FEATURED ARTICLES

• healthy picnic
• healthy picnic options
• Healthy picnic food

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

It’s getting warmer and it’s almost time for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor parties! But just because you aren’t choosing all of your meals, that doesn’t mean that you have to pack on the pounds this summer.  Keep these tips in mind at your next picnic:

• Choose lean ground meat when making burgers. You should also try low-fat hot dogs, sausages and bratwurst and other grilled favorites.
• Seafood and chicken are great grilled foods and are both still healthy picnic options.
• Don’t forget your greens and mix in a salad to your picnic or party menu.
• Remember your veggies as they are also great on the grill and as side dishes, especially summer time veggies like squash and zucchini.
• Instead of chocolate desserts, think fruity desserts instead, and take advantage of a season when fruits are plenty.

• Autism awareness
• Autism

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

(Continued from Part I…)

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have limited, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, including any of these signs:

• Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand flapping.
• Performs activities that could cause self-harm, such as biting or head-banging.
• Develops specific routines or rituals and becomes disturbed at the slightest change.
• Has problems with coordination or has odd movement patterns, such as clumsiness or walking on toes, and has odd, stiff or exaggerated body language. 

When should I seek medical advice regarding my child and autism?

Signs of autism spectrum disorder often appear early in development when there are obvious delays in language skills and social interactions. Your doctor may recommend developmental tests to identify if your child has delays in cognitive, language and social skills, if your child:

• Doesn't respond with a smile or happy expression by 6 months.
• Doesn't mimic sounds or facial expressions by 9 months.
• Doesn't babble or coo by 12 months.
• Doesn't gesture — such as point or wave — by 14 months.
• Doesn't say single words by 16 months.
• Doesn't play "make-believe" or pretend by 18 months.
• Doesn't say two-word phrases by 24 months.

Loses language skills or social skills at any age. 

• Autism awareness
• Autism

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Every April across the world, World Autism Awareness is celebrated to show support and raise awareness for those adults and children living with Autism.  Here we take a look at Autism and hope that you do your part in educating yourself and others about this disorder.

What is autism?

Autism spectrum disorder is a “condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication.” The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. 

Are people born with autism?

Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood and eventually causes problems functioning in society — socially, in school and at work, for example. Often children show symptoms of autism within the first year. A small number of children appear to develop normally in the first year, and then go through a period of regression between 18 and 24 months of age when they develop autism symptoms. 

Is autism curable?

While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, intensive, early treatment can make a big difference in the lives of many children. 

What are some signs of autism?

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social interaction and communication skills, including any of these signs:

• Fails to respond to his or her name or appears not to hear you at times.
• Resists cuddling and holding, and seems to prefer playing alone, retreating into his or her own world.
• Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression.
• Doesn't speak or has delayed speech or loses previous ability to say words or sentences.

(Continued in Part II…)

• Skin cancer risks
• healthy skin
• Skin care risk

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Here are some surprising clues that could mean that you are more apt to being diagnosed with skin cancer than others…

Clue #1:  You wear flip-flops often.  If you wear flip-flops most of the spring and summer, your feet are prone to more sun exposure and sun damage than those who wear socks and shoes. 

Clue #2:  You wear baseball hats.  While baseball hats protect your head from sun damage, your ears are constantly exposed and are often overlooked when your skin is checked for signs of skin cancer. 

Clue #3:  You are a male.  Whether it’s habits, hormones or genes, or even a combination of these three, men have three times as many squamous cancer cells and twice as many basal cancer cells as women.  Also, white men over the age of 50 have the highest incidence of melanoma. 

Clue #4:  You have dark skin.  While skin with more pigment has a natural shield against UV rays, many African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Indians get a false sense of security and typically do not pay much attention to protecting their skin from these harmful rays.  Skin cancer is also detected much later in dark skinned people, therefore making it harder to treat. 

Clue #5:  You live in the South or in the Mountains.  Rates of skin cancer are obviously higher in places that receive more sunlight, like in the South or in the Mountains.  Altitude is also a factor as UV radiation increases about 4 to 5 percent for every 1,000 feet above sea level. 

Clue #6: You are a runner, cyclist, or swimmer.  The more miles men and women run the greater their chance of acquiring skin cancer.  The same goes for swimmers and cyclists who spend countless hours out in the climate. 

Clue #7:  You have a lot of moles.  The average Caucasian has 30 moles – relatively round spots that are brown, red, or pink.  But the moles that are asymmetrical, with raggedy borders, discoloration or changing size, are the ones that are more likely to develop into melanoma.

• April fitness
• April fitness challenge

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Written by Lisa Jillanza

Who’s ready to have an AMAZING April? This month we will focus on arms and abs. Shoot to do 2-3 sets or whatever you are most comfortable with and build your reps over time.

Happy Spring!

Day 1: 10 leg lifts, 10 punches, 10 arm circles

Day 2: 10 arm/leg lifts, 10 toe touches, 10 bicycles

Day 3: 10 leg lifts, 10 punches, 10 arm circles

Day 4: Walk 30 minutes

Day 5: REST

Day 6: 12 leg lifts, 12 punches, 12 arm circles

Day 7: 10 arm/leg lifts, 10 toe touches, 10 bicycles

Day 8: 12 leg lifts, 12 punches, 12 arm circles

Day 9: 12 arm/leg lifts, 12 toe touches, 12 bicycles

Day 10: 12 leg lifts, 12 punches, 12 arm circles

Day 11: Walk 30 minutes

Day 12: REST

Day 13: 15 leg lifts, 15 punches, 15 arm circles

Day 14: 12 arm/leg lifts, 12 toe touches, 12 bicycles

Day 15: 15 leg lifts, 15 punches, 15 arm circles

Day 16: 15 arm/leg lifts, 15 toe touches, 15 bicycles

Day 17: 15 leg lifts, 15 punches, 15 arm circles

Day 18: Walk 30-45 minutes

Day 19: REST

Day 20: 18 leg lifts, 18 punches, 18 arm circles

Day 21: 15 arm/leg lifts, 15 toe touches, 15 bicycles

Day 22: 18 leg lifts, 18 punches, 18 arm circles

Day 23: 18 arm/leg lifts, 18 toe touches, 18 bicycles

Day 24: 18 leg lifts, 18 punches, 18 arm circles

Day 25: Walk 30-45 minutes

Day 26: REST

Day 27: 20 leg lifts, 20 punches, 20 arm circles

Day 28: 20 arm/leg lifts, 20 toe touches, 20 bicycles

Day 29: 20 leg lifts, 20 punches, 20 arm circles

Day 30: 20 arm/leg lifts, 20 toe touches, 20 bicycles 

We hope you have an AMAZING month with even more AMAZING results.