Mandatory Daily Gym Class

Fantastic, life-changing news!!
Florida elementary students (K-5th grade) are starting back to school under a new Florida law which requires them to spend 30 minutes a day of physical activity. In many schools, PE had been significantly reduced or eliminated altogether.
Yes, one person CAN make a difference! Thank you to Shaq for his interest in childhood obesity and caring so much for kids to make a difference in their lives!

obesity virus AD-36

CBS4 News presented the information on the "Fat Virus" named AD-36 as a potential cause or contributor to human obesity and the epidemic that we are seeing today. Reportedly the research done to date has shown that when rats were injected with this contagious virus, this caused the rats to gain weight. Fat cells seemed to increase in size and number.
According a study done, 1 out of 3 obese patients test positive for this virus. And all affected are overweight and significantly heavier than those testing negative for the virus.
But the most important point was stated: the treatment and what you can do about it, whether you have been exposed and infected with this virus or not, remains the same... a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

Stuffed Veggies?

Finally! A food you CAN play with!
Yellow Label Kids has these knit vegetable and fruit rattles -- the debate is on... will these help YOUR child to like to eat their vegetables and fruits?

10 Great Lunch ideas

In the August 2007 issue of the magazine American Baby there is a great article with suggestions for finicky eaters... they are actually great ideas for any occasion or meal and any child ...

1. Give them choices. 6. Have breakfast for lunch.
2. Let your child help. 7. Go for color.
3. Put it on a skewer. 8. Wrap it up.
4. Make faces. 9. Dip it!
5. Be prepared. 10. Shape-shift.

And a few more tips included are "Kitchen Must-Haves": pre-cut fruits and vegetables; pre-cooked, pre-sliced chicken or turkey; deli meats; beans; eggs; peanut butter; whole-grain pasta and cereal; whole wheat crackers, bagels, tortillas, English muffins, waffles; tomato sauce; salsa; cheese; yogurt; low-fat salad dressing; and hummus.