#OlympicMoms-Brain Insight #6

FAMILY WINTER FUN FOR DEVELOPING BRAINS!

Time spent outdoors is a great way to help children's brains develop in very healthy ways! Sometimes just going outdoors sparks valuable activity that brains of all family members can benefit from. Use the Olympics as a motivator to sled, skate, create snow slides, etc. Encouraging children to use their imagination enhances the highest thinking regions of the brain. Follow their lead to create fun family "olympic events." 

When you are out of ideas, here are a few activities that make it easy for you to enjoy a fun and beneficial time together!


Give me a piece of black fabric, a dark towel, or black paper to take outside.  Have me catch snowflakes, place seeds, or collect pine needles on it. Look at the items very closely to see if there are two exactly the same.  

 

Look for tracks or footprints in snow.  Help me figure out what made the tracks. Then we can make up our own story about what we think might have happened to make the   tracks.

 

     Help me make a pair of binoculars by connecting two toilet paper tubes together and tying on a yarn or shoestring strap. I might want to decorate it. Go outside with me and look for birds or animals. The binoculars will help focus my attention. 

   

 

 

    Play “I Spy” with me.  When we are outdoors, think of something that you see.  You can give me clues to help me guess what it is.   

   

Learn More:

 
The brain needs time and play outdoors. Physical activity and nature provides numerous benefits to the brain and contributes to overall health and optimal learning.

I hope you take the time to watch and share the clip shared in this post that discusses ALL the valuable aspects nature provides for the brain!

You can get MANY more Family Fun #Olympicmom and #OlympicDad ideas here!!

#Olympicmoms-Brain Insight #5

OUTDOOR GAMES!

Yesterday while enjoying the Olympics, it motivated me to get outdoors. My brain loved it!  Brains benefit greatly from spending time in nature. 

Even though it was only 4 degrees, it was wonderful, bright and beautiful and I so enjoyed my time outdoors. This of course doesn't compare to the scenery from Russia, but this photo was taken at a spot just down the road from my home.

I have shared this for your benefit. 
Did you know that even looking at a photo of nature can reduce stress levels affecting your brain?
Time spent in nature can reduce stress, improve memory, increase attention span and enhance problem solving abilities. What an extremely easy way to improve your brain function. You will greatly benefit when you make time for yourself and your family to enjoy nature everyday!

Learrn More:

From:How the City Hurts Your Brain ... And What You Can Do About It.  By Jonah Lehrer

"One of the main forces at work is a stark lack of nature, which is surprisingly beneficial for the brain. Studies have demonstrated, for instance, that hospital patients recover more quickly when they can see trees from their windows, and that women living in public housing are better able to focus when their apartment overlooks a grassy courtyard. Even these fleeting glimpses of nature improve brain performance, it seems, because they provide a mental break from the urban roil."  
Read more here

To get LOTS of ideas and FUN for how your brain can greatly benefit from nutrition, exercise and family fun check out all that is shared by numerous experts!  

#Olympicmoms Brain Insight #4

EATING REAL ...MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE!

Your brain and children's brains thrive when it has the nutrition it needs! 

I just enjoyed a "Nutty Monkey" with blueberries added! This is my favorite! It is from a fantastic place I so enjoy going to called, The Raw Deal. It is focused on providing the types of foods that are most healthy for brains!  

It is also fun because it is located in the city where I went to college. If you are near by or passing through you are going to want to stop in here and find your own favorite. 



 


If you are not nearby, all of you #Olympicmoms and #Olympicdads can also create this great smoothy for your family. It simply combines: Almond milk, a banana, dates and blueberries. Such an easy and delicious way to get nutrition for your brain!

LEARN MORE:

In this post, Brighter Brains Result From Good Nutrition, I shared the following: 

"When presenting I am frequently told by audiences, that many school breakfast programs are comprised of sugary cereals and sugary juices. This is completely the opposite of what the brain needs....Especially for breakfast! When eating these types of foods without adequate amounts of protein, the brain does not have the nutrients to function well. It is not fair to a child to be expected to listen, sit still, pay attention and learn, if their brain is not given what is needed to help make all of this happen."
Read more and get a printable here

Hopefully you are really enjoying all that is being shared by #Olympicmoms!!  Following are all of the contributors and ways you can access all they are providing for you and your family!

#Olympicmoms

Sue Atkins is a Parenting Expert and the author of Parenting Made Easy

www.sueatkinsparentingcoach.com @SueAtkins www.facebook.com/SueAtkinsTheParentingExpert

http://www.youtube.com/user/sueatkins1

Gill Connell  is a Mum, Grandmum, Teacher, International Lecturer, Author and Consultant and founder of Moving Smart movingsmartblog.blogspot.com @movingsmart  www.facebook.com/movingsmart www.pinterest.com/movingsmartnow/moving-smart

Amanda Frolich an expert in childhood physical development and the founder of Amanda's Action Club www.amandasactionclub.co.uk @actionamanda www.facebook.com/amandas action club

Annie Fox, M.Ed., is an internationally respected parenting expert, family coach and trusted online adviser for teens  www.anniefox.com  @Annie_Fox facebook.com/AnnieFox.author http://www.pinterest.com/annielfox www.youtube.com/user/AnnieLFox

Aviva Goldfarb is a family dinner expert and founder of The Six O'Clock Scramble, an online dinner planning solution for busy parents. www.thescramble.com @sixoclockscramble www.facebook.com/thessixoclockscramble/AvivaGoldfarb  www.pinterest.com/thescramble

Lynne Kenney is a mom of two, a pediatric psychologist, international speaker, author and media host www.lynnekenney.com @drlynnekenney www.facebook.com/DrLynneKenney  www.pinterest.com/lynnekenney www.youtube.com/LynneKenney

Sally Kuzemchak, MS, RD is a Registered Dietician, Mom and Fouder of Real Mom Nutrition www.realmomnutrition.com @RMNutrition www.facebook.com/realmomnutrition  www.pinterest.com/RMNutrition

Lori Lite is the founder of Stress Free Kids, author of Stress Free Kids: A Parent's Guide, www.StressFreeKids.com  @StressFreeKids on twitter.com/StressFreeKids, www.facebook.com/stressfreekids, www.pinterest.com/stressfreekids

Kelly Loubet is a Social Media Strategist and Community Builder

everydaychildhood.com @childhood  www.facebook.com/KellyLoubet www.pinterest.com/childhood

  

Amy Valpone is a Personal Chef and Marketing Consultant specializing in simple Gluten Free ‘clean’ recipes thehealthyapple.com @TheHealthyApple www.facebook.com/TheHealthyApple.com www.pinterest.com/thehealthyapple  

Christy Wilson is a Registered Dietitian, Mom and Nutrition Consultant specializing in recipes families love ChristyWilsonNutrition.com @ChristysChomp www.instagram.com/christywil74 www.pinterest.com/christywilsonrd

Wendy Young is a Licensed Medical Social Worker, Founder of Kidlutions and co-author of BLOOM www.kidlutions.com @kidlutions www.pinterest.com/kidlutions/ www.facebook.com/kidlution www.youtube.com/user/Kidlutions

If you haven't already.... go to  Olympicmoms for LOTS more!!!

 

#Olympicmoms Brain Insight #3

When you exercise, not only will your body benefit... 

so will your brain! 

There is continuously growing evidence to demonstrate how physical activity positively impacts the brain. You can use the Olympics as inspiration and opportunity to increase movement in your life. Go to OlympicMoms to get LOTS of family fun ideas for activity during the Olympics! 

Learn More: 

The Effects of Exercise on the Brain

MK McGovern

Exercise has been touted to do everything from treat depression to improve memory, with the power to cure a host of problems while preventing even more. In particular, exercise leads to the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that alleviate pain, both physical and mental. Additionally, it is one of the few ways scientists have found to generate new neurons. Much of the research done in this area has focused on running, but all types of aerobic exercise provide benefits. Although the exact nature of these benefits is still being determined, enough research has been done to provide even skeptics with a motivation to take up exercise. Exercise exerts its effects on the brain through several mechanisms, including neurogenesis, mood enhancement, and endorphin release. Read more here

#OlympicMoms #2

Be an Olympic Mom or Dad for 14 days! 

  

A caring parent is always trying to do everything to make life smoother, healthy and fun for the family right? Is that you...but, sometimes you run out of ideas? Are you wanting to provide your children with the best nutrition, physical activity, learning and fun interaction every day? And then also somehow make all of that happen for yourself as well?

If so, things just got easier, healthier and more fun for you! During the Olympics you can take advantage of the fun with #OlympicMoms and #OlympicDads!  All you need to do is simply enjoy all that is shared for your benefit! Your brain will LOVE it!!

Dr. Lynne Kenney, has brought together a wonderful group of experts to share easy fitness tips, activity ideas, a recipe plan and lots of fun for you and your family. These knowledgeable people are impressive. I am thrilled to be a part of this extraordinary group. You are going to greatly enjoy ... and are going to be amazed at all that is shared! 

Further explanation is available here. 
To see ALL that is already shared go to #OlympicMoms and #OlympicDads! 

YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO CHECK THIS OUT!

For more ideas and information about all you get offered directly to you from these experts, go to Olympic Moms Participant Guide. It explains everything it gives you a tracking guide, a list of all of the experts contributing, and it even includes a whole meal plan list! Download it, view it, share it, it’s all Fun & FREE!  There will be much more as the Olympics continue! Also follow on Pinterest and Twitter at #OlympicMoms.

  

The point is to ENJOY and have fun while you and your family become more healthy and fit in such an easy way!!!