A Guide to Healthy Habit Forming

Yeah!  90% of you ate breakfast this week!  Way to go!  Thanks for taking the polls.  It is fun to see everyone hit the polls....hope you all hit the Presidential polls today too!  :)

This week's post is about HOW to create healthy habits....

 I know as a mother it can be difficult to create a love-of-healthy food in your children.   This is a constant challenge, especially with the holidays coming!  My best advice is...

 1. Make it fun!  

Make a dish that lets your children choose which veggies they put on their plate, let you children help cook and brain storm healthy meal ideas.  

2. Educate your family on healthy living. 

Have a family night that focuses on healthy habits. Focus on being healthy, energized, and strong inside, not on their outer appearance.  I will often will ask my five year old when she makes a food choice, "Do you think that is a healthy choice for your body or is there a better one?"  I once made a chart for my young kids that had two columns, one for "anytime food" and one that said "sometimes foods."  Then the kids drew and colored foods that came to mind and we put them in the correct column.   

3. Be an example

This one is huge!  If your children see you eating healthy they too will want to do the same...someday!  (Be patient mothers with teenagers :)  They do see your good example!)  

4. Develop healthy habits in your home

Part of developing healthy living is consistancy.  Trying to rid your grocery list of those food items that will be an unhealthy choice for your little ones.  (I know, this can be challenging) If there are fruits, veggies, nuts, whole wheats breads and crackers, low-sugar cereals, etc, then whatever they choose will have nutritional value. Your children will eventually stop asking for the unhealthy items they once could not do without. 

5. Maintain a balance

I do not believe in "bad foods."  There needs to be a balance of nutrient dense foods and not-so-nutrient-dense foods.  :) Limiting certain foods only causes a desire for that "bad" item and takes away the child's power to choose.

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 Now, with all this said, most of you lead very busy lives and have large, beautiful families :) You are trying to teach them a myriad of things, such as spirituality, leadership, kindness, responsibility, dedication, etc.; not only healthy living.  So, not all of these ideas will be realistic for you.  Choose and modify the ideas that will work for your family.  My experiences have also been with little children, so if you have ideas for older children, PLEASE share.  Email me at: cheljrhan07@gmail.com and I will post your name and idea!   

Keep on keeping on!  Good work mothers! Teach, educate, guide, and let your children govern themselves, *age appropriately of course.