October Calendar

• 3rd - Community Baby Shower - Ouachita Parish Health Unit from 3 pm to 5:30 pm
• 19th - Fall Festival in the Family Garden at the Children's Coalition
• 23rd - Walk-A-Mile Day - East Carroll Parish Walking Trail from 9 am to 1 pm
• 25th - Nutrition and Community Health Learning Lab - Ouachita Valley Library Branch at 5:30 pm

Kids Corner

by Jocinda Jackson-Jones

As fall weather rolls in, it’s the perfect opportunity to get kids moving with engaging outdoor activities that promote physical fitness and community involvement. One great idea is to organize a neighborhood fall scavenger hunt. Kids can walk or bike around the community searching for items like colorful leaves, acorns, and seasonal decorations. This encourages exercise and exploration in a fun, structured way.

For a creative twist, consider a fall-themed fitness challenge. Create stations around a park with different activities like jumping jacks, hopscotch, or balance beams made from chalk. Kids can move from station to station, completing each challenge, which promotes both physical activity and coordination.

Finally, encourage regular family walks or bike rides through the neighborhood. Exploring local parks or simply strolling through tree-lined streets can be a wonderful way to stay active and enjoy the vibrant fall scenery together.

LSU AgCenter Premier Program: Small Changes Healthy Habits

by Brittney Newsome

Small Changes, Healthy Habits is a four-session program developed by LSU AgCenter nutrition specialists, to help Louisiana’s adults use small goal setting and habit-formation techniques to develop healthier food and physical activity routines. Due to Louisiana’s high rates of obesity, which is a major risk factor for chronic diseases, this program also includes knife skills for home food preparation, a grocery store/food selection tour, and how to create a healthy home food environment.

What to expect at each session:

• Habit Formation and Physical Activity: In session I, participants will gain an understanding of what a habit is and how to value and incorporate small changes into their daily routines. They will also set weekly physical activity goals that will encourage living an active lifestyle.

• Healthy Kitchen Makeover: In session II, participants will learn how to make their pantry, refrigerator, and food choices healthier by using the traffic light method for categorizing foods and learn how to read the nutrition facts label.

• Grocery Store Tour: During session III, participants will take a field trip to their nearest grocery store where they will compare and contrast products in order to increase their knowledge of how to properly select nutritious foods.

• Cooking & Knife Skills: In the last session, participants will be able to learn basic knife skills that will be helpful for preparing nutritious meals and snacks in the home.

Recipe of the Month

by Markaye Russell

Grilled Okra with Olive Oil and Garlic

• 1-pound fresh okra
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Heat your grill on medium to high heat. This is great on indoor or outdoor grills. Rinse okra and pat dry. Cut the ends. Place okra in a large bowl and toss it with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Transfer to the hot grill. Grill until tender 5 minutes, turn okra and continue to cook another 5 minutes.

Welcome Tara

by Cathy Agan

Tara Garlington has recently joined the Nutrition and Community Health team in the Northeast Region as a SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator in Ouachita Parish. Although she is new to SNAP-Ed, Tara has been with the LSU AgCenter for seven years and was a 4-H Agent before coming on board with Nutrition and Community Health. Prior to coming to work with the AgCenter, Tara served many years as a teacher and taught students in grades ranging from Pre-K 4 through high school. As a SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator, Tara provides direct education for both youth and adults on topics such as nutrition, food safety, budgeting food dollars, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Tara was born and raised in Monroe and has three children. She loves learning and teaching about nutrition and has found that she loves teaching adults since switching to the SNAP-Ed program. Tara said, "I have always loved teaching children but now know that I equally enjoy teaching adults." Milestone Recovery and Life Choices Pregnancy Resource Center are just two of the adult groups she is enjoying working with due to their enthusiasm and the group discussions with those participants. She has also recently kicked off programs at J.S. Clark Magnet School.

Tara is happy to provide nutrition programs in Ouachita Parish and can be contacted at 318-323-2251 or by EMAIL. If you have a group that would be interested in participating in her classes, please feel free to reach out to her. She would love to offer a series of classes for your group.