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The Resistance Chair® Earns the ShapeYou.com
2009 Great Gear of the Year Award
 The Resistance Chair exercise system is the winner of ShapeYou.com’s "Great Gear of the Year award". Each year, ShapeYou.com, the powerful and innovative health and fitness Website, invites judges to test, review and rate health and fitness products. The judging team is comprised of trainers, coaches, competitors, nutritionists, health care practitioners, industry writers, gym owners, and health and fitness retailers. The huge selection of health and fitness products out in the marketplace gave ShapeYou.com the idea to establish the GearAwards™.
VQ ActionCare Honors American Diabetes Month
with Free Resistance Chair® Giveaway
 In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of exercise in the prevention and management of diabetes, VQ ActionCare hosted a giveaway contest during the month of November in honor of American Diabetes Month. Consumers were invited to write to VQ ActionCare and describe why they or a loved one deserve a Resistance Chair exercise system.
Nearly a quarter of VQ ActionCare customers have diabetes, according to a recent survey conducted by the company. Many of our customers purchase the Resistance Chair® in order to get the physical activity they need to battle diabetes. The Winner of the Giveaway was: Lance Batchelder of Gallatin, Tennessee, for his wife Andrea Batchelder.
Kathy’s Fit for Life Corner
Pump up your body and your brain
with the VQ ActionCare Resistance Chair
Did you know that you can increase mental capacity and clarity while performing strength exercise on your Resistance Chair?
Science has shown that cross pattern activities (those that cross your limbs over the midline of your body and/or that use the right and left sides of the body in cross pattern actions) can have numerous brain stimulating effects. By performing a cross pattern action such as lifting the right arm at the same time as the left knee and visa versa, large areas of the right and left brain hemispheres are activated at the same time. When we focus on these motions we facilitate balance nerve activation across the corpus callosum (the part of our brain that connects the right and left halves). When done on a regular basis, new nerve networks can form and more connections are made. This makes communications between the hemispheres faster and more integrated for high level reasoning as well as better mental clarity.
 One way to stimulate this activity while using the Resistance Chair is to simply crossing your arms over your chest, with hands resting on opposite shoulders and perform a sit back squat over your seat. Start by standing with your back to your chair seat. Sit back as low as you can over the seat with good spinal alignment and then exhale as you stand back up. Focus on tightening your core muscles throughout the movement to support your spine. Control your descent with your hip and thigh muscles as you sit back and then feel for a strong contraction through those same muscles as you return to your standing position. Slowly repeat the squats for 8 to 12 repetitions. Rest and take a few deep breaths. To reduce mental stress, gently tap your fingers at the top of each shoulder while taking 3 to 5 deep breaths. Repeat the series for a second or even third set if desired.
Another great brain jogger is the seated cross crawl exercise. Scoot out towards the edge of your Resistance Chair, sit tall as you lift one knee and cross the opposite elbow to touch that knee (without rounding at the spine). Repeat using the opposing limbs in the same cross crawling action. Move slowly through each repetition, exhaling on each lift. Focus on keeping your core muscles tight and spine in good alignment as you perform 8 to 12 cross crawl repetitions. Rest and take a few deep breaths. To stimulate your immune system cross your arms and lightly tap your fingers on either side of your upper sternum while taking 3 to 5 deep breaths. Repeat the series for a second or even third set if desired.
Stay fit for life...
- Kathy
About Kathy Stevens: Fitness professional Kathy Stevens is a major influence in the areas of women's health and family fitness. With a Masters degree in Kinesiology and many years of program development experience, she is constantly asked to contribute to leading publications. Kathy has presented her motivating, cutting edge workshops both nationally and internationally for top organizations including AFAA, IDEA, ACSM, NASM and ICAA. To learn more about Kathy and see some great products and additional information, please visit her website.
Grilled Apple and Brie Quesadilla with Strawberry Apple Dipping Sauce
Recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee, 2008
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 6 min
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
1/4-cup of cream cheese
8 soft taco size flour tortillas
1/2-pound brie, cut into thin strips
1 apple sliced thin
Strawberry Apple Dipping Sauce:
1 (8 oz.) jar of strawberry jam
1/4-cup applesauce
1 pinch ground cinnamon
Directions: Preheat grill pan over medium heat. Spray pan with nonstick spray when ready to start cooking. Spread the cream cheese evenly over 4 of the tortillas. Evenly divide Brie strips on top of the cream cheese. Divide apple slices on top of Brie. Place remaining tortillas on top to make 4 quesadillas. Place each quesadilla on grill pan and grill 3 minutes per side or until tortilla is browned with grill marks. Use spatula to flip tortilla. Once grilled, remove from heat and let cool for about 2 minutes before slicing. Cut each quesadilla into 6 pieces and serve warm. For Sauce combine all ingredients in a bowl and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, until hot.
This recipe is taken from the Home Care Assistance of San Diego’s Recipes for Life cook book. To learn more, please visit the Home Care Assistance of San Diego website.
The Top 10 Gifts to Give Seniors this Holiday Season
 Working in the senior care industry, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with many seniors about what’s on their wish list this year for the holidays. I understand that whether you’re looking for your husband, wife, or any other senior loved one, finding the right holiday gift can be a challenge. You want to give something thoughtful and practical that will put a smile on the recipient’s face, while staying within a certain budget. Since many seniors already own things that don’t wear out, this year’s top 10 gifts for seniors includes temporary items and activities across all price ranges that friends and clients have noted would be the perfect gifts to create fond memories and simple pleasures.
Health and Fitness
Under $250 - Resistance Chair, by VQ ActionCare. This patented, at-home exercise system allows mature adults at any fitness level to perform a wide range of exercises from a safe, seated position to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and endurance, and enhance overall health. (Available at VQActionCare.com or 877-368-6800)
Under $100 - Senior yoga, swim or exercise classes. These activities are great for seniors who are mobile and enjoy getting out of the house. Most 24- Hour Fitness, L.A. Fitness and YMCA locations offer senior-specific classes.
Games
Under $20 - The New York Times Supersized Book of Sunday Crosswords: 500 Puzzles. Everything is supersized about this book of crossword puzzles, including the print. (Available at Amazon.com)
Under $20 - Will Shortz Presents the Little Black Book of Sudoku. Sudoku puzzles are mentally stimulating and entertaining. (available at Amazon.com)
Activities
Under $100 - Tickets for an outing with family or a caregiver. Think about what the senior is interested in or his/her cherished pastimes, such as going to the zoo or a museum, and purchase gift tickets.
Under $200 - Passes to a local dinner theater or play.
Loungewear
Under $50 - Slippers. Toasty toes are a must for seniors. Look for slippers that that offer warmth, comfort, and durability for inside to outside use. Check out L.L Bean or Nordstrom for this year’s top picks.
Under $75 - “Winter Fleece Robe, Zip-front.” A cozy robe is something everyone can use. The zip-up feature offers extra warmth. Add a monogram for personalization. (Available at L.L. Bean)
Sentimental/Personal
Under $100 - A framed family portrait, taken by professional photographer.
Priceless - Companionship. The gift of companionship and time spent with your senior loved one is not a gift to be overlooked. This time can be spent going out to dinner, staying home and cooking, listening to stories, or doing the recipient’s favorite activity together.
Ron Kinder is the President of Home Care Assistance of San Diego, the premier caregiver provider for seniors throughout San Diego County. For more information, please visit www.hca-sd.com
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