National Pancake Day

Tomorrow Tuesday February 28 is IHop's National Pancake Day. Go to any IHop from 7am-10pm for a free-short stack of pancakes and donate to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

The Miss America Organization's national platform is Children's Miracle Network. CMN is a charity that raises money for 170 children's hospitals across North America.

Go get some yummy pancakes and support a wonderful cause!

Heart Health Awareness Month

February is heart health awareness month.  According to The Center for Disease Control and prevention heart disease is the number one killer of Americans from all different backgrounds.

To keep your heart healthy...

• Eat healthily-include all of the food groups limiting saturated fat and cholesterol
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Get aerobic exercise to strengthen your heart-my favorite is jump roping!
• Reduce stress
• Don't use drugs or tobacco 

The American Heart Association and Smartbalance websites have great information and tips on how to keep your heart healthy!

God Bless,

Victoria

P.S. Good luck to all of the young ladies competing in the Triple Crown tonight! I can't wait to cheer you on!

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7

Oklahoma State of the State Address 2012

Happy Friday! I can't believe another great week is finished. I guess time really does fly when you are having fun!

A few weeks ago Mary Fallin, the Governor of Oklahoma delivered the State of the State Address. In her speech she stated that one of the goals for Oklahoma for for this upcoming year is to improve Oklahoma's health. Currently we are ranked 48th in the nation for health.

She said, "Healthy living is important, not just because we want Oklahomans to live full and happy lives, but because the effects of unhealthy life choices hurt our economy, drain taxpayer dollars and drive up the cost of health care for everyone."


By focusing on preventing obesity, tobacco use, poor nutrition, infant mortality, substance abuse and sedentary lifestyles we can drastically improve the state's health. 


Currently in Oklahoma....

• The Fit Kids Coalition and the American Heart Association are taking action to try to create increased access to safe exercise environments by opening school exercise facilities to the general public.
•  The HB 2267/Restore Local Rights is currently in committee in Oklahoma. It will allow local businesses to make decisions about smoke-free indoor work places.

Take a look at the Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition and Smoke Free Oklahoma Facebook pages and keep a look out for other health benefiting opportunities in your community!


Love,
Victoria 

IHOP

Today I fundraised for the Children's Miracle Network at IHop Pancake House on Meridian Ave in Oklahoma City. The Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization that seeks to raise money for Children's hospitals and to keep the money raised in the community it was raised. Money raised in Oklahoma City is given to OU's Children's Hospital which has served over 200,000 kids in the past year.

The cold weather didn't keep people away from IHop this morning. All day the restaurant was bustling with generous and friendly people wanting to help make a difference.

I want to thank the wonderful manager and staff at IHop for being so supportive of this great cause. In just a few hours we were able to raise $200 for CMN!

National Pancake Day is Tuesday February 28. Stop by an IHop anytime in the next few weeks to make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network.

God Bless,
Victoria

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

This afternoon I volunteered at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The program Food for Kids provides more than 10,000 chronically hungry children with backpacks of food to feed them over the weekend. Pre-assembled food sacks are given to schools to distribute to these children at no cost. Currently the food bank serves 374 elementary schools in 49 counties across Central and Western Oklahoma.

I met some awesome volunteers and had a lot of fun filling these sacks today. We filled 3648 bags of food for these pre-assmbled sacks today. That means 13,938 meals were created today!

You can help out the Regional Food Bank by

• Volunteering
• Weekdays and Saturday 9am-12 and 1-4pm
• Thursday evenings 6pm-9pm
• If you are interested in volunteering in a group of 5 or more people, schedule an appointment by e-mailing backpackprogram@regionalfoodbank.org
• Donation
• A donation of $200 can give a child enough food for the weekend for a whole year.
• Donations can be made online  www.regionalfoodbank.org/

I look forward to my next visit to the food bank!

If a brother or sister lacks food and one of you says, "Go in peace," and yet do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? Faith if it has no works is dead.
James 2:15-17

God bless,

Victoria :)

Seeking Sponsors

Today I went on the look out for sponsors for Miss Oklahoma this summer. I visited many health-minded business in the Oklahoma City area including...

The Classen Curve

• Green Goodie's-vegan and gluten-free cupcakes 
• Barre III- a Pilates based workout studio emphasizing strength, flexibility and balance.
• Matthew Kenney- Raw food restaraunt. I have heard their smoothies are to die for.
• Red Coyote- Running and Fitness Supplier. They have some really awesome shoes!

And some other healthy places to shop and dine on May Avenue!

• Orange Leaf-frozen yogurt
• Akin's Natural Food Market
• Cool Greens-cafe and bistro with a wide variety of fresh options

If you ever happen to see one of these businesses stop by and see what they have to offer.
 I can not wait to to begin to partner with these health-concious businesses!

Love,
Victoria

Health Tip of the Week: Smile and share a laugh with those around you. :) http://women.webmd.com/guide/give-your-body-boost-with-laughter