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Wellness Wednesdays with FCHS

Wellness Wednesdays with FCHS.

Wellness on Wednesday webinars with Family & Community Health Sciences will focus on a variety of topics related to food, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles. This series will walk you through the easy steps that you can take to add positive health behaviors into your day. From fitting in more movement to eating more mindfully, now is the time to make some of those small changes that will improve your health in a large way.

Details

Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. to learn from experts in the Department of Family & Community Health Sciences, Rutgers Cooperative Extension. All sessions are free, will last approximately 45 minutes, and will be provided via Zoom. To join, you will need either a computer, tablet, or smartphone with speakers.

You must register to participate. See below for the title and descriptions of each webinar and click on the link below to register.

Missed a session? Webinars will be recorded through Zoom and posted below as they become available.

Upcoming Webinars

  1. May 14: Fresh from Jersey: Tips and Tools for Embracing Local Produce
    Discover how to make the most of New Jersey’s locally grown produce with Ricardo Kairios, FCHS Educator/Assistant Professor. This interactive session will explore the latest tools designed to help you access and enjoy fresh, local produce. Ricardo will share updates on existing resources, lead a discussion on best practices shared by fellow participants, and gather your input on additional tools that could enhance your local food experience. Whether you’re a seasoned local food enthusiast or just getting started, this session will inspire you to shop locally and savor the fresh harvest from New Jersey’s backyard!
    Presenter: Ricardo Kairios, MS
  2. May 21: Build a Better Breakfast
    Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. To start your day off on the right foot, it is important to choose healthy options and avoid foods that provide empty calories and little nutritional value. Eating a balanced breakfast that includes most food groups (fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy)—while avoiding unhealthy options high in fat, sugar, and sodium—is ideal. Join us for tips and strategies to build a better breakfast and start every day on the right foot.
    Presenter: Luanne Hughes, MS, RDN: FCHS County Agent & Professor
  3. June 4: Piloting a Student wellness Collaborative at the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health (IFNH)
    Please join us for an overview of a Chancellor Challenge pilot grant to create programming and services that engages students on a wellness journey through experiences aligned with their academic goals and extracurricular experiences.
    Presenter: Patty J. Oehmke, PhD.
  4. June 11: Food as Medicine: Fuel your Life
    Can food really be medicine? Join a doctor and nutrition educator as they share how simple foods can power up your energy, focus, and health - one bite at a time.
    Presenter: Delma Yorimoto, MS and Eric Walsh, MD
  5. June 18: Menu for Menopause
    Proper nutrition can aid in managing menopausal symptoms and maintaining optimal health. Join us to learn about how lifestyle factors can help you through this period and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.
    Presenter: Jennifer Taylor, RDN, CHES
  6. June 25: Supporting LGBTQIA2S+ Individuals During Pride Month and Beyond
    Join us for an engaging session where you'll discover practical ways to actively support the LGBTQIA2S+ community in your personal life and surrounding community. Led by Ricardo Kairios, FCHS Educator and Assistant Professor, this webinar will provide insights on how to be an ally, both individually and within larger system and policy contexts. You'll learn how to foster inclusivity in everyday interactions, advocate for meaningful policy changes, and help create a more welcoming environment for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. This session is designed to empower you to help foster a culture of respect and belonging for everyone.
    Presenter: Ricardo Kairios, MS
  7. July 2: Mind & Body Magic
    In uncertain times, we all may experience levels of anxiety or stress that make us feel unwell. Within minority communities, unique stressors and triggers combined with cultural stigmas about seeking mental health care often leave us without resources, information, or support to get well (mind and body). Join us for a session to learn more about the impact stress has on our bodies and health, culturally appropriate ways to help people seek outside support, and information resources on where people can get help.
    Presenter: Meredith Taylor, MPH
  8. July 9: The Living Pantry: Using Herbs in the Kitchen
    Join us as we discuss fun and creative ways to use fresh summer herbs. Whether you're harvesting your own or picking them up at a farmer's market, herbs are a quick and easy way to elevate any dish! In this presentation, you will learn how to add flavor to summer drinks and dishes without the fuss of added salt, sugar, and fat.
    Presenter: Anneliese Kuemmerle, MS, RDN
  9. July 16: MyPlate on the Go: Simple and Sustainable Meals and Snacks
    Eating nutritious on a tight schedule doesn’t have to be a struggle! In this webinar, you'll learn how to use MyPlate to create quick, balanced meals and snacks that fit your busy lifestyle. Discover meal prep tips, ways you can master your food groups, and sustainable strategies to reduce food waste - so you can eat well and feel your best, no matter how packed your day gets!
    Presenter: Ricardo Kairios, MS
  10. July 23: Summer Wellness Tips
    A program discussion to help you nourish your body, stay active, and enjoy a healthy, balanced lifestyle all summer long!
    Presenter: Rachel Tansey
  11. July 30: Easy Uses for Abundant Summer Produce
    Enjoy fresh summer produce with quick recipes, storage tips, and easy ideas to make the most of the season bounty - whithout letting anything go to waste.
    Presenter: Delma Yorimoto
  12. August 6: Fall Gardening: Starting or Extending Your Season
    Fall is a fabulous time for gardening! It's not too late to start planting, or do a reset for your summer plots. Join us for tips on how to extend your harvest into the fall months.
    Presenter: Meredith Taylor, MPH
  13. August 13: Preserving the Harvest
    Whether you are growing it yourself or purchasing from a local farm or store, you can preserve bountiful produce for months to come! Information about the Rutgers Home Food Preservation Program will be shared so you can learn even more.
    Presenter: Jennifer Taylor, RDN, CHES & Sherri Cirignano, MS, RDN, LDN
  14. August 20: Wellness Tips to Set the School Year up for Success
    Starting the school year off on the right foot is crucial for maintaining health and well-being. Here are some tips to help parents and students achieve a successful and balanced school year.
    Presenter: TBD
  15. August 27: Positive Releases to Cope with Work Stressors�and Resources for Coping with Stressors
    Work life balance is good in theory but stressors from work can carry over into our personal life. This presentation will offer resources for coping with stressors for better work life balance.
    Presenter: TBD

Webinar Archive

Chronic Disease Prevention

    Arthritis

    1. Arthritis 101: Prevention & Control (9/27/2023)

    Cancer

    1. Berries and You: Perfect Together (6/9/2021)
    2. Bringing Vegetables to the Table: A Celebration of the Harvest (10/20/2021)
    3. Cancer Basics (2/15/2023)
    4. Cancer Basics (6/28/2023)
    5. Coffee: Should it be Your Mug of Choice? (12/8/2021)
    6. Controlling Your Cancer Risk (7/13/2022)
    7. Eating for Cancer Prevention (9/6/2023)
    8. Embracing the Power of Prevention (11/4/2020)
    9. Functional Foods: Mushrooms (8/4/2021)
    10. Nutrition for Colorectal Health (8/3/2022)
    11. Prostate Health and Cancer Prevention (8/9/2023)
    12. Sun Safety (8/17/2022)
    13. The Gut Microbiome and Cancer (9/18/2024)
    14. Understanding the Link Between Obesity and Endometrial Cancer (4/2/2025)
    15. Update on the Power of Prevention (3/9/2022)

    Diabetes

    1. Diabetes Overview and the Link to Certain Cancers (4/23/2025)
    2. Living Well with Diabetes (11/3/2021)
    3. Pre-Diabetes Prevention: Tips to Take Control (11/16/2022)
    4. Prediabetes: Take Action with the National Diabetes Prevention Program (10/28/2020)
    5. What to Eat with Diabetes (10/26/2022)

    Gut Health

    1. Fiber and Gut Health: Keeping You and Your Microbiome Happy (10/27/2021)
    2. What You Need to Know About Celiac Disease (9/15/2021)

    Heart Disease

    1. Cholesterol: What You Need to Know for a Healthy Heart (9/1/2021)
    2. Cooking Your Way to a Healthy Heart (2/8/2023)
    3. Heart Health for a Longer Life (2/26/2025)
    4. Heart Health: How Fiber Helps Prevent Disease (6/16/2021)
    5. Nutrition and Heart Disease (2/14/2024)
    6. Realistic Portion Sizes for Improved Heart Health (8/2/2023)
    7. Reducing the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease with Fiber (10/14/2020)
    8. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Hypertension: The Silent Killer (2/3/2021)
    9. The DASH or Mediterranean Diet: Which is Better? (2/16/2022)

    Osteoporosis

    1. Strong Bones for Life (10/21/2020)
    2. Strong Bones for a Lifetime (5/27/2020)

    Physical Activity

    1. Let's Get Physical: Simple Ways to Engage in Physical Activity During a Busy Week (11/1/2023)
    2. Adaptive Fitness Methods (10/16/2024)
    3. BeneFITS of Physical Activity (5/3/2023)
    4. BeneFITS of Walking (6/15/2022)
    5. Celebrating National Women's Health and Fitness Day! (9/25/2024)
    6. Eight Dimensions of Wellness - Fostering Physical Wellness (3/8/2023)
    7. Exercise for Those Over Age 50 (6/14/2023)
    8. Functional Fitness For All (8/7/2024)
    9. Let's Get Physical: Aerobic Activities and Understanding the Physical Activity Intensity Scale (11/20/2024)
    10. Let's Get Physical: Easy Movements for Balance and Flexibility (1/10/2024)
    11. New! Mindful Movement for Aging Well (4/30/2025)
    12. Muscle-Building Exercises (8/21/2024)
    13. Simple Exercises to Keep Your Joints and Body Strong (5/17/2023)
    14. Sitting, the Silent Killer (6/3/2020)
    15. Step It Up - Ways to Be More Physically Active (2/28/2024)
    16. Step It Up Adding More Movement into your Day (2/9/2022)
    17. The Joy of Walking Together (9/11/2024)
    18. The NEAT Way to Fitting in Movement (1/6/2021)

    Thyroid Diseases

    1. What You Need to Know about Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism (1/19/2022)

    Family Meals & Healthy Eating Approaches for Children

    1. Benefits of Family Meals (6/24/2020)
    2. Do-It-Yourself Baby Food (9/30/2020)
    3. Kids in the Kitchen (2/21/2024)
    4. Make Time for Snack Time (7/8/2020)
    5. Mindful Family Meals (7/15/2020)
    6. Pivoting the Picky Eater (6/17/2020)
    7. Quick & Easy Ways for Families to Eat More Fruits & Vegetables (8/26/2020)

    Healthy Eating Strategies

    1. Added Sugars (8/12/2020)
    2. Adding to Lose (2/5/2025)
    3. Ask the Expert: Healthy Eating & Timesaving Tips (3/16/2022)
    4. Bean Basics and Benefits (2/24/2021)
    5. Beyond the Nutrition Facts: Exploring Food Labels (3/12/2025)
    6. Boost Your Nutrition with Breakfast (9/14/2022)
    7. Build a Better Salad (5/5/2021)
    8. Build a Better Smoothie (8/11/2021)
    9. Chocolate: Is It the New Health Food? (2/17/2021)
    10. Climate-Friendly Eating (1/22/2025)
    11. Decoding Nutrition Labels (11/6/2024)
    12. Diet Fads: What Really Works? (4/21/2021)
    13. Dietary Supplements 101 (7/24/2024)
    14. Easy Changes, Make Healthy Eating a Habit (7/22/2020)
    15. Eat This Not That (7/20/2022)
    16. Eating Healthy On a Budget (8/19/2020)
    17. Eating for Planetary Health and Human Health (4/20/2022)
    18. Eating the Rainbow: Adding a Variety of Colorful Fruits and Vegetables to Your Plate (3/6/2024)
    19. Everyday Mindfulness (7/28/2021)
    20. Exploring the Low FODMAP Diet (8/30/2023)
    21. Fad Diets: Is Keto a Sustainable Diet? (9/29/2021)
    22. Food Safety for Older Americans (5/10/2023)
    23. Food Too Good to Waste (11/30/2022)
    24. Foods that Fight Pain: Separating Myth from Fact (6/22/2022)
    25. Glow and Grow: The Benefits of Staying Hydrated (11/13/2024)
    26. Healthy Eating Patterns for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management (6/29/2022)
    27. Healthy Snacks for Teens and Adults (3/13/2024)
    28. Infusing Eco Therapy into Your Day (8/18/2021)
    29. Intermittent Fasting: Is it an Effective Weight Loss Strategy? (3/2/2022)
    30. Labeling Genetically Modified Foods (4/14/2021)
    31. Let's Go Nuts (7/29/2020)
    32. Let's Go Nuts (3/10/2021)
    33. Living with Food Allergies (5/4/2022)
    34. Meal Planning to Save Money (8/24/2022)
    35. MyPlate, My Way: Celebrating National Nutrition Month (3/5/2025)
    36. Myths and Facts about Popular Diet Strategies (7/27/2022)
    37. Nourishing Your Body for Active Aging (3/26/2025)
    38. Nutrition for Immune Health (10/23/2024)
    39. Picky Eaters and Power Struggles: Learn to Feed Your Family Stress-Free (4/27/2022)
    40. Plant-Based Proteins (7/17/2024)
    41. Power Up Your Plate: Exploring the Benefits of Protein for a Healthier You (5/24/2023)
    42. Preparing Healthy School Lunches and Snacks (9/13/2023)
    43. Processed Foods and How they Affect Nutrition (5/12/2021)
    44. Seafood and Healthy Living Part One (3/17/2021)
    45. Seafood and Healthy Living Part Two (3/24/2021)
    46. Sleep Secret (8/25/2021)
    47. Supporting a Strong Immune System (5/19/2021)
    48. Surviving Seasonal Stress (12/7/2022)
    49. Tasty Tips for Snacking Using the Nutrition Facts Label (5/26/2021)
    50. Tea: Drink to Your Health (4/28/2021)
    51. The Calcium Connection (10/19/2022)
    52. The Carbohydrate Conundrum: Myths and Facts about Carbs in Diabetes and More! (11/15/2023)
    53. The MIND Diet: Good Nutrition for Brain Health (4/26/2023)
    54. Vegetarian Diets Save Hearts and Homes: Small Actions, Big Changes (10/6/2021)
    55. What's on the Nutrition Facts Label (8/21/2020)
    56. What's the Catch NJ Seafood and Healthy Living Part 1 (3/23/2022)
    57. What's the Catch NJ Seafood and Healthy Living Part 2 (3/30/2022)
    58. What's the Scoop: Sugar Substitutes and Sweeteners (11/10/2021)
    59. Wholesome Whole Grains (3/3/2021)
    60. Winter Blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder and Your Diet (1/17/2024)

    Healthy Pantry, Kitchen & Cooking Strategies

    1. Root-to-Fruit Cooking: Get the Most out of Your Produce (9/20/2023)
    2. A Closer Look at Sourdough Bread and other Fermented Foods (8/28/2024)
    3. All About Cooking Fats and Oils (5/31/2023)
    4. Ask the Expert: Food Safety Myth vs Truth (2/23/2022)
    5. Build a Better Bagged School Lunch (1/26/2022)
    6. Build a Better Beverage (5/18/2022)
    7. Cooking Basics and Kitchen Hacks (9/2/2020)
    8. Double Duty Meals (9/21/2022)
    9. Eat Greens! (5/20/2020)
    10. Energizing Drinks (3/22/2023)
    11. Getting Started with Home Food Preservation (7/5/2023)
    12. Getting the Most Out of Your Grocery Order (2/2/2022)
    13. Grilling with Care (6/10/2020)
    14. Lead Poisoning Prevention and Nutrition (6/1/2022)
    15. Lose the Salt, not the Flavor: Reducing Sodium in your Everyday Cooking (2/1/2023)
    16. Melt-in-Your-Mouth Slow Cooker Meals (9/9/2020)
    17. Nine Staple Foods of the Mediterranean Eating Plan (7/1/2020)
    18. Preserving Foods at Home: An Overview of Safe Options (7/21/2021)
    19. Prevent Food Waste at Home: Tips for Easy and Safe Food Preservation (7/10/2024)
    20. Preventing Food Waste at Home (5/13/2020)
    21. Soup's On: The Art of Making Healthy Homemade Soups (1/15/2025)
    22. Sourdough: The Basics (12/9/2020)
    23. Stocking Your Mediterranean Pantry (10/7/2020)
    24. Thirty-Minute Meals (9/23/2020)
    25. Tips to Stay Hydrated (8/23/2023)
    26. Uncovering the Enigma of the Instant Pot (9/16/2020)
    27. Understanding the New NJ Cottage Food Law (7/12/2023)
    28. Warm Up with Healthy Soups (1/12/2022)

    Mindful Living Strategies

    1. Artistic Creativity for Health Across the Lifespan (4/7/2021)
    2. Avoiding Stress Eating (11/9/2022)
    3. Brain Health: Connecting Your Mind and Body with Meditation (6/8/2022)
    4. Breath Your Stress Away (4/5/2023)
    5. Breathing Easier: The Basics of Smoking-Related Illnesses & Secondhand Smoke (2/7/2024)
    6. Bridging the Rural Behavioral Health Treatment Access Gap through Community Engagement and Technology (5/22/2024)
    7. Bring Out Your Inner Green Thumb Through House Plants! (6/12/2024)
    8. Celebrating National Coming Out Day: Tips on Supporting your LGTBQIA2S+ Family and Friends (10/9/2024)
    9. Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health - National Public Health Week (4/3/2024)
    10. Climate Conundrum: How a Changing Climate Affects Human Nutrition (10/12/2022)
    11. Communicating Effectively with Loved Ones with Alzheimer's and Dementia (5/8/2024)
    12. Defining, Identifying and Managing Risky Substance Use (3/29/2023)
    13. Digital Wellness: How to Inventory and Protect Your Digital Assets (4/12/2023)
    14. E-cigarettes and Vaping in 2022 (4/13/2022)
    15. Eating Disorders: Signs, Symptoms and Support (12/6/2023)
    16. Eight Dimensions of Wellness - Emotional (7/26/2023)
    17. Eight Dimensions of Wellness: Fostering Social Wellness (2/22/2023)
    18. Eight Dimensions of Wellness: Intellectual (6/21/2023)
    19. Filling Your Day with Fruits and Veggies (2/10/2021)
    20. Financial Wellness: 35 Useful Personal Finance Web Sites (7/31/2024)
    21. Financial Wellness: Year-End Tax-Saving Strategies (12/4/2024)
    22. Give Yourself a Financial Check-Up (11/2/2022)
    23. Healthy Habits that Support Eye Health (9/28/2022)
    24. Healthy Lifestyles as We Age (1/31/2024)
    25. Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body (5/15/2024)
    26. Helping Families and Communities Support People with Behavioral Health Challenges (8/16/2023)
    27. How Can We Increase Social Support for Rural Residents Seeking Evidence-Based Treatment for Opioid Use? (3/27/2024)
    28. Introduction to Health Disparities in the LGBTQ+ Community (7/6/2022)
    29. Keeping Up the Beat: Self Management Techniques for Cardiovascular Disease (9/22/2021)
    30. Keeping a Healthy Home (6/26/2024)
    31. Lessons for Long Life (2/3/2021)
    32. Let's Talk About Stress: A 3-Part Series on Understanding and Managing Stress, Session 1: Stress 101 (3/19/2025)
    33. Let's Talk About Stress: A 3-Part Series on Understanding and Managing Stress, Session 2: What's Stressing Me? (4/9/2025)
    34. Longevity & Healthy Living (10/5/2022)
    35. Making Resolutions for Better Health (1/5/2022)
    36. Mindful Eating Tips to Curb Stress Eating (4/19/2023)
    37. Mindful Meditation and Stress Reduction (4/27/2022)
    38. New Year a Better You (1/11/2023)
    39. New Year, New You: Setting Healthy Aging Goals (1/29/2025)
    40. Personal Pandemic Safety Risk Management (7/14/2021)
    41. Seeing Beyond the Surface: Body Image and Eating Disorders (2/12/2025)
    42. Sleep Secret - STUDENT EDITION DURING PRE-FINALS WEEK (12/14/2022)
    43. Slowing Down: Rethinking Your Relationship with Time (1/18/2023)
    44. Small Steps to Financial Wellness (7/19/2023)
    45. Small Steps to Improve Your Health and Finances in 2021 (1/27/2021)
    46. Strategies a Rural Substance Use Training Center is Implementing to Partner with Community Health Stakeholders in New Jersey (1/24/2024)
    47. Strategies to Manage Health Literacy Challenges (10/18/2023)
    48. Stress Less with Laughter (6/30/2021)
    49. Stress and Health: Finding Ways to Cope (4/6/2022)
    50. Stress on the Farm 101 (4/16/2025)
    51. Stressful Times: The Role of Self-Help and Professional Help (1/20/2021)
    52. Striving for Better Health Using The Stages of Change Model (6/2/2021)
    53. Substance Misuse as a Coping Mechanism (3/1/2023)
    54. Substance Use and Maternal Health 101: Considerations for Rural Communities with Examples in New Jersey (2/19/2025)
    55. The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's (4/24/2024)
    56. The 8 Components of Wellness (10/13/2021)
    57. The Dimensions of Wellness-Introduction (1/25/2023)
    58. The Eight Components of Wellness (8/31/2022)
    59. The Eight Dimensions of Wellness: Environmental Wellness (10/11/2023)
    60. The Eight Dimensions of Wellness: Occupational Wellness (11/29/2023)
    61. The Eight Dimensions of Wellness: Series Conclusions (12/13/2023)
    62. The Eight Dimensions of Wellness: Spiritual Wellness (10/25/2023)
    63. The Science of Kindness: Improving your Health, One Act at a Time (1/8/2025)
    64. The Secret to a Good Night's Sleep (3/15/2023)
    65. The Unexpected Health Benefits of Gardening (3/31/2021)
    66. Tips for Being More Productive (10/2/2024)
    67. Tools and Strategies for Effective Behavior Change (3/20/2024)
    68. Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia (5/1/2024)
    69. Understanding Health Disparities and the Importance of Health Equity (4/17/2024)
    70. Welcome Your Wellness (8/10/2022)
    71. Yoga & Mindful Meditation (9/8/2021)
    72. You Are HOW You Eat: How Establishing Mindfulness around Food Consumption can Increase Enjoyment and Promote Wellness (11/8/2023)

    Seasonal & Holiday Eating Tips

    1. Enjoying a Bountiful Harvest (11/17/2021)
    2. Fall Foodies: Taking Advantage of Local NJ Produce in the Fall (10/4/2023)
    3. Happy and Healthy Halloween Hauntings (10/30/2024)
    4. Healthy Holiday Eating (12/2/2020)
    5. Let's Talk Thanksgiving (11/18/2020)
    6. Smart Choices for Navigating the Summer BBQ (7/3/2024)
    7. Spring Foodies: Taking Advantage of NJ Produce in the Spring! (4/10/2024)
    8. Stress Proof Your Eating: Holiday Edition (12/15/2021)
    9. Summer Foodies (6/5/2024)
    10. Summer Herbs for Flavor All Year (6/23/2021)
    11. Summer Safety (6/7/2023)
    12. Summer Savvy Sweet & Savory Supper Suggestions (8/14/2024)
    13. Summertime and Healthy Eating is Easy (7/7/2021)
    14. Winter Foodies: Taking Advantage of Jersey Produce During the Winter (12/11/2024)


    Supported by funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the New Jersey
    Department of Health, Preventive Health Services Program

     

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