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Tag: Healthy Living

Simply Produce is now at Girard’s in Osborne!

Posted on by djbechard

Girard’s in Osborne is the latest store to be added to the list of grocery stores in Post Rock District to participate in the Simply Produce initiative!

“Simply Produce” offers customers approximately 15 pounds of produce for $15.00. Produce baskets will contain a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and may vary slightly from what is typically available on the produce department’s shelves. Basket contents will be different for each ordering period as well. In addition to produce, customers will receive a recipe highlighting basket items, as well as educational materials on food storage and produce handling. Produce baskets are purchased through the Grocery store register and must be paid for at time of ordering. The purchase is taxable.

Girard’s March Distribution Details:  Baskets must be ordered in store between March 4 – March 10th at noon and distribution is set for March 16th from 12 – 12:30pm at the Osborne Free Methodist Church, 724 W. Main St. in Osborne. Customers will drive up to the church and volunteers and Post Rock District staff will bring out their purchased basket(s). Distribution will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Contact Girard’s by calling 785-346-2600 or contact Ashley Svaty asvaty@ksu.edu or Brenda Langdon bklangdon@ksu.edu for program details.

By: Ashley Svaty

Simply Produce is now in Jewell & Smith Counties!

Posted on by djbechard

Simply Produce is now in Jewell & Smith Counties!

“Simply Produce” offers customers approximately 15 pounds of produce for $15.00.  Produce baskets will contain a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and may vary slightly from what is typically available on the produce department’s shelves.  Basket contents will be different for each ordering period as well.  In addition to produce, customers will receive a recipe highlighting basket items, as well as educational materials on food storage and produce handling.

Produce baskets are purchased through the Grocery store register and must be paid for at time of ordering.  The purchase is taxable. 

  • Gene’s Heartland Details: For the next distribution, baskets must be ordered February 10th through February 15th (cutoff time 12pm) and distribution is set for February 18th from 12-12:30pm at the Mary’s Parish Hall, 403 US-36 in Smith Center. Customers will drive up to the Parish Hall and volunteers will bring out their -purchased basket(s). Distribution will be held on the 3rd Friday of each month. Contact Gene’s -Heartland by calling 785-282-3331

  • Kier’s Thriftway Details: For the next distribution, baskets must be ordered February 16th-22nd (cutoff time 12pm) and distribution is set for March 1 from 12-12:30pm at Kier’s Thriftway, 115 W Jefferson St, Mankato, KS. Distribution will be held on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Contact Kier’s by calling 785-378-3192.

By: Ashley Svaty

Stay Healthy This Winter

Posted on by djbechard

Winter is here and it’s now more important than ever to take care of our health. Follow these simple tips to stay healthy and naturally build a strong immune system this winter.

  • Wash your hands often and thoroughly. I know, I know….you’ve heard it so much but do you actually wash your hands for 20 seconds each time you wash your hands? Take the time to scrub the fronts and backs of your hands and under your nails.
  • Eat fruits and vegetables with each meal and snack. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, like vitamin C, that are highly beneficial for our body’s immune system-plus they taste great! Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruit and vegetables count!
  • Stay hydrated with water. When the weather turns colder, we might not think about staying hydrated as much as we do when we sweat in the summer but we always need to drink water. When we don’t drink enough water, our body isn’t able to function as it should and it can impact our mood, sleep quality, and cognition. Learn more about hydration here.
  • Get adequate sleep. Adults should receive at least 7 hours of quality sleep per night. Learn more about sleep here.
  • Stay active. Move your body everyday either indoors or outdoors. Aim for at least 150 minutes of activity each week.

By: Ashley Svaty

Exercising When the Weather Turns Cold

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Cold, winter days can often lead to thoughts of curling up under a blanket, kicking back on the couch, and putting on your favorite holiday shows. But, to enjoy the colder season to the fullest, it’s best to keep ourselves active and healthy. Adopt the following tips to increase your movement during cold weather.

Make a conscious choice to be active: It’s not just going to happen. We are creatures that want to hibernate, so it’s a conscious choice to stay active in the winter months. This doesn’t mean that we have to go to the gym, but we can add regular activity throughout our day.

Start with 10-minute fun activities: A 10- or 15-minute walk is good, too, if that’s all you can get. You’re going to walk a more quickly when you’re outside and it’s cold. When it’s snowing, kids love to be out in the snow. But as adults, we need to take that cue and go join them for a little bit. You will have fun before you know it!

Dress in layers: Pay attention to your hands, feet and face. The outer layer needs to protect you from the wind and moisture. If it’s really cold and you’re really uncomfortable, it’s probably not a very good idea to be outside, but we get a lot of days in Kansas where it’s a little chilly and not too bad.

Move Indoors: The three things you should focus on are strength, flexibility and balance. Strengthening and stretching exercises can be pretty simple, either with specialized equipment or using body weight. You can also do arm curls with cans of vegetables while watching TV, or buy resistance bands and follow the diagrams that come with the packaging.  Small jumps, or hops, around the home help to build bone strength. Simple hops may feel silly for adults to do, but you can be creative to do what works for you. To improve balance, try standing on one foot when brushing your teeth or washing the dishes. Try various stretches to improve your flexibility such as the ones found in the Keys to Embracing Aging: Physical Activity Publication.

By: Ashley Svaty

Holiday Health Tips

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

At times, holidays can become stressful and overwhelming.  Combat this by utilizing the following tips.

Manage Stress:  Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep.

Eat Mindfully: Pay full attention to what you are eating without being distracted at the holiday table. You will notice your body’s hunger and fullness cues, and mindful eating can help you distinguish between physical hunger and emotional hunger. Take time to enjoy your meal with friends and family and stop eating when you are about 80% full.

Continue Healthy Habits: Don’t let the holiday season interfere with your healthy habits. Continue eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, drink water, wash hands often, and take time for yourself.

Don’t Forget to Move: Be active for at least 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day. Participate in activities your family enjoys!

And remember. Have fun and celebrate!

By: Ashley Svaty

National Fruits and Veggies Month

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Summer is filled with colorful fruits and vegetables, from watermelon to melons, tomatoes to greens, and many more. It’s the season to indulge in foods that are tasty and good for you, too.

September is National Fruits and veggies Month and it’s a great time to learn the many benefits of fruits and veggies to motivate you to include more in each meal and snack.

The fiber in produce helps keep you full, helps improve digestion and helps reduce risks and effects of several diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and more. Many fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that our bodies can’t produce on their own. As a general rule, it’s recommended to fill at least half of your plate with fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re consuming enough.

It’s important to remember that all forms of fruits and vegetables count-fresh, frozen, dried, and canned. When purchasing canned produce, look for “no salt added” or “canned in 100% juice”. When we consume more fruits and vegetables, we lower our calorie intake and reduce our intake of high-calories foods.

More information on incorporating fruits and vegetables into your daily diet plan – not just in September – is available from several sources, including:

By: Ashley Svaty

Free Living with Chronic Conditions Workshops

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

If you are living with an ongoing health condition (such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, or depression) or you are a caregiver of someone who does, this is for you! Living with Chronic Conditions workshops are interactive learning opportunities that teach techniques to manage common symptoms.

FREE 6-week workshop series led by trained leaders to help you:

  • Learn decision-making and problem solving skills
  • Communicate effectively with family, friends and health professionals
  • Manage fatigue
  • Learn new ways to eat healthy
  • Control pain
  • Increase physical activity
  • Set and accomplish goals
  • Deal with anger, depression, and difficult emotions

Choose between 3 workshops:

Lincoln: Tuesdays September 28-November 2, 9-11:30 am

 Lincoln Senior Center

 Register: https://forms.gle/JtG26zhSeB8NvzLK7 or call (785) 524-4432.

Osborne: Tuesdays September 28-November 9 (skipping a week) 2-4:30pm

Free Methodist Fellowship Hall

Register:  https://forms.gle/BKN6LP3WMNGzXmUc7 or call: (785) 346-2521

Ellsworth: Thursdays September 30-November 4. 9-11:30 am

J.H Robbins Memorial Library

Register: https://forms.gle/G1wi434RjPsEJxSh9 or call: (785) 524-4432

Please register by September 23rd.

By: Ashley Svaty