Teach a kid to grow a carrot, and she will probably eat more of them, that according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. We all know how important it is to prepare healthy foods for our children. Have you ever considered how important it is to teach them how to grow and prepare nutritious foods themselves? Teaching kids how to garden and cook wholesome foods is a great way to combat obesity and unhealthy habits. If kids get involved in preparing meals, they'll be more interested in eating what they've created. In the free Kids Garden Club at the …

This week Fowler YMCA launched its series of “Lunch and Learns” for spring 2013, and kicked it off with a gardening session led by garden expert, Mickey Gazaway from Pike's Nursery. Attendees at the luncheon were provided with a salad and dessert, plus Mickey Gazaway's tips on everything from potted plants to the methods of caring for annual and perennial plants and vegetable gardens. Mickey shared words of wisdom from her father: “Usually in Georgia the last frost is no later than April 10, so you pay your taxes and then plant your tomatoes!” Gardening doesn't have to be a huge commitment, …

By Kushuna Exford What do you get when you put 14 staff teams from 14 YMCAs across Metro Atlanta on a huge empty soccer field? You get a YMCA Staff Field Day. Each year our Sanders Buckhead YMCA organizes an Association wide staff field day. This event is full of fun and teamwork and a continual reminder to put a little play into our work days. YMCA Field Day is an annual event, where the each branch in the Metro Atlanta YMCA Association put together a team of 10 or more staff members. These teams are made up of full time and part time staff from all the departments at each branch.   Each …

Summer camp has been a U.S. tradition for almost 130 years. Back then, before air conditioning, hot city summers were miserable, so escaping to the country for a few weeks became a popular trend. Today, kids have different reasons for making camp a part of their lives. At camp kids take a break from TV, cell phones and Internet and reconnect with nature; they learn to be safe around water and develop lifelong swimming skills; improve athletic, artistic and intellectual skills; make new friends and develop social skills; and campers spend their day being active and having lots of summer fun! …

Many of you know Fowler YMCA member Brian Morgan, and know that he has been an athlete all of his life, he even played semi-pro basketball. But in May, 2011, he experienced a severe stroke. Brian takes aqua therapy at the Y, and he's steadily improving. The most exciting news is that Brian is practicing walking unassisted in the water at Fowler YMCA, according to his water trainer Jan Nance. "Brian is an extremely motivated, hard-working client with the dedication of the athlete he has always been," she said. "Despite being told by a doctor after his profound stroke that he would never walk …

By Kushuna Exford It’s that time of year again….when the weather gets warmer, the days are longer, the teachers and students are both racing for the nearest door that leads to summer. Most parents are always looking for inspiration to help keep their kids and families active and engaged during the summer months. Join Robert D. Fowler YMCA for its Annual Healthy Kids Day event, Saturday April 27, 9-12 p.m. This is a free event that is open to the entire community. Research shows that children gain weight two to three times faster during summer vacation than during the school year. This is why …

Have you checked out the Fowler YMCA pool? It's an ideal way to get in shape and keep your cool at the same time. You don't have to be a swimmer or get your hair wet or put your face in the water to participate in water fitness classes at the Y.  It is a refreshing change to sweating on land, and the health benefits have been proven by water exercise research.  Water fitness is adaptable to almost every exerciser, from the most fit to those who may have difficulty moving freely on land.  Commonly called "water aerobics," aquatic fitness classes include one-hour morning classes on Monday, …

By Kushuna Exford What do you get when you mix 300 stuffed plastic eggs, 150 sugar cookies, 60 families, 6 containers of whipped icing, 5 volunteers, 4 staff members, and 2 containers of sprinkles? You get ONE awesome family event. On Saturday, March 23rd the Fowler YMCA was overtaken by the members and residents in the community for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Each month the Y plans an event in which the entire family can have participate and have fun together. For March the YMCA scheduled two Easter Egg Hunts (one outdoors and one underwater) for families to enjoy. Although the rain and …

One of the ways the YMCA brings health care into our communities is through health screenings, which provide convenient, easy access to a variety of common screening tests for numerous medical conditions and overall health. Health screenings can detect many medical conditions at an early stage before symptoms are present. Early detection and treatment can improve your quality of life and, in many cases, even save your life. On March 25 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., Fowler YMCA will host HealthCheck Services, Inc. who will provide a screening service for a convenient, reliable, and low cost way to …

Gardening can be rewarding - and it can also be an ideal time to teach that there's more to learn than just watching seeds sprout. That is the idea behind Fowler YMCA's organic learning garden - to plant seeds of healthy living in the lives of young people. “By connecting kids to the natural world through gardening, we are better able to improve healthy behaviors and establish life-long health habits," said Gina Lembo, the YMCA's Wellness Directory. "The garden really brings healthy eating to life." The learning garden provides members ages 3 to 15 who participate in YMCA's free kids fitness …

Cancer is a word heard too often today. That is why Fowler YMCA is fighting back against this disease with the American Cancer Society – by encouraging individuals between the ages of 30 and 65, who have never been diagnosed with cancer, to take part in the Cancer Prevention Study-3 ( CPS-3). To better understand ways to prevent cancer, the American Cancer Society is recruiting men and women across the US for this research study that will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer and will save lives. As an enrollment …

Families are important at the Y.  In addition to all the programs, fitness, sports, swimming and classes offered, Fowler YMCA offers a growing selection of family fun events.  These monthly events provide families with a place to come together to have a good time; participate in a variety of fun activities; and meet other families. There are family skate nights, game nights, dances, special seasonal celebrations and more. And this is all in addition to the exercise classes, swim and gym times that invite families to play together and workout together. "Every night is a family fun night when …

On the heels of an undefeated 9-0 dual meet season, the Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA swam its way to an impressive win over seven other local YMCA teams attending the Metro Atlanta YMCA Swimming Championships on February 16, 2013, at the Cumming Aquatic Center. Over 600 swimmers from age five to 18 competed in 84 different events at the meet. The Fowler Fins scored 1670.0 points to edge out second-place Tull-Gwinnett YMCA with 1517.0 points, and third-place Carl Sanders/Buckhead YMCA with 956.0 points. At the end of event 20, the Medley Relays, Tull-Gwinnett and Fowler were tied at 184.0 with…

Do you know Susan Wise? For 19 years she was a teacher at Simpson Elementary School. She lives in Peachtree Corners and has a son and daughter-in-law and a cute little 1-year-old grandson. Susan's Y story starts in 2006 when she had a heart attack caused by congestive heart failure. She underwent a quadruple bypass and after her heart attack, her doctors recommended that she begin walking. She joined the Fowler YMCA and began by walking the track then the treadmills. She lost 30 pounds and began to feel better. Unfortunately her kidneys were damaged by her heart problems. She was told her …

Members and friends of the Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA turned out last Saturday to participate in the 15th annual Rock ‘N Roll-A-Thon event and raised over $36,000. Participants this year had the opportunity to cycle, swim, dance and shop to help support our community. "We are so grateful that our members, community partners, volunteers, staff and guests who believe in the work that the Y is doing to make our neighborhoods a better place for everyone," said Kushuna Exford, Membership and Marketing Director. "One hundred percent of the proceeds raised will go directly toward funding financial…

The fast-growing sport of Pickleball is gaining momentum in popularity at Fowler YMCA in Peachtree Corners by players of all ages. Similar to tennis, Pickleball is played on a hard floor court with a three-foot net between the players. However, instead of a tennis ball and racket, Pickleball is played with wiffle balls and wooden paddles. The Pickleball scene at the Y is both lively and social. The players take their fair turns on the court and enjoy cheering one another on whhile waiting to play.   Here’s what a few Pickleball enthusiasts said about the game:   “What I like about it is that …

Families are important at Robert Fowler Family YMCA.   So in addition to the broad array of programs, sports and fitness classes offered, Fowler Y offers an ever-growing selection of family-oriented programs. Last Saturday was Family Game Night at the Y.  Families enjoyed an afternoon playing Jinga, Scrabble, Yahtzee, Candy Land, Cards, Twister, and many other family favorite games. And this was all in addition to the gym and swim times that welcome entire families to play together and workout together.  On February 16, Fowler Y is planning to transform the Y gymnasium into a roller rink of …

For 15 years, residents of Peachtree Corners and the surrounding communities have come together for a day filled with fellowship and fitness at Robert Fowler YMCA’s annual Rock ‘N Roll-A-Thon.     The spirit and tradition continues on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 9 a.m.-.4.p.m. as neighbors cycle, swim, dance and shop – all for a GREAT Cause!  With a variety of activities to choose from - cycling in the gym, swimming in our pool, dancing to Latin tunes, or shopping the Silent Auction, there is something for everyone!  You don’t need to be an athlete to participate; you just need the desire to make a…

By Kushuna Exford The word resolution can be such a firm and unforgiving word, yet many people begin their New Year with a list of these “plans.” For many by the first week in March these “plans” are forgotten and tossed to the side for other things that take priority. The folks at the Y realize that a healthy lifestyle is important to people and they want to help you get to your desired wellness through collaboration and goal setting, not making “plans.” The staff at the Y understand that the journey to health and wellness looks different for every individual; they take the time to set goals…

Editor's note: Following is a personal account from a YMCA member on her journey back to a healthy lifestyle. By Stacie Sikes I was a collegiate athlete who entered the workforce in 1998. In early 2005 my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I was married in September of that year and over the next two years I devoted most of my time to caring for my mother, father and my husband.  Mom passed away in November 2007.  The following April I became pregnant with my first son, Dylan, and in September 2010 I was pregnant with my second son, Nathan. By December of 2011, I weighed 185 pounds and made the …