Best Self Atlanta 0218-0318

bestself February / March 2018

atlanta

bestselfatlanta.com

Love Lessons

Over 40? It’s never too late to find the one p. 44

Give-Back Guide

7 Steps to get you there p. 49

2018 Partners in Health

YOUR

G

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LUNT EE R•

UIDE • V

Community volunteer opportunities p. 65 O

Be the Best Version of You

From managing back pain, heartburn, hair loss and more, learn from Atlanta’s top experts p. 8

-BACK IVE

COVER PARTNER PROFILE

FANTASTICALLY

FIT AT

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50 & BEYOND

Healthy Family, Healthy Life

As the owners of an all-natural familyfriendly supplement company, fitness pros Ashlyn and Raul Hiteshew offer pure products for healthy living at home. p. 42

p. 29

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1/23/18 10:52 PM

bestself

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FOUNDER Sherri Adair

PUBLISHER Patti Stephens MANAGING EDITOR Laura Janelle Downey

Brighten While You Tighten

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Alex McCray EDITORIAL/SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANTS Wyndi Kappes Annie Paschal

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GRAPHIC DESIGN/PRODUCTION Miguel Velázquez MEDIA CONSULTANTS – PRINT/DIGITAL Dawn DeSantis ddesantis@atlantabestmedia.com AnneMarie Edwards amedwards@atlantabestmedia.com

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For print, web, email and digital advertising information, contact us at: 80 West Wieuca Road, Suite 115 Atlanta, GA 30342 (404) 303-9333 x15 FAX (404) 303-0030

Inquiries and submissions regarding advertising and editorial should be directed to the address above.

Atlanta Best Media does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does Publisher assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Readers are encouraged to notify Publisher when they suspect false advertising. Atlanta Best Media reserves the right to edit editorial for clarity and space availability. No content i.e., articles, graphics, designs and information (any and all) in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Publisher.

2550 WINDY HILL ROAD • SUITE 204 • MARIETTA, GEORGIA 30067

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OFFICE (770) 952-2100

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contents FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

My Best Self

Photography by (middle right) Sawyer Photography, hair and makeup by The Green Room Agency, (top right) Quain Photography.

“Access Hollywood” co-host Shaun Robinson discusses the dangers of human trafficking p. 66

Be the Best Version of You 7 Steps to achieving your goals p. 49

Love Le ons Over 40? It’s never too late to find the one

44

COVER PARTNER PROFILE

In every issue 10

12 14

What is More Important Than Good Health?

Editor’s Letter What Lies Ahead

Contributors

Meet the Writers, Photographers, and Experts in This Issue

Best Bulletin

18

Best Bites

20

Best Fun

6

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Healthy Family, Healthy Life

From the Publisher

17

New Ideas and Activities

21

Fun Calendar

22

Best Health and Beauty

24

Best Family

64

Best Cause

65

Healthy Eats and Treats Dancing, Duckpin Bowling, and Dirt Bikes FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

Fantastically Fit at 50 and Beyond p. 29

BEST SELF ATLANTA

Enjoy Our Great City

As the owners of an all-natural familyfriendly supplement company, fitness pros Ashlyn and Raul Hiteshew offer pure products for healthy living at home. p. 42

Look Good, Feel Great

R

EAT.PLAY.LIVE

Live Your Best Life Together Community Gardens, Helpful High Schoolers, and More

Give-Back Guide Volunteer Opportunities

On the Cover: Kim Saunders, owner of Lift Yoga & Body, and yogi since age 14, shows off her flexibility. Read her tips for being fit over 50 on p. 29. A special thank you to Windy Hill Athletic Club for hosting our photo shoot.

Photography: Sawyer Photography Hair & Makeup: The Green Room Agency bestselfatlanta.com

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Vein

my

LEGS take me to...

the mountain top.

Atlanta’s leader in vein care for 15 years.

Call today for your free screening!

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Sandy Springs Midtown Johns Creek Southside

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2018 Partners in Health MEDICAL IMAGING

Healthcare Consumerism How You Can Make Informed Decisions About the Cost of Your Care

By Ho N. Lin., M.D.

OutPatient Imaging (OPI) Ho N. Lin, M.D. received his medical degree from Medical College of Georgia in 1996, followed by a residency in diagnostic radiology at the Medical College of Georgia, which he completed in 2000. He serves as president of OPI. Read article on p. 59. outpatientimaging.net

VEIN HEALTH

Venous Disease Treatment Advancements over the Last 15 Years

By Lisa Perez M.D.

VeinInnovations

SPINE AND BACK CARE

Back Pain 101 What to Do and When to Worry

By Jacob A. Strong, M.D.

Resurgens Spine Center Jacob A. Strong, M.D. received his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and his fellowship in Musculoskeletal and Pain Medicine at UMDNJ/Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in Newark, New Jersey. Dr. Strong is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Read article on p. 61. resurgens.com

ALLERGY AND ASTHMA CARE

Enjoy the Most Beautiful Season in Atlanta New Spring Allergy Drops Bring Relief

By Eugene Hurwitz M.D.

Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia Dr. Eugene Hurwitz is a well established board certified allergist and the founder and medical director of the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia. Dr. Hurwitz has practiced in metro Atlanta for over two decades and is on the staff of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Wellstar, Piedmont and Tanner Hospital. Dr. Hurwitz sees both children and adults with a variety of allergy, asthma, sinus and immunologic problems. Prior to entering private practice Dr. Hurwitz was a nationally known researcher at the Centers for Disease Control where he conducted research in the area of viral diseases and asthma. Read article on p. 58. caageorgia.com

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BEST SELF ATLANTA

Dr. Perez moved to the Atlanta area in 2000, and has been an active member of the medical community since that time. She began treating veins in 2011, and became the medical director of Circulatory Centers. She joined the VeinInnovations medical staff in 2015, and works out of their Midtown and Sandy Springs locations. Her passion for treating venous insufficiency comes, in large part, from the joy she receives in watching patients lives transform following treatment. Read article on p. 62 ~ Sandy Springs ~ Midtown ~ Johns Creek ~ Southside veininnovations.com

bestselfatlanta.com

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FITNESS

More Than an Athletic Club A Place to Call Home Submitted by Karen Foley

Windy Hill Athletic Club

DENTAL HEALTH

Have You Seen the Inside of Your Mouth Lately?

By Jill Golsen DMD

Golsen Family Dentistry A native of Florida, Dr. Golsen attended the University of Georgia, and received a Bachelor of Science degree as well as a DMD from the Medical College School of Dentistry in 1993. Dr. Golsen was a clinical instructor at Perimeter College School of Dental Hygiene and past president of the Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry as well as, an international trainer for Kreativ air abrasion technology training dentists from all over the world on the technology. Dr. Golsen has been practicing for 24 years in Alpharetta, Georgia. Dr. Golsen has two sons. One is a first year Vet Med student at the University of Georgia and the other is a senior in high school. She is also a 7 year breast cancer survivor! Read article on p. 57. golsendental.com

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Frequent Heartburn Are You Popping Antacids Regularly?

By Patricia Sánchez, M.D.

Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates As the General Manager of Windy Hill Athletic Club Karen Foley considers it her mission to help members achieve their fitness goals, no matter how big or small.

A fitness enthusiast herself, Karen loves to bike, cross-train and play tennis. She encourages members to focus less on sticking to a tedious exercise routine and more on working out in a fun environment however they like to move. With world-class indoor and outdoor tennis courts, swimming pools that rival those of five-star hotels, stateof-the-art fitness equipment, and social events for the whole family, Windy Hill offers members a place to practice a healthy lifestyle and the coaching team to help them do so. The club’s promise is “to inspire you through movement, community, and personal attention”, which Karen lives by every day.

Read article on p. 63 windyhillclub.com

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Patricia Sánchez, M.D., is a board certified gastroenterologist with Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates and sees patients at the Johns Creek location. She evaluates and treats all types of digestive health and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a disorder that involves chronic inflammation in the digestive tract and includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. A native of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Sánchez completed her medical degree at the INTEC School of Medicine in Santo Domingo, residency at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida, and a fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. She speaks Spanish, French, and Italian. Read article on p. 56. atlantagastro.com

WOMEN’S HAIR LOSS

Finally, an Answer for Women’s Hair Loss

By Grattan Woodson, M.D. and April Secen, L.M.A.

HairRegen Grattan Woodson, M.D. a native Atlantan focuses his professional efforts on assisting women navigate the rigors of menopause. He has assembled a dedicated team of specialists to assist women regrow lost hair; restore and conserve sun damaged skin; and reduce excess body fat while restoring lost muscle, joint cartilage, and bone mass. April Secen, L.M.A. is his senior aesthetician responsible for hair and skin restoration and conservation. April utilizes advanced imaging technologies to diagnose and monitor diseases affecting hair and skin and uses efficacious topical therapies and microneedling to treat these disorders. Read article on p. 60. hairregen.com BEST SELF ATLANTA

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

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from the publisher

Meet Our Team of Aesthetic Dentists

What is More Important Than Good Health?

As Best Self Atlanta approaches its 9th anniversary, I could not be more excited about this year. An important objective for 2018 is to bring you more health-related content. We will do that through our 2018 Partners in Health initiative. What does that mean exactly? It means that health topics, resources and advice will come directly from many of Atlanta’s top health-care experts. These professionals have partnered with us to educate and inspire you to be an active participant in your family’s health-care decisions and outcomes.

Meet the 2018 Partners in Health on p. 8.

Dr. Debra Gray King is the founder of the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry (ACCD) and a pioneer in cosmetic dentistry. She is one of less than 75 dentists worldwide to be an Accredited Fellow, which is the highest level of competence recognized by the prestigious American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). She has been featured on The Doctors, Extreme Makeover, the Wall Street Journal, and various news media outlets.

Next, our 8th Annual Over 40 & Fabulous! contest kicks off on Feb. 1. The contest continues to grow each year. I am always honored to get to know the amazing nominees and winners and learn more about the important work they do in our community. Many of our nominees participate in this contest because it is a great way to raise awareness for a charity or cause that is near and dear to their hearts. So, here’s a big hint … “doing good” is an extremely important factor when we select the Top 40 nominees.

Our 2017 Over 40 & Fabulous! winner, Lisa M. Washington, had this to say: Atlanta’s

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Dr. Charlie Cooper is an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). He has transformed thousands of smiles and his cosmetic cases are used in lectures nationwide. Dr. Cooper studied at the world famous Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He is a regular participant in the “Give Back A Smile” Program in which he and the ACCD donate their time and skills to help battered women achieve a new smile.

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“My experience with Best Self from the time of my nomination, up to the day I was chosen as the winner, was an absolute fairy tale.

I am a kidney transplant recipient and have been an advocate for transplantation for almost 10 years. The recognition, and my story in the magazine, have inspired so many, especially those in the transplant community and now I am the keynote speaker for the Georgia Transplant Foundation. I am going on tour with the organization this year to share my story as a part of their annual conference, Trends in Transplant. I am grateful that being on the cover of Best Self was a part of me living my dream and having the opportunity to inspire others to do the same. Thank you, Sherri Adair, and the entire Best Self Atlanta team.”

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And yes, the winners and nominees from the past seven years have become a bit of a family. They often join the annual festivities because of the fun and camaraderie. It’s a great group of people who aspire to be their best selves and inspire us all.

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So, don’t be shy … it’s for a good cause. Nominate yourself, or someone you know, through March 1 at bestselfatlanta.com. And remember to follow us on Facebook (@BestSelfAtlanta) to vote and join the events we have scheduled for 2018.

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We welcome Amanda Hair/Bob Steele Salon, Karen Foley/Windy Hill Athletic Club, and Dr. Stanley Okoro/Georgia Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, PC, to our 2018 Over 40 & Fabulous! Advisory Board.

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

Photo courtesy of Sawyer Photography (top left).

bestsel

Dr. Brett Reeve studied Dentistry at the University of Southern California where he earned a membership to the Honor Dental Society “Omicron Kappa Upsilon.” He is a Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Dental Association. In 2015, Dr. Reeve earned the Hero in Healthcare award for his constant service in the community and outstanding dental work.

for Cosmetic Dentistry 404.994.2562 | ACCDsmiles.com

bestselfatlanta.com

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from the editor What Lies Ahead

Every issue of Best Self Atlanta is dedicated to helping you live your best life at every age. However, this issue in particular is jam-packed with information and anecdotes that will inspire you to truly forget what your birth certificate says and believe that your best years are ahead of you.

Starting with the heart, we dive into the advantages and disadvantages that come with midlife dating in “Love Lessons” (p. 44). Even though the topic of over-40 romance is one we have covered before (for additional articles on the subject and out-of-the-box date ideas, visit bestselfatlanta.com), this time we’ve taken a fresh approach by talking to men and women who are out on the scene. Along with advice from matchmaking experts, these singles weigh in on making the most of lessons learned from past relationships and using that experience to find lasting love. For more stories from the dating world, be sure to RSVP for our Single In The City event on Feb. 7. See p. 46 for details.

And while you’re there, get onboard with helping us find love for our managing editor, Laura J. Downey. Our social media campaign to introduce her to some top fellows in town will run through the end of the month. If you know a single male who is looking for a smart woman with a big heart, have him direct message us so we can make the connection.

C

M

With the new year underway, I guarantee you’ll be motivated to up your workout routine especially after seeing the jaw-dropping bodies in “Fantastically Fit at 50 and Beyond” (p. 29). If you think six-pack abs, slender arms, and hourglass figures are reserved for 20 and 30 year olds alone, think again.

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Finally, life coach and hypnotherapist Angella Ocheltree of Right Path Hypnosis offers sound advice for setting attainable goals. These seven tips (p. 49) will help further your journey to become the best version of you from the inside out.

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As C.S. Lewis said, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” I hope this issue helps you find them.

Happy reading,

Alex McCray Associate Editor

Coming in April/May Celebrating the Mom You Are: Atlanta moms provide insight into embracing your own style of parenting.

Amazing One-Hour Makeovers: These 60-minute transformations will have you saying,“Wow!” 30 Days of Healthy, Beautiful Skin: Throughout May, follow our blog series showcasing the latest skin care treatments. Plus, get tips on skin safety in honor of Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.

Kicking Off Over 40 & Fabulous! Meet our 2018 Advisory Board, who offer advice for enhancing your appearance, your health, and your life.

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BEST SELF ATLANTA

Photography by Sarah Diller’s Photographs.

The Beauty Issue

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“I loved the atmosphere & customer service at “Dr. Whiteman and his staff were so Laser Lights. I was nervous going in, but had a professional and compassionate with great experience and will definitely be coming me. I really felt like I was part of their back!” – EB, Laser Lights Patient family.”

“I had a wonderful experience –AR, Tummy Tuck Patient “The results of my procedure with Dr. Whiteman. He listened were incredible. I finally feel to my issues & expectations & confident with my shirt off.” took time to answer all – JN, Male Breast of my questions.”

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Let Dr. Srinivasa Gorjala, a board-certified physician, and our on-site dietician help you to live to your full potential with one of our medical or surgical weight loss programs.

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Robotic Surgery Gastric Sleeve LAP-BAND ® System LINX® Reflux System Non-Surgical Gastric Balloons Thyroid/Parathyroid Surgery Gallbaldder Surgery Hernia Repair Non-Surgical Weight Loss

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contributors

Former DeKalb County Teacher of the Year, founder and executive director of the Atlanta-based nonprofit, Children Helping Children, co-founder of the national women’s movement, S.H.E. Spiritual Healing Energy, and mother of five with over 30 years experience in the field of education, Michelle Hodgson has committed her life to understanding children and celebrating their divine strengths and gifts. Read more about Children Helping Children on p. 24.

Stacy Moser began her career in book publishing, then served as a contributor and editor for San Diego Home/Garden magazine, managing editor of South magazine in Savannah, Ga., and most recently, My Home Improvement magazine in Atlanta. Now, she’s taken her show on the road, working as a freelance writer. She travels around the U.S. with her husband in their RV, in search of interesting stories to write about cool people and places. Read her My Best Self Q&A with “Access Hollywood” co-host, Shaun Robinson on p. 66.

Angella Ocheltree is a nationally certified hypnotherapist, life coach, sports hypnotist, and emotional intelligence development 14

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specialist practicing at Right Path Hypnosis in Marietta. Her mission is to help people live happy, productive, and healthy lives by learning how to use 88 percent of the subconscious mind. See her article, “Be the Best Version of You” on p. 49.

India Powell has been writing and editing for newspapers and magazines for 22 years, during which time she served as editor of Best Self Atlanta and Atlanta Home Improvement (now My Home Improvement) magazines. She currently writes content for a range of publications, websites and more through her freelance business, Lightswitch Communications, focusing on improving wellness and living with more balance, joy and spirit. See her article, “Love Lessons” on p. 44.

Sawyer Photography is comprised of Dan and Gail Sawyer.

After attending classes at Brooks Institute of Photography and Pasadena Art Center College of Design, they opened their first studio in Burbank, Calif. Their work has appeared in many major magazines, on album covers and in corporate reports. See their work on this issue’s cover and p. 29.

Lisa M. Washington is a health, wellness and beauty expert, as well as an author, holistic chef, and the CEO of B’Tyli Wellness and Beauty Co. Her passion for healthy living landed her on Season 2 of Food Network’s “All-Star Academy” and the 2017 June/ July cover of Best Self Atlanta as the Over 40 & Fabulous! winner. Try her tasty Brussels Sprouts and Avocado Salad recipe on p. 18.

Photos courtesy of (Nyssa) Nyssa Green, photography by Austin Holt; (Lisa) photography by Sawyer Photography; (Stacy) photography by Perfect Day Photos; (Angella) Angella Ocheltree; (Michelle) photography by Stacy Bode; (India) photography by Alisha McKellar; (Dan) Sawyer Photography.

A multiple Emmy Award-winning makeup artist and lifestyle expert, Nyssa Green has worked with top celebrities, TV networks, and magazines for more than a decade. She’s been named “Atlanta’s Best Makeup Artist” four times and is mom to three fur babies, Keva, Bear, and Oreo.

See her makeup pick in Nyssa’s Nods on p. 22.

bestselfatlanta.com

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Photos courtesy of (Nyssa) Nyssa Green, photography by Austin Holt; (Lisa) photography by Sawyer Photography; (Stacy) photography by Perfect Day Photos; (Angella) Angella Ocheltree; (Michelle) photography by Stacy Bode; (India) photography by Alisha McKellar; (Dan) Sawyer Photography.

We Can Make Your Smile Great Again!

BEFORE

BEFORE

BEFORE

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Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Serving Georgia for 18 Years.

Dr. Dina Giesler

Dr. Marianna Kovitch

Post Riverside, 4405 Northside Pkwy, Suite 110, Atlanta, Georgia 30327 Connect With Us On Facebook And Twitter.

| 404.262.7733

www.atlantasmiles.com

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PHOTO: JOHARI DAVIS OF RLI, LLC

North Atlanta

Dermatology Adult & Pediatric Dermatology

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAWYER PHOTOGRAPHY

What Makes Us Different.

I’m hands on with every one of my events. While my clients may work with my assistants from time to time, I will always be the primary point of contact. I also only book a limited number of weddings to assure that I can give each bride the same level of quality service and attention.

Getting Started.

The J. Ladson Wedding experience begins as soon as you walk through the doors of our boutique. Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime occasion and our top priority is creating priceless memories for you and your fiance’ by coordinating a wedding that celebrates your love story.

Thank you for Voting Us Best Fat Removal/ Reduction Treatment COOLSCULPTING FOR FAT REDUCTION FREE CONSULTATION WITH 20% OFF ANY AREA! 3850 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth, GA 30096 (Between Peachtree Industrial & Buford Highway) 3331 Hamilton Mill Rd., Suite 1106, Buford, GA 30519 (Across from the Kroger Shopping Center) 3370 Paddocks Pkwy., Suwanee, GA 30024 (Off 141 close to BP Gas Station and Laurel Springs Sub. Div.) 1230 Bald Ridge Marina Rd., Suite 300 Cumming, GA 30024 (Across from Costco)

770.814.8222

Where to Find Us.

We have a quaint, chic bridal boutique, Studio J, tucked away in the heart of Sandy Springs. We are located on the west side of Roswell Road, just 2 miles north of I-285 and 2 miles from GA-400. We’re just south of Abernathy, between Huey Luey’s and Taco Bell.

“I design unique, yet memorable weddings that compliment the love stories of my clients.” — Jade Ladson

FREE CONSULTATIONS Call Ext. 209 for Buford & Cumming or Ext. 210 for Duluth & Suwanee Gabrielle M. Sabini, MD • Charles J. Douchy, MD Matthew J. Reschly, MD • A. Damian Dhar, MD Stephanie S. Gardner, MD • Weston T. Waxweiler, MD • Anjana M. Patel, PA-C • Sara A. Barr, PA-C Karly Kincaid, PA-C • Nikki Orciuch-PA-C • Julia Ro, PA-C All Board Certified

For all your skin care needs NorthAtlantaDermatology_2-3V_.indd 1 0218_016-017_BULL.indd 16

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(404) 839-5933 jladsonweddings.com Visit our website or social media to sign up to receive our specials.

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bestbulletin Side Hustle Success

Running on Empty

After a two-week excursion in Africa, 31-year-old Ryan Helms desired to be in a financial position to travel at will. The Buckhead resident soon launched a “side hustle” to create additional income to fuel his exploration whims. Today, he’s condensed his system of success into The Side Hustle Journal. From time management to setting goals, the bound journal is a step-by-step guide to making your entrepreneurial dreams a reality without sacrificing performance at your “main hustle.”

Photos courtesy of (top left) Ryan Helms; (middle left) photography by Jacob Taylor Kravtin; (bottom left) CROSBY By Mollie Burch; (top right) EDIN (The Eating Disorders Information Network), photography by Judson Peery George; (middle right) (code)word hats.

Details: $32, gritandhustle.co Athletes can unknowingly be at a higher risk for developing eating disorders.

Because of this, the Eating Disorders Information Network, sports dietitian Page Love, psychologist Kensa Gunter, and Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health have collaborated to launch a free online curriculum called Running on Empty, which targets fitness professionals.

The program promotes healthy body image, eating for athletic performance and the prevention of eating disorders. Throughout “Love Your Body Month” in February, the organization will hold numerous bodypositive events for all.

Fitness for All

Details: myedin.org

Eight-time Mr. Olympia, Lee Haney (pictured center) is sharing his go-to techniques for staying in shape at every stage of life. In his fourth book, “Fit at Any Age,” the 58-year-old bodybuilder offers motivation, advice on how to best combine food for maximum nourishment, exercises for functional health and more.

Details: $20, leehaney.com

Wrapped in Wellness Emerging Atlanta fashion line Crosby by Mollie Burch is committed to supporting sex-trafficking victims. One-hundred percent of proceeds from the label’s Wellspring Living Scarf ($48) are donated to local nonprofit, Wellspring Living. The Field of Hope print (pictured right) is inspired by the story of a woman at Wellspring Living who found promise in the beauty of nature.

Details: crosbybymollieburch.com

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Hats Off to (code)word Featuring Atlanta’s 404 area code across the front, 30 percent of the profits from this baseball cap by (code)word hats are given to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Whether you choose the gray or camouflage trucker-style option, we guarantee that giving back will look good on you.

Details: $35, codewordhats.com

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bestbites Brussels Sprouts and Avocado Salad Creator of the culinary blog, Set The Table with Love, a Season 2 finalist on Food Network’s “All-Star Academy,” and 2017 Over 40 & Fabulous! winner, Lisa M. Washington, shares an easy-to-make recipe for Brussels Sprouts and Avocado Salad.

INGREDIENTS: • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest • 1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, cleaned, trimmed and leaves separated • 2 tablespoons raw walnuts • 1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and sliced • 2 tablespoons cranberries, for garnish

DIRECTIONS: Whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, and mustard in a bowl. Add oil in slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.

In another bowl, toss dressing with Brussels sprouts leaves and walnuts.

Gently stir in avocado, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

Liquid Gold According to reports, extra-virgin olive oils sitting on supermarket shelves have been tainted with lower quality oils making it difficult to know which bottle to buy. Enter Gaea. Every variety of the brand’s olive oil from Greece is fresh, 100 percent authentic, free of additives and never blended with any other types of oils. During American Heart Month (February), enjoy all the heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory and Omega-3 fatty acid benefits of olive oil with Gaea’s Sitia option, which carries a unique fruity and slightly peppery aromatic combination. Find it at a Publix near you.

Details: gaeaus.com

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Boring Salads Begone Houston-based salad bar and sandwich shop, Salata, has made its way to Atlantic Station. The eatery’s emphasis on simplicity extends beyond its minimally processed ingredients and into its sleek design with a vibrant green and magenta color scheme. Choose from five lettuce mixes and 50 toppings to create your wrap or bowl. Wash down your meal with its refreshing organic tea options.

Details: 265 19th St. NW., Atlanta; salata.com

Photos courtesy of (top left) Lisa M. Washington; (bottom left) Gaea North America; (bottom right) Salata.

Details: setthetablewithlove.wordpress.com

bestselfatlanta.com

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Join us for food, fun, & friends!

HAL’S KITCHEN OFFERS: • Corporate Team Building • Culinary Private Events • Off-Site Meetings • Private Dining Experiences • Adult Cooking Classes • Kids Birthday Parties

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Ride On Be honest. Could your day-to-day life use some added adventure? If yes, crank things up a notch at The MSF DirtBike School

Photos courtesy of (top) Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau; (bottom left) Painted Hospitality.

at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Campus in Alpharetta. Led by site coordinator, April Zoby, and assistant site coordinator, Austin Guest, the daylong course teaches you everything you need to know about riding a dirt bike. From wearing the proper gear to making turns correctly and standing up while you ride, you’ll go from newbie to practically a pro under careful guidance. The purpose of this school, of which there are a limited number of around the country, is to create safer, more educated riders and expose more people to the sport. Each year, over 800 students, starting at age 6, put on their helmets and complete the many courses offered at the campus including Introduction to Trail Riding, Street Bike Training: The Basic Rider Course, and ATV Safety Institute ATV RiderCourse. You can even gather the girls and sign up for one of its Dirt n’ The Skirt women-only basic dirt bike classes.

Details: Starting at $125, 1450 Morrison Pkwy.,

Alpharetta; offroad-training.org

A New Way to Bowl Take a quack at duckpin bowling, which uses smaller than normal pins and a palm-sized ball, at The Painted Duck. The new 26,000-squarefoot venue, which is co-owned by Justin Amick and William Stallworth, of The Painted Pin, will have 16 full-service duckpin bowling lanes, indoor horseshoe pits, shuffleboard courts, air hockey and more. Plus, acclaimed bartender Trip Sandifer’s beverage program means drinks like the Frosted Duck L’Orange (inspired by The Varsity’s Frosted Orange) will ensure the fun continues all night long.

Details: $25-$35, 976 Brady Ave. NW., Atlanta; thepaintedduckatl.com

Dance the Night Away Put on your dancing shoes, grab a partner and make your way to W Atlanta-Downtown for complimentary salsa lessons. At 7 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month, Rhythma Studios introduces you to the intimate steps of salsa.

After the 30-minute class, stick around and groove to tunes by Mike Zarin. To save your spot, email: watldowntownrsvp@whotels.com.

Details: 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta; watlantadowntown.com

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Photos courtesy of (top) Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau; (bottom left) Painted Hospitality.

funevents

For more fun events, visit bestselfatlanta.com Thrifting Atlanta Bus Tour Feb. 10-11 Local personal shopper Keren Charles, of Two Stylish Kays, takes participants on a fashionable thrifting adventure. thriftingatlanta.com 19th Annual Art Papers Art Auction Feb. 24 Art lovers, both seasoned and novice, will have an opportunity to build their collections while enjoying a great party at The Davison Ballroom.

Proceeds will benefit the award-winning nonprofit programs of Art Papers. artpapers.org/auction 2018 Strides for Survivors Walk Feb. 24 Walk around Chastain Park with breast cancer survivors and others affected by the disease to raise awareness and funds to further the work of TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. stridesforsurvivors.org Cupid’s Undie Run Feb. 24 Ditch the clothes and don your drawers at Big Sky Buckhead Bar & Restaurant for this onemile-ish fun run to raise money for Children’s Tumor Foundation. cupids.org Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival March 3 Head to Atlantic Station for 60 varieties of beer, 40 types of bourbon, and more barbecue than you can handle. Once you’re stuffed, stick around for some toe-tapping live music. beerandbourbon.com 9th Annual Atlanta Jewish Music Festival March 8-25 Featuring a bevy of Jewish artists and music genres for all ages and musical tastes, this year’s highlights include Israeli Yemenite Funk Band, Bint El Funk, and a special collaboration with ATL Collective. atlantajmf.org Brain Candy Live!

March 10 This one-of-a-kind show stars Adam Savage, co-host of “MythBusters” and Michael Stevens, creator of the mind-bending YouTube channel, Vsauce. You won’t want to miss this spectacular that’s been called a cross between a TED Talk and a Blue Man Group performance. foxtheatre.org Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities 5K and Fun Run March 17 Start your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with this scenic run near Sandy Springs. By lacing up, you’ll help this nonprofit provide a place for families to stay while their loved one receives medical care at a nearby hospital. armhc.org/5k

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Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 17 This long-standing event dates back to 1858. Expect to see roughly 2,000 dancers, floats, and bands (bagpipers included) make their way through Midtown. atlantastpats.com

bestselfatlanta.com

• Brain Fog • Depression • Low Libido

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Pedicure stations along a tufted couch, pops of red décor and stylish ghost chairs say it all. SwatchBox isn’t the average nail salon. The new Buckhead outpost founded

by Raquel Souza, creator of the local Sweet Peach Wax & Sugaring Studio chain, offers an array of unique polishes. Selections include the luxurious and beautifully bottled polishes (think glass-faceted vial with metallic cap) by Christian Louboutin. Plus, pampering extras like handmade scrubs make it a must for a girls’ day.

Details: 414 E. Paces Ferry Rd. NE., Atlanta; swatchboxbeauty.com

Refreshing Roses

High Blood Pressure Redefined

For the first time in 14 years, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) have updated high blood pressure guidelines. High blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension is now defined as having a systolic blood pressure of 130 to 139 and diastolic of 80 to 89. Previous standards were 140 over 90. The AHA expects 14 percent more people to be diagnosed with high blood pressure due to the change.

Details: heart.org

Nyssa’s Nods Makeup Made Easy

Jurlique’s full-service spa has arrived at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta. Treat yourself to a full-body spa day. Start with the 4,855-square-foot sanctuary’s 50-minute Softening Rose Body Treatment to buff away dry skin and restore moisture with rose extract. Then, opt for the Vitamin C-rich Revitalizing Antioxidant Facial to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and leave your skin looking luminous.

If you’ve seen a celebrity makeup artist work, you’ve noticed that they always resort to using their fingers at some point.

Hands are nature’s makeup tools. That’s why Eva Jane Bunkley, an Atlanta-based Emmy Award-winning makeup artist, invented a makeup sponge that fits on your finger.

Brilliant! With The Makeup Bullet, you can apply liquid or powder makeup quickly (I love it for administering foundation!) and blend easily, which gives it that fresh, flawless look. There’s a point, a straight edge, and a rounded side, so it fits on every part of the face. And it’s latex free (that’s a big deal for pros), hypoallergenic, and washable!

Details: 3315 Peachtree Rd. NE., Atlanta; intercontinentalatlanta.com/spa

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Details: $15, the-makeup-bullet.com

By Nyssa Green, professional makeup artist and founder of The Green Room Agency

Photos courtesy of (top left) SwatchBox, photography by Haute Couture Media; (bottom left) CMMPR, photography by Jurlique; (top right) American Heart Association; (bottom middle) Nyssa Green, photography by Austin Holt; (middle right) Eva Jane Beauty, LLC.

Salon Standout

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(top right) American Heart Association; (bottom middle) Nyssa Green, photography by Austin Holt; (middle right) Eva Jane Beauty, LLC.

Q&A To find a top-rated* plastic surgeon, you’ll have to travel...

towith your own backyard.

Dr. Elizabeth Elizabeth Whitaker, M.D., F.A.C.S., is Double Board-Certified† and among

BODY SCULPTING / SCULPSURE®

the most experienced Facial Plastic What in is body sculpting? sculpting is the process of Surgeons Atlanta having Body performed decreasing or removing fat and increasing the body’s visible thousands of facial cosmetic procedures. muscle tone using exercise or cosmetic surgical procedures.

She has been recognized as one I’ve tried Top dietsPlastic and exercise.

What else is there? Eventually of America's Surgeons everyone has areas on their body that just won’t respond to in dieting a national survey ofTh her or exercising. esepeers. are the stubborn areas of excess fat

Q Q

and/or skin that seem impossible to eliminate. There are surgical Atlanta offers theTuck” latestbut at Atlanta Face & Body, optionsFace such&asBody the “Tummy we try to useadvances noninvasive that are faster, easier, less technological forprocedures nonsurgical painful and have little to no recovery and minimally-invasive procedures. time. We do this by using highly focused lasers that remove the fat without surgery. One of Focusing natural,inbalanced results, the latestonadvances this area is SculpSure®. we can help you look your personal What is SculpSure® and how does it work? SculpSure® is a best, whatever your age! noninvasive body contouring system that selectively reduces stubborn fat cells in areas such as the abdomen and love handles. Utilizing a laser wavelength, the procedure destroys up to 24% of treated fat cells without surgery. There is no suction, freezing, painful massage, and none of the potential side effects of freezing fat (cryolipolysis) like nerve pain and “shark bite” irregularities.

Q

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Is this procedure permanent? The fat cells destroyed by the procedure are absorbed by the body and will not regenerate.

Am I a good candidate for SculpSure®? SculpSure® is ideal for healthy individuals who want to target troubled areas that are resistant to diet and exercise.

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How long does the procedure take? The process takes around 25 minutes per treatment. Two to three treatments are recommended to achieve the best results.

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What areas can be treated by SculpSure® The SculpSure® technology targets your individual problem areas with customizable laser frames.

Multiple areas, like the abdomen, thighs, and love handles can be treated in a single office visit.

The FDA has approved SculpSure® for use on excess skin in the neck and chin areas.

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Is the SculpSure® procedure painful? Patients undergoing the SculpSure® procedure experience some minor discomfort.

Patients will typically experience a tingling sensation that is generally tolerated.

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What about the recovery? There is no downtime with SculpSure®. You can return to your normal daily routine right after the treatment. Some patients will experience soreness, which should go away in about a week.

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How fast will I see results? Patients will begin to see results in as early as six weeks, with optimal results seen in around 12 weeks.

Elizabeth Whitaker, M.D., F.A.C.S. ELIZABETH WHITAKER, MD, FACS • Top Doctor* Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon • Fellowship Trained: Facial Plastic Surgery Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker received her medical degree from Duke University. She • Double Board-Certified† Facial Plastic Surgeon did her residency training at Emory and completed her facial plastic surgery • Former Chief of Facial Plastic Surgery, fellowship at Tulane where sheAugusta trained withUniversity Dr. Calvin Johnson, an internationally known facial plastic surgeon. She served as the Chief of Facial Plastic Surgery at Medical College of Georgia before moving back to Atlanta and into private practice. The seasoned doctor has performed more than 4,000 face-lifts and is one of the most experienced facial plastic surgeons in the field.

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bestfamily One Lucky Ride Put the pedal to the metal on March 18 for the 2nd annual St. Paddy O’Pedal. Hundreds will cycle to beat childhood cancer at this event to benefit the Kiersten Dickson Memorial Cancer Research Fund and the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Take part in the Family Fun 12 mile ride through downtown Alpharetta, an easy jaunt perfect for beginners and little ones.

Top 10 Reasons to Call a Pediatric Gastroenterologist

Details: 12650 Crabapple Rd., Milton; bikesignup.com/race/ga/ milton/spop18 Minor gastrointestinal issues are common occurrences in children and adolescents, but what is normal for one child may not be normal for another. If your child has any of these symptoms or conditions, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates’ Pediatric and Adolescent Division notes that they may require a specialist’s care.

Challenge 2 Change At Children Helping Children (CHC), we have found that our 20,000-plus kids are choosing kindness and compassion because of a formula we created 10 years ago. Join our village so we can share what we have learned and so your family can partake in the magic of giving back with us. Email michelle@ chcatlanta.org and request a CHALLENGE 2 CHANGE application and kit that will engage your children, school, or community in ways that are simple to include at your own pace.

Participants will be recognized at “Little Hands...Big LOVEFEST!” on Oct. 21 and every other month, one participant will be highlighted in this column and in all of CHC’s media outlets.

Details: chcatlanta.org

By Michelle Hodgson, founder of the Atlanta-based nonprofit, Children Helping Children and co-founder of the national women’s movement, S.H.E. Spiritual Healing Energy.

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Details: agapediatrics.com

Don a Tutu and Dance

Photography by (bottom left) Stacy Bode.

Michelle Mentors

1) Chronic or long-term abdominal pain—especially if it’s more than just mild or occasional discomfort 2) Recurring nausea, vomiting or reflux 3) Difficulty swallowing 4) Poor weight gain or being underweight (“failure to thrive”) 5) Constipation 6) Diarrhea 7) Blood in the stool 8) Food intolerances or allergies 9) Neurologic impairment or developmental delay, which often includes feeding difficulties 10) Children who require feeding tubes

Let your kiddo be the star of the show at the new Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education location in Virginia-Highland. Here, budding ballerinas as young as 2, all the way to late teens, can take classes focusing on ballet, jazz, tap, and more. Adults can get in on the action as well, with drop-in classes.

Details: 500 Amsterdam Ave. NE., Atlanta; centre.atlantaballet.com bestselfatlanta.com

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Map

“Where beauty meets function”

Have you given up on your dream of a new smile because it’s too expensive?

Call to schedule a complimentary cosmetic consultation and smile imaging.

We can’t wait to meet you and transform your dream of a new smile into a reality.

Photography by (bottom left) Stacy Bode.

Cosmetic and General Dentistry • In-House Laboratory • Same-Day Crowns and Inlays • Botox, Juvederm, Voluma & Belotero • Custom Smile Designs with Veneers, Crowns & Implants • Combined Experience of 50 Years

Dr. Carol M. Wolff General Dentistry

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Specializing in Prosthodontics

Conveniently Located in Buckhead 3131 Maple Drive | Suite 200 | Atlanta, GA 30305

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HIFU can work for you

A new prostate cancer treatment option is waiting.

Prostate cancer is more treatable today than ever before—but too many men beat the disease, only to experience crippling side effects, like erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. That’s why doctors and patients everywhere are so excited about HIFU. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), is a non-invasive treatment that destroys prostate cancer cells without harming the surrounding tissue. HIFU offers drastically reduced side effects, no radiation, very little pain, and no overnight hospitalization—all with the same efficacy rates as more invasive treatment options. In Atlanta, the recognized authority on HIFU is Dr. Vahan Kassabian of Georgia Urology, who has years of experience performing the procedure. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, remember—HIFU can work for you.

Learn more at HIFUworks.com

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ABOUT OUR EXPERT

(Not)Missing the Cut

By Jennifer Colosimo

It’s not the most talked about subject around the water cooler … but it’s on more people’s minds than you would think. In fact, according to The American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men, after skin cancer. The good news has always been that it can be treated successfully in most cases; but gather round for a new conversation, boys, because now the news is even better.

VAHAN KASSABIAN, MD, FACS, FRCS(C) Medical Director of Georgia Urology in partnership with Vituro Health

Dr. Vahan Kassabian, Medical Director of Georgia Urology in partnership with Vituro Health, is the first and only surgeon in the state of Georgia to introduce the revolutionary HIFU procedure to treat prostate cancer. Originally from Canada, where the procedure has been approved for many years, he’s been successfully treating men with prostate cancer for over a decade. Now that the FDA has approved the procedure in the U.S., he brings his niche expertise to our community.

The acronym stands for high intensity focused ultrasound, something Kassabian describes using the analogy of a harmonic scalpel. The result is a truly minimally invasive, outpatient procedure without the side effects or downtime associated with radiation or the general risks of surgery.

“With HIFU, I am killing as much or as little of the prostate cancer, or prostate gland, as I want, using heat,” said Kassabian.

“People go home the same day. They don’t even need to take pain medication. They have a catheter for about 10 days, but they’re feeling great without any of the discomfort or pain associated with surgery.”

To say it’s labor intensive – which Kassabian does – is an understatement. The surgery takes anywhere from two to three hours and uses an impossibly tiny (3mm, to be exact-think a grain of uncooked rice) ultrasound beam.

“There’s a very steep learning curve involved with this procedure,” he said. “But I can avoid damaging surrounding tissue, such as the nerves responsible for erections. As I am treating, I’m looking at it, I’m getting a lot of technological feedback, seeing heat changes, visual changes and more, all in real time.”

Whereas traditional treatment options are surgery to remove the entire prostate gland or radiation to radiate the entire gland, HIFU allows a surgeon more control over how much tissue gets destroyed. Physicians direct the ultrasound energy, also known as sound waves, toward the diseased prostate tissue and burn away the malignancy.

As a result, they can destroy only the targeted prostate cancer cells and leave surrounding tissue unharmed.

Surgery without the aftermath is reason enough to book the new surgery with Dr. Kassabian, but the benefits go beyond that. “This is truly an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure,” he reiterated. “But the biggest difference is a very low effect on sexual function.”

According to Kassabian, one year after the procedure, 90 percent of the men he has treated are still sexually able to function – something not guaranteed with traditional surgery to remove prostate cancer. This new procedure also helps patients avoid complications with urinary function and the short and long term effects of radiation. In turn, it helps patients avoid secondary malignancies, often caused by treatment with radiation. In that sense, it’s also much more in line for people who are taking a holistic approach.

“I am using sound waves to create heat,” Kassabian said. “That’s about as natural as one can get.”

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The bodies of today’s 50 year olds look nothing like they did back in the 1950s, that’s for sure. From toned arms to flat tummies, these 13 Atlantans share their secrets to staying in shape.

& BEYOND

FIT FANTASTICALLY

A special thank you to Windy Hill Athletic Club for hosting our photo shoot.

Photography by Sawyer Photography

Sonny Gholami | 51 Windy Hill Athletic Club How much time do you dedicate to staying in shape?

As a personal trainer and fitness coach at Windy Hill Athletic Club for the past 20 years, fitness has always been my priority as a lifestyle, not a trend. There is no magic pill or shortcut. This is the reason I work out six days a week.

How do you maintain your look?

I utilize variety in my training to avoid burnouts and plateaus. Most of my workouts consist of functional movement that demands strength and stability.

I believe a workout should be short, but intense, which is why I use high-intensity interval training or Tabata training.

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Robert Dothard | 56 Fit Family How do you maintain your look?

I am the same weight and body-fat percentage that I was 20 years ago when I got married. Being consistent is the key. In other words, exercise and proper eating habits aren’t something I “do,” they “are” simply a part of my personal lifestyle.

What is the secret to being fit over 50?

Start where you are. Improve and never go back to your old eating habits and unhealthy lifestyle! I often have people tell me they don’t have time to work out, but when I ask them about their favorite TV program, they share the last series they just binge-watched.

Kim Saunders | 55 Lift Yoga & Body What are a few of your favorite ways to work out?

I do different styles of yoga including strong vinyasa flows and some yin, or deep stretches. I also like to lift weights, typically dumbbells that are about eight to 10 pounds. It’s all about the combination of strength and stretching—both are equally important.

How do you maintain your overall health?

I eat close to a Mediterranean diet including lean protein and lots of vegetables. For the most part, I choose organic foods and healthy carbs.

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Shelly Casady | 61 Life Time Fitness Johns Creek How much time do you dedicate to staying in shape?

I weight lift four days a week and box one day a week.

What is the secret to being fit over 50?

It is a journey. It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes commitment and I commit every week. I always know on Sunday night what my workout plans are for the week. I’ve lived my life like that for over 30 years. I have also learned there are injuries that happen and I have had some. I’ve learned that you can work through them and around them and to not give up.

Orlando Sablon | 54 House of Payne Personal Training What are a few of your favorite ways to work out?

I train with weights and body weight five days a week and incorporate one day of calisthenics or high-intensity interval training.

How do you keep your nutrition on track?

I typically eat five meals a day. My meals are usually made up of lean protein, rice, fruits, dark leafy vegetables, and healthy fats along with one to two gallons of water.

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Linda Key | 68 House of Payne Personal Training What are a few of your favorite ways to work out?

I enjoy working out using resistance bands, they stimulate the muscles. Sumo squats are also one of my favorite workout moves because I can feel it in my buttocks, quadriceps, hamstrings and hips using a mind/body connection. Using machines has allowed me to create the beautiful body I never knew I had.

How much time do you dedicate to staying in shape?

Drew Key | 60 House of Payne Personal Training What motivates you to stay in shape?

My objective is to have an ageless body and a timeless mind through healthy aging. I am working to age backward and become more youthful internally.

What are a few of your favorite ways to work out?

Traditionally with weight resistance, calisthenics, and cardiovascular activity. Weight resistance helps build muscle fibers.

Calisthenics helps to tighten, shape, and form your aesthetics so you look good. Finally, cardiovascular moves help to facilitate internal movement on a cellular level. So, in conclusion, I feel great and I look great.

I work out five days a week for one hour.

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Debra Miller | 67 Stability Pilates & Physical Therapy How much time do you dedicate to staying in shape?

I do an hour of cardio (StairMaster and/or elliptical) five days a week and about three hours of Pilates a week. As I age, I’m finding it necessary and helpful to stretch for 10 to 20 minutes a day.

What are a few of your favorite ways to work out?

Working out has always been a priority for me. In my early 30s, I was a single mom working my way up the corporate ladder. I had to squeeze in my daily fitness routine at midnight sometimes. I purchased a StairMaster so that I could work out on my schedule in my home. Exercising at home continues to be my favorite way to work out. I love the flexibility and freedom it affords me.

Nanci Love | 58 Windy Hill Athletic Club What are a few of your favorite ways to work out?

I manage processes and people all day. When I get to the club after a long day, I like to turn my brain off in a sense and focus on the expertise of the trainer to get in a rigorous workout.

How do you maintain your overall health?

I surround myself with people that enjoy a healthy lifestyle and I understand the changes that need to be made in a workout routine and diet as aging occurs. It is very important to eat healthy (i.e., stay away from processed, preservative-heavy, fried, sugary, dairy and caffeine-filled foods). bestselfatlanta.com

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Sandy Farinella | 54 Concourse Athletic Club What are a few of your favorite ways to work out?

My trainer and I use weights two to three days a week and on two other days, we mix it up with bands, the BOSUŽ ball, gliders, power moves, a medicine/stability ball—you name it!

I love the variety and the fun of working out with other women that have the same goals.

What motivates you to stay in shape?

My desire to have a healthy body and mind for as long as possible!

After having my fourth child at age 40, I knew that keeping up with my family was going to require that I build a stronger body.

Mark Street | 56 Blueprint Fitness How much time do you dedicate to staying in shape?

I generally work out five days a week with each session lasting about one hour.

What are a few of your favorite ways to work out?

I prefer a balance of strength training, high-intensity interval training, and traditional cardio/core workouts.

Usually, I start with barbell lifting that targets a major muscle group. From there, I complete three to four circuits using kettlebells, TRX bands, body weight moves and dumbbells. For cardio, I prefer jumping rope and battle ropes.

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George Amos | 56 Windy Hill Athletic Club What are a few of your favorite ways to work out?

I enjoy playing basketball about two to three days a week and I also do some cycling classes.

Basketball and cycling provide the cardio I need to reduce the health risks of heart disease and high blood pressure, in addition to decreasing stress.

What is the secret to being fit over 50?

Consistency. My philosophy for staying fit—exercise for the rest of your life and find something you enjoy doing!

Dona Halliday | 52 What are a few of your favorite ways to work out?

Walking, dancing, tennis. My workout has to be fun!

What motivates you to stay in shape?

I want a strong, healthy body for now and the future.

What do you do to maintain your overall health?

I continue to learn. I remain flexible and constantly examine my perspective. Fitness, health, and well-being are more than external things. My confidence and my hope come from within and I really believe that reflects externally.

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COVER PARTNER PROFILE

Are Your Supplements Harmf HiveFit’s Raul Hiteshew talks ingredient transparency and how to make healthy choices for your family.

By Carrie Whitney lthough you do your best to eat healthy foods and supplement your diet with vitamins or maybe protein powder, without a chemistry degree, it can be a challenge to know whether the ingredients in your shake or capsule are best for your body.

In some cases, ingredients may not be beneficial, and in others, they can be downright harmful. Whether it’s bloating from hidden lactose in whey powder or a pre-training product that leads to a crash, negative effects may have you eschewing supplements all together or thinking they are only meant for serious body builders.

Behind the Label

“When I designed the product, I designed it for everyone— moms, dads, and kids. Families really gravitated toward what we were doing here,” Raul says. His goal was to create a high quality yet affordable product for the masses.

“Sometimes people think they are healthy because of the way they look, but really, they might be super toxic.”

Raul’s products offer people top-notch ingredients that make them feel good on the inside and look good on the outside.

“When I designed the product, I designed it for everyone— moms, dads, and kids. Families really gravitated toward what we were doing here.”

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Consider whey protein powder. Not only do many companies add artificial colors, sweeteners and fillers to their products, they may also claim to have isolate protein, but it may not be 100 percent isolate. By contrast, Raul’s Whey Protein Vanilla and Chocolate powders contain 100 percent isolate, which minimizes lactose and maximizes absorption. The powder has no added sugars or binders. In fact, the Vanilla powder contains just three ingredients: 100 percent whey protein isolate, natural vanilla bean flavor, and stevia. Raul has even included the amounts of the ingredients on the labels, which

Photo courtesy of Joy Cannis Photography.

Location: Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio.

Considering the issues his clients faced when choosing supplement products, Atlanta-based health and fitness expert, Raul Hiteshew, along with fitness competitor wife, Ashlyn, decided to revolutionize the industry by offering a line of products that are truly healthy and appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Instead of hiding behind complex ingredients and unrecognizable terms, Raul’s HiveFit supplement line displays 100 percent transparent labeling and a commitment to a lot of “nos”—no artificial flavors, no added sugars, no hormones or antibiotics, no genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and no fillers.

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means his formula could be copied, but he would rather see more ethical products on the market than hide anything. His 100 percent transparency labeling campaign is rare. “If you have a good product, you don’t need extra flavors or fillers. Anyone could make the products I have; there are no proprietary blends.” Raul’s HiveFit line ranges from protein powders to Probiotic Digestive Supplements and everything in between.

HiveFit Foundation— Helping the Hungry

Background Basics Born in Venezuela, and known in fitness competition circles as Mr. Venezuela, Raul got his start in the industry more than a decade ago when he joined the team at a supplement company. After gaining experience working with naturopathic doctors, studying science and psychology and earning a variety of competition titles and fitness certifications, he struck out on his own to bring the “Raul Approach” to clients.

“It was just me trying to lose fat because I was tired of roller coasting and trying every diet that came out,” he says. “From a competitor’s background, you always look to see what is the most effective, what works.” When he needed healthful products to provide to clients along with custom nutrition plans, Raul realized he would have to develop his own supplements if he wanted to confidently know they were made to the highestVanilla standards.

Protein And now, thanks to Raul’s passion and experience, the HiveFit supplement line currently offers nine high-quality nutrition, fitness, and wellness products.

HiveFit, HiveFit.com, Info@HiveFit.com The content for this article is brought to you by HiveFit.

While dieting strictly to prepare for a competition, Raul Hiteshew complained to his wife, Ashlyn, that he was “starving.” She quickly pointed out that he deprived himself of calories by choice, but there were children around the world who were actually starving.

In that moment, the seed of HiveFit Foundation was planted.

HiveFit has committed 25 percent of all profits from HiveFit supplements to the HiveFit Foundation.

No hormones or antibiotics No added sugars No GMOs or fillers Photo courtesy of Lindsay Hawkins.

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The Foundation serves to alleviate hunger in youth populations suffering from famine and malnutrition.

Raul developed special meal replacement formulas that can be easily digested by children with compromised digestive systems.

Together with international and local partners, the HiveFit Foundation provides highly nutritious liquid products to help children regain health in times of starvation.

Raul and the HiveFit Foundation plan to provide on-site distribution of meal replacement products among the populations they serve.

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Love Le ons

Over 40? It’s never too late to find the one

By India Powell

B

etween children, exes, careers and the various other intricacies of life for many after 40, dating might seem to be a much more complicated undertaking than it is for the 20-something set. While in many ways it is, in other ways it can be vastly simpler.

“At this stage in life, we would rather be alone for the right reasons than be together for the wrong,” says radio personality Bert Weiss, 50, of The Bert Show on Q100. “I enjoy being alone now and enjoy it more than I did when I was younger. And it’s much easier when you get older to identify when you have a connection with someone and when you don’t.”

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Elke Koscher, in her 40s, agrees that the assuredness about what she wants at this phase of her life brings the benefit of a certain clarity to the dating process.

“I am not completing anybody, and I don’t need anybody to complete me,” she says. “I am complete in myself.

I work on myself to be the best person I can be. I’m attracted to a man who is a whole person, who has his life together, and who I can have a conversation with on many levels.”

Phillip Horge, 58, adds that knowing exactly what is most important to him in a relationship helps him avoid wasting time dating those who are not a match. “I can figure out quickly if we are going any further. I am looking for someone with things in common with me; someone like-minded. I’m looking for more substance than I might have in the past,” he says.

Finding out early on if the other person is dating with the same intentions and goals as her own is key to Natasha Harp, 45. “I’m looking for someone who wants to be in a committed long-term relationship, and I’m very honest with what I’m looking for, although I don’t try to force it. I am looking for someone who wants to share their time and, eventually, their life.”

While the online dating option can seem appealing and convenient, it can quickly lose its luster if those on the other end of the messages have a different end result in mind or are representing themselves in a not-so-accurate manner. Horge says he encountered some off-putting misrepresentation when he tried using Tinder, and he prefers a more straightforward and honest personal approach. “Texting and online stuff doesn’t really appeal to me. I meet people mostly through friends now,” he says. He adds that dining at the bar in a restaurant also opens up opportunities to connect with and get to know people he might not otherwise meet.

Harp says online dating was not a fit for her, and she says she has been enjoying reconnecting with people she knew from college. Exploring the familiarity of the connections while learning about who they have become over the years has been rewarding, she says.

Weiss says he doesn’t feel the discomfort with dating— online or otherwise—that many seem to. “I’ve always enjoyed going out and getting to know someone,” he says. “Online dating is becoming the new restaurant, the new bar … but there is a generational difference and just ‘hooking up’ doesn’t really fit anymore in your 40s. As you get older, you realize it’s time for connection and not just something physical.”

For many, Weiss points out, juggling the responsibilities of being a parent can add challenges to dating. Flexibility bestselfatlanta.com

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Older and Wiser Tips From Over-40 Daters And Experts

Be honest about your intentions. Many people have a difficult time being honest even with themselves about what they truly want from a relationship.

If you can’t afford to date, don’t date.

Err on the side of discretion on social media and in texting. Not everyone is ready to disclose all to the world at large, or to exchange intimate communication early on.

Many men are looking for women who seem youthful, not too serious, and not overbearing.

Women want men to come across as respectable, to have his act together professionally, and not to have that “player” energy.

Men asked to be matched with someone who is either fit, petite, and who “takes care of herself.”

Women tend to be more concerned about a man being financially successful and happy in his career, in addition to simply being open to a real relationship as opposed to just a “night out.”

on everyone’s part helps tremendously, he says. “It can be hard to balance between work, trying to stay connected with friends, dating, and being a parent. Most times I just feel mediocre at all of it. You can feel so stretched.”

His advice to anyone taking on the dating scene after 40 is to stay open and avoid setting concrete expectations.

“Don’t make judgments on how you’re going to feel about relationships for a while and live by your own truth. Everybody is so different and is coming from different backgrounds, and what’s going to work for me isn’t going to work for the next person,” he says.

Meredith Davis, head of communications for The League dating app, says the average number of messages that users over 40 send before going on a BEST SELF ATLANTA

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You are invited

I bet he’s good with kids.

I guess we are going Dutch then.

WHEN

1/9/18 3:29 PM

Amazing One-Hour Makeovers!

What: An evening of light bites, bubbly, makeovers and giving back. Some of Atlanta’s best makeup artists will join us to show you how you can enhance, update or even change your look in just an hour. Throw your hat in the ring to be a Makeover Model ... you just might be chosen! Attendees will be invited to walk around and watch artists at work while enjoying appetizers and wine.

When: February 7, 2017 from 6-9 PM (One-Hour Makeovers begin at 7 PM) Where: Best Self Atlanta Studio/Office 80 W. Wieuca Rd. NE, Ste. 115, Atlanta, GA 30342

So... you still live with your mom?

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 | 6:30-8:30pm WHERE

Atlanta Smiles & Wellness 4405 Northside Pkwy, NW | Atlanta, GA 30327 RSVP NOW TO GUARANTEE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY GIFT BAG. SPACE IS LIMITED. RSVP TO ASSISTANT@ATLANTABESTMEDIA.COM

Ladies

, bring your single guy friends and whoever brings the most men will receive a FREE Zoom! Teeth Whitening package valued at $500 dollars.

Be sure to include their name(s) with your RSVP so we can have your gift ready for you.

Give-Back: Bring an unopened cosmetic or toiletry item for our cosmetic/toiletry drive benefiting the women of City of Refuge, a 20-year-old Atlanta-based nonprofit.

Follow us on Facebook @BestSelfAtlanta for event updates.

Best Self Atlanta Magazine

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@BestSelfAtlanta

@BestSelfAtlanta

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H O M E • M Y

FA M I LY • M Y

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date is around 24 versus 14 sent by millennials. “They tend to want to get to know each other a bit longer before taking it off the app,” she says.

According to Davis, those who widen the range of ages they will date and distance they will travel to meet up, tend to have greater success finding matches. She also recommends using more than one dating app to broaden your scope and expand your circles. “People get into routines: you go to work, you have your curated communities, and the apps add a new community to your life,” she says.

As a general rule, Davis says, people over 40 take a more “traditional” approach to dating and are looking for a partner with a similar culture and upbringing.

While Friedman says many of those who have been through painful divorces are looking for someone who is nothing like their ex, those who have never been married can often be even less flexible and forgiving.

“Typically, these individuals have a mental checklist (sometimes an actual checklist!) of certain criteria and they are not willing to make any exceptions,” she says.

“For example, any potential date must be a certain height, have a fit physique, an admirable profession, and similar religious beliefs.”

“Those who have been married before are usually willing to overlook certain things and are more flexible when it comes to finding a partner. They have already experienced the ‘perfect’ mate changing, whether it be their physical appearance or attitude/beliefs, so they understand that there are no guarantees or certainties when it comes to the future—if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!”

She adds that the fact that many people who are in the second half of their lives have already been married and have kids, which can free them up to now look for a partnership that fulfills them personally. “The person you are looking for in your 40s is probably not the person "I am looking for someone with you were looking for in your 20s. You can most things in common with me; likely forget about the someone like-minded. I’m looking things you thought about when you were starting a for more substance than I might family and be a little more have in the past,” says Horge. greedy about doing what excites you and what you love,” she says.

Jennifer Miotke, president of One on One Matchmaking, however, points out that some people over 40 are in fact looking to start a family. “The ones that already have a family look for different things,” she says. “I think financial stability and being a reliable person is more important to people over 40. The 20s and 30s are oftentimes more focused on looks and if the person is fun.”

“If a man has not had kids and is in his 40s, he typically wants to date a woman 37 and under so he can hopefully have children ... on his timeline. If you are a woman in her 40s with kids, just make sure the man you are dating does not want more kids if you are done,” Miotke adds.

Beth Shapiro Friedman, who with Jenna Leopold Shulman runs juLuv matchmaking service, says being financially independent later in life is important when dating. “Usually, if the person has children, they are looking for someone who has kids in the same age range and someone who is not looking for financial dependence,” she says. “At this stage of life especially, no one wants to take on more financial responsibility.” bestselfatlanta.com

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Friedman says she and Shulman have helped people who have unique challenges, such as alopecia or Asperger’s syndrome, enter the dating arena. “We just try to encourage people to be open and candid about themselves and the issues they are dealing with. Nothing is worse than trying to hide these things from potential dates. My counseling background comes in handy because I really try to understand and help our clients with self-acceptance and being honest about who they are.”

Lisa Lyngos, along with Leisha Murphy, owners of Single Atlanta Matchmakers, says she uses her intuition and understanding of the whole individual when she is matchmaking, helping people understand that the dating process is an exercise in authenticity within oneself.

Through full acceptance of self—even the parts we tend to hide—“you find a loving place to be a better soul,” she says, which is a beautiful thing in any relationship.

To anyone feeling like over 40 is “too old” to enjoy dating, Miotke says the truth is quite the opposite. “It’s not old, it’s fabulous! I love this age. I’m 41 and am in better shape than I was in my 20s, feel more confident sexually (40s is a woman’s sexual peak) and have settled into my career,” she says. “It’s a great age, so if you think it is old, or a totally different era, I beg to differ!”

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7

STEPS

To Become the

Best Version of You

By Angella Ocheltree

W

e’ve all fallen short of a goal at one point in time. Maybe it was the resolution to lose those 10 pounds that have ticked the scale upward or the desire to learn a new hobby? Why can it be so difficult to ingrain new routines that will enrich our lives?

It’s because we are creatures of habit.

Our minds naturally follow the path of least resistance. Once a pattern of thought, feeling, or action is “wired” into the mind, our subconscious mind protects that pattern. And this is why making lasting changes seems so hard.

But it doesn’t have to be. These simple steps can help you further your personal growth in every aspect of life—once and for all.

bestselfatlanta.com

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1

Reassess

Instead of saying, “I want to be a better partner,” how about going to therapy? While everyone else is focusing on fitness and finances (which are both important), why don’t you also prioritize your mental health and wellbeing? When others set goals to do and achieve more, perhaps you need to slow down, explains Dr. Shatavia Thomas of Dr. Shay Speaks, LLC.

2

Set Goals at Are Right For You

“We often get drawn into a fad diet or a trendy takeaway instead of assessing a goal or strategy’s fit based on our personality and circumstances. The latest meal plan might not be good for your blood type or medical condition. Literature on setting goals reminds us that these objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely (SMART),” says Thomas.

3 4

Figure Out What is Truly Motivating You

It sounds easy, but it’s crucial to ask yourself why you want to achieve this goal and how this change will affect your life.

Uncover Why You Failed to Make is Change in the Past

Take stock of how you approached this change previously. Analyze why past approaches didn’t work.

• Was the goal achievable?

• What actions did you take?

• Were you consistent?

• Did those closest to you encourage you?

5

• Did your words support your success or sabotage it?

Forgive Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself, not condoning bad behavior.

• Forgive yourself for past failures.

• Forgive others for hurt, pain, guilt, shame, etc.

6

Create a Mental Image

The mind is a powerful tool. Decide where your life will be in one year and take time to create a detailed vision of what you would like your career, finances, relationships, health, happiness, charity involvement and so on to look like 365 days from now.

7

Make a Plan

Write down a measurable plan for achieving your goals and be sure to include clear instructions and a realistic timeline. Break it down into one year and then divide in half for six months. From there, divide in half again for three months. bestselfatlanta.com

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Time to Change Take this 10-question Resolution Readiness quiz created by executive coach and author M.J. Ryan to find out just how ready you are to tackle your 2018 goals.

1. Every new year, my list of resolutions is: A. Ambitious—everything from losing weight to saving more money for retirement.

B. Realistic—I just try to bump my good behavior up a notch (be a better friend) without giving myself any strict deadlines or goals.

C. Precise—I decide exactly how many new jobs I will apply for.

2. Whenever I decide to change something, it’s usually because: A. My doctor has stricken me with fear.

B. I read an article about why making this change is important.

C. I start daydreaming about how great life will be after I make the change.

3. If you want to break a bad habit, then you have to: A. Accept that you’ll occasionally slip up.

B. Adopt a firm “no excuses” policy.

C. Reward yourself whenever you get it right.

4. True or False: The best way to stop eating doughnuts is to stop thinking about doughnuts.

5. I’m motivated to change my life when: A. I realize that the status quo has become intolerable.

B. I discover an exciting new possibility.

C. I see that most of the people around me are making changes and moving on.

6. Which of these resolutions is least likely to be kept?

D. Spend more time with my family.

E. Lose one pound per week for the next six months.

F. Become a green belt in karate.

7. True or False: When you want to make a big change in your life, timing is crucial.

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Scoring

8. When I think about trying to lose 10 pounds, I: A. Ask my friends who have lost weight successfully about what worked for them.

B. Read every article I can find about diet and exercise techniques.

C. Think about how I successfully reached a different goal in the past.

9. True or False: If you feel ambivalent about a goal, you probably aren’t passionate enough about it to pursue it.

10. Failure is: A. Impossible.

1. The best answer is: C. It’s best to create specific goals that you will actually keep.

2. The best answer is: C. When you’re making a change, it’s important that the motivation comes from within.

3. The best answer is: A. You will occasionally slip up. Forgive yourself and move past the setback.

4. The best answer is: False. Allow yourself time to feel the craving.

5. The best answer is: B. It is more effective to move toward something, rather than away from something.

6. The best answer is: A. You have no way of measuring your success.

7. The best answer is: False. There is never a perfect time to do anything.

8. The best answer is: C. You’ve already created a success pathway in your brain.

9. The best answer is: False. Changing your habits and patterns is difficult, so it’s natural that you would feel ambivalent.

10. The best answer is: B. You must learn from failure and harness it into success.

Takeaways 10 to 8 correct: You are primed to make some big changes!

7 to 4 correct: You’re ready to change, but things are still holding you back.

3 to 0 correct: You may want to change, but right now you’re going about it in a way that guarantees frustration and failure.

B. Inevitable.

Resources

C. Not in my vocabulary.

Angella Ocheltree, Right Path Hypnosis, rightpathhypnosis.com M.J. Ryan, mj-ryan.com Dr. Shatavia Thomas, Dr. Shay Speaks, LLC, drshayspeaks.com

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John F. Arnold, MD, MBA

Ho N. Lin, MD 1/17/18 3:28 PM

Real patients...beautiful results.

Jill M. Golsen, DMD 2016 Past President of the Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

www.GolsenDental.com 3400-A Old Milton Parkway, Suite 430 • Alpharetta

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New Patients Welcome!

From a simple filling to a full smile we are here for you and your family.

770.667.0669 1/23/18 10:32 AM

1/23/18 10:10 PM

Spring Special 5 Lessons for $30 Adult new students only. Other conditions may apply.

Gift Certificates Available

We offer private lessons & group classes in all forms of partnership dancing.

Our specialties include the classic ballroom dances like Fox Trot, Waltz, and Tango, the popular East Coast & West Coast Swing dances, and the sultry Latin dances like Cha Cha, Mambo, Salsa, Merengue, and Rumba. Our instructors are the friendliest, most professional in town. Our cutting edge teaching methods are the finest available.

Atlanta 404.897.5556 • Duluth 678.417.7555 MyBallroomDanceClub.com

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2018 LEARN FROM ATLANTA’S TOP HEALTHCARE EXPERTS

Partners In Health

diagnostics

back pain heart burn dental health

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partners in health 2018 Partners in Health 2018 partners in health

Frequent Heartburn: Are you Popping Antacids Regularly?

By Patricia Sánchez, MD

M

ore than 60 million Americans have heartburn at least once a month.

It is common to experience a little heartburn after eating spicy foods or drinking alcohol. It may feel like chest pain or burning after eating, a sour taste in the back of the throat or hoarseness. Occasional symptoms are often prevented by avoiding trigger foods and treated with antacids to decrease heartburn and acid indigestion. But suffering daily, long-lasting or frequent heartburn symptoms should not be ignored and may indicate a more serious condition.

As many as 15 million Americans, including pregnant women, suffer from daily heartburn.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a

What Causes Heartburn? ¨ Food/Beverages • Alcohol, particularly red wine • Chocolate • Citrus fruits and products, such as oranges and orange juice • Coffee and caffeinated drinks, including tea and soda • Fried or fatty foods • Garlic, raw onions, and other spicy foods • Pepper • Peppermint • Tomatoes and tomato sauces ¨ Medication ¨ Pregnancy ¨ Smoking ¨ Obesity ¨ Certain esophageal conditions or diseases

chronic but treatable digestive disorder that refers to irritation and damage of the lining of the esophagus from prolonged exposure to stomach acid. This damage occurs because of a weakening or relaxing of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a ring of muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. When this valve is weakened, food and acidic stomach juices will leak up into the esophagus.

Typical treatments for GERD include medication to reduce the acid and lifestyle changes to help reduce the reflux symptoms – such as avoiding trigger foods, decreasing portion sizes, losing weight, quitting smoking, elevating the head of the bed, and not eating before bedtime.

For certain patients who have had chronic acid reflux, an upper endoscopy may be recommended to assess severity and to uncover any pre-cancerous changes. If GERD is left untreated or unmonitored for a long period of time, it can result in a condition called Barrett’s esophagus which can progress to cancer.

Barrett’s esophagus is a disorder in which the inflamed, acid-damaged cells in the lining of the lower esophagus change to resemble those found in the stomach. As a result of this transformation, Barrett’s patients have an increased risk for esophageal cancer.

At Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, many of our physicians are specially trained in the treatment of GERD and Barrett’s esophagus. If you’ve noticed that your heartburn symptoms are frequent, severe, longstanding, or getting worse, schedule an appointment today.

Patricia Sánchez, MD, is a board certified gastroenterologist with Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates and sees patients at the Johns Creek location. She evaluates and treats all types of digestive and liver diseases and has a special interest in women’s digestive health and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a disorder that involves chronic inflammation in the digestive tract and includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. A native of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Sanchez completed her medical degree at the INTEC School of Medicine in Santo Domingo, residency at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida, and a fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. She speaks Spanish, French, and Italian.

Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates • Dr. Patricia Sánchez • www.atlantagastro.com 56

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2018 partners in health Have you seen the inside of your mouth lately?

By Jill M. Golsen, DMD

L

et me explain. As dentists, it was always a challenge for us to get patients to understand the worrisome issues we were seeing in their mouths. So the idea among patients to wait to take action or make an appointment “until something hurts” prevailed—usually until the problem was far worse than it needed to be.

Utilizing amazing technological advancements, we can now show a patient a specific problem in their mouth on the monitor in real time.

Within a second, the intraoral camera can pop up a photo so the patient can see exactly which tooth has the issue. The first comment I usually hear from the patient is, “Is that my tooth?” This makes it easy for the patient to make an informed decision about their mouth or condition. As a dentist, I get to be the messenger, not a salesman that is trying to convince you with a “trust me” attitude. I didn’t go into this profession to sell anything. I personally love these cameras!

My office would be lost without them. We can see cracks, decay, broken teeth, document lesions and abnormalities as a historical record or as an ongoing reminder for the patient.

“Thanks to amazing technological advancements, we can now show a specific problem in a patient’s mouth on the monitor in real time. Within a second, the intraoral camera can pop up a photo so the patient can see exactly which tooth has the issue.” — Jill M. Golsen, DMD

used to just check those grooves with the explorer to see if it got stuck. It sounds simple but, again, more damage done left untreated. These depth readings are documented and added to the patient’s records as well.

An intraoral camera looks like a wand with a camera screen at the tip. This camera is linked to the patient’s computer file so the information is stored with the exact person the photo belongs to.

So alongside a patient’s X-rays, their photos are there too.

The best part about these two cameras is that there is no radiation used at all. So of the four ways we now use to visualize and diagnose—three out of the four use no radiation! As a patient and a dentist, I think this technology is a game changer!

Here are some specific examples of what these cameras can do: Another camera we utilize in our practice is called a “Spectra.”

This camera can actually measure the depth of decay in the deep grooves of your teeth. Before this camera came along, we

Knowledge is power. Ask your dentist if he or she can take a picture of the issue and show you what they are seeing. To own what is going on in your mouth is being proactive.

See something? Do something!

Golsen Family Dentistry • Jill M. Golsen, DMD • (770) 667-0669 • GolsenDental.com bestselfatlanta.com

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2018 Partners in Health Enjoy the Most Beautiful Season in Atlanta New Spring Allergy Drops Bring Relief

By Eugene Hurwitz, M.D.

Y

ou’re walking through the park.

The sun is shining. The leaves are green. Flowers are blooming.

Signs of the seasonal transition to spring are all around. The other less fortunate red flags? Your stuffy nose, itchy eyes, lots of sneezing, and coughing.

Some turn to daily allergy pills or even shots to alleviate these symptoms, but don’t always have success. Now, with the help of springtime allergy drops from The Center for Allergy and Asthma, you can stop the symptoms before they ruin your walk in the park or other favorite spring pastime.

Why are spring allergy drops an effective alternative to shots and other forms of medication?

For patients with severe allergies, including springtime allergies, sometimes medications are not enough. Our drops, which are only taken during the spring for 3 to 4 months, allow patients to enjoy the season with much reduced allergy symptoms. If the drops are started one month before spring, they will help reduce symptoms by as much as 80 to 90%.

Who is a candidate for allergy drops?

Anyone who suffers from spring allergies not controlled by medications is a candidate for drops, including most children ages 5 and older, as well as adults.

Are they as effective as other methods?

Allergy drops are generally as effective as shots.

Besides the obvious, what differentiates allergy drops from allergy shots?

How does the price of drops compare to that of other allergy treatments?

By taking drops, patients aren’t required to come to the office for each dose.

This helps the patient reduce allergy symptoms typically in one month, rather than over several months.

Spring allergy drops are not as costly as year-round drops or shots. Each patient is different. The best way to get an idea of cost is to call The Center for Allergy and Asthma and schedule a consultation.

What’s in the drops?

The drops are designed for spring allergies and are composed of purified proteins from tree pollen.

What types of allergens are the drops most effective against?

Allergy drops can be effective on all types of allergens including spring trees, fall weeds, dust, grasses, mold, and pet dander.

Where can the drops be purchased?

Spring allergy drops are sold exclusively at The Center for Allergy and Asthma.

What is the best way to find out if I am a candidate for the drops?

Schedule an appointment at The Center for Allergy and Asthma as soon as possible so a plan can be made before spring.

Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia • Eugene Hurwitz, M.D. • 770-459-0620 • caageorgia.com 5 8 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018 bestselfatlanta.com

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partners in health

Healthcare Consumerism How you can make informed decisions about the cost of your care.

By Ho N. Lin, M.D.

Healthcare consumerism is a current hot topic and will continue to shape the future landscape of healthcare. As healthcare costs continue to skyrocket, the patient consumer will be burdened with an increasing share of costs. Patients will also be tasked with making more decisions about aspects of their healthcare—from doctors, pharmacy, and hospitals to medical imaging.

Medical imaging accounts for a large proportion of healthcare dollars that are spent, as it is an invaluable diagnostic tool for physicians. Empowering patients to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare requires readily available information relating to costs, quality, and access to care. Outpatient Imaging LLC (OPI) was founded in 2003 on the basis of healthcare consumerism.

Knowledge is Power There is currently an almost complete lack of transparency in regard to the cost of healthcare and specifically medical imaging. Coverage provided by insurance companies for the same procedures and diagnostic tests can be vastly different. Hospital charges for the same procedure and tests are also widely disparate. It is nearly impossible for the patient consumer to ascertain the actual cost to make a comparison. At OPI, the cost of imaging is published and readily available. Next, quality measures are similarly difficult for the patient consumer to discern. At OPI, all imaging centers are staffed with a board-certified radiologist and American College of Radiologyaccredited technologists. Lastly, access

“OPI adheres to the guiding principle of providing high-quality medical imaging at an affordable price.” to care is equally important in healthcare consumerism. Prolonged wait times for appointments and results are typical of hospital systems. OPI offers convenient evening and weekend hours with rapid turnaround of results and reports.

The OPI Difference The founding radiologists recognized the evolving dynamics of medical imaging costs, quality, and access. Complete transparency is a tenet of OPI and has proved to be a successful foundation over the past 14 years. OPI is 100% radiology-physician owned and operated without outside influences. Given such, OPI adheres to the guiding principle of providing high-quality medical imaging at an affordable price. OPI costs are generally one quarter of those from a hospital for the

same imaging test, which equate to lower co-pays and significant cost savings for patients. OPI provides all radiology imaging needs including X-rays, ultrasound, CT, mammography, fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine, bone density testing, and MRIs. As an empowered consumer in today’s complex and costly healthcare environment, you have a choice in medical imaging. Choose OPI. Ho N. Lin, M.D. received his medical degree from Medical College of Georgia in 1996, followed by a residency in diagnostic radiology at the Medical College of Georgia, which he completed in 2000. He serves as president of OPI.

OutPatient Imaging • 2284 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta, GA 30309 • (404) 225-5674 • outpatientimaging.net bestselfatlanta.com

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partners in health 2018 Partners in Health

pa

Finally, an Answer for Women’s Hair Loss

Fin

T

T

Modern Solutions

Moder

The new treatments available are Minca Scalp Spray and platelet rich plasma (PRP) combined with scalp microneedling.

Research has shown the ingredients we include in Minca are efficacious in both AGA and CTE situations, while platelet rich plasma administered with microneedling and Minca is an excellent solution for women with AGA. These new approaches are designed to cause the regrowth of hair organically and to protect the existing and newly regrown hair follicle from future loss and damage.

The ne Scalp S (PRP) c Resear include AGA an plasma and Mi women are des hair org and ne loss an

The Minca Scalp Spray developed in our laboratory, expressly for use in women, enhances the follicle’s immediate environmental health by increasing the delivery of resources from the blood stream to support its growth and development. The spray ingredients protect the follicle from predatory hormones and immune cells and reduce the stress placed upon the hair follicle.

Use of Minca Scalp Spray in our patients results in growth of substantial new hair after three months of therapy.

h g h and res unders The ca reason reveale treatme Atlanta growth for the affectin causes chronic

The new treatments available are Minca Scalp Spray and platelet rich plasma (PRP) combined with scalp microneedling.

A Dynamic Duo Platelet rich plasma combined with microneedling is a powerful new tool used to awaken dormant hair follicles put to bed by testosterone in women with androgenic alopecia. This is the most common cause of hair loss in women. It is inherited and progressive. PRP with microneedling is very effective for AGA. We obtain PRP from your own blood, concentrate it in our lab, and work it into the affected areas of your scalp after treatment by microneedling. Again, it takes about three months to see results.

Minca Scalp Spray is used with PRP to protect the newly grown and existing hair

from testosterone attack. Women with early AGA can be treated with Minca Scalp Spray alone but once they have lost scalp cover, PRP with microneedling is recommended for best results.

Women with CTE are successfully treated with Minca Scalp Spray alone.

The components in Minca address the disordered hair cycling that is at the heart of this cause of chronic hair loss in women.

For more information about our services, please visit our website at www.HairRegen. net or call Kim Teasley at 404.574.2373. No insurance provider covers our services and products. For specific cost information please go to our website.

HairRegen • Grattan Woodson, M.D. • 404-574-2373 • 1418 Dresden Dr., Suite #225 Atlanta, GA • HairRegen.net bestselfatlanta.com 6 0 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

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Photo courtesy of Sawyer Photography.

he jury is in and the news is great. The hard work of many hair scientists has hit pay dirt and resulted in a breakthrough in our understanding of women’s hair loss.

The causes of the two most common reasons for women’s hair loss have been revealed. With that insight came effective treatment, which is now available in Atlanta. Effective therapy that restores growth of your natural hair is available for these common causes of hair loss affecting Atlanta women. These two causes are androgenic alopecia (AGA) and chronic telogen effluvium (CTE).

The Mi laborat enhanc environ the del blood s develop protect hormon the stre Use of results after th

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partners in health

BACK PAIN 101: What to Do and When to Worry

By Jacob A. Strong, MD

If

you have ever experienced lower back pain, you are not alone. Studies indicate that 60 to 90 percent of the population has experienced it at least once in their lives. The good news is that 50 percent of back pain will resolve in one to two weeks, and 90 percent will resolve in six to 12 weeks. Now the question becomes when and when not to seek treatment for your back pain.

Acute or New Onset of Lower Back Pain You are working in the yard and feel a “pull.” Sound familiar?

This may be due to a simple sprain/strain or to problems with structures in the spine. Apply ice during the first 48 to 72 hours.

Then follow with heat therapy to reduce muscle spasms, stiffness and injury. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers can also be used.

Back Pain Red Flags

Activity People often ask, “How active should I be with back pain?” It’s tempting to lie on the couch all day. However, studies show that bed rest for more than two days actually increases recovery time for back pain. Consult your physician to determine your activity level.

¨ You experience back pain at night

Physical Therapy Tissue injury can cause muscles in the back and neck to spasm.

Physical therapists can provide you with an individualized treatment program with exercises specific for your area of pain and symptoms.

Massage A massage therapist can relax tense back muscles and increase blood circulation to the back, which accelerates healing. Massages also release endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.

Smoking and Obesity Back pain is more common in individuals who are smokers and/or overweight. Extra weight strains the muscles while smoking robs the spine of oxygen and nutrients. Your physician can assist you with starting a diet and exercise program in addition to a smoking cessation program.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, you may have a serious issue with your back and should seek medical assistance. ¨ You are younger than 20 or older than 55 and experiencing back pain for the first time ¨ The pain follows a traumatic or violent injury, such as a car accident

¨ Your back pain is constant and getting worse ¨ Your back pain is in the upper part of the spine ¨ You presently have cancer or have had it in the past ¨ You are on corticosteroids ¨ You use illegal drugs or are infected with HIV ¨ You generally feel unwell, have back pain and are feverish ¨ You are experiencing back pain and have had a significant weight loss ¨ You have back pain and continue to have great difficulty bending forward ¨ You are experiencing numbness, loss of function in your legs, loss of bowel or bladder function ¨ You have developed an obvious structural deformity of your spine ¨ Debilitating back pain that is not reducing after four to six weeks

Summary If you experience any of the “red flag” symptoms, persistent back pain, or just have questions about your back and how to keep it healthy, contact your healthcare provider.

Resurgens Spine Center • Non-surgical & Surgical Spine Care • 23 Convenient Atlanta Locations • Resurgens.com bestselfatlanta.com

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partners in health 2018 Partners in Health

Advances in the Treatment of Venous Disease in the Past 15 Years

By Lisa Perez, M.D.

I

f your parents or grandparents received treatment for their varicose veins in years past, you might have heard horror stories about painful vein stripping and long recovery periods.

Many people with venous disease avoided being evaluated because of what they’d heard, the treatment sounded far worse than the disease. The good news is that now, it is easier to treat varicose veins than ever before.

The Long and Short of Venous Disease Varicose and spider veins result when valves designed to keep blood from running backward away from the heart and back down into the legs fail or become loose and leaky—allowing backflow of blood, which stretches out veins and can cause high pressure in the veins. This pressure is transmitted up to the surface, causing spider and/or varicose veins, and can even push fluid into ankle and leg tissue, causing swelling. Aside from the unsightly purple snake-like veins, varicose veins can cramp or throb at night and can even develop blood clots. So much blood pooling in the legs can cause the legs to feel heavy and leaden. If fluid from the dilated vessels seeps into tissues, it can affect circulation to the skin, causing an itchy rash and even a painful ulcer.

“The treatments to eliminate varicose veins have improved dramatically in recent years.”

— Lisa Perez, M.D. Today’s Treatments Fortunately, thanks to less invasive procedures, varicose veins can be treated on an outpatient basis. The treatments to eliminate varicose veins have improved dramatically in recent years. Patients no longer need to endure painful surgical vein stripping under general anesthesia. Thermal ablation treatments including endovenous laser or radio frequency treatments are performed in a doctor’s office and do not require sedation or a hospital stay. Medical lasers have proven their safety and effectiveness in all kinds of medical procedures and offer far less chance of complications than traditional surgical approaches.

Now, a thin radio frequency catheter or laser may be inserted into the diseased vein, heating the vein and causing it to collapse and eventually be reabsorbed by the body. This is done under local anesthesia in less than an hour. Healing is relatively easy although there may be some bruising and the vein may take several months or more to reabsorb.

Another technique often used is called foam sclerotherapy.

Through a small needle or IV catheter, a medication that is made into foam is injected into the diseased veins, causing them to collapse and eventually shrink until they are absorbed by the body.

Thanks to the recent advancements in medicine and technology, modern vein treatments are noninvasive, more effective and less dangerous than the old methods of treating this disease. Now is the time to seek treatment for your venous disease. Don’t let your grandmother’s bad experience keep you from treating your varicose veins!

VEININNOVATIONS • (678) 731-9815 • veininnovations.com bestselfatlanta.com 62 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

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2018 Partners in Health

More Than an Athletic Club A Place to Call Home

M

idtown Athletic Club has a nearly 50-year history as an upscale tennis and fitness leader, dating back to 1970 when Kevie and Alan Schwartz opened the first tennis club in Chicago. Today, the flagship club has transformed, evolving into the largest premier health and fitness property in the United States. Still owned and operated by the Schwartz family, Midtown has set a standard for health clubs and has expanded to include eight locations across the US and Canada. Within the greater Atlanta area, Midtown’s Windy Hill Athletic Club offers a premier health, fitness, and wellness location and has done so in the community since 1997.

Photos courtesy of Sawyer Photography.

The meaning of living a life based in health and wellness has evolved immensely since Midtown was founded. Today, health is no longer limited to time spent on a treadmill; rather, health and wellness translate to a lifestyle that encompasses mental, physical, and social wellbeing. To stay on par with these shifts in attitudes and behaviors, Midtown works to not only meet healthy consumers’ needs, it leads the industry in delivering a holistic health and wellness experience.

Each Midtown Athletic Club location shares a mission to provide the best of everything for its members all under one roof. At the eleven-acre, resort-like Windy Hill Athletic Club location, members can find a unique experience that combines athletics, community, and personalized attention.

From tennis to cycling, swimming to boxing, group fitness to yoga, basketball to Pilates, there are endless ways for members to get moving and enjoy their health experience at Windy Hill Athletic Club. Members can find activities for the whole family, including youth programs, events, camps, and high performance tennis. It’s equally important that the member experience goes beyond physical activity. Each Midtown Athletic Club strives to be a third space – a destination beyond work and home. Windy Hill Athletic Club boasts spaces for socializing and to truly celebrate its community. Beyond that, amenities such as the Club’s café, massage services, full-service

locker rooms, and outdoor patio ensure no matter what members seek, they can find it at Windy Hill Athletic Club.

Together, the wealth of activities and amenities offered at Windy Hill Athletic Club creates personal, unique member experiences to help in each individual’s pursuit of health and wellness. This commitment to exceeding member needs sets Windy Hill Athletic Club apart from other health and fitness offerings and is what

will continue to keep Midtown at the forefront of the health and wellness space in Atlanta and beyond.

Windy Hill Athletic Club • windyhillclub.com bestselfatlanta.com

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Growing Gardens The Atlanta Community Food Bank is helping to get nutritious food into the hands of Atlantans through its Community Gardens project. More than 100 gardens in neighborhoods, schools, faith-based groups and beyond receive planning, weeding, harvesting, and maintenance assistance from the Food Bank. And at the end of the season, community members, Food Bank volunteers, and those in need get to enjoy the bounty yielded.

Opportunities to get involved with the program are plentiful and change weekly. Already have a backyard garden and want to help? Participate in the Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign. Simply plant an additional row of food to donate or give extras as your harvest comes in.

Make Dreams Come True Second Wind Dreams® is the embodiment of the notion that you’re never too old to hope. Since its inception in 1997, the nonprofit has helped tens of thousands of seniors fulfill wishes through its award-winning Dreams Program.

Online donations and volunteers enable elders to make the most of their golden years by fulfilling wishes both big and small. Dreams can range from a simple outing to the zoo, to an adventurous hot-air balloon ride. In addition to its Dreams Program, the organization also goes a step further to change how we see seniors. Through its Virtual Dementia Tour®, caregivers and others can get a glimpse of what life is like for their patients or loved ones with dementia. In 2016, Second Wind Dreams received a $2.9 million grant to place the tour throughout numerous nursing homes in Georgia.

Details: secondwind.org

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High Schoolers Who Help

Alpharetta high school students Zoryn Gates and Kinnede White started Tomorrow, 2Day to expose underserved youth to specific roles at organizations such as the Georgia Aquarium and Atlanta Ballet. The girls hope that children will be inspired to overcome their circumstances after visiting respective institutions and seeing what positions can be obtained through hard work and perseverance.

Details: tomorrow2day.org

BEST SELF ATLANTA

Photo courtesy of (bottom left) Second Wind Dreams; (bottom right) Tomorrow2Day.org.

Details: 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., NW. Atlanta; acfb.org/about/our-programs/community-gardens

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Featured events For more happenings, visit bestselfatlanta.com

-BACK IVE

February 9 3RD ANNUAL ENDURING HEARTS BOURBON GALA & AUCTION Radio personality Dana Barrett will emcee this fabulous fundraiser for pediatric heart transplant research. Expect food, auctions, and tastings of the rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon.enduringhearts.org

February 23-24 32ND ANNUAL GEORGIA ACADEMIC DECATHLON STATE COMPETITION Be one of the 200 volunteers needed to help judge interviews and speeches and to be

proctors for testing. High school students from across the state that do well will have the chance to represent Georgia at the national academic decathlon.

No experience is necessary. pageinc.org/gadvolunteerinfo

February 24 ALS ART AFFAIR Peruse artwork at this event inspired by local, Jan Giordano, and her battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. alsartaffair.com

March 10 MASKED ’TIL MIDNIGHT: “AN EVENING IN DISGUISE” Hosted by the Stone Mountain Chapter of Jack and Jill of

America, Inc., this cocktail masquerade will benefit three nonprofits including Nicholas House, Students Without Mothers, and the Jack and Jill Foundation. eventbrite.com/e/ masked-til-midnighttickets-38792324888

March 16-18 2018 PUBLIX GEORGIA MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 5K For the 12th year in a row, this popular event is back. Get involved by signing up to be a course monitor, gear-check assistant, hydration station coordinator and much more.

atlantatrackclub.org/2018publix-georgia-marathon-halfmarathon

March 17 14TH ANNUAL SHAMROCK ‘N ROLL ROAD RACE The whole family can get in on the action at this fitness event featuring a 1K Kids’ Fun Run and Peachtree Road Race-qualifying 5K and 10K. Stick around for a post-race party with a DJ and health and community vendors at this event that promotes the volunteer efforts of The Junior League of Atlanta, Inc. jlatlanta.com

March 24 SHAMROCKIN’ FOR A CURE Throw on your St. Patrick’s Day gear and head to the Verizon Amphitheatre for the 10th anniversary of this party with a purpose. Dance and dine the night away as you raise awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. shamrockinforacure.com

March 24 THE PINK AFFAIR Support TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation and its mission to assist individuals coping with breast cancer at this elegant affair. myturningpoint. org/the-pink-affair

Look for this icon to find out where you can volunteer.

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my best self Shaun Robinson

You might recognize Shaun Robinson as a co-host of the entertainment news show “Access Hollywood” or have heard about her many accolades from her career in television news, including an Emmy and a Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation. But that work is just at the tip of her personal iceberg. What really drives Robinson is her passionate commitment to helping young women who struggle with selfesteem issues. Her S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls supports grassroots charities that focus on the empowerment of girls, including health initiatives in communities of color.

By Stacy Moser

What first inspired you to achieve such a high level of activism in your career? My parents always taught me, from a young age, that if God gives you a platform, use it to help others. That became my foundation for wanting to give back. Also, I attended Spelman College. The experience of an all-girls school taught me about the importance of sisterhood. When women band together and support each other, we make extraordinary things happen.

Did the experience of living in Atlanta during college motivate you to speak out about health issues in communities of color? As students, we would regularly walk

Tell us more about being on the advisory board of Girl Up, the United Nations’ campaign working to empower adolescent girls around the globe. Being a part of Girl Up has been extraordinary. These “rock star” girls travel around the world to advocate for girls who don’t have a voice—whether it’s speaking out against child marriage, lack of access to education, genital mutilation and other issues girls in other countries have to deal with. They have direct contact with girls overseas. It works because they are relating to someone their own age.

On Feb. 20, you’ll be at Spelman College to speak about human trafficking. In the past, you’ve said that trafficking is happening under our very noses in our own homes. Every young lady living in Atlanta is at risk for having her life touched by human trafficking—either directly, through someone she knows, or in her immediate community. That is a fact. Traffickers are getting bolder and smarter about how they approach young women, using tactics that are very hard to detect. Did you know there are girls who live with their parents, go to school, come home, do their homework, and then engage in sex trafficking? I speak at these events to educate girls about those dangers and tell them how they can help someone who they think may be in this lifestyle. We can all help by being a part of the discussion and work to find solutions.

Who helps you be your best self? My mom is the one who encourages me to do my best. She has always been my cheerleader. She has such great compassion for others and has taught me to reach back and help the less fortunate. God blessed me with an amazing mom!

To find out how you can help, go to shaunfoundationforgirls.org.

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Photo courtesy of Quain Photography, photography by Mike Quain.

to the local fast-food restaurants because those were the places that were close. That’s often the case in communities of color—not having an abundance of healthy choices. We created the HEALTH division of my foundation to teach girls about healthy lifestyle habits and the importance of taking care of your body starting at a young age. We recently gave a grant to an amazing organization—Healthy Girls Save the World. They go into underserved school districts and help educate girls on leading healthy lives. We want to find and support more organizations like this.

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