NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE AND WALGREENS PROVIDE FREE HEALTH TESTS TO COLUMBIA AREA URBAN AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES WITH WAY TO WELL HEALTH TOUR

If you live in Columbia, South Carolina, this is some great information for yourself or to pass along to someone in need...

For a seventh consecutive year, National Urban League and Walgreens are partnering for the Way to Well Tour to provide free health screenings to Columbia residents. The national tour will provide free health resources to residents in urban and minority communities who experience disproportionately higher rates of preventable disease. The service is free and insurance will not be billed.

“Way to Well reflects our commitment to disease prevention and to improving everyday health through education and early detection. With the NUL, the nationwide traveling health tour is one way we deliver on our pledge to improve lives by providing underserved communities greater access to the resources they need.” said John Gremer, Walgreens director of community affairs. “We also thank our customers for supporting this cause with us, and ultimately making this important wellness services program a reality by simply purchasing our brand.”
The Way to Well Health Tour is partially funded by consumers who support the Walgreens wellness services mission by purchasing Walgreens brand health and wellness products. Beginning February 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014, 1¢ from the purchase of every Walgreens brand health and wellness product, up to $3 million annually, will support bringing preventive wellness services to local communities through the Walgreens Way to Well Fund®.

The national tour will provide free health tests, assessments, education and consulting services to residents in urban and minority communities who experience disproportionately higher rates of preventable disease. The service is free and insurance will not be billed. Tests include total cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, body composition, skeletal muscle, resting metabolism, visceral fat, real body age and body weight.

Collectively, the health tests valued at over $100, are administered to adults age 18 years and older by certified wellness staff and can be completed in approximately 20 minutes. Afterward, participants will consult with a Walgreens pharmacist or certified wellness staff about his or her results. Consumers are encouraged to report their results to their doctor or health care provider so they may discuss any concerns with them.

In addition to critical screenings uninsured visitors will receive vouchers for free flu shots redeemable at any Walgreens Take Care Clinic. Also available with the tour are educational health and wellness resources provided by NUL as well as Walgreens Way to Well cause partners: American Heart Association (AHA), American Cancer Society (ACS), American Diabetes Association (ADA), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The tour will be making the following stops in the Columbia area:

Thursday, April 18th – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
South Carolina State House
1100 Sumter St
Columbia, SC 29201

Friday, April 19th – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Walgreens
4467 Devine St
Columbia, SC 29205

Saturday, April 20th – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Walgreens
423 W Main St
Lexington, SC 29072

Sunday, April 21th – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Walgreens
7801 Garners Ferry Rd
Columbia, SC 29209

Thursday, April 25th – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Walgreens
1223 St Andrews Rd
Columbia, SC 29210

Friday, April 26th – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Walgreens
1903 S Lake Dr
Lexington, SC 29073

Saturday, April 27th – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Walgreens
1010 Old Barnwell Rd
West Columbia, SC 29170

Monday, April 29th – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Walgreens
2224 Augusta Rd
West Columbia, SC 29169

About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72 billion. The company operates 7,840 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems,
pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
About the National Urban League
The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy. Today, there are nearly 100 local affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people nationwide. For more information, visit: www.nul.org

New custom t-shirt from Dress United

I was so lucky to receive a custom t-shirt from Dress United to review. When I went on their site to order it, my first thought was, "Will they have the cut I like?" I am very particular when it comes to t-shirts. I only like a fitted v-neck style. Lucky for me, they offered that and several other styles. I went with Classic Girly Tee because the description said that they tend to fit a size smaller.

I initially wanted the purple but was afraid that my logo was going to have white spots where the "o" and "e" were. It turns out that it only looked that way on the website and they correct it when they print your shirt. It took me about 5 minutes from beginning to end to order my shirt. Honestly, I think it took that long because I couldn't decide on a color! The Dress United website is so user friendly.

I am pleased with the shirt overall. The material was soft and the fit was just right. As an almost 40 year old woman, I appreciated the longer cut as well. I have ordered shirts before that I felt barely covered the top of my pants. I want to order a couple more in different colors for the spring/summer. What do you think of it?

Right now, if you place an order from Dress United, you can receive a discount of 30% off plus free shipping in the US. Go here and use the code: BLOG30OFF4U. These tees are a great marketing tool for your blog, business or organization.

You learn something new every day

You are probably looking at this photo and saying, "What in the world?" Looks pretty crazy. An Outback Steakhouse bag as a decoration? Is this a new trend?

Actually, it is a makeshift fix for a pesky problem we have been trying to resolve.  Behind the bag is William's fish tank. We went into the pet store a few days ago to purchase a couple algae eaters and some algae removing stuff. The gravel and ornaments in the tank were slowly getting covered in algae and we knew we had to do something soon. After getting our fish and water treatment, we headed over to the check-out counter.  The cashier asked me if I was trying to get rid of algae in a fish tank. I told her yes and she politely asked if I would like to hear some advice. I accepted and listened. She was very animated and seemed to know her stuff. She suggested some non-chemical methods for me to try and see if they would work. She explained the ins and outs of algae and asked me how often I turn on the light in the aquarium. I told her I had a day and night light and that I run it 24/7. Well.... she told me that was what my problem was. Too much light has been feeding the algae and allowing it to grow. OOPS! That explained it all right there!

She went on to tell me what steps to take. Of course the obvious thing was to turn the light off. She said to only run it at night, maybe 6-8 hours. Next she suggested that I cover the tank in a blanket for 3-5 days without any light and see if that kills the algae. No lie, I looked at her 10 kinds of crazy. A blanket? She told me that if that didn't work then my other option was a moss ball. I noticed them around the store, but didn't know what they were. Here is an example of what a moss ball looks like:

They are supposed to absorb nitrates and prevent algae. Her last bit of advice was to use a chemical although she was against it. I decided to try her blanket idea... hence the Outback bag. Guess what? Blocking all the light for 3 days now has stopped the algae from growing and it is almost all gone! I plan to remove the bag tomorrow and will purchase a moss ball this weekend. I wish I could remember the young lady's name or face so I could thank her for her wonderful advice! I just love home remedies and I certainly learned a whole lot in the process :) 

Wordless Wednesday

Planting strawberries for daddy.

My latest food obsession, Yum Yum sauce

It is not unusual for me to get on these crazy food kicks where I find something I like and end up eating it like it's going to no longer be available. My husband would love to tell those stories! My recent foodie find is Yum Yum sauce. I have had it several times at my favorite Asian eatery and I can't get enough of it. I found it in Kroger by accident the other day and although it was a bit pricey ($4.29) I just had to have it. It came in regular and spicy. I wanted spicy, but figured I would see if the rest of the family would like it too.

You can put it on all kinds of food--- steak, chicken, seafood, veggies, salads and pretty much anything you like. I tried some out in a wrap today and it was pure perfection!

For those of you wondering what it tastes like, it is almost like a kicked up mayo with a saucy, dressingy type of consistency and a tangy sweet taste. I will be getting the spicy next time. Even the husband called me up from work and told me that the Yum Yum sauce "set off" his wrap I sent him for lunch.

Have you tried Yum Yum sauce before?