by Michelle | Oct 5, 2018 | Move Well
Tillamook County residents “”Stepped Up!” in a big way this summer! Thanks to generous sponsors and a grant secured by Tillamook Regional Medical Center, instructor guided walking groups met weekly over the past six months, with participants collectively logging thousands of miles during the program.
Funding for the “Step it Up!” program came from the Knight Cancer Institute’s Community Partnership Program. The program was offered throughout the state and is based on compelling research showing how combining physical activity with social support reduces cancer occurrence and even recurrence.
“We often refer to risk factors when we talk about chronic disease or cancer,” said Michelle Jenck, project coordinator. “What we really should be talking about are ‘protective’ factors. There are so many positive things we can do with our bodies and minds that prevent us from developing chronic conditions. This was a great opportunity to highlight that.”
In all, 50 people met weekly April through September, to enjoy a 30-minute group walk at least one day each week in various locations throughout the county. All-group activities were held each month to allow members from different walking groups to meet and experience new walking venues. Group hikes were held at Kilchis Point, Whalen Island, Nehalem Bay State Park and in Pacific City along a community boardwalk leading to a beach overlook.
To celebrate, an all-group potluck was held on September 16th at which participants shared their experiences. Overwhelmingly, people said they most enjoyed the social component of the program. Almost all participants cited increased strength, stamina, and energy as well as increased motivation to get out and walk more often and for longer periods of time.
The wrap-up potluck also included awesome prize drawings. Grant funds provided exciting giveaways such as trekking poles and gift cards to sporting goods stores as well as to the new Food Roots Farm to Table storefront in downtown Tillamook. Additionally, several local restaurants and organizations donated incentive prizes which were given out at random each month. Special thanks to our generous donors: NCRD, Tillamook YMCA, Pelican Brewing, Stimulus Café and Headlands Lodge & Spa, Pacific Restaurant, and Elevate Yoga Studio.
“I especially want to thank our volunteer walking group leaders and partner organizations,” said Jenck. “They are the ones who really stepped up by literally showing up week after week, motivating and encouraging people to participate. Our leaders included Leigh Ann Hoffhines and Joyce Trogdon from Rinehart Clinic, Nancy Kershaw from OSU Extension, Darcy Fugate from the YMCA, Kevin Clark from the Tillamook County Community Health Centers, Susie Wenrick and Julie Krohn from the Kiawanda Community Center. They were all amazing and really helped launch the groups.”
Several groups are continuing to meet regularly. People are welcome to drop in to any group at any time. Please note some groups are subject to change and may be weather-dependent if there is no indoor option. Current walking groups include:
Mon/Wed 9:30-10:00 AM OSU Extension/Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall*
Mon/Wed/Fri 10:00-10:30 AM Kiawanda Community Center
TBD** TBD** Neah-Kah-Nie HS Walking Track
Tue/Thur 12:15-12:45 PM Tillamook YMCA (indoor option)
Sat 9:00-9:30 AM Bud’s Trail/Tillamook Junior High
*Indoor option for inclement weather
**The North County walking group plans to continue walking at the Neah-Kah-Nie High School Walking Track, but details have not been finalized. Contact 800-368-5182, Ext. 111 for updated information.
As with any positive lifestyle change, consistency matters. Year-round participation in group physical activity is a key protective factor in preventing disease and improving mental and physical health. It is important to explore activities you enjoy doing and then seek out family, friends or co-workers to join you. Not only will you be protecting your own health, you will become a positive influence in the lives of others as well.
Visit tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org and click on the Calendar page for ways to get connected for better health in Tillamook County.
by Michelle | Oct 5, 2018 | Recipes
Recipe Source: Recipe and photo from www.FoodHero.org
Number of servings: 4
Time for preparation (including preparation and cooking): 20 min
Ingredients:
1 carrot, sliced thin or coarsely grated
1⁄4 cup minced fresh onion
2 Tablespoons light mayonnaise
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)
1 can (15 ounces) beets, diced/drained or 6 (2″ round) cooked from fresh and diced
Directions
- Cook carrots (if desired) until just tender. Try microwave or steaming.
- In a medium bowl, combine onion, mayonnaise, salt, pepper and cilantro, if desired. Add beets and carrots and stir to coat evenly. Serve warm or cold.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
by Michelle | Sep 27, 2018 | Why I'm In
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.
“WHY I’M IN” with Stacie Zuercher, Community Programs Supervisor, Northwest Senior & Disability Services (NWSDS)
What drew you/your organization into Tillamook County Wellness?
Zuercher: Commissioner Bill Baertlein was on the NWSDS board and was very involved in my agency, which is how I initially got involved in the planning for the “Year of Wellness.”
I like that this is a ground-up initiative and not top-down. The “suck in” is for me is that the doors are open for anyone who wants to participate. What are families saying they need? This about asking our community members about their health needs and responding in a thoughtful way – not just looking at statistics.
What, if any, changes have you seen come about as a result of this work?
Zuercher: In our first year we were able to establish a lot of important resources like the tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org website. Initially, there were a number of wonderful agencies doing a lot of collaborative work and we were creating a lot of programs and opportunities for community engagement but this was a lot of work and all of these agencies were going in different directions.
A major shift came about when we realized there was so much good work already happening and we asked ourselves, “What could Tillamook County Wellness do to support what was already happening and even enhance it?” That’s when we shifted our focus to reducing risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
Now this is about supporting other work by providing coordination and alignment toward a common goal. Instead of being a “one hit wonder,” we are all setting our organizational egos aside and are working together to really improve community health in a big way.
What have you learned from being involved in this work?
Zuercher: My career experience, before coming to Tillamook, was in memory care, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. In all honesty, I really had blinders on about public health. I came into my current job right as Tillamook County Wellness was forming, which was great. This experience has helped me gain an understanding of how investing in health and wellness provides a trickle-down effect for everyone in the community.
This has also allowed me to develop a whole new set of skills in community collaboration, outreach and marketing, which help me advocate better for the needs of seniors and people with disabilities.
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to you/your organization?
Zuercher: Personally, I just love Tillamook. I am excited that I get to be part of something that helps Tillamook County. I hope that it motivates people to want to be more engaged in their own community, to take advantage of all the resources that are here and makes people proud of where they live.
Professionally, my goal is for seniors and people with disabilities to feel like they have access to resources. If you are an isolated senior or have health needs, I want you to feel confident that you can find the help you need.
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to changing population health in Tillamook County.
Zuercher: From a population health perspective, I hope that individuals feel supported by their community. That health issues are not a scary thing that people avoid but instead, that they’re thinking about being proactive in ways that help them be as healthy as they can be.
If there is a message we can get out there – whether it is about having healthy families, preventing chronic disease, safety for isolated seniors, or whatever – I just hope that the resources we have created will debunk the myths and fears people have about being healthy.
So often people think, “Diabetes runs in my family. I am at high risk because my mom had it or my dad lost his limb to it, so, this is scary and I don’t want to face it.” Instead, I want people to realize that there are resources here for them. This doesn’t have to feel scary or overwhelming. Hope is what gets people through life’s difficulties.
by Michelle | Sep 27, 2018 | Recipes
Recipe and photo from www.FoodHero.org
Number of servings: 5
Time for preparation (including preparation and cooking): 25 min
Ingredients:
1⁄2 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned)
3⁄4 cup buttermilk
1⁄2 cup carrots, finely grated
1 egg
1 Tablespoon oil
1⁄4 cup nonfat or 1% milk
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1⁄2 cup all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Directions
- Mix oatmeal and buttermilk and set aside to soak.
- Peel and grate the carrot with a fine grater.
- Add egg, oil, milk and vanilla extract, if desired, to the oatmeal mixture; beat well. Stir in the grated carrot.
- Measure dry ingredients and stir into the wet ingredients until batter is fairly smooth. If it seems too thick add a small amount of milk.
- Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet). For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle.
- Cook until pancakes are puffed and dry around edges. Turn and cook other side until golden brown.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes
- To see if skillet is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If drops skitter around, heat is just right.
- Top with applesauce, fresh fruit or yogurt.
by Michelle | Sep 20, 2018 | Why I'm In
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.
“WHY I’M IN …” Interview with County Commissioner Bill Baertlein
How did you come to be involved in the Year of Wellness, now Tillamook County Wellness?
Baertlein: When I was first elected as county commissioner, I noticed there was a lot of competition and siloed work between our local health care and mental health care agencies. Everyone was – and is – doing good work but it wasn’t having the impact we would all hope to see. My initial thinking was that, maybe, if we had one project, where we could all work together, we could make a difference in community health.
In 2014, I attended a community-wide strategic planning session hosted by Adventist Health. It was there, in a breakout session on Chronic Disease Prevention, that I floated the idea of having a “Year of Wellness.” People were very receptive to the idea. From there, I reached out to Marlene Putman, our County Public Health Administrator, and asked her to help bring the idea to fruition.
What, if any, changes have you seen come about as a result of this work?
Baertlein: Intuitively, I see more people out walking. People seem to be talking about health more and in ways that show they are more aware of the benefits of healthy living. I can’t put it into numbers but that is something we hope to track as we move forward.
What have you learned from being involved in this work?
Baertlein: I have learned that all our community organizations really do want to collaborate. Despite the inherent competition among some agencies, there is a willingness to set those things aside and work toward a common goal. This is something really remarkable.
Personally, I have learned to change my own eating habits. I have always been a walker but I knew I needed to eat better. This has given me the motivation to improve my habits.
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to you/your organization?
Baertlein: My hope is that, 20 years from now, we will see the changes we have started will have led to improved lifestyles and a decline in chronic disease rates. This is the difficult part of public service. We don’t always see the results of our work right away. The changes in policy we make now, often affect things way out in the future. Prevention is a long-term investment. Of course, we want to help people right now. We need to be compassionate. But we also have to be strategic with how we invest our limited resources.
Do you have anything else you would like to share about this work as it relates to changing population health in Tillamook County?
Baertlein: This has been a lot of fun. It has been very satisfying to look back and see the changes we have initiated. We are building something from the ground up. It is something we can all be proud of.
