A little taste of holiday cheer

Our guest blogger this week is Drew Smith, our Development Director.

When is the last time you went caroling? I highly recommend it this holiday season…it will warm your soul on a cold December evening. Whitney Kahn, our senior program director and I took a group of 8 high school kids caroling last night and it was awesome! All the kids are active members of our Leaders Club. I mentioned to Whitney that I wanted to take a group of Leaders who can carry a tune (Lord knows I can’t!) on a little trip around town to go caroling to some of our donors. So the kids enthusiastically embraced the idea, went to work on learning three different songs to sing (Silver Bells, Angels We Have Heard on High, and Deck the Halls).

So we ventured out and stopped at about a dozen homes and I only wish more folks were home. About half the folks we went to see were home, so I guess in baseball terms we were batting .500 which is a great number…but when you’re out there caroling, you want to sing to actual people.. But it really didn’t matter…and I wish everyone could have seen the huge smiles on the faces of these kids when they heard this right after their first carol of the night, “I haven’t been Christmas caroled in years! Thank you, thank you, you guys were great!”

Even when folks weren’t home they sang anyway…and maybe the neighbors got to hear the harmonized vocals of these 8 high school students donning their Santa hats with mini flashlights and cell phones in hand to illumine the sheet of lyrics in the darkness of the night.

What really struck me was how these teens just totally immersed themselves in this endeavor. They were loving it…really having fun…going from house to house singing carols, joking with each other, and counting down the minutes until the post-caroling pizza party. (By the way the pizza at Carmine’s in Eastgate was amazing). While they scarfed down the pizzas they were talking about doing it again next year! And we’ve already got some plans in place to make it bigger and better, so stay tuned.

So if we didn’t get to your house this year, keep a lookout for the YMCA Leaders Club carolers in 2010.

So when's the last time you went caroling? And what's your favorite Holiday Song? Share your favorite memories and we'll pick the best one for a great YMCA Prize in January!

Beating the Winter Blahs, YMCA Style

As I sat and watched the rain fall in the parking lot, it occurred to me that this time of year, as the days get shorter and the temperatures get colder, it becomes easier than usual to slip into a bit of a funk and let your spirit start to droop a bit. With the winter weather, the lack of sunshine, the hustle & bustle of the holidays, and stress that comes with life's daily grind, we often find ourselves deep in a rut of winter doldrums before we know it.

Then it occurred to me that the YMCA is the perfect place to discover new tools for fighting the winter "blechs." Here are some great ways you can "Beat the Blahs."

1. Try a new Fitness Class.

There's no better place to try a new class than the YMCA. Here there's no reason to worry about what people think of you or to be concerned about embarrassment. We're all about beginners (and intermediates and experts) so go ahead, Zumba away, even if you have no rhythm. Try that Yoga pose, because falling means you're trying, and sign up for Bellydancing, because everyone will look kind of silly (except for the instructor). Check out our fitness classes here.

2. Volunteer in a Youth Program.

Want a guaranteed laugh? Come and be a part of one of the YMCA Youth Programs. There isn't a funnier, more positive group of people on the planet than the kids in our youth programs. It doesn't take any special talents necessarily (although hidden talents are always a bonus). If you can do elementary math or help with geography homework, you're good to go. We'll guarantee at least a giggle every day you come to volunteer, plus you'll be making a difference in a kids life.

3. Find a Workout Buddy - at the Y.

Even for the most dedicated of us, time spent on your own on the treadmill can eventually become like running in circles on a human sized hamster wheel, no matter how great your "World's Best Workout" iPod playlist is. At the Y, we're about relationships, and what's so important to us is that you're in environment where you can feel comfortable discovering people here to build those new relationships with.

4. Go for a swim.

Nothing's better for thumbing your nose at Old Man Winter than taking a dip in the pool when it's freezing outside. Now I know, our pool is indoors and climate controlled, but it's still pretty cool to take a swim when most of the water outside is frozen solid. There's plenty of time for lap swim, recreational swim and aqua aerobics in our pool. Check it out on our pool schedule.

5. Just hang out here.

One of my favorite things about working at the Y is the never-ending treasure chest of fantastic life stories our members bring. From World War II veterans to Best Selling authors, Pioneering Educators to Amazing Athletes, the stories abound. Simply ask and you'll discover a sampling of what makes our town so interesting and fun to live in.

So that's my list of great things to do at the Y to beat the winter blues. How about you? What's your favorite part of the YMCA during the winter?

Looking for more great lists? Check out this one by one of our newest CHCYMCA members Molly Buckley - 5 things to keep in mind over the holidays.

Connecting our community for the better.

This week our guest blogger is Drew Smith, our Financial Development Director:

Greetings and Happy Holidays! My name is Drew Smith and I’m the financial development director here at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA. What does that title mean? Well, I’m basically a connector. I connect investors to the CHCYMCA - a great nonprofit organization that is serving the community in so many ways on a daily basis. Did you know that we have a standing commitment to make sure that no one is turned away from the YMCA based on his or her financial resources? Anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of the CHCYMCA is welcome, regardless of ability to pay. You know, most people think of our community as affluent; with an abundance of highly educated people from all over the globe. That’s true, but it’s also true that there are people who live and work here who struggle each day to make ends meet.

By connecting investors with the YMCA, we have the funds available to award financial assistance to hundreds of people every year right here in our community. People who need afterschool care for their children, summer day camp for their elementary schoolchildren, or seniors who need a place to take water aerobics classes. Those are just a few examples of how a donor’s gift is invested.

This is arguably the worst economy since the great depression, but our YMCA has received a record number of annual donations totaling more than $132,000 as of this writing. Still, we’ll award approximately $250,000 worth of financial assistance to local children, families, and individuals…so you can see there are unmet needs.

During the holidays, many of us take time to give thanks for our blessings and reflect on how fortunate we are for health, happiness, and good fortune. But for some of our neighbors, the holidays might not seem as bright or cheery…there are financial woes, unemployment concerns, and a decision of whether to pay the rent, or buy groceries.

Looking to make an end of the year donation and want 100% of your gift to stay local without part of your donation going to administrative fees, etc.? Please consider a gift to the We Build People campaign. You can make a gift securely online through our website. Just click the Donate Now button on our home page. You can always send a check or use a credit card if you’d like.

I think this is a great time to be thankful for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA. Imagine what our community would look like without it? Imagine if the 250+ kids who attend afterschool at the Y had to find somewhere else? What about the dozens of children who learn the potentially life saving skill of swimming every year at the Y? I’m also very thankful for the hundreds of annual donors and volunteers who graciously donate their treasure, their time, and their expertise to help others. The YMCA is devoted to serving this community, and it’s awesome to see this community respond!

Another Great Run in the Woods.

This past Saturday, we held the 8th annual Pumpkin Run at the YMCA. This great annual event is held, with the great leadership of the YMCA and SeeJaneRun, a local women's running group headed up by Joan Nesbitt Mabe. For 8 solid years, this event has been a unique race in a town and area FULL of races all year long. It's not long. It's not super hard. It doesn't have a great big prize purse. But what it does have makes it special and fun and unlike any other race in Chapel Hill.

The race is really a celebration of the Carolina North Forest, which is managed by UNC Land Management division. If you haven't been there, do yourself a favor and go. Go by yourself, or take a friend, or take the whole family. It's maybe the single most delightful locale in Chapel Hill. I myself have disappeared for a couple of hours on the over 10 miles of single track trails located there.

There are many things that make this race so unique and special. I'd say the biggest thing is that at any time you may find yourself running next to a 6-year old or a 60-year old runner. Also, that runner may be attired in common runners garb or dressed as a pumpkin or a member of a Boy Band. You see, we encourage everyone to come out and run with us, in an effort to show that fitness can be fun, but also in hopes that over 300 people can celebrate the beauty of nature with us.

After the run, there's plenty of pumpkin pie and great dancing at the Post-Race Party back at the Y. For 8 years, local running group SeeJaneRun has worked tirelessly to make sure that every participant gets his or her fill of pie. Open Eye Cafe has always been generous and donated great coffee for the event. Chick-fil-A at University Mall makes sure that our volunteers get fed and so many local vendors donate supplies and prizes.

Now don't get me wrong - All this fun and enjoyment doesn't mean there aren't fast times. This year, John Hinton run the 4K even in 13:15(!!) I myself finished in 17:01 officially (I will mention that my Garmin said 16:55, but whose counting), and was neck and neck with a young man who appeared to be around 12 years old for the last 1/4 mile.

If you didn't run it this year, be sure to mark your calendars for next year. The race is always the Saturday before Halloween, and it always fills up fast. If you did run it this year, thank you so much for making this race such a special event in Chapel Hill. And a special thanks goes to the volunteers who continue to amaze me with their skill, dedication and hard work.

In case you are wondering, proceeds for the race go to the Chapel Hill High School Cross Country Team, to efforts to keep the Carolina North Forest clean, and to the annual YMCA Strong Kids Scholarship Campaign.

Healthy Recipe of the Month: Takeout Fake Out: Sesame Chicken

As school activities ramp up, life can get more hectic and your time becomes more and more valuable, pulled between homework and soccer, science projects and dance, finding the time to a healthy dinner can be tough.  Here's a recipe from Fitness Magazine that's a take on a Chinese takeout favorite - Sesame Chicken.

Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients
12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons chicken broth
2 tablespoons chopped scallions
1 tablespoon snipped parsley
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons sesame seeds
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 1/2 cups carrots, cut into matchsticks
1 cup jicama, cut into matchsticks
1 package (6 ounces) frozen pea pods
2 cups cooked brown rice

Directions
1. Cut chicken into strips. Combine soy sauce, chicken broth, scallions, parsley, vinegar, sesame seeds, garlic, and ginger in bowl. Add chicken, stirring to coat; cover and chill for 1 hour.

2. Heat oil in wok over medium-high heat. Stir-fry carrots for 1 minute. Add jicama; stir-fry 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove veggies from wok.

3. Drain chicken, reserving marinade. Add chicken to wok; stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until no longer pink. Push chicken to outside edge of wok.

4. Add reserved marinade to center of wok. Heat until bubbly. Return vegetables to wok, adding frozen pea pods. Cook 1 minute more, or until heated through. Serve over brown rice.

Nutrition facts per serving: 309 calories, 25g protein, 35g carbohydrate, 6g fat (1g saturated), 4g fiber

Calorie Cutting Tips
Shake Salt
"Always use low-sodium soy sauce," says Sharon Richter, RD, a dietitian in New York City. "Two tablespoons of the regular kind contains almost a day's worth of sodium."

Chop To It
Swap your fork for chopsticks. You'll eat more slowly, because it's harder to shovel in food.

Oil Change
We swapped sesame oil for canola, which has less saturated fat and more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

The Perfect Cut
Carrots and jicama offer fresh flavor and crisp texture. Use a mandoline to cut them into perfect matchsticks.

Calorie Comparison
At a restaurant, this dish packs up to 1,000 calories. We ditched the deep fryer and used a wok to seal in flavor.

Cut Out Distractions - 5 Easy Steps to Better Focus

Ever had one of those days?  I'm talking about one of the days when you've got about a thousand things to do and it seems that everyone in the world knows it and is determined to keep you from your task(s).  Today was one of those days for me and it got me to thinking about ways to reduce distractions and give yourself an advantage when it comes to tackling the day's tasks.  We live in an age where communication is easier than ever and if you can't reach someone, you aren't trying.

But - sometimes this ease of communication turns into a roadblock for our productivity, preventing us from accomplishing the very thing that all of these tools are supposed to make easier.  I was having one of those days today when I stopped, pushed my chair back from my desk and tried to survey the scene and discover how I could overcome and cut out some of the distractions preventing me from being productive.  Here's what I came up with:

• Email Notifications - You know that little "ding" that comes from your computer every time you get a new email?  Turn it off.  It's in your outlook settings.  Just switch it off.  Hearing that bell every time you get an email is an incredible distraction.

• Keep a Schedule - Choose two times a day to check and respond to all emails, unless you are expecting an urgent one.  You'll give yourself more time to focus on the task at hand without the constant bells and whistles of your email.

• Become an Early Bird - No one likes to get to the office early.  Use that to your advantage.  Since no one else will be around, you'll get more done without phone calls, people stopping by, or an excuse to chat with your neighbor in the next office.

• Don't Be Afraid to Close Your Door - It seems that it is a universal sign of politeness to work with  your office door open, offering everyone the opportunity "come to me if you need anything."  That's sweet.  But the fact is, people are often distractions.  Regardless of what message you may be afraid it is sending, there are times when one of the best things you can i simply close the door.  Try it - you'll be surprised.

• Tell Everyone - Take the time to tell everyone your intentions.  No matter what plans you put in place, you'll want the support and cooperation of our co-workers and officemates if you want to be successful.  Visit each person that you interact with and take 15 minutes to explain your plans to them and your motives behind them.  You'll find that giving everyone the heads up will foster trust and earn you the space you need to be more productive.

Of course, don't forget exercise.  Keeping yourself fit and healthy all the time will help you focus more at key times.  And once you become more productive at work, you'll find yourself more calm, relaxed and centered at all times.  Now that's Spirt, Mind & Body.

There are tons of great sites with tips on how to work through distractions at work.  Here are a few:

The Blog of Tim Ferriss
Lifeclever
Life Organizers Blog
Studies of Office Escapology

Now, What did I miss?  What's your best trick to avoid office distractions?  How do you cope with the never-ending stream of information coming at us virtually minute-by-minute?  Share your tips, tricks and thoughts in the comments.

20 questions, or what I learned from our YMCA members

For about a year and a half now, we've been blogging here and trying to get the word out about the stuff going on at the YMCA. From post to post, our topics have ranged from updates about new programs to news about success stories and stories about lives we've touched. It's our hope that you've enjoyed the posts and that maybe you've learned a few things about your YMCA. However, we want more out of this post, and we want it to be even more useful to you.

Beginning today, we'll try to use the posts in this blog to engage you, our members and participants. We'll discuss topics and ask questions that we want you to answer. For over 150 years, the YMCA has been built on the idea of relationships, genuine and honest ones, with members and participants. Sure we have tons of programs and activities for kids and adults, and lots of opportunities for sports, fitness and service. But at the heart of it all, we're about relationships.

That's the reason we ask about grand kids or spouses. It's the reason we notice when you've been out for a couple of weeks. It's why we send flowers to new mothers or sick parents, and why we love celebrating birthdays.

With that in mind, going forward, I'm going to use this blog to pose questions to those of you who read it. The questions that I'll ask will sometimes be serious and sometimes be lighthearted, but they'll all have a purpose. As the Y moves forward we want to continue to be more connected to you, and so I want to find out things like:

-What you like most about what we're doing at the Y

-What's the most important part of your membership

-How we can do better to help you build a healthier spirit, mind and body

-What Y staff members are living our mission in their interactions with you

-When we're exceeding - and not living up to - your expectations

-Anything else you want to tell us

So as we go forward, let me invite you to come along, and help your Y reach it's full potential. We're prepared for honesty, as long as it's tempered with respect, and as long as it's focused on fairness and jives with our mission. We want to get better at what we do, and we need your help to get there.

With that in mind, let's start with an easy question, and you can leave your answers in the comments section or respond via email:

Q. What's the most important part of your YMCA membership? The part that brings you back, or that you couldn't live without? And why?

Thanks in advance for your honest, respectful answers and we'll get to work right not to make sure we learn from your answers.

-G