Last Days of Summer Recap

We just kicked off the 2012-2013 weekend season with The Last Days of Summer! We had a blast celebrating the last of the warm weather. We learned how to make seed balls to plant in the ground and we made suncatchers and pinwheels as well. We rooted through the Via West garden and dug up some delicious vegetables that we then cooked for our summer bbq extravaganza!

We splashed around in the pool, learned on iPads, showcased our talent at the talent show, and had a fun-filled dance under the stars. 

We had an epic showdown of men versus women in the Via West baseball game. While the men made an amazing comeback, the defensive skills of the women allowed them to prevail!

To see more photos from this weekend, please visit our Facebook page. To register for a private pay weekend program, please click here.

CSI Week (Kids) Recap

Something fishy is going on at Via West! Mr. Fluffy McFluff Fluff has met his untimely demise, and our CSI detectives must now track down the culprit!

Participants had a fantastic time last week working the Via West crime scene investigation, outlining bodies, and playing a live clue game. We made high protein smoothies to energize us for the manhunt through campus, rode horses, and took a much needed break to relax by the pool.

We took two amazing field trips to the Sheriff's Department and the Fire Station.

We danced one of the nights away and everyone showcased their abilities at an incredible talent show.

To see more pictures from this week, please visit our Facebook page.

Cruise Away Recap

Via West treated participants this session to a fantastic and fun-filled "cruise" complete with games, a casino night, luau, and, of course, a lot of time spent lounging in the pool. Participants took an exciting field trip to the Kaiser Famer's Market to buy lots of lush produce which was later used to make delicious smoothies.

  

On Friday, 17 more participants came on board for the weekend. They joined in on Polynesian Bingo, a camp out under the stars, a disco, and everyone's favorite: the talent show.

We took a second field trip to Golfland USA where everyone was able to try for a hole in one. The rest of the day was spent trying to earn as many tickets as possible in the arcade!

For more picures, please visit our Facebook Page!

Across the Lifespan Feedback from Parents

Today,our adult participants checked into Via West Campus for their second session of Nutrition Across the Lifeapan.  As our participants were checking in, parents had so many nice things to say about the program and how much it has affected their home lives, and the health of their participants. 

Phyllis Bartlett told me that her daughter Julie cooked chicken cacciatore from the recipe book we provided, and served it along with a full meal for her parents' 43rd anniversary!

Julie Bartlett (far right) poses with her Nutrition Across the Lifespan fellow chefs.

Fred and Pam Tavernier raved about how much slimmer Jeanine is, how she is eating slower, and that she is choosing lots of "go foods." Pam and Jeanine are cooking their way through the cookbook we provided, marking off each recipe as they complete it.

Rowena Hinojosa said that Sam is cooperating more with his heart-healthy diet, and commented that the information we teach supports what she and Sam's dad have been trying to get across for a long time. When it comes from us at Via West, she noted, it means more to Sam. 

Samuel Hinojosa and Via West counselor at the Santa Clara Farmer's Market

 Toni Hall, Stacey's mom, spoke at length about how great this program has been for Stacey's diabetes management and weight control. She shared that she and her daughter are enjoying the cookbook and the low-fat foods in it.

All of the clients and parents that checked in this morning are very excited about the iPads we'll use this session to teach nutrition and share recipes. They were also very happy to hear about the 3rd and last session on November 18-20, saying they were pleased with the adult focus, the opportunity to cook parts of the Thanksgiving meal and the SLP and iPad opportunities. (Be sure to check our website for our upcoming Fall / Spring Via West Schedule!!)