We hope this conference provided you with new skills and tools to enhance wellness initiatives in your worksite. Remember that the SHIP staff through Meeker, McLeod and Sibley Counties is available to assist you with your worksite efforts. 

Here are the resources from the conference around wellness, including healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco, and stress relief.

http://www.mmshealthycommunities.org/online-resources/meeker-mcleod-sibley-worksite-wellness-conference-resource-page/

Thank you and Good Luck!

Healthy Communities/SHIP Staff

CARE ABOUT A HEALTHY FOOD FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR STATE?

Lend your voice to the conversation:
Minnesota Food Charter & South Central Regional Food Network Convening

During 2013, the Minnesota Food Charter is being created through public input. This is a unique opportunity to bring people together to talk about healthy food access. The Food Charter will ensure we have healthy, affordable and safe food, building a legacy of health for future generations.

The south central Food Network Convening will be a Minnesota Food Charter event and a regional meeting, with an opportunity to network, learn from each other, strengthen relationships, and identify ways community members can work together to improve healthy food access.

Please join us:
• Tuesday, April 30
• 2pm – 4pm
• Sakatah Room, Greater Minnesota Business Development Center, 1961 Premier Drive, Mankato MN 56001
• To register please contact Melinda Dontje (e-mail: dontj002@umn.edu, tel:  507-389-6714 )

Feedback from this Minnesota Food Charter Event will be combined with the voices of many others across the state to create a Food Charter. Together, we will understand where we need to go to improve healthy food access and what it will take to get there.

For more information please contact Sheila Onzere: snonzere@umn.edu
For Food Charter information, go to: www.mnfoodcharter.com

The Minnesota Food Charter will present a vision for how all residents can have reliable access to healthy, affordable and safe food.

Ensuring that healthy, affordable and safe food is the easy choice for every Minnesotan is the driving force behind the Minnesota Food Charter. It is the mission of this broad-based public process to begin an ongoing, statewide conversation about the food we want made available in our communities.

This conversation will lay the foundation for a document that expresses a clear and compelling vision of how all Minnesotans can access healthy, affordable and safe food more easily and enjoy the economic benefits of healthier, stronger communities today and tomorrow.

A regional Food Charter event, the Southwest Food Network Convening, will be held on April 16 in Granite Falls. Input from collected at the event will be combined with the voices of many others across the state to create the Minnesota Food Charter. In addition, this event will present an opportunity for regional discussion related to healthy food access in the region. People and organizations with an interest in healthy food across the region will learn from each other, strengthen relationships, and begin to identify ways to work together. 

In addition, community members across the state are invited to host a Food Charter input sessions in their own community. Resources and information can be found at www.mnfoodcharter.org. If you are interested in representing your community at the Southwest Food Network Convening, or in hosting or participating in a local Food Charter event, please contact your local public health office or check our events page.

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/

Banana Nog

Serves: 4 | Serving Size: 1 cup View Recipe and Nutrition Facts
Total Time: 5 min | Prep: 5 min | Cook: 0 min

Ingredients:

4 bananas, peeled
1-1/2 cups skim milk
1-1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt
1/4 teaspoon rum extract
pinch ground nutmeg

Directions:

Add all ingredients except nutmeg to blender or food processor. Puree til smooth. Pour into 4 fancy serving glasses and top each with a pinch nutmeg.
© Food and Health Communications (MORE HOLIDAY RECIPES)

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-

We all want our children, grandchildren and students to be healthy- here are some great gift ideas that will promote physical activity and good nutrition.

Kids

Toys:

There’s no better way to encourage kids to get up and move than with traditional, fun activities. If you are looking for the perfect gift for your kids, consider setting up an area in your backyard for one of these great toys!

• Trampoline
• Swing Set
• Tire Swing
• Hula hoop
• Jump Rope
• Bicycle
• Sled
• Inline Skates

Adolescents and Adults

Physical activity:

• Yoga Mat
• Exercise Ball
• Weight Bench
• Pilates/Yoga DVDs

Nutrition:

It’s hard to encourage healthy eating without being forceful, but here are a few great ways to help your friends change their ways!

Fruit of the Month Club – There are many different fruit of the month clubs all across the country. Find one that supplies fresh, local fruits in the area of the recipient, then sign them up! Consider fruit every other month or so if you want to ease them into it!

Food Steamer – A great and healthy way to cook anything from vegetables to chicken is with a food steamer. You can even find some that will steam your eggs! Recipients will be excited to make every meal healthier with an easy food steamer.

Gadgets:

For those friends that are already active, or are trying to monitor their workouts, these gadgets are a great way to get them excited about exercising!

GPS Watch, Pedometers, and Cadence Monitor – Great for runners, bikers, and swimmers, these pacers and monitors can store many work outs at a time, and give all beginners a great way to see improvement.

Do you want to know the top 3 fitness items for this holiday season?  check it out at http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/top-3-fitness-items-on-our-holiday-gift-list-for-2012/

Where do you find these gifts you ask? Visit www.sparkpe.org/store to purchase your favorite exer-gaming systems or sports equipment for a friend, family member, or any kid you know!

 On average, Americans gain approximately one to two pounds during the holiday season. While this weight gain isn’t dramatic, research shows it tends to stick and accumulate over the years. Luckily, those pounds can be avoided through mindful eating in moderation and a few simple strategies.

With the winter holiday season upon us, this is a great time for familys and school staff to create excitement around nutritional choices during their  celebrations.The effort will help kids – and their parents understand that nutritious food is also fun food.

From birthday to holiday parties throughout the year, children, families and teachers have numerous reasons to celebrate.  Celebrations are a great way for children to feel part of something special, where the learning environment is made festive and where children, teachers and parents can come together to enjoy a break from the routine. 

Traditionally, parties center around food.  Foods such as cupcakes, cookies, candy, chips and beverages such as punch are often the central components of a party menu.  While these foods, in moderation, can be part of a healthy, well-balanced diet, these unhealthy choices have almost become daily norms in the classroom or at home, rather than exceptions.

Below are tips we can use in the classroom or at home to offer a healthier celebration at work or home.

Additional Resources:

classroom tips

http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/game-on/access/step3_challenges/challenges/healthy-classroom-parties.html

American Heart Association Holiday Healthy Eating Guide

 The DNR wants us to  hit the trails during Thanksgiving weekend and why shouldn’t we, its supposed to be beautiful out!!!

From trails along the coast of Lake Superior to routes through hardwood forests and over prairie knolls, Minnesota offers abundant hiking opportunities for all ages and abilities. This fall, Minnesota State Parks Director Courtland Nelson encourages families to get outdoors to enjoy the state’s parks and trails, and to take a hike over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

“There are a number of benefits to hiking this Thanksgiving,” said Nelson. “It’s less expensive and not as crowded as going shopping and you can walk off Thanksgiving dinner alongside friends and family. Plus, now that the leaves have fallen from the trees it’s easier to see wildlife like birds and deer.”
Ranked the “Best Trails State” by the American Trails group, Minnesota has 25 state trails and 76 state parks and recreation areas.

“There’s a Minnesota state park within 30 miles of almost everyone,” said Nelson, “so no matter where you live or celebrate Thanksgiving, the fun is always close by.”

Top 10 parks for hiking:

• Afton State Park.
• Banning State Park.
• Beaver Creek Valley State Park.
• Fort Snelling State Park.
• Frontenac State Park.
• Itasca State Park.
• Jay Cooke State Park.
• Sakatah Lake State Park.
• Temperance River State Park.
• William O’Brien State Park.

Tips for anyone planning to take a hike this weekend include:

• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Dress in layers in case of sudden changes in weather.
• Pick up a trail map at the park office (or print one from the website before leaving).
• Pack a water bottle and healthy snacks.

For a list of parks that are open, partially open or closed during the 2012 hunting season, visit mndnr.gov (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/hunting.html) or call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157or toll-free number, 888-646-6367, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The DNR advises anyone planning to visit a state park between now and December to look online or call ahead to find out whether a hunt is planned and confirm whether the park will be open.

The DNR also advises visitors to parks where hunts are planned to wear blaze orange, even if they will not be hunting. Visitors should check for hunt-related information at the park office when they arrive, look carefully for hunt-related signage and follow instructions.     

Remember that pets are welcome in Minnesota’s state parks as long as they are kept on a leash of six feet or less and they are attended to at all times. Hearing or seeing-eye dogs or other service animals are the only pets allowed in state park buildings or on tours.

Source: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html