Lyons Elementary School Health Fair

On March 29th, Houston DINEs joined a slew of other neighborhood organizations at Lyons Elementary School for a Health Fair followed by a Town Hall Meeting featuring Councilmember Ed Gonzalez.

During the health fair, students were exposed to information to keep them healthy such as information from CAN DO Houston, City of Houston Health and Human Services and Blue Bear from Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas. The health fair and meeting went well!!

Over eighty Lyons Elementary students exercised their advocacy muscles by coloring sheets that urged the city to support healthy causes. Each student did an amazing job!

To keep on track followed these tips to make living well easy breezy.

1. Start by introducing healthier elements into foods that your child already likes. For example, offer blueberry pancakes, carrot muffins, fruit slices over a favorite cereal, chunks of bell pepper in a potato salad, or shredded veggies over rice.

2. Don’t buy unhealthy foods. Out of sight, out of mind. If the chips and cookies aren’t around, your kids can’t eat them. They may resist at first, but when they get hungry, they’ll start munching the carrot sticks. Keep healthy foods on hand — 100 percent juice instead of colas or sugary drinks, and a bag of apples instead of a bag of chips.

3. Encourage kids to “eat their colors.” This game works well with younger kids. Food that’s bland in color often also lacks nutrients. Eating a variety of brightly colored foods provides more nutrients in greater variety. Be a good role model. The best way to influence kids is by example. Don’t expect them to eat spinach if you won’t touch it.