In support of the USDA’s recently updated nutrition initiative “MyPlate”, Learning ZoneXpress (LZX) is now offering a variety of Kids MyPlate products to promote the Dietary Guidelines for children.
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As a child, we learn that eating healthy requires following what foods we are supposed to eat more or less of. I remember that we had this poster of the food pyramid in school and I was pretty bummed that desserts and snacks where in the smaller part of the triangle.

Decades later, the food pyramid is now passe’ and nutritionist in the United States are instead suggesting we follow this new concept — the Food Plate, which is said to be a lot less complicated than the pyramid.

The Food Plate has been unveiled by no less than the First Lady herself, Michelle Obama, at a food convention.

The First Lady said, “Parents don’t have time to measure out three ounces of chicken or 1/2 cup of rice”, thus this food plate seems the more practical and doable system.

According to nutritionists, the food plate can be easily understood by any family or anyone who prepares meals. One can fit three or four kinds of food in the set and snack times are optionally for finding and filling what’s missing on the food plate.

The unveiling of the food plate kicks off the campaign by the USDA to help curb the obesity problem America is facing with their younger generation. Along with this, the campaign also aims to do the following:

• Creating a healthy start for children
• Empower parents and caregivers
• Provide healthier foods in schools
• Improve access to healthy and affordable foods
• Increase physical activity

This government is really making eating healthy a commitment now.

Kids, like adults, need their exercise. Just because they are young and their lifestyle is relatively a lot less stressful, it doesn’t mean we, as parents, should forego their physical routines. Exercises is good for the body in whatever age. And it would be really best if the kids get to exercise everyday, as much as adults do this.

Exercise benefits their young and active body because this will help build up stronger bones and muscles. Do remember that the kids are still developing their body and that a healthy physical activity does help.

The exercise routines need not be very complicated. There are plenty of exercise videos designed for kids available and they are especially fun for kids to do. Most of these routines involve simple dancing and moving about but it encourages the children to spend less time in front of the television or computer.

It may even be more fun if you participate in the exercise together with your children and make this a family event.

In fitness studios, there are special children’s class that you can enroll your kids into. By having them join this will also help boost their confidence and social skill level. It’s a good way for them to make friends, aside from building and toning their body that makes them feel really good about themselves.

Additionally, kids can also get involved with competitive sports as a form of exercise.

Jibbitz is set to unveil a new product at the 2010 American International Toy Fair with the GeoPalz Activity Tracker. This is the first decorative activity tracker and online game that allows users to earn points through physical activity.

With a simple message of “Walk to Win,” activity is converted to points that can be accumulated and redeemed at the GeoPalz.com Web site for free activity-based products, sports equipment, games and educational-based toys. GeoPalz are produced in limited quantities and retail for $19.99 each.

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The previous article talked about how you can care for your lady during her pregnancy.  But you’re going through a lot of changes, too, and you need some TLC as much as she does.  Here are some ways that you can do to take care of yourself during your partner’s pregnancy.

• Enjoy the benefits. You know those hormones? Once the adjustment period of her first trimester is over, her breasts will begin to enlarge and her sex drive will kick into high gear. Sure, she’ll be showing a little, but it’s nothing you can’t manage. And you don’t have to handle her with kid gloves; there’s nothing that you can do in normal (and by that I mean non-abusive) sexual relations that can hurt the baby.
• Boys’ night. Go, get out, be a guy! You can be the world’s best daddy-in-training, and still need to get far away from the very female world of pregnancy and the sight of anything pink or blue. Encourage her to go out with the gals, too. You both still have to be yourselves, as people, in addition to your new roles as pending parents.
• Accept the grief. Any change in life brings grief, even the good changes. A baby is good news, but things are going to be different. This can be hard for the dad, especially if he liked the way things were. From now on, you’ll have to share your lady with someone who needs her even more. That can be really frustrating. Don’t feel guilty about it; it’s normal to grieve the loss of a life you liked, even if something better’s coming down the road.
• Keep in shape. First of all, being in good physical shape will help you deal with stress much better. Second, during a pregnancy, men tend to gain “sympathy weight;” she puts on, say 25 pounds (some of which comes off after childbirth) and so does he (none of which comes off after childbirth!). And physical activity is a good way to get guy time, or to work out any anxieties or frustrations you might have simmering in your mind.

Being a dad is a great thing, and you’re going to be really good at it. Just take care of your lady, take care of yourself, and follow the above advice. You’ll be just fine.