Outreach in Action
Turn resolutions into reality with help from MSU Extension programs
by Jo Mayer and Paul Crandall
New Year—new diet? New exercise regimen? Meet new people? Rein in your budget? Become a better parent?
Michigan State University Extension programs can help with all these plans, along with their usual garden and farm assistance—and you don’t have to leave home to learn. Many programs are available online to get you moving, cooking, meditating, budgeting and more.
One example: the class My Way to Wellness, which offers information in bite-sized portions of 30 minutes. It’s self-paced, so it can be completed at participants’ convenience, using a computer or hand-held device with internet access.
“Program participants learn about sensible eating practices that reduce the risk of disease and that support healthy weight control,” explained Imelda Galdamez, an associate program leader at the MSU Extension for Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Cooking Matters.
“My Way to Wellness includes strategies for successful meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking and features ideas for stretching food dollars and ensuring healthy options while eating on the run,” Galdamez said.
She added, “In addition to nutrition education, the program includes solutions for reaching daily physical activity recommendations, plus essential tips to ensure safe food practices when storing, cooking, and transporting food.”
Each lesson includes an interactive video module, recipes, knowledge checkpoints, and goal-setting activities. The video lessons are close-captioned and include voice-over narration. Galdamez noted the program, developed by MSU Extension with help from federal and state agencies, is for Michiganders who meet certain income requirements. Individuals or agencies that serve income-eligible populations can learn more by navigating to: www.canr.msu.edu/my_way_to_wellness/
Most online offerings from the MSU Extension have no income restrictions. Listed here are some examples of “live” online classes being offered in the next month or so. Many of these offerings are repeated, so if you can’t make the date listed, check the website for other possible dates. For those reading this article in print, use the online Events search, located at www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/events to search for the class name for more details and/or to register.
Many more classes are available in addition to what is on this list. Good luck with your resolutions!
Online Extension Extras Parenting Hour Positive Discipline
Jan. 3, 2023, 8 – 9:30pm, Online
A free online series of parenting workshops that provides guidance for parents of young children as they navigate the challenges, joys, and concerns of parenting.
SLEEP: Sleep Education for Everyone
Jan. 5, 2023 – Feb. 9, 2023 (Thursdays), 9-9:30am, Zoom
A program for everyone who is looking for more sleep or better quality of sleep.
Jan. 5 – Feb. 23, 2023, 7-9pm (Thursdays), Online
A science-based mindfulness training. Discover how mindfulness can make dramatically positive shifts in your physical and mental health.
Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series
Jan. 5 – Feb. 2, 2023, 7:30pm-9pm, Online
A FREE online course for parents of toddlers to teens to learn strategies for helping children, parents and families be successful.
Online Stress Less with Mindfulness
Jan. 9 – Jan. 13, 2023, 8-9am, Online
Introduces participants to the experience and practice of mindfulness, with a goal of reducing stress. Meets daily, Monday through Friday for one week.
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention—Tues/Thurs
Jan. 10 – Mar. 9, 2023, 7-8am, Online
Helps people with or without arthritis to improve balance, both mentally and physically, which helps significantly reduce the rate of falls experienced by older adults.
RELAX Alternatives to Anger Jan 10-31
Jan. 10 – Jan. 31, 2023, 8-9am, Online
A four-part educational series designed to help adults increase their knowledge about anger issues and put anger management and healthy relationship skills into practice.
Make a Spending Plan Work for You!
Jan. 18, 2023, 12–1pm, Zoom
Trying to stretch your money? Learn how to create and manage a spending plan.
The Importance of Adult Sibling Relationships
January 24, 2023, 10–11:30am, Webinar
Sibling relationships change as the years go by. The need to care for aging parents can bring siblings back together in later life.
Tips to Build and Protect Your Credit
Jan. 25, 2023, 12–1pm, Zoom
This one-hour webinar will discuss ten credit tips. Learn about credit, credit reports, credit score and how to build good credit.
Financial Preparedness for Disasters
Jan. 25, 2023, 6–7pm, Zoom
Prepare for disasters with these steps that might affect your finances. Save time, money and stress if and when a disaster strikes.
Preserving MI Harvest – Preserving the Sale
Jan. 26, 2023 1-2pm and 6-7pm, Zoom Webinar
Use your freezer to help you save money by purchasing foods on sale and freezing for later use.
Mortgage 101: How Much Home Can You Afford?
Feb. 1, 2023, 12–1pm, Zoom
Looking to buy a home? Learn how to calculate how much home you can afford based on your current income.
Preserving MI Harvest- Beans, Beans and More Beans
Feb. 2, 2023 1-2 pm and 6-7 pm, Zoom Webinar
Beans, beans, beans. This program will teach how to home-can dry beans, from start to finish, using a pressure canner. Also, learn about preparing the finished product.
This column is sponsored by Stockbridge Community Outreach, our local food pantry, crisis, and referral center located in the Stockbridge Activity Center (old middle school) near Cherry and Elm Streets in Stockbridge. Office hours are 1-3pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and by appointment. Outreach49285@gmail.com, 517-851-7285, or find us on Facebook.
