New Healthy Eating Apps for Kids

PBS KIDS has come out with some cool new apps for kids ages 3 to 8 that feature healthful foods as a backdrop for awesome learning games. What's even better is that several of them are free. Perfect to have handy for holiday vacation week! I tested out two of them with my son (honestly I couldn't say who had more fun). The first is called D.W.'s Unicorn Adventure, which is fast-paced but easy to learn. D.W., sister of Arthur, rides a lost unicorn in purple sneakers to help guide it safely home. To do that, they need to fuel up with healthful snacks of fruits and vegetables from all colors of the rainbow. There are 12 levels of difficulty that progress through the six rainbow colors as D.W. and the unicorn "leap" to catch 12 different fruits and veggies: strawberries and apples; oranges and carrots; bananas and pineapples; bell peppers and broccoli; blueberries and plums; and grapes and eggplant. They have to avoid the energy-zapping junk food though like soda, chips, donuts, and candy bars crossing their path that could drain their energy levels before they finish the course! This app is compatible with iPhone and iPod touch and available through the iTunes store for $1.99.

The second app we played is called Fizzy's Lunch Lab: Fresh Pick, which has Professor Fizzy guiding slightly older kids (6-8) through eight different challenges, some of which take place in a supermarket. The games are so fun that kids won't realize they're also developing skills in how to count money, follow detailed directions, and tackle problem-solving. A detail I appreciated with this app is that the games allow for endless second chances if the child makes a wrong choice, rather than, say, blocking out after three tries (which has frustrated my son with other games so that he gives up too easily). This app is compatible with most tablets and is available for free download through the iTunes store.

Be sure to check out all of PBS KIDS educational apps that are categorized by age, show and cost! 

Week 4 Well Together Challenge: Final Hooping Video

Well maybe not forever final, but my last for the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care blogger challenge with Michele from A Yummy Mommy! It was a very very tough weekend with the Sandy Hook School tragedy. It's one of those things that you don't want to think about but you have to because they are us. As parents, you can't not have your heart shatter. I've vowed to pray for schools and for children everywhere to be protected from violence. That's a tall order but I know I'm joining countless others who are also taking this vow.

 

The hooping was therapeutic and filming it pulled me out of a sad funk. Reflecting on these past four weeks of hooping, I'll admit I've come a long way. I haven't been able to devote hours a day to practice or else I might be further along. But I'll also admit that if I weren't doing this for a sponsored blogger challenge, I probably would've given up by Week 2! It definitely wasn't easy or natural to learn and I got plenty of bruises; see pic at right just from filming the video below.

As adults, I think we get comfortable in our ways and branch out less, especially with activities that are far beyond our everyday realm. Consider how many New Year's resolutions we make and break; maybe we don't have a strong enough reason to follow through? Having accountability through this public blog and Michele and a contract with Harvard Pilgrim forced me to keep going, and I'm glad I did because the hooping finally grew on me and I plan to keep at it. Mentally I'm stronger too, after pushing through insecurities and frustration at lack of progress. Peeking at Michele's inspiring post this week, it looks like she had similar thoughts about the benefits of accountability. In the video below, I used several moves from a beginner's YouTube video by Hoop Fusion. It combines a few easy tricks with toning exercises. The great thing about hooping is that you become so focused on keeping the hoop up and trying again and again that before you know it, you've spent 30-60 minutes exercising!

I'd encourage you to challenge yourself. Find something that you want to accomplish but that will take some stretching and discomfort to get there. Most importantly have strong accountability to someone who will see you to the end and maybe a special incentive or reward waiting for you. I guarantee that you won't regret it, and you'll walk away with greater self-confidence to do even more unusual and awesome things!

Disclosure: I've partnered with Harvard Pilgrim onthis sponsored post but the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. You can find more ways to be well at HarvardPilgrim.org/CountUsIn. 

Week 3 Well Together Challenge: Staying Motivated with Fabulous Greek Sweet Potato Fries

Jake, at right, clicking away with a camera. I've never seen so many 5-year-olds (and younger) working digital cameras!I had meant to film another hooping video this week but holiday stuff got in the way. My son begged to go to a train show, so I spent a weekend afternoon devoted to that, and the next day my sister-in-law hosted her annual pre-Christmas brunch-that-lasts-into-dinner, which again meant no video.

I did have a small breakthrough with my hoop. I've been awestruck by videos of people doing amazing tricks, as if this were the norm with hooping. My norm is dropping the hoop endless times, sending it flying into walls, and banging my head with it. So, no, this hasn't really been fun. In fact I realized I've developed a fear of the thing, cringing and ducking whenever twirling it. My main goal has been to transition the hoop from overhead to my waist and back up again. Not there yet because of fear of pulling it down over my body. I realize how dumb that sounds. Being afraid of a plastic glittery thing that I'm controlling? So I've decided to face that fear by doing it again. However many times I drop it, I have to pick it up and do it again. Maybe I'll get better, maybe not...whatever. I just don't want fear to get the best of me. Next week I'll post a video of my progress. To stay motivated, I've been watching this video of a hooper showing her starting out, and then one year later. She's breathtaking and her description is inspiring! 

To make up for my lack of video and to treat myself for my hard work, I tested an easy recipe by Michele, baked Greek Sweet Potato Fries. Super yum! Even though fries are among my top favorite foods, I haven't indulged in them for some time. Michele's simple but flavorful twist is to sprinkle them with feta cheese after baking. What a great way to add creaminess and a spark of saltiness. These were such a hit I'm next planning to add feta to my roasted vegetables.

Peel and slice sweet potatoes into strips and arrange in single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and some black pepper, then bake at 400 F for 15 minutes. Flip fries and bake another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with crumbled feta and your favorite herbs.

...and finally, please check out Michele's awesome post this week on her top five ways to destress, decompress and reconnect during the holiday season!

Disclosure: I've partnered with Harvard Pilgrim on this sponsored post but the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. You can find more ways to be well at HarvardPilgrim.org/CountUsIn.