It’s time!  Time for FitFest 2018! You have saved the date, and it’s finally here!  This year marks our 25th annual FitFest, our Silver Anniversary, and we are so excited about it. FitFest is a free health and fitness program for senior adults.  The primary purpose of FitFest is to encourage individuals in the community and surrounding areas to become fully informed and pro-active about their health and to improve their lifestyles.

Invite your sweetie, family members, good friends, church members and/or your coworkers to come with you!  It will be worth it!  It will be held Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 7:30 a.m., until 10 a.m., at the Brewton Area YMCA.  Everyone attending the FitFest 2018 is asked to wear something RED in support of February Heart Health month.  Your clothing can be a plaid, print, shirt, skirt, pants, top, tie, dress, scarf, pin or anything that has some RED in it.

All the activities will be held on the lower level of the Brewton Area YMCA on the old basketball court.  The easiest access to the lower level is through the side doors on the ground floor.  Signs will be posted to show you the way.

The day will kick off at 7:30 a.m., with a health fair offering blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings and blood sugar screenings. If you would like to participate in the health fair, please FAST (do not eat) after midnight for accurate testing.  After the screenings, enjoy the refreshments, and stroll through medical service vendors/exhibitors, fellowshipping and receiving great door prizes.  You must be present to win. The Health Fair portion will conclude at 8:55 a.m.

At 8:30 a.m., The Education portion of FitFest 2018 will begin featuring –

• Marilyn Wiley,  “Chef M”, Director of Foods and Nutrition at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital,  topic is- “Eating Heart Healthy”

• Vivian Layton, the Senior Program Director of the Brewton Area YMCA topic is – “Top 10 Best Exercises for Senior Adults”

• W. Henry Langhorne lll, M.D.,  FACC, Cardiology Consultants, Baptist Medical Group, Pensacola FL topic is – “Tips on Maintaining a Healthy Heart”

Several community services and health care professionals have united to present this aswesome health care program for YOU.  So mark your calendars now and make sure to join all of Brewton and the surrounding areas at the YMCA on Belleville Avenue in Brewton on Wednesday, February 21st, from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  You just might learn some new and exciting information; win door prizes, and the chance to meet new friends.

This service to the Brewton and surrounding areas is sponsored by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System –Escambia County Office, Brewton Area YMCA, D. W. McMillan Memorial Hospital and Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. – Gamma Theta Chapter.

If you have any questions regarding FitFest 2018, you may call the Escambia County (Ala.) Extension Office at 251-867-7760 or Brewton Area YMCA at 251-867-9622, or hope to see you there!

Blooming Chocolate Not Harmful

If you are one of the lucky recipients who received chocolates for Valentine’s Day and noticed some whitish discoloration on the surface of the chocolate, don’t be alarmed. The chocolate is safe to eat.

Fat Bloom

The whitish discoloration is called “fat bloom” which occurs when cocoa butter separates from the crystallized chocolate mixture and comes to the surface. This usually happens when the chocolate is kept at a temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sugar Bloom

The discoloration also could be due to “sugar bloom,” which occurs when loosely wrapped chocolate is stored in the refrigerator. Moisture condenses on the surface and sugar from the chocolate dissolves in it. As the moisture evaporates, it leaves behind a crust of white sugar crystals.

One way to avoid white discoloration is to wrap and store chocolate carefully in a cool place but not in the refrigerator.

White chocolate is a mix of milk solids, cocoa butter and sugar and contains no cocoa solids. Because of its hue, consumers will not see fat or sugar bloom. However, white chocolate turns rancid more quickly than regular chocolate.  Keep these tips in mind while you enjoy your chocolates.  Source: aces.edu.