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The Oliver Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of childhood obesity. |
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Are you interested in becoming a Teen Board Member?
Click here for more information.
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Coming Soon! Check out our new website with new features and updated information. Become a member of the Oliver Kids Team. Oliver Study Manual with lessons for the classroom Recipes Healthy School Activities and Strategies And so much more!
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Funding Opportunities
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FINISH LINE FOUNDATION
The Finish Line Youth Foundation focuses funding organization that provide opportunities for youth to participatin community based programs that address active lifestyte and team-building skills. The foundation is particularly interested in organizations providing opportunities for children and young adults age 18 and under.
Grants generally range from $1,000 to $5,000
Deadline: Rolling
For more information, click here.
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American Heart Month
 February makes you think
about matters of the heart - Valentine's Day, romance and ways to keep your heart healthy. OK, heart healthy choices might not be the first thing on your list when romance is found on every department store aisle - but it should be. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major disability. In 2009, approximately 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack and about 470,000 will have a recurrent attack. Several Risk Factors for heart disease include: Unhealthy diet High Cholesterol High Blood Pressure Smoking Lack of Physical Activity Obesity Diabetes Stress High LDL Low HDL A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight heart disease. Take it one step at a time. It's important to remember it's the sum of your whole day's worth of choices that make a difference. For more information about American Heart Month, visit the American Heart Association website.
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Heart Healthy Eating
Healthy eating is easier than you think. Keep it simple and remember, small steps to big changes.
When grocery shopping, stick to the perimeter of the store for the majority of your purchases. You'll find whole, fresh and unprocessed foods in these sections.
Here are a few simple ideas to create a heart healthy lifestyle. - Choose lean meats and poultry without skin.
- Prepare lean meats with no added fats.
- Select fat-free, 1% fat and low-fat dairy products.
- Reduce trans-fat in your diet - read the label.
- Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.
- Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim for 1500mg sodium per day.
- Keep an eye on your portion sizes.
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Heart Healthy Benefits of Chocolate
More than 58 million pounds of chocolate candy will be sold the week of Valentine's Day. Can chocolate fit into your heart healthy lifestyle? YES...in moderation. So what makes chocolate different? Chocolate comes from the cocoa bean of the cacao tree. Cocoa beans contain magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese. They contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E. And also are a source of antioxidants and flavonoids. Studies have shown that moderate consumption of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate can reduce LDL cholesterol, lowering the risk of heart disease. Studies also show that eating chocolate can lower our blood pressure. But all chocolates aren't created equally. Processing of the chocolate can reduce its flavanol content. Look for dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa, also check the label for products that list the flavanol content. Choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate. Milk chocolate will have more added sugars. Stay away from chocolate candies that have added sugars, like chocolate covered pralines. Remember, moderation is key with any sweet treat. There isn't a recommended serving of chocolate to reap the health benefits but a small amount (one ounce) a few times a week as part of a healthy diet can fit into your healthy lifestyle. |
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Increase active play, decrease screen time!
 Feeling the winter blahs or
having cabin fever? A little exercise can go a long way to improve your mood and your cardiovascular health.
Our bodies were meant to move. Exercise not only helps you burn more calories but the benefits include stronger heart, reduce stress, better sleep, more energy and reduction in mood swings and depression.
Cardio exercise is any exercise that raises your heart rate. Your heart is a muscle. The more you exercise that muscle the stronger it becomes.
Get started by doing something you enjoy. Try walking, running, biking, swimming or aerobic dance class. How do you know you are working hard enough? You should moderately sweat, be able to finish a sentence while exercising. But if its's very difficult to talk, take it down a step. Likewise, if you're not breaking a sweat, bring the intensity up.
Be good to your heart and your heart will be good to you.
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Have you created a Healthy School Environment in your district? Send us an e-mail and tell us all about it - info@oliverfoundation.org .
You may be spotlighted in the next Oliver Foundation newsletter - T.E.A.M. Talk.
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Sincerely,
Oliver Foundation |
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