And they’re off!

So, as you can see, with just one weeks growth under their belts, its hard to tell that these guys are growing mustaches for a good cause, but they are! Last night at Beef O’Brady’s all those participating in this great event got to meet Libby and her family and then entertained everyone by sucking at Corn Hole. Ok, maybe I speak for myself when I say I sucked at corn hole. But it was still so fun and I really enjoyed meeting all these great guys! If you want to donate, please feel free to contact me directly with questions!

Next week we’ll see who is looking more like Magnum P.I. and less like a middle schooler!

Go to www.loveforlibby.com for more info on Libby and her fight.

Stay safe this holiday!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  Families reconnect, kitchens smell great, and soon it will be time to shop for the holidays.  It won’t be long before there’s a count on how many shopping days left until Christmas.  Whether you’re shopping for Christmas, Hanukkah, or any special occasion, there’s no denying that crime increases during this season every year.  Shopper awareness needs to increase as well. 

Lieutenant Ray Dixon of the Fort Mill Police Department says there are 3- A’s to crime prevention:

1. Be Aware of your surroundings at all times
2. Be Alert to suspicious people and vehicles
3. Avoid dangerous situations

More specifically, awareness becomes more crucial during the holiday season.  Whether out shopping in a mall or outdoor strip center, in a parking lot, driving around or returning home with purchases, there are safety tips Dixon suggests to keep in mind. 

While out shopping:

1. Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you at all times
2. Park in well-lit areas, be sure to lock your car, close the windows and place all shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
3. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay with a check or credit card whenever possible.
4. Pay attention to people walking in front and behind you. Be particularly observant in more crowded areas. 

Protect your vehicle:

1. Always lock your car, check it before you walk away and store all valuable items out of sight.
2. If you take packages to the car, but plan to return to the store or mall, drive to a new location.  Criminals can be on the lookout for unsuspecting shoppers who simply drop their purchases into the trunk and then return to keep shopping.
3. When returning to your vehicle, or home, have your keys in your hand ready to open the door. A few seconds may keep you from becoming a victim of crime.
4. Most vehicles are equipped with factory car alarms. If you become startled or someone approaches, push your vehicle’s panic alarm. It may also prevent you from becoming a victim of crime. 

Protect your home:

1. The holidays are an excellent time to update or create your home inventory. Take photos or make videos of items, and list descriptions and serial numbers. Keep the photos or video in a secure place for future reference. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file.
2. Make sure that items like TVs, DVDs, VCRs, stereo equipment, cameras, camcorders, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment and power tools are on the list.
3. Don’t place boxes with pictures of expensive items, such as a big-screened television, out with your garbage.  You’re advertising what valuables might be inside your home.  Try to break down any large boxes or drive trash to a public dumpster or recycling center.

 

Written by Shari Bramlett and Lt. Ray Dixon, Fort Mill Police Department

Giving thanks for our food…really.

Growing up, Thanksgiving was a time to be thankful for the health of our family and friends, celebrated with a turkey dinner.  The feast was a reward for watching my brothers’ tackling skills during the Thanksgiving Day High School football game with frozen toes.   After recently having tackled creating my own small organic vegetable garden, I realized our reasons for being thankful have changed drastically from the first Thanksgiving. 

The first Thanksgiving was a three-day feast honoring the Pokanoket Indian tribe for helping the Pilgrims survive their first year in America.  After half of the Pilgrims died from disease and starvation over the winter, the Native Americans taught them how to farm, hunt and to be frugal. They learned about the importance of soil quality, planting based on weather conditions, protecting against insects and fungi and usingfish as food and fertilizer.  After months of working in the fields, the Pilgrims were truly thankful for their harvest. 

Organic farms are cared for today nearly the same as how the Native Americans taught the Pilgrims nearly 400 years ago.  Animal and vegetative “waste” is composted and reused as fertilizer, giving back nutrients to the soil.  Natural composters, pollinatorsand predators such as worms, honeybees and ladybugs and birds are also used.  New Town Farms in Waxhaw, NC grows organic produce in the same manner, but they also rely on optimal timing.  Owner Sammy Koenigsberg plants his seeds during prime weather conditions and seasons that  will avoid specific insects that damage a particular crop. 

Conventional farmers typically do not take these measures since they use genetically modified plants and heavy pesticides that kill insects, fung, and weedsthat leave the soil lifeless.  The organic method of fertilizing soil provides all nutrition necessary for a healthy plant naturally, but requires effortand Knowledge.

This holiday season I have a new appreciation for the array of food on our table. Eating predominantly organic and minimally processed vegetables, along with a free-range turkey, I thank those organic farmers who care enough about our families and the environment to farm their land as the Native Americans did. 

 

Written by Michele Bick, for My Carolina Town Magazine

I’ve heard a lot about the health benefits of acai berries. Are they really a miracle fruit or is it just a bunch of hype?

The acai berry has received a huge boost in popularity when Dr. Perricone picked it as one of his top–ten, anti-aging superfoods and it was sequentially featured on “Oprah.” The instant thrust into the spotlight, partnered with Oprah’s seal of approval, resulted in a flood of acai berry products to hit the market shelves – including acai berry juices, chews and pills – all at a premium price.

Does it deserve the hype?  The answer is maybe.

The acai berry is an inch-long, reddish-purple fruit. It comes from the acai palm tree, which is native to Central andSouth America. The berry is rich in antioxidants, anthocyanins and flavonoids. The word Anthocyanins is derived from the Greek words meaning “plant” and “blue.” Many blue or dark red fruits, including blueberries, red grapes and blackberries, are rich in anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants that protect the body against aging.

All of those fruits share the same healthful qualities, including reducing inflammation, protecting blood vessels and the nervous system. However, many studies show that the antioxidants in the acai berry are even higher than cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries.

Acai berries are also rich in polyphenols, which are plant compounds that can reduce the risk of disease and cancer. 

Acai berries have also been shown to lessen the destructive power of free radicals, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. A fascinating study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that acai berry extract triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86 percent of leukemia cells.

While all of this research is compelling, the bottom line is that no single food can act as a miracle solution to all of life’s ailments. A healthy diet and lifestyle is achieved through a variety of nutritious foods, physical activity, adequate sleep and mind-body balance.

Have you tried the acai berry? Did you notice an improvement in your health when you incorporated this “miracle fruit?” I’d love to hear from you! Please email me at stacy@mycarolinatown.com or visit my blog at http://fiveadaythefunway.com. 

Healthfully,
Stacy