Spring Fever? Don't Forget Your Health

Spring will officially be here on Tuesday, but temperatures tell us that spring has already sprung! Many people feel motivated to clean out their cabinets and closets while students tend to switch their focus from studies to being outdoors.

So, how can we help our students to finish off the school year without losing focus? The USDA offers these valuable tips:

• 1) Healthy bodies produce sharp minds. Studies show that kids do better in school when they eat healthy food and get regular exercise. Better grades lead to more chances of success.
• 2) The fitter the better. A recent study showed that students with the highest fitness scores also had the highest test scores. Being fit is a smart choice.
• 3) School cafeterias fuel learning. Children who eat breakfast and lunch at school get up to 60% of the daily nutrition they need. School meals meet healthy rules that keep kids going strong.
• 4) Breakfast is a brain booster. I've always been an advocate for eating breakfast. Studies show that eating a good breakfast improves test scores, attendance, and class work.
• 5) Start early for lifelong success. Eating right at an early age helps develop a healthy brain and success in school. Impacts can last a lifetime.
• 6) Everyone plays a part. Adults can help children develop healthy eating and exercise habits by setting an example. Be a role model by making simple changes.
• 7) Drink smart! Squeeze out sugar-filled sodas and serve 100% fruit juice, milk, or water instead. Choose juice carefully - some has only 10% fruit juice and the rest is sugar and fillers.
• 8) Get colorful! Brighten your day by choosing a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. Try red, blue, green, purple, orange and yellow. Studies show these choices help fight diseases.
• 9) Take it slowly. It takes 20 minutes for our brain to register that our body is satisfied with food. When we eat too quickly, our body needs more food to be satisfied. Slow down by putting your fork down and swallowing before you take your next bite.
• 10) Make the switch. Trade TV and computer time with a walk around the block or an active game and a healthy family meal. Simply flip the switch off for a while every day to make big changes.

These ten tips might seem simple, but following them can make a difference!

Upcoming Events

• · Friday, March 23: County 4-H Fashion Show, Educational Presentations, Public Speaking, Share-the-Fun contests, 5:30 p.m., Extension Office
• · Every Friday (except Good Friday): Brown Bag Lunch Bunch, 12:00 noon, Recreational Outreach Center (ROC), First Baptist Church, bring sack lunch and comfy walking shoes
• · Saturday, April 14: Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshop, 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., call 903-885-3443 to reserve a spot, no charge
• · April 16, 19, 23, 26: "Cooking Well with Diabetes" series, 6:00 p.m., Extension Office, $20 payable at the door, call 903-885-3443 to reserve a spot
• · Friday, April 20: deadline to register for 2nd annual "Taking the Mystery Out of Diabetes" conference, $25 covers lunch, conference materials, cookbook, exhibit fair, cooking demonstrations, keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, and door prizes. Registration forms available at all County Extension Offices in northeast Texas.
• · Saturday, April 21: Kids' Safe Saturday, Buford Park, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., no charge
• · Tuesday, May 1: 2nd annual "Taking the Mystery Out of Diabetes" conference, First Baptist Church, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For information on any of these events, please contact our office at 903-885-3443.

Closing Thought

I've learned that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed.

Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent

Hopkins County

1200-B W. Houston

P.O. Box 518

Sulphur Springs, TX 75483

903-885-3443 - phone

903-439-4909 - fax

jshicks@ag.tamu.edu

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