March Madness is undoubtedly one of my favorite times of the year. Regardless of how up-to-date I’ve stayed all season long concerning the top teams and players, I am always excited to watch endless basketball games, fill out a bracket, and fully embrace basketball. But, for and all of you who aren’t basketball geeks like me, this post diversifies. It was a challenge- I seriously could have written pages on March Madness news- so if you want more, check out my last post for the Ninja Zone with March Madness activities for kids and families. 1. NCAA student-athlete commercials I’m a sucker for these commercials. They first started airing several years ago- one of my favorites is “Dumb Jocks” from 2011 (you can watch it here on YouTube). I love hearing the stories behind who the student-athletes are behind-the-scenes, and these commercials always bring that reality. They have so much discipline, determination, and skill in multiple areas that often goes unnoticed. 2. Georgia public schools recess mandate Enough research is published now to support that recess for elementary school kids is a no-brainer. Georgia’s House of Representatives just approved a bill that mandates recess in its public elementary schools for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. If passed by the state’s Senate, the law will require an average of 30 minutes each day for recess or physical activity. The National Association of Sports and Physical Education recommends that kids get 150 minutes per week of physical education or recess, as one of three kids in the US is overweight or obese. Only 21 states (Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) have legislation in place to require activity breaks for students. 3. The Fitness Marshall I love to work out, but I especially love to do varied, fun, and enjoyable workouts. The Fitness Marshall (aka Caleb Marshall) started in October 2014 and is quite well-known for his hip-hop cardio workout videos. You can stream them for free from his YouTube channel , but he and his “back up booties” are also touring the United States. Boston, Syosset, NY, and St Louis are up next on the list. Plus, he’s from my hometown! 4. Real life Hunger Games? Ever since former Colts player Pat McAfee retired and informed us of his new job with Barstool Sports, I’ve been following the brand and enjoying their content. Last week, they shared this article about the Game2:Winter coming up in Siberia. 30 participants will take place in the “contest,” and they have signed death waivers and liability releases. It sounds pretty crazy and intense and has sparked some major political controversy, naturally. 5. Coach Junior My alma matter recently competed in the NAIA National Championship (March Madness, Christian school edition), but my favorite part about the team and their journey is always the behind-the-scenes entertainment they provide to fans while they contend for a national title. Indiana Wesleyan’s coach Greg Tonagel’s two sons are the stars of the “ Coach Jr” YouTube series in which they critique the mistakes and silly moves of their dad’s players. Their takes and youthful perspectives are hilarious and bring lighthearted moments to intense games and pressure-filled seasons. I could watch these guys for hours!

Do you ever have a really good idea, then as it unfolds, you realize that it’s going to be better than expected? That’s basically how this blog post played out.  Here at NinjaZone Headquarters, we were feeling truly inspired, and one day we decided to ask our kids how they would change the world. What followed was pure, uncensored, and beautifully hilarious innocence from our kids. Enjoy. Sophia, age 7.5:  “I’d tell people to pick up all the dog poop.” Henry, age 5:   “I’d make a real video game for people to go in, and the whole world would be made of candy we could just eat. All houses are tree houses OR sandcastles with surf boards for doors.” Georgia, age -1:   *Spits bubbles* (At the time of publishing, we’re not sure what this means.) Charlotte, age 8:   “Animals wouldn’t be mean, and wouldn’t kill anyone. We could also eat all the food we wanted without getting a stomachache.” Anissa, age 6:    “I’d get on the radio and tell all the people to do nice things. I’d say, ‘Hi everyone! Time to do nice things. Do things to help someone. I’m talking to moms, dads, brothers, sisters, doctors, everyone in the whole world!’” Audrey, age 10:   “Make flying cars!” Phoebe, age 12:   “Umm…make some realllllly cool robots.” Matthew, age 5:   “Pick up trash and recycling, and make it look nicer!” JP, age 3:   “Play Star Wars video games every day.” Scarlet, age 6:   “All of the houses would have faces, and talk to me, and there would be a street named Scarlet. Oh, and I would live in a smoothie.” Emmitt, age 7:   “I already make it a better place, because I don’t bully people.” Oliver, age 2:   “I’d build a Ninja house, because I have all my swords!” #funny #parents #kids #ninja #ninjazone

If your children are anything like mine, they live and die for snacks. Seriously. If I want them to eat something, I just need to have the word “snack” somewhere in the description. Refuse to touch your eggs? How about that delicious “morning snack”? Letting that spaghetti you requested grow cold on your plate? Why not try a yummy “dinner snack”? I kid you not, it works. I try and use this unconditional love of snacks to my advantage and turn their beloved snacks into nutritious mini-meals to fuel their developing brains and bodies. It is well known that proper nutrition plays a critical role in the development of a child’s brain. Some experts even say that proper nutrition in the first year of a child’s life can be the single greatest environmental factor of development. [1] As children grow and get more active, food is also essential to give them the energy and strength to play and participate in more rigorous physical activity. Not sure what to feed your budding ballerinas, athletes, and ninjas? Here are some tips for the best snacks for active kids. The trifecta of a perfect snack in my household: affordable, kid-edible, and nutritious. Affordable is not necessarily attached to a monetary value, but I try and buy in bulk when possible and to avoid individually packaged items, as the convenience factor usually results in a higher price tag. Look for seasonal fruits and vegetables, generic brands when available, and stock up when a staple item is on sale. Parents know that children’s tastes are unpredictable at best and downright confounding at worst. And yes, kids should learn to eat and appreciate fruits, vegetables, and nutritious food. But, it’s also important to get them to actually eat, so I try and break out my own ninja moves and sneak some healthy into fun foods. I have also found that anything bite-sized or stored in a ziploc bag is more appealing to my kids. Nutritious can be a rather vague term, but the body needs a few key components to prepare for and then recover from physical activity, and these elements should be the building blocks for healthy snacks: proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Protein “primes the pump” for your muscles, preparing them for physical exertion, but it also helps them repair and recover after activity, which is why it’s critical to include protein in pre and post activity snacks. Carbohydrates give your body the energy and fuel to participate in physical activity and are especially essential for children who are constantly using that energy. Healthy fats help with brain development and heart health and can add a lot of flavor. In order to maximize nutrition, snacks should be eaten one to three hours before physical activity and again within about twenty minutes afterwards. [2] So, here are some personally tested and kid-approved snacks that are ideal for active kids and meet the aforementioned criteria: “Ants on A Log” Ingredients: Celery stalks, Peanut Butter (substitute sun butter for allergies), and Raisins (can also use nuts, craisins, or chocolate if you are feeling decadent) Instructions: Simply spread peanut butter in the crevice of a celery stalk and top with raisins to give the appearance of ants on a log (adults are going to need to use their imaginations). Benefits: Peanut butter = kid-approved protein, Raisins = nice healthy dose of sugar, Celery = a vegetable covered in peanut butter is still a vegetable! “Banana Burrito/Sushi” Ingredients: Tortilla (whole wheat if you are feeling brave), Peanut Butter (same sub as above), Banana, Slivered nuts optional Instructions: Spread peanut butter on a tortilla, place a banana in the middle, and roll up like a burrito. Leave whole for a “banana burrito”, cut small pieces for “banana sushi”. Benefits: Once again, peanut butter is a champion protein in our house. If you are concerned about the sugar, try a natural peanut butter. The banana is a healthy carbohydrate, as is the tortilla. Whole wheat is a healthier option, but you might have to work up to that with some kids (mine). “Snack Kebabs” (Sweet & Savory versions) Ingredients: Sweet-banana chunks, apple slices, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple (go with canned for convenience), optional-marshmallows Savory-cubed cheese (cut your own to save money), cherry tomatoes, deli meat/pepperoni/turkey sausage bites, edamame and chickpeas (requires a little more dexterity in assembly) Instructions: Using either cocktail swords or kebab sticks, arrange items to your satisfaction. Use caution and consider using coffee stirrers with no pointy ends for the younger set. Include plain, low-fat yogurt to dip with the fruit and mustard to dip with the savory items. Benefits: Both options offer healthy proteins and healthy carbohydrates. They are easy to prepare and can be made ahead for the week. Use seasonal fruit to cut costs. And truthfully, food on a stick is just more fun. “Ninja/Fairy/Ballerina/Insert Child’s Current Favorite Person Here Snack Mix” Ingredients: Whatever you have in your pantry that is taking up too much room, about to go stale, or simply something you know your kids will eat. Examples-popcorn, pretzel sticks, raisins, veggie straws, graham cracker pieces, etc. Instructions: Throw into a Ziploc bag. Voila. Benefits: Easy to assemble, and the possibilities are endless. Be careful of adding too much “sugary stuff” and focus on whole grains and lighter options. Other go-to options for my little ninjas: cottage cheese with crushed pineapple, hummus and carrot sticks, yogurt with granola, and string cheese and cinnamon apple slices. The snack possibilities are endless, and like most things with children, this will be a process of trial and error to find which fuel is right for your little ninja! [1] www.urbanchildinstitute.org [2] Nutrition information from www.eatright.org

Annually since 2006,  the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has released a list of the top fitness trends for the upcoming year (ACSM, 2016). These trends  What are the top 10 trends in fitness for 2017? Wearable technology- for instance, gadgets like Fitbit or Apple Watch Body weight training– exactly what it sounds like: using your body weight to perform strength-promoting exercises HIIT- or high intensity interval training, meaning short bursts of fast, energy blasting work (i.e., sprints, burpees) followed by a brief rest period Educated, certified, and experienced fitness professionals- be sure to choose a coach or trainer with a certification, preferably from a renowned institution like the ACSM Strength Training- adding strength training is essential to any physical wellness program Group training- classes are taught by instructors who lead and motivate you throughout the workout Exercise is medicine- a global health initiative focused on including physical fitness in treatment plans for medical illnesses Yoga- great for relaxation, Yoga will challenge your flexibility, strength, and mindfulness Personal Training- just like number 4, just be sure that your trainer is appropriately certified Exercise and weight loss- regular exercise is a must for lasting weight loss and even weight maintenance So, how can you and your family get involved in this year’s top trends? Get Outside Outdoor activities are some of the best ways to get the whole family involved in fitness… maybe without even realizing they’re exercising!  Go for a bike ride, visit a state park, set up an obstacle course in the backyard, sign up for a relaxed 5K, or even take your body weight or HIIT workout outside to switch things up.  As a bonus, studies show that being outdoors improves your mood and concentration, relieves stress, and can inspire you to exercise more (Wise, 2014). Turn Up the Competition Do you thrive on a little friendly competition?  Some of the top trends, such as,  worksite health promotion, smart phone apps or wearable technology, and outcome measurements can help you channel your competitive spirit in a healthy way.  Trying to lose weight?  Challenge your friends to a Diet Bet for accountability.  Wanting to increase your activity levels throughout the workday? Start a Fitbit Step Challenge at your workplace. Fitness apps and trackers like Fitbit, Strava, My Fitness Pal, and the Nike Run Club offer ready-to-use challenges for activities like walking, cycling, running, or nutrition.  The app Stridekick lets you compete with your friends regardless of the kinds of apps or trackers they use. With kids? Challenge them to move more with a checklist of exercises to finish each day (similar to a chore chart).  Award them for meeting a goal at the end of the week, or make it a whole-family competition by giving a grand prize to the member with the most move-time or exercises accomplished! Use What You Have High intensity interval training, bodyweight exercises, circuit training, and core training don’t have to involve hours at the gym or fancy equipment.  Websites like Popsugar and Fitness Blender offer free videos online and can be completed at home in your living room.  Even YouTube is full of fun dance routines, Yoga, and exercise videos for kids – perfect for dreary days when everyone is home and indoors! We’d love to hear from you:  Does your family get active in any of these trendy ways? Share it with us in the comments section, or hit us up on Facebook or Twitter!

In case you missed it, 2017 is going to be a BIG YEAR for NinjaZone. We’re officially here to announce the 2017 Ninja Games and the Road to Indy!  Here’s the skinny: ‘ We are holding regional Games in June and July, slowly working our way to National Ninja Games in August. Here’s how the schedule lines up:  June 17, 2017: Regional Games #1 in Chicago, IL  July 8, 2017: Regional Games #2 in Sacramento, CA July 22, 2017: Regional Games #3 in Cedar Rapids, IA August 5, 2017: National Ninja Games in Indianapolis, IN Ninja Games are an official event of Ninja Sports International, and they currently take place in member NinjaZone gyms internationally. The Regional and National Games will be held on a larger scale, in venues which will be announced at a later date. Ninja Games are a competition series for Ninja Sport. The competitive format of a Ninja Games includes chase and conflict scenes. Chase scenes consist of the athlete maneuvering through obstacles. Core strength, speed, and agility are tested. Conflict scenes are comprised of freestyle movement, compulsory combos, and the ability to skillfully elude an opponent (minus the opponent). Ninja Games are a crowd pleaser, combining the visual and auditory elements of a stage show, with the excitement and anticipation of live competition. Get more information about hosting or competing in a Ninja Games here: theninjazone.com/ninja-games/ .

How are you settling in with the New Year?  It has barely been a month into it, but we are wondering how everyone’s New Years goals and resolutions are going?!  Have you been sticking to it, or have you found yourself throwing in the towel? Here’s a bit of inspiration for ya.  Check out this video of normal people being amazing.  Okay, we aren’t asking you to jump out of a plane, but take it as a push to remind you of what you resolved to do.  Anyone has the power to be extraordinary, including you.  So, be fearless and continue attacking your 2017, Ninja style! Share with us how your 2017 goals are going! We want to know! #ninjamodeon

Don’t lie, you’re sick of your child being glued to the television or iPad screen.  Trying to pry this young generation from digital devices almost feels like an extra chore.  To be honest, it seems to be easier to allow them to just sink their little souls into their favorite TV shows for the day. Ironically, the internet can be useful for stimulating the adult mind.  Thanks to brassyapple.com , I was able to come across a cool idea that might help your child ignite some Ninja fun outside of Ninja class, and away from a screen. This DIY Laser Maze is simple, affordable and yeah pretty entertaining (totally tried it out). What you need: Brightly colored party streamers or string Tape Scissors A hallway You will want to begin by cutting the streamers into strips no shorter than the width of the hallway.  Cut some longer too.  Next, begin to tape your streamer ends to either side of the hallway walls.  Tape them diagonally and horizontally, also make sure to intertwine and crisscross different streamers to create a challenge for your little Ninja. Now let the makeshift Ninja stealth training commence!

Our kids are awesome! The high energy ones? Awesome in a much more enthusiastic way! I love my high energy kids. Life would be so boring without them…although, I’d probably be less caffeinated. Here are some silver linings for long days that may seem to never end, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. You know you have a high energy child when… You try to keep up, but you find yourself fizzling out around 2pm. Or noon. Or 11am. Gahh…give me all the coffee. You find yourself saying, “Honey, the dog doesn’t want to go out and jump on the trampoline with you.” You have to brace yourself like a football player getting ready to be tackled, when you go in for a hug from your kid. No complaints here, though. I’m kind of ok getting knocked over, if I get a hug out of it. 🙂 All you want to do is push your three year old on the swings that the park, but he taught himself how to pump his legs when he was in the womb. Parents are celebrating their kids first steps, and your kid is running circles around them…and they’re the same age. Your kids are never bored, because they love to make their own fun! Unless they’re in the car for more than, like, five minutes. Then, it’s game on. If it’s quiet in the house, something’s up (ok, this is all kids, but ya know…). You jokingly say, “I need to run five laps around the house!” after Thanksgiving dinner, but your kids don’t know you’re not serious, and they immediately challenge you to a race. You thought you had sweet dance moves, but you realize your kid can seriously kill it to some Justin Timberlake in the back seat. In a five-point harness. You can’t figure out how a little person that moves sooo fast usually, can eat their meal sooo sloowww… Your kid walks out of your closet in a pair of heels that you thought died with your 80’s bangs. Your weekly bartering system always starts and ends with a promise to go to the park later (I always follow through…they sleep so well at night after they’ve ran around in the fresh air!). So even if you’ve had “one of those days,” remember that there’s always a silver lining. If you’re struggling to find one, hunker down, pray for daylight, grab a glass of wine, and know that you’re only a day away from another shot. If all else fails, grab a hug from your kids. Maybe it’ll knock you down and you’ll remember that as parents, no matter the struggles, we wouldn’t change a thing.

Ok, time to get real. I love my kids.  That’s why I have decided to stop relying on yours.  Don’t get me wrong—I use the word “your” collectively. I’m talking to all of you. The kids of the single mom. The kids of the single dad. The big happy family. The kids with two moms or two dads. The guardians and caregivers, or the foster parents (thank you—you’re amazing). I simply can’t rely on your child. Or any of them, for that matter.  Why? Because it is MY job to make sure my children are respectful, mind their P’s and Q’s, and practice behavior that aligns with the character development that I have set before them. Where do your kids come in? Glad you asked. They are YOUR kids. I am responsible for mine. You’ve got yours. Your kids are awesome. They make my heart happy. They have beautiful smiles and say funny things. A 7 year old told me an awesome joke yesterday. She wasn’t my kid, but she was really cool.  Your kids bring joy to the people around them. They have after-school activities and homework. They request waffles for breakfast, then decide they want eggs as soon as the Eggo’s pop out of the toaster. They’re pretty kick-ass. I have decided that I am going to stop trying to change the world by relying on other people’s kids to set examples for mine. I am doing the best I can do, day by day. My kids are a direct reflection of ME. When people see my family in public and one of the kids starts acting crazy, people are looking at ME.  It’s up to me to make sure that they are upstanding citizens, take instruction, stand up for themselves, and know right from wrong. Sure, there are other influences in their lives, but as their mother, I feel responsible.  I understand that that my children could be molded through their peers.  No matter to what extent they are molded, it is still up to me to make sure that I am with them every step of the way, guiding and helping. Their character development happens in everyday life. At the breakfast table. In classes at the gym. While holding doors open for their elders. Even though I can’t rely on your kids, I do know one thing:  You are doing the same thing I am. You’re making sure your kids are living life at their highest potential. And you know what? You’ve got this. We’ve got this.  And here’s the thing: I don’t expect you to rely on my kids either.  You’ve got enough going on.

“Man. I wish I had just an ounce of his energy.” How many times have we said that about kids? I know I’ve said it a million times, and that’s just about my own kids! Kids have lots of energy, and that’s just how it is! Often, their parents can’t even keep up. There’s nothing better for energetic kids than to allow them to give into their desire to run, jump, and play. However, there seems to be a bit of a stigma when it comes to high-energy kids. They don’t always get the best reputation by adults, because it’s assumed that they can’t sit still, and they will ‘just run around and destroy things.’ If kids witness these comments from adults, eventually they could fall into that category, and that could definitely cause disciplinary issues down the road. It’s so important that kids are given an outlet to channel their energy. It’s important because it does more than let them run the wiggles out. It also: Gives them confidence. If kids are put in a situation where they can safely run and jump, while testing the abilities of their own body, their desire to try new things is almost immediately stimulated. Encourages group sport participation. Most kids feed off the energy of others around them. If your child is on a soccer team, for instance, they will be able to focus their energy on the common goal, and when they see other kids reaching to achieve this goal as well, they are successful and have a sense of accomplishment. Reinforces setting limits. High-energy kids can get excited easily, and may need some redirection to encourage them to focus. Setting limits early on will teach them that there is a time and a place for running wild, and it will encourage good behavior based on rewards. Setting up deals (or pacts, as they’re called in my house) with them can work well, if you promise to take them to the playground as a reward for being awesome during the trip to the mall. Other rewards that could excite them may be a trip to the splash pad, a family bike ride, Friday night open gym, or other ways for them to expel some of their energy. Whatever you decide to do, always follow through on your promise. High-energy kids are AWESOME kids. They entertain themselves. They have active imaginations, they love challenging themselves, and they never fail to keep US entertained, as well. Kids with a lot of energy function best being themselves—letting that energy fly. Keep them focused, give them a place to redirect their energy, and give them lots of love. Fight the desire to try to reign them in, and remember that they’re still kids. Remember to cherish every high-strung, crazy, absolutely precious moment while they’re still young enough to hug us so hard and fast that they practically knock us over.