Planning and preparing healthy meals for your family can feel like a giant task in addition to everything else you have on your plate. Nonetheless, studies have shown that dining together as a family is the most effective tool we have to protect our children from virtually everything from obesity to smoking, drugs and alcohol use.

 

To help make dinner a little easier for you, I’m excited to offer a Back to School Special for the month of August!  As a mom of 4 children, I would love to share with you a collection of recipes I created to get a healthy dinner on the table in a hurry.  As a special treat, I have created a $5 off coupon just for you to use to purchase the book during the month of August. To purchase your copy of Healthy Meals for Hurried Families, simply click and enter the discount code: augusthmhf

 

As parents, we have a profound influence over our child’s perception of who they are and what they look like. In today’s world, having a positive ‘sense of self’ is crucial to growing up with a strong, healthy body image.   Parents are responsible for instilling self-confidence and molding self-worth. While there are other powerful influencers in our children’s lives, we are at the forefront of helping determine their health and well-being.

 

One of the best teaching tools available to a parent is the ability to lead by example.  Albert Einstein wisely stated, “Example isn’t another way to teach; it is the only way to teach.” This sentiment is especially true when it comes to modeling healthy habits. The Journal of American Medical Association estimates that approximately 17% of children and adolescents (aged 2-19) in the United States are obese. In addition, statistics show that 35% of American adults are obese.  A recent study released from the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics revealed that the most significant predictor of childhood obesity is maternal/paternal obesity.  That’s right, parents, we are the most powerful influence in our child’s life, greater than friends, television, and advertisements.

 

Back to school season is a great time for fresh starts and new beginnings. Let’s get serious about our responsibility as parents to be a shining example of what living a healthy lifestyle is all about. With the beginning of this new school year right around the corner, I urge you to make your personal health and wellness a priority, and lead the way for your children. Monkey see- monkey do; healthy habits start with you!