Exercise Boost the Immune System

The importance of enhancing your immune system in your fight against flus and colds cannot be overstated. Kids with healthy immune symptoms simply get sick less.
Everyone knows that taking regular exercise is good for your overall health and it therefore follows that taking regular exercise also benefits your immune system too.
After all, if by taking regular exercise, you improve your energy levels and your muscle strength, it naturally follows that those improvements will be reflected throughout your body.
As an example, 30 minutes of reasonably brisk walking 3 or 4 times a week is going to strengthen your heart, lungs and all of the major muscle groups in the lower half of the body at the same time.
At the same time, exercise helps to optimize your digestive system, meaning that less harmful toxins and bacteria will lodge in your gut as the process of peristalsis (passing the food and then waste materials through your system) gradually becomes increasingly efficient.
Toxins and harmful bacteria ‘stuck' in your system can often be one of the reasons why your general, all-round health suffers and such poor health is often reflected in poor skin quality as well. Take this to its logical conclusion and with poor quality skin (and blood circulation), you have exactly the right kind of breeding ground for staph bacteria to thrive on your skin.'
one of my favorite ways of taking exercise is by taking the stairs whenever possible instead of using an elevator or even an escalator. I do this as part of my normal daily working routine, and even when there are several flights of stairs to be climbed, it never takes more than a minute or two to complete the climb.
After all, the elevator hardly ever arrives the minute you press the button so you can be halfway up the stairs by the time it does eventually make an appearance.
There is nothing sadder than a ten year old that does not have time to exercise. It's pathetic because it happens all the time. Even if you don't have 30 minutes available four times a week to go for a brisk walk, there are plenty of different ways you can find the time in any average day for enough exercise for your immune system to benefit. I make this a game with my kids when we are out.
Don't let you or your kids fall into the 'I don't have enough time for exercise' trap! What you have to change that to is 'I don't have enough time to get the flu!'

Healthier Holiday Kid Snacks

Healthy and Fun Holiday Snacks for Kids
Holiday time is party time and your bored kids are going to want stuff to snack on. The thing is they are going to want all of that expensive high calorie stuff that is just slick with grease and artificial flavorings and chemicals.
I make my own treats to help keep their weight and sugar and salt intake in check. I find if I do this they are less likely to be hyperactive and cranky as well because they are simply not poisoning their brains with additives. Here are some great ideas to keep your kids healthier and slimmer during the holiday season.
First off take cookies out of the cookie job and put crackers in there instead. You can also fill it with peanuts in the shell or roasted nuts with no salt. Or just fill it with raisins, nuts, banana chips and chocolate chips to make a no fat snack.
Popcorn is always a much sought after food for kids. Try sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese or American cheese on popcorn. I sometimes mix cinnamon and peanuts with the popcorn.
You can also make your own Cracker Jack.
Here is my recipe for home made Cracker Jack
Heat honey and butter in a saucepan until blended. Cool. Pour over popcorn that has been mixed with peanuts, stirring as you pour.

When well-coated, spread the mixture in a pan in a single layer. Bake at 350 for 5 – 10 minutes or until crisp, stirring several times. Package in plastic bags and twist.
You might also want to try my recipe for Popcorn Candy Clusters which is almost as good as the ones you get at the local amusement park.
For this you will need 1 cup (8 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips,1 cup freshly popped popcorn and 1 cup nuts.
First you need to melt the chocolate chips. Add popcorn and nuts and stir until they are well coated. Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet or wax paper and let set infirm. If the crowd is rushing you for a taste, chill the clusters in the freezer for 5 minutes. When firm, store in plastic bags.
You can also make your own salty CRUNCHY MIX
Mix 4 cups crunchy cereal (Cheerios, or Corn Chex, etc) 1 cup peanuts or
mixed nuts 1 cup pretzel sticks with the smallest size 1 cup seasoned croutons
Then make sure you combine 1/2 cup salad oil or 6 tbsp melted butter 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce and 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
In a shallow pan coat crunchy ingredients with the combined oil and seasonings. Heat in oven at 250 for about 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool.
You will find that these are much healthier alternatives than buying the store bought stuff!! Cheaper too!