1. NUTRITION NEWSAbilene ISD Student Nutrition Department
M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R
Volume 1, issue 6
February 2014
reetings Abilene ISD Family:
!
It is my pleasure to introduce to you our newest member of the Student Nutrition team, Melissa Nesmith.
Melissa will be serving Abilene ISD as the Nutrition Coordinator with a variety of duties that will focus on
Nutrition Education, Nutrition News, the Fuel Up and Move Bus Tour, and our Summer Feeding Program.
Melissa comes to us from Corpus Christi, TX and has a degree in Dietetics and a degree is Biomedical Science. !
I would also like to introduce you to our Student Nutrition Intern, Kelsie Andrews. Kelsie is a senior at ACU and
will graduate this May with a degree in Dietetics. After graduation, Kelsie plans to continue her education and
work towards her Registered Dietitian’s certification. Kelsie has been the author of Nutrition News this school
year and she will continue in her role as a featured writer. In addition to Nutrition News, Kelsie will also be
involved in our Nutrition Education efforts with the Fuel Up and Move Bus Tour. !
We are very blessed to have Melissa and Kelsie as part of our Student Nutrition Team!!
Jay Towell!
Director of Student Nutrition!
Abilene ISD!
!
Page 1
-A Note From the
Director
Page 2
-American Heart Month
-Kelsie’s Corner
Page 3
-New Signature Menu Series
-Get Moving, Abilene!
-Monthly Recipe
BONUS: Page 4
-Heart Healthy ValentinesA note from the director
G
Inside This Issue:
PhotoCredittorawfullyorganic.com/blog
Check out the new Build Your Own Pasta Bowl
Signature Series on pg. 3!

2. Kelsie’s Corner
American Heart month
Did you know that February is American Heart Month? Heart
disease is the leading cause of death in the US, causing 1 in 4 deaths
each year. The good news is, healthy food choices and physical activity
can help prevent heart disease!
1. Oatmeal is an easy yet powerful breakfast fix. It is high in fiber,!
folate, and Omega 3 fatty acids. The soluble fiber found in !
oatmeal can aid in weight loss, lowering cholesterol, and reduce !
your risk of heart disease. Try the steel cut varieties for more !
nutrients and fiber rather than the instant alternatives.!
!
2. Almonds are known as meaty nuts filled with Omega-3’s. They !
make the perfect on-the-go snack! Eating almonds instead of !
a less healthy snack can help you stay on track with your heart !
healthy diet.!
!
3. Salmon is not only a good source of protein, but also contains !
the heart healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart !
Association recommends having 2 servings of fish a week. !
!
4. Tomatoes contain a heart healthy combination of nutrients.
Some studies have suggested tomatoes play a positive role in !
cardiovascular health and the ability to achieve optimal blood !
pressure levels. !
!
5. Olive Oil is high in monounsaturated fat which is beneficial !
in lowering your bad cholesterol and reducing your risk of !
developing heart disease. When selecting a type of olive oil look !
for the extra-virgin varieties which are less processed. Did you!
know you can use olive oil as a replacement for butter when !
cooking?
The Student Nutrition
Department is passionate about
serving heart-healthy nutritious
foods to our students. We pride
ourselves in serving a breakfast
rich in whole grains like oatmeal
and whole wheat toast. These
whole grains provide essential
nutrients to the body that help
lower cholesterol, aid in
digestion, and keep you fuller
longer throughout the day.!
!
Along with more whole grains,
the lunches we provide come
with a variety of fruits and
vegetables. Fruits and vegetables
have been show to increase HDL
(the good kind) cholesterol, lower
blood pressure, and help prevent
cardiovascular attacks and
diseases. !
!
Fish is known for being a great
source of Omega 3 fatty acids,
which are valued for their role in
heart health. Servings of fish can
be found at each grade level all
around our district. We
encourage parents to help
children reach the recommended
2 servings of fish per week by
introducing more seafood in the
home such as salmon, tilapia, and
shrimp!
5 Foods Your Heart Will Love

3. Get Moving, Abilene!
!
1.5 C Oatmeal (quick or old-
fashioned) uncooked
2 Ripe Bananas
1 C Unsweetened Applesauce
1/3 C Raisins OR Dried
Cranberries
1/4 C Chopped Walnuts
(optional)
1tsp Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Cinnamon
Directions: Preheat oven to 350.
Mix vanilla extract, cinnamon, and
applesauce together. Blend
Applesauce mixture with all other
ingredients and drop by spoonfuls
onto a parchment paper lined
cookie sheet. Flatten cookies into
rounds. Bake approximately 20-30
minutes, or until golden and done.
Banana Oat Breakfast
Cookies
Monthly recipe
Recipe from “Watching What I Eat” Blog
The U.S Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national
origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all
or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity
conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employ- ment activities.) f you wish to file a Civil Rights program
complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at
any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed
complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at pro- gram.intake@usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA
through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
9th Annual West Texas
Sports & Fitness Expo!
February 1, 2014!
Adults- $2!
Kids Under 12- $1!
!Enjoy Prize Drawings Every 3o minutes, a 3 on 3
Basketball Tournament, and Fun for All Ages!!
(3 on 3 Tournament Registration Deadline is 1/29/14)#
Visit www.wtxsports-expo.com!
!
Run or
Dye 5K
Saturday, February
22, 2014!
Registration
Deadline: February
22, 2014!
For more
information, visit active.com
BYO PASTA BOWL!
New Signature Series Menu for Middle and High Schools begins in February!
Our second installation of our Signature Series Menus will be introduced at our secondary campuses which includes Woodson
CFE and ATEMS HS. This is an Italian concept and a Build Your Own Pasta Bowl!!
We will debut our new concept on February 03 at Cooper and Abilene High Schools and then on February 04 we will debut
this new concept at the Middle Schools and then on February 06, Woodson CFE and ATEMS HS will have their opening day.
We are confident that our kids and our valued adult customers will enjoy this new concept offering. We will feature this new
signature line daily at the High Schools, Tuesday and Thursday at the middle schools, and then each Thursday at Woodson
CFE and ATEMS HS. !
Here is how the concept line works. We will rotate a variety of pasta choices such as Penne, Bowtie, Angel Hair, Fettuccini
and Spaghetti and each customer may select one type of pasta. Next, choose your sauce. We will have Marinara daily and will
rotate an Italian Cheese sauce that features a rich parmesan flavor and a creamy Alfredo Sauce. Next, choose your protein.
We will rotate a variety of options such as skinless baked chicken, meatballs and popcorn chicken just to name a few. Next,
select your vegetables. We will have four vegetables daily and each customer may select one or have all four! The last step is
to choose your additional toppings such as parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic bread and black olives. Add a fruit
(whole fresh fruit or fruit in light syrup) and milk and your meal is complete, meeting all five (5) nutrient components.!
The Signature Series Menus are great concepts that our kids truly enjoy. We appreciate your support and your partnership for
our nutrition program! !
Jay Towell!
Director of Student Nutrition!
!

4. I Am
Bananas For
You!
You Are
Plum
Perfect!
You Are
Berry
Sweet!
Orange
You Glad
You’re
Mine?
You’re
The Apple
Of My
Eye!
Use This Sheet to Print Out Tags, Attach a Ribbon, and Tie to Fruit for
a Heart Healthy Valentine’s Treat!
We Make
A Great Pear!