Banning Chocolate Milk Doesn’t Improve Nutrition

Parents who had children in several schools in Oregon noticed what they viewed as a problem. The kids were much more likely to drink chocolate milk than they were to drink white milk. The parents believed that banning the chocolate milk would force the kids to start drinking more white milk. Instead, things did not work out as planned. It is safe to say that the parents in the school district’s PTA meant well. They were hoping to make changes that would provide better nutrition for the students. They believed that removing the chocolate milk, and only offering white milk, … Continue reading

Incorporating Organic Foods Into Your Grocery Budget

Everyone knows that good nutrition is important during pregnancy, for both the expectant mother and her growing baby. Good nutrition can mean many different things, though, depending upon who you talk to. One component of eating for good health is reducing the amount of toxic substances (like pesticides) that you ingest along with your food. Eating organic foods is one way to help keep toxins out of your body, and it is a good health habit to continue with after your baby is born. Unfortunately, organic foods are expensive. The amount of difference between the price of an organic food … Continue reading

Is the “Special K” Challenge For You?

Have you ever taken the “Special K” challenge?  I did a few years ago, back when the only real good cereal was their red berries.  Since then, numerous other kinds of low-fat cereals have been developed, including blueberry and fruit & yogurt (my personal favorite). I can tell you that I did have success with this challenge.  However, there is a downfall to it, which I will share at the end. So how does the challenge work?  You eat two servings of the cereal everyday, along with just half a cup of low-fat milk.  You can do this for either … Continue reading

My Issues Do Not Have to Become Their Issues

As a parent, I often think about what I can do to help my boys avoid struggling with the same things that I have struggled with and continue to struggle with throughout my life. I have a good life, and I am grateful that it is as good as it is. However, no one is perfect and each of us has our own list of things that we struggle with. I have overcome some of the things that I had trouble with as a child. For example, I had some pretty intense sibling rivalry going on with my sister. As … Continue reading

What Do You Mean Pop-Tarts Are NOT Healthy?

Okay, I’m not completely nutritional challenged. I know that the popular toaster pastry isn’t exactly packed with vitamins and nutrients. However, I didn’t realize that you are better off skipping breakfast altogether than downing one as you dash out the door. It was news to me. A nutritional update I got directly from someone who knows a thing or two about the health benefits of food. Last week I drove to the TV station I used to work for to drop off a birthday present for a friend/former colleague. (I was out of town and missed her party.) As I … Continue reading