Spiritual Emphasis Corner – November 2026
Spiritual Emphasis: Clear Vision
Writen by: Michael S. Johnson
Nutrition Top Tips – November 2026
Nutrition Top Tips
Build a Balanced Thanksgiving Plate
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to enjoy good food and great company. Instead of stressing over holiday meals, aim for balance. Build your plate with a variety of foods, add plenty of color and make room for the traditional dishes you look forward to each year. Remember, healthy eating includes enjoying favorite foods while creating a meal that leaves you feeling satisfied and energized.
Pick a Protein
Turkey is a great source of protein, but ham, beans, lentils or other family favorites count too.
Add Some Color
Fill part of your plate with colorful vegetables like green beans, carrots, Brussels sprouts, squash or a side salad.
Enjoy Your Favorite Sides
Mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, macaroni and cheese, and casseroles can all have a place on your plate. Choose the foods you enjoy and take time to savor them.
Don’t Forget Fruit
Fresh fruit, baked apples, cranberry dishes or a colorful fruit salad can add something sweet and nutritious to the meal.
Save Room for Dessert
Pumpkin pie, cookies or other holiday treats can be part of the fun. Enjoy your favorites without guilt and focus on the memories being made around the table.
Listen to Your Body
Holiday meals are often different from our everyday routine. Eat slowly, enjoy the conversation and pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues. You can always save leftovers for later!
Make Memories, Not Food Rules
Thanksgiving is only one day of the year. Instead of worrying about making the “perfect” plate, focus on enjoying the foods and traditions that make the holiday special. Don’t forget to move!
KAITIE DELGADO MS, RD, Sports Dietitian CSSD, LD, ACSM-CPT
Clinical Dietitian, Nutrition & Dietetics, Board Certified Specialist in Sports Nutrition
317-718-8542
Read More
Nutrition Top Tips – October 2026
Nutrition Top Tips
Pumpkin Power:
More Than Just Pie!
When you think of pumpkin, pumpkin pie might be the first thing that comes to mind. But this colorful fall favorite is much more than a holiday dessert! Pumpkin is packed with nutrients and can be enjoyed in many delicious ways all season long.
Pumpkin Is Good for You and a Great Source of:
- Vitamin A to support healthy vision and your immune system
- Fiber to help keep you feeling full and support digestion
- Potassium to support heart and muscle function
- Antioxidants that help protect your body’s cells
Fresh, frozen and canned pumpkin are all nutritious choices. Just watch for added sugar.
5 Easy Ways to Enjoy Pumpkin
1. Stir It Into Oatmeal
Mix a few spoonfuls of pumpkin puree into warm oatmeal and sprinkle with cinnamon.
2. Blend It Into a Smoothie
Combine pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, milk, banana and pumpkin pie spice for a fall smoothie.
3. Add It to Chili
Pumpkin puree blends right into chili, adding extra fiber and a rich, creamy texture.
4. Bake Healthier Treats
Use pumpkin puree in muffins, pancakes or quick breads for added moisture and nutrition.
5. Mix It Into Pasta Sauce
Stir pumpkin puree into your favorite pasta sauce for a creamy twist that’s full of fall flavor.
Pumpkin Buying Tips
- Choose 100% pure pumpkin puree.
- Fresh pumpkins labeled “pie pumpkins” or “sugar pumpkins” are best for cooking.
- Leftover pumpkin puree can be frozen in small portions for future recipes.
Celebrate the Flavors of Fall
Pumpkin is an easy, affordable way to add more vegetables to your meals while enjoying the flavors of the season. Try a new pumpkin recipe this week and discover a new family favorite!
Healthy Habits Start Small
A balanced lunch doesn’t have to be perfect. Including a variety of foods from different food groups can help fuel learning, sports and after-school activities. Start with one or two healthy changes this week and build from there!
Challenge: Try packing one new fruit or vegetable in your lunchbox this week!
KAITIE DELGADO MS, RD, Sports Dietitian CSSD, LD, ACSM-CPT
Clinical Dietitian, Nutrition & Dietetics, Board Certified Specialist in Sports Nutrition
317-718-8542
Read MoreSpiritual Emphasis Corner – September 2026
What the Tide Revealed
Writen by: Reggie McGuire
Nutrition Top Tips – September 2026
Pack a Healthy Lunchbox for Back-to-School Success
As students head back to school, a nutritious lunch can help keep them energized, focused and ready to learn. Packing a balanced lunch doesn’t have to be complicated—small changes can make a big difference!
Build a Balanced Lunch: Include foods from several food groups:
Whole Grains – Whole-wheat bread, tortillas, crackers, brown rice or pasta
Lean Protein – Turkey, chicken, tuna, hard-boiled eggs or beans
Fruits & Vegetables – Add color with carrots, berries, grapes or bell peppers
Dairy or Dairy Alternatives – Yogurt, milk or cheese for calcium
Water – Staying hydrated helps support focus and overall health
Easy Lunchbox Ideas
- Turkey and cheese sandwich on whole-wheat bread, apple slices, baby carrots and milk
- Hummus with whole-grain pita, cucumber slices, grapes and string cheese
- Pasta salad with grilled chicken and vegetables, plus fresh fruit
- Yogurt parfait with berries and granola, paired with a hard-boiled egg
Pack Smart
- Let kids help choose healthy foods—they’re more likely to eat what they helped pack!
Healthy Habits Start Small
A balanced lunch doesn’t have to be perfect. Including a variety of foods from different food groups can help fuel learning, sports and after-school activities. Start with one or two healthy changes this week and build from there!
Challenge: Try packing one new fruit or vegetable in your lunchbox this week!
KAITIE DELGADO MS, RD, Sports Dietitian CSSD, LD, ACSM-CPT
Clinical Dietitian, Nutrition & Dietetics, Board Certified Specialist in Sports Nutrition
317-718-8542
Read More
A Lifetime of Service: YMCA Honors William “Bill” Enright With Its Highest Volunteer Award
For the Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Enright, the YMCA has never simply been an organization he served. It has been part of his life from the beginning.
“I’m a YMCA kid,” Enright says.
Bill Enright: A Lifelong Connection to the YMCA
Growing up in Peoria, Ill., the Y was where he learned to swim, played basketball and discovered leadership. He participated in a junior leadership program, worked with children in day camps and eventually became director of a YMCA summer day camp. When he later moved to Indianapolis, his connection to the Y continued as a member of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Board of Directors.
That lifelong commitment to service is why the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis is proud to honor Enright with the James L. Kittle Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest volunteer honor presented by the organization. The award recognizes people whose leadership, service and commitment have made an extraordinary difference for the YMCA and the community.
A Legacy of Leadership and Service
Enright’s influence has extended far beyond the Y. He served for 23 years as senior pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis and later became the founding director of Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Those who know him describe a leader who combines wisdom with warmth. In the award video, colleagues remember his sense of humor, his encouragement and his instinct to ask how he can help. One YMCA leader recalled that when Enright was recruited to chair a board committee, leaders believed he could accomplish in one year what others might need three years to do.
A Personal Connection to James L. Kittle
The Kittle Award also carries a deeply personal connection.
James L. Kittle Sr. was a member of Enright’s congregation and helped encourage his YMCA involvement. Enright recalls Kittle asking about his interests, recognizing his lifelong connection to the Y and helping open the door to board service.
“The next thing I know, I’m on the board of the Greater Indianapolis YMCA,” Enright said.
That history makes receiving an award bearing Kittle’s name especially meaningful.
“I’m here because of my friend Jim Kittle, and that makes it a most significant honor,” Enright said.
Finding Meaning and Purpose Through Service
At the heart of Enright’s story is a belief that service changes both communities and the people who serve them.
“You will grow. It will broaden your horizons and you’re not just living for yourself then, you’re living for others, which is where one finds, I think, meaning and purpose in life,” he said.
It is a philosophy closely aligned with the YMCA’s mission — bringing people together, strengthening communities and creating places where people can belong.
For Enright, that sense of belonging remains one of the Y’s most important roles. He describes the YMCA as a place that can welcome people from many backgrounds and cultures and serve as “a haven, a safe place for all of those people.”
As one tribute in the video says, “A movement is known by the quality of the people it honors.”
By honoring Bill Enright, the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis celebrates not only a remarkable volunteer leader, but a lifetime spent helping others flourish through service.
Read MoreSpiritual Emphasis Corner – August 2026
Faithful in the Waiting
Writen by: Monic Hill
Psalm 130:5 says, “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope” (NIV).
Waiting can feel exciting as we anticipate a positive outcome, or it can create anxiety as we hope for circumstances to change in our favor. Either way, waiting requires the ABCDE approach: Assurance, Belief, Caring, Discipline and Endurance.
Psalm 130:5 beautifully connects each of these qualities to waiting:
• Assurance — “I wait for the Lord” because I have the assurance that God is faithful and will never break his promises.
• Belief — “And in his word I put my hope.” Waiting requires believing that God is working, even when we cannot see it.
• Caring — While we wait on the Lord, we continue to care for and serve others, reflecting God’s love instead of becoming consumed by our own circumstances.
• Discipline — “My whole being waits.” Waiting demands the discipline to remain obedient instead of acting impulsively.
• Endurance — Waiting with our whole being requires perseverance and remaining steadfast until God’s perfect timing is revealed.
This one verse teaches us that waiting is sustained by Assurance, strengthened by Belief, expressed through Caring, guided by Discipline and completed with Endurance.
So go ahead and A-B-C-D-E while you wait!
Nutrition Top Tips – August 2026
Fall Into Flavor: Seasonal Produce to Enjoy This Autumn
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, fall offers a delicious variety of fruits and vegetables that can help fuel your body for school, work, sports, and everyday activities. Eating produce that’s in season often means better flavor, great nutrition and a chance to support local farmers. Here are a few fall favorites to add to your shopping list:
- Pumpkin: Rich in vitamin A and fiber, pumpkin isn’t just for pie. Stir canned pumpkin into oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, or chili for an easy nutrition boost.
- Sweet Potatoes: Packed with fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C, sweet potatoes make a delicious baked side dish, roasted fries, or addition to soups.
- Beets: These colorful root vegetables provide fiber and nutrients that support heart health. Try them roasted, shredded into salads, or blended into hummus.
- Spaghetti Squash: Looking for a fun pasta alternative? Roast spaghetti squash and top it with marinara sauce, grilled chicken, or your favorite vegetables.
- Kale: Loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, kale is perfect in soups, salads, smoothies, or baked into crispy chips.
- Pears: Naturally sweet and high in fiber, pears make an easy grab-and-go snack or a tasty addition to salads and oatmeal.
- Parsnips: Like carrots with a slightly sweeter flavor, parsnips are delicious roasted alongside other root vegetables or blended into soups.
- Okra: High in fiber and vitamins, okra can be roasted, grilled, or added to soups and stir-fries.
- Cranberries: Fresh or dried cranberries add bright flavor to salads, trail mix, oatmeal, and whole-grain baked goods.
Simple Ways to Eat More Seasonal Produce
You don’t have to completely change your eating habits to enjoy the benefits of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Start by:
- Adding one extra vegetable to dinner each night.
- Packing a piece of fruit for an afternoon snack.
- Trying one new seasonal produce item each week.
- Visiting a local farmers market with family or friends for inspiration.
Small changes can make a big impact on your health over time. This fall, challenge yourself and your family to “eat the rainbow” by filling your plate with colorful, seasonal produce. You’ll enjoy fresh flavors while giving your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and active all season long.
HRH YMCA Fall Challenge: Pick one new fall fruit or vegetable to try each week and discover a new favorite!
KAITIE DELGADO MS, RD, Sports Dietitian CSSD, LD, ACSM-CPT
Clinical Dietitian, Nutrition & Dietetics, Board Certified Specialist in Sports Nutrition
317-718-8542
Read More
YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Names Colleen Horan Chief Operating Officer
The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has appointed Colleen Horan as its next senior vice president of operations and chief operating officer (COO).
A respected YMCA leader with 25 years of experience, Horan has served in leadership roles spanning strategy, operations and organizational development. Most recently, she served as senior vice president and chief strategy officer, leading association-wide strategic initiatives that strengthened operations, fostered innovation and positioned the organization for continued growth.
Throughout her YMCA career, she has helped lead multiple YMCA locations while building collaborative teams and developing future leaders.
“I’m honored to step into the role of chief operating officer and grateful for the trust that’s been placed in me,” said Horan. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand the impact the YMCA has on individuals, families and communities. I’m excited to work alongside our dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners as we continue strengthening our organization and delivering exceptional experiences across Central Indiana.”
As chief operating officer, Horan will oversee operations across the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, helping advance the organization’s mission while supporting its vision of creating a healthier, more equitable, more connected community.
“Colleen is a trusted, mission-driven leader who understands both our YMCA and the communities we serve,” said Gregg Hiland, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. “She has helped strengthen our strategy, develop people and build the relationships needed to move our organization forward. She is the right leader to guide our operations as we continue working toward a healthier, more equitable and more connected community.”
Horan’s leadership has helped guide major strategic priorities across the association while strengthening collaboration among teams and improving operational effectiveness. She is widely recognized for her commitment to servant leadership, developing associates and creating environments where people and communities can thrive.
With locations in Indianapolis, Avon, Fishers, Lebanon and Westfield — plus a 240-acre overnight camp and youth development services — the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis strengthens community through programs that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each day, the YMCA empowers individuals and families to learn, grow and thrive by strengthening the whole person — with a vision for a healthier, more equitable, more connected community. As a nonprofit organization, the YMCA ensures access to life-changing opportunities for all, made possible through the generosity of donors and community partners.
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Nutrition Top Tips – July 2026
Late Evening Snacks
The timing of nutrition intake has recently been highlighted in relation to energy balance. Research has shown that food and beverage intake later in the day often includes higher-calorie choices such as baked goods, alcoholic beverages, savory snacks, pizza and sweetened beverages, to name a few.
Evening snacking has been studied and found to be associated with longer eating windows and a higher number of eating occasions per day. If you are looking to improve your late-evening nutrition choices, aim to limit high-sugar, high-fat and high-sodium options by swapping them for low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables.
Aim to distribute nutritional value evenly throughout the day to lessen your risk of overconsuming food or beverages at any one time.
KAITIE DELGADO MS, RD, Sports Dietitian CSSD, LD, ACSM-CPT
Clinical Dietitian, Nutrition & Dietetics, Board Certified Specialist in Sports Nutrition
317-718-8542
Read More