FUN FOR ALL

FUN FOR ALL Oxford Park Commission Provides Activities For More Than Children

When someone thinks of the Oxford Park Commission their mind may instantly towards all of the different youth sporing leagues they offer throughout the year. A large portion of OPC are their baseball, soccer softball and other youth leagues, they do provide opportunities for adults to stay active. One option is something fairly new that OPC formed called the Oxford Sport and Social Club which offers such activities like dodgeball, kickball, ultimate frisbee. The club offers a social atmosphere while adults can still compete and bring back the By JAKE THOMPSON memories of their youth. “It really comes back to me,” said Oxford Park Commission director Seth Gaines. “I was active growing up playing ball, doing anything and going all over the place playing ball. When you get in the professional world you can’t do that as much. … What I missed the most was the dugout talk and chatting with my buddies.” The club does not have officials and if there is a dispute settle it with a spirited game of rock, paper & scissors. For adults who are looking for a little more competitiveness to their activity, OPC offers several

sporting leagues for flag football, softball and soccer. There are leagues for people aged 16 and older while soccer offers a 35 and older league.

Flag football did not make last year due to a lack of a sufficient number of people to sign up and this year’s softball league had nine teams. When Gaines joined OPC the said there were around 25 teams signed up for softball.

A factor of that is due to the rise in travel baseball, softball and soccer summer leagues over the past 15 years that is taking up the time adults used to be spending playing to now driving their children to tournaments.

“The trend in really competitive sports in adults is going down, down, down,” Gaines said. “I remember days when I first started, I had leagues in Tupelo in the 50s and 60s. It’s just fell off and I think a lot of that is people now who were involved in that point and time are now involved more with their kids. … So, people have to make a decision and of course you’re going to decide on your kids.” To help bring interest back into flag football, Gaines said they are considering adding a co-ed flag football league for the Oxford Sport and Social Club. An adult basketball league is also in the works to return this year, though it is not expected to be a full five-on-five league but probably a three-on-three or four-on-four leagues.

Participation numbers in the social club sports has been successful with the kickball league filling up every year. The smaller leagues require a perfect schedule so having full number of adults signed up helps with that.

For adults who are older in the community, OPC offers their Leisure Lifestyle of Oxford (LLO) program. Every day of the week there are activities offered, ranging from exercise, yoga, cardio fit, Tai Chi and total body fitness.

“The biggest classes are definitely our exercise classes and they love them,” said Leisure Lifestyles director Emily Keiser. “I feel like they would add 1,700 of them if they could.”

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The program also offers activities including canasta, mahjong, dominoes, pickle ball and line dancing. Several art and knitting classes are also popular.

While the activities help keep the older members of the LOU Community healthy and active, it is the social interaction that keeps them returning every day and also provides a form of mental stimulus.

“Socializing is a big part of recreation,” Gaines said. “We’re proud to have the exercise and they come for the exercise classes, but it’s the socialization factor. That’s what helps keep people sharp. If you’re able to socialize and talk and use your brain, that’s a big part of recreation and a big part of what that program is.” Over the next year, the knitting and yarn room at the Oxford Activities Center is going to be turned into more of a commons area, much like one someone would see in a college dorm. It will allow residents who take part in the activities of the LLO program to spend hours playing dominoes, cards or just conversing with one another.

“I think they would go to 11 o’clock at night if we would let them,” Keiser said.

For more information on the LLO program and all of the adult activities offer, visit the OPC’s website at oxfordparkcommission.com.

A HEALTH & WELLNESS-MINDED Dining Option

Since an Oxford location opened last January, the fast-growing franchise Frutta Bowls has been offering a different twist on nutritional dining to the local community.

Many Southerners are quick to disregard foods like kale or açai berries, but stubbornness is put to the test when these food items are flash-frozen and blended, then laid as a foundation for various delicious ingredients ranging from healthy to rich. The idea of Frutta Bowls is based on the popularity in recent years of the açai bowl, which originated in Brazil, and begins with the frozen açai palm fruit, served in thick smoothie form, and often topped with granola, banana and syrup.

The ‘superfood’ açai is brimming with antioxidants, fiber and calcium, and is said to By DAVIS COEN

promote good brain function. It’s also known as a versatile ingredient, as it mixes well with many fruits, nuts and seeds. Aside from its health benefits, the tropical fruit is very tasty and leaves little need for added sugars; plus, it’s a great pick-me-up. It is also known for its deep purple tone.

wHubbard also described how consuming meals with natural sugars, like those found in many of the menu items, can provide a healthy energy balance throughout the day. This is unlike the false sense of fullness that comes with eating fast foods that are more popular with college students than superfoods. “Everybody knows you go and have lunch on your break, and you can go to Wendy’s, do a little ‘4 for $4’… you’re full, and then 30 minutes later you need a nap,” she explained. “So, it’s a nice alternative to offer people.”

Although the Frutta Bowls menu is centered around açai, kale or pitaya-based bowls, there are also a variety “People always look at fruit like it’s just a nice treat, but it’s a good sugar, a naturally occurring sugar and it’s also a good carb.” Eboné Hubbard, Manager of the Frutta Bowls location in Oxford

of panini-style toasts, oatmeals and smoothies to choose from. The staff-favorite smoothie is the cold, coffee-based Mocha Brew, according to Hubbard.

“It’ll stick with you all day, and give you all the energy you need,” she said.

Also popular among the employees is the Savory Avocado toast, with Brie added, Hubbard said — and the employees also enjoy experimenting with the Build Your Own Bowl option, she said.

The eatery also caters to a fitness-minded clientele, and offers a comprehensive chart of fats, carbohydrates, proteins and calories per serving for each of its menu items and toppings.

This comes as no surprise, as the company’s founder Brooke Gagliano dedicated her college years to studying health and fitness.

Now with nearly 50 locations nationally, the young franchise — begun in 2016 — has built a presence in the Deep South, and is seeing success in other college towns such as Tuscaloosa and Baton Rouge.

They are also dedicated to community involvement, and each location seeks special ways to promote opportunities to engage with people about healthy eating practices.

“I couldn’t be any happier to be a part of the Oxford community,” said owner Harris Atkins, with regard to entering his second year at the location on Jackson Avenue East. “Our vision and desire from the beginning was to do just that, and after a year we are well on our way.”

“Whether it’s the University or the local residents, we have graciously been welcomed like a part of the family. Moving into our second year, I hope to get further engrained into the fabric of the community and really cement our commitment to Oxford,” Atkins said. “Frutta has a unique offering for Oxford and healthy alternative for all tastes.”

ENJOY A TASTE OF THE TROPICS FOR BREAKFAST

Diet and exercise are integral parts of the formula for a healthy life. Though few people may look forward to giving up certain foods in favor of more nutritious diets, healthy, low-calorie foods don’t have to be boring and bland. Breakfast smoothies are a great way to maximize nutrient profiles and flavors to achieve a filling and fast meal. Smoothies that capitalize on tropical tastes rife with fiber can tame hunger and offer a jolt of energy to get you through the day. Such is the case with this recipe for “Fiber-Filled Banana Colada Smoothie” from Ellen Brown’s “Super Smoothies.” This recipe offers fruits with wonderfully complementary flavors that are both high in fiber and rich in supercharged nutrients like potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C.

FIBER-FILLED BANANA COLADA SMOOTHIE Yield: Four, 1-cup servings

1 cup light coconut milk 1 cup diced pineapple 1⁄3 cup lightly packed shredded unsweetened coconut 1⁄4 cup whey protein powder 2 tablespoons bee pollen 1⁄2 teaspoon pure rum extract 2 cups banana slices, frozen 2 tablespoons grated coconut for garnish

Combine coconut milk, pineapple, coconut, whey protein powder, bee pollen, and rum extract in a blender or smoothie maker. Blend on high speed for 45 seconds, or until mixture is puréed and smooth. Add banana slices, and blend on high speed again until mixture is smooth. Serve immediately, garnished with grated coconut, if desired.