Out & About in Winston-Salem

Go Red for Women – Raising Awareness of Cardiovascular Disease

by CAROLYN S PETERSON / photos by YASMIN LEONARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, taking more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined, but the simple truth is that cardiovascular disease is largely preventable, with education and a change to a healthy lifestyle. In an effort to increase women’s heart health awareness and also serve as a stimulus for change to improve the lives of women across the world, the American Heart Association started the Go Red for Women initiative. On February 3, 2023, the local American Heart Association in the Triad held the Triad Go Red for Women Luncheon, at High Point Country Club with women shoulder to shoulder, taking on heart disease for themselves and those to come.

This year’s luncheon was attended by more than 200 women, including local heart disease and stroke survivors of cardiovascular disease, supporters and sponsors.

2023 marks Go Red for Women’s 19th year, and this year’s luncheon was a unique event featuring education, inspiration and community support for those women who have dealt with heart and stroke issues and information to help other women with changes they can make to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

“We were very fortunate to have guest speakers, which included Leah Hazelwood, Chair of the Triad Go Red for Women campaign and Vice President of Go-Forth Pest Control, Alisha Hutchens, COO of Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Tracey McCain, WFMY News 2 anchor who emceed for the event. Valda Boyd Ford was the featured speaker, sharing her personal and professional experience, fighting hypertension to prevent heart disease and stroke. Women see this luncheon as not only a time of fun and making new friends, as well as seeing old ones, but a time to learn how to better take care of themselves, as well. As women, we tend to take care of everyone else before ourselves, but with heart disease, women need to be proactive with their health and Go Red for Women helps to drive that point home,” said Sarah Fedele, director of communications and marketing for the American Heart Association in the Triad.

If you would like more information on Go Red for Women, visit goredforwomen.org. To make a donation and support women’s heart health, visit TriadGoRedHeart.org.

Forgo the costly cocktail of chemicals you use to clean your home. Instead, opt for green cleaning products that aren’t harmful or toxic when breathed in or absorbed through your skin where they can enter your bloodstream. Save your health, save your money, and make your own.

Bountiful Benefits

Explore the benefits of switching from cleaning with chemicals to green cleaning for a naturally fresh, sustainable household. Benefit your loved ones’ (pets included!) health and wellness by making your own DIY healthy household cleaning products and clean your cares away without worrying about exposure to chemicals.

Chemicals To Avoid

Forgo the use of harsh chemicals. Repeated exposure to chemicals may lead to cancer, neurological and reproductive ailments and disorders. Be on the lookout for carcinogens, neurotoxins, mutagens, teratogens, or endocrine disrupters. What to avoid? Alcohol, aluminum, DEA/TEA, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, parabens, and more.

READY TO REPLACE? RECYCLE!

Remember, when replacing your cleaning products, don’t just toss everything in the trash. If toxic, they shouldn’t go in the drain or landfill. They could also end up filtering back into the water supply, so be careful. Check to see if your community offers hazardous waste recycling.

Breathe Better

Chemicals can be toxic when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed into the bloodstream. In addition to causing allergic reactions, frequent use of chemicals in cleaning products can cause health problems with the eyes and skin, as well as respiratory irritation. Breathe easy and feel good about what you’re spraying everywhere in the air.

Here are some other lung-loving tips your nasal passages will also appreciate:

• Although you can mask odors and make your rooms artificially smell good by burning fragranced candles and synthetic oils, they are known to release hazardous chemicals. Opt instead for a diffuser to vaporize pure essential oils.

• Houseplants can help reduce odors and increase breathability. Some can actually remove airborne toxins. Philodendron, Palms, Dracaena, and Ficus plants work well.

• Save the stench and eliminate odors while cooking. Simmer vinegar (1 cup water + 1 tablespoon vinegar) on the stove. Clean dishes, utensils, cutting boards, and countertops with vinegar and soapy water.

• Pure potpourri! Make bowls of dried flowers and herbs scented with essential oils to place throughout the house. While you’re at it, why not make sachets and tuck them into your drawers?

• Scent-sational simmer! Boil spices like cinnamon, cloves, and other spices (why not make Chai tea, while you’re at it?) to keep your home smelling good.

• Save lemon slices from your water and grind them in the garbage disposal. Allow the light aroma of lemon zest to perk up your senses.

For The Family

Because of their size, small children and pets are particularly susceptible to poisonous chemical exposure. Instead, choose safe, non-toxic, biodegradable green cleaning ingredients in pure products that benefit the environment and your health by keeping your environment clean and bacteria-free, but without any side effects.

The Key Contenders

• BORAX - deodorizes, disinfects, brightens and whitens

• WHITE VINEGAR - loosens dirt, disinfects, removes mildew, odors and stains, prevents or removes wax build-up

• LEMON JUICE - one of the strongest food acids, cuts through grease and disinfects

• BAKING-SODA (sodium bicarbonate) - trusted for over a century, nitty-gritty scrubber, and eliminates odors

• CORNSTARCH - cleans rugs and carpets and even cleans windows

• ALCOHOL (isopropyl/rubbing alcohol)disinfects, kills germs and bacteria, streakfree cleaner

• CASTILE SOAP - versatile all-purpose cleanser

• OLIVE OIL - picks up dirt and polishes wood

• ESSENTIAL OILS - antimicrobial, kill bacteria, fungus, and viruses, and add pleasant aroma

• SPRAY BOTTLES (empty) - use these to mix your concoctions together, shake a few times and spray away!

Stay safe and be creative making your own DIY household cleaning products. If purchasing storebought cleaning products, make sure to read the labels carefully, and your family and pets will thrive and thank you!