The 2011 Yuengling Shamrock Marathon, Half-Marathon, and TowneBank 8k will not disappoint.  Sign-up now so you do not miss the 2011 event.  We expect the Half-Marathon to reach its participant limit early (it sold out in December last year)!

September 1st brings the special day that Preston will say "this is my birthday month"!  Yes Preston it is your month that you will turn 12!  But 11 years ago doctors told Preston's parents that he may not see another birthday.  With the support of the Shamrock Community for the past 5 years we have been able to raise over $130,000 for research and to find a cure for Mitochondrial Disease, which Preston has been affected with for 11 years.  We are hoping that the participants of Shamrock will continue to support Preston's March and the Mitochondrial Disease Foundation by making a donation when they register this year, so more children can celebrate more birthdays like Preston. 

Operation Smile is a worldwide children's medical charity that provides free reconstructive surgery for those born with cleft lifts and cleft palates like 4 1/2 year old Wendy Gutierrez.  In March, Wendy participated in the Operation Smile Final Mile and afterward, received surgery to repair her cleft lip.  She has since returned to her homeland in Honduras to begin a new life with a brand new smile.  Sincere thanks to Shamrock, its runners and countless others that help Operation Smile serve children like Wendy.  www.operationsmile.org

It takes Determination to endure; it takes Determination to find a cure.  Make your Miles more Meaningful by joining the American Cancer Society Determination Team as we partner with the 2011 Yuengling Shamrock Sportsfest.  We provide free race entry, training, and mentor support to help you save lives!  Click here to learn more!

Get More.  Give More.  Register Today! 

Train with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (TNT) for a life-changing experience.  Get more of what you need to succeed: great coaching, supportive team, and inspiration while you raise funds to help people with cancer live better, longer lives.  Visit www.teamintraining.org or call (800) 482-TEAM today.  

Food Lion is proud to sponsor the 39th Annual Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend!  Team Food Lion will be at the finish once again this year handing out water and bananas!  We are big fans of Shamrock runners, so become a fan of ours on Facebook.  Sham Rock On!

Celebrate halfway to St. Patrick's Day with our finish line sponsor Murphy's Irish Pub in Virginia Beach at their Celtic Festival on September 18th.  There will be Irish dancers and live bands including Carbon Leaf, Fighting Jamesons, Ceann and Glascow Kiss.  Enjoy food and drinks in the Murphy's parking lot between noon and 11pm while supporting the Celtic Festival Charity, Project Children.

This is one Irish party you will not want to miss!

A salad can be as simple as lettuce and as creative as fresh greens, crisp vegetables, juicy fruit, savory proteins and gourmet cheese blends.  Even the pickiest of eaters can find some version of the salad that will appeal to their taste buds.  Besides tasting great, salads provide an optimal way of fueling your body with fiber, fruits and vegetables.  Current research shows that most Americans are deficient in these important nutrients.  Research continues to show that diets low in these nutrients are a precursor for disease states.  However, diets high in fiber can help lower cholesterol and prevent constipation.  Diets high in fruits and vegetables will increase your blood levels with powerful disease fighting antioxidants including Vitamin C, E, folic acid, lycopene and alpha and beta carotene. 

To prepare a nutrient-dense salad for lunch, here are some quick and easy steps to follow:

1. Place olive oil and vinegar in the bottom of a zip lock bag.
2. Add your favorite lettuce and at least two kinds of vegetables.
3. Mix in a low fat protein source such as chicken, beans or eggs. 
   
4. Add one type of fresh or dried fruit.
5. Generously season with all of your favorite herbs and spices. 
   
6. Seal and refrigerate.  Shake before eating.

Another quick option is to visit your local McDonald's restaurant and order any of the premium salads.  Feel free to spice your salad up with grilled chicken and one of the low-fat dressings.  This salad will provide you with the three to six grams of fiber and three servings of vegetables.

So mix it up, shake it up and fill up with salads to improve your health!

Shaye Arluk, MS, RD, HFI is a nutritional consultant for McDonalds and a partner in their Healthy Active Lifestyle Campaign.  Full McDonald's nutritional information is available at www.mcdonalds.com/nutrition or in restaurants.