Opinion

Plan on being well and eating better in 2010

Monday, January 4, 2010

The holidays and 2009 are now behind us. It is time to set goals and start making plans for 2010. While I'm not a big fan of winter, I do like this time of year because at least for a few weeks it seems like things slow down, at least bit. There aren't quite so many meetings and even though we may not have the luxury of starting over with everything in our lives, we do get to turn the page on a new calendar and think about things we want to do or do better in the new year.

One area that people often wish they could improve is their diet. Two programs that are being offered through the Putnam County Office of the Purdue Extension Service this month might be just the thing to help you, if your goal is to change your overall health or the way you eat. Anyone interested in either of these programs is welcome to attend. "Health Motivator" Training is set for 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7 in the Extension Office Classroom and a Food Preservation Workshop is set for Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Putnam County Library.

Traditionally many Americans begin a diet the first week in January and "blow it" by the second week. Now is the time to stop dieting and to focus instead on healthy living habits that last a lifetime. It is time to stop obsessing about weight or being thin and instead to focus on healthy habits that prevent eating and weight problems, rather than intensifying them, as diets often do.

Instead of dieting, Putnam County residents are encouraged to develop healthy living habits for a lifetime. Health Motivator training is being offered to help a number of people in the community to encourage themselves and others to be more active. People will be encouraged to think about their health and ways that they can increase their level of physical activity in their own way every day. Those who haven't been active for a while will be encouraged to start slowly and build up gradually.

Those who participate in the 2010 Get Moving/Health Motivator program will receive monthly tips for ways to improve their health and may report or compete in some group activities if they like. Those who meet on Thursday will help plan ways to encourage participation and ways to motivate participants to increase their levels of physical activity. Some will use pedometers to track their steps if they like. Others will be welcomed to participate and increase activity in whatever way they prefer.

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The Food Preservation Workshop on Jan. 19 is being offered as a way to turn the hard work in your garden into food you can enjoy all year. Now is the time to learn about the latest changes in recommendations for proper food preservation, as well as to receive tips on how to succeed when entering Food Preservation exhibits at either the county or state fair.

Virginia Servies of Montgomery County will lead the workshop and Putnam County Extension Staff will provide free testing of pressure canner gauges. This workshop is being sponsored by Putnam County Farm Bureau, Inc., the Putnam County Hospital and the Putnam County Office of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service. The workshop is free but participants are asked to register by Jan. 15.

Check our website www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view the most up to date info. You can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding column topics or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming Events:

Jan. 6-8: Green Expo- Indiana Convention Center

Jan. 7: Health Motivator Training -- at Extension Office 1 p.m.

Jan. 7: Junior Leader Kick-off, County Annex Gym, 6 p.m.

Jan. 13: Putnam County Health Coalition --Extension Office 10 a.m.

Jan. 15: Indiana Livestock Forge and Grain Forum

Jan. 15: Indiana 4-H Foundation Scholarships Due

Jan. 19: Food Preservation Workshop, Putnam Co. Library, 6-8 p.m.

Jan. 19-21: Horticulture Congress -- Indianapolis

Jan. 24: Deadline for registration for Growing for Market II -- Putnam County

Feb. 3: Extension Homemaker County Council -- Extension Office --11:30 a.m.

Feb. 8: E.H. Lesson "Repotting & Replanting for the Home"--1 p.m. at Ext. Office

Feb. 13: 4-H Beef Tagging and Weigh-in, Fairgrounds, 9 a.m.

April 16: Putnam County 4-H Scholarships Due