Health Buzz: Keeping Kids and Parents Healthy Together

Health news from around the web for September 15, 2011.

In this episode of Health Buzz, we have lots of ideas to help kids and parents stay healthy throughout the school year. Our host Jamie Yuenger shares stories from Care2, Everyday Health, our writers at DietsInReview and a great lunchbox recipe from Alison Lewis at Ingredients, Inc.

Student Learning Suffers with the Demise of Recess

Recess has long been a staple of the school experience, a time during the day when kids get a chance to get outside and run around. In recent years, however, recess is shrinking. Some schools argue that students need to spend more time in the classroom to meet testing expectations, but other eduction experts say that recess actually helps gets learn. Physical activity not only delivers more oxygen to the brain, but is also helps children learn how to socialize and improve memory.

Source: Care2

Exercise Tips for Busy Parents

Many moms and dads may be wondering how they'll be able to fit a workout into their busy schedules. Everyday Health has 10 ways to workout at home, to help parents get a minimum of 20 minutes of exercise into each day, even if you don't have time to get to the gym. Some of our favorite tips are taking the stairs two at a time and toting your tot instead of using a stroller. Even consider preparing more home cooked meal--you'll actually burn more calories in the process!

Source: Everyday Health

MyPlate Goes Back to School

Learn how MyPlate is being incorporated into the classroom this fall, the first since its introduction. Teachers are using MyPlate in a number of creative ways, not only to empower kids to make better nutrition choices, but also to encourage them to take these lesson home to their entire families. MyPlate illustrates a healthy diet, and teachers in a variety of settings are getting kids to interact with these concepts using computers, cooking demonstrations and even food tastings.

Source: DietsInReview.com

Sending Your Gluten-Free Kid Back to School

Wendy Gregory Kaho of the "Celiacs in the House" blog shares this great guest post about helping families send their gluten-free kids to school. Having a gluten allergy doesn't have to be socially inhibiting for kids. It does, however, require more planning. Gregory Kaho gives great advice on how to talk with school administrators, teachers and cafeteria staff about the options that will be available to children with gluten-free requirements. Talking and planning with your child is also an important part of helping them get their nutritional needs met. This story also ends with a great list of further resources.

Source: DietsInReview.com

Recipe: Lunch Box Sushi

This episode's recipe comes from cookbook author and journalist Alison Lewis. If you're stuck in a sandwich rut when packing your kid's lunch, this great twist on the classic tortilla wrap will pull you out. Alison suggests combining rice, mayonnaise, shrimp, avocado, cucumber and wrapping it in a soft tortilla. Cut the roll into sushi-segments and top with soy sauce. It's sure to be the coolest lunch in the cafeteria!

Sourse: Ingredients, Inc