The Porter County Expo Center hosts the Women's Expo September 17 & 18, 2011. There was everything for women there, from learning about women's health from Porter Health System, to looking at beautiful jewelry designed and hand-made from The Welcome Mat.
I had the opportunity to go to the Women's Expo this year along with my daughter, and we were treated to may things. I had my bone density tested from Porter Health Registered Nurse Steve Beach. I was pleasantly surprised that my density is currently okay. The test I took measured the bone marrow in my heel. Depending on age, pre- and peri-menopausal women are measured with a "Z" score and post-menopausal are measured with a "T" score.
This bone density test can reveal your bone's health to range from normal to Osteopenia, which is bone loss. By learning what your bone density is, a woman can be proactive in preventing Osteoporisis. RN Beach recommends that women stay active by doing resistance training, running, or even just walking. Eating healthy and staying active are also keys to good bone health.
Porter Health System also offered free recipes for healthy cooking, demonstrated the new "Choose My Plate". "Choose My Plate" is replacing the "food pyramid". Jordan Gonring, volunteering for Porter Health, gave 3 suggestions to help relieve stress: 1-get more sleep, 2-eat healthy and 3-exercise.
Carol Earl and Cindy Marcinak, volunteers from Porter Health, tested grip strength and balance at the Expo. Earl said, "As we get older, we are more at risk for falling." Earl recommends that we, as women, should "stay active, exercise, and be aware of our environment."
Dr. Lee, also with Porter Health, was on hand to help promote breast health. Dr. Lee stressed the importance of breast self-exam and mammography.
Along with Dr. Lee was Breast Care Coordinator Cheryl Wallace and Mammographer Dawn Hunter, they are delighted to share that the new Porter Hospital will have complete comprehensive women's care. The care will include digital mammography, 3D Ultrasound, 3D mammography and more. Dr. Lee said it would be, "Complete comprehensive women's care, all in one setting, from detection to diagnosis."
Le Roc Salon and Body Bar, a new salon in our area, delighted women with a free skin analysis, offered helpful tips for hair, and gave out free samples of hair products. Sharilynn, a Massage Therapist with Le Roc, gave a free chair massage. I have to say, that I found this very relaxing. Sharilynn calls herself a "body mechanic".
And for the home, Tudor Floors Carpet One demonstrated a new stain-resistant carpet made out of a corn-based product. This amazing carpet even resists bleach! I saw it myself, there were no bleach spots after Keri Kearns poured a regular household cleaner with bleach right on the carpet.
Jan Stump added that the carpet was tested by elephants - yes, I said elephants. The carpet was laid out in an elephants stall at a zoo and left for 2 weeks. After the 2 week test, the carpet was hot water extracted and came clean. If you didn't believe that the carpet came clean and remained plush, there was a piece of the carpet to see for yourself. Stump added, "After a test like that, it should be good for the average household."
Stopping by the booth at The Welcome Mat, you would of saw many bright, beautiful colors, scarves, votive holders, gorgeous jewelry, and more, all hand-made items. My daughter bought a beautiful brightly colored purse from Nepal, and I couldn't resist a silver, hand-carved bracelet from India. The Welcome Mat is a nonprofit that sells house-hold goods, jewelry and more from countries that participate in "Fair Trade", helping people help themselves. To lean more visit www.thewelcomemat.org
Not leaving out women's safety, ATA Martial Arts gave a brief seminar on self defense, saying for women to be alert and safe. "Keep your head up, look around and know your surroundings. Try to walk in a group", among other very helpful tips.
There were many vendors there and lots of happy women in attendance. Tom Manahan Vice President of Event Experts and behind organizing the Women's Expo said "It's been a good event, we are looking to come back next year, we've had a good crowd and it's been a good show."