Campus Recreation and Wellness brings healthy food, stress relief to students
East Carolina University students were not exactly rushing to Chanale Propst’s table filled with neatly cut broccoli and ranch dressing.
But all 51 baggies of broccoli eventually were taken – and Propst’s mission was accomplished.
Chanale Propst, right, graduate assistant of wellness in ECU’s Campus Recreation and Wellness, distributes broccoli to students as part of Fresh Food Friday during a class change at Sonic Plaza.
(Photos by Cliff Hollis | Video by Rich Klindworth)
Propst, graduate assistant for wellness with Campus Recreation and Wellness, has been taking fresh fruits and vegetables and stress relief activities to ECU students this semester during Monday Munchies, Therapeutic Thursdays and Fresh Food Fridays.
“A lot of students have a negative reaction when I ask them if they want to try some broccoli,” Propst said. “It’s hard getting them to try, but I think once they try it, if they’ve never had it, or maybe it’s been awhile since they’ve had it, it allows them to experience it when they’re in a different season in their lives, which is awesome because they can eat broccoli in a variety of ways. It doesn’t have to be raw; it can be on a pizza or in a smoothie. We want to be able to promote broccoli in different ways for healthy eating alternatives.”
Naveen Allatif, a sophomore computer science major from Lodi, New Jersey, stopped to learn more on a recent Friday. “I’m not really picky with food,” said Allatif, who likes broccoli cooked in a sauce or with other vegetables. “I just don’t like it by itself. I’m good with other veggies though.”
Tables can be found at different spots on main campus and the health sciences campus, expanding CRW’s ability to reach students during the fall and spring semesters. The offerings previously were in the Student Recreation Center on main campus.
“We’re really reaching students where they’re at,” said Daniella Izaguirre, wellness coordinator. “We’re promoting some techniques for stress management and encouraging students to take a minute away from their classwork for themselves.”
Maiah Moore, who doesn’t like green vegetables, tries broccoli with ranch dressing during Fresh Food Friday on the Mall.
Students walking to and from class stopped to make aromatherapy roller balls near Joyner Library recently.
Oils such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, orange and cinnamon were available for students to mix with coconut or avocado in a compact roll-on bottle. CRW also distributed information on the benefits of essential oils, which diffuse into the bloodstream through the skin. The oils can help manage stress, promote sleep or energy, and improve mood.
Olivia Stencel, a freshman from Jamestown, North Carolina, made a roller ball with ylang-ylang oil, which helps alleviate anxiety, depression and insomnia. “Just having different ways to achieve peace of mind is really cool,” said Stencel, who first learned about essential oils from her mother.
Stencel said the move to campus, classes and new friends have been positive but a big change, which can be scary. “I’m excited because I’m on my own,” she said.
Future foods and activities will range from acai bowls and celery to stress balls and aromatherapy pillow mists. For more information, go to the ECU events calendar at http://calendar.ecu.edu/.
Chanale Propst with Campus Recreation and Wellness offers broccoli to passing students.
-by Crystal Baity, ECU News Services, baityc@ecu.edu