A Healthier Thanksgiving

admin — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 10:00:51 +0000

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday and a great time to visit with family and friends. For those who are trying to lose weight, or just like to stick to a healthy eating regimen despite the holiday, Thanksgiving can be stressful. Here are some ways to make Thanksgiving a little healthier.

It’s All About Portion Control

Instead of depriving yourself while watching everyone else enjoy forkfuls of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, go ahead and let yourself have small portions of your favorite dishes. Portion control is key during the holidays. If you aren’t cooking the entire meal, offer to bring a healthy side dish like butternut squash stuffed with wild rice.

Get Up and Move

You can also plan to go on a walk after the meal. Let your family members and friends know and they might join you, which will make it easier to stick to even if you’re really full. If you just don’t feel up to a post-meal walk, schedule a work out for the next day. If you make working out a priority even the day after Thanksgiving, you won’t feel as bad about splurging.

If working out is not your thing, offer to help clean up after the meal. You will be less likely to keep snacking on leftovers, and you will burn some calories.

Know When to Say When

Because the Thanksgiving table is a bounty of delicious food that we only usually indulge in once or twice a year, sometimes we feel like we should eat as much of it as possible. It’s also very easy to do if you have a well-meaning but overbearing relative who keeps adding second and third helpings to your plate. Make a point to stop eating when you are full. When serving yourself, serve golf-ball sized helpings of everything you want. If someone else insists you eat more, tell them nicely that you have had plenty to eat and it was all very delicious. Give yourself 20 minutes after you have cleaned your plate and if you’re still hungry, go back for even smaller servings of a couple of your favorite dishes, or save room for pie!

Remember, Neighbors Emergency Centers are open 24/7, 365 days a year, which means we are even open on Thanksgiving Day. We hope you don’t need to see us on a holiday, but if you do, we’re here for you.

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Children’s Museum of Houston for Fitness (and Learning) Fun

admin — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 16:00:18 +0000

So it’s hot and muggy outside, and the last thing you and your kids want to do is to be out in the summer swelter. What do you do with kids out of school and the potential for cabin fever so very high at this time of year?

The Children’s Museum of Houston has a lot of great options for a family day (or night) out. Unlike museums for adults where kids have to follow a lot of rules like keeping quiet and keeping hands off the exhibits, museums for children are boisterous and interactive. Many of the exhibits teach math, science and engineering through hands-on games and some physical challenges. One exhibit called “FlowWorks” is an exhibit that teaches kids how water can be harnessed into hydropower. Another exhibit called “Cyberchase: The Chase is ON!” is also interactive and incorporates characters from the popular PBS Kids Go! cartoon. “Cyberchase” gives kids math puzzles to help them hone their critical thinking skills and physical activities to give them exercise.

If your child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), an ordinary day at a children’s museum would be too over-stimulating with the bright lights, loud music and crowding. Luckily, twice a year the Children’s Museum of Houston provides Sensory Friendly events which are for children with an ASD and their families only. The lights are dimmed, no music plays, and sound reducing headphones are also available. These are great ways for parents to find resources and network with other families who also face the challenges of raising a child with an ASD. Check out the museum’s website for dates and registration information for Sensory Friendly events.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day this summer, the Children’s Museum is open seven days a week and Thursday nights from 5-8 p.m. are Free Family Nights. Keep your kids’ minds and bodies active this summer. Take a trip to the Children’s Museum and let us know what was the most fun for your kids.

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