October 2022                         Volume 18 Issue 7

National School Lunch Week 

October 10 - 14, 2022

Tool kits and more info

October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Living a healthy lifestyle is within your control and may lower your risk of breast cancer. Maintain a healthy weight, a diet that is low in fat, high in fiber plus rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, limit alcohol intake and exercise regularly. It all matters when it comes to your overall health and risk of disease.

Halloween Tips

Halloween- It's the most popular day of the year for kids after Christmas. 

It is probably the one day that we need to be realistic; kids are going to eat candy- NOT FRUIT. So parents and kids need to have a plan.

• Eat a nutritious meal before going trick-or-treating, so children are not hungry and only want to eat candy that night.
• Plan ahead of time, with your child, the number of treats they can have each day after Halloween. Will they be a treat after dinner with some apple slices? Pack one with school lunch? Will they be part of the healthy after school snack? You and your child need to establish a healthy plan that works and show your child that they can enjoy their candy for weeks to follow. If you make the plan with your child, stick with it.
• Keep candy out of reach to prevent continuous and mindless eating of candy.
• Make sure all meals and snacks include fruits, vegetables and milk
• Lastly, do not use the candy as a tool to get your kids to eat vegetables and other foods they do not like, if you do they will never eat them as an adult. Plus that is not living up to your plan as a parent. So we suggest you write out the plan and post it where everyone can see it.

Oliver Foundation Healthy Choices Grant

Deadline October 15, 2022

Apply Now

Congratulations

to our Oliver Foundation Healthy Choices July 15, 2022 Recipients

Smithville ISD

Fortress Pre-School, Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Action for Healthy Kids Summit 

November 15-16, 2022

Registration now Open! 

Register here

Make plans to join us on November 15-16 for learning sessions, networking and connecting with schools and districts across the state. We will have a youth panel, an update on plans for the upcoming legislative session as well as sessions on mental health in schools, School Health Advisory Councils (SHACs), challenges of teen vaping and more! Details coming in mid October! This will be a FREE Event!

Reaching for Excellence (RFE) in Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) invites public and charter schools to apply for the Reaching for (RFE) in Texas School Health Grant, two $10,000 grants will be awarded for the 2023-2024 school year. The goal of the RFE grants is to fund projects that inspire students to live healthier lives. Projects must focus on at least one key component of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model.

Attend one of three informational webinars in September to learn more about the application process. The application will open on September 1, 2022, and close November 14, 2022. Click on the link below for more information and to apply.

https://dshs.texas.gov/schoolhealth/awards/

Join the TX SHAC Network

School districts and campuses must consider the health of children as we move forward after the pandemic. SHACs are the best way to make sure parents and community members have a voice in how health issues are addressed. If you are concerned about child health, you need to be involved with your School District’s SHAC. Find out more by joining the Texas SHAC Network

Check out our newly TX SHAC Network website, where you can find information on the laws that govern SHAC, resources for wellness policies and more!

Reagan Miller, Teen Board Member

Memorial High School - Houston, Texas 

Teen Board Member 2021 - Present

Reagan Miller is a junior at Memorial High School where she is a member of the varsity swim team. She also coaches swim team at the Houston Racquet Club and enjoys seeing kids improve their confidence in the water. Reagan loves to ski, discover new music, and spend time with friends and family.

Breaking Bad Habits for a New and Healthier Lifestyle

Many of us feel like when a new school year begins, we have a fresh start. We set brand new goals for ourselves and high expectations. It doesn’t take long before we feel frustrated that we aren’t achieving the results we dreamed. I had found myself in this position and after reading Atomic Habits, by James Clear, I have a whole new perspective. Anyone can set goals, but if we don’t change our habits and put the right systems in place for success, then we will never rise to our full potential. Here are some of my key takeaways from this life-changing book:

Make Good Habits Easy and Attractive

To make good habits more attractive, try to add a fun factor to them. For instance, if you want to start running, take time to create your favorite playlist or run in a location that brings mental solace, like a pretty park or trail. Or if you are a person who spends too much time watching TV, only watch your favorite show if you are on the treadmill. Tweaking your habits instead of fully changing them will make it way easier to stick with. 

Make your good habits satisfying by rewarding yourself. I found myself stopping too often for caffeinated drinks and snacks with too much sugar before school. I started to leave my debit card at home and packed healthier options so that I had no option but to eat healthy. Not only did I feel better, but I was happy to save a considerable amount of money that I could spend on other things I enjoyed. 

Environment Plays a Stronger Role Than Motivation

Willpower isn’t enough to detract from bad habits, we need to change our surroundings so that good habits are triggered automatically. A major way to do this is by hanging out with people who have good habits. Find friends who also like to stay active and who will hold you accountable when you all make plans to meet for a workout. Try to keep unhealthy foods out of your house or take a different route if you are always tempted when you pass a certain fast-food restaurant. You want to find ways that make it way easier and more realistic for yourself to accomplish these goals. 

Reagan Miler

October 2022

Teen Board Recipe

Natalie Lopez

Co-Event Coordinator

Chia Seed Pudding

Ingredients: 

-       2 tablespoons chia seeds

-       ½ cup of almond milk

-       1 teaspoon honey

-       Fruits for topping (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients in a bowl or jar.
2. Cover the jar and store it in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
3. When ready to serve, top with fruits and enjoy it chilled.