SC Dems Chair: Sanford is Lucky to Have Unlimited Paid Time Off from the Job

Carol Fowler, Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, released the following statement in response to news that Governor Mark Sanford will be taking another two weeks of vacation to visit Europe with his family.

"Mark Sanford gets still another vacation--two weeks in Europe with his family, leaving behind a state that is desperate for leadership to solve a host of problems.

"He's lucky. Most South Carolinians don't have unlimited paid time off. They can't just leave their jobs for days at a time whenever they want to, no matter what urgent family issues they're struggling to manage," Fowler said. "Of course, most South Carolinians are also expected to actually accomplish something when they are on the job."

SC Dems: Sanford Travel Style Shows GOP Hypocrisy

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler issued the following statement today in response to a recent analysis of Governor Mark Sanford's travel expenses. According to the analysis the Governor, who bragged about being frugal, often flew first class and stayed at expensive hotels during state funded trips.

"Like many South Carolina taxpayers, I am appalled by these recent findings. For years, Mark Sanford has pretended to be the state's sole-protector of taxpayer money. But in reality, he's been living it up and spending our tax dollars on luxurious accommodations. The money he spent to travel in style and provide the same treatment for State Representative Nikki Haley and State Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor would pay the salary for a teacher or policeman who would make a real difference here in South Carolina. Apparently, fiscal conservatism doesn't apply when it comes to Mark Sanford's personal comfort," said Fowler.

SC Dems Outraged By Sanford Second Summer Vacation

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement today in response to Governor Mark Sanford taking another vacation after being back on the job for less than a month. Sanford canceled pending work for the rest of the week.


"A good many South Carolina families with out-of-work breadwinners had been hoping their governor would stick around and look for ways to bring more jobs to the state. He's essentially been off the job for a month, and now he's off again for a week's vacation.

"Of course, unlike most South Carolinians, Mark Sanford gets paid whether he shows up for work or not. Once again it's clear that there is one set of rules for Sanford and another set of rules for everyone else," said Fowler.

Fowler: Dawson Needs to Seek Alternate Way to Rebuild GOP Brand

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement today in response to former state GOP Chair Katon Dawson's
plan to rebuild the Republican Party's image using $1.7 million from Governor Mark Sanford's election account.

"Again this week Katon Dawson is offering Mark Sanford the chance to buy forgiveness from his fellow Republicans by making a large donation to their party. The governor should gain redemption with all South Carolinians, not just his fellow partisans, by finally getting engaged in the job he was elected to do-bringing jobs to our state and strengthening our public schools. Surely even the Republican Party that scolded Sanford instead of asking him to resign doesn't place campaign cash over South Carolina values," said Fowler.

This Week's Healthy SC Challenge Tips

The Healthy SC Challenge is the Sanford family's effort to get all South Carolinians to do just a little more to live a healthier lifestyle. The tips are designed to encourage individuals and communities to live healthier lifestyles in three categories - nutrition, exercise and help to quit smoking. The tips can also be found on the challenge's website, www.healthysc.gov.

Healthy Tips

Nutrition
What are your triggers? Learning to recognize your eating habits will help you manage them better.

What makes you eat? Each of us has different eating triggers, and some might be more obvious than others. (Rereading your food journal is one excellent way to spot occasions and foods that tend to trip you up.) Learning to recognize your own eating cues will help you figure out how to manage them better, so let's take a look:

Certain places or actions: Walking in the door when you get home from work, sitting down in front of the TV or even sitting in a particular comfortable chair can be powerful "feed me!" triggers. Or perhaps you can't talk on the phone or read the newspaper without having something to nibble. However it began, you may have come to associate those activities with eating a snack.

Seeing and/or smelling food: Tantalizing aromas and seductive visuals of food can get your digestive juices flowing and activate your "hunger" meter. Some people seem to be more susceptible to these cues than others. If walking by a pizzeria or a doughnut shop gets your senses reeling, you might be one of these food "hyperresponders."
Boredom: If you've got downtime or are busy with a task that doesn't command your full attention, you might crave food simply to have something engaging to do. Going to get something to eat might feel like switching channels to a better station.

Emotions: While some people react to stressful or unpleasant situations by losing appetite, many people find themselves eating more to help them cope. It's easy to see why: food is pleasurable and comforting, and after all, eating is one major way we care for ourselves. Overeating can even produce a drowsy calm (some call it a "food coma") that can be quite soothing. The act of eating itself can be a distraction, too, if you're a procrastinator: ever wonder why you're longing to cook up a delicious, complicated dinner when you have a deadline looming?

Research shows that positive emotions can trigger overeating, too. You might find yourself eating more when you're celebrating an accomplishment, anticipating a happy event or falling in love, for example.
-www.eatingwell.com



Physical Activity
Longer days and rising temperatures signal summertime. The American Heart Association has some tips to help you stay active, safe and heart healthy when it's hot outside.
You can stay active and beat the heat by:

* Going to a gym for a nice, cool environment with a variety of activities.
* Visiting your favorite local swimming hole or taking swimming lessons at a pool.
* Starting a walking group with your friends at the mall.
* Taking up an indoor sport, such as racquetball, basketball or volleyball, or taking an aerobics class.
* Going ice skating.

If you exercise outside when it's hot and humid, wear light, comfortable clothing and work out in the early morning or late evening. Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you experience symptoms, stop exercising and cool down immediately by dousing yourself with cold water. You may need medical attention. Heat exhaustion can progress quickly to heat stroke, which can kill you.
-The American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org



Tobacco
It's normal to feel sad for a period of time after you first quit smoking. Many people have a strong urge to smoke when they feel sad or depressed, but remember that if you give in to your craving for a cigarette, you may feel even sadder that you didn't stick with your decision to quit.

What to Do:

* Identify your specific feelings at the time that you seem to be depressed. Are you actually feeling tired, lonely, bored, or hungry? Focus on and address these specific needs.
* Add up how much money you have saved already by not purchasing cigarettes, and imagine (in detail) how you will spend your savings in six months.
* Call a friend and plan to have lunch, or go to a movie, a concert, or another pleasurable event.
* Make a list of things that are upsetting to you and write down solutions for them.
* Keep positive about changes in your life.
* Increase physical activity. This will help improve your mood and lift your depression.
* Focus on your strengths.
* Plan your next vacation or fun activity.
* Try deep-breathing exercises.
* Draw up a list of your short- and long-term personal goals.
* Think of how healthy you'll feel when you are totally free of smoking.
* If depression continues for more than a month, see your doctor.
-www.everydayhealth.com

At least 5 state newspapers say Sanford should resign

Associated Press

COLUMBIA — At least five South Carolina newspapers say Gov. Mark Sanford should resign because of revelations about his affair with a woman in Argentina.

The Greenville News, The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg, The Herald of Rock Hill, the Morning News of Florence and The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg all called on Sanford to resign.

Sanford told The Associated Press Tuesday he had more encounters than previously disclosed with his Argentine "soul mate" and had dalliances with women earlier.

Spartanburg and Orangeburg newspapers earlier had called for Sanford to quit. Spartanburg said Wednesday that Sanford "has squandered the trust South Carolinians had in him."

The Greenville News said Sanford "has destroyed any shred of credibility with his lies unnecessarily added on top of other lies."

SC Dems Condemn Sanford in New Video

The South Carolina Democratic Party today released a new web video, "No Laughing Matter," highlighting how Governor Mark Sanford's reckless behavior has made South Carolina into a national punchline that even leading national Republicans won't defend.

Governor Sanford's irresponsible conduct has made South Carolina into a national laughing stock, but his abuse of power is no laughing matter. When Americans think of South Carolina, we want them to think of our beautiful beaches and Southern hospitality, not lies and scandal. After embarrassing South Carolinians for two weeks, Governor Sanford expected to be able to return to work with no questions asked. This latest admission from Mark Sanford is precisely the reason why we've pushed the Attorney General and Republican legislative leaders to investigate all of the Governor's activities related to his extramarital affair. South Carolinians need to know if Governor Sanford's reckless, irresponsible behavior constituted illegal behavior," said S.C. Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler.

To view the SCDP's web video "No Laughing Matter," visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txdZB8bVYEg

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement today in response to Governor Mark Sanford's admission to having more encounters with this mistress than he previously disclosed.

"This latest admission from Mark Sanford is precisely the reason why we've pushed the Attorney General and Republican legislative leaders to investigate all of the Governor's activities related to his extramarital affair. South Carolinians need to know if Governor Sanford's reckless, irresponsible behavior constituted illegal behavior," said Fowler.

McMaster Requests SLED Review All Sanford Travel Records in Light of New Revelations

Columbia, S.C. June 30, 2009 - "In light of the governor's disclosure of additional travel today, I have requested that SLED conduct a preliminary review of all Governor Sanford's travel records to determine if any laws have been broken or any state funds misused."

Official Statement from Lieutenant Governor André Bauer

Clearly the events of the last week have been emotionally difficult for everyone involved.

Mark Sanford now has some painful issues to resolve with his sons and his wife. I appreciate his plea for a zone of privacy around his family. I came from a broken family. I absolutely understand the trauma and confusion his sons are feeling, because when I was 10 years old the same pain rocked my life.

I assure you that Mark’s children need their father, and especially his reassurance that they will always enjoy a special place in his heart.

Even as we give Mark some space on his family issues, we must press ahead at the problems that are vexing all the families in our state.

We must stay focused on the big picture, which is the need to produce jobs and prosperity for our people in South Carolina.

Double digit unemployment, combined with fewer job opportunities, demands the best of our government.

All of our government. All of the time.

These are real issues that require answers – answers I am committed to finding – and it is where I am urging my esteemed colleagues in the Legislature – Democrat and Republican -- to apply their focus.

As far as the issue of the Governor is concerned, we do have lots of questions – and the people are deserving of answers. We have constitutional questions – we need to ensure there is never any doubt over who is responsible for the safety of our citizens at any given time.

There are questions about how tax dollars and resources are spent and have been spent – and why. Fair and complete answers will restore confidence in our government

And finally -- there are questions – legitimate ones – about where we go from here.

However, do not look to me to be engaging or joining in calls one way or the other as they relate to Governor Sanford.

From my perspective it’s simply counterproductive. My focus is on my responsibilities, and what I can do to help our state – and our citizens -- as we struggle to revive our great state, recover our pride, and begin moving forward.

House Minority Leader Responds to Governor’s Press Conference

Today, House Minority Leader Representative Harry Ott released the following statement about Governor Sanford’s announcement:

“I am shocked and disappointed as I’m sure every other South Carolinian is at this time and quite frankly I’m having a difficult time digesting what has developed. As a Christian, I will be praying for Mark Sanford, Jenny and their family and I truly, truly hope that they ask God to be with them through this difficult time in their lives. No one that walks this earth is without sin and we all fall short at times. “

“However, I do believe that his decision to engage in an extramarital affair coupled with the fact that I believe he deliberately misled his staff and the people of South Carolina over an extended period of time must come with serious consequences. Too many times of late, elected officials have let down the people that have placed great trust in their judgment. South Carolinians deserve better, we as a society deserve better.”

“Mark Sanford will be faced with many difficult decisions in the days ahead. I hope that his decisions will be what is in the best interest of his family and the people of South Carolina. We must pick up the pieces and move forward as a state.”

“I ask that all South Carolinians pray for the Sanford family. Also, let us rally together, as South Carolinians always do, to come out of these troubling times for a brighter tomorrow.”

Reaction to Sanford's Admission

Statement from Speaker Harrell

(Columbia, SC) – House Speaker Bobby Harrell issued the statement below following Governor Sanford’s press conference:

“Today’s revelations are disturbing and shocking. There is no excuse for the unfortunate events that have transpired in recent days.

“The personal issues must be sorted out by the Sanford family and we hope for the best for them during this most difficult time.

“For five days the governor let his staff deceive the press and the people of South Carolina regarding where he was and what he was doing.

“The governor’s absence has brought to light some issues regarding the chain of command in the absence of the chief executive. It is imperative that the General Assembly deal with this during the next session. More importantly, we must focus on our state’s economy and improving education. With our unemployment rate as the third worst in the country, our time has to be devoted to getting unemployed South Carolinians back to work, improving education and growing our state’s economy.”

SCDP Chair Responds to Sanford Admission

Columbia, SC- South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler issued the following statement today in response to Governor Mark Sanford's admission during a press conference to having an extramarital affair. The Governor returned to the state today from Argentina.

"Our thoughts are with the Governor's family at this time. Mark Sanford should be given time to focus on his family right now. There will be other opportunities in the weeks ahead to discuss his effectiveness as our state's governor," said Fowler.

SCDP Chair Responds to Sanford South American Trip

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement today in response to recent developments in Governor Mark Sanford's disappearance. Sanford returned to South Carolina today from a seven day trip to Argentina. His staff previously released a statement saying the Governor was hiking along the Appalachian Trail.

"It is the height of irresponsibility for the Governor to walk out on his solemn duty to the people of South Carolina, and to be completely out of touch without making arrangements for those responsibilities to be handled in his absence.

When it comes to the real needs and concerns of South Carolinians, Mark Sanford has been pretty much missing in action for the last 6 and a half years. But it is not acceptable for him to be actually missing.

However, as disturbing as it is to walk out on your responsibilities without telling anyone, what's more troubling is that the Governor and his staff have been less than truthful about his whereabouts.

The people of this state are eager to hear a full explanation of the erratic behavior of the governor and his staff over the last few days," said Fowler.

Sanford Found

Updated, 8:31 a.m. ET: The State newspaper is reporting that Gov. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) returned to Hartsville-Jackson International Airport Wednesday morning from a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. According to the State: "Sanford said he had not been hiking along the Appalachian Trail, as his staff said in a Tuesday statement to the media."

Washington Post Story

Story from the State

House Minority Leader Responds to Governor’s Disappearance

House Minority Leader Representative Harry Ott released the following statement on Governor Sanford’s sudden disappearance.

“Since Thursday, our thoughts and prayers have been with the Governor and his family, and we will continue to pray for his safe return.”

“However, Governor Sanford’s actions span greater than his disregard for his family. His irresponsible behavior has left The South Carolina National Guard, the State Law Enforcement Division the Department of Public Safety and other cabinet agencies without their Commander-in-Chief for several days. It is unthinkable that the head of our state would disappear without regard for the people of South Carolina or the duties to which he swore to uphold. As the supreme officer of our state, the Governor’s actions are irresponsible and unacceptable.”

Sanford’s car found at Columbia airport

From The Palmetto Scoop:

The mystery into Mark Sanford’s six-day disappearance deepened Tuesday night as new evidence cast further doubt onto the governor’s “hiking” alibi.

CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby tracked down Sanford’s state-issued black Chevy Suburban at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

That information would seem to further contradict Sanford’s spokesman’s claim that the governor spent the weekend hiking along the Appalachian Trail — which is roughly a two hour drive north of Atlanta.

Added Hamby:

The SUV is outfitted with blue police lights and two-way radio. Inside the vehicle: A baseball cap, running shoes, sunscreen, a pair of shorts, a canvas bag and a sleeping bag.

A parking permit for the school attended by Sanford’s children is visible on the windshield.

The vehicle was parked in the surface lot at the airport’s main commercial terminal, which Sanford frequently uses to fly out of South Carolina.

For those attempting to keep up, Sanford now apparently hopped on a flight from Columbia, left his cell phone (which was tracked by GPS) somewhere south of Atlanta, then hitched a ride 150 miles to and from the Appalachian Trail to do some writing and hiking, and now he is on his way back to South Carolina.

Something just doesn’t add up here. Anyone who has taken high school philosophy knows the “Occam’s razor” principle and understands that, more often than not, the simplest explanation is often the correct explanation; and folks, the “hiking” explanation is about the farthest from that.

Meanwhile, the state still has no acting chief executive.

SC Democratic Party Holds Virtual Town Hall Meeting For Sanford

All S.C. Residents Invited to Participate

In anticipation of Governor Mark Sanford's return to the state, the South Carolina Democratic Party will host a virtual town hall meeting today. The meeting is open to all residents who wish to ask questions to the governor who has been out of town (and out of touch) since last week.

"South Carolinians have been very concerned about Governor Sanford's actions over the last eight months. They have a right to ask the Governor about our state's unemployment rate, the stimulus and his reasons for abandoning the state. This virtual town hall meeting will give these concerned citizens a real opportunity to ask these questions," said SCDP Chair Carol Fowler.

The town hall meeting, which will be held on the SCDP website, begins today at 4 p.m. and will end when Sanford responds to the questions. Residents wishing to participate in the SCDP meeting should visit http://www.scdp.org/governor/.

Sanford may have been naked hiking???

From The Palmetto Scoop:

The governor who dropped off the face of the Earth for five days was reportedly found Monday night by his staff hiking along the Appalachain Trail.

That explanation of Mark Sanford’s disappearance has puzzled many folks in South Carolina and across the country. Why would a sitting governor just up and disappear to the mountains without telling a single soul — including his family?

Well, The Palmetto Scoop have discovered the answer to all the secrecy: the governor may have gone for a naked hike.

No, really.

An Associated Press article from last week heralded Sunday — Father’s Day — as “Naked Hiking Day” on the Appalachian Trail. Yes, Naked Hiking Day.

“There’s no way to explain it until you experience it,” said Andrew Williams, 28, a machinist from Warren, Pa., who first hiked naked six or seven years ago. “It’s not about being lewd and crude and all that. It’s just enjoyment.” [...]

Rangers and police warn that people caught outdoors in the altogether could be charged with indecent exposure. Managers of the Appalachian Trail, where the tradition is sometimes observed by those trekking from Georgia to Maine, also discourage nudity.

“It’s just rude,” said Brian King, spokesman for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. “People are out there hiking with their kids and families, and there are Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.”

Could it be that Sanford just wanted to go au naturel in the middle of the woods and was too embarrassed to tell anyone?

Or perhaps he was one of the nudist hikers arrested be police and they had to work out a deal to quietly get him released.

This Week's Healthy SC Challenge Tips

The Healthy SC Challenge is the Sanford family's effort to get all South Carolinians to do just a little more to live a healthier lifestyle. The tips are designed to encourage individuals and communities to live healthier lifestyles in three categories - nutrition, exercise and help to quit smoking. The tips can also be found on the challenge's website, www.healthysc.gov.

Healthy Tips

Nutrition
Don't forget the extras! Make fresh garlic a standard addition to all prepared veggies, salad dressings soups, etc. Garlic is truly a medicinal food that keeps our arteries healthy and boosts immunity.

Spice up your bean and poultry dishes with turmeric or curry spices. Both are teeming with the phytochemical curcumin, now world famous for its potent anti-inflammatory power (this translates to a reduced risk of CVD, Alzheimer's, and cancer).

Go Nuts! Get into the habit of throwing nuts/seeds into salads, soups, sauces, and other prepared dishes. Nuts score a perfect ten when it comes to nutrients, especially for the heart.

Eat your sprouts today! Add broccoli sprouts to salads and sandwiches. Broccoli is a bonafide anti-cancer superstar, and these sprouts contain ten to 100 times more power to protect against cancer than mature broccoli.

Don't forget your herbs! Remember to add fresh herbs liberally to prepared foods to increase both the taste and nutritional value of your meals.
* Parsley has vitamin C and a higher concentration of flavanoids (the superstar class of antioxidant phytochemicals) than any other food.
* Cilantro is loaded with phytochemicals, including one that kills salmonella (common source of food-borne illnesses) more effectively than our strongest antibiotics.
* Rosemary, ginger, tumeric and curry - also provide especially potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals.
-Dr. Ann Kulze, Nationally recognized nutrition and wellness expert, www.DrAnnwellness.com


Physical Activity
Swimsuit season is here and the pressure to go sleeveless is rising faster than record high temperatures. So what can the average American, who does not have a personal trainer on standby or daily healthy meals cooked by a professional chef, do to get toned arms and a tighter midriff section? The answer: Take it outdoors for some fun and free summer activities that will have you burning calories just in time for bikini season. Here are eight workout ideas to do on your own or with the entire family:

1. Go Off-Road. A great way to escape the hectic city life and reduce stress is to hike in nature.

2. Ride Your Bicycle. There is no better way to explore your neighborhood, city, back country roads or local trails than from the vantage point of a bicycle. And that is just one side-effect. Bicycling is a great cardiovascular workout and will strengthen legs, glutes and core. A 140-lb individual who bicycles at ten miles per hour for an hour will burn nearly 400 calories, which makes for guilt-free eating of a six-inch double roast beef sub sandwich. Bike longer and you can burn enough calories to eat a sandwich, and have your cake too.

3. Jog Around the Block The beauty about jogging or running is that you can do it any time, anywhere. Keep your running shoes in your duffel bag, at work, in your suitcase or near the door, and you're always ready to explore the great outdoors. Even short bouts of jogging or running benefit your heart health, clear your head and calm your senses. For those running in unfamiliar places, running up staircases, around tall buildings or a stadium still makes for a great workout. Running is great for busy professionals, because you can always make time to sneak in a quick run, even during travel. Simply ask the hotel concierge for a map of the city, a nearby park or trails and you're on your way.

4. Jump Rope. Jumping rope is not only a great heart-pumping activity, but also increases body awareness. Choose a light-weight rope with foam grips that won't slip away when palms get sweaty. The right length rope is one that reaches about chest high and is measured by stepping the foot on the center of the rope while bringing the handles up to the chest.Now all that's left is to challenge each family member to a jumping rope contest while keeping it fun.

5. Get Wet. Swimming laps offers a great full-body workout. But even splashing around in the pool can be a great workout for young and old alike. The buoyancy of water reduces the "weight" of a person by about 90 percent, which means less stress on joints, bones and muscles. Many people enjoy working out against the resistance of water while benefitting from its cooling effect on the body. Here are some workout ideas: Cup your hands and pull water away from you to build strength. Use a noodle, hand-held paddles or a kick board. For those wanting to enjoy a group workout, consult your health club or YMCA about aquatic classes or master's programs for swimming laps and don't forget to wear sun screen when swimming outdoors.

6. Inline Skate. Inline skating around the neighborhood or even a pick-up game of hockey make for great family fun and a workout. Most children love the idea. To prevent injuries, it is critical that adults and especially children wear helmets and protective gear on their wrists, knees and elbows. It may not look 'cool,' but can make the difference between a serious head injury or trauma and a minor injury or broken bones, so always be safe.

7. Just Dance. You don't have to be Lady Gaga to "Just Dance." Next time you're at a summer party, dance for fun and fitness: A 120-pound person who dances socially can burn almost three calories per minute or equals approximately 180 calories per hour, which is roughly the same amount of calories as a Bloody Mary. A 180-pound person dancing for an hour can burn over 750 calories, the equivalent of two slices of a pan crust cheese pizza. Encouraging children to be creative and move their bodies freely is fun and great for their mind and body. Teach your kids some new moves in your garden, the park or at the beach.

8. Calm The Mind. For those wanting to calm the mind, rolling out a yoga mat in nature for downward-facing dog positions and sun salutations may be the ideal stress-reliever during these tough economic times. Many yoga studios are also taking their workouts outdoors. When life gets tough, slowing the mind without any distractions can make for a spiritual recovery.
-American Council on Exercise, www.acefitness.org

Tobacco
For most tobacco users, cravings or urges to smoke can be powerful. But you're not at the mercy of these cravings. When an urge to use tobacco strikes, remember that although it may be intense, it will be short, and it probably will pass within a few minutes whether you smoke a cigarette or not. Each time you resist a craving, you're one step closer to stopping smoking or other tobacco use for good.

In the meantime, here are ten ways to help you ride out the urge to smoke or use tobacco:
1. Delay. If you feel like you're going to give in to your craving, tell yourself that you must wait ten more minutes and then do something to distract yourself. This simple trick may be enough to derail your tobacco craving. Repeat as often as needed.

2. Don't have 'just one.' You may be tempted to have just one cigarette to stop a craving. But don't fool yourself into believing that you can stop at just one. More often than not, having just one leads to another, then another - and you may wind up back in the habit.

3. Avoid triggers. Urges for tobacco are likely to be strongest in the situations where you smoked or chewed tobacco most often. Identify your trigger spots - or people - and have a plan in place so that you can avoid them entirely or get through them without using tobacco. Don't set yourself up for a relapse. If you usually smoked while you talked on the phone, for instance, keep a pen and paper nearby instead for doodling rather than smoking.

4. Get physical. Physical activity can help distract you from tobacco cravings and reduce the intensity of cravings. Just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity can make a craving go away. Get out for a walk or jog. If you're stuck at home or the office, try squats, deep knee bends, push-ups, running in place, or walking up and down a set of stairs a few times. If physical activity doesn't interest you, try prayer, needlework, woodwork or journaling. Or do chores for distraction, such as vacuuming or filing paperwork.

5. Practice relaxation techniques. Coping with a craving to smoke or use tobacco can be very stressful. In the past, smoking may have been your way to deal with stress. Take the edge off your stress by practicing relaxation techniques. These include deep-breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, yoga, visualization, hypnosis and massage.
6.Call reinforcements. Touch base with a family member, friend or support group member for moral support. Chat on the phone, go for a walk together or simply share a few laughs - or get together to commiserate about your cravings.

7. Remember the benefits of quitting. Write down or say out loud the reasons you want to stop smoking and resist cravings. These might include feeling better, getting healthier, sparing your loved ones from secondhand smoke or saving money. And if you're a closet smoker, you may save hours of time since you no longer have to spend time trying to creatively conceal your habit.

8. Go online. Join an online stop-smoking program. Or read a quitter's blog and post encouraging thoughts for someone else who might be struggling with cravings. Learn from how others have handled their tobacco cravings.

9. Try replacements. Try a stop-smoking product instead of a cigarette. Some types of nicotine replacement therapy, including patches, gums and lozenges, are available over-the-counter. Nicotine nasal spray and the nicotine inhaler are available by prescription.

10. Chew on it. Give your mouth something to do. Chew on sugarless gum or hard candy. Or munch on raw carrots, celery, nuts or sunflower seeds - something crunchy and satisfying.
-www.mayoclinic.com

This Week's Healthy SC Challenge Tips

The Healthy SC Challenge is the Sanford family's effort to get all South Carolinians to do just a little more to live a healthier lifestyle. The tips are designed to encourage individuals and communities to live healthier lifestyles in three categories - nutrition, exercise and help to quit smoking.

Healthy Tips

Nutrition
To lose weight, you must eat fewer calories than your body uses. This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to eat less food. You can create lower-calorie versions of some of your favorite dishes by substituting low-calorie fruits and vegetables in place of higher-calorie ingredients. The water and fiber in fruits and vegetables will add volume to your dishes, so you can eat the same amount of food with fewer calories. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are filling. Here are some simple ways to cut calories and eat fruits and vegetables throughout your day:

Start the Day Right with breakfast! Substitute some spinach, onions, or mushrooms for one of the eggs or half of the cheese in your morning omelet. The vegetables will add volume and flavor to the dish with fewer calories than the egg or cheese. Cut back on the amount of cereal in your bowl to make room for some cut-up bananas, peaches, or strawberries. You can still eat a full bowl, but with fewer calories.

Lighten Up Your Lunch! Substitute vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, or onions for two ounces of the cheese and two ounces of the meat in your sandwich, wrap or burrito. The new version will fill you up with fewer calories than the original. Add a cup of chopped vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, beans, or red peppers, in place of two ounces of the meat or one cup of noodles in your favorite broth-based soup. The vegetables will help fill you up, so you won't miss those extra calories.

For dinner add one cup of chopped vegetables such as broccoli, tomatoes, squash, onions, or peppers, while removing one cup of the rice or pasta in your favorite dish. The dish with the vegetables will be just as satisfying but have fewer calories than the same amount of the original version. Take a good look at your dinner plate. Vegetables, fruit, and whole grains should take up the largest portion of your plate. If they do not, replace some of the meat, cheese, white pasta, or rice with steamed broccoli, asparagus, greens, or another favorite vegetable. This will reduce the total calories in your meal without reducing the amount of food you eat. BUT remember to use a normal- or small-size plate - not a platter. The total number of calories that you eat counts, even if a good portion of them come from fruits and vegetables.
-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Physical Activity
If you think young children spend their summers running around and keeping trim, think again. A new study finds that kindergartners and first-graders put on more weight during summer vacations than during the school year. Children are eating more and exercising less when they are out of the classroom routine, suggests the study in the American Journal of Public Health. The extra pounds are not normal growth spurts. During the summer, children gain weight at twice the rate as during the school year, pushing some kids into obesity and making overweight children even heavier.

Exercise is an important part of keeping adolescents healthy. Encouraging healthy lifestyles in children and adolescents is important for when they grow older. Lifestyles learned in childhood are more likely to stay with the child into adulthood. Changes in lifestyle are harder to make the older the person becomes. The best way to promote healthy lifestyles is for the whole family to become involved.

A daily exercise program can provide a way to share an activity with family and friends, while helping establish good heart-healthy habits. The following exercise guidelines for adolescents can help you and your adolescent plan activities:

*Children and adolescents need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most days for maintenance of good health and fitness and for healthy weight during growth.
*Parents are encouraged to limit children's screen time (TV, video, and computers) to less than two hours daily and replace the sedentary activities with activities that require more movement.
-Medical University of South Carolina

Tobacco
Although smokers must make their own decisions to quit, several common factors often serve as motivators for quitting.

-Health Benefits: Improved health seems to be the primary motivator for quitting. Many of the adverse health effects of smoking can be greatly reduced or even reversed through cessation. Immediate benefits of quitting include a decrease in blood pressure, a lowered pulse rate, an increased oxygen level in the blood, and a decreased blood carbon monoxide level. Also, the ability to smell and taste is enhanced. After two weeks of abstinence, circulation to the extremities improves, blood pressure remains lower, and lung function improves. After just a few weeks to a month, cough, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath all decrease, although cough may actually worsen right after quitting. Further, ex-smokers are less likely than current smokers to have colds, develop gum disease, experience fertility problems (in both males and females), or experience erectile dysfunction.

-Personal Requests: Many smokers receive personal requests to quit from family members, friends, and physicians who are concerned about the smoker's health and/or are bothered by their habit. Although one request may not be enough motivation, each subsequent request may increase a smoker's probability of quitting.

-Economic Aspects: Although health is usually the main motivator for quitting, the economic cost and burden of the habit may also influence some smokers' decisions. Depending on the individual, smoking can be quite expensive -- costing as much as $70.00-80.00 per week. Although the main public health objective of raising the price of cigarettes is to deter adolescents from smoking, increasing cigarette prices does seem to increase smoking cessation. The economic benefits of quitting may be especially important for the 30% of smokers who have incomes below the national poverty level. The cost of cigarettes isn't the only economic cost of smoking. Smokers' health care expenses are as much as 21% higher than those of nonsmokers. It is estimated that smoking costs the U.S. $158 billion each year in productivity losses and excess medical expenditures.
- The American Council on Science and Health

Republican Liberty Caucus Encourages Mark Sanford to Pursue Presidency

The National Board of the Republican Liberty Caucus has passed a resolution encouraging South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford to seek the Republican nomination for U.S. President in 2012.

“Governor Sanford had an outstanding record in Congress, often voting his conscience on tough issues rather than just following the party line,” said RLC National Chairman Dave Nalle. “In Washington, Sanford opposed pork barrel projects even when they benefited his own district and he honored his term limits pledge and stepped down in 2000. In his two terms as governor of South Carolina, Sanford has shown independence and creativity and acted as a vigilant guardian of taxpayer interests,” said Nalle.

Sanford was the first U.S. Governor to reject a portion of the federal stimulus money earmarked for his state last March. Sanford also worked out a compromise with state legislators to accept federal funds, provided that the politicians eliminated the state’s debts.

Mark Sanford has consistently been one of the strongest voices in the nation for fiscal and individual responsibility. At a Cato Institute event in 2008, Governor Sanford explained that “there's a battle line in our society: with government on one side and liberty – the hallmark of the American experiment – on the other.”

He also earned the endorsement of the Republican Liberty Caucus when running for Congress and Governor. Consistently ranked at the top of the RLC's “Liberty Index” – which began tracking votes in Congress on social and economic liberty in 1991 – Sanford's overall rating was 82%.

“The nation needs a champion of fiscal responsibility and individual liberty now more than ever,” added National RLC Secretary Aaron Biterman, and “Sanford has demonstrated his commitment to those ideals and an ability to communicate them to voters.”

Although it is still early in the process and Governor Sanford has not yet announced his intentions for 2012, the Republican Liberty Caucus urges its members and other concerned citizens to encourage Governor Mark Sanford to seek the Republican nomination for U.S. President in 2012.

Founded in 1991, the Republican Liberty Caucus exists to promote individual rights, limited government, and free enterprise within the Republican Party by promoting those ideals among Party officials and its various organizations, identifying and supporting candidates sympathetic with them, and promoting Caucus membership among Republican Party registrants, officials, and officeholders.