September 2003

Healthy children, when in an environment conducive to physical activity, will be active. Emphasis should be placed on play (rather than exercise) and on activities that the child enjoys, that are consistent with the child’s skill level, and that can be accomplished given the family’s personal resources and interests. Children are remarkably able to adjust their levels of activity to their individual capability.


Words from us…

Wayne’s World
   Parents everywhere need solutions to help their children get the nutrition they need. One answer is supplemental multivitamins, & there are plenty on the market to choose from.  Stay Healthy! can help you avoid those loaded with sugar & artificial flavorings.  We carry superior multivitamins & exceptional immune-boosting products formulated specifically for children.  The best children’s vitamins are prepared in a base of natural fruit providing both antioxidants & phytonutrients, low in sugar content, usually sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose).  Children do benefit from vitamin supplements, for even vigilant parents cannot be one hundred percent certain what nutrients are in the food their children consume.  Nutrition & learning go hand in hand.  Independent research has found that multivitamins can help a child’s performance in school.  Parents,  remember that Stay Healthy! also carries children’s immune formulas & nutritional supplements that provide powerful protection against all those disease-causing germs your children are exposed to everyday. Children who are well nourished with an optimal intake of minerals, vitamins & herbs grow into healthy & happy adults, avoiding adult diseases resulting from nutritional deficiencies that occurred in childhood. The nutritional choices we make for our children today will have a profound effect on their health tomorrow.     
Thank you so much for your patronage. Stay Healthy!

Gwen's Pet Tips: Children & animals seem to have a special bond, both depend on us for love, shelter & nourishment.  Pets can teach your child responsibility & bring warmth only an animal can.  Proper diet for kids & animals should be balanced, including essential fatty acids, like flax seed oil or fish oil.  They especially need good fat for brain function.  If you feel your child needs some extra protein, Spiru-tein Junior by Nature’s Plus  is a good choice. You can make it like a shake, adding fruit of their choice.  Greens can be given, as sometimes it’s difficult to get kids and animals to eat their vegetables. Regular exercise, fresh air & sunshine are very important, SO LET THE OLDER KIDS WALK THE DOG! Stay healthy & let your love embrace your children& animals!

Jenny's Jive:  The old phrase “you are what you eat” is certainly true, but did you know ”you think what you eat” as well?  Some foods can give your brain a boost, while others can hinder brain development.  The brain is comprised mostly of protein & so are neurotransmitters, the chemicals that carry the brains messages.  It is essential that children in the womb & in the early years of life get plenty of protein.  The best kind of protein for brain cell development is derived from animal sources: meat, fish, poultry, etc. Children need foods that have high glucose value.  Glucose bonds with the chemical called ATP, which is the brain’s fuel source.  The foods high in glucose are fruits, berries, & grains.  Three other nutrients that are essential for healthy brain function in children are iron, lecithin & potassium.  Egg yolk & spinach have high iron content, lecithin can be found in peanuts, soybeans, & wheat germ.  Oranges, bananas, apricots, melons, avocados, nectarines & peaches have a lot of potassium.  Incorporating all these foods into your child’s diet throughout their school years will provide optimum nutrition for a healthy body & brain.  People need to realize that poor diet, or food sensitivity, may be the cause of emotional instability, behavioral problems & learning disabilities. For more information on foods that help child brain development stop by Stay Healthy!

J.C. Speaking Words of Wisdom
Children are considered adults in the supplement industry when they are fourteen years old.  Taking that into consideration does your teenager take adult supplements?  Another more important question is, do your children take the necessary supplements for optimal health?  If you’re not feeding them 100% organic whole food meals 3-5 times daily you can bet they’re not.  What it takes for a growing kid to be healthy these days is a lot different than it was 10 or 20 years ago.  Factor in stress, pollution, the growing fast (fat) food restaurant industry and poor nutritional foods in schools, not to mention all the sugar, salt, white flour and synthetic ingredients added to the most common foods kids love to eat.  What you have is an ever increasing population of sick and obese kids with ADD and ADHD.  What can you do to combat the invasion of your children’s health?  I would say start with a good whole-food multi-vitamin, add in greens and tonic herbs to make up the nutritional deficiencies.  Boycott fast foods all together because kids will eat what is in the refrigerator.  You must retrain yourself to shop for health, not tasty garbage. Exercise is just as important for healthy kids who need more than just recess in school. Learning about themselves is very important, and skills such as breathing, meditation, and relaxation are basic laws for health.  You’re never to young to learn the fundamentals, so don’t think or disregard them as foreign for they are actually the most important factors in everybody’s life.  Look at complete health as body, mind, spirit. Include daily prayer and gratitude into your children’s life’s and you will be a proud parent.
Knowledge applied is wisdom…

Nik Notes:  Kids are almost human, just a small step above our favorite pets.  These tiny creatures can bring us joy, excitement and total rage.  While I have none of my own I do appreciate any parent for devoting their time and energy to raising a valuable part of our community.  I don’t think parents get enough respect.  As kids get older they learn to appreciate their individual lives and situations, so tough it out parents!  Unless you do something neglectful your kids will come around, it just takes time, and what else do you really have?
Art by NIK