September Holidays

Many of us don't typically think of September as having any holiday other than Labor Day.  There are a few lesser known ones to keep in mind: Baby Safety Month Better Breakfast Month Children's Eye Health and Safety National Chicken Month National Rice Month National School Success Month Childcare Week National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month The common threads that tie all of these special occasions together are food and children.  Children's nutrition should be especially important to us all.  Whether we have children of our own or not, they are our future. I recently read that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study in 2009 which said, an estimated 32.5 percent of adults consumed fruit two or more times per day and 26.3 percent consumed vegetables three or more times per day.  This is far short of the national targets.  I can only imagine what the statistics look like for children who have far less control over what they eat than what adults are consuming. Additional data from the Centers for Disease Control also estimates that 1 in 3 children in the United States is overweight or obese, increasing their risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses.  One of the things adults can do to help this trend decline is provide children with healthier alternatives for snacks and meal times.  I practiced this early in my own daughter's life.  I fed her plenty of fruits and vegetables from the time she was an infant.  Today, as a young adult, one of her favorite vegetables is spinach.  Yes, I said spinach.  She loves it. Having more fresh fruits and vegetable on hand is a good way for everyone to stay healthier and more fit.  While I too have developed a taste for salty snacks like potato chips, I try to keep them out of the pantry.  Instead, I make a real effort to keep apples, bananas and a variety of fruits of the season handy.  When the urge hits me to snack, I have no choice but to eat what is on hand which is usually an apple.  Slice it and dip the slices into some peanut butter.  You've just made one tasty treat you'll start to prefer over high calorie snack food. In recognition of September's National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, Aetna is  hosting a special contest on their web site to award grants to three national or regional nonprofit organizations that are making a difference in combating childhood obesity.  Please go there and cast your vote for one of these organizations. Try to develop the habit of keeping at least a few pieces of fresh fruit around.  The children will follow your lead when they see what you're eating.  Fresh fruit baskets stored in the fridge or counter top look pretty too.  Some vegetables can be stored at room temperature also.  You can substitute a bowl of colorful veggies for a floral centerpiece on the dinner table.  In reconditioning how we think about fruits and vegetables, we are all now "thinking outside the basket."  Here's to a healthier generation! Visit us online http://www.basketsbyconsuela.com for more ideas, tips and trends in the food and gift industry. Baskets by Consuela    "we think outside the basket" Phone: 678.499.2765 Fax: 1-610-885-7584 Email: baskets.byconsuela@yahoo.com Website: http://www.basketsbyconsuela.com Blogs: http://Basketsbyconsuela.wordpress.com & http://basketwrapup.blogspot.com/

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