Positive Thought For The Week

LOVE
It isn't always what I want...
but it is always what I need.
I can never afford it...
but it is worth everything I have.
I don't always understand it...
but it always understands me.
It's the best of who I am
and it covers the worst in me.
It's all I hope to be.
Not as the world giveth
His perfect love just for me.

Make it a blessed
YMA

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Indiana

Free Testing

Hosted by CMH

Date: 3/10/2009
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location:
CMH
133 North 4th Street
Lafayette, IN 47901

Description: Free HIV testing will be offered in recognition of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Educational material will also be available. Refreshements will be served. Please call to make an appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted.

Fee: This is a free event

For more information about CMH:

Address: 133 North 4th Street
Suite 409
Lafayette, IN 47901

Phone: 765-742-4481

2009 1st Annual Sister Speak HIV/AIDS Awareness Luncheon

Hosted by Brothers Uplifting Brothers, Inc.

Date: 3/10/2009 - 3/10/2009
Time: 11 am - 1:30 pm CST

Location:
The Patio Restaurant & Lounge
7708 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410

Description: Brothers Uplifting Brothers along with the Indiana University Northwest Chapter of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society and The Aliveness Project of NWI will host the 2009 1st Annual Sister Speak HIV/AIDS Awareness Luncheon. The event will feature regional physicians and Indiana State Department of Health representation providing state-of-the-art-information on prevention and women's care issues; and women living with HIV/AIDS sharing personal testimonies to inform and inspire all in attendance.

Fee: This is a free event

Event activities/topics:

• HIV/AIDS awareness
• Testing

For more information about Brothers Uplifting Brothers, Inc.:

Address: 6111 Harrison Street
Suite 343
Merrillville, IN 46410

Phone: 219-985-2008

Web site: http://www.bubnwi.com

Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

You'll be surprised to learn what exercise and fitness can do for you!

Do you think exercise is only good for developing a lean body, strong muscles and a strong heart? Well, think again about Health and Fitness! Physical activity has been shown to help with being emotionally and mentally fit also.

While the majority of fitness research efforts focus on the physical and health benefits of exercise, there is a growing body of work demonstrating that exercise promotes wellness and mental health. Researchers at Duke University studied people suffering from depression for 4 months and found that 60% of the participants who exercised for 30 minutes three times a week overcame their depression without using antidepressant medication. This is the same percentage rate as for those who only used medication in their treatment for depression.

You don't have to be suffering from a clinical or diagnosed Mental Illness to get substantial mental health benefits from exercise and fitness. One study found that short workouts of 8 minutes in length could help lower sadness, tension and anger along with improving resistance to disease in healthy people. Many people exercise to boost confidence along with reducing anxiety and stress, all of which contribute to psychological health and well-being. So, exercise can be viewed as a preventative or wellness activity that may actually help prevent physical and emotional conditions. By the way, even short bursts of activity help individuals feel better, which means that you don't have to spend hours at the gym to gain real mental health benefits.

Judith Easton, personal training director and instructor in mindfulness meditation at Galter Life Center in Chicago, noted one reason for the feelings of well-being that are generated during and after exercise: the body's natural release of endorphins. These chemicals released by the brain are the body's natural painkillers and can lead to an increase in feelings of happiness. "Exercise leads to an increase in energy and to better sleeping patterns, which may also explain why it is so helpful to people with depression. Low energy and poor sleep are common symptoms of depression."

Clinical psychologist Eliezer Margoles, Ph.D. stated that feeling joyful and the pleasure of being in one's body is very beneficial. He urged people to "take time out, and instead of saying no to exercise say no to something else." He also cautioned against a "punitive mindset" in which some people engage during exercise, viewing it as a task or punishment instead of a pleasure. Instead, he recommends that you view movement as an affirmation of living and a function to maintain wellness.

Meditation and yoga, though more nontraditional, also lend themselves to using the body to achieve optimal levels of mental health. Both "answer the need to have down time along with the need to quiet down and look within" according to Judith Easton. This is especially important, she noted, because "in the year 2000 people absorb more information in one day than a person in the 1400s absorbed in an entire lifetime". Easton noted that "technology, including cell phones, faxes and computers, along with the mentality of moving quicker and constantly doing things, tends to lead to people forgetting that this inward focus is necessary and vital to mental health". Yoga participants often say they feel more centered and calm, along with the physical benefits of stretching and building strength.

"Mental Health Benefits of Exercise" was written by Jennifer C. Panning and published in the Find Counseling.com (formerly TherapistFinder.net) Mental Health Journal in November, 2000.

http://www.findcounseling.com/journal/health-fitness/

Meatless Jambalaya

Makes 4 servings

This is a Louisiana-inspired stew, rich and thick. Add additional broth to thin if you prefer. Serve with cornbread or rolls.

1 can (28 ounces) Italian plum tomatoes
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup quick cooking brown rice
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup diced yellow squash
1 can (16 ounces) black eyed peas, drained
Chopped parsley or chives, for garnish

Combine tomatoes, onion, broth, rice, garlic, bay leaves, basil, thyme and hot pepper sauce in a large saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. While rice is cooking, cut green pepper into 1-inch pieces and dice yellow squash. Stir into stew and reduce heat to medium. Stir in black eyed peas, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring once. Remove and discard bay leaves. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Nutrition Information per Serving:
340 calories, 2g fat (0g saturated), 12g protein, 71g carbohydrate, 8g fiber, 980mg sodium, 0mg cholesterol

An Evening with Maya Angelou

In one of the signature events of Indiana University's 25th Annual ArtsWeek, the legendary author Maya Angelou will appear at IU Auditorium in Bloomington on March 1 at 7 p.m.

TICKETS: FREE and available to be picked up at the IU Auditorium box office beginning Monday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call (812) 855-1103.

FREE educational breast cancer symposium

Komen Indy will be hosting a FREE educational breast cancer symposium. Symposium topics include Co Survivors, Integrative Medicine, You've been diagnosed, now what? Survivorship, Clinical Trials, Young Women, Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

We will have a continental breakfast, and a Keynote Luncheon by Dr. Suzanne Metzger author of Idiots Guide to Living with Breast Cancer. There will be shopping, spa services, and breast risk screening available. Reservations are required; please email wendy_noe@komenindy.org or call 317-638-2873 to secure your spot.

Date:	Saturday, May 16, 2009
Time:	7:30am - 1:00pm
Location:	Fountains Conference Center
Street:	502 E. Carmel Drive

Phone:	317-638-2873
Email:	wendy_noe@komenindy.org

News from the American Cancer Society

MARCH
During the entire month of March 2009, the American Cancer Society in collaboration with the Marion County Health Department, area hospitals and colon centers will be offering free colon cancer risk assessments and free screenings for those who qualify.

APRIL
Please join the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society from 4-6 p.m. on April 2, 2009 for a free interactive presentation about exercising and eating right. No matter what your age, there is always something new to learn!

MAY
The American Cancer Society is inviting men and women between 30 and 65 years of age who have never been diagnosed with cancer to be a part of a historic research study – Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). The purpose of CPS-3 is to better understand the lifestyle, behavioral, environmental, and genetic factors that prevent and/or cause cancer, and to
ultimately eliminate this disease as a major health problem for this and future generations. The study will take place on May 16, 2009 from 12-4 p.m.

2009 Women's Empowerment Series

From the Event's Website:

Join us on March 7th at the Murat Theater as we present a Woman's day of Empowerment, Enrichment, Networking and Fun during the 11th Anniversary INHP Women’s Empowerment Series.

This year's series was designed specifically for you, your sister, your mother, your daughter, your aunts, your cousins , your girlfriends and any woman you know to come out and enjoy a day out.

The 2009 Women’s Empowerment Series powered by WTLC-FM, AM 1310 The Light and HOT 96-3 and provides a powerful platform for the distribution, exchange and discussion of information relevant to women. The cornerstone of the Women’s Empowerment Series is built on a series of nationally recognized, professional speakers who conduct empowerment programs, forums and discussions.

Jennifer Hudson

Join Dream Girl Jennifer Hudson at this years Women's Empowerment.

Toccara

See BET Host/Model Toccara as she hosts this year's Women's Empowerment Fashion Show from the producer of Midwest Fashion Week.

Cathy Holloway Hill

Help get your life in order with certifed life coach Cathy Holloway Hill. Don't miss her at the 40 is the new 30 power forum.

and more....

For more information, visit the women's empowerment series website!

CWUW

Center

axis, focal point, inside, midst, core, innermost, deepest

Wellness

whole, heal, health, goodness, strength, complete

Urban

citified, metropolitan, downtown, movement

Women

female, mother, sister, daughter, life, nurturer

Meatless Monday: Hopi Vegetable Stew

Makes 8 servings

This rich vegetable stew is extra special when made with fresh grilled corn and homemade corn stock. But if you're in a hurry, it can work equally well with a good quality vegetable stock and frozen corn kernels.

2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 cups diced red onion (3/4-inch dice)
2 cups diced jewel yams (3/4-inch dice)
1 cup diced turnip (3/4-inch dice)
1 1/2 cup diced green pepper (3/4-inch dice)
2 cups diced sweet red bell pepper (3/4-inch dice)
1 cup diced zucchini (3/4-inch dice)
1 cup diced yellow squash (3/4-inch dice)
1-1/2 cups shitaki or oyster mushrooms (3/4-inch dice)
1-1/2 cups small button mushrooms
1-1/2 cup diced carrots (3/4-inch dice)
8 cups corn stock
2 cups fresh grilled corn kernels
1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup corn starch
2 tablespoons dried sage, ground
1 tablespoon dried thyme, whole leaf

Lightly coat the corn with a non-stick cooking spray and season with salt and pepper. Grill until corn begins to char slightly. Cut the kernels from the cob and reserve. Take the leftover corn cobs, cut in half and place them in a stock pot with 12 cups of water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and simmer for 2 hours. Strain the corn stock and reserve.

While the corn stock is cooking, dice all the vegetables. Heat a large soup or stock pot over a medium high flame adding the olive oil. Once the oil is heated add the jewel yams, turnips, carrots, red onion and minced garlic and saute for 5 minutes. Add the yellow squash, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, thyme, sage, ground black pepper and continue to cook for another 5 minutes stirring often. Add 7 cups of the corn stock reserving one cup. Bring the stew to a boil, while the stew is cooking mix the corn starch and last cup of corn stock together. Once the stew is boiling slowly add the corn starch mixture. Reduce heat to a low simmer add the reserved corn and cook another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as need with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Information per Serving:
Calories 358, Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 55mg, Total Carbohydrate 76g, Dietary Fiber 11g, Protein 10g