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Features this Month:
Healthy Kids Day Event
On Saturday, April 18, the Boll Family YMCA invites the community to participate in YMCA Healthy Kids® Day, the nation’s largest health day for children and families. YMCA Healthy Kids Day includes fun, engaging and creative activities for children and families and promotes year-long wellness and healthy living.
The event will be held from 12p.m. to 3p.m. at the Boll Family YMCA, 1401 Broadway Detroit, Michigan 48226. The event is free and open to the public. Activities will include:
- Basketball Clinic from 1pm-2pm for youth put on by Cheryl Reeve, Assistant Coach for the Detroit Shock
- Pets are Family Too – an interactive pet care program put on by our Child Development Center
- Spine Screenings – receive a free scan by HealthQuest
- Tai Chi sampler – try a class to help reduce stress for the whole family
- Aquatic Safety Safari – learn about boating and water safety in our pool.
- Fire Safety – Learn tips for fire safety from the Detroit Fire Department
- Bicycle Safety – learn safe bike riding and learn about a green mode of transportation
- Day Camp Open House – learn about the exciting program offered for youth in the summer
- Massage – Receive a short massage from Ernie out massage therapist
- Many more activities – come out and enjoy the various activities and classes at the Boll Family YMCA in the heart of downtown Detroit
We'll be providing free T-Shirts while supplies last! For more information call (313) 309-YMCA (9622) or visit www.ymcadetroit.org/boll.
Nutrition for Less
In an effort to save money at the grocery store, try not to short-change yourself or your family when it comes to nutrition. Plenty of inexpensive, packaged and processed foods can be tempting because the price seems right, but paying money for empty calories—those with little nutritional value that don’t keep you feeling full—isn’t smart shopping. Remember that food is fuel for your body and mind and that poor nutritional choices can impact your energy and health, making the extra you pay for the right foods well worth it. Some ways to cut costs and eat nutritionally:
- Serve more meatless meals. As long as you’re getting protein from other sources, meat, which tends to be expensive, can be served less often.
- Take advantage of sale prices on typically pricey nutritious foods such as organic products, the more exotic fruits and vegetables, meat and fish.
- Snack on fruits, vegetables and nuts. They’re a much better value (and better for you) than chips.
- Embrace leftovers. By stretching a recipe and eating a smaller portion, you’ve got enough for another meal.
- Buy store-brand products whenever possible. There is rarely any real difference in product, just price.
- Don’t forget the old staples: eggs, potatoes, fruit and vegetables (frozen and canned—in their own juices and without added sugar or salt—are just fine if you can’t get fresh), pasta, beans—all provide nutritional content, can be prepared in a variety of ways and are relatively inexpensive.
- Foods high in water, protein and fiber make you feel fuller longer.
- Start cooking. Invest in an inexpensive cookbook or use the Internet to find simple recipes you can prepare. You’ll eat healthier and save money.
With a little extra time spent planning, shopping, preparing and storing foods, you’ll be able to eat nutritionally for less. For more information on healthy choices you can make at home, as well as recipe ideas, visit www.healthyfamilyhome.org.
How Much Physical Activity do you Need? New Guidelines Announced
New physical activity guidelines were released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in October 2008, and they offer Americans the first comprehensive federal guidelines on physical activity. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines set achievable goals for everyone and can be customized according to a person’s interests, lifestyle and needs. Among the recommendations:
- Children and adolescents should do 1 hour (60 minutes) or more of aerobic physical activity every day.
- Adults (ages 18-64) should do 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, preferably spread throughout the week.
- Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups two or more days per week.
- Older adults (ages 65 and older) should follow the adult guidelines. If this is not possible due to limiting chronic conditions, older adults should be as physically active as their abilities allow.
For more information about the new activity guidelines, visit the cdc's website.
YMCA Strong Kids Campaign
Join Piston’s Guard Arron Afflalo today in support of the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. The annual scholarship campaign helps ensure all children have access to great YMCA programming, like youth sports, after-school programs and day camp.
The Strong Kids Campaign raises much needed financial support for children, teens and families who are unable to afford the full cost of participation in a YMCA program or activity.
Each year more than 3,000 donors give some $1.5 million to SKC, supporting more than 4,000 families and children in Metro Detroit. The need has never been greater. The community campaign ends soon, so donate now.
The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign: Are you in?
To join the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, donate now on our website or visit the front desk.
The Sneaker Project 09 To Feature 100 Years of Creative Sneaker Design
The four-day event opens Friday, April 3 at the Boll Family YMCA and runs through Monday, April 6, and celebrates the influence of the sneaker in basketball, design, and as a major cultural influence with today’s youth.
This year’s event includes an exhibit on the YMCA as the birthplace of basketball and highlights 100 years of creative sneaker design, with sneaker collectors and designers from around the country. Visitors to the exhibit will be able to see a pair of original Chuck Taylor shoes from the early 1900s, a collection of all 23 Air Jordans, a group collection of rare and collectible sneakers owned by local sneaker freaks and win a pair of Dwayne Wade signature shoes. In collaboration with the College for Creative Studies, the exhibit will also showcase sneakers designed by CCS students.
Proceeds from the four-day event benefit the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.
For further information call 313-223-2751 or visit www.thesneakerproject.org
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