Just three months before 45,000 runners take to the streets of Chicago, the American Cancer Society Charity Runner Team is still offering entries to the sold out 2009 Chicago Marathon.

"The Society is thrilled to offer the running community these high-demand slots for the Chicago Marathon," said Alison Tibbits, project manager, fundraising resources, American Cancer Society. "The Charity Runner program provides runners from across the country the opportunity to make their training miles more meaningful by joining the fight against cancer, and fulfilling the mission of the Society -- to save lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back."

In addition to receiving an official bib for the Chicago marathon, members of the American Cancer Society Charity Runner team will receive:

• Free team training program through Chicago Area Runner's Association (CARA)
• Tent in Charity Village just steps from the start line
• Private port-a-potties and gear check for Society runners
• Team support and social events
• Personalized web page to post pictures, share stories, communicate with donors and track fundraising progress throughout the season

As one of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon's official charities, the American Cancer Society Charity Runner Team has helped more than 6,000 athletes raise $7 million to support the fight against cancer. To join the Charity Runner Team and make a difference in the lives of those facing the disease, click here. To sign up for volunteer opportunities with the Charity Runner program, click here.

Source:  American Cancer Society

Consumers are still committed to healthy, natural and organic foods, but are changing their buying habits to maintain these priorities during the economic recession. That's according to a recent MamboTrack(TM) quick poll by Mambo Sprouts Marketing, the leader in natural and organic product marketing and promotions. The company surveyed the buying habits of natural and organic product consumers to identify recent changes in organic shopping and eating patterns.

Even with the tight economy, natural and organic consumers remain committed to eating healthy with 9 in 10 (87%) reporting that they were not willing to give this up. A majority (about 55% each) would not forego healthy and eco activities such as natural and organic products, vitamins and supplements and "green" environmentally friendly products.

Those adjusting their organic buying and eating habits (45% of respondents) are frugal shoppers seeking value and ways to purchase organics more economically such as being more selective when buying organics (67%), buying organics on sale (65%), using more coupons (50%), and buying more store brand/private label organics (48%).

Respondents see this change in the way they purchase organics as long term. Most will (52%) or may (32%) continue these new buying habits when the economy improves. The outlook for organic products looks strong, with more than 8 in 10 respondents planning to buy the same amount of organics (46%) or more (36%) when economy improves (1 in 6 were unsure; only 2% will buy less).

Store brand/private label organics remain part of the cost saving strategy with 9 in 10 (88%) buying on a regular (38%) or occasional (50%) basis. One in four (26%) are buying more of these products since the recession started. Grocery staples such as cereal, grains and pasta (80%), dairy (72%), condiments (61%) and household cleaning products (61%) displayed the highest store brand/private label category purchasing.

"For branded organic products, the challenge is to regain market share through brand building initiatives such as layered promotions, education regarding brand values and coupons so that they are well positioned post-recession," said Matthew Saline, CEO for Mambo Sprouts Marketing.

SOURCE Mambo Sprouts Marketing

This week marks the official start of summer. People everywhere will be shedding their spring raincoats and spending time outdoors in the sun's rays. But, before basking in all the sunshine, it's important to practice skin sun safety. MoleSafe, (www.molesafe.com), a company that offers an advanced skin cancer early detection program, is encouraging the public to shield their skin from the summer sun and also remind those at risk to get their skin checked for suspicious moles and lesions.

Cancer survivor Elizabeth Moore describes her experience with melanoma (the deadliest skin cancer) and how the disease has changed her life. She stresses the importance of early detection and explains how it can save lives.

Click here to enter MoleSafe's website and view Elizabeth's video

Skin Cancer Prevention Tips and Facts

• Examine your skin from head to toe every month
• The risk of developing melanoma doubles if you have had 5 or more sunburns
• Your chance of getting melanoma increases significantly if you've already had a previous melanoma, but also increases if you have had either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, the more common forms of skin cancer
• Melanoma appears most frequently on the torso area in fair-skinned men and on the lower leg in fair-skinned women
• It is estimated that 20 percent to 40 percent of melanomas arise from an atypical mole
• Utilize services like MoleSafe that detect new, changing and/or suspicious lesions by monitoring and comparing the images over time
• Even after the summer, continue to monitor any changes in moles year-round including change in the size, shape, color, or feel; a black or blue-black area

Statistics/Data Skin Cancer

• More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year
• One in 55 people will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime
• Contrary to popular belief, 80 percent of a person's lifetime sun exposure is not acquired before age 18 -- the number is closer to 23 percent
• Skin is the largest organ in the body; it helps regulate body temperature, prevents excess fluid loss, and aids the body in removing excess water and salt
• Survival rate for patients with early detection is about 99 percent. The survival rate falls between 15 and 65 percent or higher, depending on how far the disease has spread

Quote

"During the summer it is imperative for Americans to take full action to protect their skin from the sun. Additionally, early detection lowers the risk of melanoma, so the best thing you can do is get your skin checked for suspicious moles and lesions," said Dr. Richard Bezozo, president of MoleSafe. "With the expansion of MoleSafe locations in the U.S., our company's advanced detection program will be readily available to more communities, ultimately saving lives from this deadly disease."

SOURCE MoleSafe

BLUM Enterprises, LLC will open a new progressive restaurant named Green Canteen in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York on June 9, 2009.

Green Canteen is based on the simple philosophy that you can savor the great taste of fresh, delicious food and feel good afterwards. The "Eat Well. Feel Well" menu consists of Mediterranean inspired food and American classics prepared in an innovative way.

Green Canteen offers an array of dishes using the freshest and highest quality ingredients available. These items include fresh antipasti, flatbreads made in an earth-stone oven, a bounty of fresh salads with grilled seafood, chicken or meats, distinctive hummus bowls with skewers of meats and vegetables, handcrafted mini burgers, freshly made soups and chilis, plus homemade sodas, shakes and desserts.

Green Canteen's menu allows you to feel good because the food is clean and wholesome. The restaurant uses fresh, high quality ingredients sourced locally wherever possible. The ingredients are free from hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, artificial flavors, sweeteners and hydrogenated fats. Our chefs seek out sustainably grown food and free-range meats in an effort to provide our guests an "Eat Well. Feel Well." menu.

Green Canteen offers everyday enjoyment at a good value. Whether you are on the go, want to eat in a cozy booth or at the community table or just hang out and relax, you're always welcome at Green Canteen.

Green Canteen is the first New York State restaurant to be SILVER LEED Certified. In addition to the reclaimed wood for the community table, all other woods are certified from the Forest Stewardship Council. Green Canteen features many other eco-friendly innovations: solar panel hot water system to provide hot water, low-flow plumbing fixtures and has committed to 100% wind energy usage. Most of the design and construction materials for Green Canteen have been sourced form local manufacturers, suppliers and vendors.

SOURCE BLUM Enterprises, LLC

NIAHC, The National Institute of Alternative Health Care announces today the first nationally coordinated alternative health care website, The Alternative Health Connection (www.althealthconnect.com).

The Alternative Health Connection was launched on May 26th in Santa Cruz County located on the central coast of Northern California, and it is now positioned to be the single point of destination for people who are seeking a path to radiant health. For the first time ever, visitors can search for alternative health care professionals, wellness centers, schools and earth conscious businesses based on geographic location, all in one place! They will even find Wholessence, our online e-zine which is filled with topics ranging from alternative therapies, to live interviews with our practitioners. It is a social live magazine where the public can interact with our wellness community and find more information on health conditions, nutrition, tips on living green and other solutions for attaining balance for mind, body and spirit... that's self-care!

President and founder, Tricia Hancock, a clinical hypnotherapist, business coach, yoga instructor and entrepreneur, observed the rapid growth of the industry and yet saw how fragmented the information on the internet was and committed to creating a cohesive borderless wellness community.

"In my own practice, I found it difficult to find a professional network of quality referrals for my clients. I met many educated, caring alternative health practitioners who were struggling to grow their practice and in need of proven marketing strategies. The watershed moment in committing to build this website came from a meeting with a lovely elderly healer who told me 'We lose an extraordinary number of gifted healers every year because they don't know how to market or build their practices.' On the public side, our market research revealed a real craving for a one-stop online wellness resource that they could trust. We simply had to provide the platform to do that."

The site is designed to bridge the public to local, qualified health practitioners, a full library of educational information, and earth conscious businesses; while at the same time offering unparalleled marketing tools that support the alternative health field.

Practitioners and earth conscious businesses are invited to join a professional community that provides them with strategic marketing tools, localized client leads and the opportunity to publish articles. Our technology platform along with local, regional and national advertising will elevate The Alternative Health Connection to top ranking on all of the major search engines, resulting in unrivaled exposure for our members.

The Healthy Marketplace is dedicated to providing visitors with top quality green goods, yoga studios and people who are passionate about health and wellness. In this section, you'll find restaurants and health food stores that support your journey in sustainable living.

We have been so well received here in Santa Cruz County, that we're excited to say we are now spreading throughout the entire state ready to go national. NIAHC was founded by a group of alternative health care and marketing professionals who are fiercely devoted to servicing the long-term needs of the public and its members with the highest degree of integrity and trust. For more information please call 1-800-670-1980.

SOURCE National Institute of Alternative Health Care

Remuda Ranch Reports Many Patients with Eating Disorders Exhibit Weight and Body Checking Behaviors

Everyone checks their body to some extent, but many people with eating disorders repeatedly check their body and often in a way that's unusual.

"Sometimes body and weight checking becomes second nature and many individuals with eating disorders don't even realize they're doing it," said Dena Cabrera, PsyD, psychologist at Remuda ("Commonly, they check to feel for fatness, bones and any physical change in their body to subconsciously or consciously motivate their eating disorder behavior."

Many individuals with eating disorders weigh themselves at frequent intervals, sometimes many times a day. As a result they become obsessed with the daily weight fluctuations that are a normal part of the body and would otherwise pass unnoticed. The movements on the scale then determine their mood and eating patterns.

Body checking is influential in maintaining dissatisfaction with shape and appearance. Other common behaviors associated with body checking include: looking in the mirror (or at reflective surfaces); measuring body parts with tape measures or hands; pinching or touching body parts; assessing the tightness of particular items of clothing or accessories; looking down at one's body and touching collar bones to check for boniness.

"Body checking perpetuates the eating disorder cycle and increases self loathing and low self esteem," adds Cabrera. "Patients look in the mirror and they see fatness, then they restrict or binge, then they check themselves again, which has the same result."

Remuda Ranch tries to progressively address the following questions with patients:

• What are you trying to find out when you check your body?
• Why are you checking yourself so frequently?
• Do you ever look at parts of your body that you like?
• Do you feel better after checking your body?
• Do you think your body checking has any adverse effects?
• Do you trust the mirror?
• How do we know what we look like?
• Do we believe what we see?

Remuda Ranch believes there's a need to assess the time spent on body/weight checking behavior as well as the consequences to determine if there needs to be a change in behavior. Most of the time body/weight checking needs to be stopped in an effort to uncover other influential factors that may trigger eating disorder behaviors, such as emotional regulation issues, trauma and maturity fears.

"If we address body and weight checking behaviors and the thought processes behind them, much of the eating disorder behavior will be reduced," said Cabrera.

SOURCE Remuda Ranch Programs For Anorexia & Bulimia

Pediatric dermatologist-researcher Alfred Lane, MD, offers sunscreen safety tips

'Sunburns are a sign of ultraviolet radiation damage,' warns Lane

Alfred Lane, MD, knows that kids love summer and kids love sun. However, Dr. Lane cautions, parents must remember that "there's no such thing as a good tan."

In this new video, Lane provides guidance to help ensure your children are well-protected when they're outdoors. "Remember that if you form a tan, you will have ultraviolet radiation damage," warns Lane. "Unfortunately, the body really doesn't forget this damage. It accumulates from childhood through adolescence and adulthood, and this can lead to skin cancer." To protect your family, Lane offers tips to help kids stay safe outdoors while enjoying summer '09.

Sunscreen for infants and children

Though your sunscreen may say "not for use for those under six months of age," Lane says it's OK, but perhaps unnecessary. "You can use sunscreen on their hands, face, and exposed areas, but an alternative is to dress them in a hat, long sleeves, and long pants." Dr. Lane also suggests placing them in shade, especially since children less than six months usually stay put and don't move around that much. "But once a child is older and becomes mobile, they have more exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light, and that's when you should definitely use a sunscreen."

SPF (sun protection factor) clothing

Does SPF clothing really work? "High SPF clothing is absolutely helpful," adds Lane, who recommends combining this type of cover-up with an application of sunscreen on any exposed areas. "SPF clothing along with sunscreen definitely works."

Sticks, lotions, or sprays?

"Whether it's a stick, lotion, or spray, all are fine," says Lane, "but it's important not to use the sprays and lotions around the eyes. Instead, use a sunscreen stick around the eyes and maybe even around the lips."

Older children and young adults

"Younger children will keep high SPF sunscreen on, but older children and young adults often say it's too greasy," says Lane. "They seek a sunscreen that's more comfortable, but regardless, they need to be certain to use lotion with at least a 30 SPF. The higher the SPF, the better the protection from ultraviolet damage and skin cancer. Be certain the sunscreen is also waterproof."

View these and other tips at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acZo-UPcx8. Alfred Lane, MD, is a pediatrician and researcher at Packard Children's Hospital and professor of dermatology and of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

About Lucile Packard Children's Hospital

Ranked as one of the nation's best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford is a 272-bed hospital devoted to the care of children and expectant mothers. Providing pediatric and obstetric medical and surgical services and associated with the Stanford University School of Medicine, Packard Children's offers patients locally, regionally and nationally the full range of health care programs and services, from preventive and routine care to the diagnosis and treatment of serious illness and injury. For more information, visit www.lpch.org.

Americans trying to eat healthier are looking to nutrition labels to help make better choices at the grocery store. But consumers who take those labels at face value may find they're not eating as healthy as they think.

Nearly two-thirds of adults -- 62% -- make finding healthy foods a top priority when shopping for groceries, according to a recent nationwide survey of 2,100 adults conducted by Greenfield Online.

Some 72% of consumers report reading nutrition fact labels and/or ingredient lists is the number one way they determine which foods to buy at the grocery store to stay healthy. And 61% of adults surveyed rank "zero grams trans fat per serving" as the most important statement they look for on the label for heart health.

But consumers may be surprised to learn "zero" isn't always zero when it comes to trans fat. Products labeled "zero grams trans fat" could contain up to .49 grams of trans fat per serving under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. That means consumers could easily -- and unknowingly -- exceed the American Heart Association's recommended limit of no more than 2 grams of trans fat a day.

"It's easy to see how despite their best efforts, consumers eating foods labeled 'zero' trans fat could exceed the daily limit before they even sit down to dinner," said Steve Hughes, CEO of Smart Balance, Inc., which commissioned the survey.

Even seemingly insignificant amounts of trans fat can have a significant impact on health. The AHA reports trans fat has been shown to raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol and lower HDL ("good") cholesterol, increasing the risk of coronary disease or stroke; and it has been associated with a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Adding just 4 grams of trans fat to your diet -- about 2% of your daily calorie intake in a 2,000 calorie diet -- can increase your risk of heart disease by 23%, according to the New England Journal of Medicine(1). The Journal reports one gram of trans fat increases the risk of cardiovascular disease 15 times more than one gram of saturated fat.

What Can Consumers Do to Determine Whether "Zero" Really Equals Zero?

"The key is to look for 'partially hydrogenated oil' in the list of ingredients. That's a dead giveaway that there's trans fat in the product no matter what it says on the package," said Alyse Levine, a registered dietitian. "Here's a simple rule to follow -- if you see 'partially hydrogenated oil' listed on a product's label, just put it back on the shelf and find another product that doesn't," Levine added.

"It's also important to pay attention to serving size which can be much smaller than you think. If you're eating multiple servings of the food, you may be consuming a significant amount of trans fat and putting yourself at risk for many negative health consequences," Levine said.

Smart Balance CEO Steve Hughes believes the U.S. needs to take it a step further and ban trans fat altogether as Denmark has done, resulting in a 20% drop in heart disease. "It's time consumers know the truth about trans fat and time the FDA takes action to protect their health by simply banning partially hydrogenated oil," Hughes said. "Partially hydrogenated oil has no nutritional value and poses a real health risk."

"The good news is Americans are making healthier food choices a priority and they clearly recognize the dangers of trans fat. But unfortunately reading the fine print is necessary to ensure they're not getting more trans fat and putting their health at greater risk than they bargained for," Levine said.

Now more than ever, with 67% of those surveyed saying they are eating out less and cooking at home more in the past six months, the choices consumers make at the grocery store can make a real difference in their health.

The "Healthy Shopping" Survey was conducted by Greenfield Online, Inc., a global research company that uses proprietary interactive technology to measure consumer attitudes. Greenfield surveyed 2,100 U.S. consumers ages 18 and older on April 20, 2009. The survey was commissioned by Smart Balance, Inc.

(1) Medical Progress: Trans Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease' (April 13, 2006). By Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., M.P.H., Matijn B. Katan, Ph. D., Alberto Ascherio, M.D., Dr.P.H., Meir J. Stempfer, M.D., Dr.P.H., and Walter C. Willett, M.D., Dr.P.H. The New England Journal of Medicine.

SOURCE Smart Balance

We've all made mistakes: bell bottoms, scrunchies and laying out in the sun without sunscreen. All that's in the past. Thanks to advances in skin care and advice from experts, we now know sun worshipping isn't chic. In fact, it's downright dangerous. According to the National Cancer Institute, there will be 1 million new cases of skin cancer in 2009 resulting in about 1,000 deaths. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., and if you do your homework, it's one of the most preventable. May is Skin Cancer Awareness month and the perfect time to learn about spa solutions that can help protect your skin at the spa.

"Spas educate consumers on healthy skin care and a major factor in that is sun protection," said ISPA President Lynne McNees. "Spa treatments like microdermabrasion and glycolic acid peels can help repair the damage caused by over exposing your skin to the sun. There are so many great choices at the spa to help prevent and restore your skin from sun damage."

Wave goodbye to sun spots, wrinkles and leathery skin with a sampling of these ISPA member products that you can find in spas around the world:

• Biodroga Systems/Regent Bond Inc. - Repair Eye Care SPF 15 - reverses sun damage and counteracts free radicals. Free with all orders over $125 in May.
• Epicuren Discovery - Silk Mist Sunscreen SPF 15 - during May buy one, get one free. $46
• kaplanMD Inc. - LIP 20 - anti-aging lip treatment that hydrates, repairs and protects. During May 10 percent of profits will be donated to charity. $30
• Somme Institute - Double Defense SPF 30 with MDT5 Parsol 1789 - protects skin from premature aging while moisturizing. During May purchase any two products and get a free A-Bomb GWP, a cell renewing cream.
• Spiller U.S. - UV Protect Day Cream SPF 30 - hydrating day cream offering full spectrum protection. Normally $32, May special 10 percent off.
• Travertine Spa, Inc. - Hydrating Body Mist - invigorates and nourishes sun exposed skin. Normally $44, May special $31.

Be proactive. By following some easy rules that your local spa can help you with, you'll be sun smart in no time. Many spas have installed cabanas, umbrellas and covered porches to keep spa-goers out of the sun; at home or at the beach, stay on your porch or take an umbrella. Talk with an esthetician about ways to block UVB (the rays that cause sunburn) and UVA rays (the rays that age you). Ask about the FDA four-star rating system for sunscreens, the rating is linked to UVA rays, and spa lines like Skin Authority are taking note. Add an extra layer of protection by wearing makeup that contains an SPF; there are many mineral-based lines you can find at the spa. Try self tanners instead of sunbathing, and look for ones that contain an AHA for better penetration. Toss out your leftover product from last year, because the active ingredients can deteriorate over time. To find a full listing of spas that can help with your sun care needs visit www.experienceispa.com.

SOURCE International SPA Association

May 3 - 9, 2009 Declared 'National Drinking Water Week'

In recognition of "National Drinking Water Week", California American Water today announced that it is raising awareness throughout its service communities about wise water use and ways that consumers can help to protect our drinking water.

"It is understandable that, as a water purveyor, wise water use and protection of this precious resource is a priority for American Water. But it truly is important that everyone in our communities also understand its importance," stated California American Water Southern California General Manager Todd Brown. "Everyone can do their part from fixing leaks in their homes to properly disposing hazardous chemicals; it is a shared responsibility to protect our water sources."

American Water's activities are part of a national effort, sponsored by the American Water Works Association, who declared the week of May 3 - 9 "National Drinking Water Week". The observation is designed to raise public awareness of the fundamental need for safe and reliable drinking water supplies for public health, fire protection, economic development, and the overall quality of life communities and individuals enjoy.

"While we are constantly investing in and working to improve the water infrastructure in our service districts, we must be aware of our water resources and how the actions of each and every one of us can impact these sources," added Brown. "So, in observance of National Drinking Water Week, we are encouraging individual customer participation by fixing leaks, upgrading to water efficient appliances and fixtures, monitoring water use and avoiding activities that may contaminate or degrade water resources."

"Environmental stewardship can begin right at home through wise water use and awareness of how we use and dispose of everyday items," stated Brown.

SOURCE California American Water