Health Promotion – work force development schedule

The Nelson Marlborough District Health Board is encouraging everyone to add the crusty treat to their diet during the Autumn Challenge.

NMDHB Primary and Community general manager Peter Burton said his team had developed a recipe that tastes better than bought pizza, was cheaper than take-away, and was good for you.

“When we say pizza, we’re not talking about the deep fried variety that comes in a box,” he said.

“We’re talking about delicious home-cooked fare, made with nutritious ingredients that is good for you.

“If you follow our recipe, you can feed a family of four, for about $8, in around 30 minutes – and it tastes great. Trust me, give this a try and you won’t want to dail-a-pizza again.”

“And because it’s been approved by our dieticians, you can feeding it to your family with peace of mind.”

The pizza recipe is part of the Autumn Challenge – launched this week as part of the NMDHB’s public education campaign designed to help local families enjoy healthier lives.

“Health is not something that happens in hospitals,” Mr Burton said.

“Health is life – and it’s in our own hands.

“The NMDHB is working hard to help our residents enjoy longer, happier, healthier lives.

“We know how hard it can be to find the time to exercise and to come up with affordable meal ideas.

“That’s why we created the Autumn Challenge – it’s full of fun, easy and cheap ideas that can have real benefits for your family.

The Autumn Challenge will distribute recipes, posters, soccer balls sweat bands, vegetable seeds and permanent shopping bags to 5000 local families.

“Our research shows that time, money and ideas are the three biggest barriers to a healthier lifestyle,” Mr Burton said.

“The Autumn Challenge addresses all these by providing tools and ideas that don’t take a lot of time or money.

“It links with home gardening, cooking, fresh produce and fun, relaxed activities. And all the recipes call for in-season and therefore cheap produce.

“We’re lucky enough to live in the best part of world – these challenges are about tapping into what’s fresh and local and sustainable – so we can enjoy it for a long time.”

That’s the message from local Walk2Work Day organisers as they prepare events in Nelson and Richmond as part of National celebrations on Wednesday, March 10..

Nelson City Council road safety officer Margaret Parfitt is urging everyone to plan ahead so they can join the walking revolution.

“Just give it a try,” Margaret said.

“It’s amazing what a difference a short walk can make to your outlook on life.

“We live one of most beautiful places in the world. You can stroll in safety on tracks along the water front or river beds – what better way to start your day.

“Think of the money you’ll save on parking fees – and the extra exercise means you won’t have to drive to gym to get on a treadmill.”

As an extra, tasty incentive, NCC and the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board are putting on a free breakfast for those who take to the pavement.

Breakfast will be served from 7.30am-9am at the 1903 site, on Trafalgar Street.

Those in Richmond can get a free breakfast thanks to Ambrosia Cafe and the Richmond Mall in the Queen Street courtyard, from 7.30am-9am.

Richmond organiser Judene Edgar said you don’t have to walk the whole way to join in.

“If you don’t live within walking distance of the city centre you can get off the bus a few stops earlier or park your car further away.

“You’ll see that it doesn’t take much of an effort to put a bit of walking into your day and add a whole lot to your life.

“It’s fun, it’s free and it’s good for your health.”

NMDHB Nutrition and Physical Activity programme director Helen Steenbergen said Walk2Work Day was about highlighting that anyone can add walking to their daily lives.

“Walking to walk is a peaceful and energising way to start your day.

“By leaving home 20 minutes earlier, you can arrive at work feeing fresh and energised and ready to go. There’s no traffic, no cost, no worries.

“And by adding the active transport as part of your workday, that’s less of your free time you need to spend exercising.”

There are also rewards for bosses who encourage and support workers to use the feet.

“Research shows us that fit employees are more productive and happier employees,” Mrs Steenbergen said.

“So not only does the boss have to worry about less parking, he’ll have a more efficient, more enjoyable workplace.

“It’s a win, win situation.”

Victory was one of 26 schools across the top of the south to receive red resource packs as part of the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board’s public education campaign.

Each student at the schools received a red bag, red sweat band, red recipes and a packet of seeds to grow at home, while each school received a swag of red soccer balls and posters.

Victory principal Mark Brown said students would be using the recipe supplied by the NMDHB to prove that the healthier option is often the tastier option.

“The Autumn Challenge is opening up nutrition in a fun and novel way,” he said.

“It’s practical, easy to implement at home and in school and there is a focus on well being.”

He said it is this focus that complements to school’s approach to teaching vital life skills.

“It reflects the school, and the government’s approach to encourage people to look at their own well-being.

“At Victory there is a high emphasis on participation and the whole well-being of a person. It’s more than just the food we eat and the activities we do.

“It’s about becoming well people and whole people. It’s about creating and putting in the foundations for young adults and parents of the future and creating life-long skills and good habits.”

NMDHB Primary and Community general manager Peter Burton said the Autumn Challenge was designed to help locals get the most out of the changing seasons.

“As Summer fades away, produce and daylight thin out, making it harder to get our daily quota of veggies and exercise,” Mr Burton said.

“We’ve designed the Autumn Challenge to inspire local families to take the healthier option.

MSS principal Michael Harrison said the junior school literally kicked off the campaign with a game of soccer with red balls before adding spinach to their edible garden.

MSS was one of 26 schools across the top of the south, including six in the Motueka area, to receive the balls and seeds as part of the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board’s public education campaign.

Each student at the schools received a red bag, red sweat band, red recipes and a packet of seeds to grow at home.

Mr Harrison said the school was happy to take up the Autumn Challenge as it complemented the school’s policy on nutrition and physical activiy.

“While numeracy and literacy are essential in education, our other major focus is to provide opportunities for children to learn skills to help them develop in the well-rounded adults,” he said.

“MSS encourages students to be active during break times … and our staff work along-side students in our edible garden.

“The Autumn Challenge taps into this, and provides fun, low-cost ideas of how to get active and eat well.”

NMDHB Primary and Community general manager Peter Burton said the Autumn Challenge was designed to help locals get the most out of the changing seasons.

“As Summer fades away produce and daylight thin out, making it harder to get our daily quota of veggies and exercise,” Mr Burton said.

“We’ve designed the Autumn Challenge to inspire local families to take the healthier option.

“Here’s a bunch of fun things to do, that won’t cost a lot of money, but can have real benefits for your family.”

Mr Harrison said the launch would be about having fun.

“The launch is about continuing to promote physical activity and developing team work while having fun,” he said.

But after joining Marlborough on the Move, the mother-of-three and veritable volunteer has re-ordered her priorities to make room for some Nickie-time..

“I do a lot of volunteer work (Salvation Army, toy library, Under-5 dancing programme, Volunteer Marlborough, Whitney Street School and Lights over Marlborough).

“I work part time. I’ve got a 9-year-old daughter at home and I also baby sit my granddaughter.

“I didn’t think I had time to go swimming.”

But through MOM’s team challenge, Nickie has been able incorporate regular work outs into her hectic schedule.

“Swimming has become an important part of my life,” she said.

“Instead of doing everything else but this – I now make the time to do it.

“My swimming – is my time.”

Nickie’s decision to make exercise a priority has changed her life in ways she never imagined.

“There’s been some big personal changes….It shines through all aspects of my life, I look at things a lot different now,” she said.

“Health takes greater prominence.

“I’ve found that by doing the challenge, I’ve changed a lot of what we were doing at home.

“We’re trying to be really good and eat more healthy and there is less junk food in the house.”

As a single mother, costs have always been a barrier to exercise to Nickie.

“Initially what attracted me was that it was a free swim,” she said.

“For me the financial side of it was a big issue. To come swimming 5 times a week would cost $15.

“I’d put that in my own head that I couldn’t afford to do that.

“Now I know I can afford it – suddenly it is important.”

But just because it was free, didn’t make it easy.

“When we started we did 40 lengths of the pool and felt like we could die – that was only 1km,” she said.

“I can now do over 40 lengths before we start the class.

“I can really see the progress – I can just keep going and going now.

“I really enjoy it. It’s almost like a buzz.

“We have an agreement that I’m allowed to come in one-and-a-half hours early, as long as I keep going for the whole class.”

Her dedication is paying off.

““My fitness levels are huge, it used to take me 25mins to walk into work, I did it the other night in under 15mins,” she said.

“With the swim programme I lost about 10 per cent of my body fat.

“I’ve toned up heaps, and people notice when they look at me.

“I am lighter than what I have been in 20 years.”

With the toning up, and the going down in dress sizes.

“I’m buying smaller clothes now – it’s an empowerment,” she said.

“I went into the wardbrobe and tried on my old sized clothes and they fell to the floor. They were way too big.

“There was one that was three sizes too small – I tried it on the other day and they actually fit me.”

But the best results are not visible.

“I feel brilliant. I have a lot more energy. My asthmas has not played up as much and I’m sleeping better.

“I look better, I feel better …. I’m more in control.

But she hasn’t finished yet.

“I’d love to get down to 100kg. For some people, that might sound like a short target – but then I might be able to get off some of my medication.

“Losing weight lowers my risks for heart disease and diabetes which means less risk for my 9-year-old daughter.”

“I’m getting stuck in and being motivated to do the best that I can.

“I say to people, if I can do it, you guys can too.”

 The race for bragging rights.

 To help promote February as Bike Wise month, 60 members from the NMDHB registered for the online cycle challenge and clocked up a massive total of 5279km.

 Well done everyone! That’s more than 100,000 calories of effort proving the NMDHB is living up to it’s motto of walking the talk.

 But beneath the friendly façade of health promotion, there was also a semi-serious inter-deparmental competition.

 The NPA (Primary and Communiyt) v Corporate – only one could win.

 With star performer Brandon Kay amassing 830km on his own, Corporate looked in the box seat. Some questioned Kay’s rides of 137km ‘for recreation’ – honestly, who rides that far for fun? But none the less, he helped Corporate to a very respectable total of 1337km.

 But proving you can’t have the NPA (Primary and Community), with out Physical Activity, our anti-obesity squad moved the bar even higher. Led by primary and community general manger Peter Burton with 762km, the NPA recorded 1366km. So good was their effort that rumours have begun circulation that Corporate are planning to buy him a bus ticket next year so he doesn’t have to ride so far.

 Special mentions also go to the Support Works team with 891km, CDS with 515km, ENT Secretaries with 420km and Golden Bay Hospital with 288km.

 Well done to everyone who joined in – especially those who hadn’t cycled before. After all, that’s what it was about: changing the way we as a community see cycling, to accept it as viable form of transport.

Thanks to NMDHB funding, over 800 people in Nelson enjoyed a free breakfast as part of Go By Bike day.

Winner: India Curtis overlooking Fifeshire Rock

Nelson’s beauty has been showcased in winning photographs from the Ministry of Health’s breastfeeding photo competition.

India Curtis from Christchurch has won the Upper South Island category of the competition, with a photo taken while on holiday in Nelson. Second place went to Nelson’s Tia Andrews.

Nelson breastfeeding advocate Ruth Brodbeck said the competition aimed to celebrate and support breastfeeding and in particular, breastfeeding in public. Over 360 entries were received nationwide.

“We’re thrilled that so many mums showed their support for breastfeeding by entering photos, and that our beautiful region helped these mums to win! The entrants are sending a strong message to other women that breastfeeding in public is entirely natural. The proud looks on the faces of the mums who entered shows just how far we have come.”

India’s photo shows her feeding baby Tilly against the backdrop of Fifeshire Rock and Haulashore Island.

India says she has had to overcome challenges to breastfeed, but has been supported all the way.

“At the start it wasn’t easy, but I was lucky enough to be surrounded by supportive, pro-breastfeeding friends and family. I thought the competition would be a good opportunity to show breastfeeding in a completely natural and contemporary way. I am part of the new generation making breastfeeding more socially acceptable and a natural part of a child’s up-bringing,” she said.

“I know that breastfeeding has been the best decision for me and my daughter because she is the epitome of a healthy baby.”

The breastfeeding competition had a regional flavour, with women invited to enter photos of themselves or their friends breastfeeding in public locations. Winners from eight regions have been selected by public vote and receive a prize pack and vouchers.

Runner up: Nelson's Tia Andrews

The competition is part of the Ministry of Health’s breastfeeding education initiative, which includes the display around the country of pictures of women breastfeeding.

Ruth said breastfeeding gives baby a great start in life.

“It helps them develop physically and emotionally and helps build immunity. Breastmilk can give babies a perfect blend of nutrients,” she said.

“It’s best for mum too. It reduces the risk of some breast cancers and may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and hip fractures later in life.”

Now the NPA is attempting to bring world peace by solving the eternal mystery with the:

Great Tater Debater

Is the Motueka Murphy the equal of the Tasman Tuber?

Will a Nelson Nodule outweigh a Blenheim Bender?

All will be revealed as officer workers across the top of the south stick a spud in their buckets for this groovy growing competition.

Here’s how it works:

Take one spud. Stick it in a bucket full of soil. Leave it on your desk for two months and Voila – sit back and whittle with your wedges.

It’s more entertaining that those group emails you’ve been forwarding around, plus it will give you something to talk about at the water cooler.

So c’mon. Grab ya Red Rascal and get growing!

Growing begins on March 1

Rules:

• Bucket to be no bigger than 10L
• One potato per bucket
• Growers can choose their own soil, fertilizer etc.
• Buckets to stay at work
• Competition starts March 1 and runs two months with an official weigh-in date on May 1.
• Winners are determined by weight of potatoes harvested
• Competitors to register by emailing leanne.punt@nmhs.govt.nz

Categories:

• Heaviest total for individual grower
• Heaviest collective total for business with less than 50 employees
• Highest collective total for all businesses

For more information or to register for the competition email: adam.hicks@nmhs.govt.nz or leanne.punt@nmhs.govt.nz

Instructions: www.potatoes.co.nz/education/grow.php

Full story:

The NMDHB’s prize pullers were the early pace setters in yesterday’s 11th Annual Nelson tug-of-peace.

“Despite their size, the DHB have lost in just 9 seconds,” spruiked the announcer after their first-round demolition by CityFitness.

“That’s the quickest of the day.”

In the game of strength, the NMDHB brought speed.

With five members standing taller than 6ft and a combined weight over 700kg, the DHB team cut an imposing site as they rumbled onto the Trafalgar Street battle ground in their ‘Walking the Talk’ team shirts.

Unfortunately the bulging CityFitness crew didn’t notice.

Showing no respect for our bulk without brawn nor for our freshly washed shirts, CityFitness breezed through and went on to challenge for the overall title.

The NMDHB was left to pick up the pieces.

The unorthodox octet of Primary and Community general manager and team captain Peter Burton, board secretary Mike Cummins, webmaster Brandon Kay, business support analyst and team anchor Jason Templer, the NPA’s Adam Hicks and Richard Butler with ring-ins Jake Butler and Luke Katu, borrowed from Nelson Bay’s PHO, had to draw on everything they’d learned during their 23mins of training.

Luckily Chief Medical Officer Andre Nel was on hand to dispense expert medical advice for the team’s mild rope burns.

“You’ll be fine,” he said.

And Human Resources General Manager Denise Hutchings roused the troops with a stirring a motivational speech.

“Pull! Pull!” she cried.

And pull they did. With an amazing turn around, the NMDHB broke their own record by defeating the Triathlon team in a touch over 7 seconds.

The huge win set up a plate final clash with the Nelson Business Management.

Living up to the slogan on their shirts, NMDHB put in an impressive performance to win the consolation final and extract a great serving of pride from the event.

Far from dragging the chain, the NMDHB took up the slack of the rope in the name of just having a go.

Or to put it another way – we’re walking the talk.

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