Fall is a great time to enjoy the changing of the seasons while getting your family out and about as the weather cools a bit. Staying physically active is important for maintaining good health. Try these fun and active family ideas: Take a walk around the neighborhood. Check out the fall decorations people are putting... Continue Reading →
Summer is a great time to stay active outside. Physical activity is anything that gets you moving. Gardening, cleaning, playing, dancing, and walking are great ways to move your body during the summer. The CDC suggests 30 minutes of exercise daily. Walking is one of the best ways to exercise because it is inexpensive and... Continue Reading →
While you’re packing the sunscreen, bug spray and camping gear, don’t forget basic food safety. Here are some camp-specific tips. Plan Ahead! To avoid leftovers, plan menus and portion sizes ahead of time. Plan meals that require one pot to lighten your load. If possible, bring shelf stable foods. Keep Cold Foods Cold! Pack foods... Continue Reading →
We chose a few orchards where you can pick your own fruit, but we would like to hear from you: Where do YOU pick fresh fruits during summer in Idaho? Read more...
As we enter a bright and beautiful season, the plants are springing up, the kids are out of school for summer, and you are hoping for this summer to be the best! How do you make this happen? Beginning of summer is the perfect time to plan some fun family activities that embrace nature and... Continue Reading →
You don’t need a huge yard to experience the benefits of gardening. Container gardens are great for small spaces, and are perfect for balconies, patios, or places where you can't plant in the ground. You will be amazed by how much food you can grow in just a couple of pots! Starting a garden of your... Continue Reading →
You made it through the shortest days of Winter. Now that the days are longer, take time to add more physical activity to your family’s day. Balancing the work and school day can be hectic but making small changes this spring can lead to big rewards. Think about times when your family is sitting and... Continue Reading →
What is seasonal eating? Eating foods that are at their peak ripeness and nutritional value during a specific time of the year. Often times, these foods are less expensive, more flavorful, support local famers, and provide health benefits. Planning meals around seasonal fruits and vegetables is an easy way to save on groceries. Just look... Continue Reading →
March is a great time to start planning to plant your own garden. Even if you do not have a patch of ground, you can plant in containers for a patio or porch garden. All you need is containers, soil, sunlight, water, and seeds. Now is the time to start making your plan and deciding... Continue Reading →
A new year means another New Year's resolution! But how successful are your New Year's resolutions and how often are they focused on diet and body weight? Try something new this year and set a non-diet New Year's resolution that works towards creating a lasting, healthy lifestyle. Check out these low-budget ideas to start your... Continue Reading →
Holidays are a great opportunity to spend time doing family activities! There are plenty of low-cost activities to do, especially during the holidays. Planning ahead will help you find enjoyable activities for the entire family that won’t break the bank. Searching the internet, local newspapers, and school events are a great way to find information... Continue Reading →
Did you know that physical activity and certain foods can help us stay happier and healthier in Winter? Rainbow of Fruits & Veggies: In Winter, brighten your plate by eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. They are low in fat and calories and high in water and fiber, so we feel satisfied quicker. Go... Continue Reading →
Thanksgiving means many things. Family, friends, and of course, lots of delicious food! While you're waiting for your turkey to cook, or in between dinner and dessert, get up and be ACTIVE! Being active on Thanksgiving is a time for family bonding. Getting everyone moving also helps prevent overeating and getting that yearly food coma. Here... Continue Reading →
Carving Pumpkins: These are perfect for carving jack-o-lanterns or as a Fall display, but the pulp is watery and is filled with seeds (Bake the seeds for a tasty snack!) Baking Pumpkins: These are smaller and usually labeled as “cooking,” “pie,” or “sugar” pumpkins. These types of pumpkins have a sweet, tender pulp that is... Continue Reading →
Fall activities are even more pleasant when it’s cooler outside and the leaves start to change. Grab a jacket, comfortable shoes, and try some of these activities: Take a Walk- You can collect colorful leaves or rocks to decorate for fall or just for fun.Pick-up Game- Join your kids in a game they love. How... Continue Reading →
As the summer temperatures increase, it becomes harder to stay cool while being physically active. Exercise and warmer temperatures can increase the temperature of our bodies and increases our heart rate. Sweating is the way our bodies cool themselves and if we do not actively drink fluids, we can become dehydrated quickly. Drinking, especially water,... Continue Reading →
Summer is the time to enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of the long days of sunshine and great weather. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have summer family fun. Write your activity plans on a family calendar and let the kids help in planning the activities. Allow them to check... Continue Reading →
As we enter the summer months you may want to take your walking from indoors on a treadmill to walking in Idaho’s beautiful outdoors. All throughout Idaho there are walking trails that suit all needs. If you are just starting out or if you’re an avid hiker, you can find your perfect trail in any... Continue Reading →
Warmer weather is in the air and the early season’s produce is becoming available. Where can you find the freshest fruits and vegetables possible? Chances are, they may be closer than you think. Check out the farmer’s markets in your area to see what is in store for you. You can find: Fresh-picked fruits and... Continue Reading →
Did you know that you can use EBT to buy food-producing seeds & plants? Imagine how far your SNAP benefits can go when you plant a garden. Here is a handy chart to learn what and when to plant in Idaho. For questions about gardening in Idaho, contact your local University of Idaho County Extension... Continue Reading →
April is National Garden Month Planting a garden is a great way to spend time as a family. Spring is a perfect time to plan and plant your crops. Planning ahead will lead you to the most success in growing fruits and vegetables. Planting a garden will provide a fun outdoor activity loaded with lots... Continue Reading →
Any time you get up and move, you’re improving your chances for better health. But did you know that being sedentary- sitting a lot- can have the opposite effect. If you find yourself sitting too much, here is a simple way to start small: Set a timer every hour. On your phone or even a... Continue Reading →
The start of a new year commonly marks the start of new goals or lifestyle changes for many individuals and families. In some cases, the new year marks a new diet or exercise plan. Unfortunately, many people get burned out quickly because these diets or exercise plans are too rigid and focus on taking away... Continue Reading →
When setting goals for the New Year, mental health is often overlooked. However, your mental and physical health are very closely linked. Without practicing habits for a healthy mind, it can be hard to practice healthy habits for a healthy body. Here are ten tips to help get you started. Focus on your nutrition. Try... Continue Reading →
We all know that staying active is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our families. But, once the cold weather settles in, it becomes tempting to curl up on the sofa with a warm blanket, a cup of hot chocolate and our new favorite TV series. We may even realize... Continue Reading →
Kids grow best in motion: Encourage 1 hour of physical activity a day. Workout videos are a great way to get moving at home with family members. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends Fit Kids, a website with a range of home workouts for children. Videos are divided into four groups: warmups,... Continue Reading →
Kids grow best in motion: Encourage 1 hour of physical activity a day. If your family is primarily at home, set a timer for walking or movement breaks. At the beginning of the day, plan where you will walk or what exercise your will do each time the timer goes off. Even if you just... Continue Reading →
Stay active, even while indoors. Physical activity plays an important role in mediating mood, improving sleep, and reducing risk of chronic disease. With physical distancing guidelines still in place, it is important to continue providing kids with opportunities to release energy and build strong muscles and bones. Try a plank contest and see which family... Continue Reading →
Spring is in the air and although we are still practicing social distancing, there are many outdoor opportunities for physical activity. In fact, during this season of Covid-19, it is even more important to be as active as possible, whether indoors or outdoors. Physical activity benefits both the body and mind. On top of having... Continue Reading →
By Siew Guan Lee, MS, RD – University of Idaho Extension The taste of sweet, juicy fresh veggies with vibrant textures cannot be beat, especially if you grow them yourself. As Spring is here and you are maintaining social distancing, you may consider growing your own veggies, fruits, and herbs. Gardening adds nutrition to your... Continue Reading →
Idaho is known for great skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and other great winter activities. This includes trudging through the snow to create, or at least enjoy, magnificent snow and ice sculptures. Every year, towns put on Winter festivals that highlight outdoor art that can only be seen in the Winter. If you want to experience the... Continue Reading →
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/11/how-a-christmas-story-became-an-american-tradition The key to all Fall activities is layers! Worried about being too cold? Then put on jacket! Worried about being too hot once you get moving? Then wear a t-shirt underneath! Sometimes our biggest excuse for not going outside is the fact that we don’t know what to wear when being active. A simple... Continue Reading →
No More Excuses: Overcoming Barriers to Exercise
Have you been camping yet this year? Did you know that camping not only gives you time to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but also provides health benefits? Camping offers Fresh natural air, Bright natural sunlight, Exercise & Healthy eating, and Family bonding just to name a few. When camping... Continue Reading →
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or just looking for some leisure time outdoors Idaho state parks has something for everyone. Idaho has thirty state parks that you can take a day trip, weekend trip, or even a full family vacation at and make great memories. From camping to water sports, sand surfing and even historical... Continue Reading →
Eat Smart Idaho is celebrating National Physical Fitness & Sports Month During May! #MoveInMay Tell us what YOU do for fitness. #MoveinMay Regular physical activity increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life. It reduces your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Yet in Idaho, more than 24%... Continue Reading →
Spring Fever? Nature is a major distraction from the stresses of life and important for the health of children and adults. People who spend time outside… have more energy.are calmer.feel less stress.focus better.feel happier.sleep better. Start close to home with 30 minutes of activity. If you don’t have 30 minutes, try 10 minutes three times... Continue Reading →
Instead of cursing the winter, find ways to enjoy it! Instead of talking about the things we CAN'T do, bundle up, get outside, and be active with these activities: SNOWBALL FIGHT: what better way to run around (and exercise) without even realizing that you are exercising? Put on your gloves, gather your kids, and start... Continue Reading →
FEBRUARY IS HEART HEALTH MONTH #AmericanHeartMonth #IdahoHasHeart #OurHearts #LongLiveIdaho #EatSmartIdaho Click on the links below for tips from the American Heart Association: Eat Smart Follow these tips when you go food shopping. Add Color Sneaking more vegetables into meals. Move More Ways to get yourself moving and enjoy being physically active. Be Well How to... Continue Reading →
We are right in the middle of the coldest part of winter. It is so easy during this time of year to curl up under a blanket and attempt to hibernate all winter. Unfortunately, our bodies are not made to hibernate, and even during the cold we need exercise. We are supposed to get 150... Continue Reading →
Plan Ahead- Here are some holiday menus and recipes on a budget.Don’t Overspend- Stretch your food dollars and still eat well.Make it a Potluck- Here are some budget party &potluck tips.Chop & Chill- Wash and chop vegetables in advance or prep dishes that can be heated later. No-Stress Snacks- Stress can trigger mindless eating. Keep... Continue Reading →
Many of us want to avoid weight gain during the holiday season. Yet we don’t want to miss out on the fun or traditional holiday foods! Set yourself up for success this holiday season by establishing healthful habits now. Eat a breakfast of whole grains and fruit. This will help you stay full throughout the... Continue Reading →
Fall activities are even more pleasant when it’s cooler outside and the scenery is changing. Grab a jacket, comfortable shoes, and try some of these activities: Take a walk through your neighborhood or local park to see the changing colors of FallGet the whole family involved - Turn leaf-raking and other Autumn yard work into fun... Continue Reading →
Fall is finally here and now that the weather is changing, you might be looking for some fun fall activities to do. Whether you’re the type that wants to visit a pumpkin patch to pick out that perfect pumpkin, or maybe you want to adventure through a corn maze with a hot chocolate in hand,... Continue Reading →
As the weather starts to cool down, you may be looking for some fall activities that let you stay nice and warm, while being inside. What better way to spend some indoor quality time, than at the library? Did you know reading can help improve your memory and reduce stress? So, cozy up in a... Continue Reading →
Want to go places fast, and hear the wind whistle through your ears? Take a bike when the weather is nice if you need to run errands near home. Bike with your friends and family after work or school. Explore bike paths in your town or adventure down country roads. Idaho has over 12,000 miles... Continue Reading →
Idaho is a beautiful state, and trails are everywhere. Some are free, and closer than you think. Look around your town or county, drive the back roads and explore. Idaho state parks are just $10/year to use, and a parks pass can even be purchased with your car registration. Get outside and enjoy the serenity... Continue Reading →
Being physically active isn’t just going to the gym or enrolling in a fitness boot-camp. It’s about having fun, running around, and playing. Just because you’re grown up doesn’t mean you can’t play. It’s also free, depending on what you do. There are so many health benefits too! Increasing physical activity helps with healthy weight... Continue Reading →
