Raising healthy kids is a big priority for parents, but kids love sweets, and research shows this preference is simply part of human biology.
Still, we as parents want to get nutritious foods into our kids’ growing bodies. We don’t want our kids to eat junk. In an ideal world, we would never let our kids have candy at all.
But we’re not living in an ideal world, and compromise is a big part of daily life. Kids love sweets and should have them – in moderation. One could even argue that anything that’s completely forbidden will eventually come back to haunt you – or your kids – later on.
If they don’t learn to manage their sweets or soda consumption early on, they might get out of control once they’re on their own and can do as they please. If that happens, Freshman Fifteen may be unavoidable or even turn into Freshman Fifty.
My own kids have a small stash of sweets in a designated cupboard. Each night after dinner, they are allowed to choose one candy as their dessert. So far it’s been working well.
We also try to be good role models. When we go out for ice cream, we all order a small scoop of ice cream; we accompany our coffee with a small piece of chocolate rather than a large piece of cake; and we always share desserts at restaurants. We are trying to teach our kids that sweets can, and should be enjoyed – in small quantities.
Raising healthy kids should be easy in a world where healthy food is so readily available, but since junk is available too, it takes effort, planning and persistence.
Photo by SpacePotato
How to wear skinny jeans? The common answer: with a long top that hits at hip level or below. An empire waist top is good if you’re curvy, otherwise go with a long, body-skimming top. You can tuck them into boots, wear them with heels, or – if you’re very slim – with flats.
But there’s a second answer to the question “how to wear skinny jeans?”- my own answer: how about not wearing them at all? I mean, do we HAVE to wear anything that’s currently “in” even if it doesn’t flatter our figure?
When I first heard about skinny jeans, I assumed they make you look skinny. I was wrong. The jeans are cut “skinny,” or narrow, and end in a small leg opening. This does not mean that you would actually appear skinny in them: skinny jeans tend to make your thighs look bigger. You can look fabulous in this cut if you have a stick figure and narrow hips. Most of us don’t.
Photo credit: Malingering
What would be a better choice for most moms (most women in fact)?
In my opinion, the best women jeans have a slightly flared leg or boot cut style, combined with a moderately low-rise waist. This is the most flattering jean style for most body types. It enhances the length of the legs, and the flare balances the width of the thigh.
Photo credit: gohsuket
The low rise should be a SLIGHT low rise to be truly flattering and comfortable. You DON’T want to look like this when you sit down:
Photo credit: Malingering
How To Wear Skinny Jeans? My personal advice, if they don’t flatter your figure, is not to wear them at all. Get rid of them and make room in your closet for more flattering styles.
Restaurant food in the United States is notorious for its huge portions.
According to experts, the supersizing phenomenon is partly responsible for the obesity epidemic we are currently facing. How can anyone lose weight when the food industry is intent on keeping us fat?
So, what can we do to avoid eating too much when faced with a huge plate filled with tempting food?
Putting half your entree in a to-go box before you start eating is a well known portion control strategy, but some say it could call attention to the fact that you have self-control issues. I don’t necessarily agree. I think it’s very human to overeat when a large amount of food is placed in front of us. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a to-go box right at the start of the meal.
Other restaurant portion control tricks include slowing down by putting the fork down between bites, pretending that the bread is three days old (or asking not to bring it to the table in the first place), and ordering a veggie, or a baked potato, instead of fries.
Another great way to avoid eating too much restaurant food is to do some research in advance: if the restaurant provides nutritional information on its website, look it up before you leave the house and plan on ordering the figure-friendly items. It is always a good idea to ask for salad dressings and sauces to be served on the side rather than generously poured over your food. Sharing an entree with a friend or with your partner is a great way to make sure you don’t overeat, and it could save you some money too.
At the end of the meal, instead of ordering dessert, my husband and I sometimes bring a bite-size candy bar with us to the restaurant. We order coffee or tea and accompany it with our tiny, just-the-right-size dessert. When we’re in the mood for a “real dessert” from the restaurant’s menu, we share it. Sharing restaurant food is a great portion control strategy and is well worth the extra few bucks that some restaurants charge for food sharing.
Photo credit: emdot
Welcome to MomGrind. I’m Vered.
Grind: to produce or process. Also to shape, sharpen or refine. Informal: a laborious task, routine, or study.
Parenting in general, and mothering in particular, is laborious. We all know how exhausted parents can become. For mothers, there is typically the additional challenge of constant guilt.
MomGrind is all about making it easier: I will collect, process and refine tips, tricks and product ideas that will help you stay on top of things, keep your cool, and always remember to take care of yourself – even when dealing with the most challenging, grinding daily parental existence.
Your ideas, suggestions and tips are welcome. Please email me: vered AT momgrind DOT com.
I'm Vered DeLeeuw, a blogger for hire and a social media consultant. My social media campaigns increase brand awareness and loyalty, improve search engine rankings and drive targeted traffic to my clients' websites. Momgrind is my personal blog.
