WEAR RED Friday February 6, 2009

Join to celebrate "National Wear Red Day" Friday, February 6th
sponsored by the American Heart Association's"Go Red For Women" campaign


National Wear Red Day!


"One day a year, what you wear is a matter of life and death. Most of the time, selecting clothing isn't that critical. But on Wear Red Day, it's vitally important. That's because it helps raise funds to fight the No. 1 killer of American women: cardiovascular disease, the cause of one in every 2.6 female deaths."

The "Go Red For Women" Red Dress enameled lapel pin stands for the empowerment of women to take charge of their health. You can find more information and make donations to the American Heart Association, by visiting their website, at: www.goredforwomen.org, www.americanheart.org . You may also purchase Go Red items, at: www.shopgored.org .

Text provided by the American Heart Association





10 Ways To Love Your Heart
Make "Go Red For Women" last A Lifetime!
Join the Movement!

1) Get regular check ups
2) Know your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers
3) Follow your doctor's recommendations for diet and exercise
4) Take prescribed medications as directed
5) If you smoke, quit now
6) Get at least 30mins of moderate physical activity each day. Join the AHA 12-week physical fitness program at www.goredforwomen.org
7) Eat a heart-healthy diet, including fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods and fish
8) Limit food high in saturated fats and dietary cholesterol
9) Limit your salt intake to 2300 mg of sodium per day
10) If you drink alcoholic beverages, drink in moderation - an average of no more than one drink a day for non-pregnant women

Volunteering for your Health in "09"

A stronger community is not the only benefit of volunteering. It can also improve your health. New research from the Mayo Clinic shows that people who volunteer have lower rates of heart disease and live longer. Previous studies have shown that people who volunteer are overall more physically and mentally fit than those who don’t.

Researchers say to reap these health benefits, strive to volunteer 40 to 100 hours a year—that’s breaks down to just a few hours a week.

Here are some tips on how to get started:

Be open-minded: Its important to volunteer service doing something you enjoy, but don’t be afraid to think outside your comfort zone. Volunteer opportunities are available not only in schools, nursing homes and churches but also at your local art center, animal shelter or state park. There are activities that can involve group settings or that you can do privately. There is something for everyone.

Make realistic commitments: Some may think it will be too hard to juggle family, work and volunteering, but if you make realistic commitments, you’ll be able to make a difference while still managing your life. When researching volunteer options, be honest with yourself, and the organizers about how much time you can commit.



Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent

Volunteermatch and 1-800 volunteer.org and Handsonnetwork.org has some great ways to get you started in "09"

More about volunteering this NEW YEAR of 2009

What's ahead for 2009?

The Obama Effect
The United States is about to inaugurate a new president who represents the hopes of many for a brighter future. Barack Obama won the election in large part because of his unprecedented ability to mobilize volunteers at the local level – many of whom had never gotten engaged in political action before. He had special appeal to young voters, with whom his campaign connected mainly by Internet technology.

Here are several ways that the Obama Administration may impact volunteering in the United States, along with some of my own editorial comments.

Obama campaign leaders are working hard to maintain the momentum and engagement of their election volunteers in ways that 1) truly give people a way to serve their communities, and 2) are not cynically seen as a ruse to keep the corps intact for the 2012 campaign. They are making a very interesting start with their “Change is Coming” house meetings, in which volunteers are being asked to suggest priorities for the new Administration and develop ideas for grassroots action on real needs.
Already there have been e-mails from both Barack and Michelle Obama urging volunteer action of various sorts. Michelle’s holiday message on December 23rd started with:

This holiday season, the grassroots movement you helped build can make a big difference for those in need. I hope you will join me in supporting your favorite charity or contributing to causes that are especially meaningful to me and my family.



She specifically recommended donating to a local food bank or giving to Operation USO Care, and provided links directly to such sites. Perhaps in the future this Administration will talk about ending hunger and war rather than palliating the effects, but it’s a nice start.

Candidate Obama made campaign promises about enlarging stipended service programs such as the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps. Many also believe that he will favor the proposed U.S. Public Service Academy. So we may see legislation and appropriations that fund these efforts.
President Obama will be appointing the next director of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which will set the tone for that agency’s work in the coming years. From the volunteer management perspective, we’ll be watching whether the new person understands that stipended service is only a small part of “service” and will seek ways to strengthen volunteering infrastructure. Still on the table is the idea of training AmeriCorps members to be volunteer coordinators at the local level (something successfully done by VISTAs in the 1980s) – will this happen and how?
There is also the question of whether someone new will break down the silos that have encased AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn & Serve projects. It’s time that the Corporation presses all these “streams of service” to find their commonalities on the ground.

From http://www.energizeinc.com/hot/2009/09jan.html

DO Something on MLK Day - National Day of Service

Michelle Obama wants YOU to do something on MLK day
Submitted by staff1 on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 17:25.


President-elect Obama has declared Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday January 19th, the national day of service and soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama wants you to do something! She has issued a call to action on the eve of her husband’s inauguration, asking Americans to take part in volunteering opportunities across the country.

Mrs. Obama says whatever service activity you choose, “cleaning up a park, giving blood, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or mentoring an at-risk youth,” know that it’s a step in showing the world our country’s commitment to service.

So what will you be doing next Monday? Check out Michelle’s wise words and then let us know below!

Still stumped? No plans for MLK day yet? Do Something Now! Text ‘Do Something’ to 30644 to get the latest volunteer opportunities in your area.

http://www.usaservice.org/page/content/opportunities/

St. Augustine Wild Reserve

North Florida's Foremost exotic animal sanctuary allows visitors a close-up view of lions, tigers, wolves, and more. You too can visit the 80 animals for a 2-hour tour.

We had the great opportunity to visit and take a tour of this hidden gem... Thanks to Jessica and Pam with the Florida United States Pageant system... We were invited as special guest to go behind the lines and visit with a baby bengal tiger have our photos taken and also had the chance to speak with the St. Augustine Record Newspaper (watch for the article coming soon) www.staugustine.com

For more information on the Wild Reserve visit www.staugustinewildreserve.org

SAVE the DATE -wear RED February 6, 2009

Join with millions of women, as well as companies, organizations and cities across America on National Wear Red Day, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. By wearing red and making a donation, you'll help the American Heart Association support ongoing research and education about women and heart disease.

Plan a Wear Red Day
It's easy to be a part of this special day. Consider organizing a National Wear Red Day at your workplace, with your faith-based organization, at your community center or in your home. We've made it simple with our free, downloadable tools. Use them anytime of the year to host your own Wear Red Day event. It's a great way to raise awareness and help us fight our No. 1 killer - heart disease.

Start by registering as a Wear Red Day Coordinator/Host. You'll get free, downloadable tools to help you plan and execute your Wear Red Day. They're available on your registration confirmation email. (Already registered to host a Wear Red Day event? Then please visit this page.)
Next, visit Shop Go Red to find apparel, accessories and more from our sponsors to help you show your support for women and the fight against heart disease.
Download our free Conversations from the Heart: A Go Red For Women Discussion Guide to get the conversation going about heart health. Share it with your HR representative, employer, coworkers, family, friends.
Make a connection with your local American Heart Association.
See the cities and companies below that helped make National Wear Red Day a success.

Happy New Year

I recently read an article in the newspaper which, basically, asks you to reflect on what goals you set forth last year and how close you came to accomplishing everything you envisioned. What struck me though was the part that stated, without writing down your goals and devising a time line to achieve them, you would probably fall short, especially when it came to personal goals and health goals. We often put our own needs and health on the back burner and wonder why each year we are repeating the same New Year’s resolutions with little success. You must devise a plan and stick to it. Your health is dependent on it. That is what I plan on doing this year, writing everything down and sticking to a plan.

Let's see if I do what I am saying... I will try to keep you all updated as much as I can... I also wanted to send some intresting reading to you all as well this was sent to me via email from a local group I am apart of in Jacksonville this is from the newsletter and an invite to a luncheon for this year (2009)

ENJOY!

2009 FREEDOM RINGS!
No-Holds-Barred Approach to Prosperity, By Sheryl Lynn

Whoops you did it again! Things were cruising along just fine, you felt like you were on track with your business, personal life, relationships and then the bomb drops. Maybe you put your foot in your mouth at a Christmas party. Perhaps you made the wrong decision on your stock market speculations or maybe your new venture is turning out to be a complete disaster. Whatever it was that went wrong, it sent you spinning backwards while questioning your dreams and hopes for your future. 2009 is the year that FREEDOM WILL RING for you, if you let it.

There really is a clear and distinct difference between those who succeed beyond belief and those who just meander around in occasional success. The key words are “beyond belief” and a no-holds barred approach to prosperity.

First, a no-holds barred approach to anything is going forward without restrictions or rules. Now that is not to say you should break laws by any means, but it means to let go of societal beliefs that you have put upon yourself and free yourself of self regulated rules that are holding you back from freedom and a life filled with prosperity.

In the USA TODAY, December 12th, 2008 in an article entitled, Marisa Tomei: A no-holds-barred acting job in 'Wrestler' where she is quoted saying, "Someone gave me a hula hoop two years ago. It feels really good, and it's really calming. I bring one to all sets now," she says. "You're waiting and you have all that extra energy and you want to stay focused and relaxed and something about that hoop — you do it and it calms you down. Honestly, it's the best thing."

Marisa Tomei is an anti-exhibitionist. She's self-contained and soft-spoken, best known for her role in My Cousin Vinny, yet as indicated above she is centered, knows herself well, loves what she does and does it well while not caring what anyone else thinks of her. Marisa has thrown out the traditional rules and regulations that most put on themselves and she just goes out and lives life surrounding herself with self-love and unconditional love for herself and others.

Many times we don’t pursue something because we set conditions around it based on our beliefs. Imagine yourself going out to a networking experience. You spend ample time getting ready because this is a big event. Then on the way over you say to yourself, “Gees, I should have worn my brown shoes.” “What if I don’t know anyone when I get there?” “Who really cares about what I have to offer anyway.” “Gosh, I am tired; I should just go home as this probably will be a waste of time anyway.” All of this is simply this; YOU not loving YOU enough to live the life that you really want.

When we put so many rules upon yourself, you are just prolonging success. Living an abundant and prosperous life is happening for right now for millions of people regardless of the economy, regardless of what is on the news, regardless of what others say. Prosperity in our relationships, business life, community, financial arena, global relations, etc…all comes down to how much we can let go of past and limiting beliefs and just allow ourselves to LOVE unconditionally, mostly ourselves - without condition, regulation and rules.

Here are three steps to live 2009 with a personal no-holds-barred approach to prosperity.

1. When others give you a hard time, just know they are hungry and you have a lot of food to give them. FEED THEM with kindness, love, or whatever else they need. Don’t hold back. When you love them, you love you.

2. Focus on what you need to DO to be successful – my friend Steve Waterhouse told me ask myself this everyday…”What if you KNEW you would be successful tomorrow, what would you do today?

3. Surround yourself with people who are what you wish to become. Phone those who are doing what you want to do and living the life you only now wish for. Ask them to have coffee and get permission to pick their brain. They will be honored you asked. Do this often and watch what happens.

You will find deep respect for yourself when you are living life doing the very best for yourself. When you have this respect and unconditional love, all the others around you will benefit beyond belief and they too will begin to live a life with a no-holds-barred approach to prosperity! Let Freedom Ring in 2009 in both your heart and mind.