Preparing kids to go back to school can seem overwhelming, and that's just 

buying the school supplies!  But, don't forget to schedule your child's 

immunization and well child appointment, too.  Getting that on the calendar 

now will mean one less thing to juggle when the craziness of the new school 

year begins!  If you need a list of the recommended immunizations and 

screenings for your child's age, visit www.peacehealth.org/you101. 
 

Plan Healthy Snacks 

Looking for quick and healthy snacks for the kids this year?  Try these creative treats:

• Healthy Kabobs:  veggie or fruit chunks skewered onto thin pretzel sticks
• Brainy Snack:  mix blueberries, dark chocolate, and air popped lightly buttered popcorn
• Sweet Fries:  baked sweet potato wedges, tossed lightly with olive oil and salt
• Apple Treat:  sprinkle apple chunks with cinnamon and/or raisins and granola, then mix in 1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter
• Taco Roll-up: small whole wheat tortilla rolled with low fat cheese, beans and salsa

Learn more about healthy eating habits for the whole family.  

Healthy Eating 101:  Food as Medicine

Tuesday, September 9, 6-7:30 p.m.

Do you have a healthy recipe that the whole family enjoys?  Share it with us and you will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Fred Meyer to help with your back to school list.  Simply "like" our Facebook page and post your healthy recipe on our Facebook Wall.  Feel free to upload photos or a video.  One entry per person, one winner will be chosen.  Contest ends September 30.  

Pack Light and Right

Back to school shopping is now in full swing and a backpack is probably on your list.  When used properly, a backpack is incredibly handy.  Although, they can strain muscles and joints and may cause back pain if they're too heavy or are used incorrectly.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents look for the following when choosing the right backpack:

• A lightweight pack that doesn't add a lot of weight to your child's load
• Two wide, padded shoulder straps; straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulder
• A padded back, which not only provides increased comfort, but also protects kids from being poked by sharp edges on objects (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the pack
  
• A waist belt, which helps to distribute the weight more evenly across the body
• Multiple compartments, which can help distribute the weight more evenly

Choose Wisely

Keeping kids healthy is important to all parents.  The right health insurance plan plays an important role in helping you achieve this for your family.  Here's a checklist of questions to consider when selecting your family's health coverage this year:  

• What will the plan cover? Look for specific details about coverage for doctor visits and hospital care.
• Can I keep my current doctor, hospital and pharmacy? Be aware that with some plans, your choices are limited. What's more, you may not think these choices are high quality options.
• How did previous coverage fit my needs? It's helpful to take a closer look at the kinds of claims you've had in the past to help you select your future plan.
• What's the most I'll have to pay out of pocket? Premiums are only one consideration; also look at deductibles and co-payments.
• If there's a dispute about a bill or service, how will it be handled? It's a good idea to know ahead of time how problems will be addressed.

Sports physicals are an annual ritual for many students who have to get a 

check-up to participate in school athletics. In addition to their annual physical, children 13-18 years old can schedule a heart health screening to spot common causes of sudden cardiac death.  These screenings can detect heart abnormalities, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition that is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.

Schedule a screening today.