April Calendar

6th - Crowville Spring Fling: Make Grow Bags with Us!

9th - Ouachita Healthy Communities Coalition Meeting - 1:30 p.m.

15th - Winnsboro TeenChef Sushi Basics Workshop - 11 a.m.

20th - RWCC Health Fair/Farmers' Market Survey Day

25th - Learning Garden Workday in Monroe - 4 p.m.; NCH Learning Lab in LaSalle Parish - 11:30 a.m.

26th - NCH Learning Lab in West Monroe - 5:30 p.m.

27th - Live Well Delta in Monroe - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

29th - Playground Stenciling Workday in Monroe - 3:30 p.m.

Kids Corner

by Jocinda Jackson-Jones

Spring Break is a fantastic time for kids to embrace outdoor activities and stay active. Along with traditional games and sports, consider exploring Playstreets, offered by LSU AgCenter Healthy Communities. These pop-up playgrounds provide play spaces in areas without equipment, encouraging children to move and have fun. Community partners can borrow equipment from our office to facilitate these engaging play experiences. Additionally, organizing an Easter egg hunt can add a fun and festive twist to the break, promoting physical activity while fostering a sense of excitement and community spirit. Let's make this Spring Break memorable by getting kids up, out, and moving!"

National Nutrition Month

by Cathy Agan

March is National Nutrition Month, so what better time than that to share that LSU AgCenter Family and Consumer Sciences programs are now known as Nutrition and Community Health (NCH). Throughout the state of Louisiana, NCH Agents have been conducting nutrition educational programs, advocating for healthy lifestyles, and implementing policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes to help people make healthier choices. The new name of Nutrition and Community Health better reflects this work and shows a commitment to helping people strive for wellness. This community based approach to health and nutrition is multifaceted and allows for community voice to be heard. We encourage you to contact your parish LSU AgCenter office to learn more about Nutrition and Community Health programs offered in your parish. You can even join a Healthy Communities Coalition if you would like to get involved in making a difference in your community. Let's celebrate by making healthy happen this month and every month. Happy National Nutrition Month!

Recipe of the Month

by Brittney Newsome

Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, & Feta Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces whole-wheat penne pasta
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 large garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 (16 ounce) jar roasted red pepper, drained and chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) packaged baby spinach
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta

Instructions:

1. Bring large pot of water to a boil and cook penne; drain and return to pot.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, roasted red peppers, spinach, salt, and pepper, cooking for four minutes.
3. Combine mixture with pasta, stir in feta and serve.

Community Highlight: Clarks - Caldwell

by Quincy Vidrine

The Clarks Township in Calwell Parish is making great strides on improving Central Park to give residents a better place to play and spend time together! The Clarks Healthy Communities coalition formed and met in July 2023 to decide what projects to take on to make Clarks a better place to live, work, and play. Central Park improvements was at the forefront of initiatives. Local funding from private donors and grant monies have allowed the playground equipment to be upgraded and handicap accessible. The Keep America Beautiful grant, written by Clarks property owner, Linda Tillman has provided much needed trash receptacles for the park, town hall and post office. The LSU AgCenter SNAP Ed program provided funding for a Story Walk that features books that families can read as they get their steps in on the walking track. The Story Walk promotes literacy, family time, and physical activity. A blessings box has also been installed by local residents who provide books, canned goods, and personal care items that some people may need and do not have resources to purchase. For more on this Healthy Communities project, or to find out about projects going on in your area(s), contact your local extension office or visit our website www.lsuagcenter.com.