Top Five Best Beaches in Florida

We’re constantly being asked by out-of-towners about our favorite Florida beach destinations.  So we thought – why not make a top five list? The next time you’re asked or packing your bags to head to the beach, consider one of these:   

Photo Credit: Laura Faith

1. Siesta Keys, Sarasota: White, silky, bright, fine - there aren't enough adjectives to describe the sand and quality of the beaches here. Located in Sarasota, this West coast beach has idyllic written all over it with tranquil waters and expansive sand. 
2. South Beach, Miami: How could we make a list of our favorite Florida beaches and not include South Beach? Understandably the most famous of all our beaches, this one has it all – beautiful waters, people watching, shopping, and all the aquatic activities you can think of.
3. Clearwater Beach, Clearwater: Wind down with Sunsets at Pier 60, meet Winter “the celebrity dolphin” or enjoy the Caladesi Island State Park. The options are limitless at Clearwater Beach.
4. Key West: Visit the southernmost tip of our country and you can see why this is a popular destination for everyone – not just Jimmy Buffet fans! This four miles of paradise has tons of fun things to do like snorkeling, kayaking, dolphin tours, and the highly enjoyable glass bottom boat ride. 
5. New Smyrna Beach: Lest you think all of the best beaches are dotted on the west and south ends, New Smyrna Beach is nestled in the central east coast. This coastal moss-draped community gives you an inkling of the diverse ecology that Florida is blessed –with – dunes, lagoons and salt marsh and endangered species of birds, animals and much more.

So, what do you think of our top five list? Share your top beach picks with us!

What you need to know about Seat Belts

Have there been commercials that have made you think? For us, it's the Sussex Safer Roads’ award winning commercial about seat belt safety.



We're awed by it. Such a simple message, shown in the most effective way. So as you drive today, remember:

• Buckling up can reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about 50%.
• Though air bags provide added protection, they are not a substitute for seat belts. Air bags plus seat belts provide the greatest protection for adults.  

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/seatbelts/facts.html

Also check out National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s top five things you should know about buckling up. Drive Safe!

MJ visits the White House

Manjunath “MJ” Charmani, one of our colleagues here at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida attended a special reception on June 22^nd at the White House, where he also met President Obama, to learn about the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Initiative. We spoke to MJ and here’s what he had to say:

“The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Initiative is one of the ways the Obama Administration is opening access to leaders in the AAPI community, thereby sending the message of inclusion. The AAPI Initiative is working to improve the quality of life and opportunities for Asian American and Pacific Islanders by facilitating access to and participation in federal programs, where the population has remained underserved.

   An invitation from President and Mrs. Obama meant a lot to me, especially being an immigrant and having travelled 19,000 miles from the other side of the globe. My visit to the White House was a truly exhilarating experience. The eventful day started with a special briefing by the President’s administration on the education, economy, immigration, budget and AAPI Initiative overall. President Obama arrived at the reception and addressed the invitees with a thank you note. In his speech, the President recognized AAPI as the fastest-growing immigrant community and noted that the White House wants to be a partner in addressing any underserved areas.

   Following the reception, we were taken into the Diplomatic Room, where we had the opportunity meet Cabinet members and I was able to shake hands with the President. These two hours spent at the White House will be a great memory.”

MJ was also kind enough to share a video that he created of his experience. Take a look below:

Congratulations MJ - We are proud to work with you!

Choose My Plate - the USDA does away with the food pyramid

Do you remember the food pyramid? On June 2, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it was no longer using the food pyramid and replaced it with My Plate.

My Plate is a colorful, yet simple, plate split into four sections:  fruits, grains, vegetables and protein with a separate section to represent dairy foods. My plate is designed to help you build a healthy meal, balance calories and eat less by avoiding oversized portions.

To learn more about the USDA’s My Plate, and for tips to eat healthier, visit www.choosemyplate.gov.

Little known ways to increase your fluid intake

Continuing our tips for summer safety under the Florida sun, we are talking today about fluid intake. Under normal conditions, most people can drink enough fluids to meet their water needs, but if you are outside in hot weather for most of the day or doing vigorous activity, you may need to increase your fluid intake.

If you think you're not getting enough water each day, the following tips may help: 

1. Carry a water bottle for easy access when you are at work or running errands.
2. Freeze some freezer-safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long.
3. Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. This tip can also help with weight management. Substituting water for one 20-ounce sugar-sweetened soda will save you about 240 calories.
4. Choose water instead of other beverages when eating out. Generally, you will save money and reduce calories.
5. Give your water a little pizzazz by adding a wedge of lime or lemon. This may improve the taste, and you just might drink more water than you usually do.

Do sugar-sweetened beverages count?

Although beverages that are sweetened with sugars do provide water, they usually have more calories than unsweetened beverages. To help control your weight, you should consume beverages and foods that don't have added sugars.

 Examples of beverages with added sugars:

·         Fruit drinks.

·         Some sports drinks.

·         Soft drinks and sodas (non-diet).

 Visit Rethink Your Drink for more information about the calories in beverages and how you can make better drink choices to reduce your calorie intake.

The Secret to enjoying Cruises the healthy way

Summer is here and we at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida are excited about the different ways Floridians are utilizing the sun. With a whole host of activities to choose from, cruises seem to be a favorite with everybody we asked. We talked to a few cruise aficionados, who had some interesting tidbits to share about their cruise experience, especially about how to stay healthy while still having fun in the sun.

Karla Williams who went on a 7 day family cruise in 2010 says her biggest challenge was getting over the the concept of endless free food. With food choices from the healthy to the not-so healthy, Karla took advantage of the fun activities like line-dancing or ballroom dancing to work out those calories. She also took to taking the stairs and dropping in on the aerobics classes that were held in the gym on the cruise.

That’s the same advice Brian Benda went with – he went on two snorkeling trips and a walking city tours – activities that offered him several hours of non-stop fun but also helped him get some exercise in. For Melissa Adams, getting up for the AM yoga, helped her get most out of her day. Christy  Harding, who just recently returned from a cruise suggests using the dining room more than the buffet. “Table service is great because you get waited on. Plus, you’re served individual serving sizes instead of helping yourself to an entire plate of bacon. If the buffet isn’t in front of you, you don’t know what you’re missing and you still leave the table well-satisfied.”

We think that’s great advice. So, the next time you are packing your bags for that cruise destination, remember:

1. Take the stairs. Cruise ships are huge and offer many exciting adventures. Take the time to explore your ship, starting with those stairs.
2. Try to drink as much water as possible. Those lovely drinks come with a price tag and calories. Enjoy yourself but be mindful how many you consume/day.
3. If you’re in the buffet line, start with a salad. Not only are you getting in your fibers, you are also filling up. 
4. Try out the dining room. Not only are you resisting the temptation of endless food, you also have more control over the portions presented before you.
5. Take advantage of the abundant fun activities that will get you moving like dancing, scuba diving, aerobic classes, yoga, etc.

We want to hear from the cruise lovers - any other tips we missed on how to manage health while you're having fun?  

What everybody ought to know about Fireworks - tips from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida

Happy Fourth of July everybody! We are excited to celebrate this fun
weekend here in beautiful Florida. As always, we hope everybody has a safe time. Our Dr. Jannifer Harper, Vice President of Medical Operations, here at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida gave us some great information on fireworks and what to do in case of injury during this weekend.  

The Fourth of July is a notorious time for fireworks-related injuries and trips to the emergency room. According to a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are about 200+ fireworks injuries a day nationwide between mid-June and mid-July.

The most common cause of injuries is firecrackers, which are essentially gunpowder, followed by sparklers. Most people do not consider, when handing a young child a sparkler, that sparklers can reach extreme temperatures of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.

My colleagues and I at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida encourage all Floridians, in their pursuit of health, to enjoy a safe and injury-free Independence Day celebration. That means leaving the fireworks to the professionals and enjoying one of the many fireworks displays offered in communities across South Florida.

If you decide to handle fireworks, here is some sensible advice in case of injury:

• First and foremost remain calm
• Only the mildest of injuries should be treated at home
• The best course of action is to seek medical care
• Urgent care centers can treat minor cuts, burns and abrasions, as well as some sprains and fractures Individuals with more severe injuries should go to the emergency room or be transported  by ambulance, especially in the case of head trauma or loss of consciousness

For additional information on health and wellness, visit your neighborhood Florida Blue Center or  CPSC's Fireworks Safety page, and from all of us at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida we wish you and your family a happy and healthy Fourth of July!

Dr. Jannifer Harper is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s Vice President of medical operations, leading the clinical areas of the medical operations unit as well as oversight of clinical strategy for BCBSF.