CRESTVIEW — If area residents want to get a workout while raising funds for breast cancer detection, then CrossFit Crestview is the place to be Saturday morning.

Visit the Barbells for Boobs CrossFit site to make a donation.

The Shoffner Boulevard facility will host its first Barbells for Boobs fundraiser from which all proceeds will fund breast cancer detection.

 "(Barbells for Boobs) is a non-profit organization which provides mammograms," event organizer Chloe Collinsworth said. "The sooner you can detect (breast cancer), the better chance you have at preventing it."

 Through the Mammograms in Action grant program, the organization funds mammograms for men and women who can’t afford them.  A mammogram, an X-ray of the breast, typically costs $80, Collinsworth said. 

Collinsworth, a CrossFit member whose grandmother, Gwen Green, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, is actively involved in raising awareness.

"She is the inspiration for what I do," Collinsworth said, adding her grandmother soon will receive chemotherapy treatments for the cancer, which has spread to her bones.

So far, instructor Mark Purcell, Collinsworth and 12 other CrossFit members and instructors have collected $855 for Barbells for Boobs through the organization’s website.

Instructors at Saturday’s event will work with participants to conduct a Cross Fit exercise called Helen meets Grace. The combined exercises will include a 400-meter run, 21 kettle bell swings, 12 pull-ups and 30 clean and jerk exercises.

"They will be getting a good workout," Purcell said, adding anyone can attend, regardless of physique. "It’s all for a good cause… every little bit helps."

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Barbells for Boobs fundraiser

WHEN: 8-10 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: CrossFit Crestview, 5315 Shoffner Blvd.

COST: Donations of any amount are accepted at http://bit.ly/16aPbzt

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article said the event was 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. We regret the error.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residents invited to lift ‘Barbells for Boobs’ on Saturday in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — When it comes to defeating or preventing breast cancer, like many other forms of the disease, what we eat can make all the difference.

Cutting down on our fat intake and boosting our fiber intake are two ways to ward off breast cancer, North Okaloosa Medical Center nutritionist Patricia Ferman said.

"You don't want to have a lot of fat, which goes along with a lot of our American diets," Ferman said.

She cited a study by the Department of Human Biology and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Guelph, Ontario, that found good nutrition is "a leading environmental factor in the prevention of breast cancer."

"Specific types of fat, particularly monounsaturated fat and the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, demonstrate more potential to influence breast cancer risk," an abstract of the study stated.

Commenting on "The Dr. Oz Show" website, Dr. Rachel Beller lauded the role of omega-3 fats.

"Why do you need omega-3s? Well-regarded research suggests that omega-3s enhance overall well-being and are particularly important for breast health," Beller wrote.

Breast-healthy, low-fat, high-fiber meals are far from bland. Here are some tasty treats for your family.

Better Breakfast Müsli

Müsli is a traditional European high-fiber, low-fat breakfast grain cereal. Making your own is not only healthier, but also saves on the cost of the processed kind found in the cereal aisle.

Ingredients:

2 cups traditional oatmeal (not instant)

1 teaspoon ground Ceylon cinnamon

1 teaspoon granulated orange peel

1 teaspoon chia seeds or sunflower seeds

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup dried apples

1/2 cup fried berries such as blueberries, raspberries, etc.

1 cup fat-free flake cereal, such as Corn Flakes, Total, Wheaties, etc.

Directions: Combine all ingredients in an airtight plastic cereal container or airtight countertop canister.

Serve one cup of the müsli with a small cup of fat-free yogurt mixed in. Sweeten with honey if desired.

Smoked Salmon Sandwich Lunch

Does smoking fish reduce those cancer-fighting omega-3 fats?

Nope, says Norway's National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research, which did extensive studies on the subject, reported in the Harvard (University) Heart Letter.

This recipe for a tasty Scandinavian open-face sandwich is one option for lunch or for an hors d'oeuvre.

Ingredients:

6- to 8-ounce package of smoked salmon (lox has more sodium than the flaky style)

1 package Wasa Light Rye, Whole Grain or Multi Grain crispbread (all are fat-free, cholesterol-free and have lots of fiber)

Leafy greens such as baby spinach or field greens

Duke's mayonnaise (this is most definitely not fat free, so don't use a lot of it. But it's oh-so-tasty!)

Thin lemon slices

Directions: Top six to eight pieces of Wasa bread with leafy greens. Arrange 1 ounce smoked salmon on each, topped with a small dollop of Duke's mayonnaise. Garnish with lemon slice.

Raspberry Mango Tilapia

This variation of a recipe by Dr. Julia Greer from her "Anti-Cancer Cookbook," is high in antioxidants, vitamin C and beta carotene.

Ingredients:

4 talapia fillets (1.5 to 2 pounds total)

1 cup fresh raspberries

1 peeled and diced mango

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

1 teaspoon fresh minced mint

juice from 1/2 small lemon

Fresh pepper and season salt to taste

Directions: Season the fillets with fresh ground black pepper and season salt to taste. Bake the fish in a 450-degree Fahrenheit oven about 10 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Meanwhile, mix the raspberries, mango, cilantro or parsley, mint and lemon juice in a non-metallic bowl to make the salsa.

Serve the tilapia on four dinner plates, topped with equal amounts of salsa. Garnish with a sprig of mint, parsley or cilantro.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: RECIPES: Eat your way to breast cancer prevention

CRESTVIEW — Through determination and activity, Crestview resident Jennifer King overcame breast cancer.

 "I know a lot of people get discouraged, but I didn't have that mindset," she said. "I never lost focus … I never thought it would end badly."

After receiving six months of chemotherapy, 37 rounds of radiation treatments and a double mastectomy, King, manager of U.S. Gold Gymnastics and Cheerleading in Crestview, has been cancer-free since February.

"Working (at U.S. Gold Gymnastics) has been a blessing," she said.

The school's owner, Kathy Dwyer, hired King prior to the Crestview location's opening in 2011. Dwyer found King's perseverance during treatments inspiring.

"She is the strongest person I know," Dwyer said. "Her inner strength is incredible."

Jennifer Robinson, 14, a cheerleading student of King at U.S. Gold, said she considers King a teacher, friend and hero.

"She came in as a new coach and … immediately noticed that my form was incorrect with my tumbling," Jennifer said. "She told me she could fix me and she did."

Although it is "all in good fun," Jennifer said King tackled and threw shoes at cheerleading students who didn’t give their best effort.

"She is hard on all of us, but she makes us all want to do better," Jennifer said.   

And, the teenager said, she and classmates were amazed by how King handled her diagnosis.

"If she was ever scared, we never knew it," she said.

In addition to regularly showing up to work, King played softball weekly during her cancer treatments.

"Keeping it normal and staying focused is what you need to do," she said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview gymnastics instructor shares cancer survival story

CRESTVIEW — Relay For Life Crestview's Early Bird Registration Party is 6-7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Crestview Elks Lodge 2624, 127 W. Pine Ave. Teams that sign up and pay early choose their campsite on a first-come, first-serve basis for the April 2014 event.

You can register through Sept. 30. Use discount code "relay" to sign up for $5; cost is $10 after Sept. 30.

Contact event chair Megan Bowersox, 603-2002, or the American Cancer Society office, 244-3183, for more details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Relay For Life Crestview's Early Bird Registration Party is Thursday

MILLIGAN — A boil water notice is in effect until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning for Milligan Water System customers on Buck Ward, Old River and Griffith Cemetery Road.

Customers may experience periods of low or no water pressure as the broken 3-inch and 4-inch lines on Old River Road are repaired.

Under a precautionary boil water notice, water used for consumption by Milligan Water System customers can be disinfected by any one of the following methods:

•Bringing water to a rolling boil and holding it there for one minute.

•Using water purification tablets or iodine, which is sold by many sports or camping stores.

•Buying commercial bottled water for consumption and food preparation. Consumption includes brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, and homemade ice/beverages.

Additional precautions

Tap water may be used for showering, baths, shaving, and washing, so long as care is taken not to swallow or allow water in eyes, nose or mouth.

Children and disabled individuals should have their bath supervised to ensure water is not ingested. The time spent bathing should be minimized.

Though the risk of illness is minimal, individuals who have recent surgical wounds, are immunosuppressed, or have a chronic illness may want to consider using bottled water for cleansing until the notice is lifted.

Businesses and non-residential sites should take steps such as posting notices at, or disabling water fountains and ice machines for the duration of the precautionary notice. If you provide water to visitors or employees, use commercially produced bottled water for drinking or beverage preparation (coffee, etc.).

Food service operations have additional requirements from their regulatory agency.

After repairs are made and the notice is rescinded

Flush your taps and dispose of ice made while the notice was in effect.

Additional information can be found online at the Department of Health environmental website.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Boil water notice issued for some Milligan Water System customers

FORT WALTON BEACH — Eight of the 14 locations tested through the Okaloosa County Health Department’s Healthy Beaches program showed high levels of bacteria.

Fort Walton Beach’s Liza Jackson Park and Garniers Park, Okaloosa Island’s Marler Park, Wayside Park, the Gulf Islands National Seashore and the East Pass, the Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville and the Clement E. Taylor Park in Destin all failed the weekly test, according to the Health Department.

People who get into the water with such high levels of fecal pollution might experience illness, infections or rashes. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 8 beaches under swimming advisories

CRESTVIEW — Learning she had cervical cancer was stressful for Rhonda Ward.  

"It's just scary, that's all," the Crestview resident said.

However, specialists at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Rhonda has received treatments since August, and conversations with cancer survivors have provided reassurance.

"Since we have been here, the fear has diminished," Kenny, her husband of 12 years, said. "She is going to be OK."

Carla Kelley, a manager at Badcock Home Furniture and More in Crestview, wants to ensure both Rhonda, a Laurel Hill School bus driver, and her husband are OK; she’s organizing a Boston butts fundraiser to offset the Wards’ health insurance co-pays, along with travel and living expenses.

"Kenny is a longtime employee of ours," she said. "It breaks my heart that this is (happening)."

Kelley is taking orders for cooked Boston butts until Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the furniture store. Meals will be distributed Sept. 20 and 21 at Old Spanish Trail Park.

The Wards said they appreciate the store’s efforts.

"I will never be able to thank them enough," Rhonda said.

Want to order?

What: Boston butt fundraiser for Rhonda Ward

When: Place orders 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Badcock Home Furniture and More, 594 N. Main St., Crestview. Pick up meals 5-6 p.m. Sept. 20 and 21 at Old Spanish Trail Park on Stillwell Boulevard.

Cost: $25  

CONTACT: 682-6835.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Boston butt fundraiser to aid Crestview couple