by Guest | Aug 17, 2022 | Why I'm In
“WHY I’M IN …” An interview with Lewis Martin, Nutrition Director, Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council
The Tillamook County Wellness “Why I’m In” interview series highlights our community partners and what has inspired and motivated them to work toward the common goal of improving community health.
What drew you/your organization to partner with Tillamook County Wellness?
Martin: The Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council works on behalf of all dairy farmers and processors in the state to educate and inform on the essential role that dairy foods, healthy eating, and public health promotion have in community well-being. Since 2014, ODNC’s commitment to Tillamook County Wellness and to the health of those living in this area (which houses the most dairy farms in the state) has been a natural fit. As a Registered Dietitian and the new Nutrition Director for ODNC, helping others reach their highest level of health has always been one of my greatest passions, and I plan to continue to support the wonderful work being done by this group that has had years in the making.
What, if any, changes have you seen come about as a result of this work?
Martin: During my brief time with Tillamook County Wellness so far, I’ve seen the This Way to Well-being campaign come to life and inspire individuals across the county to reconsider their perception of ways to lead a healthier life. This initiative has gone beyond traditional approaches in health promotion that only emphasize movement and healthy eating (as important as they are), and encourages social connectedness, mental well-being, outdoor recreation, and even financial awareness. This work has also demonstrated the power that Social Media has to help reach and engage with an even greater number of individuals living in the Tillamook community.
What have you learned from being involved in this work?
Martin: Something I’ve learned time and time again throughout my career, and especially with Tillamook County Wellness, is that when you bring others together with the shared vision and drive to make a difference to the health and well-being of those in their community, you can accomplish wonderful feats. Our committee is composed of a diverse group of members of different professional backgrounds and organizations, and we continue to find ways to connect the dots, lean on our strengths, and draw from collective expertise to drive our mission forward.
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to you/your organization?
Martin: I want to continue to provide a voice of expertise in nutrition as a foundation for well-being, and the role that dairy foods play as part of a healthy life. I’m also excited to bring years of experience in health promotion and community well-being to the Tillamook County Wellness team, and to help create fun and engaging initiatives that will continue to make Tillamook a wonderful place to live, gather, and grow.
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to changing community health in Tillamook County?
Martin: It’s my goal for everyone living in Tillamook county to be invested in and excited for their health and wellness. This is partly to aid in our public health efforts to prevent and manage chronic illness in our community, but also because there’s simply just so much to inform about and share in this county related to well-being. This includes the incredible outdoor recreation, the plethora of social events and interest groups, access to mental health and social support resources, the amazing and nutritious foods and dairy products produced right in our back yard (some of the best in the entire country), and the help that this organization offers in guiding others to lead their best life.
Thank you!
by Guest | Aug 17, 2022 | Recipes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped peaches, canned or fresh
- 1 large tomato, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
Directions
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Combine peaches, tomato, bell pepper, onion and cilantro in a large bowl. Add lime juice, salt and pepper and stir gently to mix.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add cayenne pepper or diced jalapeno peppers.
- Serve with fresh vegetables, crackers or Food Hero Baked Tortilla Chips.
- Try with tacos, tostadas, fish, chicken, and more.
- Freeze extra lime juice for later.
Photo & Recipe Source: https://www.foodhero.org/recipes/peach-salsa
by Guest | Aug 3, 2022 | Recipes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 packages of fully cooked chicken sausage (any flavor, such as sun-dried tomato)
- 4 bell peppers
- 4 zucchini
- 12 spears asparagus
- 2 medium red onions
- 6 scallions
- 12 fresh basil leaves, cut into thin slivers
- Salt
- Cooking spray
- Optional: wild rice or quinoa
Dressing:
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves (~2 tsp chopped garlic)
- 1 tsp dried oregano, crumbled
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp Coleman’s dry mustard
- Juice of one orange
Directions:
- Preheat a grill to medium heat.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, garlic, oregano, cumin, mustard, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and orange juice.
- Slice the vegetables: Cut the peppers into quarters, slice the zucchini into rounds (or lengthwise in half if using baby zucchini), snap off the tough bottom parts of the asparagus, cut the onions into wedges, trim the scallions.
- Brush the vegetables with the dressing (the extra dressing can be drizzled over the vegetables after grilling) and season lightly with salt. Add the vegetables to the grill or veggie basket and grill for 8 to 10 minutes, until tender.
- Place the chicken sausage on the grill and heat through for 4 to 5 minutes, turning frequently.
- Drizzle remaining dressing over the vegetables. Sprinkle with sliced basil.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, with the option to include a side of rice or quinoa.
Adapted from Diabetes Food Hub and Mario Batali Italian Grill
Photo Source: Adobe Stock
by Guest | Jul 26, 2022 | Move Well
We may be coming in on the last month of summer, but there are still plenty of local, family friendly events taking place right here in Tillamook County (for free!) Whether it’s wandering down Laneda Avenue in Manzanita to enjoy the local poetry displays or joining a guided tour to learn about our salt marsh habitats, there is something for everyone over the next couple weeks. These opportunities make for a great excuse to round up some friends and family to enjoy the summer weather – and a huge thank you to the local organizations who are hosting these events for free!
Events Organized by Date:
Hoffman Center Poetry Walk by the Hoffman Center for the Arts
When and where: July 1st – 30th along Laneda Avenue in Manzanita
This Poetry Walk features fifteen poems celebrating summer at the coast and written by local poets. Poems are placed along nine blocks of Laneda Avenue in Manzanita, between the Visitor’s Center on 1st to the west and the architecturally beautiful Columbia Bank building at Classic Street to the east. This poetry walk is a fun and free event for all. You can also buy a chance to win one of the 18 by 24 framed poems for $10 per ticket – winners will be selected August 1st.
To learn more, visit https://hoffmanarts.org/events/poetry-walk/ or the Facebook page @Hoffman Center Manzanita
Mindfulness Walk by Tillamook County Wellness
When and where: Sitka Sedge Natural Area Parking Lot on Saturday July 30th at 9 am (for guide training) or 10 am (for mindfulness walk)
Join TCW for a guided morning walk-and-learn! Besides benefiting mental and physical health, mindfulness is free, with no gear to buy, and available to try any time. This is a 2 for 1 mindfulness event: From 9 am to 10 am, we will be leading a “guide training” for those who would like to learn how to share mindful walking techniques with your community. At 10 am, we will start the guided mindfulness walk at the Sitka Sedge parking lot trailhead. By the end of the walk, you will have the materials and knowledge to continue a mindfulness-based walking practice, and pass on the knowledge to friends and family.
To learn more, visit the Facebook page @TillamookCountyWellness for the event details
Salt Marsh Ecology Walk along Netarts Bay by Friends of Netarts Bay – Watershed, Estuary, Bay, and Sea
When and where: Sunday July 31st from 10 am to 2 pm at the Netarts Bay (4949 Netarts Hwy W)
Description: Join Friends of Netarts Bay – Watershed, Estuary, Beach, and Sea (WEBS) for a FREE event including a presentation and guided tour along the salt marsh at the southern end of Netarts Bay. Learn about the plants and animals that live in this unique habitat and the importance of this environment from the forest to the water’s edge. Discover how plants survive in a salty world and explore the succession of vegetation from the bay to the dunes. This event is free but registration is required.
To learn more, visit https://www.netartsbaywebs.org/events or the Facebook page @NetartsBayWEBS
Walk and Talk: Cape Falcon Marine Reserve by North Coast Land Conservancy
When and where: Thursday August 11th, 2022 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Devil’s Cauldron and Elk Flats Trail in Oswald West State Park
Description: Bring your binoculars and hiking shoes for a walk and talk on the Elk Flats Trail with both the NCLC Marine Program Coordinator Kirstin Bayans and Land Steward Eric Owen. Along the way, we will discuss the surrounding flora and fauna of Oswald West State Park and the Cape Falcon Marine Reserve. The walk terminates at the Devil’s Cauldron overlook. This program is free but registration is required.
To learn more, visit https://nclctrust.org/on-the-land/ or the Facebook page @nclctrust
This Way to Well-Being by Tillamook County Wellness
When and where: Multiple locations from April through October
There is no “right” path to wellness; it’s a journey that is unique to each person. We all have different interests that motivate us, as well as different challenges or barriers that prevent us from sticking to healthy habits. By looking at the things we want to do, we stand a much better chance of getting on – and staying on – a path to well-being. To help you navigate what that path might look like, we have developed a handy map of fun activities here in Tillamook County that have helped others improve their health and well-being. This activity is free and open to everyone. As an added bonus, visiting points along the map gives you a chance to win prizes!
To learn more, visit https://tillamookcountywellness.org/this-way-to-well-being-2/ or the Facebook page @TillamookCountyWellness
For more upcoming local events, keep an eye on the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce Community Calendar which can be found here: https://tillamookchamber.org/events/
Other wellness questions? Email us at info@tillamookcountywellness.org. For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
by Guest | Jul 26, 2022 | Recipes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- ½ cup fresh raspberries (pureed)
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp pine nuts (or any other nuts)
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 4 cups mixed baby field greens
- 1 pinch black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
Directions:
- In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients.
- In a medium salad bowl, toss together salad ingredients. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to coat.
Recipe Source: Diabetes Food Hub https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/green-salad-with-raspberry-vinaigrette.html
