Uncategorized – Scottsdale Community Wellness Initiative

Hiking prep important for locals, visitors

todd — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 23:10:11 +0000

RE-POST FROM http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire/fire-news/hiking-prep-important-for-locals-visitors_s2_p22154

March 29, 2017

Arizona’s weather and special events bring an influx of visitors and locals to the abundance of hiking trails available in the City. “Concern is high as inexperienced hikers may find themselves in precarious condition if they have over-estimated their hiking abilities and preparation,” says Operations Division Chief Mark DeBruyckere.

The following tips are offered to ensure experience at the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve and other trails in the City is a healthy one:

Hike with a buddy
Begin hydrating the day before your hike
Have enough water for yourself and pet(s) you bring
Bring a charged cell phone
Wear sensible shoes: hiking boots or tennis/gym shoes
Wear a hat and sunglasses
Tell friends where and when you are going and when you expect to return
Know your location and the closest trailhead

And don’t let our 70-80 degree temps fool you, cautions DeBruyckere. Many of the emergency calls Scottsdale firefighters go on during this time of year are heat-related illness. It is not recommended to plan an active hike the day after a long night of celebrating. Know your fitness level and choose your hike accordingly. Significant hydration prior to the hike and proper clothing will help reduce the risk of heat stress.

Active Vacations Can Be Rewarding

todd — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:06:35 +0000

What’s your idea of the perfect vacation? Perhaps it’s lounging on a beach for days or curling up with a good book in a secluded cabin. Ever think of trying to combine your relaxing getaway with an opportunity to be active? Often we don’t know how to be active on vacation without taking away the restfulness. Vacations can be a breeding ground for overeating and inactivity, but there are ways to stay active while enjoying the time away from home. The key to changing this is to know that active vacations can be rewarding and restful. You can come back energized and ready to tackle life. You can do this in many ways, depending on what best fits your life.

Not everyone can afford, or has the time, to take an adventure vacation to an exotic location. Here are some easy, inexpensive ways to turn even a three-day weekend into a revitalizing combination of rest and activity.

Check out state or national parks, which typically offer hiking and biking trails that can transform an afternoon into an exciting discovery of nature. The National Park Service celebrates its 100th year in 2016; check out special events at www.nps.gov.
When you’re at the beach, feel the sand between your toes as you walk around to check out surrounding hotels, seashells, and other curious beach crawlers just like you. For a list of fun beach games and activities for kids (or anyone!),

source:

CARDIO IS BETTER FOR YOUR BRAIN

todd — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:37:51 +0000

Cardio is better than weights for brain development.

What’s Better for Your Brain: Weights or Cardio?

Scottsdale Ranks #4 City for Dogs

todd — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 00:25:59 +0000

A whopping 54.4 million households – or 44 percent – own at least one dog, according to the 2015-2016 American Pet Products Association survey. That trumps the 35 percent of cat-owning households.

Read more: The Power of Pets in Real Estate

Americans sure do love their pets. In fact, spending on pets has doubled from 2001 to 2015, up from $28.5 billion to $60.28 billion, according to the APPA.

In some cities, the number of dog owners, in particular, is growing. Realtor.com®’s research team sniffed out the 10 best cities for dogs, factoring in the percentage of households that own a dog as well as the number of dog parks and trails, dog-friendly restaurants, pet stores, and dog walkers.

These cities go to the pooches:

1. Charleston, S.C.

Median home price: $349,000
Households who own a dog: 68%

2. Temecula, Calif.

Median home price: $519,000
Households who own a dog: 85%

3. Las Vegas

Median home price: $249,000
Households who own a dog: 62%

4. Scottsdale, Ariz.

Median home price: $596,500
Households who own a dog: 69%

5. San Diego

Median home price: $689,000
Households who own a dog: 63%

6. Austin, Texas

Median home price: $450,000
Households who own a dog: 61%

7. Tampa, Fla.

Median home price: $230,000
Households who own a dog: 57%

8. Fort Collins, Colo.

Median home price: $419,000
Households who own a dog: 67%

9. Atlanta, Ga.

Median home price: $314,900
Households who own a dog: 54%

10. Seattle, Wash.

Median home price: $609,000
Households who own a dog: 52%

Source: “Top 10 American Cities for Dogs (and the People Who Love Them),” realtor.com® (June 6, 2016)

Free Fit and Fun Workshop

todd — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 21:21:19 +0000

Be Scottsdale Fit offers a free Fit and Fun workshop for non-profit organizations in the Scottsdale area. Your participants will discover how to make and take time to integrate fitness, fun, volunteering and interests into a weekly activity lifestyle. People who Park and Recreate, or Stop to have FUN are more likely to be fun and engaging at work. Check out our facilitators Todd & Marsha Davis at ParkandRecreate.com.