Category: February 2017

Strength Training Opportunity in Beloit and Mankato

Ashley Svaty
Nutrition, Food Safety
and Health Agent

Have you been wanting to make your health a priority?  Now is a great time to do just that!  Registration is now open for the upcoming older adult strength training program Stay Strong, Stay Healthy. Strength training is especially important in older adults and can improve balance, strength, flexibility, and quality of life. We will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning February 21st – April 18th.  The Mankato session will begin at 10:30 at the Mankato Community Center.  The Beloit session will be held at the NCK Wellness Center and will begin at 2:30. Each session will be 1 hour and we will meet for 16 sessions.  Registration is required along with a $20 registration fee.  You can register here or by visiting our office in Mankato or Beloit.  Feel free to contact Ashley at asvaty@ksu.edu with any questions about the program.

By:  Ashley Svaty

Board Leadership Series

Nora Rhoades
Family and Youth
Development Agent

K-State Research and Extension is conducting a series of Board Leadership Workshops in communities across Kansas — February 21, 23, 28 and March 2. Designed to provide basic training for members of community-based boards of directors, the series will be hosted by local extension professionals at locations across the state.

“Informed and committed board members are the key to healthy, effective boards and committees in our Kansas communities. K-State Research and Extension’s Board Leadership Series will provide an opportunity for board members to learn the basics of being a good board member,” said Trudy Rice, extension community development specialist.

For information about hosting communities and complete program details visit http://www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/civic-engagement/boards-commissions.html

By:  Nora Rhoades

Simple Steps to Save Successfully

America Saves Week (February 27 – March 4, 2017) is an annual opportunity for individuals to assess their savings and take financial action. Set a goal, make a plan, and save automatically.

  • Assess Your Savings: Like your health, you should assess your savings annually to make sure your savings priorities are on the right track.
  • Evaluate your Savings Preparedness: Take time to evaluate your savings accomplishments and identify where your savings habits need strengthening for your future goals.
  • Take the America Saves Pledge: Savers with a plan are 2x more likely to save for retirement, have emergency savings, and stick to a budget. When you take the America Saves pledge, you can choose to receive text message tips and reminders to help you save towards your goals.
  • Follow America Saves on Facebook and Twitter to connect with the challenge and identify saving strategies that can work for you. You can also connect with savings resources by following the Post Rock Extension District on Facebook and Twitter.

By:  Nora Rhoades

Take Care of Your Heart

February is American Heart Month.  The American Heart Association gives 7 simple rules to live better and to take care of your heart. For more information, visit our February issue of Building Strong Families.

  • Be physically active every day. Kids should be active for at least 60 minutes a day. Be a role model for your children and be active with them at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet. When you eat a heart-healthy diet, you improve your chances for feeling good and staying healthy – for life!  Include colorful fruits and vegetables in every meal.
  • Keep a healthy weight. When you shed extra fat and unnecessary pounds, you reduce the burden on your heart, lungs, blood vessels and skeleton.
  • Keep your blood sugar healthy. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose (or blood sugar) that our bodies use for energy. Over time, high levels of blood sugar can damage your heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves

 Source: American Heart Association

By:  Ashley Svaty

Super Sitter Babysitting Clinics

This spring, the Post Rock District will be hosting two babysitting clinics to help youth (10 years and older) prepare for experiences in which they’ll provide short-term care for siblings and/or other children. For registration and details about the 2017 Super Sitter Babysitting Clinics visit http://www.postrock.k-state.edu/events/.

  • Saturday, March 11th — Sylvan Grove
  • Wednesday, March 15th — Kensington

By:  Nora Rhoades

Test Your Home for Radon

Winter is an ideal time for Kansas residents to test their homes for indoor radon gas concentrations, either for the first time or to make sure an installed radon mitigation system is adequately controlling indoor radon levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends actively reducing radon levels in homes when they are confirmed at or above 4 picocuries of radon per liter of air (pCi/L).

Radon is a natural, tasteless, odorless, colorless, radioactive gas produced from the decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. Radon gas moves from the ground under and around your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Current data indicates that one in four houses in Kansas may have elevated levels. In some counties this rate may be higher.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Given the increased potential for lung cancer the radon hazard brings, Kansans should be asking themselves, “Have we tested our home for radon yet?”

Visit the Post Rock District’s website, http://www.postrock.k-state.edu/home-family/home-care/, to access radon information and resources. You can purchase a low-cost radon test kit from any Post Rock District Office.

By:  Nora Rhoades

 

Walk Kansas March 19th – May 13th

Walk Kansas will be here before we know it! Make sure you are following us on Twitter @KSRE_PostRock and on Facebook to stay updated when registration opens! Gather up a team of 6-or go solo and we will find a team for you!  This year we will have weekly drawings and other surprises in store! Encourage your friends to join this great program that makes our health a #1 priority. Feel free to visit the Walk Kansas homepage for more information www.walkkansas.org.

By:  Ashley Svaty