A Healthy Home For You And Yours

Often when the subject of a "healthy home" comes up one thinks about the foods we choose to eat and daily physical activity. Hardly does the toothpaste, laundry detergent, dish detergent, other cleaning agents, candles or air fresheners we use come to mind. We don't realize that many toxins in our home come from everyday items that we use regularly.

In fact our homes play host to these top "hidden" toxins: formaldehyde, lead, carbon monoxide, radon, solvents, pesticides, disinfectants, vinyl chloride and hydrochloric acid. These are called hidden toxins because they are not visually detected and they are found in places that you wouldn't necessarily think to find them. For instance, would you think that toxins could be emitted from your sofa cushions? No, neither did I. Formaldehyde sure has that carrier as one of its ways to make its dangerous presence known.

What can we do to begin to create a healthier home for our families and ourselves? For starters you may want to start using more natural products. Natural deodorants and other personal care items (Jason and Tom's products top this category), laundry detergents and cleaners (Seventh Generation is a top pick here). Remember our post on Natural Wax Candles and their benefits? Yes, you guessed it...this is another easy way to make your home a "Toxins Free" zone.



Photo courtesy of Spa Finder, Inc

Children's Nutrients Get Licked

I feel that I've been blessed with one of the non pickiest eaters in the world when thinking about my soon to be 12 year old child. I never had any trouble with veggie eating, fruit eating and not eating (or wanting) lots of candy. I do realize that many a parent would trade places with me in a heartbeat. Sorry...I wouldn't give my baby up for the world. Anyway on to the point of today's post. In their growing years, children essentially need more nutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants) than we adults do.

Many of us know this and typically try to get our children to eat certain nutrient enriched foods. We usually have a hard time getting them to eat these "good for you" foods so we turn to children's vitamins as a supplement. Now I'm not going to say children's vitamins aren't any good because hey, I myself, am a product of Flintstone Chewables. I will say that 90% of vitamin supplements taken orally pass through the digestive system unprocessed. So doing the math, that means only 10% of these supplements are processed and used.

This means that many times our children are left without the proper amounts of Vitamins A, B6&12, C, K, D or Riboflavin, Thiamin, Iron, Calcium and Zinc. These are the vitamins and minerals that they need most. How can we get these essential vitamins to our growing children? One innovative way is to give them a vitamin filled lollipop. That's right you heard me. There really is a lollipop that boasts having the nutrients growing children need. This little innovation, KidsPops, comes from the makers of PowerPops (the weight loss lollipop). The idea behind these pops is giving your children one a day (as a vitamin tablet alternative) will allow your child to now get 99% of these needed nutrients because the nutrients are now basically absorbed instantly since the digestive system is bypassed. Now it seems that you won't have to fight with your children to get them to take their vitamins. Especially since these tasty pops come in a variety of flavors and your little ones are getting a healthy treat that they don't seem to mind eating. You won't mind giving them these pops because they're made from only natural flavors and sweeteners. How about that?

The Ultimate Family Workout

"All in together girl..." I tell you, hearing that still makes me stop whatever I'm doing and get the "jump in bounce" going. I wasn't into too many 'girly' things as a child, but double dutch sure was one that made my list. I was the speed jumper and the freestyle expert and I took my positions seriously.

As I watched Disney's movie, Jump In! with my 11 year old son, I was transported back to childhood and reminded of the workout jumping rope is. Even though it was exercise it was fun. It builds bone mass and helps prevent osteoporosis, tones, strengthens and conditions and makes your heart happy. Not only that, but it's a great social activity too. This is one exercise that has benefits on all levels. Not to mention it's a great family activity.

Today's post while aimed at getting our children active, can easily be adopted by adults as well. Jump Rope is an easy, absolutely low cost, total body workout that gives you fast results. Grab a jump rope (try to stay away from the ones with weighted handles, they will tire your wrists and arms before you can get a good workout going) and go!

NOTE: Jump rope is more than a workout, it's also an AWESOME sport of its own. Check out these jump rope videos and find a league in your area if you're feeling the call of competing or just want to have fun with other jump ropers.

Adopting A Kid Friendly Naturally Healthy Lifestyle

(Part of OHSucker's "Naturally Healthy Kids" Series)

As a parent, I know that we always want what's best for our children. Many things that we've experienced in our own childhood just don't make the cut when it comes to rearing our own "Mini Me"s. Parenting is truly one of the greatest gifts ever! Of course, it's also one of the most stressful life changes you'll ever experience.

Side Note: Let's face it...no matter what anyone says, 18 does not signal the end of the parenting years. Just wanted to throw that out there in case you forgot.

It's only natural (no pun intended) that when we make positive life changes, we look for ways that these same life changes can accommodate our children. In doing so, we have to be mindful that while our little ones are in fact extensions of ourselves, they have different needs especially when it comes to nutrition and exercise. We can't just change their diets without considering what they're losing, or how we're going to replace that loss. For instance, if you are deciding that your child will be a vegan or vegetarian (like you've become), how will you replace the protein and calcium your child desperately needs to become (and stay) a healthy child? What's the use of implementing this new diet, which is supposed to be healthier, if your little one now has a mouthful of cavities, weak bones or stunted growth?

The "Naturally Healthy Kids" Series offers tips and other kid friendly, kid focused information on how to successfully integrate natural health into our lifestyles without sacrificing the health of our children. I'm committed to dedicating at least one post a week to our babies with this series because yes children are the future, but only if we care for them today.