The Gift of a Lifetime

Like adults, children should be physically active most, if not all, days of the week. Experts suggest at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily for most children. Walking fast, bicycling, jumping rope, dancing fast, and playing basketball are all good ways for your child to be active.

As children spend more time watching TV and playing computer and video games, they spend less time being active. Parents play a big role in helping kids get up and get moving.

Be a role model for your children. If they see you being physically active and having fun, they are more likely to be active and stay active throughout their lives.
Involve the whole family in activities like hiking, biking, dancing, basketball, or roller skating.
Focus on fun. You can do a lot of walking during trips to the zoo, park, or miniature-golf course.
Include children in household activities like walking the dog, raking leaves, car-washing, or shovelling snow.
Limit your children’s TV and computer time. Offer them active options, like joining a local recreation center or after-school program, or taking lessons in a sport they enjoy.
Encourage your child to be physically active every day.

Giving Thanks

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Psalm 100

Practice Hard, Play Hard, Live Well

"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Colossians 3: 14-15

What makes you a good athlete, a good sculptor, a good musician?

Practice!

What makes a man a good man? Practice. Nothing else. There is nothing capricious about religion. We do not get the soul in different ways, under different laws, from those in which we get the body and the mind. If a man does not exercise his arm he develops no biceps muscle; and if a man does not exercise his soul, he acquires no muscle in his soul, no strength of character, no vigor of moral fibre, no beauty of spiritual growth. Love is not a thing of enthusiastic emotion. It is a rich, strong, manly, vigorous expression of the whole round Christian character—the Christlike nature in its fullest development. And the constituents of this great character are only to be built up by consistent, never ending practice.

Learning Lessons for a Lifetime

The Bible is filled with countless lessons for us all. For Centuries many a good parent has taught their children lessons based on writings found in the Lord's Holy Bible. The teachings of the Bible can help any child learn a firm foundation of moral values. Values our children can use and benefit from for a lifetime.

Take this simple, timeless excerpt from Proverbs:

"For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding:

He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;

That he may guard the paths of justice, And preserve the way of his saints.

Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, And equity, yea, every good path.

For wisdom shall enter into thy heart, And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;

Discretion shall watch over thee; Understanding shall keep thee" Proverbs 2:6-11

Enjoy Life's Blessings

The 23rd Psalm is probably one of the most often quoted bits from the Bible. It can serve to remind us to take time to appreciate some of life's many blessings. A walk through the park or by a river or stream. Life's ups and downs don't have to be tackled alone. Keep the Good Lord in your thoughts - and actions.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." Psalms 23

The High Life

"Living Well is the best revenge." she reminded us. Those simple and yet powerful words have reminded me more than a few times to forgive, and forget, and live well!

Let us show our young charges - those we love the most - the often overlooked art of living well.

Living well has little to do with money or things. Instead, living well embraces a healthy honest lifestyle. "Enjoy all things in moderation!" is often quoted are so easily forgotten. Simple pleasures abound.

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 1 Peter 2:15-17

Live the High Life!

Enjoy the Journey

"Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest"
Ecclesiastes 9: 7-10

"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment" Ecclesiastes 11:9

"A religion of just being kind would be a pretty good religion, don't you think?

But a religion of kindness and useful effort is nearly a perfect religion.

We are weaving character every day, and the way to weave the best character is to be kind and to be useful.

THINK RIGHT, ACT RIGHT; IT IS WHAT WE THINK AND DO THAT MAKE US WHAT WE ARE." ELBERT HUBBARD

Healthy Habits

What's a Parent to do? How do you teach your children to eat healthy and avoid the kinds of choices which lead to obesity or even just just less than optimal health?

It is so easy to come home in the evening and order a pizza or stop and grab some take-out. The drive-thru lane at any fast-food ( or is that fat-food? ) eatery on your way home always seem to have a constant stream of traffic. Sure, they offer some relatively healthy choices. Milk instead of soda. Maybe applesauce in place of fries. Our little ones always seem to want the good old standard fries and burgers.

Why do I take the easy, convenient option even when I know, in the back of my tiny little mind, that my kids are not getting the best possible diet? Time and convenience are the key words here. Would my children be better served if I take a few more minutes to pass by the fast-food fat store and simply make something healthy at home? Absolutely.

We can teach our children healthy eating habits. We can enjoy tasty, nutritious meals prepared with locally grown produce. You can, without too much sacrifice teach your children the benefits of Eating Healthy.

Getting them involved makes it fun for them and they will actually want to eat something they’ve helped prepare. We make omelets as a team. The boys handle the eggs – after washing their hands – and Dad handles the omelet pan and other ingredients. They even get to pick what to include in their own unique omelet.

I read somewhere that our little ones learn the most by watching what we do. If we teach them by example they will gain more from our lessons. Simply telling them the benefits of eating healthy is far less effective than getting them involved in actually practicing healthy eating habits!

If you're like me - and millions of other parents - you might have gained a few more pounds than you had just a few years ago. Don't let your children watch as your body goes in the wrong direction. Lead by example. Them them healthy habits.

If you're wanting to drop a few pounds - The quickest way to lose weight is to combine healthy eating with plenty of exercise. Start getting in shape fast and watch those pounds melt away!