San Diego

Good nutrition is rolling along

San Diego County elementary school kids are now getting visits from the Green Machine. This “field trip on wheels” delivers lessons on agriculture, food cycles, and healthy nutrition throughout the year.

Kaiser Permanente has teamed up with the San Diego County Office of Education to help bring nutritional programs to elementary schools throughout the area. We recently donated $100,000 to support the Green Machine.

The Green Machine program is a hands-on, interactive learning program that comes directly into the classroom. It helps teach kids about food from “seed to table” and explains the importance of good nutrition.

The experience is a memorable one for kids—with role-play, costumes, and puppets. There’s even a musical and dramatic wrap-up designed to reinforce learning.

Classrooms or schools interested in starting their own garden can also benefit. The Green Machine provides a comprehensive list of garden resources in San Diego County and can arrange for a local master gardener to visit schools.

Because of Kaiser Permanente’s contribution, the San Diego County Office of Education was able to purchase a second vehicle for the Green Machine program, doubling the program’s capacity to get to students and schools.

Learn how you and your family can eat well and stay healthy. And check out Kid Wisdom for kid-friendly features and activities based on nutrition and exercise.

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Summer fun, summer safety

Get the most out of your summer fun by enjoying yourself with safety in mind.

In the water
Swimming is a good summertime activity. Just pay attention to safety rules as most childhood drownings occur in swimming pools.  

Make sure you and your family always practice water safety with adult supervision. Many Kaiser Permanente facilities offer CPR and lifesaving skills classes. For information and any fees, call Health Education or view the classes available through your local Kaiser Permanente facility.

When you’re active
If you’re exercising in hot weather, watch for signs of heat exhaustion:

• nausea
• dizziness
• cramps
• headache

When you notice any of these signs, stop your activity right away, cool off, and drink fluids. Call your doctor if symptoms don’t improve. Learn more healthy exercise tips.

Under the sun
It’s great to have fun in the sun, but be sure to limit your exposure. Sun exposure is a major cause of skin cancer. It can also contribute to sunburn, acne, and premature aging of the skin.

Use plenty of sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Keep babies younger than 6 months of age out of the sun. A sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 should be used on sensitive skin—including toddlers’ and children’s. Read more tips on playing it safe in the sun.

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