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
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!
Dear Parents/Guardian:
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 of the Paterson Full Service Community Schools have the brightest future and utmost success.
All service will resume again in the fall. Please note the Health Centers in School 15 and Frank Lautenberg School will be open throughout July. Please contact the Treatment Coordinators to schedule visits.
School 15 : 973-321-0155
Frank Lautenberg: 973-321-1000 ext. 20648
If you would like to continue Health Center Services in the fall ie: Behavioral Health, Pediatric Doctor/ Nurse Practitioner, Dental, Optical, and Nutrition Education and Workshops, please contact/visit the treatment Coordinator at the Health Center in your school.
Should you require mental health services over the summer, please note the following services and accompanying phone numbers:
PerformCare New Jersey: 1-877-652-7624
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with an office in Paterson, PerformCare develops and manages behavioral health solutions for children, adolescents and families.
Circle of Care for Families and Children of Passaic County: 973-942-4588
Located in Woodland Park, Circle of Care provides services for children with emotional and behavioral challenges using a wraparound model so that the child and family may live and thrive in the community.
Family Intervention Services: 973-523-0089
Located at 655 Broadway in Paterson, FIS provides crisis intervention, therapeutic counseling, case management, education and support for families.
St. Joseph’s Health Screening Service: 973-754-2230
This 24-hour hotline number offers emergency psychiatric evaluation screenings and psychiatric referrals.
For Pediatric Services:
Woodland Park Pediatrics
Dr. Razzak
205 Browertown Rd, Suite 001,
Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Phone: (973) 582-0644
For Optical Services:
Main Street Optical
1010 Main Street,
Paterson, NJ 07503
Phone: (862) 239-9550
For Dental Services:
Transdental
511 River Drive,
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
Phone: (201) 796-0585
We wish you a Healthy and Happy Summer!
Awesome turn out for our School 6 Health Day! Students and families enjoyed “Rock the Bike”! They created healthy smoothies…using yogurts, fruits..yummy berries…almond milk..etc..pedaling the bike spun the blender that was attached and to their surprise… created these delicious treats! Then off to the Health Center dentist and special treat by Dr. Mathew Cichowski!
The Full Service Community School Health Centers presented a workshop on “Breast Cancer Awareness during October. Thank You to all who joined us!! Please click on link the below photos for helpful information:
School 6 New RobertoClemente
School 5
School 15
Having raised four children, believe me when I say that Halloween festers 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 ie. 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 rip 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, pre-heat oven to 425. Mix tomatoes, basil, oregano, and…
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As I begin to look forward to this school year and contemplate how to address Nutrition and Wellness for our students, I am please to announce that Graduate and Undergraduates in the field of Nutrition from various Colleges and Universities will be working hard to help bring information to our students and families through activities and workshops!
As a Nutrition Educator, I am please to host various group sessions in October to salute “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” and will be doing workshops at your school. (Please check calendar for date and time). We salute all Survivors this month and always!
I will leave you with this thought. We are fortunate to live in the “Garden State” where seasonal growing has afforded us the opportunity to visit farms and Fall is certainly apple picking season!
So, does an apple a day really keep the doctor away?
Well, according to Ayurveda medicine (Western medicine practiced in India), our favorite apple is a powerful antioxidant that serves up over 100 times the benefits of vitamin C! They also contain pectin, which is a great source of fiber.
Here is an awesome way to give your children an inexpensive, great morning start:
Take an apple and peel it. Cut it into quarters and place a clove in each quarter piece. Boil it for a few minutes until soft. This assists with digestion. Remove from heat and remove the cloves. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Not only does it help to lower cholesterol but also assists in stabilizing blood sugar. The mineral, Boron, in apples have been linked to bone health and osteoporosis prevention while the fiber helps us feel full through morning classes so we are not reaching for that candy bar!
So what about the clove? Well, the clove reigns from Indonesia. Although it carries a pungent smell and taste, it has been used as an antiseptic and not only kills bacteria and soothes toothaches but aids in circulation. One tiny clove provides the mineral, manganese, also an important mineral for bone health.
Clove
And how can I forget the delicious taste of cinnamon! The new rumor about cinnamon is that it helps in regulating blood sugar and its true! Here are some other truths: It helps with stiffness in muscles and joints and is a great digestive aid.
So not only will this breakfast treat serve you and your child a host of health benefits, it will fill you up and keep you energy charged to meet the stresses of the day!
Namaste! Denise Hajjar, M.S
