Live Well Ferguson Newsletter

March 2014

In This Issue:
Welcome
Upcoming Events
Couch to 5K
Beans, Bikes & Brews
Live Active
Live Healthy
Live Well

 

Get all of the latest information about Live Well Ferguson and connect with other LWF fans.  "Like" Live Well Ferguson on facebook!

About Live Well Ferguson:
In 2008, the City of Ferguson and Trailnet collaborated to form Live Well Ferguson, a program to help Ferguson residents lead healthier lifestyles through active living and improved dietary habits. Ferguson is a pilot community in Trailnet's Healthy, Active & Vibrant Communities initiative that supports resident health from cradle to cane. Since its start, Live Well Ferguson has taken on many projects that impact policy , enhance the built environment and create healthy social networks.

To Get Involved:

Contact Kevin Schuh at 314-521-4661 or come to the next Live Well Ferguson Taskforce Meeting on Wednesday, April 2 at 6pm in the Recreation Building in January Wabash Park (501 N. Flo rissant Road)

 

Greetings friends of Live Well Ferguson!

The weather is starting to turn, and with that brings fitness and outdoor opportunities. Whether you are running in the Ferguson Twilight 5K/10K, or another event, the time to pick up your training is now! Statistics show that setting goals along with training with others increase the chances of sticking with an exercise program. Create a healthy social network of people who will support your goals and lead you in the right direction.

Healthy social networks are important because friends, family and neighbors leading healthy lifestyles are likely to share their healthy habits with us. Eating right and getting enough exercise are more likely to become parts of our daily routines when we are surrounded by other healthy people.

For opportunities to train with others check out the Ferguson Running Club, Ferguson Cycling Club, and the Couch to 5K.

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

Upcoming Events

Couch to 5K

The Couch to 5K program is designed to train people of all ages and fitness levels to finish the Ferguson Twilight 5K/10K Run. All you need is a good pair of running shoes and the determination to put in the effort. Training starts on Monday, March 17th, and runs for 9 weeks. Training is on Mon./Wed./Fri. evenings at 6:00 P.M. at Forestwood Recreational Center in Ferguson.

If interested, email patshelton60@yahoo.com to register and receive additional information. This program is free and you do not need to be a Ferguson resident to participate.

Beans, Bikes & Brews

Kick off the upcoming ride season and join Trailnet for the unveiling of the 2014 Trailnet Ride Calendar. Enjoy great food and drink, live music, gear from local bike shops, and help us recognize 2013's most active riders and volunteers. This event is on Saturday, March 8 from 6-9pm at the Immaculate Conception Parish Hall 7240 Anna Ave., Maplewood MO 63143. The cost is $5 if you bring a dish, $10 without a dish. Bicycle parking available. Please lock your bike as the racks will not be constantly monitored.

Live Active: Ferguson Running Club

Training for that next race, or just looking for a fun and social way to exercise and meet new people? Check out the Ferguson Running Club! This Saturday training club trains year round and meets every Saturday morning at 8:00 AM for training runs. If you would like more information about our Saturday Club, please contact Blue at bluetapp@gmail.com.

Live Healthy: Good Eating in Season

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day here’s a great healthy St. Patrick’s Day Recipe!

Beer-Battered Tilapia with Mango Salsa
4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 ripe mango, diced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • Tilapia
  • 3 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 cup beer
  • 1 to 1 1/4 pounds tilapia fillets, cut in half lengthwise
  • 4 teaspoons canola oil, divided

Directions:

  1. To prepare salsa: Combine mango, onion, lime juice, vinegar and cilantro in a medium bowl.
  2. To prepare tilapia: Combine whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, cumin, salt and cayenne to taste in a medium bowl. Whisk in beer to create a batter.
  3. Coat half the tilapia pieces in the batter. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Letting excess batter drip back into the bowl, add the fish to the pan; cook until crispy and golden, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and loosely cover with foil. Coat the remaining fish with batter and cook in the remaining 2 teaspoons oil; adjust heat as necessary for even browning.
  4. Serve immediately with the salsa.

Live Well: Healthy Hero Wendie Cummings

Elementary Band Director in the Ferguson-Florissant School District Girls on the Run Coach at Griffith Elementary

Live Well Ferguson: What is your advice to someone struggling to keep a healthy lifestyle?

Wendie: Set some fun goals and enlist some friends to join you as you tackle your goals together. Some of the toughest runs I've done are my most favorite - like speed work on the track or a 20+ mile hilly run in the middle of August when it's 90 degrees and 90% humidity. I struggle through these tough workouts with my friends who are struggling right beside me. You earn resilience and perseverance with a group of friends. You also become better friends!

LWF: What is your favorite healthy activity?

Wendie: I train for and run a few long distance races each year (half marathons, marathons, ultramarathons, relay races), and my weekly running mileage is probably around 40-50 miles per week. I love running on the Chubb Trail, at Castlewood State Park, Forest Park, and anywhere outside where I can breathe the fresh air. Being outdoors on a serene, wooded trail is the most appealing way to enjoy my miles. In the spring and summer, I do weekly track workouts with Big River Running Company to make sure I maintain my speed. Running with a group of fast people around a track keeps me feeling young.

I also love to ride my bike! I'm married to a competitive cyclist (category 2), and my husband, Dave, and I have traveled to many places (Colorado, Utah, California, New England, France) for great cycling vacations where we seek out tough mountain climbs to tackle. Some of my best memories are from when we rode over 600 miles on a 2 week cycling trip through the Pyrenees and Alps during the Tour de France. We watched a few stages and rode the very same tough routes that the pros compete. It’s pretty awesome when fans from all over the world out on the side of the road for Le Tour are cheering for us as if we were the pro cyclists suffering up some famous mountains (Tourmalet, Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux, Col du Galibier and many more)! There is nothing like riding to the top of a mountain!

LWF: What motivates you to live a healthy lifestyle?

Wendie: I want to live past 100! I love the challenge of trying to run or ride my bike faster and farther, and that desire
keeps me healthy. I want to set a good example for my students, too, by showing them that seeking out
physical challenges and crazy adventures helps you grow, despite doubts or fears.

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

 
Mail: 501 North Florissant Road, Ferguson, MO 63135   Phone: 314-521-4661   Web: www.livewellferguson.com