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Looking for something fun to do that is also good for your heart? On Sunday, Feb. 25, from noon to 4 p.m., Waldo County General Hospital’s Journey to Health will host a Day of Dance 2012: A Celebration of Heart Health at the Belfast Dance Studio.
There will be four different dance classes and three heart health talks plus lots of free giveaways, including t-shirts, heart health recipes and water bottles.
The four dance classes are:
• African Fusion with live drumming led by Shana Bloomstein with Jeff Densmore on drums from noon to 12:45 p.m.
• Zumba Gold (beginner) with Judi Erickson from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
• Learn Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” dance from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. with Courtney Porter from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Nia and Cool-Down with Anna Fiedler from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
The heart health talks are:
• “Being Well” with Cardiologist Dr. Dennis DeSilvey talking about overall heart health from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
• “Healthful Eating” with Dietitian Jenn Nelson RN from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• “Move to the Heart Beat” with Cardiac Rahab ManagerMary HanrahanRN offering exercise tips.
For more information about the free event, call Hester Kohl, 930-2514. |
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Bath Salts Forum from Waldo County General Hospital on Vimeo. Police and hospitals across Maine have reported a sharp increase in new designer drugs known by such names as bath salts and spice. This program provides answers to how the drug works, its effects and dangers. The presentations were given by drug recognition Sgt. Jim Greeley of the Waldo County Sheriff’s office and drug support group organizer Tim Woitowitz. |
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A delicious vegan raw-foods dessert taken from ”Life in Balance” by Meg Wolff.
Truffle Coating (make first)
½ cup Brazil nuts ½ cup of shredded coconut
Chop both in a food processor. Pour in a bowl and set aside for coating.
Truffles
1 cup Brazil nuts ¾ cup walnuts 1/8 cup dates (about 3 dates) ½ cup dried apricots 1 to 2 tablespoons brown rice syrup ¼ teaspoon vanilla ½ cup shredded coconut 2 tablespoons organic raw cocoa powder (omit if you’d prefer plain)
Run second set of Brazil nuts, walnuts, dates and apricots through the food processor until evenly chopped. Add Remaining ingredients. Process until combined. Roll into ball, then roll in the coating mix. Serves 12-18. Store in refrigerator.
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The Weight Watchers program held at Waldo County General Hospital is looking for new members for a 12-week session scheduled to begin Feb. 22. Classes will be held Wednesdays at 7 a.m.
The classes are open to anyone interested in losing weight. Fifteen paid members are needed by Feb. 15.
The 12-week sessions costs $145. Checks, cash and credit cards are acceptable. Checks and credit card payments will be held until enough people have signed up and the first meeting has been held. Participants can also make three payments of $50 (dated Feb. 15), $50 (dated March 11) and $45 (dated April 11).
The Wednesday morning meetings will be held in the WCGH education center with a 15-minute weigh-in beginning at 7 a.m. followed by a 30-minute discussion with local favorite Ginny Whitman as the meeting leader.
For more information or to sign up, contact Lois Dutch at 338-2500 ext. 4154.
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Do you or someone in your family suffer from a mental illness? Have you been looking for support as you try to help yourself or a loved one live with mental illness and its impact?
If so, you should plan to attend a workshop featuring the services and classes offered by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to be held Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Education Center next to Waldo County General Hospital.
Anne Perschon, a NAMI volunteer, will discuss the classes, services and support groups sponsored by NAMI and how they can help make the lives of those with mental illness and their caregivers better.
Mental illnesses impact the lives of at least one in four adults and one in 10 children and can include, among other diagnoses, eating disorders, major depression, autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder.
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the estimated 60 million Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, support and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope for all of those in need.
To accomplish its promise to build better lives for those impacted by mental illnesses, NAMI provides education, support and advocacy programs and services that benefit individuals and families affected by mental illness in communities across the country.
Among the classes to be discussed on Jan. 31 and to be offered in the area this spring are Family to Family, a 12-week course to teach family members about mental illnesses and the various medications used for treatment, strategies for coping, and how to talk to someone who is in the throes of an episode. Without support, families often find themselves baffled, frustrated, demoralized and chaos can erupt. Talking with others who have faced similar situations can be helpful.
The second class is Peer-to-Peer, a 9-week course, for those who suffer from mental illness and would find it helpful to talk with others about how they deal with the symptoms of their illness.
Perschon says she has used NAMI services and was so impressed with the help that she received that she now works as an unpaid volunteer for the group. She said an individual from the last Family to Family course will likely be in attendance as well to share how the free classes helped her and her family.
Pershon said NAMI has an 800 number for people impacted by mental illness to check on resources available to them, including help with getting services for people who have no money. There are also online forums and chat rooms and a support group will be starting up in the area soon. |
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Stay Safe and Warm this Winter from Waldo County General Hospital on Vimeo. Chris Kulbe talks to us about how to use non-electric and oil heat sources safely. |
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The Imaging Department at Waldo County General Hospital has created a 2012 calendar in honor and memory of the hospital’s many breast cancer patients.
The calendar, titled “Standing Tall Against Breast Cancer,” features photographs of breast cancer survivors, those currently fighting the disease, and some who lost their battles. The patients range in age from early 20s to 86 years old.
There is a photograph of a mother and daughter who have both fought the disease; another with a young mother and her toddler; and yet another mother and daughter holding the picture of their husband and father who lost his battle with breast cancer. And there is a photograph of two cousins and their family members who shaved their heads or dyed their hair pink in support.
One survivor chose to have her picture taken on a stone creation she built to celebrate her victory over the dreaded disease; another group of women wanted to be photographed as a group to show how the disease does not discriminate between young and old and was survivable for them; and another young woman wanted to be with her students.
On the cover is a picture of a survivor. The picture shows her battle with breast cancer.
In the back of the calendar, at the request of the patients who were photographed, are pictures of many of the hospital employees who became support teams for those fighting breast cancer.
There is also a copy of a poem written by a woman who is currently fighting breast cancer. She says as the poison from chemotherapy enters her body, poetry flows out.
The calendars are for sale for $15 at the hospital and several area businesses. |
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I know that not everyone feels this way, but I personally love to attend and throw holiday parties. The holiday music twinkling in the background, those festive fashions, and time to visit with people you don’t see often — what’s not to love? Some might also think that a holiday party is not the place to highlight health. I beg to differ. What makes a party special is the people, the conversation, and the dancing (if you’re lucky) — not the high-cal desserts or greasy finger foods. It is possible to throw a healthy holiday party that will please most of your guests. (I say “most” because there are always a few people who are impossible to please, no matter what!) That said, here are my top 10 tips for throwing a healthy holiday party. Adopt as many as you like — the more the merrier! 1. Offer no- and lower-calorie drinks galore so your guests have lots of healthy options. Here are a few to try: * Holiday tea 2. Serve fruit and vegetable trays. For appetizers and dinner, I use the 50% rule: I try to cover 50% of the food table with fruit and vegetable dishes. Here are some winter options for your fruit and veggie arrays: * For fruit trays or fruit salads, try apple slices (spray with lemon juice to prevent browning), orange slices or wedges, melon cubes, grapes, canned pineapple, and cherry or grape tomatoes. 3. Keep dips and spreads as light as possible by substituting nonfat sour cream, light cream cheese, light or low-fat mayonnaise, and low-fat yogurt for the more caloric versions. 4. Look for ways to add beans to your dishes to beef up the fiber and plant protein, which will help your guests feel fuller faster. It’s easy to use beans in salads, casseroles, and appetizers. One of my favorites is a light 7-layer dip that features canned, nonfat refried beans. 5. Serve whole grains or whole-grain blends. You can use half whole-wheat flour in nut breads, muffins, and even cookie recipes. You can use whole-wheat blend pastas, whole grain crackers, and whole wheat (or whole wheat blend) dinner rolls. Check the ingredient list and the fiber grams on the nutrition information label for the rolls and crackers to make sure you are getting a product with at least half whole wheat and more fiber. 6. Serve lean meats and fish. There are lots of festive meat options that are lower in fat (and saturated fat) and high in protein. Try cooked shrimp served with cocktail sauce, roasted sliced turkey breast, lean ham, and sliced lean roast beef. Grilled or broiled salmon filet makes a great appetizer when served with whole-grain crackers. 7. Dish up lighter (or littler) desserts. Let’s be honest: it wouldn’t be a holiday party without holiday desserts. So make it easy for your guests. Serve light desserts when possible, and offer dessert trays with bite-size samples. When serving up desserts, think about portions that are two to four bites — just enough to taste and enjoy. Your guests can always have more! You can use cupcake papers to hold bite-sized portions (small-sized cookies and even cake or pie can be cut into petite portions). You can also use mini cupcake pans to make bite-sized cupcakes, cakes, brownies, and cheesecake. Also, keep dessert embellishments light when possible (try light vanilla ice cream, fat-free or lite Cool Whip, etc). 8. Encourage physical activity at the party. It depends on the type of party you’re having, but possibilities include:
9. Offer light condiments on the buffet. Try spicy mustard, light or low-fat mayo, barbecue sauce, cranberry sauce, fruit chutney, relishes, and so on. 10. Have an appetizer and dessert party or a dinner/buffet party instead of serving appetizers AND dinner AND dessert). When faced with too many food options, most people will eat too much. And while we’re at it, go ahead and banish candy dishes from the party. As long as you have other food on hand, you won’t need them. People can have candy any time of year. BONUS TIP: Have small plates out at your buffet or dessert/appetizer table to encourage people to serve themselves smaller portions. But I’m warning you, some people will still pile every possible morsel onto their small plate. I’ve seen people at a holiday reception stack dozens of cookies onto their small plates, creating a Christmas tree of cookies. |
Some chose to be photographed in their favorite locations, including on the shore, in a garden or in an art gallery, while others put warrior paint on to symbolize their battle. One woman wanted to be photographed with the members of her knitting group who have been her support system.
