Good Lifestyle Choices

Good nutrition should be a goal for all of us. However, it is especially important for teenagers as they are growing rapidly and their brain's are developing. Their growing and active bodies need proper nutrients to support overall growth and development, for bones to grow strong and for energy levels to remain high. Bodies need to be armed with the right fuel in order to get the best results.

Nutritional intake is very important to how the brain functions. We can starve our brain of important nutrients if we make poor food choices. To keep our mind and body functioning at optimum levels, we should choose a diet packed with fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, fresh seafood, whole grain products, and a lot of water.

In addition, eating good food is important for memory retention, or so that we can remember the ideas we hear. Sleep and exercise also play an important role in having good memory. In fact, it is during sleep that our brains download the information they have encountered during the day into long-term memory. Therefore, getting enough sleep is very critical in order to remember things. It is recommended that students between the ages of 11 and 17 get nine hours of sleep each night. However, most are not able to get that much sleep.

What are some good lifestyle choices you make, especially in regard to the foods you eat, the amount of sleep that you get each night, and the amount of water you drink? What are some bad lifestyle choices that you make? Check out this link to read a story about school cafeteria food across America. Leave a comment and let me know what you are thinking about these ideas.

Wildfires Burning

Wildfires have been burning throughout southern California for the last four days. About a million people are displaced from their homes at this point. There are 10,000 firefighters fighting the blaze right now. There are now over 12,000 people sheltered at Qualcomm Stadium, the place where the San Diego Chargers (NFL team) play.

There are 20 different fires burning currently. The flames have burned 400,000 acres of land and 1,500 homes so far. President Bush has declared the fires to be a major disaster. The blazes have killed five people and injured at least 70 more. Thirty-four firefighters have also been hurt. In addition to the damage the fires have encurred around San Diego there is also heavy ash and smoke smothering the city of Tijuana in northern Mexico, which is directly across the border from San Diego.

How do you feel about these fires? Do you feel sadness for the people that have lost their homes or do you have the attitude of "that's life"? Click here and then select the video titled, "Last Home Standing" to watch a video about a couple whose house was left unharmed by the fires. Compare and contrast their feelings with those of their neighbors who lost their homes.

What's your take on measure 50?

Measure 50 is on the upcoming ballot for all Oregonians. If passed, it will increase the cigarette tax by 84.5 cents per pack. The money gained from this tax is then going to be used for healthcare programs for kids who don't have healthcare right now. Click here for the arguments in favor of measure 50 and here for the arguments against the measure. Make a comment about what you read and how you feel about it.