STEPS ON SATURDAY (S.O.S)-- Starting this Saturday, March 13th until April 17th , we will be recording distances run/walked for every person who attends the running group on Saturdays. We are doing this as part of the Steps on Saturday (S. O. S) event that is being initiated as part of the “Healthy Hometown” grant that the city of Starkville is applying for. To see other locations in Starkville where people are walking/jogging and recording their steps, go to: www.och.org/sos. -- The grant that Starkville hopes to win, is a $50,000 grant from Blue Cross of Mississippi to the city that shows they are the “healthiest.”-- As part of the steering committee, I am so excited to be part of S.O.S, which is only one part of making Starkville “healthy,” because I look forward to Saturday morning more than any other day of the week. I know how good running makes me feel both physically and mentally. I can only hope others learn to MOVE MORE and SIT LESS! We are recording steps or distances covered only on Saturdays in hopes that it will encourage groups to get together and walk more during the week as well. – T-Shirts are also being sold to help fund future phases of S. O. S. Sponsors for the shirt include: Dr. Drew Anthony, Starkville Family Practice; Dr. Jim Brown, Eye and Laser Center of Starkville; Dr. Castleberry, Starkville Urology, Starkville Clinic for Women (B-town runner Dr. Cobb as well as Drs. Pearson, Brown, Furniss, and Lott), and Oktibbeha County Hospital.-- Submitted by Kelly White

SUMMER TIPS/TRENDS WORTH TRYING! 1) Visit Starkville Community Market to purchase fresh summer fruits and veggies. What a great way to eat healthy and support the community! 2) Stay hydrated. Many people mistake hunger for thirst. Drink at least 64 oz. per day, and more if you are outside a lot. 3) Fire up the barbecue. This is a much healthier cooking method than frying! 4) Enjoy a picnic. Pack sandwiches or wraps with lean meats such as turkey, roast beef, or ham. Make a yogurt and fruit parfait for dessert. 5) Enjoy low cal frozen treats (i.e. no sugar added fudgesicles for 40 kcals or sugar-free popsicles). You can also make your own. There are many recipes on the internet that you can experiment with. Try the “Banana-Blueberry Swirl Pops” below. 6) Use lean meats to grill out…such as shrimp, sirloin steak, pork tenderloin, or chicken. 7) Smoothies made with skim milk, sugar free yogurt and fruit make a great breakfast! Check out the easy recipe below. 8) Use lower fat dips – Salsa, hummus, light sour cream with seasoning mix, and black bean dip are great with vegetables. 9) Try Greek yogurt for a snack – It is the “new yogurt” and full of protein with very few calories. 10) Limit sugary drinks. Try the new SoBee LifeWater beverages and enjoy new flavors such as “Strawberry Dragonfruit,” and Black and Blueberry,” for zero calories! Recipe: Banana-Strawberry Smoothie 2 ripe small bananas 1 cup frozen unsweetened whole strawberries 1 8 oz. carton sugar free vanilla yogurt ¾ cup milk -Peel bananas and cut into chunks. -Place banana chunks, frozen strawberries, yogurt, and milk into blender container. -Blend about 1 minute until smoothie consistency is reached. Yield: 2 servings, 200 calories/serving Recipe: Banana Blueberry Swirl Pops Ingredients Makes 10 ice pops • 3 to 4 ripe bananas (1 pound) • 1 1/2 cups yogurt • 3 tablespoons sugar • Juice of 1/2 lemon • 1 cup fresh blueberries Directions 1. In the bowl of a food processor, puree bananas until smooth. Add yogurt, sugar, and lemon juice; pulse to combine. Remove half of the yogurt mixture; set aside. 2. Add blueberries to processor, and pulse until just combined. Layer blueberry and reserved yogurt mixtures into ten 1/3 cup ice-pop molds. Using a wooden skewer, swirl the two flavors together. Insert ice-pop sticks. Transfer to freezer until frozen, about 8 hours 3. Dip molds quickly in hot water to unmold. From Martha Stewart Living Television Written by: Kelly White and Nicky Yeatman – Registered Dietitians at OCH Regional Medical Center – To schedule and outpatient appointment please contact 615-2668.

Route for Saturday, July 31: Roll Tide/South Farm loop (11 miles) Leave Heritage Colony, running north on Montgomery. Run about 4.5 miles to Locksley Way and turn right. Run to Spring Street and turn right,staying on the 'wrong side' of the road in order to make another right turn almost immediately into the Vet School drive. Run toward the Vet School, turning left at the first road which goes in front of the buildings and following it to Stone Boulevard. There, turn right and head out to South Farm. After getting onto gravel, continue to the second road on the right and turn there. Follow this road, on the western perimeter of the Farm all the way to the Horse Park. As you near the arena, you'll see the buildings in front of you, but the road will curve sharply to the left behind them. You'll run up a little hill and down the other side and see, on your right, a gate/entrance to the Horse Park. Go over the gate, through the parking area, up the road to Poor House Road. There, you'll have to go over/through another gate, then, turn right, running west back to Montgomery. Turn left and head back HOME. (Submitted by Marcie White)

Map of This Week's Route