Fit Together Highlights
Join us on the Greenway!
In July, Fit Together had 2 new pieces of exercise equipment installed on the Winsted section of the Sue Grossman Still River Greenway. Now you can watch our Executive Director (and fitness fan), Carla Angevine, MPH, MS, RDN, as she shows you just how fun the three new exercise options can be!
- 🎥 Learn the basic moves through the videos on our Facebook page [Two-Person Back & Arms – Triceps, Two-Person Back & Arms – Row, Bench Press]
- See our Sue Grossman Greenway page to learn about all the equipment and plan your visit before winter creeps in.
Your Favorite Restaurants?
All of us at Fit Together want to make the healthiest choice the easiest choice. That means offering suggestions and support that work with your life. We all find comfort and convenience in restaurant meals. So, let’s learn from each other! Here is how you can help us get this started:
- Share your favorite Torrington/Winsted area restaurants, along with your favorite dishes.
- Send them to fittogether@how2fitkids.org or message us through our social media – Facebook and Instagram.
Based on your input, our team of dietitians and health experts will offer healthy tips and share some of our own favorites. We hope this fun new initiative will benefit you, your family, and our NWCT community.
Healthy Activities in October
Fit Together members and partners are always hosting healthy activities throughout Northwest Connecticut. Check out October’s featured events below and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates. Visit our Healthy Activities in NWCT page for even more fun things to do.
- 10/8, 10/15, 10/22 – From Bump to Baby, Nourish Your Journey, Hartford HealthCare Charlotte Hungerford Hospital – free pregnancy and post-partum nutrition education classes with Carla Angevine, MPH, MS, RDN in the hospital’s Library Conference Room. See flyers for full details – [English, Spanish (PDFs); English, Spanish (JPGs)]
- 10/13, 10/20, 10/27 – Live Well Workshop for Chronic Health Conditions, a free workshop for adults 60+ from WCAAA.org. [See Flyer (PDF) for details]
- Winsted Active Aging Senior Center – There are many free and inexpensive healthy activities available for seniors 55+ in Winsted, CT. See the October 2026 Newsletter (PDF)
If you have a healthy event to share, please let us know at fittogether@how2fitkids.org.
Kids’ Corner – Early Health Literacy
In October, we celebrate Health Literacy Month. This topic is not widely discussed, but it should be, since reliable health information is becoming harder to find. With so much false information being spread via social media and AI, it is important that we teach children and teens where to turn for the best advice. Of course, a child’s most trusted resource is typically their parent or caregiver.
Don’t worry if you are a caregiver and don’t feel comfortable with your own health knowledge. You don’t have to be an expert! You only need to know where to turn for the most reliable support. This can be found through trusted websites, reputable books, and the personal guidance of trained professionals, including your pediatrician, members of your healthcare team, teachers, and even librarians. The resources below and throughout our Fit Together site can get you started.
Health Literacy Resources for Families
- MedlinePlus – a large collection of information on diseases, health conditions, medications, supplements, and more from the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
- Family Doctor – family health resources including symptom checkers, vaccine recommendations, and much more from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
- Healthy Children – managed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the site features a wide variety of health information on children and teens.
- KidsHealth – sponsored by the Nemours Foundation, it includes articles and resources for parents and educators.
- Mayo Clinic – detailed information on how to diagnose and treat medical conditions from a renowned medical organization.
[List compiled from Childrens.com]
Worksite Wellness Tip – Health Literacy at Work
Health literacy is the ability to find, understand, and use information to make healthy choices. Let’s start with a basic truth – you don’t know what you don’t know! There is no shame in not knowing the best ways to manage your health if you have never been taught. Besides, when we are sick or experiencing a health challenge, the fear and confusion can be overwhelming. Finding trustworthy support is important.
Health Literacy Basics
🎥 Health Literacy Overview Video – This video from the Institute for Healthcare Advancement provides a quick explanation of the importance of health literacy.
Medical appointments can be stressful and fast-paced, making it more challenging to remember information. The following basic tips can maximize your literacy:
- Ask questions and take notes – Don’t be shy about asking questions and always bring a notebook and pen or record medical instructions on your phone. Our memory alone is not very reliable, so give yourself support.
- Repeat back the instructions – When we repeat information, it helps us not only process what we have learned, but also confirm we have it correct.
- Bring a trusted friend or family member with you to appointments – Having a witness present to advocate on your behalf can be very helpful, especially when you are overwhelmed by the challenges of a health issue.
Health Literacy Resources
Find more information and shareable tools:
- Healthy Literacy Month – A comprehensive site with health literacy information from the Institute for Healthcare Advancement.
- Health Literacy Toolkit – Downloadable graphics, guides, and videos in support of Health Literacy Month.
- Health Information You Can Trust – Fit Together’s December 2025 feature on finding reliable health information.
Healthy Recipes – Celebrating Pumpkin Season
October is pumpkin season! You don’t have to be a pumpkin spice fan to appreciate how versatile and delicious pumpkin can be. This low-calorie veggie is loaded with Vitamins A & C, fiber, and potassium. Plus, its naturally sweet, creamy texture adds depth to a variety of dishes from savory to sweet. This month’s resources will help you become a pumpkin pro.
TIP: When using canned pumpkin, always choose the unsweetened option.
Creative Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin Recipes – find over 20 nutritious pumpkin recipes from Have a Plant (FruitsandVeggies.org).
- Canned Pumpkin Recipes (PDF) – a printable guide from the USDA on using canned pumpkin, with easy recipes for Pumpkin Parfaits and Turkey Pumpkin Chili.
- FoodHero Pumpkin Recipes – over a dozen more pumpkin recipes including classics like pumpkin pudding, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin breakfast cookies from Oregon State University’s (Food Hero).
Pumpkin Info:
- Pumpkin Nutrition – Get the basics on pumpkin nutrition from the SNAP-ED Connection, including recipes, teaching resources, and more.
- Pumpkin Nutrition Handout (PDF) – This printable guide from Montana State University Extension features pumpkin buying and cooking tips, along with simple recipes for Pumpkin Soup and Pumpkin Pancakes.
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