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Walk On

6 Feb

Pink Ink…

It’s day 6 of Heart Month! Everywhere I turn, I see ladies in RED or lovely red dress pins.  The news anchors are wearing red, and people are talking about heart health.

What I haven’t seen a lot of, is the kids getting engaged.

On Feb 1st, I put a red shirt on my daughter, and packed a “healthier” lunch. The next day we did Just Dance 4™ together. My husband and I are trying to model good behavior for our daughter. Every day, she asks me if I worked out, or what I ate for lunch.  But by the 4th, I was wondering how much of this was really sinking in to my 10 year old’s brain.  Did she view this as another one of mom’s “causes” or was she learning about a lifestyle.  Then, she came home and told me about a program targeting fifth grade students’ health. She wanted to participate! My heart skipped a beat when I realized how excited she was. My words…or someone’s words…were sinking in!

Not sure what to do with your child?  Try creating a “family plan” based on one developed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona®!  Started in 2006, the Walk on Challenge™ is an “interactive, educational program designed…to help combat childhood obesity and motivate youth to incorporate exercise and healthy nutritional habits into their daily routine”.  By being active and living a healthy lifestyle, our kids will be heart healthy!  The crux of the program is to make sure children get 5210!

  • FIVE fruits and veggies a day
  • TWO hours or less, of screen time (computer, gaming, TV, telephone etc)
  • ONE hour of physical activity

    Play on!

    Play on!

  • ZERO sweetened drinks

5210 y’all!

At my daughter’s school, they are offering incentives for kids who follow the plan and track their progress all month on a calendar.  Create a calendar & an incentive plan for your child! What I like about this program is that it puts the responsibility into the hands of the child.  This is also a plan that could be incorporated into a family routine!

For more info, checkout  http://walkonaz.com/home/kids-parents/

So how can your family do this?

  • Smoothies in the morning or for after school/work snack.  Pack your veggies or fruits in a blender.  Or try the new V8 Fusions! They’re good! Mix them in a smoothie and your kid will never know!
  • Turn the tv OFF during dinner.  Set a time to turn off the computer, or cell phones.  Try and do it at least two hours before bedtime.
  • Take a walk at lunchtime, or with your child, after school.  Dance with your child! Alternate between your “old school” music and their “new music”.  This time could also open the lines of communication between you and your child.
  • Cut out soda, and juice!  It’s just bad for everyone! Add lemon or orange to your water, drink low fat or almond milk.  Try and stay away from sports drinks, unless you are actually getting physical.  They contain a lot of sugar and salt.

 

The earlier children learn heart health, the better. But it starts with us!

walk on!

walk on!

So live the number 5210, and remember to…Walk ON!

 

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Go Red 2013

1 Feb

Pink Ink…

IMG_0231

Today is the 10th anniversary of National Wear Red® day!  Hopefully you are wearing Red! The “Red” symbolizes the fight against Heart Disease, the number 1 killer of women in the US. Not sure what to do today?  Let National Wear Red Day® act as a conversation starter!  Ask your family if they know their risks?  Ask your neighbor if they know the signs of a heart attack.  Teach your children about the importance of eating “heart healthy”.  My little one went off to school in Red and with a “heart healthy” lunch!

Whatever you do, talk about heart disease.  Because of the 10-year dialog surrounding National Wear Red Day, the American Heart Association reports that:

  • 21% fewer women are dying from heart disease
  • 23% MORE women are now aware that heart disease is their #1 health threat.
  • There is now gender specific information readily available re: prevention, treatment and medication.

But wait, there is still more to be done. We can each do our part.

Even the kids can go red!

Even the kids can Go Red!

Start Small:

  • Model good eating and exercise behavior for your family.
  • Reduce your risks.

Take the next step:

  • Get active in your community. Participate in a Go Red Event, or host your own.
  • Donate to your local heart association.  The monies raised helps spread awareness, and the funding of life saving research.

Go BIG!

  • Advocate to improve health disparities.
  • Become a corporate sponsor.
  • Become a Heart Health Ambassador.

 

Whatever you do, make it count.  The life you save, may be your own.

Go RED!

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Image

Heart Healthy

31 Jan

Pink Ink…

Tomorrow is National Wear Red Day!  It is also the 1st day of Heart Month.  You may be wondering why you should care.  The simple answer is that it will affect someone you know.  Period.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women.  It kills more women than breast cancer.

But, you can reduce your chance of getting heart disease!

  • Don’t Smoke! (Yes, people still smoke!  Why??)
  • Exercise: Try and do at least 30 minutes of exercise, 5 days a week.
  • Cut down your salt intake.  Most people don’t need more than a teaspoon of salt a day!
  • Monitor your blood sugar and blood pressure.
  • Find a way to ease stress!
  • Get a good night’s sleep!

At the end of the day, the best piece of advice is to take ACTIVE care of yourself.

Take the next 28 days and commit to learning more about YOUR heart!

Not sure how to kick off your day in a heart healthy way?  Try eating oatmeal!  Or, this easy fruit smoothie!  It’s right around 200 calories and serves 3-4.

Ingredients:

1 cup of mango or peach

1 banana

2 cups of mixed berries

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 ounces of orange, pineapple or apple juice

1 tablespoon of coconut flakes

Blend all the ingredients together until smooth.

smoothie

My family starts each day with a smoothie.  We alternate with different fruits and sometimes switch up the juices.  Unsweetened juice is better to cut down on sugar and calories!  Costco and Sam’s Club have the larger frozen fruit bags, so you don’t have to worry about spoiled fruit.  Just make sure the fruit isn’t artificially sweetened.  Try adding Greek yogurt, or a tablespoon of peanut butter for protein.  Trust me.  You can’t taste it.  Experiment.  Get the kids involved!  Have a smoothie challenge!

My hubby always says you can do anything for a month.  Let’s put that to the test.

Join me in February, as we get…Heart Healthy!

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Save the Date

17 Jan

Pink Ink…

Can you believe that we are already 1/2 way through January? I cannot!  Every time I turn on the TV, every time I look at Twitter, every time I open a January issue of a magazine, I see something about “2013 resolutions”.

Are you looking for a 2013 “resolution”? One that will actually “stick”? Are you looking to do something that will change your life for the better?  Well here is my suggestion.

Go Red!IMG_0231

That’s right!  Go Red!  Get Heart Healthy!  It is more than a resolution.  It is a lifestyle choice!  Being heart healthy can save your life.  Did you know that:

  • Heart Disease kills more women than all the “cancers” combined.
  • Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the US.
  • There are 3 hearts attacks per minute.
  • More women die of heart disease than men every year.

So how do you get started?

  • Check out websites like http://www.goredforwomen.org or http://www.heart.org.  These websites are great tools for learning more about heart disease, as well as providing advice on creating new habits.
  • Control your risk factors!  Stop smoking, cut down on alcohol, walk 10k steps a day!  Just get up and move!
  • Learn your family history.
  • Participate in Wear Red Day™!

Friday, February 1, 2013 is the 10th anniversary of Wear Red Day™.  On  this day, millions of people across the country who are committed to fighting this deadly disease break out the red! Some, like Star Jones, wear red for 28 days!  While there have been great strides in awareness, there is still much work to be done. People still need to learn to love their hearts!  Let that be your 1st step in being heart healthy! Love your heart.  You only get one.

February is National Heart Month recognizing the impact heart disease has on millions of Americans each year.  The month is usually marked by various walks, lectures, and parties designed to raise awareness.  Check out your local American Heart Association™ chapters for what is going on in your neck of the woods.  Sign up to become a “heart ambassador”!

So break out your fave piece of red clothing and stand with us as we build awareness.  Remember, more important than the clothing, is the “resolution” to be healthy.  Check back in February for some fun heart healthy recipes, a guest blog or two, and some fun pictures, all in honor of Heart Month!

Remember to…Save the Date!

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Best Medicine

15 Jan

Pink Ink…

What do we do when we are faced with life crises?  We all have them at some point in our lives.  At a certain age, people begin to expect these life tests.  A parent’s passing.  Divorce.  Health issues.  The loss of a job.  But often, a life test or crisis is not what we expect it to be.  It hits you when you least “expect” it.  What do you?  How do you wade through the deep waters?

My “life test” came when I was diagnosed with terminal metastatic in my lung in November.  I mentioned before, that it was just 5 months after finishing treatment for breast cancer.  Within the week, my play “big sis”, who happens to be a doctor in great shape, learned she had a life changing illness. A bit later, another close friend faced an unforeseen crisis with her beloved child.  We were all grounded for several weeks, shocked at these life-altering events, mourning our previous existence.  At some point, we each sat with our hands in our heads, crying, and asking God, how do we go on. Eventually, you do.  Eventually, you must.  You find your fuel and get moving.

Today, I was fueled in my fight by four different sources.

  • Breast Cancer Survivor, Hoda Kotb was on TV promoting her new book about six people who each faced a life crisis and subsequently transformed their lives.  While the stories were certainly moving, the thing that stuck with me was Hoda’s advice. “Don’t miss your magic moment”. 

Good advice.

  • Next, I learned that Stuart Scott revealed his cancer is back, and he is again in chemo. One of his tweets this morning read: “Here’s what I do right aftr chemo.  Leave the infusion center and go STRAIGHT to either do a p90x wkout or train MMA.  That’s how you #LIVESTRONG”

Again, good advice and great attitude. (I’m slacking!)

  • Robin Roberts announced she is coming back to TV in February.

Need I say more?  Her energy, focus, and faith are inspiring.

  • Finally, a friend I met on Twitter moved me.  Stylist to the stars, June Ambrose, connected us almost a year ago. Both “M” and I had tweeted about being bald and wearing turbans. June connected our tweets, and a long distance friendship developed.  A fellow Survivor, I was moved by “M’s” tweet: “I woke up today on one! It’s clear to me that, in spite of, I have been given everything, EVERYTHING, that I have prayed for. #Perspective”

No truer words could have been written.

The next time you are faced with a life crisis, and are looking for the road out of pain and darkness perhaps this will help fuel you.

  • Remember it’s ok to have a brief pity party.  Acknowledge the pain. Don’t hide from it. It will slow you down.  After the pity party, GET UP!  If you can’t…
  • Ask for help. You are never alone.
  • Push through the sadness and remember there are people who love you and will help you live through the journey.
  • Find your fuel, then…FIGHT!

Everyday, I pull fuel from different places.   As Dr. Tierona Dogi says…

Life is your…best medicine!

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