We interviewed current FLIP board member, Jenny Lobb, to learn more about her life and what keeps her in the Holiday spirit!
Name: Jenny Lobb
Age: 27
Hometown: Westerville, OH
Job title: Research Associate, Ohio State University Extension
Passions: Professionally – childhood obesity prevention & public health nutrition
Personally – hiking, biking and cooking with local foods
Q: How long have you been a part of FLIP’s Board?
A: 9 months
Q: What excites you most about being a board member on FLIP’s team? Do you have any new ideas for programs or fundraisers that FLIP could work towards?
A: The thing I like about FLIP is that fun comes first. People come out to FLIP events to have a good time, but it’s always done in a way that encourages young people to engage in health promoting behaviors. One of the things I have done as a FLIP board member has been to write blog posts for the FLIP Foodies and share recipes at some of the events. I would like to see FLIP have a bigger presence in the community as more people begin to recognize the name and icon. Sharing information is a good start, but eventually, maybe FLIP will have the capacity to take part in larger community projects.
Q: What places/events around your community help you stay energized throughout the holiday season?
A: Honestly, I would have to say my home. I am kind of a homebody. I like to turn on the Christmas lights that I have put up around my house and snuggle up with my dog on the couch or watch Christmas movies with my husband.
Q: Are there one or two “simpleFLIPs” that you have made to your daily routine? If not, what is one that you could make?
A: This past summer I acquired an exercise ball for my office. I sit on the ball when at my desk because I tend to have better posture than when I sit in a desk chair. Sometimes, I set my computer on top of an empty box so I can stand at my desk.
Also, this is by no means a recent FLIP, but a few years ago I joined a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program where I get fresh produce from a local farmer for about half of the year. This has forced me to plan meals based on veggies instead of meat because I don’t want anything to go to waste. It has been a great way to learn how to cook with different veggies and eat more produce than I would otherwise.
Some seasonal questions…
Q: What is your favorite activity to do throughout the holiday season?
A: I like to look at Christmas lights. I’m not a big fan of the zoo lights because I don’t like being out in the cold, but just enjoying the lights that are on display as I drive around parts of town. Also, my husband and I went to Holiday Hoopla at Shadowbox last weekend and it was really good.
Q: Do you have a favorite Christmas memory from your past?
A: We live in a condo and we don’t really have a lot of room for a Christmas tree, so my husband and I decided to buy a Charlie Brown tree a few years ago. No sooner had we taken it out of the box did I manage to break the one and only ornament that was included. Oops! My husband had to go back to the store for a replacement ornament before we could take our picture in front of the tree.
Q: What presents are you asking for Christmas this year?
A: That’s a good question! I like experiential gifts over material ones, things that I can do with family or friends. Tickets to a good country concert would be fun.
Q: Do you still carry on any traditions that you remember from your childhood?
A: My grandma makes tacos for dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. This is kind of an unusual holiday meal that she made one year, and it has just stuck! Also, my grandpa sets up a Christmas village in their living room. He has collected enough St. Nicholas Square pieces to cover at least three long tables. It is pretty neat.