Student Health and Wellness CAMPUS CONNECTION

Student Wellness has partnered with the Department of Residence and ISU Dining to bring you a weekly newsletter filled with tips, activities and resources to help you stay healthy! Even though we aren't able to be with you in person, we're here to help you throughout the rest of the semester. Keep reading for more and look for this publication in your inbox every Wednesday - take care, Cyclones!

Living Well Starts in the Kitchen

A lot has changed due to the COVID-19 outbreak and that includes some of the ways we go about accessing food, grocery shopping, food safety, and meal preparation. Use the tips below and review the resources for more information.

Grocery Shopping Tips If you need to go grocery shopping (or really, shopping for any essentials), follow these guidelines to prevent transmission of COVID-19: Before you go out, be sure to make a list. Organize your list by department, knowing exactly where you are going to minimize time in the store. Bring disinfectant wipes to use before and after using a cart or basket. Plan ahead and limit the number of times you go out in public. Do you really need to go to the grocery store if all you need is that pint of ice cream or can it wait? When you do go to the store, maintain a 6 foot physical distance between you and other shoppers. If your schedule allows, go to the store at the least busy time or schedule for pick-up or delivery.  Wear a cloth face mask and limit one person per household to do the shopping. Watch this video on how to make your own face covering.  There is no need to hoard food. The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) closely monitors the U.S. food supply and there are currently no shortages. You can learn more about our food supply here .

Keeping Food on Hand Keeping a stock of shelf-stable foods can be helpful, knowing that you do not have to use it as soon as possible, but it is still there in case you need it. Below are some examples of nutritious and sustainable options. Nuts, seeds, and nut butters (trail mix is a great snack option) Canned beans (pinto, black, garbanzo, lentils, and kidney - great sources of fiber) Whole grains (quinoa, oats, rice, whole wheat pastas are easy to prepare) Canned vegetables (preferably without salt added). Potatoes (even though they are perishable foods, root vegetables stay good for a long time). Frozen foods (very affordable and last a long time, Chicken breasts are easy to cook in a crock pot, for soup or shred for tacos and fruit for smoothies). Keep in mind that there is no current evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through food and food packaging – read more here . There is no need to clean or sanitize the outside of food, but food safety specialists do recommend washing produce before consuming. Stay informed by following pubic health guidelines if future guidance changes.

Recipe of the Week - Mug Omelette Each week we'll pass along a recipe you can use to make delicious meals in your residence hall, apartment, or home microwave! This week: Mug omelettes. 2 eggs 1/2 diced bell pepper 2 slices diced ham or turkey 1/4 cup chopped spinach Sprinkle of cheddar cheese salt & pepper Crack eggs and mix in all ingredients into a microwavable safe mug. Cook on high in microwave for a minute and a half. Take out and stir, put back in the microwave for another minute to ensure that the eggs are fully cooked. Remove from oven, and it is ready to eat. Watch these short 1-2 minute videos on other recipes and ways to prepare certain foods!

Prioritize Your Wellbeing Now in Canvas, this course follows the Student Wellness Keep Community, Stay Informed and Be Well information developed for you! The course will have new activities, videos, and resources added every week for you to keep community, stay informed and be well. Access the course in Canvas or via this link - and remember, we're here for you!

We're All in This Together!

Together, we can all help keep our community healthy. Continue to check this website for the latest Iowa State related updates on COVID-19. Check in on your friends, be kind, wash your hands and log in to Canvas for more ways to help you Keep Community, Stay Well and Be Informed during this time.

Information brought to you by Student Health and Wellness in partnership with the Department of Residence and ISU Dining.