Fayette County Fair

A few years ago I wrote an article for the Herald Standard about being "healthy" at the fair. I thought I'd share it again since it is that time of year (although I did have to delete some year specific info)....



It’s time for funnel cakes, fried dough, fried vegetables, candied apples, huge lemonades
hot sausages, and everything on a stick! The Fayette County Fair offers many tempting
treats for fairgoers. These tempting treats, however, can quickly sabotage anyone’s
efforts to eat healthy or keep off extra pounds. If you are at the fair, it is okay to indulge
on one of these treats or maybe even two. Just don’t overdo it. Believe it or not, there are
ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and still enjoy what the fair has to offer.

While many foods at the fair are high in fat and calories, the good news is that you can
burn off the calories by walking through the fairgrounds. Even a slow stroll through the
exhibits for an hour can burn around 260 calories or enough to burn off a candied apple.
For those of you that are ambitious, walk through the fair grounds for 3 hours without
stopping. You will burn off the calories in the irresistible funnel cake. Remember, those
three hours will only burn off the calories from the funnel cake, not the drinks and
other foods too. Another way to burn off some of the calories you consume at the fair is
attending one of the shows in the indoor area or fiddler’s building. Don’t sit in your seat.
Instead, dance for an hour to burn another 300 calories or more.

Another option might be to share your favorite treats with a friends and family. Sharing
is a great way to limit portion sizes and help cut back on fat, calories and added sugars.
If you want to try to find a healthy option at the fair, it is possible. Be sure to visit the
churches and services clubs when making your food choices. Some of these popular fair
vendors offer fruit cups, vegetables, and even sugar free desserts. Be on the look out for
added fats, however. While some vegetables may be healthy, when they are fried, they
are also high in fat an calories. Also be sure to drink water. It can be hot at the fair and
the sodas and lemonades can add sugar and calories quickly.

If you forgo eating healthy or trying to burn calories at the fair, there are other ways
to learn about living a healthy lifestyle throughout the fairgrounds. Look for exhibits
on diabetes. Have your blood pressure checked. You can even learn
gardening tips for growing fresh vegetables and bring the fair’s agricultural message to
your own backyard. While you may not be healthy at the fair, you can learn tips that you
can use to keep you healthy until next year.

Stay Active this week!

Sorry my post of activities is a little late this week.  I have been busy trying to keep my daughter active this week and haven't been on the computer much.  I did however want to post in time to remind you of these weeks Wednesday Walk.  Head to Connellsville for a tour of the Gibson House and learn a little about the library and sites in between. ! When you travel into Connellsville, take West Crawford Avenue across the bridge. Go straight through 2 stop lights and about 1/2 block later you will see a public parking lot on the right. Park in the lot. You can see the Carnegie Free Library off to your right about a block away from the parking lot. There is no parking at the library. The walk starts at the library.

But there is a lot more to do this week.  I have decided that if you really want to be in shape. Ohiopyle is one of the best destinations. I am not even referring to the things you can do that are not organized.  There is so much variety.  You could try something new if you are a female at Ohiopyle too! Sign up for Wilderness Voyageurs Female Fly Fishing Weekend this Saturday and Sunday. 

Families can enjoy the Night Hike on Friday July 20 at 8:45 PM at the park. Explore for nocturnal animals with the park naturalist. You can get more information at 724-329-0986. I, on the other hand, think that the Wild Tea Hike On Saturday, July 21. Meet at 10:30 AM at the train station to explore the park for all of the plants that have been used as Teas over the past few centuries. Don't forget you can get some great nutrients from a lot of these plants as well!

You can stick around after searching for trees

and continue your botanical education with the tree ID hike that begins at 2:00 PM on Saturday as well. You have just enough time to grab lunch between the two guided hikes. Bring a picnic to enjoy by the falls or grab some of the great healthy choices that the restaurants in Ohiopyle offer.

Go back on Sunday July 22 and meet at the Meadow Run Parking Lot at 2:00 and explore the Cascades.  Check out these waterfalls and maybe you can enjoy the natural waterslides to cool off when you are done!

Another big health related event that can help the entire community is being held at the Uniontown Mall on Friday July 20.  The Fayette Chamber of Commerce is

sponsoring a Blood Drive from 12PM-6PM at the Uniontown Mall.  While this event may not help improve your life, it may help you to save another.

Keep in mind the farmer's markets are still in full swing! Look back at my previous posts for the days and times. Hope you find something to enjoy and keep you active this week!

This Week in Fayette County

I promised I would continue to blog about events to help keep you active and healthy in my hometown.  This upcoming week is packed with things to do.

On Wednesday, July 11 take your pick between a fun historical hike or a competitive race.  The Fayette County Healthy Lifestyles Wednesday Walks continue at Friendship Hill at 6:30 PM. Hike the grounds and learn about both nature and the life and times of Albert Gallatin. You could also travel to the other side of the county for some activity. Hopefully cooler temperatures will be great for walkers and runners alike to compete in the annual John Woodruff 5K in Connellsville.  This event always has a great turn out and supports a scholarship fund. 


On Saturday, grab a camera and head to Ohiopyle in search of birds. I have been on bird hikes and other bird watching events at the park before and they have been phenomenal!  This week, head out for a morning expedition in search of osprey at 8:30 AM. You will meet at the Train Station Visitors Center and then carpool to Cranberry Lake where you will load up in Game Commission Canoes and explore the lake in search of these birds.  This expedition sounds amazing!  Unlike most events at the park, this one requires preregistration, you can call 724-329-0986 or email bawallace@pa.gov to register. If you are more of a night owl, join the park naturalists for a search of other night owls for expedition owl at 8:45 PM.

On Sunday July 15, you can learn a new skill at the park. Ohiopyle park naturalists will help you to hone your skills using GPS to explore nature. Meet at the Kentuck Amphitheater at 1:00 to learn the GPS skills and practice them on the Sproul Trails.  Once you perfect them, you might want to try geocaching.  These high tech treasure hunts are perfect for families and there are hundreds to find. Check out the geocaching.com website for more info. I will post a separate blog about it later.


It doesn't stop with Physical Activity Options either, to help you eat more of those great local fruits and veggies, make sure to stop at the farmers' markets that are now in full swing. In Brownsville, you can visit the Farmer's Market from 4-7 on Wednesday evenings in the Market Square parking lot. Thursday evening, enjoy the entertainment of the Storey Square series and visit the farmer's market from 4-7 PM in Uniontown. If your week days are too busy, start the weekend by stopping at the Masontown Farmer's market from 4-7 on Friday to stock up on produce for all of your weekend entertaining. You can even have some fun in German-Masontown Park while you are there. On Saturday you can visit the Farmers' and Artists' market in Connellsville at Yough Park in the morning from 8-12 before or after you've taken a ride on the Great Allegheny Passage (Yough River Trail.).  If you have spent your day out on the trails or the river on Saturday you can finish up the week with a stop at the Ohiopyle market on Saturday from 2-6 PM.


No matter what you choose, remember there are lots of options to help you reach your health goals. Just open your eyes and look around to find new ways to keep you healthy in your hometown!

Easy Entertaining

My DH and I Love Entertaining.I, of course, always stress about what to serve for our guests. Yesterday in 99 degree heat, that became even more of a challenge.  I am a firm believer in trying to serve my guests things I like and sticking to my guns as far as providing healthy choices.  That doesn't mean we don't have less healthful choices but I think it is important not to change your whole perspective on eating just because your guests may not make the same choices that you do.  Fortunately, my guests usually like healthier choices but nevertheless I stick to providing some nutritious options. So here is what I decided on.  I made a Guacamole Bruschetta that I found on Pinterest. To make this recipe even healthier, just make sure to find a whole grain bread to use as your base.  It was already filled with tons of nutrients but I am a firm believer in adding as many nutrients and as much fiber as possible.

Of course, PCL had to make Buffalo Chicken Dip but he made sure to make it with lower fat ingredients. Oddly enough, there was a lot left over.  What we didn't have left was berries.  The berries requested by my DD were almost gone by the end of the evening. Another great source of nutrition and everyone gobbled them up.

To make things simple because we spent most of the day in the pool. I grabbed a pre-cut veggie tray. I would usually cut up my own but, it was a hot day and we wanted to spend as much time in the pool as possible.  Add some great cheeses (although we ate very little of them) and wine from a local winery and we put together great snacks to enjoy with great company before our community fireworks!

The best part is  it only took 30 minutes to get everything ready! Sharing good food with friends can be easy and healthy. You don't have to compromise.

Red, White and Blueberries

I had been debating about what to make for a Fourth of July BBQ today when I saw a recipe on Pinterest for Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries from the Sweetslife  blog.  One of the comments said to add blueberries instead of graham cracker crumbs for a patriotic dessert.  WHAT A GREAT IDEA! I however, never make any recipe the same as what I find and always find a way to try to make it a little healthier.  I started by washing my strawberries and blueberries and cleaning  out the centers of the strawberries with a paring knife.

Then I made the filling.  Instead of following the recipes as written, I made my own lower fat version.  Use 4 ounces of lite cream cheese or fat free. I used the lite because it is what I had. Add 1/2 cup non-fat plain greek yogurt. Then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.  To sweeten your filling I used 1 1/2 teaspoons of honey. My husband didn't think it was quite sweet enough so I did add 1/2 Tablespoon of powdered sugar but if you don't like it sweet, you can probably skip that step.

Next use a pastry bag and pipe the filling into the strawberries or just use a spoon if you don't care if they look fancy.  Top with a blueberry. Arrange your strawberries and chill them until  you are ready to serve. For my family this dessert is definitely a winner. Hope you enjoy it too!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July! I started to write with the intention of sharing some strategies on how to make better choices at your backyard BBQs and other Independence Day celebrations today.  I decided,however, that you might benefit more by looking at some ways to add some physical activity instead.  

Just think of all of the Backyard games that can make your celebration a blast!  Even a simple game of wiffle ball or kick ball can add an element of fun that will make the day extra special. And don't think it should be just for the kids either!  We have a great glow in the dark wiffle ball set that allows us to play long after dark while we watch fireworks!

I did a quick search on pinterest and came up with a great Board filled with ideas. Check you my Backyard Games board if you need ideas.  We may play Corn Hole or Ladder Ball today but I am really tempted to get some buckets and a ball and set up a Giant Beer Pong if not today then definitely while we are on vacation. Yes, the kids can play too! Obviously we won't be filling buckets with beer so we can play as a family.  There were just so many ideas! I am really interested in creating a Giant Backyard Jenga too! Seems simple enough just think Jenga but one that is five feet tall.

You don't really need Pinterest to inspire outdoor fun. Just use your imagination! Regardless what you choose to do today to celebrate, take a few minutes to think about what we are celebrating today.  Don't forget to thank all of those who continue to fight for our freedom every day!

Happy Fourth!