The Wake County school board's student achievement committee is scheduled to discuss today the latest recommendations from the School Health Advisory Council, including the controversial one on banning the sale of unhealthy foods.

Since the SHAC report came out last week, school board members have been getting a steady stream of comments from booster groups warning that restricting what they can sell at concession stands will harm their ability to raise funds to support athletic programs.

The response was so much that school board vice chairwoman Christine Kushner, also chair of the student achievement committee, quipped last week that they should invite the booster groups to the superintendent search feedback meetings.

How does banning unhealthy foods at school concession stands sound as a goal for the Wake County school system?

As noted in today's article, the district's School Health Advisory Council will present to the school board today this list of recommendations as part of its annual report. The most controversial recommendation would ban the sale of unhealthy foods such as "candy bars, donuts, cookie dough, bake sales, etc.” by schools or “school affiliated groups.”

This recommendation would cover fundraisers whether they're held during or outside the school day. It also encompasses the food sales done by the booster groups to help raise money for athletic programs.

Here's a freebie that won't last long: Sign up for a free Perfectly Simple nutrition bar from Zone Perfect.

Choose from among three flavors: Peanut Crunch, Cranberry Almond or Toasted Coconut.

Sharon Denise Powell, news assistant Eastern Wake News and Clayton News-Star

My quest to be healthy continues. I just learned that registration opens for the 2013 MS Walk Oct. 1. I called the Raleigh chapter of the MS Society but there was no answer so I left a voicemail message. I need to know the date of the walk.  It’s time for me to put up or shut up. I’m going to do it – I’m going to walk for MS.

A 5k-walk is about 3.1 miles and it should take me about an hour to finish.  In the navy I ran a mile and a half in 20 minutes. I don’t care if I’m the last person across the finish line -- that happened once when I ran my navy physical fitness test  -- only once, and oh the humiliation. This is different.

Just like the little engine that could I’m going to take this walk repeating to myself the mantra, ‘I think I can, ‘ I think I can … I know I can, I know I can,’ and finally, ‘I can, I can, I can!’

I've talked about this walk for months but in the beginning I admit I wasn’t totally committed to training for this, but I am now. I’ve done my research and found tools to help me on this quest.

I normally cram long walks with my trusty hound into Saturday, Sunday and Mondays – my days off. Starting this week I’m going to get up at six and Sammy and I will walk for 30 minutes daily.

Also, I just signed up for the online “Walk of Life 10-Week Program” and I will receive a daily email with a walking assignment, walking lesson, nutrition tip, healthy recipe and motivational tip.

I’m excited about this journey. I said when I started writing on this blog I wanted to improve my health, reach a healthy weight, take the 5k-walk for multiple sclerosis and live to be a hundred.  So far I’ve gained five pounds, but I still don't always eat healthy and I might not live to be a hundred, but I can walk for MS.

Why is this walk important? I have MS.  In the past I’ve struggled with maintaining a healthy weight and was once diagnosed as malnourished. This is not good for someone with my disease.

I’ve been lucky, in spite of my diagnosis I can take my dog on longs walks. I can get in my 5-speed manual transmission mustang and drive 17 miles to work. Also, I can practice the craft that I love – writing. Not everyone with MS can do this -- this is why I have to take the walk.

Sammy can’t go with me on that walk, but thanks to him and this blog I’ll think I can, no, I know I can!

January brings a surge - or maybe more accurately, a bombardment - in stories and advertising about losing weight.

Though much of it is information would-be dieters like myself really already know or can sort through with a little common sense, the advice still can be overwhelming:

Camp Shining Stars helps kids lose weight, live healthier lives