Fit Together

One year ago, Kentucky Living issued a challenge and a group of you responded, joining the Kentucky Living Health Club and setting four-month goals.

You worked through it on the Health Club Facebook page, exchanging advice and support. You got your families involved, you ate better, boosted your energy, sleeping patterns, and self-esteem. You lowered your stress, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

We’re doing it again this year, with a focus on children’s health. The stories and statistics on the health of kids in Kentucky are scary. The cover feature pinpoints the top health problems, and what you can do about them.

The good news is, you can do it—make sure children get dental checkups, drink more water and less soda, more talking and reading and less TV. Play outdoors.

And as this month’s cover shows, kids love to cook. They can learn to be a part of preparing tasty, nutritious meals.

We’re heading into a season of the year that provides a great setting for focusing on healthy family traditions. Everyone can be involved in our times of giving thanks, celebrating our religious values, and setting goals for the new year.

Inspiration around the state

For other ways to celebrate the season, plan a trip to Elizabethtown to honor Veterans Day with a November 11 dedication of the impressive monument to military service members.

This issue takes you on a meander with noted author Bobbie Ann Mason as she wanders Kentucky to speak at a library, and wonders about books, reading, the beauty of the state, and the Kentucky Book Fair in Frankfort on November 9 and 10.

The issue finishes with Byron Crawford providing dessert by way of a story about Casey County’s Galilean Home Ministries. The home base for children in need has hosted as many as 125 for Thanksgiving, offering an example and inspiration for all of us.