Thunder Bay District Health Unit : July 2011

Family reunions, neighbourhood barbecues, beach parties... July is all about getting together with family and friends to have fun in the sun.

This month's E-Bulletin gives you crowd-pleasing ideas to keep everyone well-nourished, active and enjoying the moment.

The Healthy, Happy Kids E-Bulletin editors wish you and your family a great summer!

Nourished Kids   Active Kids   Happy Kids

Berries à la Crème

INGREDIENTS:
4-5 cups of fresh or frozen berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, saskatoons (peaches go well with this recipe too)
1 cup low fat cream cheese
1 cup low fat sour cream
2 tbsp brown sugar

DIRECTIONS:
1. Spread fruit in bottom of a casserole dish.
2. In a separate bowl, blend cream cheese and sour cream with a mixer.  Pour over the fruit.
3. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
4. Broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!

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NOURISHED KIDS!

Get a little fancy. Whatever the occasion, kids love fancy drinks – it makes them feel special. Add 100% fruit juice to Perrier or soda water to give it some bubbles (without the extra sugar of pop). Freeze berries into the ice cubes or make them out of fruit juice. Put it all together in a fancy glass, add a straw, a tiny umbrella and garnish with a wedge of fruit on the side. The kids will be happy and hydrated!
Barbecue it better. The typical plate of barbecue fare (ie. a burger, sausage, chips, macaroni salad, pie, etc) can sidetrack a family’s effort to eat well. Change it up by switching to lean poultry sausage or make your own burgers and add in veggies. Whatever you choose, put it on a whole-wheat bun.
Serve up great sides. Corn on the cob makes a great side dish, as does a garden salad or grilled veggies. For the grand finale, serve up mouth-watering, slices of watermelon, or chunks of pineapple or local strawberries. Visit a farmer’s market for ultra-fresh ingredients.

Helpful Links:
Check out the new and updated Get Fresh Thunder Bay - the 2011 guide to local food. You'll find nearby farms where you can pick berries or veggies and sources of local meat for those weekend barbecues. A list of restaurants and caterers that support local food is also included.
Makeover your barbecue menu with tips from Today's Great Grilling Guide.

ACTIVE KIDS!

Make it a wet and wild fun time. Water games will keep everyone cool this summer. Have a water balloon toss, create a slippery slide with sheets of plastic or tarps, play sponge tag or Marco polo (trying to spray the other players with a hose as they approach).
Have an all-star game. Round up the whole gang for a game of soccer, bocce, crocket, or baseball. Get the older folks out of their lawn chairs and moving around with the little ones. Regardless of age everyone plays. You’ll all have a great time and will make fun memories.
Play safe. Make sure everyone wears and reapplies sunscreen. Protect yourselves from overheating by drinking plenty of water, taking rest breaks in shaded areas and wearing a hat. If your going for a bike or boat ride, don’t forget helmets or PFDs. Parents should wear theirs too to set a good example.

Helpful Links:
Learn more about the Big Boreal Adventure.

HAPPY KIDS!

Be in the moment. Turn off your cell phone, Blackberry, etc. to escape from the constant demands for your time. Simply enjoy being with people you care about.
Prepare the kids ahead of time. Being in a large crowd of people can be intimidating for a child. Talk to your children ahead of time about where you’re going, who will be there, what you will be doing, etc. If they're the shy type, encourage them to politely greet people they haven’t met before.
Remember that it's about R & R. If you’re one of the party planners, keep in mind that it’s all for fun. Try not to stress about the little details.

Helpful links:
Calm your child's anxieties and fears with advice from KidsHealth.org.
Keep everyone protected from the sun's UV rays

For more great tips and links visit: