Halloween Trail Mix

2 cups old fashioned oats

1 cup coconut

1 cup whole almonds

1/4 cup flax seeds

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup canola or olive oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup cheerios

1 2/3 cup dried apricots, chopped

2/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine the oats, coconut, honey, oil, sugar, and salt. Stir until well coated. Add the flax and sunflower seeds. Mix well. Spread mixture out on a large baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes.

Remove the oat mixture from the oven and allow to completely cool. In a large bowl, stir in cheerios, apricots, and chocolate chips. Store in an airtight container.

ENJOY! 

Post Credits: http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2009/09/homemade-trail-mix.html

Fun Halloween Treats For Kids That Substitute Candy!

Halloween doesn't have to be all about candy! Here are some fun non-candy treat ideas that kids can have fun with! If you have any other fun ideas, please share with us and comment on our post!

Play-Doh - Mini Glow In The Dark Rubber Duckies - Halloween Pencil Top Erasers - Glow Stick - Bracelets - Halloween Balloons - Spooky Silly Bands - Vampire Fangs

Share your non-candy treat ideas with us!

YES! It exists!

If you're looking for a substitute for your kids for the regular sugar-loaded candy bar, look no further! SUGAR-FREE CHOCOLATE does exist! Your body and teeth will thank you! 

There are other sugar-free candies, too, that are not chocolate (i.e. Jolly Ranchers). Most candy aisles have their sugar-free candy selection in one spot, and they are usually in smaller, hanging bags. 

Check out the candy aisle during your next trip to the grocery and try some of the sugar-free kind! We think it does a near perfect job satisfying that sweet tooth! ;) 

Also, at our offices we have a Halloween Candy Count contest going on. If your little one can guess the number of sugar-free candy pieces in the jar, they'll win the jar & a Free Open Play pass to Kazoing! 

Take Part in our first *Sweet Swap!*

TV Junk Food Ads Make Kids Crave Sweet Treats!

There has been considerable debate over whether exposure to food advertising affects incidence rates of childhood obesity. While the positive correlation between the hours of television viewed, body mass index, and obesity incidence has been documented, the exact mechanisms through which this occurs are still being investigated. Recently, there has been an increase in calls to ban junk food advertisements aimed at children as these ads have been found (findings published in Pediatrics) to increase children's appetites for sweet and high-fat foods. While these types of foods are not only unhealthy for our children's growing bodies, they are unhealthy for their growing teeth! 

• It has been estimated that the average child currently views more than 40,000 commercials on television each year
• More than 50 percent of television advertisements directed at children promote foods and beverages such as candy, convenience foods, snack foods, sugar sweetened beverages and sweetened breakfast cereals that are high in calories, fat, and sugar and low in fiber and nutrient density. (http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/)

Below is part of the Article "Television ads for junk food really do make children hungry for those treats, especially if they watch a lot of television, according to a study"  from  Reuters.com 

Reporting by Amy Norton at Reuters Health; editing by Elaine Lies

In tests with 6- to 13-year olds, researchers led by Emma Boyland of the University of Liverpool in the UK found that a DVD featuring commercials for fast food and junk food seemed to [enhance] children's appetites for sweet and high-fat [food.]

The children involved in the research reported a greater desire for sweet and fatty foods after viewing the junk-food ads compared to days when they watched commercials for toys.

This was especially true for children who usually watched a lot of TV in their everyday lives, with "a lot" defined by the researchers as over 21 hours a week. But researchers said the effects of the food ads were modest, making only a small difference in the average number of food items the children said they wanted "right now."

On average, kids wanted more high-carb, high-fat foods after watching food commercials. In real life, as well, a lot of other factors would be at work, including parents' willingness to buy those foods, which makes it impossible to fully and experimentally study the effect of ads and childhood obesity.

"This study confirms the cumulative, sustained effect of food marketing on TV: the more children watch TV, the more susceptible they are to advertising," said Lori Dorfman, who directs the Berkeley Media Studies Group in California and has studied food marketing to children.

"This might not be so bad if food marketers put their best foods forward, but they don't," Dorfman, who did not take part in the study, told Reuters Health by email.

Dorfman noted that children now watch TV on their computers and mobile gadgets as well as at home on TV, which can add up to a lot of hours. Dorfman said that parents should limit TV time, but added that they need help. "It's simply not fair to expect parents alone to counter the $2 billion food companies spend each year targeting their kids with fun, irresistible ads for sugary, high-fat, salty foods," she added.

What Other Countries are Doing to Regulate "Junk Food" Advertising Towards Children

• United Kingdom: Children's Food Bill 
• In November 2006, the Office of Communication announced that it would ban television advertisements for junk food before, during and after television programming aimed at ages 16 and under in the United Kingdom.
• Sweden: All advertisements aimed at children 12 and under is banned, including fast food ads.
• Malaysia: Fast food advertising during children's television was banned in 2007 

Do you think the U.S. should take stronger initiatives to regulate "junk food" ads targeted at children? 

Post credits: 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/28/us-junkfood-tv-idUSTRE75R04H20110628 

http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/

McDonald's Adds Apple Slices in Every Happy Meal

What is McDonalds doing to help our little ones and you become healthier? 

 By the beginning of 2012, McDonald's will be adding apples to all its Happy Meals and they have launched a nutrition-focused mobile phone app as part of a broader health push.  Hooray! McDonald's is introducing these healthy innovations as a reaction to consumers' and regulators' continual blame for health issues regarding childhood obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

McDonald's new program:

• McDonald's pledged to reduce sugars (happier teeth!), saturated fats and calories through "varied portion sizes, reformulations and innovations" by 2020. By 2015, it will reduce sodium by 15 percent.

• In July, McDonald's introduced a  new mobile app where you can "build your meal" & see all individual nutrition facts and totals for your desired meal. Among the nutritional info the new app provides, you can also find the McDonald's closest to you and see career opportunities.
• McDonald's USA president Jan Fields and other executives went on a "listening tour" in August to hear suggestions from parents and nutrition experts. The chain will also launch a new online forum for parents.

McDonald's has been working on it's healthy reputation and hip perception by offering free wi-fi access and adding smoothies and oatmeal to their menus. However, a small McDonald's strawberry banana smoothie still has 44g of sugar! Yikes. 

For Happy Meals, U.S. customers can already choose between apples or fries. But only about 11 percent of customers were ordering apples, the restaurant said. So by the beginning of next year, McDonald's will instead include a half-order of apples and a half-order of fries. Customers can get all fries or all apples if they ask. 

Why Kid's Dentistree Loves Apples!

• The mildly acidic nature and astringent quality of apples, combined with their rough, fiber-rich flesh, makes them the ideal food for cleansing and brightening teeth!
• Crunchy foods, including apples, celery and carrots (not potato chips!), act like little toothbrushes when you chew them! 

 Post Credits: Associate Press 2011 http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/EMIHC251/24479/8895/1406985.html?d=dmtICNNews 
Prevention.com

The Scoop From the 2011 Toothfairy Poll

Tooth Fairy giving is steadily increasing, according to Delta Dental of Minnesota’s annual Tooth Fairy Poll. Nationally the average is $2.52, which is an 18 percent increase over last year’s average of $2.13. In Minnesota, children receive an average of $2.01 per tooth – it increased slightly (2.6 percent) from last year’s average of $1.96.

“This year’s Tooth Fairy Poll average reflects the stable increase we’re seeing in other areas of the economy,” said Ann Johnson, director of community affairs for Delta Dental of Minnesota. “For example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 17.2 percent during the same time period. The Tooth Fairy may be another indicator that the economy is on pace for a steady recovery.”

We asked a new question on this year’s Tooth Fairy Poll: “After you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, should you rinse your mouth?” Approximately 64 percent answered yes. “This response is interesting because it’s not correct,” said Johnson. “It’s a common misconception. We should spit out any remaining toothpaste, but we should NOT rinse our mouths with water after brushing our teeth, because the remaining fluoride toothpaste helps protect the teeth against tooth decay.” 

OTHER NEWS FROM THE TOOTH FAIRY POLL

•     Tooth Fairy Gift Amounts – The Tooth Fairy’s monetary “gifts” ranged from one penny to one hundred dollars.
•     First Dental Visit - Survey-takers report that 70% of 2 to 3-year-olds are visiting the dentist for the first time. “When we collect the data from Tooth Fairy Poll each year, we see a shift toward earlier dental visits,” said Johnson. “That is great news because all professional dental organizations recommend that a child be seen by a dentist as soon as his or her first tooth erupts, but at least no later than the child’s first birthday.”
•     Regular Dental Exams- About 90% of parents surveyed state their children receive a dental exam every six months. “The frequency of dental visits should be determined by the child’s dentist, based on an assessment of the child’s unique oral health needs,” said Johnson. “This process ensures that each child receives the most appropriate dental care.”
•     Sweets and Snacks - The poll continues to show children are consuming fewer sugary drinks and/or treats. More than 65% of parents surveyed indicated their children consume an average of one to two sugar drinks and/or treats per day.
•     Brushing Habits - Kids seem to be working hard at brushing those choppers. According to the poll, 55% of parents report that their children brush their teeth in the morning, and 60% of children brush at night, while only 2.2%brush at noon.
•     Economics and the Tooth Fairy – When asked if the state of the economy was impacting Tooth Fairy giving, 90% of respondents said “no”.

Get more Tooth Fairy rates, statistics, oral health information and Tooth Fairy customs from around the world by visiting http://www.theofficialtoothfairypoll.com.

Post credit.