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Are you getting bored with your traditional workout? Is going to the gym just too bothersome? Well then why don’t you get your next great workout at the local dance hall? Dancing is not only fun to do; it’s great exercise too.
There’s nothing that gets your heart pumping like dancing. You don’t have to be good; you just have to move around. The simple act of moving your arms and legs around is enough to get you a great cardio workout. Studies have shown that ballroom dancing is almost as effective at working your heart as common workouts such as running. It also doesn’t matter much what kind of dancing you’re doing, whether it’s ballroom, country line dancing, or even belly dancing. You can even just dance around your living room to the radio (also a great way to work out with the kids!)
Dancing works all the different muscle groups. Activities like jogging and swimming feature repetitive movements that work the same muscles over and over. That’s why it’s easy to tell a runner from a swimmer, just by looking at what muscles on their body are developed. Unless you do the same dance over and over, you’re going to be doing various different movements. This allows you to work all your different muscle groups giving you a great total body workout you’ll be able to see in a mirror. This is also a great motivation to take classes and try new styles of dance.
Normally, workouts can be a bit boring, and boredom is actually one of the most common reasons for quitting an exercise program. With dance, not only do you get to listen to music that is fun and entertaining, dancing can have the benefit of being a social event. If you have one or more people there with you, you can enjoy the conversation and excitement; you’ll probably completely forget you’re working out. Try getting a group of friends to go dancing once a week with you. You can even use the fact that it’s a great workout as a selling point to convince them to join you. Just be careful; depending on the venue, you may be encouraged to drink. Don’t burn off all your calories just to add them back with alcohol.
Dancing makes a great family activity. You can use it as a time to bond with your spouse or your children. Remember, they need to get regular exercise too! If you want to get closer to your spouse, sign up for some lessons you can take together. And while you can’t take kids out to a lot of dance clubs, you can get a kids dancing tape, teach them to dance at home, or just play around to the music on the radio. It’s a great way to exercise while stimulating their creativity.
So what are you waiting for? Why not change a workout this week to a fun time dancing?
Kid Approved Meals Weekly Breakfast and Lunch Menus Moms and Kids Love!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
7 Fun Cardio Exercises for Kids
With all the T.V. shows, computer programs, and video games available now, it’s hard to get kids up and moving anymore. That’s one big reason why childhood obesity is becoming more and more prevalent. Getting your child in shape doesn’t have to be a fight; you just have to find activities they enjoy that are good for them as well. Here are some great workouts that will entertain your kids at the same time.
Tennis. If your child isn’t into traditional team sport, then tennis is a great alternative. It gives a great cardio workout while also working various muscle groups and improving hand-eye and overall coordination. Plus, even though your child isn’t necessarily working on a team, tennis is a great way to meet and socialize with other kids.
Hacky sack. This is a simple cheap way to get your kids up and moving. It also teaches coordination, balance, and helps your kids socialize and work together in a group to accomplish something. Plus, unlike most group sports, there are no teams so children are trying to beat their old records instead of trying to win.
Dance. Sure, you can enroll your child in dance classes, or you could just turn on the radio a couple times a week and make up silly dances to go along with the songs. This not only encourages movement, balance, and coordination, it also work out kid’s brains by getting them to be imaginative.
Video games. These have gotten a bad rap in the past few years, physical video games have come a long way since the original Nintendo. Now there are tons of products available that get your child to stand up and move. One popular game series is Dance Dance Revolution. There are also games on the new Nintendo Wii system that encourage physical movement. These are a fun entertaining way for your kids to get a workout while they play video games. And trust me; these are just as addictive as other video games.
Soccer. There’s a reason there are so many soccer mom’s around; because these moms know that soccer is a great way for children to get their heart rate up, improve their footwork skills, learn teamwork, and have fun at the same time. Plus, if you’re worried about the problem of intense competition, there are many areas with leagues that don’t keep score. This has been and still is a great way for your kids to stay in shape.
Swimming. Doing laps is a great way to get an aerobic workout without causing a lot of wear and tear on your child’s growing bones and joints. It’s fantastic and increasing endurance and stamina. Plus, a pool is a great place for them to hang out, play, and meet new kids in the neighborhood during the summer.
Jumping rope. This is a great workout whether it’s done the traditional way, or the newer more faced paced version. This can help your child meet new people, and some areas even have it as a competitive sport.
So why not get your child involved in one of these great activities? You could even get a workout yourself by joining them or just helping them practice regularly.
Tennis. If your child isn’t into traditional team sport, then tennis is a great alternative. It gives a great cardio workout while also working various muscle groups and improving hand-eye and overall coordination. Plus, even though your child isn’t necessarily working on a team, tennis is a great way to meet and socialize with other kids.
Hacky sack. This is a simple cheap way to get your kids up and moving. It also teaches coordination, balance, and helps your kids socialize and work together in a group to accomplish something. Plus, unlike most group sports, there are no teams so children are trying to beat their old records instead of trying to win.
Dance. Sure, you can enroll your child in dance classes, or you could just turn on the radio a couple times a week and make up silly dances to go along with the songs. This not only encourages movement, balance, and coordination, it also work out kid’s brains by getting them to be imaginative.
Video games. These have gotten a bad rap in the past few years, physical video games have come a long way since the original Nintendo. Now there are tons of products available that get your child to stand up and move. One popular game series is Dance Dance Revolution. There are also games on the new Nintendo Wii system that encourage physical movement. These are a fun entertaining way for your kids to get a workout while they play video games. And trust me; these are just as addictive as other video games.
Soccer. There’s a reason there are so many soccer mom’s around; because these moms know that soccer is a great way for children to get their heart rate up, improve their footwork skills, learn teamwork, and have fun at the same time. Plus, if you’re worried about the problem of intense competition, there are many areas with leagues that don’t keep score. This has been and still is a great way for your kids to stay in shape.
Swimming. Doing laps is a great way to get an aerobic workout without causing a lot of wear and tear on your child’s growing bones and joints. It’s fantastic and increasing endurance and stamina. Plus, a pool is a great place for them to hang out, play, and meet new kids in the neighborhood during the summer.
Jumping rope. This is a great workout whether it’s done the traditional way, or the newer more faced paced version. This can help your child meet new people, and some areas even have it as a competitive sport.
So why not get your child involved in one of these great activities? You could even get a workout yourself by joining them or just helping them practice regularly.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Healthy Recipes - Juices
This month we're featuring great Juice recipes for you! Below you will find the following juice recipes and their health benefits:
Apple Carrot Zinger / Fruity Fun / Mango Melon Yum / Pineapple Banana Mama
Want to make it a spa day? Visit our sponsor for some pampering fun:
Apple Carrot Zinger
This is the perfect first time juice as it’s relatively easy to get used to the taste.
4 carrots, peeled
2 apples, cored and chopped
Sprinkle of ginger
Tip: Fruit juices are great for overall health. At first it takes a little time to get used to the taste, but eventually you’ll get there…. Just think of all those health benefits! Another tip is to mix your fruit juice with a little natural apple juice (juice apples along with the veggies) to give it a sweeter taste.
Juice according to juice instructions and enjoy!
Fruit & Veggie Facts:
Carrots are rich in betacarotene which is good for the skin and eyes, as well as the immune system.
The pectin in apples may help lower cholesterol
Ginger can help with morning sickness, nausea and also migraines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fruity Fun
3 peaches, stoned and cut into quarters
3 plums, stoned and cut in half
3 ripe pears, cored and roughly chopped
1 handful blueberries
Tip: It is really up to you whether or not you peel the fruit. If you’re using organic fruits then it’s a good idea to leave the peel on as it contains lots of vitamins and nutrients. If you’re using non-organic fruits, then it may be best to peel them before using.
Blend the peaches, plums and pears until smooth. Divide the berries between two glasses and pour the smoothie over the berries. Yum!
Fruit Facts:
Peaches are a good source of vitamin C and are great for removing toxins from the body.
Plums are rich in bromelain, which can help the body digest protein. Plums also provide a good source of antioxidants.
Pears are a great source of vitamin C and copper, antioxidants which protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals, great anti-aging food!
Blueberries provide a good source of zinc and antioxidants.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mango Melon Yum
1 mango, peeled, stoned and chopped
Half a cantaloupe, peeled and chopped
Blend the mango and cantaloupe until smooth and serve. Turn it into a super smoothie by adding a little wheatgrass powder, available at your local health food store.
Fruit Facts:
Mangoes are great immune boosters since they provide lots of Vitamin C. They also contain high levels of carotenoids, vitamin A, folate, potassium and fibre… and they taste good too!
Canteloupes contain betacarotene and Vitamin C which are great if for combating passive smoking.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pineapple Banana Mama
Half a pineapple, peeled and chopped
2 small bananas, peeled and chopped
1 peach, stoned and cut into quarters
Tip: It is really up to you whether or not you peel the fruit. If you’re using organic fruits then it’s a good idea to leave the peel on as it contains lots of vitamins and nutrients. If you’re using non-organic fruits, then it may be best to peel them before using.
Blend all the fruit until smooth and enjoy! For a healthier smoothie try throwing a little spirulina powder or a few flax seeds before blending – these are great super foods and you’ll find them at your local health food store.
Fruit Facts:
Pineapples are great sources of thiamine and riboflavin which help produce energy… if you need a boost pineapple is a good choice. Also high in vitamin C.
Bananas are rich in potassium are great for lowering high blood pressure, perfect at the end of a stressful day.
Peaches are a good source of vitamin C and are great for removing toxins from the body.
Apple Carrot Zinger / Fruity Fun / Mango Melon Yum / Pineapple Banana Mama
Want to make it a spa day? Visit our sponsor for some pampering fun:
Apple Carrot Zinger
This is the perfect first time juice as it’s relatively easy to get used to the taste.
4 carrots, peeled
2 apples, cored and chopped
Sprinkle of ginger
Tip: Fruit juices are great for overall health. At first it takes a little time to get used to the taste, but eventually you’ll get there…. Just think of all those health benefits! Another tip is to mix your fruit juice with a little natural apple juice (juice apples along with the veggies) to give it a sweeter taste.
Juice according to juice instructions and enjoy!
Fruit & Veggie Facts:
Carrots are rich in betacarotene which is good for the skin and eyes, as well as the immune system.
The pectin in apples may help lower cholesterol
Ginger can help with morning sickness, nausea and also migraines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fruity Fun
3 peaches, stoned and cut into quarters
3 plums, stoned and cut in half
3 ripe pears, cored and roughly chopped
1 handful blueberries
Tip: It is really up to you whether or not you peel the fruit. If you’re using organic fruits then it’s a good idea to leave the peel on as it contains lots of vitamins and nutrients. If you’re using non-organic fruits, then it may be best to peel them before using.
Blend the peaches, plums and pears until smooth. Divide the berries between two glasses and pour the smoothie over the berries. Yum!
Fruit Facts:
Peaches are a good source of vitamin C and are great for removing toxins from the body.
Plums are rich in bromelain, which can help the body digest protein. Plums also provide a good source of antioxidants.
Pears are a great source of vitamin C and copper, antioxidants which protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals, great anti-aging food!
Blueberries provide a good source of zinc and antioxidants.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mango Melon Yum
1 mango, peeled, stoned and chopped
Half a cantaloupe, peeled and chopped
Blend the mango and cantaloupe until smooth and serve. Turn it into a super smoothie by adding a little wheatgrass powder, available at your local health food store.
Fruit Facts:
Mangoes are great immune boosters since they provide lots of Vitamin C. They also contain high levels of carotenoids, vitamin A, folate, potassium and fibre… and they taste good too!
Canteloupes contain betacarotene and Vitamin C which are great if for combating passive smoking.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pineapple Banana Mama
Half a pineapple, peeled and chopped
2 small bananas, peeled and chopped
1 peach, stoned and cut into quarters
Tip: It is really up to you whether or not you peel the fruit. If you’re using organic fruits then it’s a good idea to leave the peel on as it contains lots of vitamins and nutrients. If you’re using non-organic fruits, then it may be best to peel them before using.
Blend all the fruit until smooth and enjoy! For a healthier smoothie try throwing a little spirulina powder or a few flax seeds before blending – these are great super foods and you’ll find them at your local health food store.
Fruit Facts:
Pineapples are great sources of thiamine and riboflavin which help produce energy… if you need a boost pineapple is a good choice. Also high in vitamin C.
Bananas are rich in potassium are great for lowering high blood pressure, perfect at the end of a stressful day.
Peaches are a good source of vitamin C and are great for removing toxins from the body.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Women Benefit From Soy Protein
Most women have been told to drink a lot of milk and eat foods rich in calcium to stay healthy and strong. Another food that should be included in every woman’s diet is soy protein. Here are just a few ways adding some soy to your diet can keep you healthy and strong.
Hot Flashes
These are a common symptom in women going through perimenopause. Women who suffer from mild to moderate hot flashes can usually decrease their symptoms by getting larger amounts of soy protein. Soy contains phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens, that can mimic human estrogen, reliving these symptoms. Many women have experienced good results using soy protein instead of estrogen replacement therapy.
Bone Health
Loss of bone mass is a serious issue for woman in menopause and perimenopause. If your normal bone mass is not maintained, you’re much more likely to develop osteoporosis. You’ll also most likely to suffer broken bones, which can be devastating to older women. Soy protein contains calcium, along with magnesium and boron; all of these are essential in keeping your bones strong and healthy. In addition to providing these building blocks for your bones, certain chemicals in soy, called isoflavones, may help prevent your bones from breaking down. Getting enough soy everyday is a great way to keep yourself strong.
Heart Health
We all know that high cholesterol is a big risk factor in developing heart disease. And while heart disease used to be considered a man’s disease, we now know that it’s a killer in women as well. If you want to keep your heart healthy, soy protein can help. It has been shown to lower “bad” cholesterol levels. Getting enough soy protein now can not only help you if you have a heart problem, eating it before there’s a problem can help prevent one.
Cancer Prevention
While the previously mentioned benefits mainly deal with older women, soy can be a great benefit to younger women as well. It is suggested that the phytoestrogens in soy can help prevent breast cancer in younger women by preventing high levels of estrogen from reaching hormone receptors. While current studies are inconclusive, they are still promising.
In addition to all these benefits for women, we also know that soy can improve immune system functions for men and women, making you less likely to get sick and improving recovery times.
Since we already know it’s important for women of all ages to get enough soy protein, the next thing to find out is how much. Having too much soy in your diet can actually cause problems rather than fix or prevent them. You should strive to get about 50mg of soy protein a day. While there are supplements available, the best way to get this and any nutrient is through a proper diet. However, some studies suggest that sources such as tofu are better for you than products like soy milk.
Hot Flashes
These are a common symptom in women going through perimenopause. Women who suffer from mild to moderate hot flashes can usually decrease their symptoms by getting larger amounts of soy protein. Soy contains phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens, that can mimic human estrogen, reliving these symptoms. Many women have experienced good results using soy protein instead of estrogen replacement therapy.
Bone Health
Loss of bone mass is a serious issue for woman in menopause and perimenopause. If your normal bone mass is not maintained, you’re much more likely to develop osteoporosis. You’ll also most likely to suffer broken bones, which can be devastating to older women. Soy protein contains calcium, along with magnesium and boron; all of these are essential in keeping your bones strong and healthy. In addition to providing these building blocks for your bones, certain chemicals in soy, called isoflavones, may help prevent your bones from breaking down. Getting enough soy everyday is a great way to keep yourself strong.
Heart Health
We all know that high cholesterol is a big risk factor in developing heart disease. And while heart disease used to be considered a man’s disease, we now know that it’s a killer in women as well. If you want to keep your heart healthy, soy protein can help. It has been shown to lower “bad” cholesterol levels. Getting enough soy protein now can not only help you if you have a heart problem, eating it before there’s a problem can help prevent one.
Cancer Prevention
While the previously mentioned benefits mainly deal with older women, soy can be a great benefit to younger women as well. It is suggested that the phytoestrogens in soy can help prevent breast cancer in younger women by preventing high levels of estrogen from reaching hormone receptors. While current studies are inconclusive, they are still promising.
In addition to all these benefits for women, we also know that soy can improve immune system functions for men and women, making you less likely to get sick and improving recovery times.
Since we already know it’s important for women of all ages to get enough soy protein, the next thing to find out is how much. Having too much soy in your diet can actually cause problems rather than fix or prevent them. You should strive to get about 50mg of soy protein a day. While there are supplements available, the best way to get this and any nutrient is through a proper diet. However, some studies suggest that sources such as tofu are better for you than products like soy milk.
Welcome to Healthy Mom and Family
All Mom Shops and All Mom Health would like to welcome you to our new blog just for moms! We provide quality information, articles, recipes, shopping and much more on our site www.AllMomShops.com and now we are branching out to give you the best tools to get and keep yourself and your family healthy!
As the mom of 6 sons I know how easy it is to let our needs fall to the wayside while we're taking care of our kids! The problem with not taking good care of ourselves as mothers is that we cannot be sick! You know what I mean! If we are sick for even one day it can take a WEEK to get caught back up! So this is your time to sit back and relax, learn about the quick and easy ways to take care of yourself so that you can care for your family!
I have also struggled through the years with women's health issues such as Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Recently I have begun to search for healthy herbal solutions to these issues and I'll share what I find along the way with you.
Feel free to subscribe to this blog as it will be an excellent resource for women and moms to learn and become healthy!
As the mom of 6 sons I know how easy it is to let our needs fall to the wayside while we're taking care of our kids! The problem with not taking good care of ourselves as mothers is that we cannot be sick! You know what I mean! If we are sick for even one day it can take a WEEK to get caught back up! So this is your time to sit back and relax, learn about the quick and easy ways to take care of yourself so that you can care for your family!
I have also struggled through the years with women's health issues such as Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Recently I have begun to search for healthy herbal solutions to these issues and I'll share what I find along the way with you.
Feel free to subscribe to this blog as it will be an excellent resource for women and moms to learn and become healthy!
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