First Annual ‘Chop & Grill’ Men’s Health Event
Jeston Morris
Gila River Indian News
The Gila River Tribal Health Department (THD) hosted the first annual Chop & Grill men’s health event at Sacaton Fairgrounds on June 7.
According to Candalerian Preston, Director of Tribal Health Department, the community health nutrition program and tribal education department collaborated to host the chop & grill event for the National Men’s Health Awareness Month. The Chop & Grill event is a combination of physical and nutrition health education for men in the Community.
“We’re a patriarchal Community and June is a health awareness month for men. That’s why we thought it was a good idea to have the men led event that focuses on mental, physical, and spiritual aspect of health awareness,” said Preston.
According to LaDawn Yazzie, community health nutritionist, several teams from different departments came together for the Chop & Grill event. Anthony Gray, culture and language program manager, and Antonio Davis, cultural specialist, discussed and demonstrated traditional grilling techniques. Mohamad Sari-Basel Sbai, environmental health specialist and John Interpreter, environmental health specialist, discussed food safety. Ryan Brown, lead fitness instructor, discussed wood chopping vis-a-via gym workout.
Gray and Davis started the event by discussing firewood for grilling. When you are hauling firewood, “Don’t get wood that has been struck by a lightning. Lightning is a spirit. If a lightning claimed a tree, don’t use it for firewood,” said Gray.
“Tamarack is not for grilling, its used for something else. We use mesquite wood for grilling. A lot of times people will chop down entire trees and leave the branches behind. But it’s important to be resourceful and take the branches and dried twigs for kindling,” said Davis.
“Many people think that chopping wood is only a man’s job. But there are times when women chopped firewood especially when the men aren’t available,” said Gray.
According to Sbai, steak and kabob are cooked to 145-degree Fahrenheit whereas chicken is cooked to 165. Ground beef is cooked to 155 degrees. Thermometer is an essential tool.
In Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis’ speech, he said, “June is Men’s Health Month. It’s important to embrace healthy lifestyle. This include eating healthy and physical fitness. We need to keep ourselves healthy so we can take care of our loved ones,” said Gov. Lewis.
“The Chop & Grill event allowed us men to gather for friendship and comradery and learn about healthy lifestyle. We learned how to chop wood and grill steaks. We learn about healthy fruits and vegetables that complements grilling. We learned about traditional fish diet such as Gila Trout and Sonoran Sucker. The first annual Chop & Grill event was an outstanding,” said Gov. Lewis.
“The Chop & Grill was awesome. It was a successful event. The turnout was amazing. It was informative and fun for everyone who participated,” said Brown.
