by Heather McMillion
July is National Recreation and Parks month, and it is a great time to get outside. Being active outdoors offers us many benefits as it connects us with family and friends, helps us feel more connected to the land, reduces stress and anxiety, and can promote increased vitamin D levels, lower blood pressure, increased energy, and improved sleep. Staying active increases our chances of more quality years of enjoying Alaskan summers.
In the YK Delta, we are no strangers to the many ways we can be active outdoors. We have access to many things to do outside—hiking, camping, fishing, birdwatching, swimming, and hunting as well as berry picking and harvesting of greens. Individual communities may have their own playgrounds, parks, boardwalks, and/or ball courts/fields. These are great ways to get moving. A picnic under the shade and some time on the swings can create lifelong memories.
If you are looking for a way to encourage yourself and your family to spend time outdoors, consider these ideas.
•Set a personal or family challenge to spend as many hours outdoors as possible.
•Set a summer limit on the number of hours per day to be spent on TV or other screen time.
•Make a scavenger hunt while you are outdoors to keep little ones busy.
•Participate in traditional food gathering activities.
•Teach the next generation the importance of outdoor activity and keeping your body healthy.
•Get all family members involved in making food for a picnic, and then enjoy the picnic together.
While you are out and about, use this time to teach your children about and acknowledge the traditional lands you are enjoying. Ask the elders around you about the land you are on and learn more about the cultures that took care of these lands in the past.
Keep safety in mind and be prepared for your chosen activities. Reinforce water safety and gun safety rules as well as how to stay hydrated and protected from the sun during the long days of summer.
However, you do it, July is a great time to get moving in the fresh Alaskan air. And when you get back inside, replenish with a tasty and healthy snack, like Cheesy Carrot Fries.
Cheesy Carrot Fries
Ingredients:
•2 large carrots
•1 large egg
•2 tablespoons water
•6 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
•¼ teaspoon pepper (optional)
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or silicone mat. (Alternatively, you can spray a baking tray with cooking spray.)
3. Slice the carrots into long, thin pieces.
4. Mix the egg and water and place in a shallow dish.
5. Place the Parmesan cheese into a separate shallow dish.
6. Dip the carrot sticks in the egg wash, and allow excess egg wash to drip off.
7. Roll sticks in the Parmesan and place on the baking tray. (Space sticks about ½ inch apart on the baking tray.)
8. Sprinkle sticks with pepper.
9. Bake for 10 minutes.
10. Flip each of the sticks.
11. Bake for another 5 minutes.
Adapted from – www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/recipe/cheesy-carrot-fries-spicy-yogurt-dip
Heather McMillion is a MS, RD, LD, CDCES at the YKHC Diabetes and Prevention Department.
