Fit Together Highlights
Fit Together Family Bike Rally – Brought Lots of Smiles!
This year’s Family Bike Rally on 9/27 put smiles on a lot of little faces! More importantly, thanks to the support of the Torrington Fire Department, a lot of little heads got safe, new bike helmets.
Thank you to all the volunteers, educators, and sponsors for making this event happen! Check out our Facebook page for Bike Rally Photos. And don’t forget to like your favorites!
McCall Behavioral Health Network Awarded HEAL Grant
We are so grateful to all the amazing organizations who applied for our Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) grant! Choosing just one recipient was incredibly difficult. We wanted to fund them all. In the end, our Steering Committee selected McCall Behavioral Health Network as our 2025 grant recipient for their new Healthy Eating and Gardening Group.
Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW, President and CEO of the McCall Behavioral Health Network shared, “We are deeply grateful for the support of the Fit Together HEAL Grant. This program gives our clients the chance to learn hands-on skills in gardening, cooking, and nutrition that will not only support their recovery but also empower them to build healthier lifestyles for years to come. With this partnership, we’re nurturing both body and mind—helping our community grow stronger, one meal and one garden at a time.”
We will release new funding opportunities as they become available. Please continue to follow us through this newsletter.
Fit Together Team Featured!
Fit Together’s Executive Director, Carla Angevine, MPH, MS, RDN and Worksite Coordinator, Pam Tino, were recently featured in a Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging video on the hydroponic garden they manage. The garden flourished this summer on the rooftop of Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, providing healthy produce for community members in need. Great job Carla and Pam!
🎥 Check out the Hydroponic Garden
Kids’ Corner – A Healthy Halloween
It doesn’t take much to create a HAPPY Halloween – a few decorations, a favorite costume, good friends – and you’ve already got fun! Having a HEALTHY Halloween takes a bit more work. The extra effort is worth it to keep kids safe, while also helping them to establish healthy habits.
Following are some tips for having a healthier Halloween:
- Keep the focus on the fun – Halloween is filled with “treats.” But, no one said those treats must be filled with sugar. Shift the focus away from candy and sweets by offering kids stickers, bracelets, coloring books, and fun school supplies like erasers, pencils, and clips.
- Create a plan – Candy will be everywhere. Kids love it. Adults love it. We can’t deny that. It’s best to approach all that temptation with a plan. Set up a schedule of candy intake. Let your child pick their favorite treats to enjoy on Halloween night and save the rest for after-school or after-dinner snacks to avoid sugar overload.
- Don’t forget to brush – One of the unhealthiest aspects of candy and other sticky sweets is that they lead to dental decay and painful cavities. Remind children that brushing their teeth after enjoying sweets will protect their precious choppers.
- Practice safety – Halloween can lead to dangerous accidents for our kids. Following up on our “Bike Safety Tips” from last month, children should wear bright, reflective clothing and/or carry lights so that drivers can see them. Ideally, kids who are trick-or-treating in the neighborhood will be accompanied by a parent who is close by. And, trick-or-treaters should stay on the sidewalk or on the left side of the road (walking facing oncoming traffic). Watch also for long costumes that could be a tripping hazard for little ones who are less steady on their feet.
Worksite Wellness Tip – Breast Cancer Awareness
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is an important time to consider your personal risks for breast cancer, while also spreading awareness to coworkers and friends.
Cancer is a challenging disease that is often out of our control. What is in our control is getting regular screenings and practicing certain lifestyle changes. Here are the basics of reducing breast cancer risks:
- Stay active. Physical activity of all kinds is associated with lower cancer risks.
- Eat a healthy diet. Focus on at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day, as they have anti-cancer properties.
- Maintain a healthy weight. The combination of physical activity and diet can help you achieve a healthy weight, which is associated with less health risks.
- Avoid or limit alcohol. Alcohol intake is associated with increased breast cancer risk, and is ideally kept as low as possible.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations. Since your doctor knows your unique situation, they can help you assess your risks and create a customized prevention plan.
Breast Cancer Resources
- Breast Cancer Education – Find downloadable PDFs from Komen.org on screenings, treatment options, and living with breast cancer. These resources can be printed and posted in your workplace or emailed to colleagues.
- Reliable Cancer Tools – Review worksheets, tool kits and other valuable resources, including a printable “Breast Cancer Fact Sheet” from the American Cancer Society.
- Breast Cancer Prevention – Learn about the risk factors of breast cancer from the CDC.
- Free Breast Cancer Guides from NBCF – Access a variety of free guides on early detection, screenings, and healthy cookbooks from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
Healthy Recipes – Bone Health Treats
In the US, nearly 10 million people have osteoporosis. Another 44 million individuals have low bone density that puts them at risk for bone breaks. October 20th was established as World Osteoporosis Day to highlight the importance of keeping our bones healthy and strong. Diet is a major component! That is why this month we are featuring bone healthy recipes to help you maintain a strong foundation.
Check out Bone Health Recipes from EatingWell. Their “Only Green Smoothie Recipe You Will Ever Need” is a particular winner because it combines calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and vitamin K – the powerhouse nutrients for healthy bones.
To learn more about osteoporosis, visit BoneHealthAndOsteoporosis.org/patients/
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