February is heart month in more ways than one.
Some of us might say “Hallmark Day” is coming, referring to Feb 14th and Valentine’s Day.
But others will note that the American Heart Association (AHA) has long promoted women’s awareness of heart disease in the month of February. AHA has tied it’s efforts into a visible symbol of wearing red, including another variation of a red dress which is trademarked by the US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) and thus we’re not allowed to use that specific image here.
The image shown was obtained from the stockfresh.com site.
AHA is giving out cute, modern, free red dress pins with DHHS’s permission, however, and one can be reserved just for you!
AHA’s “Go Red for Women” effort is meant to raise awareness of just how much women ARE at risk for heart disease and need to be good to themselves as well as others.
Heart Disease is the #1 KILLER of women in America. Women need to be more heart health aware and consider if they should really be kinder to themselves.
It is estimated that some 80% of cardiac events in women could be prevented if only women made better choices for their heart’s health including in the categories of both diet and exercise, as well as choosing not to smoke cigarettes, etc.
Friday, February 3, 2012 is AHA’s National Wear Red Day®, so please consider if you want to join the effort to spread awareness about women’s heart health issues now!
Each year, the first Friday in February is celebrated as National Wear Red Day, but this year, the Wear Red Day Challenge is being featured on the AHA Facebook page from January 23, 2012 through February 23, 2012. Join the movement and share the passion for this premiere event–plan now to wear RED on February 3rd!
You can find out more about the effort through their website or check out their facebook page for the challenge.
At their facebook page, you can click on the “like” button and an opportunity for you to sign up for their free red dress pin (that we can’t show you an image of here) will appear.
On their main website, you can also sign up for their 12 week online nutrition and fitness program “Become a BetterU in 2012” also called “Go Red BetterU.”
“Take the first step” refers to the idea of PBS’s “Take One Step” program from some years back with a focus on small changes that can add up to big results.
Heart disease risk is something that builds up over time, often without women noticing that their risk is increasing. PBS has partnered with organizations such as AHA to encourage viewers and all Americans to engage in opportunities for healthier living to reduce their risk for heart disease, cancer, etc. There are even some recipes from Ming Tsai that are featured in the PBS “Take One Step” website resources. Ming is a well known celebrity chef and restaurateur who has also had his “Simply Ming” cooking show featured on PBS.
In the coming weeks, we’ll zero in on some small steps you can consider taking that might benefit both you and your heart and possibly someone you love as well and we’ll encourage you to plan to “wear red” this February.
It’s easy to start implementing the “Take One Step” approach so why not start doing that today?!
We’ll mention some food items that are “red” to kick things off.
Do you love yummy, ripe red berries as much as we do? Unless you are allergic to them, you can enjoy them solo or mixed with other fruits as is or incorporated in a smoothie, etc. We especially love ripe raspberries and strawberries, and wanted to share with you today our own amateur photo of naturally sweet, deep, dark, flavorful raspberries.
Our upcoming series of posts will mention red choices such as cinnamon; cranberry juice; other colorful red fruits and vegetables including red cabbage, sweet red bell peppers, tomatoes and tomato sauce; red beans; and even red wine!
So why not “think red”? Get going and take that first step!
I enjoy what you tend to be up too. Clever work and exposure!
Keep up the amazing work. I’ve added you to my blogroll.