GET THE WORD OUT!

Now is the time to be letting your legislators know the importance of SHIP and to fully fund these projects.  The Governor did include SHIP funding in his proposed budget so now is the time to let your state legislators know that YES! We need to keep this in the budget!  Let's share our stories about projects and the success that we are seeing.  SHIP projects are important to the health of our communities and to combat the rising cost in health care because of obesity related issues that are preventable!  Lifestyle changes are easier done when you have an environment and community that supports these efforts and SHIP funded projects are doing that with providing sustainable environmental, policy and system changes allowing the Healthy Choice to be the Easy Choice!! 
 

Here are some of the projects that are going on in your communities!

Live Wright Grants

During the first year of SHIP grants being available.  Live Wright has made significant progress implementing evidence-based systems and environmental change strategies that improve nutrition and increase physical activity across communities, schools, work sites and health care settings.  These efforts lay the groundwork for improvements in the health of Minnesotans and reductions in health care costs.  There has been nearly $300,000 invested in improving the health of our local communities and schools with local grantees donating over $62,000 to accompany their award.

Community Gardens

Improving Community Nutrition: reaching up to 25,203 residents in the cities of Buffalo and Monticello.  Highlights include implementing 4 community garden projects to improve community access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Buffalo Presbyterian Church: $4,300
• City of Buffalo-Gary Mattson Park: $5, 975
• Opening Doors Garden Club: $36,000
• Monticello Resurrection Lutheran Church: $5,180

Schools

Improving School Nutrition reaching at least 2,160 students at three schools in two districts, Buffalo/Hanover/Montrose and Monticello.  Highlights include increasing access to healthy foods for students through learning gardens, classroom gardens and Farm to School initiatives.

• Discovery Elementary "Grow Lunch" Project: $3,000
• Monticello Farm to School: $17,500
• Pinewood Learning Garden: $1,000

Increasing School Physical Activity: reaching 3,867 students in all four schools within the Monticello School District.  Highlights include providing bike racks to all four schools in the Monticello School District to increase space available for students to store bikes as an incentive to bike to school.  In addition the Monticello Safe Routes to School Project will increase opportunities for students to safely walk and bike to school.

• Monticello Safe Routes to School: $17,110

Parks & Trails

Increasing Community Physical Activity: reaching up to 119,353 residents of Wright County.  Highlights include approving eight mini-grant proposals to support the development of multi-modal transportation, incorporation of complete streets terminology into local road design, and updating park/trail or bike way plans to increase opportunities for walking and biking ad access to community recreation facilities to support active communities.

• City of Buffalo Park/Trail Plans: $20,000
• City of Buffalo Trail Markers & Kiosks: $7,206
• City of Monticello Park/Trail Plan: $52,500
• City of Albertville Trail/Sidewalk Plan: $11,766
• City of Delano Park/Trail Plan: $19,500
• City of Annandale Park/Trail Plan: $19,500
• City of Howard Lake Park/Trail Plan: $17,940
• Wright County Trail/Bikeway Plan: $46,910

Wright County Ranked #23

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/minnesota

I think we have what it takes to move our way up to #1, don't you??

Energizing exhausting | BrainerdDispatch.com | Brainerd, Minnesota

Energizing exhausting BrainerdDispatch.com Brainerd, Minnesota

Blueberries faked in cereals, muffins, bagels and other food products - Food Investigations - NaturalNews.tv

Blueberries faked in cereals, muffins, bagels and other food products - Food Investigations - NaturalNews.tv

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

So, there are 31 days in March...but my list from ADA only goes to 30.  So that means tomorrow it is YOUR turn to give a Healthy Eating Tip of the Day!! 

30.)  For desk-top dining, keep single-serve packages of crackers, fruit, peanut butter, soup, or tuna in your desk for a quick lunch.

www.eatright.org/nnm 

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

29.)  Always eating on the go?  Tuck portable, nonperishable foods in your purse, tote, briefcase or backpack for an on-the-run meal.  some suggestions are peanut butter and crackers, granola bars, a piece of fresh fruit, trail mix, single serve packages of whole grain cereal or crackers.

www.eatright.org/nnm

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

26.)  Try a smoothie made with juice, fruit and yogurt for a light lunch or snack.
27.) Refrigerate carry-out or leftovers if the food won't be eaten right away.  Toss foods kept at room temperature for more than two hours.
28.)  Grabbing dinner aat the supermarket deli?  Select rotisserie chicken, salad-in-a-bag and freshly baked bread.  Or, try sliced lean roast beef, onion rolls, potato salad and fresh fruit.

www.eatright.org/nnm

Harvest Day at Discovery Elementary!!

The aerogardens were harvested by students today!  See previous post for the before picture!

These are what remains from the harvesting of the lettuce today at Discovery Elementary!!  The kids ate it up!  AND wanted seconds!  The kids were excited to try out the lettuce they have been growing and even students that brought a lunch from home asked if they could get some salad on the side, which of course they could!  After all the students had made their way through the line and gotten their lunch the Food Service Director went around with a large bowl of lettuce offering seconds and by the time she made it around the cafeteria, the bowl was empty!! The kids had their hands up wanting more!  The students said that the lettuce they grew was so much greener and tasted better than the lettuce they usually get with lunch.  The Food Service Staff made a great "Discovery Dressing" special for this event with fresh basil that they harvest from their own Aero Garden.  It was tasty!  Some kids thought the lettuce was so good that they didn't even want dressing on it, they picked it up with their hands and munched on it!
The excitement of the kids and the enthusiam from Mrs. Koopman, who wrote the grant was awesome and we are excited to hear about what they will grow next, rumor has it that they may do something special for Mothers Day with other veggies!!

Harvest Day at Discovery Elementary!!

This was the lettuce before they harvested.

It was GREAT to see how much lettuce was harvested today at Discovery Elementary for their "Grow Lunch" Project.  The kids were very excited to see their lettuce brought down to the cafeteria and know that when they come back for lunch they will be eating it!  The students also were able to examine the roots of the lettuce and talk about the growth of the plants throughout the weeks!  We are going to join them for lunch today and see some of the students reactions to their salads with a signature dressing the food service staff have prepared with basil they have been growing with an aerogarden as well!! Check back for updates on how lunch was!

This is the lettuce after harvest, handing it over to the Food Service Staff to prepare for lunch!

"That's a lot of lettuce!"



Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

25.)  "Be size-wise about muffins, bagels, croissants and biscuits.  A jumbo muffin has more than twice the fat and calories of the regular size."

www.eatright.org/nnm

The Human Doing

Have you been to the Mall of America lately?  If you haven't and don't mind the crowds and dodging people then you should make a trip out to see the "The Human Do-ing" , man living in a glass apartment in the Mall.  "One man. In a box. For one month. Living a healthier life with your support."  Blue Cross Blue Shield is sponsering this event of capturing a man living in a glass apartment where he lives all the time, he sleeps there, eats there  and exercises there.  The idea is that he is on display and with the support and watchful eye of mall goers and those on facebook who are monitoring his progress has sort of an obligation to do good.  He is learning to cook healthy and you can vote on what "do" you'd like to see him perform. You have 3 options that you can vote on and that he will then "do" for example right now you can vote for 1.) stretching 2.) meditating 3.) yoga.  The activity with the most votes is what his next "do" will be.  Here is a message from Scott, the man in the glass apartment
"Can support from your family, community and surroundings lead to a change in lifestyle behavior?
I’m The Human Doing. I’ll be here for one month to find out. Vote for the healthy activities you’d like me to do. Then do them with me.  Every do I do — no matter how big or small — is a do for everyone. When I sweat, you can sweat with me. When I learn a healthy recipe, you’ll learn it, too.  My success can be your success."

visit him on Facebook to stay up-to-date on what he's "do-ing" and how he is leading a healthier lifestyle and then stop by at the Mall of America and see his glass apartment conveniently located between some rather unhealthy
http://www.do-groove.com/thehumandoing/blog/s/meet-the-human-doing

http://www.facebook.com/thehumandoing

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

Snowed in yesterday so here are 2 tips for today!! Just a reminder to everyone who shoveled that heavy heavy snow yesterday because I'm sure you haven't forgotten that you did it, can you feel your arm muscles today?  Just think of the workout you had shoveling yesterday!! Whew!

23.)  Look for a sandwich wrap in a soft tortilla.  Fillings such as rice mixed with seafood, chicken, or grilled vegetables are usually lower in fat and calories. 

24.)  Build a better breakfast sandwich: replace bacon or sausage with Canadian bacon or ham and order your sandwich on a whole grain English muffin or bagel.

www.eatright.org/nnm 

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

22.) Load up your pizza with vegetable toppings.  If you add meat, make it lean ham, Canadian bacon, chicken or shrimp.

www.eatright.org/nnm

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

19.) Ask for sauces, dressings and toppings to be served "on the side."  Then you control how much you eat."

20.)  Pass up all-you-can-eat specials, buffets and unlimited salad bars if you tend to eat too much.

21.) If you do choose the buffet, fill up on salads and vegetables first.  Take no more than two trips and use the small plate that holds less food. 

www.eatright.org/nnm

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

18.) "Eat your lower-calorie food first.  Soup or salad is a good choice.  Follow up with a light main course."

www.eatright.org/nnm

Grow Lunch!

Next Friday morning (March 25th) at 9:00-9:30, classrooms and district offices all across Discovery Center, will be harvesting heads of lettuce that have spent the past weeks growing.  That morning, the lettuce will be delivered to the cafeteria staff for cleaning and processing.  They have developed a special dressing in honor of the day, and will serve the lettuce in salad as part of that afternoon's lunch menu, from 11:30-12:10.

The lettuce is growing in 16 hydroponic gardens stationed in classrooms around Discovery Center. The kids are learning about the growth of lettuce and will have the opportunity to eat what they helped grow!! How exciting!! 

Bev Koopman, a teacher at Discovery Center wrote a grant  called, "Grow Lunch!"  And was awarded money from Live Wright to fund her project.  Bev spent some time researching how students who establish healthy habits before sixth grade are more likely to continue those habits into adulthood.  Bev also found through research that student involvement in growing vegetables has a correlation with their willingness to eat vegetetables.  She was lucky enough to see a real life example of that last year when she conducting a similiar project using a single garden in her classroom, therefore prompting her to take it building wide!  Bev has done an excellent job notifying staff of the different stages of growth and has tried to make this project as easy to implement into the classrooms as possible. 

Thank You!! We look forward to joining you on Harvest Day! 

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

17.) At the salad bar, pile on the dark leafy greens, carrots, peppers and other fresh vegetables.  Lighten up on mayonnaise-based salads and high fat toppings.  Enjoy fresh fruit as your dessert.

www.eatright.org/nnm

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

16.)  Enjoy ethnic foods such as Chinese stirfry, vegetable-stuffed pita or Mexican fajitas.  Go easy on the sour cream, cheese and guacamole.

www.eatright.org/nnm

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

15.) In place of fries or chips, choose a side salad, fruit or baked potato.  Or, share a regular order of fries with a friend.

www.eatright.org/nnm

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

12.) Boost the nutrition of all types of sandwiches by adding tomato, lettuce, peppers ro other vegetables.
13.) A baked potato offers more fiber, fewer calories and less fat than fries if you skip the sour cream and butter.  Top your potato with broccoli and a sprinkle of cheese or salsa.
14.) At the sandwich shop, choose lean beef, ham, turkey or chicken on whole grain bread.  Ask for mustard, ketchup, salsa or lowfat spreads.  And, don't forget the veggies!

www.eatright.org/nnm

Fruit & Vegetable Crossword Puzzle Answers

For those who received the Live Wright newsletter via email and are in need of answers for the crossword puzzle follow this link to see how you did!!

http://www.nourishinteractive.com/free_printables/crossword_puzzles/crossword_AK/kids_printables-nutrition_crossword_puzzle_fruit_vegetables_answers.pdf

Calendar of Events

Live Wright into Spring

March

(National Nutrition Month)

v3/12   Maple Lake Irish Scamper (www.raceberryjam.com)

v3/12 “Spring Days” Gardening Workshop, 8-3:15, STMA Middle School West

v3/18-3/20 Lifestyle Bike Experience Event, Mall of America

v 3/19 Monticello March Madness 5k (www.raceberryjam.com)

v 3/24 Cancer Summit 2011, Mpls Airport Marriott

v 3/30  “Grow Lunch” Harvest Day

v 3/31  MN DNR Parks & Trail Fund grant applications DUE

April

(National Minority Health Month)

v 4/2 Run with the Wolves (Timberwolves) 5K, Mpls, MN (www.raceberryjam.com)

v 4/2  Annual Community Garden Spring Resource Fair, MPLS

v 4/8-4/9 Sustainable Communities Conference; Mpls

v 4/4-4/10 National Public Health Week

v 4/14 CLT MEETING

v 4/15 Biggest Loser Ends

v 4/15-16  Earth Day Run Events, St. Cloud (www.active.com)

v 4/16 ECFE Buffalo Family Fair, Discovery 10am-1pm

v 4/29-4/30 Active Living Bike Expo, State Fairgrounds

v 4/30 Get in Gear 5k, Minneapolis (www.active.com)

v 4/30  Feria de la Salud,  Health Fair Monticello 10-2pm

May

(National Physical Fitness & Sports Month)

v 5/7 Mom’s Day 5K Minneapolis (www.raceberryjam.com)

v 5/12 CLT MEETING

v 5/18 National Employee Health & Fitness Day

v 5/20 National Bike to Work Day

Looking Ahead…

v 6/11  Bertram Lakes Family Fun Day 10am-4pm

v 6/18  Monticello Walk N’ Roll

v August: Parade of Community Gardens, Gardening Matters

v 8/16-18 Safe Routes to School National Conference, Minneapolis (http://www.saferoutesconference.org/)

v   If anyone is interested in any of the conference calls, workshops, or webinars please contact Joel or Catherine.

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

11.) Split your order.  Share an extra large sandwich or main course witha  friend or take half home for another meal.

www.eatright.org/nnm

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

10.) Tempted by sweet, creamy desserts?  Order one dessert with enough forks for everyone at the table to have a bite. 

Healthy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day

9.) Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.  No more than one drink for women and two for men.  Alcohol tends to increase your appetite and provides calories without any nutrients.

www.eatright.org/nnm

Office Stretches

Sitting at an office all day long?  Make sure to take breaks that include standing up, walking around and getting moving. here are some helpful stretches for the office from Mayo Clinic.

Video: Seated stretches for the office

Heathy Eating on the Run: Tip of the Day (8 days)

I was planning on doing a tip of the day...and then I forgot. So I will start by throwing out some tips from the ADA on Healthy Eating on the Run, because we all seem to be "on the run" and it is usually the most difficult time for us to focus on eating healthy.

1. Think Ahead and plan where you will eat.  Consider what meal options are available.  Look for restaurants or carry-out with a wide range of menu items. 
2. Take time to look over the menu and make careful selections.  Some restaurant menus have a special section for "healthier" choices.
3. Read restaurant menus carefully for clues to fat and calorie content.  Menu terms that can mean less fat and calories: baked, braised, broiled, grilled, poached, roasted, steamed.
4. Menu terms that can mean more fat and calories: batter-fried, pan-fried, buttered, creamed, crispty, breaded.   Choose these foods only occasionally and in small portions.
5. Order the regular or child-size portion.  Mega-sized servings are probably more than you need.  For a lighter meal, order an appetizer in place of a main course.
6. It's OK to make special requests, just keep them simple.  For example, ask for a baked potato or side salad in place of French fries; no mayonnaise or bacon on your sandwich; sauces served on the side.
7. Hunger can drive you to eat too much bread before your meal arrives.  Hold the bread or chips until your meal is served.  Out of sight, out of mind.
8. Think about your food choices for the entire day.  If you're planning a special restaurant meal in the evening, have a light breakfast and lunch.

What's for Dinner?

National Nutrition Month® Recipe for the day! www.eatright.org/nnm

Love the taste of fried chicken, but hate the excess calories and fat?  Here's a solution that's sure to please!  Spicy yogurt sauce adds both flavor and practicality, actinga as a base for the seasoned bread crumbs to keep the chicken moist during baking.

Low-Fat, Oven-Fried Chicken

6 servings; serving is 1 breast or thigh

Ingredients:

1 cup plain low-fat yogurt

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 clove garlic

6 skinless chicken breasts halves or 6 skin less chicken breast thighs (1 3/4lb to 2 lbs)

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon margarine, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. combine yogurt, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper & garlic ina  large bowl; mix well.  Coat the chicken with the mixture.
3. Prepare a shallow roasting pan or jelly roll pan with nonstick pan spray.  combine all the bread crumbs & margarine in shallow dish.  coat the chicken with bread crumbs; place in pan.
4. Bake Breasts for 25 minutes, Thighs for 30-35 minutes, or until tender

Nutritional Information:

Calories:240
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 16 g
Protein: 26 g
Calories from fat: 69 g
Cholesterol: 69 g
Fiber: 1 g
Fat: 8 g
Sodium: 721 mg
Sugar: 2 g

Salt Intake