Is there a doctor in the house?  I’d like to invite any and all of our medical professionals to write comments and suggestions to our readers.

I thought I would pose a question this time - to get some conversation going. My question is to extract information from you regarding what type of physical activity you would engage in. I’m not saying that you have to be actively working out - however, I’m hoping your response will trigger some form of action. We just recently began Step-A-Fonics (Joyce McGown’s signature product) class at Lafayette Medical Center. We’re learning dance steps (line dancing), so for me, it’s a mind game to say “you’re not exercising, you’re learning how to dance!” So far, so good!

Will we ever find the perfect solution? The Garden of Eden is long gone. We have certainly polluted every natural thing God placed on this earth - but where are the solutions? I personally have a purified water system in my home (which my son doesn’t like - he says it tastes funny, so he prefers the tap water). I psyched myself into believing I wouldn’t have gotten cancer if I wasn’t drinking the tap water.  I believe I filled my head with too many stories about the water supply from the farming and the factories (particularly on the southeast portion of Fort Wayne). What are some of you doing? What do you think about the article? Do you have any other articles of interest on water to share?

Lunch Strategies for Work  

The Best Choices When You Don’t Have Time to Pack   — By Rebecca Pratt, Staff Writer 

If you’ve read “Fun and Filling Lunches To-Go” then you already have some great ideas for packing a healthy, filling, and tasty lunch. But some days, packing your own meal isn’t an option. When you’re not able to brown-bag it, don’t let that excuse derail your healthy diet! Instead, make smart choices: 

• If your only option is fast food, pick a broiled chicken breast sandwich, but skip the high-fat sauces. Or, try the salad bar, but keep portions of dressing, cheese, and high-fat meats (like pepperoni) under control. Limit mayonnaise salads, including coleslaw, potato, egg and chicken salads. Beware of all-you-can-eat “deals” that will sabotage your hard-won healthy choices. 
  

• For appetizers, avoid the crispy, creamy, and cheesy, and go for to broth-based soups or fresh fruit cups. Better yet, pick a healthy appetizer (a thin-crust veggie pizza, for example) as your entrée.
     

• In choosing an entrée, look for keywords: grilled, steamed, poached, and broiled. Order with special instructions such as light on the sauces or butter, sauce on the side (so you can control the portions), or simply no sauce. “Cajun” or “blackened” items usually make good choices, because they are spicy, but low in fat. 
  

• Keep portion sizes realistic. You may even find it helpful to ask for a to-go box with your order so that you can divide your food immediately after it comes, thus avoiding the temptation to continue nibbling after you’re really full. 
  

• Try to avoid  vending machines. If it’s your only option (or you’re just tempted beyond belief), choose the healthier items: wheat crackers, pretzels, yogurt, string cheese, or dried fruit. If there are no healthy choices—take the initiative! Survey your fellow workers, then submit a respectful request that machines include at least a few healthy items. 
  

Article created on:  8/10/2005

Okay, we’re going to try this.  Mind you I am very new to this ‘blogging’ concept…but, we want to engage in conversation with ALL of you!  I believe that we all have solutions to challenging situations, and while we (FWAACA) are on a mission to educate, advocate, and COLLABORATE for the prevention and early detection of cancer in the African-American and medically underserved communities - well, we need your input as well! 

I will post articles of interest, questions to make you say ‘hmmmm’, among other things.  Please engage in the conversation!  Please feel free to offer your experiences, your proven strategies, whatever you find worthy of sharing - here is a platform to do so! 

Thank you!  Visit us often!  We are looking forward to this opportunity to serve!

EJF (Evelyn J. Frierson)