Kids need at least 1 hour of physical activity a day, and adults should strive for 150 minutes of physical activity each week. All sorts of activities count, and you’ll find that time will fly when you choose activities that you and your family enjoy. If your family enjoys swimming, hiking, or playing basketball spend time as a family getting active those ways. If your family prefers walking, soccer, or tennis chose those activities. Remember that your kids look up to you as a role model, so if you’re active they’re more likely to be active too.
Tag: healthy families
Don’t underestimate the power of handwashing!
Germs can enter your body through your nose, mouth, and eyes and make us sick. Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds removes germs from hands and helps prevent sickness. The CDC states that studies have shown handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sickness and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu. Handwashing helps prevent the spread of germs that can be transferred to others by dirty door knobs, tables, toys, etc.
Proper handwashing is done by wetting your hands with clean running water. Next, scrub all surfaces of your hands for 20 seconds then rinse your hands under clean, running water. The last step is to dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.
Take the time to wash your hands properly
- Before and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
- After touching garbage
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick
- After using the restroom, changing diapers, or cleaning up a child who has used the bathroom.
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After touching an animal, animal food or treats, animal cages, or animal feces.
For more information and a video demonstration of how to wash your hands visit: www.cdc.gov/handwashing
By: Ashley Svaty
Halloween Treats
Nutrition, Food Safety
and Health Agent
There are many ways to keep your child happy this Halloween without allowing them to eat loads of candy. Use this time to talk with your child about making nutritional decisions. Establishing how many treats your child is able to eat and sticking with it will pay off. After trick or treating put the candy out of sight or get rid of it to reduce temptation.
Other tips include:
- Be a role model by eating candy in moderation
- Offer non-candy alternatives like whistles, jump ropes, stickers, crayons, pocket sized games, spider rings, or bubbles
- Buy trick or treating goodies at the last minute to resist temptation
- Feed your child before going out, they will be less likely to snack on candy on a full stomach
- Check your child’s bag of goodies to make sure all food items are in original packaging.
By: Ashley Svaty
