Friday, February 19, 2010

Spring gardening tips and resources

The next HKI newsletter (due out next week!) will be focusing on spring gardening and planting tips, so we wanted to start sharing some of the great resources we've come across while researching for the newsletter. Remember, for great advice and conversation, you are always invited to join the Garden Team on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Rosedale Congregational Church, 4326 Lloyd St, Kansas City, KS. The next meeting will be March 2 - hope to see you there!

Some valuable local resources:
Kansas City Community Gardens
Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture
K-State Extension Research and Extension

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Be careful out there!

Brrr... it's cold! Forecasters are predicting several more inches of snow tonight, and for those of us still walking and biking, winter weather poses new challenges. I thought now would be a good time to review some basic winter safety tips for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Winter Walking Safety Tips:
*Walking in groups will increase visibility during inclement weather.
*Be observant when crossing at an intersection. Snow and ice may keep motorists from stopping at stop signs or traffic signals, so make sure vehicles come to a complete stop before crossing.
*Dress in layers and wear boots with nonskid soles. Don’t wear a hat that blocks your vision or makes it difficult to hear traffic.
*Wearing dark “winter” colors can make it difficult for motorists to see you. If you have a dark coat, add a brightly colored scarf or hat or reflective gear.
*Slow down. Walking quickly or running can increase your chances falling. Wear gloves to avoid putting your hands in your pockets.
*Walk on sidewalks if possible. If sidewalks are covered in snow and ice and you must walk in the street, walk against the flow of traffic and as close to the curb as possible.

http://www.abc4.com/content/about_4/links_numbers/story/Winter-Walking-Safety-Ideas/KfDIk_6O4kibNtXW0h0fwQ.cspx


And for those of you still bicycling, check out http://www.allweathersports.com/winter/winter.html for great tips!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

What's your resolution?



Happy New Year! What's your (hopefully healthy!) resolution for 2010?

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Tips for eating healthy and well in the winter months

As the holidays wind down we tend to think about eating healthy again. Here are a few tips to get you started on eating healthy in 2010!
• Eat Locally, Eat Seasonally. The fresher the healthier. Try some of these local options:
• Winter Squash
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Potatoes
• Turnips

• Pack your shopping cart with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots and green beans. Apples, cranberries and pears combine easily for a tasty salad or fruit crisp.

• Stop eating when you are full. Have your leftovers boxed up, or put them away for tomorrow’s lunch. Listen to your body.

• If you cannot pronounce the ingredients, pass it up—a sure sign that the item is not nearly as good for us as the manufacturer would like us to believe, that includes many of the foods that look healthful at first glance.

• Recipe modification for healthier eating
o Instead of using 1 egg, use 2 egg whites. This will save 42 calories and 6 grams of fat.
o Serve a Turkey dog instead of a regular hot dog and save 80 calories and 8 grams of fat. Turkey bacon instead of regular bacon saves a whopping 250 calories and 20 grams of fat!
o Simply substituting Lean Ground Beef (92% lean, 8% fat) for Regular Ground Beef will save 180 calories and 22 grams of fat!

(Thanks to Erika Devore of KC Healthy Kids for these healthy eating tips!)

Friday, December 11, 2009