“Old Fashioned” ideas, in our “High Tech” world

We have all heard the new “buzz” words surrounding nutrition and exercise for our family.  Words like; Eat Healthy Snacks, Cut out fast food, turn off the TV, get your kids outside, eat less, move more, portion control, get the kid’s involved with cooking, grow your own, spend time together and a million more.  All great ideas and we like them all!  Some of these ideas are easier to obtain than others, especially in our, fast paced world for families, today.  Often times the simplest solutions that work are the easiest to obtain.

Here a few ideas for the family “exercise” thing:

• Turn off the TV.
• Park further away than you usually do when shopping.
• Do a few chores together.
• Dance while dinner is cooking.
• Take a family walk.
• Go outside and play together.

Here a few ideas for the “Nutrition” thing:

• Shop your local markets, there are so many in our area.
• Give the kids a plastic knife and plate; have them help cut up fresh fruits & vegetables. (make sure they tuck their fingers under in what we call the claw using knuckles to hold the fruit or vegetable to help prevent cuts)
• Mix a simple cereal mix with frosted mini wheats, nuts & dried fruit. Package it in baggies for an easy grab on the way out the door.
• Grow a garden together.

Here a few ideas to spend time together:

• Play cards.
• Go bowling.
• Play board games.
• Go to the movies.

Remember the simplest ideas are the ones that really work!

Honey Applesauce:

4-6 Twenty ounce apples, peeled & sliced

2-3 Tablespoons of Honey

1-1.5 cups of water

½ lemons juiced

Cinnamon & nutmeg

Peel & slice the apples, place the in a pan on a medium heat.  Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the top of the apples.  Add ½ cup of water and stir as apples cook down and begin to look like applesauce.  Lower heat to low and add water as needed to create desired consistency.  Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey to naturally sweeten your applesauce.  (Use an immersion blender to smooth, if you like.)After apples have the consistency you like, sprinkle with cinnamon & nutmeg and serve warm.  Place any leftover in a container and place in the fridge.

Karen Blank, CPT.

Health & Wellness Director/Proprietor

The Whole Approach, Holley NY

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Tags: eating, exercise, family, food, garden, healthy, high tech, kids, Nutrition, simple, snacks, solutions, time, tv