Recipes:
Blackberry iced tea with cinnamon and ginger – Mayo Clinic Chickpea Salad with Tomatoes and Cucumber _ American Heart Association Recipes
Chickpea Salad with Tomatoes and Cucumber _ American Heart Association Recipes
With Memorial Day right around the corner, that means it is the unofficial start of summer! The temperature is about to heat up and your kids may be out of school for the next couple of months. Wondering how you can keep your family healthy and happy this summer? Here are some tips to get your summer off to a great start:
Hydrate often
Staying hydrated is important for general health and wellbeing. The Arizona summer heat is even more of a reason to make sure you and your family are staying well hydrated. Having trouble with drinking more water? Try out a new fun straw or water bottle to motivate you. You can even add some fresh or frozen fruit to your water to give it a refreshing flavor.
Enjoy Family Meals
Mealtimes are a great way to bond as a family. Children who take part in regular family meals are more likely to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less likely to eat junk foods. This is especially true if you have a picky eater. To get your children excited about family meals, you might try letting them invite a friend to dinner or have your children help you with the meal preparation.
Buy healthy snacks
Try to keep healthy food in the house for snacks and meals. Make it easier for your kids to choose fruits and vegetables. Instead of cookies and ice cream, keep the fridge stocked with healthier sweets like watermelon, grapes, or pineapples. Cut up fresh vegetables like celery, carrots, or sweet red peppers, and keep it stock in the fridge along with tasty dipping options like hummus, guacamole, or fat-free ranch dressing.
Stay Active
Get creative with indoor and outdoor activities for you and your kids. Keep your heart rate up with indoor activities like YouTube workouts, Zumba or even yoga. Want to get out the house? Try an evening family walk around your neighborhood or at your local park. You can also opt for a day pass at your closest recreation center for extra activities.
Get a checkup
With your kids out of school, it may be a good time to get them into clinic for their yearly checkup! Need an appointment? Call 480-964-2273 to make your appointment with an Adelante Healthcare provider and keep your family healthy and happy!
Summer Food Resources:
We know having your kids home for the summer may mean buying more groceries and cooking more meals. Here are some food resources across the valley that can take off some of the stress of planning a lunch by offering free meals:
AZ Health Zone: This resource offers a collection of different free food distribution sites across the valley. Type in your zip code to find places near you. https://www.azhealthzone.org/resources/
Burton Barr Library Kids Café: Monday thru Friday, the Phoenix Public library offers free meals for kids during certain hours. Kids do not have to be present but proof of children is required.
https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/kids/programs/kids-cafe
USDA Summer Food Service Program: This program provides children 18 and younger with free and nutritious meals who were receiving free or reduced-cost lunches during school. There are multiple sites and sponsors around that valley that offer this program.
Summer Food Service Program | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov)
Need a healthy recipe to take to your Memorial Day cookout? Join us for our live cooking demo on May 25th at 11am on Facebook and Instagram Live where Adelante’s registered dietitians will create a healthy side dish and drink to share with family and friends.
Instagram: @adelantehealth
Facebook: Adelante Healthcare
Have any questions? Want more nutritional information? Contact us at [email protected].