Welcome to New Ways November!

Being open to new experiences and learning fuels our well-being, boosts our confidence and creativity, and can be fulfilling – whatever our age. Learning is not just for school but for life – in fact, evidence shows that continuing to learn, even later in life, can help us feel good and function well!

Click here to download and print the calendar.

Bancroft just finished their second Staff Salad Bar Potluck this school year. Each person brings one salad fixing that’s washed and ready to serve, a bowl to eat from, and their SLUSD reusable fork. Their contributions are set out in the staff lounge, and folks get to assemble a delicious and colorful salad of their very own. Some stay and hang out. Some take their salad to go. Regardless, it’s a great experience and lunch for all who participate. 

For those who want to replicate what they do, it’s simple! Pick a day, send an email at least one week in advance, attach a google doc for sign-ups, and send out a reminder or two before the event. For your reference, Bancroft included an example of their correspondence HERE.

Many of us are excited to find healthy practices requiring little effort and big payoffs. Well, this is it! It takes little planning, you will only spend a couple of dollars, and you’ll get to enjoy a beautiful, colorful, and delicious salad with some awesome colleagues. Quach, Supnet, Hernandez, and Slaton of Bancroft agree! 

Share your site wellness strategies with communications@slusd.us to get into the SLUSD Spotlight!

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Learn how to keep your lungs healthy and get the facts about lung disease symptoms, causes, and treatments, as well as advice for managing different lung diseases.

Read more here.

From the American Diabetes Association: Take this quick risk test for National Diabetes Month 

Over 7 million people with diabetes are undiagnosed, and 1 in 3 American adults is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Do you think people you care about may be among them? Help them learn their risk by sharing the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test.

8 Tips for Staying Grounded During the Holidays

The holiday season can be joyous and exciting but stressful as well. Finding ways to stay connected to the moment can be helpful when navigating this busy time. Try any or all of these suggestions and see how they work for you:

1. Walking meditation. Step outside and go for a walk. Notice your feet touching the ground, and pay attention to how the surface feels. Imagine the earth below that surface and your feet connecting with it. Hear and feel the crunching leaves beneath your feet.

2. Mindful shower. Water is not only cleansing but healing. As you stand in the shower, feel the sensation of the water hitting the top of your head and your face, neck, and shoulders. Pretend that it’s coming from a waterfall you’re standing beneath. Then gaze at the water swirling down the drain. Imagine your worries traveling down the drain with it.

3. Lie on the floor. Feel gravity drawing you closer to the earth. Take a few moments to scan your body for tension, from the tip of your toes to the top of your head. Allow Mother Earth to draw the tension away from your body.

4. Stretch or exercise. Five or ten minutes of gentle stretching or moderate exercise is all it takes to shift your mind out of your head. Go outdoors, if possible. The fresh air (even if it’s very cold!) does wonders.

5. Listen to your favorite tunes. Put on your headphones, listen to your favorite standbys, and let the music transport you to a fun place.

6. Laugh. Tell some jokes or watch a funny movie and share a moment of mirth with your family or friends. Laughter’s not only healthy—it’s contagious!

7. Breathe. Inhale to a count of four and exhale (through your nose) to a count of four. Then inhale to a count of four and exhale to six. Finally, inhale to a count of four and exhale to eight. Repeat as often as you like. You can do this while walking or sitting to help calm and center yourself.

8. Brew some tea. There’s a lot to be said about the benefits of tea rituals. Brew yourself a nice cup of hot tea. Sit and savor its smell and taste.

(Credit: rewireme.com)

Why You Should Try Gratitude Journaling

It’s easy to take the good things in our lives for granted, but research suggests that consciously giving thanks can profoundly affect our well-being and relationships. This exercise helps you develop a greater appreciation for the good in your life. People who routinely express gratitude enjoy better health and greater happiness.

See why and how to start here and email communications@slusd.us if you would like a gratitude journal to get started!

SLUSD Pet of the Month: Toki Reinhardt

Director of Assessment & Accountability Thom Reinhardt brings both dog and data to the district office!

Toki Reinhardt is a freelance companion canine based in Point Richmond, CA. When not fetching balls on the beach or sniffing trailside bushes in the regional parks, Toki may be found observing passers-by and snuggling on the bed.

From unknown beginnings in farmland near Fresno, Toki compassionately adopted his human, Thom. He employs his natural herding ability and discerning taste to train Thom in the art of dog cuisine and travel. His forthcoming manuscript, "Herding Humans to Go Outside," will hit shelves in the spring.  

We want to see your pets and hear their stories! Send your photos to communications@slusd.us and get our tails wagging!

Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Pudding

This creamy vegan butternut squash pudding is a delicious, 10-ingredient dessert perfect for fall! Great for Thanksgiving or winter holidays, it's gluten-free and comes together in 3 easy steps.

Ingredients

• 1 large butternut squash, 5 to 6 cups peeled, seeded, and cubed
• Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
• ½ cup coconut cream
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 to 6 tablespoons almond milk, if necessary, to blend
• Optional toppings: coconut cream, chocolate shavings, toasted pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Arrange the squash cubes on the baking sheet and toss them with just a little olive oil. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes or until tender. (Note: the squash does not need to be golden brown, just very soft).
3. Transfer the squash to a blender and add the coconut cream, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Blend until smooth, adding almond milk, if necessary, to reach a blendable consistency. Taste and adjust the sweetness and spices to your liking.
4. Transfer to ramekins or bowls and chill for 4 hours or overnight. Serve with desired toppings.

(Credit: Love and Lemons)

Vegan Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad

Nothing better to prepare in cold weather than a bunch of roasted vegetables, and this recipe is super easy to make.

Ingredients

Quinoa:

• 2 ½ cups vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 cups white quinoa
• ¼ cup minced flatleaf parsley
• Roasted Vegetables:
• 2 jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise
• 1 Sweet Potato, peeled and diced
• Red bell pepper, cored and diced
• Zucchini, cut into bit-sized chunks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• kosher salt

Salad:

• Shallot, minced
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 1 avocado

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

For the Quinoa:

• Bring the broth and salt to a simmer over medium heat, stirring in the quinoa. Stir well and bring the quinoa to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and put the lid on the quinoa. Simmer for 20 minutes and then turn the heat off and let sit until you are ready to serve. Then fluff the quinoa with a fork and gently stir in the fresh parsley.
• While the Quinoa is cooking, add the jalapeno, sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and zucchini to a sheet pan and toss with the olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Roast for 10-12 minutes until everything is golden and tender.
• Make a bed of baby spinach and then pile the quinoa on top and add the roasted vegetables. Sprinkle with the shallots and add the avocado to the bowl and serve.

(Credit: Tasty Recipes)