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March 2025
Volume 21 Issue 3
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National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, and the theme for 2025 is
Food Connects Us
What's the purpose?
- To encourage healthy eating and physical activity habits
- To educate people about nutrition-related topics like food safety and malnutrition
- To help people make informed food choices
How can you participate?
- Learn about making informed food choices
- Develop healthy eating and physical activity habits
- Share your tips, recipes, and progress using #NationalNutritionMonth on social media
What resources are available?
- The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics hosts resources on its website
- You can learn more about nutrition from your local health department
What are some tips for healthy eating?
- Include healthful foods from all food groups
- Be mindful of portion sizes
- Eat two to three servings of fruits daily
- Eat at least 1 cup of non-starchy vegetables at lunch and dinner
- Include protein at all meals and snacks
- Include healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, and olive oil
To kickoff National Nutrition Month, National School Breakfast Week March 3 – 7,
to support the health and well-being of our nation's children. National Nutrition Month is the perfect time to highlight the essential role nutrition plays in sustaining healthier lives. The theme for NSBW25 is "Clue In to School Breakfast." Square Meals Nutrition Association has resources available to help schools celebrate.
More info and Resources
Registered Dietitian Day – Houston
Registered Dietitian Day celebrated on the second Wednesday in March during National Nutrition Month®. Registered Dietitian Day increases awareness of registered dietitian nutritionists as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDNs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.
Houston Mayor Bill White, in conjunction with the Oliver Foundation, proclaimed March 11, 2009, Houston Registered Dietitian Day.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
March 4 – 23, 2025
After all this healthy eating information, Rodeo Houston is one of the “Biggest” food fests for the city. So many things fried, on a stick, double or tripled dipped, huge portions ( all shareable) and high in fat and calories. Most everything is “super-sized”. The rodeo grounds, miles and miles do require a lot of walking and exercise, just remember you can’t walk off what you eat!!
It's lots of fun, quality animals, showings, judging resulting in millions of scholarships for deserving teens. Remember to see all the student’s artwork they are winners too. The rodeo provides something for every age: child petting zoo, hatching eggs, rescue dog show, carnival, shopping beyond belief, a fabulous rodeo with many nights shows dedicated to our nation, first responders, military, and more. Then the grand finale, the entertainment at the end of each rodeo. There is even shopping and great food in the stadium.
Remember your donations go toward student scholarships and the entire rodeo is organized and run by volunteers who work year-round.
Deborah L Woehler, MS, RDN, LD
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Oliver Foundation Healthy Choices Grant
Next Deadline April 15, 2025
Apply Now
Champion Energy Scholarship
The Champion Energy scholarship program has opened for its eleventh consecutive year and is now accepting applications through March 31st.
As with prior years, Champion will award three individual scholarships: a $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 scholarship. Upon award, each scholarship will be paid directly to the recipient's university.
- Who can enter? Must be a Texas resident in their senior year of high school, scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2025
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How to enter? Submit online application
- When is the application due? March 31, 2025
- When are winners announced? May 12, 2025
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Other questions? Email scholarships@champion.energy
Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
Webinar Tuesday, March 18, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Family Meals: Cooking, Connection, and Culture
Family meals offer numerous benefits that go beyond nutrition—they help develop close-knit relationships, nurture emotional well-being, and create a foundation for healthy, balanced living. Whether it's a simple dinner or a more elaborate weekend gathering, the act of sitting down together is an invaluable practice in any household. Join us for this insightful webinar as we explore the theme "Food Connects Us All," in celebration of this National Nutrition Month. Learn practical tips and strategies to make family mealtimes a cherished tradition in your home.
Register
Oliver Foundation Teen Advisory Board
Is Accepting Applications through March 7, 2025
for the 2025-2026 School Year.
Email sjbristow@oliverfoundation.org to apply
“YEAH!”– YOUTH EXCITED ABOUT HEALTh! Our goal is to inspire and motivate our generation to live healthy, balanced life and make healthy choices. The Oliver Foundation Teen Advisory Board was established in 2004 and remains an active advisory board to the Oliver Foundation.
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The Oliver Foundation Teen Advisory Board is a 15 member organization represented by students across the Houston area. Each month you'll meet a different member who will share their perspective on living a healthy life.
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Reid Wright
Teen Board Member
The Kinkaid School - Houston, TX
Teen Board Member 2024 – Present
Why Sleep is Your Secret Weapon for Success
Imagine this: You show up to class, and your brain remembers what you studied last night. Or you’re on the basketball court, and your reaction time is so sharp that you steal the ball like a pro. Sounds great, right? Well, the secret to unlocking this level of focus, energy, and performance isn’t some magic trick—it’s getting enough sleep.
Sleep Supercharges Your Brain
Think of your brain like your phone. If you don’t charge it overnight, it’s going to run out of battery fast. The same thing happens to your brain when you don’t get enough sleep. A study by the National Sleep Foundation found that teens who get 8–10 hours of sleep perform better in school. Why? Because sleep helps your brain store information, so when it’s test time, you remember what you studied!
Sleep = Your Athletic Superpower
If you’re into sports, sleep might just be your cheat code. Research shows that well-rested athletes have:
· Faster reaction times
· Sharper decision-making
· More endurance
That means if you want to be quicker on the court, field, or track, getting quality sleep is just as important as practicing!
Can Sleep Help You Stay Fit?
Believe it or not, sleep can even help with weight management. When you’re sleep-deprived, your body craves junk food, making it harder to say no to late-night snacks. But when you’re well-rested, your body naturally balances hormones that control hunger, making healthy choices easier. Bonus: Sleeping instead of snacking means you cut out unnecessary late-night calories.
Level Up Your Sleep Game
If you want to wake up feeling ready to crush the day, here’s how to improve your sleep:
• Stick to a schedule – Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
• Put your phone away – The blue light messes with your sleep, so try stopping screen time 30 minutes before bed.
• Keep it cool & dark – Your room should be cool and dark for the best sleep.
Want better grades? More energy? Faster reflexes? Sleep is the key to being at your best every day. So next time you’re tempted to pull an all-nighter or stay up scrolling, remember getting those 8–10 hours is your ticket to success.
Reid Wright
March 2025
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Teen Board Recipe
Matthew Chuan
Co-Event Coordinator
Bright Spring Salad!
The cold, harsh winds of the winter are leaving us, and the warm breezes of spring will begin soon! What’s better at bightening up a nice spring day than a stroll outside and a bright spring salad? This recipe is extremely simple – no fancy equipment needed – yet also incredibly nutritious.
Ingredients:
Salad greens – whatever you want, from iceberg lettuce to arugula, chopped
Feta cheese, or whatever you desire
Avocado, sliced
Radishes, sliced
Peas, fresh shelled spring peas
Asparagus
Berries – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and whatever you have will work
Nuts – any will work, and they provide extra protein
Salad dressing – 1-2 Tablespoons fresh chopped basis, 1/8 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, ½ cup, or more of olive oil, 1/8 cup white wine vinegar, 1-2 teaspoons Dijon to emulsify the dressing, salt and pepper to taste.
Recipe:
1: Boil the asparagus in a large pot of salt water for one minute. Once done, put the asparagus into an ice water pot. Cut asparagus when cool.
2: Place the chopped salad greens in a salad bowl. Layer the asparagus and peas. Add sliced avocado, sliced radishes, berries, nuts and cheese on top. Drizzle the dressing.
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The Oliver Foundation
5535 Memorial Drive
Suite F, #256
Houston, TX 77007
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