HEALTHY CLASSROOM

CELEBRATIONS .......... 4

HEALTHY NEW YEARS

RESOLUTIONS ............ 2

HEALTHY SNACKS AT

SCHOOL .................... 3

Wellness ST. VRAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS COMMITTED TO

HELPING YOU AND YOUR KIDS STAY ACTIVE AND STAY HEALTHY

SUPPER FOR KIDS AND

TAILGATE CHILI ......... 4

January 2016

alive

When thinking about eating healthy and what's on our plate, for many of us a rainbow does not come to mind. A lot of times we think about if we're getting enough protein or fiber, avoiding sodium, and/or taking in too many calories. But, what if we attempted to think of our ordinary, boring plates a little more colorfully?

Those vibrant reds, oranges, blues and more are not only wonderful to look at, they also give our fruits and veggies a nutritional punch. Many times when fruits and veggies share a color they also share some of the same nutrients. When you think about the colors on your breakfast, lunch, and dinner plates are they somewhat monotone? Or do they resemble the colors of a rainbow with yellow peppers, green salad, red raspberries, and purple eggplant?

Seeing Red? Red fruits and veggies are packed with a variety of powerful antioxidants, such as lycopene and anthocyanin's, that have been shown to help fight cancer, heart disease and stroke, and also reduce the risk of bad eye sight and memory loss as you age. These antioxidants also prevent or delay cell damage within our bodies.

Great sources of lycopene include watermelon and tomatoes, even tomato sauce, which has more lycopene than raw tomatoes. "Most fruits and vegetables, the more you cook them, the more nutrients you lose," says Corinne Dobbas, MS, RD, "With tomatoes, the more you cook them, the more the nutrients increase." Cherries and tomatoes are also high in potassium, a mineral that helps lower your blood pressure.

Why Orange you eating Yellow? Orange and Yellow fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, vitamins, fiber and phytonutrients that are good for your skin, eyes, heart, and they also decrease your risk of cancer.

The best-known nutrient in orange and yellow fruits and veggies is beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant which gives these bright fruits and vegetables their brilliant color. Experts say beta carotene is not only good for your eyes, it

also delays aging, helps protect the body from cancers and heart disease and protects your skin from sun damage.

Many of these orange and yellow goodies are also chock-full of vitamin C, an antioxidant which boosts your immune system, and protects against cardiovascular disease.

It's Not Easy Being Green Many fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of a wide variety of nutrients, but the green ones tend to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Green fruits and vegetables are loaded with powerful vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, folate, phytochemicals and fiber. Eating a diet that includes rich green colors helps prevent cancer, maintain your bone health, lower your risk of chronic diseases, and maintain a healthy weight.

To incorporate more greens into your diet be creative. Include a variety of different greens into salads or sandwiches for flavor, interest and nutrition. Avocado is great as a dip, in salads or on your sandwiches.

We've Got the Blues... And Purples A rainbow is not complete without Blue and Purple. At the top of the nutrient list found in these purple and blue beauties is flavonoids, including resveratrol, Vitamin C and fiber.

These nutrients support retinal health, lower LDL cholesterol, boost immune system activity, and support healthy digestion. There is also evidence that purple/blue foods improve heart health, and brain power.

Article Courtesy of: Erika Wey, LiveWell Longmont

Taste the Rainbow And We Aren’t Talking About Skittles

Many people make resolutions at the beginning of the New Year, but it’s very difficult to stick to your plans if you don’t have constant support. That’s why making resolutions you can stick to as a family is such an important part of creating lasting changes. You can support each other while everyone works toward becoming a happier, healthier, more united family unit.

1. Eat a Healthy Breakfast Sometimes having a family breakfast isn’t possible because of conflicting schedules and other commitments, but it should be everyone’s goal to eat a healthy meal every morning. Whether you drink a fresh fruit smoothie or sit down with a bowl of oatmeal, make sure that every member of the family eats something sustaining before leaving the house. Eating before you leave eliminates the temptation to stop at a fast food restaurant or grab a doughnut and coffee before work. Resolve to keep healthy foods and fruit stocked in the kitchen and readily accessible for the mornings to help the entire family stick to this goal.

2. Wash Your Hands

Most people wash their hands after going to the bathroom, but making a point to wash your hands before eating is a great way to get rid of germs and cut down on the number of illnesses each member of your family has to endure each year. There are germs on almost every surface your body comes into contact with and making a concerted, long-term effort to wash your hands helps to keep the germs out of the house.

3. Exercise Together

Spending time with your kids seems like a great excuse for skipping a workout, but you can have quality time and workout at the same time. Playing basketball with your kids, going on a family hike, or racing around a track are great ways to get in your exercise while bonding as a family and enjoying nature. If the weather stops you from exercising outside, try window shopping while walking around the mall or going to an open gym at a local school or a community center.

4. Drink Water or Milk Instead of Soda

Soda is convenient and tastes good, but it adds empty calories and sugar to your diet with zero nutritional value. Water is by far the most natural drink for your family, as your bodies are made of mostly water and it hydrates you without the extra calories. Milk is also an important drink, especially for the children in your home. Their bodies need all the calcium they can get to build strong bones.

5. Relax Together Without Electronics Most people spend hours in front of screens each day. Many of these hours are spent behind computer screens at work or school. Everyone in the family should give their minds a break from the screen for at least an hour each day. Some families choose story time where members take turns reading from a book or telling a story. Other families have instituted game night where the entire family gathers to play board games one night per week. It’s a good idea to make sure that every member of the family gets an equal opportunity to choose a book or game so that nobody feels left out.

6. Eat Healthy Snacks

It’s easy to reach for a bag of chips or a box of cookies when you’re looking for an afternoon snack, but eating fruits and vegetables for

snacks is much better for your body and brain. Washing and slicing vegetables and fruits as soon as you get home from the store is a great way to make them more convenient snacks. This way all you have to do is reach into the refrigerator and pull out a bag of carrot sticks or apple slices that is just as convenient as a bag of chips. 7. Volunteer Together Almost everyone becomes a happier person when they help other people, and being happier reduces the level of stress in your body. This

makes you healthier as well as happier. You can volunteer in any way that makes sense for your family, from collecting donations for your favorite charity to serving the homeless at a local soup kitchen.

8. Take More Steps

Buying each member of your family a pedometer can make getting more exercise a fun family challenge. Buy a small prize for the member of the family who takes the most steps each week, or set a goal to take a certain number of steps as a family and do something fun if you meet the goal.

9. Go to Bed Earlier

One of the biggest health issues that many families face is not getting enough sleep. You can’t force yourself to sleep, but having a set routine at bedtime and going to bed earlier is a great way to encourage your body to rest. Getting enough sleep makes every member of the family more alert and ready to take on the new day.

10. Try New Recipes Together

Even very small members of your family can do something to help out in the kitchen, and kids who pick ingredients and help their parents prepare meals are more likely to try new foods. Cooking dinner together can be an adventure, especially if you make an effort to use exotic ingredients and find new ways to cook your favorite dishes.

Creating common goals can help families bond and really challenge each other. Tackle the New Year as a family and reap the rewards of built-in teamwork.

10 Healthy New Year's Resolutions for the Whole Family

Recipe Courtesy of: Sparkpe.org

The goal is to get:

5 servings of fruits and vegetables 2 hours or less of recreational screen time

1 hour or more of physical activity, and

0sugary drinks … every day!

Healthy Snacks = Healthy Students The health of today’s school environment continues to improve. Students across the country are now offered healthier school meals with more fruits, vegetables and whole grains through the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

The Smart Snacks in School standards published by USDA last school year builds on those healthy advancements by ensuring that all other snack foods and beverages available for sale to students in school are tasty and nutritious.

The new standards apply to ANY food solid in schools, including a la carte, vending machines, school stores, etc. and must:

Be a “whole grain-rich” product; have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy, or a protein food,; or be a combination food that contains at least 1/4 cup of fruit and/or vegetable.

Snacks must also have ≤ 200 calories; ≤ 230mg of sodium; ≤ 35% of calories total fat, < 10% of calories saturated fat, no trans fat; and ≤ 35% of weight from total sugars.

SVVSD: Nutrition Services implemented these standards last school year, district wide, and has taken a big step towards ensuring a healthy and productive school environment.

Article Courtesy of: USDA.gov

Birthday Bundles & Classroom Catering As we finish up the big holiday season and embark on a new year it’s easy to think the parties are over and we can resume our normal eating habits. When you look at the calendar it might surprise you how many more celebrations might be coming before the end of the year. Your school may celebrate Valentines Day, 100th Day of School, Spirit Days, Spring Carnivals, Field Day, or the Last Day of School… the list can go on.

Traditionally, these celebrations often center around food. So this year swap out the traditional party foods for healthier options that reinforce messages children are learning about healthy eating in class and the school cafeteria.

Don’t forget, SVVSD: Nutrition Services offers healthier options that can be delivered right to your students classroom! With the Birthday Bundle and Classroom Catering menus, parents, staff, or PTO’s, can order healthier snacks for any event that might come up. The best part, we do all the work!

To view the Birthday Bundle & Classroom Catering menus, go to SVVSD.org and click on Menus under the Quick Links section - or CLICK HERE and look under School Wellness.

Free Suppers for Kids

For any child 18 and under

Information: 303-651-8580 CYR@longmontcolorado.gov

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture

policy, this Institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of

race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complain of

discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence

Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272

(voice) or 202-720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider

and employer.

Youth Center 1050 Lashley St.

Supper Meal: 3:30 pm Monday - Friday

Come Join Us!!!!

Try this classic simple chili recipe that's good for your heart. It's ready in 30 minutes! Ingredients

1 lb. 95% lean ground beef (or ground white meat chicken or turkey for a healthier option)

1 medium onion

1 medium green bell pepper

1 medium jalapeño (optional, only if you like spicy chili)

4 clove minced, fresh garlic

2 tsp. jarred, minced garlic

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. ground coriander

15.5 oz. canned, no-salt-added, or, low-sodium pinto or kidney beans

14.5 oz. canned, no-salt-added, or, low-sodium, diced tomatoes

3/4 cup jarred salsa (lowest sodium available)

Directions 1. Spray large saucepan

with cooking spray. Cook beef and onion over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly to break up beef. Transfer to colander and rinse with water to drain excess fat. Return beef to pan.

2. Stir in bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, and cumin, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.

4. Optional: serve topped with low-fat grated cheese, a dollop of fat-free sour cream, sliced avocado, snipped cilantro or chopped green onions.

TIP: If you want 5-alarm chili, add 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

Tailgate Chili

Recipe Courtesy of: AHA.com