- Author: Consuelo Cid
Building and forging healthy habits can seem daunting or intimidating, at first.
Cost and time are common concerns and barriers towards incorporating healthy snacks and meals into your life; however, with just a few simple strategies like planning meals ahead of time, cooking large one-pot meals, and buying and shopping for foods that are currently on sale, you can help stretch food dollars and save time when it counts!
The UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program strives to empower parents, students, and the community at large to make healthy food choices while simultaneously staying active. We empower our participants by arming them with the skills, knowledge, and self-efficacy necessary to be informed consumers and health advocates for themselves and their families.
The UC CalFresh Nutrition Education team hosted a 4-week Plan, Shop, Save, and Cook series where Vang Pao Elementary parents gained skills in shopping, saving, and preparing meals while staying within their food budget.
Participants brainstorm family meals!
Give it up for our Vang Pao Elementary parents who successfully completed the Plan, Shop, Save, and Cook series.
Our participants are eager to share what they learned and want to encourage you to make healthy food changes for yourself. Join us and post your #healthyselfie to encourage others in your community to make healthy food choices. Together we can make for a healthier California!
Need inspiration? Here are our Vang Pao parents' #healthyselfies.
- Author: Emily Harris
Happy Thanksgiving from UC CalFresh! If you still haven't decided what you're going to make for the big day or you're in need of some holiday inspiration, check out our tasty tips below:
1. Not cooking a whole turkey? Tired of fattening green bean casserole? These recipes have come to the rescue!
2. Want to start new, healthy traditions for your family? Look here for some tips on how to begin.
3. Don't be scared to host Thanksgiving this year. Follow these tips to make sure you have a tasty, healthy and safe holiday.
4. Host a Holiday Makeover with these simple tips to turn your favorite recipes into healthy choices.
5. If the holiday season already has you frazzled, visit this Holiday Survival Guide to extinguish stress and ignite gratitude.
6. Tired of the same pumpkin pie every year? Try making Quick Pumpkin Pudding for a twist on the classic dessert.
- Author: Wayne Chang
- Editor: Emily Harris
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.
While I do not plan on working with children when I become a Registered Dietitian, my experience with the UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program still proved to be a valuable learning opportunity. After observing nutrition coordinator, Brittanny Zweigle, conduct several nutrition education lessons and activities for elementary school students, I learned that all presented material has to be kept short and simple to engage the children and capture their attention throughout the entire lesson. Actions, word choices and lesson tools have to be appropriate for each age group in order to maintain the class' attention. For example, younger students needed a simple MyPlate with pictures to help the students learn which foods belong to which food groups, but a regular MyPlate was used with older students to allow for them to sort the foods without being prompted with visuals. I did notice, however, that even amongst the same grade levels, the children's abilities can also vary drastically from class to class; it is advisable to understand the level of your audience to best reach them.
The curriculum used by the UC CalFresh team also gave me a sense of direction on where to start teaching nutrition education to children and the general population. First, start with a MyPlate and introduce the five food groups, including what each food group does for the body and which foods belong to each food group. After this introduction, the lesson can focus on a specific food group by providing depth on its background, importance, and function. Finally, I was glad to see that the UC CalFresh team always addresses the importance of exercise! Nutrition and physical activity are both required for a healthy lifestyle.
- Author: Emily Harris
On September 19th, the UC CalFresh team partnered with the UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research at the Health Education and Leadership Conference held at California State University-Fresno. UC CalFresh presented a “Healthy Student=Smart Student: Eating Healthy on a Budget” workshop to encourage 11th and 12th grade students to begin making nutritious food choices before they start their college careers.
Nutrition Educator Javier Miramontes presents a MyPlate overview.
Nutrition Educator Consuelo Cid demonstrates a mango salsa recipe, courtesy of the UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research.
Our mango salsa, ready to be served.
- Author: Emily Harris
The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources recently hosted a Programmatic Orientation for new Academics. UCCE Advisors from across the state attended along with the Vice President of UC ANR, Dr. Glenda Humiston, and the Associate Vice President, Dr. Bill Frost.
(From left to right) Dr. Bill Frost, Dr. Glenda Humiston, Jose Alvarado, and Dr. Shannon Mueller
The Fresno/Madera MCP UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program had the privilege of providing an overview of the work we are doing in schools and community centers with Associate Director of the Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences Program and Policy, Katie Panarella, and the Director of the UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program, David Ginsburg. Fresno Unified Food Services Director, Jose Alvarado, presented on the district's partnership with UC CalFresh and provided the advisors with a tour of Fresno Unified's Nutrition Center with the help of District Supervisor, Morgan Terry, and District Nutritionist, Amanda Harvey.
Check out the tour below:
Presenters (from top left to right) Kristi Sharp, Nath Say, Katie Panarella, David Ginsburg, and Jose Alvarado
Everyone donned blue hair nets as they made their way through the facility.
