For those of you that participated in the “At First Glance” program this past Saturday (3/24), I want to thank you for your attendance, your contribution, your input…whatever role you played - THANK YOU!!! We had a wonderful program, and I wish to especially thank our partner organizations; American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Drug & Alcohol Consortium, and the Indiana State Department of Health Prostate Cancer Initiative. I believe that we provided useful information, and the food was ’slammin!’ Thank you Motha’s Catering for keeping things healthy, but soulful! We plan to do more of these in the future - so stay tuned for more announcements, and don’t miss out on the next one! -ejf

Here is a space for you to engage in any type of dialogue among friends.  Some of you have expressed that you hadn’t found any topics that coincided with your desired input.  Well - this site is free reign for that type of engagement!  If you don’t see what you want to talk about….START YOUR OWN TOPIC RIGHT HERE!!! 

It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t fit the subject.  How many times have you been in a conversation with someone and the convo started on one subject and then by the time you parted company you had solved the world’s problems? 

Please, engage….get creative….there are very few limitations here - and believe me, if you’re way off base, well there is a little person called “administrator” that will monitor the content that is totally inappropriate.  You’re safe here!

-ejf

Part of the cruciferous vegetable group, cauliflower is rich in antioxidants and contains a naturally occurring compound called indole-3 carbinol (I-3-C), which has been researched for its health-protective effects. Providing a good dose of vitamin C as well as vitamin K, fiber and folic acid, cauliflower may help protect against cancers and heart disease. 

This low-calorie veggie can be eaten raw, steamed, baked or boiled, and makes a wonderful base for creamy sauces and in soups. If cauliflower (and other cruciferous veggies) cause you to have gas, try eating yogurt, kefir, or buttermilk regularly (or take probiotic supplements) to boost the friendly bacteria in your colon. You might also try adding lemon juice to your meals, and limiting high-fat foods. These simple steps can reduce bloating and discomfort and help the stomach to empty faster, allowing gas-producing compounds to move more readily into the small intestine. When selecting a cauliflower head look for one that is compact, free of visible spots, and that has a uniform cream color. Avoid heads where the flowers are separated. 

Join us for this year’s Men Only event on March 24, 2007 at Indiana Institute of Technology, Andorfer Commons from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

We’re serving brunch, having door prizes, and giving the first 50 men to call in and register a $20 Gift Card, that’s right…we’re paying YOU to come to OUR event!

Click here for details.

Sponsored by: Indiana State Department of Health Prostate Cancer Initiative, Fort Wayne African American Cancer Alliance, Inc., American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Drug & Alcohol Consortium, and Indiana Institute of Technology

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)