When we think of February, most Americans first thoughts are:
- Super Bowl
- Valentines Day
- American Heart Month
And they are probably listed in that order, depending whether you are male or female; really all three have to do with our heart and our health.
The average American consumes an extra 1200 -1500 calories on Super Bowl Sunday, generally in high fat snack foods, plus additional alcohol. Most all of which is NOT heart healthy. Since the game is played later in the day, go out and get your own physical activity before game time and consume a healthy breakfast/lunch before the game so you are less likely to consume so many high calorie high fat snacks. That means "fill up" on fruits and veggies.
Next comes Valentine's Day, noted for CHOCOLATE. Lets enjoy the chocolates and sweets in moderation and select dark chocolate, which is richer in antioxidants than lighter chocolate.
Valentines is by far the oldest of the three, dating back to the Middle Ages, though written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt
In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia.
For American Heart Month, remember the heart is a muscle, the most important muscle in our body and must be exercised daily. Plus, to keep the arteries "feeding" our heart healthy, we should consume a diet rich in vegetables and fruit, low in fat, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. Whole-grains and high-fiber foods and water are also essential.
Wherever you go or whatever you do, remember to wear your mask.
|
|
Upcoming Events
Oliver Foundation Teen Advisory Board
Now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year
Oliver Healthy Choices Grants
Next Grant Deadline April 15, 2021
|
The 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
HAS BEEN CANCELED
No Rodeo Contest this year, so apply for an Oliver Healthy Choices Grant.
_________________________________________________________________________
Shared Opportunities
Action for Healthy Kids Webinar
School Meals – Fact or Fiction!
Tuesday, Feb 16, 2021 11:30am-1:00pm CST
What do you really know about your school meal program? How healthy is the food? How much is processed? Why are nutrition departments struggling to keep providing meals? What are the new policies around school meals? What can you do?
Find out the answers to these and other concerns and questions you might have and see how you can make a difference. Register here
************
DairyMAX Nutrition NOW program. Grants Available
************
Texas Department of Agriculture
Registration Now Open for the 2021 Spring Farm Fresh Challenge
The Texas Department of Agriculture is excited to invite all child nutrition operators to participate in a special spring Farm Fresh Challenge this April. To learn more about how to encourage participation in the Spring Farm Fresh Challenge, Visit SquareMeals.org
************
School Breakfast Week, March 8-12, 2021
|
|
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.
|
|
Mehaa Amirthalingam, Vice President
Travis High School - Sugar Land, Texas
Teen Board Member 2018 - Present
Mehaa is a junior at the Global Studies Academy at Travis High School. She is a passionate dancer trained in Bharatanatyam and Odissi (two classical styles from India). Mehaa has performed in over 100 dance performances in Houston over the last 7 years. She has won several science-related awards in building a model structure of a Mars Rover, Science Olympiad, and Science Fair. Mehaa enjoys photography and videography and has performed solo and with her school choir in various occasions including the University Interscholastic League and All Region Choir. Recently, Mehaa placed second in the national Discovery Education 3M Y.
A New Year of Fresh Opportunities and Goals
As we embark on this new year, it is a tradition that people make resolutions to better their lifestyle in the name of a new year, a clean slate. But we often get blurred by that idea and make unhealthy goals that adversely affect our routine. With the circumstances that we are in right now, it might be hard to be hopeful for what is to come, but I urge whoever is reading this to take out the closest piece of paper and write down a list of things that you look forward to experiencing this new year. More loaves of banana bread, seeing family members, college acceptances... with that said, we need to make mindful goals that are realistic to achieve. Making unrealistic expectations of what one is capable of can lead to unnecessary disappointment.
Often people make unhealthy goals towards their eating habits in the name of fitness but listen to what your body is capable of and be mindful of what is best for you. We all have different body types, dietary restrictions, and different routines, and although it is a subconscious move for us to compare ourselves to others, we must understand that it is okay. While making food-related goals, it is extremely important to stress a healthy diet in terms of nutrition, healthy fats, and sugars, but what should not be practiced is a set number of meals or number of pounds you want to lose in the span of the year. Focus on eating plated meals, healthy snacks, and getting enough movement versus restricting yourself to eating only one dessert per week or setting “two cheat days” every month.
Happy New Year again, and good luck with all your endeavors! Wishing you a happy, safe 2021!
Mehaa Amirthalingam
February 2021
|
|
A direct and compelling headline |
|
Teen Board Recipe
Aarthi Annamalai
Co-Event Coordinator
Healthy Double Chocolate Muffins
with Fresh Strawberries
These Double Chocolate Muffins are loaded with rich chocolate flavor and juicy strawberries! So decadent, yet full of whole grains and so much lower in fat!
• Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Make Ahead • Vegetarian •
Yield: 16 servings Serving Size: 1 Muffin
Calories 114; Total Fat 2g; Saturated Fat 1g; Trans Fat 0g; Unsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 12mg; Sodium 144mg; Carbohydrates 23g; Fiber 2g, Sugar 13g; Protein 2g
Ingredients
· 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
· 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
· 2 teaspoons baking powder
· 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
· 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
· 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
· 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
· 1/3 cup nonfat milk
· 1/3 cup 100% pure fruit seedless strawberry jelly
· 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
· 1 egg, lightly beaten
· 1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil (see note)
· 1 teaspoon vanilla
· 1 cup stemmed and hulled, finely chopped fresh strawberries
· 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Prepare muffin pans, lining with baking cups. (See note.)
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, whisking to thoroughly combine.
- In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, milk, jelly, applesauce, egg, canola oil, and vanilla, mixing thoroughly.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients to the well. Stir batter just enough to combine, being careful not to over-mix.
- Add the strawberries and 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, and stir again briefly, just to combine.
- Spoon batter into prepared muffin liners, filling each about 2/3 - 3/4 full. Do not over-fill. (See note.)
- Sprinkle the remaining mini chocolate chips evenly on top of the muffins.
- Bake for 14-19 minutes, just until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean.
- Cool muffins in the pan for about 5 minutes or until the muffins are beginning to set and are cool enough to handle. Remove the muffins to wire racks to cool completely.
|
|
The Oliver Foundation
5535 Memorial Drive
Suite F, #256
Houston, TX 77007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
