Author Archives for Shape Your Future

The Benefits of Being Outdoors

Ah, nature. There’s nothing quite like breathing in fresh air and taking in outdoor beauty. It’s impossible to replicate the…

5 Physical Activities for Kids Other Than Sports

Are you searching for ways to spike your kid’s heart rate that don’t involve signing up for sports every season?…

10+ Healthy Snacks That Are Sure to Win This Football Season

One way to win this football season? Filling your table with healthy snacks! Whether you love grabbing finger foods on…

Stay Ahead of School Stress

Stress doesn’t develop with age. It just changes — and kids have stressors of their own. Everything from assignments, tests,…

Back To School: How To Make Mornings Less Stressful

Heading back to school can be a big adjustment for many families. Summer schedules are often more relaxed. When school…

New Healthy Habit: A Daily Walk

Nothing beats the rush you get after a good workout or activity. Sometimes though, life can get in the way…

3 Healthy Lunch and Snack Ideas from Real Oklahoma Teachers

A new school year is just around the corner, and with it comes a whole lot of stress. Between decorating…

8 Easy Ways to Meal Prep

Meal prepping is a great way to save time and money, plus prevent food waste. If you’re worried eating the…

6 Tips to Win the Screen Time Battle

Kids spend a lot of time in front of screens. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,…

4 Healthy Ways to Make This School Year One to Remember!

The school year is just around the corner, so it’s time to think about your new (school) year resolutions. Make…

How to Eat Intentionally

When it comes to health, it’s not always about what you eat, but how you eat. Are you someone who waits until you’re starving…

Tips for Thriving While Distance Learning

If you have school-age kids, then you’ve probably heard of distance learning. Distance learning is an alternative to school where…

6 Quick, Healthy and Delicious Breakfast Ideas

Mornings can be hectic, but that doesn’t mean you should skip the most important meal of the day. We have…

The Flavors of the Rainbow: What Colors Can You Add to Your Plate?

A balanced diet gives our body the nutrients it needs to function at its best! Whether you have picky eaters…

Countdown to School – Back to Bedtime

A great day at school doesn’t start in the morning, it starts the night before. Sleep plays an important role…

After-School Snack Hacks

After a busy day at school, most kids come home hungry and tired. Plus, errands, extracurricular activities and homework can…

4 Healthy Tips for a Boomin’ 4th of July

Summer is finally here, which means the Fourth of July is right around the corner — a day full of…

12 Easy, Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Busy Teachers

Between setting up classroom activities, playing referee in the hallway, juggling extra duties and unjamming the copy machine again (sigh),…

The Best Peach Picking in Oklahoma

Nothing beats a fresh, juicy peach picked right off the tree. Whether you’re planning a fun family outing or just…

Berry Picking Your Way Across Oklahoma

Spring and summer are the perfect time to introduce new fruits and veggies to your kids. Luckily, it just so…

Five Easy Ways to Eat Better & Spend Less

If it feels like your grocery bill is higher than usual, you’re not alone. Food prices are on the rise.…

What Produce Is In Season?

Whether you’re trying your hand at a backyard garden or writing out your grocery list, it’s important to know which…

5 Healthy, On-the-Go Snacks for Your Kids’ Summer Adventures

Summer is here! It’s time for day trips, play dates at the park, afternoons at the splash pad, backyard camping…

15+ Quick Lunch Ideas for Busy Teachers

Between managing your classroom, communicating with parents and handling extra duties, there’s very little time left for lunch. Yet skipping…

5 Ways to Make Family Mealtime Fun

When life gets hectic, it can be tempting to eat on the go — or in front of the TV.…

When to Plant Garden Veggies in Oklahoma: A Cheat Sheet

Planting your own garden is a rewarding, affordable way to eat healthy. Plus, homegrown produce is as fresh as it…

5 Ways to Create a Healthy Classroom Routine This Spring

What’s one thing nearly every teacher can agree on? The 3rd quarter of the school year is tough. Although the…

Practice What You Teach: 4 Easy Ways to Model Healthy Habits for Your Class

As a teacher, your influence is powerful, but your plate is also full. Yet our kids need as many healthy…

A Teacher’s Guide to Applying for School Grants

Hey, Oklahoma teachers! Do you have a big idea that keeps you up at night? Is a lack of funding…

4 Dietitian-Approved Ways to Raise Healthy Eaters

I am a dietitian and health scientist, but I’m also a parent. I know how stressful it can be to…

6 Oklahoma Parents Share Their Realistic New Year’s Goals

A new year is a great time to set healthy new goals. Yet all too often, our resolutions are big.…

7 Healthy Ways to Address Stress

Losing a job … or starting one. Getting married … or divorced. Managing personal health issues… or caring for a…

5 Holiday Spices & 30 Fresh Ways to Use Them.

‘Tis the season for healthy new ways to use classic holiday seasonings — fresh or dried. Some dishes are sweet,…

4 Ways to Feed a Crowd on a Tight Budget (and Schedule)

Anyone who’s ever hosted a large group knows one thing: It takes a village to (affordably) feed a village —…

Skip the Sugary Latte. Snack on 6 Healthy Pumpkin Spice Treats Instead!

Fall is here! It’s the time of year for carving pumpkins … and craving pumpkin spice. The only issue? Pumpkin…

9 Ways to Stretch Your SNAP Dollars

It’s no secret: Feeding a family costs a lot — and even though SNAP benefits can be a lifesaver, they…

7 Foods That Are Shockingly High in Sugar

We won’t sugarcoat it: Eating too many sweets can wreak havoc on our health. While it’s OK to treat yourself…

5 Healthy Ways to Feed the Entire Family for Under $12

Lunch, dinner, weeknight or weekend, cooking on a budget is a challenge — especially when you want something healthy. These…

4 Ways to Use Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

When it comes to cooking, we love simplicity — especially on those busy weeknights when life is at its most…

How to Set Your Family in Motion

When it comes to health, parents are their kids’ biggest role models — with eating patterns and exercise. Leading your…

Easy Ways to Drink Less Soda

Many common beverages like soda, energy drinks, sports drinks and juice boxes are hiding a big secret — they’re full…

5 Ways to Role Model Healthy Living for Your Kids [Plus, 20 Resources to Make Starting Simple]

Kids seemingly jump from 0 to 17 in the blink of an eye. That is why it’s so important to…

3 Cheap Seasonings Every Kitchen Needs

What’s one trick for sticking to healthy eating? Flavor. Stock your pantry with these three basic spices, and you’ll rarely…

5 Easy Tips to Make Veggies the Star of the Show

Eating more veggies packs a lot of perks. They’re high in fiber and other nutrients, which can lower your blood…

3 Reasons to Make a Healthy Change NOW

When life gets hectic, we can lose sight of our health … and gain weight without realizing it. Sound familiar?…

Talkin’ About Tobacco

9 Healthy Items to Grab from the Convenience Store

No supermarket in sight? No problem! Here are 9 healthy meals and snacks you can grab from most gas stations…

How to Form Healthy Habits that Stick

Starting new habits is a lot like slinging spaghetti noodles. You may think you have them under control, but they…

How to Apply for WIC in Oklahoma in 5 Super-Easy Steps

Becoming a mother is a big deal — with big life changes and a long list of new expenses ……

Back to School Hacks

Fact: kids LOVE the freedom of summer. As the fall semester approaches, you can make the back-to-school transition easier on…

7 Activities to Celebrate the Summer Games

For fans of competition — and camaraderie — the Olympics are must-see TV from start to finish. Rooting for your…

Veggie Grilling Guide

Grill Vegetables — And Fruit There are so many benefits to grilling vegetables. High in fiber, vitamins and minerals, veggies…

Fun Summer Activities for the Whole Family

Long days and sunny afternoons are here! Here are some of our favorite ways to keep the family active and…

5 Ways to Reduce Stress

Everyone experiences stress in one form or another. But, as you can probably guess, not all forms of dealing with…

Home Gardening: How to Get the Freshest Produce

Nothing beats fresh produce. It makes recipes healthier and so much tastier. Here in Oklahoma, there are two ways to…

How to Get Your Kids to Eat More Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and veggies are essential to giving your kids the nutrients to grow up strong and healthy. However, as every…

Nutrition 101 for Teens in Oklahoma

Winter Meal Makeovers

Guest Blog By: Chef Valarie Carter, MPH – OU/TU Culinary Medicine Although January can be cold and gray and the…

Unlock Your Best Sleep Yet

Good sleep is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. It helps us be productive and energetic while regulating our mood…

THIS Will Have You Drinking More Water

The science on sugar-sweetened beverages is in. They are a leading cause of weight gain, obesity, type-2 diabetes, heart disease…

Discover the Power of One Healthy Habit

Maybe it was sparked by an inspiring story you read. A workplace challenge. The realization that you couldn’t keep up…

Shape Your Future Healthy Kitchen is Here

Shape Your Future Partners With Oklahoma Tourism To Help Oklahomans Move More This Summer

Celebrate Parks and Rec and Picnic Month this July with outdoor physical activities OKLAHOMA CITY, July 09, 2020 – As…

Make Summer Sensational with Easy, Healthy Tips

Shape Your Future Connects Oklahomans to FREE, Helpful Resources for Healthy Living OKLAHOMA CITY, JULY 6. 2020 – With summer…

10 Refreshing Recipes for Summer

Summer is the perfect season to start eating a little healthier. As the temps rise, so do our cravings for…

7 Meals to Make in 20 Minutes or Less

Busy weeknights usually call for quick, easy dinners. But too often, convenience gets put before nutrition. Sure, frozen pizza, hot…

No Sunlight? No Problem. Here’s How to Be Active Anyway.

In the winter months, the days grow shorter, and the nights grow longer. And your options for staying physically active…

How to Be Healthy at Work During the Holidays

Free Local Activities in Oklahoma

Oklahoma offers tons of free activities that help get you and your family moving. From hiking trails to biking trails…

How to Shop Healthy at the Dollar Store: 10 Things to Buy

While dollar stores are great for products like paper plates and party supplies, surprisingly, you can find healthy food products…

25 Healthy Hacks for Busy Parents

Parents are busy. It’s the understatement of the century. To help make your lives a little easier and your kids’…

Shape Your Future Helps Oklahoma Kids Reduce Their Risk of Obesity

SHAPE YOUR FUTURE HELPS OKLAHOMA KIDS REDUCE THEIR RISK OF OBESITY September Is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Shape Your…

Stay Hydrated at OSU & OU Games with Free Shape Your Future Water Bottles

Shape Your Future, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), has joined Oklahoma State University (OSU) Athletics and…

5 Tips for Tackling Stress The Healthy Way

Food is the fuel that powers our lives. Full of energy and nourishment, it’s the building block of a healthy…

The Benefits of Physical Activity

When you were growing up, getting physical activity was easier. Recess was your favorite part of the school day. You…

Grow Your Own Food This Spring and Summer

Here at From Seed to Spoon, we are excited to share how easy it is to start growing your own…

Understanding Calories

Calories measure how much energy foods and drinks provide. Our bodies store and “burn” calories as fuel, which we use…

10 Easy Ways to Eat More Fruits and Veggies

We all know fruits and vegetables should be key staples of our daily diet – but sometimes filling half your…


Set Simple Goals and Make Healthy Swaps in 2019

For more information contact: Whitney Dinger, Public Information and Outreach Specialist whitneyd@tset.ok.gov (405) 521-4959 (office) (405) 227-0488 (cell) Set Simple…

6 Tips To Beat The Winter Blues

Winter is here, and it often means staying indoors and being less active. Freezing temperatures don’t have to put the…

4 Easy Ways to Start Living Healthier

A healthy life involves more than just a salad for lunch every once in a while. In addition to eating…

5 Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes

Rates of type 2 diabetes, the most common type, have been on the rise in recent years. In Oklahoma, the…

How Screen Time Affects Kids’ Health

According to a report by Common Sense Media, in 2013, kids 8 and under spent about 15 minutes per day…

10 WAYS TO MAKE THANKSGIVING DINNER HEALTHY

Thanksgiving can be a hard time to make healthy choices, but here are some easy ways to make your holiday…

5 Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Oklahoma

September kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, and Oklahoma has tons of healthy ways to celebrate! You can get your 30…

5 Maneras Para Celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana en Oklahoma

El mes de septiembre empieza el Mes de la Herencia Hispana y Oklahoma tiene muchas maneras saludables para celebrar. Tu…

10 Meaningful Ways to Address Childhood Obesity

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and our goal is two-fold: to raise awareness of the growing childhood obesity…

Oklahoma State Department of Health Launches New State of the State’s Health Report and Interactive Website

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has unveiled a new website for the updated State of the State’s Health…

10 Easy Hacks to Create a Healthy Workspace

It may feel like there aren’t enough hours in your extremely busy day to eat healthy and be physically active.…

8 Great Ways To Keep Kids Active On Break

We have eight great ways to get your kids active — outdoors and in. Stay healthy and active as a family by…

Fall in Love with These Free, Healthy Valentine’s Day Ideas.

Roses are red. Violets are blue. Teachers will love these healthy Valentine’s Day ideas… and parents will too! Help your…

Family-Friendly Activities

Adults need 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Kids need 60. Now, how can you and your family get…

Choose Small Changes Over Big Resolutions

It can be tempting to set big, bold resolutions at the beginning of each new year. You feel motivated to…

Tomato Sauce Uses: One Recipe. Endless Sauce-abilities.

Tomato sauce, tom-ahhh-to sauce. No matter what you call it, it’s healthy, tasty… and totally easy to make! With this…

How to Keep Your Kids Healthy (and Happy) on Halloween

Halloween is a kid favorite for a reason. There are spooky decorations, festive costumes and fun activities. But there’s also…