New [School] Year's Resolutions

As a child on New Year's Eve, perhaps you were allowed to watch the ball drop, but with only the babysitter there to celebrate, it was not the most memorable holiday.  On the other hand, the start of school was filled with the smell of fresh notebooks, crayons with sharp tips, and new shoes that you knew could make you run faster.  There were pictures taken, mom cried, and out of pure excitement [and terror] you did not sleep for a whole night.

We all love beginnings and parents need a clean slate more than anyone, but perhaps when looking for the opportunity to start afresh with our families, we should follow our children's calendar.  So, this year, as the mornings get chillier and nights fill with homework, think about establishing a new schedule and menu that make this school year the healthiest yet.
-A good start: each new day is a part of that healthy year, so start each morning with a healthy breakfast.  Remove reasons not to eat by making breakfast convenient and to your child's taste, so that both of you have a better start.  Cereal in a baggie with a yogurt to go, whole wheat bread with peanut butter, or a serving of almonds and a banana; if they have time, let them opt for oatmeal with fresh fruit, and keep it fresh with a variety of their favorite frozen fruits for a new combo every morning.  Regardless of the choice, limit the sugar (be reasonable, if it needs a sprinkle, then help them choose the proper amount and do not lose the breakfast battle over food that lacks taste) and opt for fiber and protein, which will fill them up and stay with them.
-Do not just sandwich lunch between breakfast and dinner: Most kids are hungry by lunch and the fight over vegetables is mainly to test mom's sanity, so give them their most nutritious meal when they are ready to eat and you are not there to negotiate.  A bowl of their favorite fruits, a whole wheat wrap filled with avocado, cheese, turkey, and cucumber, veggies with hummus instead of dressing (have you tried Trader Joe's hummus?), or, my son's favorite, left-overs.  Lunch is a social time, so keep foods simple and neat and your kids healthy and full.
-Stock simple snacks: kids are starving when they get home and have miles to go before dinner, making snack one of the most important meals of the day.  Keep you fridge stocked with healthy, quick options that you and your kids select together, because there is no need to argue over choices when all are good.  Consider cups of yogurt with berries tossed on top for the ride to the soccer field or an apple with almond butter.
-Easy does it: Take the dinner pressure off by making sure that your family has eaten well throughout the day and make dinner a lighter, simpler meal.  Stock up on all you need for multiple go-to dinners that are just as easy as the drive-thru, but pack a healthy and tasty punch.  This blog is filled with easy and healthy recipes, but my favorite involves the three best words I get to say in the day "make your own."  Set out whole wheat wraps, your favorite hummus, fresh spinach, cabbage, tomato, avocado, left-over grilled chicken, Greek yogurt dip, or other favorites, and let your kids build their own wrap, which they can heat or enjoy cold; nothing is more nutritious or filling.  If your family always looks for dessert, then establish fruit as the new sweet treat.  Mix your favorites together in yogurt and freeze into popsicles or just enjoy pre-sliced chunks.
-Make sure that they are ready for bed: School-age children need 10-11 hours of sleep per night, but the first step in a bedtime routine starts the minute they wake up with taking every opportunity to get them moving; whether you walk around the block, ride bikes, chase the frisbee, or shoot baskets, get children outside and active.  In the evening, establish a routine and stick to it for a firmly set (i.e. no negotiating) bedtime that will allow them the rest that they need.