Health
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Crown with a purpose.
I confess..I screamed when I saw this 🙂 People always ask me; why am I beauty queen? There are the obvious “fun” things, like attending fashion shows, meeting celebrities, and going to red carpet events. I’m very aware though, that I’m in a unique position to use my title to bring my message to a larger audience. I challenged myself last year to do something more than just fill a pageant requirement, or feed my ego. I pushed myself to go that extra step in order to make a real difference, and contribution to society – what we “pageant girls” in the biz like to call, “a crown with a purpose”. My career…
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Three ways to fix your sitting posture today
Long hours sitting in front of your computer day after day can cause long-term effects like pain or decreased motion. Here are three quick things to start doing today to fix your sitting posture today.
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Staying healthy on the Fourth of July
This week most of us will be going to or attending a Fourth of July BBQ. Good food, music and company has always been a part of any great holiday celebration. I’m so excited to be going to one where there will be serving lechón, burgers, and a bunch of other stuff I know I’ll be running miles to burn off. Three of my health tips for the Fourth of July were published in El Diario NY. Take a look at them here: Un 4 de Julio divertido pero seguro
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Keep yourself balanced
With such a busy week ahead of us all, I thought it would be great to remind everyone (especially myself), that balance is key. The road to living a healthier lifestyle will not always be an easy one. It’s ok to splurge – maybe even indulge, but eventually you have to tip the scales back to being even again. Diets are temporary fixes, so forget them. We all have different views on what an ideal body type, lifestyle, or even what being “healthy” actually means. We could also argue all day on what you should look out for. Weight is just a number, however there are some more important numbers to…
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My french fry obsession
Looks good to me…. This is a picture that I saw last week posted on my Facebook timeline by a few of my friends. As the story goes, someone decided to do an experiment and wanted to see how long food from McDonald’s lasted. As you can see, it looks about the same as when it was first bought thanks to being filled with more preservatives than Joan Rivers. It was a bad joke, I know! Oh McDonald’s. When I was a kid I would beg my parents to take me there so I could get a happy meal just like all my friends at school did. I wanted to be the owner…
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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Via Every January we celebrate cervical cancer awareness month. The most preventable female cancer today still takes the lives of almost 5,000 women each year in the US. Do you know what cervical cancer is? Do you know that you more likely than not, have had HPV (human papillomavirus)? Have you scheduled your pap test, HPV test or asked your doctor if you are eligible for the HPV vaccine this year? What can we do to protect our daughters andsons? Read my article in Impacto Latin News: Cervical Cancer and Latina Women For more information on cervical cancer, learn how you can help out in your local community, or to connect with an…
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What method of birth control is right for you?
Knowing what kind of birth control to use can sometimes be overwhelming. We are bombarded with TV commercials, see the different ads in magazines and even our friends have their opinions based on what may or may not have worked for them. As women we should become our own health advocate, and this includes being responsible for our reproductive health. How do you know what type of birth control is right for you? Are you even comfortable talking about birth control? Bedsider is an online birth control support network that targets women from the ages of 18-27. They are a private, non-profit organization, whose goal is to help women find and learn…
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Semana Nacional de Vacunaciòn contra la Influenza
Via La semana nacional de vacunaciòn contra la influenza se celebra desde 4 a 10 de Diciembre 2011. Esta semana sirve para mostrar la importancia de seguir vacunàndose contra la influenza, asi como también para fomentar el uso de la vacuna contra la gripe pasada la temporada festiva, durante enero y posteriormente. ¿Qué es la influneza? La influenza (conocido como gripe o “flu”) es una enfermedad contagiosa. Es causada por el virus de la influenza, que se puede transmitir al toser, estornudar o mediante las secreciones nasales. Generalmente la influenza dura algunos dìas y la mayoria de las sintomas son: Fiebre/Escalofrìos Dolor de garganta Tos Dolores musculares Cansancio Dolor de…
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Habla con la Dra. Ponce-González a como puedes tomar las riendas de tu salud
El miércoles 7 de diciembre de 2:00 a 3:00 p. m. (hora del este), el Effective Health Care Program que es una programa sobre la efectividad de la atención médica de la Agencia para la Investigación y Calidad de la Atención Médica (AHRQ), llevará a cabo un chat en vivo en la página de Facebook en español con la Dra. Ileana Ponce-Gonzalez, Oficial de Revisión Científica. Este chat en vivo en Facebook es parte de la campaña Toma las riendas, que la AHRQ lanzó recientemente. Esta campaña nacional alienta a los hispanos a tomar el control de su salud y explorar las opciones de tratamiento con que ellos cuentan. Que significa tomar las riendas? Toma las riendas es una respuesta ante la…
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In recognition of World AIDS day
Via Held on the 1st of December every year, World AIDS day is an opportunity for us all to remember those who have passed, show our support for those currently living with HIV, and it’s also a time to reflect. This year’s theme is Leading with Science, Uniting for Action. What strides have we as a society made towards the battle against HIV and AIDS? What will you do this World AIDS Day? The basic facts HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. Just by its name we know it’s a virus, and just like any other virus it reproduces or multiples itself by taking over a cell of its host. The host (and…
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Fight The Blues This Winter!
Please welcome guest writer and nutritionist, Adriana Sanchez of Palette 2 Palate Fight the blues this winter! By celebrating the shades of blue in your wardrobe and eating super-foods. There is no time to feel blue this winter. When your step out to all those holiday festivities looking so hot with this Calvin Klein sequin trim one shoulder dress. When you walk around the party you will uplift everyone’s mood. If you love accessories how about this beautiful blue gemstone bracelet from the Caribbean Goddess collection by jewels by D.La Paix. WOW! This one piece of jewelry will make a strong stylish statement when your shaking hands with people. Blue is so great you…
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Toma las riendas de tu salud – Take the reins to your health
La elección del mejor tratamiento no tiene que ser un juego de azar para los hispanos. “tome las riendas de su salud” con la ayuda de nuevas guías en español. Toma las riendas de tu diabetes, colesterol alto, o cáncer. Conoce tus opciones de tratamiento antes de tomar una decisión acerca de tu salud. Choosing the best treatment options doesn’t have to be a game of chance for Hispanics, “take the reins”of your health with the help of new Spanish-language guides (also available in English). Take the reins over diabetes, high cholesterol or cancer. Know your treatment options before you make a health decision. Si, por ejemplo, a usted le diagnosticaron colesterol alto,…
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Breast Cancer Basics
Senos, ta-tas, the twins/girls, airbags, funbags, headlights, and in New Jersey some people like to call them “bubbies”. Whatever you may like to call them, with the latest statistics reporting that 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetimes, we should all know what the basics of this disease are so we can better protect them! Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women living in the US, and is a malignant tumor starting in the cells that make up the breast, usually the lobules (where milk is made) and ducts (tubes that bring the milk to the nipples). Risk Factors Risk factors let…
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The 1st Latinos Walk Against Cancer
This past Saturday, September 25, 2011, I participated in the 1st annual Latinos Walk Against Cancer organized by Latin Women Empower F.A.C.E.S. (Family, Advocacy, Counseling, Education, Support). They promote the strengthening of family values with a focus on education on breast and cervical cancer. I came to the walk with friend and breast cancer survivor, Marlena Ortiz and we met up with our great friend; advocate and cervical cancer survivor, Patti Murillo-Casa. We came with no expectations, just the willingness to support what this walk stood for. The rates of incidence for breast and especially cervical cancer, is higher for Latina women than any other group. This walk was a…
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Overview on Celiac Disease
I first heard of celiac disease when I watched one of the hosts of the TV show, The View, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, discuss her long struggle with mysterious abdominal symptoms, and the relief she felt once properly diagnosed. Doing a little research, I found that celiac disease affects 1 in 133 people and is a chronic digestive disorder in which damage to the lining of the small intestine leads to the malabsorption of nutrients and minerals. The exact cause is still unknown, but when products with gluten are eaten, the immune system reacts and attacks the villi (lining) of the small intestine. Gluten is found in a lot of food we…
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The annual Tamika & Friends New York “Walk To Beat The Clock”
Saturday, September 17, 2011, was the Tamika & Friends New York chapter’s annual walk for cervical cancer. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, supporters, family and friends, the walk was a success! We raised close to $17,000 that will be used in our gift of giving, which pays for pap tests and also provides financial assistance to cervical cancer patients and survivors. Warming up before the walk! Thank you to our sponsors; hint water, pop chips, New York Pelvic Pain and Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery and the New York chapter of LATISM (Latinos In Social Media). While the entire executive board worked hard to make this walk a success, we could not have…
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Glam Fest GIVEAWAY for Endometriosis Foundation of America
What is endometriosis? From the Endometrisis Foundation of America, when women have their monthly menstruation, the uterine lining or endometrium is shed monthly in response to normal hormonal changes. Generally lasting from 3 to 7 days, we in turn bleed or have our “period” as its more commonly referred to. www.health.com Sometimes, some of these fluids are kept in a woman’s body and implant in areas outside of the uterus. They continue to accumulate on our bladder, bowel, ovaries and even nearby organs leading to the development of adhesions and scarring. This causes symptoms such as painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, pain with intercourse and urinary pain or difficulty.…
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Conoce las preguntas ??
Please welcome Dr. Ponce-González, Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality (AHRQ) Scientific Review Officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who explains the new “Conoce las Preguntas” (Know the Questions) campaign. What are some of the reasons that AHRQ launched this campaign? We need Latinos to engage with their doctors. Research shows that Hispanics tend to seek medical treatment advice from friends, co-workers, and even casual acquaintances rather than going to the doctor, unless they are very sick. Also, a variety of fears prevent Latinos from going to the doctor and asking questions: fear of the exam, fear of the diagnosis and fear of the unknown. The proportion of…
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Save the Date for Tamika & Friend’s New York Chapter Annual Walk September 17, 2011
Cervical cancer – have you heard of this horrible disease? The more I talk with women and various groups they tell me they “have heard of it” but do not know the facts nor how common it actually is. It is a cancer of the cervix, the opening from our vagina to the uterus and caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). www.tamikaandfriends.org Some facts There are many strains of HPV, some cause genital warts, while others (mainly 2 strains) are responsible for up to 70% of all cervical cancers. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. Another 6 million…
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Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Memorial Day has now passed and most of us have cranked on the air condition in our homes and are finally enjoying being able to step outside your door without a couple feet of snow greeting you. Yes, mi gente, it’s finally summer! Along with your cute sundresses, d’Orsay pumps, and your favorite sunglasses, make sure you apply some sunscreen before you step out the door. Why? Well you don’t want skin that makes a tomato jealous, or even worse, that matches your favorite leather purse. All jokes aside, it only takes a few minutes a day to apply sunscreen to help avoid from developing skin cancer. Skin cancer is…
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Happy Mother’s Day – Feliz Día de las Madres
Yes that’s me! Happy Mother’s Day to my mom Juana, whom I affectionately call “Mamá Juana” (just like the rum concoction). I love her with all my heart! Yes we bump heads, and yes I’ve counted to ten in my head many times, saying “Dios ayudame” when she can’t understand where I am coming from. I’ve also dodged (and missed) a few chancletas here and there as she very quickly let me know that she will not tolerate any disrespect. It all makes me remember how much the world and our roles and expectations as women have changed between our generations. While she may not fully understand what I am…
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4th Annual OMG! Cancer Summit for Young Adults
On Saturday I attended the OMG! Cancer Summit for Young Adults held at the Altman Building in New York. With me were other cancer advocates and survivors from across the United States, including the founder and CEO of the cervical cancer organization I work with Tamika & Friends, Tamika Felder, and Patti Murillo-Casa, President of the New York Chapter of Tamika & Friends. Matthew Zachary, CEO of “I’m Too Young For This!” kicked off the festivities with his hilarious speech highlighting the many changes that have happened since last year’s summit. Having attended many medical and professional conferences, the ease with which he spoke to the crowd as if we…
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Eating disorders: what I learned from my day with NEDA
When people mention eating disorders, and then find out I hold a title as a beauty queen, I start to cringe internally, I know I’m going to get asked “that question”. I know with wearing this crown on my head, I also carry the burden of being associated with everything negative within the beauty industry. During my history of competing in pageants, have I seen women engage in destructive behaviors, YES. However, I do have to point out that I also saw similar behaviors while a college student and also just from various people I’ve encountered in my life.. Taking the information I knew, I boarded an Amtrak train and…
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National Women & Girls HIV/Awareness Day
Although March 10th is the day marked for National Women & Girls HIV/Awareness Day, I urge everyone reading this to make sure they take time out throughout the month of March to learn something new about HIV/AIDS, strategies to prevent infection and also for those affected, how to get the care they need to extend their life. At the very least, you should know what your HIV status is. As stated by the Office on Women’s Health, “women account for an estimated 27 percent of new HIV infections in the United States each year and 25 percent of those living with HIV. Many women do not know they are infected”.…
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Climb to the Top with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
On February 27, 2011 I got up out of the most comfortable down bed I have slept in over at W Downtown in NYC in wee hours of the morning. What time exactly? Well Sandra, Ms. Belleza Latina International 2011 and I were supposed to get up around 3 am but somehow we managed to ignore both of our cell phone alarms ringing, had last minute negotiations with each other on what exactly our call time was and finally leaped up at 4:30am in full panic mode. With a flurry of clothes flying, flat irons pressing and applying eyelashes in 1 minute flat, we made it to the event in…
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Chatting with the Chicas about Cervical Cancer
This past Thursday, Patti Murillo-Casa and I were fortunate enough to be able to chat with one of the hosts of blog talk radio show chicas chatting, Jennifer Hutcheson about cervical cancer. As one of the more preventable forms of cancer, Latina women are still disproportionately affected, at almost twice the rate of any other ethnic group. This is almost always die to lack of awareness and not going for routine checkups with their gynecologist. Early detection is key to increasing your rate of survival, and vaccines are available that help protect against 75% of the different types of HPV (human papillomavirus) that cause cervical cancer. As always, please be…