So long Cap'n Crunch!

Recently the Anchorage Daily News ran a Scripps article about kids and high sugar cereals. "A typical serving of Cocoa Puffs is the equivalent of downing a 50-gram bag of Hershey's Kisses," according to author Andre Picard. The article also takes on reduced-sugar cereals like "1/3 less sugar" Frosted Flakes.

So, how does the district's breakfast program measure up? Today I visited Fairview Elementary to see just what kids are eating for breakfast. Low-fat milk, orange juice, low-fat yogurt and graham crackers were among the choices. I was late, so the cereal selection was down to Honey-Nut Cheerios and "less sugar" Frosted Flakes. I dug in the trash for the labels, and both of these meet the district's nutrition requirements, and the server says the kids love them. But they also love the Cocoa Puffs; apparently you have to get there early to get the Cocoa Puffs --- they run out.

By itself, Cocoa Puffs doesn't meet the nutrition guidelines --- it has 46% sugar by weight. That's 11% higher than the requirement. So why are we still serving Cocoa Puffs? It’s because Student Nutrition calculates nutrition based on the entire week's offering---not just one item at a time.

Student Nutrition has all of the stats on the food online, but they’re still working to add info about sugar content. Here’s what they have to say about the cereal. "The cereal with the highest sugar content, Cap'n Crunch, has been eliminated. Cocoa Puffs will be phased out as they are used and stock runs out. Please be assured that we follow strict national guidelines for quality, nutrition and portion control." I also learned that chocolate milk is no longer served at breakfast and portion size is strictly controlled.

I did chat with several kids who love the breakfast --- with or without the Cocoa Puffs. Some said they eat cereal every day --- except every-other-week when they have the 452 calorie frosted cinnamon rolls.

One girl claimed her favorite is the breakfast pizza ---- crust with great protein items on the top -- like eggs, sausage and cheese. All that brain food (protein) for 220 calories! I'll take a slice!

"WHY I RUN" by A. King

ASD staffer Amy King gave me permission to reprint this piece on running. Amy sees herself as a runner -- she a terrific writer, too! Enjoy.

I love my son, but sometimes I hate being his mom. And so I run. Days like yesterday, when I could barely contain my anger and frustration, I had to run. As I put on my headset, tied my key to my shoelace, glanced at my watch and hit the trail, I could feel the pressure slipping away. When I finished I was calmer, and he had moved on in the cycle of bi-polar. Bi-polar in a 12 year old affects whole families, but mothers take the brunt of the rage.
And so I run.

I haven't always been a runner. Dealing with a bi-polar child was taking its toll. Feeling like I was closer to the edge then I cared to step, I joined a group of women training to walk a marathon. After 3 months, one by one the other's dropped out, and I found myself training alone. To cover the distance required, faster, I started to run. Somewhere along the way I lost 30 pounds. I ran the marathon alone, and finished in 5 hours and 7 minutes.
Marathons are often referred to as social events, but for me it was 26.2 miles of "me" time. It's been almost 2 years now, and I'm still running.

After the marathon it was difficult to find my pace. I was pushing myself too fast and too long. I paid the price with a hip injury. While I was healing, I worried that I would lose the drive to run. For four months I took it easy, running laps in the pool and seeing a physical therapist, only to be told I was wearing the wrong shoes. That's the disadvantage of being a middle-aged woman who takes up running - there's no one to coach you along the way in the simple mechanics. I started back slow. The drive was still there, but it was more controlled, like moving from infatuation to true love. The often uncontrolled push for speed and distance is gone, replaced by an easy stride.

When I started running, I ran with just my thoughts, praying for guidance from my mother, looking for strength. Repetitive words would go round and round in my head. Then I bought a headset. Blaring music drowns out all thoughts. Some runners say they enjoy the quiet time to reflect. I prefer not to replay my day, but rather to put it behind me and lose myself in music. After 10 months of just me and the music, I was ready to move forward and find a running partner. It wasn't easy to find someone who matched not just my pace, but a partner I was willing to put aside my headset for. I found a good friend who is a perfect match, stride for stride. There are still times, though, when nothing feels more right than sliding on my headset and taking off alone.

After two years there are still days when I don't feel like a real runner, days when I show up for a race and everyone else seems to look the part:
long legs, lean build, an air of confidence. It can be intimidating. But then there are days like yesterday. Temperatures were near freezing, and a mix of snow and rain was falling. I couldn't wait to run. Splashing along the trail, my clothes soaked through, I felt complete. These are the times I know I'm a runner - maybe not a racer, but most certainly a runner.

I know there are others like me-others who don't see themselves as racers, but as copers. These are people who handle life's stresses by putting one foot in front of the other. They read how-to books on training, improving time, and eating to run. But in reality it's not about how fast or how far we run, but just that we run, and that we cope with life one run at a time.

I started running for me, but now I run for my kids as well. I tell them I am a much better mom, because I run. My body is healthier, and my mind is able to deal with the daily and often hourly ups and downs of raising a bi-polar child. My goal is no longer to run a marathon, or run faster or longer, but simply to keep running. I have redefined who I am. Not only am I a mother, but I am a runner. And so I run.

Family Fitness --- Anchorage Style

Experience our community in a whole new way through the Parks and Recreation Tuesday Night Race series! Families of all shapes and sizes meet at local parks in September and October for fun, fitness, and fresh air.

If you're looking for a way to model an active lifestyle and make lasting family memories, you've got to try the Tuesday Night Races . . . just once. I have found these outings to be a great way to explore new parks and trails and reconnect with friends from across the community. I always see someone there that I know --- often its a reminder of a time in my life when I was more active and it motivates me to get out and move more.

Kids and kids-at-heart (slow parents like me) walk or run in the Munchkin division. The Farmers division is for those who walk or run along, but maybe not for time. And, the Lightning division is for folks who are fairly quick on their feet and care about their finish time. Take your family or a friend out for a Tuesday evening in the park! The schedule is online.

No cupcakes?

"Cheese and crackers and granola for birthdays? WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE THINKING?"

The mom who called about our wellness policy was pretty upset. She supported the policy on cutting vending machines but thought that eliminating birthday cupcakes in the classroom was "out of control." To a lot of moms, the long-standing tradition of treating your classmates with sweets on your birthday seems threatened by this policy.

Celebrations and food are intertwined in our culture (and many others). Food adds sensory elements to our memories so we can recall the sights and sounds as well as the smells, tastes and textures of celebrations. Just imagine family gathered at the dinner table, Thanksgiving feasts, special sweets on Christmas, Hannukah, Valentines Day and birthdays. . . you get the idea.

This concerned mom and I talked, and together we came up with quite a list of birthday celebration ideas and I've been thinking about it every since. Sure, you can bring in string cheese and carrots for your child's birthday; but let your mind wander a bit and you can come up with ideas kids will really love. Here are some starters . . .

• Fruit juice popsicles
• Frozen yogurt
• Fruit kabobs
• Low-fat muffins
• Angel food cupcakes
• "Skinny Cow" (or similar) ice cream sandwiches

If your kids haven't tried Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches, you need to check them out! You can buy a classroom sized box of them at Costco. Kids and adults love them and they're individually wrapped. I promise they will welcome this treat.

How about a yogurt sundae bar?? Start with yogurt (regular yogurt or low-fat frozen) scooped into individual bowls. Then let kids add their own toppings from bowls of raisins, berries, cereal, nuts, healthy gummy treats, granola, graham bears, bananas . . . I bet you could even find healthy whipped topping.

How about "make your own snack mix?" Give kids a ziploc bag and let them pick and choose their own items for snack mix. Use some of the items from the sundae bar list above. Every mix will be unique!

I realize lots of people will still really miss cupcakes and brownies and ice cream. But, hopefully we can start some new traditions. If you come up with some great birthday celebration treats that meet the guidelines below, share them so we can pass them along!

*foods served and sold during the school day must have less than 30% cals from fat, less than 10% from sat. fat, less than 35% added sugar by weight/volume, and less than 600 mg sodium.

Healthy snacks for kids of all ages

My kids are 10 and 12 and they like to snack all the time! I wish I could say they always choose a healthy snack --- truth is, they'll eat whatever they can access. Every so often I have to remind myself to stock the kitchen with good choices. I've also discovered that the kids will eat fruits and vegetables if I cut them up and put them on the counter, but they'll never dig in the fridge for a crisp apple or stalk of celery. What a phenomenon!

Here's a list of healthy snacks kids and adults can gobble down at home or bring to school to share. The meet the nutrition guidelines --- just make sure you understand the proper portion size.

• Pretzels
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Yogurt
• Raisins
• Apple slices
• Orange sections
• Melon slices
• Grapes
• Dried fruit
• Fruit cups
• Graham crackers
• Veggies & dip
• Pita chips
• Popcorn
• Trail mix
• Juice/yogurt popsicles
• Baked chips
• Sugar-free jello
• Nuts & seeds
• Cereal (low sugar)

There are many more items that can be added to this list. In the coming weeks I'll share some recipes that use healthy snack items to make snacks and lunches more interesting. Please let me know if you have great recipes of your own!

Ready or Not . . .

Life in the Anchorage School District changed dramatically this fall with the implementation of a new "wellness policy" that addresses nutrition and physical activity. The most noticable change is the absence of junk food and soda in vending machines. All foods served and sold during the school day must meet the following nutritional requirements:

• total calories from fat - less than 30%


• total calories from saturated fat - less than 10%


• added sugar by volume/weight - less than 35%


• sodium - less than 600 mg

These guidelines apply to classrooms, school offices, school stores, fund raisers, and even staff lounges. This policy is designed to help us limit sugary and fatty foods available to students and to help adults model healthy eating behaviors. HOWEVER, it has raised lots of questions, concerns and even challenges.

• Can parents bring cupcakes for classroom birthday parties?
• Will students still be able to sell candy for fund raisers?
• Are adults prohibited from having soda at school?
• Can the district monitor what kids pack in their lunches?

This site is a forum for addressing some of these questions. It's also a place for staff, parents and students to share good ideas and suggestions. So, check back often and post your comments, ideas and questions.