Healthy Waltham http://healthy-waltham.org Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:42:05 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Waltham City Walks http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/11/waltham-city-walks/ http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/11/waltham-city-walks/#comments Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:17:27 +0000 admin http://healthy-waltham.org/?p=1371 Looking for a great way to get some exercise?  Why not try walking?  Walking provides a number of health benefits, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels.  There are many great places to walk in Waltham.  A few months ago, Healthy Waltham and the Waltham Land Trust got together to [...]]]> Looking for a great way to get some exercise?  Why not try walking?  Walking provides a number of health benefits, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels.  There are many great places to walk in Waltham.  A few months ago, Healthy Waltham and the Waltham Land Trust got together to map out some walking routes in the city, and our new Waltham City Walks pamphlet was born.  The brainchild of Waltham Land Trust Program Director Sonja Wadman and Healthy Waltham Intern Caitlin Abber, Brandeis University 2013, the pamphlet outlines six urban walking routes in Waltham neighborhoods and along the bank of the Charles River.  We will be posting versions of the pamphlets translated into other languages as well.

The walking map can be downloaded here:

]]> http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/11/waltham-city-walks/feed/ 0 Healthy Halloween Treats http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/10/healthy-halloween-treats/ http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/10/healthy-halloween-treats/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:21:32 +0000 admin http://healthy-waltham.org/?p=1356 by Irena Kats (to download a list of healthy treat alternatives please click here! Happy Halloween!)

Eating healthy during the Halloween season is not easy. It may seem hard to offer healthy Halloween treats to those cute, enthusiastic trick-or-treaters that come to your door in costume each year, especially when that candy is so enticing. [...]]]> by Irena Kats (to download a list of healthy treat alternatives please click here! Happy Halloween!)

Eating healthy during the Halloween season is not easy. It may seem hard to offer healthy Halloween treats to those cute, enthusiastic trick-or-treaters that come to your door in costume each year, especially when that candy is so enticing. But, as long as alternative treats are offered in a fun and exciting manner, kids are willing to make the switch. Thank you Irena Kats for these great Halloween treat ideas.  Irena is a member of the class of 2014 at Brandeis University. Irena is part of an Experiential Learning practicum, specifically the Nutrition Group, which is working with Healthy Waltham this semester to help kids learn to eat healthier foods.

It’s that time of year—the leaves are changing colors, the cooler air has come, and, of course, Halloween is here. As trick-or-treaters prepare to knock on your door, this year, try considering some fun and healthy treat alternatives. Instead of giving out chocolate or sugary candy, try some healthier options like dried fruit, granola bars, or pretzels. You can also try giving out non-food items such as stickers, play dough, and temporary tattoos.

Let’s compare typical candy given out on Halloween to a healthier option. For example, we randomly selected three of the “fun size” candy bars typically given out on Halloween, which is the stated serving size on the package. They contained 220 calories, 10 grams of fat (6 grams of which were saturated fat, or 30% of the recommended daily value for an adult) and 28 grams of sugar. Meanwhile, one 5/8 ounce package of cheese popcorn has 100 calories, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, and 1gram of sugar. The mini bag of pretzels we looked at contained 110 calories, 1 gram of fat, and no saturated fat. These “frightful” numbers are enough to make any parent shudder at the “haunting” thought of their child gorging on candy bars.

At the recent Let’s Move Waltham event, “Waltham Walks at Stonehurst” on October 16, healthier Halloween options were given out and a survey of kids ages 4-10 was conducted on their favorite healthy choices. Popcorn was the clear winner in terms of food preference, with pretzels, Fig Newtons, animal crackers, and boxes of raisins coming in close thereafter. As for non food items, temporary Halloween themed tattoos proved the best of the bunch. Kids also really enjoyed whoopee cushions, vampire teeth, bubbles, and funny fake glasses. One of the most important trends we saw was that kids seemed excited by packages that they recognized. Their excitement also had a lot to do with how we promoted the treats. The more enthusiastic we were, the more enthusiastic they were. So, when giving out healthy treats, make sure to have lots of options, fun Halloween-themed presentation, and a smile on your face.

If you have kids and they bring home candy, it might be a good idea to set rules. For example, some parents choose to limit candy intake to only one per day. Another great idea is to donate the candy to organizations such as Operations Gratitude which sends care packages to troops overseas. Keep an eye out for other donation opportunities in your community.

Having a Halloween party is also a popular activity this time of year. Try serving healthier options such as baby carrots and cherry tomatoes. You can also try an alternative to a caramel apple by making a peanut butter dip for cut-up apple slices (see recipe that follows). Now all that’s left to do is picking out your own Halloween costume! Happy Halloween!

Fruity Peanut Butter Dip

1 medium apple, cored and quartered but not peeled

½ cup dried cranberries

1 cup all natural peanut butter

1/3 cup orange juice

½ teaspoon cinnamon

In a food processor, chop one apple and cranberries.  In a small bowl, combine peanut butter, orange juice and cinnamon.  Stir apple/cranberry mixture into peanut butter mixture until combined.  Cover and refrigerate. Enjoy by dipping in apple slices!

For more recipe ideas, see http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.

]]> http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/10/healthy-halloween-treats/feed/ 0 A Beautiful Day for a Walk http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/10/a-beautiful-day-for-a-walk/ http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/10/a-beautiful-day-for-a-walk/#comments Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:52:34 +0000 admin http://healthy-waltham.org/?p=1391 People of all ages came to historic Stonehurst on Sunday, October 16, for “Waltham Walks at Stonehurst,” an annual event organized by Stonehurst, Healthy Waltham, and the Waltham Land Trust.  Located atop a hill at the end of the winding Robert Treat Paine Drive off Beaver Street in Waltham, Stonehurst sits amidst 109 acres of [...]]]> People of all ages came to historic Stonehurst on Sunday, October 16, for “Waltham Walks at Stonehurst,” an annual event organized by Stonehurst, Healthy Waltham, and the Waltham Land Trust.  Located atop a hill at the end of the winding Robert Treat Paine Drive off Beaver Street in Waltham, Stonehurst sits amidst 109 acres of beautiful conservation land. “This is an unexpected oasis in the middle of Waltham.  It was great to welcome everyone here to discover and enjoy this amazing property,” said Ann Clifford, Curator of Stonehurst.  “Waltham Walks at Stonehurst” is part of Let’s Move Waltham, a city-wide initiative to encourage healthful activities such as walking.  Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of exploring the forests, fields, rocks and hills surrounding the property; playing on the lawn; kids’ crafts; and just sitting and relaxing in the sun.

Diana Young, Vice-President of the Waltham Land Trust, led a walk along the Western Greenway Trail and through the Storer Conservation Lands, which surrounds the property. “We are always happy to show families how the Western Greenway Trail connects the High School, Middle School, and Northeast Elementary with the many paths of Stonehurst,” said Sonja Wadman, Program Director of the Waltham Land Trust. Ann Clifford of Stonehurst led another group to the historic ruins and artifacts nestled in the woods around the estate.  Kids’ crafts and halloween activities were led by students from Brandeis University.

The grounds around Stonehurst and the surrounding Storer Conservation Lands, overseen by the Waltham Conservation Commission, are open daily sunrise to sunset; maps are available at the door. Please see www.stonehurstwaltham.org for more information.  For more places to walk in Waltham, please check out the Waltham Land Trust at www.walthamlandtrust.org.

 

]]> http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/10/a-beautiful-day-for-a-walk/feed/ 0 Waltham Walks at Stonehurst Sunday Oct. 16! http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/10/waltham-walks-at-stonehurst-sunday-oct-16/ http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/10/waltham-walks-at-stonehurst-sunday-oct-16/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:39:16 +0000 admin http://healthy-waltham.org/?p=1343 Join the Friends of Stonehurst, Healthy Waltham, the Waltham Land Trust, and the City of Waltham for a Let’s Move Waltham! Community event.

Sunday, October 16, 2011 Noon-4:00 pm

Explore the forests, fields, rocks and hills of Stonehurst, the surrounding Storer Conservation Lands, and the new Western Greenway.  Join is for an afternoon of healthy [...]]]> Join the Friends of Stonehurst, Healthy Waltham, the Waltham Land Trust, and the City of Waltham for a Let’s Move Waltham! Community event.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Noon-4:00 pm

Explore the forests, fields, rocks and hills of Stonehurst, the surrounding Storer Conservation Lands, and the new Western Greenway.  Join is for an afternoon of healthy Halloween treat alternatives, mask-making, kids’ activities, guided tours and more!  To download our flier please click Waltham walks flier, or the Spanish version.

]]> http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/10/waltham-walks-at-stonehurst-sunday-oct-16/feed/ 0 Let’s Move Waltham Kick Off 9/17/11 http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/09/lets-move-waltham-kick-off-91711/ http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/09/lets-move-waltham-kick-off-91711/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 00:53:15 +0000 admin http://healthy-waltham.org/?p=1276 Come to Waltham Day at the Waltham Common (located at intersection of Main and Moody Streets, Waltham) on:

Saturday, September 17, 2011, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

We will be kicking off Let’s Move Waltham with events guaranteed to get you moving!

[...]]]> Join us for a kick off for Let’s Move Waltham!

Come to Waltham Day at the Waltham Common (located at intersection of Main and Moody Streets, Waltham) on:

Saturday, September 17, 2011, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

We will be kicking off Let’s Move Waltham with events guaranteed to get you moving!

Here is the schedule of all the Let’s Move Waltham activities:

  • 10:00 AM Creative Movement Performance (gazebo)
  • 10:30 AM Creative Movement will teach children the “Down South Shuffle” (gazebo)
  • 10:45 AM Zumba – with Cassandra Aviles, Certified Zumba Instructor, ZIM member
  • 11:15 AM Yoga – with Katie Dowcett. Certified Yoga Instructor
  • 12:00 PM Let’s Move Waltham Kick Off Ceremony with Mayor Jeannette McCarthy and Christie L. Hager, J.D., MPH, Regional Director of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (gazebo)
  • 12:30 PM Tug of War – Led by Waltham High Sc hool Athletics
  • 1:00 PM Fitness Circuit – Led by the Waltham Boys and Girls Club
  • 1:30 PM Parachute Game – Led by the Waltham Recreation Department
  • 2:00 PM Races – Led by the Waltham YMCA
  • 2:20 PM Zumba – With Linda Flores, Cert ified and Licensed Zumba Instructor (gazebo)

Plus, try our two inflatable obstacle courses available all day.

What is Let’s Move Waltham?  The City of Waltham recently joined Let’s Move, the national campaign to address childhood obesity.  Let’s Move Waltham is about making healthy food choices and increasing physical activity.  Over the next year we will host various city-wide events, work with schools and kids, and challenge you to get healthier!

 

]]> http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/09/lets-move-waltham-kick-off-91711/feed/ 0 Waltham City Council Approves Resolution to Join Let’s Move http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/07/waltham-city-council-approves-resolution-to-join-lets-move/ http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/07/waltham-city-council-approves-resolution-to-join-lets-move/#comments Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:29:14 +0000 Maria http://healthy-waltham.org/?p=1271 The Waltham City Council and Mayor Jeannette McCarthy passed a resolution for the City of Waltham to join Let’s Move, the national campaign to address childhood obesity that was launched by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2010.  The resolution was brought to the City Council by Healthy Waltham and passed at the City Council meeting [...]]]> The Waltham City Council and Mayor Jeannette McCarthy passed a resolution for the City of Waltham to join Let’s Move, the national campaign to address childhood obesity that was launched by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2010.  The resolution was brought to the City Council by Healthy Waltham and passed at the City Council meeting June 27, 2011.

By joining Let’s Move, Waltham is joining other communities across the country in recognizing that childhood obesity is a major health problem that we all need to tackle together.  Let’s Move has four main pillars which are:

  1. Helping parents make healthy food choices
  2. Improving nutrition in schools
  3. Expanding accessibility and affordability of healthy foods, and
  4. Increasing physical activity opportunities

Healthy Waltham appreciates the support of the City Council and Mayor, and we look forward to working with city officials and the community of Waltham on this initiative.

The press release can be found here.  A copy of the resolution can be found here.

]]> http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/07/waltham-city-council-approves-resolution-to-join-lets-move/feed/ 0 The Healthy Kid Challenge http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/04/the-healthy-kid-challenge/ http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/04/the-healthy-kid-challenge/#comments Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:21:06 +0000 Maria http://healthy-waltham.org/?p=1261 Healthy Waltham’s April column for the Waltham News Tribune is by guest columnist Beth Toolan, Executive Director of the Waltham Partnership for Youth.  Beth’s article talks about the challenges kids face today and some of the things we are doing in Waltham to keep them healthy.  One of the many areas where Healthy Waltham and [...]]]> Healthy Waltham’s April column for the Waltham News Tribune is by guest columnist Beth Toolan, Executive Director of the Waltham Partnership for Youth.  Beth’s article talks about the challenges kids face today and some of the things we are doing in Waltham to keep them healthy.  One of the many areas where Healthy Waltham and the Waltham Partnership for youth collaborate is on the Safe Schools Healthy Students initiative.  To learn more about this and read the entire article, please click here.  For a pdf download of the article, please click here.

]]> http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/04/the-healthy-kid-challenge/feed/ 0 Food Memories and Family Dinners http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/03/food-memories-and-family-dinners/ http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/03/food-memories-and-family-dinners/#comments Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:33:32 +0000 Maria http://healthy-waltham.org/?p=1252 Read our latest column in the Waltham News Tribune!  “Food Memories and Family Dinners,” by Leslie Glynn, appeared in the Waltham News Tribune on March 22, 2011.  Leslie describes the enjoyment of food and family time, and the importance of keeping these rituals alive today.  She also shares one of her family recipes, “Pasta e [...]]]> Read our latest column in the Waltham News Tribune!  “Food Memories and Family Dinners,” by Leslie Glynn, appeared in the Waltham News Tribune on March 22, 2011.  Leslie describes the enjoyment of food and family time, and the importance of keeping these rituals alive today.  She also shares one of her family recipes, “Pasta e Fagiole” (Pasta and Beans).

To view the article in the Waltham News Tribune online, please click here.  To download a pdf of the article, please click here.

]]> http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/03/food-memories-and-family-dinners/feed/ 0 Taste Chef Glynn's Broccoli and Tomato Salad http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/03/taste-chef-glynns-broccoli-and-tomato-salad/ http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/03/taste-chef-glynns-broccoli-and-tomato-salad/#comments Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:22:39 +0000 Maria http://healthy-waltham.org/?p=1247 Broccoli is Waltham’s Vegetable of the Month for April!  Please join us for a food demo and tasting of a healthy Broccoli and Tomato Salad at Hannaford’s Supermarket on:

Saturday, April 16, 2011 12:00 – 3:00 pm Waltham Hannaford’s, 55 Russell St.

Chef Glynn will demonstrate healthy ways to serve broccoli.  Find out why you [...]]]> Broccoli is Waltham’s Vegetable of the Month for April!  Please join us for a food demo and tasting of a healthy Broccoli and Tomato Salad at Hannaford’s Supermarket on:

  • Saturday, April 16, 2011
  • 12:00 – 3:00 pm
  • Waltham Hannaford’s, 55 Russell St.

Chef Glynn will demonstrate healthy ways to serve broccoli.  Find out why you should get a little more broccoli in your life today!  Recipes will be available to take home.  Look for us in the produce area.

]]> http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/03/taste-chef-glynns-broccoli-and-tomato-salad/feed/ 0 Eat Healthy – On a Budget http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/03/eat-healthy-on-a-budget/ http://healthy-waltham.org/2011/03/eat-healthy-on-a-budget/#comments Thu, 17 Mar 2011 04:12:44 +0000 Maria http://healthy-waltham.org/?p=1232 This month’s Healthy Waltham column in the News Tribune features another guest columnist, Kristen Pufahl.  Kristen is a registered dietitian at the Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&SC) where her work is devoted to improving nutritional health in medically, socially, and economically vulnerable groups of people in our community.  Kristen discusses the challenges of eating [...]]]> This month’s Healthy Waltham column in the News Tribune features another guest columnist, Kristen Pufahl.  Kristen is a registered dietitian at the Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&SC) where her work is devoted to improving nutritional health in medically, socially, and economically vulnerable groups of people in our community.  Kristen discusses the challenges of eating healthy on a budget and shares a favorite recipe, Kale with Raisins, that can be prepared for about $0.99 per serving.

Read the column here.  A pdf version of the column can be found here.  Download the Kale with Raisins recipe here.

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