Happy October! It's a wonderful month to focus on your health—and that of your family, which may be greatly influenced by your own choices. This month brings far more health observances then we can properly address. However, we will target as many as we can, with a special focus on family wellness.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month—brought to us by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence—is a good reminder to us all that this heart wrenching syndrome is more common than we might realize. Lean how you can increase your awareness and help others.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month which strikes a poignant note for me, having a mother and so many dear friends who are breast cancer survivors. If you wish to learn more about how to prevent this critical health issue, visit Breast Cancer Action. This grassroots education and advocacy organization—which looks to prevention, not just treatment—is committed to ending the breast cancer epidemic.

On this note, October 17 is National Mammography Day, brought to us by the American Cancer Society. Although there is some controversy on this topic, mammograms do save lives.

The Spina Bifida Association of America brings us National Spina Bifida Awareness Month. Spina bifida is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect, and affects approximately one out of every 1,000 newborns in the United States. The good news is that this dire health issue can be prevented. Learn how by reviewing our article entitled The Importance of Folic Acid in Preventing Birth Defects.

It is clearly in the best interest of all women who may consider having babies to take a comprehensive prenatal nutrient formula that features a rich level of folic acid. This—along with the complete vitamin and mineral spectrum—can provide superior nutritional support during this very important time.

The SuperNutrition PreNatal Blend is available at Whole Foods Markets and other health food stores nationwide. For more information about the PreNatal Blend and other SuperNutrition formulas, visit www.supernutritionusa.com or call 800.262.2116.

October features another important baby-related health observance: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. I am very grateful for organizations like the SIDS Alliance, which offer tips based on the latest research for new parents, grandparents and infant caregivers to help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and accidental infant deaths, as follows:

• Place your baby on his or her back to sleep at night and naptime.
• Use a firm mattress, covered only with a sheet, in a safety-approved crib.
• Remove all loose and fluffy bedding from your baby's sleep area. This includes pillows,
  blankets, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, sheepskins, positioners, stuffed toys and
  other soft products.
• Consider using the HALO™ SleepSack™ wearable blanket, or other type sleeper as
  a safe alternative to loose blankets in your baby's crib.
• Do not place your baby to sleep on a sofa, waterbed, pillow, soft mattress, or any
  other soft surface.
• Keep your baby's face clear of coverings.
• Be careful not to overheat your baby with excessive clothing, bedding or room
  temperature. We recommend 65-71 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Don't allow anyone to smoke around your baby and do not let your baby spend time
  in an area where others have smoked.
• Educate babysitters, day care providers, grandparents and everyone who cares for
  your baby about reducing the risk of infant death.

For more information, visit www.sidsalliance.org.

October 1 is World Vegetarian Day, which has been observed since 1977 bringing awareness to the ethical, environmental, health and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. Many believe that vegetarianism—the practice of not eating meat, fish, or fowl—is a logical conclusion for all who are in tune with the earth, with the animals, and with their own bodies.

A vegetarian diet is undoubtedly healthier, as heart disease, cancer, and many of the other "diseases of civilization" are linked to meat consumption. But for many, the environmental benefits of this lifestyle choice are the most powerful motivators. Please take a moment to see how your food choices affect the environment: read this article.

October 13 - 17 is National School Lunch Week, brought to us by the American School Food Service Association. This organization strives to bring healthier school meals to kids, but most of the selected entrees are still alarmingly high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Although any progress is commendable, further steps may be necessary to promote the health of our children, one lunch at a time.

Lifelong eating patterns are established in childhood, and yet, on a given day, less than 15% of children eat the minimum recommended servings of fruit and only 17% of children consume the minimum daily recommended servings of vegetables.

Did you also know that 25% of children ages 5-10 have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or other early warning signs for heart disease? That number rises to nearly 61% among overweight children of the same age. And 27% of overweight children have two or more risk factors. Moreover, 90% of children consume amounts of fat above the recommended level.

The prevalence of obesity among young people ages 6-17 years in the United States has more than doubled in the past 20 years, and that pattern is continuing. Over 4.7 million, or 11% of youth ages 6-17 years are seriously overweight.

What can we do about these alarming trends? Upgrading the quality of school lunches for kids to include more fruits, vegetables and other plant-based entrees high in nutrients and low in saturated fat and cholesterol is a critical step. To find out more about how we can do so, please read this article. You can gain additional information by reviewing our article A Closer Look at Your Child's School Lunch.

October is also Healthy Lung Month, brought to us by the American Lung Association. From asthma prevention and treatment to tips for quitting smoking, the American Lung Association's site is a great resource. If you are still struggling with cigarette addiction, see our article to find out how diet can help you have a smoke-free life: Healthy Diet and Lifestyle Changes to Help You Stop Smoking Today!.

You may also consider a lung health assessment. Our state-of-the-art Spirometer assesses lung function, and provides key information and recommendations to help keep lungs healthy in the future and minimize the risk of numerous lung health issues. This screening is also an excellent smoking cessation motivator. For more information about bringing us to your workplace, e-mail kiki@aboutnhs.com.

October is National Lupus Awareness Month, brought to us by the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.. You might also review our article Natural Alternatives for Lupus Symptoms.

You are to be commended for being open to the many aspects of health we've presented this month. Please accept my best wishes for your optimal wellness and that of your family, not only this month, but also every month of the year!

Love and joy,

For October event information, call Kiki Powers at 408.364.9742 or e-mail kiki@aboutnhs.com.

~ Ringo Starr ~

“There is nothing more difficult to take in hand,
more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in it's success,
than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.”

~ Niccolo Machiavelli ~