 

A Nutritional Bomb!

Full of minerals, enzymes, co-factors and high quality protein.  I can only use a tiny bit of raw chocolate and I could live on just these smoothies. I drink only 2 a day and then a salad at night. The raw chocolate is a great replacer for coffee. When you use warm water or tea (not heated above 170 F) you have a nice warm drink.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon of raw carob powder (or raw chocolate)

1 tablespoon goji berries

1/2 teaspoon maca powder

1 teaspoon bee pollen

1 tablespoon hemp seed

1 teaspoon agave nectar

1 teaspoon green powder (spirulina, chlorella, farmacy pro power)

few leafs of greens (such as spinach or dandelion)

few scoops of coconut meat (optional)

2 cups special warm herb tea or pure water or coconut water

Mix all in a blender and enjoy! 

Quick Salad

Ingredients

 A wonderful little salad that is electricity free!

3 cups Kale, destemmed and chopped

1 Avocado

1 Tbs Olive Oil

1 tsp Sea Salt

8 Grape Tomatoes, cut as desired

2 Green Onions, white and green parts

1 Tbs Lemon Juice (1/2 Lemon)

Put chopped kale in bowl and drizzle over salt and olive oil.  Massage this around in the bowl to soften the kale a little.  Crush the avocado into the boil with the kale, using a knife.  Add the rest of the ingredients (except lemon juice) and stir to coat.  Then drizzle lemon juice over top just before serving.

One of the beautiful things about raw salads, is many of them just require finding the right ingredients and tossing together! 

Green Smoothy

Ingredients

5 leafs of red leaf lettuce

1/2 avocado

2 stalks celery

juice of 1/2 lemon

5 stalks parsley or cilantro

2 cups water

Put all ingredients in your blender, blend and drink! 

Home Made Pesto

Ingredients

1 bunch of parsley

2 bunches of basil

1/4 cup pine nuts

1/8 tsp Himalayan salt

1/4 cup olive oil (or more if required for smooth consistency)

Put all ingredients in your food-processor, blend and ready!  Great as a basis for salad dressings (just add some lemon juice), as a raw pasta sauce or with sprouted bread! 

“Oat Meal”

raw diet recipes

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 apples

1 banana

1 tablespoon golden flax seed
Pure water

Put the flex seeds in the purified water and let sit overnight.

Peel the apples and cut them in smaller parts (for the blender).  Peel the banana en break in parts. Rinse the flaxseed’s.

Put all ingredients in a blender.  This can be a hand blender or high speed blender such as Vita mix.  Add 1/4 cup water, just enough to let the mixture blend well.  Blend all ingredients until smooth.  You may want to add a little more water if it’s too thick.

]]> http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/raw-food-recipes/feed/ 4 Motivate Kids to be Fit (2 of 2) http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/motivate-kids-to-be-fit-2-of-2/ http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/motivate-kids-to-be-fit-2-of-2/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 06:56:28 +0000 Wood http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/?p=69  

Take part in planning and preparing family meals.

I know dinner-time can be hectic enough without throwing kids into the role of chef.  But here’s the deal, the more your kids can participate in family meals, the better choices they will be able to make now and in the future.  Healthy eating is a family project and everyone should get involved.  I believe that it’s as important to focus on healthy living and its excellence, as it is academic excellence and what better way to learn than as a family.  Much can be learned at home and food/nutrition should be a priority on the list.

 
An idea:  Begin the week by printing out a sheet listing the days of the week with about five spaces in between.  Have each kid and family member pick a day and plan the meals for that day.  There must be guidelines, however.  It can’t be fast food and it can’t be candy.  If your child writes Snickers or milkshakes for his family meal, then you know you will need to teach your kid how to put together a balanced meal.
 
A balanced meal must have a nice mix of the basic nutritional requirements: the main food source must come from the surface of the earth (vegetation bearing seeds or fruits that bear seeds), then vegetation of the field, then grains, and finally meat.  Generally people think in terms of food groups: protein, carbohydrate and fat.  In my house, nutrients, minerals and live/alkaline foods are the focus.  The food pyramid provides helpful suggestions, but it really needs to be revamped.  Some foods should not be eaten by young children because their digestive system is not ready to properly break it down.  When kids are very young, choose foods that do not need a lot of preparation.  Why give a child without teeth food that must be chewed before it can be digested?  As the child develops then foods that require a little more effort to eat can be introduced, such as those that need to be peeled or may contain seeds (be aware of choking hazards).  Also always eat with color in mind.  Mother Nature colored coded our food for a reason and certain foods gravitate to certain systems of the body, so variety is the key.  So however you teach them to recognize and appreciate a well-balanced meal, the more respect they will have for food and their bodies.
 
Don’t worry about this taking a lot of time.  It should take about 15 minutes to put the list together and pop it on the fridge.  Additionally, it will help to create a grocery list!  There’s great value in teaching your kids that even with limited time or budget, you can still make healthy choices.  Make it a family affair and everyone will benefit.
 

Understand the value in being active every day.

Because kids’ lives have become so structured, it seems their only form of activity comes from organized sports.  The problem is once they are no longer in sports, then what?  What foundation has been laid to keep kids active beyond their structured sports lives?  For many families, kids tend to spend too much time in front of the television or the computer.  Unfortunately, this generation of kids no longer goes outside to play because of safety reasons or lack of motivation.  This leaves our kids at risk of obesity and the illnesses that accompany it.

 
Teaching children to be active throughout their life is the best thing you can do for them.  Encouraging walking or riding a bike when possible is valuable.  If you’re active (which is so important for your child), include them in your activity.  If your child sees you driving around to seek a closer parking spot, he or she will follow suit.  If however, your child sees you park far away, he or she will learn that walking isn’t bad, it’s good.  You can even say things like, “I have been so busy this week, I haven’t had an opportunity to be as active as I’d like, so this is a good way to get some extra walking in!”  The same goes with taking stairs versus the elevator.
 
Creating ways to include more movement and activity in your family’s life will teach them that activity isn’t only for the young; it’s for every-body!
 

The 80/20 rule

When it comes to creating a healthy environment for your family, begin with teaching the value of balance and moderation for both exercise and sound nutrition.  If kids can learn at a young age that healthy living doesn’t mean you can never have dessert or miss a day of exercise, they will be ahead of the game.  I think that as adults, we see diets as an all-or-nothing proposition.  In other words, rather than using a healthy diet plan to “adjust” your nutrition, we use a diet as a strict list of “do’s and don’ts” and end up walking away from it completely because there was no middle ground.

 
The 80/20 rule provides a nice base by which you and your family can make healthy choices.  If 80 percent of the time you and your family eat well and are active, you’ve got a 20 percent margin of error.  That is manageable for many people, including your kids, but it’s up to YOU to set the parameters.
Healthy living means making healthy choices MOST of the time.  Forcing ourselves or even our children to live 100 percent healthy, 100 percent of the time is pretty unreasonable, especially in a society that advertises bad health as being a good option.  Again, that’s what derails the best of intentions when trying to lose weight; it’s too restrictive and rarely appropriate for lifelong adherence.  So if we, as parents, can provide examples for our kids and demonstrate balance with our choices, such as 80/20, then we are giving them valuable tools for the long haul.
 
As a parent I understand, all too well, the challenges we face when it comes to regular exercise and sound nutrition for us and our children.  Therefore the best we can do is to be a good role model and provide a healthy environment for our kids.
 
When it comes to healthy living, the perfect solution is to simply do the best you can as a parent.  But, keep in mind that you should be progressive in thought and that you may need re-education on health and nutrition.  Don’t forget that Simple And Good has an educational cleanse program than can be used as a resource, take advantage of it for health’s sake.  Here’s to healthy families!
]]> http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/motivate-kids-to-be-fit-2-of-2/feed/ 0 7 Diet Scams To Avoid http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/7-diet-scams-to-avoid/ http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/7-diet-scams-to-avoid/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 06:51:37 +0000 Wood http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/?p=64 By John McGran

If you’re like Mr. Bad Food — and millions of other well-intentioned Americans — you’re gearing up for the diet to end all diets… the healthy new lifestyle that’ll help you thin down while you get in the best shape of your life.

The new year is the best time to start down that path to a new you.  But it’s also the worst time to buy into a far-out promise for instant results.

Sure, we didn’t gain those extra 50 pounds overnight so there’s no reason we can’t shed them by March, right?

Wrong.

Claims of quick weight loss are as common as resolutions this time of the year.  The healthiest weight loss is about 2 pounds a week.  Yet, so many of us are so eager to get back in shape we jump at the first out-of-this-world offer that comes along.

As your friend, I will never nudge you down the path to certain failure.  Sadly, there are many snake oil salesmen out there willing to prey on your desire to drop weight while you sleep… while you continue to eat the foods you love… while you remain a couch potato…

Do promises like these sound familiar?  You’ve heard it all before and so has the Federal Trade Commission.  And once again they are warning a gullible public to put its trust in proven weight loss plans.

The FTC has identified 7 “red flags” — promises to watch out for when shopping for an effective weight loss plan.  Missed this latest missive from the FTC? No problem.  Mr. Bad Food has enlisted staff writer Carolina Diaz-Bordon to identify the scams and serve up the surefire diet tips you need to succeed this year!

Carolina, Please fill us in on these sneaky seven come-ons from entrepreneurs eager to trim down your wallet, not your waistline.

by Carolina Diaz-Bordon

Deception, dieting and dollars have become the norm in our society.  Consumers are bombarded with thousands of easy way out weight loss solutions daily.

It’s time for the truth… the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  Healthy living requires work, perseverance and a great deal of effort.  The good news is that there is no sweeter victory than getting healthy.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alerted consumers that it is cracking down on diet ads and scams that claim to have fast-acting, easy-to-enjoy weight loss solutions.  There are many scams that promise fast and easy weight loss results.  In reality, the only things lost with these products are time and money.

Susan Burke, eDiets chief nutritionist, says, “If you see the words miracle, guarantee, effortlessly, or phrases like, lose weight without dieting, lose weight in your sleep, overnight weight loss formula, then chances are it’s a scam.  There’s no such thing as a miracle pill.”

It can be hard to determine legitimate weight loss programs from fraudulent practices.  There’s lots of money being made by these misleading weight loss solutions.  Many of the companies are simply re-selling the same evasive products used in years past.

The best way to protect against falling into one of these scams: do some homework.  Research the products before buying them.  It might take a little bit of time but it may save some big money in the long run.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (www.fda.gov) is a good place to start.  It provides insight on research and tests performed on products and practices.  If test after test shows the product or program has been unsuccessful then that’s a good reason to stay away from the offer!

It’s unfortunate that important issues such as nutrition and weight loss are exploited so frequently.  However, there are some programs that are truly designed to help.  The main component that separates a Good Program from misleading practices and products is false promises.  A  Good Program does not offer one magic answer to weight loss.  It does provide all the essential tools needed to get there.

Every person has his or her own unique habits and health concerns.  There is a Simple And Good program that will work for everyone.

The only way to ever truly fail is to learn nothing from an experience.  Education and effort are the keys… nutrition and health are no exception.  There’s no such thing as shortcuts when it comes to nutrition.  Achieving and maintaining optimal health takes a lifetime of commitment.

Here’s the list of seven common marketing scams and tips the FTC has compiled for you.

1. Lose weight without diet or exercise!

Achieving a healthy weight takes work. Take a pass on any product that promises miraculous results without the effort.

2. Lose weight no matter how much you eat of your favorite foods!

Beware of any product that claims that you can eat all you want of high-calorie foods and still lose weight.  Losing weight requires sensible food choices.

3. Lose weight permanently! Never diet again!

Even if you’re successful in taking the weight off, permanent weight loss requires permanent lifestyle changes.

4. Block the absorption of fat, carbs or calories!

Doctors, dietitians and other experts agree that there’s simply no magic non-prescription pill that will allow you to block the absorption of fat, carbs, or calories.

5. Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!

Losing weight at the rate of a pound or two a week is the most effective way to take it off and keep it off.

6. Everybody will lose weight!

There is simply no one-size-fits-all product guaranteed to work for everyone with the same results.

7. Lose weight with our miracle diet patch or cream!

There is nothing you can wear or apply to your skin that will cause you to lose weight.

 

]]> http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/7-diet-scams-to-avoid/feed/ 0 Are You Living… Or Waiting To Die? http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/are-you-living-or-waiting-to-die/ http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/are-you-living-or-waiting-to-die/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 06:50:23 +0000 Wood http://sherwoodagrant.com/blog/?p=62 Are You Living… Or Waiting To Die?

By Julia Griggs Havey

I am a little heated as I write this, so bear with me.  I read an article online about a man who was misdiagnosed eight years ago as having AIDS.  According to MSNBC.com, “Jim Malone spent years battling depression and losing weight, expecting to die at any time.  He attended support group meetings and accepted free meals from an AIDS charity.”  Upon learning of the doctor’s mistake, Malone said, “You mean to tell me that all you have to say is you are sorry?  Sorry that I lived for all this time believing I was going to die?”

This is certainly a terrible situation and my intention is not to discount the seriousness of it, but rather to bring light to the issue as it relates to our weight loss journey and that of living with being overweight, and for many people, being obese.

It should not come as a surprise to anyone that obesity and the damage caused from being overweight is now the leading cause of PREVENTABLE death in our nation.  Yet I don’t see big celebrity-filled fund raisers raising money to fight this disease, or powerful political action committees fighting for funding and laws to help those suffering from this disease.  No, we are left out of the loop of public sympathy and outrage, yet more people die from our disease than any other cause of preventable death.

On just about every celebrity arm these days you see a “LiveStrong” bracelet supporting cancer research.  Red ribbons to bring attention to the AIDS crisis are very prevalent.  It is high time WE start to bring more awareness to the disease of ignorance… obesity!  Here is a link to The Weight Loss Motivation Ribbon that I commissioned: www.ramseygems.com.  I would love to see this catch on and become a craze!

OK, that is only part of what has me steaming mad right now — here is the “rest of the story!”  I really hope this comes as no surprise to anyone, but we ALL die!  When I read Mr. Malone’s comment that “I lived for all of this time believing I was going to die,” THAT is what has me so upset.

Everyone is going to die at some time, that is the natural course of events in our human lives and there is just no getting around that fact.  Regardless of what obstacles we face and what challenges we must try to overcome, we must continue to LIVE!

Everyone could take a defeatist attitude and live for many years “as though they were going to die” but aren’t we supposed to live, for whatever amount of time we supposedly have left, as though we are in fact, still alive?

I know a woman, Randee, who was diagnosed with an apparently deadly form of brain cancer five years ago and was given three months to live.  I assure you that in the past five years, this lovely woman has truly lived!

I know of so many people whose bodies had been overtaken with morbid obesity, who said “NO MORE!” and found the power within themselves to change their eating habits, increase their physical activity and go on to lose hundreds of pounds.  I include myself in this list.

We can lay down and wait to die, or we can get into the game of life and really, truly live.  If you haven’t had the chance to hear Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying song… please make a point to do so today.  The lyrics are amazing!

The point is, folks, that you either get busy living or get busy dying. (My favorite line from my favorite movie, Shawshank Redemption).

The saddest truth of my job is that I KNOW how much life we all waste “dieting.”  The average response from my readers when they were asked the question:  “How many years have you spent dieting” is 20 years! Imagine that!  I know the years I dieted and lived in a body I hated, and with an attitude that was negative, those were NOT the best years of my life!

Don’t waste any more time.  Change your life today, for the rest of and BEST of your life!

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