February Wellness Star

2/25/2020 7:37 am

 

 

The Wellness Committee is a resource for health and wellness related information and events. Through newsletters, teams, and activities we hope to provide awareness, education, and ideas to increase overall well-being. 

In this month’s edition we will be featuring information on how to embrace this season, winter walking tips, smoothie recipes, Star Spotlight with Jon Kison, Star Shout Out, non-food Valentine’s Day ideas, Green Thumb news, smoothie recipes, book picks, and more! Thanks for taking the time to read!  Be well.

 

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Embrace the Season and Feel the Benefits  

 

Spending time in the outdoors has so many health benefits, naturally it is easier to do when the weather is nice and sunny. But winter can be a great time to get some exercise and fresh air too. Here are some ways to embrace our winter weather.

 

Dress for the Weather

Layer, layer, layer. A base layer tight to the skin can help to wick the moisture away from the body. The middle layer should provide insulation with down or fleece. The outer layer should be a good waterproof winter jacket and snow pants. In the extreme cold cover your face with a scarf or a buff, ski goggles can keep eyes warm. Hats should cover the entire head and ears. Boots with drawstrings on top can help to keep snow and ice out of the boots. 

 

Keep Moving 

Moving generates body heat which gets trapped in the insulating layer of your clothes and keeps us warmer. But, it’s best to pace yourself, if you get too sweaty the damp clothing will make you colder. Kids have less body fat and mass than adults, so they will lose their heat faster when they stop. So keep breaks short.

 

Keep It Fun

Set up a target to throw snowballs at. Build a snow fort or snowman. Hide toys in the snow and let kids find them. Paint snow with a mixture of food coloring and water. Track animals. Rent snow shoes or nordic skis at your local nature center. Make nature ice balls by freezing nature finds in water. Go downhill skiing. Go on a scavenger hunt. Young kids enjoy being pulled in a sled while you walk. Try fat tire biking. Give your kids a shovel and ask them to help you clear the driveway, you may be surprised that they actually like to help with this chore. 

 

There are a lot of winter events that can be fun for the whole family. My family has participated in the Kidarod for the past few years and it is so fun! It is a kid-centered outdoor race in Maple Grove sponsored by Cycle Health.  Check out their website: www.cyclehealth.org

 

Stay Healthy

It is a common belief that being outside in cold weather can make us sick. But, this is not the case. Cold and flu viruses tend to circulate in the winter months because we are cooped up indoors, in closer contact with each other, which helps the viruses to spread. Get outside, enjoy the fresh air and stay healthy. 

 

Start small and set a goal to be outside for at least 15 minutes every day. Keep track on a calendar and reward yourselves at the end of the month. There will be sub-zero days when you don’t feel like going outside, but you can do anything for 15 minutes.

 

If you make it a habit to be outside every day when they are young, they are more likely to continue this healthy lifestyle as a teen and into adulthood. Give your kids the gift of developing the love of being outdoors!

Thank you to Julie Ewasiuk, MD for providing this article and for promoting wellness through her work and in the community. Julie and her family like to stay active year-round and embrace what each season has to offer.

 

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Winter Walking 101

 

We are definitely in the season of winter, but that doesn’t mean an end to children walking to school or families enjoying a walk because of a change in the seasons. With the right preparation, walking in the winter can be fun and enjoyable! Follow these six helpful tips to encourage walking all winter long: 

1. Check the forecast. If needed, avoid days that are too cold or windy.
2. Dress in layers to help regulate your body’s temperature.
3. Keep your toes warm by wearing winter boots and warm socks.
4. Take your time and enjoy a leisurely pace.
5. Wear hats and mittens to keep your head and hands warm.
6. Stay hydrated by drinking water before and after walking. 

 

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Smoothie Recipes

 

Check out these tasty smoothie recipes! Combine ingredients in a single serve mixer or double recipe if using a blender or serving more. Get creative and come up with your favorite family recipes. Enjoy!

Banana Split Smoothie ~ George R. - 4th grade 

• ½-1 banana
• 4-5 frozen or fresh strawberries
• chocolate options - chocolate almond milk, chocolate milk, Nutella, chocolate syrup, cacao powder 
• almond milk or milk alternative 

 

Berry Good Smoothie ~ Samuel R. - 2nd grade

• ½-1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
• ½-1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries
• 1 cup blueberry or strawberry keifer or yogurt drink
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or low sugar berry yogurt
• 1 cup milk or milk alternative
• optional: fresh or frozen spinach 

Banana Cream Pie ~ Spencer G. - 3rd grade

• 1 banana
• 2 cups ice
• 1 cup water, milk or milk alternative
• 1-2 scoops vanilla protein powder
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp cheesecake pudding mix
• 1 graham cracker square

Sunrise Smoothie ~ Ellen R. - Kindergarten 

• ½-1 banana
• ¼-½ cup frozen or fresh strawberries
• ¼-½ cup frozen or fresh mango
• ½-1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 cup coconut milk or milk alternative 
• optional: fresh or frozen spinach

 

The Elvis ~ Erin R. - parent

• ½-1 banana
• ¼ cup walnuts
• 1 TBSP. PB2 powder or nut butter of choice
• chocolate options - chocolate almond milk, chocolate milk, Nutella, chocolate syrup, cacao powder 
• almond milk or milk alternative
• crushed ice 
• optional: add low sugar vanilla or chocolate protein powder 

 

Cherry Chocolate Cookie ~ Lindsey G. - parent

• 1/2 cup frozen cherries
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 cups ice
• 1 cup water, milk or milk alternative
• 1-2 scoops vanilla protein powder
• 1/4 tsp almond extract

 

 

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A message from HEART (Health Education Allergen Resource Team)

There are so many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day and to show that love all month long. Holiday fun can still take place even if there are students with allergies because fun does not have to take the shape of food. Many alternative ways are available if we focus on the fun, not the food. This is the easiest way to ensure all children are safely included at school or within a social gathering. 

 

Here are some ideas if the classroom is having a celebration or fun crafts to try at home: 

• Create handmade Valentines. Use construction paper, paper doilies, glitter, glue, stickers, lace and other craft materials.
• Make paper flowers from tissue paper and pipe cleaners.
• Cut out paper hearts and attach to string to make garland for the classroom or home decoration.
• Decorate a bulletin board or the room door for Valentine’s Day.
• Create origami hearts.
• Make small heart stamps out of erasers.
• Make friendship bracelets for classmates to share.
• Make little critters from pom-poms, felt, pipe cleaner and googly-eyes.
• Write poems or share a favorite quote, poem or reading about love or someone special to you.
• Pick classroom secret admirers: Pick names out of a bowl. The week of Valentine’s Day, have the children do something nice for that person. On Valentine’s Day, have the children see if they can guess who their secret admirer is.
• Host a game day: Have children bring in games, puzzles, Legos or other activities from home to share in small groups.

 

Crafts - Of course, there are handmade cards! And what loved-one does not enjoy receiving one? Pinterest is your friend for this, as well as some of these ideas from Parents magazine: https://www.parents.com/holiday/valentines-day/crafts/ 

 

Secret Admirer Random Acts of Kindness – Won’t it be fun to see if your neighbors, friends, or family members can guess who surprised them with an act of kindness? 

 

Activities – There are family activities available in the area that can be enjoyed year-round. Check out this website for more ideas: https://carver.macaronikid.com/

Thanks for giving these a try! Maybe something will spark a new holiday tradition for you and your family.

Thank you to Jessica Boevers for contributing this article. For more information about Allergen Resources, please reach out to Jessica at wellnesschanhassenpto@gmail.com. 

 

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Star Spotlight

Jon Kison, Administrative Dean

What are your favorite ways to stay active in the winter?
In the past it was basketball (in a gym), now it is a mix of playing in the snow with my kids and dog, shoveling the driveway and deck, and going to Orangetheory fitness (free plug 😊).

What is your favorite seasonal activity or tradition that you do with your family?
A recent tradition is a pre-winter extended weekend at a water park. I have two girls, 6 and 4. They love swimming and going to restaurants, so it works well. 

What was one of your favorite subjects in school and why?
Biology, I’ve always been amazed at the intricate detail and function of natural systems. Prior to my time here at Chanhassen Elementary I taught high school Biology as well as Anatomy and Physiology.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the opportunities to have a positive effect on the trajectory of students’, families’ and colleagues’ lives. I’ve always been motivated to understand how best to support families and students in their educational journey.


How do you incorporate wellness into your daily life?
I'm active in a recent church startup in the community of Chanhassen (Lakeside Covenant), I enjoy spending time petting the animals in our house (2 cats and a dog), and the occasional mindful moment of positive reflection.

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Star Shout Out

 

Lindsay Steding, Elementary Art Teacher

We would like to give a Shout Out to Mrs. Steding for promoting wellness in so many ways! Lindsay is working with the district wellness committee for developing and implementing an Active Art area in the playground that will provide wellness both physically and mentally through interactive activities and sensory paths that can be enjoyed during recess, brain breaks, circuit exercises in PE class, or other classroom challenges. The 4-square floor will also be updated with cheerful colors to promote more interaction.

Personally, Lindsay likes to stay healthy by getting plenty of rest and staying active with workouts at Orange Theory, running outdoors or walks around her neighborhood with her husband.  One of her wellness goals this year is to drink more water. 

 

Even though Lindsay is licensed to teach K-12 visual arts, reading, or in the traditional elementary classroom, her heart is in teaching elementary art because she is so inspired by the ideas that the kids come up with and loves seeing the students explore various art processes. Her goal is to expose kids to as many areas of art as possible in hopes they will find a love of art somewhere in the mix. Lindsay’s personal favorite form of art is photography and enjoys taking pictures of nature, families, and her daughters.

Thank you, Mrs. Steding for being a wonderful promoter of wellness and encouraging wellness in so many ways! 

 

 

 

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Green Thumb News

 

We will be having the schoolyard garden planting day on Tuesday May 12th!  The Carver-Scott Master Gardeners will be on site to teach our students about the different parts of a plant as well running planting stations in the gardens. Last spring we had 8 classrooms participate in our planting day. The day was a huge success and this year we have 15 classrooms that want to participate! 

Planning the garden is in the early stages! We would like to plant a few themed gardens this season including a pizza garden, salsa garden, and a salad garden!  We are also hoping to have a pollinator education station in the flower garden. Volunteers are needed to make this day happen! If you would like to be a part of the school garden planting day or other garden activities, please contact Jessica Annis at Jessica.annis@yahoo.com  No gardening experience necessary!  

Make sure to check out the Carver-Scott Master Gardener Classes at the Chanhassen Library, Thursdays: Nature Heals; Feb. 20th: Fun with Herbs; Feb. 27th: Food Preservation; March 5th: Indoor Gardens (terrariums, succulents); March 12th: Lawn Care

Visit www.carverscottmastergardeners.org or local libraries for more information.

Thank you to Jessica Annis, parent and Master Gardener, for contributing this information and for the countless hours put into making our school garden wonderful! For questions about the school garden or to find out more about helping, please contact Jessica at Jessica.annis@yahoo.com.

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Book Picks

• Be A King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You ~ Carole Boston Weaterford
• Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968 ~ Alice Faye Duncan
• Coretta Scott ~ Ntozake Shange
• The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World ~ the Staff of The Undefeated Portraits by Robert Ball
• The Diary of a Young Girl ~ Anne Frank
• We Had to Be Brave ~ Deborah Hopkinson
• The Twelve Days of Winter ~ Deborah Lee Rose
• My Winter City ~ James Gladstone
• In My Heart: A Book of Feelings ~ Jo Witek
• Your Next 24 Hours: One Day of Kindness Can Change Everything ~ Hal Donaldson
• In Praise of Walking ~ Shane O’Mara
• The Joy of Movement ~ Kelly McGonigal, PhD

Click here for more books honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

 

 

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Upcoming Events

 

YMCA Cyclehealth Kidarod

What: Combine running, snowshoeing, mushing, sledding, climbing, and obstacles into an unforgettable race just for kids. Snowshoes provided; kids supply the horsepower. Ages 7-17.
For more information and to register: www.cyclehealth.org

When: Saturday, Feb. 22rd 4-7pm
Where: Fish Lake Regional Park, Maple Grove

 

Luminary Walk
What: Take a winter hike through the trails of Chanhassen Nature Preserve. Trails will be cleared and lit up with hundreds of glowing luminaries to lead the way. Swing by Tweet Pediatric Dentristry parking lot for warm beverages, treats, and a fire following. Event is free.
When: Thursday, Feb. 27th 6-8pm
Where: Chanhassen Nature Preserve ci.chanhassen.mn.us

Free Play Snow Day

What: Stop by your favorite Three Rivers District park on February 29th for free recreation passes and equipment rentals, bonfires, s’mores, and more, as well as discounted rates for downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.

For more information: ThreeRiversParks.org/freeplaysnowday

When: February 29th

Where: All Three Rivers District parks

 

 

Tails for Reading

What: School age children are welcome to read books aloud to specially trained therapy dogs to encourage confidence in reading. No registration required. 
When: First Saturday of the month, 10:30am-12pm (March 7, April 4, May 2)
Where: Chanhassen Library

 

 

Explore the Arboretum 

Indoors and out, the Arboretum offers many meaningful ways to connect with nature this February. Get an early dose of spring at the Spring Flower Show open through March 1, or explore 1,200 acres of Arboretum grounds on hiking, snowshoe and Nordic ski trails.

 

MapleFest Pancake Breakfast

When: March 28 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
What: Enjoy a day of maple-themed fun as the season of syrup rolls around. Feast on all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage, complemented by real maple syrup and toppings bar, coffee and orange juice. Reservations available on the half hour. Reservations required. 

 

 

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Next month’s Wellness Star

Cooking with Kids, Table Talk/Conversation Starters, Star Spotlight, Star Shout Out, book picks and more! 

How are we doing? We would love to hear from you! Send us your feedback using the email listed below. Stay well, everyone! ~Erin Reisdorf, PTO Wellness Committee

 

 

Questions? Comments. Celebrations! Contact the Wellness Committee: 
wellnesschanhassenpto@gmail.com