A parent is looking for ways to keep their children occupied and develop healthier habits over the summer. The document provides several suggestions for outdoor activities that get kids active like going fishing, playing with sprinklers, or setting up a lemonade stand. It also discusses the health benefits of eating fish regularly and provides some healthy recipes. Indoor activities like board games or visiting the library are also offered as options. The goal is to help children spend less time bored or engaging in unhealthy behaviors by replacing it with quality time with family and activities that are both fun and beneficial.
1. “Mom, I’m bored….there is nothing
to do!‖ As a parent, have you heard
this statement from your children
this summer? Now is the time to
encourage your children to develop a
new and healthier lifestyle. Of
course, leading by example is key but
here are a few suggestions on how
you can help your child to decrease
their boredom during their summer
vacation from school and how you
can encourage healthier eating and
lifestyle changes.
Research has shown that
children today spend far less time
outdoors than children from the
past. One activity that will allow
parents to spend more quality time
with their children is to take them
fishing. Not only will the child learn
the art of fishing, it allows excellent
one-on-one quality time between the
child and the parent that one might
not otherwise engage in due to a
busy daily schedule. In addition,
after the fishing expedition, you and
your child can prepare your catch
for a healthy family dinner. Did you
know that fish is often referred to as
―brain food?‖ According to the
Mayo Clinic, fish is the best source
of Omega-3 and fatty acids that help
reduce the occurrences of heart
disease, depression and rheumatoid
arthritis, just to name a few. Blount
(2011) tells us that cold water fish,
such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and
herring are excellent sources of
these healthy fatty acids and it is
recommended that we add fish to
our diets at least twice per week.
Another fun activity for the children
is to let them run through the
sprinklers for a short period of time
and then follow up with an old-
fashioned water balloon fight where
children can chase each other
around the yard as they prepare their
attacks. Don’t forget water blasters
as an added activity too!
Another activity that will
appeal to young entrepreneurs is to
set up an old-fashioned lemonade
stand. This activity will allow
children to learn the value of money,
as well as some basic skills needed to
operate a business and the proceeds
can be used to open a savings
account for your child to prepare for
his/her future.
Some cooler activities that
can be done indoors with friends
include bowling, skating, paintball
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.
July 2013
Volume 3, Issue 5
Our Mission and Vision
To increase disease
awareness among children
and parents; To promote
healthy behaviors, reduce
the spread of infections,
and to reduce health-
related issues in our
nation’s children.
Table of Contents
CEO’s Corner .........2
Highlights .................2
Featured Articles:
Healthy Recipes.......3
Body Wellness .........4
...................................5
Creating a newer and healthier lifestyle
2. CEO’s Corner...
From our modest beginnings,
and with only a little bit of
help, we are growing and we
still need your financial
support that will enable us to
expand our Kids Be Aware
mission, and to uphold our
vision for children
everywhere.
You may donate by going at
our website: http://
www.kidsbeaware.org or
simply by mailing in your
checks. At Kids Be Aware,
Inc. 600 west Cummings
Park ST 1700 Woburn, MA
01801
I thank you in advance for
your support and hope that
you find it in your heart to
help us decrease health
disparities among our
children.
We strive to bring better life
to all and we work hard
everyday to accomplish this.
“Teach me about health so
that Tomorrow I may teach
others” Together we can!
Howdy!
We are currently looking for
volunteers to help us with
children’s activities.
We have opened our doors for
our Summer activities
enrollments. The program is
free to members. Visit our
center today and become a
member of Kids Be Aware,
INC.
I’m always overjoyed to bring
more good news to you all each
and every month and hope
that you enjoy reading us as
much as we enjoy writing
these articles for you.
I must say, running a non-
profit organization or any
other business is the most
stressful and rewarding
experience. I learn new things
daily and I’m always amazed
how difficult it is to get the
word out to people and make
them understand what the
organization stands for and
what we do. As I moved to my
journey of learning, I have
come to embrace change as
part of our growth.
July 12th was our grand
opening and we got a few
potential clients who are still
wondering why we do not
license ourselves as a childcare
provider though we are not a
childcare. I contacted the
state to enter our program
through their referral
program and was informed
that we may not qualify unless
we move forward with
licensing our organization.
Well my fellow board
members, here we go again yet
for another round of licensing
procedure so that we may
conduct business in the State
of Massachusetts without
worry. We will be licensing
our center as a Childcare
provider so we can receive the
benefits of clientele and what
the State and others have to
offer so we can move our
program curriculum forward.
Flexibility has become my
strong suit. We need to
generate funds to pay our
rental space fees so, we are
asking the board for support
and help as we increase our
fundraising efforts.
The current need of this
organization is to enlist
volunteers. Volunteers can
help us conduct the center’s
upcoming activities. Together,
we can raise disease
awareness among children
and parents.
We have recruited our
marketing Intern Kate Fan
and she is doing an awesome
job posting on Face Book daily
and creating our flyers and
poster. Kate is working On a
marketing proposal that will
help increase our enrollments
while improving the financial
gain that will meet the needs
of our organization.
We are seeking NEW Enrollment!
We are seeking Volunteers for various roles.
Contact us and Volunteer!
“We strive to partner with
schools, churches, and
organizations to focus on the
health and well-being of our
children”
Page 2
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.
3. Healthy Recipes for children
Fire Roasted Chile
and Garlic Chicken
Burgers
The easiest way
to make a burger
healthier is to sub
out the beef with
chicken in order to skip out on the saturated
fat. This recipe adds tons of flavor with the
roasted chiles, and piles on more with the
garlic. Simply leave out the bacon to go easy
on your waistline and you’re good to go. Use a
multi-grain or whole wheat bun to make it a
complete meal.
http://bembu.com/healthy-dinner-recipes
Paleo Curry Meatballs
The curry sauce on these
gives them a unique flavor
that’s unusual in the world of meatballs. These
are dairy free for all of you Paleo enthusiasts,
and they end up as a healthy option even for
those that aren’t following the Paleo diet. If
you’re looking for low-carbs you can make a
meal out of them, and if not you can balance
these out with some nice whole wheat pasta or
a baked potato.
http://bembu.com/healthy-dinner-recipes
Crock Pot
Chicken
Taco Chili
No taco
shells
needed to
enjoy this chili. It uses chicken instead of
beef so you’re getting all of the flavor
you’d want, but without worrying about
added fat from ground beef. The beans
are there, as you’d expect, but you may
want to add some bell peppers to get
some more veggies included. The corn
and beans are your carb source. Overall a
hearty meal you can eat with a fork.
http://bembu.com/healthy-dinner-recipes
Page 3
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.
Cha Cha Bowl
The bright mix of colors
makes this a great dish to
whip up when you have
company over, and no
one will suspect that
you’re passing off healthy food on them. The
ingredients are all freshly made, and retain their
healthy status by not being cooked. The rice
and beans supply some good carbs, the chicken
is the protein adder, and there are yummy veg-
gies like zucchini. The healthy fats from the
avocados mean you’ll feel full and fight body
fat.
http://bembu.com/healthy-dinner-recipes
4. Embracing Healthy Change- a Family Affair
Embracing change can be difficult for anyone, especially if the change is not desired in the first place. To
change is to ―turn away from‖ something and ―turn towards something new‖. As parents, we must realize that
children cannot ―change‖ without a model- someone who shows them how it’s done. While there are many
resources that will help the parent who desires positive change in their own lives, the resources that focus on
changes in children, are still geared toward the parent, who will help make change possible in their child.
So, how are parents today supposed to approach the subject of ―healthy change‖ to their children and family
members? Take it one thing at a time. We must take into consideration that change takes time! It has been
thought that creating a new habit will take at least two weeks to master. In light of the many avenues of
needed change- I will focus on just a few: healthy snacking and exercise.
Healthy snacking can be quite a change if there has been no focus on healthy eating overall. Never fear! Simply adopt an
attitude that we are all ―in it together‖. Consider what your children have been eating and where you can start making changes. One
area that you should consider is allowing your children to help make snacks together. If you are unsure how to start, consider these
tips from, ―Embrace True Health‖:
Kids can’t resist the dual combination of crunch and creaminess with sweet and saltiness. Almond butter and sunflower seed butter
are my preferred nut/seed butters of choice. When possible, try to get a brand without added sugar (the ingredients should only be
the nuts/seeds alone or combined with sea salt). Here are some winning combinations: Sliced Apple + Almond Butter + Cinnamon (use
one apple slice or put a second one on top to make a ―sandwich‖ Banana (sliced length-wise or width-wise) + Sunflower Seed Butter +
Cinnamon (use one banana slice or put a second one on top to make a ―sandwich‖) Celery Sticks + Almond Butter + Raw Honey Baby
Carrots + Sunflower Seed Butter
Creating Trail Mix
This is a perfect snack for your kids when you know you’re going to be out all day or when you’re traveling because it doesn’t require
refrigeration. Combine some or all of the following and store in a container or resealable bag: Almonds~Cashews~Macadamia
Nuts~Pumpkin Seeds~Sunflower Seeds For added sweetness: Dried cranberries~Goji berries~Raisins
- See more at: http://www.embracetruehealth.com/8-easy-and-healthy-snacks-for-kids#sthash.3rLPU8Ka.dpuf
Permitting your child to help ―create‖ snacks, is a very good way to start and when eating your creations together, and you, the parent,
will have helped to start your child towards healthier living through healthy snacking!
It is very true that kids seem to have much more energy than we the parents! Incorporating exercise into a family’s busy schedule can
be done to utilize this energy into positive channels. Consider this information regarding the benefit of exercise for your child:
Everyone can benefit from regular exercise. Kids who are active will:
have stronger muscles and bones /have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat
be less likely to become overweight /decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
possibly lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels
have a better outlook on life
Besides enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise, kids who are physically fit sleep better and are better able to handle physical
and emotional challenges — from running to catch a bus to studying for a test. While this information provides rationale for exercise,
how can we get our kids interested in exercise? Consider these tips: Kids can be fit even if they're not winning sports trophies. The
key is finding activities they enjoy. The options are many — from inline skating and bike riding to tennis and swimming.
When kids find an activity that's fun, they'll do it a lot, get better at it, feel accomplished, and want to do it even more. Likewise, if
they're pushed into activities they don't like, they're unlikely to want to participate and will end up feeling frustrated.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/exercise.html#cat20740 We at Kids Be Aware are willing and able to help
parents embrace healthy change for you and your family. Our wellness center is an excellent place to start! Here we can help you and
your children learn about healthy changes and show you how to get started. Be sure to come visit us and embrace healthy change!
Susan Ruiz, MS Chair, Kids Be Aware, Inc.
Body Wellness
Page 4
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.
5. and similar activities. To exercise the mind and give
the body a rest while cooling down, one might
consider gathering in a central location (beneath a
shade tree or in a particular home) to play a series
of board games (Monopoly, Candy land, Healthy
Helpings – My Plate Pocket Chart, chess, checkers,
etc.).
Finally, many libraries across the country
offer story time, among other activities, to
encourage reading. Did you know that children
who struggle with reading can actually improve
their skills through practicing reading themselves or
listening to stories that are read to them by
someone else? Most libraries even offer children
the opportunity to participate in a summer reading
program that can often be turned into credit in
some schools. In addition, other available activities
may include puppet shows and other fun activities
to keep your children entertained for hours. pure
fun.
Whatever your choice, please make sure that your
child enjoys the summer outside or in a meaningful
and healthy way instead of sitting in front of the
TV or computer playing video games while snacking
on unhealthy junk food that is high in fat and
calories. Below are some websites that you can
access for additional information. Have a fun and
safe summer!
Blount, C. (2011). http://www.livestrong.com/
article/196975-food-sources-of-epa-dha/
Frugal Dad. (2009). 14 cheap summer activities for
children. Retrieved on July 14, 2013 from http://
frugaldad.com/fun-summer-activities-for-kids/
Woburn Public Library. (2013).
http://www.woburnpubliclibrary.org/
Renee Sullivan, Co-Chair
Kids Be Aware, Inc.
Kids Be Aware, Inc is
now accepting new
enrollments for its
drop in program. To
receive free drop in
care, you must:
1) Become a member of
Kids Be Aware
2) Register for our program classes
To register your child visit our website
at: http://www.kidsbeaware.org/
Our Organization, non-profit in nature mission's is
to provide top level curriculum activities for chil-
dren while creating a healthy environment for kids
to come in learn and play. Please visit us today!!!
We Accept Donation please visit us today! You
must be registered and a Member of Kids Be Aware
to receive free Drop in Care through out the year.
Call: 781-399-4638 To register your child today! Or
register via our website.
Free Math and Reading
Tutoring all year long
Creating a Newer lifestyle cont.)
Page 5
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.
Drop In Services For 9 to 13
years old
6. We are on the Web!
Visit us at: www.kidsbeaware.org
Page 6
KIDS BE AWARE, INC.
KBA Board Members
Jeannette Bryant CEO kidsbeawarenow@gmail.com 781-354-2701
Tiffany Henderson Treasurer donald_and_tiffany@yahoo.com 678-431-6543
Susan Ruiz Chair susan.ruiz@waldenu.edu 301-302-4215
Teresa Godley-Chase Co-chair Teressa.godley-chase@waldenu.edu 240-515-4222
Renee Sullivan Co-Chair renee.l.sullivan@gmail.com 478-718-1306
Regina Rainey Board Member reginarainey@ymail.com 864-303-2151
Kids Be Aware, Inc.
P.O Box 2173
Woburn, MA 01801
Monthly Highlights
“We strive to partner with schools, churches,
and organizations to focus on the health and
well-being of our children”
We are looking for Volunteers.
All volunteers must submit to
a Cori/Sori Check before
working with children. Visit
our website or come in our
location and start volunteering
today!
Kids Be Aware, Inc
Center is now
Opened
We welcome any donations to help us with the
expansion of our program
To donate to our organization please use this link:
http://www.kidsbeaware.org/donate
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