Warmer Temperatures Bring Us Out to the Picnic Table

The first truly warm days of April are priceless. It's a great time to wipe down or throw a cloth over the picnic table. Now...what to put on that table? How about starting with a little fruit dessert that is incredibly healthy and, at the same time, a quick fix. Who wants to spend lots of time in the kitchen on these days? Dice up an apple, a pear, and a kiwi. Add some grapes and blueberries. Drizzle a little honey over the fruit and add some pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds. What could be easier, tastier, healthier or simpler? Let's get into practice of creating some easy yet healthy foods...there's too much good weather coming to not be outside. Enjoy!

Walk a Mile in My Shoes...Better Yet, Walk a Mile in YOUR Shoes

Some of us remember the old song, "Walk a Mile in My Shoes".  The basis of the song is one of commiserating with the singer and the hard times he has experienced. He's pretty well down and out. And, he'd like us to experience that as well to better understand his mood.


That song just never did it for me.


How about we just all put on our own shoes and literally walk a mile?


The recent health study on Pike County shows that in the area of morbidity, we rank 91st out of 92 counties. Yikes. What does morbidity mean? This particular study looked at  areas that comprise their definition of morbidity, namely  poor physical health days and poor mental health days.


What to do--what to do?


Let's start with the simple. It's pretty out today and will, more than likely to be pretty more than it's not considering it's April. Besides that, like it or not, it's not really dark until nearly 9:00 p.m. these days. So... when you get up, or get in from work, or take a general notion, put on some comfy shoes and walk a mile in them. Can't do that much at first? That's okay. Set your sights on half a mile--a quarter mile--up and down the driveway. Anything will suffice as long as you're moving. One down--that pesky poor physical health days measure.


If your health is currently in jeopardy, of course you'll want to first check with your doctor. 


People tend to burn themselves out with grandiose notions of jogging a mile or five. Recent studies have shown what people for generations have know--walking does wonders. And, it's cheap. A decent pair of shoes and you're on your way--truly.


Research on humans and their moods has shown conclusively that when we're engaged in something we enjoy, our mood is elevated. We feel happier, or at least more content. Get up and moving about tends to have that effect. When you have a goal--no matter how small--and you accomplish it, you feel better. Another natural mood enhancer. Two down--less poor mental health days.


Give a trip around the block a try. Time to go out, get some fresh air, look at all the green that's appearing everywhere. Your mood will get better and maybe the next time you walk your body will be more willing, too.

90th??? Let's Get Something Started!

I, along with countless others I'm hoping, read with a sense of disbelief that our county ranked 90th out of 92 counties in Indiana in a recent report http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/indiana/pike

I do believe it's time to Eat Well, Live Well Otwell...


Let's look at the first two items on the chart:


1--As a county, we rank 89th in premature deaths--only three counties in the state have more premature deaths than Pike County


2--Morbidity Rates--22% of Pike Countians of all ages rate their health as fair or poor. 4.5 out of every 30 days are seen as "sick" days with health problems. 4.8 out of every 30 days are seen as mentally unhealthy days. 10.1% of all babies born to Pike County citizens are low birth weight--4% higher than the national average.




I suggest we get a little revolution of our own going. I know of a fine blogger in the Winslow area that is an excellent writer and very dedicated to the area. Rose...are you with me? That takes care of 2 of the towns in the county. Any bloggers out there from the Petersburg area? Hop on board. Let's get this ranking up in a year. We can do it. 


Let this be the challenge to all the churches, the schools, the community organizations, the community centers, the health professionals...everyone. We can all do a small part to get our county out of ICU...we are in critical condition and this needs to change. The sooner the better.


I encourage anyone to sign on as a follower of this blog and any other blogs that are related to this cause. Let's get the good ideas going in the comments sections...let's start thinking about turning some dirt over this spring and planting a few plants to share with others so we can all have healthier diets. Let's get out and walk, walk, walk. We don't have a lot of facilities, but we have a lot of acreage around here and walking is pretty cheap.


Are you with me?


90th out of 92 counties is unacceptable. We have to do something. Let's start now...ideas, anyone?