DISH-CUSSIONS

Authentic Taco Flavor a Whole New Way

Taco Soup from the kitchen of Jimmy and Bethany Morris, Indianbrook

by Janine Douglass

When Beth and Jimmy Morris moved from their Lima City neighborhood to the more countrified Indianbrook atmosphere in April of 2015, the whole family’s lives just got busier as their children grew and matured. Oldest daughter, Taylor has started at the University of Dayton to major in Health Sciences. Second daughter, Kamryn is a sophomore at Shawnee High School, and son, James is in seventh grade at Shawnee’s Middle School where dad, Jimmy is Assistant Principal. Beth is a Radiologic Technologist at Lima Memorial Hospital’s new medical center in Wapakoneta. The combination and variety of their busy, energetic schedules demand easy, delicious dishes like this one that pleases most of the Morrises, and takes just fifteen minutes prep time.

Ingredients: With juice, do NOT drain these cans: • 1 can diced tomatoes • 1 can diced tomatoes with chiles • 1 can corn • 1 can black beans • 1 can Great Northern white beans • 1 can red or pinto beans - 1 lb. hamburger (browned and drained) - 1 can chicken broth - 1 pack taco seasoning - 1 pack dry ranch dressing - Add onions, optional Directions:

Put all ingredients in a crockpot and cook on low approximately 4 hours. You can also just cook this soup on your stovetop, if desired. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips crumbled on top. Beth sometimes adds a crisp green salad for extra nutrients, crunch and color.

Historical note: Tacos are thought to come from Mexico, long before the Spanish arrived. Ancient Mexicans used freshly made, soft flat corn tortillas and served them with fillings like fish and cooked organs.

Amazing Achievers

School Wellness Programs The Daily Mile

by Heather Kohli, Shawnee Elmwood School

Shawnee Elmwood, in cooperation with INEOS, has been taking part in a nationwide program called, The Daily Mile, which is committed to improving the health and well-being of students and staff. The purpose of The Daily Mile is to form positive relationships, foster teamwork, and improve students’ academic performance, while creating goals and overcoming challenges. Students and staff are encouraged to set aside fifteen minutes a day to go outside and run/walk a mile. On October 21st, Elmwood’s school-wide event marks the one-year anniversary participating in this daily activity.

During the last school year, we have seen The Daily Mile embraced by many students, staff, and parents. We have seen strong support and are very appreciative of the Elmwood parents who volunteered to help at events and donated to the program’s fundraisers. We hope to continue to see positive impacts as this program moves forward.

Maplewood School began implementation of The Daily Mile program this year too!

at Shawnee Schools Frisbee Disc Golf Course

by Rachel Rumbaugh, Physical Education Teacher, Shawnee Middle School

Shawnee Middle school will receive a new Frisbee Disc Golf Course for students and community members because of a grant through the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge™.

Lima Shawnee Middle School is one of 64 schools across the country to receive funding to extend school wellness programs. The grant is part of the Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ schoolbased programs that provide age-appropriate curriculum to educate students about healthy living. Research shows the importance of developing healthy habits during childhood for prolonged long-term health. Shawnee Middle School is grateful to the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge for the supplemental resources we received to enrich the physical and mental wellness of our students and the community.

I’m excited to be able to bring a fun new game to Shawnee. I love that this grant allows us to introduce students and families to disc golf and give people in our community who already love the game, a new place to play, gather, and introduce others to disc golf. With the course being available outside of school hours, and our ability to move goals to create new, challenging holes whenever we like, the course will be great for students and players of all abilities.