Summer isn’t over yet and to celebrate this terrific season and let yourself relax a little longer we recommend you attend one of Healthy Together Wodonga events running near Jamie’s Ministry of Food Van outside the Wodonga Council office.

Check out our Friday Lunch in the Park – every Friday from noon to 1.30pm until March 27 with live music and games, Backyard Produce Swap – every Saturday from 11am to noon and the #healthyselfie competition – simply snap a pic of yourself being healthy and you could win the 1st prize - $100 Dares Fruit and Veg voucher and a Jamie Oliver Book. All events are free and open to all.
This month is Ride2Work4Feb – why your own ‘bikie’ club and pedal to the office? Or if running or walking is more your thing don’t forget the City2City Walk/Run on February 22, you could win one of five Healthy Together Wodonga team challenge cups!

Would you like to grow fruit and vegies at home but don’t know where to start?

Think Wick’n’Pick – a simple gardening device that makes growing produce easy. Join us for a free demonstration with Juan on Friday, February 20, from noon to 12.50pm outside the Wodonga Council offices near the Jamie’s Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen.

Best of all, you can take your Wick’n’Pick garden home!

If you care about the local food system or food security you may like to attend the Local Food Network meeting on March 26 from 11am to 1pm at Gateway Health, 155 High St, Wodonga.

The Local Food Network meets on a bi-monthly basis and is a platform to share information, resources and improve partnerships to strengthen and sustain thriving local food systems and improve food security in North East Victoria, NSW Riverina and surrounds.

If you’d like to keep in the loop, check out their Facebook page.  Please contact Brydie Foran at Gateway Health via email or phone (02) 6055 3056 if you would like to know more or be added to the mailing list.

Did you know Victoria Walks has a range of resources for schools to encourage children to become healthier, happier and more active by walking?

Their Smart Steps Resources are available free of charge and include a range of tips, tools and lesson plans. If your school is interested to use these resources, Victoria Walks can now provide presentations or workshops—for staff and children—tailored to suit your particular requirements.

Typical themes may include the Class Walkability Project or using Walking Maps.  To help make your walking event a success, Victoria Walks is also offering  incentives—merchandise for children and vouchers from Woolworths and Officeworks for event organisers.

If you would like more information about Smart Steps and possible workshops please contact Leigh Cawood on 02 9662 3975 to discuss your ideas.

Community gardens provide our local communities with many opportunities to increase access to fresh, healthy, fruit and vegetables.

Healthy Together Wodonga is working to strengthen community gardens in our region by supporting people who are interested in community gardens.

The next bi-monthly meeting is February 25 from 11am to 1pm at the Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre, 30 Ford St, Beechworth.
BYO lunch.

New members are welcome to join the group.

Please contact Brydie Foran at Gateway Health via email or phone (02) 6055 3056.

We’re on Pinterest. We are enjoying pinning tasty healthy meals, snacks, treats (everyone needs a treat every now and then – but don’t worry, we’ve tried to find those on the healthier side) plus gardening tips, exercise tricks and how to relax and restore. We hope you find it helpful and useful in making healthy choices easier in your day. 
Follow us at pinterest.com/healthywodonga

Review by Kat Bennett, Healthy Together settings co-ordinator

Headspace is a simple meditation app. It uses proven meditation and mindfulness techniques and teaches you how practice mindfulness. I listen to it before bed and it's very calming.

It starts with the free Take10 program where a friendly dude called Andy guides you through the basics of meditation for 10 minutes a day for 10 days. All you have to do is close your eyes and listen to the instructions.

The main focus of the meditation is on breathing and accepting one’s emotions. There are also a few little cheerful animations to explain more about mindfulness mediation.

The best thing about Headspace is that it’s very user friendly and 10 minutes is achievable every day.

Headspace is available on both Android and iOS.

Ingredients
• 1 banana, peeled, chopped and frozen
• Pick n mix options:
• 1/2 cup strawberries, chopped
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup raspberries
• 1/2 cup chopped mango
• 1 tbsp 100% peanut or other nut butter
• 1 tsp honey (not suitable for babies under 12 months)
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• pinch cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Method

Step 1
Place your banana and chosen pick n mix fruit options (if using) in a zip lock bag, small tupperware container or on a plate and put into the freezer for 1-2 hours or until frozen solid.

Step 2
Transfer the fruit and any other pick n mix ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of blender/bowl at regular intervals if needed. Serve and enjoy immediately.