For your health: local wellness news and events

Buncombe County receives Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize

Buncombe County was recently announced as a recipient of the 2014 RWJF Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The prize honors communities that are harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners and stakeholders to help residents live healthier lives, and the county will receive $25,000 from the RWJF. Buncombe County was among six communities selected from more than 250 prize applications across the country. “Examples of the work include the Community Navigator Program that helps families access needed health, social and community services; a partnership between local businesses and civic groups that is creating a safe space for fellowship and community building in the Shiloh neighborhood; and the Family Resource Center that provides food, clothes, and resources to support families in times of need in one of the county’s communities,” according to a press release.

WNC Healthy Kids Stakeholders meeting to be held Wednesday, July 16

“Childhood obesity is complex, and to make significant progress in having a region of healthy children it will take anyone who has an interest in active, well-nourished, healthy-weight kids to do what they can to make active living and healthy eating accessible as a choice for everybody,” says Erin Braasch, director of WNC Healthy Kids, a program of the WNC Health Network. The meeting is open to the public and will feature guest speakers with a focus on healthy food for youth sports and recreation. The next meeting for WNC Healthy Kids Stakeholders will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 10:00-12:00pm at MAHEC, Pisgah Classroom in Asheville with a networking opportunity from 12:00-12:30 (light snacks and drinks will be provided). There will also be a live stream webinar for those who cannot attend in person. Register for the webinar here. Learn more about WNC Healthy Kids at wnchealthykids.net.

Girls on the Run Fundraiser at Clasique Acupuncture & Pilates Studio

Clasique Acupuncture & Pilates Studio is teaming with WNC’s chapter of Girls on the Run for a fundraising event. The 3-hour event includes an all-level mat class taught by studio owner Brooke Tyler, a lunch and info session about Girls on the Run and a community acupuncture session. Girls on the Run is an international nonprofit that “inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.” The organization serves over 1,000 3rd-8th grade girls each year in WNC, and over 65 percent of participants rely on partial scholarships. All proceeds from the event go directly to Girls on the Run scholarships. The fundraising event takes place Saturday, July 12 from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $30-$60 sliding scale. Register at studioclasique.com.

Free home safety checklist available for WNC seniors

The Home Instead Senior Care office serving Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, Transylvania and Haywood Counties is offering a free home safety checklist for area seniors and their families. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20 million seniors ages 65 and older visit the emergency room each year with almost a third of the visits related to injuries, many of which are sustained in the home. According to Home Instead Senior Care, a high percentage of those accidents can be avoided with an annual safety check. The checklist covers simple questions such as, are medications stored too high? Are there mats in the bathroom to avoid slipping? To request a free home safety checklist, call the local Home Instead Senior Care office at 828-274-4406. More resources can be found at makinghomesaferforseniors.com.

Beer-swilling yogis rejoice: Bend and Brew series combines alcohol and yoga

Beer, while loved and revered by locals, has a less-than-sparkling reputation in the health and wellness realm. But yoga is good for you, right? When you combine the two you get Bend and Brew from Travelling Yogini Tours. “In an effort not only to promote the go local philosophy, but to bring yoga to beer lovers as well – Travelling Yogini will be holding weekly beginner-level yoga at local breweries followed by a beer tasting,” according to the event description. Participating breweries include Wicked Weed Brewing, Highland Brewing and Hi-wire Brewing. Visit yogatours.net/bend-and-brew for the most up-to-date schedule.