Save the date for our annual 8-week program that celebrates healthy living: Walk Kansas! Walk Kansas 2020 will run from March 15-May 9th. Gather up your team of 6 and follow us on facebook to stay updated and in the know!
By: Ashley Svaty
Tag: Healthy Living
The New Look of Nicotine Addiction: Talk with your kids about the dangers of vaping
While cigarette smoking among youth has declined, the use of other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes has increased. In their efforts to eventually hook kids on tobacco, the tobacco and vaping industries target young people by using three primary tactics – making products sweet, cheap, and easy to get.
Talk with Your Kids. Talking with your kids about vaping is one of the most important things you can do. Below are tips to help you prepare for and start the conversation.
- Be patient and ready to listen. Your goal is to have a conversation, not to deliver a lecture. So avoid criticism and encourage an open dialogue.
- There is no “perfect time” to talk. Driving in the car together or waiting at an appointment is often the best time. You can start by mentioning a news story, a TV show, or something that you heard about vaping. Or ask your child what he or she thinks about a situation you witness together such as seeing someone use an e-cigarette, passing a vape shop when you are out, or seeing an e-cigarette advertisement.
- There is no “perfect talk.” Consider your talks with your child about vaping as a learning opportunity for both of you, and perhaps just the beginning of an ongoing dialogue. You may have some facts about vaping at hand, but concede that you don’t know all the answers. It will go a long way to keep your kids from going on the defensive.
- Ask what your child thinks. Show some genuine curiosity. Ask your child, “What’s your take on vaping?” or “Do you know kids who use e-cigarettes?”
- Be open and honest. Be truthful about what you know about the dangers of vaping, and what you don’t. You can honestly say, though, “Vaping isn’t harmless. I hope you can steer clear of it.”
You can’t always control everything your children do when they’re not with you. Talking with your kids about vaping will let them know that you’re concerned about their health.
The information and resources shared in this article are from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at http://makesmokinghistory.org/. You can also find helpful resources, from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, at https://resisttobacco.org/.
By: Nora Rhoades
Career Opportunity to Serve the Post Rock District as a Nutrition Educator
K-State Research and Extension is currently looking for a motivated individual to join our team! We are looking for someone to join our enthusiastic team as a Nutrition Educator. This individual will primarily serve Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne and Smith Counties in the Post Rock District as well as Phillips and Rooks Counties in the Phillips-Rooks District.
A Nutrition Educator serves to meet the Kansas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education mission. Commonly known as SNAP-Ed, this nutrition education program is provided at no cost to Kansas families with limited resources. Our goal is to provide nutrition education and promote, implement and support initiatives for policy system and environmental changes to improve dietary quality, enhance food resource management skills, prevent obesity and increase physical activity.
We’re looking for a team member with knowledge of and experience working with limited resource families, diverse audiences and subject matter background. Written and verbal communication skills, such as confidence speaking in front of groups and facilitating meetings is important. The ideal candidate will work alongside supportive and passionate community partners and our local K-State Research and Extension team to extend quality educational experiences through direct education and promote community health in the region through public health approaches.
Learn more or apply: http://careers.k-state.edu/cw/en-us/job/507049/nutrition-educator?fbclid=IwAR0rb62k_gBgkWkZR6qt6G41ITHISmxpH29HrcvQSptUgP2_5vy6Q7dQDZA
Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and actively seeks diversity among its employees.
By: Nora Rhoades
Free Dining with Diabetes Workshop in Smith Center
Do you have Diabetes or care for someone 
who does? Do you want to make the best choices for your health? We can help.
Nutrition and physical activity are keys to managing type 2 diabetes, but where do you start? Designed especially for people with type 2 diabetes, the Dining with Diabetes program will help you learn the skills needed to promote good health.
This program includes:
- Meals with delicious and healthy recipes
- Cooking demonstrations and meals at each session
- Motivation and support – connect with others who are living with diabetes
- Ideas for being more active
- An understanding of how diabetes affects overall health.
Dining with Diabetes consists of four 2 hour long sessions. Adults with type 2 diabetes and their family members, caregivers, and support persons are invited to participate. Individualized meal plans or guidance will not be provided.
This FREE 4 session workshop will be held at the American Lutheran Church, Smith Center KS from 11am-1pm. Event Dates will be March 5, 12, 19, and 26th. Registration is required by March 1st or until class is full. Register by calling (785) 282-6823 or at www.postrock.ksu.edu. Please contact Ashley Svaty at asvaty@ksu.edu with any questions about the Dining with Diabetes program.
The Post Rock Extension District Dining with Diabetes (DWD) program fee is $25.00. Due to funds provided by the Smith County Community Foundation and Post Rock Extension District, the DWD program fee has temporarily been reduced to $0.
By: Ashley Svaty
Walk Kansas
Walk Kansas 2019 will be held from March 17th – May 11th. The goal of this motivating health initiative is to help you and others lead a healthier life. Join this program to become more active with family and friends, make better nutrition choices, and walk away stress. What a great way to kick off the new year!
Be sure to watch for registration information mid-February, you don’t want to miss out on the fun and prizes!
For more information about this motivating health program visit http://www.walkkansas.org/ or email Ashley at asvaty@ksu.edu
By: Ashley Svaty
Walk Kansas
Walk Kansas 2019 will be held from March 17th – May 11th. The goal of this motivating health initiative is to help you and others lead a healthier life. Join this program to become more active with family and friends, make better nutrition choices, and walk away stress. What a great way to kick off the new year!
The Poker Walks last year were such a great success that we are planning to hold a couple throughout the district again! Be sure to watch for registration information mid-February, you don’t want to miss out on the fun and prizes!
For more information about this motivating health program visit http://www.walkkansas.org/ or email Ashley at asvaty@ksu.edu
By: Ashley Svaty
Everyday Mindfulness
The term, “mindfulness” seems to be everywhere — it’s touted as the new yoga, the answer to stress, or the alternative to prescription drugs. But beyond the buzz, do you understand the concepts of “mindfulness”? With the Everyday Mindfulness fact sheet, K-State Research and Extension professionals aim to provide a definition of mindfulness, share some of the benefits of practicing mindfulness, provide samples of simple exercises, and provide resources to explore. View the entire resource at: https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3424.pdf. Contact Nora Rhoades if you want to learn more about mindfulness or to explore ways you can practice mindfulness in throughout your unique lifestyle.
By: Nora Rhoades
