Living Well In Yalobusha County

A special thank-you to Mrs. Jo Davis, Mississippi Homemaker Volunteer (MHV), who helped the 4-H members make bracelets at the last meeting. The youth could make a bracelet for themselves, for their mom for Mother’s Day or to place in their Operation Christmas child box. (See photo below).
Youth planning on submitting an art entry in the Dairy Poster Contest can come to the Extension office on Thursday, April 24 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to work on their entry during the 4-H art workday. Local artist Pat Rodrigue will be available to assist. The completed entry will be due to the Extension office by May 15. The North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Art Contest entries are due to the Extension Office by Monday, May 5th.
Our Healthy You Exercise Classes meet on Monday, Wednes-day and Friday at 9 a.m. at the Extension office in Coffeeville.
Are you interested in learning basic couponing tips that can save you 50 percent or more on your grocery bill? If so, we have the workshop for you. LaTrell Stokes, Oktibbeha County MSU-ES Extension Agent,  will conduct a couponing 101 workshop on May 7. The workshop will begin at  noon at the Yalobusha County Extension Office, in Coffee-ville. This workshop is free to the public. Come get tips on starting, collecting, and saving. We will discuss saving on more than just groceries. Bring your lunch. Call 675-2730 for reservations.
To celebrate 100 years of the Extension Service in Mississippi, the Yalobusha County Extension office is hosting an open house. The event will be May 5 from 4 -6 p.m. at the Yalobusha County Extension Office located inside the Multi-Purpose Building in Coffeeville. Please make plans to stop by and enjoy refreshments, meet our staff and find out about some of the activities that are going on at our office.
Small Changes to a Healthier You
Everyone knows how important it is to eat healthy, exercise, and achieve and maintain a healthy body.     
Sometimes the thought of a total lifestyle makeover can be overwhelming. If you start with small changes, over time you will become a healthier you and chances are much greater that the habits you form will become permanent.
If you do not exercise now, making your goal “I will exercise one hour everyday” can seem impossible. But if your goal is to “walk 10 minutes every day at lunch time,” you are much more likely to try it. When planning your goals, keep them simple and specific. These are just your starting point. I will eat healthy would not be a specific goal. Instead you might say, “I will eat at least one fruit or vegetable at every meal.” Once you succeed with small goals and see how good you feel, you will be more likely to continue to add new goals. Encourage the whole family to get involved!
Just do it now! Think of two goals you can start tomorrow. See the list below for ideas to get you started.  
• I will switch to low- or non-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt.
• I will include fruit or vegetable as part of one meal each day.
• I will try to eat at least one whole grain food three times a week.
• I will involve the family in planning one healthy meal each week.
• We will do one physical activity (walk, hike, bike) as a family twice a month.