How to make healthy changes....one baby step at a time.

So many of us want to live healthier lives, what we eat, what we do,how we live......as parents we want our children to be the best they can be in all areas of life.  We want them to have a stable home, a loving family, good friends,attend a good school and of course, be healthy and happy.  Saying what we want and doing what is necessary to make those changes are two very different things......old habits are hard to break and changing behaviors about what and how we eat are tough.  Here are some ways to help you and your family live a healthier, cleaner life.

Living a healthy life is about making low-level interventions to your daily life. It is initially cutting back on certain food and drink until you are down to one a day and than none a day.  It is using lower fat/sugar products until it is second nature to consume the healthier product.  It is going to that corner produce stand to locally source your fruits and vegetables. You will not only be supporting a locally owned and operated business but also find a more affordable product and be able to ask questions about where and how the produce got to the stand....try that at a big-box retail grocer!  It is about taking the time to plan your meals and get the stuff you need so that you can prep a crock pot meal a few times per week. Believe you me, when I walk in the door after a long day of teaching outside and I know that dinner is made, I am one happy gal!  It is about making sure your kid's snacks are going to help them perform their best in all areas and not jack them up on a quick sugar rush just to see them crash and meltdown when the sugar high is over.  It is about reading the labels on any food you purchase to make sure it is the best product for your family. 

Living a healthy life is about parking a little farther away from the store and walking the difference in distance.  It is about going for a walk or a bike with your children instead of watching TV. It si about watching an exercise show/video together and getting off the couch and doing it!  It  is dropping one child at the skatepark/beach/practice and taking the other one(s) for a walk...if you are lucky like me, there are safe walks close to all my children's activities. 

Everyone is busy, we all have the same 24/7 to use.....if you can find the time to read this,  if you can find the time to watch TV or facebook or blog, you can find the time to move in a healthy way.  For the most part, living a healthy life is about making those simple daily changes and setting a good example for the next generation!