Make Your (Healthy) Voice Heard!

By Suzanne Kashuba

If you do something good, tell people about it! I’ve always believed it’s important to set an example for young people. But it’s amazing what young people can do to set an example for their peers when they are truly passionate about a cause.

Through the “Healthy Voices, Healthy Choices” film project, seven teenagers from the Buffalo area are hard at work capturing video for short films that share their own personal messages about healthy living. The results will be really creative!

Lee Swaydis chronicled his friends’ efforts to build a working “bicycle blender.” (I hear it’s putting pedal power to work making smoothies – and it’s all made of environmentally friendly recycled parts.)

Vegan Marissa Beinhauer explored organic farming and foods grown locally, even on this urban farm in the heart of Buffalo’s West side – part of the Massachusetts Avenue Project where they grow a slew of veggies and raise tilapia in a greenhouse.

Maria Grey shared how her entire family made healthy changes after her dad faced heart surgery. Her message is an important one for any family: eat nutritiously, stay active and manage stress to help prevent serious hereditary health problems.

 

The young filmmakers were then interviewed by the pros at WNED. Excerpts from these interviews will be incorporated into the final “shorts,” which will be compiled into a DVD and streamed online later this fall. Filmmaking is just one activity community members engage in through the WNED/ThinkBright and Well LiveWell project.

“Healthy and Tasty Cooking Demonstrations” continue at the Sheehan Health Network’s community market (425 Michigan Ave., Buffalo, N.Y.) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as follows:

“Making Super Soups” – Friday, September 23 – New Date!

• “Mac-’n-Cheese Makeovers” – Friday, September 30 – 2011 Finale
• You’ll get some great tailgating ideas — and, as always, some free samples to enjoy!

Caesandra Seawell, LiveWell Youth Coordinator, reports an “awesome harvest” so far at the “Garden of Stewardship” (208 East Eagle St., Buffalo) with 10-foot-tall bean poles, plus this prize cuke  (displayed by a smiling Diann Holt)!

On August 17, the garden was much improved by enthusiastic volunteers participating in the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County’s Day of Caring. They prepared the ground for a brick border, built new garden beds, including new “hipster” (raised, hip-level) beds and helped gather some of the bounty.

A big thanks to all those who helped out (including representatives from Watts Architecture, Harlequin Distributors and U.S. District Court 68).

Are you making some positive changes in your life? If so, tell me about it! Like the student filmmakers and volunteers, your experience could make a difference for others.