Get involved in wellness activities in McLeod County!

May 5^th, 2012

Walk for Autism

The Ridgewater College Helping Hands Club invites families, educators and the general public to Walk for Autism at the Hutchinson Mall from 10 a.m. to Noon to help build local awareness about autism.

May 6^th, 2012:

Brownton bike-a-thon

The Brownton Women’s Club will sponsor the annual Brownton bike-a-thon Sunday, May 6 (in case of inclement weather, the bike-a-thon will be rescheduled to May 20).

May 12^th, 2012:

5K WALK/RUN FOR COMMON CUP MINISTRY, INC.

Masonic West River Park, 1003 Les Kouba Parkway NW Hutchinson  MN

Walk of Hope Saturday, May 12 at 9 a.m., St. Mary’s of Winsted Foundation

Registration beginning at 8 a.m. at St. Mary’s Care Campus (in case of rain, it will take place in the gym at Winsted Elementary’ School)

May 13^th, 2012:

Mileka’s Walk- Silver Lake City Park 10:30/11am

May 19th, 2012:

BMX Beginner’s Clinic 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Buffalo Creek BMX  1017 9th St., Glencoe, MN, 55336

American Legion Golf Tournament  2:30 pm -7:00 pm  

Glencoe Country Club 1325 1st St. E., Glencoe, MN, 55336, United States

Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter: Paws On Parade Benefit Walk 2012, Saturday, May 19th @ 9:00am McLeod County Fairgrounds

Check out the Calendar of Events for more info!

Through a partnership with Sibley County Public Health & Human Services and the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), the Country Drive In, located near the intersections of Highways 19 and 15 in Winthrop, opened for the season with some new, healthy changes to the menu. 

Not only is the Drive In a hot spot for locals, but many tourists passing through always make sure to stop for a bite to eat. This year they will find that not only do their favorite items still taste great, but some of the items are even a little healthier than they were last year. Thinking about visiting the Drive In for dinner? Be sure to bring your whole family. The menu also includes some new, healthier sides, such as a choice of applesauce on their children’s menu.

In addition, customers will find new symbols next to some of their favorite items on the menu identifying which ones are the healthier choices. For more information on the Drive In, including their spring hours, visit their website at www.thecountrydrivein.com .

On June 13, 2012, join other behavior, school and health personnel for the 5th Annual Behavioral Health Emergency Response Conference. This is a FREE conference that will take place in North Mankato, with the morning focus on educating and preparing the South Central Region to work collaboratively in the event of a disaster, and the afternoon focus on trauma and treatment of trauma.

This conference is geared towards Behavioral Health Professionals, Case Managers, Clergy, Hospital/County Administrators, Nurses and School Personnel. Please share this event with others who might be interested.

For more information or to register for the conference, please click on the link below for a copy of the conference brocure.

Best Western Disaster Conf – 6.13.2012_2

On April 28, join the Sibley Medical Center Ribbon Cutters – Relay for Life Team for a 5K Run/Walk to be held at Four Season’s Park in Arlington.

Registration forms can be picked up at Sibley Medical Center clinics in Arlington, Gaylord, Winthrop, and Henderson or can be downloaded on the www.sibleymedicalcenter.org website. All proceeds to benefit Sibley County Relay for Life.
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.
Race Time: 9:00 a.m.

Cost is $25.00

For more information, also visit the Calendar of Events page.

5K-poster2

From the Official SPARK PE blog:

Have you found that you and your family are feeling restless lately? With Spring Break coming, will your kids start to say ” Mom, Dad,- I’m bored- What is there to do?” Well, spring is nearly here, and it’s time to get off the couch and get outside. If not outside at least to open gym offerings or open swim offerings thru your local community ed. Go to the zoo or museum, places that will get them off the couch and moving or walking! Check out your local regional or state parks for events.  If playing Wii golf doesn’t cut it, then get the family together and start planning to get them back out in the world. Everywhere across the country the season is bringing change and growth.

For more in depth ideas find the rest of  this article at: http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/treat-spring-fever-with-these-fun-outings/trackback/

News From the Official SPARK PE Blog:

 With hectic school schedules, work meetings, and tiring days, it’s hard to make time to exercise as a family. Televisions, video games, and constant Internet connectivity also don’t help us find the time to get outside and play together. But with some concerted effort and prior planning, making time to exercise as a family can help your health and communication, and allocates time to bond as a family unit and talk to each other about your lives.

Spending time together as a family and getting everyone out of the house is a high priority for maintaining family health. And spending more time with kids helps them make better decisions and be less likely to get into trouble.

For the rest of the article go to: http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/making-time-for-exercise-as-a-family/

Here is a cool article from the “Official SPARK Blog” about Winter Veggies

Just because you’re wrapped up in winter clothes doesn’t mean you have to lose the pleasure of fresh produce during those colder months. Some of these winter vegetables come at the greatest values of the year, and they taste the best during their bountiful cold season.There are many winter-friendly vegetables out there to choose from!

• Cruciferous Vegetables –Many cruciferous vegetables can be grown during any season if located in temperate climates. But these veggies taste best when harvested in the fall months. Those vegetables in the cruciferous family include: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, turnip, rutabaga, and radishes.
• Root Vegetables –Although not as exciting or alluring as many spring vegetables, root vegetables are another cold season favorite. Available from local winter storage or grown during the cooler months, root vegetables are a great way to continue eating well throughout the season. Carrots, celery, and parsnips can all be found outside of the spring and summer months.
• Potatoes, Squash, and Onion –Potatoes and onions can be stored for long amounts of time, making them an excellent source of vegetables during colder months. Also, aptly named winter squashes are grown in the winter months, and can be found fresh for use in soups and stews.
• Beets, Belgian Endive, Cardoons, Celeriac, Chicory, and Treviso – These lesser-known vegetables are a fun way to experiment in the kitchen. Check your produce aisle for these infrequent offerings. Try throwing them into your daily meals in new and exciting ways, and use them as a reason to try out new cookbook recipes.

Just because many of the produce markets are low on crops doesn’t mean you have to stop incorporating vegetables into your meals. And although you can’t find them at the restaurants, it doesn’t mean they are not around or that you can’t use them to create a satisfying meal.

There are plenty of wonderful ways to warm up your winters. From great winter soups to stews and slaws, winter root vegetables make the perfect foundation for a great meal. Keep the following meals in mind next time you’re at the grocery store:

Butternut and ham bisque –Make this soup to incorporate a sweet winter squash and a salty kick for a welcoming dinner delight. Made with onion, rosemary, garlic, potatoes, squash and ham, this bisque incorporates winter flavors into a warm winter dish.

Honey roasted root vegetables –Roast lively winter vegetables with honey to bring out the natural sugars of caramelized vegetables and help bring variety to starchy winter sides.

Snow Pea and Cabbage Salad –Think outside the box with a slaw and snow pea salad. Throw in some radishes and broccoli for color and flavor, and bring the cabbage crunch to the dinner table.

Kale Chips – Tired of the old greasy potato chip? Throw some olive oil and salt on kale leaves and bake them into a crispy, healthy, vitamin-packed cold weather snack.

Blustery winter days are no reason to stay out of the produce aisle. Many vegetables can be stored and sold throughout colder months, and many others peak in the off-season. If you live in a temperate climate, keep an eye on your produce stand for picks of the season and bring home vegetables that are perfect for soups, stews, casserole, and side dishes to spruce up your cold weather suppers. Many year-round vegetables peak in flavor during the colder months, so don’t be afraid to sample the produce on display at your local store.

Source: http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/incorporating-winter-vegetables-into-a-dinner-menu/trackback/

 First Lady Michelle Obama may be on to something with her unflagging “Let’s Move” admonitions – the latest research shows that physical activity may help children do better in school. Amika Singh, a senior researcher at VU University in the Netherlands, reports in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine that physical activity is associated with better academic performance, as measured by higher GPAs and better scores on standardized tests. She and her colleagues reviewed 14 studies, some of which simply recorded the amount of physical activity that children, parents or teachers reported that youngsters got over three days to seven days prior to the study, and some of which randomly assigned students to varying amounts of exercise a day. Taken together, the studies showed that the more physical activity the children had, the higher their scores in school, particularly in the basic subjects of math, English and reading. Follow this link for the rest of the story: http://www.havefunbiking.com/news/newsarticle.php?id=1052 

by Alice Park, Time.com

Winter is no reason to stay inside all day. Just because the sun is hiding doesn’t mean it’s time to hunker down and hibernate. During colder months, it is important to get the family outside and maintain activity even though there may be some frost on the ground. Besides, winter months bring on a whole new set of fun activities to explore.

Feed the Fowl

Many birds stick around for the winter, and these little friendly fowl are easy to spot on a snowy backdrop. Make your days brighter—and theirs, too—during the winter months by putting out bird feeders for your feathered friends. Send the kids out with binoculars to go search for birds and other wildlife in the neighborhood.

Treasure Hunts and Tag

Treasure hunts are also a great way to get the neighborhood kids running around. See if they can’t find certain items around the neighborhood. If it’s really snowy, maybe you can get them to identify certain neighborhood items under that white blanket. Or send the kids out for a game of tag or capture the flag. Giving them a reason to run around will keep them warm and happy throughout the winter months.

Go Ice Skating

Nothing says the holidays like bundling up the kids, lacing on the skates, and taking a spin on the ice. Most cities have annual ice rinks that open up when the winter season hits. Take the family out for a day downtown and finish it up by showing your moves on the ice and getting the family running around.

Snow Men, Sledding, Snow Angels and Snowball Fights

One of the best parts of the winter season is that cold, flaky ambush that falls from the sky. Adults, children, and pets alike enjoy this falling fun and the neighborhood’s transition into a powdery winter landscape is a great reason to get outside and play.

Building a snow man is an age-old tradition that starts with one small snowball and grows into a great afternoon of activity. Get your loved ones outside and build a snow buddy to guard your house for the winter. You can even make snow bricks, build an igloo, and create an entire winter wonderland in your own back yard.

Dragging a sled up a hill doesn’t even seem like exercise when it’s in anticipation of the fun slide back down. Sledding can bring hours of enjoyment to all ages. Grab a traditional sled, a saucer, or even a metal trash can lid and let it fly for hours of laughter.

Snowball fights are a great way to keep that throwing arm in shape over the winter. Get the family outside and build bunkers, organize teams, and start tossing around some chilly fun.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding are picking up in popularity, and resorts are speckled across the country. Get out and active by heading to the mountains where you can practice your skills on the slopes and then hit the clubhouse for some hot chocolate and good conversation at the end of a long, jam-packed day of activity.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a lesser-known pastime that gets people outdoors in the colder months. Snowshoeing gives you a whole new perspective on the outdoors, and allows you the chance to make tracks on uncharted winter territory, and share some time with the winter wildlife.

Ice Hockey

What’s the one sport that’s made for the colder months? Hockey! Ice hockey is full of action and suspense. As the official winter sport of Canada and a popular U.S. pastime, professional games can be found throughout both Canada and the United States. Pick-up games can often be found on local ponds or simply played in neighborhood streets during the winter months.

Ice Fishing

When done safely on ice that is several inches thick and above, ice fishing can provide hours of winter fun. Ice fishers catch fish with lines and fish hooks by drilling a hole in the ice of a frozen body of water and dipping a line into the water below. Often sitting on a stool out in the open, ice fishing brings some action to those long winter months, and is a great reason to get outside and participate in the season. Just be sure to ice fish only in safe, designated areas.

The winter season can be a time to pursue new and exciting adventures. From fishing to hockey and scouting out birds, getting the family outside for the winter season should be as easy as pointing them toward the sleds, the snow boots, and the great outdoors.

Source:http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/fun-outdoor-activities-for-the-winter-season/trackback/

The holiday season can be the most challenging time of year to stick to a diet, lose weight, or simply maintain healthy eating habits. Some individuals reluctantly choose to deny themselves holiday treats or substitute with unsatisfying alternatives, while others are unwilling to forgo the holiday smorgasbord and may overindulge. Linda Antinoro, RD, a senior nutritionist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), offers useful tips for staying on track during the holiday season without completely missing out on this delicious time of year.

To find a balance between overindulgence and deprivation when it comes to eating during the holidays, Antinoro suggests these tips:

• Have a light snack before heading to holiday parties. Arriving hungry often results in over eating, and most likely consuming foods that are high in saturated fat and calories. 

• Offer to bring your favorite healthier choice dish when attending a party to ensure that you have some healthy food options.

• When attending holiday events, stop dressing for excess.  Choose form fitting slacks that leave very little “wiggle room” for over indulgences.  People tend to overeat without realizing it if they are wearing lose clothing. 

• Using a small plate or no plate at all is a great way to avoid overeating at holiday events. You will ultimately eat less if you have to walk back and forth from the hor d’oeuvres table. 

• It’s all about portion control. A dinner plate should be half vegetables, a quarter protein, and a quarter carbs; and try to avoid going back for seconds and thirds.

• Channel your inner food snob. Resist the foods you can and save the calories for your favorite holiday treats.

• Serve big holiday meals buffet style. Getting up for seconds helps prevent mindless overeating that can occur if the food is within arms reach.  Wait at least 20 minutes before getting up for seconds, as it can take that long for your brain to realize you are full.

• Be mindful of high calorie holiday drinks like apple cider and eggnog. Enjoy only a small cup of your favorite drink and sip lots of water to help curb your appetite. 

• Focus on conversation or activities with your family and friends, rather than on food.

• Start a new tradition, like taking a family walk after the main holiday meal.

• Whether at work or at the mall, prevent derailing your weight management efforts by pre-portioning protein rich snacks in your purse/dash board or desk drawer to grab incase of a low blood sugar episodes.

• If you find yourself lonely/bored during the holidays try treating yourself to something you might not treat yourself to on a regular basis.  Ideas can range from a trip to the movies, a nap, a manicure, or cozying up to a good book or magazine with a cup of warm tea. 

The holiday season is a difficult time to control eating, says Antinoro, making it more realistic to try to maintain your weight, rather than lose weight during the holidays.