Cool as a cucumber

With the summer days getting hotter and the sun shining brighter, it is best to stay “cool as a cucumber” to enjoy this lovely time of year.

“Cool as a cucumber”

This week the fruit and veggie on-the-move truck gave out grapes and cucumbers to the park children. Just like last year, the kids were super excited to get a cup full of grapes! The children were also excited for the cucumbers as well, which they asked for multiple of times. Still, identifying cucumbers (a common vegetable) was tricky for some of the new playground kids. It was very funny though to hear some children ask if they can put them on their eyes, it is crazy what kids learn by observing other people.

Grapes and cucumbers packed in a full trunk!

Cucumbers!

Eating cucumbers are a great way to re-hydrate and replenish your body (hence the term “cool as a cucumber.”) According to NaturalNews.com, Cucumbers are 95 percent water, keeping the body hydrated while helping the body eliminate toxins.They also have a lot of vitamins that the body needs in a single day, talk about vegetable super powers! The skin also has amazing benefits because it contains a good amount of vitamin C as well, about 10 percent of the daily recommended allowance. It is very important to stay well hydrated throughout the hot summer. Make sure your child is drinking the right kinds of fluids. Liquids such as soda, non-100% fruit juices, and sugary sports drinks are not good to give your child. Your child should be drinking 6-8 cups of water a day while parents should drink about 8-12.  Examples of good hydrating liquids are: water, water with fruits or vegetables, 100% fruit juices, and 100% fruit and vegetable smoothies. Try making this drink for the summer that I found from another blogger with cucumbers: http://dinedashdeadlift.com/2012/06/25/diy-flavored-waters-cucumber-pear-mint-and-lemon-raspberry/

Lessons with your child: 

Have a car wash with your child. It will be a good way to get your child moving, cool them off, and talk about different types of vehicles. While washing your car, discuss with your child the different types of cars and transportation there are. Talk about the different noises they make along with how it will take you from place to place. For example, you would use a car for a short trip, a plane for a long trip, and a boat if you are out at sea. Your child will enjoy cooling off from the car wash and talking about the different types of transportation.

 

 

 

A berry rainy week!

It was a very rainy week for the Fruit and Veggie On-The-Move Truck! Though it was very short, we still made sure that the kids got their healthy kick for the week.

This week is the second to last week I will be delivering fruits and veggies to the park program kids. We served strawberries, cherries, cucumbers, and baby carrots this time to the children. Every week, kids embrace the different types of fruits and veggies we provide for them. Cucumbers were the veggie of the week that kids grew to like after I served them. It is great that I get the opportunity to serve these healthy fruits and vegetables to these kids because I am teaching them to enjoy foods that are good for them. Especially because these kids are outside a lot and moving around, giving them a small serving of fruits and veggies allows them to get all natural energy that will keep them moving all day.

Cherries, baby carrots, and cucumbers. All such pretty colors together!

Strawberries, baby carrots, and cucumbers. A lovely combo of fruits and veggies!

Cucumbers: The Superfood of the week! 

Cucumbers have many health benefits beyond belief! First and foremost cucumbers are a great source of vitamin B. Made up of 95% water, this green vegetable is great for replenishing the body. This means that cucumbers are great for hydrating the body while helping to release toxins. Instead of giving your kids soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages, add cucumbers to water in a mason jar with some extra added fruit for a great summer drink that kids will love. Surprisingly, this vegetable contains special phytochemicals that can help relieve bad breath. So take a cucumber and hold it to the roof of your mouth for 30 seconds to get quick refreshing breath. Lastly, this fourth most cultivated vegetable in the world, can help promote joint health, relieve gout, and arthritis pain because it contains an excellent source of silica which helps with joining connective tissue in the body. Try mixing cucumbers with carrot juice for ultimate gout and arthritis relief. Cucumbers are found during all seasons so you can enjoy this refreshing vegetable year round. Mix cucumbers with some Greek yogurt for a great protein pick me up, add it to a salad for extra vitamins, or put some in your sandwich for an extra healthy twist.

Cucumbers can help relieve bad breath! Press them to the roof of your mouth for instant refreshing breath.