"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." --White Elk
For the past month, I have been providing support and
education to a group of women who have made the decision to get to a healthier
weight. All of these women are mothers
and one just became a grandmother for the first time. The new grandmother is extremely motivated because she doesn't want her life shortened by obesity.
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| Kids at a Growing Healthy Kids program using vegetables grown within a ten mile radius of where they live. |
I take my role as a parent very seriously
because not only am I a role model for my son, Edward, but also for all of his
friends. Choosing to be healthy is
exactly that: a choice. We choose whether to eat a cereal loaded with
lots of different sugars (see Fifty Shades of Sugar articles, February 18 and
25, 2015 at www.growinghealthykids.blogspot.com) ONCE WE HAVE BECOME
LITERATE. Just like learning about all
the added sugars (and salt and fats) in processed food is a big part of health
literacy, so is the concept of mindful health.
What is mindful health? It is the concept of awareness of the balance we
all need and crave for our body, mind and spirit, of listening to ourselves, of recognizing that we are all
different so there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to the “right” thing
to do. Let's face it: we all have inherited
predispositions from our parents and grandparents. As we become parents and grandparents, we inherit a responsibility to become mindful of our own health so we can lead by example.
Here are 3 of my tips for mindful health:
1. Focus on getting
the right amount of sleep every night and the right KIND of sleep
2. Make water your
primary drink.
3. Include foods from
local farmers in your weekly food planning and preparation.
4. Stop and take 2
minutes for yourself before you eat. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and relax. Enjoy the meal you are about to eat. Your food will be better digested and better absorbed.
If you live in Florida's Treasure Coast, then join me this Saturday at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center
in Vero Beach when I will be speaking at Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition’s
“You are Worth More than Gold” symposium for women and teen girls. The best way to ensure “Growing Healthy Kids”
is to begin before a woman becomes pregnant. I will be sharing tips for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child. I hope to see you there!
I am so psyched about having met a very talented chef who creates phenomenal dishes and flavors. Isn't that what great food is all about? Listen to my radio interview on WAXE and iheartradio.com about Growing Healthy Kids with Chef Michael Glatz from La Patisierre. Just click here.
With love and gratitude,
Nancy Heinrich
Founder of the Growing Healthy Kids Project
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