Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Pathfinder School’s First Annual Healthy Food Expo

We hope everyone will visit us at Pathfinder Produce this week, at the Village Commons in Edmeston on Thursday, from 1 to 5 p.m., and again at the Morris UMC, 17 Church St., on Friday, from noon to 5 p.m.  We’ve got some great fruits and veggies for you to share with your family.  It’s oh so good!

We’d like to send out a big ‘thumbs up’ to all of our participants in the DASH TO THE SPLASH training program that started last Tuesday, World Down Syndrome Day.  Each week for the next eight weeks, the group will meet here at Pathfinder Village on Mondays and most Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. to work towards their fitness goals and prepare for the fourth annual Splash Path 5K, which is set for Saturday, May 20.  Registration is open now for this family fun color run-walk, which starts and ends at  Pathfinder.  You can register online at splashpath.racewire.com; we keep the registration fees low and have some great activities planned all day.  It promises to be another great event here at the Village.

This week, the DASH folks have the assignments of: 
Day 1:
Warm-up:  5 min. of brisk walking;
Work-out: 1.5 min. jog, followed by 2 min. of brisk walking (repeat 6 times);
Cool-down:  3 min. of walking.

Day 2 & 3 (Wed.,  and again on Fri. or Sat.):
Repeat Day 1.


Be sure to gently stretch all muscle groups before and after exercising .  Wear proper footwear, and if you are walking and jogging on roads, be sure that you do so safely and wear clothing that is visible to motorists.

The “DASH THOUGHT” for the week:  Remember, walking out the door is oftentimes the toughest part of a walk or run!

***
Last week was jam-packed with fun activities at Pathfinder School! In addition to celebrating World Down Syndrome Day on Tuesday,
3-21, our students and staff members participated in Spirit Week. Each day had a fun theme, ranging from “Pajama Day” to “Wacky Day.”

As a fun way to end our busy week, Pathfinder School hosted its very first Healthy Food Expo. Students and staff members researched healthy recipes, shopped for fresh fruits and vegetables at Pathfinder Produce, and got to sample some nutritious (and delicious!) snacks. 


Students worked together to bring their healthy recipes to life!  Mrs. K’s classroom made a Fruit Pizza using a naturally sweetened crust of bananas, honey, and oats.








Some other healthy snacks included Peanut Butter Banana Bites, Sour Patch Grapes, Healthy Shamrock Shakes, and Berry Banana Stacks. Students had a blast visiting each station during our Expo on Friday morning to give each recipe a try!




In addition to these healthy treats, Mrs. Sitts’ and Mrs. Johnson’s Health and Wellness Group put together a presentation on the surprising amounts of sugar found in a variety of drinks.  Students learned the importance of choosing water to stay hydrated and healthy!


If you are feeling adventurous, we invite you to test out some of our students’ favorite recipes!

·       Sour Patch Grapes (click here for recipe)
·       Healthy Shamrock Shakes (click here for recipe)
·       Peanut Butter Banana Bites (click here for recipe)

Until next time, eat well, enjoy all those fruits and veggies, and be well!

Maura (and Lori)


Monday, March 20, 2017

Happy WDSD and Happy Anniversary, Pathfinder Produce!

Our plans were delayed with last week’s storm, so we invite everyone to come out this week to Pathfinder Produce on Thursday and Friday, March 23 in Edmeston, and March 24 in Morris, to help us celebrate our FOURTH ANNIVERSARY.  We will host cooking demonstrations of a zesty Fried Cabbage & Apple recipe, offer yummy samples, and continue our celebration of World Down Syndrome Day with 21-cent baked treats from Pathfinder Bakery, decorated in blue and yellow for you to enjoy. (Caveat: Make sure you eat your veggies first, and try to burn off the calories with a little extra walking, dancing, ping pong, treadmill jogs, active games, or what have you.).

On the 23rd & 24th, we will also extend 5% off on all purchases, and we're introducing a new Referral Incentive Program: If you are a steady patron of Pathfinder Produce, and you sign-up and refer a new customer, you both get 10% off on your next purchase. Our market works to keep prices low every week, so this new program could amount to some great savings.

We’ve also launched a new Facebook group, #DsRocks, to join the global celebration of World Down Syndrome Day this week.  The #DsRocks Project is a way through which people show support for those with Trisomy 21 through positive messages on hand-painted stones.  To learn more and take part, visit the Facebook group page.  Join us in the fun!


***

Our adventures with Pathfinder Produce over the past four years really have been worthwhile. The market works because it answers a local need, creates meaningful volunteer opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, and is rooted in the strength of community.

Back in late 2012, the staff of Bassett Research Institute developed two pilot 5210 projects, one in Edmeston, the other in Delhi, to help improve nutrition and encourage fitness at the grass-roots level. Community members brainstormed with the Bassett team to focus on healthier living, and developed school events, community gardens, 5ks, and other projects. In Edmeston, where there isn't a large grocery store, our committee members recognized that lack of access to fresh produce was having a negative impact on health.

It is a paradox of rural America that people here don't eat enough fresh veggies and fruits. One chief reason for this is that most people no longer live or work on farms.  People in rural areas, one study found, tend to be more obese than their urban counterparts.  Traditional foodways--growing and preserving one's own produce through freezing and canning—are largely gone, replaced with semi-monthly or monthly “big shops” of foods sold at large grocery stores in more-populated areas. Families and seniors fill-in between big shops, typically buying bread and milk with what's available at smaller stores that are part of rural towns.

We wanted to sell produce, but how could we do this effectively? We knew we didn't have the resources to be a full-time greengrocer. Instead, we used the historic model of “market day” that was common in many cultures from the past. We thought if we advertised using flyers, posters, word-of-mouth and social media, and kept our prices competitive, we could attract a steady clientele. We really didn't know what to expect at our first market, and were nervous. However, on that first Thursday, March 14, 2013, we opened our doors and had a steady stream of customers all afternoon, indicating that we'd hit upon a way to serve families in the Edmeston area.  Since that time, we've offered markets nearly every week in Edmeston, and launched our second location in October 2016 in partnership with the UMC in Morris, where we open up shop on Friday afternoons.

Our market works through the great community support we have, the dedication of our volunteers, and because of the incredible dedication of the members of Pathfinder's Adult Day Services program. These folks set up the market each week, inspect and arrange the produce and other items we bring in from various vendors, and help weigh purchases, and bag purchases for our customers. You can tell that everyone is on-board with working at the markets, and loves to engage our friends and neighbors.

“I feel good about the market,” said volunteer Brandy Mockoviaciak of Edmeston.  “I like to help customers.  My favorite part is packing baskets.”

Until next time, we thank you for your continued support of Pathfinder Produce, the “little market that could.”


Lori

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

MARKET CANCELLED THIS WEEK

Due to the recent storm, Pathfinder Produce will be cancelled this week at both locations. We apologize if this creates any inconveniences for our loyal customers. We will celebrate the produce market's fourth anniversary next week, on March 23 & 24, during our regularly scheduled hours. Stay safe and be well, everyone!

Monday, March 6, 2017

Thinking Green in March

This week we’re all very excited about Pathfinder Produce’s fourth anniversary …. WOW!  It’s amazing to think the “little market that could” has been a part of the greater community and serving the fresh produce needs of our area since 2013.  We want to thank all our great patrons in the Edmeston and Morris areas for your continued loyalty and support for this innovative program.

On March 16 & 17 to thank everyone for their involvement with Pathfinder Produce, we’ll be having a special celebration at the Edmeston market, 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, and at the Morris market, noon to 5 p.m. on that Friday. On those days, we’ll be featuring cooking demonstrations and offering delicious samples of recipes featuring yummy fresh produce.  We’ll also have some 21-cent cupcakes and cookies for sale from Pathfinder Bakery, as part of our advance celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, an international celebration that highlights the contributions and talents of people with Down syndrome that occurs on March 21.  The date 3-21 represents the triplication of the 21st chromosome (Trisomy 21) which is the genetic cause of Down syndrome.

Additionally on those days, we’ll offer some great savings … five percent off on all purchases, and we’re introducing a new and exciting Referral Program.  If you fill out a referral card and recommend Pathfinder Produce to someone who then makes purchases, then both customers get 10% off on their next produce purchase.  It’s just another great way to save and share the great offerings at Pathfinder Produce!

***

Lately, I’ve been trying to drink less coffee in favor of hot tea.  As any of my relatives or friends can tell you, I’m a die-hard coffee drinker, and I come from a long line of die-hard coffee drinkers.  In fact, one of my uncles used to quip about pulling out the industrial-sized percolator whenever my mom and any of her sisters got together … believe me, they consumed a lot! 

And it’s not that I’m not drinking my morning coffee, I’m just switching to tea in the afternoons.  I’m hopeful that this will cut down on caffeine levels to help promote sleep, and also may provide some of the health benefits of tea.  For the past several years, green tea has been looked at by researchers to determine its benefits.

According to this article from the Times of India (go to the source!), green tea and black tea are derived from the same plant.  Black tea is fermented (which causes oxidation), and is more concentrated in caffeine levels over green tea.  The article also indicates that “(Green tea is) … extremely rich in epigallactocatechin gallate, a popular antioxidant known for fighting cancer, cardiovascular conditions and more.  Since oxidation (in green tea) is arrested, it is believed that more polyphenols are preserved.  It supports weight loss programs that include diet and exercise.  Green tea is good for afternoon breaks and meditation in the evening … Pure organic green tea creates a detoxifying effect, giving you glowing skin, boosted metabolism and stronger immunity.”

Another article from Livestrong.com comparing green vs. black tea says that green tea’s enhanced levels of EGCG helps kill skin cancer cells, based on a 2013 study in the journal "Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology."  Another 2013 study in "Oncology Letters" found that EGCG had a similar effect on colon cancer cells and may help prevent the spread of cancer through the body.  Other articles indicate that both teas are helpful in lowering bad cholesterol levels, which is something we all need to focus on.

More recent research suggests switching between black tea and green tea regularly is a good strategy to gain the most benefits for fighting cancer, improving metabolism, boosting memory, fighting dementia, and promoting cardiovascular health.  A good synopsis on green vs. black is in this YouTube video.  Another comprehensive comparison on the benefits (and downside effects) between tea and coffee is at Lifehacker.
So, as I’m transitioning from morning to afternoon routines, I’m going to try drinking both black and green teas. As the Lifehacker info graphic suggests, just drink your teas straight, without added milk or sweeteners, which can counter any benefits.

Until next time, eat, drink and be well,

Lori