October Wellness Star

10/28/2019 5:00 pm

 

 

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.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read! Be well.

 

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Flu Season Preparation

Fall is here and winter is approaching fast. Unfortunately, the change in weather brings with it more illness. As the weather is colder, more people spend time indoors in close contact with each other which promotes the spread of cold and flu viruses. So, what can you do to keep your family healthy?

 

WASH: Washing hands often limits the spread of germs. Hands should be washed in warm soapy water for 20 seconds, singing Happy Birthday twice through can help the kids wash for the correct amount of time. If you cannot wash your hands, hand sanitizer is a good choice too, but hand sanitizer doesn’t kill all germs and won’t remove harmful chemicals or pesticides from hands. Read more about Handwashing 101 below. 

 

COVER: Teach kids to cover their cough and sneezes with their arm. Uncovered, a sneeze can shower germs across a room. Hands should be washed after kids blow their nose or cough or sneeze.

 

EAT RIGHT: A diet rich in whole healthy foods can help to keep your immune system strong. Beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc are thought to have a role in keeping our immune systems working properly. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, eggs and fish can help to provide these nutrients.

 

SLEEP TIGHT: Sleep helps our bodies in so many different ways. A tired, stressed body isn’t able to fight infections as easily as it does when well rested. Elementary aged kids typically need 10-12 hours of sleep per night.

 

STAY HOME WHEN SICK: If you or your child is sick with flu-like symptoms: high fever, cough, runny nose, body aches, it is important to stay home to keep from exposing other people. It also allows your child the rest he/she needs to get healthy. Influenza is highly contagious and can spread easily from person to person. Your child should stay home until they are fever free without medications for 24 hours.

 

VACCINATE: Influenza is a serious illness that can lead to hospitalization or even death. The best way to protect your family from getting influenza is to get the flu vaccine, as is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC. Please take a moment to inform yourself about what can be done to protect your family by checking out the flu information guide and other resources here: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/parents.htm

 

Handwashing 101

As simple as it sounds, hand hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infections and germs. This includes the common cold, flu, and even harder to treat infections. As we are entering the season of noticing an increase in illnesses, consider these times of the day to take 20 seconds to properly perform hand hygiene: 

• After using the bathroom
• After blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing
• Before eating
• Upon coming in from recess or playing outside
• Before and after applying a bandage
• Entering the classroom at the beginning of the day
• After taking off shoes
• Upon coming home from school or work

Simply follow these steps for properly washing your hands:

• Use soap and warm, running water
• Wet your hands
• Put some soap on your hands
• Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds
• Cover all surfaces: between your fingers, under your nails, on your palms, on the top 
• Rinse with running water
• Dry your hands thoroughly with a paper towel
• Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet

Encourage your family to take hand washing seriously while at home, school, and public places. It’s a simple step that can prevent illness for not only yourself, but others as well.

Source: Allina Health

 

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 A message from HEART (Health Education & Allergen Resource Team) 

 

 

Halloween is honestly a scary time for those with food allergies. Do you know that children with food allergies often have to give away most of the candy they receive because it is too unsafe for them to eat? Or maybe don’t even go trick-or-treating due to the threat? 

 

If you have more than 13 kids at your front door for trick-or-treating, odds are that you’ve seen a child with a food allergy there.  On average, exposure to a food allergen sends one child to the hospital every 3 minutes.  But you can make trick-or-treating safer for all kids by joining in Operation Teal Pumpkin. 

 

 

Teal Pumpkin Project offers helpful and easy tips:

• Provide non-food treats or treats without the top 8 allergens (wheat, milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, and shellfish) for trick-or-treaters.
• Place a teal pumpkin - the color of food allergy awareness –in front of your home, or post a flyer at your door to indicate you have non-food treats or those without the top 8 allergens available.
• Share the Teal Pumpkin Project with your friends and family.
• Add your address to the Teal Pumpkin Project map.

 

Real Life in Action

You can offer 2 separate bowls (one with safe treats & one with other treats) for the kids to choose from. This is especially great for those kids afraid to speak up for themselves. You may not see many this year, but as awareness increases families will allow their children to participate in trick-or-treating again.

 

If you’re a family working with food allergies & you haven’t already done so, please let us know.  We’re here to help and support each other navigate school & other life situations. You’re not committing to sign up for any work. Send us an email with your information.  

 

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Seasonal Recipes

Butternut Squash Chickpea Chili, Mandarin Pumpkins, Simple Pumpkin Brownies

Butternut Squash Chickpea Chili

 Source: The Roasted Root

INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 yellow onion chopped 2 stalks celery chopped 4 cups chopped peeled butternut squash (1 small butternut squash) 5 cloves garlic minced 1.5 tablespoons chili powder 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth* 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained 1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas rinsed and drained, garbanzo beans 3 cups kale leaves optional

INSTRUCTIONS In a large stock pot or dutch oven, add the oil, onion, celery, and butternut squash and heat to medium. Sauté, stirring frequently, until veggies are softened and fragrant, about 12 to 15 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, and spices and sauté another 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and diced tomatoes and bring chili to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, until vegetables are cooked all the way through. If adding kale, do so 5 minutes before chili is finished cooking to allow leaves to wilt. Add the chickpeas and cook an additional 2 minutes. Serve with your favorite chili toppings RECIPE NOTES *You can also use chicken broth

 

Mandarin Pumpkins

INGREDIENTS 10 mandarin or clementine oranges, peeled, pith removed 2 stalks of celery

INSTRUCTIONS   Cut celery into small pieces and stick a piece of celery into the middle of each peeled mandarin orange to resemble a pumpkin.

 

Simple Pumpkin Brownies

(Everything in moderation, right?!! Enjoy!)

Source: Cookies & Cups

 

INGREDIENTS   Brownies 1 “Family Size” box (19.5 oz) brownie mix 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin Frosting (Optional) 1/2 cup butter 2 cups powdered sugar 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

INSTRUCTIONS   Brownies Preheat oven to 350° Line a 9×9 pan with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray. In a bowl mix together brownie mix and pumpkin until smooth. Spread batter into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until set. Let cool completely. Frost if desired. Frosting Cream butter and pumpkin pie spice until smooth. Turn mixer to low and add in powdered sugar Turn mixer up to medium and beat until fluffy. Spread on brownies, if desired.

 

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Star Shout Out

Chanhassen Elementary Custodian Team

Bob Fisk (Head Custodian), Kyle Johnson (Night Lead Custodian), James Swanson (Night Custodian)

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to keeping our school clean. We appreciate all that you do every day! Make sure to thank your custodian team when you see them. 

 

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Wellness Wednesdays

Wellness Wednesdays have begun at Chanhassen Elementary! Things that you might hear your students talking about: wellness tips during morning announcements, taking moments to incorporate fitness throughout the day, and healthy food choices. These are just some of the ways we are learning more about wellness and our health. What can we do to make sure our kids embrace these days? Send in a water bottle to allow proper hydration, choose healthy snack options with your child, have your child wear tennis shoes or have some on hand to allow proper footwear during physical activities. Thanks! Everyday can be a day of wellness!

 

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Star Spotlight

Elise Ryan, Chanhassen Mayor

What is your favorite fall activity? 

Walks and runs along the trails when the leaves change and watching football (Go Ducks! Go Vikings!)

How do you prepare for the season ahead?

We reorganize closets by switching our summer to winter clothes, jackets, boots/shoes. We all make sure we get flu shots and drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest to stay healthy. 

 

What was your favorite book as a child?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I love the message and that the message is timeless. 

 

How do you incorporate wellness into your day?

I make sure I get some sort of exercise every day. It’s a time for me to focus on my health and well-being; helps me to refocus so that I am energized to take on the day; and it just makes me feel good both physically and mentally.

 

As a family, we try our best to have healthy dinners together. Sitting around the dinner table when time allows with a BUSY schedule, gives our family a chance to connect, laugh, and share the stories of the day. 


What is your favorite seasonal recipe that you would like to share?

 

Spicy Pumpkin Soup

 

Recipe adapted from O Magazine

  

INGREDIENTS   4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 medium yellow onions, chopped 2 teaspoons garlic, minced 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper 2 teaspoons curry powder ½ teaspoon ground coriander Pinch cayenne pepper 3 15-ounce cans pumpkin 5 cups chicken broth 2 cups milk ½ cup brown sugar ½ half & half

INSTRUCTIONS   Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic sauté, stirring often until soft, approximately 4 minutes. Add salt, red pepper, curry powder, coriander, and cayenne pepper and stir for a minute more, until fragrant.  Add pumpkin and chicken broth, stir well to combine. Bring to a boil and reduce heat, simmering for 10-15 minutes.  Transfer soup, in batches, to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, then return soup to saucepan over low heat.  Add brown sugar and stir to combine. Add milk slowly, continuing to stir, then add half & half. Season to taste with salt and pepper.  To garnish, sprinkle soup with croutons, toasted pumpkin seeds, or fresh chives.

 

 

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Green Thumb ~ Gardening Updates

 

 

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Donate Your Unwanted Candy to the Ronald McDonald House 

 

If you have UNWANTED CANDY after this season’s activities, there will be a drop off box located in the front hall by the office at school November 4-8th. The candy will be brought to Ronald McDonald House to have available for the snack cart for families caring for a child while at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. 

 

Even if you’re not dropping off candy, you can still donate to the Ronald McDonald House in other ways to make this home-away-from-home more comfortable for families.

 

• Pop can tabs
  
  
• Amazon Smile Wish List Items
  
  
• Family Focused Items
  • AA Batteries
  • Heavy Duty 10” Paper Plates
  • 20 oz. Paper Bowls
  • Hot to-go Cups with Lids
  • Toilet Paper
  • Ziploc Bags
  • Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags
  • Microwave popcorn
  • Single Serving Snack Packs
    
    • Fruit Cups
    • Beef/Turkey Sticks
    • Individual-sized bags of nuts
    • Soft Fruit Snacks
    • Chewy Granola Bars

 

Please bring in candy, pop can tabs, and other donations to the drop off box November 4-8th.  We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity! Thank you!

    

 

 

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Book Picks 

• No More Germs Please: A Book on Handwashing ~ Ann Sequeira
• Germs Are Not for Sharing ~ Elizabeth Verdick
• Achoo! The most interesting book you’ll ever read about germs ~ Trudee Romanek
• All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World ~ Lori Alexander
• Autumn in a Jiffy Cookbook ~ Vickie Hutchins and Jo Ann Martin
• Cooking Around the Calendar with Kids ~ Amy Houts
• Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table ~ Jacqueline Briggs Martin
• Fall Walk ~ Virginia Brimhall Snow
• The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin ~ Joe Troiano
• Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment ~ James Patterson 

 

Fall Ladies’ Fair – The Mustard Seed 

Local vendors and crafters will share their amazing products in our warm greenhouse.
When: Friday, Nov. 1st 6-9pm or Saturday, Nov. 2nd 10am-2pm
Where: 10000 Great Plains Blvd, Chaska
For more info or to register for the Spruce Top Workshop: themustardseedinc.com

 

Artisan Fair

What: Over 35 area artists will feature wood-crafting items, pottery, jewelry, paintings, and photography to purchase. Admission is FREE, but please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to an area food shelf.
When: Saturday, November 2nd 10am-2pm
Where: Chanhassen Recreation Center 

 

Health & Wellness Workshops

All workshops are free. For more information and to book your spot, please go to: www.propfood.org.

Location: Heritage Room in the City Center building
8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie

Topics:
Nutrition & Your Health: November 7th, 6:30-8:00 pm
Physical Activity for Health: December 5th, 6:30-8:00 pm 

 

 

Chanhassen Turkey Trot 5K

What: Run the tradition by participating in this 5K and enjoying locally made donuts at the finish line. Compete in the Team O’Turkeys competition with your friends and family!
To register or to find more info: mnruns.com

 

 

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Coming Up in November's Issue

Next month’s Wellness Star: the importance of sleep, healthy habits in the colder months, gratitude in a jar, student and staff thankful notes, Star Spotlight, Star Shout Out, book picks, and more!

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