Food for Thought : New Year's resolutions -- Health & wellness

                              Father  teaching son to bowl .
As thoughts turn to new Year's Resolutions  for health and wellness , make sure  you make  your goals a family  affair . While it is important  to set personal goals  , creating  goals that include  the entire family  can be very beneficial . Not only  do children  develop  healthier habits  for their future  when they are modeled  by parents  for them , but the entire family  benefits  now from healthy behaviors . Here  are a few tips  to help you and your family  bring in 2016 with some healthy habits :
1 .  Make sure you are a good role model . Avoid fad diets  or unhealthy plans  just to quickly lose a few pounds . Let your  children  see you making  plans for  healthy  meals  and exercise .
2 .  Start a system to evaluate your family's meals . It doesn't have to  be complex , just something  your  kids  understand . A system  that uses happy or sad faces  for a little one  , or a system  that uses grades (A , B , C , etc) for kids in school . Make it a point to aim  for mostly high scoring  items with each meal .
3 .  Plan family time  around  activities  . Bowling  , hiking and miniature  golf  are great  ways  to start out  slow  when it comes to  getting everyone  active . Designate  areas  indoors  and outdoors  that are for physical activity  , and invest  in small  items  that are for physical activity  such as balls  , jump ropes , etc .
                               Crowder  Vegetarian    Style

 Prep/Total Time: 45 minutes      Makes : 7 servings
Ingredients
2 cups cubed peeled potatoes
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 can (14-3/4 ounces) cream-style corn
1 can (12 ounces) fat-free evaporated milk
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons bacon bits

Directions
In a large saucepan, combine potatoes, broth, carrots and onion; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Add corn, milk, cheese, mushrooms and pepper; cook and stir 4-6 minutes longer or until heated through. Sprinkle with bacon bits. 

A proud grand-poppa             G.