NOVEMBER, 2021
ISSUE 1
Family & Community Health Be ll
WALK-A-WEIGH 30 FOR 30
PATHWAYS TO TOTAL YOU WELLNESS
Are you up for the challenge? 30 days, 30 minutes each day?
We have a new podcast series for you! Food safety tips for the holidays!
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4-H IS FOR YOU! Our 4-Hers are bringing home the wins while learning and having fun!
CONTENTS PAGE 4. WALK-A-WEIGH Are you up for the challenge? Lose or maintain your weight through the holidays.
PAGE 5. PATHWAYS TO TOTAL YOU WELLNESS PODCAST Food safety tips for Thanksgiving and Christmas
P A G E 6. 4 - H I S F O R Y O U ! Our 4-Hers are bringing home the wins while learning and having fun.
P A G E 8. C O M M U N I T Y PARTNERSHIPS Always a great time when partnering with the Un-Included Club.
P A G E 9. H E R O E S 4 H E A L T H 2021 Highlights from our youth wellness programming.
P A G E 1 0. R E D U C I N G HOLIDAY WOES Tips for managing financial, nutrition, and emotional woes during the holidays.
EDITOR'S NOTE Written By: Sheryl Austin
Happy fall everyone! I hope this holiday season is off to a great start for you. This is my first issue of Family & Community Health in Bell County. Each magazine issue will highlight things we are doing to address family wellness, which may include information on nutrition, health, finances, parenting, or other wellness topics. It will also include opportunities for you to join in on what we are doing and wellness tips for the month. Feel free to share with others!
ry l S he in A ust Extension Agent- Family & Community Health slaustin@pvamu.edu (254) 933-5305 https://www.facebook.com/pvcepbellcountyfcs
Walk-a-Weigh
Join us! Lose or maintain your weight through the holiday season. Or just have fun while staying healthy. Find someone to walk with and stay connected with us on our Facebook page.
An estimated 1 in 6 Americans will get sick from food poisoning this year. Whether traveling or staying at home, it's important to stay safe. The podcast this month will feature four short episodes on "How to Keep Your Food Safe". The first episode is on one of the 4 C's of food safety: Clean. Even if you know what to do, listen and pass the information on to a family member or friend.
PAGE 1 • LE VOYAGE
4-H IS FOR YOU!
The CenTex HBCU Alumni 4-H Club, under the influence of the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) culture, has been participating in various 4-H events around the state.
Congratulations to both Jackie and Jasmine Price on their participation in Bell County’s Food Show and Food Challenge October 28th. Jasmine (white shirt) placed first in the Senior Level with her appetizer Watermelon Salsa. She will advance to the District Food Show in December. Congrats also to Jackie (black shirt) who placed second in Senior Level Side Dish with her Pineapple Delight Fried Rice. Though she won’t advance to the District Food Show Competition, she will advance to the District Food Challenge Competition along with Jasmine, with their Food Challenge Team-The Breakfast Club.
Interested in joining 4-H? For more information go to https://texas4h.tamu.edu/ Interested in joining CenTex HBCU Alumni 4-H Club? Contact Tony Austin at tonyaustin27@yahoo.com.
4-H IS FOR YOU! Emmy Losoya (pictured to the right) enjoying the opportunity to work with clover kids from other local 4-H clubs.
3rd grader and 4-H member Zuri Austin (pictured to the left) and her teammates won 2nd place in the 4-H district contest of Ag Product ID (Junior division)!!! The event was held in Killeen, Texas.
Josaias Losoya (pictured to the right) is a 4th grader that is gaining knowledge and wisdom for one of his favorite projects at a Hill County (Hillsboro) 4-H workshop about “Robotics.”
Trunk or Treat WITH A WELLNESS TWIST
The Un-Included Club hosted a trunk or treat event in Temple on October 30th at Greater Zion Temple Church of God in Christ. The Cooperative Extension Program and the Un-Included Club have a long history of collaboration. With a mission to be "un-included" from negativity and habits and lifestyles that lead to unwellness, how can we not work together! We added a twist of wellness to our "pumpkin patch" trunk. Youth had to pick a pumpkin. When they turned it over, there was a physical activity to be completed before they got candy. Some of the activities included jumping jacks, head-shoulder-knees and toes, and dancing.
Heroes 4 Health Heroes 4 Health is a 4-H program funded by the Walmart Foundation. Youth receive 8 hours of wellness education to include nutrition, healthy cooking, physical activity, mental health, and family engagement. This year we partnered with the UnIncluded Club, University of MaryHardin Baylor occupational therapy interns, A New Day Fellowship Learning Academy, Village at Meadow Bend Apts., Temple Parks and Recreation, and the Caesar Chavez
Foundation. Thanks to our partners, we were able to reach 92 participants and 12 families with engagement activities. One family in particular planted a garden with mint, dill, and basil. They had a dance party, cooked together and the participant tried new vegetables. I cannot overlook the work of our 5 teen ambassadors who assisted with teaching. Four of the 5 youth represent the Un-Included Club and 3 are 4-Hers. At the end of each Heroes 4 Health program, participants received incentives to continue family wellness.
Managing nutritional woes: Don't skip meals. This can often backfire and lead to overeating due to ravenous feelings of hunger. Before that party or gathering, eat a snack so you don't arrive famished. Ensure at least one nutritious choice is available at the potluck by contributing a healthy dish. Scan the buffet or dinner table and choose a couple of holiday favorites to splurge on instead of everything. Aim to fill your plate with more fruit and vegetables.
Reducing Holiday Woes SOURCE: SABRINA SIMON-PROGRAM SPECIALISTFAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM-PVAMU
Reducing Financial Woes: Check your credit score. Shoppers who are motivated to maintain or improve their score may find they are less likely to charge purchases or open up new lines of credit during holiday shopping. Set a budget and stick to it. Be realistic about your finances and what you can afford to spend. Make a plan not only for gifts but travel, food, postage, greeting cards, gas, decorations, and other holiday expenses. Try secret Santa for large group gift exchanges. Each person buys a single gift for a single person under a predetermined budget.
"Holiday blues" can stem from various sources.
"HOLIDAY BLUES CAN STEM FROM VARIOUS SOURCES: CURRENT EVENTS, PERSONAL GRIEF, ILLNESS, LONLINESS, AND ECONOMIC CONCERNS. Handling the emotional woes: Limit consumption of alcohol and avoid using alcohol as a way to deal with or avoid difficult emotions. Try to go to bed at a reasonable time each night. Being well rested can improve your mood and help you feel ready to take on the day. Resist the urge to overschedule and learn to say "no" to demands on your time and resources. It's okay to be there for others but leave time for yourself to relax and enjoy the season too.
It may be tempting to isolate yourself and grieve if you have lost a loved one but it can be beneficial to spend time with friends and family who can be supportive. Physical activity can also play a role in reducing symptoms of depression. Plug in your headphones and take a walk around the block. Remember holidays don't have to be perfect to be special. Traditions can change and be just as memorable and meaningful. Focus on connections and enjoying the experience.
Sheryl Austin- Extension Agent Family & Community Health 1605 North Main Belton, TX 76513 slaustin@pvamu.edu https://www.facebook.com/pvcepbellcountyfcs https://www.pvamu.edu/cahs/cep/ YouTube: Bell County Cooperative Extension Program-PVAMU https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCygN79JXtYWPwI_BcWDjWvA Pinterest: Cooperative Extension Program-Sheryl Austin/Educator/Life Skills
