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SNAP4CT Blog

Parks in Hartford Offer Free Activity

2/25/2020

9 Comments

 
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Hartford parks provide a great opportunity to be active all year long. You won't need fancy equipment or a gym membership. Just grab a pair of comfy shoes and a water bottle and you can start walking on one of the many safe trails today.

The parks are fun for everyone! Parents and sports fans will enjoy all of the great playgrounds, pools, and ball parks.

Following are our 8 favorite Hartford parks for walking and playing for FREE in Hartford. Want a handy resource to take with you? Download our Hartford Parks Guide (PDF).
Hartford Parks Guide

Bushnell Park (Downtown)

See monuments, artwork, sculptures, and a 100-year-old carousel as you walk through Bushnell Park. For the kids, there is an awesome playground! This park also hosts many great events throughout the year to get you moving. In the winter, Winterfest Hartford offers free ice skating, skate rentals, and lessons. Beginning in May, there are free tours of The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, Historical Park Tours, and Lunchtime Tree Tours. Visit: BushnellPark.org for more information.
Address: 99 Trinity Street, Hartford, CT 06103
Parking: Metered parking available along the edges of the park Monday-Friday 8 AM - 6 PM. All other times parking is free, including weekends.

Colt Park (Sheldon-Charter Oak)

Located in southeast Hartford, this park is a great place to take the kids! Take a walk around the track or play handball, racquetball, soccer, baseball, softball, or football on one of Colt Park’s many sports fields. Younger kids will enjoy exploring playscapes and swing sets. In the summer months, enjoy cooling off in the park’s outdoor swimming pools and splash pads.
              
Address: 106 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114
Parking: Available on Morris Street

Elizabeth Park (West Hartford)

Be sure to visit this park in the warmer months when flowers are in bloom. Take a walk through the park or play a game on the tennis courts, basketball courts, or ball fields. There’s also a playground for children to enjoy. Our favorite way to exercise at Elizabeth Park is Walk with a Future Doc! This walking group is a fun, free, and safe way to get active, learn about health, and meet new friends! Check out the Walk with a Doc, UConn School of Medicine Facebook page for upcoming walks.
               
Address: 1561 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117
Parking: Available for free throughout the park.

Goodwin Park (South End)

Home to a fitness circuit, basketball court, playscape, tennis courts, walking trails, swimming pool and spray pad, Goodwin Park is a beautiful place to get active in Hartford!
               
Address: 1192 Maple Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114
Parking: Available at 128 Goodwin Park Road and 17 Ridge Road

Hyland and Rocky Ridge Park (Frog Hollow/Behind the Rocks)

Feeling competitive? Grab some friends and get a game of basketball, soccer, baseball, or tee-ball going at one of Hyland and Rock Ridge Park’s many sports fields. Kids will love this park for the playscape and splash pad!
               
Address: 355 New Britain Avenue or 75 Zion Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Parking: Available at 359 New Britain Avenue

Keney Park (North End)

There is so much to explore at Hartford’s Keney Park! Go for a walk at one of the many fitness and walking trails. You can also play cricket, tennis, baseball, softball, tee-ball, basketball, and disc golf here. Explore the park with this beautiful Keney Park Tour from our friends at the Keney Park Sustainability Project.

Address: 280 Tower Avenue Hartford, CT 06112 (additional entrances on Windsor Ave, Greenfield St, and Ridgefield St)
Parking: Available at 500 Vine St, 244 Greenfield St, and 112 Ridgefield St

Pope Park (Frog Hollow)

Located in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Harford, you can play basketball, baseball, softball, or soccer here! Kids will love the playscape and spray pool. Speaking of pools, Pope Park has indoor and outdoor pools so you can swim anytime of the year. Pope Park is also home to the Samuel V. Arroyo Recreation Center. The City of Hartford Recreation Division has info on pool hours and free classes like Zumba, Afro-Latino Dance, and Boot Camp Fitness.
               
Address and Parking: 30 Pope Park Drive, Hartford, CT 06106

Riverside Park (Downtown/North Meadows)

Get out for a walk on Riverside Park’s paved walkways or 4.5 miles of unpaved riverfront trails! You will also find playgrounds, a cricket field, and volleyball court. Watch for free yoga classes and other fun activities on the Riverfront Recapture Facebook page! Learn more about Riverfront Recapture at Riverfront.org, where you will find other recreation opportunities including Charter Oak Landing.
               
Address: 20 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT 06120
Parking: Available at 57 Leibert Rd, plus lots of free, off-street parking within the park.

Hartford Park Resources

  • All parks can be reached via the Hartford City Bus system. For more info, visit CT Transit at CTTransit.com
  • Follow what is happening in Hartford parks on their, View from the Parks Facebook page
  • Find maps and more at Hartford.gov/parks
  • For healthy activities around Hartford, visit the City of Hartford Recreation Division.

Free Health Events CT

See our Free Health Events in CT calendar for even more great ways to be active throughout CT!

*Hartford map modified from HartfordInfo.org.

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9 Comments

Weight Loss on a Budget

1/27/2020

25 Comments

 
Weigh Loss on a Budget Image
The number one question we get through our Ask a Nutritionist form is, “How can I lose weight?” It is a tricky question since there is no one right answer. Every person has his or her own special needs.

What we do know for sure - you don’t need a fancy meal delivery service, or a special diet plan to lose weight! Healthy weight loss comes from a little knowledge, and a lot of dedication. Below we’ll share some of our favorite, free tools and tips to help you meet your personal weight loss goals while saving money. 

Know What You Need

The first step in managing your weight is knowing how many calories your body needs. Your own personal needs are based on your age, sex, height, weight, and how much physical activity (exercise) you get daily. You can find your healthy eating style using the MyPlate Plan. For a quick estimate, you can use our “Calories Needed Each Day” guide.  

Maria's Weight Loss Plan

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 To understand how the MyPlate Plan can help you lose weight, let’s look at Maria:
  • Maria is a 44 year-old woman. She is 5 feet tall and weighs 135 pounds. She currently does not get much physical activity. She would like to lose weight, so she has more energy to play with her granddaughter.
  • According to Maria’s MyPlatePlan she needs 1800 calories to maintain her weight, or 1600 calories to get to a healthy weight.
  • By following the suggestions on her personalized MyPlatePlan, Maria can slowly lose weight to meet her goal. 

Keep Track

Once you know what you need to do to lose weight, you need to make sure you do it. That means keeping track of what you eat and drink daily. You can do this by using your MyPlatePlan. You can also write it down in a daily journal, or in the notes of your phone. If you enjoy technology, the free Start Simple with MyPlate app or MyFitnessPal app may work for you.

Eat Regular Meals and Snacks

Your body is not meant to go without food for long. It’s a good idea to enjoy meals every 4 – 6 hours with small snacks in between (every 2 hours). This keeps your blood sugar steady and prevents hunger from causing you to overeat.  

Fill Up on Fiber & Protein

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Another tip for preventing hunger is to choose healthy, filling foods. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans contain fiber. These foods fill up your belly and keep your blood sugar steady. Protein also helps to keep your blood sugar level and prevents cravings. Adding a protein-rich food to every meal will help you eat less. Fill up on the following healthy foods:
  • Fruits and Vegetables - Half of the foods you eat during the day should be fruits and vegetables. Some great examples of filling fruits include apples, berries, oranges, bananas, pears, and melon. Fiber-rich veggies include leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, onions, okra, and celery.   See Vegetables the Easy Way and 14 Tips for Using Canned & Frozen Fruits for more ideas.
  • Whole Grains - Brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole grain bread, quinoa, oats, and popcorn are a few of the filling whole grain foods. Find more Whole Grain Tips from ChooseMyPlate.gov.
  • Lean Proteins – Chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, nuts, beans, eggs, and lentils are some of the healthiest protein foods. See the Cheapest Protein Foods and Save Money with Plant Proteins for more inspiration.

Snack Healthy

Snacks tend to have a bad reputation. That’s because many of the packaged foods we call “snacks,” like chips, cookies, cakes, are loaded with sugar, salt, and too many calories. To learn what makes a great snack see our Healthy Snacking Tips guide.  You can also pick from our Healthy Snack Recipes, or explore 13 Homemade Snacks.

Drink Water!

Cucumber Mint Water Picture
We’ve talked about this on the blog before (here, and here, and even here). Water is the best choice in drinks. It doesn’t have calories which means you can drink as much as you want. Some studies have even shown that drinking water before meals helps to reduce your appetite. Besides, when staying active, it is important to get enough water so that you keep hydrated. Aim for 6-10 cups to day. Learn more at Water First for Your Thirst.


Move More

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Don’t forget to move as much as you can! The more you move, the more calories you burn. Plus, all that movement helps to build muscle which helps to burn even more calories. Talk about a win/win!! Find lots of ideas on ways to get more activity in your day on the Move Your Way website. Keep it fun so you'll stick with it. Play with your kids, take a walk with a friend, or follow along to an exercise video on your phone.

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For more fun ways to be active, check out our Free Health Events in CT calendar. There you will find activities like hiking, dance, yoga, and Zumba near you. And, watch for next month's blog where we uncover some of the best places to walk or hike in Hartford.

A Note On Weight

It's always a good idea to discuss your weight loss goals with a trusted physician and/or dietitian. They will know more about your personal health and physical abilities. Also, when losing weight, slow and steady is best. Fad diets that promise quick results often lead to weight gain. Lasting weight loss takes time. You can do it!
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25 Comments

Great Ways to Get Exercise for FREE in CT

1/5/2018

2 Comments

 
I may have overdone it on the pie at Thanksgiving. Okay, I pretty much overdid it on everything from November until now. I feel gross. Anyone else out there feeling gross? I need some physical activity in my life. I have exactly zero time to wait and zero dollars to start. Luckily, there are lots of options to get moving at home and around town. Here are some ideas based on where you live.

If you live anywhere in CT.... Or the US... Or Earth.

  1. Create an obstacle course with the kids inside or turn up the music and have a dance party! 
  2. Follow this FREE 20 minute workout video that can be done from your living room or back yard. If you don't have hand weights, canned goods or water bottles are a good stand-in.
  3. Short on time? Try this 7-Minute Workout that's shown to have big benefits for such a small chunk of time. Here is the same 7-Minute Workout on video, so you can follow along without using a timer.
  4. Create your own challenge. Choose an exercise like push-ups, and do more each day until you reach your goal. You can start small. For example, start with 5 push-ups when you wake up tomorrow morning. The next day, do 6. Then 8 the following day. Work your way up to your goal. Once you get started with a challenge like this, it can often motivate you to be more active throughout your day.
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The following links and schedules were accurate as of 1/2018, please check with the event provider on updates. 

Hartford area

  • Hit the ice. Free ice skating is available at Koeppel Community Center at Trinity College.
  • Go to your library! If you haven't been using your local library, you're missing out. The East Hartford Public Library always has a variety of fun events, including a Hokey Pokey Party for kids and their families on Tuesdays.  The Hartford Public Libraries also have a lot to offer. Try out yoga for adults, yoga for kids, or dancing to Mariachi and Jazz bands. 
  • Go for a walk where it's warm. At the museum. The New Britain Museum of American Art is free from 10AM-noon on Saturdays. The Wadsworth Atheneum is always free for Hartford residents, youth 17 years and younger, and for everyone 4-5PM daily and 10AM-1PM the second Saturday of each month (with additional activities available). The Connecticut Historical Society is free on the first Saturday of each month.
  • The East Hartford Senior Center offers free fitness classes for residents 55 years and over. 

Middletown/Meriden area

  • Visit your local community center and YMCA to play basketball or enjoy other athletic activities. In Meriden: Beat the Street Community Center
  • Get some indoor swim time at Maloney High School pool in Meriden. (Must purchase a swim tag for $10/year for adults, $3/year for kids to enjoy free swimming all year long.)
  • Go to your library! If you haven't been using your local library, you're missing out. The Russell Library often has yoga for free! 

New London area

  • Go to your library! If you haven't been using your local library, you're missing out. The Public Library of New London has lots of activities, like zumba, for free!
  • Go for a walk where it's warm. At the museum. The Submarine Force Library & Museum in Groton is free.
  • Visit your local community center to play basketball or even swim. Several schools in the area offer these services. The Waterford Parks and Facilities lists Waterford area activities (PDF).

New Haven area

  • Join a game of indoor pick-up soccer. Every Tuesday. See Futsal Indoor Soccer.
  • Visit your local community center and YMCA to play basketball or enjoy other athletic activities. In New Haven: Farnam Community Center and Central Connecticut Coast YMCA.
  • Join in free Zumba classes when they're offered at BEyond Fitness in New Haven​

Stamford area

  • Go to your library! If you haven't been using your local library, you're missing out. The Ferguson Library has movement activities with babies and toddlers a couple of times per week.
  • Visit your local community center and YMCA to play basketball or enjoy other athletic activities. In Stamford: Stamford Family YMCA

Bridgeport area

  • Go to your library! If you haven't been using your local library, you're missing out. The Bridgeport Library has FREE yoga, zumba, and dance classes EVERY WEEK!
  • Visit your local community center and YMCA to play basketball or enjoy other athletic activities. In Bridgeport: Bridgeport YMCA and Ralphola Taylor Community Center YMCA.

For information on activities by day, visit our Free Health Events Calendar.

*Always check with a doctor before engaging in new physical activity.
**Events and information posted here are accurate as of January 2018, and may change with time.
***If you know of other free physical activities available in your area of CT, please contact us!
2 Comments

14 Ways to Burn 100 Calories on a Typical Day

3/28/2017

1 Comment

 
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Source
Getting more physical activity can keep your heart healthier, your muscles stronger, your bowel movements more regular (seriously), boost your mood, and may even improve your memory and thinking skills. And if none of that motivates you - it also burns calories. Adding more physical activity in your life doesn't have to mean sweating away at the gym, or twisting yourself into a pretzel at a yoga studio. While those are great ways to become more active, there are lots of other easy ways to get moving. Below are some activities you can do on a typical day (while also accomplishing other things!) to burn 100 calories*: 
Activity
Time (to burn 100 calories)
vacuuming
35 min
hula hooping
25 min
sledding
15 min
walking dog (moderate pace)
40 min
sweeping floors
30 min
mowing lawn
20 min
walking/running around the yard with kids
30 min
shoveling snow
20 min
raking leaves
30 min
walking while carrying 15 lb baby
35 min
dancing
25 min
painting (walls)
25 min
cleaning gutters
25 min
washing/waxing car
25 min
*For a healthy, 150 pound person.
​

Healthy Activities in Connecticut

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​For more healthy activities that help burn calories and add more fun to your life, see our Free Health Events in CT Calendar. 
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Husky Nutrition at UConn Health
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SNAP-ED Event Calendar
© COPYRIGHT 2018.  ​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

This information was funded by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP.  
SNAP helps low-income people buy nutritious food for a better diet.
​To get more information contact the CT Department of Social Services at
1-855-626-6632 or www.CT.gov/dss.


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  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Categories >
      • Kid Friendly Recipes
      • No Added Sugar
      • Vegetarian Recipes
      • Heart Healthy Recipes
      • Five Ingredients or Less
      • Quick and Easy Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Dips and Salsas
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Meatless Meals
    • Meals with Meat
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups and Stews
    • Sodium Free Spice Blends
    • Recetas
  • Farmers Markets
    • Find a Farmers Market
    • CT Crop Calendar
    • Using SNAP/EBT at Farmers Markets
  • Education
    • Healthy Eating >
      • MyPlate
      • Understanding The Nutrition Label
      • Added Sugar
      • Healthy Snacking Tips
      • Calories Needed Each Day
      • What is "enough" fruits and vegetables
      • Recipe Videos
    • Budget Shopping >
      • Healthy Shopping on a Budget
      • What Can $16 Buy?
      • Budget Pantry
    • Diabetes >
      • Healthy Eating with Diabetes
      • "Diabetes-Friendly" Recipe Guide
    • Heart Health
    • Exercise Tips
    • Physical Literacy
    • Water First for Your Thirst
  • SNAP4CT Blog
  • Resources
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    • FAQ
    • Free Health Events in CT
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