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April - Learn about healthy eating with the YMCA

While you may know the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis for its activities, camps and fitness programs, the YMCA also is committed to making sure you and your family eat healthy. That's why they have developed the Healthy Family Home Starter Kit, full of information on how to eat healthy as well as stay active.

The online kit includes recipes and ways to make healthy eating fun. For example, the Rubio family in Avon, Ind., offers a tip on how to take dinner vacations at home.

"For fun ask 'where's dinner' meaning where shall we eat tonight? It could be on the porch or the patio, on the stairs or the family room floor as an indoor picnic. With chairs and blankets, make a tent and pretend you are far, far away and describe what it's like where you are and what foods you should be having there."

You also can try a grocery store scavenger hunt. As you shop, challenge yourself - and your kids - to see which of your favorite foods have 3 or more grams of fiber and less than 5 grams of sugar per serving. Try and get as many of these foods in your cart.

One food to make sure you have in your cart in April is asparagus. It is peak season and asparagus is easy to make and great for a healthy menu. It is full of folic acid and vitamin K and low in calories and fat. It even is cholesterol free! Try it steamed, grilled, oven roasted or in vegetable soups.

Be sure to visit your local YMCA for Healthy Kids Day on April 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for free demonstrations, swimming and healthy snack stations. For more information about events, visit www.indymca.org or call (317) 266-9622.