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SAVE
THE DATE!
Thirteenth
Annual
Evening
at the Theater
Saturday,
March 27, 2010
7-10
PM
Highland
Country Club
DREAM
BIG!
Another
great musical show produced by Cassandra Vallery!
Delicious
food and spirits!
Reservations
will be available on this web site or by mail in mid-February!
Sponsorships
are still available!
Evening
at the Theater Sponsor 2010
**********************************************
February
Health Tip
National
Heart Month
Focus on one
small thing each day to lower your risk of heart disease and improve your
quality of life!
Avoid
trans fats!
Consuming
even a tiny amounts of trans fat can greatly increase your risk of heart
disease. These are found in foods that contain "partially hydrogenated"
oil as an ingredient, such as commercially produced baked goods.
Trans fat is the world's most unhealthy fat!
Limit
saturated fat!
Foods
to avoid include bacon, beef, butter, full-fat dairy products, coconut
oil, ice cream, lard, palm oil and pork. Read food labels, aiming
for less than 15-25 grams of saturated fat daily.
The Face
of Diabetes at Better Health
Mary
was recently diagnosed with diabetes. She was referred to Better Health
by her physician. Unlike many uninsured diabetics, Mary does have a doctor.
Like many newly diagnosed diabetics, she was filled with many fears:
what to eat, how much to eat, what should her blood sugar readings be,
what is her long-term prognosis?
Since
coming to Better Health's free diabetes clinic and Take Charge of Diabetes
management class, she has made many positive changes to manage this new
challenge in her life. She still does not have any health insurance,
but finds much of the information and help she needs here at Better Health.
She thanks us repeatedly for being so patient with all of her many questions
and worries, stating that the support and compassion that she has received
here has been a great source of comfort. And she has made changes in her
lifestyle based on her new knowledge and skills.
Mary
has lost ten pounds by reducing her portions and walking in the evenings.
She checks her blood sugar regularly and only drinks diet sodas.
(She was a prior soda junkie!) She's learning what foods raise her blood
sugars and instead of eliminating them all together, she eats them in
smaller amounts. She's trying to like vegetables and eat healthier
even though her budget is limited.
When
her A1c was checked during the Take Charge class, it was 7.2%, very close
to goal. This was a tremendous boost for her, since it wasn't as
bad as she had feared! In fact, it has motivated her to continue
her hard work since she sees that it pays off! |
Better
Health was founded in 1958 by a group of ordinary, yet extraordinary,
citizens who were concerned that the indigent could not afford their medications.
From that simple starting point Better Health has bridged the gap in healthcare
for 51 years. One of these founders, Ruth Peters, served as Executive
Director for the first 25 years, providing assistance from her home!
In 1992, Better Health named its highest volunteer award in her honor.
Her life spanned the gamut from the Army Nurse Corps during World War
II in India to one of the top five North Carolina Senior Citizen Jaycees
in 1987. 