Download PDF of March 2023 ySocial Issue
March 2023
March is Women’s History Month and National Nutrition Month
You can find the best resources by clicking the names above.
March 3 - Employee Appreciation Day
There’s no better day to announce a recognition program than employee appreciation day! It will remind people to recognize their peers throughout the entire year.
March 12 - Daylight Savings Time Begins
Enjoy that extra hour of daylight with an evening stroll through your neighborhood.
March 14 - Pi Day
Do a Pi Day workout! Start with the number three and work your way through the digits of Pi. Example - 3 jumping jacks, 1 jump squat, 4 mountain climbers, 1 lunge, 5 push-ups, etc. Repeat when you no longer know any more digits.
March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day
Avoid being pinched and wear green today!
March 20 - First Day of Spring
Now is the perfect time to clean out and organize your cupboards and garage before it gets too nice to be indoors!
March 25 - Earth Hour
Take 60 minutes and do something positive for our planet, or switch off your lights from 8:30 - 9:30 pm to support Earth Hour. #BiggestHourForEarth
March 30 - National Doctors’ Day
Now is the chance to tell your doctor, “Thank you”, “You saved my life!”, “You’ve given me more moments with my loved ones.”
What’s in season? Artichokes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, parsnips, pineapples, citrus, radishes, rutabagas, and turnips.
Post for 3/7, National Cereal Day – Cereal can be a part of a well-balanced, fiber-rich start to your day. Just avoid varieties with added sugar and add some fruit for extra fiber.
Our must-have March smoothie is Strawberry Ginger! Blend 2 pitted dates + 1 cup frozen strawberries + 1/2 cup plain yogurt + 1 Tbsp grated peeled ginger + 1/2 cup water. Enjoy!
Post for 3/9 - Do you love meatballs? It’s National Meatball Day! You can easily make this low-carb, gluten-free recipe baked in the oven.
Add some Sprouted Lentils with Ginger and Coriander to your Avocado Toast this morning and pack in some protein!
It’s Winter, it’s Spring, it’s Winter, it’s Spring – when the weather can’t make up its mind, make some warming Spring Pea Soup!
Post for 3/20 - It’s National Ravioli Day, and we love the fusion of salad meets stuffed pasta in this Greek Salad Ravioli recipe.
Cut those fish and chip calories in half and try this Oven-fried Recipe for St Patty’s Day and Lent.
The bright flavors of citrus fruits are still in season. Check out this collection of recipes that pop with flavor!
Break out of your breakfast routine and explore some healthy new possibilities this month.
It’s a fruitful time to learn a new skill or commit to doing the things that make you happy. Learn a new language, take a photography class, or finish a project you started months ago.
Post for 3/13 - It’s National Napping Day. Take a 10-30 minute power nap and be more alert, boost your productivity, and produce a higher quality of work.
Start preparing for your Easter festivities now with these step-by-step instructions on how to fold bunny-shaped napkins. So cute and easy!
Spring arrives this month, and so does the threat of severe weather. Have a plan in place and build your basic emergency kit now.
It’s the perfect time to plan your summer garden and plant it when the weather finally allows. Gardening is an excellent form of exercise and can reduce stress.
What’s on your spring bucket list? A baseball game? Bird watching? Hiking a new trail?
Don’t wait! Read up on the dangers of social media challenges, then chat with your child about the risks these viral videos pose to their health.
Spring is here! Head outside and do the activities you used to love as a kid! Fly a kite, search for four-leaf clovers, or blow bubbles.
Post for 3/30 - 10 minutes of walking each day can help older adults maintain strength and agility, and most local parks have options for people with varying levels of mobility. #NationalTakeAWalkInTheParkDay
Post for 3/3 - Today is World Wildlife Day. Donate to or volunteer with a local or global conservation project, visit a national park or learn about our world’s animal and plant life.
Switch off for your world! Every year, hundreds of millions of people, famous landmarks, local businesses, and community groups worldwide participate in Earth Hour events and activities. Will you?
Post for 3/18 - Today is Global Recycling Day. Here are 7 tips to help you recycle better.
Post for 3/21 - Celebrate National Agriculture Day by touring a local farm. Or visit with your farm friends, neighbors, or family, and learn how they produce, sell, and market their food.
For World Wildlife Day, consider adopting an animal from the World Wildlife Organization. It’s a gift that protects wildlife and the environment.
Post for 3/23 - It’s National Puppy Day! Consider adopting a friend to go on walks and hikes with you. Some health benefits of owning a pet are improved cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
Post for 3/29 - Support your local businesses today as we recognize Mom and Pop Business Owners Day! They are the lifeblood of our economy.
Post for 3/30, National Doctors Day - Consider donating to your local hospital in support of the vital work in research and innovative patient care your doctor performs. Your gift can help another life! #NationalDoctorsDay
Here's what's on our list of healthy on-the-go snacks for March - Almonds, Roasted Chickpeas, Oranges, Kiwis, Snap Peas, Carrot Sticks, Hard-boiled Eggs, Red Grapes, and a couple of pieces of Smoked Gouda.
Set an attainable goal for yourself. Instead of, “I need to get into shape,” try: “I will move my body more this month by walking four times a week and attending a fitness class”
Learn Irish Step dancing - It’s good for stamina and core strength, balance, posture, and coordination, as well as promoting flexibility and increased muscle strength.
Did you know almonds are a good source of calcium? One ounce of almonds contains around 80 milligrams, about 8% of your daily recommended amount.
Check out these tips for making healthy food choices to prevent chronic kidney disease. #NationalKidneyMonth
Sometimes we find ourselves in a pinch, and our only option for food is fast food. Keep these three things in mind when placing your order - 1. Aim for lean protein, veggies, and fiber. 2. Avoid supersized or jumbo meals. 3. Try to keep your meal to 500 calories or less.
Can drinking tart cherry juice before bed help you sleep better? People on TikTok swear by it, but does it work? Find out!
Heading out for a pint on St Patrick’s Day? Find out if that Guinness you’re about to drink is actually good for you.
On a fitness roll but can’t make it to the Y? Take 10 minutes and work your glutes with this Kettlebell Workout.
Post for March 2 - Today is Read Across America Day. Read a chapter in your favorite book, or make some fun bookmarks for you and your friends.
Post for March 4 - #NationalSonsDay “Sometimes when I need a miracle, I look into my son’s eyes and realize I’ve already created one.” ~ Unknown
Travel Tip: Seek out restaurants with booths. Kids relax more in them and just might even fall asleep, giving you a little break in the day.
Did someone say “slime”? You hate it, but your kids love it! Make this one for St Patrick’s Day.
We love these oil suncatchers that will brighten up any room this spring. Bonus! They help build your kid’s motor skills and creativity.
Start on these early this month so that you can make every single one of these super cute crafts in preparation for the Easter bunny!
Your little leprechauns will love making these St Patrick’s Day crafts, and so will you!
Post for 3/12 - Today is Plant a Flower Day. It might be too cold to plant flowers, so make these Origami Tulips instead. Bonus, they’ll go perfectly with all your other Easter decorations!
Scavenger hunts boost observation skills. Have a St Patrick’s Day Hunt and have your kids find a leprechaun, horseshoe, top hat, gold coin, shamrock, a pot of gold, an Irish flag, a rainbow, and a green balloon.
Post for March 31 - Today is National Crayon Day. How many current colors of Crayola Crayons are there? Answer: 120
Enjoy Spring Break at the Y. Our pool is oh-so inviting! #fitness #YMCA #pool #swimming #springbreak
Don’t let those spring showers ruin your fitness goals. Bring your workouts to the YMCA! (link to your website page with YMCA offerings)
Ask the nutritionist video. “What is a Pescatarian diet, and what are the health benefits?”
Who here has discovered the best earbuds for working out?
Bust the Myth: Advice from our experts at the Y - “Are longer workouts better for you?” (Have your YMCA expert create a video answering this question.)
Post idea for highlighting a trainer - “Stop in today and learn how to get back on track with your fitness. Our trainers are always willing to help and offer advice!”
Come on in for a great workout with some of the best instructors in town! (link to your website page with YMCA class offerings)
Ask about our personal training sessions at the front desk and get started with the Y today!
Spring Challenge: Renergize and refocus! Add a new fitness class to your routine or change up your workout.
Broaden your horizons and add a workout to your routine using a kettlebell or a free weight. Because variety is the spice of life!
March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. The age of a lion can be determined by its?
Answer: Nose
What type of fruit is a Kiwi?
Answer: A berry. Also known as a Chinese Gooseberry, Kiwis are a nutritional powerhouse!
Which ancient building was constructed facing the direction where the sun rises on the first day of spring?
Answer: Great Sphinx
Sea otters are members of which family?
Answer: Sea otters are members of the weasel family and are one of 13 species of otter.
Which substance in the body was once believed to be nothing more than waste from oxygen-starved muscles but may be a “fuel” for high-intensity workouts?
Answer: Lactic Acid
True or False? March and June finish on the same day of the week every year?
Answer: True
What is a group of parrots called?
Answer: A pandemonium
When was the phrase "March Madness" coined? A. 1979 B. 1981 C. 1982 D. 1986
Answer: 1982.
Between 1982 - 1995, what two-time Academy Award-winning actress sold 17 million VHS copies in her "Workout" series?
Answer: Jane Fonda
"Spring: a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be." ~ Unknown
"May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold — and at the end of your rainbows, may you find a pot of gold."
Get inspired with 3 hours of Irish Music. Maybe you’ll even do a little jig in your living room!
Wake up with determination. Go to bed with satisfaction. A workout at the Y can get you there.
"In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside 24 hours." ~ Mark Twain
Set a goal that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning! #whatsyourgoal
"Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat." ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ~ Albert Einstein
You don’t have to go fast. You just have to go! #running #runner #runningmotivation
"With the coming of spring, I am calm again." ~ Gustav Mahler
“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” ~ Will Rogers
“I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” ~ Thomas Jefferson