National Youth Sports Week is July 6-12th
An estimated one in five American children is overweight, according to the National Institutes of Health. Serving them healthier meals and exercising as a family can improve their short- and long-term health. Like adults, children should be physically active most, if not all, days of the week. Experts suggest at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily for most children. Running, bicycling, jumping rope, dancing, and playing basketball or soccer are good ways for them to be active. These strategies can help you help your kids get a move on:

• Don't call it "exercise." Instead, promote "playtime" and encourage activities that are fun and physical, such as hopscotch or jumping rope.

• Find out what your children like to do and make this a focus of your family activities.

• Participate in community fitness events, such as charity walks or fun-runs.

• Use family walks or bike rides as a time to do more than just exercise together. Talk about school and family issues when you're taking a break.

• Relive your childhood by playing the games you loved as a kid. Play tag, Red Rover, hide-and-seek, or any other fast-moving game.

• Plan outings that involve physical activity, such as going to a skating rink, the zoo, or a miniature golf course.

• Turn chores into games. Try raking leaves and jumping in the piles. Have a water fight while washing the car. Pretend you're digging for treasure while gardening.

• Invite neighborhood kids to play games that require more participants, such as capture the flag or kickball.

But the best way for you to help your children get more exercise is to join in. This month, buy pedometers for the whole family and challenge each other!

For more information contact MCM's Optimal Health program at 1-800-367-9938.

August 10-16th is National Farmer's Market Week
EAT LOCALLY! It's good for your body and good for the globe! Farmer's markets are filled with healthy and organic foods that are grown in your area.

People come to farmers' markets for many reasons -- for the joy of eating seasonally; for the nutritious vegetables they can't find anywhere else; for the beauty and smells of the bounty of herbs and produce.

Farmers' markets are good for consumers, farmers, and for the community. By keeping local farms viable, markets sustain regional open space. Markets in town and city centers create new gathering places to bring customers downtown, where they shop at local businesses as well as at the market. Author Brian Halweil says that shoppers are 10 times more likely to have a conversation at a farmers' market than at a supermarket. Furthermore, buying from local producers and businesses keeps dollars re-circulating throughout the region, which is good for the community's economic health. Farmers' markets can also provide extra income for community gardeners and employment for local youth.

To find a Farmer's Market near you go to: www.ams.usda.gov.farmersmarkets.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month
High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart attack, the leading cause of death in America. Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body produces to help it function properly. Because your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs, you don't need to consume additional cholesterol. Managing your cholesterol may seem complicated these days, especially if you like to keep up with the latest research. Trying to remember the difference between "good" and "bad" cholesterol and maintaining the proper levels of each can seem intimidating.

To manage cholesterol men and women, adolescents, and children over age 2 should do at least two things:

• Follow a healthy diet. If your total cholesterol level is high, paying attention to what you eat can help to bring it down.

• Have your cholesterol level checked. If your total level is 240 or above, ask your health care provider to help you design a program to lower it. If your level is borderline—between 200 and 239, you can probably manage on your own unless you have two or more other risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as obesity or a sedentary lifestyle. If your level is below 200, continue eating a healthy, low-fat diet .

It's also important to know what your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels are, as well as your triglycerides. Everyone age 20 or older should have their cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. A lipoprotein profile will measure your total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. You need to be fasting for these tests to be accurate. Cholesterol levels rise with age. Women's LDL levels rise after menopause. High blood cholesterol can run in families. If you have high blood cholesterol, ask other family members if they have had their cholesterol measured.

Your Optimal Health Coach can help you keep track of your numbers so call today at 1-800-367-9938!