Thursday, April 14, 2011
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
Jamie Oliver is trying again to show the american people the reason for obesity in this country and the poor quality of food served in schools and restaurants. Food, Inc brought to light many problems with the food industry, but Jamie is working hard to present even more concerns. It's appalling how little regard our government has for its citizens, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, when it comes to our food. Here is a link for a recap of the first episode of Jamie's new season: http://tinyurl.com/3bzanzv. It airs Tuesday evenings on ABC at 8/7 central.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
From an Industrial Educational Model to a Creative Model
I watch and listen as parents become more concerned with their children learning facts. Parents worry about teaching children at a very young age to read and learn math facts. Parents want to know how to teach logic while teachers try to reassure parents that children are hardwired to learn, but when Susie next door can rattle off her math facts, parents become nervous. With the focus on test scores, it's not surprising that parents are concerned, but learning facts earlier isn't what makes more creative and better performing students.
Recently, there was an article in Time Magazine (http://tinyurl.com/3qtswcx) about the Finnish model of school and the outstanding Program for International Student Assessment scores (PISA) they reap because of their model. The Finns are not big on testing so they were surprised by their results placing well above the U.S. who was mediocre. Today, I read another article in Newsweek (http://tinyurl.com/27krc5j) about the declining creativity scores in this country, and the way one school changed by moving to the project approach model. There’s a great book about the project approach Engaging Children’s Minds by Lilian G. Katz and Sylvia C. Chard, and it sounds very much like the Finnish model.
As long as we keep doing what we always done (and doing it more intensely), our schools will remain well below other countries. The U.S. has an industrial model where teachers deliver a prefabricated product. Our teachers are treated like pizza delivery folks, and then we do efficiency studies to see how well they delivered the pizza. It’s not the teacher’s fault. They spend years obtaining their education, but in Finland, only the best become teachers. Of 1,258 undergrads that applied, only 9.8% were accepted, and the teachers are the standard. Their teachers are better prepared than ours are, and then the Finns get out of the way. We have a lot to learn, but first, we have to acknowledge it in order to make meaningful change.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
In This Corner an Orange; In This Corner Orange Juice
Whole fruit is a great low-calorie source of fiber and nutrients. A 165 gram (6 oz) orange has four grams of fiber and 81 calories. It has 163% of the daily requirement of vitamin C, and 14 grams of sugar.
Fruit juice is pulverized, pasteurized fruit with fiber removed. Some manufacturers add fiber back in. Fiber enhance juice has three grams of fiber and 120 calories per 8 oz. serving. It has 125% of the daily requirement of vitamin C which has been added back in because pasteurization destroys it, and it has 22 grams of sugar. If you squeeze your own juice, a serving will have no fiber, but it will contain 207% of RDA of vitamin C. The orange is a lower-calorie, higher fiber option that is cheaper. The winner is – the orange.
Whole fruit is the best choice over fruit juice or other processed food products.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
PFCs
Women with higher levels of certain chemicals used in many household products have lower levels of estrogen and are more likely to experience early menopause, a new study finds. Well, that certainly is a concern, but I've long worried about PFCs and their effects on children. While no mention of children is made in this study, common sense tells us that children are more affected by chemicals because of their rapid growth and because their brains are in a rapid state of change.PFCs have been linked to ADHD. While watching ABC News, it was mentioned that companies have until 2015 to remove this chemical from their products. Wow! We have given permission to big business to keep poisoning us for a few more years. Is Teflon really more important than our health?
Follow this link to view the article:
http://tinyurl.com/47yhl73
Follow this link to view the article:
http://tinyurl.com/47yhl73
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sneaking in the Vegetables
Here's another puree to put more vegetables in your child's diet.
Green Puree
Use it in lasagna: Substitute 1/3 of the sauce with puree. Chili: Stir in 1/2 cup per batch.
2 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
2 cups raw baby spinach
1 cup frozen peas
Stem broccoli and spinach in a steamer over 2 inches of water about 10 minutes or until very tender. Add peas for the last two minutes. Drain. Place in food processor with 2 Tbsp water. Puree until smooth.
Green Puree
Use it in lasagna: Substitute 1/3 of the sauce with puree. Chili: Stir in 1/2 cup per batch.
2 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
2 cups raw baby spinach
1 cup frozen peas
Stem broccoli and spinach in a steamer over 2 inches of water about 10 minutes or until very tender. Add peas for the last two minutes. Drain. Place in food processor with 2 Tbsp water. Puree until smooth.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Purple Puree
So often I hear parents worried that their child isn't eating enough vegetables. Here's one idea to help you out.
Purple Puree
Use it in Brownies: Substitute for half the oil the recipe calls for. Taco meat: Add 1/2 cup per pound of beef> Burgers: use 1/4 cup per pound of meat.
6 cups raw baby spinach
1 tsp lemon juice
3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, slightly thawed
Puree all ingredients with 2 Tbsp water in a food processor until smooth. If necessary, add another 1 to 2 Tbsp water for a smoother consistency.
Purple Puree
Use it in Brownies: Substitute for half the oil the recipe calls for. Taco meat: Add 1/2 cup per pound of beef> Burgers: use 1/4 cup per pound of meat.
6 cups raw baby spinach
1 tsp lemon juice
3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, slightly thawed
Puree all ingredients with 2 Tbsp water in a food processor until smooth. If necessary, add another 1 to 2 Tbsp water for a smoother consistency.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Toxic Popcorn
Movie night? Nix the microwave popcorn, scientists say. In a new study published on November 8, Canadian researchers have found that industrial chemicals used to line junk food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags are contaminating the food inside.
University of Toronto researchers discovered that perfluorinated carboxylic acids or PFCAs, breakdown products of chemicals used to make some food packaging, can leach into food, and eventually show up in the blood of humans. The study was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
PFCAs have been linked to cancer in animal experiments, and the chemicals are becoming increasingly pervasive in the environment. PFCAs are often detected in the air and household dust (and in pretty much all humans), and scientists believe they will remain in the soil for hundreds of years.
Governments in Canada, the United States, and parts of Europe have signaled their intentions to begin extensive and longer-term monitoring programs for PFCAs, although there is still some debate over how to classify the chemical in terms of its relationship to cancer in humans.
Another common component of food packaging is bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen that ends up in a number of consumer goods including baby bottles, baby formula, pizza boxes, and other fast food containers. To date there are more than 5,700 international studies published in the US National Library of Medicine that link BPAs to sexual dysfunction, cancers, compromised immune systems, diabetes, heart disease, epigenetic health concerns, neurological disruption, obesity, and much more.
To access the PFCA study: http://tinyurl.com/2d5tn23
University of Toronto researchers discovered that perfluorinated carboxylic acids or PFCAs, breakdown products of chemicals used to make some food packaging, can leach into food, and eventually show up in the blood of humans. The study was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
PFCAs have been linked to cancer in animal experiments, and the chemicals are becoming increasingly pervasive in the environment. PFCAs are often detected in the air and household dust (and in pretty much all humans), and scientists believe they will remain in the soil for hundreds of years.
Governments in Canada, the United States, and parts of Europe have signaled their intentions to begin extensive and longer-term monitoring programs for PFCAs, although there is still some debate over how to classify the chemical in terms of its relationship to cancer in humans.
Another common component of food packaging is bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen that ends up in a number of consumer goods including baby bottles, baby formula, pizza boxes, and other fast food containers. To date there are more than 5,700 international studies published in the US National Library of Medicine that link BPAs to sexual dysfunction, cancers, compromised immune systems, diabetes, heart disease, epigenetic health concerns, neurological disruption, obesity, and much more.
To access the PFCA study: http://tinyurl.com/2d5tn23
Monday, February 14, 2011
Grown Up Problems from Childhood Sleep Problems
We know that sleep affects behavior, but what new research has shown that sleep issues in children and teenagers leads to problems when they grow up.
According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2004 Sleep in America poll, 13% of school-age children have difficulty falling asleep at bedtime and 26% of preschoolers seem sleepy or overtired during the day at least a few days a week. The report surveyed 1,473 adults with children 10 and younger in the home. Teenagers tend to have even more sleep issues. About 45% of adolescents ages 11 to 17 get less than eight hours of sleep a night, even though teenagers need between nine and 10 hours. And more than one-quarter of high-school kids fall asleep in school at least once a week, according to another Sleep in America poll from 2006 that surveyed 1,602 sixth through 12th graders and their parents or caregivers.
According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2004 Sleep in America poll, 13% of school-age children have difficulty falling asleep at bedtime and 26% of preschoolers seem sleepy or overtired during the day at least a few days a week. The report surveyed 1,473 adults with children 10 and younger in the home. Teenagers tend to have even more sleep issues. About 45% of adolescents ages 11 to 17 get less than eight hours of sleep a night, even though teenagers need between nine and 10 hours. And more than one-quarter of high-school kids fall asleep in school at least once a week, according to another Sleep in America poll from 2006 that surveyed 1,602 sixth through 12th graders and their parents or caregivers.
A 2010 study of 392 boys and girls published online in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that those who had trouble sleeping at 12 to 14 years old were more than two times as likely to have suicidal thoughts at ages 15 to 17 as those who didn't have sleep problems at the younger age. In a study published last year in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, involving 386 participants, children whose mothers reported that they were overtired when 3 to 8 years old were 2.8 times as likely to binge drink when they were 18 to 20 years old. And a study of 1,037 children revealed that 46% of those who were considered to have a persistent sleep difficulty at age 9 had an anxiety disorder at age 21 or 26. By comparison, of the children who didn't have sleep problems at age 9, 33% had an anxiety disorder as young adults, according to the research, which was published in 2005 in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. Scientists caution that some study-sample sizes are small and research is still in its early stages.
Please view the whole article at:
http://tiny.cc/knibw
According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2004 Sleep in America poll, 13% of school-age children have difficulty falling asleep at bedtime and 26% of preschoolers seem sleepy or overtired during the day at least a few days a week. The report surveyed 1,473 adults with children 10 and younger in the home. Teenagers tend to have even more sleep issues. About 45% of adolescents ages 11 to 17 get less than eight hours of sleep a night, even though teenagers need between nine and 10 hours. And more than one-quarter of high-school kids fall asleep in school at least once a week, according to another Sleep in America poll from 2006 that surveyed 1,602 sixth through 12th graders and their parents or caregivers.
According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2004 Sleep in America poll, 13% of school-age children have difficulty falling asleep at bedtime and 26% of preschoolers seem sleepy or overtired during the day at least a few days a week. The report surveyed 1,473 adults with children 10 and younger in the home. Teenagers tend to have even more sleep issues. About 45% of adolescents ages 11 to 17 get less than eight hours of sleep a night, even though teenagers need between nine and 10 hours. And more than one-quarter of high-school kids fall asleep in school at least once a week, according to another Sleep in America poll from 2006 that surveyed 1,602 sixth through 12th graders and their parents or caregivers.
A 2010 study of 392 boys and girls published online in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that those who had trouble sleeping at 12 to 14 years old were more than two times as likely to have suicidal thoughts at ages 15 to 17 as those who didn't have sleep problems at the younger age. In a study published last year in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, involving 386 participants, children whose mothers reported that they were overtired when 3 to 8 years old were 2.8 times as likely to binge drink when they were 18 to 20 years old. And a study of 1,037 children revealed that 46% of those who were considered to have a persistent sleep difficulty at age 9 had an anxiety disorder at age 21 or 26. By comparison, of the children who didn't have sleep problems at age 9, 33% had an anxiety disorder as young adults, according to the research, which was published in 2005 in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. Scientists caution that some study-sample sizes are small and research is still in its early stages.
Please view the whole article at:
http://tiny.cc/knibw
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Overweight Kids Who Exercise Improve Thinking, Math Skills
This is part of an article from Bloomberg Businessweek
One hundred seventy-one overweight children 7 to 11 years old, were randomly assigned to either 20 minutes or 40 minutes of vigorous exercise every day after school or to no exercise. The exercise program focused on fun and safety rather than competition and skill, and included running games, hula hoops and jump ropes. Researchers found it raised their heart rates to 79 percent of maximum, which is considered vigorous.
The researchers evaluated the children using standard achievement tests known as the Cognitive Assessment System and Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement III. Some children also had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their brains.
The MRIs found that children who exercised had increased activity in the so-called executive function area of the brain -- associated with self-control, planning, reasoning and abstract thought -- as well as the prefrontal cortex. The latter is the part of the brain linked with complex thinking and correct social behavior, the researchers noted.
There was also decreased activity in an area of the brain that's behind the prefrontal cortex. The shift seems to be tied to faster developing of cognitive skills, Davis said.
In addition, the more the kids exercised, the more the intelligence-test scores went up. An average increase of 3.8 points on scores in cognitive planning skills was noted in kids who exercised 40 minutes a day for three months, the researchers found. Children who exercised 20 minutes a day experienced smaller gains.
Complete article: http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/649818.html
One hundred seventy-one overweight children 7 to 11 years old, were randomly assigned to either 20 minutes or 40 minutes of vigorous exercise every day after school or to no exercise. The exercise program focused on fun and safety rather than competition and skill, and included running games, hula hoops and jump ropes. Researchers found it raised their heart rates to 79 percent of maximum, which is considered vigorous.
The researchers evaluated the children using standard achievement tests known as the Cognitive Assessment System and Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement III. Some children also had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their brains.
The MRIs found that children who exercised had increased activity in the so-called executive function area of the brain -- associated with self-control, planning, reasoning and abstract thought -- as well as the prefrontal cortex. The latter is the part of the brain linked with complex thinking and correct social behavior, the researchers noted.
There was also decreased activity in an area of the brain that's behind the prefrontal cortex. The shift seems to be tied to faster developing of cognitive skills, Davis said.
In addition, the more the kids exercised, the more the intelligence-test scores went up. An average increase of 3.8 points on scores in cognitive planning skills was noted in kids who exercised 40 minutes a day for three months, the researchers found. Children who exercised 20 minutes a day experienced smaller gains.
Complete article: http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/649818.html
Make A Wish Foundation
Recently, my youngest grandson, who has Cystic Fibrosis (CF), was granted his wish through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He and his family travelled to California to see Jay Leno's garage. Jay and my grandson have a love of cars in common. He loved it. Fortunately, he was out of the hospital and well enough to go! Please visit their website http://www.wish.org/ to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of children with catastophic illnesses.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Junk Food May Lower IQ
We know that chips, candy, and chocolate cake don't do waistlines any good—but can junk food also stunt our intelligence? The IQs of children who eat fatty, sugary, processed foods appear to suffer years later, while the IQs of those who eat healthily (fruits, vegetables, fiber, and unsaturated fats) increase, according to a study published Monday in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. British researchers tracked what 14,000 children ate and drank at ages 3, 4, 7, and 8½, and found that those who ate a diet high in processed foods at age 3 had a slightly lower IQ five years later than their healthier-eating peers. Kids whose diet emphasized fruit, vegetables, salads, fish, rice, and pasta, meanwhile, saw small increases in their IQ. Diet likely makes the greatest impact during the first three years of life, when the brain is rapidly developing; good nutrition promotes brain growth and cognitive skills. "We know (a healthy diet) is important for physical growth and development, but it may also be important for mental ability," lead author Kate Northstone, a research fellow in the department of social medicine at the University of Bristol, told Business Week. View complete article at:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2011/02/08/health-buzz-junk-food-diet-may-lower-iq
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2011/02/08/health-buzz-junk-food-diet-may-lower-iq
When Should a Child Visit an Eye Doctor?
An InfantSEE® assessment between six and 12 months of age is recommended to determine if an infant is at risk for eye or vision disorders. Since many eye problems arise from conditions that can be identified by an eye doctor in the infant's first year of life, a parent can give an infant a great gift by seeking an InfantSEE® assessment in addition to the wellness evaluation of the eyes that is done by a pediatrician or family practice doctor. One in every 10 children is at risk from undiagnosed eye and vision problems, yet only 13 percent of mothers with children younger than 2 years of age said they had taken their babies to see an eye and vision care professional for a regular check-up or well-care visit. Visit www.infantsee.org for more information.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Myopia
This is from an article in the Eye Care Professional, March 2010 by Jim Magay RDO
Myopia is on the increase around the world. In Taiwan 80% of young adults are myopic. In the United States 25% of the population is myopic, but 40% of under grads are myopic.
Research has failed to show a genetic link, and reading and close work likewise have proven inconclusive. So why is myopia on the increase?
Out of all the prospective causative factors, the one thing that stands out is the amount of time a child spends out of doors. Children are spending more time indoors with electronic gadgets. There seem to be two reasons being outdoors reduces the incidence of myopia. One is exposure to brightness. Dr. David Williams (Alternatives Feb 2010) believes increased exposure to various beneficial wavelengths of light would be a major factor.
The second factor is the change of focus that being outdoors causes. Dr. Williams states, “When we look out over large open spaces all objects are far enough away that the entire image on the retina is completely in focus. At other times, the image in the center of the retina might be in focus but peripheral vision is blurred.”
So be sure your child has lots of time outdoors and has the opportunity to enjoy sunrises and sunsets.
Myopia is on the increase around the world. In Taiwan 80% of young adults are myopic. In the United States 25% of the population is myopic, but 40% of under grads are myopic.
Research has failed to show a genetic link, and reading and close work likewise have proven inconclusive. So why is myopia on the increase?
Out of all the prospective causative factors, the one thing that stands out is the amount of time a child spends out of doors. Children are spending more time indoors with electronic gadgets. There seem to be two reasons being outdoors reduces the incidence of myopia. One is exposure to brightness. Dr. David Williams (Alternatives Feb 2010) believes increased exposure to various beneficial wavelengths of light would be a major factor.
The second factor is the change of focus that being outdoors causes. Dr. Williams states, “When we look out over large open spaces all objects are far enough away that the entire image on the retina is completely in focus. At other times, the image in the center of the retina might be in focus but peripheral vision is blurred.”
So be sure your child has lots of time outdoors and has the opportunity to enjoy sunrises and sunsets.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Tantrums
Q. My 2 ½ year old has temper tantrums. We were going to go to visit my mother. Freddy was playing with his trucks and didn’t want to leave. I gave in just to end the screaming, and I let him play longer. I know I shouldn’t have, but I don’t know how to end the tantrums. What should I be doing?
Frazzled
A.Dear Frazzled,
First, let’s look at what contributes to tantrums.
1. Lack of adequate sleep
2. Hunger
3. Lack of limits
4. Lack of order
4. Theory of the mind
5. Successful tantrums
Sleep - Be sure your child receives enough sleep at night. For two year olds, it’s about 12 hours at night. If you have to wake your child in the morning, she or he is not receiving adequate sleep at night. Naps are for children who are tired after lunch not for children who are tired starting the day. Be sure when you plan things that you take into consideration your child’s schedule.
Hunger - Be sure to feed your child whole foods (an apple) and not sugary processed foods (juice, even those without added sugar are processed and have concentrated amounts of sugar). When children have sugar, their blood sugar levels rise quickly, but also crash quickly. The child then spirals out of control.
Limits - Children need limits and appropriate choices. Preempt the problem by letting your child know when playtime will be over because you’re going to visit grandma. If you know trucks are challenging to draw your child away from, give him an appropriate choice so he can be successful. “We’re going to visit grandma in twenty minutes so you may color or listen to music until it’s time to leave. Which would you like to do?”
Order – Children at this age thrive on order. Have and keep routines, procedures, and schedules the same, and when there will be a change, let the child know in advance. When going somewhere, let your child know the amount of time left. “In ten minutes we’re leaving.” “In five minutes it’s time to pack up.” “It’s time to pack up.” Be firm and consistent in your follow through.
Mind – Children at two recognize they are physically separate from their parents, but they still think that everyone is thinking the same thing they are thinking (theory of the mind). For older siblings, this changes around four. For younger siblings it happens closer to three. If your child starts to fuss about packing up, be understanding. “I understand that you would like to play longer, but it’s time to pack up. Would you like me to help you pack up.” You may have to repeat several times, but always keep calm and use fewer words. “I understand, but it’s time to pack up.” “Pack up.”
Tantrums – Once your child has had a successful tantrum, he or she will try it again and for longer. If you have a feeling something will institute a tantrum, take your sail out of his wind. Leave the room, go into the bathroom and close the door, or step out onto the porch. Once you set your child up for success, are consistent, resist giving in, and respond calmly, the tantrums will diminish.
Remember, it takes five positives to offset one negative.
Frazzled
A.Dear Frazzled,
First, let’s look at what contributes to tantrums.
1. Lack of adequate sleep
2. Hunger
3. Lack of limits
4. Lack of order
4. Theory of the mind
5. Successful tantrums
Sleep - Be sure your child receives enough sleep at night. For two year olds, it’s about 12 hours at night. If you have to wake your child in the morning, she or he is not receiving adequate sleep at night. Naps are for children who are tired after lunch not for children who are tired starting the day. Be sure when you plan things that you take into consideration your child’s schedule.
Hunger - Be sure to feed your child whole foods (an apple) and not sugary processed foods (juice, even those without added sugar are processed and have concentrated amounts of sugar). When children have sugar, their blood sugar levels rise quickly, but also crash quickly. The child then spirals out of control.
Limits - Children need limits and appropriate choices. Preempt the problem by letting your child know when playtime will be over because you’re going to visit grandma. If you know trucks are challenging to draw your child away from, give him an appropriate choice so he can be successful. “We’re going to visit grandma in twenty minutes so you may color or listen to music until it’s time to leave. Which would you like to do?”
Order – Children at this age thrive on order. Have and keep routines, procedures, and schedules the same, and when there will be a change, let the child know in advance. When going somewhere, let your child know the amount of time left. “In ten minutes we’re leaving.” “In five minutes it’s time to pack up.” “It’s time to pack up.” Be firm and consistent in your follow through.
Mind – Children at two recognize they are physically separate from their parents, but they still think that everyone is thinking the same thing they are thinking (theory of the mind). For older siblings, this changes around four. For younger siblings it happens closer to three. If your child starts to fuss about packing up, be understanding. “I understand that you would like to play longer, but it’s time to pack up. Would you like me to help you pack up.” You may have to repeat several times, but always keep calm and use fewer words. “I understand, but it’s time to pack up.” “Pack up.”
Tantrums – Once your child has had a successful tantrum, he or she will try it again and for longer. If you have a feeling something will institute a tantrum, take your sail out of his wind. Leave the room, go into the bathroom and close the door, or step out onto the porch. Once you set your child up for success, are consistent, resist giving in, and respond calmly, the tantrums will diminish.
Remember, it takes five positives to offset one negative.
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