Have fun staying healthy

September 14, 2009

This fall, health risks range from the common cold to the H1N1 virus, but integrating healthy choices into your family’s routine doesn’t have to be a chore.

Invite friends and neighbors to bring their clans over for a health awareness party. Ask each of your guests to bring a nutritional dish, such as a vegetable tray with low-fat dip or dried fruit and nut mix.

Greet your guests with personalized goody bags filled with health accessories, such as hand sanitizing lotion and dissolving vitamin tablets.

Challenge the kids to a healthy lunch contest. Lay out several elements for a vitamin-packed sack lunch and see who can make the tastiest concoction. Remind them to wash their hands and the food they plan to use before embarking on their culinary adventure.

Before they prepare their meals, have youngsters design and create menus of their proposed meals. Hold onto the menus after the contest ends – they could save time in the morning and add some variety to the usual PB and J.

Reward your top healthy lunch chefs and adult taste testers with antioxidant-filled fruit smoothies.