A healthy way to support your local community and celebrate Valentine's Day!

Earlier this month Providence's Liberty Elm Diner announced that they will be holding a "Farm-to-Diner Valentines Dinner" on the evening of Friday, February 12th, 2010.

The evening will feature food creations from local and regional sources by Chef Twillia Glover. Local establishments include Rhody Fresh, Barden Family Orchard, Allen Farms, New Harvest Coffee Roasters, and many more. The mission of the diner has always been to support its community by incorporating local wholesome and preservative free food sources in their unique menu.

Couples and singles are welcome to the event with a range of options for their dining pleasure. Reservations can be made on Liberty Elm's website, by phone 401-467-0777, or by visiting their location at 777 Elmwood Avenue in Providence,RI.

The menu selections from salads, entrees, and scrumptious dessert would make anyone's mouth salivate. For the complete menu click here. Two individuals can reserve a spot for $50 and $25 for singles.

If you are looking for something to do on Friday, February, 12th make a reservation today to support your local and regional community food sources, natural healthy foods, and The Liberty Elm Diner.

To learn more about the diner click here. They will soon to be featured on the Food Network's Diner’s Drive-Ins & Dives on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 10pm.

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Photo: A.L.Marnik

Spotlight on local holistic health fair.

On January 9, 2010 Holistic Health Rhode Island (HHRI) held an open house at their new facility in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The event was enticing for all with a diverse group of activities and natural health practitioners. The event was eloquently catered by master Chef Chris Oliveri of HHRI with an array of healthy foods like vegetable chili, hummus, and black bean dip. Attendees had the opportunity to sit in on various information sessions that ranged from skin care to reiki. Additionally, members of the Rhode Island community provided information on various health topics and activities like thermography, kettlebell, and thai yoga massage.

Presenters and Practitioners included:

• Kettlebell by Kelsie Bryer of JADE Fitness in Cranston, Rhode Island
• Chiropractic by Dr. Matthew Mendillo of Chiropractic & Wellness
  in East Greenwich, Rhode island
• Massage by Julie Mollo, licensed massage therapist (LMT) of HHRI
• Qigong by Mike Fallon, LMT of HHRI
• Reiki by Liz Smith, Reiki Master (RM) of HHRI
• Skin Care by Susan Archambault, skin care therapist
• Thermography by Steve O'Meara of New England Clinical Thermography
• Thai Yoga Massage by Joanie Flavin of Lotus Fire Yoga & Healing
  in North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Whether you balanced your energy at the qigong demonstration, relaxed during a chair massage, or had pain relief from a reiki treatment, visitors of the holistic health fair and open house were enlightened and nourished in many ways.

Jewel Sommerville, doctor of acupuncture and founder of HHRI, hosted the event and collaborated with other holistic practitioners at HHRI. They offer various individualized health services including acupuncture, reiki, massage, nutrition and more. HHRI also hosts monthly events like movie night, cooking classes, and various health-related seminars. For more information visit Holistic Health Rhode Island's website and visit their Facebook page for photos from the open house as well as updated information.

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Image: Holistic Health Rhode Island

Ten ways to incorporate natural health into the new year and into your life.

Behavior change is never easy and can sometimes feel overwhelming. Most people look at the coming of the new year as a way to start over in terms of their health goals such as to go to the gym, eat more healthy meals at home, to quit smoking, and the list can go on.

Don't feel pressured by the never-ending lists of things you would like to do differently or things that you would like to incorporate into you life.

Be kind to yourself--it took you this long to get where you are today so making changes to your lifestyle cannot occur overnight. It is important in order to make lasting change that you take things one step a time. Here are ten simple ways to incorporate natural health into your life in the new year and in the future.

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Increase the amount of daily movement and physical activity by 15 to 30 minutes
- take your dog or a friend's dog for a walk
- take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator
- park your car farther away from the office
- buy work-out videos to use in the comfort of your on home--you'll only spend money on them once

Eat organic whole foods and buy locally.
- support local organic farms in your area
- look for eateries that buy from local farmers and serve organic wholesome foods

Focus on the positive aspects of your life
- keep a journal and write down those things that you are grateful for or memories that bring you peace

Take time to focus on eating while you consume a meal
- research has indicated that if you are watching television or doing something else while eating you're more likely to eat more
- food tastes great so why not slow down and enjoy it

Add a high potency multi-vitamin to your diet
-it is difficult to get all your nutrients from food in the chaotic times in which we live, supplementing with a well-balanced multi-vitamin can aid in providing your body with vital nutrients.
-look for whole-food vitamins and those with added greens like NOW Foods Special Two

Drink more water
- our bodies need water for most visceral activities
- By staying hydrated, you may reduce headaches, improve your skin, increase toxin excretion, and increase bowel regularity.
- To learn more about water and choosing healthy water, click here.

Spend time appreciating nature
-listen to a nature CD
-go for a walk in a local park
-grow a garden
-buy a houseplant

De-clutter your work and/or home environment
-invest in a paper shredder
- scan important documents and store them on an external hard drive so that you can get shred the hard-copies since you have an electronic copy
- evaluate the material possessions that are essential to you, if there are some that you cannot bare to get rid of then put them in a box and if you do not open the box for that item within one year consider donating it

Stimulate your creative side
- listen to music
- scrap book
- take up photography
- take a class at a local artist studio or organization
- take music lessons

Devote and schedule time every week that is yours alone for de-stressing, reflection, and finding inner peace.
- go to a yoga class
- meditate in a serene place
- go to a museum
- do something that invigorates you

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Photo:Flickr.com -flightlessXbird Change.

A second chance: one woman's life mission to be healthy.

After a career in corporate America and a tragic accident, local nutrition and fitness enthusiast, Susan Gazerro inspires others to get well and stay well.

Sue's passion for pursuing a healthy lifestyle began in her early twenties. She started her path to health by simply running a quarter mile everyday and eventually reaching 3 miles per day. Even though physical exercise is an important aspect of healthy living, Susan also began to incorporate balanced eating and a positive attitude to her daily activities.

Her exposure to the busy lifestyle that many Americans lead made her realize that not having enough time for yourself can have a negative affect on your overall health and well-being. After seeing so many people in an unhealthy situation, at the young age of 35, Sue became a fitness instructor in order to inspire others to attain cardiovascular and muscular fitness.

In June of 2007, she was involved in a life-threatening automobile accident that left her in a coma with severe brain injuries. Physicians said that had she not been at her peak level of health and fitness her recovery process would have been much more difficult if not impossible. Susan attributes much of her successful recovery to the help of her friends and family and to her desire to pursue a life as a fitness and health educator.

Susan focuses on eating all-natural and healthy foods on a daily basis and believes that all the health that we need can come from consuming organic and balanced meals. Additionally, incorporating movement and exercise is important in attaining and maintaining a naturally healthy lifestyle. Gazerro states that "exercise and natural, healthy foods are not only part of [her] everyday routine-- they are a priority."

When asked to summarize her life mission in relation to health and fitness, Gazerro stated that she wants to show others how to be "as active as your body allows, to eat as healthy as possible without depriving yourself, and to simply feel good so you can enjoy life."

Additionally, physical health and fitness go hand-in-hand with mental health. Susan believes that it is important for individuals to use a healthy lifestyle to build a sound mind and body so that you can endure the "ups and downs" of life.

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Susan Gazerro has been a fitness instructor for over 10 years and is certified by the National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC). If you would like to learn more about her passion and mission, click here.

Susan currently teaches classes at Five Alarm Fitness in Johnston, Rhode Island and is offering a promotional personal training session for new members. Click here for more details about the promotion.

Photos: Courtesy of Susan Gazerro and Five Alarm Fitness

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A local on-line fitness and health endeavor: "AHappierHealthierCommunity.com"

Local nutrition and fitness enthusiast, Susan Gazerro, helped to launch an on-line community to educate and inspire others to pursue a healthy and physically fit lifestyle.

When asked what inspires her to inform others about fitness and well-being, Gazerro said, "the pleasure I get from seeing people improve their overall well-being. When I know that I have contributed to someone's outlook on life, it fulfills me."

Recently, A Happier Healthier Community (AHHC) was launched to offer support in attaining and maintainng a healthy lifestyle---naturally. AHHC provides workout videos, support, motivation, and information on nutritional and health issues that enable people to build strong minds and healthy bodies.

The website was developed to bring together health experts with those interested in health-related topics and physical fitness. Everyone can benefit from joining the AHHC. For instance, members of AHHC have access to Sue Gazerro's weekly webcasts with workouts and various special guests that provide information on topics related to health and fitness. Suegazerrolive.com offers free live, weekly workouts every Saturday at 12:00pm EST that are added to her blog on AHHC each week.

Members have access to a variety of exercise routines without going to a gym. Additionally, the workouts are pre-recorded on the blog at AHHC so that if you are unable to watch it live you still have an opportunity to workout. Also, there are special guests every few weeks that discuss different health topics prior to the workout. The show is one hour and it begins with a health-related discussion followed by a fun, full body workout. For example, on November 14th Sue hosted a local massage therapist that spoke about the importance of massage therapy when you are leading an active lifestyle.

AHHC encourages individuals to a find well-being in body and soul. Susan believes that attitude is important in achieving your physical and mental fitness goals. She states that "the mind controls everything including your physical being. When you have your mind set on doing something everything else follows."

To join, go to ahappierhealthiercommunity.com and click on Become a Member--It is FREE!

If you are interested in learning more about Susan Gazerro click here. She is also offering a promotional personal training session with new memberships at Five Alarm Fitness in Johnston, Rhode Island. Find out more about this promotion by visiting clicking here.

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Photo and Video: AHappierHealthierCommunity.com

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC): look for more than a lump.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer. Women and even men with an IBC diagnosis have a higher mortality rate than those with other types of breast cancer. Therefore, it is important that IBC is diagnosed rapidly and accurately in order for treatment to have a significant effect. IBC does not present the same way in every case. It is imperative that individuals and practitioners not dismiss any abnormal female or male breast symptom(s).



One or more of the following are typical symptom(s) of IBC:

• Swelling,which may come suddenly, sometimes a cup size in a few days
• Itching
• Pink, red, or dark colored area (called erythema) sometimes with texture similar to the skin of an orange (called peau d’orange)
• Ridges and thickened areas of the skin
• Nipple retraction
• Nipple discharge, may or may not be bloody
• Breast is warm to the touch and radiates heat
• Breast pain (from a constant ache to stabbing pains)
• Change in color and texture of the areola

You don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. It is importatant that individuals seek various interpretations of their mammograms and/or ultrasounds. Inflammatory breast cancer can grow in nests or sheets, rather than a solid tumor. Most often, IBC is not visible in either mammography or ultrasonography.

For more information: Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation http://www.ibcresearch.org
Photo: Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation

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Levine PH, Steinhorn SC, Ries LG, Levine AJ: Inflammatory breast cancer: The experience of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. J Natl Cancer Inst 1985;74:291-297.

Chang, S., Parker, S. L., Pham, T., Buzdar, A., and Hursting, S. D. Trends and patterns of inflammatory breast cancer: The experience of the National Cancer Institute’s SEER Program from 1975 to 1992. Cancer 82(12), 2366-2372. 1998.

Genetic link to a rare but deadly form of breast cancer.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) was first seen in 1924 and continues to perplex researchers, geneticists, and oncologist. Only recently have genetic markers been linked to this rare form of breast cancer. IBC is one of the most atypical and hard-hitting forms of breast cancer. Oftentimes it is misdiagnosed as mastitis, a rash, or localized bacterial infection. Women may dismiss the signs of IBC as it does not present as a lump like most women are told to look for in other forms of breast cancer. IBC has a higher mortality rate and increased rate of metastases. IBC is typically seen with some sypmptoms like inflammation in the breast tissue with radiating heat and sometimes a skin rash. The inflammation is a result of cancer cells and tumors blocking lymphatic ducts in the surrounding breast tissue.

More research specific to IBC has been conducted in the past ten years than ever before but IBC continues to be a medical anomaly. Yet, there has been promising genetic research in recent news. Researcher Sofia Merjerver, M.D., PhD., codirector of a breast cancer research program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and her team located two genes that present one way in IBC versus other cells.

Furthermore, at the New York University Cancer Institute, researchers have identified a new gene called eIF4G1 that may be a potential genetic marker in those affected by IBC. Drs. Schneider and Silvera found that in the 37 IBC tumors biopsied “over 80% of the IBC tumors” had an over expression of this gene (Rowan 2009). Investigators continue to look for genetic changes linked specfically to IBC.

For more information: Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation http://www.ibcresearch.org/ ; More than a lump:IBC

(Rowan. JNCI. 7 October 2009.)

Government halting production of natural thyroid drugs.

Recently, Major Pharmaceuticals issued a press release stating that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required them to cease production of a century old treatment option, a naturally dessicated thyroid drug , due to a change in FDA regulatory procedures.

Under their "Unapproved Drugs Campaign", the FDA is eliminating the regulations that previously allowed the production and distribution of these effective drugs. It has been reported that this action could have caused the shut down of manufacturing at two other firms. Additionally, the bioidentical hormone medications, which include Armour Thyroid and Nature-Throid, are on back-order at several other distributors. Ironically, there's also been a report of a national shortage of the Thyroid USP, the porcine desiccated thyroid raw material used to create the pills. No official information has been released by the FDA about the future of these prescriptions.

Use of these drugs formulations began at the turn of the 20th century, they never went through the various drug application processes that the FDA instituted because the drugs were already on the market. Thyroid patients have anecdotally reported that these prescriptions have fewer side effects and increased efficacy. Research results showed that patients with hypothyroidism may have improved brain activity and overall mood in comparison to those patients on Synthroid (thyroxine), the commonly prescribed synthetic thyroid hormone. (Bunevicius et al., 1999)

Health practitioners and patients have come together to strategize on keeping these much needed drugs on the market. The FDA is threatening a consumer's right to choose a natural treatment option.

Individuals concerned about availability of these drugs or the health of their thyroid should read more from About.com's thyroid expert Mary Shomon and the Save Natural Thyroid Coaltion.

(New England Journal of Medicine;1999;340:424-429)

For more info: Shortage Update

Best local eatery: The Liberty Elm Diner

Photo: urbanspoon

Combining wholesome local farm-fresh food with a cozy at-home feel is a difficult task but has been mastered by The Liberty Elm Diner in Providence, Rhode Island. Not so keen to the naked eye, situated in a lunch car diner turned cafe on the south side of Providence, this fantastic women-owned eatery is by far the epitome of righteous home-cooking.

A part of their mission is to support the use of local and regional products. There's always a thrill of choice that awaits a customer at the ever changing chalkboard of specials which include fresh, healthy and handcrafted items. Your body will thank you after consuming full-bodied fair trade coffee, fresh squeezed juices, delectable soups and salads, various baked goods, and more.

Not only do they buy locally but they also support the surrounding neighborhood in South Providence with the "1% for Trees" program in which 1% of profits go to purchase disease resistant species of Dutch Liberty Elm trees for Elmwood Avenue.

The Liberty Elm Diner is not only a place for those desiring a wholesome meal but is also a local coffee retreat with affordable prices, community inspired art, music, and free wi-fi.

The mantra of this fine establishment encompasses honest and nutritious comfort food coupled with friendly faces and service. If you're looking for a real neighborhood experience chock full of organic, veracious, and local edibles then The Liberty Elm should be number one on the eatery destination list.

Photo: FarmFresh.org - Farm Fresh RI

For more info: urbanspoon; Farm Fresh -The Liberty Elm