According to the CDC, approximately 17% of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Today’s kids spend less and less time exercising and more time in front of the TV, computer, or video-game console. Preventing kids from becoming overweight needs to be paramount in our lives. Some ways to help are adapting the way a family eats, exercises, and spends time together.

As a mom of two boys, I am worried about the state of our health because at this time, our health in the future looks pretty grim. As a health coach, my approach to diet and leading a healthy lifestyle centers on teaching people how to effectively reach health goals by making small changes that are enjoyable. I work with people who are looking to improve their overall health and happiness. I run seminars, workgroups, cooking classes and have one-on-one sessions. My focus is to educate, not just tell you to eat sprouts and tofu, which I love, but how to incorporate where you want to be in your life with small changes to your daily routine. Just think about it: what if you steered your life towards a sound mind and body? What would it look like?

I recently did an experiment at my son’s football practice. I brought a box of munchkin donuts and offered them out to the kids. Nine boys took one donut each and two boys took two. I was left with half a box and somewhat surprised. The next week I brought a bag of small apples from Trader Joes’, and offered them up as practice was ending. Six of the same boys took apples and four others did too, but this time three new boys asked if they could have one. This proves to me that what you offer kids has a much bigger bearing on what they eat. It makes me nuts when my son tells me the other kids say, “Yuck,” when he opens his Greek yogurt snack. If you haven’t tried it, how do you know you don’t like it?
Here’s a recipe below for my Monster Smoothie. If you serve it to your friends and family, don’t tell them what’s in it at first!
• 2 cups organic spinach
• 1 banana
• ½ c Frozen Strawberries
• 1-1.25 cups milk
Directions:
Put the ingredients into the blender in the above listed order. Do it in this order to make sure the spinach is fully incorporated and your family can’t detect it. Blend everything except for the frozen strawberries on the highest setting for about 1 minute. Finally, add the frozen berries and blend on the ice setting. Pour into a glass. Sit back and watch it disappear!