INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Health and Nutrition Month is well under way at Project MANA. After our successful Laughter Yoga, event we want to keep people motivated to continue to eat right and exercise.

The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation participated in Project MANA's annual Fruits and Veggie Challenge this week. While the winner has not been determined, all our local agencies challenged themselves to eat 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. The Fruits and Veggie Challenge at Incline Elementary has been postponed due to students testing at the school, but it will hopefully take place when the testing is completed.

It seems impossible to not be inspired by the Olympics, especially when some of Tahoe's finest competed. For these few weeks the world comes together and the best athletes around the globe compete for the prestige of their sport. After years devoted to proper training and nutrition, they were able to make it to the most exciting sporting event in the world.

While most of us aren't professional athletes, there are plenty of activities we can participate in that will increase our fitness level. Just because the Winter Olympics are over does not mean that we should be less motivated to get outside and enjoy the last bit of winter.

There are still free guided snowshoe hikes led by the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. These hikes leave at 10 a.m. every Saturday from Tahoe Meadows, and snowshoes are available free of charge to anyone who needs to borrow some. The last full moon snowshoe hike with be on March 29.

Thanks to some extra snow last weekend Tahoe's ski season is far from over! This coming weekend there are two opportunities to ski for cheap! This Saturday, March 20, you can ski at Sugar Bowl for $25 when you buy advanced tickets from Porters, and on Sunday, March 21, Homewood has discounted tickets available on site. If you have not taken advantage of Ski for School days, this is your chance!

Spring is quickly approaching, and that means a whole new variety of exercise options to choose from. From mountain biking, backpacking, hiking, kayaking, running, and walking there is always something to do here in Tahoe.

For a healthy and energizing snack on the go, try to make your own granola with rolled oats, raw almonds, chopped walnuts, sesame seeds, shredded coconut, sunflower seeds, raisins, dried cranberries and a little honey.

So be healthy, get out there, and enjoy this beautiful playground.

— Karli Epstein is the community outreach coordinator of Project MANA. This story was e-mailed to Community Editor Jean Eick at jeick@tahoebonanza.com.