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5 Tips for Packing Lunch-on-the-Run Healthier

Submitted by Cher Murphy, President of Cher Murphy PR
Monday, February 27th, 2012, 1:30pm
5 Tips for Packing Lunch-on-the-Run Healthier

School lunches are in the headlines quite a bit, these days. Most people are calling for the school lunch program to clean up its act and start feeding the nation’s children healthier fare. Truth be told, many people who brown bag it could stand to make their lunch healthier, as well. Whether packing lunches for school or work, there are ways to make them healthier.

“Sure, it’s easy to grab some junk food, throw it in a bag and call it lunch,” explains Jolly Backer, the chief executive officer of Fresh Healthy Vending (www.freshvending.com). “Problem is, if you do that repeatedly, there will likely be some negative health consequences, over time. Making healthier lunches may require a tad more time and thought, but in the end it will keep you feeling better.”

Here are five tips for helping to make lunch-on-the-go healthier:

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Family & Youth Casting Call: Getting Kids Outside, Active, and Hooked on Fishing!

Submitted by Kristina D'Ambrosio, Community Content Producer
Monday, February 20th, 2012, 1:00pm
Family & Youth Casting Call: Getting Kids Outside, Active, and Hooked on Fishing!

 

The following information was sent to us by Mike Bailey:

The Family & Youth Casting Call (FYCC) is a fun family and youth fishing event at Fletcher's Cove on the C&O Canal in Washington DC. The 2012 event is scheduled for Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21.

What better way to get kids “hooked” on nature than by teaching them how to fish?  This April, local and national fishing and conservation organizations will once again host the Family & Youth Casting Call to help “set the hook” for children to learn about nature and fishing in the Washington, DC area. A wiggling fish on the end of a taut line can be one of the most tangible connections between having fun outside and learning about conserving our natural resources.

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Tips for Choosing Heart-Healthy Snacks

Submitted by Cher Murphy, President of Cher Murphy PR
Sunday, February 19th, 2012, 12:08pm
Tips for Choosing Heart-Healthy Snacks

February is known as Heart Month in American, and for good reason. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in America. Each day, across the country, roughly 2,200 people that die from the disease. It’s also the leading cause of disability across the country, preventing people from working and living their lives as they would like to. With this in mind, it’s a good time to pay attention even to the little things that can either help or hurt the heart.

“Snacks may seem like trivial things, overall,” explains Jolly Backer, the chief executive officer of Fresh Healthy Vending (www.freshvending.com). “But if you think about it in terms of a year, you will end up eating around 400 to 750 snacks per year, if you have one or two per day. That really adds up and can make a big difference in your heart health.”

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Dark Chocolate: For A Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day!

Submitted by Sonia Vartanian, The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine
Friday, February 10th, 2012, 9:02am
Dark Chocolate: For A Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day!

McLean, VA - February 9, 2012 – Good news!  Giving your sweetheart a gift of dark chocolate on Valentine's Day is not only romantic, it's also heart-healthy!

According to Dr. Gary Kaplan, director of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, “The research is clear: dark chocolate is chock-full of antioxidants that fight dangerous 'free radicals' in your body, and it also provides significant protection against cardiovascular disease."

The term “free radicals” refers to atoms that are missing electrons. These impaired atoms can interfere with the proper functioning of the cell membrane or DNA, and thus open the door to aging, cancer, and other diseases.  Antioxidants, which are mostly supplied to the body through diet, can safely "defuse" free radicals.

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Annandale preacher: Fight fat for Jesus

Submitted by Ellie Ashford, Annandale VA blogger
Friday, February 3rd, 2012, 4:30pm
Annandale preacher: Fight fat for Jesus
Pastor Steve Reynolds of Capital Baptist Church in Annandale is gaining a national reputation as the “lose weight for Jesus” preacher. Within the past week, he talked about his “Bod4God” approach on the “Today Show” and “The View.” Members of Reynold’s church lost more than 12,000 pounds (that’s six tons!) since he started the Losing to Live program four years ago.
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Mental Health First Aid Course Feb. 27-28; Register Now

Submitted by Ellen Scott, Community Web Producer
Friday, February 3rd, 2012, 9:57am

From Fairfax County:

 

Mental Health First Aid is a two-day course that teaches a 5-step action plan offering initial help to people with the signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in crisis, and connecting them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care.

You will learn warning signs and risk factors for:

  • depression
  • anxiety disorders
  • trauma
  • psychotic disorders
  • substance use disorders and
  • eating disorders.

Anyone can take the 12-hour Mental Health First Aid certification course – first responders, students, teachers, leaders of faith communities, human resources professionals, and caring citizens. The course is open to all members of our community and there is a $25 fee for materials.

Someone you know could be experiencing a mental illness or crisis. You can help them.

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FCPS Launches Living Fit in Fairfax Project

Submitted by Ellen Scott, Community Web Producer
Friday, January 20th, 2012, 9:12am

From Fairfax County Public Schools:

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