Category: Health and Wellness
Why Your Health Deserves More Attention than Your Car
Many people seem to take care of their cars better than they take care of themselves.
While this may not be true for all people it certainly is true for many. And the most disheartening part is that these same people are oblivious to the extent of their neglect and ignorance.
For all you car owners out there… answer this: Is it wise to use the wrong engine oil? Would you “feed” your car diesel if the manual said to use regular gasoline?
You get the gist of where this is going, right?
That being the case… why would the human body deserve less attention? Why provide inaccurate care/shoddy maintenance for our very existence?
Yet that is exactly what happens when people load up on ultra-processed fake foods. They consume excessive amounts of sugar.
This consumption leads them down the path towards insulin resistance. It also triggers the metabolic diseases that follow.
They drink beverages that have zero value, fueling up on fructose laden detrimental liquids.
They consume more alcohol and added sugar then their own livers can handle.
They eat ultra-processed fast foods that even scavenger birds reject.
Ironically, these same people bring their cars in for regular tuneups and maintenance. They may park at a safe distance from other motorists to avoid dings and scratches. They regularly wash and wax their precious vehicles, often by hand because car washes might produce fine scratches over time. Furthermore, they’ll rust proof the undercarriage before they drive over salted winter roads.
- Do they think this is excessive behavior?
- Do they see themselves as odd or obsessive?
No!
But let a “health-nut” point out the harmful effects of seed oils and they’ll come unglued.
So…
Here’s the question…
Do you take care of your car or truck better than you take care of your nutritional and fitness needs? Be honest!
And…
Are you guiding your children (if you have children) towards making good healthy choices?
Surely the human body deserves to be treated with the same respect and dignity as cars and trucks. It should receive this minimal level of care… at the very least.
We don’t come with an owners’ manual…. therefore, many of us abuse the life within ourselves (you know… all those millions of cells and microbes) because of ignorance.
- We didn’t know that seed oils were producing oxidative stress on our bodies. We were told they were “healthier” than saturated fats. We believed the trusted establishments… the experts. Now many of those experts are retracting their former instructions.
- We didn’t have all the facts about diabetes (type 2). Visit the American Diabetes Association website and review its recently updated guidelines. They fall short of saying chronic insulin exposure is the primary cause… but they are acknowledging insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia as early contributors to disease progression.
- We didn’t know that upwards of 70% of the “food stuffs” in typical grocery stores are processed or ultra-processed. But now… thanks to the internet we have access to the facts. It’s easy to do the research. A bit harder to make dietary changes (think of habits to break).
This ‘progress’ is encouraging. Kind of reminds us of that famous 1969 quote…
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil Armstrong
In other words… health knowledge is power. Knowledge will win out. It brings change.
So, let’s think positively as we press forward towards health and wellness.
While we didn’t have all the facts we should realize that we are responsible for our own health. And the great news… it’s never too late. Eating REAL food, getting moderate amount of exercise, and adequate sleep is within our reach.
Oh… no worries, no one says we need to neglect our modes of transportation. Go ahead… wash and wax to your heart’s content. In fact… it’s exercise. YAY You!
Suzanne writes children’s fiction stories that encourage kids to make healthy choices. Visit her author page for a complete list of her books.
Thanks for the visit.
Reviving Kids’ Love for Reading and Health
Only 1 in 3 kids, aged 8-18, say they enjoy reading in their free time. Reading — for enjoyment — is at its lowest point in 20 years. Interestingly, children’s overall health is also at it’s lowest point. (54% of US kids have at least one chronic disease)
This should come as a “canary in the coal mine” warning for parents, teachers and… children’s authors.
Furthermore… according to the National Literacy Trust… many children associate reading with endurance rather than enjoyment. Reading! A drudgery! How is that even possible?
Additionally, it’s not only about how often kids read. It’s more about a lack of motivation and emotional connection with books.
Again—as an early warning—kids losing their love for fiction indicates a larger, more serious problem. Could this issue parallel their general declining energy and health?
Question: Why is this growing lack of interest in reading, and declining health among today’s youth happening now?
Too Much Screen Time
- Digital influences are constant distractions for kids.
- Bite-size posts and videos provide instant gratification
- Reading – by comparison – seem tedious and less stimulating
- To Do: Provide structured environment. Set daily limits, establish screen-free zones (before bed, during meals, face-to-face conversation), physical screen-free-zones (kid’s bedroom), stop non-stop background TV. Encourage new habits. Promote hobbies, sports, encourage reading time. Plan family time, and get outdoors.
Too Hard to Connect With Literary Content
- Reading feels like schoolwork
- Books might not connect with their interests
- Books mean searching and searching takes time and effort
- To Do: Help kids find books on topics they like. Read aloud, even as they get older. Use, but limit time spent on audiobooks to build vocabulary.
Too Difficult/Too Frustrating
- Reading requires comprehension and can be embarrassing or frustrating for kids who do not reach their age levels
- Feeling overwhelmed if content is too complex for their reading abilities
- Feel defeated before they even start
- To Do: Let kids pick books they enjoy. Set up a quiet time to read with them. Do not criticize. Instead, celebrate achievements regardless how small. If possible create a comfortable reading space.
Too Busy
- Kids have schedules and extracurricular activities that compete with reading time
- Homework takes up valuable time away from reading for enjoyment
- To Do: Keep interesting books handy. Encourage some reading as part of the bedtime routine. Use car rides as an opportunity to read. Model reading as an enjoyable moment in an otherwise busy day.
Then Factor In The Need for Kids’ Health Awareness
If we want children to understand the chronic diseases that might affect them… Then guess what? Reading is involved. Yikes.
Parents, teachers, and children’s authors must-of necessity-become much more creative.
If regular fiction is BORING and a CHALLENGE to one third of today’s kids, then how can health-awareness fit in?
Additionally, where would fitness guidance, in book-form, fit in?
To Do: Support a Developing New Genre of Fiction for Kids: Health-focused Kid Heroes
Introducing Suzanne Rightley’s Kid Heroes…
Brea
Brea, aka Granola Brea, is a 12-year-old girl who is driven by health. She aspires to become a consumer advocate when she grows up. In the meantime – she keeps busy. She writes a monthly article for her local paper. Brea holds a summer job as a camp nutrition counselor for at-risk teens. She also hosts a kids health-based podcast.
Find Brea’s Books on Amazon: Granola Brea Health-nut Series; The Granola Experience
Nevin Smarts
Nevin, aka Nerdy Nev and/or Smartypants (not his preferred nickname for obvious reasons). Nev has a high IQ. He has several distinct goals, all of which sees him attending university for a few years. In the meantime, high school is providing practical experience in promoting health to his peers. Is it smooth-sailing? Ah… not so much, but nothing keeps this health-nerd down.
Learn more about Nevin on Amazon: “Ask a Nerd” Smarts Health; “Ask a Nerd” Smarts Health Habits
Maxine
Maxine, aka Maxie is dedicated to nutrition and fitness… and for good reason. She’s healthy now – thankfully, but that wasn’t always true. Her story is in developing stages as this blog is being written. Stay tuned for her first book in 2026.
Learn more about Suzanne’s books on her author page.
Understanding Insulin: A Kid’s Guide by Nevin Smarts
“Ask a Nerd” (Nevin) Smarts Health Books, by Suzanne Rightley, inspire kids to make better choices. These books help kids make healthier decisions as they explore the topic of insulin. Targeted for ages 10-14, children seamlessly learn important facts about this crucial hormone.
Parents and teachers will appreciate the health-based content. Kids will enjoy the hero in the stories.
Nevin Smarts is a nerdy fifteen-year-old boy. He faces many challenges in promoting healthy choices.
About the Nevin Smarts Series…
Nevin Smarts, aka, Nerdy Nev, is on a mission. His task? Motivate his friends, family, and beyond… to actively pursue their own health and wellness.
His motto?
“Your health is your first job. Do it right, and you’ll never have to fire yourself.”
Get healthy! It’s on everyone’s mind, and Nevin Smarts is no exception. With an above average IQ, Nevin knows he can do his part to promote healthy living.
Insulin: Hero or Villain (Book 1, kids 10-14)
Cover sleeve – Book available on Amazon
Book 1 – Insulin: Hero or Villain
When it comes to insulin, Nevin cuts through the noise. He explains how insulin works. Yes…what you choose to eat and drink, does matter… a lot!
“Do you want insulin to be your friend or your enemy?”
Great Question! In this “Ask a Nerd” Smarts Book, Nevin shares what everyone should know about the amazing hormone, we call… insulin.
One day, Nevin is asked…”What’s up with insulin?”
Not the most brilliant question he’s ever heard, but regardless, Nevin is thrilled, and ready, to face the challenge.
Insulin: Are You Sensitive? (Book 2, kids 10-14)
Book 2 – Insulin: Are You Sensitive?
One day, Nevin accidentally insults a cool kid’s eight-year-old niece…Oops. “I didn’t say she was fat, but I might have said she should lose a little bit of weight.”
Not his finest moment, but Nevin is determined to make things right. How? By explaining that people wouldn’t be sensitive about their weight, if they were sensitive to insulin.
“Ask a Nerd” Smarts Health Books can be found on Amazon. For more books by Suzanne Rightley, including Granola Brea, Health-nut Series, visit her author page.
If you are worried about children’s health and want to take action, check out Suzanne Rightley’s health-based fiction books. These books offer friendly ways to share health information. Humour and lively narratives are an added bonus.
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