Official Greater Paradise Press Release

East Baltimore Church ravaged by fire

BALTIMORE, Maryland—June 29, 2011— The Baltimore Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at our Worship Center (Greater Paradise Christian Center, 2900 E. Oliver Street, Baltimore, Maryland), on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 3:00 a.m. Upon arrival on the scene, firefighters reported fire visible from the main level of the church. Rescue and Firefighting operations began immediately. As a result, our Main Sanctuary and Administrative Office Area suffered significant fire and water damage. The Baltimore City Police Department in concert with The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are currently investigating the series of events from that night.

The church is vigorously working to move forward from this ordeal. We ask your continual prayers and support as we rebuild and refocus the ministry. Our church family is resolved to moving forward with zeal and fortitude, and with a firm foundation...our thrust remains “To Give God the Glory”.

As preliminary decisions take shape, a temporary worship location, which will house ongoing ministry events, has been confirmed. Sunday Morning Worship Services (10am) and Tuesday Night Bible Study (7pm) will convene at the Fort Worthington Elementary School, 2701 E. Oliver Street, Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, A Disaster Relief Benefit Service will take place on Wednesday, July 6th, 2011, hosted by Dr. Reginald Thomas and the Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, 2525 E. Preston Street, Baltimore, Maryland. Announcements concerning future special events will be forthcoming, as details filter out.

For additional information and up to the minute briefings on the Fire, Relief Efforts and Church Announcements, please visit www.greaterparadise.org or call 1.410.276.4193

Press Contact:

Clarissa Whatley Greater Paradise Christian Center clarissa.whatley@greaterparadise.org 1.410.276.4193

Submitted by The Advisory Board of Greater Paradise

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Get Fit Tip: Do Toning Shoes Really Work?

Toning Shoes

Posted by The Health Journal on July 28, 2010

Toning shoes seem to be the latest fitness craze, and they come with a tempting promise from manufacturers—walk in them and you’ll get in shape. But can it truly be that easy?

Toning shoes are designed to force the body to work harder than it would in traditional shoes. They’re designed with an unstable sole that forces the wearer to activate muscles to gain balance and proper positioning with each step.

Manufacturers claim that the extra muscle activation translates to a greater calorie burn and, therefore, weight loss. Other benefits promised include improved posture, decrease in musculoskeletal pain, increased muscle tone in the legs and core muscles and better circulation.
Toning shoes, with the rather unnatural hump in the soles, look radically different from other shoes, and my first thought when I decided to try a pair was, ‘How is it possible to even walk in these?’ But, despite my initial cynicism about the design and style of the toning shoes, they did make me feel that I was working the backs of my legs more than I do in regular athletic shoes, and they did help alleviate some foot and back pain.

Don’t buy into the idea that you can lose weight without effort—not without making dietary
changes, too. But wearing toning shoes does simulate an additional workout on your legs and calves that can benefit anyone.

Laugh of the Day: Modern Day Miracles of Jesus

Take a look at the funny clips below of Jesus performing miracles. It is comical, but just think how many people are surprised at the wonders our Lord and Savior can perform. Enjoy and share with someone today.

Is Beyonce's New Single Hurting the African American Community?

A hot topic in the Christian Community seems to be R&B recording artist Beyonce' Knowles and her new single. Her message of female empowerment has many talking about God's true purpose for females and if her song promotes using sexuality to gain. Take a look at the article pasted below and tell us your thoughts. Is Beyonce's single that serious to you? Do you think it is impacting the young girls of the African American Community?

Beyonce Is Wrong: Girls Don't Run the World

Why her message of female power is hurting the African American community.

By: Natasha Robinson

According to the first single from Beyonce’s highly anticipated album 4, girls indeed run the world. Thanks to her musical contribution to First Lady Michelle Obama’s "Let’s Move" campaign, her recent Billboard Millennium Award, and surprise farewell performance to honor Oprah, all eyes from middle-age school rockers to professional intellectuals are on Beyonce. The 29-year-old is an influencer. From the words of her recent hit, “my persuasion can build a nation,” and she knows it.

Beyonce has built a musical career based on girl empowerment and the seduction of men. In her efforts to empower women, though, she has endorsed a self-absorbed world where a false view of love reigns supreme. Her songs reveal a worldview where men and women indulge in lust, lavish spending, and fantasies of catering, upgrades, and joy rides. I don’t see much responsibility or empowerment of either sex in that kind of behavior.

Yet the lyrics of her recent single acknowledge the men who respect what she does. In her skimpy attire, she seduces them while singing we have "endless power, our love we can devour when you’ll do anything for me."

The question that haunts me and should arise from moral women of influence is: What type of power is Beyonce encouraging women to embrace? Is an average girl’s persuasion enhanced by flaunting her body, vanity, and money more than modesty, character, team building, and leadership that place the needs of others above themselves?

True persuasion and leadership elevates all people without sacrificing others along the way. That’s what alarms me with the “positive” messages in songs like “Run the World (Girls).” By elevating girls in a music video where they stand strong against an all-male army, Beyonce has subtly (or perhaps not so subtly) sent a message that devalues boys and men.

As an African American woman who is heartbroken over the current condition of African American boys, I find Beyonce’s message destructive and damaging to the Black community. The reality is that so many African American boys are being ignored in the classroom and other social arenas. These young men are dropping out of high school at an alarming rate. Many who graduate from high school cannot read with a significant level of comprehension or write a grammatically correct paragraph. Some sources say we now have more Black men in prison than in college. If Jesus' teachings concerning the Good Samaritan resonate at all, we should all share in these concerns. We cannot continue to ignore the plight of these young men while Beyonce is encouraging all the independent women to "throw their hands up."

Does God value women? Certainly! Does he want them to be strong contributors to society? Absolutely!

Yet when considering how God supremely values women, we must remember other fundamental truths: that God is love and wants us to walk in love. We must also acknowledge that we were created for community. God said that it was not good for humankind to walk through life alone. He created women and men for a holy partnership that is not limited to marriage. Whenever one gender of God’s partnership is elevated above the other or is ignored, we all lose.

There is much work and community building for all of us to do. I want to see young girls grow up into God-honoring, intelligent, beautiful, and strong leaders. When they show up in the classroom, corporate boardroom, or sanctuary, I want individual lives touched and the environment changed by their very presence. I do not want these women believing, however, that they don’t need men. Not only do we need them, they need us, and both sexes should seek opportunities to value, honor, and lift up each other.

Just as we must take responsibility for the images that we affirm or reject as women, men must do the same. My brothers must stand strong and hold each other accountable so that they do not fall prey to the fantasies and lies presented by the world. We should hold godly men accountable for breaking the cycle of “no fathers in the home” by consistently fulfilling the roles of teachers and mentors in the lives of children being raised by single mothers. In this way, children can observe a healthy partnership between men and women. They can then affirm who real men are and what real men do.

If we do not commit to these changes, we will continue to raise young men who have no consistent male leaders, teachers, or mentors in their lives. Furthermore, these young men will have very little expectations of themselves, since everyone knows that girls run the world. Therefore, they can transfer residence from their mother's homes to their girlfriend’s, and let her take care of him since she’s the college grad making the paper.

Both genders need to stand firm and confident knowing that the other is there to partner, encourage, and help them carry the load. We do not have to bear our burdens alone. We can be present for each other. Together, we can live the example of God’s truth and love in the lives of others.

We stand to partner because God loves us and wants an army of codependent men and women to glory him by lovingly running this world together.

Easy Summer Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad

Prep Time:
15 Min

Cook Time:
10 Min

Ready In:
3 Hrs 25 Min

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package medium seashell pasta
• 1 pound sliced bacon
• 1 1/2 cups light Ranch-style salad dressing
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water to cool.
2. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.
3. In a large bowl, stir together the Ranch dressing, onion, and tomatoes. Mix in the cooled pasta. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing, so don't worry if it seems like too much. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Crumble bacon over the top just before serving.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 341 | Total Fat: 15.5g | Cholesterol: 26mg

Hometown Highlight: River Valley Ranch Offers Christian Fun

Today's Hometown Highlight is River Valley Ranch in Carroll County, Maryland. Read below for more information.

The Adventure Starts Here... the rolling hills and lush valley in Carroll County, Maryland with the Gunpowder Falls River flowing through provide River Valley Ranch with a scenic backdrop for its exceptional Christian summer camps, outdoor education & retreat programs, and special events. Unique activities include: horseback riding, skateboarding, our 1700' triple zip line, ropes courses, paintball and much more. Started in 1952 as a cowboy summer camp for youth, River Valley Ranch in Carroll County, Maryland now serves over 20,000 youth and adults annually as a summer youth camp, retreat facility, outdoor education center, and a destination for exciting seasonal events in a distinctly Christian and wholesome family atmosphere. River Valley Ranch is a non-profit ministry, a part of the Peter & John Radio Fellowship, Inc., a registered 501 (c)3 non-profit religious organization.

Our Overall Mission

River Valley Ranch exists to provide an environment where campers and guests can reach their full, God given potential. We do this through:

1) Summer Camp programs – providing a physically engaging, socially encouraging and spiritually challenging experience for every camper who comes.

2) Retreats – serving our guests by providing a comfortable, spiritually refreshing getaway tailored to meet the specific needs of each group.

3) Outdoor Education program – providing a unique outdoor experience to teach students trust, communication, overcoming fears, confidence building, and leadership skills.

4) Special Events – creating a fun, wholesome environment where individuals and families can have a unique experience in the beauty of God’s creation.

Upcoming events at River Valley Ranch include the following. Please visit their website below for more information.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

The River Valley Run is Maryland's premiere trail running event! Featuring a 10k trail course, 5k road course, and kid's fun run, there is something for everyone.

Featured in 2011...

• A $10 Upgrade option for a premium Under Armour Catalyst shirt (a $30 value!)*
• Chip Timing
• Certified Active "Go Green" Event
• Team Challenge
• Online Fundraising Tools
• RVR Shirts & medals for all Fun Run participants
• Fun Run starting at 9:15 to allow running parents to see
• Kid's Corral-childcare drop-off for running parents (ages 2+)

*must be ordered before July 29 to get the $10 deal.

"Arbitration vs. Jury Trial" Do you Know What Rights Your Giving Up?

Do you remember the case of the elderly woman who spilled a cup of hot McDonald's coffee in her lap and sued the company? It made national headlines and was all over the media. Every late night comic put their own little spin on the case, especially after the woman was awarded 2.7 million dollars in punitive damages. Now why you might ask why did McDonald's have to pay so much? We'll they opted for a trial by jury, and once all the facts the media and comics left out were truly revealed, McDonald's was declared at fault. You can imagine this is a blow to the company, and other companies have taken note.

If you have a cell phone, credit card, or make purchases or payments online, than you may have agreed to an arbitration rather than a trial by jury. What's worse is you may not even know it. Big corporations are avoiding the hefty payouts and public trials by having people agree to or sign arbitration agreements, which excludes trial juries in the event of a dispute. Employers are also taking these steps during the hiring process. This means you don't get to sue them. You give up your rights when you sign that waver. Instead you get to go to a private arbitrator, that the company chooses and hires, to make the final decision regarding your dispute.

In the HBO Documentary, Hot Coffee, this process is dissected and revealed. The basis is the case mentioned above in which the media painted the elderly woman to be greedy, clumsy, and out for McDonald's money. The media did this rather than disclose that she suffered 3rd degree burns, skin graphs, and 8 days in the hospital. They neglect to tell you the coffee was so hot that she did not spill it because she was clumsy, the styrofoam cup begin to melt at the 187 degree temperature. it was more a laughing matter to them. Even people interviewed were shown the gruesome picture of the woman's burns. They could not believe that a cup of coffee could be that hot or could do so much damage. They changed their opinions of what the media portrayed.

The documentary also tells the story of a young woman sent over seas to work for her company. Her employer did not house her in an all female bunk as promised. Instead she was housed with men who sexually harassed her. She complained and was told to deal with it. Unfortunately, she was eventually drugged and gang raped by her male coworkers. She was told to continue working in these conditions or go back to the states jobless. She has suffered reconstructive surgery due to the severity of the rape. She has been fighting for 4 years to have her case heard in open court rather than by an arbitrator. She signed a waiver at the beginning of her employment.

Take a look at the trailer for the HBO Documentary "Hot Coffee."

Tell us your thoughts. Have you ever signed an arbitration agreement?

Do you know what it really means?

Does Financial Stress Lead To Poor Health?

Written by Latwanas Stephens  on Elve8.com

Has a spouse lost a job? Has the household income been reduced by 30, 40 or even 50%? Are you arguing daily over how the bills will get paid?  Has the government cut back on your hours?  Have you received a pink slip and don’t know where to turn? Does this all sound familiar or has this happened to you or someone around you?  What if you could find a solution?  Do you know the health risk of financial stress?  Imagine being debt free or at least starting the process.  Imagine paying your bills on time.  Imagine being able to buy your kids the things they want and not having to say no because of lack.  Have you lost your dreams due to not knowing where to begin?  Are your dreams still like a little whisper deep down inside of you?


Can money buy happiness? What about not having money, are you happier when you are broke? The truth is it does not matter whether or not you are rich or poor, if you stress about your finances, you have already begun to dig your grave. The vast majority of Americans are living with stress related health problems that could currently be the cause of or lead to the deterioration of your physical and mental well being. If you are one of those people that value family, long life, and your health over money, you may have another perspective after learning that not having control over your financial situation kills Americans every day.
How many Americans are living with financial stress? According to government statistics over 1 million Americans filed for bankruptcy in 2006. Another survey taken indicated that only about 2% of Americans actually have money in a savings account while the average American household has over $8,000 in credit card debt. Financial worries have been cited as the leading cause of chronic stress, causing 25% of Americans to miss approximately 16 days a year of work. You get the picture right?  This can be your death ticket.  Good news is, it doesn’t have to be.

What exactly is chronic stress? Chronic stress is the type of stress that is with you every morning when you wake up and every night when you go to sleep with no determined end in sight. Chronic stress will wear you down, day after day, year after year. Chronic stress grinds away at your mental and physical health leading to mental breakdown and can even cause death.

Stress is a silent killer that will wear the body down! Count how many of these health problems you have and the medication you take to treat the side effect rather than the cause of the problem: Physical stress related illnesses include; headache, chest pain, fast heart beat, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, muscle aches, clenched jaws, grinding teeth, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea, stomach cramping or bloating, cold sweaty hands, fatigue, insomnia, weight gain or loss, diminished sex drive and skin problems.

Let’s take a look at the impact that chronic stress causes on your mental well being; anxiety, restlessness, worrying, irritability, depression, sadness, anger, mood swings, feeling of insecurity, lack of concentration, confusion, forgetfulness, resentment, guilt, tendency to blame others for how you feel, tendency to see only the negative aspects of people and situations. How many of these side effects are you currently living with? If you are experiencing chronic stress due to your finances you can look forward to a life full of health and mental problems. Mental problems also cause social problems. If you have a hard time maintaining meaningful relationships or getting along with family members it is highly likely due to chronic stress.

All of the mental problems caused by chronic stress are also related directly to behavioral problems. These behavioral problems such as; overeating/loss of appetite, sudden outbursts with little provocation, increased use of drugs and alcohol, increased smoking, withdrawal or isolation, crying spells, changes in close relationships, job dissatisfaction, decreased productivity and burn out.  This is all preventable.  You do not have to live this way.  There is a way out!  You can save yourself today.

Change your life and start making a difference in your health and your finances, the results will  be felt immediately.

Hookers For Jesus Takes The Las Vegas Strip [VIDEO]

Written by Oretha Winston on Elev8.com

Hookers For Jesus is determined to get the word out about their ministry. Yes, you read that right.



Can You Practice Stripping With Christ In Mind?

It’s midnight in Las Vegas. And along that famous boulevard known as “The Strip,” a most unlikely group of women is doing something utterly contrary to the city’s proud nickname, Sin City.
In front of the entrance to Caesars Palace and under the flashing lights of advertisements featuring enticingly posed show girls, they huddle together, holding hands, heads bowed. “Right now, God, I just ask that you use all of us as a tool, Lord, that you can help us spot some girls that need some help,” Annie Lobert prays. “If it is just one girl that we get to reach, or if there is 25, we don’t care, God. Just do your will tonight.”

Public Lovin’: How Much Is Too Much?

Annie Lobert is the founder of “Hookers for Jesus,” and her mission is to save prostitutes; to save them from the streets and, if possible, bring them to church and to God. A one-time escort, Lobert now enlists other ex-prostitutes and volunteers from a local church to reach out to working girls on the street, in the casinos, even over the Internet.

Daily Bible Verse

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

John Legend Goes Back To His Gospel Roots

John Legend headed back to his gospel music roots of singing in the church! John gave a surprise performance at  West Philadelphia’s Calvary Baptist Church, singing his favorite gospel song “How I Got Over”.

Daily Bread: What Are You Known For?

June 27, 2011 — by Dennis Fisher
In the Roman Empire, pagans would often call on the name of a god or goddess as they placed bets in a game of chance. A favorite deity of the gambler was Aphrodite, the Greek word for Venus, the goddess of love. During the roll of the dice, they would say “epaphroditus!” literally, “by Aphrodite!”
In the book of Philippians we read of a Greek convert to the Christian faith by the name of Epaphroditus. He was a close companion of Paul who served him well in his missionary enterprise. Of his friend, Paul wrote: “Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier” (Phil. 2:25).
Epaphroditus was a spiritual brother in Christ, a faithful worker who shared ministry efforts, a brave soldier of the faith, and the carrier of the inspired letter to the church at Philippi. He modeled brotherhood, a work ethic, spiritual endurance, and service. Certainly, Epaphroditus had a well-deserved reputation that showed he did not live by a pagan deity but by faith in Jesus Christ.
Even more important than our name are the Christian qualities that are seen in our life: dependability, care, encouragement, and wisdom. What words would you like others to use to describe you?

O Lord, You see what’s in my heart—
There’s nothing hid from You;
So help me live the kind of life
That’s loving, kind, and true. —D. De Haan

If we take care of our character,
our reputation will take care of itself!

Song of The Day: Paul S. Morton Sr. - I'm Still Standing

This song is more than appropriate for the time. Today our church caught on fire due to an intruder. We are still standing as we begin to rebuild and restore what the locust and caterpillar tried to eat. Paradise is Still Standing! Continue to pray for our Pastor and Church Family. God is Good.

Song of the Day - Expect The Great (Official Video) - Jonathan Nelson feat Purpose

Daily Bread Bible Verse

8: Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;

9: he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.

10: For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Psalms 66: 8 - 10 & 12 NIV

Song of the Day - The Soul Seekers ft. Marvin Winans "It's All God" Official Music Video

Laugh Out Loud - Rickey Smiley prank call - Funeral undertaker

Song of The Day - THE BLOOD STILL WORKS - MALCOLM WILLIAMS AND GREAT FAITH

Daily Bread Bible Verse

Verse of the Day:
"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." 2nd Thessalonians 3:3 NIV

Daily Bread - Because

One day, my toddler exclaimed, “I love you, Mom!” I was curious about what makes a 3-year-old tick, so I asked him why he loved me. He answered, “Because you play cars with me.” When I asked if there was any other reason, he said, “Nope. That’s it.” My toddler’s response made me smile. But it also made me think about the way I relate to God. Do I love and trust Him just because of what He does for me? What about when the blessings disappear?
Job had to answer these questions when catastrophes claimed his children and demolished his entire estate. His wife advised him: “Curse God and die!” (2:9). Instead, Job asked, “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (v.10). Yes, Job struggled after his tragedy—he became angry with his friends and questioned the Almighty. Still, he vowed, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (13:15).
Job’s affection for his heavenly Father didn’t depend on a tidy solution to his problems. Rather, he loved and trusted God because of all that He is. Job said, “God is wise in heart and mighty in strength” (9:4).
Our love for God must not be based solely on His blessings but because of who He is.

Shall we accept the good from GodBut fuss when trials are in sight?Not if our love is focused onThe One who always does what’s right. —Sper

Focusing on the character of Godhelps us to take our eyes off our circumstances.

Question of the Day: When Should Kids Date--How Old is Old Enough?

by Deb McCleod

The day your child comes to you and asks if he can ask a girl out is the day when you realize he's not a baby anymore.

But is he old enough to date? When should he date? What happens if your girl accepts a date without asking you? What is dating these days anyway?
Don't panic, mom. There are answers to your dating questions. First, much has changed since we were in the dating world. As we hear so often, kids these days grow up much faster than we did. But that doesn't mean that we have to allow exposure to things we can control. We might not be able to control what kids hear on the playground at lunch, but we can control some of the experiences they have. That means, yes, you can control this aspect of your child's life, too.
It's important to realize that there are many factors that play into whether a child is ready to date. Sometimes the decision is made for him or her, as you might have religious or other beliefs that dictate the appropriateness of when a child should start dating. But assuming that you have no specific beliefs one way or another that will influence your decisions, how can you know when the time is right?


First, it's important to remember that many children these days refer to a date when in fact they aren't talking about a one-on-one date. Often, children 'date' in groups and that might bring you more comfort than picturing your child on a solo date with another child.
Second, there are no hard and fast rules, only guidelines. Ask yourself these questions:
♣ Is your child responsible? 
♣ Does your child think for him or herself? Able to make decisions not based on what other children are doing, but on what's right for him or her?♣ Does your child understand the concept of sex and understand that it's OK to say "no"?♣ Is your child amenable to having a chaperone? This is one way to let your child date earlier than you might otherwise feel comfortable. You simply accompany him or her on the date, but do so in an inconspicuous way. For instance, take them to the multi-plex but sit apart from them or see a different movie altogether. But then you're there to collect and drive them home. You might also allow your child only to have "dates" at home-- watch movies, enjoy a snack, and listen to music. You can easily keep an eye out that way.

The general rule about dating for most parents seems to be that kids can date around age 14. Many kids will feel as if they have had dates before that if they, say, head to the movies in a group of other kids and one boy or girl they particularly like, but dates alone often begin at 14 to 15.

Some parents believe that their kids shouldn't date until they are old enough to drive.
The decision on when your child should date doesn't come quickly or easily for most parents. It is usually arrived at after a good deal of examination over the child's emotional and physical maturity and your own standards of appropriateness. It's also not a one-size-fits all proposition. If you have several children, you might decide as they come of age that they are ready to date at different ages.

Health Tip: Drink Yourself Beautiful With Lemon Water

BY: Jessie Zalla

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade … literally. Drinking water with fresh-squeezed lemons helps you to stay healthy, fight signs of aging and stoke your metabolism.

Here’s the skinny: The beauty of lemon water is that it’s tasty, refreshing and best of all, alkalizing. Many of the foods we crave -- coffee, carbohydrates, meats and sugar -- are acidic. And that can have an adverse effect on our body, giving us wrinkles, illness and fatigue. Powerful properties in lemons can relieve the symptoms of poor digestion, including bloating. Vitamin C combats the effects of free radical damage, like fine lines, wrinkles and uneven texture. Lemons are also high in potassium, which can combat headaches and bloating.

How to make this magic drink: Squeeze the juice of two lemons -- the heavier the better -- into a glass of room-temperature water. Sip every morning and afternoon. Skip the sugar -- it'll only cancel out all those amazing health benefits.

Get Fit Tip: Why Should We Take Vitamins?

Why should I take a vitamin for my health?

In a special three-part series, the “Today” show tries to clear up some of the confusion surrounding vitamins. We know they're important to our health, but what's the best way to get vitamins and which ones do we really need? Dr. Andrew Weil, author and director of the program in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson, was invited on the “Today” show to navigate through the nutrition maze.

When it comes to obtaining the micronutrients your body needs, your best possible source is food, especially fruits and vegetables. But circumstances may prevent you from eating optimally every day. The main reason I take supplements is for insurance against gaps in my diet. Also, researchers are finding that some important vitamins (D and E particularly) and minerals are protective against disease in amounts that may be difficult to obtain through diet alone, no matter how conscientious you are. This is another reason I take supplements faithfully and encourage my patients to do so as well.

I recommend a comprehensive antioxidant and multivitamin for women and men as the basic foundation for nutritional insurance. My recommended daily antioxidant regimen includes 200 mg of vitamin C, 400 to 800 IU of natural vitamin E (or 80 mg of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols), 200 mcg of selenium, 15,000 to 20,000 IU of mixed carotenoids, and 30 to 100 mg of coenzyme Q10.

Supplementation to cover dietary gaps is only one aspect of optimum health, which also includes the following lifestyle approaches:

Be active
For optimum health, I recommend walking every day.

Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids
Vegetables and fruits are the best sources of antioxidants, although tea and dark chocolate contribute as well. Cold-water fish, freshly ground flaxseed and walnuts all provide omega-3 fatty acids.

Do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke
Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable major illness. The best defense against the harmful effects of tobacco is to never use it.

De-stress
Practice breathing exercises and explore other relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation to find ones that work for you.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Hometown Highlight: Baltimore Top 6 Family Attractions

Introducing a new Blog Topic: The Hometown Highlight! What is this you may ask? It's the opportunity to highlight Baltimore and Maryland to promote our local area. We are going to occasionally "show off" our hometown with positive stories, attractions, and upcoming events. We're giving all nearby residents, tourists, and the World Wide Web some helpful information about what's going on here in our city and state. So here's the first of many more to come. Enjoy!

Families can be so engulfed with the over-scheduled, everyday chaos of life that it's sometimes hard to make time for fun. But visit any of these five attractions, and the payoff will be happy family memories and maybe even a little learning too.

1. Port Discovery

If the energy expended by the young guests of this Inner Harbor museum could be harnessed, the self-described "kid-powered museum" would indeed run without a monthly electric bill. A few hours here and even your big kids will nap on the way home. The three-story climbing structure will physically tire them, but the constant learning opportunities, cleverly disguised as play, will leave them mentally exhausted too.

2. National Aquarium in Baltimore

While not specifically designed for kids, this aquatic wonderland of exotic and native Maryland species fascinates kids of all ages. The youngest ones enjoy watching the swishing of the creatures in the softly lit tanks. Older kids and adults love the elaborate recreations of native habitats, particularly the most recent addition, Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes. Note: Strollers are not allowed inside. Check your stroller at the door, and the museum will lend you a carrier for free.

_{Photo courtesy of the National Aquarium}

More Info

3. Six Flags America

A day at this Largo, MD amusement and water park is pure fun. There's very little educational content here, but sometimes that's just what kids need. Only 40 minutes southeast of Baltimore, Six Flags is open April through October, though its Hurricane Harbor Water Park is only open in the summer. With 100-plus rides, attractions and shows, everyone in the family – from the youngest toddlers to the biggest thrill-seekers – will go home happy, tired and looking forward to a return visit.

Buy Direct

4. Maryland Science Center

This Inner Harbor attraction's exhibits, where kids reconstruct dinosaur skeletons, play a tune by ear or use a pulley to heave themselves to new heights, all teach by doing. And the shows pack in even more info. The Davis Planetarium puts on a fabulous star show, and the IMAX movies' 3-D effects leave audiences with wobbly knees. There's so much to learn here that most kids simply won't be able to retain it all – or likely even half of it. But that's okay because they will remember the fun.

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5. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Set in leafy Druid Hill Park, The Maryland Zoo exudes the old-fashioned charm of its 19th-century origins, amid its 21st-century makeover. With the Main Valley closed since 2004, visitors now take a tram to an entrance near the polar bears' digs. The African Journey is where you can visit the elephants, giraffes, lions, chimpanzees, cheetahs and more. A boardwalk meanders through The Children's Zoo and Maryland Wilderness, allowing a close-up view of the animals.

6. Camden Yards

Take them out to the ballgame! And the Orioles' Dugout Club makes it even easier on the wallet for mom and dad. For children under 14, just $17 buys one general admission ticket to each of the 10 Dugout Club dates. Accompanying adults can buy discounted tickets on game days.