OU walks it out
As a part of national Employee Health and Fitness Day, Oakland University employees took part in the Third Annual Campus Rec Poker Walk, which yielded 275+ participants.
Included among the participants were employees from these various departments, among others:
- President’s Office
- School of Business
- School of Medicine
- Criminal Justice Department
- Center for Multicultural Initiatives
- Center for Student Activities
- Housing Department
Participants walked the course of a mile, gathering numbered poker which gave them a chance to win awesome prizes such as Oakland University fleeces, umbrellas, coolers, and gift certificates to various stores in the community.
Those who participated had the option to walk individually or in a group of people from any department on campus. They also had the option to dress up in costumes, with which participants got really creative. A group from the History Department, Political Science Department, and Anthropology/Sociology Department dressed up as playing cards. Another group, which consisted of participants from the School of Engineering and the Philosophy Department, dressed up as lovely ladies from the 50’s era, complete with a boom box that played 50’s music and one woman who was giving out candy. Don’t worry; I snagged a piece of gum. Yum.
There was even a pair of walkers who dressed up as Stormtroopers, which were famous in the Star Wars movies, complete with costumes and voice changers. They represented the E-Learning Department. When I told them that their costumes were the best so far, they responded with, “We are Moodle Troopers, we like clean air.”
The main reason that people participated wasn’t just because of the beautiful 80-degree weather. Most teams talked about how the walk gave their respective offices a chance to get out of the normal work setting and enjoy each other’s company. “We like the camaraderie that this walk gives us”
“We’re here for the prizes… and also because it’s healthy. But mostly for the prizes!” said one walker who represented OU CARES.
Most of all, the Poker Walk gives people the opportunity to spend their lunch hours participating in a healthy activity. “We have a chance to spend some time with co-workers, doing something other than our normal daily tasks. We always look forward to this,” said one walker.
We look forward to it too.
Poker Walk Winners:
Best Costume:
Comic Con Comes to Campus – 1st place
Fabulous Fifties – 2nd place
Super Supervisors – 3rd place
Best Team Name:
3 Geezers 1 Weezer – 1st place
Eye Feel Lucky – 2nd place
Mardi Grad – 3rd place
Most Enthusiastic:
12 Steps to AA – 1st place
tOUr de Facts – 2nd place
Full House – 3rd place
What were your favorite moments of the walk?
Join the Poker Walk!
May 15th will mark the return of the Third Annual Campus Rec Poker Walk. In celebration of National Employee Health and Fitness Day, OU employees can sign up as a team or individual to walk a safe and fun one mile loop around campus.
Along the way, participants will stop at multiple stations to pick up poker chips. At the end of the walk, they can turn in their poker chips for a hand of cards. The top three individuals with the best hands will win the grand prize!
That’s not the only way to win a prize! Some of the poker chips that will be given out on the path are marked for prizes.
On the walk there will be two additional challenge stations. Participants can earn extra poker chips by simply doing the extra challenges.
“We want people to see that it really doesn’t take a lot to walk a mile, and on their lunch hours they can do something active,” says Becky Lewis, the Assistant Director of Programs for Fitness and Wellness at OU’s Rec Center.
Krista Malley, an OU academic advisor and avid participant in many of our wellness programs, is very excited for the upcoming event. Last year, she and her team from OUWB dressed up as cowboys. This year, Krista and her new team from the Professional Advisors Committee chose the clever team name, Aces of Advising, but the costumes will remain a surprise.
“[I enjoy] having a relaxing stroll with colleagues and seeing others from across campus coming out to smell the fresh air and be healthy, not to mention take a gamble and see if their poker hand is the best!” she says.
We encourage you to participate with your coworkers or your friends in other departments! It’s a great way to establish connections with the people you may not get to work with or a chance to bond with those who are around you everyday. This event is FREE and open to all OU employees. You can walk anytime between 11:30a.m.-1p.m. Be sure to register by Monday, May 13 at noon. Registration opens Monday, April 22.
Recipe of the Week – Stuffed Mushrooms – Vegan Approved!
Tomorrow (4/16) is the day of the mushroom. Take a break from finals studying and try out this easy recipe!
Ingredients:
1 lb medium to large mushrooms
1 TBL olive oil
1 clove garlic, peeled and pressed through garlic press
2 TBL flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp fresh thyme, removed from stem and finely chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 ground nutmeg
1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
4 TBL non-dairy parmesan cheese (I like to use SoyaKaas)
non-stick vegetable spray
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse mushrooms and dry on paper towel. Remove stems from mushrooms, cutting them out in circle formation to create a hole to stuff with filling. Save stems and chop up finely for the filling.
In a medium pan, heat the oil and add chopped mushrooms, stirring until juices evaporate. Mix in garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, nutmeg, bread crumbs, and parmesan, stir and remove from heat.
Spoon equal amounts of filling into holed mushroom caps. Place caps on baking sheet that has been sprayed lightly with non-stick spray. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
Sprinkle a little extra parmesan on top and broil for about 2-3 minutes to brown and make slightly crispy. Garnish with parsley or thyme.
Makes about 18 mushrooms
Tip: add a pinch of chopped cilantro when you add in other herbs to give it additional flavor.
Infographic of the Week – National Gardening Month! – Health, Mental, and Financial Benefits!
(Click to enlarge)
Football is here!!
For the first time in Oakland University history, a club football team has finally arrived. The new club was brought to life by OU freshman, David Brosky, last semester. David found his passion for football in high school, and wanted to bring the same passion to the OU students.
“I wanted to start a Rec league so I [could] get back into [football]. I love the game!” Brosky says.
Currently, the team’s 36 members have begun their workouts at the Rec Center to prepare for upcoming tournaments. Their first game will be against UM-Flint during Welcome Week of Fall 2013.
They’ve also brought on Coach Kenny Meyers, who coached the Romeo High School football team. Kenny will help them get into a routine, learn more about the different positions, and plays that will lead them to a win.
An important concern for many start-up teams is the costly equipment and club fees. To help lower the costs, the team has put together a Domino’s Pizza fundraiser. With the purchase of a $10 card, you can buy one pizza and get one pizza free, 16 times.
If you’ve always wanted to support or be a part of a football team at OU, then this is your chance. People of all talents and experiences are welcome and encouraged to join.
The team practices on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:00a.m. in the Fitness Center at the Rec Center. For more information check out the Club Football Facebook Page or e-mail oufootballclub@gmail.com.
Recipe of the Week – Homemade Hummus
Ingredients
- 2 (15.5 oz) tetra packs or cans of no-salt-added chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained.
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place beans and garlic in a food processor or Vitamix and pulse a few times to chop the beans.
- Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Recipe of the Week – Pecan Bites [No Bake, Vegan, AND Gluten Free]
Makes 12 Bites/Squares
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Pecans
- 1/2 Cup Pitted Dates
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Pitted Dates
- 1 Cup Pecans
- 1 Large Ripe Banana
- 2 Tbsp Agave (can substitute stevia if you wish)
- 1 Tsp Vanilla
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1/8 Tsp Nutmeg
- Extra Pecans for Topping
Directions:
- Using your small food processor bowl and blade blend all pie filling ingredients until smooth and set aside (except extra pecans).
- Using your large food processor bowl and blade process all crust ingredients until dough like consistency with visible chunks of nut.
- Grease an 8×8 baking pan or glass dish with a healthy oil.
- Press crust mixture evenly into baking dish.
- Top with pie filling using a spoon or spatula to make sure the filling is evenly distributed over the crust.
- Add extra pecans evenly over the top.
- Cover with saran wrap and freeze overnight.
- When you’re ready to serve remove from the freezer, cut into squares and serve immediately.
Annual Indoor Triathalon Comes to Campus Rec!
On March 24th, Campus Rec will be partnering with the OUWB School of Medicine Orthopedic Surgery and Sports medicine (OSSM) student organization to host the annual indoor triathlon. The event will include a 20 minute cycle, a 15 minute run, and a 10 minute swim. Unlike other triathlons, such as the Ironman, the events are measured by time instead of distance,so participants are able to go at their own pace.
Along with promoting wellness and exercise in the OU community, OSSM is raising money to contribute to the rebuilding of Lollo Park in Detroit’s Fitzgerald neighborhood. As of February 1st, 2013, Detroit’s city council passed a deal that would close 50 of the 107 parks in Detroit in order to keep Belle Isle, a Detroit icon, maintained. Maintenance to the remaining parks will be severely reduced, some of which can only afford to cut their grass once a year.
Parks and playgrounds are needed to instill health and exercise into the children of Detroit and the surrounding communities. OSSM is working with local organizations, like College Core Block Club, Adopt a Park, Kaboom Playground, and Beaumont Orthopedic, to bring Lolo Park back to life.
Five dollars of every entry fee and the profit from selling t-shirts will go towards the fund to revive the park. Beaumont Orthopedic will also match every dollar raised at the triathlon. OSSM is hoping to raise $1,000 at this year’s triathlon.
Once weather permits, OSSM will bring participants from the triathlon and people of the community who wish to volunteer at Lollo Park to assist with the park’s rejuvenation and reconstruction.
“[I’m excited about] starting this [event] and making a lasting relationship with our partnerships so that down the road we can make this bigger and [continue to] make an impact in the Detroit community,” says the OSSM representative, Justin Smith.
Registration is open until Wednesday, March 20th and can be done at the Rec Center Welcome Desk. Both members and non-members of the OU Rec Center are encouraged to participate. The entry fee for members/students is $30 for individuals and $45 for teams of 2-3 people. The entry fee for non-members is $45 for individuals and $60 for teams. Heats will begin at 9am on March 24th. We hope to see you there supporting this very meaningful and important cause!
