Greetings friends of Live Well Ferguson!

We all know that winter is cold, and the days get dark earlier. Don’t let the season get you down; winter is a great time to motivate yourself and improve your overall attitude. There are a few important things to keep in mind when challenging yourself to improve your health during the winter.

1. Getting enough sunlight is important. If it is dark when you leave your home in the morning and dark when you return, the day can seem dreary. Going outside during the day when the sun is out will increase your Vitamin D intake to improve your bone health and your mood. A little sunshine goes a long way on a winter day.
   
   
2. Exercising is a sure way to boost your mood. Don’t let the darker days get you down. Grab a friend and go for a brisk walk outside to get some sunshine and exercise. Having someone by your side to motivate you to exercise will help you reach your overall health goals. Regular exercise will also prepare your body for fighting off winter sicknesses. A brisk thirty minute walk four to five times per week will increase your body’s ability to fight off infections.
   
   
3. Get comfortable without comfort foods. Even though we may crave foods that are high in carbohydrates when we are cozied up during the winter, they leave us tired and wanting a long winter nap. The next time you are craving a bowl of macaroni and cheese, cook up some winter greens to satisfy that craving for a healthy food that will boost your energy level. If you’re eating out, try an Eat Well Ferguson menu item at participating restaurants that contains fruits or vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and a healthy fat source.

Live active! Live healthy! Live well!
Live Well Ferguson

Upcoming Events

• February 1 - Live Well Ferguson Taskforce Meeting
  
• February 6 - Ferguson Twilight 5K Planning Meeting
• February 16 - Ferguson Recreation Tai Chi classes begin
• February 17 - Ferguson Recreation Teen Trip to the City Museum
• February 18 - Winter Ferguson Farmers’ Market at St. Stephen’s The Vine
• February 21 - Ferguson Recreation Yoga classes begin
• February 28 - Live Well Ferguson MPRA Conference Presentation
• March 1 - Form-Based Code Community Meeting

Form-Based Code Community Meeting

How, what and where we build determine the vitality of communities. Live Well Ferguson and the City of Ferguson are developing a tool for Downtown Ferguson called a form-based code to encourage development that supports a healthy local economy and active lifestyle. You can be a part of the planning process by contributing your ideas about the future appearance and function of Downtown Ferguson! Attend the Community Meeting on Thursday, March 1 at 6:30pm at the Ferguson City Hall Council Chambers and help shape the future of Downtown Ferguson! Attendees will participate in an Image Preference Survey that collects your ideas of how Downtown could look. The ideas generated at this meeting will be used to create a code that physically implements the community’s vision for a healthy, active and vibrant Downtown Ferguson.

Maline Greenway

The Maline Creek runs through Berkeley, Kinloch, Ferguson, Jennings, Moline Acres, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Riverview, St. Louis City and unincorporated St. Louis County into the Mississippi River. The Maline Greenway is a connection of off-road trails, on-street bicycle facilities and open space planned by Great Rivers Greenway along the Maline Creek. The greenway will strive to incorporate stormwater best management practices to enhance water quality and quantity in Maline Creek. The Plaza at 501 will serve as a trailhead, and the greenway will also connect Forestwood Park and the Ted Jones Trail in Ferguson. The finalization of the Maline Greenway Concept Plan is underway. The next step will be engineering of the off-road trails and on-street bicycle facilities in Ferguson and other areas of North St. Louis County before construction begins.

Live Well Ferguson Education, Marketing and Ambassador Subcommittees

Positions are available and open to the public on Live Well Ferguson's Education, Marketing and Ambassador Subcommittees. The Education Subcommittee adapts the message of Live Well Ferguson to reach local and regional target audiences. This committee educates others about Live Well Ferguson as well as educates the people of Ferguson about other active living and healthy eating initiatives taking place throughout the region. The Marketing Committee seeks out speaking and dissemination opportunities and identifies current best practices in active living and healthy eating programs. This committee helps to create marketing materials for Live Well Ferguson and provides them to local media outlets. The Ambassador Committee identifies new and creative ways to increase participation at Live Well Ferguson events. This committee represents Live Well Ferguson at local and regional events, using information provided by the Education Committee and materials provided by the Marketing Committee. Contact Elizabeth at 314-521-4661 or esimons@fergusoncity.com if you are interested in being on a Live Well Ferguson Subcommittee.

Ferguson Twilight 5K Hidden Prizes

Congratulations to Lisa Chabot for winning the first Ferguson Twilight 5K hidden prize! Lisa won a 5K tshirt. Additional tshirts and free event registrations will be hidden throughout the St. Louis region in the months and weeks leading up to the 3rd Annual Ferguson Twilight 5K on May 19, 2012. To claim a prize, you must correctly identify the location where it is hidden and be the first person to show up at the location of the hidden prize. If the prize is there, it’s yours! To see the locations of the hidden tshirts and free registrations, check the Live Well Ferguson Run facebook page. Want to run in the Ferguson Twilight 5K but having trouble just getting off the couch? No problem! Couch to 5K training programs prove that anyone can cross the finish line. The Ferguson Couch to 5K training program begins on March 19, and the 24:1 Couch to 5K program on the St. Vincent Greenway begins on March 24. Both programs are free and open to the public. For more information about the Ferguson C25K, contact Pat Shelton at 314-712-7633. For more information about the 24:1 C25K, contact Marius Johnson at 314-882-6550. Sign up for the race today! Already signed up? Encourage your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors to join you and keep you motivated to cross the finish line! Teams of ten or more receive a discount in the 5K registration, and teams of four or more receive a discount in the one mile registration. Need some more motivation? Watch how these runners and walkers are getting pumped up for the race day!

Live Active: Daily Dose of Active Living

Reduce stress with Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art practiced for both self-defense and health benefits. Practicing Tai Chi connects your mind and body and improves balance, flexibility and calmness. In Tai Chi, a series of postures are performed with slow, graceful movements. Your body stays in constant motion as each posture flows into the next. Register for the Ferguson Recreation Tai Chi class beginning on February 16 by calling 314-521-4661.

Live Healthy: Good Eating in Season

Quinoa is considered to be one of the healthiest foods because it contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Quinoa is also a whole grain. Getting enough whole grains in your diet can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Quinoa was once considered “the gold of the Incas” because of its ability to improve the strength of warriors. For a sweet treat, try the gluten-free quinoa cookie at Free Range Cookies.

Curried Quinoa - serves 6

Live Well: Healthy Hero Linda Daniels

Live Well Ferguson: What motivates you to practice a healthy lifestyle?

Linda: Eating well and exercising give me more energy. The extra strength gained through exercise makes it possible for me to handle a lot of heavy lifting on the job.

LWF: What are your routines for staying physically active?

Linda: First thing I do every morning is s-t-r-e-t-c-h and bend the core. Next is a light weight workout with dumbbells while snacking on a pre-breakfast cookie. Your body needs fuel, after all, and a cookie makes every activity a bit sweeter.

LWF: What is your advice to someone struggling to keep a healthy lifestyle?

Linda: Like anything else, it helps to be persistent even when it feels like you’re going nowhere. The baby steps thing. Focus on a positive, though. If your goal were to lose weight, I’d suggest thinking about all the delicious fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meat you’ll be enjoying. Don’t EVEN give a thought to the processed junk you’ll be avoiding. Stay away from the scale. And thank your healthy foods for fueling even more fun!

Do you know a healthy hero?
Nominate a Live Well Ferguson Healthy Hero by sending an email to esimons@fergusoncity.com explaining in 200 words or less how this person lives a healthy lifestyle and inspires others to do the same.