5 Ways to get Your Children to Drink More Water

5 Ways to Get Your Children to Drink More Water Some ideas!

 Wasn't it Mary Poppins who said "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down"? In my house, we have taken that to extremes! Luckily, my children are addicted to fruit juice but even most fruit juices are loaded with sugar and still not the same as water. Come to think of it, I am probably the worst one in my house when it comes to what I drink. I am a soda "Junkie"- Not an addict, a literal junkie. Yes, I have read and studied all of the reasons why diet soda is bad for us and have decided that my precious silver can is worth the risk. When I run out, I even hold my empty can so I don't go through separation anxiety...... Okay, its not that bad but you get the idea. I have been attacking what we eat with a vengeance and have neglected to focus on the liquids we put into our bodies- so the journey starts today.

 Why do our bodies need water?

 Brain Power - yep, water can make you smarter! Since your brain is made up mostly of water, keeping your water tanks full will allow you to stay more alert and aware. Without enough water, your brain cannot function well which can lead to headaches and migraines.

Look Younger - Your entire body is made up of water, including your skin! Drinking plenty of water will keep these cells full and plump which can help reduce the appearance and depth of wrinkles!

Weight Loss - Water assists in digestion and boosts your metabolism. Water also regulates your body temperature so you are able to have a more productive workout!

Health Benefits - Drinking lots of water helps to fight against flu and things like kidney stones and heart attacks. Add lemon to your water and it will help fight respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheumatism and arthritis.

Mood Enhancer and Energy Booster - Water helps to flush toxins out of your body. Without enough water, you heart has to work harder to get the oxygenated cells to the rest of your body. This tires out your body which means you are a bit exhausted too! Giving your body enough water will allow it to run at peak function - so it will be happy and it should share the love!

I know that there are many more reasons but Those are just a few of the reasons why water is good for us. So...now we know it is good for us.....How do we get our kids (eh...ourselves) to drink more?!?! Here are 5 GREAT Ways to get your kids to drink More WATER!

1. Make it accessible - Soda and juices are so convenient because they are kept in the fridge so they always cold. EVERYTHING tastes better cold! So keep a large water jug or dispenser where your children can access it! If you get one like the one pictured, you can refill it yourself and your children will LOVE the fact that they can get it themselves!

 2. Add Fruit - I know that a lot of folks add lemon and lime but maybe you want your water to have a bit more pizazz! Try adding watermelon, oranges, berries, or even cucumber to your water. Freeze the fruit first and you will have delicious ice cubes!

3. Fun Cups - Any fun cup will do! A cute sipper, a cup with a crazy straw, or try a cup that your child can decorate! You can actually use their favorite piece of artwork, a picture, or have them design something super special. Taking the time to sit with your child and decorate this cup will make it special for them and they will use it more!!

4. FREEZE IT! Make an ice pop for summer fun! Add fresh fruit and sit it in a mold (or use a dixie cup and a Popsicle stick) in the freezer.

 5. Make it a game! Get a chalk board or dry erase board and track EVERYONE in the families water intake! The first one to eight cups wins!

 I hope that these fun tips help your family to drink more water. Doctors recommend 8 8ounce glasses per day. Yes, I know that there are concerns out there about the safety of tap water and you can learn more by visiting www.epa.gov/safewater/annual and by calling your local water agency.The EPA believes that at least 90 percent of the United State's Drinking Water is safe but if you still want to be extra careful, you can also test your water yourself, using a home test kit. These tests detect lead, arsenic, pesticides, and bacteria. Two reputable ones are PurTest and Discover testing. The kits sell for $10 to $30.

Good luck to your children (and yourself) on developing better water drinking habits! if you have any tips, PLEASE SHARE!

This post was originally published on Frugal Fit Family 

5 Natural Remedies for Children with ADD/ADHD

Simple solutions for children AND ADULTS who need help with focus, clarity, and behavior.....

Please know going into this that I am NOT a doctor nor am I from the healthcare industry. I am a mother of 5 children with one that is borderline ADD (he has not been diagnosed but he fits all of the behaviors used to diagnose the disorder) and I am determined not to medicate my child at the age of 5. I also need to note that I will never fault a parent for doing what they believe will help their child. I completely understand that there are situations which do require the medications as for some children, this may be the only answer. I simply advise that BEFORE you go to the medications, you take the time to investigate some all natural solutions and lifestyle changes that could be your answer to medicinal freedom.

Too easily today, active children are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Don't you remember the days when parents would excuse their active child by saying, "Sorry, he is a bit hyper". You never hear that anymore. It is always, "Sorry, he has ADD". IT IS ESTIMATED BY EXPERTS THAT OVER 1 MILLION CHILDREN ARE MISDIAGNOSED WITH ADD/ADHD EVERY YEAR! If they have issues in school-they are labeled ADD. If they like to move quickly from one activity to another-they are labeled ADD. If they have trouble sitting still-labeled. This happens as early as Kindergarten when some children are having their first school experiences. Most doctors will accompany this diagnosis with a prescription slip for a medicine with a LONG list of side effects. Some of these side effects include things like depression, thoughts of suicide, insomnia, mood changes, loss of appetite, and they go on and on. What is scarier is that in many cases these medicines that are meant to deal with the "mental" side of the disorder and having psychological side effects are prescribed by a family practitioner without the evaluation of a psychologist.

Many children who start on the drug end up taking it for the remainder of their lives as they get accustomed to the "clarity" effect it offers. I know adults in their 40's who can't kick the need to take it and take it daily before work. I should mention that a portion of tese started taking it in college to study and were never prescribed the medication. This only proves the addivtive nature of the medication. Do the Benefits of the Drugs outweigh the Side Effects? Only a parent can decide...first, you should better understand the disorder.

What is ADD/ADHD

ADD is the general term used to describe people with ADHD. They mean almost the same thing, but there are three types of ADHD.

• Inattentive Type
• Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
• Combined Type.

Some say that the disorder is genetic and is found mostly in children however some adults may be diagnosed as well. The easiest way to describe the disorder is to say that your brain is in constant communication with your body. It is always sending messages on how to think, act, and feel. In those with ADD/ADHD, those messages are not always sent clearly causing confusion.

What Causes ADD?

The disorder is still being studied extensively and scientists really aren't sure yet what exactly causes it. However, they have found that hormones also play a role. One of the causes for ADHD stems from problems in the gut (digestive issues) and food allergies or sensitivities. This is true in my son's case. We found that he has issues digesting lactose. I will spare you the details of what the symptoms that led us to figure this one out.

Other Factors Could Be things like:

• Smoking while pregnant.
• Other nutritional factors: preservatives, DYES-Specifically, Blue #1 and #2, Green #3, Orange B, Red #3 and #40, Yellow #5 and #6, and Sodium benzoate.
• Toxins
• Brain Injury

What are the Symptoms of ADD/ADHD ?

The list below shows the symptoms of the three types of ADHD.

Symptoms of inattention:

• distracted easily
• Bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable
• Misplacing items often
• Don’t seem to listen when spoken to
• confused easily
• Difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
• Struggle to follow instructions

Symptoms of hyperactivity:

• Fidgety and squirmy
• Talk nonstop
• Trouble sitting still
• Difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities

Symptoms of impulsiveness:

• Impatience
• Inappropriate comments
• Show emotions without restraint
• Act without thinking about consequences
• Interrupt others

So- Now you understand the disorder a bit better. Here are some natural alternatives that MAY help to keep your child off the prescriptions! It is not true in every case but I can tell you the difference that I have witnessed in my son is amazing.

Natural Remedies for ADD/ ADHD

1.ROUTINE & RELAXATION- It is important to establish a routine for your child. Make everything as scheduled as possible so they understand what comes next. Meal times, chores, even bed time routines are so important. Keep your home as calm as possible and try calming activities like massage and warm baths.

This also goes for discipline. Make sure both parents and caregivers are on board with the method you choose. Be sure to thoroughly and CALMLY explain to the child what they did wrong and be sure they understand what the right choice would have been.

2. HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES - These were a lifesaver for me. We were having trouble potty training our son at the age of 4 (and still the occasional "accident" now) when we turned to what we called "feel better drops". He understood what to do but would be so busy with something that he would choose it over the restroom. There may be many versions of these but we used a product by Newton Laboratories called "Hypercalm". It is made from all natural ingredients and is available in a dropper or pellet form. The drops didn't put him into a coma and didn't give him a high, they just took the "edge" off and allowed him to think a bit more clearly to make the right decision.

Other suggestions are Herbs that calm and soothe the nervous system. They include lemon balm, chamomile, hops, passion flower, skullcap, brahmi, valerian, and St. John’s Wort.

3. DIETARY CHANGES - Again, we found that my son had issues with milk. I also noticed a HUGE difference when I began eliminating processed foods from his diet. Try to go as close to raw and organic as possible and eliminate dyes and preservatives. This doesn't mean that you have to make everything from scratch! There are so many all natural brands now and even "convenience" items available without the additives. There are even "ADD Diets" that are suggested. They include some of the following tips:

• Eat a high-protein diet, including beans, cheese, eggs, meat, and nuts. Add protein foods in the morning and for after-school snacks, to improve concentration.
• Eat fewer simple carbohydrates, such as candy, corn syrup, honey, sugar, products made from white flour, white rice, and potatoes without the skins.
• Eat more complex carbohydrates, such as vegetables and some fruits (things like oranges, tangerines, pears, grapefruit, apples, and kiwi).
• Eat more Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in tuna, salmon, other cold-water white fish, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and olive and canola oil.

4. Nutritional Supplements - Even simple combinations of the "right" vitamins and minerals can make a quick improvement in your child's focus and behavior. While there are different methods that should be discussed with your child's doctor, the suggestions include:

• Omega 3's
• Calcium, magnesium, zinc, Vitamin B (usually all found in a good multivitamin)
• Vitamin C
• Flaxseed

5. Exercise and Activity - get your child active in something that provides structure.

• Excercise: This may sound CRAZY but try taking them to a Zumba class. They do make this for kids and its called Zumbatomic or even the adult classes would be great. Martial Arts, Yoga, and sports also provide structured learning as well!
• Activity- Music classes and Art classes are fantastic. They get to be hands on with a project while they learn and explore. This keeps their minds and hands busy! Many of these children (and me) are Kinestetic. It is a tactile way of learning where the best learning takes place while physical activity is also happening. Give me a slinky during a lecture and I will absorb everything that is said. No slinky--my mind wonders and I doze off!

To close, I would like everyone to know that there is nothing "WRONG" with children with ADD. I wish that the disorder was better understood by people. These children are intelligent, bright, and happy just like other kids. They simply learn and process information differently than others might. In many cases medicine may be the only answer but if you are willing to go the drug route, why not try a few things that may naturally help your child first. These natural remedies can actually be beneficial to all children and adults so implementing them for the whole family will only increase their benefits!

Only you will know what is right for you so do your research and with your doctor make an educated decision for your child's method of care.

If you have any all natural remedies you swear by- PLEASE SHARE!

This post was originally published on Frugal Fit Family

The Active Parent Challenge - Through Pictures

When I was first thinking about writing this post,  I was thinking about doing a ton of research on all the health benefits of being an active parent.

But after thinking about it, I didn’t really think that extra research was necessary.

The reason is, I think that parents know that they should be active and all the reasons why.

So today, I decided to share some of our pictures.

In hopes to inspire both me to get off this computer

and you to pledge in “The Active Parent Challenge”.

If you are interested in pledging, check out this link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/146612428833326/148326098661959

Or just use these pictures as a little inspiration to get out and be active with your family today.

This post was originally published on Who Has Time For the Gym