Tag Archives: Obama

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MyPlate Food Bingo Wins Parents Choice Approved Seal

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Congratulations to our friends at Smart Picks for receiving the “2012 Parents Choice Approved Seal” for MyPlate Food Bingo. Read their Press Release below for all the details!

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Smart Picks
MyPlate Food Bingo wins
” 2012 Parents’ Choice Approved Seal”

What is The Parents Choice Approved Seal?

The Parents’ Choice Approved Seals are given on the basis of the production, entertainment and human values they exemplify.
A Parents’ Choice Approved Seal indicates a wholesome product that helps children enjoy developing physical, emotional, social or academic skills.

My Plate Food Bingo

Spring 2012 Games

Ages: 9 & Up

Manufacturer: Smart Picks, Inc.

Price: $39.95
Review:

MyPlate Food Bingo combines family game night and lesson in healthy eating habits. Based on the USDA’s new MyPlate food categories (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein and dairy) the game boards feature ninety-five different foods and their suggested serving sizes. It provides information and tips on healthy eating, exercise, food allergies and more. The game, which is ideal for the classroom or camps, includes 30 laminated cards, 114 picture squares, a checking card, 95 clue cards, 600 square markers, an instruction sheet and an information sheet. The game helps children learn information about healthy eating habits way while also encouraging family time, cooperative play and social interaction. Though the game may mention foods that kids may not recognize, such as kashi, seitan, and amaranth, there is an information sheet that explains what more obscure foods are. The sheet also provides enough nutritional information and additional resources to assist any teacher or home schooling parent to craft a healthy eating curriculum. The practical, tasty, and accessible healthy eating tips on each card (“try frozen grapes instead of popsicles” and “eat popcorn instead of candy or chips”, for example) add to the game’s health and educational value.
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Energy In = Energy Out: Balance Your Life

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Old MacDonald had a farm… Wait a minute, that’s not what we’re talking about! It’s a different E.I.E.O. This one is all about helping you live a healthier life! In order to maintain a healthy, balanced life, it’s important to balance your energy in (food) with your energy out (exercise). Weight maintenance and weight loss are both dependent on your ability to monitor how many calories you consume versus how many calories you burn exercising.

Although balancing energy in with energy out is important for people of all ages, we have developed a colorful tear pad and poster designed to help children become an E.I.E.O Hero! In order to help them reach their goal, the tear pads include 10 ideas that will help them balance their energy in with their energy out.

From things like limiting TV, video game and computer time to encouraging physical activity and healthy eating, these tips will help your students become E.I.E.O heroes in no time. After all, it’s all about balancing energy in with energy out (E.I.E.O), right!?

Don’t forget, NCES is ‘You’re Essential Guide to Health and Nutrition’, with all of the health and nutrition education handouts, teaching aids and books that you need.  Visit www.NCESCatalog.com today to view all of the products. Also, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. We would love to hear from you!

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National Nutrition Month: Is it already over?

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Through the month of March, we have been celebrating National Nutrition Month with the American Dietetic Association. It’s been an exciting month and we have thoroughly enjoyed learning about new opportunities for keeping ourselves, and our families healthy. With this being the last week in March, National Nutrition Month is coming to a close. BUT, does it have to? All of us here at NCES think that we should continue celebrating all year.  But how? We’re here today to share the top 5 things we are going to do to continue our National Nutrition Month celebration! So, why don’t you join us!

  1. Get active as a family. With Spring upon us, the evenings provide a great opportunity to get outside. Studies show that people who burn calories directly after dinner are more likely to lose weight, and maintain a healthy weight. Get out and take a walk, go to the park, or play catch in the back yard.
  2. Remember the NNM theme: Eat Right with Color. When filling your plate, remember to keep it colorful. A more colorful plate will be more flavorful. And, if filled right, will be more nutritious.
  3. Set a new goal for eating fresh. Fresh fruits and veggies are becoming more abundant as the weather gets nicer. Here’s a goal for you; make sure that at least 1-2 of your 8-9 fruit/veggie servings each day are filled through fresh fruits and veggies.
  4. 4. Make healthy eating fun! If you keep your meal planning and preparation fun, it will be easier for you to stick with your new healthy habits. Also, remember to keep it simple. Eating right doesn’t have to be complex. The simpler your plan, the more likely you will be to accomplish your goals.
  5. 5. Start with breakfast. Studies show that people who start their day with a nutritious breakfast tend to eat healthier throughout the rest of the day. They also tend to maintain a healthier overall diet. Be sure to fill your breakfast plate with nutritious, filling foods. Some good examples are whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat proteins.

So, there you have it! Our top 5 tips for continuing your National Nutrition Month celebration! How do you plan to continue the celebration? We’d love to hear from you! And, last, be sure to check out www.ncescatalog.com for great products geared towards helping you reach your nutrition goals.

 

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Plant the Seeds of Good Nutrition

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This month, which is National Fruits and Vegetables Month, give a little extra thought to the naturally grown foods that you eat (hopefully) on a daily basis.

One thing you can find scattered around the offices here at NCES are members of the Fruit and Vegetable Seedies. We know they’re for kids, but there’s nothing quite like having a friendly, smiling fruit or vegetable looking your way when you’re going about your daily business.
The fact of the matter is: it’s good to have healthy reminders around to keep you in the nutritious mood. Children especially, are more prone to picking up good nutrition habits, just by being exposed to it. Having kids help prepare meals and pick out the items for the meals gives them a sense of control when it comes to their nutrition, and gives you a chance to educate them a little bit on what might be best for them to eat.
One of the biggest areas they get their habits from is you. Leading by example works well in many situations, and when raising a child, it’s no exception. Just by eating well yourself, you’ll be giving your own child that much better of a chance to develop good eating habits in the future.
Of course, the Fruit and Veggie Seedies probably wouldn’t hurt your odds either. Food can always seem more enjoyable when it’s got a big pair of eyes and a silly smile with it.
Check them out for yourself in our catalog, in the ‘Educated Kids’ section, or by searching Item #’s 2661 and 3001 at www.ncescatalog.com.

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Where in the World is Your Cholesterol?

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September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month. That being said, where is your cholesterol coming from, and what can you do about it?
Saturated fat is one of the main sources of LDL cholesterol. Hiding in dairy products, red meats and oils, you can prevent a rise in your cholesterol numbers by avoiding cheese and ground beef, which are the two largest sources of saturated fat, according to Dietary Guidelines reports.
Another thing to avoid is trans-fat. This tends to be found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils used in fried and processed foods like baked goods and desserts. Make sure to read the label before you buy to see if you’re getting 0g trans-fat.
Some foods to avoid as much as possible for those watching their cholesterol: prime rib, coconut milk, dried coconut, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, cake donuts, ricotta cheese or ground beef.
How do you lower your cholesterol if it’s already high? Get some soluble fibers.  Things like cooked oatmeal, oat bran, avocados, broccoli, carrots, prunes, and sunflower seeds are all excellent sources of soluble fibers that can raise your HDL cholesterol levels and lower your LDL cholesterol.
Some other ideas:

  • Eat 6 to 8 small meals daily instead of 1 or 2 large meals.
  • 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity every day goes a long way.
  • Limit sugar and fructose intake.
  • Limit coffee drinks made without a paper filter.
  • Use sterol and stanol rich margarines and salad dressings.

For more information about cholesterol and tips for controlling your levels, check out our “Cholesterol: Control Your Numbers” Handout, Item # 4139 at www.ncescatalog.com or in our catalog.

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Your Questions Answered

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We’ve had so many responses to our music video! Thanks to everyone who helped with the video, and to everyone that keeps passing it along.
To answer some of your more common questions:

1.We shot this over a few days in various locations. A lot came from a local middle school’s library. (hence, all the books) Other locations included a grocer, and a local farmer’s market.

2.The Pom Boms are Kirsten, Mikayla, and Sophia, they love to dance and sing (and be on camera!).

3.Yes, this video and song are free to download and share with whoever wants to listen to it. This was a non-profit endeavor, and we want everyone to have fun with it.

If you know someone who’s related to someone who knows someone that wants to give this music video a little love in a big way, then get ahold of us! First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign needs as much national support as it can get (which is why we named the song ‘Let’s Move’!). Please join us in the fight against childhood obesity!

-NCES Staff.
 

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The Music Video Diaries (Part 2)

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The release date for the “Let’s Move” video is rapidly approaching. The players have played (a lot), the score been struck (over and over and over again), and we here at the office are left to wonder: What’s going to happen.

First, we envision rapid success, catapults to stardom, and possibly a run on all of the night-time talk shows. But if that doesn’t happen, we have some goals in mind that aren’t Hollywood-oriented.

We want to inspire. Not just children to move (though that would be good enough), but for people of every age to be motivated to get their daily exercise in. 45 minutes of moderate activity is good enough to keep most of us in healthy condition. If we can make you dance for just a few minutes each day, well, then we’ve got you part of the way there.

What would be even better is to lead by example. The Let’s Move campaign, started by First Lady Michelle Obama is an admirable cause. It takes all of us to give it the hands and feet that it needs to be successful. Everyone who is involved in health and wellness areas should be finding their own ways to contribute to this noble movement.

After all, it’s not our future at stake, it’s the next generation’s.

Oh, and for grins, here’s a pic of our dance crew, clad in their raucous threads.

Meet the Pom Boms.

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The Right Size at the Right Time

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Since July is National Community Health Awareness Month, we decided to offer some healthy advice that the whole community can use. And the topic this week is: Right-Sizing Your Portions.
In the past two decades or so, portion sizes have doubled when it comes to what finds its way onto our plates. It makes sense then that obesity is on the rise. Having the right sizes of portions on your plate is one of the first and easiest ways to begin living a healthier lifestyle.
When it comes to things like pizza, did you realize that a slice is considered a single serving in most cases? So when you’re looking at nutrition information for your pizza, make sure to count up how many slices you’re actually eating. The numbers add up fast, don’t they?
Instead of drinking a 32oz soda, the actual serving size you should be drinking is 12oz. Having a diet soda versus a regular wouldn’t hurt either.
Nearly every restaurant over-serves their customers, which isn’t really anything you’d find yourself complaining about. However, since these over-sized portions are there, they tend to get eaten anyway. When you go to a restaurant, try having half or your order boxed up right away, this way you can be sure that you won’t overeat, and you’ll be able to get two meals for the price of one.
It’s difficult to train oneself to eat smaller portions when much of our life has been different in that regard, but with a little control, and a lot less food, you’ll notice that your body will adjust itself accordingly. And your waistline will as well.
For a better look into what portions should look like, check out our “Right-Size Your Portions” handouts and poster online at http://www.ncescatalog.com, or in our catalog in the Teaching Aids section.