www.greenepublishing.com VIEWPOINTS & OPINIONS Friday, February 8, 2008 The Madison Enterprise-Recorder 3A Extension Service Diann Douglas Guest Columnist n Focus On The Positive For National Heart Month February is National Heart Month, so this month I will be focusing on food and lifestyle changes to help you and your family reduce the risk of heart disease. Although we have made improvements in recent years; the American Heart Association is proud the number of deaths due to heart disease has declined in recent years. Heart disease is still the leading killer of all Ameri- cans. We have always assumed that heart disease is a man's disease, yet it claims nearly 500,000 women each year more than the next seven leading causes of death combined. There are several risk factors that increase your chances of heart disease such family history, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and excess weight. A family history of heart disease is a risk factor you can't do anything about, but there are several risks you have control over. Healthy food habits can help reduce three of the major risk factors for heart disease choles- terol, blood pressure and weight. The American Heart Association recommends the fol- lowing to help you achieve and maintain healthy eating habits. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Choose 2 or more cups per day Include fat-free and low-fat milk products, fish, legumes (beans) skinless poultry and lean meats. Choose fats with 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving, such as liquid and tub margarines, canola oil and olive oil. Balance the number of calories you eat with the num- ber you use each day There is no magic formula it is calo- rie in and calorie burned. Taking in more calories than you burn will cause a weight gain. If you want to lose weight, cut back on your food intake and increase your physical activity A combination of the two will keep you from having a hungry feeling all of the time while losing pounds. Maintain a level of physical activity that keeps you fit and matches the number of calories you eat. Walk or do other activities for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Limit your intake of foods high in calories including foods like soft drinks and candies that are high in sugar. Consume less salt. Use herbs and other spices to fla- vor your foods. , These guidelines will not only 'improve your heart health, but reduce your risk for other chronic health prob- lem. For more information on eating for healthy and nutri- tion, contact the Madison County Extension Service. The University of Florida Extension/IFAS Madison County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educa- tional information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, col- or, sex, age, handicap or national origin. NO EMERGENCY Good golly, Miss Molly! Oh, boy, gosh and gee whiz! What a game! The XLII Su- per Bowl, that is, for all of you non-aficionados of football. The number of those who are seems to be. .. increasing more year after year. Daughter Mona ' called us after the game started and said she wanted to place a small bet on the Patriots but couldn't find anyone to bet on the Giants and would we so we took her on. We believe that Tom Brady was so confused by all those sacks (since he was usually so well protected) that he was thrown off his usual complacence. We've never before seen him rattled but he came close this time. We really would have liked to see Kyle Brady a great Jaguar for many years win a Super Bowl ring, though. Kyle is just a really nice guy as well as still being an asset to the Patriots as he was to the Jaguars. We're sure you'll be glad to hear that, after a-rocky start, Lee's Homecoming festival is off and running with most all of its many facets now in good hands. Cheryl and Janice didn't get off the hook, though no- body wanted to be Chair and Co-Chair but with a real- ly good supporting cast, their work load will be lighter this year. The following areas are in good hands: PARADE Jason Archambault & Jennifer Kervin PROGRAM AND ADVERTISING Jacob Bembry BLUE RIBBON & COUNTRY STORE - Mary Ann Wicker (971-5119) COUNTRY STORE - (15% of proceeds goes to Lee Day) All Blue Ribbon entries are $1.00 per category Only entries into the Blue Ribbon contest are eligible to be put into the Country Store VENDORS Tammy Webb (971-5293) and Ellen Blesy CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT Sandy Bacot (971-5151), Michael Curtis, Greene Publishing, Inc., and Perry Michael (971-5287.) (Any local candidates interest- ed in backing any of these events, please call) I. Cet lead nnies, dassifieds, the community (alendar & so much more! -I ' I I FEELS MINOR WHEN IT'S YOURS. / /. / We Put You On The Fast Track From bumps. bruises and bug bites, to flu and fever, you never know when you'll need medical attention. But whenever you do. the Fast Track program in the newly expanded Shands Live Oak Emergency Department makes it easier to get that care. quickly. Available from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m seven days a week. Fast Track has its own dedicated patient space and special medical team ready to treat your minor injuries and illnesses. So you can get the care you need and get on your way with less worry because no emergency feels minor when it happens to you or someone you love. Shands 386.362.0800 1100 SW llth Slreet Id .11 1, FUN RUN Bruce & Lisa Jordan (971-5870) and Sylvia Linton MCMULLEN HOUSE - helma ThIm oma -'r Pat Mess (971-7249) and Au- ..e.a ,ost^ .drey Land (971-5431) ,, C(Robert McCloskey & his instruments) PANCAKE BREAKFAST - Frances Mercer PAGEANT AND FRIDAY EVENING DANCE Char- lene Rye (850) 694-0814 PET SHOW Suwannee Valley Humane Society (971- 9904) Dogs, Cats, and Exotic Pets SPONSORS AND ENTERTAINMENT Thelma Thompson (971-0011) SENIORS BOOTH Mary Hamilton (971-5464) Call her if you can help QUILT AUCTION Reese Thomas (971-2720) TRASH PATROL Phillip Register Need more vol- unteers for this department clean-up after also PARKING-LVFD SET-UP COMMITTEE Greg Marr and Mike Bennett and the Lee United Methodist Youth House. An added attraction will be Douglas Doty's remote control cars and the Lonnie Jolson Band, and also singer Lee Ellison. The next Lee Day meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008 at 7 p.m. in Lee Town Hall. Also, remember the blood drive there on Friday, Feb. 22nd from 2 to 7 p.m. Call for your appointment time and you won't have to wait. Then on March 1, be sure to browse through LVFD's big garage sale where you'll find oodles of bargains. Our sincere condolences go out to the Thurston Don- aldson family that family has had quite a load to bear over the last few years. Thurston was a good friend and delivered groceries for us from the old Blue Front Gro- cery when he was the proprietor. We received good news, though, concerning the Kin- seys-Ernestine reports that she is doing well and that Si- mon is much better. And on that good note, we bid you 'au revoir' for a while. %cm endt 94Io e' %zee4( 9Zememzanzce'2007 "WE ARE ALL LIKE ONE-WINGED ANGELS. IT IS ONLY WHEN WE HELP EACH OTHER THAT WE CAN FLY." LUCIANO DE CRESCENZO 94eatlYm tkank& to& e wwM A& wn cotieddto& t/& 9aend 96spicel %ee 49 #Pne&nAancea jom ft& and hoe to oAet 350 patientseackda9wzin. wnqtAze past' 24 ueau, 9Jig,9 end 9ospice, A aA stu'nedf anyone/ Iw" jnciat eason&, wtatk ou canued suppyzt, we' neev iW. owondev#t w,4e % emm4inc spon"sw FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK GREENVILLE MADISON COUNTY COMMUNITY BANK WACHOVIA BANK MADISON 2425th SANNIVe S225 SW Smith Street Big BeId Madison, Florida 32340 Hospice 850/973-8131 1 / www.bigbendhospice. org Licensed Since 1983 What A Game!