National Kids Eat Right Month-I need your help!!

Hello and Happy Friday! Can you believe it is already August? The school bell will be ringing in no time. Time incessantly moves faster and faster the...older...I get. I hate using that word. One thing that is going to make me feel a little younger is going back to school. That's right. This girl has been blessed beyond all measures. I have been taking graduate classes by distance since summer of 2013. Here is a tip for those of you considering working a full-time job and taking graduate classes. 

Don't take over 3 hours per semester. 

Unless you have absolutely no life outside of work. Unfortunately, to be granted financial aid, I had to take over 4 hours. Really??!! I thought to myself, no big deal. One morning around 4:00 a.m. I realized I had been in the library for literally 10 hours and had to be at work by 8:00 a.m. This is when I saw the light and knew the job + school wasn't working out. Thankfully, my boss understood and allowed me the day off. 

Long story short, I was honored with a graduate assistantship, which provides tuition assistance and a part-time job. So, I have quit my job and returning to school full-time. I'll also be teaching a nutrition lab! Geek Out! This is going to be so much fun. (I'll update that comment throughout the semester). 

But, this post isn't about me, it's about the kids!! Today is a very special day because it kicks off National Kids Eat Right Month!! ::And the crowd goes wild:: All of August is dedicated to promoting healthy eating and active lifestyle of children and their parents. What's this have to do with you? 

I need your help!

It is up to us as a society to change our lifestyle and it starts with what we are feeding and teaching our kids. You do not have to be a parent to participate. Tackle the kids and their parents in your family. Teachers, use MyPlate lesson plans to educate kids about healthy eating. Have them take the pledge to choose healthy foods!

Get your youth group involved and have them prepare a more nutrient-rich meal for fellowship dinners. Plan a Sunday school or bible study on the importance of nourishing our bodies. Be creative! 

1 Corinthians 10:31New International Version (NIV)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Take the opportunity to celebrate KER Month in your home and community using some of these tips from The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

• Move every day! Kids need 60 minutes daily of moderate to vigorous active play.
• Enjoy family meals together, an important step to improving family health and bonding.
• Get active as a family. Take a walk together after dinner, and plan fun activities every week such as a family bike ride, swimming, tennis, softball, basketball or a dance party.
• Get children involved in planning and cooking healthy meals together. When kids are involved in planning and preparing healthy meals (with age-appropriate tasks), they are more likely to try new foods, and will also have a greater understanding of nutritious, healthy foods that will benefit them for a lifetime. Try out healthy recipes from Kids Eat Right.
• To build an eating plan tailored to your family’s unique needs and lifestyle, consult a registered dietitian nutritionist in your area.
• Follow Kids Eat Right on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Google+.
• Blog about Kids Eat Right Month, post the Kids Eat Right Month badge to your blog and request to be added to our blog roll.
• See more at: Kids Eat Right

Check back each day in August for tips and recipes from myself and the Kids Eat Right Crew! Tweet me or post your pictures to my Facebook page. Follow me on Instagram to see what I'm eating with my family. And lastly, follow my Pinterest page for tips and recipes. I'd LOVE to see what you guys are doing. 

 I hope you all have a wonderful Friday.

Remember, this is the day the the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it!