Summer on the Horizon

It's almost impossible for Super Snack Lady to believe that the school year is practically over!  Yet, as she looks at the calendar she can see that she is done with school visits for the year and there are only 4.5 days of school left.  Where did the year go?  Each month flew by faster than the month before and she truly enjoyed getting to know each class on an individual basis!

Now that school is over Super Snack Lady wants to know how you, yes YOU, are going to stay active and healthy over the summer.  Below are some yummy and busy ways to keep healthy while Super Snack Lady and school takes a break for the summer months.
 
1)  SWIM!  It's a full body workout that helps keep your muscles strong and helps your lungs get stronger too.  Not to mention that when it's hot out that it's a great way to cool off.  Just don't forget the sunscreen!

2)  Enjoy a cool, fresh snack!  In May Super Snack Lady brought yogurt parfaits to your classroom.  What was the recipe you ask?  It's SIMPLE!  Just buy vanilla flavored yogurt (Super Snack Lady loves Danen Light and Fit brand) and your favorite fruit.  Wash fruit, cut it up, and put in the yogurt.  Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, tangerines,  and blackberries all make great treats.  Try mixing a couple fruits to find an extra yummy- and healthy- treat.

3)  Ride your bike in the evening!  Riding your bike is not only fun but a great way to get your legs strong and to build stamina with your lungs.  Super Snack Lady recommends doing it after dinner when it's a little cooler rather then in the middle of the day when it's so hot.

4)  Frozen grapes are DELICIOUS!  Super Snack Lady loves frozen purple grapes.  Not only are they a healthy snack but they make a great snack to cool you off in hot summer days.

5)  Sweet corn!  We live in Iowa where we get the best sweet corn towards the end of July and early August.  Grill it up, boil it, cut it off the cob and freeze it for winter months.  No matter how you enjoy it make sure you get local, fresh sweet corn when it's ready and enjoy the yummy stuff that most states have to ship in from other sources.  Being in Iowa isn't so bad after all, huh?

Enjoy your summer and know that the ISU Extension Office of Linn County along with the Iowa Department of Public Health is very excited to bring nutrition to YOUR school in the fall when school starts back up!