Playing the ‘Blame Game’ is not useful when a teen experiments with drugs or alcohol. Often, parents are unjustly faulted for their kids’ substance abuse. But sometimes, parents may unwittingly have some influence on their child’s decision to use. Dr. David Sack acknowledges that this isn’t always the case, but he points to five things well-meaning parents may be doing to inadvertently steer their children toward drugs.

— Being wishy-washy about drug use. Starting at a young age, make sure your kids know where you stand. Don’t give them the impression that experimentation is OK. Trying drugs can lead to addiction, accidents and other unfortunate consequences. “Set firm rules and expectations but understand that your children may have questions, and they may still be curious about drugs,” Dr. Sack writes. “Make sure they feel comfortable talking to you by asking questions and listening without judgment. That way, you know yours is at least one of the voices they hear on the subject.”

— Not practicing what you preach. Your kids are watching you. If you drink excessively or use drugs, they’ll notice, and they’ll think it’s OK. Teens are more influenced by what their parents do than say — even the fiercely independent ones.

— Waiting to get help. “As parents, we like to give our kids the benefit of the doubt — one more chance to outgrow a rebellious phase or to discover that they don’t really like the way drugs make them feel,” Dr. Sack writes. “But drug use in adolescence, especially early adolescence (age 13 or 14), can damage the brain and increase the risk of addiction and other problems later in life.” So, act quickly!

To learn more things parents do to encourage substance abuse — such as “ignoring the underlying issues” and “turning a blind eye,” check out Dr. Sack’s full article.

We all know that we need food to stay alive. But did you know there are foods that can relieve stress, battle depression and make your day a little brighter?

Any guesses what those foods are?

Chocolate? Sorry. That one will give you an amazing short-term burst. But chances are, the energy probably won’t stay with you as long as the regret for overindulging.

You may want to eat blueberries or bananas instead. Those foods have some nutritional qualities that can have a long-term positive effect on your mood. You’ll find that stress, anxiety and anger are easier emotions to handle. That’s the kind of diet we’re all in favor of at the Heritage School.

So here’s how you can feel good now — and later — with mood-lifting foods.

OVERCOMING STRESS:

Beef: It’s what’s for dinner. Or it should be. Like most red meats, beef is rich in zinc, B vitamins and iron. All of those things are known to help stabilize one’s mood.

Blueberries: This superfood is high in both antioxidants and important vitamins, such as vitamin C, that help relieve stress.

Asparagus: This veggie contains a lot of folic acid, which helps with the production of serotonin. As you may know, serotonin is a chemical that plays a big role in people’s moods.

REDUCING ANGER:

Bananas: No monkeying around with this fruit. It’s superrich in vitamin B6. When your B6 levels are too low, you can feel irritable and angry.

Coconut milk: Like some oils, coconut milk is comprised of fats that are good for your body. It will help to keep your body’s blood sugar levels stable and help you avoid irritability.

Green Tea: Green tea contains an important amino acid called L-Theanine, which has powerful calming properties.

AVOIDING DEPRESSION:

Nuts: Better to eat one than feel like one, right? Nuts contain high levels of magnesium, which can improve serotonin production and lead to an overall increase in energy.

Salmon: Studies show that low levels of Omega-3 fatty acids can lead to feelings of depression. Salmon, along with many other kinds of fish, are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.

Brown Rice: Brown rice is high in fiber and minerals, which we need to function properly. However, use caution when selecting instant versions of brown rice as they do not always offer these same nutritional benefits.

So the next time you’re not feeling like yourself, think about the power of food on your mood. Chances are, a healthy snack will make your day a lot more enjoyable.

Less is definitely more when you’re watching your weight. A recent study shows that fewer weekly workouts might help keep you motivated to stay moving. Combine those workouts with Visi Energy and you’ve got some ideal conditioning.

Less is definitely more when you’re watching your weight. A recent study shows that fewer weekly workouts might help keep you motivated to stay moving.