In East Baltimore, making healthy moves
Health and Wellness Fair, sponsored by Elev8 Baltimore, serves up food, fun and helpful resources
Above: A hula hoop contest at the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center on Saturday.
Healthy living and education were on the menu Saturday at the Third Annual East Baltimore Health and Wellness Fair, served with a generous helping of fun.
Good nutrition, leading an active life-style and finding ways to make exercise fun were a big focus of the event, organized by by Elev8 Baltimore at the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center.
“We want people to see health as something fun and not just something you have to do,” said Elev8 Baltimore director, Nicole Johnson.
A major focus of the event was to get East Baltimore’s youth and adults up and moving. The fair was kicked off by rousing step performances from three East Baltimore schools: Tench Tilghman Elementary/Middle School, Collington Square School, and Dr. Rayner Browne Academy.
A hula-hoop contest got attendees young and old to move their hips and win prizes. Zumba and martial arts classes rounded out the activities.
“Fun fitness,” said Zumba instructor, Jasmine Jennings, asked what she hopes people get out of her class. Jennings, a return volunteer, hoped to “encourage people to be exposed to something they have no idea about.”
Bikes and Yoga Mats
Sponsors and vendors including Baltimore Medical System, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, SOURCE, Living Classrooms and Walmart staffed information tables in the gymnasium while a DJ made sure everybody kept their feet moving.
At times, the place looked like a sporting store, with a dozen Walmart volunteers raffling off a wide array of fitness and nutrition-related items.
Bicycles, basketballs, yoga mats, instructional fitness DVDs and electric grills were among the items eagerly selected by raffle winners. “We are here today, because our employees are from these very communities,” Walmart market manager Charles Plisco, explained. “We donated these items because it is important to involve kids in exercise.”
Couscous and Smoked Trout
Fair attendees were treated to healthy snacks prepared by Chef Graham Duncan and his culinary students from Stratford University.
“One of the themes today” said Duncan, “is healthier eating and healthier cooking.” One such demonstration of healthier eating was a couscous salad topped with smoked trout and a balsamic reduction.
Deborah Kai Kai, Student Support Services Manager at Stratford said she hoped attendees would leave the event with a greater appreciation for healthy eating.
Chefs served couscous and smoked salmon, among other healthy foods. (Photo by John Bloch)
“You can have choices that are healthy and nutritious and delicious,” Kai Kai said.
“People think that you have to give up taste in order to be healthy and nutritious and that’s not true at all.”
Health Care Access Maryland helped connect attendees with affordable health care programs, and at the Baltimore Medical System table guests could measure their body mass index and receive information about preventative care.
“We’ve had folks come here and be tested and realize they have high sugar levels and are at risk for diabetes,” Elev8’s Johnson said. “They get their heart checked, and they realize they are at risk for heart disease.”