Ready, Set, Walk! According to Harvard Health, walking improves cardiac risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, vascular stiffness and inflammation, and mental stress. Walking and other moderate exercise programs also help protect against dementia, depression, and colon cancer and can lower death rates. Walking has other benefits that one may not think of as readily; it counteracts the effects of weight-promoting genes, it helps lessen a sweet tooth, and it boosts immune function.
The University of Tennessee Extension Smith County is partnering with Smith County Health Department to again offer Walk Across Tennessee for 2025. Walk Across Tennessee is a program that persuades and motivates people of all ages to get started exercising or get back into the routine of exercising. It is a program that is simple and safe. All you need is a team of eight people and a desire to get moving!
Teams simply pool their mileage each week to work towards the chosen destination on a map that will be posted on the Walk Across Tennessee Smith County Facebook page. Dust off your walking shoes and prepare to join us on this eight-week journey “across Tennessee” from May 5-June 29! There is no cost to participate. Prizes will be awarded throughout the competition, and the teams with the most miles will be recognized. Register online by May 1st at tiny.utk.edu/WATIndividual. Team captains must also register teams at tiny.utk.edu/WATTeam.
Goo Goo Bites
1 large bag miniature marshmallows
1 (12 oz) bag semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups dry roasted peanuts (unsalted)
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
Butter to grease 9 x 12 pan
Melt chocolate chips in sauce pan with condensed milk, while this is heating, mix marshmallows and peanuts in a large bowl. Pour melted mixture over nuts and marshmallows. Mix together. Pour into buttered pan. Chill 2 hours. Cut into 1 ½ inch pieces. Enjoy!
Submitted by: Marilyn Shumake, Carthage FCE Club
