Be Good to Your Heart
American Heart Month is our nation’s annual reminder to take care of the most important and perhaps our most neglected organ in our body. A heart-healthy diet and lifestyle should be a year-round, life-long effort, this month, next month and always. And it's not too late to start taking better care of our heart, or helping someone else do the same.
Although we can’t change some risk factors, such as age and heredity, many factors—including cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity, and inactivity—can be modified which will significantly lower our risk of heart disease. And because lifestyle habits (e.g. diet, exercise, and appropriate supplementation) can strongly influence these modifiable risk factors, here are 10 lifestyle strategies you can implement to promote a healthy heart.
Ten Lifestyle Strategies for Promoting a Healthy Heart:
1. Make healthy food choices.
2. Lose the belly fat and keep it off.
3. Get more of the “sunshine” vitamin.
4. Go fishing with omega-3 fatty acids.
5. Protect your body against free radicals and oxidative stress.
6. Boost your phytonutrient intake.
7. Fill up on fiber.
8. Find a friend in Coenzyme Q10.
10. Take time to De-stress.
For details about how to put these tips to use and more, contact me and I will send you a Health Sciences Bulletin on Heart Health.
The 350 Project
You know the saying "You don't know what you have until you lose it"; it is not only true in love.
There has been a lot of talk the last few weeks about The Wild bookstore closing in Noblesville (see previous post ) and everyone is hoping that someone will help keep this wonderful business a part of our community.
When I visited The Wild’s Blog, I was reminded about The 350 Project which encourages everyone to pick 3 local independent businesses a month and spend $50. When we spend $100 to an independent business, $68 stays in our community through taxes, payroll and other expenses. Then compare that to a purchase of $100 in a national chain business and only $43 comes back to our community.
I think it is important to carefully consider our purchases and remember that every dollar we spend is a vote for the type of businesses we want and ultimately, the make up of our community. The local independent businesses are the first to support our school fundraisers and sports teams and the feeling of community is felt every day between local business owners, employees and regular customers who get to know each other and often become friends. These relationships make our community and many others special. I hope you will consider taking The 350 Project pledge and support your favorite independent businesses. Then, share your favorites so we can find new favorites too.
A Wake-Up Story, by Healthy Child Healthy World
I love this short video from Healthy Child Healthy World! It is very powerful!
If you are motivated to make a change, I encourage everyone to join the HCHW movement and please share this video with your friends. I also believe we effect the most change when we find others who share similar views & goals and work together for positive change.
The Wild Bookstore in Noblesville
Last week I introduced Nancy Caniff, the owner and publisher of Indy's Natural Awakenings, to several of my favorite Noblesville places. Nancy loved Noble Coffee and Tea, our local independent coffee shop that boasts the bumper sticker "Friends Don't Let Friends Drink Starbucks". You have to admit that is catchy and encourages support of independent businesses... I love that! After a wonderful lunch at The Uptown Cafe (a long time local favorite with a healthy twist and their own coffee blend - roasted in Broad Ripple), we headed across the square to The Wild Bookstore. I wanted to introduce Nancy to Jane Mills, owner of The Wild Bookstore, who has always been an eager supporter of school fundraisers, sharing business events and practically anything to support the community. However, I was very surprised when Jane shared they would be selling the bookstore and if a buyer couldn't be found, the bookstore will close by the end of February. Like the other local businesses on the square, the bookstore is a unique gathering place where friendships are made and encouraged. Unfortunately, a combination of the economy and personal challenges have played a factor in the decision to move on. It is Jane's hope that a buyer will come forward who will continue the spirit of the bookstore, the children's programs and remain a core part of our community. I hope this is a reminder of the importance to support our local independent businesses. Please stop by and show your support! If you haven't been "to the Wild", check out their website and connect on Facebook .
As I expected, all three businesses welcomed Nancy into the community and offered to be a distribution site for Natural Awakening when it debuts in April. I just hope "The Wild Bookstore" is still open to do so.
Indy Health Expo and Natural Awakenings Magazine
Today a friend and I attended the Indy Health Expo compliments of Nancy Caniff, the editor of Natural Awakenings, a natural health resource magazine coming to Indy in April. Nancy and I met last Fall at Green Scene Indy and I was really excited when I recently learned she was bringing Natural Awakenings to Indianapolis. I am familiar with the magazine from Ann Arbor, Michigan. When I visit my parents, I go to a local coffee shop to work and always walk out with a copy.
Nancy is looking for distribution locations for the free publication so if know of local coffee shops, health food stores, etc., please help get out the word.
You can learn more about the Indy Natural Awakenings Magazine by becoming a fan of their Face book page... click here to connect.
The Indy Health Expo was fun and it was great to see the main focus on prevention, natural health solutions and fitness! I learned about Reiki (I even had a mini session - very relaxing), acupuncture and colonics. I had a body assessment (I am not going to tell you what my body fat percentage was but I will say I am highly motivated). One of the last booths we stopped at had cell phone chips to block Electromagnetic Radiation. We did a strength test with our cell phone, with and without the chip and I was sold. I have heard about the research on cell phones and was excited to find a local resource. I will be sharing about this with you in an upcoming post.
Support for Haiti - What If Foundation
With the recent tragic events unfolding after the massive earthquake, it is heart wrenching to see the pictures and stories of devastation. The people of Haiti have been in need long before this devastating earthquake and the What If Foundation has been feeding families in Port-au-Prince since 2000. Before the earthquake, the What If Foundation provided nutritious meals to as many as 1,500 children and 200 adults five days a week so they already have the contacts and organization in place to help the community and families.
As we have all seen, the need for food, medicine and supplies is urgent and I would encourage you to consider partnering with an organization like the What If Foundation to help. No amount is too small - every little bit will help! If you are unable to help financially, please help by sharing this information with your friends & family, pray for the families in Haiti and for the volunteers who are providing relief. Join the What If Foundation Cause on Facebook and ask your friends to join as well.
Click Here to make a donation to the What If Foundation's Earthquake Relief fund.
Nena Baker Interview about chemicals on Grit.tv
After taking a break over the holidays, I am catching up on green/health news and ran across an interview on Grit.tv which I feel is important to share. Grit.tv interviewed Nena Baker, an investigative journalist, and the author of The Body Toxic, which reveals the hazards of chemicals in everyday products we may not even be aware of (and that chemical companies would like to keep secret). With increased consumer awareness and the work of Nena and others like her, I hope 2010 brings meaning full safe chemical legislation. Please share this video and recommend The Body Toxic to those you care about.
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