Did you know that children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous levels of activity daily? While this may seem like a lot of time in our busy lives, it all adds up!

Try a few of these tips to help get any couch potato on the move:

• Give children toys that encourage physical activity like balls, kites and jump ropes.
• Encourage children to join a sports team or try a new physical activity.
• Limit TV time and keep the TV out of a child’s bedroom.
• Facilitate a safe walk to and from school a few times a week.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Walk around the block after a meal.
• Make a new house rule: no sitting still during television commercials.
• Find time to spend together doing a fun activity: family park day, swim day or  bike day.

Remember to fuel up with healthy nutrition and also drink plenty of fluids before, during and after physical activity.

Brought to you by the Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition of Pierce County

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team

If you are like most Americans who work in offices, you frequently eat at your desk. Follow these food safety tips before digging in:

• Refrigerate right away. Perishable foods shouldn’t be left out in at room temperature for more than two hours. Refrigerate your lunch as soon as you get to the office. If you don’t have a fridge at work, pack your lunch in an insulated bag along with an ice pack.
• Clean out the fridge. Don’t leave leftovers in the office fridge for more than three to five days. Label your containers and toss anything you don’t eat in a timely fashion.
• Reheat to proper temperatures. To kill bacteria, food needs to be reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The only way to test the temperature is to use a meat thermometer.
• Beware of dirty sponges. Damp sponges can harbor harmful bacteria. If your office kitchen sponge isn’t replaced on a regular basis, don’t use it. Clean your dishes with hot soapy water and dry with a paper towel instead.
• Keep the essentials handy. Keep hand sanitizer at your desk to use before and after eating. Keep disinfectant wipes handy, too, so spills can be cleaned up immediately.

Also keep food safety in mind when foods are brought to the office to share. When perishable treats are left out for more than two hours, they may spoil.

Brought to you by the Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition of Pierce County

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team

Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design

Healthy eating may sometimes be hard to maintain when you’re busy with work, family and simply living life. With a few easy tips, you can find healthy options while on the run, giving you more energy to succeed throughout the day.

• Eat your lower-calorie food first. Soup or salad is a good choice. Follow up with a light main course.
• Pass up all-you-can-eat specials, buffets and unlimited salad bars if you tend to eat too much.
• Look for a sandwich wrap in a soft tortilla. Fillings such as rice mixed with seafood, chicken or grilled vegetables are usually lower in fat and calories.
• Always eating on the go? Tuck portable, nonperishable foods in your purse, tote, briefcase or backpack for an on-the-run meal. Some suggestions are peanut butter and crackers, granola bars, a piece of fresh fruit, trail mix, single serve packages of whole grain cereal or crackers.

Brought to you by the Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition of Pierce County

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team

Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in American, and one in three adults has some form of heart or cardiovascular disease. However, many of these deaths and risk factors are preventable, and food choices have a big impact on your heart’s health, even if you have other risk factors.

To lower your risk of heart disease, your diet should be:

• Low in saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats are found in some meats, dairy products, baked goods and deep-fried and processed foods. Trans fats are found in some fried and unprocessed foods. Both types of fat raise your LDL, or “bad” cholesterol level.
• High in omega-3 fatty acids. Foods high in omega-3s include fish and olive oil.
• High in fiber, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. A diet rich in these elements helps lower LDL cholesterol as well as provides nutrients that may help protect against heart disease.
• Low in salt and sugar. A low-salt diet can help manage blood pressure, while a low-sugar diet can help prevent weight gain and control diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Brought to you by the Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition of Pierce County

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air, but when trapped in buildings can reach harmful elevated levels.  Radon has been shown to cause up to 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year in theUnited States.

 Radon gas originates when uranium breaks down in the soil, giving off a radioactive gas.  While radon is more common in some areas of the state than others, radon levels high enough to cause concern have been found in homes in allWisconsincounties.  

Common entry paths for radon include earth floors, sump pump wells, floor drains, and gaps in floors and around pipes, visible and microscopic cracks, holes left from form ties, construction joints and hollow concrete block walls.

Radon does not cause direct respiratory problems, headaches or other immediate health dangers.  However, prolonged exposure to radon increases the chances of lung cancer.  The higher the life time exposure the greater the risk of lung cancer.  The risk to tobacco smokers from radon exposure is dramatically greater. 

As part of National Radon Awareness Month the Radon Information Center of West Central WI is offering free short-term radon test kits to the first 50 households for residents of Dunn, Pierce, and St. Croix counties at the county health departments.  Residents of Sawyer, and Barron counties can call 1-888-LowRadon (569-7230) for information on where to pick up free kits.  The price for kits after the first 50 in each county will be $6 for the rest of January.

Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design

Cold weather is no excuse to skip fitness routines and nestle in by the TV. A shift of seasons simply gives you different options.

        In any weather, the same guideline applies: get 60 minutes of moderate activity every day if you can. In cold weather, try these outdoor activities:

• Winter sports: cross-country or downhill skiing, skating, snow-shoeing, hockey
• Active leisure: winter nature walks, snow hiking, sledding
• Outdoor chores: snow shoveling, chopping firewood, dog walking
• Too cold or windy? Go mall walking inside!

For safety’s sake in cold, wintry weather, keep this in mind:

• Cover up to stay warm. Your head, hands, and other exposed skin need to be of covered. An uncovered head gives off a lot of heat.
• Layer your clothing. Several lightweight layers may keep you warmer than one or two heavier layers.
• Stay dry. Moisture conducts cold air towards your skin and heat away. Wicking fabrics help you stay dry as you exercise in winter.

Brought to you by the Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition of Pierce County

Source: 365 Days of Healthy Eating from the American Dietetic Association (Wiley 2004), Roberta Larson Duyff, MS, RD, FADA, CFCS

Standing and waiting, sitting and waiting – so much unproductive time in sedentary activity.  Why not use all that waiting time effectively?  Multitask by moving rather than just waiting.

• Skip the drive-thru.  Park instead, and walk inside to order food, cash a check, or pick up a prescription.
• Climb the stairs when it’s just a few flights.
• Walk on the moving sidewalk.  You’ll arrive even faster.
• Sweep the floor while your microwave lunch heats up.
• Stretch or bend while you wait for your computer to boot up or download.
• Take a walk while you wait for a car repair or, if you’re early, for a personal appointment.
• If you must wait, stand.  You burn more calories standing than sitting down!

Brought to you by the Healthy Eating and Active Living Coalition of Pierce County.  Source: 365 Days of Healthy Eating from the American Dietetic Association (Wiley 2004), Roberta Larson Duyff, MS, RD, FADA, CFCS

Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design

Before summer slips away and families are into the hustle and bustle of preparation for the new school year, Pierce County Public Health encourages you to make plans for updating your children’s immunizations.

Immunizations are available by appointment at Pierce County Public Health on the following days and times:

Ellsworth Public Health Office-

First Wednesday 9-11:00 AM

Second Thursday 2-4:00 PM

Third Thursday 2-4:00 PM

Fourth Wednesday 3-5:00 PM

River Falls Public Health Office-

First Tuesday 3-5:00 PM

All routine school vaccines are available on a donation basis at the PH clinics.  Call Pierce County Public Health at 715-273-6755 to speak with a nurse to review your child’s current immunization status and to make an appointment to receive needed vaccine doses.  These are the current requirements/recommendations: 

Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design

Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design

Since 1970 Pierce County has had a home care agency that serves the residents of Pierce County.  Pierce County Home Care, like all home care programs is required to undergo a rigorous review by the state home care surveyor at least every 3 years.  This is an arduous process of policy and chart review as well as observed home visits.  The surveyor completed such a review of Pierce County Home Care recently and found that our staff provides quality, compassionate care to our clients.  Pierce County Home Care received no citations during this most recent check.  Congratulations to the entire home care staff!!!

Who really benefits from the farmers’ market?

The mutual benefits are numerous between the farmer and the consumer. The farmer can supplement their income, while the consumer benefits from locally grown farm-fresh products. This mutual relationship can strengthen the community. The economic opportunity to the farmer allows the money to feed back into community. When money is spent at the farmers market it helps boost the local economy. This can link rural and urban communities and bring together diverse people. Talking to the farmer who brings the products to your table allows you to know where your fresh produce is grown and your meat produced. Studies have shown there is more conversation in farmers’ markets than in local supermarkets. Farmers’ markets strengthen the local community and renew downtowns and neighborhoods. They bring the community together.

Shopping at your local farmers’ market promotes public health in numerous ways. It increases access to fresh produce, meat, poultry, eggs and other homemade products. Eating local foods improves diet and nutrition while promoting a healthy environment. Shopping at local markets can decrease air and vehicle pollution and fossil fuel use, decreases waste with less plastic and paper packaging of products, and encourages organic and pesticide free farming. Area residents benefit with perfectly ripened fruit and veggies. They are ripened on the vine and not in the truck as it travels to your local supermarket. Area supermarket produce may travel hundreds or thousands of miles over a couple weeks before they reach your dinner table. Local produce is picked just hours before the market and is at its peak of freshness and nutrient availability.

Remember you are nourishing your stomach and soul when you shop at your local farmers’ market and area farms. Don’t forget to check out the Farmers’ Markets in Pierce County. Besides fresh produce, area farmers’ markets and farms also have meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, maple syrup, honey, flowers and herbs, and locally made crafts and baked goods. You can feel good about it supporting your local farmers and community!!!

Ellsworth Farmer’s Market
East End Park
Tuesdays 3-6:30 pm

River Falls Farmers’ Market
Corner of East Locust St. and Second Street—one block off Main Street in downtown River Falls
Saturdays 8-12 noon and Tuesdays 3-6 pm

Prescott Farmers’ Market
Great River Road Learning Center
Thursdays 2-7 pm

Spring Valley Farmers’ Market
1 mile West of Spring Valley on Hwy 29 @ Team Oil Travel Center
Thursdays 2-6 pm

Access the farm fresh atlas which lists local farms and area farmers markets and view a harvest schedule online at:

http://www.wifarmfresh.org/

A list of the ‘Top 10 Reasons to Eat MORE Fruits & Vegetables”

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=1477

Resources:
Benefits highlighted are taken from an article by The Project for Public Spaces and The Farmers Market Coalition.

http://www.pps.org/articles/the-benefits-of-public-markets/

http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/

Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design