Take a Ride

Bike the Mesabi Trail this Memorial Day Weekend.

Located in northern Minnesota between the cities of Ely and Grand Rapids, the Mesabi Trail is a premier Minnesota bike trail winding through some of the state's prettiest regions. When completed, the trail will traverse 132 miles and connect more than 25 communities. A superior paved bike trail that is well-mapped and well-maintained, the Mesabi Trail also makes an interesting walking path. In 2010, approximately 115 miles of trail will be complete and offer convenient accessibility at numerous entry points. The longest paved section connects Grand Rapids to McKinley (approximately 75 miles) through the communities of Grand Rapids, Nashwauk, Keewatin, Hibbing, Chisholm, Mountain Iron and Virginia, to name several. Once completed, the Mesabi Trail will be one of the longest paved trails in the United States.

Go to their website for more information:        

http://www.mesabitrail.com/

Parent Tips for Healthy Kids

Remember parents, healthy bodies and happy people come in all shapes and all sizes.  Adults and kids who eat right, exercise, and stay active are healthier, no matter how much they weigh or how they look.

This is the last of 10 tips for parents on having healthier kids.

Parent Tips for Healthy Kids

Make activity part of everyday life for both you and your child.
Make sure you walk or ride bicycles sometimes when you go places.  Climb stairs instead of using elevators when possible.  Do something active every evening.  If your neighborhood is unsafe, walk with your child to school and benefit from the exercise as well.  Create a home environment that encourages physical activity.  Have balls, jump ropes, and bikes easily accessible for children.

Parent Tips for Healthy Kids

Ensure that your child reaches adulthood with an individual sport or activity that he or she enjoys, such as swimming, running, golf, tennis, or biking.
Enroll your child in intrmural sports and recreational activities that fit your budget and time constraints.  Then make them a priority.

This is the 8th of 10 tips for healthier kids.

Parent Tips for Healthy Kids

Plan kid-oriented activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Hiking, swimming, riding bikes, and walking the dog are all activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family.  Throw a ball around in the backyard.  Play tag.  Play in the park.  The opportunities and enjoyment are endless.

This is the 7th tip of 10 for healthier kids.

Parent Tips for Healthy Kids

Set limits on sedentary time (television, video games, and computer).
One-half hour to one hour per day of television time is plenty.  Remove the television set from your child's bedroom.  Don't worry if your child says he or she is bored.  Boredom passes and often leads to creativity.

This is the 6th of 10 tips for healthier kids.

Parent Tips for Healthy Kids

Eat as a family as often as possible.
Sit down and enjoy each other's company during meals.  Kids learn when parents act as positive role models.  They will also learn the social pleasures of eating well.  Don't use this time for scolding.  Focus on eating and conversation and turn off the T. V. while eating.  Limit fast food to once a week or less.

This is the 5th of ten tips for health kids.

The Brick Yard is the Featured May Restaurant

During the month of May the Hibbing Healthy Lifestyles Coalition recommends that you try the new healthier options on the menu at the Brick Yard on Howard Street in Hibbing.

Go for lunch or dinner and take the whole family.

See their website at:    http://www.brickyardhibbing.com/index.html

Parent Tips for Healthy Kids

Find alternatives to rewarding or bribing with food.

Instead, try stickers, hugs, and small toys, or simply say, "You did a great job!"  Everyone wins when you offer some activity or time with your children as a reward.  Dad can take the kids for a walk in the park.  Mom can offer a swimming outing.  The whole family can ride bikes together to the library.

This is the fourth of ten Healthy Kid Tips for parents.

Parent Tip for Healthy Kids

Give your kitchen a makeover.
Move party foods like, cookies, chips, soda and punch to higher cupboards or to the basement storage area.  Make a designated snack drawer and fill it with things like lowfat granola bars, raisins, vanilla wafers, and dried fruit.  Preportion into small plastic bags foods that don't come in individual packaging.  Place a fruit bowl on the counter for easy access.

This is the 3rd of ten health kid tips for parents.

Parent Tip for Healthy Kids

Limit eating and snacking to a certain area of the home, such as the dining room or kitchen.

Discourage grazing in front of the television or computer.  If a child generally eats somewhere, say in front of the television, it can be a reminder to him to eat whenever he sits there, whether he really is hungry or not.

This is the second of 10 tips for healthier kids.

Parent Tip for Healthy Kids

Establish a general structure for meal and snack times, and allow eating only at these times.
Most young children need three meals and two snacks per day, but by the age of eight, three meals and an afternoon snack are plenty.  Offer water, fruits and vegetables if kids are still hungry in between meals and regular snack times.  Save soda, punch, and flavored waters for special occasions.

This is the first of 10 parent tips for healthy kids.

Fit City Week in Hibbing

The Hibbing City Council will be asked at the Wednesday, May 5th meeting to proclaim the first week in May “Fit City Week”. During this week everyone should make an effort to do something active and to learn something new about health and nutrition.


Some alternatives for the week include:

Sign up for the annual WalkYerBunzOpf walking program. Contact Community Education for details.

Tuesday, May 4th, Cycle Mesabi (local bike club) will be riding the Bear Route (total 14.8 miles) starting at 6:00 p.m. Log onto www.cyclemesabi.com for a map and starting point. Anyone with a bike and a helmet is welcome to ride along.

Be aware of bicycle riders on Hibbing streets. Third graders will learn about bike safety on Wednesday, May 5th and receive helmets. Parents should put on their helmets and go for a bike ride with their children on Wednesday.

Learn more about nutrition on Wednesday, May 5th at 6:30 p.m. “Pirates of the Carrot Bean” will be at the Lincoln Elementary gym. The show is for elementary students and their families. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. there will be several displays and healthy snacks available in the school’s cafeteria. This is a free event.

Thursday, May 6th is “walk/bike to school or work day.

Thursday, May 6th, Cycle Mesabi will be riding Hibbing to Keewatin (19.7 miles) beginning at 6:00 p.m. Maps and starting point on www.cyclemesabi.com.

If you are going out to eat remember the Hibbing Healthy Lifestyles Coalition’s “A Light Night Out” program. The Brick Yard in Hibbing is May’s featured restaurant. They will have some new and delicious healthier menu items.