A Family Guide to a Healthy, Safe Halloween

A Family Guide to a Healthy, Safe Halloween

Halloween is fast approaching—have you mentally prepared for navigating this holiday in which your kids will be amped for a sugar rush and you’ve got the added pressure of delivering great decorations, costumes and candy at your doorstep?

Well, there are several ways in which you can have a successful Halloween without sacrificing health and safety. Try these on for size.

Candy in Moderation

Here’s the crux of staying healthy and fit amidst a holiday built around gathering as much candy as possible – enjoy in moderation. A good rule of thumb is to have your kids select their three most-wanted pieces of candy once they return home and save the rest for later. You as the parent can set the tone by following the same rules.

Another good route is to feed them a filling, nutritious meal prior to trick-or-treating to curb their appetites for later. (Plus, there are ample opportunities in Sioux Falls for your kids to donate their candy to charities or food banks – have them take a handful of their favorites and then do some good for their community with the rest.)

Trick-or-Treating Ground Rules

You’re the best judge of how old your kids should be before they can head out on the trick-or-treating trek alone, but it’s always a good idea to keep an adult close by when wandering around the neighborhood at night. Make sure you walk through the rules with your kids before they head out so they know how to navigate traffic, unfamiliar houses and sticking with the sidewalk. It’s a good idea to pack a flashlight, a phone or some other form of contacting you for help and information about your name and address in case your child gets lost and asks someone for help.

Pumpkin Precautions

Carving jack-o-lanterns is a pretty important part of many people’s Halloween celebrations, but when it comes to involving your kids, make sure you’re keeping an eye on those cutting utensils. Most pumpkins have enough give that a fairly dull or kid-friendly carver is totally appropriate (maybe skip the high-end cutlery). And when it comes to fire safety, make sure you adequately clean out the innards of your pumpkins and try swapping out your candles for flameless tea lights or glow sticks.

De-Complicate the Costume

Remember that old adage, “take one thing off before leaving the house?” Maybe implement that when it comes to cumbersome Halloween costumes. Skip the clunky costumes that could cause your children to trip and injure themselves like long robes or capes, and avoid heavy masks that could hinder breathing. (And some reflective tape never hurt when it comes to being noticed by drivers.)

Post-Halloween Fitness

It’s inevitable sometimes – the trick-or-treating fest could end with a pretty substantial bellyache among your kids (and possibly even yourself). Here’s a handy trick to get back into the swing of things post-Halloween – make Nov. 1 a day of family physical activity. This year it falls on a Tuesday, so plan on taking a family outing to the park after school or the tennis courts after dinner. (Or maybe even bring a picnic with healthy fruits and vegetables and lean proteins to help your bodies recover from that sugar rush.)

Chad Scott

14 Things You May Not Know About PA Chad Scott

Chad Scott, PA for 22 years, tells us about why he loves working at OI, the best part about working with patients, and his favorite movie theatre candy.

How did you decide to become a PA?

I liked science and wanted to use that in a career helping people.

What led you to join the Orthopedic Institute team?

I had a great orthopedic rotation in PA school, and always had interest in this field. I knew several of the PA’s at OI while I was employed at a previous job, and they were helpful in recruiting me to come on board.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Working as part of a tight knit team to take care of our patients.

What do you feel are the strengths of Orthopedic Institute’s PA/PT/OT team?

We have a very strong team of PA’s and therapists who are well trained, work together very well, and have a great work ethic.

What is the best part about working with patients?

I enjoy getting to know them on a personal basis, and feel satisfaction in trying to help the people that come to our office and trust us with their health care. After 22 years as a PA, I still really enjoy helping people!

How do you spend your time when you’re not at Orthopedic Institute?

I spend most of my time with my wife and 3 kids. When I have the time, I enjoy fishing, hunting, hiking or any other outdoor adventure, along with playing hockey, following Hawkeye sports teams, and traveling.

What is your go-to movie theatre snack?

I love popcorn or Mike and Ike’s.

What is your ideal way to spend your birthday?

Going out to dinner with my family, then spending a quiet night at home with them or watch a movie together.

What book is on your night stand?

The Great Santini by Pat Conroy

What is your favorite movie?

Rudy or Braveheart

Who is your favorite musical artist?

Bruce Springsteen

What is your favorite dish to cook?

Beef stir fry

Other than South Dakota, what is your favorite state?

Iowa

Which sports team are you the biggest fan of?

Iowa Hawkeye Football Team

5 Unique Sources of Physical Activity in Sioux Falls

5 Unique Sources of Physical Activity in Sioux Falls

What good is exercise unless it’s fun? Sometimes heading down the street to the gym before work to lift some weights or cranking on that dusty treadmill in the basement just won’t do. It doesn’t hurt your commitment to fitness to keep things relatively interesting. Here is a list of 5 unique sources of physical activity in Sioux Falls.

It so happens Sioux Falls has a few unique ways to get your fill of physical activity – try these on for size.

Slide It Out

Winter is coming up fast. But if you just can’t break yourself of the outdoorsy tendencies in your exercise regimen, never fear – snow sports can be a great source of physical activity. Harvard Medical School estimates the average person can burn 223-266 calories from just 30 minutes of downhill skiing. (Cross-country skiing will do you one better – Men’s Fitness estimates 700-plus calories burned in an hour.)

Believe it or not, even sledding can be a great source of calorie burning – Everyday Health estimates a half hour of sledding burns about 240. (Plus that walk up and down the hill certainly doesn’t hurt.)

Balance It Out

At some point or another we’ve probably all tried our hand at yoga (and if not, you’ve probably at least done some yoga-like contorting of some kind to reach a high shelf or wrangle your children), but there are also plentiful ways to incorporate dancing into your balance- and flexibility-building. Dance such as ballet is a great way to build lean muscle and improve your posture. Best of all? You can do this at home – free up some space in the house and try out some of your moves.

Run It Out

Once that snow hits, it doesn’t mean your running regimen has to end. It just means it needs a few tweaks. Try out snow sprints and lunges on non-icy surfaces, such as grassy areas, once the snow falls. Water-resistant trainers or hiking shoes typically work best for this style of physical activity. Add running, jogging, jumping or even old-fashioned “playing in the snow” to get pumped up and burn some calories all winter long.

Swim It Out

The new Midco Aquatic Center is open, so if hitting the pool is more your speed, check out some of the brand-new opportunities to get fit in the water. There are several classes on the docket for the center, including 60-minute, high-intensity “Aqua Gym” classes and even water biking (the name alone should intrigue you). Keep posted on the latest offerings here.

Move It Out

Once the snow hits the ground, that’s no excuse to rest on your laurels. Sioux Falls offers chances to break a sweat even when the weather gets a little brisker. Keep an eye out for opportunities to go instructor-led snowshoeing. The Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation department has planned hikes near Tuthill Park in the coming months. There are also plenty of opportunities to make use of Sioux Falls’ many free ice rinks all winter long, if skating is more your speed.

(And if you need something a little more low-key and temperature-controlled, may we suggest a brisk mall-walking experience? The Western or Empire Malls in particular is home to some pretty devoted mall-walkers, an activity that can burn 120-200 calories per hour, depending on your intensity.)

Pro tip: For all you TV fans (a group that increases exponentially during the cold months), make commercial time an opportunity by skipping the fast forward button and doing some sit-ups or lunges during the break. And if binge-watching is more your thing, make a point of doing some plans or trips up and down the stairs between each episode.