Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1160213
www.AbbysHealthFood.com - Issue 39 | Page 29 rarely sick; mental disabilities, learning disabilities and food allergies were virtually unheard of. I encourage you to believe that there are solutions. Simply said, you may be in a place you have to work yourself out of, but know and believe that a strong and healthy family is possible for you. If you have any doubt, let me repeat it. Our quest should be strong healthy families; not good insurance and good treatment methods. 2. It's time for tough love. Stop catering to your kids. Parents need to remember they are parents; we know and understand beyond what our children are capable of. We need to stop being short order cooks and rewarding with food. Prepare a nutritious meal for the family, and have each member eat a portion of everything served, without picking through it. (The only exception is those with food allergies.) I do allow each of my children to not "like one food". Not one per meal, but one, and just one. 3. Keep two or three meals consistent every a week. We have done LOL (love your left overs) soup on Monday, Taco Tuesday, and homemade pizza on Friday. I make chicken stock on the weekend (or take out of freezer) and on Monday, I take the left overs from meals and pizza making and put it into the soup. It has been a family favorite. This simplifies dinner meals, and keeps us out of fast food. 4. Set a goal that every meal, includes raw food. Include a variety of colorful vegetables, but always one green. Include fermented foods with the dinner meal. They are full of enzymes and probiotics, which improve nutrient absorption. 5. Develop the habit each morning with your family to drink two 8 oz. glasses of pure plain water before anything food or beverage. Keep your body hydrated and clean. Water is the best solvent (detox) known to man. This allows for optimum health and absorption of food. 6. Exercise… Exercise… Exercise. What does exercise have to do with malnutrition? Great question! I have lived in Tampa for 42 years. My four children have been raised in Tampa. I have had plenty of opportunity to see and watch my children, their friends, schoolmates and neighbors grow up. Here is an interesting observation (maybe you have made it to). I have seen parents be attentive to every detail of nutrition, and yet their kids look weak and malnourished. I have also seen parents with a total lack of knowledge of nutrition have kids that look brawny and healthy. How is that? Absorption happens on the cellular level. Oxygen carries nutrients into the cells, and exports both metabolic and environmental toxins. Oxygen plays a huge role in nutrition and malnutrition. The difference was in the physical activities of the children. Children who sit inside are going to be deprived of oxygen, the taxicab that delivers the nutrients. Don't misunderstand me. Anyone who eats junk food is going to pay a price for it. I am simply stating that there is a lack of appreciation for the connection between nutrition and exercise. Exercise is a magic bullet if there ever was one. Our quest should be strong healthy families, not good insurance and good treatments methods. 7. Don't use fast food or junk treats when you live in the fast lane. Don't get hunger confused with starving. Here comes old school again. I had great parents and never questioned their love, but they didn't cater to me. When we were out running errands, we still ate at home. When I did sports and practiced for 2.5 to 3.0 hours, I still had to drive home and wait for dinner. Yes, I was hungry, very hungry, but I survived. When you have to choose between hunger and fast food. Choose hunger. Yes, I actually mean it! 8. Having said that, I believe on-the-go snacks are a great thing. My point is, sometimes you will get caught