Emory is celebrating National Nutrition Month throughout March with a series of events across campus to promote healthy eating and exercise. Created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this year's nutrition education and information campaign takes the theme, "Get Your Plate in Shape,"  to encourage eating a variety of food groups and engaging in regular physical activity for heart health.

"Get Your Plate in Shape offers a simple method for applying the latest USDA guidelines, which are to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, a quarter with whole grains, a quarter with lean protein, and a serving of low-fat dairy as well," says Diane Weaver, wellness specialist with the Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP).

To promote National Nutrition Month, FSAP is sponsoring a wide variety of fun, interactive events, which are free and open to Emory staff and faculty. "Our healthy eating events include cooking demos and recipe tastings," says Weaver.  "And because exercise is also key to healthy living, we are offering a variety of physical activity events as well."

FSAP's National Nutrition Month Events include:

• Meet Me @ Lullwater Walking Group: Pick up information and recipes to help you eat and be healthy and join FSAP for a walk around the Lullwater Preserve. Every Tuesday in March at noon, Lullwater Preserve, Clifton Road Entrance.

• Zumba: Show off your Latin-inspired dance moves and burn off some calories. There will be two sessions, open on a first come, first serve basis. Winship Cancer Institute, 5th Floor Conference Room, Wednesday, March 21, 11:45 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.; and 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.

• Mobile Farmer's Market: A farmer's market on wheels offers the opportunity to buy organic, locally grown produce, free-range eggs, sustainable meats and more. Tuesdays, March 20 and 27, Wesley Woods:  11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital:  3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

See the full list of National Nutrition Month events offered across campus. For tips on how to "get your plate in shape," view FSAP's March/April issue of All About Health or visit www.eatright.org/nnm.