Vitamins Study Learning Bundle

Vitamins Study Learning Bundle

by | Apr 29, 2020

Vitamins Study Learning Bundle – All Ages.

My two popular vitamins products are bundled together to help you save money! See below for descriptions of both.

Separately these products will cost you $21.99. However, if you purchase them as a bundle, you will only pay $17.97. That’s a $4.00 savings.

(Post may contain affiliate links).

Vitamins Study Learning Bundle includes:

PRODUCT 1 – VITAMINS SORTING MATS

Make learning about nutrition and food science, fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, protein foods fun for your kids.

My Vitamin Sorting Mats are perfect healthy eating and nutrition activities to use with your children ages Preschool and up. Activities include and emphasize:

  1. Identifying, cutting, and pasting
  2. Matching fruits, vegetables, breads, grains, cereals, meats, beans, and each of the 11 different vitamins.
  3. Answering questions and defining terms
  4. Increasing vocabulary in subject specific area of science
  5. Practice with reading unfamiliar terms and following directions
  6. 3/31/2020 UPDATED and EXPANDED from 52 to 64 pages total including answer key.
  7. Fill in the blank, multiple choice, handwriting, and more have been added.
  8. 10/16/2020 UPDATED and EXPANDED AGAIN!!! – up to 71 pages now – with challenging questions and error corrections (plus more realistic vitamin bottle clip art).

Learning Objectives for Vitamins Sorting Mats

By the end of this course/unit, students will be able to:

  1. Name all 13 Vitamins
  2. Name at least 2 unique differences between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins
  3. Be able to categorize each vitamin by fat or water soluble.
  4. Name at least 1, preferably 2-3, functions of each vitamin.
  5. Name at least 2 food sources of each of the 13 vitamins.
  6. And more.

PRODUCT 2 – VITAMIN CHEAT SHEETS

These vitamin cheat sheets were created by me, a Registered Dietitian with High School and College aged kids in mind. However, you can integrate them into your health, family consumer science, and home economics curriculum to reinforce the history and facts of the main vitamins.

All 13 major vitamins are included:

Fat Soluble Vitamins:

  1. Vitamin A
  2. Vitamin D
  3. Vitamin K
  4. Vitamin E

Water Soluble Vitamins:

  1. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
  2. B2 (Riboflavin)
  3. B3 (Niacin)
  4. B6 (Pyridoxine)
  5. B9 (Folic Acid)
  6. B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
  7. Vitamin C
  8. Biotin
  9. Choline

These vitamin cheat sheets have all the key facts including food sources, signs of deficiency, and more.

5 Signs You’re Not Getting Enough Calcium in Your Diet

5 Signs You’re Not Getting Enough Calcium in Your Diet

by | Apr 6, 2020 | Nutrition and Health

5 Signs You're Not Getting Enough Calcium in Your Diet. (Post may contain affiliate links).

I've been getting a lot of questions about the importance of calcium in the diet. Thus, I decided to put together an informative article with a few important facts. I've provided references for further study as well. (You can find the links at the bottom of the article).


5 Signs you're not getting enough Calcium in your diet.

 

1. You get frequent fractures.

On the surface, this may seem obvious. However, the reason why low dietary calcium can lead to weak bones may not be so obvious. Let me explain.

When calcium in the diet is low, the first thing that will happen is that blood serum levels will drop. As a result, parathyroid hormone, which keeps serum calcium levels stable, will “borrow” calcium from bones. If insufficient calcium is being brought into the body through the diet or supplements, this will eventually result in calcium depletion in the bones. Thus, you will have weakened bones.

This is why having your Calcium blood level checked is not a reliable indicator of healthy calcium status. As long as calcium intake is low, the body will continue to pull calcium out of the bones to use it for other important body processes.

This is because Calcium is not just important for healthy bones and teeth. It is also important for:

  1. Muscle Contraction
  2. Normal functioning of many enzymes
  3. Blood clotting
  4. Normal Heart Rhythm

2. You have symptoms such as muscle spasms, numbness, bone and/or muscle aches.

These are very general symptoms and can mean many things besides calcium deficiency. Thus, it is important to see your doctor when you have symptoms such as these so that together you can determine the root of the problem.

3. When you have a broken bone, it takes too long to heal.

What constitutes too long and what is normal? Well, that depends…The amount of time a bone takes to heal after a fracture varies by

  1. The type and severity of the fracture
  2. The age and health of the person with the fracture
  3. Where the fracture is located.

For example, an athletic high school student with a hairline fracture might only require 3 weeks for the fracture to heal. In contrast, an inactive 50 year old might require as long as 8 weeks for the same fracture to heal.

Your medical doctor will help to explain what is a “normal” healing time. If your fracture is taking much longer to heal, then it might be time for a bone density test to make sure your bone is healthy.

4. Your bone density test comes back low.

A Bone Density Test, also known as a “DEXA,” measures the density of your bone in order to determine if you have osteoporosis.

According to Mayo Clinic:

“A bone density test uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. The bones that are most commonly tested are in the spine, hip and sometimes the forearm.”

The thing about bone density is that it is best to get a test before you start getting a lot of fractures. However, if you get a lot of fractures, this is one of the most accurate measures of the status of calcium and the health of your bones.

5. You don't drink milk, or eat cheese, yogurt or other dairy products.

This is a common dietary concern because many people are lactose intolerant or have a milk protein allergy. Also, people are avoiding dairy more often these days because of other health concerns. For example, vegans do not eat any dairy products. If you do not consume dairy products, it is extremely important that you consume alternate sources of calcium.

Click here for free tables to help you determine your calcium needs and for lists of calcium rich foods, both diary and non-dairy.

What if it isn't Calcium that's the problem and it's something else?

For example, insufficient vitamin D, inactive lifestyle, cancer of the bone, brittle bone disease can all result in weakening of the bones. The medical term for brittle bone disease is Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

The most common cause of non-calcium related weakened bones is Vitamin D Deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is absolutely necessary for your body to properly use Calcium. Many people in the world are deficient in this important vitamin. Part of the reason is fear of skin cancer. People are afraid to go into the sun without high protection suntan lotion. And that's understandable. However, when you put on that heavy 30 plus UV protection, you are filtering out  important sun rays that  help your body produce vitamin D naturally.

Another thing that puts a person at risk of vitamin D deficiency is if you live in a region above 45 degrees Latitude North or South of the equator, the sun isn't as strong.  Thus, people living in these regions are more likely to have vitamin D insufficiency and even deficiency.

Many experts agree that 400 IU vitamin D daily isn't sufficient to keep vitamin D status in the normal range. This is why it is important to have your vitamin D serum level checked to make sure you are not deficient. If your doctor determines you are low, he or she will most likely prescribe a higher dose of vitamin D to get you within normal levels.

How to be sure you are getting enough Calcium in Your Diet.

  1. Calcium rich foods (Click here for Tables)
  2. Vitamin D rich foods to help body absorb calcium
  3. Be aware of what can interfere with Calcium absorption
  4. Exercise to help your body better utilize the calcium in your diet

Can exercise help?

Yes! Weight bearing exercise in particular helps the body re-build bone. In fact, the way it works is similar to the way weight lifting strengthens muscle.

Examples of weight bearing exercise include:

  1. Walking
  2. Jogging
  3. Hiking
  4. Climbing stairs
  5. Playing tennis
  6. Dancing
  7. Weight-lifting
  8. Jumping rope
  9. Step aerobics
  10. Anything that requires you to be on your feet, “bearing your own weight” is considered weight bearing exercise.

No matter what, if you suspect that you or anyone in your family might have a calcium or vitamin D deficiency, seek your health professional immediately.

What's So Special About Magnesium?

Overview of Calcium's Role in the Body

Telltale Signs You Are Not Getting Enough Calcium

Bone Density Test 

Hypocalcemia: Causes, Symptoms, etc.

Calcium Content of Foods

Surgeon General's Report on Calcium and Bone Health

The Mayo Clinic – Information on Testing for Bone Density

10 Foods HIgh in Vitamin D

Nutrient Dense Foods Vitamins

5 Ways You Can Use YouTube as a Homeschooling Resource

5 Ways You Can Use YouTube as a Homeschooling Resource

by | Mar 26, 2020 | Education Materials

5 Ways You Can Use YouTube as a Homeschooling Resource. (Post may contain affiliate links).


As a parent who homeschools, you already know that gaining access to resources can be a real struggle. And an expensive one at that! You probably know that there are a lot of helpful teaching aids you can find online, but have you ever considered YouTube as a possible resource?

Kids love watching YouTube as entertainment. There are endless amounts of content. In fact, a lot of people are even choosing it over TV, including children. If you look beyond the fluff videos, you will find that there is actually a lot of really good, educational, and age-appropriate content your children can enjoy and benefit from.

So, instead of fighting against it, why not lean into it to harness the benefits and all the knowledge YouTube has to offer?

Below are 5 Ways You Can Use YouTube as a Homeschooling Resource.

1. Learning about foreign languages & cultures

Have you ever considered how valuable YouTube content can be, as a foreign language aid? Not only are there millions of videos out there created by people from all over the world, but they often have an educational slant. Channels like Rock ‘N Learn provide multiple foreign language tutorials (among other things) for languages like Spanish, German, or French.

If you go on YouTube right now and search for any language, you are sure to find dedicated videos that help people learn step by step. From “word of the day” type videos to videos explaining issues of grammar, there is almost no need to go out and purchase expensive textbooks that teach the exact same thing, but in a less engaging way.

Perhaps the best thing about learning a foreign language on YouTube is the fact that real people are presenting facts about their lives and the reality of living in a different country, including local culture, spiritual beliefs, everyday habits, etc.

YouTube can also facilitate actual interaction with people from foreign countries. Your children can chat with content creators (under your supervision, of course) in order to practice their language skills.

2. Explanations for science-related subjects

Believe it or not, even when it comes to hard science subjects such as math, chemistry, or physics, your child can still use YouTube as a resource. Especially when a new concept is taught, it can take a while for your little one to catch on, or they may require a different or more in-depth explanation. Especially when it comes to practical experiments in areas of physics or chemistry, it can be extremely helpful to have someone demonstrate how they do it. It makes it much easier to replicate or to follow slowly, step by step.

If you feel like you are out of your depth, chances are that someone on YouTube has a dedicated video explaining concepts thoroughly. Oftentimes, they even include diagrams, images, and other teaching aids that you may not have access to. The Organic Chemistry Tutor is just one of these channels that deal with math and science subjects.

3. Primary resources – movies, audio books, documentaries

YouTube is actually a great place to find primary resources when you need them. For example, movies, documentaries, and even audiobooks can be easily found on YouTube, free of charge. That is especially helpful for essays and critical analysis assignments, where studying primary resources like this is an essential part of the process. These resources may also be available at the local library, but not always.

In addition to the resources offered for free, YouTube also sometimes offers viewings at a price, much like Amazon. You can download a certain film, for example, for $10 and watch it, just like you would purchase a DVD.

5 Ways You Can Use YouTube as a Homeschooling Resource

 4. History, made interesting

Students often dislike subjects like history, because they can feel very dry. There are lots of names, lots of years to remember, and a presentation that is not always interesting, when it’s in text form.

That is where YouTube can actually help instill a love of history in your child. History buffs will make lengthy, detailed videos about historical events. They explain context, and presented in interesting tidbits that students may not otherwise have access to.

Having someone passionate explain something in an interesting way is a much better way of learning. Especially when compared to reading from a history book. In addition, videos usually have accompanying images that can contextualize the information in a way that makes it easier to understand.  Bedtime History is a channel that makes dedicated videos to historical figures, landmarks, and concepts. Bedtime History videos are presented in a way that is easy to understand and process for children.

 5. Practical skills & hobbies

With everything that is crammed in a regular school year, it can be difficult to fit in time for hobbies, extra curriculars, and other skills. In addition, classes like home economics and such have fallen by the wayside. As a result, very useful and practical skills like sewing, or woodworking are no longer taught.

Perhaps you’ll be surprised to know that these are things they can learn on YouTube. There are tutorials for everything, from beginner levels to more experienced ones. All your child needs to do is search for what interests them. And they will find someone who teaches it online, for free. Plus, you don’t need to drive them anywhere, which is a significant bonus!  For example, a channel like 5-Minute Crafts PLAY. This channel has hundreds of videos demonstrating fun, creative crafts your kids can do at home with household items.

5 Ways You Can Use YouTube as a Homeschooling Resource. What’s the bottom line?

As you can see, YouTube can actually make a great resource for education, especially if your children are homeschooled. Most parents who choose to homeschool are equipped for the subjects they will be teaching, but a little extra help never hurts.

It would be a shame not to take advantage of all the resources the internet provides for students. And learning from home is the perfect opportunity to explore these alternative means of education.

5 Ways You Can Use YouTube as a Homeschooling Resource

Whether we’re talking about interesting and age-appropriate explanations of historical events, math problems solved in real time, or valuable skills, YouTube offers a great assortment of choices. With the technology of YouTube, an incredible variety of professionals and hobbyists can help your children achieve a well-rounded education.

Caroline Black is a long time freelance writer hailing from sunny California who enjoys outdoor adventure, spending time with her fur babies, and cooking.

 

Other things by Homeschooling Dietitian Mom

4 Ways I'm Being Homeschooled

6 Reasons I'm Thankful for Autism

Healthy Eating on a Budget

Nutrient Dense Foods – Vitamins

10 Encouraging Bible Verse Posters and Memory Cards

10 Encouraging Bible Verse Posters and Memory Cards

by | Mar 14, 2020

10 Encouraging Bible Verse Posters and Memory Cards

Bible Verses – Perfect for Easing Anxiety

Print these gorgeous nature bible verse posts and cards on white cardstock for best results. Or better yet, take to Office Depot or Staples for an inexpensive, high quality print job for less than 50 cents a page.

  1. 10-8.5 x 11 inch Bible Verse Posters (Print selection “fit” and it will print without being cut off)
  2. 10-5 x 7 inch Bible Verse Cards – These can be printed as postcards and sent to your loved ones to encourage them. These postcards will Fit A7 envelopes.

By the way, there are 2 separate 5 x 7 inch cards per page, and one 8.5 x 11 inch bible verse poster per page for a total of 15 printable pages.

There are two separate files included:

  • 1 .pdf format file AND
  • 1 Zipped folder containing .png (picture files) of each item. (total of 20 png files)

Verses include (total 10 different):

  1. Psalm 91:1
  2. Psalm 73:26
  3. Isaiah 43:2
  4. Psalm 91:11
  5. And 6 more

Start encouraging others today with these 10 Encouraging Bible Verse Posters and Memory Cards. Not only are they beautiful, but you can print them again and again ad infinitum.

Note: Once you purchase my Bible verse posters and cards, you can print them as many times as you want. This means you can give the printed cards and posters to anyone you want as a gift.

One thing you can’t do: You cannot sell or give away the files themselves to anyone.

But you are welcome to print out the posters and memory cards, frame them, give them to a friend or family member as a gift. And they will make lovely gifts, don’t you think? (Posters are 8 1/2 by 11 and Memory Cards are 5 x 7).

Posts by Homeschooling Dietitian Mom:

Why My Son Believes in Catastrophism

10 Healthy Soup Recipes

4 Things the Bible DOES NOT Say About Race

10 Reasons Why Vitamin D is Important

10 Foods High in Vitamin D

Is the Paleo Diet Biblical?

 

10 Reasons Vitamin D is Important

10 Reasons Vitamin D is Important

by | Mar 14, 2020 | Nutrition and Health

Vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic in the world today.  This is because very few people understand how important it is. This is also because most people aren't getting enough through their diet or through sun exposure. There are at least 10 reasons why vitamin D is important to the overall health of you and your kids (Post contains affiliate links).


Vitamin D is important for bones and helps prevent rickets

Rickets is a disease of the bones that most people recognize as related to vitamin D deficiency. This disease causes bowed legs and soft bones. Prior to fortification of cow's milk, rickets was much more common. Since many people drink non-dairy milk substitutes, it should be a relief to know that most non-dairy milks today are also fortified with vitamin D.  As a result of fortification, rickets is rare in developing countries, such as the US.

In addition to Rickets, Vitamin D is important for treating and preventing an enormous amount of other health issues. These diseases include, but are not limited to acne, autism, eczema, multiple sclerosis, various cancers, both Type I and II Diabetes, the flu (influenza), respiratory infections, and depression.

Vitamin D and Acne

Evidence abounds that vitamin D has a therapeutic effect on the severity of acne. For example, a study in 2016 showed that vitamin D treatment of 1000 IU/day significantly decreased the acne severity of the participants. Furthermore, when vitamin D levels were checked, nearly 50% of the participants (those with acne) were vitamin D deficient prior to the start of the study, compared to only 22% of the controls (those without acne).

https://www.hncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27560161

Founder and Medical Director of the Vitamin D Council, Dr. John Cannell, wrote,

“When I was a teen, my acne almost disappeared in the summer. I thought it was the salty water I swam in-but not so. It improved in the summer regardless of any saltwater exposure.”

As a result of professional experience with patients with acne, Dr. Cannell at the Vitamin D Council website recommends the following:

“If you are a teenager or adult with acne, the Vitamin D Council recommends supplementing with 5,000 IU (125 mcg) to 10,000 IU (250 mcg)/day of vitamin D, depending on your weight (higher weight individuals may require more vitamin D). In 2 months, have your vitamin D levels tested. If your levels are below 60 ng/ml, increase your vitamin D intake by small increments until your vitamin D blood level is around 70 ng/ml. It may take about 2-3 months to begin to experience an improvement. However, maximum improvement may not occur for 5-6 months.”

Reduced Risk of Autism

Because of the increased incidence of autism in the past 20 years, much research is being done.  Some of the research done is specifically to determine if there is a connection between low vitamin D levels and autism. This research has shown interesting results.

For example, several studies going back to 2008 have shown connections including:

  1. Low maternal blood levels of vitamin D are associated with children developing autism by 8 years old.
  2. Children diagnosed with autism tend to have lower blood levels of vitamin D
  3. Therapeutic effects of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and after been shown to be effective for both mother and child.
  4. Vitamin D reduces oxidative stress associated with autism.

For further research on vitamin D and autism, see the following articles and visit the Vitamin D Council Website.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25511123

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24494055

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27868194

Vitamin D and Eczema

Eczema, also known as, “atopic dermatitis,” is associated with low vitamin D levels. There are many studies showing a relationship between low vitamin D levels and eczema. Though not many of these studies have researched the role of vitamin D in the prevention of eczema, many have shown a role of vitamin in reducing the severity of symptoms.

Part of the reason for this is that vitamin D is important for a healthy immune system, and eczema is associated with impaired immunity.

The most common groups of people who develop eczema are infants and young children, though adults develop it as well. 10-25% of children and about 3% of adults develop eczema.

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/eczema-basics#1

In fact, a study published in 2012 in Australia showed the following:

  1. As many as one-third of infants born have some form of eczema.
  2. Vitamin D levels at birth were lowest in infants who developed eczema in their first year of life.
  3. Every 4 ng/ml increase in vitamin D levels in the newborns was linked to a 13% lower risk of developing eczema.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21087229

Much more has been written on the subject of vitamin D and eczema. For now, let me just say that there is overwhelming evidence that healthy vitamin D levels reduce the risk of eczema.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

When a person develops MS, the immune system attacks the nerves in the spinal cord and the brain. Studies have been unclear about the role of vitamin D in the development of MS.  However, epidemiological studies have shown a connection.

Epidemiological studies are studies that compare 2 groups of people who are alike except for one factor. For example, people who have MS, are female, and are Caucasian, but who have a history of low versus high vitamin D status.

These types of studies show a relationship between low vitamin D levels and increased risk of developing MS.  Other epidemiological studies have shown that persons with the highest exposure to sun are the least likely to develop MS.  These studies show promise. However, by themselves, are not conclusive.

Various Cancers

Breast, endometrial, cervical, colorectal, esophageal, renal, and gastric cancer, and other cancers are all positively related to low vitamin D status. This means that the lower your vitamin D levels, the higher the likelihood you will develop some form of cancer in your lifetime. You can check the Vitamin D Society website for more discussion and references related to specific cancers.

Type 1 and 2 Diabetes (DM)

Type 1 diabetes is an immune disorder. When a person develops diabetes, the immune system attacks cells that are involved in the production of the hormone insulin. As a result of the immune system attacking, a person with type 1 diabetes eventually cannot make their own insulin. Thus, they must take insulin as medicine to digest carbohydrates properly.

There appears to be a connection between low vitamin D levels the first year of life and developing type 1 diabetes, but more research is needed.

The connection between vitamin D and diabetes type 2 appears to be related to insulin sensitivity. People who are type 2 diabetics have reduced insulin sensitivity. This means that when they eat a candy bar, insulin doesn't respond as well as it should, and their blood sugar stays higher for a longer period.

Type 2 diabetes develops slowly and is more common in adults over 40. (As opposed to type 1 diabetes which is usually seen in childhood). Some research is showing that adequate vitamin D levels may help to increase insulin sensitivity for people susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes. This means that people who have adequate vitamin D levels in childhood and early adulthood may have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. More research is needed, however.

Influenza (Flu) (and other Infectious Illnesses)

Numerous studies show the benefits of vitamin D for preventing both colds and flu. The vitamin D council recommends 5,000 to 10,000 IU for adults every day, and 100 IU/kg/day for children to reduce the risk of the flu. Remember the amount of vitamin D considered safe is controversial. So, it is always a good idea to check with your own medical doctor before taking or giving your children therapeutic doses of vitamin D.

With the global pandemic of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) sweeping the world, it is particularly important to remember that Vitamin D strengthens the immune system and is the main reason it reduces risk of contagious diseases. So, if you are living in an area where you can't get direct sunlight, it is necessary for you to supplement with the active form of vitamin D (D3).

This is what my family uses. I take 6000 IU per day; my son gets 2000 IU every other day and my husband takes 2000 IU every day. This has NOT resulted in vitamin D toxicity despite years of taking these doses.

Note that with the doses we use, the drops last about 6 months.

Asthma

Eight people die from Asthma every day worldwide. Some studies have shown short term relief from severe asthma symptoms. Again, more research is needed.

Vitamin D and Depression

Results are mixed on this one. However, I have had personal experience with the amazing effects of consuming adequate amounts of vitamin D.  Vitamin D improves mood. For example, when my son was in 1st grade, I spoke with a lady who worked at the public school where he was attending. She stated that at one time her husband was suicidal. They tried everything and nothing worked. Until they tested his vitamin D levels as a last resort. His levels were indeed low. So, his doctor prescribed vitamin D. His depression completely disappeared.

It wasn't until sometime later that I too was diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency. My doctor put me on a 2000 IU dose. I am not kidding you when I say that within 3 days, I could feel a difference. My levels weren't that low, but they were below 30 ng/ml. Like I said in my other post, this doctor wanted my levels above 50 ng/ml, so she put me on 6,000 IU/day during the sunnier times of year and recommended 10,000 IU a day during the winter months. I still take 6,000 IU/day, even with my new doctor, and my last test was slightly below 50 ng/ml.

Anyway, I know that it worked for me!!! Especially once I started exercising regularly. Click here for 10 Foods High in Vitamin D.

There are quite a few other diseases that may be improved by sufficient vitamin D or by therapeutic vitamin D doses. Some of these diseases that I didn't discuss include Tuberculosis, COPD, Leukemia, Sepsis/Septicemia (infection of blood), and more.

The vitamin D Council is the best site I have found on the subject:  Vitamin D Society

You can find tons of cross references to the research on their site, and the articles are written by medical doctors.

Other articles by Homeschooling Dietitian Mom:

Diet and ADHD

Why Exercise Beats the Winter Blues

10 Foods to Eat When You Are Pregnant