Be Well - Winter Lights Night Is Here!

By Sara Grassmeyer
Wellness Coordinator

Hello and welcome to one of the first events this holiday season. Winter Lights is going to be an event to remember and a great place to spend time with family and friends. From the Welcome Tent to the local school Art Show, there is something for everyone and plenty of activities for kids and parents. Cookie decorating, craft making, a glimpse of Christmas in 1875 and my very own Wellness Tent will enliven your holiday spirit and increase your heart rate. Speaking of the Wellness Tent: you will be able to challenge your family to a step-off and try some partner fitness activities like trunk rotations. Don’t know what those are? See you in the tent.

Make sure you bring comfy shoes and dress warm, it is bound to be chilly, but as long as you’re MOVING you will be just fine! Jog in place, shuffle from side-to-side, initiate squat contests with a partner, keeping warm is great motivation for movement. Whatever your reasons for fitness, find time (15 minutes at LEAST) every day to increase your heart rate and exercise. 

Sara Grassmeyer, MPH, is the Wellness Program Coordinator for Porter County Parks and Recreation. She leads a variety of wellness programs at Sunset Hill Farm County Park. To learn more, contact her at 219-707-8281, or e-mail sgrassmeyer@porterco.org.

Be Well - Yum-oh!

By Sara Grassmeyer
Wellness Coordinator

What have you eaten today? What about yesterday? How carefully do you track the amount and kinds of food that you feed your body? It is so easy to rush from place to place grabbing food as we go versus taking time to feed our body with nutritious foods. So, you’re in the car, you have screaming kids, you have an appointment in three minutes (you’re at least fifteen minutes away) and everyone is hungry… what are you supposed to do?

The simple answer is to make a plan for what you will eat before you go to the grocery store. Include snacks and beverages in your plan so that you will consistently choose healthier options than when you’re in a hurry. Bringing a piece of fruit and water has the potential to save your daily calorie consumption by at least 500 calories and better prepares you for minor emergencies. Eating high fiber high protein snacks like peanuts, an apple with peanut butter, carrots with hummus or a fiber/protein granola bar can help to make you feel full and stay that way longer.

I challenge you to make a complete menu for every day next week (breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner, dessert and beverages) and make a complete list for when you grocery shop. I wouldn’t be surprised if you shopped more efficiently, felt better prepared for the week and saved some cash.

Enjoy your weekend. 

Sara Grassmeyer, MPH, is the Wellness Program Coordinator for Porter County Parks and Recreation. She leads a variety of wellness programs at Sunset Hill Farm County Park. To learn more, contact her at 219-707-8281, or e-mail sgrassmeyer@porterco.org.