When working with technology the golden rule is: always have a Plan B ready, just in case Plan A does not work. This is forever true when working with students in a classroom, or presenting to the community. I always have my presentations on my laptop, saved in cyber-space via email to my administrative assistant just in case, have a printed hard-copy in my hands, saved on 'at least' one travel drive, and usually saved on one of my many wikis. Do you think that is over-kill? It isn't. Once in a while we run into a situation where technology fails us.
This week has been one of those times for me. A TV spot, recorded a few months ago, has aired during a variety of programs on NBC40 ten times between July 3 and July 10. During the same week the Health Update can be seen online at www.nbc40.net. Of course, this week the video link on the Health Update page is not working, so I have yet to see the spot message. I know the message is being aired since I have had two requests for programs as a result. I know the kind folks at NBC40 are aware of the problem and have been trying to correct the situation. It's just another one of those techno-blunder things....happens once in a while. At least the video clip will be seen in the Health Update Archives for along time to come! Long live technology!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
So much technology, so little time!
Today's technology makes life much easier in so many ways: it saves time, it saves energy, and it keeps us in constant communication with everyone. Lately I am experimenting with using Facebook to make announcements about activities and educational programs. I see the value of using it for professional purposes to let people know of upcoming events, etc. Twitter is also a new adventure for me. When Twitter first appeared on the Internet I could not understand its purpose, aside from kids using it to contact their friends with endless thoughts & activities. I'm starting to see this tool differently now, through the eyes of professionals and business. Today I saw a Twitter message from my cousin who sells real estate. What a terrific idea to spread the word of new listings! This week I posted my first announcement about a Workplace Wellness program I am conducting at Trump Casinos in Atlantic City on Twitter. A large step for me into the world of tweets! Watch out world....this digital immigrant is onto techno-gadgets!
Friday, May 15, 2009
My Favorite Web Resource Links!
I suppose I can't say enough about web sites that provide research-based information that is consumer ready. There are several links that I find myself gravitating to on a regular basis. My Pyramid.gov is a must see because of the many features it offers. You can input your diet for a day or several and see how your choices stack up nutritionally. The tool is so easy to use and gives you an instant response. The site includes games and activities for kids too!
When it comes to recipes searches I find CDC.gov useful, especially when suggesting recipes to consumers for general use, or for locating recipes for fact sheets and other hand-outs. The recipes I have tried from that site have been accurate and reliable, and the nutrient analysis easy to follow.
When preparing materials for recent Eat Well Spend Less presentations, I have found excellent recipes from Nebraska's Extension Service found at lancaster.unl.edu/FOOD/. I like the easy to use format and access to money saving recipes for families. The Cook It Quick section makes recipe searching fun.
Of course, our Rutgers Get Moving Get Healthy New Jersey website is excellent! The Walk New Jersey Point to Point features is popular among young and adults because of its ability to map your route and learn something about NJ along the way. Now you can ccess the early posts of our Family & Community Health Sciences department podcasts by going to itunes.rutgers.edu. Look for the Get Moving Get Healthy New Jersey logo and click to see the podcasts available. Stay tuned for additional podcasts int he very near future!
When it comes to recipes searches I find CDC.gov useful, especially when suggesting recipes to consumers for general use, or for locating recipes for fact sheets and other hand-outs. The recipes I have tried from that site have been accurate and reliable, and the nutrient analysis easy to follow.
When preparing materials for recent Eat Well Spend Less presentations, I have found excellent recipes from Nebraska's Extension Service found at lancaster.unl.edu/FOOD/. I like the easy to use format and access to money saving recipes for families. The Cook It Quick section makes recipe searching fun.
Of course, our Rutgers Get Moving Get Healthy New Jersey website is excellent! The Walk New Jersey Point to Point features is popular among young and adults because of its ability to map your route and learn something about NJ along the way. Now you can ccess the early posts of our Family & Community Health Sciences department podcasts by going to itunes.rutgers.edu. Look for the Get Moving Get Healthy New Jersey logo and click to see the podcasts available. Stay tuned for additional podcasts int he very near future!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Families, Food and Fitness Community of Practice
I am pleased to announce that I have joined the Families, Food and Fitness Community of Practice on eXtension! The Community of Practice (COP) serves as a means of communicating with fellow Extension Agents in the effort to continually improve programming. The COP shares information, ideas, opportunities to collaborate, and learn from each other. The COP is currently developing its web pages. I look forward to learning, sharing and experimenting with colleagues in the future. Look for additional information and updates as they become available. To access eXtension and learn more about their work visit www.extension.org.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Health Myths
I was recently asked to write about Health Myths. This was my response:
Myth: I have to join a gym and go on a rigid diet plan to lose weight. The truth is that people do not need to go to extremes to improve their health. They do need to be more physically active and eat a healthy diet to lose weight. Increasing your physical activity can be as simple as walking additional steps everyday. You can calculate your step per day by purchasing an inexpensive pedometer. Track your steps at Walk NJ Point-to-Point at www.getmovinggethealthynj.rutgers.edu.
Myth: Eating a few extra calories per day can’t make me gain weight. The truth is that as little as 150 extra calories (equivalent to a granola bar) per day can cause some people to gain up to 10 pounds in a year. Use the food intake calculator at www.mypyramid.gov for feedback on the amount of food and nutrients you are consuming.
Myth: To lose weight I have to starve myself.
The truth is that the best way to lose weight is to consume a variety that includes fresh fruit and vegetables (between 5 and 9 1/2 cup servings) everyday, choose 3-4 ounces of lean meat that is baked grilled, or broiled, and choose whole grain cereals and breads. Stay away from foods that are high in sugar, fat, and sodium. Drink water instead of sweetened drinks. Information about dietary guidelines can be found at www.mypyramid.gov.
Myth: If children are overweight today they will outgrow it by the time they are adults.
The truth is overweight children often become overweight adults. Children at young ages now have illnesses once thought to occur only in adults, such as type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol and blood pressure, which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke. The mental health consequences for overweight children are far reaching including issues of depression, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Overweight youth are often socially excluded by their peers and thus remain isolated. Additional information can be found at www.njaes.rutgers.edu.
Myth: I have to join a gym and go on a rigid diet plan to lose weight. The truth is that people do not need to go to extremes to improve their health. They do need to be more physically active and eat a healthy diet to lose weight. Increasing your physical activity can be as simple as walking additional steps everyday. You can calculate your step per day by purchasing an inexpensive pedometer. Track your steps at Walk NJ Point-to-Point at www.getmovinggethealthynj.rutgers.edu.
Myth: Eating a few extra calories per day can’t make me gain weight. The truth is that as little as 150 extra calories (equivalent to a granola bar) per day can cause some people to gain up to 10 pounds in a year. Use the food intake calculator at www.mypyramid.gov for feedback on the amount of food and nutrients you are consuming.
Myth: To lose weight I have to starve myself.
The truth is that the best way to lose weight is to consume a variety that includes fresh fruit and vegetables (between 5 and 9 1/2 cup servings) everyday, choose 3-4 ounces of lean meat that is baked grilled, or broiled, and choose whole grain cereals and breads. Stay away from foods that are high in sugar, fat, and sodium. Drink water instead of sweetened drinks. Information about dietary guidelines can be found at www.mypyramid.gov.
Myth: If children are overweight today they will outgrow it by the time they are adults.
The truth is overweight children often become overweight adults. Children at young ages now have illnesses once thought to occur only in adults, such as type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol and blood pressure, which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke. The mental health consequences for overweight children are far reaching including issues of depression, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Overweight youth are often socially excluded by their peers and thus remain isolated. Additional information can be found at www.njaes.rutgers.edu.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Get Moving Get Healthy New Jersey is linked on Rachel Ray's Website
Rachel Ray's Yum-O! website is featuring information about our Get Moving Get Healthy New Jersey initiative! It is very exciting for our Rutgers Cooperative Extension programs to be recognized by a well-known celebrity like Rachel Ray.
Please visit the Yum-O site for additional information about the exciting programs offered by the Family & Community Health Sciences and 4-H Youth Development Departments at Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Some of the programs include a Walk NJ Point to Point virtual walking tour, information about eating a healthy diet and strategies for increasing your physical activity.
Please visit the Yum-O site for additional information about the exciting programs offered by the Family & Community Health Sciences and 4-H Youth Development Departments at Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Some of the programs include a Walk NJ Point to Point virtual walking tour, information about eating a healthy diet and strategies for increasing your physical activity.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Best Laughter Resources
Last summer I participated in the Certified Laughter Leader Training in Philadelphia. Steve Wilson from the World Laughter Tour was the trainer. The training was awesome and has lead me to reconfiguring several of my presentations to include laughter as a physical activity. Sessions like 'Healthy Lifestyle and Laughter', 'Stress Less with Laughter', 'Lower Your Blood Pressure with Healthy Food and Laughter', and 'Have a Healthy Heart with Laughter' have all been very successful. The senior community and workplace love the laughter sessions!
Some great resources include the following:
World Laughter Tour
Laughter Foundation
Humor Month (April)
These links will get you started on the road to merriment and mirth! Laughter is excellent for your health because it is know increase your heart rate (in a good way), lower your blood pressure, increase your endorphins, improve your ventilation, lower your blood sugar, lower your cholesterol, and much more. Add more laughter to your life and you will feel better! Ho, ho, ha, ha ha!
Some great resources include the following:
World Laughter Tour
Laughter Foundation
Humor Month (April)
These links will get you started on the road to merriment and mirth! Laughter is excellent for your health because it is know increase your heart rate (in a good way), lower your blood pressure, increase your endorphins, improve your ventilation, lower your blood sugar, lower your cholesterol, and much more. Add more laughter to your life and you will feel better! Ho, ho, ha, ha ha!
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