Author: Steven Johndro

October HOH Coalition Meeting Minutes

In attendance:

  • Brendan Schauffler, Facilitator, Oxford County Wellness Collaborative
  • Carl Costanzi, Western Maine Health
  • Kate Goldberg, SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator, Healthy Oxford Hills
  • Cortney Lavorgna, Tobacco Prevention, Healthy Oxford Hills
  • Holly Stuhr, SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator, Healthy Oxford Hills
  • Steve Johndro, Executive Director, Healthy Oxford Hills
  • Sarah Carter, 5210 Let’s Go! Coordinator, Healthy Oxford Hills
  • Erika Lindstrom, Children’s Case Management Supervisor, The Progress Center
  • Maija Dyke, Community Education Supervisor, Seniors Plus
  • Jenn McCarthy, Integrated Care Manager, Tri County Mental Health
  • Allie Burke, Executive Director, River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition
  • Melissa Harding, Program Coordinator, River Valley Rising
  • Ben Tucker, Regional Rep., Senator King’s Office
  • Diane Madden, Executive Director, Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine
  • Lisbeth Wierda, Program Manager, Maine Med Research Center

 

Maija Dyke – Seniors Plus

  • Seniors Plus is area agency on aging and has many different departments. Maija represents community service department. Not all programs have age requirements. Pre-COVID classes were in person, but are now all online.
  • Partner of 5 AAA Maine agencies & statewide network
  • Classes are not only focused on aging, but also aging in place. Many classes are specific requests from community members that directly impact their quality of life. Most classes are FREE or a greatly reduced price (may cover materials).
    • Zoom 101
    • Crafting
    • Chair Yoga
  • Educational workshops & Evidence Based Programs:
    • Savvy Caregivers
    • Thai Chi for Health and Balance (16 week course- 2/week for 8 weeks)
    • A Matter of Balance
    • Chronic Disease Prevention (Diabetes, Pain Management, etc.) 6 week classes
      • Living Well for Better Health
      • Living Well with Diabetes
      • Living Well with Chronic Pain (includes fitness & movement)
    • Classes are via Zoom. However, Toolkits are available and mailed to participants, if they do not have access to internet. An instructor will call and help walk them through the program for 6 weeks. No age requirement for these classes.
    • November offerings are listed at: https://www.seniorsplus.org/assets/ed_center_november_2020.pdf
  • healthylivingforme.org
    • Can search for upcoming classes!
    • Healthcare Practices can make direct referrals
  • Some of the challenges of COVID have been lack of access or interest from participants to use technology for classes. However, Zoom 101 has been very helpful with this when in-person programs cannot happen safely. Also have an I pad loaner program, which has helped as well.
  • FREE classes offered by community agencies can be shared with participants of Seniors Plus through their newsletter.
  • contact:
  • Seniors Plus also offers assistance with:
    • Meals on Wheels
    • Money Minders (checkbook, financial assistance)
    • Friendly Caller (phone call to help with isolation)
    • Senior Companion (now overseen by UMaine)

 

Partner Updates

 

  • River Valley Healthy Community Coalition: USDA food distribution 10/28 at 10am.

 

 

 

 

Next HOH Coalition Meeting: 11/24/20

COVID-19 Relief Funding Request for Application

Healthy Oxford Hills works toward creating a caring, self-reliant community that comes together in the shared pursuit of a healthy quality of life for all people in Oxford County. The need to support each other is even more evident during a public health crisis. This COVID-19 response funding has been made available to community partners by the generosity of The New Balance Foundation. The funding is intended to support food distribution, emergency shelter, counseling, virtual programming, and other efforts that will assist in the recovery of our community.

Please click here for the COVID-19 Response Community Grant Application

Roasted Chickpeas

Healthy Oxford Hills is committed to helping you eat healthier on a budget. We offer a variety of classes for all ages, so that you can make smart decisions for you and your family’s long term health. Our classes teach you how to shop smarter, cook easier and tastier than ever. Beginners gain confidence with knife skills and use of ingredients, while even the most experienced cooks have learned valuable tips at our classes.

The recipes here and on the Maine Snap Ed recipe page are healthy, SNAP budget friendly and delicious. If you have any questions about a recipe, or would like to learn more one of our class series, please contact:

Holly Stuhr
Email
207-744 6197

Click here for a PDF of the recipe below!

Print Recipe

Roasted Chickpeas

High in protein and rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, roasted chickpeas are a healthy crunchy snack!
Course: Snack
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 12 oz Chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1 pinch garlic powder

    cayenne pepper

    chili pepper

    rosemary

    thyme

    cumin Add a pinch of one or more of these spices or herbs to make your favorite!

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Blot chickpeas with a paper towel to dry them. In a bowl, toss chickpeas with olive oil, and season to taste with herbs or spices of your choosing.
  • Spread on a baking sheet, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until browned and crunchy. Watch carefully the last few minutes to avoid burning.
  • Allow to cool in pan out of the oven. Serve and Enjoy!

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Maine SNAP-Ed is funded by the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which is administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and implemented statewide by the University of New England (UNE) through contracts with local community organizations. Maine SNAP educates low-income families on low cost, healthy eating and active lifestyles. Contact mainesnap-ed@une.edu or 207-221-4560 for more information.

Stir Fry with Tofu and Spicy Peanut Sauce

Healthy Oxford Hills is committed to helping you eat healthier on a budget. We offer a variety of classes for all ages, so that you can make smart decisions for you and your family’s long term health. Our classes teach you how to shop smarter, cook easier and tastier than ever. Beginners gain confidence with knife skills and use of ingredients, while even the most experienced cooks have learned valuable tips at our classes.

The recipes here and on the Maine Snap Ed recipe page are healthy, SNAP budget friendly and delicious. If you have any questions about a recipe, or would like to learn more one of our class series, please contact:

Holly Stuhr
Email
207-744 6197

Click here for a two-page PDF of the recipe below!

Print Recipe

Stir Fry with Tofu and Spicy Peanut Sauce

Course: Main Course
Keyword: Stir Fry
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 2-3 cups Vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, celery, mushroom, cabbage, broccoli) Chopped or sliced
  • 14 ounces Extra Firm Tofu, drained and crumbled Or sliced cook chicken, pork or steak
  • 2 Garlic cloves Minced and divided
  • 1 inch Fresh ginger root, minced Or 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup Peanut Butter
  • 1/3 cup Warm water
  • 1/4 cup Low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1/8 tsp Red Pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients.
  • Drain the tofu over a paper towel in a bowl.
  • Crumble the drained tofu.
  • Chop or slice all the vegetables and the ginger and garlic.
  • Boil your noodles or cook your rice as directed on the package.
  • Whisk all the sauce ingredients until well combined.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat.
  • Add the hard vegetables first. Cook till tender. Stir. Then add the soft vegetables and the tofu and garlic and cook.
  • Add the sauce. Mix well.
  • Add your cooked noodles or rice.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Maine SNAP-Ed is funded by the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which is administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and implemented statewide by the University of New England (UNE) through contracts with local community organizations. Maine SNAP educates low-income families on low cost, healthy eating and active lifestyles. Contact mainesnap-ed@une.edu or 207-221-4560 for more information.

Addressing Isolation and Disconnection

Below is a recent post from one of our partners, the Oxford County Wellness Collaborative.

 

Social distancing and quarantine have become the new norm for millions of Americans. Our day-to-day routines have been put on hold and we are asked to isolate ourselves and limit in-person social interaction. As we know, experiencing isolation and disconnection can cause mental health concerns like depression or suicidal thoughts. As we navigate through the global health crisis of COVID-19, we need to be thinking about the effects this pandemic is having on our mental health, as well as our physical health.

Here are the CDC’s guidelines on how to cope during these times of uncertainty.

Here is another great article on how grief is at the heart of the discomfort that so many of us are feeling, and what you can do to ease those feelings: That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief

As a Collaborative we maintain a focus on addressing isolation and disconnection as root causes of poor health and wellness. These issues were identified by a large group of people from across our county.

Welcome to our new Tobacco Prevention Coordinator, Daniela Fine!

We are excited to introduce you to our newest team member, Daniela Fine! Daniela graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Health. As an undergraduate student, she worked as a research assistant at the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Center for a research study titled Just Breathe, a mindfulness meditation program for college freshman. Through this, she furthered her interest and knowledge of contemplative practice. Upon graduation, she worked as a project coordinator for the Family Foundations research study, an NIH-funded longitudinal research study for first-time expecting parents. During this time, she was involved in the development and implementation of several additional projects with various focuses and audiences.

In her new role here at Healthy Oxford Hills, Daniela will be working under the Substance Use Prevention Services grants. This work will include working with an assortment of business owners and organizations to develop updated tobacco policies, as well as providing resources and educational programming to the greater Oxford County communities that aims to decrease substance use among community members. Outside of work, Daniela enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs, listening to music, and cooking.

Open House!

Tuesday, February 26th is our Open House! Stop by Healthy Oxford Hills’ new office space to get familiar with our new location while enjoying some light refreshments & conversations with HOH staff.
All are welcome!

Swing by, we’d love to see you!