Healthier Henderson County

08/05/2026

🥦🍽️ Making Healthy Eating Affordable, Even When It Feels Expensive 🍽️🥦

As we move into the busy rhythm of the school year, many families are trying to balance convenience, nutrition, and cost. And let’s be honest — healthy eating can sometimes feel pricey, especially when time is short and appetites are big. But the article Cooking Healthy on a Budget offers some practical strategies that prove nutritious meals don’t have to come with a hefty price tag.

Here are a few key takeaways that can make a real difference:

• 🛒 Shop Smart: Planning weekly meals and creating a focused grocery list can help you stay within budget. Choosing more fruits, vegetables, and beans, and slightly less meat can make a big difference in cost and nutrition.

• 🌱 Buy in Season: Seasonal produce is fresher, more flavorful, and usually more affordable. Farmers markets often have great discounts and the added bonus of supporting local growers.

• ❄️ Frozen Is a Win: Frozen fruits and vegetables are harvested at peak freshness and often cost less. They’re quick to prepare and require no chopping, just heat and enjoy.

• 🌾 Choose Whole Grains: Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa, and other whole grains offer long-lasting energy and more nutritional value for your money.

• 🍲 Cook Once, Serve Twice: Doubling recipes and storing leftovers can save time, reduce food waste, and keep meals budget-friendly throughout the week.

Read more here: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/cooking-skills/shopping/cooking-healthy-on-a-budget

Healthy cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With a few intentional choices, we can nourish our families, stay within budget, and make mealtimes something to look forward to. Here’s to smart shopping, simple meals, and a strong, healthy start to the school year! 🌟🥗

Preparing meals at home can be good not only for your health but also your wallet.

08/04/2026

🩺 This National Health Center Week, we celebrate the community health centers that help keep Tennesseans healthy.

From primary care and preventive services to dental care, behavioral health, immunizations, and chronic disease management, community health centers provide high-quality, affordable, and accessible care where it's needed most.

Together with local health departments, they're helping build healthier communities across Tennessee.

Learn more: https://www.tn.gov/health/news/2026/8/3/tennessee-department-of-health-celebrates-national-health-center-week-2026.html.

08/04/2026

📚🍎 First Day of School! 🍎📚
Happy first day of school, everyone! 🎉

As our kiddos head back into the classroom, many of us are also gearing up for the daily routine of packing lunches. I came across a great article today, Meal Planning: How to Pack a Healthy School Lunch, and it has some awesome, budget-friendly tips to help keep our kids happy and healthy.

😊 Happy face in the lunchbox = happy kid!

A few ideas I loved:
• Smarter Sandwiches: Switch up the bread and add fun, nutritious extras like shredded carrots, zucchini, or sliced apples. Even swapping cheese or mayo for avocado or hummus can make lunch more exciting and healthy.

• Leftovers for the Win: Last night’s favorites can become today’s lunch! Soups, chili, whole‑wheat spaghetti, or beans and rice stay warm and yummy in a thermos.

• Let Them Dunk: Kids can enjoy “playing” with their food while getting nutrition—apple slices with yogurt, veggie strips with hummus, whole‑grain crackers dipped into soup… so many fun combos!

• Get Them Involved: Letting kids choose their fruit or help assemble their lunch makes them more excited to eat it, and gives you both some sweet bonding time.

Read the article here: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/cooking-skills/meal-planning/meal-planning-how-to-pack-a-healthy-school-lunch

Wishing all students, parents, teachers, and school staff a safe, healthy, and amazing school year! 💛

Let’s make those lunchboxes colorful, nutritious, and full of smiles. 😊🍱

08/04/2026

08/04/2026

There’s something special about the first day of school. You can look forward to new beginnings, and another year of memories waiting to be made. As schools across Henderson County begin a new year today, we wish every student, teacher, and school professional a wonderful first day! ❤️

Send us your first day pics in the comments! 📸

Here’s to a safe, happy school year, Henderson County! ✏️🍎📚

08/03/2026

With school starting back in the coming days, we know you’re excited to capture that first-day-of-school moment, but before you post, think about what’s in the background and what’s written on the sign.

DO:
• Take photos in a safe, private location.
• Use a nickname or no name at all.
• Keep the background simple and free of identifying details.

DON’T:
• Photograph in front of your school, street signs, or house numbers.
• Include your child’s full name, age, grade, teacher’s name, or school name.
• Share details that could identify where your child goes to school.

Protecting your child’s privacy is protecting their safety. Please share responsibly and help us keep our kiddos safe!

08/03/2026

08/03/2026

07/30/2026

On Tuesday, our staff at UT Extension Henderson County came together for the Red Sand Project to shine a light on the issue of human trafficking.

This week is Red Sand Week, and organizations throughout our community are encouraged to pour red sand and help spread awareness. The red sand symbolizes those who too often “fall through the cracks,” reminding us of the importance of recognizing the signs of human trafficking and working together to prevent it.

07/30/2026

A healthier America starts with supporting one another.

As we work to Make America Healthy Again, remember that support for mental health and substance use is available 24/7/365—whenever you or a loved one needs it. Visit samhsa.gov/find-help