Summer is just around the corner, and camping or hiking are great outdoor activities to keep your entire family moving.

And since you’re probably going to end up carrying all of your little one’s gear, water, and snacks, why not use an environmentally friendly pack? The North Face Treehugger 32 Pack is totally eco: the buckles are made from 100% recycled and reground plastic; the webbing, mesh, and foam are made from 100% recycled fabric. It’ll give you tons of space, plus there are great convenient exterior pockets to slip your (stainless steel, I hope!) water bottle into for easy access!

Looking for some other ideas for summer activities? The North Face has announced June 2010 as their second annual National Camping Month. They’ll be hosting free events across the nation with activities, educational clinics, and gear giveaways. Their goal is to increase youth (and adult) participation in outdoor activities. For more info, check out planetexplore.com.

-Nicole McGovern

Need an excuse to drop what you’re doing and head outside to play with your kids? Science has it. A new study in the Environmental Science & Technology journal finds that just five minutes of exercise in a natural setting is enough to boost happiness and self-esteem.

Researchers analyzed activities performed by over 1,200 people of all ages, including walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horseback riding, and even farming. And while youngsters and those with mental health issues received the greatest benefits from spending some time moving around outdoors, a few minutes in nature yielded mood improvements for everyone. Green areas with water fared best of all for people’s health.

Signing off to catch some rays…

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

When I was in grammar school (and high school, for that matter), I’d do anything to get out of gym class. I’d fake cramps, go to the nurse, “forget” my gym clothes. Now, I was a fairly active kid–I took dance classes three nights a week for almost 15 years–but contact sports and working out weren’t my thing. And when it came time for the physical fitness test, forget it! I’d practically make myself sick at the thought of struggling to do pull-ups while the entire class watched. Why am I getting graded in gym class, I’d wonder? What does it matter if I run a 5- or 15-minute mile?

But apparently, it does matter. According to a recent study from West Virginia University, kids who are more physically fit do better academically. The study looked at standardized test scores (in science, math, reading, and social studies) along with the fitness levels of about 700 5th grade students over a two year period. The results:

• Highest test scores: students who were fit at both the start and end of the study
• Second highest: students who were not fit in 5th grade, but increased their fitness level over two years
• Third highest: students who were fit in 5th grade, but their fitness level dropped over two years
• Lowest scores: students who were not fit at the start or end of the study

Coincidentally, another study by the Agricultural Research Service demonstrated that kids lose more weight when following an instructor-led program rather than working on it alone. This six month study was focused on 57 overweight children. Half of them did a self-taught program: they studied weight management books several times a week. The other half spent that time outdoors with an instructor along with a once-a-week indoor session learning about nutrition. The children working with the instructor lost more weight and had a major decrease in their body mass index (BMI) nearly two years later.

So, if physically fit kids do better in school, and instructor-led programs produce a greater effect on kids, should schools implement more physical education classes per week? What do you think?

-Nicole McGovern

Even without a gym membership, it’s easy to get plenty of exercise in the warmer months. After all, family walks after dinner, bicycle rides to the park, and pick-up games of soccer provide just as much of a workout as a half-hour on the elliptical—and are a lot more fun. But what about when the weather turns cold? During the winter, motivating myself to stay active is a whole lot more difficult. And while hanging out on the couch with a blanket, a book, and a hot cup of tea can be great, after a while I start to feel sluggish and icky. Here, some of my favorite ways to keep fit when the mercury drops:

• Go online. Exercise DVDs are great, but I get bored after doing the exact same routine a few times. Websites like ExerciseTV and YogaToday have a variety of free streaming videos, while FitSugar has printable PDF circuit workouts.
• Use your space. Run up and down the stairs, perform tricep dips against your coffee table, do modified pushups against a wall, or try walking lunges across the living room floor.
• Clean. Who doesn’t love multitasking? For instance, thirty minutes of mopping or vaccuuming will get your floors spic and span while burning 100 calories—not to mention tone your arms and shoulders.
• Bundle up. Sometimes, the cold isn’t as bad as you think. My foolproof method for layering (that even allows me to bicycle comfortably in 20-degree weather)? Two pairs of socks, leggings under a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved thermal plus sweater, a coat, gloves, and ski mask. I might look like a puffed-out roly-poly, but at least I’m warm!

What are your favorite ways to keep moving when it’s cold out?

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

The eternal question: How I can stay fit, be outside, get enough exercise and juggle parenting? This Mother’s Day I told my husband that I was mowing the lawn, and that he was in charge of the kids. We recently moved into a new suburban neighborhood in Washington DC and as a result we have to keep up with the “lawn Olympics.” This is what my husband and I refer to as the compulsive need to have the perfect manicured lawn and garden, with all the accessories to manage it. While many of our elderly neighbors have lawn service, our younger generation tends to fend for themselves.

What I have noticed is that while much of the gardening is a shared task between the genders, the actual lawn mowing is most often the male’s “job.” I vote to change that. Not only was my Mother’s Day mow relaxing and meditative (good music on my Ipod), I burned somewhere around 900 calories! And I made Vitamin D in the process from the sun. Mowing the lawn can burn anywhere from 350-500 calories per hour depending on the speed you move and your body weight. There really is no reason why this chore needs to be male dominated.
In fact, I think I finally realized why men find such joy in this. I would take it any day over vacuuming or sweeping dusty floors inside. I am always looking for an excuse to be outside, why not get exercise in the process?  Maybe for Father’s Day this year, tell your husband you are treating him to a morning with the kids while you mow the lawn for him. He will think you are doing him a favor!

– Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

Do we really need an excuse to eat chocolate? Well it seems we have more and more reasons to eat it these days. Most people don’t realize that chocolate, much like fruits and vegetables is plant derived. Dark chocolate bars, with high-cocoa content, are loaded with something called epicatechin. Epicatechin is a particularly active member of a group of compounds called plant flavoniods. Flavonoids help protect us by exhibiting anti-oxidant activity in the body.

And here is more good news, some of the fats in chocolate are actually good for you! The fats in chocolate are 1/3 oleic acid, 1/3 stearic acid and 1/3 palmitic acid. Oleic Acid is a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat that is also found in olive oil. Stearic Acid is a saturated fat, but one which research is shows has a neutral effect on cholesterol. Palmitic Acid is also a saturated fat, however this one does raise cholesterol and increases the risk for heart disease. That means that only 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is bad for you. Not bad when you consider that alternative sweet treats such as baked goods are often loaded in partially hydrogenated fats, and excessive amounts of plant fats such as soy and canola oil which promote inflammation in the body.

In a study published in the journal Hypertension in August 2005, researchers from Italy found that dark chocolate may lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. The research also found that levels of LDL cholesterol in these individuals dropped by 10 percent. Another study showed that flavonoids in cocoa prevent fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging the arteries which will make blood platelets less likely to stick together and cause clots.

While a little dark chocolate can be good, a lot is not better. Chocolate is still loaded with calories. If you’re going to put more chocolate in your diet, you’ll have to cut back somewhere else. Don’t forget that a balanced diet, full of other plant based foods, and plenty of exercise is still the key to heart health.

So remember, pure cocoa powder ranks the healthiest amongst all chocolate products, followed by dark chocolate and milk chocolate. The way that cocoa powder and chocolate syrups are manufactured, removes most flavonoids and depletes the finished product of any health benefits. Avoid all chocolate products with artificial sweeteners and corn syrup and look for ones with high cocoa content. According to the Chocolate Manufacturers Association, dark chocolate contains about eight times the amount of polyphenol antioxidants found in strawberries. How about some chocolate covered strawberries? It is almost berry season.

– Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine.

With kids going back to school and ideas of what to pack for lunch comes a heightened awareness over what constitutes “healthy.” With childhood obesity as one of the nation’s leading health threats, this is clearly a million dollar question.

Did you know that childhood obesity is the number one concern amongst US parents, ahead of drug abuse and smoking? Today, almost 25 million children are overweight or obese and thus are at risk for early-onset cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. If obesity rates among children continue to climb at such a rate, this generation will be the first to have a shorter life span than their parents!

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, has designated September “Go Healthy Month.” The Alliance is taking preventive measures against childhood obesity to ensure that future generations won’t struggle with illnesses associated with poor food choices and lack of physical activity.

I encourage you to check out www.igohugo.org to find out how both you and your child can engage in this challenge, which encourages better food choices as well as finding ways to participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Exercising together will not only help you look and feel better, but will allow for time to catch up on your child’s school day.

What are you waiting for? Turn off the TV and enjoy the warm afternoons!

–Dr. Keri Marshall MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine