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THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2010 8 130 Mill Street East, #103, Acton (519)853-0079 Be Heart Smart DOWNTOWN ACTON Please give generously to the Heart & Stroke Foundation 16 Mill Street East, Acton, ON L7J 1G9 Tel: 519-853-9555 Email: actonbia@cogeco.net Web: www.downtownacton.ca Please give generously 519-853-8859 9 Mill St, Acton | www.bluespringsspa.com Close to Home Far From Ordinary 310 Guelph St., Unit 5 Geogetown 905-873-4405 Gift Certificates Available Car-man Widdess General Manager 905-877-0149 Be Heart Smart - Give Generously 336 Guelph St., Georgetown ON L7G 4B5 (Fax) 905-877-4557 cwiddess@georgetownchrysler.ca www.georgetownchrysler.ca The Hon. Michael Chong, P.C. M.P. Wellington-Halton Hills chongm@parl.gc.ca 1-866-878-5556 905-702-2597 www.michaelchong.ca Please give generously PLUMBING Residential Commercial Industrial Repairs & Renovations Gas Piping Well Pumps Installation & Repairs Drain Cleaning 519-853-1805 Serving Acton & Georgetown Over 30 years experience LICENSED PLUMBER Please support the Heart and Stroke Foundation ???????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????? Please Give Generously 60 Commerce Cres. 853-3540 Please Give Generously Please give generously 519-853-8859 9 Mill St, Acton | www.bluespringsspa.com ??????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????? FEBRUARY IS HEART & STROKE MONTH FEBRUARY IS HEART & STROKE MONTH What is a stroke? A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function. It is caused by the interruption of fl ow of blood to the brain (is- chemic stroke) or the rupture of blood vessels in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The interruption of blood fl ow or the rupture of blood vessels causes brain cells (neurons) in the affected area to die. The effects of a stroke depend on where the brain was injured, as well as how much damage occurred. A stroke can impact any number of areas including your ability to move, see, remember, speak, reason and read and write. In a small number of cases, stroke-like damage to the brain can occur when the heart stops (cardiac ar- rest). The longer the brain goes without the oxygen and nutrients supplied by the blood fl ow, the greater the risk of permanent brain damage. Brain injuries can also result in uncontrolled bleeding and permanent brain damage. This is usually referred to as an Acquired Brain Injury. Eat healthy to avoid a heart attack or stroke The great thing about healthy eating is that it is really quite simple. Nutri- tious, balanced meals and healthy snacks may reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by helping you to manage your weight, keep your blood pressure down, control your blood sugar levels, lower your cholesterol and increase the amount of nutrients available to keep your heart functioning properly. A healthy eating plan may also boost your overall feeling of well-being, giv- ing you more energy and vitality. It may make you look better and feel good about yourself, inside and out. Five basics to remember The Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends that in order to help your heart and body func- tion at its best, you need to eat food that is high in fi bre and lower in fat and salt. As a general rule of thumb, its best to fi ll half your plate with vegetables, a quarter with whole grains and the other quarter with lean meat or meat alterna- tives. These Acton Businesses support the efforts of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Here are fi ve healthier food choices to help your heart. (Note: serving ranges vary depending on your age and gender): 1. Go for the colour. Orange and dark green vegetables are the healthi- est vegetables you can eat. You should include one of both colour every day. August is a great month to load up on all kinds of lo- cal foods from broccoli and dark-green leafy let- tuces to orange peppers and carrots. Adults need: 7 to 10 vegetables and fruit a day. 2. Up the whole grains. Choose at least half your servings as whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal and 100% whole-wheat bread. Adults need: 6 to 8 servings of grain products a day. 3. Get the skinny on milk. Choose lower fat milk such as skim, 1% or 2%, lower fat yogurt and cheese and fortified soy beverages. Adults need: 2 to 3 servings of milk and alternatives a day. 4. Make the leaner choice. Cut the saturated fat by eat- ing chicken, fi sh and lean meat. Have alternatives such as beans, lentils and tofu often they are high in fi bre and very low in fat. Eat at least two servings of fi sh a week. Adult needs: 2 to 3 servings of meat and alternatives. 5. Use the good oils. Choose fats such as canola, olive or soybean oils, non- hydrogenated margarines, lower fat salad dressings and mayonnaise. Adult needs: 30 to 45 mL (2 to 3 tbsp) a day. Carol Dombrow, a diet- itian with the Heart and Stroke Foundations Health CheckTM program, says that making time to prepare meals at home more often, is a good way to start eat- ing a healthier diet. I plan my meals ahead of time to include lots of vege- tables, whole grains and lower-fat protein. It helps to use healthy cookbooks and look for Health Check products when shopping. The Heart and Stroke Foundation dietitians also give these tips when youre heading to the grocery store: 1. Create a shopping list. 2. Shop the produce aisle fi rst. 3. Read the Nutrition Facts table on food pack- ages. 4. Limit saturated fat. 5. Avoid trans fats. Keep salt intake to 2,300 or less a day.