Bike Adventures Around the Lily Lake -- Amana, IA

Looking for a fun Labor Day weekend activity?  Click here for information about a fun bike ride in the Amana Colonies around Lily Lake (which is gorgeous!!). 

Bike tours are offered every day, except Sunday, at 4 pm and last for 2 hours.  All equipment is provided.

If you are out and about enjoying Iowa City -- or the surrounding area -- during this long weekend, snap a few pictures and send them to us.  We would love to see and share the fun things you are doing!  Don't forget to count any fun excursions as a completed goal.

With love,

The Literacy Committee

A September Suggestion -- Girls on the Run 5K

Here is another fun idea for a September goal from Sara Ward -- it is from a previous email to our Google Group, so it might sound familiar.

"Would anyone like to join me as a "Running Buddy" for the Girls on the Run organization?  It's a two day commitment (one day in Oct. and one in Nov.) and only 3 miles to run.  I thought this was a cool opportunity to get in shape and serve the community (and a good way to combine the September and October themes from the Lengthen Your Stride manual if you're looking to double up ;)

If you're looking for other ways to get involved, there is a great assortment available for volunteer opportunities.  They still need coaches at a few schools for their fall season, or you can be a "Running Buddy" and sign up to run alongside a girl and be her personal cheerleader for a practice 5K the week of October 22nd and then for the real thing on November 17th, or you can help with event planning, or run your own race to raise money, really whatever you want.  Here's a list of ways to get involved."

 Thanks for the wonderful idea Sara! 

 Sending our love,

The Literacy Committee

Taste of Iowa City

Tonight is the Taste of Iowa City in downtown Iowa City (shocking location, right?) from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm.  If you haven't been before, this is a must-do! Here is a quick description of the event from the Downtown Iowa City website:

"The 5th Annual Taste celebrates the culinary diversity of Downtown and Northside restaurants and rewards the Iowa City community with sample portions from more than 40 menus! Food tickets for Taste of Iowa City are available on the 22nd at multiple ticket tents throughout the Downtown District.  Participating restaurants include: Bo James, the Brown Bottle, Coldstone Creamery, Bread Garden Market, Oasis Falafel, Donnelly's, Graze, Mondo's Saloon, Givanni's, Joseph's, Basta, the Airliner, Takanami, Z'Marik's, Formosa, Capanna Coffee, Mesa Pizza, Which Wich, Yotopia, Molly's Cupcakes, Pizza on Dubuque, Atlas, Linn Street Cafe, Panchero's, Share, Quinton's, Mama's Deli, the Pit, Cured Deli, Hamburg Inn, El Bandito's, Sports Column, Orange Leaf, Devotay, Masala, Wake Up Iowa City, Cheba Hut, One Twenty Six -- and more to come!"

Last year, each ticket could be purchased for $1 and the participating restaurants charged 1-3 tickets per food item.  Most food items were a sample size or just a tad bigger.  This is a great way to try most of the downtown restaurants without breaking the bank.

For more information, you can visit the Downtown Iowa City website (http://downtowniowacity.com/pages/upcoming-events.php) or the Iowa City Downtown District Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iowa-City-Downtown-District/162397490473408). 

Be sure to count this towards your monthly goal tally if you go & remember to report your progress -- even though we are technically still in August :)   

Love,

The Literacy Committee

A September Suggestion -- Floss

Thanks to everybody for the kind comments (and compliments) about the Lengthening Your Stride program!  We are so excited to hit the ground running in just a few days when September rolls around.  But, you are welcome to start working and reporting progress on any personal goals you are meeting.

We are also delighted to have our first blog contribution from one of our lovely resident dentists, Erin Sheffield.  She sent us this email: 

 "The dentist in me couldn't help but add a suggestion for the September goals:

-- flossing daily for 7 days!

I thought you could post a blurb on the blog if you like (that's what the blog is for, right?), something like this:

Everyone wants to be special, right? One way to be elite is by something as simple as two minutes per day: flossing! So few people floss but some even say it will add 7 years to your life. Yes, its a bit annoying, especially when you are tired and ready for bed, but it makes a big difference. Studies have shown periodontal health (gum health) is linked to heart disease and even low birth weight/premature babies (hello pregnant sisters!). Not to mention the progression of gingivitis to periodontal disease (gum disease) which can cause irreversible damage like ugly recession (ever heard the phrase "long in the teeth?"), tooth sensitivity, loose teeth, and even tooth loss!

So do yourself (and your baby) a favor and start flossing. Once per day is enough. You'll start to see results after about one week: less bleeding gums and yucky gunk.

Something that works for me, if this doesn't gross you out, is to floss while watching tv or other times not right before bed. You don't have to do it in the bathroom, just make sure it gets done."

Please feel free to keep emailing or commenting with suggestions, testimonials, pictures or videos.  Hope everybody has a wonderful week!!

Love, 

The Literacy Committee

Welcome!!

Welcome to the Lengthening Your Stride blog -- we are excited to use this blog as another medium to enrich and enhance the Lengthening Your Stride manual.

Our blog has several useful features.  You can report the number of goals you complete each month on the left sidebar.  You can find links to helpful websites under the 'Spiritual Goal Ideas'; 'Monthly Goal Ideas'; and 'Iowa Activity Ideas' tabs.   You can follow the blog via email and search the blog.  And, you will be able to see how many total goals our Relief Society has completed.

We need your help for this blog to truly be successful.  Feel free to send pictures, videos, or a few written sentences when you complete the goals listed in the booklet -- this way, the sisters in our ward can strengthen and inspire each other through our blog.  We look forward to hearing from you! 

With love,

The Literacy Committee