Geaux Health & Fitness January 2015

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GOVERNING HEALTH WITH EDWIN EDWARDS VALE NTI NE S DA Y

SUPER BOWL RECIPES

a lifetime of fitness

January/February 2015

MODEL BEHAVIOR NEW YEAR NEW GEAR www.geauxhealthandfitness.com

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January 2015

EVEN MORE ARTICLES

health

allie griffin pg 16

7 | Health Habits That Stick 8 | Ask The Doctor 9 | Half Crazy

Beauty 10 | Hush, It’s Airbrush

GIVING OUTSIDE THE BOX

PAGE 13

nutrition 11 | Healthy Meal Prep 12 | The Perfect Cup

appareal

SUPER BOWL PARTY RECIPES PAGE 23

19 | New Year New Gear New You

24 | Bayou Super Bowl Trivia

geaux fit

25 | A Lifetime of Fitness 26 | GH&F Workout Routine 28 | Model Behavior 29 | Train for 5K 30 | New Years Resolution

Feaux paws 32 | A Heart of Rescue

places to geaux 34 | Events

Sports GOVERNING HEALTH WITH EDWIN EDWARDS

PAGE 36

Photographer Amy Martin

Graphic Designer Erica Wells Noble Design, LLC

Vice President and Director of Advertising Sharon Frank

Copy Editor Pamela Labbe

22 | What Happens on Super Bowl Sunday

Managing Editor | Shantrice Hurst Editor in Chief | Candra Burges Contributing Writers Erin Fulbright Lori Gardener Traci Vincent Jennifer Beard Heather Jiminez Candace Pampo Darryl Hurst Tori Pajares Amber Smith Emily Ziober

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LETTER\FROM\THE\EDITOR The beginning of a New Year marks an excellent time for a fresh start. For some, the year 2015 promises new beginnings and opportunities. For me this year vows both. As I begin this year, I am reminded of my ups and downs of 2014. I started an amazing new job and was given great opportunities in my field of work, but also with the ups of my year came the downs as well. My family lost a very important member of the family and it seemed that we would never get through our time of grief, but with God, all things are possible and the healing process gets better every day. Whatever were your ups or downs of 2014, leave them in 2014 and commit them to Jesus Christ.

I challenge all our readers to write down your goals for 2015, whether they relate to your fitness or your finances, writing your vision on paper and putting them in plain sight stimulates and reinforces your focal point. As a child, I can remember my parents having me, along with my sisters and brothers, write my goal on paper. It was an excellent way to stay the course.

We will be debuting in our March/April issue a new series of GH&F titled, “Editor’s Journal.” My journals will consist of my accomplishments and struggles in my journey to a healthier me. I am confident that my journals will be not only an inspiration to our readers, but an encouragement that all struggles can be overcome.

Happy New Year and may 2015 be your best year yet!

Your Editor in Chief, Candra-Eloise Burges

Like Us on Facebook! facebook.com/geauxhealthandfitness For Advertising Opportunities, Please Contact info@geauxhealthandfitness.com

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Turn Your New Year’s Resolutions Into Healthy Habits That Stick

MY MUST HAVE TIP

By Lori Gardiner, MS, RD, LDN www.Lori-Gardiner.com

New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to set goals and make positive changes in your life. However, according to Time magazine, only 8% of people who make New Year’s resolutions stick to them, and the other 92% typically give up after about a week. So, how can you improve your odds for success?

1. Do not base a resolution on guilt. Feeling guilty about your indulgences over the holidays and/or lack of exercise is not enough to make you stick to your resolutions. Guilt is short lived and will, more than likely, cause you to dwell on negative feelings and make you feel worse. A positive attitude and concrete reasons for your resolutions will be key to your success. Focus on the many benefits of health resolutions, such as a higher energy level, increase in stamina, possible disease prevention, and generally feeling better overall. Positive Motivating Factors = Positive Long-Term Results.

2. Make your resolutions realistic and specific. Setting unrealistic goals will leave you feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. Set goals that you can build on and increase over time. If you are not exercising at all, setting an immediate goal of exercising 5 times per week is unrealistic.

Start off with 2 times per week for 30 minutes and increase over time.

This also applies to your diet. Slowly add “healthier” food choices and decrease “unhealthy” ones. Do this one meal at a time with only 1-2 changes per week every 2-3 weeks. Baby Steps = Big Long-Term Habits.

3. Do not expect perfection. EVER. Your resolutions will become habits if you learn from your mistakes. It takes approximately 21 days to form a new habit. Stay positive and continue to push through your struggles.

You will get there with perseverance and realistic plan. Perseverance = Success whereas Perfection = Failure.

4. Think in terms of “long-term lifestyle” changes. Your resolutions should consist of goals that you can maintain long-term. Your goals should focus on the benefits that you will achieve in the long run. The benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle to your body are endless! I don’t think anyone regrets feeling better mentally and physically. It’s a great feeling to do your body good by fueling it with healthy foods and keeping it active.

Do not underestimate the power of a positive mindset.

You cannot move forward without it. With it, you can and will accomplish amazing things.

Don’t focus on your holiday failures between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Instead, focus on taking small, healthier steps for the whole year.

Make 2015 your year for positive, attainable goals with long-term habit forming results.

My New Year’s Resolution Recommendations 1. Add protein to your breakfast. Try nonfat Greek yogurt topped with fresh berries and a handful of nuts.

2. Choose fresh fruit instead of fruit juice. Fruit juice is higher in calories and lack the fiber of fresh fruit. Also, fresh fruit will keep you full longer.

3. Start your lunch and dinner meals with a small garden salad. This will increase satiety; therefore, help you keep the rest of meal in check.

Always ask for the dressing on the side. Mix 1 tsp vinaigrette with balsamic or red wine vinegar to decrease calories.

4. Choose whole grains over refined grains. Refined grains are usually empty calories that can leave you feeling hungry. Whole grains have more staying power and are a great source of fiber. Choose brown rice, quinoa and oatmeal.

5. Snack with a purpose. Snacks are meant to “hold you over” from one meal to the next. Choose snacks with protein such as nonfat Greek yogurt/fruit or 2% cheese sticks/whole grain crackers.

Lori is a Registered Dietitian with a Masters of Science in Nutrition. She is the author of the book, My Little Black Book for a Healthy Non-Diet Lifestyle.

Her book is a pocket guide that will provide you with the right tools on how to overcome the diet mentality and gain a positive mindset for good. It can be purchased at www.Lori-Gardiner.com and Amazon.com. For weekly nutritional updates, “like” her Facebook page or follow her on Twitter. GH&F

January 2015 geauxhealthandfitness.com

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health Ready.Set.Geaux Sports

ask the doctor with

Dr. Cordell Parris

By Duane Pierce

Geaux Health and Fitness Magazine Heart Health Awareness What is considered to be high blood pressure?

120-80 still remains the gold standard for blood pressure readings.

Different people will have different norms for their body type and genetic makeup. The ranges may vary slightly depending upon such factors, but anything deviating too far away from the traditional standard should be evaluated by a physician immediately. Oftentimes there are no initial symptoms for high blood pressure which is why another moniker for the condition is the silent killer. It is highly recommended that people check their blood pressur on a regular basis and monitor the readings in aggregate. Finally, limiting salt intake and keeping fit are mitigating factors which help in combating this pervasive problem.

What is a healthy cholesterol number?

Cholesterol levels should be monitored at least once every five years for all people over the age of 20. As you get older it is recommended that the timeframe for taking the applicable blood test be decreased. LDL cholesterol is oftentimes called ‘bad’ cholesterol and should typically be at 100 or less, while HDL, oftentimes called ‘good’ cholesterol, should typically be at 45 or higher for men and 50 or higher for women. The total cholesterol is the combination of the mulltiple types in aggregate.

These numbers, while not enough on their own to determine one’s risk for heart problems, are critical as part of larger equation of factors a doctor can evaluate, inclusive of blood pressure, smoking status, diet, age and others to attempt to predict one’s relative risk for potential heart problems.

What are the signs of a heart attack?

While some heart attacks are sudden and intense, many start slowly with only mild pain and discomfort. Many times people who aren’t sure what is wrong wait too long to seek medical attention; this significantly compromising their ability to be treated in time to maximize their opportunity for a full recovery. Some things to be mindful of are: chest discomfort, discomfort in the upper extremities of the body (many times on the left side), shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea,

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geauxhealthandfitness.com January 2015

vomiting, light headedness…women are especially prone to shortness of breath and the nausea/vomiting issues along with back, jaw and/or nipple pain. The key is it is always better to be safe than sorry and get to the hospital if possible, call 911 if need be and always be upfront about concerns with your physician. Some people believe a low dose aspirin regimen or 1 glass of red wine daily helps the heart but make sure you consult your doctor before such practices are undertaken. Also, full dose aspirin or nitroglycerin are both effective in helping mitigate a cardiac arrest if administered quickly and properly.

What causes heart disease?

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in this country and while there are many potential causes for the problem and in many instances it can be attributed to a combination of factors, the first and foremost reason to examine is family genetics by a wide margin. One can simply communicate their family history to their physician or then can actually get a mapping of their genetic predispositions to assist in determining whether any immediate red flags exist. Plaque build-up is the most common cause leading to heart disease and this can be significantly exacerbated by an unhealthy diet, a lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking.

What is more important for one’s health, exercise or diet?

Everyone is different and although it would be convenient to clearly identify one category as being more important towards having a healthy heart, it really takes the successful management of both areas to ultimately optimize one’s cardiac wellness potential. Living a non-sedentary lifestyle is to be emphasized because building up one’s cardiovascular endurance is important. Proper nutrition and knowledge of portion control and when to eat, along with what to eat, is also a critical component to good heart health. Metabolic Imaging is an important tool that aids in determining what to focus on for each individual who will have a unique set of needs, challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Ready.Set.Geaux Sports health At what age should I begin to worry about heart health?

While there is no specific age that could be sincerely listed medically, you can never be too early in focusing on optimizing heart health. Parents need to make proper choices for their children and adults, young and old, need to educate themselves, avail themselves of experts in the medical field, as well as take a common sense approach to incorporating heart healthy decisions into their daily routines. Make it a habit of exercising often, eating right, not/quitting smoking, drinking only in moderation if at all, recognizing any red flag medical signs, limiting stress, getting enough rest…

What is an area of heart health that is often overlooked?

Sudden Death Syndrome, Ventricular Tachycardia, is dangerous because when the heart beats too rapidly and the ventricles cannot effectively pump oxygen-rich blood to the body, even if for only a few seconds, it can turn into ventricular fibrillation which can cause a potentially life threatening condition and can lead to sudden death. This is particularly important in the high school and college athletic population where far too many have just literally dropped dead. Symptoms can include heat palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, near fainting/or fainting, and a very weakened pulse. Common causes of arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats can be congenital in nature and can stem from

valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease as well as due to other issues previously mentioned like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, too much stress, excessive alcohol and/or caffeine consumption and drug abuse (illegal, prescription and/or OTC). Various tests and procedures that may be used to diagnose and treat such a condition are a myocardial perfusion stress test, echocardiograms and carotid duplex (for the artery to the brain). Fatal arrhythmia can be tested by Electrophysiological testing including T wave Alternans and treatment of these abnormal rhythms can include a multitude of medical management options such as utilization of an Automatic Cardiac Defibrillator, Implanted Pacemaker or Catheter Ablation as examples.

In any case, given that you know your body best, if you should ever feel any type of abnormality in the beating of your heart regardless of whether or not it was mentioned above, it is always advisable to seek immediate medical attention.

Prescreening, taking applicable precautions and being proactive can save you and your loved ones even if you do not believe you have any obvious issues.

Preventative diagnostic steps are always preferred over reactionary treatment options utilized to cure a problem.

Have a safe and health life!

GH&F

“Half” Crazy!

By Daryl Moore

“I did it! I did it! I did it!” I exclaimed to fellow competitors. And to my friends. And to everyone else within earshot.

On Dec. 6, 2014, at the Baton Rouge Beach Marathon, I had just finished my first half marathon, and I was ecstatic, so I let everyone know.

Initially, my goal had been to make The Louisiana Marathon – Louisiana’s BIGGEST race – my inaugural half marathon on Jan. 18, 2015. However, I decided to do the Baton Rouge Beach Marathon – the state’s OLDEST marathon race – beforehand, as “practice.” In reality though, any time you run the half marathon distance of 13.1 miles, it’s for real, and cause to celebrate.

Even more reason to rejoice? I finished the half marathon in less than two hours. My official chip time was 1:58:32.2; average pace time: 9:03 minutes per mile. Before the race, I told myself that merely crossing the finish line would have been enough for me and in all honesty, I would have been happy to do so, as that’s a major accomplishment. But I’m a competitive person, and I didn’t want to simply finish – I wanted to get a halfway decent time too.

For months I trained for this. At the beginning of 2014, I was unable to run one mile without stopping and I barely finished two 5K fun runs in the spring due to knee pain. Determined, I started cross training by doing weight lifting, bike riding and other exercises. As my legs got stronger and I got leaner, the pain went away. I stopped by both Fleet Feet and Varsity Sports, the two local running boutiques, where they each assessed my running style and recommended the right footwear. I bought shoes and gear, even forking over hundreds of dollars for an expensive Garmin GPS watch with fancy features, like Bluetooth. I ate healthier and got more rest. I started attending the free training sessions offered by Varsity Sports owner Jenni Peters, first on Saturdays, then also during the week. Of course, I never stopped running on my own, mostly around the LSU Lakes. Gradually, I increased my mileage and pushed myself to go faster. Soon, I was able to run 10 miles and longer, consistently.

One of the great things about running a full or half marathon is that every participant gets a cool medal, which is handed to you right as you cross the finish line. What a perk! Yet for me, I was more elated from having achieved such a monumental feat. Everyone knows that I don’t like running – although I will admit it’s starting to grow on me.

Yet, my pleasure doesn’t come from the run itself, but rather from the sense of accomplishment I feel AFTER I’m done.

That coupled with the wonderful people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made as a direct result of running are the biggest joys the sport has given me. I have discovered Baton Rouge’s greatest not-sohidden treasure, its running community, which is second to none. Oh and one more bonus: As a reward to myself, I will soon be treating myself to a “13.1” tattoo.

Seriously. Yep, I am officially “half ”(marathon)-crazy. GH&F Louisiana Marathon Jan. 16-17 Marathon Expo Jan. 17: Quarter marathon 5K and kids’ marathon Jan. 18: Marathon and half marathon start and end downtown www.thelouisianamarathon.com Fleet Feet Sports: www.fleetfeetbatonrouge.com Varsity Sports: www.varsityrunning.com www.blackgirlsrun.com www.brbeachmarathon.com

January 2015 geauxhealthandfitness.com

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Beauxld Ready.Set.Geaux N’ Beautiful Sports

Hush, it’s airbrush

By Pamela Labbe

Hush is the exclusive Bold Body Bronzing affiliate of Louisiana. Bold Body Bronzing is the official sunless tanning sponsor of Miss U.S.A.

Q: Tell me about HUSH.

A: HUSH is an Aesthetic Boutique Spa focusing on skin care. Looking good and feeling good about it. Our slogan is Redefining Sexy.

Q: What does HUSH offer?

A: We offer custom HEATED (the only one in the state) airbrush tanning. We are the EXCLUSIVE Bold Body Bronzing affiliate of Louisiana. Official Sunless Tanning Sponsor of MISS USA, PuraSpa booth airbrush and full body anti-aging skin rejuvenation treatment booth (which treats or targets dark spots, wrinkles, redness, freckles and more), Chemical peels, facials, full body waxing bar, make-up application, Bella Natural to Runway ready Eyelash extensions, and soon to come: massage.

Q: How does HUSH stand out from its competitors?

A: HUSH is not your typical spa/salon. It’s a completely new concept in the beauty/aesthetics industry. Our concept is simple: We offer a simplified menu of services with an in-depth knowledge to the science behind every service to provide the highest quality to our guests. Our specialists are backed by exceptional continuing education and highly advanced training to bring the future of aesthetics and raise the bar in this industry. Balanced by our superior client interaction, we focus on who you are, your lifestyle and your expectations to allow us to offer a truly customized, private experience – your secrets are safe with HUSH.

Q: How did the idea for this business Q: Is demand for this business seasonal or year-round? come about?

A: Year-round. Exceptional skin care is 24/7. We

A: My business partner, Allison Liuzzo, has been an aesthetician for the last 10 years and wanted to bring something to the city that offered advanced aesthetic services. I had been a client of Allison’s for a couple years and we developed a natural friendship. She approached me with an investment opportunity. My marketing background and her experience in the industry makes a great combination. We intend to grow and expand our services to incorporate things that aren’t offered in Baton Rouge.

Q: Who thought up the name and concept?

A: The name HUSH was thought of to provide an environment that feels private and offers a sense of exclusivity, thus, elevating our clients’ experience each time they visit. We want to promote our clients’ natural beauty, and we don’t feel it’s necessary for others to know what they do to get it. We opened our doors Sept. 22, 2014.

Q: Who are the people behind HUSH?

A: Gretchen and Mark Boudreaux (owners); Allison and Joey Liuzzo (owners); Jan Fife (aesthetician); Jaclyn Tisdale (administrative assistant).

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geauxhealthandfitness.com January 2015

provide services to treat your skin and the custom tanning shows it off. In August 2014 laws were passed that UV tanning beds were considered to be harmful and anyone under the age of 18 cannot tan—No exceptions. One month later, it was also passed that there had to be a 24-hour waiting period to tan.

Q: Is HUSH a chain or an original concept native to Baton Rouge?

A: First location in Baton Rouge, but we plan to open other locations.

Q: Do I need an appointment?

A: Walk-ins welcome, but best to schedule appointment to avoid wait time. 16645 Highland Road, Ste. F, Baton Rouge, 70810. 225-636-2777.

Highland Place Shopping Center by JKL Salon and French Market Bistro.) www.HushBR.com.

Check us out on Facebook HUSH. GH&F 16645 Highland Rd., Suite F Baton Rouge, Louisiana 225.636-2777

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3 steps to healthy meal prep

By Candace Pampo

The New Year will be here sooner than we think and with its steady approach, millions will take a critical look at their waistlines and begin to make adjustments in the form of diet and fitness plans. As the wife of a professional body builder and holistic fitness trainer, I am quickly learning and mastering the secrets of managing a successful diet and fitness plan for each passing year. Perhaps the most important and integral piece of building a healthier you this new year is proper meal preparation.

sure to spend extra time in the produce section and pick out fresh vegetables, such as broccoli, sweet potatoes (you can even grab a few small red potatoes as a treat), fresh greens for salad and fresh fruits, like bananas, apples, pineapples and strawberries. Then, swing on over to the grains aisle to collect oatmeal, brown rice and whole-wheat items. Failure to grocery shop before Monday rolls around will make you more likely to make bad diet choices while deducting crucial funds from your grocery budget for one night of bad eating.

1. PLAN

3. COOK

Without a plan, you are destined to fail. Eating healthy takes planning, so plan on setting a health conscious menu plan for yourself each week. For my husband, his breakfast usually consists of oatmeal in the morning along with a protein shake and fresh fruit. Lunch and dinner is usually fish or chicken with a steamed fresh vegetable, such as broccoli or kale and a sweet potato as a starch.

While you may not want to be quite as strict as my husband is with his menu choices, you get the general idea. The key is to make sure your meals include lean meats, green veggies and fibrous carbs. Cold cereals that are low in sugar and homemade turkey sandwiches with carrot sticks are great menu items for kids.

2. GO

Go to the grocery once every week. Pick your favorite day to shop when traffic is relatively low at your grocery store. My shop day is either early Saturday morning or early Sunday afternoon. Make a grocery list of lean meats, like chicken and fish. Be

Growing up, I was blessed to have parents that were excellent cooks and they imparted their skills to me. When my husband competes on the national level at his bodybuilding shows, he depends on me to prep meals. Sunday was usually the day that I prepared his meals for the week. On that day, I would bake a whole chicken or an entire bag of frozen fish. Second, I would boil 10 to 12 sweet potatoes and enlist the help of my rice cooker to expertly cook brown rice. Next, I would steam a large bag of broccoli or kale. Do you see the key to this cooking thing? Each item that I cook, I’m able to walk away from and do something else. Honestly, who has time to stand over a hot stove all day? Once everything is cooked, I’d divide the items into separate meals to be contained in glass Tupperware containers. On Sundays, I often made up to 10 meals to be paired with my husband’s weeklong training schedule.

Meal preparation is the key to your health goals in 2015. Cooking and eating at home will make your waistlines smaller, while making your wallets fatter. And before you know it, you’ve gone from a size 12 to a size 6. Here’s to meal prep in 2015! Cheers!. GH&F

January 2015 geauxhealthandfitness.com

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nutrition Ready.Set.Geaux Sports

guidelines For the

Perfect Cup

By Lori Gardiner, MS, RD, LDN www.Lori-Gardiner.com

The cooler weather is officially here and hot beverages can be a great way to keep you warm. To make sure you enjoy them without putting a dent in your calorie bank, follow these healthy recommendations: • Choose nonfat

milk for lattes, cappuccinos and iced coffees

• Choose sugar-free sweeteners (Stevia, if available)

•

Skip the whip cream

•

Add spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg or mocha instead

• Choose sugar-free flavored syrups of drizzles

• The smaller the size, the lower the calories 12

geauxhealthandfitness.com January 2015

GH&F

Ready.Set.Geaux love & relationships Sports

Giving outside of the box

By Darryl Hurst

Valentine’s Day is a time of love and sharing. While the love is in the air, it becomes monotonous. We continuously give chocolates, flowers, jewelry and so on. While women love these things that we as men do and love to brag to their friends about the affection shown through these gifts, this Valentine’s Day, I want you to Act Like a Man, and Think Like a Woman.

Don’t give the same gifts. Women typically do for men what they would like to have in return. So this Valentine’s Day, we want you to think outside of the box and jump into that special woman’s head.

While we don’t want you to give from your wallet, you will still have to use what is in it to make some of these ideas happen.

1. Scrapbook

Take some of the most important and impressionable moments between the two of you or your family and display them in a way that will make that special person take a walk down memory lane.

2. 52 Things I Love About You

Take a deck of playing cards and punch a hole into each card in the upper left-hand corner. Use a large binding ring (can be purchased at a hobby/ crafts store or an office supply store). Insert all 52 cards on this ring facing the same direction. On each card glue a small piece of paper (can be cut out of construction paper or printed and cut-down to size) and write one thing that you like or love about your Valentine.

3. Listen

Men, this gift idea may seem extremely simple, but for most men it isn’t. Prior to Valentine’s Day, listen to the small things that she likes or wants. Instead of rushing to the mall and grabbing something so that you won’t be empty-handed, sit back and think about some of the things that you have passed on billboards or things that she has seen on commercials that she said she wanted and get her what she wants rather than what you want her to have. When you give her the gift, let her know that her voice is important, that you are listening when she speaks and that this gift was something that you remember her saying that she would love to have.

4. Coupon Book

Create a Coupon Book out of construction paper or index cards that allow your significant other to cash-in for special moments. As men are physical beings and problem solvers by design, we aren’t always good listeners. An example would be to create a card that will allow your Valentine to cash-in on a listening session where you don’t give a solution, but just allow them to express themselves. Other coupons can be humorous or sensual.

Women take this day seriously and you should, too. I hope that you take advantage of one of these ideas or at least have now opened your mind regarding gift giving. If you go with the traditional gift, you will get the traditional smirk of thanks. If you think outside of the box, it will be the gift that keeps on giving. GH&F

January 2015 geauxhealthandfitness.com

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allie griffin

the example

Who Is Allie Griffin?

Allie is a fitness professional who inspires her clients to make lifestyle changes by setting an example with her daily walk. Allie Griffin tells us about her life and personal lifestyle changes, and she provides insight on how to get your New Year started right.

Grace Athlete Motivator Fitness As someone who has taken to the Paleo Diet, Allie can tell you all about making tough choices for healthy living. For those of you who don’t know what the Paleo Diet is, Allie sticks to what some call the Caveman Diet, which consists of meats, vegetables, fruit and nuts. While she is allowed to eat burgers, steaks, fish and other high proteins, the Paleo Diet does not allow for rice, beans and processed sugars, among other (See www.thepaleodiet.com for more information). While this is considered a diet, Allie refers to it as a lifestyle change, because she is not using this to achieve a short-term weight loss goal or body change. While Allie is eating to live 80 percent of the time, she is living to eat the other 20 percent, and occasionally indulges in the sweets and Southern fried chicken. The main idea that she wants to communicate to the reader is that one should not be so strict in setting a meal plan that he or she ends up breaking it continuously or that the meal plan becomes short-lived due to the stringent requirements.

Born in Baton Rouge, Allie Griffin was surrounded in sports. Her father, Don Griffin, played quarterback for LSU for two years then finished his collegiate career for Southeastern University, achieving the Gulf South Offensive Player of the Year and All-America Honorable Mention. Following her athletic genes, Allie earned a volleyball scholarship to Colorado University, where she earned AVCA All-Central Region first team honors and was given honorable mention to the AVCA All-America team. She then went on to play beach volleyball and eventually joined multiple international teams.

Her athletic history combined with her choice to attend ministry school after volleyball has fueled her passions for fitness and for encouraging others. Allie currently works for LululemonAthletica and Future Fitness Personal Training Studio, which combined, allows her to help people begin or continue their journey through walking them along their fitness journey or by helping them to choose the right apparel to bring the inner beauty outward. She currently competes in Cross-Fit Challenges, which helps to keep her athletic edge.

Allie – the athlete, fitness professional and minister – encourages her clients to live at their best by having grace on themselves. Don’t crucify yourself if you break your diet or if you miss a day in the gym; life isn’t over. Most people put too much pressure on their routines and this sets them up for failure.

As you make your New Year’s resolutions to lose weight or to make other lifestyle changes, Allie suggests that you take care of yourself so that your commitments do not drive you over the edge. Allie’s method is to take away one bad thing while adding one good thing. This method allows her to stay balanced and provides a methodical approach that will help her achieve her goals. If you need help in 2015, call Allie at Future Fitness and let her help you start the New Year off the right way. GH&F

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Grow Your Business in 2015 B Y P A R T N E R I N G W I T H

225.238.7170 advertising@geauxhealthandfitness.com

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new year new gear new you

By Candra-Eloise Burges Photos: Amy Martin Photography

Wearing the right clothing can make the difference between an enjoyable workout and an hour of misery, and investing in some stylish yet comfortable workout clothing is the perfect motivation to get you moving. whether you’re hitting the gym, heading for the hills or exercising in the comfort of your own home, gym gear from Tread BR will keep get you in shape by keeping you chic.

Special thanks to “Tread Baton Rouge” All Clothing provided by provided by Tread BR. Model: Charis Scichowski

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WHAT HAPPENS ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY?

By ErinFulbright

One of the biggest sports holidays will take place Sunday, Feb. 1. Yes, the XLIX Super Bowl, the day where the best NFL team claims its place, will be enjoyed in living rooms across America.

Super Bowl Sunday culminates the NFL season with a match up between the best team from the National Football Conference (NFC) and the best team from the American Football Conference (AFC) in a championship battle game that dates back to Jan. 15, 1967.

This is the time of the year where people from all walks of life come together to enjoy a day of intense football, friends, family and food. It doesn’t matter if your team didn’t make it in, by now you are over it and ready for the anticipated game, the best commercials of the year and a halftime show that brings the non-football fans running to the television.

Glendale, Ariz., will host the 49th Super Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium, a place much warmer than the 2014 game played in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, in the middle of winter, we might add, brr!

Halftime shows during the Super Bowl has always been a big deal.

For the first decade of the NFL Super Bowl existence, only college marching bands performed. In the ’70s pop stars started performing at halftime, bringing pop culture into the homes of millions and thus making halftime shows the most talked about part of the entire event. It is great publicity for these artists.

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Some of the most memorable shows include the 1993 XXVII Super Bowl performance by Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop” say no more; the 2004 XXXVIII performance featuring Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, where a wardrobe malfunction took place live on CBS; and the 2013 XLVII Beyoncé’s lights out performance with an outstanding performance with a Destiny Child’s reunion, and causing the lights to go out during the third quarter of the game in the Mercedes Superdome. Not really due to Beyoncé.

The 49th halftime show will also be an amazing performance, when global superstar Katy Perry hits the stage. Pepsi, the halftime sponsor, will culminate their social media campaign “Hyped for Halftime” during the show.

On top of all the game day excitement, NFL experience activities connecting the community to NFL players will be held the week prior to game day. The NFL Experience this year will be presented by GMC offering a pro football’s interactive theme park offering participatory games, displays, entertainment attractions, youth football clinics and free autograph sessions from NFL players, as described on the NFL Super Bowl website. The experience gives fans and the youth, who cannot put their hands on a Super Bowl ticket (mind you, prices start at $2,500), Super Bowl fun through pre-game activities.

For us here in Louisiana let’s grab our favorite team jersey, pick up a bucket of hot wings from Pluckers, grab some chips and salsa, gather friends and family and get ready for a Sunday of fun. Football! GH&F

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super bowl party recipes

By Traci Vincent

Tuna Nicoise Salad with Chive Vinaigrette

This classic salad calls for a little bit of prep, but it is totally worth it--especially with fresh ingredients. Also, store-bought dressings often include chemical emulsifiers, preservatives and additives that you want to avoid.

Making your own salad dressing is so fast and easy--it can be done with ingredients you already have at home!

2, 3 oz tuna medallions 4, hard boiled eggs, halved 1c of raw string beans, ends snapped off 3 c Mesclun (spring mix) greens, chopped 1/4 c grape tomatoes Salt & pepper to taste

Boil the eggs for 12 minutes. Cool and peel. Bring water to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Once at a rolling boil, add in raw green beans. After 4 minutes (when the beans are a bright green color), take them out of the saucepan and place in a bowl of ice water to shock.

Cut in half.

Frozen Banana Dessert

This dessert is a delicious treat and an alternative to ice cream, or any other rich dessert. It works best with overripe bananas.

Instead of chocolate or pistachios, you can use coconut shavings, crushed peanuts, white chocolate chips, almonds or even your favorite whole grain cereal.

4 ripe bananas 1c mini dark chocolate chips or chocolate shavings 1c pistachios nuts, crushed 3 Tbsp unsalted butter

Peel the bananas, and leaving them whole, place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer for 10 minutes.

In a small bowl, heat butter and chocolate in a double boiler over low heat until the chocolate melts and is well mixed with the butter.

Place the pistachios on a plate. Remove the bananas from the freezer and dip them in the chocolate one-by-one and dredge them in the nuts until well coated.

Place coated bananas on a sheet pan covered in wax paper and place in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve cold. 4 to 6 servings. (If preparing for kids, cut the bananas in half and use 8 popsicle sticks to place through the base of the halved bananas prior to dipping in chocolate to make banana pops.)

Wash and drain pre-cut lettuce or cut lettuce into bite sizes before rinsing. Plate lettuce, eggs, string beans and tomatoes. Set aside.

In a nonstick pan, sear the tuna for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Let cool for 10 minutes. Then slice, and place on top of the lettuce greens.

Chive Vinaigrette 1/4 c chives, chopped Juice of 1 lemon ½ c champagne vinegar or distilled white vinegar ½ c extra virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp creamydijon mustard Salt & pepper to taste In a small bowl, dump in all ingredients except the olive oil. Once ingredients are well-mixed (using a hand held blender or whisk), whisk in the olive oil as you pour it in a slow, steady stream. Drizzle over the plated salad and voila! Makes 2 to 3 servings.

Chicken Salad

One of my favorite Chefs, Bethenny Frankel, says “Greek Yogurt is Magic!” No kidding! It has been my sour cream and mayonnaise substitute. It will give your recipe that creamy substance you are looking for, while providing nutrient density.

4, skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts 4 tbsp Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil 1.5 cups (12 oz) Fage Brand Plain, 1% Greek yogurt Juice of 1 lemon Salt & pepper to taste 12oz grapes, halved (optional) After rinsing chicken breasts, pat dry with paper towels.

Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool.

Peel off skin and pull chicken off of the bone and cut into bite-sized pieces. Discard bone and skin and place chicken pieces in a bowl. Add in lemon juice, yogurt, salt and pepper. Mix ingredients well and serve immediately or chilled. Serves 4.

January 2015 geauxhealthandfitness.com

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Bayou Super Bowl trivia

(all Louisiana-related)

By George Becnel @thebecnelreport www.thebecnelreport.com

1. Who is the only former SWAC quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP honors?

2. Who is the only kicker in Super Bowl history to make three 40+ yard field goals in one Super Bowl?

3. Who holds the Super Bowl record for the longest pass completion?

4. Who holds the Super Bowl record for most passes completed in one Super Bowl?

5. Who is the first Louisiana-born player to win a Super Bowl MVP? 6. How many Super Bowls were played in the Superdome?

9. What former Southern Jaguar defensive back has two career Super Bowl interceptions?

10. Who is the only Louisiana player to return a kickoff for a touchdown in a Super Bowl in New Orleans?

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Answers Name the Louisiana affiliation (Super Bowl)

8. Who are the only two former LSU Tigers to win a Super Bowl with the Saints and a National Title at LSU?

1. Doug Williams-Grambling St. (Super Bowl XXII) 2. Garrett Hartley- New Orleans Saints (Super Bowl XLIV) 3. Jake Delhomme, 85 yards- UL-Lafayette (Super Bowl XXXVIII) 4. a. Drew Brees, 32 completions- New Orleans Saints

(Super Bowl XLIV) b. Tom Brady, 32 completions (Super Bowl XXXVIII) 5. Terry Bradshaw- Shreveport, La. (Super Bowls XIII, XIV) 6. Seven 7. Drew Brees- New Orleans Saints (Super Bowl XLIV) 8. Devery Henderson and Randall Gay (Super Bowl XLIV) 9. Mel Blount (Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, XIV) 10. Jacoby Jones- New Orleans, La. (Super Bowl XLVI)

7. Who was the Super Bowl MVP in the Saints only appearance?

Ready.Set.GeauxGEAUX Sports fit

a lifetime of fitness

By Emily Ziober

A fitness role model with an outgoing personality, Julia is still trim, mentally alert and riding her bike three miles daily. To celebrate her 95th birthday, she led a Mardi Gras bike parade in her honor in University Acres subdivision, the neighborhood where “Buddy built our house from scratch with a little help from me.” Her husband also disassembled her bike for the flight to one Senior Olympics competition and reassembled it upon reaching their destination.

“We made a great team and supported each other,” she said.

“Stay active and learn something new every year,” responded Julia Hawkins, age 98, when asked about

her secret to longevity and good health. This philosophy led to Sports Illustrated featuring her in its “Faces in the Crowd” section for winning 10 gold medals in three years since she began bike riding competitively at 79 in state and national Senior Olympics races. She stopped at 90 because “there was not much competition left.”

Julia also attributed her longevity to being happily married for 70 years to Murray “Buddy” Hawkins, former head of the LSU Petroleum Engineering Department, who passed away at 95. The two met on the first day of class at LSU and were married by telephone when her husband was in the Navy at Pearl Harbor during World War II while she was in Louisiana. She bought herself a bike as a wedding present. When asked several years ago, her beloved husband confided that his secret to longevity was “being married to Julia.”

Julia not only enjoyed bike riding, but it was also a necessary and inexpensive form of transportation when she attended LSU and later worked as a young teacher riding seven miles each day to and from school in Ponchatoula, her hometown. While she and Buddy reared four children, she continued her love of biking as well as participating in a neighborhood women’s exercise group.

Also, she shared other interests with her husband and children— reading, gardening, fishing, doing art projects, travelling and journaling.

Julia and Buddy decided not to own a television while their children were growing up, preferring to have a family “read aloud” time of Bible stories when the children were young and then graduating to reading the classics. The family formed close friendships with neighbors and their children, and Julia headed the University Acres Beautification Program and was involved in planting cherry trees there and along Highland Road. Julia has always kept a journal, and, as a Christmas gift to her children and grandchildren, she gave them copies of her autobiography titled, It’s Been Wondrous! She also co-authored a book about University Acres and Highland Elementary School.

Today, Julia still enjoys biking and working in her garden. When her children grew up and left home, she experienced “empty nest” syndrome, but adapted by learning how to grow bonsai trees, another interest that continues to give her much pleasure as she turns 99 in February. GH&F

January 2015 geauxhealthandfitness.com

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Geaux Health & Fitness Mills is a Personal Trainer workout routine William and Instructor with Geaux CrossFit

located at 3854 American Way., Baton Rouge, LA. Mills is also an Olympic Weightlifting intern at BruceBarbell.

BURPEE A burpee is virtually a full body exercise and incorporates most major muscle groups, along with being a great cardio workout.

Beginning with the feet shoulder width apart, drop down to the ground allowing the chest and thighs to touch the floor. Then shoot the feet back up towards the hands, landing on your heels.

Once back to standing, bring the hands up above the head, clap, and slightly hop.

KB THRUSTER The KB thruster is a great way to target the core, glutes, and quads.

Beginning with feet shoulder width apart and the kettlebell on the ground, pick up the kettlebell while maintaining a straight back.

The KB will come between the legs. Keep your weight on your heels as you load the hamstrings and then explosively thrust the hips, squeezing the glutes. Finish with the KB over head and arms fully extended.

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PUSHUP The pushup impacts the chest and triceps, while simultaneously working the core.

Beginning with hands shoulder width apart, squeeze the glutes and bring the navel towards the spine to maintain a stable core. Then, lower the chest down to just above the floor, and fully extend the arms on the way up. Be sure to keep the hands shoulder width apart so as to allow the shoulders to be in external rotation, this is the safest position for the shoulders. If necessary, bring the knees to the ground in order to maintain this position.

KB SWING The kettlebell swing is virtually a full body exercise, involving the hamstrings, glutes, core,shoulders and grip.

With the kettlebell resting on the forearm, keep your hand close to the clavicle for support. Use your opposite hand to stablize yourself throughout the rep. Squat down to just below parallel, then come out of the squat explosively, squeezing the glutes. Use this momentum to drive the kettlebell over head, keeping the arm stacked over the shoulder joint for the safest position. Complete 5 on the first arm, and then 5 on the other.

AIR SQUAT The air squat targets the glutes and quads.

With feet straight or between 5 and 10 degrees, and shoulder width apart and weight in the heels. Begin the squat by bringing the hips back, as though you would be sitting down into a chair. Maintain an upright torso throughout the motion, using the arms as a counterbalance. Squat down just below parallel, and then stand to full extension squeezing the glutes, all the while keeping the weight in the heels.

geaux Ready.Set.Geaux fit Sports

Photography by Amy Martin Photography

BAILEY HIDALGO - FORMER MISS TEEN LOUISIANA AGE 17

HOBBIES: modeling, basketball, volleyball and pageants WHAT IS YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE? I workout 4 nights a week for about two hours, that consists of about 80 backwards lunges, and about 40 chair sits with 5 pound weights, and after that I run a mile everyday.

WHAT IS YOUR WORKOUT PLAYLIST? I have a variety of music while I workout. Right now I like Meghan Trainor “Lips Are Moving” “Burnin Up” Jessie J and “All The Way Home” Tamar Braxton “Beg For It” Iggy Azalea

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How to Train for a 5K

By Candace Pampo and Ricky Pampo How do I mentally prepare myself for a 5K race?

Begin with the realization that you will need at least one to two months to efficiently train your body for the 5K run. The idea that someone can simply get up from the couch and run a 5K is ridiculous and will cause your body to be more susceptible to injury. Before scheduling your race, give yourself two months from the date of the race to begin your training. A 5K run equals to 3.1 miles total. So, ask yourself this: “Have I ever run, or even walked, 3 miles?” Based on your answer, you may want to begin your training even earlier.

Also, try to run your 5K in the same running shoes that you train in. Likewise, you may want to run in the same clothes that you’ve trained in as well. Remember, it’s all about making your mind and body comfortable with the task at hand. We can accomplish this by making your training environment almost identical to your race environment.

The important thing to remember is to have fun. Wrap your mind around running at least one and a half miles first and train to run this distance. Once you’ve done that, just think of the entire 5K as double the distance of something you’ve already accomplished.

Remember, this race is only the beginning of your growing lifestyle as a Louisiana runner, so be sure to enjoy every minute of the experience.

I’ve chosen a 5K race that I want to run in 2015. How should train?

Start off with three-day-a-week runs at a distance where you feel comfortable. I would suggest beginning with at least one mile of one-and-a-half-mile long distance. Run, jog, walk, crawl, do whatever you have to in order to finish the distance. If you find that this distance is too long, then you may need to re-adjust and take a bit longer to train. Essentially, if running this 5K is really important to you, than you will make the sacrifices needed to accomplish this goal. If you run on a Monday, then take Tuesday off and start again on Wednesday and so on until Friday.

Also, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the race grounds prior to the 5K, if you can. Find out exactly where you will be running and try to walk the path first to make yourself feel comfortable with your training.

Are there specific foods or drinks I should consume during my training for a 5K?

Staying adequately hydrated during your training is essential, so you should be consuming plenty of ionized alkaline water to properly hydrate your body. No cold drinks and no caffeine, as these liquids will deprive your body of water. Likewise, complex carbs are also important in your race training. Most runners eat high amounts of simple carbs because they believe their lifestyle causes them to burn off these high calories. However, eating complex carbs, such as whole wheat grains (including whole wheat pastas, brown rice, whole wheat bagels) and sweet potatoes will provide your body with the much needed fuel required to finish your 5K race strong. GH&F

January 2015 geauxhealthandfitness.com

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NEW YEARS RESOULUTION

By Heather Jiminez

Chances are, at some time in your life, you made a New Year’s resolution — and then broke it. Here are five tips to help break that cycle and reach your fitness/ health goals this year!

1. Be Realistic The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. Instead, make smaller goals that lead to a larger goal.

2. Outline Your Plan Decide how you will deal with temptations. Have a plan to redirect your thoughts and/or a friend to call to keep you accountable.

3. Announce Your Resolution Don’t keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends, family members and post on social media. By just saying it out loud, you are already holding yourself more accountable. Post it around your house, car and workplace. The constant reminder will help keep you on track.

4. Don’t Beat Yourself Up Obsessing over the occasional slip won’t help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take one day at a time!

5. Stick to It Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity to become a habit and six months for it to become part of your personality. It won’t happen overnight, so be persistent and patient!

Not sure where to start? Come by Nutrishop and let our certified staff design a nutrition plan just for YOU! They will educate you on proper nutrition and show you which supplements can help you reach your goals this year. So what are you waiting for? Make 2015 your BEST Year!!!

Two Locations: 10330 Airline Hwy, Ste A5, Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (next to CC’s) 4225 Nicholson Drive, Ste 103, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (next to Pluckers)

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A Heart of Rescue

By Tori Pajares

With the high numbers of shelter dogs being neglected, Elizabeth Hammett is behind the scenes trying to lower those numbers.

Growing up on a ranch, Hammett has always had a love for animals; however, her life has been spent dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating her furry canine friends.

“Dogs are where my heart is,” Hammett said.

Hammett is involved with multiple organizations where she can do her part for the canine community. Although this entails multiple tasks, her favorite thing is being in the shelters where she can personally be of service to the dogs.

“I started in fundraising, but I realized I liked the hands-on work better,” she said.

“Rescue got into my soul when I begin working with the shelter dogs.”

As a member of Companion Animal Alliance (CAA), Hammett has participated in socializing and advocating for dogs. In addition to her weekly appearance on WAFB for a shelter spotlight segment, she took part in a blanket drive last winter known as “Lilly Mae’s Blanket Drive.”

Hammett is also on the committee of a 32

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Baton Rouge pet gala known as Fur Ball, which benefits CAA. Hammett’s newest involvement includes “The Loveabulls Project,” which is dedicated to the rescue, outreach and education of bully breeds.

“The Loveabulls Project is an outstanding, different new program that is very close to my heart. It’s very heavy on education as well as rescue,” Hammett said.

As a recent graduate from nursing school, Hammett has had her share of caring for those in need, but she said serving the canine community holds a higher sense of duty for her.

“There is something about advocating for those without a voice. Dogs are just so innocent. There are just so many resources for people and not as much for dogs.

Animals are not valued the way the people are,” Hammett said.

She encourages others to get involved with charities like these, even if they cannot handle the physical labor or emotion attached to working in a shelter. For those not interested in shelter work, Hammett believes their involvement in fundraisers

can make a big difference in saving the life of a dog or other pets.

According to The American Society of the Prevention of the Cruelty of Animals, approximately 7.6 million cats and dogs a year enter shelters throughout the United States. Of those numbers, approximately 2.7 million are euthanized.

“The reality of it is that dogs and cats and other pets are put down because people ignore the problem,” Hammett said.

Fortunately for one particular chocolate lab named Hank, Hammett could not ignore him despite a heartworm condition. She adopted him and rehabilitated him back to perfect health.

“The vet told me to put him down, and I wouldn’t. Now he’s a 100-pound, beautiful Lab people try to buy off of me,” she said.

In addition to Hank, Hammett and her husband have three other dogs named Shooter, Lilly Mae and Lucy. All of their dogs excluding Shooter were rescued from shelters. GH&F

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Events Calendar JANUARY January 17

Louisiana Marathon-5k run

Baton Rouge, LA

January 18

Louisiana Marathon/Half Marathon

Baton Rouge, LA

January 24

Louisiana Gumbo 5k

New Orleans,LA

January 25

Beignet Boogie 5k

January 25

Rock-n-Roll New Orleans Marathon

January 31

Cherokee Chase 10k/5k Trail Run

January 31

Cupid's Undie Run

January 31

Run for St. Jude's Research Hospital

Abbeville, LA New Orleans,LA Carencro, LA New Orleans,LA Minden,LA

february February 1

Frost Yer Fanny Duathlon

February 1

Uptown Classic

February 7

Hammond 26X1 Marathon Event

February 7

Park to Park Half Marathon

February 12

Kids on the run series #3

Shreveport,LA

February 12

Kids on the run Race 3

Shreveport,LA

February 13

Rouge-Orleans Ultra Marathon & Relay

February 14

For the Love of running-Valentine 5k

February 14

Mardi Gras Run on the River

February 15

Run for the Roar

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geauxhealthandfitness.com January 2015

Shreveport,LA New Orleans,LA Hammond,LA Sulphur, LA

Baton Rouge, LA Ruston, LA Lake Charles,LA Monroe, LA

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Sign-Up for Our Newsletter Today and Stay Connected with Local Events, Healthy Recipes, Tips and Tricks on Living Healthy and Much More

Magazine

go to www.geauxhealthandfitness.com

February 16

Lundi Gras Bar-a-thon

February 21

Mardi Gras Mambo 10/k/5k

February 21

Run on the Bayou

Westwego, LA

February 21

The Chocolate 5k

New Orleans,LA

February 22

Alpha Epsilon Delta’s Loop the Lake

Baton Rouge, LA

February 28

Al Briede Gold Cup Race

New Orleans,LA

February 28

Brother Eldon 5k

Baton Rouge, LA

February 28

Little Lambs 5k

February 28

Montessori Chamelon Crawl

February 28

Q50 races-Trails Extravaganza

Lafayette, LA Baton Rouge, LA

Youngsville, LA Ruston, LA Franklinton, LA

March March 7

Heart and Sole Run/Walk

New Orleans,LA

March 7

Komen B.R. Race for the Cure

Baton Rouge, LA

March 7

Run to the Battle

March 8

Zydeco Marathon and Half Marathon

March 13

Kids on the Run Series #4

Shreveport, LA

March 14

Color Me Cured Diabetic Dash 5k

New Iberia, LA

March 14

Hammond Rotary 5k & 10K

Hammond,LA

March 14

Red River Run

Alexandria, LA

March 15

Shamrockin’ Run

New Orleans,LA

March 21

Great St. Charles Avenue Road Race

New Orleans,LA

March 6-8

2015 Iberville Bank Team Tennis Challenge

Baton Rouge, LA

LPCF Mixed doubles Tennis Classic

Baton Rouge, LA

March 19-22

Monroe, LA Lafayette, LA

January 2015 geauxhealthandfitness.com

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Governing Health with Edwin Edwards

By Erin Fulbright

In our interview preelection, Edwards talked with Geaux Health and Fitness Magazine about health care in Louisiana and his own health.

An 87 year-old former governor who has been away from politics for at least a decade recently ran for the 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representative to fill a passion he has always loved, helping people out through his role in government.

After a runoff last month against Republican Garret Graves, the Louisiana’s 50th governor who served for four terms, Edwin Edwards, lost the election.

Prior to the first election held Nov. 4, 2014, Edwards said he was not running “against anyone or mad at anybody, but that I am running to go to Washington to help and I think that I can.”

Unfortunately the people of Louisiana felt it was time for Graves to represent the 6th Congressional District in Washington, D.C.

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Ready.Set.Geaux Sports Helping the people of District 6 in Louisiana is just what Edwards wants to do. He’s a man who has been in the public life for as long as he has been an adult, and he’d love to serve the Louisianans. Two of the areas that he would like to help most are with health issues.

An issue many people in America are worried about these days is the Affordable Care Act. Edwards says he agrees with much of it, but not all of it. “The bad part of the care act is the extra burden it puts on small business who can’t afford the extra coverage for their employees. You should be able to keep your insurance.” He went on to say, “All the talk about appealing Obama is not going to happen because the bill has been signed. What we do after depends on the next president.”

What he does like about the Affordable Care Act is the fact that, if someone changes jobs, they can keep their previous insurance. Edwards also likes that children can now stay on parent’s insurance plans until age 26, which will help college student.

“I have talked to hospitals, and medical groups, employees who have problems and poor people who love it,” Edwards said about the care act.

Despite the insurance issue, the state of Louisiana has a major issue hovering over almost every home in “The Boot.”

Staying healthy in a state known for obesity can be a challenge, for Louisiana’s beloved former governor, this is no issue. What keeps him young and healthy, he says, is the fact that he was born with good genes. Edwards comes from a family where folks seem to live to 90 years or beyond.

What also helps Edwards he says is that fact that he grew up in a home that raised their own food and sat to eat dinner at the table at 5 p.m. every night. “There was no McDonalds for us to drive to,” said Edwards.

“I grew up in the depression stage and we grew our own food and grew up before all the chemicals and hormones were put in foods and processed foods became the thing.”

He added drinking a lot of water and not drinking alcohol or doing drugs also helped. Tobacco is also a bad thing people have gotten addicted to he mentioned.

Having a 14-month old son running around also helps to keep the youth alive.

The idea of going back to the days of when people grew there own foods would be ideal when it comes to helping Louisiana become a healthier state.

Edwards says first thing first, young children simply do not exercise enough. He mentioned how the youth these days are stuck in the house playing video games and not getting outdoors. Edwards referred back to his childhood saying they were “outside every chance we could get once all the work was complete.” However fast foods has a lot to contribute to the obesity in both children and adults.

Something Edwards would like to see happen is better balanced diets with vegetables and fruits in schools and the removal of sugary vending machines. Edwards acknowledge the First Lady Michelle Obama’s great job advocating for healthy diets among the youth with plenty of exercise.

Here within Baton Rouge, the Mayor-President Kip Holden has started his own initiative for our youth. The Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative introduces the “5, 2, 1, 0 +10” which involves eating five fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of recreational screen time, one hour or more of physical activity, zero sweetened drinks, plus adding 10 hours of sleep a day for children.

“The national government and state government need to collaborate in an effort to get with schools to provide programs for exercise,” said Edwards. Removing soda machines from school would not hurt either.

To help turn Louisiana into a healthier state, more organic based businesses are needed as well as the innovations of new companies to Louisiana.

Edwards feels Louisiana has great advantages with “a bounty of natural gas, we have the Mississippi River, bounty of climate and good soil,” said Edwards. “What we lack are trained personnel.”

Edwards went on to say, “I am a big advocate for Vo-Tech education because not everyone wants to go to school to be a doctor or lawyer. Some people like to work for a living. If they want to be bricklayers, barbers, nurses then we need to give them that opportunity. And then work with industries to find out what do they need coming here.

I constructed the trade schools to offer those skills the industries said they needed when I was in office. Marrying the industry with the job capability is important.”

Edwards said if he did not win the election, then he would just enjoy the family life. It looks like the former governor gave Graves a run for his money in this election though. GH&F

January 2015 geauxhealthandfitness.com

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SUSAN G. KOMEN® BATON ROUGE ❖

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Our Local Investment for 2014 Community Health Grants Our grant awards helped provide services to the following number of people: • 2878 – Mammograms • 391 – Clinical breast exams • 260 – Medication and Transportation Assistance • 244 – Breast Diagnostic Services • 120 – Lymphedema Support Group • 75 – Healthy Steps Exercise Program • Breast cancer education for healthcare providers and the community All smiles, Mindy LaBauve holds up four fingers to indicate the completion of her fourth round of chemotherapy. Mindy found love and strength from her family, but also an unexpected source of hope and encouragement with other breast cancer survivors.

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Early detection is the key to saving lives!” ❖❖❖ 2014 Grantees: Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, Mary Bird Perkins - Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center, River Region Cancer Screening Center, Woman’s Hospital, and YWCA Greater Baton Rouge

Public Education Komen Baton Rouge distributed over 20,000 pieces of breast health education literature.

Advocacy Komen Baton Rouge along with other Louisiana Komen Affiliates successfully advocated for continued funding of the Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program.

Because of our efforts, $2.4 million remains dedicated to uninsured Louisiana women.

Survivorship In all things, we support and celebrate breast cancer survivorship. Our network of survivors and those deeply affected by breast cancer fuel our mission.

WE LIVE HERE. WE SAVE LIVES HERE.

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