I think at times I take things for granted. Because of my personal experience, I assume that everyone has lived through heart health issues or is familiar with its signs and symptoms.Today proved my theory wrong. I was very honored to be volunteering with AHA at the Veteran's Health Event at the Washington Redskins Stadium today. I am a proud military spouse and also a heart attack survivor so to me spreading the message is a given. We move  A LOT in the military and having the opportunity to get a health screening in a community environment is so important. It raises awareness and also creates a bond in a community that most are transient to. The health screening expo offered a free health screening for military veterans  and their families. Its important to know your numbers and understand what they mean. 80% of heart health issues can be managed by making the right lifestyle choices and knowing your cholesterol numbers, blood pressure, sugar levels and body mass index all play a vital part of the equation and can save your life.

I was so surprised today that so many men and women had no understanding of heart disease and as Women, did not have an awareness of Go Red and their movement. Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International 2010 helped to spread the word by sharing her story about her cousin Erick who passed away at the age of 12 and touched so many in doing so. She truly is an amazing young women.

Heart disease is the number ONE killer of women. It doesn't discriminate in age, health, gender or social state. I know first hand. After losing my parents and my own heart attack and surgery, I realized that YOU MUST BE your own advocate.

Listen to your heart...today and everyday....

American Heart Association! Do you know your numbers?

Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International and I . Her cousin Erick's story always humbles me. She is such a great spokesperson for AHA and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

With Congresswoman, Donna F Edwards, 4th District, Maryland. What a beautiful lady and HEART HEALTHY!

In the spirit of being Heart Healthy, Juliana Hola Hoops for health! She was REALLY GOOD!

A beautiful future teen intl! Her winning moment!




With the team from the American College of Physicians and Glaxo Smith Kline

  Listen to your heart! D

November 6 2010....it was a great day. It brought me back to a lot of memories. I still have a hard time believing I had a heart attack and stent placement in January of 2010 when everything seems so long ago. My parents seems so much more clear and I wonder if its because I still can't believe what happened, happened.

The turnout was amazing and I was in amazing company! I was in the company of Miss Teen International. Juliana Mckee and Miss International, Ashley Smith. Yolanda Makle, Ms Galaxy also joined us as well as Gail Mates (the national spokesperson for GO RED!)) so my company was not only beautiful but inspiring.



DC Beautiful queens, Chelsea sang the National Anthemn and was AMAZING, Yolanda Makle, Ms Galaxy so stunning, Beautiful lady (insert here:). Juliana Mckee, Miss Teen Intl, Deanna Linz (me:) Mrs Northeast Intl, Gail Mates (so inspiring!), Ashley Smith, Miss International!



We finished the walk!

Gail Mates, national spokesperson for Go Red doing an amazing job!

With a future Miss Teen International, Sam! She was so beautiful!

Juliana and Ashley sporting their International track suits!

Juliana Mckee, Miss Teen International and I with HEART MAN!

Listen to your heart! D

Carter Thomas Linz, our little dinosaur!

So excited its Halloween!

Carters first corn maze!

Halo not so excited with the costume

Josie as a black cat:)

It is hard to believe that Halloween has passed! The air seems to have suddenly taken on its holiday chill yet I have still yet to find all of our winter coats in the garage. Its seems every year things go missing much like socks in the dryer!!!!

So the week started with Halloween and as a proud Mom I must say that Carter made a very cute dragon! We also attempted to do family holiday photos which turned out to be a little crazy with the pets. We managed to get the family photo but will be returning to the studio next weekend for pictures of Carter.

I am also looking forward to the heart walk of DC this weekend! Our team is growing and I am hoping to reach our team goal. Please visit our page and learn what you can do to help in the fight against heart disease.

I hope you can join us in the journey! Only 4 more days until the walk!

http://heartwalk.kintera.org/dc/deannamlinz


Off to a great start to the week.....don't forget to....

Listen to your heart!

When I was young, we moved around...A LOT. My Dad was a businessman and that's just what you did at the time. I was a school transplant and I am sure my life was one of bullying at the time. I was never the popular one or perfect by any standard. When I was in 4th grade there was a girl that wanted to beat me up everyday and my parents said, "get out there and fight". They weren't bad parents, its just what you did in a time where guns, knives and toxins weren't ever a part of any battle. I was never a fighter but I did gain some back bone in the process. My biggest fight was with a few neighborhood bully's. I was on roller skates. Need I say more:)


There are two worlds and people are innately kind. As time has gone on for me I am often amazed at the way we as humans treat each other. Its been through the love and kindness of friends and teachers over time that have gotten me through some of my toughest times. Its also been through my "friends" that I have come to realize that sometimes friends aren't really friends. This brings me to the real bully. TECHNOLOGY! Hey, I love it, live it...twitter, blog, cell phones, Facebook etc but lets face it, its puts your whole world out there and also allows others to see in and have there way with it anonymously.

I had the honor of judging the Miss and Teen International pageant last summer. I was so amazed at the maturity level of so many of these young ladies and many of the trials they have gone through at such a young age. It stuck in my mind that about 90% of them on their paperwork had bullying and self esteem issues as the number one thing that young women deal with today.

This is a huge issue. I have seen so much in the VOY world and assumptions made on who is posting what. College boards are no better and cater to negativity. Now I would love to tell you this all this stops at 18, 19 or 21 but even as grown married women it prevails. It is said and just makes me wonder why these forums are out there?????

In a land of information, technology and a vast amount of opinions...I ask....do we cater to bullying? Do we encourage others by actions within ourselves? Do we walk the walk we all talk about?

Listen, I realize that we cannot control everyone. There is a reason why tabloids exist, we all slow down at the sight of a wreck and, "If it bleeds it leads" comes into the news cycle. I just wish for one day or even one moment in time we could turn on the news, the computer, our phones and our heart and just be happy. Happy for everything around us and everyone in our lives. Then again, maybe its the pageant in me and world peace is just too much to ask.

Listen to your heart...D

I realized today as I was making dinner that I am a NUT and I need a GPS for everything in my life. Lets recap....in the past week I had a groomer tell me my dog Jack needed ADHD medication. Jack has his own personality and is a good dog...he is just Jack. So I picked up Halo (my perfect pup) and Jack from the groomer and drove off in a huff. Lefts face it, fur or not, FAMILY IS FAMILY right? So...I was leaving the groomer and every car seemed to honk at me. I was thinking it was a bad day until I heard someone say...YOUR WALLET. Yes, that's right...my ADHD pup apparently has an ADHD Mother and my wallet was on top of my car. Thank goodness for great Samaritan's!

So move forward a few days and I did the Great Start! Heart Walk for Baltimore MD. The day was beautiful and the GPS had its own mind but we arrived. So half way around the inner harbor I realized that my cell phone was still on top of my car. So the walk turned into a run as we ran back...but we did join back in and the phone was still there...THANK GOODNESS!

So...today...I am cooking all Rachel Ray inspired. We are working out, trying to be healthy and I am venturing out on my culinary skills. I opened the oven to turn the pork chops and...here we go...my glasses fell off the top of my head and into the oven. THE BACK OF THE OVEN!

I fished them out before demise but come on....ayayayayaya...so even in a stressful week

listen to your heart...d

Miss Teen International, Juliana Mckee, members of the "Got Heart" team and I

Around 2 am this morning I woke up. It was one of those nights that a lot was on my mind. I was so afraid of over sleeping that I did not sleep!Today was the Greater Baltimore Heart Walk. IIt actually turned out to be a much warmer day than expected.

We needed to be there by 8:30 am so I knew this meant MUST LEAVE EARLY as we are over and hour and a half away. So after a failed GPS and my phone that I left on top of my car (anyone who knows me may see a pattern this week for me) we were off.

There were a lot of walkers. Some for themselves, some for others and some just because. It was amazing, The Baltimore Inner Harbor was beautiful and the sun could not have shined down on us any brighter.

A couple of things came to mind to me today...why am I walking...

After my heart attack and post surgery January 18. 2010

And who I am walking for.....my Mom and Dad who passed away from Heart Disease at 54 and 56years of age and ...

My son and husband.....

Today was a good day...never mind that, it was a great day!

This weekend we are doing the walk for the American Heart Association in Baltimore. I am looking forward to that. My first journey into walks was in 2001 for ," Train to End a Stroke". My Father passed away on June 7th and it was just something I thought I could do. He passed away of a heart attack after a double valve replacement and not a stroke but my Mother had a stroke in her 30's. (and passed away at 56 after complications from surgery at our house).

I had a dream about my parents the other day. My Dad always said to me when you give up your dreams you die. I do feel like he talks to me sometimes.

Listen to your heart......

This weekend was a good weekend. I really don't think we could have asked for better weather. Andy, Carter, Jack, Halo and I drove to Richmond, VA to attend the VA International pageants. The drive was beautiful and we arrived in enough time to check into the Hilton and make the pageant. Once we were unpacked and ready...dogs had been taken out (we love pet friendly hotels!) we headed to the car. Well we ran into a slight problem initially. We had locked the keys in the car and the spare was MIA. After a bit of chaos, we made it to the pageant.

Andy and I have been attending Deshawn and Marcellas pageants for 3 years and they just keep getting better. They are the Directors of the VA and MD Intl pageants for Miss and Mrs. The pageant ran well and on time and soon the new queens were announced! Congrats to Deshauna Barber, Miss VA International and Rebecca Crossen, Mrs Va International 2011!!!!! Both were beautiful and will represent VA well all year and at nationals!

In attendance were also Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International, Ashley Smith, Miss International and the devine Mrs International, Shannon Devine! Halle Grace, Shannon's daughter gave Carter his first kiss:)

Sherry Benson, MD Teen Director, Joy Pfister, Carolina Int'l Director and myself.

Halle Grace Devine and Carter Linz...Carters firts kiss. We are already planning their wedding:)

In the amazing company of beautiful royalty!

Myself, Shannon Devine (Mrs Int'l), Juliana Mckee (Miss Teen Int'l) and of course Halle Grace...a future Miss Teen Int'l!

With Rebecca Crossen, Mrs Virginia International 2011! Congrats beauty!

With some of my favorite ladies!



With the AMAZING Mrs Devine and Mrs International 2010!



Juliana Mckee, Miss Teen Int'l looking like perfection!

With Cristen. She is one of the most beautiful ladies and so sweet too! Love her!

Until next time...listen to your heart...D

You know life can teach you so much sometimes. We all can dwell in our own pity parties, reflect on the negativity in life and watch LIFETIME until our life seems so much better but in reality, we all wait for the train wreck. When it happens, it is our moment to justify every other wrong doing in life.

I spent a good portion of today at Walter Reed in the Ortho department. It was amazing. The spirit lies in the soul of those who are willing to believe. Today, I felt it. I met and saw some of the most amazing people. I said to my husband, there was spirit. Spirit in the doctors, spirit in the nurses, spirit in the staff.

I have been around A LOT of medical personnel in my life but today was so inspiring. In a world that so many had lost limbs or faced with the challenges of walking or movement came the most spirit of all.

They weren't missing anything. They had Love, God and family and the belief that anything is possible. I was humbled today and honored to be in the company of so many amazing people.

Thank you for all who serve our wonderful country and those who stand with them, before them and behind them. The future comes with a past, the past comes with a future and today and this moment comes with the honor to live in both for a mere second.

Washington Redskins Health, Wellness and Fitness EXPO

I always find it interesting when someone says they will never have a heart attack or they live "healthy". I once thought that too. There are also those who admit to having heart disease then grab the most unhealthy thing on the way out the door to go smoke. I always "thought" I was healthy and while I may not dive into Twinkies, I am sure all of my food choices have not always been the best.

Yesterday was a great day as I was able to give back and share my story through the American Heart Association and Go Red at the Redskins Stadium. I was also able to share my day with Juliana McKee, Miss Teen International, whom is an amazing young lady. She is clearly passionate and knowledgeable on heart disease and stroke and honestly I was completely impressed. I am not sure I was that eloquent at 18 (ok I wasn't:) She shared her story about her cousin Erik and her own personal struggles with self image and making the right food choices. She is an amazing spokesperson for the American Heart Association and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Thank you Roxana Hoveyda and the American Heart Association for allowing us to be a part of such an amazing event!

While I was there I decided to walk the walk if I was sharing and had my cholesterol checked, body fat (yes, that was fun), bone density and blood pressure. Since my heart attack and stint placement in January I have kept track but it had been some time. Yes, we did take photos and my finger stick did not prove to be successful at first but try and try again...success. 

So I am going to share. More because it helps me to be accountable and make the changes I need too. My husband likes to hide his numbers but I encourage you to share and work with a family member or friend. Yes, weight is important but these numbers can also save your life.

Cholesterol total: 170
HDL (Happy cholesterol:)))) 59 (should be higher)
LDL (Lousy cholesterol) 82
Trig (much like math just painful but my numbers where good) 145
BP 128/79 (almost text book!)
Body Fat: 22.6.... yes, Miss Teen was lower.....much lower.....
Lung Capacity 350. This has always been an issue for me. Raised in Florida, allergies...etc..

I know making the time to go visit your primary care physician can be tough.  Health fairs are great for gathering information. It literally took 10 minutes. Also log on to http://www.goredforwomen.org/ and take the health quiz.

The day ended with a splurge on veggie chips...beats Twinkies...right!:)))))

Its hard to believe that tomorrow marks the 9 year anniversary of 911. I remember it all so well. I was at HSN as a buyer and we had a "Todays Special" for a brand I had at the time ALOETTE and it started at 7am. I was siting at the producers desk with him and the brand launched. We recieved a call saying that a plane had crashed into a building which is why our sales where down. It was breaking news. The original report to us was that it was a small plane which did not turn out to be the case. Soon after, we heard another plane crashed and I remember running to the dreen room to see the news. I walked in to see the horrific replay of what was going on. It was a moment of silence. As the day went on and we returned to the office everyone's life was on hold. Where we being attacked? What about our children. Should we stay on the air. Those with children left as I would have too. All I really wanted to do was to hug my family. I remember my Father had just passed away and I wondered what would he do. What would he say. I felt lost as sooooo many others did.

My future husband deployed to Iraq as many did. It was a time that no one knew what the outcome would be. All we knew was that you came to my house and killed my so many innocent people. You came to my house to create fear. To scare us....Well, we didn't lay down. Today, my sister is still deployed to Iraq and my husband went again in 2006.

Saying all that, the one thing that comes to mind to me today is my Father. He was an incredible man. The recent news of a Pastor in Florida I just find so disturbing. I am glad he backed away. So many have lost lives, fought for life and this just created such undo tension in an AMERICAN society where Muslims do and should have a free right of religion. They are American and because they live here, they have the choice to practice whatever denomination they believe in. As ALL AMERICANS do. This is what we fight for.

My Father once said to me that a church is wherever you choose to believe. God hears you no matter where you are. My God may not be your God and you may not believe in everything I believe in. The one consistant is the greater good. Please love and huge your neighbors AND REMEMBER AND PRAY FOR THOSE THAT ARE DEPLOYED AND THOSE WHOM HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES SO THAT WE CAN...be free to choose.