Stretch Your Food Dollar!

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits is designed to help your family stretch the money it has to pay for food.  We all need food that is healthy and good for us. Yet, sometimes we make trade-offs to pay the rent, utilities, or other expenses. Things can get even tighter when faced with unplanned expense, like your child getting sick or a flat tire. To ease the stress, SNAP benefits are paid monthly, and are placed on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. At the grocery store, the card is swiped just like a credit or debit card to pay for the food items such as vegetables, breads and cereals, fruits, milk, and meat. SNAP benefits can also be used to purchase plants and seeds used to grow food. SNAP benefits can also be spent at your local farmers’ market where locally grown fruit and vegetables are sold (Stay tuned for future posts, and we will let you know when the Oklahoma markets open)!

The truth is that many people qualify for SNAP benefits, but do not know it. You can receive SNAP benefits if you own your home, car, or if you get paid in cash. The amount of SNAP benefits vary depending on the size of your family, and your income. The application is on-line or at your local Oklahoma Department of Health and Human Service (DHS) office. You can avoid waiting in a long line by calling for an appointment with a caseworker. When applying, a social security number is required for everyone in your household that will receive benefits.

Here is a free on-line calculator can help you determine if you might qualify for SNAP benefits or other resources like Sooner Care, reduced or free school lunch, and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children’s nutrition program). To get started, you will need the amount of income from wages, child support, or other sources, as well as household expenses like rent, utilities, and phone. You can find out more information about SNAP by going to the Oklahoma DHS website, calling the state DHS office at 405-521-3646, or going to the ONIE website. 

We all need a little help sometimes, let SNAP benefits help keep your family healthy and strong.

From your ONIE project team.

 

 

Change it up!

National Nutrition Month Celebrates Good Nutrition All Year Long!

March is National Nutrition Month, one of our favorite holidays; we wanted to share a few new tricks and tips for every day eating!  One of my favorite tips is that small changes can make a BIG difference! You don’t have to have a “perfect” diet to be healthy. In my opinion, a “perfect” diet does not actually exist.  Rather, make a few simple substitutions that fit your life.  Those small savings add up over time to make a big difference.  Whether it is calories, saturated fat, sodium, or another nutrient that you want to limit, every effort counts.

First let’s talk about some simple substitutions that are easy, comparable in price and don’t alter the taste too much! Below you can see our Change it Up, A healthy twist to favorite family recipes, handout.

Choosing lower fat versions of foods such as low-fat dairy or leaner meats is a simple way to make any dish healthier without changing the overall recipe.  Other changes such as using bananas when baking cakes and cookies in place of butter can lower the calorie and fat in a big way.  From my family’s experience, no one can even tell I made the change to bananas. Let’s face it; some foods are never going to be an essential part of a healthy diet.  But, it doesn’t mean we can’t try to make a substitution!

Take mayonnaise for example, a serving size is just 1 Tablespoon and regular mayo provides a whopping 90 calories and 10 grams of fat.  For the same price and no big change in taste you can use olive oil mayo instead. Olive oil mayo only has 35 calories and 3 grams of fat.

Below you can see a common recipe we all know, Tuna Sandwich, and see the difference a few changes can make with keeping the same taste!

Look at that difference. Almost 100 calories less and half of the fat! This is for just one meal.  If we all did these little changes each day, it could make a big difference!  What I’m trying to say is it is not always about the big changes in what you eat. Instead, take on small changes that are doable for you. It is important to remember not to get bogged down by the numbers. Look at the numbers, see the benefits of trying a healthy substitute and make a decision! Only you can decide what is doable for your life!  Remember, diet is what you eat every day, not what you restrict.  So look at your current diet, look for a few healthy modifications that are simple to do and let the good nutrition begin!

Hope you have a healthy National Nutrition Month!

Stephanie

P.S. Another way to make the tuna sandwich even healthier, swap out the bread for celery sticks or use non-fat Greek yogurt instead of mayo.

Spring Forward

Let’s Get Midwest City Moving’s 2014 Harvest Hustle 5K walk/run event on Sunday, October 19, 2014 was spectacular.  The complete not compete 5K is hosted by the Let’s Get Midwest City Moving initiative under the leadership of the ONIE Project and the MIDWEST CITY YMCA. X sponsors and volunteers. Midwest City was moving as 780 racers completed a 5K course at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park in Midwest City and attended a Wellness Expo. The weather was perfect and the smiling faces seemed endless. The park was awash in orange as racers sported t-shirts sponsored by Variety Care Community Health Center. There were new faces and familiar faces, 33% of the racers were returning races from the 2013 Let’s Get Midwest City Moving initiative. 

Before the race began, we had an interactive wellness expo that was an enjoyable experience for all ages.  An assortment of vendors from the Midwest City area put on fun games and activities, gave out helpful health information, and provided wellness screenings. Those attending the Wellness Expo won a “blackout bingo” prize if their bingo card was signed by nine of the vendors. The prize was a free first aid kit donated by Walgreens.  Many children and families jump roped with volunteers from the Midwest City and Del City Metropolitan Library, and others played with colorful hula hoops with Midwest City Jazzercise. Variety Care hosted potato sack races and the American Lung Association helped people exercise their lungs with wind powered boat races. Walgreens provided BMI wellness screenings and flu shots at no out of pocket cost. Midwest Regional Medical Center gave blood pressure checks. Also, there were many wonderfully painted mustaches and other designs worn by those who stopped at the ONIE Project‘s face painting table. All 17 vendors had a unique activity they created to show how being active and healthy is doable and fun!

 

 

Everyone had a great time warming up before the race with the Midwest City Jazzercise followed by zumba led by Midwest City YMCA.  The warm-ups was fun and got everyone read for the course.  After the warm-up, Let’s Get Midwest city Moving gave out awards! The award for the first to register went to Kim Pearse, who started registration within 4 seconds of it opening. The largest group award went to Sister’s on A Serious Mission 4 Life. These women were serious with 26 racers! The largest group of volunteers was University of Central Oklahoma. The most life experienced racer was Elmer Grove. The youngest racer went to Shiloh Jamerson. Best dressed awards went Patterson Family. Three racers dressed as black-eye peas won a best dressed award. The last best dressed award went to mother and daughter team dressed as skeletons in the tradition of the Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) holiday. 

Participants finished the event with a race medal and a post race celebration hosted by Midwest City Jazzercise. Many participants stayed after they completed the race for a chance to win a prize from the many donated items thanks to Hibbett Sports and Dick’s Sporting Goods. We also had 3 grand prizes: 2- two week unlimited sessions to MWC Jazzercise and 1 six month free family membership to the YMCA.

The Let’s Get Midwest City Moving initiative has been full of fun, excitement, and encouragement. It was no surprise that the Midwest City community and area wellness expo vendors would take on the challenge to show everyone that being healthy and active can be enjoyable!

We want to say thank you again to our sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and of course, our participants for helping make the Spring Forward 5k and Wellness Expo a success!  Hundreds of pictures are on Facebook; we encourage you to tag yourself and your friends and family.We are looking forward to Splash Dash on June 22, 2014. 

Sponsors:

• Variety Care
• St. Anthony’s Dermatology – Dr. Shelbi Hayes
• Vision Source Midwest city
• Buddy’s Produce
• Great Plains Coca Cola
• City of Midwest City
• Addtronics
• Crest Fresh Market
• Dick’s Sporting Goods
• East Word News
• Hibbett Sports
• Homeland
• Jersey Mikes
• Metro Family Magazine
• Midwest City Jazzercise
• Midwest City Library – Metropolitan Library System
• Midwest Regional Hospital
• Oklahoma City 7-11Stores
• ONIE Project
• Ozarka – Eureka Water Company
• Panera Bread Company
• Wal Mart – Del City
• Walgreens
• YMCA – Midwest City YMCA

List Wellness Expo Vendors:

• American Lung Association
• CASA of Oklahoma County, Inc.
• Family Expectations
• Harold Hamm Diabetes Center
• North Care
• Metropolitan Library
• Midwest City Fire Department
• Midwest City Jazzercise
• Midwest Regional Medical Center
• Midwest City YMCA
• The ONIE Project
• Spencer Family Dentistry
• Variety Care Community Health Center
• Vision Source
• Walgreens Pharmacy

 

9 Tips to Have a Great Time at Spring Forward

It’s race week; just 4 days until Spring Forward.  On March 9, 2014, it is time to set your clocks forward and get moving at MWC Regional Park!

What should I wear?

The weather forecast is the 50s with no chance of rain-perfect for an afternoon in the park. The best advice is to not overdress. Dress as if the weather is 10-15 degrees warmer than it is because you will warm up on the course. By dressing in layers, you can stay warm while hanging around before and after the race. On the course, you can take a layer off and tie it around your waist.

What time should I get there?

The festivities begin at 12:30 p.m.  Show up early and enjoy the games and activities at the Wellness Expo. For those who came last time, expect many new and exciting activities.  The group warm-up begins at 2:30 and the race starts at 3:00 p.m.  Also, if you did pick up your packet on Friday or Saturday, packet-pick up at the race is at 12:30.

What should I eat for lunch?

They key is to avoid any heavy food.  Bagels, bananas, and peanut butter are good choices. These foods give you both a carbohydrate and a protein that will give you energy throughout the whole race; energy that will last. Foods like cheeseburgers, pizzas, and fried foods can give you a stomach ache when you are active; not good.

What should I drink?

Drink water before, during, and after the race. Please bring your own water bottle so you have plenty to drink all day. Drinking water and staying hydrated are an important part of your race day. We will have a couple of water stops on the course.

How fast should I go?

There is a big temptation to start off fast when the whistle goes off, and lots of people are around. If you start too fast you can run out of energy. The best strategy is to pace yourself and save energy for the finish line. 

What if I come in last?

It is not a compete race. You have succeeded by showing up and completing the race. Congratulate yourself for beating the thousands who are on the couch, and missing out on the great fun you are having with your friends and family.

What if I get separated from my friends and family on the finish line?

Create a plan before the race, and agree upon a place to meet friends and family after the race.

How do I dress up in a costume?

Let’s Get Midwest City Moving will give a prize to the best costume. No worries, there is no need to spend a lot of money getting a special costume. Fun, creative costumes can be made from what you have on hand.  We have a few hints on how to get started:

• Start with your closet.

1. Do you have clothes on hand that you can turn into a theme, like green for a leprechaun.
2. Do your children have some stockings and a big shirt? Blow up a bunch of balloons and pin them on to go as a grape.
3. Tear up the legs of some old pants, and splatter some red paint onto a shirt. Add some face paint, and a ghoulish zombie emerges.

• A good costume is often about being clever, it does not need to be a time consuming project.

1. Old t-shirts can be shredded to make a decorative head band.
2. Create a Lego costume by taping pieces of cardboard together; spray paint the cardboard to decorate.
3. Add a tail to black sweat pants, and go as a cat.
4. Grab anything in your closet that looks like the 1960s or 1970s, add a headband and go retro.

The last and best tip!

It is all about having fun and spending time with your friends, family, and community. We will have tons of encouraging signs and people along the course to help keep you on route and cheer you on as you finish!! Have a great time and enjoy the music, games, and activities at the Wellness Expo. Have your picture taken at the Family Fun Photo Booth. Also, you are invited to bring a donation of a non-perishable food item to the Midwest City Food Pantry.

We can’t wait to see everyone at the race on Sunday!