Sleep To Be Smart

Sleeping is one of the most important parts to achieving good health. It is the time when the body rebuilds, heals, and rejuvenates. Without enough quality deep sleep, it is hard to feel good. It is also hard to learn and remember things. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine recently discovered that sleep turns on brain gene switches. As soon as a person falls asleep, gene switches are turned on in the brain that allow memories to be formed and brain connections to strengthen. Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at UP, Marco Frank, stated that "the machinery of memory is, the actual making and breaking of connections between neurons." The researchers found that these connections between neurons can only be made when we sleep. So what does this tell us? You must get quality sleep to improve learning and be smart!



Sara J. Aton, Julie Seibt, Michelle Dumoulin, Sushil K. Jha, Nicholas Steinmetz, Tammi Coleman, Nirinjini Naidoo, Marcos G. Frank. Mechanisms of Sleep-Dependent Consolidation of Cortical Plasticity Neuron 2009 February Volume 61, Issue 3, 454-466.
Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Fruits and Vegetables for Brain Health

A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that a diet high in polyphenols could protect the brain from damage. Polyphenols are special nutrients commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. After analyzing the brains of rats for 40 days, researchers found that the rats on the high polyphenol diet had significant nerve and brain cell protection. They also found that these nutrients could help strengthen and boost the generation of brain stem cells.

Eating whole natural foods is a great way to ensure quality health of the body's organs and tissues. Grab an apple and a handful of walnuts today!





Tony Valente, Juan Hidalgo, Irene Bolea, Bartolomé Ramirez, Neus Anglés, Jordi Reguant, José Ramón Morelló, Cristina Gutiérrez, Mercè Boada and Mercedes Unzeta. A Diet Enriched in Polyphenols and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, LMN Diet, Induces Neurogenesis in the Subventricular Zone and Hippocampus of Adult Mouse Brain. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 2009 November
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)

Study says Exercise Increases Brain Power

Researchers from Sweden recently found that teenagers who increased their cardiovascular health between the ages of 15-18 had higher intelligence scores (IQ), and were more likely to go to college and be successful. This makes total sense because when you exercise, you increase blood flow to the brain. Increased blood flow to the brain means more oxygen and nutrients to the brain. When the brain is nourished, brain cells can grow and new brain cell connections can be made. This leads to better focus, concentration, and memory.

Researcher Nancy Pederson commented: "The results provide scientific support for educational policies to maintain or increase physical education in school curricula,” “Physical exercise should be an important instrument for public health initiatives to optimize cognitive performance, as well as disease prevention at the society level.”

Chalk one up for Physical Education!




Maria A. I. Åberga, Nancy L. Pedersen, Kjell Toréne, Magnus Svartengrenf, Björn Bäckstrandg, Tommy Johnssonh, Christiana M. Cooper-Kuhna, N. David Åberga, Michael Nilssona, and H. Georg Kuhna. Cardiovascular fitness is associated with cognition in young adulthood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2009 November
Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.

Strength Training

Last week, 4th grade students at SDA Elementary were introduced to strength training. Strength training is exercise in which weight is moved. Often times that weight is moved by a pushing motion or a pulling motion. Some of the benefits of strength training include increased size and strength of the muscles, improved bone density (thickness & hardness), stronger connective tissue (tendons & ligaments), improved heart health, improved blood sugar control, and improved metabolism. It's a great way to improve your overall fitness and athletic ability. Students used 9 lb and 12 lb barbells to complete the workout.

Eggplant

Eggplant became a new favorite of mine last summer. It has a delicious texture and flavor, whether you’re grilling, frying, or baking it. Eggplant is loaded with antioxidants, which protect your cells from oxidative damage. In fact, it is a top 10 vegetable in antioxidant content. The most common eggplants are usually dark purple or black, but also come in other types like pale green or white. Eggplants should be picked at two-thirds their full size when they have a high gloss to their skins. They should have a slight give when you press down on them with your thumb that rebounds easily. They have a short shelf life so leave them on the counter and eat them within a couple days of buying.

Thank You Raw Revolution!

Thank you Raw Revolution for the awesome organic food bars! The students and I appreciate your generosity. Keep up the great work in providing healthy choices!

Raw Rev Student Feedback

In the videos below, students comment on the Raw Revolution bars. The overwhelming favorite amongst the flavor choices was the "Spirulina and Cashew." Students were encouraged to give honest feedback on the snack. Regardless of whether they liked the bars or not, everyone was excited to try something new and healthy!

Healthy Raw Foods

The best thing about the Raw Rev bars is the organic raw ingredients used to make them. Some of those ingredients include: cashews, dates, almonds, sprouted flax seeds, agave nectar, cocoa, coconut, raspberries, and spirulina. Natural plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds help to protect, repair, and energize the body. There are other healthy food sources available too, but a diet rich in raw plant-based foods goes a long way in promoting a healthy mind and body!

Raw Revolution Snacks

Students at Syracuse Elementary are taking part in “Raw Revolution” healthy snack week. Mr. Recker teamed up with Raw Revolution, makers of 100% raw, organic, live food bars, to provide healthy snacks to all 2^nd through 5^th grade students in the building. The Raw Rev organic food bars provide a nutritious alternative to many processed snacks. They contain NO refined sugars, trans fats, preservatives, or artificial colors. Raw Rev bars contain fruit, nuts, seeds, and other healthy natural ingredients. This is a food bar that can truly energize your body physically and mentally! Check out http://www.rawindulgence.com for more info on this great product.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs - 3D!

Last weekend I saw one of the best animated movies in years – “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs!” This movie was funny, clever, exciting, goofy, and heart warming. The people over at Sony did a wonderful job bringing one of my favorite childhood books to life on the big screen. I don’t want to give away anything, but the story did touch on the issue of genetically modified food or GMOs. Genetically modified foods are foods that are spliced with various toxins to make them resistant to pests and chemical fertilizers. The companies that make and sell these seeds are changing the genetic DNA of foods. Currently, the production of GMO foods is questionable, as there are no long-term research studies in existence on this type of food.

If you’re looking for a tremendous family movie, I highly recommend Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. And if you want a super awesome experience, go see it in 3D at the Rave Theater by the Westroads Mall in Omaha. (102nd and Dodge) The 3D technology is incredible!

Testing Speed - 30 yard Sprint

This week, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students participated in a 30 yard sprint to test their speed. Speed is an area of fitness that indicates athleticism, healthy body fat percentage, and muscular fitness. Check out these SDA students giving it their best in the videos below!

Broad Jump - Testing Lower Body Power

Power is a combination of strength + speed. During September, SDA 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders completed the "broad jump" to test their lower body power. To successfully complete the broad jump, students launched themselves forward off of two feet from a stand still position. The goal was to jump as far as possible. The legs house the primary muscles involved in this test, but the abdominals and arms also play a role in this explosive movement. Students will repeat this test during 2nd semester to see if they have improved their power levels.

Zucchini

Grown for over 9000 years, zucchini may be the most popular summer squash among the many varieties. It comes in green and yellow colors and can be produced through the fall season. They are easy to grow, as just one plant will provide you with an abundant amount of food. Zucchini provides small amounts of fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. The seeds are also extremely healthy to consume as they contain healthy fat, protein, B vitamins, and trace minerals. The bigger they get, the more they decrease in flavor so choose small, brightly colored varieties. Most times I will simply slice up a zucchini and eat it raw. I also enjoy it on the grill.

Cucumbers

The cucumber has become a favorite vegetable of mine and many members of my family. It is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory vegetables in the world. Remember, everyone experiences a certain level of inflammation in their body. The level of inflammation depends on many lifestyle choices like nutrition, exercise, stress-management, etc. Eating cucumbers will help rid your body of inflammation that causes wear and tear. Cucumbers contain high amounts of vitamins A and C, as well as folic acid. These nutrients play a key role in protecting your body from heart disease, bone disease, and cancer. There are many ways to prepare cucumbers, but my favorite is simply slicing them up and eating them raw. They are a crisp, healthy addition to any meal, or great for a snack. This is another vegetable high in water content to help keep the body well-hydrated.

If you like to juice your vegetables, cucumbers are one of the best. Blend up cucumbers and parsley together with water and you will have a natural combination that promotes cell healing. And if you want to help clear up a skin problem, place some raw cucumber on your face for 15 minutes!

Watermelon

A very popular farmers market attraction right now is the watermelon. They are currently available by the truckload, as it is peak season to pick and eat this delicious food. Watermelon is about 90% water, so it is the perfect food to keep your body well-hydrated. It is one of the richest sources of the phytonutrient lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from damage. It is especially protective of the brain, eyes, and prostate. Watermelon is also very high in glutathione. Glutathione is another very powerful antioxidant that helps protect your body from many types of infections. Your body actually makes it's own glutathione. When your glutathione levels are optimized (at a healthy level), your immune system is very powerful. Even the seeds in watermelon can be ground up to make a tea that is great for preventing or treating bladder infections. These are just a few of the tremendous benefits to yet another super melon. I hope you get a chance to enjoy one before the season ends!

Cantaloupe - A Powerhouse Melon

One of my favorite foods to purchase at the farmers markets lately is the cantaloupe. This remarkable melon is refreshingly sweet and packed full of important nutrients. The light orange-colored flesh is jam packed with vitamin A, which is important for vision, growth, and fighting off infection. Cantaloupes may be the richest source of B vitamins of any fruit you can buy. B vitamins are a must for energy production. In fact, every cell in your body requires B vitamins to create energy. Cantaloupes also contain a rich supply of potassium, which is needed by your muscles (including your heart) to work properly. In addition to these nutrients, cantaloupes are full of water and fiber to hydrate you and aid in digestive health. This is an amazing fruit to add to your diet. Remember, the fresher the better. If you can’t grow these melons yourself, you may want to consider purchasing one at 7th and Q Streets in Lincoln, NE this Saturday morning from 8 AM – 12 PM. Of course, I’m talking about the Haymarket Farmers Market that takes place there every Saturday through October 10. Try a cantaloupe today and improve your health!

How To Post a Comment

If you would like to post a comment on the blog, here are the instructions:

1. Under a blog posting, you will see the the word "comments." Click on comments.

2. After clicking on comments, you will see "Post a comment." Below that you will notice a white text box where you can type your message. Type your message.

3. Next you will need to click on "Comment as:" Click on "comment as" and scroll down to either "Name/URL" or "Anonymous." If you click on "name" you can put your name next to your blog post. If you click on "anonymous" you will not be able to leave your name. Some people don't like to leave their name and that is totally fine.

4. Lastly, click on "Post comment" and you're done! After you click on "post comment" you will not see your message appear. All messages must first be approved by Mr. Recker before they are placed on the blog. If Mr. Recker approves the message, you will eventually see it show up.

Whenever you have a comment or question about health and fitness, don't hesitate to post!

Welcome Back!

Welcome back SDA students! I hope your summer was filled with lots of healthy fresh food, exercise, and sunshine! I know many of you were able to eat food from your own garden this summer, which is totally awesome. Whenever you can eat fresh, home-grown or locally-grown vegetables and fruits, you are doing a wonderful service to your body. You are giving your body the nutrients it needs to feel good. With fresh, whole foods, your body can work the way it was designed to.

PE is going to be awesome once again this year. We have some new exercise equipment that we will be using during some of our rocket workouts. If you are in 3rd-5th grade, you will get to participate in a new "Rocket Fitness" program that will challenge you to work hard and improve. And, you will get to sample some delicious healthy organic snacks! Come to class ready to work hard and have fun! See you in the gym!

Syracuse Stars (from May)

The Syracuse Stars from last May are now up on the website. If you go to http://mrreckerpe.com/syracusestars.html and scroll over the Polaroid pictures, you will see 8 very deserving students appear. These students were honored by their peers and Mr. Recker for showing exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, focus, sportsmanship, and leadership. Great job SDA PE students!

Optimal Nutrition for Vibrant Health

In this video blog, Dr. Mark Hyman talks about how you can optimize your health through nutrition. Dr. Hyman is the leading doctor in the field of functional medicine which focuses on finding the root causes of disease, rather than just treating symptoms. He is a big believer in the power of nutrients to cure people. For you parents who like what he has to say in the video, check out his book, "The UltraMind Solution." It is a fantastic read and will contribute to the improvement of your health and well-being. Have a great 4th of July weekend.

Naturalist Intelligence

Naturalist intelligence involves learning through nature and naturalistic ideas. Children who are naturalist thinkers enjoy learning about the earth and all it has to offer. Plants, animals, water, energy, and food are all important aspects to the naturalist. The natural focus in physical education is natural health. I want to empower the students to be able to live a healthy happy life by having the knowledge of how to find and consume whole, natural, fresh food. This is the basis for good health. Supporting farmers markets or planting a garden are two phenomenal ideas that everyone should seriously consider.

Intrapersonal Intelligence

Intrapersonal intelligence refers to someone who learns through self-reflection, inner thought, dreaming, aspiring, and setting personal goals. This type of person is more self-motivated and thrives when taking on individual work. Some students simply learn better when they can do it at their own pace. That is why partners or small groups are not always utilized in PE class. We often times complete individual workouts in class. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves, yet go at their own pace. I teach them to strive to improve, and to set their own personal goals for the day. The students realize that every person is unique in their ability and fitness level, so it makes no sense to judge another classmate’s level of performance.

Students also have opportunity to learn more in PE through the website and this blog. As long as they have access to the internet, they will have that alone time to contemplate various health issues. Personally, I love to sit, read, listen, and think on my own about various issues in the health and wellness world. This time has become a very valuable, meaningful aspect of my life.

Interpersonal Intelligence

Interpersonal intelligence refers to someone who learns by reaching out to others through discussion, sharing, organizing, and bonding. These children like to learn through their interaction with others. Friends are very important to these students, as well as mentors. In physical education class, there is not one week where students do not work with partners, small groups, or large teams. As a teacher, I have always stressed that we can all learn from each other, and negative criticism will not be tolerated. Everyone has something to offer, and the students at SDA Elementary realize this. I always encourage students to get involved with sports, clubs, or groups beyond school, that will allow them to grow as individuals. Social interaction is very important for achieving emotional health.

Musical Intelligence

Musical intelligence involves sound, rhythms, tone, beats, harmonies, and melodies. Children in physical education class naturally love to move to music. When we are exercising, often times I will play some upbeat, highly energetic music. It is cool to see the intensity level of the kids elevate to higher levels. I once thought that in order to have musical intelligence, one must be a great singer, composer, or musician. This is actually not true. According to Gardner, displaying musical intelligence could be as simple as tapping one’s foot to a beat, or humming along with a melody. I for one know that music enriches my life every day, and I try to give the students the same opportunities to enjoy what it brings.

Kinesthetic/Bodily Intelligence

Kinesthetic intelligence involves movement. Physical education shines very brightly in this area. After all, this is the class where movement is encouraged 95% of the time. Children who have a high amount of kinesthetic intelligence enjoy hands-on learning. They want to physically experience what they learn. Physical education is a place where these learners can thrive. Throughout the year, students are challenged to move through a dynamic warm-up, rocket workouts, physical skills practice, and team competition. Physical skills such as strength, coordination, quickness, reaction time, speed, and jumping ability are all developed. Students realize that it feels good to express their energy, talents, and abilities through movement. Just visit the website to see the remarkable kinesthetic intelligences of SDA students.

Spatial Intelligence

Spatial intelligence involves thinking in terms of pictures, videos, colors, and designs. Children that have a high amount of spatial intelligence tend to have bright imaginations and can easily conceptualize visuals. These students are designers and illustrators.

The greatest contribution towards this intelligence in my classroom has been the implementation of my website. Children have the opportunity to explore everything we do in class through pictures, videos, and graphics that are made available on the website. Sometimes a child needs to actually see how they are performing a movement, in order to correct it. In the future, if a child is having a hard time capturing the essence of a particular skill or movement, I want to video the child and allow him/her to watch their movement on my camera. Sometimes that is all it takes to properly correct something.

If you look at some previous posts on this blog that discussed farmers markets, I included some beautiful pictures of the fresh, natural foods that are available. This helps the students visualize the food, thus hopefully promoting a desire to visit a farmers market.

This year we also did a “wall of words.” All year long the student came up with words promoting health, wellness, and positive character. We designed our walls with these words. Students not only heard me talk about these words and concepts, but they got to see them and think about them every day.

Logical/Mathematical Intelligence

Logical/mathematical intelligence involves figuring things out through reason. Children that have a high amount of logical intelligence enjoy gaining knowledge through the use of experimentation and calculation. These children want rationale. They want to know how things work the way they do.

Physical education includes mathematical concepts quite often. When we perform fitness assessments, we talk about numbers quite a bit. Students know that they have to perform a certain amount of repetitions for a given exercise to be considered healthy for that area of fitness. They also discover that these numbers are based on scientific research that tested children of various gender and age. So, according to the research referenced, a 10 year-old boy may have to perform 8 push-ups to be considered healthy for upper body strength.

Logical intelligence is also used when I explain body fat percentage to the students. They realize that there is an optimal percent body fat range that would be beneficial to fall under. They are also taught how to sustain this percentage through the use of exercise and nutrition.

A final example of mathematical intelligence would include the use of numbers during various workouts. Interval training involves time periods of low intensity exercise mixed with time periods of high intensity exercise. For example, we may walk for 45 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of running. During a dynamic warm-up, we may do a set of 10 squats, followed by a set of 10 vertical jumps. This is called a super-set. Any 5th grade student should be able to tell you what a super-set is and how to design your own super-set workout.

Linguistic Intelligence

Linguistic intelligence involves the use of words. Children that have a high amount of linguistic intelligence enjoy expressing and gaining knowledge through reading, writing, speaking, discussing, sharing, and questioning. How does this happen in physical education class you may ask? Well let me give you some examples.

When a new physical skill or dynamic movement is taught in PE, there is always discussion as to how to perform it, why it should be performed a certain way, and the benefits acquired from it. I always encourage the students to ask questions and give me feedback on everything we do.

Another way I reach out to linguistic intelligence is through discussion about health and wellness topics. Nutrition, disease-prevention, and stress management are a few of the topics we cover. Students get the opportunity to ask me questions and think critically. If I do not have time to answer all questions in class, students are encouraged to write their questions down for me. These questions are then answered on my teacher blog (that you are reading right now). This blog is also a phenomenal source for students to read about various health topics to improve their knowledge.

One last example of appealing to linguistic learners would be the written tests that we have each quarter. While some students can display their skills through physical demonstration or class discussion, others need the opportunity to write what they have learned. This is made possible through written tests.

Multiple Intelligences

Over the next two weeks, I will be explaining the Multiple Intelligences theory by former Harvard researcher, Howard Gardner. Howard Gardner theorized that there are eight ways that people learn. These different intelligences include: linguistic, logical/mathematical, spatial, body/kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist.

When people think about these areas of intelligence, often times they may think of a person being born to sing, a born athlete, or is just good with numbers. Although there is definite genetic predisposition towards intelligence, it’s not the only thing that counts. According to Garner, intelligences are developed through biological endowment, personal life history, and cultural and historical background. In other words, genes, experiences with people and the environment, and cultural interactions determine intelligence. So beyond genetics, the experiences we have in life will either promote intelligences or discourage and shut them down.

At SDA Elementary it is my responsibility to make sure I am reaching all eight of these intelligence areas. In the posts to come, I will try to explain each of these intelligences and how they are being taught to in class. Every student is unique, which is why teaching needs to be unique and meaningful.

The Plank - A Great Core Exercise

The "core" is the area of the body consisting of the abs, lower back, hips, and glutes (your behind muscles). Having a strong core is essential to protect the spine and avoid injuries. It also plays a key role in overall athletic performance, being at the center of all movement. If you want to increase your power or overall mobility, start working on your core.

This past school year the 5th graders performed "planks" at the end of our dynamic warm-up. A plank is not a complex exercise, yet it is a challenging one. Planks are performed by placing all one's body weight on the forearms and toes. The rest of the body, from the head to the ankles, should be straight and rigid. The back should be flat, in alignment with the legs. Then it is simply a matter of holding this position as still as possible. If this version is too difficult, a modified version can be attempted. A modified version is different only in that the knees can touch the ground (so knees and forearms are touching the ground). This is a great exercise to add to your fitness routine. Below is a video of the SDA 5th graders holding a plank for about 10 seconds.

Anaerobic Energy Training

During the month of May, physical education students took part in a series of anaerobic training sessions. "Anaerobic exercise" places a focus on short term, quick, intense bouts of movement. When engaging in anaerobic exercise, the body uses ATP as its main source of energy. This is the opposite of "aerobic exercise" in which the body uses oxygen as its primary energy source, throughout a prolonged, continuous bout of movement.

In this video, SDA 5th graders are performing an anaerobic sprint workout. As the students sprint across the length of the gym, they are also carrying weighted medicine balls and clearing a hurdle at half court. Areas of speed, power, strength, and coordination were all improved. All the students agreed that this was a great workout that really challenged them. Take a look!

My 1st Farmers Market of the Summer

This morning I ventured off to the Lincoln Haymarket Farmers Market. I made sure to get down there early so that I could enjoy the vast selection of goods offered by the vendors. As I arrived at 9am on this beautiful sunny day, the streets were already packed with people buying fresh foods, flowers, and other plants. Some people were simply walking around enjoying the atmosphere. Others were present to listen to the talented musicians entertaining everyone. Quite a few people were purchasing freshly cooked food that was offered. It was one big party!

I had one mission though, and that was to buy some fresh, naturally raised, nutritious food. As I scanned the various stalls, I realized that certain vegetables must be in season. The hard part was choosing who to buy from because it all looked very good. I wanted to support as many vendors as possible so I decided to buy from 6 different farmers. It feels good to support the small family farm. They really take pride in providing well-raised food for their customers. My morning's purchase included asparagus, spinach, broccoli, buttercrunch lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, and grass-fed lamb chops. Everything was picked fresh, naturally raised, and unadulterated. I am thoroughly excited to enjoy this food during the week. As the growing season moves into June, July, and August, more variety will be available. I can't wait to go back next week!

Below is a picture of my complete purchase from this morning:
Oh and one other thing. On my way back to my car, I stopped in at Maggie's. Maggie's is a vegetarian restaurant located at 8th and Q. Although I'm not a vegetarian, this might be my favorite place to eat in Lincoln. Her vegetarian lasagna is the best lasagna I've ever had, hands down. Today I purchased an avocado melt and it was simply amazing. It was loaded with fresh ingredients that were purchased from the farmers market earlier this morning! They are open for breakfast and lunch Monday-Saturday. Give this place a try! You won't regret it. Here is the delicious avocado melt that I devoured shortly after this picture was taken.

Farmers Market Information

The three farmers markets listed below are some of the most popular ones in Nebraska. They also happen to be the ones that I attend most often. Buying from farmer’s markets is a great way to support small family farms and improve your health through superior nutrition. While you’re there, take the opportunity to ask questions and learn from these people. Many of them are very friendly and love educating people about what they do. Hope to see you there!

Lincoln Haymarket Farmer’s Market
335 North 8th St. (in the Haymarket)
Lincoln, NE 68505
402-435-7496
Jeff Cunningham
May-October, Saturdays 8:00am-12:00pm

Old Cheney Road Farmers Market
Old Cheney Center Behind the Racquet Club
5500 Old Cheney Road
Lincoln, NE 68516
Tel. (402) 613-0088
Billeme Nemec
May-October, Sundays 10:00am-2:00pm

Village Pointe Farmers Market
Village Pointe Shopping Center
168th Street and West Dodge Road
Omaha, NE 68132
Tel. (402) 639-2760
Micheal Braunstein
May-October, Saturdays 8:00am-1:00pm

For more information about farmers markets and finding access to healthy food, please visit the following websites:

http://www.eatwellguide.org
http://www.localharvest.org

Farmers Market – A Great Choice!

Farmers markets are gatherings of farmers who wish to sell their products directly to the consumer. Most of the time, these farmers practice sustainable agriculture and natural farming methods such as crop rotation and the use of host crops (more on these methods in the future). Practices like these are good for the soil, good for the insects, and good for the environment. That’s why true organic/natural farmers can ensure a product that is highly nutritious and free of chemicals like pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t eat conventional produce, but if you’re interested in something else, you may want to explore a farmer’s market.

When we eat fresh, nutritious foods, our body is provided with a variety of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, enzymes, protein, essential fats, and fiber that nourish and promote great health. Dr. Joel Fuhrman states, “What we eat creates the materials to build our cells. Eventually, we are what we eat.” He goes on to say, “Eating right won’t simply prevent disease; it will help you live life to its fullest. Eating right will enable you to feel great everyday, without stomachaches, headaches, indigestion, constipation, or a runny nose.” I couldn’t agree more.

There are some really outstanding farmer’s markets taking place in Nebraska this summer. I am going to highlight three of the more popular ones. For locations and information, please see the next post directly above this one.

Fresh, Local, Nutritious! Support Farmers Markets

In the previous post I addressed the issue of processed food and how it is causing many of the chronic diseases in our society today. Remember, although it may be appealing to the taste, most processed packaged food is lacking nutrients that can be used by the body.

The wonderful alternative choice is fresh, local, well-raised, highly nutritious food. In his book, “The UltraMind Solution,” Dr. Mark Hyman writes,

“Common sense and scientific research both lead us to the conclusion that if we want healthy bodies and healthy brains we must put in the right raw materials: real, whole, local, fresh, unadulterated, unprocessed, and chemical-, hormone-, and antibiotic-free food.”

These foods Dr. Hyman is talking about include fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and whole grains. Also included would be pasture-raised chicken, beef, and eggs. The fresher and more naturally raised we can get this food, the better. It will contain more nutrients and be free of any potentially harmful chemicals. Fortunately for us, there is a wonderful resource available from which we can purchase this type of food. It’s called a Farmers Market. My next posts will include important information about Farmers Markets, including when and where you can attend one.

Processed Food Does Not Promote Health

Let’s face it, America today is simply not a healthy nation overall. It seems as though most people are suffering from some type of health issue that is affecting the quality of their life. For some, those ailments include headaches, indigestion, or joint pain. Others suffer from more serious problems like heart disease, obesity, or cancer. Why is this? When placing blame, one has to take a serious look at the SAD (Standard American Diet) diet. The SAD diet consists of mostly processed foods. Processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural state. These foods contain additives including preservatives, colors, bleaches, and artificial flavors. In fact, there are over 3500 different additives in the processed food supply today. In his book “Disease-Proof Your Child – Feeding Kids Right,” Dr. Joel Fuhrman writes, “A body made from refined foods, white flour, oils, sugar, and other highly processed “fake” food develops into a sickly human…..junk food isn’t cheap; we pay a steep price for it years after consuming it.”

Most health experts would agree that processed foods were not meant to supply us with a high amount of nutrients. They are made in bulk quantities with the ideas of producing long shelf-life and appealing taste. That’s about it. Much of what goes into these foods is foreign to the body and does not promote health. One of the most highly respected doctors in the country today, Dr. Mark Hyman, states that “the real cause of epidemics and mental and physical illness in this country is our SAD diet…the highly processed, nutrient-poor foods that are sold to us do exactly the opposite of enriching us. They turn off the right genes, turn on the wrong ones, and send your system into chaos.”

The beauty in all this is that there is a much better choice. There are some amazing, life-giving foods that we can choose to have more of. These things include fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, herbs, and spices. Sadly, these foods represent about 5% of the typical American diet. In my next blog post I will feature information on these healthy foods, as well as a wonderful community gathering called a farmer’s market. Stay tuned!

Welcome to the website!

I am absolutely thrilled to be able to give you a closer look at the Syracuse Elementary Physical Education and Health program. Please take the time to thoroughly explore the site. It should give you excellent insight as to what is being accomplished throughout the year. I am excited about health and the students are too! Every week I am seeing a shift in attitude, thinking, and action amongst these children. They want to know what optimal health can be like. They want to experience it!My ultimate goal for this website is to inform and inspire. I want people to get excited about their health. I want people to realize there are few things more important than health. Once you have great health, the possibilities and endeavors for your life are limitless. The quote “knowledge is power” has never rang so true to me. Knowledge has helped me come to so many understandings in the world of health. There were many things I was totally unaware of or never even thought about until recent years. I am eager to share these things with you!We all have the power to choose great health. Empower yourself and your health through learning. Read, read, and read some more, but don’t forget to take the time to exercise too! Thanks for visiting and please check back again soon!



- Mr. Recker