Denton County Healthy Happenings

07/29/2026

Introducing Buckle Bear! Would your school, library, or community organization be interested in having a visit from Buckle Bear? This brief puppet show is a hit with the pre-K to 2nd grade crowd, and our team is able to bring him to you. All our community programming is free to you thanks to our generous funding from TxDOT.
If you would like to bring buckle bear to your organization contact [email protected]

07/25/2026

Want to practice better portion control? 🍽️ Learn simple strategies like measuring servings, portioning snacks, using smaller plates, and checking nutrition labels. 🥗

A dietitian explains what portion sizes are, why it’s so important to pay attention to them and how to practice portion control in your everyday life.

07/24/2026

Our Summer Food Preservation Series has come to a close, and what a wonderful series it has been!

It has been such a pleasure spending time with this fun, enthusiastic group of people who made this series such a success. Thank you to everyone who attended, asked great questions, shared your experiences, and brought such positive energy to every class!

Throughout the series, we preserved a variety of delicious foods while learning safe home food preservation techniques. Together, we made Blueberry Spiced Jam and Sweet Pickle Rings using the boiling water bath canner, and carrots using a pressure canner.

A heartfelt thank you to the City of Denton Environmental Services & Sustainability Department for co-sponsoring this series and helping make these hands-on learning opportunities possible for our community.

A very special thank you to Ellen Malone, a Family & Community Health volunteer and passionate canning enthusiast, for generously sharing her time, knowledge, expertise, and positive spirit throughout the series. Your support helped make these classes even more meaningful!

Many thanks as well to the staff at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center for providing a clean, safe, and welcoming space for us to learn and preserve together.
Looking ahead to 2027—if your organization, library, church, or community group is interested in hosting a Preserving the Harvest class, I'd love to bring a hands-on food preservation workshop to your community!

Email me at [email protected] for more information.

07/23/2026

Keep harmful bacteria off your plate! 🧼 Sponges, dish towels, reusable grocery bags, and spice jars can spread germs. Learn simple habits to prevent cross-contamination and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. 🍽️

Discover ways to prevent cross-contamination and foodborne illness with simple, everyday habits and prevent foodborne illness.

07/22/2026

🥬 Want your produce to last longer and be easier to use? Store berries unwashed, wrap leafy greens with a dry paper towel, and use your fridge's crisper vents strategically. These simple prep hacks can cut waste and save time! 🍓

How to get the most out of your produce simply by shopping, storing and prepping.

07/20/2026

July is a great time to refresh healthy family habits! ☀️ Try fun 5-2-1-0 ideas like building a salad bar, visiting the library, playing in the water, and making fancy fruit ice cubes to help kids stay healthy and active. 🍓💧

Have you and your family tried 5-2-1-0? It’s not a show or a dance or a food. It’s an approach you can use to build healthy habits together. Read these ideas for the month of July.

07/17/2026

It has been a fun 2 weeks in the kitchen at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center! Our team has had to opportunity to host a summer food preservation series. So far we have learned the basics of water bath canning and have made blueberry jam and sweet pickles. Next week we will conclude our series making pressure canned carrots.

07/17/2026

🥑 Not all fats affect your health the same way. Learn the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats, where saturated fats hide in everyday foods, and simple ways to make heart-healthy swaps. ❤️

Learn what saturated fats are, how they differ from unsaturated fats, their effect on cholesterol, and how to balance for better heart health.

07/16/2026

Your gut does more than digest food. It helps support immunity, influences mood and mental well-being, and plays a key role in overall health. 🧠🦠🥦 Discover how fiber fuels the gut-brain connection and why it may be one of the most important nutrients you're not getting enough of.

Ever have a gut feeling about something? Well, your gut might be smarter than you think. Your digestive system does way more than just handle lunch — it affects your immune system, your energy, and even how you feel emotionally. And the secret to keeping your gut happy? Fiber. It's not the most ex...

07/14/2026

🍉 Make healthy eating part of the summer fun! Turn fruits and veggies into colorful smoothie bars, frozen treats, picnic snacks, and other kid-friendly creations that are as fun to make as they are to eat. ☀️🥕

This summer, turn your kitchen (and backyard!) into a playground of flavor. From chilled smoothies to picnic-perfect veggie snacks, there are endless ways to k…