March is Live Well Month - Lifestyle - Akron Beacon Journal

The National Association of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences are celebrating March as Live Well Month, both throughout the state and across the nation. What do we promote? Raising Kids, eating right, spending smart ... that’s living well. Whether we are trying to manage diabetes through meal planning and exercise, make decisions about health care and insurance, or get tips on effective parenting techniques, Extension probably has a research-based answer. To make every month a "Living Well Month" try considering one or more of the following tips:

1. Engage children in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Adults need at least 30 minutes of physical activity. Besides participating in sporting activities, turn on some music and dance. Be creative by assembling an obstacle course or using hula-hoops. Start planning a garden. Take a walk or bike ride in your neighborhood.

2. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. The average adult human body is about 60 percent water, which is found in muscle, blood, brain, bone, etc. Water regulates every living cell’s processes and chemical reactions. It transports nutrients and oxygen. Water helps to maintain normal bowel habits and prevent constipation. Limit the amount of soda and fruit drinks consumed daily.

3. Eat a variety of healthful foods. Be sure to have plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables every day. Most people need at least 4 ½ cups to meet the daily recommendation. Have a glass of 100 percent juice or sliced banana on cereal for breakfast, enjoy raw vegetables with dip to accompany a sandwich at lunch and have a sliced apple for dessert. At dinner, steam some vegetables and prepare a fruit parfait with yogurt for dessert. Try a new fruit or vegetable. See www.choosemyplate.gov for more information about nutrition for yourself and members of your family.

4. Read, read, read. Go to the library and check out books. Keep the mental stimulation flowing throughout the year regardless of your age.

5. Work on 4-H projects or open-class exhibits for the county fair. Locate last year’s county fair program for ideas and look at upcoming events provided on your local Extension office website at wayne.osu.edu Know that we are always looking for good volunteers!

6. Check out parenting, finance, nutrition and/or food preparation classes offered by your Extension office. See wayne.osu.edu for more information about upcoming offerings.

7. Maintain a healthy home. Be sure your smoke detector is working correctly and test for the presence of radon. Help manage allergies and/or asthma by cleaning and vacuuming regularly to reduce allergy triggers in the home. Avoid accidental poisonings by keeping medications locked up, and cleaning agents and other poisons out of reach of children.

8. Keep your family finances in check. Track your expenses and update your budget regularly. Eat at home often because meals outside of home usually cost more. Plan your menus and use the coupons to help plan your menus. Use leftovers as the basis for another meal.

We have a series of homeownership classes beginning this week, give our office a call if you might like to learn how to become a homeowner. Or our Money 101 classes might be what you are looking for. We have information for your family so that we can all raise our families, eat right and spend smart to LIVE WELL. For more information, call 330-264-8722