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If eating healthier and getting more exercise tops your New Year’s resolution list, consider extending these worthwhile goals to the whole family. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity in this country has more than tripled over the past 30 years. But you can help your family get the right nutrition and exercise to stay healthy. “Not only is it extremely important for kids to get all the vitamins, nutrients and physical activity they need to stay healthy, but habits formed early in life -- both good and bad -- can last a lifetime,” says Dr. Thomas McInerny, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP is offering some healthy living tips for parents to help kids get on the right track for the upcoming year.

Improving Eating Habits

 • You may have bad childhood memories of being forced to sit at the table until you cleaned your plate. Don’t perpetuate this method of mealtime management! It sends the wrong message by emphasizing quantity over quality and can lead to significant overeating. Foster a healthier attitude toward food by focusing on what you serve in the first place.

• Establish a routine with regular meal and snack times. Always eat meals at the table. Children who eat meals with their family consume more fruits, vegetables, fiber, calcium-rich foods and vitamins.

• Once kids are old enough, encourage self-feeding as much as possible.

• Avoid soda, which is full of empty calories or artificial sweeteners. Milk and water are the best drink choices for your child. Offer whole milk or 2 percent milk to children ages 12 months to 2 years old, unless your pediatrician recommends low-fat milk. After age 2, offer low-fat milk.  Limit juice to four to six ounces a day. 

• Kids can be picky at first, but don’t let a refusal of a new food stop you from trying again. Offer new foods multiple times in multiple ways. For infants, you may need to even try 10 to 15 times over several months. Parents are extremely influential and can serve as a child’s best role model.  Eat a variety of foods of different flavors, colors and textures.

Encourage Active Play

• Don’t let a full day go by without active play. Take trips to the park, play in the yard, go for walks and make physical activity a part of your family’s daily routine. Reduce the amount of time spent in devices that restrain movement, such as strollers and bouncy seats.

• Limit screen time, including TV, video games and computers, to less than two hours a day. Avoid placing computers or television sets in children’s bedrooms so they can get the best sleep possible.

• Encourage your kids to take part in sports teams, gymnastic and dance classes, and other activities that will get them moving. More ideas about healthy living for families can be found at www.healthychildren.org/growinghealthy. “No matter how old your child is, it’s never too early to establish household routines that foster healthy habits.” says McInerny.

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Looking for a thoughtful gift this holiday season? Give a gift basket! Don’t be intimidated by the task -- it`s easy to create the perfect gift basket for even the fussiest person. "A food basket is a welcome gift for all occasions," says Bonnie Tempesta, founder of the cookie company Boncora Biscotti. "You can make it as elegant, whimsical or celebratory as you want -- and at whatever cost your budget allows." Gift baskets also offer a chance to inject some personality into a gift. "What you choose to put in a gift basket is a reflection of who you are as a gift giver," says Jean Thompson, Owner and CEO of Seattle Chocolates, maker of premium chocolate bars and truffles. "It`s a great way to share your good taste."

Follow these simple tips to make unique gift baskets for everyone on your list:

• Decide what you want to include before you buy the basket so you can pick the right size. No matter what size basket you use, it should be overflowing.

• If a traditional wooden basket isn`t your style, look for other vessels: a colorful paper bag, a pretty pastry box, a flower pot. The possibilities are endless -- and inexpensive.

• Fill the basket with higher- and lower-priced items to keep overall costs down. Include items of varying heights to add visual interest.

• Arrange the contents around a theme, such as all things red or everything handmade or all chocolate!

• Choose foods you love or products you`re excited about trying. Chances are, if you were wowed by a treat, your gift recipient will be too.

• “Go for edibles that don't need to be eaten right away,” says Edmond Sanctis, co-founder of Sahale Snacks. “Treats that can be nibbled and shared all season long are ideal gift basket additions."

• Splurge on indulgences your recipient normally wouldn`t buy for him or herself, like limited-edition holiday chocolate from Seattle Chocolates. You can find a wide range of such products in all colors and styles to suit any gift basket theme at www.SeattleChocolates.com

• Add a food item that’s new or hard to find. For example, Boncora Biscotti, available only online, are handmade to order. Plain or dipped in chocolate, they go great with a cup of joe, so pair this gift with some gourmet coffee. Read more about Bonnie Tempesta’s handcrafted biscotti at www.BoncoraBiscotti.com.

• Include unusual flavor combinations that can be used for snacking as well as cooking. Sahale Crunchers almond snacks can be eaten out of hand or used for holiday meal prep. Plus, they're gluten free. Find delicious recipes at www.SahaleSnacks.com.

• Use colorful, recyclable paper, like tissue paper or shredded paper, to fluff up the contents of your basket.

• The finishing touch on a gift basket is not the shrink wrap; it`s the note. Tell your gift recipient why you chose what you did! With these tips, you're sure to create a gift your friends and family will appreciate.

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If you have a jet-setter in your life, the holiday season is the perfect time to show you care. While travel can be glamorous and exciting, it can also be fraught with frustration. This year, consider giving a gift that helps ease the burdens of a mobile lifestyle. Not only will this gesture be appreciated, you may just make life a bit more comfortable for your loved one while he or she is on-the-go. Whether you're shopping for a business traveler, an adventurer or leisure-lover, here are some great gift ideas for smooth sailing and happy recipients.

Fresh Travel

Personal care should never take a vacation. Keep your traveler looking and feeling their best with goodies designed for mobile prepping and pampering. For example, a compact battery-operated toothbrush that's as powerful as a traditional electric toothbrush is ideal for packing and makes for an affordable stocking stuffer. Likewise, a jet lag prevention treatment and a sleep mask pair perfectly to boost energy and prevent bags under-the eyes during long-distance travel. Look for a homeopathic treatment that has no side effects or interactions with other medications, such as No-Jet-Lag.

Wired Travel

Whether one is computing for work, entertainment or keeping in touch, a laptop and accessories that are thin and light but robust are essential these days for both every day mobility and heavy-duty travel. Luckily, new technologies are making it easier to stay productive, entertained and connected while mobile. For example, the HP ENVY m4 notebook contains features that account for many hazards of travel, guarding against data loss if the notebook is dropped and against intruders if the machine is tampered with or stolen. It can also guard against boredom, as it has abundant storage and a quick processor for working, gaming, listening and viewing. When possible, help your traveler streamline tech gear. For example, an HP 90W Universal Power Adapter is compatible with virtually all notebooks and features a built-in USB port that charges a notebook and mobile device simultaneously. Just because you're on the go doesn't mean you need to sacrifice great audio-visual experiences. A Bluetooth-enabled wireless speaker delivers the clear sound of a stationary speaker; while the HP Webcam HD 4310 lets users connect and communicate with friends and family in widescreen 1080p HD -- and offers three-way video calling, auto focus and auto-exposure to ensure images are clear and bright. With the right accessories, you can make that wait for the next plane, train or automobile more productive and enjoyable. More information on enhancing the mobile computing experience is available at www.hp.com.

Quick Travel

Any traveler would welcome opportunities to make the airport security line fast and convenient. Great gifts for those in a jiffy include comfortable slip-on shoes, a transparent toiletry bag or a backpack that offers quick access to computers, phones, and other media. This holiday season, give mobile loved ones the gear they need for hassle-free adventures and they will get many happy returns.