Mix It Up Challenge Names Top Bananas
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They’re first in fruit, the victors in veggies. They are the winners of the County’s Mix It Up Challenge, a friendly contest to encourage healthy eating.
More than 900 employees signed up either in teams or as individuals. Topping the teams was Wok on the Wild Side, a group of four Department of Child Support workers: Kimberly Highfield, Alex Ware, Kyersten King and Norma Ramirez.
Over a nearly two-month stretch, competitors would log how many servings of fruits and vegetables they ate. Bonus points were awarded for certain “Top Choice” foods such as spinach and tomatoes. Ramirez said their strategy was to focus on those high-value items.
“I tried to get a lot of kale in,” she said, adding that the positive changes are sticking with her.
“Even though the competition is over, I’m still looking at choosing those with higher nutritional value.”
Ramirez said they were very competitive and watched other teams’ point totals very closely.
Running one-two in the individual competition were Veronica Flores and Marshelle Newby – co-workers in the District Attorney’s Office. Flores says the heavy diet of fruits and vegetables was a drastic shift from what she had been eating, and she would steer away from things like fast food just so that she could rack up more points. And she is planning to stay on the right path.
“I’m still drinking smoothies in the morning. I’m continuing to make my salad for lunch,” Flores said. “I’m consciously more aware that that’s what I need to be eating.”
Supervisor Dianne Jacob will be sending each of the team captains a congratulatory letter. These are the top winners from the Mix It Up Challenge:
Team
1st Wok on the Wild Side!
Kimberly Highfield, Alex Ware, Kyersten King and Norma Ramirez
2nd Team Candy Crush
Ruth Dela Rosa, Christopher Hanger, Marilou Yamanaka, Nick Del Valle
3rd Rainbow Eaters
Michele Curley, Cheri Nicolas, Katherine Trintchouk, Mary West, Cynthia Emerson, Sue Barrows, Janet Maroge, Karen Avilla, Virginia Tamayo, Alem Gebrehiwot
4th Kale Chips
Rita Garrity, Maritza Rodriguez, Kevin Kellbach, Christine White, Adrianne Soriano
5th 13th Floor Leaf Eaters
Ginger Coleman, Lara Hajjar, Julie Martin-Sexauer, Susan Paul, Susan Romero, Connie Han, Jeana Semano, Rosalina Pringle, Evangeline Valk, Kelly Lyons
Individual
1st Veronica Flores
2nd Marshelle Newby
3rd Modesta Mantes