EMPOWERING PEOPLE THROUGH FITNESS AND NUTRITION

What do The Fit and Food Connection and well-known dietician Reshaunda Thornton have in common? Besides being based in St. Louis, they both strongly advocate making lifestyle changes to get and stay healthy!

On August 25th, Reshaunda, the Dietitian Against Diets, brought her message about nutrition free of diets and rules to more than 100 people who attended her TED talk. The fundraiser showcased Reshaunda’s new book entitled, “Play to Win The Food Fight.’’ All proceeds of the event are going to The Fit and Food Connection.

Reshaunda signed her much-anticipated book and discussed the importance of people changing their relationship with food and breaking the cycle of yo-yo dieting.

At the end of her talk, friends and clients shared personal stories of how Reshaunda has helped them on their weight loss journeys by changing their outlooks on dieting and nutrition. Guests were encouraged to leave inspiring messages on a poster of Reshaunda with her book.

While mingling, participants enjoyed infused water, wine, beer, and “skinny” margaritas. They munched on delicious food including hummus, salad, braised beef, curry chicken and sweet potato noodles from Ful, a healthy food delivery company. They also participated in raffles for a stationary bike, along with gift cards for restaurants, acupuncture and Big River Running, to name a few. Sponsors of this event included REA Homes and RUNG For Women. Thank you to everyone for a night we will never forget!

Ted Talk and Book Signing Event

“WHAT’S INSIDE”Partnerships ............................................ 2Wellness Programs .................................. 3Food Programs ........................................ 6One-on-One ............................................. 7Fit and Food Corner .................................. 8

Events

Fall newsletter | 2019

Fit and food connection happenings

DONATE REFER A FAMILY VOLUNTEER

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Sweat Out the Summer Boxing Fundraiser Eager to learn how to box, mix up their workouts and raise money for a great cause, several dozen clients, supporters and volunteers from the Fit and Food Connection stepped into the ring, recently, and enjoyed a boxing class at Sweat Gym in Clayton.

For many, it was the first time they had a chance to participate in such a fun but tough boxing workout on Saturday, August 24. Sweat gym in Clayton offered the educational class as part of a fundraiser with The Fit and Food Connection.

“The Sweat trainers were so helpful and motivating,’’ said Joy Millner, The Fit and Food Connection’s co-director. “Everyone finished the workout sweaty and empowered.’’

The organization sold three-dozen tickets so that its clients, volunteers and community members could learn the benefits of boxing. An intense workout, boxing, helps build coordination, strength and improves cardiovascular function.

Before the boxing session, participants enjoyed snacks and fruit infused water. Afterwards, they munched on sandwiches and salad with fresh vegetables from

the Fit and Food Connection’s organic garden. Participants also treated themselves to some well-deserved vodka “punch.”

This exciting event raised money for much-needed programs offered by The Fit and Food Connection. These included free fitness classes, nutrition education, a food pantry and food delivery service for families in St. Louis city and county.

“We’re grateful for partnerships with businesses in the community like Sweat Gym STL,” Millner said. “They help The Fit and Food Connection fulfill our mission!”

Events

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A Red Circle PartnershipThroughout the months of May – October, The Fit and Food Connection partnered with A Red Circle to put on its first healthy community market. On the last Saturdays of each month, Fit and Food Connection managed a farmer’s market stand as well as led fitness activities and challenges for both adults and children. Lots of Fit and Food community garden grown vegetables were sold and the importance of wellness was spread to many of the attendees this summer!

Upcoming Wellness Programs

Partnerships

For information on all the current Fit and Food programming, please visit http://fitandfoodconnection.org to learn more and join others at wellness events!

Join us for this dynamically interactive and creative group dance experience! Learn simple movements to dance your own unique way, while burning calories at this FREE class on Thursdays from 1:30-2:30 PM at the Lewis and Clark Library Branch (9909 Lewis and Clark Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63136)

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Past wellness programs

On October 17, John Meyer, Senior Specialist, led a group of individuals called "The Merry Makers" who are sponsored by New Cote Brilliante Church of God. This presentation consisted of a 45 minute nutrition talk including label reading, recipes etc. and 30 minutes of exercise followed by 15-20 minutes of Q+A. More than 18 attendees enjoyed these helpful exercise and nutrition tips along their wellness journey!

Summer of Wellness Series

“The Merry makers”

Annual tennis clinic

Fit and Food had their Summer Full of Wellness Series at the St. Louis County Library Branches! Classes included Chair Yoga, Balanced Living Nutrition Seminars, Yoga for Stress Management, and Resistance Band, Strength, Stretch, & Movement.

Fit and Food put on their 5th Annual Tennis Clinic, led by instructor, Harold Webb, at St. Vincent’s Community Center. Participants of all tennis levels learned the sport and exercised in a fun way!

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Past wellness programs

Chair Yoga for All Series

Beyond housing

The Fit and Food Connection has been partnering with Beyond Housing on a variety of wellness programs. Volunteer Senior Fitness Instructor and Board Member, John Meyer, spoke on August 26 to a group of individuals on precautions and recommendations for diabetics. He led low impact stretching and exercises and discussed resistance training classes for those interested.

On September 11th, Gabi Cole conducted a grocery store tour in partnership with Beyond Housing site in

Pine Lawn to help clients learn tips on healthy and smart grocery shopping. In the evening, they met at a local grocery store in Pagedale. Students learned how to better shop for the best food options based on what is available in their community grocery stores. In the area, ten women came together and participated in label reading games, comparison shopping, healthy option tips and budgeting. All of the students learned a lot and they planned to use their new knowledge to help them shop and eat healthier!

Thank you to our talented volunteer yoga instructor, Debby Siegel, for leading a successful, empowering seven-week Chair Yoga for All Series! This gentle,

60-minute yoga class at the Lewis and Clark Library branch left many individuals feeling stretched and de-stressed.

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Food Programs

This summer in the Kid’s Club, neighborhood kids and Fit and Food Connection family worked in the garden to help the kids un-derstand where food comes from. From May through September, volunteer, Kristen Gremman, and Co-Director, Gabi Cole, led 10 kids and their families together and planted their own food, cleaned weeds, and watered plants. Other activities included tasting the tomatoes and cucumbers, chasing butterflies, and picking flowers. Please visit the website for next year’s registration and information on the Kid’s Club.

Organic garden

Food assistance

If you’ve ever wondered how many families would jump at the chance to get fresh, healthy foods delivered to their homes every week, look no further than our growing waiting list. Today, more than four-dozen families are waitlisted, almost the same number of families that being served. “Our food assistance program is growing every day with interest,’’ said Gabi Cole, co-director of The Fit and Food Connection. “Clients call into our hotline in need of our delivery services.” About 50 low-income families are on the waiting list for The Fit and Food Connection’s food assistance program, and more names are added each week. Currently about 55 families benefit from the weekly deliveries of nutritious food.

Getting enough healthy food to meet the needs is always a challenge, but local businesses have given those efforts a boost by enabling the Fit and Food Connection to set up food donation bins around the St. Louis area. Donations in those bins help supplement the food pantry and weekly food deliveries to our clients’ homes. Serving more families will require more volunteer delivery drivers. On Sundays, volunteer drivers meet at north county’s Believer’s Temple to collect food for deliveries that take place between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. If you are available to help us deliver food, please call our company line at 314-312-2746, or email us at info@fitandfoodconnection.org

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One-on-One Client Spotlight: Cindy anderson

Volunteer Spotlight: Max Webb and Harold Webb

Volunteer Spotlight: Bridget

Over the past few months, our One-on-One clients have worked tremendously hard on reaching their health goals with the guidance of volunteer dietitians and personal trainers. They have had the opportunity to learn how to shop for healthy and affordable food, meal prep, exercise to their capabilities, and live healthy mental and physical lives. More smiles have been created through the health accomplishments of our amazing clients!

A One-on-one client, Cindy Anderson, is featured in the Client Spotlight!

For four seasons, Max Webb and Harold Webb have been teaching tennis lessons to the clients of Fit and Food Connection. The participants enjoy the mental challenge of tennis while experiencing the fitness aspects of balance, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness. They, also, enjoyed the camaraderie involved in the sport. Next fall, Max, a senior at Ladue High School, will be attending college. Harold is a middle school teacher at Ladue School District and the JV tennis coach at the High School.

“Hi! My name is Cindy Anderson, and I was first introduced to The Fit and Food Connection by one of my co-workers. I started going to the exercise classes in late May because I saw how well the program was working for my co-worker and the amount of weight she was losing. She inspired me to want to do more as far as my health. I talked to Joy about going further and her words to me were that I need you to trust me. From that day to now, the support of Joy and her team has given me has been unbelievable. Through lots of hard work, dedication,

I’m Bridget and I am a volunteer for The Fit and Food Connection. I am the treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee. I help monitor funds that make the many wonderful FAFC programs possible. I really enjoy volunteering at The Fit and Food Connection and helping families in St. Louis. I love how much we are growing and empowering more families.

I have a degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from the University of Missouri-Columbia. I work in performance measurement for an institutional investment manager in Clayton. I live in Dogtown with my husband, Carter, our dog and two cats.

and focus on the task at hand, I feel like I can achieve anything. I never knew there were people like this that could keep me on track. I have learned so many things about how to count calories, carbohydrates, sodium, and sugars as well as how to eat and portion my food intake. I have lost 18 pounds and am still working toward my goal. Joy and her team have been a blessing to me, and I’m proud to be working with them in this program.”

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Fit and food Connection corner

Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Ingredients:1 spaghetti squash1tbsp olive oilSalt and pepper1lb ground Turkey browned and drained1 jar of tomato pasta sauce

Steps:

1. Cut the squash in half long way.2. Scoop out seeds.3. Rub olive oil on the inside of the squash.4. Season with salt and pepper.5. Bake in the oven at 400° for 40min.6. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes.7. Take fork and shred the inside.8. Put squash in bowl, add the pasta sauce, and

ground turkey.9. Enjoy!

Positive Thought:

Praise yourself for the hard work and commitment you made to

complete your routine. Be proud of yourself for even the short workouts. Even a small effort is a big step to reaching your

wellness goals. Small changes yield big results!

30 min. At-Home Bodyweight Workout (3 circuits)

By: Alicia Browne, Fit and Food Connection Virtual Personal Trainer Volunteer

Stretch

Be sure to warm up and cool down and stretch properly before and after the exercise!1. 30 Jumping Jacks2. 10 Walking Lunges (each leg)3. 10 Push-Ups or Modified Knee Push-Ups4. 20 Bodyweight Squats5. 15 Second Plank or Modified Planks6. 15 Mountain Climbers

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Wellness Goal:

Set 3 goals for the season and practice each one, at least, one once a week. If you need ideas, here are some to get you started!

1. Drink two extra glasses of water.

2. Eat two extra servings of vegetables.

3. Add one high intensity two-minute work-out to your home utilizing steps.