NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA - Newsletter March 2014

OUR VOICE

NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA 11336 Corbin Ave, Northridge, CA 91326

March 2014 www.ymcala.org/nv

A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

The Y. So Much More.

TM

2014 Annual Support Campaign

Thank you again to the more than 300 volunteers and thousands of donors for their support of the The Y. So Much More.TM Community Support Campaign - raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for scholarships and program support throughout the San Fernando Valley. Help us keep the success going and add your gift today!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

National Nutrition Month Research confirms that taste is the number-one reason why one food is purchased over another. So what are consumers to do when the taste of favorite foods starts to lose its luster? As part of the 2014 National Nutrition Month® theme, “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right,” the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages everyone to explore new foods and flavors, keeping taste and nutrition on your plate at every meal.

“Once we find nutritious foods that we like, it can be easy to fall into a rut of eating those same foods over and over,” says registered dietitian and Academy spokesperson Constance Brown-Riggs.

“However, there is a whole world of tasty and nutritious foods available today that are just waiting to be discovered. Adding more nutrition and pleasure to each meal is as easy as expanding the range of foods you choose.”

GO TO: www.ymcala.org/nv TO GIVE TODAY.

CONTINUED ON P. 3.

OUR VOICE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

INSIGHT

By John Sinnema ,

Chair of North Valley Family YMCA’s Board of Managers

ENJOY THE TASTE OF EATING RIGHT: CONTINUED FROM P. 1

As you read this newsletter, big things are happening in our Community Support Campaign. We have had such fantastic support from our more than 300 Y families and friends in both the Community Gifts and the Chairman’s Round Table committees. We can only begin to thank them for their efforts, as we push on to our goal to provide financial assistance to families and the underwriting for many essential youth programs. To date, we have raised $270,000!

If you’ve made your contribution; thank you! And know that there is still time to support our Y. So, if you haven’t had a chance to donate, please consider a gift to the Y today.

And can you believe that it’s already time to start planning for the summer? Well, it is... and with the growing popularity of our Y programs - at the branch, local schools and away at camp, it’s best to sign up now.

There is always something new at the Y. Come join us today.

Whether shopping at the grocery store, eating at a local restaurant or cooking meals at home, Brown-Riggs offers easy steps to keep your taste buds excited while making sure your body is getting the nutrients it needs.

AT THE GROCERY STORE: When shopping, make it a point to try one new fruit, vegetable or whole grain every week. “You can start small by picking a different type of apple, a different color potato or a new flavor of whole-grain rice until you are comfortable picking entirely new things that you’ve never tried or heard of before,” Brown-Riggs says.

EATING AT RESTAURANTS: The next time you and your family head out to eat, choose a restaurant that features ethnic foods from Asia, Europe or Africa. These restaurants often feature menus filled with healthy options that will be new to you. “You can also find a local restaurant that specializes in using seasonal ingredients. Frequently you will be able to order your favorite dish but with a new and exciting flavor twist,” Brown-Riggs says.

COOKING AT HOME: Add variety to your staple dishes by varying the ways you cook them. Grill or broil the chicken you typically bake.

Mash the potatoes you typically roast.

Steam the vegetables you typically sauté. And get to know your spice

cabinet. “A pinch of this and a dash of that can add a fresh zest to an old favorite,” Brown-Riggs says.

“Remember, you have about 10,000 taste buds. So don’t be afraid to experiment with new flavors and foods,” Brown-Riggs says.

Visit the Academy’s website to view a library of recipes designed to help you “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right.”

As part of this public education campaign, the Academy’s National Nutrition Month website includes a variety of helpful tips, games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition based on the “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right” theme.

Read more at: www.eatright.org.

OUR MISSION | The North Valley Family YMCA puts Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

MARCH CALENDAR • Spring Sports Leagues Here, success is measured by how hard you try and how well you play together. Teamwork = fun.

Registration now open. Games start in April.

Call Daniel Zadokov for details at ext 2307.

Spring Basketball: Ages 3-17 Spring Volleyball: Ages 8-17 Spring Soccer Ages 3-13 Don’t let the kids have all the fun!

Join us for adult leagues: Adult Women’s Noncompetitive Basketball League Adult Men’s Basketball League

• Summit Seekers Hikes: All the hikes are free ,open to the community and geared for beginner/intermediate hikers. Children are welcome to attend as long as an adult accompanies them. As always, remember to bring plenty of water and snacks. See you on the trail!

Saturday, March 15th, 9am Paradise Falls Location: Thousand Oaks Distance: 4 miles Hike Level: Moderate

• Child Care Spring Camp : April 14-18, for children currently in Kindergarten to 5th grades Trickster Tales from Around the World Join us for a fun-filled adventure this Spring Break, as we track down one of the world’s most fascinating tricksters!

Anansi, being true to form, has most certainly eluded us somewhere along the way! In our quest to match wits with his, we ask you to keep your eyes and ears open for him during Spring Break this year! Sign up now to join the fun!

• Get A Jump On Summer: Healthy Kids Day & Camp Sign-Up Day: April 26th, 10am-2pm YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is the Y’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of families and to help them get a jump on creating a healthier summer for their kids. Join us for FREE activities, interactive games for children, community exhibitors, Y Summer Camp Registration, fun active play, education opportunities for families, and much more. We encourage all families to attend this year’s event, as we look forward to supporting your family’s path to healthy living.

• Member Appreciation Day: March 27th You make us special! Join us between 9am & 12pm or 3pm & 6pm for healthy foods from Ed DeSouza and let us thank you for being a part of our Y family.

• Business Leaders: Friday, March 28th, 7:30am-9am Join us at Porter Valley Country Club as we feature a new dynamic speaker along with many networking opportunities!

• Family Camp March 28-30 at YMCA Camp Whittle Bring your family for a fun filled weekend! Activities for the weekend include archery, arts & crafts, ropes course, hiking, sports and a campfire on Saturday night. Sledding and snow shoeing available if weather permits.

Accommodations will be in Wagner Lodge, each room sleeps four and has a private bath. Four Meals are included. The cost for this event is $135 per person. Kids ages 3 & 4 are $35 and kids age 2 and under are free.

Contact Rene Rubalcava for more information at 818-368-3231 or email at renerubalcava@ymcala.org 4