February 3rd is Go Red Day!

The facts are clear. More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. Unfortunately, the killer isn’t as easy to see. Heart disease is often silent, hidden and misunderstood.
 The truth is: our lives are in our hands. We can stop our No. 1 killer together by sharing the truth. We can be the difference between life and death.

This year, Emmy-nominated actress Elizabeth Banks directs and stars in the first-ever Go Red For Women short film and PSA called “Just a Little Heart Attack.”  Inspired by the real-life stories of women who have been affected by heart disease, the entertaining, yet poignant film can be viewed below.

Love Your Heart: Tips for Daily Living

Make Easy Lifestyle Changes. For Example:

• Look for short breaks each day (approx. 10-30 minutes) to implement heart healthy activities

such as walking or other types of enjoyable physical activity

• Take the Go Red Heart Checkup at www.GoRedForWomen.org to learn your heart disease risk

• Plan quick and simple healthy meals

• Know your family heart health history

• Add extra walks to and from the water cooler

• Take ten minute walks between meetings

• Use the stairs instead of the elevator

• Bring healthy snacks

• Take time for lunch and eat at regular intervals versus skipping meals

• Make time for physical activity – go to the gym and bring your favorite book or office materials

to read or workout at home watching your favorite show

• Plan meals in advance – visit americanheart.org for recipes from a number of heart-healthy cookbooks and use the online grocery list builder to quickly identify heart-healthy products to add to your grocery list

• Set up “physical activity time” on a daily basis

• Walk around your neighborhood or in your office

• Run up and down the stairs

• Do an exercise video

• Walk when doing errands and park farther from your destination

• Take your kids to the park and identify play time activities that help keep you fit

• Join a walking group or ask friends to join you in daily walking

• Work out when your child is at practice or extra curricular activities

• Exercise while watching your favorite TV show

• Plan a physical activity routine

• Airports and malls are great places to get in a brisk walk around the terminal or from one end

of the mall to the other

• Drink plenty of water

Tips for Traveling for Work/Play:

• Take time to stretch while on the flight

• Exercise in your hotel room – simple stretches or other exercise like sit ups and push ups

• Take advantage of physical fitness facilities located in the hotel

• Pack heart-healthy snacks, fruits, and know how to manage your snack triggers

• Pack sneakers and comfortable clothes for working out

• For frequent travel keep an extra pair of tennis shoes already packed in your bag

Love Your Heart: Relaxation Tips:

• Keep a journal

• Reduce stress: Plan a technology-free weekend balanced with active sports, swimming, skiing,

horse-back riding, or other fun physical activity

• Celebrate your successes with healthy rewards like a massage or facial

Tips for Moms on the Go:

 

How to keep your children healthy‏

(The girls and I at Stone Mountain getting some exercise!)

This article is meant for parents who have children that practice a semi-healthy lifestyle as well as those who may be teetering on the brink of an unhealthy lifestyle but are currently healthy. For the families who have overweight children, severely underweight children, or children with any medical condition, consult a physician for an exercise and diet regimen.
I've compiled a list of tips on how to raise healthy children so they'll grow up to be healthy adults.

1. Start early. My daughters recently asked me why they like eating vegetables and other healthy foods more than their friends. Obviously, I'm not in their friends households to know intimate details but I provided them a blanket statement. 'Vegetables were the first solid food you ate so you developed a liking for it.' When they were about four months old and being introduced to solid foods, I started with vegetables. I first introduced green veggies (i.e. green beans), then orange vegetables (i.e. carrots or yams), and finally yellows (i.e. squash). They acquired a taste for veggies because it was their first solid food. I gave it to them regularly EVEN if they spat it out the first couple of times. As I introduced fruits and starches, I kept vegetables as the main course. Fast forward, 7-8 years, we still eat at least one vegetable at every meal. And fruits are a regular in-between-meal snack.

Don't worry if your child is school age or even a teenager. It is never too late to begin practicing a healthier lifestyle. Whatever don't shock your kids by switching from fast food every night to a vegetarian diet. It'll cause tension and unnecessary stress which may lead to them totally writing off your efforts. Be realistic. Start by introducing a vegetable (News flash. Corn is not a vegetable!) at every meal. As they become accustomed to the new foods, eating a well-balanced meal will become more natural with time. Season the vegetables with chicken broth or Asian seasonings to make the flavor of the vegetable more appealing to your family's taste buds. Most kids like the taste of ranch dressing so the addition of a spinach salad drizzled with a little ranch dressing to any meal is quick, easy and nutritious option.

Also, ensure your child is drinking an adequate amount of water. This is especially important if he/she is involved with sports. For pointers on how much water is enough, visit our earlier article about Water Intake.

2. Take vitamins daily. I want to be clear. Vitamins are absolutely not meant to substitute for a healthy diet. Vitamins are supposed to be 'insurance' and a 'supplement' to ensure a healthy immune and digestive system. When I grew up, the only nutritional supplement was Flinstone vitamins. Although, they're still around there are more kid-friendly, tastier options. My kids, for example, like gummy vitamins. Just be sure that the supplements are from a reputable company and do not contain absurd amounts of sugar. Also note that it may behoove you not to cut corners and go to the dollar store to purchase any type of vitamin; especially not children's vitamins. Invest a small amount in your children's supplements now and save on doctor's visits and colds later.

3. Be consistent. During the beginning of the year, we go through the ritual of making 'resolutions' or 'goals'. We have great intentions but we aren't planning for long term success. So how do you ensure you and your family will win? Get organized! There is no way this change won't work if you're not organized. Jot down a list of goals that you wish to obtain from being healthier. Write out a grocery list BEFORE you go to the store. Having a well thought out grocery list will prevent you from spontaneously making unhealthy decisions. Promise yourself that you'll stick to your grocery list or you'll be defeating the purpose of this step. Have a schedule when you get home from work or the kids get home from school to ensure that you'll have time for exercise and preparing a nutritious meal.

4. Set an example. Make a healthy diet and exercise a family affair. Your kids mimic your behavior and eating habits. This lifestyle will only work if you are being honest with yourself and your kids. 'Cheating' at work or once the kids go to sleep will only result in you becoming lax on your new healthy lifestyle and you'll begin making excuses for why you, and ultimately your kids, don't have to stick to it.

Don't just send your kids outside to play...join them! The more they see you becoming ACTIVE and having fun, they'll be more willing to join in. Go for bike rides or invest in some roller blades (including safety gear). This is a low cost super fun activity to do.

5. Visit the pediatrician and dentist regularly. Children ages 4-18 need to complete a physical assessment by their pediatrician regularly. A day or two before their check-up, make a list of any questions or concerns you may have concerning their health.

Your child should visit the dentist at least every six months for a cleaning and cavity check. In between visits to the dentist, practice good oral hygiene. Children should brush their teeth twice a day and floss every day.
 Final Words
The health of your child now will have lasting affects for the rest of their lives...for better or worse. It is my prayer, of course, you and your family is experience the former.

Today's 'Proverbs Friday' Scripture

Our primary message is Total Life Prosperity...every Christian should prosper in body and mind. Therefore we present "Proverbs Fridays". Each week on Fridays, we'll feature a verse from the book of Proverbs. We ask that the Holy Spirit gives you revelation about how it pertains to your life and, more importantly, how it can be applied in your life.


The purpose of The Book Of Proverbs is to teach, provoke thought and instill wisdom into the body of believers. In addition to Total Life Prosperity providing you with information for your physical being, we sincerely pray that Proverbs Fridays will increase your knowledge about who you are in Christ.

Proverbs 3:5-6
⁵Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
 ⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

What is this scripture saying to you? How will you implement this in your daily life?

Confession of Confidence

The Lord is my light and my salvation. I fear no man. The Lord is the strength of my life. I declare now that I have full confidence because I place all my confidence in Him..

I confess that I place my confidence in the Lord and not in man. For the Lord shall be my confidence, and shall keep my joy, peace, family, job, and belongings from being taken. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, I will always keep my mind on you and you will keep me in perfect peace because I trust solely in you.

I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things. In Him, I have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I will come boldly unto the throne of grace, that I may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.


Herein is my love made perfect, that I may have boldness in the day of judgment. Because as He is, so am I in this world. And this is the confidence that I have in Him, that, if I ask any thing according to his will, he hears me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Psalms 27:1-5
Psalms 118:8-9
Proverbs 3:26
Proverbs 14:26
Isaiah 26:3
2 Corinthians 7:16
Ephesians 3:12
Philippians 1:6
Hebrews 4:16
1 John 4:17
1 John 5:14

Today's "Proverbs Friday" Scripture

Our primary message is Total Life Prosperity...every Christian should prosper in body and mind. Therefore we present "Proverbs Fridays". Each week on Fridays, we'll feature a verse from the book of Proverbs. We ask that the Holy Spirit gives you revelation about how it pertains to your life and, more importantly, how it can be applied in your life.

The purpose of The Book Of Proverbs is to teach, provoke thought and instill wisdom into the body of believers. In addition to Total Life Prosperity providing you with information for your physical being, we sincerely pray that Proverbs Fridays will increase your knowledge about who you are in Christ.

Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV)
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.


As my church, Paradise COGIC, used to say at every benediction, "God's way is the sure way. If we follow it, we will not fail."

Have a great weekend everyone! BE BLESSED!

Today's "Proverbs Friday" Scripture

Our primary message is Total Life Prosperity...every Christian should prosper in body and mind. Therefore we present "Proverbs Fridays". Each week on Fridays, we'll feature a verse from the book of Proverbs. We ask that the Holy Spirit gives you revelation about how it pertains to your life and, more importantly, how it can be applied in your life.

The purpose of The Book Of Proverbs is to teach, provoke thought and instill wisdom into the body of believers. In addition to Total Life Prosperity providing you with information for your physical being, we sincerely pray that Proverbs Fridays will increase your knowledge about who you are in Christ.


Proverbs 1:2-3 (Amplified)
That people may know skillful and godly Wisdom and instruction, discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,

Receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity,

Readers, what does this mean to you?

Tips for beautiful and HEALTHY skin

We’ve all heard that our skin is our biggest organ. However, with society’s attention focused on maintaining popular organs (i.e., heart, brain, lungs, etc.) we tend to forget about our skin.  The emphasis of this article is on the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin.

Let’s first look at the reason we have skin. Quite obviously, it covers and protects everything within our body, keeps bacteria and disease out, maintains hydration, regulates our body temperature, provides us with sensation and many other functions. Shouldn’t an organ this important be nurtured?

To ensure our skin is at peak performance to properly function, we must eat the right foods, drink plenty of water, get enough exercise, and protect your skin. If you’re not too sure about this statement, give this experiment a try at your own risk…

Eat nothing but fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, and exercise three times a week for one week. Your skin will become noticeably clearer and healthier.

Obviously, most of us can’t abide by such a strict regiment for the sole purpose of gaining healthier skin. So what can the average person do to improve their skin?

Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fruits and veggies are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Antioxidants combats free radicals which wreak havoc on your body including your skin. Some meats contain a healthy dose of Selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant. Chicken, red meat, shellfish and fish are rich in Selenium.

As stated in our recent article, drinking an adequate amount of water will ensure that the vitamins and antioxidants from the nutritious foods you’ve ingested will be carried to your skin.

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise! Exercise increases circulation throughout the body which results in nutrients being effectively carried to the skin. The many benefits of working out (other than making you overall healthier) are reducing acne breakouts and fighting the signs of aging. Acne prone skin improves dramatically with exercise because  testosterone-related hormones such as DHEA and DHT are released. And exercise is a great stress reliever! Consult your physician for the amount and length of exercise necessary for you.
The sun can be your skin’s worst enemy. Overexposure to the sun can result in sun burns, skin cancer, pre-mature aging, and wrinkles. Everyone, no matter your skin color, should wear sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF level of at least 30. Be sure to wear sunscreen everyday! 

These suggestions are not hard to incorporate into your daily life. Start with adding one more serving of fruit, drinking two more glasses of water or walking for 20 minutes every other day, buy an SPF 30 sunscreen. Your skin will thank you for it!