The Right from the Start team looks forward to sharing mental health inspiration with you.
Our March newsletter focuses on nutrition.
Canada's Food Guide underwent some revision and this year came out with a new strategy. You can read about it here.There is less emphasis on specific portion sizes and frequency of foods, and more focus on how we eat, including eating mindfully. "Healthy eating is more than the foods you eat. It is also about where, when, why and how you eat." Make it a habit to eat a variety of healthy foods each day.
Here are some tips from the 2019 Food Guide: "Be mindful of your eating habits. Take time to eat. Notice when you are hungry and when you are full. Cook more often. Plan what you eat. Involve others in planning and preparing meals."
"Enjoy your food. Culture and food traditions can be a part of healthy eating. Eat meals with others."
This is one of Ms. Van Impe's favourite lunches: Two mini whole wheat pita pockets with grilled-chicken strips and veggies,
3/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt with sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar snap peas, and
8 animal crackers. Bon appétit!
Mr. D. likes to start his day with a smoothie. "Every morning I have a banana and orange smoothie. The recipe is not that complex! Ingredients are one banana and one orange, place in blender, and mix. Voila! Smoothies also make great snacks, my favourite is a strawberry/blueberry smoothie: In a blender mix one banana, 6 delicious strawberries, 20 blueberries. All fruit can either be fresh or frozen or a mix of both… usually the banana is fresh.
Ms. Mary’s Favorite Snack:
Cheese and Apple Slices! Simple, fresh and filling!
Great for school, going for a hike or bringing in the car for a road trip snack! YUM
It looks like spring, it feels like spring, is it really spring? Here are some of our favourite springtime activities that we do to support our mental health.
Ms. Kate likes to go for a walk and listen to the ice/snow melting or watch ducks at the pond. Ms. Van Impe walks down by the river and sees who is the first to spot pussy willows.
Ms. Kat likes to put on rubber boots and get muddy!
Ms. Mary likes to go for a hike and find signs of spring--the first crocus, green shoots, buds on the bushes--and of course feeling the warmth of the sun on her bare arms!
When weather permits Mr. D. heads out back country-skiing in his t-shirt, sunglasses, and jeans. And for something a little less adventurous, simply sits outside in a windless location soaking up the sun and either hanging out with friends or reading/listening to a podcast. Good times.
Upcoming Workshops
Sibling Rivalry. This workshop offers tools to develop and maintain strong sibling bonds. Monday, May 6, 6 - 8 pm. Location TBD. To register call 403.609.3743 and please indicate if child care is needed
