• 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 w/olive oil and salt
• Apple Treat: sprinkle apple chunks with cinnamon and/or raisins or granola, then mix in 1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter
• Taco Roll-up: small whole wheat tortilla rolled w/low fat cheese, beans & salsa

Do you have a healthy recipe that is fun for the whole family? 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.

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 shoulders
• 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 

• 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 Prep

Sports physicals are an annual ritual for many students who have to get a check-up to participate in school athletics.  It's also a great time to educate him or her on proper diet and fitness techniques with their doctor.  In additional to their annual physical, children age 13 - 18 can schedule a heart health screening to spot common causes of sudden cardiac death in active teens.  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 sports physical with a sports medicine provider.

Call 360-414-5740