By Jennifer Chaky
The Tap Water Movement is gaining steam as more and more people become aware of the nightmare of commercially-bottled water--where natural ecosystems are destroyed, one liter of water for every liter bottled is wasted, and millions of plastic bottles are put into the waste stream- 80% of which do not get recycled. And that doesn't even address the massive amounts of energy being consumed throughout this whole ordeal- from collection to transport. And don't get me started on the chemicals being leached from the plastic bottles into the water that we drink...ugh!
Beverage companies had us convinced for a while that we needed to depend on them to have healthy drinking water. But consider this: brands like Aquafina and Dasani are reprocessed tap water from sources like the Detroit River and other municipal water supplies. Yes, companies like Coca Cola and Nestle buy plain old tap water from municipalities for the same price that citizens pay, then they sell it back to those citizens at 500 times the cost. And this to me is the greatest injustice. Water is a right for every being on Earth, not a commodity to be bought and sold. It should not ever be controlled by corporations, but we dangerously give corporations this control when we pay them for our water.
By simply drinking filtered water from your tap you take back control while doing something great for your health and the health of the natural environment. Now, all filters are not created equal. Brands like Brita and Pur are two popular ones that remove chlorine and will make your water taste better, but if you want one that removes a wide range of contaminants you need a carbon filter system like Multi-Pure water filters that come in a variety of systems and price ranges to fit your needs and budget.
So hit that tap and know what a good thing you are doing!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
We're Not Buying it!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Health and Fitness Challenge
By Brianne Harrison
March has arrived, which means spring is right around the corner—and bathing suit season comes right after that. Time to start thinking about getting fit and finally shedding those winter hibernation pounds, but where do you start? The sheer amount of information available can be overwhelming—what’s right and what isn’t? What should you be eating? What exercises are most effective?
The answers to these and many, many other questions can be found at the 2010 Asbury Park Boardwalk Health and Fitness Challenge, a 12-week program of free introductory fitness, nutrition, and health classes. Participants can learn more about how to get healthy from local professionals, and be entered to win a slew of great prizes! This weekend, you can learn how to decipher the labels on your food and discover new exercises with kettlebells, presented by Jamie Pigman. Next weekend, discover the best ways to keep the weight off and burn some calories on a waterfront bike ride. The whole program culminates with a Boardwalk Body Fair on May 15—a day-long event that spotlights the latest and greatest health, wellness, and art for the body.
The Health and Fitness Challenge takes place every Sunday through mid-May. Nutrition classes start at 2 p.m. and fitness classes start at 3 p.m. For more information and videos of the sessions, visit facebook.com/apchallenge
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
A Healthier, Happy Valentine’s Day
By Brianne Harrison
It’s Valentine’s Day this weekend, and yes, there are lots of lovey-dovey events going on across the state. But as important as it is to show your honey you care, it’s also important to show yourself a little love every now and then. So, this weekend, why not check out one (or all!) of these events, which should get your heart pumping, bring a blush to your cheeks, and help you get a little healthier?
First up, on Saturday, is Fit for Cancer at the Hunterdon Health & Wellness Centers at Clinton and Whitehouse Station. What started as a grassroots event with a few spinners has exploded over the years, raising over $200,000 for Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center. Participants pledge to raise $250 and in return they get an intense three-hour workout. Choose from one of five programs, including Spin for Cancer—a high-energy, indoor cycling program that allows you to go on a virtual outdoor road race; a boot camp combining cardio and strength training; a biathlon swimming and running workout; a Zumba dance and fitness workout; or a senior water & walk class. For more information, visit fitforcancer.kintera.org.
If you’re looking for a workout you can do with that special someone, take a trip to Unionville Vineyards, which is hosting Taste and Tango Lessons with Cliff Marino on Sunday the 14. Marino has been teaching all styles of ballroom and Latin dance for the past 20 years, and he trained with some of the best dance coaches both here and abroad. He’ll be teaching the Argentine Tango for starters to intermediates in the vineyard’s historic cave room. Afterwards, take a tour of the winery or treat yourself to a tasting of some of Unionville’s wines—remember reds have heart-health benefits! Visit unionvillevineyards.com for more information.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Nice and Easy Does It
By Brianne Harrison
After a full day of work and an hour at the gym, what I want for dinner is something fast, healthy, and satisfying. With that in mind, I opened the fridge last night and contemplated my options. The pork chops weren’t completely thawed yet, so I went to plan b: leftover roast chicken.
Protein decided, I reached for one of my favorite, most versatile pantry staples: whole-wheat pasta. A few leaves of fresh spinach, a lemon, and some capers rounded out the dish, which was done in less than 15 minutes with little fuss and very little mess to clean up. Want to try it out? Here’s the recipe:
Weeknight Pasta
Serves 2
1 C cooked chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
1 C fresh spinach (or ¼ cup cooked or frozen. If frozen, thaw before cooking).
Juice of ½ lemon
1 to 1 ½ tsp capers
½ lb whole wheat pasta of your choice (I used regular spaghetti)
salt
Boil pasta according to package instructions and drain.
While pasta is boiling, add about 1 tsp olive oil to a non-stick skillet over medium heat. When the olive oil is warm, add the spinach and chicken and sauté for about 2 min, until spinach is wilted and chicken warmed through.
Add the lemon juice and capers to the spinach and chicken. Saute for another 30 seconds or so. Taste, and add a bit of salt if the dish needs seasoning (it might not, since capers tend to be a bit salty). Keeping the skillet over medium heat, add the drained pasta and toss over heat for another 30 seconds.
Weeknight pasta with chicken? Done.
Healthy Roundup: Lean meat? Check. Whole grains? Check. Leafy green? Check.
Plus: Capers contain Quercetin, a plant-derived flavonoid which may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Spinach is high in vitamins A (which is an antioxidant that can help protect your heart) and K (which helps prevent osteoporosis), as well as manganese and folate, while remaining low in calories. Spinach also has at least 13 different flavonoid compounds that function as antioxidants and have cancer-fighting properties. Olive oil can help protect you against heart disease and certain cancers. Lemons, naturally, are high in vitamin C, an immune system booster—not a bad thing to have during flu season!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
A Healthy Start to 2010
The Hunterdon Health and Wellness Centers in Clinton and Whitehouse Station are starting a “Take Control” program. This 12-week course is designed to help you take control of your health and offers practical approaches to weight loss and weight management. Classes started at Whitehouse station on the 4th, but Clinton classes begin January 5. Participants will receive a three-month membership to the Health and Wellness center as well as a fat and carbohydrate counter book and other resource materials. Classes are $169 for members and $299 for non-members at Whitehouse Station and $169 for members and $329 for non-members at Clinton.
Learn how to “Connect with Inner Joy and Peace” at the East Brunswick Public Library tonight from 7-8 p.m. Learn a simple technique to de-stress and gain peace of mind. For more information, call 7362.3990.6767 or visit ebpl.org.
Explore whether or not your lifestyle choices are sustaining or draining you at a lecture by Lorraine Maita, MD on January 6. Discover how your lifestyle choices can affect your life and health. Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. To learn more, visit hwpn.org or howtoliveyounger.com.
Want to improve your diet? Check out “How to Eat for the New Year”, a presentation and tasting hosted by Go Lightly. Learn more about the health, environmental, humane, and economic benefits of eating a plant-based diet. Stock up on literature, nutritional guidelines, and recipes. Register in advance by calling 973.744.7889 or e-mailing hi@golightlystore.com.
And, if you’re thinking ahead, Local Harvest: Farms, Food, and Family will be held January 16. This event brings together local farmers and food artisans for an afternoon of sampling, education, and shopping. Enjoy local meats, produce, breads, teas, eggs, and more while learning about local community supported agriculture. To learn more, visit slowfoodnj.org.
Friday, October 9, 2009
It’s All about Hope
By Millicent K. Brody
The Center For Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, a non-profit organization, was founded in the late 1970's by the late Peggy Coloney, R.N., and the late Father Charles Hudson, M.A.
I first met Father Hudson when he was administering to a dear friend. A most patient, kind, gentleman, he was full of love and compassion as we all sat together chatting in the confines of my friend’s small living room, surrounded by his hospital bed, special lift, and all of his medical paraphernalia. In spite of how truly ill my friend was, Father Hudson brought sunshine, life, and hope into the room. His beloved presence and energy will never be forgotten.
The term hospice dates back to medieval times, when it referred to a place for weary or ill travelers. Today, hospice care is about increasing an individual’s quality of life by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and their families as they face the challenges associated with a life-limiting illness.
Hospice is about an individual's right to choose how they wish to be cared for in the final phase of their life. Hospice believes that all persons have the right to live in dignity and free from pain until the natural event of death occurs.
“Since its inception, the growth of our organization has been remarkable,” says Diane Coloney, Director of Volunteer Services. “More than 500 women will be attending our Annual Fashion Show this Sunday, October 11 at 11 a.m. at L’Affaire, in Mountainside.”
The Center For Hope Hospice & Palliative Care attributes this growth to the commitment of its staff, the support of the community, and the faith of referring physicians.
“We've added ‘Palliative Care’ to our name as an expansion of the mission of hospice," Coloney adds. "We strive to address the needs of individuals outside of the six-month life expectancy parameter. This change represents the willingness of Center For Hope Hospice & Palliative Care to share its expertise in the area of palliative care for the terminally ill and offer consultative services. Ours is an interdisciplinary approach to symptom management for patients with a debilitating chronic disease.
The Center For Hope & Palliative Care Home Care program offers services to individuals who are homebound, seriously ill, or in need of the assistance of visiting health professionals.
Even though home care patients are usually in a recovery phase and have a good prognosis, they may be confronting very complex issues. These issues can include coping with the loss of independence due to physical limitations, the fear of creating stress for other family members, and even the inevitability of their own mortality. These are difficult concerns to express, yet part of healing involves recognizing and responding to the emotional as well as the physical effects of an illness.
For more information on the Center For Hope services or to volunteer your services, please contact Diane Coloney at the Center for Hope Hospice,1900 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains. Call: 908.889.7780.
Annual Fashion Show
Sunday, October 11, 2009
11:00 a.m.
L’Affaire
1099 U,S . Highway 22
Mountainside, NJ
Cost: $60
Grand Raffle Prizes
1st: Vacation for 2 (valued at $3500)
2nd: Necklace (valued at $2200)
3rd: $500 Shop Rite Certificate
Raffle tickets: $1 each
Friday, June 26, 2009
A Cardiac Reality Check
By Millicent K. Brody
Just two weeks ago, I underwent a cardiac catherization at Morristown Memorial Hospital. The entire event was chilling. I hadn’t shown any symptoms of a heart problem; no high or low blood pressure, no shortness of breath, no weight loss or gain....NOTHING! But there I was, nonetheless.
Exactly one year ago, I decided it might be time to secure a family physician. After scheduling an appointment with a local doctor, part of the routine physical included inquiring about my family history. I was asked if any member of my immediate family had adny serious medical conditions.
“My father dropped dead of a heart attack at age 54,” I answered.
The doctor suggested I make an appointment for a 64-Slice Cat Scan.
One year later, almost to the day, I paid a visit to my husband’s cardiologist where I mentioned this test.
The cardiologist replied, “Oh you won’t need that sophisticated a test. We’ll do a Nuclear Stress test, and see the results.”
I did, and gave it no further thought until about two weeks later. The cardiologist called and suggested I return to the office to discuss my results. He indicated the test showed that there could be a possible blockage in the main artery leading to my heart. That’s when I contacted Dr. David Fein, proprietor of the Princeton Longevity Center, to request a 64 Slice Cat Scan.
That same day, I watched photographs of my scan being projected on a computer screen. The results indicated there could indeed be a blockage at the base of my aorta, which is known as the Widow's Artery. I was referred to one of New Jersey's most respected cardiologists, Dr. Stephen Guss of the Morristown Cardiology Group. It was his opinion that I should undergo a cardiac cathaterization.
Dr. Craig Rosen, another cardiologist, did the procedure. He discovered that the artery leading from the base of my aorta was clogged, but only 30 to 40%: Not enough to stent.
Dr. Guss, Dr. Fein, and Dr. Rosen tell me that I’m very fortunate. Apparently, heart disease is the number one silent killer of women, and current risk assessment methods, like blood pressure and cholesterol tests miss as many as 75% of patients who develop heart problems. Symptoms of heart disease often do not appear before a major cardiac event.
Of course I am back to being Milli. I am fine, perfectly healthy. But when I got this news, I was completely drained, a nervous wreck, and the hardest part of the whole thing was having to sign a paper allowing the physicians to perform open heart surgery if necessary. The whole ordeal was beyond bizarre for me.
I believe my story must be told. Millions of women walk around with symptoms. I had NONE. Give your family the gift of your good health. If there is any doubt in your mind about your health: Call your doctor!
