Where to Buy Pumpkin Seeds for Halloween

Sure you can scoop out the messy goop from a pumpkin and go about seperating the seeds from the pumpkin muck. This can actually be quite fun. You cut the top off of the pumpkin and seperate the seed from the pulp as best as you can. You then put the seeds in a sieve or colendar and rinse them to seperate more pulp.

You can then boil the seeds in salted water for about 20 minutes to get rid of any lingering pulp and also to impart a slightly salty taste to the inside instead of just salting the outsides. This creates more flavor.

Then you lay the seeds out on a roasting pan and let them dry overnight as seeds roast better once dry. Then next day you put the baking tray with the spread out seeds into the oven at 325 degress for about 20-30 minutes or until they start to brown. Don't overcook them! It is better to slightly undercook them so they retain more nutrients and flavor. You can then sprinkle them to taste with salt, margarine, butter, garlic salt or your favorite seasoning.

Or you can just buy pumpkin seeds for Halloween and Thanksgiving online that are already roasted to perfection, or even unroasted raw Pumpkin seeds that contain more of the beneficial nutrients including calcium, potassium, iron, Vitamins B,C,D,K and a whole host more immunity building and depression reducing nutrients.

Halloween Ideas for Kids

Fall is here and Halloween is just around the corner. Time to pull out all the plastic pumpkins, hang up the black streamers and take out the ghost shaped muffin tins.

The Halloween pages are now up on Fit For A Feast with Halloween Ideas for Kids. You can watch videos on making pumpkin cupcakes or putting together a Halloween gingerbread house. There are ideas for crafts, decorations and costumes.

My favourite tip for this Halloween: fill the trick or treat bucket with Halloween toys instead of candy! Kids love getting toys and you can avoid the calories, sugar and allergens in food. With a great selection of fun and useful items, like pencils, flashlights, bouncy balls and reflective necklaces, you can find something to please every ghoul and gal. We have tips where to find all these great toys at great prices. The best part - if you don't give it all away this year, you can put it away for next year. You can't do that with candy!

Check out the 'spooktacular' ideas for a safe and fun Halloween.

Jazz Dance Lessons for Kids online

The kids at Fitforafeast.com are really into dance and frequently visit with famous dancers to give them cutting edge dance tips from the pros. Here in this dance lesson video is a jazz dance step called "Jazz Pumps Walking Forward" taught by Tabitha Lupien who danced in the Hairspray movie among others.

Cheerleading Tumbling Moves - basic to advanced

This video guide to Cheerleading Tumbling moves is a great primer on the various tumbling moves also used in gymnastics and dance. From somersault and cartwheel all the way up to various walkovers, layouts, tucks and back hand springs, tumbling is an art to behold.

Running Training Programs for Parents

Running Training Programs

Want to get in shape? Running is one of the best cardiovascular workouts around – it is effective, efficient and fun.

Running is an aerobic exercise, so it helps strengthen your entire cardiovascular system – heart, lungs, blood vessels, etc. Regular exercise can make you feel better about yourself, provide some ‘me time’, trim your body, lower your cholesterol and help you sleep.

Running is relatively inexpensive – all you need is a good pair of running shoes and a program to follow. If you need extra incentive to keep you going, get a partner to start with you, or keep a chart to note your progress. For more fitness ideas check out the Parents Fitness Pages

Before you start any exercise program, check with your doctor. If you are very overweight, have heart problems or other physical concerns, brisk walking may be a better option for you. Start your program off slowly and listen to your body. Stop immediately if you get out of breath or dizzy. When you first start out, you may feel some mild muscle soreness in the days following your workout.

You should try to find level surfaces where there is some give – like dirt tracks or asphalt – instead of solid concrete sidewalks. If you live near walking trails or the beach, you could take advantage of getting back to nature as you are getting fit. Just make sure you run in a safe area or join a group. Bring water with you for your run. You may also want to bring your cell phone for emergencies.

Determine how many times a week you will run and set aside the time. You may
start with 3 times per week, and work your way up to 5 times. Experiment with
different clothes – sweat pants, shorts, yoga pants, etc., to see what is most
comfortable. Don’t take strides that are too big as that will put stress on your
joints. Bring along an ipod with your favourite tunes to keep you motivated and
make the time go quicker. Gradually increase your pace over time, still staying
in your heart rate zone.

Follow the following chart and check off the weeks as you progress. Don’t increase your mileage by more than 10% per week. Let your body adjust to your new routine and avoid pain or over-doing it. Always take time to warm up before the run. You should finish your run with a slow, easy pace for the last five minutes. Once you finish, let your body cool down by doing some stretches. If you are not familiar with proper running technique or stretching, look into taking a course or a training session at a local gym, recreation centre or even a store that caters to runners.

Week - Program - Repeat - Total Time
1 Walk 1x 20 minutes
2 Walk 1x 22 minutes
3 Walk 4 minutes 4 x 20 minutes Run/jog 1 min
4 Walk 3 minutes 5 x 20 minutes Run jog 1 min
5 Walk 2 minutes 7 x 21 minutes Run/jog 1 min
6 Walk 1 min 10 x 20 minutes Run/jog 1 min
7 Walk 2 min 5 x 20 minutes Run/jog 2 mins
8 Walk 1 min 7x 21 minutes Run/jog 2 mins
9 Walk 1 min 5x 20 minutes run/jog 3 mins
10 Walk 1 min 4x 20 mins run/jog 4 mins

Keep progressing gradually till you can run/jog for the whole 20 minutes, then slowly increase the time you run. Good luck!

How to do the steps to Hoedown Throwdown Dance

The new Hannah Montana Movie has this dance called the Hoedown Throwdown that everyone is getting into. Very creative moves that make this a fun line dance for larger groups as well.
This video breaks the moves down to manageable pieces and the girls do a great job explaining all of these dance moves.

Love the dance aspect because it is really great exercise and great fun at the same time. No boring gym routines necessary to stay fit when you dance!
Watch it on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfr_CvGLzaw

Zig Zag across the floor........

fitness mom

Looking for tips to get into shape? Interested in getting the whole family fit? Kids need exercise? I will post fun and friendly tips and ideas to help the whole family get in shape.

Want the kids to play outside or get off the computer? Check back for game ideas that are free & fun.