Stepfamily Springtime Blessings

Isn't Spring wonderful! I spent yesterday in our beautiful yard (let's hear it for wireless Wifi!) working while listening to a pair of mocking birds trying to outdo each other and a score of other whistling, singing, and chirping commentators.

The best thing about living in such a lovely area was this last Saturday when my stepdaughter and my 8-year-old grandson came over for an early Easter party. We hunted eggs until I was all egged out, ate outside by the woods, and watched our thriving batch of honey bees visit the flowers in preparation for our budding garden.

Life is good - even in a stepfamily. Four years of struggle (investment) with a very resistant and angry stepchild has returned a mature young friend and a grandson! I thank God every day for my stepfamily - trying to make up for all the times I prayed for them to go away.

Moral of the story: never give up, no matter how hard it gets. The dividends far outweigh the expense!

STEPcoach Bob

Report: More Kids on Diabetes Meds!

A series of reports in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine paints a scary picture of a nasty trend for our children. According to the Archives April issue, twenty-three percent (23%) more American children are taking diabetes medication than three years ago. That represents an epidemic increase in this damaging, dangerous condition for our next generation. And the highest increases were seen in the younger children observed: those ages 6 to 10 years old!

What do you think that will mean to our economy as these young people grow into adults with the disabilities associated with diabetes? What's more disturbing is the question of quality of life for this great number of our kids who will have the specter of diabetes haunting them all the rest of their lives.

But wait - it gets worse! That number, as alarming as it is, is just the tip of the iceberg. According to Dr. Goutham Rao, clinical director of the Weight Management and Wellness Center at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh these numbers are probably lower than actual cases of childhood diabetes.

"From personal experience, I can tell you that many parents are extremely uneasy with the idea of their son or daughter taking a lipid-lowering medication for the rest of his or her life. The idea that these problems affect children at all is still unfamiliar to many families."

Besides diabetes, the studies show that high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also rising greatly for children ages 6 - 18.

What's causing this trend in American children's declining health? History might well label it child abuse by well-meaning parents who insist on feeding their children a highly processed diet rich in sugar, fats, and meat. Additional reports in the Archive state that

"Reducing intake of sugar-containing beverages should therefore be considered..."

And further studies have clearly shown that introducing a vegetarian diet to children at a young age will prevent and protect them from many ailments which are affecting our adult (and now adolescent) population today. Eliminating, or at the very least greatly reducing, milk, dairy, eggs, and animal flesh from a child's diet has been shown to greatly enhance not only their health, but their mental abilities, as well, according to the American Dietetic Association.

A study by the American Medical Association states:

"...differences in the major targeted dietary behaviors for cardiovascular disease (fat intake) and cancer (fruit and vegetables) ... suggest that vegetarian adolescents, similar to their adult counterparts, have dietary patterns that, if maintained, could significantly lower their risk of the leading causes of death as adults."

Growing children need a varied and a specifically complete diet. That means that certain nutrients should be supplemented if you choose to guide your children to a healthier vegetarian diet. Calcium, protein, iron, and most other vital nutrients are available in abundant sources in a vegetarian diet. In fact, veg protein and calcium in particular are of a higher, more easily assimilated form than those nutrients from animal sources. Follow THIS LINK to learn more about developing a healthy eating pattern for your kids.

New reports are indicating that cows milk is especially questionable for growing children's health. A report HERE tells more about the dangers of cows milk. Please read it carefully.

The bottom line on this issue of your children's declining health is that the current trend of fast food, highly processed foods, too much sugar and white flour, and animal products as a major food source is damaging and dangerous to their health. If you want to help your children enjoy a healthier, longer life, teach them to eat right.

Yes, modern medicines can prolong life today, but why force your kids to become dependent on a growing pharmaceutical industry and more drugs to stay alive when just eating the right foods can help them even more.

Teach your children well!