Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Chicago Kids Activities Jan. 11 - 17

We had an excellent suggestion from one of our members that we share with everyone a few statistics about kidwinks. So here goes! Kidwinks was launched in March 2008, and since then we've grown to over 5,200 members. We have almost 2,000 businesses, and over 6,300 listings. A "listing" in kidwinks lingo means any event, activity, kids eat free special, etc. that you can find on kidwinks. The reason there are more listings than businesses is because one business can have multiple listings. Thanks for the idea, CindyP71! We'll keep you all updated on these numbers as we grow.

Need a little help keeping your New Year's resolution? Missy Vacala of Vital Fitness Chicago is here to help with a little advice. If you have a fitness, weight loss, or health question for Missy post it on our blog.
Keep taking the lbs. off with:Slim Right. Indulge in a delicious vanilla or chocolate shake as you satisfy your appetite with this unique blend of whey andsoy proteins. AmeriSciences Slim Right is a great-tasting proteindrink that promotes lean muscle mass to help achieveyour weight goals*Our 2nd blog question: Missy, I'm always trying to cut out carbs and just eat healthy overall. When I'm reading labels, I'm focus on the carbs on the label but I saw a show on Oprah where Dr Oz ...click to read more & Missy's answer.


Coming Up!
Language Stars Chicago and Suburbs, IL
January 19-25, 2010 is Language Stars Open House Week! Attend a trial class and receive a Border’s Gift Card and a Language Stars Around The World music CD! Currently enrolled families not eligible.

Monday - Friday, January 11 – January 15
Free Admission to Museums Chicago and Suburbs, IL
Click then scroll down to see a list of free or discounted admissions to Chicago area museums this week.
Attend a Storytime
Chicago and Suburbs, ILClick then scroll down to see the list of storytimes.
Open Play Times
Chicago and Suburbs, IL
Check out some of the open play times at gyms, jump centers and more. Click, then scroll down for the list.
Visit a Nature Center
Chicago and Suburbs, IL
Most nature centers are free and there are some fantastic ones listed here.
More Activities for Kids Chicago and suburbs, IL
Click to find tons of activities for children and families: bowling, indoor play areas, museums, sledding hills, ice rinks, indoor swimming…..
More Family Friendly Events Chicago and suburbs, IL
Find open play times, movies for moms and much more.

Saturday, January 16
Unity Wreath Make-and-Take:The Learning Tree Chicago, IL

Bison Feeding Elgin Public Museum Elgin, IL
Family Fun Bartlett, IL

Up and At'em Animal Chores - Spring Valley Schaumburg, IL
Preschool Fair For Parents Des Plaines, IL
More Fun Things To Do With Kids on Saturday
Chicago and suburbs, IL
Find out what’s going on near you!

Sunday, January 17
Cool Kids Nature Hikes lisle, IL
Viva! Italian Festival Carol Stream, IL
Children's Activities at Spertus Chicago, IL
Dodgeball Sundays Glen Ellyn, IL
Old Town School of Folk Music Kids' Concerts Chicago, IL
More Kids Activities and Events on Sunday Chicago and suburbs, IL


Dining Out?

Check our Kids Eat Free Calendar first.

Click on any day to get a list of restaurants offering kids meals deals on that day. Some restaurants also offer special entertainment for kids on certain nights, and you'll find those listed too.


WIN!

Stay tuned to your inbox! We’ll be announcing a new contest within the next 24 hours!



Save!

Merry Music Makers
TechStuff
Park Ridge Speed Skating Club
A Sterling DesignMemories Wow!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Missy Vital Fitness Question #2

Q: Hi Missy, I'm always trying to cut out carbs and just eat healthy overall. When I'm reading labels, I focus on the carbs on the label but I saw a show on Oprah where Dr Oz said to watch sugars also, your items should have less that 6 grams of sugar. So take for example shopping for cereal was hard. I found Kashi whole grain puffs which has 70 calories, total carbs 15g , dietary fiber 1 and Sugars 0. I thought it was good but do you think it has too many carbs for a low carb diet?

2nd question about milk: 2% or fat free, skim milk or soymilk ??? I was using 2 % and now switch to soymilk. Is one better than the other ?
Gloria

A: Hi Gloria! Those are alll awesome questions. Dr. Oz is great. No doubt. If you get a chance, go on Amazon and buy his book "You On A Diet" used. It's got a lot of really good information in it.(Personally, I don't care for the style it is written in, but good info none-the-less). Buying any processed cereals is difficult when you are watching your sugar/carb intake. The Kashi IS a good one...but my opinion is that you go old school with the old fashioned type of oats, spelt or cream-of-wheat. This way you can add your own sugar. Agave nectar is the best (lowest in sugar, tastes great). Or 1/2 tsp (or less) of regular sugar (or brown), or some raisins or dried berries. If you don't have the time to make a single serving every morning, make a 5 servings for each day of the week and re-heat it in the morning. Remember that the carbohydrate amount in one serving of processed cereal is way more than one serving of oats or the like.

Begin tangent: I know that eating oats vs. eating a processed cereal (low fat or other) is hard to do. Let's face it, the processed stuff just tastes better! However, we are doing our bodies a huge injustice by putting all those chemicals/additives in it. Not to mention, we, as an entire culture, have ruined our taste buds! We are so used to the over seasoned burgers and fries to the over sweetened cereals and snacks, that we don't appreciate the real flavors of grains and produce. We need to adjust our taste buds, and reprogram our minds to suit! End tangent.

Skim is probably your best option mostly because it is the lowest fat. However not much different when it comes to the sugar content. Use portion control with all dairy products. A lot of people drink soy milk because they are either lactose intolerant, they are hard core vegetarian, or they are going through menopause (the phyto-estrogens are used as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy). I drink it because it tastes good to me, has p.estrogens (no, I'm not going through "the change" yet) and because I don't eat dairy everyday. Remember that soy milk is only 2% calcium, to cow's milk 30%. I have to be sure to eat veggies high in calcium from day to day to make up for the dairy calcium I don't get. The sugar content in soy milk is usually low ( lower than milk). Be sure to read your ingredient label because most of the time the sugar source in sly milk is fake (aspartame, carageenan and/or others). Stay far away from fake sugar! I can not stress that enough!!!

I really hope this is helpful to you. If you have further questions on these topics or others, don't hesitate to post.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Chicago Area Family Fun January 4 - 10

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I can't believe it's 2010! Are your resolutions still intact? I "sort of" broke mine as I tasted (two or three times) the pudding I was making for my daughters this afternoon. It was all in the name of quality control...REALLY!!
We'll be experimenting a bit with the format and timing of our eNewsletter this year, trying to make it as useful as we can to you. We've noticed that most of you seem to be most interested in what the weekend has to offer, so we're highlighting the weekends with individual activities, and giving some more general ideas for the weekdays. Let us know if you have any comments or suggestions.


The holidays are over but the pounds are still with us. Missy Vacala of Vital Fitness Chicago is here to help with a little advice. If you have a fitness, weight loss, or health question for Missy post it on our blog.

In the meantime you can start to take the pounds off with:AmeriSciences Slim. Safely and effectively suppress appetite and increase fat metabolism, while maximizing use of available vitamins and minerals to maintain balanced nutrition. Slim offers a natural alternative to pharmaceutical-based appetite suppressants. Use code KIDWINKS and get 10% off a single order, get 20% off when you become an Easy Ship customer. Discount is good for any and all AmeriSciences products.
Our first blog question: Hey Missy! I want to lose 30lbs!! I've decided to cut my carb intake rather than focusing on calories...click to read Missy's answer.

Monday - Friday, January 4 – January 8
Registration for Deerfield Park District Preschool Program Deerfield, IL Lottery Deadline for residents is Jan. 8th. Walk-in registration begins Jan. 18th.

Free Admission to Museum of Science and Industry in January Chicago, ILGeneral admission is free weekdays in January.
Free Admission to Chicago Park District Fitness Centers Chicago, IL
Chicagoans work out for free Jan. 2 – 10.
Plan Ahead – Make Theatre Reservations
Chicago and suburbs, IL
Foster a love of live theater in your children at an early age.
More Activities for Kids Chicago and suburbs, IL
Click to find tons of activities for children and families: bowling, indoor play areas, museums, sledding hills, ice rinks, indoor swimming…..
More Family Friendly Events Chicago and suburbs, IL
Find story times, open play times, free admission days and much more.

Saturday, January 9
2nd Saturday Family Storytime - Park Ridge Public Library Park Ridge, IL

Second Saturday Science Series Discovery Center Museum Rockford, IL
Tiny Great Performances - DuPage Children's Museum Naperville, IL
Kids Craft Mornings - Mitchell Museum of the American Indian Evanston, IL

The Nutcracker on Horseback-Noble Horse Theatre Chicago, IL
Last chance to see this unique performance.
More Fun Things To Do With Kids on Saturday
Chicago and Suburbs, IL
Find out what’s going on near you!

Sunday, January 10
The Last of the Dragons - Lifeline Theatre Chicago, IL
Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides at Danada Equestrian Center Wheaton, IL
Open Gym at MEGA South Barrington, IL
Volo Bog's Annual WinterFest Ingleside, IL
Second Sunday Special Program - Niles Public Library Niles, IL
More Kids Activities and Events on Sunday Chicago and Suburbs, IL

Dining Out?

Check our Kids Eat Free Calendar first.

Click on any day to get a list of restaurants offering kids meals deals on that day. Some restaurants also offer special entertainment for kids on certain nights, and you'll find those listed too.

Save!

Baja Fresh
Merry Music Makers
TechStuff
Park Ridge Speed Skating Club
A Sterling DesignMemories Wow!
Pump It Up Chicago

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Missy Vital Fitness 1st Question

Hey Missy! I want to lose 30lbs!! I've decided to cut my carb intake rather than focusing on calories (I'm taking in about 1200-1500 calories/day). Is that a smart move? What do you recommend? MICH.

Hi Mich, I think what you are doing is great! Cuddos! You have a goal that is definitely attainable! You are exercising and trying to change your eating habits, that is great. You are on the right track. I am glad you are not focusing on counting calories...if you want something to count, start counting the ingredients of the processed foods you buy (breads, pastas, prepared meals). Generally speaking, you should try keeping the ingredient list of the food products you buy, as low as possible (3-5 maybe). It's not easy to do, and there will be a lot of items you will decide not to buy, and that's good. Try to stay around the parameter of the grocery store when shopping. Produce, produce, produce, very, very, very important. Fish, chicken and lowfat dairy (try to stay away from cheese...it is so processed it clogs up the intestines and makes it hard to eliminate). Try to incorporate beans and lentils into your diet. They are truly a super food!! There are some really good soups in the healthy isles of your local grocery stores. Or you can buy them dry (less expensive and you get way more), soak, and make your own soups or stews. Got a crock pot?? As for cutting your carb intake, remember there are two kinds of carbs: simple (starches like bread, pasta, rice and potatoes) and complex (fruits and veggies). Cutting the PROCESSED starches is definitely a good idea! But don't cut things like potatoes, yams and squash. Just eat them in moderation. Load up on all the veggies and fruit you want. Seriously, you don't have to just have an apple for breakfast. Have two, maybe three if they are small, and then maybe a 1/2 hour later, after that has digested, have a handful of walnuts and a lowfat, no fake sugar added ( like splenda or carageenan) yogurt. All I know is food and fitness and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have! In Health, Missy