Screen-Free Week

April 30 – May 6 is Screen-Free Week, the annual celebration where children, families, schools, and communities turn off screens and turn on life. Feel free to visit http://www.screenfree.org/to download free a Screen-Free Week Organizer's Kit. The kit is packed with fact sheets, great suggestions for screen-free activities, pledge cards, and more!

Fresh Tomato Day - April 6

• Did you know the best place to store tomatoes is at room temperature (above 55 F) until they've fully ripened.
• A ripe tomato is red or reddish orange, depending on variety and yields to slight pressure.
• Store them stem end up as the "shoulders" are the softest part and bruise most easily.
• Keep them out of direct sunlight. If you must store them a longer time, place them (after they've ripened fully) in the refrigerator.

Tomato Basil Bruschetta

Makes approximately 12 pieces of bruschetta

Enjoy fresh and flavorful tomatoes in this quick and easy version of a tomato bruschetta recipe! It's great as a snack or an appetizer and is loaded with nutrients.

This recipe makes approximately 12 pieces of bruschetta, depending on whether you add the topping to the bread or people serve themselves.

Ingredients:
• 8 ripe Roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 red onion, Spanish onion or sweet onion, chopped

• 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, chopped

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 loaf Italian- or French-style bread, cut into 1/2 inch diagonal slices

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Combine tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil and olive oil in a bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Set aside.

3. Arrange bread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake about 5 to 7 minutes until it begins to brown slightly.

4. Remove bread from oven and transfer to a serving platter.

5. Serve the tomato mixture in a bowl with a serving spoon and let everyone help themselves. Or place

some on each slice of bread before serving. If adding the tomato mixture yourself, add it at the last

minute or the bread may become soggy. Enjoy!

NEW PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE

The Bureau of Genetics and Healthy Childhood (GHC) previously announced the release of the “It All Counts” Facebook page made available through the Department of Health and Human Services’ First Time Motherhood grant. The page provides information on the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle to promote preconception health, healthy pregnancies, healthy birth out-comes, and health in general throughout the lifespan. The page provides tips on health-related issues including topics of exercise, nutrition, folic acid, and much more and gives “friends” the opportunity to ask questions or comment and get answers. GHC now has “scroll pens” available for local public health agencies and other healthcare/social services providers to use at health fairs or in their agencies for women of childbearing age to promote the Facebook page and provide a health factoid. For information on obtaining a supply of these pens for your event, contact Karen Schenk or Leslie Seifert at 573‑751‑6266.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Children need to have regular dental cleanings and exams, the same as adults. But for many resons, not all children are able to recieve regular dental care. This may prevent minor problems form being corrected, and may result in small problems becoming larger ones. No one wants this to happen, but it frequently does. In February, attention is drawn to this situation to remind parents to do something about it.

Start your kids on the path to proper dental hygiene, and this month is as good a time as any. Help them achieve good oral health, and you'll be helping them ward off diseases and conditions.

New Year's 7 Best Resolutions

Take small steps to create healthy eating habits for your family.

Choose one, two or all seven of these New Year's resolutions:

1. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables
2. Make at least half your grains whole grains
3. Switch to fat-free (skim) or low fat (1%) milk
4. Eat a variety of protein foods
5. Start your day with breakfast
6. Eat with your family
7. Drink water instead of sugary drinks

Make 2012 your healthiest year ever!

·         Have you gotten your FLU SHOT yet? PCHD is now offering flu shots for $10. Come down today and give yourself a healthy present this year!

World Breastfeeding Week 2011

August 1-7 is designated each year as World Breastfeeding Week by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and the entire month of August is designated Missouri Breastfeeding Month. The theme for this year is “Talk to Me, Support Me!” The objective of this year’s theme is to draw attention to how communication is an essential part in protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months of life. This means your baby needs no additional foods (except Vitamin D) or fluids unless medically indicated. Babies should continue to breastfeed for a year and for as long as is mutually desired by the mother and baby. Breastfeeding should be supported by your physician for as long as it is the right choice for you and your baby.