ATLANTA – Next week marks the start of the season many of us look forward to, year round. People love this season, dubbed “the most wonderful time of the year”, for a number of reasons. For children it could be the toys and gifts they receive or the annual visit to Grandma’s house. Or for adults it could be the abundant holiday cheer or the abundant holiday food it's okay to consume for the mere sake of the holiday. For some, the holidays can be too cheery and many end up heavier than they were before they started. 

Was the holiday food really worth a holiday gut? Think again.

Many people struggle with this issue, year in and year out. Some go on crash diets before the holiday or workout until they’re fatigued to “make room” for their Thanksgiving Feast but Amy Henry at FORUM Fitness in Buckhead thinks they’re all “wasting their time”.

ATLANTA – Bleckley, Colquitt and Hall counties were selected for the “Feed My School for a Week” program during the 2011-2012 school years. The program will teach Georgia students about where their food comes from making them more aware of the importance of proper nutrition.

According to the State Superintendant Dr. John Barge, “Georgia is second in the nation in childhood obesity. The Freed My School for a Week program is a great first step in raising students’ awareness of nutritional options as well as promoting healthier meals in our schools”.

The schools will be hosting a guest speaker, holding taste tests, and will hold an essay contest. During a one-week period, in the spring semester, all lunches served will consist of 75-100 percent Georgia grown food. State schools have been, progressively, attempting to integrate Farm-to-School meals.

Also, during the week, schools will hold additional educational activities and art contests. 

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Community Health has adopted a proposal to secure the future of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP).

The initiative introduces a new consumer-directed wellness plan, improves plan administration, eliminates the SHBP's projected deficit for this year and substantially reduces future deficits.

"The board is pleased to endorse this thoughtful and responsible plan that is not afraid to tackle the big issues," said DCH board chairman Ross Mason. "This is a forward-looking plan that provides real bottom line-driven solutions."

SHBP is facing a projected deficit of slightly more than $800 million during the next two years.

"Our major concern is the continued delivery of quality health care services at an affordable cost," said DCH commissioner David Cook.