The Valley Times – February 14, 2018

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P.4 UTRGV Steps Into The Future of Consumer Marketing Research

Bootmakers Highlight Pioneer & Ranching Crafts day Set for Feb. 17

VOL. I, NO. 29

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P.6 IMAS Guild Splash of Spring Style Show Mar 3

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

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P.5

UTRGV Professr Appointed to Dallas Fed’s San Antonio Branch

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$16M Construction Project To Stretch Tenth Street From 107 To Montecriso

Inside

Wellness

FIT AND FANTASTIC AFTER AGE 50

Nutrition

QUICK QUINOA STIR-FRY WITH VEGETABLES AND TOFU PG.7

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Wednesday, February 14, 2018

By MARC A. THIESSEN WASHINGTON -- Last week, President Trump delivered a State of the Union address that won the approval of 75 percent of viewers, including 43 percent of Democrats. Normally, presidents try to ride the wave from a successful State of the Union as long as they can.

Not Trump. What have we been taking about for the past week? Russia.

Why? Because within days, Trump changed the topic when he released a declassified memo prepared by Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee alleging abuses of the FISA process by the FBI. The media and Democrats could not believe their luck. They were more than happy to stop talking about Trump’s speech and go with wall-to-wall coverage of the memo. Soon Trump’s powerful address, and the agenda he laid out, were a distant memory -- supplanted by a fierce debate over the GOP’s “partisan” attack on the FBI and whether Trump would fire special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. What was Trump thinking? He tweeted that the GOP memo “totally vindicates” him. No, it doesn’t. Even Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), the only member

OPINION

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Trump Throws Away His Momentum For Peanuts

of the committee to review the intelligence behind the memo, said that it had nothing to do with the Russia probe.

The memo demonstrated potential FBI malfeasance in using a dossier funded

by Democrats to obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant to spy on a marginal former Trump campaign adviser. If true, that is serious. But it’s not proof that there was no collusion.

So why would Trump release that information right after his State of the Union and thus bring the momentum he had gained to a grinding halt?

He should know better. Recall that in 2017, after Trump delivered his first, also highly praised, address to Congress, the subject changed to Russia within 24 hours when The Post reported that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had not disclosed in his confirmation hearing that he met twice with Russia’s ambassador to the United States. It was a well-timed leak designed to step on Trump’s story.

The attack on Sessions was malicious and not Trump’s fault. This time, however, Trump intentionally changed the subject from his speech to Russia. This is a self-inflicted wound.

Then, to add to the PR disaster, Trump declared at what was supposed to be an event highlighting his tax reform success that Democrats who refused to stand and applaud during his State of the Union were “un-American” and “treasonous.” He was joking, of course, but it was a really bad joke -- and gave the media the excuse to gin up the outrage machine over Trump’s comment.

Again, Democrats quietly celebrated. Until that moment, they had been widely criticized for their disrespectful performance on the House floor, which had alienated millions of Americans watching the president. Even my liberal Post colleague Dana Milbank called the Democrats’ behavior “embarrassing.”

Now, with a single misbegotten turn of phrase, Trump had turned them from petulant protesters into principled defenders of the First Amendment.

These mistakes were tragic, because

Trump’s address seemed to reach and win the approval of many Americans who like his first year’s accomplishments but don’t approve of him, including millions of independents and Democrats. With his speech, he got them to give him a second look. In the days that followed, he needed to stay on message and keep winning them over with smart speeches putting detail onto the policies he laid out in his State of the Union. He could have hit the hustings to talk about his very generous immigration plan to give 1.8 million “dreamers” a path to citizenship and challenge reluctant Democrats to come to the table.

He could have given speeches about his proposals for education, tackling the opioid crisis, and “right to try” legislation he endorsed to give dying Americans a chance to save their lives using

experimental treatments. He could have won over independents, and even some Democrats, and expanded his base of support. Instead, he changed the topic to Russia and made a cringe-inducing joke about “treason,” and millions thought to themselves: There he goes again.

The Trump presidency is like a “Peanuts” cartoon, with Trump as Lucy with the football. Every time you think this time will be different -- this time he’ll stay on message, this time he’ll show some discipline, this time he’ll realize how much more powerful it is to be presidential -- he pulls the football away.

Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @ marcthiessen. (c) 2018, The Washington Post Writers Group

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

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Major Construction Project To Stretch 10th To Monte Cristo

A long sought goal for McAllen, Edinburg and Hidalgo County leaders will finally come to fruition with the ground breaking ceremony that will launch the 10th Street Expansion Project that will extend Tenth Street all the way from Hidalgo, through McAllen to connect to Monte Cristo Road north of Edinburg.

This north-south route opens up a new avenue for north McAllen residents and businesses seeking to reach north-bound I-69 (US 281) without going through the densely populated sections of Pharr and Edinburg.

On Thursday, Feb. 8, dozens of county, state and local officials, as well as members of the community, gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony.

Construction on the 2.69-mile road project will create a five lane road that will include a turning lane, emergency lanes and sidewalks. Hidalgo County Precinct 4 Commissioner Joseph Palacios took lead on this project for Hidalgo County.

Hidalgo County Pct. 4 Commissioner Joseph Palacios speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Tenth Street Expansion Project.

The project is a partnership between Hidalgo County Precinct 4, the Hidalgo County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Texas Department of Transportation, the City of Edinburg, and the

Early Voting Begins Today For McAllen Run-Off Election

Early voting starts today in the City of McAllen’s run-off special election for the District One seat. Early voting runs Feb. 14 through Feb. 27, with Election Day set for Saturday, March 3.

Voters will go to the polls to fill the remaining term of District 1 Commissioner Richard Cortez who resigned to run for Hidalgo County Judge in the upcoming Democratic Party Primaries.

Early voting by personal appearance will be held at the following three locations: • Fireman’s Pump House - 201 North 1st Street • Palm View Community Center - 3401 Jordan Avenue

• Lark Community Center - 2601 Lark Avenue The schedule is as follows: Wed., Feb. 14, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Thur., Feb. 15, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Fri., Feb. 16, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Mon., Feb. 19, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Tues., Feb. 20, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Wed., Feb. 21, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Thurs., Feb. 22, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Fri., Feb. 23, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat., Feb. 24, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Mon., Feb. 26, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tues., Feb. 27, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Voting on Election Day will take place Saturday, March 3 from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the following polling location Gonzalez Elementary, 201 Martin Ave. Applications for a ballot by mail for the City Election can be mailed to Perla Lara, Early Voting Clerk, P.O. Box 220, McAllen, TX 78505-0220. Applications must be received no later than the close of business on February 20, 2018.

For more information about the election, voting or ballots, contact the city at (956) 681-1020.

Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council.

This expansion will allow Hidalgo County residents to travel continuously from the McAllen airport to the future

Tres Lagos community in North McAllen, as well as the future site of the new Texas A&M Campus. This will alleviate traffic congestion, increase safety, and create economic development.

“The opening of this new corridor will facilitate safer mobility for a booming population, and create economic development opportunities,” said Palacios. “I would like to thank all the partners in this project, because without their support, this project would not have come to fruition.”

Echoing Palacios’ words, State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and State Representative Terry Canales both congratulated the Commissioner on leading the charge of creating the necessary partnerships to fund the project.

Out of the $16 million needed to fund the project, the county invested $13.18 million from the Hidalgo County Metropolitan Planning Organization and $600,000 from the City of Edinburg. The rest is being funded by the precinct.

2018 South Texas Scholastic

CHESS Championships

Hosted by Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District

March 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2018 at Edinburg North High School, 3101 N. Closner, Edinburg, TX 78541

Awards: All participants receive medals. Kinder-Elementary, Middle School/High School.

Tournament Organizer: George Rohrer Chief TO: Victor J. Flores Pairing TO’s: Remi Ferrari and James Houghtaling National TO’s: Eddie Rios and Lakshmana Viswanath Guest International Grandmaster Timur Gareev will be on site.

Please see website for Blitz Information with Grandmaster Timur.

southtexaschess.com

Contact info: E-mail batch/individual entries to: Leticia Deleon (956) 444-2822 Texaschess2018@gmail.com

Nelinda Villarreal (956) 289-2317 n.villarreal@ecisd.us Individual players welcome.

(Edinburg CISD Media Publication 2/18)

It is the policy of Edinburg C.I.S.D. not to discriminate on the basis of sex, age, handicap, religion, race, color, or national origin in its educational programs. Es poliza del Distrito Escolar de Edinburg el no discriminar por razones con base en sexo, edad, religion, raza, color, origen nacional, ni descapacidad dentro de sus programas educacionales.

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Wednesday, February 14, 2018

UTRGV Steps Into The Future of Consumer Marketing Research

WWW.RGVTIMES.COM

By Maria Elena Hernandez

Dr. Reto Felix is carefully reviewing a recording of his driving. Unlike a dash cam, this recording includes a red dot that shows exactly where his eyes have focused.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley assistant professor of marketing is conducting an informal test of one of the department’s newest pieces of equipment – an eye tracker. It shows an advertisement on a van, and the branding on a FedEx truck gets his attention briefly while he drives. The red indicator also appears on the side mirrors.

“Hopefully, that would give me points from the driving instructor,” Felix jokes.

The eye tracker is just one of the devices the UTRGV Department of Marketing, in the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship’s Academic Affairs division, is using as its research expands to consumer neuroscience. And spearheading the project is Dr. Michael Minor, professor and chair of the marketing department, who is working with faculty and graduate students to get an in-depth look at how consumers process information. It is a project with lots of moving parts.

TERABYTES OF DATA UTRGV doctoral candidate D.J. Rew is using functional magnetic resonance imaging data to help marketers better understand consumers.

“My study actually is this: to find out the better model to understand how consumers decide or what they decide through brainwaves,” he said.

For his work, Rew is downloading 120 terabytes of data from across the country; so far, he has downloaded only two.

If he wanted to print out those two terabytes of data, he would need paper from about 100,000 trees.

THE FUTURE OF MARKETING Minor is working with electroencephalographs, which register brainwaves.

“There are several different brainwaves. And they each mean something, or, in combination, they mean something,” he said.

“We’re engaged in various methods of looking at the brain to see what we re-

The UTRGV Department of Marketing is expanding its consumer neuroscience research with advanced techniques like eye trackers and electroencephalograms to register brainwaves. Pictured, Zoila Zambrano, a UTRGV doctoral candidate in marketing, sets up the EEG for a demonstration, with Dr. Michael Minor, professor and chair of the marketing department, who is spearheading the research. (UTRGV Photo by Malena Hernandez)

ally think, possibly rather than what we say. This is the way marketing is going.”

SKILL BUILDING Zoila Zambrano, a UTRGV doctoral candidate in marketing, set up the EEG for a demonstration, as Minor spoke of the importance of students gaining experience with this technology.

“Students who have no idea what we’re talking about are going to have trouble finding jobs in places which are looking for someone who can administer this equipment and interpret the data,” he said.

RESEARCH PLANNED While the eye tracker is relatively new to the department, Felix and UTRGV associate professor of marketing Dr. Xiaojing Sheng already plan to include it in new research.

“Our research hopefully can shed some light in terms of helping build trusts, especially for new businesses,” Sheng said. “Our interest is to look at whether providing a privacy policy is an effective way of alleviating consumer concerns about privacy breach or protection of their information.”

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Felix said the eye tracker could be used for consulting as well.

“The eye tracker would be ideal for a little bit of consulting work, for instance, if a grocery store or large retailer wanted to know what people actually see in their store,” he said.

As part of the expansion into consumer neuroscience, the marketing department is working with other UTRGV departments.

“We’re working with people who have even fancier equipment in the School of Medicine, specifically the psychiatry department,” Minor said.

Both faculty and students say they are looking forward to the potential discoveries, like Lorena Garcia Ramon, a UTRGV graduate student in marketing.

“It just gives the type of research that we do a different angle, because we’re able to not only capture self-report data, but it’s really biological reaction,” she said.

Felix agrees.

“We’re looking forward to surprises, definitely,” he said.

South Texas College Theatre Presents “The Illusion” The South Texas College (STC) Theatre will present Tony Kushner’s “The Illusion” freely adapted from Pierre Corneille’s “L’Illusion Comique” starting on Feb. 22.

Pridamant, a proud but aging desperate father, journeys to the cave of the wizard Alcandre, seeking information on the whereabouts of his runaway son. Alcandre grants Pridamant’s wish but the reality is more complex than fantasy. Through illusions, we explore and relate to themes of love, humor, betrayal, and death.

The production will run from Feb. 2224 at 8 p.m. and will include a matinee at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25. Performances will take place at STC’s Cooper Center for Communication Arts Main Stage Theatre at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen.

General admission tickets cost $10.

Tickets for students, faculty, military, and senior citizens are $5. Ticket sales from the Feb. 22 production will go to the Dr. John F. Carroll Drama Scholarship. Feb. 25 matinee production will be interpreted in American Sign Language.

Ticket cash purchases can be purchased one hour before the performance at the box office, or in advance online using a credit or debit card at https://goo.gl/ vAVsNA. For additional information about the show, or group rates call 956-872-2301 or email drodri72@southtexascollege.edu or jrodriguez@southtexascollege.edu.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

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Bootmakers Highlight Pioneer & Ranching Crafts Day Set For Feb. 17

Shown are some of the women who will be planning, preparing and participating in the IMAS Guild’s Annual Style Show and Luncheon at Embassy Suites on Saturday, March 3.

If you’ve never tried your hand at roping cattle, here’s a save way to test your skills at the Museum of South Texas History during one of the Museum’s events. This will be one of the activities visitors can take part in during the upcoming Pioneer & Ranching Crafts Day set for Feb. 17.

Put on a pair of boots and c’mon over to the Museum of South Texas History to celebrate Pioneer & Ranching Crafts Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17.

This community festival will offer a day filled with entertainment and demonstrations that illustrate the crafts and traditions of early farming and ranching in South Texas and northeastern Mexico.

This year’s theme celebrates the multitude of bootmakers that exist in the Valley, some for multiple generations. Visitors will have an opportunity to learn about the history and craftwork of regional works.

Families and visitors can also experience live ranch-style cooking and craft demonstrations with music by Texas Sweethearts and Pepe Maldonado y su Conjunto. And, returning for spectacular folklorico performances are Edinburg Folklorico Dance Team and Conceptos Entidad Dancistica.

Children’s activities and artisan vendors will be scattered throughout the museum grounds for a better family experience.

For the latest updates on this special family event, please visit mosthistory.org/ events or call the museum at 956-3836911.

The Pioneer & Ranching Crafts Day event is included in regular museum admission: $7 adults (ages 18+); $5 seniors with ID (ages 62+) and students with ID (ages 13+); $4 for children (ages 4 to 12); free for children ages 3 and younger. FRIENDS of the Museum are admitted

free as a benefit of FRIENDship. For more information on the event or becoming a FRIEND of the Museum, call +1-956-3836911. The Museum of South Texas History is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square in downtown Edinburg.

The Museum of South Texas History is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is located in downtown Edinburg at 200 N. Closner Blvd. on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Hours of operation are from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday.

Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003, following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope.

Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like them on Facebook, follow on Twitter, find on Google+ or call 956-383-6911.

IMAS Guild Splash of Spring Style Show Mar 3

The first Saturday of March has once again been selected as the date for the International Museum of Art and Science Guild’s annual Splash of Spring Style Show and Luncheon. This increasingly popular fundraising event for the museum will be held on Mar. 3rd at the Embassy Suites Hotel, located on the McAllen Performing Arts Center campus.

Co chairs for the event, Chiqui Guerra and Diandra Gonzalez, are arranging for an enlarged model ramp and video screens for optimal viewing.

Fashions from Jones & Jones, Dillard’s, Leona’s, and Bec’s Fashion will be modeled by members of Debi Lou Modeling Academy and will include local beauty queens Nadia Rodriguez, Miss South Texas USA; Johanna Perez, Miss McAllen Teen; Makayla Yzel Garcia, Little Miss Edinburg; Natasza Stella Jarosz, Miss Rio Grande Valley Princess and Kennedy Castillo, Texas Citrus Fiesta Royal Court. Mistress of Ceremonies will be Rebecca Malcek.

Before sitting down to a splendid lunch served by Embassy Suites, guests will have the opportunity to browse Silent and Live Auctions offering a tempting selection of items and a raffle with several unique prizes.

Many lucky guests will also be door prize winners.

There will be live music on the patio for

guests to enjoy.

According to Guild President Graciel Cobo, funds raised at this annual event go toward educational programs at the museum. The Guild’s mission statement of “Service, Dedication, and Commitment” has made possible previous Guild fundraisers, such as the purchase of a beautiful grand piano and the Science on a Sphere exhibit, which is very popular with area schools and home school groups.

Tickets are $35 and are available at the museum, 1900 Nolana, McAllen, or from Guild members. For more information please call Guild President Gracie Cobo at 605-5243 or the museum at 682-0123.

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Wednesday, February 14, 2018

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UTRGV Professor Appointed To Edinburg Municipal Court Announces Amnesty Period Dallas Fed’s San Antonio Branch

Dr. Marie T. Mora, UTRGV professor of economics and associate vice provost for Faculty Diversity, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ San Antonio Branch by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. As a board member, Mora will provide input on regional economic conditions in South Texas, as part of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy functions. She will serve a three-year term ending December 2020.

“I am very excited about serving in this capacity, not only because I will be able to share my insights and perspectives on regional economic conditions with Federal Reserve officials, but also because I will learn a lot from the experience,” Mora said.

“It is exciting that the Fed is reaching out to get a broad range of input as they work through monetary policy.”

Previously, Mora served as vice provost fellow for Faculty Affairs, among other positions, at UTRGV legacy institution UTPA. Prior to moving to UTPA, she was an associate professor of economics at New Mexico State University. She holds BA and MA degrees in economics from the University

T SAXE

of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in economics from Texas A&M University.

Mora serves as director of the National Science Foundation-funded American Economic Association Mentoring Program, and has served on the board of the American Economic Association’s Committee on the Status of Minority Groups in the Economics Profession. She also served two terms as a member of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Users Advisory Committee, two terms as president of the American Society of Hispanic Economists and was a member of the Dallas Fed’s Texas Border Colonias Study Steering Committee, and the Early Education Subcommittee of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee.

Her recognitions include the Outstanding Support of Hispanic Issues in Higher Education Award from the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education, and the Cesar Estrada Chavez Award from the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity. She also received the distinguished alumnus award from the Department of Economics of University of New Mexico, the University Faculty Excellence Award for Service from UTPA, and has been named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

“Hispanics are underrepresented in the economics profession,” Mora said. “We want diversity in our profession to provide input that will result in better informed policy recommendations.”

The San Antonio Branch board consists of seven members, four appointed by the Dallas Fed board and three by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C.

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through an installment method. The court is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

The court will conduct a warrant roundup at the end of the two-week amnesty for those who ignore the summons.

People who want more information or to find out if they have an outstanding ticket can call the Warrant Division at (956) 3188819 or the Municipal Court at (956) 2897797.

McAllen Opts To Invest In UTRGV Cancer Research Program

By Davis Rankin

The City of McAllen isn’t giving $1 million just to support the medical school at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Rather, the City is giving $1 million to fight cancer. And city commissioners voted four to one at their meeting Monday night to spend the money to do that.

The $1 million “shall be used exclusively for the development and operation of the Cancer Immunology Program located within the City for the limited purposes of faculty support, operations, maintenance, programs and capital needs,” reads the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) commissioners adopted. The money will go to research cervical cancer, which has a high incidence among Hispanics.

The $1 million is part of the commitment the city made in 2014 when McAllen, the cities of Edinburg, Mission and Pharr, as well as Hidalgo County, signed an MOU to contribute yearly in support of the medical school. McAllen promised “up to $2 million” a year and made a $2 million initial payment, but balked after that and made a payment, of a $1 million in late 2017.

In bringing the subject up, Mayor Jim Darling said “we had questions about how that money was going to be used (then) and, actually, I went up to meet with the Chancellor of the University (of Texas)” to ask how they planned to use the money.

The mayor said he was told that “Ultimately, you’re gonna need it for research to help build this as a Tier One medical school. So, the last couple of years we looked for projects to fund from a research standpoint,” and that will take place at the research facility the UT System is building

The Valley Times

SAXET GUN SHOW

Guns • Militaria • Knives • Ammo in all Calibers

The City of Edinburg Municipal Court announces a two-week amnesty program for people with outstanding tickets. The reprieve will allow people to pay up without being arrested. Beginning Monday, February 12 through March 2 the City will waive all Class “C” arrest warrants and dismiss the failure to appear charge for those who show up in person.

Anyone with an oustanding ticket is encouraged to make a full payment or make arrangements with the court to pay the fine

in McAllen, just east of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance.

“It’s a good investment from both an economic development standpoint,” continued Darling. “We’re funding jobs...and potentially putting us on the map for research” and the city is taking the opportunity “to increase the health of our community” through cancer research.

Commissioner J.J. Zamora expressed “concern over the timing (because we) don’t know what the future holds” in terms of city revenues. Zamora voted against giving the money, other commissioners voted for it and Commissioner Veronica Vela Whitacre abstained, saying later it’s because her husband teaches at UTRGV. City Manager Roy Rodriguez hailed the specificity of the agreement saying, the original city agreement with the UTRGV Medical School “basically said, ‘we’re gonna give ‘em money, and we’re gonna give ‘em money for operational purposes, with no attachment to any one thing going on at the medical school.’” The new agreement spells out what McAllen is getting for its money. “Now we have an MOU that’s very specific about what the expectations are on both sides in order for them to be collecting this money,” continued Rodriguez. ‘So, I think it’s a huge win for both parties, especially for the city.’

Commissioners also voted unanimously to call a vote in May on $25 million in bonds. Prop. A is for $22 million “for the purpose of constructing drainage improvements, along with related street and sidewalk improvements” and Prop. B is $3 million to buy and install equipment to move traffic more smoothly, computers, controllers, fiber cables and other equipment.

VOL. I, NO. 6

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

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WWW.GOODHEALTHGUIDETX.COM

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Fit And Fantastic After Age

50

About one in every three Americans is age 50 or older. If you or someone you care about is among them—or hopes to be someday—it may be wise to heed these five hints on keeping healthy, active and pain-free as you age. They come from Dr. Bob Arnot, an award-winning author of 12 books on nutrition and health, and former chief medical correspondent for different television networks.

Healthy Aging Ideas 1. Give good health a shot. Get your flu, shingles and pneumonia immunizations. Follow your doctor’s advice about regular cancer screening tests, stress tests and bone density measurements. Head off some of the problems of aging before they occur.

2. Stay mentally alert. Read the newspaper every day. Do the crossword puzzle. Play bridge or chess. Take—or teach—a class. Keeping your mind engaged could ward off the brain changes that lead to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Stay socially active, too. If friends and family are far away, see if you can communicate electroni-

cally with computer programs such as Skype.

3. Don’t smoke. You’re never too old to quit.

4. Eat right. In addition to lots of fruits, vegetables and a few lean meats, older people should consume foods with vitamin B12, such as fortified cereals. Also, add flavor to foods with spices and herbs instead of salt and look for low-sodium packaged foods.

Drink three cups of fat-free or low-fat milk throughout the day or the equivalent in yogurt, cheese or other dairy products.

5. Be physically active. Regular activity can help delay, prevent or manage many costly chronic diseases faced by adults 50 years old or older. Try for at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. Do it in increments of 10 minutes or more.

Bike, dance, walk for cardiovascular health. To help preserve your balance, add strength-building activities such as lifting small weights at least twice a week. Check with your doctor about the regimen that’s best for you.

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Wednesday, February 14, 2018

IMAGINE

WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HEART: IMPROVE SLEEP AND MANAGE STRESS If you have heart disease, you’re probably all too familiar with tenets of a hearthealthy lifestyle; eat wisely, get regular physical activity, keep weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar on target; and if you smoke, quit. What you might not know is that sufficient, good-quality sleep and stress control also offer genuine benefits to your heart.

Sleep Two sleep-related problems that plague many people — sleep deprivation and sleep apnea — have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

• Sleep deprivation. Over time, inadequate or poor quality sleep can increase the risk for a number of chronic health problems, including heart disease. Studies have linked short-term sleep deprivation with several well-known contributors to heart disease, including high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure.

• Sleep apnea. This common cause of loud, disruptive snoring makes people temporarily stop breathing many times during the night. Up to 83% of people with heart disease also have sleep apnea, according to some estimates.

In the most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, soft tissue in the upper part of the mouth or back of the throat completely blocks the airway. Oxygen levels dip and the brain sends an urgent “Breathe now!” signal. That signal briefly wakes the sleeper and makes him or her gasp for air. That signal also jolts the same stress hormone and nerve pathways that are stimulated when you are angry or frightened. As a result, the heart beats faster and blood pressure rises—along with other things that can threaten heart health such as inflam-

mation and an increase in blood clotting ability.

If you snore often and loudly — especially if you find yourself tired during the day — talk with your doctor about an evaluation for sleep apnea.

Check your stress (and negative thoughts) at the door A growing body of evidence suggests that psychological factors are — literally — heartfelt, and can contribute to cardiac risk. Stress from all sorts of challenging situations and events plays a significant role in cardiovascular symptoms and outcome, particularly heart attack risk. The same is true for depression, anxiety, anger, hostility, and social isolation. Acting alone, each of these factors heightens your chances of developing heart problems. But these issues often occur together, for example, psychological stress often leads to anxiety, depression can lead to social isolation, and so on.

Does reducing stress, or changing how you respond to it, actually reduce your chances of developing heart disease or having a heart attack? The answer isn’t entirely clear, but many studies suggest the answer is “yes.” There is much to learn about exactly how. Research indicates that constant stress contributes biologically to heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and the formation of artery-clogging deposits. Other research finds that chronic stress may make it harder to sleep, eat well, quit smoking, and exercise.

Fortunately, you can learn healthier ways to respond to stress that may help your heart and improve your quality of life.

These include relaxation exercises (deep breathing, guided imagery), physical activity (walking, yoga), and staying connected with friends, co-workers, family members.

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Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Quick Quinoa Stir-Fry with Vegetables and Tofu

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