American Heart Association Teaching Gardens

I am mission driven with AHA and so proud to be. Today was one of those days that reminded me "why" the mission is so important.

I am a fundraiser. Perhaps a less glamorous version of my job title but that is what I do. A question I get asked is where does the money go? Who does it help? Beyond research and advocacy, todays was a great example of how the AHA funds are used and why it matters.

I was at Braddock Elementary for their teaching gardens planting day.

Obesity is one of the most expensive health care problems in America. One third of U.S. children are overweight or obese putting them at higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

The American Heart Association is taking a new approach in the fight against childhood obesity. We’ve teamed with noted child-nutrition activist and philanthropist Kelly Meyer to create the American Heart Association Teaching Gardens planted in elementary schools across the country that become real-life learning laboratories for students to learn what it means to be healthy.

Aimed at first graders through fifth, we teach children how to plant seeds, nurture growing plants, harvest produce and ultimately understand the value of good eating habits.

Garden-themed lessons teach nutrition, math, science and other subjects all while having fun in the fresh air and working with your hands.

Together, we can dramatically change the way America thinks about and consumes food.

Thank you to Braddock Elementary for allowing me and the AHA in your home....or back yard:)

American Academy of Dramatic Arts

As I logged into my computer tonight it went to a site called vegetables. Yes, there are MANY MANY books on planting and my hubby is very excited for this years garden. My how times change.

I then started to reflect after watching my DVD inspired colection of TV shows.
Ok so this may age me at the tender age of 29 (again) but there was a show called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". I wonder where my "gene" came from and it really was my Dad.

We were watching the show on our colorful 90x80 Box TV barely out of the dial and the show came on. The feature segment was talking about AADA East and AADA West and there it came. I do realize that my Dad liked to poke me. You never will, you need to exercise, your not really that good and my favorite...we don't want to come watch you to see you loose. Insert therapy here.

So he dared me to audition. I was 18 and had done a "modeling school" at the ripe height of 5'5 but they had no problem feeding the dream. It along with my Dad, so I auditioned. It was probably one of the scariest moments for many reasons. First, it just was and the second was that the audition was in this old amazing house and Kathy who was my first audition was just scary in a militant kind of way.

I went through with it and just figured it wasn't going to happen.

Weeks passed, heck episodes passed and NOTHING. Cricket, Cricket.

The one day when I really didn't believe, I received a thin letter in the mail. Thin by most college standards is just not good. (in paper only)

I opened, took a breathe and there it was. I was accepted to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena California.

I played my latest soundtrack of Flashdance on cassette and a few weeks later I packed up my Ford Escort Wagon (yes wagon) and off I drove from Florida to California at 18.  I did also travel with my pink bunny.

Dare to dream

Go Red Por Tu Corazon

ACERCA DE GO RED POR TU CORAZÓNGo Red Por Tu Corazón celebra la energía, la pasión y el poder que tenemos como mujeres hispanas de unirnos para erradicar las enfermedades del corazón, la causa de muerte número 1 entre las latinas.
Historia de Go Red

Desde 2004, Go Red For Women de la American Heart Association® ha captado la energía, pasión e inteligencia de las mujeres para trabajar conjuntamente a fin de erradicar las enfermedades del corazón, la causa de muerte número 1 entre las mujeres. Go Red Por Tu Corazón invita a las mujeres hispánicas - y a los hombres que las aman - a abrazar la causa.



Historia de la AHA

Fundada en 1924, la American Heart Association (AHA) es la organización de salud voluntaria más antigua e importante del país que se dedica a construir vidas más saludables, sin enfermedades del corazón ni ataques cerebrales. Mientras que estas enfermedades, las causas de muerte número 1 y 3 en Estados Unidos, cobran la vida de casi 870,000 personas al año, actualmente la AHA se encuentra más comprometida que nunca a combatir todas las enfermedades cardiovasculares.

National Walking Day!- Yep that's me in the heart costume!

Mrs Maryland International, Deanna Linz (Heartman) with Senator Frank Shore

April 4th was National Walking Day with the American Heart Association. I woke up in the morning at 5, showered and put on my best heart man face.

Stretching with Maria Jurlana, BSN and one of Heartman's favorite nurses

Walking the Walk!

I started out at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital as we tried to excite and encourage those to get out and get walking! Thank you to Alex Pirez and Debbie Truxillo. You both made 6am fun!

Furry love in attendance

Next I was off to Westfield Montgomery Mall with Adventist and a few of my favorite people from Washington Adventist Hospital.

Heart man then went off to Shoppers Food and Pharmacy and Lockheed Martin. He was busy:)

So "Heartman" (aka me:) stretched, walked and enjoyed the day on National Walking Day!

Take steps today...make heart health your mission!

April 1st is no joke to me

I know it seems odd, and my Dad hated it but his Birthday was April 1st. His youngest Brother, Paul, born 25 years later (yes by the same parents in fact my Mother was pregnant with my sister at the time) was born on the same day. A family of fools maybe? No...but my Dad was animate that I would not be born on the same day because lets face it, kids can be cruel especially when your Birthday is April Fools Day.

He died at 54 in 2001. Hard to believe the time. It was June 7th and when September happened, I just kept wondering what my Dad would do. My Mom passed in 2006.

As I sit here today I find myself angry at him and I trust that will never pass. He could have saved his life but he also was so concerned about my Mom and making money. I would go past his business at 10pm and he still was there. (I worked in TV so my schedule was crazy but for a different reason)

In two weeks he was in two hospitals. The Cardiologist that took care of my Mom moved him to Largo medical and at 5am, I was driving over the wrong bridge. We lived in Florida and I was just on auto pilot. I was there every day even when others could not be.

I'll never forget staring at the monitor as they just kept going down.

I was asked this week about my own story and my take away. My take away is I have no parents and I pray my son does not know this feeling far too soon. I can't write or describe a take away because there is nothing to take away but emptiness. Sounds so morbid but it the face of heart disease that can't be sketched.

When you loose someone you love, no they are not in a better place because that place you always pray is with you.

April fools...no the reality is on me:

To My Daddy:

There I sat, you and me
In this year, where would you be?
Your heart stop beating
Mine beats everyday
Not so fair, that you went away

Although your not with me
I don't know what to do
In my darkest hour
One plus one equals two

In my darkest hour
One plus one equals two

I''m forever your little girl and miss you
One plus one equals two
One plus one equals two


Happy Birthday Daddy