Today, our guest speaker was Joanne Lauro, Certified Health Coach. Joanne decided to become a health coach in order to fulfill her passion for working with and helping people to improve their health and family life. She received her training at Integrative Nutrition in NYC and is certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Joanne, who is founder and President of the Healthy Living Network, leads workshops on nutrition and offers individual as well as group counseling, prepared meals, and functional fitness. She specializes in weight support groups, teaching how to eat healthy and create a lifestyle change for overall well-being. Joanne began her talk by revealing her personal story that included many medical problems and unexplained obesity. She spent much time visiting doctors, being tested medically, and finally researching her health problems, coming up with "a cure" via changes in her diet. She now looks forward to helping others suffering with health discomforts like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, stomach issues, and cancer, among others. Co-Founder and Nutrition Director of the not-for-profit "The Community Growth Center" and "Nourish Your Soul Support Group", Joanne works with Michael Hoffner, LMSW. At the latter, they provide free mental health, nutrition, and spirituality services. Their wellness program combines the use of non-traditional social and therapeutic approaches. They provide to individuals healthy food, a creative environment in which to learn, an emotional support network, and a safe space to grow, and where they also work to nourish the soul. Food (mostly organic vegetables) comes from their community garden at Bethel Hobbs Farm (Centereach) and is offered to individuals and families in need. Joanne has created a "bio-individuality" program. She has also started a related business that includes a professional chef who prepares around 140 healthy meals to be delivered to her clients. She stresses not just nutrition but also "functional fitness", including practicing stretching exercises. Joanne enjoys leading workshops of all sorts to nurture body, mind, and spirit (including interfaith, Reiki, Yoga Meditation, employing guest speakers, etc.) She invited us to attend her "Spring Awakening" fundraiser on Thurs., May 12th at 6 PM at The Bates House at Frank Melville Park (1 Bates Rd., Setauket). Tickets are $45 and include raffles, live music, wellness activities, and dinner. RSVP at 240-3471 or via communitygrowthcenter.org. We are also invited to attend her Walk-Yoga-Meditate & Chocolate Wellness Triathlon Series on Tuesday evenings, June 28th-Aug.30th. Joanne, who also has a community cookbook, provided us with her recipe ("Alkalize & Live") for creating Simple Green Juice/Smoothies that she swears by. And she encourages us to check out this website:
http://www.healthylivingnetwork.com/ .
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: There's $182 in the pot waiting to be won. YOU could be our next winner. Next opportunity: our May 10th luncheon at Cafe Spiga, when we will honor our newest Most Motivated Student. This is also an OPEN CUPBOARD DAY.Archana reported that the Gift of Life event went very well and our attending club members were referred to on Face Book as "so young". We presume that that means "enthusiastic & lively".The District Leadership Appreciation Dinner on May 3rd will take place at Antuns By Minar in Hicksville. There'll be an open bar. The cost is $45 p/p; and dress is formal. We will have our next Stuff-A-Van event this Saturday, May 7th from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Mt. Sinai King Kullen. Thank you,volunteers!Our Spring Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Cleanup Day will take place on Sunday, May 15th. Chores will include painting,cleaning windows,sanding railings,clipping bushes, planting flowers,etc. We expect around 100 participants,including Rotarians,Interactors,Boy Scouts, and others.Did you receive Dennis'5-page memo about this active day?Dennis noted that the listing of recipients of our annual service awards/scholarships will be out soon. Raffle Time is fast approaching- Get Ready! Sharon announced that our 2016 Past President's Dinner & Raffle Drawing will take place on September 22nd (SAVE THAT DATE!)at Carnival Restaurant in Port Jeff Station. Nancy invites you, on behalf of Mather Hospital, to volunteer to help out this Sat., May 7th at the Families Walk/Run for Hope event.Contact Nancy for info on this upcoming event and how you can help. MJ,our incoming DG, invites you to the Installation Dinner on June 23rd at 6:30PM at Royalton Mansion in Roslyn Heights. The cost will be $85 p/p. Please let Archana know if you're interested in attending. The 9/17 Dragon Boat Race: We need the commitment of 20 Row-tarians (10 of them women) by June 6th, when the payment is due. Please contact Archana if you can participate in this enjoyable event on our club team. (*Note: if you learn at the last minute that you cannot take part, you are responsible for finding a replacement- not necessarily a Rotarian.) Ed reported that the Rotary Council on Legislation has made a number of changes in how clubs shall operate, including instituting more liberal membership and meeting rules. More on these changes soon...The PJ Times Beacon Record invites you to participate in its 40th Anniversary Celebration: a cruise on the PJ Ferry "Barnum" on Thursday, 5/19, 6:00 PM-9:30PM. This event will include dinner catered by Elegant Eating, a wine bar, music & dancing. Space will be limited, so please RSVP promptly by calling 751-7744. Archana shared with us a very nice Thank You letter from Cecile Than, mother of Pina, our last Most Motivated Student Award Recipient.
***Please visitour club's Face Book Page.
If you missed today's meeting, kindly inform Yvette about make-ups in a timely fashion.
***The following is a list of donation "assignments" for members' once-a-month donations via the Club to the Open Cupboard:
Betts, Judi: Toilet Paper
Bossert, Ken: Shampoo/Conditioner
Brennan, Dennis: Canned Fruit
Brennan, Sharon: Spaghetti Sauce
Berner, Cynthia: Rice
Curry, Bill: Apple Juice
Dinunzio, Ed: Diapers
Engelhardt, Debbie: Juice Boxes
Gautam, Archana: Baby Wipes
Hanson, Susan: Baby Formula
Hohler, Yvette: Beans
Jaeger, Bill: Canned Vegetables
Janhsen, Karl: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
Jurasits, Erika: Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Kopcienski, Al Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Lund, Amy: Canned Chicken
Murray, Kevin: Tuna
Rhatigan, Jim: Diapers
Sabo, Pat: Beans
Sceiford, Michael: Grape Juice Boxes
Vigliante, Paul: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
***Check the list for your name and assigned item. (If you are not listed, you may donate any listed item. Corporate members are encouraged to donate individually. If you would like to be listed with a specific item, contact Debbie and specify your item of choice.)
***Bring contributions to the Heritage Diner on the 2nd Tuesday of the month or give to another Club member who will be attending.
*** If you would like to be reimbursed, bring receipt(s) to the meeting.
...KEN BOSSERT, who will celebrate his birthday on May 24th; ERIKA JURASITS, whose anniversary is May 6th; ARCHANA GAUTAM, who has an anniversary on May 14th; AL KOPCIENSKI and PAT SABO, who both celebrate anniversaries on May 25th; and BOB HUTTEMEYER, whose anniversary is May 27th.
