» Pear gingerbread dessert
This deceptively healthy treat recommended by dietitian Jennifer Motl uses fresh fruit, whole grains and heart-healthy oil.
» Sweet potato, bacon and egg hash
If you're looking to indulge, this recipe from the A Hint of Honey blog might be for you. (To slim it down, use veggie bacon or none at all, and don't cook the potatoes in bacon grease!)
» Slow down with peaceful music
Music can have therapeutic benefits, as local neurologist Dr. Maha Alattar and others often have said. Fast-paced tunes can boost your mood, and slower ones can soothe an overactive mind. If your mind is racing, click the headline to give a peaceful piano piece a try. And hit the "send in suggestions" link at the top of the newsletter to send in your favorite, soothing songs for inclusion in upcoming editions.
Exercise of the Day
» Do some sun salutations
In today's exercise video, local yoga teacher Maartje Maas-Potterton demonstrates the series of movements that comprise yoga's Sun Salutation A. This is a classic series that involves reaching up, folding forward, stepping into plank position, doing downward dog and more. Click the headline to see the demonstration.
» Help clean up the river
Friends of the Rappahannock will hold its Fall River Cleanup event Oct. 20 at Old Mill Park in Fredericksburg, starting at 9 a.m. "In the last year we have picked up over 13,000 lbs. of trash - and there's still more," the group says on its website. Lunch will be provided. Click the headline to get more details or to sign up to help.
Motivational Words
» To succeed, be disciplined
"We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort." -- Jesse Owens
What's Happening
» 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.
» Hear cancer survivor talk
Oct. 15: Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center will host a Pink Mondays seminar featuring a breast cancer survivor, at 5:30 p.m.
» Get a mammogram, massage
Oct. 15: Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center will host "Mammos & Massages," a cancer screening event, from 1-6:30 p.m.
» 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.
» Do Out of the Darkness walk
Oct. 20: The Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk will be held at Spotsylvania Courthouse Village at 9:30 a.m.
» Run a 10k race
Oct. 21: The 10k Run Through History will start at the Spotsylvania Courthouse Village Pavilion at 8 a.m.
» Take part in Halloween walk
Oct. 27: The Germanna Volkssport Association will host a Halloween walk through Fredericksburg. Walkers can go out their own pace for 3 to 6 miles.
