How to not poison your kids…or…
If you want your child to be happy, well nourished, not overweight, with sharp minds and big hearts it takes work as a parent and there are simple steps you can do today towards that end.
Give your kids structure: Organize your time that your kids get up and go to bed at a set time, this keeps them well rested. Let them get plenty of uninterrupted sleep.
Ask them to be responsible for something outside themselves – age appropriate like a pet, or laundry, or to pick up their toys or stuff every day.
Let them know that there are consequences for not participating in their responsibilities. Be an example, and talk to them about what needs to be done.
Feed them healthy food 3 times daily: this means local, fresh, non-gmo, pesticide free food. Putting healthy foods in a small persons body gives them the building blocks they need for growth and brain health. With their organs still developing, especially in babies and small children, they do not have the detoxing capacity in their kidneys and livers to handle the toxins in many processed foods. Yes we know kids love cereal and hotdogs but they have to be feed these foods from someone. Consider clean alternatives or try doing dinner for breakfast.
Make sure they drink plenty of clean water. Get a water filter that effectively removes pesticides and heavy metals.
Keep poisons out of the yard and home: Do not spray bug killers on your house or yard, learn to dig up the weeds or cut them down. The most common spray is Round-Up and it has so many toxins in it that negatively effect a baby, a child, you and your pets. Look at all your in-home cleaners and how much plastic you use. Industrial plastics in kids’ toys, in food containers, plastic wrap, and personal care products all contribute to making us sick and have been linked to decreases in fertility and brain cognition, as well as causing birth defects. Surprisingly more plastic poisons called EDC’s are found in fast food restaurants, another good reason to avoid them altogether.
Get your kids outside and moving: Outside time in nature is grounding, can lower blood pressure and pulses and can be fun! Moving our bodies, walking, running, climbing is good for strengthening body and mind. Go explore your town and see all the natural beauty Tucson has to offer.
Get off the electronics: We know we love our phones but seeing kids walking around looking down while they cross a street or driving puts them and others in danger. But does more screen time really affect kids brains?
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health recently offered a glimpse of the answer, based on preliminary data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. This study is following more than 11,000 9- and 10-year-olds at 21 sites throughout the United States. The results were presented in December by study director Gaya Dowling, PhD, on CBS’ “60 Minutes.”
The two big takeaways from the initial data are:
- MRI scans found significant differences in the brains of some children who reported using smartphones, tablets, and video games more than seven hours a day.
- Children who reported more than two hours a day of screen time got lower scores on thinking and language tests.
Schedule a weekly electronics free day! Play games, go for a hike, talk to each other, read books, lots can be done with our phones, computers and TV’s being on…
Safe and Simple ways to have healthier kids mean eating clean, sleeping enough, drinking clean water and being an avid label reader of foods, personal care products, food containers and household cleaners. You have the power in your hands to give yourself and your kids a healthier and happier present and future life.
