Quincy L. Cheek, Butcher, Kimberly, Agan, Cathy B., Russell, Markaye H., Gouge, Ana-Alicia, Jackson-Jones, Jocinda, Stevens, Cecilia
by Ana Gouge
May is Mental Health Awareness month. The CDC notes that 1 in 5 adults experiences a mental health condition every year. Our youth continue to struggle with depression, anxiety, and suicide at alarming rates. We need to continue to fight against the stigma of seeking help for mental health. According to the American Heart Association, negative psychological health conditions include depression, chronic stress, anxiety, anger, pessimism, and dissatisfaction with one’s current life. These conditions are associated with potentially harmful biological responses, such as irregularities in heart rate and rhythm, increased digestive complaints, increased blood pressure, inflammation, and reduced blood flow to the heart.
Invest in meaningful relationships. These relationships should bring out and support our best self. Connections should be genuine and productive.
Find coping mechanisms for daily life stressors. The world that we are in is fast-paced and competitive. It is important to find ways to cope with pressure that bring joy and peace into our lives.
Stay active and find motivation to live a more healthful life. We tend to get caught up in the day-to-day “rat race” of life and we often lose time for ourselves. It is important to establish time to have enjoyable physical activity and also to take time to feed your body nutritious home-prepared foods.
If you are in crisis, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you’re having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time.
by Markaye Russell
With a stash of berries in your freezer, you can jump-start your day with this nutritious, tasty smoothie in just minutes. This delicious breakfast option is a great source of vitamin C, as well as a beacon of fiber and potassium.
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Cover the ingredients with the blender lid and blend until creamy. Serve immediately.
Source: Eating Well
by Cathy Agan
Life seems to move at a whirlwind pace with multitasking being the norm. If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, you might benefit from adding a little mindfulness to your daily routine. What is mindfulness? Being mindful can help us live more in the moment instead of dwelling on the past or future. You can become more mindful by training yourself to focus on the present moment by being aware of what’s going on inside and around you. Meditation is one form of mindfulness, but it doesn’t just have to be done sitting quietly.
Mindfulness can have positive health benefits including improved quality of life, reduced anxiety and depression, lowered blood pressure, and improved sleep. There are also apps and online programs that can be used to help with mindfulness or meditation, but you can start simple on your own!
by Jocinda Jackson-Jones
Taking a walk for 30 minutes a day can strengthen your bones, eliminate body fat, reduce your risk of developing certain health conditions, and give you an extra boost of energy throughout the day. Although 30 minutes of physical activity per day is typically suggested, you can try starting with however much time you like until you are able to handle longer sessions. Sometimes, changing the way we carry out our day-to-day activities can also play a huge role in the amount of physical activity we receive each day. Parking further away from the door when you arrive at your work or a store is an effective way to help accomplish your physical activity goals for the day. You can also try taking the stairs instead of the elevator or choosing to walk to stores that are closer to your home.
The best part about walking is that you don’t need any fancy equipment to do it! Walking can be done at your own pace at no cost. All physical activity does not have to be strenuous or done for an excessive amount of time in order to improve your health. Walking can also be done at any time of the day, making it easy to work into your daily schedule. Simple changes can be effective, and in some cases, they can be really fun. Walking groups (also known as accountability groups) are great motivators. They are also helpful if you struggle with finding the motivation to take a daily walk. Check with your local community health center or Facebook community page to find out about walking groups in your area. If there aren’t any existing walking groups in your area, try starting your own!
When taking a walk outdoors, be sure to warm up beforehand and always remember to stretch afterward. Walking close to home is a safe way to get out and get moving, but if there are other safe walking spaces in your community, feel free to explore them as well. Switching up your walking locations will keep your daily walks interesting and enjoyable. Once you have established a daily walking routine, be sure to add in a little intensity. A few ways to add intensity are to increase your speed, walk for longer periods of time, and walk up hills/inclines. The month of May has been identified as Physical Fitness & Sports Month, so it is the perfect month to get out & take on a new challenge!
by Cecilia Stevens
Memorial Day weekend often marks the start of Louisiana farmers markets, but the vendors have likely been working for months in preparation to ensure that high-quality, local produce is available to shoppers. Shoppers can also prepare by following a few tips to shop smarter at their local market.
Take time to get to know your local vendors. Most of the sellers love sharing their knowledge with clients. One question shoppers should ask is about produce varieties because they each offer different flavor profiles. A knowledgeable vendor can suggest a specific variety for different needs. Another important question to ask vendors is the origin of the produce. Items grown closer to your market will be fresher and of higher quality than those which have been packed and shipped.
Shop smarter. Visit the market early in the day for the best selection as seasonal items are often in limited supply. Bring your own cooler to keep produce at the peak of freshness. Produce quality begins to decrease rapidly in hot summer temperatures, so try to refrigerate items as soon as possible.
by Kimberly Butcher
Tips for Creating Happy, Healthy Environments for Kids:
Small Changes, Healthy Habits Nutrition Series (in-person and virtual) Richland and West Carroll Parishes Contact Brittney Newsome for more information.
Smart Portions Nutrition Series, 12pm Richland Parish: This workshop series will take place on the following dates: April 14th and 28th, May 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th, and June 2nd and 9th. Please contact Richland parish office for more details.
Home Food Preservation Training Franklin Parish: Please contact Quincy L. Vidrine at 318-623-5217 for more information.
Pressure Canning Testing, 10am-12pm Several parishes: Please contact Markaye Russell for more information.
Crowville Walk Audit, 9am Franklin Parish: Starting at 5381 Hwy 17 in Winnsboro on May 25, 2022. Please contact Quincy Vidrine for more information.
Franklin Parish Healthy Communities Planning Meeting, 10am-11:30am Franklin Parish: At the Franklin Parish Extension Office 6562 Main Street in Winnsboro. May 26, 2022. Please contact Quincy Vidrine for more information.
Crowville TeenChef Camp 9am-12pm Franklin Parish: At First Baptist Church of Crowville on June 14, 15, & 16, 2022 for ages 13-18. Please contact Quincy Vidrine for more information.
Crowville KidChef Camp 1pm-3:30pm Franklin Parish: At First Baptist Church of Crowville on June 14, 15, & 16, 2022 for ages 9-12. Please contact Quincy Vidrine for more information.
Catahoula/Concordia Parishes, Ana Gouge, (318) 414-6055
East Carroll/Morehouse Parishes, Jocinda Jackson-Jones, (318) 559-1459
Franklin Parish/Caldwell Parishes/FCS Regional Coordinator, Quincy Vidrine, (318) 435-2903
CDC Food Systems Coordinator, Cecilia Stevens, (318) 435-2908
Madison/Tensas Parishes, Joy Sims, (318) 574-2465
Ouachita Parish, Cathy Agan, (318) 323-2251
Ouachita/Morehouse Parishes, Kimberly Butcher, (318) 323-2251
Ouachita/Union Parish, Markaye Russell, (318) 323-2251
Richland/West Carroll Parishes, Brittney Newsome, (318) 281-5741