Fit Together 5210 in Action- December

Fit Together 5210 School Highlights: Southwest Café Spotlight 

By Jess Stewart

I love meeting with the schools to see how they are spreading the 5210 message to their students and families.

On a recent visit to Southwest, I was made aware that Melissa Rowan, the food service manager was promoting both the 5 and the 0 to the kids in her cafeteria.

She encourages water intake by providing giant water coolers for the students and she also makes fun and exciting fruit and vegetables displays to grab the kid’s attention.

THANK You Melissa for being a 5210 champion!!

Remember if you have a 5210 story and picture to share email me at jstewart@how2fitkids.org

Is getting healthier one of your New Year’s resolutions?

Choose simple, realistic goals you can stick to. Here are five, try one!

1. Eat Breakfast regularly- fruit, a cup of yogurt or whole-wheat toast can get your metabolism going in the morning.
2. Eat more produce (5 day) - Make small changes like taking a piece of fruit with you to work or adding spinach to your eggs.
3. Drink more water ( 0 sugary beverages)- buy a reusable water bottle and refill throughout the day
4. Sit down to eat- pause to savor your meals. You’ll feel more satisfied, and be less likely to overeat.
5. Eat real food- eat real, whole foods made in a kitchen, not a laboratory.

NEW 5210 Work-site Coordinator

Meet Martha Kelley our new Fit Together Work-site Coordinator. Martha grew up in Litchfield County, and returned after completing her undergraduate degree in Boston. She plans to finish her Masters of Public Health program in May 2020. For fun, she enjoys reading, exercising and traveling.

The 5210 Work-site Coordinator develops resources for local businesses to utilize in order to bring wellness into the workplace for their employees.

Wellness in the Workplace Important because wellness programs have the potential to:

• 1- Lower employee related health costs
• 2- Improve employee retention
• 3- Improve employee satisfaction
• 4- Improve overall employee health statuses and behaviors

And more!

Please reach out to me at mkelley@nwcty.org or 860-921-7464 with any questions or for more information.

No-Bake Cookies

Holiday Cookie Time- try swapping out one of your recipes and replace with a healthier version.  Kids will love helping make these easy and quick peanut butter-graham treats.

 Recipe Summary

Cook: 10 mins Total: 10 mins  Servings: 4 Yield:  8 cookies

Ingredients

•   8 whole-wheat graham cracker squares, finely ground
•   ¼ cup raisins
•   ¼ cup smooth natural peanut butter
•   2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons honey
•   4 teaspoons unsweetened coconut

Directions :Combine ground whole-wheat graham crackers, raisins, peanut butter and honey in a small bowl. Pat into 8 cookies and press lightly in coconut