Because Nothing Should Weigh a Child Down

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Live Light Live Right screens “Soul Food Junkies”

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The Live Light Live Right and staff at the Brookdale University Medical Center were given the opportunity to screen the film “Soul Food Junkies” by Byron Hurt, who is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, published writer, anti-sexism activist, and lecturer. Hurt is also the host of the Emmy-nominated series, Reel Works with Byron Hurt. The Independent named him one of the “Top 10 Filmmakers to Watch” in 2011. His most popular documentary, Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was later broadcast on Independent Lens.

This documentary stemmed from Byron Hurt, who grew up eating lots of soul food and obesity hit close to home for Bryon. In Soul Food Junkies, Hurt sets out on a historical and culinary journey to learn more about the soul food tradition and its relevance to black cultural identity.

To learn more about Byron Hurt’s documentary you can visit his website

Live Light Live Right is Joining the “We All Want Healthy Kids” Campaign with the Brooklyn District Public Health Office

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The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has started a “We All Want Healthy Kids” campaign to get organizations in NYC and the boroughs to join in educating staff, youth and clients to support them in combating the marketing from the food and beverage industry of high sugary and high fat products that is directly impacting youth. Live Light Live Right is joining in to support this campaign by:

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Live Light Live Right at the NBC and New York Giants Health and Fitness Expo 2014

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health and fitness expo LLLR team
health and fitness expo staduim

On July 19th and July 20th, the Live Light Live Right (LLLR) Program participated in the second Annual NBC 4 News & New York Giants Health & Fitness Expo. It was held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

There were more than 300 exhibitor booths with a vast array of information and new innovations for staying healthy. At the expo, there was free testing and health screenings, along with educational material for the participants. There were many interactive activities and attractions for the families such as Zumba, scuba diving, cardio kick boxing, tennis, rowing and healthy cooking demo, to name a few.

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Threat Goes from Liver Illness Tied to Obesity

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Yubelkis Matias, 19, a student at Bronx Community College, lives with fatty liver disease. Credit Nancy Borowick/The New York Times
Yubelkis Matias, 19, a student at Bronx Community College, lives with fatty liver disease. Credit Nancy Borowick/The New York Times

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the build up of extra fat in liver cells that is called a fatty liver (steatosis). NAFLD tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides. The incidence is growing in overweight children and has been linked to excess fructose intake as in fruit juices, sweetened beverages and processed foods with high fructose corn syrup. This threat is serious and can be prevented by reducing intake of fructose and high glycemic index foods. A recent article in the times highlights this issue which is often overlooked. Please call our clinic at 718-240-5857/ 8125 for an appointment if you think your child is at risk for this or other obesity related diseases.

Source for photo: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/13/threat-grows-from-liver-illness-tied-to-obesity/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Live Light Live Right Summer Camp 2014

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Live Light Live Right is proud to be adding to our partnership with the CAMBA (www.camba.org) Beacon Program a 7-week summer camp program. We have 150 campers that are enrolled in the summer camp.

The summer camp program consists of:

  • Nutritional Counseling: Our certified nutritionist has created educational and engaging workshops that will teach the children about basic nutrition, reading labels, alternatives to high fat foods, portion control, and reduction in juice and increase in water consumption, and healthy snack options that will keep the child full and satisfied in between meals.
  • Physical Fitness and Activity: Two days a week, our two senior trainers share their infectious energy with the summer camp participants. The classes are primarily fitness games focused on creating a fun filled atmosphere for the children. Our trainer’s motivate and encourage the children to continue participating in activities throughout the rest of the week, by giving examples of exercises that they would enjoy.
  • Trips: We have planned and funded weekly trips that the summer camp participants will be going on. Some of the trips that are included are Gleason’s Gym, The Toy Museum, NYC parks, and local farming with East New York Farms to educate the children about food production, local sourcing for food and cooking locally sourced vegetables.

The children are having an amazing time this summer in the program.

Holland Chastity Blair

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Chastity Blair

Chastity is a 15 year old female who has been in our LLLR program since July 2010. Her BMI was significantly elevated at 44.44 in July 2010 and this lead to her developing a kidney dysfunction. The doctors at LLLR explained to her the need to change her lifestyle and become physically active if she did not want to go on dialysis. She had a kidney biopsy in November, 2010 when she was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Stage I. Chastity and her mother decided to take this advice seriously. She has been following the medical and dietary advice such as, cutting down her juice intake, increasing fiber intake and increasing her intake of vegetables and fruits. She has also increased her physical activity which helps her in being an active member of girl scouts.

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Live Light Live Right’s Nutritionist Chef Nico Salsa Creations

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cooking demo 1
cooking demo 2

Pineapple Mango Black Bean Salsa

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup diced pineapple/li>
  • 1 cup diced mango/li>
  • 1 cup cooked black beans/li>
  • 6 cilanto sprigs chopped/li>
  • ¼ cup diced onion/li>
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed/li>
  • 2 tbsp of fresh lime juice/li>
  • Salt and black pepper for taste/li>

Directions:

  1. Place all ingredients in a bowl, combine and serve/li>

Fresh Vegetable Pear Salsa

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup diced zucchini/li>
  • 1 cup diced summer squash/li>
  • ½ cup diced pears/li>
  • ½ cup diced tomato/li>
  • ½ cup diced sweet pepper/li>
  • ¼ cup diced onion/li>
  • 2 tbsp chopped basil/li>
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed/li>
  • 2 tbsp olive oil/li>
  • 4 tbsp lemon juice/li>
  • Salt and black pepper for taste

Directions:

  1. Place all ingredients in a bowl, combine and serve/li>

The Amazing Avocado… Great Nutrition Meets Great Taste

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Avocado

Avocado season is quickly approaching, and there are more ways to enjoy this superfood than just making guacamole. Flavorful, creamy, and full of healthy fats, avocados are perfect for desserts, dips, salsas, salads, sandwiches, and more!

If you’ve been avoiding avocados in your heart-healthy diet because of their high fat content, know that those fats are primarily mono- and polyunsaturated — good fats needed to process the fat soluble vitamins A, E, D, and K. Avocados also have plenty of antioxidants, primarily carotenoids found in the deep green part of the flesh, closest to the peel.

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Summer Picnics and Barbeques

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Summer is filled with fun events. Everything from graduation parties, to Fourth of July picnics, to good old-fashioned backyard barbeques – it’s likely that you already have several events you’ll be celebrating the summer season. With a little preplanning, these social gatherings can offer not only great company and fun, but a menu that is nutritious and delicious.

To help you stay on track with healthy eating while still enjoying the celebration, take a look at some of the best foods choices, and those you should be wary of.

Keep Portions in Perspective

Portion size counts, even if you are selecting healthy choices. While the goal is to fill your plate with the best food choices available at any barbeque, you don’t want to sabotage your health efforts by eating too much.

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Live Light Live Right will be at the NBC and New York Giants 2014 Health & Fitness Expo

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Live Light Live Right is honored to be invited to be a part of the 2nd NBC and New York Giants Health and Fitness Expo at The Met Life Stadium in Rutherford, NJ.

Live Light Live Right will have a booth at the expo and will be doing screenings, demos and exercise contests. If you are in the area, please stop by.

Please see below for more information about the event provided in a press release by Dawn Rowan, NBC New York.

OVER 100 SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS AND NON-PROFITS AT ANNUAL NBC 4 NEW YORK AND NEW YORK GIANTS HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO

FREE and Open to the Public on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 at MetLife Stadium

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (July 9, 2014) – Fun, free and family-friendly, NBC 4 New York and the New York Giants are teaming up to host the second annual Health & Fitness Expo presented by Quest Diagnostics, a Proud Partner in Health of the New York Giants. Families in the tri-state area are invited to MetLife Stadium on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for a full weekend of fitness activities, health screenings and much more.

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