by Guest | Feb 23, 2024 | Eat Well, Featured, Lunch & Snack Recipes, Recipes, Uncategorized
Deliciously soft cookies brimming with wholesome ingredients like oatmeal, carrots, and raisins. A fantastic choice for a nutritious treat or snack that’s sure to be a family favorite!
Ingredients
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce or fruit puree
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups finely grated carrot (about 3 large carrots)
- 1 cup raisins (or any type dried fruit)
Directions
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, stir together the sugars, oil, applesauce, eggs and vanilla. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients.
- Blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir in the carrots and raisins.
- Drop the dough by a teaspoon onto the baking sheet.
- Bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Store in an airtight container.
For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
by Guest | Feb 20, 2024 | Being Well, Eat Well, Featured, Uncategorized, Why I'm In, Work Well
“WHY I’M IN …” An interview with Mari Tasche, Oregon Health & Science University
What drew you/your organization to partner with Tillamook County Wellness?
When first introduced to Tillamook County Wellness, I was inspired by the work of the committees and felt that TCW aligned with my passion for improving the wellness and quality of life of others, particularly those made vulnerable by current systems. I have always been actively involved in my community, whether coaching youth soccer or coordinating a community-wide couch to 5k running group. As an exercise physiologist looking to transition into public health and plant my roots on the north coast, TCW provided a great opportunity to understand the region’s needs and get involved in efforts to address community health.
What, if any, changes have you seen come about as a result of this work?
Improving the health and wellness of a county is challenging work and truly takes a village. TCW is a unifying force that brings people and organizations together to share knowledge, leverage resources, and provide support. This strengthens our connections, creates unity, and fosters collective progress for the betterment of our community. I have seen many organizations coordinate and collaborate on projects, programs, and initiatives they might not have otherwise pursued together. This coalition has also taken ownership of the community health needs assessment and improvement plan to address the region’s top health and social needs. Efforts include evaluating and refocusing the work of committees, pursuing or supporting grants, establishing or strengthening partnerships, and broadening community outreach and engagement.
What have you learned from being involved in this work?
I have learned that opportunities are endless if you make the effort to reach out. Many people want to see this county thrive and want to contribute their part to make that happen. It is inspiring and fuels my optimism for this work. I have also learned that this work is like climbing a mountain with no top. It’s endless, but if you enjoy what you are doing, it doesn’t feel like a daunting task- and don’t forget to celebrate the small steps!
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to you/your organization?
My role has continued to evolve since joining a few years ago, and I strive to find my niche and how to best contribute my time and resources to TCW. As I wrap up my master’s degree in public health this fall, I am looking to align my final projects with TCW initiatives and develop relevant content and materials to drive this work forward. As a regionally based employee with the Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network at OHSU, I aim to pursue future opportunities for cross-over and collaboration.
What are your hopes for this work as it relates to changing community health in Tillamook County.
Changing community health takes a multifaceted and dynamic approach. I hope that TCW continues to address this challenge holistically by strengthening a diverse network with a unified message, comprehensive strategy, and county-wide framework that can meet the needs of every individual and help them live their best, healthy lives.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I appreciate being a part of this coalition and look forward to what we can accomplish in the coming years.
For more local health and wellness information, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
by Guest | Feb 16, 2024 | Eat Well, Featured, Recipes, Uncategorized
Indulge in the vibrant harmony of flavors with this beet and carrot salad – a quick, simple, and creamy delight that elevates any meal as the perfect side dish.
Ingredients
1 carrot, sliced thin or coarsely grated
¼ cup minced onion
2 Tablespoons light mayonnaise or plain yogurt
¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)
6 (2-inch round) beets, cooked from fresh and diced, or 1 can (15 ounces) drained, rinsed and diced
Directions
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Cook sliced carrots, if desired, until just tender. Try microwaving or steaming.
- In a medium bowl, combine the onion, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Add cilantro, if desired. Add beets and carrots and stir to mix. Serve warm or cold.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes
- No mayonnaise? Use plain yogurt instead.
Resource: https://foodhero.org/recipes/beet-and-carrot-salad
by Guest | Jan 23, 2024 | Eat Well, Featured, Lunch & Snack Recipes, Recipes
Warm and comforting whole-wheat banana bread that is perfect any time of day. Oats add to the moist texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cups oats (quick-cooking or old fashioned rolled)
- ¼ cup nonfat or low-fat milk
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup mashed ripe banana
- 1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Directions
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of an 8- or 9-inch bread pan.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, milk, eggs, oil, sugar and mashed banana. Let this mixture stand for at least 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Add the wet oat mixture to the dry flour mixture and stir gently to combine. Be careful not to overmix.
- Pour the mixture into the bread pan and spread evenly.
- Bake a 9-inch loaf for 45 minutes or an 8-inch loaf for 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. If you have a food thermometer, the center of the loaf will be at least 190 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Remove the loaf from the pan and let cool completely on a rack. Slice to serve.
- Wrap to store for several days or freeze for up to a month.
Recipe from Foodhero.org
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 Michelle | Jan 16, 2024 | Eat Well, Featured, Move Well, Work Well
Tillamook County Wellness was launched in 2016 as a “Year of Wellness” with a simple goal – to encourage people to make small changes to become healthier. After a successful kick-off year, the Wellness Advisory Committee decided to ride the wave of community support for this grassroots population health improvement initiative and set a ten-year goal to reduce the percentage of people in Tillamook County who were at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. This ambitious goal had one significant challenge. How would we track our efforts to determine if we were having an impact? We can’t measure what doesn’t happen. Or can we?
In 2016, the percentage of adults in Tillamook County living with a diagnosis of diabetes was 12%. In 2023, the same source for this data (County Health Rankings), reported Tillamook County rates at 8%. Another bright spot for comparison is that we began our journey with a health ranking in the bottom third of Oregon counties. Today we boast a #12 county health ranking status out of 35 ranked counties in the state. Anecdotally, we are making progress. More concretely, we have built more trusting relationships, established policies, programs and strengthened partnerships in ways that are making Tillamook County a healthier place to live, work, play, learn and age.
So, who is Tillamook County Wellness and what exactly are we doing to improve health and quality of life in Tillamook County? It’s all of us and it’s everything. This is what collective action looks like. It takes everyone thinking, working and living together intentionally in ways that promote health and well-being.
In 2023, 34 community and government organizations, businesses, schools, healthcare partners and many, many volunteers all worked together to move the dial on health. Grants were written and awarded for building a sustainable healthcare partner network, implementing a health literacy campaign and partnering to hold a bike rodeo where more than 30 bikes were given away to area families. Walking groups, led by volunteers, met weekly throughout the county. Hundreds of vegetable seeds were distributed so our local gardens can “Grow Well.” Free wellness classes were held in English & Spanish for everything from how to prevent and manage chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes to how to manage personal finances.
Upstream efforts to build more housing, increase the availability and affordability of childcare and expand education pathways for higher income-earning potential are just some examples of how partners are working to create the conditions for a healthier community. Changes to the built environment such as community walking paths, segments of the Salmonberry Trail and a bike pump track are other examples of work being done to make it easier for people to get and stay healthy. Area schools work with Food Roots to teach kids where their food comes from and how to cultivate and cook it. Nutritious recipes with easy-to-find, inexpensive ingredients are being shared and devoured based on the social media stats behind those shares.
The point here is that wellness is more than a number on the scale or a medical record. Wellness starts with people’s ability to have a safe place to live, healthy food to eat, an education that leads to a living wage job, a community that has adequate supports for mental health, addiction, and for families with loved ones experiencing disabilities or different abilities.
Often, when we think about the challenges that negatively impact community health, we wonder, “why isn’t someone doing something about this?” Working in community well-being for a decade, it is clear to me that much is being done and a lot of positive changes are resulting from those efforts. The organizations responsible for much of this work are often constrained by lack of funding, staff or volunteers. You can make a difference by making donations to your favorite charities, getting involved as a volunteer, and advocating for the good work within your family and peer circles. After all, giving back is good for your health.
Written By Michelle Jenck, M.Ed.,
To learn more, get involved and donate, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or email us at info@tillamookcountywellness.org.
by Guest | Dec 5, 2023 | Eat Well, Featured, Lunch & Snack Recipes, Recipes, Uncategorized
Here’s a beginner’s guide to help you create an appealing charcuterie board for your upcoming event.
- Plan for the board size according to your group. It’s better to overshoot on size than to run out of room
- Place the cheeses in strategic spots. If you pull them out of the refrigerator an hour or so ahead of time the room temperature makes for better flavor. They can be used to prop up any potentially rolling items like berries
- Add any small decorative bowls (dips, olives, anything you’d like the flavor to stay contained)
- If you are going to add any meat you will want to curve or curl them
- Arrange crackers and condiments
- Fill in all the gaps with fruit and veggies
- Add nuts and/or chocolate.
- Add garnish!
Harvest Charcuterie
- 1 8-ounce wheel of brie
- 4 ounces Manchego cheese, sliced into ¼ inch triangles
- 5 ounces cheddar cheese, sliced into ¼ inch pieces
- 1 cup seedy crackers
- 8 dried breadsticks (halved if necessary, to fit on board)
- 2 cups black grapes
- 3 figs, halved
- 1 cup berries (blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries)
- ½ cup olives
- ¼ cup gherkins
- ¼ cup dried ginger pieces
- 1 tablespoon pepitas
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries
- Garnish with rosemary, basil, or any leafy lettuce
Charcuterie is an art medium and you are the artist.
Enjoy!
Artist/Author: Christine Webber
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.
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