HBMI Community Health Education

23/08/2025

Mindful eating doesn’t mean dieting or restrictions. It’s about taking a moment to take it in. Really paying attention to the food you eat and the way your body feels could help you eat healthier, with more appreciation and intention. Make every meal a practice of awareness with these five tips.

23/08/2025

UPDATE!! REGISTRATION CLOSES AUGUST 25TH!! We are touring colleges again!!! We are looking to take 2 youth from each territory to tour the UNE and Harvard Campuses, August 29th-31st. If you are interested in joining us please scan the QR code on the flyer OR use the link below:

https://forms.office.com/r/8sJ6FdgQYG

Spots are limited and registering with the link does not guarantee you a spot. However, once registered Nancy LaCoote or a member of the Kcitpahsuwet Youth Team will reach out with confirmation of attendance, as well as pick-up or drop-off locations.

16/08/2025

16/08/2025

Kids getting stressed about going back to school? Teach them how controlling their breathing can help them feel better and focus on the good. It’s a lesson they’ll benefit from for years to come.

16/08/2025

Crunchy Homemade Pickles: Yes, Please! 🥒

It's cucumber and green bean season in Maineand that means it's the perfect time to start pickling! But if your pickles have ever turned out soft or soggy, you’re not alone.

Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, shares expert tips for getting that satisfying crunch in your home-canned pickles. From choosing the right cucumbers to removing the blossom ends, using crisping agents, and selecting the right salt and vinegar—this guide has everything you need to know.

💡 Bonus tip: Refrigerator pickles stay even crunchier—no canning required!

🧂 Get the full breakdown and start pickling like a pro:
🔗 https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/2025/08/01/tips-for-making-crunchy-homemade-pickles/

16/08/2025

Think First… Spray Last 🌸🐝

A dream garden full of blooms, flawless fruits, and lush lawns can be tempting to protect at all costs but reaching for pesticides shouldn’t be your first move.

Pesticides, even organic ones, are designed to kill pests and they can harm people, pets, pollinators, and the environment if used improperly. Before you spray, take time to:

✔ Identify the exact pest or problem.
✔ Try cultural or sanitary controls (weeding, pruning, improving growing conditions).
✔ Use beneficial insects to your advantage.
✔ Choose the right product, in the right amount, at the right time—only if truly needed.

Even “natural” remedies can be risky or ineffective, so stick to proven, science-backed methods. The Board of Pesticides Control’s advice says it best: Think first… Spray last.

Read the full guidance in the August edition of Maine Home Garden News:
🔗 https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2025/07/30/maine-home-garden-news-aug/ -1

08/08/2025

08/08/2025

Are Bananas “Bad” to Add to Smoothies? 🫐🤔🍌

Not quite! A recent study raised questions about how bananas might affect antioxidant absorption in smoothies, but the good news is that they’re still a nutritious, delicious ingredient! 🍌💪

In our latest Spoonful post, EFNEP’s Alex Gayton breaks down the science behind bananas and flavanol absorption in smoothies and why you don’t have to ditch your favorite Blueberry Banana Smoothie just yet.

Curious about the hidden ingredient in our Blueberry Banana Smoothie (hint: it's leafy and green 🌱)?

Check out the full post and recipe here:
🔗 https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/2025/07/24/are-bananas-bad-to-add-to-smoothies/

08/08/2025

You can find these coloring sheets in the waiting room of the Maliseet Health Clinic. You can return them to one of the locations below or to Jocelyn Haney, Community Health Education/Diabetic Care Coordinator. Have fun coloring! 🖍️

07/08/2025

August is the Month to Harvest and Cure Onions & Garlic! 🧅🌿

If you’ve been growing onions or garlic this season, now’s the time to check for signs they’re ready to come out of the ground.

✔️ For garlic, harvest when the lower three leaves have turned brown.
✔️ For onions, wait until 70–80% of the tops have naturally fallen over.

Once harvested, it’s time to cure! Curing allows the outer layers to dry and toughen up for long-term storage. Spread your bulbs out in a dry, well-ventilated space for a few weeks before tucking them away for winter meals.

For more information: https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2025/07/30/maine-home-garden-news-aug/

Happy harvesting! 🌾

06/08/2025

This is a hammerhead worm. If you are thinking that it doesn't look like it belongs in Maine, you're right! But there have been several sightings of this invasive species in Maine over the past few years. Here's what you need to know:

🌲 If they become established in Maine, they may impact soil composition and native plant growth.
❌ Don't squish or cut them. That's how they multiply!
⚠️They can cause irritation to human skin and make pets sick if ingested.
☎️ If you find them in plant soil sold at a store, report it to the Maine Warden Service at 1-800-ALERT-US or MaineOGT.org
👀 If you see one in the wild, submit your observation through iNaturalist.org.

Learn more at https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/captivity/purchasing-posessing-wildlife.html.