Welcome to Friendly February!

Be friendly to others and give your relationships a boost. 



Click here to download and print the calendar.

Vanessa King from Action for Happiness shares her top tips for Friendly February, based on the key of Relating (one of the 10 Keys for Happier Living). Don't miss her suggestions (or her incredible necklace!) for bringing Friendly February to life throughout your day.

From the American Heart Association:

Damar Hamlin's #3forHeart™ CPR Challenge

Join Damar in taking 3 simple steps to support CPR education and training, research, and other lifesaving programs. You can help save lives today. Learn Hands-Only CPR here.

13 Exercises for Balance

Balance exercises are appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Improved balance makes daily activities, such as walking on stairs, carrying heavy items, and suddenly changing directions, easier. A strong, stable base will allow you to move with more coordination, ease, and fluidity. You’ll also gain stronger and more enhanced movement during athletic activities. Try some here!

Helping You Be Your Best

SLUSD partners with Claremont EAP and Care Solace to support our collective well-being, including you and your family. If you or your family needs support, use these resources available to you as a valued member of SLUSD:

1. Claremont Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Call 800-834-3773 if your need is urgent, or visit their website at: https://www.claremonteap.com/

2. Care Solace: Call 888-515-0595. Support is available 24/7/365 in any language. Visit www.caresolace.com/slusdfamilies and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

How Your Favorite Songs Might Reveal Your Attachment Style

Researchers have discovered how our personality and attachment style may influence the songs we like—and how music has changed over time.

Read more here.

SLUSD Pet of the Month: Yeti Burgess

Bancroft Science Teacher (and Wellness Newsletter reader!) Evan Burgess shares a sweet doggie love story for February

Yeti was adopted last February on Valentine’s Day. We don’t know exactly how old he is but he says he's about 2 years old. He is a Great Pyrenees that has strong instincts to protect as they were bred to guard livestock. Great Pyrenees is a breed that has been around for over 10,000 years! His hobbies are barking at squirrels and anything else that moves. So nice to meet you Yeti and welcome to the SLUSD family!

We want to see your pets, babies, and even your beautiful gardens! Send your photos to communications@slusd.us and win an unlimited year of cheek-scratching!

Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo With Mushrooms

With just nine ingredients, you can make creamy vegan fettuccine alfredo from scratch. Plus, it only calls for 20 minutes, so you can spend more time enjoying Valentine’s Day dinner. Don’t forget the garlic bread as well.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces dry fettuccine pasta
• 1 cup white mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups almond milk or cashew milk
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water with 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook for about 10 minutes, or until it's al dente. Remove the pot from heat, drain the fettuccine, and then return it to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, while the pasta is cooking, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan for a few minutes. Add the mushrooms, stirring occasionally to saute until they've softened and started to brown. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt, give a stir, and then let them continue to cook for another minute. Reduce the heat to medium.
3. Add the flour, stirring to coat the mushrooms, and then let it cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour the almond milk in all at once and whisk gently, taking care to scrape up any bits at the bottom. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper, garlic powder, and soy sauce.
4. Increase the heat to medium-high again and bring the sauce to a light boil, whisking every minute. Once it's thickened, remove it from the heat and toss it with the cooked fettuccine noodles. Serve immediately.

(Credit: Amusing Foodie)

3 Ingredient Brownies

Moist, delicious, healthy, and made with only THREE healthy plant-based ingredients! The perfect gluten-free and vegan {healthy} chocolate dessert recipe for anyone who wants to eat healthier!

Ingredients

• 3 large bananas (about 1 ½ cups mashed) very ripe will give the best flavor
• ½ cup cocoa powder unsweetened
• 1 ½ cups raw almond butter crunchy, oil slightly drained
• (optional) ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare an 8-in. x 8-in. square baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray or rubbing coconut oil around the sides and bottom so the brownies do not stick.
2. In a large bowl mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. Add the almond butter and mix until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and optional cinnamon and blend until no visible cocoa powder is seen.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until set and slightly dark on the top. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before slicing.

(Credit: Delightful Mom Food)

Getting ready for the SLUSD Spring Wellness Fair!

Our Spring PD Day on March 31 will bring back our popular Wellness Fair at lunchtime. As we are preparing, one of our community partners, Junia, shared a Lunar New Year Video she made for schools in China. We hope it brings a smile to your face and energy to the new year!