PROCTORVILLE — The Lawrence County Homemakers Association hosted its annual Achievement Day event at OUS Southern in Proctorville on Thursday, and attendees got a lesson in healthy living and nutrition.

Jeri Stallo, program assistant for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-ED), gave nutritional advice and shared recipes with the group.

She suggested healthy snacks, such as yogurt cups, in which yogurt, fruit and granola are layered.

“That way, what you have done is hit the dairy section and you have the fruit section,” she said. “And with the granola, you get whole grain.”

Similarly, Stallo instructed the group on how to make parfaits from the same ingredients, giving them a hands on learning experience.

She said fruits and vegetables are essential for planning healthy meals.

“The more fruits you add, the less of the other groups you want,” she said.

She said to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables, like eating “a rainbow” and said that a more colorful meal is more likely to be healthy.

Stallo said smaller portions are also key, and that an ideal portion size is equal to about a handful.

“You can have too much of a good thing,” she said.

She said you should also limit sodas and energy drinks, stating that a lot of people end up drinking most of their calories.

Stallo recommended Ezekiel Bread to the group, made from sprouted grains and containing no sugars. She said it can be found in the freezer section of most Kroger stores.

The bread, she said, contains no preservatives, another health benefit to be mindful of.

“If your kids drop a French fry in your car and, a year from now, it still looks the same, you might not be eating food,” she said.

Stallo also shared easy ways for people to do light exercise while busy.

One method she said was, when sitting in a chair, to lift your legs and move your feet to make the letters of the alphabet.

“Anything that can keep us in motion,” she said.

The theme of this year’s gathering was “Sowing Seeds of Love,” and the event kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance, the Lord’s Prayer and the recitation of the Homemakers Creed.

Member Mary Gene Patterson then read devotions, before a memorial was held for members of the group who had passed away.

One candle was lit for all past members and then a second was lit for Eva Kate Boykin, a member and former nurse, who died in 2015.

The Lawrence County Homemakers is comprised of three clubs, representing the Ohio Valley, Southside and Ensee. It is part of the Ohio Homemakers and Community Education, whose mission statement is to strengthen individuals, families and communities through leadership development and social interaction.

In addition to Stallo, Delores Dove the state president of the homemakers was on hand and addressed the group in the afternoon.

Following the speakers, awards were given to members who had entered exhibits to be judged in categories such as quilt making, wreath making, scrapbooking, photography and creative writing.