Daily Dish - National Child Health Day

[justmarvi]

National Child Health Day

October 4 is National Child Health Day

The number of overweight children and adolescents in the U.S. has doubled over the last 25 years, according to the American Obesity Association (AOA). This obesity epidemic means that more kids have been developing adult diseases like type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, orthopedic complications, and even hypertension and heart disease.

The AOA attributes the increase in childhood obesity to poor diet and lack of physical activity. Kids are faced with dietary temptations every day through TV commercials, the school cafeteria, and even their own kitchen cabinets. Plus, the exercise that outdoor play once provided has largely been replaced by computers, video games, and television. Combined with a decrease in physical education programs at many public schools, it's much tougher for kids to achieve and maintain physical fitness.

How can the average parent compete with the influences of television and other outside pressures to guide their kids down a healthy path?

Get involved at school. If your child's cafeteria serves pizza and French fries or has recently eliminated gym class, be sure to promote healthy eating and exercise at home. Remember, you can directly influence what's eaten for breakfast and dinner.

Encourage your child to try new things. Whether it's exotic, healthy foods or new after-school activities, kids need variety. Exposing them to new things increases the chances that they'll lead active and healthy lives

Set a good example. Parents are their kids' primary role models. Children learn from watching, and statistics show that overweight parents are more likely to raise overweight children. So before you even consider improving your child's health, you must first take care of your own.

Tofu Cacciatore
Serves 2

Ingredients
Cacciatore means "hunter-style." Because I’m not a hunter, I decided to take solace after a hard day’s hunt (work) with tofu instead of pheasant or hare.


1/2 pound firm light tofu, cut into 1/2" slices
1/4 medium onion, sliced
1/4 red bell pepper, sliced
1/4 green bell pepper, sliced
1 tablespoons white wine
1/2 large clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 Pinch of allspice
1/2 can (14 ounces) stewed tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoons tomato paste
Sprig rosemary, for garnish