Are you one of those people who would like to go get out on a walking trail but you just dont know where to find one? The search is over!
We have created a map called Neon to Nature that will make navigating the hundreds of miles of Southern Nevada trails a snap! You’ll be able to locate trails based on address and/or trail amenities. Each trail on the map will list the description of the trail’s location, length, type of trail, and various amenities. There are many hundreds miles of trails here in Southern Nevada and knowing exactly where to go and what to expect can make your experience more enjoyable. We want to help you go from Neon … to Nature!  Please check out the map to find trails in your neighborhood! http://www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org/neon2nature/findatrail.php  Click on the color tags below the map or search an address to populate the map.
 

The holiday season is almost here, and we all know what that means-temptation!
From the parties to the shopping, it’s easy to take a break from your healthy habits. The Get Healthy Holiday Challenge is a free online program, that can help you keep and adopt  healthy behaviors during the holiday season.
 
Each Monday you will be emailed a weekly ‘health challenge’. Track your weekly progress by using the online tracker on the website and be eligible for prizes! We’ll also have lots of tips, resources and other helpful information on our website to help you meet each week’s challenge.  
 
 
It’s easy, fun and free… so sign up today at www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org, and encourage your friends, family and co-workers to sign up too!

The program starts on October 17th so sign up today!

Looking to learn about trails in the Las Vegas Valley? Make your way through the many exhibitors and discover the many outdoor recreation opportunities in our community. During the annual celebration, participants can learn about local and regional trails in the Las Vegas Valley through exhibits, booths, giveaways, and family-friendly activities. Many exhibitors will hold expert talks in their booths. Equestrian groups will answer questions regarding horses. Attend Camping 101 and learn camping basics including how to set up a tent and “leave no trace” while enjoying an outdoor adventure.
This year’s highlights include a morning one-mile Family Fun Walk (with free T-shirts to the first 150 youths registered), an announcement regarding the development of a trail that will extend around the entire Las Vegas Valley, City of Henderson Trails Photo Contest winners, the completion of the River Mountains Loop Trail, and the unveiling of the Neon to Nature Website that will make navigating the hundreds of miles of Southern Nevada trails a snap.

Saturday, Oct. 1
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Promenade at the Pavilion
200 S. Green Valley Parkway

http://www.cityofhenderson.com/parks/events/national_trails_day.php

We think that today’s younger generation will have shorter and less healthy lives than their parents for the first time in modern history unless we intervene.” Dr. S. Jay Olshansky
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the prevalence of childhood obesity has more than tripled since 1980. The resulting chronic diseases related to obesity are also increasing – type 2 diabetes, several types of cancers, heart disease, stroke, and more.
In Nevada, our childhood obesity rates are higher than the national average. In 2009, Trust for America’s Health released a report which found that Nevada had the 11th highest percent of obese and overweight children in the United States.

There is no single or simple solution to the childhood obesity epidemic, but here are some things you can do to help make the healthy choice an easy choice for children. For more ideas check out our website below.

http://www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org/spotlights/childhood-obesity-awareness-month.php

The 8th Annual Choose and Move Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Doolittle Center, 1950 North “J” Street from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Southern Nevada Health District is a partner and sponsor of the festival which is designed to promote the importance of physical activity and healthy eating habits. The event is free and open to the public.

The Choose and Move Festival, presented by Community Partners for Better Health, will offer free health screenings and information, a healthy cooking demonstration, dance instructions, and the annual Office James Manor Memorial Basketball Game featuring police versus firefighters in the exhibition.

“The Choose and Move Festival is an opportunity to provide important information to the community in order to promote healthier lifestyles. The participation of partners like the health district allows us to expand on this opportunity and provide a variety of activities that allow participants to make better decisions that impact their health and ultimately help to raise the health status of our community,” said Celeste Folmar, chairwoman of Community Partners for Better Health.

For more information, visit the Get Healthy Clark County website, www.GetHealthyClarkCounty.org the Community Partners for Better Health site, www.CommunityPartnersForBetterHealth.com, or call (702) 256-2724.

Congratulations on surviving another southern Nevada summer!  Yes, technically summer will stick around for a few more weeks, but if you’re like us you feel the cooler air in the morning and are excited that fall is on its way!  And, with all the weather related problems we’ve seen around the country lately – tropical storms, hurricanes, flooding, drought, wild fires – it makes a sting of hot but sunny days not seem so bad anyway.  So let’s celebrate the impending arrival of fall and the fact that we live somewhere that we can get out, enjoy the sun, scenery and be active.  Here are a few suggestions:

·         Hit The Trails For A Hike:  We’re lucky to have quick and easy access to national parks, state parks and a whole lot of urban trails.  Find one that you haven’t explored yet and head out this weekend for some exercise and beautiful scenery.  Just remember to lather on the sunscreen, pack plenty of water and practice trail safety.  For more information on local trails visit our friends at Outside Las Vegas at: www.outsidelasvegas.org

·         Gear Up For A Charity Walk/Run:  As you probably know, lots of worthy organizations in southern Nevada host walk/runs this time of year to raise awareness for different causes and funds for programming and services.  Check out our community calendar for a list of different events happening around our valley this fall.  www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org

·         Find A Park And Play:  We have lots of great parks in southern Nevada and they include amenities ranging from walking paths to playgrounds.  So pack up the kids and head on over to your favorite park for some soccer, tag, or Frisbee.  To find a park in your zip code, check out our Places to Play guide at: www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org

·         Hit The Farmer’s Market:  Stop by a local Farmer’s Market to pick up some of fall’s best produce…apples, squash, sweet potatoes, etc.  Check out our community calendar for hours and locations: www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org

I am sure we all have the best intentions to stick to eating healthy this holiday weekend. The weekend can be a hard enough  time to stick to our goals but a holiday weekend adds that extra challenge. Eating out, BBQs with friends, not wanting to cook… It’s a treat here and some chips there and before you know it we have slipped back into our old habits. 
Keep in mind a few things as you make plans for your weekend:

•The past is the past. We can’t change what you ate for breakfast, yesterday or the past year for that matter. But what you can change is what you will eat in the future or in your next meal. Focus on that next meal and what you are going to do differently and what you wish to change.
•Look up the calorie content of your meals. There are great websites and apps that can calculate calories for pretty much everything we eat; even fast food restaurants and many chain restaurants calorie info is available. Hold yourself accountable for those calories, budget your calories out; if you consumed a lot of calories at lunch then select carefully how you are going to spend your remaining calories for dinner. That leads to the next tip…
•Record your calorie consumption. Write down what you ate so that you can keep track of your progress.
•Cut out the soda. You would be surprised at how much weight you could lose just by eliminating soda. If complete elimination is out of the question reduce the amount you drink. Buy the smaller ounce cans or limit yourself to only one soda a day.
•And lastly the best tip….”If you don’t buy it you won’t eat it!” Stock your pantry with healthy staples that will keep you on track.

The key is to stay focused and not let the freedom of the weekend take you away from your nutrition goals. You will thank yourself come Monday!

Lately there have been several weight loss stories in the news. The latest boasts of a 25 male and how he lost 175 lbs in a little under a year. http://bit.ly/otZB2i There are even many more TV shows about people and their battle to lose many pounds.  We love looking at the transformation these people make and what a hard journey they have endured. With more and more people becoming obese, I am sure we will see more and more people take the first steps to changing their lifestyle.  But what happens between the before and the after?? What gets you from day one to your goal? The latest article about Will Nevin sheds a little insight into shedding the pounds.

“You have to find a reason you want to do this. It can’t be to please other people and it can’t be purely for cosmetic reasons,” he said. “It has to be because you want to make a serious long-lasting change in your life. … You have to find that inner motivation.” – Will Nevin

Eating organic is the new trendy way to eat these days but is it possible that the organic label has turned into another form of illusion for each of us. What does it mean to eat a treat from an organic bakery? Do we get confused into thinking that my organic scone or cookie is good for me? We tend to automatically assume a food item marked “organic” is not only healthy but better for you than a non-organic item.  A study at Cornell University  wanted  to see people’s perception of organic. They fed some people the same food item but labeled them organic and non-organic and then had the people eat and guess on the nutrition content. They guessed the organic items were less in fat and less in calories than the identical counter parts. The take home message: “Organic” and “all natural” labels do not mean calorie free, or healthy. Organic food can contain just as much calories as conventional food so no matter what you need to be looking at the nutrition label to determine if a food is right for you.

Some of the most delicious dishes to eat are Mexican Food. But a lot of Mexican food is fried with lard and topped with cheese and  sour cream and can end up being loaded with lots of saturated fat. Mexican food can be healthy and still taste great. Here are some tips to follow when going out or eating at home.

Instead of Flour tortillas……. TRY corn tortillas
Instead of fried pork or beek……TRY grilled fish or chicken breast
Instead of sour cream and cheese……TRY salsa, pico de gallo, cilantro and peppers
Instead of a Quesadilla………TRY Chicken fajitas, with chicken and veggies like onions, green peppers, tomatoes
Instead of Chalupas and Tacos……TRY Taco Salad (skip eating the shell and ask for no sour cream)
Instead of Chimichangas……TRY Chicken Enchiladas with red sauce or salsa

• Watch portion sizes!  Eat half your meal and take the rest home for lunch the next day.
• Tell your server not to bring chips and salsa to the table.
• Ask for no sour cream or low-fat sour cream.
• Use salsa and lime to add flavor.
• Tomato- based sauces are better than cream or cheese sauces.
Enjoy all your favorite Mexican dishes but with a healthier twist!