Living Well In Yalobusha County

It’s time to register for free crochet classes coming in April. These will be beginner crochet classes. The classes will be held Thursday, April 4, and Thursday, April 11, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.  Bring a roll of yarn and a crochet needle. Because this is a hands on class– space is limited so please call the Extension office at 675-2730 or email me pamelar@ext.msstate.edu to reserve your spot.
If you registered for the Ruffle Scarf Workshop it is Wednesday, March 20 at 1:30 p.m. If you didn’t get to register and would be interested in taking the class, keep a watch on this article in the paper. We will have another class the first part of April.
The United Y.C. MHV Club is working on sewing shorts for Haiti. If you are interested in helping us with this project at your home, you will need one yard of material, 1 spool of matching thread, and 1 roll of elastic.  You can contact the Extension office for the pattern and you can sew at home. We will need the shorts to the Extension Office by Monday, April 8th.  As, we will be turning them in at our Area Meeting on April 9th. Our goal is to complete at least 20 pairs of shorts.
The Clover Buds 4-H Club will meet on Thursday, March 21 at 4 p.m. This is open to all children ages 5-9 years old.  Please call the Extension Office to register your child.
The Healthy You Exercise class meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If you haven’t joined us, you should.  Wear cool clothes, comfortable shoes and bring some water to drink, because you are going to sweat!
Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at MSU- Yalobusha County Exten-sion Service to keep up with our upcoming events.

Healing Foods for a Healthy Life: Part One
The foods you eat–as well as your activity levels–are major players in maintaining optimal health.
Check out these food and health pairings:

Heart-Healthy Fare
Fat affects your heart, for better or for worse. It’s type of fat that matters. Saturated fat, which is in beef, full-fat dairy products (think butter, milk, cheese, and yogurt), poultry skin, and milk chocolate, can be detrimental to your heart when eaten in excess.
Eat these foods in small amounts. Animal products also contain cholesterol, which can affect heart health by causing hardening of the arteries (aka atherosclerosis), which can lead to heart attacks and heart disease.
Fats that keep your heart happily ticking along are unsaturated fats. You can find them in plant-based oils like canola (rapeseed), olive, grape seed, safflower, and peanut oils. Also, avocados and nuts like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and peanuts all contain beneficial monounsaturated fats. Walnuts, flax, chia, and hemp seeds contain vital polyunsaturated fats called omega-3 fats, which help keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range while fending off cardiac inflammation.
Since nuts and seeds are high in calories, limit your serving to an ounce per day. Cold-water, fatty fish like salmon, halibut, mackerel, and tuna contain omega-3 fats, too. Aim for at least two 6-ounce servings per week for your heart to reap the rewards.
Fruits and vegetables are natural blood pressure regulators–their high potassium and fiber, particularly soluble fiber, work together to keep arterial walls clear and blood flowing smoothly. They also help keep the pressure on arterial walls in a healthy range, which in turn keeps the heart from being overworked.