Dr. Sears Speaking in Jacksonville Next Weekend – Free Event! November 27, 2011

Yes, that’s right! Next Friday and Saturday, December 2nd and 3rd, Dr. Sears will be giving a free Prevention Plus seminar entitled, “10 Healthy Tips for all Ages.” Although it is a free event, you do need a ticket, which I have. If you would like to go, please email me at jbraddockrd@gmail.com. The details are below and see the link for all the info, or if you don’t know who Dr. Sears is.

Friday, December 2, 2011

7pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville

Saturday, December 3, 2011

11am

University of North Florida University Center

Child care is provided free of charge for those under the age of 5. 5 and older are encouraged to join there parents.

Dr. Sears Invitation

Alton and Halloween October 31, 2011

Yesterday I was able to check an item off my bucket list – meeting Alton Brown.

I wish that it was not in a large, noisy warehouse store where you have to dodge people going after the samples of crab dip like they’ve had nothing to eat in days. But nonetheless, I did meet him, have a very short chat, and he signed his book to Jackson and me. I told him that I was a dietitian and appreciated him using RD’s on his show. It didn’t quite strike the cord I was hoping for (a girl can dream, right?). When I mentioned my 12 week old son that he was signing for, he seemed more impressed that I was out and about, looking rested, so shortly after his birth.

So maybe I’ll add meeting him back on my bucket list and hope for a more professional setting where we can chat it up about food, nutrition, and science. Again, a girl can dream. All in all, it was a great experience and I enjoyed it with some good friends who are also big fans. Here’s a picture.

Changing gears now, it is Halloween! What do you have planned? I have to ask, have you been celebrating all month with your candy consumption? It’s hard to avoid the temptations of this sweet-filled month. BOGO sales on candy have tempted me to purchase my stash way earlier that I normally would (which would be just a couple of days before Halloween). So we have been trying to avoid that ever looming bag of peanut butter Snickers in the back of the pantry for a couple of weeks. Here are few suggestions for making Halloween easier on your waistline this year and in the years to come.

• Wait to buy your candy to the last minute. If it’s not your favorite candy, it only helps you.
• Buy candy that is easy for you to say “no” to.
• On November 1st, throw out the candy or donate it to someone else. In our area, I have even seen signs for a dentist that has a post-Halloween candy exchange program.
• Look for ways to celebrate without just candy – fall crafts, hayrides, corn mazes (which are everywhere this year it seems), and funny family photos.

If you have any healthy Halloween suggestions, please post below. You are also welcome to post a picture of your family all dressed up.

I hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween!

Who Influences Kids’ Eating Choices More? October 10, 2011

What a great question. Parents want to blame advertisers and companies want to blame parents/environment for poor eating choices.

Check out this great article about a new study that shows it’s a combination of both influences. Parents still have a strong impact on kid’s choices. This supports my conclusion that parents need to offer safe boundaries for their kids to make healthy choices. This means the child can practice freedom of choice but the choices available are all healthy. You cannot expect young children to make healthy choices all on their own. They must be taught how to do this. If you don’t want your child to eat french fries every time you go through the drive through, then don’t let it be an option.

Keep on trucking parents! Stay consistent, healthy and balanced with your children’s eating decisions.