About the Healthy Living Committee

To help promote Healthy Living at district schools and to support parents and PACs in this initiative, the District Parent Advisory Council has a new Healthy Living Committee!

This committee will report to the District Parent Advisory Council at their regular meetings. Some of the roles of the committee will be to:

• Link parents and PACs to resources, information, and healthy living best practices via the website.  
• Organize events/workshops/speakers to build school, PAC and parent capacity around healthy living. Eg. Fundraising workshop
• Network with stakeholder organizations to further build support and capacity for Healthy Living in the community.

The committee welcomes your input. Feel free to contact Wendy Aasen at 250-542-6920.

Tools For PAC

• Talk to your school administration to find out where your school is at in regards to Healthy Living policy.
• Approach the PAC president about forming a PAC Healthy Living Committee.
• Offer to head up or be a member of the committee.
• Discuss ways to work with the Fundraising committee to offer "healthy fundraisers".
• Talk to other concerned parents about becoming involved at the school.
• Look at ways to support the school goals in this area and to supplement what the school is doing.
• Plan events and examine ways to involve the school community in becoming more health oriented.
• Start a "Health" newsletter. See the newsletter section on this site for ideas...
• Keep informed and consider becoming involved with the District PAC Healthy Living Committee.

Fundraising is a necessary and invaluable contribution to our community and schools and the efforts of our volunteers are greatly appreciated in the district!

By providing and encouraging healthy eating and activity in our school community, we send consistent messages to our students that we want to help “practice what we teach”.

But how do we raise the funds needed in our school and community without sacrificing good nutrition and health?

Many schools have found solutions. Here are a few that will hopefully help to get your good ideas flowing. And don’t forget to let us know about your successes so that we can share them with other schools in the district!

Creative Financing and Fun Fundraising*

*Adapted from California Department of Health Services, California Project LEAN

• Greeting cards
• Gift wrap, boxes, and bags
• Magazine subscriptions
• Gift coupons
• Holiday wreaths, poinsettas
• Mother’s Day flower baskets, plants,bulbs, seeds
• Cookbooks (healthy!)
• Books, calendars, family planners
• Bumper Stickers, pins, pens
• Advance tickets – hockey, movie rentals, theatres,etc
• Pet treats, toys, accessories
• Tupperware
• Christmas ornaments
• First aid kits
• Craft kits
• Car kits
• Batteries (everyone uses them!)
• Raffle tickets (get creative!)
• Gift baskets
• Christmas trees
• Newspaper space, ads
• Stationary, computer paper
• Dried fruits, nuts
• Boxes of apples, oranges

• gift wrapping
• fun runs
• walk a thons, bike a thons
• rent a teen helper ( rake leaves, mow lawns, wash dog, etc)
• singing telegrams
• car wash ( pre-sell tickets as gifts)
• talent shows
• read a thons
• carnivals
• dances
• bottle drive
• golf tournament
• bowling night/ bowl a thon
• skate night/skate a thon
• magic show
• family/glamour portraits
• raffles (movie passes, them bags, etc)
• garage sale
• craft sale
• Dinner, dance

Things that Promote the School 

• cookbooks (recipes contributed by members of school community)
• T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc
• Bumper stickers, license plate holders
• Pens, mugs, calendars
• Yearbook sales

• Canadian Tire money
• Soup can labels
• Receipts for participating store rebate programs
• Bottles, cans, tetra boxes
• Used printer cartridges (some companies have school programs)

 Try these suggestions…

• Stock up before the week begins
• Involve your kids. Provide the choices and let them pick. Encourage older children to prepare their own lunches
• Prepare your grocery list
• Wash, cut, trim, grate, portion out. Keep in handy, accessible containers.
• Make sure you have all the necessary utensils – containers, bags, wrap, thermos, ice pack, water bottle, etc. If your child has access to a microwave, include instructions for reheating and make sure the container is microwaveable!
• Make lunches the night before or allow plenty of time in the morning.
• Double batches of muffins, soups, and freeze

• Whole grain bread, rolls, wraps, pita pockets, etc
• Whole grain crackers (lower sodium, fat, and 0 trans fat best)
• Cheeses – string, spreadable, low-fat cream, block, slices
• Meats (leftovers are best, but if buying deli and preservatives and salt are a concern, ask for their “primo” or “select” line. They cost a little more, but are less processed)
• Canned fish/meat – salmon, tuna, ham
• Eggs for hardboiling (fried egg sandwiches are good, but make sure you include an ice pack)
• Low-fat mayonnaise or Miracle Whip and salad dressings for dipping
• Yogurt – buy cartons and portion if cost is a concern
• Veggies – carrots, peppers, celery, cucumbers, etc
• Fresh fruits (remember to peel and freeze overripe bananas for muffins, smoothies, etc)
• Canned fruit in pear juice – portion. Most “cups” are sweetened
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Milk, chocolate milk – portion and use ice pack of course
• Pure fruit juices – portion and freeze if desired
• Trail mix – unsalted seeds, soy nuts, dried fruit, cereals (can be sweetened for a “treat”), etc
• Wholegrain flour for making muffins
• Lowfat dip ingredients – get creative with cream cheese, humus, beans, salsa
• Unsweetened, dried fruit bars (these can be hard on teeth)

• Make a batch of soup, chili, and freeze in individual microwaveable containers or thaw and heat first and put in a thermos
• If cooking roasted meats, make enough for leftovers and use the extra for sandwiches
• Serve a variety of breads in a variety of ways – banana bread with cheese, for example
• Spread with something new like – cream cheese with grated carrots, apples, banana, ham and pineapple
• Roll it up in a wrap or quesadilla style (put filling between two tortillas and cut in wedges)
• Fill a pita pocket – get creative – leftovers work great
• Remember devilled eggs?
• Try cutting cheese, breads, into fun shapes (I know, who has time?)
• Bored with the same old apple or banana? Slice and provide “dips”  - chocolate pudding or yogurt

• Send what they will eat and don’t despair.
• Offer a balanced breakfast and make the after school snack  “count”
• Aim for more variety at home.
• Keep offering new foods. 
• Encourage your child to bring leftovers home rather than throw them out.They can     always have the uneaten foods for a snack and you will know how much they’ve eaten.
• Try not to overreact or make food a battleground.

  General tips for eating healthier …

• The closer a food to its “ natural” state, the better. Processing usually means added fats, salt, sugar, colour, and preservatives.
• Include a variety of fruits and vegetables daily (aim for 5 to 10 a day). The more colours, the better.
• “Whole grain” can be deceiving. Read the label to see if it lists whole grain wheat flour or whole grain oat flour. Wheat flour is just regular white flour. 
• Avoid foods containing “transfats” (hydrogenated oils and shortening). Opt for non-hydrogenated margarines over the other varieties. Try to consume less saturated fats (mostly from fatty meats and high fat dairy) and cook with pure oils such as canola or olive.
• Size matters. When having less healthy snacks, choose the smallest size offered or stick to the serving size on the package.
• Milk products are important at all ages. If milk is not tolerated, talk to a professional about your options.
• Try adding more plant-based proteins to your diet. Seeds, nuts, and legumes (beans) can be an important part of a healthy diet.

• Fruit smoothies(frozen berries, banana, , milk or yogurt)
• Fruit slushees (pure fruit juice concentrate, ice)
• Chocolate smoothies (banana, chocolate milk)
• Frozen bananas (dipped and rolled in yummy toppings)
• Trail mix (favourite whole grain dry cereals, low sodium pretzels, unsalted nuts (check school allergy policy), dried fruit, soy nuts, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, a few Smarties for colour and appeal)
• Fruit kabobs
• Watermelon
• Frozen yogurt tubes
• Veggies and dip
• Fruit and yogurt dip
• Cheese strings
• Dried fruit bars

• Whole grain muffins (find a local supplier)
• Whole grain bagels, low-fat, flavoured cream cheeses
• Fresh baked pretzels (whole grain best)
• Homemade Baked Beans with ww bread (these can be delicious! Do them in slow cookers. You may have to do a taste test day.)
• Soup/chili bar
• Salad bar (lots of low-fat options)
• Sandwich/wrap/bagel/toast bar
• Potatoe Bar – baked potatoes with a variety of toppings
• Baked wedgie potatoes with skin (also try yams) with different “dips”. Be sure to use non-hydrogenated fats like canola oil.

Incentives / ideas to encourage healthier purchases

• Use punch cards for healthy items – discount and reward (10th purchase free, prize draw, etc)
• Pricing – offer healthy choice for less - eg baked wedgie fries with skin,less than regular
• Serve fries as a side dish only and make servings small. That way, they are not replacing an otherwise healthy lunch
• Combos – buy a sandwich and get a free milk 
• Offer “specials” – soup day, salad day, wrap day
• Provide free fruit – apples, bananas, oranges
• Provide self-serve toast/bagel bar (butter, cream cheese and jam) at “cost” or by donation
• Survey students to get their healthy preferences
• Provide nutritional information where possible or use a health check for best choices

Healthy Living Links

Directorate of Agencies for School Health - DASH:Find information on school food policies, breakfast programs, and other resources and tools for parents, schools, and communities

Dieticians of Canada:Information on nutrition and links to many additional resources

BC Dairy Foundation:School milk programs, school curriculum, nutrition information are some of many resources on this site.

Knowledge Network - Making it Happen:Making it Happen is an online tool for schools, parents, and pollicy-makers who want to take a healthier approach to eating at school. Video resource also available

Mission Nutrition:Created by the Canadian Dietitians Association, this site contains classroom curriculum for teachers, resources for parents, and an interactive game for students.

Action Schools! BC:A new resource available for BC schools to increase activity opportunities for students.

BC Parks and Recreation Association:Look for ideas to get moving. Featuring Move for Health Day and Summer Active.

Canadian Health Network:A valuable resource for all kinds of health information

Interior Health Authority:Access to local health information and services. Link to "Stan and Fran" school health newsletter.Go to "Information" and click on Newsletters.

BC Healthy Living Alliance:A new alliance of provincial health organizations whose mandate is chronic disease prevention through healthy living. Information and links to provincial initiatives.

Ready, Set, Go!:The sport website for families from the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity:A website devoted to women and girls who want to be active.

Way to Go - ICBC:The Insurance Corporation of BC's site for active and safe routes to school. This site offers resources and ideas to promote safe cycling and walking routes to school. Also links to Walk to School week.

Go For Green:A Canadian initiative that encourages activity that is environmentally friendly. Lots of resources for keeping active like the Commuter Challenge and Winter Green - cold weather ideas.

Alberta Centre for Active Living:Some great resources and information related to getting active for health.

Ministry Of Health:Province of Bc Ministry of Health site.

Ministry of Education:BC Ministry of Education website. Link to Health Promoting schools.

California Project Lean:A wealth of resources, evaluations, articles, and material promoting healthy eating and physical activity in schools and community