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Health & Wellness Journal Health

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May 2013

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23 rd Edition

LIving Life Like It’s Golden

Wellness Screening: Could Possibly Save Your Life! By Sharon C. Jenkins d-mars.com had the opportunity to visit GMS Dental Centers to interview Grant Sadler, President about the success of the Wellness Program that was developed in conjunction with United Healthcare Dental. PAGE 9

Quality Kid Time By Dr. Wendy “Quality time” is time spent doing an activity that is meaningful to the parent and child. PAGE 11

Express Yourself Clearly, LLC Faith Johnson, Founder and MR. D-MARS Forever 21 By Latisha Rowe The biggest change I have made over the years is eliminating fast food from my diet. PAGE 13

The ‘Mommy Makeover’ Is Not Just A Marketing Ploy By Dr. Robert Kenevan Post baby bodies is another term for the “mommy makeover” and it often includes a breast augmentation (with or without a lift) and a tummy tuck. PAGE 23

Health is the New Wealth!

Sister’s Network, Inc. 4th Annual National African American Breast Cancer 5k Walk/Run

“Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: I’m with you kid. Let’s go.” - Maya Angelou

Behind The

May 2013

Journal

Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

Living Like its Golden” is our May theme for the Health and Wellness Journal. Life is a precious gift that should be cherished and handled like a precious jewel. We are entrusted with the care and maintenance of that gift. Our dedication to this mission dictates the quality of our later days. Enjoy your life, but don’t destroy it. Remember that gifts are to be appreciated, that’s what living life like its golden is all about. As always again, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support d-mars.com, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd MANAGING EDITOR Sharon Jenkins

CONTENTS

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine S. Angela White PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ferland Antwine DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Martyn Tomkins Sharon C. Jenkins Dr. Wendy Ty Taplin Dr. Latisha T. Rowe Alignment Alchemist Dr. Zeb Poindexter, DDS Adella Klein Gill Webster Thecia Jenkins Dana Goldberg Kim Sauke, R.N. Diane Sollee Richard W. Walker, Jr. Dr. Robert Kenevan Jillian Smith Gracie Bradford Jamie S Hanson Gina G. Stewart www.SixWise.com www.keepyourchildsafe.org

Introducing, Express Yourself Clearly, LLC! ..................................................................................... Health is the New Wealth! .................................................................................................................. Where is the Beef? ............................................................................................................................... Wellness Screening: Could Possibly Save Your Life! ...................................................................... Caught In The Middle: The Sandwich Generation .......................................................................... Seeing As It Is Spring Time ............................................................................................................... Quality Kid Time ................................................................................................................................. Long-Term Investment – Health of Your Children ............................................................................. Forever 21 .......................................................................................................................................... Alzheimer’s Prevention with Dancing ................................................................................................ African American Healthy: “What If?” .............................................................................................. Family Counseling and Therapy Can Help Your Family .................................................................... Finding Out The Wellness Of The Mind ............................................................................................. Elderly Mental Health Care Is Serious For At Least Twenty Percent Of America Grownups ............ 5 Ways to Promote Positive Mental Health ...................................................................................... Your Guide to Exercising in the Great Outdoors ............................................................................... Safety Technology Tips for Kids ........................................................................................................ STD Facts and Figures: Which are Most Common and Other Essential Statistics ......................... Osteoporosis And The Facts ............................................................................................................ The ‘Mommy Makeover’ Is Not Just A Marketing Ploy ..................................................................., Women Health And Beauty Go Hand In Hand ................................................................................. Acupuncture can be an Effective Alternative Treatment for Allergies .............................................. Ten Tips for having a Smart Marriage from the Smart Marriages Conferences: ............................... Sisters Network Inc. 4th Annual National African American Breast Cancer 5k Walk/Run ................

4 7 8 9 10 10 11 11 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 18 18 20 21 23 23 24 24 25

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “Be a life long or short, its completeness depends on what it was lived for. David Starr Jordan

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May 2013

Introducing,

Express Yourself Clearly, LLC!

By Ty Taplin and Sharon C. Jenkins The staff consists of Ty Taplin, Contributing Writers

xpress Yourself Clearly, LLC. (EYC) provides quality speech and language services to children from toddlers to school-age children with speech-language delays or disorders. We are committed to providing the best quality therapy services for our clients to communicate successfully in all their daily living environments. We believe that any child can reach their maximum potential in a supportive, caring and fun atmosphere. EYC values the unique abilities, learning styles and personalities of each child. Therapy services are provided in a positive and caring atmosphere. Evaluations are comprehensive and a research-based therapeutic intervention is individualized to meet each child’s need. EYC’s staff is highly trained and dedicated to providing services with compassion and respect for their clients and families. Services for children cover a wide variety of delays or disorders: • Apraxia • Articulation and Phonological Disorders • Auditory Processing Disorders • Language Receptive/Expressive • Literacy Training • Oral-Motor Dysfunction • Pragmatic (Social Language) • Stuttering • Voice Disorders Parent participation in the therapeutic process is essential to the intervention process. Parent training and a home program are also provided as needed.

Director of Operations, Front Desk Receptionist: Naila Izaguirre, Bilingual Interpreter/Asst. Office Manager: Marisol Ortega, Speech – Language Pathologists: Carla D. Holmes, Cathy D. Phillips, Bertha St. John, Mary Ross and Shelia Smith, Bilingual SpeechLanguage Pathologist: Mary Rodriguez and Speech-Language PathologistAssistants: Ester Aludogbus, Diona L. Finley and Jessica L. Harris.

company to the business. EYC’s plan is to provide mobile speech therapy stations that travel to rural and outer lying areas whereby these much needed services would be more accessible. The company currently provides transportation for their patients and hope to continue to extend this service. Ms. Johnson is a licensed speechlanguage pathologist and has worked extensively in all areas of speech therapy for over 35 years. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). She graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Science degree in Communication Disorders from the University of North Texas in Denton (UNT). She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Eta Chapter. In addition to her work as a Speech Language Pathologist, Ms. Johnson has lectured in both public and private sectors, including conducting school based in-services and workshops for Speech Pathologists. For over 30 years much of her work was in public school settings where she had an amazing impact on departmental staff and students alike. She has also been extremely instrumental in the growth of the speech therapy

Trying to Help EYC’s founder, Faith Johnson was born in Texarkana, Arkansas; she comes from an entrepreneurial natured family. Early on, she witnessed her father’s entrepreneurial drive and ambition to succeed for the betterment of his family. Through the course of his life, Mr. Harris founded an operational vocational school for veterans, owned a dry cleaners and upon retirement became a realtor, whereby at 80 years old, he earned the credentials of a real estate broker. Ms. Johnson’s brother, Edward, owns a construction company; her son Christopher with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science breeds pure-bred Old English Bulldogs and her son-in-law, Derrick, owns a marketing firm. Her driving force is to lay the foundation for her family’s future endeavors whereas her daughter, Monica, a Pediatric Registered Nurse and her niece, Jessica currently a Speech-Language Pathologist-Assistant can continue to make a difference in the lives of the children in our communities. The future goal for Express Yourself Clearly, LLC is to add a home health speech therapy

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program within the public school setting and has championed many projects. She developed a districtwide, computerized speech therapy assessment module and initiated and lead projects for comprehensive, research-based assessment for speech impaired students, which resulted in the revision of the severity rating scale and dismissal criteria. Ms. Johnson has also provided clinical supervision and mentorship in clinical practicum, which leads to national certification and state licensing for interns and master-level associates. Ms. Johnson’s experience includes working in public schools, private schools, early childhood sites, in-home services and private practice. She has performed diagnosis and treatment of receptive language disorders, expressive language disorders, articulation, phonological processing, oral-motor functioning disorders, voice, fluency and pragmatic language disorders in pre-school, school-aged children and adults. Through professional and personal experience, Ms. Johnson understands how one’s quality of life is impacted by the efficient use of communication in day to day living. She works with her clients to ensure that individual goals are being met in a way which

May 2013

reluctant to ”let him go.” But he told her that he could make it on his own and that he would be bringing her an invitation to his graduation ceremony. Eight years later, after persistent pursuit, he found her in the hallway of a local middle school and gave her an invitation to his Texas Southern University college graduation. Then there was the time that a young man who had a stuttering disorder she was working with at Westbury High School. He made a presentation at his local church home. His mother called her to tell her she was so Godly proud of his performance. She ran into him later in the week and congratulated him on his success and he told her that “he was cool” during his presentation. Ms. Johnson was doing in-home therapy for a two year old who could only say “Bye.” During the three years he was in therapy with her, he was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). She got a call from his grandmother one day when she overheard him outside

is meaningful to them. She has provided invaluable insight, along with professional knowledge to help enhance each child’s unique needs. Positioned in a high-quality, comprehensive environment, Ms. Johnson continues to build upon her reputation with both her patients and doctors alike.

Testimonials Ms. Johnson had a male student in middle school that progressed so well under her tutelage, that he no longer needed speech therapy. Due to his diagnosis of a learning disorder and promotion to high school she was

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“talking up a storm.” She joked about discharging him and his mother concluded the conversation with, “Uhn-Un, now you have to teach him to stop talking.” These are only a few ways that EYC’s founder, Faith Johnson has changed lives as a speech pathologist in helping children better communicate in the world that they live in. As if that’s not enough, she also volunteers for two private faith-based schools in 3rd Ward. They receive the same services as paid clients, because she would have it no other way. Ms. Johnson said, “When you give to someone all these good things happen in your head and in your heart. Doing for and giving to others feels even better than someone giving to you.” Faith Johnson is the epitome of the old saying “It is better to give than to receive.” and Houston youth and their parents that frequent EYC benefit everyday from her genuine caring heart and the “can do” spirit of her staff.

May 2013

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May 2013

Feel Rich

Crystal and Paul Wall

Health is the New Wealth! By Alignment Alchemist

Contributing Writer

hey say everything is bigger in Texas: bigger hair, bigger cars and apparently, bigger appetites. Houston tips the scales as America’s fattest city. This isn’t an award Houstonians are proud of, however, and one community is using its influence to change the trend. Ironically, the hip-hop community, which is known for excess, is at the root of the mission to get people to reduce. Houston rappers such as Slim Thug and Paul Wall are ambassadors for “Feel Rich,” a movement to promote wellness in urban communities. The company was started by award-winning producer Quincy Jones III and Shawn Ullman. Ullman worked for the notable Jones family for 10 years running their digital business. He saw hiphop artists living a healthy lifestyle, but noticed no one was talking about it in the media, only who they were dating or when their next album was dropping. “I’m a vegan and always felt like what you put in your body determines how you feel,” Ullman said. “Hip-hop has an emphasis on outer material and de-emphasizes what’s inside.” He noticed many artists passing away and felt the need to talk about the problem. So with the seed of that underlying passion, Feel Rich was born. The company motto is “Health is the New Wealth.” A primary group targeted by the message is the youth. Ullman explains that hip-hop music has the ear of the street. Hip-hop has received a bad rap for glorifying negative ideals, but Feel Rich is using this influence to spread a positive message. The Feel Rich movement is gaining momentum and their YouTube site, which launched in 2011, is currently the largest multicultural YouTube health and wellness network garnering more than 100 million views. The network was created to promote content that was authentic to the community and identify personalities and brands to take to the market, Ullman explained. One such personality they discovered was Crystal Wall, wife of Grammy-nominated Houston rapper Paul Wall. The couple lost about 200 pounds combined and are keeping it off through

daily commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Wall said the Feel Rich crew was interviewing Paul and spoke to her about how she supports his weight loss maintenance. They felt her message was relatable and asked her to become part of the team.

She attributes her own transformation to Latin-infused dance aerobics craze Zumba. After gaining 100 pounds post-childbirth, she couldn’t lose the weight but shed 60 pounds with Zumba. It made such an impact on her life that she is now a certified

“Once you let go of that fear you can do the impossible.” Wall has noticed the hip-hop community getting fit, and says the same time they spend out partying, they now spend in the gym. Wall cites one of the reasons as people in the forefront of hip-hop are getting older and want to be around for their children and also maintain youthfulness in an image-driven industry.

Zumba instructor. She said one key to she and Paul’s weight loss success is that they made baby steps. When they attempted huge changes it wouldn’t last. They began to swap out food for healthier alternatives and learned to control portion sizes. She notices that she now has more energy and a more positive

Quincy Jones, III, Shawn Ulman, Quincy Jones, Jr. Experience Our World of Marketing and Communication

attitude and says her students have more of a “swag” and confidence as well. “Houston is one of the fattest cities because we eat good,” Wall explained. “Most of us come from big families and we are used to eating big, but we have to get used to chopping it down.” The main reason she sees people getting stuck in unhealthy habits is fear. “Once you let go of that fear you can do the impossible,” Wall said. “I can sit and say I’m just predestined to be a big-boned girl, or I can say I’m going to take a chance and work out and see what happens.” She told herself, “If nothing happens that’s fine, I know what’s its like to be the way I am, but what if something great could come from me making one small change in my life and doing something a little bit uncomfortable?” Wall challenges people to ask, “What’s stopping me from being my best self?” Ullman views Feel Rich as his way of giving back to Houston, the city he grew up in and foresees it continuing to spread as a national platform. He says it is a conscious business that gives back to the community. They sponsor free Zumba classes on Fridays taught by Crystal Wall and will host free fitness bootcamps. “The information [on health] has always been out there but it’s too scientific and too stale,” Ullman said. “What Feel Rich does is remix that information and have it delivered by role models.” “There are more drive-thrus in Houston than drive-bys now and the drive-thrus are killing people,” he added. “The Feel Rich mission is for health and fitness to become new symbol of wealth. It doesn’t matter how much money you have if you are [too sick and tired] to enjoy it.” For more information please visit youtube.com/feelrichtv and listen to Crystal Wall’s radio interview at www. blogtalkradio.com/influential.

May 2013

Where is t h e B e e f ?

Beefy Layered Burrito Casserole

Mexican Casserole

by Chef #38555 / Dawn S

by *Parsley*

Ground Beef Gyros

by Cyrene

Ingredients

• 1 lb extra lean ground beef ( drained or rinsed!) • 1/2 cup onion ( chopped) • 1/4 cup canned jalapeno slices, chopped • 2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped or 1 (15 ounce) cans diced canned tomatoes • 1 (15 ounce) cans kernel corn ( drained) • 1 (15 ounce) cans black beans ( rinsed and drained) • 1 (1 1/4 ounce) packages taco seasoning mix • 8 corn tortillas • 3/4 cup nonfat sour cream • 1/3 cup reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, shredded • 1/3 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped, to taste ( or less (or more)

• 2 lbs lean ground beef • 1 small white onion, chopped • 2 cups cooked rice • 1 (10 3/4 ounce) cans condensed cheddar cheese soup or 1 (10 3/4 ounce) cans nacho cheese soup • 1 (1 1/4 ounce) packets taco seasoning • 12 burrito-size flour tortillas • 1 (16 ounce) salsa • 1 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained • 1 (29 ounce) cans corn, drained • 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese • 1 (10 ounce) cans enchilada sauce • 12. 2 tablespoons cilantro

• 1 (8 ounce) containers plain yogurt • 1/3 cup chopped seeded cucumber • 2 tablespoons finely chopped onions • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1 teaspoon sugar

Fillinga • 1 lb lean ground beef ( I use ground turkey) • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1 teaspoon onion powder • 1 teaspoon salt (optional) • 3/4 teaspoon pepper • 4 pita breads • 3 cups shredded lettuce • 1 large tomato, chopped • 1 small onion, chopped

Preparation

1. Brown ground beef and chopped onions in large skillet; brown 10 to 12 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring constantly. Drain well and rinse with warm water to remove all fat; return beef/ onions to skillet. 2. Add corn, black beans, tomatoes, chilies/jalapenos and taco seasoning mix; mix well. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. 3. Meanwhile spray 12x8-inch (2-quart) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cut each tortilla in half; place 8 halves in bottom of sprayed baking dish, overlapping slightly. 4. Spoon half of beef mixture evenly over tortillas. Spoon sour cream over beef mixture; spread evenly. Top with remaining 8 tortilla halves and remaining beef mixture. (Cover tightly with foil & Freeze for later OR cook as directed below…). 5. (Thaw overnight if frozen) Heat oven to 350ºF. Bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve with fresh chopped lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, black olives, etc… /. 6. Makes 6 large Servings at 6.5 weight watcher pts/ each.

1. Preheat oven to 350. 2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onion; drain. Return beef & onions to hot skillet off of heat and stir in rice, undiluted soup and taco seasoning. Mix together well. 3. Lightly spray a lasagna pan/ 13” x 9” pan with nonstick cooking spray. 4. Line bottom of pan with 4 of the tortillas. 5. Evenly cover tortillas with half of the meat/rice mixture, then 1/2 of the salsa, then sprinkle with half of the corn, half of the black beans and 1 cup of cheese. 6. Cover again with 4 more of the tortillas and repeat these layers again. 7. Finally, top with the last 4 remaining tortillas. Pour entire can of enchilada sauce over top. Sprinkle with remaining 2 cups cheese and cilantro. 8. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. 9. Serve with a dallop of sour cream, if desired.

1. In a bowl, combine first 5 ingredients. 2. Cover and refrigerate. 3. In separate bowl, combine ground beef and seasonings. 4. Mix well. 5. Shape into 4 patties. 6. Grill, covered, (you can also use a toaster oven or broil these) over medium to high heat for 10 to 12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, turning once. 7. Cut patties into thin slices. 8. Stuff into pitas. 9. Add lettuce, tomato, and onion. 10. Serve with yogurt sauce.

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May 2013

Wellness Screening: Could Possibly Save Your Life! in helping patients reduce their risk of these associated diseases. ‘Inflammation is a major risk factor for heart disease, and periodontal disease may increase the By Sharon C Jenkins inflammation level throughout the body. Since several studies have shown that Contributing Writer patients with periodontal disease have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, we felt it was important to develop clinical recommendations for our respective • People typically visit their dentists specialties. Therefore, you will now see more often than they visit their physician. cardiologists and periodontists joining • Dentists can play an important role forces to help our patients.’” in helping to screen for common chronic d-mars.com had the opportunity to visit medical conditions, making dentists an GMS Dental Centers to interview Grant indispensable member of the larger health Sadler, President about the success of the care team. Wellness Program that was developed • Oral health, in conjunction with other in conjunction with United Healthcare symptoms, may indicate chronic medical Dental. They currently serve patients in conditions – making the mouth the Harris County, Harris County Hospital “gateway to the body.” District, the City of Houston, Houston • Continuing research shows evidence ISD, Katy ISD and Aldine ISD at their of associations between oral health, 8 locations in Houston. They offer particularly periodontal disease and these screenings to help identify medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes indicators and dental conditions that their and pregnancy complications. patients may not be aware of, as early as “According to Kenneth Kornman, possible. The facts are: DDS, PhD, Editor of the Journal • Bacteria in active gum disease of Periodontology, the cooperation leads to inflammation, which can make it between the cardiology and periodontal hard for those with diabetes to control their communities is an important first step disease.

Did you know?

• Patients with both oral disease and heart disease often share common risk factors, such as smoking; your dentist can often spot issues impacting heart health and refer patients to a medical doctor for follow-up. • Approximately 35,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year and about 7,600 die from the disease. A regular dental checkup is an excellent opportunity to be screened for oral cancer. During the exam, your dentist or dental hygienist can check your face, neck, lips and mouth for possible signs of cancer. • Bacteria present in gum disease has been found in amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds an unborn baby) and the mother’s placenta, and mothers with periodontal disease have a higher incidence of pregnancy complications. Screening options based on health history provided by patient:

i. Oral Hygiene ii. Soft Tissue iii. Decay (Caries) iv. Gums (Periodontal) v. Oral Cancer Screening vi. Blood Pressure vii. Blood Glucose (HbA1c)

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viii. Body Mass Index (BMI)

After the results are determined the patient will receive a hardcopy of their results. Patients may also receive counseling and educational materials on tobacco use, obesity and nutrition and oral piercings. The findings can be delivered to their personal physician upon the patient’s request. Dr. Frank Wood, Dental Director at GMS Dental actually administers the wellness screenings, decided to take the A1C test for diabetes. He discovered that he had diabetes himself, something that had not been apparent at his annual physical exam. Dr. Wood was able to make the necessary modifications in his diet and lifestyle as a result. There have been patients who discovered that they were in the early stages of oral cancer and as a result of the wellness screenings, they were able to get their appropriate treatment in a timely manner to combat the disease. One patient was so grateful for early diagnosis of a life threatening illness that she showed up with balloons and gifts for the doctor who made the diagnosis. Get screened today, the life you save, may be your own!

10.

May 2013

Caught In The Middle: The Sandwich Generation By Thecia Jenkins

Contributing Writer

ust when you thought that you were going to enjoy an empty nest, take long vacations, and have the house to yourself; bam it happened! Your adult child moved back home due to economic or some life changing issue, then your parent had a major illness and now requires supervision and is unable to live independently in their own home. Welcome to the “Sandwich Generation.” According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the Sandwich Generation is a generation of people who are caring for their aging parents while supporting their own children. The AARP research shows that the typical “Sandwich Generation” member is a forty-eight year old woman. The woman is usually also employed outside the home and is juggling responsibilities at work and attempting to maintain balance in the home taking care of the aging parent or in-law. Having the responsibility for parents can be challenging for the adult child, who is now experiencing role reversal with their parent. The adult child has now been placed in a position to make decisions that directly

impact their parent such as obtaining a power of attorney to make decisions related to healthcare, finances and of end of life. This transfer of power can create strained relationships between the adult child and parent. The parent that once made all the decisions, had information that was not privy to their adult children or a parent who once took pride in their independence is now placed in a position of submission to their child. The adult child may also be experiencing feelings of guilt, sorrow for the parent they once knew and also resentment about the sacrifices of taking care of an elderly parent. All of the emotions experienced by both parties are valid and should be acknowledged in order to move forward. If you are experiencing the “Sandwich Generation” syndrome, don’t despair, you are not alone. Take time to take care of yourself as you are taking care of boomerang adult children and aging parents. Some things that can help you manage the stress of living in the “Sandwich Generation” are planning ahead, developing healthy stress management coping mechanisms and building a support system. Plan ahead by working with a financial planner to look at options such as longterm care insurance for yourself and your parents. As your parents age, and if you

are employed outside the home, begin having conversations with your employer and human resources. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) will protect your job if your employer employees more than 50 employees and you have been employed for at least one year or worked (1280 hours) for a period of twelve weeks in the event your parent becomes ill and is unable to take care of themselves. Develop healthy stress coping mechanisms such as eating properly,

Seeing As It Is Spring Time ... By Dr. Zeb Poindexter III, DDS Contributing Writer

eriodontal disease (i.e. disease) affects about 15% of women of childbearing age and up to 40% of pregnant women. The most common clinical periodontal condition in women during pregnancy is gingivitis (e.g. experiencing tender, inflamed and possibly even bleeding gums). Due to the accumulation of dental plaque, this occurs in 6075% of women generally between three and eight months of pregnancy. This reinforces the importance of periodontal preventive measures before pregnancy (i.e. if you are sexually active then having regular dental check ups are important for you and your unborn child). FREQUENCY: It is commonly believed among health care professionals that dental visits are harmful to the embryo in the first trimester of pregnancy. While this has not been my experience, the fetus is beginning its

developmental stage during this time and is susceptible to infections, trauma and stress from its host. It is best for the childbearing mother to be examined during her first trimester as she is generally prescribed maternal medications and physiological changes will take place throughout her body, especially the oral cavity. The second trimester should contain a dental check up as well and possibly a deep cleaning. In the third trimester the child is physiologically developed which gives full rein for the mother to receive most dental procedures. Sexually active teenagers and adult females need to be knowledgeable about the potential for oral disease(s). Transmission of bacteria from the mouth to the fetus has been identified as a causative agent for low birth weight babies, spontaneous miscarriages and unwanted tooth loss. Being sexually active is not necessarily irresponsible, but exposing an unborn child to potential disease, noxious stimuli or unnecessary stressful conditions: The oral health of a mother affects the total health of her unborn child.

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exercising, journaling, prayer/meditation, and maintaining your personal health. Finally, don’t wait until illness or incident happens begin having conversations about who will take care of the parents or the in-laws. Also identify who is willing to be a support system so that the primary caregivers do not get burned out. It is not a matter of if the parents get sick or need help, but simply when. For more information visit www. sandwichgeneration.com.

May 2013

11.

Quality Kid Time etc. Many of these occasions are taken for granted as I can count on both hands the number of times I see families at restaurants playing on their phones instead of talking to each other. Don’t get me wrong… I love technology and think it is a good By Dr. Wendy Contributing Writer thing, however it currently consumes too much of our children’s time. As a matter ith today’s busy lifestyles of fact, I recently read an article and it we have a tendency to noted, “A recent national survey across the overlook our families and US revealed that children’s use of online the importance of “qual- media is increasing rapidly each year. On ity” time. But before we go any further, I’d average children between the ages of 8 and like to define quality time. “Quality time” 18 are believed to devote seven hours a day is time spent doing an activity that is mean- to some sort of media entertainment, be ingful to the parent and child. It is time it [sitting] at the computer playing video when family members get to know each games or watching TV.” - Generation of other by sharing thoughts and feelings. It Gadgets Quality kid time is critical and impactful is all about building solid foundations and as it gives you a chance to share your values, creating everlasting memories. Time is valuable and waits for no one as discover who your children are, if they are children grow up so quickly and the time facing any challenges and/or have any that we have to devote to them is very questions, etc. Growing up today is not limited. Spending time with your children easy, as technology has taken over. Yes, kids can be educational and fun as studies show are dealing with issues that have existed that a child’s basic learning takes place in for years; however these issues are now many informal situations that occur daily posted on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and in the life of the family. These informal Instagram. Being a successful businessperson is occasions include: getting dressed in the a good thing, however do not let your morning, eating breakfast, walking to the children’s lives slip away from you right bus stop, school activities, going out to eat,

underneath your nose. At the end of the day… the time that you devote to quality kid time will be rewarded with an adolescent who feels comfortable enough to talk to you about anything. So, make time for “Family Night.” This can be a fun and down-to-earth affair, such as ordering pizza, playing board games, watching movies, etc. Spending quality playtime together is the best antidote to shaking off the stresses of the week and relaxing. Get away for the weekend. Kids are easy to please and typically want to try new things. Drive to a local fun

designation and talk while you are in the car… and NO cell phones (unless it’s an emergency) or movies playing. And, get to know your kid’s friends! Although having a bunch of kids at your house can be “nerveracking,” however it can be a good thing as it gives you a chance to SEE and talk with your kid’s friends. It is always best to see who there are spending their time with. Now that you have been given some tips - Let’s Make it Happen! Quality kid time is interesting, as it’s just like anything else in life. And that is…The More You Put Into It, The More You Get Out of It!

germs and bacteria. Always carry handywipes with you for use in public places when hand washing facilities are not available. Wash your own hands for 15 seconds to get an idea of how long it takes – you will be surprised! A simple hand wash may save your child from the pain of colds, flu, or hazards unfavorable to their health. 2) Take an invested interest in what you bring into your home for your child to eat. Given the pace of a family’s life in the current environment, we tend to resort to quick meals from a can or TV dinners void of good nutrients loaded with calories that contribute to obesity. Preparing at least one balanced meal daily from scratch is a start. Make sure you have foods with at least four colors (green, yellow or red, brown, and white) stressing moderation. 3) Capture an inventory of the places you take your children to eat out. A few fast food restaurants have healthy menu selections but often advertise those that are high in calories, fat, and salt. As parents, we have allowed the children to choose what they want as opposed to the parent making healthy choices for the young child.

4) Sequester the remote control, the video controls, the cell phones, the mini-pads, the iPods and start an outdoor walking/exercise program at least three times per week for a minimum of 60 minutes per day of moderate physical activity progressing up to every day (Before starting any exercise program, consult with your child’s physician for guidance). 5) Ensure that the entire family adheres to sensible health management principles just as you adhere to life changing financial principles. Eating fast foods five of seven days, coupled with eating foods that are essentially void of nutrients (vitamins, mineral, and protein) and snacking on “junk” food is a prescription for failure and a poor investment in your child’s health. I challenge you, as the primary decision maker in your home, to join the fight against childhood obesity the moment you finish reading this article. I dare you to invest the same amount of time and energy in your child’s health as you are in your child’s financial future. Persistence is the key to success – make a lifestyle change. The return on your investment can be astounding!

Long-Term Investment – Health of Your Children By Gracie Bradford Contributing Writer

ost families invest a significant amount of time gaining knowledge about financial investments to prepare for a secure life at retirement. Attendance at seminars and workshops is approaching record numbers conducted at church, on the job, as well as in the community. Often we solicit the support of a financial advisor to help capitalize on the dollar. Many families are setting up college funds early to finance the education of their children. Others are aggressively involving their children in sports in hopes of someday seeing their child selected for the NBA or the NFL. For those who are making these kinds of investments, your efforts are commendable. According to Black Enterprise Magazine’s 10 Wealth for Life Principles, you are making wise financial investments for your future and the future of your children. However, are you making the same zealous investments in the health of your children as the primary decision maker? Ask yourself, “Will my children live long enough to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor?” According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention Magazine, the percentage of children aged 6-11 years in US who were obese increased from 7 percent in 1980 to nearly 18 percent

in 2010. According to the Texas State Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Profile of 2011, among Texas children aged 2 years to less than 5 years, 16.8 percent were overweight and 15.3 percent were obese tripling the rate from 1963. Childhood obesity (an excess of body fat) has long-term effects on health and well being. According to the various research studies, obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, bone and joint problems, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes that previously were not detected until adulthood. As a result they also experience social and psychological problems such as poor self esteem. Obesity in children has become an epidemic and captured the attention of First Lady Michelle Obama, becoming one of her number one priorities. Attacking this unparalleled health issue requires a lifestyle change. Texas lawmakers and professionals are on the move but it also takes the primary decision maker to take the lead. Five simple things you can do right now to invest in your children’s future health: 1) Most youth are prone to acquiring germs. Train your children to wash hands at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, when touching things in public places and especially after a visit in a hospital. Hand washing is the most effective defense against the spread of

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May 2013

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May 2013

Forever 21 the city. I was blown away by the taste after my first try and I have been going back ever since. I would order 5 meals at once to have By Dr Latisha T Rowe my lunch for the week and then stock up again on Friday with healthy meals for the Contributing Writer weekend. A few of my favorite dishes include the Zesty Shrimp and Scallops, The en years ago in college I had an L&J Gumbo, and Mario’s Marine Mash. amazing body, I ate whatever These dishes are all low carb, low calorie, I wanted and I exercised most high protein and RNC approved. As you days of the week. Ten years later know RNC is a LIFESTYLE we are comI work 12 hours a day, I have a 2 year old mitted to doing this for life and The My son and I have the same body today, if not Fit Foods 21 day challenge may be a great better. The only difference between then way for you to kick off your new lifestyle. are my food choices. The biggest change I The meals are very affordable and they even have made over the years is eliminating fast offer delivery. Since Americans spend 100 food from my diet. With a fast food res- billion dollars on “fast food” it’s time for taurant on every corner and a hectic sched- a change. It’s time we invest in our health ule this could have been difficult but I have by supporting the companies that are combeen very lucky to have a wonderful re- mitted to our health, and our future. Invest source in my city. When I moved to Hou- in businesses that invest in you and before ston, I knew I was moving to one of the you know it there may be a My Fit Foods in fattest cities in America so I did not expect your neighborhood too! At the end of the to find a premiere health food provider just day, it doesn’t matter what age your birth around the corner. I was still a medical resi- certificate says, if you exercise, eat right and dent when I stumbled across My Fit Foods. make a commitment to “No Excuses” from The first store I frequented was just around this day forward your body will tell a difthe corner from the medical center but ferent story. I don’t know about you, but I since then they have new locations all over like being Forever 21.

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Alzheimer’s Prevention with Dancing By Kim Sauke, R.N. Contributing Writer

isha Johnson has a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. At the age of fifty, she has managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Besides her favorite exercise of jogging three to four days a week, she has a nourishing diet consisting of all the best foods to maintain her weight and optimal wellness. She knows that her running strengthens her heart and provides her with a sense of well being. But the threat of Alzheimer’s looms. Recently, she has taken up the activity of ballroom dancing. For years she had dreamed of donning the beautiful gowns and expressing herself in a social setting at local dance halls. Little did she know it’s the best way to ward off Alzheimer’s. In a study of activities to prevent the disease, the Mayo Clinic studied many to determine what may help to retard the development of the brain’s calcifications that contribute to the minds unfortunate changes. Playing tennis, reading, competing in chess games, and ballroom dancing were

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a few of the many studied. And what was discovered was that ballroom dancing reduces the incidence of developing Alzheimer’s by 76% and the only other activity that significantly decreases the risk is reading by 35%. The benefits of this type of dancing is most pronounced for the female since she is following the man’s lead and is constantly guessing where he is taking her down the dance floor which is good exercise for the brain. For the man, he can derive the good effects by dancing with different women and changing his patterns so as not to be repetitious with his style. So get out your dance shoes and open those books! So for Kisha Johnson, who sports a fantastic shape, she has the added benefit to sharpen the mind. Not only that, but she is in a social dance scene that provides making friends and networking opportunities. Her self image is enhanced with her fabulous dancewear and it also provides her with emotional expression as well as providing an aerobic workout. She’s never felt better in so many ways. In her closet she has her Nike tennis shoes and right next to them are her dance shoes. As she reaches to retrieve them for jogging or dancing, she thinks of the one pair for her heart and the other for her head.

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May 2013

African American Healthy: “What If?” By Richard W. Walker, Jr. Contributing Writer

hat if I were to say that most of the diseases found in the African American community are NOT genetic and are NOT family dependant despite your family history. What if I said that most of the severity of these diseases, the early onset, and the collateral damage caused by them could be avoided! Most, I suspect, would not believe me. Fortunately, you’d be wrong because that is in fact the case. Consider the following. The Biology and Genetics of Darker Skin – it’s a good thing! It’s important to discuss the biological benefits of darker skin and briefly its genetics to understand why darker skin is beneficial and how it protects human kind. However, that which causes the greatest benefits, melanin or pigmented skin, creates other inherent and current health problems. It is estimated that humans differ at only 1 of every 500−1,000 nucleotides or between 0.2-0.4% from any two people on earth. There are, however, some differences only caused by slight variations of gene expression. These variations, from person to person, or from group to group, are what medicine is using to identify new, unique methods of treatment – at the genetic level.

Skin color is determined by just four of the identified 25,000 genes that are relatively affected by environment and sun exposure. Darker skin, caused by melanocytes, are known to be photo-protective preventing the occurrence of skin cancers, which are at least 50 times greater in nondark skinned people, Caucasians, than in blacks. Darker skin is also known to increase protection from bacteria, fungal and parasitic infections. It is therefore directly related to improved immune function. Not only is melanin, the pigment produced by melanocytes in the skin, important in immune function but is also located in other parts of the body such as the brain, eyes and ear and has recently been discovered to be involved in calcium homeostasis (maintenance). Reduction in the amount of melanin in the brain in an area called the substantia nigra, “black substance”, is directly related to the occurrence of Parkinson’s disease. Anthropologic studies have shown that darker skin is directly related to the severity and duration of the skin to sun exposure, and its production of ultra-violet radiation (UVR), which gives an explanation to why one sees a decline in pigmentation as groups of people moved further away from the equator. Increased pigmentation protects the body from free radical production caused by the intense UVR in those who were under constant, intense sun exposure.

With all the genetic and biological advantages of darker skin (there’s much more but space does not permit) the question arises as to what happened to those biological advantages of darker skinned people, given that, at least those in the U.S., now have more disease, morbidity (illness) and mortality (death)? I want to make it clear that even though we are talking about genes and how they can be made to work better, I am NOT!!! talking about gene manipulations or alterations. This is simply about what makes those God given genes work the way they were originally designed to work in the best environment. This is the beginning of the story that can and should alter the poor healthcare legacy of our community. With the information above being so positive there is one major downside. That downside is that the darker the skin the less Vitamin D3 gets made by the body. With this deficiency, in the absorption of sunlight, caused by darker skin, we encounter many of the problems known in our community. Killers Diseases in the Black Community The diseases of breast and prostate cancers, overweight/obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, renal (kidney) failure, stroke, heart attacks are the primary killers in homes of African Americans. They’re not just limited to our individual homes but to anyone who suffers from them. They’ve

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killed, maimed and shorten the productive lives of more Black Americans than any other single group of people. As long as they’ve been around its surprising how little is known about them in the African American community other than their names and outcomes. Most important, we seem not to know that these diseases can be controlled. The question is, why is this; and, is there anything that can be done about it? So, here they are! How long have you heard about them? How many of them have been in your home, on your block and killed your loved ones? Hasn’t our community had – enough! Don’t believe there’s nothing you can do about them! These diseases are thought, again, by the African American public at large, to be the accepted, natural consequences of aging, family history, lack of proper healthcare, lack of understanding about them and what they do, costs, etc. These thoughts are only partly true. Many of the beliefs are myths based on the lack of understanding and misinformation. To get to the point here’s what everyone can do. Ask your healthcare provider to obtain a vitamin D3 blood level. If the blood level is below 30ng/ml you need to be on vitamin D3. The amount and more information can be found in my book “African American Healthy”. More will be discussed about vitamin D3 and your health in the next article.

2013 DIRECTORY & AWARD’S CEREMONY UP & COMING HMWP Under 5 years experience

TOP HMWP

5-20 years experience

SUPER HMWP 20+ years experience

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A HMWP Pioneer in their field or industry

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A HMWP who makes tremendous contribution to the community

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A HMWP selected by their peers for showing significant achievement in their specialties

For general questions about the directory or the event, please call

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To purchase 2012 Top 50 Black HMWP Directory please go to www.topblackpe.com

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May 2013

Family Counseling and Therapy Can Help Your Family

Finding Out The Wellness Of The Mind By Jillian Smith

By Jamie S Hanson

o one wants to think that their family requires family counseling and therapy, but sometimes it really is necessary. A family that is having trouble will benefit from having outside help. Sometimes it just isn’t possible to solve everything yourself and that’s when you need to bring in counselors. Denver has quite a few to choose from. When does it become necessary to look into counseling? There are many different reasons to look into help, so it depends on the situation. Often there is an event that the family endures before and this is what starts the trouble. If you suspect a situation might be traumatic, it’s best to book a session quickly so you can start to deal with things early on. Death. When someone dies in the family, it can be difficult. This is particularly true if it is a parent or child that has died. There will be some drastic changes in how life goes on and it can bring on bouts of depression in the survivors. Everyone deals with grief in a different way, which can be confusing to the others who are also dealing with the loss. This is something that almost always goes better with a little outside help. Divorce. While divorce may be amicable in some cases, it can still cause problems for the children. Whether you are thinking about getting a divorce or have already made it happen, it can be beneficial for kids to talk with counselors. Denver family counselors can help your children understand that the divorce isn’t their fault. Abuse. In cases of abuse, help is almost always required. Whether ongoing or a onetime incident, sexual or physical, family members can all benefit from getting a little counseling. The person who was abused will obviously need some help, but what many families don’t realize is that everyone can benefit. Parents may feel guilt at not realizing what was happening or for letting things go on. Other siblings may have been abused, too and aren’t willing to talk about

it, or they might be feeling “survivor’s guilt”. Other traumatic incident. There’s no end to the number of things that can happen in life that traumatizes the family. Whether it’s having an accident, or a family member being severely injured or even a natural disaster that can cause panic, these are all things that a trained counselor can aid the family with. Family counseling and therapy can help families stay together and form a support group in times of trouble. Rather than splitting apart because they can’t handle the trauma or the way others deal with it, they can work together on overcoming the things that have occurred and make a better life together. Working through things can take a while. Each person will move at a different speed and it’s likely that everyone will require separate sessions with counselors. Denver offices are usually set up so that you can leave children with one parent while one goes in and trade off in this manner so everyone has a chance to speak privately with counselors. Then they can also meet in a group session, which can be very helpful. Of course, counselors can aid a family that is struggling to deal with non-traumatic things, as well. This is particularly common in families where the children have reached adolescence and are rebelling more than usual or where the parents are not getting along. Family counseling and therapy is a way to help your family. Don’t put it off, since the sooner you get help, the better it will work. You just need to find some qualified counselors. Denver features many family counselors, so interview a few to get an idea as to which one works best with you. Looking for counselors? Denver based AMI Denver offers family counseling and therapy to help your family stay healthy and happy. Article Source: http://www.articlesphere. com/Article/Family-Counseling-andTherapy-Can-Help-Your-Family/239471

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he level of spirituality we hold with ourselves is one way in which we establish some wellness of mind. Spirituality, on any level, is a way to cleanse the mind and refresh the soul. Wellness is not only about the mind, though. It is a state of our whole being. Wellness is a state of mind, body, and soul. Meditation is a good way to achieve wellness for your mind. It provides you with the opportunity to reflect on the inside, to relax, to regroup. It gives you a chance to listen to your inner voice without the clutter of life around you. Through the practices of spirituality and meditation, we have the capacity to maintain our minds as well as our bodies. The mind is a complex mechanism, and it can become overpowered and frazzled if we don’t give ourselves time to care for it. Our mind works through various stages of operation, known as brainwaves. As we pass through times of our day and activities therein, our brainwave activity changes. Through these varying degrees of brain activity, our brain rests itself, and is therefore able to manage all of the information we collect. When we don’t allow time for this process to occur, through rest and relaxation, our mind cannot continue in a state of wellness, just like our bodies can’t be healthy and well without rest. Those who practice alternative and holistic medicine believe that the energy

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that flows through our bodies exudes from our mind also. They believe it is the main form of transportation for our nervous system to carry out communication. Some techniques we can use to energize our minds include breathing techniques, music, and aromatherapy. These things allow us to reflect on our day, and give our mind an opportunity to rest and replenish itself. It is important to regularly make time to sustain our mental wellness, even as we make every effort to maintain our physical wellness. You can do both at once, too. We can relax our mind as we take a brisk twenty-minute walk at lunchtime. OR we can build muscle strength as we meditate during yoga. Even the smallest thing, like listening to some soothing music, or relaxing in a warm bathtub will help your mind relax and re-energize. Taking any opportunity to regroup is even the smallest thing, like listening to some soothing music, or relaxing in a warm bathtub will help your mind relax and re-energize. advantageous for your wellness of mind. Even the smallest thing, like listening to some soothing music, or relaxing in a warm bathtub will help your mind relax and re-energize. Want to find out about flamingo facts and goldfish lifespan? Get tips from the Interesting Animals website. Article Source: http://www.articlesphere. com/Article/Finding-Out-The-WellnessOf-The-Mind/209005

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May 2013

Elderly Mental Health Care Is Serious For At Least Twenty Percent Of America Grownups By Gina G. Stewart

lderly mental health care is an important issue that affects almost one in every five American adults who are in fact known to be affected by some form of mental illness or the other. These mental illnesses include suffering from dementia and psychosis, delirium as well as depression and schizophrenia. The disturbing thing about elders suffering from these and other mental illnesses is that they can lose their cognitive abilities and their behavior too will change for the worse and their general ability to function normally too will be adversely affected. Ignored and Brushed Under the Carpet Among other reasons why elderly mental health care is required for seniors are disturbed sleep patterns as well as loss of appetite as well as mood swings. Unfortunately, elderly mental health care is a subject that is often ignored or brushed under the carpet because no one wants to deal with things such as mental illnesses though this ignorance or avoidance of providing suitable elderly mental health care can and does often lead seniors to commit suicide which is why specialized mental treatment is required for the elderly. Elderly mental health care today suffers

from many lacunae and among these lacunae is the fact the majority of elders suffering from mental ailments shirk from getting them treated. It is commonly found that such elders will suffer their condition in silence and are ready to put up with many discomforts rather than face the stigma of being known as being mentally disturbed. Even the society in which we live in today does not respect or show dignity to those that are unfortunate enough to suffer from mental diseases. In fact, many mental health professionals too are worried about the condition of the elderly that suffer from mental problems and these beliefs in such professionals actually impairs their abilities to provide suitable elderly mental health care. What’s more, the medical fraternity too sometimes trips over in the kind of elderly mental health care they provide and negligence on their part is another obstacle that the elderly have to contend with. In fact, often mental diseases are written off by professionals as being just a case of an aging indicator and nothing more serious. In today’s day and age a worrying aspect to dealing with elderly health care needs is the fact that the cause of death in the twentieth century is radically different

than what was common in the previous century. In the nineteenth century deaths were caused by acute as well as infectious ailments, though in these modern times the main killers are chronic as well as degenerative ailments of old age. If you love this article, you will also

love another article written by this article’s author on breathalyzer keychain and digital alcohol detector. Article Source: http://www.articlesphere. com/Article/Elderly-Mental-Health-CareIs-Serious-For-At-Least-Twenty-PercentOf-America-Grownups/226454

5 Ways to Promote Positive Mental Health By Adella Klein

ositive mental health is a great way to ensure you lead a long, happy and healthy life. Maintaining your mental health is easier than most people think and will have a significant impact on your everyday life. Would you like to have more energy? What about a good night sleep? How you would like to go an entire year without catching the flu once? Achieving a positive mental health state will not guarantee these things, but it sure will help. Here are the top 5 things you can do to help promote positive mental health in you and your children: 1. Eat Healthy. Eating fast food 3 times a week and downing a few cold ones before bed might be easier than making a home-cooked meal and more enjoyable than drinking a cold glass of water but it won’t do a whole lot for your health. Eating home-cooked foods (especially fruits and vegetables) and staying away from the fast food joints will help you achieve the healthy lifestyle you desire. 2. Drink Lots of Water. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, average individuals are expected to consume at least eight glasses of water a day. And while this seems like it may be a lot, it’s actually not. Eight glasses is almost equivalent to filling up your water bottle a few times between waking up and going to bed. Remember, if you work out, you will need to increase your water intake to compensate for the water you’re burning off while exercising. Drinking water will detoxify your body and restore it back to a healthy state ‘ especially after drinking coffee or alcoholic beverages.

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3. Kick the Bad Habits. We’ve already mentioned it a few times but eliminating significant alcohol intake will have positive results on your mental health. Likewise, kicking other bad habits like smoking and drinking considerable amounts of coffee will also help keep your mental health at its best. 4. De-Stress. Stress is one of the leading causes for poor mental health. When you’re stressed out, your body has to work harder to keep up and, overtime, it will take its toll on your body and your brain. Next time something stressful happens, try lighting some candles and taking a bath. If that doesn’t work for you, try letting off some steam by going to the gym or going for a run. Keeping a positive frame of mind will promote positive mental health and eliminate undue stress on your brain. 5. Book Regular Check-ups. Unfortunately, you can do all of the things listed above and still suffer from mental health problems. In fact, you might have a mental illness and not even know it. Make sure you’re mental health is in good condition by booking regular appointments with your doctor. He/she will be able to confirm whether you’re lifestyle is healthy or identify where you may need to make some changes. Adella Klein is dedicated to Healthy Living and wants to be the same. When she’s not speaking to adults and children in her community about the importance of positive Mental Health, she’s sharing her knowledge with the world by contributing to OneHealthyLifestyle.com Article Source: http://www.articlesphere. com/Article/5-Ways-to-Promote-PositiveMental-Health/164725

May 2013

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May 2013

Your Guide to Exercising in the Great Outdoors By Martyn Tomkins

any people who want to stay fit and to keep their bodies healthy choose to jog. If you are a morning person and you don’t have the time to go to a gym that might be the ideal way to keep yourself fit. And you don’t need much to do it, too. A water bottle, pair of shorts and you are good to go. Some like to listen to their Ipod while doing it. That’s an option you can consider. But make sure you choose a nice route. If you have a park nearby or maybe a forest or so it’s even better. You won’t get bored, because you can enjoy the nature while taking your run. Not all people who like to exercise outside prefer to jog. Many people find it boring and look for something else for keeping their figure. Many people prefer playing team sports: football, basketball, volleyball, polo, baseball and so on. The list is endless. And it’s fun, too. Whether you are a more competitive person, you like rough sports, or just want to get some laughs, there’s a sport for everyone to pick. Not only is it a great way to spend your spare time exercising, but playing a team sport also builds character. It teaches you

how to be a team player in life in general. If you don’ like jogging and sports is not your thing there are always other options for you if you want to mix nature with exercising. You can just walk your dog in the park, play Frisbee, ride your bike, roller skate, or just going with your friends for a walk in the park to play different games. Going outside and exercising doesn’t require much. If you say you don’t have the time, trust me, you can make the time and you will appreciate it. Depending on your activity of choice you need a minimum protection gear, maybe a bottle of water and a good company like your best friend, or even your pet. That’s all for spending a great time in the nature, a good way to stay healthy and fit and having fun in the process. The benefits of exercising outdoors are enormous considering the fact that it requires spending almost no money. So kids, if you are reading this, take a pause from the old computer and go outside, go in the park, enjoy nature and enjoy your free time with your friends. Find all you could need for exercising outdoors at DW Sports. Article Source: http://www.articlesphere. com/Article/Your-Guide-to-Exercising-inthe-Great-Outdoors/240952

Safe Technology Tips For Kids Taken from www.keepyourchildsafe.org

s technology continues to grow into a larger part of our children’s lives, pediatricians are seeing more and more young patients for repetitive stress injuries. Encountering these types of complications at such an early age in development can lead to much bigger problems down the road. Here are a few precautions for parents to take to ensure their kids computer or gaming habits don’t lead to health issues. Have Children take 10-15 minute breaks for every hour they are on the computer or playing video games. Spend that time stretching, running around, doing jumping jacks, or engaging in some other form of physical activity. Encourage correct posture with children by teaching them to sit up straight, with the T.V. or computer screen at eye level. Have children stretch their arms and fingers before starting. As with any physical exercise, problems occur when you just jump into it without warming up.

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Teach children proper typing techniques. Encourage this from a young age. Not only does it help avoid stress injuries, but it will be a skill they use the rest of their lives. Encourage children to use different hand positions on their controller when playing video games. While technology for kids isn’t going away, it should not replace traditional childhood play. Technology is an excellent additive to children’s lives only when used in moderation. If you’ve got a little technology junkie in your house, you’ll need to find ways to encourage him (or her) in other avenues of play. Make sure the ratio of technology time to play time is at least 50/50. If your child complains of hand, wrist, or neck pain, treat it seriously. The longer it is ignored, the worse it will get. If not addressed, the issue can lead to lasting disability. Child safety information by www. keepyourchildsafe.org. Visit our blog for the latest in child safety news and child health information.

May 2013

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May 2013

STD Facts and Figures:

Which are Most Common and Other Essential Statistics

By www.SixWise.com

exually transmitted diseases (STDs) are rarely talked about openly outside of health clinics and high school health classrooms, but they are all around us. Half of the 19 million new STDs contracted every year are among young people aged 15-24. Every year, 19 million people are infected with a sexually transmitted disease. Among them, half are young adults between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, many cases of STDs go undiagnosed, so it’s possible that the numbers are much higher. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that STDs like Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cost the United States nearly $15 billion every year in direct medical costs, the CDC states. Just How Common Are These Common STDs?

1 Chlamydia .

This is the most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States, according to the CDC. How many cases? There were 1,030,911 chlamydia diagnoses in 2006, up from 976,445 in 2005. However, most cases go undiagnosed, and it’s thought that there are nearly 3 million new cases of Chlamydia in the United States each year. Overall, the national rate of reported Chlamydia was 348 cases per 100,000 population in 2006, up 5.6 percent from 2005. It’s most common in young women, particularly African-Americans. Health Consequences: If left untreated, Chlamydia is dangerous for women, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Among men complications are not common, but can include pain, fever and, rarely, sterility. Though Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics, it often carries no symptoms.

2 Gonorrhea .

This is the second most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States. How many cases? According to the CDC, 358,366 new cases were reported in 2006. The gonorrhea rate in 2006 was 121 cases per 100,000 population, up 5.5 percent since 2005. However, it’s estimated that there are actually twice as many infections as are reported. Gonorrhea is most common in the South, although cases are also increasing in the West. Health consequences: Among women, untreated gonorrhea can cause of PID, which can lead to chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. In

men, untreated gonorrhea can cause epididymitis, a painful infection in the tissue surrounding the testicles that can result in infertility. Further, according to the CDC, studies suggest gonorrhea makes an individual three to five times more likely to acquire HIV if exposed.

3Syphilis How many cases? Syphilis cases

have been on the rise in the United States, increasing nearly 14 percent between 2005 and 2006. During this time the national rate went up from 2.9 to 3.3 cases per 100,000 population, and the number of cases increased from 8,724 to 9,756. Men are about six times as likely to acquire syphilis than women, an upward trend that is thought to be related to men having sex with men. From 2002 to 2006, syphilis rates among men rose 54 percent. Health consequences: Syphilis is easily treated in its early stages, but left untreated it can lead to brain, cardiovascular and organ damage, along with death. Syphilis also increases the likelihood of being infected with HIV, if exposed.

6Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, caused by a single-celled protozoan parasite, is the most common, curable STD in young sexually active women. How many cases? Over 7 million new cases occur each year, according to NPIN. Health consequences: Most men do not have symptoms. Women may experience a frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor, along with irritation and itching of the genital area.

B 7Hepatitis Hepatitis B can be caused by

sexual contact, sharing drugs or needles, needlesticks on the job or from a mother to her baby during birth. How many cases? There are about 200,000 new cases of hepatitis B in the United States each year. Of these, about half are transmitted through sexual intercourse, according to NPIN. Health consequences: The hepatitis B virus attacks your liver, causing cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death. than complete abstinence, you can Genital Herpes bestOther minimize your risk of STDs by being In the last decade, the rate of in a long-term, mutually monogamous genital herpes has decreased. How many cases? The CDC estimates that at least 45 million people over the age of 12 -- that’s one in five people -- have had genital herpes. Many people are not aware they have the infection. Health Consequences: Aside from recurring, painful genital sores, which can be especially severe in people with compromised immune systems, herpes tends to cause psychological distress because there is no cure. Herpes can also make you more susceptible to HIV infection, and make those infected with HIV more infectious.

5Genital Warts

Genital warts, which are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), is one of the most common STDs in the world. A controversial new vaccine, Gardasil, has recently been introduced to fight HPV. How many cases? Up to 24 million Americans are infected with HPV, according to the National Prevention Information Network (NPIN). In fact, according to NPIN, at least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. Rates of HPV appear to be increasing. Health consequences: Most commonly, HPV causes no symptoms. It can also result in genital warts and, less often, cervical and other genital cancers. Though there is no “cure” for HPV infection, most infections go away on their own.

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relationship with an uninfected partner. Simple Tips to Prevent STDs The most effective method of preventing STDs, of course, is to abstain from sexual intercourse (i.e., oral, vaginal, or anal sex). Next best is to be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner. If you are sexually active without a mutually monogamous, uninfected partner, NPIN recommends: Asking a new sex partner if he or she has an STD, has been exposed to one, or has any unexplained physical symptoms. Not having unprotected sex if your partner has signs or symptoms of STDs, such as sores, rashes, or discharge from the genital area. Being aware that if your partner has had sexual relations with someone else recently, he or she may have an STD, even if there are no symptoms. Using a new condom for each act of intercourse. Getting regular checkups for STDs (even if you show no symptoms), and being familiar with the common symptoms. Most STDs can be easily treated, NPIN points out, and the earlier treatment is given, the less chance the STD will cause serious damage.

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Osteoporosis And The Facts By Gill Webster

steoporosis is called the silent thief because you do not experience any symptoms, the first time you know about it is when a bone snaps unexpectedly. Osteoporosis means “porous bones” and it is a condition where the skeleton becomes very fragile and the bones break easily. Simple things can cause a bone to break, such as stepping off a curb, sneezing, being hugged or even bending down to pick something up. Breakages are mainly in the hips, spine and wrist and effects mainly women but men can have it as well. Nowadays you can be tested to see what your bone mass is like and because of more knowledge you can delay the onset of osteoporosis with diet and exercise earlier in your life. You might think that the skeleton does nothing else but holds you up but it is every bit as dynamic as other tissues, bone responds to the pull of muscles and gravity, repairs itself, and constantly renews itself. The skeleton also protects the internal organs, as well as allowing you to move about. After the age of 30, the bone starts to breakdown and outpaces formation. The

volume of the bone remains the same, but it’s density declines. Calcium intake is important to build bone but you also need vitamin D to help the body absorb the calcium. Vitamin D is produced by the skin in sunlight or can be found in many foods, such as in milk products and many breakfast cereals. It has also been found that Magnesium and Vitamin K can also assist in the reduction of bone loss. Vitamin K can be found in greens, whereas Magnesium is found in small quantities in a variety of foods, so eating a varied, healthy diet should provide what you require. A lifelong habit of weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or biking, will also help build and maintain strong bones. The greatest benefit as you grow older is that physical fitness reduces the risk of fracture, because it gives you better balance, muscle strength, and agility, making falls less likely. Exercise also provides many other lifeenhancing psychological and cardiovascular benefits. You don’t have to do too much, to get the most benefit from exercise. It is suggested that 30 minutes brisk walking five days a week is all you need. Add in a little weightlifting, and that’s even better. The reason behind this recommendation is

that the flexing of bones during exercise is thought to prompt the body to lay down more calcium in the bones. It’s always smart to ask your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you already have osteoporosis or other health problems. It is important to ensure that when exercising the body has enough nutrients to build muscle otherwise minerals could be leeched from the bone making the bone more susceptible to osteoporosis. It is therefore important that you do not exercise on an empty stomach.

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Osteoporosis is a problem that can affect anyone in their later years and you should do all that you can to keep your bones strong. Gill Webster is dedicated to helping women over 40 learn how to live a healthy beautiful life. To learn more, jump to www.feelinggreatafter40.com, sign up for her free newsletter on health and fitness. Signup is a simple sign and Gill guarantees a no-spam policy! Article Source: http://www.articlesphere. com/Article/Osteoporosis-And-TheFacts/24418

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The ‘Mommy Makeover’ Women Health And Beauty Is Not Just A Marketing Ploy

Go Hand In Hand By Dana Goldberg

I By Dr. Robert Kenevan

What is a

“Mommy Makeover?”

mommy makeover is aimed at women of child bearing age and focuses on the two body parts that are almost always affected by pregnancy and aging, the breasts and abdomen. Post baby bodies is another term for the “mommy makeover” and it often includes a breast augmentation (with or without a lift) and a tummy tuck. Recent studies, by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have pointed out the high number of women and “moms” who seek to reverse the impact of pregnancy and aging on their bodies. Pregnancy affects each woman differently, with age and genetics playing a role in how the body recovers or ages. With cosmetic surgery becoming a main stream phenomenon, women no longer have to accept their deflated or sagging breasts and lose or stretched skin from having their children like the generations of women before. One mother, who during her last pregnancy gained 55 pounds, was embarrassed about how she looked after the birth of her second child. She had stretched, loose skin on her stomach after the birth of her second child and even though she did a hundred sit-ups in the morning and 100 sit-ups each night, nothing would make her abdomen flat. Add the lost fullness and deflated appearance of her post baby breasts and she felt very frustrated. After 3 years of exercising without the results she wanted, she sought out to have her own “mommy makeover” of her post baby body. Now when she works out she can see the results of her hard work! Despite some claims that there are no

“intrinsic abnormality to the breasts or abdomen” the problem is that we did a survey of board certified cosmetic surgeons and their patients found that the majority of women seeking cosmetic surgery after pregnancy are in fact uncomfortable and embarrassed with their bodies and just want to feel “normal” again. What is the cost to them if they don’t do anything about how they feel? Twenty years ago, a woman did not think she could do something about it, and she covered up with discreet clothing. But now women don’t have to go on feeling self-conscious or resentful about their appearance. This is because 20 years ago cosmetic surgery was only for the rich and famous, considered vain and was not talked about. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) doctors nationwide performed over 325,000 “mommy makeover procedures” in 2006. This is up 11% from 2005. The majority of women do not view cosmetic surgery as the easy way out of exercising or going to the gym. In fact, many women have already spent months in the gym with a trainer before they even seek out the opinion of a board certified cosmetic surgeon. There are some things going to the gym just can’t fix. When it can be done safely, the “mommy makeover” of a post baby body offers many advantages. There is only one surgery, therefore one recovery period, which means less down time at home or away from work! Copyright (c) 2007 Dr. Robert Kenevan The Avalon Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery is located in Lakewood and Olympia, Washington. Each of our surgeons is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has over 20 years of experience. Patient safety and satisfaction is our #1 goal. Our art is to help patients’ look and feel their best. The Avalon Clinic wants you to know that It Is Possible! Contact us at www.avalonclinic.com or call 1-800-4084444! Article Source: http://www.articlesphere. com/Article/The--Mommy-Makeover--IsNot-Just-A-Marketing-Ploy/107242

f you want to be beautiful then you need to be healthy, it is as simple as that. Good health means eating right and getting plenty of sleep. It also means getting a good amount of exercise. Eating for beauty means getting a decent among of fiber in your diet each day. A good among of fiber is 25 grams of it, this is easy to have as part of your daily intake. You can eat a good fiber based cereal in the morning for a simple solution. Protein is another powerful tool to staying beautiful even as you age. For the best possible diet protein should make up at least 20 percent of all that you eat. The more protein that you eat the more energy you are going to have to get you through your day. This great food source is gong to keep you feeling and looking good in every way. Exercise is important because it will get the blood really flowing in your body. It is the blood that will bring the essential oxygen to the skin to keep it flushed and fresh looking. It will bring

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many other nutrients as well, ones that will keep the pesky wrinkles and creases at bay. Sleep is just as essential as any other part of your daily routine. Sleep is what is going to give you that extra boost every day. Sleep is when you let your batteries recharge. Your immune system and your cells will recharge like they need to while you sleep. If you have been eating right all of those great vitamins and minerals will really pay off while you sleep. In order to stay pretty and young you need to have a balances life with a good diet, plenty of sleep to rejuvenate your body, and as much exercise as possible. Between these three key things you will be looking good long into your life. Dana Goldberg is the owner of Web Women Net. Get information on women’s health issues, relationships, diet and fitness, parenting, work and more. Article Source: http://www. articlesphere.com/Article/WomenHealth-And-Beauty-Go-Hand-InHand/10433

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Acupuncture can be an Effective Alternative Treatment for Allergies By Jamie S Hanson

pring time for most people is a welcome transition from the chilly weather and when it comes, most people would enjoy the season to the fullest by doing everything they can under the sun such as taking a long walk while enjoying the warmth of the sunshine. However, as many would cherish the warmth of spring, others worry about the allergies that the same season entails. But today, with traditional Chinese medicine, many have found a safer alternative therapy against spring allergies, hence finding relief without the aid of chemical-based medications. More than just a complementary medication, the ancient art of acupuncture and ear candling can give instant relief without the side effects that come with synthetic drugs. What makes the healing art of acupuncture unique against the conventional treatments is that it has a holistic approach, which takes into consideration the interaction between the body and the mind. Furthermore, holistic in the sense that one treatment does not focus mainly on the part of the body that feels the pain but rather it helps

the entire body to get revitalized and heal the natural way. Acupuncture deals with the stimulation of the body’s acupuncture points that are associated with the body’s vital organs. The acupuncture points are located along the meridians or the pathways where the vital energy flows. Acupuncturists put more focus on the energy flow of the body, which is also known as Qi. Through acupuncture, any imbalance such as an occurrence of an allergy will be restored back to perfect health and the entire back into a state of harmony. While the entire treatment process helps rejuvenate the body back to normal state, the acupuncture treatment likewise

increases the production of the serum ACTH in the body. ACTH is the main modulator of cortisol, which is a necessary hormone that helps control the body’s reaction to inflammation, thus making the treatment effective against allergy-induced headaches, sinus, and itchy, dry and watery eyes. However, just like other medications, acupuncture is not a cure-all treatment and neither is it a miracle cure but majority who have tried acupuncture can readily assess that the treatment made them feel better. Aside from acupuncture, another therapy imparted by traditional Chinese medicine against allergies is the art of ear candling, which originated around over 3,000 years ago.

The Asian Ear candling has been proven effective in treating various ailments such as migraines, tinnitus, vertigo, and temporomandibular joint disorders, as well as seasonal allergies. Ear candling uses a hollow candle that is placed in the ear canal, while the other end is being lighted. The ear candling process creates a low-level vacuum that tends to pull all debris out of the ear. Ear candling prevents the allergens from accumulating in the body. Now that you know about these two forms of ancient healing that can help revitalize your body the natural way, there’s no stopping you now to enjoy the spring season at its best. Bid goodbye to allergies the natural way and enjoy the seasons to the fullest. Chinese medicine has a long history of healing. Find Acupuncture Infertility New York treatments at the renowned Best Acupuncture NY center located right in Manhattan. Article Source: http://www.articlesphere. com/Article/Acupuncture-can-be-anEffective-Alternative-Treatment-forAllergies/231574

Ten Tips for having a Smart Marriage from the Smart Marriages Conferences By Diane Sollee

Marriage matters. Married people & their kids do better on all measures of health, wealth, happiness, & success. And, married folks report having more & better sex than single or divorced people. 2. It’s not the differences but how we handle them that separate successful marriages from the failures. Disagreeing doesn’t predict divorce. Stonewalling, avoidance, contempt, criticism, and the silent treatment predict divorce. Learn how to disagree in ways that help you fall more in love. 3. All happily married couples have approximately ten irreconcilable differences - ten issues they will never resolve. If we switch partners, we just get ten new issues that are likely to be even more annoying and complicated. Sadly, if there are children from an earlier marriage or relationship, disagreements about them go to the top of the list. What’s important is to discuss our own set of issues just as we would discuss how to manage living with a chronic bad back or trick knee. We wish they weren’t there, but what’s important is to keep talking about how to manage them and still do the marriage “dance”. 4. Love is not an absolute (a yes or no situation) and it’s not limited substance. It’s a feeling and feelings ebb and flow

depending on how we treat each other. We can learn new ways to interact and the feelings “of being in love” can come flowing back, often stronger than before. 5. Marital satisfaction often dips with the birth of a baby. That’s normal. Marital satisfaction is at its lowest when there are kids in the house between 11 and 16. That’s normal. We need to know what to expect, appreciate our parenting partner – and hang in. It makes good sense to stay married for the sake of the kids - and for our own sake. Even with the challenges, it’s a lot easier to be a parenting team than to be a single, divorced, or remarried parent. Plus there is a silver lining: satisfaction goes back up with the empty nest. The final stage of marriage – with a job well done – is the real honeymoon period. 6. Sex ebbs and flows. It comes and goes. That’s normal. Plan for & make time for more “flows”. 7. Creating good marital sex is not about putting the sizzle BACK INTO your sex life. Early marital sex is sex between strangers – we don’t yet know our partner or ourselves. The most passionate sex is intimate sex based on knowing our partner and letting them know us. One of the most important tasks of marriage is to develop a satisfying marital sex style. It’s not about going BACK; it’s about going FORWARD, together. 8. Repair attempts are crucial and are

highly predictive of marital happiness. They can be clumsy or funny, even sarcastic, but the willingness to make up after an argument, is central to every happy marriage. 9. Learn to welcome, embrace and integrate change – to discuss and update your wishes, hopes & dreams – on a regular basis. We often “interview” each other before marriage and then think “that’s it.” The marriage vow is a promise to stay married, not to stay the same. (Thank goodness!) Keep up-to-date with changes in your partner. Don’t fear changes, celebrate them! 10. Try several different marriage education courses. Become informed consumers – rate the courses, discuss what you liked best – which ideas were

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most helpful. Decide which courses to recommend to your kids, friends and family – which to give as wedding, anniversary and new baby gifts. The courses don’t tell you what kind of marriage to have. That’s up to you. They give you the tools – the hammers, screwdrivers, and levels – so you can build the kind of marriage that suits you, one which can help you to negotiate, and renegotiate, your own values, meaning, and goals. Find a class at http://www. smartmarriages.com/directory_browse. html Strengthen your own marriage and/or learn how to become a Marriage Educator and teach the courses in your community. Diane Sollee, founder director, www. SmartMarriages.com® Copyright® CMFCE

May 2013

Sisters Network Inc. 4th Annual National

African American Breast

Cancer 5k Walk/Run

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