d-mars.com Health & Wellness 10

Health & Wellness Journal Health

|

Medical

|

Wellness

|

research

|

fitness

|

Lifestyle

10

Inspire, Inform & Educate

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Edition

Healthy Habits, Healthy Family

INSIDE

Help, I’m Too Stressed to Stop Smoking!

Are you still smoking? Do you know why you smoke? I’m sure you’ve been smoking so long you have forgotten how you started.

PAGE 13

How Do You Keep Your Family Healthy?

We pick the recipes, go to the grocery store, give our kids snacks, and choose what activities we will do together.

PAGE 9

National Center for Phlebotomy, A Place Where Career’s Begin

Muppet Meals For The Family

“The Only Thing In Life Achieved Without Effort is Failure.” Aurthor Unknown

Apples and Peanut Butter are a classic snack, and an unexpected treat when the apple looks like everyone’s favorite frog!

PAGE 4

PAGE 7

How to Convert a Picky Eater: Teach Healthy Eating Habits It is not uncommon in any family to have one or more children be picky about the foods they eat. We’re certain some of you have often wondered how your child is able to survive on Mac and Cheese.

PAGE 15

Gulf Coast Hospice Alethea Nelson RN

Excel Pharmacy Victoria Metu

Family Fun From A “Good Ole Days” Perspective Family was the core of our existence fifty years ago.

PAGE 19

2.

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Behind The

Journal

Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT Keith J. Davis, Sr.

VICE PRESIDENT

This month’s theme is “Healthy Habits, Healthy Families.” From the White House to the schoolhouse, we are concerned about mental and physical health issues that affect African American families. In this issue our motto is the family that plays together, stays together. We would like to encourage you to spend more quality time with your family, creating memories that will strengthen our struggle to keep it together.

As always, 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.

Kevin Davis

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CEO Stephanie Myers

EDITING CONSULTANT Sharon Jenkins

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

CONTENTS National Center for Phlebotomy, A Place Where Career’s Begin................. 4 Muppet Meals For The Family…………...................................…….….........6 Barbara “BJ” Brown :Ardyss’ Queen of Perseverance.................................9

Dwight Jones Mike Jones Pastor Freddie Davis Dakarai Sultan C.T. Foster

PHOTOGRAPHY

Truly Healthy Teamwork!.................................................……….................10

Grady Carter Tony Gains L.C. Poullard

Taking Traveling Precautions with (DVT)......................................................11

MARKETING CONSULTANT

Help, I’m Too Stressed to Stop Smoking!.......………………….….....….....13

Johnny Ray Davis, Jr.

Childhood Obesity : An Epidemic That’s Growing Up Fast...................…..14

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

Replacing Recess When Schools Cut Back...............................................10

How Do You Keep Your Family Healthy?....................................................15 How to Convert a Picky Eater:Teach Healthy Eating Habits........………...15 Food Safety:Keep Your Family Healthy.....………..........................…........16 Three Benefits of Eating Organic Food.......................................................16 Parenting After Weinergate:Talking To Your Teens About Lying................17 Healthy Family Habits.................................................................................19 Family Fun From A “Good Ole Days” Perspective.....................................19 Free Amplified Phones:For Texans with Hearing Loss...............................21 Self Help Alternatives: For Dealing with Anxiety........................................ 22 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)....................22 Guide to Step-parenting and Blended Families..........................................24 Take More Control of Health-Care Expenses.............................................26 Black Inventors..........................................................................................27

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “Govern a family as you would cook a small fish - very gently.”

- Chinese Proverb

D-MARS.com Business Journal 7322 Southwest Fwy, Suite 805 Houston, Texas 77074 713-272-9511 . Phone 713-272-6364 . Fax 1-800-453-8752 . Toll Free www.d-mars.com

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Michael J. Martinez* Ghuzzala Malik (Faith) DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Tamyra Comeaux Sharon Jenkins Richard Rees, D.P.M., P.A. Brad Brumback Gail Mathis Shareefah Muhammad Brandon Herndon Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade Glen D. Braunstein, MD Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers Rosemary Lichtman Gina Kemp, M.A. Devang Kakkad

3.

4.

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

National Center for Phlebotomy, A Place Where Career’s Begin

By Sharon C. Jenkins

Hurricane Katrina brought Alicia Gaten Johnson to Houston, but she was on her way here anyway.

She would always tell her stepmother that she was moving, she just didn’t know where. After the storm, she returned to her beloved New Orleans and found the only thing that did not perish in the storm was her Bible and the business plan for her dream company. Mrs. Johnson brought her dream and her faith with her to Houston. God gave her the vision for this business and one of her students confirmed it with a dream. The student told her that she saw her in a house full of Sharps Disposal containers. Convinced that she had heard from God, she took the first step by attending Tulane University and majoring in Entrepreneurship. She

also completed her business plan as an act of faith.

The pathway to Professional Medical Training Services, which is now called the National Center for Phlebotomy, was full of challenges. Moving to Houston after Katrina was one of those challenges. She was able to maintain her position at Remington College as an instructor after relocating.

On the way to owning her own training center, she worked for several proprietary schools, such as Corinthian, Everest, and Westwood College over the last fifteen years.

On the way to entrepreneurship, Mrs. Johnson had the unfortunate event of losing her oldest daughter in a senseless neighborhood shooting. Her daughter was 22 at the time. She relocated back to New Orleans because she was homesick for her families and friends. Because of her daughter’s untimely death, she received $5000 from the State of Louisiana.

She used a partial amount of that money to start her business. In that same year she lost her grandmother and the father of her children. Life was rough but she pushed on towards her dream.

In the initial solicitation for students, she had over 200 calls in regards to the training.

She taught her first class at the La Quinta Inn on Harwin. Her husband, who has become her business partner, believed

in her dream before it even materialized. He has been a constant support during it all.

They tried to acquire financing for their start-up, but were turned down every time.

They later moved to an office on Bissonnett and were evicted as a result of financial difficulties as a result of waiting for a contract to be awarded. The landlord choose to evict them on the day they had one of

their largest enrollments in one of their sessions. The locks on the door were changed and they were alerted by one of the maintenance men who had befriended her husband. When they arrived for class that morning, they expected the door to be locked and students to be standing outside in the hallway. Surprising enough the door was opened and the students were waiting inside. No one knew who did it or how it

was opened. They were able to teach the class there that day and moved the class to the La Quinta the next day. Now they are located in Arena Towers on the fifth floor with a sensational view and they are independently financing their vision.

Her mission is to help students by providing a cost effective, timely education that will equip students to be employed by local healthcare professionals

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

sa Jimenez, a single mom of three, who was working at night at Wal-Mart, running her children to daycare the next morning and then attending classes’, raves about the training that she received from the National Center for Phlebotomy. She receives no child support, so she is the sole provider for her children. This training and the clinical associated with the class have afforded her an opportunity to get a job where she can make up to $18.00 an hour. She is currently looking for employment and NCP has given her the tools that she needs to find that job that will help her take care of her family. All because a woman decided to be obedient and do what and child care providers. In 2003 her initial focus was on CPR, First Aid, and health and safety training. In 2011 their name was changed to the National Center for Phlebotomy (NCP) to better serve their clients and meet the competitive requirements to offer national certification to their clients.

Now they are offering a 2-Day Phlebotomy Training Certification that starts on a Friday

and ends on a Saturday. These classes are mobile and are offered in Houston, New Orleans and Atlanta.

Mrs. Johnson currently has certification with the Texas Workforce Commission and works with San Jacinto’s College’s central campus in providing training to its students. They have serviced over 50 students.

One of these students, Melis-

she felt God was leading her to do. When asked who deserves the credit she says, “Jesus is responsible.”

Call for dates and fees: 713.981.1100 or email: info@promedseminars.org

“

Nothing in the world can

take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures.

Persistence and determination

”

alone are omnipotent.

Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933)

5.

6.

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Muppet Meals For The Family Healthy Fun Food Animal’s Punk Pink Pasta Beets are the secret to this tasty dish -- they give the pasta a subtly sweet and nutty flavor and an electric pink color.

This dish is perfect for getting picky kids to eat their veggies, and Animal is sure to approve!

11. Lay Italian parsley on top of the pink pasta, as eyebrows.

You’ll need: For beet sauce: * 2 medium beets, peeled and quartered * 1/2 of a small yellow onion, thinly sliced * 1 tablespoon olive oil * 1/4 teaspoon salt * 2 tablespoons Ricotta cheese

13. Use a cherry tomato for Animal’s nose and a sliced yellow pepper for his mouth.

For Animal: * Cooked spaghetti * Puréed beet sauce (see recipe above) * Cherry tomato * Mozzarella cheese * Yellow pepper * Italian parsley * Pitted black olives

12. Place mozzarella eyes topped with black olive pupils on top of the eyebrows.

14. The mozzarella teeth should be placed above the yellow pepper mouth.

Animal ’s Punk Pink Pasta

Instructions: 1. Peel and quarter the beets. To keep the dye from staining fingers, peel beets under cold running water.

2. Place peeled, quartered beets in a medium saucepan filled with cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer until tender, approximately 15 - 20 minutes.

3. While the beets cook, heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium–low heat. Add the thinly sliced onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Sauté the onions until they are soft and lightly golden, approximately 10 minutes.

4. Strain the beets and let cool.

5. Purée cooled, cooked beets and sautéed onions in a food processor with 2 tablespoons of Ricotta cheese.

6. Add salt and pepper to taste.

7. Cook and drain spaghetti.

8. Place cooked spaghetti in a sauté pan with beet sauce. Cook, stirring constantly over low heat until the sauce is heated through and pasta is coated in sauce.

9. Place the pasta in the center of the plate.

10. Cut mozzarella 1/2” thick and then cut two oval shapes for eyes. Trim the scraps of cheese into tiny teeth.

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Kermit’s Green Apples with Peanut Butter Dip Apples and peanut butter are a classic snack, and an unexpected treat when the apple looks like everyone’s favorite frog. Kermit comes alive when you carve a green apple to look like the world famous frog and you add marshmallow eyes and a red apple slice for his mouth.

Serve the apple with a tasty peanut butter dip.

You’ll need: For Kermit: * 1 green apple * 1 red apple * 1 marshmallow * Black edible marker * Sharp paring knife

Kermits Green Apples with Peanut But ter

For peanut butter dip: * 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter * 1/2 cup marshmallow fluff * 2 teaspoons lemon juice Instructions:

1. Slice a green apple in half, from the stem to the end.

2. Place half of the apple on your plate and reserve the other half.

3. Trim two diagonal slices from the tapered end of the apple, making one end of the apple narrower.

4. Use a sharp knife to carve a half moon-shaped smile into the center of the apple.

5. Trim a slice of red apple into a matching half moon shape. Cut away most of the white of the red apple slice so that the skin is easy to bend.

6. You will need to press the red apple slice into the opening in the green apple. Trim the skin until it fits snugly.

7. Cut a marshmallow into 4 quarters. You will use two of the half circles for Kermit’s eyes.

8. Use the black edible marker to draw on pupils.

9. Press Kermit’s eyes onto the apple. The sticky marshmallow acts like glue, holding the eyes in place.

10. Take your reserved green apple and trim a few triangle shapes. Place these around Kermit’s neck, as his ruffle.

11. Mix the peanut butter and marshmallow fluff in a small bowl.

12. Add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. The lemon juice will help loosen up the peanut butter and marshmallow, giving it a creamy consistency. It will also balance the sweetness of the marshmallow.

Serve with sliced apples.

7.

8.

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Barbara “BJ” Brown :

By Gail Mathis

Barbara “BJ” Brown was a single mother trying to raise her two girls in a world that wasn’t always kind, but the motivation of a loving mother kept her pushing for greatness. She tried several MLM’s before happening upon Ardyss. Barbara had a video business that required her to work daily with blushing brides.

On that special day it’s extremely important for all brides to look their best. When Barbara got into the business, she was able

to bring an added benefit to her services. No longer did women have to go on starvation diets in order to look good in their wedding gowns. She was able to introduce them to Ardyss’ Body Magic and in less than ten minutes they were two sizes smaller.

She said: “When I saw what I really had it came in the form of a client in my building.” There was a doctor in her building who was getting married. She told her to try the garment on for her fitting, she borrowed the garment, she was supposed to return the garment, but Barbara had to go get her garment back because the client did not want to return it. She called her back a week later to invite her to her house, when Barbara arrived, she had eight bridesmaids and she wanted all of them to wear the garments.

Three years ago some friends shared this opportunity with her

9.

Ardyss’ Queen o f Pe r s e v e r a n c e

because she was part owner of a photographer and video studio.

Her business is a seasonal business from April to September of each year she was busy doing weddings, graduations and anniversaries. If she did not save adequately during these months for her down time, she would be struggling in between. So ultimately she had to come up with a Plan “B” and Ardyss qualified.

Barbara was stressed out after the death of her father and she began to experience high blood pressure. She began to hear other people testify about how after taking LeVive their blood pressure went back to normal. She did likewise and went back to doctor six months later and the doctor was amazed at how her blood pressure had improved.

She confessed to her doctor that she had not taken her medication in four months. (She is not recommending this to our readers.)

She gave her a complementary bottle and two days later the doctor called to order more. Her 86 year old mother tried it because of insomnia, and is hooked. She can now walk without her cane.

She is a living testimony of how she is “a product of the product.” She was wearing a size 22, three years ago. After using Ardyss’ weight loss regiment and wearing her garment on a regular basis, she is a svelte size 14. At the young age of 62, she is passing for a vivacious 39 year old as a result. Barbara’s routine is to take a Nutri Shake and Cran Aloe twice a day as a lunch and dinner supplement. In less than a month she went down a dress size. As her dress size was decreasing, her income was increasing.

Barbara attributes her success to having a dynamite team and the sacrifices her daughters made to support her as she was climb-

ing the Ardyss ladder of success. If you can say Mercedes Benz, you can say Barbara “BJ” Brown. In July she received the keys to a brand new car. She earned this for her dedication to the health and wealth of others and through perseverance. Like Edison with the light bulb, she did not quit until she reached the highest pinnacle of success in the Ardyss business. Now Barbara can leave much more to her daughters than an empty bank account. She can leave them a financial legacy and it’s all because of Ardyss International.

For More Information Contact: Gail Mathis 832.294.9262 healthywealthysolutions.com *TESTIMONIAL DISCLAIMER: The Distributor testimonials in this article apply only to the individuals depicted, cannot be guaranteed, and should not be considered typical. *INCOME DISCLAIMER: These are examples of incomes earned by some of the most successful Distributors of Ardyss products. These claims are atypical and are not a guarantee of your income, nor typical of average income. In fact, some Distributors may make NO MONEY AT ALL. Results vary and depend on sales volume and ability to sell Ardyss products directly to others. **DSEA DISCLAIMER:The FDA has not evaluated these claims; Ardyss products are not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

10. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Replacing Recess When Schools Cut Back Parents can play a role in helping children maintain healthy lifestyles as physical education programs are cut.

As more and more schools cut back and eliminate recess as they turn their focus to standardized testing, parents must find a way to decrease the risk of obesity and the resulting health and emotional problems in their children.

Sheila Horne, who opened Great Play in Johns Creek this spring, says that classes at the children’s gym can help instill confidence in kids by teaching them the basics of many physical activities.

But she also says that parents can take steps at home to encourage active lifestyles.

“I suggest that parents help their children find a physical activity that they like and en-

set up speakers and make the kids feel like professional athletes as they play floor hockey or basketball, complete aerobic activities, or work up a sweat dancing around.

Sign up for a sports league or gym class: Numerous studies show that kids can benefit immensely from participating in organized sports. Make sure you choose a team or league that encourages active participation and your child is not just watching other kids and waiting for his or her turn. joy,” Horne advises. She adds that while time spent with electronics such as video games and computers should be limited, it shouldn’t be eliminated.

“My advice is not to take away the computer, but to place time limits on it,” she said. “Use it

as a reward – they have to get their homework done and their grades up first.”

More tips from Hoe and the Great Play franchise include: Turn your basement into an interactive arena: Clear out a safe space in your home,

Use positive peer pressure: Kids tend to be more active when with peers or friends, so give your child the opportunity to get together with other children. Invite a friend over or organize a neighborhood game.

Stay fit as a family: Turn your regular workout into quality time with your kids. Set aside time to hike, bicycle or even walk the dog together. Kids will copy what you do, so help them develop healthy habits by setting an example.

Turn off the TV: Set limits on screen time. It’s tempting to sit the kids in front of the tube to keep them occupied, but if they know television is not an option until later in the evening, they are more likely to engage in healthier activities.

Truly Healthy Teamwork!

By Shareefah Muhammad are not the best way to make our families healthy and actually contributes too many of the current epidemics we see rising rapidly on the horizon such as childhood obesity.

So, how do we keep our families in the category of staying healthy?

In today’s fast paced society, eating healthy meals in a household seems like a mission impossible task! It is so much easier to take a frozen meal out the freezer, pop it into the microwave or oven and place it on the dinner table with the thought of a nutritious meal being served.

Contrary to popular belief, such methods of food preparation

Well first it starts with teamwork in choosing better foods that will make us live happier and healthier lives! And most importantly the best foods are the ones we prepare at home.

Here are a few habits we can pick up to make the above a reality.

Start the family off with a breakfast that will fulfill the true nutritional needs of the body so that a better opportunity for wiser food selections will be made later on in the day. For example, sugar coated cereal and instant breakfast foods are not the best way to start the day, especially now with high

fructose corn syrup dominating the sugar content of most foods which contributes to obesity, diabetes and other ailments. Home cooked breakfast such as oatmeal with raw sugar or other unprocessed natural sweeteners, fruits, and other natural delights will help fuel your family and keep the digestive process moving along regularly. Processed sugars only burn quickly and leave you wondering where your next fill up is going to be in the next hour or so. Another way to cut those processed sugars out for the family is to replace fruit drinks, sodas and other artificial beverages with 100% juices.

Exercise that body, mind and soul! Just 20 minutes a day with the family could become the most stimulating part of the day! In my household, my daughter and I like to dance so we pop in instructional videos on some days and on others change it up with jump roping, racing and other activities

that may not appear to be exercise but accomplishes that goal and gives us quality time together as well. So pull out that Wii and go for it!

Prepare dinner together as a family. Despite the feeling that there are no such luxuries, 59% of families report eating dinner together at least five times a week- an increase from only 47% in 1998, according to the Importance of Family Dinner IV, a report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. This goes back to home cooked meals. Prepare the meals together as a family. This helps to instill core values and bonding between parents and children. And it also presents itself as a teachable moment. The best foods for our health come from our kitchens because we know exactly what we are preparing and what is going into our bodies. During this time of food

preparation, the benefits and detriments of foods can be discussed along with other topics.

Most importantly, the culminating event of eating the dinner together brings the family closer by opening up the atmosphere for communication; this is where the true board meeting of the household takes place! They say it takes 30 days to break an old habit and take on a new one. Let’s accept the challenge to make ourselves and our families healthier for the long run.

(Shareefah Muhammad is a student of health and wellness with a background in biochemistry and biophysics. She is currently studying wholistic health with a specific focus on naturopathic medicine. Her goal is to assist in whatever manner she can to help others live and sustain healthy and productive lives. You can find Shareefah Muhammad on twitter:

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

11.

Taking Traveling Precautions with (DVT) Deep Vein Thrombosis

By Richard Rees, D.P.M, P.A. Are you planning to travel this summer? If you’ll be spending long periods of time sitting still (either in your car or on an airplane) you may want to take heed of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). What is DVT? It can be painful and dangerous if you don’t know what it is and how to identify it while you’re travelling.

brain, heart, or lungs and cause severe damage.

DVT can affect anyone but is most prevalent in adults over 60 years of age. DVT mainly affects the larger veins in the lower legs and thighs. A blood clot can develop and block blood flow, causing pain and swelling.

A blood clot that breaks free and moves through the bloodstream is called an embolism.

An embolism can lodge in the

•Giving birth within the last 6 months;

prevent DVT. You can do ankle circles, knee bends, and thigh lifts right in your seat. It’s also important to get up and move during plane travel. If you are travelling by car, stop periodically and walk for a few minutes.

By moving around, you decrease your risk of DVT significantly.

Clinical evidence suggests that wearing compression socks or tights while travelling reduces the incidence of DVT on long flights, especially if you have any of the risk factors identified above. These products help improve circulation, which can be particularly important to decrease the risk of DVT.

The risk factors for DVT and blood clots include:

•Long periods of bed rest; •Cigarette smoking; •Fractures in the pelvis or legs;

•Heart failure; •Medications such as estrogen and birth control pills; •Obesity; •Recent surgery.

There are ways to avoid DVT if you happen to have any of these risk factors. First and foremost, moving your legs often during

long plane trips, car trips, and other situations in which you are sitting or lying down for long periods of time can help

12. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

editorial

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

13.

Help, I’m Too Stressed to Stop Smoking!

By Dr. Tamyra Comeaux Are you still smoking? Do you know why you smoke? I’m sure you’ve been smoking so long that you forgot when and why you started smoking. When asked, most people can’t even recall when they took their first puff or what lead them to become dependent on the drag of the cigarette. If you ask your-

self daily; why am I still smoking and why can’t I quit, the answer is simple. You have not quit because you have not been honest with yourself and identified the reason why you smoke. Communication is not only important when interacting with others, but we should also honestly and effectively communicate with ourselves in order to identify what has triggered your smoking addiction.

Let’s be clear that smoking is in fact an addiction. The addictive ingredient in cigarettes is Nicotine. Nicotine is what makes you get up in the middle of the night to puff on a cigarette or to stand out in the freezing cold just to take a slow drag. I bet you didn’t know that Nicotine is also and appetite suppressant. Some of you have tried to quit smoking, but you gained weight so you threw away your cigarette sobriety and lit up again. Don’t worry, you probably weren’t aware that cigarettes serve as an appetite suppressant.

Are you afraid to stop smoking for fear of gaining weight?

Maqui/Resveratrol/Acai Ultimate is an excellent source for smoker who fear weight gain during the cessation process.

Maqu/Resveratol/Acai Ultimate can also be used as weight control for smokers.This is a sup-

plement that contains Maqui and Acai, which reportedly have weight control properties. Many smokers fear weight gain with quitting. For smokers, those taking the Acai juice or supplements can begin to repair the damage that has been done to the body through years of nicotine ingesting. Although the body will never be in the state of a nonsmoker, it can begin to improve appearance and smoking has been known to be one of the culprits of premature aging; Acai berries have the ability to combat premature aging.

Do you smoke because you are stressed?

Stress leads to a plethora of more serious ailments such as; heart attack and stroke. When we are overloaded with work, home, school, pending deadlines, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life this can cause stress to the nervous system, stress on the brain and mental capacity, stress on the emotions, stress on the adrenals or any other organ in the body. Instead of going to the gym or just getting some much

needed rest and relaxation, you grab the old faithful, your pack of cigarettes to soothe your trouble. An alternative to using smoking as a way of coping with stress is to try a more holistic and natural approach.

Herbs, vitamins, and minerals have been used for years to calm the body and bring it back into balance. Herbalith is an herbal supplement compiled of ten active ingredients that aide in helping your body recharge naturally without harsh chemicals and other foreign substances. One of the key ingredients in Herbalith is Damiana. Damiana is a native shrub of Central and South America. It is well known for its treatment in mild depression and anxiety. It can treat emotional and physical distress in people. It enhances hormonal production, both in men and women and acts as aphrodisiac. Damiana acts as nerve tonic, to relieve your stress.

Herbalith can be used to aide in managing other conditions such as; ADHD, Anxiety, Migraine, Insomnia, Headache, Depression, Mood Swings, Chemical Dependency, Mania, Bi-Polar, Fibromyalgia, and Brain Aging.

Smoking is destroying your health!

There is a preponderance of evidence that shows a causal association between cigarette smoking and increased risk of developing certain diseases. The diseases most clearly associated with cigarette smoking are: [1] cardiovascular disease; [2] chronic emphysema; and [3] lung cancer. Clearly, the best strategy to prevent smoking-related diseases is to quit smoking. However, the success of smoking cessation programs is notoriously poor, even in those who are highly motivated to stop smoking. Consequently, I believe that we need to explore other ways to minimize smoking-related damage and diseases. Octovite is a safe herbal supplement to consider for smoker health enhancement.

The ingredients in Octovite are good for allergy support, eye health, memory support, and also for health support for smokers! Specifically, alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) supplements in the dose range of 400 to 800 iu per day have generally been found to be beneficial (although doses up to 3,200 iu per day have been reported to be safe).

Herbs, vitamins, and minerals have been used for years to calm the body and bring it back into

balance. Take care of your temple as God intended making a conscious effort to quit smoking today.

Quitting smoking can be a difficult if you don’t have the proper information and support. For more information on how you can effectively manage and alleviate stress through herbal supplements please contact us today. Our specialties include Wellness Counseling, Weight loss Counseling, Vitamin Intake counseling, and Holistic Medicine.

Tamyra Comeaux, MD 11811 FM 1960 Suite 104 Houston, TX 77065 Phone: 832 237 4200 Web: naturalwomenscare.com Blog: www.naturalwomenscare. blogspot.com Twitter:twitter.com/vitadoc2 Join me on Facebook at “Natural Womens Care”

14. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Childhood Obesity :

By Glenn D. Braunstein, MD

Of the many statistics about childhood obesity, one in particular highlights the urgency of the problem: One of every three children in America is now considered overweight or obese, and childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. How did we get to this place? And even more important, how do we stop the growth of this epidemic?

Being obese or overweight is determined by a percentile measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI), which uses height and weight to determine if a person is normal, underweight, overweight or obese. The BMI is an indirect estimate of body fat that is valid for most individuals.

Since children grow in height as well as weight, the standards for children need to be matched for age and sex. A BMI-for-age of 30 places a child in the 95th percentile, the determining number for obesity. A BMI-for-age of 25, or at the 85th percentile, is considered overweight.

A child who qualifies for the 95th percentile is advised to have an in-depth medical assessment since this amount of body fat is also associated with high blood pressure, elevated levels of lipids (fats) in the blood and an increased potential for obesity-related diseases that include type-2 diabetes, asthma, hypertension, high cholesterol, liver and gall bladder disease, bone and joint problems, and sleep apnea. It is also linked to a range of social and psychological issues including poor self-esteem, depression, withdrawal and poor peer relationships.

But as complex as the causes of childhood obesity are, the baseline equation is simple: Too few calories are being burned for the amount of calories being consumed. What’s complicated is that this calculation is mediated by a host of behavioral, environmental and genetic factors.

Heredity Heredity contributes a risk factor of 5 to 40 percent for obesity, and studies indicate that 50 to 70

percent of a person’s BMI is determined by genetic influences.

If both parents are overweight, the children have a 75 percent chance of being obese. If one parent is obese, the probability is 25 to 50 percent. But while the connection between genetics and obesity has been established, the problem is usually caused by multiple genes interacting with environmental and behavioral factors. Given that the genetic characteristics of a population change slowly, the rapid weight increases in America show that skyrocketing obesity rates are probably due to behavioral and environmental factors combining with genetic factors, rather than genetic predisposition alone. The upside is that making some basic changes in lifestyle and nutrition can make a big difference.

TV Time One of the biggest culprits is a sedentary lifestyle dominated by TV watching, computer activities and video games. It’s estimated that American kids are spending 25 percent of their day watching television, and that those who log the most TV hours have the highest rate of obesity. First, because they’re not burning enough calories, and second because they’re usually eating unhealthy snacks while they’re watching.

What they’re watching is also a factor. A March 2007 study found that kids age 2 to 7 see an average of 12 food ads every day, while kids age 8 to 12 see 21 ads, and teens view up to 17 food ads daily. As Dr. Margo Wootan of the Center for Science in the Public Interest says, “If companies were marketing bananas and broccoli, we wouldn’t be concerned, but ... most marketing is for sugary cereals, fast food, snack foods and candy.” A 2006 study showed that for each additional hour of television viewing, kids consumed 167 extra calories. So it’s obvious that limiting TV time is one of the best health care decisions you can make for your family.

A n E p i d e m i c T h a t ’s G r o w i n g U p Fa s t

Nutrition A healthy focus on nutrition can’t be underestimated. Hectic schedules, both for kids and parents, have resulted in a decline in breakfasts and an increase in dinners outside the home. Use of fast food restaurants with their high calorie, high salt and high fat and carbohydrate entrees, along with their super-sized, sugary soft drinks, is a big contributor to our current obesity epidemic, especially among the lower socioeconomic groups.

Supervising mealtimes will help you control what your kids eat and create an opportunity to offer encouragement.

It’s also important to cut down on the snacking, as well as on processed, pre-prepared food.

Making healthy foods easily accessible is key, so have fresh fruit washed and ready to eat in a big bowl where everyone can reach it. Same with washed and cut vegetables and low-calorie dip. What you eat is important, too, because kids develop pref-

erences based on foods their parents eat.

Sleep As discussed in last week’s blog on sleep, shortened duration of sleep is associated with weight gain and obesity. So making sure that your child avoids sleep deprivation is an important step in combating overweight and obesity.

At Home For parents, be a role model, not a nag. Eat healthy yourself and get lots of exercise. The family will follow your lead, especially if you turn exercise like bike riding and rollerblading into family outings. (Not hang gliding, though.)

Introduce healthy changes gradually. Go from serving whole milk to two percent, and then to skim milk. Keep portion sizes moderate, eat from smaller plates and skip seconds. Instead of frying, better to grill, steam or bake. And try to establish a regular eating schedule for the whole family.

Out and About Walk instead of drive whenever you can and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Look for a parking space farther from the store, and walk. At the store, select the checkout line with the batteries and the gift cards, not the candy.

At restaurants, skip the buffet and choose low-fat, low-sodium or heart healthy dishes.

Childhood obesity is a problem that’s not only influenced by what your kids eat, but also by how the family lives. And given that overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight adults, the time to address childhood obesity is today. It’s easier than you think.

Next week, we’ll talk about how new skills at the grocery store can impact the health of your whole family.

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

15.

How Do You Keep Your Family Healthy? they get older.

So, let’s make a change!! Let’s try something new this week! We don’t have to get all crazy and throw food out and ban ourselves from McDonald’s. But what we can do is make little changes and make it a priority to teach our kids about general health. So here are some tips: As the driving force behind our households, we have lots of responsibilities, including the fact that we are responsible for our family’s health!! We pick the recipes, go to the grocery store, give our kids snacks, and choose what activities we will do together. They watch us eat, we take them to restaurants (fast food), and we basically teach them eating habits that they will keep for the rest of their life.

Habits that will be pretty hard to break once they are established. Ok, that’s it. I’m done. I feel convicted already!!

These facts alone make me

want to change the habits that I have - for the sake of my family. I want to teach my kids good eating habits, and how to make good choices when they have them. It’s daunting to think that they are learning at this very young age how to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat. If McDonald’s is a habit now, then guess what they will do when they are older. If eating lots of food right before bed is a habit, then they will likely continue that into adulthood. Now, I’m not an expert on the subject, but I’m just guessing that the habits they form now will continue as

1.Get out for daily exercise.

Make it fun!!

2.Walk, ride bikes, or ride scooters to the local park.

3.Buy healthy snacks/make

6.Try different fruit/vegetables.

Don’t give up just because they don’t like 1, 2, or 3 vegetables you serve. Keep serving them!!

Maddy just recently decided she likes salad and now she requests it all the time!!

7.Don’t assume that your kids

won’t like veggies and not serve them. Sometimes their tastes will surprise you!! Right now, Judah loves bell peppers cut up with ranch/honey mustard on them.

He eats them with a fork!!

8.Make exercising a family af-

that fast food doesn’t just “end up” happening.

fair!! Go for family walks, hold friendly competitions (for jumping on the trampoline, races, jump rope, bike riding, etc.), go to the Y together and swim, sign up for a family run/walk, or run laps in the backyard!!

5.Buy lots of fruit/vegetables

9.Find healthy versions of the

fruit/vegetables a snack, and make it fun!!

4.Plan ahead for busy nights so

and make each meal a balanced meal.

recipes you love!! Substitute with fat-free and light options, add

How to Convert a Picky Eater :

By Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers

not healthy to eat the same foods all the time. Serve a good variety of foods at meals, and encourage your young ones to taste new foods.

Include them: Children are more

It is not uncommon in any family to have one or more children be picky about the foods they eat. We’re certain some of you have often wondered how your child is able to survive on a diet of macaroni and cheese day in and day out! Growing up, Joanie can recall many a lonely night at the dinner table staring down her veggies unable to leave the table until they were gone. Although this is not considered politically

correct treatment for a picky eater today, many parents are often stumped with what to do. Here are some strategies that may help you!

Start early: Children form habits that make them picky eaters.

Habits are hard to break. You are better off if you can prevent the habits from forming. At the very first signs of finicky behavior, explain to your child that it is

likely to eat something that they have helped make, so get your children involved in preparing meals. You can also take them shopping and teach them how to find and select foods. Involving them in making decisions reinforces that you care about their opinion and want to make things that they like. Never ask “Do you want broccoli for dinner?” offer choices like “Do you want broccoli or cauliflower for dinner?”

Set goals: Be realistic about set-

ting goals. It is not realistic to try to force your child to eat a whole serving of food that they claim

more veggies to pastas and casseroles, and choose leaner proteins.

10. Help your child learn to

stop eating when their “tummy is full.” If they are truly full, they shouldn’t have to clean their plate. If they are “full” when they have eaten all their mac ‘n cheese but still have their veggies/ fruit left, that’s a different story!

These are just a few ideas to help get you started!! It’s a great new adventure to try that can continue on week after week as we incorporate more ideas into our routines! I am getting more and more passionate about not only losing weight and getting healthier myself, but in helping my family to get healthier too!

I want to start my kids off right and to help form their eating/ exercising habits while they are young so that when they are older they won’t have to kick bad habits!

Te a c h H e a l t h y Eating Habits

not to like. Instead start off with small expectations, like one bite of the new food, and work your way up from there.

Be consistent and firm: Use

the same tactics at each and every meal. Put new foods on your child’s plate first. Remind your child of the goal and offer plenty of encouragement. Don’t give in to stubbornness. It may also work to try “Look, Mommy (or daddy) will try a bite with you.”

Praise: Even if it is just one nibble, congratulate your child. For a picky eater, this little nibble is a big deal. Ask them if they thought it was tasty. If the say “no,” tell them it may take a few bites to notice the delicious flavor or suggest maybe it would taste better with ketchup on it.

The point being, don’t let them shutdown the thought that this

food may actually taste good someday.

Be a good role model: It is plain and simple. You cannot expect to raise children that eat a good variety of foods if you do not.

This fact goes for all adults who sit at the dinner table with your children.

About the authors: Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers are the mothers of five children and founders of Fresh Baby. The Fresh Baby concept is simple When you make it yourself, you know it’s better. Along with developing products for parents to get actively involved in making healthy food choices for their children from the first bite of food; they also publish Fresh Ideas, a free, monthly newsletter that provides healthy eating ideas for the whole family.

16. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

K e e p Yo u r : Food Safety Fa m i l y H e a l t h y

Have you ever gotten sick from something you ate? If so you are not alone. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that last year 48 million Americans suffered from foodborne illnesses. Foodborne illnesses are not actually caused by food, but by germs living on food. Germs are tiny living things that are too small for us to be able to see without using a microscope.

Examples of germs include the bacteria Salmonella and the virus Norovirus. Sometimes chemicals found on unwashed foods can also cause illness.

These germs can cause a wide range of diseases, from mild stomach discomfort to severe

infections, organ failure and death. Fortunately, everyone can take steps to fight the germs that cause foodborne illness. So what can you do to make your kitchen a safer, healthier place?

Start Clean The most important thing that you can do to stay healthy is to cook in a clean kitchen – and this includes you. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before preparing your meal. Wash them again every time you touch things that may be covered in germs, like meat. Also, do not cook for others if you are having symptoms of diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

Your food must be clean. All fruits and vegetables should be rinsed in running water before eating, even if you do not see dirt on them. Germs and harmful chemicals are too small to be seen, so the only way to know that your food is clean is to wash it.

Vegetables and fruits should be prepared separately from meats, and all foods should be placed only on clean surfaces. Vegetables should never be cut using the same knives, forks and cutting boards as meat, because germs from raw meat can get on the vegetables. Cooked meat should never touch the same plates that raw meat touched.

Cook Thoroughly Even if your food appears clean, foods like meat and eggs will contain some germs. These germs can be killed by cooking.

In order to make sure that a food is safe to eat, it must be cooked

well enough to destroy the germs it contains. For eggs, this means that the yolk – the yellow inner part of the egg – must be solid.

For meats, it is best to use a thermometer to measure the temperature in the middle of the meat to be certain it is safe to eat. Special thermometers designed for cooking can be bought. Beef and pork must be cooked to at least 160 °F, especially if the meats have been ground into hamburger. Fresh beef or pork, like steaks and pork chops, should be cooked to at least 145 °F. If you do not have a thermometer, cook the meat until all of the pink coloration is gone.

Chicken and birds must be cooked to 165 °F. Remember, tools used to touch raw meat and eggs must be washed before they are allowed to touch cooked food.

Fortunately, most germs cannot grow well at hot or cold temperatures. It is very important that cooked food be kept hot until it is eaten. As soon as a meal is finished, the food must be rapidly put in the refrigerator or freezer.

Foods to be stored should be placed in the smallest container possible and sealed. The refrigerator should be kept at 40 °F and the freezer at 0 °F. Containers packed into a refrigerator or freezer too tightly may not reach a temperature cold enough to prevent germ growth.

Stored foods should be checked every day for signs of spoilage – such as foul odor and visible changes. Remember, if cooked food is not stored within 4 hours of eating, it is not safe to eat, even if it is cooked again. It should be discarded.

Chill to Store Germs grow fast! Some bacteria can multiply in twenty minutes.

For more info on food safety, visit the website:

www.foodsafety.gov.

Three Benefits of Eating Organic Food

1 2 3

produces greater size or quantity of the product, but that also compromises the health of the product as a result – and for this reason, choosing organic food is often the best way to go.

Fruits and vegetables is one of the big areas where people fool themselves into thinking they are eating healthy, but because of the growth hormones and pesticides used on “conventional” fruits and veggies these days, you are getting a lot less out of these additions to your diet than you might think.

When it comes to trying to stay healthy, there are lots of different things you can do, but one of the most effective ways to make sure your body remains as healthy as you want it to be

is by feeding it food that will be good for it – and while you may have known this, you may not have known that eating “food that is good for your body” entails more than just eating foods

that are considered healthy. Lots of the foods that are raised or grown in a “conventional” manner nowadays are a lot less healthy than they seem to be, as they are created in a way that

You may have heard or read about the growth hormones and steroids that are used in the raising of meat these days, but you may not have realized just how bad these are for the humans who consume them – and

in fact, for all you hear about the “negative health effects” of red meat, you would actually be healthier to eat organic red meat than to eat chicken that was raised in an inorganic manner!

And of course, when it comes to dairy, the case is the same as with meat; when hormones and steroids are used on cows, these go into their milk as well – which is why organic dairy products are so much better for the health of your body.

Making the switch to organic fruits, meats, and dairy products can cost you a little bit of money – but in the long run , the cost of organic food is nothing compared to the benefits these foods bring your way!

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Parenting After Weinergate: by: Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D.

With Anthony Weiner no longer front-page news now that he has resigned in disgrace from public office, what’s a parent to make of that perfect storm - a mix of politics, power, sexting and lying? The media frenzy over the ex-Congressman’s behavior provides a clear teachable moment for our teens. Given the dramatic effects of the inappropriate messages and photos he sent and the devastating results of his untruthful words, we can talk to our kids about the serious consequences of making bad decisions.

As parents, we know that young children lie, apparently about once every two hours. Sometimes they do it to get what they want or gain attention but usually it’s to avoid getting in trouble and being punished. Often the lines between make-believe and reality become blurred.

But when do kids’ little ‘white lies’ become teenagers’ big destructive whoppers? And how do these teens behave as adults out in the world? Weiner provides an unambiguous example of the slippery slope of lying and the difficulty of extricating yourself.

According to the Josephson Institute of Ethics, teens are five times more likely than those over 50 to believe it is necessary to lie and cheat in order to succeed.

More than one in five admit to lying, cheating or stealing in the past year, with 80% saying they have lied to their parents about something significant. As they move out into the world at large, these same young adults are two to three times more likely to misrepresent themselves in a job interview, lie to a significant other, keep money mistakenly given to them.

Anthony Weiner seems to have been stuck in this adolescent phase of development. If you want your teens to move beyond this and recognize the dangers of lying, here are four tips to get you started: As in all aspects of parenting, keep the lines of communication open. When your children are young, encourage and praise their honesty and let them know clearly what is unacceptable. As they mature, continue a dialogue that helps them recognize the real consequences of their behaviors.

Be the role model you want your kids to emulate. And find other good examples of adults behaving well. They can help reinforce the examples of integrity, authenticity, and good citizenship that you want to encourage.

Since poor role models abound

17.

Ta l k i n g To Yo u r Te e n s A b o u t Ly i n g

in the entertainment, political and sports worlds, it’s up to you search out those you want your kids to follow.

Talk about the difference between rules, ethical standards and flexible guidelines. These distinctions aren’t always easy for them to make. And teens have witnessed the normalization of illegal activities on the Internet - plagiarism of papers and reports, downloading pirated music and videos. But you can make a case for controlling the blurring of these lines. Have frank discussions about character and encourage them to develop a set of values.

Teach them to focus on learning without obsessing about tests and grades. Kids face high expectations and the pressure to succeed from parents and schools.

Let them know they don’t have

to be perfect to be competitive.

Help them learn to be resilient so they can bounce back from disappointment. Cheating and lying increase when self-esteem is low. So work to facilitate building their self-confidence, selfreliance and self-respect.

Sir Walter Scott didn’t know about Weinergate two hundred years ago when he cautioned, “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” But we can use his experience to initiate talks with our children about lying and give them the tools they need to avoid the fate Weiner brought on himself. © 2011, Her Mentor Center About The Author Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. and Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. are family relationship experts. Visit our website,HerMentorCenter.com

18. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

19.

Healthy Family Habits Overview All parents want healthy children, but with demands on time and energy, it’s easy to fall into bad habits--eating fast food while watching TV and getting very little exercise. Considering the alarming rise in child obesity, a healthy family lifestyle is more important than ever. Take the time to teach your child about the importance of nutrition and exercise. Better yet, make the changes necessary to improve the overall health of the whole family.

Healthy Eating Stock up on healthy foods, as kids mostly eat what’s available at home. Have a variety of fruits and vegetables on hand, and be a role model for your children by eating and enjoying these foods yourself. Substitute fatty foods with lean meats, whole grains

and healthy snacks such as lowfat yogurt and peanut butter and celery.

grocery store and allow them to pick a vegetable that looks interesting to them.

In addition, parents should teach their children to stop eating when they are full. The Kids Heath website recommends saying, “This is delicious, but I’m full, so I’m going to stop eating.”

Eat Meals Together

Make Meals Together Kids are more likely to try new, healthy foods if they have a hand in cooking the meals. Involve your children in the entire process of making a meal, starting by allowing them to choose a recipe from a cookbook. Talk to them about the importance of making choices and planning a balanced meal. For example, if they choose a pasta dish for the main course, explain why vegetables make a better side dish than another starch. Take them to the

Eating meals together as a family leads to healthier food choices for children, as well as a decreased risk of the kids smoking, using marijuana or drinking alcohol, according to Kids Health.

Dinner is not the only time families can eat together--consider Sunday breakfasts or summer lunches. Turn off distractions such as TV and cell phones so you can have conversations.

Bedtime Make sure everyone gets enough sleep. Kids who have had plenty of sleep are happier, according to Dr. Will Wilkoff, pediatrician and author of “How to Say No to Your Toddler.” Commit to a bedtime and begin rituals leading

up to it, such as a bath and reading a story together. You can also make mornings special. Smaller children are early risers, and the morning could be a good time to make breakfast together or participate in a fun activity with a well-rested child.

Exercise Together Kids should get at least an hour of exercise each day--and it doesn’t hurt parents to indulge in some physical activity, too.

You do not need to head to a gym together. Instead, do fun activities that don’t involve sitting down. Your child will enjoy exercise that’s fun. Some ideas for fun exercise include turning on music the whole family enjoys and dancing around the house together or heading to the park after dinner for some time on the swings and slides. Another way to get exercise as a family is

to play sports together. A family game of softball (even if it’s just playing catch), rollerblading or kicking around a soccer ball gets everyone’s heart rate up while having a good time.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/

Family Fun From A “Good Ole Days” Perspective

By Sharon C. Jenkins Family was the core of our existence fifty years ago. We stayed together, prayed together, and played together. Jumping rope Double Dutch style with your best friends, singing The Supreme’s songs on a long family car ride to the country, forming a Soul Train Line in your living room and dancing to the latest LP’s, are all remnants of family good times in yesteryear. When the black and white television was first introduced and you were the first family on the block with one, your family suddenly became an overnight sensation.

The ice cream man was a favorite daily pastime. As a child on a hot sunny day, you made sure you were on your best behavior, at least until he came around. Dinnertime could be the highlight of your day or the sealing of your doom. That’s the time of day when you were either celebrated

for your accomplishments or delivered to the henchman for a “whopping” before bed time for some mischievous act at school or at home. Disrespect was immediately punishable with a switch, strap, or a backhand, depending on the severity of the offense. You knew the fear of God and the fear of your parents.

Blood was actually thicker than water and “what happened in the house, stayed in the house.” If someone messed with a member of your family, they messed with you. You developed your fighting skills, the gift of gab or paid the consequences. Kids did not fight to the death, they fought to save face or to settle a score.

When it was through, it was through. The next day you’d be on the playground, and you were the best of friends.

Daddy’s called their little girls “princess” and mother’s called their little boys “their little man.”

Love was the core of who we were and forgiveness was given freely not earned. Every child was expected to be “somebody” and the community made sure it happened.

You went to church on Sunday no matter how much partying you did on Saturday. Children went to Sunday School and put their nickels in the offering; and the pastor knew everyone by name. If you were MIA, you got a cordial visit from the hospitality committee. The African American church was the meeting place for chicken dinners, political activists, and fire and brimstone sermons. Everybody

needed “Jesus” whether they wanted Him or not. If you saw the “Church Lady” coming with her Bible and anointing oil, there was no need trying to run and hide. She had the uncanny ability to find you, no matter where you sought cover. Someone in the neighborhood started a rumor that she had “x-ray vision” like Superman.

When the mystery of our present times have us befuddled, we need to take a few minutes and stroll down memory lane or call a “baby boomer” relative to be reminded of how great it was in the “good ole days.” A chuckle every day keeps the doctor away and is said to be good for the heart and the libido. Know what I mean, jelly bean! Eat drink and be merry because family is where it’s at, fat cat!

20. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

National Phlebotomy

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Free Amplified Phones : by: Brad Brumback

Did you know there is a program in Texas that provides specialized amplified phones – for free – to Texans who have a hearing loss? It’s called the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program, or STAP. The program is part of the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

A paragraph from their website explains what it is: “The Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP) is a statewide program that provides financial assistance for the purchase of specialized assistive equipment or services for Texans having a disability that interferes with their ability to access the telephone network.”

Here is what it means: If you are a Texas resident and have a hearing loss, the STAP program will provide you with a voucher that you can use to purchase a specialized amplified telephone.

It doesn’t cost you anything, and you are eligible whether or not you wear hearing aids.

Hearing Aid Express is a registered vendor with the STAP program, and can help you get your amplified phone. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better understand the program:

Who is Eligible for a Free Amplified Phone?

The STAP (Special Telecommunications Assistance Program) program is available to Texas residents who have a certain amount of hearing loss. Each household is eligible for one device every five years.

How Do I Find Out if I am Eligible?

We need a copy of a recent hearing test. If you haven’t had your hearing tested recently, Hearing Aid Express can screen your hearing in our offices for free to see if you qualify.

Who Pays for the Amplified Phones?

The STAP program, part of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services under the Public Utility Commission of Texas, is funded by taxes assessed on people’s telephone service. A portion of these taxes is used to fund the STAP program and pays for the amplified telephones and other equipment.

Do I have a Choice of Phones?

At Hearing Aid Express you do.

We have corded and cordless phones and even phones that work with caller ID.

21.

Fo r Te x a n s w i t h Hearing Loss When Do I Get My Phone?

Once the STAP program receives and processes your application, they will mail a voucher to you. When you get your voucher, call us or bring it in to one of our locations. We will exchange your signed voucher for a Free Amplified Phone.

Are There Other Products Besides Phones?

Yes! The STAP program has a wide variety of products available for hearing impaired Texas residents. Hearing Aid Express carries phones, ring signalers, wireless Bluetooth neck loops for people with hearing aids to connect to their cell phones and more.

What Should I Do Next?

Call us toll free at 800-348-2018 or come in to one of our stores.

Be sure to bring proof of Texas residency with your current

address on it (such as your driver’s license or a utility bill). We will help you fill out the STAP application and mail it in for you.

For more information about the STAP program you can visit their page on the Public Utility Commission’s website at: www. puc.state.tx.us/relaytexas/Overview.aspx To find out how to get a free amplified phone go to: www.hearingaidexpress.com/ free-amplified-phone.php

5201 Bellaire Blvd (Between Rice and Bissonnet) Bellaire, TX 77401 (713) 666-1704 (800) 348-2018 - Toll Free

22. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Self Help Alternatives : by: Devang Kakkad

Though anxiety is basically a small mental problem, if you don’t know how to handle your anxiety attacks, it can be very stressful to your life.

One of the most common triggers that lead to anxiety attacks is uncertainty of the future. Thinking, and worrying about the future, and about any bad things that can happen tends to trigger anxiety attacks. To help you overcome your anxiety attacks, here is some anxiety self help tips worth following.

Dealing with Negative thoughts: The way that we think about things has an impact on our anxiety levels. Many of these thoughts occur outside of our control, and can be negative or unhelpful. It is therefore important to remember that they are just thoughts, without any real basis, and are not necessar-

ily facts. Even though we may believe a lot of our unhelpful thoughts when we are anxious, it is good to remember that they should be questioned as they are often based on wrong assumptions.

Look for answers: Anxious people tend to spend much of their time worrying, sometimes they worry to the point that they find it very hard to switch off and relax. Therefore, if we can reduce the amount of time we spend worrying, we can reduce our anxiety levels. In the meantime, you have to learn to how to lower your worry periods. Learn to take some time to relax so that you can get rid of all these worries.

Learn to relax: It is important to make time to relax and do activities that are enjoyable. This can help to reduce your anxiety levels by calming the body and mind. It

can also help you to sleep. Without taking the time to unwind, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Stress management techniques and meditation can help people with anxiety disor-

ders calm themselves and may enhance the effects of therapy.

Time for Exercise: Exercise is also particularly effective at helping us to relax. What you do does not really matter. Try to choose

October Is (NDEAM) by: Sharon Jenkins

Congress has designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.”

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy announced the official theme for October 2011 National Disability Employment Awareness Month as

“Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities.” The theme honors the contributions of workers with disabilities and serves to inform the public that they represent a highly skilled talent pool that can help employers compete in today’s global economy. “Return on investment means hiring the right talent,” said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. “Workers with disabilities represent all skill sets and are ready to get the job done.

This year’s theme focuses on improving employment opportunities that lead to good jobs and a secure economic future for people with disabilities and the nation as a whole.”

Read more: www.disabled-world.com/

Fo r D e a l i n g With Anxiety something that you will look forward to and that gives you a break. There is preliminary evidence that aerobic exercise may have a calming effect.

Calm Breathing: Calm breathing involves taking slow and gentle breaths. Breathe in through the nose, pause, and then breathe out through the mouth, pausing for several seconds before taking an-

other breath. Many people find this simple exercise very relaxing. It can be particularly helpful for those who feel dizzy or light headed when they feel worried or stressed. This sometimes happens because people’s breathing changes and gets quicker when they feel distressed.

Exposure: The most important step in managing your anxiety involves facing your fears; this is called exposure. If you have been avoiding certain situations, places, or objects out of fear, it will be important for you to start exposing yourself to those things so that you can get over your fears in the long run. However , it is usually easier to start with something that is not too scary and then work up to the things that cause a great deal of anxiety.

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

23.

24. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Guide to Step-parenting and Blended Families

By Gina Kemp, M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Lawrence Robinson How to Bond with StepChildren and Deal with Step Family Problems.

Stepfamilies, also known as blended families, are more of a norm now than ever, with 65% of remarriages including children from previous relationships. When families “blend” to create stepfamilies, though, things rarely progress smoothly.

Some children may resist the many changes they face, while parents may become frustrated or disappointed when the new family doesn’t function like their previous family.

While changes to family structure require some adjustment time for everyone involved, with the right guidance and realistic expectations, most blended families are able to work out their growing pains and live together successfully. Open communication, positive attitudes, mutual respect, and plenty of love and patience all have an important place in creating a healthy blended family.

Planning a blended family You and your partner have decided to make a life together and form a new, blended family that includes children from one or both of your previous relationships. Congratulations. What lies ahead can be both a rewarding and a challenging experience. It can take a long time for a blended family to begin to feel comfortable and function well together.

While you as parents are likely to approach remarriage and a new blended family with great joy and expectation, your kids or your new spouse’s kids may not be nearly as excited. They’ll likely feel uncertain about the upcoming changes and how they will affect relationships with their natural parents. They’ll also be worried about living with new step-siblings, whom they may not know well, or worse, ones they may not even like. To give yourself the best chance of suc-

cess, it’s important to start planning how a blended family will function before the marriage even takes place.

Laying the foundations for a blended family Having survived a painful divorce or separation and then managed to find a new loving relationship, the temptation can often be to rush into remarriage and a blended family without first laying solid foundations. By taking your time, you give everyone a chance to get used to each other, and used to the idea of marriage.

• Too many changes at once can unsettle children. Blended families have the highest success rate if the couple waits two years or more after a divorce to remarry, instead of piling one drastic family change onto another.

• Don’t expect to fall in love with your partner’s children overnight. Get to know them.

Love and affection take time to develop.

•Find ways to experience “real life” together. Taking both sets of kids to a theme park every time you get together is a lot of fun, but it isn’t reflective of everyday life. Try to get the kids used to your partner and his or her children in daily life situations.

• Make parenting changes before you marry. Agree with your new partner how you intend to parent together, and then make any necessary adjustments to your parenting styles before you remarry. It’ll make for a smoother transition and your kids won’t become angry at your new spouse for initiating changes.

• Don’t allow ultimatums.

Your kids or new partner may put you in a situation where you feel you have to choose

between them. Remind them that you want both sets of people in your life.

•Insist on respect. You can’t insist people like each other but you can insist that they treat one another with respect.

• Limit your expectations.

You may give a lot of time, energy, love, and affection to your new partner’s kids that will not be returned immediately. Think of it as making small investments that may one day yield a lot of interest.

Given the right support, kids should gradually adjust to the prospect of marriage and being part of a new family. It is your job to communicate openly, meet their needs for security, and give them plenty of time to make a successful transition.

What makes a successful blended family?

Trying to make a blended family a replica of your first family, or the ideal nuclear family, can often set family members up for confusion, frustration, and disappointment. Instead, embrace the differences and consider the basic elements that make a successful blended family: • Solid marriage. Without the marriage, there is no family.

It’s harder to take care of the marriage in a blended family because you don’t have couple time like most first marriages do. You’ll have to grow and mature into the marriage while parenting.

• Being civil. If family members can be civil with one another on a regular basis rather than ignoring, purposely trying to hurt, or completely withdrawing from each other, you’re on track.

• All relationships are respectful. This is not just referring

to the kids’ behavior toward the adults. Respect should be given not just based on age, but based on the fact that you are all family members now.

• Compassion for everyone’s development. Members of your blended family may be at various life stages and have different needs (teens versus toddlers, for example). They may also be at different stages in accepting this new family.

Family members need to understand and honor those differences.

• Room for growth. After a few years of being blended, hopefully the family will grow and members will choose to spend more time together and feel closer to one another. © 2001-2011. All rights reserved. This reprint is for information and support only and NOT a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Visit WWW.HELPGUIDE.ORG for more information and related articles.

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

editorial

25.

26. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Take More Control of Health-Care Expenses by: Brandon Herndon

Are you looking for a way to trim your health-care costs, reduce your federal income tax liability and potentially save more for your future? You can contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) which, when used in conjunction with a high deductible health plan (HDHP), helps individuals save for qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis.

HDHP Qualification The IRS also defines what qualifies as an HDHP. For 2012, an HDHP with individual coverage must have at least $1,200 in annual deductible and no more than $6,050 in annual out-ofpocket expenses. For family coverage, the numbers are minimum $2,400 in annual deductible and $12,100 in annual outof-pocket expenses.

Anyone may contribute to an HSA on behalf of an eligible individual – you, your employer or anyone. Your contributions and the contributions of others are tax deductible and, if your

employer chooses to contribute, those contributions will be deductible by your employer and not included in your income.

All earnings in an HSA are tax deferred and distributions are

tax free if used for qualified medical expenses, including long-term care premiums. This allows you the opportunity to pay for your medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. In addition, any unused HSA funds may be withdrawn after you turn age 65 with no penalty.

The funds will be taxed as ordinary income.

HSAs are portable, with rollover provisions, allowing you the opportunity to move funds from one HSA to another. If you obtained an HSA through your employer and change jobs, you can roll over your HSA into a new HSA and take the funds with you.

HSAs are important, particularly for those who are under or uninsured, small business owners or anyone facing the challenge of affording qual-

ity health insurance coverage.

But the advantages don’t stop there; even if you’re adequately insured, but want to reduce the cost for health care, HSAs may apply to you as well. Talk with an insurance professional for more information on HSAs. 2012 HSA Contribution Limits Rise Slightly From 2011.

Increases in the contribution limits are based on inflation and due to the fact that overall inflation measured by the CPI was subdued there was a small inflation adjustment. Therefore, the 2012 HSA contribution limits rose by $50 for individuals and $100 for families over 2011.

For More Information Visit: www.thefinancebuff.com.

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Black Inventors Unlike black slaves, free blacks prior to the Civil War were entitled to receive patents for their inventions. Though, again, because blacks lacked educational and vocational opportunities, few had the necessary skills or experience to develop their inventive ideas or patent them.

Despite these constraints, there were a number of successful black inventors whose inventions proved useful and important. Thomas Jennings, the first known African American to hold a patent, used the money he earned from his invention to fund abolitionist causes.

Some slaves, who were skilled craftsmen, did create devices or techniques that benefited their masters’ enterprises. According to a decision by the federal government in 1858, though, neither the slave nor the slave owner

could claim ownership rights to such an invention. In 1870, following the Civil War, the U.S. patent laws were revised so that anyone, regardless of race, could hold a patent. Consequently the number of patents issued to African Americans soared.

Thomas Jennings Read more: Famous African American Scientists & Inventors: History & Biographies — Infoplease.com http:// www.infoplease. com/spot/bhmscientists1.

27.

28. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

Mouth Cancer and (HPV)

By Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most common virus groups in the world to affect the skin and mucosal areas of the body. Over eighty types of HPV have been identified.

Different types of the human papillomavirus are known to infect different parts of the body.

It infects the epithelial cells of skin and mucosa. The epithelial surfaces include all areas covered by skin and/or mucosa such as the mouth, throat, tongue, tonsils, vagina, penis, and anus. Infection with the virus occurs when these areas come into contact with a virus, allowing it to transfer between epithelial cells. Warts, the most common forms of the virus produce warts (papilloma’s) on the hands, arms, legs, and other areas of the skin. The wart-like growths are called condyloma tissues.

Condyloma tissue appears like a small, cauliflower-type growth on the skin. These growths are usually painless, but can cause some irritation, itching, or burning. It can be treated whenever it flares up, and is non malignant.

Most HPV’s of this type are very common, harmless, non cancerous, and easily treatable. Genital warts are known technically as condylomata acuminatum and are generally associated with two HPV types, numbers 6 and 11 and can be sexually transmitted.

Cervical Cancer and Oral Cancer There are other forms of HPV which are also sexually transmitted, and are a serious problem.

These are; HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-31, and HPV-45. These cancer-associated types of HPVs cause dysplastic tissue growths

that usually appear flat and are nearly invisible. Dysplastic tissue is the presence of abnormal cells on the surface of the skin.

Dysplasia is not cancer, but it is a tissue change seen prior to malignancy. A highly studied topic is HPV’s ability to cause cervical cancer. Dysplasia can be detected on the female cervix through a Pap smear test, or seen visually using a magnifying glass called a colposcope. The most dangerous HPV’s, 16 and 18, which are transmitted through sexual contact are known to cause up to 95% of cervical cancers. Now these two HPV’s are also being linked to oral cancer.

A study done by Dr. No-Hee Park showed that the mouth was, at the cellular level, structurally very similar to the vagina and cervix. Both organs have the same type of epithelial cells

that are the target of HPV 16 and HPV 18. The majority of oral cancers are cancers of epithelial cells, primarily squamous cell carcinomas, not unlike the cancers that affect the cervix.

Dr. Park’s study also showed that smoking and drinking alcohol help promote HPV invasion..

Combine tobacco and alcohol with HPV, and the epithelial cells in the mouth, and you may have the formula for the development of an oral cancer.

A recent study conducted by Dr. Maura Gillison at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center furthered the premise that HPV is linked with certain types of oral cancer. In 25% of 253 patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers, the tissue taken from tumors was HPV positive and HPV 16 was present in 90% of these positive HPV tissues. This

information helps to confirm that there is a strong link between HPV 16 and oral cancer. 25% of those diagnosed with oral cancer are non-smokers while the other 75% of those diagnosed have used tobacco in some form during their lifetimes. The research into the relationship of HPV and oral malignancies may give us clues as to the origin of cancer in those 25% of diagnosed individuals who did not smoke.

Further research is being conducted into the relationship of HPV with oral cancers. All Information obtained from the Mouth Cancer Foundation.

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

THE EXPERT NETWORK

29.

30. Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

THE EXPERT NETWORK

Sept.-Oct. 15, 2011

THE EXPERT NETWORK

31.

fp color ad backcover