By Kakie Fitzsimmons, Vice President and founding partner, Farmer's Hat Productions co-author Bur Bur and Friends book series When we chose to become authors of Bur Bur and Friends, multicultural children's books that educate kids about sports, outdoor exploration and active play, it did not occur to us that it would change how we watch these activities. Now, I find myself taking mental notes and paying closer attention as I watch how the kids play together. It is exciting to see them catching on as they learn more about the sport and teamwork. It has become more intriguing to watch the different ways a coach interacts with the kids and encourages their growth. As parents, we wander around trying to figure out the whole balancing act thing. How do we define balance? What is it supposed to look like? Is there any one right way? Something happened to me the other night that I think many of you can relate to if your kids are in sports… I felt compelled to share it. Below is an hour and ten minutes in the life of a soccer mom: (more…)

By JoAnne Pastel, President and founder, Farmer's Hat Productions co-author Bur Bur and Friends book series

Is anyone else bothered (i.e., concerned) by all of the recent press and reports regarding childhood obesity and inactivity? Or the concept of soda machines in schools? Or all of the hidden sugars in today's food products? Here are just a few of the headlines and findings that have caught my eye lately:

"Sugary drinks tied to extra pounds in preschoolers", by Amy Norton, Reuters Health, June 8, 2007

"Roughly one in four American children or 23%- are overweight." (Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

"Tooth decay is on the increase in young kids' baby teeth, caused by too much sugar in their diets"

A study by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (April 2006) found that tooth decay increased to 28% in kids ages 2-5 from 1999-2004. This was up from 24% in 1994. The sugary drinks article was one that has had many of my mom friends talking upon realizing how much juice their kids are chugging down each day and the implications of that.

Basically, a study by Canadian researchers found that: "Preschool children who are regularly given sugary drinks between meals are more likely to be overweight than their peers before age five." (Findings are published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association). The research did not include children who drank only 100% pure fruit juice. Tonight, I think my son and I are going to the park armed with lots of good old H2O and ready to run and play!

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