Written By: Rebecca McGee
I’m constantly trying to keep my family as healthy as I can, which isn’t always easy working full time at Ada County Paramedics, being wife, and being a mother to an 18-month-old and a preschooler. Here are some ideas I’ve incorporated into our family and tips I’ve found online to help you get healthy this spring!
1. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
This is the perfect time of year to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet and what better way than to grow them yourself in your own garden? My daughter loves to go outside and pick fresh tomatoes or raspberries off the vine. She isn’t the only one who enjoys our garden; I have looked out our window many times to see our raspberry bush shaking and discovered my dog eating them right off of the vine! We also love pesto in our house! It’s easy to make and you can add healthy lean meats like chicken, or make a pesto pizza or a plate of delicious spinach noodles. We grow basil and parsley in the summer and try to make enough batches to freeze that will last us throughout the year!
2. Get active.
Living in Ada County, there are so many activities we’re able to do outside this time of the year. Enjoy one of the many trails we have in Boise, go for a bike ride on the greenbelt, or play tennis! We also have an employee gym right here at the Ada County Paramedics’ headquarters!
3. Protect your skin.
I am a huge advocate of sunscreen. My daughter knows if we’re going outside then Mommy will spray her with sunscreen first. Being a former esthetician, I know how important it is to protect the skin; especially starting at a young age. A few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk of cancer later in life. our skin is your largest organ so make sure you protect it!
4. Create a health profile.
This is a new one for me, but it’s an idea I really like. Early intervention can be lifesaving and what better way to keep yourself on track then by creating a profile? You can easily do this by charting your progress based on your yearly physicals. This way you can see if your cholesterol is increasing every year, or if you have warning signs for hypertension or diabetes. Take ownership of your health. For more information about in-home paramedic care, learn more about our Community Paramedic program!
5. Sleep well.
As mothers, fathers and paramedics, we know that getting a good night’s sleep is hard, but it is so important for your mood, weight management and overall health. My husband and I will rotate weekend mornings so that one of us can get a little extra sleep and if that doesn’t work out I am always up for a nap. Sometimes when I am thinking too much and can’t switch my brain off I will listen to a book on my iPod and in about five minutes I’m asleep!
With these tips, it’s easy and fun to stay healthy and active. Make this spring a great one!
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