September / October 2014
Pumpkin: a vegetable superstar
What goes into a CORN MAZE
Trick-or-treating safety VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4
contents
Sept. / Oct. 2014
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
5
Commentary
9
In the Sandbox
12
Regional Calendar
3
Pumpkin: a vegetable superstar
4
What goes into a CORN MAZE
5
Failure is an option
6
Concussions can cause lasting damage
8
Trick-or-treating safety 1
health & parenting
Health & Parenting Ad Director Viola Gonzales
vgonzales@cnjonline.com
Graphic Designer Shawn Luscombe
sluscombe@cnjonline.com
Advertising Office 521 Pile Street Clovis, NM 88101 (575) 763-3431 (575) 762-3879 Fax www.cnjonline.com www.pntonline.com www.qcsunonline.com www.cannonconnections.com
Sept. / Oct. 2014 Feature Writer Christina Calloway CCalloway@pntonline.com Columnist Steve Reshetar Printed By CMI Printing
Portales, NM
Health and Parenting Magazine is published bi-monthly by Clovis News Journal 521 Pile, Clovis, New Mexico 88101 Telephone: 575.763.3431 Fax: 575.762.3879 Copyright Š 2014 by Clovis Media Inc. We reserve the right to publish and/or edit events for space and clarity. Nothing contained within Healthy You may be reprinted in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the publisher. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the contents published in Healthy You, the publisher assumes no liability for the content contained within the publication. Please consult with a licensed health care professional before undertaking any course of treatment.
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Pumpkin: a vegetable superstar By Christina Calloway Staff writer
The pumpkin may be scary in its jack-o-lantern form, but it’s also a healthy treat to eat. Roosevelt General Hospital’s Dietetic Technician Nicole Olson said the pumpkin, whether it be the pulp or its seeds, has many benefits, making the vegetable a superstar. If you have an upset stomach or if you’re just trying to be healthy, eating pumpkin is ideal. Olson said the pumpkin is high in vitamins A, C and E. Staff photo: Christina Calloway “Those are all cancer fighters,” Paxton Culpepper, right, and his brother Pierce help their mother load the pumpkins they she said. selected for carving. Pumpkin is this season’s healthy treat, high in B vitamins and fiber She said the pumpkin also has among other healthy attributes. no saturated fat or cholesterol, is “Those are some of the vitamins Americans are high in fiber and is a low-calorie lacking,” she said. food. The pumpkin is also high in copper, calcium, “About half a cup of pumpkin is about 25 calories,” potassium and phosphorus. Olson said. Olson said if you’re looking for a healthy snack, baked Olson said the pumpkin is a good source of B pumpkin seeds are high in protein. About half a cup complex vitamins such as, folate, niacin, B-6, thiamin, has 500 calories but 30 grams of protein. Olson said the and riboflavin. normal sedentary person needs 45-50 grams of protein a day. Olson said you can make your own “It’s great for anyone on the go,” she said. pumpkin seed treat by spreading seeds
on a cookie sheet and baking them at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. • If you want a low-calorie kick, Olson said you can sprinkle sodium-free seasoning on the seeds for more flavor. • You can use the pumpkin seeds to make your own trail mix by adding sunflower seeds, nuts, and cranberries. — Compiled by staff writer Christina Calloway
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What goes into a
CORN MAZE Staff report
The intricate design of this year’s corn maze at St. Bernard Farms is already in the works; and although the maze’s aerial view is public information, just exactly how it’s made is not. “It’s really kind of something we don’t share,” said Pam Bernard, who owns St. Bernard Farms with her husband, Rocky. “(It’s) top secret information.” What she can say is the corn field design is created by The Maize, a company based in Spanish Fork, Utah, that designs corn mazes across the U.S. “We plant (the corn), water it, take care of it, and they have their own little system that they do to put the design on the field,” Bernard said. Images are sent to The Maize of what St. Bernard Farms officials want in that year’s design. Then, those with The Maize create a computerized image of the design, then “go from there,” Bernard said. St. Bernard Farms grows corn almost exclusively for its annual, autumnal maze; the farm also sells roasted corn and pumpkins. From Sept. 13 to Nov. 2, aside from the corn maze, St. Bernard Farms offers a variety of familyfriendly activities, including hay rides to the farm’s pumpkin patch, a zip line (it zips over the corn maze), a giant slide, kiddie pedal karts, a spider web (actually a rope for children to climb on) and a corn cannon, involving a barrel tube that shoots corn on the cob at targets. “It shoots quite a ways,” Bernard said of the corn cannon. “It’s pretty cool.” New attractions this year include water wars, where opponents can shoot water balloons at one another, and a 32-foot carousel with 28 horses. “(It’s) just to provide a great place for families to have fun and make memories,” Bernard said. What: St. Bernard Farms Corn Maze Where: 849 State Road 77 (on the Pleasant Hill Highway) 4
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Courtesy graphic An aerial view of the St. Bernard Farms corn maze this year.
When: Open Sept. 13 to Nov. 2; Saturdays 11 a.m.9 p.m. and Sundays 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 13 will be Military Appreciation Day; past and active military who present valid ID get in free, along with their immediate family (spouse and children). Cost: $10 for those ages 4 and up to enter the farm and the maze. Entrance to the farm but not the maze is $6 for those ages 4 and up. “Doggy Dollars” are available at all McDonald’s and Taco Box locations in Portales and Clovis, and can be used to get $2 off the cost of entrance. Information: Visit www.stbernardfarms.com; or call (575) 791-2044
Failure is an option As our children return to school, we as parents may get concerned about their lack of direction. When they draw near the end of high school, the pressure can become overwhelming for them to “know” what they want to do. Some children have a clear sense of what they want to do with their life, but most really don’t. My oldest daughter always wanted to be a teacher and we encouraged her. As she was graduating and starting to look at colleges she informed us she wanted to go to school to be an architect. After hearing about wanting to be a teacher for 10 years we were a little surprised. But it was her choice and she received her degree in architecture and then facilities management and has done quite well for herself. I’m glad we didn’t try to force her to be a teacher. Our son on the other hand always wanted to be a chef and that is what he’s done for the past 20 years. As parents, we can feel like we know best what direction our child should take. Sometimes they go along with that out of a desire to please us. It’s important to make the distinction between mentoring them, coaching them, and directing them. We cannot live out our lives through our children. I was athletic and was always playing some sport. When my son was growing up I attempted to direct him toward sports. It made sense to me that since I loved sports he would, too. I was wrong. He apparently had more of his mom’s genes than mine.
Luckily, I listened to my wife when she told me not to push him. I said all that to say this: There is no perfect way to help your child find his or her way in this world. But there are some definite ways to do it wrong, one of which I’ve already touched on — trying to live vicariously through your child. The other is thinking you know them so well, their strengths and weaknesses, that you know what they should work on becoming. The best way to help them is to create an atmosphere in the home that gives them creative freedom. When Steven Spielberg was about 8, his parents gave him a little 8mm movie camera and free rein to shoot whatever he wanted however he wanted. Is it any wonder that he became the creative genius that he did? Of course guidance and boundaries are still our responsibility. If your teen is feeling pressure to figure out what they want to do, reassure them that many people don’t know at their age. Let them know that it’s OK to go down one career path but have the freedom to change if they want. They are not failures if they change. Every work experience can build and shape us if we embrace it and learn. At the end of our lives we really are a culmination of our life experiences. Our regrets are more often in what we didn’t do as opposed to what we did do. Like that pizza commercial said, failure is an option. Giving them that message will take the pressure off.
Commentary
Steve Reshetar is the Director of the Matt 25 Hope Center in Clovis. Contact him at: director@matt25clovis.com
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Concussions can cause lasting damage By Robin Fornoff Projects editor
Staff photo: Joshua Lucero Junior fullback Andrew Lopez is tackled by senior Conner Brinton during the Eastern New Mexico University scrimmage Aug. 20 at Greyhound Stadium.
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Injury may be inevitable in contact sports, but trainers for players in Clovis and Portales are taking steps to minimize one of the more common injuries — concussion. A concussion is a brain injury caused by rapid change in the motion of the head, such as a bump, blow or jolt, according to information provided by the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. There is a growing national awareness of the seriousness of concussions and the need to treat them rather than dismiss as a minor ding to the head. Eastern New Mexico University’s Athletic Trainer Lora Ferguson said concussion is more complicated than the commonly held belief it is a bruising of the brain. “Chemical changes take place,” said Ferguson, and if not treated properly can lead to serious consequences. “We take concussion very serious,” said Ferguson,
“because unfortunately it happens which is most people, that’s pretty on student athletes with a goal of to a lot of people, not just athletes. hard.” minimizing the impacts. If you get tackled, your body takes This heightened emphasis The baseline scans have found a blow. When that happens your on recognizing and treating 56 percent of athletes tested show head tends to move. That causes concussions isn’t limited to high some minor damage from previous your brain to move inside your school or collegiate sports. The concussions. skull.” NFL and other professional sports Clovis High’s Athletic Trainer Ferguson’s metaphor for the organizations recently met in Chris Seymore said pre-season process is an egg. The yolk inside New York as part of a collective preparation includes a concussion is surrounded by liquid similar to a determined to study and share meeting with all coaches. “Just to thin layer of tiny blood vessels kind of go through signs in the brain. Move the egg in and symptoms and what almost any direction and the we’re going to do if one yolk moves with it happens,” he said. “It’s similar to the brain in Seymore said CHS a way,” said Ferguson. “Not follows a procedure set very connected and very easy out by the National to get an injury.” Federation of State High Student athletes must School Associations provide a thorough medical (NFHS). history, she said, and are Bob Gardner, NFHS required to an online test, executive director, the ImPACT baseline said the association cognitive test. The test has long supported measures an athlete’s memory, a cultural change in attention and concentration, how concussions are problem solving abilities, perceived. and processing speed down “Concussions are not to the millisecond. Results ‘dings’ — they are serious enable the athlete and trainers medical conditions that to determine the level of need to be addressed,” functioning prior to any brain Gardner said in a recent injury. press release. “Then if they get hurt,” said Concussion symptoms Ferguson, “they take a postparents should look injury ImPACT test and we for: • Student athlete compare it to baseline.” appears dazed or stunned Staff photo: Joshua Lucero Ferguson said ENMU also • Loss of consciousness, ENMU Quarterback Jeremy Buurma readies the handoff uses a symptoms checklist even briefly • Vomiting • during the Eastern New Mexico University scrimmage and tests athletes with injuries Aug. 20 at Greyhound Stadium. Memory loss • Confusion using things like serial • Clumsy movement • subtraction. Answering questions slowly information on concussions. “Things they have to think of • Change in mood The University of New Mexico cognitively,” said Ferguson. “You What student athletes should recently launched its Brain Safe start with 100 and ask them to Project. The university has already look for: • Headache or head subtract 7 from that. You keep pressure • Nausea or vomiting • scanned the brains of more than asking them to subtract 7 from the 250 athletes with an MRI to use Dizziness • Blurry or double vision previous answer. “Now, if you’re • Sensitivity to light or noise • as a baseline in the event of an great at math, that’s pretty easy,” Feeling sluggish or groggy • injury. The program is studying she said. “But if you suck at math, the long term effects of concussions 7
health & parenting
Trick-or-treating safety Costumes and candy make for a fun-filled Halloween for parents and children alike, but precautions can be taken to ensure the safety of trick-or-treaters as they take to the streets.
Here are 10 tips to keep Halloween safe and fun.
File photo Children take advantage of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce’s Safe Trick-or-Treat Night during Halloween 2013 on the Portales city square.
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• Reflective apparel keeps children visible. Gary Nuckols, fire chief at Portales Fire Department, said adding something reflective to a costume can make trick-or-treaters visible on dark streets. Reflective tape can be added to any costume to improve visibility. • Stay in groups. Walking in groups helps to keep youth visible while in search of candy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website suggests trick-or-treaters always walk with at least one trusted adult and never walk alone.
• There are alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating. Many local businesses, churches, and groups hold Halloween events that allow children to dress up and trick-or-treat from the safety of a closed parking lot or in a shopping center. Lt. Justin Hines of the Clovis Fire Department said the department distributes candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween at all six of its stations. • Location is important. Stick with neighborhoods that are familiar and trusted. Lt. Hines suggests parents take their children to familiar neighborhoods if they are going to trick-or-treat on Halloween. Hines said it is best to know the layout of a neighborhood in case parents become separated from their children. • Lt. David Meeks of the Portales Police Department recommends trick-or-treaters stay on well-lit streets to increase their safety. Visibility is key when trickor-treating and a street that has working street lamps will keep everyone in clear view of motorists, said Meeks. • Test out a costume beforehand. Children should try on their costumes in the days before Halloween to ensure it is safe for
them to wear on the big night. According to the CDC website, any makeup should be tested in a small area to make sure it won’t cause any skin irritation. Costumes should be as unrestrictive to movement as possible and free of any extra material that could cause a fall or hinder vision.
File photo: Tony Bullocks D Andre Russ of Clovis was 20 months old this time last year when he picked out the family pumpkin at the Nancy Taylor Memorial Pumpkin Patch at the North Plains Mall.
• Costumes should be fire safe. Portales Fire Chief Nuckols said all costumes should be fire resistant or fire retardant. Nuckols said to
look at the tags and advertising on costumes for the fire safe labeling. • Drivers should take caution. During Halloween, streets will be full of vehicles, parents, and children as they move from house to house in search of candy. Chief Nuckols said drivers should be on high alert as they cruise the congested streets. Drivers should be on the lookout for children crossing the street and vehicles unloading trick-or-treaters. • Watch for candy that has been tampered with. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration website cautions against consuming candy that looks like it has been opened before or is not commercially wrapped. The FDA suggests children not eat the candy while trick-or-treating and wait until it is brought home and inspected before consumption. • Take a flashlight. A flashlight is a useful tool to have while trickor-treating with safety in mind. In addition to keeping individuals visible to drivers, flashlights can help trick-or-treaters look for obstacles in their path, according to Chief Nuckols. Nuckols said all trick-or-treaters should bring a light with them on Halloween night.
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funny PAGES Vicki Jacoby
www.InTheSandboxComics.blogspot.com
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Did you know? Honey has long been touted for its medicinal qualities, but the United States Department of Health and Human Services still warns parents of infants to avoid feeding honey to children. That warning was issued because honey can give infants botulism, a rare paralytic illness cause by a nerve toxin. Spores of botulism are found in dust and soil, but they also can make their way into honey. Infants' immune systems are not strong enough
to combat such a bacterial infection, and their gastrointestinal tract is not as fully developed as an adult's, making them even more vulnerable to the bacteria associated with botulism. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, have a weak cry, have poor muscle tone, and suffer from constipation. When left untreated, these symptoms can lead to paralysis of the respiratory muscles, arms, legs, and trunk.
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Regional
Calendar
Support Groups
Al-Anon Fellowship - 6 p.m., Sundays, Mental Health
Resources, 1100 W. 21st Street. Information: 762-3970. Open to families and friends of alcoholics. Friendly Group.
Al-Anon: Live and Let Live -
6:30p.m., Mondays, Highland Baptist Church, 2210 N. Main. Open to friends and families of alcoholics. Information: 769-6028.
Al-Anon Serenity Circle Group - 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Presbyterian Church, 108 South Ave. F, Portales. Information: 769-6028. Alcoholics Anonymous: The Fellowship Group - Noon
and 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 1119 Thornton St. Information: 769-6052.
Alcoholics Anonymous: The Portales Lamplighters Group Call for more information : 575-607-6611
Twisted Sisters Alcoholics Anonymous:
6-7:30 p.m. Mondays, 421 N. Industrial Dr. Information: 356-2813.
Batterers Intervention - Men: 3 and 6 p.m., Wednesdays, Hartley House, 900 Main St., Clovis. Women: 6 p.m. Roosevelt General Hospital Conference room, 42121 U.S. 70, Portales. Information: 762-0050 or 356-4720.
Bereavement Group -
2-3 p.m., second and fourth Thursday, Plains Regional Healthplex, 2217 Dillon Street. Support group for people whose loved ones have died and who would like help coping with grief, loss and living again after loss. Information: 769-7399.
Building).
Hospice of the Sandias Grief and Bereavement Support Group - 6 - 7 p.m. Every first and third Thursday
of each month. These groups are open to anyone who has experienced grief from a significant loss or who is anticipating a loss whether the grief is professional or personal. Information: Yolanda Vela Clovis Group meets 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at Wheatfields 4701 N Prince Street, Clovis.
Moms Against Meth - Last Wednesday of the month, 517 W. 21st St., New Life Assembly of God. Information: 763-3221. NM Survivors of Homicide - 7 p.m., first Monday, at the office of Dr. Farkas, 116 W. 11th St. Information: Jennifer 799-0863. Narcotics Anonymous: Open Hands Group - 2 p.m., Saturdays, TeamBuilders, 414 Mitchell St., use rear door. Information: Wesley, 762-8128. New Life Gluten-Free Support Group - 10 a.m. -noon,
second Saturday, Salvation Army Church, 2nd and Gidding Streets. Information: Cindy Lawson 769-3337 or 714-4458.
S.A.D. Support Against Drugs - 7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Clovis-Carver Public Library, 701 North Main St. Support group for parents and family members whose children or loved ones are on drugs. Information: Wanda Norwood at 769-7717. Survivors Group of N.A. - 9 p.m., Fridays., Regular nonsmoking meeting. 1223 W. Ivy, Old La Casa Building, Portales.
Cancer Support Group - Meets every other Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. This group is open to cancer survivors and Caregivers. Group meets at Roosevelt General Hospital, 42121 US Highway 70, Portales. Call People Living Through Cancer for more information: 1-888-441-4439
Temple Watchers - 10:30 a.m., weigh-in, 11 a.m. to noon
Celebrate Recovery - 7 p.m., Tuesdays, Faith Christian
The We Group of NA - 6 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and
Family Church. Information: 762-7751.
Children’s Domestic Violence Survivors Group - 6 p.m., Thursdays, Hartley House, 900 Main St. Ages 4 and older. Domestic Violence Survivors Group -
6 p.m., Thursdays, Hartley House, 900 Main St. Information: 762-0050.
Emotions Anonymous - 7:30 p.m., Thursdays, Mental
Health Resources, 1100 W. 21st St. Support group for anxiety, depression, emotional stress. Information: 763-4355.
Get Well Group of N.A. - 9 p.m., Saturdays, Regular nonsmoking meeting. 1223 W. Ivy, Portales (Old La Casa 12 health & parenting
meeting, Thursdays. Free weight-loss support group for women. First Baptist Church, 302 Gidding St. Information: 769-9744.
Fridays, Church of the Brethren, Manana and Acoma (across from Stansells). Enter north side of the church. Information: Ben L. 791-5906 or Sharmon L. 791-5836.
Self-help Take Off Pounds Sensibly NM 3 - Noon, Wednesdays, First United Methodist Church, 1501 Sycamore St., east door. Information: 309-4049.