April 2021

April is National Autism Awareness Month, National Poetry Month, Stress Awareness Month, and National Donate Life Month

You can find the best resources for them by clicking the names above.

April 1 - April Fool’s Day

Stay on guard! There’s bound to be an abundance of pranksters out there today. 😜

April 5 - Deep Dish Pizza Day

🍕 Have your followers share what their favorite toppings are or their favorite local pizzeria.

April 7 - National Walking Day and World Health Day

Take 30 minutes and go for a walk. #nationalwalkingday

April 11 - National Pet Day

It’s a great time to adopt a furry friend if you are able. Check with your local Humane Society or shelter to see what animals are available. #NationalPetDay 🐶🐱🐹🐰

April 12 - National Grilled Cheese Day

Celebrate the day with this grown-up version featuring goat cheese, Havarti, prosciutto, tomato, and arugula. #grilledcheese 

April 22 - Earth Day

See how you can help “Restore our Earth” by visiting earthday.org. 🌎 

April 30 - Arbor Day

🌳 “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”
~ Chinese Proverb 

What’s in season? Green onions, leek, pear, arugula, lettuce, ramps, fiddleheads, rhubarb, watercress, asparagus, beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, peas, cauliflower, radish, citrus, and mushrooms.

Healthy Tip: Did you know you can cut the amount of sugar in your homemade baked goods by a third, and you won't even know the difference?

🌯 Make a bean burrito full of folate for National Burrito Day on April 1st! Folate is essential for cell growth and function, keeps red blood cells healthy, and converts carbs to energy. And they are full of protein and fiber!

Research shows that people who cook at home are more likely to have healthier diets and lower food costs. Get comfortable in the kitchen and reset your goals. #foodgoals

🍻 April 7th is National Beer Day. Give this super simple chili recipe using stout a try! #nationalbeerday

Spring clean your pantry with these recipes from Epicurious.

Garlic bread grilled cheese? Yes, please! Serve it up with some homemade tomato fennel soup.

Have you noticed anything different on your food labels? The Nutritional Facts Label was recently redesigned and updated with information that will make it easier for you to make informed food choices that contribute to lifelong healthy eating habits. 

There are so many reasons to love Springtime. Here’s one of them - a farro salad with some of the best of the season. 

Spring planting season is here, and farm equipment is on the move. Pass when conditions are safe and there is no oncoming traffic. Never pass on a yellow line, on hills or curves, and be mindful that equipment needs allowances for wide turns and objects on the sides of roads. Be patient!

🌎 Energy Star-rated LED light bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting. They can also save the U.S. billions in energy costs and help avoid 1,800 million metric tons of carbon emissions. Make the switch for #earthday

🌎 Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! And check out these Earth Day Facts everyone should know. #earthday

Your morning routine can make a world of difference to your overall health and well-being. Avoid these five mistakes from HuffPost Life, and practice good self-care!

Do you know how much food is wasted each year in our country? 40%! Do your part by planning your meals, having a leftovers night, repurposing your leftovers, or freezing to enjoy later.

Resist the urge - naps can disrupt your sleep schedule if they become part of your routine. Also, steer clear of afternoon caffeine.

💵 Many of us are on a tight budget. You can still choose healthy options even at the dollar store. Read more at HuffPost.

Post-pandemic life is upon us. Now is the perfect time to create a bucket list of things you’d like to do once it’s safe.

April is National Poetry Month. Read 2020’s most-read poem, Naomi Shihab Nye’s “Kindness.”

🌳 Gather a group of volunteers to help clean up and restore a green space. Plant some trees or add garbage and recycling bins to the area. #earthday #arborday

Organize a blood drive for #NationalDonateLifeMonth

More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder. Get involved in the autism community. #NationalAutismAwarenessMonth

Say “thank you” to a nurse. Send flowers or a card to a nurse or midwife who has recently treated you. According to the World Health Organization, nurses and midwives account for nearly half of the global health workforce. #SupportNursesAndMidwives #WorldHealthDay

World Health Day Event: Get your blood pressure checked! High blood pressure is a silent killer known to increase the risk for heart disease and stroke massively.

PRO TIP: Pick a weight that pushes your muscles to fatigue in eight reps. Studies show It strengthens and sculpts the fastest. 

#healthyliving Have you heard of blue zones? These areas located throughout the world are where individuals are known to live the longest. There are nine commonalities in these zones, and you can learn more about them here.

Friendly Reminder: It’s time to check your furnace filter. When trees and flowers start to blossom, the tiny pollen particles they release can build up, causing you extra allergy or asthma discomfort. Make sure to replace it with the proper HEPA or MERV-rated filter.

Superfoods are super great! Here are five good reasons to eat walnuts - 

1. They’re a source of antioxidants like Vitamin E and Melatonin 
2. They have more heart-healthy Omega-3s than any other nut
3. Researchers say that eating them might help increase good-for-your-gut bacteria
4. They contain polyphenols, which can help reduce inflammation
5. Studies have found that consuming about ½ cup per day can help lower blood pressure

Give this old-school cardio workout a try. Bonus, you can do it practically anywhere! 

♥️ Do you have a healthy heart? Research suggests that if you can climb four flights of stairs, or 60 steps, in under one minute, that is a strong indicator of good heart health!

Are you looking for ways to dial back your kids’ screen time? Ensure they are finishing homework, doing their chores, and getting regular exercise before letting them turn to their screens.

Parents beware! These so-called healthy snacks aren’t healthy at all.

🥦 Get sneaky with those veggies! Get out the cheese grater, shred those veggies into little tiny pieces, and mix them into your casserole, pasta, rice, or ground meat-based recipes. 

Talk to your kids about the dangers behind the wheel.

🌧️ April showers bring May flowers. 🌷 Keep the kids entertained on those rainy days with these easy peasy crafts!

Fun Earth Day Project: Make some art out of recycled items like bottle caps, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, corks, jar lids, and more. 🌎

Fun, outdoor activities for kids: hula hooping, jumping rope, dog walking, hopscotch, sidewalk chalk tic-tac-toe. What else?

Like it or not, Instagram for kids 13 and under is coming soon! Read all about it at parents.com.

Celebrate National Deep Dish Pizza Day on April 5th by making these mini versions that will satisfy the pickiest of eaters! Try them with pepperoni, veggies, or any of your kids’ favorite toppings.

Get the kids in on National Poetry Month with these poems for kids.

Ask your members, “Y do you love the Y?”

The YMCA is a safe place to work out and achieve your fitness goals for the entire family. From daycare to fitness classes, to swim lessons and more, we have something for everyone!

What has been your most recent fitness struggle? Let the Y help. Our personal trainers are happy to answer any fitness questions you may have!

#TBT idea - Share past pictures of summer camps to encourage members to sign their children up as soon as possible.

Challenge yourself! Add a new fitness class to your routine or switch up your workout and challenge yourself to a new level. Check out our class schedule here. (link to class schedule on your website)

Grilled cheese sandwiches have been around since what historical time?
A. Middle Ages  B. Ancient Rome  C. Stone Age  D. Industrial Revolution

Answer: Ancient Rome. Texts found from this era describe cheese melted on top of bread.

🥨 April 26th is National Pretzel Day. During what century was the pretzel created?

Answer: The pretzel was created in the 7th century and was meant to be eaten during Lent.

🌎 When was the first Earth Day celebrated?

Answer: The first Earth Day was in 1970.

What is the third most popular beverage worldwide after water and tea?

Answer: Beer is the third most popular drink overall.

🐕 In 2020, what was the most popular dog name? #NationalPetDay

Answer: Bella

🐈 In 2020, what was the most popular cat name? #NationalPetDay

Answer: Luna

“The Earth is what we all have in common.”

~ Wendell Berry

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

~ Albert Einstein

“Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.”

~ Maya Angelou

Get motivated with a new Spring playlist. Create one yourself, or check out some premade ones.

“Time spent among trees is never time wasted.”

~ Anonymous

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.”

~ Walt Whitman

“Where flowers bloom so does hope.”

~ Lady Bird Johnson

Create a “Welcome to the Y Video” Share what your new or potential members can expect when they first come to the Y. 

Have your Y Nutritionist explain the difference between good and bad carbs followed by weekly posts with healthy carb recipes.

Remind your members that keeping a flexible body is essential to a healthy workout routine by creating short stretching videos to share on your social accounts. You can focus on a specific area or show full-body stretches. 

Get in on the transformation Tuesday trend. Transformation Tuesday posts are a fantastic way to give potential members an idea of the success your current members are experiencing with your programs! #transformationtuesday

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