» Eggplant and zucchini chips
Spotsylvania County's Christine Carlson recommends these "chips" coated with panko crumbs and great for dipping in your favorite sauce. Enjoy them as a light meal or as a side dish.
» Chicken, mushroom and rice casserole
This recipe, from the Gluten Free Easily website, grew from the cook's desire to make a favorite casserole without condensed soup.
» Face up to costly stressors
Among the many reasons why keeping your stress level low is important: Chronic stress is linked to afflictions ranging from heart disease to asthma to depression, all of which significantly drive up health care costs, says a story at huffingtonpost.com. The story shares a strategy, called FACE, for proactively managing stress. Click the headline to read more.
Exercise of the Day
» Work side and ab muscles
Today's exercise, the seated oblique twist, works the part of your body where love handles sometimes develop. It's a great exercise for strengthening your abs and the muscles on the upper side of your body. To do it, sit up straight on a stability ball or chair and twist from side to side. Click the headline for a demonstration from trainers Garrett Green and Chris McAuliff of Green Fitness in Fredericksburg.
» Participate in suicide prevention walk
The Out of the Darkness walk to raise awareness and money for suicide prevention will be held Oct. 20, at 9:30 a.m., at Spotsylvania Courthouse Village. The local walk grew from some Courtland High School students' desire to raise awareness after several classmates committed suicide a few years ago. Click the headline to register online or get more details.
Motivational Words
» Where there's a will, there's a way
"I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go." -- Langston Hughes
What's Happening
» Get help quitting smoking
Oct. 11: Mary Washington Hospital will host a meeting of a smoking cessation support group in the cafeteria at 7 p.m.
» Attend health fair
Oct. 13: Resurrection Lutheran Church will hold a health fair from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., with free screenings, health information and flu shots while supplies last. Call 540/786-7778 for details.
» Take part in cancer walk
Oct. 14: The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk will be held at Fredericksburg's Hurkamp Park at 12:30 p.m., to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
» Enjoy a fall run
Oct. 14: The King George Fall Festival 5k will be held at the King George YMCA at 8 a.m. Cost is $20, or $10 for kids' fun run.
» Walk for a cause
Oct. 20: A Light the Night Walk will be held at 7 p.m., in Fredericksburg's Hurkamp Park, to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
» Attend health symposium
Oct. 20: The Lake of the Woods Church will host a health fair, with free screenings and expert speakers, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
» Run a 10k race
Oct. 21: The 10k Run Through History will start at the Spotsylvania Courthouse Village Pavilion at 8 a.m.
