Healthy Living Program Newsletter
September 2020
Did you know that our website is full of helpful information for you and your family? You can access the participant-only page on our website by clicking "click here for participant access page." Enter the password "hlpstudent."
Stress-free school lunches
Kids are back in school, and whether they are participating in-person or online, a healthy, balanced lunch is always important! Here are some tips for packing healthy lunches, with less stress:
  • Pack balanced lunches at night and store in a certain spot in the refrigerator so you can grab and go in the morning
  • Start a "snack station." Clear a pantry shelf and store with healthy snacks like granola bars, dried fruit, cereal, and crackers with peanut butter
  • Prep meals and chop veggies on the days when you are least busy. Having the foods all ready to go will make cooking a lot quicker. BONUS: Kids are more likely to choose fruits and veggies if they are already cut up and ready to eat!
Salad skewers
Need a new, fun way to add more veggies to your child’s lunch? Give these salad skewers a try, and let them eat salad with their hands. Plus, everyone knows that food on a stick is much more fun!

Try swapping in some of your family's favorite vegetables and salad toppings, such as olives and bell peppers.
Learning about lipids
Lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) are necessary components for our health, but when they become excessive, they can cause harm directly to organs (liver and pancreas) and slowly damage the lining of our arteries over many years leading to heart attack and stroke. Early changes in arterial damage can be seen in children and is reversible with changes in healthy behaviors. When individuals become overweight or develop obesity, the insulin insensitivity that results leads to elevated harmful or "bad cholesterol, reduced "good" cholesterol (protects us from the effects of bad cholesterol), and elevated triglycerides.
For more information on lipids, please click here
Navigating back to school changes
As we move into the fall, one of our “normal” routines is preparing for the return of our children to the classroom. However, as we all know, this has been no normal summer and returning to school has never been as abnormal as this year. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be physically present in school if possible. As parents, we are faced with many concerns at this time including getting our kids back into a “normal” schedule. Staff at The Child Mind Institute have identified four “reminders” that will help parents and kids to transition back into the classroom:
  1. We should validate, or acknowledge, that it is normal to feel nervous or anxious about returning to school and that getting back into the routine is hard for kids and adults
  2. Review the morning routine. It is important to discuss the new routine in specific detail in order for kids to know what is expected as they return to school
  3. Homework can be stressful for both kids and parents. Completing homework as soon as possible with parental support helps to establish a positive routine and prevents kids from getting behind
  4. Establishing a bedtime routine may be the most difficult aspect of returning to school. This can include structure around screen time, video gaming, etc. to help with winding down for the evening.
Fall food resources
If your family is in need of food resources this fall, there are programs here to help!
  • School lunches: Even if your child is distance learning, they are still able to receive school lunches. Click here to find out how to order meals or apply for low-cost meals
  • Delivering with Dignity: If you are at high risk for COVID-19 and are unable to have food brought to your home, you may be eligible for the “Delivering with Dignity” program that can deliver warm meals straight to your door. Ask you primary care provider about a referral to the program. 
  • Community Health Alliance has a prescription food pantry just for patients. Talk to your primary care provider if you would like to access the pantry
Keeping kids active: P.E. at home!
School is back in session, but with many kids participating in “distance learning,” one important element might be missing from their day: Physical education! It is important that parents help their kids to meet the recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Below are some links for resources to bring P.E. to your home:
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