Survey shows Americans want to improve health but easily find excuses

Survey shows Americans want to improve health but easily find excuses

American Heart Association introduces free social media application to help keep commitment

DALLAS (January 4, 2010)/PRNewswire/ — Although 58 percent of American adults have resolved to make improvements in their health this year, more than half say they often find reasons not to exercise, according to an American Heart Association survey. Excuses range from too much stress at work to having nothing to wear to simple procrastination.

The American Heart Association's Start! initiative is introducing the Start! Daily Walking Guide, a FREE social media application that can get more Americans active and help them keep their health and physical activity resolutions. Nearly half of all Americans use online tools to track their health.

"The Start! Daily Walking Guide is the ideal tool to keep us committed to our New Year's resolutions," said Clyde Yancy, M.D., president of the American Heart Association. "We spend 164 more hours per year at work than we did 20 years ago, and for many Americans that means lots of time on computers. This application allows you to keep track of your physical activity, see progress, find accountability and get great encouragement."

The Start! Daily Walking Guide can be downloaded and embedded into a variety of sites including Facebook, Windows Live and iGoogle. Users get started with a quiz that generates 12 weeks worth of customized walking plans, a private journal section that lets users record their walks and reference archived exercises, and keep motivated with daily inspirational messages and heart-health tips.

Members can also chat with virtual "sole-mates" via the Start! Connections function. A previous Start! study revealed that American adults are 76 percent more likely to take a walk if another person is counting on them.

Heart disease and stroke are America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, despite being largely preventable though a healthy lifestyle. Cardiovascular disease claims nearly 865,000 lives a year and physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease. Physically active people reduce their cardiovascular disease risk by 30 percent. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, like brisk walking, each week. Download the Start! Daily Walking Guide at www.startwalkingnow.org.

To view the complete survey report visit www.startwalkingnow.org.

Also available on www.startwalkingnow.org:

Customized walking programs for beginner, intermediate and advanced walkers;
Online tracking tools to document calories consumed, steps taken and walking routes;
Sole-mates social networking capabilities to find and support like-minded walkers;
A grocery list builder and archives of heart-healthy recipes;
Downloadable seasonal walking guides with tips to maintain a routine regardless of the weather; and
Start! walking videos, produced in collaboration with ExerciseTV, making an at-home workout easier with tips and motivation.
###

About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, we're the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers — we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.



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New York Tourism International Film Festival 'Hippocrates Award'

4 Jan 2010 05:36 Africa/Lagos

New York Tourism International Film Festival 'Hippocrates Award'

NEW YORK, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Health Tourism International Chamber of Commerce (HTICC) join the International Community for the purpose of "Save the planet," knowing that tourism is an important way to reach this goal; HTICC launches the New York International Tourism Film Festival "Hippocrates Award" to celebrate on December 15-19, 2010 in New York City.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100103/DC31544LOGO )


HIPPOCRATES Festival will present the best films promoting tourism, from many countries of the world. The Festival will display films in several categories: Destinations; Cultural Tourism; Oenology Tourism; Rural Tourism; Adventure, Expeditions and Travel; Golf Tourism; Religious Tourism; Eco-Tourism and Nature-based Tourism; Health Tourism, Thermal and SPA; Gastronomy; Hotels; and Sport Tourism. The best film will be awarded the Grand Prize - Hippocrates. It will also be awarded to the best films in each category. Since the main goal is to promote the creativity in tourism, the festival also bet on other events complementary to the films exhibition, such as workshops, symposiums, photography exhibitions, health Tourism convention.


The New York International Tourism Film Festival Event is dedicated to leveraging the power of film and multi-media to educate, empower and inspire appreciation & protection of our nature and the life within.


Hippocrates operates on the guiding principal that our nature connects us all and never has it been more urgent to promote, honor & share films that engage people to become better stewards of our nature.


Film submissions are invited for our global awards competition.


Filmmakers, Researchers, Broadcasters, Conservation Organizations, Students and Amateurs with a passion for nature are invited to submit entries.


For the first time, the Festival is putting a call out to artists for its annual poster artwork. Artists and designers are encouraged to submit work for the Film Festival Poster Competition by April 30, 2010. Our younger and children can participate in The 2010 Health Tourism International Chamber of Commerce Children Environmental Poster Competition. All grade/primary/secondary school students are invited to participate The competition seeks to promote and stimulate environmental awareness among students and effectively educate younger generations on the importance of environmental protection.


A beauty pageant event MISS NATURE International to complement 2010 Hippocrates Award; the event is to have its candidates and winners actively promote and get involved in the preservation of the environment and the protection of Mother Nature.


Apart from a strong emphasis on environmental protection programs, MISS NATURE also aims to showcase and promote various tourist destinations. The winner of MISS NATURE will serve as the Ambassador to environmental protection campaigns worldwide.


www.hippocratesaward.com


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100103/DC31544LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN4
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Health Tourism International Chamber of Commerce

CONTACT: Garis Silega of Health Tourism International Chamber of
Commerce, +1-862-368-9806, drsilega@aol.com


Web Site: Hippocrates Award

The Christmas Day Terrorist Attack and Our Endless Fears

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima



The Northwest Flight 253 plane.

The shocking news of the botched Christmas Day terrorist attack by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on the Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam as it was about to land at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport left millions of Americans and others in the US gasping for breath as they were enjoying their turkey and basking in the joy of the passage of the Health Reform Bill by the Senate.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.

The terrorist attack has raised so much dust on the shortcomings of U.S. intelligence since investigations have shown that the al-Qaeda in Yemen recruited Abdulmutallab months ago. Also, his father Alhaji Umaru Mutallab warned the local security agencies and the US Consulate in Nigeria that his son had been radicalized by Islamists.

The underwear bomb.

Abdumutallab warned his family not to communicate with him again and stopped them from contacting him by changing his telephone numbers. The U.S. Consulate in Nigeria did not really ignore his warnings. In fact, counter-terror officials were alerted in November and intelligence databases revealed that Abdulmutallab was on the watch list of the CIA. And he still got a US visa?

The Nigerian security agencies may have excuses for failing to respond to the security alerts, but what excuses would the US intelligence give for failing to investigate the security alerts and failing to go ahead to find out the whereabouts of Abdulmutallab to monitor his activities in the UK which has become recruiting grounds for agents of the al-Qaeda.

The CIA and Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA)were warned by the Abdulutallab's father.

Investigations have shown that Anwar al-Awlaki, a regional commander of the al-Qaeda in Yemen contacted the Nigerian terrorist who was a student of Engineering at the University College London. Al-Awlaki is a civil engineer.

Presently the security agencies in Nigeria, the Netherlands, Yemen and the US seem confused and embarrassed by their failures, but are still pointing accusing fingers at each other in counter-accusations of how the young terrorist escaped from their radar during the Christmas holidays and nearly detonated a bomb that would have blown up the Delta/Northwest Airline Flight 253 Airbus 330-300 aircraft with 300 onboard and what a catastrophe that would have been on Christmas Day!

The report of the New York Times on the 9/11 Commission has shown the lack of accountability in the management of the important security reports noted after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Millions of Nigerians and Muslims resident in the US are ill at ease, because of their fears of racial and religious profiling at airports and other places as homeland security and other counter terror agencies begin to implement more comprehensive security measures.
"Racial and religious profiling are in fact counterproductive and can lead to a climate of insecurity and fear," the CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper has said in response to the incidents of Middle Eastern' passengers removed from a plane in Phoenix and the removal a Nigerian passenger from a flight after he became ill and spent what others considered too much time in the aircraft's bathroom in Michigan.

President Barack Obama has acknowledged the shortcomings in the US security systems and we hope the leakages would be blocked securely to prevent another dangerous attempt by any terrorist on any US target in the future. We would all be safer if the threats of terrorism could be checked and prevented than wrestling with them aboard our planes or airports.

Statement From the Association of Flight Attendants Concerning Crew of Northwest Flight 253

Happy New Year 2010!


31 Dec 2009 16:43 Africa/Lagos

Statement From the Association of Flight Attendants Concerning Crew of Northwest Flight 253

The flight attendants of Northwest flight 253, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), wish to offer their sincere thanks and appreciation for the support, praise and well wishes they have received from the public and federal officials, including the President, since the events on Christmas Day.


The entire crew recognizes the media's interest in speaking with them as soon as possible. However, as the FBI and additional federal investigations are ongoing, they are legally prohibited from speaking to the public. During this time, they ask that the media respect their desire and need for privacy. The crew of flight 253 will refrain from participating in interviews until further notice.


After being officially released from the investigations, some of them might be willing to share their experiences. If you are interested in interviewing the flight attendants, please direct media requests to Corey Caldwell at ccaldwell@afanet.org.


For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill. More than 50,000 flight attendants at 22 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world's largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org.


CONTACT: Corey Caldwell of Association of Flight Attendants, +1-202-434-0586


/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Dec. 31/


Source: Association of Flight Attendants

Web Site: http://www.afanet.org/


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Nigerian-American Muslims Condemn Attempted Christmas Day Terror Attack

29 Dec 2009 17:35 Africa/Lagos

Nigerian-American Muslims Condemn Attempted Christmas Day Terror Attack

BOSTON, Dec. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Council of Nigerian Muslim Organizations in the United States of America (NCNMO) today issued a statement condemning Friday's attempted bombing of a Northwest Airline flight into Detroit.


The statement, issued by Mufutau R. Adeleke, the Council's General Secretary, was released from the Council's ongoing annual convention in Boston:


"On behalf of the National Council of Nigerian Muslim Organizations in the United States of America and thousands of Nigerian-Americans across the country, I condemn the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day.


"The National Council of Nigerian Muslim Organizations in the United States of America condemns all acts of terrorism. Any human being who attempts or commits acts of terror, murder, or any act of cruelty in the name of a religion is not only destroying innocent lives, but is also debasing the values of the faith of that religion. Neither such behavior nor the individual involved represent Islam.


"Nigerian-American Muslims are active promoters of peace and tolerance in the community. We are currently holding our annual convention in Boston, with a major focus on training our youth in the peaceful way of Islam to become the next generation of upright Nigerian-American leaders.


"The incident that occurred on Northwest Airline Flight 253 on Friday is an attack on all Americans. The perpetrator neither represents Nigerian Muslims nor Muslims in general. We encourage a thorough investigation of the incident and full disclosure of the findings."


Source: National Council of Nigerian Muslim Organizations

CONTACT: Dr. Abdulfattah Ilupeju of National Council of Nigerian Muslim
Organizations in the USA, +1-781-888-7988




Northwest Flight 253

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An appeal from Wikipedia founder, Jimmy Wales

An appeal from Wikipedia founder, Jimmy Wales
Today, I am asking you to make a donation to support Wikipedia.

I started Wikipedia in 2001, and over the past eight years, I've been amazed and humbled to see hundreds of thousands of volunteers join with me to build the largest encyclopedia in human history.

Wikipedia isn't a commercial website. It's a community creation, entirely written and funded by people like you. More than 340 million people use Wikipedia every month - almost a third of the Internet-connected world. You are part of our community.

I believe in us. I believe that Wikipedia keeps getting better. That's the whole idea. One person writes something, somebody improves it a little, and it keeps getting better, over time. If you find it useful today, imagine how much we can achieve together in 5, 10, 20 years.

Wikipedia is about the power of people like us to do extraordinary things. People like us write Wikipedia, one word at a time. People like us fund it. It's proof of our collective potential to change the world.

We need to protect the space where this important work happens. We need to protect Wikipedia. We want to keep it free of charge and free of advertising. We want to keep it open – you can use the information in Wikipedia any way you want. We want to keep it growing – spreading knowledge everywhere, and inviting participation from everyone.

The Wikimedia Foundation is the non-profit organization I created in 2003 to operate, grow, nurture, and protect Wikipedia. For ten million US dollars a year and with a staff of fewer than 35 people, it runs the fifth most-read website in the entire world. I'm asking for your help so we can continue our work.

Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet has free access to the sum of all human knowledge. That’s where we’re headed. And with your help, we will get there.

Thank you for using Wikipedia. You're part of this story: please make a donation today.

Jimmy Wales

Founder, Wikipedia

Donate Now


Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, U.S. Wireless) ~ Amazon

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$259.00

Amazon Kindle Leather Cover (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle) ~ Amazon

Nigeria:Campus Girls, Big-Time Prostitutes

Photo Credit: African Movies Direct

Nigeria:Campus Girls, Big-Time Prostitutes

Read Full Report.


Poor Girl Regular Sex Campus Girls Unsuspecting Clients Campus Prostitution Dreaded HIV Campus Prostitution Ring Real Students Bad Student Professional Students University Women Innocent Girls Randy Lecturers Client Money Bonafide Students Prevent HIV

Our Country Would Be Great If We Do The Right Things

The prophecy is in our hands to determine what we would be. Our country would be great if we do the right things.
~ Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry



Most of us are fond of pointing accusing fingers at the Nigerian government and public officials we condemn and hang over allegations of corruption and other evils. But we are not better than them in our respective homes and workplaces, because we also indulge in our forms and ways of corrupt practices.

How do we treat our fellow Nigerians?

Most of the Nigerian employers who accuse the government of corruption have been found to cheat and exploit their workers by underpaying them and even not paying them salaries for months and years.

We treat our houseboys, housegirls, drivers, messengers and other servants like slaves and we then turn around to accuse the government and public officials of corruption. Are we not fooling ourselves?

Hypocrisy is worse than corruption.

Most of us do not pay our taxes and make frivolous excuses for not doing so.

Most of us cheat when we sit for various examinations.


We know how to find faults in others, but we have done worse things indoors and on the streets.

Let us DO THE RIGHT THINGS IN 2010.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

CAIR: Plane Incidents in Ariz., Mich. Raise Profiling Concerns

28 Dec 2009 01:36 Africa/Lagos

CAIR: Plane Incidents in Ariz., Mich. Raise Profiling Concerns

Passenger removals may be related to Christmas Day attempted bombing

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on airline passengers, crews and security personnel to avoid ethnic and religious "profiling" in the wake of the attempted bombing of a flight arriving in Detroit on Christmas Day.


CAIR made that call following two incidents in which innocent passengers were targeted based either on their national origin or on otherwise ordinary behavior.


In Arizona, two "Middle Eastern" men were removed from a US Airways flight in Phoenix and questioned by the FBI after another passenger overheard the men speaking in a foreign language. The men were questioned and released.


SEE: 'Middle Eastern' Passengers Removed from Plane in Phoenix
http://tinyurl.com/yfh7x5t



In Michigan, police removed a Nigerian passenger from a flight after he became ill and spent what others considered too much time in the aircraft's bathroom.


SEE: Detroit-Bound Airline Passenger Was Ill, Not a Threat
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,581232,00.html



"While everyone supports robust airline security measures, racial and religious profiling are in fact counterproductive and can lead to a climate of insecurity and fear," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.


CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.


CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
+1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; or CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina
Rubin, +1-202-488-8787, +1-202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com


Web Site: http://www.cair.com/


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10 Ways to Create a More Hopeful 2010 (and Most of Them are Free)

Play with a puppy (or kitten)" is just one of 10 ways to make your 2010 a more hopeful year. For the complete list of hopeful tips visit HopeIsInTheCards.org. (PRNewsFoto/Hope Is In The Cards) PHOENIX, AZ UNITED STATES

28 Dec 2009 13:00 Africa/Lagos

10 Ways to Create a More Hopeful 2010 (and Most of Them are Free)

PHOENIX, Dec. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- 2009 was not an easy year. Here are a few ideas to help make 2010 a better year for you, your friends and family, and perhaps even the world.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091228/LA30365)

1. Let Someone Know You Care

E-mails and text messages are no match for a heartfelt, handwritten message. Mail a REAL card or note to someone, right now. And if you don't know someone who needs a lift, then simply write the word HOPE on the back of anything you mail.


www.HopeIsInTheCards.org

2. Shop Local

Pick three local businesses. Spend $50 with these neighborhood enterprises instead of a national chain. You don't add anything to your budget, and you help keep small businesses going.


www.the350project.net

3. Read To A Child

You feel great, the child feels great, you promote learning and education and it's just plain fun to do.


www.readingfoundation.org

4. Play With A Puppy (or a kitten)

A visit to your local animal shelter or pet store is all it takes. If you know your zip code, go online and find a fuzzy friend nearby.


www.petfinder.com

5. Get Inspired

Loren Gelberg-Goff's internet radio show, Loving The Life You're In, serves up a weekly dose of positive, upbeat tips and conversations with some of the world's most interesting guests and experts.


www.worldtalkradio.com

6. Thank A Soldier

These people put their lives out there to serve our country. Let them know you'll be happy when they're home again.


www.amillionthanks.org

7. Give Something Back

Ditch TV for one hour and serve a meal at a shelter. Drive someone to an appointment. Paint over some graffiti. That hour will be treasured far longer than any sitcom.


www.unitedway.org

8. Turn Everything Off For 5 Minutes

TVs, stereos, iPods, computers, lights, clocks, the heat....everything. The quiet, the thoughtfulness, the lack of buzzing....it does wonders.


9. Go Outside


There is something inspiring outside -- even if it's just a weed in a crack on the sidewalk. Think about it -- with nothing but rain and sunshine and the ickiest bits of dust and dirt, that weed broke through concrete! If a little plant can do it, so can you.


10. Spin


In your office chair. In the elevator when no one else is in there. Outside. Nothing so easy can make you feel so 8 years old again. And when you were 8, anything was possible.


It still is.

Have a happy, hopeful New Year.

www.hopeisinthecards.org

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091228/LA30365
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: ADD PRN#
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: HopeIsInTheCards.org

CONTACT: Russ Haan of Hope Is In The Cards, +1-602-318-8958,
russ@hopeisinthecards.org


Web Site: http://www.the350project.net/
http://www.readingfoundation.org/
http://www.petfinder.com/
http://www.worldtalkradio.com/
http://www.amillionthanks.org/
http://www.unitedway.org/
http://www.hopeisinthecards.org/