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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
FIREWOOD GIVEAWAY MEMBERS EFFORTS KEEP COMMUNITY WARM
As the snow started to fall and turn into “snowmageddon” last month, BIAW and MBA of King and Snohomish Counties members Joseph and Melissa Irons of Irons Brothers Construction, realized they had plenty of seasoned and split firewood to share. Back in 2018, potential hazard issues with power lines forced them to have several trees cut, split, and prepared for use in the upcoming winter months. Fast forward to February 2019 and the record-setting snow fall (and power outages), Joseph and Melissa felt it necessary to offer a free firewood giveaway—aptly named—Operation Kindle to the Shoreline community.
HEALTH CARE CORNER
HEART HEALTH
We all know being active and eating well is important for staying healthy. But, did you know that just sitting too much may have a negative effect on your heart health? According to study results published in The New York Times, sitting for at least 10 hours a day may be linked to high troponin levels, which may have a negative effect on your cardiac health. Troponin is found in cells in your heart muscle. When these cells are injured—most often because the heart isn’t getting enough oxygen and nutrients—they can release troponin and other substances into the blood. So what can you do to stay heart healthy* even if your job requires you to be at a desk all day? Walk during your lunch break—getting away from your desk in the middle of the day for a walk will not only elevate your heart rate, it will probably elevate your mood as well. Take the stairs— walking up even one or two flights of stairs a day can make a difference in your cardiovascular health over time. Stand at your desk—try getting a desk that converts from sitting to standing or simply stand while you are on the phone—over the course of the day, you’ll significantly decrease your time spent sitting. Change your commute—consider walking, running, or biking to work, even a few times a week, to increase your active time and for a nice change of scenery.
Irons Brothers’ staff moved into gear, getting the word out about the free giveaway by posting online to Nextdoor and Buy Nothing Project websites. Boy, did the word get out! Volunteers consisting of Irons Brothers’ staff and community members helped load more than ten cords of wood to over two-dozen residents within a three-hour period. As if they had foresight, that very night Shoreline and the surrounding areas lost power. Joseph, Melissa, and staff felt it was a blessing they could help take part in keeping their neighbors and community warm!
BUILDING INSIGHT BIAW.com
There are lots of great ways to integrate simple, healthy choices in to your work day. The team at CBS Benefits, BIAW’s Health Insurance program administrator, is available to help BIAW members access the best healthcare at the best possible price. If you haven’t looked in to the benefits the BIAW Health Insurance program, now is the perfect time! Contact CBS Benefits at (425) 641-8093 or online at BIAWHealthTrust.com.
*This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician before starting an exercise program or if you have any questions regarding a medical condition.
