Planning is essential to being healthier and saving money at the dinner table. – Henderson Daily Dispatch

North Carolina has actually a weight problem. Almost two-thirds of the adults in our state are overweight. Our children are not immune to the epidemic; at least one in four adolescents in North Carolina is overweight or obese. Excess weight is a risk factor for several serious conditions including coronary heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes and certain forms of cancer.

Even along with good intentions, lots of people often struggle to find time to be physically active or to figure out how to eat healthy without breaking the bank. As your Vance County Cooperative Extension county extension director, my role is to work along with the residents and families of our community to become healthier and hopefully save money while doing it.

When embracing your brand-new life of eating healthier and saving money, be prepared to develop a personal plan for shopping and meal preparation. Wandering the grocery aimlessly can cost you. Consumers spend 40 percent more on impulse purchases when they shop without a list, according to Kansas State Extension Service. And far too much of the food is probably wasted. The average American throws out 25 percent of the food they purchase. For a family of four, that means tossing somewhere between $1,365 and $2,275 every year.

During the month of May, the Vance, Warren and Franklin County Cooperative Extension Centers Family and Consumer Sciences programs will partner along with Jasmine Alston, who runs a Facebook blog entitled Every Day along with J’Renee. Her blog focuses mainly on meal planning, couponing, cooking and do it yourself estate decorating tips for young families on the go. The free classes cover meal planning, being active and making the most of your food dollars. A collection of classes were offered in May like “Jamming along with Extension” and “Couponing 101.” Meal planning is the last class of the collection for May that will be offered Tuesday, May 31, at 5 p.m.

If you or someone you know is interested in attending one of the free workshops, call 434-348-8188 for more information.