Hard to believe summer has come and gone. When I think back to our many adventures this summer, I smile...lots of hikes complete with my four year old picking up every rock and stick, swimming at the pool and trying new tricks off the diving board, Popsicles, bike rides, running in the sprinklers, catching toads and grasshoppers, picking green beans and tomatoes, watching my 7 year old eat parsley by the handfuls, homemade ice cream (I got a new Ice Cream Maker that makes it in 20 minutes!), dawn-bathed rides and runs on the trails, campfires and s'mores, lazy days, exploring, weeding the garden, camping and watching the sunset at 9pm!

The season is changing...trees are drying out and making their color change and the air has turned crisp at night and morning. Kids are rushed out the door now with their backpacks in tow, running to the bus stop. My kids now spend their days sitting at small desks for hours trying to engage their minds in the task of learning.

This morning, I was reading the paper, and this headling caught my eye, "Nutrition plays a key role in academic performance." Mary Alfaro, clinical manager of the division of nutrition therapy at Cincinatti Children's Hospital Medical Center states, "Studies have shown that children who eat healthy, balanced breakfasts and lunches are more alert throughout the school day and also earn higher marks than those who have an unhealthy diet."
We try hard to serve our kids healthy meals and snacks, but once they hop on that bus it's hard to know what they may or may not eat regardless of what I pack in their lunch. I am grateful for the Shaklee vitamins they take each morning to ensure they start the day off right and help keep their focus throughout the day.

My kids' daily routine includes:

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  2 Shaklee Incredivites
  Shakleekids Incredivites is the first children's chewable multivitamin in the U.S. with lactoferrin, which helps kids' immune systems stay supercharged.* Packed with 23 essential nutrients, it's the world's best kids' supplement-with 600 IU of vitamin D to support strong bones and teeth, and 100% of the Daily Value of all eight B vitamins and vitamin C
  
  



• 2 Chewable Calcium magnesium (one in the morning and one at night)
  Chewable Cal Mag Plus provides 1,000 mg of calcium to help build bones and optimize peak bone mass, maintain bone density, and slow bone breakdown, reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life.Now with NEW higher levels of Vitamin D, clinically supported for bone, heart and immune health.
  



• 2 Mighty Smart Omegas

Shakleekids Mighty Smart is scientifically formulated with a power-packed blast of 100% natural, ultra-pure DHA. DHA is the most abundant omega 3 fatty acid in the brain and eyes and each great-tasting chew provides 100 mg. Great Brain Nutrients!

Once a week or more if necessary: I give them an Optiflora Probiotic
Normal, healthy colonies of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria can help maintain a healthy balance of intestinal microflora. Unlike other probiotics that may disintegrate prematurely and never reach the lower intestine, Optiflora’s state-of-the-art, triple encapsulated, seamless capsule is guaranteed to withstand the acidic environment of the stomach to deliver live beneficial bacteria to the intestine.

I am so thankful for these supplements to ensure my kids are getting the nutrients they need to get through their day. I also have tried to make their snacks full of protein and whole grains instead of sugar.

Here are few ideas:

· Apple slices with organic cheese or peanut butter
· Banana with peanut butter
· A dollop of peanut butter with carrot celery sticks
· Organic string cheese
· Organic cottage cheese and yogurt with 1 T. Energizing Soy and fresh berries
· Hard-boiled eggs with salt
· Yogurt made with live cultures and frozen berries
· Plain yogurt popsicles with honey and fruit
· Organic Frozen Yogurt Tubes- watch the ingredients!
· A bowl of frozen yogurt
· Toast whole grain bread with butter and cinn-sugar/honey/pnt butter/or chopped nuts
· A bowl of oatmeal
· A bowl of whole grain cereal or granola
· Whole grain waffles with REAL maple syrup
· Nuts: pecans, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds (toast them plain for a great flavor) I have my kids eat at least as many almonds for how old they are each day.
· Dried fruit: apricots, papaya, raisons, craisins, etc.
· Brown rice cakes topped with cashew/almond butter & choc chips or sunflower seeds
· Organic Crackers and cheese slices
· Peanuts, raisins, and goldfish blend
· Vegetable slices (red bell pepper, celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.) with ranch dip
· Organic Edamame- (soy beans)
· Muffins or quick breads made w/whole wheat/Soy Protein/Pureed sweet potato

· Smoothies blended with yogurt, soy protein and fruit- serve with a straw
· Fruit Juice made with 100% juice
· 100% Fruit Leathers
· Incorporate Whole Grains/Nuts/Seeds into everyday eating: sprinkle ground flax seed on pbj, over cereal, into yogurt, on toast; substitute ½ c. ground flax/millet/quinoa/soy protein mixture for ½ c. flour in muffin/waffle/pancake/bread recipes
· Sneak in pureed veggies/fruit into everyday foods, see Sneaky Chef cookbook

Helpful Tips:
- Involve your kids in the preparation of the snacks.
- Pick out a special cup or plate they can use daily for snacks.
- Toothpicks are a hit for kids to use for finger-food snacks.
- Sit down with them and eat a snack- have a silly? to answer together.
- If it’s nice outside, have a snack-picnic on the grass.
- Before and After school, offer protein as main part of meal or snack.