February is American Heart Health month. This special designation by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 made cardiac health a national priority, spurring public heart health campaigns for decades to come.
Tallahassee Living Healthy (TLH), a free community group supporting health and wellness, kicks off its inaugural gathering with a plant-based potluck dinner and special presentation by lifestyle medicine doctor Cielo Rose, D.O. on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Rose will highlight the pillars of healthy living from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. While heart disease remains the number one killer in the U.S., lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier, daily movement, and connecting with others, can prevent and even reverse heart disease and other chronic illness.
February is also a good time to check in on our New Year resolutions, the ones we made way back in December or January. Unsurprisingly, healthier eating ranks high for many Americans who made resolutions this year. Frequently, related health goals include weight loss, increased energy, or lessening the effects of a chronic illness, such as arthritis or heart disease.
Unfortunately, fad diets, lack of social support, and decreased motivation can sabotage our health and wellness goals resulting in less than 15% of people maintaining a New Year resolution after 4 months. Social support for achieving and achieving wellness goals are essential.
Ed Oaksford, a founding member of Tallahassee Living Healthy hopes to see an uptick in that statistic for Tallahassee area residents by offering a monthly gathering. The TLH community group is part of a broader national effort, Building Healthy Communities which is led by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Building Healthy Communities is a global grassroots movement that brings people together to reimagine a healthier world.
Oakford explained, “Tallahassee Living Healthy (TLH) got started after recognizing a mismatch between the high rates of chronic disease in our community and the limited access to lifestyle medicine care. I wanted to grow the social connection and support people need to successfully adopt the six evidence-based pillars of lasting health with an emphasis on plant-based nutrition.”
TLH plans monthly activities such as plant-based potlucks with recipe sharing, outdoor get togethers, educational presentations, and even a camping trip. The group’s advisory board includes regional doctors, nutritionists, and other health and wellness enthusiasts.
For location details and registration related to TLH’s Feb. 17 potluck, contact Ed Oaksford at tlhlthe@gmail.com.
For more information on TLH, visit pcrm.org or Facebook.
Georgia Ackerman is an outdoor enthusiast and plant-based wellness coach/educator, working with both groups and individuals. She can be reached at georgia@veggiesaurus.life