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National Nutrition Month
National Breakfast Week March 6-10, 2017
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo March 7-24, 2017
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March is National Nutrition Month; it started with the first "National Nutrition Week" in 1973, created by the American Dietetic Association, now renamed as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The objective was a way to deliver nutrition education messages to the public while promoting the profession of dietetics (dietitians) as the experts in the field of nutrition education.
In 2009, the Oliver Foundation Dietetic staff was instrumental in working with then Mayor Bill White of Houston who proclaimed
March 11th as Houston Registered Dietitian's Day. The proclamation encouraged families struggling with weight issues to consult a registered dietitian and get help in creating a healthy, balanced life with local experts; that goal remains consistent for 2017. Your go to experts are now Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.
The theme for National Nutrition Month (NNM) 2017 is "Put Your Best Fork Forward"
which serves as a reminder that each one of us holds the tool to make healthier food choices. Over the years, the theme has reflected trends and culture of the time, but has always remained true to its original purpose: "To increase the public's awareness of the importance of good nutrition and position Academy members as the authorities in nutrition.
For more information, consult: eatright.org or a local registered and licensed dietitian/nutritionist in your city.
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Oliver Foundation 2017 Rodeo Contest Winners
Chantee Hale, RN
Landrum Middle School, Spring Branch ISD
Nutrition of Favorite Foods
Jackie Caver, PE
Turner Elementary, Pasadena ISD
Heart Adventure Challenge
Laura Volmer, RN
Brazos Bend Elementary, Fort Bend ISD
Healthy Habits for 2017 Coloring Contest
Cathy Patton, Music Specialist
Commonwealth Elementary, Fort Bend ISD
Hoedown for Hearts
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Upcoming Conferences and Events
Fifth Annual Every Kid Healthy™ Week:
April 24-28, 2017
Every Kid Healthy™ Week is an annual observance created to celebrate school health and wellness achievements and recognized on the calendar of National Health Observances. Observed the last week of April each year, this special week shines a spotlight on the great efforts our school partners are making to improve the health and wellness of their students. Schools are invited to host an event during Every Kid Healthy Week or any time in April. Consider making your field day or other school-wide event health focused. Click below to learn how to host an event!
Healthy Choices Grants
Meadows Elementary Health Museum
Teen Board Kudos
Teen Board Member Meghna Tripathy recently won 1st place in Tennis Singles representing her school. Next event, on to regionals.
Good Luck Meghna.
Teen Board Treasurer Kyle Wilson (left in photo) was one
of 300 volunteers that helped make Night to Shine, a Prom Night, possible for about 120 special needs participants held February 10,2017 in Houston. Night to Shine is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.
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Healthy Recipe
Summer Brown - Co Event Coordinator
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 40 mins
Total time: 50 mins
Serves: 6 to 8 servings
This naturally sweetened baked oatmeal recipe features blueberries (or any fruit you'd like), wholesome oats, nuts and warming spices. You can bake some now and enjoy oatmeal for the rest of the week! Recipe yields 6 to 8 servings.
INGREDIENTS
- ⅔ cup roughly chopped pecans
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (or ½ teaspoon regular table salt)
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1¾ cups milk of choice (almond milk, coconut milk or cow's milk all work)
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
- 2 large eggs or flax eggs
- 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter or coconut oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 12 ounces or 1 pint fresh or frozen blueberries (or 2½ cups of your preferred berry/fruit, chopped into ½" pieces if necessary), divided
- 2 teaspoons raw sugar (optional)
- Optional toppings for serving: plain/vanilla yogurt or whipped cream, additional maple syrup or honey for drizzling, and/or additional fresh fruit
INSTRUCTIONS
1.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9 inch baking dish. Once the oven has finished preheating, pour the nuts onto a rimmed baking sheet. Toast for 4 to 5 minutes, until fragrant.
2.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oats, toasted nuts, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Whisk to combine.
3.
In a smaller mixing bowl, combine the milk, maple syrup or honey, egg, half of the butter or coconut oil, and vanilla. Whisk until blended. (If you used coconut oil and it solidified in contact with the cold ingredients, briefly microwave the bowl in 30 second increments, just until the coconut oil melts again.)
4.
Reserve about ½ cup of the berries for topping the baked oatmeal, then arrange the remaining berries evenly over the bottom of the baking dish (no need to defrost frozen fruit first). Cover the fruit with the dry oat mixture, then drizzle the wet ingredients over the oats. Wiggle the baking dish to make sure the milk moves down through the oats, then gently pat down any dry oats resting on top.
5.
Scatter the remaining berries across the top. Sprinkle some raw sugar on top if you'd like some extra sweetness and crunch.
Bake for 42 to 47 minutes, until the top is nice and golden. Remove your baked oatmeal from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Drizzle the remaining melted butter (or coconut oil) on the top before serving.
Author: Cookie and Kate
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Meet the Oliver Teen Advisory Board
The Oliver Foundation Teen Advisory Board is a 12-18 member
organization represented by students across the Houston area.
Each month you'll meet a different member who will share their
perspective on living a healthy life.
Sky Chen, Vice President
Elkins High School - Sugar Land, Texas
Teen Board member 2014 - Present
Sky is a sophomore at Elkins High School, where he is a member of the student council. He is an avid athlete and loves playing numerous sports. He volunteers frequently at his church, enjoys traveling, reading, and watching movies.
Sky's Healthy Tips
As we approach the month of March, we also approach National Nutrition Month. National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign that has been observed since 1980 as a month to focus on developing healthy eating and physical activity habits. National Nutrition Month is meant to remind each of us that we hold the tools to make healthier choices.
Nutrition is acknowledged as the largest factor in living a healthy lifestyle, leading to a decreased risk of heart disease, increased bone and teeth strength, increased energy throughout the day, better brain health, and weight control. Nearly everyone knows that nutrition means the act of getting nourished, but not many people realize that eating a variety of foods is the key to getting the body nourished. Our bodies require a wide range of proteins, vitamins, and minerals to function properly and a balanced diet is the best bet to provide the body with what it needs to grow and operate.
A common misconception is that nutrition comes at the expense of taste. In my opinion however, that cannot be further from the truth, as there are many things that many people find tasty that are loaded with nutrients. For example, perhaps my favorite fruit, blueberries are not only tasty, but also packed with nutritional value, being known as a "superfood" due to its high nutritional density. Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants that improve memory, lower chances of hypertension, and prevent cancer. Also, if you want an easy solution for taking blueberries on-the-go, I sometimes throw a handful of blueberries into the blender, which turns it into a high nutrition smoothie. Another one of my favorite foods that also has a high nutritional density is the avocado. The fat in avocados is monounsaturated fat, which is beneficial to the body, helping reduce bad cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Avocados are also high in vitamin B, vitamin K, vitamin E, and fiber. Lastly, not only do avocados have tons of nutrients, they are also the perfect meal for a potluck with friends, as they're easy to prepare and tasty.
In conclusion, March is a great month to reevaluate our current eating habits, kicking out unhealthy habits, and trying out healthy foods to pursue a healthy lifestyle. A better nutrition will allow each of us to be mentally and physically well to be our best throughout each day, whether it be at school or work!
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Oliver Foundation
5535 Memorial Drive, Suite F, #256
Houston, Texas 77007
Info@olivefoundation.org
www.oliverfoundation.org
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