Staff at People, Incorporated office of the F.A.C.E. (Family Advocacy and Community Education) unit, that  operates out of 170 Pleasant Street, gathered for a pot-luck lunch on February 16, 2011 that featured recipes made with foods that are naturally low in carbohydrates. The idea for the event grew out of a series of weekly support group lunches organized by F.A.C.E. director Jenny DiBlasi and Healthy City Fall River coordinator Dave Weed. "After several weeks of learning about the advantages of a low-carb lifestyle, we thought that it was time to celebrate by sharing favorite low-carb dishes," stated DiBlasi, who has followed a low-carb lifestyle for about eight years. Low-carbohydrate diets not only result in greater weight loss than low fat diets but also lower the risk of diabetes and pre-diabetes while lowering cholesterol levels and lowering the risk of heart disease. The diet is of particular interest to persons who receive services through the Diabetes Association, now organized under the F.A.C.E. program. For more information about the program, contact FACE director Jenny DiBlasi at 508-837-6902, Ext. 102. For information about low-carb support groups that meet throughout the week at various locations, contact Dave Weed at 508-324-2411.
 

(Top row) Jason Medeiros, Amanda Donovan and Mary Bisson help themselves to some of the many low-carb dishes brought in by members of the group including broccoli salad, low-carb wraps with cheese, low-carb chili, deviled eggs, tabouli salad, cauliflower "potato salad", and several deserts sweetened with Splenda or no-carb whipped cream. (Middle row) Amanda, Jason and Diabetes Association program director Mike Ramos join Healthy City coordinator Dave Weed. (Bottom row, left) F.A.C.E. director Jenny DiBlasi and family advocate Janice Lynch enjoy sampling some of the delicious low-carb desserts. (Bottom row, center and right) SMILES program manager Marie Rivera, SMILES director of Fall River operations Katje Fuson, family advocates Mary Bisson, Amanda Donovan and Jason Medeiros, Mike Ramos, Jenny DiBlasi, family advocate Janice Lynch, Senior Aid Edrit Hendrick, and   program and staff development coordinator Ed Hill all enjoy the meal.