Meeker

Kids and adults new to snow sports can discover snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, geocaching and other winter activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Fort Snelling State Park. The event, which brought over 1,000 people to the park last year, will take place on Winter Trails Day, a national effort to increase participation in outdoor recreation.

Throughout the day, experts from national outdoor retail co-op REI, Fort Snelling State Park and local outdoor nonprofit organizations will demonstrate winter activities.

There will be opportunities to: 

• Try snowshoes. 
• Take naturalist-led hikes along scenic park trails.
• Learn how to use a GPS unit and go on a high-tech treasure hunt to find a hidden geocach
• Sip hot chocolate around a big bonfire.

To help with planning future winter outings, information will be available on winter camping, skijoring, how to build a winter shelter and much more. Visitors can pick up free copies of the winter Minnesota State Parks and Trails Programs and Special Events brochure, which lists dozens of things to do in state parks and on state trails between now and April, including candlelight ski and snowshoe events, photography excursions and maple syrup-making demonstrations.

There is no charge to participate in any of the Winter Trails Day activities, which will take place in and around Picnic Shelter A, but a vehicle permit ($5/one-day, $25/year-round) is required to enter Minnesota state parks. Those who don’t already have a permit can purchase one at REI stores in Bloomington, Roseville and Maple Grove or at Fort Snelling State Park when they arrive.

For more information about Winter Trails Day, call Fort Snelling State Park at 612-725-2389 or the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 (TTY: 651-296-5484 or 800-657-3929) or visit www.mndnr.gov/fortsnelling.

The holidays are a time for celebrating what you have with your friends, family, and other significant persons. Festivities usually center on giving gifts and, of course, eating a ton of delicious food. Here are a few healthy holiday eating tips for you and your kids this holiday season.

• Cook with healthier substitutes. Cooking a healthy holiday feast for the family doesn’t mean turning everything into boring, tasteless mush. With some simple substitutions, you can still enjoy your holiday favorites without as much of the bad stuff.
• Eat something before the party. You and the kids will no doubt be heading to a whole host of parties, soirees, and get-togethers throughout the holidays. Before you head out, enjoy a healthy meal or substantial snack at home. This may fill your kids up so they don’t eat as much at the party, but primarily, it will allay any stress or worries. You know your kids ate something healthy to balance out all the snacks and cookies they enjoy at the party.
• Focus on the size of portions. Instead of restricting foods—difficult with such a diverse mix of delicious foods and ingredients—focus on portion sizes. Make sure each dish contains a balanced assortment of veggies, fruits, protein, and whole grains. Controlling portions also means avoiding overeating. Enjoy as much as you can to reach satisfaction; you should not feel morbidly full after every meal.
• Incorporate plenty of physical activity. With the family around, take part in some fun physical activities. This doesn’t mean just heading to the gym. There are tons of ways to stay active without even realizing it. Instead of sitting idly around the house, take part in some classic snow activities, like ice skating, sledding, skiing, snowboarding, building snowmen, or partaking in snowball fights. Throw around the pigskin. Take a stroll through the neighborhood to check out all your neighbors’ Christmas lights and décor. Go on a short day-hike and come back in time for a delicious, healthy meal.
• Enjoy the holidays. Take the focus off health and fitness during the holidays and concentrate on enjoying fun times with family and friends. Stress will only lead to overeating, poor choice of food, and grumpy spirits. It’s okay to let loose and indulge just a bit during the holidays.

For the rest of the story check out the SPARK Blog at http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/healthy-holiday-eating-tips/

Gov. Mark Dayton today released a list of accomplishments that his administration has made over the last two years in improving the health of all Minnesotans. On that list were five efforts spearheaded or coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Health in partnership with other state agencies, local public health agencies, communities and private sector partners.

Detailed information on the accomplishments can be found on the MDH website through the links below:

Giving Kids Healthy Foods (SHIP)
Gov. Mark Dayton highlighted how the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) has helped improve nutrition in Minnesota’s schools. In March, Commissioner of Health Ed Ehlinger visited Woodland Elementary School in Eagan. Click here to see a photo slideshow:
http://healthreform.health.state.mn.us/2012_03_01_archive.html

Providing Free Cancer Screening for Women (Sage)
As part of breast cancer awareness month in October, MDH highlighted free mammograms that are available all year long.
http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2012/sage101112.html

Keeping Minnesotans Healthy with High Quality, Preventive Care (Health Care Homes)
MDH’s health care home program is helping focus clinical care on helping patients meet their health goal. Gov. Mark Dayton has highlighted the program’s recent accomplishments.
MDH news release:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2012/hchomes052212.html
Health Care Homes background:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/healthreform/homes/index.html

Helping Minnesotans Adopt Healthy Lifestyles (SHIP)
Gov. Mark Dayton has highlighted the SHIP program as a statewide accomplishment. Read stories from Minnesotans about how the program has changed their lives. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/oshii/ship/stories.html
Basic SHIP program background:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/ship/
SHIP Year Two Progress Report overview:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/ship/docs/SHIP_yr2_overview.pdf
Progress report news release with bullet points on accomplishments:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2012/ship030712.html

Feeding Hungry Minnesotans (SHIP, others)
Farmers markets increase access to fruits and vegetables, a key component of healthy eating. During the first two years of SHIP, 160 new farmers markets have opened in Minnesota, an increase of 95 percent.
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/oshii/ship/stories.html#nutrition

This was the third in a series of reports highlighting the progress the Dayton administration is making toward building a Better Minnesota. That progress can be measured by the improvements Minnesotans have seen in their lives, families, communities and economy. Previous releases focused on the economy and education. Future snapshots will look at improvements in the areas of community, safety, environment, mobility and government. The Governor’s Health results can be found at: http://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/pressreleasedetail.jsp?id=102-50804
-MDH-