Hot news

Work: Tae Bo creator Billy Blanks will join the Salvation Army's Health Focus 2004 June 17 and 18.

Blanks will discuss his strategies for maintaining mental, physical and spiritual health at a dinner and silent auction at 6 p.m. June 17 at the East Club Lounge at Paul Brown Stadium. Cost: $75. Corporate tables available.

Blanks will also hold two local Tae Bo workouts. The first, at 6 a.m. June 18, will be at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza Hotel downtown. The second begins at 9 a.m. at the Commons, Mason High School. Tickets $25.

Information: 762-5638 or www.healthfocuscinci.com

Calendar

Support: The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association of Western Ohio will hold its support group meeting at 7 p.m. June 14 at Brookwood Retirement Community, 12100 Reed Harman Highway.

Ink: Laurie Simon Goldman will lead "Writing into Wellness" for cancer patients, survivors and their family members from 10:30 a.m. to noon Fridays at the Wellness Center, 4918 Cooper Road, Blue Ash. Information: 791-4060.

Research

Risky: New research from the University of Cincinnati shows that untreated high blood pressure increases the risk for bleeding stroke.

The study, led by Dr. Daniel Woo, found that controlling hypertension could cut the incidence of bleeding stroke by about 25 percent.

Woo and colleagues found that blacks were at higher risk of having untreated hypertension. But there was no difference in the rate of untreated hypertension among study subjects who had health insurance, which indicates healthcare access is an important factor in stroke prevention.

Tips

Fiery: Here are tips for leaner summer picnics and barbecues from eDiets.com chief nutritionist Susan Burke:

• Grill chicken, fish and lean cuts of beef like sirloin instead of fatty burgers or ribs.

• Take the skin off chicken to cut fat.

• Beef burgers are boring: Think turkey, tuna or salmon.

• A fish grill basket makes it easy to grill lower-fat fish, shrimp, scallops and lobster.

• Grill veggie burgers and hot dogs to cut fat and calories.

• Grilled corn is a sweet summer treat. Use olive oil instead of butter to cut saturated fat.

• Portobello mushrooms make great burgers without cholesterol or saturated fat.

• Grill a reduced-fat sausage, and balance it with tossed salad and other veggies and fruits.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone: 768-8510; fax: 768-8330; E-mail: pofarrell@enquirer.com