Third graders from around Fresno County are invited to the Fresno fairgrounds for Farm and Nutrition Day in April of each year to learn about the local agriculture community.  They get to learn about topics including how cows are milked, how a tractor operates and what foods are grown in Fresno County.

At Farm and Nutrition Day, the UC CalFresh team put on a nutrition play incorporating the concepts of “Sometimes” foods and “Anytime” foods. What are “Sometimes” and “Anytime” Foods? 

The UC Calfresh Nutrtion staff flexs their muscles as they teach kids the importance of eating all 5 food groups from MyPlate.

“Anytime” foods are the healthy foods we find on MyPlate such as carrots, string cheese, whole grain crackers, and strawberries.

“Sometimes” foods are the foods we want to limit in our diets because they contain too much fat, sodium or sugar. Some examples include soda, candy and chips.

Anytime Andy loves eating healthy foods like carrots, and strawberries which helps him have energy all day long.

In our play, the character Anytime Andy loves eating healthy foods and playing with his friends.  His friend Sometimes Sal likes to bring cookies, candy, and chips for lunch but never has energy to play during recess. Throughout the play Anytime Andy helps to teach Sometimes Sal that instead of eating “sometimes” foods he should bring more “anytime” foods to give him energy throughout the day. 

Sometimes Sal is not happy that he can't eat his cookie, but he now knows that healthy foods are best for him.

Anytime Andy knocks down the greasy french fries, and suggest to Sometimes Sal that instead he should eat foods that have less fat and sodium.

By the end of the play students learn the difference between “Anytime” and “Sometimes” foods and the importance of making healthy choices. 

The UC CalFresh team were behind the scenes to make sure the play ran smoothly.

Special thanks to the Big Fresno Fair and the Fresno County Farm Bureau for their coordination of this fantastic event each year.

What do you get when you add 3 colors to a delicious 4^th of July snack?

…a festive 7 layer bean dip!!!

Most traditional 7-layer bean dips call for whole-fat refried beans, sour cream, cheese and store-bought taco seasoning. This delicious classic with a festive 4^th of July twist from Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons can be made healthier with a few simple swaps. Give these alternatives a try to reduce added fat and sodium:

RECIPE:

1 can – Fat-free refried beans

8 tsp. – Taco seasoning

18 oz – Non-fat, plain Greek-style yogurt

2 cups – Reduced-fat cheese, shredded

1 Bag – Shredded lettuce

3.8 oz can – Sliced black olives

1 Jar – Salsa

1 Large – Tomato (chopped)

Blue Corn Tortilla Chips (crushed)

(Optional) 1 Slice – White cheese (provolone, Havarti, cheddar, or other)

DIRECTIONS:

Layer 1 – Combine refried beans with the taco seasoning & spread in a 9x13 glass pan

Layer 2 – Top with Jar of Salsa

Layer 3 – Add sliced olives

Layer 4 – Sprinkle shredded lettuce on top of sliced olives

Layer 5 – Add Shredded cheese

Layer 6 – Make a square using non-fat Greek-style yogurt in the upper left corner then sprinkle crushed blue corn tortilla chips

Layer 7 – (Spoon yogurt into small plastic bag or pastry piping bag and cut off tip) Alternate adding a row of chopped tomatoes with a row of non-fat Greek-style yogurt to finish off your dip...then ENJOY!

***Optional - Cut out small circles from a slice of white cheese and place circles on top of the crushed blue corn tortilla chips. You can use a pastry icing tip or any other kitchen tool you have that makes small circles.

Photo credits and original recipe: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons

Summer is here, and Central Valley summers are hot!

To maintain health we need to eat well-balanced meals and remain active. However, you may find this warm weather poses an obstacle or extra challenge in meeting your physical activity goals.

 How much physical activity do I or my children need?

• Adults need to be moderately active for 30 minutes on 5 or more days a week.
• Children need to be active for 60 minutes each day.

• Be active during the coolest time of day: morning or mid-morning.
• Wear light colored clothing.
• Stay cool with water activities! Try swimming, running through sprinklers, or waterslides. To locate a public pool click here. 
• Try indoor activities during bad air days or days that are too hot.
  • Yoga is a great indoor workout for the entire family, all you need is a slip-free surface or mat. Try the Standing Carrot Stick or the Super Zucchini from the Shape of Yoga. For additional yoga poses click here. 
  • Dance and rock out in the comfort of your own home.
  • Be creative and come up with activities that includes the entire family.
• Take a cool walk at your local mall.
• Locate a community center or park near you that offers recreational activities during the summer. To find a community or park near you, visit our Nutrition and Physical Activity Resources Directory.

Summer safety is important! Stay safe during the summer by following these simple tips:

• Remember to drink water before, during, and after being active.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Be active for shorter periods of time during hot days to avoid heat exhaustion.
• If you feel nausea or vomiting, dizziness, muscle cramps, or headache stop your activity and cool down.

Get moving, have fun, and stay safe with your summer activities!

Before the school year ended, Mrs. Rollf showed off her Nutrition Corner that she had created with her students. She had her students create their own MyPlate and they added their favorite food from each of the food groups. She also had students put the correct food into the five food groups and the sometimes food group. It was a pleasure teaching her students about MyPlate and healthy eating. Keep up the awesome work Mrs. Rollf!

Mrs. Rollf, TK Teacher at Hidalgo Elementary shows off her Nutrition Corner.