Take the 21-day Challenge

Inspired by a website that I recently visited, I decided to incorporate the 21-day challenge concept into my Blog.  So if you are up for a new challenge, sign up for email updates and take the challenge…

The Concept

I am putting together 21 different posts that cover what I feel are the 21 most important things for Smart Parents to consider when raising Healthy Kids. These posts come from my experience as both a pediatrician and a parent.  Since there are hundreds (if not thousands) of different considerations when raising kids, I will undoubtedly inject some of my own bias.  However, I will always do my best to distinguish between statements supported by fact and those of mere opinion.

I will approach each day with three things in mind:

1. Your health
2. Your finances
3. The health of your kids.

While many people may think the first one has little to do with the health of kids, I would argue just the opposite.  Habits are major determinants of the long-term success of children.   While there are many different influences on the development of these habits, parents are certainly the biggest.  Parents who smoke tend to have kids that smoke.  Overweight parents tend to have overweight kids.  More importantly though… Parents who are healthy tend to have kids that are healthy!

As for finances, this may seem a little counter-intuitive placed on a Blog about Healthy Kids.  Of course, we would all agree that poverty adversely affects the health of children.  However, affluenza and the western life-style can be just as damaging to the long-term health of children.  One of the most obvious manifestation… financial stress is the leading cause of divorce in the United States.

Lastly, most parents tend to focus on the rare and sensational reports of things (like meningitis or cancer) as the major threats to the health of their children.  While these illnesses can truly be devastating, the real health risks your child faces are probably lurking right under your nose.  I like to call these cultural pathogens (disease causing agents) and many of them will make an appearance during the 21-day challenge.

Join the 21-day Challenge

Take the Challenge

Day #1: Sell your TV

Peak Fussiness

I am happy to report that we are at the 5-week mark with baby #2. In virtually every way baby #2 has been much easier than baby #1. Mostly we attribute this to less trial and error parenting on our part rather than any major difference Read more

No Tylenol for Fever?

If you have read much of what I write about fever, you might find it strange that I tell parents not to give their children Tylenol™ and Motrin™ when they have a fever.  In fact, if you read my Myths & Facts section on fever you will see this:

Myth #3: If I reduce my child’s fever, they will get better sooner. Read more

Babywise and the Infant Sling?

In the ongoing debate between Attachment parenting and Babywise parenting it seems that the infant sling is viewed as a tool for attachment parenting only and has no role in a Parent-Directed (Babywise) approach.  However, now that we have two children, my wife decided to test out the sling as a matter of necessity (better to have two free hands to chase our 2-year old around the house). Read more

Quinoa with Black Beans and Cilantro

This is one of my favorites.  It has a Mexican food flavor without all the added cheese, fat, and oil that often weighs down this kind of dish.  It is also very satisfying and easy to prepare.  Quinoa (pronounced “keen-waa”) is a grain that is full of protein and has a rice-like consistency when prepared.  Add the black beans, bell peppers and spices to make a meal that you are sure to enjoy. Read more

Summer Time Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is usually pretty straight-forward.   For most newborns it is caused by yeast and easily treated with a prescription anti-fungal cream. As kids get older, and get their first case of the stomach flu (with lots of diarrhea), they often get a rash caused by the irritation from the diarrhea.  Often times, though, I see kids that have some sort of strange diaper rash and I am not exactly sure what it is.  When this happens I follow one very basic rule:  If it is wet, make it dry! Read more

Toasted Barley & Asparagus “Risotto”

When properly prepared this dish has a pasta-like consistency.  The Barley is an excellent source of both fiber and protein.  There are numerous reports on the cholesterol-lowering effects of barley.  The Parmesan cheese adds a creamy touch without all the added fat and cholesterol.  The asparagus is low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals – especially calcium.  The tomatoes add some color and are one of the best sources of the anti-cancer compound lycopene. Read more

Smart Recipes: Wild Rice, Butternut Squash, Leeks, & Corn

Wild rice is low in calories but very hearty and filling.  It is a great source of B-vitamins, fiber and protein.  Butternut squash is an excellent source of vitamin A.  The leeks and corn make this a flavor filled meal. Read more

Smart Recipes: Polenta-Stuffed Peppers

Since we implemented our new diet, we have had the chance to try lots of things that either I had never heard of, or had no idea how to pronounce.  Part of the goal of trying the diet and committing to follow it strictly for 4 months was to force us to eat new things.  One claims of those who follow a whole foods, plant-based diet is that by limiting yourself to a meat & potatoes, typical American diet, you prevent yourself from enjoying many of the wonderful things nature has provided us.  Overall, I would agree.  Now I will not lie – there have been many things that did not make the cut.  Veggies, poorly prepared, are not very tasty.  It has been a process (for my wife) of finding recipes, preparing them, and then giving them the thumbs up or thumbs down.  We are gradually building a menu at home of things that are very healthy and earned the thumbs up.  We thought we would share some of our favorite recipes so far.  Try them and let us know what you think! Read more

On Becoming Healthy: The Vitality Compass

I have been surfing The Blue Zones website and found this fascinating little program.  It is called The Vitality Compass.  It is a series of 30 or so questions, developed in conjunction with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.  It covers the basics of your current health and lifestyle choices.  The questions are analyzed to give you some interesting statistics:

1. Your Overall Life Expectancy
2. Your Disease-Free life Expectancy
3. How many extra years of life you can expect by improving your lifestyle.

Click below to take the FREE quiz.

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