Spread the Awareness of Obesity!

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AMA STEP UP Youth

“Physical education programs are being cut from schools due to competing priorities. And unfortunately, this not only hurts kids’ health, but it hinders their ability to learn as well. In order to help #ProtectPE, we all need to be informed about the state of physical education across the country and in our own communities.” – Rightful owner

Nowadays, kids are less active compared to the past due to the recent technology advancement and less funding for physical ed programs. More kids are staying inside at their school and home without getting much opportunity to be active outside and during school hours.

Obesity2011

http://www.ncsl.org/

“Obesity rates have soared over the past four decades. Today, more than 23 million kids and teenagers — nearly a third — are overweight or obese.” – http://www.preventobesity.net/

It’s important to remember that physical activity is very important for not only your health, but also to your well being. This is the true goal of help kids stay active! What are the positive benefits of being physical active:

  • Burning off energy = stress level decrease, burn calories
  • At schools, it helps students concentrate during class and in their studies when they are able to have breaks in between.
  •  Test your knowledge of physical activity in schools linked here!

Current Events in May!

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Wondering about what events are occurring in May? A few are listed down below and maybe you might want to attend some of them with your friends and families. There is something for everyone from music to sightseeing! Make sure to check around your local areas of other events that may not be posted online.

  • The Pan Asian Arts Festival 2016 is happening at MOA on May 14th from 12PM-8PM! Come enjoy free performances, games, and carnival activities! Get the chance to see the performances from Iny Asian Dance Theater, Mu Gung Hwa Korean Dance Group, Sumunar Indonesian Dance Ensemble, and much more! It’s a free event for all!
  • May is also recognized as National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM). It advocates to spread awareness and prevention of teen pregnancy. Click here for more info!
  • The Minnesota History Center is hosting the “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation: the Depression, the War, the Boom” exhibit about those who lived through the Great Depression, World War II, and the years after the war! Admissions are $11 and it would be a great experience for everyone!
  • SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week 2016 – May 15-21, 2016
    • “SAMHSA’s fifth annual National Prevention Week, happening May 15-21, 2016, is dedicated to increasing public awareness and prevention of mental and/or substance use disorders. During National Prevention Week, community organizations across the country host health fairs, educational assemblies, town hall meetings, memorial walks, social media campaigns, outdoor events, and more. This year’s theme—Strong as One, Stronger Together—recognizes that one person can make a positive difference in their community, but when we all unite together we can achieve even more.” – Rightful owner
  • Other helpful links for Minnesota events occurring in May:

NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

league-bikemonth_bike

myhealthoc.org

“Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. National Bike to Work Week 2016 will be held on May 16-20. Bike to Work Day is May 20! ” – Rightful owner

Here are some top reasons why you should start riding bikes:

  • Save $$$ on gas! If you have to get to a location nearby or is willing to bike at a distance, then every new opportunity you take to bike somewhere will save you money on gas!
  • You get to exercise! At the same that you are transporting yourself, you are also actively moving your legs and burning off calories!
  • Sightseeing! You can enjoy viewing your neighborhood from a different perspective and take in the sights at a slower pace.
  • TIP: Always remember that your safety comes first! Anytime you plan on riding your bicycle, remember to wear a helmet and turn on your lights/wear a neon traffic uniform, if you are riding at night.

Spring Cleaning!

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http://epmseagles.com/

It’s that time of the year again to clean your house after winter! Do you know what you should be throwing out and recycling? There are many things to consider that you had stored up from the past year. Don’t stress! Here’s a quick breakdown so check out list below:

  • Have you checked if there’s any medication that has already expired? “This Saturday, April 30 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Collect your leftover prescription drugs and take them to a local site for a safe way to dispose of medication.” -usagov
  • Got books you don’t read anymore? If they are still in good condition, you can always donate them to your local organizations or sell them. If not, you can recycle them along with your other recyclable materials.
  • Old clothes/shoes? The easiest method is to donate unwanted clothes and shoes that are in fair condition. Also, you can sell them to stores, online retailers, or at a garage sale.
  • Yard cleaning! It is not always fun, but tidying up your yard will really help your grass grow and your yard looking cleaner. To recycle dead materials, buy recyclable paper bags at your local stores.

This Month in Japan | May

kinryu_main

www.cheng-tsui.com

With the arrival of May, it signals the mass amount of holidays celebrated during this time. People can find that Japan is the most busiest time as everyone is trying to get to their destination and are going away for vacation. At the same time, it can be quite quiet in big cities like Tokyo as most people are not working and visiting other cities or relatives who lives further away. Here is what you need to know for the month of May in Japan:

  • “Japan Golden Week is a collection of four national holidays that take place within a week including Showa Day celebrating Emperor Showa’s birthday; Constitution Day; Greenery Day, a national holiday dedicated to nature; and finally, Children’s Day with families praying for the health and success of their sons.” – http://www.onthegotours.com/
    • Golden Week is in between April 29 to May 5. Make sure if you are planning to a trip to Japan during this time be aware that tourist spots, famous attractions, and traffic will be quite busy. During this time period is when many Japanese people take vacations and have time off work.
    • Children’s Day is on May 5th and it celebrates the happiness, health, and personalities of children! A distinctive feature of this holiday in Japan are the carp-like kites which are used as decorations.
  • The weather in May is probably one of the best time for people to enjoy nature and visit sites. It’s a period of when it is not too hot and before the arrival of the rainy season, so people are more likely to be outside from April to June.
  • For more info & events of Japan in May, click here!