WOWS E-Newsletter 9-02-09

Welcome to Wednesday WOWS!
W-wonderful O-opportunities W-with S-schools

September 2, 2009

....Easy HEAR-SEE-DO action tips each week

HEAR .... Provide a message to increase awareness of knowledge/skills
SEE .... Show people HOW to make healthy changes
DO .... Help people practice and make healthy changes

Fruits & Veggies: More Still Matters

Healthy Kids Challenge would like to introduce you to our new Partner in Health, Del Monte Foods. When it comes to tasty, nutritious canned fruits, vegetables, and tomatoes, it's easy to say, More Matters with Del Monte!

HEAR

Families can continue making progress toward more fruits & veggies in meals by including economical canned, frozen or dried fruit & veggie choices along with fresh. Share the following suggestions in a newsletter or handout to help families use their shopping dollars wisely!

SEE

• Del Monte Healthy Solutions - find helpful produce tips and budget meal ideas
• Produce for Better Health Foundation - gather ideas to help plan and shop for fruits and veggies
• United States Dept. of Agriculture MyPyramid.gov "Inside the Pyramid" - explore the MyPyramid food groups, especially fruits and veggies
• CIGNA Fit and Fun Families Toolkit "5 A Day the Tasty Way!" - learn how to get a variety of fruits and veggies by eating your "colors" daily

DO

1. Make meal time easier. For quick, healthy meals, stock your pantry and freezer with plenty of fruits and veggies. See healthy recipe ideas from Del Monte Foods.
   
   
2. Save money, lower fat and increase fiber in recipes by replacing a portion of meat with beans and veggies! Add more beans than beef in a chili recipe. Or, add more veggies to your chicken stir-fry recipe. Add a few edamame (soy beans) for a boost in protein.
   
   
3. Properly store and use the fruits and veggies you buy. Check and use foods before expiration dates, keep frozen foods frozen, and store fresh fruits and veggies at the proper temperature. For more storage ideas.
   

Upcoming Conference

California School Wellness Conference, Oct. 6-7, 2009. HKC will be presenting and exhibiting! Go to the conference Web site for more details.

HKC Materials

HKC now offers Webinar training! REGISTER NOW!

"Get Started-Build a Wellness Team" Webinar - Thursday, Sept. 17, 3:00 p.m. CST       Find great ideas to help your school team get started! 

Food Museum activity booklet Webinar - Tuesday, Sept. 29, 3:00 p.m. CST              Learn how to make the grocery store a healthy learning experience for kids!

Funding Opportunities
Use this grant to connect healthy eating and physical activity with environmentally friendly projects.

Nickelodeon's Big Green Grants Program
Deadline: September 26, 2009 to host a Worldwide Day of Play event 

Nickelodeon's Big Green Grants Program provides support to schools and community-based organizations throughout the U.S. for environmentally friendly projects. Green Grants of $2,500 and $5,000 encourage projects that inspire kids to take care of the environment, be active and live healthier, and engage in community service. Applicants must participate in Worldwide Day of Play (September 26, 2009) or host a Big Green Help environmental project.  Requests must be submitted by December 31, 2009. Visit the program's website for application guidelines and forms.

Thought for the Day
"A problem is a chance for you to do your best." -- Duke Ellington

For questions about Healthy Kids Challenge, please contact:
Vickie L. James, RD, LD, Director
vickie@healthykidschallenge.com
1-888-259-6287
www.healthykidschallenge.com

Come Blog and Tweet with HKC! Connect with us! 

http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/newsletter/confirm/remove/