All Things Promotional Marketing
Posts tagged health
Who doesn’t like Chocolate? If you don’t, check this out first!
Oct 6th
Betsy Ann, Sarris, and Hershey are some of my favorite brands of chocolate. It gives me that mid-afternoon boost of energy, improves my mood, and not to mention tastes delicious. If consumed in moderation some kinds of chocolate can actually be good for you.
In the CNN article (linked below) I read, they performed research at Tufts University. Jeffrey Blumberg, director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory found hypertensive people who ate 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate per day for two weeks saw their blood pressure drop significantly. Also, chocolate milk may help you recover after a tough workout.
Of course with all the calories chocolate has, it should not be a substitute for fruits and vegetables, you need the vitamins, and potassium that they provide your body.
Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory
What is Chocolate good for?
Heart- Yes! It helps reduce blood pressure levels. Also it can decrease the risks of cardiovascular disease for people with hypertension. Cocoa Increases supply of blood to the brain, but dark chocolate reduces oxidative stress and contains high levels of antioxidants.
Preventing Cancer- Yes! Dark Chocolate, which contains 13,120 ORACs (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity Units), can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and cholesterol problems.
Mood Elevation- Yes! Serotonin and Dopamine are the two chemicals governing moods in the body. Cocoa contains monoamine oxidize inhibitors which flow freely in the bloodstream for longer periods of time which keeps the mood elevated.
Brain- Yes! Chocolate may boost one’s concentration and attention span, enhances memory, also problem solving skills as it increases blood flow to the brain.
Skin- Yes! Researchers believe that the flavonoids (flavonoids- Vitamin P and Citrin – plant nutrients which are non-toxic and beneficial to the human body) in cocoa absorb UV light, thereby protecting the skin and improving its appearance. These flavonoids also help in fighting wrinkles and also help slow down the aging process.
Teeth- Somewhat! Besides chocolate conducing to teeth decay scientists have said that chocolate has the ability to offset the acid producing potential of the sugar it contains. The tannins (a vegetable, defensive compounds that counteracts bacteria and fungi) in cocoa interfere with the action of bacteria on the teeth, which reduces cavity formation. The cocoa content in chocolate is good for teeth; however, it’s the sugar that causes the trouble.
You can find all of this information at:
I added chocolate to my diet during my marathon training. Chocolate milk was a great drink for recovering after my long runs, It gave me the protein and vitamin D that I needed.
No Time to Exercise? Stay Active with these Tips
Sep 3rd
“Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength and ability to function well” The American Heart Association. The most important thing to remember is never overdo it, keep a steady pace and listen to music to relax yourself.
Staying fit is important to me. I make working out part of my daily routine. Whether it’s early in the morning, lunch, or after work in the evening; I always try to get at least 30 minutes or more of exercise. Working out is convenient for me; I have a membership to my local gym. Also here at Rushimprint we are fortunate that we have a gym right here in our office.
Keeping it Fun 
It’s easy to lose motivation over time, so in order to keep yourself from becoming bored and to keep your muscles guessing, try performing a variety of exercises.
Here are some of the things I enjoy: running, spin, weight training and belly dancing. This week I plan on taking a jazzercise class with a friend, sounds like it will be a lot of fun.
Getting Started
At most of our jobs we are sitting behind a desk for several hours a day. Make becoming active one of your priorities. We all have busy lives so a great way to start is to just devote 20 to 30 minutes to yourself.
You can break it up into 2 fifteen minute workouts. Set small goals for yourself and when you reach them, reward yourself. Research shows that exercise helps improve your mood and productivity. You will also look and feel great. Try different things and see what works best for you.
Here are a few fun products that you can use right at home:
- Track your steps with the Slazenger Step Pedometer
- For Fitness on the Go Try the Travel Fitness Kit
- Stay Fit Digital Jump Rope
- This is an article from The American Heart Association
Employees who are healthy are more productive because they are absent less often and are able to focus and perform better at work. That’s why the American Heart Association created the national initiative called Start!. Start! calls on all Americans to create a culture of physical activity and live healthier lives by walking.
Did you know that by adding one hour of regular, vigorous physical activity, adults may gain up to two hours of life expectancy? There are more than 140 million Americans over age 20 who are overweight and obese — a serious risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Also, only 30.9 percent of U.S. adults age 18 or older engage in regular leisure-time physical activity.
Start by including more physical activity into your daily routine. Take a walk, ride a bike or take the stairs. To help you reach and maintain a healthy body weight, the American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at least five days a week.
Promote good health in the workplace. Your employees will reap the benefits with lower out-of-pocket medical costs, a reduced risk of developing a chronic health condition and increased satisfaction with their jobs and lives. Medical, workers’ compensation and disability costs will be lower, too.
Also check out another great article with helpful tips:
Tips for Exercise Success by The American Heart Association.
Races can be Great Opportunities for Promotional Items
Aug 24th
I first began running in 2008 when I got the news about registration opening for the 2009 Pittsburgh Marathon. The race was coming back to our city for the first time since being canceled in 2004. The marathon was always such a big event in our city. Thousands of runners would participate in the event from all over the world. I remember as a kid going to the Southside with my family to cheer on the runners as they passed by. I thought that it was amazing that those runners could go such a distance (26.2 miles). How can that be possible? I would soon find out for myself.
After running the half marathon in 2009, I decided that 2010 was going to be my year to test my endurance and register for the full marathon. I began my 18 week training program in the winter and followed it consistently. 
Sometimes it was not easy going out in the cold and snow, but I was determined. I kept track of my miles in a weekly planner. By increasing my miles each week I finally ended up with 42 miles on the 16th week. It was enough to get me to the finish line. Race day came and I am proud to report that I accomplished the marathon successfully, and actually much faster than I anticipated. This was one of my greatest accomplishments. I enjoyed the race, scenery, people, entertainment along the course, and the enthusiastic crowd support. I can not wait to do it again.
Preparing for the race
Some of the necessary things I used in training that I never left home without are:
- Moisture Wick Apparel
-In the winter this is very important because you are running outside, and are at a great risk for Hypothermia.
-Moisture wick apparel keeps the moisture away from your body.
-This was definitely a necessity in the cold winter months and in warm weather as well.
-I downloaded some of my favorite music to keep me motivated.
- Staying hydrated is very important even in the winter. I would use it for Gatorade & water.
- Drawstring Backpack
- On weekends, I would go out for long runs between 12 and 17 miles.
The drawstring back pack was light weight and easy to carry snacks I would need to take along to stay fueled.
Whether you sponsor your favorite Charity that is racing, volunteer, or even run with a team, it is a great way to promote your company.
It’s Not Too Late to Make New Years Resolutions That Stick
Jan 11th
If you were just too busy to make resolutions on January 1st, don’t despair—it’s never too late to start anew. Let’s face it, the holidays whizzed by in a blur… once the family finally went home, decorations were put away and the last holiday cupcake was eaten, it was already time to go back to work and the resolutions you meant to make got left behind. But you don’t have to wait until next year to make fresh start. We’ve gathered nine of the most popular resolutions (because ten is too obvious) and a few ways to make sure they stick.If you were just too busy to make resolutions on January 1st, don’t despair — it’s never too late to start anew. Let’s face it, the holidays whizzed by in a blur…once the family finally went home, decorations were put away and the last holiday cupcake was eaten, it was already time to go back to work and the resolutions you meant to make got left behind. But you don’t have to wait until next year to make fresh start. We’ve gathered nine of the most popular resolutions (because ten is too obvious) and a few ways to make sure they stick.
Spend More Time with Family
Most people spend more time with their co-workers than they do with their kids so this is a big one. After all, isn’t it more important to enjoy a picnic with your family than it is to finish the quarterly reports on time? You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun with your family—get out the board games, or go for a walk, head to the beach, the park or the mountains. Don’t think too hard about it—just get up and go. If you are still stuck, check out http://fun.familyeducation.com/ for kid-friendly ideas.
Stress Less
Everyone knows that stress is bad for you, so stop it already. There are many ways to help alleviate tension like massage, yoga or meditation. For a quick fix, squeeze your stress away with a stress ball… they are great for relieving road rage and work anxiety. We think it’s much better to crush a rubber ball than risk blowing up at your boss.
Fit in Fitness
While you may want to exercise more, it’s sometimes difficult to find time to make it to the gym or schedule a spin class. Make it easier on yourself to stick to your fitness goals by walking more. It’s easy, free and can be done almost anywhere. If you are snowbound this winter, take a jaunt to your local mall or look for an indoor track. Even if you only walk for 15 minutes a day, by the end of the year you will have logged in enough miles to make a difference. The important thing is taking the first step.
Quit Smoking
The beginning of a new year (and new decade) is an ideal time to put down the butts, once and for all. Instead of grabbing a cigarette, reach for some gum, light a candle or take ten deep breaths when a craving hits. You don’t have to go it alone—there are lots of online resources for managing cravings and kicking the habit… for good.
Enjoy Life More
Workaholism is out and having fun is in—find ways to squeeze more fun out of your day to day. Whether that means taking a five-minute golf break in the office or stopping to smell the flowers on your daily walk, it’s important to take time out to enjoy yourself. Schedule in at least 15 minutes of fun (or more) every day…it will do you good.
Spend Less, Save More
I think we can all agree that the days of spend, spend, spend are behind us and that’s a good thing. It’s time to start taking saving seriously—set up a direct deposit savings account so your savings is automatic, save your change (dimes and quarters add up to dollars faster than you think) and use coupons when shopping for groceries. Spend less by entertaining at home, leaving your credit cards in your desk drawer and giving creative, thoughtful gifts, rather than pricey ones.
Learn Something New
You don’t have to be a full time student to keep learning new things. If you have always wanted to learn to play guitar, knit or cook like a pro, there are no shortage of teachers who can help you unleash your inner rock star or nurture your culinary skills. If you are more the bookish type, check out your local community college for in person or online classes on everything from French to Physics. If you have an artistic bent, try your hand at writing poetry, photography or jump into an Improv class. Not only will you expand your horizons, you’ll probably have a lot of fun too.
Help Others
Helping others is a great way to contribute to your community and it feels good too. Check out http://www.charitynavigator.org/ to help you choose a worthy charity to donate your dollars to, or log on to http://www.volunteermatch.org/ to find volunteer opportunities in your area. One of our New Years resolutions at Rush Imprint is to step up our charitable giving so we are putting our money where our mouth is. Stay tuned for news and photos highlighting our new charitable venture.
Get Organized
How many times have you vowed to get organized once and for all? Whether you want to reorganize your sock drawer, clean out your closet or simply manage your “to do” list, it can be difficult to get started. You don’t have to do it all in one day, or even in one week. Commit to just 15 minutes a day, and before you know it, your drawers, closets and desk will be ship shape.
A Final Word
Hopefully you have found a resolution or two that will help you have a more meaningful, less stressful, more active, fun-filled, healthier, more enjoyable, thriftier, educational, giving and clutter-free 2010. The point of resolutions is to make your life better, so have fun with it and choose a change that you can manage. It’s better to pick one resolution and stick with it than to make a dozen that you’re never going to keep.