Jamie Oliver isn’t the only chef personally investing in the health of today’s generation of children with a very hands-on approach, Chef Ann Cooper is also taking a good, hard look at the way children today eat and wants to do something about it. The facts are simple (and terribly tragic): this could quite possibly be the first generation of children in our country’s history to die at a younger age than their parents.

Chef Ann Cooper has recently partnered with Whole Foods to create the Great American Salad Bar Project that will bring healthy salad bars into schools, giving children a choice of healthy vegetables, fruits, whole grains and proteins to choose from and implement into their daily diets.

The initial goal of the Great American Salad Bar Project is to raise money for a salad bar to be brought into at least one school in the surrounding communities of each Whole Foods store across the U.S.

Over $400,000 has been donated to this initiative so far and beginning September 1st, schools will be able to personally apply for a grant to get their own salad bar. Grant applications will be accepted from September 1st to November 1st and for a school to be eligible they must be an elementary, middle or high school participating in the National School Lunch Program, located within 50 miles of a Whole Foods Market store. Schools who are accepted for this Grant Award will receive a portable 5-well Cambro salad bar, the necessary pan inserts, chilling pads and utensils, as well as numerous training tools for school personnel.

If you’re a school interested in receiving a salad bar review the grant application [PDF] and take the necessary steps in order to get your school’s lunch room a salad bar. If you’re a parent or just someone concerned with how children today are eating and want to make a positive difference in their lives, donate to your local Whole Foods Market’s fundraising efforts now.

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Luckily, the folks over at Sears Blue Crew HQ have put together an extremely simple exercise guide full of basic, but sometimes overlooked tips on how to create a dedicated, motivating and inspiring workout space in your own home.

Let’s face it, not everyone has the time to drive to the gym, work out and then drive home (or wherever they may need to go) afterward. After all that driving, the time really adds up and it can become more of a commitment than you were hoping for. Furthermore, a lot of people simply have no interest in joining a gym, regardless of how accepting, accommodating, or convenient that gym may be. By creating a home workout space, you have a dedicated space you can work out freely in, without having to take more time out of your day than you need to. You also have the freedom to decorate your space to match your taste and add little things that will make your workout experience more enjoyable. Your surroundings have a lot to do with your mood and by adding small, personal touches to your decor, you’re guaranteed to walk into that space whenever you want and immediately feel refreshed, at ease and ready to begin your workout. According to the Sears Blue Crew HQ, you want to make sure your space is safe, pleasant, roomy and entertaining.

But all of the decorating, accommodating and endless music selections mean nothing without the right equipment. The Sears Blue Crew HQ has also laid out what equipment is used most often in workout spaces and what you’ll need to exercise. Of course, the best equipment for you is the equipment you wil use, so think about what you like doing and also be sure to have some variety in routine–and the equipment to make it possible.

• Floor mats are perfect for stretching, yoga, Pilates, or old-fashioned push-ups and sit-ups. Look for non-slip, easily washable surfaces.

• Free weights are dumbbells and barbells for strength training. They are excellent because they allow a full range of notion, but get some training so you use them correctly. Also, they tend to be quite loud when dropped on the floor, so purchase proper weight-lifting mats to protect your floor and lower the noise level.

• Weight systems sometimes called home gyms, provide a variety of strengthening exercises without the noise of dropping heavy weights. They can take up a fair bit of space, so be sure to measure your area before you buy. They also greatly increase the load on your floor system, so be sure you have the structural support for it.

• Punching bags offer a great combination of aerobic workout, upper body strength building and stress relief. Get some training if you’ve never done bag work before, to avoid hurting your hands. Hang your bag securely in a way that won’t send vibrations through the whole house. Freestanding bags are also available, and you can set them up in an out-of-the-way corner of your home.

• Treadmills are a long-standing favorite. Good models have a variety of programmable workouts and an incline feature for added exertion. Look for higher horsepower in the motor and a sturdy frame. Treadmills need 6 feet of clearance behind them, in case of unexpected dismounts.

• Ellipticals give a good cardio workout with less impact on your knees – and your home. Most have reversible direction, and the better models offer an incline feature to maximize your workout. Like the treadmill, you need clearance around them for safety.

• Exercise bikes are no-impact and take up the least space of the cardio machines, because you don’t need safety space behind them. Like the others machine styles, they have a variety of programmable workouts. They also don’t cause much vibration and so can be put on almost any surface.

• Rowing machines give great low-impact, full-body and cardio workout. Proper technique is important, so read the manual or get some help before you start. Foldaway models make this an ideal machine for multi-purpose spaces.

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Gatorade’s Beat the Heat campaign is an ongoing effort to raise awareness and building communication about heat illness prevention. Leslie Bonci is an expert on sports nutrition, a consultant to numerous professional, collegiate and high school athletic programs and a registered dietitian.

Use hashtag #beattheheat tomorrow, August 18th from 3PM to 4PM EST and make sure to follow @MomCentral and @LeslieBonci. There is no RSVP required, just search Twitter for the #beattheheat hashtag and start participating in the discussion. By participating, you will not only learn a lot about heat safety, but you will also have the chance to win a pretty awesome gift pack, including Gatorade coolers, powder and $50 AMEX gift cards.

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WHO states that the H1N1 virus has largely run its course, but that does not mean that it is gone completely. There is a pattern of past pandemics that leads researchers to believe that H1N1 will took on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus and will “continue to circulate for some years to come.” Also noting past pandemics, it is hypothesized that the virus will “continue to cause serious disease in younger age groups, at least in the immediate post-pandemic period.”

While we are not completely out of the woods when it comes to H1N1, there have  been far less reports of people being diagnosed with the illness and far less reports of deaths because of it. It is okay to experience a mild sigh of relief. The Centers for Disease Control are gearing up for the upcoming 2010/2011 flu season, which will contain three vaccine viruses recommended by the World Health Organization and the FDA:

• A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
• A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus
• B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus

From the CDC:

“This recommended composition of the seasonal vaccine for the Northern Hemisphere, including the United States, is the same composition that was recommended for the Southern Hemisphere’s 2010 influenza vaccines.”

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When you have a migraine, it’s easy to think there’s nothing you can do to treat it. They don’t simply go away after taking a painkiller like a headache does, but there are a few things you should know about migraines that can save you from experiencing them as often.

First, let’s discuss why migraines happen. When you know why a migraine is coming on and what type of environment or activities you’re doing that trigger migraines, the easier it will be to stay away from those things, or at least limit your exposure.

Migraine attacks may be triggered by:

• Allergic reactions
• Bright lights, loud noises and certain odors or perfumes
• Physical or emotional stress
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Smoking or exposure to smoke
• Skipping meals
• Alcohol
• Menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills, hormone fluctuations during the menopause transition
• Tension headaches
• Foods containing tyramine, MSG or nitrates
• Long exposure to light from computer screen, video screens and television

There are certain foods you can incorporate into your diet or increase the amount of times they show up on your plate that will help fight migraines.

Millet

Millet is one of many whole grains that are part of a healthy, migraine-free life, and it contains magnesium, which kicks migraines to the curb.

Coffee

When it comes to coffee, it’s a love/hate relationship. Caffeine can give you migraine relief and is a major ingredient in many headache medications, but when you drink it excessively, it can actually cause migraines. Moderation is key!

Flaxseed

An Anti-inflammatory diet is beneficial to preventing migraines, so flaxseeds, with their omega-3s and fiber to boot, are your new food friend.

Fish

Also packed with omega-3s, fish should be your go-to protein choice, and is much better for headache prevention than processed meats.

Spinach

Vitamin b2 is known to help in the battle against the migraine, so make like Popeye and load up on your spinach.

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Looking to recharge your body and mind? On Wednesday, August 11th, join Urban Girl Squad for a night of mingling and working out at Exhale! From 6:30PM – 7:30PM, we’ll have an exclusive discussion with a top Exhale ‘Nutrition + Wellness’ coach who will speak about achieving balance in our lives. During this session you’ll have the opportunity to have your nutrition questions answered and mingle with other amazing moms.

We’ll then enjoy an exhilarating 60-minute Core Fusion class, one of Exhale’s signature classes, from 7:45PM – 8:45PM. Core Fusion incorporates elements of core conditioning, Pilates, Yoga, the Lotte Berk Method and interval cardio training. The class is a complete mind body experience with upbeat and inspirational music.

And of course, no Urban Mom Squad event would be complete without a fantastic gift bag and raffle prizes!

At this event you’ll meet new moms in NYC and receive:

• A full-length Core Fusion class ($35 value) and mind and body tips from an Exhale ‘Nutrition + Wellness’ coach
• Gift bag with Exhale beauty products ($50+ value)
• Gift certificates for a FREE future class at Exhale and 25% off a therapy at Exhale’s spa
• A raffle with a prize of five free Exhale classes ($157 value)
• Special discounts at the Exhale boutique

Sign up now for this special experience exclusively for Urban Mom Squad.
* Please note that socks are required for this class.

Fast Facts:
Date: Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Location: Exhale
150 Central Park South
New York, NY 10019

Time: 6:30PM – 9:00PM

RSVP/Purchase Ticket: Mom’s Spa Night

Info: Urban Mom Squad

Cost: $15 per ticket

- – – – – – – – – -

About Urban Girl Squad
Amanda Hofman created Urban Girl Squad, a community-based social group for women in their 20’s and 30’s in New York City, in January 2008. Urban Girl Squad creates opportunities for these women to try new things, spend time with friends, and meet new people. Our events include food and wine tastings, beauty and fashion nights, dance and fitness classes, sports events, cocktail parties and more. We provide special, discounted access to the city–you’ll meet store owners and designers, taste gourmet food and drinks, receive personal attention from popular venues, and score some amazing gift bags. The welcoming atmosphere at our events makes it easy for members to attend on their own or with friends!

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Lifetime frequently raises awareness of public health and safety issues in their programming. During the month of October, they usually infuse breast cancer-related story lines into their programming, from inspiring and thought-provoking feature-length films to their original television series.

On their extremely popular show Army Wives, Colonel Joan Burton begins experiencing sleep disturbances, mood swings, headaches and has trouble remembering simple tasks after arriving home from being deployed overseas. After going to the doctor to see what is wrong with her, she is diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Lifetime has recently partnered with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to raise awareness of TBI.

The Centers for Disease Control has more on TBI Prevention.

It is quite fitting for Army Wives to tackle the very important health issue of TBI, since it does affect many US soldiers. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Defense reported that seven out of ten TBI cases resulting from a blast during combat. The U.S. Army reports that 88% of TBIs among soldiers are mild (mTBI) but it can develop into something far more serious and it can be equally life-altering and devastating for the caregivers and loved ones of those affected by it.

If you are a family member or caregiver of someone who is affected by TBI, visit traumaticbraininjuryatoz.org/. You can also learn more about the efforts to ensure that military service members and veterans with TBI receive the best evaluation, treatment and follow-up by visiting the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center.

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The study was conducted by Alpa Patel, a researcher at the American Cancer Society (ACS) and his colleagues. They analyzed 123,216 participants (53,440 men and 69,776 women), all whom has no history of cancer, heart attack, stroke or emphysema. The participants were followed for 13 years, from 1993 to 2006.

The study found that women who reported more than six hours of sitting a day (outside of work) were 37% more likely to die during the 13 year time period the were studied than women who sat fewer than three hours a day. The men who were studied were 18% more likely to die if they sat more than six hours a day (also outside of work) than those who sat fewer than three hours a day. These results remained virtually unchanged after the participants adjusted their physical activity level.

Patel said of his research that several factors could explain the positive association between time spent sitting and higher all-cause death rates, saying “prolonged time spent sitting, independent of physical activity, has been shown to have important metabolic consequences, and may influence things like triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, resting blood pressure, and leptin, which are biomarkers of obesity and cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.”

This study does not seem to bode well for me and people like me, who work very long hours in front of a computer (while also sitting down) and work out a few times a week.

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Salutation Nation will take place at participating Lululemon Athletica stores across North America where a complimentary yoga class fit for all levels will be held on August 7th from 9am to 10am (in all time zones.) Keep in mind not every Lululemon Athletica store in the country will be hosting a Salutation Nation event, so to make sure your local store is before you head on down with your yoga mat in tow, check out the list of locations or call your local store ahead of time.

Practicing yoga by yourself is all well and good, at least when you have a good grasp on what you are doing, but being a part of a group greatly benefits everyone involved. Yoga classes can be a lot more expensive than we’re prepared for, so for Lululemon Athletica to host this event, and also make it completely free, is great for every yogi living in a community with a participating store. This is a fabulous way for Lululemon Athletica to not only celebrate their community, but also bring them together to celebrate each other.

Check out the promotional video for Salutation Nation below and don’t forget to head to your local participating store on August 7th at 9am.

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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has worked to eliminate the barriers and discrimination that those who live with a disability can face, including in the workplace. While the ADA has made great strides in it being unlawful for an employer of any kind of refuse to hire someone with a disability, about three quarters of people with a disability are unemployed and it isn’t by their own admission. Also, internet access for people with disabilities is only about half of what it is for those who are not living with a disability.

There is still a lot of work to be done in this country to ensure that those who live their lives with a disability are granted the same opportunities as those who are not and can still live happy and full lives.

Bloggers Unite is raising awareness and supporting people with disabilities and the people and groups who empower them by raising awareness. Bloggers Unite is asking that all bloggers, young and old, novice bloggers and veterans, band together on July 24th to empower people with disabilities.

It takes very little time to write a blog post and participate in Bloggers Unite’s People First: Empowering People with Disabilities blogging event. By all bloggers coming together on one day, you can really raise awareness and make a difference.

Join the event and publish your post on Saturday, July 24th letting people know that despite major gains, more needs to be done to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the same access to resources and opportunities as those who do not live with a disability. There are currently 295 bloggers registered at Bloggers Unite for this event, so it is sure to be an amazingly resourceful and empowering day.

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I used to work as a barista at a very pretentious coffee shop that just so happened to be located downstairs from a gym. I made health drinks, smoothies and teas more than anything else and I became very familiar with Whey protein. I also figured out very quickly how much I hate the smell of Whey protein, never mind even considering putting it in my mouth. The people I served these so-called healthy drinks that really weren’t all that healthy, but people ordered them because of the geniuses behind the marketing of said drinks, were very snobby. They were snobby and they were built! From the looks of these people, there was no way I was going to walk into a gym like that. I’d get the weird looks and the people wondering what Fat Planet I was just warped from.

Enter: Planet Fitness. A gym that is open, accepting and diverse. A place where I do not get the weird looks or the condescending fake-friendly smiles when I claim an elliptical machine. It’s a place of freedom! And hey, if anyone does pass judgment on you, they get thrown out and that is policy. Pretty cool, huh?

One of the policies at Planet Fitness is that you have to wipe down your machine after you use it. No matter what. No exceptions. There are little stations set up throughout the place where you can grab a paper towel and some spray solution that they put out and make sure your machine is clean before you leave. I’m paranoid though; especially when it comes to cleanliness. I won’t touch a machine until I wipe it down first and after finding some pretty scary information about gyms and workout centers and how they are being connected to MRSA, I’m so glad I have been so paranoid about this.

Late last month a hospital in Idaho voiced concern with an increasingly-spreading, antibiotic-resistant staph infection within the community. This staph infection, called MRSA, causes skin rashes or bumps that are incredibly difficult to treat.

The biggest concern the hospital has is that MRSA is now being found and transmitted in public settings like school gyms, workout centers and any public place or area where the skin transfers. While the health district will not keep track of the reported cases because it is not “evasive” beyond the outer skin layer, it is still very important to remember that when you enter a gym, wipe down the machine you are using both before you hop onto it and after you’re done.

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I just recently began going to a gym fairly-regularly. Before just a month ago, I had never really put much emphasis on staying fit. As a plus-sized woman in my early 20′s who is also a smoker and a techie, not to mention I consume way too much caffeine, I am so not the candidate to be preaching about staying fit or how important it is. I am however, realistic.

Now, more than ever in recent years, I am experiencing a great deal of stress. There are some personal aspects of my life that bring on a good amount of daily stress, as well as a great big financial burden that has become my life. Put them together and add a good 12 hours a day, frequently more, in front of a computer and you basically have one of those Jiffy Pop containers on the stove that at any minute will erupt and start sending popcorn flying out every which way. So me and my partner joined a gym with our two very good friends.

With just a few workouts in, mostly me on an elliptical machine for an hour at a time as I zone out to televisions that are positioned from the ceiling or focusing on absolutely nothing but the decibel level of the music blaring from my headphones, I feel a lot different.

No, I am not in peak physical condition and it isn’t even a goal of mine to lose any weight at all. I’m comfortable with my weight and while it would be a healthy move to lose a few pounds, I refuse to believe I’m at a terrible risk for anything at my current weight. No, with just after my first hour on the elliptical machine I knew very well why I was going to keep up my gym-going efforts. I felt refreshed and my stress levels went way, way down.

A study back in 2007 has already proven that those who are physically fit produce less chemicals in the body that have been linked to damaging inflammation in adults who are stressed. In short, exercise makes you less-stressed and the less-stressed you are, less damaging chemicals will be released throughout your body and the healthier your heart will be.

In addition to reducing your stress, people who work out two times a week also have lower cholesterol and are at less risk of diseases like diabetes. These findings are more than enough motivation for anyone to start getting out more and begin getting just a little more active.

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Get out of the city this summer with Urban Girl Squad! On Sunday, August 8th, Outdoor Bound will be leading us on a five-mile hike in a series of trails in a hilly area known for its numerous lakes and impressive views. There are also opportunities for bouldering, if you are up for it! Enjoy magnificent scenery along the hike and gorgeous vistas from the tops of three mountains. We’ll eat lunch and rest at a stunning lake.

Over four hours, we will gain 1,300 feet in elevation. You will sweat, and the trail will be rocky, so join us if you’re in adequate physical strength. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a wine tasting at a real farm winery in New York’s Hudson Valley. You will sample Chardonnays, Cabernet Franc, barrel fermented reds and delicious fruit wines including Hard Apple Cider from the local vineyards. Every wine is produced in a “limited edition” with almost every bottle spoken for as soon as it’s made. There is also a wonderful cafe, where you can order delicious food prepared by a CIA-trained chef.

There is very limited space in this event. We’ll provide the transportation — so sign up today for this fantastic opportunity to get out of the city!

Departure Time: 8:00 AM. Meet at 7:45 AM for check-in.
Return Time: Approximately 6:00 PM
Departure and Return Location: 73rd and Broadway, Northeast corner (in front of Apple Bank). Subways 1, 2, 3 to 72nd Street.
Bring: Backpack, your lunch and two liters of water.
Wear: Hiking boots or trail shoes, swimsuit if you care to swim, weather-appropriate athletic clothing.

About Outward Bound

Outward Bound is an education-based adventure company that offers numerous group activities that provide a safe environment for people to develop new skills, aspire to new challenges and attain greater health and awareness. These opportunities include unique international excursions, outdoor fitness programs, youth development programs, corporate team-building activities and a variety of single and multi-day excursions.

Fast Facts:
Date: Sunday, August 8th, 2010

Location: New York Hudson Valley
73rd Street and Broadway (Northeast corner)
New York, NY 10024

Time: 8:00 AM (check-in at 7:45 AM)

RSVP/Purchase Ticket: Hike and Wine Tasting

Info: UrbanGirlSquad.com

Cost: $69 per ticket

- – – – – – – – – -

About Urban Girl Squad
Amanda Hofman created Urban Girl Squad, a community-based social group for women in their 20’s and 30’s in New York City, in January 2008. Urban Girl Squad creates opportunities for these women to try new things, spend time with friends, and meet new people. Our events include food and wine tastings, beauty and fashion nights, dance and fitness classes, sports events, cocktail parties and more. We provide special, discounted access to the city–you’ll meet store owners and designers, taste gourmet food and drinks, receive personal attention from popular venues, and score some amazing gift bags. The welcoming atmosphere at our events makes it easy for members to attend on their own or with friends!

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No two people with a disability are the same, nor do two different people living with a disability have the same needs. That point is especially true when you enter the realm of driving. A disability should not possess the power to take away one’s ability to drive a vehicle or to ride as a passenger in a vehicle, especially considering there are resources available to disabled people, their loved ones and those who care for them. That is exactly the belief system held by the people of NMEDA, a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to educating consumers who are buying mobility equipment and products.

NMEDA has certified dealers readily available at an unbelievable amount of locations to help you or the person you care about pick out the absolute perfect automotive mobility solutions that will cater to the specific and unique needs of each individual. Their purchase process is simple and meant to take the stress off of you when it comes to figuring out exactly what you need and how it will work in your vehicle. NMEDA’s Quality Assurance Program is the only nationally-recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry, making them not only an amazing resource for those who need them, but they have the accolades to prove how influential and consistent their service has been through the years.

What I really love about NMEDA is that they are a non-profit. They have a refreshing mindset where they believe that they must have a systematic and documented approach to the quality of service they give to people. They are a service that brings you, the people, straight to the resources you need, by making it possible for you to locate a dealer that is closest to you and giving you a simple process in order to get you what you need, when you need it. They also have an amazingly vast hub of information meant to make sure you are able to educate yourself about what it will take to get you or your loved one back on the road and back into the driver’s seat of their own life and independence.

NMEDA ensures that you are getting the service and the solutions that you need and that are completely right for you on a personal level. Stop scouring the internet or catalogs for adapted wheelchair vehicles and locate a NMEDA dealer by simply entering your zip code to get started.

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Fruit Roll-Ups, Foot by the Foot and Fruit Gushers are being marketed as being “naturally flavored, low fat, and a good source of Vitamin C.” The official court documents, which were filed Tuesday in Manhattan Federal Court by Brooklyn woman Payton McClure, state that the company’s claims are false and misleading to the consumers, including children, since the snacks are made with partially hydrogenated oil.

Partially hydrogenated oil does pose some health risks long-term. Incomplete hydrogenation, which is trans fat and found in many processed foods that are not-so good for us, has been implicated in circulatory diseases including heart disease.

The $5 million lawsuit claims that the oils contained in the snacks are “dangerous” and “unhealthy”, which is true. But is this a $5 million case that McClure can possibly win? I think that a company the size of General Mills will most likely settle out of court, but at the moment the company has stated that they have not yet been served with the lawsuit and declined any further comment. McClure could not be reached for comment and the law firm representing the plaintiff hasn’t returned calls asking for further comment.

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The New York City Health Department has recently developed three anti-smoking signs displaying a decaying tooth, diseased lungs and a damaged brain that depict the harmful effects smoking can have on the body. These ads will also have messages such as “smoking causes tooth decay” along with the number of a city helpline that will aid people in quitting smoking. It will also be mandated by the state that one of these ads are shown wherever cigarettes are sold and if they aren’t, New York cigarette retailers will face a $2,000 fine.

These signs are a first of their kind in the U.S., with New York being the only state to have gone so far to spread the word of the harmful effects of smoking and how to quit. But some people don’t agree with the signs and even think that they are unlawful–big tobacco companies for one.

Philip Morris USA, Lorillard Tobacco Company, and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., along with two major retail trade groups and two convenience stores have filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court against New York City.

The lawsuit was filed last Wednesday and reads, “The government may not force private parties to carry messages beyond purely uncontroversial factual statements that are designed to prevent consumer deception. … The signs … do not describe the risks of smoking in purely factual terms. Instead, the signs force tobacco manufacturers and retailers to community vivid images at the point of sale.”

While what the lawsuit states may seem like a case of semantics, it goes further, saying that federal anti-smoking rules prevent local governments from interfering with cigarette advertising, making this new mandated imagery is considered unlawful by the same people who are trying to push these images into the shops and stores of all tobacco retailers.

But the government in New York are adamant on stopping people from continuing to smoke and are doing everything they can to make New York completely tobacco-free.

Elizabeth Thomas, the spokesperson for the New York City Law Department said, “We are confident that the health code provisions being challenged will withstand legal scrutiny.”

So what do you think? Is the New York City Department of Health not only free to, but also held to a standard where they should be interfering with tobacco sales and doing everything they can to warn potential customers of the harmful effects tobacco can have on your body? Or are they looking for an ideal smoke-free New York and trying to make sure it happens at all costs–even at the hands of doing something considered unlawful?

Keep in mind that tobacco customers are warned of the harmful effects of smoking each and every single time they purchase a pack of cigarettes. Every pack of cigarettes sold in this country contains the Surgeon General’s Warning on the side of the pack with a fact about the harmful effects of cigarettes, such as, “cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide.” It seems that what New York City is doing is trying to add imagery to the warnings people receive, knowing that people react far more drastically when susceptible to imagery than just words.

When all is said and done, I think people who smoke will continue to do so until they feel they are ready to quit or come to the decision to quit on their own. As the high failure rate of people who try to quit smoking tells us, people can only truly kick the habit when it is their own decision that they came up with on their own and for the betterment of their own lives. Tobacco customers right now know that each pack of cigarettes contains a Surgeon General’s Warning, but they choose not to even acknowledge its presence.

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Alzheimer’s Disease affects an estimated 5.3 million people in the United States today and every 70 seconds, another person develops the disease. It is estimated that by the year 2050, 1 in 85 people will be affected by Alzheimer’s Disease globally. Numbers like that are enough to stop you in your tracks and really make you take a good, hard look at the destructiveness of this disease.

While there are currently some worthwhile organizations out there working to raise awareness and Alzheimer’s Disease for good, there is not enough buzz about it and there really should be. I have seen first-hand what Alzheimer’s Disease does to someone with the disease, but also how it affects and devastates the people closest to them. My great-grandfather developed Alzheimer’s Disease when I was a child. When my great-grandmother would need to go to the store, run errands, or desperately needed to take some time out for herself away from her husband of over 50 years, she would call my grandmother to go to their house and watch him because he could not be trusted to be alone in the house by himself in fear of him hurting himself, doing something to the house, or worse. My grandmother brought me with her a few times and because I was a child, I couldn’t fully comprehend why my great-grandfather didn’t know who I was or why he was telling me a story about his time in the military for the third time that night. It was frightening and now, looking back at that time as an adult and being able to comprehend what this disease does, it is incredibly sad and still a time I can remember like it was yesterday because it affected me that much. There are a great deal of families out there feeling exactly like this while they watch their loved one’s senses decline.

Luckily, the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) is committed to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s Disease and are doing all they can to encourage otherwise healthy people with early complaints of memory problems to participate in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). This is a landmark study to find more sensitive and accurate methods to detect Alzheimer’s Disease at earlier stages and track its progress through biomarkers.

By recognizing changes in the brain, scientists hope to treat memory loss and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease before they appear. However, the only way to recognize what these changes are and learn more about who is at risk is through the participation of volunteers who are willing to participate in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Grand Opportunity (ADNI GO).

Dr. Paul Aisen, M.D., director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study says,

“We cannot end this terrible disease unless we know more about it. That is where the amazing volunteers, their friends and their families can make the difference in our success.”

ADNI GO will build on the unprecedented momentum and success of the Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging Initiative. Eminent poet, author, educator, historian and professor at Wake Forest University, Maya Angelou, is currently working with researchers to ask you and your loved ones to participate in a major brain imaging study. If you may be eligible to participate in this groundbreaking ADNI GO study, visit the study website for more information or call the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center at 1-800-438-4380.

Help spread the word about this initiative by supporting Alzheimer’s Disease Research on Facebook.

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Have you wanted to give back lately? Urban Girl Squad is thrilled to announce its first fundraising event! On Tuesday, May 18, 2010, Urban Girl Squad is hosting a yoga class at Pure Yoga to support Gilda’s Club, the organization founded by Gilda Radner that provides free support for cancer patients and their friends and family.

At the event, you’ll invigorate your mind and body in an open-level vinyasa yoga class run by Pure Yoga, the city’s most luxurious yoga studio featuring the city’s best instructors and beautifully-designed practice rooms. After the yoga class, you’ll enjoy a reception with light food and snacks where you can talk to your yoga instructor and meet the other women in the class.

At this event, you’ll receive:

• The opportunity to support Gilda’s Club programs for cancer patients and their communities.
• An exclusive 1 hour yoga class at Pure Yoga. You can’t take a class at Pure Yoga without being a member, so enjoy this special opportunity!
• A gift bag with Pure Yoga passes and Pure Yoga gear including a tank top, tote bag and water bottle.
• The opportunity to participate in a silent auction with amazing prices including spa packages, gift certificates and private yoga lessons.

The first Gilda’s Club opened its doors in New York City in 1995, which was named in honor of Saturday Night Live comedian Gilda Radner, who died of ovarian cancer in 1989. Gilda dreamed that all people affected by cancer, as well as their families and friends, would have access to the same kind of emotional and social support that she received during her illness. Completely free of charge, Gilda’s Club encourages a sense of “expertise” among members, and emphasizes community-building, collective wisdom and shared experience. Gilda’s Club has helped change the lives of tens of thousands of members, restoring a sense of control and enriching the entire family. Gilda’s spirit lves on at every Gilda’s Club.

Space is limited in the class, so buy your ticket today to support this important charity! Your ticket price is a donation to Gilda’s Club.

Fast Facts:
Date: Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Location: Pure Yoga West
204 West 77th Street
New York, NY 10024

Time: 7:00PM

RSVP/Purchase Ticket: Pure Yoga & Gilda’s Club Event

Info: Urban Girl Squad

Cost: $45 per ticket

- – – – – – – – – -

About Urban Girl Squad
Amanda Hofman created Urban Girl Squad, a community-based social group for women in their 20’s and 30’s in New York City, in January 2008. Urban Girl Squad creates opportunities for these women to try new things, spend time with friends, and meet new people. Our events include food and wine tastings, beauty and fashion nights, dance and fitness classes, sports events, cocktail parties and more. We provide special, discounted access to the city–you’ll meet store owners and designers, taste gourmet food and drinks, receive personal attention from popular venues, and score some amazing gift bags. The welcoming atmosphere at our events makes it easy for members to attend on their own or with friends!

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Dr. Al Sears, M.D. is an ACE-Certified Fitness Trainer, Certified Nutrition Specialist and an author of 14 books on health and wellness. In his most recent book, P.A.C.E. The 12-Minute Fitness Revolution, Dr. Sears disputes modern exercise advice we’ve all gotten before from several different sources and that advice has become the norm. Luckily Dr. Sears saw this tradition of bad advice going around and not only took it upon himself to dispute it, but he also proved how and why his own method of exercising works–the same advice he gives his very own patients–and made it available to the public.

Dr. Sears’s PACE program is based on exercising in short bursts of high intensity to burn fat and keep it off. Just after reading his guest article published here on Woman Tribune, I was astounded to find out how and when we really burn fat and that when you do long-durations of cardio and marathon running, you are actually hurting your heart and lungs.

If you’ve ever been given bad fitness advice, and it seems like most everyone has, you definitely need to be introduced to P.A.C.E. The 12-Minute Fitness Revolution. Lucky for you, we have five copies to give away!

To win a copy of P.A.C.E. The 12-Minute Fitness Revolution, all you have to do is leave a comment telling us what your favorite form of exercise is. [REQUIRED]

Additional Entries: [Leave a separate comment for each additional entry.]

• Leave a comment telling us why you want to win a copy of P.A.C.E. The 12-Minute Revolution.
• Read Dr. Sears’s article, Exercising But Not Losing Weight? and leave a comment telling us what you thought of it.
• Blog about this giveaway with a link back to both this giveaway post and Dr. Sears’s article.

Remember, we are giving away give copies of this book to five different winners, so spread the word!

This giveaway ends Friday, April 30th at 11:59PM EST. This giveaway is open to all US residents over the age of 18. The winners will be contacted by email and have 48 hours (2 days) to respond with their mailing address. If I don’t hear back from the winners within that time, another winner will be picked.

Full Contest Disclaimer

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A cover story in TIME magazine tells you exercise won’t help you lose weight.

In the article, a professor from Louisiana State University says, “…for weight loss, exercise is pretty useless.”

If you’re a regular reader you may already recognize the ignorance of this professor’s statement.

What is he missing?

Well, it depends on what type of exercise.

My rebuttal to this ignorance is going to take awhile, but bear with me, this is important.

Conventional exercise, like aerobics, jogging, and marathon running are not the best exercises for weight loss. That type of exertion actually trains your body to make and store more fat.

When you exercise for long periods at a time, like most people do when they go to the gym, you push your body into its “fat burning zone.” Most fitness gurus tell you to get into your fat burning zone and stay there for as long as you can take it… but that’s a problem. You don’t want to burn fat during exercise.

Burning fat during exercise tells your body it needed the fat. This trains your body to make more fat for the next time you exercise.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t use exercise to lose fat. In fact, it’s one of the most effective tools you can use to hit and maintain your ideal weight. I use it myself and I recommend it to my patients.

However, if you want to burn fat and keep it off, exercise in short bursts of high intensity. This is the basis my PACE program.

How does it work? It has to do with what your body uses for fuel during exercise. For the first two or three minutes of a workout you burn ATP, your body’s cellular energy source. Then you start burning carbs from muscle tissue. After about 20 minutes you switch to fat.

Exercising for short periods will use these carbs during exercise. Then you start to burn fat after your workout–while you replenish the carbs.

This is known as your “after burn.”

Researchers at Laval University in Quebec divided participants into two groups: long-duration and repeated short-duration exercisers. They had the long-duration group cycle 45 minutes without interruption. The short-term interval group cycled in numerous short bursts of 15 to 90 seconds, while resting in between.

The long duration group burned twice as many calories, so you would assume they would burn more fat. However, when the researchers recorded their body composition measurements, the interval group showed the most fat loss.

In fact, the interval group lost 9 times more fat than the endurance group for every calorie burned. Doesn’t this defy the laws of physics? No, it just illustrates that exercise continues to affect your metabolism after you stop. The short bursts stimulated a greater after burn.

You might think burning fat during exercise makes sense. But your body will adapt to any routine you give it, including exercise. And if you burn fat during a workout and you do that workout consistently, your body will make sure you have new fat to burn each time you go to the gym.

After a while your body becomes efficient at building and preserving fat necessary for long aerobic sessions in preparation for the next endurance workout. In doing so, it sacrifices muscle and preserves fat.

So don’t bother trying to use this strategy to lose body fat. Your body will fight you int he effort and you can only do it by sacrificing lean tissue like muscle and internal organs.

Durational exercise tells your body to build fat. That’s how your body adapts to this kind of activity. Then, if you stop your cardio routine, you’ll put on even more fat very rapidly. This is common as your body gets into the routine of making the extra fat.

It’s an endless cycle. And eventually, everyone stops doing cardio. Many just get bored. But many find they have to stop cardio because this unnatural activity has caused degeneration of their joints.

And another point: If you persist through middle age and beyond, cardio accelerates some very negative effects of aging. It lowers testosterone and growth hormone, boosts destructive cortisol levels and robs you of muscle, bone and internal organ mass and strength.

But short-during exercise–like PACE–actually increases levels of growth hormone. Researchers from Loughborough University in Leicestershire, England tested growth hormone levels in sprinters and endurance athletes. On average, the sprinters had 3 times as much growth hormone as the endurance runners.

The biggest point they miss is this: The most important changes from exercise occur after, not during, the exercise period. The way you exercise affects your metabolism for several days. The important changes begin after you stop exercising.

This is good news. It means all you have to do during your exercise is stimulate the adaptive response you need–like reducing your need for fat or building reserve capacity in your heart. Your body will continue making the important changes afterwards–while you rest.

You don’t need to go to the gym to get started. Even if you’re out of shape you can start with a challenge that’s within your reach.

Let’s take walking for example. This is the easiest way to get started if you’re de-conditioned or facing a physical challenge.

Here are a few points to consider. When you’re walking, you need to start at a comfortable pace and slowly speed up until you feel your heart rate increase. When you feel this extra bit of exertion, maintain it until you start to feel winded. Then stop and catch your breath. Take a few minutes to recover and focus on your breath until you’re breathing normally. This will be your first “set.”

It may look something like this: You put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes and some loose-fitting clothes. You start off on the sidewalk or on a quiet street. You could also go to the gym and work on a treadmill.

You warm up by walking at a normal, comfortable pace for 1 to 2 minutes. Then you slowly start to walk faster. As you increase your speed, pick a target and then maintain it. This is a little subjective, so you’re going to have to get a feel for it.

For example, when you start off walking at a normal pace, imagine your top walking speed and then work back from there. So tell yourself, “I’m going to walk normally and then increase my speed by about 15%.” Then hold that speed and maintain it for a few minutes.

If you don’t feel like that increase is giving you a challenge, go up a notch until you’ve increased your speed by 20 to 25%. Then hold that speed and maintain it for a few minutes.

This is how you gauge your exertion level. You know you’re getting close when you feel your heart rate go up. And when you feel this extra exertion, look at your watch and see how long you can sustain it. If you can do it for 2 to 3 minutes, great. If not, it doesn’t matter. Just follow this pattern.

After you’ve challenged yourself for a few minutes, stop and rest. Ideally, you should feel winded. You should be breathing heavier than you usually do and you should feel your heart beating faster. Now begin your recovery period. Allow your heart rate and breath to return to normal.

When you’ve completed your first set, try another. At this point, repeat your first set without increasing your intensity. If you want to ramp up the challenge, increase the amount of time you walk at a faster speed.

By walking and first gauging your exertion capacity, you can do a productive PACE routine at your own level. it doesn’t matter how quickly you can walk. Even if your top exertion speed is just about your normal walking speed, you can give yourself enough of a challenge to expand your lung volume and build reserve capacity in your heart.

This gradual build up in cardio-pulmonary power will get you to higher levels and extend your endurance. Little by little, you’ll become more and more conditioned and better able to handle more intense challenges.

When you feel you’ve improved your exercise capacity–or if you want to start with something more challenging than walking–use this same formula with swimming or biking. Both give you a good heart and lung workout.

Swimming is helpful if you have a disability as the water’s buoyancy will take the strain off your joints and make it easier to move. Biking is also very effective for de-conditioned beginners and you have the option of doing it outside or in the gym.

Like walking, take it slow and evaluate your exertion level. Don’t strain yourself. Take small, deliberate steps and stay with your program. Within the first week, you’ll start to see progress.

By gently encouraging your heart and lungs to maximize their output, you’ll be able to improve right away. What’s more, you’ll be able to successfully start a productive PACE routine, no matter what your age, condition or personal history.

As you progress, do less walking and put more focus on swimming and biking. And when you feel ready, try some of the basic routines in your PACE book. Once you’ve made headway with your heart and lungs you’ll be able to increase your challenge and activate your native fat burner.

With a sufficient challenge, you’ll start to burn fat after your PACE routine. This fat burning will last as long as 16to 24 hours after you finish. But your first goal will be to build cardio-pulmonary power by establishing a PACE routine that accommodates your current situation.

This in itself is a major victory. A lot of folks can’t get past the false assumption that they’ll never be able to do it. With PACE, you never have to make excuses, as you can always find a routine that perfectly matches your current level.

About Dr. Al Sears, M.D.

Dr. Sears is the author of 14 books on health and wellness, including P.A.C.E. The 12-Minute Fitness Revolution (Wellness Research & Consulting, Inc., January 2010), in which he disputes modern exercise advice and sets the record straight, proving that long durations of cardio and marathon running are actually bad for your heart and lungs. In addition to being Board-Certified by the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine, Dr. Sears is an ACE-Certified Fitness Trainer and a Certified Nutrition Specialist. For more information, including several videos demonstrating the simple recommended exercises, please visit www.PaceRevolution.com.

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Fitness balls look fun. I can just imagine myself trying to get my pleasantly plus-size body to balance on one of them. I’m sure I’d have a blast–and no, that isn’t sarcasm. Growing up in a family very devoted to the military because of my aunt’s active participation, go-getter attitude and devotion to her military career, I remember doing sit-ups with her right before she had to perform her annual physical training test. One thing I always noticed–pain. Pain in my back that made me want to howl. So I was pretty psyched when I found out a study was performed on how well fitness balls increase the productivity and results when implemented into a fitness routine; particularly when doing traditional sit-ups and crunches.

The study was done by researchers at the Department of Kinesiology at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. They found that adding a fitness ball to your abs workouts improves the flexing of abdominal muscles by 24-38% over traditional exercises done on the floor. And how did they come to this conclusion? Participants in the study were fitted with electromyographic equipment that registered heightened activity in upper and lower abs as well as in the obliques.

Certified yoga and fitness ball trainer Suzanne Deason said, “Abs workouts using a stability ball engage smaller core muscles that more traditional forms of exercise don’t. Those smaller muscles help you keep your balance on the ball. You’ll sculpt all the muscle groups in the abdominals–particularly the transversus for a flat stomach; they’re sometimes missed in regular sit-ups–as well as the obliques for a whittled down, small waist; and the outermost muscle, the rectus.” And as for the pain felt in the spine doing traditional sit-ups and crunches, she said, “Because of the ball’s soft surface, you don’t feel pain on your spine as you might when doing lying-down exercises. The support gives you the sense that you’re not working as hard as you actually are; you can probably do many more sit-ups on the ball than you’d be able to do on the floor.”

Performing ab crunches on a fitness ball is one of the most effective ways to strengthen, flatten and tone abs. Doing the exercise using a fitness ball eliminates the impact of a hard surface on the spine, which helps you perform the movement more precisely and also helps increase lower back strength, support the spine, promote better posture and prevent lower back injury.

So how do you perform these ab crunches? Follow these steps!

• Begin in Positive Seated Posture; roll out until lower back is resting comfortably on ball.
• Place feet flat on floor, shoulder-width apart.
• Position hands behind head to support its weight, elbows pointed directly out to sides.
• Raise held even with torse and gaze straight up.
• Inhale deepyly; on exhale, contract lower abs.
• Hold the flex and inhale; on exhale, slowly curl torso forward, flexing middle and upper abs to raise chest up and toward pelvis. Allow head to follow chest. Do not force or pull head forward. Allow abs to do the work.

• Raise chest until you feel abs completely contracted; hold for 3 to 5 comfortable, deep breaths.
• Release slowly, allowing head and chest to drop back down to torso level. Breathe.
• Repeat 10 to 12 times. Add more repetitions as you become stronger.

As for where you can get yourself an anti-burst fitness ball, check out your local sporting goods store or Sports Authority and Dick’s Sporting Goods from anywhere between $20 to $40.

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Join Urban Girl Squad as we learn “BollyBasics,” an introduction to the famous Indian folk dance called Bollywood, with the founder of Bollywood dance company Dhoonya Dance. Dhoonya Dance is a growing dance company that has taught Bollywood on Oprah! In our class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Bollywood and Pop Bhangra dance in a fun, beginner’s setting. No dance experience is necessary. You’ll get a great workout, learn a new style of dance, and meet new women in NYC!

At this class, you’ll learn Bollywood Basics and receive:

• A gift bag of South Asian goodies from City Saheli, including a Bollywood CD, a pamphlet with basic Bollywood steps, a henna tattoo, and a piece of South Asian inspired jewelry. City Saheli is an online platform that brings to you New York City with a South Asian twist–you can learn more about new types of yoga, natural healing, fusion designers and more.
• 1 free class for every 4 class package you purchase from Dhoonya Dance

Dhoonya Dance is home of the best Bollywood talent, teachers and training providing simple, artistic instruction. The Dhooyna Method of Bollywood dance emphasizes strong fundamentals and choreography rooted in traditional, folk and classical Indian dance.

Join us on February 11th as we learn the basics of Bollywood dance. Space is limited and advanced placement is required, so purchase your ticket today! Wear comfortable, workout/yoga attire. No shoes necessary.

Fast Facts:
Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Location: The Dance Theater Workshop
219 West 19th Street
New York, NY 10011

Time: 7:00PM

RSVP/Purchase Ticket: Bollywood Dance Class

Info: Urban Girl Squad

Cost: $20 per ticket

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About Urban Girl Squad
Amanda Hofman created Urban Girl Squad, a community-based social group for women in their 20′s and 30′s in New York City, in January 2008. Urban Girl Squad creates opportunities for these women to try new things, spend time with friends, and meet new people. Our events include food and wine tastings, beauty and fashion nights, dance and fitness classes, sports events, cocktail parties and more. We provide special, discounted access to the city–you’ll meet store owners and designers, taste gourmet food and drinks, receive personal attention from popular venues, and score some amazing gift bags. The welcoming atmosphere at our events makes it easy for members to attend on their own or with friends!

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Cereal Health and Wellness has made some really great information on calories per-serving of major breakfast items available, which you can check out below:

I would have thought that oatmeal would be a healthier option for a child’s breakfast, but as it turns out, cereal and skim milk comes in at 20 calories less than oatmeal and skim milk, which I found really interesting.

While we may know the cliche statement that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, there is a lot of weight to it that parents need to pay a little more attention to, instead of letting children fend for themselves if they’re a little older to find something to run out the door with. Cereal is a really fast and easy breakfast and a 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast perform better in school, compared to children who skip the first meal of the day. Children who eat breakfast also score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy and have fewer reported discripline problems. As you can see, breakfast goes a long way!

General Mills cereal is absolutely commited to you and your child’s health and nutrition and they are offering a coupon for $1 off of your choice of General Mills cereals. Click here to get your coupon!

Disclosure: I was given the opportunity to spread the word about General Mills’ commitment to reducing sugars in cereals from General Mills and MyBlogSpark. For this post, I received VIP coupons, the online coupon link, and the information from General Mills and MyBlogSpark.

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While most people who suffer from any form of depression, whether major depressive disorder (also referred to as clinical depression and unipolar disorder), manic depression, or it’s more severe twin bipolar disorder and so on, have a chemical imbalance that affects their brains and the way they function and respond to whatever elements are around them and it is said that those symptoms and later, those diagnoses have always been a part of them genetically. This is not the case with me; at least I don’t believe it is and after checking with the whole host of psychologists and psychiatrists I have been with over the years, neither do they. I am a special case, though sadly, not that special nor rare–I have been diagnosed as having Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which has also led me to adopt major depressive disorder.

I was diagnosed with PTSD after everything in my life started feeling like it was just too much. I was overwhelmed, stressed over just about everything, my life seemed to cease resembling what it had always looked like to me. I was in high school and as if high school did not impose enough stress and anxiety on my life in itself, the never-ending questions being asked by myself and others were daunting. I was being expected to know exactly what I wanted to do after high school and not just what I wanted to do, but where I was going and what school would be taking me there. These sort of pressures are already overwhelming for average teenagers, start piling these questions onto a teenager who suddenly feels like they’re crawling out of their own skin and have no idea how something like that could sprout up out of nowhere and convince themselves that they must be crazy and well, you’ve got quite the situation on your hands. I ended up dropping out of high school as a senior and moving out of my father’s house and in with my best friend and her mother. It was not the best of decisions, but it did force me to get a grasp on what was going on with me. After getting a job, living with my friend and her mother for six months and then finally getting enough money together to move into my own apartment, I started going to therapy which luckily for me, was located right across the street from my apartment because those are the kind of perks you get when you move into the middle of a high-trafficked city.

I got a hold on my PTSD. I learned to understand it and the triggers that sent me into episodes of mentally and sometimes even physically re-living abusive and traumatic events from my childhood, which is to blame for my mental illness. My mother was (and maybe still is, I don’t know, I haven’t seen her or heard from her very much at all in upwards of ten years) a drug addict and an alcoholic who kept many, many boyfriends, as well as her dealers and sometimes they were one in the same, around constantly and were the abusers who left me as another statistic of childhood sexual assault.

Janice was completely spot-on when she said that people who live with mental illness fight every day and every day, it is a struggle, but with the right knowledge (remember, in whatever situation you are in, knowledge is power), coping mechanisms and of course, support from people you trust and who do not pass judgement or look at you as being less than anything, it is something that we conquer; and then we get up in the morning the next day and do it again. However, Janis did touch upon why she had never written about this particular struggle of hers and that is because of fear of being judged, which is completely understandable and the reason why I had never brought it to light on Woman Tribune; but also of people thinking that she could not do her job well.

I have been a blogger for many years now. I started blogging on Teen Open Diary and LiveJournal when I was 13 and had just gotten a computer in our house, and I began dabbling in web design and development at 14. I have literally grown up online, which is why I can say with absolute certainty that my mental illness has little impact on my ability to blog and to effectively market and promote my blog. Sure, there are days when I absolutely, positively cannot get out of bed in the morning, which makes me pretty lucky to have a laptop that I keep set up right next to my bed for days like that. And sure, there are times when I absolutely, positively cannot blog because the words just will not come out of me, but that doesn’t mean I can’t send out a short and sweet Tweet, which does help keep your repour up with your dedicated and passionate readers who follow you on Twitter. (Shameless plug: You can follow Woman Tribune on Twitter right here.) I think the internet gives people who live with mental illness even more opportunities to excel. We don’t have to leave the house, which is why you’ll probably be hard pressed to ever see me attend a blogger’s conference, given the fact that having PTSD does make me a bit of a hermit, and we can truly “write out” our struggles, triumphs, tribulations and victories and that is the biggest coping mechanism there is.

Edited to add: I forgot a little “update” on my situation, I suppose. I’m currently 23 years old, I did end up getting my GED less than a year after dropping out of high school and as far as where I’m going and how I’m getting there, I still don’t have that figured all out. However, I can say that for the most part, while I do struggle with my PTSD and depression and while some days I do feel like a walking zombie, for the most part, I am happy. I have a loving partner, an adorable cat, two amazing stepdaughters who show me that I can have a maternal instinct of sorts, regardless of my personal vendettas and while I can’t say that I have a thriving career or a big, fancy house, I do have an apartment in a great area and as far as my “career,” well, you’re looking at it.

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I want to thank Janice of 5 Minutes for Mom for opening up the discussion on mental illness and the fears many of us who are also living with it have about “coming out.” Thank you for the inspiration to let it all hang out.

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As very busy women are prone to do, myself included, going to the grocery store and sticking a bunch of items in your cart, dashing through the checkout and back home is a mundane and sometimes even tedious task. Very, very rarely do we think about the items we are throwing into our carts while checking our watches and making sure we’re out of the store in time to run the other errands we have on our lists. Where do these foods come from? How were the fruits, vegetables and wheat farmed? Where did our wheat come from, anyway? Well, thanks to a great new interactive, online multimedia program we can now not only find out where certain types of wheat come from and how they are planted, farmed and ultimately get to be served on our dinner tables, we can virtually see and even actively take part in the farm-to-fork process.

How Wheat Works is educating the masses on where wheat starts and where it ends up in four phases–growth, harvest, milling/baking and your local grocery store. This is all made possible by the Wheat Foods Council who are striving to shed new light on wheat education and its nutritional properties and will ultimately result in informed food choices for families everywhere.

When I first saw the website and started going through the process, I immediately thought, “This is awesome, I get to play a game!”, which is when you know a company is doing something right when it comes to educating people on making more informed choices on pretty much anything. Adults are a lot like children in that respect, because even as we have gotten older, we’re still willing to do just about anything if it means having a little fun in the process–and I am no exception.

But while there is a definite fun factor in addition to learning a lot more on where the most popular grain comes from and how it winds up on your kitchen table, the Wheat Foods Council is also giving back in a very positive way with this initiative. For each participant who signs up at How Wheat Works and plants their virtual wheat field, the Council will donate two pounds of flour, up to 90,000 pounds to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization providing assistance to US troops and their families who are in need. That is a lot of flour and it will undoubtedly make a great difference in the lives of those who need it.

The Wheat Foods Council is also extending this program to reach the youth population with their additional website, wheatfoods.org, which is chock full of great resources about wheat, fiber and grains, Just for Kids education about wheat and even recipes and photos, a great deal of which look absolutely amazing and I know I’ll have to try!

I learned a great deal from How Wheat Works, including where certain types of wheat are grown and that my state of Pennsylvania only grows one type of wheat and my state had one, very small and lonely dot indicating wheat was grown here at all. So go check out the website, plant a virtual wheat field and above all, make a difference by getting the Wheat Food Council up to 90,000 pounds of flour donated to Operation Homefront.

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