FARMINGTON – The Healthy Community Coalition is holding a free education session about how to fix healthy holiday foods and enjoy the holiday food feast guilt-free.

Registered nurse Barbara MacGregor will share some simple tips at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, in the Ben Franklin Education Center at Franklin Memorial Hospital. MacGregor is a certified diabetes educator and wound specialist. She has worked in Franklin Memorial Hospital’s Outpatient Care Department for the past four years and has been a registered nurse for more than 18 years.

The Healthy Holidays session is part of the Healthy Community Coalition’s free health education series offered once a month from October to June. These one-hour sessions will focus on topics addressing physical activity, nutrition and tobacco. These behaviors account for 70 percent of all premature deaths in Maine. According to HCC’s publicity, there is greater need for everyone to be more educated on ways they can improve their own health and wellness and that of their family, schools, community and work site.

Light refreshments will be served, and child care is available for this session.

Other planned monthly programs include:

• Jan. 13, Get Off the Couch: UMF Health and Fitness Center staff provide easy indoor activities and tips to get active during the winter.

• Feb. 10, Have a Tobacco-Free Valentine’s: Want someone you love to quit smoking? Learn how best to support them.

• March 10, Herbs: Learn how to use herbs to spice up meals.

• April 14, Great Adventures in Your Own Back Yard: A slide show on great places to hike, bike and ski in Maine.

• May 12, Tobacco Industry Targets Our Children.

• June 9, Fruits and Vegetables: Easy ways to get the five recommended servings a day.

More information may be obtained by phonidcalling HCC at 645-3136 or toll free at 1-800-525-3136.