 |
Be financially FIT this holiday season! Our new Wellness Series will focus on the 8 Dimensions of wellness; emotional, social, financial, spiritual, occupational, physical, intellectual, and environmental. Read more
| |
|
|
| Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Butternut Squash |
Make a nutritious dinner this fall with a hearty meal that is under 400 calories, and costs approximately $1.62 per serving (makes four servings). Many of these ingredients may already be in your pantry! Read more
| |
|
|
| |
|
 Get FIT Youth, NJ
Youth ages 13-21 are invited to join the Get FIT Youth Program at Katz JCC in Cherry Hill. Weekly sessions begin in January and will focus on; improving nutrition and increasing physical activity.
Our goal is to guide participants on their road to wellness in a fun and interactive setting.
Space is limited! For more information and to register your child, please call Adeola at 609-392-4900 or email [email protected] |
|
| |
|
 Get FIT Spotlight: Elba |
 
-Nicole Infante
Elba is a hardworking Get FIT teenager who is receiving Get FIT @ Home and Get FIT Youth services in NJ. Born in Puerto Rico, Elba now lives in NJ with her aunt and uncle who recently adopted her. Elba has faced many challenges at such a young age, such as changing schools, the loss of her grandmother to diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing the daily challenges associated with her diagnosis. Elba's primary goal was weight loss, like many youth her age, she wanted to wear cute clothes just like her peers.
With such a hardworking mentality and positive energy, Elba does not allow her diagnosis to limit her or define her. Every week she has a smile on her face and is always laughing. As the 12 weeks started to unfold we learned more and more about this beautiful young teen. She loves to play volleyball and basketball, so some of her sessions were focused on playing these sports.
"One of my favorite sessions was during the summer when we were walking around the high school and decided to run through the sprinklers on the field. I remember it being so hot and although there were peers around my age I was not afraid to be myself and be looked at."
Weight loss can be a struggle especially if family members living in your home are not on board.
"I suffered with weight (issues) my whole life. I have always been known as the 'big girl'. I thank my aunt that she has helped me through this process even though sometimes it is hard to work with me." After 12 weeks of Get FIT @ Home Elba has lost approximately 10 lbs. During her last Get FIT @ Home session she told her trainer, Nicole that
"Just because you are done working with me, I understand that I have to watch my portion sizes, eat healthier, drink more water and get exercise in at least 2-3 days a week. I will try my hardest because I want to prove everyone wrong and finally be happy with myself."
Through her participation in Get FIT, Elba who was originally unaware of the risk of diabetes and its impact on quality of life, is now much more informed and dedicated to making a lifestyle change.
"I have never been interested in working out and getting healthy. Get Fit has changed my perspective on things. I became more aware of portion sizes and walking more. Every weekend when my trainer comes, I look forward to our session because it gives me something to do and I think of her as a friend."
It was a pleasure working with Elba and her family. We went into their home to teach about health and wellness, but the family taught us to;
"never take anything for granted and to always keep smiling".
For more information on registering for Get FIT @ Home sessions, please email [email protected].
|
| |
|
A free 12-week Get FIT @ Home program can help you:
- Set healthy goals
- Be active
- Build a healthy plate
- Make healthy food choices
- Learn healthy behaviors
- Live well with epilepsy
- Attain/maintain a healthy weight
....All in the comfort of your own home
Get FIT @ Home is open to people of all ages.
To register for Get FIT please call Rachel at the Epilepsy Foundation of Mississippi at
601-936-5222.
|
| |
|
Looking to Get FIT @ Home, @ Gym, @ School etc.? Get FIT services are now available in multiple settings for all ages. With Get FIT Trainers and Get FIT Nutritionists available Statewide, we will bring Get FIT to you!
Get FIT promotes:
- Health & wellness
- Goal development
- Tailored programming
- Social Inclusion
For more information on available programs, please click here or call Adeola at 609-392-4900 to request a new program in your region.
|
| |
|
 Get FIT @ YMCA aims to open the doors of wellness to people of all abilities in an environment that promotes social conclusion. Get FIT Texas will be offering Get FIT @ YMCA programs in Houston and San Antonio this fall, in addition to programs in private gyms. Sessions will focus on fitness, nutrition, and life coaching. Programs are also available in Lubbock.
For more information please click here or call Ryan at The Epilepsy Foundation of Texas at 713-789-6295 (Houston) or Ariel at The Epilepsy Foundation of Central & South Texas at 210-653-5353 (San-Antonio).
|
| |
|
5 Ways to be Financially FIT this Holiday! |
-Nicole Koukotas and Adeola Sonaike
Experiencing a sense of wellness in your life means maintaining balance throughout all dimensions of wellness. Our new Wellness Series will focus on the 8 Dimensions of wellness; emotional, social, financial, spiritual, occupational, physical, intellectual, and environmental.
We asked our office staff about their 5 favorite ways to be Financially FIT this Holiday Season. During the holidays everyone experiences some level of stress; many of which are rooted in the impact that the holiday season has on our pockets. Whether it's cooking a 5 course meal, hosting out of town family members, helping Santa Claus cover the wish list, or purchasing new Hanukah decorations; we all tend to go a little over our budgets! The holidays pose a financial burden on many families, and this stress may adversely impact your health. This year try to incorporate some of these tips and enjoy a healthy, and happy holiday season!
Share the burden; during the holiday season many factors add up such as presents, food, drinks, company, and travel expenses. Decrease spending by asking each family member to contribute a dish or beverage to the family meal; preparing meals in separate locations may also cut down utility expenses. As much as we all like to host family members, perhaps it may be cost effective to meet at someone else's home this year, especially if they live in a central location for everyone.
Plan early; to make it through the holiday season as sane and organized as possible, plan in advance and avoid the holiday shopping chaos. Try picking up a couple of gifts each week during your lunch time. Stores tend to get much busier during the weekends, and as the holiday season gets closer. Start today, and avoid the chaos. This will also make your holiday shopping experience much more enjoyable, especially for family members who experience anxiety or unmanageable sensory input during large crowds. Planning early will also help you take advantage of many sales on both food items and gifts.
Credit Card Free Zone: During holiday shopping, leave all credit cards at home! Use cash to make purchases; by using cash you feel the impact of the purchase immediately. This will help you with your budget, as you can only spend what you have. Many stores now have their inventory available online, this is a great way to figure out exactly how much cash you will need. Once the cash is gone, stop shopping.
Secret Santa: Scale back on gift giving; pick out gifts that are meaningful rather then expensive. Ask people to make a wish list, and select one item on the list that is within your budget. There are also many fun 'DIY' gifts that you can make by visiting Pinterest. Or create your own family 'Secret Santa' (Pollyanna) so that each family receives 1 meaningful gift; quality is always preferred over quantity.
Holiday Club; open a holiday savings account at your bank. Many banks offer this program. The way it works is you chose the percent you wish to be set aside from your account each month. By the time holiday season begins, you will have money saved up from the whole year.
The holidays are a festive time of year; however, they can also be a stressful time of the year. By adopting some of these simple tips the financial burden can be greatly decreased. Always keep in mind that the holidays are about spending time with your family and friends. Life is too short to stress over money!
For more #WellnessWednesday posts and tips Like our Facebook pages:
|
| |
|
Young Gourmet Cooking Club! 
Do you have children/young adults ages 13-21 who are looking for a fun and interactive way to learn how to create their own healthy meals? Join us in January for our new Young Gourmet Cooking Club in Toms River. This program is open to youth with and without special needs, we encourage siblings to also join.
|
|
| |
|
Recipe: Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Butternut Squash |
Make a nutritious dinner this fall with a hearty meal that is under 400 calories, and costs approximately $1.62 per serving (makes four servings). Many of these ingredients may already be in your pantry!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
- 3 1/2-pound chicken breast (or/and thighs)
- Cooking spray
- 12 ounces potatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 1/2 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (about 8 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400�
- Coat broiler plan with cooking spray
- Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and sage in a small bowl. Rub garlic mixture under loosened skin on chicken, place chicken on rack of broiler pan, and then place broiler pan in the oven
- Cut potatoes into wedges and cut butternut squash into cubes. Combine potatoes, squash, butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Arrange vegetables around chicken.
- Bake at 400� for 1 hour or until a thermometer inserted into chicken registers 165�. Let stand 10 minutes. Discard chicken skin before eating.
Leftover butternut squash is perfect for a bowl of soup for lunch the next day!
|
| |
 |
|
New Program Funding!
Get FIT thanks it's funders for supporting the mission to improve the health and wellness of people with disabilities and chronic illness:
- Mississippi Department of Mental Health- Get FIT @ Home, MS
- New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities- Get FIT @ Home 2.0, NJ
- Snowflake Foundation- Get FIT Youth, NJ
- Texas Council of Developmental Disabilities- Get FIT @ Gym & @ School, TX
- The Wal-Mart Foundation- Nutrition My Way, Rowan University NJ
- The Horizon Foundation- Get FIT @ School, Rowan University NJ
- Toms River Elks- Young Gourmet Cooking Classes, NJ
...everyone has the right to a healthy, active life.
|
|
| |
|
Dance Party!
ages 13-23 with special needs 
Come and enjoy a pasta dinner, dancing and party games at Katz JCC
Sunday Dec 14- 5:00-6:30 pm
Cost: $10
RSVP by December 5th to Barb at
|
|
| |
|
