Helpful Support to Quit Smoking: Great American Smokeout

This healthy post has been provided by The Chester County Hospital and Health System. It’s never too late to quit smoking. We have the resources to help. Visit us online.

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Are you a smoker or know someone who is? If you’re looking to quit, take part in the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout for some inspiration. Every year in mid-November, smokers across the nation use this event to make a plan to quit. November 15 is this year’s date for the 37th Annual Great American Smokeout, and with a little motivation, this can be the day that will change your habits – for good!

What is the Smokeout?

About 35 years ago, nearly 1 million smokers in California quit for one day in November.  This marked the first Smokeout, and it began nationwide the following year. Because of this initiative, “there have been dramatic changes in the way society views tobacco use,” as noted by the American Cancer Society. Laws and advertising, too, have changed as a result of the Smokeout, and many communities and organizations embrace the initiative by offering special programs in November to help smokers quit.

Why Quit?



Source: http://www.stopthesmokes.com/what-happens-when-you-quit-smoking

Whether you’re a smoker or not, you can probably rattle off some harmful effects of cigarettes without too much thought. In reality, most smokers know more than nonsmokers about why they should quit.

The decision to quit smoking is different for everyone, and they say a time comes when you know you need to quit. If you are thinking that now is your time – or know a smoker who may be ready – use this health snapshot as an extra incentive to quit smoking.

• 18% of women smoke – not as many as you thought, right?
• Smokers die an average of 13 years earlier than nonsmokers
• Smoking is responsible for 1 in 5 US deaths – and is also the most preventable cause of death
• Smoking can increase the risk of heart problems, lung damage, and cancer
• Millions of people successfully quit smoking every year

Lung Cancer & Early Detection

The risk of lung cancer shows staggering statistics: 80% of lung cancer in women is caused by cigarettes. Toxins become trapped in your lungs, and because there are few symptoms in the early stages, the majority of lung cancers are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease.

This is why screening is the most important thing you can do (besides quitting) for your health. Susan Pizzi, Director of Community Health Education at The Chester County Hospital, recognizes the importance of screenings. “Targeting lung cancer at an earlier stage is critical in the treatment and survival of the disease.” 

Local Happenings at The Chester County Hospital (BTW – These are all FREE)

• In honor of the Great American Smokeout, The Chester County Hospital is giving out free “Quit Kits” complete with different devices to help deal with the urges to smoke like gum, lollipops, memo pads, and more. These kits will be given out at all local libraries in Chester County beginning November 12.
• The Chester County Hospital’s free Blood Pressure Screening Program is being held November 15 from 11 am-1 pm in the Hospital’s Conference Room A.
• Stop Smoking Now! is a free program offered at the Hospital for those who have decided to quit. The next scheduled class is January 16 at 7 pm. Call 610.738.2300 to register.

Words of Wisdom

If you’re ready to quit and are looking for support, visit The Chester County Hospital’s Pinterest page for inspiring quotes and motivational tips. Check out this awesome tool from “Determined to Quit” that we repinned – you can use it to set a quit date, track your smoking habits, and work towards your goal of becoming smoke-free!

We hope you will use the 37th Great American Smokeout on November 15 to develop a plan to quit. Even though it may not be easy, you will be taking a giant step toward a healthier life, cutting your cancer risk, and protecting your heart and lungs. And, who wouldn’t want that?

Information has been adapted from the American Cancer Society.

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To find a doctor, visit us online or call 610.738.2300. 

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@cchosp) and Pinterest!

Holiday Shopping and More at West Bradford’s Winter Bazaar!

Location: West Bradford Elementary School

Date: Saturday,  December 8, 2012

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Vendors: There are already 40+ vendors to fill all of your shopping needs for the holidays including but not limited to; handmade household items, fashion accessories, jewelry, holiday decor, baby items, toys, candles, skincare, pet products, and delectable food.  In addition, there will be representatives from popular businesses like Tastefully Simple, Scentsy, Pampered Chef, Avon and a whole lot more!

Note: They are still accepting Vendors on a first come first serve basis until they reach maximum capacity (100 vendors).  Anyone interested in being a vendor at the event can contact Rebecca Ade at jrade1728@gmail.com.

Extras: In addition to the many wonderful vendors, there will be gourmet food available, provided by Robyn’s Nest Catering, for dining at the event as well as take-out.  Shoppers looking to satisfy their sweet tooth can stop by the homemade bake sale table and pick up a little treat or a whole cake to take home. Younger shoppers have an opportunity to do some shopping of their very own at Santa’s workshop, which is loaded with many piggy bank friendly items. Don’t forget to get your child’s keepsake photo taken with Santa! Last but certainly not least, there will be a large raffle table offering all sorts of wonderful items from our very own vendors to win.   

Disclaimer – This is a sponsored post by West Bradford Winter Bazaar.

Have you ever wanted to participate in a real ghost hunt? HERE is your chance!

Fresh from the 2012 Downingtown Ghost Walk, 

Downingtown Area Paranormal ,

is inviting you to spend a night in a haunted house.

West Chester Schools Host Preschool Literacy Fun Night

Most children learn to read and write in kindergarten or first grade, but the foundation for those literacy skills is laid years before children enter school. Literacy skills actually begin at birth, as children interact and have experiences with language and literacy with the adults and even other children around them.

The West Chester Area School District’s Preschool Parents Group is hosting a Preschool Literacy Fun Night on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Westtown-Thornbury Elementary School. The event is free and open to the public. It’s designed to be an interactive learning experience for both preschoolers and parents. RSVP at http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/ForParents/Preschool_Parents__Club or email beth.trapani@verizon.net.

The event is designed and produced by West Chester University literacy students and faculty. The students have planned numerous engaging, hands-on activities centered around an autumn theme, all designed to promote early literacy development. Preschoolers will have a chance to participate in read-aloud puppet and costume shows, and to use candy corn to form letters as they work on their fine motor skills. Preschoolers will focus on listening skills as they work with university students using iPads, and they’ll get a chance to tell stories of their own.

The event benefits everyone involved: Children will have fun and a great learning experience; Parents will get some ideas for activities to use at home; University students will get a chance to work directly with preschoolers.

This project intersects with the E.L.I.A.N. (Early Literacy is a Necessity) project that the WCU literacy minors initiated. E.L.I.A.N. provides high-quality early literacy experiences and materials for English Language Learner and low-income students living in the West Chester borough. The students have the goal of providing high quality early literacy experiences to all students – the literacy fair/fun night allows them to expand that effort beyond the E.L.I.A.N.

The West Chester Area School District Preschool Parents Group is a free group that provides free programming for preschool paged children and their parents. The group offers a combination of fun, educational activities for kids and parent education sessions. All are designed to help parents better prepare their children for kindergarten – through enriching play and literacy-based activities.

To RSVP for the Literacy Fun Night or any of the group’s other events, visit http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/ForParents/Preschool_Parents__Club or email beth.trapani@verizon.net. You can find the group’s page by visiting http://www.wcasd.net and clicking on Preschool Parents Group under Quick Links.

Raising Kids the Homeopathic Way with Dr. Peter Prociuk

MommyFit is hosting a FREE event at ACAC in West Chester on Tuesday, November 13 at 7pm. Hurry and sign up by Friday, November 9, space is limited!

Introducing the Graco SnugRide® Click Connect™ 40

When my first daughter was six weeks old we were involved in a car accident. Rear ended by a drunk driver. We were fine thanks to my husband insisting on have our car seat professionally installed and our choice in car seat.. Graco! Since then I have been a loyal Graco customer. 

When my son was born in 2007, I bought a new Graco, travel system, (double stroller and infant seat). He was a big boy and grew out of his infant seat by the time he was about six months so I had to purchase a convertible seat for him (yes, Graco) a little earlier than I thought I would. SO, when researching car seats for new baby number three, I was really excited to have the opportunity to try the NEW Graco Snugride Click Connect 40 

The Graco SnugRide® Click Connect™ 40 – is the first and only newborn to two-year infant car seat that actually grows with your baby from four pounds all the way up to 40 pounds. Seeing is baby number three was born weighing 10 pounds, this is AWESOME news to me as most infant seats max out at 22-25 pounds. I won’t have to purchase another car seat anytime soon.

The SnugRide® Click Connect™ 40 car seat is designed for a parent on the go. The infant car seat can be easily removed from the base and used as a carrier when the infant is small, providing portability and convenience so you can easily move your infant in and out of the car without disturbing them. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently made the recommendation to keep all children in rear-facing car seats until the age of 2. Graco set out to make this product so parents can keep infants rear facing longer while still keeping them comfortable. To keep the baby 



The SnugRide® Click Connect™ 40 Features: 

• 4 – 40 pound weight limit— a full 2 years
• Base adjusts with 8 recline positions for most leg room of any rear-facing car seat for baby comfort
• The Simply Safe Adjust™ harness systems allows parents to adjust the harness and headrest with just one hand to fit their baby’s height as their baby grows, all without having to rethread the harness for extra convenience. 
• Click Connect™ attachment which allows parents to easily transition their babies from the car seat to the stroller through a simple, but secure, one-step “click.”

Click here for more information on The Graco SnugRide® Click Connect™ 40. 

Become a fan of Graco on Facebook and make sure to follow on Twitter. 

* This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Graco. The opinions and text are all mine.

Fun Adventure Friday: Exton Square Mall

Exton Square Mall 

Let me set the stage for you…

It’s cold and rainy (or snowing) and you have got to get out of the house with the kids. They’ve been inside for days and are bouncing off the walls. It’s too cold to go outside to play and hey, you need a new pair of jeans anyway.

So you pack them into the car and head to the Exton Square Mall. After parking your car in the garage, so you all stay dry, you make a beeline to the playground. You think to yourself, “I hope there’s an open bench”. 

You turn the corner and see the old play area is gone. 

That’s right folks, the play area at the Exton Square Mall is gone. Not to worry though it’s been replaced by something much better than the old one could ever hope to be. 

Enclosed, with only one way in or out, with plenty of room for tired moms (or dads) to sit in comfort, the new play area offers so much more than it’s predecessor. The play area as a bunch of nature themed creatures to climb on, under, through and around so there’s plenty to keep your little ones busy. Around the perimeter of the play area are fun interactive toys to explore. 

The new play area is much bigger than the old one so it can easily accommodate a large number of kids. You’ll never have to tell your kids it’s too crowded for them to play again. 

There are convenient cubbies for your kids to put their shoes in that are right by the entrance. The entire play area is carpeted to provide a soft and squishy landing should your youngster fall off a giant flower. 

If you have older children they might have to find something else to do since the new play area is geared for the younger kids (under 42”). Of course you must also stick around while your kids play since this area is still unsupervised. 

The whole play area was pretty well thought out and will make a great addition to the Exton Square Mall. Have you been there yet? What did YOU think? 

Mychal is just a girlie girl raising two crazy little boys in Chester County. To read more about her sometimes dirt covered life, stop by My Life In Mommyland.