SNACKTIME: Fun, healthy holiday recipes

Cooking with your children during the holiday season offers opportunities to have fun in the kitchen and build lifelong memories. As an alternative to making only sweet, not so healthy holiday treats, consider preparing healthier versions from scratch with your children using simple substitutions or additions. This will significantly improve the nutritional content without compromising flavor or fun!

Substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose white flour--Use ¾ to one cup of whole wheat flour to replace one cup of all-purpose flour. Since whole wheat flour is slightly denser, you may need to add a bit more liquid to the recipe.

Nutritional Benefit: Whole wheat flour provides more fiber, vitamin E, B vitamins and trace minerals such as magnesium, iron, zinc and copper than all-purpose, white flour.

Substitute flaxseed for butter or oil in baked goods--Flaxseed provides a fat substitute in most recipes. Three tablespoons of ground or milled flaxseed can replace one tablespoon of margarine, butter or cooking oil. Grind flaxseed in a coffee grinder or purchase packaged ground flax seed/flax seed meal. Flax has a slightly nutty flavor. Add to baked goods for a nutritional boost.

Nutritional Benefit: Flaxseed contains lignans, a type of fiber and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is an omega-3 fatty acid. Both help prevent inflammation that affects the body’s immune system and may also lower risk for certain types of cancer.

Additional ingredients for baked goods--Add chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts

Nutritional Benefit: Nuts are rich in healthy, monounsaturated fats. They help stabilize blood-sugar levels and improve cholesterol and triglycerides, which may reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Nuts are high in fiber, magnesium, potassium and vitamin B6, which increase protection against cardiovascular disease.
 

Spices such as cinnamon, cloves and all-spice--For generations, traditional herbs and spices have been used as food, flavor enhancers, as well as to treat ailments. There is scientific evidence supporting how these herbs and spices provide medicinal properties that alleviate symptoms or prevent disease.

Nutritional Benefit: Many spices such as cinnamon, cloves and ginger not only add flavor, they are high in antioxidants and other health promoting properties.

Enjoy holiday goodies more by modifying recipes just a bit to create healthier alternatives without sacrificing taste!

Submitted by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RDN
Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company
Image credit: Culinary.net 

FRIDAY FOLDER december 12

Highlights of the week: 

The mighty trumpets!

Sydney G. sings sweetly on Hallelujah.

Sydney G. sings sweetly on Hallelujah.

Franco and Yiyi strum away on their cellos

WIlliam S., Aidan D., and Michael B. play the saxophone!

Winter Concert Debuts New Fairmont Jazz Band

 

This last Wednesday, everyone attending the Winter Instrumental Concert enjoyed glorious music. First to play were the 6th grade string players. These students, along with the brass, percussion, and woodwinds students, only began playing their instruments in September. The string class played five songs, including one that featured the chamber string group. The string class was followed by the 6th grade brass, percussion, and woodwinds class. Each section was featured on one of their songs with the finale, "Holiday Sampler," incorporating all the sections. 

Next to take the stage was the "Fairmont Beat," our newest musical addition, which is a jazz/pop band. Fairmont Beat is comprised of nine students in 5th through 8th grade who meet at 7 A.M. each morning to practice. They performed a wonderful array of songs, featuring vocalists on all but one song. Crowd favorites were "Little Talks" featuring Trent B. and Alice F. on vocals and "Summertime" featuring Heather Anne G., Chandler T., and Trent B. on improvised instrumental solos.  

After the jazz band, it was time for six solo acts to show of their musical talents.  Jian P., Dahlia C., Jayne S., and Lianne C. dazzled on the piano. Aaron K. was featured on the violin, and Dale T. and Joel K. performed at flute and violin duet. 

The final act was the Fairmont Orchestra, which showcased 44 students and their musical talents. They began their set with "Festival of Carols" then quickly transitioned to a group of three traditional carols, "Joy to the World," "Silent Night," and "O Come All Ye Faithful." The next song was "Hannukkah Joys" which was then followed by a medley of songs from the movie "Polar Express." Next, Maddie C. sang a wonderful version of the Beatles' classic, "Hey Jude." The last song of the set was "Trepak" from "Nutcracker Suite."  After a brief bow, the orchestra treated the audience to an encore song, "The William Tell Overture." 

Overall it was a wonderful night of music led by Mr. Drake Peterson, Miss Regan Lambert, and Mrs. Marilyn Taylor. The night demonstrated the amazing talents of our students! 

For exciting news and updates from the campuses, check the weekly newsletters below:

Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus 

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

December Lunch Menus:

Anaheim Hills (2nd - 8th Grade)

Anaheim Hills (P - 1st Grade)

Historic Anaheim Preschool

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

Contributed by Neha, Fairmont Private Schools

FAIRMONT FIVE tips to stay healthy during the holidays!

As holiday festivities fill the calendar in December, we want to provide some helpful tips to protect your children’s health.

1. Make sure they wash their hands and don’t share cups or utensils. This habit is especially important during family gathering, visits to the shopping mall, eating at restaurants, and attending other large gatherings.

2. Balance indulging in holiday treats with eating healthy snacks and meals. The daily allowance of fruits and vegetables provides the nutrition needed to fight germs and maintain energy. Have these healthy snacks available for your children during parties where sweet treats are the main fair.

3. Keep the holidays fun and healthy by making sure your children receive adequate rest times and plenty of sleep. Think of quiet activities such as craft making and baking in the kitchen to offset rushing around and attending large parties. Remember, the immune system needs 8.5 to 9 hours of sleep each night.

4. Dress appropriately when seasonal temperature changes are apparent. Keep sweatshirts, beanies and jackets handy for cooler mornings, overcast afternoons and chilly nights.

5. Don’t let exercise take a holiday break. Create holiday traditions that involve running, hiking, playing sports or engaging in other activities. For example, the whole family can participate in Wii games that involve plenty of moment and fun competition.

Have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools
Image credit: Destiny In Bloom 

FRIDAY FOLDER december 5

Highlights of the week:

Photos from previous CHOC Toy Drives.

CHOC Toy Drive 2014

On Friday, December 12, the Harley Motorcycles will ROAR onto all the campuses as part of Fairmont's CHOC Toy Drive. Our students love hearing the noise and seeing all of the motorcycles coming to pick up toys they have collected for young patients at CHOC. Even SANTA pays a visit to give out candy canes and wish students a happy holiday. 

For exciting news and updates from the campuses, check the weekly newsletters below:

Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus 

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

November Lunch Menus:

Anaheim Hills (2nd - 8th Grade)

Anaheim Hills (P - 1st Grade)

Historic Anaheim Preschool

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

Contributed by Neha, Fairmont Private Schools

CHALK TALK benefits of after school programs

After school programs offer a safe and rewarding atmosphere for children to excel in their existing talents and skills. They also provide exciting opportunities for children to be introduced to new interests related to art, sports and academic subjects. Under professional supervision, children appreciate engaging in fun activities that contribute to their personal, academic, physical and social development.

The increased time spent in participating in academic activities in an informal setting naturally pays off in good grades. It also offers insights as to understanding practical applications involving math, science, language arts and other subjects. For example, Fairmont offers Robotics and Engineering with Legos - Gadgets and Gizmos, which enables elementary students to explore concepts of engineering, architecture and physics while building “real life” objects with Legos.  This is just one of many opportunities for children to enjoy the afternoon with friends while learning and discovering possible career interests.

For preschoolers who want to move, Fairmont offers age appropriate after school sports and dance classes.  From an early age, they develop skills and confidence necessary to excel in future organized sports and performing arts productions. For example there is a Pee Wee Dance and Creative Movement, which introduces little ones to rhythm, jazz, tap and ballet dance techniques.

After school programs help children appreciate fine arts and culture. From learning Spanish and French to exploring different art media using charcoal, art pencils, acrylics and watercolors, Fairmont students discover talents they thought they never had and take the first steps in becoming true global citizens.

In our busy world where time can be our most precious commodity, after school programs make any given afternoon become an exciting adventure.  It also reassures parents that their children are safe and having fun with their peers  while participating in a beneficial activity. 

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools

Image credit: King Tiger

FRIDAY FOLDER november 21

Highlights of the week:

Fourth Grade "Gold Fever" Music Program

Gold Fever!
On Thursday, our fourth grade students went for the GOLD! They explored the rich history of California while participating in the musical program "Gold Fever." Students brought history to life as they reenacted pioneers traveling overland and argonauts sailing across rough seas to find riches. The students were absolutely wonderful as they shared their talents with us. There's ore in them thar' hills! Let's get some!

For exciting news and updates from the campuses, check the weekly newsletters below:

Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus 

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

November Lunch Menus:

Anaheim Hills (2nd - 8th Grade)

Anaheim Hills (P - 1st Grade)

Historic Anaheim Preschool

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

Contributed by Neha, Fairmont Private Schools