This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Heart Association for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association are putting out a simple yet profound question.
Everyone has a reason to live a healthier, longer life. What’s yours?
Directed toward me, as a mother, why do I want a healthier lifestyle for not only myself, but my family? WHY do I aim for this goal and what do I do to make it happen?
It is such a steep question, because as any mother knows, the health and wellbeing of your children and family is always at the forefront of your mind. As a mother, I know I am held highly responsible for the influence brought onto my children when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. I take great pride in the fact that we have always stood behind a healthy lifestyle, and all in good balance.
You can read all about how the American Heart Association is helping everyone find their “why”, HERE.
For me, my family is why. I want us all to have the best life possible. One that we are thriving and healthy in. One that we can enjoy and create memories together. I want my boys to grow up in a house where they understand nutrition and exercise all in fine balance. So that it is never an argument, only a natural life lesson that falls into place.
We always keep what the boys call “snack plates” on hand during the afternoon stretch after lunch and before dinner. It always consists of cheese, a fruit or two, nuts, crackers etc. Just healthy eats that their little hands can grab and go with.
Both Brody and Owen face their own health issues, and will continue to throughout their life. These health issues are exactly why I do my best to give them the tools they need to understand how to live a healthy lifestyle. Cooking from scratch has always played a big role in teaching my boys the importance of controlling what you consume. Teaching kids how to do everything in balance will create a much more well rounded eater.
There are simple improvements you can make to your daily life to aid in better heart and brain health for you and your family. Reducing your sodium intake, do your best to cut out the extra sugary drinks. Increase fruits and veggies and always implement physical activity. It really truly is just that simple.
In our home, I have a deep love for implementing cooking into my kids daily life. They help with meals around the clock, they see, smell and taste fresh ingredients. Some they love, some they do not. But cooking from scratch is our way of having a greater control over what is consumed in our home.
Teaching them the basics of cooking and how to turn a few ingredients into an entire dish is an essential to ensure that they as adults will have the tools they need to create fresh food for themselves around the clock. You will quickly start to see the pride they take in prepping the food that as a family, everyone eats and enjoys.
Check out the Moms Unite Moms Unite Facebook Group Facebook page for more inspiration. I know I will do anything I can to create a healthy lifestyle for my family so that we can enjoy our years in the best health possible. My boys, the hubby included mean the world to me, and any small steps we can take to make a huge impact on their lives I will do.
Adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your daily intake is much simpler than you imagine. You can use this amazing guide from American Heart Association on Pinterest to see what is in season. Looking at this chart made me want to get our garden started, so that we can have fresh ingredients on hand to influence the recipes we make on a daily basis.
On Pinterest, you can find it here.
At the same time with the amazing supply that grocery stores have these days, it is super simple to find these items year round. And never forget the freezer section fellow mamas! We always have frozen peas, broccoli and butternut squash to add into pastas and rice. Frozen fruit to toss into baked goods we make. The options are endless, and there really is no excuse when it comes to implementing more fruits and veggies into our diet; we are very fortunate to have the produce at our finger tips year round.
We decided it was time to give our garden a jump start and the boys were thrilled to get it going!
Brody and Owen had a riot picking out their seed packets at the store. Each explaining that what they pick out they have to try when it grows. Which just warmed my heart – they are always willing to try new things and as most moms know, sometimes it takes introducing a new fruit/vegetable 10x until it sticks. Just keep at it, they’ll learn to like it eventually.
Planting a garden is a great way to add such excitement to the fresh foods you implement into the diet of the ones you love. Kids love keeping track and their growth, and harvesting what they have grown. Nothing beats coming up with recipes on the spot with what you have in hand!
These little pots will be transported outside once the weather becomes more consistent for us. See how easy it is to really influence your family to take on a healthier lifestyle?
Why not start now? What is your reason for living a healthier life? Share your “Why” on LifeIsWhy.org
Follow the American Heart Association on Pinterest, for loads of inspiration!
And for even more great tips join our Facebook community and visit us at lifeiswhy.org/moms/
Love this :). Madden hasn’t fully embraced the vegetable train, so we’re trying to incorporate them more by sneaking them in! When he’s old enough, would love to get him to help grow our own veggies… Great idea!