LiveSmart

summer

2012

| issue no.

2

LoCaL 4th oF JuLy CeLeBrations The Fourth of July means more than fireworks and watermelon

easinG Knee Pain

Burton resident Roy Schmidt receives an innovative partial knee implant

11 stePs to LooKinG Better

Quick fixes for skin, hair, makeup and style give an extra ego boost to encourage dieters

Olivia + neWtOn JOHn

KEEP KIDS INJURY FREE

after overcoming cancer, the iconic music star has set her sights on helping women live healthier lives

SUMMER CAMPS

TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT FIDO

WHERE'S THE BEEF HOW TO SAVE GAS

6 10 12 16 18 26

Keep kids injury free

while playing their favorite sports this summer!

Local July 4th celebrations

The Fourth of July means more than fireworks and watermelon; it means being part of a community.

Easing Knee Pain

Burton resident Roy Schmidt was the second patient to receive an innovative partial knee implant

NEWTON JOHN

After overcoming a tumultuous cancer battle, the iconic music star has set her sights on helping women

2|

livesmart

the eagle • theeagle.com

F E AT UR E

OLIVIA

take steps to protect Fido

from the heat this summer

the insomnia wakeup call

Sleep Deprivation is a serious health risk

The difference is

Convenience

10 5 5

PRIMaRY CaRE CliniC loCations 24/7 EMERgENCY RooMS

Bryan • College Station Madisonville • Caldwell • Navasota

4 12 4

pHysiCal tHerapy CliniCs

st. JosepH express CliniCs Bryan • College Station Hearne • Brenham

diagnostiC lab and IMagINg LoCatIoNS

regional Hospitals Bryan • Madisonville Caldwell • Navasota

pHysiCian Finder line

sJnoW ipHone® app

Helps find the ideal physician for you

St. Joseph locations, physicians previews and more

979.774.2121

Request an appointment online - visit www.st-joseph.org/appointment, complete the appointment request and then submit it. We will contact you to schedule an appointment that fits your needs.

A Ministry of Sylvania Franciscan Health

A Ministry of Sylvania Franciscan Health

More than 30 health care provider locations across the Brazos Valley Bryan • College Station • Caldwell • Navasota • Brenham • Lexington • Normangee

CELEBRITY style the Benefits of a professional

manicure & pedicure

Your hands and feet are constantly on deBBie lOeWe Nail Technician show, and even more so in the summer.

Certified Master Painter Neat, well cared for nails add immeasurably to the appearance of your hands and feet, whether you are male or female. Treating yourself to a manicure and pedicure regularly keeps your hands, feet and nails in optimum condition.

Most manicures and pedicures include exfoliation of the dead skin cells on your hands and feet to improve the appearance and stimulate regeneration. A foot file is used to smooth and contour calluses on the feet, often the cause of aches and pains when standing for long periods of time. There is a lot more to a manicure and pedicure at a salon than just a coat of polish!

Professional products are applied to treat cuticles, allowing any rough edges to be removed easily. Moisturizers are massaged into the hand, arm, foot and lower leg, hydrating them and stimulating blood flow. The massage can also help to relieve aches and pains from arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, and is very relaxing.

Your manicure will continue with your nails being cleaned, buffed, trimmed and shaped. You can choose the length and shape you prefer. If you are having nail polish applied, you will then choose a color from the salon’s selection, or you can bring your own. Most salons now offer special polishes that apply exactly the same as standard polish but will last up to two weeks. Another aspect of these polishes is that they are dry immediately. You will get a base coat, two coats of polish and a topcoat.

Often a treatment, such as cuticle oil, is added after the last coat of polish to help maintain the condition of the nails and cuticles.

With normal wear and tear, you can expect the benefits of a manicure to last 2 to 3 weeks and a pedicure up to 4 weeks. Although you may feel that it is an added expense for something you can do yourself, the additional attention to detail and extra treatments that a salon offers not only makes your nails look super, it improves the appearance of your hands and feet as well. You will be proud of your hands and feet, showing them off at every opportunity.

You may want a manicure and pedicure for a special occasion, or for a summer holiday where your feet and hands are definitely going to be on show. Look for these benefits when treating yourself to a professional manicure and pedicure: • Maintain healthy nails • Hydration of the hands, feet, nail, and cuticles • Providing relief from pain caused by carpal tunnel, arthritis, and overworked extremities • Improvement of the health of the skin by increasing blood circulation

Try as you might, a home manicure is unlikely to look as good or last as long as a professional manicure and pedicure, with professionally applied, superior products, salons offer a superb service that not only gives you great looking hands, feet and nails; it also gives you an opportunity to relax and be pampered.

4|

livesmart

the eagle • theeagle.com

how to stay

By ShauNa lewiS

healthy and hydrated this summer S

ummertime often means being outdoors in the heat, going on vacation and barbecues, and a local nutrition expert recommends tips such as carrying a reusable water bottle and planning ahead to stay healthy and hydrated.

Kristin Shaffer, a clinical dietitian and certified health and wellness coach at St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan, said planning meals ahead is key to eating healthy, especially when on a hectic schedule or away from home.

“It is much harder to eat healthy when you’re driving home hungry at 7 p.m. and there is no quick, healthy food to cook at home,” Shaffer said. “Purchase quick-cooking foods like whole grain pizza crust, whole grain ravioli, frozen steam bag veggies or cook larger amounts when cooking to be able to freeze leftovers for hectic nights. Crock pots can also be a busy family’s best friend in the kitchen.”

When going on vacation, look for a nearby supermarket to shop for healthy foods, or bring along food if a kitchen area is available at the vacation getaway, she said.

Shaffer said cereal, low-fat milk, string cheese, crackers, peanut butter, granola bars and fresh fruit can provide healthy snacks or small meals.

“When eating out, try a 90-10 rule in which 90 percent of your meals are healthy, 10 percent indulgence,” she said. “Remember the vacation itself is the fun time, not unhealthy foods.”

The eagle

Shaffer also recommended when camping, keep all perishable food cold and raw meats away from ready-to-eat foods because of possible cross contamination. Take plenty of ice, she added, and when the ice in a cooler has melted, eat the food immediately or throw it away.

Budget-friendly camping foods include tuna and crackers, trail mix, fresh fruit and vegetables, camp chili (beans, corn and tomatoes) or foil-packet quesadillas or miniature pizzas, she said.

Shaffer said to also remember to avoid cross contamination of raw and cooked foods when having a summer barbecue cookout, and when taking raw foods outside to cook, wash the plate the raw foods were on and the tongs before using them again for the cooked product.

She also said a meat thermometer is the safest way to ensure meats are cooked to the correct temperature.

To eat healthy at barbecues, aim for fruits and vegetables and skinless grilled turkey or chicken, and limit high-fat meats and salty condiments such as pickles, barbecue sauce and ketchup.

Leftovers should be put into the fridge within two hours of preparation when at room temperature, Shaffer said, or within one hour if they have been kept in over 90-degree temperatures. more HealtHy tiPS Shaffer said cool healthy treats

for the summer include low-fat ice cream, sherbet or 100-percent fruit bars. Chocolate popsicles are also a good option, she said, because they’re usually lower in fat than ice cream and cut out the temptation to scoop out an extra serving of ice cream.

Other healthy summer snack choices are fresh fruits and vegetables with low-fat dips, lowsalt chips with fresh salsa and lowfat puddings.

Shaffer also suggested keeping the entire family active during the summer with activities such as swimming, playing in the sprinkler, hiking, planning a neighborhood kickball or softball game or organizing a motorcycle or dog

wash. Everyone should aim for about 60 minutes of being active most days of the week, she said.

Staying Hydrated and keePing Skin HealtHy All ages are at risk for dehydration in hot weather without adequate hydration, Shaffer said, but those especially susceptible are infants and children, older adults, those who are chronically ill, endurance athletes and those who are working in hot and humid weather.

To stay hydrated when heading outside for an activity, drink before, during and after the outdoor activity, and plan ahead to make sure everyone will have

something to drink, she said. On any given day, people should sip on a drink throughout the day and not wait until they feel thirsty; they should also carry a reusable water bottle, she said.

The best drink choice to stay hydrated is water; it is also low in sodium and free of calories or fat, she said. “If water is not your first choice, try adding sliced fruits, such as cucumbers, oranges, lemons or herbs like mint to provide a bit of flavor,” Shaffer said. “Sports drinks are mainly needed only by athletes or those partaking in vigorous activity for greater than one hour.”

Another way to stay hydrated is to eat plenty of fruits, especially those high in water content like grapes or melons, or eat 100 percent fruit popsicles, she said.

The best way to avoid skin damage when being outside is using sun block, she said. But fruits, vegetables and whole grains also help reduce free radicals, which can be caused by UV rays, she said. So eating a diet full of different colored fruits and vegetables (recommended half of a plate at each meal), along with at least three servings of whole grains can help keep skin healthier from the inside out, year-round, she said.

plan of

care

Hospice Brazos Valley’s plan of care centers on the patient. Our experienced, certified care team specializes in end-of-life care.

Call us today; we will answer all your hospice questions.

Bryan:

979.821.2266

Brenham:

979.277.9525 Clinical Excellence.

Unwavering Compassion.

LaGrange:

979.968.6913

www.hospicebrazosvalley.org

summer

2012

issue no.

2

|5

keep kids inJury Free

while playing their favorite sports this summer!

S Brazos Valley Foot Care has been providing quality caring service for over 30 Years.

Julie Albert, DPM Eduardo Orihuela, DPM Robert Aguilar, DPM Brian Abbey, DPM Tyler Kearney, DPM NOW ACCEPTING SCOTT AND WHITE HEALTH PLAN PATIENTS

Locations in Bryan, College Station, Brenham, Caldwell, Cameron, Rockdale, Marlin & Navasota Se Habla Español • Medicare & Most Insurance Plans Accepted

(979)776-6060 (979)694-5222 (979)836-2992 1-888-284-4643 w w w. b r a z o s v a l l e y f o o t c a re . c o m Bryan College Station Brenham Toll Free

6|

livesmart

ummer vacation gives children a break from schoolwork, but for many, their participation in sports will continue in warm weather months. Parents, coaches and players need to keep injury prevention in mind to ensure sports stay safe and fun throughout the summer.

In a new survey commissioned by Safe Kids Worldwide and Johnson & Johnson, “Coaching Our Kids to Fewer Injuries: A Report on Youth Sports Safety,” parents report one in three kids who play team sports sustain injuries severe enough to require medical attention.

“The report’s findings are particularly alarming because experts tell us more than half of these injuries are preventable,” says Kate Carr, president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. “There is a gap between what we as coaches and parents can do to keep our kids safe and what we’re actually doing. With some simple precautions, we can change these troubling statistics and keep our kids healthy and enjoying the benefits of sports.”

Safe Kids shares some advice for parents and coaches to help kids avoid injury while playing sports this summer:

the eagle • theeagle.com

Before tHe game BeginS: • Give kids a break. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) say children should take a twoto three-month break from a specific sport each year to prevent overuse, overtraining and burnout. Yet, the Safe Kids survey found that nine out of 10 parents underestimate the length of time kids should take off from a particular sport. If your child plays soccer from August through May, for instance, switch to a different sport over the summer. Not only will it give your young athlete’s body a break, your child may enjoy discovering a new activity.

• If your child missed her pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE) at the beginning of the school year, take this opportunity to have her checked out. A PPE can uncover underlying conditions and prevent potential medical emergencies.

Not sure what the exam should entail? Go to www.safekids.org/sports for a printable copy of the form.

• You probably know it’s important to stretch before physical activity, but did you know you should begin with a 10 minute cardio warm up? A light run, jog-

ging in place and some jumping jacks can help raise the heart rate gradually. Follow up with stretches that work all the major muscle groups, holding each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds.

• Make sure your child wears the appropriate safety and sports gear. All gear should fit properly and be in good condition to help avoid minor and serious injuries.

WHile in tHe field or on tHe Court: • The health impact of concussions on children is drawing attention across the country. The Safe Kids survey found that more than 50 percent of coaches believe there is an acceptable amount of head contact that’s OK during play. The truth is, bumps, blows and hits to the head need to be taken seriously, and parents, coaches and players all need to take preventative steps, including learning about concussions and the policies for their state and/or sports league. Learn the signs and symptoms of concussions at www. safekids.org.

• Four out of 10 parents underestimate

the amount of water a typical child athlete needs per hour of play, according to the Safe Kids survey. Kids should drink 30 minutes before they start to play, and every 15 to 20 minutes during physical activity to avoid dehydration.

• Rest is essential. In addition to taking one season away from any given sport every year, kids should get rest breaks during practices and games and take off at least one day from sports activities every week.

• Consider attending a sports safety clinic. Safe Kids offers free Youth Sports Safety Clinics for parents and coaches that teach ways to keep young athletes healthy and injury free. Go to www.safekids.org to find a clinic.

• Culturally, there’s an attitude that injuries are a natural consequence of sports and that good athletes tough it out when they suffer an injury,” says Carr. “But that attitude is hurting our kids. By adopting some basic, proven practices, we can protect our kids and help them stay healthy and active in sports throughout their lives.” (ARA)

Featuring “Inspirations”

We are “serving the needs of our communities, one patient at a time”

summer

2012

issue no.

2

|7

By ShauNa lewiS

Summer camps available at B-CS museums The eagle

School’s out, and Bryan-College Station museums are offering summer camps to educate and entertain children with topics and lessons varying from history to clown school. the ChiLdren’s MuseuM oF the BraZos VaLLey The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley, 111 E. 27th St. in Bryan, has several summer camps in three age groups: 4 to 6, 7 to 10, and 11 and older. Camps will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They are: • “Anything Goes” from July 2 to July 6 – The camp will include a variety of crafts, activities, games and guests, and on July 2, the Bubble Lady will showcase her performance of “The Incredible Bubble Show.”

• “Be a Hero” from July 9 to July 13 – Participants will navigate an obstacle course, pet a police dog, crawl through a police car, sit on a police motorcycle and learn about its parts and see a SWAT team rappel from the side of the building.

• “Artist’s Proof” from July 16 to July 20 – Area artists will teach pottery, photography, painting and other artful activities.

• “Wizard Wonders” from July 23 to July 27 – The camp will include magical crafts, activities and games.

• “Clowning Around” from July 30 to Aug. 3 – Clowns Charity and Matilda will be at the camp each day. Participants will become a Children’s Museum “certified clown,” and participate in a clown graduation.

The cost for camps is $125 a week for members or $150 a week for non-members.

The museum also has daily programs from Monday through Saturday.

For more details, see http://cmbv.org or call the museum at 979-779-5437.

8|

livesmart

the BraZos VaLLey oF naturaL history The Brazos Valley of Natural History, 3232 Briarcrest Drive in Bryan, will hold summer camps from July 9 through Aug. 24. Campers are encouraged to explore science, animal behavior, history and their local environment using interactive lessons and educational games and crafts.

The museum has classroom areas, a discovery room and a 40-acre park for learning. Camp sessions are divided by age groups: 4 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 to 9 and 10 to 12.

Weeklong camps will be held from July 9 to Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $140 a week for members and $160 for nonmembers. They are: • “Creatures of the Night” from July 9 to July 13— Study nocturnal animals and nature’s nightlife, including bats, hedgehogs and leopards.

• “Explorers Week” from July 16 to July 20 -Learn about Columbus and Lewis and Clark.

• “Dinosaurs Rock” from July 23 to July 27 -Learn about when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

• “Let’s Stay Safe” from July 30 to Aug. 3 – Learn about camping safety, survival nutrition and emergency preparedness.

• “The Kingdom of Plants” from Aug. 6 to Aug. 10 – Learn about gardening, the history of agriculture and meet some of the stranger wonders of the plant kingdom, such as parasitic Rafflesia flowers and predatory Venus flytraps.

• “Nature’s Mysteries” from Aug. 13 to Aug. 17 – Learn about mysteries of nature, such as why the sky is blue, why whales have belly buttons and why thunder makes a sound.

The museum also offers extension day camps about Texas wildlife from Aug. 20 to Aug. 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children may register for the entire week or for individual days. The cost is $40 a day for members or $45 for nonmembers, or $140 a week for members or

the eagle • theeagle.com

$160 for non-members.

Topics are: • “Texas Mammals” on Aug. 20 • “Texas Birds” on Aug. 21 • “Texas Insects” on Aug. 22 • “Texas Reptiles and Amphibians” on Aug. 23 • “Alien Invaders in Texas” on Aug. 24.

Maria Lazo, the museum’s education coordinator, said camps are kept small (with a one to 20 teacher to student ratio), so camps fill up fast; those who wish to attend are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

For more information, visit www. brazosvalleymuseum.org or call 979-7762195.

GeorGe Bush PresidentiaL LiBrary and MuseuM The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 1000 George Bush Drive West in College Station, will hold its “Exploring History Summer Camp 2012” from July 9 to Aug. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The camp is for children ages 7 to 11, and will include American history, science, math, drama, literary activities, songs, exploring the museum and creating crafts and artwork. The theme is “Presidential Elections and Democracy: Campaigns, Caucuses and Candidates.”

The cost is $30 a day, and those who register for a week will receive a T-shirt.

Museum officials urge those who wish to participate to call as soon as possible to register before camps are full.

For more details, visit bushlibrary.tamu.edu or call 979-691-4006.

16%

By Darci Swisher CTW Features

Hi, Grandma and Grandpa!

Staying connected is a phone call – or an online chat - away

G

randparenting, or even parenting, long distance is easier than ever with modern technology.

Camille Noe Pagán’s two toddlers use Skype, a free service for Internet video calls, to visit regularly with her husband’s parents,

who live states away.

“Indi was about two-and-a-half when we started Skyping with JP's dad,” says Pagán, a novelist in Ann Arbor, Mich. “We see him about two to three times a year, and I think that virtual chatting has definitely helped Indi

EVERYONE’S DNA IS 99.9% ALIKE. (WHAT A DIFFERENCE .1% CAN MAKE.)

Percentage of mobile phone gamers that are ages 55 and older.

Source: 2011 PopCap Games Mobile Phone Gaming Research, Information Solutions Group

remember who he is.”

And her son, Xavier, has been Skyping since birth — long before he had any idea what he was doing.

“It helped JP's parents feel like they were able to see him in all the baby stages instead of every quarter or six months when he looked like a different person,” she adds.

But keeping in touch with older kids may be more difficult. A new study by Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project found that only 14 percent of teens talk daily with friends on a landline, and only 26 percent do so on cell phones.

However, the study notes that 75 percent of teens send text messages through their cell phones, with the average number of texts rising to 60 a day in 2011.

Technology-savvy parents and grandparents might be wise to keep texts simple, lest their well-intended communications end up on a website like “When Parents Text,” a blog “dedicated to the trials and errors that come when a parent handles a cellphone.”

HAIR

Nails

Come discover more amazing facts and learn what makes you so you.

Made possible by

on exhibit August 25, 2012 through July 5, 2013 1000 George Geor Bush Drive W West, College Station, Texas 77845 | 979.691.4000

bushlibrary.tamu.edu/genome In cooperation with the Texas A&M University Whole Systems Genomics Initiative and with the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Department of Animal Science Produceed by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services and Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research

12909 FM 2154 Suite 100 ♦ CS, TX

979-693-7595 Tue - Fri 9am-7pm • Saturday 9am-4pm

reattasalon.com

summer

2012

issue no.

2

|9

Local July 4th Celebrations!

By SHARON ROE Special to The Eagle

The Fourth of July means more than fireworks and watermelon; it means being part of a community. Local residents can celebrate with events in Bryan and College Station.

Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration For family-style fun, the Brazos Valley Heritage Society will hold the “OldFashioned Fourth of July Celebration” from 9:30 a.m. to noon July 4 at Heritage Park, at the intersection of South Hutchins and East 31st Street in Bryan.

Festivities begin with the National Sojourners arriving in red, white and blue colonial military costumes to lead a flagraising ceremony, the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kids of all ages can join in a children’s parade, complete with decorated bikes, tricycles, strollers and even beribboned dogs. Some kids often come dressed as their favorite historical character: the Statue of Liberty or Uncle Sam. Proud Country will provide music.

Participation in the events and slices of watermelon are free, while hot dogs, lemonade, and popcorn are 25 cents each.

There will be a silent auction, antique cars and booths representing local guilds.

The annual gathering began in 1986 when 100 neighbors from the Bryan Historic District met around the flagpole in the front yard of Tom McDonald, district court senior judge, and his wife, Caroline McDonald.

“We started this for people to get together,” Tom McDonald said. “I realized you’d see someone backing out of their driveway or doing yard work and you’d wave at them, but maybe talk once a year.”

As the celebration grew, it was moved over to Heritage Park.

“It’s like a big old neighborhood picnic,” said Heritage Society President Nat Hilliard.

“I’ve had grandchildren in the children’s parade for the last 19 years. I think we’re teaching our younger generation about our flag, our country and patriotism. Young, old, and in between, we all have an investment in our country.”

10 |

livesmart

George Bush Library and Museum The College Station Noon Lion’s Club will also hold its “I Love America” celebration at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station.

The Bush Library and Museum, 1000 George Bush Drive West, will be open 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on July 4 for free. To ease the security line wait times entering the museum, organizers suggest not bringing a bag.

Starting at 5:30 p.m., the parking lot will convert into a carnival-type atmosphere, with children’s games, free watermelon, performances by local musicians, and concessions, including snow cones, ice cream, popcorn, sausage-on-a-stick and soft drinks.

The fireworks will begin around 9:45 p.m.

Admission will be free for festivities, but tickets for concessions will be sold for $1.

Attendees may bring their own picnic lunch, but are asked not to bring glass. Also, pets must stay at home. A shuttle will run from the A&M West Campus parking garage, and handicapped parking is located close to the museum.

“I Love America” event coordinator and Lion’s Club member Bill Lartigue said the watermelon is one of the best features of the event.

“This is truly a Brazos Valley wide event,” Lartigue said. “We get people coming from all over. It’s a wholesome environment and very family friendly. And the watermelon is kept in the bed of a truck on ice, so you get down to that last one and it’s chilled to perfection.

You’ve never tasted anything so good.”

The College Station Noon Lion’s Club began this celebration in 1960 as a communitywide picnic, setting off fireworks by hand, out of lengths of pipe. Now in its 52nd year, the “picnic” has grown to include a program including the Brazos Valley Symphony playing carefully choreographed patriotic tunes to the flyover of four F16s and a fireworks show now done by a private company.

“We see it as community service,” said Lion’s Club President-elect Richard Talbert.

“It’s a part of recognizing the independence

the eagle • theeagle.com

and sacrifices that go into the freedoms we enjoy.”

For more information on the Heritage Society or the July Fourth festivities, contact nathilliard@verizon.net. For more information regarding the Lion’s Club or the festivities, contact Lartigue at 979-575-4628.

For information concerning the Bush Library and Museum, call 979-691-4000.

TOP LEFT) Puppies ride in a decorated wagon at a past “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration. TOP RIGHT) Children eat cold watermelon at the 2009 annual “I Love America” Independence Day celebration hosted by the Lion’s Club at George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station.”BOTTOM RIGHT) A bounce house is part of the festivities at the annual “I Love America” event held at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station. ABOVE) The crowd mills around at the 2009 “I Love America” event at George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station. BELOW) Officials raise the flag at a past “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration.”

OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT) A girl waves flags while riding in a wagon at a past “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration.” OPPOSITE PAGE, LOWER LEFT) A girl rides her bicycle at a past “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration.”

Kimiye R. Cabrera, MD, FACS Dr. Cabrera has joined General & Bariatric Surgical Associates in Bryan, TX where she joins Dr. Richard Alford and Dr. Michael Steines. Dr. Cabrera specializes in general surgery with an interest in breast and colon surgery.

Dr. Cabrera is accepting new patients. For appointments and additional information, please call (979) 776-5631.

www.GBSABCS.com summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 11

By ShauNa lewiS The eagle

easing

knee pain B

urton resident Roy Schmidt said it was getting too painful to ride a horse or to drive when he decided to get a partial knee replacement.

Schmidt, 63, estimated that four months after his Jan. 20 Oxford partial knee implant from Biomet Orthopedics using Biomet’s Signature Personalized Patient Care system, he was 95 percent recovered. Dr. Jeff Spaw performed the surgery at College Station Medical Center.

“I’m in better shape than I was 30 years ago,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt said he had been experiencing pain for about five years, and several people recommended he go to Spaw.

Spaw said Schmidt’s surgery was the second of about 10 Oxford partial knee implants using the Signature system that he had performed since he began offering the procedure in November last year, when it became available for surgeons to use in a non-investigative setting. Although several surgeons in the Brazos Valley offer the Oxford partial knee surgery, Spaw said he was the only one as of late May to offer the surgery using the Signature system. Dr. Roger Emerson – an investigative doctor in Plano paid by Biomet to try out the surgery

12 |

livesmart

– was the first in Texas to perform it.

Spaw said he has been performing Oxford partial knee replacement surgeries for about five or six years. oXFord PartiaL Knee rePLaCeMent The Oxford partial knee surgery is the No. 1 partial knee replacement in the world, Spaw said.

“In the right patient, this is a much less invasive procedure than a complete replacement,” Spaw said.

Surgeons may elect to perform an Oxford partial knee replacement for patients with limited knee arthritis. Unlike total knee replacement that removes all the knee joint surfaces, partial knee replacement replaces only one side of the knee joint.

Advantages of a partial knee replacement over a total knee replacement are that it removes 75 percent less bone and cartilage, is less painful, has a shorter recovery period and provides for more natural motion by retaining all of the undamaged parts, according to Biomet.

Also, it is the only fully mobile bearing partial knee system available in the United States, according to Biomet. In a healthy knee, the meniscus serves as a shock absorber

the eagle • theeagle.com

between the ends of the bones. The Oxford partial knee is the first partial implant with an artificial meniscal bearing designed to glide freely throughout the knee’s range of motion, more closely resembling normal knee movement. Previous implants used a fixed bearing, a piece of plastic or a plate glued directly to the bone. the siGnature PersonaLiZed Patient Care systeM The Signature system features custom femoral (thighbone) and tibial (shinbone) positioning guides made to fit directly on a person’s unique anatomy. The guides are developed from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan from the hip to the ankle.

The MRI creates a three-dimensional image of the patient’s joint anatomy, letting the surgeon plan the patient’s knee replacement before starting the surgery.

Typically, surgeons use X-rays to choose the size of joint replacement components before surgery. During the knee replacement surgery, the surgeon sometimes uses instruments placed inside the femur and tibia to assist with implant alignment.

However, Signature personalized positioning guides are placed directly onto the patient’s

LEFT) Dr. Jeff Spaw, at the College Station Medical Center, demonstrates how an Oxford partial knee replacement is done using a mobile bearing. MIDDLE) Example of how pins were inserted into the bone canal before the Signature system became available for Oxford knee replacements.

RIGHT) Burton resident Roy Schmidt was the second patient to receive an Oxford partial knee implant from Biomet Orthopedics using Biomet’s Signature Personalized Patient Care System at the College Station Medical Center.

femur and tibia, and don’t require instrumentation in the bone canal.

Spaw said before the Signature system, pins were sometimes placed into joints, which could cause fractures. The Signature system offers the benefits of MRI navigation, Spaw said, but without the increased time, fractures and increased blood loss. He said it also decreases the possibility of human error.

To be a good candidate for an Oxford partial knee replacement using the Signature method, Spaw said a person should have arthritis isolated to one compartment and have an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a medial collateral ligament (MCL) that are intact.

“I’m very selective, and I think that’s critical,” he said about selecting the surgery for patients.

Spaw said when he finished residency about 12 years ago, doctors typically didn’t do knee replacement surgeries on anyone younger than 60. If they did surgery on a 50-year-old, it likely wouldn’t last the remainder of that person’s life, and there might not be enough bone to do a second replacement, he said.

However, with new materials, implants last longer – around 30 years, he said.

“We’re doing more 50-year-olds than before,” he said.

Spaw said that after a partial knee replacement, he usually gives patients exercises to do for two weeks, and after that, he decides whether they need outpatient physical therapy. Typically, patients can return to work two weeks after surgery, he said.

Spaw said anyone with ongoing knee pain should set up an appointment with him to get an X-ray and discuss options for treatment. “doinG Pretty Good” Schmidt said problems with his knee began when he was about 22 years old while in the military. He tore his meniscus after jumping out of a plane, falling into a mud hole and jerking his knee.

A U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs doctor operated on his knee, which helped for a long time. But he started experiencing pain about five years ago, he said.

Schmidt said it hurt to push down on the accelerator pedal while driving; his knee stung when he tried to sleep; and it had become painful to ride horses. He was also walking crooked with his right leg because of the pain, he said.

“Once it starts rubbing bone-to-bone, there is no alternative unless you want to live in pain,” he said.

Schmidt said about three months after his surgery, he started walking straighter and pain in his hip, back and knee went away. He also went to a chiropractor, and has been going to physical therapy twice a week.

“I’ll have to admit, I’m doing pretty good right now,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt grew up in Burton, and in 2000 he retired from special services at Southwestern Bell in Houston and moved to his Burton farm. He has been riding his

bicycle, and also works on farm equipment, bales hay, is a cattle rancher and sells antiques.

“I love to work,” he said. “I’m constantly building something or repairing something.”

Schmidt said he can drive now without pain, and although he could probably ride horses again, he doesn’t plan on it.

“I haven’t gotten back on a horse since the surgery, but I do ride my Harley,” he said.

“It’s a little bit easier.”

4

“Locally Owned and Serving the Brazos Valley since 1988” Wheat & Gluten Free Products, Bulk Organic Grains, Rice, Mixes & Flours, Organic Frozen Pizza, Entrees, Veggies, Ice Cream & Breakfast Items, Organic Breads & Cereals, Soy & Grain Milks, Organic Fresh Produce & Fruit Juices, Free Range Eggs, Buffalo Meats, Vitamins & Minerals, Herbal Supplements, Beauty Aids and much more.

4303 S. Texas Ave. @ Rosemary (Across from Luby’s) 846-4459

summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 13

early

warm temps bring early

allerGy

symptOms 14 |

livesmart

the eagle • theeagle.com

S

pring-like temperatures arrived early this year, and with them came early allergy symptoms for many: itchy throats and eyes, stuffy noses, sneezing, teary eyes and more. These developments come on the heels of the fourth warmest winter since record keeping began, according to the U.S. National Climatic Data Center.

With allergists predicting a more intense allergy season than usual this year, it makes sense to take steps to reduce allergy symptoms in your home. Here are some easy things you can do around the house to increase your family’s comfort - not only now, but all summer long.

KeeP WindoWs CLosed. As much as you may love the new warm temperatures, keeping your windows shut will help keep pollens out. Start your air conditioning system earlier in the season.

CLean and VaCuuM oFten. Mop

hard surface floors and vacuum your home often to help minimize dust mites, one of the most common allergens. Wash bedding

in hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit), and use washable throws and curtains.

CoMBat MoLd. Mold spores can cause

hay fever symptoms. Repair and replace missing grout, leaky faucets and pipes. Use a mold-proof shower curtain, and wipe shower stalls and tub toys dry after using them.

Plants also sometimes carry mold and pollen, so limit the number of plants indoors. Enjoy the season’s colorful blooms on your deck or in the backyard instead.

ControL huMidity. Controlling the moisture content in your indoor air is an added measure you can take to discourage mold growth and minimize dust mites.

Having a humidifier or variable-speed technology as part of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system can help control your humidity, and your indoor air. sCheduLe an hVaC tune-uP. Allergy season is an ideal time to have your HVAC system inspected to ensure it’s working properly. A dealer can also advise

you on how a whole-home air filtration system, such as the AccuClean(TM) from American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, can catch up to 99.98 percent of allergens from your home’s filtered air including dust, dander, pollen and bacteria - so everyone in the home can breathe easier without compromising comfort. To find an independent dealer near you, visit www. americanstandardair.com.

reduCe Pet dander. Regardless of the season, pets such as cats, dogs and birds shed pet dander, which can also cause allergic reactions. One of the simplest ways to minimize exposure to pet dander is to keep your pet out of your bedroom. Be sure to wash your bedding weekly, at a minimum, to reduce the amount of pet dander that will inevitably be tracked into your bedroom.

By taking these steps you can improve the quality of the air inside your home and help reduce allergy symptoms. So while it may be allergy season outside, inside your family will be breathing cleaner and clearer indoor air. (ARA)

FREE 90-Day Trial

on all digital hearing devices

Ronny Baker B.S., A.C.A. 2805 Earl Rudder Freeway S. College Station • 979.680.8808

centraltexasent.com

2010 Business Performance Award

Over 30 Years Experience Caring for the Hearing Needs of the Brazos Valley summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 15

take

steps to protect Fido from

the heat this

summer

By Holli L. Estridge Special to The Eagle

16 |

livesmart

the eagle • theeagle.com

F

or pet owners, the rising temperatures of summer signal the beginning of long, fun days in the sun and vacations to locales near and far. Summertime can be enjoyable for pets, too, when their owners take extra care and common-sense precautions while exercising, grooming and boarding them.

Preventing Burns and Heat Stroke Bonnie Beaver, a professor of veterinary medicine at Texas A&M University and past president of the American Veterinary Association, said pet owners should protect their animals from summer heat. “The biggest concern in the summer is going to be the heat,” Beaver said. “Remember that pets don’t wear shoes. One of the things you have to look out for if you are taking them out for a walk is -- if you can put your hand on a surface and feel heat on it -- it probably can burn the feet of your animal.” Also, like their owners, pets can be susceptible to heat stroke. Beaver said older dogs might not be able to take quite the same amount of exercise as their owners, especially in the heat of summer. And many dogs -- especially breeds with pushed-in noses -- cannot tolerate heat at all and may have trouble breathing. “It’s important to make sure dogs get plenty of water,” Beaver said. “We have a hard time appreciating how much water they really need.

They can’t sweat; they have to pant in order to cool.” If a dog’s body temperature and the outdoor temperature are about the same, she said, it will have a tough time cooling off. If a dog stays outside, Beaver advises filling a child’s wading pool daily with cool, fresh water -- or giving the animal access to indoor air conditioning. “And you can’t leave a dog in a car, period, even with the windows down,” she said. “Cars heat up.”

Grooming for Summer Comfort Beaver said pet owners also need to be mindful of how they groom their dog’s hair.

“There are some dogs that do better with an undercoat because it serves as a barrier from the outside elements,” she said. “But at the same time, you can’t let dead hair pile up.”

John Litton, owner of Lucky Dog DIY Dog Wash in College Station, said owners can take grooming cues from their dog’s environment.

The new self-service grooming spot, located off Holleman Road next to Systek, offers raised tubs in three sizes, handheld sprayers with temperature-controlled water, a selection of shampoos and conditioners, spa towels,

waterproof aprons and high-velocity air blowers.

“Often it just depends on how much they are outside,” Litton said. “If it’s an outdoor dog, they really need to have that undercoat. It serves as an insulator from the heat.”

Baths are especially important after taking a dog to the dog park or any destination with water features, as dogs often can be prone to yeast and bacterial infections, he said. In addition to cleaning a dog, pet owners can bond with their pets by bathing them. Litton said pet owners also need to be mindful of fleas and ticks. “The hotter and the more humid it is, the worse they get,” he said. “And if we have a big rain, the fleas get really bad. It’s important that people use a flea and tick treatment from the veterinarian and use heartworm preventative medication.”

Boarding Pets When taking vacations, pet owners might opt to board pets. By taking a few commonsense precautions, pet owners can avoid causing stress for their pets. Wendy Herrera, practice manager for Lovan Care Animal Clinic, said dogs that are stressed often refuse to eat or might have diarrhea. Lovan Care on University Drive in College Station is a full-service vet clinic with boarding, doggy day care and spa services. Lovan Care offers dog boarding in luxury (10 by 10, themed) suites with cots raised off the floor and a play area or standard kennels, as well as a doggy day care, which introduces boarded pets to small or large dog play groups for indoor play. For an extra charge over the summer, customers can get “splash time” for their pets, allowing them extra time outside to play in water. Herrera said Lovan Care often helps soothe stressed dogs by giving them plenty of individual attention and interaction with technicians and -- if appropriate -- time to socialize with other dogs. She said

she recommends pet owners give boarders plenty of information about the dog’s temperament, including how they react to other dogs and new surroundings, especially if they have not been boarded previously. Those who choose to board their pets also need to make sure they have necessary vaccines. Herrera said Lovan Care requires medical records of pets that haven’t stayed there previously, to ensure that the pet has had a current rabies vaccine. A pet must also have had three total DHPP vaccines (against distemper, parvo, parainfluenza and hepatitis), with one being current. They’re also required to have two Bordetella vaccines in their medical records, with one being within the past six months.

Lovan Care provides food and toys, but pet owners can bring in their own food, toys, bedding and blankets if they want.

LARGEST SELECTION OF LICENSED AGGIE DOG APPAREL & ACCESSORIES IN COLLEGE STATION!

a clean dog is a lucky dog!

Shampoos • Conditioners • Brushes Large and small waist high tubs, no bending over!

Fluffy Spa Towels • High velocity blow dryers Prices range from $10 to $30 by weight

979-485-9808 • 1713 Park Place (Next door to Systek Computers) • www.luckydogsdiydogwash.com

summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 17

S

Olivia

Newton John

After overcoming a tumultuous cancer battle, the iconic music star has set her sights on helping women live healthier lives and creating a better, healthier world for all

By Lisa Iannucci CTW Features

18 |

livesmart

the eagle • theeagle.com

he’s sold more than 100 million albums and had ten number one hits, but mega superstar Olivia Newton-John is probably best known for her co-starring role as Sandy in the classic 1978 film “Grease.” Back in the 70s and 80s, women wanted to be her and men wanted to date her. With her girl-next-door looks that came with a side dish of sex appeal, Newton-John became an icon.

More than 30 years later, she is still performing and is still stunningly beautiful. Today, she is busier than this article even has room to discuss and, you could say, is hopelessly devoted to helping the environment and ultimately wiping cancer off the planet.

When asked about how she came to love environmental causes or even how she stays so beautiful, she quickly credits her mother, Irene Born, for both. “I didn’t understand it at the time, but people who lived through a war were very careful,” she says. “She would reuse paper bags and always made me turn off the lights. She also wrote to the government to ask them not to chop down the trees.”

She also credits her German mom for her healthy eating habits and her flawless skin. “She was raised on fresh vegetables, but when I was young, I resented it,” she says. “After school there was fruit, but no cakes and candies like the other kids would have. I remember being jealous of my friends who got junk, but now I’m really grateful for those early years of training with healthy foods, because that’s what I reverted to and that’s what I did when my daughter Chloe was born.”

Married to Amazon Herb Company owner and founder, John Easterling, Newton-John also swears by their Amazon Rain skin care line.

“There’s no preservatives in it and a lot of the ingredients are from the rainforest. The base of some [products] is from the Camu’s root, which has the highest vitamin C of any fruit in the world,” she says. “I use that, eat well, exercise pretty regularly and take care of myself the best I can.”

Unfortunately, even the healthiest regimen couldn’t stop Newton-John from receiving the worst possible news in 1992, on the same day her father passed away from cancer. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I did all the things that were supposed to be right – hardly drank, didn’t smoke and I exercised -- so sometimes these things are random,” she says.

Forced to go public when a tabloid was going to print an article claiming the superstar was dying, Newton-John has no regrets. “Looking back, I realized that it was very healthy to talk about it, because keeping those things to myself would have been much more stressful than just being open about it.”

Newton-John held off becoming an advocate for breast cancer issues until more than five years later. “They say that a five-year period is when most recurrences can happen, so I was a little

nervous to be too much of an advocate for anything before that,” she says.

Her positive mentality and energy is contagious.

She says that she never once asked herself the fatalistic question, “Why me?” even while penning a song by that name on the album “Gaia: One Woman’s Journey” (1994). Instead, she asks, “Why not me?... I see it now that maybe there was a reason it’s me so I could now be helping others. That’s my journey.”

Now, she is extremely involved in raising cancer awareness. She served as Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme in 1991, and she served as the national spokesperson for the Colette Chuda Environmental Fund/Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, founded after the tragic death of her daughter Chloe’s best friend from a rare childhood cancer. She partnered with Austin Health to create the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre (ONJCWC) in Melbourne, Australia, and in April 2008, led a team of fellow cancer survivors, celebrities and Olympians on a trek along the Great Wall of China to raise more than $2 million to build the ONJCWC. She also launched Liv Aid®, a breast selfexamination aid that assists women to conduct breast self-exams correctly (www.liv.com). She’s now been cancer-free for two decades and wants to make sure that other women take a more active role in their breast health. “Everyone has different breasts, and we shouldn’t leave it up to our doctor once a year to recognize something is wrong,” she says. “You should be aware if there’s anything that doesn’t feel right to you.”

For those still in the midst of treatment, NewtonJohn says to keep a positive spirit. “I send my love.

They have to believe they are going to be okay,” she says. “They should do everything they can for themselves, because as women, we tend to always put everybody before ourselves. They need to find time in every day that’s just for them, whether it’s taking a walk, reading a book or going to the gym, whatever it is that gives them joy and pleasure.”

She also advises women to allow someone else to update everyone on any changes in condition. “A lot of your energy is expended on people asking, ‘How are you?’ and then you’re always talking about illness rather than focusing on your recovery and being positive.”

Newton-John is also a firm believer in having fun and treating yourself, which is why she opened Australia’s Gaia Retreat and Spa approximately six years ago. Her book, “Livwise: Easy Recipes for a Healthy, Happy Life” (Lyons Press, 2012) was just released.

She’s accomplished so much in her personal life and career, it’s hard to imagine that she still has something unchecked on her to-do list. “I’ve walked the China Wall, but I’ve always wanted to do a walking tour across Italy,” she says. “I think we’re going to do that soon.”

Additional Information: Gaia Retreat and Spa: http://www.gaiaretreat.com.au/about-gaia

Children’s Health Environmental Coalition: HealthyChild.org Amazon Herb Company: www.AmazonHerb.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OliviaNewtonJohn Twitter: @OliviaNJ

summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 19

By ANNA SACHSE CTW Features

Seven Ways to Save on Medical Bills

When it comes to health care, cutting costs without cutting corners is key

T

he economy doesn’t have to be in a recession for health problems to plunge personal finances into a world of hurt. Letting the bills pile up or, worse, skipping treatment, is not the answer.

Of course, there’s no way to predict a medical emergency, but here are seven proactive ways to help reduce the pain you’ll feel in your wallet.

1. Educate yourself about your services Today, before anything has happened to you, take some time to go over your insurance policy with a fine-tooth comb so that you have the best understanding you can about what’s covered and what’s not, says Kathleen Harris, managing editor of RealSimple.com. Then,

before a procedure takes place, ask the medical provider what the fee is, if there any hidden costs and what the fees might be for typical complications. Verify that these services are covered by your insurance and confirm that your doctor is in network. “The overall point is ‘Don’t be afraid to ask questions,’” says Harris.

“You want to be prepared so that you aren’t stuck with a surprise bill when you’re trying to recuperate.”

2. Ask about options Ask your physician if all the recommended testing and procedures are medically necessary, especially if you have no insurance or a high co-pay. He or she may be able to suggest a cheaper alternative.

An integrated center for the healing arts that provides the following services: Stress Management Yoga & Tai Chi Physician Wellness Holistic Health Events Consultations Energy Therapy Meditation Quantum Biofeedback Massage Therapy Personal Development Workshops

Gift Certificates & Specials Available 1804 Brothers Blvd, Suite D • College Station, Texas

979.402.3595

www.BrazosHealingCenter.com

20 |

livesmart

the eagle • theeagle.com

3. Ask for a discount A 2005 Harris Interactive poll found that 70 percent of people who spoke with a hospital were successfully able to negotiate a lower price for their medical bills, and the same went for 64 percent of those who negotiated with a dentist, 61 percent for a doctor and 56 percent for a pharmacist. Even 45 percent were able to negotiate a discount with their insurance company.

At the very least, your care provider may be willing to set up an extended plan that allows you to make smaller, more manageable payments over a longer period of time.

4. Pay in cash Offering to pay upfront in cash can take 10 to 30 percent off your bill, says Harris. It reduces the medical provider’s credit card fees, paperwork and manpower, and demonstrates that you are clearly able to pay.

5. Go generic According to the FDA, cheaper generic medicine is just as effective and safe as namebrand drugs, says Harris. In fact, it is often produced in the exact same plants. Buying from a doctor-recommended mail-order pharmacy and/or in bulk, will often add to your savings, or try asking your care provider if they have free samples – these can include anything from over-the-counter cold medicines to asthma inhalers or antibiotics.

6. Double-check your bill According to ConsumerReportsHealth.org, billing errors are common at hospitals and other health-care facilities, so ask for an itemized bill and check it for accuracy. Frequent errors include: inflated room and incidentals charges; duplicate fees for tests and procedures; inflated operating room time; incorrect dates of service; and human errors that result in the wrong billing code.

7. Get an advocate For more complex situations, consider hiring a medical-claims professional to help ensure that your bills are correct, track your payments and advocate on your behalf. According to Rebecca Stephenson, a registered nurse and CEO of Austin, Texas-based VersaClaim, Inc. and co-president of the Alliance of Claims Assistance Professionals, if you are simply angry about a $200 office visit and you want to fight it on principle, it probably wouldn’t behoove you to hire a claims professional; but if your situation is serious, overwhelming or long-term, it will most likely save you meaningful money.

“We’re kind of like medical accountants,” Stephenson says. “We know all the codes and what a bill should look like, but we can also take the emotions out of the equation so that negotiations go faster and nothing is overlooked.”

Smart snacking your fitness routine E that can boost

ating right and exercising are the two most important elements of a healthy lifestyle. We hear it time and again that these simple principles hold more power than the latest fad diet, and for those who heed the advice, the proof is in the results.

However, it’s not always easy to figure out what’s really good for you in the process of building - or maintaining - a healthy body.

There’s no question about it: if you’re exercising regularly, the food you eat should support your workout routine. Whether you’re a casual visitor to the gym three times a week or training for your first 100-mile bike ride, proper nutrition is essential. That means paying attention to the nutrient content of the foods you’re eating, as your body will use and demand them differently than if you were living a sedentary lifestyle. And don’t be fooled - there are lots of foods which are packed with sugar and calories, with no or few important nutrients, aimed at athletes.

For fitness fanatics and newcomers alike, smart snacking options can provide an added boost of nutrients that the body needs - even when you’re on the go. Consider making a combination of these snacks a regular part of your routine.

• Pistachios. Not all nuts are the same, and studies are increasingly finding that these little green treats might just be an athlete’s best friend. Pistachios are packed with nutrients that rank among the most important for optimal performance and health. They provide wholesome protein that is crucial for building and repairing muscle, in addition to gammatocopherol (a member of the vitamin E family) that has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant nutrients, which can be sapped during intensive exercise. The healthy fats in pistachios, which are the “Official Snack” of the USA Water Polo Men’s and Women’s

teams, are no threat to your workout results, either - in fact, they’ll bolster your routine because they are a fuel for endurance.

• Fruits and vegetables. The USDA’s new dietary guidelines make no bones about it - fruits and vegetables are an incredibly important part of a healthy diet. And for athletes, they’re a great source of vitamins and

minerals that are important when your body is subjected to the extra demands of exercise.

Choosing fruits and vegetables over juices can also give you added fiber to keep your body healthy. Whether you pack fresh or dried fruits and veggies for your pre- or post-workout snack, you can be sure that you’re giving your body the extra vitamins it needs for top performance.

• Whole grains. No, you don’t need to carry a loaf of bread with you. Instead, look for small, portable bars that offer the multiple benefits of natural whole grains. They’re yet another source of healthy fiber that can help keep you going and will keep you from feeling hungry again shortly after you’ve eaten. And because they’re whole, these grains retain much of their vitamin content that your body craves.

If you can find bars that incorporate honey, so much the better, as it is yet another great source of energy.

Taking care of your body will help it serve you well over the years, whether you’re a student athlete, an active senior or anywhere in between. To do so, keep in mind that fitness and nutrition always go hand in hand and you’ll be able to get the results you really want.

For more information about healthy snacking, visit www.AmericanPistachios.org. (ARA)

Fortress Health & Rehab of Rock Prairie We are “serving the needs of our communities, one patient at a time” from Post Surgical Recovery to Skilled Nursing.

FEATURING SHORT-TERM AND PRIVATE SUITES • Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapies • Orthopedic Care & Rehabilitation • Post Surgical Recovery • Wound Care Therapy and more!

Call Admissions: (979) 219-8851

1105 Rock Prairie Road, College Station, TX 77845 (979) 694-2200

visit our new website at: www.covenantdove.com/fortress summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 21

11 Steps to Looking BetterWithout Breaking a Sweat Quick fixes for skin, hair, makeup and style give an extra ego boost to encourage dieters

I

t takes time to see results from exercise programs, skincare regimens and other lifestyle changes intended to make us look and feel our best. And while lifestyle changes are the best way to get and stay slim and preserve a youthful appearance, there are fast and effortless ways to look thinner, younger and healthier. Tasting success right from the start makes it easier to stick with resolutions that will bring about lasting improvements down the line.

2. Fill in vanishing eyebrows Sparse, over-tweezed or graying eyebrows age your face, but penciled-in eyebrows can look even worse. “Thicker, fuller brows are in,” Zinke says. “To achieve this look try a brow tint which uses a mascara-like wand to gently apply color to the brow. Color is deposited on the hair rather than on the skin, creating a more natural look.”

By Dawn Klingensmith CTW Features

your appearance. Antireflective lens coating eliminates glare so people (and cameras) can focus on your sparkly eyes.

Here’s a head-to-toe blueprint for instant gratification to complement your long-term nutrition plan.

1. Lighten your locks Expensive, high-maintenance hair color looks good only as long as you keep it up, but adding subtle highlights or lowlights to the strands that frame your face doesn’t cost much and gives you an overall glow. “To create a natural look, you want to go only one level lighter or darker than your overall hair color.

This will brighten your skin tone,” says image consultant Kelly Zinke, of Stoltz Image Consulting, Fort Worth, Texas.

22 |

livesmart

3. Start your day with eyes tea Perk up tired, puffy eyes by gently applying cool, used (or pre-steeped) teabags to closed eyelids for about 15 minutes. Put them in a plastic bag in the fridge and squeeze out the excess moisture before applying. (In a pinch, soak the tea bags in hot water for a minute and then plunge them in ice water before using.)

Green or chamomile tea bags are both “extremely soothing, and green tea has antioxidants that can help reduce swelling and puffiness,” says dermatologist Dr. Brooke Jackson, medical director and founder of Skin Wellness Center of Chicago.

4. Frame yourself If you wear eyeglasses, they are as much a part of your face as your nose and lips. They’re also fashion accessories, with new lines introduced seasonally, so just like clothing, they can start to look dated. “Pick a frame color that goes well with your hair color, and don’t be afraid to go for a bit of pizzazz. Add a bit of glam with rhinestones or other accent pieces,” says Zinke, adding that each yearly eye exam offers a relatively inexpensive way to “hip up”

the eagle • theeagle.com

5. Get cheeky Don’t try to re-sculpt your face using blush, bronzers or contouring powder. Apply blush so it looks like you’re blushing (but not dying of embarrassment). “You should see your blush, but not where it starts and ends,” says San Diego makeup artist Mary Erickson. Invest in a pro-grade blush brush (the little squared-off ones sold with the compacts tend to produce clownish results) or opt for a cream blush you can apply and blend with your fingers.

6. Plump up your pout You know how black pants make your rear look smaller? What’s true for your hips is true for your lips. Darker colors like reds, purples and browns have a thinning effect while lighter shades of pink, peach and coral will make your lips look pleasantly plump.

7. Brighten your smile “I think people underestimate the impact of

teeth on their overall appearance,” says Dr. Jennifer Ashton, co-host of ABC’s The Revolution and author of “Your Body Beautiful: Clockstopping Secrets to Staying Healthy, Strong, and Sexy in Your 30s, 40s, and Beyond” (Avery, 2012). “Drugstore whitening strips work. It’s an easy, quick, cheap thing to do.”

will improve your posture and make a dramatic impact on the way you look,” Ashton says. Farther south, a pair of shaping briefs (Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah Winfrey swear by Spanx) will complete the gravitydefying effect by reining in your rear and trimming your tummy.

Why Do Some Garments Cost More Than Others?

D

8. Elongate your neck Rid your wardrobe of turtlenecks and high collars because the longer your neck, the thinner you look. “V-necks flatter almost everyone,” Zinke says, “and they create a beautiful canvas to show off chunky necklaces.”

9. Give your bust a boost Look as though you dropped weight without dieting simply by getting professionally fitted for a supportive bra that lifts your breasts up and off your rib cage. “It B righ

ton • Ver a Br

lc a d l e y • r a q u e l We

h Wigs •

gaBor Wigs

10. show some leg Three-quarter-length skirts and dresses are all the rage in Hollywood, but they only flatter the “super thin” because they accentuate the widest part of the calf, Zinke says. However, “Almost anyone can wear a knee-length pencil skirt regardless of body shape.”

11. Wear the right boot.

Furry après ski boots are neither sophisticated nor flattering to most figures.

And unless you’re tiny, tucking skinny jeans into tall boots will make your rear end loom large. “To create the proper proportions, be sure to wear a longer shirt with skinny pants tucked into boots,” Zinke says. “A wider pant works better with a shorter top and a higher heel.”

• Wacoal • sPanX • Merle nor

Man • M

ing Wang • Fridaze • MultiPle

s

l sizes • Xs – 3X We carry al

3800 S. TexaS ave., Bryan • 1 mile norTh of UniverSiTy Dr. • (979) 268-0608 • mon-SaT 10am-6pm

uring the last week in May, my manager and I were invited to visit the Ming Wang Dallas headquarters. Ming Wang offers quality knitwear in classic styles. Although I’ve appreciated their pieces for years, it wasn’t until this trip that I fully understood all the steps and costs Simply Stylish involved in manufacturing.

Nancy Pride It all begins and ends with the company’s focus. According to Steven Wang, son of designer Ming Wang, color, fit, and convenience drive the design process for every Ming Wang piece. Color catches the eye; fit must be comfortable and flattering; convenience means it’s easy to care for.

The Ming Wang designers and staff spend a month reviewing costly European color-forecasting books and adapting the colors to fit U.S. tastes. Europe tends to be a season ahead of the U.S., and Europeans prefer dustier colors that are more designer-driven. Next, yarns are dyed and made into fabric swatches. Because the company dyes its own yarn, all the fabric matches. It is easier to create coordinate fabrics with prints and textures because uniformly-dyed yarn will match, but it adds expense.

Ming Wang’s 19 designers then review style trend books which cost over $1,000 each. Between 3,0005,000 designs are created each year. From those designs, 200 sample garments are made each season. Samples that met the criteria of right color, fit, and convenience are then culled based on providing the diversity to fit all body types. The collection is born.

Six months prior to delivery, buyers review and place orders. Then production begins.

After patterns are created, the garment is knitted fullfashion. That means that a complete sleeve or the full front or back of the top is knitted in its final shape. Less expensive garments use a cut-and-sew technique. The total fabric is knitted, layered repeatedly, the pattern placed on top, and finally cut out. Cut-and-sew saves time, but because the individual lines of thread are cut, the garment stretches and loses shape over time.

Employees inspect all garments twice at the factory and again at the warehouse.

To save costs, some companies simply copy designs that are several seasons old and use less expensive materials and construction. Original-design garments that are on-trend yet have appropriate color, fit, easy care, and durability have a multitude of factors that contribute to their cost and value.

Nancy Pride owns Morgan Fitzgerald’s and Merle Norman Cosmetics.

summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 23

Where's THE

By Ben Larrison CTW Features

Beef?

Americans are consuming less meat without ‘Going Veg’ – should you join the healthy trend?

I

Caringfor for Caring for Caring theEyes Eyesof ofTexas Texas the Eyes of Texas the R.J.J.Maggs, Maggs,OD OD R. R. J. Maggs, OD R. J. Maggs, OD Therapeutic Optometrist Therapeutic Optometrist Therapeutic Optometrist 2414ATexas ATexas AvenueSouth South 2414 Avenue Therapeutic Optometrist 2414 ATexas Avenue South 2414 ATexas Avenue South CollegeStation, Station,TX TX77804 77804 College College Station, TX 77804 College Station, TX 77804 979 • 764 • 0009

979 979• 764 • 764• 0009 • 0009 979 • 764 • 0009

JonHouse, House,OD OD Jon Jon House, OD Jon House, OD TherapeuticOptometrist Optometrist Therapeutic Therapeutic Optometrist

ThePhysicians Physicians Centre The Centre Therapeutic Optometrist The Physicians Centre 3201University University Drive EaseSuite Suite140 140 3201 Drive Ease The Physicians Centre 3201 University Drive Ease Suite 140 CollegeStation, Station, TX77804 77804140 College TX 3201 University Drive Ease Suite College Station, TX 77804 College Station, TX 77804 979 • 731 • 8446

979 979• 731 • 731• 8446 • 8446 979 • 731 • 8446

www.tso.com www.tso.com www.tso.com www.tso.com

24 |

livesmart

the eagle • theeagle.com

n a country known for its love of the fast-food hamburger and a thick, juicy steak, something strange has been happening of late: People are eating less meat.

By all statistical accounts, Americans have been cutting cut back on their meat consumption – though not necessarily by going vegetarian. USDA projections for 2012 show a notable decline in meat and poultry use, just as they did in 2011, while a 2010 American Meat Institute study found that 18 percent of Americans regularly eat meatless meals for health reasons.

There is plenty of medical evidence in the case for consuming less meat. Studies have demonstrated that eating meat can help cause cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes and certain cancers – including those of the colon and prostate. Processed meat is even worse.

The latest bad news for meat comes in the form a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health, which shows that eating even a small amount of red meat every day raises mortality risk by 13 percent, while a daily serving of processed meat every day comes with a 20 percent increased risk of mortality.

In light of such news, you may very well be thinking of cutting back on your meat consumption.

But just because you have decided to eat less meat – be it for health, environmental, cosmetic or other reasons – doesn’t mean you must become all-out vegetarian. In fact, these eat-less-meaters have even earned their very own term: flexitarian.

“To be strictly vegetarian or vegan, in my view, is not 100 percent necessary for health,” says Dr. Donald Hensrud, editor of The Mayo Clinic Diet.

“And what I mean by that is it’s what you eat 90 percent of the time, or 95 percent of the time, that makes the most impact.”

So how can you join the “Eat less meat” movement?

Well, one easy way would be by participating in what is perhaps its most recognizable offshoots: Meatless Monday. The initiative began in 2003, when founder Sid Lerner – a 72-year-old former ad

man– worked with Johns Hopkins University to begin a public health awareness campaign regarding excessive meat consumption by encouraging people to give up meat at their Monday meals. “The goal,” says Tami O’Neill, project associate for The Monday Campaigns, “is for people to use the start of their week to contemplate healthier eating.”

But O’Neill is also quick to mention that the Meatless Monday campaign is not recruiting people to vegetarian or vegan lifestyles. (“We’re completely for people eating meat or wanting to eat meat,” O’Neill says.) The idea is more for people to take the start of the week as an opportunity to think about what they eat, and to explore the ever-growing world of plantbased meals.

While the notion of giving up daily meat may seem daunting at first, it’s often just a matter of mindset. “Instead of focusing on what you can’t eat, focus on what you can,” Hensrud says.

“And come up with different meals that are tasty, healthy, practical, but don’t involve meat.

Whether that’s including fish more often, or just starting out going plant-based instead of meat one day a week or something.”

Plus, thanks to the Internet, it’s pretty easy to find quick-’n’-easy meatless recipes, some of

“We’re eating double the amount of meat that we were eating in the 1960s. Our diet has rapidly changed, from sit-down meals into a fast food culture and we’re seeing that on our waist lines.”

— Tami O’Neill, project associate for The Monday Campaigns

which may even introduce your taste buds to some new foods and flavors. One such food is quinoa, the so-called “miracle grain” that eats like rice or couscous while also packing a great deal of protein. Who knows? Maybe you’ll like it so much you’ll try it again with chicken or fish. “A lot of it is not necessarily time, it’s planning,” Hensrud says. “And what could be a better return on investment than spending some time to improve your health?”

With so many “new” elements to the eat-lessmeat movement, it may at first feel like nothing more than a trend. But in some ways, the move away from meat is actually a return to the days of the past. “We’re eating double the amount of meat that we were eating in the 1960s,” O’Neill says. “Our diet has rapidly changed,” she says, from sit-down meals with healthy sides into “…a fast food culture and a take-out culture, and we’re seeing that on our waist lines.”

Health is a significant factor to wanting to cut down on meat, but there are plenty of other reasons to change your eating habits. Industrial farming takes a major toll on the environment, while some folks have trouble just getting past

the idea of eating Wilbur. And then, of course, there is simple truth that cutting back on meat often means cutting back on calories, making it a great help if you are looking to cut a leaner figure.

Such was initially the case for Carole Carson, author of “From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction” (Hound Press, 2007), a book in which she chronicles her efforts to shed pounds and get in shape just before turning 60 – efforts that included eating less meat.

Carson says when she lost weight, her family members started losing weight, too: “And I wasn’t proselytizing!” Having the fellow motivators made all the difference.

“I don’t think anybody can do this alone,” Carson says. “Changing you habits has to be done as a family or a community. You really need people around you to help you make a change.”

summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 25

I

The insomnia wakeup call:

Sleep

deprivationis a serious health risk SPORTS, BACK & PAIN MANAGEMENT CLINIC

Leon Bradway, PT MS OMPT Class of '86

Fast Relief from Pain and Injury Acute and Chronic Pain • Orthopedic Post-Operative Surgery Balance Problems • Sprains and Strains • Headaches • Sciatica Back Disorders • Tendonitis • Spinal Conditions • Sports Injuries

2011 E. Villa Maria 979-776-BACK(2225)

26 |

livesmart

the eagle • theeagle.com

t’s 3:30 a.m. and you’ve just rolled over in bed for what seems like the 500th time. As you watch the minutes on the clock tick by, all you can think about is how tired you are going to be tomorrow.

While the cause of your insomnia may vary night to night, the outcome is still the same: you’re not asleep. You’re also not alone.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that somewhere between 50 and 70 million adults in the United States have chronic sleep and wakefulness disorders.

According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep disorders account for approximately $16 billion in annual health care costs, and Cornell University psychologist and sleep expert James Maas estimates that sleep deprivation and sleep disorders cost the American economy at least $150 billion a year.

Sleep deprivation is not only costly, but dangerous too. After a review of national behavioral health data, the CDC found that one in 20 adults reported nodding off or falling asleep while driving at least once in 30 days.

Short term sleep loss can lead to slower reaction times, headaches, aches and pains, irritability, shorter attention span and hindered decision making.

BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD PROVIDER FOR A&M EMPLOYEES

Medicare Accepted • Member Alliance PPO

INFUL

ARE PA

FETEINGTYOUR

AFFEC Y OF QUALIT

LIFE?

BUNION

Ask us about our

NEW

‘MINI TIGHT ROPE’

PROCEDURE

• Fix bunions without having to be in a cast or boot for two months.

• We are the 1st in Bryan that performs this procedure.

• As seen on TV’s THE DOCTORS Dr. Robert Leisten, DPM • Dr. Amy Haase, DPM PODIATRISTS - FOOT SPECIALISTS

979-774-3668 (FOOT)

www.diagnosticfootspecialists.com Located in The Physicians Centre 3201 University Dr. East, #100 • Bryan

The health effects of chronic insomnia are more difficult to study, largely because individuals with insomnia are oftentimes simultaneously suffering from other health ailments, and it becomes difficult to determine the difference between a direct correlation and a mere statistical association.

However, there is documented association between sleep deprivation and diabetes, weight gain, hypertension, and lower immunity. All of these maladies can lead to even greater health problems, including heart failure, stroke, kidney disease and death.

Considering the risks of not sleeping, it is not surprising that so many people turn to pharmaceuticals for help. According to IMS Health, Americans spent about $2 billion on prescription sleep drugs in 2010. In 2010 alone, 60 million prescriptions for sleep aids were written.

Unfortunately, sleep aids carry their own medical risks. As is the case with many prescription drugs, there is a chance of increased tolerance and physical and psychological dependency. Many sleep aids on the market come with side effects that range from bizarre to dangerous. Sleep aids have been connected with various incidents of sleep walking; everything from night eating to actually getting into vehicles and

driving, while still asleep.

Most recently, a study by researchers at Scripps Clinic Viterbi Family Sleep Centre in San Diego has linked hypnotic sleeping pills to a 4.6 percent greater risk of death and a 35 percent increased risk of cancer among regular pill users.

So is there another answer to alleviating insomnia? Maurice Bard, founder and CEO of Mediflow Inc., a company that makes waterbase cervical pillows, is hopeful. “Before turning to prescriptions or other more drastic measures, you should examine some nonpharmaceutical remedies that could help your sleep problems. The answer to your insomnia may be simpler than you think.”

Consider the following sleep tips: Think of a relaxing place Go on a virtual trip in your mind by picturing a place from childhood. Trace the roads and paths of this region until you arrive at a certain place. Usually, you’ll be sleeping before you arrive at your destination.

Expose yourself to bright lights when you wake up Exposure to bright light early in the morning, typically for 30 to 40 minutes, has been shown to promote healthy habits and a good night’s sleep.

Change your pillow The ideal pillow is one that helps you maintain natural alignment between your neck, head and spine as you shift positions during the night. Because people tend to change sleeping positions at multiple times during the night, finding the right pillow is not always easy. A waterbase pillow is a good solution, because the water gently disperses and fills the region between your shoulder and jaw, to maintain proper cervical support - no matter what position you sleep in.

Establish a routine By keeping a regular bedtime, your body becomes trained to ritually wind down and speed up, thus bringing on sleep more consistently. Consider avoiding daytime naps, as they may alter your body’s natural sleep cycle. Abstaining from naps helps to keep the body on schedule.

“There is no single answer to insomnia,” Bard says. “But at Mediflow, we understand the importance of a good night’s sleep. We firmly believe that combining the right products with a healthy lifestyle can help individuals create an overall sleep strategy that should help lessen sleep woes.” (ARA)

leg discomfort ∙ varicose veins ∙ cramping ∙ leg pain ∙ blue veins spider veins ∙ restless legs ∙ swelling We can help!

∙ Minimally invasive ∙ Fast recovery ∙ Covered by most insurance

FR E E V E I N SC RE E N I N G First Saturday of Every Month

APPOINTMENT ONLY (979-776-WALK) Free screenings also available during weekdays. Subject to availability.

Gloria Jean Mays, M.D., F.A.C.C. ∙ Ricardo Gutierrez, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I. ∙ Gordon Mitchell, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.C.C.P. Central Texas Heart Center - serving the Brazos Valley's cardiology needs for over 25 years.

979-776-WALK (9255) ~ 2700 E. 29th, Suite 235, Bryan, TX 77802 ~ BrazosVein.com summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 27

Whatcha Watching,

Baby?

By Anna Sachse CTW Features

Toys and games to make your kids smarter? It takes more than a product to make your child smarter – it takes you. Try these five things you can do today to improve your child’s basic skills.

T

he children’s educational video market is awash with colorful, pricey multimedia products and packaged smart-toys that claim to boost your child’s cognitive development from the moment it leaves the womb. However, recent studies suggest that not only are these claims false, but, in fact, parking your toddler in front of these popular DVDs and videos can actually lead to decreased language ability and a smaller vocabulary in children age six- to 18-months old.

“I think they’re dreadful,” says Jane Healy, PhD, an educational psychologist and author of “Different Learners: Identifying, Preventing and Treating Your Child’s Learning Problems” (Simon & Schuster, 2011). “There is absolutely no evidence that these products work. Rather than brain building, these products are brain eroding. They keep kids occupied, but the child is then taken away from occupying itself, taken away from independent thinking and learning how to self-motivate. Just putting the word ‘brain’ or ‘Einstein’ on a package doesn’t mean it will do anything for your child.”

So then, if you care more about your child’s relationship with learning than about Oscarworthy animation, here is some expert advice on what you, the parent, can do to boost your baby’s brainpower – no remote control necessary:

28 |

livesmart

1. Sit down with your child to play, interact and talk

It may sound simple, but with the stress and bustle of everyday life sometimes parents forget that their children are watching them, listening to them and learning by example.

Videos may be entertaining but they are not educational” says Dr. Ari Brown, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communications and Media, Elk Grove Village, Ill. “Studies show that children under two years of age do not understand the content or context of a televised program. But, if the same information is presented by a live person, an older infant or toddler will ‘get it’ and learn from it.”

“Be with your child,” Healy says. “Watch your children and respond directly to them.

Your child’s brain is brilliant. It knows what it needs and will seek it out if you allow it the opportunity.”

2. Reading on a daily basis, starting by two months of age

Reading with your child, even at a very young age, aids in their comprehension, critical thinking and understanding of the function of language. “Creating a lifestyle of learning starts in infancy,” Brown says. “If reading/looking at books, for example, is just a routine part of a child’s young life, it will stick with him. The same actually goes for a diet heavy in television – but do you want that to be routine, too?”

By reading to your child, more of the focus is on language, providing your child with the building blocks – words – that will allow them the ability to express a need, ask a question, settle problems, write, read and more.

3. Keep unnecessary stimulation to a reasonable level

the eagle • theeagle.com

Keep in mind that it’s not just kid-targeted videos and programs that can be disruptive to your child’s learning process: Sometimes “SportsCenter” or “Once Upon A Time” can be the culprit.

“Don’t turn the television on to watch your own shows while your child is around,” Brown says. “Background television is distracting for a child’s inner voice that they use to concentrate, not to mention something that distracts you from paying attention to your child.”

4. Make the most of teaching moments

It is a parent’s responsibility to provide materials, experiences and opportunities that the child can choose from as if selecting from options in a cafeteria, Healy says. The parent can then physically and verbally expand on that experience to increase their child’s understanding.

“If you are stacking blocks,” Brown says, “count how many you can put on top of each other. If you are at the grocery store, give the vocabulary word for each item you put in the cart.”

At the same time, Brown says, it is also highly beneficial to give your child independent play time starting as early as four months of age.

“Learning by problem solving independently is powerful stuff!” she says.

5. Most importantly, have fun with your child

“There is too much stress and pressure on children today, to be like little adults,” Healy says. “Life doesn’t always have to be a lesson.

Have fun together, laugh together, enjoy life – this something the rest of the world is not always going to be able to teach them.”

achieving a slimmer summer body for swimsuit season and beyond L onger days, bright sun and warm weather can serve as a well-needed dose of motivation to get fit for summer. The trick is to sustain that energy through each changing season as you strive to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

If you need some help in developing

healthier habits, Weight Watchers Leader and success story Liz Josefsberg, offers five tips to achieving a slimmer summer body by starting now in the spring: dive into a freSH fitneSS routine

Embrace all the physical fitness activities you can enjoy in the warmer months. Take a look at when, where and what you’re currently doing to stay active, and shake up your routine with new seasonal activities like swimming, tennis or running outside.

Challenge yourself each month to find a new activity that gets you out and keeps you going through the spring and beyond.

PaCk PortaBle SnaCkS

Hunger can strike while you’re out and about. Avoid the temptations of french fries or chicken fingers available at concession stands. Instead, pack your purse or bag with portable snacks that can stave off hunger and keep you satisfied. Suggestions include sweet sliced apples, reduced fat string cheese, seedless watermelon and even a fresh cucumber salad to help keep you cool. drink uP But SkiP tHe CalorieS

Keeping hydrated is key to healthy living, but many drinks have the calorie equivalent of a candy bar. To help reduce your caloric intake, alternate sugary drinks with a caloriefree drink like water, sun tea or diet soda. Find water to be too boring? Give your water some “bling” with seasonal flavors of fresh fruit like lime, lemon and orange. And if you’re heading out for an evening of socializing, look for alcoholic drinks with the least amount of sugar and calories like light beer.

Also keep in mind that some all-natural fruit juices may have the same calories as the Healthy smiles begin with the first tooth...

B R A Z O S VA L L E Y

Pediatric Dentistry Ketan Sukkawala, DDS

Board Certified in Pediatric Dentistry

Larry Kalke, DMD

Specialist In Pediatric Dentistry

(979) 694-5200 1109 Rock Prairie Rd, Ste. 300 • College Station, TX 77845 www.BrazosValleySmiles.com

real fruits, but eating an apple is much more satisfying. If you are a Weight Watchers member, a fresh apple has zero PointsPlus values, compared to two PointsPlus values for a half cup of apple juice. keeP your mind foCuSed

Taking a vacation doesn’t have to be a reprieve from pursuing your healthy living goals. Avoiding reality can lead to even more weight gain. Get on your scale weekly, even if you enjoyed an overindulgent meal or weekend, so you can continue moving forward in a positive direction.

Slim uP your SoCial SCene

Create a support environment within your social circles by organizing healthy meals and activities. Build your gatherings around outside games like volleyball, golf or even rafting. Hold healthy potlucks and invite your friends and family to bring their favorite renovated dishes and recipe cards to swap.

Get out and enjoy the warmer months. Use Liz’s five tips to a healthier lifestyle for summer. Visit WeightWatchers.com for more tips, recipes and information about the program. (ARA) Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

A “ Life Lived for Others is a Life Worthwhile”

W

e make it our top priority to care for seniors with the respect, compassion and dignity they deserve. We understand that caring is what makes a community and without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community. It is what sets us apart from any other long-term care facility.

Copperas Hollow Nursing and Rehabilitation provides the following services: • Rehab to Home: short term care • Therapy services » Physical, Occupational & Speech • Long term care • Respite and Adult Day Care • Skilled nursing care 24 hour 7 days a week • Optimal Payment Options: Medicare, Medicaid, Managed Care Insurance & Private Pay

Take a drive to the country and visit...

Copperas Hollow

345 Country Club Dr. • Caldwell, TX

(979) 567-4300

www.copperashollowcare.com

summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 29

How to

Save Gas Driving the Car You Own

by Jim Gorzelany CTW Features

You don’t have to buy a new vehicle to get better fuel economy.

W

ith a gallon of gas recently breaking the $4-per-gallon mark in countless parts of the country, many motorists will consider trading in their current vehicles for ones that get better fuel economy. However, experts caution consumers to consider the financial implications of buying a higher-mileage car solely to offset higher gasoline prices before they head down to the dealership.

“Assuming the average consumer drives 12,000 miles per year in a vehicle that gets 20 miles per gallon (mpg), an increase of $1 per gallon, from $3.60 to $4.60 per gallon as an example, would only result in an approximate increase of $11.50 per week in fuel expenses,” says Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book. “In today’s economic environment, many families are on an extremely tight budget, and $11.50 per week may be enough to break the bank.

But for others, it would amount to a small lifestyle change, such as bringing a sandwich to work rather than going out to lunch, or perhaps cutting back on Starbucks.”

Even with gas at $4 per gallon, trading in that 20-mpg car for one that gets a combined

30 |

livesmart

30-mpg city/highway won’t save nearly enough money in fuel costs to cover a car payment.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s website, fueleconomy.com, a motorist driving 12,000 annual miles in mixed city and highway driving would save $800 a year buying a car that gets 10 additional mpg.

That comes out to just $66.67 a month or $15.40 a week.

Most drivers could save close to that much money – perhaps even more – simply by altering their driving habits. According to a report issued by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, a combination of lead-footed driving, improper auto maintenance and poor route selection can reduce a car’s fuel economy by as much as 45 percent. By that measure, a compact sedan that’s EPA-rated at 30 mpg could wind up getting a full-size SUV-like 17 mpg.

The Consumer Federation of America has gone so far as to quantify how much money prudent drivers can save by simply altering a few driving habits and ensuring that their vehicles are in top running order. “We estimate that if Americans practiced these tips, gas

the eagle • theeagle.com

mileage could be improved in total by about 13 percent,” says Jack Gillis, author of “The Car Book” (Gillis Publishing Group, 2011) and CFA’s director of public affairs. “There’s no reason consumers should pay for gas they don’t need.”

For example, based on gas at $3.85 a gallon, the CFA says those who drive with their left foot habitually resting on the brake pedal can save the equivalent of $1.35 a gallon by moving it to the floor. Those who tend to drive erratically can pocket 68 cents a gallon by anticipating the movement of traffic and using the brakes and gunning the accelerator as little as possible. Slowing down by even 5 miles per hour on the highway can shave the equivalent of 27 cents off a gallon of gas.

Where necessary, replacing the car’s air filter can save 68 cents, having a wheel alignment performed can save 39 cents, getting a tune-up can save 15 cents and properly inflating the tires can save 11 cents a gallon.

Don’t treat a car as a rolling storage locker.

Carrying additional weight increases a vehicle’s energy consumption by 1 to 2 percent; unloading 100 pounds of junk from the trunk can save the equivalent of 6 cents per gallon.

Replacing a faulty gas cap is like saving 3 cents per gallon.

Other ways to save gas include simply turning off a car’s engine while waiting at a curb or sitting at an extended stoplight. In these situations, a running vehicle clocks in at a costly zero miles per gallon.

Removing a car or truck’s roof rack will improve its aerodynamics and, in turn, its fuel economy by about 5 percent. At highway speeds, more than half of the engine power goes to overcoming drag, so keep a vehicle’s windows closed to maintain optimal aerodynamics and prevent a 10 percent loss in fuel economy; open the vents to bring in outside air, but use the air conditioning sparingly, since it consumes more gas.

Finally, consolidate multiple errands into one trip; several short trips taken on different days, each from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.

1729 Briarcrest, Bryan, Texas 77802 Publisher, Jim Wilson Display Advertising Manager, Joanne R. Patranella 979.731.4719  joanne.patranella@theeagle.com Creative Services Manager, Jim Bob McKown 979.731.4706  jimbob@theeagle.com

Next publication: Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 Advertising Deadline: Friday, Aug. 24, 2012 To get your advertisement in Bryan-College Station’s newest Health and Lifestyles magazine, e-mail livesmart@theeagle.com or call 979.731.4738

Special Projects Editor, Shauna Lewis 979.731.4704  shauna.lewis@theeagle.com Special Section Coordinator, Dawn Goodall 979.731.4738  dawn.goodall@theeagle.com Publication Designer, Courtney Lewellen For questions or comments, please call: 979.731.4738

summer

2012

issue no.

2

| 31

of the New

CELEBRITY SPA & SALON

Just a few Steps Next Door from Our Original Location! full service hair saloN

manicures • pedicures • facials • facial & body sculpting • body waxing Therapeutic massages • make-overs • makeup application • eyelash extensions

! t f i G t c e f r e P The

CELEBRITY SPA

CHECK OUT OUR INSTANT GIFT CARDS ONLINE !

SALON

w w w. c e l e b r i t y s pa . n e t

979.690.6200 • 4081 HWY. 6 South, ste. 601 • CS (take barron road exit located on East Frontage Road)

MON 9AM-6PM • TUES-FRI 8AM-8:30PM • SAT 9AM-6PM

become a fan on facebook

DUE to our growth...Now Hiring