Thursday, September 25, 2008

Kids Are Our Future

Kids Are Our Future

I have begun my quest in teaching children how to eat healthier and live healthier lives. This is extremely important in light of the growing obesity epidemic in children and teens in our country. One way to help kids eat better is to teach them how to make healthier choices, and to show them how to start making these good decisions at an early age. Here are some tips that will help your children grow up happier and healthier:

1. Cook with your children. Find a simple job for them to do and let them do it. It will get them excited about what they are eating for dinner and encourage them to try something new.
2. Eat a meal with your family as often as possible, but at least twice a week.
3. Make dinner a routine. Whether or not you are eating with them, keep the time consistent.
4. Children don’t know everything, so when you are grocery shopping talk to them about the food you are buying.
5. Lead by example. Make sure you are eating healthy, and that they see you eat this way.
6. Treats are fine (McDonalds, Taco Bell, chips, candies) in moderation.
7. Watch the Food Network together.
8. Look up recipes on the internet and make them together.
9. Create lists of vegetables and let your child check off that they have tried them, even if they like them or not. Six months later do it all over again.
10. Don’t make food a battle.

What I Cooked Today… BBQ Ribs

A classic at my house:

1 slab of baby back ribs
½ cup of a good spice rub
1 bottle bbq sauce (I love KC Masterpiece original)

In a large pot boil the ribs for 20 minutes. Heat a bbq grill to medium heat. After boiling ribs, take them out of the pot and rub the dry rub mixture all over the ribs. Add salt and pepper. Then grill for 15 minutes and flip. Grill for another 15 minutes, and then brush on bbq sauce and grill for another 15 minutes. Enjoy.