Every time the month of February rolls around, I’m sure many of us aspect to see red heart shaped decor in every supermarket and shopping mall as we prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but did you know that February is also American Heart Health month? Did you know that cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is the number one leading cause of death in the United States? Every year, about 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. There’s a well known Christian Proverb that tells us “to keep or guard our hearts above all else [with all diligence] because out of it flows the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Such great wisdom that's usually applied to our spiritual and emotional hearts can benefit our physical hearts as well. Transporting blood [life] to every part of the body, the heart is one of the most vital organs within the human body. Leaving this organ unkept or unprotected can result in illness of the heart and ultimately death of the entire body.  With about twelve more days left in the month, it's not too late to show your heart a little love by adding some heart healthy habits to your lifestyle.

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Hey! I’m not sure if you know this, but the month of September is Fruit and Veggies More Matters Month! I am super excited and you should be too. Why? Because this provides such a great opportunity for us to cultivate physical wellness together, with others around the country by including more fruits and veggies in our diets.  It is recommended that we consume between 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. However, only about 1 in 10 Americans consume these recommended daily serving amounts. Most people only eat about 1-2 pieces of fruit a day and maybe 1 vegetable serving with each meal. That’s a start, but its not even close to giving us the proper nutrients our bodies need. With such high rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure in our country, it's time we take charge of our health and do the best we can to keep our bodies well. Let’s set and achieve high goals for ourselves! As an advocate for better eating habits and nutrition, I have decided to join the Produce for Better Health Foundation in motivating Americans to eat more fruit and veggies during the month of September and beyond. Therefore, I would like to introduce you the Cultiv8 Challenge!!!!

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Very often I get asked, “where to begin?” My response is usually, “How much water do you drink?”  I’m sure somewhere in the rules of English, it’s improper to answer a question with a question, but drinking more water is truly a great way to kick-start your wellness journey. It sounds like a simple goal, but for many it's difficult due to years of consuming sugary foods and drinks. I find it funny, I always get the " water has no taste" complaint or "does soda count" question!  Whatever the excuse is, water is essential for everything our body needs and must be taken seriously on this wellness journey.

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Cost! Cost! Cost! Costs seem to be one of the main culprits in the case of why people don’t eat healthy. I hear this all the time and I definitely believe there is some truth to this, especially if you’re trying to eat organic. However, just like shopping for anything else you want, there are ways to get what you want and not go broke while doing so. You just have to look for those sales and brush up on your savvy shopping skills.  

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