World Food Day is observed on the 16th of October each year. This day is celebrated to honor the date when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was founded in 1935. It is also recognized to raise awareness about hunger, as well as encourage the public to take action is to help eliminate world hunger.

The World Food Day is celebrated by organizing food drives and distributing free meals for the homeless and less fortunate. If you have the heart to participate in this holiday, here are some of the ways you can take a stand against hunger and make a difference.

Take a photo of your meal and share it on  social media

If you think taking photos of your sumptuous meals and uploading them on the social media is meaningless, then you have been thinking wrong. By sharing photos of your meals, you are also literally sharing your food. All you have to do is to download FoodShareFilter or Feedie. Both applications were designed to help fight global hunger. Every time photos of food are shared using the app, the restaurant donates a meal to an organization called the Lunchbox Fund that provides meals for orphaned children in South Africa.

Volunteer in your local community garden

Food scarcity and insecurity affect people living in poverty and those who have limited access to healthy and fresh food. Help make a difference by volunteering in your local urban garden. Address hunger by getting outside, by connecting with people, and by distributing fresh produce to people who need it most.

Participate in local community events

There are plenty of local events you can participate in if you want to help fight hunger in your community. Search World Food Day USA on Google to find some ways you can help. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities: packing meals for the homeless, walking for hunger, or helping out in a soup kitchen to name a few. No matter how big or small, your efforts will make a difference. However, you help out will be valuable for the nourishment of those who are in need. So serve your community by giving your time and efforts.

Help improve the quality of school lunches

In different parts of the United States and throughout the world, a school lunch or breakfast may be the only full meal a student eats in a day. The sad part is that these meals do not always contain important nutrients a child needs for growth and development. By improving the quality of food at schools, children can enjoy better health and improve their academic performance.

Treat yourself

Did you know that by treating yourself with your favorite food at your favorite restaurant, you are also making a difference in the world’s problem with hunger and food scarcity? So go ahead and invite a friend for a meaningful and sumptuous meal. As soon as the check arrives, donate the cost of your meal by joining the #HungerFree movement. This movement is organized to help fight hunger in South Sudan, Kenya, and many other parts of the globe.

Attend an event

If you are looking for other ways to participate in  World Food Day, you can visit foodday.org and enter your zip code to find an event near you. It doesn’t matter which event you choose, whether you dine or donate, the important thing is that you are helping spread awareness. You are also encouraging people to join the fight against hunger.

Food scarcity and hunger may seem to be overwhelming global problems. But if we all decide to take action, even in our little ways, and become advocates for health and food, we can all make a difference to make this world a better place.

Autumn has arrived and with it comes cool breezes, football, and a favorite fall activity…visiting the pumpkin patch. It can be hard to decide where to go, which place has the best hours/activities to suit your family’s needs. Every person wants to get the best bang for their buck below is a list of pumpkin patches located in and near Colorado Springs.

For those who have visited Green Thumbkin Pumpkin Patch before, they have permanently closed their location as a pumpkin patch in town.

Long Neck Pumpkin Farm is located at 7595 California Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80923 (719) 551-0525. They have many activities to suit families of all ages. They have hay rides, hay bale slides, bean bag toss, corn boxes, tractor swings, farm animals, duck races, and more. These activities are included with the $10 admission fee. Children two years of age and younger are free. Pumpkins are an additional $5. During the month of October Long Neck Pumpkin Farm is open from 10am-5pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. http://www.longneckpumpkinfarm.com/

Miners’ Pumpkin Patch is located at 225 North Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 488-0880. They offer apple cider press, hay rides, gem panning, corn hold, tether ball and more. They charge $10 for admission with a pumpkin included in admission price. Additional pumpkins are $5 each. Children three and under are free (without a pumpkin). Miners’ Pumpkin Patch Hours of operation for the month of October are Saturdays 9am-4pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm. https://www.minerspumpkinpatch.com

The Colorado Pumpkin Patch is located at 18065 Saddle Wood Rd, Monument, CO 80123 (719) 799-6780. Activities include but are not limited to, large outdoor games, jumping pad, farm animal petting area, straw slides, tractor hayrides, maze, and corn box. Admission for children is $12 and $10 for adults. Children three and under are free. Pumpkins Range from $2.50-$12 depending on size. They are open 9am-1pm Monday through Thursday and 9am-5pm Wednesday through Sunday. http://coloradopumpkinpatch.net

Wishing Star Farm is located at 24024 Highway 94, Ellicot/Calhan Colorado, 80908 (719) 244-7252. They have a sling shot, a variety of life sized games (like Jenna), pedal cars, hay wagon rides, a maze, straw pyramid, tire swings, a jumping pillow, and more. Admission rates are $10 per person for anyone two years of age and older. They offer pony rides for an additional $4. Pumpkins of any size cost $4 each. Wishing Star Farm is open Monday through Wednesday from 9am-2pm and Thursday through Sunday from 9am-5pm. http://wishingstarfarm.com

Diana’s Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze is located at 1649 Poplar Ave, Cañon City, CO 81212 (719) 821-9133. This farm offers a corn maze that can even be entered after dark using a flashlight, hay rides, fire pit with marshmallow roasting after dark, and more. Admission is $13 per person and includes a pumpkin. Children five and under are free with out a pumpkin. The last weekend (October 26th-28th) Diana’s Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze is offering a $2 discount for military with an ID and a $2 discount per person in a family of four or more paid admissions. Their hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 10am-9pm (they stop accepting admission at 8pm) and Sunday 10am-6pm (they stop accepting admission at 5pm). http://dianaspumpkinpatch.com

While there are more pumpkin patches around Colorado, the patches listed above are located a little closer to Colorado Springs. Many of these farms and pumpkin patches offer a discounted rate for large groups of 15 or more so it is worth calling the patch you are interested in to set up large group visits. Many also offer a concession stand of some sort. Most offer weekdays by appointment. Pumpkin patches are usually held on uneven ground with dirt, rocks, and hay. This may be something to consider when bringing strollers and/or wheelchairs. It is best to wear something you can get dirty and closed toe shoes. Please dress and plan accordingly. Enjoy your visit to the pumpkin patch this season!

-Ms. Blair
Wellness Coordinator
Lead Early Preschool Teacher

It’s almost Halloween time! The fall décor has started to come out and the chilly weather has set in. October is such a fun month for our family as we begin to prepare for Halloween festivities. In my family we really like to dress up and go all out with the holiday and costumes. When I was younger my mom would let us choose a pattern of the costume, fabric, and accessories. This was something I looked forward to every year. It was a great time for us to connect and work together. Now, I have my own kiddos and we have started the same tradition.

Creating your own costumes can be very easy and fun. My mom was skilled in sewing and knew how to create some really amazing costumes when I was a child. I however did not learn how to sew but still wanted my kids to experience having homemade costumes and having fun being creative together. So, sometimes grandma helps with the sewing and creating too. We have started the tradition over another generation and it really is an amazing time we all get to experience. Working along with her we design and plan out what character my children want to transform into for Halloween. She does what sewing that we need and my husband and I try to do the rest.

Some tips I have for you non-sewers are to check out the ARC Thrift stores. There are a few around town to choose from and Saturdays you can find half off items. That’s usually where we start our search. For example, a few years ago we were all characters from Peter Pan and my husband was going as captain hook. We looked at the ARC for a long tail winter coat and cut it to fit the pirate look and searched at the craft and party stores for the added embellishments. I was able to find a blue nightgown and make a bow for my hair to look like Wendy. My daughter went as Peter Pan, my mom helped with the sewing on that costume and we let my daughter help with picking out the extra accessories. Like I said, my husband and I don’t know how to sew, but man we can sure hot glue! Really! Hot glue holds up super well! So, even if you can’t sew, you can always add a little flair to the store costumes to make them a little different. We let our kids choose all the materials and accessories that they wish to add and we all work together to create something fun! That’s what Halloween is really about to us; coming together and making memories even before all the fun of Trick-or-Treating.

Creating these costumes as a family is an easy way for us to have hands-on, imaginative fun. Being creative and allowing our kids to choose what they want to be for Halloween is so exciting for them. It really is simple to create your own costumes or just add to an existing one, even if you are not the crafty type like myself. Creating these memories is what is most important and it is an unforgettable experience for your family.

Good luck in your DIY journey we’re so excited to kick off the holiday season with you all!
-Ms. Whitney
Curriculum Coordinator
Lead Pre-K Teacher

Being an integral part of the food supply of many countries, a world without potatoes is unimaginable! This month, we have more reasons to take in our favorite vegetable and make wonderful recipes because September is National Potato Month!

To help you get started, here are some great potato recipes that you can make at home to celebrate National Potato Month with the entire family!

Chicken and Potato Pot Pie

Chicken and Potato Pot Pie is an excellent meal for when everyone’s already starving and you’re running short on time. It is a fast and easy comfort food for both kids and adults alike. The following are the ingredients you need.

• 2 medium sized potatoes or 3 to 4 small potatoes
• 1 can of cream chicken soup
• 1 chicken breast
• 1 cup frozen vegetable blend
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 package refrigerated pie dough

Directions: Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and the chicken breast should be cut into small cubes. Mix the potatoes, vegetable, chicken, soup and a soup can of water together in a 1-quart microwave-safe dish. Top the mixture with pie dough. Brush the dough with egg. Microwave for 20 minutes or until chicken and potatoes are completely cooked.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes don’t have to be boring. Just when you thought you have tried every possible variation, this recipe introduces you to mashed potatoes with a twist. The ingredients for the roasted garlic mashed potatoes include:

• 5 pounds of russet or Yukon gold potatoes
• 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
• 1 and ½ sticks salted butter
• ¼ cup half-and-half
• Heavy cream
• 3 to 5 heads roasted garlic
• Salt and black pepper

Directions: Prepare your oven and preheat it to 350 degrees F. Cut the potatoes into cubes and boil it for about 30 minutes until tender. Drain and mash the potatoes for 5 minutes while allowing steam to escape. Then add the cream cheese, butter, cream, half-and-half, roasted garlic, salt and pepper. Mash and mix them together.  Once done, spread the potatoes into a large baking dish and leave a slice of butter at the top. Bake for about 30 minutes or until heated thoroughly.

Potato Salad Cha Cha Cha

Potato Salad Cha Cha Cha is going to be your next family’s favorite potato recipe. Why? Because aside from offering a good mix of flavors, this recipe is also healthy. So, without further ado, here are the ingredients and steps to make this dish.

• 4 medium-sized potatoes
• 2 and ½ tbsp lime juice
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 and ½ tsp chili powder
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. bottled mild jalapeno sauce
• 15 oz black beans
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 7 oz can vacuum packed kernel corn
• 1 and ½ cup sliced green onions

Directions: Cook potatoes in 2 inches of boiling water for 12 minutes or until tender. Once cooked, drain it and allow to cool. Meanwhile, whisk together the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. Add salt if desired.

Twice baked potatoes

Twice baked potatoes is a recipe that your family will surely love! It features an explosion of flavors including fresh green onion, crispy bacon bits and gooey cheddar on top of hollowed out potato halves. Check the list of ingredients below.

• 8 baking potatoes
• 2 sticks salted butter
• 3 tbsp canola oil
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup bacon bits
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 2 tsp seasoned salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 green onions

Directions: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Rub the potatoes with canola oil and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for an hour or until they are well cooked. In a large mixing bowl, place slices of butter in and add the sour cream and bacon bits. Then, remove the potatoes from the oven and reduce the heat to 350 degrees F. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides and add them in your mixing bowl. Make sure not to tear the shell. Then, place the hollowed out potato halves on a baking sheet. Meanwhile, mash the potatoes into the mixture of butter, bacon and sour cream. Then add milk, cheese, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper. Fill the hollowed out potatoes with this filling and top each potato with more cheese. Pop them into the oven for 15 minutes and they’re ready to eat!

Now that you have these exciting potato recipes, you’re on your way to having a blast this National Potato Month! So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get messy in the kitchen and enjoy a wonderful meal with the family!