Elka Whalan Healthy Bones for Halloween Interview

Elka Whalan Healthy Bones for Halloween Interview

Question: What is Healthy Bones for Halloween?

Elka Whalan: There is an obvious connection between skeletons and Halloween. With more than one third of Australians suffering from poor bone health, the team at Healthy Bones Australia are hoping that you will make the connection between calcium plus weight bearing exercise plus sunshine this Halloween and start looking after your bones - and make sure that your friends and family are too.

So why not get your kid's friends over for a fun afternoon after school? They can enjoy the activities associated with dressing up for Halloween, all within the safety of your home.

And don't forget the big kids; there are plenty of ideas on this website to entertain your family and friends.

When you're thinking skeletons and fun things to do this Halloween, think beyond the standard trick-a-treating and consider helping to raise awareness and funds for a great cause. Your bones will thank you too!


Question: Why has Healthy Bones Australia joined to promote bone health with Halloween?

Elka Whalan: Despite one third of Australians suffering from poor bone health, it's one of our least talked about and least understood diseases. We urgently need to start the conversation on bone health and raise funds to further understand this disease.

The fact is that for many, Osteoporosis could potentially be prevented, through taking a few simple measures, consumer an adequate intake of calcium, do regular weight bearing exercise and make sure you spend a limited time in the sunshine. We need to get this message out!

Professor Peter Ebeling, Medical Director of Osteoporosis Australia, explains the need for more to be done specific to this silent disease. 'Our research efforts have seen real progress – from a greater understanding of bone biology, diet, and exercise to new therapeutic treatments. But more needs to be done if we are to manage the increasing incidence of the disease. We have the advantage of world-class researchers and institutions: with additional financial support, a future without fractures is possible."

Please support Osteoporosis Australia's, Healthy Bones for Halloween and our mission of Healthy Bones for all Australians.


Question: How can we raise money for Osteoporosis Australia whilst celebrating Halloween?

Elka Whalan: Pick a date in October that suits you to host a Halloween party

Use one of our templates or develop your own invitation. Make sure that you flag that you are fundraising for Osteoporosis Australia.
Browse our website for invitations, recipes and decoration ideas to inspire your party. Click for content for a children's party, and here for an adult party.
Don't forget to register your event

On the Day:
Make sure you have a small bucket to collect donations from your guests. (TIP: You can buy cute Halloween ones at most Two Dollar store)
Hang a 'We're Hosting a Halloween Party for Healthy Bones Australia' on your door or gate. You can make your own or print out our template here.

Afterwards:
After the event make you can send your donations to Osteoporosis Australia. You can either mail it to Osteoporosis Australia, PO Box 550 Broadway NSW 2000, or use our online fundraising portal

Thanks to MILO you can also win some fabulous prizes, by simply sharing a photo of your Healthy Bones for Halloween Party with us. Like us on facebook and enter through our competition portal.

Question: Can you share your top five Halloween party tips?

Elka Whalan: Get into the spirit - decorate, dress up, make the most of the spookiest night of the year!
Play games - get the kids to wrap each other up as mummies using toilet paper and see who makes the fastest mummy.
Add healthy treats into the mix - nothing is scarier than a bunch of children who have OD'ed on sugar!
Think gross - food made to look like eyeballs, a floating hand in the punch bowl, blood stained towels in the bathroom, it all creates a great effect! Don't forget the big kids - get your friends involved and whip up some delicious adult Halloween treats.


Question: What healthy bone treats can be served at a kids Halloween party?

Elka Whalan: Custard pots made to look like graves are a great one, apples baked to look rotten, pizzas shaped like coffins. There are so much fun options!


Question: How can bone health be incorporated into an adults Halloween party?

Elka Whalan: Serving calcium rich foods is a great and easy way to start - and many people don't realise that great adult foods such as oysters are very high in calcium. If your friends are open to a bit of physical fun then incorporating some exercise into your event is another great way to help bone health maybe a night game of zombie cricket in the back yard.


Question: What's your favourite Halloween recipe?

Elka Whalan: I really love a mango smoothie with "dirt" which makes use of the great halloween colours, plus it's good for me and takes about five minutes to knock up!

Halloween Mango Smoothie With -Dirt'
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 5 minutes

Ingredients 150g frozen mango cheeks or 1 small (300g) mango, peeled and chopped
1½ cups (375mL) low fat milk
2 scoops low fat vanilla ice cream
¼ tsp orange gel food colouring
2 tbsp NESTLÉ Milo

Method
Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
Divide between 2 tall glasses; sprinkle with NESTLÉ Milo.
Serve with a spoon and straw.


Question: How will you be celebrating Halloween?

Elka Whalan: With a healthy bones for Halloween party of course! It's a great excuse to get dressed up and spend a spooky night of fun with friends, but knowing that I'm making a much needed contribution to a great cause.


Question: How do you ensure you incorporate enough dairy into your diet?

Elka Whalan: I make sure a broad range of calcium rich foods are included in my diet, so I don't rely solely on dairy for my bone health needs.


Question: What's next for you?

Elka Whalan: I'm continuing to work with Healthy Bones Australia as one of their ambassadors to promote bone health, and as Thomas and I have just announced that baby #3 is on the way, I'll definitely be focusing on staying fit and healthy myself!


Interview by Brooke Hunter