Livingston YMCA Hosts Family Events to Celebrate Healthy Eating and Fitness

A smoothie contest, food demonstrations and parent/children play time are just some of the ways the Metropolitan YMCA, including the West Essex Y in Livingston, will celebrate Healthy U/Food Day this month.

“Our goal is to inspire families to eat healthy and exercise through these fun-filled events that culminate on Food Day,’’ a nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable and sustainable food on Oct. 24, said Elizabeth Youngstein, the Metro Y’s director of healthy living.

The Metro Y is the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey, serving 35,000 members at the West Essex Y in Livingston, the East Orange Y, the Fairview Lake Y in Stillwater, the South Mountain Y in Maplewood, the Sussex County Y in Hardyston, and the Wayne Y.

The Ys will celebrate and recommit to their work of supporting Healthy U, a program created in 2008 by the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey to combat childhood obesity through nutrition education, physical education and family involvement. Healthy U uses the evidence-based CATCH (coordinated approach to child health) curriculum that promotes the enjoyment of eating healthy and being physically active every day.

“The celebrations on Oct. 24 and the week leading up to it kick off a commitment to a healthy lifestyle that will benefit children throughout their lives,’’ Youngstein said.

At the South Mountain Y, the early child learning center will be teaching children about healthy foods in the week leading up to Oct. 24. On Food Day, parents are invited to the classroom to make breakfasts with fruits and vegetables, and children will hear food stories, learn about nutrition and play catch games.

The Y’s school age childcare program will host a Play Day on Oct. 24 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for students and parents at each site. Participants will play team-building sports like volleyball, relay races and brain games and make their own drinks at a juice station stocked with fresh fruits, vegetables, yogurt, honey and ice.

Here’s a rundown of events at the Metro Y’s Branches:
The Y’s early childhood learning center will provide a “Breakfast to Go’ of oatmeal and toppings to parents at drop-off on Food Day, and ShopRite will run cooking demonstrations for children. The ECLC will also kick off its ‘Share a Healthy Snack’ program, in which families bring in a snack to share with the class.

West Essex Y in Livingston
The Y’s school age childcare program is participating in the first annual Healthy Smoothie Contest, with kids experimenting to create a recipe that is both healthy and delicious. The top three recipes chosen by ShopRite dietician Christine Patorniti will compete for the top honor at the Y’s Fall Family Fun Festival on Sunday, October 19.
Recipes will be posted here.

The Y, in partnership with the Livingston Food Day committee, has already hosted food-themed film screening, a quinoa and chili cook-off, and a ‘Stuff the Bus’ food drive, among other events.

About the YMCA
Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges is the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey, serving more than 35,000 individuals and providing more than $1.4 million in financial assistance. Its six YMCAs, located in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Hardyston, Stillwater and Wayne, are committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility. They offer an array of programs that build spirit, mind and body for people of all ages and all circumstances.

Information and photo courtesy of Margaret McHugh