Holding the Key to our Family’s Health

“Strong is the new sexy.” I’ve been hearing this saying often these days. Couple that with the old adage,“health is wealth” and we get reminded of what we should give importance to. We all work hard toreach our goals and material success, and we are devoted to raising children who are well-rounded anddisciplined, but what is all that if we are not healthy enough to enjoy life with our loved ones. So thethrust of Alaska Milk Corporation makes a lot of sense to me. It is important to encourage peopleespecially families to get healthy and fit together not only through proper nutrition, but also physicalactivity.Recently, Alaska Milk Corporation held its annual Alaska Milk Day celebration through a familyrun at McKinley West in Bonifacio Global City. This is the fourth Alaska Milk Day celebration andthe event expanded beyond Metro Manila, with simultaneous runs occurring in three otherlocations namely Davao, Cebu, and Naga.Through this event, Alaska hopes to bring to light the need for better health practices amongFilipinos. The company’s thrust was validated by a recent study by FNRI or the Food andNutrition Research Institute and DOH. The National Nutrition Survey revealed that 2 out of 10Filipino children are overweight and that 16 Million Filipinos above the age of 20 are alsooverweight. The number of overweight and obese Filipinos have been increasing 0.17% pointsannually. This is an alarming revelation because we know that obesity can lead to heart diseaseand diabetes even in the youth and these has major effects, not only a person’s life andproductivity, but the family’s social and economic situation.So we joined Alaska in bringing awareness to this cause by signing up for a morning 3K run asa family. In spite of the fact that we were still fighting jetlag from our vacation, it felt good gettingoutdoors again and getting some sunshine and air while getting fit. It really is always amemorable experience to get outdoors and do physical activities together as a family.Good morning! Up and early for the #AlaskaWorldMilkDay run!It was extra special finding out that we had family also at the run, my sister Jaymie and her kids.Having cousins around were enough motivation for the kids.The girls celebrating #AlaskaWorldMilkDayThere were a lot of parents with children running together, as well as groups of friends and some running enthusiasts.After the run, participants were treated to a lot more fun and games such as a huge and widelyattended Zumba event.High energy Zumba instructors were infectious and motivated the crowd to dance and work theirhearts out.Men and women from all over came to participate in the Zumba event.At Alaska Milk Day, we had some huge fun and heath and fitness was larger than life.Onstage, Alaska officials did the ceremonial milk toast reminding everyone to pledge to ahealthy and active lifestyle.A nationwide Milk Toast at 6:00 am, coined as the Alaska Milk Hour, wrapped up the celebration.There were also oversized balls and inflatables where the kids gathered and played.Participants were treated not only to Alaska Powdered Milk Drink.but also Alaska condensed milk on pandesal, a healthy snack I’ve enjoyed since childhoodIn these days when life is all the more fast-paced and competitive, we need to realize as momsthat molding our kids emotionally and spiritually, and giving them the best opportunities formental and psychological growth is just one part of our job as parents. It takes physicalwellness, health and energy to function, succeed and thrive in today’s world. We hold the key toour children and family’s well-being.From the items on our grocery list to choosing what type of food to serve during meal times, tomaking sure they take their daily glass of milk and multivitamins, to scheduling time for exerciseor sports. We have to take decisive action, to nurture our children holistically and raise them tobe champions in life.Starting young! These adolescents already know the benefits of living an active lifestylePhoto ops with Alaska’s mascot, Ecow!It was awesome seeing moms and dads who set a good example of getting activeSupporting Alaska Milk Corporation in the Alaska Milk Day event are Rhea Generics, Babyflo, Systema, Hana Shampoo and Champion. The beneficiary of the Alaska Milk Day Family Run is Children’s Hour.Be part of Alaska’s “Nutrition. Action. Champion” program, for more information, log on to www.alaskaworldmilkday.com and like them on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldMilkDayPH and Facebook.com/PlayPH.Thanks for having us!