Megan Thompson

Raising healthy kids isn't easy. We are up against huge corporations that are constantly advertising garbage to our children. It's on tv and the stores and their friends are talking about it. It's up to us as parents to be a good example. Show them what healthy living looks like. I like to talk to the kids while I'm making dinner and let them try different foods and explain why healthy food is good for their body. Does a little cheat meal here or there hurt anyone? No way and I never want them to think that....but on the other hand I never want them to think McDonalds is a healthy go to meal. Just yuck. So a few weeks ago when the kiddos were sleeping at my mom's she sent me a text saying that she was taking them to McDonald's for a treat. Mark, my oldest son, replied "Mama said McDonalds isn't very healthy but every once in a while it's ok." They are listening....they are watching...they are learning. :)

Ok so Halloween is quickly approaching and we ALL know that we have our weaknesses. I for one can not pass up a reese's peanut butter cup. I just can not. All rational thought goes out of the window :). So I was thinking about healthy eating and the temptations of Halloween. Are we going to restrict ourselves of any candy at all? No we are not. It's just not realistic. So I came up with a list of candy that is the "best" to eat if we MUST :) So when you reach your hands into your children's bags once they are asleep...look for these :)

1. Hershey's Dark Chocolate - 2 miniatures are a total of 88 calories

2. Twizzlers - 2 are only 50 calories

3. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Miniature (I had to :) - 88 calories

4. Tootsie Rolls - 3 minis contain 70 calories

5. Jolly Rancher - 2 are only 47 calories

6. Sweet Tarts - 2 mini packs for 30 calories

7. Smarties - 1 roll is 25 calories

8. Nestle Crunch - 1 fun sized bar is 60 calories

9. Kit Kat - 1 bar has 70 calories

10. 3 Musketeers - 50 calories

So enjoy this Halloween season with little guilt. Just make sure to leave enough candy for the kiddos :).

I have hit the lottery. I get to stay at home and watch my beautiful children grow. There's nothing more fulfilling than being able to know every story, every scrape, every smile and every tear. I know I'm lucky. Then there are days when I think if I have to listen to "mama,mama,mama,mama,mama" one more time I may scream. I'm a type A personality and I jump into every one of my kids activities. If there is a committee I'm on it. Let's be honest I'm usually heading it. So today as I shuffled through yearbook committee stuff for my sons school, halloween class party treat bags, party prep and an amazing new opportunity for myself to work from home my son came running into the office. He had been down at the park with my mom playing. He was very excited to tell me about the park and what he had done. To his horror there were bees in the park and he said "Mom those bees drive me nuts!!" I stopped what I was doing and laughed. His little three year old face was perfect and he was so serious. I have hit the lottery.