APRIL 2014 • 13
HEALTHY VALLEY 2014
SPRING Continued from page 12
as well, since we typically eat fattier foods late at night.
12. Play frisbee golf Greenacres Park, at the corner of Boone and Long on the eastern side of Spokane Valley, has only been around for two years. The city shelled out $1.4 million to build it — might as well put it to use. It has barnthemed play structure for the kids, a picnic area and a family-friendly starter disc golf course. Grab the kids and a few sandwiches and get ready for some serious fun.
13. Be as swift as the coursing river: take Taekwondo! Jung Kim’s Martial Arts in Spokane Valley is among local studios that offer classes for both adults and children (check www. jungkimtaekwondo.com for the April schedule or Google a nearby establishment close to you). It’s recommended to sit in on a class first, and then confer with the instructor regarding placement and skill level.
14. Find a running or workout buddy Look for a running or workout buddy. Many local clubs offer camaraderie, and there are also nearby running and walking groups. The city recreation department is a good source for available outlets. Swallow your fear and meet someone while getting in shape. Nothing motivates you more than a partner — especially one who is at the same place as you, athletically.
15. Avoid Easter overindulgence Easter falls on April 20 this year. If your family cooks a traditional Easter dinner, try creating a healthier menu this year. Roast sweet potatoes and skip the heavy dinner rolls in favor of heart-healthy quinoa. Celebrate spring vegetables by incorporating as many as you can into your side dishes.
16. Become a ride regular Two Spokane Valley bicycle shops, the Bike Hub and Wheel Sport East, are known to host weekly rides. Details are commonly posted on the Facebook page. One ride al-
ready in stride for 2014 is Wheel Sport East’s Wednesday night Road Ride. Show up at the Sullivan Road shop at 6 p.m. each week for a no-drop ride. Yes, that means what you think it does. No rider will be left behind.
17. Plant a vegetable garden Early April is the best time to plant coolseason crops, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Plants that can withstand late frost include broccoli, peas, spinach and onions.
18. Run for the Son An annual event billed as a “celebration of faith” for the Christian community lands at 9 a.m. May 24 this year with a launching point of Rockin’ B Ranch at exit 299. Run for the Son is a 5K with an inexpensive, $10 registration. Fill that out by May 17. For more: www.libertycross.org.
19. Get the kids connected A pair of free events on consecutive Saturdays in April can help get your kids moving. The first, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April
19, is the Summer Activities Kids Expo. Held at the Warehouse Athletic Facility in Spokane (800 N. Hamilton) and the brainchild of Phil Champlin of the HUB Sports Center in Liberty Lake, the event will connect parents with representatives of more than 30 local summer programs. The goal of the Kids Expo is for families to learn about activities, events, classes, clinics, camps and programs to keep your children active and engaged all summer long. For more, call Champlin at 927-0602. Then, from 9 a.m. to noon April 26, head down to the Spokane Valley YMCA for Healthy Kids Day. The goal of the event is to encourage kids to get moving and learning and help families live healthier. For more on this event, contact Mary Berry at mberry@ymcaspokane.org.
20. Be a part of Bloomsday Sign up for Bloomsday by April 20 to avoid any late registration fees, and train regularly for the iconic May 4 event that turns 38 this year. Having a hard time motivating yourself to train? The Spokane Falls Community College offers weekly training sessions, starting with 1 mile the first week (March 15) and culminating in a 7-miler (April 26). The event is free and takes place every Saturday for 7 weeks starting at 8:30 a.m.