Health And Fitness

A vegan refers to someone who doesn't use or eat animal products. Unlike vegetarians, who don't eat meat, vegans:

don't eat any animal products: meat, dairy, and eggs
avoid cosmetics and products that test on animals
don't wear fur, leather, or wool

The Benefits

People follow the vegan diet for three main reasons:

Concussions Potentially Play Role in NHL Deaths

Unfortunately the saying, "I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out," is especially true lately. 3 former or current National Hockey League (NHL) enforcers (a hockey team's most gruesome position to play) have died in the last four months.

These tragedies may not be coincidence, since each case exibits the known effects of extreme or repetitive concussions.

Submitted by kahoople on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 17:11

the problem:

The mental health of our children and youth is an incredibly important issue in today’s society. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adolescents and the third leading cause of death for those slightly younger than adolescents. The CDC reports that 14% of youth between 9th and 12th grade have thought about suicide, and 11% have actually made a specific plan for committing the act.* Mental health concerns are particularly high for more marginalized populations, as many of these individuals are in high risk environments. For example, in a nationally representative survey of a youth in an inner city environment, 8% reported a lifetime prevalence of sexual assault, 17% reported experiencing physical assault, and 39% reported witnessing violence.** Exposure to trauma of this kind is clearly linked to a higher preponderance of behavioral and mental health difficulties in youth. However, these same mental health issues continue to be heavily stigmatized by our culture. This prevents many youth from coming forward with their difficulties, and not enough youth are aware of the fact that there are people available to help them. Furthermore, few youth realize how common it actually is to struggle with these kinds of issues. These are problems I want to address – I want to make children and youth in my community, particularly those in inner city New York, realize that they are not alone in struggling with these issues, and that there is help out there.
*www.astorservices.org/finding-out-teen-suicide-prevention.php
**www.nctsn.org

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

This cause is incredibly important to me, for a variety of reasons. I’ve worked intimately with children and youth in a variety of settings, from being a camp counselor to a trusted nanny, and I know how important and wonderful this population is. I also am still a youth myself – at 22 I don’t think I quite count as a full-fledged grown up yet! The idea of those younger than me and like me struggling with mental health issues in silence is terrible, and is something I want to battle against. This is a fight I am already fighting in many ways, working as a research aide at Astor Services for Children and Families, based in Rhinebeck, NY, trying to find out more about the problems that youth struggle with and the best ways to solve them. Astor is a not-for-profit behavioral health agency that provides services to children of all ages in a variety of settings, ranging from community health programs to residential treatment. We serve children throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley region and the Bronx. Through Astor, I’d like to start spreading mental health awareness by speaking at schools and other youth-serving organizations. I’d like to spread mental health awareness by disseminating both current mental health facts and statistics and the stories of the clients we currently serve at Astor, written by the clients themselves. If possible, I’d like to even bring current Astor clients to speak to other children and youth about their experiences and struggles with mental health. It has been shown that both hearing about other’s struggles, as well as sharing one’s own struggles, can help children and youth persevere and endure difficult life circumstances.* Spreading mental health awareness will also help to dispel stigma. I’d also like to include in these talks information on how to go about receiving mental health services, empowering those that need help to get the process of getting help going. I believe that the sharing of children and youth’s stories, as well as the spreading of other information related to mental health awareness, will have a profound impact on both the youth we already serve at Astor and those in the community that still need our help.
* On Playing a Poor Hand Well, by Mark Katz

the plan of action:

In order to spread mental health awareness, I’d like to start visiting schools and other organizations that serve children and youth, starting with the Bronx and Mid-Hudson Valley, and beyond if possible. I’d like to bring with me dissemination materials, like brochures filled with facts on mental health and the stories of current clients. Hopefully, I will also be able to bring along with me some support staff to participate in these talks as well. I’d also like to, if possible, bring clients with me on these talks to share their stories – this would require support staff to ensure the well-being of youth that accompany me on these trips. I’d also like to bring with me information on how to start receiving mental health services, and for each site I go to, be prepared with information specific to mental health services in that site’s area. Ideally, I’d like to do these talks at least twice a month for a year or longer, coming into contact with as many children and youth as possible. By accomplishing these goals, I feel that my project will have a deep impact on everyone I reach, and that this impact will disperse outwards as those I am able to talk to share what they have learned with others.

how you can get involved:

Anyone can help with this project. Simply talking about mental health issues in a knowledgeable and caring way helps dispel stigma, and helps increase the chance that children and youth that need help will seek it. Anyone that is present at these information sessions I hope to hold will then also be able to spread this information. They say knowledge is power, and in the case of mental health awareness, that is certainly true. I want to spread that power!

project updates:

Submitted by acstelling on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 04:04

the problem:

Food Forward attacks issues of joblessness and nutrition-related health problems. Knowing how to cook directly affects long-term eating habits. 28% of adults do not know how to cook (Huffington Post), while US obesity will increase to 50%, 7,800,000 more people will have diabetes, and 6,800,000 more will have heart disease by 2030 (Columbia University). Additionally, USA has 8.5% unemployment, but a booming food and service industry:~8,000,000 jobs with projected increase through 2018 (USBL).

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

Vocational. Personal. Communal. Food Forward will partner with non-profits which work with specific populations (i.e. homeless, disadvantaged youth, young adults) to develop courses which cater to needs identified by the organizations. Students will gain skills to pursue personal and professional goals both in and outside of the kitchen. The programs also include a “Pay it Forward” initiative to empower participants to positively affect the local food system and teach others how to cook.

the plan of action:

Food Forward’s courses equip students with practical cooking and food business skills as well as a working knowledge of current food system issues pertaining to justice, the local economy, health, and the environment. I myself boast no expertise in working with specific populations, but I have proven myself as an organizer and advocate. I am confident in my ability to forge partnerships with existing non-profits in order to develop programs that effectively address the specific needs and desires of each student population. Food Forward also includes an apprenticeship program, whereby local chefs and producers give students hands-on opportunities equipping them for work in restaurants and artisanal production. This collaboration also provides students a “foot in the door” of the local food industry. The “Pay it Forward” initiative will train students to start their own community cooking groups to teach others basic cooking skills and garner awareness about food system issues.

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Submitted by ichaudry on Thu, 02/09/2012 - 02:10

the problem:

I am trying to raise funds to go to the CF Foundation for research, by selling handmade jewelry on my jewelry page - http://glamandgems.webs.com/. I have a facebook page by the name of my organization, "Breathe for Cystic Fibrosis" on which I talk to people in the CF Community, allow them to post their personal stories or their own fundraising efforts, and overall bring everyone together and help them find a connection through my meaningful jewelry.

vital stats:

people impacted:

200

people involved:

why it's important:

It is so important to me to help a cause, not only in the form of financial aid, but in the effort to spread word and connect to people in a certain "community." In my case, I connect to people who have Cystic Fibrosis via Facebook and they share their personal stories with me and tell me how much they appreciate what I am doing for them - In the end, I just aim to spread love and comfort, and at the same time raise funds for a cure for this disease.

the plan of action:

My plan of action is still to continue selling jewelry online, connecting to the CF community and giving back to the CF Foundation. I wish to inspire other kids to along with their schoolwork and other extra-circular activities, to take on something that could help a particular group of people. My jewelry has a lot of meaning to it, as I incorporate the symbolic cystic fibrosis rose in a purple color in my most loved bracelet. I have up to thirty orders a week that I go to the post office and mail out. I constantly have to keep my website updated, make sure everyone receives their jewelry, and keep track of stocks. I want to inspire people to become active in my cause all over the world, as I do ship to many countries outside of the U.S. Four main countries I ship to are Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada. People who have supported my page are from the US, Australia, UK, Ireland, Canada, Serbia, Jordan, Germany, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, Greece, Egypt, Spain and Croatia. I hope to continue to inspire people to spread positive messages like I do with my campaign "Breathe for Cystic Fibrosis" and to take action by starting their own small project.

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Submitted by Alexander Schreier on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 21:33

the problem:

I have noticed that my high school does not have an adequate amount of automated external defibrillators for my schools population. Currently my school only has two defibrillators for a population of over 1500. Also both of these defibrillators do not have proper cases and are locked behind closed doors. So in the event that something does happen they would be almost impossible to get to in time to revive the student.

vital stats:

people impacted:

1,500

people involved:

why it's important:

This is important to me because I am an athlete and in the event that something does happen to me I want to know that there is an easy to reach defibrillator. This is also important to me, because in today's age there is a growing number of children and teens with heart disease, and with unreachable and very spread apart defibrillators it could mean life or death with these students.

the plan of action:

So far my club at school that is helping me with this project has put together a prom fashion show. This show helped us bring in about 2000 dollars for my project. Since AEDS are so expensive (roughly $1800 apiece/ $600 for a wall case) we simply need to raise more money. So currently we are going out to local businesses to help sponsor our project. In return for sponsoring us they get there businesses name on a banner outside of our school.

how you can get involved:

n/a

project updates:

Submitted by coolcat777 on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 05:46

the problem:

less inactive people in omaha nebraska

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

becuse it whould be a good thing to soicalize

the plan of action:

mostly play games with youth!!!

how you can get involved:

by getting active in your town

project updates:

Submitted by rebs579 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 20:15

the problem:

By raising money through a lacrosse clinic for young girls it inspires the girls we are teaching to give back to those who are unable to pay for the transplants.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

My friend Haley has been in and out of the hospital for 6 years now. Transplants cost a lot of money and have taken a toll on her family, therefore i wanted to find a way to help others in similar situations by providing money for the transplants.

the plan of action:

Raise money and awareness for people that need transplants.

how you can get involved:

By selling lax for transplants bracelets, creating their own clinic and raising money, or donating to the cause.

project updates:

Submitted by rebs579 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 20:13

the problem:

By raising money through a lacrosse clinic for young girls it inspires the girls we are teaching to give back to those who are unable to pay for the transplants.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved:

why it's important:

the plan of action:

Raise money and awareness for people that need transplants.

how you can get involved:

By selling lax for transplants bracelets, creating their own clinic and raising money, or donating to the cause.

project updates:

Submitted by rihana25 on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 18:47

the problem:

Lack of artistic and academic community resources for underprivileged youth.

vital stats:

people impacted:

100

people involved:

why it's important:

Involving arts in education helps youth develop leadership skills.

the plan of action:

Continue management policies of ngoma dance troupe.

how you can get involved:

n/a