Be active outdoors and indoors.

Make fall yard work fun. Have kids come up with different ways to pick up leaves or pine cones (i.e., squatting, bending, leaning, stretching, or balancing on one foot). Sing, dance, and explore. Provide kids with rakes and other tools that are Have a song-and-dance talent show. Draw, color, and explore with health in mind. Remember that children and adolescents should be active for at least one hour a day, and adults should be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen and insect repellent to protect you and your family from the sun, mosquitoes, and ticks.  (http://www.cdc.gov/family/parentautumn/index.htm)

                Have an afternoon of food-tasting.

Gather your family together to research at least 3-5 varieties of one type of food (i.e., fruit, vegetable, or nut). Talk about the unique qualities of the food and a little about its history (i.e., when it was discovered or what it is known for). Lead the family in a taste test of the different varieties of the food, or prepare the food several different ways and have everyone choose their favorite. For example, an apple could be prepared as apple snack wedges, applesauce, apple cider, and baked apples. You could also present similar types of vegetables, such as collard greens, spinach, kale, and mustard greens. Talk about differences in their taste. Pick fall favorites, or be adventurous and try new things.  (http://www.cdc.gov/family/parentautumn/index.htm)

                Take time to get your flu vaccine!

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.   While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common.  The 2011-2012 vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009 to cause a pandemic.  (http://www.cdc.gov/family/parentautumn/index.htm)

 

 

Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?

• Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters, such as individual packs of raisins, trail mix, or pretzels. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
• Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
• Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
• Keep candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
• Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.

Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone! (http://www.cdc.gov/family/parentautumn/index.htm)

 

Jackie Hoover, Parish Nurse