Lunchbox Steak and Hummus Wrap and Getting Active

​I know we've been talking a lot about food and nutrition for kids (and ourselves), but that is just one part of the health cycle. Exercise and establishing an active lifestyle is just as important.

An active lifestyle does not mean scheduled activity, or time at the gym per say. At a young age we can teach our children the joys of walking to places nearby, playing outside, and incorporating activities into their daily lifestyle choices.

In today's world, our children are bombarded with computers, shows, games and more, that creates a more sedentary lifestyle. By teaching our kids not only the importance, but the joy of being active, they are more likely to continue with healthy habits.

So, how do we incorporate activity into our children's lives?

• Walking: When we can, we walk. We typically walk to and from school every day. It's not far, but it is a great way to start the day, even on cold days. We live about a mile from the grocery store. When I have only a couple of things to pick up, we will throw on some backpacks and walk down and back. It only takes us a couple of minutes, really, to get down there…15 tops. Walking is easy to incorporate…in both kids and adults. Parking at the farther end of the parking lot and walking the little extra is one way, even if you have to drive to the grocery store. Walking the cart all the way back to the inside of the grocery store instead of the cart spot in the parking lot. 
• Dance Party: Incorporating activity into our kids lives shouldn't be a struggle, make it fun. Dance parties are almost daily around here, especially when I am cooking dinner. Hubby has come home one too many times to music blaring and me cooking with a rainbow wig on my head. I know I am guilty of giving in to the request for tv time when I am busy or overwhelmed, but dance party is more uplifting for you as well as entertaining for the kiddos. Pandora is awesome because you can get some random mixes (we like disney). This is great in the winter when the sun goes down early and it's too dark and cold to play outside. Dance Party is also fun for little ones, babies and toddlers love to dance…encourage it.
• Yoga: We have recently found a new favorite. Cosmic Yoga on You Tube. It's story telling though yoga. This is another options for times when the kiddos are asking for a show. It fills the desire for screen time, but is making them move at the same time. Yoga is also something you can do with newbies. There are tutorials and classes for Mommy/Daddy and Me yoga that is designed for babies.
• Biking: Like walking, as a family we bike everywhere we can. On the weekends, it is one of our favorite things to do. Both of my girls ride two wheel bikes and can bike for miles. We will often ride from our house by City Park to Spring Canyon and back. (Hubby did design a bike rack for the bike trailer. This as been super handy for both girls. When they get tired, we can strap their bike to the back of the trailer safely and pull the girls home.) We also try to design our summer lives around biking. We choose restaurants within biking distance, or events that we can walk/ride to.
• Competitive Sports: One of the main things parents do for their children is competitive sports. The possibilities are endless…soccer, baseball, basketball, are the the most common, but don't forget about the not so popular sports like rock climbing, biking, martial arts, etc… Our sport of choice is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We started with M1 at 5. She loved it! She is now competing in tournaments by her choice and loving it. M2 starts next week!
• Active Games: My kids are suckers for races. They love to race each other. So, we will often do animal races….run like an elephant, walk like a crocodile, hop like a kangaroo, etc…Scavenger hunts are a good way to encourage hiking at a young age. This has turned into plant foraging for us. Looking for edible and medicinal plants on walks and hikes. Before you know it, you've gone MILES!

I am sure you have your won personal strategies to increase activity in yourselves and your children. I would  LOVE to hear about them.

Main Lunch:

• Hummus, Steak and Veggie Wrap: I ate the other half of this more breakfast this morning. I had some leftover steak, so made a wrap. 
• Oranges

Snack Time:

• Apple Slices and Peanut Butter Packet (not pictured, oops)
• Banana, Oatmeal Berry Muffin, Homemade: I seriously made these up yesterday and they are pretty darn good. Almond Flour, baking soda, rolled oats,  Vanilla yogurt, frozen berries, ripe banana…not too bad.