Going back to school is for everyone involved. Moms rushing around trying to make sure clothes are in order, supplies have been purchased and all the other perfunctory requirements have been met. Kids are stressed because, well, summer is over and they're going back to school...ugh!
This is a time when the rhythm of the summer dance is interrupted and everyone has to put on a new pair of dancin' shoes and get ready for a more demanding time of year. Anytime there's a change in our routine we're faced with a dilemma. How do we keep some focus on our own health, fitness and still manage our stress?
A simple tip for those of you out there struggling to keep it all together - plan for yourself now. Get out your calendar and while you're filling it up with band practice, football games and PTA meetings, make sure you leave space in each day for you and what's important in your life.
-Feed yourself by eating plenty of ! And make time to enjoy your food . (Yes, that includes a treat or two!)
-Keep ! Schedule the aerobic activities that you love and don't forget to hit the weights and stretch and flex your tired muscles - they'll thank you!
-Set aside some time to keep your stress level in check. Maybe a little meditation, yoga or take a class in Tai Chi.
Being proactive in this regard can mean a much smoother transition into the new year and a happy, .
AP - The government should impose "traffic light" labeling to warn consumers about obesity-causing food and drink products if New Zealand companies won't do it voluntarily, a parliamentary committee said Friday.
It's back to school time! If you like for kids' snacks or desserts, here's a delicious and nutritious one that combines the goodness of oatmeal with the tangy taste of apricots. Rich in beta-carotene (Vitamin A), apricots are a powerful source of disease-fighting anti-oxidants. Apricots also provide Vitamin C, iron, potassium and fiber among other nutrients. It's a great treat to keep your kids going and going strong! (Source: )
Makes about 20 servings
2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 sticks butter or margarine 3/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 3 cups quick-cooking oats 1 (15 1/4 oz.) can apricot halves, drained and diced into small pieces (approx. 1 cup) 1 12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 13”x9” pan and set aside. Melt butter, add sugars and blend well. Add eggs and vanilla and blend. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda and mix together. Add mixture to the butter and sugars. Add oats and blend until combined. Add apricot halves and chocolate chips. Spoon mixture evenly into pan and bake 20-25 minutes until toothpick pulls out clean; do not overbake.
Variations: Omit chocolate chips; add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and an additional can of apricot halves (drained and diced). Other possibilities include adding 1/2 cup of walnuts, almonds or coconut.
For more healthy recipes check out the other delicious recipes listed on this blog or visit
AFP - People who live in chic neighborhoods with high property values are less likely to be obese than those who live in under-privileged areas, a study published Wednesday showed.
plagues most of us who struggle with weight. It’s often about feeling guilty that we ate something we thought we ‘shouldn’t.’ Or it’s about not doing the exercise we thought we ‘should.’ Or it’s about feeling bad about our bodies, thinking we’re just not up to snuff.
But sometimes we don’t know what it’s about. And that’s often because we don’t give ourselves the time (luxury?) to spend delving into our feelings. We don’t know what we’re feeling, so we don’t know what we need.
Our most recent FitBriefing on reviews three questions that dietitian and healthy weight loss expert recommends we use to discover our feelings and then figure out what we need to satisfy them. Read more about it .
The last question is about getting support, asking ourselves first if we need it? I’d venture to say we always need support, because sometimes the support we need comes from us. And of course, valuable support can come from others. Whichever way, support can help us look at things differently and do things differently, then ultimately feel differently. Not so easy to do, perhaps, but well worth the effort.
AP - Mississippians need to skip the gravy, say no to the fried pickles and start taking brisk walks to fight an epidemic of obesity, experts say. According to a new study, this Deep South state is the fattest in the nation.
HealthDay - MONDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- More and more Americans are
sliding into obesity, a clear signal that this national health problem is
getting worse.
AFP - Two-thirds of US adults and some 25 million children are obese or overweight, and the fatness of the land is harming Americans' health and threatening US competitiveness, a report published Monday showed.
plagues most of us who struggle with weight. It’s often about feeling guilty that we ate something we thought we ‘shouldn’t.’ Or it’s about not doing the exercise we thought we ‘should.’ Or it’s about feeling bad about our bodies, thinking we’re just not up to snuff.