Care, Share and Give a Pair!

Break the Chain® Apparel (BTC) has teamed up with Hannah’s Socks to bring new socks to shelters in Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky. The companies formed an alliance through the micro-blogging phenomenon called Twitter. BTC and Hannah’s Socks have the mutual mission to help those in need. BTC recognized an opportunity in Hannah’s Socks and will now donate $3 (the approx. value of a pair of socks) for every t-shirt ordered from these three states until Dec. 31, 2009.

BTC works toward ending domestic violence, abuse and other social issues by producing Clothing with a Voice®, clothing that “speaks against the unspeakable” so the person wearing it can make a statement without saying a word. Displaying such messages as Make a Stand Against an Angry Hand and End Hunger Now, BTC creates a voice for social change.

BTC founder Tammi Burns is thrilled to have this opportunity to give back to Hannah’s Socks. “By purchasing one of these t-shirts this holiday season, you will ensure a pair of socks goes to one of these Midwestern shelters for the winter ahead,” says Burns. Burns was also touched by the video about Hannah’s story. “It really makes you think about the small things we can do for each other.”

To see a full selection of t-shirts that are available, please visit www.breakthechainapparel.com. If you are interested in participating in this program but live outside Ohio, Kentucky or Michigan send an email order to tammi@breakthechainapparel.com and $3 will be donated to Hannah’s Socks.

About Break the Chain® Apparel
Break the Chain® Apparel was founded in 2006 by domestic violence survivor Tammi Burns. Tammi formed a team of people who aspired to make positive changes in the lives of others by creating “clothing with a voice,” clothing with messages that would inspire social change. Tammi’s vision is twofold: to use apparel as a tool to help fund social programs, and to inspire change by making messages against violence and addiction in-style. “These messages speak so you don’t have to,” says Tammi. “It allows the person wearing the clothing to speak out while remaining non-invasive.” For more information, visit www.breakthechainapparel.com or call CEO Tammi Burns at 503.859.5555.

About Hannah’s Socks
Hannah's Socks is a non-profit organization focused on providing clothing necessities to the less fortunate in Toledo, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; and their neighboring communities. Hannah's Socks collects donated materials in the form of men's, women's and children's socks and undergarments, then leverages partnerships with local shelters for distribution to both the homeless and to victims of domestic violence. In addition, we support programs serving under-privileged children. Hannah's Socks firmly believes that in a country as prosperous as the United States, no man, woman or child should want for something as basic as a warm pair of socks.

Grande Ronde Med Spa Now Offers Medical Weight Loss Program

Grande Ronde Med Spa is pleased to bring Medical Weight Management to you!

Dr. Michael H. McQueen has researched various weight loss programs and has developed this particular hybrid that is low carbohydrate, high fiber and high protein that keeps you satisfied and able to stay on course. Emphasized in this program is the importance of excercise and getting your 10,000 steps in a day for success! Dr. McQueen stresses the importance of not making a change just for a better look, but a lifestyle change to adopt for a healthy you for life.

This 16 week program provides you with all the materials you will need to make this final attempt at weight loss successful. Follow up appointments are included to ensure you have the support that you need. Here's how it works.

On your first visit, you will join others in a seminar to thoroughly explain this program. You will receive a jounal, food book, pedometer and your personal booklet to help you stay on course. Your labs will be drawn if you haven't had blood work done within the last 90 days.

You will receive 3 follow up appointments with Dr. McQueen and 5 follow up appointments with Jacqui Kleeman, R.N.. Weekly weigh in appointments are available at no additional fee.

The cost of this program is currently at an introductory price of $399 for 16 weeks. The only items not included in this price are prescriptives you may need, food and supplements which are available at a great price at Grande Ronde Med Spa.

Aren't you ready for a new you? Call us today at 541.963.3772 or visit www.grmedspa.com for more information. Grande Ronde Med Spa gladly accepts Care Credit, MasterCard, Visa and Discover.

Local Winery Gets Well Deserved Recognition

T Shirts for Fun or Fundraisers for DMVAM

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to make many people aware of domestic violence and the havoc it can wreak on families and communities. I’d like to introduce you to Break the Chain® Apparel, a clothing company that has created a way to take the message beyond October, creating social change every day of the year.

With screen-printed messages such as “Make a stand against an angry hand” and “Sticks and stones may break my bones but sometimes words are worse,” Break the Chain® Apparel speaks out against domestic violence, abuse and addiction. Their t-shirts “speak” so the person wearing it doesn’t have to.

For October, Break the Chain® Apparel is offering a special purple t-shirt with a design for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I thought your team members would be interested in wearing these purple anti-violence t-shirts during your October events, or to use as a fund raiser for your shelter throughout the month. We will offer these shirts to you at a discounted price of $12 each.

Would you like to order these special purple domestic violence awareness t-shirts? See the image below. For more information on Break the Chain® Apparel, please visit our online media kit or contact me at 541.786.1613. I will be honored to take your call. Also, feel free to email me at christy@breakthechainapparel.com.

Menu Planning Business Offers Families Time and Much More

More and more information comes out every day on the benefits of family dinners on children of school age. But it's such a catch 22. Yes. We are learning it is important. But with double income working families so necesarry and time of the essence, what are we to do to make this happen? I have a suggestion! Take a second and learn about Superwoman's Secret. This menu planning business provides healthy menus, grocery lists and recipes that will help you have a healthy family around the dinner table.

Try one week free of charge and see what a difference it makes in your health, your attitude and your time with your family. Are you still doubting? Read below and see if this isn't worth your time.

WHY FAMILY MEALS MATTER.

Family Meals Fact Sheet Compiled by Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RD

Family Meals Matter . . . by improving academic performance:

• Improved vocabularies and reading skills A study by Dr. Catherine Snow at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, followed 65 families over 15 years, looking at how mealtime conversations play a critical role in language acquisition in young children. The conversations that occur around the family table teach children more vocabulary and forms of discourse than they learn when you read to them. Improved vocabularies lead to better readers. Better readers do better in all school subjects.

• Improved achievement test scores A University of Illinois study of 120 boys and girls age 7 – 11 found that children who did well in school and on achievement tests were those who generally spent large amounts of time eating meals with their families.

• Greater academic achievement A Reader’s Digest survey of more than 2,000 high-school seniors compared academic achievement with family characteristics. Eating meals with their family was a stronger predictor of academic success than whether they lived with one or both parents. Share that with families who may not have money or education or a spouse, but do have it in their power to eat with their kids!

• Higher grades Research by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), and others, has found a striking relationship between frequency of family meals and grades. In 2003, the percent of teens who got A’s was 20% of those who ate with their families 5 or more times per week compared to only 12% of those who ate with their families 2 or less times per week. by lowering risk-taking behaviors:

• In a research project coordinated by Dr. Blake Bowden of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, 527 teenagers were studied to determine what family and lifestyle characteristics were related to good mental health and adjustment. He found that kids who ate dinner with their families at least five times per week were the least likely to take drugs, feel depressed or get into trouble.

According to CASA surveys:

• Teens who eat dinner with their parents twice a week or less are four times more likely to smoke cigarettes, three times more likely to smoke marijuana, and nearly twice as likely to drink as those who eat dinner with their parents six or seven times a week.

• Teens who eat frequent family dinners are also less likely than other teens to have sex at young ages and get into fights; they are at lower risk for thoughts of suicide; and are likelier to do better in school. This is true regardless of a teen’s gender, family structure, or family socioeconomic level.

• Teens who have frequent family dinners are more likely to be emotionally content, work hard at school, and have positive peer relationships, not to mention healthier eating habits. by improving family relationships and emotional health:

• According to CASA surveys teens who have frequent family dinners are more likely to be emotionally content, work hard at school, and have positive peer relationships.

• A study by the Kraft Company found that American families who eat together are happier in many aspects of their lives than those who don’t. Children and teens who eat family meals together experience improved family communication, have stronger family ties and a greater sense of identity and belonging. by improving dietary quality and promoting healthy weight: • Dianne Neumark-Sztainer and her colleagues at the University of Minnesota, published the results of the EAT study (which stands for eating among teens) in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Their findings showed a dramatic relationship between family meal patterns and dietary intake in adolescents. Their study involved nearly 5,000 middle and high school students of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. They found that family meals were associated with improved intakes of fruits, vegetables, grains, calcium-rich foods, protein, iron, fiber, and vitamins A, C, E, B-6 and folate. Family meals were associated with a lower intake of soft-drinks and snack foods.

• The Project EAT survey also found that girls who ate more frequent family meals exhibited less disordered eating including dieting behaviors, extreme weight control behaviors, binge eating, and chronic dieting.

• Consistent mealtimes allow children to feel secure that they will be fed; regular meals prevent grazing and promote coming to the table hungry but not “starving.”

• At family meals parents can role model healthy eating behaviors and a healthy relationship with food and eating.

• At family meals eating can be a focused activity if other activities such as television viewing are not taking place; therefore hunger and satiety cues can be attended to and respected.

• Family meals promote a feeling of belonging when family members come together and lower risk for loneliness-induced eating for comfort. Help families and our entire community . . . Make mealtimes a priority:

• Encourage parents to avoid evening work hours and multiple evening meetings • One night a week or one night a month have no school activities • Encourage afternoon practices and activities to end before 5:30

• Encourage evening activities not to begin before 7

• Host events that include sit-down meals for families

• Celebrate Family Day in September, or more often! Make mealtimes a reality by planning ahead:

• Family and Consumer Sciences classes and after school programs can teach children and teens basic cooking skills and involve the whole family in putting meals on the table.

• Feature web sites, meal planning ideas, and recipes on school menus and employer newsletters. And, create a positive atmosphere at the table:

• Encourage families to turn off the television and focus on one another instead. For more information on Family Mealtime visit the Purdue University Center for Families’ Promoting

Family Meals Project: www.cfs.purdue.edu/CFF/promotingfamilymeals

Check Out Grande Ronde Med Spa's September Newsletter!

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Please Vote!

I've nominated my friend and client Tammi Burns of Break the Chain Apparel in Lyons, Ore. for a $10K grant through a company called Nau. They are giving one "Grant for change" and I think Tammi's "Project Change Reaction" is the perfect fit. Nau's first annual Grant for Change supports those who instigate lasting, positive change in their communities, and that's Tammi's Project Change Reaction.

Project Change Reaction is a youth-based program that tackles social issues. Students design artwork around abuse; a winning design will be chosen and developed into a professional graphic design produced on t-shirts that will sell nationally as the company’s latest apparel design. It's a way for youth to find their voice and stand up against issues such as dating violence, underage drinking, pharm parties, gang violence and more.

Would you be willing to take just a moment to go online and vote for her project? Rate the stories you like at http://www.nau.com/collective/grant-for-change/, and spread the word about Tammi's grant nomination to everyone you know. Nominations are open 'til August 17th, the voting 'til August 31st.


About Break the Chain Apparel

Break the Chain Apparel was founded in 2006 by domestic violence survivor Tammi Burns. Tammi formed a team of people who aspired to make positive changes in the lives of others by creating “clothing with a voice:” clothing with messages that would inspire social change. Tammi’s vision is twofold: to use apparel as a tool to help fund social programs, and to inspire change by making messages against violence and addiction in-style. “These messages speak so you don’t have to,” says Tammi. “It allows the person wearing the clothing to speak out while remaining non-invasive.” Break the Chain Apparel donates to a different nonprofit each month. For more information, visit www.breakthechainapparel.com or call CEO Tammi Burns at 503.859.5555.