#BeWell34
A month of resources & fun to support your health & wellness
Take the #BeWell34 Challenge!
4 Weeks: Monday through Friday ONLY
February 18 through March 15
We're putting a little friendly competition into our quest to encourage your physical and emotional wellness, so this year, there will be prizes! However, we really hope that the real reward will be the ideas and motivation you gain on the journey.
Each Monday you will receive a Bingo card in your mailbox. (You're receiving your first card tomorrow, February 15, since we won't be in school on Monday.) Goal: check off boxes to get “Bingo” (up/down, across, or diagonal). EXTRA AWESOME GOAL: Fill out your whole card!
Turn your card into your School Captain by Friday afternoon; the building(s) with the highest percentage of participation will be recognized in this special wellness newsletter each week. And, pay close attention - there might be opportunities to win other prizes as well!
School Captains:
- Glen Grove: Sandra Richardson
- Hoffman: Jillienne Guinan
- Henking: Sarah Richards
- Admin: Heather Hopkins
- Westbrook: Jessica Grunstad
- Attea: Katrina Crane
- Lyon: Katherine Wilhelm
- Pleasant Ridge: Beth Naulty
- Springman: Mary Alonzi
Preview Next Week's Bingo Board
District & Building Leaders Send #BeWell34 Wishes
Got Tips?
In between issues, share tips on Twitter by using #BeWell34.
Plank You Very Much!
Ohm My Gosh, Meditation Is Great
- Calm provides free accounts to teachers to encourage you to share the benefits of mindfulness with your students.
- Headspace has a limited free version, and offers an annual educator account for $12.
Take five minutes to meditate and you're one step closer to Bingo!
Granola: Not Just for Raffle Winners!
Oats, the primary ingredient in granola, are proven to reduce LDL (bad) and total cholesterol. They also control blood sugar levels. Add almonds to the mix and you get a double dose of those health benefits - and more!
This recipe makes a big batch, so share it with friends - and don't forget to add it to your food journal, or tweet out a pic for Bingo!
Cherry-Vanilla Granola
½ cup canola oil
1 cup pure maple syrup, or a mixture of honey and syrup
1½ tsp. vanilla
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup mixture of: flax meal, wheat germ, and oat bran
1 cup mix of sliced almonds and walnuts
¼ cup sunflower seeds
2 cups dried cherries
- Heat the oven to 250 degrees.
- Combine the oil and syrup in a small saucepan; heat just until hot. Add vanilla.
- Mix the oats, other grains, nuts, and seeds in a large bowl. Add the oil mixture; mix until combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly, in a thin layer, on two or three oiled jelly roll pans or cookie sheets. Bake about 35 minutes, until starting to turn light golden. Mix in cherries and return to oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. It will be soft when you remove it from the oven, but when it cools it will get crunchy. Store in an airtight container or a resealable bag.
Variations:
Spiced Ginger Granola: As the sweetener, heat syrup with a few tablespoons of molasses, and add grated fresh ginger. Add 1 tsp. cinnamon, ½ tsp. cardamom, ¼ tsp. dried ginger and ¼ tsp. cloves to the oats, replace the cherries with dried cranberries or golden raisins), and add ¼ cup crystallized ginger with the fruit.
Cranberry-Orange Granola: Add a few tablespoons of fresh orange juice to the oil mixture, and the grated zest from the orange peel. Use all dried cranberries.
Don't be afraid to experiment with your favorite nuts, seeds spices, and dried fruits!