The mission of Native Americans for Community Action Inc. is to provide preventive wellness strategies and empower and advocate for Native peoples and others in need, in order to create a healthy community based on Harmony, Respect, and Indigenous Values. VIEW THIS EMAIL IN YOUR BROWSER |
 February 21, 2025 ATHENA Awards Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony Family Health Center 1500 E. Cedar Suite 26, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 fhwc@nacainc.org (928) 773-1245 M-F | 8 AM – 5 PM Wellness Center 1500 E. Cedar Ave., Suite 52 Flagstaff, AZ 86004 hpwc@nacainc.org (928) 773-1245 ext. 221 M-Th | 8 AM – 7 PM F | 8 AM – 5 PM General Services Administration 1500 E. Cedar Ave., Suite 56 Flagstaff, AZ 86004 outreach@nacainc.org (928) 526-2968 M-F | 8 AM – 12 PM, 1 PM – 5 PM NACA accepts & provides services to all ethnic groups and all ages while focusing on whole-family health care. We pride ourselves in focusing on Native American health care, with the whole person in mind. Specialty care referrals are available for all patients. Referrals are also available to Native American patients through the Indian Health Services facilities in Flagstaff and in surrounding areas.Vol 4 Issue 2 March – April 2025Native Americans for Community Action Inc., is a Flagstaff Community 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization and, as such, depends on the generous support of the community to offer services and programs that provide for critical needs around Flagstaff and Northern Arizona.Help us by making a one-time contribution, and earn tax credit!Donate to NACALeave us a review!YelpGoogle BusinessNACA EventsNACA News & InfoQuality Improvement Plan – Here at NACA, Safety and Quality are top priorities. If you would like to participate in an open session on NACA Safety and Quality, please contact vquiroz@nacainc.orgNACA is hiring! Open positions include: Chief Financial Officer, Substance Abuse Counselor, Registered Nurse and more!Community Resources available on the NACA WebsiteNACA in the Cronkite NewsNACA in the Flagstaff Business NewsNACA Family Health Center wins Flagstaff Business News Best of Business in Family Medical Practice for 2022Watch NACA on 12News AZ!Listen to NACA’s episode on the Flagstaff Chamber Bizz Buzz podcast!  Awareness MonthsMarchNational Nutrition Month 9 ideas to get involved in Nutrition Month at home:As a family, commit to trying a new fruit or vegetable each week during National Nutrition Month®.Give family members a role in meal planning and let them pick out different recipes to try.Plan to eat more meals together as a family during National Nutrition Month®.Explore food recovery options in your community.If you watch TV, take breaks during commercials to be physically active.Practice mindful eating by limiting screen time at mealtime — including phones, computers, TV and other devices.Try more meatless meals — choices like beans and lentils are versatile plant-based protein sources that work in a variety of dishes.Let everyone help with food preparation — a skill for people of all ages. If you have kids, there are age-appropriate tasks they may enjoy learning how to do.Bring out the flavors of food by trying new herbs, spices or citrus fruit such as lemon or lime.Source: National Nutrition Month by Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsApril National Volunteer MonthVolunteer Month is a time to honor and celebrate volunteers worldwide while encouraging volunteerism everywhere. Volunteers, you are the heartbeat of strengthening communities, and throughout the month, we recognize your vital role. We also urge everyone to join us in taking action, as every act of service contributes to a more connected world. During April, lend your time, talent and passion to making a real difference in your own backyard and cause a ripple effect around the world. Source: Points of Light Global Volunteer MonthResourcesWhy should you volunteer through Volunteer.gov? Make a tangible impact: From restoring wildlife habitat and building trails to preserving historical monuments and educating visitors about diverse cultures, witness firsthand the positive results of your efforts. Connect with nature and history: Immerse yourself in stunning landscapes, learn about diverse ecosystems, and contribute to conservation while unearthing stories from the past. Develop valuable skills: Gain practical experience in areas like resource management, education, visitor services, trail maintenance, or historical interpretation. Learn targeted skills like invasive species identification and removal, historic preservation, event planning, or public speaking. The opportunities for growth are endless! Meet passionate people: Build camaraderie with fellow volunteers and staff who share your passions. Boost your well-being: Volunteering has been shown to reduce stress, increase happiness, and improve mental and physical health. Healthy Lifestyles for Healthy Older AdultsAs adults age, they need fewer total calories, but higher amounts of certain nutrients, especially calcium and vitamin D. In terms of nutrition, you need to focus on quality, not quantity. For both optimal physical and mental health, older adults truly need to make every calorie count. For a healthy eating plan, choose a variety of foods from all the MyPlate food groups regularly.Retired people on limited incomes may have trouble buying enough nutrient-rich foods to meet all their nutritional needs. If this is a problem for you or someone you love, explore the options for senior meal sites, Meals on Wheels or supplemental nutrition assistance programs in your community.The golden years are not the time for fad diets or drastic weight loss. Your goal should be to eat better while staying within your calorie needs. Fad diets frequently eliminate entire food groups, which can lead to serious nutrient gaps. Rapid weight loss often leads to a loss of lean body mass, exactly the opposite of what older people need for good health.Aim for a stable weight as you get older. If you want to lose a few pounds, talk to your health care provider or a registered dietitian nutritionist about the best plan for you. The right balance of foods and activities can help you maintain strong muscles and bones.7 Kitchen Staples for Teen-friendly mealsIf you have teenage children, you may have heard it before: “There’s nothing to eat in this house!” Sure, you can do your part by buying lots of healthy foods but your teen can get involved too, by helping to prepare some of those foods. Why? When teens learn healthy cooking skills at home, they’ll be better prepared to plan balanced meals and make their own food choices after they leave home.To help your teen get cooking, stock your kitchen with these easy-to-prepare staples.PopcornWho doesn’t crave crunchy snacks? Invest in a popcorn popper! Popcorn is a whole grain, plus it’s loaded with dietary fiber for a healthy digestive system. Three air-popped cups deliver nearly four grams of dietary fiber.Canned BeansWhen it comes to making a quick meal, it doesn’t get much easier than canned beans — just rinse, drain and heat! They’re perfect for burritos, mashed on a tortilla, or added to canned soup for extra protein.Nut ButtersEven if teens have no clue how to cook, that doesn’t mean they can’t whip up a simple meal or snack. Nut and seed butters — such as peanut, almond or sunflower butter — all are perfect no-fuss foods for the novice cook. They’re a cinch to spread on toast with sliced bananas or make a tasty dip for apples, celery or bell pepper strips.EggsWhether fried, scrambled or hard-boiled, eggs are an easy protein food for teen cooks. With a prep and cook time of less than five minutes, eggs are an easy addition to any meal. They are a great source of protein, vitamin B12, choline and phosphorus – all essential nutrients for teens.Prepped VegetablesIt doesn’t matter whether they’re fresh, frozen or canned, the more pre-prepped vegetables you have on hand, the more likely your teen will eat them. Think pre-cut baby carrots and hummus for snacks, frozen edamame and peas to add to pasta and diced tomatoes for chili.GrainsBusy teens don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen, but that doesn’t mean dinner has to be a sandwich. Quick-cooking whole grains such as quinoa, instant brown rice and whole-wheat couscous take less than 15 minutes from start to finish. For a speedy meal, teens can toss cooked whole grains with microwaved frozen vegetables, season them with lower-sodium soy sauce, and add a convenient source of protein, such as cooked frozen or canned chicken or seafood, canned beans or tofu.Lean ProteinWhen you teach teens basic cooking techniques you’ll be amazed by how quickly they catch on. Start by showing them how to grill, bake or broil marinated chicken, fish or beef. Or, demonstrate how to sauté ground chicken or turkey, tempeh or tofu to add to spaghetti sauce, chili or tacos.Indigenous ArtistsMer Young Plucks Flowers @youngmer Protect Us All!! Tongva you are loved LA you are loved Keep everyone safe Keep them nourished Find updates Support where you can Be kind Sending all my loveJ. Chavez @stormcloud72 Acrylic on 36” X 36” wood panel. ( we the People )Oak Creek Overlook Native American Artisan Market NACA’s Oak Creek Overlook Native American Artisan Market is open every day 8 AM – 4 PM, as weather permits. Visit the NACA website, or find us on Google and Yelp for more information!Background art by: Anna Alvarado on InstagramCreated For YouCinnamon-Spiced Carrot and Apple Kugel Recipe recipe from the Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsFind more recipes like this one on the NACA website!Ingredients: Vegetable oil spray 4 cups shredded carrots 2 medium tart apples, cored and chopped 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained ⅔ cup plain whole wheat breadcrumbs or matzoh meal ½ cup dried cherries, cranberries or currants ½ cup chopped, unsalted pistachios, divided 3 large eggs, separated 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon kosher saltDirections: Before you begin: Wash your hands.Preheat oven to 350ºF.Coat an 8-by-8-inch oven-proof baking dish with vegetable oil spray. Set aside.Combine the carrots, apples, pineapple, breadcrumbs, dried cherries and ¼ cup pistachios in a medium bowl.Beat the egg yolks. Add the vanilla, cinnamon, allspice and salt; blend well. Mix into the carrot-fruit mixture.In a separate bowl beat the egg whites until stiff. Gently fold the egg whites into the carrot-fruit mixture. Pour into baking dish. Top with the remaining ¼ cup pistachios. Cover with foil.Bake for about 50 minutes, until the mixture is firm. Cool.To serve, cut in 8 portions.Decolonize your social media by following Indigenous influencersVal’s FrybreadrezkidthebarberMichelle ChubbLuiza Guedes @luizaguedes.ilustra |
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Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) publishes April newsletter
