October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This recognized awareness month might have not been common knowledge to some, but it is becoming more well known. In an article published October 3, the Associated Press covered an anchorwoman's inspiring editorial story.
"Anchorwoman Jennifer Livingston of WKBT-TV in La Crosse, Wisconsin responded on air to a viewer who wrote in an email that she is overweight and a poor role model. Livingston says she has received well over a thousand supportive messages," (AP).
The video of the news cast has bounced around to multiple news channels. Livingston describes herself as very aware that she is overweight, but that does not define her as a person. She uses the hurtful email to prove to audiences that bullying exists. She was not hurt by the words, but she makes a point that those words could hurt a child. Children can learn bullying habits from parental figures and bring that into schools.
Coincidentally, September was National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Weight does not define a person. Boney is beautiful, fat is beautiful and average is beautiful. But, a healthy diet is important. As explained on the Choose My Plate website, the key to being healthier for all body types is eating smaller portioned meals and eating healthier choices, especially in the snack department. It is good for the body to have light meals and healthy snacks throughout the day.
I thought I could bring the two months, anti-bullying and obesity awareness, together and share some healthy snack ideas. I found a great article, 10 Super Snacks You Can Make in Under 5 Minutes, that presents a picture and caption based story in a very appealing way, and shares some delicious snack ideas.
I have picked my top 5 from the article and changed them a bit to my taste preferences.
1. Trail Mix
This is one of the most versatile snacks around. Dried fruit works great for trail mix, but I'm not huge on it. For those of you who agree, this trail mix is a bit different. I have my fruit: raisins. I used multi-grain Cheerios not just for the whole grain health, but also for the slightly sweet flavor. Honey-roasted cashews actually have slightly less calories than regular cashews, and I find them much tastier. Finally, if you want more flavor, add in some granola.
2. Ants on a Log
The perfect picnic food. Fast, easy, delicious and cute. Just three easy ingredients: celery, peanut butter and raisins. Cut the celery into bite-sized pieces. Then, spread some peanut butter in the middle and add "ants" or raisins on top.
3. Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
I don't care if it is summer or winter, smoothies are delicious and healthy. In a blender, mix 1/2 cup of strawberries with the leaves cut off the top, 1/2 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup of skim milk, a whole banana and my personal touch, a tablespoon of peanut butter. This drink will fill you up and make your roommates jealous.
4. Make-Your-Own Yogurt Bar
Mashed potato bars and yogurt bars are the new buffet fad. You get to pick what toppings you want and it is easy to make a nice, colorful presentation with the ingredients. Healthier vanilla Greek yogurt with fruit and Special K granola is perfect for snacks and breakfast.
5. "Baked" Sweet Potato
A great fall snack, the "baked" sweet potato uses one sweet potato cooked for 5 minute in the microwave. Poke the potato a few times with a fork before popping it in the microwave. Mix in flavors to make that sweet potato sweeter. You can use cinnamon, brown sugar, honey and/or the pumpkin pie spice I used in my earlier Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe.
You can adjust the snacks to what tastes you enjoy best. Click on the article, "10 Super Snacks," above to learn all of the health benefits of each homemade snack! Be healthy and happy!
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