Great Event on May 10, 2013!

Whew!  High eighties, may hit 90 today and its only April 10th.  Sure hope we get a little springtime weather to support all of the activities in the area.  One I want to tell you about is the iConnect Generations Expo at Stadium Place. On Friday, May 10, 2013, over a thousand older adults and family members will attend iConnect Generations Expo, a new, intergenerational community health resource fair at Stadium Place.


This event will have experiential activities for family members of all ages, and it will be an opportunity for businesses to meet older adults and care partners from throughout Baltimore City who are looking for healthy activities, entertainment, and various supportive services which support aging in the community. iConnect Generations Expo is being organized by GEDCO (Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation) and the Y of Central Maryland, in partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department, Office of Aging and CARE Services, to expand the resources available for older adults and to celebrate Older Adults Month. This exciting event will be held on the playing fields and in the apartments at Stadium Place (the site of the former Memorial Stadium) on East 33rd Street in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information please visit http://www.gedco.org/iconnect.  Sounds like a great day!  OH....and did I mention that the Honorary chair- Ernestine Shepherd known as Guiness Book of World Record's oldest competitive female bodybuilder--will be there!  Now that's inspirational!

The Sunny side of Winter!

Sick of winter?  Can't get engaged in exercise, your job, your partner, your life?  Vitamin D levels at an all time low? Don't fret as this is the normal cycle of nature.  Winter is the time of hibernation, stillness, rest(in moderation) and  brewing regeneration.  Its a chance to silently and quietly prepare to begin anew again as spring draws near.  Enjoy this stillness, quiet hibernation and utilize it to explore things like meditation, qi gong or just sitting in stillness exploring yourself.  Enjoy some quality family time reading, watching movies and best of all good old fashion conversation with your loved ones. 
Balance your rest with periods of activity as well.  Don't let this season be an excuse to lay around too much and pack on the pounds.  Engage in some regular exercise--which if you are familiar with my blog--is essential to life, health and wellness.  As mentioned above Qi Gong and Tai Chi are wonderful ways to reduce stress, improve breathing, strengthen your legs, increase balance- all without hard impact pounding of your joints or breathless pounding of your heart.  These workouts really help with flexibility and increased range of motion in your whole body.  These weight bearing exercises are great for your bone mineral density as well. I've been teaching for about 5 years at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and invite anyone to come and visit one of my classes, FREE, every Tuesday  from March 19th thru April 23.  Class time is 5:30pm and held in the Parker Conference Room just to the left of the main lobby of the hospital, near the main entrance.  Parking is free.
Another great program I want to mention is VintAGE.  This is our vibranat aging membership for anyone over 55 and this Saturday, March 9 from 10am-12noon we will present Age Up! featuring our new Geriatrician, Dr. George Hennawi who will discuss taking an active role in nourishing our minds and body for optimal health as we travel down the road of life.  Call 443-444-4100 to register.  This event is FREE but seating is limited.
I'll be back with some of my spring programs that are right around the corner.  In the meantime enjoy your winter WONDERland and time of internal exploration!

Forgoing the Festive 15!

It's here...the holiday season with the potential to gain 4, 5 or 7-15 lbs.  Well, I am determined not to do it.  Since menopause 2 years ago I am not liking how my body is changing...and how hard it is to loose weight.  My  other hip is aching and I really hurt after exercise so I am gently getting my exercise either in the water or on the elliptical or recombint bike. 
Anyway I have been reading some great things on how ot to gain and here are a few that really stand out to me. 
1-used pureed fruits(pumpkim, prune, applesauace) in your baking in place of the oils.  Use measure for measure.
2-  Use egg Beaters in place of eggs (1/4 c =1 lg. egg) or use half real egg and half egg substitute.
3-  Decrease sugar in recipe by 1/4 to 1/3 cup....it will not be missed!

Trust me ...I have tried and now always practice those 3 tips and my cakes and cookies turn out fine!
Don't skip meals on big party/holidays---you'll just overeat later.  Get your workout in AND take a nice leisurely walk after Thanksgiving/Holidays dinner.  Enjoy but don't overeaat!  Remember--those extra pounds are not as easy to put away as the Christmas Decorations.  Happy Healthy Holidays!!!

Getting Going with Arthritis in Westminster!!!

Well I don't blog as regularly as I would like but I am very excited about all of the things going on in Westminister!  Next Saturday, August 25th I will be at the WTTR Health & Wellness Expo at St,. John Portico from 8am-noon.  Come say "Hi" and if you have arthritis, I know you have lots of questions.  Remember, not only am I an arthritis nurse, but I am an arthritis patient as well. I've lived through the pain, stiffness, frustration and fear that arthritis can bring.  But I am doing great now since my hip replacement 3 years ago.  I will have free DVD's from my actual surgery, rehab and getting back to my life again. 
I will also be at the Carroll County Wine Fest on Sunday, September 16th; and the Carroll County Fall Fest on September 20th & 21st.   You can find me at the WTTR booth at all of these events.
Lastly, I will be hosting FREE "Get Going with ARthritis" seminars at the Carroll County Library branches from 6:30-7:30pm on these dates and locations:
1- Tuesday, Sept 18@ Finksburg Branch, 2265 Okd Westminister Pike, 21048
2- Thursday, Octovber 25 @ Westminster Branch,  50 East Main St., 21157
3- Thursday, November 8th @ Taneytown Branch, 10 Grand Drive,  21787

These informal seminars will discuss what arthritis is; pain management; diet and exercise; risk factors, signs & symptoms and how to know if joint replacement is an option for you.  Call 443-444-4698 to register!!!

Summer workouts---a hot topic!

Yea, I know its really hot in good "ol Baltimore, not too mention humid -but I'm not willing to give up my workouts because of the weather.  Just gotta change things around a bit.  Definitely got to get it done early morning, while its 80 degrees instead of 90!  I did a bike ride in Centerville, Md. on the eastern shore a few weeks back...temp was about 90 degrees with 100% humidity and I was really surpirised that I finished the 15 miles...but with lots of breaks and water I did it in about 2 hours. The beautiful rural route really took my mind off the heat...and it was mostly flat terrain.  It was my firtst first official bike ride fundraiser.  But that was my last outdoor physical activity since..now its mall walking, and home DVD's with the AC cranking.  Collagevideo.com is the absolutely the BEST catalogue to order fitness DVD's from, and their return policy is so customer friendly.  If you have a apool that's a great place to get a workout even if its just 3ft. deep.  The buoyancy and turbulence of the water provides resistance and the anti-gravity really provides a stress free "lightness" that's so kind to your athritic joints.  So don't let this heat be an excuse not to exercise, drink plenty of water and KEEP MOVING!!!!...indoors of course.

Busy Spring...Jamaica Here We Come!

Wow!  Quite a stretch since my last blog...take that as a good sign of being very busy!  The new grandbaby, Reese, now 2 1/2 months is such a joy...and now my other daughter is about to be married, destination Jamaica, for her wedding on May 7th.  We're all very excited about the trip...would love to hear from anyone who has been to Jamaica or to a destination wedding! 

A couple things worth mentioning in May that might benefit you or someone you love:  Call 443-444-4100 to register for these FREE events:
1-May 10th @ 10:30-12noon, Osteoporosis Education & Support Group in the Good Health Center at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.  This meeting will feature, our own registered dietician who will discuss the best foods for our bones; menu and meal plans as well as nutritious snacks to eat there. 
2)May 18 @10am in the Good Health Center- Navigating Arthritis Seminar- featuring nurses, Karen Kansler & Shirley Panopoulos who will discuss pain management, risk factors, prevention and when to have surgery.  This is a must for anyone who has battled arthritis for years or is newly diagnosed.
May 31-  Red Hot Mamas...Move It or Lose It!   Learn why stayiny active is so important in manageing our menopausal, post-menopausal symptoms and help us age actively.  Lots of good food, unique exercise demostrations (tai chi and  DRUMS ALIVE!).

These are great programs hope to see you all there!

B'More Healthy This Saturday @ Convention Center and Happy 3rd Anniversay to my New Hip!

Ahhh! Daylight hours, more time to get outside and be more healthy! Not to mention this Saturday, the Medstar Health system will be hosting the Fox 45 B'More Healthy Expo at the Convention Center till 5pm. I will be there helping people with their arthritis, bone, muscle & joint and spine questions. I 'm also very excited to be giving a T'ai Chi demo from 2pm to 2:15pm on the big stage. so if you've alway wondered what in the world T'ai chi was and why so many people are doing it these days come on down to the Convention Center this Saturday, March 17th!

Wow! My 3rd anniversary since my hip replacement came and went this weekend and I just realilzed it! Once again I attribute this to the fact that I forget I have a replaced hip. Modern technology is wonderful...so if you have hip or knee pain please come talk to me about it...you do not have to suffere. I can help answer any questions if you are considering a total joint replacement. Hope to see you at the Convention Center this Saturday or blog me anytime!