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On May 9th PEAC will be hosting a 5K to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey. We are so excited for this event as it’s sure to be a fun time but will also benefit an amazing organization!  About Special Olympics New Jersey: Special Olympics New Jersey began in the early 1950’s and 1960’s when Eunice Kennedy Shriver saw how unjustly those with intellectual disabilities were treated. She saw that many children with disabilities had no place to play and decided to take action. She held a summer day camp in her own backyard for young people with disabilities. The goal was to learn what these kids could do in sports and other activities- not to dwell on what they could not do. The now global movement was given wings by individuals who sought to expand Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s vision into their own backyard. Formal Programming in NJ began in 1969, when six participants from the Bayonne Recreation department and twelve participants from E.R. Johnstone training center in Bordentown represented NJ at the Eastern Regional Special Olympics at The University of Maryland. It was evident after that event that much improvement was needed. The athletes from the Garden State had few uniforms, little equipment and their training was lacking. Fast forward fifty years and you will find that New Jersey has become one of the premier Special Olympics programs in the world and a leader in the Unified Sports and Young Athletes programs, as well as their own Camp Shriver that takes place each summer. (info taken from https://www.sonj.org/about/history/) How you can help:
PEAC’s 5k, taking place May 9th, is set to benefit this amazing organization. Make sure you sign up to help support this wonderful organization! If running a full 5k sounds pretty daunting to you, we also have a 1 mile “Fun Run” you can take part in instead . That way you can still partake in this wonderful event and help us support this great organization! Sign up here: https://raceroster.com/events/2019/23018/peac-5k-in-may
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Do your health a favor and head to your local Farmer’s Market! Spring is finally here and with that comes the blooming of all the many beautiful plants and flowers but also many of your favorite fruits and vegetables! If you haven’t made a trip to your local farmers market you might want to consider making it part of your routine this spring and summer. It could be one of the best decisions you make for your health, the environment and your local economy.  Farm Fresh produce Buying from your local farmers market allows you access to the freshest produce you can get your hands on. Usually the produce from your local farmer’s market is grown within a 100-mile radius from the market meaning the produce you're buying was more than likely picked fresh that morning at the optimal ripeness. Produce you find in your local grocery store is often transported thousands of miles and sometimes is gassed in transit to ripen it faster. Sometimes it is covered in chemicals or waxes for a more favorable appearance. Eat with the seasons, reconnect with the Earth Many scientists and nutritionists suggest that it is best to “eat with the seasons”. When you eat fruits and vegetables that are seasonally available you can better reconnect with the natural cycles of the planet. Human beings have lived off the earth like this for thousands of years until we started refrigeration practices and industrial farming in modern times. It makes intuitive sense as lighter, sweeter fruits are available in the spring and summer while heartier vegetables provide more sustenance during the winter months. There are great benefits to eating items grown in the local ecosystem. For example, consuming local honey can help combat seasonal allergies as your body consumes and adjusts to the local pollen that went into making it, instead of fighting it off when you might inhale it or expose your skin to it. If you want your favorite fruits and veggies to last longer than they are seasonally available, consider stocking up on them and making yummy jams or pickling them!  Beneficial for the environment Not only is buying local produce best for your body but it also is better for the environment. When you choose produce that is grown locally you’re preventing more fuel emissions from entering the atmosphere by preventing long term transport and choosing less packaging. Industrial farming is harder on the land and depletes the soil more quickly of it’s natural resources. It also uses more harsh chemicals and pesticides that can do a lot of harm to our precious soils in the long term. Stimulate your local economy When you buy from local farmers you can make an impact on your local economy! Farmers tend to be your neighbors and when you support their business, they can further spend their profits in the local economy. Best value for the best quality Produce from your local farm is much better quality than what you’ll find in your local grocery store. It usually costs about the same as produce you’ll find there too. It is by far the best value for your money. You get much better quality produce (oftentimes it is organic) with all of the expected nutrients without having to pay astronomically more (like you do at the grocery store for organic produce). Box Share Programs with local Farms (we offer this here at PEAC!) Here at PEAC we participate in a box share program with Honey Brook Organic Farm. Box share members receive an assortment of seasonal, fresh vegetables, fruits (including strawberries and blueberries) and herbs once a week during the harvest season in exchange for a small membership fee. We serve as a drop-off location for the farm so members who sign-up can pick up their produce here at PEAC. You can sign up through their website to take part in this awesome initiative! Get all of the benefits of farm fresh produce and pick up your box of produce when you come in for your workout with us! Click here to learn more.  Make the better choice for your health, the environment and your community this spring/summer! Make sure to check in with your local farmer’s market for information on what’s available seasonally and don’t forget to bring your own bag to cut down on unnecessary waste!
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