FitCity Moms Blog » Weekly Links

Weekly news links week of May 31

Lisa Vielee — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:51:35 +0000

We start off this week’s news links with the big news in the world of health and nutrition – MyPlate has replaced the food pyramid as the means of helping Americans make healthy food choices. Our second link includes photos from a mom who already uses the plate to plan out her kids meals. Then, since the warm weather has us feeling a bit lighter, we thought our other links should be light-hearted and fun too.

Enjoy our links and the warm weather this weekend.

Nutrition Plate Unveiled, Replacing Food Pyramid
Nytimes.com
Bye, bye pyramid, there’s a new shape in town to help Americans make healthier food choices. It’s a circle, or actually a plate, with divided sections to show what portions of your plate should include different food groups.

The New USDA Food Plate
Superhealthykids.com
This mom shares great pictures of what a healthy plate should look like.

How Kids Can Help in the Garden
Fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org
Five easy veggies your kids can grow and five ways they can help in your garden.

Our first upside down tomato garden
Laughing-stalk.blogspot.com
A little humor from one of our favorite bloggers, Erik Dekers. This blog post proves that every gardener has to start somewhere.

Let them eat pancakes at Allez! Pancake Café
Indystar.com
This new food vendor takes a healthy twist on a familiar favorite.

Weekly news links week of May 23

Eleather Baker — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:16:10 +0000

We’ve put together another eclectic mix of articles for this week’s news links. We start with the bad news: Indianapolis is still not making the grade as far as health issues. In fact, we’re #45 in an annual ranking of the 50 most populated cities. Read the article, and tell us what you think Indianapolis needs to do to improve the health of our Indy-area residents. We also want you to weigh in what you think about some health professionals’ efforts to fire Ronald McDonald on the grounds that he is promoting unhealthy eating options to kids.

Read on . . .and then tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.

Area’s health ranking falls for 3rd year in a row
Indystar.com
According to the American College of Sports Medicine’s American Fitness Index, Indianapolis continues to fall in the ranks. Right now, we’re just above Detroit. Find out why we’re falling in the rankings and learn why Minneapolis may need to be our city’s fitness role model.

McDonald’s Under Pressure to Fire Ronald
Wsj.com
You probably heard about how some people want to put Ronald McDonald. They say Ronald is hawking junk foods to kids. What do you think?

Summer Safety: Riding Bikes
Wthr.com
School is almost out, and the temperatures are rising so kids will be out riding bikes. Follow these tips to keep your kids safe.

Get Your Copy of the 2011-2012 Indianapolis Food, Farm and Family Coalition’s Local Food Guide
Goinglocal-info.com
Download this 28-page guide to local farms, farmers markets and more in Boone, Hamilton, Hendricks, Marion and other central Indiana Counties. A great resource!

Weekly news links week of May 16

Lisa Vielee — Wed, 18 May 2011 02:42:40 +0000

Spring is trying to spring, but it doesn’t appear that the weather is ready to cooperate. Still, cooler temps are not an excuse for being inactive. The first article in our weekly news links reminds us of the dangers of leading a sedentary lifestyle. The rest of our articles remind us of about a few of the positive things we can look forward to in the months ahead – like more farmers’ markets, bicycling and walking/5K events.

Sitting still: hazardous to your health
Indystar.com
Find out what new research says about how sitting too much impacts your health, plus tips on how to stay active at work.

Indiana Agritourism and Farmers’ Market Online Directory
In.gov
Extensive list of farmers’ markets across Indiana. Search by product, location or county, and find out when your favorite fruits and veggies will be in season.

Freewheelin Bikes
Freewheelinbikes.org
We posted about this organization on Facebook this week, but we had to mention it again. Starting May 21, this local group will lead bike rides around Indy. They’ll travel to the Indianapolis Art Museum to Zionsville to Carmel and everywhere in between. The program is designed for kids ages 10 to 15, but families are welcome too.

Upcoming Indy Area Events
Tuxbro.com
Tis the season for walks, runs, triathlons, 5Ks and more. This calendar has links with details about 15 Indy area events between now and the end of August.

Weekly news links week of May 2

Eleather Baker — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:06:35 +0000

This week’s news is all about running. We’re highlighting articles and blogs about individuals and groups who run (or walk). Read this week’s links to find out how they train, what motivates them and how they overcome challenges.

Be sure to read about Team Legacy, the group from Arsenal Technical High School that has been training for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Good luck to Team Legacy and to all who are mini this Saturday.

3 Mini runners look to raise $100K for Haiti
Indystar.com
People run the mini for many different reasons. This trio will be running for a cause. As Mark Wilkerson explains, “When you’re running with friends and family and for a cause, it makes it all the more special,” he said. Find out how you can help them meet their fundraising goal.

The hardest week is behind us!
Jhbcc.org
Team Legacy is a group made up of high school students, teachers and staff from Arsenal Technical High School who are training hard to walk and run in this year’s mini-marathon. Last week they completed 10 miles! Check on the progress and send them a word of encouragement.

My Last Marathon
Mylastmarathon.blogspot.com
She started running . . .and now she’s decided to stop. Follow her on her ups and downs, right to her final race on June 18.

Balancing Fitness With Family
Active.com
Read about Moms in Motion, a group that helps women balance their running, cycling, hiking and other fitness activities with their work and family life.

Weekly news links week of April 25

Lisa Vielee — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:42:16 +0000

In this week’s news links, find out about the community garden craze that is sweeping across Indianapolis, from the JCC on the north side to two community gardens on the west side. In addition, nine gardens are planned at Indianapolis Public Schools that will help teach students about the life cycle of food and help combat childhood obesity by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Browse through our other news links, and be sure to check out weelicious, a helpful website and blog for parents looking for healthy recipes and ideas.

Urban gardening is a growing concern
Indystar.com
Community gardens are sprouting all over Indy. Indiana University Health and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful plan to install vegetable garden plots at nine Indianapolis Public Schools locations.

10 Snacks Under 100 Calories!
Flourishyourlife.com
Forget about the tiny, bag with 10 crackers inside. Annessa has 10 real snack ideas.

Chicken Myths
Christinerosenbloom.blogspot.com
Five myths about chicken. For example, you’ve probably heard that you should remove the skin before you cook the chicken. This article explains why you should keep the skin on while you cook your chicken.

Deviled Eggs “Chicks” Program
Weelicious.com
We just discovered this blog, and had to share it with you. This recipe shows a really cute way to use up some of those leftover Easter eggs. This blog also has great contests and giveaways.

Weekly news links week of April 18

Eleather Baker — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:45:07 +0000

There’s a lot going on in local news. First, we want to say congratulations to all of those who participated in the Komen Indy Race for the Cure this past weekend. This week’s new links includes a recap from this inspiring event, plus news about healthy changes that will impact our community.

Thousands brave cold, rain for Komen run
Wthr.com
Approximately 40,000 people braved the elements this year for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to support breast cancer research. Our own FitCity Mom, Kelly Bailey Young, coordinated this year’s event. Congrats to Kelly and to all of the volunteers and participants.

Running program gets homeless back on their feet
Indystar.com
Indianapolis has a chapter of Back On My Feet, a program that helps homeless people with jobs and life counseling. The program uses running to help teach confidence and discipline.

City plans 33 miles of new bike lanes this year
Indystar.com
The city of Indianapolis is making plans for more bike paths. Find out where the new paths will be added.

Indianapolis City Market Presents the Return of the Original Farmers’ Market on May 4
Goinglocal-info.com
Mark your calendars. The opening of the downtown farmers’ market is about two weeks away.

Weekly news links week of April 11

Lisa Vielee — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:38:21 +0000

This week’s news links share ideas for getting kids excited about healthy eating. Find out how chefs are working in Indianapolis-area schools, plus find fun printable coloring sheets and activities to get your kids excited about gardening.

Program puts chefs into schools to promote nutrition, fight obesity
Indystar.com
Chefs are working in the cafeteria in three local school districts to help schools develop menus, help students make healthy choices and more. The initiative is a part of the national Let’s Move childhood obesity campaign.

Group anoints Circle Centre as ‘walking path’
Indystar.com
Circle Centre is the first official American Heart Association Walking Path in Central Indiana. You can enjoy walking in Circle Centre two hours before stores open until closing time. The “path” is one of 250 designated paths in the U.S.

Does Just Thinking About Exercise Wear You Out?
Flourishyourlife.com
Need some motivation to get you moving again? See Annessa’s tips.

Kids Garden Activities and Learning Page
Nourishinteractive.com
Help your kids get excited about planting a garden this year with these fun pages and activities.

Weekly news links week of April 4

Eleather Baker — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:46:21 +0000

We’re thinking about smoothies this week. The deadline for our FitCity Make-Your-Own-Smoothie contest is this Friday, April 8. If you haven’t already, send us your favorite recipe and you could win $75 and appear on Indy Style on WISH-TV 8 to share your recipe.

Need some help crafting a smoothie recipe? Try our color wheel to blend together a healthy, colorful way to drink in your fruits and veggies.

Enjoy the rest of our news links . . .

FitCity: Great resource, smoothie contest ($)
Indystar.com
Extra! Extra! Read all about FitCity and our smoothie contest in The Indianapolis Star. Fit for Life is one of our favorite local blogs, so read it weekly to be in the know about health and fitness in Indy.

Best and Worst Smoothies
Webmd.com
Is your favorite smoothie really healthy? Check out this chart before you order your next one.

And the littlest child shall race right by them
Boston.com
According to this article, the number of entries in kid-friendly running events is increasing. If your kids are interested in running and exercise, sign them up for local events like the 4th Annual Indianapolis Kids Triathalon at the JCC on June 26.

Indiana Health Ranking Pinpoints Best, Worst Counties
Theindychannel.com
Marion County does not rank very high on the list, but our neighbors to the north and west placed high on the list. Find out how we’re doing and tell us in the comments section below what you think Indy can do to move up in the ranks.

Weekly news links week of March 28

Lisa Vielee — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:14:12 +0000

It’s spring, so we’re thinking about gardening, fresh produce and warmer temperatures. Our news links have news and tips you can use in the next few months, whether you’re thinking about starting a garden this year or wondering when and where you can find fresh, local produce.

Community garden project set for Westside
Indystar.com
Community gardens are popping up all across Indianapolis. The latest will be on the far-Westside. You can reserve a 25 by 30 foot plot for just $20.

Indiana Farmers’ Market News
Going-Local.com
Many Indiana farmers’ markets will be opening soon. Check here for the dates, times and locations for spring and summer markets.

Edible Gardening to Highlight Orchard in Bloom 2011
Indianalivinggreen.com
Mark your calendar for Orchard in Bloom, April 28 to May 1. This year’s event will include edible landscapes and displays, and visitors can learn how to grow edible flowers and vegetables and lead a greener, healthier lifestyle.

Stop the yo-yo routine
Ontrackfitness.blogspot.com
Now that the weather is getting warmer, you might be ready to start a new exercise program. Find out three tips for starting a fitness routine and sticking with it.

Weekly news links week of March 21

Eleather Baker — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:05:29 +0000

It’s OK to enjoy a healthy snack between meals, and this week’s news links share plenty of tasty ideas for kids, teens and adults. Check out the green smoothie idea in our last article, and find out how you can win $75 by sharing your smoothie recipe.

Go on and indulge in nutritious and tasty between-meal snacks
Indystar.com
This jam-packed article has great snack ideas from real families.

Smoothies do more than just taste good
Indystar.com
These two smoothie recipes pack a healthy punch. Try The Tummy Smoother or The Immunity Builder.

How can I eat healthy if I have to buy in bulk?
Cnn.com
This article shares ideas for healthy foods with a long shelf-life, including whole grains, nuts, dried fruits and more.

This Green Smoothie Does NOT Taste Like Grass
Snack-girl.com
Smoothies can help you drink in your fruits, veggies and nutrients. Give this recipe a try, or if you want to share a recipe with us, enter our Make-Your-Own-Smoothie Challenge!