Fresno County's UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program has a long standing partnership with the Fresno State Dietetic Internship Program. This blog post is part of our Intern Reflections Series.

 

My time at UC CalFresh went by so quickly and I found my experience true to the quote, “time flies when you are having fun!” During my rotation, I was able to experience a wide range of activities and duties that employees and nutrition educators do on a daily basis. Activities that I participated in ranged from attending community meetings to networking with neighborhoods and Fresno County programs to visiting kindergarten classrooms to play games and increase physical activity. 

Being from Fresno and having experience volunteering throughout the community, I was surprised that I had never heard of the UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program, but I have been encouraged by their work. Now more than ever, children and adults are in need of evidence-based nutrition information and that is just what UC CalFresh provides, but in a fun way. The effectiveness of the lessons and their seamless incorporation into the students' classroom curriculum is visible in the students' knowledge that far exceeded my own at their age. While visiting the classrooms, I was pleasantly surprised that the students were aware of what healthy eating is and most importantly why it's important. For example, during my lesson I couldn't believe the students in my classes knew what MyPlate was and what foods were "sometimes" foods and "anytime" foods. When I was their age I had no idea there was a MyPyramid!

My favorite part of this rotation was the opportunity to go to schools and teach students of all ages. Prior to this rotation, I had experience teaching adults, but my experience working with children and adolescents was limited. I must admit I was nervous at first when it was my turn to take over the classroom and teach the lesson, Anytime and Sometimes Foods (it has been a while since I read The Hungry Caterpillar,) but about halfway into the lesson, I found that I enjoyed teaching the students and making an impact in their lives. 

Something that resonated with me while observing the nutrition educators at the different sites was their ability to adapt the lesson plan and key messages so that they were appropriate for the audience. For example, on my second day, I went from classroom to classroom with the nutrition educator observing her teach pre-K, second grade, and kindergarten, flawlessly executing each lesson while also making adjustments for the appropriate age level. Not only was the educator able to “wear a different hat” in each class, but her energy never faded after countless presentations. This ability to adapt to the different age groups and provide fun and interactive presentations that appear to be her first, not fourth in a long day to come, is something that I admire and desire to develop.

I also enjoyed observing all the different classes that UC CalFresh offers as well as professional meetings. I have found throughout my internship thus far, that time allotted for observations is where a large portion of the learning is done. It is at this time that I am able to absorb all of the different teaching techniques and compare them to my own experiences. I was not only able to observe classes offered to students at elementary schools, but also to adult students. Much to my surprise, the adult students desired more information and understood the importance of the role of nutrition in health and well-being. During a class I observed, participants learned about MyPlate, different forms of physical activity that can be easily implemented throughout the day and an all in one enchilada casserole cooking demonstration. After performing exercises that would appear to be easy (i.e. leg lifts), the participants were exhausted and ready to eat. They were amazed at the enchilada casserole, stating that they couldn't believe how cheap and healthy the dish was because it tasted so good.

Aside from attending meetings and observing and teaching classes, I was tasked with developing the concept for a MyPlate Color Run for elementary school-aged children that would eventually be put into action. This task was challenging, but I combined my love for sports and my passion for nutrition; I was eager to see what I could develop. After much thought and many crumpled pieces of paper, I came up with a MyPlate Color Run that I was proud to share. This run combines a short lesson on MyPlate and physical activity with a fun filled run that resembles an obstacle course where teams of students answer questions about MyPlate at each station or perform a specific physical activity in order to place first and be crowned the MyPlate Champions.

In short, my UC CalFresh rotation was a great experience, but much too short with so many things to do and such a large community in need of nutrition education. During my time, I learned that every task, whether education or data entry, is important in order to increase the community's quality of life. Reflecting back on my two-weeks with this organization, I can tell that I have grown as an intern. As I continue on to my journey to become a registered dietitian, I will take my observations and the lessons I've learned with me.

 

On Friday, March 18^th, 2016, third graders throughout Fresno County made their way to Farm and Nutrition Day at the Fresno Fairgrounds. According to the Farm Bureau, Farm and Nutrition Day, “allows students to participate in activities that showcase both the agricultural industry, as well as focus on the benefits of making healthy eating choices.”

In order to encourage students to choose “anytime” foods, like the abundant produce available here in California, the UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program put on a nutrition play titled, “Be Strong with ‘Anytime' Foods.”

In the play, Sometimes Sam (played by Kristi Sharp) brought “sometimes” foods high in fat and sugar to eat for lunch at school, but thanks to the help of Anytime Anne, (played by Consuelo Cid) she learned that “anytime” foods are full of vitamins and minerals that make us feel good.

Anytime Anne crosses the finish line in first place, proving to Sometimes Sam that "anytime" foods have given her strength and energy.

By the end of the play, Sometimes Sam learned how to make healthy food choices, and so did the 3^rd graders! By using MyPlate as a healthy eating guide, the students are now better equipped to make food choices that are great for their bodies.

Want to experience more of Farm and Nutrition Day?

Check out our Facebook page for even more

nutrition fun!

As I walked into Mrs. Haught's third grade class at Burroughs Elementary, Mrs. Haught told me what had been going on in her classroom for the past month. Her students were learning how to grow plants in different environments. The types of seeds used were radish seeds, avocado seeds, lemon seeds, and pistachios.

Some seeds were taken directly from their adult plant!

 

The experiment showed the students that seeds can sprout in different environments, such as in soil, on top of soil, and in water alone. The students took turns watering and keeping an eye on the plants every morning when they came into class. Mrs. Haught was ecstatic that she was able to show students how plants grow and how they can regenerate roots. She told me that her goal was to show the students where fruits and vegetables come from and why they're important for our bodies.

 

This is an avocado seed that was set in water by the window. This was one method that was tested to see if it would sprout any roots.

 

 Here are a few radish seeds that were placed on top of soil and watered everyday. One of the students named the plant,  "Jeff Jr."

This is the progress of some radish seeds that were beginning to sprout and grow into a bigger plant. It was watered every day by the students.

Here is a picture of two plants that were broken apart and set in water. The plant eventually started regenerating roots in water. The students couldn't believe that plants could do so in water without any soil. 

 

After talking with Mrs. Haught, I've teamed up with her to try to bring an edible school garden to the students of Burroughs Elementary in the near future. Our hopes are to show students where their food comes from in order to encourage their consumption of fruits and vegetables. 

 

 

Hamilton Elementary students learn that exercise and calcium-rich foods with Vitamin D, from the dairy group, keep their bones strong for life.

 

What better way to learn about where milk comes from and what foods are made from milk, you ask? A story about a magical cow of course!

 

Childhood and adolescence is a critical time period for bone building and consuming calcium-rich foods with Vitamin D to keep bones strong for life! Did you know that strength-building and weight-bearing activities keeps our bones strong too? Hamilton Elementary students try Shape of Yoga to get their bones strong for life.

 

Pre-kindergarten students try a modified Apple Tree pose!

 

 1st grade students try the Fruit Smoothie pose!

2nd grade students try the Standing Carrot Stick.

 

Want to give yoga a try? Follow our UC CalFresh Nutrition Staff as they demonstrate a few Shape of Yoga poses.

 Standing Carrot Stick

 

Folding Quesadilla

Broccoli Lunge

 

Fruit Smoothie

Apple Tree

 

 If you give Shape a Yoga a try, feel free to share your pictures with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @UCCalFreshFC.

 

 

 March is National Nutrition Month!!!

Click here for tips and handouts to make this month and this year the healthiest yet!