Monthly Archives: March 2016

Postcard Highlights for March | 2016

Posted on by
Reply

Check out the postcards created for the Month of March by AMA Youths and staffs! We encourage healthy youth messages and want to share our knowledge with the community!

AMapostcard

insta2

Blog link to this postcard here!

insta3

insta4

insta5

insta1

Blog link to this postcard here!

Local Farmers in the Urban City

Posted on by
Reply
Robert Lor displays a bitter melon, one of many he grew on more than 100 acres of rented land north of Stillwater. (Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

Photo belongs to Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin) 

With spring’s arrival and summer around the corner, we encourage people to support their local farmers and markets. It supports our farmers and helps the community by having access to local, fresh, affordable, and organic foods! Minnesota has many farmers that sells a variety of produces and goods. Here are some ways in which you can support your community:

  • Be on the lookout for farmer’s markets that could potentially be anywhere! A popular spot is under the 94W bridge where people can find goods like fresh flowers, delicious grilled corn, and homemade candles! Of course, farmer’s markets are often located on busy streets or lots such as on Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis Downtown, parking lots of Asian supermarkets, and such!
  • Organic and fresh produces from local farmers are cheaper and have better quality! The grocery stores probably charges a lot for organic produces and not everyone can afford them. But local farmers are willing to sell for a better price with a guarantee for great quality.
  • It’s only seasonal, so make sure you stock up! You can’t always buy produces and goods whenever you want to. The summer season is your best time to venture out and explore what’s available in your community!
  • Become exposed to local foods & music! You can try local foods that are not found in other cities and enjoy the different things that are being offered. You’ll be exposed to a variety of cultures, fashion, and music with Minnesota’s diverse population. Expect to see lots of influences from the Somalian, Hmong, Irish, and more!

National Nutrition Month & Food Trends!

Posted on by
Reply

insta2

Original artwork belongs to www.storybird.com

Wondering what to eat next? Or maybe you want to try out the current food trends? This year has kicked off with food trends that demanded healthier food options and about eating local. You’ll never know what the area around you has to offer so take a look! Listed down below are some tips for you to try out!

  • Eating local has always been a thing, but it’s even bigger in the recent years! It means that you go out there and explore the food scene in your local areas. You may find restaurants that serve dishes that you had not tried before. Minnesota has some of the best areas for foodies to eat such as on Nicollet street, Downtown Minneapolis, central St. Paul, and more. A wide variety of foods await from Vietnamese cuisine to well-known steakhouses to authentic Mexican food.
  • Going green is healthier! The emphasize on healthy food is tremendous this year with a focus on vegetable juicing, detoxing with fruit infused water, eating grass fed animal products, and such! Organic and eating more greens is something that you should try to do more often!
  • Reduction in processed and unhealthy food! People everywhere are trying to eat healthier and it is clear of what foods people are avoiding. Foods that are high in salt, saturated fat, and sugar are some major “NO” you should try to avoid. Foods like chips, pop, fast foods, and such. Of course, it is okay to indulge once in a while.
  • Bring on the vegetable side dishes! Vegetables are eaten more often when served as side dishes and not as a dish itself. It will encourage you and possible any kids around you to eat it! Serve side dishes of vegetables stir fried or mix with other veggies as a light salad.
  • March is also known as National Nutrition Month! It serves to promote healthy living through making better food choices. Become part of group and spread the message of positivity of healthy eating. Check out this link on you can get involved!

 

Get Active in March

Posted on by
Reply

insta1

March is here and so is the warmer season! It is a great time to go outside for fun activities, exercises, and sports. If you’ve been working out at home or at the gym, maybe it’s time to change things up! Need some ideas on what you can do in Minnesota? Listed down are some tips:

  • Go biking in Minneapolis! Did you know that Minneapolis is one of the top bicycle friendly cities in the U.S.? There are more than 118 miles of on-street bicycling and a whole trail that goes around the state called the Grand Rounds Scenic. If you don’t want to invest in bike, there are rental bikes available throughout the city. Nice Ride Minnesota is another affordable and convenient option for bicyclists and there are Nice Ride stations throughout the city for whenever you want to rent/return a bike.

BIKING 3473-S

http://www.travisnovitsky.com/

  • Try out new exercises:
    • “Pilates is a form of exercise that is centered on controlled body movements. Because of its focus on core strength, pilates is an excellent way to improve your balance and coordination…Common pilates exercises focus on strengthening the body’s center, which encompasses the abdomen, lower and upper back, hips, buttocks, and inner thighs.” – https://www.presidentschallenge.org/
    • Dancing is a great way to burn off energy in a fun and quick way! Other fun dances to get you moving is tango, zumba, hip pop, and ballroom dancing.
    • Slow exercises not only helps the body, but also the mind. It can range from Tai Chi to different forms of yoga.
  • March is National Nutrition Month and it’s purpose is to encourage everyone on healthy eating and with that, tips on how to live and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. For more info on this event, go to http://www.eatright.org.  

This Month in Japan | March

Posted on by
Reply

“Yayoi is the lunar calendar name for March meaning “new life,” symbolizing the coming of spring.

The only national holiday this month is Shunbun no hi, or Vernal Equinox Day, on March 20th or 21st. This is the official mark of the spring season as well as the unofficial start of the sakura cherry blossom season in much of Japan.

Hinamatsuri-Doll-Festival-300x199

www.japanesehouse.org

Screen-Shot-2012-03-03-at-2.44.05-PM

www.kawaiikakkoiisugoi.com

Girls’ Day, or Hina Matsuri, falls on March 3rd and is one of the most popular celebrations this month. In mid-February, it is customary for families with young daughters to set up doll displays of the imperial court. Families enjoy tasty delights like chirashi sushi and strawberry daifuku while offering prayers for good health, fortune, and happiness for young girls.” – Credit to original owner. 

Other events going on in Japan:

  • March represents the beginning of spring and blooming of cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom viewing is a popular activity with tourists and the Japanese people. And because it only occurs  for a short period of time, many people may gather together to view cherry blossoms at parks at once.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

lifetoreset.wordpress.com

  • March 14 is White Day and this holiday is when men gives a gift back to the women they received gifts from (on Valentine’s Day). It is also a popular holiday for sales events in major department stores.
  • “A festival to welcome Spring to Nara with a wide range of rituals that take place over 14 days (March 1 – March 14). The main events involve burning giant torches surprisingly close to a 1200 year old wooden building at Todaiji Temple to rain sacred sparks on a crowd standing below.” – http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/japan-in-march

tmp_e_1652_event_img

aussieontheizu.blogspot.com

  • For more info on events in Japan during the month of March, link here!