Colorado Smart Meal Program

The Smart Meal Seal Program was created by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado 5-A-Day Task Force and the Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program to establish nutrition requirements specifically designed for restaurant meals. Restaurants can showcase those entrees that are lower in fat and include components such as beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables by highlighting them with the Smart Meal Seal.

For more information visit Eat Right Colorado link.

Zumba Classes

For locations, costs, times, days, and phone numbers, please see "Zumba Classes" under Helpful Links.

Community Garden Mini-Grant Application

The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE), through a LiveWell Colorado grant, is helping to sponsor a community garden grant project called Project GROW (Gardeners Reaping Opportunities for Wellness).

Any group or organization interested in receiving a mini-grant up to $300 to start a project related to the broad definition of community gardens should either download a form from the website, or pick up an application at the Health Communication, Education and Planning (HCEP) office at the WCDPHE.

Nonprofit organizations, worksites, schools, faith-based groups and charitable organizations, especially involving children, are encouraged to apply. Each application needs to include a budget that will detail the specific amount of funding being requested and how the money will be spent. Applications for personal and family gardens will not be considered.
For more information see Community Garden Mini Grant in Applications.

Greeley Farmer's Market Healthy Cooking Demonstrations

LiveWell Weld County Coordinator and food enthusiast, Bobbie Puckett, shows how to turn your fresh farmer's market produce into healthy and delicious dishes during a monthly healthy cooking demonstration at the market. Most of the ingredients can be found at the farmer's market and are inexpensive and easy to prepare.

While you are there, check out the beautiful displays of farm fresh produce, naturally produced meats, starter herb and house plants, handmade soaps & other crafts by local artisans, and other unique & specialty food items. For those early risers, coffee & breakfast burritos are also available.

Location: At the train depot at 902 7th Avenue in Greeley
Days & Hours: Wednesdays from 3:00pm to 6:00pm and Saturdays from 7:30am to 12:00pm.

For more information see "Greeley Farmers Market" under Helpful links.

Healthy Eating & Active Living Education

Benefits of improving your eating and exercise habits:

• Have more energy and manage stress better.
• Reduce the risk for chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
• Maintain an optimal weight by finding a healthy balance between the calories you eat and those you burn with physical activity.

Start making healthy changes and get motivated:

• Talk to your health care provider about your personal health.
• Read and get informed about the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.
• Plan ahead so that changes become part of your daily routine.
• Be a role model for your children by being active, eating a healthy diet, and getting recommended medical screenings.
• Avoid risky behavior.
• Keep a food diary to become aware of what, when, where and how much food you eat.
• Help your body rediscover clues to hunger - like your stomach growling.
• Avoid eating to relieve stress or because you're bored.
• Exercise requires no special clothes or even a gym. Put on your tennis shoes and start walking!
• Set realistic goals, chart your progress, and reward your accomplishments.
• Remember that losing weight is a slow process (1 to 2 pounds per week) and that fad diets can be harmful to your health.

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans At-A-Glance: A Fact Sheet for Professionals is designed for busy professionals as a quick desk-side reference to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

These Guidelines are needed because of the importance of physical activity to the health of Americans, whose current inactivity puts them at unnecessary risk. The latest information shows that inactivity among American children, adolescents, and adults remains relatively high, and little progress has been made in increasing levels of physical activity among Americans.

For more information please see "Physical Activity Guidelines" in Helpful Links

Nutrition Guidelines from CDC

Carbohydrates
Not sure what to think about carbohydrates these days? You've come to the right section. Here are the facts to separate the hype from the truth about carbohydrates.

Dietary Fat
What counts as fat? Are some fats better than other fats? While fats are essential for normal body function, some fats are better for you than others. Trans fats, saturated fats and cholesterol are less healthy than polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

Water: Meeting Your Daily Fluid Needs
Ever notice how lifeless a house plant looks when you forget to water it? Just a little water and it seems to perk back up. Water is just as essential for our bodies because it is in every cell, tissue, and organ in your body. That's why getting enough water every day is important for your health.

Healthy people meet their fluid needs by drinking when thirsty and drinking fluids with meals. However, if you're outside in hot weather for most of the day or doing vigorous physical activity, you'll need to make an effort to drink more fluids.

What are the basic food groups?
Are you interested in healthy eating and having a balanced diet? If so, you'll want to learn more about food groups.

You may have grown up with the Basic 4: dairy group, meat group, grain group, and the fruits and vegetables group. As nutrition science has changed, so have these food groups.

Protein
What do you think about when you hear the word protein? Maybe it's an ad for some protein shake that promises massive muscles? Or is it the last high-protein diet craze you read about? With all this talk about protein, you might think Americans were at risk for not eating enough. In fact, most of us eat more protein than we need. Protein is in many foods that we eat on a regular basis.

Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins are organic substances (made by plants or animals), minerals are inorganic elements that come from the earth; soil and water and are absorbed by plants. Animals and humans absorb minerals from the plants they eat. Vitamins and minerals are nutrients that your body needs to grow and develop normally.

For more information please see Nutrition Guideline Links.