Originally published in the March 15 issue of The Mountain-Ear.

Brandy Hale, Coal Creek Canyon.

At Coal Creek Canyon K-8 on Friday February 2, 2018, the PTSA sponsored a Health and Wellness Night with the name “You GUAC to be Kidding Me!” Student participants and PTSA members made avocado-based sweet and savory dishes to be judged by each other and visited several interactive stations to promote healthy living and educate participants about the benefits of avocadoes. All recipes used in the competition are posted on the CCC PTSA website for those who would like to try them.

The tasting of the prepared dishes constituted the first station, with discussion of the nutrient contents of half an avocado, which contains only 160 calories, 14 grams of mostly monounsaturated fat, 7.5 grams of fiber, 20 vitamins and minerals, less than 1/5 gram of sugar and as much potassium as a banana. They are also high in antioxidants. General health benefits include reversal of insulin resistance, regulation of blood sugar, thyroid regulation, healthy joints, skin and hair, protection against heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline, macular degeneration and strokes. By the end of the session, it was clear that all of the dishes were a hit with adults and students alike, and that judging was tough.

The second station involved teaching the benefits of meditation, especially regarding stress and bullying in the classroom. There was a breathing exercise with calming music, eyes-closed and calm instructions to focus on heart rate and think of what one is grateful for. Reminders that these are things everyone can do, even at home when frustration, anger or other disturbing feelings come on, were followed by a helpful analogy illustrated by a shaken muddy jar of water versus a clear and undisturbed jar of water.

The third station involved a simple demonstration of how to grow sprouts at home in a jar. Students were given a large lidless jar, a piece of tulle, a tablespoon of broccoli seeds in a bag, and a rubber band. The growing process is simple: Put the seeds in the jar, add enough water to cover the seeds, cover the jar with the tulle and rubber band and rinse and replace the water every day until the sprouts form. It is necessary to put the jar, lid-side down, at an angle in a bowl to allow excess water to drain out until the sprouts form. They can then be put into the fridge, which will slow their growth, and can be eaten just as sprouts from the grocery store can, but at a fraction of the cost. Students were amazed at the volume of sprouts that came from just a small amount of seeds, while the parents were impressed with the price difference.

The fourth station was in the gym, where a disco floor lamp projected an array of colorful lights on the ceiling and walls, and dance music encouraged everyone to get active. A climbing rope and mat were a challenge for the younger kids, while adults and students alike tried to hula with weighted and unweighted hoops, and others jumped with glowing jump ropes. CCC residents Dr. Brandy McCans and Rodger Ruge held small physical therapy sessions. McCans with her chiropractic table and Ruge with his tuning forks, providing a mellow physical station to adults.

Finally, the results of the food competition were announced, with Kaya Lawson winning for her guacamole in the savory category. Kaya’s guac was a hit with the pulled-pork taco filling donated by Locavore Delivery, a local meat delivery service in the CCC and Nederland area. The sweet category was won by Jody Dickson for her mint chocolate chip, avocado and coconut popsicles, an ingenious combination that was a favorite among the participants. The students who won the drawing for attending were parent Joanna Waggoner and Aiden Fong, who each received a basket full of various goodies including Eagles socks, produce and healthy snacks.

The PTSA is looking forward to holding the event again. Next time it will be open to local artisans, businesses and parents to participate and promote healthy lifestyles for the next year. Keep an eye on the CCC PTSA website for future Health and Wellness event dates.