- Author: Emily Harris
On Friday, March 18th, 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 3rd 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!
- Author: Tacu Vang
- Editor: Emily Harris
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.
- Author: Consuelo Cid
- Contributor: Emily Harris
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!
- Author: Emily Harris
In honor of National Breakfast Week, this month's Tasty Tips is all about the first meal of the day. Many of us are busy and find excuses to skip this important meal that “breaks the fast” after sleeping through the night. If this is you, then look no further than this post! You'll find tips and recipes to get over your breakfast slump and find out what it feels like to start every day right with breakfast.
1. Skip the excuses, not breakfast.
“I don't have time.”
“I don't like breakfast.”
“I'm not hungry in the morning.”
If you identify with any of these breakfast excuses, you're not alone. But before you make another excuse, remember that breakfast fires up your metabolism after 8-plus hours without any food.
2. Make breakfast prep an evening routine.
Prep everything you'll need for breakfast the night before, whether that's setting your bowls, spoons and cereal on the table or making a grab-and-go bowl of yogurt and fruit that you can take with you as you run out the door. If everything is already done, you're more likely to make this morning meal a priority.
3. Toss aside the idea of “breakfast food.”
Whether you have a child who doesn't like traditional breakfast foods or you find yourself cringing at the idea of eating a scrambled egg or oatmeal in the morning, forget the idea that breakfast is only made with certain foods. There are no rules to what you are allowed to eat at breakfast! If you have left over spaghetti that needs to be eaten or you prefer a grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices, go for it! All that matters is that you eat in the morning, while aiming for at least three food groups when you do.
Need some #BreakfastInspiration?
Check out the recipes and articles below to start your day with food that energizes and inspires you.
Breakfast Ideas for Busy Mornings
Easy Breakfasts for Kids to Make
Smart Nutrition Solutions for Busy Mornings
Try one of these recipes, take a picture and tweet it to us @UCCalFreshFC with the hashtags: #BreakfastInspiration #UCCE #UCANR and the name of the recipe!
- Author: Shawna Rogers
When I arrived to do a lesson demonstration in the second grade class of Ms. Kopacz at Columbia Elementary, I was taken by surprise. Ms. Kopacz and her students were in the middle of their morning workout. She was playing some upbeat music, the lights were turned down and her students were engaged in an exercise routine. Students worked at their own level and pace while doing push ups, sit ups, planks, squats and stretches. As if I was not impressed enough by the students' attentiveness to the workout, I watched as they returned to their desks, finished stretching and enjoyed a healthy morning snack of bananas, yogurt, sandwiches on whole wheat bread, string cheese, and peanut butter crackers.
I complimented the students on their exercise routine, which I found out they had designed on their own. As I briefly described the benefits of exercise to the students, they sat at attention. I told them, as I am sure they have noticed, that exercise helps them both physically and academically. They had a sense of pride of their accomplishments. I felt guilty that I had to stop them so that I could teach, but it was a great segway into healthy eating and my lesson on Anytime vs. Sometimes snacks.
The movements of physical activity before my demonstration paid off tremendously. The students were focused, eager to answer questions and respectful. I did not have to redirect their attention once during my lesson! I was amazed!
During my lesson Ms. Kopacz took time to enjoy her morning snack as well. Demonstrating a strong example for the students, she had a banana, a yogurt drink and a hard boiled egg. Seeing this gave me the ability to make the easy connection to my lesson with the students. I applaud this behavior and I hope that others may follow suit. Way to go Ms. Kopacz and students in room 6!
