Does your child suffer from allergies? If so, we have some good news for you! There is a wonderful movement happening called the Teal Pumpkin project. The movement was created by the Food Allergy Research and Education organization (FARE). Their mission is to create a safer and happier Halloween for all kids.
Creating a safer Halloween for all kids.
To learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project, you can visit their website at https://www.foodallergy.org/education-awareness/teal-pumpkin-project.
On the website, you will find wonderful resources including ideas for non-food treats along with information on how you can participate. Together we can assure that all children are able to enjoy a safe and FUN Halloween this year!
Having raised four children, believe me when I say that Halloween stirs up a whole bunch of emotions. While we absolutely love to see our little nuggets prancing around in their favorite costumes, the days before are filled with stress; sowing and trying on customs, searching for creative odds and ends, or standing on long lines exchanging last minute costumes…hmmm not so much. So as we wait for this deliciously ghoulish holiday to begin, here are some healthy alternatives to the day’s activities:
If you do have some time to whip up a healthy pizza before, during or after trick or treating try:
Pizza dough
Mozzarella Cheese
5 large ripe tomatoes peeled or 1 large can of peeled plum tomatoes
1 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, first cold press
1 tablespoon of basil
1teaspoon of oregano
sea salt
First, preheat oven to 425. Mix tomatoes, basil, oregano, and a few sprinkles of sea salt and 1 tablespoon of the oil in a blender until puree into a sauce. Arrange on dough and pop in the oven for about 10 minutes on 425. In meantime, use a ghost cookie cutter and cut out ghost shapes of mozzarella cheese add a green pepper slice or carrot slice for a top hat…ok some ghosts wear hats, right? Pop in the oven until shapes start to resemble a ghost about 5 minutes…. take out of the oven an cut some olives for eyes; could be green olives or black olives.
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, lutein and scientist believe this rich mixture of phytochemicals fight disease as well as serve up a good portion of anti-cancer benefits– not to mention they are an excellent source for healthy eyes. Oregano is about one of the healthiest herbs you can serve your family. It contains vitamins A, B6, K and C as well as minerals such calcium and potassium. Oregano is a great digestive aid. Keep in mind that adding a few drops of oregano oil in your favorite juice each morning helps to boost your immune system. Basil also contains vitamin A and K and they don’t call it Holy Basil for nothing. Ayurvedic medicine has been remedying with basil for thousands of years. It too helps to fight infections and works well to help clear acne due to its anti-inflammatory capabilities and of course, vitamin A, helps to cleanse infected skin, cells.
For dessert, a special treat: Carve a mini orange jack o lantern…scoop out the orange “guts” and refill with some organic orange sherbet…great fun is watching the sherbet drip through the eyes and mouth! Oranges are very high in vitamin C and quercetin and there is much press regarding oranges’ health benefit in reducing the onset of asthma.
If you are really into this festive holiday, and of course wish to not sleep the night before…. boil eggs, peel and add a ghost face with an edible black marker. Eggs are an awesome start to a school day; the protein keeps your child full longer and focused on schoolwork.
Finally, a few ideas for Filling those Trick-O-Treat bags:
Cereal bars
Granola bars
Rice crispy treats
Fake teeth
Fake eyeballs
Spider or glowing rings
Halloween pencils (unsharpened)
Crazy Halloween erasers
Glowing rubber bracelets
Finally a treat for mom! Don’t know what to do with that leftover, carved pumpkin?
Make a promise to yourself after all the day’s activities and the kids are soundly asleep. Go to the bathroom…lock the door and relax with a good lavender soak and apply:
To create a face mask of oatmeal and shredded pumpkin and add a few drops of fish oil and relax with a face mask for about 10 minutes.
1 and ½ tablespoons of shredded pumpkin
1 teaspoon of oatmeal (old-fashion)
1 teaspoon of fish oil or if you cringe at the thought of the smell, you can use coconut oil. While the fish oil will help to rebound elasticity to help with wrinkles, coconut oil is a great rejuvenator and skin softener. In fact, put some on your lips to help soothe and keep them moist during sleep.
The pumpkin is high in beta-carotene and aids in washing away dead skin cells, oatmeal helps to clean and calm the skin.
Rinse and follow with a good night cream of
1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt mixed with 1 teaspoon of cocoa butter or honey
This will both soften and smooth out wrinkles!
Happy Halloween!
Denise Hajjar, MS,
Holistic Nutrition Educator
Questions? Email Denise at denisehealthnwellness@gmail.com
We are thrilled to welcome back our wonderful students to all of the Full Service Community School Health Centers (FSCS) in participating schools. We know this is going to be a wonderful and healthy year for all children!
If you have been wondering what the FSCS Health Center is, we would love to share a little bit about ourselves:
The FSCS Health Center is The Board of Education’s Comprehensive School-Based Health Clinics. We operate pediatric Health Centers that provide children access to quality care inside the school. At all FSCS Health Centers your children can receive the following care:
- Pediatric Doctor scheduled appointments for sick and well-care preventative services
- Dental Care
- Vision Care Both screening, exam, and eyeglasses
- Nutrition Education and parents/guardians workshops
- Behavioral Health Counseling and Social Work Support for students and families
- Audiology screenings
In order to utilize our services, you must first enroll with your school’s Health Center. Below is a list of the participating schools:
Paterson, School 5: Contact Nargish Akther at 973-321-2273
Paterson, NRC: Contact Maryln Grullon at 973-321-1000 Ext. 22489
Paterson, Frank Lautenberg : Contact Diane Savage at 973-321-1000 Ext: 20648
Paterson, School 15: Contact Shalika Ulloa at 973-321-1000 Ext. 10155
Paterson, Napier Academy: Contact Victoria Vargas at 973-321-1000 Ext. 20406
Thank you! And we look forward to working together to make all students healthy and successful this year.
**Please visit the NJ Family Care website to apply for insurance if you lack coverage to see if you qualify. Should you have any questions regarding NJ Family Care application process to enroll your child(ren), please contact the Treatment Coordinators at your school sites by clicking on the “Contact Us” from the menu above.
Photo by Nubia Navarro (nubikini) on Pexels.com
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It has been our sincere pleasure to work with your family in providing Health Care Services this school year. We overwhelming appreciate your confidence and warmly recognize your support as we strive to make sure that each and every student has the brightest future and utmost success. Best wishes for an enjoyable, safe summer from the…
Behavioral Health Team!
Treatment Coordinators!
Lunch Time Cafe’
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The Health Center at your child’s Community School (Napier Academy and Senator Frank Lautenberg) is proud to present the ‘Lunchtime Café’ through our Nutrition Services. This program which will run through May is an opportunity for your child to interactively learn about different nutritional needs through discussions and hands on activities like easy recipe making. We believe it will give your children knowledge about nutrition in ways that can keep them healthy and informed at a young age. This is a crucial time for growth and development and by having the right education about nutrition, children can make healthier choices on their own.
Contact the Health Center today!
Since February is the month of the Heart….our Hearts… I thought it appropriate to share with you this beautifully written excerpt from “Staying Healthy with Nutrition” by E. M. Haas, M. D. Enjoy! Denise Hajjar
Vitamin L (the love vitamin) is commonly known as the “universal” or the “love” vitamin, as coined by humanologist, Bethany ArgIsle. One of the most important nutrients for optimum health is a daily dose (or more) of Love. The vital human emotion/expression/experience is necessary for the optimal functioning of people and all of their cells, tissues, and organs. It is found in most of nature – in foods, domestic animals, friends, and family – and is used to heal a wide variety of diseases. There are no toxic effects, but deficiency can cause a wide range of ailments.
Sources: As stated, vitamin L is found in a great variety of sources but must be developed and nurtured to be available. Fear, anger, worry, self-concern, and many other human emotions can destroy vitamin L. It is found readily in most mums and dads and is very highly concentrated in grandmothers and grandpas. Sisters and brothers may be a good source of vitamin L, though often this is covered up in early years, develops in the teens, and is more available in adulthood. Massage therapy is a particularly good source of vitamin L.
Vitamin L is also found in cats, dogs, and horses; in flowers and birds; and in trees and plants. In food, it is especially found in home-cooked or other meals where vitamin L is used consciously as an ingredient. It is digested and absorbed easily and used by the body in its pure state, being eliminated almost unchanged; in this, it is unique among the vitamins. It is also made by friendly bacteria and all positive reactions and attitudes in the body.
Functions: This vitamin acts as the “universal” vitalizing energy. Vitamin L helps to catalyze all human functions and is particularly important to heart function and the circulation of warmth and joy. Digestion is very dependent on appropriate doses of Vitamin L, as is the function of the nervous system. Adrenalin, the brain endorphins (natural tranquilizers and energizers) and other hormones are enhanced by Vitamin L as well. A wide variety of other bodily and life functions are dependent on vitamin L, and it is extremely important to the healing process.
Deficiency and toxicity: There are rarely any serious problems from excess intake of vitamin L. Side effects, however, may include swooning, a strange feeling in the center of the chest, goosebumps, and staring blankly into space.
We will be hosting Heart Healthy workshops in February to help educate about the importance of preventive care. See our calendar for times at your school. Simply click the dates on the calendar to view events as well as clinical services!
The connection between mind and body is extremely powerful. At our FSCS Health Centers, we often speak about the power that we all to take control of our eating habits in order to create a healthy life. When we incorporate certain principles and habits into our daily lives it becomes possible to take control of our mental health. It is possible, to gain control over our moods as well as reduce stress and anxiety by simply altering our diet.
Our wonderful interns at the health center, Mia Funcheon, and Diana Remache, have created an interesting document that guides you through the mind, body connection and explains practical ways to incorporate good habits into your life today. To access Diana’s guide, please click on the image below.
