It’s hard to believe that summer 2017 is nearly winding down! Summer fun is at an all time high, and we’re maybe a little tired or even looking forward to the more structured day that school brings.  I’ve always been a person who craves routine and structure, and school provided that for me, so as a kid I always looked forward to going back to school to see my friends and continue learning!

However, there was one thing I didn’t look forward to…school lunch! I definitely preferred a homemade lunch box full of goodies than cafeteria food, but I also didn’t want a plain ol’ PB&J with fruit snacks each day! In fact, it wouldn’t have been healthy nor beneficial intellectually to eat such a limited diet.

According to David Just, a doctor for behavioral economics in child nutrition programs, proper nutrition effects more than body composition. “For example, iron deficiency, even in early stages, can decrease dopamine transmission, thus negatively impacting cognition” (Just, 2014).

Additionally, many different vitamins and minerals provide the brain with the ability to reason, concentrate, and perceive information. These are all necessary cognition skills needed to perform positively in the classroom! It’s also no secret that malnutrition, or a poor diet, can lead to different behavioral problems.

Have you ever experienced being “hangry” (hungry/angry)? I know I have! Now imagine your school aged child feeling that way in the middle of class, but maybe not understanding that she may just be hungry! Being hungry can create a wave of emotions that young children may not be able to fully grasp. So what kind of foods can we provide our kids with that will benefit them the most? A lunch box should always contain a good source of protein, a healthy fat, fruits and veggies, fiber, and a complex carbohydrate.

That’s a lot of information, and possibly overwhelming, but don’t let that scare you! You can provide healthy, and interesting, lunches a lot easier than you think! There are many great resources for parents out there on how to do so, but a personal favorite of mine is www.rockthelunchbox.com.

Four different organic food companies have teamed up to provide you with information on how to keep the lunch box simple, creative, and most importantly, HEALTHY! They offer some great advice from experts around the nation- other parents.

So, as we’re wrapping up summer fun and thinking about back-to-school shopping soon, I encourage you to go ahead and start practicing making lunch! By the time school starts, you’ll be a pro at rocking the lunch box, and you could even share your ideas at rockthelunchbox.com. Remember, it’s more than a meal, it’s fuel for your child’s growing brain! Have fun and good luck!

Health is one of the most important tasks ever. This can be mental, physical, all of it, it just matters. How are we to be successful moms, dads, spouses if we let the little things that matter to us slip through the cracks?

First for us to take care of others, we must take care of ourselves then others, I’ve compiled a couple hacks you can easily implement in your day-to-day actions:

• Inspired and Motivate yourself each time you look in the mirror! Super easy right? The often things i see happening are parents who have children and are exhausted (not saying its not exhausting to have children, believe me I know!)
• “I did my hair today, packed lunch and my kid doesn’t look homeless today- #momwin!” Something as easy as this, gives credit to yourself and the thousand things you are juggling each day.
• If you can financially, find a babysitter not just for your weekly date night, but for Mom Night. Go and get yourself a great workout in, go to Target by yourself and maybe get a new outfit, all things that don’t seem like a lot but reassure you that you are more than just a mom.

You have enough mom worries:

• Am I doing it right?
• Did I do something wrong?
• When we should be giving ourselves credit like, HONESTLY!! Let’s chill a second and think about it.
• How often do we get enough sleep?
• How often do we get to eat in peace? Or even to relax without you hearing “you’re needed” somewhere around the house??

So I write this just to encourage you to assess yourself and where you are placing yourself on the totem pole, it’s that important. Your spouse, kids, coworkers will all thank you for it.

Focus more on positivity: how great of a parent you ALREADY are.

Humor: If you change 7 poop diapers, think about how funny his/ her face is when pooping, and laugh about it.

” At the end of the day, life isn’t about being pretty and popular. Its about being healthy and happy”
Unknown Author

~Ms. Tenesha
Health & Safety Coordinator
Young Scholars Academy