Health & Wellness

Sad to see the summer farmer's market season coming to an end? Can’t get enough of those delicious fresh vegetables? The Geauga Family Farms Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is expanding its program to include the winter season. Enliven holiday meals with certified organic goodness, laugh at Northeast Ohio’s winter as you enjoy local produce, or just get your fix of the good stuff as long as possible (next summer season is only 35 weeks away).

“Where does it go?” Citizens of Northeast Ohio can now get the answer to this popular–yet seldom asked–question.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is opening its doors to the general public at its “Where Does It Go?” open house on Saturday, Aug. 7, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Guests are invited to take a walking tour of the Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant, where all Cleveland Heights water goes for processing. The tour will include an overview of the extensive process required to clean water, how garbage and waste are managed, and how public health and the environment are protected in the process.

The Racquettes will be hitting those tennis balls again this summer. We encourage women who love tennis and camaraderie to join us from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Cain Park tennis courts. This group has been around since the 1970s and prides itself on its inclusiveness and diversity. We have fun while honing our serves, lobs and cross-court strokes, and we reward ourselves at the end of the season with a scrumptious lunch at a local Cleveland Heights eatery.

Emotional support is available for those who lost family members in the Haitian or Chilean earthquakes at the Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center.

“Losing a loved one in a natural disaster such as these devastating earthquakes can shatter one’s sense of well-being,” said Diane Snyder Cowan, bereavement center director.” Seeking individual counseling or a support group can help.”

The second annual Miracles Happen 5K Run/Walk is set for Sunday, May 23 through the scenic streets of Cleveland Heights.

The event will benefit the Diana Hyland Miracle Fund, whose mission is to advance research for recurrent breast cancer -- focusing on new theories, trials and treatments aimed at managing the cancer and extending lives.

The Miracle Fund was created in memory of Diana Hyland of Shaker Heights who sadly lost her battle with the devastating disease of metastatic breast cancer on Oct. 27, 2008. 

With the introduction of a new Health Starts Here initiative, a multifaceted program including education, support tools and store events that support healthy eating, Whole Foods Market is now deepening its commitment to healthy eating. To kick off the initiative and unveil the Cedar Center store’s newly constructed Health Starts Here reference hub, health partner Rip Esselstyn (author, The Engine 2 Diet) will visit University Heights in May for a series of community events.

The "Engine 2 Challenge" Public Program and Reception, on Monday, May 3, 7 to 9 p.m., takes place at John Carroll University's Dolan Center for Science and Technology, and is an engaging and inspiring presentation by the author and Texas firefighter, whose 28-day lifestyle plan can help with weight loss, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of disease.

CH-UH students proudly help with preparations for MedWorks event

Too many Northeast Ohio residents have to do without health care because they lack insurance. So when students in the A.V.I.D. program at Cleveland Heights High School were asked to volunteer their time to help with the preparations for the upcoming MedWorks event to be held at the Cleveland Free Clinic, they happily volunteered.

Do you know where your food comes from? Would you like to find a more sustainable way to bring food to your table? The Geauga Family Farms Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is bringing fresh, organic produce to several pick-up points throughout the Heights for the 2010 season.

Cleveland Heights High School, in cooperation with the cities of Cleveland Heights and University Heights, will be offering community swim programs starting April 6 and running through June 5.

People always ask me how I stay young and active.  Here are a few tips that have worked for me.

Dementia means "deprived of mind." It is not a disease itself, but a range of symptoms that characterize several diseases and conditions, all of which are identified by declining intellectual functioning that goes beyond normal aging. The decline is severe enough to interfere with the ability to perform routine day-to-day activities.

“Dad, who is this,” I asked pointing to a recent photo. “That’s you,” my father answered. “Who am I,” I asked. “You’re my daughter.” After what seemed like an eternity, my father looked at me with sheer sadness and pain. “I don’t know your name.” I took his hand. “It’s OK, Pop.”

"Your father tried to cut the grass this morning with his car. He thought it was the riding mower," my mother said. "Well," I replied, "at least he didn’t cut the grass too short." She laughed briefly, then began to cry. "It’s getting harder," she said. "I know mom . . . I know."

You and your mate don’t have to be separated by land or sea to feel like you’re in a long distance relationship. Sometimes even living in the same house can feel miles apart. Different work shifts, busy schedules and fatigue can separate you. When this happens, a simple technique called "romance telepathy" can go a long way to keep you and your mate feeling connected.

My first exposure to romance telepathy was serendipitous. My mom had died in 1995 and I was cleaning out her attic. I opened an old shoebox to discover over 100 letters my dad had written to her during World War II. In one of the letters, he suggested romance telepathy as a way to stay connected to her. Here is an excerpt from that letter:

"What can I do to protect myself from Alzheimer's?" is a tricky question to answer, since there is no “magic bullet” to prevent people from developing this devastating disease that affects approximately 4.5 million people in the U.S.

The standard response, based on current research, is: eat a healthy diet — lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low amounts of saturated fat — control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, exercise your body and brain, and cultivate a close network of friends and acquaintances.

A recent study comparing the long term effects of social, physical and cognitive activity in mice showed that cognitive activity was the best protector against developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the future. 

The inaugural Miracles Happen 5K Run/Walk on May 31 drew 400 participants who enjoyed the scenic route through Cleveland Heights from Beaumont School to Nighttown.

The event raised more than $55,000 to benefit the Diana Hyland Miracle Fund, whose mission is to advance research for recurrent breast cancer -- focusing on new theories, trials and treatments aimed at managing the cancer and extending lives. The goal of the Fund is to raise $1 million to partially establish an Endowed Chair in Metastatic Breast Cancer Research at University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center under the direction of Dr. Paula Silverman.

Cleveland boasts some of the strongest medical resources in the country but has thousands of residents who go without necessary medical treatment. Cleveland Heights resident Zac Ponsky is doing something to change that.

He is organizing many of the area's world-class physicians, dentists and optometrists to provide the uninsured and the underinsured with access to free health care on May 2 and 3 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.

Walk+Roll, a fun event that encourages people to walk and bicycle in their daily lives, is coming to the Heights.  On Sunday, July 19, from 1 to 5 p.m., the City of Cleveland Heights will host its first Walk+Roll in Cain Park.

Do you dread winters in the Heights? Have you been sitting on the couch alone, shoveling in Doritos, while dodging invitations from friends? If you find yourself unusually unmotivated, eating and sleeping more and socializing less, you might be one of many affected with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Join us for an Open House on Oct. 23, 2008 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Please come see what sets Homewood Residence Rockefeller Gardens apart from the competition.  You will have the opportunity to meet the staff, visit with our residents, ask questions, and tour our beautiful community.

Complimentary refreshments will be served at 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Karlene or Angela at 216-321-6331.

The newly formed Cedar Hill Walking Club departs at 6:00 a.m. Mon-Fri. from Starbucks at Cedar and Fairmount and returns by 7:00 a.m. You'll get a great workout and still have plenty of time to get ready for the work day. There are numerous routes to choose from and they are all beautiful. Join us and start your day feeling great! One hour destination walks include University Circle (Wade Oval or Reflecting Pool), Case Western University Campus, Little Italy, Coventry, Shaker Square, Shaker Lakes, and many more, as yet, uncharted routes. Great opportunity to see fascinating sculptural art and amazing architecture as you get a wonderful aerobic workout. For more information, contact Tawny Ratner at tawnyratner@yahoo.com. or Michelle Anselmo at chicagofrogs@mac.com.