Better Living for Texans

BLT Agent Kerry Kennedy in Harris County gives us a bit of insight into the journey food takes from farms across the world to end up on our plates. We also discuss how our Learn, Grow, Eat and GO! program contributes to the urban agriculture effort to grow our own nutritious food in our own backyard.

BLT Agent Heather Simpson in Wichita County gives us a couple tips and tricks to get a few more minutes of physical activity in our every day life. We also talk about good fitness routines that help get you break a sweat without breaking your budget at the gym.

Food insecurity affects every 1 in 9 Americans. That's nearly 37 million people! BLT Agent Lindsey Breunig Rodriguez in McLennan County joins us to talk about food insecurity in Texas, and what BLT is doing to help those most vulnerable.

Referenced Links:

map.feedingamerica.org

feedingtexas.org/get-help

yourtexasbenefits.com

map.feedingamerica.org

In this episode we talk about the different food groups and why it's important to eat from all of them - in the right amounts. Check out choosemyplate.gov for visual reference for this week's episode.

We give a brief history of drinking water. Guest Tami Putnam, East Regional Project Specialist talks about why hydration is so important, and offers some tips and tricks to stay hydrated as we are looking at another hot, Texas summer.

Further reading: The Quest for Pure Water: The History of Water Purification from the Earliest Records to Twentieth Century by MN Baker and Michael Taras

SNAP is going curbside! We briefly discuss the implementation of online delivery and curbside pickup for SNAP-eligible participants. This program is rolling out later this month in Texas. In our interview, we break down if it's more effective to eat healthier or be physically active.

Guest: Hannah Moore, Better Living for Texans Program Coordinator

In this first full episode, we discuss what Better Living for Texans does to serve the 254 counties in Texas, how BLT fits into the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension umbrella and the programs we offer to our community.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Guest: Renda Nelson, Better Living for Texans Program Director

EXCITING NEWS: Better Living for Texans is PODCASTING! 🎙

Starting next week, we'll be hosting a 20-ish minute podcast once a week discussing all things BLT related from healthy eating on a budget or staying active with not much equipment. You'll hear from our directors, program specialists, and agents each week.

Check us out on blt.tamu.edu, facebook.com/betterlivingfortexans, or Twitter/Instagram @bettertexans.