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Teenage obesity has recently both increased at alarming rates. Approximately 17% of adolescents were overweight in 2000 and an additional 15% had a body mass index (BMI) over 25, putting them at risk for obesity. In the last ten years, obesity has increased to a point where health professionals have correlated being overweight to the increase in teenage diabetes.
Diabetes used to be associated only with adults over 40 who were overweight, but thanks to an increase in sugars in our diet and a lack of proper exercise, Type II diabetes has become an "epidemic" in those over 10 years old. Seventy percent of diabetes risk can now be attributed to being overweight.
Teen pop star, Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers has Type 1 Diabetes, an even more dangerous form of the disease, and he has worked hard not only to increase awareness of the problem in teens, but also to give teens with diabetes a positive and pro-active attitude toward the disorder. The cause of this type of diabetes is still unknown, but an imbalance in blood-sugar levels can cause serious problems in the Type I diabetic.
Television, computers and electronic games have made us all more sedentary, while parties, fast food restaurants, and time with friends have increased the temptation to take in more sugar and other carbohydrates. This has resulted in the increase in Type II diabetes, while the ability to process sugar and lack of proper exercise contribute to the problems of Type I diabetes.
So what's a teen to do? The Holidays are approaching. Sugars are one of our biggest enemies, but let's face it, most sugar-free recipes really don't taste very appealing. Enter Amy Samuelson to the rescue. The MTV/VH1 producer, had an epiphany about a year ago; she could not only live without sugar splurges, she could live better and longer without excessive sugars in her diet.
The result of her change in lifestyle has spawned her terrific blog called "Amy Does It Sugar-free" (http://www.amydoesitsugar-free.com/). There, you can find recipes and nutritional tips with a sense of wry humor. Best of all, her sugar-free recipes are not only delicious, they are a bit addictive. Yes, good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can luckily be addictive, too.
What's really special about Amy's site is that she share's her journey for better health with you. She speaks of her successes (she lost 20 pounds in eight months, while bringing her blood-pressure down to normal levels), and she also writes about her temptations not to exercise or eat properly. Through Amy's experience, her readers learn to overcome their own temptations and move to a healthier way of life..
Amy's site is not just for teens or diabetics, it is aimed at everyone willing to make a few adjustments in what they eat to be healthier and live their life to its fullest.
My Teen Topix suggests everyone visit Amy Does It Sugar-free, and keep especially healthy over the holiday season.
It's a little hard to imagine outdoor ice skating in sunny Santa Monica, California, but each year the Bayside District Corporation, which manages the Downtown Santa Monica and Third Street Promenade, in partnership with Rink Management build an 8,000 square ft. rink not far from the Third Street Promenade. The rink is open until 10 pm on Sunday through Thursday, and on Fridays and Saturdays, you can glide across the ice until midnight.
Friday nights also include a free DJ at 8 pm. and on select Sundays, there are free beginners hockey youth clinics with the Los Angeles Kings for kids between the ages of 5-14.
Herbal Essences hair products ha also partnered with Portraits of Hope to provide public art created by hospitalized children from local communities to add beauty to the Holiday experience.
Ice at Santa Monica is located on the corner of Arizona and 5th St. in Santa Monica, California 90401.
The cost for a days unlimited skating is $10 and includes skate rentals.
On November 13, 2010, the OneHope Foundation brought "Hope and Happiness" to the hills of Malibu with their first annual Humanitarian Awards celebration. The charitable event was held at the spectacular Malibu Rocky Oaks Vineyard Estate, a $65 million home overlooking the largest vineyard in Malibu. The OneHope Foundation is a organization that helps raise funding for other worthy charities, with the proceeds of the evening going to four very special causes: The American Red Cross Santa Monica Chapter, Keep A Child Alive, OneXOne, and North Hope.
flyby video by BlueWaterHD
For the event, OneHope partnered with Athletes4U to bring the worlds of sports, news media, and entertainment together to raise funds and honor individuals who have dedicated their time to help others. Honorees included local L.A. news anchor, Christine Divine; Zapppos CEO Tony Hsieh; and North Hope founder, Okello Sam.
Video by Masha Chernitskaya
Numerous celebrities were in attendance and the venue was packed with beautiful people giving to an even more beautiful cause. At the end of the evening there was an auction for some incredible items, including Muhammad Ali's autographed boxing clothes, and Bruce Springsteen's autographed guitar.
It is still not to late to donate to the OneHope foundation,, where 100% of the proceeds goes to partner non-profit charities. Visit their website.
The event was in collaboration with Athletes4U
Ex-Laker currently with the ABA's Maywood Buzz,
Cedric Ceballos, performed MC duties
Margaret Rowe, jewelry designer to the stars
Linda Hogan and friend
Brooke Hogan
Mixed Martial Arts Champ Miguel Torres
Marianela Pereyra of VH1's Dance Cam Slam
Ex-Seattle Mariners pitcher Mac Suzuki
Actress Model Gio Ott
Actress Jo Newman
Linda Hogan and Charles Hill
Jenn Lim Chief Happiness Officer and CEO Tony Hsieh
of Zappos
The Zappos Delivering Happiness Crew
Zappos Tony Hsieh was one of the honorees
receiving a Humanitarian Award
Aspiring Entrepreneur Ava Zech
The Red Cross Team
The American Red Cross Santa Monica Chapter
were one of the four charities
Red Cross of Santa Monica's Board Chairman Dr. Rob Amonic and team
Humanitarian Honoree KTTV News Anchor Christine Devine
and Actor/Muscian Sean McNabb of Quiet Riot and Dokken
OneHope Foundation CEO Jake Kloberdanz,
Christine Divine and Sean McNabb
Jeff Brinkman (center) and his band
E! Entertainment's Ashland Grose
David Joyner TV's Hip Hop Harry and Barney
Million Dollar Listing's Chad Rogers
The OneHope Crew
Auction items included Miami Dolphin Quarterback Dan Marino's
signed jersey
Auction item autographed picture of UCLA legend
Coach John Wooden and his Pyramid of Leadership
Auctioning off Kobe Bryant's Jersey signed by the whole Laker team
USC Heisman Trophy Winners with Autographed Helmets
including signatures by the infamous O.J Simpson and Reggie Bush
The Boss' Guitar
The Greatest: Muhammad Ali's autograph
Ex-Laker Cedric Ceballos MC's
Raffle Tickets to a Laker's Game Floor Seats
The lovely and talented Christine Peake
of the peakPRGroup
Jake Kloberdanz of OneHope welcomes the crowd
OneHope honors the OneXOne charity
Marc Joubet President of U.S. OneXOne and
Jake Kloberdanz CEO of OneHope Foundation
John Pacheco Executive Director of the
American Red Cross Santa Monica Chapter
Humanitarian Honoree Christine Divine
Zappos CEO and Best Selling Author Tony Hsieh
receives a OneHope Humanitarian Award
Okello Sam, founder of Hope North Uganda receives
an award with his friend Chris Talbot of Hope North
Okello Sam is a noted musician and artist who played an
